Seeking Sinai

Join us for a conversation with Dr. Jeremy Schube as we discuss Zionism, antizionism, Jewish pride, and how we are raising our own kids to be proud Jews and lovers of Israel. Jeremy's voice is an important one and a refreshing one as a product of Jewish day schools and formative experiences in Israel before deciding to start a family.

We are back with the second part of this special episode with Noa Fay and others. Join us for a fascinating panel discussion on antisemitism on college campus as we continue to hear from Noa and her perspectives on varied topics such as intersectionality, taking back the term Zionism, the future of higher education for young Jews, among many other timely topics. In addition to Noa, we will be in conversation with Abi Streger, a current high school senior who has become very involved in these issues, and Rabbi Larry Sernovitz, CEO of Hillel of Georgia.

Join us for the first part of this two-part episode! Noa Fay, a recent college student whose efforts have garnered respect from teens all over the country,  was a Jewish student leader at Columbia University, the epicenter of the anti-Israel protest movement that unfolded on American college campuses this past spring. Pro-Hamas, antisemitic, and anti-Israel demonstrators occupied academic buildings, set up overnight tent encampments, and staged demonstrations, all while Jewish students faced increased threats, antisemitism, and violence.Noa will share her first-hand perspective, a perspective experienced by many high school and college students, on what it was like to be Jewish on campus during that time and offer insights into both what to look for when considering schools and how to respond should something similar happen on your campus.

Welcome!

As we enter into the month of Elul and as we approach the High Holy Days, join us for this special episode as we search for the meaning behind these sacred moments. Through the voice of many members, we meditate on topics such as taking spiritual stock (cheshbon ha'nefesh), forgiveness, gratitude, joy, and progress. In these first High Holy Days since October 7th, these lofty ideas of Jewish value take on additional meaning and urgency.

Rabbi Natan speaks with Israeli tour guide and lecturer Yoav Rotem about his thoughts and experiences living in Israel during this war. Yoav has been traveling around the USA visiting churches and synagogues, trying to spread the truth about Israel. He opens up about the difficulties of raising young children and talks openly about the prospects for Israel's future.

As most Jewish Israelis have mobilized to serve Israel in one way or another, what does that mean for American Jews and the ways that we can serve the Jewish People? Rabbi Natan speaks with Jonathan Minnen and Judy Bloom Minnen and the inspiring decision they made to volunteer with the Israeli army for two weeks in logistical roles.

Judaism views human life as paramount and the commandment of redeeming the hostages is a sacred one in Israeli society. Israel has paid impossibly heavy prices in the past and will likely continue to do so to bring home her soldiers and her kidnapped civilians. And yet, this brings up difficult moral questions, ones that Israeli leaders and Jews around the world have been grappling with constantly since October 7th. Join Rabbis Sam and Natan for an intimate conversation about some of these most difficult and provocative questions.

Join Rabbi Natan for a candid and comprehensive conversation with Pastors Nathan and Teddy from Sandy Springs Christian Church. This episode was the third of our congregational meetings together, and included many of the challenging questions that folks presented to the clergy. In conversations ranging from the perceived need for a ceasefire, the situation on college campuses, American politics, and antisemitism, no question, no matter how difficult, was out-of-bounds. These meetings were a wonderful example of interfaith and respectful dialogue around a pressing issue of current events that is critical to the Jewish People.

Join Rabbi Natan for a highly relevant and provocative discussion with Alisha Tischler, Sinai member and the Southeast Regional Director for AIPAC. She speaks candidly about the impact of October 7th on the Israel American alliance, as well as the fluid situation in the Middle East as it relates to Hamas and Iran. Israel finds herself in a very precarious and isolated situation on the world stage, and the alliance with America has become even more significant. Alisha is on the front lines of this movement and works tirelessly to promote the relationship.

Do not miss this episode with our recent scholar-in-residence, Dr Rachel Fish. In this conversation with Rabbi Natan, she discusses the precarious situation on college campuses in the wake of 10.7 and how this spills over into larger society. Dr Fish is one of the most articulate and passionate voices and has been sounding the alarms regarding college campuses and antisemitism for many years. Don’t miss this conversation and let us know your thoughts.

Join Rabbi Natan and Dr. Chuck Fox for a fascinating conversation about supporting Israel during these critical times. He shares his experiences volunteering in Israel recently with Young Judea and discusses this through the prism of Zionism's founding purpose of building and redeeming the land. What is the current atmosphere in Israel and what role can each of us play once the dust settles in this war?

Don't miss this relevant and urgent conversation with Dr John Eaves, former Fulton County Commissioner and social justice activist. Dr Eaves shares his perspectives on what has gone wrong with various social justice movements in the wake of October 7th, and what we can do to stem the tide. His unique perspective as a proudly Jewish and Black man informs his fresh and unfiltered opinions.

The war has been going on for countless days, and yet we have been counting, meticulously. Join Rabbis Segal and Natan for a conversation about our emotional well-being during these difficult days. How can we find hope even when facing darkness? How do we nurture our souls even after the wounds they have endured, and what is the prayer that Rabbi Segal would like to give us all?

Join Rabbi Natan for an inspiring talk with Garry Sobel, a congregant and national board member of Friends of the IDF, the amazing humanitarian group that looks after the well-being of Israel's soldiers. Garry is the former chair of the board of the Southeast Division and is a frequent visitor to IDF bases throughout Israel. His powerful words will leave you profoundly moved and inspired, and help you better understand the brave defenders of the Jewish homeland.

Join Rabbi Natan for a provocative conversation with Melanie Nelkin, a congregant and philanthropist, a past president of the American Jewish Committee in the Southeast. She recently came back from a war-time trip to Israel and shares some fascinating insights from her high-level briefings and experiences.

Rabbi Natan speaks with Kevin Abel, a congregant, philanthropist, and someone very active in local and national politics over the past few years. President Biden appointed him to the United States Holocaust Memorial Council earlier this year and his experience helps illuminate the events of the past couple of months.

Join Rabbi Natan and Sinai congregant Yonatan Ben Tzur for a candid discussion about the war in Israel and Gaza. What impact does the current hostage crisis have on the stated goal of defeating Hamas militarily and operationally? What role have hostages played in Israel historically and psychologically? How has the media's role in the conflict changed and what does this tell us about the changing nature of this war? Yonatan is Israeli born and raised, served for 4 years in the IDF, first in the elite pilot training course of the air force and then became an officer, a first lieutenant, in the armored corps. He is deeply committed to Israel, America, and the Jewish People and helps illuminate some of these key issues in this unique conversation with Rabbi Natan.

The war in Israel has been raging for weeks. Where are we and how can we navigate difficult conversations and controversial topics? Join Rabbis Sam and Natan in a conversation about some of these challenging topics. They'll share some of the conversations they've been having in their home. Hopefully it will inspire you to participate yourself, and to speak about Israel with confidence and conviction.

It can be hard to be a proudly Jewish and Zionist college student on certain campuses. What should you know about the current war? What are some terms that you may come across, how can you best react, and how can you navigate campus life when faced with intimidation and passionate rhetoric from other students and/or faculty? Join Rabbi Natan and Avery Friedman as they try to break down some of these issues and offer tips on how to best cope during these challenging times.