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
- Candle Lighting: 5:14 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: 5:58 p.m.
- Torah Parashat (Vayeshev):
- Annual: Genesis 37:1–40:23
- Triennial: Genesis 39:1–40:23
- Haftara: Amos 2:6–3:8
▶️ Virtual 🔀 Hybrid ⏺️ In-Person
Feel-Good News
Kiddush Sponsors
Esther and Michael Levine in honor of Michael's 90th birthday on 12/9!
Barbara and Ken Feinberg in honor of Ken's birthday on 12/11!
Jay Empel in honor of his birthday on 12/15!
Mazal Tov to Ethan Feldman, who was elected Gadol (President) of the BBYO Hazakah chapter (East Cobb)! Ethan is the son of Allison and Joel Feldman.
Events
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.
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.
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 ([email protected]).
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 ([email protected]) 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 ([email protected]; 404.409.3196).
It's time to order your 2025 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 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
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).
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 ([email protected]). It's easy and fun!
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
Mazal Tov to Morris Israel Kogon in honor of his Bar Mitzvah this Saturday, November 16! Morris is the son of Sara and Ross Kogon; grandson of Judy and Marty Kogon and Naomi and Jeffrey Stonberg; and brother of Marion, Gerald, and Freyda. For his Mitzvah Project, Morris chose to work with Jewish Family and Career Services (JF&CS), because it is a very special and impactful organization. Though JF&CS has many programs, Morris decided to work with the Kosher Food Pantry because it helps many families ensure they have food on the table every night. Morris' Bar Mitzvah project with JF&CS had several components. First, his family spent an afternoon at the food pantry sorting food, organizing the shelves, and stocking them. Second, the centerpieces for Saturday's kiddush luncheon are made of food Morris shopped for. Third, he created meal kits made of canned and boxed foods that the food pantry clients can use to make nourishing, filling meals—After the Bar Mitzvah, this food will be donated to the food pantry. For more information about Morris' Mitzvah Project, please visit his 
