G

iven that Ann Arbor’s Main Event will 
take place two weeks after the Nov. 5 
presidential election, the event promises 
to be an exciting and relevant discussion about 
the future of the country. 
“David Brooks brings a wealth of 
insight that will help us interpret the 
results and understand their broader 
implications for our nation’s future,” 
says Josh Pasek, professor of political 
science and communication studies at 
the University of Michigan and one of 
the events co-chairs.
Brooks will offer historical and cul-
tural perspectives for the American Jewish com-
munity, regardless of the outcome of the election.
Ann Arbor Federation’s Main Event with David 
Brooks will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 
p.m. at Washtenaw Community College’s Morris 
Lawrence Building. 
The program will also be live-streamed for 
those unable to attend in person.

ABOUT DAVID BROOKS
Brooks is a New York Times op-ed columnist and 
recurring commentator. He is known for bringing 
readers and audiences face-to-face with impactful 
and relevant topics with humor, insight and pas-
sion. 
The author of six books and a prolific columnist 
and speaker, Brooks seeks to explore and explain 
humanity and the way we live. With intellectual 
curiosity and emotional wisdom, he underscores 
the value of community and the importance of 
nourishing both the inner self and the social self 
in our journeys to live fulfilling lives. 
Brooks has been featured on NPR, New Yorker, 
Washington Post, Forbes and more. He worked as 
a writer for the Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, 
Newsweek and the Weekly Standard before joining 
the New York Times. 
Brooks’ latest release, How to Know a Person: 
The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being 
Deeply Seen, debuted on the New York Times and 
Amazon bestseller lists. In it, Brooks makes the 

case that at the center of any healthy and thriv-
ing business, organization, community or nation 
is the crucial skill of being able to see and value 
other people. 
Written to speak to audiences of all kinds, this 
book aims to give readers the tools needed to 
move beyond division and polarization and con-
nect with others on an innately human level.

ABOUT THE MAIN EVENT
Bringing the community together is a primary 
goal of the Main Event, and with the support of 
the 2024 event chairs, Alisa and Kevin Cox, and 
Laura and Josh Pasek, this year’s event will do just 
that.
“I’m honored and excited to serve as a chair for 
this year’s event,” says Laura Pasek. “Since moving 
to Ann Arbor in 2011, Josh and I have experi-
enced the warmth of this community firsthand, 
and I look forward to celebrating it at this exciting 
event.”
Kevin Cox adds, “We are excited to welcome 
David Brooks to the Ann Arbor community. 
Since we took over ownership of Moonwinks Cafe 
and Tavern, our family has been committed to 
creating spaces for meaningful engagement with 
others, while also recognizing the importance of 
self-reflection. 
“Through introspection, we can build deep-
er connections within our community. Brooks’ 
insight into social issues and collective values 
resonates with our aim of fostering both personal 
growth and a stronger, more connected commu-
nity.”

A MAIN EVENT HISTORY 
The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor 
holds an annual Main Event as a fundraiser and 
a community-building program. Past events have 
included headliners such as poet-journalist Aaron 
Dworkin, the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band and 
author Jonathan Safran Foer.
Funds raised from the event and the wider 
Annual Community Campaign will provide fund-
ing to Federation’s communal partners in Ann 
Arbor, Israel and around the world. The campaign 
also supports community-wide initiatives of the 
Federation, such as combating antisemitism and 
coordinating community-wide security needs. 
Attendees of the Main Event with David Brooks 
will be asked to support the community with 
a gift or pledge to the Jewish Federation’s 2025 
Annual Community Campaign.
For details and tickets to this year’s Main Event, 
visit www.JewishAnnArbor.org or call (734) 677-
0100. 

Rachel Wall is communications and development director at the 

Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor. 

Politics expert David Brooks to share election results 
insights at Ann Arbor Jewish Federation’s Main Event.

Election Aftermath 
is the Hot Topic 

David 
Brooks

OUR COMMUNITY

14 | NOVEMBER 7 • 2024 J
N

RACHEL WALL SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Community members enjoy 
last year’s Main Event.

