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Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

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Emily Eisbruch

Reconnect with the Community, the Earth and Yourself

March 22, 2024 by Emily Eisbruch

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

Filed Under: Upcoming Activities

A Survivor’s Legacy: The music of Cantor Saul Nadvan, article by Rav Gavrielle in the March 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News

February 27, 2024 by Emily Eisbruch

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)

Filed Under: Articles/Ads, Uncategorized

Save the dates for the AARC Retreat!

January 29, 2024 by Emily Eisbruch

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

Steve Merritt stevemerritt2@gmail.com would love to hear from anyone interested in offering a workshop or activity at the retreat or if you’d like to volunteer to help out in other ways. 

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:

Filed Under: Upcoming Activities Tagged With: community

Rav Gavrielle Receives Ordination

January 29, 2024 by Emily Eisbruch

This article was published in the February 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News. See HERE, page 17.

Filed Under: Articles/Ads, Uncategorized

Book Group Nurtures Community at AARC, in January 2024 Washtenaw Jewish News

December 29, 2023 by Emily Eisbruch

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

Filed Under: Articles/Ads, Community Learning, Uncategorized

AARC Embraces Community Collaborations, in the December 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News

December 4, 2023 by Emily Eisbruch

This article appeared in the December 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News. See the entire issue HERE

Filed Under: Articles/Ads, Uncategorized

New Beginnings at AARC, in November 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News

October 30, 2023 by Emily Eisbruch

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)

.

Filed Under: Articles/Ads, Beit Sefer (Religious School), Uncategorized

Technology Supports Inclusivity at AARC, in the Oct. 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News

October 5, 2023 by Emily Eisbruch

Filed Under: Articles/Ads, Uncategorized

Poem for Rosh Hashanah 2023

September 25, 2023 by Emily Eisbruch

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

Filed Under: Posts by Members Tagged With: Poetry

Mollie Meadow’s Embracing Our Differences Artwork in August 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News

August 11, 2023 by Emily Eisbruch

Thanks to Leora Druckman for this article about Mollie Meadow’s artwork in the August 2023 Washtenaw Jewish News.

Filed Under: Articles/Ads, Uncategorized

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Upcoming Events

  • 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, June 26, 2026 – Fourth Friday Kabbalat Shabbat
  • All day, July 2, 2026 – The Three Weeks Begins
  • 10:30 am – 12:00 pm, July 11, 2026 – Second Saturday Shabbat Morning Service
  • 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm, July 24, 2026 – Fourth Friday Kabbalat Shabbat
  • 12:15 pm – 2:00 pm, July 26, 2026 – AARC Book Group

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  • Time to stand up for our immigrant neighbors! by Steve Merritt May 19, 2026
  • Wine & Vegan Cheese Tasting to Draw Attention to Link Between Food and Climate by Steve Merritt May 14, 2026

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