It’s a meshugah world
July 17 (21 Tamuz 5785)
🤯 The world has gone mad. Between Elmo’s hacked, antisemitic social media post about Jeffrey Epstein, Mandy Patankin’s on-video breakdown about Israel, and allegations about another ADL muck-up, I’m going back to bed.
As a news nerd, I’d never tell you to turn the TV off, even if Kendrick would. But maybe turn down the volume. This week was a doozy.
Y’alla,
Logan
Study abroad
✡️ Judy Schancupp of the Georgia Holocaust Commission in Sandy Springs was one of 12 middle and high school teachers and Holocaust center personnel selected by the Jewish Foundation for the Righteous to study in the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark.
The group visited Holocaust sites including the Portuguese Synagogue, the Dutch Holocaust Museum, Felix Nussbaum Museum, Bergen Belsen concentration camp, Froeslev concentration camp, and more.
Data meets art at the High Museum!
SPONSORED BY THE HIGH MUSEUM
✨ Ready for a sensory journey? Immerse yourself in the data-verse and get ready for a mind-bending experience – Ryoji Ikeda’s captivating light and sound installations are a must-see.
➞ On view now at the High Museum.
JCRC welcomes Wallenstein
✡️ Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta has hired Rachel Wallenstein as its new Communications and Administrative Manager.
Wallenstein brings with her a strong background in nonprofit communications and organizational support.
Wallenstein succeeds Leslie Anderson, who served seven years as JCRC’s executive director and is moving to a volunteer position as a member of the board.
“We’re thrilled to have someone of Rachel’s ability, commitment and Jewish community involvement join JCRC as we aim to take a higher-profile role in Jewish Atlanta,” said Michael Jacobs, who is beginning his second term as the board president.
Green + Jewish networking
♻️ The Jewish Green Business Network is a new initiative by Adamah. The project aims to build community by fostering connections, supporting professionals in values-driven career paths, and linking students and early-career professionals with mentors, networks, and opportunities.
The multi-faith group will collaborate across sectors to unlock climate-aligned business, investment, and impact.
Adamah is the largest Jewish environmental organization in North America.
👉🏼 Click here for more information.
Could a $1,700 rebate change the landscape of Jewish education?
📝 A first-of-its-kind national school voucher program is being hailed by some Jewish groups as a breakthrough — and mourned by others as a hammer blow to the separation of church and state.
The Educational Choice for Children Act — part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act signed into law Monday by President Donald Trump created a tax rebate of up to $1,700 for donations to private school scholarship funds.
Political support for voucher programs among American Jews has long split along denominational lines. Orthodox Jews, who tend to enroll their children in religious schools, have been at the forefront of advocacy for the measures. The Reform and Conservative movements, on the other hand, have publicly opposed such plans.
🚌 Read the full story on The Forward here.
Look & Listen TV edition
📺 Larry David + Barack Obama are joining forces in Higher Ground.
📺 “The Mountains” is a new show about summers in the Borscht Belt.
📺 ”Long Story Short,” a new animated series for adults, includes Jewish cast members Max Greenfield, Abbi Jacobson and Paul Reiser, Lisa Edelstein and others.
What’s doin’ around town
SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH
☀️ July 17: Summer Torah Tour continues.
🧘🏽 July 17: Drop in to Jewish meditation with Rabbi Lauren.
💦 July 20: Splashy fun with PJ Library in Brookhaven.
🎶 July 20: Music and Joy class for littles ages 0-2.
🎲 July 21: Mah Jongg Mondays.
🤰🏻July 29: Gentle, prenatal yoga with JBaby Intown.
✡️ The next Jewish holiday is Tisha B’Av on Aug. 2.
🕯️ Light Shabbat candles this week at 8:29 p.m.
🔎 Experience the many facets of Judaism at Or Hadash—where community, learning, and connection thrive. Machon Hadash, our Saturday K–7th program, delights kids and parents alike. Attend our Aug. 8 Open House Shabbat and feel at home. More details.
We remember
🎗️ Miles Alexander, attorney and community leader, passed away this week at age 93. Alexander served as the top lay leader of both the American Jewish Committee and Anti-Defamation League and remained active in both for decades.
Always looking to promote progress in Atlanta, he was a close advisor and good friend to Atlanta’s first Black mayor, Maynard Jackson. The two referred to each other as “my brother,” and Maynard always enjoyed the many Miles’isms like “pimple on a whale,” “lack of false modesty,” and “making a silk purse out of a sow’s ears.” Read more about his legendary life here.
💔 May his memory be a blessing.