The newsletter of Ahavath Achim Synagogue • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue Beineinu•
ABOUT THE COVER
AA embraces interfaith families who desire to be part of our Jewish community. Our spiritual community serves all who wish to connect with us.
A havath Achim cultivates a Jewish community of purposeful belonging. We inspire and support spiritual journeys by deepening relationships with one another. We believe it is at the crossroads of our spiritual paths that life’s purpose and God might be found.
Morning Minyan (Sunday) 9:00 a.m.
Evening Minyan (Sunday–Thursday) 6:00 p.m.
1 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Beineinu… between you and me The Newsletter of Ahavath Achim Synagogue Funded by a grant from The Center Family Foundation f AhavathAchimSynagogue l @aasynagogueatl y Ahavath Achim Synagogue D www.aasynagogue.org V 404.355.5222 ] 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 CLERGY Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal Rabbi Sam Blustin Rabbi Neil Sandler Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Arnold Goodman Senior Rabbinic Scholar STAFF Barry Herman Executive Director Miriam Habif Gelfond Director of Outreach and Engagement Sharon Graetz Director of Education Jackie Nix Director of Community Connection Lauren Dube Director of Marketing Chris Carr Director of Facilities Investigator Joe Jones IV Director of Security Beth Arnold Helmey Ahava ELC Director Emily Kessler Serafin Ahava ELC Assistant Director Catherine Ficke Executive Assistant to the Executive Director Jill Rosner Executive Assistant to the Rabbis Stan Vogel Finance Manager Fern Schorr Receptionist Wesley Coney Facilities Anika Johnson Facilities Ken Johnson Facilities Marcus Thomas Facilities Heidi Herman Ahava ELC Administrator Susan Goff Ahava ELC Bookkeeper OFFICERS OF THE BOARD Gary Alembik President Mark Stern Executive Vice President Josh Hanna Financial Vice President Barbara Feinberg Vice President Adam Hirsch Vice President Nikki Novotny Vice President Gerry Benjamin Immediate Past President Beth Friedman Sisterhood Co-President Brooke Rosenthal Sisterhood Co-President Avram Eli Rosenthal USY and Kadima Co-President Erin Thaler Ahava ELC President
Morning Minyan (Monday–Friday) 7:15 a.m.
WEEKLY SERVICE SCHEDULE
Shabbat Evening Service (Friday) 7:30 p.m. Shabbat Morning Service (Saturday) 9:30 a.m.
Ten Days of Awe, a paper cutout collage illustration by AA member and visual artist, Flora Rosefsky, incorporates symbols for the introspective Jewish New Year holiday period. A profusion of circular spirals add movement to denote the beginning and ending of the year’s cycle. Honey jars and apples float around the Shofar, to echo the sentiment of wishing for a sweet and good new year. To see more of Flora’s work, visit florarosefsky.com.
Ahavath Achim creates a vibrant, inclusive, spiritual community that empowers individuals to connect Jewishly beyond themselves.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 2
By Gary Alembik
My connection with AA began following my dad’s death in 2013. When my dad passed away, I made a commitment to honor him by fulfilling the obligation to say kaddish every day for the eleven-month mourning period. I had been a member of AA for many years prior to my dad’s passing but did not attend shul regularly. My minyan experience kindled my connection to AA. A connection that has continued and grown throughout the years. AA was there for me in my time of need. My minyan sisters and brothers offered me comfort, kind words and loving support at a difficult time in my life.
define. Many of us achieve a sense of belonging through friendships and family. Some derive a sense of belonging through an organization or Mycommunity.feelingof belonging
Minyan is not the only AA experience that offers me a sense of belonging. I reflect on the warm feelings that come over me when I enter Ellman Chapel each Shabbat morning. As I work my way to my pew near the front of the sanctuary, I am greeted with smiles, hugs, fist bumps, handshakes, waves, and countless Shabbat Shaloms. And this is just the beginning. As the service progresses, and I am treated to the sounds of the passionate and enthusiastic voices coming together in prayer, I realize just how comforting and gratifying it is to share this experience with my AA family.
I invite you to join me at daily minyan, or on Shabbat morning, or at our quarterly blood drive, or at a Greening Group volunteer event, and together, let’s enjoy the sweetness that comes with belonging.
and to exchange departing words of support and kindness before logging off.
W
comes from being a part of something greater than myself. Something that adds comfort, meaning, and purpose to my life. My relationship with AA has given me that sense of belonging and much more.
How Sweet It Is to Belong to Ahavath Achim A Message from the President
Nine years later, I continue to attend evening minyan regularly. AA’s minyan services have been a blessing to me, and to so many. Every weekday evening at 5:45 I end my workday, and with great excitement, I log into our evening minyan service. As my Zoom screen comes alive, and gallery boxes begin to populate, I am greeted by the familiar voices of my minyan friends exchanging kind words and expressing sincere interest in those that are in attendance. When 6 o’clock arrives we transition to the mincha and ma’ariv service, where we lift our muted voices together in prayer, offer healing prayers for those in our lives who are sick, share a thought for the day, and support those who have lost loved ones by reciting kaddish. When the service ends many remain online for a minute or two to offer thanks,
AA offers us so many ways to belong, whether it is through ritual, Torah and Talmud study, mitzvah projects, social action, the Greening Group, our Mature Adult Active Community (mAAc), Sisterhood, Brotherhood, or the many social groups, chavurot activities and opportunities.
hat does it mean thatBelongingbelong?toisafeelingischallengingto
aya Angelou is quoted as saying, “At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.” This is a wonderful statement because it invites us, or perhaps challenges us, to approach our relationships with more mindfulness. So often, we are focused on saying what we believe is right or accurate without thinking about how other people might receive it. We often justify such callous statements by calling ourselves “straight shooters” or people who “say it like it is,” but in the end, I think most of us are just insensitive and unwilling to invest the time in building and supporting relationships. This is unfortunate because relationships are the only proven way to bring about change and create transformative spaces. It is through relationships that we better understand ourselves. It is through relationships that we connect with others and ourselves. It is through relationships that we feel safe enough to be our full authentic selves, people willing to offer the God-given gifts that we have for others and the world.
Because of these relationships, I find the traditional New Year greeting to be a bit odd— “Shanah Tovah u’metukah,” [have a] good and sweet year. I understand the “good” year. Even though what defines a good year is subjective, I can probably come up with an operational definition of such a year—good health, good friendships, good success at work, and onward. The word “sweet,” however, throws me off. How do we define a “sweet” year? We double down
on this adjective by inserting honey as one of the traditional foods for Rosh Hashanah. So, what does a sweet year feel like? Sticky? Gooey? Cavityinducing? What does “sweet” feel like?
A Message from the Senior Rabbi
Some reading this article might think that I am being inane by exploring this question, but I am not. Understanding what it feels like to be part of a Jewish community is our best way forward as a congregation. We have a great mission and vision statement, which says all the right things— welcoming, inclusive, warm, inviting.
family—Brooke, Avram Eli, Ariela, Ma’ayan, Naftali, and myself—Shanah Tovah u’metukah, may it be a good and sticky sweet New Year.
By Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal
What Shul Done Right FEELS Like
3 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Fromfamily.my
M
However, it doesn’t matter what we say, it only matters how we make people feel. As we begin this year of 5783 and put a heavy focus on growing our spiritual community by adding new members to our rolls and empowering more people to be a part of Ahavath Achim Synagogue, we need to do more than say the right things - we need to make sure that we all feel it. If we do that, perhaps we will help others experience how wonderfully sticky sweet it is to belong to the Ahavath Achim
The High Holidays are all about relationships. Rosh Hashanah invites us to explore a relationship with our traditions, our spiritual inheritance of prayer, philosophy, and theology. Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur create spaces to build relationships with the community and with God. The New Year helps us to navigate our relationship with time whether past, present, or future.
ourselves, a tradition, an ecosystem, a God. How sweet that is!
Thesethirsts”words, which open the Anim Zemirot prayer that we occasionally include at the end of our morning services, unlock the key to spirituality as a Jewish people. Whether we realize it or not, whether we’ve buried it or it sits foremost in our consciousness, our souls yearn to be a part of something greater than ourselves and connect to the source of all living. They long to build, to be elevated, to be held in moments of helplessness and aloneness. They long to be deeply present in this world, because life is only lived in the present.
By Rabbi Sam Blustin
“ May my words be sweet before You; it is for You my soul
A Message from the Associate Rabbi
Our tradition provides us the spiritual scaffolding for living more deeply. From the order we tie our shoes in the morning, to the foods we can and can’t partake of, to the way we speak in the world, halakhah, our guideposts for living Jewishly, provides infinite moments throughout our day to connect to that source of life by calling us to pay attention to what we’re doing in the world, and more importantly how we’re being in any given moment. And so, if we stop long enough, and turn down the volume on the world around us, we begin to hear and feel that thirst for connection to the Divine.
Ours is a long tradition, handed from parent to child, and teacher to student. We are often bequeathed the words and actions, but it is upon us to make them sweet before God. We study their meaning, we raise up our cracked voices in harmony, we multiply with the power of community. But, ultimately, the tradition is not ours until we find our own meaning in it. Until we sit and wrestle until meaning emerges and until this newly revealed Torah becomes a part of our own story. It’s a scary thing to let a text or a practice touch you so deeply that it helps shape how you see yourself in the world. And yet, this is exactly the practice. “Before You” reminds us that our lives don’t just revolve around ourselves. We are each a part of something larger than
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 4
May this new year bring plenty of opportunities for stopping and stepping back, for recentering our lives around that which is ultimately important, and for harvesting the sweet honey that pours forth.
5 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
“Seventy faces” - So many opportunities to learn something new and, sometimes, to be challenged.
A Message from the Rabbi Emeritus
By Rabbi Neil Sandler
they observe. Which writer or commentator is correct? Again, wrong question. Instead, as we read and listen to different opinions, we may learn something new or reassuring about a perspective with which we agree. Perhaps, more importantly, as we read or hear a view with which we disagree, we can be sensitized to the issue from the other person’s perspective. Again, as we consider the “seventy faces of the Torah,” we recognize that we may learn from all; those with whom we agree and those with whom we disagree.
How about in the world outside Judaism? Why do we have opinion writers in newspapers and commentators on television and elsewhere? After all, they see the same events or hear the same words. The answer, of course, is that these individuals understand the very same occurrence or words in different ways. They bring their personal perspectives and experience to what
What Does It Feel Like to Learn Something New?
Just as many people will bring different understandings to the same text, practice, or experience, so a single individual can do similarly. I have often said that a person’s understanding of a text can be altered by his/her experience. For example, an individual may have understood a prayer as the words appear on the page of the prayer book. However, because of a recent health scare, he/she brings the awareness of that concern to the prayer and understands it somewhat differently. In this manner, each of us may contribute to the “seventy faces of Torah.” Our personal experience can affect how we understand words. What is true regarding the “new” meaning of the text for us is also true of our experiences themselves. Each of us can bring new meaning to some of our experiences, especially routine ones, in light of something we learn or experience.
he Rabbis say, “There are seventy faces to the Torah” (Numbers Rabbah 13:15-16). Their point is that there are multiple ways in which the Torah may be interpreted. In a narrow sense, this rabbinic statement might be taken as justification for the variety of Torah commentaries that appear over the course of many years. Each commentator looks at the same verse and offers a new “face” as to its understanding.
Our understanding of our tradition, texts and experiences is enriched by our new learning. In a very real sense, each of us can add to the “seventy faces.” That is the power of learning or experiencing something new in the ways I have described. We can enrich our understanding, raise up the meaning of our experiences and contribute to others in our community as we share our discoveries with them.
T
May 5783 bring you many opportunities to learn and experience anew. May what you learn and experience bring blessings to you and to others. Susan joins me in wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy New Year.
In a broader sense, what the rabbis say about the nature of understanding Torah can be said about a lot of things, Jewish and otherwise. For example, why do we traditionally put salt on challah on Shabbat? Two views, at the very least. One suggests the practice is tied to the covenant that God and the Jewish people share. Like salt, a preservative, the covenant is eternal. A second understanding suggests the salt is tied to the salted sacrifices in the Temple in Jerusalem. With its destruction, the home and, more specifically, the dining table, came to serve as a replacement for the destroyed Temple. Salting the challah serves to connect that loaf with the sacrifices offered two thousand and more years ago. Which interpretation is correct? Wrong question. Multiple understandings of Jewish practice, like a variety of commentaries on the same text, enhance our understanding and appreciation of the practice. They can connect us with different moments in our history. When we reflect on various understandings of why we, as Jews, undertake a given action we recognize richness and beauty in those multiple understandings.
May we all have a good and sweet year, and may we also relish the stickiness of the honey that drips from the apple. L’shana Tova!
What Sweetness Feels Like at Ahava Ahava
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 6
is a school that relationships.values
The sweetness of a New Year is what we hope for each other and is part of the greeting we offer to each other at Rosh Hashanah. At Ahava, we often go deep into the meaning of words that are used often and yet may mean different things to each of us. For example, parents often want to know at the end of a day, “Did he/she have a good day?” At Ahava, we try and determine what that means for each individual because we know that a “good” day can have many different connotations. During a typical day, children experience many different emotions. Teachers at Ahava honor these emotions, and the various ways they are expressed. It is part of our unspoken curriculum that we spend time on social/emotional learning and that we allow children to feel the big and small upsets or joys in their days at school.
As much as we want our days to be filled with only sweetness, it is often loss or pain that serves as the reminder of the sweetness our lives encompass. As we begin a new school year, one
in which we have recently said L’hitraot to our rising Kindergarteners, and a few of our beloved teachers, we honor the richness that has been offered us through this love, and its subsequent loss. At the same time, we are busy creating new welcoming rituals with families new to the school, and teachers recently hired. Thus, we experience feelings of loss and of joy at the same time. The sweetness of new beginnings, and the sadness of farewells becomes an opportunity to reflect on what we bring to these moments. As teachers of young children, it is important to continually grow in self-awareness, and to stretch ourselves beyond what we have always accepted. Do we shut down in moments of sadness? How might that impact a new relationship? How might it cause a child to feel insecure? Or do we overcompensate, and push sad feelings to the side? Is that being authentic? Can it cause children to feel confused if we insist upon only noticing the good feelings?
By Beth Arnold Helmey
This intersection of Judaism and the ever-present value of questioning, along with the approach (Reggio Emilia), that inspires Ahava to be a place of wonder and connectedness for children and adults is like the sweetness of the honey on the apple. It is like the effort of opening a pomegranate and extracting all the sweet juice from the seeds. It is the thoughtfulness that goes into the oft uttered Rosh Hashanah greeting, so that the words retain their meaning and importance at this time of year, and throughout our years.
The approach to Early Childhood by which Ahava is inspired is based on building a relationship with each child in the class and with the child’s family. Co-teachers work together closely and must develop a relationship with each other that sometimes resembles a commitment that looks like a marriage! For relationships to grow, it is sometimes necessary to have conversations that are hard. Conversations that are clarifying and respectful are part of the behind-the-scenes kind of work that it takes to build a practice of listening and of welcoming each other into a community. Rosh Hashanah gives us a lovely introspective opportunity to question the authenticity of our daily lives, and to reflect on our values, both individually and collectively.
A Message from the Director of Ahava Early Learning Center
We closed the ritual with homemade cupcakes, cementing the moment with a sweet memory. As Director of Education at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, I strive to make learning sweet not just for my own child, but for all the kids in our community. I am looking forward to this year’s High Holiday Children’s programming. Drawing on our synagogue’s theme for the year, “What Sweetness Feels Like,” we will be learning about the connections between Judaism and honey. We will explore where honey comes from, the role bees play in our environment, and we may even taste some honey-sweetened treats. Throughout the year, together with our incredibly talented staff, we are excited to bring to life the words from Psalms by teaching Torah in a manner that makes learning sweet and desirable.
“ [The Torah is] more desirable than gold, than much fine gold, sweeter than honey, than drippings of the comb.”
Making Learning Sweet as Honey
I remember when my mom greeted me after my first day of kindergarten with my very own box of See’s Candies. I was delighted at this unexpected treat. I bit into a caramel-filled truffle as my mom explained the tradition of pairing learning with something sweet. She showed me a picture of Omi, my grandmother, when we got home. It was from when she was a child in Germany. She was holding a bouquet of chocolates and flowers on her first day of school. My mom was continuing a tradition I now know dates to 12th century Germany. Upon entering school for the first time, a young child would be given a tablet inscribed with the alef-bet (symbolizing the entire Torah) drizzled with honey. Children would repeat words of Torah from their rabbi and then lick the honey off their tablets. This ceremony would transform what could otherwise have been a mundane experience into something memorable, sweet, and enjoyable.
7 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
A Message from the Director of Education
- Psalms 19:11
My son, Milo, turned three in December 2020. We marked the occasion with a simple Upshirin ceremony. Surrounded by family, both in-person and over Zoom, my husband and I recited the alef-bet, and Milo and my nieces and nephew repeated the words. We snipped a single lock of Milo’s beautiful blond curls, his first haircut.
By Sharon Graetz
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 8
WhatKoyenikandoes
A Message from the Director of Community Connection
even more special about these groups is that most of them were formed because someone saw a need that they could help fill. Our Greening Group came about because a group of dedicated members wanted to make sure AA does their part to help the environment through being more sustainable, the mAAc group started because some of our mature active adults wanted to have social programs with each other, and AAACTS saw an injustice that they wanted to help combat.
it mean to be part of a community? Communities offer us so many things. A community is a place for people to come together to enjoy their interests and passions with others who share those interests and passions. A community is a group of people there to celebrate with us when things are great and support us when things are hard. Over time we will be part of hundreds if not thousands of different communities. In our communities we might interact with others in person or solely online. We have communities we create ourselves and some that are given to us by others. No matter what, we give and get different things from each of our communities. And every community is only as good as the people who make it up.
“There is immense power when a group of people with similar interests gets together to work toward the same goals.” – Idowu
9 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Before starting my role as the Director of Community Connection in March, I had a general idea of most of our committees. I worked with all our family and children focused groups, I was the staff liaison for the Development, Engagement, and mAAc committees, and I knew we had many social action focused committees doing amazing things. I knew we had a calendar filled with Sisterhood mahjong games, adult Hebrew classes, minyan, holiday programs, blood drives, and so much more. I knew that there were many AA members making all these groups and programs possible, but what I knew didn’t even scratch the Wesurface.have
over 30 committees that touch every area of the AA community. These committees are working to make sure our community is welcoming to everyone who walks through the door. They make sure the building is running smoothly. They help prepare the bodies of people who have passed away for burial. They are working to make our AA community, the Atlanta
community, and the world a better place. They plan educational programs, social programs, cultural arts programs, holiday programs, and so much more. Just imagine what our AA community would be like without these dedicated groups doing their thing. Each of these committees and groups is an essential part of what makes AA so
By Jackie Nix
Many Great Pieces Make an Amazing Whole
So many people throughout the 135 years of Ahavath Achim Synagogue history have made our community amazing, and because of that there is a place for everyone. If you have a passion for making people feel welcome and included, maybe the Membership, Engagement or Interfaith & Inclusion committees are for you. If you have kids and want them to find a connection with their Judaism and other Jewish kids think about Ahava, Kesher, Family Shabbat, Family holiday programing, and more. If you are interested in social action and making our AA community, Atlanta community, and the world a better place, we’ve got over 15 different groups working to make that happen. We have got something for everyone, which can be hard to find in just one community. When you find one of those groups that you connect with, they help make a large community feel smaller. And all these small groups who are doing amazing things on their own help make our larger community that can do even more amazing things. Whether it’s passing a bylaws amendment to help make everyone feel comfortable here, packing backpacks with food to make sure kids don’t go hungry over the weekend, or creating new social groups to fill a gap, all of these make our community better, but they are not possible without you. There is a place for everyone in our community and we want to make sure everyone feels welcome here. If you are still looking for your thing, we would love to help you find it.
Whatspecial.is
For all information relating to the 5783 High Holidays, please visit our website, and navigate to the 5783 High Holiday Hub. The hub hosts all the information you may need: a full service schedule (with times, locations, and links) and information regarding registration, children’s programming, machzorim rental, the Yom Kippur Appeal/Chai Campaign, Covid-19 protocols, etc. On the days of services you will have access to the live-streamed services.
t is truly hard to believe that the High Holy Days are just around the corner! Given that fact, we want to give you all an update and an idea of what to expect in terms of participation in services and programming.
We hope you will use the hub as you plan out your High Holiday spiritual experience! It will continue to be updated as new information is made available.
As we approach the holiest time of our year, we are thinking of you, our AA family, in these challenging times. Our congregation is on a sound financial footing today, in no small part due to your incredible financial support. Although we are making progress and are in a better place than last year, we still have many challenges this year, and most of our congregation will not be able to attend Yom Kippur services in person. We need your help. Please consider participating in our Yom Kippur Appeal/Chai Campaign if you have not already done so; you may send in a check, or donate online. Thank you in advance for your generosity and continued support.
High Holiday Update
Wishing you and your families a Shanah Tovah. We look forward to celebrating the New Year with you whether virtually or in person!
I
This year, as in the previous two years, we are offering the option to participate in services virtually as well as in person. The remodel of our sanctuary is well on the way to be completed, but, unfortunately, we will not be able to host services there this year. However, there will be an opportunity to view the construction, and we are excited to be able to showcase how transformative the new space is! Main services will take place in Srochi Auditorium with an overflow service in Ellman Chapel. Due to the physical limitations of both spaces, seating will be somewhat restricted. If you would like to join us in person, you do not need a ticket, but registration is required so that we can determine the number of people wanting to attend in person. In-person attendance will be on a strictly first come, first served basis.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 10
Hybrid: Paradies Hall and Virtual 10:00 a.m.–End of RH Service
In-Person: Garden
In-Person: Outdoor Tent 7:30 p.m. Mincha Ma'ariv Service
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual
Children's Programming (0–5th Grade)
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Service
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Family Tashlich and Picnic with Shofar Blowing
9:30–10:30 a.m. Torah Study
In-Person: Srochi Auditorium
Ma'ariv Service
In-Person: Garden 8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Service
Erev Rosh Hashanah - Sunday, September 25
11 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
8–9:00 a.m. Coffee and Schmooze
9–10:00 a.m. Family Service
Aseret Y’mei Teshuva (Ten Days of Repentance) - Sunday, October 2
In-Person: Peachtree Creek Greenway
5–5:30 pm Family Service
Hybrid: Paradies Hall and Virtual 12:30 p.m. Tashlich
7:00 p.m.
12:30–1:00 p.m. Oneg and Light Kiddush
In-Person: Drop-Off at Outdoor Tent
2nd Day Rosh Hashanah - Tuesday, September 27
Mincha Ma'ariv Service
In-Person: Outdoor Tent
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual 9:00 a.m.–End of RH Service Children's Programming (0–5th Grade)
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual
In-Person: Drop-Off at Outdoor Tent 9:30 a.m. Torah Study Led by Dr. Paul Feldman
2–4:00 p.m. Reverse Tashlich
Hybrid: Breezeway and Virtual 5:30 p.m. Vegan Kapparot
In-Person: Garden 6–7:00 p.m. Mincha Ma'ariv Service
Kol Nidre - Tuesday, October 4
In-Person: Garden 6:10 p.m. Mincha Service
6:30 p.m. Kol Nidre Service
6:00 p.m.
8–9:00 a.m. Coffee and Schmooze
1st Day Rosh Hashanah - Monday, September 26
Led by Dr. Andrew Zangwill
In-Person: Morgan Falls Overlook Park
5783 High Holiday Schedule
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual
Hybrid: Paradies Hall and Virtual 10:00 a.m.–End of YK Service Children's Programming (0–5th Grade)
In-Person: Paradies Hall 5:30 p.m. Mincha Service Reading of the Book of Jonah
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual 7:41 p.m. Ma'ariv, Havdallah, and Final Shofar Blast
In-Person: Drop-Off at Outdoor Tent
Email:Name: Phone: To make a donation, please complete this card and mail it (with check enclosed) to Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. Donations can also be made online at aasyn.org/donate. -----------------------------------------------------
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual
Beit Midrash (Study Hall)
In-Person: Outdoor Tent 9:30 a.m. Torah Study
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium, Zoom, and Live Stream
Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual 6:30 p.m. Neilah Service
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 12
9–10:00 a.m. Family Service
Yom Kippur - Wednesday, October 5
8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Yom Kippur and Yizkor Services Yizkor Service begins around 12:30 p.m.
Led by Dr. Dennis Gilbride
Hybrid: Ellman Chapel and Virtual 4–6:30 p.m. Chanting with SunMoonPie
2:30–4:00 p.m.
13 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
T
As you can see, unallocated revenue represents nearly 70% of revenues collected. Dues, security fee and fundraising (Chai program, Yom Kippur appeal, fundraisers etc.) make up the bulk of unallocated revenue.
Here are some key expense indicators:
he past number of years have definitely been interesting and challenging to say the least! Thanks to the generosity and commitment of YOU, our beloved community, we have once again ended the 21-22 financial year with a balanced budget. This is even more gratifying as we had budgeted a loss for the 21-22 financial year of $150,000. Our financial results have not been finalized and ratified by our CPA, but the numbers should not change much from what is presented in this report.
I have had numerous requests to explain exactly how we collect and expend our resources. As such, I would like to present the following analysis of the financial year just passed i.e., July 2021 to June 2022:
This is how our expenses broke down:
By Barry Herman
A Message from the Executive Director
Supporting a congregation is not charity, any more than providing for your household is charity. Charity is what we do for others; we contribute to synagogues because it is important to us to have a religious institution to which we belong and which we can attend. Synagogue membership, like the half shekel given by every Jew to the upkeep of the Tabernacle in the desert after the Exodus from Egypt is an obligation for anyone who values Jewish communal life. The Synagogue is open 365 days a year and is there, not only to provide three services per day, but to be there for you in times of need: bereavement (G-d forbid), simchas, graduations, etc. The Synagogue is not a country club, but a community.
Our new officer corps and board, together with our rabbis, will be presenting to our congregants a myriad of exciting new initiatives. In addition to these initiatives, you can help balance the budget by making sure to pay your dues and other obligations in a timely manner.
In conclusion, I am excited and honored to, once again, serve our community. I look forward to playing a part in ensuring the next 130 years. The best is yet to come!
As can be seen, salaries represent more than half of our fixed costs. If you add in the expense of maintaining our facility (mostly fixed costs) as well as the cost of kiddush and the High Holy days, at least 80% of our expenses are not
Givendiscretionary.theuncertainty
of the future as we emerge from the initial effects of COVID, the upcoming year will be challenging, including an assessment to help with crucial infrastructure upgrades and repair to our roof, plumbing and electrical switchgear. We are so fortunate to have been able to balance our budget over the past two years and also to have so many positive developments in our community—the extension of Rabbi Blustin’s contract, the growth of our religious school program, and approximately $2.5 million in endowment gifts, to name a few. Achieving financial success going forward can’t be accomplished solely via expense control. We will require incremental revenues. Thus, we need your help.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 14
($1-$499)Chai
15 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Muriel Feldman
Barbara Abend
Sheli and Sam Feldman
Donna and Mark Fleishman
Cynthia and Les Fox
Fayne Frankel
Donations listed below were given through June 30, 2022 and include tribute donations, Yom Kippur Appeal/ Chai Campaign donations, endowments, and other miscellaneous donations. Donations made to the Capital Campaign and Sisterhood are not included. We apologize in advance if anyone was excluded or placed in the wrong donation level.
Emily Delevie
Laura Driscoll Shana Dukette
Johanna Essex Linda and Abram Estroff
SallyPeggyShirleyJasonJuliaVickiGitaCandyPennyCareyFaithCarolGloriaJudithBettyGlendaCindySaraMarciaJillLouiseLindaPatClaireCharloteMarleneBerniceFrancesAmyAmyJuliePhyllisBonnieElinorMariaPatsyJudyMartyReneeElizabethAltermanAltermanAltermanandRichardAltermanandGaryAltmanAndersonandSidneyAppelArlookArnoldandJosephArnoldandMarkArnoldandRobertArogetiAsheAstrenBachandNealBachandMichaelBaerBalserandJackBalserBaronandStanleyBaumReikes-BaumanandSteveBaumanandEmilBaumrindBessBamrindandBruceBeckerBeermanandBernardPollockBehrandStanBeinerBenamyandMichaelBenatorBendaandDougBenhamBerkandStephenBermanandStevenBermanBermanandTerryBernathBernerandGaryBernesandRickBernsteinandJohnBerry
Margo and Shiel Edlin
Sharon StephenieDraluckandJerome Drean
Anita and Max Eidex
Nina MarianneFishmanand Alan Fixelle
Marsha Fish Marcy and Scott Fisher
Adam
Baron Frankel
Ahlizadeh
Lori and Jordan Forman Michele and George Fox
David JoanneBirnbreyandEddie Birnbrey Robin and David Blass Sheryl and Ben Blatt Toby Block and Jerrold Greenberg Matt AmiraMonaBlumBlumenthalandMichael Bobrov
Patricia and Robert Fine Sheryl Fineman
Goldie and Louis Bertone Veronica Beskin
Laura and Harold Einstein Gerald Eisen Terry and Ira Eisenberg Suzanne and Seth Eisenberg Judith Ellis Debra
Susan Bravman Linda Brenner and Josh Brener Margaret Breslin Suzanne and Adam Bressler
Brenda and Stanley Daniels Lowell and Georgi Davis
Gail Cohn and Harvey Danits Gayle and James Commander Frannie Spector Coplan Charlotte Corenblum Myrna and Paul Cott Randy Crohn Ritchie Crownfield
Shirley Brickman Staci and Matt Brill Janet and Raymond Brock Robin and Jay Brodsky Ruth and Jimmy Brown Harriett and Jeffrey Bryan Laurie Burnham Elaine Carp Ben DeedeeMichaelCavalierChapmanChereton
Leslie and Regene Jo Aberson
Marilyn Bravman
Karen CherylMarySherylSandraDouglasAbramsAdairAdairz”lAdairAnnAdamsandJoseph
Glenda and Bobb Cucher Kathleen Culbertson
Helen Scherrer-Diamond and David Diamond Linda and Michael Diamond Margery Diamond
Aida and Cesar Espinoza
Barbara Bock Bonnie and Ivan Bock Rita and Arthur Bodner
Thank You to Our Generous Donors
Patricia Cohen Sandra Cohen Sarah YvonneStanleySharonCohenCohenCohenandJack
Jessica and Benjamin Ezrine Fred Feinberg
Lori and Todd Edlin
Susan and Jeffrey Feld
Daniel DoreenFinerandStuart Fischer
Ilise Cohen and Daniel Rice Debra and Martin Cohen Kent Cohen Lisa and Sherman Cohen
Meredith and Richard Bodziner Julie and David Borenstein Phyllis and Melvin Boros Adrienne Boyer
Barbara and Richard Fischhof
Edith and Jeff Clark Avital and Michael Cohen Barbara and Alan Cohen Betty and Stan Cohen Caryl and Howard Cohen Isadore Cohen
Sheri Diamond Brooke and Jeff Dickerson Elaine and Alan Dinerman
Laura Dinerman
Shelly and Allen Dollar Elaine and Alan Donerman
Cohen
InaMarianElovichElyandHarold Enoch
Elise Eplan and Robert Marcovitch Maury Escher
Warren Abrahams
Harriet and Sam Draluck
Delcy Pardo Harber
Susan and Stephen Levine
Edna
Marilyn Landau
BarbaraWilliamLevineLevinsohnandElliott Levitas
Mary Ann and Bobby Kaplan Frances M. Kaplan
Nancy and Alan Kessler
Elissa and Harris Konter
Elaine PriscillaGruenhutandRoss
Bobbie Knopf
Amy Harris and Paul Weinman
Lynne and Thomas Greenfield
Nicki SusanGrossmanandMichael Grossman
Elliot CatherineKarpand David Kasriel
Stepanie Levine
Jo Ellen and Alan Levy
Nancy and Wayne Freedman
Roslyn and Darryl Konter
Rachel and Martin Levenstiem
Kahn
Sandi and Gerald Friedman
Devra and Walter Kolesky
Ethel-Raye Greenspan
Darriel and Ronald Gerson
Trudy and Arnold Levy
Arnold Lande
StephanieFund Kupor
Audrey and Michael Landy Susan and Billy Lapidus
Eleanor and Burton Jaffe
Jean and Richard Katz Elizabeth Kessler and Dennis
Esther and Michael Levine
Funk
MarciaDeborahEliseJeanMichaelNancyNancyLisaKhalilNancyBarbaraJaneGailTobyCathyRosalieRobertRaePhyllisEttaBobbyAmandaLyonsDougHelenGladysLauraDarleneShereeSusanJamesHelferHelmsHendricksHenryHensonandAlanHerbinandDavidHerckisHerschandLilaHertzJ.HeymanandAdamHirschHirschHirschHirschandBruceHirschHirschHirschbergHodinandArnoldHolzerandGilbertHolzerHorowitzBickandMichaelHorowitzHowardInyandRichardIsaacsonandJoelIsenbergIsenbergandMartinItzkowitzandGaryJacksonandHerbJacobsandLouJacobsandRichardJacobson
Phyllis Kraft
Amy and Neil Friedman
Frances Friedman
Suzanne and Ervin Gerson
Sherie and Arthur Gumer
Phyllis and Morton z”l Levine
Carolyn Gold Hazel
Lana and Richard Krebs
Fran and Edward Harrell
Melissa Hall
MarshaEveBernardBethNormanSusieJudyElsaBrandonGoldGoldbergandJayGoldbergandScottGoldbergandMarcGoldmanGoldmanandAdamGoldsteinGoldsteinandJoelGoldsteinGoldsteinandRobert
MarthaCharlesZenaidaHabifHabifHackerHalbreich
Helen Lefkoff and Robert Faulk Kelly and Ron Lehman
Myrtle Lewin
Naomi and Christopher Gargano
Charlotte Gordon
Marjorie Kassel
Lori and Lee Krinsky
Gail NatalieHarrisand Marvin Harris
Stephanie and Jeffrey Knauer
Peggy and Maurice Levitt
William Kleiman
Monica and Brian Krachman
Nancy Habif and Scott Kleber
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 16
Linda and Michael Friedman
Jerry Glazer
Beatrice Hartman
Amy Kirschenbaum
Stacy Blumberg Garon and Jon KatherineGaron Gauntt
Rita and Michael LeVine
Marsha and Ernest Gurwich
Barbara Friedland Gold
Harold Lefkoff
Beverly Halpern
Mimi Hall and Russell Gottschalk
Ruth Gershon and Sanford Cohn
Janet and Hilton Kupshik
Barbara and Bert Levy
Herbert Gelbwachs
Grumet
Jane and Adam Kugler Charity
Julie and Rick Golsen
Barbara Lincoln and Gary Rosenshein
Anita and Sidney Freedman
Renay and Alan Levenson
Karen and Bruce Galdin
Eydie and Steven Koonin
Maury Gerson
Madeleine and Kenneth Gimbel
Sherry
Laurie and Michael Kogon
Lillie Janko
Linda and Kerry Landis
Wendy and Steven Light
Sivan and David Koster
Mildred and Martin Kwatinetz
Mira SusanRhaldaJosowiczKahnandRobert
NancyGilbrideand Marc Kessler
Judi MarilynLapinsohnandPaul Lavietes
Viki and Paul Freeman
Dena and George Hammond
Evelyn and Roberto Graetz
Billie NancyGreenbergandMike Greenberg
Rick ValerieLernerand Ronald Levenberg
Donna and Edwin Gerson
Renie and Frederick Halperin
Anne and Brad Gillman
Todd Gershon
Cheryl and Russell Kramer
Eliana Light
Nicole and Steve Frankel
Dale and Jimmy Glenn
Ellen Goldstein and Steven Gold Karen and Steven Goldstein
Cheryl and Roger Gelder
Gail Leitman
Carol Kiersky
Claudia Levitas
Lynn SidneyEveGloriaSylviaFriedmanFriedmanFrischFristandRoni
Janet Hatt and Michael Goodisman
Sandy and Bob Koff
Miriam Strickman Levitas
Randy Kaplan and Paul Orlando Shelley and Scott Kaplan
Susan
Riedy and Stephen Gimpelson
Tracy and Anthony Hammonds
Lori SheriMiriamLewisLewisandJames Libby
Ann BonnieLevinand Michael Levine
Donna Shaw-Levy and Mark Levy
Fine
Lois and Robert Kurpiel
Laura and Steven Levine
Pamela JaquelinGottfriedandEdward Gottlieb
Nancy Klenberg
Susan and Neil Gordon
Stacey and Michell Kopelman
Halpern Enterprises, Inc.
Marilyn and Joshua Shubin
Eileen and Milton Silberstein
Sarice BarbaraRubinand Alan Ruckett
LindaMadolinBettyCherylJillJoyceJoyceClaireMaxineLouWendySusanCoindyLindaMimiFriedmanSchatzbergandAbeSchearandKenSchickandStuartSchlanskyandLesSchlesingerSchlossandKeithSchubeSchwartzandJaySchwartzandHenrySchwobandJosephSegalSeguineandKennethSeitzSeldesandStephenSelig
Judith and Arnold Rubenstein
Barbara and Alan Shapiro
Eva and Samuel Silbiger
Faye and Irwin Siegel
Cathy and Jeff Schaffer
Judy Scarbrough
17 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Carol and Joseph Rubin
Chris Lingle Linda Nathanson-Lippitt and Alan SaraDanaAmyPaulMelanieSloaneSimoneJacquelineMargaretAdeleKarenLucyLeslieVickiLynnJennieSusanReneMarcialynMixSandraSusanShirleyJulieGlendaLoriMindiCathyHarrietEricIvanSharonAnnJoanneAkankshaRobinBertaMarciaSusanRandiSuzanneCorinneNormaNatalieBarbaraRhodaSheilaMindyLawrenceCharlotteDennyPeggyKaronSherylLisaJessicaAliceCarolynLippittLippmanLittleLordenandAlanLubelLyssandJohnP.MaguireandLloydMarbachMarcusandAndreSchnabiandJosephMarcusMarcusandAndrewMargolsandMichaelMargolisandStephenMargolisMarksandRobertMarmerMarxandJohnMateyakMazelandMarvinMazerandToddMaziarMcDaidandLevMebelandPhillipMedintzMehtaandJonathanGrossbergMendleMerlinMermelsteinMillenderMillerMillerandRonaldMillerandScottMillerandWayneMillerandDavidMinkinandAlanMinskandAlvinMinskandHarryMinskandSamMislowTapeVentures,LLCMoattarz”lMontaigneMorayandMacyMoretNassauMorrisandStevenMorissMoscowMosesandJoelMossGabbayMuirMusaandRichardNeedleandSteveNehmenandHowardNeimanandAllanNelkinNerenbergandJoelNeumanNeuwirthFranandWayneNeuwirth
Lynn and Jan Saperstein
Kathy and David Rubenstein
Susan and Neil Sandler
Maxine and Harry Sherry
Joyce KarenShlesingerandBrian Shonson
Ralph Sacks z”l
Selma Shapiro
Karen and Michael Saul
Freida and Max Shaffer
Barbara Saul Flemming
Garry LeahRichardSiegelSiegelandPaul
Jonathan Silgals
Charles Shainker
Anita and Mark Rottner
Suzan and Gary Saidman
Rita Noonan
Sarle and Larry Shainock
Frances Shapiro
Jon AnitaShapiroandMarvin Shapiro
Judith Silverman
Janet Schatten and Richard
Karen Routman
Sandy and Gary Silver
Janice B. Nochumson
Laurie and Brian Rothschild
Susie and Alan Rubin
Peggy Newfield
JudyMarshaShawShermanandStanley Sherman
Saba and Victor Silverman
Jeffrey Sell
Judith Silverman-Hodara and Roberto Hodara Friedman
Silberman Jenner
Alvin JillBarbaraBrookeAbbyJoanAnnHaroldFloraCarolGailAntaKatieSamraKarenEdwardReneeSusanJenniferBonnieShirleyLoriMichelleRuthLoisVickiePatriciaLynnBrendaAnnJoAnnetteJuliaSaraStanleyBarbaraAnnTallyLisaBarbaraRobertAnnaEmilyJodyMarthaMarlenePeggyRachelJasonElliottJudiLydaAnniceHillySheriAronMartinMarcelleRebeccaCherylKennyOptimistsMarcyAnnJonathanNotowichNussbaumOlimandMarcOppenheimerInvestmentClubOrkinOrlanskyandBradOsgoodandAllanOxmanOxman“Chuck”PalefskyandAlonPanovkaPanovkaParkerG.ParkerandRichardPawligerPensoPerlandLancePerlingPerlingWexlerPerlmanPerlmutterPeskinandLousiPiassickPichulikPitcherskyandRichardPlanerandEricPlaskerandStanfordPlavinandMorrisPodberandMartinPollockPollockPopowskiandMorrisPurcelRauAnnRauandHughRawnRaymonandLewisReddandDouglasReidandBruceReismanandAlanReitzfeldReynoldsandCraigRichRichRichandGaryRichmanandHarveyRicklesandDavidRifkinandRobertRinzlerRittenbaumandScotRittenbaumandRonaldRobbineRobertsonRommRonesandMarcRoseandBernardRosefskyRosenbaumandCharlesRosenbergRosenfeldandLarryRosenthalandLaurenceRosenthalandStephenRosmanandRobertRosner
Barry Silver
Gail and Barry Saloff
Debbie and Andy Shuping
Sherry
Ruth and Jon Gottleib
Lynne AurelieWeinerandRandy Weinstein
Goldie Weiss
Ann and Herb Alperin Nancy and Robbie Baron Linda and Bruce Beeber Karina and Josh Belinfante
Leslie L. Stone
Diane and Marvin Bernstein Martha and Herbert Blondheim Meryl Braunstein and Alan Shenberg
Judy and Stanley Stein
Stan
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 18
Gary M Silverstein Harriet Simmons
Sharon Funk and Joshua Hanna
Renie and David Geller
Melinda Gertz
Heleen and Steven Grossman
Lori SkylineSimonSeven Real Estate LLC
Erica and Andrew Cozewith
Cheryl and Jeffrey Cohen Diane and Harold Cohen Melissa (Lisa) and Walter Cohen Pamela and Alan Cohen Eileen and Adolphus Coolik
Liz and Bobby Goldstein
Sandy and Davis Abrams
Rachael and Michael Joseph Marilyn and Leslie Kelman
Frances and Stuart Galishoff
Ralda and Martin Reish Virginia and Milton Saul Joan and Alan Sschwartz
Sharon and Richard Browdy
Stanley Cohen
Linda Stone
Joan and Phillip First Lois and Laurence Frank Jane Freedman
Helen and George Steinheimer
Marcia Spielberger
Meryl and Robert Stein
Sandi Stine
Deborah Spector and Jeffrey Victor Merna and Allen Stein
Meredith Broudy and Marshall
($900-$1,799)Bronze
Allison and Joel Feldman
Nancy and Ronnie Galanti
Margo and Lawrence Gold
Carol and Warren Fogel
Jeff Gershon
Michelle and Jonathan Lerner
Gloria Smiley
Andrew Vayhinger and Keith Cristal Jeffery Wasserman
Patsy and Bill Little
JeannieLynnSunshineSussmanandBob Tepper
Mark Waldinger
Bethany and Taylor Smith
Alan Guerrieri
Lenny
Judy and Joe Balaban
Elise and Jay Empel Norman Estroff
Lawrence Goldstone Daniel Greybar
Sherry Halpern
Rachael and Jonathan Colton
Susan and Morris Socoloff
Emily and Zev Peikin
Sandra and Bob London Hal MitznerMendelFamily Foundation
Cathy and Richard Smith
Robyn Spizman and Edwin Gerson
MeghanGeraldSolomonSonenshineSoustek-Kramer and Zachary Kramer
Gail
Beth and Jared Friedman
Karen and Steven Goldstein
Merrill and Michael Stern
Harriet Spanier
Sheila and David Adelman
Elaine and Jerome Blumenthal
Diana Fiedotin
Iris and Benjamin Stein
Carolyn Gold
Annsley and Benjamin Klehr
Gloria and Carlton Steinberg
Barbara and Alan Smith
Mindi and Richard Bressler
Martin Chavez
JeannetteAlysonLeonaElaineArnoldAdrienneErinJanisSheilaHoneySusanRinaHilaryLindaJacquelineRuthKarenMarilynnSusanAdelePatriciaRamonaWendyNanetteShirleySharonAlettaRobertaWeissmanWeissmanandGregWeitzWeitzmanRommWenderWengerWestandBenWhiteWillisWineburghandJonathanWinnerandRonaldWinstonandEliWiseandHerschelWisebramWolfandBernardWolfeWolfeWolfeandLarryWolkinandHowardWorkmanandMerrillWynneZagoriaZagnoevZimmermanZippermanZitomerandJamesDrickerandDonaldZivitzZonitchandMichaelZukor
Sharon and Nathan Popky
Sheri and Robert Warnke
Fran NancySpataforeandTheodore Spetnagel
Deborah and Gregory Schwartz
Rachel and Chris Hoffmeister
Judy and Gary Stolvitz
Lori and Allan Struletz
Judith Finkel
Taylor SterlingDavisEaves and Bill Seitz
Harold Vrono
S. Jarvin Levison
Cecile SherryWaronkerandGeorge Warsaw
Dolores Berlin
Gayle and Toby Steinberg
Ava Landrum Smith and Ben Smith
MarshaLeslieDenaMikeSusanReneeCynthiaMatthewEleanorSharonRobinTerriHeatherKarenEllenPamSueKirschenbaumKarlaSusanPaulMonicaLouisJudithJudithReneRobynEmilyNicaGeorgiJudyJoanneEllenSugarmanandBobSunnesandDornSwerdlinTaitzTajaandLeeTallmanandAaronTanenbaumTanenbaumTapiaTaylorandMarkTaylorTeplisTeplisTeplisandMartinThroneTiveskyandSethandChuckTilisandRickyTinterTitenTompkinsandMitchellTonikTopazTorchandKenTorreysonandJonTotzTuttleTylerandGaryUnellandBillUsdanValenuuelaandStanleyVogelVogelmanandLouisFriedmanandCharlesVrono
Elaine Wecksler
($500-$899)Patron
Gladys Hirsch
Diane Bessen and Steven Weiner
Harvey Spiegel
Jody and Ramon Franco
Vicki and Gerry Benjamin Adolphus and Eileen Coolik in honor of Max and Helen
Vicki and Gerald Benjamin Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Sally and Philip Kaplan
Leonard Klehr Dee and Gerald Kline Marsha and Mark Kozinn
President's ($10,000-$19,999)Circle
Barbara and Steven Jacobs
Sharon Funk and Josh Hanna Robert Kagan and Paula Sunshine Ann BethSanfordKaplanOrkinandGregg Paradies
Neal Yarm
($2,400-$3,599)Gold
Mark SherriWeinsteinandRobert Wildstein
Gary Alexander
Jerry Wartski
Dorita and Hal Arnold Marlene Gelernter Besser Barbara and Kenneth Feinberg Jacquelin and Edward Gottlieb Marybeth and Michael Guerrieri Barbara and Alan Kaplan
MarilynKunianskyGinsburg Eckstein
Judy and Martin Kogon Sherry and Harry Maziar Lori and Stephen Oppenheimer Sally and Alan Pinsker Rosalie and Carl Rosenthal Susan and Ray Schoenbaum Cathy and Richard Swerdlin Jill and Jeffrey Vantosh Zoe and David Zelby Susan Ellman Zweig and Arnold Zweig
Gary TamarSnyderandMark Stern
19 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Marlene and Mark Haber
Jennifer Glazer-Malkin Leon Goldstein z”l Nancy and Marshall Levine Carolyn Oppneheimer Beth and Gregg Paradies Donald Reisman Betty and Alan Sunshine Sheila and Larry Wilensky
Barbara Schatten z”l Mona and Philip Sunshine Ilene Sunshine Ann and Steven Sunshine
Mona and Philip Sunshine
Lorraine (Cookie) and Fred Aftergut Linda and Richard Bressler Tyler Curtain and Jay D’Lugin Ana-Maria and Jordan Eisner Stacy and Emanuel Fialkow Gail and Michael Habif Morris Habif z”l Barbara and Jay Halpern Marsha and Michael Kalson David Laurence Vicki and Robert Lieberman Barbara and George Nathan Melanie Nathanson Lisa and Hal Philipson
Jo JudyPichulikandAlan Schulman Julie and William Segal Harriet Landau and Nathan Segall Judy and Allen Soden Marilyn and Stanley Steinberg Rebecca and Andrew Zager
Judith PhyllisAlembikandEliot Arnovitz
Contributions to Ahavath EndowmentAchim
Caryn Hanrahan and Andy Siegel
Jana and Michael Kreisberg Helaine and Andy Lasky Debbie Smith and Joel Lobel Sandra Marcus
($5,400-$9,999)Benefactor
June and Gerald Neumark Donna and Philip Newman Sara and Mark Papier Barbara and Bruce Ribner Jennifer and Joel Rosenfeld Dorothy Rosenthal and William DebraNerenbergandPhilip Siegel Carla and Arthur Silver
($3,600-$5,399)Leader
Sanford Orkin
Rabbi's ($20,000+)Circle
($1,800Silver - $2,399)
Celia and Donald z”l Gilner
Donna and Douglas Kallman
Irene SusanAroninandHadley Engelhard Diane and Stanley Friedman Marianne and Stephen Garber Elaine and Alan Kolodkin Judy and Michael Orkin Hariette Oxman z”l
Gary Alembik and Stephen Graves Ellen Arnovit and Michael Plasker Tova and Mark Cohen Elisa and Robert Ezor Doris and Martin Goldstein Gail Heyman and Lyons Heyman MichalJr. and Jack Hillman Stuart Harvey Hillman Ann LynnNikkiKaplanNovotnyandBarry Prusin
So, what do I do to incorporate all these seemingly unrelated ideas? That’s when the idea for the Cultural Arts Program was born and I’m thrilled that I can be the catalyst to bring it all together. The AA now has an umbrella fund for all who are interested. It could encompass all divergent ideas. The only limits are our imaginations.
By Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein
Donor Spotlight
Music has always been important in our house. I started taking piano lessons when I was five. Many times, my mother, father (he played the tenor Saxophone), and I would play music together. The feeling was fun, warm, and loving, as a family should be. I wanted to bring that feeling to my AA family. I am also a curious person who enjoys learning about events, people, and the world around me through different eyes.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 20
y roots in the AA Synagogue run deep. My two uncles, Max and Joe Cuba, were presidents of the congregation. My two cousins, Drs. Irving and Marvin Goldstein, were also presidents of the congregation. My father, Paul Ginsberg, served on the Board for 20+ years, and I too was honored to serve several years as a board member.
I remember the High Holidays in the Washington Street building sitting in the balcony with my grandmother, mother, aunts and friends looking down at a sea of men praying below. I remember my confirmation at the “big shul” on Washington Street and walking to my grandmother’s house also on Washington Street. We would stop to chat with friends sitting on their porches. There was a feeling of camaraderie, a feeling of family among friends and acquaintances. I remember going to Sunday school in the Tenth Street building. I remember being called to Rabbi Epstein’s office expecting to be reprimanded for skipping class—he asked where we went and laughed when we told him we went to the movies.
M
21 • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Fall 2022 • High Holiday Issue • 22
FIRST-CLASS MAIL US POSTAGE PAID ATLANTA, GA PERMIT NO. 3259 AHAVATH ACHIM CONGREGATION 600 PEACHTREE BATTLE AVE NW ATLANTA, GA 30327