The J of Greater Ann Arbor

Camp Raanana 2025
2025-06-23 - 2025-08-22 | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
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ZUMBA in the Gym!
2025-06-27 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-02 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-07 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-09 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-11 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-14 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-16 09:00 - 10:00, 2025-07-18 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Detroit) and 9 more dates | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
Join us for ZUMBA in the Gym!
9-10 AM
Zumba is a high intensity, low impact aerobic dance class. Features include Latin & international rhythms including merengue, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton, flamenco, and samba and Bhangra. Zumba is a dance workout that feels like a party. Everybody at any fitness and dance level is welcome.
The workout is designed by mixing low-intensity and high-intensity moves for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. You will get a total body workout through a combination of easy to follow dance and fitness steps. You get a total workout that combine cardio, muscle conditioning, balance and flexibility, and boosted energy. It’s exercise in disguise. The class duration is for about 60 min, and includes an intro, dance, and cool down part.
Registration

Drop-in process – visit the Welcome Desk at the JCC to pay and join the class!

Cost
$5 for J member or community member
Class policies
• Gym shoes are required
• A water bottle is highly recommended
New clients should arrive 5 minutes early to fill out a waiver.
Cancellation policy
If cancelling less than two hours before class or you do not show, full price of the class will be forfeited and will not be refunded. Must call JCC if cancelling. If class is cancelled due to instructor illness, weather, or building closure, participant will not forfeit class, and will have an opportunity to make up the class in the next week or a week when they are able to attend.

Tai Chi for Seniors
2025-07-03 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-10 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-17 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-24 10:30 - 11:30 | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States

Independence Day
2025-07-04 | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States

Playing with Fabric 2: A Collection of Works by Carol Finerman (z"l) with Anita Liberman-Lampear
2025-07-10 18:00 - 19:30 | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
The Ann Arbor JCC’s Amster Gallery is pleased to present a collection of intricate quiltwork by Carol Finerman (z”l) and Anita Liberman-Lampear, with a reception taking place on Thursday, July 10 from 6-7:30 PM. Light refreshments will be served. These quilts demonstrate a love of the Jewish faith, the importance of trying something new, and the joy in bringing people together.

Carol made her first quilt when she found out she was going to be a grandmother, 27 years ago. Although she had done a lot of sewing, needlepoint and embroidery, quilting was one thing Carol had never done. “I bought a book and made a quilt with different shapes, using primary colors, not knowing that there were many neat tools on the market to make the project easy,” Carol had said. “But I was hooked right away. The fabrics I chose were primary colors, but each had a different pattern. That was what intrigued me and kept me fascinated.”

Anita, though she had a strong love of textile art from an early age, took a hiatus in her adulthood. “I have been sewing since I was 10 years old – mostly garments,” Anita recalls. “In 1985, I attended my first quilt class, Trip Around the World. Having enjoyed it so much, I attended another class later that year, Log Cabin – Fields and Furrows. Sewing on and off in the following years was sporadic with two children to raise. But I managed an occasional quilt or two.”

The two women connected at Beth Israel Congregation when Carol was serving as president, while Anita was on the board. Their friendship blossomed, and they brought together a group of artistic individuals within the congregation. “We combined our talents and made the High Holiday curtains (2005) and the Torah covers (2011). Each of us brought a different style of work to the projects, and they’re still being used to this day,” Anita says.

Anita and Carol’s friendship and love of quilting continued to grow, and Anita remembers how much they loved going fabric shopping, working together on their many creations. “Carol’s quilting took a sharp turn once she became immersed in Art Quilting. While she attended many quilting retreats and courses, one of her favorites was Art Quilt Tahoe,” Anita states. “By the time she convinced me to come along, Carol had already been attending this retreat for 14 years. 2015 was the first year that I attended, and I too became hooked on Art Quilting – although I still do a lot of bed quilts, commission pieces and an occasional wall hanging. I attended Art Quilt Tahoe each year afterwards until the pandemic in 2020.”

Carol passed away from cancer in 2022, and Anita retired from Michigan Medicine after 46 years. Today, Anita works at Ann Arbor Sewing, teaching classes to new machine owners. She also teaches two Art Quilt Classes known as AQ-Fish and AQ-Photo. “Fish is the prequel to Photo, where I teach my students to take photographs and turn them into fabric portrait quilts,” Anita says.

The works shown here at the JCC are from Carol’s studio, which Carol’s children turned over to Anita after she passed away. Anita finished 15 pieces that her friend had not been able to complete, including a quilt for Carol’s cousin’s granddaughter. All of these pieces are for sale (unless stated otherwise) and the proceeds will be split between the JCC and the Ron and Elana Sussman Education Fund at Beth Israel Congregation. “Carol wanted very much to be a part of Ron’s retirement party,” Anita states. “And so, to that end, this exhibit and sale is in her memory.”

Carol and Anita’s quilts will be up at the JCC until the end of the summer, coming down on August 20.

Music Series
2025-07-20 14:00 - 16:00 | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
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The Cantorial Concert
2025-07-20 14:00 - 16:00 | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
Register Here
The Cantorial Concert was organized by Rabbi Hazzan Gabrielle Pescador, the Rabbi of the Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation. She has worked to gather the musical leaders of the Reconstructionist Congregation (AARC), Temple Beth Emeth (TBE), and Beth Israel to develop a vibrant performance that taps into many aspects of Jewish culture. The performers are Rabbi Hazzan Gabrielle Pescador, Cantor Annie Rose, Cantor Regina, Cantor Emma, Deborah Greene, and Jeff Pickell. They will sing a mix of solos, duets, trios, and some lively whole group numbers! The cantors and singers will be accompanied by TBE’s pianist, Casey Baker. The music will be a mix of secular and religious Jewish songs, ranging from Sephardic folk songs, Yiddish ragtime, and old liturgical poems set to modern melodies. This event will comprise two parts: a concert performed live by the musical leaders that’s sure to get everyone’s ruach raised, followed by an interactive song circle led by the musicians of the AARC. The song circle will focus on Jewish songs for peace and healing, helping us to come together during tumultuous times through musical connectivity. This event is intended for audiences of all ages. Everyone is welcome at this event and your voice is needed!

2025 JCC Maccabi Campus Games
2025-08-03 - 2025-08-08 | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
JCC Maccabi is the premier engagement program for Jewish teens aged 13-17 – it’s not just an Olympic-style sports competition. In addition to connecting teens from around the globe for 5 days of athletic competition, the JCC Maccabi Games® also gives teens the opportunity to experience JCC Cares community service projects, enjoy HangTime with Israeli Shlichim, and participate in evening social events.
The 2025 JCC Maccabi Campus Games® in Pittsburgh, PA, will take place from August 3-8, 2025. Sports being offered this summer include baseball, basketball, ice hockey, soccer, softball, volleyball, 3×3 basketball, dance, swimming, star reporter, table tennis, tennis, and track (sports subject to change). This is an amazing, life changing experience!
JCC Maccabi Website Page

Two of a Kind Musical Performance
2025-08-04 13:00 - 14:00 | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
David & Jenny Heitler-Klevans, a performing and songwriting duo known as Two of a Kind, have written the musical Hidden. David and Jenny love bringing people together and building community through music. Best known for their interactive children’s performances, Two of a Kind has won over 20 national awards and produced 10 recordings for children, 1 DVD and 3 recordings for adults. David and Jenny write and perform for all ages. Their motto is “Making the world better one song at a time.” David has a B.M. in Composition from Oberlin Conservatory and has recently been teaching music appreciation classes for adults. In addition to teaching pre-school music, Jenny is also the Executive Director of Pickleberry Pie Hospital Concerts for Kids. HIDDEN is their second musical and is intended for adults, and for 5th-12th grade students.
All are welcome to attend this FREE musical performance!

2025 Golf Outing Fore the Kids
2025-08-11 | The Polo Fields Golf and Country Club, 5200 Polo Fields Drive, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48103
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Due: Artwork for 5786 Ann Arbor Jewish Community Calendar
2025-08-15 | The J, 2935 Birch Hollow Dr., Ann Arbor, MI, 48108, United States
Submit Your Artwork
Become a part of the new community calendar initiative! This year, the JCC is partnering with Ann Arbor’s various Jewish community groups to create a physical calendar that has all of our main communal events. The goal of this project is to increase intercommunal collaboration and support. There is an online version of the calendar as well, but for the first time, we will be selling hard copy, Hebrew/Gregorian calendars starting at Apples and Honey (September 14).
This is where YOU come in! To make this calendar extra special and reflective of our community, we are putting out a call for artists of all ages to submit their work for the chance to be featured on the community calendar! Work in any medium is accepted. Please submit a high quality photo of your art as you would like it to appear in the calendar if selected. Art does NOT have to be explicitly Jewish in nature! Art that reflects Ann Arbor or the Ann Arbor Jewish community in some way is preferred but not necessary.

Deadline to submit is August 15th.

Any questions can be sent to evakubacki@jccannarbor.org. Thank you so much for your time and creativity!
