Because of You, JGather Gave Me The Renewed Jewish Spirit I Needed
Written by Stella H.
As a teacher at one of our community’s day schools—and as a mom raising my family here in Jewish Atlanta—my days are full. I love my work and I love my family, but like so many of us, I often find myself rushing from one commitment to the next. I’m also blessed to have a circle of girlfriends who are happen to be Jewish community professionals working at different organizations across the city. Even though we are deeply connected by our shared mission to strengthen Jewish Atlanta, our busy schedules make it nearly impossible to come together.
That’s why receiving a JGather Individual Grant was such a gift. It gave us the chance to carve out intentional time to pause, gather, and simply be with one another. A group of us—from different institutions and with different roles—came together over dinner, ice cream, and Havdallah. We laughed, we reflected, and we had the kind of conversations that reminded us why we do this work. We shared the highs and lows of our professional lives, supported one another through challenges, and offered encouragement for the year ahead. We even set personal and professional goals to help us contribute our very best to Jewish Atlanta.
This gathering may have looked simple from the outside—just friends sharing a meal—but to us it was so much more. It was a space of Jewish renewal, connection, and inspiration. It reminded me that we’re not alone in this work. We are part of a vibrant network of women leading, teaching, and building Jewish life here in Atlanta, and together we are stronger.
Because of you—because of your generosity through Federation and the JGather program—we were able to create this moment. Thank you for making it possible for Jewish professionals like me to step away from the day-to-day grind, recharge, and return to our work with even more passion and commitment. Your support doesn’t just fund programs—it nourishes the people who dedicate their lives to making Jewish Atlanta thrive.