By Jewish Federation Staff
The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor is delighted to announce six local initiatives awarded grants for collaboration and innovation in the local Jewish community. Two grants were awarded from the Zelma Weisfeld Fund for Culture and Education, three from Federation’s Community Engagement Fund, and one project was funded through both grants.
The Community Engagement Fund is supported by the Annual Community Campaign of the Jewish Federation to encourage organizations and individuals to work collaboratively on new, innovative initiatives that cultivate a strong, engaged, connected, caring, vibrant and enduring Jewish community in Washtenaw County. The Zelma Weisfeld Fund for Culture & Education is made possible through a bequest from Zelma Weisfeld z”l.
“I’m delighted with the success of our Community Engagement Fund and Zelma Weisfeld Fund allocations.” said Federation CEO Eileen Freed. “The support provided by these funds has fostered collaboration and enabled the development of engaging community programs to strengthen our community.”
The next round of Community Engagement Fund grants will be awarded this fall. The deadline for submission is August 18. Grant requests of $1,000-$5,000 will be considered and must be submitted by a partnership of three or more collaborators. Applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent to Kadi Swerdlow (kadi@jewishannarbor.org) by July 28. Decisions will be made within one month of the grant deadline.
The full application for both grants is available at JewishAnnArbor.org/Grants. For more information or to inquire, contact Eileen Freed at eileenfreed@jewishannarbor.org or (734) 773-3537.
Recovery Seder
The third annual Recovery Seder, which took place April 13, is a partnership between Temple Beth Emeth (TBE), Beth Israel Congregation (BIC), Jewish Family Services (JFS), and the Lior Project. This seder is a community effort led by JFS to address issues of mental health and addiction in the Jewish community. Building on the success of last year’s program, the Recovery Seder is geared towards meeting the spiritual and religious needs of members of the recovery and 12-step communities. It enables participants to navigate aspects of the traditional ceremony that can be more challenging and to explore what freedom at this season means to someone who is struggling with freeing themselves from addiction.
A Collaborative Community Art Experience with Hillel Smith
On March 23, a unique and meaningful art event was led by future social workers of the Jewish Communal Leadership Program (JCLP) in partnership with U-M Hillel and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor. This project was inspired by the tension and tragedy in Israel and on campus, which has made an indelible mark on the U-M student community. Renowned visual artist Hillel Smith guided participants in curating a collaborative art piece that reflects the strength and resilience of this community over the past year and half. Together, attendees explored creativity, connection, and community through art. The final product will be a lasting tribute, finding its permanent home in U-M Hillel. One JCLP student, Julia Diskin, said of the project, “This event felt like a full circle moment, a way to capture both the hardship and resilience we hold as individuals and as a collective, and our ever-enduring sense of hope for a better future.”
Israeli Soldiers Delegation
Ann Arbor hosted a delegation of 2 IDF soldiers visiting from Israel leading up Yom HaZikaron (Israel’s Memorial Day) on April 25-30. The visitors engaged the community by sharing their personal experiences of the recent war in Israel as they defended against Hamas in the south and Hezbollah to the north. The delegation had 7 engagements scheduled over those 5 days in Ann Arbor including: visiting with Chabad and Ann Abor Orthodox Minyan, participating in the Zekelman Holocaust Center Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony, and visiting with students at Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor .
The Michaelson Art Gallery Party
On May 1, the Federation in collaboration with the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor and Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor will be hosting an Israeli Block Party featuring art from The Michaelson Art Gallery. This community event will be held at the JCC to celebrate Israeli art. It will include a variety of art forms, including visual art and live music. The art on display is from the Michaelson Art Gallery, located in Tel Aviv and run by Amnon Michaeli. The gallery’s work is made up of a wide variety of Israeli art styles and eras, combining both “good old and familiar” art elements. The celebration will bring this unique art practice to the Ann Arbor Jewish community, promoting greater cultural education and unity between American and Israeli Jews. In addition to the cutting edge visual Israeli art of the Michaelson Art Gallery, the party will feature a live musical performance from The Tel Aviv Band, who blend musical and visual arts in a lively and engaging way. The party will also include a variety of stations with activities, each representing a place in Israel and promoting hands-on cultural education. There will be food, games, and activities. The party will be for all ages and include childcare, making the event accessible to families.
Jazz for JCOR
JCOR (Jewish Congregations Organizing for Resettlement) hosted their annual Jazz for JCOR benefit concert on March 16. The concert featured The Cliff Monear Ensemble with vocalist Sarah D’Angelo, with the goal of raising funds for their resettlement program. The event drew over 80 attendees.
A participant in the JFS Resettlement Co-Sponsorship Program, JCOR is a collaboration of six Jewish congregations working together and in partnership with Jewish Family Services to support resettlement of newly arrived refugee families through their first year in the U.S. Member congregations include the Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan, Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, Beth Israel Congregation, Jewish Cultural Society, Pardes Hannah, and Temple Beth Emeth, along with the Jewish Federation which serves as JCOR’s fiduciary.
Community Needs Donation Drive
In response to the increasing need for resettlement and food access support– brought on by federal funding changes—Jewish Family Services is partnering with the Jewish community to launch a Community Needs Donation Drive. The drive, coordinated in collaboration with Temple Beth Emeth, Beth Israel Congregation, and the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, will mobilize community members to support vulnerable families. Each congregation will host a food and supply drive, culminating in at least one volunteer event at JFS where congregation members will package the donated items for client families. Packages will be distributed by agency staff through the pantry and case managers. This program will help to engage members of the Jewish community to feel involved and connected to each other, while working together on something greater. It will also provide a great opportunity to share the work of JFS and engage individuals and groups in future volunteer opportunities at the agency to support future engagement.