she stood up and saw the
sea of Israeli flags, “I didn’t
want to be anywhere else.”
More recently, Messing
made her first trip to Israel
to bear witness and to tell
Israelis that American Jews
are with them.
She is looking forward to
an upcoming documentary
on antisemitism, Primal
Fear, which she has helped
to produce and which
will be shown on college
campuses and via social
media.
Messing says she wants
to be remembered as
someone who brought joy
to the world and made
people laugh but also as a
humanist, a proud Jew and
an activist for marginalized
people.
“Debra’s story is a
reminder of how important
it is for each of us to use our
voice and give back to the
world around us,” Trepeck
Harris said.
“And, the record
attendance for the event
is a true testament to the
fact that it has never been
more important for us to
lean into our community
and come together to speak
out on behalf of Jewish
people everywhere, and for
any other causes we feel
passionate about. We each
have the ability to make a
difference.”
At the end of the
program, Messing took a
cellphone selfie video of
herself with the audience.
She later shared it on her
social media and said “the
evening was a celebration
of community and the
profound impact that
women can have on the
world. It was very healing to
be in community with these
women.”
Before her talk, Nancy
Glen, Women’s Philanthropy
campaign chair, noted
Federation started its fund-
raising efforts aimed at
women in 1946, when, for
the first time, women were
urged to donate in their own
names. “Your gift makes a
difference,” she said.
Today, Women’s
Philanthropy, part of
the Jewish Federation
of Detroit, raises money
for Federation’s Annual
Campaign and provides
programming and con-
nection for women in all
stages of life to ensure
everyone in Jewish Detroit,
and in Israel, is taken care
of and feels like part of the
family.
“It was truly remarkable
to witness Women’s
Philanthropy Signature
come to life,” said Stefanie
Aronow, another event
co-chair. “Despite the
record-breaking attendance,
the evening retained an
intimate essence, enveloping
us in comfort, inspiration
and empowerment.”
Serving with Aronow
and Trepeck Harris as
event co-chairs were Amy
Berman and Melissa Wolf.
Women’s Philanthropy
leadership includes Sherrie
Singer, president; Nancy
Glen, campaign chair; and
Shelly Rubenfire, associate
campaign chair.
Henry Ford Health was
the presenting sponsor of
the program.
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