Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor

“Lesson of the Homeland” and the Stories We Tell: A Conversation with Anat Zeltser
2026-04-26 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Detroit) | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor
“Lesson of the Homeland” and the Stories We Tell: A Conversation with Anat
Zeltser
https://lsa.umich.edu/judaic/people/institute-fellows/anat-zeltser.htmlis the Ken Burns of Israel. Over the past 25 years, she has made
deeply researched and thought- provoking films about Israel’s identity,
history, culture and politics.
On April 26, the AARC and wider Jewish community will have the opportunity for
a conversation with her about her work. (https://lsa.umich.edu/judaic/people/institute-fellows/gilad-
halpern.html) a journalist and media historian will lead a conversation with
Anat, and there will be time for questions from the audience.
Both Anat and Gilad have been Fellows at the University of Michigan’s Frankel
Center this year and will soon be leaving town. This event is a rare
opportunity to meet and learn from “the best documentary creator in Israel,”
(according to one of her reviews); another Israeli critic describes her work
as “mesmerizing, informative, and profound.”
We ask that participants come having watched the first part of her series
“Lesson of the Homeland.”. A link is (https://vimeo.com/724035711). And
please RSVP (https://forms.gle/kzcXxDxQxgvnVxjr9)to let
us know you’re coming.
Organized by: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15532

Borderland The Line Within Documentary
2026-04-28 18:30 - 21:30 | Michigan Theater 603 E Liberty St, Ann Arbor
An award-winning documentary that exposes the human cost of immigration as it
weaves in the compelling stories of immigrants fighting to uphold their human
rights. Q&A follows with the Director and Producer. All proceeds go to the
Interfaith Fund for Immigrant Justice (MIRC/IFIJ) to support legal services
provided by the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. Sponsored by Temple Beth
Emeth.
Organized by: Temple Beth Emeth
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14862

TOVAH - OPENING MATINEE - Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival
2026-05-03 13:00 - 17:00 | The State Theatre 233 S State St, Ann Arbor
Please join us at the**State Theatre** for the **Ann Arbor Jewish Film
Festival**! The festival is celebrating its 25th year and this year’s showings
are sure to amaze and move you. The primary festival runs from**May 3 to May
13** , but stay tuned throughout the year for special events!
**Doors Open at 1:00 pm **
**Film Starts at 1:30 pm **
**Synopsis:** Tovah Feldshuh, the legendary Broadway actress whose fearless
performances, intellectual rigor, and commanding presence have defined
American theater for more than five decades, is the subject of _TOVAH_ , a new
feature-length documentary directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker
David Serero. A towering figure of the stage and screen, Feldshuh is revered
for her iconic Broadway roles, her groundbreaking portrayals of historical
women, most notably Golda Meir, and her Emmy-nominated performance on _Crazy
Ex-Girlfriend_. Most recently, she has experienced a renewed rise in
mainstream popularity through her acclaimed appearance in Netflix’s hit series
_Nobody Wants This_ , introducing her to a new generation of global audiences.
The film presents a definitive portrait of an artist whose influence extends
far beyond the stage, shaping generations of performers and audiences alike.
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14826

The Pianist's Choice - OPENING NIGHT - Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival
2026-05-03 18:00 - 21:00 | The State Theatre 233 S State St, Ann Arbor
Please join us at the**State Theater** for the **Ann Arbor Jewish Film
Festival**! The festival is celebrating its 25th year and this year’s showings
are sure to amaze and move you. The primary festival runs from**May 3 to May
13** , but stay tuned throughout the year for special events!
**Doors Open at 6:00 pm **
**Film Starts at 6:30 pm **
**Synopsis:** The Pianist’s Choice follows the story of François Touraine, a
French piano virtuoso who is living at the dawn of World War II. He has fallen
in love with his piano teacher, Rachel, a French Jewish woman and as the
forces of Nazi Germany bear down on their lives, their relationship becomes
more complex. François is forced to go play piano for Germany in an attempt to
save the woman he loves, aligning with those he despises to try and save a
life.
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15121

Sapiro v. Ford - Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival
2026-05-04 17:00 - 21:30 | The State Theatre 233 S State St, Ann Arbor
Please join us at the**State Theater** for the **Ann Arbor Jewish Film
Festival**! The festival is celebrating its 25th year and this year’s showings
are sure to amaze and move you. The primary festival runs from**May 3 to May
13** , but stay tuned throughout the year for special events!
**Doors Open at 6:00 pm **
**Film Starts at 6:30 pm **
**Synopsis:** Sapiro v. Ford tells the riveting true story of Aaron Sapiro, a
young Jewish lawyer who took on one of America’s most powerful men—and most
notorious antisemite—Henry Ford. In the 1920s, as Ford’s anti-Jewish
publications incited hatred across the nation, Sapiro filed an unprecedented
libel suit, challenging the limits of hate speech long before such laws
existed.
From his humble beginnings as an orphan in San Francisco to leading a
nationwide movement empowering farmers, Sapiro’s life was a testament to
courage, vision, and justice. Portrayed by actor Ben Shenkman, Sapiro’s words
are presented in their entirety, filmed as if speaking directly to a modern
audience. At the same time, historical experts illuminate the stakes of his
confrontation with Ford.
In a David-versus-Goliath showdown, Sapiro forced the industrial titan to back
down, issue an apology, and shutter his hate-filled newspaper, leaving a
legacy that resonates today. As antisemitism rises and the struggle to balance
free speech with protection against hate continues, Sapiro v. Ford examines
the enduring question: how can societies confront power, prejudice, and
propaganda while upholding justice?
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14827

TBE Retreat
2026-06-19 00:00 - 2026-06-21 00:00 | Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center Conservation Dr, Roscommon
Miracles surround us every day, but we often don’t notice them. The theme of
our weekend retreat is Nisim b’Chol Yom, or “Everyday Miracles.” Through
prayer, text, song, and community, surrounded by the beauty of Northern
Michigan, we will explore the daily miracles we encounter within and around
us.
Organized by: Temple Beth Emeth
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15152

2026 Wallenberg Medal and Lecture
2026-09-29 16:30 - 18:15
Event details to be announced Spring 2026.
Free and open to the public. Wheelchair and handicap accessible. ASL
interpreted. CART provided.
Calendar listing available at https://events.umich.edu/event/145865.
Organized by: Wallenberg Medal and Lecture
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15070
