jewishatl, Author at Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta

jewishatl In Atlanta Jewish Community, People in Need

Pinch Hitters Step in on Christmas Day

There are several stereotypes about what Jews do on Christmas Day—like eat Chinese food or go to the movies. But what about acts of community service? For many Jews, Christmas Day is an opportunity to step up for their friends and neighbors.

B’nai B’rith’s Pinch Hitters do just that. The Pinch Hitters include members of Achim/Gate City Lodge, plus hundreds of other Jewish Atlantans. Every year on Christmas Day, they volunteer at area hospitals and assisted living facilities so non-medical personnel who celebrate Christmas can take the day off to be with family.

Pinch Hitters began in 1980 with just 18 volunteers at one hospital. This year, hundreds of volunteers will spend the day at nine local hospitals and assisted living centers. Over the years, Pinch Hitters has become a tradition for many families. On December 25, 1990, President George H. W. Bush awarded Pinch Hitters the 355th Daily Point of Light Award.

This year’s facilities include Veterans Administration Medical Center, Dunwoody Place, Historic Place of Roswell, William Breman Jewish Home, Solana of East Cobb, Berman Commons, Georgian Lakeside and The Cohen Home. Volunteers work in four-hour shifts, from approximately 7 to 11, 11 to 3, or 3 to 7.

It is invaluable to give back to the hardworking staff of these essential facilities, who do so much for so many. It is incredibly special to walk a mile in their shoes while they enjoy some well-deserved rest time on a holiday that is meaningful for them. The Pinch Hitters program is a real mitzvah.

If you would like to become a Pinch Hitter, visit their website at www.pinchhitters.org. For any questions, call Harry Lutz at 678-485-8179.

jewishatl In Atlanta Jewish Community, Caring

Partner Spotlight: Jewish HomeLife

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Community Campaign is underway. But what happens to the funds that are raised? The answer is, they are granted to our community partners—incredible organizations in Atlanta and across the world that make a difference in people’s lives. One such group that we are proud to support is Jewish HomeLife.

Jewish HomeLife is Jewish Atlanta’s senior care network that supports people at every stage of aging. Their network is comprised of nine residential communities and at-home care services, including The William Breman Jewish Home, The Cohen Home, Berman Commons, the Jewish Tower, Eckstein Home Care, and Weinstein Hospice, to name a few. Founded in 1951, Jewish HomeLife provides independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, private home care, hospice services, and more.

Stephanie Wyatt, Jewish HomeLife’s Chief Development Officer, says “We partner with Federation in many ways. We are privileged to be part of Federation’s core partners and receive annual allocations that directly benefit our residents. A large portion of these community funds help fill the gap between Medicaid reimbursement and the actual cost of care for those residents, which can exceed $45,000 per resident per year.”

She says another major way Federation supports Jewish HomeLife is through our collaboration with Atlanta. AgeWell is a joint project between Jewish Family & Career Services, Jewish HomeLife, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, and Federation. “The community has a one-stop-shop where people can learn about our services, and the other available services for aging people in Atlanta. It’s expanded our reach and helped more people contact us.”

The key to Jewish HomeLife is that its network serves everyone while being guided by Jewish values. Principles like cherishing life, respecting all people, and restorative justice through family are at the core of Jewish HomeLife. For 70 years, they have served the people of Atlanta, no matter their background or ability to pay.

Stephanie says “Federation is a community resource, and we are grateful for their continued support. Not only do they provide needed financial assistance, but they provide professional development and support through programs such as LIFE AND LEGACY®, Jacobson Leadership Institute, as well as other trainings and seminars.”

Jewish HomeLife provides numerous services for people who are recovering from surgery, require dementia care, need help with daily living, or who simply could use a companion. They partner with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide subsidized housing for those who need it, and even have a home care agency, Eckstein Home Care, to help those who need caregiver support or trained companions in their own home

Even if you or a loved one do not currently need the help of Jewish HomeLife, you might someday. Stephanie says that it is vital for people to know what they do, and how to contact them. “Everyone ages,” she says, “and we support people while they do.”

To give to Federation and support the work of Jewish HomeLife, click here.

jewishatl In Atlanta Jewish Community

Chanukah Events Roundup!

The Festival of Lights is almost here, and Jewish Atlanta will be celebrating for eight crazy nights!

On Monday, December 19 at 6 pm, Chabad of Smyrna-Vinings is hosting a Mega Menorah Lighting at The Battery Atlanta! This one-of-a-kind event is for the entire Atlanta Jewish community and is not to be missed. There will be a special appearance of The Braves’ own Blooper, face painting, balloon artists, a DJ, and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). All capped off by the lighting of the Giant Menorah. The event is free and will be at the Green Grass Area. Free parking for 3 hours is available at the Red Parking Garage. No need to RSVP, just stop on by!

Here are a few more events around town if you’re looking for festive fun. To find even more, check the Atlanta Jewish Connector.

Hanukkah in the Park with 18 Doors
Celebrate the first night of the Festival of Lights on December 18 from 4 to 5:30 pm. This event near Grant Park is free to attend and will be fun for the whole family. Bring your loved ones, a menorah, a shamash, a first night candle, and a picnic dinner. 18 Doors and their cosponsors will provide sufganiyot and holiday-themed activities. Click here to read more and register for your spot.

East Cobb and Roswell Community Chanukah Party
Meet at Congregation Etz Chaim Sunday, December 18 from 2 to 4 pm for a drop-in holiday celebration. There will be Chanukah treats and crafts—and snow! A menorah lighting will follow at East Cobb Park at 5 pm. The event is free to attend. Click here to register.

Chanukah Klezmer Festival
Mitzvah House is hosting the Chanukah Klezmer Festival on Sunday, December 18 at 5:30 pm at the Brook Run Park Amphitheater. A live klezmer band, Local 42 from Athens, will underscore a fun night with a gelt drop, holiday crafts, a life-size dreidel, holiday food, and a sundown menorah lighting. Sponsorships are available. Click here to register.

Light up the JCC: Hanukkah Celebration
Rabbi Brian Glusman (Rabbi G) will lead a festive night of music on Tuesday, December 20 beginning at 5 pm at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. Join in on a menorah lighting, holiday activities, a singalong, and crafts, and enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and doughnuts. The event is free and open to the community. Click here to register.

jewishatl In JumpSpark

JumpSpark Events for Parents of Teenagers

Debra Siegel is a mother of two: her son, Zack, is a sophomore in high school, and her daughter, Zoe, is a freshman at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Both of her children attended elementary and middle school at The Epstein School, and then Riverwood International Charter School. Zoe became involved with JumpSpark’s Strong Women Fellowship while she was in high school, and Zack also participates in JumpSpark programs. Before long, Debra learned that JumpSpark isn’t just for teens—it’s for parents, too.

JumpSpark is the Atlanta Jewish teen initiative at Federation and serves as a hub for teen engagement. But JumpSpark also offers programming for parents, families, and guardians of teenagers. Next week, JumpSpark is hosting two events for parents in Atlanta’s Jewish community: an in-person event called “Let’s Talk About Being a Parent of a Jewish College/Gap Year Student,” and an online workshop for parents of pre-teen and teen boys called “Helping Boys Thrive.”

Last spring, Debra participated in a JumpSpark program called “Project Launch” which helped parents of high school seniors with the transition from high school to college or a gap year.

Debra found it hugely helpful to connect with other parents who were approaching the same milestone. Participants were given support and helpful tips as they navigated this emotional time. “There are so many pieces that go into it—budgeting, parent/student communication, social and emotional wellness, learning about antisemitism, and how our children can be involved in Jewish campus life, even if not necessarily in a religious way.”

Now, Debra is on the Host Committee for an in-person event for parents called “Let’s Talk About Being a Parent of a Jewish College/Gap Year Student” on December 1, 2022, at 6:30 pm at Temple Sinai. This event is for parents and guardians of current college and gap year students. Debra says she’s excited to come together with her peers to “share what we’ve learned through this experience of sending our kids to college—the ups and downs, and how we can best support our children.”

In a year or so, Debra will be starting the post-high school planning process with Zack. JumpSpark’s goal is to help families through the transitions they go through during their teen years, and Debra is excited to access those programs for her son.

For many families with boys, the teenage years can be difficult. Boys often have a hard time communicating their feelings or opening up to parents about their struggles. JumpSpark is offering the program “Helping Boys Thrive” on Wednesday, November 30, at 12 pm.

This free, online workshop will be presented in collaboration with the Jewish Education Collaborative and will feature speakers from Moving Traditions. Parents and guardians of middle and early high school boys will have the opportunity to build community with other parents and get access to valuable resources from experts. Participants will leave the program with practical tools they can use with their families.

Parenting a teenager can sometimes feel isolating, and JumpSpark wants parents to know they are not alone as they navigate challenging waters. These two events are opportunities for families to build community and access valuable resources. As Debra says, such programs are important because, “We are reminded that we are all going through this together.”

jewishatl In Global News, Jewish Journeys

A Transformative Women’s Retreat in Israel

By Ghila Sanders, Senior Philanthropic Officer, Atlanta Jewish Foundation

Last week, sitting under a communal tent in Israel’s Negev desert at sunset, I cheered as 15 women took on Jewish names in front of a crowd of over 200 mothers from various parts of the world experiencing a shared journey. Each one explained why they chose their specific name—some were inspired by their grandmothers; others were drawn to a meaning that felt particularly fitting at this stage of life. We celebrated, danced, sang, and shared stories over an evening that none of us will forget.

Over the course of eight days, 45 Jewish mothers from Atlanta, joined by four Israeli peers, connected with each other, committed to learning together, and engaged with a remarkable country that somehow manages to feel like home even for those visiting for the first time.

The Momentum Journey to Israel is an extraordinary undertaking dreamt up just over 14 years ago by eight women who believed that the key to a better society is through life’s #1 influencers: mothers.

Momentum often invokes the words, “Inspire a woman, you inspire a family. Inspire enough families, you inspire a community. Inspire enough communities, you can change the world.”

Since its inception, this international movement has brought over 20,000 women from 34 countries to Israel through partnerships with close to 300 local organizations. In Atlanta, the Jewish Women’s Connection, led by Julie Silverman and Batsheva Gelbtuch and supported by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, has put together an exceptional contingent of Jewish mothers—consistently the largest group to join each cohort. I was honored to have the opportunity to represent Federation as a Community Leader and immerse myself in a transformative trip that set the stage for personal and communal growth through Jewish values. And most notably, it created an invincible sisterhood.

An amazing addition to our journey was getting to know an incredibly special group of mothers from the Israeli organization Or La-mishpachot, “Light to the families,” whose 1500 members are bound by the unimaginable loss of a child in the army. Having them as part of our group was a true gift.

Together we experienced a multidimensional journey: from the enchantment of holy sites and the perpetual battles that surround them, to the complexity of spiritual and religious practices; we explored the intensity of grief, and of joy. We mourned at Yad Vashem, overwhelmed by the unfathomable history of the Holocaust, and found solace in our collective presence in the land of Israel. We visited Shalva, a most impressive center that provides services to children with disabilities and their families. And we went to Yokneam-Megiddo, our Federation’s sister city—one of the region’s most welcoming areas for refugees, which has also developed into a high-tech hub.

For me, this experience was both a personal and professional discovery: experiencing the Momentum Israel Journey and seeing its undeniable impact on this incredible group of mothers was humbling and pride-inducing all at once. I am delighted to work for a Jewish organization that invests in women, supports local efforts in Israel, and values our unbreakable bond as a people.

I am still learning the many ways in which the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta connects the dots across continents, and its effects are remarkable: after eight days of traveling together we came back stronger as a community, more knowledgeable about our initiatives and impact, and determined to stay actively engaged. Moreover, our four Israeli peers from Or La-mishpachot now have a special kinship with Jewish Atlanta and plan to visit whenever possible. I look forward to welcoming them in the coming months and continuing this year of learning with my new sisters.

jewishatl In Philanthropy

Linda Selig Awarded the 2022 Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award

On December 11, 58 Lions of Judah from Atlanta will travel to Phoenix, Arizona for the 50^th Anniversary Celebration of the Lion of Judah. The International Lion of Judah Conference is a biannual event for women philanthropists who help shape the Jewish world. And this year, Linda Selig will be honored as the recipient of Atlanta’s Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award.

Linda Selig sat down with the Breman Museum and discussed what winning the Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award means to her, and the legacy she hopes to leave in Atlanta and beyond. Click here to watch.

“We are thrilled that so many of Atlanta’s Lions of Judah are able to come to this very special 50^th Anniversary celebration. Ours will be the 2^nd largest delegation, topped only by NYC. Our Lions represent a cross section of our Jewish community – I think it speaks volumes about the passion, commitment and leadership of Atlanta’s Jewish women,” stated Tamer Stern, President of Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy.

The Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland Award is a national honor bestowed upon a Woman of Valor in Jewish communities throughout North America, as selected by her peers. The honor is bestowed on “extraordinary women who have set a high standard for philanthropy and volunteerism.” The award is named for Norma Kipnis-Wilson and Toby Friedland, the co-founders of Jewish Federations of North America Lion of Judah program.

“Linda Selig is an inspirational champion for Jewish Atlanta and has dedicated much of her life to sustaining our local and international community,” shared Federation President & CEO, Eric Robbins. “She has served as our Federation’s Board Chair and Campaign Chair, and alongside her daughter, Stacey Fisher, has served on the board of Hillels of Georgia. Linda and her husband Steve, have been instrumental in building a thriving Jewish Atlanta!”

At the conference, Atlanta Lions will gather with women from across the world to address the most critical issues facing our domestic and global communities, including rising antisemitism and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. The conference is an opportunity to meet philanthropists from across the world and make connections that strengthen our Jewish community today and help us build for tomorrow.

jewishatl In Secure Community Network

Federation Helps Jewish Atlanta Receive Security Grants

community security training - jewish atlanta Did you know that Federation’s Community-Wide Security Program protects the entire Atlanta Jewish community? Jewish Day schools, camps, synagogues, and more benefit from the expertise and assistance of the national partnership with Secure Community Network (SCN). In 2022, Federation helped many local organizations secure grants from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), which will help keep Jewish Atlanta safe throughout the year.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is an initiative through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It provides support for physical security enhancements and activities, including planning and training, to nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of terrorist attack due to their ideology, beliefs, or mission.

NSGP funds are historically allocated based on criteria including threat and/or hazard assessments, identification and substantiation of prior threats or attacks (or closely related organizations), and the symbolic value of a site as a highly recognized national or historical institution which could render the location a possible target of terrorism.

In 2022, Federation’s Community-Wide Security Program assisted 25 Atlanta Jewish organizations with the application process, resulting in a total award to the community of $2.3M for security enhancements to their buildings.

Our assistance included conducting required security assessments of their facilities, conducting webinars, discussing best practices for completing the application, reviewing applications and making recommendations for improvement, and consultations concerning the application process.

Thank you to Neil Rabinovitz, Federation’s Community Security Director, and Bryan Underwood, Deputy Community Security Director, for helping these vital organizations receive this funding!

jewishatl In Atlanta Jewish Community, Philanthropy

Their Daughter Knew that Hunger Doesn’t Take the Weekend Off

In the coming weeks, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta is launching a new quarterly magazine: Generosity. Generosity will highlight stories of philanthropy, charity, and community in Jewish Atlanta. As a first look, here is a story from our inaugural issue.

Staci Robbins was a beloved elementary school teacher in DeKalb County whose life ended far too soon—but whose legacy has carried on in a big way. “Staci taught in a Title I school with a 93 percent Hispanic population. She was fluent in Spanish and utterly devoted to her kids,” her father Ron said. “She was named Teacher of the Year at Montclair Elementary School in DeKalb County,” her father said.

Staci’s commitment to her students, even as she battled illness, led her parents to launch an Atlanta metro chapter of Backpack Buddies — a nonprofit that provides six nutritious meals to kids who are food insecure over the weekend. Backpack Buddies is one of several national programs providing much needed weekend nutrition to vulnerable families and children.

A 2021 study in the Economics of Education Review, provides evidence that weekend food programs like Backpack Buddies have a positive effect on academic performance in the form of increased reading test scores, and suggestive evidence they also raise math scores. The effects appear strongest for the youngest and lowest performing students.

“Our daughter had many students who received free and reduced lunch at school but were not eating well over the weekend. Staci knew firsthand about kids who took turns eating over the weekend because there wasn’t enough food at home. She understood that kids who eat poorly or come in hungry on Monday mornings are not primed to learn,” Tamra Robbins said.

Though they lived in Savannah, GA, Ron and Tamra Robbins moved back to Atlanta in 2017 as Staci’s illness progressed. “Even when she was on dialysis, she remained a fierce advocate for her kids and for Backpack Buddies. We established Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta in Staci’s memory. It has grown beyond our wildest dreams and has become a meaningful mitzvah in her memory,” her parents said.

They started small at Congregation Beth Shalom where a group of volunteers gathered weekly to pack shelf-stable food items in backpacks that were discretely distributed to 10 kids at nearby Kingsley Elementary School in Dunwoody. Though Kingsley was perceived as an “affluent” school, there was a need. The extent of food insecurity in suburban schools was eye-opening.

Jonathan Halitsky, who is now Backpack Buddies Director of Operations and its only paid staff member, underscores the dimension of the problem. “One in six children in Georgia are hungry. “There is hunger in virtually every public school in the metro area.”

As Ron and Tamra became cheerleaders for Backpack Buddies in Atlanta, they reached out to churches, school groups, and synagogues to grow the volunteer base. “It was a tremendous service opportunity. High school students, and bar/bat mitzvah kids got involved. The phone rang and rang as organizations asked how to get involved and became our Community Partners. Today the program works with 25 partner organizations.

At first, each organization purchased its own food, packed bags, and delivered to local schools. Terri Bagin, a volunteer, described what happened as Backpack Buddies took off. “Ron had the idea that Backpack Buddies should cultivate new sources of food donation. He developed relationships with local food banks so Backpack Buddies could receive shelf-stable food donations. Thanks to several “angels’ in the community, Backpack Buddies became a 501c3 in order to receive charitable and food donations. Debbie Levinson, who manages the Helen Marie Stern Fund was an early funder. Eventually, as space for bulk food storage became a challenge, realtor Debbie Sonenshine found an affordable 2,000 square foot space in a strip mall that hadn’t been rented in seven years.

The pandemic threw the organization some curveballs, but by spring of the 21-22 school year, Backpack Buddies and its community partners were processing and packing 6-8 weeks’ worth of food supplies. “We took last summer to really ramp up and acquire more food, refine our operations, and train Community Buddies on the distribution system. Digital ordering means that organizations can choose the most convenient pickup times. Each student’s weekend bag consists of five proteins, two vegetables, two cereals, two fruits, three snacks and two juices. There is no charge for the food, and all items are purchased by Backpack Buddies or donated by charitable food sources. The offerings are varied and include tuna, chicken, ravioli and macaroni and cheese.

Toward the end of the last school year, Backpack Buddies served 800 children a week, and this school year nearly 1250-1500 children a week receive food. “We’d love to be at 2,000 children a week,” Halitsky says with pride. “This will require more donations and an expanded Backpack Buddies partner network.”

Halitsky says, “Now that Backpack Buddies provides its partners with all the food and has perfected its order and delivery system, we are running on a pure donation model. This makes it possible for any school with a need to get involved, and any organization that wants to volunteer, to help. We can’t eradicate hunger, but we’re addressing children’s weekend needs in an efficient and targeted way.”

Staci Robbins would be proud!

Learn more and volunteer to combat hunger among children at www.backpackbuddiesatl.org.

jewishatl In Jewish Camp Initiative

Camp Barney Medintz Announces a New Executive Director

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) has announced that Danny Herz will be the new Executive Director of Camp Barney Medintz, following a nationwide search.

Herz’s role will be to lead and oversee strategic planning, day-to-day operations, facilities management, programming, and staff development. He will also partner with MJCCA leadership to set the vision for the future of Camp Barney Medintz.

MJCCA’s CEO, Jared Powers, says, “As we got to know Danny and learned about his commitment to helping campers, staff, students, and athletes fulfill their goals, build Jewish identity, and develop personally, it became clear his vision and ideology were the right fit for Camp Barney Medintz. We’re thrilled to have him taking the helm at Camp Barney Medintz.”

Camp Barney Medintz is a leading Jewish summer overnight camp, and one of the largest in the country. The camp sits on more than 500 acres in the North Georgia mountains and features two lakes. Established in 1963, the camp gives children from across the country the opportunity to make lifelong friends, explore their hobbies, build a sense of independence, and be immersed in Jewish culture.

Herz is currently the Executive Director of the Union for Reform Judaism’s summer camps 6 Points Sports Academy, 6 Points Creative Arts Academy, and 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy. He has been an integral part of that organization for more than 13 years. Previously, he worked for more than 15 years in education, serving on the senior administrative team at Jewish schools in Southern California and South Florida, as well as being a teacher, coach, dean of students, and athletic director.

He will officially assume his new position as executive director on Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023. Herz says, “Camp Barney Medintz has established itself as a premiere Jewish summer camp for families nationwide, and I’m extremely excited to take on this role. I look forward to bringing my experiences in overnight camping, education, and athletics to the Camp Barney Medintz community and to meeting our campers, staff, and alumni.”

Federation is proud to support MJCCA and thrilled to welcome Herz to Jewish Atlanta!

jewishatl In Global News

Israel@75 Student Competition Celebrates Creativity

The Center for Israel Education (CIE) is holding a competition in honor of Israel’s 75^th birthday. In May, 2023, Israel will celebrate its 75^th year as a sovereign nation, and students from all over the world are invited to participate in this contest and submit their “creative representations of Israel’s challenges, successes and visions for the future.”

CIE hopes that the Israel@75 International Student Competition will allow students to think deeply and critically about their relationship to Israel and what the country means to them, their families, and humanity at large.

The competition is open to any student who can submit their project in English, and each entry should have three parts: a visual element, a written description, and a submission form. The contest is split into three categories by age:

Third to fifth graders: create a commemorative Israel@75 stamp and explain their design in no more than 150 words.
Sixth to eighth graders: design their own Zionist poster, using historical references, and describe the need it identifies in 250 words.
Ninth to twelfth graders: create a museum exhibit that depicts 75 years of change in Israel. Use images, artifacts, newspaper clippings, video clips or other media, and explain the exhibit in a 500-word essay.

Awards and recognition will be given to the top three submissions in each age group. While there is a creative element to each entry, this competition will not be judged solely on artistic merit and will weigh the written portion of the entries along with the visual component.

The deadline for submissions is midnight, Eastern Time, Feb. 15, 2023. Submit online at israeled.org/israel-at-75/contest. The winners will be announced on April 20, 2023.

The Israel@75 International Student Competition is part of CIE’s broader learning initiative to celebrate Israel’s 75th year of independence. Visit israeled.org/israel-at-75 to learn more.

For more information about the competition, contact Debbie Sasson at debbie.sasson@israeled.org.