4 | NOVEMBER 30 • 2023 J
N

from Federation

Proud Jewish Detroiters
N

ov. 14, almost 1,000 
Detroiters went to 
Washington, D.C., to 
be part of a national Jewish 
experience and to send the 
world a message.
In the face of 
the animus that 
stands against us 
in many guises, 
we, as a com-
munity, through 
our representa-
tives, along with 
300,000 people 
stood tall and committed in a 
remarkable show of the unity 
that marks our people, our 
country and our purpose.
Our story and the challenges 
faced on the trip to D.C. — 
which we will most certainly 
address — contributed to the 
legend of this extraordinary 
national moment and was per-
haps even more significant for 
its uniqueness. 
But for all of the participants, 
they were part of that story, 
whether on the tarmac, in the 
hangar, on a plane or in the 
crowd at the event itself. 
The community came in 
unity, rivalries and disputes 
forgotten, in the face of an 
onslaught of evil that has 
poisoned the world these few 
months. 
Despite the challenges of the 
journey, everyone went with 
one goal, to add our impri-
matur to the national goal of 
standing committed and unit-
ed. To speak the truth, that we 
are one with New York, Los 
Angeles and every community 
in between, there was a com-
mon language of unity and a 
determination to be one with 
Israel and with each other; and 

no matter how difficult the 
effort is, we are committed to 
never being separated. 
And perhaps most signifi-
cant of all, 200 of our young 
day school students were brave 
enough and committed enough 
to be part of that moment and 
the history of our people. 
A thousand blessed Jewish 
Detroiters represented a gen-
erous, committed, supportive 
Detroit community whose 
local Emergency Campaign has 
raised nearly $30 million, as 
part of over $600 million raised 
by federations across North 
America in just a few short 
weeks.
And, of course, it was not 
just those who made the trip; 
it was everyone, who by their 
participation, with a vigil, a 
prayer, a contribution or just a 
good word, demonstrated the 
essential commitment that sus-
tains us all.
We should be aware of, and 
acknowledge, the incredible 
hard work of the dedicated 
Federation team and the cadre 
of volunteers that expended 
tremendous efforts to make 
Detroit a part of the national 

convergence in Washington, 
D.C.
And despite everything, 
we are forever guided by the 
principles which God Himself 
articulated when Abraham 
and Sarah were setting the 
foundation for our heritage 
and our future. The Almighty 
explains his special fondness 
for Abraham, the first Jew, 
“because he commands his 
children and his household that 
they must perform tzedakah 
u’mishpat — charity and justice, 
to promulgate kindness and 
love amongst its people and all 
people everywhere.
” 
It is those principles that 
formed the bedrock of our 
civilization, and it is those two 
basic concepts upon which 
everything else is built. And it 
is those two commandments 
that bind us together as a com-
munity, and that we are forever 
charged to pass on to our chil-
dren, as our father Abraham 
did.
And, of course, to prepare for 
the troubles and travails of an 
imperfect world, God suggested 
a name for Abraham’s son that 
would establish a worldview 

that is so much a part of our 
legacy. That son, Abraham’s, 
and Sarah’s child, was named 
Isaac, which at its root means 
laughter, to signify the unfailing 
optimism, and even humor, 
with which we are expected 
to make our way through this 
life. An attitude quite properly 
exhibited by our representatives 
in Washington, D.C.
The beauty of that moment 
was best captured early in the 
morning on Wednesday as the 
very last plane made it home 
from Dulles airport after a long 
and hard day, when one of our 
most beloved community activ-
ists who called me, exhausted, 
but exhilarated from the trip, 
both tired and content, said 
to me that morning, “It didn’t 
matter where or what I did as 
an individual, or that each of us 
gave up a day and a night and 
suffered a bit of ‘hardship.
’
“We spoke the truth and we 
stood up tall for the captives, 
for the places where so many 
are suffering. And the best part 
about the day was that we did it 
together.
” 
In a way that is the greatest 
comfort and most important 
reminder, that no matter what 
our efforts, Heaven makes the 
ultimate decisions, and our job 
is to persevere.
So, almost 1,000 Jewish 
Detroiters went to Washington 
to be part of a national Jewish 
experience and to send the 
world a message.
Message delivered.
We should all be proud to be 
Jewish Detroiters.
Now more than ever. 

Gary Torgow is president of the Jewish 

Federation of Detroit.

PURELY COMMENTARY

Gary Torgow

