Tonight at sundown marks the start of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Known in English as the Day of Atonement, the holiday ushers in a period of serious self-reflection for millions of Jews across the United States and around the globe. For approximately 24 hours, we leave aside joy and contemplate Read More

With a rich history dating back to the late 1880′s, Ahavath Achim (AA) Synagogue is a pillar of Atlanta’s vibrant Jewish community. In addition to its longstanding commitment to building a welcoming home for worship, education and life cycle events, the congregation is steeped in another vital tradition, as well: the pursuit of social justice Read More

I just returned from the annual ANSA* conference, and I left impressed and inspired by this vibrant and evolving segment of the anti-hunger movement: community-based organizations that provide food and nutrition services to people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses. These agencies came into existence in the 1980s at the height of the AIDS Read More

Even as I contemplate the seriousness of Yom Kippur each year, I am always struck by its incredible beauty. For me, the Kol Nidre service, with its powerful repetition and haunting melodies, is both a spiritual awakening and an opportunity to enjoy the richness of our millennia-old liturgical tradition. There’s no question that Kol Nidre Read More