Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

hybrid shabbat

AARC Hybrid Zoom/In-Person Services Returns to the JCC!

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It has been a long two years since we last held indoor services at the JCC, and the long awaited moment is here! We are excited to announce that we will be holding indoor hybrid online/in-person services beginning Friday, February 25th at 6:30! The in-person service will be held in the lounges at the Jewish Community Center of Ann Arbor. The Zoom link will be sent out via our weekly mailer or you can email us for the link.

The service will have an interactive Zoom offering for those who do not feel comfortable attending in person. This will allow online attendees to connect with each other via chat and submit names to be read out loud for Kaddish and Misheberah. We are asking folks to sign up to attend virtual services so we have an idea of who is coming for the first few services. To attend online, please sign up here.

There will be some changes to in-person services in the first few months. In order to maintain COVID safety, we will not be having a potluck after the service. There will be childcare but we will not be having pizza before services for the kids. One important new addition to services is that we ask that you please sign up in advance to attend. This way we can keep track of who is coming for contact tracing purposes. To attend in-person services, please sign up here.

Please email us if you have any questions about our upcoming hybrid services!

Please be sure to review our full Health and Safety Guidelines for indoor events below:

Health and Safety Expectations for In-Person Gatherings

Please also read the Brit Briyut:

Brit Briyut: A Covenant of Mutual Well-Being

Details About Our First Hybrid Shabbat Service!

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The day has come for our first hybrid in person and streaming Shabbat service, and we are all excited for this momentous event! Volunteers and staff have been working hard to make this a safe and enjoyable event for everyone. It has truly been a monumental team effort; many thanks to our board, re-opening task force, tech committee, and event volunteers. See below for details and safety protocols, and don’t hesitate to email Gillian with any questions.

Event Details:

  • Services will begin at 6:30 at the JCC, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
  • Services will be on the side of the JCC in between the building and the soccer field. After parking, head to the right of the front doors, you will see the greeters when you round the corner. If you need help with wheelchair/handicap access, please email or call Gillian.
  • Bring a blanket and/or lawn chairs to set up on the JCC lawn. We will have some folding chairs if needed. There are some semi-permanent tents for shade over parts of the lawn; let’s save the shady parts for folks who may have less tolerance for sun exposure.
  • Services will be streamed onto our Facebook page.
  • The amazing Seth Kopald will be running sound over a brand new speaker system so that everyone can hear from various locations on the lawn.
  • There will be childcare provided on the JCC playground
  • If there is a high chance of rain, we will move to Zoom services. This will be announced by Thursday night.

COVID Safety Guidelines:

  • All are welcome at outdoor events, both members and non-members.
  • When entering the JCC’s outdoor area, ALL attendees will be asked to use hand sanitizer and then sign in, providing their name, the names of anyone attending with them, email, phone number, and completing a short health and safety checklist. 
  • If you currently have or have recently experienced a cough, sore throat, aches, fatigue, gastrointestinal distress, or loss of sense of smell or taste, or have had close contact within the last 14 days with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, please stay home and access the service via livestream.
  • If you or someone in your home or social circle is considered at high risk, either for health or reasons of advanced age, we encourage you to keep them safe by staying home yourself. 
  • For vaccinated people, masks are optional at outdoor events.
  • For unvaccinated people, masks are recommended at outdoor events. 
  • People should please feel free to wear a mask if they are concerned in any way. 
  • Color-coded (green/yellow/red) stickers for name tags will be available for helping communicate one’s personal social distancing needs.  The “key” to the color coding will be posted prior to and at every event, e.g. green = handshakes and hugs OK, yellow = elbow bumps only, red = social distance please. 
  • Parents with children are asked to ensure that their children are playing in a low-risk manner.
  • Although there will be chairs available, attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets.  
  • For now, food and drink will not be served. However, if you or your children need to eat or drink for health reasons, please feel welcome to do so, but be sensitive to maintain at least 6 ft of distance from attendees who are wearing red stickers.
  • For services, members with AARC siddurim are asked to bring their siddurim with them and return home with them; for those without, siddurim will be available for use. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own tallitot and kippot.
  • With the JJC building remaining closed, a Porta Potty will be available.