Our vision is that Temple Emanu-El be the leading synagogue for Israel engagement in the greater Atlanta area.
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.
- 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
Solidarity Mission to Israel led by Rabbi Spike Anderson
June 16-23, 2025
We need Israel and Israel needs us!
Join our community group focused on volunteering and solidarity visits. Bear witness to the events of October 7, help those in need, and support the Israeli economy. Volunteer in the affected communities of the Western Negev and other areas. Meet Israelis of many races and religions and hear their stories. Show your support for Am Israel and "pray with your feet" (and your hands).
This is not a sightseeing trip, and participants should be ready (and able) to do moderately difficult physical activity.
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
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 responds to Moria refugee camp fire, Lesbos.
