Atlanta Jewish Foundation Impact Story
June 17, 2026
For decades, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis came with more questions than answers. Millions of families watched loved ones slowly lose memories and independence, while researchers worked tirelessly to understand a disease that remained largely out of reach. Today, that story is beginning to change – and philanthropy is playing a critical role in accelerating progress.
Researchers can now detect signs of Alzheimer’s years – even decades – before symptoms appear. New treatments are helping slow disease progression. Blood tests are making earlier diagnosis possible. And for the first time, scientists can realistically envision a future where prevention becomes as important as treatment.
That future was the focus of Community Conversations: Alzheimer’s Breakthroughs on June 10. Dozens of Atlanta Jewish Foundation donors and community members gathered to learn about the latest advances in Alzheimer’s research and why without philanthropic champions, none of it would be possible.
A New Era in Alzheimer’s Research
Hosted by the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, the Community Conversations series brings together donors and nonprofit leaders to explore how thoughtful giving can address urgent needs in our community.
The recent program, produced in partnership with Pearlann and Scott Horowitz, featured a conversation between Jeffrey Gopen, President and CEO of Jewish HomeLife, and internationally renowned neurologist and neuroscientist Dr. Allan Levey.
Dr. Levey, Founding Director of the Goizueta Brain Health Institute and Director of the Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center at Emory University School of Medicine, has spent more than four decades studying Alzheimer’s disease.
“When I started, people really didn’t know what Alzheimer’s disease was,” he said. “Everybody used the term senility, and that was just thought to be normal aging.”
One of the biggest breakthroughs is the understanding that Alzheimer’s begins developing decades before symptoms appear. “By the time somebody comes to see us for care and treatment, they’ve probably had the disease for at least 20 to 30 years.”
That discovery has transformed the field, shifting the focus from simply treating symptoms to preventing disease altogether. “The future, our path, is one toward prevention,” Dr. Levey said.
Researchers can now detect signs of Alzheimer’s through advanced imaging, spinal fluid testing, and, most recently, blood tests that identify disease-related changes long before symptoms appear. These advances are paving the way for earlier interventions and more personalized care.
Perhaps the most encouraging news shared during the conversation was that researchers are finally seeing treatments that make a measurable difference. New therapies can remove amyloid plaques – protein deposits associated with Alzheimer’s disease – from the brain. While not a cure, these treatments represent a historic milestone.
“It’s almost like the first time man stepped on the moon,” Dr. Levey said. “We’ve now landed. We’ve stepped on the moon, and we have our first treatments which can slow down the disease.”
At Emory alone, approximately 400 patients have received these therapies. “Over the course of two to three years, over half of them have not changed,” he noted. “This is a progressive disease, so to see people not change is really, really remarkable.”
Researchers are also learning more about the role lifestyle plays in brain health. Exercise, blood pressure management, nutrition, stress reduction, and quality sleep can all make a difference.
“It’s been estimated that maybe 45% of cases of Alzheimer’s disease could be prevented through lifestyle changes,” Dr. Levey said.
One particularly fascinating discovery involves sleep. “During certain stages of deep sleep, our brains clear out these proteins,” he explained. “So sleep is a really important role in perhaps preventing the disease.”
Why Philanthropy Matters
The conversation also highlighted a powerful reality: many of these breakthroughs would not be possible without philanthropic support.
“While challenges remain, there’s never been more hope than there is today,” said Ghila Sanders, Vice President of Philanthropic Advisory at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation. “Advances in research, diagnosis, treatment and prevention are really changing what is possible, and without philanthropy, much of this progress would not be possible.”
Dr. Levey agreed. “Philanthropy has had a dramatic impact on not only my career and our program at Emory, but really globally,” he said.
Philanthropic support helps researchers pursue innovative ideas, invest in new technologies, recruit talented scientists, and accelerate promising discoveries. Endowment gifts are particularly impactful because they provide long-term support, allowing researchers to focus on advancing treatments and caring for patients.
“One of the things that I’ve seen in my career is that every dollar of philanthropy that’s come into us at Emory gets translated probably 100 to 1 in terms of research,” Dr. Levey said.
For hundreds of Jewish Atlanta philanthropists, Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) provide a meaningful way to support causes such as Alzheimer’s research. Through DAF grants, donors give to local and global nonprofits in a tax-efficient, flexible way – while aligning their charitable dollars with Jewish values.
The consequences of losing donor support would be significant.
“If we didn’t have the support of donors, we would have had to lay off probably 70% of our research team,” Dr. Levey explained. “And laying them off means you don’t just stop the research for a year. You’ve stopped a generation of people from doing research.”
Despite the challenges, Dr. Levey remains optimistic. “I’m fortunate because I just love what I do. And to be in a career where the advances keep coming and the hope gets closer and closer to reality, it’s such a gift.”
Ensuring Great Golden Years
While Alzheimer’s research is helping create a healthier future, our community also has a responsibility to care for older adults today.
As Jeffrey Gopen shared, memory loss affects a significant portion of the seniors served through Jewish HomeLife, highlighting the growing need for compassionate care and community connection.
That is why Jewish Atlanta shows up for seniors. Whether through the AgeWell initiative, the Holocaust Survivor Support Fund, our partnership with JF&CS, allocations to Jewish HomeLife, Donor-Advised Fund grants and legacy giving, the Atlanta Jewish Foundation and Federation are committed to ensuring a future of dignity and connection for older adults.
As Dr. Levey said: “We all want people to have great golden years.”
Closing the program, Carolyn Oppenheimer, incoming Campaign Chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, reflected on the conversation.
“As someone who understands firsthand the pain and heartbreak of living with someone with Alzheimer’s, what I got from today is hope.”
That hope – and people coming together to turn that hope into reality – is what the Atlanta Jewish Foundation community is all about. Support seniors and medical research through your DAF donor portal or contact Ghila Sanders to learn more.
