When we think about the story of Passover, we often focus on how the ten plagues pushed Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. But the plagues had another, equally powerful purpose: to awaken the people of Israel—to help them break the mental bonds of slavery, rediscover their strength and faith, and take action toward freedom.
At the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, we believe that the story didn’t end in Egypt—and it’s not just a story we tell. We are the story. Our donors and partners are writing the next chapter every day—aligning their values with their giving, empowering their families across generations, and helping shape a stronger, more vibrant Jewish future.
This holiday, as we gather around the Seder table, our hearts are also with the hostages still held in Gaza and the families who wait, hope, and pray for their return. Their suffering reminds us that the struggle for freedom is not just part of our ancient history—it is a pressing reality today. As the Haggadah states: “In every generation a person is obligated to see themselves as if they had left Egypt.” Now, more than ever, we are called to stand together.
May we each find new ways to take action—for freedom, for community, and for joy.
Chag Sameach!
Lindsay
A sea of blue shirts, each adorned with a bright yellow flower, made their way toward the starting line at Brook Run Park. The morning air buzzed with energy, as hundreds of runners, walkers, bikers, and Atlanta community members of all ages gathered for a shared purpose — to remember, to honor, and to take action.
This was the 14th Annual Daffodil Dash, a community-wide Run/Walk/Bike event held on March 30th, in memory of the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust, and in support of children facing humanitarian crises around the world today. Organized by Am Yisrael Chai!, the Daffodil Dash raises awareness and funds for Holocaust education and genocide prevention, supporting programs like Kids for Kids, Raising South Sudan, Agahozo Shalom, the Atlanta Holocaust Survivor Fund, and the Jewish Federation of Atlanta Israel Support Fund.
This year’s race held an especially powerful emotional current. Before the race began, Nadav Cohen — one of this year’s Shinshinim — delivered a moving tribute to a personal hero. Dekel Swisa, a fellow Israeli and former Shinshin in Atlanta, was among the many who perished on October 7 while defending his country. Dekel’s story, shared by Nadav with deep emotion, reminded us that the legacy of courage and giving continues. “Dekel was a hero,” Nadav said, standing before the crowd. “When his body was found, his weapon was empty. He stood as a barrier between the terrorists and Kibbutz Be’eri, holding the line as long as he could. Thanks to him, many lives were saved.” Dekel, who once ran this very race as a Shinshin, was remembered not only for his bravery but for his spirit — his love for Atlanta’s Jewish community, his passion for giving, and his joy in simple things like a morning run or a chocolate chip cookie. “In life, you have two options — to focus on yourself, or to do something better,” he once told his soldiers. That ethos lived on in every step taken that morning.
Adding to the impact of the event, Atlanta recently marked a milestone with The Daffodil Project, planting their one-millionth daffodil. These yellow blooms, seen throughout the city — from the Center for Civil and Human Rights to the King Center — form a “ribbon of consciousness,” a living Holocaust memorial symbolizing resilience, remembrance, and unity. More than 350,000 daffodils now bloom in Atlanta alone, making it the largest participating city in this global movement.
From planting flowers to lacing up sneakers, the message was clear: remembrance is active. It grows in gardens, echoes in footsteps, and lives on in our choices.
Am Yisrael Chai! is one of the many agencies that entrust the Atlanta Jewish Foundation with their funds. Our team is proud to provide the financial expertise and personalized support that allow these phenomenal organizations to focus on their mission.
Thank you to everyone who showed up — in person or virtually — to run, walk, donate, and remember. As we approach Passover and Yom HaShoah, Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, these shared moments of Kehilla remind us of our strength and purpose.
We run for the children we lost.
We run for the children we can still save.
We run for the future we can build — together.
On March 12th, a group of community members joined a powerful and emotional briefing on Zoom with Becky Caspi, Senior Vice President for Global Operations and Director General of JFNA Israel. Becky represents the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), the umbrella organization for 146 Jewish Federations across the U.S. and Canada— including our own Federation here in Atlanta — which collectively power lifesaving and life-changing work in Israel and Jewish communities around the world.
As one of Federation’s top leaders on the ground, Becky offered a firsthand look into how our collective investments are helping Israel recover, rebuild, and heal following the October 7th attacks. “Every single person in Israel has been impacted,” Becky said. “But because Federation was there on October 6, we were able to respond on October 7.”
Within hours of the attacks, Federation launched one of the largest emergency campaigns in its history — raising over $500 million in just three weeks. That funding was immediately mobilized to support victims of terror, fund trauma counseling, assist displaced families, and equip hospitals and frontline responders.
Much of this impact was made possible by the financial strength of endowments stewarded by the Atlanta Jewish Foundation. “The support of our generous donors has built our Foundation, which sustains our core mission and allows us to quickly and decisively respond to crises.” said Ted Blum, Atlanta Jewish Foundation Chair. In the 2024 Fiscal Year, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s endowments released over two million dollars to the Annual Campaign, and distribute an incredible $12.5 million for the Israel Emergency Campaign.
Becky shared stories that brought this impact to life. One was of Noy, a young IDF widow who gave birth just weeks after losing her husband in combat. Federation-supported programs provided her — and dozens of women like her — with emotional and logistical support during unimaginable loss. Another was Anat, a paramedic haunted by the horrors she witnessed. A retreat funded by Federation gave her tools to begin healing, and a renewed sense of inner peace.
Foundation and Federation’s deep, decades-long partnerships in Israel have made this impact possible. Atlanta’s relationship with Yokneam and Megiddo — now in its 30th year — allowed us to act swiftly. We have since “adopted” Kibbutz Nahal Oz, one of the hardest-hit communities on October 7, and have supported evacuees throughout their displacement. We’ve strengthened youth mentorship and after-school programs that serve as critical emotional anchors, especially for children whose parents were called to reserve duty or lost loved ones.
The latest round of approved Israel Emergency Campaign (IEC) investments — totaling over $440,000 — highlights how our Federation, in partnership with JFNA and other key organizations, is addressing Israel’s most critical needs in the wake of October 7. These investments focus on caring for victims and bereaved families, supporting mental health and trauma recovery, and helping northern communities rebuild their lives and infrastructure. This is how we continue to show up for Israel—strategically, compassionately, and with impact.
Federation has become the single largest source of philanthropic support working in Israel today. In addition to emergency aid, Federation is helping restore agriculture in the Western Negev, rebuild infrastructure in the North, and provide long-term mental health services. Becky emphasized the Federation-powered tractors now rolling through southern fields, symbolizing both economic renewal and resilience.
Make your gift today — and double your impact.
Thanks to a generous match from Lisa and Seth Greenberg, every dollar you give to the Rebuild Israel Fund via Federation’s Partners Fund will go twice as far — restoring lives, rebuilding communities, and strengthening Israel for generations to come.
Hostage Family Forum. We cannot begin to truly heal and rebuild until all our hostages are free. The Hostage Family Forum works to bring them home, while providing the families whose loved ones are held hostage with medical, emotional, and psychological support.
Yad Ezra V’Shulamit is an Israeli nonprofit dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by providing food, clothing, educational support, and emergency relief to tens of thousands of children and families in need. With over 12,000 food baskets distributed weekly across 93 cities (and 50,000 more during Rosh Hashanah and Passover) and daily Children’s Centers offering meals and tutoring, the organization offers both immediate aid and long-term support.
Leket Israel is the leading food rescue organization in Israel, dedicated to collecting surplus, nutritious food and redistributing it to those in need. In both routine times and during crises, Leket provides hot meals and fresh produce to over 415,000 Israelis each week through a network of 265 nonprofits. With over two decades of experience and a robust volunteer base, Leket ensures that vulnerable families can celebrate holidays like Passover with dignity and nourishment.
Maos Chitim Fund at JF&CS. This week, Foundation fund holders sent out 10 grants to this wonderful initiative. Maos Chitim, which means “Money for Wheat”, goes back to Talmudic days, when communities assumed the responsibility to provide Passover food to Jews in need. Your gift allows JF&CS to provide resources to vulnerable families, so that every Jewish person can celebrate Passover with pride and dignity.
Ted Blum’s book Calculated Risks was recently added to the US Holocaust Museum library’s permanent collection. Calculated Risks is the inspirational story of one family’s journey to the United States in the early twentieth century to escape persecution and seek a better life. Blum invites the readers to explore the impact of those who came before and the risks they navigated as we shape our lives and make decisions that will reverberate for generations to come.
Balser Celebration
Thursday, April 24, 2025 @ 4:30-6:30 PM
Thompson Hotel, Buckhead
For the 19th year in a row, join the Atlanta Charitable Advisor Network, hosted by collaborative partners: Atlanta Jewish Foundation, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, and United Way of Greater Atlanta for the Balser Symposium and Celebration, Atlanta’s premier educational and networking events for Professional Advisors.
Young Leadership Division Journey to Cuba
June 5 – June 9, 2025
Join Federation’s Young Leadership Division for an unforgettable four-night journey to Havana, Cuba! Explore the rich history, vibrant culture, and fascinating Jewish community of this unique city alongside fellow young adults (ages 22-40).