Vote MERCAZ in 2025 for World Zionist Congress
The World Zionist Congress (WZC) is a democratic body with representatives of all of world Jewry: all countries, all denominations. The Congress shapes the leadership, activity, and spending of the Jewish Agency, KKL/ JNF, Keren Hayesod, and their many billions. When you vote for the Conservative/Masorti Judaism’s official party, MERCAZ USA, in elections to the WZC held online every five years, you are voting to:
If you don’t vote, control of the WZC goes to those who do. These include allies of Ben Gvir and ultra-Orthodox extremists. To learn more and sign-up for a reminder when voting opens, visit https://www.mercazusa.org/votemercaz2025/
Israel Update - September 26, 2024
On October 7, 2023, Israel faced the deadliest attack on the Jewish people in a single day since the Holocaust. During Simchat Torah, a holiday of celebration and Jewish pride, Hamas terrorists breached the southern Gaza border, taking the lives of 1,200 innocent people. Over 100 hostages from more than eight nations remain in Gaza, highlighting the global humanitarian impact of this tragedy.
In response, the Atlanta community will gather for two events to remember the victims, stand together, and heal as a community.
For more information and registrations for both events, please click here.
Commemorate October 7 with B'nai Torah
B'nai Torah will also offer our own more intimate opportunities for commemoration.
Israel Update - February 12, 2024
Panel discussion on Atlanta Rabbinic Trip to Israel - Sunday, February 18 from 3:30-5PM
at Congregation Or Hadash
Almost 20 pulpit Rabbis across the spectrum of our community recently traveled to Israel. Having had an intense and transformative experience, these Atlanta leaders returned home with the passion to share what they have experienced and learned with our community. - Register here
Our Solidarity Trip to Israel - April, 2024
Read Rabbi Breit's Blog for some of her thoughts on our trip.
Israel Update - December 11, 2023
Click here to watch Rabbi Heller's sermon from the past weekend.
Shattering the Silence - Tuesday, December 12 at 3pm
Israel Bonds Women's Division is Shattering the Silence with a virtual briefing on the violence against women commited by Hamas on October 7. Join the conversation on Tuesday, December 12 at 3pm to hear from Dr. Cochav Levy and Moran Atias. Click here to register.
Atlanta Friends of Israel Benefit Concert - Thursday, December 14 at 8pm
On Thursday, December 14, Atlanta Friends of Israel is putting on a concert to benefit Israel with recording artist Alex Clare. There will be a cash bar and kosher bites available. Click here for tickets! [Presale Code: 8THNIGHT]
Shine the Light - Fighting for Israeli Women's Rights - Friday December 15 at 1pm
Join the Temple downtown to Shine a Light on Friday, December 15 at 1pm. The Temple is hosting a community menorah lighting in solidarity with our Israeli sisterhood. This event is co-sponsored by Temple Sinai, Jewish Democratic Women's Salon of Atlanta, Jewish Women's Fund of Atlanta, Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta, the National Council of Jewish Women: Atlanta Section and Hadassah. No registration is required.
Consul General of Israel Shabbat Sermon - Saturday, December 16
Join us for Shabbat morning services on Saturday, December 16 when Consul General of Israel to the Southeastern United States, Anat Sultan-Dadon will be our guest and will be speaking to the congregation during services.
Volunteer Missions to Israel
If you are looking to go on a volunteer mission to Israel, there are a couple of ways you can do it. Sharon and Kenny Sonenshine are organizing a group from Atlanta through Kenes Tours (click here for a sample itinerary) to help in a hands-on way during the on-going conflict. This trip will take place in February; we will leave Atlanta on February 11 and depart Israel after work on Thursday, returning to Atlanta Friday, February 16. If you are interested, please contact Kenny directly at ksonenshine@gmail.com or (404) 452-8431. We are looking for a minimum of 20 people and will be having a meeting with Cheri Levitan from Kenes Tours on Monday, December 18 if we have enough people READY to sign up.
You can also join a JNF Volunteer mission; information about those trips can be found here.
Israel Update - December 4, 2023
Israel Update - November 27, 2023
From the DC Rally:
Israel Update - November 13, 2023
Our GA Senators are: https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/contact-us/message/ and https://www.warnock.senate.gov/contact/contact-form/
And if you would prefer to do it the easy way, you can ask for security support using a pre-written message from AIPAC: https://www.aipac.org/israel-at-war/takeaction
Israel Update - November 7, 2023
May her Memory Be for a Blessing
Our Atlanta Jewish community mourns the murder of Sgt. Elisheva Rose Ida Lubin, H”YD, a young woman who grew up in Dunwoody, joined Israel’s Border Police, and was killed in the line of duty in Jerusalem. She is connected to many Atlanta families, including members of B’nai Torah: her aunt and uncle David and Michele Hirsch and cousins Lewis and Henry. The funeral will be in Israel at 10am on Thursday, and we are waiting for information abut Atlanta Shiva.
Rally for Israel in DC
There is a very short window to register for the DC Rally on November 14th. Even if you already registered with USCJ, please register at https://jewishatlanta.org/event/national-stand-in-solidarity-with-israel/; they are coordinating charter buses. Please also notify Rabbi Breit at rabbibreit@bnaitorah.org. She will be attending and coordinating our delegation.
The rally will be from 1-3pm on the 14th, with gates opening at 10am. There will be significant security.
We know that travel to DC may be impractical for some, so stay tuned for ways to show solidarity here.
SHIRT ORDERS ARE NOW CLOSED.
For High Schoolers
Our teens need support in learning how to tell Israel’s story and respond to the messages they are receiving on social media. There is an opportunity for this for 10th - 12th graders this Sunday through the Center for Israel Education. Learn more and register here: https://centerforisraeled.wufoo.com/forms/m1yo3lrn016s7g0/
Speak with Israelis
“Israel Calling” is our new weekly opportunity for B’nai Torah members and friends to meet people making a difference on the ground in Israel, starting this Thursday, November 9, at noon. This week, our virtual visit will be to Mitzpeh Rimon, a town of 5,000 residents that has been aiding and hosting 3,000 evacuees from the area around Gaza. Meet Asaf Rockman, a resident and local organizer and a friend of Rabbi Breit’s, to learn how Israelis are taking care of one another and what you can do to help. Join on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85184129341) from 12:00-12:30pm to hear more and ask questions.
Fight Anti-Semitism as a Community
We’re joining forces with the ADL’s Kulanu, dedicated to empowering congregations to address Anti-Semitism and hate in their communities through education, community engagement, and advocacy. To join our working group, please email Karen Grant kzgrant001@gmail.com.
You can also join this upcoming Kulanu learning session “Kristallnacht: Finding Strength and Inspiration through Reflection and Learning” on November 16 at 7pm. Register here: https://adl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_FmuX3VFDQSGh4hO3micQTw
Sermon Bank
Timely Shabbat sermons are uploaded to https://www.bnaitorah.org/sermons (new ones added by Sunday morning).