Beineinu - February/March/April 2018

Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Beineinu adar | nisan 5778 february 16 - april 15, 2018

Beineinu • adar | nisan • Cover1

table of contents Purim Paloozaa guide to passover Jewish Continuity

announcements | pg. 5 - 7 From the Rabbi by Rabbi Neil Sandler | pg. 9 Kesher@AA: from the director of education by Marc Silberstein | pg. 10 Sisterhood | pg. 11 - 12 The True Meaning of Minyan by Shari Neumann | pg. 13 - 14 Ahava ELC: A message From the Director by Hannah Williams | pg. 15

Social Action

rediscovering ourselves through "the other" by rabbi Laurence Rosenthal | pg. 13 Hunger seder 2018 by Harold Kirtz | pg. 14 Blood Drive by Gail Solomon | pg. 15 Hunger Walk 2018 | Pg. 15 Lobby Day | pg. 15 Jews in the pews in the news featuring Daniel Stern | pg. 16

Cultural Arts and Education

Holocaust Memorial Torah Presentation | pg. 17 Cultural Arts performance series - 38th season | pg. 17 The power of song: A journey of the soul and spirit by rabi laurence rosenthal | pg. 18 - 19

Capital Campaign News Calendar and volunteer Corrections from kislev | tevet | shevat 5778 issue We regret the following errors from the previous edition of Beineinu:

pg. 2 | Jewish Continuity > Babies > Charleigh Blake Gilsten

Grandparents: Sara Fran and Wayne Neuwirth; Wendy and the late Charles Gilsten (z"l) (see reprint on pg. 5) Great Grandparents: The late Barbara (z"l) and Herbert Neuwirth; Martha English (see reprint on pg. 5)

pg. 3 | Jewish Continuity > B'nai mitzvah > zachary drew friedman

Grandparents: Sandi and Gerald Friedman and Shelley and Howie Shapiro (see reprint on pg. 5)

About the cover

Seder (from the Tradition Series) by Flora Rosefsky Seder, from Flora Rosefsky’s “Tradition Series,” shows her family sitting around their Seder table. The William Breman Jewish Home commissioned Flora to create 12 Jewish lifecycle and holiday drawings to frame and display in their new, skilled nursing home building.

They wanted each illustration to show an “intergenerational” concept. Flora used her father-in-law, Harry Rosefsky (of blessed memory) as her model for the “senior citizen” in the drawings and also other members of her family. The items on the Seder table, as well as the Hagaddahs, are all from the Rosefsky personal Judaica collection. The illustrations came from Flora’s recent background and background from growing-up in a Conservative synagogue. There is a large framed print of Seder in the collection of Temple Israel in Binghamton,NY (the Rosefsky’s former Conservative synagogue). AA has framed prints of three of the twelve prints from the Tradition Series on display in the administrative offices: Dance, Tea in the Sukkah, and Simchat Torah.

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Purim P a looz

Sun. February 25 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Megillah Reading 10:15 - 11:00 AM | Ellman Chapel

food trucks

2018 Hunger walk/run Georgia State Stadium

11:00 am - 12:30 pm

After the carnival, and in the spirit of Matanot L’evyonim, we invite everyone to join the AA team, Sally’s Friends, in the 2018 Hunger Walk!

Mighty Munchkins 0-5 years and families

Wed. February 28

Jolly Juniors & Totally Teens

Esther’s Ball

Kindergarten through 12th graders

Adults Only celebration 18+

5:30 pm | Paradies Hall

Full Megillah Reading 6:30 pm | Ellman Chapel

Tickets for the carnival are $18 per family and $10 per individual. Purchase your ticket at aasynagogue.org/event/purimpaloozaa. Questions? Contact Nicole Flom at nflom@aasynagogue.org.

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guide to passover

proper passover observance at home What is Chametz?

If wheat, barley, oats, rye or spelt come in contact with water after being cut off from the ground, it becomes fermented or chametz. The term chametz also applies to dishes and utensils which have been in contact with chametz food during the year.

What is Matzah?

Matzah is made from the same five grains listed above as chametz. But, unlike chametz, matzah is one of these same flours mixed with water and baked in less than 18 minutes. Matzah is both the bread of affliction and the bread of freedom.

Why must we clean our house thoroughly?

The rule against chametz during Pesach applies not only to eating but also to enjoyment (hana’ah) and so involves removing all the chametz from one’s home. No chametz is even allowed to be in the possession of a Jew during Pesach. To facilitate this cleaning, the following rituals are part of Pesach preparations (the text for the ceremonies can be found in a Haggadah).

From this moment on, the entire house should be “Pesadik.” No chametz dishes, utensils or pots may be utilized.

3. Mechirat Chametz: We are not always able to destroy or get rid of all the chametz. It may be economically disastrous. So the rabbis ordained a symbolic sale and later buy-back of chametz (see form on next page).

What foods require rabbinic supervision?

Matzah, noodles, candies, cakes, beverages, canned and processed foods, butter, jam, cheese, jelly, relishes, wines, liquors, salad oils, canned vegetables, gelatin, shortening and vinegar. The “Kosher L'Pesach’’ label or tag without rabbinic signature is of no value. This applies to products made in America, Europe, or Israel.

What foods may not be used during Pesach?

All these foods are considered chametz and may not be used during Pesach: leavened bread, cakes, biscuits, crackers, cereals, wheat, barley, oats, rye, spelt, rice, peas, dried beans and 1. Bedikat Chametz - Thursday Evening, March liquids which contain ingredients made from 29: We search for chametz using a candle, grain alcohol. feather, and disposable spoon. We renounce ownership of any chametz that we may have What foods require no certification? inadvertently missed.

Pure, natural coffee-instant or ground, sugar (not confectioners or powdered brown sugar), 2. Be’ur Chametz - Friday Morning, March 30: saccharin, tea, salt, pepper, vegetables (dried The burning of chametz should be carried out beans and peas are forbidden, string beans on Friday morning, March 30, before noon. are permitted), pure garlic, onion powder, Then we recite the Be’ur Chametz declaration. dried fruit, honey, Hershey’s cocoa, pure

unadulterated saffiower or soy bean oil, nuts (except legumes), dish detergents and scouring powders. These items should be bought before Pesach and remain unopened until Pesach.

Fruits and vegetables are permitted for Pesach when packaged in water or their own juices.

Avoid cans or packages containing added ingredients.

Can we eat legumes (kitniyot)?

In the fall of 2015, the Rabbinical Assembly’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards passed two responsa which permit the consumption of legumes (kitnyot) by Ashkenazim. For specific guidance, please consult the rabbis.

May tuna and salmon be used?

Oil packaging introduces an uncertain element possibly contain­ing additional ingredients.

Therefore, use the packed in “spring water” variety and purchase it before Pesach. Tuna with vegetable broth is not permitted.

May milk without a Hechsher be used?

With modern production, there is little chance for milk to contain any chametz. Milk produced before Pesach is permitted, so buy milk before noon on Friday, March 30. Milk may be frozen.

May I continue to take my medicine?

Since chametz binders are used in many pills, the following guide­lines are followed: if the medicine is required for life-sustaining therapy, it may be used for Pesach. In all cases, caplets are preferable.

Which utensils may be "kashered?"

T

he process of kashering utensils depends on how the utensils are used. According to halacha, leaven can be purged from a utensil by the same process in which it was adsorbed in the utensil. Therefore, utensils used in cooking are kashered by boiling. Those used only for cold foods are kashered by rinsing.

Earthenware/China China, pottery, etc., may not be kashered.

However, fine trans­lucent china which has not been used for over a year may be used if scoured and cleaned in hot water.

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Silverware Silverware made entirely of metal may be kashered by scouring thoroughly and then immersing in boiling water. They are then pesachdik and parve.

Glassware All table glassware is permit­ted after thorough scouring. There is also a practice of soaking glassware for 72 hours before Pesach.

Detergents If permitted during the year, powdered and

liquid detergents do not require a “Kosher L'Pesach” label.

Pots and Pans Pots and pans wholly made of metal and used for cooking purposes only (not for baking) must first be scrubbed thoroughly, cleaned and completely immersed in boiling water. Pots should have water boiled in them which will overflow the rim. Utensils should not be used for a period of at least 24 hours between the

cleaning and immersion in boiling water.

Tie a string around the utensil and im­merse completely in boiling water. For small items, a cord-netting can be used to dip several at once.

Microwave Ovens These present a special case since the inside surfaces do not become hot. We recommend a thor­ough cleaning and then placing a dish of water in the oven and allowing it to boil.

Dishwasher Thoroughly scour with boiling water and then run it empty for two cycles, one with soap and one without.

Ovens Every part that comes in contact with food must

be scrubbed and cleaned thoroughly. Then the oven should be heated as hot as possible for half an hour. If there is a broil setting, use it. If it has a self-cleaning cycle, use it, too. Continuous cleaning ovens must be kashered in the same manner as regular ovens.

Electrical Appliances If the parts that come in contact with chametz are removable, they can be kashered in the appropriate way. If metal, follow the rules for metal utensils. If the parts are not removable, the appliance cannot be koshered. All exposed parts should be cleaned thoroughly.

Refrigerator Remove all chametz food and opened pack­ages.

Clean thoroughly with boiling water and scour

the racks. Frozen chametz foods should be put in a special closed-off section and should be sold with chametz.

Tables, Closets, Counters If used with chametz, they should be thor­oughly cleaned and covered. They may then be used.

Kitchen Sink If used with chametz, thoroughly clean and cover. Then it may be used. If, however, dishes are to be soaked in a porcelain sink, then a dish basin must be used.

Chametz and Non-Passover Utensils Non-Passover dishes, pots and chametz (whose ownership has been transferred) should be separated, locked up, covered and marked to prevent accidental use.

passover information *Please see the calendar for a full schedule of Passover services Maot Chitim The Annual Maot Chitim drive is underway.

Maot Chitim ("wheat money") is an ancient custom in which Jews provide funds to other Jews in need for the purchase of Passover food.

Inspired by the passage from the Haggadah, "All who are hungry, let them enter and eat; all who are in need, let them come celebrate Pesach." JF&CS supports a group of dedicated volunteers who have taken on the responsibility of Maot Chitim in Atlanta. They coordinate distribution of food and financial assistance for Jewish families. Please use JF&CS's online form at http://bit.ly/2nu3o99 to make a donation. If you need assistance, please contact JFC&S at 770.677.9300. Your call will be confidential.

Mechirat Chametz: "Sell" Your Chametz The Torah commands us that chametz shall not be found in your dwelling places during the Festival of Passover. The literal meaning is that all chametz food and utensils must be cast away.

This poses a great financial hardship. Hence, we "sell" the chametz to a non-Jew who would then own the chametz for the duration of the holiday.

It is customary to appoint an agent, usually a rabbi, to sell the chametz and then repurchase it. To appoint a rabbi, please complete the form below and send it to Rabbi Sandler by noon on Thursday, March 29. It is customary to include a contribution to our community's Maos Chitim.

Sefirat Ha-Omer Commences Sefirat Ha-Omer, the counting of the Omer, begins on the second night of Passover and continues until Shavuot. This seven-week period links Passover, which celebrates our physical free­dom, to Shavuot, which celebrates the spiritual freedom we achieve through Torah.

Each night during this period we count aloud the night of the Omer.

During the time of the Temple, a barley offering of an omer, a measure of grain, was brought to the Temple on the second night of Pesach, hence the name. Traditionally this period is a time of semi-mourning, in commemoration of the Temple and in remembrance of a plague which devastated the Jewish community during the time of Rabbi Akiva in the 2nd Century CE.

Authorization of Agent to Sell Chametz I, hereby authorize Rabbi Neil Sandler to act as my agent to sell all chametz that may be in my possession, whether at home, at place of business or elsewhere in accordance with the requirements and provisions of Jewish Law. Signature: Home Address: Business Address: Please return to AA by noon on Thursday, March 29 - forms will not be accepted after this time except by one of the rabbis.

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Jewish continuity babIes

mazal tov to the loved ones of the newest additions to our Jewish community!

Eleanor Layla Konter born October 1 Parents Aaron Konter and Samantha Torch

Grandparents Roslyn and Darryl Konter; Robin and Dr. Evan Torch Great-Grandparents Harold Vrono

Lila Samantha Eisenman born October 10 Parents Melissa and Daniel Eisenman

Jonah Clark Eisner born November 27 Parents Ana-Maria and Jordan Eisner

Ruby Fay Hirsch born December 27 Parents Amanda and Adam Hirsch

Grandparents Rabbi Bernard and Billie Eisenman

Grandparents Steven Garber and Lori Rich; Rae and Martin Bruce Hirsch

Sibling Sydney Eisenman

Great-Grandparents Shirley Rich

b'nai mitzvah

mazal tov to our young members and their loved ones on this milestone

Zachary drew Friedman Eitan Ehud ben Yared v'Batya

charleigh blake gilsten born july 25

Parents Michael Gilsten and Lauren Neuwirth Gilsten Grandparents Sara Fran and Wayne Neuwirth; Wendy and the late Charles Gilsten (z"l) Great-Grandparents The late Barbara (z"l) and Herbert Neuwirth; Martha English

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Zach Friedman celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on October 28, 2017.

Zach is the son of Beth and Jared Friedman and grandson of Sandi and Gerald Friedman and Shelley and Howie Shapiro. He has two brothers, Jake and Nate. For his Mitzvah Project, Zach volunteered for Friendship Circle of Atlanta. Mazal Tov, Zach!

Carson David Bates Yosef David ben Yehezkel v'Gila Elishvea

Carson Bates celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on January 13, 2018.

Carson is the son of Jill and Todd Bates. He is the grandson of Joan and Louis Bates and Joan and Sam Lockridge. Mazal Tov, Carson!

Benjamin Louis Barrish Ben Tzion Lev ben Yisrael v'Ami

Benjamin celebrated his Bar Mitzvah on January 13, 2018.

Benjamin is the son of Amie and Jonathan Barrish, the grandson of Judy and Allen Soden and Marilynn and Jack Barrish, and brother of Dina Barrish. For his Mitzvah Project, Benjamin organized an after-school dance party for the 5th-8th graders at his school, Solomon Schecter Day School (Deerfield, Illinois), to raise money for hurricane flood relief. Over 60 students attended, and he was able to raise over $750.

Mazal Tov, Ben!

from the strategic planning committee The Strategic Planning Steering Committee has been hard at work as our process continues to evolve. In December, we attended a special synagogue board meeting guided by Bob Leventhal from USCJ, which was the first step in moving forward with task forces on specific topics. After the board meeting, we attended a special meeting, guided by USCJ, with USCJ's Bob Leventhal and Nadine Kochavi and five other congregations participating in this year’s strategic planning initiative. Our primary focus on task forces gave us insight into the formation and scope of the task force aspect of our strategic plan. The task forces will delve deep into their respective areas and create specific recommendations for our new strategic plan. We intend for the task forces to complete their work within three months. The six task forces are: Governance, Finance, Communication, Spirituality, Congregational Engagement, and Youth Engagement. We will keep the congregation informed as our work progresses.

Beineinu deadlines The deadline to submit content for the next Beineinu is March 5, 2018. The issue will cover events during the months of Iyar and Sivan (April 16 - June 13).

The rest of the Beineinu dates for 2018 are as follows: • Tammuz/Av (June 14 – August 11, 2018) Content deadline May 2 • Elul/Tishrei/Cheshvan (August 12 - November 8Content deadline July 3 • Kislev/Tevet/Shevat (November 9 - February 5, 2019) Content deadline October 3

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engagements & weddings

mazal tov to the newly engaged/married couples and their loved ones!

Jake Greenberg & Ilyssa Scheinbach Nancy and Michael Greenberg are proud to announce the marriage of their son Dr. Jake Greenberg to Dr. Ilyssa Scheinbach. Ilyssa is the daughter of Linda and Dr. Alan Scheinbach of Old Westbury, New York. Ilyssa and Jake were married on November 11, 2017 in Maspeth, New York and are now residing in West Hartford, CT with their dog Colbie.

Thad Ribner & Brienna Stammer Thad Ribner and Brienna Stammer are happy to announce their engagement.

They will be married on March 18, 2018 in Key West, FL. Brienna holds a BA from UVA and an MPA from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is employed as the Training and Outreach Coordinator for the Virginia Victims Fund, a state agency which serves victims of violent crime. Thad holds BS and MS degrees in mechanical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is employed as a Senior Mechanical Engineer at HDT, in Fredericksburg, VA, which designs and makes expeditionary systems. Brienna is the daughter of Richard Stammer (z"l) and Bernadene Stammer of Chincoteague, VA. Thad is the son of Bruce and Barbara Ribner of Atlanta.

Ethan Wohl & Michelle Kupshik Ethan Wohl and Michelle Kupshik are happy to announce their engagement.

They will be married on June 3, 2018.

Michelle holds a BS in biology from the University of North Carolina in Asheville and a Masters of Medical Science from Emory University. She is an Anesthesia P.A. at Emory Hospital. Ethan holds a BS from the University of North Carolina in Asheville and is in his fourth year at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Michelle is the daughter of Dr. Hilton and Janet Kupshik and granddaughter of Dr. Henry and Alice Caplan (z"1) and Katie and Morris Kupshik (z"1). Ethan is the son of Lisa and Barry Wohl of Charlotte, North Carolina and the grandson of Olga and Israel Farber (z"1) and Alayne Wohl and Roy Wohl (z"1).

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in memoriam

May God comfort the friends and family of...

Barbara Kahn

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO husband Robert, sons Ian (Lynn) and Russell Kahn, daughter Elysa (Troy) Sexton, grandchildren Spencer Kahn, Liam Sexton, Devan Sexton, Greher Sexton, and brother David (Pat) Somerstein.

Herbert Karp

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO wife Estelle, children Sharon (Bob) Levi and Lauri (Steve) Lavine, grandchildren Audra (Jason) Priluck, Traci (Jeff) Wilensky, and Chad (Julia) Lavine, and greatgrandchildren Justin and Garrett Priluck, Ava and Dylan Wilensky and Olivia Lavine.

herbert gershon

Lee Bachman

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO husband Gilbert Bachman, children David (Marjorie Rath) Bachman, Jeff (Anne) Bachman, Glenn (Carol Bachman-Dlin) Bachman and Barbara Bachman (Matthew) Barnes, grandchildren Daniel Bachman, Mark Bachman, Kate Bachman, Laura Bachman Andrews, Jennifer Bachman (Jonathan)Miller, Stuart Bachman (Blanton) Winborne, Kathryn Bachman (Michael) Cagle, Taylor Bachman, Reese Bachman, Yeshai (Sarah)Dlin, Oren Dlin, Ronen Dlin and Raviv Dlin, and great-grandchildren Brooklyn Andrews, Katherine Andrews, Whitley Cagle, Elliott Dlin, Laura Dlin, Charlie Miller, Gray Winborne and Parker Winborne.

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO sisters Phyllis (Joseph) Arnold and Elaine Beeber, sons Eric (Joan) and Josh Gershon, daughter Gina (Jim) Wakeman, and grandchildren Nate Wakeman and Eli Gershon.

samuel Kron

Sylvia Rosenberg

Sidney Stein

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO wife Rachel, daughter Faina (Alex) Sporn, son Jacob (Sasha) Kron, and grandchildren Elana, Michaela, Abigail, Marc and Sabi.

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO sons WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO wife Fred (Robin) and Steven (Carrie) Rosenberg Eunice Feldman Stein, children Donnie and daughter Linda (Ronald) Daitz.

(Patty) Stein, Stanley (Judy) Stein, and Sara (Lance) Borochoff, grandchildren James Paradies Jennifer (Michael) Kahan, Joshua (Dana) WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO his Stein, Benjamin (Nadine) Stein, Emily children Cindy Paradies and Larry Moscow, (Neil) Halpern, Elise (David) Baumgarten Gregg and Beth Paradies, and Jill Paradies, and Daniel Borochoff, nine greatgrandchildren Dorrie, Brooke, Katie, Alex, grandchildren, and numerous adoring Nikki, Molly, Kelsie and Jason, and sisters nieces and nephews.

Doris Haber and Janice Shoob.

Leon Abramson

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO daughter Marcia (Larry) Spielberger, granddaughter Julie Korotkin (Stephen Laughlin), and great-grandsons Syrus and Liam Laughlin.

Benjamin Wertheimer

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO daughter and son-in-law Mindy Wertheimer and Ira Katz, son and daughter-in-law Howard and Carla Wertheimer and grandchildren Jessica, Leanna, Marissa, Alex and Cody.

Robert Wender

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO wife Lorraine, son David, daughter Sheri (Pace) Chambless, granddaughters Marnie and Frankie Chambless (Harold), grandson Liam, and brother Bill (Lois) Wender.

Goldstein, and Matthew Goldstein, and great-grandchildren Amber Brooks, Donovan Brooks, Brooklyn Avren, Deacon Avren, Avren Dodd, and William Dodd. his sister, Eleanor Cohen and many nieces and nephews.

Irving Bravman

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO wife Marilyn, daughters Susan Bravman and Betsy Halpern, grandchildren Danielle and Sam Halpern and brother David Bravman.

Judith Smith

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO her daughter Karen Chernoff, son Michael (Vicki) Smith, brother Burton Gershon, sister Marion (Myron) Radwin, grandchildren Brian, Jeffrey, Alison and Brad and five great-grandchildren.

claire baron

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO husband Harry, daughter Babarba Schafer, sons Robbie (Nancy) and Stuart Baron, grandchildren Amy (Louis) Alterman, Harold (Liann) and Piper Baron, and Madison, Ashley, Justin and Cameron Schafer, and six great-grandchildren.

Dr. Sheldon Cohen

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO daughter Andrea, sons Bruce and Steven (Jennifer) Cohen and grandchildren Ari, Naomi, and Simon.

Tatiana (Tonia) Ulman

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO daughter Andrea, sons Bruce and Steven (Jennifer) Cohen and grandchildren Ari, Naomi, and Simon.

Herbert Goldstein

WE EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO wife Mary, his daughters Susan Goldstein and Paula Goldstein Shea; his sons Jacob Goldstein and Philip M. Goldstein and Philip's wife, Elise, grandchildren Rachel (Eric) Dodd, Joshua (Meredith) Avren, Jonathan Avren, Nathan (Sonja) Shea, Daniel Shea, Joseph Goldstein, David

along with the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem 7 • Beineinu • Adar | Nisan

Look familiar?

We’re here to help.

Call or email us at 770.677.9474 or counseling@jfcsatl.org.

Child counseling, psychoeducational testing, family therapy, and parenting support.

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From the Rabbi

by rabbi Neil Sandler

S

everal months ago, our heads turned so quickly we became dizzy every time we received news alerts on our smart phones or watched the evening news and learned about the latest well-known man who had been accused of sexual impropriety, harassment or worse. In many instances, the men were compelled to resign or step back from significant responsibilities.

We could hardly keep up with it all.

As I reflect on that strange time of revelations I realize that too much attention was paid to the perpetrators of such actions, and insufficient attention was given to those women who had suffered in silence, many of them for years. We learned a lot about what the men allegedly did, how they made light of women or bullied them into submission. In most instances, we learned much less about the women – about what the effects, especially the long – term ones, were on them.

We learned very little about what it meant to be violated in these ways. In a very real sense, these women, and many other women we will never hear about, were slaves to these men.

By “slaves” I do not mean to refer to “sex slaves” or slavery in the ordinary way we might use that word today. By calling these victims of sexual abuse and harassment “slaves,” I mean that certain men perceived them as subservient to them. These women had a purpose; it was to satisfy the perverse needs of these men.

By calling these women “slaves,” I mean to say there was absolutely nothing any of them (and the many other women unknown to us) could have done to alter these men’s views of them. In that sense, they were mere objects to these men - there to take care of them.

In that sense, they were “slaves.”

The “Me Too” response that followed the initial revelations on social media was a liberation movement, unlike any other liberation movement we have known since the women’s liberation movement in the 1960’s. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of women were able to open a place in themselves that they had closed off.

They felt empowered in a deep, meaningful and lasting way.

This Passover I will be thinking about them and about this latest liberation movement in our society. I hope you will do the same.

Maybe we can even speak about it at our seder tables.

In an act in our Haggadah known as Yachatz, we break the middle of three matzot on our seder table in half. The larger half will be the afikoman, the source of great fun later at the end of our meal.

But we immediately offer words that are anything but fun. In fact, every year they challenge us. This year, perhaps, they can challenge us in a new way: “Ha lachma anya – This is the bread of affliction which our ancestors ate in Egypt. Let all who are hungry enter and eat; let all

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who are in need come to our Passover meal…”

For countless years, a number of women have “eaten” a bread of affliction. They were “slaves.” They could not bring themselves to speak of their experiences. Any number of factors served to silence them. They went on about the business of their lives, many of them quite successfully. But somewhere in the recesses of their beings, there was some “bread of affliction.” Now, we hope, they no longer need to remain silent. They can speak of these painful circumstances even when they cannot do anything to make them right. Nonetheless, they can speak. They can act. The heroic strength and words of others have empowered them.

In the past several months, a number of women have liberated a part of themselves that had not been free. Now they can join us at the Passover seder table in new ways. Perhaps they can speak to us about how this liberation feels and about what it means to them.

That would bring us blessings.

May the Holy One, the One who brought us out of bondage, bring blessings to all who feel they have been liberated from their places of bondage.

Susan joins me in wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy and Healthy Passover!

Kesher@AA

From the Director of Education by marc silberstein

I

t is hard to explain the experience of returning to a place where you grew up as a child and adolescent as a grown-professional. I see faces that I remember as a child, wandering the halls of this building, with the same kind eyes that taught me as a youth.

Multiple times a day, my senses are captured by a memory I had long forgotten. It is difficult to pinpoint the catalyst for all of these encounters with my past, because it is extremely present.

After some reflection, I finally found the word to sum it all up, my “base.” So much of what I am founded upon, including my lineage, life-experiences, and values, came from this place, the AA Synagogue. In many ways, it feels like this came from a natural progression; however, on the contrary, it involved deliberation, sacrifice, and ultimately decisions reflected in my choices as well as the choices of my parents.

to strengthen relationships, and to learn something new. When talking with my peers, we often referred to that room simply as the “Beis,” short for Beis Medrish, which is the traditional Ashekenazi pronunciation of Beit Midrash. The Beis soon took on the literal meaning of a ‘House.” It is where we gathered; it is where we struggled, and it is where we celebrated.

It is with this imagery and memories in mind that I would like to introduce The Beis@AA. The Beis will encompass everything the Youth and Family Education Department creates, and it will be guided by the value of bringing a variety of people together to create substantive and authentic Jewish experiences. The Beis@AA also connects to its homonym, base. Our early Jewish experiences form the foundation for the identity we want to create as adults.

It is our collective responsibility to create a Jewish environment for our children that they will see as mindful, meaningful, and representative of the values we want them to carry on as they mature. I look forward to working with each of you on building our Beis, and ensuring the legacy we have inherited continues into the next generation.

B’Shalom, Marc

A funny thing happened - the more I repeated the word ‘base’ to myself. I quickly associated it with a completely different experience in my life - my time at the Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem. The Pardes Institute was founded in 1971 as one of the first co-educational institutions of Jewish education in Israel. It was founded solely on the premise to “provide [the] entree of Jewish learning with no other agenda than to facilitate knowledge…” In many ways, it was a normal yeshiva (Jewish learning institution). Students scurried from class to class with stacks of books, and impassioned arguments were heard through the hallways. The important difference between Pardes and other yeshivot (plural for yeshiva) are the stories and backgrounds the students brought with them. They were far from homogenous, and the students brought these incredibly diverse backgrounds into their learning. This was a space without judgement: where authenticity and an open mind were the only prerequisites.

The center of our school was the Beit Midrash (House of Study.)

Our Beit Midrash was more like a room, but it served as the hub for growth and offered a multitude of chances for people to grow,

enrollment is open!

Welcome to a place where time stands still, where clocks are turned back, where laughter abounds, where everyone is welcome, where friendships are formed, and where every day brings new opportunities to explore the beautiful traditions of Jewish life. Welcome to Camp Ramah Darom (www.ramahdarom.org/camp).

Enroll your child for Summer Camp 2018! Visit www.ramahdarom.org for more information about camp summer offerings.

10 • Beineinu • Adar | Nisan

Beineinu • adar | nisan • 10

sisterhood

From the Co-chairs

by Debra Elovich & Judy Marx

W

inter always seems like a good time to hibernate, especially this year with so much snow! Rather than staying in and staying warm, the AA Sisterhood has been busy with programs and planning. In the past two months so much has happened.

As part of Sisterhood’s ongoing support of our Synagogue’s schools, both Kesher@AA and Ahava, Sara Hoffenberg and Rachel Avchen delivered Chanukah goodies, dreydels, and gelt to the students and teachers.

The Z’havah wine and cheese event was fun and tasty! Thanks to Allison Feldman and Rachael Joseph for pulling it all together, even with an impending snow storm.

This year’s Sisterhood Shabbat, “From Our Mothers to Us,” was a true celebration of the women of AA Synagogue. We recognized our accomplished “Sisters” and the work we do together to support our community. Special thanks to Fran Galishoff for coordinating all the pieces of the Shabbat service and kiddush. It was great to see women take on the D’var Torah, Torah reading and other parts of the service.

Sisterhood invited the congregation to the 3rd Annual AJFF Preview Party on Sunday January 7, organized by Brenda Silverman and Delcy Harber. Our own Judy Marx, founding director of AJFF, showed trailers, talked about festival trends and gave us her picks for the festival. We are very grateful for AA staff, especially Miriam Habif, who worked out the set-up and the technology.

We also enjoyed a tour of the inspirational exhibit at The Breman Museum that tells the story of Georgia’s oldest Jewish non-profit organization, the Jewish Education Loan Fund (JELF): a truly a powerful story of how philanthropy and a deep commitment to education can transform a community and leave a profound legacy. Marianne Garber, a longtime member of Ahavath Achim, led us through the exhibit with personal stories and experiences.

There are still lots of ways to get involved in Sisterhood. Now is the time for you to find your place in with us. Be a part of what is happening. Volunteer to help for one event, or join us at our gatherings: Naomi’s Book Club, Latte & Learn, Rosh Chodesh or our any of our upcoming programs! Then after you’ve had a wonderful time, you’ll invite your friends to join you at the next event, and before you know it, Sisterhood will be your home too!

As always, we look forward to connecting with you, hearing your ideas, and just saying "Hi!" Z’havah women enjoying delicious cheese and sipping wine at CalyRoad Creamery in Sandy Springs.

leadership opportunities & membership The AA Sisterhood Nominating Committee will begin the process of bringing in new leaders. If you are interested in a leadership role as we welcome in the next century of AA Sisterhood, please contact Debra or Judy.

From Generation to Generation and From Strength to Strength: Join Sisterhood Today!

Every woman counts for Sisterhood to grow and thrive. Basic membership dues are $45, but we encourage you to join at a Chai-er level. Your generous dues and donations are vital for Sisterhood to continue to offer programs and projects that strengthen and sustain our Jewish values.

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Did you know you can join Sisterhood online?

Visit aasynagogue.org/synagogue-life/sisterhood to join and find out more about our community.

Questions?

Contact Alyson Lapes at 404.630.9483 or Debra Siegel at 404.509.6115.

Sisterhood's 77th Donor Event Sunday, March 18 | 11 am - 1 pm | Srochi Auditorium

Join us for our 77th Annual Donor Event! The event will feature music by the renowned chorus of Congregation Bet Haverim. The cost to register is $35 per person plus donor contribution. Lunch will be catered by Chef Alex. RSVP by March 9 - visit aasynagogue.org/event/donorevent77 OR mail a check, payable to Ahavath Achim Sisterhood, to Betty Behr (978 Wescott Ln, Atlanta, GA 30319). Childcare will be available - if you are in need of childcare, please contact Brooke Rosenthal at cambrya@hotmail.com.

Don't forget to join us for...

donor medallion tea

tuesday, march 6 | 12 - 1:30 pm | the home of elisa ezor 3825 Dumbarton rd nw, atlanta, 30327 Join us in honoring Diamond, Platinum, and Gold Medallion donors!

The event will feature a special program with Esther Levine: Fun Stories of Renowned Authors. RSVP by February 27 to Sherry Habif at sherryhabif@aol. com or 404.966.1746. A special thanks to Esther Levine for donating the tea service.

rosh chodesh Since ancient times, ritual and lore have linked women to the New Moon. Today gatherings to celebrate Rosh Chodesh are widespread. Join Sisterhood for personal and spiritual growth through discussion with other women, followed by refreshments and time to socialize. You, too, can lead one of our sessions or be a host. AA Sisterhood's Rosh Chodesh discussion group meets monthly at 7:30 pm. For more information and to register, contact Susan Sandler at shsand3@bellsouth.net. See page 24 for dates and locations.

Rosh Chodesh

z'havah silk painting class Sunday, march 11 | 2 - 4 pm | Ahava's Atelier (art room)

Make a silk challah cover! Join Z'havah for a silk painting class with silk artist, Hellenne Vermillion. Register ($40) at aasynagogue.org/event/silk-painting. RSVP by Wednesday, March 7. For more information, please contact Rachael Joseph at rachaelfjoseph@gmail.com.

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WLCJ Southern Region Conference April 22 - 24 | Congregation B'nai Torah

The Women’s League for Conservative Judaism's Southern Region Conference, “Many Strong and Beautiful Women,” will be held at B'nai Torah from April 22 - 24. During this conference we will have the opportunity to reconnect with each other, meet new friends, learn from a variety of workshops, celebrate the success of the departing Board, welcome the new Board, and honor a deserving Sisterhood member. More information will be available soon.

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The True Meaning of minyan by congregant, Shari Neumann

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hen you look up the word “minyan” in the dictionary you see the following: "a quorum of ten men (or in some synagogues, men and women) over the age of 13 required for traditional Jewish public worship." You may say, yeah, that seems about right, but in my experience over the past 12 months, I think that definition is incomplete.

You see, my dad, Dr. LeRoy Neumann, passed away the end of December in 2016.

He had dementia, which kicked in about two years prior, and, because of it, he had ups and downs, mentally and physically.

Every once in a while, this brought on other complications, but he managed to beat them and move on. So, last year in mid-December, when I went home to Detroit to check on him after yet another complication, I expected him to beat it.

I was wrong – he passed away while I was there visiting, and I was so devastated. He left a big hole in my heart, and, on top of that, I had tons of regrets – things I wish I had done or done differently. I’ve never considered myself emotionally strong, so I didn’t know how I would be able to deal with all of it.

My dad was very well known in the Detroit Jewish community. He was a long-time member of Shaarey Zedek, where he went to shul every Shabbos and for all the holidays. And while I had a strong Jewish identity, (I went to Hebrew school throughout high school, didn’t eat Treif, and had been to Israel a few times) I was more of a "High Holiday Jew." In fact, I didn’t even belong to a shul here in Atlanta.

Then, I would have been classified as a “disenfranchised” Jew – Jewish but not an integral part of the Jewish community. As a single woman, I felt uncomfortable going to a synagogue by myself. I didn’t grow up in Atlanta and didn’t know a lot of local Jewish people - most of my friends weren’t Jewish as they were people I met from work. Year after year, my parents begged me to get involved in the Atlanta Jewish community, but I didn’t have the interest or, so I thought, a need for it. Besides, with a hectic job, I didn’t have the time.

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I finally decided to join a synagogue back in September of 2016 and chose Ahavath Achim. My dad had just experienced another complication and 1) I wanted to push myself to go to shul to make a Meshaberach for him, and; 2) I knew his time was limited - he might only be around for another year or two - and I realized it was time for me to start building a connection with a synagogue, so when the time came, I had a support system of rabbis and a place where I could go to say Kaddish for my dad. I joined AA and, in November, went to my first service as a member.

Not long after I arrived and sat down, a woman walked down from the bimah and approached me. She introduced herself “Hi, I’m Nancy Canter Weiner. Welcome to Ahavath Achim." She asked me, "Who are you and what brought you here today?" - I told her I just joined. I remember seeing another friendly face, Arthur Povlot, whom I met a number of years before. After the service, Nancy brought Rabbi Laurence over to meet me, and he asked "what brought you here", and "why did you join AA?" - I explained about my dad. He asked to set up a time with him so he could get to know me. When I left after services, I said to myself, "Huh - that wasn't so bad."

That was my first and only visit to the synagogue before my dad passed. After his funeral, I sent a text to Arthur giving him the news and inquiring about minyans at AA. Both my parents had gone to daily minyan in honor of their parents for 11 months, and I wanted to honor my dad by doing the same. Arthur gave me the information, and, later that day, I got a text from Rabbi Laurence with his sympathies and asking what he could do to help. A couple days later, I got a call from Rabbi Neil who had been on sabbatical. I hadn’t even met him yet, and he called to offer condolences.

When I returned to Atlanta, I attended my first minyan service on Monday, January 16 – exactly one year ago. I walked into the chapel for 7:15 am services, where I was warmly welcomed by Kerry, Jerry, Jack Wolfe (may he rest in peace), and the other morning regulars. I cried silently as I went

through the morning minyan service - my emotions so raw. That evening, I went back for the 5:30 pm service and was warmly welcomed by Nancy, Janet, Mark, and the other evening regulars. Again, my tears flowed throughout minyan service. This became my routine day after day and month after month. Little by little, my raw emotions began to settle down as I began to settle in.

Yes, I was there out of duty to honor my father, but the daily minyans became so much more for me. I have special gratitude to the Tuesday Morning Sisterhood Minyanaires. It must have been my first or second Tuesday morning when Fran Galishoff insisted that I sit with her and the other Sisterhood regulars. She took me under her wing, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Between daily minyans and Shabbat Services, I met more and more people and became more and more involved at AA, which expanded my AA family. I was invited to join people for Kiddush lunch and was invited to attend Shabbat Dinners at several AA members’ homes. I was asked to join Sisterhood, then the Sisterhood Board, and then the Strategic Planning Steering Committee.

For someone who, only a few months earlier, was "disenfranchised," I found myself a full-fledged member of AA and the Atlanta Jewish community. While I believe this is all my dad’s doing from “up there," I can’t thank the AA minyan community enough for welcoming me into their hearts and lives. I am forever transformed because of you.

But that’s not the end of my story. You see, this past fall, I found out I had uterine cancer. I had to find a doctor, get into see him/her, get tests done, and, only then, schedule surgery. Along the way, I reached out to my new family here at AA to help me through it. I finally had a surgery date – December 8. By then, my 11 months of saying Kaddish would be up, and I would be mobile enough to attend my dad’s Yahrzeit minyans on December 13-14.

At least, that was the plan. A couple weeks before my surgery I got a call saying my surgery was cancelled - the doctor could not do the surgery anymore, and I needed to find a new doctor. After waiting 3 months, I was beside myself, so, again, I reached out to my AA family for help. They helped me find a new doctor, and I was able to get surgery scheduled four days later - December 12. The only problem was, I would no longer be able to attend services for my dad’s Yahrzeit. After attending minyan services for 11 months, I would have to miss his first Yahrzeit. I was devastated, but my AA friends had another plan in mind – if I could not get to the minyan, they would bring the minyan to me. So they called Rabbi Laurence, and he jumped at the idea.

So, back to the definition of a minyan. To me, a minyan is so much more than just a quorum for traditional Jewish public worship. A minyan is a community, a family, a time and place for people to connect, not only to G-d, but to each other.

It’s about giving your time and heart to help others who, for instance, aren't able to honor their loved ones. It’s about love, respect, and being a light for those who only see darkness and don’t know how they will ever get beyond their devastation.

From my experience this past year at Ahavath Achim, that is my definition of minyan.

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ahava elc

a message from the director by hannah williams

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pring is quickly approaching, and with it, the children and faculty of Ahava are eager to get their hands dirty in the garden again. We will be preparing seedlings that will be later transplanted into the raised garden beds when the weather is warm enough! The cycle of the planting year at Ahava begins with Tu B’Shvat and continues through all four seasons – we even plant hearty winter greens, such as swiss chard and kale, to grow through the winter months! Through these activities, the children learn to take care of living things and to notice the beauty and cycles of nature. They have opportunities to practice their own budding communication skills as they work alongside and with friends. Additionally, the children explore science as they make hypotheses and test theories in the garden, all the while, learning so many Jewish values, such as:

We're looking towards future growth, with 10 children registered to start school in the coming months! Spaces for 2018-19 are filling quickly. We invite you to email shalom@ahavalearning.org or call 404.900.9411 to register your little one for the Ahava experience.

Ahava - Love of Learning starts here!

Bal Tashchit - Do Not Destroy G’milut Chasadim - Acts of Loving Kindness Hodaya - Appreciation L’ovda U’l’shomra - To Work and Keep the Land Ma’aseh B’reishit - Miracle of Creation Shmiat Ha’Ozen - Attentiveness Shomrei Adamah - Guardians of the Earth Simcha Shel Mitzvah - Joy in Fulfilling a Commandment Just like the seedlings that we grow at Ahava, our school is also growing! We opened our 6th classroom on January 16 and are looking forward to welcoming more children and their families to join the Ahava community in 2018.

Ahava by the numbers Aug 2015

11•••••10•••••2••••••••2•••••2

feb 2018

62•••••51•••••3••••••••22•••••••••6

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families

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administrators

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teachers & Staff

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social action Rediscovering Ourselves Through "the other" W

hat does it mean to be “the other?”

As Jews, we have a long history of being ‘the other.’ However, it has been so long and we have become so comfortable with our American surroundings that I am afraid that we have lost sight of what it means to be ‘the other.’ Here are some highlights: We are talked about. Sometimes that talking happens behind our backs; other times people don’t even bother to wait for us to turn around and just ‘talk’ about us to our faces. This sort of talking is never flattering and never kind. There are even times when people talk in code when we are around. After all, we are ‘the other.’

We aren’t invited because we are either not welcomed or because they didn’t think we would want to come and participate. After all, we are not one of them. We wouldn’t want to be a part of what they were doing any way. At least, that’s what they think.

Being ‘the other’ means that we are spoken for. Nobody bothers to ask; they just put the words into our mouth. What we believe, what we think, what we know, and what we care about, is decided without anybody even asking… nobody bothers to ask because they know. They read it in a book, watched in on the news, and heard it on the radio. And although it wasn’t us the book, television or paper was talking about, it was close enough. We belong to that religion, or our skin is that color, or we are kind of from that region of the world so therefore, we must be the same as those ‘other’ people. It’s frustrating being homogeneous.

No dynamism, no individuality, no ability to be your own person. This is what it means to be ‘the other.’

We Jews are very lucky to have been in America for so long and as assimilated as we are. Yes, I said the ‘A’ word – assimilated.

Usually, Jewish communal professionals consider ‘assimilation’ to be a bad word but the mainstream Jewish community secretly loves it. We are thankful to God every day for the high level of assimilation that we have in America. Without our assimilation, we would be another ethnic minority – judged, labeled and marginalized.

However, if we forget what it means to be

by rabbi laurence rosenthal

‘the other,’ then I am afraid that we lose much more than we gain. We lose our distinct identity; we lose our traditions, our rituals, our fellowship with other MOT – Members of the Tribe. Most importantly, we lose our connection with God. It’s a lot to give up just to be able to play golf at any country club in the city. It’s a lot to give up just so we can get into any university without being restricted by a quota. It’s a lot to give up to simply feel safe.

In truth, we are ‘the other.’ We are separate and distinct from the people around us.

We celebrate different holidays, we engage in different coming of age ceremonies and rites of passage. We have a different way to expressing ourselves at family gatherings and we relate differently to the people in our lives. We are different. And guess what! It’s awesome. We are made better by our differences and our neighbors are made better by our differences as well. By us being ‘the other,’ our neighbors (and for the sake of clarity,) let me call them out by name - the Christians - also get to be ‘the other,’ a distinct people with their own culture, rituals, rhythms, and rites of passages. When we assimilate and make their rituals our own, we don’t just give up on our own otherness, we destroy what makes them unique and special. This is what happens when we try too hard to not be ‘the other.’ We end up with not much of anything. Is it worth it?

The problem, unfortunately, is that we live in a scary world. We have enemies. Not just enemies of our Jewishness but also enemies of our American-ness. We watch the news, we read the paper, and we are scared. Therefore, the rush to join the majority and hide from being an ethnic minority is attractive; it’s appealing; it feels safe. However, by doing so, we trade in our courage for a false sense of security.

We are Jews - an ancient people who faced great challenges in the world of old, and even with fewer advantages than we have today, still held our heads up high. We

have been a beacon for others and, as our Torah commands us to be, a light unto the nations. We have held up truth to power and demanded that our humanity be recognized and honored. Through our otherness, we have helped change the world for the better.

Today we sit in a sacred space, secure with who we are as Jews and as Americans. We are versed in the laws of this great country.

Heck, we helped craft them. We have been part of this amazing national enterprise ‘to form a more perfect union’ where all men (and women) are created equal. But it is still scary. We see people who are different from us and we are tempted to speak for them, to tell them what is in their head and in their hearts. We see them as enemies and so we assume that they hate us as well. Have we asked? Have we tried to engage them in conversation? Have we sought to know them, allow them to know us? Of course not. We are scared. They are ‘the other’ and we feel safe with them over there and us over here.

Our tradition would encourage us to seek a different relationship. Our Torah obligates us to move past our fears and to ensure that we create a society where the stranger is neither neglected nor oppressed. This is the sacred space that we live in, both firmly Jewish and American. This is the privilege with which we have been blessed. Our privilege becomes corrupt if we don’t use it for the betterment of others but instead hold it only for our personal gain. We have a great opportunity before us, one that is imbued with the footsteps of God… if only we are courageous enough to walk in those shoes… our Jewish-American shoes.

Therefore, I invite you to get involved and to learn more about the Ahavath Achim Refugee Task Force - contact me at lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org.

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2018 Hunger seder

join us at this year's hunger seder by Harold Kirtz, hunger seder chair

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his year’s Hunger Seder will take place on Wednesday, April 4, 6 - 9:30 pm. This will be the seventh Hunger Seder, the fifth to take place at AA, which has become a welcoming home for this annual service. Rabbi Rosenthal, who is again co-chairing the planning committee along with Harold Kirtz from the Jewish Community Relations Council, will lead the Seder service. All are encouraged to make reservations and attend this special event.

Registration is open at aasynagogue.org/hunger-seder-2018.

The idea behind the Hunger Seder is to create advocates for food, nutrition and anti-hunger programs. The need for overcoming food insecurity in the Atlanta Metro area is critical. One in seven Americans, including Georgians, faces food insecurity at some point during the year. We have not found a permanent solution to prevent this scourge from being a perennial problem. But the Hunger Seder’s goal is to support those efforts to reduce the impact of the problem.

The co-sponsors of the Seder typically include organizations whose sole focus is to provide food for those who need it. One of them, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, is known to most Atlantans. But others are not. Concrete Jungle harvests fresh fruit from fruit trees all over the metro area and provides it to shelters and other locations where people congregate to obtain food. Second Helpings, originated at Temple Sinai, and now a community organization, picks up prepared food from events

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and locations that have left-overs and extras and immediately drives them to locations that can use them. The JF&CS Kosher Food Pantry provides kosher food baskets for families and singles in need. Mazon is The Jewish Response to Hunger, which provides financial assistance to food organizations. There are other such co-sponsors.

Other co-sponsors include the Jewish Community Relations Council, several other synagogues, several churches, and Gideon’s Promise, an organization that trains legal counsel for those in need, who are also sometimes in need of food services.

We work to develop advocates who will contact political and business leaders in search of solutions for those suffering from food insecurity. One example is advocating for the food stamp program that is, hopefully, in each annual budget of Congress.

Come out and support this effort, enjoy a unique Seder, and become food advocates.

blood drive

The need for blood is constant. the gratification is instant.

by gail solomon, Blood drive chair

Thank you to everyone who donated or attempted to donate blood at the November Blood Drive.

In celebration of my 75th birthday, I had a goal of collecting 75 pints of blood.

With the support of our donors, we exceeded our goal, and collected 84 pints of blood - this saved the lives of 250+ people! AA's next Blood Drive will be on May 6, from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred. To schedule an appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org and, enter code JWV. For more information or questions about reserving an appointment, contact Gail Solomon at 404.351.1900 or gailsol@gmail.com.

Blood Drive Co-Sponsors: Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Congregation Shearith Israel, Congregation Or Ve Shalom, Jewish War Veterans Post 112, and Fulton Lodge No. 216 F. & A.M.

Hunger Walk 2018

Lobby Day 2018

Sunday, February 25 | 12 - 4 pm | Georgia State Stadium (Turner Field)

Tuesday, February 20 | 9 am - 1 pm | Georgia Historic Freight Depot

For more than 25 years, AA Synagogue has been responsible for providing more than 750,000 meals to feed Atlanta's needy families, and our donations to the Atlanta Community Food Bank has made us the number one religious contributor in all of metro Atlanta; in addition, more than 1,000 AA congregants have taken their time to walk in past Hunger Walks. We need our wonderful congregants to continue the outstanding record for Atlanta's homeless and hungry by donating and walking in the event!

Join together with Georgia's anti-sex trafficking organizations on Tuesday, February 20, and make your voice heard in the fight to end Sex Trafficking! Lobby Day is an opportunity to stand with other community members, advocates, and elected officials to show support for legislation protecting children and adults from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, as well as a time to thank our legislators for their hard work and commitment toward the issue.

To register with the AA team, visit hungerwalkrun.org, click "Register" > "Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta" > "Join a Team" > search for or choose "Sally's Friends" in the dropdown menu. For more information about joining the AA team, contact Sally Kaplan at 770.952.8752.

The AA-ACTS (Action and Awareness to Abolish Child Trafficking for Sex) Committee is attending this year's event!

If you are looking to get involved in the anti-sex trafficking movement or desire to advocate and stand up for those being victimized, please contact the AA-ACTS co-chairs, Linda Bressler (lindsfb@bellsouth.net) and Margie Eden (margie.eden22@ gmail.com).

Registration is required, so please RSVP today! Link to register: tinyurl.com/y9246738.

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jews in the pews in the news Daniel Stern - Friendship Circle of atlanta

What is the most rewarding aspect of your volunteer work?

Our campers seemed to enjoy the camp thoroughly, and our volunteers did too. It was very rewarding for us, as volunteers, to teach the kids to play tennis and to just make sure they had a great time at camp. I knew the special needs kids were having a great time, but when the parents came up to us afterwards and told us how much it meant to them to see their kids so happy, I realized how being involved impacts more than just the people you are working with directly.

How long have you been involved with Friendship Circle?

I have been involved with Friendship Circle, an organization that provides companionship to children and adults with special needs, since 2015. I started by attending their events and parties and was then matched with a young man named Mike to be his buddy - I visit with him during the weekends. This summer, I decided to create a tennis camp for special needs kids called, Serve It Up Tennis Camp.

How did you get involved?

I heard about the organization through friends and at an information session that Friendship Circle did at the Weber School.

Why are you passionate about the organization?

I think it serves a wonderful role by creating companionship for people with special needs and allowing young people, like myself, the opportunity to help others while also creating special bonds with our buddies. I had over 15 kids with special needs participate in the tennis camp, and more than 15 volunteers who worked oneon-one with the campers.

Daniel Stern (left) stands with Mike Pelta (middle) and Evan Blum, who met through the Friendship Circle and continue to practice tennis together once a week.

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What is the most challenging aspect of your volunteer work?

With respect to the camp, it was just making sure that everything came together that week and that we had enough volunteers. It was challenging to organize the camp - getting the tennis courts donated, having a tennis racket drive, and raising $1,200 through a Go Fund Me campaign - but it was, ultimately, rewarding. In the end, everyone who committed to volunteering showed up, and we were very well-staffed with enthusiastic and hard working volunteers.

What's one thing the community should know about the organization?

Friendship Circle is a very special organization that does amazing things for children with special needs. There are not enough programs for children with special needs, and Friendship Circle is always looking for more volunteers.

How can someone get involved?

You can get involved with Friendship Circle by calling them and expressing your interest. We hope to do another camp this summer and would be happy to have additional volunteers!

cultural arts & education

Holocaust Memorial Torah Presentation Saturday, April 7 | 11 am | Ellman Chapel

On April 7 congregant, Doris Goldstein, will offer a presentation on the Holocaust Memorial Torah. The Torah was lent to AA by the Memorial Scrolls Trust in 1977 and is currently on display in our Sylvia G. Cohen Museum (see picture on left). Below is a full history of the Torah provided by the Memorial Scrolls Trust (memorialscrollstrust.com).

A City in the Czech Republic Speaks to Atlanta On display in the Sylvia G. Cohen Museum of Ahavath Achim is a single Torah scroll draped in a frayed tallit. Its route from the city of Pilsen in the Czech Republic via Prague and London is another widely unknown episode of Holocaust history.

Jews have lived in Pilsen since the 14th century; it is one of the oldest cities in the section of the country known as Bohemia where they were instrumental in the development of the city into an industrial center.

By the turn of the 20th century, the community was among the largest and most affluent in the country. A beautiful Moorish-style synagogue had been erected which covered almost an entire city block as well as smaller structures.

By 1930, they were 2.4% of the population (2,773) but these numbers were augmented by Jews fleeing the western edge of Czechoslovakia which came under German control in 1938. The following year, Nazis occupied the entire country with the usual persecution and arrests. More than 3,000 Jews from Pilsen were deported and murdered in concentration camps.

There were more than 350 synagogues in towns in Bohemia and Moravia; of those at least 60 were closed and/or destroyed while others were deserted because their members were no longer there. Their contents were saved by a plan devised by members of the Jews of Prague where a Jewish Museum existed. They persuaded the Nazis to allow them to bring the contents of the synagogues from the now deserted communities to Prague where they were carefully catalogued; there were 100,000 items in the collection which contained 1,800 Torah scrolls. The hope was they would be restored to their place of origin after the war. Unfortunately, only 10% of those deported survived the war and returned.

After many years, 1,564 scrolls were purchased from the Communist state which controlled the country beginning in 1948. Those responsible lived in London and brought them to the Westminster Synagogue in 1964 where some are still housed today. The majority are in synagogues and Jewish institutions all over the world. Some have been restored and are in use but many are displayed as a memorial to those communities and individuals lost forever in the maelstrom that was the Holocaust.

Our scroll is #1339, one of many from Pilsen. It is no longer Kosher and cannot be used. However, it will remain in an honored place in our Museum as testament to those who lived and died as Jews as well as to those who were responsible for saving it from destruction.

cultural arts performance series - 38th season Sunday, March 4 | 3 pm | Ellman Chapel

Beethoven, Fauré, & Bloch - Their Journeys to Greatness: Join us for the 38th Season of AA’s Cultural Arts Performance Series featuring the works of Beethoven, Fauré, and Bloch, performed by Sergiu Schwartz (violin) and Eric Zuber (piano): • Ludwig van Beethoven: Sonata for Violin and Piano No.7, Opus 30, No.2 • Gabriel Fauré: Sonata in A Major for Violin and Piano • Ernst Bloch: “Baal Shem Tov” Suite in 3 Movements: Vidui, Nigun, and Simchat Torah Reception following concert. Open to the public – donation to Cultural Arts Fund requested. For additional information, please contact Anne Cohen at acohen@aasynagogue.org.

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the Power of Song: A Journey of the Soul & Spirit Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Joey Weisenberg (April 13 - 14)

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hy do we sing? What is the purpose of using our voices in such a way when we pray? One of my favorite standup comics, Tom Papa, has a skit where he imagines what the conversations must have been like for the first person who thought up singing, “Hey, everybody, come over here and check out this noise coming out of my face!” Because singing is such a part of our culture and the human condition it is difficult to see it as unusual. However, if we are able to take a step back, there is something strange about it… beautiful (when done well) but strange. But even once we get past the oddity of this mode of communication, I bring us back to the question – Why is singing such a central part of our worship experience? It wasn’t always like this.

by rabbi laurence rosenthal

writings (Book of Esther, Lamentations, Ruth, etc.) have their own melodies distinct just to them. It really is an amazing way of hearing the Bible read out loud. And just to add to the complexity, different regions of the world have taken those Masoretic markings and assigned their own melodic system that parallels the cultural musical identity of that area. Yemenite trope is different from Iraqi trope, which is different from Polish, and so on. We also find song associated with other sacred texts as well.

Our prayer book, the Siddur, developed a style of singing called nusach. Weekday prayers have their own melodies while Shabbat has a distinct nusach. Holidays have a different melody from that of Shabbat. And of course the High Holidays are known for their very own distinct style of singing. Keep in mind, when we In our Bible, we have stories of how our ancestors communicated talk about nusach, we are not talking about ‘the tunes,’ as we at with the divine. And although Andrew Lloyd Webber would like AA synagogue are so fond of talking about. The tunes and songs us to believe differently, it didn’t involve much singing. When are different. Each prayer, whether it is from the Book of Psalms, Abraham encountered God, it appears to be through meditation another Biblical verse, or a medieval poem, has more melodies and conversation. When Isaac and Jacob found themselves face written for it than can be accounted for and recorded. People have to face with haKadosh Barchu, it was either in a dream or by written doctoral dissertations and continued, as their life’s work, wrestling through the night. When Hannah shared her pain with to hunt down and analyze the various traditions of songs and God, it appears to be through tears and a whisper. Our matriarch, melodies that weave in and out of spiritual communities. In other Sarah, gained God’s inquiry through laughter. Melodies and words, there are a lot of tunes. And guess what?! People hate it harmonies aren’t talked about much. It appears to have been when we don’t use the tune they know. It’s sort of funny, because, much later that song and singing came into the picture. in the psalms, we read the phrase, “Sing a new song to Adonai” (Psalm 33, 96, 98, 144, 149; Isaiah 42) yet, we can’t stand it when We credit King David as the author of the Book of Psalms. Thinking somebody introduces a new melody during our prayer services. of the harp and lyre in his hand, we imagine a much gentler side of this bold, heroic and complicated ruler. However, poetry isn’t So that’s the history, in brief, but it still doesn’t answer the synonymous with singing. There are plenty of poems that are question: Why do we sing when we pray? I understand the simply spoken. Still later we find music and song coming into our idea of petitioning God: asking for what we need; for what we experience with God. want. Asking for something, especially in a prayerful manner, accomplishes a lot all at once: We humbly declare that we are, by We have some evidence that the sacrificial temple service in ourselves, lacking and that only God can provide that which we Jerusalem, officiated over by Aaron’s descendants, the Cohanim, can’t provide for ourselves. Prayer has a wonderful power of being was accompanied by music. The Levites, a secondary class of introspective and outward-looking both at the same time. Taking priests, used to assemble as a choir and sing throughout the a time to come together as a community to be in conversation offerings and pageantry of the sacrifices made to God. Later, (although, I’ll admit, sometimes it might feel like a monologue) our rabbinic tradition brought down to us through the Midrash, with God helps to reorient our goals and priorities, and keep Mishna and Talmud, images of a celestial choir made up of all sorts them in perspective. But what’s with all the singing? If you come of angelic creatures and characters who offered their praise and to services on Shabbat, our petitions, requests and time allotted compliment to God through song. to expressly speaking with God is muted by the copious amounts of singing that go on throughout the service. So why do we sing? I The Masorites, a 6th – 10th century community of scribes and would like to offer an answer… not the answer, just a first attempt scholars who set out to preserve and maintain an authoritative at understanding this phenomenon. copy of scripture, created an intricate system of punctuation, interpretation and emendation, called trope, which eventually Songs matter. They reach to a level of the soul that isn’t often developed a singing component. These scribes made scribbles approachable through words alone. Song quiets the mind while surrounding each and every word of the Hebrew Bible, which speeding up the heart. Song helps to bring together a diverse were passed down with a musical notation system of singing which group of people, all in different places in life, all coming with a helped with reading, memorization and comprehension. The different set of emotions, divergent in their beliefs on love, life, system became so complex that, today, the entire Bible is overlaid philosophy, theology and the ways of good and evil, and song with trope markings and different sections have a different unifies them all. One melody sung by all. Not always sung within a systems of singing. The Torah is sung in a major key while the single octave. Sometimes people will harmonize against the voices prophets are chanted in a minor key. Different sections of the in the room.

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Sometimes people aren’t even in the same key. However, song allows us to synchronize our souls and share a very special part of our spirit with each other and ultimately, collectively, offer that spirit to our higher power, the God on high. This is the power of song. This is one of many reasons why we sing. But we need to do more. We need more song in our life!

We live in a world where words are cheap. Words have lost their meaning and are often used to tear down and destroy. We need more song in our life! We need more song to help us fill in the void created by the degradation of speech, humanity's greatest gift and innovation. Where once upon a time, we looked toward those who could speak eloquently, today we have traded verbosity for brevity, courtesy for hostility, kindness for brashness and boorishness. We need more song in our life! It’s the key to unlocking our souls and sharing our hearts with each other.

Therefore, we invite you to take song to a much deeper level.

Our congregation has a long history of song. Once upon a time, we employed the preeminent voice of Jewish prayer, Cantor Isaac Goodfriend. Even after Cantor Goodfriend’s voice stopped ringing between the walls of our sacred space, we have continued to push the envelope of spiritual music and song. Through our continued engagement of a diverse group of cantorial soloists who offer their distinct voices and spirit, we are led each week in song. Through exploration of innovative and alternative types of prayer services like AAbsolute Shabbat, we are motivated and moved to sing out loud. Through the incredible blending of Far Eastern spiritual music with our ancient Jewish liturgy, we have explored Kirtan chanting and modern musical expressions of song and meditation within our services both on Shabbat and High Holidays. We need more song in our life!

We invite you to explore with us as we continue to find our voices and allow our souls to be heard.

On Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14, we are honored to be welcoming Joey Weisenberg, Creative Director of the Rising Song Institute at Hadar Yeshiva in New York City. Through the generosity of Marilyn Ginsberg-Eckstein, in memory of her beloved husband, Sam (z”l), we have the opportunity to learn more and delve deeper into our spiritual life of song as Joey leads us in prayer and thought during this very special weekend.

musical-spiritual texts and stories. We will sing, too. Where there is song there is prayer. ‫( תפלה תהא שם רנה במקום‬Brachot 6a).

7:00 pm | Mincha, Seudah Shlishet (third Meal) / Ma'ariv / Havdallah: Delight in taking “slow leave” of Shabbat with songs, words of Torah, and light dinner. We will conclude Shabbat with a musical Havdallah experience.

To learn more about this amazing weekend OR to share your thoughts about how we can create more song and deepen our prayer experience at AA, please contact me at lrosenthal@ aasynagogue.org or 404.355.5222.

Joey Weisenberg Musician, prayer leader, author, and teacher, Joey Weisenberg is the Creative Director of Mechon Hadar’s Rising Song Institute, which aims to cultivate the grassroots musical-spiritual creativity of the Jewish people.

Joey works to educate and train communities around the world to unlock their musicalspiritual potential and make music a lasting joy­-filled force in synagogues and Jewish life.

Joey runs various workshops and trainings across the country, including the Singing Communities Intensive each December at Mechon Hadar. He is the author of Torah of Music (2017 National Jewish Book Award), Building Singing Communities, Nigunim: The Songbook, and The Kane Street Songster. He has recorded six albums, most recently, By the Waters of Babylon. Joey’s nigunim have become popular worldwide.

Join us for any and/or all of these amazing offerings as we welcome Mr. Weisenberg to our congregation and raise our voices together. Don’t miss it: Friday, April 13 6:30 pm | Kabbalat Shabbat, led by Joey Weisenberg Saturday, April 14 11:00 am | D’var Torah from Joey Weisenberg about the Architecture of Listening, exploring the interaction between physical space and spiritual music.

Joey at USCJ

11:15 am | Musaf Davening led by Joey Weisenberg: traditional Nusach with soulful nigunim (melodies).

12:45 pm | Post Kiddush Beit Midrash - The Torah of Music: Drawing from Joey's 2017 National Jewish Award-winning book The Torah of Music, participants will explore and be inspired by spiritual teachings of music by studying various Jewish

22 • Beineinu • Adar | Nisan

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capital campaignNews

thank you to our campaign donors Davis and Sandy Abrams Douglas Adair Sandra Adair Sheila and David Adelman Fred and Cookie Aftergut Ahavath Achim Sisterhood Judge Gary Alembik Judith M. Alembik Herb and Ann Alperin Moose Alperin Marty and Richard Alterman Sara Alterman Steve Alterman and Marci Ball Anonymous Jessica C. Arluck and Douglas S. Ander Phyllis and Joseph Arnold Dolores and Harold Arnovitz Phyllis and Eliot Arnovitz Irene Aronin Rachel and Michael Avchen Bernice Bach Judy and Joe Balaban Michael and Jamie Balk Pat and Jack Balser Dr. Bruce and Cindy Becker Dr. Bruce and Linda Beeber Betty Behr, Kara Behr, Sara and Jonathan Hoffenberg Stan and Rabbi Judith Beiner Faith Benda Gerald and Vicki Benjamin Julia and Terry Bernath David Bernstein Diane and Marvin Bernstein Marlene Gelenter Besser and Abe Besser Jutta and Sidney Blase James Blasingame and Toby Schonfeld Martha and Herbert Blondheim Jerome and Elaine Blumenthal Rita and Arthur Bodner Hedy and Aaron Borenstein Lindsay and Evan Borenstein Adam and Suzanne Bressler Linda and Richard Bressler Adam and Rachelle Capes Charlenne and Richard M. Carl Ben Cavalier Leonard and Valerie Chill Mark Coan and Family in loving memory of Ruth Coan z"l The Coca-Cola Company Anne Cohen and Craig Silverman Bernard and Rae-Alice Cohen Generations Fund/Alan and Pamela Cohen David and Julie Cohen Harold and Diane Cohen Jeffrey and Cheryl Cohen Latifa Cohen in honor of Joseph Cohen z"l Lisa and Walter Cohen Lori and Gregg Cohen Marcy Cohen Mark and Tova Cohen Pauline Cohen Stanley J. Cohen Mrs. Victor Cohen and Family Linda and Richard Collier Rachael and Jonathan Colton Adolphus and Eileen Coolik Stanley Cristol Nikki and Randy Crohn Doug and Margo Diamond Shelly and Allen Dollar Sam, Eddie, Liora and Amir Dressler Mark Eden Jordan and Ana-Maria Eisner Debra Elovich and James Gray The Engelhard Family Lauren Estrin and Andrew Deutsch Linda and Abram Estroff Norman Estroff and Mark and Sarah Cohen Elisa and Bobby Ezor

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Ken and Barbara Feinberg Joel and Allison Feldman Muriel H. Feldman Emanuel and Stacy Fialkow Diana Fiedotin Barry Fields Robert and Pat Fine Donna and Mark Fleishman Gail Foorman and Dr. Craig Tovey Lori and Jordan Forman Ramon and Jody Franco Richard and Phyllis Franco Frank Family Foundation The Esther and Jake Friedman Family Gerald and Sandi Friedman Jared and Beth Friedman Murray and Lynn Friedman Sylvia Friedman Andree and Marc Frost Susan and Fulton Frumin Jane Fryer Frances and Stuart Galishoff Drs. Stephen and Marianne Garber Renie and David Geller Gail Gellman Ruth Gershon Maury Isenberg Gerson Melinda Gertz Don and Celia Gilner Kenneth and Madeleine Gimbel Carol and Robert Glickman Larry and Margo Gold Dr. Daniel and Marni Goldman Bernie Goldstein Doris and Martin Goldstein Eve and Joel Goldstein Karen and Steven Goldstein Leon Goldstein and Family in honor of Betty Goldstein z"l Larry and Stella Gordon Neil and Susan Gordon Nancy and Mike Greenberg Katie and Daniel Greene Lynne and Thomas Greenfield Steve and Heleen Grossman Michael and Gail Habif Morris Habif Frank and Helen Hahn Alvin and Sherry Halpern The Halpern-Oppenheimer Family Foundation Hammer Family Josh Hanna and Sharon Funk Delcy Pardo Harber The Family of Rick and Lori Harber Fran, Edward and Eddie Harrell Marvin and Natalie Harris Gloria and Howard Hecht Helen Hersch and Harold Hersch z"l Jack and Michal Hart Hillman Stuart Harvey Hillman Gail and Gil Holzer Barbara and Michael Horowitz Gary and Jean Jackson Barbara and Steven Jacobs Paul and Stephanie Jacobs Dennis B. Jaffe Marcia Jaffe Jeanne Johnson-Whatley Rachael and Michael Joseph Rhalda Kahn and Ralph Kahn z"l Susan and Robert Kahn Charlotte and Allen Kaminsky Barbara and Alan Kaplan and Family Lisa Kaplan Philip and Sally Kaplan Theodore and Ann Kaplan Ernestine Kasriel in loving memory of Dr. Robert Kasriel and Sarita G. Kasriel Helene and Michael Kates Jean and Richard Katz Jeffrey and Alison Kaufman Judy and Martin Kogon

Michael and Laurie Kogon Ross and Sara Kogon Elaine and Alan Kolodkin Darryl and Roslyn Konter Elissa and Harris Konter Doris and Beryl Koplin Marsha and Mark Kozinn Phyllis and Jerry Kraft Russell and Cheryl Kramer Lana and Richard Krebs Carlyn and Barry Kriegel Lori and Lee Krinsky Janet and Hilton Kupshik Arnold and Starr Lande Rhona Landis Jean Lawson Craig and Faye Lefkoff Harold Lefkoff and Evelyn Lefkoff z"l Helen Lefkoff Lawrence and Marjorie Lefkoff Michelle and Jonathan Lerner and Family Renay and Alan Levenson Michael J. and Ann Levin Esther and Michael K. Levine Marshall and Nancy Levine Phyllis and Morton Levine Miriam Strickman Levitas and Family in memory of Dr. Theodore Clinton Levitas Michelle and Rich Levy Myrtle Lewin Miriam S. Lewis Cantor Robert Lieberman and Rabbi Vicki Lieberman Dr. and Mrs. Paul Liebman Barbara Lincoln and Gary Rosenshein Drs. Linda Nathanson-Lippitt and Alan Lippitt William and Patsy K. Little Joel Lobel and Debbie Smith Bob and Sandy London Alan and Lisa Lubel Malkin, Glazer and Hirsh Family Joseph and Charlotte Marcus Rhoda and Stephen Margolis Judy Marx Corinne and John Mateyek Sherry and Harry Maziar Lev and Berta Mebel Jerome and Joanne Mendel Lee Mendel Ivan and Shirley Millender Lori and Wayne Miller Mimi's Fund Susan Moray Vicki and Steve Morris and Family Barbara and George Nathan Laura Nelson Dr. Dorothy Rosenthal and William Nerenberg Shari Neumann Dr. Philip and Donna Newman David Norflus Francine Norflus Leon and Brenda Novak Dr. Stephen Oppenheimer Barbara and Sanford Orkin and Family Hank Oxman Alon and Sheri Panovka Sara and Mark Papier Dan Paradies z"l Gregg and Beth Paradies James Paradies z"l Anna Pichulik Jo Pichulik and Louis Pichulik z"l Alan and Sally Pinsker Barbara and Richard Planer Michael Plasker and Ellen Arnovitz Dara and Arthur Povlot Barry and Lynn Prusin Mark and Sharon Reich Ralda and Martin Reish Bruce and Vickie Reisman Shirley and Donald Reisman

Andrew and Susan Canter Reisner David Rhones Bruce and Barbara Ribner Lori Rich Shirley Rich Andrew and Nancy Rinzler Robert and Renee Rinzler Stanley and Marlene Rinzler Flora and Bernard Rosefsky Charles and Ann (Bunny) Rosenberg Joel and Jennifer Rosenfeld Carl and Rosalie Rosenthal Brooke and Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal Michael Ross Ralph Sacks Susan and Rabbi Neil Sandler Annette Saparow Milton and Virginia Saul Cathy and Jeff Schaffer Linda and Abe Schear Susan and Stuart Schlansky Ray and Susan Schoenbaum Alan and Judy Schulman Alan and Joan Schwartz Joseph and Jill Segal Drs. Julie and William Segal Dr. and Mrs. Richard Shmerling Irma Shulman-Weiner Marianne Shultzberg Betty Ann Shusterman Andy and Caryn Siegel Philip and Debra Siegel Richard H. Siegel Barry Silver Brenda Silverman Susan E. Simon Judy and Allen Soden Denise and Stephen Spiegel Jack Spielberg z"l Jennifer and Kevin Spindel The Srochi Family Allen and Merna Stein Bert Stein Howard and Irene Stein Judy and Stanley Stein Stanley and Marilyn Steinberg Toby and Gayle Steinberg Steven and Lynne Steindel Mark and Tamar Stern Merrill Stern Estelle and Walter Strauss Ruth and Hiram Sturm Charitable Remainder Trust Dr. Alan and Betty Sunshine Rick and Cathy Swerdlin Ben and Julie Taube Dr. Paul Teplis Jeannie and Bob Tepper Karla Tievsky and Seth Kirschenbaum Sharon Eienel Torreyson Renee and Gary Unell The Vantosh Family Cecile Cohen Waronker and William Waronker z"l Drs. Nancy and Mark Weiner Lauren and David Weinstein Mark Weinstein Aletta and Greg Weitz Drs. Julius and Nanette Wenger Alan Wexler Marlene Wexler Perlman The Wildstein Family Larry and Sheila Wilensky Joel and Hannah Williams Susan and Jonathan Winner Karen and Eli Wise Rina Wolfe and Jack Wolfe z"l Sonia Fishkin and Andrew Zangwill Sharon J. Zinns Jeannette and Michael Zukor Jack Zwecker and Sophie Zwecker z"l (as of 1/8/18)

calendar & Volunteer aa Events

adult Jewish education Tuesdays@AA - Tuesdays @ 10 am - 12 PM

Join the rabbis and fellow congregants every Tuesday for an educational experience about current events and the Bible.

piedmont study group w/ the rabbis every second wednesday @ 2:30 pm

Join the rabbis every second Wednesday of the month at the Piedmont at Buckhead (650 Phipps Blvd NE, Atlanta 30326).

Lunch and Learn - Every third wednesday @ 12 pm

Join the Rabbis for lunch and learning at the offices of Birnbrey, Minsk, Minsk, and Perling (1801 Peachtree St NW #300, Atlanta 30309). To RSVP and pre-order lunch, contact Jill Rosner at jrosner@aasynagogue. org or 404.603.5741.

Youth Programs

Beginning Hebrew Reading for adults Wednesdays, March 28 - May 23 @ 7 - 8:30 pm Young Family Shabbat Dinner - friday, Paradies Hall February 23 @ 5:30 pm Join us for a new adult education Hebrew program led by congregant, Jim Dricker!

Jim will offer the class every Wednesday from March 28 - May 23, 7:00 - 8:30 pm in Paradies Hall (no class on April 4). The cost of enrollment for AA members is $50 per person or $75 per couple. The cost of enrollment for non-members is $65 per person. All enrollment fees include one textbook. Register at aasynagogue.org/ event/beginning-hebrew-reading. For additional information, please contact Jill Rosner at jrosner@aasynagogue.org or 404.603.5741.

Unraveling the Talmud Wednesdays @ 5 pm

Join Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal in the Koplin/Borochoff Library every Wednesday as we dive into the minds of our rabbis and rabbinic tradition.

Explore the Talmud, the central text of our Jewish life, and learn its basic structure and amazing and spiritual impact. No previous knowledge of the Talmud is necessary. For more information, contact Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal at lrosenthal@ aasynagogue.org.

talmud berakhot: blessings upon blessings - thursdays @ 8:30 am

Join Rabbi Sandler every Thursday morning for a study group following Morning minyan. For more information, contact Rabbi Neil Sandler at nsandler@ aasynagogue.org or 404.603.5740.

torah study - Saturdays @ 10 am

Please join us for Torah Study session every Saturday morning. For a list of facilitators, visit aasynagogue.org/learning/adult.

Friday night starts the Sabbath, the day of rest. So why not start it off with a relaxing evening alongside family and friends, and leave the worry of dinner preparation to someone else? Once a month, dinners will be generously sponsored by a different family or families in the hopes of starting a new AA tradition! Help create special memories for you and your children as we turn AA into our shared Jewish home.

In February, we'll be crafting our Purim costumes and playing in our PJs (or your comfy clothes)! Tickets are $5 per person with a cap of $20 per family - purchase at aasynagogue.org/event/purim-shabbatdinner. There is no charge for children 3 years old and under. Questions? Contact Brooke Rosenthal at cambrya@hotmail.com or Sara Papier at newtritionalyou@gmail. com.

atlanta Rocks! - Sunday, march 4 @ 1:30 pm

Calling all Kadimaniks (6th-8th graders)!

Join us for a unique team building activity.

We will be scaling the walls of Atlanta Rocks! Cost: $18; Location: Atlanta Rocks (1019 Collier Rd NW, Ste A, Atlanta, 30318.)

WiiWiiWii Ein gedi - Friday, march 9 - Sunday, March 11

Calling all USYers! Grab your controller, and join us for Spring Subs 2018! Host: MTUSY (USY Nashville Chapter); Location: West End Synagogue, Nashville, TN; Cost: $165 (does not include transportation); Sign up at regpacks.com/hanegev1718 by February 28. For more information contact Director of Education, Marc Silberstein at msilberstein@aasynagogue.org or 404.603.5748.

atlanta jewish world quidditch championship - Sunday, march 25 @ 2 pm

Groove Shabbat - saturday, March 3 & April 14 @ 10:30 am

Come join Mr. Michael and PJ Library one Saturday each month for stories and interactive songs celebrating Shabbat and upcoming Jewish holidays. Enjoy stories and songs followed by snacks, playtime, and Kiddush lunch. Everything is free and geared towards families with children ages 0-4.

Calling all Macharniks (3rd-5th graders)!

Represent Ahavath Achim in a game of Quidditch against other youth groups in Atlanta. Cost: $10; Parents: be sure to send your child with a broom; Location: Temple Emanu-El (1580 Spalding Dr, Sandy Spring, 30350.) For more information, contact Marc Silberstein at msilberstein@ aasynagogue.org.

Saturplay@aa saturday, february 17 & March 10 @ 10:30 am Families with children 7 and under are welcome to join us one Saturday each month for Shabbat play on the Ahava play yard! Afterwards, feel free to join us for Kiddush lunch in Srochi.

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Holocaust Memorial Torah Presentation Saturday, april 7 @ 11 am (see page 20 for more info) Scholar-in-Residence Weekend with Joey Weisenberg - FRIDAY, APRIL 13 - SATURDAY, APRIL 14 (see page 21-22 for more inFO) Latte and Learn Thursday, march 15 @ 10:30 am Not Your Normal minyan Saturday, March 24 @ 10:30 am

The renowned Jewish philosopher, Martin Buber, used to call prayer a “dialogue” between man and God. Buber's philosophy is at the core of our new family Shabbat morning program; you and your child(ren) will engage in a dialogue with God through niggunim (wordless melodies), meditation, discussion, celebration, and, of course, laughter.

Sisterhood Mah Jongg - Sundays @ 10 am

Please join Sisterhood women every Sunday to play, schmooze, have fun, and connect with other women. We are patient, willing to teach, and will welcome you. For more information, contact Nancy Canter Weiner at ncweiner@mindspring.com.

rosh chodesh discussion group Wednesday, February 21, Tuesday, March 20, & Monday, April 16 @ 7:30 pm (see page 12 for more info) Naomi’s Book Club Monday, march 5 & April 9 @ 10:15 am

Join Sisterhood on the first Monday of the month for a lively book discussion.

March’s book is The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish, and the discussion will be led by Janice Nochumson. April's book is The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, and the discussion will be led by Sandybeck Lease.

For more information, contact Madeleine Gimbel at 404.355.7711 or visit the AA events calendar at aasynagogue.org/events.

Join the Rabbis, Sisterhood, and other friends for a morning of coffee (or tea), conversation, and learning at Panera Bread (4531 Olde Perimeter Way, Atlanta 30346).

For more information, contact Roslyn Konter at 770.986.3697 or rpkonter@gmail. com.

aa volunteer/sociaL ACTION EVENTS

donor event: a celebration of music sunday, march 18 @ 11 am - 1 pm (see page 12 for more info) WLCJ Southern Region Conference April 22 - 24 | Congregation B'nai Torah (SEE PAGE 12 FOR MORE INFO)

Other AA Events

2018 Hunger Walk/run Sunday, February 25 @ 12 - 4 pm | Georgia State Stadium (see page 18 for more info)

Purim P a looz

Purim Paloozaa sunday, February 25 @ 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (see page 2 for more info) cultural arts performance series - 38th season - sunday, March 4 @ 3 pm | Ellman Chapel (see page 20 for more info)

Hunger Seder wednesday, april 4 @ 6 - 9:30 pm (see page 17 for more info) Blood Drive - sunday, MAY 6 @ 9 am - 2 pm (see page 18 FOR MORE INFO) Sisterhood Torah Fund

z'havah silk painting class - Sunday, march 11 | Ahava's Atelier (SEE PAGE 12 FOR MORE INFO)

25 • Beineinu • Adar | Nisan

Torah Fund supports the five major educational institutions of the Conservative Movement and helps to ensure a healthy future for birthday & anniversary breakfast Conservative Judaism. These institutions sunday, march 11 @ 8:30 am educate not only rabbis and cantors but Join us for Minyan followed by a wonderful also administrators, social workers, and breakfast in honor of our December, lay leaders. This year, there are five new January, February, and March birthday beautiful Torah Fund Greeting Cards. To and anniversary celebrants! Come purchase cards, contact Glenna Hornstein celebrate with your Ahavath Achim family at 904.616.1697 or itsallrelative@bellsouth. by attending breakfast in your honor. Invite net. friends and family to celebrate with you.

Please RSVP to Fern Schorr at 404.355.5222 or fschorr@aasynagogue.org to ensure that we have prepared enough food.

Membership Committee Volunteer Opportunity

The membership committee is looking for friendly members who want to make welcome phone calls to new members, invite new members to Shabbat dinner, or help bake and deliver challot to new members. If you'd like to help, please contact Sharon Zinns at sharonzinns@gmail.com or Mark Papier at papier.mark@gmail.com.

Passover Service Schedule Thursday, March 29 12:00 pm

Last chance to sell Chametz - all names must be on sign-in sheet in office or received in mail by this time

Friday, March 30

Ta'anit Bechorim - Fast of the First Born

7:39 pm

Candle Lighting

Saturday, March 31

1st Day of Passover

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Morning Service

1:00 pm

Mincha

8:22 pm

Candle Lighting

Sunday, April 1

2nd Day of Passover

9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Morning Service

6:00 pm

Evening Service

Monday, April 2

Chal Hamoed Passover

7:15 am

Morning Service

6:00 pm

Evening Service

Tuesday, April 3

Chal Hamoed Passover

7:15 am

Morning Service

6:00 pm

Evening Service

Wednesday, April 4

Chal Hamoed Passover

7:15 am

Morning Service

6:00 pm

Evening Service

Locally the Atlanta Jewish Coalition for Literacy (AJCL) is NCJW's signature program. Over 120 volunteer tutors donate their time in eight metro Atlanta Title 1 schools. Most of tutors work with multiple students, so in total over 300 kids are helped. AJCL is looking for tutors - visit http://bit.ly/2tGufDQ to find out which Atlanta-area schools are in need of help.

6:00 - 9:30 pm

Hunger Seder

Thursday, April 5

Chal Hamoed Passover

7:15 am

Morning Service

6:00 pm

Evening Service

ALEF Fund

7:43 pm

Candle Lighting

Friday, April 6

7th Day of Passover

9:00 am

Morning Service

6:30 pm

Evening Service

7:44 pm

Candle Lighting

Saturday, April 7

8th Day of Passover

9:00 am

Morning Service

11:15 am

Yizkor Service

7:45 pm

Mincha/Ma'ariv/Havdallah (Passover ends at 8:50 pm)

Greeters Needed

If you can smile and say "Shabbat Shalom" then you are a fully trained greeter. Greeters welcome everyone with a smile. They stay in the foyer in front of Ellman Chapel for approximately one hour on Shabbat. To join the greeter team contact Mildred or Marty Kwatinetz at zaydekw@comcast.net or 404.812.1734.

have you seen our monday motivation eblasts?

Every Monday our eblast features a different congregant, a cause that is meaningful to him/her, and the organization he or she is involved in to support the cause. If you would like to expose "your" cause and teach others how they can get involved, please reach out to Director of Marketing, Anne Cohen, at acohen@ aasynagogue.org.

share your skills

Do you have skills (or expertise) you’d like to share? For example, do you have a background in Public Relations, Writing, Event Planning and/or Coordination, Volunteerism, Fundraising, Teaching, Customer Service, Research, Education, Sales, or anything else? We’d love to know about it! Please email Director of Marketing, Anne Cohen, at acohen@aasynagogue.org with information about the skill-set you're bringing to the table.

Community volunteer/sociaL ACTION EVENTS NCJW - tutors needed

Many in our community take advantage of a wonderful way to support Ahavath Achim's preschool - by redirecting a portion of their GA state income tax to Ahava Early Learning Center through the Alef Fund. If you have already pledged your support again this year, todah rabah... thank you! Find out how you can support our preschool by visiting the website at www.aleffund. org.

Volunteers needed for anne frank in the world exhibit

The Georgia Commission on the Holocaust is looking for volunteers. Opportunities include being a docent, greeter, administrative support, and more. To become a volunteer, please visit holocaust.georgia.gov/volunteer, and submit a volunteer application. Questions? Contact Sandra Craine, Education Coordinator, at sandracraine@holocaust.georgia.gov or 770.206.1554.

Jewish Fertility Foundation - become a partner

Consider making a donation this New Year to help JFF continue to provide services in 5778. Whether $18 or $1,800, you will be helping to create Jewish children and ease the suffering of Jewish couples. By helping to create a child, you have an immeasurable impact on the world. For more information about the Jewish Fertility Foundation, visit http://bit.ly/2yoecfW.

Beineinu • adar | nisan • 26

weekly service schedule

We are a dynamic, egalitarian, conservative congregation that inspires our members to forge strong connections with God, Jewish life, Israel, and our community.

stay connected

Morning minyan (Monday - Friday)

7:15 am

Morning minyan (Sunday)

8:30 am

Evening minyan (Sunday - Thursday)

6:00 pm

Shabbat Evening Service (Friday)

6:30 pm

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Shabbat Morning Service (Saturday)

9:00 am

Ahavath Achim Synagogue

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Neil Sandler, Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal, Rabbi Jill Rosner, Assistant to the Rabbis Barry Herman, Interim Executive Director Catherine Ficke, Executive Assissant Jordan Forman, Ritual Director Hannah Williams, Ahava Early Learning Center Director Marc Silberstein, Director of Education Nicole Flom, Assistant Education Director Lindsay Borenstein, Director of Development Shana Dukette, Capital Campaign Administrative Assistant Anne Cohen, Director of Marketing & Community Relations Lauren Dube, Marketing Coordinator & Graphic Designer Miriam Habif, Membership & Event Coordinator Joe Jones, Director of Security Chris Carr, Director of Facilities Wesley Coney, Facilities Anika Johnson, Facilities Ken Johnson, Facilities Ian Madge, Facilities Marcus Thomas, Facilities Stan Vogel, Finance Manager Fern Schorr, Receptionist Rob Wildstein, President Rick Swerdlin, Executive Vice President Rick Harber, Financial Vice President Stacy Fialkow, Vice President Dick Planer, Vice President Arthur Povlot, Vice President Debra Elovich and Judy Marx, Sisterhood Co-Presidents Zoe Glickman, Kadima President

Beineinu… between you and me The Newsletter of Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Our newsletter is funded by a grant from The Center Family Foundation

27 • Beineinu •Ahavath Adar | Achim NisanSynagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 | www.aasynagogue.org | 404.355.5222