Dear Friends,

"To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."

                        Ecclesiastes 3:1

In modern Jewish tradition, the season of Spring ushers in the despair of Yom Hashoah, the solemnity of Yom Hazikaron and the hope of Yom Ha'atzmaut. Yom Hashoah commemorates the victims of the Holocaust. On Yom Hazikaron, we remember the fallen soldiers, who gave their lives for Israel, praise the courage of these brave souls and celebrate the freedom established through their valiant endeavors. Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, gives us reason to rejoice in the shadow of memory.

It is a time that begins with reflection and ends with renewed hope.

This message is particularly poignant. For the Atlanta Jewish community, Spring paves the way for a cycle of organizational annual meetings designed to help us reflect on our accomplishments of the past year and look forward toward our future successes. The season also signals the challenging process of allocating funds raised through the Campaign for Community Needs in an effort to sustain and enhance Jewish life both here and abroad.

Take the time to reflect on the valuable lessons gleaned from our rich history, the continuity of the Jewish people and your role and place in the community. This season, join the thousands of other volunteers in Atlanta by taking an active role in building our community.

Jack Halpern

Steve Rakitt