The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta had strong delegation participation in last week’s Jewish Federation of North America (JFNA) Financial Resource Development Mission in Berlin and Israel. Participants included 2025 Community Campaign Chair, Stacey Fisher, Board Chair, Beth Arogeti, Board Vice-Chair, Debbie Kuniansky, 2027 Community Campaign Chair, Carolyn Oppenheimer, and Marsha Hurwitz, Senior VP for Campaign & Major Gifts.
“Atlanta had the largest delegation from one community from across North America – underscoring our love and commitment to ATL, Israel and world Jewry,” shared Marsha.
The group explored significant historical sites, such as The Platform 17 Memorial at Grunewald Station, to commemorate the thousands of Jews who were deported from Berlin on Deutsche Reichsbahn trains.
“We have seen with our own eyes and felt with our own hearts the strength and resilience of the Jewish people throughout history,“ said Beth Arogeti, Federation Board Chair. “Working together, our collective good deeds will ensure thriving Jewish communities around the world for generations to come.”
In Israel, they visited sights in the south that were brutally attacked on October 7 including Kibbutz Nir Oz and the site of the Nova music festival. They saw firsthand the devastation and heard heartbreaking tales from that day from those whose family members were murdered or kidnapped.
“The ripple effects from this tragedy run far and deep, and the conflict is still quite active in Northern Israel as well. The help dispatched from Israeli organizations was immediate and only possible because of the building blocks the Federation has been investing in for decades,” said 2025 Community Campaign Chair, Stacey Fisher. “It is clear that through our philanthropy in the Israel Emergency fund and annual campaign, Jewish Atlanta is part of the rebuilding and hope both in Berlin and Israel. I have never been prouder to serve and express our community’s care and commitment to Israel and the Jewish people.”
“Our trip to Berlin and Israel was filled with horror and hope. We witnessed the atrocities of October 7 and visited memorials of the murdered Jews of Germany. Yet we saw the programs and progress that has been made to help resettle Jews that escaped from the Ukraine. Both in Israel and in Germany, we provide housing, therapy, and ongoing programs to help the Jews continue to live and thrive in this uncertain time,” said 2027 Community Campaign Chair, Carolyn Oppenheimer. “In every instance, it was because of the money we raise that we have the infrastructure in place around the world to act, respond, and meet the needs of our people. If we don’t stand up for our people, no one else will.”
Board Vice Chair, Debbie Kuniansky said, “It was difficult and necessary to bear witness to the savage attacks on people of all ages, children and elderly, men and women, and people who were raped, murdered, and kidnapped on October 7. I’ve been to Israel several times in the last 10 years, and this time was profoundly different,” said Debbie. “I didn’t feel like a tourist or an American Jew visiting the Holy Land. I felt a deeper connection to my brothers and sisters in need and to my own feelings around being a proud Zionist. I felt the weight of the fight for the right to exist. I am more committed and devoted than ever to our Federation’s work to protect and enhance the well-being of Jews worldwide and a continuing deep support for the people and the state of Israel.”
“We are so grateful for the collective generosity of our ATL Jewish community – together, we are rebuilding lives to ensure AM YISROEL CHAI!” said Marsha.
Hundreds of people from around the world just returned home after the 2024 Ride For the Living event, which took place from June 26th to June 30th, including Atlanta’s 12-person team.
It was a memorable four-day experience where participants immersed themselves in Krakow’s Jewish past, present, and future while raising money to support the resurgence of Jewish life in Poland.
Starting with a private guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau, a tour of Krakow and Poland’s largest annual Shabbat dinner, and culminating with a one-day, 60-mile bike ride from Auschwitz-Birkenau to JCC Krakow, attendees said it was a trip to remember.
“There was a memorial service led by a rabbi from Israel at the site of the destroyed crematorium number two, which was such a poignant moment,” said Robin Sysler, Federation’s Journeys Consultant. “We recited prayers and sang Jewish songs, honoring those who perished.”
Friday the 28th was the 60-mile Ride for the Living, which started from the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This ride symbolized the journey from darkness to light as they cycled back to the JCC in Krakow, a hub for rebuilding Jewish life and providing humanitarian aid, especially to Ukrainian refugees.
“This was one of the most moving and inspiring Jewish experiences we have had abroad,” said Tamar and Mark Stern, the Atlanta Ride For the Living co-chairs. “Prior to going, we anticipated a very somber and sad experience. This was certainly true during our visit to Auschwitz, but this darkness was quickly overcome by light as we, along with 200 other Jews and non-Jews, cycled from Auschwitz to Krakow last Friday. The countryside was gorgeous, and we were emboldened as Jews, all wearing Jewish stars on our jerseys, as we pedaled toward the city.”
The JCC in Krakow is a beacon of hope, supporting Holocaust survivors and fostering a resurgence of Jewish life in a city once devastated by the Holocaust. It also serves as a vital center for Ukrainian refugees, offering food, housing, and mental health services. The ride itself was a testament to resilience and hope, retracing part of the route along with Marcel, a Holocaust survivor, from Auschwitz to his home. It was challenging yet deeply meaningful, symbolizing the journey of survival and renewal.
Fundraising was a significant aspect of the event, with the goal of raising $1 million for the JCC. Thanks to the incredible generosity of many supporters, they have almost reached that goal and are still accepting donations.
“The Ride for the Living is not only a commemoration of the past but also a celebration of life and a commitment to rebuilding and supporting communities,” Robin added. “It was a privilege to participate in this event with my family and community, and getting to witness the strength and unity of people from diverse backgrounds coming together for a common cause.”
Federation’s transition to the Young Leadership Division (YLD), formerly known as NextGen, signifies a renewed focus on engaging young Jewish professionals (ages 22-40) in Atlanta. This change goes beyond just a new name; it represents a deepened commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive community.
YLD provides a one-stop shop for involvement in Jewish Atlanta, catering to diverse interests through their four core pillars: Lead, Live, Serve, and Give. There are opportunities to take on leadership roles, make new friends, volunteer, engage in philanthropy, or travel to international Jewish communities.
Federation’s YLD is working toward emphasizing programs that build personal leadership and provide a holistic view of the Jewish Atlanta landscape, while simultaneously enabling people to build their own community. YLD aims to empower young professionals to step up as leaders today, not just in the future. No matter the desired form of Jewish engagement, YLD is the place to be.
“We attract such a diverse group of individuals who participate in our programs. Whether it’s a Shabbat dinner, networking, the Yom Ha’atzmaut party, or an educational series, they all have different themes, and, as a result, attract different people,” said Becca Langfelder, YLD Director. “You can walk into a room and meet people local to Atlanta or those who just moved here. Some come with friends or by themselves, some are married, and some are single and looking for a partner. You’re going to meet a variety of ages and stages of life and find there is going to be someone for you to meet and build your community with.”
In a city as vast as Atlanta, YLD offers a space for both newcomers and natives to find their people and create lasting connections. YLD’s diverse programs ensure that everyone can find a place where they belong, fostering a sense of community and support amid rising challenges. YLD is also a part of Federation’s new giving bundle, Everyday Jewish Thriving (more information coming on this soon!), which highlights the community’s investment in YLD and its positioning as a Federation priority in 2025.
Looking to get involved? The YLD team would love to connect! Please email Becca Langfelder, Director of YLD, at rlangfelder@jewishatlanta.org or Lillia Terkel, Young Adult Engagement Associate, at lterkel@jewishatlanta.org.
At a recent Saturday morning Shabbat service at URJ Camp Coleman, Nina Leff, a camp counselor and BBYO teen leader in Atlanta, spoke about the impact that Shinshinim have on the Atlanta community.
“This year has been incredibly meaningful for me with the presence of the Shinshinim in Atlanta,” Nina said during her speech. “Working closely with them in BBYO to bridge Jewish teens in our community with their peers in Israel has not only resulted in deep, lasting friendships but has also ignited a personal passion for Israeli culture within me.”
Federation and the Jewish Agency for Israel bring Israel and Jewish Atlanta together with the Shinshinim program. Shinshinim are recent Israeli high school graduates taking a gap year before their military service. We currently host 8 of these incredible teens here in Atlanta.
All of our Schoenbaum Shinshinim work at regional Jewish overnight camps as a culmination of their year in Atlanta. They are able to further the relationships they’ve developed with their peers like Nina, students, and host siblings. For the first time in Atlanta, all of our local BBYO chapters collaborated with the Shinshinim to host meaningful and engaging Israel programming.
“Their leadership has been instrumental in improving our BBYO region, introducing innovative programs that have fostered participation and strengthened our ties to Jewish traditions globally,” Nina said.
They all agreed that this program and their connections helped them recognize the importance of shared Jewish destiny and the personal significance of Israel as a homeland.
“Through their guidance, we have experienced a renewed sense of community where diversity is embraced and our shared Jewish heritage is celebrated. Their genuine warmth and openness have allowed for an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and connected,” added Nina. “As we approach the end of their time here in America, I am filled with gratitude for the impact they have had on us. The friendships we’ve formed and the knowledge we’ve gained about Israeli customs and daily life will continue to inspire us long after they return to Israel.”
This experience also highlighted the unique blend of secular and religious practices that enrich the identities of the Shinshinim and the communities they serve. Nina underscored the deep bonds formed through shared cultural and religious experiences, particularly in the wake of significant events like October 7.
“Their legacy will undoubtedly shape our community’s ongoing commitment to creating meaningful connections and cultural exchanges that strengthen our global Jewish family,” Nina said.
The year-long experience fostered a stronger sense of community and connection, both in the U.S. and Israel, illustrating the transformative power of cultural and religious exchange.
To learn more about bringing the Shinshinim program into your home, school, or organization, please reach out to Jenn Handel at JHandel@jewishatlanta.org.
On Friday, June 28th, Congregation Ner Tamid in Marietta invited Bryan Underwood, Deputy Community Security Director for Jewish Federation/Secure Community Network, to their Shabbat service.
Afterward, they presented him with a certificate of appreciation and honored him for his unwavering dedication to keeping their community safe.
“It was really sweet, and it was certainly very much appreciated,” said Bryan Underwood, Deputy Community Security Director. “I actually have never been to a Jewish worship service, and I found it to be very educational and inspiring. It was really moving.”
“Over his two-year tenure, Bryan consistently communicated with CNT leadership, kept us informed of various updates, provided essential safety training, conducted security assessments, and consulted on our FEMA NSGP application, among many other significant contributions,” Congregation Ner Tamid wrote in a recent newsletter.
Bryan gave a few remarks after receiving his certificate. “I made sure they knew that my efforts for them were only possible because of the Federation and the Secure Community Network,” Bryan added. “I accepted the certificate on behalf of the Federation and the Secure Community Network.”
As Bryan and his family are relocating for a new career opportunity, his tenure with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta is coming to an end.
“I made sure they knew that there’s a lot of support through both of those entities, and they weren’t going to lose anything just because I was leaving,” Bryan said.
Mazel Tov, Bryan! We will miss you and are so thankful for all you have done for Federation and the entire community.
