Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor

Spotlight Coverage by KidZ'ONLY
2026-06-02 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Detroit)
For ages 4-12. Join KidZone for an evening of fun, games and entertainment, as
we all get together for the last hangout of the school year. Kosher pizza
dinner and dessert included. Check out the response form to make suggestions
for the KidZone Staff to create an even more fun experience for everyone.
Register and see the confirmation email for the response form plus additional
information.
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15699

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

TBE Annual Meeting
2026-06-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Temple Beth Emeth 2309 Packard St, Ann Arbor
**2026 Annual Congregational Meeting – Wednesday, June 3, 7:30 p.m.**
**Join us for Oneg before the meeting from 7:00-7:30 p.m. with wine, cheese &
sweets.**
**In Person in the Temple Beth Emeth Sanctuary and Online. The link will be
sent out closer to the meeting.**
Organized by: Temple Beth Emeth
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15907

Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival Shorts Series - Windows on Rue de St. Dominique: Film Screening, Panel & Local Artist
2026-06-04 14:00 - 15:00 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor
Celebrating 25 Years of Jewish Cinema
In honor of the **Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival’s 25th Anniversary** , we are
proud to present a special showcase of **25 films** throughout the season. We
are excited to launch our new **Shorts Series Discussion Panels** , providing
a space for powerful storytelling followed by community conversation.
When & Where
* **Time:** 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM weekly
* **Location:** The JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
* **Format:** Screenings followed by moderated panels and light snacks.
Expert Panels
Each week features guest experts, including local professors, rabbis,
directors, artists, and filmmakers, offering unique insights into Jewish
history and identity.
Tickets & Sponsorship
* **General Admission:** $15 per session at check-in, or $72 for the series online in advance.
* **Sponsorship:** All films in this series are **included** with Festival Sponsorship.
* **To Support:** To become a sponsor, please reach out to **Marci Sturman** or visit the **JCC Front Desk**.
The Shorts Series Lineup
* **Oscar Nominees Night:** Featuring 2026 Academy Award® nominees **_Butcher’s Stain_** and **_Children No More_** , plus two bonus shorts: **_Frequency_** and **_Last Respects_**.
* **_Windows on Rue de St. Dominique_** : An artistic exploration featuring filmmaker **Simcha Shtull** (sister of our own **Dina Shtull**), alongside **Professor Karla Goldman** and local artist and community favorite **Ron Sussman**.
* **Food & Family:** A double feature of **_Babka_** and **_Double Happiness_**. Includes a recipe share and food competition! **_Please bring your favorite Babka or Jewish recipes and your best Babka for our Bubbe’s Best Babka competition!_**
* **_That’s How You Make a Torah_** : A deep dive into sacred craft with the film’s cinematographer and local Rabbinical leadership.
* **History & Heroism:** A poignant screening of **_Wallenberg_** and **_Ice Cream Man_** with a discussion led by an expert panel.
* **_The Niggun_** : An exploration of Yiddish culture, music, and spirituality with **Rabbi Chazan Pescador** and **Professor Julian Levinson**.
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15756

TBE Pride Shabbat
2026-06-05 18:30 - 20:00 | Temple Beth Emeth 2309 Packard St, Ann Arbor
Please join Mishpacha for our annual Pride Shabbat service at Temple Beth
Emeth on June 5 at 6:30 p.m. in-person and on Zoom. Click learn more to join
by Zoom.
Organized by: Temple Beth Emeth
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15878

June Tot Shabbat
2026-06-06 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-06-13 11:00 - 12:00 | Beth Israel Congregation 2000 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor
Join us for a playful morning of Jewish songs and stories. Challah and grape
juice kiddush included. For kids age 1 through 1st grade and parents, but all
are welcome to join. Please note that in order to participate in Tot Shabbat,
all tots must be accompanied by an adult. Thanks for helping to make this fun
and safe for everyone!
Organized by: Beth Israel Congregation
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15800

InStepWithSam Legacy Run
2026-06-07 09:00 - 12:00 | 1320 Baldwin Ave 1320 Baldwin Ave, Ann Arbor
**Proceeds support the Samantha Woll Center for Jewish Detroit**
Join the 3rd annual InStepWithSam Legacy Run as we celebrate Sam Woll’s spirit
of unity, kindness, and community. Choose from a 5K, a 1-mile walk/run, or a
Kids Fun Run, and enjoy a festive day with food trucks, a bounce house, and a
Sam-inspired service project. Not in Ann Arbor? You can still participate with
a virtual option or join a meetup happening in cities across the U.S. and
abroad. Register by April 10 to save $5, and by May 10 to receive a free
t-shirt. For more information, click
(https://jlhiirnab.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001cHyfcUEm2IVd4GNoSDOgAScye7KtfSEXkcK76Egv61jw6Bg4NOeNoRd_OplBrpgJlrKT7QfkufH-
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Organized by: Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15382

TBE Congregational Experiences with Zionism and Anti-Zionism
2026-06-07 14:00 - 17:00
Our synagogues have always held multitudes. We come from different
backgrounds, hold different politics, and bring different Jewish journeys to
our congregations, and somehow we find a way to be a community, together. But
the question of Zionism is testing that capacity in new ways. Across the
country, congregations are grappling with how to remain whole when their
members hold fundamentally different, sometimes irreconcilable, views.
How do we stay in relationship with one another? How do rabbis and lay leaders
create space for genuine disagreement without fracturing the community they’ve
worked so hard to build? These are not easy questions, and there are no simple
answers, but they are exactly the questions this program is designed to
explore.
Karla Goldman, who directs the University of Michigan’s Jewish Communal
Leadership Program, will bring her expertise in Jewish institutions to
moderate a conversation on that can engage the diverse perspectives within the
room. Andrew Lapin will offer on-the-ground reporting on how Liberal Jewish
congregations nationally are wrestling with this challenge. Then Rabbi Stella,
Rabbi Caine, and Rabbi Whinston will join a panel discussion moderated by
Robert Erlewine, turning the lens on our own Ann Arbor congregations.
Come ready to listen, to question, and to be part of the conversation.
Organized by: Temple Beth Emeth
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15910

JFS' Got Talent
2026-06-07 15:00 - 17:00

Genesis Picnic
2026-06-07 16:30 - 18:00 | 2309 Packard St 2309 Packard St, Ann Arbor
Join members of St. Clare’s and TBE before the annual Genesis meeting.
* Grilled hot dogs (veggie and beef) are provided
* Bring a dish to pass (potluck style)
* Bring your own beverage
* Donations are appreciated
Organized by: Temple Beth Emeth
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15921

TBE Talking About Israel Together
2026-06-08 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-06-15 18:30 - 20:30 | Temple Beth Emeth 2309 Packard St, Ann Arbor
This June, TBE is hosting a four-session series called Talking About Israel
Together — dinner first, honest conversation after, with a framework that
makes it feel safe to actually speak.
Organized by: Temple Beth Emeth
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15908

JCC: Book Series Lunch & Learn - Dog by Yishay Ishi Ron
2026-06-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Jewish Community Center of Ann Arbor, 2935 Birch Hollow Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
Dog by Yishay Ishi Ron
Dog is a poignant and unflinching exploration of the search for meaning after the wreckage of war, told through the eyes of an Israeli combat officer returning from Gaza. Haunted by trauma, he spirals into heroin addiction, finding himself among Tel Aviv’s community of misfit junkies—until a stray dog enters his life and becomes a beacon of hope, guiding him through a transformative journey marked by despair, resilience, and ultimately hope for salvation.
Beyond its deeply personal narrative, Dog offers a raw and immersive examination of PTSD’s mechanisms—how extreme stress, moral injury, and the experience of combat can rewire the brain, making a return to civilian life seem nearly impossible. With sharp social critique and profound emotional depth, the novel sheds light on invisible wounds and those who carry them, while illustrating the therapeutic power of a simple soulful connection, and how the path to redemption can be illuminated in the most unexpected of ways.
Yishay Ishi Ron is an Israeli writer and former soldier in an elite combat unit who lives with severe PTSD. Writing has been a vital part of his healing journey, and Dog is deeply rooted in his personal experiences. Dog was longlisted for the Sapir Prize – Israel’s most prestigious literary award. He lives near Tel Aviv with his wife and three children.

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

Jewish Book Series: Lunch & Learn with Ron Ishay
2026-06-09 12:00 - 14:00
Organized by: JCC of Greater Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival Shorts Series - Films: Babka & Double Happiness + Recipe Share & Food Competition
2026-06-09 14:00 - 15:00 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor

Carlebach Shabbat Service & Dinner
2026-06-12 18:00 - 20:30 | Beth Israel Congregation 2000 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor
Please join us Rabbi Bair for the last Carlebach-style Shabbat with him. It
will be a songful, full Kabbalat Shabbat service using melodies by Reb Shlomo
Carlebach and followed by a traditional Shabbat chicken dinner. Registration
for the dinner is required at
Organized by: Beth Israel Congregation
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15801

Second Saturday Shabbat Morning Services
2026-06-13 10:30 - 12:00 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor
Please join Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation for a lovely Shabbat
morning of music, prayer, and community, led by Rabbi Gabrielle Pescador. All
are welcome.
Organized by: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15196

Latin Music & Dance Celebration
2026-06-13 18:00 - 21:00 | First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor 4001 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor
Join us for a joyful celebration as we raise funds to support the Michigan
Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC)! Afro-Cuban jazz band Tumbao Bravo, beginner
level salsa dance class with Mambo Marci, tamale dinner, cash bar, dancing!
Festive attire is encouraged.
See the flyer for more details, and (https://www.zeffy.com/en-
US/ticketing/latin-music-and-dance-celebration) by June 6th! Join us for a fun
night with a great cause!
Organized by: Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15920

BIC &TBE Joint Community Cemetery Clean-Up Project
2026-06-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Arborcrest Cemetery , Ann Arbor
Families with kids–come join us for this important mitzvah project! Bring
clippers, gloves, shovels, rakes, knee pads, and water bottles. Wear hats and
sunscreen. Meet at Arborcrest Cemetery at 10am. 2521 Glazier Way. Register
through this link.
Organized by: Beth Israel Congregation
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15806

ORT Movie Group
2026-06-14 16:00 - 17:30 | Zoom
The ORT Movie Group meets at 4PM on Zoom on the second Sunday of the month, with some exceptions (holidays, etc.). The group selects two movies to
watch on our own (through streaming sites) and discuss each month.
For more information about membership, to see the list of movies we have watched, or for contact information, check the website. Membership in ORT is required.
The website is ortannarbor.org. Look for the Movie Group page for the latest schedule information.

Rosh Chodesh Tamuz
2026-06-15, 2026-06-16
Beginning of new Hebrew month of Tamuz

FED: Board Meeting
2026-06-15 19:00 - 21:00

Ann Arbor Jewish Film Festival Shorts Series - hat’s How You Make a Torah: Film & Expert Panel Q&A
2026-06-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor 2935 Birch Hollow Dr, Ann Arbor

ORT Book Group Discussion and Book Selection Pot Luck
2026-06-17 18:00 - 21:00 | Jewish Community Center of Ann Arbor, 2935 Birch Hollow Drive, Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
This is a combined meeting—a pot luck and planning for the next reading year—but also a discussion of the month’s book. For more information check our website, ortannarbor.org.

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

Community-Wide Juneteenth Kabbalat Shabbat
2026-06-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Beth Israel Congregation 2000 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor
Community-Wide Celebration of Juneteenth — Kabbalat Shabbat with Poetry,
Prayer, Song–featuring the Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale singers–
and Juneteenth-themed Oneg. Friday, June 19 2026, 6:00pm at Beth Israel
Congregation 2000 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor. Sponsors include The Network in
Collaboration with Beth Israel Congregation, JCRC, and Federation of Greater
Ann Arbor.
Organized by: Beth Israel Congregation, JCRC of Greater Ann Arbor
View event on Jlive: https://jlive.app/events/15659
