Atlanta Jewish Community Archives

Mar 27 2023

Jewish HomeLife Offers In-Person Caregiver Support Groups

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community, People in Need

“Caregiver burnout is real, particularly for those caring for loved ones with dementia or other age-related conditions,” said Jeffrey A. Gopen, President and CEO of Jewish HomeLife. “Just being with others facing similar challenges can offer new ideas and help reduce feelings of isolation and depression.” To address this problem, two of Federation’s partners, Jewish HomeLife and Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS), have teamed-up to offer support groups for caregivers in Atlanta.

The support groups are free to the community and open to all. Sessions are led by excellent facilitators from Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS). “These facilitators can provide information, resources, and strategies that give participants a sense of control and perspective and help them know they are not alone,” Jeffrey says.

Sessions:

The Cohen Home’s support group
Third Thursday of each month from 6:00-7:00 PM
10485 Jones Bridge Road in Johns Creek, near Dolvin Elementary at Buice Road

Berman Commons’ support group
Third Tuesday of each month from 6:30-7:30 PM
2026 Womack Road in Dunwoody, adjacent to the MJCCA

Walk-ins are welcome, but RSVPs are appreciated. Participants can attend as often or as little as needed. Refreshments are provided.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta proudly supports the work of Jewish Home Life and JF&CS. The money raised during Federation’s Community Campaign is granted to our partners, and we are proud to support vital programs like these that benefit the hardworking caregivers of Atlanta.

For more information or to RSVP, please contact:

The Cohen Home/Johns Creek: Jyl Batterman, jbatterman@jewishhomelife.org or call/text 404.434.2618

Berman Commons/Dunwoody: Amanda Hamilton, ahamilton@jewishhomelife.org or call/text 678.602.5693

Mar 27 2023

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Celebrating Women-Led Innovation

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community, Federation Innovation

Jewish Atlanta is constantly evolving. Our city changes a little bit each day, and with those changes come people who are determined to solve problems and make our community richer and more welcoming than before. Federation’s Jewish Innovation Initiative supports groups and individuals in our city who do this important work. In honor of Women’s History Month, we want to highlight just two of the women-led organizations backed by the Innovation Initiative that are blazing new trails in Jewish Atlanta.

JScreen at Emory University

JScreen’s mission is to eliminate devastating genetic diseases through affordable, convenient, and comprehensive, genetic testing and genetic counseling, with a focus on the Jewish population. This now-national program was founded in Atlanta, and is led by Executive Director Karen Arnovitz Grinzaid, MS, CGC, CCRC, and Director of Operations Felicia Mayer, MSEd, LPC.

“Although JScreen is a national program, community-based funding enables us to focus on our community. Having Atlanta as our home base makes Innovation funding even more meaningful. With Innovation funding, we have been able to screen hundreds of Jewish Atlantans for hereditary cancer risk, providing them with life-saving information for their personal health and the health of their families.”

– Felicia Mayer, MSEd, Director of Operations at JScreen

Ma’alot

Ma’alot is a spiritual community transforming lives through music, nature & Jewish wisdom. This organization aims to build “synagogues without walls” and break the stigmas that many people carry about what Judaism “should” look like, and instead discover traditions that speak to our hearts and souls.

“As a female rabbi ordained by a traditional institution, I personally relate to feelings of alienation and disenfranchisement from Jewish establishments. Ma’alot is part of a national shift of female entrepreneurs in the rabbinate to transform Jewish culture and community. We are grateful for the support of the Federation’s Innovation Fund for supporting a female-founded organization that is working to center marginalized voices and lead the community forwards.”

– Rabbi Ariel Wolpe, Director and Founder of Ma’alot

There are other Innovation-backed organizations that are led by exceptional Jewish women, including the Jewish Fertility Foundation and Jewish Climate Action Network of Georgia (JCAN-GA) The Jewish Innovation Initiative is proud to invest in local talent, especially when these genius minds are from populations that have traditionally been overlooked. By putting our resources into the brilliant women of tomorrow, we ensure that Jewish Atlanta’s brightest talents remain in Atlanta.

Mar 27 2023

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Celebrate Women-Led Innovation

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community, Federation Innovation

JScreen at Emory University

– Felicia Mayer, MSEd, Director of Operations at JScreen

Ma’alot

– Rabbi Ariel Wolpe, Director and Founder of Ma’alot

Donate today to the Jewish Innovation Initiative and be part of Federation’s efforts to make Jewish Atlanta a welcoming place for big-thinkers.

Mar 27 2023

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Lois Frank to be Honored with Federation’s Lifetime of Achievement Award

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta is thrilled to announce that Lois Frank will receive the 2023 Lifetime of Achievement award at our Annual Meeting on May 31, 2023. “Lois Frank’s name is synonymous with leadership, racial and social justice initiatives, and devotion to the State of Israel,” said Eric M. Robbins, Federation’s President & CEO. “She has expressed that commitment through activism, philanthropy, and a shining legacy of leadership.” 

A native of St. Petersburg, Florida, Lois came to Atlanta to attend Emory University for her undergraduate degree. She became active in the local civil rights movement her senior year, she invited Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Emory where he spoke to an audience of over 1,000 when a space for only 50 was provided by the University, which then was reluctant to host so potent an activist. She earned her master’s degree at Atlanta University (now Clark Atlanta University), a Historically Black University, graduating in 1963. “It was the height of the Civil Rights Movement,” she says, “John Lewis was the head of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC); there were sit-ins and my class went to the march in Selma.”

Lois met her husband, Larry, in Atlanta. They went on to have four sons: Joshua, Adam, Aaron, and Isaac. It was in 1967, exiting a plane heading to the World’s Fair in Montreal, when the Six Day War broke out. Mike Gettinger, then Director of Federation, saw the distressed Franks rush to the TV monitor to get news on Israel. Gettinger recognized their passion for Israel and recruited them into The Federation Family. And it was due to a Federation retreat at Camp Barney with Rabbi Yitz Greenberg in the late 1960’s that the study of Judaism became central to Lois and changed the course of the family’s life.

Lois is a current Board member of the Blaustein Institute for Human Rights, Project Interchange, Past President of the American Jewish Committee (AJC) of Atlanta, former National Chair for Jewish Council for Public Affairs, former Board member of Mazon, former National Chair of the Jewish Coalition for Literacy, and Past President of Women’s Philanthropy at Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

Lois believes that Jews have responsibility outside of our own community. “It’s important for Jews to participate in social justice in the name of Jews.” The Hillel Midrash, “If I am only for myself, what am I?” informs that value. In addition to the Jewish organizations she has championed, Lois has been a member of the Juvenile Justice Commission for the State of Georgia, AJC’s Atlanta Black/Jewish Coalition, the Southern Regional Council, and currently serves on the board of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. 

When asked what issues she hopes to address in the near future, she speaks of the importance of civility. “People are too easy to dismiss each other; there’s a lot we can learn from one another with respectful listening.”

Together with her husband Larry and son Isaac, the Franks created the Frank Leadership Mission. which engages the next generation of leaders in Atlanta. The mission sends emerging leaders to Israel, building a lifelong relationship with our homeland.  

Federation is proud to present Lois Frank with the Lifetime of Achievement Award in honor of her long—and ongoing—commitment to making the world a better place.  

Mar 13 2023

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Learning Women’s History with PJ Library

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community, PJ Library Atlanta

pj-library-donate-button Each month, more than 4,700 children in Atlanta receive the gift of a free Jewish-themed book from PJ Library that shares holiday traditions, Jewish values, and more. In honor of Women’s History Month, here are a few PJ Library classics you and your children can enjoy:

Goldie Takes a Stand: Golda Meir’s First Crusade written by Barbara Krasner, illustrated by Kelsey Garrity-Riley
A young Golda Meir embraces tzedakah and organizes her friends and neighbors to raise money for textbooks for her classmates.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers’ Strike of 1909 written by Michelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Clara Lemlich is a teenager when her family arrives in the United States, but her young age doesn’t stop her from organizing a labor strike that will inspire workers across the country.

Judy Led the Way written by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso, illustrations by Margeaux Lucas
Did you know that the first American bat mitzvah happened barely 100 years ago? Judy’s courage and intelligence paved the way for millions of other girls.

I Dissent: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Makes Her Mark written by Debbie Levy, illustrations by Elizabeth Baddeley
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was never satisfied with the status quo, and her life’s story is recounted through a series of moments where she dared to disagree.

These stories show Jewish children that they have the power to make a difference, as these 20th Century women did, beginning when they were girls. The struggle for equal rights is not ancient, but rather quite timely. This Women’s History Month, PJ Library can help your family discuss the importance of telling historical stories.

This month, we’re highlighting the incredible work that PJ Library does in our community. To be part of inspiring the next generation of Jewish kids, donate today to PJ Library.

Mar 13 2023

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Contact Your Georgia State Senators About House Bill 30

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community

Federation, the American Jewish Committee (AJC), the ADL and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta want residents of greater Atlanta to be aware that House Bill 30 passed the Georgia House and is now in the Senate. The Georgia General Assembly will soon be voting on passing H.B. 30 into law—and we still need your help!

Please join these organizations and other concerned Georgians in contacting your Georgia State Senator to urge their support of this important bill. H.B. 30 would reference the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism and ensure that state agencies and departments consider this gold-standard definition of antisemitism when determining whether an alleged act was motivated by discriminatory, antisemitic intent.

Click here to contact your legislator and help Georgia join 28 other states and the District of Columbia in adopting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.

Mar 13 2023

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Happiness from Helping Others

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community

By Matt Bronfman, Federation Board Chair

On Purim, we celebrate by drinking, eating and making merry. According to the Talmud, this entire month of Adar is known to be an especially happy time. But sometimes, we each experience that it is difficult to find joy when the world seems to have so many problems. However, there is one almost sure-fire way to increase your chances of being happy.

Recent scientific research has shown that giving back is linked to lower levels of depression and anxiety, improved health, and a reduction of stress hormones. It doesn’t matter whether participants donated to charity or volunteered their time— regardless, researchers found an immediate positive impact. I recently had the privilege of hearing from one of the world’s leading philanthropists, Bernie Marcus, about his experiences as a giver. He spoke at our Grow a Legacy event about the incredible happiness that making a difference in other people’s lives had brought to him, personally.

So, for your own good, I urge you to donate your time, talent and/or treasure. You can peruse our website and look for a program that will fit your passions, or contact the Atlanta Jewish Foundation and learn how to set up an endowment for a local Jewish institution. I promise it will make your Adar a happier one!

Feb 27 2023

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Combatting Food Insecurity in Atlanta

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community

Federation is proud to join with other faith-based organizations from across Greater Atlanta to reduce the impact of food insecurity across our communities. In proud partnership with the Atlanta Food Bank, Federation invites you to join us Sunday, March 12th, at noon at the Home Depot Backyard in downtown Atlanta for the Hunger Walk—an afternoon of walking (or running!) for a good cause, family-friendly activities, food trucks, and more. When you register or donate, make sure to search for Team Feederation!

Our participation in the Food Bank’s Hunger Walk enables us to work in partnership, across the community, to make a difference in the lives of many. Last year, the Jewish community raised $81,878 for the Hunger Walk. A portion of these funds were allocated through the Atlanta Food Bank, and more than half was distributed by Federation to programs funding hunger and food-related causes in the Jewish community. In 2022, the money raised through the Hunger Walk supported 14 organizations including Kosher food programs, shelters, and food distribution programs.

In addition to the Hunger Walk, Federation also supports the Jewish Family & Career Services Kosher Food Pantry, which serves those experiencing food insecurity in our community.  So far in FY ‘23, through weekly, in-person distributions, the Kosher Food Pantry has served 801 Jewish Households and 1513 Jewish Individuals. Of these, 914 are seniors and 248 are children. 

Federation also works with Repair the World Atlanta, which partners with urban gardens across the city that address the need for healthy food in their neighborhoods. Their long-standing partner, Historic Westside Gardens, has empowered over 70 households to create and maintain their own gardens, providing direct access to fruits and vegetables. Atlanta Repair will be offering monthly opportunities, beginning Saturday, March 18, to volunteer in these community gardens. Atlanta Repair also partners with organizations such as Bagel Rescue and The Sandwich Project, which combat food waste by delivering bagels and sandwiches donated by local restaurants and cafes.

Federation is proud to support initiatives that combat food insecurity across Atlanta and the world. We hope you can join us at 12 pm on Sunday, March 12th, at the Home Depot Backyard for the Hunger Walk!

Feb 27 2023

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Applications Are Open for Women’s Leadership Grants

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community

The Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta (JWFA) is accepting applications for their new Women’s Leadership Grants. JWFA seeks to promote social change and creates positive opportunities for Jewish women and girls.

Grant proposals should come from programs and organizations that are promoting social change for Jewish women and girls. Applying organizations may request support for specific programs, or for general operating costs. JWFA seeks to fund projects that place an emphasis on sustainability, leveraged funding, and partnerships. Proposals should be for a one-year period beginning July 1, 2023 and finishing June 30, 2024.

Issue areas JFWA is interested in funding, through a gender and social change lens, include but are not limited to:

Economic empowerment
Leadership development
Gender-based violence prevention
Reproductive justice
Social justice and legal advocacy
Mental health
Mentoring

Applications are due by March 31, 2023. If you have any questions, please contact Rachel Wasserman, CEO of JWFA, at rwasserman@jwfatlanta.org.

Feb 14 2023

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Celebrating Black History Month in Jewish Spaces

By jewishatl Atlanta Jewish Community

By Victoria Raggs, Co-founding Executive Director of the Atlanta Jews of Color Council

Happy Black History Month! The Atlanta Jews of Color Council is extremely thankful to be in our third year as a grantee of the Federation’s Innovation Initiative. AJOCC is a Jewish, Women of Color-owned and -led 501c3 nonprofit organization which promotes opportunities that broaden understanding and appreciation of diverse Jewish ethnicities and nurtures multicultural interactions through the arts. Driving cultural change through arts-based strategy, we design and sustain collaborative learning experiences and creative processes that lead to expansive thinking, dialogue, and communal belonging. We invite the Jewish community, and beyond, into authentic and meaningful conversation designed to move the needle on how we all engage in the world with antiracism and compassion for others.

An important component to being Black Jewish women is that we have a very strong conviction for justice due to our experiences of antisemitism, sexism, and racism. It is a fight for our right to be seen in our fullest humanity every single day. In Jewish tradition, we are guided to live by the value of ometz lev, which translates to “courage”, but literally means “strength” or “heart-strength.” It takes courage for us in today’s world to strive toward G-d. For me, that looks like striving toward justice. Condemnation of violence, valuing of life, and respect for human dignity are rooted in our faith and spiritual traditions.

Nevertheless, Jews of Color, especially Black Jews, are regularly harmed in some Jewish spaces, even in organizations with the best intentions around welcoming and belonging. As a community, we must intentionally come together and advocate for justice in our world to create a future that’s whole. No culture or religion is full of people who look exactly the same, and Jews are no different. Together, we are a multiethnic, multicultural people who continue to build an evolving Jewish culture that includes a religion and a nation. Yet the normative view of a Jew in the U.S., both inside and outside the Jewish community, is an Ashkenazi Jew from Eastern Europe. The ways in which we teach our history have often left some people out of the full story. It brings credibility to us as a community when we accurately display the depth and range of who we are as a people.

Black History Month can be a catalyst to come to terms with the Black Jews among us. To those who want to be a true ally, here are a few actions you can take:

When people in marginalized groups tell you about bias or hardships they’re facing, believe them.
Center and uplift Black perspectives and voices—suggest them for opportunities, mention them on your social media, and hire them into positions of authority.
Call people in if they display problematic, discriminatory behavior or statements.
Use your privilege to speak where other people would be silenced.
Offer resources to empower, not to make dependent.
Celebrate the accomplishments of Black women.

Transformative change is possible, if all marginalized groups have a seat at the table—but not only by being included in our organizations; they must also be part of the leadership in deciding and creating policy. Our institutions should be committed to cultivating actions, not just statements, of a truly inclusive culture which aligns with our Jewish values of Teshuva and Tikkun Olam. Establishing clear and firm procedures and practices that center the humanity of all community members is one of the most impactful strategies for advancing racial equity & justice. Our liberation as humans is bound up together.

Let us all come together to honor Black History Month, because the achievements of Black people, inside our community and out, have contributed to our nation’s greatness, and are part of the collective story of America. We have come a long way toward inclusion in this country but there is still much work to do.

Should you wish to support the work of AJOCC, or join us for upcoming events, please visit our website or find us on social media.