Jewish Culture in Ann Arbor

In 1845, the state of Michigan’s first Jewish service was held in Ann Arbor, serving the large number of Bavarian Jews who had settled in the area between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. With the 1847 relocation of the University of Michigan, a significant number of Jewish students came to Ann Arbor from Detroit and eventually settled around the University after graduating. Since then, Ann Arbor’s Jewish population has continued to grow and flourish.Beth Israel Congregation in Ann Arbor (Photo by Dwight Burdette)

Today, Ann Arbor offers a diverse array of religious congregations, communal agencies, social organizations, and annual events dedicated to the large Jewish community. Many of these groups and programs are housed within the local Jewish Community Center, including the Washtenaw Jewish Federation and Hebrew Day School. With services for youth, families, young adults, and seniors, Ann Arbor is an ideal place for Jews of any age.