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How Federation Supports Mental Health

By CARING

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. After the tumult of the last several years, there is, thankfully, more focus than ever on the importance of proper mental healthcare in all our lives. The theme for this year’s observance month is “More Than Enough,” because every person has inherent value—no matter your diagnosis, socioeconomic status, background, or ability. You, as you are, are more than enough 

Here are a few ways Federation supports mental healthcare: 

  • Federation partners with The Blue Dove Foundation, which aims to address mental illness and addiction in the Jewish community and beyond. They work with organizations and communities—both Jewish and interfaith—across the country and around the world. Click here to access their free resources for Mental Health Awareness Month 
  • Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS) supports the health of Jewish Atlantans in many ways, and that includes mental health. They offer counseling for people in every stage of life, from children to older adults. Their therapists accept most insurance and offer private pay options, as well as sliding scale fees. Click here to explore the full range of clinical services.  
  • BeWell supports Jewish youth facing mental health challenges as well as those that care for them. In March, BeWell Atlanta was launched thanks to a $500,000 matching grant from the Zalik Foundation, secured through the Atlanta Jewish Funder Collaborative led by the Atlanta Jewish Foundation. This will allow for the hiring of more professionals and the expansion of services at JF&CS’s Frances Bunzl Clinical Services. The National arm of BeWell hosts monthly Resiliency Roundtables themed around mental health topics. May’s session is Community Approaches & Clinical Insights to Youth Suicide Prevention. The online workshop is May 23, 2023 at 2 PM; click here to register.  
  • In The City Camps (ITC) recently announced that their strength-focused mental health staff training program is now available. Federation supported them in adopting this curriculum, thanks to a grant from our Innovation Initiative. The curriculum is available to all camps nationally this summer and will better prepare staff for the challenges that can occur during camp sessions.  

Mental health affects every area of a person’s life, and it is so important that Jewish Atlantans can access care and education before they are in crisis. By giving to Federation, you’re supporting these and other programs that connect people to the help they need.  

Jewish HomeLife Offers In-Person Caregiver Support Groups

By CARING, COMMUNITY

“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 

Celebrating Women-Led Innovation

By CARING, COMMUNITY, 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. 

Celebrate Women-Led Innovation

By CARING, COMMUNITY, 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. 

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

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By Atlanta Jewish Foundation, CARING, COMMUNITY, Eric's Blog, GLOBAL JEWRY, INNOVATION, Jewish Camp Initiative, JEWISH JOURNEYS, People in Need, PHILANTHROPY

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How Federation Supports Ethiopian Jews

By CARING, GLOBAL JEWRY, People in Need

During Black History Month, we celebrate and commemorate the history of the African diaspora. In the United States, we often think of this month through the lens of African Americans, but it’s important to recognize much of Black History does not involve the U.S. Indeed, there are Black Jews all over the world, and their history is our history. One of the largest and most well-known Black Jewish communities is from Ethiopia, and Federation supports initiatives that help Ethiopian Jews and amplify their stories.  

The Beta Israel of Ethiopia are one of the oldest Jewish diaspora communities, in existence for over 1500  years. Across the centuries, this community has weathered poverty, persecution, war, and the threat of conversion. Many Ethiopian Jewish people have made Aliyah and now reside in Israel, having managed to escape the turmoil in their country of birth. But once in Israel, it can be difficult to assimilate.  

Since the current war in Ethiopia began in 2020, a new wave of olim have come to live in Israel. The Jewish Agency for Israel (JAFI) is one of Federation’s biggest partners, and they work closely with olim before they even leave Ethiopia. JAFI provides security on the ground in Ethiopia, pre-Aliyah medical and administrational preparation, and nutritional support programs in Addis Ababa and Gondar. Once in Israel, olim move into one of 15 absorption centers that cater to the cultural needs of Ethiopian immigrants and continue to receive Jewish Agency housing while they complete their absorption process. At JAFI centers, they receive comprehensive support services, Hebrew lessons, after-school academic enrichment for the children, opportunities for vocational training, and much more. 

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta also works with our partner region in Israel, Yokneam-Meggido, on programs to help Ethiopian immigrants settle into their new communities once they leave JAFI housing. Funds from Federation go to initiatives to boost educational achievements among students, increase parent engagement in children’s schooling, connect children and teenagers to Community Center classes and youth movements, improve the quality of life for Amharic-speaking residents by closing language and cultural gaps, and detect developmental delays in young children, and much more.  

Here in Atlanta, Federation is proud to fund the work of the Atlanta Jews of Color Council (AJOCC) through our Innovation initiative. AJOCC aims to use the arts to drive belonging for Jews of Color in Atlanta. This year, AJOCC is hosting Jewish Ethiopian actors, producers, and filmmakers who are teaching and exhibiting their work in Atlanta. Shai Ferdo, an actor and filmmaker, is the star of Exodus 91, the film sponsored by Federation in this year’s Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. He is teaching as an adjunct at Clark Atlanta University this semester, and since arriving in Atlanta, he has spoken on a panel with the American Jewish Committee and given a talk at the Weber School about his experience as an Ethiopian Jew in Israel. Many Ethiopians who immigrate to Israel experience anti-Black discrimination, and he has spoken candidly about the need for Jews of Color to be recognized as fully Jewish in predominantly white-passing communities. AJOCC is sponsoring his stay in Atlanta, as well as other artists.  

Black Jewish History is integral to the history of Judaism across the world; we cannot speak of Jewish history without speaking of the diversity within our global community. 

Commemorate MLK Day with a Weekend of Service

By CARING, COMMUNITY

Repair the World and Federation are calling on the Jewish community to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day “a day on, not a day off.” Beginning this Friday, Federation, Repair the World, and our coalition partners will observe MLK Day with a weekend of service opportunities across Atlanta inspired by Dr. King—and you’re invited to join.

The 2023 MLK Weekend of Service is a way for Jews in Atlanta to connect with each other, care for our neighbors, and build resilience for the times we need support. Choose from service projects like tree planting, park clean up, daffodil planting, meal delivery, cooking meals for shelters at home, packing hygiene supplies, and more.

The Weekend of Service will begin with a Racial Justice Shabbat this Friday, January 13. This evening, presented in partnership with Atlanta Jews of Color Council (AJOCC) and OneTable, is an opportunity to begin this impactful weekend with learning, reflection, and mindfulness with and from our Jews of Color (JOC) community.

Service projects will take place January 14 – 16. There are a variety of meaningful service options for all ages, but spots are limited, so be sure to sign up in advance.

This weekend is an opportunity for all to engage in tikkun olam (repairing the world) and in meaningful learning around the legacy of Dr. King.

Click here to register for projects around the Atlanta area. Please join us this weekend and have a Day On!

Partner Spotlight: Jewish HomeLife

By CARING, COMMUNITY

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Community Campaign is underway. But what happens to the funds that are raised? The answer is, they are granted to our community partners—incredible organizations in Atlanta and across the world that make a difference in people’s lives. One such group that we are proud to support is Jewish HomeLife.

Jewish HomeLife is Jewish Atlanta’s senior care network that supports people at every stage of aging. Their network is comprised of nine residential communities and at-home care services, including The William Breman Jewish Home, The Cohen Home, Berman Commons, the Jewish Tower, Eckstein Home Care, and Weinstein Hospice, to name a few. Founded in 1951, Jewish HomeLife provides independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, private home care, hospice services, and more.

Stephanie Wyatt, Jewish HomeLife’s Chief Development Officer, says “We partner with Federation in many ways. We are privileged to be part of Federation’s core partners and receive annual allocations that directly benefit our residents. A large portion of these community funds help fill the gap between Medicaid reimbursement and the actual cost of care for those residents, which can exceed $45,000 per resident per year.”

She says another major way Federation supports Jewish HomeLife is through our collaboration with Atlanta. AgeWell is a joint project between Jewish Family & Career Services, Jewish HomeLife, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, and Federation. “The community has a one-stop-shop where people can learn about our services, and the other available services for aging people in Atlanta. It’s expanded our reach and helped more people contact us.”

The key to Jewish HomeLife is that its network serves everyone while being guided by Jewish values. Principles like cherishing life, respecting all people, and restorative justice through family are at the core of Jewish HomeLife. For 70 years, they have served the people of Atlanta, no matter their background or ability to pay.

Stephanie says “Federation is a community resource, and we are grateful for their continued support. Not only do they provide needed financial assistance, but they provide professional development and support through programs such as LIFE AND LEGACY®,  Jacobson Leadership Institute, as well as other trainings and seminars.”

Jewish HomeLife provides numerous services for people who are recovering from surgery, require dementia care, need help with daily living, or who simply could use a companion. They partner with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide subsidized housing for those who need it, and even have a home care agency, Eckstein Home Care, to help those who need caregiver support or trained companions in their own home

Even if you or a loved one do not currently need the help of Jewish HomeLife, you might someday. Stephanie says that it is vital for people to know what they do, and how to contact them. “Everyone ages,” she says, “and we support people while they do.”

To give to Federation and support the work of Jewish HomeLife, click here.

Winter Bears Down on Ukrainians

By CARING, GLOBAL JEWRY

Winter is quickly approaching in Ukraine, and sadly, the war continues. In recent weeks, critical infrastructure that provides power and water throughout the country has been destroyed. Meanwhile, refugees continue to flee the region. As it gets colder, their situation will be more dire than ever. Though the war is taking up less space in American newspapers and airwaves, our brethren still need our help.  

Since February, Jewish Atlanta has raised more than $2.5 million to assist people directly impacted by the war. Combined with the fundraising efforts of other Jewish Federations of North America, the Jewish Agency for Israel, and the Joint Distribution Committee, North American Jewish communities have provided $73 million to aid over 39,000 refugees—both Jewish and non-Jewish. 

You can help mitigate the tragic and traumatic losses experienced by our Jewish family in Ukraine, Russia, and neighboring countries. Continued humanitarian support is vital to rebuilding the Ukrainian Jewish community and ensuring safe passage for those seeking to resettle in Israel, Poland, the United States and elsewhere. 

Federation is accepting donations on behalf of Ukrainians who have been displaced and who are weathering the unrest in their country. So far, donations to Federation have already helped over 12,900 Jews evacuate a war zone. As winter bears down on Eastern Europe, your generosity can mean the difference between life and death.  

As one Ukrainian volunteer remarked, “It is a Jewish value to help others; please don’t stop. We cannot get tired.” 

Fighting Antisemitism on College Campuses

By CARING, COMMUNITY

This past Saturday night in Jacksonville, Florida, following the University of Georgia (UGA)/University of Florida (UF) football game, there was yet another high-profile instance of antisemitism in the United States. The words, “Kanye is right about the Jews” were projected onto the side of the stadium, as well as other downtown buildings.  

For weeks, the American Jewish community has endured a parade of hateful messages. In few places is this more keenly felt than on college and university campuses. Current college students report that anti-Zionist sentiment on campuses is rampant, and that non-Jewish students conflate their feelings about the Israeli government with their feelings about their Jewish classmates.  

In October, the Anti-Defamation League reported that there were 359 anti-Israel incidents on campuses during the 2021-2022 school year. And on Saturday in Jacksonville, an event between two universities was marred by American antisemitism. 

Wayne Keil, Interim CEO of Hillels of Georgia, awoke at 3:30 am on Sunday morning to a phone call about the incident in Jacksonville. He and his UGA Director, Jeremy Lichtig, spent the morning speaking with officials at UGA, UF, University of Florida Hillel, and the Anti-Defamation League, among others.  

Hillel works to support Jewish students, faculty, and staff on college campuses, and Keil says in moments like this, he sees the value of their daily work. “We’ve been preparing for this, not knowing what ‘this’ would be.” 

“What I found to be most impressive was the ability of so many different people from different organizations to quickly come together,” he says. “Hillel has managed to build bridges into the administrations at these schools so they could quickly speak to each other and release a joint message.”  

That solidarity is extremely important for Jewish college students, who face prejudice from other students, and sometimes even faculty, on campus. In September, AP reported that the University of Vermont is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education after a teaching assistant threatened to give Zionist students lower grades.  

So what can we do? Federation supports programs and organizations, like Hillel, that work with college students. Hillel gives Jewish students a community on campus and gives them tools to address hot-button issues with their peers.  

Federation also funds The Jewish Agency for Israel’s (JAFI) Israel Campus Fellows program, which brings Israeli young adults to work on university and college campuses. The Fellows work to expose Americans, both Jewish and non-Jewish, to real Israeli people in order to diminish stereotypes and help them develop a personal relationship with the people of Israel.  

In the face of rising hatred, it is vital that Jewish people are able to tell our stories and care for our community. The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Community Campaign is currently open, and your donations will directly help Jews in Georgia and beyond. When you give to Federation’s Partners Fund, you’re supporting Hillels of Georgia, Israel Campus Fellows, and more. 

Jews are a vibrant, diverse, and strong group of people. We have overcome obstacles and lived through tumultuous times. The way our community mobilizes in a crisis is beautiful and powerful, and today you can be part of rallying against antisemitism. Please visit our website, read about the work of our partners, learn about our own programs, and consider donating to our Community Campaign 

As Keil says, “They can try to divide us, but they won’t be successful. They never are.” 

We are united against the forces of bigotry. We Are Jewish ATL.