Special Message
Shabbat Corner
Friday Evening–Saturday Evening
- Candle Lighting: 5:15 p.m.
- 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: 5:59 p.m.
- Torah Parashat (Vayigash):
- Annual: Genesis 44:18–47:27
- Triennial: Genesis 45:28–46:27
- Haftara: Ezekiel 37:15–28
- Parsha Video of the Week: The Schechter Institutes—Parashat Vayigash—Rabbi Dr. Reb Mimi Feigelson
- Bible Video of the Week: Rabbi Lewin—What Is the Fast of the 10th of Tevet about and Why Is It So Important to Fast on It?
▶️ Virtual 🔀 Hybrid ⏺️ In-Person
Feel-Good News
The Ahavath Achim Refugee Initiative (AARI) coat drive is ongoing! We have already delivered two carloads to New American Pathways (NAP) including over 80 gently used coats, hoodies, and other warm outerwear. NAP has welcomed more than 150 refugee families this month, and more are expected in January. Please continue to bring items to the synagogue—Drop off donations in the in the lobby. (More information about the coat drive can be found below in the "Other Things Happening at AA" section.)
Kiddush Sponors
Amy and Steve Landrum in honor of Amy's birthday on 12/5
Esther and Michael Levine in honor of Michael's birthday on 12/9
Berta and Lev Mebel in honor of their anniversary on 12/14
Elise and Jay Empel in honor of Jay's birthday on 12/15
Cookie and Fred Aftergut in honor of Fred's birthday on 12/18
Diane and Harold Cohen in honor of their anniversary on 12/22
Events
Other Things Happening at AA
Camp and Summer Experience Scholarship applications are open and available to help support the summer experiences of our AA members! Scholarships are generously provided by family funds, Sisterhood, and AA's general budget. Applications are due by Saturday, February 3. For more information, please contact the Interim Director of Education: Annsley Klehr ([email protected]; 404.603.5754).
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 between mid-May and mid-June. If you are interested in joining or have any questions, please contact Rabbi Rosenthal ([email protected]) and Lynne and Tom Greenfield ([email protected]).
Many of you received a text claiming to be Rabbi Rosenthal asking for financial help (e.g. gift cards). You will notice that these are not coming from Rabbi Rosenthal's proper phone number or email address. These are scammers trying to steal your money. Do not be fooled. Please delete and ignore all messages. Thank you for your vigilance.
Make your voice heard! Over the last year, a group of Saturday morning Torah Study regulars have gathered to reflect on where our Study is at this moment and to come up with a purpose statement to help guide our Study into its next iteration.
Now, we want YOUR feedback. Whether you're a regular, have come only once, or have never come, whether you enjoy our Shabbat Torah Study, whether you'd rather see something much different, or if it's not for you, we want your thoughts.
This survey is anonymous, but you will have several opportunities to add your name if you'd like us to know who is filling out the form or to volunteer in a variety of ways. Depending on your level of involvement in Torah Study currently, the survey should only take between 3–12 minutes. We'd love to hear from you!
The deadline to submit your survey is Thursday, December 21.
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 ([email protected]).
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 ([email protected]; 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 ([email protected]) directly. We always appreciate the opportunity to speak with anyone in need and offer support in any way we can.
Recently arrived refugees need coats for the winter months! The Ahavath Achim Refugee Initiative (AARI) is collecting new and gently used coats—all sizes, for both adults and kids—through Sunday, December 31. The coats will be delivered to New American Pathways.
Please drop off coats in the labeled box in the lobby (the entrance to the Cohen Pavilion). Questions? Contact Myrtle Lewin ([email protected]; 404.409.3196).
For many years, money has been collected for our shul's Employee Holiday Fund. Our employees have faithfully continued to work and adapt in spite of these 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 11. 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.
The Pinch Hitter Program is back after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19! 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 this year. 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).
It's time to order your 2024 Mah Jongg card(s)! To order, please email Barbara Nathan ([email protected]) with a list of names, e-mail addresses, and home addresses of all recipients by Friday, February 2, 2024. 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
Build your community. Strengthen your connections. Do Judaism your way. Get $180 to host an event at the place and with the people you choose. You select the date. You set the location. You invite the attendees. You plan the activity. Federation picks up the tab. If you've been looking for an excuse to get together with friends, family, or neighbors, look no further!
When you receive a $180 Gather Grant you can:
- Host a Shabbat dinner or holiday celebration to meet your Jewish neighbors
- Teach friends how to make a special recipe from your childhood
- Plan a picnic with other families who have similar-aged kids
- Arrange a fun night to reconnect with camp, Birthright, or school friends
- Buy copies of a Jewish-themed book and host a discussion group
- Organize a poker night, a nature hike, a volunteer project… whatever and wherever you want!
Any Jewish-identifying individual, couple, friend group, or family in greater Atlanta can apply to receive a $180 Gather Grant.
Through our membership with the ADL's (Anti-Defamation League) Kulanu Initiaitve, our AA family is creating an antisemitism task force to partner with other communities across the country to collectively fight hate and antisemitism. Membership on the task force will require a year's commitment and involve participation in ADL virtual meetings and community of practice working sessions. Our congregation will also offer special programs, initiatives, and action steps to raise awareness, call out local and national antisemitic incidents, and build relationships with communities susceptible to antisemitic infiltration. To learn more about or to join the task force, please contact Rabbi Rosenthal ([email protected]).
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 ([email protected]; 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 ([email protected]; 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.
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 to the Ukraine Emergency Fund of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta
