TICKET SALES TO ATTEND IN-PERSON ARE NOW CLOSED.

Tickets to attend virtually will be available until the day of the event.

Jump to:

About This Year’s Event  |  Tickets  |  Event Program: 6pm start, reception to follow
Pillar Award: Nancy Margolis  |  Raffle  |  Meet Your Event Chairs
Current Host Committee List  |  Corporate Sponsors

About this year’s event

Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor to celebrate and support Jewish life locally, in Israel and around the world.

After a Main Event last March, Federation is excited to move this mainstay of the community back to its pre-pandemic calendar spot in November. Even though it will still be 2024, this year’s event will benefit Federation’s 2025 Annual Community Campaign, which began September 1, 2024.

The night will feature NYT op-ed columnist David Brooks, plus a raffle, refreshments, and the opportunity to connect with and support the greater Ann Arbor Jewish community. You don’t want to miss it!

Participants will be asked to support the community with a meaningful gift to the Jewish Federation’s 2025 Annual Community Campaign. ($100 suggested minimum donation.)

Tickets

Event Tickets Only
$54  –  Main Event Ticket (in-person or virtual)

Pre-Glow Tickets
$234  –  Main Event Ticket + Pre-Glow ($54 ticket + $180 pre-glow)
A ticket to the pre-glow includes a complimentary signed copy of David Brooks’ most recent book, plus an intimate appetizer reception with Mr. Brooks

$154  –  Discounted price to thank our Major ($5,000+) & Legacy donors ($54 ticket + $100 pre-glow)

Reserved Tables (Open to all!)
$900  –  Reserved table
Claim a comfy spot for you and your friends to hang out throughout the Main Event!
Includes: Main Event tickets and a reserved table for 8 people during schmooze & seated program, plus 8 signed copies of David Brooks’ most recent book, and some nosh

$2,200 – VIP table
Includes: Everything for a Reserved Table, plus pre-glow access for 8 and priority seating
$1,800  –  Discounted price to thank our Major ($5,000+) & Legacy donors

Student & NEXTGen Pricing
$36  –  Main Event Ticket (in-person or virtual)

$54  –  Seat at reserved NEXTGen Table for the entire event

$90  –  Main Event Ticket + Pre-glow
Includes a seat at NEXTGen reserved table, pre-glow access, and a copy of David Brook’s most recent book

Event Program – November 19, 2024

5pm – 6pm: Pre-Glow
Appetizers and intimate book signing opportunity with David Brooks.

5:30pm: General admission doors open
The bar will be open so you can grab a drink and a seat before the seated program begins at 6pm. Appetizer reception to follow the seated program.

6pm: Seated program & Zoom livestream begin

7:30 – 9pm: Appetizer reception
Enjoy light appetizers, dessert, and plenty of schmoozing. Food is kosher under supervision of the Detroit Vaad.

Third Annual Pillar Award Honoree: Nancy N. Margolis

Federation is thrilled to honor Nancy N. Margolis with the third annual Pillar Award for exceptional contributions to the Jewish community in the areas of Federation’s guiding pillars: Philanthropy, Engagement and Convening.

Nancy began her career as the deputy director of Washtenaw County’s anti-poverty program, where she was a founder of The Corner Health Center in Ypsilanti. After that, Nancy moved to becoming the Executive Director of the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor, and then Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor.

She is currently the Founder and Executive Director of Embracing our Differences Michigan, an art and education program that promotes and celebrates diversity and inclusion. The Embracing Our Differences exhibits can be seen at Ann Arbor’s Gallup Park and Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park.

In addition to her professional roles, Nancy has served as a Trustee of Washtenaw Community College, a Member of the WCC Foundation, and a Trustee of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.

Nancy has been honored by various organizations over the years, including: Woman of Achievement from the Anti-Defamation League of Michigan (1999); President’s Award from the JCC of Greater Ann Arbor (2008, 2011); Bernstein Award from Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County (2015); and Shero from the Washtenaw Community College Women’s Council (2023).

Nancy was married to Philip Margolis, MD, who was a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychiatry at University of Michigan from 1959 until Philip’s death in 2020. She has four children and eight grandchildren (six of whom attended the Early Childhood Center at the JCC), and one great-granddaughter who soon will be at the ECC. Nancy is an avid skier, tennis player, and photographer.

Raffle Prizes

Thank you to the following businesses for donating amazing raffle prizes to this year’s Main Event!

Raffle tickets cost just $5 each, or $20 for a bundle of 5. You can buy them with your ticket, or in-person during the event.

Barry Bagels
Blue Lion Fitness
Emagine Theater
Frita Batido’s
Jen Geer Photography
Lewis Jewelers
Moon Winks Cafe
Norton’s Flowers and Gifts
Washtenaw Dairy
York
Zippy Auto Wash

Meet this year’s Event Chairs: Alisa (Bloom) & Kevin Cox and Laura & Josh Pasek

Alisa and Kevin are both graduates of Huron High School and have been together since. They live on the Northside of Ann Arbor with their three kids Lyla (14), Avery (12), and foster son Liam (17). Alisa is a kindergarten teacher at Bryant Elementary school and will graduate this winter with her Master’s Degree in Reading. Kevin works construction for Bloom General Contracting, and also owns Moonwinks Cafe and Tavern in Dixboro. They are members of Temple Beth Emeth, where they were married in 2008.

Since moving to Ann Arbor in 2011, Laura and Josh have experienced the warmth of this community firsthand. Their children, Elena (9) and Julian (7), have found friends, learning, and a sense of belonging through their involvement with the JCC, Beth Israel Congregation, and Camp Tavor. Laura has had the privilege of teaching at both Hillel Day School and Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor, while Josh is a professor at the University of Michigan.

Thank you to our Host Committee

(in formation)

Jennifer & Eric Rosenberg
Prue Rosenthal
Lauren Katz and Joel Rubenstein
Robert & Kathleen Savit
Robyn & Jason Schmier
Art & Mary Schuman
Steve Leber & Dina Shtull
Alicia Simon
Eva & Ed Solomon
Terri Ginsburg & Jeffrey Spoon
Tamar Springer & Steve Stancroff
Marci Sukenic
Roberta & Larry Tankanow
Harriet Bakalar and Ed Tobes
Jenny & Peter VanBeck
Elise Weisbach
Lisa & Steve Weiss
Annie Wolock

Thank you to our corporate sponsors:

Margolis Nursery

Epic Kosher Catering

Hurwitz-Greene Real Estate Group

Want to become a corporate sponsor? Contact rachel@jewishannarbor.org.