OCTOBER 14 • 2021 | 19

JCRC/AJC

first cohort. 
“I feel so fortunate to have 
participated over the last two 
years in thoughtful conversa-
tions with not only scholars, 
but fellow Detroiters who have 
all been working in our com-
munity. Especially during the 
pandemic, coming together 
with my cohort gave me an 
opportunity to connect with 
my community in a deeply 
meaningful way and gave me 
respite to think about our 
community through a differ-
ent lens.”
She added, “As someone 
who volunteers and works in 
our Jewish community, engag-
ing in Hartman work gave me 
the space and place to think in 
a different way. Because of my 
involvement in DCLP, I began 
engaging in the other resourc-
es Hartman provides such as 
podcasts. 
“I cannot recommend 
enough for individuals to 
check out the podcasts, virtu-
al summits and articles that 
Hartman produces. You do not 
need to be part of the cohort 
to experience Hartman Torah.”

NEW GROUP COMING
A new group of nearly two 
dozen lay leaders will soon 
begin their learning as the sec-
ond DCLP cohort, with sever-
al members of the first cohort 
serving as mentors.

Rebecca Starr noted, “The 
Institute is thrilled to welcome 
this incredible group of lead-
ers to the newest local cohort. 
Our work together will bring 
an opportunity to explore 
our complex relationship 
with Israel as Jews in North 
America. 
“This moment in Jewish 
history is one that requires 
study, debate and conversation 
around the future of Jewish 
peoplehood,” Starr added. 
“I look forward to learning 
with this DCLP group, along 
with Hartman’s other local 
cohorts of professional leaders 
throughout the year, and to 
watching them bring their wis-
dom to the larger Jewish com-
munity of Metro Detroit.” 
This year, the cohort’s topic 
of study includes time spent 

bringing Jewish values into 
conversations about Israel. 
When participants begin their 
learning, they will explore 
the ways in which their rela-
tionship to Israel unites and 
divides and how deep polar-
ization affects their work as 
communal leaders. 
Each participant will have 
an opportunity to engage with 
new ideas and to make them 
work at the institutions they 
represent. 
Participants will meet in 
person at various community 
locations, and on Zoom for 
some sessions, as well as have 
opportunities for reflection. 
In June, if travel allows, they 
will spend an intensive week-
long seminar on Hartman’s 
Jerusalem campus. 
Alicia Chandler, JCRC/
AJC’s immediate 
past president, was 
involved in envi-
sioning the DCLP 
in 2019 and will 
now be a mem-
ber of the newest 
cohort. 
“I am so thrilled 
to be able to take part in this 
experience through Shalom 
Hartman. Hartman is the 
thought-leader for the Jewish 
community on issues of plu-

ralism and Israel-Diaspora 
relations and it is so exciting 
that this learning has been 
brought to Detroit.”
Added cohort 
participant Jon 
Aaron, “I am 
excited and hon-
ored to be able to 
learn with, and 
from, some of the 
greatest minds in 
the Jewish world. The Shalom 
Hartman Institute has become 
the preeminent destination for 
Jewish thought and idea dis-
semination. 
“The Detroit Hartman 
cohort has gathered some of 
Detroit’s wisest individuals and 
Jewish leaders and provided me 
with the opportunity to learn 
and grow my Jewish identity 
alongside these remarkable 
individuals,” Aaron added. 
“I look forward to increas-
ing my Jewish awareness and 
being able to share my new-
found wisdom with my wife 
and children.” 

For more information about the Shalom 

Hartman Institute and the DCLP, visit 

www.hartman.org.il/program/detroit/ or 

email Rebecca Starr at rebecca.starr@

shalomhartman.org. For more informa-

tion about JCRC/AJC visit www.jcrcajc.

org or email Associate Director Lauren 

Garfield-Herrin at herrin@jfmd.org. 

Jon Aaron

Alicia 
Chandler

Audrey Bloomberg and Rebecca Starr

Rebecca Starr talks to cohort members during the first cohort get-together in August.

JCRC/AJC

