Rav Gavrielle shares the psycho-spiritual approach of experiencing Rosh Chodesh through the 12 senses in this article for the April 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News.
Rosh Chodesh at the AARC in the April 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News
Reconnect with the Community, the Earth and Yourself
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.
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
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 4:00 to 6:00 PM | Welcome and Registration |
| 6:00 to 7:15 PM | Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat Service |
| 7:30 – 8:30 PM | Traditional 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
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 to 7:45 AM | Early 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 PM | Afternoon Programming |
| 5:00 PM | (Really good) Kosher Wine Tasting Happy Hour |
| 6:30 to 7:30 PM | Dinner |
| 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 PM | Campfire with s’mores and singing |
Sunday, June 2
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 to 7:45 AM | Early 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 PM | Lunch with the Beit Sefer |
| 2:00 PM | Closing circle |
| 3:00 PM | Goodbye 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
A Survivor’s Legacy: The music of Cantor Saul Nadvan, article by Rav Gavrielle in the March 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News
This article by Rav Gavrielle appeared in the March 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News. See the link here and scroll to page 28. For the youtube of the January 2024 concert honoring Cantor Saul Nadvan click HERE.
Also on the same page of the Washtenaw Jewish News, in the right column, check out the article on the March 10, 2024 AARC book group (discussing the book Jewish New York: The Remarkable Story of a City and a People by AARC member Deborah Dash Moore)
Save the dates for the AARC Retreat!
May 31 to June 2, 2024
Lots of excitement is brewing about the rebirth of a tradition fondly remembered from years past: a congregational RETREAT!
The retreat is a magical chance for members to celebrate Shabbat, relax, unwind, form new friendships, strengthen old ties, enjoy nature through hiking or boating, savor wonderful meals, dance, craft, and more.
Please save these date for the 2024 AARC retreat
- Friday May 31 (around 4:00 pm or arrive after that when you can)
- Saturday, June 1
- Sunday June 2 (ending around 3:00 pm)
- (note: this is the weekend following Memorial Day weekend)
The lovely Chenango Lake Retreat Center in Howell has been reserved for the 2024 retreat. Currently engaged in retreat planning is a terrific team led by Leora Druckman, Steve Merritt, and Adrianne Neff.
While the budget is not yet finalized, we are thinking about (subject to tweaking) a sliding scale of $150 to $250 per adult and $75 to $150 per child (with children under 3 free). The goal is to have as many people as possible attend and participate without letting finances get in the way. At the same time, we do need to at least cover our costs of a minimum of $10,000 (a recent increase in the cost of food is impacting this).
The retreat will offer:
- A chance to celebrate Shabbat as a community
- Six wonderful meals
- Lodging for 2 nights
- Chenango lake (with canoes and kayaks) trails and beautiful surroundings.
- Dancing Saturday night with music from ‘Twas Brillig and the Mazel Toves plus dancing led by Drake Meadow
- Camp fires with singing and s’mores
- Art workshop by Idelle Hammond-Sass
- And many more activities led by our talented members
Registration for the retreat will likely open in March. Stay tuned to the AARC emails for further updates and info.
Enjoy these photos from past AARC/Havurah retreats:
Rav Gavrielle Receives Ordination
This article was published in the February 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News. See HERE, page 17.
Book Group Nurtures Community at AARC, in January 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News
This article appeared in the January 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News. See page 18 here: https://washtenawjewishnews.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Janurary-2024-WJN.pdf
AARC Embraces Community Collaborations, in the December 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News
This article appeared in the December 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News. See the entire issue HERE
New Beginnings at AARC, in November 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News
This article on “New Beginnings at the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation” appeared in the November 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News.
Photo of the AARC Beit Sefer at The Farm on Jennings. The shofar-blowing team was led by Rav Gavrielle, Evan Friedman (Head Teacher), and Madrichah Mollie Meadow on the ram’s horn.
(Sept 17, 2023)
.
Technology Supports Inclusivity at AARC, in the Oct. 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News
Poem for Rosh Hashanah 2023
By Emily Eisbruch
Summer ends, fall comes near
The Jewish days of awe are here
With prayer and music we manifest our tradition
As we co-create this year’s edition
Unetaneh tokef, Who shall live and who shall die
This is serious and somber, no way to lie
Honey is eternally golden and sweet
But at the days of awe, many forces meet
Apples are good, yet sometimes tart and sharp
Well, thank goodness for Rav Gavrielle’s harp
As we gather at the new year’s start
We open our spirit and our heart
Let’s work to grow, stretch and learn to love more
Welcome new friends and embrace the year 5784
