Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

Emily Eisbruch

AARC Welcomes Shlomit Cohen as Beit Sefer Director

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The AARC is delighted to welcome Shlomit Cohen as our Beit Sefer (religious school) director. Shlomit shares her background and her plans for the coming year in her own words (below).

My name is Shlomit. I am thrilled to be the director of the Ann Arbor Reconstuctionist Congregation (AARC) Beit Sefer (religious school). After teaching at the AARC Beit Sefer for five years, directing the program will be as natural as going back home. My son, Eli, had his bar mitzvah at the AARC. I am delighted to step into this position and give back to my community in the best way I can.

My vision for the Beit-Sefer is for the AARC to have a religious education program focused on supporting children in forging their unique lifelong Jewish identity. I believe that hands-on, student-centered education is the best way to shape identity while having fun.

There are so many different ways that a person can access their Judaism. As a native Israeli, archaeologist, and educator, I’m always eager to help people find opportunities to open many doors and explore the different ways of being Jewish. I grew up on a kibbutz, living Judaism as a hands-on (as well as brain- and hearts-on) daily experience. During my mandatory national service, I was in the education unit, teaching outdoor education to civilian children and adults.

I trained as an archeologist, and held positions at both the Ein Yael Living Museum and the Bible Lands Museum (in Jerusalem) as an archaeologist and the head of the education department. In these roles, I coordinated with both our professional development teams and other educational institutions to develop, plan, and implement educational programming.

Since coming to the United States twenty years ago, I’ve taught in a variety of settings, primarily focusing on Jewish religious education and Hebrew. I always seek to create cooperative education experiences that engage individuals and families both artistically and intellectually.

In 2019 I earned my masters in Jewish education from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). I also completed a year-long program in Israel education at The iCenter in Chicago. 

I have two children Eli (19), and Gabi (16), a dog (golden) and a white cat (retriever). I love the outdoors, gardening, cooking and entertaining. Yoga is big in my world – I have taught yoga for more than 30 years. I love arts and crafts, a good book or a movie. 

About the Beit Sefer

This year the AARC Beit Sefer program will be based on four pillars:  

  • Jewish time
    The year cycle which includes the holidays, Shabbat, seasons (we’ll meet a few times at the farm), and personal moments on the calendar – birthdays. 
  • Hebrew language
    as a means to connect to the reach literature. The students will learn the alef-bet (the Hebrew letters) as a preparation for the Bar- Mitzvah. Basic decoding, prayer words and phrases to be able to join the congregation services, including few modern Hebrew words. 
  • Jewish values
    The younger children will learn the Bible  stories. They will examine and practice values and mitzvah. 
  • Israel
    The geography, the land reach story since antiquity (archaeology and history), where our Jewish identity formed and the place where Jews first began to take shape as a religion and a people. Present Israel, its symbols: flag, anthem, currency, Independence Day, the reach diversity of people, and its amazing food! I will teach basic important facts only. No politics. 

My goal is to lead a supportive team with the Beit Sefer madrichim (teachers) to ensure that the kids will be happy and excited to go to school. I look forward to getting to know you and your children and having a great year together. 

– Shlomit

AARC Creatives to meet August 28th

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All are welcome to join the “AARC Creatives” group on Thursday, August 28 at 7pm at the Eisbruchs’ house in NE Ann Arbor. This recently formed group provides a framework for folks in the AARC community to share and encourage each other on creative endeavors, very broadly defined. In our first two meetings, the group discussed projects including collage, print-making, pottery, painting, jewelry, ritutal objects, gem cutting, crafting, crochet, writing, and even developing special family events.

We are delighted that Carla Grayson will lead the group in a creative activity or discussion on August 28th. Please email Emily Eisbruch eisbruchs@gmail.com if you would like to join.

The AARC Creatives group began as the AARC Artists’ Collective in April 2025, when Rav Gavrielle invited congregants to discuss creative projects at a meeting that was hosted at the home of Idelle Hammond-Sass.

At the April 2025 gathering, Rav Gavrielle shared beautiful ritual objects, including Jewish amulets and a decorative and devotional document known as a Shiviti. 

Participants told about their creative journeys and expressed enthusiasm for collaborating together or in parallel on creative projects moving forward.

Idelle again hosted the group on June 25, for a session led by Leora Druckman. At that meeting, participants shared creative items and projects they’ve been working on.

AARC Creatives meetings will be approximately every other month and will feature rotating facilitators. We hope to see many of you at the next meeting on Thursday, August 28th.

A pit-fired pottery piece shared by Leora Druckman at the June 2025 meeting.

A cut Yooperlite gem shared by Dan Peisach in June 2025. Cutting gems – what a fascinating creative hobby!

Crochet fidget ball shared by Emily E in June 2025.

Welcoming Newcomers

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– by Carol Lessure


Many years ago, Deborah Dash Moore shared a story that had a lasting impact on me. A
renowned Jewish scholar, I have learned much from Dr. Moore over the years. This time, she shared a personal story.

Dr. Moore arrived from NYC to lead the Frankel Center for Judaic Studies over the summer of 2005. Of all the many Jewish colleagues that she met at the University of Michigan, only one invited her to attend High Holiday services at their congregation. This invitation was most welcome and it led her to build a lasting connection with that congregation. It was not the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation which was a fairly small Havurah at the time. As a third generation Reconstructionist with a long history with the West End Synagogue in New York City, Dr. Moore found us. She has been an active AARC member for twenty years sharing her expertise with Yom Kippur workshops, rabbinic leadership, and reading Torah.

Her story demonstrates the power of personal invitations and connections. As we enter a time when new people arrive to Ann Arbor to learn, teach and/or work, I encourage each of us to welcome newcomers with kindness and, if possible, an invitation to do something together. You will likely have new work colleagues, new neighbors, or new families at your children’s schools.

If they happen to be Jewish, please invite them to an AARC event, share what you like about our congregation, and perhaps offer to host them for Shabbat dinner. By the end of July, let them know that AARC has ticketless high holiday services that are open to all. If they have young children, share information about our small family-like Beit Sefer.

By late August or early September, you can share the schedule of our High Holiday services and programs. These will be a featured part of our website front page. Perhaps you can offer to meet them for services, a children’s program, or invite them to join you for the end of Yom Kippur when AARC provides afternoon workshops, a unique Memorial Service, a short lovely Nielah service with a Shofar blast, and a communal Break the Fast (be sure to pay & pre-register for the meal, please).

AARC Welcomes Tiara Hawkins as Program Manager

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The AARC is delighted to welcome Tiara Hawkins as our new program manager. Tiara has a history degree from the University of Michigan Flint and a background in human resources, office management, and legal assistant work.  “I’m excited to bring my skills into this role with the AARC, and I’m truly looking forward to doing the best job I can while learning from each of you in this incredible congregation.” Tiara comments.


Tiara says, “My husband Scott and I have three amazing kids—Ryan, who’s 5 and turning 6 in July, Aurora, who will be 3 in just a few days, and our youngest, Harlee, who just turned 1. All three of them attend the Early Childhood Center at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, and it’s been such a wonderful experience for our family. I converted to Judaism in 2019, right before Scott and I got married, and it’s been such a meaningful part of my life ever since. My hobbies are reading, swimming, and spending time with my family.” 

Tiara will be in charge of AARC communications, event coordination and more.  Tiara’s first time coordinating AARC Fourth Friday services was May 23, 2025 and she did an outstanding job, alongside Emily Ohl.   The congregation extends warm appreciation to our previous program manager, Emily Ohl. We are so glad that Emily will remain in the AARC community.

When you see Tiara at an event, be sure to introduce yourself and don’t be shy to ask if you can lend a hand!

2025 AARC Retreat – Gratitude

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We had gorgeous weather, and participants expressed joy and gratitude for the opportunity to deepen bonds and make new connections.

Thanks to Leora Druckman, our amazing coordinator for the 2024 and 2025 AARC retreats. Kudos to everyone who contributed to a fantastic AARC retreat at Camp Tamarack’s Butzel Center the weekend of May 9-11, 2025.

Outdoors



Friday and Saturday Services and Havdalah


Saturday Evening Music and Dancing


Programs


More Fun Times


Delightful Dining


We look forward to seeing you at the next AARC retreat, either in 2026 or 2027.