Our Vision

Our vision is that Temple Emanu-El be the leading synagogue for Israel engagement in the greater Atlanta area.

Our Mission

Temple Emanu-El is a Zionist congregation committed to a cultural, religious, and political connection with the State of Israel, the homeland of the Jewish people. Israel is a central pillar of our communal Jewish identity. We integrate Israel into our lifelong learning, worship, social justice, and the decor of our building. Our congregants travel to Israel, contribute financially to her well being, and engage in nuanced dialogue about the land, her people, and the State.

Our Values

A safe and secure Jewish and democratic state in the Land of Israel.
A commitment to helping Israel realize values which we as liberal Jews hold dear–peace with her neighbors and full civil, human and religious rights for all citizens.
An Israeli society reflective of both democratic values and religious pluralism.
The acquisition of Hebrew language skills to draw closer to our sacred texts and to engage with our brothers and sisters in the Land of Israel.
Knowledge of and appreciation for the secular and religious cultural heritage in the State of Israel

Get Involved Today!

Interested in helping to shape the ways in which Temple Emanu-El engages with Israel? Temple Emanu-El's Israel Committee seeks to plan events, coordinate speakers, and provide ways to incorporate Israel into the fabric of our congregation. Join our Israel Committee today and contact Rabbi Max for more information.

Temple Emanu-El Community Vigil

October 12, 2023

Congregants and community members attended a vigil for those who lost their lives, those who were injured, and those abducted by Hamas extremists in Israel.

Watch the service HERE

TEMPLE EMANU-EL ISRAEL TRIP

June 2-13, 2024

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure that will strengthen your connection to Jewish heritage, broaden your Jewish identity, and create lifelong memories.

This exclusive trip is designed specifically for members of Temple Emanu-El, allowing us to share this transformative experience with our community and foster a sense of togetherness. Whether you're traveling alone, with family, or with friends, this trip will be an opportunity to strengthen our bonds and create new friendships within our congregation.

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to explore the Holy Land, connect with your Jewish roots, and experience the magic of Israel. Secure your spot today and join us on this remarkable journey in Summer 2024!

Itinerary-Pricing-Registration

Welcoming Shinshinit Gili Aisenberg

Our Temple Emanu-El and Diamond Family Religious School Community are thrilled to welcome our newest Shinshinit, Gili Aisenberg! Having a Shinshin as a part of our Diamond Family Religious School and youth programming has been an amazing way to bring Israel into the lives of the next generation. Gili is taking a gap year between high school and her IDF service to come to Atlanta to serve the Jewish community. Jewish peoplehood is a pillar of Temple Emanu-El; Gili will not only teach us about Israel, but we will also share with her all about what it means to be a part of a Reform Jewish community in America. Week by week we will strengthen the connection between the Jewish people of Atlanta to Israel and around the world.

Hobbies: Baking /Cooking, Fashion, Fitness/Exercise, Playing Sports, Social Media, Travel, Watching Movies/TV, Running

Relaxes and Unwinds By: I like to relax by going for a run, watching the TV, or just being on my phone. During school breaks I like to relax by going on a vacation or by traveling/ hang out with friends.

Favorite Holiday: My favorite Jewish holiday is Hanukkah because every night for 7 days we light the menorah with family and friends, sing traditional songs, and overall, just have fun with people that we love. Another reason is because we celebrate in the winter, and this is my favorite season.

Most Excited About: I'm super excited to get to know new people and to make friendships and connections with people from the community and between the Jewish community in Atlanta and Israel. I'm also really excited to represent the country and to bring my "Israeli story" to the local community in Atlanta.

To check out a Gili’s intro video, click HERE

To learn more about the Shinshinim program and even to look into hosting your very own shinshin or shinshinit! Click HERE

Upcoming Events

2019 Israel Trip Testimonials

Temi Levy

Our daughter, Elisabeth, chose to have her bat mitzvah while on the Temple Emanu-El family trip to Israel, and it truly exceeded all of our expectations! From lounging on the beach in Tel Aviv to exploring the ancient coastal city of Caesarea, from eating the most delicious shawarma in Zichron Ya'akov to floating in the beautiful Dead Sea, from visiting Golan Heights to meeting with the brave soldiers of the IDF and visiting the children at Save a Child's Heart in Holon, every aspect of this experience was memorable, educational and so much fun. AND - we watched our daughter become a bat mitzvah in Jerusalem in the most perfect, beautiful service we ever could have imagined.

If anyone is even remotely contemplating going on this trip,
don't hesitate - just go.
There is no place like Israel,
and there is no trip like this one!

Shelley and Bob Antin

We can’t say enough good things about this trip. In fact, we can’t stop talking about it period! We are still kvelling about all of the adventures we had, and reliving the whole experience through our pictures. If there is such a thing as adult summer camp with the most congenial cabin-mates (our terrific group of adults) and best counselors (Rabbi Spike and Geoff, our Keshet tour guide), this was it. Better yet, our group included a terrific group of kids and teens whose energy and enthusiasm made us feel young. The sights and sounds of this beautiful country are now forever imprinted in our senses. Israel is a multi-layered experience, and our lives have been enriched because of this meaningful trip.

It has opened our eyes to the history of this tiny jewel of a country, and to the warmth, pride, and hospitality of its people.....our people!”

Ellen Gilmer

For years my husband, Jimmy, wanted to travel to Israel. He has relatives near Haifa and had not seen them for over 50 years. To be honest, Israel had not been at the top of my list for vacations. However, after the temple announced the trip with a wonderful itinerary plus some of our friends were going, we signed up.

The trip was one of a lifetime!!! It was one of the best decisions we have made. The itinerary was amazing. We were very active, up and out of the hotel usually by 9AM and, at times, back in the evening. When one is in Israel, you want to make the most of it and see as much as possible. The tour guide, Geoff Winston @ Keshet Educational Journey, is very knowledgeable and has a great personality. Jeff and Rabbi Spike both provided such interesting information about the country and the sites we were visiting. A Youth Counselor was on the trip with educational programming specifically for the children. We traveled to many cities and historical places. We honestly cannot choose a favorite event. We were fascinated by the history of Israel. Some things we knew, some we had forgotten and many new facts were learned.

At Masada we heard the story of the Jewish zealots who were defending themselves from the Romans. At Mt. Bental, were told the heroic stories from the Yom Kippur War. We met with Israeli soldiers at the Israeli Lebanese border. They were such brave men who are honored to serve in the military beginning at 18 years old. We heard about the dramatic account of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion and his brave decision to declare the state despite incredible resistance against it. And once the State of Israel was declared, the struggle of the Jews to preserve its existence.

We should all be very proud of Israel. The economy is thriving today. Many of the world’s largest companies have established R&D centers in Israel including Intel, IBM, Cisco, HP and Microsoft to mention a few. Most of Windows NT and XP operating systems were developed by Microsoft-Israel. We toured the Taglit Innovation Center. Israel’s economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbor’s combined and it leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce.

It was incredible to see what the country has done in terms of agriculture. Many innovative techniques were developed in Israel including irrigation, solar power and cleaning the seas from petroleum pollution. They have turned much of the desert land into beautiful, lush areas. There is continued development in the cities and in the countryside, and construction of high-rise apartments/condos to house the growth in population. Construction/cranes are everywhere. The medical industry is huge with many innovative procedures having been developed in the country.

To close, I must mention the group of people on the tour. They were fantastic! There were 27 people including 9 children. We all interacted so well together and had a blast. Having the kids on the trip was wonderful. They were so much fun to be with. We got to attend the B’nai Mitzvah of two of the children, a beautiful ceremony which we were able to share with the families at the Hebrew Union College. We liked them so much that we even adopted one of them. We now have four sons!! We made friends on the trip. For lunch and dinner, we ate one meal a day as a group and for the other one we typically met up with various people and went out. We found a lot of great things together. I even road a camel with Rabbi Spike!!

When the temple announces its next trip,
I would highly recommend you consider taking it.

Stuart Dunowitz

Our family trip to Israel with Spike, his family, and Temple Emanu-El was everything we hoped it would be. As first-timers, we had very high expectations. We wanted to see and experience everything we had read about. We wanted it to be a trip we would always remember and talk about for years. Mission accomplished.

The trip was informative, exciting, surprising, spiritual, interesting, fun, and inspirational. Geoff, our tour guide, and Spike packed a lot of adventure and perspective in our wonderful ten days in Israel. First-timers or fifth-timers would enjoy the trip as it seems there is always more to do, to see, to understand in Israel.

We look forward to visiting again.
Our only regret of the trip is that it’s over….

Howard Schechter

My family and I recently returned from the Summer 2019 Temple Emanu-El Israel Tour. The Tour was an incredible experience for our entire family. Whenever I tell anyone about the trip the most common question is “What was your favorite experience?” I never know how to answer because I don’t have just one.

The other day I went walking while listening to music, just as I did while on the boardwalk in Tel Aviv. While I was out and about in Dunwoody, I was taken back to the beautiful beaches of Tel Aviv and all the people playing volleyball, walking and talking with their families, and the times our tour group spent together. In that moment, I realized that the best part of my trip to Israel was the Connections I made. The Connections to history, the Connections to spirituality and the Connections to people.

I have always been a student of history. I read and studied history in school and throughout my adult life. I raised my children to read and understand the importance of history in our world and their everyday lives. While I knew the written history of Israel, I did not have a real connection to it until I stood on the Golan Heights with members of the IDF, walked the streets of Jerusalem and danced by the wall on Shabbat or floated in the Dead Sea with Rabbi Spike.

I have never considered myself a very religious person but have always felt a spiritual connection to the world around me. I did not truly understand my spiritual connection until a few of us went on a hike to watch the sunrise near Masada. Before this hike, I had a fear of heights and stayed away from places without railings. On the way down, we had to climb across a ledge that was at least 50 feet above the rocks below holding onto a thin metal pipe. Based on everything I’d seen and done the week before, I suddenly felt no fear and reached out to grab both the pipe and the rock handholds that were there. The rest of the way I chose the rocks over the metal hand and footholds. From those moments on I felt spiritually connected in a way I never felt before.

Perhaps most significantly, while in Israel, I connected more deeply with people. I was able to connect with my family through the time we spent together as we traveled across Israel and shared experiences. I watched in awe as Israelis spent Shabbat together on the Beach without iPhones or any other types of electronics. To see so many friends and families sharing so much time and joy reminded me of the value of stopping to just be in the moment and connect. Perhaps most surprising was how well everyone on the Tour connected. We were 27 people ages 7 to 76 and we all were able to get along well and find a way to communicate at every meal and event. In fact, we still spend time together now.

I leave you with this thought.
If you are thinking of going to Israel with the Temple.
GO

Temple Emanu-El Partners With IsraAID

Temple Emanu-El is a proud partner of IsraAID's, Israel's leading humanitarian aid organization. IsraAID embodies the spirit of Israel, utilizing top-notch Israeli expertise - such as mental health, psychosocial support, water, and medical expertise - to make a difference in the world. Since its founding in 2001, IsraAID has been responding to natural disasters, refugees crises, post-conflict situations, and health epidemics, such as COVID-19, working in emergency and long-term development settings in 55+ countries. IsraAID collaborates with communities in the field at the deepest level, working with communities to build back and become resilient following humanitarian crises.

We invite you to join Temple Emanu-El in supporting IsraAID's Emergency Response fund, HERE. This vital fund enables IsraAID teams to deploy wherever they are needed immediately following a crisis, without waiting for seed funding. By reaching affected communities sooner, IsraAID can save more lives and have a greater impact.

For more info on IsraAID, visit: https://www.israaid.org/

IsraAID Mobilizes to Send Medical Supplies to India

Catastrophic wave of COVID-19 infections leaves Indian hospitals struggling to cope

IsraAID, Israel’s leading non-governmental humanitarian aid agency, will provide urgent support to Indian hospitals and healthcare workers as the country faces an unprecedented and devastating wave of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. In the past week, daily cases have crossed 350,000 – the most of any country at any point during the pandemic – with many more likely to be going untested and unreported. Major shortages of medical supplies, including lifesaving oxygen, ventilators, syringes, and more, have left Indian healthcare providers struggling to cope with the influx of new COVID-19 patients.

In the coming days, IsraAID will dispatch medical equipment and supplies, including crucial oxygen concentrators, to Indian healthcare facilities and organizations. IsraAID will also explore technological solutions to meet gaps in COVID-19 response and care, including data management, logistical support, vaccinations, and more. The organization will also respond to the devastating secondary effects of the pandemic, including a growing mental health crisis, launching self-care programs for frontline health workers to build community resilience and “help the helpers”. IsraAID’s partners include the Israel-India Forum at Tel Aviv University, Indian civil society organizations and healthcare providers.

IsraAID has been at the forefront of the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, reaching more than 8 million people across 17 countries worldwide. In February 2020, IsraAID sent medical supplies to Chinese hospitals experiencing shortages and provided remote self-care training for frontline Chinese health workers. Last month, the organization launched its Global Vaccine Access initiative in the southern African country of Eswatini, supporting the government as it plans and implements its nationwide COVID-19 vaccination program.

IsraAID has worked in India previously, providing relief distributions, psychosocial support, and water well rehabilitation in Kerala following devastating flooding in 2018. IsraAID has also worked extensively in the wider region, including in Nepal for four years after the 2015 earthquake.

Yotam Polizer, IsraAID’s CEO, said:

“The scale of the crisis currently unfolding in India is simply overwhelming. As a humanitarian organization that has responded to COVID-19 in 17 countries up-to-now, we felt we could not just stand by. We have ongoing partnerships on-the-ground in India and we look forward to working side-by-side with Indian organizations to both respond to this emergency and prepare for the future. With life in Israel returning to a pre-pandemic “normal”, it is crucial to remember our shared responsibility to partner with communities facing the worst of it. The pandemic will not be over for anybody until it is over for everybody.”

Donations to support IsraAID’s response in India can be made through the IsraAID Emergency Response Fund.

IsraAID opens a new Child Friendly Space in Guara-Guara, Mozambique following Cyclone Eloise, reaching approx. 40 children each day, incl. children with physical disabilities.

IsraAID opens a new Child Friendly Space in Guara-Guara, Mozambique following Cyclone Eloise, reaching approx. 40 children each day, incl. children with physical disabilities.

IsraAID responds to Moria refugee camp fire, Lesbos.

Israel and Peoplehood