Fed5: With Strength, With Pride, With Purpose, As One
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On September 16, the ballroom will fill with the sound of women greeting one another—friends reuniting, new connections forming—and the hum of anticipation. Atlanta’s Jewish women will gather for the Lion of Judah and Pomegranate Luncheon, but this year, the event will carry a heartbeat that pulses all the way to Israel.
At the center of the program is a rare and intimate conversation with members of the Forum for Reservists’ Wives – Fighting for Our Homes. These women are holding families together while their husbands serve—sometimes voluntarily, long past the age when service is required—on Israel’s front lines.
“It’s a layer of society we have an obligation to acknowledge,” says Tal Baum, celebrated restaurateur, proud Israeli, and event sponsor and moderator. “They’ve become single parents overnight—juggling careers, raising children, and living with the constant ache of worry. Yet they choose this sacrifice for the sake of Israel and the Jewish people.”
For Baum, the cause is personal. She remembers, as a 16-year-old, waiting by the phone for her then-boyfriend—now her husband—to call from the army, not knowing when or if she’d hear from him again. “That fear was hard enough as a teenager,” she says. “I can’t imagine it while raising children, running a household, and carrying a career.”
Hagit Avital-Tsfany, Women’s Philanthropy Senior Donor Officer, knows the impact of such a gathering. “Israelis often feel alone in the world,” she says. “But when you’re in a room where women from Atlanta are leaning in, listening, embracing these Israeli women—it’s powerful. It’s a reminder that we are one people, one global Jewish family.”
The luncheon unites Atlanta’s Lions of Judah ($5,400) and Pomegranates ($1,800) —women who lead through significant giving and deep commitment. It’s not only a chance to connect; it’s a moment to witness the direct impact of their philanthropy. Support for the Forum for Reservists’ Wives is part of Federation’s Israel and Jews Worldwide impact area, sustaining essential work in Israel.
Tal hopes the luncheon will leave an imprint on every guest. “We’re not bringing journalists or influencers. This is an honest, heart-to-heart conversation—stories you can’t read in the news, moments you’ll carry with you.” Watch Tal’s video here.
On September 16, Atlanta’s Lion and Pomegranate women will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Israel’s women of courage. Together, they will send a message that echoes across oceans: You are not alone. We are with you.
Lions and Pomegranates register now at https://jewishatlanta.org/events/lion-of-judah-and-pomegranate-luncheon/
If you’re interested in becoming a Step-Up Pomegranate, contact Hagit Avital-Tsfany at havital-tsfany@jewishatlanta.org.
On a warm Thursday night, July 31, the Young Leadership Division (YLD) of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and JF&CS Young Professionals came together for a unique blend of tradition, connection, and meaningful conversation—the YLD + JF&CS Challah Bake & Happy Hour. Sixty young adults from across Jewish Atlanta gathered to braid challah, share stories, and explore the connection between baking and mental well-being.
This was the second program between YLD and JF&CS Young Professionals under the BeWellATL initiative, a collaboration that focuses on mental health for pre-teens through adults in their mid-20s. In the past, the two organizations hosted a Mental Health Shabbat. This time, they sought a more hands-on, creative way to engage participants.
Becca Langfelder, Director of YLD, says the Challah Bake proved to be the perfect vehicle. “Our facilitator from BeWellATL spoke about how the act of baking challah is an exercise in mindfulness—being present and engaging all your senses,” she explained. “She compared the ingredients in challah to the different parts of ourselves. Just like you can’t make challah without flour, eggs, sugar, and oil, we each need to tend to all the ingredients that make us whole.”
The room buzzed with conversation and laughter as novice bakers sought help from seasoned challah makers. Participants swapped family recipes, shared braiding techniques, and occasionally engaged in friendly competitions. While there were only two official “instructors” circulating the room, the participants naturally stepped in to help one another—a reflection of the community spirit YLD strives to nurture.
That spirit, Becca notes, is deeply aligned with Federation’s impact area of Jewish Engagement. “Providing a space for young adults to gather, connect, and participate in an inherently Jewish activity strengthens identity and belonging,” she said. “And because BeWellATL was at the center of the program, we also touched on our impact area of Caring for Those in Need by elevating mental health awareness and resources.”
Partnership was key. Federation and JF&CS convened the event and highlighted the essential services JF&CS provides, ensuring participants left with knowledge of where to turn if they—or someone they know—needed support. Becca sees this as a direct example of responsible, impactful use of donor funds. “Donor dollars made this possible. Even if just one person learned about BeWellATL and sought help, that’s making a difference. And for the other 59 people, they now carry that knowledge into the community. That ripple effect is powerful.”
She also sees events like this as the starting point for future leaders in Jewish Atlanta. “All of our leaders started out by showing up. These programs are the first step—once someone is engaged, we can help them find their path toward deeper involvement, leadership, and giving back.”
In a final touch of intergenerational connection, volunteers from JF&CS prepared “challah kits” in advance—measuring flour, sugar, and other ingredients—literally handing the next generation the tools to create something beautiful. As the night ended and participants left with dough ready for Shabbat, they also carried home a deeper sense of community, purpose, and belonging.
This August, PJ Library and JBaby turned the last stretch of summer into a month full of Jewish connection and community. From splashing in the pool to bonding over mahjong, families across Atlanta gathered for experiences that were both fun and deeply rooted in Jewish tradition—made possible thanks to donors of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.
Over the past year, PJ Library Atlanta and JBaby (Federation’s engagement initiative for families of kids aged 0-2) reached more than 2,500 families through programming—double the number from the previous year. In August alone, families participated in eight meetups across the metro area, from Candler Park to Sandy Springs, Grant Park to Dunwoody, reaching more than 200 families. Three new JBaby small groups also launched, bringing parents of infants together for connection and learning.
“The goal is to meet families where they are—both geographically and in their Jewish journey,” says Brittany Kazinec, PJ Library Manager. “Whether a family has been in Atlanta for years or just moved here, we help them connect with other Jewish families and create Jewish memories together.”
Pam Cohen, Director of Family Engagement, recalls the magic of S’more Stories in Intown Atlanta hosted by PJ Library Intown connector Miriam Gelfond, the first PJ event there in several years. “Over 50 people came—including Jewish families who happened to be in the park and didn’t even know it was happening. They were thrilled to find other Jewish families and start building connections.”
PJ Library and JBaby are more than events—they’re a strategic investment in Federation’s impact area of Jewish Engagement. “Our Family Engagement department is designed to create a pipeline of connection,” Pam explains. “With each age and stage, we can support parents, connect families, and teach Jewish traditions in an accessible way.”
Partnerships make this possible. Last year, PJ programs collaborated with over 50 Jewish organizations, expanding reach and strengthening community bonds.
For donors, the impact is clear. “An investment in Federation is an investment in Jewish continuity and Jewish joy,” Pam says. “We meet families at crucial life moments—welcoming a new baby, incorporating Jewish traditions, celebrating holidays. And this Fall, we’re expanding our team to reach even more families with the training and tools to be strong role models.”
Brittany sums it up simply: “PJ Library is about joy, connection, and shaping the future of Jewish life in Atlanta. None of it happens without our donors.”
Want to learn more or get involved? Everything you need—from book subscriptions to upcoming events—is just a click away!
What would you do if you could give $1 billion?
We don’t have to wonder – we know.
Because over the past 20 years, thousands of caring people like you have partnered with the Atlanta Jewish Foundation to support countless nonprofits and improve the lives of millions. And today, we celebrate an extraordinary milestone: together, we’ve surpassed $1 billion in charitable donations since 2005.
This incredible number is a testament to your vision, generosity, and leadership. From Atlanta’s neighborhoods to communities across the globe, your philanthropy has fueled real change, creating a safer, stronger, more connected Jewish future.
What You’ve Made Possible
So, what did you do with $1 billion?
- Built Jewish life – synagogues, schools, summer camps, and cultural programs that strengthen identity and community.
- Invested in the future – supporting medical research, cultivating exceptional leaders, and funding groundbreaking ideas.
- Cared for our community – providing food, shelter, mental health resources, accessibility, and safety for neighbors in need.
- Protected the environment and cared for animals in need.
- Stood with Israel – sending vital aid during times of crisis and building long-term resilience.
- Preserved memory and heritage – ensuring Holocaust survivors are cared for, their stories recorded, and their lessons shared.
- Extended compassion beyond borders – offering relief and support wherever disaster and hardship strike.
“Beyond the donations themselves, all fund fees were reinvested in the Atlanta Jewish community,” says Ghila Sanders, VP of Philanthropic Advisory “so simply by holding your funds with the Foundation, you are already making an impact… This incredible milestone didn’t happen by accident – it was the result of thoughtful planning, meaningful partnerships, and a shared commitment to Jewish values like Tzedakah and Tikkun Olam.”
The Strategic Way to Repair the World
For over 40 years, the Atlanta Jewish Foundation has helped our donors and partners turn their dollars into lasting change. As the philanthropic arm of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, we work side-by-side with:
- Individual donors – offering tax-smart ways to align your giving with your values.
- Families – creating traditions of giving that pass from generation to generation (L’dor Vador).
- Organizations – helping local nonprofits build and sustain their mission through endowments and other tailored solutions.
- Professional advisors – partnering with CPAs, attorneys, and financial planners to offer clients heart-centered giving tools.
Our team of experts offers tax-smart ways to do good, including:
- Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) – a simple, flexible, and tax-efficient way to manage all your charitable giving in one place.
- Endowment Funds – ensuring the causes you care about have reliable, lasting support.
- Restricted/Unrestricted Funds – designate your gift for a specific program, cause, or community, or trust our experts to use your funds to respond to emerging needs and seize opportunities that make the greatest impact.
- Legacy Planning – helping you create a giving plan that reflects your values and provides for your community well into the future.
- Philanthropic Advisory – offering expert guidance, tools, and resources to help you maximize the impact of every dollar you give.
Whether your goal is to respond quickly to urgent needs, build a lasting legacy, or engage your family in meaningful conversations about giving, we’re here to make your philanthropy as effective and fulfilling as possible.
As Debbie Kuniansky, Board Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta shared: “Whether you’re giving $10 or $10,000 – whatever you’re giving is meaningful to you. You want to make sure that your dollars align with what your values and what means the most to you. The Atlanta Jewish Foundation helps me actually achieve that. They advise me in how I’m going to achieve the goals, or helping me with how to do it in a way that benefits me through tax benefits or benefits my family, so that I can educate the future generations on how we do our philanthropic giving. They’re just a resource at the foundation that goes hand in hand with what the work of Federation is, and that is being a philanthropic champion for our community.
A Legacy of Leadership
This $1 billion milestone belongs to you – our donors, families, community leaders, and partners. It belongs to the professional advisors who help guide charitable conversations, and to the nonprofits who transform generosity into tangible change.
On behalf of the millions of lives you’ve touched: thank you. We are honored to be your philanthropic partner.
What will you do with the next $1 Billion?
Let’s find out – together.
Talk with us today about how we can help you bring your philanthropic vision to life.
Parenting has never been easy. But for today’s parents of teens, raising kids in a world of constant connectivity, comparison, and curated perfection brings a whole new level of challenge. JTeen and BeWellATL are partnering together to help parents feel more connected and empowered.
“Of course we think about how social media affects teens,” said Amy Fox, Parent Engagement Manager for JTeen. “But it’s also affecting parents — making us feel like everyone else’s family is perfect while we’re struggling behind the scenes.”
It’s a reality Amy hears often in her work. Parents tell her they want a place where they can be real — a space to speak openly about their fears, frustrations, and the everyday battles of homework, morning routines, and mood swings without the pressure to pretend everything is fine.
That’s where JTeen steps in. A Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta initiative, JTeen has become a hub for parents and teens alike, offering programs that blend expert guidance with authentic connection. Every JTeen event now includes BeWellATL, a collaboration between Federation and JF&CS that ensures mental health is at the forefront for pre-teens through adults in their mid-20s. Psychologists, parent coaches, and other specialists help families navigate topics from executive functioning to anxiety — equipping parents with the tools to support their teens and themselves.
The impact is clear. Recent gatherings have drawn large crowds of parents eager for insight and community. At a program led by psychologist Dr. Betsy Stone, parents were reminded that their role isn’t to make their children happy every moment, but to raise resilient young adults they’d want to know as peers someday.
Amy says, “The event was very positively received, reinforcing both parenting skills and Jewish community connection. Parents left with tangible strategies and a stronger sense of support. Requests centered on more time, more resources, and structured follow-up opportunities (especially mental health and parent support groups).”
One parent noted “I think we all struggle with wanting to help our teens grow into confident, compassionate, resilient Jewish adults, and feeling uncertain if we are doing it ‘right’. Mental health concerns have skyrocketed, especially after COVID. These groups help parents feel connected, share stories, and know we are not alone.”
These moments of truth, Fox says, are what keep parents coming back. “Every time they come, they walk away with a nugget of information and the feeling of being seen,” she explained. “That’s huge when you’re raising teens — because it can be the most invisible stage of parenting.”
Looking ahead, JTeen is expanding this work through a new Neighborhood Connector Network. Inspired by the PJ Library Connector model, these trained community members will organize small, local gatherings in living rooms, coffee shops, and community centers — making support accessible to parents across the Atlanta metro area.
For Federation donors, this work is a living example of the impact area of Jewish engagement. By strengthening parents today, JTeen is helping raise the next generation of Jewish Atlanta — resilient teens with proud Jewish identities, supported by families who feel connected to their community.
“When parents feel supported and confident,” Fox said, “that confidence trickles down to their teens. And that’s how we help nurture and grow the future of Jewish Atlanta.”
Register now for JTeen’s upcoming program: “Supporting Executive Function: Tools for Parents of Tweens and Teens” on September 9 from 7-9pm.