Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor

Sapiro v. Ford - Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival
2026-05-04 17:00 - 21:30 (America/Detroit) | 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

Lag B'Omer
2026-05-05 17:30 - 20:00
Join the Greater Ann Arbor Jewish Community for a celebration of Lag B’Omer.
Enjoy bonfires, Chabad BBQ, crafts, music, games and bicycle-towed hayrides
with your family and friends as we count day number 33 of the Omer together!
(Free for children 4 and under)
Organized by: Chabad House of Ann Arbor, JCC of Greater Ann Arbor, Hebrew Day
School of Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15450

The Last Spy - Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival
2026-05-07 18:30 - 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 Last Spy_ is the riveting biography of 102-year-old CIA
spymaster Peter Sichel, revealing for the first time the epic and unvarnished
history of the US foreign intelligence service from the inside. With a good
dose of wit and humor to boot, Sichel unpacks the obscured roots of conflicts
that plague today’s world and the toll espionage took on his personal life.
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14829

Vegan Wine & Cheese Tasting
2026-05-30 15:00 - 19:00 | 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd 4175 Whitmore Lake Rd, Ann Arbor
Join us for a Shavuot-inspired tasting that brings together artisinal vegan
cheeses, Michigan wines, locally sourced dairy cheeses & accompaniments in a
beautiful farm setting.
Come taste, learn and enjoy – a celebration of food that’s good for us and for
the earth!
Tickets are $18. You can register
(https://aarecon.breezechms.com/form/de19aa) — each person must
register individually.
Organized by: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15653
