Reviewed by Amiel Handelsman The turmoil in Israel around judicial reform is tearing apart the country. Hundreds of thousands of citizens, fearing the demise of Israeli democracy, protest in the streets. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak calls Netanyahu’s project the “assassination of the Declaration of Independence.” At stake is the state’s very reason for being….
An interview by Rebecca Nieubuurt, Congregation-Based Social Worker Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County Rabbi Chelsea Feuchs joins the clergy team at Temple Beth Emeth in Ann Arbor after being ordained as a rabbi at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York. A graduate of Brown University, Rabbi Chelsea has worked with the…
Lonnie Sussman, special to the WJN The garden and the farmers markets are full of beautiful fruits and vegetables. I love the vibrant colors and all the shades of green, red, yellow, and even purple (beans). It is easy to eat the Mediterranean food style that is heavy on fruits and vegetables along with fish,…
By Drew Coel, Marketing and Program Associate at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor Starting on July 24, the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor will showcase the beautiful paintings of Ann Arbor artist David H. Frankel. Join us at the JCC for Meet the Artist on Thursday, August 3, from 6–8…
by Lauren Zinn
I think I also speak for others when I say I have felt silenced for decades by members of our community for questioning Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and for educating others about it. I could list many examples, but instead I want to lift up those Jews who experience the agony of our divided tribal soul brought on by the contradiction between the Torah’s teachings and Israelis’ actions in the name of Judaism. Borrowing from Rabbi Burt Jacobson, an apt name for those of us who recognize our role in harming and our responsibility in helping Palestinians is “Spiritual Activist.”
Garrett’s Space, (https://www.garrettsspace.org/) a suicide prevention nonprofit, is hosting Go4GarrettsSpace, a fundraiser on August 25 that will feature moving speeches from individuals touched by suicide and recorded testimonials from well-known figures in the entertainment space including actress Lucy Liu; J. Smooth-Cameron, who played the role of Gerri on the hit television show Succession; and Phillipa Soo, who played the role of Eliza opposite Lin-Manuel Miranda in Hamilton. There will also be live performances from a variety of musicians, singing groups, and Broadway performers as well as a variety of fitness classes.
If you ever feel the urge to take a drive in the country and find a bite to eat, you might want to steer your car towards the Nest Cocktail Bar and Kitchen. Located about a mile north of downtown Chelsea, the Nest is part of the Robin Hills Farm event complex.
Mollie Meadow, a member of the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, recently had her artwork selected in a juried art contest through Embracing Our Differences Michigan, a non-profit organization that celebrates diversity. Mollie’s drawing and art and other selected 2023 entries are currently displayed on billboard-sized banners at installations at Gallup Park in Ann Arbor and Riverside Park in Ypsilanti.
Daryl Hafter and Ellen Schwartz became close friends while team-teaching a humanities course at Eastern Michigan University. In the late 1980s, Ellen proposed having a joint adult bat mitzvah. “Oh, no,” Daryl said, “I’m really busy with an article, two conference papers, and a review.” Ellen was relieved! But then, this fall, Daryl called her up. “Remember your proposal about a bat mitzvah?” she asked. “Let’s do it!” Lily Ladin had been helping Daryl learn to read Hebrew since she never learned it as a child, and a good goal seemed to be an adult bat mitzvah. So, we began to plan.