The Social Justice Committee has been hard at work finding ways to support the people of Ukraine.  We would like to update you on what we are doing and how you could help. Temple Emanu-El Partnership with AURA Temple Emanu-El has been assigned to help settle two Ukrainian Evacuee families through a JF&CS project called AURA (Atlanta Ukrainian Evacuee Relief Assistance).  The initial stages of this project are under way and we have already welcomed one of the families after a traumatic journey (we are meeting the second family soon).  To help with the load of the work, we have partnered on portions of the project with The Temple of Atlanta. A little about the Shmidt family: Tolya and Elya are a young couple with 3 children (Tamila-age 1.5, Evelyn-age 6, and Vladlene -age 11).   They fled Chernovtzy in April as the town's missile-alert sirens began to terrify the children.  The kids' school was turned into a refugee center and closed for educational purposes.  Tolya and Elya took a … [Read more...]

Before going to Israel, I wondered what this experience would be like: leading my first congregational trip; traveling with a toddler; seeing Israel through the eyes of first-timers, especially with first-timers ranging from ages 2 to 70-something. It came to light quite quickly that the most exciting part was the chance to encounter sacred moments through the eyes of those around me. Not all sacred moments look the same.   They're unique to the individual even when experienced as a collective.    This Shabbat I plan to reveal a few of the sacred lessons from our journey.   I will explore the lessons of how recognizing the sacred spark of the individual who stands before us, can go on to be the starting point for understanding and love.   I will also explore how surviving a treacherous trail and blocking a busy Tel Aviv street, can teach us about the power of collective experience and building community.  Join me.   Shabbat Shalom, Rabbi Rachael  … [Read more...]

Preparing for this coming Shabbat by keeping cool sounds like good advice. Looking at our Torah reading for this week Moses confronts several crises. The Israelites are hot and tired. They have been journeying for over two years since leaving Egypt. The desert is hot and dry. Yes, God has provided the people with Manna to eat, but they are complaining that they miss the "good old days" where meat and fish, fruits and vegetables were plentiful. They have no control over their lives. Often we believe we are in control, but then something happens and we find we are not. As we enter the season of summer travel, perhaps we need to look more carefully at this torah portion. Having recently returned from a trip to Morocco and Spain, I read this sedra with new insight. Karen and I were on a packaged tour. We had no input into our itinerary other than what was published. A five star trip was advertised and indeed our first hotel in Casablanca was lovely. A well-known city, we of course wanted … [Read more...]

"Maybe our paths will cross when this universe folds in and makes another. Maybe, at the point when all that is and all that's ever been, collapses into everything else and is remade, our paths will cross, however briefly, and our terminus become a junction. It may be a long shot. I will take it and hope and trust that our paths cross again." -Epilogue, by Oliver Tearle I recently came across this poem and, although it is few in words, it speaks volumes about journeys, relationships, and connections. Nine years ago, Moshe and I arrived in Atlanta, freshly married, and excited for the adventure ahead. What an adventure it has been. The most profound moments have been sharing Jewish connection with you, through music, through text, study, song, b'nai mitzvah, baby namings, funerals, weddings. Living the Jewish cycle of life and the Jewish calendar through you and with you has been a deep and humbling privilege. You have placed yourselves into my hands and my care. This; those moments we … [Read more...]