Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor

Community Yonina Concert
2025-11-16 16:30 - 19:00 (America/Detroit)
**Join us for a night with Yonina!**
***Doors open at 4:15***
Yoni and Nina Tokayer, also known as Yonina, are an Israeli musical duo
acclaimed for their weekly home videos, which have reached millions of viewers
worldwide.
They have released two original albums and have been performing for the past
nine years throughout Israel and abroad.
Yoni and Nina have been singing together since they met, have been married for
ten years, and have four sweet children who occasionally make guest
appearances in their videos. Known for their uplifting music and soft
harmonies, Yonina blends Jewish, Israeli, and international music.
Since October 7th, Yoni has served over 300 days in the reserves as a
commander in a counterterror unit in the Shomron. During his months of
service, Nina has been home with their children, writing songs inspired by
these challenging times. Together, their music has become a source of hope,
unity, strength, and connection.
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13224

JCC: Children's book "Jason Belongs" with HDS and ECC
2025-12-08 17:30 - 19:30 | Hebrew Day School of AA, 2937 Birch Hollow Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
HDS and ECC @ The Jewish Book Series present:
An evening with Jason Schachter McKinney, author of “Jason Belongs”
Join us on 12/8 at the HDS Anna Schwalb Memorial Library A Story of Identity, Music, and Finding Your Place

5:30 – 6:15 PM, Gathering & Read Aloud: Jason shares his inspiring true story
6:15 – 6:45 PM, Pizza Dinner: Please register
6:45 PM – End, Sing Along: Join us for a fun all-ages music

ABOUT THE BOOK
Jason Belongs tells the true story of navigating identity as an African-heritage Jew from a day school in Wisconsin to concert halls around the world. A powerful story about finding where you belong and using your gifts to bridge communities.
RSVP for free: https://jlive.app/events/13577

When Hebrew Met the Machine
2026-02-10 17:00 - 18:30 | South Thayer Building 202 S Thayer St, Ann Arbor
What happens when an ancient language meets modern technology? This lecture
will discuss the role played by media technologies—such as the phonograph,
typewriters, the telegraph, and computers—in the revitalization and
modernization of Hebrew since the end of the nineteenth century. After lying
dormant for two millennia as a mainly written language, Hebrew awoke from its
literary slumber and became a living modern vernacular. The revitalization of
Hebrew is unique and unprecedented in world history, and it has been studied
in various fields; but the role of modern media technologies in mediating this
revival has not yet been considered. This lecture will delve into questions
such as: what was the role of sound recording technologies in shaping the
reemerging modern Hebrew speech? And how did the Hebraized typewrite pushed
for the modernization of writing in Hebrew?. It will show how these media,
whose emergence ran in historical parallel to the revitalization of Hebrew,
were an active force in shaping the language as a modern communicative medium.
Hebrew was a historical media lab: written from right to left and in unique
script, it posed technical as well as conceptual challenges to media which
were originally designed for Latin script and Western writing systems. The
adaptation of these technologies to Hebrew required various adaptations that
shaped lingual mechanisms, which had social and political ramifications on the
emerging Hebrew culture.
Organized by: U-M Frankel Center for Judaic Studies
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13596

A2 Vision: An Ann Arbor Talent Showcase!
2026-02-12 17:30 - 20:00 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor
Get ready for a brand new music program at the Ann Arbor JCC: **A2Vision**!
This is a fun talent show, featuring singers, dancers, musicians, actors, and
more from the Ann Arbor community. People of all ages and from all different
parts of the Ann Arbor Jewish world will be showcasing their unique talents
and performances, so come on down and show your support!
The event will take place on **Thursday, February 12** , from **5:30-8:00 pm**
at the Ann Arbor JCC. The idea for this show comes from the popular music
competition, _Eurovision_. While not a competition, A2Vision seeks to capture
the same positive, fun energy, creativity, and unifying power of Eurovision.
**If you are would like to showcase your talent and are interested in
performing,**(https://forms.gle/Dniubc5nKGcnKZjKA)
Questions? Please contact **Eva Kubacki** at evakubacki@jccannarbor.org.
_JCC community events and programs are open to all regardless of faith or
background. All are welcome._
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14124

EMU CJS: Samira Mehta "Jews of Color"
2026-02-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Eastern Michigan University Student Center 300, 900 Oakwood St, Ypsilanti, MI, 48197, United States
Jews of color are much in the news, but who are they and where do they come from? This talk explores the many ways that Jews of color come to and understand their Jewish identities, dispelling common misperceptions and answering questions about the experience of Jews of color in the United States.

EMU Center for Jewish Studies - Professor Samira Mehta: “Jews of Color: One Term, Many Communities”
2026-02-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Eastern Michigan University 900 Oakwood St, Ypsilanti
Jews of color are much in the news, but who are they and where do they come
from? This talk explores the many ways that Jews of color come to and
understand their Jewish identities, dispelling common misperceptions and
answering questions about the experience of Jews of color in the United
States.
Organized by: EMU Center for Jewish Studies
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13026

Jewish Book Series: Lunch & Learn with Roni Malkai
2026-02-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor
Please join us at the JCC on **Thursday, February 19** from **12-1 PM** for an
in-person Lunch & Learn and a virtual visit from Roni Malkai, the author of
_We Are Black Jews: Ethiopian Jewry and the Journey to Equality in Israel._
Enjoy a delicious lunch while listening to Roni speak about her book over
Zoom.
Roni Fantanesh Malkai’s newest book, _We Are Black Jews_ , tells the story and
history of the Ethiopian Jewish community, highlighting the unique Jewish
identity and culture of Beta Israel. The book explores Beta Israel’s
immigration to Israel from Ethiopia and their struggle for equality once in
Israel. The story weaves together personal narratives with historical
accounts, bringing in Malkai’s personal experience coming to Israel with her
family as refugees on foot.
This event is part of the JCC’s ongoing **Book Series** , where visiting
Jewish authors give public talks on their work to bring new ideas and
literature to the community. **The cost of this program is $12.50/person.**
_JCC community events and programs are open to all regardless of faith or
background. All are welcome._
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14125

Jewish Journalism in Dark Times
2026-02-24 17:00 - 18:30 | 202 S Thayer St 202 S Thayer St, Ann Arbor
Join us for a roundtable discussion exploring the transformation of Jewish
journalism during the interwar years (1918–1939) and World War II, an era of
profound upheaval. Panelists will analyze how Jewish newspapers and journals
became vital platforms for political, literary, and cultural engagement. The
discussion will highlight dramatic shifts in journalistic practices, including
evolving editorial strategies, reporting methods, and technological
innovations in format and distribution and the transnational and transcultural
elements that come to the fore during that time. Panelists will also examine
the economic pressures and opportunities that shaped the Jewish press, and
consider the influence and role of Jews as journalists within the broader
media landscape.
**Gilad Halpern** , journalist and media historian, draws on recent doctoral
research on The Palestine Post amid imperial decline and rising nationalism,
bridging professional and scholarly perspectives.**Naomi Brenner** explores
entertainment fiction in the Hebrew and Yiddish press, focusing on the
aesthetics and politics of the roman-feuilleton as a transnational literary
form.**Matthew Handelman** investigates the cultural politics of German Jewish
intellectuals and the primacy of culture in political discourse from the
Weimar Republic onward.
Central to the conversation is the role of Jewish periodicals as spaces for
cultural expression, literary experimentation, and political debate. These
publications not only documented Jewish life, but also actively shaped
identities, fostered transnational dialogue, and provided forums for writers,
artists, and intellectuals grappling with questions of survival and belonging.
This roundtable offers timely insights into journalism during a time of
crisis, illuminating enduring questions about Jews and media.
Organized by: U-M Frankel Center for Judaic Studies
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13936

Israeli Nifgashim
2026-02-24 19:00 - 20:30
ישראלים נפגשים
הרצאה קצרה, שיחה וחברים
3 gatherings for Israelis in Hebrew.
On February 24th Aviv Touitou Certified aromatherapist and social worker
speaks about Aromatherapy – The Power of Essential Oils to Support & Heal the
Body & Mind.
On March 24th Ariel Levi, DDS, Orthodontist speaks about the Basics of
Orthodontics.
On May 19th Tomer Stern, PhD, MSc, Assistant Professor at the University of
Michigan School of Dentistry speaks about Advancing Skeletal Pathology
Research Through Computational Biology.
Organized by: Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14737

EMU Center for Jewish Studies - Mike Rothschild: “Space Lasers and Conspiracies” (Rescheduled)
2026-03-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Eastern Michigan University 900 Oakwood St, Ypsilanti
Rescheduled: March 9th, 2026
Mike Rothschild talks about his book _Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschilds and
200 years of Conspiracy Theories_.
You can find the link here: (https://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Space-Lasers-Rothschilds-
Conspiracy/dp/1685890644/ref=sr_1_2?crid=EKS4FNH9TC02&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XuFwrzaO1PzS34gFI4Hf_X22VIHANv64OmsvdFNoV1V438fPuSpIHUZoi0oRMlAqvsdmf1dhKTShe-
VXfiEn6OqOHq-8wMu0-06Gs3Dpjfyw5wYi66zAtuo37x4q0az1S-DaZDrJaFI3d6DPRBDCTKOKABlrPrWo0Qo6ddsBe5r04730Q1kLSpHhm0mSBg-6hEunlThf_CxzB8Ql1K8NGkNjb2lXOuh9VMlsGV_SV7E.BrVymZnmDnQeXLG_icUSbkppoQQXfup4RxVNDchbLBQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=Mike+Rothschild&qid=1755185711&s=books&sprefix=mike+rothschild%2Cstripbooks%2C76&sr=1-2)
Organized by: EMU Center for Jewish Studies
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14524

A Night of Comedy and FUNdraising: Benefiting PJ Library - SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
2026-03-12 18:00 - 20:30 | Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase 212 S 4th Ave, Ann Arbor
Become a sponsor for the **4th Annual Night of Comedy and FUNdraising**! This
year, proceeds will go to **PJ Library** , a program that provides free,
award-winning Jewish books to the children in our community. Jewish comedian
Shaun Eli will be performing!
Date: **Thursday, March 12**
Location: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 212 S 4th Avenue in Ann Arbor
Time: Doors open at **6 PM** , and the show will begin at **7:15 PM**.
**_Sponsorship Entitlements_**
* **PLEASE DO NOT PURCHASE TICKETS SEPARATELY! Your sponsorship includes tickets which we will secure for you.**
**HEADLINER Sponsorship – $5,000**
As a HEADLINER Sponsor, you will receive 10 tickets to the show, 20 drink
tickets, and prime seating. In addition to being included in the marketing and
sponsorship materials, you will have the opportunity to host a branded table
at the event to share information or swag.
**STAND UP Sponsorship – $1,000**
As a STAND UP Sponsor, you will receive 8 tickets to the show, 16 drink
tickets, and prime seating. You will also be included in marketing and
sponsorship materials.
**COMEDY LOVER Sponsorship – $500**
As a COMEDY LOVER Sponsor, you will receive 4 tickets to the show, 8 drink
tickets, and prime seating. You will also be included in marketing and
sponsorship materials.
**EMCEE Sponsorship – $200**
As an EMCEE Sponsor, you will receive 2 tickets to the show, 4 drink tickets,
and prime seating. You will also be included in marketing and sponsorship
materials.
Can’t join us for the event but still want to support PJ Library? (https://operations.daxko.com/online/4088/OnlineGiving/Donation.mvc?campaign_id=9044)
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14250

A Night of Comedy and FUNdraising: Benefiting PJ Library - GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS
2026-03-12 18:00 - 20:30 | Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase 212 S 4th Ave, Ann Arbor
(https://jlive.app/events/14250)
Join us for the **4th Annual Night of Comedy and FUNdraising**! This year,
proceeds will go to **PJ Library** , a program that provides free, award-
winning Jewish books to the children in our community. Jewish comedian Shaun
Eli will be performing!
Date: **Thursday, March 12**
Location: Ann Arbor Comedy Showcase, 212 S 4th Avenue in Ann Arbor
Time: Doors open at **6 PM** , and the show will begin at **7:15 PM**.
Single Tickets: **$48 -** includes **2 drink tickets** (ages 21 and up),
**unlimited popcorn** , and a **kosher snack** of your choice
PJ Library provides free, award-winning books that celebrate Jewish values and
culture with children from birth through 12 years old every month. Our program
has grown to 5,300 free books each year, and we need your support to continue
this wonderful initiative.
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14011

Hasidic Women in the Media
2026-03-17 17:00 - 18:30 | 202 S Thayer St 202 S Thayer St, Ann Arbor
In a compelling lecture performance, author Jessica Roda presents themes from
her groundbreaking book _For Women and Girls Only_ , joined by actress,
writer, and producer Malky Goldman—the book’s remarkable protagonist. The
event offers a nuanced exploration of the representation of Hasidic female
identity in media, on screen, and on stage. Goldman, who was raised in the
ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim in Jerusalem, shares her deeply
personal journey navigating the arts from within and beyond the boundaries of
her Hasidic upbringing. Through dialogue, multimedia, and live performance,
the evening exposes the tensions between tradition and self-expression,
visibility and erasure, community expectations and artistic freedom. Roda
contextualizes Goldman’s story within broader questions of gender, religion,
and representation, challenging reductive portrayals of Hasidic women in
mainstream media. Goldman’s voice—grounded, creative, and courageous—offers a
powerful counter-narrative, reclaiming agency and complexity for Hasidic
female identities on public stages. The performance invites audiences to
reconsider assumptions and listen to stories often silenced or misunderstood.
Organized by: U-M Frankel Center for Judaic Studies
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13938

Raising Resilient Kids: An Evening with Lenore Skenazy
2026-03-18 18:30 - 20:15 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor
Join us for an inspiring talk with Lenore Skenazy, renowned author, speaker,
and founder of the Let Grow movement.
Lenore is best known for her groundbreaking book “Free-Range Kids” and her
decades of work challenging the culture of overprotection in parenting.
The evening will include a live presentation by Lenore, followed by a Q&A led
by Dr. Beth Pearson, director of the Ann Arbor location of Arbor Psychology
Group, Hebrew Day School consulting psychologist.
**> > Wednesday, March 18th**
**> > 6:30-8:15 PM**
**> > At the Jewish Community Center, Ann Arbor**
**> > Free of charge**
**> > Kosher dinner provided**
**> > Bring the kids! KidZone staff will be on-site with youth programming
(ages 5+)**
**> > RSVP here:
**(https://www.jlive.app/events/14688)
We hope to see you there!
Organized by: Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor,
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14688

How Ford Transformed Religion in America
2026-03-24 17:00 - 18:30 | 202 S Thayer St 202 S Thayer St, Ann Arbor
What does a motor company and its founder have to do with religion in America?
A lot, it turns out. Henry Ford did not just mass produce cars. As a member of
the Episcopal Church, reader of New Thought texts, believer in the “gospel of
reincarnation,” mass marketer of antisemitic material, and employer who
institutionalized a social gospel, Henry Ford’s contributions to American
models of business were informed by and produced for an America he understood
to be broadly Christian. Though Ford’s efforts at the head of the Ford Motor
Company have commonly been understood as secular, the Motor King was explicit
that his work in engineering and auto production was prophetic and meant to
remake the world. This talk offers a religious history of Henry Ford and the
Ford Motor Company, repositioning them within critical studies of religion and
examining how Ford transformed American religion in the twentieth century.
Organized by: U-M Frankel Center for Judaic Studies
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13937

Israeli Nifgashim
2026-03-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Ann Arbor , Ann Arbor
ישראלים נפגשים
הרצאה קצרה, שיחה וחברים
3 gatherings for Israelis in Hebrew.
On February 24th Aviv Touitou Certified aromatherapist and social worker
speaks about Aromatherapy – The Power of Essential Oils to Support & Heal the
Body & Mind.
On March 24th Ariel Levi, DDS, Orthodontist speaks about the Basics of
Orthodontics.
On May 19th Tomer Stern, PhD, MSc, Assistant Professor at the University of
Michigan School of Dentistry speaks about Advancing Skeletal Pathology
Research Through Computational Biology.
Organized by: Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14763

Israeli Nifgashim
2026-03-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Ann Arbor , Ann Arbor
ישראלים נפגשים
הרצאה קצרה, שיחה וחברים
3 gatherings for Israelis in Hebrew.
On February 24th Aviv Touitou Certified aromatherapist and social worker
speaks about Aromatherapy – The Power of Essential Oils to Support & Heal the
Body & Mind.
On March 24th Ariel Levi, DDS, Orthodontist speaks about the Basics of
Orthodontics.
On May 19th Tomer Stern, PhD, MSc, Assistant Professor at the University of
Michigan School of Dentistry speaks about Advancing Skeletal Pathology
Research Through Computational Biology.
Organized by: Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15189

Jewish Book Series: Lunch & Learn with Ayelet Tsabari
2026-03-26 12:00 - 13:30 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor
Please join us at the JCC on **Thursday, March 26** from **12:00-1:30 PM** for
an in-person Lunch & Learn and a virtual visit from Ayelet Tsabari, the author
of _Songs for the Brokenhearted: A Novel._ Enjoy a delicious Yemeni lunch
while listening to Ayelet speak about her book over Zoom. **Lunch starts at
noon, author talk begins promptly at 12:30 PM.**
This event is part of the JCC’s ongoing **Book Series** , where visiting
Jewish authors give talks on their work to bring new ideas and literature to
the community. **The cost of this program is $12.50/person.** This program is
sponsored by ORT. Zoom available upon request.
_JCC community events and programs are open to all regardless of faith or
background. All are welcome._
**_Book Blurb_**
1950. Thousands of Yemeni Jews have immigrated to the newly founded Israel in
search of a better life. In an overcrowded immigrant camp in Rosh Ha’ayin,
Yaqub, a shy young man, happens upon Saida, a beautiful girl singing by the
river. In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, they fall in love. But they
weren’t supposed to; Saida is married and has a child, and a married woman has
no place befriending another man.
1995. Thirty-something Zohara, Saida’s daughter, has been living in New York
City—a city that feels much less complicated than Israel, where she grew up
wishing that her skin was lighter, that her illiterate mother’s Yemeni music
was quieter, and that the father who always favored her was alive. She hasn’t
looked back since leaving home, rarely in touch with her mother or sister,
Lizzie, and missing out on her nephew Yoni’s childhood. But when Lizzie calls
to tell her their mother has died, she gets on a plane to Israel with no
return ticket.
Soon Zohara finds herself on an unexpected path that leads to shocking truths
about her family—including dangers that lurk for impressionable young men and
secrets that force her to question everything she thought she knew about her
parents, her heritage, and her own future.
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14346

36th Annual David W. Belin Lecture
2026-03-26 17:30 - 20:00 | Michigan Union 530 S State St, Ann Arbor
The 36th Annual David W. Belin Lecture will be delivered by Dr. Ayala Fader on
Thursday, March 26, 2026. Food will be served at the pre-lecture reception,
and Fader will sign books after the lecture. This free, public lecture will
take place in the Pendleton Room of the Michigan Union on Thursday, March 26,
2026. Please RSVP at (https://myumi.ch/15PN8) to let
us know if you plan to attend.
Over the past decade, frum (Orthodox) Jewish women wellness influencers on
social media have become a significant presence. Despite attempts by some
rabbis to silence them, frum influencers in the United States and Israel
continue to share intimate details of their everyday lives online, earning a
living through the promotion of products linked to their platforms. Professor
Fader’s talk examines the seemingly contradictory worlds these influencers
navigate: while claiming new forms of gendered authority, they simultaneously
reinforce traditional Jewish family structures and gender roles.
Drawing inspiration from conservative Christian wellness influencers, frum
influencers create content that asserts Jewish exceptionalism while fostering
unexpected exchanges with conservative Christian women. The lecture will
consider whether frum social media influencers are subtly promoting illiberal
politics through the gendered language of wellness.
**Ayala Fader **is professor of anthropology at Fordham University. She is
the author of the award-winning books, _Mitzvah Girls: Bringing Up the Next
Generation of Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn_ (Princeton University Press, 2009)
and _Hidden Heretics: Jewish Doubt in the Digital Age_ (Princeton University
Press, 2020). Her research has been supported by the National Science
Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Fader’s current book
project examines the trend of American Orthodox Jews aligning themselves with
a new form of religion on the Christian Right—a public, political, racialized,
and biblical philosophy, redefining postwar Judeo-Christianity in the
contemporary political landscape. As the founding director of Fordham’s Center
for Public Anthropology, Fader is currently collaborating on the Demystifying
Language Project, which makes linguistic anthropology a social justice
resource for public high schools. Fader received her Ph.D. from New York
University
** _About the Belin Lecture_**
Since 1991, the Frankel Center has hosted an accomplished speaker to present
the David W. Belin lecture in American Jewish Affairs. Following the annual
lecture, each speaker provides a text version of their talk. This essay is
then published in print format and is made available
(https://www.fulcrum.org/belin?locale=en)**.** To request a
specific year’s lecture book, please email JudaicStudies@umich.edu.
Organized by: U-M Frankel Center for Judaic Studies
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13395

Jewish Book Series: Milena and Margarete with Gwen Strauss
2026-04-07 17:00 - 18:30 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor
Please join us at the JCC on **Tuesday, April 7** from **5-6:30 PM** for an
in-person visit from Gwen Strauss, author of _Milena and Margarete: A Love
Story in Ravensbrück._
**_Book Blurb_**
From the moment they met in 1940 in Ravensbrück concentration camp, Milena
Jesenska and Margarete Buber-Neumann were inseparable. Czech Milena was
Kafka’s first translator and epistolary lover, and a journalist opposed to
fascism. A non-conformist, bi-sexual feminist, she was way ahead of her time.
With the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, her home became a central
meeting place for Jewish refugees. German Margarete, born to a middle-class
family, married the son of the Jewish philosopher Martin Buber. But soon swept
up in the fervor of the Bolshevik Revolution, she met her second partner, the
Communist Heinz Neumann. Called to Moscow for his “political deviations,” he
fell victim to Stalin’s purges while Margarete was exiled to the hell of the
Soviet gulag. Two years later, traded by Stalin to Hitler, she ended up
outside Berlin in Ravensbrück, the only concentration camp built for women.
Milena and Margarete loved each other at the risk of their lives. But in the
post-war survivors’ accounts, lesbians were stigmatized, and survivors kept
silent. This book explores those silences, and finally celebrates two strong
women who never gave up and continue to inspire. As Margaret wrote: “I was
thankful for having been sent to Ravensbrück, because it was there I met
Milena.”
_JCC community events and programs are open to all regardless of faith or
background. All are welcome._
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14347

Bi-Annual Rosenberg Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Dr. Benjamin Sommer
2026-04-17 18:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-18 09:30 - 13:30, 2026-04-18 18:30 - 21:00, 2026-04-19 22:00 - 2026-04-20 11:00 | Beth Israel Congregation 2000 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor
**Friday, April 17th- Sunday, April 19th Rosenberg Scholar-In-Residence
Weekend with Dr. Benjamin D. Sommer**
Beth Israel Congregation is proud to welcome Dr. Benjamin Sommer as this
year’s Rosenberg Scholar-in-Residence. Dr. Sommer is a preeminent biblical
scholar and Jewish theologian serving as a Professor of Bible and Ancient
Semitic Languages at The Jewish Theological Seminary. A prolific author and
lecturer, Dr. Sommer’s research explores the intersections of Israelite
religion, biblical theology, and modern Jewish thought. He is widely
recognized for his award-winning books, including _The Bodies of God and the
World of Ancient Israel_ and _Revelation and Authority: Sinai in Jewish
Scripture and Tradition_ , a finalist for the National Jewish Book Award.
Described by Ha’aretz as both a “traditionalist and yet an iconoclast,” Dr.
Sommer has held prestigious fellowships at the National Humanities Center and
the Shalom Hartman Institute, bringing a synthesis of intellectual acuity and
deep textual knowledge to his work. See the calendar at (http://bethisrael-aa.org) for event details and to register for
Shabbat dinner on April 17th.
Organized by: Beth Israel Congregation
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13950

Bi-Annual Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Dr. Benjamin Sommers
2026-04-18 17:00 - 21:00 | Beth Israel Congregation 2000 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor
Please join us for our bi-annual Scholar-in-Residence weekend will take place
April 17th, 18th, and 19th with Dr. Benjamin Sommer, Professor of Bible and
Ancient Semitic Languages at JTS and Senior Fellow at the Shalom Hartman
Institute.
Organized by: Beth Israel Congregation
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/13950

Israeli Nifgashim
2026-05-19 18:00 - 20:30 | Ann Arbor , Ann Arbor
ישראלים נפגשים
הרצאה קצרה, שיחה וחברים
3 gatherings for Israelis in Hebrew.
On February 24th Aviv Touitou Certified aromatherapist and social worker
speaks about Aromatherapy – The Power of Essential Oils to Support & Heal the
Body & Mind.
On March 24th Ariel Levi, DDS, Orthodontist speaks about the Basics of
Orthodontics.
On May 19th Tomer Stern, PhD, MSc, Assistant Professor at the University of
Michigan School of Dentistry speaks about Advancing Skeletal Pathology
Research Through Computational Biology.
Organized by: Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14765

Eating Well Through Perimenopause and Beyond
2026-06-01 18:00 - 20:00
Join us for an engaging discussion with Melissa Hauptman (INN Certified),
podcast host, facilitator, soil advocate, speaker, and food systems and health
writer, who will share practical tips and information. As co-host of (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-digestible-
podcast/id1810063254), Melissa covers an interesting array of health topics.
In a world of conflicting nutrition advice, changing bodies, and busy
schedules, it can be hard to know what “healthy eating” really looks like.
This session will explore realistic strategies for nourishing your body in
midlife and beyond – without diets or guilt.
**No walk-ins allowed.**
**Questions?** Please contact Hadassah at 248.683.5030 or
midwest@hadassah.org.
*All attendees will be required to sign a Hadassah Event Participation Release to attend Hadassah events. There will be no exceptions to this policy.
Organized by: Hadassah Midwest
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15938

JCC Spotlight to Summer Celebration - SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
2026-06-02 18:00 - 22:00 | The Kensington Hotel 3500 S State St, Ann Arbor
Step into the spotlight and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating
community, connection, and impact of the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor.
This year, we proudly mark **40 years of the JCC** , while shining our
brightest spotlight on honoree **Leslie Bash,** whose extraordinary
dedication and impact have helped shape our community in lasting ways.
The evening will also feature world-renowned musical mentalist **Sidney
Friedman** , delivering an interactive performance that will amaze and
delight.
Celebrate, connect, and be part of a night where our community truly takes
center stage.
Please check out our (https://jccannarbor.org/jcc-spotlight-to-summer/)
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15268

JCC Spotlight to Summer Celebration - GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS
2026-06-02 18:00 - 22:00 | The Kensington Hotel 3500 S State St, Ann Arbor
(https://operations.daxko.com/Online/4088/ProgramsV2/Search.mvc?keywords=&program_id=TMP40948&expanded=categories%2Clocations&coming_soon=False&category_ids=TAG10562&all_categories=false&location_ids=B368&all_locations=false&date_ranges%5B0%5D.start=&date_ranges%5B0%5D.end=&birth_dates=)
Step into the spotlight and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating
community, connection, and impact of the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor.
This year, we proudly mark **40 years of the JCC** , while shining our
brightest spotlight on honoree **Leslie Bash,** whose extraordinary
dedication and impact have helped shape our community in lasting ways.
The evening will also feature world-renowned musical mentalist **Sidney
Friedman** , delivering an interactive performance that will amaze and
delight.
Celebrate, connect, and be part of a night where our community truly takes
center stage.
We are proud to announce that this event will be catered by Epic Kosher
Catering, making this a welcoming event for all.
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14816

Jewish Book Series: Lunch & Learn with Yishay Ishi Ron
2026-06-09 12:00 - 13:30 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor
Please join us at the JCC on **Tuesday, June 9** from **12-1:30 PM** for an
in-person Lunch & Learn and a virtual visit from Yishay Ishi Ron, author of
_Dog_. Enjoy a delicious lunch while listening to Yishay speak about his book
over Zoom.
_Dog_ is a raw, unflinching novel, drawing on the author’s own experiences as
a former elite IDF combat officer suffering from PTSD and addiction. The story
follows Geller, a decorated soldier who returns from Gaza to Tel Aviv only to
be haunted by the trauma of combat — including the memory of a soldier killing
a dog in the field. Haunted and estranged from family and comrades, Geller
spirals into heroin addiction, living in the underbelly of Tel Aviv among
misfit junkies.
His life takes a turn when a stray dog enters his world. Initially
indifferent, Geller eventually rescues the dog, forming an unexpected bond.
The narrative alternates between Geller’s fragmented, drug-addled perspective
and brief, often humorous, chapters from the dog’s point of view, as well as
from the perspective of Doris, a lonely apartment cleaner who sees potential
in Geller. These shifts broaden the scope beyond Geller’s self-absorbed
despair, hinting at the possibility of redemption.
This event is part of the JCC’s ongoing **Book Series** , where visiting
authors give public talks on their work to bring new ideas and literature to
the community. **The cost of this program is $12.50/person**.
_JCC community events and programs are open to all regardless of faith or
background. All are welcome._
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/14834
