On September 11, 2025, at the Imani Humphrey Banquet Hall at the Detroit People’s Food Co-Op in Detroit, Detroit Jews for Justice will host their 4th ever Myra Wolfgang Awards Gala, celebrating the accomplishments of local movement leaders, activists, and organizations fighting for racial and economic justice at the intersections of the progressive and Jewish communities.

Event Information


Here are testimonials about the amazing folks being honored:

Harriet & Al Saperstein
I’m delighted to share the news that this year’s Myra Wolfgang honorees include two long-cherished friends of mine: Harriet Saperstein and Alvin Saperstein z”l. 

Harriet and Al are receiving the Bobbi Spiegler Lifetime Achievement Award, recognition that could not be more appropriate. Harriet often says that effective institutions need supporters who give “time, treasure and talent.” Spurred by devotion to metro Detroit, she and Al have shared all three endlessly.

My parents and the Sapersteins became friends in the 1950s, but the two families settled in different cities before my birth so I didn’t know them. Still, protocol required me to contact them when I moved here in 1997. How lucky I was! From that first tentative phone call, they welcomed me into their extended family. Harriet has called me an “adopted niece,” which puts me in excellent company alongside dozens of international visitors, Detroit diehards, and passionate people from every walk of life.

If the Saps’ hospitality and commitment to connecting people were their only gift to the community – dayenu. But there’s much more. A physics professor, Al took very seriously scientists’ responsibility to make their work useful to society. He played a central role in nuclear disarmament advocacy and was active in creating and advancing formal scholarship on processes for building peace.

Harriet’s professional life included community development leadership in both public and private agencies. Detroit’s jewel of a riverfront today, directly descended from Harriet’s vision in the 1970s, is just one of many places her mark is visible. Many of you have experienced one of Harriet’s tours of the city – a verbal waterfall that douses listeners with fascinating details of local racial, economic and social history.

Individually, Al and Harriet have touched many lives. As a team, their contributions are also extraordinary. They have donated time, ideas and funds to Wayne State’s Center for Peace and Conflict Studies. And they have been stalwart, active members of multiple Jewish institutions, including Congregation T’chiyah, the Reconstructionist Congregation of Detroit, Grosse Pointe Jewish Council and the Jewish Historical Society of Michigan. They were charter donors to DJJ and have continued to support this essential work.

– Tova Perlmutter (she/her)

Gabriela Santiago-Romero
I met Gabriela Santiago-Romero in 2018 as a fellow organizer in Detroit. My first time having coffee with Gaby, I was immediately struck by her presence. She smiled, listened intently, asked questions, and showed genuine interest in me and in our community.

She shared her story of growing up in Detroit and her vision for a future in the city with flourishing communities rooted in justice. As Gaby grew from a colleague organizer to a friend, to a local elected official, one thing remained the same: her commitment to being in an accountable relationship with the city, with DJJ, and anyone who enters her office or sits down at the coalition table. Gaby believes in an equitable future for Detroit, a vision that has continued to inspire me since our first meeting 7 years ago.

DJJ is honoring Gaby for her incredible work as City Council Member for District 6, and for bringing her background as an organizer and community advocate to her representation of the District. I feel particularly proud of her incredible efforts to protect the southwest Detroit community in a time of deep political uncertainty. She has been an unbelievable champion for the city of Detroit and I am inspired by her grit and determination.

– Allie Zeff

Andy Levin
Andy and I have been friends, colleagues, and comrades for over a decade. It all started when Andy, alongside Rabbi Alana, brought Detroit Jews for Justice into being through sheer determination –  and a healthy dose of foolish optimism. I was lucky enough to find my way into cozy living rooms where Andy led a small but mighty group of founding DJJ leaders to consider the power we could build together to advance social justice in Detroit.

My life was changed when Andy hired me as DJJ’s first organizer on staff and I had the joy of collaborating with him as a leader of our inaugural Steering Committee. Later, he was willing to take me along for the ride as he took the halls of Congress. On his congressional staff again I witnessed Andy’s steadfast commitment to building people power wherever he goes and his bold, unrelenting belief that we can leave this world better than we found it, for everyone.

Without Andy, I wouldn’t have been able to grow and learn as one only can as a community organizer and I certainly wouldn’t have stepped foot in government service. Quite frankly, I might not have a Jewish community in Detroit. Many others – from teenagers to octogenarians – could tell you tales of the impact Andy has had on their lives and their leadership. Meanwhile, our community has seen Andy grow and change, too, while staying the same in all the ways we would want him to.  

I won’t get into all the interesting (nearly unbelievable) chapters of Andy’s life and career – you’ll have to join us in September for that!

– Eleanor Gamalski