Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

Uncategorized

Calling All AARC Artists and Creatives!

by

Join us as we launch an Artist Collective within our spiritual community—a space to share our creative work, explore what moves and inspires us, and connect with like-minded people. Whether you paint, write poetry, sculpt, play music, or engage in any form of artistic expression, this is an opportunity to build community through art.

We’ll begin with a teaching on Jewish amulets, exploring their history and spiritual significance. From there, we’ll embrace the creative process—perhaps making art together, sharing our artistic interests, cheering each other on, and finding joy in the holiness and healing potential of creative expression during this tumultuous time.

This is about connection, inspiration, and the joy of creating together—a playful space to uplift and encourage each other through art.

Come join the fun, spark ideas, and search for meaning through artmaking!

Date:  Monday April 28, 2025 

Time:   7 pm

Place:  Idelle Hammond-Sass’ art studio

RSVP:  Email Idelle at hammond_sass@msn.com and she will send you her address.

Erica Ackerman, Climate Activist

by

This Q&A with Erica Ackerman was written for the April 2025 Washtenaw Jewish News, as part of climate outreach coordinated by A2J Climate Circle initiative.

A member of the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, Erica is a climate activist who serves on the Executive Committee of the Sierra Club Huron Valley Group.

Erica, tell us about the origins of your climate activism

I became a climate activist leading up to the 2008 election. Working with the groups “Obama for America” and then “Organizing for Action,” I developed presentations to raise climate change awareness. We coordinated climate change symposiums in Dexter, Jackson, Canton, and Ypsilanti. 

How did you become a leader with the Sierra Club?

In 2018, longtime Washtenaw County activist Dan Ezekiel asked me to run for the Sierra Club of Huron Valley executive committee, and I was honored to step up.  At the time, funding for climate initiatives in the city of Ann Arbor was in doubt. The Sierra Club mobilized our community to attend city council meetings and to make their voices heard.  These efforts were impactful, and in 2019 the Ann Arbor city council passed the A2ZERO plan.  A key goal of A2ZERO is to realize community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030.

Have Jewish values played a part in your climate activism work?

Yes, for me it all seems integral; Jewish values lead to wanting to protect our environment, and advocating for the earth leads to appreciation of Jewish values, especially around Tikkun Olam (repairing the world).

Regarding activism in the Jewish community, prompted by our rabbi, I recently participated in lobbying through Jewish Earth Alliance, where we pushed our US Senators to defend our progress on climate action. 

Advice for others who want to get involved?

The Sierra Club could definitely use more people who are active and interested in taking action.  Start by attending the monthly Sierra Club program meetings, held on the third Tuesday of the month, 6pm to 7:30pm, in-person at the downtown branch of the Ann Arbor District Library. The programs offer a mix of nature talks and environmental activism.

In addition, Sierra Club Executive Committee meetings are open to the public.  They are held on Zoom, the first Thursday of every month at 7pm. If you are interested in the Sierra Club Executive Committee Zoom link, text me (Erica) at 734-330-0163.

Join as Rav Gavrielle Leads AARC Book Group, January 26, 2025

by

Once a year, our Rabbi selects a book for interested members of the congregation to read and discuss. “It’s become a tradition we all look forward to, and it helps draw new members to the AARC book group.” comments Greg Saltzman, AARC book group coordinator.

All are welcome on Sunday, January 26, 2025 as Rav Gavrielle leads the AARC book group, and any interested friends, in discussing
Loving our Own Bones, Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole,
by Rabbi Julia Watts Belser.


Lunch and More!

Rav Gavrielle will join us for lunch from 12:20-1 PM at
Emily and Avi Eisbruch’s house
2561 Bunker Hill Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Please email Emily Eisbruch at eisbruchs@gmail.com if you plan to attend the in-person lunch and indicate any dietary restrictions you have.

From 1:00 – 2:00 PM, Rav Gavrielle will lead a hybrid in-person/Zoom discussion of the book: Loving Our Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spir­i­tu­al Sub­ver­sive­ness of Know­ing Our­selves Whole
by Rabbi Julia Watts Belser.
(2023, nonfiction, 237 pages).  

I recommended 
Loving Our Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spir­i­tu­al Sub­ver­sive­ness of Know­ing Our­selves Whole 
because I am fascinated and moved by how Rabbi Julia Watts Belser – a person living with disability, rabbi and scholar of disability studies – artfully weaves together multiple perspectives “to re-imagine our world as more welcoming, pushing against the violence of normativity, and challenging broader systems of marginalization and broader political messages that constrict us in the way we live.”   

– Rav Gavrielle

For AARC history buffs, below are two photos from the archives.

December 2023, Rav Gavrielle led the book group in discussing Judaism Disrupted.

May 2022, Rabbi Ora led the book group in discussing Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible!

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday, January 26th

Beit Sefer’s Mock Kabbalat Shabbat

by

After weeks of preparing blessings and ritual objects, Beit Sefer students and their parents gathered this past Sunday to stage a mock Kabbalat Shabbat. Throughout the morning, students braided miniature challah loaves, placed candles in their candlesticks, and filled plastic wine goblets with grape juice.

Rav Gavrielle was gracious enough to lead alongside Head Teacher, Morah Emma Shimovich. The pair, with Emma strumming her guitar, guided families through the blessings and various Shabbat songs and prayers.

The concluding activity allowed students to spend time crafting blessings for their parents, which they then read aloud to the group. We all swayed to our familiar priestly blessing as the morning closed out, and we continued to go about our Sundays.

Many thanks to Rav Gavrielle, Morah Emma, and all of the Beit Sefer families for making our mock Shabbat a success!