We the People of Detroit on Righteous Crowd this Week!

We the People of Detroit

This week we read a double Torah portion, Chukat-Balak. In Chukat, Israelites wander in the desert, repeatedly pleading to Moses for water. The word “mayim” (water) is mentioned 22 times! Despite being punished later, Moses ultimately finds water by striking a rock to provide water to the Israelites. "Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod. Out came copious water, and the community and their beasts drank."

Drawing on the theme of water, we are featuring a Detroit-based organization that promotes community coalition building and provides ways to inform, train and mobilize the residents of Detroit to improve their quality of life. We the People of Detroit (WPD) has been instrumental in promoting water justice and the right to water for all. Righteous Crowd funds this week will help provide water for those in need.

Thank you to Righteous Crowd member Merrill Alpert and her daughter, Rabbi Alana Alpert for suggesting this week's organization.

Monica Lewis-Patrick, CEO of We the People of Detroit, wrote to Righteous Crowd:

"Prior to COVID-19, We the People of Detroit was servicing approximately 400 to 500 families in Detroit, during the pandemic the number is now close to 2,000 per month. We the People of Detroit and partners have distributed over 200 pallets of water in Detroit alone, since COVID-19 hit in March. WPD also provides one semi delivery per month (which includes 20 pallets/84 cases per pallet/44 bottles (16.5 oz) per case to their partners in Flint as well as helping other communities in Michigan."

Their website states: 

"We the People volunteers run a water crisis hotline. The Volunteers can assist Detroiters with locating emergency water and making payment arrangements with the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department. They can also assist with finding and navigating the various water resources that are currently available. WPD has worked tenaciously with its network of volunteers to provide water to Detroit residents and advocate for a sustainable water future... WPD also manages an emergency water hotline, supervises Water Stations, and delivers water to households in need of water relief. Partnering with coalitions and countless other grassroots organizations, WPD volunteers are a critical part of building water justice and the Human Right to Water!"

To learn more about We the People of Detroit, click here.