Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

Upcoming Activities

High Holidays Workshops 2025

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Session 1, 1:45-3:30pm

Listening Circle

The Listening Circle will be back the afternoon of Yom Kippur with an intention to offer several throughout the year to match current events and community interest. Our purpose, as always, is to foster connection, community building, sustenance, and healing that can come from authentic expression met by open-hearted, empathetic listening.

Our first Listening Circle, “Listening through Grief”, emerged from the horror of October 7, 2023 and its tragic aftermath. The second Listening Circle was titled “Active Hope” in February, 2024, when participants chose the focus of their own sharing and we added a prompt to include the political/social actions participants were taking. The third Listening Circle was Yom Kippur 2024 and came after the Presidential election. We focused on the grief that comes with the loss of the assumptive world.

For this Yom Kippur afternoon Listening Circle gathering, our inquiry will be: “How have these difficult times affected your sense of self, home, and community?” We look forward to being with you.

From your facilitators Jeff Basch, Idelle Hammond-Sass, Julie Norris, Anita Rubin-Meiller, and Lisa Wexler

Session 2, 3:45-4:45

The Jewish Genesis of the Superhero, led by Dan Mishkin

Superheroes were invented by Jews—young men eager to be all-American, but leavening their stories with Jewishness whether they knew it or not. They brought to life characters with amazing powers…who served the cause of the powerless. Explore the history and the contradictions with comics writer Dan Mishkin.   

Judaism Beyond the Human, led by Rafe Neis

We don’t necessarily consult the rabbis of the Talmud for the history of science, zoology, and reproduction. But it turns out they had a lot to say about these topics. This workshop will introduce Jewish sources that may surprise you. It turns out that despite the much-celebrated idea of humans being “b’tselem elohim” (“in the image of God), the rabbis blurred the lines between humans and animals and conceived of reproduction beyond the two heterosexual parents. We will explore powerful historical alternatives to the paradigms associated with so-called traditional ideas. 

Niggun Circle, led by Deb Kraus

Join Deb Kraus and friends to sing niggun together. Group with gather outside if weather permits.

Volunteering for High Holy Days

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As the month of Elul arrives, we’re invited into a sacred time of reflection, renewal, and return. It’s a season of preparation. Not only spiritual, but communal. At the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, the High Holy days are celebrated by all of us. This is what makes our community so special. Everyone has a role in making these days meaningful.

Volunteering during Elul and the High Holy days is a way to embody the spirit of teshuvah, returning to our best selves. Whether it’s helping to set up chairs, greeting people with warmth at the door, assisting with the tech for our hybrid services, or offering your voice in readings and music, each contribution helps shape the experience for our entire community.

No act is too small. In fact, it’s often in these quiet acts of service that we find the deepest connection to one another and to the spirit of the season.

We invite you to step forward this Elul and volunteer your time, your energy, your presence. Let’s prepare together, not just for the holy days, but for the kind of community we want to build all year long.

If you would like to volunteer, please check the link below. For any high holy day volunteering that is not yet listed, please email me at aarctiara@gmail.com.

Erev Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah Day Service

High Holy Day Volunteering

Children and Family Programming and Childcare for High Holidays 2025

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AARC offers an engaging and flexible series of High Holidays learning opportunities and services for children and families. To take part, please fill out the Childcare & Children’s Services Signup form below.

SIGN UP HERE

High Holidays Family/Children’s Services Schedule

  • Tuesday, September 23rd, 2025, 10:30am: Rosh Hashanah Children’s Service at the UU
  • Thursday, October 2nd, 2025, 10:30am: Yom Kippur Children’s Service at the UU

If you have any questions about this programming, please email us. We looking forward to sharing this sacred time together!

High Holidays Childcare Signup

  • Childcare is offered for children 2 years of age and older.
  • The childcare room is located in the hall behind the registration table. Vaccinated teens over 12 can be supervised in the teen room across the hall.
  • Both rooms will be staffed by qualified caregivers.
  • Members: Childcare for members who sign up by September 21 is free of charge. Members who do not sign up by the deadline will be asked to pay $10 per child per day. Without advance reservation, childcare will be offered on a space-available basis only. Sign up online below.
  • Non-members: The cost for non-members is $20 per child per day.
  • Payment is due by September 21. Payment can be made by mailing a check or using the Donate link to pay online.
  • Please note that children under 13 must remain in childcare or be supervised by an adult at all times; children are not permitted to roam on their own while on the Unitarian Universalist Congregation premises. Children may leave childcare only if an adult picks them up.

AARC Creatives to meet August 28th

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All are welcome to join the “AARC Creatives” group on Thursday, August 28 at 7pm at the Eisbruchs’ house in NE Ann Arbor. This recently formed group provides a framework for folks in the AARC community to share and encourage each other on creative endeavors, very broadly defined. In our first two meetings, the group discussed projects including collage, print-making, pottery, painting, jewelry, ritutal objects, gem cutting, crafting, crochet, writing, and even developing special family events.

We are delighted that Carla Grayson will lead the group in a creative activity or discussion on August 28th. Please email Emily Eisbruch eisbruchs@gmail.com if you would like to join.

The AARC Creatives group began as the AARC Artists’ Collective in April 2025, when Rav Gavrielle invited congregants to discuss creative projects at a meeting that was hosted at the home of Idelle Hammond-Sass.

At the April 2025 gathering, Rav Gavrielle shared beautiful ritual objects, including Jewish amulets and a decorative and devotional document known as a Shiviti. 

Participants told about their creative journeys and expressed enthusiasm for collaborating together or in parallel on creative projects moving forward.

Idelle again hosted the group on June 25, for a session led by Leora Druckman. At that meeting, participants shared creative items and projects they’ve been working on.

AARC Creatives meetings will be approximately every other month and will feature rotating facilitators. We hope to see many of you at the next meeting on Thursday, August 28th.

A pit-fired pottery piece shared by Leora Druckman at the June 2025 meeting.

A cut Yooperlite gem shared by Dan Peisach in June 2025. Cutting gems – what a fascinating creative hobby!

Crochet fidget ball shared by Emily E in June 2025.

It’s about the people, the place & the experience

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Join for the AARC Retreat, May 9-11, 2025

When
Friday evening, May 9, 2025
through
Sunday afternoon, May 11, 2025
(this is Mother’s Day Weekend)

Where
 The Butzel Retreat Center at Camp Tamarack (about a one hour drive Northeast of Ann Arbor in Ortonville, Michigan)

Registration

Registration must be completed by midnight, Friday, May 2, 2025.  Pricing is flexible to make sure everyone can attend regardless of financial situation.

To register click on the button below:   

Register Here

More information about the Butzel Retreat Center can be found HERE
Great photos from last year’s retreat are HERE

WHAT TO EXPECT THIS YEAR
Like last year, the retreat will offer an opportunity to reconnect with our community, the Earth and yourself in beautiful, natural surroundings. It’s about the people, the place, and the experience. We hope you will join!

The retreat will also offer

  • A chance to celebrate Shabbat as a community
  • Meaningful, musical services
  • Various workshops, discussion groups and other activities led by our talented community members
  • Fun activities offered by Tamarack Adventure Center, including swimming, kayaking and canoeing
  • Hikes exploring around the beautiful lakes on the 1,100 wooded acres of Tamarack/Camp Maas
  • A Saturday night party with music and dancing
  • Campfires with S’mores and singing* Childcare and Children’s Programming
  • …and other surprises as well!

A motel-like room at the Butzel Retreat Center (instead of shared cabins with bunks at the Specialty Camper Village like last year).
This means we will have…

  • Private rooms with their own bathrooms, instead of cabins (Rooms at Butzel can sleep up to four people with one queen size bed, one twin size bed and upon request, two fold out cots. )
  • Convenient parking next to our accommodations, instead of a parking lot that is a long walk away
  • ADA conforming facilities, instead of potentially difficult to traverse stairs and grounds
  • Meals cooked by Butzel staff and served in our own dining room, instead of eating children’s camp food at the main dining hall

We look forward to seeing you at the retreat!



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

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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

Molly Bajgot and Rena Branson Song Circle Event

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by Etta Heisler

Join us for a song-filled evening to revel in joy, build community, and inspire action. Educator and Rising Song Institute alum Rena Branson, and songwriter and activist Molly Bajgot, will lead a participatory concert as part of their Heart-Opener Tour through the Midwest.

Weaving original music from a variety of Jewish and secular traditions with yearning, vulnerability, and the pursuit of community, this song circle will be a perfect place to ground yourself and connect with others.

We eagerly welcome people from all backgrounds, faiths, identities, and singing abilities. 7-8:30pm at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr. Ann Arbor, MI 48108. This concert is sponsored by The Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation. A sliding scale donation of $9, $18, or $36 at the door is suggested, but not required. Guests are encouraged to register ahead this link.

AARC To Participate in a Community Wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot

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Join AARC and the Wider Jewish Community For A Night of Learning at Temple Beth Emeth

Tuesday, June 11, 2024 • 5 Sivan 5784, 8:30 PM – 4:00AM

AARC is very excited to announce that our congregation will be participating in a community wide Tikkun Leil Shavuot gathering. Rabbis from the Ann Arbor and surrounding area will be sharing teachings including our own Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador. There will also be teachings from community members, if you would like to offer a teaching you can sign up by following the QR code on the flier below. The night will be split up into one-hour sessions on a variety of Jewish topics. Kosher refreshments will be served. You can stay as long or as little as you like.

Rav Gavrielle will be offering a teaching during Session 1: Spiritual Mapping in Tanakh. In this session we will explore parallels between the spiritual mapping of Ezekiel’s vision of the Divine Chariot (Ezekiel 1:1-28, 3:12) and the mapping of the encampment of the tribes of Israel in the desert (Numbers 2:1-34). Participants will be invited to imagine and reflect on how such parallels can inspire and deepen spiritual practice.

Registration is requested below.

Lecture Happening This Sunday with Rabbi Julia Watts Belser!

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Moses:  Provocations from a Disabled Prophet”

May 5, 2024 – Join us on Zoom for a Presentation and Torah Study which will be led by Rabbi Julia Watts Belser –  “Moses:  Provocations from a Disabled Prophet”

Register Here

When God sends Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery, the prophet famously says no.  Why?  Moses describes himself as “slow of speech and slow of tongue”—in other words, as a man with a speech disability.  While some commentators treat Moses’ disability as a spiritual impediment, this talk and text study brings Moses’ story into conversation with the life experiences and activism of contemporary disability communities.  We’ll grapple with spiritual and political questions about access and equity, invisibility and silence, as well as practices for transforming social inequality and shame to illuminate the provocative power of spiritual leadership that centers disability wisdom.

Rabbi Julia Watts Belser (she/her) is a scholar, spiritual teacher, and longtime activist for disability, LGBTQ, and gender justice. She is a professor of Jewish Studies in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Georgetown University and core faculty in Georgetown’s Disability Studies Program. She’s also an avid wheelchair hiker, a devoted gardener, and a lover of wild places.  Her latest book is Loving Our Own Bones: Disability Wisdom and the Spiritual Subversiveness of Knowing Ourselves Whole.