Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

rabbi

AARC Welcomes Gabrielle Pescador as our new Rabbi!!!

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The Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation is delighted to share the good news that Gabrielle Pescador will be joining us as our new Rabbi beginning July 2023! 

Gabrielle Pescador is a hazzan and soon to be ordained as a rabbi.  She serves as Interim Spiritual Leader of Temple B’nai Israel of Petoskey MI and as guest cantor in synagogues throughout the country.  In 2018 Gabrielle founded and continues to lead the Rosh Chodesh Online Minyan, and is a regular prayer leader and teacher for Pardes Hannah of Ann Arbor MI.  From 2019-2021 she was cantorial soloist for the high holy days for AARC. Gabrielle is a harpist and composer of liturgical music, and considers the harp an instrument of healing.  Before entering the ALEPH Ordination program, Gabrielle spent several years working on documentary films and community art projects focused on issues of social justice. 

Gabrielle’s motivation for becoming a rabbi stems from a deep desire to serve, particularly by helping people find meaning through engaging in Jewish life.  She sees many pathways to meaning-making in Jewish tradition – through prayer and celebration of Shabbat and holidays, through the study of Torah, Jewish thought and Jewish history, through Jewish art and creative ritual, and through the many expressions of tikkun olam.  

Gabrielle is excited to join our diverse and vibrant community and to work with all of our members and learn together. Her goal is to lead through collaboration. Gabrielle says,  “I am so  moved by the heart and soul and enthusiasm of the AARC members, and so impressed by their curiosity, knowledge base, lay leadership, artistic contributions and strong volunteer presence. There is so much richness here and so many interesting people.  I can’t wait to get started and do Jewish together.”

The AARC community  is so excited about what she brings to our congregation and is looking forward to her rabbinic leadership. Many thanks to the Search Committee for their time, dedication that made this possible.

Over the coming months we will be planning opportunities to get to know Gabrielle and introduce her to our community. More details to come!

Congregational meeting to vote on rabbi candidate Gabrielle Pescador!

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The congregation will meet via Zoom on Sunday, April 16, 10-11:30 am for discussion and a vote on rabbi candidate Gabrielle Pescador. Read on for a summary of this year’s search process.

Rabbi Position Posted

AARC posted our half-time rabbi position with the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College (RRC). In a subsequent meeting with the RRC placement director, we learned that once again there were only six RRC graduates and again only one or two interested in pulpit positions. AARC then posted the opening to a broader community: Hebrew College, the Academy for Jewish Religion (in NY), the Academy for Jewish Religion (in CA), ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal, and the Reform and Conservative movements.

Candidate Interest and Shabbaton

The rabbi search committee received applications from three candidates, and after interviewing all three, scheduled a Shabbaton with Gabrielle Pescador. She is a cantor and soon-to-be ordained rabbi through the ALEPH Ordination Program. Sixty members completed a survey after attending events with Gabrielle during the Shabbaton weekend of March 17-19; 75% found her good or exciting.

Click HERE to watch videos from Gabrielle Pescador’s Shabbaton Weekend.

Search Committee and Board Approval

On the basis of the Shabbaton events, interviews, and your survey feedback, the rabbi search committee voted unanimously to recommend that Gabrielle Pescador be offered a contract to serve as rabbi of our community. The AARC Board voted unanimously in favor of this recommendation.

Congregation Vote

It is now up to the congregation as a whole to vote on the matter. Our bylaws require approval from a majority of member attendees in order for an offer to be made to the candidate.

If you are a member, please register HERE to join the Zoom meeting on Sunday, April 16, 10-11:30 am for discussion and the vote.