MARCH 9 • 2023 | 29

J

ohn Hardwick of Royal Oak, direc-
tor of marketing operations for the 
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan 
Detroit, is traveling to Israel for the first 
time on Federation’s Motor City Mission 
trip this month. 
Hardwick, 55, has worked at Federation 
for nearly 16 years. Though he’s not 
Jewish and was raised Catholic, Hardwick 
has felt a connection to the Jewish 
community here in that time.
“
As a non-Jew, I’ve been so welcomed 
into the community, and I’ve learned so 
much about it since I’ve worked here,” 
Hardwick said. “I’ve probably participated 
in far more Jewish rites of passage — 
I’ve been to so many weddings and bar 
mitzvahs and brises, and funerals and 
shivahs, that I feel very much a part of 
and welcomed into the community. It just 
seemed like a natural next step to want to 
go to Israel, especially with people in the 
community.”
As part of his role at Federation, 
Hardwick knew about the Motor City 

Mission ever since Federation leadership 
began talking about it. Hardwick’s team 
built the website, did the marketing for 
it and created the look and feel for it. 
But Hardwick never actually thought he 
would be able to participate until they 
asked him if he would like to go and 
photograph it. Hardwick has photo-
graphed Federation events for years. 
“So, I’m actually going to participate 
as a photographer, which is really 
good because that’ll give me a chance 
to see it in a whole different light,” he 
said. “I’ll be hopping from bus to bus 
and hopefully capturing a little bit of 
everything.” 
Hardwick says he’s always wanted to 
go somewhere “ancient” where people 
still live. Visiting the Holy Land for the 
first time will surely fulfill that dream. 
“One thing I’ve always been fascinated 
about with Israel is it’s been there for 
thousands and thousands of years,” 
Hardwick said. “I mean, how old is the 
city of Jerusalem, 5,000 years old? And 

it’s still populated with people who carry 
that history and tradition forward with 
them in their daily lives, and I’ve never 
been anywhere like that. Plus, the fact 
that Tel Aviv is so modern, I want to see 
the contrast.” 
In his 15+ years at Federation, 
Hardwick has been around Israelis 
regularly. From Shinshinim to staff he’s 
worked with, he’s always wanted to see 
where they came from.
Travel is like “life on fast forward,” 
Hardwick believes, in that you never 
come back from a vacation the same 
person. It makes your world bigger 
and expands your knowledge and 
understanding. Hardwick hopes this trip 
does the same. 
“
And I’ve never been somewhere where 
not only is the language different, but the 
alphabet is also different, just a whole 
different way of life,” Hardwick said. “I’ve 
always been interested in interacting with 
people who didn’t grow up the same way 
I did.” 

John Hardwick

Federation staff member John Hardwick will exercise 
his connection to the Jewish community with his 
first Israel trip.

Days Away from the 
Holy Land

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

MOTOR CITY MISSION COUNTDOWN

Two organizations at the center of the 
Jewish environmental movement, Hazon 
and Pearlstone, launched a new identity 
for their merging organization: Adamah, 
chosen to emphasize the deep connection 
between people and planet, adam and 
adamah.
The combined resources of the new 
Adamah organization will allow it to 
strengthen and expand its current educa-
tional, retreat and climate programs. The 
launch of the new name also includes a 

major announcement in the weeks ahead 
from the newly formed Jewish Climate 
Leadership Coalition, convened by the 
organization.
Adamah’s mission is to cultivate vibrant 
Jewish life in deep connection with the 
Earth, catalyzing culture change and 
systemic change through Jewish environ-
mental education, immersive retreats and 
climate action. 
Adamah is building Community Impact 
Hubs in major Jewish communities across 

North America. Detroit is the most impact-
ful and longest established hub, and this 
year Adamah plans to launch hubs in both 
Southern California and New York City. 
Additional hubs will be established in years 
to come in partnership with local Jewish 
communal leadership. 
Adamah will manage an estimated $13 
million budget and a staff of over 150, and 
directly engage nearly 40,000 program par-
ticipants annually.
The organization has launched a new 
website as part of the brand launch. Visit 
www.adamah.org to see more. 

Hazon Becomes ‘Adamah’

