AUGUST 17 • 2023 | 25
people to look at Michigan as a potential
place to build a life.”
Whitmer’s message to JN readers and
Michigan’s Jewish community in the face
of the rise in antisemitism is a commit-
ment to the work of making sure every
person can live their lives and be safe in
their communities across Michigan.
“That’s why these historic dollars
that we’re putting in, especially for our
Michigan Jewish community, are really
important,” Whitmer said. “We’ve seen
such a rise in hate speech across the
country in the last six to seven years. It’s
important that we hold people account-
able, that we’ve got clearly defined stan-
dards and laws on the books, and that
we have the resources to combat that
rise. We’re making strides on all those
fronts, but there’s always more work
to do. And the counsel I get from so
many leaders in the community is really
important as I set agendas, as I sign pol-
icy, bills and budget bills as well.”
As a supporter of the Jewish State of
Israel, the JN asked Whitmer for her
thoughts on the country’s ongoing,
controversial judicial reform and what
that could mean for democracy there.
Though she’s not often on the nation-
al stage dealing with or talking about
geopolitical issues, Whitmer says she’s
watching what’s going on in Israel with a
great deal of concern.
“It is an important democracy, for a
lot of reasons, and I’ve got real concerns
about what we’re seeing happening,”
Whitmer said. “And I watch the protest-
ers, and I’m grateful that so many feel so
strongly that they’re willing to raise their
voices.”
In 2019, Whitmer’s first overseas trip
as governor was to Israel. While there,
Whitmer signed a Memorandum of
Understanding with Israel-based tech
NGO Start-Up Nation Central, which
connects Israel-based companies with
operations in Michigan.
“It was really spectacular,” Whitmer
said of the trip. “The convergence of so
many different faiths and perspectives
is one of the things that makes Israel so
important and why we’ve got to watch
what’s going on with great concern and
fight to make sure it continues to be a
democracy.”
Earlier this year, Whitmer hosted
a “Freedom Seder” at the governor’s
mansion for the second year in a row.
The event is organized by the Coalition
for Black and Jewish Unity and brings
together leaders from both communi-
ties as a local effort to speak out against
bigotry and promote solidarity. Having
hosted twice now, Whitmer says she
would not yet consider herself a pro at
seder hosting, though she plans to con-
tinue hosting as long as she’s governor.
“I’ve come to really appreciate Shabbat
dinner on Friday nights,” Whitmer
added. “One of my favorite things is
when people invite me to partake in a
Shabbat dinner.”
Bernard is on the same wavelength as
Whitmer — hoping the retreat serves as
an avenue to sell young people on what
Detroit and Michigan have to offer, as a
dynamic place to live and work and for
its strong Jewish community.
From the JFNA and Cabinet point
of view, Bernard’s hope for people who
attended the retreat is to take what they
learned, go back to their communities
and make a difference in any way they
can. “We’re all in this together,” Bernard
said.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
gives the keynote speech.
Nearly 300 people
attended the event.
Gary Torgow
addresses
attendees.