MARCH 2 • 2023 | 23
I
n November 2022, Temple Beth Emeth
(TBE), together with their partners at
Genesis of Ann Arbor-St. Clare’s of
Assisi Episcopal Church, held their annual
Erev Thanksgiving gathering.
The evening was filled with songs by
both choirs, readings and interpersonal
conversations. But the highlight of the eve-
ning was the presentation of the Genesis
Humanitarian Award, this year given to
Rabbi Josh Whinston of Temple Beth
Emeth.
The Genesis Humanitarian Award pro-
motes recognition of people and organiza-
tions whose actions exemplify the Genesis
Vision and Spirit by embracing mutual
trust, respect and appreciation of all people,
and living the ideals of faith and inclusive-
ness to heal a broken world.
Over the years, certain members of the
community have stood out by devoting
countless hours toward improving the
relationships with which Genesis is now
blessed. Still others are deeply involved in
a wide variety of social justice activities or
are tireless volunteers in community service
organizations.
Out of the many worthy individuals in
the community and the combined TBE and
St. Clare’s congregations, Genesis seeks to
recognize those who inspire future genera-
tions. In the past, the Genesis Humanitarian
Award has been presented to Christine
Modey (2020), Jewish Family Services
of Washtenaw County, Refugee Services
Department (2018), the Back Door Food
Pantry (2017), Bob Milstein (2017), Irene
Butter (2012), Richard Bailey (2010), James
Schairbaum (2007), Sandy Elden (2005),
Phil Bowen (2003), Jackie Moore (2001),
Rabbi Bob Levy (1999) and The Rev. Doug
Evett (1997).
ADVOCATE FOR JUSTICE
AT THE BORDER
Rabbi Whinston moved to Ann Arbor in
the summer of 2016 and, in the wake of
the injustices at the southern border of the
country in 2017, he asked the Temple Beth
Emeth community to speak out and use
their collective voice to effect change.
When prompted by a congregant to
reread a New York Times article about the
separation of children from their families,
he realized the tragedies taking place at
the border could not be ignored. Rabbi
Whinston’s courage, clarity and conviction
inspired many to take up the effort to make
a change.
In the summer of 2018, Rabbi Whinston
helped a woman find her family by driv-
ing her to Pittsburgh. Ms. Gonzalez, a
Guatemalan woman, had been separated
from her children at the U.S. border in
Texas.
Weeks later, in the aftermath of the Tree
of Life Synagogue massacre in Pittsburgh,
Rabbi Whinston reflected on living up to
his religious values. In his own words, “We
take our own values seriously. We take care
of the stranger. It is our Torah and our val-
ues, especially given our history.
”
Rabbi Whinston became an instrumental
leader in organizing an interfaith “Let Our
Families Go” action in Tornillo, Texas. The
campaign was formed by Rabbi Whinston,
Rabbi Terlinchamp (Cincinnati) and the
Faith in Action organization. The campaign
organized rallies across the nation with reli-
gious leaders and communities.
Joining forces with congregations across
the country, activists, reformers and orga-
nizations working tirelessly at the border,
Rabbi Whinston and the Social Action
Committee of Temple Beth Emeth were
able to bring further attention to the inhu-
manity occurring at the border. The cam-
paign protested and raised awareness about
hidden suffering experienced by thousands
of families like the Gonzalez family.
In the fall of 2018, a caravan of God’s
people headed to the Tornillo detention
center near the Texas-Mexico border. This
pilgrimage raised national awareness about
three humanitarian crises: asylum seekers
languishing on the El Paso-Juarez Bridge;
teenagers confined to a tent city surround-
ed by barbed wire in Tornillo; and the
humanitarian crisis in El Paso, Texas, where
immigrants and refugees are randomly
released with no access to support services
or resources.
As reported nationwide, the humanitari-
an protests and religious activism occurred
just outside the detention facility in Texas,
and the protesters even served meals at 10
U.S. border shelters for asylum seekers. The
work of the Let Our Families Go Campaign
continues to be a source of humanitarian
inspiration. This activism has also been
relied on to support a Rabbinic Resolution
on private prisons in the U.S.
In addition to his humanitarian work,
Rabbi Whinston is a Brickner Fellow at the
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism,
serves on the board for the Interfaith
Council for Peace and Justice in Ann Arbor,
and is a fantastic husband to Sarah and the
attentive, involved and supportive father of
three growing children.
Rabbi Whinston leads by example. He
works selflessly to heal the world. Although
also selfless, Genesis admits to being selfish
in presenting this award. Genesis selfishly
charges Rabbi Whinston with continuing
his inspiring work and leadership. Genesis
also charges the members of both congre-
gations to use Rabbi Whinston’s example to
inspire volunteerism. We hope that the pre-
sentation of this award encourages everyone
to act selflessly and work toward a better
future world.
Rabbi Josh Whinston receives the Genesis Humanitarian Award.
Ann Arbor Rabbi Honored
MURRAY ROSENTHAL AND CHRISTINE MODEY WASHTENAW JEWISH NEWS
Rabbi Josh
Whinston