DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
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JULY 11 • 2024 | 7
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although undoubtedly Jews in
those areas will take advantage!
— this new contract fulfills
two imperatives for Gesher.
First, our mission statement
says that we “serve all Metro
Detroiters while meeting
the needs of the Jewish
community.
” It also fulfills
the imperative established by
Rabbi Hillel, who said, “If I am
not for myself, who will be”
and “If I am only for myself
what am I?”
Of course, we don’t have to
ask “When?” — we’re doing
this work now.
Moreover, securing
contracts to provide services
to the general public enables
Gesher to better serve the
Jewish community through
more robust services, warm
hand-offs when a member of
the community can benefit
from the public system,
and greater connections to
employers and government
services.
Lastly, during these
difficult times for the Jewish
community, Gesher’s service
beyond our community
enables us to serve as a “light
unto the nations” by focusing
on our mission to be a bridge
to hope and opportunity.
For the ability to perform
this work every day, for our
new contract and, most
importantly, for the new jobs,
financial stability and hope
for the future gained by those
who will benefit from our
work, we say: Shehechiyanu,
v’kiyamnu, v’higiaynu lazman
hazeh.
Paul Blatt is CEO of Gesher Human
Services.