Chaplaincy Stories

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March 26, 2024

Passover: A Hopeful Holiday

Passover: A Hopeful Holiday

JF&CS Chaplain Rabbi Judith Beiner shares a message of hope as we approach Passover. Read More

November 29, 2023

Hanukkah: Light in the Shadows

Hanukkah: Light in the Shadows

A meditation on Hanukkah from JF&CS' Community Chaplain Rabbi Judith Beiner. Read More

September 27, 2023

"Tell Me a Story!" by Rabbi Judith Beiner

"Tell Me a Story!" by Rabbi Judith Beiner

"Stories help us remember our past, teach us lessons, and convey the richness of every life. The act of sharing a story, listening and speaking, can create understanding and connection, and meaning," says Rabbi Beiner. Read More

August 30, 2023

The Sound of the Season: Notes about the Shofar

The Sound of the Season: Notes about the Shofar

A word from our Community Chaplain Rabbi Beiner as we anticipate the High Holidays. Read More

May 08, 2023

A Journey of Faith

A Journey of Faith

Grant was 27 years old when he decided to become a Bar Mitzvah. He was able to do so with assistance from Rabbi Judith Beiner, JF&CS Community Chaplain, who connected with him and his family across oceans, generations, and stages of life. Read More

September 16, 2022

High Holy Day Memories: Yes, it is the food!

High Holy Day Memories: Yes, it is the food!

Jewish celebrations are intentionally filled with sensory experiences, in order that we may engage our full selves, body and soul. Read More

July 06, 2022

Grow Around the Grief

Grow Around the Grief

Rabbi Judith Beiner, Community Chaplain, and Brennen Joseph, JF&CS Clinician, walk us through the best ways to support parents grieving a loss. They also offer resources and support for those doing their best to manage the loss themselves. Read More

May 26, 2022

A Prayer for the Children Lost

A Prayer for the Children Lost

A Prayer for the Children Lost Read More

April 12, 2022

National Volunteer Month: Meet Our Dedicated Chaplaincy Volunteers

National Volunteer Month: Meet Our Dedicated Chaplaincy Volunteers

Meet the dedicated team of volunteers behind our chaplaincy program, providing connection and compassion where it's needed the most. Read More

March 17, 2022

The ‘Atlanta Gravestone Project’: Behind the push to mark every Jewish grave - Atlanta Journal Constitution

The ‘Atlanta Gravestone Project’: Behind the push to mark every Jewish grave - Atlanta Journal Constitution

The ‘Atlanta Gravestone Project’: Behind the push to mark every Jewish grave - from the Atlanta Journal Constitution Read More

September 15, 2021

Forgiveness and Tranquility

Forgiveness and Tranquility

Yom Kippur is an opportunity for us to reflect, repent, forgive and begin anew. Do we choose to be the grandmother who won't forgive or the grandmother who will not rest until she has made peace? Read More

September 01, 2021

Wishes for a Sweet New Year

Wishes for a Sweet New Year

Eating apples and honey is one of the most well-known traditions for Rosh Hashanah. But that is just for starters! There is challah in honey, carrots with honey, honey cake, and teiglach. Regardless of how you like your honey, we eat it and other… Read More

May 12, 2021

Shavuot: All About Torah

Shavuot: All About Torah

Rabbi Beiner, JF&CS Community Chaplain shares thoughts about Shavuot. "Torah is our foundation, our heart and our soul. May our Shavuot celebration help us to affirm the centrality of Torah in our lives, and continue to inspire us to live according… Read More

March 23, 2021

Passover and the Past

Passover and the Past

Preparing for Passover every year sends me back into the past. Opening our Passover closet, I find the dishes that once belonged to my mother-in-law, and I think about the years we’ve used and enjoyed them. Read More

March 11, 2021

Online Learning Groups Help Seniors Stay Connected

Online Learning Groups Help Seniors Stay Connected

Suzanne Katz highlights a few of the many opportunities for seniors in the community to engage in programs, have social interactions, and maintain a sense of self and purpose during the pandemic. Read More

February 22, 2021

Purim 2021 – Even Now We Can Be Joyful

Purim 2021 – Even Now We Can Be Joyful

Rabbi Beiner wishes everyone a Happy Purim despite the challenges of this past year. Read More

January 27, 2021

New Year of the Trees

New Year of the Trees

Rabbi Beiner offers words of contemplation about Tu B'shevat. Read More

January 14, 2021

Prayer for Our Country

Prayer for Our Country

Rabbi Beiner shared a prayer for our country in advance of the upcoming Inauguration. Read More

December 07, 2020

Finding Appreciation for This Year's Hanukkah

Finding Appreciation for This Year's Hanukkah

None of us could have imagined the past year and how our Jewish (and secular/everyday) activities would be so different. For many of us, we did not know how much we would miss going to synagogue, attending simchas and community events, and even… Read More

November 25, 2020

Hanukkah Torah Teaching with Rabbi Judith Beiner

Hanukkah Torah Teaching with Rabbi Judith Beiner

These months of the pandemic have presented the Jewish (and other faith) communities with stark challenges to our usual ways of gathering.   It is very hard to feel a sense of spirituality and connection without being physically present with others. Read More