Kesher is Hebrew for "connection," and connection is at the center of everything we do. Kesher is Ahavath Achim Synagogue's supplementary Jewish education program for children Pre-K through 6th grade.

The Kesher program meshes Jewish holidays and values and children's interests into a child-centered, project-based curriculum. We believe in teaching children to view relationships and interactions with others and the environment through the lens of ten Jewish values (listed below). We create confident and curious Jewish learners in a safe space where they can take risks, question, play, learn, explore, engage, create, make meaning, and love. We foster the child's sense of Jewish self-discovery by providing a nurturing environment where each person can explore and create their own identity.

Mission

The mission of Kesher is to:

Teach each student to be confident and comfortable in Jewish spaces (Shabbat, synagogue, celebrating holidays, and understanding rituals)
Instill each student with Jewish values for his/her own personal growth and identity
Help each student find where he/she fits in to become responsible Jews and stewards of their communities and the world
Provide each student space to explore what being Jewish means to him/her
Help each student find joy in being Jewish
Teach each student to question, problem-solve, and build a just world through hands-on experiences

Values

G'milut Chasadim
Loving kindness is the root of being able to understand others so that we may be able to give and receive through Chesed.

Bitachon
Our safety/trust is the foundation upon which we create community and allow children to try, sometimes failing, and grow.

Areivut:
Responsibility is knowing it is our duty in making our world a better place by taking pride and ownership in our decisions and our actions.

Tikkun
Repair is the ability to self-reflect and make different choices in the future to make the world a better place.

Kavannah
Intention is the way in which we approach the world, with great purpose and thought, and the ability to make meaning and find connections.

Ma'aseh
Understanding that each action we take affects more than just ourselves

Tzedek
Building a just world and helping us define our relationships

Avodah
To engage in the act of service to better our community and our world

Sh'mirah
Preservation of our world and the resources with which we are blessed

Kavod
Human dignity/respect of our community and world we live in by believing that all human-beings are created in the divine image, and so have equal worth

Daily Schedule

Kesher students meet in person from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on Sunday mornings. Students in 2nd–6th grade also meet remotely each week for small-group, focused Hebrew tutoring. Families join for an enriched Shabbat experience each month.

What a typical Sunday morning looks like:

9:30 a.m.: Drop-Off
9:30–9:43 a.m.: Havdallah
10:15–11:00 a.m.: Circle Time/Class Activity/Lesson 
11:00–11:15 a.m.: Hafsuka Snack/Break
11:20–12:00 p.m..: Chug (Elective)
12:05–12:30 p.m.: Tefillah (Prayer)
12:30 p.m.: Dismissal

Midweek Hebrew Groups

Together with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and ShalomLearning (a nationally renowned leader in Jewish Education), we bring you a program that provides top-quality teachers and excellent curriculum and instruction methods.

Families choose a convenient time for learners to meet with peers from the Greater Atlanta area in a small group setting. Teachers, synagogue education directors, and ShalomLearning staff work together to support student progress and maintain community connections.

Classes have 3–5 students
Up to twenty-eight 45-minute online classes
Flexibility and accessibility for families: Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday at 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., or 6:30 p.m.

AHC is included in tuition for students enrolled in Kesher for grades 2–6. Additional information, including choosing your schedule, will be shared closer to the start of the school year.

2024–25 Pricing

Early Registration
Until Sunday, May 5

Member:
- Pre-K–1st Grade: $850
- 2nd–6th Grade: $1290
Non-Member:
- Pre-K–1st Grade: $1250
- 2nd–6th Grade: $1690

Regular Registration
Monday, May 6–Sunday, June 30

Member
- Pre-K–1st Grade: $950
- 2nd–6th Grade: $1390
Non-Member:
- Pre-K–1st Grade: $1350
- 2nd–6th Grade: $1790

Late Registration
Monday, July 1–Saturday, August 17

Member
- Pre-K–1st Grade: $1050
- 2nd–6th Grade: $1490
Non-Member
- Pre-K–1st Grade: $1450
- 2nd–6th Grade: $1890

Sibling Discounts:

Enrolling two children: -$50
Enrolling three children: -$150
Enrolling four children: free tuition for fourth child

If child(ren) enter(s) program after it begins, cost will be prorated.

Nesiah, Hebrew for "journey," is Ahavath Achim Synagogue's on-the-move program for 7th through 9th-grade students. Nesiah runs on a triennial curriculum, each year exploring a defining era in Jewish history and culminating with a memorable trip. The curriculum is uniquely designed to the needs of day school students and public-school students alike. As students gain a greater understanding of our shared Jewish history, they also learn more about their own identities and their families' stories.

Daily Schedule

Nesiah students meet in person from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. on the following Sundays: August 20, August 27, September 10, September 24, October 15, October 29, November 5, November 12, December 3, January 7, January 21, February 4, February 11, March 3, March 17, April 14, April 21, and May 5. From 11:30–12:30 p.m., participants will be teachers-in-training with Kesher.

2023–24 Course

The course for 2022–23, "How Did We Get Here?," explored Jewish immigration to America and Jewish life in the South. Experiences included field trips to Oakland Cemetery, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, The Breman Museum, and more.

The course for 2023–24 is "How Do We Use Gelt?: Saving, Investing, and Giving," and it will explore Jewish values of tzedakah (philanthropy), tikkun olam (healing the world), and avodah (service) through a uniquely designed Giving Circle Program. The year will begin by delving into the history of Jews and money followed by sessions on how we can make change with our money today. Students will have the opportunity to raise their own money, hear from non-profits firsthand, and make decisions about how to invest money into their own community.

A Giving Circle is a group of individuals who come together, combine charitable donations from all members, and collectively make decisions about how to allocate their money. Students will design their own application and learn about seven Jewish philanthropic values that will guide their decision-making process towards which non-profits they will select through the application process. Experiences will include exposure to banks and a variety of non-profit organizations, with a service-learning trip in the spring.

Service Learning Trip

Last year's 2022–23 course, "How Did We Get Here?," concluded with a memorable service learning trip to New York City where students visited Ellis Island, the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS), the Tenement Museum, and saw a show on Broadway.

This year's 2023–24 course will culminate in a service-learning trip to Charleston, SC from June 2–5. We will learn first-hand how Jewish philanthropist helped to create the city. We will visit KKBE and the adjacent cemetery, meet with a philanthropist, volunteer at the Jewish Camp, get to know a little bit about the Jewish Federation, and take a Jewish walking tour of the city. (Activities subject to change).

2024–25 Pricing

Early Registration
Until Sunday, May 5

Member: $1400
Non-Member: $1800

Regular Registration
Monday, May 6–Sunday, June 30

Member: $1450
Non-Member: $1850

Late Registration
Monday, July 1–Saturday, August 17

Member: $1550
Non-Member: $1950

Sibling Discounts:

Enrolling two teens: -$50
Enrolling three teens: -$150
Enrolling four teens: free tuition for fourth teen

If child(ren) enter(s) program after it begins, cost will be prorated.

Annsley Klehr
Interim Director of Education
aklehr@aasynagogue.org
404.603.5754

Abigail Graff
Kesher Floater and Madrichim Advisor

Anna Guverich
Kesher Floating Madricha

Michael Levine
Technology and Documentary Specialist

Kendall McMahan-Kitchens
Kesher Song Leader and Community Builder

Avram Eli (A.E.) Rosenthal
Kesher Song Leader Madrich

Samantha (Sami) Adane
Kesher Gan (Pre-K–K) Teacher

Ilana Klopper
Kesher Gan (Pre-K–K) Madricha

Mica Kelmachter
Kesher Ozrim (1st–2nd Grade) Teacher

Amelia Adler
Kesher Ozrim (1st–2nd Grade) Madricha

Sela Sokol
Kesher Cosmin (3rd–4th Grade) Madricha

Harli Gottesman
Kesher Menches (5th–6th Grade) Teacher

Emmy Hanna
Kesher Menches (5th–6th Grade) Madricha

Lisa Vitello
Nesiah (7th–9th Grade) Teacher

Layla Klehr
Nesiah (7th–9th Grade) Madricha

"Kesher is my favorite school!"

"It just clicked when I first came... I made a lot of new friends at Kesher!"

"I get to to see my friends, learn a new language, and learn about my ancestors."

Kesher

Religious School
3 Yrs–6th Grade

Click Here

Nesiah

Teen Program
7th–9th Grade

Click Here

Chai Youth

Youth Group
K–12th Grade

Click Here

Kol Nidre—Friday, October 11
5–5:30 p.m.	Family Kol Nidre Service (up to 10 years old)	In-Person: Tent
5:30 p.m.	Vegan Kapparot	In-Person: Breezeway
6–6:15 p.m.	Mincha	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Zoom Join YouTube
6:15–7:00 p.m.	Kol Nidre Service Candle Lighting: 6:49 p.m.
7–9:00 p.m.	Ma’ariv Service
Yom Kippur—Saturday, October 12
7:45–10:00 a.m.	Childcare (6 months–6th grade)	Check-In at Ahava
8:00 a.m.–2:15 p.m.	Sanctuary and Yizkor Services The Yizkor service will begin around 1:00 p.m.	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Zoom Join YouTube
10:00 a.m.–2:15 p.m.	Child/Teen Programming (6 months–12th grade)	Check-In at Ahava Registration from 10–10:15 a.m.
10:15–10:50 a.m. 10:15–10:50 a.m. 10:15–10:50 a.m. 10:55–11:30 a.m. 10:55–11:30 a.m. 10:55–11:30 a.m.	Family Services: Pre-K–2nd Grade: Family Service 3rd–7th Grade: Audience Performance 8th–12th Grade: Speaker and Drum Circle Pre-K–2nd Grade: Audience Performance 3rd–7th Grade: Family Service 8th–12th Grade: Speaker and Drum Circle	In-Person: Tent In-Person: Paradies Hall In-Person: Library In-Person: Paradies Hall In-Person: Tent In-Person: Library
10–11:00 a.m.	Torah Study (Led by Dr. Douglas Ander)	In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom Join Zoom
2–3:00 p.m.	Beit Midrash Study Hall: (Re)Engaging Differing Faith and Ethnic Communities After 10/7 Join Anat Sultan-Dadon (the Consul General of Israel to the Southeast), Victoria Raggs (Executive Director, AJOCC Atlanta Jews of Color Council), and Samuel Halpern (Senior Associate, Advocacy and Programming, AJC Atlanta/Southeast American Jewish Committee) for an important conversation moderated by Judy Marx (Operations Manager, Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta and Consultant to Interfaith Organizations), exploring the challenges that Jewish communities have had engaging with the non-Jewish world since October 7, how we might reengage and the new opportunities that have emerged.	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom Join Zoom
3–6:00 p.m.	Yom Kippur Chant and Drum Circle Join us for our annual tradition of spending the last few hours before the afternoon service of Yom Kippur together singing, chanting, drumming, and meditating to original and familiar High Holiday melodies. Come and go; bring your hand drum if you’d like to play along; feel free to bring a yoga mat, cushion, or blanket to experience this special time. Led by Rabbi Michael Rothbaum, Bonnie and Michael Levine, and friends.	In-Person: Paradies Hall
5:15 p.m.	Mincha Reading of the Book of Jonah	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom Join Zoom
6:15 p.m.	Neilah Service
7:32 p.m.	Ma’ariv/Havdallah/Final Shofar Blast Service
7:45 p.m.	Break Fast	Gold Doors and Breezeway
*Visit our events calendar for the Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah schedules!*

Time	Paradies Hall	Garden	Ellman Chapel Zoom Link This is the Zoom link for all sessions held in Ellman Chapel	Cavalier Room Zoom Link This is the Zoom link for all sessions held in Cavalier Room	Koplin-Borochoff Library Zoom Link This is the Zoom link for all sessions held in Koplin-Borochoff Library	Basement	Cohn Room
7:00 p.m.	Plenary Session Screening, Dialogue, and Live Performance Featuring “Music in Common” and Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe Join us in kicking off our Tikkun Leil Shavuot program for a powerful opening program by Music in Common! The program will feature a documentary screening, dialogue, and musical performance focused on Music in Common’s Israel-Palestine and interfaith work in the U.S. and Middle East. (7–9:00 p.m.)						Child Play and Sleep Space
9:00 p.m.			Ma’ariv Service	Iliane (Lili) Kshensky Baxter Holocaust/Nonviolence Training/Education Nonviolence is a love-centered way of thinking, speaking, acting and engaging that leads to personal, cultural and societal transformation. It’s both a way of life and a method for social change. This session will serve as a short introduction to this timely subject with emphasis on the teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. Study Sheet (9–9:50 p.m.)
9:30 p.m.			Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe When You Study Talmud, is it a Song? Deep in the pages of Talmud, we find an ancient adage: “”When you study Talmud, is it a song?”” Are the pages like lyrics that we do not quite understand? Do the words move us, or invite us to join in? Together, we will read sugyot (passages) that explore these questions to deepen our relationship to this foundational work of story-telling, legal debate, and perhaps, of song. (9:30–10:00 a.m.)		Rebekka Goldsmith and Gayanne Geurin (In-Person Only) The Secret of Many Voices—B’sod Kolot Congregation Bet Haverim’s current and former Music Directors Rebekka Goldsmith and Gayanne Geurin are teaming up to facilitate an exploratory music session as a way in to unravel some of the mystery of receiving and revelation that are Shavuot’s core mystical elements.Rebekka and Gayanne will work with a structure called, “Circle Singing” to guide participants to create a singing and sound experience that reveals itself moment to moment. You are welcome to sing with us or lay down and listen. All Voices Welcome. No prior experience necessary. (9:30–11:00 a.m.)
10:00 p.m.	Chevruta (Partner)/Self-Paced Study Space Check out independent, partner, and group study materials along with coffee and snacks in Paradies Hall.			Rabbi Chaim Listfield God’s Rain and God’s Reign Deuteronomy 32 is written in symbolic poetry and it needs interpretation. As an example, at the start of the chapter we read: “”May my discourse come down as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, Like showers on young growth, Like droplets on the grass.”” Rabbi Listfield will explain what the rain means in that verse, and he’ll explain other metaphors in that poetic chapter of Scripture. His goal is to show us how it all fits with the reign of the Almighty. If you like Biblical poetry you might want to come learn why God is compared to an eagle and how we Jews are being protected in our cozy little nest. (10–10:50 p.m.)
10:30 p.m.			Lyra Hudson Sight Singing In an hour, learn how to look at a line of music and sing it through without accompaniment! (10:45–11:45 p.m.) Audrey Galex Turtle Rocks What Jewish values are embedded in a children’s book about turtles trying to get to a lake to sun themselves on a log? Join author Audrey Galex, whose book Turtle Rocks also invites you to explore your life’s journey. Study Sheet (11–11:50 p.m.)
11:00 p.m.				Rabbi Neil Sandler Kol Ha’olam Kulo: Teachings from Rebbe Nachman of Breslov Kol HaOlam Kulo Gesher Tzar Me’od—You’ve probably sung the song. Now, come learn about this statement that Rabbi Nachman coined many years ago. What does it say about Reb Nachman’s God and his worldview? Most importantly, as we celebrate this Torah – centered holiday of Shavuot, does this statement provide us with direction? Come discuss and learn. Study Sheet (11–11:50 p.m.)
12:00 a.m.		Midnight Kiddush Levana Music with Bonnie and Michael Levine At midnight, we will come together in the garden courtyard to participate in a brief musical Kiddush Levana service. “Kiddush Levana” means “sanctifying the moon” and is a traditional ritual including blessings, greetings, and movement, performed monthly during the week following Rosh Chodesh (the new moon/new month in the Jewish calendar). Bonnie and Michael Levine will lead this musical experience, accompanied by Randy Crohn on percussion, followed by casual singing and dancing in the moonlight. Song Sheet (12–1:00 a.m.)
12:30 a.m.	Cheesecake Eating cheesecake is a highlight of Shavuot tradition—we’ll bring it out into Paradies after we celebrate the moon. (12:30–1:00 a.m.)
1:00 a.m.	Chevruta (Partner)/Self-Paced Study Space Check out independent, partner, and group study materials along with coffee and snacks in Paradies Hall.		Scott Glazer Abraham Idelsohn’s Musicological Research into Ashkenazic Music” An Exploration including Musical Examples Abraham Zvi Idelsohn (1882–1938) remains a premier musicologist of Jewish music and liturgical practice. We’ll take a look at Idelsohn’s history, early influences, his work and the importance of it in Jewish musicology. (1–1:50 a.m.)	Dave Schechter What Makes the News Jewish? What role does Jewish news media play relative to secular? What happens when the news about Jews is not good? What responsibility does Jewish news media have to the communities they cover? (1–1:50 a.m.)		Sleep Space
2:00 a.m.			Jordan Forman Name that Tune: Nusach and Trope Why does Torah reading sound the way it does? What about Haftorah? and of cource, our various services throught the year. Come learn the meaning of trope and nusach, the reasoning behind the various modes and who who knows, maybe we’ll even sing a little bit. (2–2:50 a.m.)	Michael Miller Song of the Ark During the Torah service, as we take out, and then return, the Sefer Torah, we read two verses from Numbers, referred to by some as the Song of the Ark. Our sages also argue that these two verses make up their own book of the Torah. We will learn about and discuss all of this with a musical interlude of the singing of the Song of the Ark (on YouTube, not to worry, no singing required of participants). Study Sheet (2–2:50 a.m.)
3:00 a.m.			Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal Traditional Shabbat Song with Serious Mystical Underpinnings A staple of the regular Shabbat Morning prayer service, El Adon presents an incredible Mystical image of God which most people aren’t contemplating as they singing this by rote. Join Rabbi Rosenthal for a deep dive into the spiritually rich description and illusions that this prayer evokes and how it is tied to many other sacred texts from our tradition. (3–3:50 a.m.)
4:00 a.m.			Rabbi Mike Rothbaum Sinai on Broadway: Sondheim and More Explore the connections between the themes of Jewish tradition and the works of Stephen Sondheim and other Broadway greats. Rabbi Rothbaum will lead an engaging session that brings together the magic of Broadway with the depth of Jewish spirituality and storytelling. (4–4:50 a.m.)
5:00 a.m.
5:30 a.m.		Sunrise Shacharit Service Zoom Sing Hallel (with the birds as the sun rises and the birds sing). (5:30–9:00 a.m.) Zoom Link label
6:00 a.m.
8:00 a.m.		Morning Stretching, Yoga, and Mindfulness (In-Person Only) Join CBH’s Rebecca Leary Safon for 30 minutes of stretching, yoga, and mindfulness. (8:10–8:40 a.m.) Mindful Moments Following our yoga session, we will all join together as part of CBH’s daily virtual minyan for 30 minutes of mindfulness, chant, and prayer. (8:45–9:15 a.m.) Zoom Link label
8:30 a.m.	Breakfast
9:00 a.m.	Linda Lippitt The Story of Zipporah Over breakfast, join Dr. Linda Lippitt in a fascinating exploration into the life of Moshe’s wife Zipporah. (9–9:50 a.m.)
9:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.

Selichot—Saturday, September 9
7:15 p.m	Mincha/Ma’ariv/Havdallah Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom Join Zoom
8:30–10 p.m.	Selichot with Shearith Israel	In-Person: Shearith Israel Register
Sunday, September 10
10:00 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery 1:30 p.m. at Arlington Memorial Park	High Holiday Cemetery Memorial Services	In-Person: Greenwood Cemetery and Arlington Memorial Park
2–4:00 p.m.	Reverse Tashlich	In-Person: Peachtree Creek Greenway Register by 9/7
Erev Rosh Hashanah—Friday, September 15
7:15–8:45 a.m.	Morning Minyan	Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
6:00 p.m.	Mincha/Ma’ariv Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
7:26 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah Day 1—Saturday, September 16
8–9:30 a.m.	Coffee and Breakfast Oneg	In-Person: Breezeway
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Rosh Hashanah Morning Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Family Service	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Michael Miller “Finding our Personal Prayer in the High Holiday Liturgy”: Prayer is a central element of the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah, and then especially during the Yamim Noraim. We are all familiar with the prayers in our liturgy, but what about personal prayers, prayers for which we do not have a template or formula? The Torah and Haftarah readings for today provide three different models of personal prayer which we will examine, discuss, and contrast. Source Sheet	In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.	Apple Tasting We will hold an Apple Tasting where there will be multiple tables, each labeled with two varieties of apples. Adults and children can vote for their favorites in each category!	In-Person: Lobby
10:30 a.m.–End of RH Service	Children’s Programming	In-Person: Check-In at Cavalier Room
12:30–1:15 p.m.	Oneg and Light Kiddush	In-Person: Srochi Auditorium
1:15–1:45 p.m.	Mincha Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YoutTube
7:45–8:15 p.m.	Ma’ariv Service	Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
8:08 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah Day 2—Sunday, September 17
8–9:30 a.m.	Coffee and Breakfast Oneg	In-Person: Breezeway
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Rosh Hashanah Morning Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YoutTube
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal “Crowning God: An Exploration into Divine Coronation:” An important theme of the High Holidays is the crowning of God as sovereign, where God takes a seat on the divine throne. Join Rabbi Rosenthal on the second day of Rosh Hashanah as we will explore one of the reoccurring prayers of this High holiday season – L’El Orekh Din Source Sheet	Hybrid: Paradies Hall and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
10:15 a.m.–End of RH Service	Children’s Programming	In-Person: Check-In at Cavalier Room
12:30 p.m.	Tashlich	In-Person: Meet at the Outdoor Tent where we will walk to the corner of Peachtree Battle Ave NW and Woodward Way
7:30 p.m.	Mincha Ma’ariv Service	Virtual: Zoom Join Zoom
8:07 p.m.	Havdallah
Kol Nidre—Sunday, September 24
5–5:30 pm	Family Kol Nidre Service	In-Person: Breezeway Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
5:30 p.m.	Vegan Kapparot Yom Kippur challenges us to cleanse our souls from missteps over the past year. Our tradition seeks to imbue the ethereal nature of our good and evil, right a wrong into an object that can be consumed, cast out, or flung away. Kapparot seeks to take that which is weighing us down and swing it over our heads, casting it far away from us. We have reclaimed this medieval ritual for our modern spiritual life, replacing the killing of a chicken with the righteous act of tzedakah. Join Rabbi Rosenthal in the garden as we recite our prayers, imbue a bag of money with our regrets for the past year, and swing it over our heads, thereby turning our shortcomings into acts of loving kindness to help others. The Joseph family chicken will be on site… for petting only.	In-Person: Garden
6:10 p.m.	Mincha Service	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
6:30 p.m.	Kol Nidre Service
7:00 p.m.	Ma’ariv Service
7:13 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Yom Kippur—Monday, September 25
8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.	Yom Kippur Morning Service Yizkor Service begins around 12:30 p.m.	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Yom Kippur Family Service	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Judy Marx “G’mar Hatimah Tova—Getting the Seal of Approval”: Getting sealed in the The Book of Life is one of the most powerful images of the High Holy Days. Our High Holiday Mahzor is filled with references to books we should be sealed into: Life, Redemption, Sustenance, Merit, and Forgiveness (see Avinu Malkeinu). What are we really asking for when we pray to be sealed into these “books?” Does it imply that after Yom Kippur the fate of everyone is sealed for the rest of the year? We will look at texts and liturgy to better understand this image as one of the motivators for repentance. Source Sheet	In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
10:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.	Children’s Programming	In-Person: Check-In at Cavalier Room
1:30–3:00 p.m.	Beit Midrash (Study Hall) Led by Dr. Andy Zangwill “Yom Kippur in Hell” is the title of the last short story written by the celebrated Yiddish writer Isaac Peretz. Andrew Zangwill will read the story aloud and lead a discussion of its themes. The text will be supplied so attendees (real and virtual) can read along. Source Sheet	In-Person: Ellman Chapel Virtual: Zoom Join Via Zoom
3–5:15 p.m.	Drum Circle with SunMoonPie	In-Person: Paradies Hall
5:15 p.m.	Mincha Service Reading of the Book of Jonah	In-Person: Sanctuary Virtual: Zoom and YouTube Join Via Zoom Watch on YouTube
6:30 p.m.	Neilah Service
7:41 p.m.	Ma’ariv and Final Shofar Blast
7:55 p.m.	Havdallah

Selichot – Saturday, September 17
7:15 p.m	Mincha/Ma’ariv/Havdallah Service	Hybrid: Ellman Chapel and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
8:10 p.m.	Selichot Service	Hybrid: Ellman Chapel and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
Erev Rosh Hashanah – Sunday, September 25
9–10:30 a.m.	Morning Minyan	Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
6:00 p.m.	Mincha/Ma’ariv Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
7:12 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah Day 1 – Monday, September 26
8–9:00 a.m.	Coffee and Schmooze Co-sponsored by Sisterhood	In-Person: Garden
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Rosh Hashanah Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
9–10:00 a.m.	Family Service	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Dr. Andrew Zangwill “Happy Birthday World!”: After each Rosh Hashanah shofar blast, we chant a short poem which begins “hayom harat olam,” a phrase often translated as “today the world was born.”  This session examines this (and other) translations of ”hayom harat olam”  and teases out their meaning for us today. Andy Zangwill is a native of Pittsburgh and is somehow related to the British Zionist Israel Zangwill. He has taught physics at Georgia Tech since 1985 and has helped administer the AA Torah Study since 2000.	Hybrid: Cavalier Room and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
10:00 a.m.–End of RH Service	Children’s Programming (0–5th Grade)	In-Person: Check-In at Ahava ELC
12:30–1:00 p.m.	Oneg and Light Kiddush	In-Person: Garden
6–7:00 p.m.	Mincha/Ma’ariv Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
7:54 p.m.	Candle Lighting
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 – Tuesday, September 27
8–9:00 a.m.	Coffee and Schmooze	In-Person: Garden
8:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Rosh Hashanah Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
9:00 a.m.–End of RH Service	Children’s Programming (0–5th Grade)	In-Person: Check-In at Ahava ELC
9:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Dr. Paul Feldman “From Yom Teruah to Rosh Hashanah – A Rabbinic Journey”: The torah instructs us that, on the first day of the seventh month, there should be “teruah.” From that, it becomes a New Year where, hopefully, our Father, our King, inscribes us in the book of life. Let’s explore the rabbinic mindset that defines us as Jews. Paul Feldman has attended AA’s Shabbat Torah Study religiously for over 20 years. His interests include the historical aspects of Tanakh and the intellectual history of b’nai Yisrael through the ages.	Hybrid: Paradies Hall and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
12:30 p.m.	Tashlich	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
7:30 p.m.	Mincha/Ma’ariv/Havdallah Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
Aseret Y’mei Teshuva (Ten Days of Repentance) – Sunday, October 2
9–10:30 a.m.	Morning Minyan	Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.	Family Taslich and Picnic with Shofar Blowing	In-Person: Morgan Falls Overlook Park
2–4:00 p.m.	Reverse Tashlich	In-Person: Peachtree Creek Greenway Register
6–7:00 p.m.	Evening Minyan	Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
Kol Nidre – Tuesday, October 4
5–5:30 pm	Family Service	Hybrid: Breezeway and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
5:30–6:15 p.m.	Vegan Kapparot Yom Kippur challenges us to cleanse our souls from missteps over the past year. Our tradition seeks to imbue the ethereal nature of our good and evil, right a wrong into an object that can be consumed, cast out, or flung away. Kapparot seeks to take that which is weighing us down and swing it over our heads, casting it far away from us. We have reclaimed this medieval ritual for our modern spiritual life, replacing the killing of a chicken with the righteous act of tzedakah. Join Rabbi Rosenthal in the garden as we will recite our prayers, imbue a bag of money with our regrets for the past year, and swing it over our heads, thereby turning our shortcomings into acts of loving kindness to help others. Farmer Joe and his chicken will be on site… for petting only.	In-Person: Garden
6:10 p.m.	Mincha Service	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
6:30 p.m.	Kol Nidre Service
7:00 p.m.	Ma’ariv Service
Yom Kippur – Wednesday, October 5
8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.	Yom Kippur and Yizkor Services Yizkor Service begins around 12:30 p.m. 5783 Yizkor Book Supplement	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
9–10:00 a.m.	Family Service	In-Person: Outdoor Tent
9:30–10:30 a.m.	Torah Study Led by Judy Marx “Everything Old is New Again”: This session explores how understanding our history through Yom Kippur’s Torah reading and liturgy lead us to repentance and forgiveness. Judy Marx is a long-time Jewish community professional. She was the Atlanta Director of the American Jewish Committee for twelve years and is currently with the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta. In her free time she consults with interfaith organizations and prepares for Torah Study at AA.	Hybrid: Cavalier Room and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
10:00 a.m.–End of YK Service	Children’s Programming (0–5th Grade)	In-Person: Check-In at Ahava ELC
2:30–4:00 p.m.	Beit Midrash (Study Hall) Led by Dr. Dennis Gilbride “The Golden Calf, Consuming Fire, Atonement, and Forgiveness”: This session focuses on two relatively well known, but under-studied stories in the Torah: the Golden Calf and the death of Aaron’s sons, Nadav and Avihu.  By exploring midrashim and ideas that tie these two episodes together, we will provide an interesting and provocative understanding of the Jewish approach to atonement, forgiveness, and connection to G-d. Dennis Gilbride has been a professor for 32 years, first at Syracuse University and, for the last ten years, at Georgia State University in its Department of Counseling and Psychological Services. He began his career at Drake University in Des Moines Iowa where he and his family were congregants of Neil Sandler, AA’s Rabbi Emeritus.	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
4–6:30 p.m.	Chanting with SunMoonPie	Hybrid: Paradies Hall and Virtual (Zoom) Join Zoom
5:30 p.m.	Mincha Service Reading of the Book of Jonah	Hybrid: Srochi Auditorium and Virtual (Zoom and Live Stream) Join Zoom
6:30 p.m.	Neilah Service
7:41 p.m.	Ma’ariv/Havdallah and Final Shofar Blast

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Liliane Kshensky Baxter

Jordan Forman

Audrey Galex

Gayanne Geurin

Scott Glazer

Rebekka Goldsmith

Lyra Hudson

Rebecca Leary

Bonnie and Michael Levine

Linda Lippitt, M.D.

Rabbi Chaim Listfield

Michael Miller

Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

Rabbi Michael Rothbaum

Rabbi Neil Sandler

Dave Schecter

Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe

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