Share Your Story

As we celebrate 36 remarkable years of community with the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor, we want to capture the stories, moments, and relationships that make this community so special. From joyful celebrations to meaningful everyday connections, every memory helps tell the story of our community. Selected responses may be featured in the Commemorative Program Book at the Main Event on October 25, 2026.

The deadline to submit responses is Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Share Your Story by 9/10

Dedicate a Tribute Ad

Be featured in the Main Event's Commemorative Program book, celebrating 36 years of the Jewish Federation. You can purchase a tribute ad to congratulate the Federation on this milestone, honor one of our Pillar Awardees, or wish CEO Eileen Freed well in her final year before retirement in spring 2027.

The deadline to purchase ads for the Program Book is Thursday, September 10.

Dedicate a Tribute Ad by 9/10

Advertise in the Commemorative Book

When you purchase a business ad in the Commemorative Book, you'll be seen by the over 400 event attendees as a business who cares about the community.

The deadline to purchase ads for the Program Book is Thursday, September 10.

Purchase a Business Ad by 9/10

Ticket Options

General Admission Ticket - $118
Includes comedy show with Alex Edelman, followed by dessert reception.


Major & Legacy Donor Dinner and General Admission Ticket - $225
This ticket includes a pre-event dinner (5pm) and admission to the general program (7pm). This ticket is for anyone who has committed to supporting the community with a $5,000 or more donation to the 2027 Annual Community Campaign, or for anyone who has made a legacy commitment to the Jewish Federation. To learn more about becoming a Major or Legacy donor, please contact Becky Melamed at becky@jewishannarbor.org.


NEXTGen & Student Ticket - $36
Comedy show with Alex Edelman, followed by dessert reception. For students, those under the age of 35, and anyone for whom the General Admission ticket price is a barrier.


Pay It Forward Ticket - $360
Help keep this event accessible to our whole community. Your purchase goes to helping those in our community who can't afford the standard ticket price to be part of this wonderful gathering. This is a general admission ticket.


NEW! Auction-Only Ticket - Free
Bid on auction items even if you can't make it to the event! This free ticket gives you access to bid for your favorite prizes from anywhere. THIS IS NOT A TICKET TO ATTEND THE EVENT.

Get ready for a very special night of community, philanthropy, and celebration at this year's Main Event!

Event Program
5:00pm  |  Major & Legacy Donor Dinner
The Major & Legacy Donor Dinner is open to individuals and families committed to supporting the Jewish community through a minimum pledge of $5,000 to the 2027 Annual Community Campaign, to those under the age of 40 committed to a minimum pledge of $1,000, and to those who have made a Life & Legacy commitment to the Jewish Federation.

6:30pm  |   Doors open (bar open until 6:50pm)

7:00pm |  Seated program begins featuring Alex Edelman

8:30pm  |  Dessert reception
Kosher under supervision of the Detroit Vaad

Location
The event will take place in Ypsilanti. Precise location provided via email upon registration.

Seating
The program will take place entirely at seated tables of 8-10. Please let us know in your registration if you'd like to sit with someone specific, and we'll make our best effort to assign tables accordingly.

About Alex Edelman

Comedian. Jew. Sweetheart.

Alex Edelman’s first show, MILLENNIAL won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer, the first show by an American to do so since 1997. The follow-up, EVERYTHING HANDED TO YOU – about identity and the availability of outlets in airports – was even more acclaimed.

His third show, JUST FOR US – which centers on a meeting of neo-Nazis that Edelman attended in New York – has cemented his reputation as a writer-performer of impressive ambition and technical skill. JUST FOR US premiered on Broadway at the Hudson Theater summer 2023 and was later released as a special on Max. It won a special Tony. And an Emmy.

He has appeared on CONAN multiple times, and is a staple on those “Comedians You Should Know” type lists. He tours both nationally and internationally and is one of the founders of Jerusalem’s Off the Wall Comedy Club.

In 2015, he travelled to Berlin and Moscow with Eddie Izzard to perform two shows to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

He likes ramen a whole lot.

The 2027 Annual Community Campaign

Your generosity to the 2027 Annual Community Campaign will ensure a vibrant Jewish Ann Arbor for the next 36 years and beyond! From community-wide security coordination to building bridges with non-Jewish communities, the Jewish Federation is uniquely positioned to meet the needs of the Jewish community as a whole. But we can only do this work with your help. Thank you!

All Main Event attendees are expected to make a meaningful gift or pledge to the 2027 Annual Community Campaign. $100 minimum suggested donation.

Meet the 2026 Main Event Planning Committee

Melissa Hauptman

Melissa%20Hauptman%20square.jpgMelissa Hauptman is a 2009 Ann Arbor transplant who loves her adopted hometown and Jewish community.  She wears many hats as a member of the Oxford Companies leadership team, a mom, a board member, and a certified health coach.

Sierra Imwalle

Sierra%20Imwalle.jpegSierra Imwalle grew up in Ann Arbor, spent some time away, and has been back in her hometown for 15 years. She has been the co-chair of the Annual Community Campaign since 2023. Outside of the Jewish Federation, Sierra has two teenagers who are very involved with travel soccer, and she has been a realtor for 20 years.

Josh Pasek

Josh%20Pasek%20sqare.jpgJosh Pasek has called Ann Arbor home since 2011; he and his children, Elena (11) and Julian (9), have found friendship, learning, and community through the Early Childhood Center, Hebrew Day School, the Ann Arbor JCC, Camp Tavor, and Beth Israel Congregation. Josh is Professor of Communication & Media and Political Science at the University of Michigan, where he studies public opinion and political behavior. He is pleased to support a community that has been an important part of his family’s life.

Honoring Our Past and Future: 2026 Pillar Award

Every year at the Main Event, we honor an individual or group who exemplifies the Jewish Federation’s guiding pillars of Philanthropy, Engagement, and Convening. This year, as we look back on 36 years of community, we honor all of the past Board Presidents and Executive Directors of the Jewish Federation. This entire year we will also be celebrating the tremendous contributions of CEO Eileen Freed, as she prepares for retirement in spring of 2027.

Jessica ‘Decky’ Alexander
Carol Amster
Stephen Aronson
Laurie Barnett
Neal Blatt
Malcolm S. Cohen
Neal Elyakin
Susan R. Fisher
Edward Goldman
Evie S. Lichter (z”l)
Marla Linderman Richelew
Jeff Levin

Joan Lowenstein
Nancy Margolis
Randy Milgrom
Hillary A. Murt
Owen Z. Perlman
Eduardo Schteingart (z”l)
David Shtulman
Laurence N. Smith (z"l)
Carol S. Smokler
Irving Smokler
Morley Witus

Thank you to our sponsors!

Thank you to this year's Host Committee

Anya Abramzon
Brad & Robin Axelrod
Laurie & Jeff Barnett
Linda & Ronald Benson
Neal Blatt
Joshua &  Marla Chinsky
Hillary Murt & Bruce Friedman
Joanna & Rich Friedman
Ed & Mona Goldman
Jayson & Laurie Greenberg
Carol Hoffer
Sierra Imwalle
Alon & Heidi Kahana
Heidi Kahana
Leonard Kirsch
Jessica Alexander & Bruce Kutinsky
Wendy Lawrence & Todd Morgan

Randy & Patti Milgrom
Sharon & Chuck Newman
Ed & Sue Pear
Dr. Murray & Susan Rebner
Jen & Eric Rosenberg
Prue Rosenthal
Robyn & Jason Schmier
David & Carey Wexler Sherman
Steve Leber & Dina Shtull
Tamar Springer & Steven Stancroff
Roberta & Larry Tankanow
Harriet Bakalar & Ed Tobes
Rabbi Josh Whinston 
Sarajane Winkelman
Annie Wolock
Shternie Zwiebel