AJLF Celebrates 100 Years of Community News
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AJLF Celebrates 100 Years of Community News

The sixth annual Atlanta Jewish Life Festival turned back the clock at the Georgia Aquarium with a 1920s theme.

By Sasha Heller February 26, 2025, 10:55 am Edit

Sasha Heller is the Web Editor and Copy Editor for the Atlanta Jewish Times

  • AJT owner and publisher Michael Morris present a raffle prize with the help of a festival attendee while AJT senior account manager Michal Bonell looks on // All photos by Sasha Heller
    AJT owner and publisher Michael Morris present a raffle prize with the help of a festival attendee while AJT senior account manager Michal Bonell looks on // All photos by Sasha Heller
  • This year’s festival featured casino-style games.
    This year’s festival featured casino-style games.
  • A pair of “cigar girls” roamed the Oceans Ballroom distributing candy cigars.
    A pair of “cigar girls” roamed the Oceans Ballroom distributing candy cigars.
  • The Peachtree Jazz Edition filled the Oceans Ballroom with big band-style sounds.
    The Peachtree Jazz Edition filled the Oceans Ballroom with big band-style sounds.
  • Rabbi Jake leads a spirited performance in the rotunda at the Georgia Aquarium.
    Rabbi Jake leads a spirited performance in the rotunda at the Georgia Aquarium.
  • Cub Scout Pack and Troop 1818 presents the colors at the sixth annual Atlanta Jewish Life Festival.
    Cub Scout Pack and Troop 1818 presents the colors at the sixth annual Atlanta Jewish Life Festival.
  • Cotton Cravings was on hand to satisfy guests with a sweet tooth.
    Cotton Cravings was on hand to satisfy guests with a sweet tooth.
  • The henna tattoo station attracts guests of all ages.
    The henna tattoo station attracts guests of all ages.

A hundred years? Time sure flies when you’re having fun.

The sixth annual Atlanta Jewish Life Festival, held Feb. 23, came roaring into the Georgia Aquarium and turned back the clock to the 1920s in honor of the Atlanta Jewish Times’ 100th year of publication, having been founded as The Southern Israelite in 1925.

This year’s festival featured casino-style games.

Several thousand community members gathered, with many guests showing up in full “Great Gatsby”-style outfits as this year’s festival featured a costume contest. Guests also reveled in casino games like blackjack and poker while being treated to the melodic, big band sounds of the Peachtree Jazz Edition, with some attendees venturing out onto the dance floor. To further set the ambiance, a pair of “cigar girls” roamed the Oceans Ballroom circulating candy cigars and outfitted with chic “Gatsby” regalia.

“This was another successful Atlanta Jewish Life Festival, and I would like to thank the community for making that happen,” said AJT owner and publisher Micheal Morris. “The vibe was great, everyone had a fun time, and we are grateful for the support of the community … and we hope to see everyone back at the Aquarium next year.”

The festival also featured a raffle with lucky winners taking home parting gifts from festival partners the Atlanta Braves, Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Aquarium. Raffle prizes included an Ozzie Albies-autographed baseball, four-pack of tickets to a Braves game, two Atlanta Braves bobble heads with accompanying swag, and six-packs of passes to Zoo Atlanta and the Aquarium.

Rabbi Jake leads a spirited performance in the rotunda at the Georgia Aquarium.

Other highlights included an artist market, kosher eats, and a kids zone featuring face painting, henna tattoos, caricature artist, representatives from Camp Judaea, Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, Ramah Doram, Israeli Scouts, 6 Points Camps, and Camp Coleman, and, of course, Ruby the Clown.

A community stage was set up in the rotunda featuring local performers, including the Atlanta Jewish Boys Choir, Boy Scout Pack and Troop 1818, Sunmoonpie, and Rabbi Jake, and supported by Amp’d Entertainment.

And as always, attendees were able to meet with dozens of community partners representing all facets of Jewish Atlanta life, from summer camps to health and wellness organizations and more.

Cheers to 100 years of Jewish journalism and community in Atlanta … and to 100 more!

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