18 | DECEMBER 19 • 2024 J
N
O
n Christmas Day, hundreds
of volunteers from the Detroit
Jewish community will par-
ticipate in Mitzvah Day, a long-stand-
ing tradition where the Jewish commu-
nity spends the day giving back by vol-
unteering with local nonprofits across
the Metro area.
Volunteers will spread out across
17 service sites, including food pan-
tries, shelters and community centers.
Projects range from preparing and
serving meals to organizing donations,
wrapping gifts and visiting with resi-
dents in nursing homes. This collective
effort allows nonprofit staff to enjoy
Christmas with their families while
ensuring their critical services continue
uninterrupted.
This year marks a new chapter
for Mitzvah Day, now organized by
the Jewish Federation of Detroit’s
Community Relations Department.
“Mitzvah Day is a cherished tradition
that exemplifies the spirit of service
and giving,
” said Nancy Welber Barr,
chair of the Federation’s Community
Relations Committee. “We are proud to
continue this meaningful work while
fostering new connections across our
diverse Greater Detroit community.
”
Since its launch in 1996,
Mitzvah Day has evolved
into more than a volunteer
event; it is an opportunity
for interfaith collaboration.
Jewish volunteers work
alongside partners from
Hindu, Sikh and Muslim
communities, strengthening
ties through shared service.
“Working together across faiths
builds understanding and respect while
making a tangible impact,
” said Welber
Barr.
Volunteer opportunities are avail-
able with the following organizations:
Cass Community Social Services,
Jewish Senior Life/Prentis Residence,
Pope Francis Center–Day Center,
Canterbury-on-the-Lake, Brilliant
Detroit, St. Stephen’s Methodist Church
–Jimmy’s Kids, HOPE Shelters, Christ
Church, JARC, Bridging Communities
Inc. and Vista Maria.
As in past years, Mitzvah Day offers
opportunities for all ages and abilities,
including family-friendly projects. To
learn more about Mitzvah Day and to
volunteer, visit jewishdetroit.org/event/
mitzvahday24.
At one of the Detroit service sites,
Jewish families help feed homeless
guests on the Christmas holiday in
a wonderful illustration of interfaith
unity.
Located in the heart of Downtown
Detroit, the Pope Francis Center pro-
vides vital services to individuals expe-
riencing homelessness. On an average
day, they welcome over 200 guests and
provide them with nutritious meals,
showers, laundry, and access to doctors,
dentists, lawyers and housing providers
through their free clinics.
On Christmas Day, for Mitzvah Day,
their Day Center provides a special
meal and distributes backpacks full
of gifts such as hygiene products and
clothing for the winter season (thermal
underwear, socks, gloves, hats, scarves,
etc.) as a gesture of goodwill.
Father Tim McCabe, president and
CEO of Pope Francis Center, says the
Mitzvah Day partnership with the
Jewish community has gone back at
least 10 years.
It’s the busiest day of the year,
McCabe says, and the Jewish commu-
nity’s help is much appreciated.
“It’s a wonderful interfaith moment,
”
he states.
McCabe recalls a personal story from
Mitzvah Day years ago that
illustrates how special the
day is.
“I went to the back of
the church where we’re
distributing the gifts, and
I noticed a woman with
a hijab, and I introduced
myself. I asked what brought her
there, and she said she works with the
Mitzvah group, doing volunteer service.
“So, on a Christian holiday, there
are Christians and Muslims and Jews
all working together to serve God’s
people, people who are less fortunate
than us,
” McCabe said. “I was moved to
tears. I thought, this is the reality — the
majority of us are all good, God-fearing
people, who care and show compassion
for people less fortunate than us.
”
McCabe says the Jewish community
has been committed to “being there”
and helping with whatever they need
on the busiest day of the year.
“That’s common within the Jewish
community, in my experience,
”
McCabe says. “That sense of commu-
nity, helping others and tzedakah, it’s so
beautiful.
“Mitzvah Day drops all barriers
between religion, faith and culture, and
we just work together to serve people
who are really struggling,
” he added.
“
And on Christmas, I don’t know that
we could do it without them.
“From this beautiful experience, my
hope is we come to a deeper under-
standing of our common humanity, and
that at our core, we’re all the same.”
28th Annual Mitzvah Day
Nancy
Welber
Barr
Hundreds of volunteers from the Detroit Jewish community
are expected to support sites across the Metro area.
DANNY SCHWARTZ SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
Father Tim
McCabe
OUR COMMUNITY
Dan and Sue Stettner and Elyse, Ava and Ryan Cohen, all of
Huntington Woods, and Eric Harris of Detroit (dressed as Santa)
deliver meals for Bridging Communities in Detroit back in 2017.
A group of Mitzvah Day volunteers from the Michigan
Muslim Community Council prepare to unload a truck
full of gifts for Jimmy’s Kids in Detroit in 2017.