Beineinu - August 2019

Beineinu The newsletter of Ahavath Achim Synagogue • August 2019 •

Weekly service schedule

f AhavathAchimSynagogue l @aasynagogueatl t @AASynagogueATL y Ahavath Achim Synagogue D www.aasynagogue.org V 404.355.5222 ] 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW Atlanta, GA 30327

clergy

Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal Rabbi Neil Sandler Rabbi Arnold Goodman Senior Rabbinic Scholar

Staff

Barry Herman Executive Director Candace Schilling Director of Marketing Miriam Habif Director of Outreach & Engagement Jackie Nix Director of Youth & Family Engagement Chris Carr Director of Facilities Beth Arnold Helmey Ahava ELC Director Investigator Joe Jones IV Director of Security Jill Rosner Executive Assistant to the Rabbis Catherine Ficke Executive Assistant to the Executive Director Heidi Herman Ahava ELC Administrator Susan Goff Ahava ELC Bookkeeper Lauren Dube Marketing Coordinator & Graphic Designer Stan Vogel Finance Manager Fern Schorr Receptionist Wesley Coney Facilities Anika Johnson Facilities Ken Johnson Facilities Ian Madge Facilities Marcus Thomas Facilities

Officers of the board

Mark Cohen President Gerry Benjamin Executive Vice President Michael Plasker Financial Vice President Gary Alembik Vice President Stacy Fialkow Vice President Betty Sunshine Vice President Allison Feldman and Rachael Joseph Sisterhood Co-Presidents Ethan Povlot USY and Kadima President

Beineinu‌ between you and me The Newsletter of Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Funded by a grant from The Center Family Foundation

1 • August 2019

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

Shabbat Morning Service (Saturday)

9:30 am

From the Rabbi I

once heard a rumor that Native Americans, such as members of the Navaho and Apache tribes and other cultures we learned about in middle school social studies, could have been part of the 10 lost tribes of Israel.

Throughout the Bible, the people of Israel are organized into 12 tribes, each named after one of the sons and grandsons of Jacob. After years of corrupt kings, in-fighting and outside hostility, the 10 northern tribes were defeated by an aggressive foreign invader and scattered to the wind. Years later, the southern tribes also were defeated but stayed somewhat glued together throughout their exile, which made a return to the land of Israel possible.

For generations, people have wondered what happened to the northern tribes of Israel. Where did they go? Did they completely assimilate into the conquering culture or did they, like the southern tribes of Judah and Benjamin, retain some of their identity?

When looking at what I learned in social studies about various Native American cultures, I can see some elements in common. Just like the Israelite tribes, Native American cultures have a deep connection to the land. We Jews have prayers and rituals to encourage rainfall and other observances and offerings of agricultural bounty and well-being.

Smoke Signal

By Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

accurately plot out the holiday observance, ensuring that days deemed sacred by God were observed correctly on the exact date they fell, communities needed to receive quick messages identifying the beginning of the month.

One bonfire would be set, causing the next community to ignite their bonfire followed by the next community and so on. Pretty soon, even distant communities knew the beginning of the month through this system of smoke signals. Does this confirm the rumor about the familial connection of Native Americans and the Jewish people? Probably not. But, it’s a fun connection, igniting a few thoughts which I hope you consider regarding your own spiritual journey. *** What lights your fire? *** Part of the responsibility to our Jewish community is to answer the smoke signals we see. When we notice our neighbors’, spiritual passion has been ignited, we respond with our own internal bonfire that might inspire those next to us to light their spiritual fires.

Our inner lights can be contagious.

Spirituality is both a gift and a practice for us. In the music world, the best improviser is somebody who practices their scales, listens to other musicians and seeks inspiration from others engaged in their craft.

Similarly, the path to a deeper spiritual life is to see others around you engaging in spirituality, and watch their fires grow while kindling the fire within yourself. At first it might feel like imitation, but soon we each develop ownership of our individual spiritual practice. It’s all about seeing the signals and answering the call.

Again, despite the similarities, it really is a long-shot to think that the rich culture of the Native American peoples are somehow descended from our Jewish ancestors from the Mediterranean coast.

However, I recently learned about another ritual that the ancient Israelites employed which sounded familiar from my American social studies class – The Smoke Signal. Apparently, during the later years of the Jerusalem Temple experience, there was a need to communicate information dealing with the Jewish calendar: the precise day that the new moon was viewed. Witnesses were brought to the Sanhedrin, the temple court, to testify on the first sighting of the moon so the new month would then be declared. To

August 2019 • 2

Life Cycle weddings

Mazal Tov to the newly married couple!

Seth Adams and Hannah Zangwill

Married on May 19 Hannah is the daughter of Andy Zangwill and Sonia Fishkin

babIes

Mazal Tov to the loved ones of the newest additions to our community!

Simon Asher Roberts

Born on March 29 Son of Tovah and Chad Roberts; Grandson of Brenda Silverman

Reed Levi Gordon

Born on June 2 Son of Felicia and Benjamin Gordon; Grandson of Karen and Andrew Edlin and Linda and Alan Gordon; Great-grandson of Carole and Marcus Gottlieb and Sara Gordon

Isla Sidney Kleinman

Born on June 5 Daughter of Cori and Ian Kleinman; Granddaughter of Michelle and Paul Kleinman and Geri and Scott Weissman

Gabriel “Mac” Maxwell Smolar

Born on June 7 Son of Roben and Gregory Smolar; Brother of Jocey and Joshua Smolar

3 • August 2019

Zoey Arielle Strauss

Born on June 20 Daughter of Elaine and Benjamin Strauss; Granddaughter of Berta and Lev Mebel and Anne and David Strauss; Great-granddaughter of Barbara Landstein; Sister of Michael Seth Strauss; Niece of Inna and Steve Boyd and Amy and Matthew Strauss

Baruch Dayan Emet May God comfort their loved ones along with the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

Nicholas Adler

Brother of Gabrielle Adler

Florence Bernes

James Gray

Husband of Debra Elovich; Father of Aliza and Abigail Gray

Sister of Philip Sunshine

New to shul

Our warmest welcome to the new members of our community!

Mark Waldinger If you are new to the community and interested in joining the Ahavath Achim family, please contact our Director of Outreach and Engagement, Miriam Habif, at mhabif@aasynagogue.org or 404.603.5749.

Kol Hakavod

Kol HaKavod (good job) to our congregants celebrating simchas and achievements!

To Barb Ribner who just returned from a nearly three week trip to Israel working with volunteers on one of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) supply bases.

This was her eighth trip with the volunteer group, known in Israel as SarEl.

To Dr. Allison Gordon on her recent graduation from Wake Forest School of Medicine! She will be moving to Albuquerque for her residency in emergency room medicine at the University of New Mexico.

Allison is the daughter of Susan and Neil Gordon and granddaughter of Betty Ann Shusterman.

To Shelly Dollar and Barb Ribner for organizing Sisterhood’s closing program, The Beat Goes On ... and On and On, featuring Dr. Nanette Wenger. Todah Rabah to Dr. Nanette Wenger for her inspiring and noteworthy presentation about her critical role in bringing women’s heart health to the forefront!

Events & announcements Blood Drive

Sunday, August 4 | 9 am - 2 pm | Srochi Auditorium Do the mitzvah of donating blood at Ahavath Achim Synagogue’s quarterly Blood Drive! Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

We encourage you to schedule an appointment through AA page on the Red Cross Blood website (aasyn.org/blood-drive-register).

The Quarterly Blood Drive is sponsored by Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Congregation Shearith Israel, Congregation Or VeShalom, Jewish War Veterans Post 112, and Fulton Lodge No. 216 Free and Accepted Masons. Questions? Contact Gail Solomon, Blood Drive Chair (gailsol@gmail.com; 404.351.1900).

Sweet Summer Series with PJ Library

Wednesday, August 7 | 5:30 - 6:30 pm | TCBY - 4920 Roswell Rd NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30342 We’re excited to be a part of this year’s Sweet Summer Series with PJ Library Atlanta! Join us for ice cream and fun kids’ activities! A portion of all proceeds go to supporting PJ Library! Questions? Contact Jackie Nix , Director of Youth and Family Engagement (jnix@aasynagogue.org; 404.603.5743).

mAAc Houdini Exhibit Tour

Thursday, August 8 | 10 am - 12 pm | The Breman Museum - 1440 Spring St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 | Registration Required Join the Mature Active Adult Community (mAAc) for a tour of the Houdini exhibit at the Breman!

Award-winning magician Joe Turner will entertain us with a magic show followed by a docentled tour of the Houdini exhibit.

COST: • $18 per person for mAAc members • $23 per person for non-mAAc members Existing Breman Museum members are eligible for a $5 discount.

(Payment confirms your reservation).

THREE WAYS TO REGISTER: 1. Form: Complete the online registration form.

2. Phone: Call Miriam Habif (404.603.5749) to register for you or notify her that your check is in the mail.

3. In Person: Deliver a check to the synagogue with attention to Miriam Habif. (Please make checks payable to Ahavath Achim Synagogue, and write the event name in the memo line).

The deadline to register is Friday, August 2. Transportation will not be provided. Program questions? Contact Gail Solomon (solgail.627@gmail.com; 404.456.6161).

Habitat for Humanity NW Interfaith Build Sunday, August 18 | 7:30 am - 3:30 pm | Latreece Williams Household - 2490 Perkerson Rd SW, Atlanta, GA 30315 | Registration Required Volunteers needed for this year’s Habitat for Humanity NW Interfaith Build! This year marks the 26th year Ahavath Achim has been a sponsor of this mitzvah. Become part of this meaningful tradition.

We are seeking up to 25 volunteers from AA. Anyone can volunteer as long as they are 16 and older.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and snacks will be available throughout the day. Registration required

by Sunday, August 11. For more information, please contact the event co-chairs, Alan Wexler (alanwexler@ databankinfo.com) and Leigh Boros (invisiblemonkey@ pobox.com).

HomeBeis@AA Back-to-School BBQ

Sunday, August 18 | 1 - 3 pm | AA Front Lawn and Breezeway | Registration Required Join us for HomeBeis@AA's Backto-School BBQ as we kick off a new year of programming for our children and families! We’ll have loads of fun and games, like a water balloon toss, dizzy bat relays, and

August 2019 • 4

so much more. (Things will get wet and messy, so bring a change of clothes!)

COST: $10 per child The deadline to register is Monday, August 12. Questions?

Contact Jackie Nix, Director of Youth and Family Engagement (jnix@aasynagogue.org; 404.603.5743).

LimmudFest 2019

Friday, August 30 - Monday, September 2 | Camp Ramah Darom | Registration Required LimmudFest at Ramah Darom is a celebration and festival of Jewish thought, arts, culture, life, learning, and teaching. Join the community in the North Georgia mountains with hundreds of Jews from all walks of life, all Jewish backgrounds, all lifestyles, and all ages for a full schedule of workshops, discussions, arts, music, performances, text-study sessions, yoga, hiking, and more. Questions or need assistance with registration?

Contact registrations@ramahdarom.org or 404.531.0801 ext. 9221.

Greening Group Mulching Day

Sunday, September 8 | 9:30 am - 12 pm | Rain Date: Sunday, September 15 | 5 - 7:30 pm Help “beautify” the synagogue in preparation for the High Holidays - it’s fun for the whole family!

Questions? Contact Myrtle Lewin, Greening Group Chair (aagreening@gmail.com; 404.409.3196).

mAAc Second Annual Kick-Off Brunch

Sunday, September 15 | 11 am - 1 pm | Srochi Hall | Registration Required Join the Mature Active Adult Community (mAAc) for the Second Annual Kick-Off Brunch. Enjoy delicious food and entertainment from the Gray Matters Band.

COST: $18 per person (Payment confirms your reservation) THREE WAYS TO REGISTER: 1. Form: Complete the online registration form.

2. Phone: Call Miriam Habif (404.603.5749) to register for you or notify her that your check is in the mail.

3. In Person: Deliver a check to the synagogue with attention to Miriam Habif. (Please make checks payable to Ahavath Achim Synagogue, and write the event name in the memo line).

The deadline to register is Friday, September 6. Program questions? Contact Gail Solomon (solgail.627@gmail. com; 404.456.6161).

Adult Learning Tuesdays@AA - Every Tuesday | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm | Koplin Borochoff Library Torah Study - Every Saturday | 10:30 - 11:30 am | Cavalier Room Piedmont Study Group - Every second Wednesday of the month | 2:30 - 3:30 pm | The Piedmont at Buckhead

5 • August 2019

Save the Dates!

Bluegrass Shabbat Weekend Experience with Nefesh Mountain - Friday, September 6 - 8 Sisterhood's Opening Program: E Pluribus Unum (Out of Many, One) - Sunday, October 6 Worship in Pink - Saturday, October 12 Event details are subject to change after publication. To stay updated about or register for an event, visit our online events calendar at aasynagogue.org/events.

2019-2020 Yizkor Book of Remembrance

As the synagogue prepares for the High Holidays, we consider several key elements of any human relationship: celebration, repentance, forgiveness, and remembrance. We invite you to honor the memory of your loved ones by including their names in the Ida Pearle and Joseph Cuba 2019-2020 Yizkor Memorial "Pages of Remembrance" book. “Yizkor,” or “remember” in Hebrew, is a special prayer and service created to renew and strengthen connections to our loved ones who have passed, to offer merit to their souls and to elevate them in their heavenly homes. Each name you wish to include is $20 (double names = $40). To submit names for inclusion in the Yizkor Book, complete the online form (aasyn.org/ yizkor-5780) or contact Jill Rosner (jrosner@aasynagogue. org; 404.603.5741). In order to meet our mandatory publication deadline, payment must be received by Friday, August 23.

The Men's Club at the Atlanta Kosher BBQ

The Men's Club is recruiting members to join their BBQ team to compete at this year's 7th Annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Competition on Sunday, September 8. If you are interested in joining, contact the Men's Club co-chairs, Adam Hirsch (adamhirsch82@gmail.com; 770.598.2825) and Andy Siegel (asiegel@siegelinsurance.com; 404.643.0618).

Backpack Buddies - Fight Childhood Hunger The mission of AA's Backpack Buddies (BPB) is to provide foodinsecure students at E. Rivers Elementary School with backpacks full of satisfying and healthy food for every weekend throughout the school year. Over 25% of children attending E. Rivers Elementary School on Peachtree Battle participate in the free or reducedprice meal program. Many children leave school on Friday not knowing when they will eat again. To provide substantial nutritious snacks for each student in this program, BPB costs approximately $180 per child. Every donation, regardless of size, helps feed a hungry child.

Along with your financial support, we are looking for volunteers to commit two hours a month to help pack and/ or deliver food. For more information or to volunteer, please contact the committee co-chairs: Sherri Wildstein (sherriwildstein@gmail.com); Carla Wertheimer (werth5@ comcast.net).

Chesed Initiative

Are you a warm, friendly, dedicated volunteer who wants to make a difference in a fellow congregant’s life through acts of loving kindness?

Are you willing to make a personal call or visit to comfort and support a congregant who has lost a loved one or been ill? These caring touches - acts of loving kindness make all the difference in the world to those receiving them. If you want to be a part of strengthening our community, then AA's new Chesed Initiative is for you! This committee will work with our clergy, staff, and lay leaders to connect members who need help with members who want to do good deeds!

Additionally, if you know of a congregant who is facing personal difficulties related to health, loss, or grief, please contact Fern Schorr at fschorr@aasynagogue.org or 404.355.5222 to let us know. Help us reach out to members in need. We welcome your help and time with this important project.

HomeBeis@AA Registration Now Open!

We’re excited for all our 2019-20 programs: Kesher (our religious school program for Pre-K - 6th Grade), TAAglit Atzmi (our postB’nai Mitzvah program for 7th 10th graders), AAtid (learning for our 10th - 12th grade teens), Chai Youth Group programs, and more.

We’re also excited to kick off our new monthly Shabbat program.

Classes will focus on learning about the weekly Torah portion, wellness (spiritual and personal), finding comfort in participating in services, and socializing with friends and classmates. This program is open to all children Pre-K - 6th grade. Visit the AA website to learn more or register for our programs.

Sisterhood’s College Care Packets

It’s almost that time of year! Every year, Sisterhood sends care packets with gifts and small remembrances of home to our students headed off to college. If you are a parent of a college-bound student (under- or post-grad) and would like for him/ her to receive a care package, please contact Lori Miller (wlbgamiller@ gmail.com; 404.281.7416).

Sisterhood's Honey Fundraiser

What better way is there to wish family, friends, and business associates a sweet and healthy New Year than with a jar of honey? This 8 oz jar of delicious kosher honey arrives in time for Rosh Hashanah with a personalized card that lets the recipient(s) know that a donation has been made in their honor to Ahavath Achim Sisterhood.

Each jar costs $12 (including shipping and handling). Questions? Contact Janet Kupshik (404.313.1874; janet6420@aol.com).

Shopping on Amazon?

You can do that and support Sisterhood at the same time!

Sisterhood invites you to do your online shopping with us on Amazon by clicking on the link on the synagogue’s website Sisterhood page. Up to 15% of your purchase will be donated to Sisterhood! It doesn’t cost any extra, so why not?

Smiling Faces Needed

Everyone who walks through our doors on Shabbat and holidays is greeted with a warm welcome. This is made possible by our devoted members who are part of our greeter team. Being a greeter is an easy and fun way to connect with other congregants, meet new people, and become an integral part of the synagogue. If you can smile and say “Shabbat Shalom,” then you are a fully trained greeter. Greeters stay in the foyer outside Ellman Chapel for approximately one hour on Shabbat and holidays. To join the greeter team, contact Mildred or Marty Kwatinetz at zaydekw@comcast.net or 404.812.1734.

Torah Fund

Help to preserve, promote and perpetuate Conservative/Masorti Judaism by giving to Sisterhood’s Torah Fund Campaign supporting scholarship funds at the Jewish Theological Seminary (New York, NY), Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies (Los Angeles, CA), Schechter Institute of Jewish Studies (Jerusalem), Seminario Rabinico Latinoamericano (Buenos Aires), and Zacharias Frankel College (Potsdam, Germany). AA Sisterhood has been recognized as a leader in supporting Jewish education, in our congregation, and for the entire movement. To purchase a card or make a donation, please contact Shari Neumann (shari_neumann@yahoo.com) or Fran Galishoff (fgalishoff@bellsouth.net).

August 2019 • 6

AHAVATH ACHIM CONGREGATION 600 PEACHTREE BATTLE AVE NW ATLANTA, GA 30327

NONPROFIT US POSTAGE PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT NO. 3259