Beineinu - June/July/August 2018

Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Beineinu Tammuz - Av 5778 June 14 - August 11, 2018

Beineinu • tammuz | av • Cover1

table of contents

From the Rabbi, by rabbi Neil Sandler | pg. 2 From the president, by rob wildstein | pg. 3 Jewish Continuity | pg. 4 - 9

Babies | pg. 4

weddings | pg. 4

yasher koach | pg. 5

strategic planning | pg. 5

beineinu deadlines | pg. 5

in memoriam | pg. 6

sisterhood | pg. 7 - 9 cultural arts and education | pg. 10 - 16

ahava elc | pg. 10

home beis@AA | pg. 11 - 15

jews in the pews in the news | pg. 16

Jeremy Katz - this year's winner of the marilyn shubin professional staff development award Social Action | pg. 18

Blood Drive, by Gail Solomon Capital Campaign News | pg. 19 - 20

Thank you to our donors events and volunteering | pg. 21 - 22 Corrections from the iyar | sivan 5778 issue We regret the following errors from the previous edition of Beineinu:

pg. 5 | Jewish Continuity > b'nai mitzvah > micah asher povlot

Parents: Dara and Arthur Povlot; Grandparents: Debra Lang and Harris Povlot

1 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

From the Rabbi

rabbi neil sandler

interesting, but not my tradition. Among the other people at Yardenit while our group was there were individuals who had come to be baptized in the waters of the Jordan River… something I could appreciate, but didn’t find particularly personally uplifting.

beyond the ordinary.

Even if we view our lives as “good,” to us they are usually “ordinary.” Each day we do some routine things – eat, bathe ourselves, go to work or complete some tasks. Just add whatever things are in your daily routine. Seen from that vantage Then a thought occurred to me. Of point alone, as routine things we do, our course, the Jordan River does not have lives are ordinary; and little, if anything, specific spiritual meaning for Jews like it serves to uplift us or help us realize the does for Christians. And yet, it does have extraordinary opportunities that are significance most of us likely don’t even ours. That is what that “second look at the know. The Jordan River was a border.

Jordan River” did for Dock and me. It is Everything to the east of the Jordan was also what it can do for us. As that second outside the Land of Israel. Everything to look impacted on how Dock and I thought the west, on the other side of this narrow of the river, so we, as creatures that are and shallow stream, was inside the Land “little less than divine,” can view at least of Israel, the Promised Land.

So, for our some of our daily tasks as relationships ock looked out over the Jordan people, the Jordan River didn’t just mark a that we can raise up to become “holy,” River, and he seemed a little border.

It represented a symbolic border “kadosh.” disappointed by the narrow stream he that differentiated chol (all that was just saw directly in front of him. I think Dr. ordinary outside the Land of Israel) from When I wake up, even when I am tired, Dock Hollingsworth, Senior Pastor of kodesh (all that was to be holy inside the I can take a moment to say, “Modim Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church Land of Israel).

For our Israelite ancestors anachnu lach…” – Wow, God, what an and my Atlanta partner on the Interfaith the Jordan River represented a spiritual incredible gift you have given me by Partners for Peace mission to Israel two point of transition when our people “restoring life to my soul.” I can pause months ago, expected to see (perhaps like began to assume new responsibilities and for a moment before I eat and say, “… the mighty Mississippi) the “the mighty a new relationship with the Holy One. hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz,” and Jordan River.”

For them, to cross the Jordan River into acknowledge the wonder of the incredible the Land of Israel represented a host of ingredients and processes that came We stood at a site in the lower Galilee new possibilities.

That recognition was together to bring this food to my table. region of Israel known as “Yardenit.” uplifting to me!

And on and on and on. Every day provides While the site is not associated with us with opportunities to see what we do any specific events that hold special Both Dock and I had arrived at Yardenit and experience as extraordinary. meaning for Christians or Jews, Yardenit and the Jordan River with a choice we has symbolic value for Christians. John Let’s be honest. None of us can remain baptized Jesus in the waters of the Jordan didn’t realize until we had arrived there.

He could see the Jordan River as a dinky, constantly aware and attuned to such River. That moment, for Christians, marks little river, or he could see it as the things. But we can likely strive to see and an important spiritual transition as Jesus beginning of his Savior’s public ministry. feel them a bit more often than we do began his public ministry.

I could view that same river as Dock had now. Can you give it a try? initially, or I could see it as the physical If Dock initially seemed disappointed as AND spiritual border that led the way to a he first gazed at the Jordan River, that new life for our people. disappointment soon disappeared as he recognized the spiritual meaning of the All of us, I venture, Christians as well as place where we stood. “This is the Jordan Jews, are faced with a similar choice every River,” Dock said. “Maybe this isn’t the day in our lives... not at the Jordan River, exact spot where Jesus was baptized, but this is the river where he was baptized and of course, but as reflected in how we live began his public ministry!” I could see on day to day. We can live our lives as if we are standing at the Jordan River and just Dock’s face that his spirit was uplifted. see a little stream of water, or we can seek to live our lives as if we are standing Me? Well, I didn’t feel anything at the Jordan River and see a place of particularly special. Our group’s study transformation… or at least something at Yardenit was Christian in nature…

D

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 2

From the president

A

s I complete my term as president of our congregation, I have a range of emotions. I have learned much from my experience, and I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the last two years as well as look towards the future.

I have always considered challenges as opportunities. As Thomas Edison once remarked, “I never failed. I just found 20,000 ways not to make a light bulb.” As a congregation, we have faced our share of challenges during my term as president – and by dealing with those challenges head on, I believe we have established a solid foundation for our future.

Due to the extraordinary efforts of Barry Herman and his staff this past year, our revenues are up and our expenses are down. As a result, our anticipated deficit for this fiscal year ending June 30 is expected to be substantially less than what was anticipated. Even more importantly, for the first time in several years, our Board of Directors passed a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This was not an easy task, and is the result of the incredible commitment from our incoming leadership.

We are blessed with Rabbi Sandler and Rabbi Rosenthal as a talented team leading us together on our spiritual journey. Rabbi Sandler has served as a mentor and advocate of Rabbi Rosenthal throughout the years. It is an outgrowth of their unique relationship and the confidence in Rabbi Rosenthal that led us to begin a process that works for both of our rabbis to effectuate a shared desire to have Rabbi Rosenthal become our next Senior Rabbi, while continuing the strength of this “dynamic duo.”

rob wildstein

Our nominating committee assembled an impressive group of individuals who have significant experience not only in our synagogue, but in our wider Jewish community. I know that our incoming leadership group will continue moving forward with many positive steps, and I am confident about the direction in which we are moving.

We have a bright and stable future ahead of us. I am grateful that you have given me the opportunity to serve our congregation. Most of all, I have been given the privilege to work with so many dedicated fellow volunteers, board members, and of course, a wonderful group of officers consisting of Rick Harber, Stacy Fialkow, Dick Planer, Rick Swerdlin, Arthur Povlot and Nancy Canter Wiener. Without their time, commitment and support we could not have accomplished as we did.

It has been an honor to be your president.

With gratitude,

We have initiated a new strategic Rob Wildstein planning process. Our strategic planning committee has formed several task forces that have been hard at work developing initiatives for the future of our synagogue in areas such as membership, engagement, governance, programming Our Ahava Early Learning Center has and religious life. become a model of excellence. It has

grown significantly in the past two years, While we have currently taken a pause in both in enrollment and anticipated profit. our capital campaign, a record number We were grateful to have Barry Herman of congregants have participated in return last year and agree to assist us this ambitious endeavor. I am proud on an interim basis as our Executive of the success we have achieved in the Director. How much more fortunate construction of our Ahava Early Learning we are that Barry has now committed Center, updating obsolete infrastructure to stay on in the position of Executive and remodeling areas in and around the Director for the foreseeable future and library. I am hopeful that we will develop will focus his efforts in the areas of a thoughtful process to determine how finance, development and operations. to best proceed with respect to the In addition, Lindsay Borenstein, who has capital campaign and our priorities for been crucial to our efforts in connection unallocated campaign funds. with the capital campaign, has been hired to fill the newly created position of In working through the issues facing our Associate Executive Director which will synagogue, we recognized that one of focus on engagement, membership, and our highest priorities was to solidify the communications. future lay leadership of our congregation.

3 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

Jewish Continuity babIes

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

Justin Reid Levy Micah Denver Papier lillian hart silverman Sophie Pearl Konter born march 28

born January 26

Grandparents Dayle and Aaron Levy; Lana and Richard Krebs

Grandparents Myrna and Alan Papier; Steven Rothschild

Brother Dylan Levy

Sister Avery Papier

Parents Michelle and Rich Levy

Parents Sara and Mark Papier

born march 6 Parents Anne Cohen and Craig Silverman

Grandparents Barbara and Alan Cohen; Bella (z"l) and Robert (z"l) Silverman Great Grandparents Lillian Brodey and Sharon Polstein Cohen Sister Roselie Jayne Silverman

born March 10

Parents Elissa and Harris Konter Grandparents Rose and Stan Konter; Nancy and Paul Seidner Great Grandparents Harriet Konter and Naomi Bossen Brother Mitchell Konter

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

Thad Ribner & Brienna Stammer Thad Ribner and Brienna Stammer were married on March 18, 2018 in Key West, FL by Rabbi Michael Knopf of Temple Beth-El (Richmond, VA.) Thad is the son of Dr. Bruce and Barbara Ribner, and Brienna is the daughter of Bernadene Stammer and Richard Stammer (of blessed memory.) 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. The couple will live in Ruther Glen, VA.

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 4

Yasher Koach

Michelle Teplis is graduating from Georgia Southern University with a degree of Master of Science in Nursing with a Specialization in Adult Nurse Practitioner.

Captain Jeffrey Teplis is graduating from the School of Professional and Continuing Studies at the University of Richmond where he is a candidate for the degree of Master of Human Resource Management. Michelle and Jeffrey are the children of Julie and Robert Teplis and grandchildren of Betsy Teplis and Dr. Paul Teplis.

strategic planning

Strengthening our community from generation to generation The Strategic Planning Committee has put together task forces in the areas of Communications, Congregational Engagement, Governance, Finance, Youth/Family Engagement, and Spirituality. Each task force is commissioned to work on the framework of its specific area from February till May. Each task force area will have the month of June to consolidate and refine their proposed visionary strategies, which will be carried out by the corresponding committees at Ahavath Achim over the next five to ten years. The task force phase will come to a close after a meeting with USCJ in the beginning of July on priority settings. After this meeting, the strategic plan will be able to summarize and share all the proposed strategies generated by the task forces. The passion that has emerged from these task forces has laid the future path of success of the strategic planning process.

5 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

Beineinu deadlines

The deadline to submit content for the next Beineinu is July 3, 2018. The issue will cover the months of Elul/Tishrei/ Cheshvan (August 12 - November 8) The rest of the Beineinu dates for 2018 are as follows: • Kislev/Tevet/Shevat (November 9, 2018 - February 5, 2019) Content deadline October 3 • Adar/Nisan (February 6, 2018 - May 5, 2018) Content deadline December 24 • Iyar/Sivan (May 6, 2018 - July 3, 2018) Content deadline March 25

in memoriam

Hamakom Yeenachem... May God comfort the loved ones of...

Gilbert Bachman Richard Blass

Brother of Marty Alterman

Adele Burnham

Wife of Alan Burnham Mother of Laurie Burnham and Stephanie Aftergut

Arlene Maskin Elovich Mother of Debra Elovich

Murray D. Friedman

Husband of Lynn B. Friedman

Julius Greenwald Caryl Launer

Sister of Phyllis Kozarsky

Olga Schreck

Mother of Rita LeVine and Linda Hoffenson

Martin Tanenbaum

Husband of Robyn Tanenbaum Brother of Aaron Tanenbaum Son-in-law of Harriette Oxman

along with the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem Beineinu • tammuz | av • 6

sisterhood

a year in review

debra elovich & judy marx, co-chairs

Y

ou may have heard us say, “It’s not our mothers’ Sisterhood,” in describing how we approached our term as co-presidents. But looking back over the 2017-2018 Sisterhood year, we realized we are very lucky to say that this IS our mothers’ and grandmothers’ sisterhood – and hopefully that of all the young women to come. With AA Sisterhood’s second century just around the corner, we recognize that we are so very fortunate to have strong traditions to rely upon, just as we have new ways to support our congregation and each other (there’s even a new Women’s League app for your smart phone!).

At Sisterhood Shabbat we told you that when we became co-presidents of Sisterhood, Betty Behr and Susan Sandler presented us with presidents’ pins. We jokingly refer to them as our “Wonder Woman” pins. While the pins did not come with super powers, they do remind us of our responsibility to the legacy of all the super-powered women who have made AA Sisterhood the remarkable organization that it is. For nearly 100 years, the women of our congregation have provided incredible support to our community along with engaging and stimulating programs. This year’s board has shown incredible dedication and leadership to continuing the legacy of Sisterhood and building a strong future. Here’s a brief review of the year’s successes:

the opening meeting The Opening Meeting, “A Trifecta for Fitness” was a smash success, thanks to Delcy Harber and Jennifer Rosenfeld for the excellent planning. We started the new year off right with learning new ways to improve our health... and we even exercised a little!

(left to right) Dr. Ben Cohen, Alisa Bernath-Winters, and Lori Haber shared their expertise with our Sisterhood. We all left motivated to make the new year stronger and healthier.

7 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

worship in pink The annual Worship in Pink Shabbat service was especially moving this year. We are grateful to Rina Wolfe’s commitment to honoring cancer survivors, remembering with love those that we have lost to the dreadful disease and celebrating those who put their feet first by participating in the Breast Cancer walks.

Susan Sandler spoke beautifully, sharing her own story with the congregation.

z'havah Under the leadership of Allison Feldman and Rachael Joseph, Z’havah had an incredible year filled with creative and fun events that brought together the young women of AA Sisterhood, creating lasting friendships.

The year started with the Mah Jongg battle of the ages, Rookies vs. Veterans, and it was epic! Experienced players taught newbies and loads of fun was had by all. Z’havah planned a great program bringing together the generations over tiles, coffee and bagels…what more could anyone want?

The Z’havah wine and cheese event in December was fun and delicious! The room was full of young women learning about cheese-making, tasting the many varieties of cheese, and sipping wine (even with an impending snow storm!).

annual donor celebration Z’havah women enjoying delicious cheese and sipping wine at CalyRoad Creamery in Sandy Springs.

In March, Z’havah designed and painted silk Challah Covers in the art room at the Ahava preschool. Thanks to artist Hellene Vermillion who taught us how to paint on silk to enhance our Shabbat tables.

Our Donor luncheon, "A Celebration of Music,” was a smash hit! More than 100 Sisterhood members clapped and sang along with the Congregation Bet Haverim choir. The closest thing the Jewish community has to a gospel choir, the CBH choir’s performance was inspirational and joyful and very entertaining. Big thanks go to Sherry Habif, who not only did her usual fantastic job with the room décor, but planned every part of the celebration. Every detail was perfect!

Since our donor event is about the financial support for our synagogue community, we are proud to announce that we exceeded our fundraising goal! We are deeply grateful for Betty Behr’s remarkable leadership, which helped us raise $19,517 more than 15% above our goal! Your support always makes a difference.

Z’havah members show off their artwork and newest piece of Judaica for their homes.

sisterhood shabbat 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 once again coordinating all the pieces of the Shabbat service and kiddush.

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 8

sisterhood cont. upcoming events

there's an app for that!

Naomi's Book Club

Monday, July 9 & august 6 @ 10:15 am Join Sisterhood on the first Monday of the month for a lively book discussion. July’s book is We Were the Lucky Ones

by Georgia Hunter, and the discussion will be led by Maury Gerson. August’s book is My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, and the discussion will be led by Ruth Kramarow. For more information, contact Madeleine Gimbel at 404.355.7711.

You can now easily connect to Women’s League of Conservative Judaism anytime and anywhere, right on your smart phone or tablet! The Women’s League app makes access effortless. Do you need Shabbat candle lighting times?

Just tap the app and you can quickly find them for any city in the world. Are you looking for some inspiration? Just tap the app and look in the Women’s League Calendar Diary for a new entry every month. Do you need to find information about a sisterhood? Just tap the app for a link to all Women’s League affiliated sisterhoods. Do you need programming ideas? Are you looking for membership documents? Do you need to order materials? Are you looking for conference information? Do you want to see photos from Women’s League events? Just tap the app and you’ll find it all! It’s easy: Just go to the App Store/Play Store, and search for WLCJ. Click on the Women’s League logo, install, and go!

torah fund

announcements the 100th year Starting in the fall, AA Sisterhood will begin planning for a year-long celebration of our centennial. We envision a year-long plan of activities that highlight the achievements of Sisterhood and recognize the contributions of the remarkable women in our community. If you are interested in joining the planning team and have ideas for the 100th year of AA Sisterhood, please let us know by contacting the Sisterhood presidents. It is a remarkable milestone for our Sisterhood and our entire congregation, a celebration of our history that sets the groundwork for our future.

9 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

This is the 75th year that our Sisterhood has supported Conserative/Masorti movement through the Torah Fund Campaign. Contributions to the Torah Fund strengthen Jewish education by supporting scholarships and programming at Conservative/Masorti institutes of higher Jewish learning.

Torah Fund donors receive the beautiful Mah Tovu pin that celebrates 100 years of the Women’s League.

CULTURAL ARTS & EDUCATION AHAVA ELC BETH ARNOLD Helmey INCOMING DIRECTOR OF AHAVA ELC

B

eginning our journey in a small section of Ahavath Achim’s basement with only 11 children and a faculty of 3, Ahava Early Learning Center more than evolved; over our first three years, we have flourished. Under the leadership of Hannah Aranson Williams, we’ve become a faculty of 20 educating a student body of 66. Our classrooms and facility recognize the significance of beauty,

space, and light play in a child’s world of wonder. Shouts and giggles can be heard from my office windows as children explore the natural materials on our playground. Just last week, on May 17, our entire school community gathered to dedicate a new honorary garden to Hannah, acknowledging all that she has done through her commitment and dedication to building this school. Myrtle Lewin and Marni Goldman provided all children the opportunity for work time in the new garden to bring more beauty to our playground, care for living things, and honor such a meaningful person as we say goodbye. As we sang, “You Are My Sunshine” during our garden dedication, I looked at all the faces we’ll soon be missing. Reflecting on the journey we’ve taken together, I can say that while our goodbyes are hard, our oldest children are ready. They have had multiple experiences with decision making through their play. They have learned that their words are important, and have meaning, and they have built their vocabularies through engaging with different types of materials. They have learned through extended opportunities

to begin to develop their interests, and they have built the stamina for this type of extended engagement with materials and processes. Most importantly, they have begun to foster the social and emotional skills needed to negotiate with peers and resolve conflicts productively. As for us, we will wish both our oldest students and Hannah well, and continue opening ourselves to growing opportunities. We stand tall as we say L’hitraot to old friends who mean the world to us.

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 10

Home Beis@AA

M

y first role as a Jewish educator was as a Madrich (counselor) at Camp Ramah Darom. I was drastically underqualified for the task in front of me, but found a way to survive a summer of managing the lives of 12 year old boys.

It is impossible for me to say that I did a ‘good’ job that summer as most of my memories are filled with chasing my campers around begging them to shower, go to their next activities, clean the cabin, and calming them down before bedtime.

At the time I felt as if I was constantly extinguishing fires (figurative and literal), and the opportunities to connect with my campers were squandered.

This feeling remained with me for a number of years until something funny happened. I started hearing from old campers as they transitioned into young adults, and many of them were reaching out to discuss their experiences as counselors at Ramah Darom. Some former campers offered apologies for their behavior, which became obvious after their own experiences trying to control 12 year old boys, and other former campers wanted to share their ‘can you believe this happened?’ stories, at which point I would always respond ‘Yes, I totally believe that’.

The piece of our conversations that stuck with me the most is when many of them took the time to thank me for

11 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

marc silberstein education director

the attention I gave them and for the example I set as a Jewish role model. My first reaction was to be flattered, but right away I would turn to shock. How could I have had a positive influence on these campers when I was running around the whole summer like a chicken with its head cut off? When did I create a deep connection with these kids? Were they thinking of someone else? The campers reminded me of moments that I had long forgotten, some were fun, some were serious, and some were sad. These moments captured me in those allimportant seconds of decision making when we deal with children. As the years have progressed, I have been blessed to hear from other campers, youth groupers, and students that have gone on to great things, but were grounded enough to connect with those that invested in them as children.

I mention this because these conversations gave me a new insight into what I am trying to achieve as a Jewish Educator. As a teacher, I would spend hours crafting a lesson plan with tailored questions, focused activities, and a list of goals. I also learned early on that the amount of prep time did not always equate to success in the classroom.

Students needed to know that I was offering them ideas as a person, not as an authoritative teacher or judging adult. It was at this time that I fully understood the saying that teachers “teach students, not curriculum." It is essential for us to understand how our children learn, what their passions are, and try to connect them to universal values we want them to hold on to as they become adults.

This realization had a strong influence on the creation of the mission for Home Beis. After writing, rewriting, crafting, and recrafting I am happy to say that we have created a mission that reflects my passion and beliefs along with the values and interests of our community.

Home Beis’ mission is: To bring us together in order to create a community of curious and engaged Jewish souls. We design experiences for individuals to explore ways to manifest the best versions of themselves and to create a Kehilla

Kedosha (Holy Community).

There are two components of this mission that I would like to explain in order to give a better understanding of what we would like to achieve. The first is describing our constituency as “curious and engaged Jewish souls”. This is connected to my belief that for any experience to be beneficial, both sides (the participant and facilitator) must have some sort of investment in it to create meaning. The word ‘relevance’ often gets tossed around when discussing Jewish education in the 21st century. These discussions have come from the realization that Jewish learners do not have the same dispositions as in generations past. One of my pursuits as an educator is to try to understand what drives our children, what conversations I want them to have, and what types of people I would like to see grow up in our community. My investment in each child’s development is unmatched, and our programs are meant to reflect that.

As I mentioned earlier, without a captive and willing audience the most beautiful and thoughtful learning experience can fall flat. In centuries past, that investment and willingness was intermeshed with obligation and commitment to a strict Jewish life. It is obvious that that approach is not relevant today, but I believe in a very important component that is still present today, curiosity. I strongly believe that many children and parents today acknowledge that growth can occur from introspection and time to wonder about one’s role in our world. My goal is for our program to meet that curiosity and offer opportunities to engage with our own thoughts and with others, and eventually create space for Jewish life as we normalize and promote the role it can play in each family’s life.

The second piece of our mission that I would like to expand is how we will “explore ways to manifest the best versions” of ourselves. This statement came from a well-known Chasidic story about Rebbe Zusha of Anipoli. Rebbe Zusha was not known as the wisest or most charismatic of the original Chasidic leaders, but people flocked to him for his

essence, humility, and sweet disposition.

The popular story is based on Rebbe Zusha and his students who asked about why his teachings were so different from those of others. Rebbe Zusha took that comparison and explained that he is not worried about this since at the end of his life, when he appears before the Heavenly Tribunal, they will not ask why Zusha was not as pious as Abraham, learned as Moses, or brave as King David, rather they will simply ask, was he the best Zusha he could be.

This story has ramifications for multiple parts of our lives. We constantly compare ourselves with others, sometimes to find that we are proud of ourselves and others to see that we are disappointed that we are not as successful as our peers. Rebbe Zusha pushes the notion that we need to exist without the burden of comparison to other people, because when we do this we ignore our own strengths and accomplishments and are unable to be the best versions of ourselves. Being Jewish is difficult, and it is especially difficult when we feel that we do not have the knowledge or experience to be the “right kind of Jew”. That type of thinking is irrelevant in the 21st century, since the image of the “right kind of Jew” has blurred into so many different things. Ultimately, it is up to us to set our own Jewish derech (path), instead of being dependent on our institutions to set our paths for us.

The word derech (path) brings me back to my original thought, my first experience as a Madrich (counselor) at Camp Ramah Darom. In Hebrew, a Madrich means “one who makes a path”. Our work is not intended to dictate the lives we ‘want’ you to live, rather we hope our programs and learning experiences help create a path that you did not expect to find.

Registration is now open!

Registration for the 2018 - 2019 school year is now open! Kesher@AA is the religious education initiative for children ages three years old through 12th grade.

Through our program, children will be inspired and curious about Judaism as they encounter a variety of topics through quality experiential education.

Children who are a part of AA’s Sunday Jewish learning experience are placed into age-appropriate groups called eidot (Hebrew for groups). Each eidah is guided by a dynamic and experienced educator. Our eidot are: GAAn B’Ahava (ages 3-4), Kindergarden-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade, and 6th-7th grade.

Each afternoon after Kesher ends, our students gather to develop their skills in Hebrew reading, decoding, and comprehension. Hebrew is the key to a rich Jewish life, and we are excited to watch this program flourish.

For a full schedule of Kesher@AA programs and events, please see page 15 or visit the AA website at aasynagogue.org/kesheraa.

take our survey Attention families with children or teens ages 0 – 17: Home Beis@AA is working hard to develop programming for our new initiative. An important step in this process is gathering data from our community about how we can best serve you. Not only does this mean we offer relevant and interesting content that piques your and your family’s interests but that we offer them at times and places where families can attend. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey to help us best meet those criteria: bit.ly/ HomeBeisAA-Survey. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at our amazing programs in the year to come!

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 12

Home Beis@AA cont.

TAAglit Atzmi

TAAglit Atzmi, meaning Personal Journey, is a triennial curriculum for students in 8th-10th grade. The curriculum is uniquely designed to impact day school students and public school students alike.

The TAAglit Atzmi program provides an opportunity for teens to interact and build lifelong friendships with teens throughout the Metro-Atlanta area. These friendships are a building block to developing a stronger Jewish identity and connection to the greater Jewish community.

This year, students will take an in-depth look into two of the most influential events in modern Jewish history, the Holocaust and the creation of the State of Israel. This class helps students place themselves in the multiple narratives and timelines which we inherit as American Jews, and create a deeper connection with their own personal narratives.

AAtid

AAtid, meaning Our Future, is a program for teens in 11th-12th grade. It runs on a two year rotation, each year with its own unique curriculum relating to the development and solidification of the participants’ Jewish identity. Each class will be based on primary sources from Biblical, Rabbinic, Medieval, and Contemporary texts. The goal for each student is to acknowledge their beliefs, and more importantly recognize where those beliefs originate. Our hope is that students will find insight in the Jewish wisdom that supplements each topic to help their own Jewish future.

2018-19 education committee We are very excited to introduce our Education Committee for the 2018-2019 school year!

• • • • • • • • • •

Annsley Klehr Avital Cohen Michael Sokol Carol Glickman Dara Povlot Lori Harber Marni Goldman Rebecca Sokol Brooke Rosenthal Rachael Joseph

events

The program is designed in a way that allows participants to begin the program at any point within the two year rotation. Students have the option to sign up for the full year, and choose classes on a monthly basis.

For a full schedule of TAAglit Atzmi and AAtid programs and events, please see page 15 or visit the AA website at aasynagogue.org/taaglit-atzmi or aasynagogue.org/aatid.

Back to School BBQ august 12 - save the date!

Join all your AA friends and family as we kick off the start of a new school year with delicious food, fun, and celebration as we start the new year the right way!

13 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

Chai Youth

We are so excited to reinvigorate our beloved Chai youth community! We have planned out an exciting year for three youth groups, Machar (3rd-5th Grade), Kadima (6th-8th Grade), and USY (9th-12th Grade). For many Jewish children, Jewish youth group is where lifelong relationships begin. Chai Youth has connected our children for decades, and we are excited to relaunch this effort with all of you.

meet the officers

Zoe Glickman Chai USY President Zoe is an incoming sophomore at North Atlanta High School. She has been a part of Chai USY for about three years, two years in Kadima and one year in USY. This year Zoe hopes to grow the Chai USY chapter, and create a space where everyone is welcome. USY has been a big part of her life for three years now and she wants everyone her age to get the same opportunities that she has had.

Lily Citron Chai USY Vice President Lily is an incoming sophomore at Saint Francis High School. She has been a part of Chai USY for four years.

Lily hopes to make Chai USY more known around the Atlanta area, and make our chapter bigger!

conventions

Matthew Aftergut Kadima Membership and Communications Matthew is an upcoming sophomore at Union Grove High School. He has been involved in Chai USY for almost 4 years. This year Matthew hopes to expand our program and reach out to more middle schoolers and upcoming high schoolers to join our program.

He plans to get to know everyone who is in our program as well as the people who may want to join.

Nora Rosenfeld Chai USY Programming Vice President Nora is an incoming sophomore North Atlanta High School. She has been involved in Chai USY for four years. Nora hopes to get some great programs started within our USY chapter that are both fun and impactful on our society. She also hopes to attract new members with creative programming to help build up our amazing chapter!

October 12 - 14, 2018: Ein Gedi USY and Kadima Fall Sub Regional Convention (Marietta, GA) March 8 - 10, 2019: Ein Gedi Sub Regional Convention (Beth Shalom)

December 23 - 27, 2018: International Convention in (Orlando, FL) February 17, 2019: Yom Disney (Orlando, FL)

March 15 - 17, 2019: Regional Gesher Convention for 8th graders April 12 - 14, 2019: HaNegev Regional Convention For a full schedule of Chai Youth programs, events, and meetings, please see the next page or visit the AA website at aasynagogue.org/ come-together.

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 14

Home Beis@AA Program Schedule Date

Kesher@AA

TAAglit

August 19

x

x

August 26

x

September 2

x

September 16

x

September 30

x

AAtid

Citywide USY Event x

x x USY

October 7

x

October 14

x

October 21

x

October 28

x

November 4

x

November 11

x

x x x x

USY x

x

Machar Kadima USY

x

x

December 9

USY Chanukah Party

December 16

x

x

January 13

x

x

January 27

x

Kadima x

Machar Kadima

February 2

USY

February 3

x

February 10

x

February 24

x

March 3

x

March 10

x

March 17

x

March 24

x

March 31

x

April 7

x

April 28

x

May 5

x

15 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

Machar (2nd - 5th grade) Kadima (6th - 8th grade)

November 18

May 23

USY (9th - 12th grade)

x

October 1

December 2

Chai Youth

x x

Machar x

x

Kadima USY

x

Machar

x x x

Kadima x

x

Machar Kadima and USY

x Machar, Kadima, and USY

Jews in the pews in the news Jeremy Katz - this year's winner of the marilyn shubin professional staff development award

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta annually presents “The Marilyn Shubin Professional Staff Development Award” to an outstanding Jewish communal professional. The recipient must be from one of the agencies within the Federation system, and must have served in the field of Jewish communal service for at least three years and no more than ten years. The Award winner will receive a stipend to be used for the advancement of professional studies, and will be recognized at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s annual meeting. The nominating agency of the winner will also receive a stipend to be used for agency-wide professional development. This year's winner of the award is AA member, Jeremy Katz.

What is the leadership role/committee you serve on?

I serve on the board of the Southern Jewish Historical Society and the Society for Georgia Archivists.

What would you like people to know about being involved in synagogue leadership/ on a synagogue committee?

Since arriving five years ago, I have worked hard to make a lasting impact on the preservation of Southern Jewish history and Atlanta’s Jewish community. After completing a Master’s degree in Archival Science and training with the American Jewish Archives, the Columbus Jewish Historical Society, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Dayton, I came to Atlanta to assume an archivist position at the Cuba Family Archives for Southern Jewish History at the Breman. Within a year, my mastery of the collection and outstanding knowledge of best practices for history preservation elevated me to the position of Archives Director, where I have since been charged with managing archives staff and making key decisions regarding the collection. During my tenure, the collection has grown to become the largest repository of archival materials related to Southern Jewish history, and research requests have gone up over 500%.

Do you have any specific memories or experiences that encouraged your participation in the community?

I've served as a Moishe House resident and Birthright leader, developing meaningful Jewish experiences for young professionals. While a resident in Moishe House from 2016-2017, I helped create 152 programs reaching over 2,200 community members. In 2017, I was honored as one of Jewish Atlanta's 40 Under 40 by the Atlanta Jewish Times.

What does winning the Marilyn Shubin Professional Development Grant Award mean to you?

Winning this award allows me the opportunity to take continuing education classes on the topic of digital archives that I would not be otherwise able to attend. The museum has very limited professional development funds available to staff so receiving this award is just another example of how supportive the Jewish community has been throughout my career.

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 16

17 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

Social Action blood drive You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. - Kahlil Gibran

There is no substitute fOR HUMAN BLOOD gail solomon, Blood drive chair

• Every day brings advances in life-saving techniques – many of which require blood or blood products.

• Blood products cannot be stored indefinitely. Because blood may be needed at any time, it must be collected regularly.

• No one expects to need blood. However, if it is not available when the need arises, the consequences can be fatal.

• Those who donate can tell you there is no better feeling than saving a life.

• Only about 5% of those eligible to donate actually donate blood. That is why regular donors, those who donate 3 to 4 times per year are so important.

• It is time to bring in new, first time donors. Is that YOU? If you have never donated blood, think about the importance of donating blood.

Thank you and congratulations to everyone who participated in the May 6 Blood Drive. We collected 77 pints of blood! A special thanks goes out to everyone who volunteered time to make the Blood Drive a success: Amy Arnold (Congregation Or Ve Shalom), Sam Benator (Congregation Or Ve Shalom and JWV), Susan Caller (AA), Helen Scherrer Diamond (AA), Bebe Kaplan (AA), Robert Max (JWV), and Dave Norflus (AA); AA facilities staff: Chris Carr, Wesley Coney, and Deionta Huff; and AA members who either donated or tried to donate blood (You are our heroes): David Adelman, Joe Citron, Avital Cohen, Harold Cohen, Douglas Diamond, Andy Edlin, Lonnie Edlin, Alexandra Eichenblatt, Ken Feinberg, Diana Fiedotin, Jordan Forman, Melinda Gertz, Scott Glazer, Philip Goldstein, Lynne Greenfield, Michael Greenfield, Tom Greenfield, Fred Halperin, Mary Pat Hill, Glenna Hornstein, Steven Jacobs, Darryl Konter, Roslyn Konter, Lori Krinsky, Rita LeVine, Linda Lippitt, Donna Newman, Philip Newman, Mark Papier, Joel Rosenfeld, Laurence Rosenthal, Rosalie Rosenthal, Neil Sandler, Susan Sandler Richard Siegel, Gail Solomon, Craig Strickman-Levitas AA's next Blood Drive will be on August 5, 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.

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 18

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 Ellen Azrael 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

19 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

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 Judge Ezra and Kitty 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 Family - Sara and Mark Cohen and Armand Estroff Elisa and Bobby Ezor 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 Lynn Friedman and Murray Friedman z"l 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 Jeremy Greenstein and Elizabeth Ravage 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 Gary and Jean Jackson Barbara and Steven Jacobs Paul and Stephanie Jacobs Dennis B. Jaffe Marcia Jaffe Wyetta Angela Johnson 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 Karen Routman 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 (list as of 5/2/18)

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 20

EVENTS & VOLUNTEERing aa Events

adult Jewish education Tuesdays@AA Tuesdays @ 10:30 am - 12:30 PM

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

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.

Youth Programs

Sisterhood

Groove Shabbat saturday, July 7 and August 4 @ 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.

Back to School BBQ - August 12

Join all your AA friends and family as we kick off the start of a new school year with delicious food, fun, and celebration as we start the new year the right way!

Join Sisterhood on the first Monday of the month for a lively book discussion. July’s book is We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter, and the discussion will be led

by Maury Gerson. August’s book is My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok, and the discussion will be led by Ruth Kramarow.

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

aa volunteer/ sociaL ACTION Opportunities (see page 18 FOR MORE INFO)

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).

Not Your Normal minyan Saturday, August 25 @ 10:30 am

21 • Beineinu • Tammuz | Av

Naomi’s Book Club Monday, July 9 and August 6 @ 10:15 am

Blood Drive sunday, August 5 @ 9 am - 2 pm

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

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.

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.

Other AA Events

torah study - Saturdays @ 10 am

Lunch and Learn - Every third wednesday @ 12 pm

Mah Jongg - Sundays @ 10 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.

Give the gift of life by donating blood. To schedule an appointment, go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code JWV – you will be taken directly to the Ahavath Achim Blood Drive where you can schedule your appointment. For more information, contact Gail Solomon at gailsol@gmail. com or 404.351.1900.

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.

grade! Sports, swimming, arts and crafts, Membership Committee Volunteer Opportunity: The membership committee science, drama, field trips, dance, 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.

community service, music, and Israeli cooking - your camper will do it all while making lifelong Jewish friends and connecting with positive Jewish role model counselors. Registration and more info: inthecitycamp.org.

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, etc.? We’d love to know about it! Please email Miriam Habif, Membership and Event Coordinator, at mhabif@aasynagogue.org with information about the skill-set you can bring to the table.

Sisterhood Torah Fund

This is the 75th year that our Sisterhood has supported Conserative/ Masorti movement through the Torah Fund Campaign. Contributions to the Torah Fund strengthen Jewish education by supporting scholarships and programming at Conservative/Masorti institutes of higher Jewish learning. Torah Fund donors receive the beautiful Mah Tovu pin that celebrates 100 years of the Women’s League.

JELF Interest-Free Loans

Need Loans for Higher Education?

Jewish? You may be eligible for an interest-free, need-based loan for your limmudfest - August 31 - september 3 "last dollars" to attend school for your The LimmudFest team is made up of higher education. Application dates: volunteers who work year-round to create September 1 - 30. More info: jelf.org. a meaningful weekend of Jewish learning.

LimmudFest, returning to Ramah Darom on Labor Day Weekend, is a community that creates space to craft unique Jewish experiences. Examine your connection to Jewish ideas and tradition. Meet people who share your curiosity and enthusiasm.

Tackle thoughts with a diverse group of people. Registration and more info: limmudse.org.

Community volunteer/ sociaL ACTION Opportunities

Community Events JIFLA Interest-Free Loans

in the city camp: Summer is here! Join

families from Ahavath Achim Synagogue and Jewish kids from all over Atlanta at In the City Camp, an independent, valuesbased Jewish summer day camp for K-8th

The non-profit Jewish Interest Free Loan of Atlanta offers assistance to community members in overcoming financial challenges. An interest-free loan from JIFLA can be the deciding factor in many situations - whether an upcoming life cycle event, new eye glasses, car repair, a psych-eval test or a summer camp experience. To date, JIFLA has awarded over $430,000 in interest-free loans to 100+ Atlanta families. More info: jifla.org.

Beineinu • tammuz | av • 22

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

@AASynagogueATL

Shabbat Morning Service (Saturday)

9:00 am

Ahavath Achim Synagogue

facebook.com/AhavathAchimSynagogue

@aasynagogueatl

Neil Sandler, Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal, Rabbi Jill Rosner, Assistant to the Rabbis Barry Herman, Executive Director Catherine Ficke, Executive Assissant Lindsay Borenstein, Associate Executive Director Jordan Forman, Ritual Director Beth Arnold Helmey, Ahava Early Learning Center Director Marc Silberstein, Education Director Nicole Flom, Assistant Education Director 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 Mark Cohen, President Gerry Benjamin, Executive Vice President Irene Aronin, Financial Vice President Stacy Fialkow, Vice President Michael Plasker, Vice President Betty Sunshine, Vice President Debra Elovich and Judy Marx, Sisterhood Co-Presidents Zoe Glickman, USY President

Beineinu‌ between you and me The Newsletter of Ahavath Achim Synagogue

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

Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Avenue NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 | www.aasynagogue.org | 404.355.5222