NOVEMBER 3 • 2022 | 25

nication,
” Denhollander said. 
“My encounters with Nassar 
(to treat back pain in 2000 
when I was 15), were separate 
from my gym environment. 
“There was nothing that 
I or my parents could have 
done differently from being 
abused by Nassar. However, it 
was because I had that foun-
dation of open communica-
tion with my parents that I 
knew they would 
believe me, that 
was the huge 
redemptive part 
of my story. I 
think I am in the 
place where I am 
now because of 
that foundation.” 
Julia Cohen, JFS teen 
mental health coordinator, 
said she first learned of 
Denhollander’s advocacy and 
educational work through 
a Netflix documentary 
Athlete A, which highlighted 
Denhollander and other ath-
letes instrumental in bringing 
Nassar to justice. 
 Around the same time, the 
Union for Reform Judaism 
in February 2022 released an 
investigative report chroni-
cling sexual misconduct in 
the movement’s 14 U.S. youth 
camps and other youth pro-
grams over the past 50 years.
“I couldn’t help but notice 
the similarities between these 

stories, both highlighting the 
grave consequences of not 
responding appropriately 
to reports of sexual abuse,” 
Cohen said. “It felt important 
and timely to bring Rachael 
to speak with our commu-
nity. It is important as a 
community that we listen to 
and believe survivors and 
respond appropriately. “
Temple Israel’s Rabbi 
Jennifer Lader 
said that Jewish 
institutions, fully 
committed to 
the emotional 
and physical 
health, safety 
and security of 
children, are in 
a unique position to fight 
against complicity when it 
comes to abuse. 
 “Rachael Denhollander has 
truly changed the world,” 
Lader said. “Inviting 
her to speak here will 
give children and their 
parents the knowledge and 
information to not only 
protect themselves and oth-
ers but will also help them 
reach their full emotional 
and spiritual potential. As 
Jewish educators and clergy, 
our goal is to serve as active 
allies, shining light in dark 
places in order to best serve 
our families and make our 
community a safer place.” 

Julia Cohen
Rabbi 
Jennifer 
Lader

Friends in All Places

The start of the new year 
in 2022 has been difficult 
for the Jewish community, 
as it spiraled us into rapid 
response and grassroots 
activism. This year on Rosh 
Hashanah, a fringe white 
supremacist organization 
that feeds off shock value, 
organized a canvas of leaf-
lets containing horrific 
antisemitic messaging at the 
University of Michigan. 
Afterward, Philos Action 
League organized a rose 
bouquet delivery to every 
Jewish organization on 
campus, with notes as a 
warm display of solidarity 
from our Christian brothers 
and sisters. Philos has been 
an essential player when 
it comes to combatting 
antisemitism, and the JCRC/
AJC is grateful for all they 
do. 
Philos Action League 
Advocacy Associate Hannah 
Garces spoke about their 
efforts in Ann Arbor. “It’s 
time to stop talking about 
activism and just posting 
about it on social media. 
Real tangible action shows 
that you truly care, so the 

Philos Action League is 
dedicated to showing up in 
solidarity with (our) Jewish 
friends and neighbors when-
ever and wherever antisemi-
tism appears.”
Last year, as part of a 
national Jewish Federations 
of North America initia-
tive, JCRC/AJC collabora-
tively held a Shine a Light 
on Antisemitism event in 
Detroit with members of 
Greater New Mount Moriah 
Baptist Church on the last 
day of Chanukah. We look 
forward to preserving this 
tradition together in 2022. 

JCRC/AJC ISRAEL ASSOCIATE

Flowers 
were sent to 
every Jewish 
organization on 
U-M’s campus.

JSL Fall Open House
Discover Jewish Senior Life at a festive Fall Open House 
from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, at Jewish Senior Life, West 
Bloomfield Campus, 6760 W. Maple Road, West Bloomfield.
Meet the residents and learn about the incredible living 
options including independent, assisted and memory care. 
Donuts and cider will be served and tours of the JSL commu-
nities and model apartment homes will be available. 
Contact Tracey Proghovnick at (248) 592-5048 or 
tproghovnick@jslmi.org for more information. 

