From September 2025 to May 2026, the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor’s 2026 Annual Community Campaign raised a record $1.8 million – a 12.5% increase over the previous year. This significant achievement came about through the efforts of 2026 Campaign Chair Larry Adler and Co-Chair Sierra Imwalle, their team of two dozen Campaign Volunteers and the over 550 generous donors who answered their calls. The aim of the campaign was to sustain the community’s LiveSecure program – including providing up to 30% of security guard funding for local organizations – and meet the needs of local organizations, including Jewish Federation programs such as the Shinshinim initiative. While it fell short of its $2M goal, the campaign was historic and its impact will be felt throughout the community.
Allocations
The Jewish Federation allocations committee led by Chair Bruce Kutinsky and Co-Chair Hannah Pierson-Campeau, oversaw allocations decisions of almost $647,000 to local organizations. This included 7.5% increases to the Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family Services and Hebrew Day School and meaningful support of the Recovery Seder, BBYO, Chabad, EMU Hillel and University of Michigan Hillel. Local allocations provide scholarships for Jewish summer camps, support creative and collaborative programming through the Community Engagement Fund, and help those in financial need through the Emergency Cash Assistance Fund.
Under the leadership of Israel/Overseas allocations chair Levana Aronson, the Jewish Federation continues to expand its impact on global Jewry and in fostering a strong shared civil society in Israel. In addition to increased support of the international JDC’s work with elderly Jews in Ukraine, and continued funding of important programs such as Hand in Hand Schools, Youth Futures (a program for youth at risk in all societal sectors), and Krembo Wings (a youth movement for children with disabilities), the Jewish Federation Board of Directors approved funding new programs such as HaGal Sheli, which uses surfing to help Israelis from all backgrounds to deal with their trauma, and the Jerusalem Orchestra East & West, which brings together musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds to build deep connections based on their shared musical language.
Jewish Federation Impact
In addition to allocations out to other organizations, the Annual Community Campaign enables the Jewish Federation to accomplish its goals on behalf of the community. While the campaign is the Jewish Federation’s most visible project, there is much more being done by the organization to sustain and secure the community. The Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC), chaired last year by Wendy Lawrence and Decky Alexander, has been on the front lines building relationships with other faith, cultural and civic groups through the Black/Jewish Solidarity Coalition, Diwali/Chanukah family event, and the formation of a new Chaldean/Jewish Unity group. The JCRC has spearheaded increased civic engagement with its “Evening of Civic Engagement,” which provided community members information about how to get involved, the recent mayoral candidate forum, and a highly successful Independence Day seder in honor of the USA’s semiquincentennial. Other initiatives of the JCRC include addressing antisemitism in local schools through the parent committee, and engaging with lawmakers in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and Lansing.
The Jewish Federation’s Community Security Director Shane Dennis oversees and supports the development and improvement of a strong local community security program including liaising with local law enforcement, helping organizations determine security needs for events and programs, providing training to congregations and educational entities, and providing support in applying for federal non-profit security grants. In the past year, he has supported organizations in raising over $450,000 in security funding. This is in addition to LiveSecure expenditures of more than $66,100 in local infrastructure improvements. Additionally, through the Jewish Federation of North America’s Tepper Foundation Emergency Security Guard funding program, $78,000 was raised and utilized to pay for security guards at local day camps, synagogues, and educational institutions. This year, Shane also brought his expertise to local Black churches and parochial schools to help them develop and seek funding for stronger security programs.
The Jewish Federation provides opportunities for learning about, celebrating, and connecting with Israel through commemorations for October 7 and Yom Hazikaron, the annual Israeli Block Party for Yom Ha’atzmaut, educational programs about important challenges in Israeli society and – coming this fall – a series about the upcoming Israeli elections. The Shinshinim program brings two 18-year old Israelis to the community for a year of service. They provide informal educational experiences in local educational institutions and congregations to make Israel come alive and build relationships. And through the Community-to-Community project with Moshav Nahalal, a group of Israeli teen athletes joined the JCC’s Maccabi delegation to Toronto, further building bonds and understanding with our Israeli family.
These are just three areas in which the Jewish Federation has impacted the local Jewish community. In the coming year, Jewish Federation will continue to convene community partners to build and sustain a flourishing Jewish community that is welcoming & inclusive, educated & engaged, safe & secure, caring, active, and connected to our local community, Israel, and Jews worldwide.
The 2027 Annual Community Campaign Starts Now
The Jewish Federation’s 2027 Annual Community Campaign kicks off this month with the same ambitious goal of last year and with some exciting upcoming events.
While the 2026 campaign did not reach $2M, the same needs that generated the goal need to be met. The gap between the needs identified by Jewish Federation and its partner organizations and what is covered by the Annual Community Campaign exceeds $100,000. The cost of maintaining a strong security program and alleviating some of the burden borne by local organizations for security guard funding exceeds $275,000. And continuing the impactful Shinshinim program, which provides benefit across the community, requires no less than $25,000.
Campaign Chair Larry Adler says, “I am truly excited to embark on my 3rd Federation Annual Campaign as Chair, and 5th Campaign overall. I am confident that this year, the generous Ann Arbor Jewish community will surpass the record-breaking total pledged during the 2026 Campaign.”
The 2027 Annual Community Campaign welcomes Ron Perry as Co-Chair, who has spent the majority of his career in various business functions in the medical device industry. Currently, he serves as Executive Vice President of Micro-Tech Endoscopy, the US subsidiary of a Chinese medical device company of the same name. Ron co-founded the business in 2015 and has been a central figure in its growth across the Americas since that time. From 2007-09, Ron deviated from his medical device career to grow the Michigan Israel Business Bridge together with local community leader Chuck Newman. Ron and his wife Julie have lived in Ann Arbor for over 25 years and raised their sons Max (23) and Lewis (21) here. They are strong supporters of the local Jewish community, and Ron served on the Federation board for several terms in the early 2000’s.
Jewish Federation and Foundation Celebrate meaningful milestones
During the 2026-2027 programming year, the Jewish Federation celebrates 36 years of building and providing for the community, and the Jewish Community Foundation turns 30. “I’m delighted to serve as Board President as we mark these important milestones,” said Joan Lowenstein. “I’ve been privileged to watch and be part of the growth and evolution of the Jewish Federation and look forward to a strong future.”
One of the most significant festive events of the year will be the 25th annual Main Event taking place Sunday, October 25. A Major Gifts dinner will kick off the evening and will be followed by the community program featuring comedian Alex Edelman. This year’s Pillar Award will be presented to all former board presidents and executive directors of the Jewish Federation. The evening will include a dessert reception, raffle, and auction. Community members and those with connections to the honorees are invited to purchase a tribute in the commemorative celebration book to share their well-wishes. For more information about the Main Event, visit JewishAnnArbor.org.
In honor of its special anniversary, the Jewish Community Foundation, with additional support from the Zipser Foundation, the Zelma Weisfeld Fund for Arts and Culture and the Jewish Federation, presents a special family-friendly Chanukah performance of the Maccabeats, Monday, December 7 at a local concert venue. Additional opportunities to participate in this year-long celebration will be made available on JLive and at JewishAnnArbor.org.
Campaign co-chair Ron Perry looks forward to the opportunity for celebration and collective impact in the coming year. “Our collective goal is not only to execute another successful campaign,” says Perry, “but to cultivate the next generation of donor-leaders who can support the important work of the Jewish Federation and our community for years to come.”
(Allocation awards from the Jewish Federation’s 2026 Annual Community Campaign)