Beginning the first full week of December and ending a few days before Christmas, the Jewish Christian Discovery Center (JCDC) will work with Atlanta area churches this holiday season to distribute its J Star packets. The goal of this program is to highlight interfaith awareness and education.

The J Star Project is focused on a practical and fun activities that promotes understanding between Christians and Jews. Each family associated with a JCDC partnered church will receive a holiday packet that includes a Jewish Star, dreidel (plastic spinning top), and some chocolates. Children take the stars home, decorate them, and hang them on their family Christmas trees. The fun continues as the children read the included instructions on how to play the dreidel game. It was a popular game played during the
time of Jesus.

“Christians and Jews can come together and learn about the shared Jewish traditions we all have. Jesus grew up as a practicing Jew. That included celebrating Hanukkah and other Jewish holidays,” said Rabbi Albert Slomovitz, the founder of the JCDC. “The message of the Hanukkah story itself is one that all can relate to, it was a fight for religious freedom. The Jewish community fought against their Greek rulers who were trying to suppress their religious practices.”

2022 marks the fourth year Rabbi Slomovitz is working with Atlanta area church leaders continuing this interfaith dialogue. He emphasizes that now it is more important than ever to have these strong interfaith relationships as a defense against antisemitism which is increasing on a national level. With the winter holidays, it is the perfect time of year to educate Jews and Christians about their shared history and values. “I am blessed to have Christian friends across the metro area whose churches are our partners for the J Star Project,” Slomovitz said.

Media are invited to contact Albert Slomovitz about this innovative project and meet him onsite when he delivers the J Stars. This is his schedule:

  • December 7, 4:30-5:30 pm Heritage Baptist Church, 1070 Douthit Ferry Rd, Cartersville, GA
  • December 11, 9-11:30 am Heritage Presbyterian Church, 5323 Bells Ferry Rd, Acworth, GA
  • December 18, 9-11:30 am Mt. Bethel Church, 4385 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA

The JCDC produces child-friendly books and adult reading materials that highlight the spiritual religious bonds that Christians and Jews share. More information about JCDC can be found at https://therabbijesus.com/.