Lydia McBratney, Author at Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta

Fed5: Celebrating Our Community’s Impact

Federation is thrilled to announce that Jack Halpern will be the recipient of the 2024 Lifetime of Achievement Award!

Jack’s dedication to the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta for nearly four decades, coupled with his leadership roles and transformative initiatives throughout our community, makes him a most deserving recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award. His impactful contributions extend to The Epstein School, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, and the Southeast Chapter of the American Jewish Committee, where he has demonstrated unwavering commitment and received prestigious honors. Jack’s advocacy for social justice through the Anti-Defamation League underscores his remarkable legacy of service.

Jack’s award will be given at the Annual Meeting on Monday, June 3 at 7 pm at Temple Sinai. (Registration information to come soon). We look forward to celebrating with Jack and Jewish ATL!

Grow a Legacy, which took place on Thursday, February 29th at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, was a huge success! With 180 people in attendance, it was a wonderful gathering in celebration of our community’s commitment to philanthropy, legacy giving, and a commitment to a thriving Jewish Atlanta. The evening’s speakers, Ted Blum, Jenny Levison, and Mike Leven, all shared heartfelt stories of their childhoods and parents, and how their upbringing influenced their philanthropic visions. The program, which was Emceed by the hilarious local comedian, Amanda Marks, left everyone feeling inspired, uplifted, and confident in our Jewish community’s future.

Since October 7th, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta has stood as a beacon of strength and compassion both for Israel and our local community. Our fundraising initiatives have been nothing short of remarkable, raising millions locally and contributing to a national effort to address urgent needs in Israel.

Though our work is ongoing, we have produced a digital Israel Emergency Campaign Impact Report that memorializes what our community has done together since October 7th. It is a true testament to our community’s collective strength, resilience, commitment, and hope, and makes us even more proud to be a part of Jewish ATL.

CLICK HERE to Read our Israel Emergency Impact Report!

Federation’s Interfaith Family Director, Doug Konkel and Rabbi Elizabeth Breit of B’nai Torah recently attended a two-day training in Seattle to learn about the Reset & Refresh program. Reset & Refresh was developed in 2018 by Rabbi Samuel Klein of the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle as an ancillary program for applicants to Honeymoon Israel, a federation partner program that brings young couples from our city to Israel as a catalyst for building a lifelong Jewish community. This unique program is intended for multi-faith couples to bond as they learn the spiritual, aesthetic, and ritualistic foundations of Shabbat through seven dinner sessions spread over two months. We are excited that Atlanta was chosen along with Portland, Austin and Buffalo to pilot the program in our respective cities and along with Atlanta’s Honeymoon Israel program, look forward to launching later this spring.

Federation’s Chair of the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, Steven Cadranel will receive Hillel’s of Georgia Billi & Bernie Marcus Visionary Award. This award is presented to a community member who has demonstrated a strong commitment to Jewish life in Georgia, dedication to students on campus, and shown philanthropic support to Hillels of Georgia to increase the organization’s capacity and grow the number of Georgia’s Jewish college students who have meaningful Jewish experiences.

With acts of antisemitism on the rise across Georgia and the nation, Hillels of Georgia is shining a spotlight on Steven Cadranel, a true visionary and advocate for Israel and Jewish life in Georgia. His enduring support of Hillels of Georgia has been instrumental in the organization’s continued ability to serve generations of Jewish students in a time when it is most needed.

Steven Cadranel has made a wide and lasting impact in the Jewish community of Georgia and beyond. With the presentation of the Billi & Bernie Marcus Visionary Award, we celebrate Steven’s extraordinary contributions and honor his legacy, an inspiration to us all. Mazel tov, Steven!

Lydia McBratney In Atlanta Jewish Community, Federation News

Women’s History Month with Beth Weiller Arogeti

March is Women’s History Month and we couldn’t miss the opportunity to highlight a woman who has shaped, inspired, and led our Federation community, Beth Weiller Arogeti, the Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. We asked her to share with us her journey, advice, and wisdom.

Rooted in a familial connection to the Atlanta Jewish community since the mid-1860s, Beth, a fifth-generation Atlantan, grew up at The Temple and was involved in community service through organizations like the Councilettes. We asked her the following questions for Women’s History Month.

What inspired you to volunteer as Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and how has your journey led you to that position?

The Atlanta Jewish community has been here for me and my family since the mid-1860s. As a fifth-generation Atlantan, my journey mirrors that of others who have held the role of Board Chair, albeit with some unique aspects. Growing up in Atlanta, my family attended The Temple, where I was confirmed in 1970 from the Sunday School and became a part of the Temple Youth Group, marking my initiation into community service. As a teenager, I joined Councilettes, the junior division of the National Council of Jewish Women, laying the foundation for years of volunteering in the community.

Since my early teens, the Federation has been a priority for my family. I had an exceptional role model in my mother, Margaret Strauss Weiller, who worked for the Women’s Division (now Women’s Philanthropy). Following in her footsteps, I’ve volunteered in various roles within the Federation organization, serving as President, Chair of Women’s Philanthropy, and Chair and Vice-Chair of our Community Campaign.

Can you share a significant achievement or project that you are particularly proud of during your time as a Federation community member?

As a Jewish woman, I believe that the simple act of one Jew asking another Jew to help a third makes you a leader. This philosophy has attracted many wonderful people to our organization, turning them into leaders and stakeholders. The difference between being a leader or staying on the sidelines often lies in the act of asking.

Who are some women that have influenced or inspired you in your Federation journey, and how have they impacted your approach to leadership?

My mother, Margaret Strauss Weiller, remains the most influential woman in my lifetime, leading by example. Her friends, Marilyn Shubin and Lois Blonder, along with my friend, Viki Freeman, have served as role models and mentors, guiding and supporting me in my community endeavors. Additionally, the five women who preceded me as Board Chairs—Betty Ann Jacobson, Carol Cooper, Linda Selig, Lisa Galanti, and Lori Kagen Schwarz—have also been significant role models.

Has anything else inspired you on your leadership journey?

Seeing my children, Michelle and Ian Stribling, Jonathan and Sarah, involved in our Jewish community each in their own way is inspiration for me to continue trying to make this community the best that it can be for generations to come. Now with the recent addition of 3 grandchildren being raised here in Atlanta, I feel more driven to work harder so all young people can have a wonderful upbringing in this wonderful city. Also, I recently discovered fascinating information about my great-grandfather, Joseph Hirsch, on my mother’s side. He came from Gimbheim, Germany, a small town between Frankfurt A/M and Darmstadt, and served as the first President of the Hebrew Orphans’ Home in 1914. This revelation reinforced my sense of destiny in being a leader in this community.

As a successful woman, what advice do you have for other women aspiring to leadership roles within the Jewish Federation or similar organizations?

My advice for those aspiring to leadership roles is to take advantage of all the opportunities the community offers. Be curious, ask questions, and find something that excites you. The journey is more enjoyable when shared with a friend.

Beth Arogeti’s leadership journey is a testament to her enduring commitment to our community, her strong familial legacy, and her love for Jewish life. From her roots in the Atlanta Jewish community to pivotal roles within Federation, Beth exemplifies the power of leadership grounded in a passion for service and a deep understanding of community needs. We hope that this narrative encourages the future generation of female leaders, especially during Women’s History Month, when we reflect on the contributions of women in the past and present.