Next generation of mahjong
Feb. 12 (25 Shevat)
💰 Robert Kraft’s $15 million Super Bowl ad against antisemitism was as lackluster as the Patriot’s performance. Teenagers aren’t experiencing antisemitism in school via sticky notes. Some aren’t even allowed to wear typical backpacks in school. Consult a panel of 12 to 18 year olds – and read the post-Oct. 7 room.
✍🏼 This week, the American Jewish Committee released a study on antisemitism, polling Jews and the general public. Ninety-three percent of Jews feel antisemitism is a problem in the U.S. Read on for AJC Regional Director Dov Wilker’s take.
🥳 Mazel tov to the Torah Day School community, celebrating its 40th anniversary with a $440,000 fundraiser and gala on Feb. 22. Founded in 1985 with 19 students, the accredited day school now has a population of 350.
📫 Send us your Purim events, and we’ll list them here on Feb. 26.
😥 We apologize for last week’s error. The National Council of Jewish Women Atlanta section is hosting Repro Shabbat on Saturday, Feb. 14 at several locations in metro Atlanta.
Y’alla,
Logan
Antisemitism survey by AJC
📢 A new study on antisemitism released this week by the American Jewish Committee shows that Jewish people are changing their behavior out of fear after three major antisemitic attacks took place in 2025.
The back-to-back incidents: the firebombing of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home in Harrisburg, PA, in April 2025 by Cody Balmer; the shooting deaths of Sarah Milgrim, 26, a Jewish American staffer at the Israeli Embassy, and her partner Yaron Lischinsky, 30, outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. in May 2025; and the death of Karen Diamond, 82, after an assault on a Jewish group peacefully protesting in Boulder, CO in June 2025.
AJC conducted a survey of 1,222 Jewish and 1,033 non-Jewish people on American attitudes about antisemitism in October 2025. The survey was designed to build on existing trends, while including new questions about artificial intelligence (AI) and protest rhetoric.
📰 Read the article by Logan C. Ritchie.
RELATED
🤝🏽 Trainers from Jewish Organizing Institute and Network (JOIN) will lead an interactive, interfaith workshop to provide historical context and analysis on antisemitism and racism, how they are connected now, and practical strategies to combat them. Register to attend.
Rebuilding a stronger Israel
SPONSORED BY JEWISH NATIONAL FUND-USA
🤝 Join Jewish National Fund-USA as we celebrate our extraordinary work rebuilding and reimagining a stronger Israel. We are dedicated to transforming lives and uplifting individuals, families, communities, and entire regions across Israel’s underserved North and South.
We will introduce you to one aspect of our work with the Galilee Culinary Institute, Rosenfeld School of Culinary Arts—a primary driver of job creation and tourism in Israel’s North. Chef Lior Lev Sercarz will introduce you to a bold and diverse culinary tradition, creating the new food hub of the Middle East.
➞ RSVP at jnf.org/hirsch.
Kids love mahj, too
👧🏽 Kids ages 3 to 8 are invited to join the mahjong craze on Sunday, Feb. 22 in Dunwoody.
From 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., stations will guide little ones to design a mahjong tile, decorate a mahjong cookie, and explore patterns of the game.
Local authors Mark and Gabby Spatt will be on hand to read “Bubbe and Bams,” a book about intergenerational mahjong play.
💙 “Kids are so intrigued by mahjong and the tiles. We’re excited to introduce them to the game through several mahj related activities,” Gabby said.
The event is sponsored by The Missing Line, Nurture at Davis Academy and PJ Library.
🀄 Gabby recommends Mini Mahjer tiles for little hands.
RELATED
⛺ Join Ramah Darom and PJ Library March 6-8 for Book It To Shabbat in the North Georgia mountains. The weekend is designed for families with children ages 6 and under.
Heads up, parents
Parents, caretakers, and teachers can take advantage of several tween and teen-focused discussions this month.
Tuesday, Feb. 17
1️⃣ Mental health speaker and advocate Ross Szabo delivers practical tools to better understand, support, and connect with kids.
Sunday, Feb. 22
2️⃣ Attend a free parent forum on navigating technology and online antisemitism led by therapist Sherri Cauthen, director of JF&CS Horwitz-Zusman Child and Family Center.
Tuesday, Feb. 24
3️⃣ Parents are invited to “Tackling Tough Topics,” a collaboration between CTeen Atlanta and BeWell ATL.
Next up in the community
These March events require registration and planning, so jump in.
Monday, March 2
🍷 Interfaith couples will meet for an Israeli wine tasting paired with hamantaschen in Inman Park. Space is limited for this JGather pop-up event. (pictured)
Sunday, March 8
🏆 Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta Impacts! is honoring Linda Davis for her decades of service to women and girls in Atlanta and Israel. Guests are CNN’s Dana Bash and local media talent Mara Davis.
Tuesday, March 10
🍴 Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy and Young Leadership Division will feature Danielle Robay, journalist and storyteller, with cocktails, dinner and drinks in Sandy Springs.
Sunday, March 15
🏃🏼 Attend the 41st annual Atlanta Community Food Bank Hunger Walk/Run to fight hunger in metro Atlanta and north Georgia. Register to join the Jewish Federation’s team.
Wednesday, March 18
🍊 The Community Women’s Seder celebrates Passover from a feminist perspective at Temple Sinai. This year’s theme is “From Darkness to Light: A Hopeful Journey toward Renewal and Redemption.” Register by March 9.
This Jewish Olympian prays with her mom before every race
⛸️ Kamryn Lute’s Olympic ritual doesn’t start on the ice. It begins with a text to her mom: “Dear God,” she types, “Please help me do my best.”
Kamryn, 21, is the only member of Team USA’s speedskating squad to have had a bat mitzvah.
The pre-race prayer with her mother is the final buffer against the chaos of what’s to come. The words themselves are a contract with uncertainty. “My parents instilled in me that all that we can do is our best,” Kamryn said. “I just repeat that in my head. And then it’s out of my hands.”
➡ Read the full story on the Forward.
Look & Listen
💕 Listen to Atlanta author and mental health advocate Justin Milrad talk about Valentine’s Day on his podcast, “The Conscious Divorce.”
🎙️ Attend a Feb. 24 live podcast recording with Dr. Noam Weissman, creator and host of “Unpacking Israeli History,” and journalist and author Yardena Schwartz.
What’s doin’ around town
SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH
🥰 Feb. 13:Singles Shabbat with Kibbitz & Konnect.
🤲🏼 Feb. 21: A gateway into Jewish prayer at Or Hadash.
🍿 Feb. 22: Discussion and dinner after a film on Nahal Oz.
🎥 Feb. 22:Intown movie and dinner for interfaith couples.
📚 Feb. 24:Hadar Jewish learning program at Or Hadash.
✡️ The next Jewish holiday is Purim on March 2.
🕯️Light Shabbat candles this week at 6:02 p.m.
🎭 What a week. We recommend challah. Join Or Hadash next Fri., Feb. 13 for Musical Kabbalat Shabbat services and a delicious community dinner. Unwind, connect, and welcome Shabbat together. Details and RSVP.
Before you go
🥸 Atlanta author Barbara Kimmel has done it again: Her children’s sticker book for ages 3+ has sold out twice. Get a copy of “Purim Possibilities” – now restocked on Amazon – before you turn into Queen Esther or Haman (boo) for Purim.