By Decky Alexander, Wendy Lawrence, (co-chairs, Jewish Community Relations Committee) and Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Director of Jewish Community Relations, Jewish Federation
The initial vision was important: gathering the local Jewish community to meet and hear from local political candidates. But what the evening of July 8 became—a convening of peoples of differing ideologies, cultures, and faiths (including Jewish, Christian, and Muslim) over a shared interest in local politics and policy—was even more encouraging and inspiring than expected.
The forum for candidates of local elections, presented by the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor and its JCRC (Jewish Community Relations Committee) included two panels. The first panel showcased the three candidates for Washtenaw County Sheriff: Alyshia Dyer, Ken Magee, and Derrick Jackson. It was moderated with firm kindness by Debra Chopp, who is the Associate Dean for Experiential Education and a Clinical Professor of Law at University of Michigan Law School. Candidates in this panel discussed issues such safety for the Jewish community, including the ways in which individual liberty and personal safety sometimes conflict. Discussion topics were rooted not only in Jewish interests, but in Jewish values: in the name of welcoming the stranger, for instance, candidates were asked about the sheriff’s role in welcoming immigrants to Washtenaw County, and the candidates’ stances on enforcing immigration law.
The second panel of the evening featured Rima Mohammed and Morgan Foreman, candidates in the MI State Rep Democratic Party primary for the 33rd District. This panel was moderated by Jeff Bernstein, Professor of Political Science and Director of the Faculty Development Center at Eastern Michigan University. The 33rd district, currently represented by Rep. Felicia Brabec, is home to two synagogues and the Greater Ann Arbor Jewish Community Center.
Why highlight these races? According to the 2023 Demographic Study of the local Jewish community, there are 20,000 Jews in Washtenaw County. While the community includes a broad set of religious practices, more than three quarters of local Jews identify as politically “liberal” or “very liberal.” Because local elections can have a direct impact on the lives of citizens, and after such a polarizing year where many Jews felt excluded from left-wing conversations, the forum’s organizers felt it was important for candidates in these Democratic races to consider the Jewish voice as they think about policymaking and inclusion of all people regardless of their own values and beliefs.
In the fall of 2023, elected officials felt both empowered and pressured to set forth resolutions on international issues, even when those issues were outside the purview of their roles—and in a way that some in the Jewish community felt targeted the only Jewish state in the world. The JCRC heard from many community members that they wanted and needed a candidate forum, not only to hear from candidates but also to express that Jews are an important constituency in Washtenaw County.
Rabbi Asher Lopatin, Director of Community Relations for the Federation, was excited by how the night went. “We had one hundred diverse folks there: people of all ages—some kids and teens all the way up to people in their 80s and 90s. There were mostly Jews in the room, but many Muslims and some Christians attended, too. The candidates, moderators, and the audience treated everyone with respect.”
Perhaps not surprisingly given the tensions of the year, there was one moment of impropriety when someone from the audience shouted a follow up question out of turn, but that person was immediately reminded to stay quiet, and the brief incident appeared to be forgotten quickly. The vibe of the event was clear: while we might disagree, this was a night for civil conversation and togetherness.
“I had a really moving conversation with a group of Muslim attendees standing outside after the program,” said moderator and U-M law professor Debra Chopp. “I went over to them and thanked them for coming and said that that was probably the largest gathering of Jews and Muslims in this community in a long time. And they agreed and said how welcomed they felt.” Chopp said a small moment of expressing thanks turned into a refreshing conversation about shared humanity and the importance of taking time to connect with one other.
This forum established the Federation as a place that welcomes all, including political candidates who have previously had conflicts with the Jewish community. The leadership of the JCRC hopes this is a beginning, not just of uplifting Jewish voices in political conversation, but of bringing local Jews and Muslims together in dialogue and community.
“This forum exemplifies how we can convene yet disagree. This is democracy, and this is how to build relationships,” said Decky Alexander, Co-Chair of the JCRC.
In her closing remarks, Federation Board President Marla Linderman Richelew noted how difficult being a candidate on a panel can be, and she thanked everyone in attendance “for coming, for caring, and for being kind.”
To learn more or get involved in the work of the JCRC, contact Federation’s Director of Community Relations, Rabbi Asher Lopatin, at asher@jewishannarbor.org or visit www.jewishannarbor.org/engagement/jewish-community-relations-committee