As we began this month with the holiday of Shavuot, we were reminded that receiving the Torah is not a passive act – it is a call to climb the mountain, to rise to the moment, and to share our light with the world. In the shadow of escalating war in Israel and devastating antisemitic attacks here at home, that climb can feel steeper than ever. But we are not meant to ascend alone. We must lift one another, carry our values higher, and shine them brighter.
That spirit of collective resilience and purpose was palpable at our 119th Annual Meeting, where we celebrated community leaders and reflected on a year marked by profound impact. Thanks to your generosity, we are powering transformative initiatives like the Israel ParaSport Center and Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) – projects that are providing innovative support for people with disabilities in Israel, Atlanta, and around the world.
Our community isn’t just giving to these causes – we are leading them. And this is only the beginning. Thank you for climbing with us, for strengthening our community, and for making the journey so meaningful.
We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Israel, mourn the loss of innocent lives, and pray for the swift return of all hostages.
L’Shalom,
Lindsay
Just last year, Atlanta welcomed wheelchair tennis star Guy Sasson for a community event few will forget. Last week, the Israeli athlete returned to the global stage with a stunning double victory at the 2025 French Open: a win in men’s doubles alongside world #1 Niels Vink, followed by a hard-fought singles title against Vink himself.
In an emotional moment, Guy dedicated his singles title to Yoav Raver z”l, a soldier killed in Gaza: “Today I received a message that the son of our friends was killed in Gaza, Yoav Raver z”l, so I dedicate this to him. Am Yisrael Chai!”
Guy’s story is one of remarkable resilience. After a ski accident in 2015 left him paralyzed, he discovered wheelchair tennis at the Israel ParaSport Center in Ramat Gan. Within three years, he was competing in the Tokyo Paralympics. By 2024, he had climbed to third in the world for quad singles. His journey—like so many others—was shaped by a Center that’s changing lives through sport.
Founded in 1960, the Israel ParaSport Center is a world-renowned home for adaptive athletics, serving over 3,400 people annually and sending dozens of athletes to compete in tournaments all around the world, including the Paralympics. From wheelchair basketball to hydrotherapy, the Center strengthens bodies, minds, and spirits, and transforms the narrative around disability. Asael Shabo, Center Coach, Athlete, and Terror Survivor shared: “What the Center does best is to give hope. Hope to kids and adults with disabilities and their families to find new friends, to find their way… and most importantly to believe in themselves again.”
Michelle Leven, Vice President of the ParaSport Center, has seen its impact up close. Her family’s connection spans three generations. “My son Jeremy first visited the Center on his eighth-grade trip to Israel,” she recalls. “He had no idea his grandfather Mike Leven had been involved. He just came home and said, ‘Mom, I love this place.’” That serendipitous discovery ignited a family legacy of support. Jeremy later returned to intern at the Center during Birthright, and Michelle became deeply involved with the American Friends organization. “There’s something incredibly hopeful when you walk into the Center,” Michelle says. “Everyone starts in the pool. Then they explore new sports – wheelchair tennis, swimming, archery, martial arts. These kids are resilient. They find a home here.”
Craig Kornblum, current board member and VP of Fundraising, shared his own connection to the Center: “From the first time I visited in 2012, it’s held a special place in my heart. Watching my son Justin and his friends play wheelchair basketball with kids who actually needed the chairs is a memory I’ll never forget. But the most impactful part has been the friendships I’ve made with the athletes, staff, and volunteers. I visit every time I’m in Israel.”
Since October 7th, the Center has expanded its mission. Through the SHESEK program, it now provides sports-based trauma recovery for Nova Festival survivors, displaced families, and wounded soldiers – reaching over 80 survivors weekly and operating in 40 remote locations. “This isn’t just about sports and medals,” Michelle says. “It’s about healing a nation.”
In a video message to the Parasport Center community, with his new trophy by his side, Guy Sasson shared “I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m so proud to represent our country, our people, and our precious Sport Center that is doing so much for so many people. I dedicate this trophy to the safe return of all hostages, and to all the Jewish people all over the world. Thank you again for your support. Am Yisrael Chai!”
The Atlanta Jewish community’s support for the Center is stronger than ever. “The Adaptive Fitness Center literally has a sign that says ‘Given by the Atlanta Community,’” Michelle says with pride. “People in Atlanta know this place now. We’ve built something beautiful.”
Visit your donor portal to give to the Israel Parasport Center.
When Alex, a young concert pianist, lost the use of his dominant arm in a devastating accident, it felt like music had been taken from him. Though he relearned how to play with one hand, he struggled to achieve the same sound and expression without the use of piano pedals. But that changed when a group of students from Tikkun Olam Makers (TOM) stepped in. Working side by side with Alex, they developed a custom wireless bite switch that allowed him to control the pedals with his mouth. By the end of the TOM “Makeathon”, Alex could once again play like he used to. “Seeing the look on his face and the emotion in his family’s eyes was something I’ll never forget,” said Xavian Gordon, an Emory University student and TOM Fellow. “It was a powerful reminder of what TOM is all about—bringing people together to create solutions that change lives.”
This is the heart of TOM’s mission: to bring together communities of engineers, designers, and healthcare professionals to create affordable, open-source technology for people with disabilities. Every solution is designed in close collaboration with a “Need-Knower” – the person who will use it, always centering dignity, functionality, and choice.
This past month, the TOM Global community celebrated the final results of the 2025 Global Innovation Challenge, which brought together 470 participants from 33 university campuses in 13 countries – all working to design innovative solutions for real-world challenges. Some of the winning devices include a clamp for attaching the user’s wheelchair to a motorized scooter, a motion tracking PlayStation accessory for physical rehabilitation, and a prosthetic monofin to enhance the swimming and diving experience for individuals with a limb difference. TOM also marked the successful conclusion of the 2024–25 Fellowship, their largest cohort to date – more than 80 Fellows from 57 campuses across 8 countries.
As the Israeli-turned-global organization prepares for the next fellowship orientation in Atlanta (August 2025), we sat down with Gail Reiss, TOM Chief Development Officer, and Arielle Kaye, US Program Manager to discuss their vision. “Our success in Atlanta is really thanks to the partnership and door-opening that the Jewish Federation and Foundation did and continues to do,” said Reiss. “this partnership allowed us to go from Georgia Tech and Emory to now building relationships with Kennesaw State, the Shepherd Center, and the Weber School, whose maker lab is absolutely state-of-the-art.”
Arielle emphasized that university campuses are the perfect environment for TOM’s work. “There’s research, there’s innovation, and there are bright students who want to make a difference in the world.” she said. “Many of them told me, ‘I didn’t see myself as a leader before. I didn’t have the confidence.’ But through TOM, they’ve grown into changemakers and global citizens.” What’s especially unique, she adds, is that while TOM is a Jewish organization, the majority of Fellows aren’t Jewish “This past year, we had fellows from Singapore and Japan and all over the United States. Being able to promote the universal value of Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, and the fact that it’s resonating with people, regardless of their background, regardless of their religion and identity – that just feels really special to me.”
Samantha Kurgan, VP of Community Engagement at Federation, echoed this sentiment: “It’s just a beautiful example of how the Jewish community supports the broader community. You don’t have to be Jewish to be a fellow, and you certainly don’t have to be Jewish to get an adaptive device. But we get to share the story of what Israel does. How they support other people all over the world”.
For Gail, seeing the impact firsthand is the most rewarding thing: “This is the best investment, and the return on investment is tenfold – to be able to help someone, to change a whole family’s life”. Georgia TOM Fellows recently built a toddler mobility device, which enables children with limited lower body function to move freely. Gail recalled how a young boy was placed in a trainer for the first time and instinctively began moving around. “For the first two years of his life, his mother had been carrying him everywhere,” she said. “Now he could move independently. It changed his life – and hers.” The mobility device has since been translated into multiple languages and replicated over a thousand times around the world.
In a time marked by division and darkness, TOM is a light. “Our work isn’t political,” Reiss noted. “It’s about technology, creativity, and dignity for people in need.” With growing momentum in Atlanta and over 150 communities globally, TOM proves that when we help one, we help many.
Support Tikkun Olam Makers here or through your Atlanta Jewish Foundation Donor Portal.
Grow A Legacy
As we look toward our 120th year here in Atlanta, we pause to honor our fierce Jewish mothers, whose wisdom, passion, and vision, make our important work possible. Thanks to your leadership our community is stronger and more united than ever. Thanks to your generosity, we are creating the foundation for the next 120 years of vibrant Jewish life. Watch the full Grow A Legacy program here.
Your Impact (May 2025)
SOJOURN is the premiere resource for Jewish and LGBTQ+ education, outreach, and advocacy in the Southern U.S. June is Pride Month and the perfect time to support SOJOURN’s mission of building inclusive communities.
JAccess provides resources and support to enable Jewish people with disabilities living in and around Atlanta.
JF&CS is guided by Jewish values and provides services in the fields of aging and older adults, career counseling, dentistry, mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Shepherd Center has been on a mission to redefine rehabilitation, empower patients, and inspire hope. From a six-bed unit to a world-renowned neurorehabilitation hospital, their journey has been filled with groundbreaking innovations, life-changing care, and a steadfast commitment to patients and families.
Shalva Through the Lens of War: A Photography Exhibit of Resilience and Hope
Wednesday, June 25 | 7:00-8:00PM | Sandy Springs
Experience the power of resilience through the eyes of Israel’s top photojournalists.
Join us for an unforgettable evening as we explore the impact of war—and the strength that rises from it—through 22 stirring photographs captured across Israel. This special exhibit shines a light on the work of Shalva, a Jerusalem-based organization that provides care, support, and inclusion for individuals with disabilities and their families.
In times of crisis, Shalva continues to be a beacon of hope. Through this exhibit, we honor that mission and the untold stories of perseverance and compassion.
Sunday, June 29 | 10:30AM-12:00PM | Sandy Springs
Join us for Donuts with Daddy—a fun meetup just for dads and kids! Enjoy donuts and great company while your little ones play at the park. This event is perfect for dads with kids of all ages—come meet other PJ dads and make sweet memories together!