This week’s Torah portion is ‘Noah’ from the book of Genesis.
The Torah tells us that God’s reason for drowning the world was that it was full of ‘hamas’, which translates into senseless violence.
Now, the fact that the terrorist organization Hamas is an Arabic acronym for something, and totally separate from the Hebrew word, does not take away from a dazzling coincidence that is very much on our minds as the war between Israel and Hamas rages.
We write because of the continuing tragic and horrific situation in Israel, antisemitism, and our concern for security in our community and at Temple Emanu-El. We want to underscore and reassure you that Temple Emanuel-El has taken and maintains a range of significant security measures, seen and unseen, designed to guard and protect our congregants, their families, and guests while at our synagogue.
Thank you all for joining the Fall Walk on this chilly October day from the Avalon to Alpharetta on the Alpha Loop! The sights included some nature areas with a small stream and many beautiful townhomes along the way. Our brisk walk included lunch at Central City Tavern downtown Alpharetta and a walk back to the Avalon. It was so nice to spend time with fellow congregants and friends!
Stay tuned for more Booming Sababa activities.
All the best, Bev Stahl, Nancy Shapiro, Linda Newport, Jackie Lavi, Ellen Gilmer, and Carol Ganz.
Atlanta Israel Coalition in Supports our IDF Soldiers
Dear Temple Emanu-El,
Due to the urgent need of IDF soldiers, and our desire to be impactful and helpful right now, we are including this collection of materials through the AIC (Atlanta Israel Coalition).
In collaboration with IDF representatives, the AIC has meticulously curated a list of essential items that our heroic IDF soldiers urgently require. You can access the list of items by clicking the box below.
1. Download the list of items 2. Each item pictured is linked to its respective Amazon page. 3. Add the item to your cart.
Before checking out, ensure that you ship your donated items to: Attention: Usaddistributions-IDF-Ops 3065 MCCall drive, unit 14 Doraville, GA 30340
Stay Informed with ADL
Just over a week ago, the barbaric Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel shocked us all. The anger and sorrow are still raw, but we are all pulling together to cope with what comes next.
We also want to remind you that ADL is on full alert, leveraging our capabilities and leaning into our expertise to understanding how antisemitism emerges from crises like this.
Temple Emanu-El expresses our condolences
Temple Emanu-El expresses our condolences, outrage, and solidarity with our local Muslim friends from the Istanbul Cultural Center, with whom we have had a relationship for years. We received a similar letter from them the day after the Hamas attack in Israel (last week).Hate has no place here.
In the wake of the brutal and devastating attack by Hamas on October 7 and the unfolding war in Israel, we are introducing a special series from the For Heaven's Sake podcast with Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi, For Heaven's Sake: Israel at War. Listen to the first 3 episodes, and stay tuned for more in the coming days and weeks.
ISRAEL AT WAR - MORAL RED LINES As we enter week two of war in Israel, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi struggle with the question of moral red lines when responding to absolute evil. If there are moral red lines, how do we define them while grappling with who we want to be and not just who we are at this moment? LISTEN >
ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 5 - EVIL As Israel’s new reality of unfathomable horror set in, many took comfort in U.S. President Biden's speech calling the Hamas attack “pure evil.” Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore the difficult question of what happens when the behavior of others descends from wrongful to outright evil, and how we can cope with it. LISTEN >
ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 3 - HOW DID THIS HAPPEN? Following Israel's unprecedented, ruthless, and devastating attack by Hamas, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi discuss their emotional response of sadness and outrage, and reflect on the burning question of how this attack happened and the IDF's delayed response. LISTEN >
Listen to “For Heaven’s Sake” daily podcast. You must have an Apple Podcast or Spotify app to listen.
7:30pm - Shabbat Service with Rabbi Spike, and Cantorial Soloist, Jessica Tillem in the Sanctuary Join us in person! Facebook Live | Youtube Live
October 21 - Saturday
9:00am - Chevrah Torah - Torah Study with Rabbi Spike in the Chapel Join us in person!Click here to join over Zoom
10:00am - Shacharit Bat Mitzvah Service with Rabbi Spike, Cantorial Soloist Jessica Tillem, and Anna Kaszowicz in the Sanctuary Join us in person! Facebook Live | Youtube Live
7:00pm - Introduction to the Zohar with Chaplain Marita Anderson - Zoom Only Register here
October 25 - Wednesday
12:00pm - Introduction to the Zohar with Chaplain Marita Anderson - In-Person Only Register here
October 26 - Thursday 2:00 pm - Sisterhood Temple Mah Jongg in the Chapel Register here
**Please register for all classes & events through your My Emanu-El portal to ensure you receive all email notifications. Contact the office for help.**
Sponsor an Oneg!
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.
Commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, awards, graduations, B’nai Mitzvah and other happy occasions. Sponsor an Oneg today!
Sisterhood Tree of Life
Her ways are pleasant and all her paths, peaceful. She is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and whoever holds on to her is happy. Proverbs 3:17–18 Honor a loved one or a special occasion by purchasing a leaf on our Tree of Life
To order your Leaf on the Sisterhood Tree of Life, please click on the image or email Marina.
Remember A Loved One
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.
To order your yahrzeit plaque(s) or to reserve a space, please click on the image or emailMarina.
Be sure to set up your password to access your My Emanu-El Account.
If you need assistance, please contact the Administrative Office - 770-395-1340.
