???? Chanukah prep

It’s giving Chanukah 

Dec. 4 (14 Kislev)

 Let’s jump in! Here are a few things that piqued my interest this week.

 Hillary Clinton spoke at the Israel Hayom summit about anti-Israel propaganda (free subscription required). “There is a great deal of valid concern about how Israel is viewed, not just around the world, but from the United States, how Jewish Americans are viewed, and what is being seen as a significant increase in antisemitism in real life and online,” said Clinton.

  Carrie Soloway, a Jewish psychiatrist and inspiration for the drama series “Transparent,” died this week at age 88.

 Hey, Florida Gators. A UF law school student who was banned from UF for antisemitic online posts has been re-admitted to campus by a federal judge.

 Keep reading for local Chanukah happenings.

Y’alla,

Logan

Chanukah oh Chanukah

 This year, Chanukah begins at sundown on Sunday, Dec. 14. Here are our top picks for gifts, events, and food. What did we miss? Email us.

 Atlanta Hawks Hanukkah Night is a personal favorite. Loud music, adoring fans, and a giant menorah at halftime make this a fun event.

 The Daily Chew is hosting a Chrismukkah Bar with latkes and caviar, egg nog, and more.

 Looking for Chanukah-themed gifts? Try Lucy’s Market in Buckhead or the Pineapple Porch Boutique. And don’t forget local gifts like the children’s mahjong book Bubbe and Bams, the Hanukkah Veronica doll, and a pottery lesson for two (ages 6+).

And now for Chanukah events …

Sunday, Dec. 7
 Author Laurel Snyder (“The Book of Candles”) at Wild Aster Books.

 LGBTQ+ Chanukah party with SOJOURN.

 Chanukah in the park with PJ Library. 

Friday, Dec. 12
 Hanukkah in the Hangar with PJ Library. 

Saturday, Dec. 13
 Latke cook off for couples at Mitzvah House.

Sunday, Dec. 14
 Menorah workshop with Chabad Intown at The Home Depot. 

 Music, lunch, and artists’ market at Shearith Israel. 

 Or Ve Shalom’s Hanukkah bazaar and food festival. 

 Glow Strong family celebration at MJCCA. 

 Chanukah festival and menorah lighting at Vinings Jubilee. 

 Majongg-ukah at Or Hadash in Sandy Springs. 

 Inclusive Chanukah party at AA. 

Monday, Dec. 15
 Menorah lighting on Tucker Town Green.

 Gelt drop and menorah lighting at Brawner Hall in Smyrna.

Tuesday, Dec. 16
 Latkes, Chanukah crafts, and more at The Battery.

Wednesday, Dec. 17
 “Hanukkah Hippity Hop” with author Barbara Kimmel in Sandy Springs. 

Thursday, Dec. 18
 Queer Latke Party with SOJOURN. 

 Fifth Night with local celebrity chefs and The Spring. 

 Cinco de Hanukkah taco and nacho buffet at Morty’s Meat & Supply in Dunwoody.

Italian Ruins to DIVE for!

SPONSORED BY FERNBANK MUSEUM

Journey beneath the waves with Sunken Treasures, Ancient Seas at Fernbank Museum.

You won’t want to miss this immersive journey beneath the Mediterranean Sea to uncover ancient shipwrecks, artifacts, and lost worlds. Featuring real relics found off the coast of Italy, HD video explorations, and more, this exhibition reveals how underwater archaeologists bring the past to light.

➞ This exhibit is open daily, or you can swing by for after-hours during select special events! On view now until Jan. 11, 2026.

Ben Massell Dental Clinic

 JF&CS CEO Jay Cranman and CEO Emeritus Terri Bonoff were on hand to honor Georgia State Rep. Deborah Silcox for her advocacy of the Ben Massell Dental Clinic in Atlanta on Monday, Dec. 1.

 The clinic serves the Atlanta community at-large, providing free dental care to clients within 125% of the poverty line with no access to insurance. 

Be a mensch

 B’nai B’rith Pinch Hitters volunteers will visit seven hospitals and assisted living facilities in Metro Atlanta on Thursday, Dec. 25 to give caregivers a much-needed break. Working in 3-4 hour shifts, the opportunity is perfect for individuals or small groups. Sign up to volunteer.

 Join Brendan Murphy, Director of the Bearing Witness Institute, for a three-part series exploring Jewish–Christian relations—from early antisemitism to the Holocaust and modern reconciliation. Featuring survivor George Rishfeld, this program deepens understanding and strengthens our shared moral responsibility. SPONSOR MESSAGE

Look & Listen

 Submissions are open for Manishewitz’s limited-edition matzah box featuring a Jewish athlete.  

 The Maccabbeats have gone full KPop Demon Hunters. If you’re unfamiliar with the reference, ask any 10 to 12 year old.

What’s doin’ around town

SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH

 Dec. 6:Comedy night featuring Amanda Goldstein Marks. 

 Dec. 7:Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen. 

 Dec. 9: Local author Annette Joseph on Italian desserts. 

 Dec. 10: Geopolitical Middle East expert Avi Melamed speaks.

 Dec. 11: Find your center with Jewish meditation.  

 Celebrate Mahjongg-ukah with Or Hadash on Sunday, December 14th! Enjoy beginner lessons, guided and open play, latkes, laughter, and new friends. Bring a foursome or join one—everyone’s welcome. Winners earn raffle tickets toward door prizes! Join the fun. Sign-up today!

Look & Listen

 Watch: David Portnoy shuts down an ABC reporter.

 Read: The Free Press digs into the Gaza famine myth.

 Listen: Dan Senor, host of “Call Me Back” podcast, and Israeli columnist Nadav Eyal on the Houthis’ attack on Ben Gurion airport. 

What’s doin’ around town

SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH

 May 11: Donuts with dad and PJ Library.

 May 13: Ask a pediatrician with JBaby in Chamblee.

 May 15: Join an Israeli Independence Day celebration.

 May 15: Humans of the Holocaust and Humans of Oct. 7 exhibit.

 June 8: Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat will be honored at the NIF Atlanta Tzedek Awards.

The next Jewish holiday is Shavuot on June 1.

Light Shabbat candles this week at 8:10 p.m.

 Experience the acclaimed work of Israeli photojournalist Erez Kaganovitz on May 15 as he shares the powerful personal stories behind Humans of the Holocaust and Humans of October 7th — honoring resilience and spotlighting the human spirit.  Learn more and RSVP!

Before you go

 Alexandra Toren, service ambassador with Repair the World Atlanta, hosted a Friendsgiving meal and Jewish service amid SNAP disruptions. Toren mobilized a local network to join a potluck and food drive for local Syrian families facing the impacts of disrupted food stamps.

 “My grandmother … was a refugee from Czechoslovakia, as her family escaped the Nazis in 1939. That history led me to develop a relationship with a few Syrian refugee families in pursuit of Tikkun Olam, and it meant a lot for my friends to donate to help these families during this particularly difficult time. It was a really fulfilling experience to blend something so personal with a community gathering that had greater impact beyond just our group,” Toren said.

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