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
Laurence Rosenthal Rabbi
Neil Sandler Rabbi Emeritus
STAFF
Barry Herman Executive Director
Miriam Habif Gelfond Director of Outreach and Engagement
Annsley Klehr Interim Director of Education
Jackie Nix Director of Development, Stewardship, and Leadership
Lauren Dube Director of Marketing
Chris Carr Director of Facilities
Investigator Joe Jones IV Director of Security
Bonnie Levine Interim Director of Tefillah and Music
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
Deionta Huff Facilities
Ken Johnson Facilities
Keisha Martin Facilities
Donald Scott Facilities
Tyler Slayton Facilities
Beth Arnold Helmey Ahava ELC Director
Samantha Deal Pedagogista
Heidi Herman Ahava ELC Administrator
Susan Goff Ahava ELC Bookkeeper
OFFICERS OF THE BOARD
Mark Stern President
Adam Hirsch Executive Vice President
Josh Hanna Financial Vice President
Nikki Novotny Vice President
Ryan Posner Vice President
Taylor Smith Vice President
Gary Alembik Immediate Past President
Avital Cohen Sisterhood Co-President
Sara Papier Sisterhood Co-President
James Sitzman Ahava ELC President
Ahavath 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 G-d might be found.
Ahavath Achim creates a vibrant, inclusive, spiritual community that empowers individuals to connect Jewishly beyond themselves.
AA embraces interfaith families who desire to be part of our Jewish community. Our spiritual community serves all who wish to connect with us.
The cover is a piece donated to the Synagogue by our congregant, Linda Lippit. It depicts a man in a tallis blowing the shofar, an ancient musical horn typically made of a ram’s horn, used for Jewish religious purposes.
A Message from the President
By Mark Stern
Every Rosh Hashanah, as I enter the sanctuary, I take a moment to look around and am flooded with memories of growing up in our shul. I recall sitting as a child with my mom, trying to stay through the entire service, fasting on Yom Kippur, and eagerly rushing to be first in line for the food after the Shofar is blown. This shul has woven itself into the fabric of my life. Having spent my entire life in Atlanta, every significant milestone has been celebrated here with my wife Tamar, our children Ariel, Julia, and Daniel, and our extended family. For me, sitting in shul feels like comfort food.
As I participate in the services, many things feel familiar, but none more so than the songs and melodies that accompany our prayers. Some of these tunes have been with me since childhood, while others are newer, but all of them nourish my soul. Amidst the constant changes in my life, the enduring presence of our shul, prayers, and music offer a reassuring sense of stability and comfort.
The High Holidays are especially meaningful to me. As I take my seat in shul on Rosh Hashanah morning, I embark on a process of self-reflection that spans both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. I reflect on my experiences growing up in the shul, consider the past year’s events, and contemplate the year ahead.
Looking back on this past year, I am mindful of the challenges facing us as a Jewish community. With rising antisemitism and anti-Zionism, both in Israel and here in the United States, I find solace in prayer and music, which ground me. The enduring presence of institutions like our shul connects me to our past and inspires hope for the future. Our synagogue has been here before us and will remain long after us, representing our people’s physical and spiritual continuity.
As I think about the upcoming year, I am excited about dreaming and planning for the future of
our shul. We have grown in many ways over the past few years, and we have ambitious plans to further develop our spiritual community through educational programs, study opportunities, environmental initiatives, and social events.
I am fortunate to work alongside a dedicated board and executive committee, including Gary Alembik, Adam Hirsch, Nikki Novotny, Josh Hanna, Taylor Smith, and Ryan Posner. This year, we will focus on supporting Rabbi Rosenthal in expanding educational and musical opportunities, growing our Endowment, and creating ambassadors from our board and congregants. I am looking forward to a wonderful year of collaboration with our community.
Our shul has so much to offer, and I invite you to be an active part of our vibrant community. Join us for a meal in our Sukkah, dance at Simchat Torah, learn with us when President Herzog speaks for the Eisenstat lecture, fry latkes at Chanukah, attend musical programs supported by the Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program Fund, dress up at Purim, or enjoy a Scotch at a Brotherhood or Sisterhood event. Some of these experiences will be new for me, and there are plenty of opportunities to find something that speaks to you. Our shul is here for all of us.
Wishing you a Chag Sameach and Shanah Tovah. I look forward to sharing this special time with you all.
A Message from the Rabbi
What is My Song?
By Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal
If I could go back in time and do something over again, I think I would pursue a different major in college. I enjoyed studying psychology and then the winding road into neuropsychology, which led to a job with the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) studying the effects of methamphetamine on the human brain. These were experiences that I’m grateful for. However, that wasn’t my original course.
Upon acceptance to the University of Southern California, I immediately applied to the music school with the hope of being a Guitar Performance major, an application which included an audition. I put a lot of effort into that application and started studying with Riner Scivally, a professor in the USC Masters program for guitar. I also took a few lessons with William Leavitt, literally the person who wrote the book on music sight reading for guitar. His books, Modern Method for Guitar Volume 1–3, are still in circulation today. After my paperwork was submitted, along with examples of my music writing and performing, I was granted an audition with guitarist Richard Smith, a USC School of Music faculty member. Mr. Smith was a local performer and guitarist for Richard Elliot, one of my father’s favorite jazz saxophone players. I have seen Richard Smith perform at least a dozen times, and he is a great guitarist. I was very intimidated by this prospect, and my music sight reading was non-existent, to boot.
The audition was going fine for the first half. They listened to my submitted material and asked questions about my writing style and influences. Then Mr. Smith picked up his guitar and we played through one or two jazz standards that I selected. And then, finally, the dreaded moment… he took out a page of sheet music for two guitars. It was Bach’s Inventions, and we were to play it together as a duo. Of all the pieces that Mr. Smith could have chosen, Bach’s Inventions was a kind
choice. However, remember that I lacked skills in my sight reading. So, when Mr. Smith put that paper on the music stand, he might as well have placed a foreign language in front of me. I just shrugged my shoulders. We didn’t bother working through even the first few bars. Mr. Smith was kind and encouraging, but I left the audition quite defeated.
A few weeks later, I heard back from the Music department that they had accepted me into the program but informed me that I would be placed into the most remedial band ensembles due to my reading deficits, with the understanding that I would move up as my reading improved. I passed on the offer and instead focused my schoolwork on psychology. I never took a single music class at USC. I had many excuses for not pursuing the music degree, but the unspoken reason was how I felt leaving that audition. I don’t think I would call this a regret because I am thrilled with how my life ended. I don’t think that I would have had a similar trajectory in life (i.e., become a rabbi, marry the love of my life, have four wonderful children, and be part of such an amazing spiritual family like Ahavath Achim) had I graduated with a degree from the USC School of Music. Who knows? I can’t go back in time, so I don’t think about it too much, except when I’m asked to write an article for the Beineinu.
This year’s High Holiday theme is “Finding the AA Tunes.” In preparing this edition of the Beineinu, we asked all contributors to ponder the question, “What is my song?” I think my answer is Bach’s Inventions. Of course, I am not talking about the recorded version of Bach’s Inventions, but rather the sheet music to Bach’s Inventions. That moment with Mr. Smith had a huge effect on me. That sinking feeling of incompetence, that shrug of my shoulders, and how I rationalized not coming back to the music school all impacted my approach to Judaism and my spiritual life. I know the feeling of having a “foreign language” thrust in my face and feeling lost, alone, and not worthy of the moment. I understand how such hurdles can affect the decisions that are to come next. I know what it feels like to be alienated from the path that I really want to pursue. The sheet music for Bach’s Invention has been such a special song for me. Those notes remind me to be careful because the next move might cause somebody to
close the door on his/her spiritual life, like how I closed it on my musical life.
If I were to add a coda to this story, it is that one of my pandemic goals was to work on my sight reading. It’s still tough, but I am happy to say I can now pick up a simple piece of music and muddle through it. I am even using William Leavitt’s book, Modern Method for Guitar. I often see the date he scribbled on the corner of the page where he expected me to practice for the coming week. A lot of time has passed since those few lessons. However, our spiritual journeys are long, and I hear there are some good music schools here in Georgia. Maybe I’ll get a second chance at my duet with Mr. Smith… who knows?!
On behalf of my family—Brooke, Avram Eli, Ariela, Ma’ayan, Naftali, JuJuBe (the dog) and Lillith (the kitten), we wish you a meaningful, sweet, and music-filled New Year!
A Message from the Rebbetzin
By Brooke Rosenthal
As I think about the month of Elul and the reflective posture it requires to bring in the High Holidays with purpose and intention, how should I prepare myself? Will it be with Torah study? Or perhaps through my prayer practice? Maybe I’ll find some community classes to take or somehow incorporate these intentions into my daily yoga practice. Alternatively, maybe life with work and family will keep propelling me along, and I’ll crash into Selichot and Rosh Hashanah as I have admittedly done in previous years - but I certainly hope for a better-case scenario than that one. No—I resolve to study, read, learn, and reflect to gain the most out of my personal High Holiday experience. After all, what is the purpose of all these holidays, anyway?
I believe it is to keep improving one’s relationship with partners, parents, children, friends, citizens of the world, and, ultimately, God. Sometimes, life improves and shapes us simply by the passage of time and the lessons we learn along the way, akin to a rock embedded in a stream that smooths out and changes shape over time with the water rhythmically bubbling over it. We, Jews, are offered a shorter path via the prescribed prayers, teachings, and mitzvot that the rabbanim of old and our modern leaders today employ to shape our High Holiday experiences. By tapping my chest to remind myself of the less-thandesirable behaviors and actions I have engaged
in throughout the year, I can shape myself to do better, think more generously, and be the best person I can be until I finally close my eyes for the very last time. The cyclical rhythm of our Jewish calendar is a challenging and beautiful opportunity to improve ourselves and strive to bond with the Elusive One.
The repeated nusach (melody) that accompanies our prayers is essential to our daily and AA High Holiday experience. Although we all gather in the same sanctuary, rising and sitting in a collective wave, we ultimately pray alone with our individual thoughts, hopes, dreams, and promises. But, when we join our voices in a common musical experience, we create a collective wave of meaningful sounds together. I am excited to share those joyful days of prayer with you!
A Message from the Rabbi Emeritus
By Rabbi Neil Sandler
Nothing prepares us better for the High Holidays than a good story. That is why, for many years, I would tell a story on the first night of Rosh Hashana. Susan and I will again be in Fitzgerald, GA, this year for the High Holidays. So here is my opportunity to share a story with you, an “oldie but goody,” you might say. Most importantly, this story speaks to the transformative quality of music and song.
Many years ago, in Berditchev, the High Holidays were coming to an end. The “Gates of Repentance” closed as the sun set on Yom Kippur. Reb Levi, who was leading the service, looked troubled. His expression of concern was clear to everyone, but no one knew why he was troubled, and no one would dare ask him. Separate from Reb Levi on the bimah, another drama was unfolding in the congregation, in a far corner of the sanctuary. A man had brought his teenage son, but the young man could not read Hebrew and pray. He sat silently throughout the service. As time passed and the end of Yom Kippur approached, the young man remembered that he could “pray” in a very different manner than the rest of the congregation. He took his flute out of his pocket and played the most beautiful and uplifting melody.
His father was mortified. The congregation was silent. Reb Levi turned around to face the young man and his father. Nervous anticipation hovered over the sacred space. Then Reb Levi smiled. He said, “You are probably wondering why I was so troubled. I perceived that God was not accepting our prayers. I feared that we were not worthy of the Holy One’s forgiveness this Yom Kippur. This boy’s heartfelt musical note broke through to God and lifted all our prayers to Heaven.”
Reb Levi of Berditchev displayed wisdom few spiritual leaders display. Surprisingly, he did not respond with anger when the young man did something clearly forbidden on Yom Kippur. Neither was his response not born of a desire to be inclusive and engage the young man. Rather, Reb Levi knew that spiritual connection and
moments of fulfillment could be reached in a variety of ways. More specifically, he knew that music played a potentially unique role in helping people to feel themselves in the presence of God. In the young man’s case, it was the only way he could feel himself to be in God’s presence and part of the sacred community that had gathered on Yom Kippur.
Before you walk in the doors of the synagogue for our High Holiday services, I recommend that you leave your flute at home. However, there is another instrument I hope you will bring… you and your voice. Familiar High Holiday tunes bring us comfort and connections with earlier times. But they can also bind us anew with spiritual awarenesses we may seldom consider. There are many experiences in life that remind us that we are spiritual beings. Most of them have a significant visual component, often in nature (e.g. mountains). This year, as you sit in our High Holiday services, I hope you won’t “sit.” As you sing or hum High Holiday tunes, may they remind us that we are spiritual beings beginning the year’s journey anew.
Susan, Ariel and Jamie, Aliza and Matt, Josh and Rachel, Remi, Avery, and Bennett join me in wishing you and your loved ones a year of good health and well-being. Shanah Tovah!
A Message from the Executive Director
By Barry Herman
As I sit down to reflect on the past year, it is amazing to me that yet another year has flown by! There is so much that has happened over this past year, and it is tempting to do as I usually do and list all the accomplishments and milestones that have taken place. However, reflecting on this, it occurred to me that there has been a seismic shift from where the Shul is today than where it was when I began my association with this community some 20 years ago (hard to believe). We are in a much better place today as an institution (bigger is not always better). In particular, the warmth, inclusiveness, and openness of our congregation have made us a leader in the Jewish world, both locally and nationally, and we are held up as an example of how congregations need to embrace both their exalted past and those never-changing values that the previous generations and traditions have given us, as well as building our future by continuing to overlay those values into the needs and circumstances of the present.
After this epiphany, I was trying to pinpoint if any specific factor or related factors have ensured this growth and success. Then, it finally hit me— something so simple yet profound. It is because of YOU—the Ahavath Achim community!
As you all know, my initial involvement in this congregation was through music. I spent many years on the bimah over the High Holy Days, helping to create a spiritual connection together with the rabbis, hazzan, and the AA choir. Music is a great metaphor for congregational life. If you listen to the individual harmonies that make up a piece of music, they would sound completely disjointed and not connected to the whole at all. However, when you put them all together, you have an ethereal, beautiful sound that touches the heart and helps the soul to feel the intent of the liturgy and prayers. Our tradition is full of references to the importance of music and its connection to the spiritual soul. For example, the Song at the Sea celebrates the Jewish people’s triumph over impossible odds and the music
service that was part of the Temple service led by the Levi’im.
The penultimate Torah portion that preempts the end of the Torah reading cycle, Ha’azinu, is presented as a song. This is alluded to in the final verse of the previous Parsha Vayeilech, which states that “Moses spoke the words of this song into the ears of the entire congregation of Israel...” According to the commentaries, the nature of a song is to express the total harmony of creation as a total reality, where future and past events are not only in harmony but serve to clarify each other. Everything is melded as if it were happening at the same time. It also shows that each part, although unique and different, forms a vital part of the whole. Similarly, the unique contributions and gifts of each member of our community contribute to the beauty and success of the whole in perfect harmony.
While it is important to look at what has transpired in the past, it is even more important to focus on how to secure our future. Besides continuing to ensure that our community is a vibrant and welcoming place for all by tapping into the unique gifts of our congregational family, we need to focus on financial sustainability through planned giving via our legacy program and building our endowment. We need to build on the generosity of those who have helped grow our endowment by nearly $4.5 million over the last five years and those who have come before them. Our endowment is made up not only of some substantial gifts but also of more modest gifts. The same can be said of our legacy and planned giving program commitments. Each person contributes according to his/her means and inclination, like the harmonies that make up a song. Our goal is to reach $10 million in the next five years.
Having a robust endowment means stability and independence, as it reduces reliance on annual donations and membership dues. This steady income stream enables the Synagogue to support its ongoing operations, fund educational programs, maintain its facilities, and expand outreach efforts. It also allows for long-term planning, empowering the Synagogue to initiate and sustain new projects that align with its mission. The legacy, or planned giving, program encourages congregants to include the synagogue in their wills or estate plans, deepening this financial security. These gifts are acts of faith, allowing individuals to leave a lasting impact that
reflects their values and commitment to their community. Legacy or endowment gifts can fund specific needs like scholarships, youth programs, or social services, ensuring the synagogue’s ability to serve future generations. Both endowment and legacy giving also foster a culture of philanthropy within our community. They encourage members to think beyond the present, instilling a sense of responsibility for the future. By investing in endowment and legacy giving, congregants ensure our beloved Shul can secure its role as a spiritual, educational, and cultural center, preserving Jewish heritage and guaranteeing the community thrives for years.
I want to take this opportunity to invite you to join Heidi and me in committing to our Legacy program or making a gift directly to our Endowment fund. Please reach out to me directly (404.603.5746; bherman@aasynagogue.org), our Director of Community Connection, Jackie Nix (404.603.5743; jnix@aasynagogue.org), our President, Mark Stern, or the Chairs of our Legacy program, Gerry Benjamin and Taylor Smith.
A Message from the Interim Director of Education
By Annsley Klehr
I“Up on the watershed
Standing at the fork in the road
You can stand there and agonize
‘Til your agony’s your heaviest load…”
—Watershed by the Indigo Girls
can remember Watershed by the Indigo Girls playing in my car the summer after my junior year of college. There I was, driving an 18-passenger van and a 6-canoe trailer backing up down a one-way dirt road in Bemidji, MN, with nowhere to turn around and cell phones yet to be had. I was trying to locate a bunch of children and canoes off the river, searching for the hidden river entrance with no map. The song brings with it a depth of emotions, but the one I remember most is pride, that I made it through a nerve-wracking adventure!
At The Judith and Aaron z”l Alembik Ahavath Achim Youth Education Program, we build Jewish memories through communal song and individualized instruction, where children come together to create his/her own music and listen to the music of others. Each child beats to his/her drum, carrying his/her own rhythm.
This year at Kesher (our Pre-K–6th grade Jewish education program) and Nesiah (7th–9th grade program), we are grateful to all the conductors, a.k.a. staff and families, for supporting the music we will make together. Kesher is Hebrew for “connection.” We nurture compassionate and curious Jewish learners as they connect to each other and the community and sing along to the melodies of Jewish values and rituals. We create confident and curious Jewish learners in a safe space where they can take risks, question, play, learn, explore, engage, create, make meaning, and love. We foster the child’s sense of Jewish selfdiscovery by providing a nurturing environment where each person can explore, create their own identity, and make their own music.
Nesiah, Hebrew for “journey,” is the synagogue’s on-the-move program where our older students begin the year by listening to the music of others as they explore social justice: From the Outside In: Understanding the Origins of Our Prejudices, through race, religion, and culture. This survey class will predominantly be taught through speakers and field trips, after which the Nesiah facilitator will help navigate discussions and reflections around other world religions, such as the Civil Rights Movement and the Holocaust. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to listen differently and learn how to curiously ask questions, delving into their own stereotypes and prejudices. They are building a soundtrack of enduring lessons.
In our caring community, we are able to join together in harmony as we cherish g’milut chasadim (loving kindness), bitachon (safety/ trust), tikkun (repair), areivu (responsibility), kavannah (intention), ma’aseh (action), Tzedek (Justice), Avodah (Service), Sh’mira (preservation), and kavod (human dignity/respect).
We want to express our deepest gratitude to the Alembik family for their generous contribution, which made the creation of “music” in our Youth and Family Education Program possible.
A Message from the Interim Director of Music and Tefillah
By Bonnie Levine
The lyrics are:
“V’al Kulam”—when AAers hear it, we might immediately think of the high holidays, recalling the Lewandowski choral piece included in this edition of the Beinenu. We have sung this “V’al Kulam” on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur every year for as long as I’ve been a part of this community, so at least 13 years, probably more like 20!
And for all of them, may Your name, our King, be blessed and exalted always, forever and ever.
But the piece of liturgy inspiring that piece isn’t a High Holiday prayer. It’s not even a Shabbat prayer. No, the line “v’al kulam” is part of every recitation of the Amidah, on every service, whether weekday, Shabbat, or chag, and whether morning, afternoon, or evening. And to wit, “v’al kulam” means “all the things.” All the things, in all the prayers.
The phrase concludes the paragraph beginning “Modim Anachnu Lach,” in which we express gratitude for all the blessings God has brought to our lives. This section appears in every service, but at certain times of the year, such as Purim and Chanukah, we include special additions. Then, we wrap it all in a bow with “V’al Kulam.” “And for all the things!” There are so many things to be thankful for, we say; all the stuff we mentioned, all the stuff we forget to mention. The essence of “v’al kulam” reminds me a bit of “verklempt” (a Yiddish word meaning something close to “overcome with emotion”), though the phonetic similarity is a coincidence.
But did you know that there’s another “V’al Kulam” in the Yom Kippur liturgy? This one is not nestled within the comforting words of gratitude in the Amidah but instead finds its place in the introspective and intense “Al Chet” confessionals.
During Yom Kippur, as we seek forgiveness for our transgressions, we recite “Al Chet Shechatanu Lefanecha”—”For the sin we have committed before You”—repeatedly, listing various sins and missteps. As we go through this litany of confessions, there’s a poignant moment where we say “V’al Kulam Elohai Selichot, Selach Lanu, Mechal Lanu, Kaper Lanu”—”And for all of these, O God of forgiveness, forgive us, pardon us, grant us atonement.”
This “V’al Kulam” is a plea for forgiveness for all the sins we’ve just enumerated and, symbolically, for those we might have forgotten or overlooked. It’s a profound moment of vulnerability, acknowledging the completeness of our faults and the depth of our need for divine mercy. Just as in the daily Amidah, where “V’al Kulam” wraps our gratitude in a spiritual embrace, here it encapsulates our contrition, creating a full-circle moment in our relationship with God.
This dual presence of “V’al Kulam” in both gratitude and repentance reflects the complex emotional and spiritual journey we undertake during the High Holidays. We oscillate between acknowledging our blessings and confronting our shortcomings, between joy and solemnity, between the music of celebration and the chants of supplication.
Speaking of music, there’s something about the melodies of the High Holidays that resonates deep within our souls. The spiritual music during these times serves as both a reflection of the sanctity of the days and a vehicle to elevate our prayers. Whether it’s the haunting “Kol Nidre,” the majestic “Unetaneh Tokef,” or the uplifting “Avinu Malkeinu,” the music is not just an accompaniment to our liturgy—it’s an essential part of the experience. It carries us through the intense emotional highs and lows, much like the “V’al Kulam” refrains, binding together the spectrum of emotions we bring to these days.
In this way, the music and the liturgy work together, guiding us through the process of teshuvah—repentance and return. As we move from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, from gratitude to confession, the tunes linger in our minds and hearts, reminding us of the sacredness of these moments and the continuity of our connection to the divine.
As we prepare to sing “V’al Kulam” again this year, we hope you will accept our invitation to stretch your vocal chords, considering this phrase more than just a familiar melody. It’s a call for all of them—V’al Kulam, or really, V’al Kulanu, all of us—to raise our voices together. Whether you’re a seasoned singer or usually shy in the pews, this is your moment to join in and add your voice to these holiest days.
We’ve included a little bit of sheet music as a teaser, but we’re also hoping you’ll go for “v’al kulam”—all of the melodies we plan to sing, which you can look through and listen to by scanning the QR code provided. Let’s make this year’s “V’al Kulam” the most powerful one yet— because it’s not just about the words; it’s about all of us singing and bringing our voices together.
A Message from the Director of Ahava ELC
The Importance of Music in Early Childhood for Learning and Fun
By Beth Arnold Helmey
Music is more than just a source of entertainment; it is a powerful tool that plays a crucial role in early childhood development. Music profoundly impacts young minds by enhancing language skills and supporting learning and emotional growth. Additionally, the role of liturgical music in early childhood can profoundly shape spiritual and cultural identities. Children attending Ahava Early Learning Center explore music for fun. They explore sounds, rhythms, and echoes. They beat drums, make shakers, and dance with scarves to the music in their classrooms. They gather on Friday mornings and sing and dance to the Shabbat songs they pick each week. They are playing, and without realizing it, they are building language, enhancing vocabulary development, exploring patterns and tones, and creating community with each other. Music is so important in our lives, connecting us with joy and shared experiences. In early childhood education, the benefits of music can be witnessed in the following ways:
Music and Language Development
• Phonemic Awareness: Music, especially songs with repetitive and rhyming patterns, helps children recognize and differentiate between different sounds. This skill is essential for phonemic awareness, which is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate phonemes— the smallest units of sound in language. For example, nursery rhymes like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” or “Baa Baa Black Sheep” help children pick up on sound patterns, improving their ability to hear and distinguish the different sounds that make up words.
• Vocabulary Building: Songs often introduce children to new words and phrases in a fun and memorable way. The repetitive nature of
music means that children hear these words and phrases multiple times, aiding retention while allowing children to be creative and have fun.
• Sentence Structure and Grammar: Children are exposed to sentence structures and grammatical patterns through singing. Many children’s songs tell stories or describe actions, which help children understand the sequence of words and how they come together to form sentences. This exposure helps them grasp concepts intuitively before starting a formal academic education.
• Listening Skills: Music encourages active listening, a crucial skill for language development. When children listen to music, they learn to pay attention to rhythm, melody, and lyrics, which enhances their ability to focus on spoken language.
Music and Cognitive Learning
• Memory and Retention: Music’s rhythmic and repetitive nature is an excellent tool for memory enhancement.
• Spatial-Temporal Skills: Engaging with music, particularly through playing instruments, helps children develop spatial-temporal skills, which are critical for understanding mathematics and science. These skills involve the ability to visualize spatial patterns, which is essential for problem-solving and logical reasoning.
• Emotional and Social Development: Music often involves group activities, such as singing or playing instruments, which helps children develop social skills. These activities teach children about cooperation, collaboration, and listening to others. Music can be a powerful outlet for emotions, helping children express themselves and develop emotional intelligence.
Liturgical Music in Early Childhood
Liturgical music, or music used in spiritual communion, holds a special place in early childhood development, particularly in nurturing spiritual and cultural identity. At Ahava ELC, children go home singing Shabbat songs to their families, and these songs are shared throughout
the day in all the classrooms, along with other favorites like Baby Shark and Wheels on the Bus!
• Cultural Transmission: Liturgical music is a vehicle for passing down a religion’s rituals, values, and traditions. Through sacred music, children learn about their religious heritage and cultural practices. This helps them develop a sense of belonging and continuity with their community.
• Spiritual Development: Participating in liturgical music allows children to engage with faith meaningfully. Singing and chanting can be a form of prayer or meditation, helping young children connect with the divine and develop a spiritual foundation.
• Community Building: Liturgical music often involves communal singing or participation in religious services, fostering a sense of community and collective worship. This experience can be particularly powerful for children, as it reinforces their connection to their faith community and connects them with joy in sharing and being together.
Music is a hugely important component of early childhood development, strongly impacting language acquisition, cognitive learning, and emotional growth. Whether through secular or liturgical forms, music enriches the lives of young children and supports a strong foundation for future learning and development. Liturgical music nurtures children’s spiritual and cultural identities. At Ahava, our teachers incorporate music throughout the day because they understand it is beneficial and essential for children and their development, and even more importantly, they know that children are having fun exploring their creativity through sound and movement in a safe and nurturing environment.
A Message from the 5785 High Holiday Hazzan
By Hazzan Helene Kates
As I prepare for the High Holidays and think about aspirations for the future, I remember the past. Many years ago, I stood on the bima at Ahavath Achim for the first time to serve as a Shlichat Tzibur. I was filled with such joy. It was mixed with other emotions of fear, awe, and hope. “Who was I to stand before this congregation?”
Yet, I needed to step up. This was a turning point towards making my childhood dream of being a hazzan a reality. My heart is filled with gratitude for what each one of you did to nurture, support, and provide the opportunity for me to learn, grow, and serve this community while studying to receive ordination through the Cantors Assembly.
As I lead the High Holiday services this year, I will take the baton again. I must admit that, once again, I am filled with a mixture of overflowing joy and trepidation. The same words whispering to me: “Who am I to stand before the congregation and lead prayer?”
Perhaps right there, in the words above, is the key to my journey ahead. I am not standing before the congregation to lead prayer but standing with you. Together, we are part of God’s orchestra, with every instrument adding its unique sound while fitting into a beautiful harmonic whole. Can we create a space of safety, comfort, and support to strengthen our ability to navigate the struggles and see the light within what appears to be heavy and dark?
Can a certain type of melody help us in this task together? As we search for melodies that speak to us from our past, all the way back, perhaps even to Mount Sinai, while stretching together to sing new songs unto God, is there a melody that can guide us in this overall mission? Is there one particular type of rhythm and shape of notes to unite us as one and crown God as our King?
Perhaps the melody of a dynamic hora, where we dance together in a spiraling circle that reaches ever higher as we move closer and then move out again as the strength of holding hands keeps our feet going even as we run out of breath. What will our melody sound like? Can it guide us all in prayer to stay focused and connected even when tired? Can it give us the strength to keep going and never give up on reaching God, even if we aren’t sure he is listening? Can it unite us to leap over any burdens that are holding us down and joyfully jump high?
Deep in my heart and soul, I believe that we can create this melody together. We can be patient and listen, let the notes rise, and feel the rhythm inside that expresses our needs and tells the story of our dreams.
We will soon reach the Shabbat before the High Holidays when we read in Parsha Nitzavim: “You are all standing this day before the Lord, your God, the leaders of your tribes, your elders and your officers, every man of Israel, your young children, your women, and your convert who is within your camp both your woodcutters and your water drawers…”
Please, God, may we each recognize that we have a unique divine purpose and are called upon as a people to help support and guide one another in fulfilling it.
May we draw strength through deepened connections to each other and ultimately to God as we weave our individual voices into one voice, reaching out to our One God in prayer.
May God hear our prayers and bring peace to the whole world.
A Message from the Ritual Director
By Jordan Forman
As you all know, I am very much involved not only in leading our Shabbat, holiday, and other services and chanting Torah but also in finding others to take on that responsibility. So, of course, some of my thoughts and hopes for the year ahead, 5785 (where did 5784 go so quickly?), relate to getting more people to relate! By that, I mean to relate to the tefillot, to the Torah, and to all of our sacred teachings. After all, there is much to learn from them!
In addition, I always find it interesting how I feel, and I suppose how others feel, during the Yamim Noraim. We begin with a very upbeat and triumphant start to the new year (actually, it starts before that with the entire month of Elul), but it ends with a very serious tone on Yom Kippur. Then, when Yom Kippur ends, it feels like we’ve accomplished a great deal. In one sense, we made it to the new year, the gates closed, and we are still here, alive and breathing. But have we really accomplished that much? Are we going to be new people in the year ahead, trying to improve our relationship with Hashem and each other, making the world a better place? I am guilty of this myself. It’s easy to forget the Yamim Noraim and its significance during the course of an entire year, but the goal is to hang on to it, thinking of every day as one in which we can make a difference. My hope is that this feeling carries us all the way through 5785. Shanah Tovah!
5785 High Holidays
The High Holidays are a time that calls for renewal and rededication. We engage in chesbon nefesh, an accounting of our souls, to review our year, check in on our emotional selves, and take stock of the connections we’ve made—with ourselves, with others, and with God. We note those places where we have inevitably fallen short and missed the mark, and we rededicate ourselves to those things that truly matter in our lives. This year, as we return to our beautiful Sanctuary, we delve deep into the idea of rededication, exploring how we might live lives truly in line with our values. We hope that you’ll join us, open-hearted and deeply present.
In addition to the main sanctuary service on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we will offer a shorter service geared towards families in the tent. Children’s programming will run parallel to main sanctuary service.
This year, as in recent years, we offer the option to participate in services virtually and in person. If you want to join us in person (for services or children’s programming), you do not need a ticket, but registration is required.
For information about the 5785 High Holidays, please use our online Hub (aasyn.org/high-holidays) as a source for everything you’ll need as you navigate your spiritual experience. You will have access to the live-streamed services as they are taking place. We will continue to make updates as new information becomes available.
Thanks to you, our holy community, our congregation is on sound financial footing today. Each year, we rely on you to help us sustain the loving and caring community we are creating. We need your help. Please consider participating in our Yom Kippur Appeal/Chai Campaign if you have not already done so (more information on page 19). Thank you in advance for your generosity and continued support.
Wishing you and your families “shanah tovah u’metukah”—a good and sweet year!
7:15 p.m.
8–9:30 p.m.
5785 High Holiday Schedule
Selichot—Saturday, September 28
Mincha/Ma’ariv/Havdallah Service Havdallah: 7:50 p.m.
Selichot Service
Sunday, September 29
10:30 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery
12:00 p.m. at Arlington Memorial Park
1:45–4:00 p.m.
7:15–8:00 a.m.
Cemetery Visits
Reverse Tashlich
In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Greenwood Cemetery and Arlington Memorial Park
In-Person: Peachtree Creek Greenway Erev Rosh Hashanah—Wednesday, October 2
Mincha/Ma'ariv Service Candle Lighting: 7:01 p.m.
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube 1st Day Rosh Hashanah —Thursday, October 3
7:45 a.m.–End of Sanctuary Service
8–9:30 a.m.
Childcare (6 months–6th grade)
Coffee and Breakfast Oneg
8:00 a.m.–1:15 p.m. Sanctuary Service
10–11:00 a.m.
Torah Study
10:00 a.m.–End of Sanctuary Service Children's Programming (6 months–12th grade)
10:15–10:50 a.m.
10:15–10:50 a.m.
10:15–10:50 a.m.
10:55–11:30 a.m.
10:55–11:30 a.m.
10:55–11:30 a.m.
1:15–2:15 p.m.
6–7:00 p.m.
Family Services:
Pre-K–2nd Grade: Family Service
3rd–7th Grade: Audience Performance
8th–12th Grade: Speaker and Drum Circle
Pre-K–2nd Grade: Audience Performance
3rd–7th Grade: Family Service
8th–12th Grade: Speaker and Drum Circle
Oneg and Light Kiddush and Committee Fair
Mincha/Ma'ariv Service Candle Lighting: 7:43 p.m.
Check-In at Ahava
In-Person: Breezeway
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube
In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom
Check-In at Ahava Registration from 10–10:15 a.m.
In-Person: Tent
In-Person: Paradies Hall
In-Person: Library
In-Person: Paradies Hall
In-Person: Tent
In-Person: Library
In-Person: Srochi Auditorium
In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom
2nd Day Rosh Hashanah—Friday, October 4
7:45 a.m.–End of Sanctuary Service Childcare (6 months–6th grade)
8–9:30 a.m. Coffee and Breakfast Oneg
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Sanctuary Service
9:30 a.m.– End of Sanctuary Service Children's Programming (6 months–7th grade)
Check-In at Ahava
In-Person: Front Garden
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube
Check-In at Ahava Registration from 10–10:15 a.m.
9:30–10:30 a.m. Torah Study
Following End of Sanctuary Service Tashlich
6–7:30 p.m.
Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma'ariv Service Havdallah: 8:07 p.m.
In-Person: Ellman Chapel
In-Person: Meet at the Tent to walk to the corner of Peachtree Battle and Woodward Way
Virtual: Zoom Shabbat Shuvah (Shabbat of Return)—Saturday, October 5
9:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Shabbat Morning Service
10:30–11:30 a.m. Torah Study
12:45–2:00 p.m.
6:15–7:45 p.m.
5–5:30 p.m.
Rebbe's Tish—Meshorerim Singing
Mincha/Seudah Sheleshet/Ma'ariv/Havdallah/ Kaddish D'Lavana Service
Family Kol Nidre Service (up to 10 years old)
5:30 p.m. Vegan Kapparot
6–6:15 p.m. Mincha
6:15–7:00 p.m.
Kol Nidre Service
Candle Lighting: 6:49 p.m.
7–9:00 p.m. Ma'ariv Service
7:45
8:00 a.m.–1:45 p.m.
Sanctuary and Yizkor Services
The Yizkor service will begin around 1:00 p.m.
10:00 a.m.–End of Sanctuary Service Children's Programming (6 months–12th grade)
10:15–10:50 a.m.
10:15–10:50 a.m.
10:15–10:50 a.m.
10:55–11:30 a.m.
10:55–11:30 a.m.
10:55–11:30 a.m.
Family Services:
Pre-K–2nd Grade: Family Service
3rd–7th Grade: Audience Performance
8th–12th Grade: Speaker and Drum Circle
Pre-K–2nd Grade: Audience Performance
3rd–7th Grade: Family Service
8th–12th Grade: Speaker and Drum Circle
10–11:00 a.m. Torah Study
2–3:00 p.m.
Beit Midrash (Study Hall)
3–5:15 p.m. Yom Kippur Chanting with Levines and Friends
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Cavalier Room Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Srochi Auditorium
In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Tent Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Garden
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube
Check-In at Ahava Registration from 10–10:15 a.m.
In-Person: Tent
In-Person: Paradies Hall
In-Person: Library
In-Person: Paradies Hall
In-Person: Tent
In-Person: Library
In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Paradies Hall
5:15 p.m.
6:15 p.m.
7:32 p.m.
7:45 p.m.
Wed, October 16 (Erev)
6–7:00 p.m.
Thu, October 17 (Day 1)
9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
6–7:00 p.m.
Fri, October 18 (Day 2)
9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
6–7:00 p.m.
8–9:30 p.m.
Sat, October 19 (Day 3)
9:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
12:30–2:00 p.m
Wed, October 23 (Day 7)
7:15–9:30 a.m.
Wed, October 23 (Erev)
6–7:00 p.m.
Thu, October 24
Mincha
Reading of the Book of Jonah
Neilah Service
Ma'ariv/Havdallah/Final Shofar Blast Service
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube
Break Fast Gold Doors and Breezeway
Sukkot—October 16–23
Erev Sukkot Service
Candle Lighting: 6:43 p.m.
Sukkot Morning Service
Mincha/Ma'ariv Service
Shacharit Service
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Sukkah Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
Shabbat Evening Service Virtual: Zoom
AAbsolute Sukkot Shabbat
Chol Hamoed Shabbat Morning Service
Rebbe's Tish
Hoshanah Rabah Service
Erev Shemini Atzeret Service
9:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Shemini Atzeret and Yizkor Services
Thu, October 24 (Erev)
6–7:30 p.m.
Fri, October 25
9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
6–7:00 p.m.
Erev Simchat Torah Service—Kesher Consecration
Simchat Torah Service
Mincha/Kabbalat Shabbat/Ma'ariv Service
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom
In Person: Sukkah
In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom
Service times and locations are subject to change.
Please visit our 5785 High Holiday Hub (aasyn.org/high-holidays) for the most up-to-date information and details about registration, children’s programming, tunes and meshorerim, Yom Kippur Appeal/Chai Campaign, machzorim, Operation Isaiah, hearing loop and screen-assisted service, lulav and etrog, parking and more!
5785 Yom Kippur Appeal and Chai Campaign
Our brand new year, 5785, is just days away. Thanks to the generosity and dedication of the entire Ahavath Achim community, it’s a beginning that’s better than ever before. We’ve completed updates to Cohen-Kogon Pavilion and Srochi Auditorium, made critical repairs to our 65-year-old building’s infrastructure, and our Endowment Fund continues to grow, ensuring our congregation’s future well-being.
We have reached these incredible goals in no small part thanks to your financial support in addition to annual dues. Increased traffic in our building reflects our growing success and increases our utilities and maintenance costs. And, like every other business today, the synagogue’s expenses are pressured by inflation. These are our New Year challenges, and we need your help.
Your contributions to the Yom Kippur Appeal/Chai Campaign go directly to our budget’s bottom line as we strive to offer meaningful worship, keep our house in working order, and be there when you need our shul and each other. There are three ways to participate: (1) Place the completed form below in the basket that will be passed around during the Yom Kippur service; (2) Mail the completed form below to the Synagogue or donate online at aasyn.org/ykcc-5785; (3) Contact the Executive Director, Barry Herman (bherman@aasynagogue.org; 404.603.5746), or the Director of Development, Stewardship, and Leadership, Jackie Nix (jnix@aasynagogue.org; 404.603.5743). Deepest thanks for your generosity and continued support
Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!
Technology in Services
By Ryan Posner
As we embrace the High Holiday theme, “The AA Tunes—Reclaiming Our Spiritual Music,” our Technology Integration team has worked diligently to ensure our services are accessible, engaging, and spiritually enriching for all congregants and visitors. The journey to integrate technology into our worship has been challenging and rewarding, revealing the potential for deeper connections within our community.
Enhancements and Integrations:
• Screen Assisted Service Presentation: Our pilot project, led by Mark Cohen, Nikki Novotny, Jim Dricker, and Ryan Posner, has received tremendous feedback. Newcomers find it an invaluable guide, while regular worshippers appreciate the orientation it provides within our service. This initiative exemplifies how technology can enhance our spiritual experience, bringing clarity and engagement to our prayers.
• Streaming Quality: We’ve significantly upgraded our streaming capabilities, ensuring higher-quality resolutions on Zoom and YouTube. This allows those who cannot attend in person to still fully participate in our services, bridging the gap between physical and virtual worship.
• High Holiday Preparations: For the upcoming High Holidays, Bonnie Levine, the Interim Director of Music and Tefillah, is instrumental in preparing the visual production presentation. Her efforts provide reference material to the tunes that will be performed during the High Holidays, as well as structuring and content preparation for these presentations. Integrating music and technology helps us reclaim and rediscover the melodies that shape our spiritual journey.
Reflections on Technology and Worship: The pandemic had undoubtedly challenged us in many ways, but it also presented an opportunity to embrace change and innovation within our worship practices. Historically, the use of technology in our sacred spaces was seen as a faux pas, a departure from tradition. Yet, the
necessity of connecting during the pandemic has shown us that technology can serve as a bridge, not a barrier, to our spirituality.
The post-pandemic world has brought a new acceptance and appreciation for the role of technology in worship. It has allowed us to remain connected, to continue our communal prayers, and to include those who might otherwise be isolated. This evolution reminds us that our traditions are living and dynamic, capable of adapting to the needs of our time without losing their essence.
We find numerous instances in the Torah where innovation and adaptation were key to fulfilling God’s commandments and maintaining the community’s connection to their faith. For example, when the Israelites wandered in the desert, they carried the Ark of the Covenant with them, ensuring that God’s presence was with them wherever they went. This adaptability and willingness to embrace new ways of worship are mirrored in our current efforts to integrate technology into our services.
As we move forward, we see technology not as a replacement for the sacred but as a tool that can enhance our spiritual practice, making it more inclusive and accessible. We aim to use these advancements to deepen our connection to our faith, community and shared spiritual journey.
Looking Ahead:
Our next steps include collaborating with our audio/video engineer, Damon Fonooni, to integrate the screen-assisted service presentation into our online Zoom and YouTube streaming production. This integration will make our services even more accessible and engaging for virtual attendees.
As we continue to innovate and enhance our services, we invite you to be part of this exciting journey. If you're interested in joining the Technology Innovation Committee or assisting with the Screen Assisted Service presentation during services, please contact Ryan Posner (ryan@posner.org; 404.272.6692) or Mark Cohen (markc@pullapart.com; 678.776.9301).
Let us work together to ensure that our spiritual melodies resonate deeply within our community, both in person and online, reclaiming and enriching our spiritual music for the year ahead.
Thank You to Our Generous Donors
Donations listed below were given between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024 and include tribute donations, Yom Kippur Appeal/ Chai Champaign donations, and other fund 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.
Chai
($1–$499)
Karen Abrams
Rhona Albright
Adam Alterman
Elizabeth Alterman
Marty and Richard Alterman
Judy and Ronald Altman
Jeannine and Aaron Altmann
Ellen and Lee Altschuler
Judith and Samuel Appel
Julie and Mark Arnold
Phyllis and Joseph Arnold
Amy and Robert Arogeti
Frances Astren
Michael Attali
Rachel and Michael Avchen
Helene and Mo Azose
Bernice Bach
Charlote and Michael Baer
Claire Balser
Derek Bambach
Lauren and Ben Barden
Linda Baron
Stephen Barre
Irene and Bruce Baum
Elaine Beeber
Judith and Stan Beiner
Gloria Benamy
Carol and Michael Benator
Randy Berger
Alfred Bernstein
Goldie and Louis Bertone
Veronica Beskin
Patty Blackmon
Brooke and Bob Blasberg
Toby Block and Jerrold Greenberg
Matha Blondheim
Patricia and Jerome Bloom
Matt Blum
Mona Blumenthal
Barbara Bock
Rita and Arthur Bodner
Sara and Lance Borochoff
Leigh Boros and Robert Hilliard Jr.
Phyllis and Melvin Boros
Meryl Braunstein and Alan Shenberg
Marilyn Bravman
Susan Bravman
Margaret and Joel Breiner
Bobbie Bridgers
Helen Browdy
Susan Buchsbaum
Amy and Adam Caplan
Charlenne and Richard Carl
Elaine Carp
Deedee Chereton
Linda and Steve Citron
Katherine and Kim Coggins
Anne Cohen and Craig Silverman
Barbara and Alan Cohen
Cheryl and Jeffrey Cohen
Jill Cohen
Julie and David Cohen
Katherine “Kitty” and Ezra Cohen
Marcy Cohen
Sandra Cohen
Terri and Rodney Cohen
Susan and Al Cohn
Rachael and Jonathan Colton
Eileen and Adolphus Coolik
Barbara and David Cooper
Stanley Cristol
Randy Crohn
Gray Curlee
Brenda and Stanley Daniels
Michael Davidson
Pamela and Dwight Davis
Helen Scherrer-Diamond and David
Diamond
Linda and Michael Diamond
Nancy and Morton Dimenstein
Laura and Marshall Dinerman
Shelly and Allen Dollar
Suzan Dollman-Tibor
Harriet Draluck
Marci Draluck
Laura and Myron Dwoskin
Julie Edelson and Howard Kaplan
Jane and Mark Eden
Karen Lansky-Edlin and Andrew Edlin
Judy and David Eichel
Laura and Harold Einstein
Suzanne and Seth Eisenberg
Stuart Eizenstat
Debra Elovich
Patricia Emmes
Marsha Epstein
Terry Erbsfield
Abram and Linda Estroff
Norman Estroff
Muriel Feldman
Carole “Chu-Chi” and Bobby Fierman
Marc Fink
Teresa and Foster Finley
Doreen and Stuart Fischer
Marsha and Mitchell Fishkind
Jane and Alan Fishman
Marianne and Alan Fixell
Terri and Neal Fleisher
Donna and Mark Fleishman
Betsy and Howard Fleisig
Lori Flinkman
Carol and Warren Fogel
Barbara and Stewart Foreman
Lori and Jordan Forman
Michele and George Fox
Jody and Ramon Franco
Genie Freedman
Jane Freedman
Nancy and Wayne Freedman
Edie and Gus Friedman
Ilene and Michael Friedman
Lynn Friedman
Sandi and Gerald Friedman
Sylvia Friedman
Gloria Frisch
Jane Fryer z”l
Elizabeth and Hugh Garrett
Caryn and Larry Gartner
Barbara Geldbart
Mildred Gelfond
Linda Gelinas
Sally George
Suzanne and Ervin Gerson
Darriel and Ronald Gerson
Melinda Gertz
Arlene Rosenthal-Gill and Ed Gill
Celia Gilner
Liza and Michal Gilzenrat
Madeleine and Kenneth Gimbel
Laurie and David Ginburg
Sara and Sandro Gisler
Carol and Robert Glickman
Carolyn Gold
Hazel Gold
Steve Gold
Brandon Goldberg
Bruce Goldberg
Elsa and Jay Goldberg
Marni and Daniel Goldman
Arlene and Milton Goldstein
Beth and Adam Goldstein
Debra and Ed Goldstein
Gail Goldstein
Ellen Goldstein and Steven Gold
Eve and Joel Goldstein
Madolyn Goldstein
Jennifer and Josh Goodhart
Felice and Philip Goodman
Edward Greenberg
Sandra and Mark Greenberg
Ruth Greenberg
Lynne and Thomas Greenfield
Elaine Gruenhut
Renee Haas
Rosalind and Philip Haber
Nancy Habif and Scott Kleber
Sherry Habif
Valierie Habif and Neil Wasser
Charles Hacker
Martha Halbreich
Julia and James Hall
Melissa “Mimi” Hall and Russell Gottschalk
Beverly Halpern
Beverly and Gilbert Halpern
Lynne and Jack Halpern
Steven Hamburger
Meryl Hammer
Delcy Pardo Harber
Fran and Edward Harrell
Natalie and Marvin Harris
Beatrice Hartman
Edna Helfer
Eternal Life Hemshech
Linda and David Hendelberg
Gladys and David Herckis
Helen Hersch
Rebecca and Theodore Hersh
Sharon Hiken
Julia and S Bayne Hill
Henry and Etta Raye Hirsch Heritage Foundation
Gladys Hirsch z”l
Rae and Martin Hirsch
Rosalie Hirschberg
Jeff Hirschl
Katherine Hoerster
Gail and Gilbert Holzer
Jane Horowitz Bick
Pearlann and Gerald Horowitz
Barbara and Michael Horowitz
Roberta Huebner
Herzl Hyton
Michael and Martin Itzkowitz
Jean and Gary Jackson
Marcia Jaffe
Randi and Mark Jaffe
Lillie Janko
Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
Irene Jones
Mira Josowicz
Susan and Robert Kahn
Charlotte and Allen Kaminsky
Roben Kantor
Frances M. Kaplan
Sally and Philip z”l Kaplan
Anita Karnibad
Estelle Karp z”l
Hazel Karp z”l
Catherine and David Kasriel
Alison and Jeff Kaufman
Lisa Kaufman
Diann Kayah
Jill Kersh
Elizabeth Kessler and Dennis Gilbride
Lori and Ronald Kirschner
Amy and Steven Kirson
Annsley and Benjamin Klehr
Nancy Klenberg
Bill Klineman
Bobbie Knopf
Irina and Alex Kogon
Judy and Martin Kogon
Sara and Ross Kogon
Sandra and Jay Kohlenberg
Ruthy Kolker
Elissa and Harris Konter
Roslyn and Darryl Konter
Kal Koplin
Phyllis Kraft
Cheryl and Russell Kramer
Gayle Kranz
Jana and Michael Kreisberg
Janet and Hilton Kupshik
Diane Kurtz
Mildred and Martin Kwatinetz
Linda and Kerry Landis
Amy and James Landrum
Audrey and Michael Landy
Elizabeth Langille
Joan Lankford
Alyson and Brian Lapes
Helaine and Andy Lasky
Brenda and Paul Lefkoff
Harold Lefkoff
Helen Lefkoff and Robert Faulk
Michelle and Jonathan Lerner
Renay and Alan Levenson
Liane Levetan
Heidi and Michael Levey
Deborah and Jay Levin
Bonnie and Michael Levine
Nancy and Marshall Levine
Rita and Michael LeVine
Deborah Levinson
Barbara Levitas
Harriet Lewis
Miriam Lewis
Joan Lieberman
Linda Nathanson-Lippitt and Alan Lippitt
Alice Little
Mandy Loriot
Benjamin Lowenthal
Lisa and Hadley Lowy
Mary and Charles Maddrey
Maxine Makover
Peggy and Llyod Marbarch
Charlotte Marcus
Mindy and Andrew Margolis
Barbara Marks
Natalie and Robert Marmer
Judy Marx
Randi and Marvin Mazer
Susan and Todd Maziar
Margaret McCormick
Marcia McDaid
Karen and Jim McDermott
Berta and Lev Mebel
Robin Medintz
Joanne Mendel
Lee Mendel
Lisa Mendell
Cathy and Ronald Miller
Eric Miller
Harriet Miller
Karen Miller
Lori and Wayne Miller
Meta Miller
Glenda and David Minkin
Julie and Alan Minsk
Robyn and Marshall Mizell
Susan Moray
Jennie and Macy Moret
Vicki and Steven Morris
Andrea Morse
Sai Mukkamala
Brenda Neumann
Shari Neumann
Sara Fran and Wayne Neuwirth
Margaret Nichols
Janice B. Nochumson
David Norflus
Francine Norflus
Johanna and Hillel Norry
Rochelle Notrica
Brenda and Leon Novak
Karen Oberman
Ann Olim
Linda Orenstein
Kenny Orkin
Darcy and Joseph Oxman
Martin Oxman
Sharon Oxman
Sara and Mark Papier
Annice Parker
Charles Perkins
Marlene Wexler Perlman
Sally and Alan Pinsker
Robert Pitchersky
Barbara and Richard Planer
Philip Plotka
Debbie and Joel Pollack
Laine and Greg Posel
Dara and Arthur Povlot
Jana and Harvey Rabinowitz
Lynn and Glenn Rainbow
Priscilla Reinhardt
Regan Reinhold
Ralda and Martin Reish
Linda and Howard Reisman
Lois and Alan Reitzfeld
Charlotte and Elliott Rich
Kim Rich and Howie Rosenberg
Lori Rich
Bonnie and Gary Richman
Jennifer and Harvey Rickles
Linda Rickles
Michelle and Larry Rickles
Yair Riemer
Keith Rinzler
Nancy and Andrew Rinzler
Edward Rittenbaum
Shirley Romm Wender
Carol and Marc Rose
Harold Rosenbaum
Melissa and Jordan Rosenbaum
Ann (Bunny) and Charles z”l Rosenberg
Rachel Rosenbloom
Brenda and Bobby Rosenblum
Brooke and Laurence Rosenthal
Joanne Rosenthal
Rosalie and Carl Rosenthal
Linda Rosh
Karen Routman
Carol and Joseph Rubin
Gerald Rubin
Nadine and Barry Rubin
Suzan and Gary Saidman
Beth Salzman and Adam Leaderman
Alice Sanders
Barbara and Jerry Sandler
Susan and Herschel Saparow
Cathy and Jeff Schaffer
Lynda and Joel Schaffer
Sylvia and Edward Schecter
Emily and Brant Scheinfeld
Stuart Schlansky
Lou Schloss z”l
Jill and Jay Schlosser
Alison and Jason Schneider
Robert Schneider
Susan and Ray Schoenbaum
Temme and Allan Schooler
Fern Schorr
Gladys and Robert Schussel
C.M. Schwartz
Jill and Joseph Segal
Linda and Stephen Selig
Marlene Shain
Charles Shainker
Cheryl and Stanton Shapiro
Roberta Shaw Carr
Sherry Shaw z”l
Carolyn Shenberg
Marsha Sherman
Karen and Richard Shmerling
Karen and Brian Shonson
Claudia Shorr
Marilyn Shubin
Stuart Shubin
Mara Shulman
Marilyn and Yale Shure
Betty Ann Shusterman
Faye and Irwin Siegel
Richard Siegel
Barry Silver
Carla and Arthur Silver
Brenda and Kenneth Silverboard
Nancy and Gerald Silverboard
Susan Silverboard
Martha and Barry Silverman
Sherry and Alan Silverman
Saba and Victor Silverman
Sharon and Howard Silvermintz
Suzanne Silvers and Stephen Philips
Howard Simmons
Sydney Simons
Lara Sitton
Ava Landrum Smith and Ben Smith
Bethany and Taylor Smith
Susan and Morris Socoloff
Rebecca and Michael Sokol
Gail Solomon
Harriet Spanier
Rosalind Spector
Nancy and Theodore Spetnagel
Paige Pratt and Bruce Stambler
Philip Stark
Ellen Stein
Judy and Stanley Stein
Gayle and Toby Steinberg
Marilyn and Stanley Steinberg
Meredith and Marshall Sunshine
Luci and Stanley Sunshine
Steven Tabb
Susan and Stanley Tanenbaum
Rene Tapia
W. Tarr and D. Gornell
Susan and Stanley Tenenbaum
Louis Teplis
Paul Teplis z”l
Gail Tescher
Karla Tievsky and Seth Kirschenbaum
Robin Torch
Marilyn and Stuart Troy
Renee Unell
Marjorie and Irvin Ungar
Sondra Visner
Joan Vitner z”l
Dena and Stanley Vogel
Cecile Waronker
Sherry and George Warsaw
Betsy Wash
Elaine Wecksler
Lynne Weiner
Milton Weinman z”l
Lauren and David Weinstein
Aurelie and Randy Weinstein
Susan Weintrob
Amy and Marcus Weiss
Aletta and Greg Weitz
Nanette Wenger
Carla and Howard Wertheimer
Alan Wexler
Barbara Wexler
Andrew Wiesenberg
S.M. Wilder
Sheila and Larry Wilensky
Pamela and Jack WIlliams
Adele Wineburgh
Susan and Jonathan Winner
Roslyn Winston
Karen and Eli Wise
Ruth and Herschel z”l Wisebram
Judith and Jeffrey Wohlberg
Irene and Alex Wolchansky
Sandra and Michael Wolensky
Ginny and David Wolf
Rina Wolfe
Pepi and Alan Wolkin
Elizabeth and Dennis Wolkin
Honey and Howard Workman
Lynne Wright
Neal and Gabriel Yarm
Sheri and Joshua Youdovin
Janis Zagoria
Ilene and Steven Zier
Melaine and Scott Zucker
Patron ($500–$899)
Ssandy and Davis Abrams
Sheila and David Adelman
Ann and Herb Alperin
Pat and Jack Balser
Stanley Baum
Betty Behr
Karina and Josh Belinfante
Shayne and Nathaneil Ben-Haimem
Dolores Berlin
Karen Berman
Julia and Terry Bernath
Victor Blake
Arthur Blank
Amira and Michael Bobrov
Nancy Carroll and Steven Goldman
Jane and Charles Center
Rebecca and Henry Chalmers
Diane and Harold Cohen
Melissa (Lisa) and Walter Cohen
Susan and Isadore Cohen
Erica and Andrew Cozewith
Margo and Douglas Diamond
Sara and Brent Eden
Elise and Jay Empel
Barry Fields
Judith Finkel
Beth and Jared Friedman
Karen and Bruce Gadlin
Frances and Stuart z”l Galishoff
Stacy Blumberg Garon and Jon Garon
Renie and David Geller
Bernard Goldstein
Elise and Philip Goldstein
Susan and Leon Gross
Heleen and Steven Grossman
Amanda and Adam Hirsch
Rachael and Michael Joseph
William Kleiman
Esther and Michael Levine
Patsy and Bill Little
Esther Margol
Dorothy and Alfred Meyers
Shirley Minsk
Herbert Neuwirth z”l
William Planer
Tally and Stanford Plavin
Ann and Morris Podber
Ana and Ryan Posner
Barbara and Bruce Ribner
Shirley Rich
Julie and Gary Roberts
Jennifer and Joel Rosenfeld
Susan and Neil Sandler
Virginia and Milton Saul
Lisa and Jon Schnaubelt
Joan and Alan Schwartz
Marcia Spielberger
Merna and Allen Stein
Miriam Strickman Levitas
Lauren and Todd Surden
Nica and Lee Tallman
Betsy Teplis
Monica Teplis
Jeannie and Bob Tepper
Sharon and Ken Torreyson
Jeffrey Wasserman
Leona and Donald Zivitz
Bronze ($900–$1,799)
Anonymous
Judy and Joe Balaban
Linda and Bruce Beeber
Diane and Marvin Bernstein
Elaine and Jerome Blumenthal
Carol Dlin
Allison and Joel Feldman
Stacy and Emanuel Fialkow
Richard Franco
Marianne and Stephen Garber
Margo and Lawrence Gold
Karen Goldstein
Sheila and David Greenbaum
Caryn Hanrahan and Andy Siegel
Jill and David Kantor
Shelley and Scott Kaplan
Miriam Karp
Robin and William Kleinberg
Marsha and Mark Kozinn
Richard and Lana Krebs
Sandra and Bob London
Kevin Mendelsohn
Terry Murru
Barbara and George Nathan
Donna and Philip Newman
Andrea and Matthew Oppenheimer
Dorothy Rosenthal and William Nerenberg
Janet Schatten and Richard Friedman
Debbie Smith and Joel Lobel
Roben and Gregory Smolar
Judy and Allen Soden
Deborah Spector and Jeffrey Victor
Nicole and Ben Spitalnick
Bert Stein
Tamar and Mark Stern
Mona and Philip Sunshine
Lynn Sussman
Mark Weinstein
Susan and Larry Wolkin
Brenda and Andrew Zangwill
Susan Ellman-Zweig and Arnold Zweig
Silver ($1,800–$2,399)
Lorraine (Cookie) and Fred Aftergut
Phyllis and Eliot Arnovitz
Diane Bessen and Steven Weiner
Linda and Richard Bressler
Stanley Cohen
Jay D’Lugin and Tyler Curtain
Jennifer Glazer-Malkin
Marlene and Mark Haber
Barbara and Jay Halpern
Sherry Halpern
Marsha and Michael Kalson
Harriet Landau and Nathan Segall
Myrtle Lewin
June and Gerald Neumark
Lori and Stephen Oppenheimer
Gayle and Steven Printz
Vickie and Bruce Reisman
Judy and Alan Schulman
Debra and Philip Siegel
Cathy and Richard Swerdlin
Sherri and Robert Wildstein
Gold
($2,400–$3,599)
Irene Aronin
Marlene Gelernter Besser
Christ Covenant Buckhead
Samantha and Eric Funt
Gail and Michael Habif
Halpern-Oppenheimer Family Foundation
Tanya and Scott Jacobson
Barbara and Alan Kaplan
Elaine and Alan Kolodkin
Sherry and Harry Maziar
Julie and William Segal
Zoe and David Zelby
Leader
($3,600–$5,399)
Linda and Richard Collier
Susan and Hadley Engelhard
Paul Feldman
Filsoof Family Trust
Lois and Laurence Frank
Beth and Gregg Paradies
Jo Pichulik
Lynn and Barry Prusin
Benefactor
($5,400–$9,999)
Judith Alembik
Dorita and Hal Arnold
Barbara and Kenneth Feinberg
Diane and Stanley Friedman
Sharon Funk and Joshua Hanna
Ivan Millender
Carolyn Oppneheimer and Rick Lenner
Judy and Michael Orkin
Betty and Alan Sunshine
Jill and Jeffrey Vantosh
President's Circle
($10,000–$19,999)
Gary Alembik and Stephen Graves
Ellen Arnovitz and Michael Plasker
Tova and Mark Cohen
Elisa and Robert Ezor
Ruth Gershon and Sanford Cohn
Doris and Martin Goldstein
Lyons and Gail Heyman and The Heyman Family Foundation
Michal and Jack Hillman
Stuart Harvey Hillman
Ann Kaplan
Nikki Novotny
Rabbi's Circle
($20,000+)
Vicki and Gerry Benjamin
Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein
Sanford Orkin
Endowment
Judith and Aaron z”l Alembik
Gary Alexander
Vicki and Gerry Benjamin
Adolphus and Eileen Coolik in honor of
Max and Helen Kuniansky
Shelly and Alan Dollar
Bob and Pat Fine
Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein
Sharon Funk and Josh Hanna
Terri and Brent Kaplan
Robert Kagan and Paula Sunshine
Ann Kaplan
Helaine and Andy Lasky
Sanford Orkin
Beth and Gregg Paradies
Mona and Philip Sunshine
Ilene Sunshine
Ann and Steven Sunshine
Legacy
Anonymous Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Anonymous
Dr. Jessica Arluck and Dr. Douglas Ander
Vicki and Gerry Benjamin
Tova and Mark Cohen
Stanley Cristol
Jack Eybuszyc z”l
Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein
Margo and Larry Gold
Betty and Leon Goldstein z”l
Charlotte and Harry Gordon z”l
Steven Grossman
Heidi and Barry Herman
Celia S. and Col. Donald M. z”l Gilner
Ann and Theodore z”l Kaplan
Endowment Fund
Maurice Katz z”l
Shirley z”l and Ivan Millender
Nikki Novotny
Lori and Stephen Oppenheimer
Rosalie and Carl Rosenthal
Ralph Sacks z”l
Barbara Schatten z”l
Betty Ann Shusterman
Debra and Philip Siegel
Taylor and Bethany Smith
Jack Spielberg z”l
Arnold Whiteman z”l
Sherri and Robert Wildstein
Save the Dates
The 35th Annual Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture
Sunday, November 10, 2024
The 35th Annual Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture Series presents a discussion led by Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat featuring Isaac Herzog, President of Israel. This event is brought to you by the Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program Fund.
This event is free and open to the community.
More information to come!
2025 Ahavath Achim Synagogue Fundraiser
Thursday, February 13, 2025 7:00 p.m.
Be on the lookout for sponsorship and ticket information!
For questions or to join the planning committee, email Jacke Nix (jnix@aasynagogue.org).
Continue the fun at our Cantor-inResidence Weekend with Cantor David Propis—a weekend full of music! February 14-16.
