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Chag Pesach Sameach

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Each and every Passover we are taught to see ourselves as being liberated from slavery in Miztrayim (Egypt), which in our tradition is understood as the “narrow place,” derived from the word meitzar.  Mitzrayim is not about a specific location, but rather a narrow state of mind or set of circumstances that obstructs our ability to live healthy, fulfilling, and peaceful lives. 

On the seder nights, we are invited to draw inspiration from the Passover story and dream a journey of freedom that applies to our own lives and the societies in which we live.   Redemption is not a one-time occurrence that happened to our ancestors thousands of years ago; it is an ongoing experience that requires our utmost attention.    

Unfortunately, at this time, many of us are experiencing Mitzrayim on many fronts: the ongoing violence in Israel and Gaza, fear of further escalation of tension between Israel and Iran, worries regarding the outcome of the presidential election in November, the climate crisis, etc.  Some of us have health issues, some of us have lost loved ones recently and some of us are dealing with painful situations in our personal lives.   

These are very stressful times.  Because of that it is my wish that we all remember to take care of ourselves – physically, emotionally, and mentally.   Let us hold fast to our most loving and supportive relationships.  Let us choose to love whenever possible.   Let us choose to be grateful for the life that we have.  Let us reach out to friends, family and to those in need.  Let us enjoy what we can — the purring of a cat, the tweeting of a bird, the sprouting of seedlings, the flowering of trees, a good book, a beautiful piece of music, a prayer, a seder, the smile of a beloved, a gathering with like-minded people.     I promise that I will try to do the same.

Chag Pesach Sameach.

B’ahavah,

Rav Gavrielle

Big News! AARC Will Now Offer A Children’s Service During Fourth Friday Shabbat!

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We are so excited to announce that AARC will now be offering an interactive children’s Shabbat Service during our normal Fourth Friday Shabbat Service. Families are invited to arrive at 6:30 and join the congregation for candle lighting and MaTovu. After the opening prayers, children will join Shani Samuels and Josephine Speyer in the childcare area to attend a special abbreviated children’s Shabbat service. Following the service, children can enjoy free play until it is time to re-join the congregation for the priestly blessing and potluck.

During the children’s service Shani and Josephine will lead the children in traditional shabbat prayers such as Shalom Aleichem, Lecha Dodi, Maariv Aravim, Ahavat Olam, Shema, V’ahavta, MiChamocha, V’shamru, Oseh Shalom. This new addition to the AARC service offerings is the outcome of Josephine’s B’nei Mitzvah project. We are very proud of Josephine and can not wait to welcome her to the bima in June!

If you have any questions about this month’s Shabbat service, please email Gillian at aarcgillian@gmail.com, we can’t wait to see you there!

Celebration of Rabbi Gabrielle’s Ordination and Installation

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The community is invited to join the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation (AARC) in welcoming, installing and celebrating Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador at our Second Saturday Shabbat Morning services on Saturday, April 13 at 10 am. The morning torah service and Installation will be followed by a catered Mediterranean kiddush meal at 12 noon.  Please RSVP here to attend.

Rabbi Gabrielle trained at the ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal as both a rabbi and cantor, completing the double track last year. She was ordained in January 2024. Rabbi Gabrielle started as AARC’s rabbi in July 2023, seamlessly integrating into leading the congregation. Her spirituality, musicality and commitment to helping people find meaning in Jewish life are a perfect fit for AARC. 

Music has always been an integral part of our community, and Rabbi Gabrielle brings something new to that tradition – her harp!  Around the time she began her rabbinic training she also started playing the harp and gradually included the instrument while leading services. She considers the harp an instrument of healing because of its soothing sound quality and biblical resonance, and uses it as a tool for heart opening and easing the pathway to religious experience. Learn more about Gabrielle and her path to becoming a rabbi and cantor here. 

Please be sure to RSVP to join AARC as we celebrate the ordination and installation of our musical Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador on Saturday, April 13th at 10 am.  Donations in honor of Rabbi Gabrielle are welcome. 

Passover 2024!

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Passover Seder Sign Up

One of the things that I love about our congregation is the way that opportunities are built in to be a part of a tight-knit community and make personal connections with people. One of the really special ways that we do this is to make sure that every member has a Seder table to join for the Passover holiday. Being invited to someone’s Seder table is a really meaningful opportunity to experience the Passover Seder through the perspective of another family. The way that everyone approaches the Seder is always different, getting to experience this can provide new insights and ways of looking at the Passover story. 

How the process works is that two sign ups are created for people to offer seats at their Seder table and request seats at a seder table. Once that we have all of the information about available and needed seats, we will match families to each other and exchange contact information. If you are interested in participating, sign up here!

Fourth Friday During Passover

Fourth Friday Shabbat will be held during Passover this year. This will be a wonderful opportunity to share our favorite Passover foods potluck style and celebrate the holiday together in community. More details to come!

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

The Purim Fun Continues!

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This week Rabbi Gabrielle and Idelle Hammond-Sass led a wonderful Purim Torah study and Jewish Studio Art Process. Participants learned about creative Rabbinic commentary on the Purim story and discussed their own understandings of Purim. Afterwards, participants set intentions then created art together. After creating, participants wrote about their art then shared their creations!

Hamantaschen Making with Carol and Jon

Saturday , March 16, 4:00ish – 6:00ish. Carol and Jon will be hosting a Hamantaschen Baking Party at their home. If you plan to attend please email Carol.

AARC Purim Schpiel and Purim Party

Join us Saturday Evening for a Purim/Havdalah Service and Potluck, March 23rd 6pm-9pm, at the JCC of Ann Arbor and Zoom. Join us for merriment, a Purim shpiel, potluck meal (vegetarian, nut free). Come dressed up in your finest Purim costumes or grab one of our masks and greggors on your way in!

Community Purim Party

Community Purim Event, March 24th, 10:30am-12:30pm. This will be a co-Sponsored event by HDS, the JCC, AARC and other local Jewish Orgs. Details on the flier below.

The Jewish Leap Year And The Coming of Spring

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This year is a special event in the Jewish calendar, it is a leap year in the Hebrew calendar as well as the Gregorian calendar. The Jewish leap year occurs in 7 of the 19 years in the calendar cycle, or about once every 3 years. In the Jewish leap years we add in an extra month called Adar II. In non-leap years we only have one month of Adar. The leap years ensure that the Jewish holidays fall in their appropriate or respective seasons.

Adar II has been known to be a month of joy, primarily because the month always includes Purim but also because it brings in Spring for the northern hemisphere. According to the Talmud, ‘When Adar enters, joy increases.’

Another way the leap year has been conceptualized is to consider that we have the ability to alter our world and our experience when regularity challenges us. If the norm creates a disruption, we have the ability to make changes for the better. This can be related to the Purim story, to a leap year, or life in general.

What are you going to do with your extra day (or extra month!) this leap year? We look forward to celebrating Purim together in a few weeks and bringing in the Spring season together in community.