A Message from Rabbi Neil Sandler

Posted on by Lauren Dube

A Message from Rabbi Neil Sandler

By Neil Sandler
Rabbi Emeritus

As Susan, our cousins, Susan and Macy, and I move toward the end of our time together in Central Europe, my thoughts remain largely troubling. Take a look at my column in last week's e-blast, and you will be reminded. I have found Central Europe to be more challenging than I had anticipated. Was it naïve of me not to have considered some of these thoughts prior to our trip? Perhaps (If you are older than me, you'll definitely say I was naïve). It all started well and reassuring enough.

On Purim afternoon, we went to the large synagogue in Vienna. What a beautiful sight! Lots of young families! Oodles of energy! Hardly anyone there, adults and Chief Rabbi included, were old enough to have had a personal encounter with the Holocaust. Yet their physical presence, combined with their over–the–top Purim celebration, served as an ongoing statement about their rich spiritual lives in a place where Hitler sought to extinguish them. Later that week, we took an architectural tour in Munich that left me scratching my head and wondering.

Prior to World War II, the Germans had built two above–ground bunkers to protect an upscale neighborhood. With the war's conclusion, architects added two modern floors to the bunkers they had built prior to the war. When the architects and builders completed their work, they hosted the neighborhood for an "Open House." To all those people, was this building feat just that? Was it something to be "celebrated?" Did anyone remember the original purpose of this building and its bunkers? Did anyone recall their connection to the Holocaust? Did anyone lend any thought to considering how to psychologically and spiritually transform implements of mass – destruction into means of modern living?

Purim in Vienna provided moments of innocent beauty. But not much later, images in Munich provided much for thoughtful consideration. I find Central Europe to be a very complex place.

I look forward to returning home soon. Shabbat Shalom, and be well.

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Posted on by Lauren Dube

Since being taken hostage by Hamas

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We demand the safe return of all citizens who have been taken hostage by the terrorist group Hamas. We will not rest until every hostage is released and returns home safely.

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Brotherhood Gathering 3.21.24 >>
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Jennifer and Josh Goodhart in honor of the Bar Mitzvah of their son, Gabriel!

Events

Antisemitism with Brendan Murphy

Mon, Apr 15 @ 6:30–9:00 p.m.
RSVP Required
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Tot Shabbat

Sat, Apr 13 @ 11:15 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
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Israel Exploration Shabbat Table

Sat, Apr 13 @ 12:45–1:45 p.m.
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Sisterhood Donor Event

Sun, Apr 14 @ 2–4:00 p.m.
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mAAc Meets: Current Events with Rabbi Neil Sandler

Wed, Apr 17 @ 4–5:00 p.m.
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Rebbe's Tish

Sat, Apr 20 @ 12:30–2:00 p.m.
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Young Adults Seder

Tue, Apr 23 @ 7–9:00 p.m.
RSVP by 4/19
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Atlanta Interfaith Hunger Seder

Sun, Apr 28 @ 5–8:30 p.m.
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Blood Drive

Sun, May 5 @ 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
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Yom HaShoah 59th Community-Wide Holocaust Commemoration

Sun, May 5 @ 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
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Meshorerim Rehearsal

Sun, May 5 @ 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
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Breman Museum Exhibition Tours

Wed, May 8 and Sun, May 19 @ 1:30 pm–4:00 pm
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Rosh and Nosh

Thu, May 9 @ 8:15–9:00 a.m.
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The Epstein School 50th Anniversary Celebration

Thu, May 9 @ 6:30–10:00 p.m.
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NEW

Yom HaZikaron Memorial

Sun, May 12 @ 5–8:00 p.m.
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Naomi's Book Club

Mon, May 13 @ 10:15–11:30 a.m.
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The Great Big Recycling Event

Sun, May 19 @ 9:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
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Graduation of Jai Jones ⏺️

Sat, May 25 @ 9:30 p.m.
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NEW

Sustainability Shabbat

Sat, Jun 1 @ 9:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
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For more events, please visit our events calendar.

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2024–25 registration for Kesher religious school (Pre-K–6th Grade) and Neisah teen program (7th–9th Grade) is now open! Take advantage of our early-bird rates by registering before Sunday, May 5!

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Looking for something different for your child? At Ahava Early Learning Center, we believe in connected communities and the power of WONDER to change the world. Our program for preschoolers and Pre-K students, ages 3–5, is now enrolling with limited spaces for the 2024–25 school year. Find out more about how your family can thrive in our true play-based, wonder-filled community where children are given the freedom to develop their independence, love of learning, and connection to one another that will lay the foundation for strong, empathetic, life-long learners! Visit our website, and call today to schedule a tour! Don't forget to ask about the ALEF Fund, which may help subsidize your Pre-K child's tuition as much as 50%!

Would you like to know how to pray? Would you like to lead prayer? Prayer is an important part of Jewish, spiritual life. The Siddur, Jewish prayer book, is a master document of melody, poetry, philosophy, theology, history and personal aspiration. Its brilliance can be intimidating, especially when leading a congregation in prayer. We are seeking individuals who are up for the challenge of learning how to pray and leading our community in prayer. Complete our survey (link below) to let us know what you know, what you would like to learn and how we can help get you there.

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Rabbi Rosenthal and Lynne and Tom Greenfield are seeking interest in a congregational trip to Israel in solidarity and support for our Israeli Brothers and Sisters. This trip will be focused on education, Israeli/Middle East policy and politics, visiting communities affected by the October 7 attacks, and supporting Israeli culture and economy. There will also be opportunities for additional sightseeing and time to visit with Israeli family and friends. We are looking at ten days in December. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please contact Rabbi Rosenthal (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org) and Lynne and Tom Greenfield (tgreenfield@mindspring.com).

The 2023 Fall Beineinu High Holiday issue is out! If you haven't yet received your copy in the mail, you can view the electronic version here.


Are you fun? Innovative? Passionate? Good with children? We are always seeking exceptional subs to join our Kesher team. Kesher is AA's supplementary education program for students four years old through sixth grade.

If you are interested, please email our Interim Director of Education: Annsley Klehr (aklehr@aasynagogue.org).


We feel blessed to have a vibrant community that believes in the power of prayer as a source of comfort, strength and healing. At every service, we take a moment to recite the names of individuals we are holding in our hearts for health and healing. Beginning January 1, 2023, all are welcome to add names to our Misheberach (Healing) Prayer List for 30 days. These names will be recited each morning during prayer regardless of their support's presence at services. At the end of 30 days, we request that names be renewed with our office receptionist, Fern Schorr (fschorr@aasynagogue.org; 404.355.5222). Without renewal, names will be removed from the list with our hope that our prayers were successful in sending strength and wholeness.


Do you know an AA congregant who is in the hospital or infirm? We are concerned about loved ones and friends who are in the hospital or infirm. Although our synagogue office remains closed, we are still working and would like to connect with you, especially in regards to pastoral care. If you have information about friends or family in the hospital or other care facilities, please contact Rabbi Rosenthal (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org) directly. We always appreciate the opportunity to speak with anyone in need and offer support in any way we can.
 

Ahavath Achim's Sisterhood is a dynamic organization of women of all ages with diverse experiences, talents, and interests within our synagogue, community, and the Jewish world. Every woman counts for Sisterhood to grow and thrive. Basic membership dues are $45, but we encourage you to join at a Chai-er level. Your generous dues and donations are vital for Sisterhood to continue to offer programs and projects that strengthen and sustain our Jewish values.
 

We need your involvement in AA's social action programs! Motivate your family and friends "into action" towards the betterment of our community, and envision our current programs continued for the future. Reach out to your nieces, nephews, friends, and new neighbors for new contacts and ideas to help us increase our pool of volunteers for our wonderful existing and future programs. We need you! Find out how you want to be involved by reviewing the list of social action programs in which our synagogue has been involved for many years. If you'd like to become involved, please email our Social Action Chair: Alan Wexler (alanwexler@databankinfo.com; 404.872.8880).

Are you a warm, friendly, dedicated volunteer who wants to make a difference in a fellow congregant's life through acts of loving kindness? Are you willing to make a personal call or visit to comfort and support a congregant who has lost a loved one or been ill? These caring touches – acts of loving kindness – make all the difference in the world to those receiving them. If you want to be a part of strengthening our community, then AA's new Chesed Initiative is for you! This committee will work with our clergy, staff, and lay leaders to connect members who need help with members who want to do good deeds! Additionally, if you know of a congregant who is facing personal difficulties related to health, loss, or grief, please contact Fern Schorr (fschorr@aasynagogue.org; 404.355.5222) to let us know. Help us reach out to members in need. We welcome your help and time with this important project.


Freedom Tags is an initiative by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Purchase a Freedom Tag to support the hundreds of innocent people kidnapped by Hamas. The Hostages and Missing solidarity tags are meant to remind us all of our commitment to bring them home. Now.

If you are interested in purchasing a Freedom Tag at discounted rate of $18 per tag, please contact the Director of Outreach and Engagement: Miriam Habif Gelfond (mhabif@aasynagogue.org; 404.603.5749).


Hamas is refusing to accept a U.S.-backed deal to free hostages in exchange for a pause in the fighting. But some are still blaming Israel. Calls for a temporary ceasefire should be directed to the one address preventing it from happening: Hamas. We need to make sure your members of Congress know that Hamas is to blame. It takes just a minute to email your members by clicking the link below. Please take just 1 minute to make a difference and stand with Israel! I encourage you to forward this email to your friends and family.

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Your donation to the Israel Emergency Campaign helps to rebuild damaged infrastructure and address the unprecedented levels of trauma caused by the horrific attack on Isreael.

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Donate to the Ukraine Emergency Fund of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta

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Tribute donations offer the ability to memorialize or honor friends and family through donations to a variety of designated funds. Tribute donations can be made in honor of B'nai Mitzvah, the birth of a baby, a graduation, a wedding, or other special occasion. Donations in memory of loved ones are a thoughtful and meaningful way to remember those who have passed away. Your donation will be acknowledged with a card to the recipient of this tribute. Please note that Tribute Donations require a minimum contribution of $18.