The heartbreaking loss of the Bibas family is a painful reminder of both the resilience and the deep suffering of the Jewish people these past 500+ days. As we mourn Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir, we are more committed than ever to our children—to ensuring they grow up with a strong Jewish education, unwavering security, deep pride in their identities, and a thriving Jewish community that will always stand by them. We owe it to them, to our future, and to every generation that came before us.
Take a moment to watch our new video below, which is dedicated to the Bibas family and Jewish children everywhere.
Am Yisrael Chai and Happy Purim. 🧡
On Thursday, March 6, the Atlanta Jewish Foundation hosted its fourth annual Grow a Legacy event, bringing together over 200 philanthropists, community leaders, and families committed to ensuring a vibrant Jewish future. Grow a Legacy is a celebration of commitment, where legacy donors—those who have pledged gifts to sustain Jewish Atlanta, Israel, and beyond—come together to connect, share ideas, and inspire action.
When we sat down with Rachel Rosner, Endowment & Fiduciary Review Officer at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, to reflect on the event, she passionately shared an old certificate her grandfather received from “The Brooklyn Federation of Jewish Charities” in 1939, honoring his “service, loyalty, and devotion to the organization.” Rachel keeps it in her office because, as she put it, “It inspires me and gives me a reputation to live up to.”
This deep sense of intergenerational pride and gratitude is what legacy giving is all about. As Rosner explained, “It’s about building the foundation—just like for a house. It’s ensuring our community’s needs are met not just today but for generations to come.”
Legacy gifts can take many forms—endowments, bequests, IRA contributions, life insurance policies, and donor-advised funds. Unlike annual giving, which meets immediate needs, legacy gifts provide long-term sustainability for Jewish institutions. “You can start an endowment at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation with as little as $10,000, and the best part is that this type of giving doesn’t have to come from your wallet today,” Rosner emphasized. “It’s about planning for the future in a way that aligns with your values.”
This year’s event recognized the matriarchs of our community—women who, like courageous Queen Esther, have shaped their communities and inspired new generations of Jewish leaders. A powerful conversation featuring Candy Berman, Etta Raye Hirsch, Cathy Selig, and Raya Zalik, moderated by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Frances Bunzl Chief Advancement Officer, Lindsay Kopecky, highlighted how these women have instilled a philanthropic mindset in their families and strengthened Jewish Atlanta. As one of our guests observed, “Each of the matriarchs learned by seeing their grandparents’ actions, and upon joining in those mitzvahs, they internalized these values and now pass them on to their grandchildren.”
Many attendees spoke about how philanthropy shaped their family narratives, passing down values like an heirloom. One particularly moving moment came when Candy Berman shared, “For me, philanthropy is not how you give, it’s how you live. And for us, it’s about expressing yourself. It’s about making your voice heard. It’s the friends you have. It’s the things you care about, and, it’s the passions that you choose to support.”
As discussions unfolded, it became clear that legacy giving is not just about financial contributions—it’s about addressing the most pressing concerns facing the Jewish community. Rosner noted key issues driving philanthropy today: rising antisemitism, security concerns, and mental health. Many donors see their gifts as a response to these challenges, ensuring Jewish Atlanta remains strong and resilient.
One initiative gaining traction is the L’dor Vador Fund, designed to help families engage in philanthropic discussions and decisions. “The L’dor Vador Fund ensures that these conversations happen across generations.” Rosner explained. Cathy Selig shared how she recently opened a fund for her grandchildren: “With the help of the Jewish Foundation’s wonderful staff, they got together and gave their funds to Jewish causes. I’m hoping to continue that legacy forever, and I’m hoping that it will inspire some of you to do the same thing.”
Engage the Next GenerationFor those who have not yet considered their own legacy, Rosner posed a simple question: What do you want your impact to be?
The Atlanta Jewish Foundation stands ready to help each person find their answer—one that ensures their generosity will echo for generations. To learn more about how the Foundation can help you actualize your family’s philanthropic vision, contact Ghila Sanders at gsanders@jewishatlanta.org.
Technology is transformative — shaping industries, communities, and relationships. For Jewish professionals in Atlanta’s tech sector, JTech turns connections into action. More than just a networking group, it fosters relationships among industry leaders, venture capitalists, founders, and professionals while introducing them to Federation’s work.
JTech creates a space where ideas spark, support systems form, and Jewish values guide both innovation and leadership, strengthening Jewish community ties through meaningful engagement and philanthropy.
Beth Arogeti, Board Chair of Federation, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The number of Jewish people in the technology field in Atlanta is growing rapidly. Giving these people opportunities to network and learn together will engage more individuals with the work of Federation and will strengthen Jewish ATL.”
Modeled after JCREN, Federation’s successful affinity networking for real estate professionals, JTech demonstrates how professional communities can thrive while deepening Jewish connections. From its first gathering, which featured David Zalik of The Zalik Foundation — founder of GreenSky, which went public and was later acquired by Goldman Sachs —JTech has served as a hub where professionals connect with industry giants, exchange insights, and explore the broader impact of their work in Jewish Atlanta and beyond.
Most recently, JTech hosted a panel of venture capitalists investing in startups in both the U.S. and Israel. In the wake of October 7, Israeli startups are navigating uncharted waters, and the panelists highlighted how investment and support for Israeli innovation are more critical than ever. “We wanted to highlight the good parts of what’s going on and how there are funders out there who are specifically interested in supporting founders from Israel,” explained Joel Ashner, Senior Director of Major Gifts, who has been instrumental in organizing the initiative.
Panelists included Tzahi Lati, Associate Director at OurCrowd, who shared insights into Israeli entrepreneurship and venture capital; Adam Lewites, Managing Director at Phoenix Capital Ventures, focusing on early-stage investments in sports, gaming, and human performance; and Kerry Miller, Founder & Managing Partner at IDA Ventures, advising Israeli founders expanding into the U.S. market. The discussion shed light on how venture capitalists are adapting to the evolving landscape, supporting Israeli innovation, and ensuring that the Jewish startup ecosystem remains strong even in times of crisis.
Beyond the business strategies, JTech attendees walked away with a deeper understanding of Federation’s global impact. For many, it was the first time they saw the connection between their professional lives and their ability to uplift Jewish communities— locally and abroad. Mitchell Kopelman, JTech Co-Chair, highlighted the initiative’s significance, sharing, “The JTech initiative, organized by Federation, has been a remarkable platform for bringing together Jewish community members involved in the tech sector. Over the past two years, JTech has evolved into an essential group that fosters connections among investors, founders, philanthropists, and professionals working in various aspects of the tech sector.”
JTech Co-Chair Dorrie Paradies echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of fostering a welcoming and inclusive space: “The goal of JTech is to create an avenue for Jews in the tech space to engage and connect. It aims to bring together both those involved and not involved in the Jewish community, fostering a sense of belonging. J-Tech helps individuals continue to build their networks while feeling connected to this incredible community. Personally, I feel privileged to have benefited from the Jewish Federation community, and I want others to have the same enriching experience.”
JTech is about more than networking — it’s about leveraging professional success to foster philanthropy, mentorship, and a deeper connection to Jewish life. By engaging professionals where they are — whether in boardrooms, startup accelerators, or venture capital panels — Federation is strengthening Jewish Atlanta’s future.
Stay connected with JTech— update your preferences (select ‘Tech and Innovation’) to receive the latest updates and events.
Purim is a celebration of resilience and redemption, a reminder that light can emerge from even the darkest moments. It’s a holiday that calls us to rejoice, give generously, and stand proudly as a Jewish community. This year, that spirit extended beyond synagogues and homes into the broader Atlanta community, where Purim joy met purposeful action.
Spearheaded by Carla Birnbaum, Relational Engagement Manager, Federation brought that spirit to the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s annual Hunger Walk Run. Families, faith-based organizations, and dedicated community members came together to raise funds and take action against food insecurity.
Federation has long been a key partner in the Hunger Walk Run, uniting the Jewish community to support hunger relief. This year’s participation remained strong, with 175 participants across 40 teams rallying together in an extraordinary show of commitment. Despite the rain, Federation’s team, FEEDeration, demonstrated record-breaking engagement and enthusiasm. With donations open until March 31, the team is on track to raise an impressive $70,000, reinforcing the impact of collective action in the fight against hunger.
At the Federation tent, participants enjoyed Purim festivities — dancing, groggers, hamantaschen, crafts, and inflatables. Rabbi Elizabeth Breit of Congregation B’nai Torah highlighted the significance of sharing Jewish joy in a public space. “It brings me a lot of joy to be out with other Jews doing helpful things in public in the greater community, so people can see Jewish joy and Happy Purim groggers,” she shared. “We can offer people of many faiths and backgrounds a hamantaschen as happy Jews serving the world out here in Atlanta.”
This sense of purpose was captured by Rich Walter, Federation’s Chief Impact Officer, as he reflected on the alignment between Purim and the Hunger Walk. “One of the commandments of Purim is Matanot L’Evyonim, to care for those in need,” he explained. “It’s not something we do just because it feels good; it’s actually something that our tradition commands us to do.”
The Hunger Walk is more than a fundraising event — it is a shared mission across communities. “I am proud of the work Federation does to support other organizations like Bagel Rescue and JF&CS to help feed our community,” said Angelena May. This dedication is what continues to inspire Carla Birnbaum year after year. “Every year at the Hunger Walk, I come back inspired because I feel like the Atlanta community is so united in fighting hunger,” she shared. “As one of the faith-based partners, I get to work with so many other organizations that are just as committed to hunger relief as we are at Federation.”
For some, participation in the Hunger Walk spans generations. Rebecca Kaplan, a longtime supporter, shared, “I am the third generation in my family to participate, support, and raise money for the Food Bank. My mother, Sally Kaplan, and my grandmother, Helen Cavalier, started fundraising with the Food Bank back in 1985.” She described the event as her “favorite day of the year,” adding, “It doesn’t matter what the weather is. When you look around, you see people from every religion. Everyone’s here for the common goal of helping those who would otherwise go hungry.”
As the celebration came to a close, the energy and determination of the participants remained unwavering. The call to fight food insecurity doesn’t end with Purim — it’s a daily commitment ensuring that no one in our community goes hungry.
Missed the Hunger Walk? You can still make a difference! Donations accepted until Monday, March 31.
In an era where safety is a growing concern, Federation is committed to ensuring that Jewish Atlanta remains secure, prepared, and resilient. One of the most powerful tools in community security is collaboration—bringing together synagogues, Jewish day schools, law enforcement, and local leaders to share resources and best practices.
That’s why Federation’s Community Security Initiative hosts quarterly security meetings, ensuring that Jewish institutions stay informed and connected. At the most recent community-wide security meeting, held at The Epstein School, FBI Special Agent Mike Williamson led the discussion. He focused on creating Threat Assessment Threat Management (TATM) working groups in synagogues and Jewish private schools.
TATM teams are effective, proactive, and protective measures designed to prevent—not predict—potential acts of targeted violence and terrorism. These groups help identify and manage individuals who may be at risk of mobilizing to violence, providing alternatives to investigation or prosecution for bystanders seeking intervention assistance.
According to Brian Davis, Federation’s Community Security Director, these meetings bring together rabbis, executive directors, security volunteers, and law enforcement partners from the federal, state, and local levels. “If you want a tight-knit community, you need to be in person,” Davis explains. “It’s essential that we meet, talk, and learn from each other—because what affects one facility is likely affecting another.”
Davis highlighted a tragic case from Appalachia High School, where a student in crisis fell into a legal “gray area.” Had a proactive intervention team been in place, his path toward violence might have been prevented. “These teams aren’t about enforcement; they’re about giving someone—whether a rabbi, teacher, or community volunteer—the tools to step in and help before it’s too late,” Davis explains.
Special Agent Williamson reinforced this idea, stating:
“We all want to prevent, not react, to targeted violence. Preventing targeted violence takes a whole-of-community approach to first identify, then assess and manage a person of concern, away from the pathway of violence, to a healthy, productive life. The public and law enforcement working together through the use of TATM teams creates a force multiplier that can and will prevent targeted violence. Decades of research show us that offenders do not just snap; they consider, plan, and prepare, which provides time for us as teams to detect and intervene.”
This kind of forward-thinking security model is already making a difference. Federation’s security meetings have fostered stronger relationships among community institutions, allowing them to share best practices and learn from experts. “We all know each other by name now,” Davis says. “That alone makes our community stronger.”
For those looking to take a more active role in community security, Special Agent Williamson has offered to team up with Brian Davis to speak with any synagogue, school, or organization interested in forming a TATM team. Additional security resources can also be found at fbi.gov, under the Behavioral Analysis Unit/TATM Initiative and dhs.gov under Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management.
Looking ahead, Federation’s upcoming community-wide security sessions will continue to provide critical insights. This spring, a session on cybersecurity is planned, followed by a summer meeting on emergency preparedness with the Georgia Emergency Management Agency.
By taking part in these conversations and initiatives, Jewish Atlanta can stand stronger, more connected, and better prepared for the future.
What if every Jewish space was truly accessible to all? Shabbat for All, an initiative by Federation’s JAccess Initiative (formerly known as Jewish Abilities Atlanta) in partnership with Federation’s PJ Library, is working to make that vision a reality. This pilot program is a movement toward ensuring that Shabbat, and Jewish life as a whole, is welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
“I really wanted to find a way to work with PJ Library, an amazing initiative in the Federation world, to intersect people with disabilities and include them in Jewish spaces,” explained Lindsey Flax, Training Coordinator for JAccess. “Shabbat for All became a model and training opportunity, as well as an event in itself, to mentor synagogues that truly value inclusion and accessibility.”
Held at Congregation Or Hadash, Shabbat for All was both a welcoming Shabbat experience and a learning opportunity for synagogues. Attendees participated in hands-on activities like crafting challah covers, while the PJ Library book This is My Shabbat was brought to life through ASL storytelling by Sarah Lynn and Teddy Guillory. Families engaged in sensory-friendly experiences and learned about accessibility needs in Jewish spaces.
“Access to Jewish life means different needs for different people,” said Lindsey. “For some, it’s having sensory-friendly headsets for services; for others, it’s live captioning or registration forms that proactively ask about accessibility needs. It’s about ensuring that all families feel welcome and prepared for what to expect when they visit a synagogue.”
Rabbi Lauren Henderson of Congregation Or Hadash shared the impact of the event: “Shabbat for All was an amazing program offering kids and adults of all ages the opportunity to ease into Shabbat in community and experience our shul for the first time. Through crafts, storytelling, ASL interpretation, play, music, and food, each person got to experience Shabbat in a way that was meaningful to them.”
Federation’s PJ Library played a crucial role in shaping the event. “Pam Cohen, the director of PJ Library Atlanta, and I often discuss how to ensure that children’s books reflect disability representation in authentic ways,” Lindsey shared. “We want to create programming that isn’t just for children with disabilities but is fully integrated — where kids with and without disabilities learn from one another and build friendships from an early age. Too often, kids with disabilities are segregated, and we want to change that. We want to make sure all kids have the same opportunities to just be kids, to play, learn, and grow alongside their peers in a truly inclusive environment.”
The success of Shabbat for All is part of a broader shift toward year-round accessibility in Jewish spaces. Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) is being phased out in favor of ongoing efforts to make inclusion a daily priority. “This shift demonstrates our dedication to making accessibility an everyday priority in Jewish Atlanta,” Lindsey explained.
JAccess is working with the Synagogue Inclusion Committee and other local organizations to expand the Shabbat for All model across different congregations. “Our goal is for synagogues to take ownership of inclusive programming and make accessibility a mindset, not just a special event,” Lindsey emphasized. “We want every family in Jewish Atlanta to know there is a space for them in Jewish life — always.”
As Lindsey summed it up, the essence of Shabbat for All comes down to three key words: “Belonging, accessibility, and curiosity.” With those values at its core, this initiative is paving the way for a more inclusive Jewish Atlanta.
Make Your Community More Inclusive. Join Federation’s JAccess Initiative in partnership with JEcosystem for one of our Accessibility Trainings on Wednesday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 26. Sign up today to learn how to create inclusive spaces for all.
