MARCH 23 • 2023 | 13

have already partnered with 
in Michigan, some that have 
ideas we are following up on, 
and others that are pushing 
every boundary. 
I believe innovation starts 
with a healthy dissatisfaction 
with the status quo and deep 
curiosity. This is where Israel 
and the U.S. have a common-
ality. We cannot be OK with 
the current situation, and 
thus we must invest in people 
and nurture their creativity 
to develop new ideas and 
ways to better our society and 
improve the health of our 
communities.
Innovation comes in all 
forms, big and small. It is 
trialing ground-breaking 
research on remote surger-

ies and new therapies. It is 
exploring new, virtual ways to 
monitor health. It is creating 
better experiences and simpler 
billing processes.
Just like my father says, 
“If at first you don’t succeed, 
try, try again.” This sense of 
determination and resilience 
is enabling and freeing. And it 
is saving lives.
At the end of our trip, we 
visited the Peres Center for 
Peace and Innovation. “Dream 
Big” was the theme of the cen-
ter. It was noticeable through-
out the center, and one could 
not miss the huge artistic 
design of the message outside 
the building. This is where the 
U.S. needs to invest — dream-
ing big for our society. 

Now, a few weeks later, I am 
still reflecting on my experi-
ence and grateful for the time 
I had to explore the awe-in-
spiring cultural landmarks 
and health care environment 
with others from Michigan.
I am also energized by the 
potential opportunities we 
have in Michigan. We have 
similar elements in our cul-
ture. We must unapologetical-
ly embrace this determination, 
resilience, partnerships and 
innovation for the betterment 
of Michigan and the United 
States. I know we can. And, 
as we do, we will see great 
benefits and positive impact 
on our state and our residents, 
just like Israel has experienced 
for its citizens.

Determination, resilience, 
a sense of community and 
dreaming big and bold: The 
lessons from our journey give 
me hope for the future of 
health care, of technology and 
of the continuing partnership 
between our two countries. 
As we dream big for our soci-
ety, we can all pursue better 
health. 

Tina Freese Decker is president 

and CEO of Corewell Health™, a 

leading integrated health system 

that strives to provide simple, 

affordable, equitable and exceptional 

care and coverage to millions of 

Michigan residents. She leads more 

than 60,000 colleagues who are 

passionate about the relentless 

pursuit of better health for their 

communities. See related story, p. 32.

continued from page 10

ensure everyone has access to 
the same opportunities and 
freedoms.
Former Congressman, 
University of Michigan 
alumni and now AJC CEO 
Ted Deutch met us at the 
Capitol and talked about 
his experience in Congress 
and his recent trip to India 
developing the relationships 
critical to building stronger 
communities. Hearing from 
the Congressman and having 
a chance to talk with him 
afterward had a profound 
impact on me. 
He is well respected and 
deeply committed to standing 
up for the Jewish people 
and the democratic values 
that unite us all. But he 
and all the other speakers I 
heard from, including U.S. 
Department of State Special 
Envoy for Antisemitism 
Deborah Lipstadt and Shelley 
Greenspan, the Official White 
House Jewish Liaison, were 
accessible and interested in 

what we had to say, just as 
much as we were eager to 
learn from them.
While I may have been 
“Inside the Beltway,” the 
AJC Susan & Bart Lewis 
Family Leaders for Tomorrow 
Advocacy Day took me 
outside my bubble. I had the 
chance to meet people from 
different backgrounds and 
from around the world. And I 
had meaningful conversations 
about the problems and issues 
facing our groups. It was 
inspiring to see how much 

passion and commitment 
there is out there to create a 
better world and know that 
I am very much part of that 
world. 
As a member of the Detroit 
cohort, being in Washington 
and actively participating 
in the conversation was an 
important step in my journey 
toward becoming a more 
empathetic and understanding 
person and a better advocate 
in our community. 
I learned so much about 
different cultures and 

traditions, and I came away 
with a renewed sense of hope 
for the future. The world is a 
complicated place. Yet, despite 
the problems we are facing, 
there are people already 
working on repairing it. 
Although I am too young to 
vote, we are never too young 
to make things better. And to 
the AJC, that’s something for 
which I am grateful. 

Spencer Cherrin is a sophomore 

at the Frankel Jewish Academy, 

participating in the American Jewish 

Committee Leaders for Tomorrow 

program. He will join world leaders at 

the AJC Global Forum in Tel Aviv this 

June and explore the key political, 

strategic and social concerns affecting 

the future of world Jewry. 

CORRECTION
The story “Casual Diversity” 
(March 16, page 28) about 
children’s author Lisa Rose 
described her as married. 
She is not married. The JN 
regrets the error.

Former Congressman and current AJC CEO Ted Deutch speaking to 
students in Washington at the AJC LFT leadership conference.

AJC PHOTOGRAPHERS

