Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation

Kudos to AARC Executive Director Elizabeth Brindley for developing our new brochures, with support from the AARC Board and Beit Sefer Director Shlomit Cohen.

D'var by Wesley Jackson - Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation My Torah portion combines two portions: B’har and B’chukotai. B’har talks about the Sabbatical and the Jubilee year.  The sabbatical year, also called Shmitta, occurs every 7 years.   In the sabbatical year you cannot farm on your land to let the land grow back naturally.  In that time you ...

Thanks to everyone who attended the AARC picnic in Aug. 2026. Appreciation to the coordinators!

Rosh Hashanah La'Behemot Celebration - Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation Originally, Rosh Hashanah La’Behemot served as an agricultural and financial deadline to count and tithe newborn livestock for Temple offerings. This year, we’re reimagining it as a time to appreciate our furry beloveds! Please enjoy these photos of AARC’s animal members: If you’d like to kn...

Jewish Federation launches community new board member training - Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation “Jewish Federation launches community new board member training” was written by Eileen Freed. It appeared in the July 2026 edition of Washtenaw Jewish News. This winter, 40 board members from almost every local Jewish congregation and organization gathered for a three-part educational experience...

Join us this Friday for a special Pride Kabbalat Shabbat featuring poetry from award-winning poet Stephanie Glazier.

Stephanie is a Detroit-based poet whose work explores love, belonging, desire, spirituality, and the complexities of identity. Her poetry has appeared in journals including The Southern Review, Alaska Quarterly Review, Michigan Quarterly Review, and others. She is a Lambda Literary Fellow and former poetry editor of Gertrude Press.

Stephanie's poems will be woven into prayer, music, and reflection as we celebrate the sacred diversity of our community and the ongoing work of creating a more loving and inclusive world.

All are welcome.
🌈 Shabbat Shalom

Media — Stephanie Glazier

Vegan Wine and Cheese - photos - Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation Thanks to the team who worked to make the May 2026 Vegan Wine and Cheese tasting a success. The special event — held at the Washtenaw Food Hub — highlighted the connection between our food choices and climate change. Here are a few photos for your enjoyment. Share

A powerful drash by Rabbi Irwin Keller for Ner Shalom's Pride Shabbat - "Q***r freedom is everybody’s freedom. Q***r-identified people might be the ones at the edges holding the barricades and pushing the boundaries, but it creates a field of freedom that encompasses all of us. It is here, in this field of freedom and resistance that the distinction between q***r and ally dissolves. In a time of authoritarianism, all struggle for freedom is q***r. You don’t have to be L or G or B or T or any of the letters. We are in this together."

Why Pride Shabbat? — Irwin Keller Q***r freedom is everyone's freedom. In a time of authoritarianism, all struggle for freedom is q***r. You don’t have to be L or G or B or T or any of the letters. We are in this together. A drash for pride season.

Thank you for to those that who showed up & worked hard for "Volunteer Farm Fix Up" last weekend. Still plenty to do - and two more potential shifts on Sunday, June 14: 9a-12p and 1p-4p. It's so satisfying to see your progress & help out our congregant who often hosts activities there. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448A4AE2CA3F8CF8-64335820-farm #/

https://aarecon.org/time-to-stand-up-for-our-immigrant-neighbors-by-steve-merritt/

Time to stand up for our immigrant neighbors! by Steve Merritt - Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation Back in January, Jeff Basch posted on Reconchat about an interfaith coalition on immigration coming together in Ann Arbor. When he asked if any of us were interested, it called out to me. I had worked for eight years as a Spanish interpreter in courts, hospitals, schools and community mental health....