Fire up the latkes  

Dec. 11 (21 Kislev 5786)

The December Dilemma is upon us. With parents and grandparents trying to create holiday magic, some families are wrestling with which holiday traditions to include.  

 Speaking of holidays, our list of Chanukah events has grown since last week. See below.  

 Does your family wrap gifts? Some don’t! I have a pile of presents taking up precious real estate in my home office, and I just can’t bring myself to wrap them all. Maybe this Spotify playlist will provide motivation. 

 Lastly, we apologize for an error in last week’s calendar. See “Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen” at the Tara Theatre tonight, Dec. 11. 

 Happy Chanukah!

Y’alla, 
Logan

Former hostages visit Atlanta

 Benjamin Anthony of the MirYam Institute (pictured, left) spoke with former Israeli hostages Evyatar David (middle) and Guy Gilboa-Dalal (right) about their harrowing capture by Hamas terrorists from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2023. The men detailed their resilience in captivity until their release more than two years later on Dec. 4 at the Atlanta Jewish Academy. 

Celebrate the Season with Wonder at Fernbank Museum   

SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MEMBERSHIP

  Looking for the perfect gift?

Something that sparks joy, incites hugs, induces smiles, and warms the heart? Share a year of exploration with a Fernbank Membership—unlimited daytime general admission to exhibits, films, and nature adventures.

Members enjoy 75 acres of outdoor fun in WildWoods and Fernbank Forest, plus three floors of hands-on science exhibits indoors. Seasonal activities, canopy walks, and nature play areas await.

And don’t forget: Fernbank is unveiling new museum experiences over the next two years, starting with Our Place in the Cosmos in late 2025.

 Look for our Holiday 2025 sale running Dec. 18-25, 2025.

Chanukah calendar

Sunday, Dec. 14
 Chanukah market at Congregation Bet Haverim. 

 Menorah workshop with Chabad Intown at The Home Depot. 

 Music, lunch, and artists’ market at Shearith Israel. 

 Glow Strong family celebration at MJCCA. 

 Chanukah festival and menorah lighting at Vinings Jubilee. 

 Majongg-ukah at Or Hadash in Sandy Springs. 

 Inclusive Chanukah party at AA. 

Monday, Dec. 15
 Menorah lighting on Tucker Town Green. 

 Gelt drop and menorah lighting at Brawner Hall in Smyrna. 

Tuesday, Dec. 16
 Chanukah at The Battery. 

Wednesday, Dec. 17
 Hanukkah at Halidom food hall with Liz Rose and Joe Alterman. 

 Three-course Chanukah dinners begin at The General Muir.   

 “Hanukkah Hippity Hop” with author Barbara Kimmel. 

Thursday, Dec. 18
 Cinco de Hanukkah taco and nacho buffet at Morty’s Meat & Supply in Dunwoody.  

5⃣ The Fifth Night food event with celebrity chefs and The Spring.  

 Queer Latke Party with SOJOURN. 

Saturday, Dec. 20
 Hanukkah, solstice, havdalah ecstatic dance with Tish and Mackenzie Wren.  

Sunday, Dec. 21
 Ponce City Market menorah lighting. 

Monday, Dec. 22
 Holiday-themed dinners begin at The General Muir. 

Neraneneh season begins

 Neranenah, the cultural event series with roots in Jewish culture and musical traditions, is announcing the 2025‑26 lineup with award‑winning musicians and Broadway talent.

 The first performance is Thursday, Dec. 11. See Ada Pasternak and The Pasternak Family in a rare performance by the entire family, whose journey from religious persecution in Moscow to artistic acclaim in the U.S. shapes their global-infused, Russian-Jewish sound.

 On Saturday, Jan. 17, Former “Wicked” star Jonah Platt brings a mix of Broadway vocals, candid storytelling, and reflections on identity. The last installment is on Thursday, May 7 when Broadway star Julie Benko appears with Jason Yeager, an award-winning pianist and Berklee professor, for an intimate evening blending jazz, theatre, and contemporary song.  

 Read more about Neranenah. 

He used to think Jewish athletes were a punchline; now, he wants to help them get a proper paycheck

 My favorite joke in the 1980 comedy Airplane! is, by the standards of a movie featuring a glue-inhaling Lloyd Bridges and an inflatable toy autopilot, one of its subtler gags. A passenger asks a flight attendant for some light reading; in return, she receives a pocket-sized leaflet of “famous Jewish sports legends.” 

 The vicious canard (just kidding, we’ve been called worse) that the so-called people of the book are ill-at-ease on the court or the gridiron contains a kernel of truth, of course. There’s a reason nearly all Jews know the names Koufax and Spitz — there are few other Jewish sports stars to choose from. 

 Read the full story on the Forward.

Be a mensch

 Volunteer opportunities abound in the Jewish community. Here are some ways to get involved. 

 Pinch Hitters is still accepting volunteers for Dec. 25. Sign up is required. 

 JF&CS Family Mitzvah Day is planned for Sunday, Jan. 18. Children and adults will work together on projects to serve the community. Registration is required. 

 Drivers are needed to make food deliveries across metro Atlanta to those unable to visit the kosher food pantry at JF&CS. Must be at least 21 years old and have registered vehicle, current driver’s license, and auto insurance. Click here to apply. 

What’s doin’ around town

SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH

 Dec. 17:“Light Through the Darkness” is the story of a Holocaust and Oct. 7 survivor. 

 Dec. 18: Drop-in Jewish meditation. 

 Dec. 19:Light Shabbat candles and eat latkes. 

 Light shabbat candles this week at 5:11 p.m.

 The next holiday is Chanukah starting at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 14. 

 Light the candles. Share the latkes. Or Hadash invites you and your family to a joyful Hanukkah Kabbalat Shabbat on December 19 with candle lighting at 5:15, a family latke dinner, and bring-your-own-hanukiyah fun. Come early! RSVP today!

Before you go

 On Thursday, Dec. 18, The Spring is bringing the heat (and the light) to Chanukah with local chefs Todd Ginsberg and Tal Baum who will join forces with rising Bukharian star Liat Tzionov. Expect a taste of the Jewish diaspora from Ashkenazi to Sephardic to Central Asian delicacies. 

 This isn’t your Bubbe’s Hanukah party (although she’s invited and will have the time of her life). Get tickets. 

The post 🕎 Eight crazy nights appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

It’s giving Chanukah 

Dec. 4 (14 Kislev)

 Let’s jump in! Here are a few things that piqued my interest this week.

 Hillary Clinton spoke at the Israel Hayom summit about anti-Israel propaganda (free subscription required). “There is a great deal of valid concern about how Israel is viewed, not just around the world, but from the United States, how Jewish Americans are viewed, and what is being seen as a significant increase in antisemitism in real life and online,” said Clinton.

  Carrie Soloway, a Jewish psychiatrist and inspiration for the drama series “Transparent,” died this week at age 88.

 Hey, Florida Gators. A UF law school student who was banned from UF for antisemitic online posts has been re-admitted to campus by a federal judge.

 Keep reading for local Chanukah happenings.

Y’alla,

Logan

Chanukah oh Chanukah

 This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 14. Here are our top picks for gifts, events, and food. What did we miss? Email us.

 Atlanta Hawks Hanukkah Night is a personal favorite. Loud music, adoring fans, and a giant menorah at halftime make this a fun event.

 The Daily Chew is hosting a Chrismukkah Bar with latkes and caviar, egg nog, and more.

 Looking for Chanukah-themed gifts? Try Lucy’s Market in Buckhead or the Pineapple Porch Boutique. And don’t forget local gifts like the children’s mahjong book Bubbe and Bams, the Hanukkah Veronica doll, and a pottery lesson for two (ages 6+).

And now for Chanukah events …

Sunday, Dec. 7

 Or Ve Shalom’s Hanukkah bazaar and food festival. 

 Author Laurel Snyder (“The Book of Candles”) at Wild Aster Books.

 LGBTQ+ Chanukah party with SOJOURN.

 Chanukah in the park with PJ Library. 

Friday, Dec. 12
 Hanukkah in the Hangar with PJ Library. 

Saturday, Dec. 13
 Latke cook off for couples at Mitzvah House.

Sunday, Dec. 14
 Menorah workshop with Chabad Intown at The Home Depot. 

 Music, lunch, and artists’ market at Shearith Israel. 

 Glow Strong family celebration at MJCCA. 

 Chanukah festival and menorah lighting at Vinings Jubilee. 

 Majongg-ukah at Or Hadash in Sandy Springs. 

 Inclusive Chanukah party at AA. 

Monday, Dec. 15
 Menorah lighting on Tucker Town Green.

 Gelt drop and menorah lighting at Brawner Hall in Smyrna.

Tuesday, Dec. 16
 Latkes, Chanukah crafts, and more at The Battery.

Wednesday, Dec. 17
 “Hanukkah Hippity Hop” with author Barbara Kimmel in Sandy Springs. 

Thursday, Dec. 18
 Queer Latke Party with SOJOURN. 

 Fifth Night with local celebrity chefs and The Spring. 

 Cinco de Hanukkah taco and nacho buffet at Morty’s Meat & Supply in Dunwoody.

Italian Ruins to DIVE for!

SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MUSEUM

Journey beneath the waves with Sunken Treasures, Ancient Seas at Fernbank Museum.

You won’t want to miss this immersive journey beneath the Mediterranean Sea to uncover ancient shipwrecks, artifacts, and lost worlds. Featuring real relics found off the coast of Italy, HD video explorations, and more, this exhibition reveals how underwater archaeologists bring the past to light.

➞ This exhibit is open daily, or you can swing by for after-hours during select special events! On view now until Jan. 11, 2026.

Ben Massell Dental Clinic

 JF&CS CEO Jay Cranman and CEO Emeritus Terri Bonoff were on hand to honor Georgia State Rep. Deborah Silcox for her advocacy of the Ben Massell Dental Clinic in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 1.

 The clinic serves the Atlanta community at-large, providing free dental care to clients within 125% of the poverty line with no access to insurance. 

Be a mensch

 B’nai B’rith Pinch Hitters volunteers will visit seven hospitals and assisted living facilities in Metro Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 25 to give caregivers a much-needed break. Working in 3-4 hour shifts, the opportunity is perfect for individuals or small groups. Sign up to volunteer.

 Join Brendan Murphy, Director of the Bearing Witness Institute, for a three-part series exploring Jewish–Christian relations—from early antisemitism to the Holocaust and modern reconciliation. Featuring survivor George Rishfeld, this program deepens understanding and strengthens our shared moral responsibility. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Look & Listen

 Submissions are open for Manishewitz’s limited-edition matzah box featuring a Jewish athlete.  

 The Maccabbeats have gone full KPop Demon Hunters. If you’re unfamiliar with the reference, ask any 10 to 12 year old.

What’s doin’ around town

SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH

 Dec. 6:Comedy night featuring Amanda Goldstein Marks. 

 Dec. 9: Local author Annette Joseph on Italian desserts. 

 Dec. 10: Geopolitical Middle East expert Avi Melamed speaks.

 Dec. 11: Find your center with Jewish meditation.  

 Dec. 11: Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen. 

 Celebrate Mahjongg-ukah with Or Hadash on Sunday, December 14th! Enjoy beginner lessons, guided and open play, latkes, laughter, and new friends. Bring a foursome or join one—everyone’s welcome. Winners earn raffle tickets toward door prizes! Join the fun. Sign-up today!

Look & Listen

 Watch: David Portnoy shuts down an ABC reporter.

 Read: The Free Press digs into the Gaza famine myth.

 Listen: Dan Senor, host of “Call Me Back” podcast, and Israeli columnist Nadav Eyal on the Houthis’ attack on Ben Gurion airport. 

What’s doin’ around town

SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH

 May 11: Donuts with dad and PJ Library.

 May 13: Ask a pediatrician with JBaby in Chamblee.

 May 15: Join an Israeli Independence Day celebration.

 May 15: Humans of the Holocaust and Humans of Oct. 7 exhibit.

 June 8: Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat will be honored at the NIF Atlanta Tzedek Awards.

The next Jewish holiday is Shavuot on June 1.

Light Shabbat candles this week at 8:10 p.m.

 Experience the acclaimed work of Israeli photojournalist Erez Kaganovitz on May 15 as he shares the powerful personal stories behind Humans of the Holocaust and Humans of October 7th — honoring resilience and spotlighting the human spirit.  Learn more and RSVP!

Before you go

 Alexandra Toren, service ambassador with Repair the World Atlanta, hosted a Friendsgiving meal and Jewish service amid SNAP disruptions. Toren mobilized a local network to join a potluck and food drive for local Syrian families facing the impacts of disrupted food stamps.

 “My grandmother … was a refugee from Czechoslovakia, as her family escaped the Nazis in 1939. That history led me to develop a relationship with a few Syrian refugee families in pursuit of Tikkun Olam, and it meant a lot for my friends to donate to help these families during this particularly difficult time. It was a really fulfilling experience to blend something so personal with a community gathering that had greater impact beyond just our group,” Toren said.

The post 🕎 Chanukah prep appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Winding down November

Nov. 26 (7 Kislev 5786)

 Y’alla is collecting Birthright Israel stories as the organization celebrates 25 years with a celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 9 in Sandy Springs. Send us your fondest memories and we’ll share them in an issue of Y’alla.

 Have you taken the Jewish parent survey?

 Here’s a Jewish Thanksgiving recipe to try. Hopefully the weather will behave for a warm, dry Thanksgiving Day. After all, you may need a cousin walk after dinner.

 As always, thanks for reading!

Y’alla,
Logan

Released hostages visit  

 Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal, best friends who were taken hostage and held by Hamas for two years, will visit Atlanta to reflect on their journey and connect with the community that stood with them.

 Programming will include local musicians, reflections on resilience and gratitude, and an intimate conversation with David and Gilboa-Dalal. All proceeds support resources and support for the men as they continue healing and rebuilding their lives.

 Tickets are available for the event on Thursday, Dec. 4 from 7-9 p.m. 

RELATED

 Gov. Brian Kemp, in coordination with the Atlanta Jewish community, promised to support the men in July 2025 while they were still being held captive. 

Nourish a Neighbor Today

SPONSORED BY OPEN HAND

After multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Ammy lost feeling in her fingers, and cooking became dangerous. “Everything tasted like paper,” she said. “The first thing I could taste again? Open Hand. I’ll never forget.”

Living with multiple cancers, Ammy depends on Open Hand’s meals to stay nourished and strong. But as grocery costs rise, so does the number of Georgians in need.

Reach out an Open Hand—and help us deliver 100,000 meals to neighbors in need like Ammy by the end of this year.

➞ Give today.

A graphic anthology explores Jewish stories from across the globe

 When photographer Julian Voloj heard about the first Jewish Comic Con in Brooklyn, he knew he had to meet its creator, Fabrice Sapolsky. Voloj, who was born in Germany to Colombian parents, had previously authored a number of graphic novels, including Ghetto Brother, the story of former gang leader Benji Melendez, a Puerto-Rican Jew. Voloj and Sapolsky connected at the 2016 convention and realized they shared a vision: a comic that would depict diverse Jewish stories. 

 Sapolsky, who is French-American with Ashkenazi and Sephardic roots, had been a comic creator for many years, including for Marvel and DC. 

 “He had this network of illustrators,” Voloj said. “I had the network of ethnically, racially diverse Jews.” 

 Read the full story on the Forward. 

Look & Listen

 An art exhibit by Judy Chicago is stirring up controversy in Israel. At the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, the feminist’s famous tapestry asks, “What If Women Ruled the World?” 

 Listen to this Grief and Grit podcast with Jordan Arogeti, co-founder and CEO of SupportNow, about the power of a meal train. 

 A Jewish environmental group has launched Humans of Adamah, a series about connecting to Judaism through advocacy. 

What’s doin’ around town

SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH

 Dec. 2:Challah-making for expectant moms. 

 Dec. 3:Craft night for adults only.  

 Dec. 6:Tot Shabbat in Sandy Springs. 

 Dec. 6:Bonfire and Glow Dance Party for K-6th grade.

 Dec. 7: Play in a Mahjong fundraiser.

 Dec. 11: Jewish public policy discussion. 

 Dec. 13:Hanukkah Hippy Hop party in Decatur.  

The next Jewish holiday is Chanukah on Dec. 14.  

Light Shabbat candles this week at 5:11 p.m. 

 This Thanksgiving, we give thanks for the music and voices that fill our sanctuary, for new and old friends who shape the Or Hadash community, and for the chance to care for one another. We can’t wait to welcome you.

We remember

Howard Halpern, 85, died on Nov. 20. Originally from Lakewood, New Jersey, Halpern was an Atlanta legend in the Jewish community and the restaurant business.

 According to his obituary, Howard started Buckhead Beef in 1983 with only five butchers and a dream. He grew the company to one of the nation’s top privately-owned meat purveyors supplying major restaurants and events – including the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. In 2005, he launched Halpern’s Steak and Seafood, focusing on white table cloth fine dining. 

 May his memory be a blessing. 

The post 🍁 Winding down November appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Happy Friendsgiving

Nov. 20 (29 Heshvan 5786)

 Hey there! Let’s start with a couple of news items you may have missed.

 A man accused of sending antisemitic mailings to Georgia Rep. Esther Panitch and Macon Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar has been convicted.

 A painting by Gustav Klimt which depicts a Jewish woman – and which the Nazis stole after annexing Austria – sold for $236.36 million.

 Have you been on Birthright Israel? We are collecting stories about Birthright as the organization gears up to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Read more about that below. 

 I’ll be at the Rina Beltline Friendsgiving dinner tonight, so please say hello and introduce yourself. 

Y’alla, 
Logan

‘One Day in October’ screening draws audience in Midtown

 Last night, The Temple held a screening and panel discussion on “One Day in October,” the first drama series about the attacks by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, 2023. 

The story of French-Israeli mother Sabine Taasa is featured in episode 4 of “One Day in October.” At the event, Taasa said every day she wakes up and thinks about whether she can continue “fighting the good fight.”

During the screening, she leaned toward Rabbi Peter Berg and said she could feel her son and husband in the room. “I cannot explain what I felt,” she said later on stage.

 “One Day in October” is streaming on HBO Max.

Italian Ruins to DIVE for!

SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MUSEUM

Journey beneath the waves with Sunken Treasures, Ancient Seas at Fernbank Museum.

You won’t want to miss this immersive journey beneath the Mediterranean Sea to uncover ancient shipwrecks, artifacts, and lost worlds. Featuring real relics found off the coast of Italy, HD video explorations, and more, this exhibition reveals how underwater archaeologists bring the past to light.

➞ This exhibit is open daily, or you can swing by for after-hours during select special events! On view now until Jan. 11, 2026.

Birthright memories 

 Birthright Israel is celebrating its 25th anniversary in Sandy Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 9. Hear from alumnus Zach Sage Fox – an actor, filmmaker, and viral activist behind “Facts for Peace”– whose story reflects the power and impact of the Birthright Israel journey.

 To help celebrate, Y’alla is asking for your memories. Email us your favorite Birthright story.

 In less than 100 words, tell us where your trip departed from, who you met, and how old you were. Include your name and current residence, and send photos, too! 

Helping the hungry

 Wondering how to help those experiencing hunger and the loss of SNAP benefits? Join JCRC and Mazon at Congregation Shearith Israel in Atlanta for a presentation on the Atlanta Jewish community’s response to hunger. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9.

 Mazon is a national nonprofit organization that fights hunger through advocacy, strategic initiatives, and grant-making.

RELATED

 Or Hadash is collecting coats, hats, gloves, and canned goods for families in need through Nov. 23. Bring your gently used winter wear and non-perishable canned foods to Or Hadash during business hours – or visit the drive-thru drop off on Sunday, Nov. 23 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Young filmmakers

 The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has recognized the work of young filmmakers at the inaugural Student Filmmaking Competition Showcase. More than 200 students, families, educators, and community members gathered last week for a screening of 10 student-produced short films.   

Mazel tov to the award recipients:

“Opposite Equalities” by Georgia Cyber Academy 
 Two high school girls, Hannah and Kim, must learn to overcome colorism and classism to work together to win a scholarship offered through their school’s robotics competition. 

“Mother’s Song” by The Lovett School 
 Years after their mother has died, a young teen and her adopted older sister confront the vast distance that has grown between them.
“You Can Always Trust Me” by North Atlanta High School
 In a haunting dream that blurs fear and memory, 17-year-old Mara relives the pain of betrayal—by her girlfriend, her parents, and herself—only to awaken to the realization that healing begins when the cycle of mistrust ends.

 Read about the students here. 

Indiana University removed its Jewish studies chair. His replacement caused a firestorm. 

 You won’t find professor Mark Roseman on the frontlines of any campus protests or posting his unfiltered political thoughts on social media. His current project, a four-volume history of the Holocaust published by Cambridge University, is unlikely to generate controversy. 

 Which is why many of his colleagues were baffled when Indiana University’s chancellor broke precedent this summer to remove Roseman as director of the school’s prestigious Jewish studies program and replace him with a junior colleague known as one of Israel’s fiercest defenders on campus. 

 Read the full story on the Forward. 

What’s doin’ around town

SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH

 Nov. 20: Drop-in Jewish meditation. 

 Nov. 21: Rabbi Gershom Sizomu of Uganda speaks intown.  

 Nov. 24:Mahjong Monday at 1 p.m. 

 Dec. 4:Rabbi Elie Kaunfer at The Dupree. 

 Dec. 4: Israel and the Diaspora with Amichai Chikli.   

 Help spread warmth this season with Or Hadash!  We’re collecting coats, hats, gloves, and canned goods for families in need. Drop items in our foyer or swing by our Drive-Through Drop-Off Sunday, November 23, 9:30 am–Noon. Every bit helps!

Before you go

 Don’t miss Tiles, Tables, and Togetherness on Sunday, Dec. 7 in Dunwoody at 5:30 p.m. for an evening of Mahjong and Rummikub. Cost: $18 per person, which includes appetizers, game play, and entry into the Lucky Tile Raffle.

The post 📣 Tell us your Birthright story appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.

Sabine Taasa had four thriving and healthy sons on Oct. 6, 2023. When Hamas militants attacked her home and her neighbors’ homes in the early morning of Oct. 7, 2023, they killed Taasa’s husband as witnessed by two of her young children. Her oldest son, Or, was murdered at a nearby beach where he intended to go fishing.

Taasa, a French-Israeli, spoke at The Temple in Midtown on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at a screening of “One Day in October.” The seven-part drama series, which is now streaming on HBO Max, is the first about the attack, and features Taasa’s journey in Episode 4.

As the audience inside The Temple’s sanctuary sat silent, still, and shocked, Taasa’s story was depicted on screen: a mother is awakened in Netiv HaAsara by grenade explosions, gunshots, screaming, and chaos. She tries to collect her children before Hamas can get to them. In one scene, Taasa, played by Israeli actress Yael Abecassis, leaves her safe room and opens a bulletproof door to find her young children standing outside, covered in blood and wounds. Koren and Shai Taasa had run from gunmen who moved on after their father, 46-year-old Gil Taasa, jumped on an open grenade to save their lives.

After the screening, Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple led a discussion between Taasa, co-creator Daniel Finkelman, and producer Chaya Amor.

Taasa explained her drive to share her story. She said she was “in a bad situation” when co-creator Oded Davidoff approached her about the series. Each of her sons is suffering – from loss of eyesight, shrapnel injuries, PTSD, and a loss of faith in humanity.

“He said to me, ‘Please, I believe in your story. I want to show it to the world. I have all the tools … And I said to him, ‘I don’t know if it’s the right moment. I don’t know if I can do it. I don’t know if I will be able to tell my story because I am still in shock,'” Taasa recalled. “But I must tell people what happened on Oct. 7. This must be in the history books.”

Berg asked Taasa what she wants people to do after watching “One Day in October.” The answer was simple: “Stop being naive.”

“I want the world to open their eyes, and understand and see that the real situation in Israel is that we are, all of us, living together,” Taasa said. “In Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Be’er Sheva, Ashkelon, Ashdod. You will see Muslims, Christians, and Jewish people living together.”

Taasa said every day she wakes up and thinks about whether she can continue “fighting the good fight.” During the screening, she leaned toward Berg and said she could feel her son and husband in the room. “I cannot explain what I felt,” she said later on stage.

Each speaker relayed stories about antisemitism in the post-Oct. 7 world. Taasa ended a tense exchange with a television reporter. Amor was asked for proof that hostages were taken and that children were attacked.

“It came to that point where [film executives] were like, ‘Okay, you know you need to get permission for certain kinds of footages. So did you get permission from Hamas to use their footage?” Amor said.

The biggest vaccine against hate is “shared, emotional, visual memory,” Finkelman said.

“If there’s one universal common denominator between all races, religions, even with people living in Ramah, Singapore, or Tel Aviv? It’s entertainment. Everyone sits down, takes their remote, and watches the same content more or less.”

The post ‘One Day in October’ screening draws audience in Midtown appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.