Schmooze and News at AA

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Shabbat Corner

Friday Evening–Saturday Evening

Feel-Good News

Kiddush Sponors

Erica Rosenbluth and Simon Greenberg-Block in honor of the baby naming of their daughter, Brooklyn Hannah Greenberg-Block, on 11/25

Interfaith Community Thanksgiving Service 11.19.23 >>

Events

Other Things Happening at AA

The 2023 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? 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 (aklehr@aasynagogue.org).


Registration for Kesher religious school (3 Yrs–6th Grade) and Neisah teen program (7th–9th Grade) is now open! Take advantage of our early-bird rates by applying before Saturday, July 1!

Register | More Info


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 (fschorr@aasynagogue.org; 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 (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org) directly. We always appreciate the opportunity to speak with anyone in need and offer support in any way we can.
 


For many years, money has been collected for our shul's Employee Holiday Fund. Our employees have faithfully continued to work and adapt in spite of these challenging times.

Please join fellow congregants and send a check, payable to Ahavath Achim Synagogue, to 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 by Monday, December 11. Please designate the check for the Employee Holiday Fund in the memo line. Thank you for your participation in showing our valued AA employees how much they are appreciated.


The Pinch Hitter Program is back after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19! 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 this year. 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).

Sign Up


It's time to order your 2024 Mah Jongg card(s)! To order, please email Barbara Nathan (bnathan@tbginc.net) with a list of names, e-mail addresses, and home addresses of all recipients by Friday, February 2, 2024. 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


Build your community. Strengthen your connections. Do Judaism your way. Get $180 to host an event at the place and with the people you choose. You select the date. You set the location. You invite the attendees. You plan the activity. Federation picks up the tab. If you've been looking for an excuse to get together with friends, family, or neighbors, look no further!

When you receive a $180 Gather Grant you can:

  • Host a Shabbat dinner or holiday celebration to meet your Jewish neighbors
  • Teach friends how to make a special recipe from your childhood
  • Plan a picnic with other families who have similar-aged kids
  • Arrange a fun night to reconnect with camp, Birthright, or school friends
  • Buy copies of a Jewish-themed book and host a discussion group
  • Organize a poker night, a nature hike, a volunteer project… whatever and wherever you want!

Any Jewish-identifying individual, couple, friend group, or family in greater Atlanta can apply to receive a $180 Gather Grant.

Learn More


Through our membership with the ADL's (Anti-Defamation League) Kulanu Initiaitve, our AA family is creating an antisemitism task force to partner with other communities across the country to collectively fight hate and antisemitism. Membership on the task force will require a year's commitment and involve participation in ADL virtual meetings and community of practice working sessions. Our congregation will also offer special programs, initiatives, and action steps to raise awareness, call out local and national antisemitic incidents, and build relationships with communities susceptible to antisemitic infiltration. To learn more about or to join the task force, please contact Rabbi Rosenthal (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org).


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 (alanwexler@databankinfo.com; 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 (fschorr@aasynagogue.org; 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.


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


Donate to the Ukraine Emergency Fund of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta

Donate

Tribute donations offer the ability to memorialize or honor friends and family through donations to a variety of designated funds. Tribute donations can be made in honor of B'nai Mitzvah, the birth of a baby, a graduation, a wedding, or other special occasion. Donations in memory of loved ones are a thoughtful and meaningful way to remember those who have passed away. Your donation will be acknowledged with a card to the recipient of this tribute. Please note that Tribute Donations require a minimum contribution of $18.