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Genesis 50th Anniversary Celebration: June 8, 2025
- Genesis of Ann Arbor
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: a few seconds ago
On May 28, 1975, the Star of David was raised next to the Cross in front of what was then our sanctuary and is now our Social Hall.
On May 31, 1975, the formal dedication of Genesis took place.
On June 8, 2025, we will celebrate the 50 years of our unique Genesis partnership!
This meaningful celebration will honor the past and celebrate the future of the Genesis partnership, with both formality and fun!
We hope to see all the families in our congregations and community supporters come out to mark this special occasion.
Here's what to expect:
Segment 1: External Witness
The celebration begins with two simultaneous events: one for adults and one for children.
Adults will gather in the Sanctuary, where Rabbi Josh and Rev. Anne will offer prayers and remarks, and two special guests will bear witness to the the significance of our partnership:
Bishop Bonnie Perry, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President of the Union for Reform Judaism
Genesis is honored that these distinguished leaders of our respective faiths will join us on this special occasion.
Meanwhile, children will gather in the Core for a magic show. There will be games there as well, so that the children will be happily engaged until it is time to rejoin the adults.
Segment 2: Celebration Courtyard: Honoring the Past and Looking Forward to the Future
The celebration then moves to the Celebration Courtyard.
The first order of over 50 etched bricks and two capstones will have been installed, with the remainder of the etched bricks to be installed over the summer.
Here, we will bury our “prayer capsule” containing the prayers for Genesis contributed by members of Temple Beth Emeth and St. Clare’s.
We would like every member of each congregation to participate by writing a prayer to be included in the capsule, before June 8.
Prayer slips are available on the table just inside the front doors of our building. Each slip of paper has the words “My Prayer for Genesis” written across the top. Fill out your prayer and deposit the slip in the wooden box.
The prayers will then be transferred to the capsule, which will be sealed and buried on June 8.
Segment 3: Star of David and the Cross: Genesis as Witness to the World
At the Star of David and the Cross, Rabbi Josh will offer a prayer, Rev. Anne will give instructions on how to attach a ribbon to the strings between the Star of David and the Cross, Bishop Perry and Rabbi Jacobs will each offer a blessing.
Following that is a Call and Response prayer between the two congregations—the same Call and Response prayer that was part of the 10th and 25th Genesis Anniversary celebrations.
Segment 4: Family Fun
This will be the ideal the time for conversations, for rekindling connections and making new ones, and for simply having fun!
During this concluding part of the celebration, everyone will have a chance to:
🎗️place ribbons between the Star of David and the Cross
🎨 participate in an Art Project in the Social Hall, with a chance to see your vision memorialized in a permanent installation.
🍅 help plant 50 tomato plants in our Food and Faith Garden
🎪 bounce in a Bouncy House
🎭 get your face painted
🎈adopt your own balloon animals
🫧 draw sidewalk chalk art, blow bubbles, and sing
🍨 enjoy our Washtenaw Dairy Ice Cream Sundae Bar in the Social Hall, complete with hot fudge and toppings
There will be non-dairy and vegan options as well.
This will be a day with an appropriate mix of solemnity—honoring the values on which the Genesis partnership was created and the relationships that have been forged over time—and just plain fun in working together to create art, plant in the Food and Faith Garden, eat delicious ice cream, watch the kids in the Bouncy House (or jump around yourself, if you're a kid), see the work of a balloon twister and the face painters, and just enjoy time together.
We hope you will join us! Please RSVP so that we are sure to order enough of that delicious Washtenaw Dairy Ice Cream.
THE RSVP DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, JUNE 6!
A Celebration in Song: June 11
While this June 8th Genesis 50th Anniversary Celebration is the capstone event of our anniversary year celebrations, the year's concluding event will be A Celebration in Song with Kol Halev and St. Clare's Choir. Please aslso join us for that on June 11 at 7 PM, with a reception hosted by the Anniversary Committee to follow the concert.
Questions?
Simply contact Ann Putallaz (St. Clare’s) or Bill Parkus (TBE) or any other members of the Genesis 50th Anniversary Committee:
Ann Putallaz Mac Dick
Bill Parkus Mary Lu Barth
Debra Stevens Natalie Palay
Ed Goldman Ruth Petit
Knut Hill Sally Brieloff
Linda Klimach
