AJLF Brings ‘Mitzvah Madness’ to Aquarium

It was a “maddeningly” good time at the Georgia Aquarium on March 3 at the fifth annual Atlanta Jewish Life Festival as thousands of community members poured into the Ocean Ballroom to enjoy a Kids Zone with children’s activities, listen to live music, meet with community partners, tour the aquarium, nosh on Kosher delicacies, and celebrate their Jewishness together.

The top three scorers standing in the middle of the back row beside Rabbi Werbin are third place David Minkowicz, first place Jonathan Kuttner, second place Akiva Shuster. The top 12 scorers in the Hoop Shoot Contest won Atlanta Hawks basketballs autographed by team mascot Harry the Hawk.

Themed “Mitzvah Madness,” as a nod to the NCAA basketball “March Madness” postseason tournament, this year’s festival featured a Hoop Shoot Contest. After several hundred attendees — competing in four age groups — completed the opening round, the top 12 scorers advanced to the championship for a final showdown. Each of the 12 championship contestants received Atlanta Hawks basketballs autographed by team mascot Harry the Hawk. The top three scorers also received cash prizes. Jonathan Kuttner notched the top score overall with 83 and took home first place; Akiva Shuster (72) finished in second place and David Minkowicz (67) came in third place.

The Atlanta Jewish Boys Choir

Hosted by the Atlanta Jewish Times, the AJLF connects the extended Atlanta Jewish community with local Jewish organizations, assisted living facilities, schools, and camps while offering a selection of kosher delicacies and an assortment of local Jewish entertainers.

AJT owner Michael Morris thanked the community for their support and said the outsized gathering of people served as a testament to the resilience of the Jewish people and the connectedness of the Atlanta Jewish community.

Children (and adults) could get their likenesses drawn by Mark Mandel of BIGhead Cartoons.

“My heart is always filled to the brim as I look out on a room full of Jewish friends, family, business associates, aquantinces, and people I have yet to befriend,” said Morris. “Even with the trials of war, hostages, and rampant antisemitism, to see the community come together for food, fun, music and laughter is a powerful sight and counters our enemies’ initiatives.”

The Kids Zone offered face painting, caricature, and henna tattoo artists as well as a chance to meet with representatives from area camps and children’s programs. Also on hand were local artisans displaying their original works of art in the AJLF Shuk – the Artist Market included Pollwood Creations, Barbara Fisher, Cohn Creations, and Oy Toys.

The Atlanta Israel Coalition offered guests the chance to write a note to an IDF soldier or Israeli evacuee.

The festival also featured a Nosh Pit, where attendees could grab a quick bite to keep their bellies full. Vendors included Formaggio Mio, Nur Kosher Kitchen, Kosher Kreations, Mitzvah House, and Bruster’s Real Ice Cream Toco Hills.

The lineup of entertainers featured: Amp’d Entertainment; Atlanta Jewish Boys Choir; Rabbi Jake; Bet Haverim Chorus; Boy Scout Troop/Cub Scout Pack 1818; Scott Glazer; As of Yet; and Ruby the Clown strolled the festival, handing out smiles along the way.

Atlanta Hawks mascot Harry the Hawk has a special greeting for Atlanta Jewish Times owner and publisher Michael Morris.

Event vendors also included Lipsey Mountain Spring Water, which provided hydration stations throughout the ballroom, and delicious cotton candy creations from Cotton Cravings.

Presenting sponsors for the 2024 event include: Georgia Aquarium, Morris Family Foundation, and The Marcus Foundation; Platinum sponsor — Billi Marcus Foundation; Diamond sponsors — Lipsey Mountain Spring Water; Gold sponsors — Northside Hospital, Kroger, Arthur Blank Foundation, Atlanta Jewish Connector, Balloons Over Atlanta, and AMP’D Entertainment; Silver sponsors — Button It Up, In the City Camps, RoughDraft Atlanta, Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care; Mensch sponsors — Discover DeKalb Convention Center and Visitors Bureau, Renewal by Anderson, WABE; Friends of the Festival — Israel Bonds, McKendrick’s Steak House, The Epstein School, Woodward Academy, Laser Babes.

Morris then shared a special nod to next year’s celebration. ” If you missed this year’s festival, I hope you will take the opportunity to experience it for yourself next year.”

Henna Art by EnRapturing Entertainment

Community Partners

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival; Alpha Epsilon Pi; Am Yisrael Chai; Atlanta Israel Coalition; B’nai B’rith Atlanta/Jewish War Veterans; Chabad of North Fulton; Chabad Intown; Congregation Beth Shalom; Congregation B’nai Torah; Friends of Israel Defense Forces; GA Commission on the Holocaust; Hadassah Greater Atlanta; Hebrew Order of David; Hillels of Georgia; Israeli American Council; Israeli Consulate to the Southeast; Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta; Making Jewish Places; JumpSpark; Shinshinim; Jewish Abilities Atlanta; Gap Year/Root One; Hunger Walk; Jewish Education Collaborative; PJ Library; Jewish Fertility Foundation; Jewish National Fund-USA; Alexander Muss High School in Israel; Jewish Family & Career Services; Jewish Interest-Free Loan Association of Georgia; JScreen – Emory University; Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center; Kesher Torah; Kibbitz & Konnect; L’dor V’dor Judaica; Mitzvah House; Museum of History and Holocaust Education; ORT Atlanta; Repair the World; Shearith Israel; Simon Wiesenthal Center; SOJOURN; Temple Sinai; The Breman Museum; The Temple; The Weber School.