Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

community

Save the dates for the AARC Retreat!

by

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:

An Action Packed Weekend at AARC

by

It was an action packed weekend filled with fun, food and music! It was so wonderful to be surrounded by joy amongst the darkness of winter and to be reminded of the change that is inevitable and always in process. Please enjoy these photos from this wonderful weekend!

Folk dancing for Shabbat Shira led by Drake!
Deb and Nancy Folk Dancing Through the Red Sea!
Rav Gabrielle, Laurie White and Seth Kopald Led The Musical Shabbat Shira Service
Dancing on Shabbat Shira
Musicians performing on Shabbat Shira
Chilren’s Tu B’Shevat Seder
Rav Gabrielle’s Presentation on Cantor Saul Nadvan
Performing the music of Cantor Saul Nadvan

Finding Connections In Times of Need

by

By Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador

Beautiful Bog at Eddy Nature Center

In times of crisis, it is very important to find connections and sources for support.  Reach out to loved ones, attend to self-care, and be patient with yourselves.  It’s okay to not know what to say and to have mixed feelings.  It’s okay to be silent from the shock of it all.  And it’s okay to pray, not for answers, but to hear your own voice.  In the words of CS Lewis, “I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time, waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God. It changes me.”    

We have 2 opportunities to pray together in community this weekend, on Shabbat and on Sunday morning for our first Rosh Chodesh minyan.  And if praying alone is better for you right now, then do that.   Hitbodedut (self-isolation) is a style of prayer popularized by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov.  It is a way to be in open, spontaneous, and direct communication with God that is accessible using our own words, not the words of the siddur in rabbinic Hebrew or Aramaic.   Hitbodedut can be done anywhere, but Nachman recommended that it is best done in nature, as “each and every grass blade has a song which it sings, and from the grass’s song, the shepherd’s melody is created”  ((Likutei Moharan 63:1:2).  The hope is that being in nature allows the nervous system to settle down so that we are better able to hear those songs and be nurtured by them.


There will be a time to be critical, to analyze and make assessments.  Some of us are ready and for others it is way too soon.  Wherever you find yourself, be gentle and be kind, and remember to care of yourself as well as the ones you hold dear.   

Service Details:

Saturday Morning Shabbat Service: Saturday October 14th, 10:30am-noon. Meditation, prayer, discussion, community. Everyone is welcome! Hybrid services will be in person at the JCC of Ann Arbor and online via zoom. Email aarcgillian@gmail.com or see your weekly mailers for the zoom link if you would like to attend online.

Rosh Chodesh Online Minyan: Please join Rav Gavrielle on Sunday, October 15 at 9 am for a morning service on zoom to celebrate Rosh Chodesh.   She will be weaving prayer, nigunim and teachings on Rosh Chodesh practice and the special qualities of the upcoming Hebrew month of Cheshvan. Email aarcgillian@gmail.com or see your weekly mailers for the zoom link if you would like to attend.

Welcoming Our New Rabbi and Closing The Book On A Year Of Lay Leadership

by

Have you ever heard the adage, ‘you can’t tell how strong the tea is until you put it in hot water?’ As you probably surmised, this saying refers to how we learn what our strengths are when we are put in challenging situations. To say that we have tested our strength in this way over the last few years is an understatement! But I am happy to report that this congregation is made of some pretty strong tea. Some crucial ingredients of this tea are relationship, resilience, commitment and communal joy. For example, we managed to hold Shabbat services all year without interruption with the leadership of our community! As we welcome our new Rabbi to her first service this weekend, we can reflect on the joyous times that we spent together during our year of lay leadership and be proud that we are welcoming her into a strong and resilient community.

Take a look at this slide show highlighting the wonderful year, if we can have this much fun without a Rabbi- we are in for a great year ahead with Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador!

Night of Learning for Shavuot
Mimouna Seder with Beit Sefer
Music Accompaniment by the ‘Ravening Team’
Sukkot Campout and Shmita Work Day at The Farm on Jennings
End of Summer Potluck Picnic at Bandemere Park
Zeitouna Film Event
Community End Of Passover Cookout
End Of Summer Potluck Picnic at Bandemere Park
Apples and Honey
Passover Shpiel Led by Etta!
Dylan’s Bar Mitzvah Led by Etta!
Brenna’s Bat Mitzvah Led by Deb Kraus

Passover Plans 2023!

by

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!

Saturday Shabbat During Passover

Second Saturday Shabbat Morning service will fall during shabbat this year. This service will be led by Brenna Reichman and Tara Cohen! These two soulful women will surely bring joy, insight, and lots of heart to your mid-passover week. You won’t want to miss it! The service will be held at the JCC of Ann Arbor and on Zoom at 10:30am, April 8th.

Mimouna Pizza Party Bonfire

We will also be hosting a Mimouna Pizza Party Bonfire at Jeff and Rena Basch’s house at the end of Passover. Mimouna is a Sephardic tradition that celebrates the end of Passover as well as the harvest. Learn more about Mimouna here. Its a really fun way to mark the end of the Passover holiday. Come enjoy pizza, donuts and other chametz at the end of Passover at Rena and Jeff Basch’s house. The party will Friday, April 14th, 6pm-8pm. Address will be sent out to registrants. Sign up to attend HERE!

We hope that you will find an opportunity to connect with each other during the passover holiday this year. As always, let us know if you have any questions!

Home Hosted Hanukkah Schedule 2022!!

by

Wow what a super fun eight days we have coming! Take a look at the myriad of excellent opportunities for celebration and community and sign up to attend!

First Night of Home Hosted Hanukkah Potluck at Marcy Epstein’s House! December 18th, 6:00-8:00pm. First night at Marcy’s– bring your Hanukkiah, have a latke, bring a vegetarian dish with serving utensil! Capacity: 20, kid-friendly, white elephant, dreydl– dogs in house, please mask if you can, three steps to front door. SIGN UP TO ATTEND HERE, Address will be sent to registrants (Marcy’s house is in the Burns Park area) 

Second Night: Stop by the Giant Menorah Gelt Drop in Liberty Plaza! On Monday Dec 19 at 6 PM, Chabad House will be Lighting Up the Night at a grand celebration for the entire community at Liberty Plaza! The Giant Graffiti Menorah will stand tall as a symbol of our Jewish pride and unity, and the exciting Chanukah activities will be fun for the whole family! 
Enjoy latkes, donuts, hot drinks and live music while dancing with the Dreidel Mascot. Get ready to experience the spectacular Chanukah Gelt Drop, with chocolate coins and other treats raining down from our city’s finest fire truck ladder. Airbrush your very own Chanukah beanie and feel the joy of Chanukah and community spirit! 
Third Night: Home Hosted Hanukkah Karaoke Night! at Shannon Rappaport’s House, Tuesday December 20th, 5:30-8:30. Donuts, hors d’oeuvres, wine and kid snacks. Dreidel, candle lighting, karaoke! 2 steps to access house, house has cats and a dog. Sign up to attend HERE, address will be sent to registrants.  
Fourth Night: Candle for Tzedakah, Wednesday December 21st, 5:30pm. For one night of Hanukkah, community members and families come together to give to those in need. One Candle begins at 5:30 PM with a pizza dinner, edible dreidel making (marshmallows, pretzels, frosting, Hershey kisses), gift wrapping, and fun crafts! If a kosher meal is required, please indicate so on your registration form. Register to attend HERE. At 6:15, we’ll welcome magician and comedian Jonathon LaChance as seen on the television show Penn & Teller: Fool Us. This hilarious show will be lots of fun for the whole family!

This year, we’re partnering with The Bottomless Toy Chest! The Bottomless Toy Chest is a nonprofit organization with the goal of providing toys, crafts, and interactive activities to children undergoing cancer treatment. Please join us by bringing a new toy in its original packaging to the event! If you are unable to join us, boxes will be in the lobby prior to the program to collect new toys.
Fifth Night: Home Hosted Hanukkah Campire Stories and Singing at Etta Heisler’s House. Thursday December 22nd, 7pm-8:30pm. Outdoor party. This party will feature large fires available where you can warm up, as well as warm beverages to enjoy. The Heisler’s will provide mozzarella sticks and jelly donut holes as well as hot coffee, tea, hot cocoa, and cider. This night will feature a dramatic reading of Herschel and the Hanukkah Goblins and Hanukkah songs around the fire. Fire pits are handicap accessible, bathrooms require stairs. Bring cash/coins for the tzedakah box, OR use a qr code to make a community donation to Community Action Network’s Bryant Community Center. Masks required inside. SIGN UP TO ATTEND HERE. 
Sixth Night: Fourth Friday Kabbalat Shabbat and Hanukkah Service, Friday December 23rd, 6:30-8:00 pm. Hybrid Service at the JCC of Ann Arbor. Come connect with community, rest, recharge, rejuvenate. Everyone welcome. We are asking everyone that comes in person to read the Health and Safety Guidelines. Vegetarian, nut free potluck after services. Please bring a dish to pass. **This will be a special Hanukkah Shabbat Service co-led by Margo Schlanger and Rebecca Kanner. 
Seventh Night: Home Hosted Hanukkah Bonfire at Rena & Jeff Basch’s House. Saturday December 24th, 5:30pm-8:30pm. Gather for candle-lighting, bonfire, and a chili dinner around the fire. Bring a menorah & candles. Bring/wear warm campfire clothes. Capacity 25-30 ish. COVID restrictions – stay home if you’re feeling ill or test positive. Food details: Rena will make a big pot of chili or maybe two, and a toppings bar. Will also have warm and cold beverages for children and adults. If people want to bring something, here are some ideas – salad, corn bread, fruit, dessert, Fireball! Sign up to attend HERE, address will be sent out to registrants. 
Eighth Night: Home Hosted Hanukkah Potluck at Eileen Dzik’s House. Sunday December 25th, 6pm. Come gather for latkes and singing. Vegetarian potluck – desserts welcome! Sign up to attend HERE, address will be sent out to registrants. 

Sign Up For This Years Yom Kippur Break Fast!

by

With the guidance of our Health and Safety Committee, we have decided to host our community Break Fast this year after sundown and the Final Shofar. Attendees can enjoy their meal inside the social hall at the Unitarian Church, or can bring the meal into the courtyard and eat outside.

In order to make sure that we have the appropriate amount of food, please be sure to sign up today! Menu Below!

Please RSVP by September 5th.

Sign Up to Attend the Break Fast Here!

Yom Kippur Workshops 2022

by

The War in Ukraine: Empire, War, Refugees, and us with Debbie Field 1:30-3pm

Our own family histories, and Jewish history in general, have been shaped by empires and their wars of conquest. In this interactive session, we’ll learn a little about the war in
Ukraine, its impact on civilians, and the creation of refugees. We’ll make some comparisons with our own experiences as Jews, and end by considering actions we might take as individuals and as a community.

Movement Workshop with Alison Stupka. 1:30-3pm

People will gain a reconnection with their bodies during their fast.

Jonah Workshop with Rabbi Debra, 3-4:30pm

During this breakout session, we will read the book of Jonah together, and share informal discussion about its themes and why the rabbis chose such a seemingly silly story for the Yom Kippur afternoon Haftarah.

Sing and Connect with Deb Kraus, 3-4:30pm

Deb Kraus will hold space outdoors if weather permits to sing together and connect.

Observe Tisha B’Av This Year Outdoors with Lauren Zinn!

by

19th Century Painting of Tisha B’Av Observance by
Léopold Horowitz
 (Hungarian, 1838–1917)

As predicted, this year brings new opportunities for learning and growth! Encouraging members to bring their ideas and traditions to the congregation has allowed for this exciting opportunity to learn about the observance of Tisha B’Av!

Lauren Zinn will be hosting up to 10 participants at her house on Saturday August 6th at 7:15. There will be an optional outdoor BYOB picnic meal together before the listening/chanting of the first chapter of Eicha alongside a recording at 8pm. Lauren says “… Tish B’Av can be an opportunity to express sorrow not only for the historical event it commemorates but for our current collective angst as well as any personal sadness folks might want to share. Sometimes letting the grief out makes room for the joys.” If you would like to attend, please SIGN UP HERE! Lauren’s address will be sent out to participants who have signed up.

What is Tisha B’Av?

Tisha B’Av is a day of mourning for the loss of the first and second temples in Jerusalem. Tisha B’Av is translated literally as the ninth day in the month of Av. It is believed that other occurrences of loss have happened on or around this day involving the persecution of Jews in Europe amongst others therefore the observance has been expanded to include a mourning of loss in general.

On Tisha B’Av the book of Eicha is read, which grapples with how we as Jews deal with catastrophe, pain, and loss. It explores the role of G’d in suffering and how we may contribute to our own suffering or loss.

Similar to Yom Kippur, some Jews fast and refrain from perfumes, sex, bathing etc. There is traditionally a light pre-fast meal that does not include meat. Once the sun sets, participants begin reading the book of Eicha while sitting on the floor or a low stool.

Learn more about the Reconstructionist approach to the holiday, explore their website here!

Announcing Jewish Congregations Organized for Resettlement (JCOR)

by

Most of our family histories include stories of caring people who stepped up to help our great-grandparents, grandparents, or parents resettle in this country.  Today we are challenged to step up and help another generation of refugees.

You have seen the news:  The United States initially expected to admit 125,000 refugees this year.  Then 80,000 more arrived from Afghanistan. Now, an additional 100,000 Ukrainian refugees are expected.

Jewish Family Services (JFS) is working tirelessly to do its share here in Washtenaw County and is requesting OUR help.  

To this end, representatives from Beth Israel Congregation, Temple Beth Emeth, the Jewish Cultural Society, the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, Pardes Hannah, and the Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan have come together to form Jewish Congregations Organized for Resettlement (JCOR), whose purpose is to support resettlement of a refugee family.  Also, the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor will provide fiduciary oversight for all funds donated and disbursed in support of this purpose.  And now we need YOU!

Volunteers are needed for committees that will work in partnership with JFS staff to help refugee family members reestablish their independent lives here and orient to American culture.  With training from JFS staff, we will do this by helping refugees with:  housing, transportation, and employment; healthcare and financial planning; and childcare, schooling, and adult ESL classes as necessary.  We also need a cadre of on-call volunteers to help with short-notice critical needs, like last-minute transportation or child care coverage. 

Altogether, we are seeking 30 to 50 volunteers, who can be available up to three hours per week during the first two months after the family’s arrival. The time commitments will decrease gradually as the family members become more independent during their first year in the United States.

Of course, we need help with fundraising.  JFS recommends collecting $7,000 to $20,000 over the course of the family’s first year.  Of this, $4,000 should be available upon the family’s arrival to help cover initial costs. 

No one congregation will be singularly responsible or individually committed to provide a specific number of volunteers or a specific amount of funding.  But we believe that collectively our Jewish Community can make a difference for our new arrivals and help JFS meet its decades-long dedication to resettlement.

Click here to access JCOR’s on-line volunteer sign-up form, where you will find more information about the volunteer committees and choose the one in which your expertise, your experience, and your passion for Tikkun Olam will have the greatest impact.  

Additionally, all JCOR volunteers will complete the JFS volunteer form which will facilitate the required background check for all JCOR volunteers. Please complete the JFS form now. 

Click here to access the secure Federation/JCOR donation website.

Thank you!  The family members we help resettle today will be the grandparents of tomorrow.  As a volunteer in this effort, YOU will make a difference to their future generations!

For more information, please contact our AARC lead on JCOR: Alice Mishkin at alice.mishkin@gmail.com