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.