16 | OCTOBER 6 • 2022 

Over the last five years, 
Hazon Detroit has already part-
nered with more than 40 Jewish 
organizations on sustainability 
programs. It’s a foundation, 
Weitzer says, the organization 
can continue to build from in 
this new effort.
The coalition also plans to 
put heavy focus on engaging 
teens and younger adults, who 
are the future of the community 
(and addressing the climate cri-
sis for generations to come).
“We’re going to 
be working with 
groups of young 
people within 
Jewish congrega-
tions and organiza-
tions locally,
” says 
Julia Cunnien, Seal 
of Sustainability program man-
ager in Detroit. “We’re going to 
be having conversations about 

Jewish identity and the climate 
crisis.
”

JEWISH RESPONSIBILITY
Addressing climate change ties 
closely to the Jewish concept 
of tikkun olam or repairing the 
world. It’s a value many Jewish 
leaders agree is part of the foun-
dation of Jewish responsibility.
“The climate crisis is daunt-
ing,
” Cooper says. “There’s a lot 
of overwhelming anxiety when 
looking into a future that can 
seem unknown and scary.
”
In that space is a chance to 
take action, she adds. “In place 
of anxiety, we can respond with 
hope and with a sense of urgen-
cy, a sense of obligation to take 
action.
”
Still, while each individual 
action matters in addressing 
the climate crisis, it’s the group 
effort that can truly make 

a difference. “Through our 
combined efforts, the Jewish 
community can create a mean-
ingful role in creating the world 
we envision and so desperately 
need,
” Rosenn says.
“One of the things that’s so 
powerful about this coalition is 
the collective power,
” Cooper 
explains, “such as the resources, 
the energy and the visibility of 

the Jewish community.
”
Weitzer believes that Judaism 
calls upon the community 
to join forces against climate 
change. 
“We don’t have to complete 
the work, but we certainly have 
to be involved in it,
” she says. 
“You can’t possibly do it all on 
your own, and that’s why we 
have community.
” 

CLIMATE LEADERSHIP COALITION continued from page 14

Julia 
Cunnien

The solar array at the Isabella 
Freedman Jewish Retreat 
Center (Hazon's retreat center 
in Falls Village, Conn.).

U

niversity of 
Michigan students in 
neighborhoods near 
campus woke up to antisemitic 
fliers placed on their porches on 
Sunday morning, Sept. 25, as 
Jews in Ann Arbor and around 
the world were preparing to 
celebrate the Jewish New Year.
The fliers were placed in off-
campus but student-populated 
neighborhoods by the Goyim 
Defense League and contained 
antisemitic conspiracy theories.
“The Goyim Defense League 
is a loose network of individuals 
connected by their virulent 
antisemitism,
” the ADL says. 
“GDL
’s overarching goal is to 

cast aspersions on Jews and 
spread antisemitic myths and 
conspiracy theories.
” 
According to the ADL, 
the Goyim Defense League 
was responsible for at least 
74 antisemitic propaganda 
incidents in 2021. As of May, 
they had reportedly distributed 
propaganda dozens of times in 
at least seventeen states in 2022.
The incident was reported 
to the Ann Arbor Police 
Department — with an 
investigation believed to be 
underway. The JN reached out 
to the AAPD, but has not heard 
back at press time. 
The JN reached out to the 

university, which issued the 
following statement: 
“We are aware of reports that 
antisemitic fliers were posted 
in Ann Arbor neighborhoods 
near the University of Michigan 
campus over the weekend. The 
fliers have been reported to Ann 
Arbor Police.
 “These fliers were 
unequivocally hateful and 
antisemitic. There is no place for 
hate on our campus or in our 
community.
“Such fliers do not reflect 
the university’s values and our 
efforts to cultivate a community 
that embraces diversity, 
inclusion and a culture where all 
experience a sense of belonging. 

“Free speech is a strongly 
held value at U-M and one we 
believe is core to a democratic 
society. Our own free speech 
rights also allow us to call out 
some expressions as antisemitic, 
racist or xenophobic when they 
cross the line from contested 
ideas to attacks on humanity.
” 
Michigan Hillel posted this 
statement on its Instagram 
account: 
“There is no place for this 
kind of hate — on campus or 
off. 
“Hillel is here for students 
throughout the holiday to talk 
and process what happened. 
We are working with the 
university to support students 
through CAPS (Counseling 
and Psychological Services) and 
Student Life. 
“Despite these negative 
messages, we will bring in 
the new year with joy and 
celebration and wishes for a 
sweet year ahead, free from 
hate.
” 

Antisemitic Fliers
Placed on Porches 
Near U-M Campus 

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

