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.