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.
Special Message
Shabbat Corner
Friday Evening–Saturday Evening
- Candle Lighting: 8:15 p.m.
- Shabbat Morning Service 🔀: 9:30 a.m.—Zoom
- Torah Study 🔀: 10:30 a.m.—Zoom
- Pirkei Avot Rebbe's Tish ⏺️: 12:30
- Mincha, Seudah Sheleshet, Ma'ariv, Havdallah 🔀: 7:30 p.m.—Zoom
- Conclusion of Shabbat: 9:00 p.m.
- Torah Parashat (Emor):
- Annual: Leviticus 21:1–24:23
- Triennial: Leviticus 22:17–23:22
- Haftara: Ezekiel 44:15–31
- Parashat Video of the Week: The Schechter Institutes—The Disqualified Kohen: Dr. Gila Vachman on Parashat Emor
- Holiday Video of the Week: BimBam—Counting the Omer: The Basics of the Jewish Ritual
▶️ Virtual 🔀 Hybrid ⏺️ In-Person
Feel-Good News
*Last Week's* Kiddush Sponsors
Jody Franco in honor of her birthday on 5/17!
Mazal Tov to Mindy Margolis
Mazal Tov to Mindy Margolis, who will sing first Soprano with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 16, and Saturday, May 18, at the Woodruff Arts Center Symphony Hall. The Symphony will perform the world premiere of a brilliant piece by a Jewish composer, Jonathan Leshnoff, called "The Sacrifice of Isaac." The texts, which are mostly in English and some Hebrew, retell the dramatic story of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac as a sign of his faith in G-d. In addition to the chorus, soloists include the characters of Abraham, Isaac, and a very special countertenor, the highest male voice, who plays the role of the voice of G-d.
"It's so rare and unique for the Symphony to perform works by living Jewish composers and an oratorio detailing one of our treasured Torah stories, at that! What a treat! As one of the only Jewish members of the chorus, I feel so lucky to get this opportunity to perform this work. If you're interested in attending the Symphony concert in support of this incredible Jewish composer and world premiere of this oratorio, here are the details."—Mindy Margolis
Mazal Tov to Layla Klehr, Eden Levine, and Camille Weinstein
Mazal to Layla Klehr, Eden Levine, and Camille Weinstein, who were honored to perform at the Georgia Capitol for the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust Annual Days of Remembrance event! The three are part of the Atlanta Young Singers, an auditioned chorus for ages 7–18 all over the Atlanta metro area. The group sang three selections, and Camille was a featured soloist in a Yiddish tune. We are so proud of Layla, Camille, and Eden!
If you'd like to see an AYS performance with all three of these talented young ladies, you can attend their spring concert on Sunday, May 19, at 7:00 p.m., at the Church at Ponce & Highland (1085 Ponce De Leon Avenue). Tickets are available here.
Events
Other Things Happening at AA
We are looking for nominations for The Marvin C. Goldstein and Rita Goldstein Wolfson Volunteer of the Year Award (presented to a volunteer who has shown outstanding efforts to strengthen our congregation and community) to be presented at the Annual Meeting in June. To submit recommendations, please contact Jackie Nix ([email protected]; 404.603.5743). Along with names, please include the rationale behind your recommendations. Each recommendation received will be vetted and researched by our clergy, professional staff, and officers for final award determinations.
Ahava Early Learning Center yard signs are available in the Cohen Pavilion. If you or a family member live close by, please take advantage of this opportunity to share the news about this wonderful school! There is no cost—just grab a sign and a metal display stand. You will be doing a mitzvah for our community, and Ahava thanks you for your support!
Are you fun? Innovative? Passionate? Love kids? Kesher is seeking:
- 10th–12th grade madrichim (teaching assistants) for the fall of 2024. Hourly pay at $10 or community service hours.
- Part-time teachers/facilitators for the fall of 2024. Hourly pay beginning at $30.
Kesher is AA's religious school program for students Pre-K through sixth grade. If you are interested, please email our Interim Director of Education: Annsley Klehr ([email protected]).
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%!
The 2024 Spring Beineinu—Passover Issue is out! If you haven't yet received your copy in the mail, you can view the electronic version here.
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.
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 ([email protected]) and Lynne and Tom Greenfield ([email protected]).
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.
Ahavath Achim Synagogue is proud to announce that we have formed a committee with the key intention of supporting our members who are either on a college campus or will be going to college soon. Some of our students are on college campuses that have had major protests and/or experienced antisemitism. The Antisemitism Committee wants to support our college students now and help prepare them for what they may experience when they return to school in the fall.
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.
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 ([email protected]; 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.
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