Building relationships, Michigan to Jerusalem

An interview with Miriam Alexander

When Neil Alexander sent in his harrowing story of visiting his daughter Miriam as the US-Israel-Iran began, I wanted to hear more of Miriam’s story. I interviewed her via email March 10–12. Miriam Alexander, a graduate of the Ann Arbor Hebrew Day School, holds an MA in Jewish Studies from Hebrew University and a BA in Screen Arts & Cultures from the University of Michigan. She is the Development Director of Achvat Amim, Solidarity of Nations — a movement-building platform that provides frameworks and programming for adults to engage in meaningful partnerships with Palestinians and Israelis in the movement for self-determination for all.

WJN: Miriam, tell us a little about growing up in Ann Arbor.

Miriam: Growing up in Ann Arbor, I was fortunate to live in an academic city that is both diverse and home to such a vibrant and thoughtful Jewish community. It was only after meeting people from all over the world while living in Brooklyn and Jerusalem that I realized how unique Ann Arbor is, and how much it shaped my values of open dialogue and a responsibility to work toward a better and more just world, which I carry with me today.

WJN: What about growing up in Ann Arbor prepared you for moving to Israel? I know some of Achvat Amim’s partners such as Combatants for Peace, Rabbis for Human Rights, and Torat Tzedek have had representatives speak in Michigan for many years. Did you hear them when you were still in Michigan?

Miriam: Ann Arbor’s culture of civic participation shaped my path significantly. Ann Arbor instilled my sense that being Jewish isn’t just about identity, but about asking ethical questions and showing up in intentional ways. I actually didn’t know about these organizations while I was still living in Ann Arbor. It was only after moving to Brooklyn, then Jerusalem, and becoming involved in organizing and solidarity work here in Jerusalem that I began connecting with people from groups like Combatants for Peace, Rabbis for Human Rights, and Torat Tzedek. One thing that has been really meaningful to me about living here is realizing how interconnected these organizations are. They function less as isolated groups and more as part of a broader ecosystem of people working toward justice and equality in Israel and Palestine. Many of my closest friendships in Jerusalem have grown out of that ecosystem — through Achvat Amim, Rabbis for Human Rights, and the diasporic collective All That’s Left to name a few! I have found that what’s powerful about this network is that the relationships are both professional and deeply personal. People collaborate across organizations, support each other’s work, and build community together, which is what makes the movement feel sustainable even during very difficult moments.

WJN: When did you start working for Achvat Amim?

Miriam: I first connected with Achvat Amim in 2024 as a Justice Fellow and began my current role as Resource Development and Operations Director in 2025. In my role, I focus on sustaining and strengthening the organization — supporting fundraising, building relationships with supporters, growing our alumni network, and helping ensure that our programs can continue to run and expand. Achvat Amim is a movement-building platform that brings people, especially Jews from abroad, to Israel and the West Bank for immersive learning and volunteer work with Israeli and Palestinian civil society organizations. Participants live communally in Jerusalem, study the history and politics of the region, and spend time in communities in the West Bank learning directly from local partners. Our goal is to combine political education with real relationships so participants gain both the analytical frameworks and the personal connections needed to stay engaged in movements for justice long after they leave the program.

WJN: How has work with Achvat Amim changed since October 7 and the war in Gaza?

Miriam: The work has become both more urgent and more complicated. Since October 7 and the war in Gaza, the level of violence and instability in the region has increased dramatically, including rising displacement and attacks on Palestinian communities in the West Bank. At the same time, we’ve seen a growing sense among participants that solidarity and education cannot simply pause during war. Many people feel a deep responsibility to understand what is happening and to engage thoughtfully rather than from a distance. Despite the risks and uncertainty, Achvat Amim continues to bring participants into relationship with Israeli and Palestinian partners who are working for justice on the ground. In moments like this, building those relationships and supporting movements committed to self-determination for all peoples in this land becomes even more important.

WJN: What does “Solidarity of Nations” look like now that war has taken a dramatic shift?

Miriam: For us, “Solidarity of Nations” means building real relationships across communities and movements that are working toward justice and liberation. That includes Israelis, Palestinians, and international actors learning from one another and supporting each other’s struggles to live in security and with dignity. Achvat Amim welcomes participants into an experiential learning process where they engage directly with communities and organizations on the ground. Through that process they grapple with questions of self-determination, homeland, and peoplehood while also learning practical skills in organizing and solidarity work. In a moment when the region feels increasingly polarized, solidarity means continuing to build relationships and shared movements that can imagine a future beyond state violence, occupation, war, and displacement.

WJN: Is there an increase in interest in your work? Does Achvat Amim have the capacity to do what it wants to do?

Miriam: Yes, we’re seeing more interest than ever. Many people — especially younger Jews — are searching for ways to engage with Israel and Palestine that go beyond distant political debates. Because of that, we’re receiving more applications to our programs than in previous years. People want to understand the reality on the ground and build relationships with communities directly affected by these dynamics. The biggest barrier for many applicants is financial. We see interest from people all over the world — from the United States, England, Germany, Turkey, South Africa, Russia, and beyond — who want to participate in Achvat Amim’s programming. There really isn’t another program that combines deep political education with relationship-building and solidarity work.

At the same time, Achvat Amim is still a relatively small organization, so expanding our capacity depends heavily on resources and community support. Because of our anti-racist and anti-occupation stance, our work is not typically funded by mainstream Jewish institutions, which makes providing scholarships particularly challenging.

What gives me hope is that we now have a strong alumni network around the world — people who continue this work in journalism, activism, education, and community organizing long after they leave the program. We believe that the movement for justice and liberation requires many different forms of engagement, and we want to equip as many people as possible to find their role in that work, both on the ground and in their home communities.

WJN: What is the central message you want to convey to the Jewish community of Washtenaw County about your work with Achvat Amim?

Miriam: One of the core ideas behind Achvat Amim is that movements for justice in Israel and Palestine are deeply connected to movements for justice in the diaspora. For me, a central message is that meaningful engagement is possible. Many people feel overwhelmed or polarized by conversations about Israel and Palestine, but Achvat Amim creates a framework where people can learn deeply, build relationships, and find what we call “right-sized” ways to participate in movements for justice — both on the ground and back in their home communities. I grew up in a Jewish community in Ann Arbor that encouraged moral responsibility and a dedication to tikkun olam, values which ultimately led me to this work. My hope is that communities like this one continue encouraging people to stay engaged and support efforts that build a more just future for everyone who calls this land home.