Jewish Times in Atlanta: How Local Jewish News, Culture, and Community Life Stay Connected

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are exploring the city’s Jewish community from afar, you may come across the phrase “Jewish Times Atlanta.” Most people use it to mean Jewish news, calendars, and community information that keep Atlanta’s Jewish life connected — from holiday times and events to synagogue updates, school news, and cultural programming.

Atlanta doesn’t have just one single “Jewish Times” source. Instead, local residents rely on a mix of newspapers, magazines, community calendars, and synagogue bulletins that together function as the city’s “Jewish Times.”

This guide walks through how Jewish time and Jewish news work in Atlanta, where to find reliable information, and how to plug into the rhythm of Jewish life here.

What “Jewish Times Atlanta” Usually Means

When someone in Atlanta mentions “Jewish Times”, they’re often looking for:

• Local Jewish news — stories about Atlanta’s Jewish community, leaders, schools, and organizations
• Event listings and community calendars — lectures, holiday events, youth programs, volunteer opportunities
• Shabbat and holiday times — candle-lighting, Havdalah, and festival schedules for the Atlanta area
• Synagogue and community updates — lifecycle announcements, new programs, classes, and special services

Instead of a single publication with that exact name, Atlanta has:

• Jewish newspapers and magazines that focus on metro Atlanta
• Community organizations that publish citywide calendars and email digests
• Synagogues and schools that share schedules, times, and announcements

For a resident or visitor, these combined sources are the practical answer to “Where do I find Jewish Times in Atlanta?”

Understanding Jewish Time in Atlanta: Shabbat & Holiday Schedules

Because Jewish time follows a sunset-to-sunset rhythm, all Shabbat and holiday times in Atlanta are based on local sunset in the metro area.

Key Time Concepts for Atlanta

• Candle-lighting time:
  In Atlanta, Shabbat candles are generally lit about 18 minutes before local sunset on Friday. Many Jewish calendars for the city use this standard.

• Havdalah (end of Shabbat) time:
  Shabbat ends when it is fully dark, which is usually listed as a specific time based on nightfall in Atlanta (different from candle-lighting time; often around 40–50 minutes after sunset, depending on customs).

• Holiday start and end times:
  Major Jewish holidays (like Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Passover) also begin at sundown and end at nightfall, with times tailored for the Atlanta time zone and latitude.

Many local Jews rely on:

• Printed or online Jewish calendars labeled for “Atlanta”
• Weekly synagogue emails or bulletins with this week’s Shabbat times
• Community-wide emails or local Jewish websites that publish times by ZIP code or city

If you’re visiting Atlanta for Shabbat or holidays, it’s helpful to look specifically for “Shabbat times Atlanta” or check with a local synagogue office to confirm.

Where to Find Jewish News and Community Information in Atlanta

Atlanta’s Jewish community is spread across neighborhoods like Toco Hills, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, East Cobb, Buckhead, and In-town, and it’s served by several information hubs.

Here are the main types of resources locals treat as their “Jewish Times”:

1. Jewish Newspapers & Magazines

Atlanta has long had Jewish print and digital media that cover:

• Local community news
• National and Israel-related topics relevant to Atlanta readers
• Opinion pieces from local rabbis and leaders
• Synagogue and organization announcements
• Cultural and arts coverage

These publications often:

• Release weekly or monthly editions
• Maintain online archives and current articles
• Include community calendars, event listings, and lifecycle sections (births, weddings, obituaries)

For current contact details, office locations, and subscription information, it’s best to check the masthead or contact section of whichever Atlanta Jewish publication you’re interested in.

2. Community Calendars and Email Lists

A big part of “Jewish Times Atlanta” in practice is the shared calendar of events around the metro area.

Common calendar features include:

• Shabbat and holiday schedules across multiple synagogues
• Classes and lectures (Jewish learning, Hebrew, Israel-related talks)
• Family programs (children’s activities, teen groups, youth groups)
• Social events (young adult meetups, cultural nights, arts events)
• Volunteer and tikkun olam opportunities (food banks, clothing drives, refugee support)

Many of these calendars and lists are maintained by:

• Large synagogues
• Jewish community centers (JCCs)
• Federation or umbrella organizations
• Campus-based groups at universities in metro Atlanta

Locals often subscribe to email newsletters that summarize the upcoming week or month, functioning much like a “Jewish Times” in inbox form.

How Synagogues in Atlanta Share Times and News

Synagogues are one of the most practical ways to stay up to date with Jewish times in Atlanta, especially for:

• Exact Shabbat and holiday times
• Location-specific service schedules
• Programming such as study sessions, youth activities, and community meals

Types of Synagogues and What They Share

Across Greater Atlanta, you’ll find:

• Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, Reconstructionist, and independent congregations
• Sephardic and Chabad communities
• Neighborhood-based shuls in Toco Hills, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, and East Cobb, along with in-town options closer to Midtown and Virginia-Highland

Most synagogues offer:

• A weekly email with Shabbat candle-lighting time, service times, and upcoming events
• A print or PDF bulletin that includes calendar highlights, study schedules, and community news
• Office staff who can share times over the phone, which is useful for travelers or those not yet on email lists

If you’re new to Atlanta or just visiting, a simple approach is:

1. Locate a synagogue in the area where you’ll be staying.
2. Call or email the office and ask for this week’s Shabbat times and any special events.
3. Ask how to join their email list if you’re staying longer term.

Jewish Time and Community Life: What to Expect Week by Week

The rhythm of “Jewish time” in Atlanta blends religious observance, social events, and cultural life. Here’s what many locals experience across a typical year.

Week-to-Week Activities

In most parts of metro Atlanta with a Jewish presence, you’ll regularly find:

• Friday night and Saturday morning services
• Torah study classes on weekdays or Shabbat
• After-school or evening programs for children and teens
• Young professional gatherings near central neighborhoods
• Senior programs and daytime events

While timing varies by congregation or organization, many events are clustered:

• Weeknights (for learning, committees, and meetings)
• Sunday mornings or afternoons (for family and community programs)

Seasonal Highlights

Certain times of year show up heavily on Atlanta’s Jewish “times” calendars:

• High Holiday season (Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur) – Usually early fall; the city’s synagogues expand service options, and organizations circulate schedules months in advance.
• Sukkot and Simchat Torah – Outdoor events are common, especially with Atlanta’s fall weather.
• Chanukah – Public menorah lightings, family parties, and downtown or neighborhood events.
• Purim – Megillah readings, costume parties, and carnivals across the metro area.
• Passover – Community seders, food drives, and educational programming.
• Summer – Many families engage with Jewish summer camps and youth travel, while local calendars focus more on casual gatherings and learning opportunities.

Quick Reference: How Atlantans Typically Access “Jewish Times”

Below is a simple summary of where Atlanta residents usually turn for Jewish times, news, and community updates:

Tips for Visitors: Observing Jewish Time While in Atlanta

If you’re visiting Atlanta and want to keep or experience Jewish time here:

• Check time-sensitive information close to your travel date. Sunset shifts throughout the year, so Shabbat and holiday times change weekly.
• Pick a neighborhood base. If you are Shabbat-observant and do not drive, consider staying near a synagogue in Toco Hills, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, or similar areas where walking to services and meals is more common.
• Contact a local synagogue in advance. Offices can share:
  • Shabbat times for your visit
  • Service schedules and any holiday changes
  • Information about hospitality programs or communal meals if available
• Sign up for an email newsletter, even temporarily, to see the weekly rhythm of events while you’re in town.

Practical Steps for Atlanta Residents New to the Community

If you’re new to Atlanta or newly interested in connecting with Jewish time and community life:

1. Identify your closest synagogue or community hub.

   • Look at neighborhoods where Jewish life is concentrated (Toco Hills, Sandy Springs, Dunwoody, East Cobb, In-town).

2. Join at least one community email list.

   • These act like your personal “Jewish Times Atlanta,” providing Shabbat times, events, and news.

3. Obtain an Atlanta-specific Jewish calendar.

   • Many synagogues and community organizations offer printed calendars with candle-lighting and holiday times tailored to Atlanta.

4. Try attending events aligned with your interests.

   • Learning, social gatherings, family programming, or holiday celebrations all help you understand the local rhythm.

5. Ask questions.

   • Synagogue staff, community organizers, and long-time members are usually used to helping newcomers understand when things happen and how the calendar works locally.

For anyone trying to understand “Jewish Times Atlanta,” think of it as the combined network of Shabbat and holiday times, local Jewish news, and community calendars that shape Jewish life across the metro area. By connecting with synagogues, community organizations, and local publications, you can follow — and participate in — the full rhythm of Jewish time in Atlanta.