Spiritual Leadership

Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

Senior Rabbi

Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal grew up in Los Angeles, graduating from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, eventually earning a Master of Arts degree in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in May 2008. Laurence has played a significant role in the rejuvenation and strengthening of Ahavath Achim synagogue by deepening the spiritual and ritual life of its congregants. Rabbi Rosenthal also engages with the greater Atlanta Jewish community through social justice initiatives and interfaith dialogue. In addition to his duties as senior rabbi, he also served as the president of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association (2019–2021) and is currently Board Chair for Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, inspiring faith-based organizations to take up the cause of environmental stewardship and justice. He continues to hone his skills as a musician, focusing lately on jazz guitar. He has worked hard to develop a yoga practice for health and mindfulness and is currently trying on jogging. His greatest accomplishment is his marriage to Brooke and father to Avram Eli (A.E.), Ariela, Ma'ayan, and Naftali and roommate to a standard poodle named JuJuBe. The Rosenthal family joined the Ahavath Achim family in July 2008.

Rabbi Mike Rothbaum

Interim Associate Rabbi

Rabbi Michael Rothbaum (he/him) has devoted over two decades of work to creating and nurturing vibrant learning communities, teaching the Torah that touches heart, mind, and soul, and continuing the Jewish mission of pursuing justice. Rabbi Mike is a passionate advocate for the idea that every moment is an opportunity to make a Jewish choice.

Ordained at the pluralistic Academy of Jewish Religion in New York (AJR-NY) in 2006, he graduated from the New College of Florida in 1997 with a BA in Public Policy/Economics. After ordination, Rabbi Mike served students at Sarah Lawrence College and Purchase College as Campus Rabbi. He has worked in Jewish communities in New York, the Bay Area, and the Boston area as a youth director, rabbi/educator, and pulpit rabbi, as well as a co-chair of the Bay Area Regional Council of Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice.

Rabbi Mike has spoken and taught widely, addressing groups as varied as Moishe House, Jewish Community Relations Council, and "Nuns on the Bus." He has appeared in front of audiences at the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, Oakland City Council, and the New York State Democratic Party. In 2012, he joined a rabbinic delegation to Ghana, sponsored by American Jewish World Service, and was named a Global Justice Fellow by AJWS in 2018. Rabbi Mike's writing has been featured in The Nation, Forward, Tikkun, Sojourners, Alma, Ha'aretz (and the anthology), and Peace, Justice, and Jews: Reclaiming Our Tradition. His religious-based activism has been covered in numerous national and regional media outlets.

Rabbi Mike lives in the Summerhill section of Atlanta with his husband, internationally acclaimed Yiddish vocalist Anthony Mordechai Tvzi Russell, who kindly tolerates his obsession with fair-trade coffee, Bob Dylan, and manual transmission.

Rabbi Neil Sandler

Rabbi Emeritus/Pastoral Care

Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Neil Sandler served as Senior Rabbi of Ahavath Achim Synagogue from 2004–2019. He remained a member of the congregation's rabbinic staff through June 2021. Upon retirement, Rabbi Sandler was given the honorary title of Rabbi Emeritus. In a period of rabbinic transition, 2023–2024, he returned to active rabbinic service to the congregation. Neil is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. He received a master's degree and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Upon ordination, he completed a Master of Science in Social Work at Columbia University. Today, Rabbi Sandler serves the Fitzgerald Hebrew congregation in south Georgia. He is also a volunteer JF&CS Chaplain to the Jewish community at Emory St. Joe's Hospital. In retirement, Neil regularly participates in tai chi and dabbles in "diamond art." Rabbi Sandler's wife, Susan, now retired,  is a longtime, well-respected social worker with Weinstein Hospice. Susan and Neil are the parents of three children: Ariel (Jamie Freedman), Aliza (Matt Jay), and Joshua (Rachel Diamond). The Sandlers have been blessed with three grandchildren: Remi, Avery, and Bennett… and look forward, God-willing, to welcoming another grandchild in early 2025.

Rabbi Arnold Goodman z"l

Senior Rabbinic Scholar

Rabbi Arnold M. Goodman z"l served as the Senior Rabbi of the Ahavath Achim Synagogue from 1982–2002 and was its Senior Rabbinic Scholar until his passing in 2023. Before his passing, he resided in Jerusalem, where he continued to study and write. Upon his retirement, the Synagogue honored him and his wife, Rae Goodman z"l, by designating its adult education program as Beit Aharon: The Rabbi Arnold and Rae Goodman Learning Institute for adult studies.

MaNishma from Jerusalem – A Weekly Touch of Torah is a collection of many MaNishma interpretations that offer commentary on the weekly Shabbat sidra (Torah portion). It is available at Amazon.com as an ebook.