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.
- lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org
- 404.603.5744
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 title of Rabbi Emeritus. Today, in a period of rabbinic transition, he continues to serve the congregation in several ways. 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, Neil completed a Master of Science degree in Social Work at Columbia University. In retirement, Neil regularly participates in tai chi and dabbles in "diamond art." Rabbi Sandler's wife, Susan, 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.
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.