Beineinu - September/October 2016

Beineinu Ahavath Achim Synagogue

September | October 2016 28 Av 5776 | 29 Tishrei 5777

Affiliated with United Synagogue of ConservativeBeineinu Judaism• September | October • 1

From the Rabbi Neil Sandler

“Live Passionately and with Meaning”

A

re you getting ready for the High Holidays?

I don’t mean the guests with whom you will share meals. Those kind of plans and getting ready for them is something people seldom miss.

What about the OTHER preparations for the High Holidays? Those preparations that include reviewing your year and asking yourself, “How have I done?” “Are there people who I have wronged and with whom I need to speak?” “How about God? Have I paid attention to God this year? Do I need to talk with God?” “How about the community? Have I been an integral part of it? Do I need to do some things differently in that regard?”

This year at Ahavath Achim we seek to help you prepare for the High Holidays in a significant manner by focusing on a theme and the questions that may emerge from it.

“Live passionately and with meaning”: In the weeks leading up to the High Holidays, we have and will continue to place this theme and life direction before you.

“Live passionately and with meaning”.

Consider the questions you might ask on the basis of this theme. For example, “Am I mostly going through the motions each day? How can I change my situation and perform at least some of my daily

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activities with a strong sense of intention, commitment and caring? Do I pay attention to doing something each day that I find meaningful? Can I increase the frequency of activities that evoke feelings of meaningfulness?”

I hope you spend some time prior to the High Holidays and throughout them considering at least one of those questions and perhaps others relevant to your life.

Sometimes, we create barriers making passionate and meaningful living more difficult...especially and most regrettably when it comes to relationships. In that regard, I recently came across a pithy and provocative anonymous statement:

“Holding on to resentment is like drinking poison and then waiting for the other person to die”.

Wow, that’s a rather strange way to look at the notion of resentment, isn’t it? But it doesn’t take much reflection to recognize its truth.

Holding on to resentment and bearing a grudge is poisonous. Unless and until it is addressed, it precludes the possibility of a positive relationship. At that moment and for the duration of the unresolved resentment, that relationship is effectively dead. The funny thing about holding a grudge is it almost never harms the object of resentment. It only hurts the bearer.

He/she allows that other person to “dwell in his/her head”, and the resentment and anger can only grow.

Resentment should obviously be

addressed because it poisons relationships. Left unaddressed, such resentment also becomes a barrier to passionate and meaningful living.

Confronting such things in your life, if necessary, contributes to a healthier, more passionate and meaningful life.

What other things can you do to live passionately and with meaning?

Susan joins me in wishing you and all your loved ones a year of good health and well-being throughout this new year of 5777. May it bring blessings to all of us, our people and the world.

From the President Rob Wildstein

S

o how’s it going?

Is it what you expected?

Are you busy or dizzy?

Should I say congratulations or condolences?

These are some of the typical questions I receive from congregants since I took office as president two months ago.

A lot has happened at our synagogue in two short months: We are nearly finished with the renovation of our library. We increased security for the synagogue. Robyn Faintich joined us as our Interim Educational Director and is creating new and innovative ways to engage our students in the religious school. We hired a Development Director, Lindsay Borenstein, who has over 15 years of professional experience to assist us with the Capital Campaign and fundraising activities.

Our Ahava Early Learning Center started its first year offering a full-time preschool program. We had another memorable Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Annual Lecture with a fascinating discussion between Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat and the Honorable Michael Bloomberg. We already had two Board meetings, Budget and Finance Committee meetings, Facilities and Construction meetings, as well as other committee

meetings. We are working on statewide efforts to adopt the upcoming Safe Harbor Constitutional Amendment. We are the only congregation in the city who participated in an interfaith service of healing and unity to support the victims of gun violence in Dallas, Baton Rouge, and other localities.

Wishing all of you and your families a meaningful, healthy, and sweet Shanah Tova.

Wait...I thought summer was supposed to be a period of quiet respite and time off.

Not at Ahavath Achim!

Perhaps the best part of the last two months is the opportunity I had to speak with many of you to discuss our synagogue and our future as a community. I am heartened and energized by your commitment to our vision of continued transformation of our congregation into an engaged, vibrant, welcoming, and purposeful community.

So, how’s it going? Great.

Is it what I expected? No, it is better than what I expected.

Am I busy or dizzy? I am busy trying to keep up a congregation working on transforming itself and its community at a dizzying pace.

Should you congratulate me or give me your condolences? No. Actually, I should congratulate you, our congregation, our superb staff, and our inspiring clergy for the work all of you do to make our synagogue a leader in our community.

And thank you for giving me the opportunity to be of service.

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Announcements Births Lincoln Murray Jacobs

MAY

25

Parents: Stephanie and Paul Jacobs Brother: Oliver Grandparents: Laura and Larry Weiner Miriam and Bruce Jacobs

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

Blake Marvin Knopf

Bryce Hayes Nighbert

Sydney Nicole Weiss

JUNE

JUNE

JUNE

JULY

Parents: Amy and Gary Knopf

Parents: Sherri and Jimmy Nighbert

Parents: Laura and Eli Weiss

Parents: Allie and Adam Jaffe

Grandparents: Terry and Jack Silverman

Grandparents: Sherry Habif Charlie and Alan Jaffe

2

Sister: Ava Grandparents: Randy Farrow Bill and Robin Knopf Debbie and Bruce Feldman Great Grandparents: Bobbie Knopf Esther and DeNeal Feldman Lorraine Kobel

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28 Sister: Taylor

Grandparents: Liz and Bobby Goldstein Linda and Michael Nighbert Great Grandparents: Leon Goldstein and Betty Goldstein z”l Helen and Frank Spiegel

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Great Grandmother: Alice Kaplan Great Aunt & Uncle: Shelley and Scott Kaplan

Blair Helena Jaffe

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Bnai Mitvah

Mazal Tov on your upcoming Bnai Mitzvah!

Tyler Francis Avchen | Mayer Liam Tyler will be having his Bar Mitzvah on Saturday, September 17. Tyler’s parents are Rachel and Michael Avchen, his brother is Dylan Avchen, and his grandparents are Malvin and Molly Avchen and Mark and Lois Nonkin.

Mazal Tov to Tyler and his family on his big day!

Jeanne Johnson-Whatley Jeanne will be having her Bat Mitzvah on Saturday, October 1. Jeanne’s parents are Nehoma Soorkis and Samuel Harold Garte z”l. She has a brother, Gerry Garte, a husband, James Schuster, and two children, Ashlee Ivah Cooper and Hampton Clark Isaac Whatley. Mazal Tov to Jeanne and her family on her upcoming Bat Mitzvah!

Mira Adrianne Solomon | Mira bat Zvi Mira will be having her Bat Mitzvah Saturday, October 29.

Mira’s parents are Lori and Harold Solomon, her brother is Ben Solomon, and her grandparents are Kaethe Solomon and Carol and Murray Levine. AA congratulates Mira and her family on her big day!

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Announcements cont.

Engagements

Judy and Joe Balaban are proud to announce the engagement of their grandson Jacob Balaban to Jenna Schwack. Jacob is the son of Michael and Lynne Balaban and Jenna is the daughter of Susan Schwack. Jacob graduated from Temple University and Jenna graduated from Penn State.

The couple will be living in Baltimore where Jenna will be attending The University of Maryland School of Law.

New to shul!

Laurie Burnham Shelly Dollar Jonathan Grossberg Akanksha Mehta Allie Jaffe Adam Jaffe James Landrum Amy Landrum Lisa Lebovitz Amanda Niskar Joanne Niskar

Mazal Tov to these newly-engaged couples and their loved ones!

Rebecca Kahn and Rahul Nayak are happy to announce their engagement! Rebecca is a graduate student at Harvard University and is working on her Master’s in epidemiology.

Rebecca’s parents are our congregants Susan and Bobby Kahn. Her grandmother, Caroline Gold is also a congregant here at AA. Rahul is currently attending med school at Harvard University and is going through rotations.

AA welcomes our new members!

Melissa Silver Eric Silver Sharon Zinns Muriel Feldman Alan Herbin Laura Herbin Erin Thaler Jon Lober Danielle Lober

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Randy Crohn and Nikki Gugliotta announce their engagement and plan to get married this December!

Randy is the son of Max and Barbara Crohn and Nikki is the daughter of Howard and Carol Markson.

Schmoozing at Kiddush Maybe you are new to Atlanta, new to AA, or perhaps you are just looking to make a new friend. Starting in September we will be bringing out red cups at Kiddush. Taking red cup will let congregants know that you are interested in meeting more of your fellow congregants. If you see someone with a red cup, introduce yourself and help them make some new life-long connections!

in memoriam May the memories of these righteous ones be a blessing Patricia Hill

Mother of Mary Pat Hill

Henry Tovey

Father of Craig Tovey

Julie Fergang Rosefsky

Daughter-in-law of Flora and Bernard Rosefsky

Mae Barkan

Wife of Leonard Barkan

Harriet Kersh

Mother of Jill Kersh and Shelly Colin

Enoch Goodfriend

Son of Cantor and Mrs. Isaac Goodfriend z”l

Isaac “Ike” Habif

Husband of Sherry Habif

Herman Rosenthal

Father of Arlene Rosenthal-Gill Grandfather of Richard Graiser Brother of Morris Rosenthal

Hirsch E. Bressler

Husband of Sharon Bressler Brother of Richard Bressler and Ellen Mills Uncle of Adam and Suzanne Bressler

Susan Moss

Sister of Bobby Ezor

Lewis Silverboard

Father of Susan, Gerald, and Reid Silverboard and Nancy Greenberg

May the Lord comfort and sustain all the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem

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Jews in the Pews in the News Spotlighting AA congregants featured in news media for major achievements

Nanette Wenger

Work Honored with Special Tribute

D

r. Nanette Wenger has been named one of the “Women Luminaries in Interventional Cardiology” by the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention, SCAI. She was honored earlier this month at SCAI’s 2016 Scientific Sessions, held in Orlando, Fl. Wenger is a professor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology, Emory University School of Medicine, and former chief of cardiology at Grady. For more than half a century, her pioneering clinical and research efforts make her one of the world’s most respected experts on coronary heart disease in women.

“The queen of cardiovascular medicine, Dr. Wenger has spent the last six decades of her life dedicated to advancing cardiovascular health and the importance that gender plays in medical and revascularization therapies for our patients,” said SCAI’s Women in Interventions Program Chair Dr. Roxana Mehran.

SCAI promotes excellence in invasive and interventional cardiovascular medicine through education and representation, and the advancement of quality standards to enhance patient care.

Wenger graduated from Harvard Medical School and received her medical and cardiology training at Mount Sinai Hospital before coming to Emory’s School of Medicine and Grady in 1958.

In 1993, the New York native coauthored a landmark article in the New England Journal of Medicine that aggressively debunked the common belief that heart disease was a man’s disease.

Earlier that year, Wenger coauthored a scientific statement published in the American Heart Association’s journal Circulation, the first ever from the AHA on heart attacks in women. She helped write the 2011 Guidelines for Preventing Cardiovascular Disease in Women and was honored in 2009 with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology.

Wenger serves on the editorial boards of numerous professional journals and is a sought-after lecturer for issues related to heart disease in women, heart disease in the elderly, cardiac rehabilitation, coronary prevention and contemporary cardiac care.

Best Doctors Inc. has named Wenger in their list of the Best Doctors in America.

If you know of someone in the AA family whose accomplishments have landed them in the news, please submit a reccommendation to Lauren Dube at ldube@aasynagogue.org

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AA ACTS update Passing the Safe Harbor Constitutional Amendment on Election Day Supportive Resolution Unanimously Passed by AA Board

O

n November 8, all GA voters will be asked to vote on a state constitutional amendment to create the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund. The AA – ACTS Committee is a member of a state-wide coalition supporting this amendment, and we urge you to vote YES for the Safe Harbor Fund.

This is a one-time opportunity to make a lasting investment in the lives of child sex trafficking victims.

If the amendment passes successfully, the Safe Harbor Fund will be permanently dedicated to providing the services and support needed for children who were bought or sold for sex.

Funds would be raised annually from penalties of those convicted of sex trafficking and fees on adult entertainment establishments; this is not a tax on Georgia taxpayers. All funds will be dedicated to serving child sex trafficking victims.

Prior to the passage of HB 200 in 2014, minors who were sold in the sex industry were treated as criminals, but since then, they have been recognized as victims.

This has meant they are no longer prosecuted and sent to Youth Detention Centers, but instead are placed in safe housing and provided with rehabilitative services and counseling appropriate to their role as victims.

Funding for the Safe Harbor for Sexually Exploited Children Fund is constitutionally dedicated, meaning that it is not subject to appropriation by the Georgia General Assembly, and it cannot be redirected into the General Fund or for other purposes.

For more information contact: Steve Chervin stevenchervin@gmail.com, (678) 596-1529, or Linda Bressler, lindafb@bellsouth.net, or (404) 256-9210, or go to safeharboryes.com.

Beineinu • September | October • 8

aaspire Upcoming Events Oct 3 12:15 p.m.

AAspire Rashi The community you join after Hillel. AA’s Young Adult community gears toward those between the ages of 21 and early 30s who are looking to pursue their individual brand of Judaism through interactive experiences. Contact Gabrielle Adler at gadler@ aasynagogue.org

“Refresh & Reconnect”: On the first day of Rosh Hashanah, reconnect with fellow AAspire members in the tent near the gold doors immediately following the Garden Sanctuary service for a light nosh and refreshing beverages.

Oct 12 7:30 p.m.

Break Fast

Oct 24 8:00 p.m.

Rashi Simchat Torah Program

Schmooze, Nosh and Build Connections Culture and Social Programs Explore Your Spirituality Engage in Jewish Learning

AAspire Hineini Be Yourself. Be Here. Be a Community. An inclusive community of Jewish adults ages 33 - mid 40s who are seeking like-minded friends to experience meaningful new adventures, share in life’s journey, and celebrate Jewish living. Contact Leah Fuhr at Lfuhr@ aasynagogue.org Inspiring Learning Opportunities Exciting Social Programs Community Service and Leadership Opportunities Come Laugh with New and Old Friends

AAspire Tzedek Justice, justice you shall pursue - Deut 16:20. AA’s Jewish Action and Advocacy Initiative geared towards Jewish adults ages 21 mid 40s. Join us to pursue social change in our local, national and global society. Contact Leah Fuhr at Lfuhr@aasynagogue.org

Above: pictures from AAspire’s Shabbat Dinner. Left: pictures from the AAspire “Party at the Pool”.

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Events Bluegrass Shabbat September 16, 6:00 p.m.

Operation Isaiah Food Drive September 21 - November 2

bluegrass shabbat

LGBTQ Education Program & Atlanta Jewish Community Pride Parade October 9, 10:00 a.m.

Bluegrass, Games, & Good ‘Ole Fashioned BBQ You’re invited to a musical Shabbat right in Ahava’s backyard! The night will start off with one of our featured musical guests, The Cohen Brothers. Listen to them play some sweet bluegrass tunes as you enjoy some good ‘ole fashion bbq, sip on mason jar cocktails, and play a game or two of corn hole or horseshoe.

At 7:45 p.m. our second musical guest, Sammy Rosenbaum, will help us transition into Shabbat with song and musical instruments.

This event is for ALL AGES and we encourage all current members to attend and bring non-member guests with them. For questions, please contact our Director of Engagement, Gabrielle Adler at gadler@aasynagogue.org or 404.655.5306. Please RSVP by Wednesday, September 14. To purchase tickets, visit our website at aasynagogue. org

GIVE EARLY. GIVE OFTEN. These High Holidays, give the gift of making sure there is food on someone else’s table.

Most needed food items: peanut butter, dried beans, canned food, tuna, and soups ... weight counts!

3 ways to participate: Bring your canned food to the AA lobby between September 21 and November 2 Bring your canned food to Kol Nidre evening services Send in a check or make a donation online at www.aasynagogue.org, earmarking it for Operation Isaiah, and we will purchase the food on your behalf.

Our goal: helping the Jewish community reach their lifetime total of 1 MILLION POUNDS! We only need 92,000 punds to reach that magic number. Last year, AA Synagogue collected 60,000 pounds so we can definitely do this. Bring in heavy canned items - weight counts!

The morning of SOJOURN’s Atlanta Jewish Community Pride Parade, AA will be hosting an LGBTQ education program for teens ages 13-18 and a parallel program for adults (with childcare provided for children ages 3-12 during that time). Attendees will carpool from AA to the MARTA station and attend the parade together from 12:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. For more information, contact Lindsey Grossman, Program Associate, at lgrossman@aasynagogue.org

2016 ADL Community of Respect Briefing & Dessert Reception November 3, 7:00 p.m.

4th Annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Competition & Festival September 25, 11:00 a.m.

Ticket pricing Adults: $15 Kids: $12.50 College Student: Free AAspire Rashi (ages 21-32): $10

The 4th annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Competition and Festival returns to Brook Park for the second straight year.

To register for the event, go to www. theatlantakosherbbq.com. For more information, contact the committee at 770.580.3897

Anti-Semitism Through the Eyes of Two Leading Journalists: A Conversation About Islamic Extremism, BDS and World Affairs Save the date for this event featuring Jeffrey Goldberg, National Correspondent for The Atlantic and Bret Stephens, Foreign Affairs Columnist for The Wall Street Journal. There will be a dessert reception preceding the program at 7:00 p.m. The event is taking place at the St. Regis Hotel, 88 West Paces Ferry Road, Atlana, GA 30305. A minimum gift of $100 to the ADL annual campaign is required to attend. For more information, contact Jackie Beres, Director of Development at jberes@adl.org or 404.262.3470

Beineinu • September | October • 10

Ahava looking forward to the next day of school. We took a risk in enrolling her in a brand new school whose building had not yet been completed and whose small staff was unknown to us. Thank goodness we took that risk! It has proven to be one of the best decisions we have made over and over again!

I

n just one year, we have so many successes to celebrate at Ahava Early Learning Center! From an enrollment of 11 children attending school last Fall in our temporary basement space, we grew to a beautiful new state-of-the-art facility, and now have over thirty children registered for 2016-2017. Nine of the children who joined us for summer camp have decided to remain with us full-time.

We wished a warm “l’hitraot” to the first group of four children who moved beyond Ahava and ventured off to elementary school. “L’hitraot” means “see you later” or “until the next time” - and we are excited to see them around AA for Kesher@AA and Chai Youth programs!

I recently received an email from a parent who shared:

My husband and I feel blessed to have our daughter at Ahava. She is our first and only child, so of course we had high expectations, were extremely sensitive to the process, and were afraid to trust a brand new school with our precious little one. She was scared to start this new adventure of preschool, and we were perhaps even more scared to let her go.

All of those feelings of anxietys and caution dissipated within the first week of school. Our daughter came home smiling, singing songs, and most importantly,

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The new preschool building is aweinspiring. The philosophy is amazing, creative, confidence-building, natural, and absolutely ideal, especially for the beginner student. The atmosphere is loving, supportive, and nurturing.

Most importantly, the teachers and staff are A+, tops. I trust them with my only child completely and trust that this school experience will be the best we could wish for her. We love Ahava, and our daughter has expressed the same sentiment time and time again. We feel blessed to have the opportunity for our daughter to grow and learn at Ahava.

YOU have a unique opportunity to help us provide that same opportunity to children in our Pre-K class. Simply by redirecting a portion of your Georgia state income taxes to the Alef Fund in our name, you can help families provide a high quality Ahava education for their children. Thanks to members of our community, five of our Pre-K children already received Alef Fund scholarships, and at least six will receive scholarships in the coming year!

You may choose to direct $2,500 for married filing jointly, $10,000 as a member of an LLC, Shareholder in an S-Corporation or Partner in a partnership, and $1,000 as an individual.

Helping us grow our scholarship fund is simple: log onto www.aleffund.org and, in a few clicks, you are done! The best part is, this is money you are paying anyway,

because the funds you redirect come from your income taxes.

Please help us spread the word! Family members, friends, co-workers, any Georgia tax payer can redirect a portion of their taxes at virtually no cost to them.

To the many community members who contributed in the past - thank you! To those of you that will contribute for the first time this year - thank you! Your support and participation make a real difference to each child and family who receives an Alef Fund Scholarship.

Beineinu • September | October • 12

introducing Kesher@AA

Kesher means CONNECTION Connection to Community Connection to Friends Connection to the AA Connection to Heritage Connection to Family Connection to History Connection to Culture Connection to Ritual Connection to Traditions Connection to Hebrew Connection to Prayer Connection to God Connection to Themselves

With a commitment to partnering with parents in the Jewish education of our Ahavath Achim children, Robyn Faintich, Interim Educational Director, spent the months of May and June 2016 meeting with parents of students previously enrolled in our religious school. In addition to a group gathering and some one-on-one conversations, the parents were surveyed using online tools. Some of our older students also had an opportunity to share their ideas directly with Robyn.

Families provided feedback on many aspects of the religious education program including core content, preferred dates/ times for sessions, program name and brand, structure of the experience, family programs, and the learning environment. As a result of what we learned, we are now able to introduce the Ahavath Achim community to Kesher@AA: Kesher@AA (formerly known as FLLI-SOJ) is the religious education initiative for children ages two years old through 12th grade. Children are inspired to be curious about and love Judaism as they encounter a variety of topics through camp-like enrichment activities.

To learn more about the curriculum, the Hebrew education component, and our overall structure, we invite you to visit our webpage at http://aasynagogue.org/lifelong-learning/youth-religious-education.html.

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Bringing Camp-like Enrichment to AA’s Supplemental Education Kesher@AA is striving to integrate these key “magic” elements into an educational plan that has significant depth and meaning. In reading the 2002 Limmud by the Lake report produced by Amy Sales and Leonard Saxe, we learn of certain elements that make camp “magic,” (Sales & Saxe, 6-7). The goal is to create an environment where our children thrive – loving Judaism and loving being together in community.

First, and probably most important, camps develop within their curriculum intentionality in building community. As a result, there is a society and culture created with its own ritual and traditions, which are passed through the generations. The campers look forward to participating in and often leading these rituals as they age through the camp each year. Second, the relationship between the staff/educator and the learner is unique. They are on a first-name basis and they engage in shared experiences. The educator serves as a guide, a facilitator, and less as a frontal informant (a recent statement about this says that the educator is more of a guide on the side, than a sage on the stage). Third, the education spaces that are used around camp can range from tables in a multi-purpose room to a pavilion in the woods to a log by a river. Education is happening in all of these spaces – but the important part is the space itself is considered a part of the curriculum. Fourth, the tefillah experience at Jewish camp opens the doors for personal exploration, creates an encounter with different ways of praying, and is often imbued with uplifting music. Fifth, camp is fun. In a personal conversation, Sales once said this element is about “Surprise and Delight.” In her interpretation, it means that there is always an element of unexpected. We would be hard-pressed to find a supplemental environment where the vast majority of participants describe their experience as fun and filled with surprise and delight.

We are confident that in developing a new supplemental model that takes this “magic” into consideration, the impact will be significant.

Sales, A. L., & Saxe, L. (2002). Limmud by the Lake: Fulfilling the Educational Potential of Jewish Summer Camps: Center for Modern Jewish Studies, Brandeis University.

Beineinu • September | October • 14

Kesher@AA cont.

Meet the Judaics Staff Deborah Abrams will lead Pre-K - K1 Simmy Wolf will lead 2nd - 3rd grade Matthew Kaplan will lead 4th - 5th grade Alex Ward will lead 6th - 7th grade Gail Foorman will lead Music and Tefillah Lindsey Grossman will serve as Program Associate and Assistant Director and Madrichim in Training Coordinator Rabbi Neil Sandler (not pictured) and Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal (not pictured) will lead 8th -10th TAAglit Atzmi Robyn Faintich and Alex Glass (not pictured) will lead AAtid

Top left to right: Alex Ward, Robyn Faintich, Simmy Wolf, Gail Foorman. Bottom left to right: Lindsey Grossman, Deborah Adams, Matthew Kaplan

Upcoming Events Pre-B’nei Mitzvah Family Workshop October 16, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Family Simchat Torah Dinner, Celebration & Consecration October 24, 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The family workshop is designed fo our 6th graders and their parents as preparation for the bar/bat mitzvah process. The process will include engaging with tutors, understanding the ceremony and how it connects to the life of our children, and exploring the different logistics - building usage, how to extract the most meaning as a family, understanding mitzvah projects, etc. Participants will also meet with rabbis, the gabbai, the executive director, and the educator.

Simchat Torah is known as a time for celebration complete with dancing with Torahs, singing, and enjoying sweet treats. The congregation is invited to join us for a Simchat Torah dinner (cost and menu TBD) followed by a VERY exciting celebration and service, including a brief milestone ceremony to give honor and blessing to our newest Jewish education participants through Consecration. Childcare will be provided for younger children.

Sukkot Family Learning Experience & Congregational Dinner October 16, 4:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

The entire congregation is invited to join us for an interactive Sukkot learning experience followed by a dairy/vegetarian potluck dinner and family-friendly Sukkot services (babysitting will be provided during the learning experience for our younger partcipants - see High Holiday calendar on pg. 16 for more info.). This holiday program is designated as being one of the Kesher@AA Family Experiences.

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Kesher@AA Family Social Action Program: Honoring our Military November 13, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This program for Kesher@AA families will include a community breakfast at a local diner followed by a hands-on experience honoring our military. More details coming soon!

Chai youth Chai Youth Lounge The Chai Youth Lounge is open on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. for 3rd - 8th graders! Come enjoy healthy snacks, homework help, air hockey, ping pong, basketball, arts and crafts, and endless fun with friends.

Become a Chai Youth Member Today!

Engaging and fun monthly programs for students K-12 Meaningful tikun olam projects Opportunities for leadership development on Kadima and USY boards Traveling the country to conventions and meet other Jewish teens

Making lifelong friends And ... a FREE t-shirt with membership!

For more information on how to become a member, contact Leah Fuhr, Director of Youth and Young Adult Community, at Lfuhr@aasynagogue. org or 404.355.3848

Upcoming Events Sep 8 4:30 p.m.

Chalutzim/Machar Program

Sep 18 12:30 p.m.

Braves Game and Scavenger Hunt (8th - 12th grade)

Sep 25 3:00 p.m.

Kadima Program

Oct 3 10:00 AM

Chai Holidays with Kadima and USY High Holiday Programs

Oct 11 10:00 AM

Chai Holidays with Kadima and USY High Holiday Programs

Oct 16 3:00 p.m.

Chalutzim/Machar Sukkot Program

Oct 22 7:00 p.m.

“Shake it Like a Lulav”: Kadima/ USY Sukkah lock-in

Pictures from the Chai Youth trip to Red Top Mountain State Park in July

Beineinu • September | October • 16

Sisterhood Sisterhood Fund Donors Sheila and Dave Adelman Ann and Herb Alperin Cindy and Bruce Becker Diane and Marvin Bernstein Jean Lawson Evelyn and Harold Lefkoff Shirley and Alvin Minsk Naomi’s Sisterhood Book Club Bailey Olim Susan Simon

Betty and Alan Sunshine Irene Aronin Frankenthal Epstein Rachel Brown Fran and Stuart Galishoff Doris and Marty Goldstein Meryl Hammer Sally and Phil Kaplan Roslyn and Darryl Konter Bette and Lew Kurtzman

Mildred and Marty Kwatinetz Linda and Kerry Landis Frances Little Janet and Leonard Meyer Barbara and George Nathan Donna and Phil Newman Marsha Sherman Betty Behr Cecile Waronker

Upcoming Events Naomi’s Book Club Our book club meets each month at 10:15 a.m. at the synagogue. All are welcome to join us for our lively book discussions! For more information, contact Madeleine Gimbel at maddy_ gimbel@yahoo.com

Naomi’s Book Club September 12 10:15 a.m.

The Grapes of Wrath

by John Steinbeck

Naomi’s Book Club October 10, 10:15 a.m.

TheDevil in the White City by Erik Larson

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Z’havah | Not Your Mother or Grandmother’s Sisterhood!

Please join the young women’s initiative of the AA Sisterhood.

Become a part of this special interest group of women in their 20’s to 40’s looking to discover common interests. We celebrate our Jewish identities through programming and fun! Z’havah offeres a series of programs that focus on social, educational, social action, and family events. Contact Brooke Rosenthal at cambrya@hotmail.com for more information.

Z’havah Zen Tea September 18, 12:00 p.m.

Come join us for a rejuvenating afternoon contemplating the upcoming new year with tea, food, friends, and mindfulness!

9th annual “Worship in Pink” service October 22 Join us in honoring all cancer survivors and remembering loved ones lost to cancer. Our guest speaker will be Rochelle Schube who will share inspiring words with us. If you are a survivor or caregiver and would like to participate as a greeter, Ark opener, Torah reader, or making Torah blessing, contact Rina Wolfe at rinawolfe@aol.com

high holidays Rosh Hashanah Refresh and Nosh

We know services are long, and from time-to-time your mind may begin to drift off. To help enhance your worship experience, the library will serve as a relaxing setting for you to unwind, enjoy a refreshing beverage and quick pick-me-up before returning back to services.

We welcome back Cantor

Robert Lieberman for the High Holidays this year. This year will be Cantor Lieberman’s ninth year with us - we look forward to hearing his beautiful voice and joining him in our congregation’s choir and many stirring High Holiday prayers. Cantor Robert Lieberman, a long-time member of the Cantors Assembly, built his career around being a mentsch, a caring teacher, an engaging speaker and an inspiring voice for Israel. His studies culminated in degrees from the University of Michigan School of Music, The Jewish Theological Seminary and the H.L. Miller Cantorial School. His most cherished effort in commissioning new Jewish music is the popular setting of L’dor vador by Craig Taubman. He performed in an extensive range of venues from the celebrated works of Mendelssohn and Bloch, to the laughable moments in Gilbert and Sullivan, all the way to the joys of Broadway. Cantor Lieberman’s whole approach to Jewish life is to provide all, from the youngest to the most senior, with positive Jewish memories.

A special feature for hearing impaired guests

A portion of a center section of the sanctuary features a hearing loop system (courtesy of Active Life Hearing Loops) that enables users of hearing aids or cochlear implants to hear clearly and comfortably without using any special equipment. The hearing loop system transmits the content of the room’s audio system directly, electronically, and wirelessly to the telecoil (T-coil) input that is built in most hearing aids and cochlear implants.

This direct transmission delivers clear sound without background noise. For those without a telecoil, we have a limited number of headsets available. Please invite family and friends with hearing aids or cochlear implants to join us this High Holiday season!

Yom Kippur Break the Fast

As we reflect on the past year let us be mindful of fulfilling the spiritual commandment, Hachnasat Orchim, bringing in guests. For those of you who are able to host a Break the Fast, we encourage you to open up your homes to your fellow congregants. Alternatively, if you are looking for a home to Break Fast, please let us know that we may give our fellow congregants the opportunity to participate in this meaningful mitzvah. If you are interested in being a part of building our warm and caring community please contact Director of Engagement, Gabrielle Adler at 404.603.5749 or gadler@ aasynagogue.org.

On Tuesday morning, October 25, it will be our pleasure to honor Rina and Jack Wolfe as our Simchat Torah honorees. Each year we honor people who have long contributed to the well-being of our congregation, especially to its worship life. Rina and Jack are wonderful exemplars of such commitment.

Rina serves as co-chair of our Chesed committee and has done so since its inception. She also began and continues to chair our annual October Worship in Pink Shabbat.

She, along with Jack, serves as the Friday morning minyan captain and is always available to come, even at the last minute. Rina served two terms as a member of our congregation’s Board of Directors. She is a regular facilitator of Naomi’s Book Club,” honoring the memory of our beloved, Naomi Gold.

Jack attends morning minyan every morning despite driving from Alpharetta. His devotion to morning minyan really makes a difference within our congregation!

Please join us at our Simchat Torah Morning service on October 25, 9:00am, to honor our Chatan Torah and Kallat Bereisheet, Jack and Rina Wolfe.

Beineinu • September | October • 18

High Holidays Schedule Erev Rosh Hashanah Sunday, October 2 Ellman Chapel

6:00 p.m.

Mincha / Ma’ariv

8:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

12:15 p.m.

8:45 a.m. - 12:55 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 12:55 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.

After Sanctuary Service

P’sukei D’zimra / Shacharit Torah Service Shofar Service Musaf Tent Service AAspire Reconnect Childcare (ages 8 weeks and up) Children’s Programming (ages 2 yrs - 5th grade) Chai Holidays with Kadima (6th - 8th grade) Chai Holidays with USY (9th - 12th grade) Junior Congregation (3rd - 5th grade) Tashlich

Garden Sanctuary Ellman Chapel Ahava Ahava Youth Lounge

8:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

12:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

8:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.

P’sukei D’zimra / Shacharit Torah Service Shofar Service Musaf Benediction Ruach Chodesha Rosh Hashanah Mincha / Ma’ariv Childcare (ages 8 weeks and up) Children’s Programming (ages 2 yrs - 5th grade) Teen High Holy Day Reflection Space (6th - 12th grade)

Kol Nidre Tuesday, October 11 Paradies Hall Sanctuary Ahava Ahava Ellman Chapel

6:15 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

6:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

6:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Mincha Kol Nidre Service Childcare (ages 8 weeks and up) Kol HaYeladim Program (ages 3-6) Kol HaMispacha Family Service (1st - 6th grade and their families)

8:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m.

10:45 a.m.

12:30 p.m.

4:30 p.m.

5:30 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

7:32 p.m.

P’sukei D’zimra/Shacharit Torah Service Musaf Yizkor Mincha “Ask the Rabbi” Neilah Shofar to End Fast

1st Day Rosh Hashanah Monday, October 3 Sanctuary

Garden Sanctuary Ahava Ahava Fishman Conference Room Youth Lounge Ellman Chapel Front Lawn 2nd Day Rosh Hashanah Tuesday, October 4 Sanctuary

Yom Kippur Wednesday, October 12 Sanctuary

19 • Beineinu • September | October

Garden Library Srochi Hall Paradies Hall Ahava Ahava Fishman Conference Room Youth Lounge Ellman Chapel

10:00 a.m.

2:15 p.m.

3:30 p.m.

4:00 p.m.

8:45 a.m. - Havdallah 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

11:15 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Tent Service Yom Kippur Study Hall Yom Kippur Forum Afternoon Chant and Drum Circle Childcare (ages 8 weeks and up) Children’s Programming (ages 2 yrs - 5th grade) Chai Holidays with Kadima (6th - 8th grade) Chai Holidays with USY (9th - 12th grade) Junior Congregation (3rd - 5th grade)

Erev Sukkot Sunday, October 16 Chapel Sukkah

6:00 p.m.

4:45 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sukkah

6:00 p.m. - 6:40 p.m.

Sukkah

6:45 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Evening Minyan Sukkot Family Learning Experience (targeted to families with children ages 2 yrs - 7th grade) Family and Congregation Sukkot Service (Mincha/Maariv) Sukkot Dinner and Activities

9:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

Sukkot Service (Kiddush in the Sukkah following service) Evening Minyan

9:00 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

Sukkot Service (Kiddush in the Sukkah following service) Evening Minyan

6:00 p.m.

Evening Minyan

9:00 a.m.

11:15 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

6:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

8:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Shemini Atzeret Service Yizkor Service Evening Minyan Simchat Torah Dinner Congregation Simchat Torah Celebration and Consecration Childcare (ages 8 weeks - 5 years) AAspire Rashi Simchat Torah Program

9:00 a.m.

9:45 a.m.

Simchat Torah Service Hakkafot (Kiddush following service)

6:00 p.m.

Evening Minyan

1st Day Sukkot Monday, October 17 Chapel 2nd Day Sukkot Tuesday, October 18 Chapel Erev Shemini Atzeret Sunday, October 23 Chapel Shemini Atzeret | Erev Simchat Torah Monday, October 24 Sanctuary Chapel Sanctuary Foyer Srochi Hall Ahava Paradies Hall Simchat Torah Tuesday, October 25 Chapel

Need Tickets?

To purchase tickets or reserve seats for the High Holidays, visit our website at aasynagogue.org and click on “High Holidays 5777 | 2016” under “Worship”. Reserved seating tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through September 14th at 5:00 p.m.. Information about non-member tickets, childcare, parking, live streaming, and volunteer opportunities can also be found on our website.

Beineinu • September | October • 20

September 2016 | 5776 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

1 | 28 Av

2 | 29 Av

3 | 30 Av 10:30 a.m.

Groove Shabbat

4 | 1 Elul

5 | 2 Elul Labor Day 8:30 a.m.

Morning Minyan

11 | 8 Elul

12 | 9 Elul

9:00 a.m.

Kesher@AA

10:15 a.m.

Naomi’s Book Club

18 | 15 Elul

19 | 16 Elul

6 | 3 Elul

7 | 4 Elul

8 | 5 Elul

10:30 a.m.

TuesdAAys at AA

3-5:30 p.m.

Chai Youth Lounge Open 5-6:00 p.m.

Unraveling the Siddur - High Holiday Boot Camp 2.0

4:30 p.m.

Chai Youth Chalutzim/Machar Program

13 | 10 Elul

14 | 11 Elul

20 | 17 Elul

9:00 a.m.

Kesher@AA 12:00 p.m.

Z’havaah Zen Tea 12:30 p.m.

Chai Youth Braves Game & Scavenger Hunt (8th - 12th grade) 1:00 p.m.

ACFB Food Sorting 25 | 22 Elul

9 | 6 Elul

10 | 7 Elul

15 |12 Elul

16 | 13 Elul

17 | 14 Elul

3-5:30 p.m.

Chai Youth Lounge Open 5-6:00 p.m.

Unraveling the Siddur - High Holiday Boot Camp 2.0

6:30 p.m.

Officer’s Meeting

6:00 p.m.

Bluegrass Shabbat

Tyler Avchen’s Bar Mitzvah

21 | 18 Elul

22 | 19 Elul

23 | 20 Elul

24 | 21 Elul

28 | 25 Elul

29 | 26 Elul

30 | 27 Elul

3-5:30 p.m.

Chai Youth Lounge Open 5-6:00 p.m.

Unraveling the Siddur - High Holiday Boot Camp 2.0

7-8:30 p.m.

Ahava Cirriculum Night

Operation Isaiah Food Drive Begins (through Nov. 2) 3-5:30 p.m.

Chai Youth Lounge Open 5-6:00 p.m.

Unraveling the Siddur - High Holiday Boot Camp 2.0 26 | 23 Elul

27 | 24 Elul

9:00 a.m.

Kesher@AA 10:30 a.m.

Sisterhood Opening Meeting 11:00 a.m.

4th Annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival 3:00 p.m.

Chai Youth Kadima Program Morning Minyan (Mon - Fri) Morning Minyan (Sun) Evening Minyan (Sun - Thurs) Shabbat Evening Service (Fri) Shabbat Morning Service (Sat) Mincha / Ma’ariv / Havdallah (Sat)

7:15 a.m.

8:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

21 • Beineinu • September | October

Shabbat Together (Fri) Choir Practice (Tues) *Dates and times are subject to change

9:00 a.m.

6:45 p.m.

October 2016 | 5776 - 5777 Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday 1 | 28 Elul Jeanne JohnsonWhatley’s Bat Mitzvah

2 | 29 Elul Erev Rosh Hashanah

3 | 1 Tishrei 1st Day of Rosh Hashanah

4 | 2 Tishrei 2nd Day of Rosh Hashanah

See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

9 | 7 Tishrei

10 | 8 Tishrei

10:15-11:30 a.m.

LGBTQ Education Program 12:30-3:30 p.m.

Atlanta Jewish Community Pride Parade 3:00 p.m.

Chai Youth Chalutzim / Machar Sukkot Program

10:15 a.m.

Naomi’s Book Club

11 | 9 Tishrei Kol Nidre

12 | 10 Tishrei Yom Kippur

See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

16 | 14 Tishrei Erev Sukkot

17 | 15 Tishrei 1st Day of Sukkot

18 | 16 Tishrei 2nd Day of Sukkot

19 | 17 Tishrei 3rd Day of Sukkot

See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

12:00 p.m.

Lunch and Learn 6:30 p.m.

Board Meeting

25 | 23 Tishrei Simchat Torah

26 | 24 Tishrei

27 | 25 Tishrei

9:00 a.m.

Ahava Open House

6:30 p.m.

Taste of Talmud

See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

9:30-12:30 p.m.

Pre-B’nei Mitzvah Family Workshop 23 | 21 Tishrei 24 | 22 Tishrei 7th Day of Sukkot | Shemini Atzeret | Erev Shemini Atzeret Erev Simchat Torah See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

30 | 28 Tishrei

See High Holiday Schedule (pg. 15)

5 | 3 Tishrei

6 | 4 Tishrei

7 | 5 Tishrei

8 | 6 Tishrei

13 | 11 Tishrei

14 | 12 Tishrei

15 | 13 Tishrei

20 | 18 Tishrei 4th Day of Sukkot

21 | 19 Tishrei 5th Day of Sukkot

22 | 20 Tishrei 6th Day of Sukkot

6:30 p.m.

Officer’s Meeting

9th Annual “Worship in Pink” Service 7:00 p.m.

“Shake it Like a Lulav”: Chai Youth Kadima/USY Sukkah Lock-In 28 | 26 Tishrei

29 | 27 Tishrei Mira Adrianne Solomon’s Bat Mitzvah

31 | 29 Tishrei Halloween

Morning Minyan (Mon - Fri) Morning Minyan (Sun) Evening Minyan (Sun - Thurs) Shabbat Evening Service (Fri) Shabbat Morning Service (Sat) Mincha / Ma’ariv / Havdallah (Sat)

7:15 a.m.

8:30 a.m.

6:00 p.m.

6:30 p.m.

9:00 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

Shabbat Together (Fri) Choir Practice (Tues)

9:00 a.m.

6:45 p.m.

*Dates and times are subject to change

Beineinu • September | October • 22

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

Neil S. Sandler, Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal, Rabbi Jill Rosner, Assistant to the Rabbis Manuel Mesa, Executive Director Catherine Ficke, Executive Assistant Leah Fuhr, Director of Youth & Young Adult Community Gabrielle Adler, Director of Engagement Stan Vogel, Finance Manager Kenya Bassett, Administrative Assistant Fern Schorr, Receptionist Shana Dukette, Capital Campaign Administrative Assistant Lindsay Borenstein, Director of Development Robyn Faintich, Interim Director of Education Lindsey Grossman, Program Associate Anne Cohen, Director of Marketing & Community Relations Lauren Dube, Graphic Designer Hannah Williams, Ahava Early Learning Director Jennifer Evans, Ahava Administrative Assistant Chris Carr, Director of Facilities Rabbi Arnold M. Goodman, Senior Scholar Rob Wildstein, President Rick Swerdlin, Executive Vice President Rick Harber, Vice President, Finance Dick Planer, Vice President Arthur Povlot, Vice President Nancy Canter Weiner, Vice President Susan Berkowitz, Sisterhood Co-President Brenda Silverman, Sisterhood Co-President Jacq Flash, USY President Zoe Glickman, Kadima President

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

Our newsletter is funded by a grant from the Dave Center and Bunny Center Family AHAVATH ACHIM BEINEINU (USPS-009-780) / Published BiMonthly/by Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., N.W., Atlanta, GA 30327/Synagogue Office: 404.355.5222/ Fax: 404.352.2831 / Affiliated with the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism/Periodical Postage Paid at Atlanta, Georgia.

Postmaster: Send Address Changes to Ahavath Achim Beineinu, 600 Peachtree Battle Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30327

23 • Beineinu • September | October