Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

Upcoming Activities

Home Hosted Hanukkah Schedule 2022!!

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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. 

Can we think of AARC as an “ecosystem”?  

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“Metaphors make the mind.”

By: Rena Basch

After having Rosh Hashana lunch at Zingerman’s Deli, the title of an article in the Zingerman’s newspaper caught my eye: “Replacing the Great Resignation with the Great Regeneration. New metaphors can change our minds and lives.”  

The concept of “regeneration” is what got me to pick up the paper, as it feels like our congregation is in a period of regeneration. Upon reading the article, however, I was truly moved by founder/author Ari Weinzweig’s proposal: when you change the metaphor in your mind, you change the world or at least change the culture of your organization. He proposes to change the metaphor of an organization to an “ecosystem,” and he calls the metaphor of Zingerman’s a “poetic organizational ecosystem.” 

When you change metaphors you literally change your mind and your ways of thinking.  Research shows that metaphors you use shape how you think, creating the frames in which you see things.  If you think of an organization as an ecosystem, it creates a holistic and generative mindset, more aligned with nature and natural processes.

With business, people inside and out of that world describe, think and speak about business organizations in metaphors of competition, sports, machines, and even war. These metaphors lead people to think primarily in terms of winners and losers, of efficiencies, of control, and creates a culture around these things.   Even non-profits and congregations tend to use similar metaphors, thinking of the organization as a business, team or family.  Even these metaphors of team or family still contain elements of control, competition and hierarchical thinking that influence culture and decision-making.

While it is true that both businesses and nonprofit organizations have to make some decisions based on the bank account or profit and loss statements, they could also consider other components and elements of the organization. What if factors that create and support the health of every aspect of the system could be equally weighted?  What if organizations could make measures of “success” more than just the finances, and more like the overall holistic nurturing and growth of the whole poetic organizational ecosystem? 

AARC is not producing Reubens or selling high quality foods, but we are growing people and cultivating community. We are growing the values of nurturing, support, care, spirituality, tikkun olam, kindness and love. Let’s try to embed the ecosystem model in our minds as we think about AARC, as we participate in AARC, as we make decisions about AARC. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Annual Membership meeting on Sunday, December 4 at 10 am!

-Rena Basch, AARC Board Co-Chair

Join A Community Wide Discussion About Antisemitism, This Sunday November 20th!

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AARC is a co-sponsor for this weekend’s facilitated conversation about antisemitism in Ann Arbor.

Sunday November 20th, 9am-1pm at the JCC of Ann Arbor. Register Here!

This weekend’s event is the manifestation of a coalition of Jewish organizations within Ann Arbor working together to find solutions to address antisemitism in our area. The conversation will consist of three parts. The first part of the morning will be a lecture by Steve Ginsburg about antisemitism in America. After the lecture attendees will split up into breakout groups to have facilitated conversations about their lived experiences of antisemitism. The conversations will be facilitated by a group of volunteers that have taken part in the planning of this event. The final portion of the morning will be a group wide discussion about how the Jewish community can formulate a community wide response to anti-semitism.

The hope of the organizers of this event is that this conversation will be the first step in an organized effort to combat antisemitism in Michigan. They intend to identify people to take ownership of this work and champion action going forward. In the end the Federation hopes to come out with a plan for future conversations and identify who wants to be part of the work.

As of now registration is nearly full, but Rachel Wall from the Federation still encourages everyone who wants to attend to sign up. If they encounter any problems regarding capacity, they will reach out to participants with ways they can participate in the future. The Federation has also offered childcare if needed. If you would like to use childcare, please email Rachel ASAP.

Sign Up For This Years Yom Kippur Break Fast!

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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 28th.

Sign Up to Attend the Break Fast Here!

Yom Kippur Workshops 2022

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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.

Children and Family Programming and Childcare for High Holidays 2022

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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 Child and Family Programming Form below.

High Holidays Childcare Signup Form

High Holidays Children’s Services Schedule:

  • Tuesday, September 26th, 10:30am: Rosh Hashanah Children’s Service at the UU
  • Thursday, October 5th, 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:

  • Children and caregivers will be required to wear masks while indoors.
  • High Holiday Childcare is offered for children 2 years of age and older.
  • The childcare room will be located in the Childcare Room in the hall behind the registration table. Vaccinated teens over 12 may be supervised in the teen room across the hall.
  • Both childcare rooms will be staffed by qualified caregivers.
  • Childcare for members who sign up by September 1 is free of charge.  Reservations (and payment) should be made by September 1. 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.
  • The cost for non-members is $20 per child per day.  
  • Payment is due by September 1, by mailing a check or paying online using the Donate link at the top of the page.
  • Please note that children under 13 must remain in childcare or be supervised by an adult at all times; children cannot be allowed to roam on their own while on the Unitarian Universalist Congregation premises. Children may leave childcare only if an adult picks them up.
High Holidays Childcare Signup Form

Elul Workshops with Rabbi Debra Rappaport

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We approach the High Holy Days during the Hebrew month of Elul. ELUL is referred to as an acronym for Ani L’Dodi V’Dodi Li (Song of Songs 6:3) “I am drawn to my Beloved and my Beloved is drawn to me.” And so we begin with love as the foundation and container of the hard work of teshuvah, aligning our actions with our values.

Here are three invitations, three moments, to learn and reflect in community with Rabbi Debra Rappaport. Each one stands alone; each speaks to a different big question of the season. Each session support participants in preparing our hearts to arrive at the High Holy Days with clear(er) intentions. The focus is on text-based reflection (in English), so the sessions will be inclusive of all, regardless of Jewish background. Please rsvp to attend HERE.

Thursday, September 15: 7:00 – 8:15 pm Turning inward, Teshuvah (turning, returning)

How can the teachings of the season support our cheshbon ha-nefesh (taking an account of the state of our souls) and our teshuvah (making reparations and returning to our highest selves)?

Thursday, September 22: 7:00 – 8:15 Reaching outward, Din V’Rachamim (Justice/Judgment & Mercy/Compassion)

What are the implications of the Rosh Hashanah image of a heavenly court in which perfect justice is weighed against compassion and forgiveness?

Thursday, September 29: 7:00 – 8:15 Confessing together, Al Chet

By Yom Kippur, we are to have made amends with those whom we’ve harmed. What, then, is the significance of the confessional words we recite together on Yom Kippur? Why do we recite as a community when we didn’t necessarily commit all the transgressions? Do the traditional words convey all we need to say at this moment in history?

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

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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!

Introducing Debra Rappaport, AARC’s Rabbi for the High Holidays

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The Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation (AARC) is delighted to announce that Rabbi Debra Rappaport will lead our High Holiday services for the fall of 2022 (Hebrew Year 5783). 

Rabbi Debra shares this warm greeting:

“Greetings from Minneapolis! My name is Debra Rappaport, I use she/her pronouns, and I share a home overflowing with plants with my husband Bobby Zelle and our fierce funny cat Ozi. I have served two wonderful congregations for seven years each since my ordination from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 2007, one in Vail, CO and one in Minneapolis, MN. I’m really excited to be with you this High Holy Days season! Though we don’t really know each other yet, I have been moved by the way the AARC values member engagement at every level.

I’m inspired by the way the people I’ve “met” (by Zoom) are approaching the High Holy Days, with active roles for as many people as possible. And I’m really excited to meet more of you!”

A bit more info on Rabbi Debra: she is co-chair of the Minnesota Rabbinical Association and she served as co-chair of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical Association Bi-Annual Convention in March 2022. Before becoming a rabbi,  she had a career in sales, marketing, and change management, earning  an MBA from the Wharton School in 1990. AARC Board Co-Chair Debbie Gombert shared that after a just a few conversations, she felt connected and thrilled that we will be sharing High Holidays and partnering with Rabbi Debra this year.

In addition to leading Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services for the AARC, Rabbi Debra will also lead several workshops around the high holidays.  The first workshop will be for a Kavanot (intentions) team on Sunday, July 31. Rabbi Debra will also lead three adult education/workshops via Zoom on these Thursdays: September 15, 22 and 29th to help us get spiritually ready for the holidays. Mark your calendars!

We are at this time forming a Kavanot (intentions) team for those who would like to contribute liturgy in the form of stories, poems or intentions to the High Holiday services. Here are details from Rabbi Debra:

The first opportunity I will have to meet some of you will be a
Zoom gathering on Sunday, July 31st, 1:30-3:00 pm ET with Deb Kraus as your local host.

This gathering of what will be the Kavanot team is for folks who feel moved to write and share something during our Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur services. Everyone is welcome! 

You don’t need to know what you want to write at this point; together, we’ll start to explore the themes of the services and the questions that inspire reflection. Please RSVP to Deb at drdebkraus@gmail.com by Friday, July 29.  

Alternatively, if singing, chanting, musical prayer, and making music in general suits you better, please be in touch with Etta Heisler at ettaqueen@gmail.com.
The “Davenning team” is beginning to convene this month as well. Likewise, everyone is welcome – it’s about bringing our voices together in prayer, not about performance.

Stay tuned as more information about plans for the High Holidays 5783 will be available in future blog posts and emails. As a community, we have a lot to plan and a lot to look forward to, and we are grateful to have Rabbi Debra Rappaport as our rabbinical leader for this season.

Take Part in This Year’s Participatory High Holidays Services!

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By Deb Kraus

This year the high holidays are later in the fall:  Rosh Hashanah lands on Sunday night, Sept 25 and Monday, Sept 26, and Yom Kippur will be on Tuesday night October 4 (Kol Nidre) and Wednesday, October 5 (Yom Kippur day).  We hope you are making plans to join us for the full time, but as always you are welcome to join for any part.  This gives us lots of time to plan.

We are proud to announce that this fall we will welcome Rabbi Debra Rappaport as our High Holiday rabbi for 5783.  One of the many things she brings to us is a desire to empower us to participate broadly—through music, poetry, storytelling and of course, torah and haftarah readings.

As her partner in this endeavor, I want to include everyone in this process.  Please read below to see how you can contribute your words, your voice, your presence.  I’m dividing this into four “teams;” please respond to as many of these suit your interests and abilities:

Musical team:  We will NOT have a cantorial soloist this year.  Instead, we will divide up those cantorial pieces (Kol Nidre, Unetaney Tokef, HaMelech, Hineni, Ya’aleh, some of the Kaddishes) to those who can take these on.  We will also have a group of singers with hopefully guitar accompaniment, who can lead us in communal song (all our old favorites plus some new selections).  Let me know asap if you would like to be in the group (our own personal “davening team”!) or would like to do one of the solos.  If you want to contribute with an instrument, let us know this as well, and because I don’t know where else to put this, please know that we are always looking for shofar blowers, both for RH day and for Ne’illah at the end of YK.

This team will be meeting to practice outdoors in Ann Arbor on:

Wednesday July 20
Thursday July 28
Wednesday August 3
Thursday August 11
Wednesday August 17
Thursday August 25

Kavanot team:  We will be looking for poetry, your own or something that you already love or that you find, stories and liturgy.  The initial meeting of this team will be July 31, from 1:30 – 3:00.  Please let me know if you are interested!

Torah/haftarah team:   We will have an opening for a Torah reader for both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, so let me know if you would like dibs on one of these.  And once again, haftarah for Yom Kippur will be done by the post B mitzvah teens.  Several of these young adults have also moved on, so parents, please “voluntell” your kids to do this?

Workshop team:  Once again, there will be workshops on Yom Kippur afternoon.  If you have something that you would like to present for discussion, please let us know as soon as you can, with a blurb that explains your goals, along with what format (discussion, lecture, etc.) you plan to use.  If there is competition for these slots, we might have a survey to determine which have the most likelihood of attendance.

We will also be needing our standard High Holidays Volunteers to help set up, staff the welcome table, and schlep the Mishkan to the Unitarian Church etc. Sign up to volunteer for these volunteer spots here.

If you would like to join any of the teams mentioned above, please email Deborah Kraus!