Kesher Torah Becomes The Schul at Chastain
The synagogue was founded at the start of the COVID pandemic.
One of Atlanta’s newest and most unique congregations is finally getting a space of their own and, with it, a new name. Kesher Torah, soon to be known as The Schul at Chastain, was founded at the start of the COVID pandemic, and up until now has been using a rented space for services.
“It had its limitations because of that,” said Rabbi Yitzchok Werbin, speaking about the move. “[The new location] is not larger in square footage, it’s just qualitatively much nicer.”
“In the Talmud it says – shinui makom shinui mazel, that a change of a location can bring a change in your mazel, your flow of heavenly assistance,” said Sarah Werbin, the rabbi’s wife. “So, we’re excited about a change in the location.”
The Werbins hope their small, warm community will be a big draw for new families.
“A schul can sometimes feel intimidating, when you walk in and it’s big and it’s with lots of people, and you’re looking for a community and you don’t really know people,” said Sarah Werbin. “What we offer is a smaller space and more warmth and intimacy to connect people to each other, to their tradition, to community.”
“A mom came over to me and said, ‘I just want you to know’ – and I was hosting it at my house because we’re at this transition stage – ‘When I come over into your house, I feel Shabbat,’” said Sarah Werbin, describing the intimacy. “We’re also really welcoming and open to the whole family. That means extended family as well – people can feel comfortable bringing their moms, their grandparents, whoever is around in the Atlanta area. It really spans the multi-generational gamut of who we have to offer to.”
“We are an Orthodox schul, but we are open to everyone on whatever level they’re at, and wherever they’re coming from in terms of their Jewish journey. We believe that everyone is on their own Jewish journey and we’re here to help with that journey.”
While they have officially finished moving into the new space as of May 3, there are still a few finishing touches left. A celebratory dinner will mark the beginning of operations, and the Werbins encourage anyone interested to stay tuned at the schul’s website, keshertorahatlanta.org, or once it launches, theschulatchastain.org.