Shabbat Morning Service 🔀
2024-03-23 09:30 - 12:00, 2024-04-06 09:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Ahavath Achim Synagogue—Ellman Chapel, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327, United States
Join us in Ellman Chapel or via Zoom.
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Torah Study 🔀
2024-03-23 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-03-30 10:30 - 11:30, 2024-04-06 10:30 - 11:30 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue—Cavalier Room, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327
Join us every Shabbat morning for Torah Study, where lay leaders, rabbis, and congregants lead lively discussions about the weekly parashat. This discussion requires no special knowledge and is designed to deepen your understanding and appreciation of the Torah and the wisdom of our Sages.
Questions? Contact the chair: Michael Miller (mgmiller@sloan.mit.edu).
Join us in the Cavalier Room or via Zoom.
Join Zoom

Rebbe's Tish ⏺️
2024-03-23 12:30 - 14:00, 2024-04-06 12:30 - 14:00 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue—Srochi Auditorium, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327, United States
Join us during kiddush lunch on Shabbat mornings for Rebbe's Tish where we'll sing, do a bit of studying and kavanot, celebrate simchas, and fulfill the mitzvah of delighting in Shabbat and reciting the blessing after meals! Whether you attended the Shabbat morning service virtually, in person, or not at all, you are welcome to join us—Grab a seat at the square table in the atrium between the Sanctuary and Srochi Auditorium. We'll start around 12:30 p.m. (or ~30 minutes after the service ends) and sing the blessing after meals (Birkat HaMazon) between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Questions? Contact music@aasynagogue.org.

Mincha, Seudah Sheleshet, Ma'ariv, Havdallah 🔀
2024-03-23 18:30 - 20:00, 2024-03-30 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-04-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue — Epstein Sanctuary, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327
Join us each week as we say goodbye to Shabbat and start the following week anew. Prayer, Torah reading, a short study with the rabbi, a light seudah sheleshet (third meal), and a musical havdallah will be part of this experience!
Join Via Zoom

Purim Evening Celebration 🔀
2024-03-23 18:30 - 22:00 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue—Ellman Chapel, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327, United States
Join your AA family for a fun-filled Purim night! We will conclude Shabbat with a musical ma'ariv service led by our AAbsolute Shabbat Band while Steve Grossman and friends chant their way through the Megillah (Book of Esther). This will be followed by a third meal and learning on the topic of the Meaning of Purim. Delectable and tasty libations will be on the menu for this joyous celebration of our Purim holiday—don't miss it!

6:30 p.m.: Shabbat Mincha Service with Torah Reading
7:00 p.m.: Pre-Purim Cocktail Hour
8:00 p.m.: Musical Ma'ariv Service with AAbsolute Shabbat Band
8:45 p.m.: Steve Grossman Megillah Reading

This event is free and open to the community.
Join Via Zoom

Conclusion of Shabbat
2024-03-23 20:17, 2024-03-30 20:22, 2024-04-06 20:28 | GA

Purim
2024-03-24 | GA

Purim PaloozAA
2024-03-24 10:30 - 12:30 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327
Join us for our annual Purim PaloozAA—It's going to be a carnival of fun! Put on your best costume and gather for games, crafts, prizes, and treats! Attractions include a dunk tank, inflatable obstacle course, bounce house, balloon twisting demonstration, games galore, and more!
The cost to attend is as follows. The cost covers all games, activities, and food. There will be a price increase for walk-ins.

$18 for individuals
$36 for families of 2–4
$54 for families of 5–6
$72 for families of 7+

Additionally, our religious school, Kesher, will have Mishloach Manot baskets available for purchase as a fundraiser. These baskets have been made by our students and reflect the driving question each class is learning about. Baskets can be purchased for $10 day-of or in advance and are limited in quantity! The four themes reflected in the baskets are:

Garden Theme Basket made by the Gan Class (Pre-K–K children)—Their question is "What do we need to help us grow to be our best selves?"
*SOLD OUT* Unhoused Support Basket made by the Ozrim Class (1st–2nd graders)—Their question is "What does it mean to take care of the world?" When ordered, these baskets will be delivered to an organization for distribution to the unhoused.
Wellness Basket made by the Cosim Class (3rd–4th graders)—Their question is "What is the magic of prayer?"
Spiritual Protection Basket made by the Menches Class (5th–6th graders)—Their question is "How do we protect/guard our community?"

Why do we make Mishloach Manot baskets? The Book of Esther states, "Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the 14th day of the month of Adar a day of gladness and feasting, a holiday, and of sending portions to one another." To complete the mitzvah of feasting, send love and joy to the Jewish people, and guarantee that both rich and poor share a feast, we send mishloach manot baskets!
The deadline to register (link below) is Friday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m.
Questions? Contact the Director of Community Connections: Jackie Nix (jnix@aasynagogue.org or 404.603.5743).
Register

One man's trash is another man's treasure! Help us minimize our carbon footprint by giving us your unwanted tchotchkes (new or lightly used) for us to use for carnival prizes.
Calling teen volunteers! We are looking for teen volunteers to help at the carnival.
For information about donating your tchotchkes or becoming a volunteer, please contact the Interim Director of Education: Annsley Klehr (aklehr@aasynagogue.org).

Rabbi Rosenthal's Talmud Class 🔀
2024-03-27 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-04-03 17:00 - 18:00, 2024-04-10 17:00 - 18:00 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue—Foyer, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327
Join Rabbi Rosenthal every Wednesday for an exploration into the minds of our rabbis to better understand our modern Jewish world and the innovative process of Rabbinic Judaism. This year we will be studying Tractate Megillah, Chapter 1 "Megillah Nikret," understanding the days that different Jewish communities and townships can read the Biblical Book of Esther in celebration of the Purim Holiday. As always, this study will take us far beyond the holiday of Purim giving us an insight into the lives Jews lived in the past and a better idea of the spiritual life we live today. No experience of Talmud study is needed. We will work in English translation and the conversation will flow from our hearts and minds.
Although an online text will be shared, Rabbi Rosenthal encourages all students to purchase their own copy of Tractate Megillah. He recommends the Koren Steinsaltz edition.
Join Via Zoom

Biblical Hebrew Class
2024-03-27 19:30 - 20:30, 2024-04-03 19:30 - 20:30 | GA
Join us every Wednesday for Biblical Hebrew Class, led by Hebrew instructor, Jim Dricker. In this class, we will cover all aspects of grammar and a well-rounded basic vocabulary. Students set the pace of the program, and we will proceed as fast or as slow as the majority of the class requests. We might take two years to complete… maybe more… perhaps less! The only prerequisite is the ability to sound out Hebrew words.
Required textbook: The First Hebrew Primer: The Adult Beginner's Path to Biblical Hebrew, Third Edition by Simon, Resnikoff, and Motzkin (available on Amazon and other book sellers)

Join Via Zoom

Candle Lighting
2024-03-29 19:38, 2024-04-05 19:43 | GA

Shabbat Morning Service—Bar Mitzvah of Gabriel Goodhart 🔀
2024-03-30 09:30 - 12:00 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue—Ellman Chapel, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327, United States
Join Via Zoom

Rebbe's Tish with Dr. Sandor Goodhart 🔀
2024-03-30 12:30 - 14:00 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue—Srochi Auditorium, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327, United States
For this Rebbe's Tish, we welcome Dr. Sandor Goodhart who will speak on the topic, "Reading Sacrifice. What Happens When You Make an Ancient Ritual a Text for Torah Study." Dr. Sandor Goodhart is a Professor Emeritus of English and Jewish Studies at Purdue University in the Department of English and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies. He is the former Director of the Religious Studies Program (2018–2021), the Jewish Studies Program (1997–2002), the Philosophy and Literature Program (2005), and the Classical Studies Program (2007–2011). He is the author or editor of seven books on literature, philosophy, and Jewish Studies. He is a founding board member of the North American Levinas Society (now in its thirteenth year), the former President of the Colloquium on Violence and Religion (2004–2007), and the author of over one hundred essays.
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Join us on select Shabbat mornings for Rebbe's Tish where we'll sing, do a bit of studying and kavanot, celebrate simchas, and fulfill the mitzvah of delighting in Shabbat and reciting the blessing after meals! Whether you attended the Shabbat morning service virtually, in person, or not at all, you are welcome to join us—Grab a seat at the square table in the atrium between the Sanctuary and Srochi Auditorium. We'll start around 12:30 p.m. (or ~30 minutes after the service ends) and sing the blessing after meals (Birkat HaMazon) between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Questions? Contact music@aasynagogue.org.
Join Via Zoom

Naomi's Book Club 🔀
2024-04-01 10:15 - 11:30 | GA
Join Sisterhood on the first Monday of the month for a lively book discussion. April's book is Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, and the discussion will be led by Patsy Little.
Questions? Contact Madeleine Gimbel (maddy_gimbel@yahoo.com; 404.355.7711).
Join Via Zoom

An Afternoon of American Jazz Classics, Originals, and Lore ⏺️
2024-04-07 15:00 - 17:00 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue — Epstein Sanctuary, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327
The Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program Fund and Neranenah present An Afternoon of American Jazz Classics, Originals, and Lore featuring Joe Alterman (piano), Lewis Franco (vocals and guitar), Justin Chesarek (drums), and Scott Glazer (bass).
This concert is open to the community. Reception following the concert. No admission charge or reservation required. A $20 entrance donation for the Cultural Arts Fund is appreciated.
Questions? Please contact the Cultural Arts Committee Chair: Ivan Millender (ivanmillender@earthlink.net; 404.406.6333).

Meet the Musicians
Joe Alterman
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Joe Alterman studied music at New York University, where he received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Jazz Piano Performance. In addition to performances with Houston Person, Les McCann, Dick Gregory, and his own trio, among others, Alterman has performed at many world-renowned venues, including the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, Birdland, and New York's Blue Note, where Alterman has opened, many times, for Ramsey Lewis. Alterman has released eight critically acclaimed albums, his most recent being 2023's "Joe Alterman Plays Les McCann: Big Mo & Little Joe." He was profiled three times by iconic journalist Nat Hentoff and was the subject of Hentoff's very last piece on music in March 2016. Les McCann calls Alterman "tiny, but only in stature; as a man and a musician he is already a giant," Ahmad Jamal called Alterman "a very special artist" and Ramsey Lewis called him "an inspiration to me" and his piano playing "a joy to behold." In addition to his piano work, Alterman is the Executive Director of Neranenah, an Atlanta-based Concert & Culture series which celebrates Jewish contributions to music and the arts. He's also a budding journalist who has written liner notes to three Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra w/Wynton Marsalis albums. Nat Hentoff called one of Alterman's columns on jazz "one of the very best pieces on the essence of jazz, the spirit of jazz, that I've ever read, and I'm not exaggerating."
Lewis Franco
According to Dan Bolles of SevenDaysVT, "Precious few hepcatamounts swing like Lewis Franco. The central Vermont guitarist, songwriter, and bandleader has almost single-handedly kept the jump and jive alive in the Green Mountains, wailing away with swagger and unimpeachable cool for nearly two decades." But Franco says he eventually noticed that most of the jazz and show tunes he loved were not just written by Jews (Berlin, the Gershwin's, Rodgers & Hart, Kern, Arlen, etc…), but were informed by Jewish values and concerns. His YouTube series, "Franco the ReJewvenator" is a result. His 2023 recording, "On the Sidelines", his sixth CD of original music, also reflects this awareness. It features Franco's cousin, Joe Alterman, on piano and includes titles such as "Say, Don't You Remember Yip Harburg?" and "Just Pretend I Wasn't Lorenz Hart." "I relate to these songwriters as nervous outsiders, observing American life while seeking a sense of belonging. And they weren't looking casually. They had either been persecuted themselves, or they felt the effects of centuries of European antisemitism. For them, the question of whether somewhere over the rainbow the American dream of a multicultural democracy really does come true, or if it's only a paper moon, was high stakes." "Yes, my experience is different from theirs. By the time I came along, Jews in the US were far more secure. However, being born and raised in Atlanta to Ashkenazi and Sephardi families, I felt similar anxieties and yearnings to the ones expressed in those amazing songs." Franco explores these themes through music, storytelling, and humor in his concerts. "Music has been my favorite form of Jewish observance ever since childhood, when we sang zmiros around my beloved Bubbe and Zeda's Shabbat table every Friday night. So this is super meaningful and super fun for me."
Justin Chesarek
Justin Chesarek has been mesmerized with drums since the age of 10. He earned a Bachelors of Music degree from Slippery Rock University, trekked south to Atlanta in 2008, and earned a Masters of Music and Jazz studies at Georgia State University, following which he landed a regular engagement at Churchill Grounds, Atlanta's premier jazz club at the time, which gig continued for five years. During that time, he made a name for himself as an exceptional musician. Justin performs regularly with the Alterman Trio and is a regular with the Atlanta Jazz Festival. He has performed at the Iridium and The Blue Note in New York City, DC's Kennedy Center, a TED Talk, Juneau Alaska Jazz and Classics Festival, the North Sea Festival in Holland, and the Montreax Jazz Festival in Switzerland. He has gigged with legendary artists, Count Bassie vocalist, Carmen Bradford, Grammy nominee trumpeter, Russell Gunn, and others. He teaches jazz percussion at Kennesaw State, Artist Affiliate in Jazz Percussion at Emory, and former Professor of Jazz Percussion at Moorehouse. His classes include jazz composition, improvisation and analysis, jazz combos, and piano accompaniment for jazz vocalists. He runs a private studio of his own in which he works with students of all ages. His alumni have become professional touring musicians Broadway pit players, and top call drummers.
Scott Glazer
What Wynton Marsalis is to New Orleans, Doc Severinsen was to Johnny Carson, and what Scott Glazer, with his decades of talent, is to Atlanta. We've heard him perform at clubs, symphonies, the Atlanta Jewish Life Festival, and Ahavath Achim Synagogue, in combos, and perhaps in Tokyo or Manhattan. He appeared in Courtenay Collin's Cabaret at the Alliance Theatre's Hertz Stage, where he harmonized with her. An Atlanta native, Glazer grew up within a musical family where his father, Morris, played coronet and appeared as a band leader. On the maternal side, he grew up in a world of opera, chazanut (cantorial) records, and music of the world, including Italian and Hungarian. Following graduation from Lawrence Academy, he earned a music degree at Georgia State University. "I enjoy a variety of situations–theater, orchestras, and jazz gigs. The gig I enjoy the most is the one I'm on right now." His group, the Mojo Dojo, is composed of two horns, vocals, and great guitarists performing The Allman Brothers Band with a twist or recognizable iconic songs from Sam & Dave, Ray Charles, and Wilson Pickett. He occasionally plays with jazz pianist Joe Alterman. Glazer has toured domestically and internationally and performed with artists as diverse as Grammy-winning guitarist Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Scott Henderson (Chick Corea, Jean-Luc Ponty), Edwin McCain, Carmen Bradford (Count Basie), The Last Waltz Ensemble, jazz sax legend Houston Person, Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie), Carmine Appice (Jeff Beck), and Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel). He has played at Seattle's Jazz Alley, the Blue Note in New York City, and in Tokyo clubs on the road with the jazz legend Earl Klugh.

Antisemitism with Brendan Murphy—Part One ⏺️
2024-04-08 18:30 - 21:00 | GA
Ahavath Achim Synagogue and Cathedral of Christ the King will hold a two-part program on antisemitism presented by longtime educator Brendan Murphy. The presentation is titled Why the Jews? Understanding the Long and Tragic History of Antisemitism and the Future of Jewish-Christian Relations.

Part One: Monday, April 8, at 7–9:00 p.m., at Cathedral of Christ the King
Part Two: Monday, April 15, at 7–9:00 p.m., at Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Light refreshments will be available at each location beginning at 6:30 p.m.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Fern Schorr (fschorr@aasynagogue.org; 404.355.5222).

A special thank you to Helaine and Andy Lasky for their gracious and generous donation underwriting the expenses for this evening's program at Ahavath Achim Synagogue in loving memory of their parents Harriette (Hank) and Bennett (Buster) Oxman.
Host Committee: Barbara and Ken Feinberg, Helaine Lasky, Nancy Levine, Margery Eden, Karen Lansky Edlin, Annice Parker, Cookie Aftergut, Jessica and Douglas Ander, Betty Behr, Julia Bernath, Sara Borochoff, Avital Cohen, Melissa Cohen, Stacy and Emanuel Fialkow, Beth Friedman, Marianne Garber, Eve Goldstein, Gail and Gilbert Holzer, Rachael Joseph, Lana Krebs, Michelle Krebs, Myrtle Lewin, Naomi Liebman, Gerald Neumark, Nikki Novotny, Dara Povlot, Laurence Rosenthal, Jon Schnaubelt, Gail Solomon, and Marshall Sunshine

Rosh Chodesh Nisan
2024-04-09 | GA
Start of month of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar

Rosh and Nosh ⏺️
2024-04-09 08:15 - 09:00 | Ahavath Achim Synagogue – Lobby, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA, 30327
Join us once a month on Rosh Chodesh to elevate the new month with Ahava parents and minyan regulars! After the morning minyan service, we'll be offering the opportunity for our two wonderful communities to schmooze and learn a short bit of Torah that's friendly for the whole family. Stop in for coffee and a donut, and hang out as long as you'd like! Learning will last approximately five minutes and will be offered twice, at 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m.
