18 | FEBRUARY 22 • 2024 J
N

S

ocial entrepreneur, 
poet-journalist, 
filmmaker and author 
Aaron Dworkin will headline 
this year’s Jewish Federation 
of Greater Ann Arbor Main 
Event on Wednesday, March 
13. Dworkin will share his 
story of growing up with 
multiple identities and how 
his experiences influenced his 
professional path, including 
his profound and cutting-
edge work as founder of the 
Sphinx Organization. He 
will share excerpts from his 
newest book and perform his 
spoken word poetry. 
The Federation will also 
honor Jonathan Trobe 
and Joan Lowenstein with 
its second annual Pillar 
Award, which recognizes 
volunteer contributions to 
the community related to 
the Federation’s three pillars: 
Philanthropy, Engagement 
and Convening. 
The event takes place 
in-person at Washtenaw 
Community College’s 
Morris Lawrence Building. 
The program with Aaron 
Dworkin will be livestreamed 
for those unable to attend in 
person.

Bringing the 
community 
together is a 
primary goal of 
the Main Event 
and, with the 
support of the 
fantastic Host 
and Planning 
Committee as 
well as 2024 
Event Chairs 
Leonard and 
Marilyn Kirsch 
and Peter and 
Jennifer VanBeck, this year’s 
event will do just that. 

OUR COMMUNITY

Jonathan 
Trobe

Joan 
Lowenstein

Aaron 
Dworkin

Ann Arbor 
 Federation’s 
Main Event

Founder of the Sphinx Organization 
Aaron Dworkin to headline.

GULIA CHERNYAK SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

DWIGHT CENDROWSKI/NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS