Detroit 2 Darfur Coalition

2007-07-17T15:19:00.000-04:00

In case you end up here, wondering why there have been so few posts lately, it's because coordinated Darfur efforts have been happening under the name Michigan Darfur Coalition and we're using a website instead of this blog. There've been good efforts on behalf of Darfur since the last post and a new wave of activism is afoot. The statewide coalition has great leadership, synergy and vision. Please visit: www.MichiganDarfurCoalition.org.

This is the last post on this blog.

###

2007-02-22T11:24:00.000-05:00

Mending a Broken Promise
Darfur: The 21st century Genocide

West Bloomfield High School student activists, with the support of their teachers and administration, have planned an incredible evening to educate the community about genocide.

The program will feature the testimony of three powerful speakers:

Rene Lichtman, Holocaust Hidden Child
Thomas Kamilindi, Rwandan Genocide Survivor
Suliman Giddo, Darfur Refugee, CEO of PeaceDarfur.org

Save the Date!
Where:
West Bloomfield High School, 4925 Orchard Lake Road

When:
Wednesday, March 21st, 2007

Time:
5:30 - 6:30 pm, Empty Bowls and displays
6:30 - 8:00 pm, Auditorium presentation
Please contact WBHS teacher Mara Hoffert at mhoffert@hotmail.com by March 5, 2007 to register.

2007-02-11T13:14:00.000-05:00

Please join Eastern Michigan University's chapter of STAND, a student anti-genocide coalition, on Tuesday, February 13 for "Have a Heart for Darfur." "Have a Heart for Darfur" is a fundraiser @ Tower Inn Cafe, 701 West Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. From 10:30 a.m until midnight Tower Inn will donate 15% of sales toward STAND EMU's campaign to educate and advocate on behalf of those in Darfur, Sudan and other victims of genocide. Mark your calendars for "Have a Heart for Darfur", Tuesday, February 13th from 10:30 a.m. until midnight @ Tower Inn Cafe, 701 W. Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI. You have to eat so you might as well eat great food for a great cause.

2007-02-11T12:52:00.000-05:00

Jewish News Covers Local Darfur Activism

Bob Sklar, editor of the Detroit Jewish News, wrote an article about Laura Walker's grassroots activism and upcoming high tea "Raise Your Glass to Freedom!"

http://jnonline.us/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=6&ArticleID=2529

2007-02-11T12:46:00.000-05:00

Darfur is Dying

Don Cohen, a journalist at the Detroit Jewish News, forwarded a link to MTV's simulation "Darfur is Dying." The website provides an interactive way of learning about the issues and real-life players in the Darfur crisis.

2007-02-01T16:39:00.000-05:00

Powerpoint Presentation on Darfur

You don't have to be an expert to educate others about the situation in Darfur. The Save Darfur Coalition has created a turnkey Powerpoint presentation ... with a script, click below. The only question is ... Will you give the presentation? What can you do to build an audience?

PowerPoint Presentation on Darfur
Script for PowerPoint Presentation

2007-02-01T14:59:00.000-05:00

Judgment on Genocide VIDEO

The "trial" is now a 16-minute trigger video and curriculum.

View the trailer: http://www.judgmentongenocide.org/trailer.html#video

In November 2006 The International Citizens’ Tribunal for Sudan (a mock court), found Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir guilty of crimes against humanity, torture and genocide. You can read about the event at: http://www.judgmentongenocide.org/press.html

Would your ORGANIZATION be willing to do a screening and discussion? Would YOU be willing to make it HAPPEN?

2007-01-31T09:25:00.000-05:00

GREAT NEWS!!

Last week, it appeared certain that the 2007 chairmanship of African Union would be awarded to Sudan — perpetrators of the ongoing genocide in Darfur. Yesterday, it was announced that Ghana — key contributors to the AU peacekeeping force in Darfur — will head the African Union instead.
Because of your dedication, the United States took a stand against a Sudanese presidency.

Keep on e-mailing and making phone calls!! We are making a difference!

2007-01-29T17:10:00.000-05:00

Zieva Konvisser forwarded the following quote:

"The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis."
- Dante Aleghieri

2007-01-19T08:47:00.000-05:00

God Grew Tired of Us

Click below to view the trailer for a newly released film in the spirit of The Lost Boys of Sudan. Might your or your organization be interested in planning a Detroit screening?

http://godgrewtiredofus.com/

2007-01-17T16:31:00.000-05:00

Raise Your Glass to Freedom!

Please click on the link below to view an invitation to the "High Tea for Darfur Relief." This event was spearheaded by Laura Walker and is slated for February 25, 2007, at the Townsend Hotel in Birmingham. YOU are invited.

http://jewishcommunitycouncil.org/downloads/DarfurHighTeaInvite.pdf

2007-01-16T08:46:00.000-05:00

Great Article in the Tuesday, Jan. 16th New York Times by Nicholas Kristof!! Last week the Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson, went to Khartoum to negotiate a cease-fire with the president of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir. The Sudanese president did agree to a 60-day cease-fire to allow peace talks to resume!! Why did this happen? According to Kristof, "it's clear that the cease-fire was a consequence of all those armbands and lawn signs. Mr. Bashir was motivated by concern at the way the killings have been spolighted by Darfur activitists. . . . One thing that was very clear was that the Save Darfur movement has gotten under Bashir's skin." Kristof also writes "Let's have no illusions about how much more pressure will be necessary to stop the slaughter, but let's also celebrate this moment. Mr. Bashir has blinked, showing that it just may be possible to fight genocide with moral courage and lawn signs." KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!! CONTINUE TO WEAR WRIST BANDS, WRITE POST CARDS, PUT UP LAWN SIGNS, AND SPEAK OUT!! WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE!!

2007-01-14T16:39:00.000-05:00

Solar Cookers!

Read about Solar Cookers, which help to protect women and girls by reducing the need to leave the camps to find firewood. The cookers are also used to pasteurize water.

A number of local activists have been looking for tangible ways of directing thier fund development efforts to real people in Darfur -- this may be a project of interest.

http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070105/NEWS02/701050343/1024/NEWS08

2007-01-14T16:29:00.000-05:00

Writing Contest

LINK: The 2006 – 2007 Darfur Op-Ed Writing Contest

For nearly two years students have spoken out and played a key role in the movement to end genocide in Darfur, but the situation on the ground continues to deteriorate. What can students do to stop the genocide?

The Committee on Conscience is asking high school and university students to write an op-ed article responding to the question above. Publish your piece in your school or local newspaper and enter it in the contest.

Have your op-ed judged by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof; Illinois Senator, Barack Obama; and former Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright.

Win a trip to Washington, D.C., where you will have the opportunity to tour the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and attend the Days of Remembrance Ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

To learn more, visit www.committeeonconscience.org/darfur-contest.

2007-01-14T16:26:00.000-05:00

From Memory to Action

http://memorytoaction.blogspot.com/

Click on the link above to view another Darfur-related blog. It's a conversation on contemporary genocide and crimes against humanity by the Student Board on Genocide Prevention of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

2007-01-14T16:05:00.000-05:00

I've added a link to the Detroit2Darfur Mission Statement, alongside other fixed links listed in the righthand column of the blog.

2007-01-14T15:44:00.000-05:00

Knollenberg Replies

Detroit2Darfur Coalition activist Jeanne Servis wrote a letter to Congressman Joe Knollenberg and received a reply. See the correspondence at the link below.

http://jewishcommunitycouncil.org/downloads/CoalitionKnollenbergLetters.pdf

Check out this website, called DarfurScores.org, which grades Members of Congress on their support of Darfur: http://www.darfurscores.org/grades/michigan?page=1

Congressman Knollenberg graciously received a delegation of clergy on behalf of the Detroit2Darfur Coalition last summer (see related post) but his D grade leaves room for improvement. The Congressman assured us of his concern and we know that there are no easy answers. But unless we speak up and let our Members of Congress know that we expect them to be actively engaged in saving lives, they will treat it like business as usual.

What do you think of Congressman Knollenberg's letter to Jeanne Servis? Would you be willing to write your own letter?

Kudos to Jeanne for picking up a pen and just writing down the questions that concern her! That's activism.

2007-01-14T15:41:00.000-05:00

Response from the United Nations

Detroit2Darfur Coalition activist, Jeanne Servis, wrote a letter to the United Nations and recieved a reply. Click below to read the correspondence.

http://jewishcommunitycouncil.org/downloads/CoalitionUNLetters.pdf

2007-01-14T15:36:00.000-05:00

High Tea for Darfur

Laura Walker came to the Rally Against Genocide with the Detroit2Darfur Coalition bus caravan last spring. She left determined to DO SOMETHING upon returning. And she is ... Please click below to view Laura's save-the-date card for her "High Tea for Darfur," a fund- and awareness-raiser.

http://jewishcommunitycouncil.org/downloads/CoalitionHighTea.pdf

2006-12-28T19:03:00.000-05:00

The Save Darfur Coalition is asking for our help. Please take action and sign the petition to President Bush and the UN Secretary General. If the link below does not take you to the petition, please go to www.savedarfur.org. While you're there, be sure to sign up for their e-mail updates!

Click here now to sign the petition to President Bush and the UN Secretary-General.

2006-12-21T16:36:00.000-05:00

This banner presently sits in front of Congregation Beth Shalom in Oak Park. Gail Katz, a congregant there who is also a dedicated activist for many causes, ordered it from the Save Darfur Coalition (www.SaveDarfur.org). Simple activism. She took the ball and ran with it. Now everyone who drives down Lincoln Road is reminded about the plight in Darfur.

Since this crisis is not going away, the Coalition must facilitate the drumbeat of awareness. We need more individuals like Gail who see opportunities for educating people and appealing to their conscience. We would love more organizations and influential community members to join the Coalition. Gail asked me to post the following meditation on overcoming indifference ...

"Overcoming Indifference" by Naomi Levy.

Let us pray as if everything depends on God, but let's act as if everything depends on us.

I watch the news, God. I observe it all from a comfortable distance. I see people suffering, and I don't lift a finger to help them. I condemn injustice, but I do nothing to fight against it. I am pained by the faces of starving children, but I am not moved enough to try to save them. I step over homeless people in the street, I walk past outstretched hands, I avert my eyes, I close my heart.

Forgive me, God, for remaining aloof while others are in need of my assistance.

Wake me up, God; ignite my passion, fill me with outrage. Remind me that I am responsible for Your world. Don't allow me to stand idly by. Inspire me to act. Teach me to believe that I can repair some corner of this world.

When I despair, fill me with hope. When I doubt my strength, fill me with faith. When I am weary, renew my spirit. When I lose direction, show me the way back to meaning, back to compassion, back to You. Amen.

2006-12-21T15:40:00.000-05:00

I've invited more contributors to the blog, so it remains current and a team effort. The Coalition leadership has met twice in the past month and is pursuing the following priorities: preparing postcards directed at the newly seated Congress, seeking time for presentations at meetings/services/clergy groups around Detroit (e.g. describing the crisis, showing a PowerPoint, instructing people on how to take action, etc.), holding fundraising/awareness-raising events, and expanding the Coalition to include a wider range of interfaith participation.

Most importantly, the last two meetings confirmed that Darfur remains a collective priority -- the Coalition remains committed to its mission. Coalition activists also resolved to keep this blog filled with current information on local efforts and links to information. We need more people visiting here by including the link in our organization websites and newsletters, and making sure that it's worth visiting by adding relevant, succinct posts.

For those of you who don't know, the Detroit2Darfur Coalition was convened in the winter of 2006. We coordinated a sequence of events: a presentation by Matthew Emry of the American Jewish World Service, a battle-of-the-bands fundraiser by students at the Frankel Jewish Academy, a news conference at the Holocaust Memorial Center, participation in the Million Voices for Darfur postcard campaign, inclusion of Darfur in the Soul Seder, the launch of this blog, a delegation of two busses at the Rally Against Genocide in Washington D.C., and several lobbying delegations.

The next Detroit2Darfur Coalition meeting will be on Wednesday, January 10th at 2:00 pm, at the Max M. Fisher Building in Bloomfield Hills. Please contact me if you would like to attend: cherrin@jfmd.org.

2006-09-22T14:29:00.000-04:00

It's great to know that we've been heard and that the Bush administration is listening! There hasn't been a Special Envoy to Darfur since mid-June when Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick resigned. If you remember, he was appointed right after the rally in Washington, D.C. Interestingly, President Bush has now appointed Andrew Natsios, a former USAID Administrator, right after the rally last Sunday in New York's Central Park.

2006-08-22T11:00:00.000-04:00

Darfur Rally on September 17th in New York City.

The Save Darfur Coalition will sponsor a Save Darfur Now: Voices to Stop Genocide rally in New York City on September 17th; rally organizing efforts have already begun. This event coincides with a meeting of the 61st United NationsGeneral Assembly in New York. Thousands of individuals across the world will likewise call for U.N. peacekeepers in Darfur on Sept. 17 as part of the Global Day for Darfur. Please check the JCPA website, www.jewishpublicaffairs.org for information or go to the Save Darfur website at www.savedarfur.org/now.

2006-08-22T10:29:00.000-04:00

Congressman Joe Knollenberg recieved the Detroit2Darfur Coalition with an open mind and high level of seriousness. We reminded him about the importance of Darfur and discussed specific budgeting issues to consider in fiscal year '07 and '08. We encouraged the Congressman to ask the President to appoint a special envoy ASAP and to join the Sudan Caucus.

2006-08-21T12:13:00.000-04:00

The Detroit Jewish News put a Darfur link on it's website: www.jnonline.us.
It's a button on the right side of the main page. Thanks for helping us get the word out!

2006-08-09T17:42:00.000-04:00

Congressman Joe Knollenberg, who represents Michigan's 9th District, has graciously scheduled a meeting with the Detroit2Darfur Coalition later this month.

2006-08-09T16:53:00.000-04:00

Expanding the Coalition ...

Yesterday, the Fellowship of Israel and Black America, FIBA for short, hosted a luncheon at the Jewish Community Center, which brought together clergy to discuss social issues of mutual interest. The focus of this meeting was on the continuing humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

A number of people have asked the Jewish delegation why, given the urgent crisis in the Middle East, the organized Jewish community should still be working on the Darfur issue. Even as we devote our heart and soul to supporting Israel during the present crisis with intensified advocacy and increased resources, Darfur remains a high-priority.

Simply put, the Jewish tradition is crystal clear about the urgency of doing everything possible to preserve human life -- and whose history includes an attempted genocide at the hands of the Nazis and thousands of years of pogroms and persecution -- how can we not respond vigorously to the genocide taking place before our eyes?

2006-07-21T13:27:00.000-04:00

In June, the Detroit 2 Darfur Coalition met with Mr. Larry Wallach, Michigan Director of Senator Debbie Stabenow's office. Larry is wearing a blue shirt, clasped hands, sitting on the right. That's me on the far left, by the window, talking with my hands.

Representatives from "FIBA," an initiative of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews and Glenn Plummer Ministries, participated in the meeting with Mr. Wallach. FIBA stands for the Fellowship of Israel and Black America. FIBA was created recently for the purpose of nurturing, developing, expanding and calling upon the African American community into its natural friendship and spiritual alliance with Israel and American Jews and vice-versa. We first met representatives from FIBA at the "Soul Seder" in April.

And coming up . . . A delegation of rabbis will attend an upcoming ministerial luncheon to discuss the crisis in Darfur and the Detroit2Darfur Coalition's activist efforts. Expanding into a more broad-based interfaith effort will make our pleas that much more credible and effective.

We are in contact with Congressman Joe Knollenberg's office and hope to meet with him directly next month to discuss Darfur.

2006-07-02T07:02:00.000-04:00

On last Thursday night, June 29, Congregation Shaarey Zedek and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra presented our Cantor Meir Finkelstein's Liberation cantata, a piece based on the themes of liberation from tyranny, injustice, and genocide. Over 1400 people were in attendance -- and D2D had good exposure through the distribution of the "Million Voices" cards. We took a moment to reflect on the need to continue the cry "never again" in the face of modern-day injustices. Thanks to PJ for getting us the materials -- this was a broad-based crowd from the Jewish community as well as from DSO attendees and subscribers throughout the Detroit area!

2006-05-22T14:59:00.000-04:00

"The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that is the essence of inhumanity."
- George Bernard Shaw

2006-05-11T17:26:00.000-04:00

We've upgraded ... this will now be a "Team Blog." That means I've invited other detroit2darfur Coalition leaders to post their links and comments directly. Let me know what you think!

2006-05-11T17:16:00.000-04:00

New article about Darfur from the Forward: http://www.forward.com/articles/7762

2006-05-09T22:09:00.000-04:00

Ellie Levine, a freelance activist affiliated with the American Jewish World Service, had her letter on Darfur published in yesterday's Detroit News: http://vh10624.moc.gbahn.net/apps/pcbs.dll/article?AID=/20060508/OPINION01/605080302/1007/OPINION

2006-05-08T11:41:00.000-04:00

We were delighted to have Stephen Mucher, and EMU assistant professor of history, join our bus caravan to the rally, along with his son Teagan. Professor Mucher is faculty advisor for Students Taking Action Now: Darfur (STAND) at EMU. Yesterday, the Ann Arbor News published his letter calling on Congressman John Dingell to speak out publicly on Darfur: http://www.mlive.com/columns/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1146753662107280.xml&coll=2

Community activist Don Cohen forwarded the links below from The New Republic (TNR). To correspond with TNR's May 15 issue on the twenty-first century's first genocide, TNR Online has launched a Darfur webpage which includes photo galleries, the complete collection of TNR's Darfur coverage, and a historical look at the genocides of the twentieth century. http://www.tnr.com/darfur

http://www.tnr.com/darfur/images/safdie/

2006-05-08T11:17:00.000-04:00

I hope those of you who participated in our whirlwind bus journey have recovered well. I remained in Washington after the rally and had the opportunity to discuss Darfur with some of our congressional delegation’s staffers.

I’m back now and would appreciate if you’d share your photographs and provide suggestions for future mobilizations.

Our participation in the rally is prominently featured in this week’s Detroit Jewish News, in case you haven’t seen it
(cover shot on the left, see: http://jnonline.us/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=58&ArticleID=1140).

We’ve put on a good hustle so far but our Coalition’s efforts will continue until the genocide has ended and the humanitarian crisis is properly addressed. We’ll be meeting on this coming Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at 2:00 p.m., to discuss our next steps. Please contact me for details about the location (pjcherrin@jfmd.org or 248-642-5393).

2006-04-28T17:37:00.000-04:00

Yes, you may leave stuff on the busses while we are at the rally. The weather is supposed to be beautiful in D.C. this weekend. This is the last posting until after the rally; both busses are filled. See you at the departure point, 10:00 pm tommorow!

2006-04-26T16:37:00.000-04:00

Over 15o high school students attended a detroit2darfur Coalition fundraising event last night in West Bloomfield. Centered around a "battle-of-the-bands," the students learned about the crisis in Darfur and crafted posters for the Rally Against Genocide. Liz Traison, a student at the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit (JAMD), spearheaded her school's Darfur involvement and recruited over 50 JAMD-peers to participate in the bus caravan to D.C. This detroit2darfur Coalition event was co-sponsored by JAMD, the American Jewish Committee, Congregation Shaarey Zedek and the Michigan Board of Rabbis.

2006-04-26T08:37:00.000-04:00

Oprah will interview George Clooney today about his recent visit to Africa. If someone records the show, we can watch it on the bus ...

2006-04-25T16:48:00.000-04:00

Looking for something to read about Darfur on the bus ride? You may want to print out some articles by New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristoff, who was early to recognize what was happening in Sudan.
See: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/18674

2006-04-25T16:41:00.000-04:00

It's the Tuesday before the Rally Against Genocide and two busses from Detroit are now full. Hiring a third bus is not out of the question but I think this'll do it ... if you're planning a road trip on your own, please contact me for meet-up information.

2006-04-25T16:16:00.000-04:00

Actor George Clooney will speak at the Save Darfur Rally to Stop Genocide. Clooney and his father, Nick, just returned on Sunday from a fact-finding trip to the Darfur region. They now know from first-hand evidence how dire the situation in Darfur has become.

2006-04-25T15:58:00.000-04:00

The Detroit Jewish News has published its summary of the points Matthew Emry made at the Educational Forum last Sunday on its website:

http://jnonline.us/main.asp?SectionID=23&SubSectionID=58&ArticleID=1082&TM=57241.16

2006-04-24T10:51:00.002-04:00

A critical state-of-the-rally article appeared in the Forward: http://forward.com/main/article.php?ref=siegel200604191251

2006-04-21T12:35:00.000-04:00

I've emailed an itinerary to everyone attending the bus trip to the Rally Against Genocide. If you did not receive it, your spam blocker may have put it in your junk mail box.

2006-04-21T12:31:00.000-04:00

The Detroit Jewish News, co-sponsor of the April 16th event with Matthew Emry, has a great story on the event in today's issue. Over 50 people came out for the program -- which fell on both the intermediate days of Passover and Easter Sunday.

2006-04-12T12:50:00.000-04:00

It's the eve of Passover and the Detroit2Darfur Coalition bus is filled! All reservations going forward will be added to a waiting list. We'll reserve a second bus, expecting that we can fill it ... but be prepared for anything. The itinerary has been finalized will be emailed to participants after the holiday.

See you at this Sunday's Darfur Educational Forum in Oak Park! (read below for more details)

Chag samayach!

2006-04-12T11:22:00.000-04:00

Ellie Levine will double your philanthropy!

Hello. My name is Ellie Levine, I am a volunteer with American Jewish World Services (AJWS). We are looking to get a large and diverse turnout for the ‘rally to end genocide’ in Washington D.C. on April 30th. I am directing a $500 dollar micro-grant from AJWS towards providing sponsorship and financial aid for transportation costs for students and individuals who are not otherwise receiving any organizational grants.
I am calling upon anyone interested in matching or exceeding my donation so that more individuals who would like to attend the rally in Washington D.C., will be able to do so regardless of financial need. If you would like to provide additional funds to help more people attend, please contact me at helpdarfurnow2006@yahoo.com. Thank you very much.

2006-04-07T15:06:00.000-04:00

This update from Sharona Shapiro, the director of the American Jewish Committee office in Detroit, and an initiating member of the Detroit2Darfur Coalition.

Update on Darfur Legislation

We are pleased that this week the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act (H.R.3127), passed overwhelmingly in the House of Representatives by a vote of 416-3.

The passage of the legislation comes five months after the Senate debated and passed a version of the bill (S.1462) on November 18, 2005. The House measure would authorize sanctions against, and also freeze the assets of, individuals responsible for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity in the Darfur region of Sudan. Unlike the Senate version, H.R.3127, does not call for U.S. force in Darfur. It does, however, seekU.S. support for international and African Union humanitarian efforts and programs to protect citizens. There are numerous other differences between the two bills.

Congress has also been contemplating funding for Sudan. In his Fiscal Year 2006 Emergency Supplemental Budget request, President Bush asked for a total of $514 million to go to Sudan, with $351 million specifically earmarked for aid to the Darfur region, and the rest going to the remainder of the country. Of the $351 million, $123 million would be specifically for peacekeeping efforts in Darfur with remainder going to humanitarian aid.

In March, the full House of Representatives passed a FY06 budget including $173 million for peacekeeping efforts, bringing the total funding for Sudan to $564 million. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a budget including similar numbers and a total of $564 of funding for Sudan this week. The FY06 Supplemental Budget in both the House and the Senate totals around $92 billion of funding.

AJC will continue to advocate for generous funding to stop the atrocities in Darfur.

Please contact the AJC [national] office at 202-785-4200 with any questions.

Thank you.

2006-04-07T14:53:00.000-04:00

Information about busses to the Washington rally. A flyer is circulating with the same information.

You are invited to participate in a whirlwind, round-trip bus caravan to the "Rally to Stop Genocide" in Washington D.C.
When
Departure from Detroit: Saturday, April 29, 2006 10:00pm

Rally on National Mall: Sunday, April 30, 2006 1:30 - 4:00pm

Arrival in Detroit: Monday, May 1, 2006 5:00 / 6:00am

Where
Departure and arrival from Southfield, Michigan

Cost
$100 per person. Check with your campus Hillel or local congregation for subsidy info.

Register
Please check with your congregation, Hillel Foundation, or community organization and ask about sign-up through their office OR contact the Jewish Community Council: 248-642-5393. Registration is complete upon receipt of payment. Checks should be made to the “Jewish Community Council” (address: 6735 Telegraph Road, Suite 205, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301). A waiting list may form. There will be no refunds unless the event is canceled. Make sure to provide your email and cell phone number.

2006-04-07T14:47:00.000-04:00

Details about the April 16th Darfur Educational Forum in Oak Park. A flyer with the same information is circulating.

Putting an End to Genocide in Darfur: Our Responsibility in the World

You are invited to participate in a special Passover Educational Forum.
Let this be the holiday season when you make a difference!
When
Sunday, April 16, 2006 at 1:00pm
No charge. Families welcome!
Where
Jimmy Prentis Morris Jewish Community Center. 15110 W. Ten Mile, Oak Park.
What
An afternoon of learning and activism featuring Matthew Emry, Senior Program Officer for Conflict, Post-Conflict and Emergency Relief, American Jewish World Service.

The genocidal campaign in Darfur, Sudan has claimed over 400,000 lives since February 2003. Mr. Emry will present the background of the conflict, discuss what must be done to stop the atrocities, and brief us on the work of AJWS.
View a short film about Darfur … Make posters for the April 30th Rally Against Genocide ... Listen to African drumming … Learn more about the Million Voices postcard campaign.

2006-04-05T15:24:00.000-04:00

Our first college student to sign-up ... is Sam Langberg at the University of Michigan. Kol ha'kavod Sam; see you at the bus!

2006-04-05T11:53:00.000-04:00

An editorial about Darfur appeared in today's Detroit Free Press:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=OPINION01

2006-04-03T15:58:00.000-04:00

Bus sign-up and student subsidy!

The Jewish Community Council has rented a 56-person bus slated to depart after Shabbat on April 29th, to return early morning on Monday, May 1st. Seats will be reserved only when our office receives $100 pre-payment by individual participants. Congregations and organizations may wish to reserve a block of seats and collect payment on their own. In that case, the congregation or organization will assume the cost of any unfilled seats in their block. The only opportunity for refunds for any participant or organization will be if the trip is cancelled. If we fill a bus ... we'll consider renting another, etc.

The Jewish Community Council would like to encourage the participation of college-aged community members by subsidizing their expenses. If your organization contributes $36 to a college student's fare, the Jewish Community Council will match it with $36 -- and the student will also pay $36. This offer will be open to the first 100 college students matched with a sponsoring organization.

2006-04-03T15:51:00.000-04:00

Include Darfur in your Seder!

In past years, Jews throughout the world have been asked to remember other oppressed groups in their Passover seders: Soviet Jews, Ethiopian Jews, etc. This Passover, we ask you to think of the genocide taking place in Darfur.
Please take the time to view a Passover Insert that consists of readings of global concern including a mention of those oppressed by the janjaweed militia in Darfur. In addition, please read a Passover reflection by Rabbi Michael Strassfeld from the Society for the Advancement of Judaism entitled Who Knows One.
Please find an appropriate moment in your Passover seder to read them so that you and your guests can leave the seder inspired to take action.

2006-04-02T15:43:00.000-04:00

The next meeting of the Detroit 2 Darfur Coalition will be this Tuesday, April 4th, at the Max Fisher Building, Room B.

2006-03-30T15:56:00.000-05:00

The text of our new fabulous flyer, designed by Sharone Senk at the Anti-Defamation League. Many thanks to Dave Henig at the Michigan Board of Rabbis and Vivian Hennock at the JFMD Marketing Department who made it happen on time, on budget and in style.

detroit2darfur Coalition http://detroit2darfur.blogspot.com

What:
The Detroit Jewish community’s coordinated response to the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

Who:
All who remember. All who care. All who want to act now.

When:
Sunday, April 16th
Get the facts! Hear first-hand from experts and community activists at an educational forum.
Tuesday, April 25
Never forget! Observe Yom HaShoah at a community commemoration … take action for Darfur.
Sunday, April 30
Join us! Be part of the Detroit delegation to the Stop Genocide Rally at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Organizers are projecting that thousands from across the country will be
there.

How:
Blog on! Check the detroit2darfur coalition advocacy blog for current information: [this blog!]
To help young people raise advocacy funds and for more information, please call the Jewish Community Council at 248-642-5393. To learn more about the Washington rally and national events, please visit http://www.ajws.org/ or http://www.savedarfur.com/. A DVD about Darfur is available for screening at the Jewish Community Council office.

Initiating Organizations: American ORT Detroit Chapter, American Jewish Committee, American Jewish World Service Detroit, Anti-Defamation League, Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Holocaust Memorial Center, Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, Michigan Board of Rabbis, Temple Israel, Temple Shir Shalom, Women’s American ORT Michigan Region … and the list is growing.

2006-03-30T15:42:00.000-05:00

A message from Elie Wiesel:

I am haunted by what I know of Darfur.
In Darfur, humankind's center of suffering today, men, women and children are uprooted, starved, tortured, mutilated, humiliated and massacred -- and the whole civilized world knows it. And little or nothing, nothing significant, is being done to stop these massive violations of human rights. Who is guilty? Those who commit these crimes. But to the question, "Who is responsible?" we are compelled to say: "Aren't we all?"
We can no longer stand idly by....
As a Jew, and a survivor, I do not compare any events to the horrors of the Holocaust. Yet how can anyone, anywhere who sees the loss of life in Darfur, the systematic deportation, the killing of a people, not feel outraged? How can anyone who remembers other genocides -- Cambodia, Rwanda, the Holocaust, the former Yugoslavia -- remain silent?
If we neglect the suffering victims of Darfur, their plight will be our fault -- and, perhaps, our guilt.
That is why we must act today.
Won't you make your voice heard?
All are entitled to live with dignity and hope. All are entitled to live without fear and pain.
For the victims of Darfur, we must intervene.
Thank you,
Elie Wiesel

2006-03-30T14:29:00.000-05:00

Our latest press release about an educational event on Darfur slated for Sunday, April 16th:

Community-wide Educational Event on Genocide in Darfur, Sudan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2006

BLOOMFIELD HILLS – The JN will be co-hosting a community-wide educational event with the Detroit 2 Darfur Coalition on Sunday, April 16th, at the Jewish Community Center in Oak Park, at 1:00 pm. The Detroit 2 Darfur Coalition was formed by Jewish leaders as a coordinated response to the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

The event will feature Matthew Emry, the Senior Program Officer for Emergencies and Disasters at the American Jewish World Service in New York. Mr. Emry traveled throughout Africa in March and will brief the community on the crisis in Darfur. Event organizers plan to include Sudanese ex-patriots, brief comments by local response organizers and a screening of a video clip about the situation.

“There’s no coincidence that this event will fall on the intermediate days of Passover. It’s especially fitting at this time of the year that we mobilize our community to take action against the genocide in Darfur,” said Robert Cohen, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Council.

“This event will explain why action needs to be taken and what action needs to be taken. It will be an opportunity for parents from every segment of our community to educate their children about doing the right thing in the face of evil,” said Cohen. Since its forming in mid-March, numerous organizations have joined the Detroit 2 Darfur Coalition, including the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit and the Holocaust Memorial Center.

The Coalition has also begun to make arrangements for Detroiters to join the Rally to Stop Genocide, which will take place at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on April 30. Organizers of the Save Darfur Coalition are projecting that thousands of Jews from across the country will participate in the national rally.

An informational blog on Detroit to Darfur may be found at: http://detroit2darfur.blogspot.com. The Jewish Community Council may be reached at (248) 642-5393.

2006-03-27T16:53:00.000-05:00

Editorial about Darfur from today's Detroit News:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060327/OPINION01/603270303/1008

2006-03-27T16:40:00.000-05:00

The Soul Seder! is this Thursday at Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, 7:30 pm. This experience planned by Jewish and African-American Christian congregations is not only fabulous on its own terms, but we'll be asking the 500+ participants to sign Save Darfur postcards. RSVP to 248-357-5544 ... or just show up at the door.

Gregg Krupa at The Detroit News wrote a very nice piece about the Soul Seder in today's paper:

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060327/LIFESTYLE04/603270369&SearchID=73239761086900

The Soul Seder got started after a clergy mission to Senegal and Israel, which was described last summer in this Detroit News article:

http://www.detnews.com/2005/metro/0506/02/B01-201380.htm

2006-03-24T10:56:00.000-05:00

Dave Henig at the Michigan Board of Rabbis, a Detroit to Darfur Coalition member, spotted this editorial, "Save Darfur Now, Not Later," in today's Jewish Week:

http://www.thejewishweek.com/top/editorials.php3#0

2006-03-23T15:28:00.000-05:00

Hey, Robert Sklar, editor of the Detroit Jewish News, wrote a great piece in today's paper about Darfur and Andrea Nitzkin -- one of the founding members of the Detroit to Darfur Coalition. Andrea is an outstanding example of how one person's activism can make a difference. Andrea's passion for justice in Darfur and her independent leadership are newsworthy and inspiring. See the JN, page 5.

2006-03-23T15:26:00.000-05:00

If anyone knows of other Detroit-area Darfur efforts, please let us know ...

2006-03-23T09:35:00.000-05:00

This just in from the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, the national organization of the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit:

The Save Darfur Coalition has received over 100,000 paper and electronic postcards and large numbers continue to roll in every day. I encourage you to accelerate your postcard efforts in the days ahead ... Many communities, including some that are a considerable distance away from Washington, DC, also are planning to send large numbers of participants to the April 30 rally. Get your cards in and add to the numbers. It's so easy -- just go to www.savedarfur.org and the website immediately opens to the electronic card. Send your off today and forward this information to everyone you know.

A Week of Prayer and Action for Darfur (April 2-9) has been declared by the various faith communities that are members of the Save Darfur Coalition. Materials appropriate for the various religious traditions are available at http://www.savedarfur.org/go.php?q=communitiesOfFaith.php. To read more about this, go to: http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=62681

It's clear that our efforts are working. The media and public officials are taking notice and we need to keep moving forward!

2006-03-22T20:24:00.000-05:00

No question that blogging will help us get the message out about Darfur in powerful ways.

2006-03-22T16:56:00.000-05:00

Allan Gale, Associate Director of the Jewish Community Council, wrote "Confronting the Bloody Stain," which appeared in the Detroit Jewish News back on June 18, 2004.

There is a humanitarian crisis in Africa, in the Sudan that, in the memory of the fate of Europe's Jews in World War II, demands the attention of the Jewish community.

The Darfur region, located in the northwest part of the country; is home to a large population of black farmers. This region has been the site of a year long ethnic cleansing effort by Sudanese Arab militias, known as the Janjaweed. These groups have been uprooting farmers and destroying villages through the systematic use of rape, murder, razing of structures and crops and forced displacement.

One million people have been displaced. And there are reports that approximately 1,000 individuals are- being killed each week, many by forced starvation (a result of the deliberate denial of access to relief organizations. An immense, internally displaced population has been created. This violence, many observers believe, is primarily motivated by race; but there are economic and political considerations as-well. The attackers are attempting to "Arabize" the area by eliminating the presence of all black Africans.

The Janjaweed operate with the support of the Sudanese government which claims that it is acting to suppress an insurrection in the region. This situation has become even more urgent now because of the onset of the rainy season (June/September). If intervention does not take place immediately, seasonal conditions will make it impossible to truck in relief or aid workers for several months it is estimated that close to half a million people may perish as a result.

U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan and President Bush must act. Both must show leadership on this issue. President Bush needs to clearly and publicly state that the violence in the Darfur region is ethnic cleansing. Such a declaration will solidify national and international support for an intervention to stop the violence and send in human rights investigators. In the Sudan Peace Act of 2002, Congress declared that the Sudanese government had committed acts of genocide. The U.S Commission on International Religious Freedom found evidence of genocidal atrocities against civilian populations there.

Let us act together quickly, so that this new century does not carry the bloody stains of the previous one.

2006-03-22T15:17:00.000-05:00

The Never Again Campaign (www.neveragaincampaign.org) was started by students at Northwestern University. Worth checking out; good links page.

Wondering how we got that link? Community member Michael Horowitz of West Bloomfield forwarded the link to his network of friends and colleagues ... and it ended-up with us via Howard Neistein at the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit. When people like Michael and Howard take note and take action -- even if it's just a few clicks and few seconds out of their day -- it makes a huge difference. This blog is a place where that kind of information is aggregated and shared.

Kol ha'kavod to the students at Northwestern for their activism ... and to Michael and Howard for theirs!

2006-03-22T12:05:00.000-05:00

Our first press release:

Detroit to Darfur: Michigan Jews Respond to Genocide in
Africa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: P.J. Cherrin, 248-642-5393
March 22, 2006

BLOOMFIELD HILLS – Concerned about the current crisis in Africa, the local Jewish community is mobilizing an organized response to the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Detroit to Darfur, a coalition that includes the Jewish Community Council, the Board of Rabbis and the American Jewish Committee, along with congregations and individual activists, has recently been formed and is already planning several community events.

"This is a world crisis that cannot be ignored and affects every one of us," said Robert Cohen, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Council, a lead organizer of the Detroit to Darfur Coalition. "Our goal is to educate and mobilize the Detroit community about the horrific situation in Darfur. As Jews, we understand that a holocaust must never happen again."

Plans are underway for an educational forum on the afternoon of Sunday, April 16th, which will be open to the public. The Coalition has also begun to make arrangements for Detroiters to join the Rally to Stop Genocide, which will take place at the National Mall in Washington, D.C. on April 30. Organizers of the Save Darfur Coalition are projecting that thousands of Jews from across the country will participate in the national rally. Leading that Coalition are the American Jewish World Service (http://www.ajws.org/) and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (http://www.jewishpublicaffairs.com/), the national organization of the Jewish Community Council of Metropolitan Detroit.

Organizations are encouraged to screen a DVD, produced by the Save Darfur Coalition (http://www.savedarfur.org/), which is available at the Jewish Community Council office. The DVD includes background and history on the genocide, details on the US and UN response, stories of individual Americans who have mobilized, ideas for taking action, and information about the “Million Voices for Darfur” postcard campaign.

Individuals interested in more information on upcoming events, including the April 16th forum, the Washington rally, the DVD, or participating in Detroit to Darfur can contact the Jewish Community Council at (248) 642-5393. An informational blog on Detroit to Darfur may be found at: http://detroit2darfur.blogspot.com. Registration for the rally is available at http://www.ajws.org/.

2006-03-22T10:41:00.000-05:00

Oh yeah, let's mobilize the Jewish community using the tools of the 21st Century ... This blog will help us stay in touch and share information on our local efforts to stop the genocide in Darfur.