Kesher Quick Blog

Israel today…in Jewish history

Today is the 9th day of the Hebrew month called Av (Tisha B’Av) and has been deemed a day of mourning since the 2nd Temple fell in 70 C.E.

The ‘fall of The Temple’ is an idiom, and emblematic, of the fall of the Jewish country (in the war with Rome).  It’s like saying ‘the fall of the White House’ to express the total collapse of America.

Since that time, our rabbis have claimed that this inauspicious day (today) is the date when all the great tragedies of our people have occurred, ranging from the Golden Calf to the Spanish Inquisition.  I don’t think that they actually thought that these all occurred on the same day of the year in history, but rather, that this one day of mourning was meant to symbolically capture all the tragedy of the Jewish people.

Read more here

Join us as we co-sponsor with St. Luke's Presbyterian

August 20 & 21

“Why the Jews? The History of Antisemitism”featuring award-winning Marist School teacher, Brendan Murphy.

If you have previously attended Brendan Murphy's two-part series at Temple Emanu-El, this is a fantastic opportunity to invite your friends and neighbors. 

St. Luke's Presbyterian
1978 Mt Vernon Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338

Sunday, August 20 @ 4pm

Monday, August 21 @ 6pm

We are looking for a chair for Backpack Buddies!

Fill in the hunger gap and become a Buddy. Help children who rely on free school breakfasts and lunches enjoy nutritionally-dense snacks and meals over the weekend. Volunteer at the Dunwoody warehouse to receive food and stock shelves or pack bags at TE. 

Contact: Claudia Rolan

We are seeking a highly motivated, ambitious person to join our team as a
full-time Assistant to the Rabbis/Event Associate. 

To learn more or apply please click HERE.

For questions, please contact Stephen Blick at sblick@teatlanta.org .

The Caring Committee is looking for a Volunteer Substitute Caller Coordinator.

 This person would coordinate the substitute caller when one is needed. Please become part of the Caring Committee.

For details please reach out to Ann Fine or Gerri Penn.

Ann Fine 770-457-2786, a_fine@bellsouth.net

Gerri Penn 770-853-2300, pennfam@bellsouth.net

“Caring for someone can impact them as well as you.” Gerri Penn

There are two mitzvot pertaining to the Shabbat meal. One is oneg, the mitzvah to delight in Shabbat, as it is written: “Call Shabbat ‘delight’ (oneg)” (Isaiah 58:13). Oneg is fulfilled primarily through the meals, but snacks and a Shabbat nap are parts of it as well." (Peninei Halakhah, Shabbat
7:2:2)

Providing the Oneg is performing a Mitzvah for our community.

Hosting an Oneg is not only a Mitzvah, but it can also be a way to celebrate a family event and share the good news with the congregation.

I will give them, in My House
And within My walls,
A monument and a name
Better than sons or daughters.
I will give them an everlasting name
That shall not perish. (Isaiah 56:5)

We are commanded not merely to grieve but also to remember and to observe.

Temple Emanu-El’s Yahrzeit plaques both perpetuate the cherished memory of the loved ones we have lost and create a permanent family legacy.

Memorializing our loved ones in this way fulfills the commandment to give tzedakah in their honor.