By Eileen Freed

 

The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, in partnership with organizations and congregations from across the community, is delighted to announce the return of Community Shabbat. Community Shabbat will take place Friday, May 8, at University of Michigan Hillel, 1429 Hill Street.

Initiated in 2017 by UM Hillel with support from a Federation Impact Fund grant, Community Shabbat unites greater Ann Arbor’s Jewish organizations and synagogues in welcoming Shabbat together; people from diverse backgrounds are expected to attend, representing the broad tapestry of Jewish life in Ann Arbor. This year’s event is organized by Federation and UM Hillel in partnership with Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan, Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation, Beth Israel Congregation, Chabad House of Ann Arbor, Jewish Cultural Society, Pardes Hanna, Temple Beth Emeth, Hebrew Day School, Jewish Family Services, and the Jewish Community Center of Greater Ann Arbor.

The evening will commence at 5:30pm with a Tot Shabbat service, led by rabbis from several congregations, followed by dinner for families with young children. Everyone is invited to gather at 6:15pm for a welcome and short Shabbat sing-a-long, after which participants will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of Kabbalat Shabbat services. Services will be followed by a delicious communal meal catered by Hillel Café Chef Jonathan Shepard.

Taking an eco-conscious approach, organizers this year aim to make this event environmentally friendly and zero-waste. BGreen, a local company devoted to supplying quality compostable products to the community, will be generously donating all supplies for Community Shabbat. 

Thanks to financial support from the Jewish Federation’s Community Engagement Fund and our local partners, Community Shabbat is provided free of charge. However, pre-registration by April 30 is required.
To register, donate or volunteer, visit www.jewishannarbor.org/communityshabbat2020. For more information, contact Jessica Weil at 734-585-5405.