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