???? Ringing in the new year
Resolutions, anyone? Jan. 1 (12 Tevet 5786) ????????⚖️ I’m not much for making resolutions on New Year’s Eve. It stands to reason that most of us could be better listeners, clean up unsavory habits, and spend more time burning energy. ???? I love a good list, however. Lilith Magazine kicks off the top Feminist Pop Culture Highlights of 2025 with Rabbi Angela […] The post ???? Ringing in the new year appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.
Resolutions, anyone?
Jan. 1 (12 Tevet 5786)
I’m not much for making resolutions on New Year’s Eve. It stands to reason that most of us could be better listeners, clean up unsavory habits, and spend more time burning energy.
I love a good list, however. Lilith Magazine kicks off the top Feminist Pop Culture Highlights of 2025 with Rabbi Angela Buchdahl. Don’t miss this Kveller article on the top 25 Jewish TV shows of the year. My faves: The Studio, Platonic, and The Pitt.
What’s your resolution? Maybe together we can subscribe more Y’alla readers. Forward this newsletter to friends, and let me know what you’d like to see in Y’alla in 2026.
Here’s to a Happy New Year!
Y’alla,
Logan
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
MLK weekend
Repair The World Atlanta is celebrating the third annual MLK CommUnity Shabbat Dinner on Friday, Jan. 16, with co-hosts Black and Jewish Leaders of Tomorrow. The event will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and celebrate the alliance between the two communities.
Check Y’alla next week for more MLK weekend events.
Lecture Series with Brendan Murphy
SPONSORED BY BEARING WITNESS INSTITUTE AT MARIST SCHOOL
Join us this January and February for a powerful, three-part adult education series examining the history of Jewish–Christian relations.
From the roots of Christian antisemitism to the horrors of the Holocaust and the hopeful pathways of reconciliation today, participants will explore this complex story with clarity and compassion. The series includes an in-depth historical overview, a focused session on the Holocaust, and a moving testimony from survivor George Rishfeld.
All are welcome to deepen understanding and strengthen interfaith commitment.
Jewish Storytelling Festival
The Atlanta Jewish Storytelling Festival returns to The Breman for a weekend of events for all ages from Jan. 9-11. In addition to special guest Laura Simms, the festival is offering storytelling for children, hands-on art workshops, and a program welcoming clergy from across the metro area.
2025’s Jewish highlights — from ‘Marty Supreme’ to Max Fried’s menschy move
Jews have been in the spotlight in the past years for all kinds of reasons, many of them less-than-fun: Gaza, war, hostages, protests. But looking back, we wanted to boil it down into highlights. Or at least things that were just really, really Jewish. Basically, everything we thought was worth making note of in the last year, whether for its merits, its lack thereof, or just for its pure oddity.
So read on for the Jewish things you should remember — whether you want to or not — from 2025.
Read the full story on the Forward.
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
A review of Jews and whiskey. Or whisky. The spelling depends on who you ask.
Watch this guy talk about bagels. It’s worth it.
What’s doin’ around town
SPONSORED BY CONGREGATION OR HADASH
Jan. 5:Mahjong Monday at 1 p.m.
Jan. 9: Musical Shabbat services and dinner.
Jan. 14:Ben Gurion Society kickoff for young professionals.
Jan. 17:Jonah Platt at City Springs.
Celebrate Shabbat with Or Hadash Jan. 9-10! Step out of your week and into Shabbat with Musical Kabbalat Shabbat and dinner Friday evening, and Tot Shabbat and kiddush lunch Saturday. Come for the music, find your spark. RSVP today!
We remember
Betty Franco Handmacher of Atlanta died on Dec. 24, just two months after her husband of 72 years, Burton Edwin Handmacher. She was 90.
Betty was born, raised, and spent her life in Atlanta. She was an artist, a traveler, and a matriarch. Born on Jan. 3, 1935, to Jack and Catherine Franco, Betty was the eldest of three sisters followed by Stella Franco DeLeon and Jeanie Franco Marx. She graduated from Grady High School (now Midtown High School) in 1953, and attended Georgia State University after starting a family.
Betty was known for her directness, fearlessness and strength. Even in her later years, Betty remained deeply present and maintained her fearlessness and no-nonsense attitude.
She is survived by her children: Lynn Handmacher Chanin and Butch Fowler, Albert and Akemi Handmacher, and Jack Handmacher; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
ROUGH DRAFT OBITS
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The post ???? Ringing in the new year appeared first on Rough Draft Atlanta.
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