Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

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AARC Welcomes New Executive Director by Emily Eisbruch

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“AARC Welcomes New Executive Director”  By Emily Eisbruch was originally published in the Washtenaw Jewish News’ December 2025 Edition.


The Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation (AARC) is delighted to
welcome Elizabeth Brindley as its part-time Executive Director. Elizabeth
started this new role in October. Her responsibilities include managing the
congregation’s administrative functions, publicity and outreach, event
coordination and more.


Elizabeth is a Michigan native, originally from the Saginaw / Bay City Area. In
addition to her role with the AARC, she also works in the Ohio Department
of Rehabilitation & Corrections as a librarian in a men’s maximum security
prison.


Elizabeth earned a Bachelor’s in Public & Nonprofit Administration from
Eastern Michigan, and a Master’s of Library & Information Science from
Louisiana State University. She has several other certifications as well,
including holding cosmetology and massage licenses in Michigan, being
Mental Health First Aid certified, and having worked as a roller skating
instructor in her early twenties.


“I centered a lot of my college studies around the decolonization of
repositories and on libraries as tools to create strong, healthy communities,
and I’ve found that I’m passionate about building communities that are safe,
inclusive and joyful for everyone,” says Elizabeth.


With humor, she notes that in her personal life she’s basically the
stereotypical librarian: she has six cats, wears almost exclusively handmade
cardigans, and reads anything she can get her hands on.


“My favorite fiction genres are Fantasy and Sci Fi, but if I’m honest I mostly
read nonfiction, particularly on social issues. I also really love history and
spiritual thought. I have a lot of hobbies: I cross-stitch, paint miniatures for
table top games like Dungeons & Dragons, and write a whole lot of different
stuff. My main project right now is a combination of a self-care manual for
corrections staff and research into alternative justice models that are more
humane and compassionate to the people in prisons, both those there by
force and those there for money.”


“We are absolutely delighted to have Elizabeth stepping into this newly
expanded role,” says AARC Board Chair Dave Nelson. “As our community
grows, so does our need for dedicated professional staff, which are the life
support system for a spiritually energetic community. We look forward to
seeing Elizabeth and the community thrive together.”


The AARC is a caring, inclusive and music-loving community of people who
want to practice and study Judaism, or simply be around people who share a
commitment to Judaism’s values. The AARC’s spiritual leader, Rav Gavrielle
Pescador, is known for her warmth, her collaborative spirit, and her
incredible voice and harp playing. You are invited to visit
https://aarecon.org/ or email info@aarecon.org to learn more about the
Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation.

Meditations with Anita Return to 2nd Saturdays

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Second Saturday meditation resumes this coming Shabbat, November 8th, from 10-10:20.

In his book, “Jewish Meditation Practices for Everyday Life”, Rabbi Jeff Roth describes a practice derived from Reb Zalman’s teaching on the chant “It is perfect. All is clear. You are loved. and I am holy.”

Each line of the chant is related to one of the 4 worlds, i.e. Assiyah, Yetsirah, Beriyah, and Atzilut. Each world is related to a Divine attribute, i.e. acting, feeling, knowing and being. This creates a worthwhile framework for meditation.

Each month we will take some time with the chant, meditate on one of the worlds/attributes, and hopefully have a brief time for sharing. Come join us.

Greetings from the New Director

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Hello, Friends!
It’s me, AARC’s new Executive Director, Elizabeth Brindley. You’ll be hearing from me frequently from here on out, and I wanted to introduce myself. I’ll include a photo further down so you’ll know who you’re looking for if you ever want to find me at services.
I’m a Michigan native, but I’m originally from the Saginaw / Bay City Area part of the state. I’ve lived in Southern Michigan for the last decade or so, and I’m currently employed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Corrections. I work as a librarian in a men’s maximum security prison, and I’m always happy to talk about the experience if you want to ask about it. It’s as wild as you’re imagining. I’ve also been an executive board member for Six Feet Over since I moved down here ten years ago, although after so long we finally have a good batch of board members, and I am hoping they will let me take a little break in 2026. I’m the secretary, and it turns out not too many people are excited to take on nonprofit paperwork loads.
I have a Bachelor’s in Public & Nonprofit Administration from Eastern Michigan, and a Master’s of Library & Information Science from Louisiana State University, but also all sorts of other certifications. I have my cosmetology and massage licenses in Michigan, I’m Mental Health First Aid certified, and I worked as a roller skating instructor in my early 20’s. I centered a lot of my college studies around the decolonization of repositories and on libraries as tools to create strong, healthy communities, and I’ve found that I’m passionate about building communities that are safe, inclusive and joyful for everyone.
In my personal life I am basically the stereotypical librarian. I have 6 cats, wear almost exclusively handmade cardigans and read anything I can get my hands on. My favorite fiction genres are Fantasy and Sci Fi, but if I’m honest I mostly read nonfiction, particularly on social issues, but I also really love history and spiritual thought. I have a lot of hobbies. I cross-stitch, paint miniatures for table top games like Dungeons & Dragons, and write a whole lot of different stuff. My main project right now is a combination self-care manual for corrections staff and research into alternative justice models that are more humane and compassionate to the people in prisons, both those there by force and those there for money.
Thank you so much for welcoming me into your community and allowing me to help you meet the congregation’s goals. I’m looking forward to getting to know you all.