The mission of AARI is to recognize refugees in Atlanta who are innocent victims of war, famine, hate, or economic upheaval and offer them aid through advocacy, education, and direct services. Our recent work has been to support initiatives of local refugee agencies. (We work mostly with New American Pathways.) Past activities include setting up an apartment for an incoming Afghan family, working directly with a refugee family (through NAP's Family Friends program), hosting a coat drive, and assembling welcome kits to be given to refugee families as they arrive in Georgia. There's an ongoing need to teach ESL (in person or via Zoom). We are open to suggestions for other initiatives. 

Questions? Contact Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org; 404.355.5222) or Myrtle Lewin (aagreening@gmail.com; 404.409.3196).

This program was developed to shape and train the future leaders of our Synagogue. The curriculum will provide unique training in the areas of leadership skills, ritual, marketing, branding, and relational Judaism. The training will also offer insight into the inner workings of every aspect of our Synagogue.

We are currently accepting nominations and applications for the Arnovitz Leadership Institute. This program was developed to shape and train the future leaders of our community. Our curriculum will provide unique and engaging training across a broad range of areas including leadership skills, ritual, marketing, branding, and public speaking. Classes begin in October and run once monthly (except in December) through May.

What We Do: Ahavath Achim's Backpack Buddies (BPB) provides food insecure students at E. Rivers Elementary School with backpacks full of satisfying and healthy food for every weekend throughout the school year. Over 25% of children attending E. Rivers Elementary School on Peachtree Battle participate in the free or reduced price meal program. Many children leave school on Friday not knowing when they will eat again. Backpack Buddies provides food for these children on weekends to make sure that they stay nourished for the subsequent week.

The Process: The school first identifies students in need of the Backpack Buddies program. Food is purchased from the Atlanta Food Bank and other retail outlets and is kept in secure areas within our synagogue. Volunteers meet weekly to pack food and deliver it to E. Rivers. School counselors pack the food into backpacks supplied by Ahavath Achim. Individual backpacks are filled with single-serve, substantial foods. The backpacks are privately given to the children on Friday. The students must bring back their backpacks on the subsequent Monday in order to receive food again on Friday.

Donations: While it costs $180 per child per school year to fund Backpack Buddies, any size donation is appreciated! We also accept single-serve, non-perishable food items.

Questions? Contact the co-chairs: Carla Wertheimer (werth5@comcast.net); Rachel Hoffmeister (rhhoff88@gmail.com)

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The Brotherhood of AA aims to bring together the Brotherhood of our congregation through humor, inclusiveness and revelry. Join us as we bring some kindness into the world, foster connections to grow our community, and try new things together!

Questions? Contact the co-chairs: Andy Siegel (asiegel@siegelinsurance.com; 404.643.0618); Adam Hirsch (adamhirsch82@gmail.com; 520.990.8758)

"Chesed" is holy work and is traditionally translated as "lovingkindness." Mark Twain defined the Chesed Committee's work most accurately when he said: "Kindness is the language the blind can see and the deaf can hear."

The mission of the Chesed Initiative is to connect with and support AA members during times of transition and need. Members partner with our clergy in caring for the entire congregation, because visiting the sick or bereaved is something each of us can and should do. A Chesed volunteer's visit with an ill congregant fortifies their will to recover. When we visit those who grieve, we comfort and strengthen them. Members also bring baby blankets, hand-knit by our congregants, to new babies in our congregation in a new program called Welcome Baby.

The Chesed Initiative is supported by the Susie Habif Chesed Fund and the Bikur Cholim (Visiting the Sick) Fund. Consider donating to these funds to honor and remember friends and loved ones. If you are a warm, friendly, dedicated volunteer looking to strengthen our community and make a difference in people's lives, then this Initiative is for you.

Caring touches make all the difference in the world to those receiving them. 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.

Questions? Contact the co-chair: Nancy Levine (nlevine2660@gmail.com)

The Chevra Kadisha is an all-volunteer group of men and women who honor the deceased by respectfully preparing the body for burial in accordance with Jewish tradition. This dignified, ritual act of cleansing and dressing the deceased is called a taharah. The Chevra Kadisha is respected both for the services it provides the deceased and their bereaved families, and for the spiritual and emotional opportunities it affords participants. Help us honor the deceased and comfort the bereaved by joining us in preserving and practicing this unique, spiritual and comforting custom of the Jewish funeral. No special skills or knowledge required; only an open heart and a willing mind are needed. The task of the Chevra Kadisha is indeed true "Chesed Shel Emet," the most selfless act of kindness one Jew can do for another. Please join us so that we may continue Kavod HaMet (honoring the dead).

Questions? Contact the co-chairs: Delcy Pardo Harber (770.955.1994; delcyharber@comcast.net); Bob Tepper (404.784.0076; rctepper@gmail.com)

The Cultural Arts Committee is comprised of members who assist in organizing cultural arts programs at the synagogue. Members are involved in program selection, dissemination of event marketing, fundraising, and encouraging participation in events. Being part of this committee is an incredible opportunity to share some of the city's (and world's) greatest musicians with the congregation and community at large. Anyone who wishes to participate in this endeavor in any way is welcome to join the committee. There are no formal meetings, and the group communicates primarily through email and phone.

Questions? Contact the co-chairs: Ivan Millender (ivanmillender@earthlink.net); Joe Alterman (joealterman@gmail.com)

Some of the hardest working people in shul business, the Gabbaim, are those precious, mission-driven, and determined souls who work tirelessly throughout our prayer experience to help distribute honors to all of us sitting in the pews, to increase participation and to keep the experience moving. A crucial part of our davening (prayer) service, the Gabbaim are a small but dedicated group of individuals (both men and women) who make it all happen and who help our Rabbis, Cantorial Soloist and leadership look good.

Gabbai captain: Barry Prusin

GaRRS is a nonprofit closed-circuit radio station with a mission of seeking to improve the quality of life for every Georgian who is blind or visually-impaired, or who has difficulty with access to the printed word. GaRRS broadcasts current information via sub channel radio transmission and streaming on the internet. GaRRS broadcasts daily newspapers, current magazines, books, public service announcements and other community information. GaRRS programs are broadcast 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. All content is broadcast either live or recorded by more than 500 volunteers.

Questions? Contact the chair: Marty Kwatinetz (zaydekw@comcast.net; 404.812.1734)

Guided by Jewish values, we work to foster environmental awareness in the AA community. We invite you to lend a hand with our gardening initiatives, support our recycling ventures, collaborate on environmental issues, work to preserve our amazing urban forest setting, maintain the daffodil garden in memory of children who died in the Holocaust, and more.

We work with both Georgia Interfaith Power and Light and the national Jewish environmental organization, Adamah, where we are a member of their Atlanta hub.

Questions? Contact the co-chairs: Myrtle Lewin (aagreening@gmail.com; 404.409.3196); Mark Papier (papier.mark@gmail.com).

Everyone who walks through our doors on Shabbat and holidays is met with a warm greeting. This is due to the dedication of our valuable greeter team. Being a greeter is an easy and fun way to connect with other congregants, meet new people, and become an integral part of the synagogue. All you need to do is smile and say "welcome." Greeters welcome our attendees in the foyer at the onset of services on Shabbat and holidays.

Questions? Contact the co-chairs: Delcy Pardo Harber (delcyharber@comcast.net; 770.955.1994); Patsy Little (patsy.little@att.net; 770.823.7609)

Make for yourself a Rav (teacher); acquire for yourself a friend (Haver); and judge every person on the positive side (Pirkei Avot 1:6). The Havurah Initiative connects each of us to others by engaging in small groups where we can share in Jewish ritual, conversations, and celebrations. Together we create an "extended family" within the AA community. The Havurah Initiative encourages us to support each other, learn with one another, and perform acts of tikkun olam (repairing the world). Keep an eye out and ear open for e-blasts and bulletins for updates in the program.

Questions? Contact the chair: Shelly Dollar (dollarshelly@gmail.com)

"Love your Neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18).

For too long, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community has been marginalized, demonized, and ostracized by cultural bias and religious ignorance. Today we stand together as a congregation ready to welcome all members of our community into their spiritual home. AA will not stand idly by as our brothers and sisters are pushed aside and disregarded. The LGBTQ+ Inclusion task force seeks ways of engaging our LGBTQ+ community members and helping to open the door to the spiritually rich and welcoming congregation we have created together. Over the short life of the LGBTQ+ Task Force, we have tackled some of the more difficult issues including HIV/AIDS advocacy and anti-bullying initiatives. Join the LGBT Inclusion task force for a powerful year of learning, growing and living together as one community.

Questions? Contact the chair: Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org; 404.603.5744).

Love Unites, Hate Divides is the racial justice and antisemitism initiative of AA. We, as a Jewish community, have a responsibility and duty to reach out to members of the Black community and build lasting bonds based upon a mutual appreciation of each other's respective cultures and faiths. LUHD's outreach efforts are geared toward creating meaningful interpersonal relationships with members of the Black community. Members educate the community at large about current injustices that have and are still occurring and strive to be as inclusive and open to the congregation without shaming individuals. LUHD is looking for the same answers to the difficult questions that everyone else is asking.

Questions? Contact the co-chairs: Bethany Smith (bethanyarin@gmail.com); Taylor Smith (taylor@terminuscre.com)

Are you familiar with Ahavath Achim's Mature Active Adult Community (known as mAAc)? After an amazing first year with over 160 members, mAAc is beginning its second year. mAAc is a group for mature active adults ages 65 and older. This group provides the opportunity to connect with old friends and meet new ones while enjoying our mature years. The yearly cost of membership (used to defray our administrative expenses such as postage, printing, and publicity) is $18 per person for AA members and $36 per person for non-AA members. Becoming a mAAc member will get you a discounted rate for our events throughout the year. In the past, mAAc programs have included socials, tours of popular Atlanta attractions, educational speakers, and much more. Enjoy attending these events with your friends – join mAAc today!

Two ways to become a member:

1. Download the registration form: fill out the form and mail it with your check (made out to the Mature Active Adult Community or "mAAc") to Ahavath Achim Synagogue (600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30327).
2. Register online

Questions? Contact the chair: Gail Solomon (solgail.627@gmail.com; 404.456.6171)

With so many amazing things happening at AA, it would be a shame to keep it to ourselves! The Membership Committee is actively recruiting new members to join our AA family, welcoming them in at any point along their spiritual journey. Everyone at AA is part of the Membership Committee because YOU are the best representatives of all AA can offer. Please continue to talk about how many great things we offer, brag to your friends, and encourage them to come and sit with you at events and services. If you'd like to help more formally, we are always looking for those who would like to welcome prospective members with a phone call or coffee, host a Shabbat dinner, or help personally drop off items to remind prospective members that we are here when they are ready. If you know of anyone who should be on our prospective member list or should be contacted by leadership in any way, please let us know! Thank you for your good word and promoting what Ahavath Achim – the synagogue of brotherly love – has to offer!

Questions? Contact co-chair: Mark Papier (papier.mark@gmail.com).

Every day of the week, our minyan opens the spiritual heart of AA, one of few Atlanta synagogues that offers a minyan twice a day. Both congregants and community members are invited to join the services for prayer and fellowship as well as to observe yahrzeits on the anniversary of the death of loved ones. The daily minyanim at AA continue a rich tradition going back over 100 years. They allow us to greet each morning with gratitude for our well-being and to renew our spirit and energy for the day ahead. Each evening, we close our day with prayer and camaraderie, an opportunity to reflect on our efforts, accomplishments and aspirations. The morning minyan service runs approximately 45 – 60 minutes, and the evening minyan service runs approximately 30 minutes.

Are you up early on Shabbat Morning? Do you love to sing? Then come and be a part of the P'sukei D'zimrah Squad. Each morning, our prayer service starts with a warm-up of psalms and other traditional liturgical selections as a way of opening our minds and hearts to prayer. Led by a cadre of prayer enthusiasts, there is always a spot for you to learn how to lead this opening morning prayer service and to lead our congregation in song and devotion. Good singing voices are not a requirement, only enthusiastic souls and a willingness to learn and offer one's heart before God.

Questions? Contact the Ritual Coordinator: Jordan Forman (jforman@aasynagogue.org)

With the aim of elevating Jewish ritual to enhance our spirituality, AA's Rituality Project engages the congregation to renew traditional services, explore Jewish prayer experiences, and facilitate daily practice. We are excited to hear your feedback, and we encourage you to share it at the weekly Rebbe's Tish or by emailing ritualityaa@gmail.com.

Questions? Contact the chair: Bonnie Levine (blevine@aasynagogue.org; 404.351.6070).

Did you know that there is an official AA softball team? If you did, you were one of the few! The AA Softball team is one of the best-kept secrets of the Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Our team has been playing in the Atlanta-area synagogue softball league for years, and it's time to support their efforts and root for the home team. Softball season takes place in late spring/early summer. Offer up some AA love by bringing a family picnic, forming a cheering section, or just showing up!

Questions? Contact the co-chairs: Emanuel Fialkow (esf@fialkow.net); Philip Siegel (philip_siegel@bellsouth.net)

At the center of our worship experience, the Torah and Haftara readings are our congregation's chance to hear God's word spoken in the ancient traditional cantillation (trope). The readings of Torah and Haftara (weekly selections from the prophetic liturgy) have their roots in ancient Israel going back all the way to Temple times. Learn how to read, chant and be a part of this most holy experience.

Questions? Contact the Ritual Coordinator: Jordan Forman (jforman@aasynagogue.org)

The Shabbat usher is at the doorway of the service and directs congregants to specific seats if they are part of a B'nai Mitzvah group, if they know they will have an aliyah, or if they need to find the restroom during the service. Ushers also step forward to deal with any assistance that a member or guest may need such as a medical emergency, a mobility issue, or a request for a large-print Siddur. The usher is on duty with a smile and "Shabbat Shalom" until the end of the service.

Questions? Contact Susan Schlansky: (schlanskysusan133@gmail.com)