Chag Shavuot Sameach
May 29 (2 Sivan 5785)
✈️ Hey readers, lots of local Jewish news ahead. The Y’alla team is working from around the world this week, so we’re keeping it straight to the point.
☀️ Happy Shavuot! Here’s to summer vacation.
Y’alla,
Logan
✡️ Join us for New Israel Fund Atlanta‘s 8th Annual Tzedek Awards on June 8 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, honoring Ambassador Stu Eizenstat! Help promote equality, democracy, and a peaceful shared society in Israel. Click here for more info! SPONSOR MESSAGE
Jewish Roller Derby here May 31
🛼 The Jewish Roller Derby is skating into town on Saturday, May 31 when the team goes up against Atlanta’s Toxic Shocks at Agnes Scott College in Decatur.
Founded in 2018, the Jewish Roller Derby has grown to more than 60 members, and will compete at the Roller Derby World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria in July.
Jewish Roller Derby is a borderless team based on shared cultural heritage rather than geographical location, uniting skaters from diverse backgrounds. Borderless teams include Black Diaspora Roller Derby, Indigenous Rising Roller Derby, Team Desi, SALAAM Roller Derby, and Fuego Latino Roller Derby. Players often play in more than one league.
“The sport attracts a lot of people who have never been athletes before. It’s a very physical athletic experience, but you tend to see a lot of people who have felt feel like they haven’t fit in in other spaces,” Bruise said.
➡ Tickets are available to this family-friendly event.
Enjoy Breman Museum Night at the Symphony
SPONSORED BY ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
✡️ Thursday, June 5 is Breman Museum Night at the Symphony! Before the concert, join us for a chat with artist Anthony Russell exploring Gustav Mahler’s work & reputation as a composer of Jewish descent.
🎹 Your Atlanta Symphony performs Mahler’s romantic Seventh Symphony. Virtuosic pianist Inon Barnatan joins the orchestra for Shostakovich’s rapid-fire Concerto No. 1 for Piano, Trumpet and Strings. Afterward, gather with musicians and friends for food, drinks and a meet & greet with Inon Barnatan.
📣 Bring a friend! Tickets include the lecture, a premium seat at the 8 p.m. concert, and post-concert reception. Get details here.
Judaica Corner closing
😯 This week, Judaica Corner owners Janet Afrah and Rena Naghi announced the Toco Hills mainstay will close in mid-June after nearly 40 years in business.
A letter from the shop said, “It has been a true privilege to serve this community and to be a small part of your Jewish journeys – helping you find meaningful pieces for your homes, celebrations, and rituals.”
🛍️ Visit the store at 2185 Briarcliff Rd. Atlanta, 30329 to shop and say goodbye in person.
Mahj, mahj, and more mahj
Atlanta is booming with options for meeting new people and playing mahjong. Here are a few opportunities on our radar.
🀪 June 2: House of Mahjong and Sweet Auburn are teaming up for dinner and mahjong for experienced players. The location is Poncey Highland. Cost: $70, which includes a $25 food and beverage credit.
🀪 June 2: Hong Kong or BYO mahjong at JenChan’s. Reserve a table for $38, then enjoy pay-per-dish dim sum in a fun, loud, friendly spot in Cabbagetown.
🀪 June 16: Mahjong Monday includes a lesson and play at Or Hadash in Sandy Springs.
🤔 Haven’t played mahjong yet? Get on board! This trend isn’t just for seniors.
A controversial definition of antisemitism is making its way into state laws
🚫 A new law in Kansas makes it a special offense to wear a mask while protesting Israel.
In Florida, after legislation was passed targeting antisemitism, the state university system asked administrators to review any course material mentioning “Israeli,” “Palestinian,” and “Zionist,” among other terms.
And in Oklahoma, the public school system was required to appoint a special coordinator to investigate claims of antisemitic discrimination.
The definition of antisemitism that governments rely on may seem like a semantic debate, but the recent flurry of state legislation shows its impact on how crime data is tracked, which incidents at public universities lead to discipline, and what is considered acceptable speech in the classroom.
Those are the stakes behind a renewed debate over the IHRA definition, which continued at the state level as Virginia, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska and Tennessee all passed bills or issued executive orders reiterating their support for it.
➡ Read more about the IHRA debate here..
✡️ Join us for New Israel Fund Atlanta‘s 8th Annual Tzedek Awards on June 8 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, honoring Ambassador Stu Eizenstat! Help promote equality, democracy, and a peaceful shared society in Israel. Click here for more info! SPONSOR MESSAGE
Look & Listen
🍎 Watch: Fountain of Youth, a new Apple TV+ movie, marks Natalie Portman’s first film since 2023.
🍑 Listen: Ha’Afarsekim (Hebrew for “The Peaches”) is a group of Israeli expats based in Atlanta. Check out their new album.
🍞 Bake: Adeena Sussman’s Shavuot sweet treat.
What’s doin’ around town
SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH
🕯️ June 5: JBaby series starts.
👶🏼 June 7: Tot Shabbat in Sandy Springs.
🗓️ This Sunday! Join us for the Or Hadash Torah on the Mountain Hike—an unforgettable morning of reflection, community, and sacred connection. Don’t miss this meaningful Shavuot experience. June 1, 9:00 am at Kennesaw Mountain. RSVP today. #ExperienceOrHadash
Mazel Tov!
👏🏼 Rabbi Micah Lapidus, director of Jewish and Hebrew Studies and School Rabbi at Davis Academy, has been named a 2025 recipient of the prestigious Covenant Award. It is the highest honor in the field of Jewish education in North America.
In his 18-year “chai” tenure at Davis, Lapidus has exhibited leadership and deep-rooted commitment to Jewish learning, spiritual growth, and social justice.
