Our latest albums
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur
On April 19, 2020, the Ahavath Achim Sisterhood will commemorate its 100th Anniversary from 4 to 7 in the afternoon with a celebration of our past, present and future at our synagogue on Peachtree Battle Avenue.
The symbol of our Sisterhood is of the Four Matriarchs: Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel and Leah. They symbolize strength and grace, open to new challenges, new paths and opportunities, while embracing Jewish heritage and tradition and encompassing the total synagogue community. We are an active part of Women’s League for Conservative Judaism, an international organization.
The first mention of a Sisterhood at Ahavath Achim Synagogue was in 1920 when the synagogue was located on Washington Street. The minutes of the first meeting were taken in Yiddish and recorded in a black spiral notebook. Dues were $2 per member, paid semi-annually. It was the roaring twenties, and the population of Atlanta was approximately 200,000 people. Atlanta and the Sisterhood have grown up together!
For 100 years, the focus of the Sisterhood has always been the education of the children of our synagogue. Our focus has expanded to include adult education, community involvement and social action. Sisterhood has offered hospitality to soldiers during WWII, collected furniture for Holocaust survivors, recorded readings for the blind, translated books into Braille and helped settle Russian immigrants to our area. We are active participants in Habitat for Humanity builds, the Hunger Walk, Backpack Buddies for elementary school children, Back to School supplies for victims of sex trafficking, education of recent immigrants, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
The Sisterhood has embraced the technology of the 21st Century and adapted its programming to meet current needs. We sponsor annual educational programs for our congregation about cancer and other health related issues. We provide scholarships for summer camping experiences and leadership training for our students. Sisterhood Shabbat, a service lead entirely by our women, is a highlight of the year. Monthly book group discussions and study sessions with the rabbis are enjoyed by our members, and our younger members have special interest meetings three times a year.
Ahavath Achim Sisterhood is the heart and soul of the Ahavath Achim Congregation!
For more information on Ahavath Achim Sisterhood Centennial Celebration please contact: Betty Behr – behr.betty@gmail.com or Susan Hart Sandler – susanhsandler@gmail.com.
Written by Sisterhood Member Donna Newman
Communication is as basic as the air you breathe because I don’t think you can do squat without communicating.” Judy Belk California Wellness Foundation.
Dear Readers:
Yesterday I wrote My quiet reflection lead to action, the first post in more than a year! I had no intention of writing another so soon.
But, the terrifying shooting at a Las Vegas concert sent shock waves up my spine.
Perhaps the person committing such a horrific act felt like he wasn’t heard. Maybe he felt that conversations he had were critical instead of supportive.
Then I thought about the work of Creating the Future. The organization’s focus is on a grand experiment that tests how we can bring out the best in each other, how we can create a world that works for everyone.
I participated in an online project on Catalytic Thinking. During those discussions, I rediscovered my passion for the art of active listening!
Good communication always begins with listening. As a nonprofit practitioner, there’s no better way to improve your listening skills than through active listening.
MindTools identified five key active listening techniques:
- Pay Attention. Whether it’s a donor, client or staff member, give the speaker your undivided attention. Always acknowledge her message. Don’t forget your non-verbal communication also “speaks” very loudly.
- Show that you’re Listening. Use body language to show attention. Keep your eyes focused on the speaker. Smile and nod to show that you’re attending to what is said.
- Provide Feedback. Be careful that you don’t let your personal filters and assumptions distort what is being said. Reflect on what the speaker is saying, periodically summarize her comments and ask questions to clarify.
- Defer Judgment. Allow the speaker to finish her thoughts before you interrupt. Keep an open mind and ask positive questions that support the speaker and lead to more engaging answers.
- Respond Appropriately. Active listening shows respect and understanding. You are gaining information and insights. When you respond be mindful to be positive, open and honest.
Would truly being heard have made a difference to the perpetrator of this horrific act?
We’ll never know.
Deborah
postscript: Creative Solutions & Innovations is committed to empowering nonprofits to make a difference! Practicing active listening will enrich your life and all those your organization serves.
True reflection leads to action.
“Keep your eye on the task, not on yourself. The task matters, and you are a servant.”
― Peter F. Drucker, Managing the Non-Profit Organization: Principles and Practices
I was on a roll.
Then I went quiet. The enormity of family issues overwhelmed me.
I realized as Jack Mezirow, the founder of transformative learning stated, that a defining condition of being human is our ability to understand the meaning of our experiences.
My quiet reflection lead to action!
So I dove into reading and scribbling handwritten notes. I started to become active in organizations and online communities.
The desire to ride Pascha and Black Olive lured me to the stables. And, I upped my power walks with Kiwi and Keno.
I reached out to friends whom I had ignored for quite a while.
A coffee date with close friend and social media guru Toby Bloomberg helped me focus on the path I wanted to take.
Roadmap to turn reflection into action!
A major shoutout to Cathleen Schaad for helping me move forward with a dynamic new logo and a redesigned website.
My commitment continues to be empowering nonprofits to make a difference!
I hope you will join me on this exciting journey.
Deborah
Photo Gallary
Etiam vitae rhoncus velit. Nulla congue ex ac mattis cursus. Integer sit amet libero nec leo condimentum ultricies eu ut nisl. Curabitur quis metus leo. Pellentesque sit amet elit ac eros gravida vulputate. Ut aliquam ligula quis arcu dignissim luctus.
[layerslider id=”4″]News & Articles
It has survived not only five centuries but also the leap into
Ahavath Achim Synagogue Sisterhood Centennial Celebration
Ahavath Achim Synagogue Centennial Logo
On April 19, 2020, the Ahavath Achim Sisterhood will
commemorate its 100th Anniversary from 4 to 7 in the afternoon with
a celebration of our past, present and future at our synagogue […]
The art of listening!
Communication is as basic as the air you breathe because I don’t think you can do squat without communicating.” Judy Belk California Wellness Foundation.
Dear Readers:
Yesterday I wrote My quiet reflection lead to action, the […]
My quiet reflection lead to action!
“Keep your eye on the task, not on yourself. The task matters, and you are a servant.”
― Peter F. Drucker, Managing the Non-Profit Organization: Principles and Practices
I was on a roll.
Then I went quiet. The enormity […]
Follow Us To Get A Discount