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What are the AA tunes? Our rabbis hear this question yearly as the journey toward the High Holidays begins. The AA tunes are melodies that have accompanied us through countless High Holidays throughout our youth and as we grew with the congregation. Cantor after cantor, choir after choir, some melodies have followed us, embraced us, and given us a sense of the holiness of the AA prayer experience. But what are they? We embarked on a mission to “find” the AA tunes, with our community’s help. Check out the journey!
Our Meshorerim (Hebrew for “spiritual singers”) group enhances prayer through music and song. The group is open to anyone regardless of musical background, Hebrew ability, or rehearsal attendance. Even if you’ve never attended a practice before, you can join our Meshorerim anytime. All we ask is that you sit up front during the Holidays in the designated “Meshorerim” section and sing along when you can! See the full schedule of gatherings on the AA Tunes Linktree.
The Children’s Choir, introduced for the first time during the 5784 High Holiday services, will sing again this year! The Children’s Choir currently includes young singers ages 5–15 and rehearses on Sundays during our Kesher Jewish School program and Saturdays after Rebbe’s Tish.
They say listening to a band’s album before attending their concert can help people enjoy the show. The same is true of spiritual preparation for the High Holiday services. Familiarizing yourself with the audio tracks of the AA Tunes will lead to a more meaningful High Holiday experience! While we may not have an AA Tunes album (at least not yet), we offer sheet music and audio files for some of our selections. You can find an index with links here.
Ahavath Achim has a rich musical history of over a century, from commissioned choral works to rock band tributes. In addition to the AA Tunes Campaign playlist, please enjoy inspirational musical kavanot (Hebrew for “intentions” or “sincere feelings, directions of the heart”) and some of our favorite musical memories and stories about our beloved “AA Tunes” and other resources.
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Congregation Bet Haverim is a Reconstructionist Jewish community in Atlanta. Our mission, in a nutshell, is to provide contemporary Jewish spiritual, educational, cultural, and social experiences in which an individual can integrate practice of Judaism with other aspects of their life, including social consciousness, intellectual curiosity, sexual orientation, and familial bonds. We serve and support the lesbian, gay, and transgender communities and promote the Reconstructionist concept of Judaism as an evolving religious civilization.
Ma’alot is an inclusive spiritual community that transforms lives through nature, music, and Jewish wisdom. Through immersive gatherings, we experiment, we remember, and we reimagine powerful Jewish practices that have transformed communities over the centuries. We take creative approaches to building holistic Jewish lives and welcome you just as you are.
18Doors is dedicated to empowering people in interfaith relationships to engage in Jewish life and make Jewish choices. We encourage Jewish communities to welcome these families and provide educational content, programs, and resources to support them in their Jewish journeys.
Music in Common curates experiences for people across social divides to discover common ground through facilitated conversation and music. Our nonprofit organization’s mission is to strengthen, empower, and connect communities through the universal language of music.
At our core, we hold high two foundational principles: it is hard to hate up close, and music can change the world. Our proven person-to-person methodology is informed by evidence-based social psychology and education models that help communities work through conflict. Gordon Allport’s Intergroup Contact Theory, Elliot Aronson’s Jigsaw Classroom, and 21st Century Learning’s Four C’s (communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking) are the cornerstones of our unique approach.
Since 2005, our programs and projects have directly served more than 10,000 people in over 400 communities worldwide, bringing together face-to-face Black and White Americans, Israelis and Palestinians, refugee, immigrant, and American-born youth, and Jews, Christians, and Muslims, among many others. 90% of MIC program participants surveyed report new learning about different faiths and cultures and resolve to reject stereotyping and increase respect for others moving forward.
Lili Baxter, a writer and teacher, was born in a DP camp in Sweden and grew up in Paris and New York. Having witnessed the familial and social ravages of hatred and war, she has devoted her life to the study and practice of nonviolence. Lili was hired by Coretta Scott King as the King Center’s director of nonviolence education and training and served for two decades on the U.S. and international boards of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the world’s oldest interfaith peace organization. She directed the Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education at the Breman Museum and, upon her retirement, was invited to return to The King Center as NV365 Senior Educator. Lili holds a PhD from Emory University in Women’s Studies and Human Development.
Jordan Forman has been the Ba’al Korei at AA since 1998 and has been the Ritual Coordinator and one of our Shlichei Tzibbur since 2010. In his role as Ritual Coordinator, he has been the “closer” for our B’nai Mitzvah and maker of MP3s for those looking to assist with T-ah, Haftara, and tefillot. In his “spare time”, Jordan is a Partner at the law firm of Fox Rothschild LLP. Jordan has been married to native AA member Lori Tillem for nine years. His son Joshua is going into his third year at Georgia Tech, and he also has two stepchildren, Maxwell and Isabelle.
Audrey Galex is the author of the children’s picture book Turtle Rocks and the creator of The Abandoned Mattress Photojournalism Project. She serves as Community Engagement Director for AIB Network (Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters.) Audrey is on the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta and Essential Theatre boards. She enjoys making a fool of herself on the dance floor, telling, listening to, and sharing stories and folktales, playing miniature golf poorly, drinking strong coffee, pulling weeds in her vegetable and herb garden, doing Duolingo despite the lack of mastery in any language other than English, and schmoozing with friends.
Gayanne Geurin currently offers vocal coaching and healing work in both individual and retreat settings. She served as music director at CBH for 18 years. Her experiences as a spiritual leader, music director, singer, and psychotherapist, along with her skills in vocal function and improvisational exploration, offer a unique and diverse toolkit for guiding folks in their journey with their voice. She came to claim her own singing voice through a long stop-and-start journey mixed with fear, spiritual cultivation, and expansive possibility. You can hear her on her album on Bandcamp: by the god tree and recordings by Congregation Bet Haverim on Spotify. What calls and inspires her now is how each of us develops a deeper relationship with the natural world, Earth. She can be reached at gayannegeurin@gmail.com.
Scott Glazer is a renowned musician based in Atlanta, and he is celebrated for his versatile talents as a bassist and vocalist. With several decades of career, Scott has become a staple in the Atlanta music scene, known for his dynamic performances and deep-rooted passion for music.
Rebekka Goldsmith, CBH Music Director, believes in the collective voice’s sacred and liberatory potential and regularly bears witness to the transformation and healing that can happen when people sing together. Trained as a singer, group facilitator, professional coach, and ritual leader, Rebekka has spent over 17 years guiding individuals and groups in explorations of voice, creativity, spirituality, and social justice. She uses voice as a physical, emotional, and spiritual practice for activating personal development and supporting deep group connection. She collaborates with many of today’s Jewish music artists. She has recorded an album called Seeding the Tree, exploring themes of nature, mysticism, ancestry, and the feminine in Judaism.
Lyra Hudson (she/her) is proud to have the opportunity to lend her voice and musical skills to the CBH community. A 27-year-old baritone from Atlanta, Georgia, she graduated from Yale in 2019 with a music degree and a background encompassing singing, guitar, piano, and composition (orchestral and digital). She is incredibly excited to be a new member of CBH and wants to extend her deepest gratitude to every person in the community.
Rebecca Leary Safon, a member and lay leader at Bet Haverim, is a Certified Yoga Therapist (C-IAYT) offering Therapeutic Yoga + Meditation specializing in Oncology Yoga for Cancer, Meditation, Gentle Yoga, and Yoga + Meditation through a Jewish lens. Her classes are available virtually, on my YouTube channel, and in studios, schools, and centers around the Atlanta metro area. Through Mother-to-Mother, she offers yoga for women throughout their lifecycles, including prenatal and postpartum, pelvic floor training, yoga for seniors, and chair yoga.
Bonnie and Michael form a Jewish music duo known as “sunmoonpie,” specializing in Jewish liturgical music and creative musical prayer experiences. Recently, they worked on Eliana Light’s album Ora Hi and Rabbi Sam Blustin’s album as part of the Sonia Project in memory of Sonia Fishkin z” l. Bonnie Levine serves in ritual and musical roles at Ahavath Achim Synagogue and Congregation Bet Haverim and is a practicing employment attorney. Michael is a professional musician, music educator, music producer, and audio engineer. He performs and leads musical experiences at Ahavath Achim and Bet Haverim, frequently with his wife Bonnie and their two children. You may know him as “Mr. Michael,” cofounder of The Learning Groove and music producer for the first four “Pete the Cat” books authored by Eric Litwin. Michael currently teaches music at The Weber School. Bonnie and Michael have two children, Eden (age 10) and Emet (age 8).
Dr. Linda Lippitt is a dedicated educator, researcher, and physician with a profound commitment to the advancement of medical science and education. A member of Ahavath Achim synagogue, she regularly chants Torah and Haftorah and teaches about Jewish wisdom and the ancient Jewish mystical tradition of Kabbalah.
Rabbi Chaim Stephen Listfield is a proud member of Ahavath Achim Synagogue. A magna cum laude graduate of Rutgers University, he was ordained at the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1974, at which he delivered the valedictory address. Rabbi Listfield led Conservative congregations for 40 years. Now semi-retired, he is the part-time rabbi of Etz Chayim Synagogue in Huntsville, AL.
Michael Miller is mostly retired from careers as a consultant and business school faculty (most recently Goizueta, where he still teaches a summer course—hence the “mostly”). His children are grown and out of the house and he and his wife live in the Midtown Garden District after relocating from Boston. At AA, he cheerleads for, coordinates, and occasionally leads Shabbat morning Torah Study. He would love to have any or all of you join us on Shabbat mornings at 10:30 a.m. in the Cavalier Room (or via Zoom) for Torah Study.
Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal grew up in Los Angeles, graduating from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, eventually earning a Master of Arts degree in Hebrew Letters and Rabbinic Ordination from the Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies in May 2008. Laurence served as the president of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association (2019–2021) and is currently Board Chair for Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, inspiring faith-based organizations to take up the cause of environmental stewardship and justice. He continues to hone his skills as a musician, focusing lately on jazz guitar. He has worked hard to develop a yoga practice for health and mindfulness and is currently trying jogging.
Rabbi Michael Rothbaum is Bet Haverim’s senior rabbi. Ordained at the pluralistic Academy of Jewish Religion in New York (AJR-NY) in 2006, he graduated from the New College of Florida in 1997 with a BA in Public Policy/Economics. Rabbi Mike was raised in Rockland County, New York, just north of New York City. As a teenager, Rabbi Mike became involved in the local NAACP and helped start his high school’s first Amnesty International chapter. In retrospect, he has identified the Jewish imperative of r’difat Tzedek—the command to pursue justice—as the force that solidified his love of Judaism and his passion for becoming a rabbi. Rabbi Mike lives in the Summerhill section of Atlanta with his husband, internationally acclaimed Yiddish vocalist Anthony Mordechai Tvzi Russell, who kindly tolerates his passion for fair-trade coffee, Bob Dylan, and manual transmission.
Rabbi Emeritus Rabbi Neil Sandler served as Senior Rabbi of Ahavath Achim Synagogue from 2004–2019. He remained a member of the congregation’s rabbinic staff through June 2021. Upon retirement, Rabbi Sandler was given the title of Rabbi Emeritus. Today, in a period of rabbinic transition, he continues to serve the congregation in several ways. Neil is a graduate of the University of Minnesota. He received a master’s degree and Rabbinic Ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary. Upon ordination, Neil completed a Master of Science degree in Social Work at Columbia University. In retirement, Neil regularly participates in tai chi and dabbles in “diamond art.” Rabbi Sandler’s wife, Susan, is a longtime, well-respected social worker with Weinstein Hospice. Susan and Neil are the parents of three children: Ariel (Jamie Freedman), Aliza (Matt Jay), and Joshua (Rachel Diamond). The Sandlers have been blessed with three grandchildren: Remi, Avery, and Bennett.
Dave Schechter has been a freelance journalist for the past decade, writing primarily for Jewish publications, including a regular column and in-depth articles for the Atlanta Jewish Times. In this capacity, he has been honored by the American Jewish Press Association. Before writing freelance, he worked for CNN in Israel for two years before 26 years on the national desk. He is the author of a soon-to-be (self-published) work of historical fiction about his Communist great-aunt.
Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe is a mother, musician, and spiritual educator. Originally from Philadelphia, Ariel studied religion and music as an undergraduate at Emory University and was ordained at Ziegler School of Rabbinic Studies, where she focused on Hasidic commentaries and feminist interpretations of Jewish history and ritual. After ordination, Ariel studied Jewish music as a Rising Song Resident in Philadelphia. She founded Ma’alot in 2021 and has been serving as Rabbi and Executive Director since then. To learn more about Ariel, visit her website or read her vision for the Jewish community and spiritual life.
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Many of our committees and initiatives have agreed to host and share their beautiful sukkot around Atlanta with all of us. Everybody, whether assembling a welcome kit or not, is invited to come together for the holiday of Sukkot!
If you have pledged to assemble a welcome kit, one of these sukkot parties will function as your drop-off location. Bring your kit to the sukkah, and an AARI Committee member will ensure it makes its way to the Welcome Co-Op, our partner in caring for the newly arriving refugees. Additionally, each sukkah party will have all the supplies needed to assemble a bag so more can support and share our abundance with those in need.
Below is a list of the sukkah parties going on around Atlanta. You do not need to be a part of the host’s community (i.e. involved in Kesher, Sisterhood, mAAc, etc.) to join a particular sukkah party. If you love AA Synagogue and are a part of our spiritual family, you are welcome to any party that is convenient to you. (And just think: You might meet somebody new and make a new friend.) Join a Sukkah party, enjoy snacks and camaraderie, and assemble a welcome kit for a newly arriving refugee family. We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate the holiday of sukkot as a community!
mAAc Sukkah Party: Wednesday, October 12, 1–3 p.m., Ahavath Achim Synagogue (600 Peachtree Battle Ave, NW Atlanta GA 30327)
Kesher Sukkah Parties:
Sisterhood Sukkah Party: Thursday, October 13, 6:30 –8:30 p.m., Ahavath Achim Synagogue (600 Peachtree Battle Ave, NW Atlanta GA 30327)
Meshorerim (Spiritual Music) Sukkah Party: Saturday, October 15 7–9 p.m., Home of Bonnie and Michael Levine (460 Gift Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316)
Interfaith Inclusion Committee (IIC) Sukkah Party: Sunday, October 16, 1–3 p.m., Ahavath Achim Synagogue (600 Peachtree Battle Ave, NW Atlanta, GA 30327)
Inclusion and Belonging Committee Sukkah Party: Sunday, October 16, 1–4 p.m., Home of Shelly and Allan Dollar (2192 Greencliff Drive Atlanta, GA 30345)
There are many that have been forced to flee their homelands to come to a new country, fearful, and facing uncertainty. Most of us are only two or three generations distant from those refugee experiences ourselves, grateful our families survived the life-threatening turmoil in their homelands and could receive any help their new communities could offer. During the month of Elul and through the High Holidays, the AARI is launching the Elul Campaign as a way for the AA community to make an impact. As a part of this campaign, volunteers will assemble welcome kits to be given to refugee families as they arrive in Georgia (kit contents detailed below). We often have to purchase personal items for people to place in their homes, so having these kits on hand is of tremendous help and saves families money.
Volunteers can do this activity in whichever location and on whichever timeline they’d like. All items should be placed in a container (reusable shopping bags are recommended), and label each kit so we know what/who it’s for. It’s a good idea to re-enforce products with liquid contents with tape to prevent spillage.
Welcome kits need to be dropped off during the holiday of Sukkot (October 11–16). After Yom Kippur, a full list of dates, times, and locations of the many sukkot around town will be emailed to volunteers. Volunteers will choose a convenient sukkah to which to deliver the welcome kit(s). Volunteers are asked to hold on to welcome kit(s) until they can be delivered to the sukkah of their choosing. Deliveries are meant to be social events, so volunteers should plan to drop off the kit(s) and socialize a bit before leaving.
Volunteers who are unable deliver to a sukkah should email Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal (lrosenthal@aasynagogue.org) who will arrange for one of the AARI Task Force members to pick up the kit(s) from their home.