May is Mental Health Awareness Month – a time to recognize a reality that touches every one of us. Mental health is not just a personal issue; it’s a communal one, and our Jewish values call on us to show up for one another in times of need.
This past month, our community did just that. From heartfelt events addressing the teen mental health crisis, to a life-changing donation from the Balser Giving Circle to Nicholas House, a local non-profit supporting homeless families – the power of compassion and collective action was undeniable.
At the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, we are proud to be on the front lines of this work – funding critical initiatives, partnering with changemakers, and helping donors turn their values into tangible and lasting change. Together, we are building a stronger, more united Jewish Atlanta.
With much gratitude,
Lindsay
“How is it possible that the happiest person on the planet, the happiest, most joyous soul that any one of us knows, could end his own life?”
This question, posed by Ben Pargman, has echoed through countless hearts in Atlanta’s Jewish community since the loss of his son, Manny, just five months ago. Manny, a vibrant teen known for his humor, warmth, and musical talent, died by suicide – leaving a wake of grief, confusion, and urgent resolve.
In response, Ben launched Manny’s Band Foundation, a mental health initiative aimed at preventing youth suicide by harnessing the power of music, creativity, and authentic conversation. Manny’s Band provides youth suicide prevention training, teacher and mentor support, and awareness campaigns that educate and inspire action.
Within just 30 days of its launch, Manny’s Band reached over 100,000 views, drew in more than 4,000 band members, and mobilized 500 volunteers. Ben’s message is bold: “As a member of Manny’s Band, you are going to help change how we talk to our kids and our friends about mental health, depression, and suicide.”
The community’s energized response underscores the urgent need for mental health support. Today, one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. One in six youth have a mental health condition, but only half receive treatment. 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24. In 2022, 22% of high school students seriously considered suicide.
“COVID brought a lot of things up, and if you look historically, you unfortunately see the trends increasing, particularly with young people,” said Gabby Spatt, Vice President of Philanthropy at the Hirsch Family Fund and long-time Jewish Federation and Foundation supporter. “But I think Atlanta is a leader in Jewish mental health training, education, awareness, and community engagement. Faith plays a big role in healing, and Judaism sets us up to take care of our people. It’s a mitzvah.”
This week, our community gathered for two events focused on mental health. At Temple Sinai, families attended “Beyond the Silence”, hosted by the Blue Dove Foundation and BeWell ATL, featuring personal stories and testimony from those – including the Pargmans – who have lived through loss and found purpose in healing. That same day, Jewish Family & Career Services held “Shifting Perspectives: Understanding Neurodiversity”, a session led by Jenna Sommer that emphasized embracing diverse ways of thinking, to help young people thrive.
“We’re incredibly proud to have played such a critical role in bringing the BeWell initiative to life here in Atlanta,” said Ghila Sanders, Vice President of Philanthropic Advisory at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation. “Through our Funders Collaborative, we helped secure vital support for JF&CS and the broader community at a time when youth mental health needed it most.”
Much of the momentum behind this work traces back to the Hirsch family, whose trailblazing investment in mental health has transformed the landscape. “The Hirschs were doing mental health before anyone else,” Gabby explained. “Their focus has always been on clinical care—providing real services for real people who otherwise couldn’t access them.”
Rooted in Jewish values and driven by their own experience with a child facing complex mental health issues, Michele and David Hirsch created a vision to help families access quality care. That vision became action. Locally, their work includes the Peaceful Family Fund—a partnership between JF&CS and the Jewish Interest-Free Loan Association—which covers the cost of inpatient mental health treatment, sometimes even travel, for families seeking specialized care not available in Atlanta. The Hirschs also made a $10 million gift to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, supporting a groundbreaking outpatient clinic for children with complex neuropsychiatric conditions. Located within the Zalik Behavioral Health Center, the clinic eliminates the burden of navigating the mental health system by coordinating personalized care, case management, and specialists under one roof. “It’s a total game changer.” said Spatt. “Parents don’t have to wait six months or hunt for clinicians—it’s all done for them. And it’s the first clinic of its kind in the country.”
The Hirsch Family’s work doesn’t stop at Atlanta’s borders. In Israel, their fund has supported Clubhouse Israel’s young adult mental health program, contributed to First Line Med – an initiative offering subsidized mental health services across Israel, and funded clinical social workers stationed in Thailand for post-October 7 trauma recovery. “I mean, what other country do you know of that will send clinical licensed social workers to another country to take care of their people? Only Israel does that.”
As we mark Mental Health Awareness Month, we honor Manny’s memory, elevate the work of philanthropists like the Hirschs, and commit to conversations that save lives. “I lost my younger sister to mental illness,” Gabby shared, “and that’s what’s propelled me into this work. The question is, how do we inspire, teach, and coach to realize how important mental health is before you lose somebody close to you? I think this is what people like Michele, David, and Ben are trying to do. Get the community involved before it’s too late.”
When asked what advice she would give to parents around mental health, Gabby replied “Educate yourself. Listen to your children. And remember it’s OK to ask friends questions or to share something, because nine out of ten times other people will have the same experience.”
Atlanta Jewish Foundation fundholders can support the Peaceful Family Fund and the Manny Pargman Mental Health Education Fund through a grant to JF&CS. Visit your donor portal today to make an impact.
On the evening of April 24th, over 120 professional advisors and community leaders gathered at the Thompson Hotel in Buckhead for the 19th Annual Balser Celebration – an inspiring event that honors the critical role advisors play in shaping a more generous and thriving Atlanta.
The celebration is part of the Atlanta Charitable Advisor Network (ACAN), a growing community of philanthropic-minded professionals. ACAN is the result of a unique collaboration between the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, United Way of Greater Atlanta, and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. These organizations joined forces to educate and empower financial, legal, and estate planning advisors to guide their clients through values-based giving and meaningful charitable conversations.
Lindsay Kopecky, Chief Advancement Officer at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, reflected on the special gathering: “During a time when the world feels so divided, it is humbling to be in a room filled with colleagues and friends who share a passion for healing, giving, and building a better future for generations that will come after us.”
At the heart of the evening was the announcement of the Balser Giving Circle grant recipient: Nicholas House, an Atlanta nonprofit that provides housing, support services, and comprehensive programs to help homeless families achieve self-sufficiency.
Accepting the $25,000 grant was Jannan Thomas, Executive Director of Nicholas House. “Thanks to your generous gift, we can make a long-term impact not only on the parents, but on the children who will grow up in a more stable and healthy environment. We provide shelter to families who’ve been living in places like their car or on the streets. Over 90% of the families that we serve move into housing. And I’m proud to report that, over the last ten years, over 90% of the families that we’ve served have maintained their housing. Thank you for allowing us to do this work.”
The Giving Circle is made up of a select group of philanthropic advisors and community-minded professionals who meet throughout the year to learn about pressing issues, visit nonprofits on the front lines, and ultimately vote on which organization will receive their collective gift. Mary Frances Callis, ACAN Committee Co-Chair, reflected on what makes the Balser Giving Circle so impactful: “It’s about doing the work together – getting to know each other, understanding the community, and being deeply intentional about where our dollars go. The relationships we build through this experience are just as meaningful as the grant itself.”
The event also celebrated the recent graduates of the Philanthropic Advisors Leadership Institute (PALI). Since its inception, this transformative program has equipped more than 200 financial, legal, and estate planning professionals with the tools and relationships to better guide clients on their philanthropic journeys. For Sharon Moscoso, a recent PALI graduate, the program has fundamentally changed how she approaches her work. “As a financial advisor, I’m always looking for ways to help my clients give with more meaning. PALI opened my eyes to the human side of philanthropy—the emotions, the values, the legacy. I now feel more confident initiating conversations that go deeper than just tax planning.”
The Balser Celebration is a testament to what’s possible when community, education, and purpose come together. It’s also a reminder that philanthropy is not just the responsibility of individuals or institutions – it takes a village. It’s a shared effort, made stronger by trusted relationships and a vision for a better future. “To anybody who’s considering getting involved. I would say: just do it.” Sharon added. “It’s a great way to meet like-minded people, make an impact, and learn about organizations that are doing fantastic work. We’re all responsible for giving back and making our community a better place, and ACAN helps us do just that.”
If you’d like to join ACAN or learn more about how the Atlanta Jewish Foundation collaborates with advisors, reach out to Katie Busch, Director of Strategic Philanthropy, at kbusch@jewishatlanta.org.
Your Impact Last Month (April 2025)
BeWell ATL, A JF&CS program launched with the support of Atlanta Jewish Foundation, is a national mental health initiative that provides the Jewish community with tools, resources, and training to support the mental health and overall well-being of teens and young adults.
The Blue Dove Foundation was created to address mental illness and addiction in the Jewish community and beyond. They offer educational resources and facilitate programs that bring peace, life, hope, and freedom to those facing addiction or other mental health challenges.
The Peaceful Family Fund offers financial support to families with children (ages 8-18) who struggle with complex psychiatric illnesses and often need long-term treatment outside of the home.
AgeWell enables older adults in our community to “Age Well” through improved independence, quality of life, and social connection. Their Senior Care Experts make the aging process easier and less stressful, and provide services that lead to a happier, healthier, better life.
#QuietingTheSilence: Personal Stories Book
Created by the Blue Dove Foundation
Dine & DAF
June 4th, 2025
8:30-10 am
If you have a Donor-Advised Fund – or are interested in opening one – we hope you’ll join us for this deliciously insightful community event! We will gather over fresh bagels and coffee to hear from our outsourced Chief Investment Officer, NEPC, about the Atlanta Jewish Foundation’s charitable investments. Gain insights on current market trends, learn strategies to amplify your impact, and connect with the Foundation team and fellow Atlanta philanthropists!
Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta 119th Annual Meeting
June 5, 2025
7:00-8:30 pm
Join us as we celebrate our community—reflecting on all we’ve accomplished and looking ahead to our shared future in Jewish Atlanta. This year, we are proud to honor Mike Leven, our 2025 Lifetime of Achievement Award recipient.