Interfaith partnerships
Thursday, July 9 (24 Tamuz 5786) — What a week for sports! Fans are still reeling after Team USA’s loss, Argentina had a thrilling come-from-behind win in Atlanta Stadium, and there is hope for the Braves to get back on track after next week’s All-Star Game.
🇦🇷 JTA writes about the Jewish superfan who designed the crest on Argentina’s soccer jerseys.
⚽️ Catch the JInterfaith family-friendly event to watch the World Cup on July 11. Enjoy Havdalah, food and drinks, and meet new friends at 5 p.m. – then settle in for the quarterfinal match between Norway and England. Register here.
🤨 Reviews have been mixed for Larry David’s “Life, Larry, and the Pursuit of Unhappiness” streaming on HBO. What are your thoughts?
As always, thanks for reading.
Y’alla,
Logan
Ramah Darom turns 30
🇮🇱 Ramah Darom is celebrating its 30th anniversary with an unforgettable family trip to Israel in December. Celebrate together, strengthen your connection to camp, each other, and to the Jewish homeland.
🧳 Learn more about going to Israel with Ramah Darom.
Dinosaur Summer. It’s here.
SPONSORED BY THE FERNBANK MUSEUM
🦖 The world’s most famous predator is back—and science is rewriting its story.
At Fernbank’s T. rex: The Ultimate Predator, discover how new research is changing what we know about the “tyrant lizard king,” from feathered ancestors to lightning-fast growth spurts. Explore life-sized models, hands-on interactives, and come face-to-jaws with a full-scale adult T. rex during Dinosaur Summer, now through Sept. 7.
➞ See the king of dinosaurs up close at Fernbank this summer.
Or Hadash welcomes neighbors
💛 Rapha Church will hold its summer worship services at Congregation Or Hadash, a reflection of a growing interfaith partnership in Sandy Springs.
The collaboration grew out of a chance encounter in 2025, when Rabbi Lauren Henderson of Or Hadash searched Google Maps for churches unfamiliar to her. She came across Rapha Church. “I reached out to Pastors Ed and Jaz and was met with the warmest welcome,” Henderson said. “We knew from that initial meeting that a deep friendship and partnership would emerge.”
Or Hadash has long relied on the hospitality of other congregations. Before establishing a permanent home, Or Hadash gathered in spaces offered by churches and Jewish organizations across Atlanta.
Jason Parker, Or Hadash’s executive director, said the current arrangement continues that tradition. “Our building was intentionally designed to be shared,” Parker said. “Being able to extend that same welcome to another congregation is both meaningful and deeply aligned with our values.”
Pastor Ed Jackson of Rapha Church said the space allows for joint worship and fellowship between the two congregations during the summer months. “This shared hospitality enables meaningful fellowship and joint worship opportunities between our congregations,” Jackson said. “We celebrate this season of friendship and mutual blessing as we serve and grow together in the wider community.”
🫶🏼 Both congregations plan to pursue additional joint community service projects and educational programs.
How a historic New Orleans synagogue became one of America’s fastest-growing Jewish communities
🎺 By the time a trumpet player rose from the pews, candy was already flying through the sanctuary.
Children scrambled across the bimah beneath Touro Synagogue’s green-and-gold dome while the crowd clapped to the music and a 13-year-old boy in orange Nike sneakers stood beside his mom before two open Torah scrolls — one for the bar mitzvah boy, the other for his mother, who was 47, a recent convert celebrating her adult bat mitzvah.
By the end of services, congregants carrying guitars, flutes, and tambourines had transformed the sanctuary into something resembling a Mardi Gras second line.
In most American synagogues, this would have felt unusual. At Touro, located along the famous parade route, it felt nearly routine.
🕍 Read the full story on the Forward.
Look & Listen
📺 The Emmy nominations were announced this week, including many Jewish shows and actors.
😩 The struggle is real trying to find kosher products at Trader Joe’s.
What’s doin’ around town
SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH
🤿 July 10: Dive into Shabbat pool party at MJCCA
☕️ July 12:Kabbalah and Coffee with Chabad Intown on the Beltline
🀄️ July 15: Guided and open play Mahjong
🧢 July 19: Kibbitz & Konnect young professionals and 35+ Braves game
🗓️ Experience Congregation Or Hadash in Sandy Springs. Join us this Friday evening for Shabbat services and stay for our first-ever Challah Bake-Off. Sample homemade challah, cheer on our bakers, and celebrate Jewish community and tradition—with a fresh, delicious twist. Details.
Before you go
👋🏼 Julie Abes traveled to Sonoma, CA., and spotted this sign at Grossman’s Noshery.
