Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation
Thanks to Eva Kubacki for this article in the July 2025 Washtenaw Jewish News.
Save the date for a Cantorial Concert on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 2pm.
The concert is organized by Rav Gavrielle, who will be one of the performers.
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:
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 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…
We look forward to seeing you at the retreat!
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.
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!
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 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.
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”
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.
We are so excited to announce that AARC will now be offering an interactive children’s Shabbat Service during our normal Fourth Friday Shabbat Service. Families are invited to arrive at 6:30 and join the congregation for candle lighting and MaTovu. After the opening prayers, children will join Shani Samuels and Josephine Speyer in the childcare area to attend a special abbreviated children’s Shabbat service. Following the service, children can enjoy free play until it is time to re-join the congregation for the priestly blessing and potluck.
During the children’s service Shani and Josephine will lead the children in traditional shabbat prayers such as Shalom Aleichem, Lecha Dodi, Maariv Aravim, Ahavat Olam, Shema, V’ahavta, MiChamocha, V’shamru, Oseh Shalom. This new addition to the AARC service offerings is the outcome of Josephine’s B’nei Mitzvah project. We are very proud of Josephine and can not wait to welcome her to the bima in June!
If you have any questions about this month’s Shabbat service, please email Gillian at aarcgillian@gmail.com, we can’t wait to see you there!
The community is invited to join the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation (AARC) in welcoming, installing and celebrating Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador at our Second Saturday Shabbat Morning services on Saturday, April 13 at 10 am. The morning torah service and Installation will be followed by a catered Mediterranean kiddush meal at 12 noon. Please RSVP here to attend.
Rabbi Gabrielle trained at the ALEPH Alliance for Jewish Renewal as both a rabbi and cantor, completing the double track last year. She was ordained in January 2024. Rabbi Gabrielle started as AARC’s rabbi in July 2023, seamlessly integrating into leading the congregation. Her spirituality, musicality and commitment to helping people find meaning in Jewish life are a perfect fit for AARC.
Music has always been an integral part of our community, and Rabbi Gabrielle brings something new to that tradition – her harp! Around the time she began her rabbinic training she also started playing the harp and gradually included the instrument while leading services. She considers the harp an instrument of healing because of its soothing sound quality and biblical resonance, and uses it as a tool for heart opening and easing the pathway to religious experience. Learn more about Gabrielle and her path to becoming a rabbi and cantor here.
Please be sure to RSVP to join AARC as we celebrate the ordination and installation of our musical Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador on Saturday, April 13th at 10 am. Donations in honor of Rabbi Gabrielle are welcome.
One of the things that I love about our congregation is the way that opportunities are built in to be a part of a tight-knit community and make personal connections with people. One of the really special ways that we do this is to make sure that every member has a Seder table to join for the Passover holiday. Being invited to someone’s Seder table is a really meaningful opportunity to experience the Passover Seder through the perspective of another family. The way that everyone approaches the Seder is always different, getting to experience this can provide new insights and ways of looking at the Passover story.
How the process works is that two sign ups are created for people to offer seats at their Seder table and request seats at a seder table. Once that we have all of the information about available and needed seats, we will match families to each other and exchange contact information. If you are interested in participating, sign up here!
Fourth Friday Shabbat will be held during Passover this year. This will be a wonderful opportunity to share our favorite Passover foods potluck style and celebrate the holiday together in community. More details to come!
The 2024 AARC retreat will be held at Camp Tamarack in Ortonville, Michigan, Friday, May 31st through Sunday, June 2nd (the weekend after Memorial Day weekend). This promises to be a very special retreat.
The retreat will offer:
To register, please click the button just below and this will take you to a registration and payment info.
Questions? Call Leora Druckman at 1-734-730-3399
*Note: All Programming time slots will consist of some combination of 3 – 5 of the following options (led by AARC members).
NOTE: Schedule is Subject to Change
Friday Evening, May 31
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 4:00 to 6:00 PM | Welcome and Registration |
| 6:00 to 7:15 PM | Friday Night Kabbalat Shabbat Service |
| 7:30 – 8:30 PM | Traditional Shabbat Community Dinner |
| 9:00 PM – ? | Evening Hang Out (informal music making, games, socializing, noshing, etc.) |
| 9:00 – 11:00 PM | Camp fire with s’mores and singing |
Saturday, June 1
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 to 7:45 AM | Early morning yoga or meditation |
| 8:00 to 9:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 9:30 to 10:45 AM | Saturday Morning Shabbat Service |
| *11:00 AM to 12:30 PM | Morning Programming |
| 1:00 to 2:00 PM | Lunch |
| *3:00 to 4:30 PM | Afternoon Programming |
| 5:00 PM | (Really good) Kosher Wine Tasting Happy Hour |
| 6:30 to 7:30 PM | Dinner |
| 8:30 PM t0 ? | Music by Dan Peisach with “Twas Brillig and the Mazel Toves” and Dances called by Drake Meadow |
| 9:00 to 11:00 PM | Campfire with s’mores and singing |
Sunday, June 2
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 7:00 to 7:45 AM | Early morning yoga or meditation |
| 8:00 to 9:00 AM | Breakfast |
| *10:00 to 11:30 AM | Morning Programming |
| 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM | Lunch with the Beit Sefer |
| 2:00 PM | Closing circle |
| 3:00 PM | Goodbye until next year! |
The 2024 retreat planning team is headed by Leora Druckman and includes Adrianne Neff, Steve Merritt, Emily Eisbruch and Rav Gavrielle.
Many thanks to everyone who has stepped up to lead retreat workshops and activities.
We look forward to a fantastic retreat and hope you can join!
photos from past AARC retreats
