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Atlanta Jewish Community

Mar 18 2022
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Two Atlanta Nonprofits Receive National Recognition

By Atlanta Jewish Community

Tomorrow: Say L’Chaim to our Winning Partners

The Slingshot Fund, which works with young philanthropists to promote Jewish innovation, has released its 2022 “10 to Watch,” a list of 10 relatively new Jewish nonprofits responding to current concerns of American Jews in original ways. This year’s list includes two Atlanta-based nonprofits that received seed funding from Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. One is The Blue Dove Foundation, which addresses mental health issues through a Jewish lens. The other is the Jewish Fertility Foundation (JFF) which provides financial assistance, emotional support, and educational programming to Jewish people with medical infertility.

“Jewish Atlanta continues to be a place that is committed to investing and nurturing in entrepreneurial and innovative Jewish organizations and leaders. The Blue Dove Foundation and Jewish Fertility Foundation are the latest projects to join the ever-growing list of initiatives that have been recognized for creative approaches by Slingshot. It is organizations and leaders like these that help make our city the thriving Jewish community that it is,” said Rich Walter, Federation’s Chief of Programs & Grantmaking.

Gabby Spatt, Executive Director and sole full-time employee of The Blue Dove Foundation, hopes that inclusion in the list will allow her to grow her $310,000 budget. But she also sees the group’s selection as a sign that the Jewish community is more willing than it has been in the past to openly discuss mental illness. “It means that the community is thinking differently,” she said. “Over the last two years we’ve seen that the community is ready to have these kinds of conversations.”

Elana Frank, CEO and Founder of the Jewish Fertility Foundation (JFF), has expanded her organization’s footprint both virtually and with offices in Birmingham, Cincinnati, and Tampa. In addition, JFF just launched one of the first-ever podcasts dedicated to infertility in the Jewish community. “Fruitful & Multiplying” brings listeners the latest in all things related to fertility and infertility from leading doctors, attorneys, rabbis, and professionals in the field, in addition to well-known individuals and influencers who have all had personal infertility journeys. Listen on Spotify and Apple.

Federation is honored to recognize these partners, who were incubated through our Jewish Innovation Fund. Join us tomorrow, March 23, for a l’chaim to celebrate The Jewish Fertility Foundation and The Blue Dove Foundation for this national recognition. This event is free, and available both virtually and in person. Register here.

Read the full press release here.

Mar 04 2022
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Camp is for Families!

By Atlanta Jewish Community, CARING, PJ Library Atlanta

Family Weekend: Passover Edition April 1-3

Jewish camp isn’t just for kids anymore, it is for entire families! Federation wants you to experience the fun, freedom, and Jewish community that a camp retreat can create at Family Weekend: Passover Edition, April 1-3 at Ramah Darom.

Family Weekend is an early Spring retreat tailored for families with children ages 0-5, with a focus on fun activities to help families get ready for Passover. Activities will be specifically geared for little ones, with plenty of opportunities to be outdoors and connect with nature. You’ll spend time crafting, cooking, creating, and learning more about the traditions of Passover. There will also be enriching adult experiences, all in a beautiful camp atmosphere that is relaxed and casual.

With help from Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, the cost for the entire weekend is just $400 – an incredible price that makes it possible for whole families to attend. We are proud to partner with these organizations to bring you this weekend: 18Doors, Be’Chol Lashon, Ma’alot Atlanta, PJ Library Atlanta, and the Israeli American Council.

Mar 04 2022
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Making an Impact in a Crisis

By Atlanta Jewish Community, CARING

By Matt Bronfman, Federation Board Chair
Part of the premise of the Federation is to have an organization that is ready to step in when emergencies arise. Federation has the infrastructure, the relationships, and the know-how to make a difference quickly. That is what the Federation did during Covid when we raised over $4 million in a few weeks and distributed it right away to those in need. That is what we are doing right now with the Ukraine Emergency Fund which has already raised more than $1.1 million in humanitarian aid for the Jews of Ukraine.

As the situation in Ukraine deteriorates, the 200,000+ Jews across Ukraine are truly in peril.  Our campaign directs %100 of funds to our on-the-ground partners, JDC, World ORT, and the Jewish Agency for Israel. It’s gratifying to see Federation play such a crucial role in marshalling significant resources. As we said when we launched the 2022 Community Campaign, Federation is built for this!

Mar 04 2022
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Real Estate Professionals Drive Mentorship & Generosity

By Atlanta Jewish Community

Federation’s Jewish Commercial Real Estate Network (J-CREN) only launched this fall but it has taken off in a huge way, connecting a fresh new generation of real estate professionals to Jewish life. Steven Cadranel, a member of the J-CREN Steering Committee who has organized a series of mentoring lunches said, “Atlanta is a great market to make real estate your career. J-CREN capitalizes on the collaborative nature of our business, and it offers many opportunities to engage with the Jewish community.”

Case in point — several J-CREN members have already stepped up by pooling funds to create a $180K match for donations to the Ukraine Emergency Fund. “There’s no limit to how much we all enjoy sharing our professional experiences, but at the same time these J-CREN participants are also looking to launch more meaningful Jewish journeys. Their passion and commitment is impressive,” Cadranel said.

Mendy Ruder, who is new to Atlanta said,” J-CREN has helped me familiarize myself with the different organizations within the community. Not only has joining provided actionable insights into getting involved, I actually have a sizeable deal under contract with someone I met through J-CREN 2 months ago!”

Scott Pergament was also enthusiastic. “The J-CREN lunches have been a great way to immerse myself within the Jewish community while networking and gaining mentorship from individuals within the real estate industry. They’ve been a springboard for me to connect and learn about the Jewish organizations within the Atlanta area.”

Joey Galanti agreed, “I’ve always enjoyed networking with people, learning from experts, and playing Jewish geography, so these mentoring lunches have been exceptionally rewarding for me. Listening to Steven Cadranel share his experiences has provided me with valuable insight that I will undoubtedly use throughout my career. Interacting with other Jewish professionals becomes even more delightful when we make connections. For instance, Mendy’s girlfriend’s grandfather and my fiancé’s grandfather started a business together decades ago. Small world!”

J-CREN’s Spring networking event is coming up on Wednesday, March 30, 5-6:30 pm. Learn the story of the newly completed Star Metals – a pioneering mixed-use district in Atlanta’s thriving West Midtown neighborhood. Meet your colleagues and experience one of Atlanta’s newer commercial real estate projects. There is no fee to attend, though space is limited to 200. Register here.

Mar 04 2022
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Federation Professionals are Lifelong Learners

By Atlanta Jewish Community

Three Federation professionals have been chosen to participate in selective cohorts with three national Jewish organizations. Congratulations to Danniell Nadiv, Senior Director of Jewish Journeys, Places and Welcoming; Rabbi Elana Perry, Director of Jewish Education Collaborative; and Rabba Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez, Director of Family Education and Engagement.

Danniell Nadiv is one of 14 national participants chosen for a year-long cohort focused on Jewish communal change through UpStart Change Accelerator.

Danniell says, “As the Atlanta Jewish community grows, the opportunity for the work the Federation does and the organizations we connect with, expands as well. I am particularly interested in how to raise the profile of smaller organizations in the Jewish ecosystem and provide them the same opportunity for funding as legacy organizations. Throughout the cohort, I want to create space to rethink the previous allocations process and provide additional opportunities for engagement and communal growth. The cohort will provide an opportunity to gain a stronger growth mindset and lean into the practical application of creating systemic change.”

Rabba Melissa Scholten-Guttierez is earning a Certificate in Jewish Leadership for Educators through a collaborative program between Northwestern University and Spertus Institute. She is one of ten educators participating in the fourth cohort of the program. “We meet online every week for three hours in the evening and will eventually spend four days in person at the Spertus campus in March. (Fun fact: Nancy Gorod, Director of Congregational Learning at Congregation Shearith Israel is also in her cohort)

Melissa says, “I am passionate about infusing Jewish education into Jewish communal spaces and helping all Jews find their space in the broader Jewish ecosystem. This is what drew me into the rabbinate and towards my current role at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. I am dedicated to bringing people together: building bridges between groups and building larger tables for when we can bring them all together. As an educator, I know that the best way to facilitate that is with beautiful text and meaningful conversation. What I don’t always know is how to combine that with all the other components of being a Jewish communal leader, and that is where this program comes in – a program where we get to explore leadership models both from our tradition and contemporarily, communication styles, managing through change, collaboration and power sharing, and resiliency.”

Rabbi Elana Perry was accepted to the Mandel Teacher Educator Institute (MTEI) which selects educational leaders from around the country to share an immersive experience that intertwines best practices in teacher education and professional development with Jewish texts and “big ideas.” It is a two-year program consisting of six face-to-face seminars as well as assignments and on-line discussions in between meetings. The program challenges participants to think more deeply about teaching and learning and inspires participants to develop a more sophisticated understanding of Jewish content, interactive and engaging learning processes. Cohorts critically examine the core assumptions, practices, and ideas that shape our approaches to teaching and professional development and are encouraged to design new initiatives in their own settings.

Elana says, “I am excited to grow as a learner, a teacher, and a teacher of teachers! This program will enhance my own professional skills as a Jewish educator, giving me access to some of the best experts in pedagogy and design, and it will also enhance my ability to design meaningful training experiences for other Jewish educators in Atlanta. I am also excited to become part of the MTEI network of professionals, including colleagues around the globe who can share insight and best practices as we learn together. This is the kind of program that will enable me to effectively bring expertise back to a wide audience of educators in Atlanta, strengthening our entire community.”

Mar 01 2022
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Built for This

By Atlanta Jewish Community, CARING

For generations, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta has cultivated worldwide partnerships supporting Jews and their loved ones around the world. With your dollars, and our incredible partners, Ukrainian Jews have never been forgotten.

  • Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta — allocated more than $3.6M in 2021 to support Jews and Jewish life around the world  
  • Jewish Agency for Israel — brings Shlichim (emissaries) to Ukraine, runs Sunday programs, brings Ukrainian youth to Israel for immersive programs, and supports the Aliyah of Jews. 
  • American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) — supports multiple Hesed centers across 1000 locations, supporting the most vulnerable people of Ukraine, runs JCCs and Jewish youth programs to help younger generations reimagine Jewish life where it once was all but decimated. 
  • World ORT — plays an important role in the renewal of Jewish life through Jewish day schools, vocational training, and more. 

All this work happens because of you, and because of our collective 115-year commitment to Jews and their loved ones throughout greater Atlanta, Israel, and the world.

Feb 27 2022
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Your Astounding Support for the Jews of Ukraine

By Atlanta Jewish Community, CARING, Federation News

On Friday afternoon, February 25, when it was clear that a full-on Russian invasion of Ukraine was underway, Federation launched its Ukraine Emergency Fund. Literally within minutes of sending out our email appeal, Jewish Atlantans responded. Hundreds of donors opened their hearts and supported the campaign with incredible generosity and passion. As of this morning, donations exceed $589,000. I believe we are well on our way to raising at least three quarters of a million dollars.

I am also tremendously moved by what donors said inspired their gift.

“I am confident that funds will go to the correct areas if handled by Jewish Federation of Atlanta.”

“I want to help the Jewish community in Ukraine. My ancestors are from Belarus and I feel closely connected to those in Ukraine.”

“For too many years we Jews could not defend ourselves. Now we can, and we must!”

“The people of Ukraine need our help now more than ever to defend against an unhinged autocratic despot bent on destroying democracy.”

In another gesture of generosity, I am proud to share that several members of Federation’s Jewish Commercial Real Estate Network (J-CREN) pooled their funds to create a match so that 100% of every donation up to $180K be doubled for Ukrainian humanitarian relief.

Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) will oversee and distribute the funds to our on-the-ground overseas partners: the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), World ORT, and the Jewish Agency for Israel. And 100% of all these emergency contributions will be transmitted to our overseas’ partners.

The Ukraine Emergency Fund demonstrates that this magnitude of response is exactly what we are built for. Nobody can marshall significant resources, and quickly and effectively deploy them the way Federation can!

From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your bold and brave response that manifests our shared Jewish values. Kol yisrael aravim, zeh ba zeh. All of Israel is responsible for each other.

Feb 22 2022
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The Southeast is Making Jewish Camp a Priority

By Atlanta Jewish Community, Jewish Camp Initiative

In October 2021 the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) opened its Southeast Center in Atlanta. I am grateful to have been selected as its inaugural Director, and also to the Zalik Foundation for their support in helping the Southeast Center become a reality. During our first year, we have been primarily focused on Atlanta and the FJC Camps that are strongly tied to the community including Camp Barney Medintz, MJCCA Day Camps, Camp Ramah Darom, URJ Camp Coleman, URJ 6 Points Academy, In the City Camps, and Camp Judaea.
We are focused on building a strong professional Jewish Camp community by listening and learning the needs of each camp. Since nearly all seven of the Directors serving Atlanta are new, we offered them and their Facility Managers a Southeast Jewish Camp Tour. It was a wonderful way to learn about the camps and deepen the connections between our camp professionals. Additionally, the FJC-Southeast Center has been collaborating with Hillels throughout the SE to plan camp staff recruitment events and explore other ways that we can work together to strengthen our camps and campuses. 

It is also very exciting that FJC Leader’s Assembly 2022 will take place in Atlanta, December 4-6, 2022. FJC Leader’s Assembly consistently draws 750 or more attendees from throughout North America and even overseas including camp professionals, Board Members, Foundations, donors, and many others working closely with the Jewish camping community. Our local host committee is committed to sharing our city’s unique elements, culture, and talent with those who will be joining us from throughout North America and the world. 

 Bobby Harris spent 36 years serving as Camp Director/Jewish Educator at Camp Young Judaea-Sprout Lake, JCC Camp Arthur-Reeta, and 30 summers as Director of URJ Camp Coleman. Bobby is now working to strengthen Jewish camps in the Southeast.

Bobby Harris

Director, Foundation for Jewish Camp

Feb 16 2022
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Join Team “Feederation” at Hunger Walk Run

By Atlanta Jewish Community, CARING

 

Sunday, March 6 | 12-4 pm | Home Depot Backyard
Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Hunger Walk Run benefits local hunger relief organizations  that operate and support hundreds of food pantries, shelters, community kitchens, senior centers, and childcare centers across metro Atlanta and North Georgia. For the past 37 years, the Atlanta Jewish community has always been a superstar in its success. Last year 25 teams representing the Jewish community raised $107,393.72 — more than any other partner!

So, put on your walking/running shoes and join Team “Feederation” for a fun and meaningful afternoon of live music, food trucks, camaraderie, and exercise. Whether you participate individually, on a team, in person, or virtually, you can make a huge difference for families, children, and seniors struggling with hunger in our community.

Feb 16 2022
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Jewish Abilities Alliance Celebrates Very Inclusive People

By Atlanta Jewish Community, CARING, Jewish Abilities Atlanta

Atlanta is blessed to have many remarkable advocates for people with disabilities and many programs that include people of diverse abilities in all aspects of Jewish Life. The Jewish Abilities Alliance (JAA) calls them VIP’s — Very Inclusive People. We are highlighting their commitment to inclusion all month long.

Dr. Melissa Wikoff, Au. D | Audiologist, Peachtree Hearing

“Working with individuals with hearing impairments, you naturally have an aspect of inclusion in your everyday life.” Dr. Melissa Wikoff, Au.D. takes inclusion to the next level by routinely advocating for her patients and the hearing-impaired community. Since starting her practice, Peachtree Hearing, Dr. Wikoff has founded a program to provide free hearing aids to Holocaust survivors, she has overseen the installation of two Hearing Loops in local synagogues, she advocates for students with hearing impairments in local schools, and she serves on the inclusion committee at Etz Chaim.

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