Atlanta Jewish Community Archives

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Ukrainian Refugees Resettle in Yokneam

In recent weeks we have been overjoyed to see hundreds of Ukrainian refugees airlifted to Israel to make aliyah (immigration to Israel) and begin new lives. Among them were seven Ukrainian refugee families arriving in Yokneam, our partnership city in Israel. The photo shows Anna and Igor, new arrivals who escaped the chaos in Ukraine and arrived in Yokneam with literally nothing. As our partnership region has done so often in the past, both for Soviet refugees and for Ethiopian refugees, Yokneam residents opened their hearts and their doors to help them. Yokneam expects to settle at least 40-50 Ukrainian families in the coming months.

The Jewish Agency for Israel led a national emergency operation with the municipalities and regional councils to collect products for refugees in Ukraine. The Megiddo Regional Council provided more than 150 packages to help resettle these refugees, including blankets, coats, gloves, scarves, hygiene products and diapers.

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Private Virtual Ukrainian Briefing

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Planting Seeds for Future Generations

Growing up in the tight-knit Jewish community of Charleston, South Carolina, Ellen Arnovitz learned early on that serving, leading, and giving were priorities in her family. All four of her grandparents were immigrants from Russia and Poland. “We were not the big givers in our community,” she says, “but we were always involved. My father was a synagogue president. My Aunt was the first woman president of our local Federation.”

In her teen years, Ellen’s leadership role in the southern region BBYO chapter frequently brought her to Atlanta. “I absolutely loved the energy and vibrancy of the big city!” She eventually moved to Atlanta and raised her family here. Today she is the proud matriarch of a blended family of 13 grandchildren, 11 of whom live in Atlanta, and two in London. More and more, leaving a legacy is on her mind.

“My kids are the beneficiaries of everything this Jewish community offers — our Jewish day schools, Jewish camps, the MJCCA, and our synagogues. How could I not put my energy into making sure that these organizations survive and thrive for future generations? Through Atlanta Jewish Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY initiative, I’ve enjoyed helping people think creatively about how to structure legacy gifts.”

“We’ve all seen those astonishing stories about people of modest means who steadily put aside funds for something they cared about, and then when they passed, they made incredibly meaningful gifts. You don’t have to be wealthy or old to leave a legacy, you simply have to have the intention. That’s why it’s so rewarding to speak with young couples who are still saving for college and building their nest-egg and explain that they can project their generosity forward. When I tell them that a small life insurance policy set aside today as a legacy gift can grow into something big in 50 years, they get excited.”

Years ago, as a participant in the Wexner Heritage leadership cohort, Ellen wrote an ethical will. “It was the first time I really thought about legacy giving. It made me reflect on what values I wanted my kids to remember and was very clarifying.”

“I continually ask myself, why am I so lucky? When you have had a full and blessed life like mine, you want to share and invest in the community’s future. It not only helps to build a vibrant Jewish community for future generations, it enriches your life now. Through I have learned that sharing is a mindset. Giving back to the community and helping others is the legacy I want to pass on to my children.”

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Two Atlanta Nonprofits Receive National Recognition

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.

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Camp is for Families!

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.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

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.

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Making an Impact in a Crisis

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!

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Real Estate Professionals Drive Mentorship & Generosity

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.

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Federation Professionals are Lifelong Learners

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.”

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Built for This

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.

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Your Astounding Support for the Jews of Ukraine

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.