Largest-Ever B’Yachad Cohort Launches in Atlanta

The Atlanta Jewish community is coming together to embrace interfaith families in new and powerful ways. On Aug. 19–20, six Atlanta-based Jewish organizations gathered for the launch of B’Yachad Atlanta — the largest and most diverse cohort of its kind to date. This nine-month program is aimed at helping Jewish organizations increase belonging for interfaith couples and families.

Led by 18Doors — the only national organization dedicated to fostering inclusion of interfaith families in Jewish communities across North America — B’Yachad Atlanta is a partnership with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, which is not only convening and co-funding this cohort but also participating as one of the organizational teams. The cohort brings together synagogues and organizations representing a wide cross-section of Jewish life: Congregation Dor Tamid (Reform), Temple Kol Emeth (Reform), Congregation Or Hadash (Conservative), the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, URJ Camp Coleman, and the Jewish Fertility Foundation.

“As someone who grew up in an interfaith family myself, I want to build a community of true belonging at Or Hadash for every single person who wants to make this their spiritual home — especially our folks from interfaith families,” said Rabbi Lauren Henderson of Congregation Or Hadash. “We want to help people move from being welcomed to being fully integrated and empowered members, and I know through B’Yachad we’ll get the support and resources to make this shift.”

B’Yachad builds on findings from the 2023 study conducted by 18Doors and the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, The Future of Interfaith Inclusion in the Atlanta Jewish Community survey, which recommended creating a “think tank of rabbis and community professionals to dream and experiment with different interfaith initiatives.” Through this program, professionals from participating organizations will collaborate, share ideas, and develop innovative ways to strengthen inclusion for interfaith families across the greater Atlanta area.

Over the next nine months, these organizations will develop personalized action plans to create more inclusive spaces for interfaith couples and families. The program will include ongoing professional development seminars, one-on-one coaching sessions, and training in organizational change, helping guide each organization through meaningful and sustainable change. The B’Yachad curriculum, inspired in part by Keshet’s Shivyon project, covers key topics such as the fundamentals of interfaith inclusion, how to market successfully to interfaith couples and families, current research on this demographic, effective and sensitive communication with interfaith couples and parents, and the importance of inclusion and intersectionality.

Samantha Kurgan, vice president of community engagement at Federation, adds: “By investing in and partnering with organizations like 18Doors, Federation helps strengthen the broader Jewish ecosystem supporting efforts to create communities where interfaith families and couples feel not only welcomed, but truly seen, valued, and empowered to belong. We are excited for and deeply appreciative of the important work this cohort will undertake over the next nine months to help build a more inclusive, vibrant Atlanta Jewish community.”

Atlanta joins a growing list of communities participating in 18Doors’ B’Yachad. The Houston cohort concluded in June 2025, and the Chicago cohort is currently underway, marking a period of exciting momentum for this national initiative.

“As a resident of Atlanta, I am proud of 18Doors and the local leadership for working to build a welcoming and inclusive community. We deeply appreciate the partnership with the Federation and local agencies and congregations in our work. I look forward to working with other locally based and national organizations who are committed to the idea of belonging. Atlanta is fortunate to have deeply committed lay leadership as well as professionals who share our commitment and values,” said Mike Wise, CEO of 18Doors.

B’Yachad Atlanta aims not only to deepen the work of each individual organization but also to strengthen collaboration across the community. Together, participants are setting the stage for a more vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming Jewish Atlanta.

For more information about B’Yachad and 18Doors, please visit 18doors.org/interfaithinclusionproject/ 

Nicole Wasilus, Director of Lifestyle Connections Strategy & Growth for 18Doors, contributed to this report.