A Message of Gratitude and Hope—Thanksgiving 2024

Posted on by Damon Fonooni

A Message of Gratitude and Hope—Thanksgiving 2024

By Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

Dear Beloved Community,

As we gather this Thanksgiving, we are reminded of the profound Jewish tradition of hakarat hatov—recognizing the good that surrounds us. In a world often marked by complexity and challenge, our ability to pause and express gratitude becomes an act of spiritual resilience and hope.

Wisdom of Gratitude

The Hebrew word for thanksgiving, Todah, carries a deeper meaning than mere appreciation within it. It is an acknowledgment of divine blessing, a recognition that even in uncertain times, we are surrounded by miracles both large and small. Our tradition teaches us that gratitude is not just an emotion but a spiritual practice—a way of transforming our perception and opening our hearts to abundance.

Reflections on Blessing

In the spirit of our ancestors, we remember the words from Psalms: *"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever"* (Psalm 107:1). This Thanksgiving, we are called to:

  • Recognize the blessings of community that sustain us
  • Appreciate the freedom and opportunity we have been granted
  • Extend compassion to those who may be struggling or alone
  • Recommit ourselves to *tikkun olam*—the repair of our world

A Blessing for Our Community

May this day be filled with:

  • Warmth of family and chosen family
  • Abundance of sustenance and joy
  • Moments of connection and deep meaning
  • Hope for continued peace and understanding

As we gather around our tables, let us remember that gratitude is not just a feeling but an active choice—a radical act of hope in a world that sometimes seems fraught with challenges.

Chag Hodayah Sameach—A Joyous Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones.

With love and blessings,

Rebbetzin Brooke and Rabbi Laurence

Schmooze and News at AA

Posted on by Damon Fonooni

Since being taken hostage by Hamas

BRING THEM HOME NOW

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.

You can help bring them back home.

Schmooze and News at AA

Special Message

Shabbat Corner

Friday Evening–Saturday

  • Candle Lighting: 5:10 p.m.
  • Shabbat Evening Service 🔀: 6:00 p.m.—Zoom
  • Shabbat Morning Service 🔀: 9:30 a.m.—Zoom
  • Torah Study 🔀: 10:30 a.m.—Zoom
  • Rebbe's Tish ⏺️: 12:30 p.m.
  • Mincha/Seudah Sheleshet/Ma'ariv/Havdallah 🔀: 4:30 p.m.—Zoom
  • Conclusion of Shabbat: 5:54 p.m.
  • Torah Parashat (Toldot—Mevarchim Chodesh Kislev):

▶️ Virtual 🔀 Hybrid ⏺️ In-Person

Feel-Good News

Kiddush Sponsors

Bob Grenitz in honor of joining the Ahavath Achim Family!

Mazal Tov to Morris Israel Kogon >>

Events

Rosh and Nosh

Mon, Dec 2 @ 8:15 a.m.–9:00 a.m.
More >>

Naomi's Book Club

Mon, Dec 2 @ 10:15–11:30 a.m.
Virtual Only
More >>

mAAc Tour of The Warehouse

Mon, Dec 2 @ 1:30–3:00 p.m.
Registration Required by 11/27
More >>

Family and Kesher Shabbat Experience

Sat, Dec 7 @ 9:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
More >>

Havdallah and Kiddush Levana

Sat, Dec 7 @ 5:54–6:09 p.m.
More >>

Daffodil Planting

Sun, Dec 8 @ 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
More >>

mAAc Meets: Current Events with Rabbi Neil Sandler

Mon, Dec 9 @ 4–5:00 p.m.
More >>

The Election & the Session: Rabbinic Roundtable Insights

Tue, Dec 10 @ 7:00 p.m.
More >>

Sparks of Light + Summer Experience Expo

Sun, Dec 15 @ 5–7:00 p.m.
Registration Required by 12/1
More >>

Sparks of Light After Party

Sun, Dec 15 @ 6:30–9:00 p.m.
RSVP Required
More >>

Brotherhood Gathering

Thu, Dec 19 @ 8–9:30 p.m.
More >>

Inclusion and Belonging Chanukah Party

Sun, Dec 22 @ 2–4:00 p.m.
RSVP Required
More >>

Glass Blowing with Z'havah Sisterhood—Miriam's Cup

Jan 12 @ 2:30–5:30 p.m.
Registration Required
More >>

Atlanta Chamber Players

Sun, Jan 19, @ 3–5:00 p.m.
More >>

Tu B'Shvat Tree Planting

Sun, Feb 9 @ 1–4:00 p.m.
Registration Required
More >>

Ahavath Achim 2025 Fundraiser

Thu, Feb 13 @ 7–9:00 p.m.
Registration Coming Soon
More >>
Save the Date

Sisterhood Donor Event

Sun, Mar 30 @ 2–4:00 p.m.
Registration Coming Soon
More >>
Save the Date

For more events, please visit our events calendar.

View Calendar

Other Things Happening at AA


For many years, money has been collected for our shul's Employee Holiday Fund. Our employees have faithfully continued to work and adapt despite challenging times.
 
Please join fellow congregants and send a check, payable to Ahavath Achim Synagogue, to 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30327, by Monday, December 30. Please designate the check for the Employee Holiday Fund in the memo line. Thank you for your participation in showing our valued AA employees how much they are appreciated.


We want your feedback! If you attended any part of the 5785 High Holidays at AA (virtually or in person), please complete a short survey about your experience. The survey is a great opportunity to tell us what you liked, disliked, or would suggest for next year.

Complete the Survey

The 2024 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.


2024–25 registration for Kesher religious school (Pre-K–6th Grade) and Neisah teen program (7th–9th Grade) is now open!

The Kesher and Neisah programs are generously endowed by the Judith and Aaron z"l Alembik Ahavath Achim Youth Education Program.

Register | More Info


Are you fun? Innovative? Passionate? Love kids? Kesher is seeking:

  • Madrichim (teaching assistants) for the fall of 2024. $10/hour or community service hours
  • Part-time teachers/facilitators for the fall of 2024. Beginning at $30/hour.
  • Subs

Kesher is AA's supplementary Jewish education program for students Pre-K through sixth grade. If you are interested, please email our Interim Director of Education: Annsley Klehr (aklehr@aasynagogue.org).

The Kesher program is generously endowed by the Judith and Aaron z"l Alembik Ahavath Achim Youth Education Program.


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%!


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.
 


The AARI (AA Refugee Initiative) is collecting new and gently used coats for recently arrived refugees and other newcomers. If you have coats to donate, please bring them to the Synagogue and place them in the marked bin at the entrance to the Cohen-Kogon Pavilion between December 3 and December 31. AARI will also accept jackets, vests, and any warm outerwear—for both kids and adults—with a specific need for smaller men's and kids' sizes. Donations will be distributed by the refugee agency New American Pathways.

Questions? Contact the AARI co-chair: Myrtle (aagreening@gmail.com; 404.409.3196).


The Pinch Hitter Program, which is organized by B'nai B'rith and chaired by Harry Lutz, provides volunteers to work in non-medical positions in area hospitals and assisted living places on Christmas Day to give employees the day off to spend with their families. Volunteers will work in (approximately) four-hour shifts at seven hospitals and assisted living facilities. All volunteers MUST be vaccinated. Wearing a mask is highly encouraged. To volunteer, sign up using the link below. Questions? Contact the chair: Harry Lutz (678.485.8179).

Sign Up


Backpack Buddies needs your help! Backpack Buddies is seeking volunteers weekly, monthly, or whenever you can help during the school year to pack food at the Synagogue. If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up below or contact the chair: Carla Werthheimer (werth5@comcast.net). It's easy and fun!

Sign Up

It's time to order your 2025 Mah Jongg card(s)! To order, please email Barbara Nathan (bnathan@tbginc.net) with a list of names, e-mail addresses, and home addresses of all recipients by Wednesday, February 5, 2025. To pay (prices listed below), please write a check, payable to AA Sisterhood, and mail it to Barbara Nathan (200 Brandon Place, Sandy Springs, GA 30328). If you do not get confirmation from Barbara within a few days of your order, call her at 404.406.8770.

Standard card = $14
Large card = $15


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.

Tell Congress


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.

Donate


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

Donate

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.
 

5785 High Holiday Hub

A source of everything you'll need to navigate your High Holiday spiritual experience!
Registration • Youth and Family • Service Schedule • Tunes and Meshorerim • Committee Fair • Yom Kippur Appeal/Chai Campaign • Honors • Machzorim • Operation Isaiah • Sisterhood Honey Fundraiser • Lulav and Etrog • Hearing Loop and Screen Assisted Service • Disabled Parking • Resources
Visit the Hub