1840

1840

In the early 1840s, Central European immigrants, mostly peddlers, begin to settle in Ann Arbor.

1845

Solomon Weil, a peddler and native of Bohemia, settles in Ann Arbor

1850

1850

In the mid-1850s, the five Weil brothers establish J. Weil and Brothers, tanners and dealers in wool and furs.

A Jewish cemetery (the first Jewish burial ground in Michigan) is established at the corner of Huron and Fletcher streets.

1880

1880

In the early 1880s, the Fantles, who operated a dry good store on Main Street, are the last Jewish family to leave Ann Arbor.

1890

1890s

In the mid-1890s, Jews begin settling in Ann Arbor once again.

The Brody and Schultz families operate a grocery store in Ypsilanti.

1900

1904

The Lansky family establishes a scrap metal business.

1913

Osias and Hannah Zwerdling hold High Holiday services in their home.

1916

Beth Israel Congregation is established, becoming the first synagogue in Ann Arbor.

1918

Pincus Gropstein is hired as the first religious functionary at Beth Israel Congregation

1920

1926

B’nai B’rith Hillel Foundation is established at the University of Michigan, becoming the third Hillel Foundation in North America.

1950

1953

Herbert Paper is appointed to the University of Michigan’s Near Eastern Studies department to teach post-biblical Hebrew.

1954

A new Jewish burial ground in Ann Arbor is established when Beth Israel Congregation purchases plots at Arborcrest Cemetery.

1956

Beth Israel Nursery School is founded. It ultimately becomes the Jewish Community Center’s pre-school program, now known as the Early Childhood Center.

1960

1961

United Jewish Appeal of Washtenaw County is founded, known today as Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor.

1965

Jewish Cultural Society is established

1966

Temple Beth Emeth is founded

1967

Jewish Community Council is founded.

1970

Early 1970s

An Orthodox minyan is established, initially under the auspices of the University of Michigan Hillel Foundation. It is known today as the Ann Arbor Orthodox Minyan.

1972

Camp Raanana, a summer day camp, is founded

The Program in Judaic Studies is established at the University of Michigan

1975

Hebrew Day School of Ann Arbor is founded

Chabad of Ann Arbor is founded

1976

Establishment of Genesis, the organization that manages the building that is shared and co-owned by Temple Beth Emeth and St. Clare of Assisi Episcopal Church.

1978

Washtenaw Jewish News begins publication

After sharing space with the University of Michigan Hillel Foundation since 1948, Beth Israel Congregation moves to its own building.

1980

1984

Jewish Community Center founded

1985

First Ann Arbor Jewish Book Fair

1986

The Jewish Community Center purchases a former public school—Clinton School—to house the JCC and its programs, including the Early Childhood Center, the Jewish Federation offices, the Hebrew Day School, and other activities.

United Jewish Appeal and the Jewish Community Council merge

1987

Founding of the Soviet Jewry Absorption Committee of Washtenaw County (SJAC) to resettle Soviet Jewish immigrants.

1988

The University of Michigan creates the Jean and Sam Frankel Center for Judaic Studies.

1990

1990

Project STaR is established in the University of Michigan School of Social Work; it is currently known as the Jewish Communal Leadership Program.

1993

Jewish Family Services is founded and assumes responsibility for resettlement efforts

1994

The Ann Arbor Reconstructionist Congregation is formally organized

Holocaust Memorial sculpture by Leonard Baskin dedicated on the University of Michigan campus.

1997

Eastern Michigan University establishes a Hillel program.

1999

Keshet, which offers after-school classes in modern Hebrew for high school students, begins operation.

2000

2001

Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor sponsors the first Main Event, featuring New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman.

2002

First Jewish Film Festival

2007

Moshav Nahalah becomes Ann Arbor’s partnership community in Israel, a program that includes an annual 9th grade student exchange.

2010

Eastern Michigan University establishes a Jewish Studies program

Ann Arbor establishes an eruv, which allows traditionally observant Jews to carry objects on Shabbat and Yom Kippur.