Welcoming them home
Oct. 17 (25 Tishri 5786)
🎗️ For two years, the American Jewish community has employed powerful visual reminders: yellow ribbons, Israeli flags, Bring Them Home posters, IDF dog tag necklaces, empty holiday chairs, Am Yisrael Chai stickers.
😟 Twenty living hostages came home on Oct. 13, and the remains of 28 hostages are slowly being released by Hamas. It seems the hostages barely had time to emerge when commentary began about who was on the right and the wrong side of the war. Can we revel in the relief a little longer?
🪧 An online showing of “Torn” is being shown online tonight, Oct.16, at 7 p.m. EST by JTA. “Torn” is an acclaimed documentary about people in New York City tearing down posters of kidnapped hostages.
Thanks for reading!
Y’alla,
Logan
📚 The Book Festival of the MJCCA is back! From Oct. 22 to Nov. 16, the 34th annual festival features an impressive array of authors, including John Grisham, John Kasich, Debbie Gibson, Jake Cohen, and Sanjay Gupta. Checkout the full lineup and get tickets here! SPONSOR MESSAGE
On the town with kiddos
👧🏽 There are lots of opportunities for families with young children to dive into the Jewish community.
Friday, Oct. 17: JBaby kicks off a five-week small group series with music, education, support, and playtime. Designed for babies ages 0–12 months and their parent(s). Location is Intown Atlanta.
Saturday, Oct. 18: Join family Shabbat at Brook Run Park in Dunwoody from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. Sing with Rabbi G by the playground and get your fill of challah and juice. The farmer’s market will be in full swing starting at 9 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 18: Ma’alot is holding an all-ages interfaith family picnic from 12-2 p.m. in East Atlanta Village. BYO blanket or chairs.
Sunday, Oct. 19: Join JBaby and FIT4MOM for a workout class just for pregnant or newly postpartum mamas in Buckhead. The 60-minute workout includes cardio, strength, balance, and flexibility training.
Sunday, Oct. 26: Wear an animal costume to this story and stroll in Midtown from 4-5:30 p.m. JBaby will meet in the park to bring the story of Noah’s Ark to life. Free.
Sunday, Oct. 26: Grandparents are invited to a morning of play, laughter, and connection in Dunwoody from 10-11:30 a.m. with PJ Library. Enjoy quality time with snacks, crafts, and books.
Saturday, Nov. 1: From 11 a.m.-12 p.m., AA Synagogue holds an interactive, playful family Shabbat for kids up to 8 years old.
📧 Did we miss an event? Email us.
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GOP blunder
📆 For months, Republican members of the Senate have been accused of promoting hate speech. Last week, leaked messages revealed that Young Republicans – the GOP’s 15,000-member political organization for 18 to 40 year olds – were musing about putting political opponents in gas chambers, raping enemies, and supporting slavery.
📵 Now, the Georgia Young Republican Executive Board has issued a statement condemning the messages. “Such hateful rhetoric has no place in our organization. We as Republicans believe that all peoples should be judged on the content of their character, not skin color, ethnicity or religious affiliation,” the statement said in part.
How new laws are shaping what schools teach about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
👩🏻🏫 Teachers, parents and schools have long debated what students should learn about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But lesson plans have typically been discussed in PTA gatherings, faculty meetings and curriculum committees — not determined by legislation.
That’s changing, as new laws around the country seek to regulate how narratives about the conflict are taught. The measures are testing the boundaries of classroom free speech, teeing up legal battles between teachers who want to express pro-Palestinian viewpoints in the classroom and those who see such lessons as unprofessional or antisemitic.
📍 Read the full story on the Forward.
💡 Smart investment in infrastructure means more than building substations or installing new technology. It also means making sure there are skilled people to do the work. Learn how Georgia Power’s support of programs like Construction Ready is helping ensure that when opportunity comes, Georgians are ready to step forward. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Look & Listen
🗳️ SOJOURN community member Bex Taylor-Klaus is co-starring in the film “Re-Election,” in theaters Oct. 17.
📹 Watch these touching videos of the hostages returning.
📖 Kamala Harris’ new book discusses Israel and Gaza.
🎻 AJFF is celebrating 25 years with an Atlanta Symphony concert on Monday, Oct. 20.
What’s doin’ around town
SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH
👽 Oct. 18: Sci-Fi book club on “Sanhedrin Chronicles” by J.S. Gold.
🏗️ Oct. 22: “ADA: My Mother the Architect” film at The Tara.
🤝🏼 Oct. 22: Oy Vey weekly AA meeting in Sandy Springs.
🎩 Oct. 25: Magician and mentalist Joshua Jay performs.
🕎 The next Jewish holiday is Chanukah on Dec. 14.
🕯️ Light Shabbat candles this week at 6:35 p.m.
🗓️ Happening this Saturday at Or Hadash! Shabbat Hadasha✨
A refreshing, soulful way to greet Shabbat—fewer words, deeper meaning. Start with optional guided meditation (9:15–10 am), stay for prayer and reflection, and enjoy kiddush lunch together. Come curious—leave uplifted! Details.
We remember
🎗️ Zabar’s devoted fans remember Saul Zabar, 97, who made his family’s grocery store a household name for 70-plus years in New York City.
“A true New York legend. He gave the city lox, love, and a place to argue over babka,” wrote New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a post on X. “Zabar’s isn’t just a store, it’s a slice of NYC soul. May his memory be a blessing.”
Zabar’s serves some 2,000 pounds of smoked fish and 8,000 pounds of coffee each week to roughly 40,000 customers, according to The New York Times.