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.
You can help bring them back home.
Visit our Israel Resource Page.
Special Message
Shabbat Corner

Friday Evening–Saturday
- Shabbat Evening Service 🔀: 6:00 p.m.—Zoom
- Candle Lighting: 8:04 p.m.
- Sustainability Shabbat 🔀: 9:30 a.m.—Zoom
- Torah Study 🔀: 10:30 a.m.—Zoom
- Pray 'n' Play ⏺️: 11:15 a.m.
- Rebbe's Tish ⏺️: 12:30 p.m.
- Mincha/Seudah Sheleshet/Ma'ariv/Havdallah 🔀: 7:15 p.m.—Zoom
- Conclusion of Shabbat: 8:48 p.m.
- Torah Parashat (Tazria-Metzora):
- Annual: Leviticus 12:1–15:33
- Triennial: Leviticus 14:33–15:33
- Haftara: II Kings 7:3–20
▶️ Virtual 🔀 Hybrid ⏺️ In-Person
Feel-Good News
Kiddush Sponsor

The Green Team in honor of Sustainability Shabbat!
Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal Speaks at Catholic Community's Memorial Service for Pope Francis
Through the work of the Response to Antisemitism and Hate Committee, Ahavath Achim has forged a growing and meaningful relationship with the Cathedral of Christ the King. This partnership began when Rabbi Rosenthal reached out to Monsignor Rev. Francis McNamee to collaborate on a two-part lecture by Marist professor Brendan Murphy, exploring the historical roots of antisemitism—an event shared with both congregations.
Since then, the bond between our communities has deepened. In the wake of October 7 and amid the continued rise in antisemitism, clergy from the Cathedral, along with Archbishop Gregory Hartmayer of Atlanta, have extended heartfelt support to the AA community. As a powerful symbol of this solidarity, Monsignor McNamee and the Archbishop invited Rabbi Rosenthal to speak at the Atlanta Catholic community's memorial service for Pope Francis.
You can watch Rabbi Rosenthal's remarks below.
Yom HaZikaron Memorial for Israel's Fallen Soldiers and Victims of Terror 4.29.25
Ahavath Achim extends our heartfelt gratitude to all who joined us at the Yom HaZikaron ceremony on Tuesday, April 29, honoring Israel's fallen soldiers and victims of terror. As a proud sponsor of this meaningful event—organized by the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast—we were deeply moved by the unity, compassion, and respect shown by everyone in attendance.
Your presence helped us honor the memory of those who gave their lives in defense of the State of Israel, and your participation reaffirmed the strength and resilience of our community. Thank you again for standing with us in remembrance and solidarity.
Mazal Tov to Gail Solomon
Mazal Tov to Gail Solomon for receiving the Blood Drive Blood Program Leader of the Year certificate from the American Red Cross in recognition of the countless hours of hard work and exceptional dedication to the mission of the American Red Cross in the calendar year 2024!
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) and the Cantor Isaac Goodfriend Award for Exemplary Leadership (presented to a volunteer who has shown exemplary leadership without recognition) 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.
The 2025 Spring Beineinu—Passover issue is out! If you haven't yet received your copy in the mail, you can view the electronic version here.
We are excited to be partnering with L'dor V'dor Judaica, an organization that rescues Judaica from thrift shops, estate sales, and the trash and rehomes it to folks in need of Judaica, allowing beautiful pieces and traditions to live on from generation to generation. AA will be collecting Judaica that our community no longer uses for others to rehome. We will accept all forms of Judaica that are useable. We will not accept books of any kind at this time.
If you have any Judaica in need of a new home, please contact the Director of Development, Jackie Nix ([email protected]; 404.603.5743), who will catalog and organize the items before placing them on a table outside the AA offices.
We look forward to helping you find items that ensure you can practice the traditions that connect you to the Jewish community and heritage.
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.

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 2025 Hunger Walk Run on Sunday, March 9, was a very successful and exciting day! This experience of inclusive unity, where all religions gather together, walk side by side, and share a common cause greater than their own, was truly amazing. Although the event is over, our work is not. And it is not too late to donate and help us reach our lofty goal.
To donate to Sally's Friends, click here and follow these instructions:
- Click on "Donate Now."
- From the "Select a Team Member" drop-down list, select Sally Kaplan
- Fill out the remaining fields.
- Be sure to conduct a simple search to discover if your employer has a Matching Gift Program.
Or, for your convenience, mail a check to:
Sally Kaplan
4507 Chattahoochee Way
Marietta, GA 30067
Checks should be payable to "Hunger Walk Run 2025." Write "Sally's Friends" in the "For" field.
Questions? Please contact Bebe Kaplan (404.587.1736).
Your help is needed to fight the ugliness. Across America, we are witnessing an alarming rise in anti-Zionist and anti-Jewish demonstrations, especially on college and university campuses. Perhaps such events have occurred at your alma mater. As a concerned alum, you can raise your voice and urge university leadership to counter antisemitism. Equally important, you can also thank university administrators who are fighting to keep the campus free from discrimination, hate, violence, and antisemitism.
Ahavath Achim's (AA) Response to Antisemitism and Hate Committee wishes to create an Alumni Database. If you participate in this effort, we will alert you when antisemitic incidents occur or when positive steps are taken to counter such hate are taken. The Committee will prepare sample letters for you to use or personalize when communicating with your alma mater's leadership. Your voice matters.
We hope every college graduate in your household will join this effort.
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.
The election is still ongoing until May 4—Don't procrastinate getting your vote in! The World Zionist Congress and its affiliates provide millions of dollars in funding and support programs that enrich our community and Jewish life in the U.S. voting opens on Monday, March 10 to select delegates for the new Congress. Casting your vote for MERCAZ USA is an investment in the future of the Jewish institutions at the heart of our communities.
This funding includes Israel education at Ramah summer camps, programming at our congregation, and critical philanthropy efforts supporting hostage families, the global diaspora, and more. Any Jewish adult over 18 who resides permanently in the U.S. and did not vote in the last Knesset election is eligible to vote for MERCAZ USA in the World Zionist Congress elections.
It's critical that we don't let extremist voices limit the voice of the conservative movement, including our work on environmental and climate initiatives at the WZO. Vote here and select slate #17 MERCAZ USA. Voting closes on May 4. No preregistration or organizational membership is required beforehand.
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
