Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

Emily Eisbruch

Welcome Emily Ohl, New AARC Program Manager

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Note: A version of this article appeared in the August 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News. See page 20 HERE

The AARC is delighted to welcome Emily Ohl as our new Program Manager. Emily steps up as Gillian Jackson, the AARC Events and Communications Coordinator for the past five years, moves into a new phase of her career journey as a social worker.

Emily brings an outstanding background and enthusiasm. She is already a cherished part of the AARC community, both as a congregant and as a teacher in our AARC Beit Sefer. Emily also teaches at the JCC of Ann Arbor Early Childhood Center, working in the Duck Room.

Emily graduated from the University of Michigan in 2022 with a major in American Culture, and minors in German and Museum Studies. In addition to everything else, she’s a certified lifeguard and a yoga teacher!

Emily led a wonderful early morning yoga session at the Spring 2024 AARC retreat at Camp Tamarack!

Emily comments:

“Hello! I am so grateful and excited to be stepping into this role and to be a part of this community. I look forward to working with those I have met and getting to know those I haven’t yet as we move together through the cycles of our lives and the Jewish calendar.
Thank you! Toda raba!”

As we welcome Emily Ohl as AARC Program Maanger, we are incredibly glad that Gillian and her family (husband Alex and sons Wesley and Wade) continue to be a part of our AARC community. We can’t thank Gillian enough for all her amazing work. We appreciate the care and love that she gave to our community in her role as Events and Communications Coordinator.

Savoring memories from the 2024 AARC Retreat

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What a fantastic 2024 AARC retreat! On the weekend of May 31 to June 2, over 50 congregants and guests participated in the AARC retreat at Camp Tamarack, featuring worship, dance, music, games, hiking, boating, art workshops, yoga, kosher wine tasting, schmoozing, and more.

Thanks to everyone who helped make this retreat a reality. Here are a few photos.

Waterfront


Boating


Games and hanging out


Friday Evening Services and Saturday Evening Havdalah


Rope Swing



Hiking


Trail Maintenance


Music and Dancing


Kosher wine tasting and early morning yoga


Visiting a Dairy Farm and Beit Sefer Plays Soccer


Fun at the Main Camp Tamarack Dining Hall



Amazing kitchen work at our lodge for breakfast and snacks


Cabins at Specialty Village






We look forward to seeing you at next year’s AARC retreat.

See also photos from the May 2025 AARC retreat.

Reconnect with the Community, the Earth and Yourself

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Join for the 2024 AARC Retreat: May 31st to June 2nd

The 2024 AARC retreat will be held at Camp Tamarack in Ortonville, Michigan, Friday, May 31st through Sunday, June 2nd (the weekend after Memorial Day weekend). This promises to be a very special retreat.

The retreat will offer:

  • A chance to celebrate Shabbat as a community
  • Three creative and musical services led by our own Rabbi Gabrielle
  • An art workshop facilitated by professional artist, Idelle Hammond-Sass
  • Hikes exploring around the beautiful lakes on the 1,100 wooded acres of Tamarack/Camp Maas
  • A Saturday night dance party with Dan Peisach’s band “Twas Brillig and the Mazel Toves” and dances led by Drake Meadow
  • A workshop on how to mend clothes with creativity and style (visible mending) with Allison Stupka
  • Discussion groups led by some of our very talented members
  • Campfires with S’mores and singing each night
  • A variety of “sportsball” opportunities at our very own sports area with soccer field, tennis courts and basketball courts
  • Canoeing and/or Kayaking
  • Childcare and Children’s Programming
  • …and other surprises as well!



To register, please click the button just below and this will take you to a registration and payment info.

Click to Register for the 2024 AARC Retreat

Questions?  Call Leora Druckman at 1-734-730-3399

Retreat Preliminary Schedule

*Note:  All Programming time slots will consist of some combination of 3 – 5 of the following options (led by AARC members).

  • Arts/Craft Workshop
  • Discussion/Workshop/Facilitated group
  • Foodie Session
  • Guided Hike or other Nature Activity
  • Some kind of Sportsball (Volleyball, Gaga, Soccer, etc)
  • Canoes, Kayaking and/or Swimming at the Lake
  • Walking Mincha (afternoon service) with Rabbi Gavrielle
  • Kids Programming and/or babysitting
  • Chill out and do nothing and/or take a nap

NOTE: Schedule is Subject to Change

Friday Evening, May 31

TimeActivity
4:00 to 6:00 PMWelcome and Registration
6:00 to 7:15 PMFriday Night Kabbalat Shabbat Service
7:30 – 8:30 PMTraditional Shabbat Community Dinner
9:00 PM – ?Evening Hang Out  (informal music making, games, socializing, noshing, etc.)
9:00 – 11:00 PM Camp fire with s’mores and singing

Saturday, June 1

TimeActivity
7:00 to 7:45 AMEarly morning yoga or meditation
8:00 to 9:00 AM Breakfast
9:30 to 10:45 AM Saturday Morning Shabbat Service
*11:00 AM to 12:30 PM Morning Programming
1:00 to 2:00 PM Lunch
*3:00 to 4:30 PMAfternoon Programming
5:00 PM(Really good) Kosher Wine Tasting Happy Hour
6:30 to 7:30 PMDinner
8:30 PM t0 ?Music by Dan Peisach with “Twas Brillig and the Mazel Toves” and Dances called by Drake Meadow
9:00 to 11:00 PMCampfire with s’mores and singing

Sunday, June 2

TimeActivity
7:00 to 7:45 AMEarly morning yoga or meditation
8:00 to 9:00 AM Breakfast
*10:00 to 11:30 AM Morning Programming
12:30 PM to 1:30 PMLunch with the Beit Sefer
2:00 PMClosing circle
3:00 PMGoodbye until next year!

The 2024 retreat planning team is headed by Leora Druckman and includes Adrianne Neff, Steve Merritt, Emily Eisbruch and Rav Gavrielle.

Many thanks to everyone who has stepped up to lead retreat workshops and activities.

We look forward to a fantastic retreat and hope you can join!

photos from past AARC retreats