Kesher Quick - Rockets into Menorahs, Symbols of Hope
Author
Date Added
December 8, 2023 | 26 Kislev 5784 | Issue # 495
A Shabbat Message from Rabbi Spike Anderson
Rockets into Menorahs, Symbols of Hope
As the sun sets this evening, Jews around the world will light the first candle for Chanukah.
I write this note to our Temple Emanu-El community, knowing that these days are brutally hard for us as Jews.
Our tradition asks us to place our lit menorahs in the front windows of our homes, as a matter of Jewish identity, faith, and pride. But the Talmud acknowledges that in times when it is dangerous to do so, we are permitted to place our menorahs elsewhere in the house; however, we are still commanded to light them.
Friday, December 8 6:30pm - Special early time for services! (no 7:30pm service)
Letter Writing Campaign to Families of Hostages in Gaza
On December 23rd, Rabbi Spike and Marita Anderson will be going to Israel to volunteer and meet with survivors, IDF soldiers, and the families of hostages still held captive in Gaza.
We invite you to help us bring a message of love and support from our community to the families of the hostages.
Please write letters of support, bearing witness, and kinship, and we will deliver them to the people we meet. Read more here.
Click the image to visit our New "Standing With Israel" page!
On Thursday December 14th, the last night of Chanukah, Rabbi Spike and Marita invite you to the biggest Chanukah party in Atlanta.
The event will be held at The Loft. 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 Paid and public parking is available all around the venue.
This is a fund created to provide vital supplies for our heroes in Israel.
Temple Emanu-El’s Social Justice Committee helped lead our Sunday school classes to write letters of support and admiration to IDF soldiers on the front lines.
Dunwoody Baptist Church delivered a lovely basket of goodies to the temple office this week, wishing us a “blessed and beautiful Chanukah” and also expressed their sympathy and support for us during this difficult time.
Are you a new, new-ish or even a "seasoned" member of TE, and not already a member of a Chavurah? If so, this is a fantastic time to be a part of our revitalized Chavurah program! A Chavurah is a group of around 6-12 individuals, couples, and/or families who have some common interests. It is a great opportunity to develop closer friendships with a smaller group of TE members.
Click here for more information and fill out a short questionnaire to help the Chavurah Committee place you with a group. The committee will help get you started and will provide any assistance that you need to make your Chavurah successful!
If you have any questions, please contact Lori Goldberg at lsideman@hotmail.com .
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND-USA Volunteer in Israel Mission
Israel needs us now more than ever!
Join one of our JNF Volunteer for Israel Missions as an opportunity to provide immediate relief to the land and the people of Israel.
Click here and here to learn more about these Missions!
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.
Israel at War – An Enemy Within
Exploring the implications of the death of Yuval Kestelman
For Jews around the world, the nightmare of October 7th is compounded by the harsh and deafening condemnation of Israel’s military action. In this episode, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi explore the dynamics of Jewish power and vulnerability, the ramifications of labeling Israel’s actions as genocidal, and the question of whether antisemitism is at play.
5:45pm - DFRS / Davis Academy Chanukah Shabbat Dinner
6:30pm - Chanukah Shabbat Servicewith Rabbi Spike, Rabbi Max and Cantorial Soloist, Jessica Tillem in the Sanctuary Join us in person! Facebook Live | Youtube Live
December 9 - Saturday - 3rd Night of Chanukah
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 B'not Mitzvah Service with Rabbi Spike, Cantorial Soloist Jessica Tillem, Joyce Apfelbaum and Sherline Apfelbaum in the Sanctuary Join us in person! Facebook Live | Youtube Live
Mazal tov Joyce and Sherline!!
11:00am - Chanukah Tot Shabbat with Rabbi Max in the Chapel Register here
7:00pm - NextDor 20s and 30s Chanukah Party at Your Third Spot 400 Chattahoochee Row NW, Atlanta, GA 30318 Register here
December 10 - Sunday - 4th Night of Chanukah
9:00am - Diamond Family Religious School
9:10am - Mazal Tots, 18 months - 3 years Register here
10:30am - St. Luke's Annual Advent Lessons and Carols Serviceat St. Luke's Presbyterian Church 1978 Mt Vernon Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338 Register here
3:30pm - Yalla: Let's Go Yoga and Chill for Chanukah in the Small Social Hall Register here December 11 - Monday - 5th Night of Chanukah
11:00am - Bereavement Group with Rabbi Judith Beiner and Aging Well in the Conference Room Register here
1:30pm - "Life Goes On" Bereavement Group in the Chapel Register here
December 12 - Tuesday - 6th Night of Chanukah
7:00pm - The Theology and Writings of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel with Rabbi Spike - Zoom & In-Person Register here
December 13 - Wednesday - 7th Night of Chanukah
12:00pm - The Theology and Writings of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel with Rabbi Spike - In-Person Only Register here
December 14 - Thursday - 8th Night of Chanukah
2:00pm - Temple Mah Jongg in the Chapel Register here
8:00pm - Alex Clare - Live in Atlanta at The Loft 1374 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30309 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.
