War in Israel
Sept. 11 (18 Elul 5785)
🌍 The war between Israel and Hamas is intensifying as the death toll rises. This week, a shooting in Jerusalem killing six people was lauded by Hamas, and four IDF soldiers were killed and one soldier was injured by Hamas near Gaza City, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to issue an evacuation notice to Gazans.
The Times of Israel estimates hundreds of thousands of people are living in the ruins of Gaza City. Targeting senior Hamas leaders, Israel bombed buildings in Doha, the capital of Qatar.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reiterated: “The war can end tomorrow … We only have two simple demands: 1. The return of our hostages. There are still 48 hostages being held in cruel captivity in Gaza. 2. Hamas must lay down its arms.”
Stateside, the latest Harvard CAPS-Harris poll of U.S. public opinion found that 60 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds favor Hamas — yes, Hamas, not the Palestinians — over Israel. Center for Israel Education President Ken Stein shared other key results and their context. Hollywood has opinions about Israel, too.
📧 As always, thanks for reading. Please send us feedback and ideas.
Y’alla,
Logan
High Holiday prep
⏰ It’s time to dust off family recipes because the new year begins in just 10 days – erev Rosh Hashanah is Monday, Sept. 22. Here are some ways to mark the incoming year.
📘 Read. A laugh-out-loud Sukkot story that reimagines the classic tale of the three little pigs and an inspiring work of historical fiction story about a Jewish family in Vienna fleeing Nazi persecution and becoming refugees in Shanghai are just two titles in a crop of books for the new year. Find new books here.
🪩 Reflect. The Active Aging Network hosts a virtual conversation on Sept. 17 from 1-2 p.m. with Rabbis Laura Geller and Beth Lieberman on “The Power of Life Cycle Rituals in Midlife and Beyond.” It will explore groundbreaking ideas on aging and how to mark key events with deeper meaning. Register here.
🍴 Eat. Put your order in now for round challah, Israeli salad, and chopped liver – the stuff you love but don’t have time or space to make. What looks good? The roasted beet + butternut squash salad from Daily Chew, assorted rugelach from Goldbergs Fine Foods, stuffed cabbage rolls from Kosher Gourmet, and cheese blintzes from General Muir.
🎁 Acknowledge. Grab a gift to keep little ones entertained at dinner or on an airplane. Thank your host and hostess with a mahjong theme, Judaica, or a sense of humor, and don’t forget the family pet.
Teach your old fur new tricks!
SPONSORED BY RESTYLE YOUR FUR
❤️ Do you have a sentimental fur, stole, jacket, or coat hanging in your closet, collecting dust and not being worn? Let Restyle Your Fur perform an unforgettable “trans-fur-mation.”
Restyle Your Fur is a division of Labelle Furs, an Orlando 5th generation family business since 1919, and one of the few premier furriers in the US.
Come visit our event at Magnolia Moon in Alpharetta City Center on Wednesday, Sept 17, and Thursday, Sept 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. during our recycle fur and mink restyling event.
LGBTQ+ youth group
📲 A Jewish LGBTQ+ resource in Atlanta is launching a youth group for teens.
SOJOURN, the Southern Jewish resource for gender and sexual diversity, has announced a new opportunity for teenagers to explore their queer and Jewish identities, connect with others, and embrace their uniqueness. SOJOURN has eight events planned from September to April that include discussion, art, field trips, and fun.
Facilitated by three queer Jewish adults, SOJOURN is a supportive and nourishing space to make friends, learn, and explore.
👋🏼 The first event is on Sunday, Sept. 14. There is sliding-scale pricing for this program; no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Register today.
Be a mensch
🫶🏼 The fall provides opportunities to learn about and participate in Jewish philanthropy.
Sunday, Sept. 14: Young Jewish professionals are supporting projects at JF&CS on Mitzvah Day. Opportunities include multi-generational gatherings, cooking dinner, creating art, and more. Sign up to volunteer, and stay for drinks and apps.
Sunday, Sept. 28: Reverse Tashlich with Adamah and GIPL is an opportunity to clean up waterways while marking the new year. Sign up to volunteer in Decatur or Brookhaven.
Thursday, Oct. 9: Learn about JWC Atlanta, which nurtures spiritual and educational community for women, and Adamah, North America’s largest Jewish environmental organization. Register to attend the Women’s Philanthropy POP Up.
📩Let Y’alla know about opportunities to volunteer in the community.
As more Jews acquire guns, a Jewish security group urges stronger regulations for synagogues
🔫 The Jewish mother in Cleveland was always uncomfortable with guns and never imagined owning one herself — but that was before Oct. 7.
After Hamas’ 2023 attack on Israel spurred a surge in antisemitism, the 53-year-old mother of teenaged twins was so frightened by the prospect of danger for her family that she joined a local Jewish gun club. After gaining comfort in handling firearms, she bought one that she now keeps, loaded, in a safe next to her bed. She feels ready to protect her family if she needs to.
“It’s unfortunately just a different world today than it was,” said the mother.➡ Read the full story on the Forward.
Look & Listen
🍫 Over it? Say “Oy Vey” and eat local chocolate with this Spiller Park + Xocolatl concoction.
🤣 Jewish comedian Hannah Berner of “Summer House” fame is coming to Atlanta in January.
📚 Thousands of books were seized by the Nazis from Jewish Theological Seminary, but they’re slowly being returned.
What’s doin’ around town
SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH
🦉 Our apologies. We published an incorrect link for the Sept. 13 SciFi book club discusses “Night Owls.” Here are the details.
🀄 Sept. 15: Afternoon mahjong in Sandy Springs.
🧑🧑🧒🧒 Sept. 16: Strategies for parenting highly sensitive children.
🌙 Sept. 16: “A Season of Intention and Renewal” at The Dupree.
🥙 Sept. 17: Lunch with Holocaust educator Brendan Murphy.
🧘🏽 Sept. 18: Drop-in Jewish mindfulness meditation.
🖼️ Sept. 20: Group art show at Distillery for Modern Art.
👟 Sept. 28: Pickleball tourney for a cause.
🗓️ The High Holidays are just around the corner (10 days—who’s counting?). Looking for a soulful way to ease in? Join us! Selichot is this Saturday at Or Hadash. Details & RSVP plus info on all our holiday services and programs.
Before you go
🍏 There are so many exciting opportunities to get engaged in the Jewish community. Tell your your bubbie, your painter, your new mahjong partner to sign up for our newsletter. Volunteer. Try something new. And lastly, tell Y’alla all about it!