19 minute read

CALENDAR

APRIL 27 – MAY 11

WEDNESDAY, MAY 12

Rabbi’s 5K/1K Virtual Road Race: Live,

Run & Prosper – All day until May 15. Log your run using the Just Move app and compete with other runners in a fun virtual experience that will feel like you are running real-time on race day. Since you can run anywhere,

Temple Kol Emeth friends, family and alumni who no longer live locally can join in on the fun. Visit https://bit. ly/31VmQzp to register.

Etz Chaim Rosh Chodesh Minyan – 7 a.m. Everyone is welcome at this women-led morning minyan service held in support of Women of the Wall, which is fighting for equal prayer rights for women in Israel. Receive the Zoom link at https://bit.ly/3bdOcGR.

Running Around Jerusalem – 3 to 4 p.m. Running Around Jerusalem will take you on virtual guided tours through the iconic city of Jerusalem. Join creators Michael and Daniel live from Israel for this specially modified class for AgeWell Atlanta participants, where they will present and discuss some of their favorite clips, answer your questions about the beautiful Jerusalem scenery, and give you a peek behind the camera by revealing previously unpublicized backstories. This program will revolve around the theme of Jerusalem: Old vs. New. Visit https://bit. ly/33aHQmd to register.

Nextgen Jewish Innovation Leaders – 7:30 p.m. Israel Bonds Southeast New

Leadership Council presents an intimate virtual discussion with NextGen

Jewish innovation leaders. Hear their winning strategies, future vision and connection to Israel. Visit https://bit. ly/2QmfdQ4 for the Zoom Link.

Roses & Rose – 7 to 8 p.m. A women’s pre-

Shavuot flower workshop from Chabad of North Fulton with Joan of Flower

Design By Joan Rubenstein. Indulge your palette with an assortment of delicious individual dairy treats, with some vegan and non-dairy options.

Register at https://bit.ly/3tk1dUw.

THURSDAY, MAY 13

Preserving Holocaust History: Collecting Artifacts and Eyewitness Testimony – 12 p.m. Join for an online program featuring representatives from the

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s

National Institute for Holocaust Documentation who collect, preserve, and make accessible to the public the museum’s vast collection of record on the

Holocaust. Visit https://bit.ly/3niQbxA to register.

Pandemic Baby Play Group - 4 to 5 p.m. Parenting can be a challenge, especially when your baby was born during a global pandemic. PJ Library is

Find more events and submit items for our online and print calendars at: www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Calendar sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Connector, an initiative of the AJT. In order to be considered for the print edition, please submit events three to four weeks in advance. Contact community relations director Diana Cole for more information at Diana@atljewishtimes.com. hosting the playgroup for parents that welcomed babies during the pandemic to connect families who are going through the same experience. Register at https://bit.ly/3dPSeEP.

Shavuot Sapphires: Crafting Judaica

Jewels Microgrant Recipient – 4:30 to 6 p.m. Join Limmud Atlanta Jewish Educational Program Microgrant recipient Donna Bogatin as she leads you on an interactive exploration of

Shavuot through jewelry making and discussion. Visit https://bit.ly/3dIByA8 to register.

Creating an Environment of Change – 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join JF&CS Career Services for Creating an Environment of

Change, an evening focused on evaluating your professional surroundings and positioning yourself for success.

Register at https://bit.ly/3tHAfqN.

YJP Women’s Flower Arranging Work-

shop – 7 to 9 p.m. We are excited to kick off YJP’s New Moon Women’s

Circle with a flower arranging workshop — right in time for the holiday of

Shavuot. Many have the custom to decorate their home with greenery and flowers in honor of this special holiday.

Connect with other YJP Women over refreshments and wine while creating a beautiful masterpiece that you can bring home! Register at https://bit. ly/3tyDPmx

Paula Shoyer, The Instant Pot Kosher

Cookbook – 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Let’s cook with “The Kosher Baker” herself,

Paula Shoyer and the Marcus Jewish

Community Center of Atlanta. Shoyer will make a few delicious dishes just in time for Shavuot! Visit https://bit. ly/3gAWUkX to purchase a ticket.

FRIDAY, MAY 14

Virtual Shabbat Sing – 10 to 10:15 a.m.

Shabbat songs, blessings and birthday celebration for young children and families with Rabbi Brian Glusman of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. Visit https://bit.ly/39YBMB4 for Zoom Link.

The Jews of Color Mishpacha Project and JoC Shabbaton – 1 p.m. The JOC

Mishpacha Project and the 2021 National JOC Shabbaton: The National

Jewish People of Color Shabbaton is its central event, carving space for Jews of

Color, its families and allies together for spiritual and communal growth.

A series of workshops are offered in advance of the Shabbaton as well to serve as resilience-fostering programming for JOCs. Register at https://bit. ly/3nbECbb.

SATURDAY, MAY 15

Story Time with Rabbi Jordan – 9:15 a.m.

Join Rabbi Jordan Ottenstein from

Congregation Dor Tamid for story time. Visit https://bit.ly/2PrDbsn to get the link to view at home.

Tikkun Leil Shavuot – 6 p.m. to midnight. Join the Atlanta Rabbinical

Association, with support from The

Marcus Foundation, to commemorate the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.

The Jewish holiday of Shavuot commemorates the giving of the Torah to the Jewish people, which is the symbol of our understanding of God’s will. As a sign of our eagerness to learn the word of God, there is a custom to study the night before the Torah was given.

For more information, visit https://bit. ly/3vHnFs8.

Outdoor Tot Shabbat – 11 to 11:30 a.m.

Join Temple Emanu-El of Atlanta outdoors for a Tot Shabbat. Registration and masks are required. Please bring a blanket to sit on. Visit https://bit. ly/320hx1n to register.

Tot Shabbat and more - 12 to 1 p.m. Kindergarteners and younger, join us outdoors in the Congregation Beth

Shalom Alefbet Playground for Tot

Shabbat. First grade and older, join us in our outdoor classroom for services.

Visit https://bit.ly/3edyXxv for more information.

SUNDAY, MAY 16

The Tasting Card – 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The

Jewish Family & Career Services Tasting has been a can’t-miss Atlanta tradition. Due to the ongoing pandemic, an in-person event will not be held this year. Instead, JF&CS is introducing The Tasting Card, which provides 20 percent off at dozens of caterers, restaurants and specialty food providers around the metro Atlanta area. The

Tasting Card will be accessible via a smartphone app, which will reference nearby participating restaurants. Visit https://bit.ly/3sQBmDD for more information.

Raise Your Voice: A Kaleidoscope of Mu-

sic and Arts – 1 to 2 p.m. An outdoor family-friendly, socially distanced communitywide concert and art festival at Temple Kol Emeth. There will be music, artist demonstrations, food trucks, The Butterfly Project and a virtual auction. Visit https://bit. ly/3ndsK8w for more information.

MONDAY, MAY 17

Lunch & Learn: Reading Torah with Rabbi Gottfried – 12 to 1 p.m. Join Your Jewish Bridge and Rabbi Pamela Gottfried from Congregation Bet Haverim

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Bamidbar Friday, May 14, 2021, light candles at 8:14 p.m. Saturday, May 15, 2021, Shabbat ends at 9:14 p.m.

Naso Friday, May 21, 2021, light candles at 8:19 p.m. Saturday, May 22, 2021, Shabbat ends at 9:20 p.m.

to examine classical and modern midrash (interpretations) related to the weekly Torah reading and draw lessons from Jewish wisdom about how to live and be our best selves today. All are welcome; no previous experience necessary. Visit https://bit.ly/35zg6tc to get Zoom Link.

Intown Shavuot Party! – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Join the Chabad Intown community for an outdoors Ice-Cream Party celebrating Shavuot and the giving of the Torah (over 3,300 year ago)! Gather at Chabad Intown on the BeltLine (outdoors) to hear the 10 Commandments followed by ice cream, snacks and a light dinner for the kids! The event is free. RSVP at https://bit.ly/3xckOZW.

Ice Cream Social – 6 to 9:30 p.m. Over 3,300 years ago The Torah was given; it’s Shavuot, a time to celebrate the giving of the Torah and the timeless messages and wisdom it imparts. Come to Chabad Intown for and outdoor reading of The Ten Commandments and stay for an ice cream social and light dinner. Celebrate with other Young Jewish Professionals right on the BeltLine! RSVP at https://bit.ly/3vbRJMy.

Couples & Conversation – Online – 8 to 9 p.m. Being part of an interfaith/Jewish/multi-faith/however-you-defineyourself couple can be challenging, but you don’t need to find the answers alone. This online workshop presented by 18Doors offers a safe environment to work on creating your religious/cultural lives together. It is intended for seriously dating, engaged and newly married Jewish/interfaith couples who live in the Atlanta area. For more information visit https://bit.ly/33kkjPE.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 19

Songs & Stories: Jewish Jazz – 4 to 5 p.m.

Let singer and storyteller Gilda Solve transport you back in time with a special program featuring some of the most brilliant Jewish jazz composers ever! Learn stories that give insights into these beloved songs as Solve delves into favorites from Benny Goodman to Irving Berlin, Artie Shaw to Jerome

Kern. Register at the MJCCA https:// bit.ly/3xhNYa5.

Book discussion: A Bend in the Stars – 7:30 to 9 p.m. The Congregation Beth

Shalom Sisterhood’s book group selection for May is “A Bend in the Stars,” by Rachel Barenbaum. This historical novel is set in 1914 in Russia at the onset of World War I, and features a strong heroine who must save her brother and her fiancé. CBS book group is open to members of the community. For a link to the Zoom meeting, visit https:// bit.ly/3xk1M46.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, Antitrust: Taking on Monopoly Power from the Gilded Age to the Digital Age – 8 to 9 p.m. Join the MJCCA Book Festival and Sen. Amy Klobuchar. From Standard Oil and the breakup of Ma Bell to today’s tech giants and Big Pharma, a searing look at monopolies in the U.S. and their ef-

THURSDAY, MAY 20

The Power of Women’s Voices – 1 to 2 p.m. The official book launch of the

Agents of Change Training anthology

“2020 Hindsight: A pivotal moment in history, through the eyes of Atlanta’s

Jewish women and girls.” Visit Jewish

Women’s Fund of Atlanta for Zoom link: https://bit.ly/3sMDPyx.

Hadassah Ketura Becoming the Jew I Am Today - 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. Hadassah Ketura - The Journey to Becoming the Jew I am Today! Featured panelists are Esther Low, from Lima, Peru, where she was a member of 1870 Synagogue and current member of Congregation Etz Chaim; Kalyn Davis, Jewish by choice and active member at Temple Sinai; Erin Mermelstein, native Atlantan, family law attorney and active member of Congregation Ariel and Jewish Woman’s Renaissance Project. The panel moderator will be Rabbi Joshua Heller of Congregation B’nai Torah. To register, go to: https://bit.ly/3sEOsDx.

FRIDAY, MAY 21

Virtual Shabbat Sing – 10 to 10:15 a.m.

Shabbat songs, blessings and birthday celebration for young children and families with Rabbi Brian Glusman of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. Watch on Facebook. Get link by visiting https://bit.ly/39YBMB4.

SUNDAY, MAY 23

Re-Discovering the Land of Israel with

Atlanta Israel Coalition 10 a.m. -- The

Atlanta Israel Coalition, in partnership with the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeastern U.S., the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and Herut.

This week’s tour is The Artist Colony of Tzfat. Visit https://bit.ly/30g0eIP to register.

The Artist Colony of Tzfat – 10 to 11 a.m. The Atlanta Israel Coalition, in partnership with the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeastern U.S., the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Herut, and the Evans Family Foundation, presents Re-Discovering the Land of Israel, a series of five virtual tours of Israel with tour guide David Sussman. The Artist Colony of Tzfat: Let’s walk the winding alleyways of this mystical city together as we tour the city of Kabbalah. We will visit important

synagogues, meet local artists, learn about Jewish mysticism from a leading rabbi, and delve into its history, both ancient and modern. Visit https://bit. ly/2RwrS3c to learn more.

Jewish Summer Cinema – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and treat yourself to a memorable experience with sunsets, a huge outdoor screen, gorgeous city views, great food, and fun Jewish films on Intown Jewish

Academy’s huge outdoor screen! Visit https://bit.ly/3gSCTqr to sign up.

MONDAY, MAY 24

Andrew McCarthy, Brat: An ’80s Story – 8 to 9 p.m. In his memoir “Brat: An ‘80s

Story,” Andrew McCarthy focuses his gaze on that singular moment in time. Filled with personal revelations of innocence lost to heady days in Hollywood with John Hughes and an iconic cast of characters, "Brat" is a surprising and intimate story of an outsider caught up in a most unwitting success. Visit MJCCA Book Festival In Your Living Room at https://bit. ly/3dKIGvZ to purchase tickets.

TUESDAY, MAY 25

Virtual Interview Workshop – 10 to 11 a.m. Join Jewish Family & Career Services for a free virtual Interviewing

Workshop. Learn how to better prepare for an interview, understand the different types of interviews and what to do before, during and after the interview. Visit https://bit.ly/3tJc8YZ to register. FIDF Live -- 8:30 to 9:15 p.m. Moving stories, exclusive base visits, donor spotlights. Bringing the men and women of the Israel Defense Forces directly to you. For more information, https://bit. ly/3nGFJQC.

Community Services:

Anti-Defamation League – The Coronavirus Surfaces Fear, Stereotypes and Scapegoating: A blog post from

ADL to help provide accurate information, explore emotions and, most importantly, play a role in reducing stereotyping and scapegoating. To read more, www.bit.ly/3dp5a3t.

Atlanta Community Food Bank Text

for Help SMS Function –The ACFB’s mission to provide nutritious food to the people who need it has reached a major milestone toward access to food for all. The Text for Help is ‘findfood’ (no space). Responses will include a list of three different nearby pantries and their contact information. For more information, www. acfb.org.

Israeli American Council – IAC @

Home brings you the most innovative content online while helping build a national community with

Israel at heart. With activities for kids, teens, young professionals and adults, you can stay connected to

Hebrew, Israeli and Jewish heritage, online activism and to one another.

IAC @Home lets you enjoy a coastto-coast community right from your own home. For more information, www.israeliamerican.org/home.

JF&CS - Emergency Financial As-

sistance – JF&CS is here to provide emergency aid for individuals and families. Please call 770-677-9389 to get assistance. For more information, www.bit.ly/2wo5qzj.

JF&CS- Telehealth Counseling Servic-

es – Now offering telehealth options via phone or videoconference for current and new clients to help our community during this crisis. For more information about our therapy services or to make a telehealth

JF&CS - Telehealth Older Adult Ser-

vices – Aviv Older Adult staff are there to help provide resources, care plans and support for you and your family. Call AgeWell at 1-866-AGE-

WELL (1-866-243-9355) to find out how they can help. For more information, www.bit.ly/2wo5qzj.

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta

COVID-19 Resources – The unsettling, fast-moving and unpredictable world of life with COVID-19 is upon us. As we’re all discovering, a worldwide pandemic disrupts everyone on an unprecedented scale. For updates and more information, www. bit.ly/3ahrNVM.

Please send Community Service Opportunities to diana@atljewishtimes.com.

Synagogue Livestreaming Services:

Ahavath Achim Synagogue – Shabbat evening services at 6:30 p.m. Shabbat morning services at 9:30 a.m. To watch and for more information, www.bit.ly/38dS4Ed.

Congregation Beth Shalom’s Virtual

Services – Erev Shabbat, Fridays at 6:30 p.m., Shabbat service, Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. Zoom minyan Sunday at 9:30 a.m. For more information, www.bethshalom.net. Congregation Etz Chaim – Erev Shabbat Musical, Fridays at 6:30 p.m.

Shabbat morning services at 9:30 a.m. Join in for weekly livestream

Shabbat services. To join, www.bit. ly/3gWL02s.

Congregation Or Hadash – Shabbat services Friday at 6:30 p.m. Saturday morning services at 9:15 a.m. Minyan Sunday and Tuesday mornings.

To participate and get Zoom link, www.or-hadash.org.

Congregation Shearith Israel – Daily and Shabbat services will continue at regular times through Zoom.

They are counting participants in these Zoom services as part of a minyan, allowing members to recite full prayer services including Mourner’s

Kaddish. To participate via phone, dial 929-205-6099 and then enter the meeting code 404 873 1743. To be a part of services, visit the Zoom link, www.bit.ly/2wnFWlD.

Temple Beth David — Kabbalat Shabbat services every Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Shabbat morning service and Torah

Study every Saturday at 11 a.m. on our YouTube channel, (https://www. youtube.com/channel/UC2GcbAI_

HdLRSG5hhpi_8Cw).

Temple Beth Tikvah Livestreaming Services – Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays at 10 a.m. To join on Facebook, www.facebook.com/TempleBethTikvah/ or www.bit.ly/2ZlCvrr.

Temple Kol Emeth Services – Shabbat services on Fridays at 8 p.m. View our services on www.kolemeth.net or www.facebook.com/Temple Kol

Emeth-Marietta, GA.

Temple Sinai Livestream Services – Temple Sinai has live Shabbat services on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and

Saturday at 10 a.m. For more information and to view services, www. bit.ly/2BXRfTF.

The Temple Livestreaming Services

– Find live streaming services here, www.the-temple.org.

Please send Synagogue and Temple

Streaming Services to diana@ atljewishtimes.com.

Check the Atlanta Jewish Connector for updates: www.atlantajewish-

connector.com. ì

Directory Spotlight

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Temple Sinai

In conversation with Andrea Fineman, director of communications

How long has your organization been in Atlanta? In February 1968, 30 people attended a meeting to discuss the formation of a new Reform Jewish congregation in Atlanta. The following month, 145 families signed on as charter members and Temple Sinai was founded in Sandy Springs. Our congregation has steadily grown throughout the years and we proudly serve more than 1,600 families today.

How do you cater to the younger members of the community? Temple Sinai provides many opportunities for people of every age and stage to engage in our community. Our youngest members are thriving in Temple Sinai Preschool, a creative Jewish environment with a focus on academics through play from infants to Pre-K. From Noar Sunday to our new Sinai Space video series, elementary aged students and families are engaged in Jewish learning across many platforms. Teens have connected through our HUB program to learn and socialize both in person and virtually during this year. Our ATID special interest group is very active with many social programs as well as social action and learning opportunities for young adults under 40.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years? Temple Sinai continues to innovate each year. We strive to take our key priorities to the next level, creating a culture of belonging, building community beyond the walls of Temple Sinai, pursuing justice with a commitment to tikkun olam [repairing the world] and inspiring the value of engagement. We look forward to growing to meet and exceed the needs of our community.

How does your organization help the community? Tzedek (social action) is one of Temple Sinai’s core values. Reflecting the Jewish tenet of tikkun olam, we are committed to encouraging congregational and individual participation in a wide range of local and global initiatives to better our world and assist people in need. This year we have focused on economic justice, civic engagement, racial equity and justice, and immigration and refugee reform. Our many volunteer efforts include partnering with Family Promise to host the homeless, collecting food for the Community Assistance Center and Solidarity Sandy Springs, volunteering to bring food to immigrant communities, encouraging all Temple Sinai members to vote, volunteering with the United Service Organization to support our military and much, much more.

Hebrew Order of David International (HOD)

In conversation with Jody Pollack, past president of HOD, a Jewish men’s fraternal organization and executive director of the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival it sponsors.

How long has your organization been in Atlanta? The Hebrew Order of David has had members living in Atlanta for well over 30 years but established our first lodge, Carmel, in 1999. HOD took over the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival from the B’nai Torah Brotherhood in 2015 and has been running it ever since.

How do you cater to the younger members of the community? We are constantly working with the younger community to expose them to the idea of joining an organization that focuses on community service and maintaining Jewish ideals. HOD’s lodges are similar to the fraternal organizations they were exposed to in college in terms of being responsible for our “brethren” as well as the overall Jewish community and helping where we can.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years? We are a growing organization. In 1999 there was one lodge in the U.S. There are now four in Atlanta, two in Houston, Texas, and lodges in Toronto, Boca Raton, Dallas and San Diego. We hope to open more lodges in the U.S. in the near future.

How does your organization help the community? We help the community in some visible ways and quite a few behind-the-scenes methods. Our most visible event is, of course, the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival. We also recently purchased a van for JF&CS in honor of the late Alan Rubenstein, Grand Lodge president and one of the founders of HOD USA. In addition, we help serve at the Zaban Paradies Center shelter and donate to various Jewish and non-Jewish charities such as I-Care Atlanta, a local food bank.

How long has your organization been in Atlanta? 10-plus years

How do you cater to the younger members of the community? Our alumni are active members on our Ambassador Council and Leadership Cabinet. They are serving on local nonprofit boards, kickstarting small businesses and speaking at live and local events. They are the reason we do what we do and their involvement in the community is because of the impact they’ve had on their Birthright Israel trip. Where do you see your organization in 10 years? The sky is the limit! I see us taking as many young adults to Israel as we can and continuing to impact thousands of young adults lives throughout Atlanta. Twenty-one years of Birthright Israel is only the beginning and soon we hope to take children of alumni!

How does your organization help the community? When young adults return from their trip, they are inspired to continue their journey of Jewish self-discovery and learn more about Israel. They therefore turn to local Atlanta organizations and take on volunteer and leadership roles. We are connecting young adults to Israel. By doing so, we are helping them to forge strong relationships with their peers, build their Jewish identity, and foster community when they are in Israel and return.

Birthright Israel Foundation

In conversation with Kate Smith, regional director for Atlanta.