Alif Institutes July 2025 Newsletter

July 2025 Newsletter

OUR MISSION:To foster the understanding, appreciation, and preservation of Arabic cultures.

OUR VISION: One world, united through the power of Arts & Culture.

Dear Alif Community,

Just like that, we’re already halfway through summer!

At Alif, we’re taking a short break from programming this month to recharge and gear up for a busy season ahead. Starting in August, our calendar will be packed with exciting events and programs—running full steam through mid-December.

As you enjoy the rest of your summer with family and friends, be sure to mark your calendars for the amazing programs listed below. And if you or your child is interested in Arabic or another cultural class, registration is now open!

Great news about our “200 for $250” Campaign!Last month, we launched a campaign inviting 200+ generous supporters to join this collective effort—and we’re off to a strong start! A heartfelt thank you to the 32 participants who have already contributed.

We’re now aiming to reach 50 donors by the end of this weekend—just 18 more to go! We can do so much when we all work together. Will you participate?

Your support keeps the Atlanta Arab Festival free and open to all—a vibrant, inclusive celebration of Arab cultures for our entire community. Every gift brings us closer to our goal. Together, we can make this year’s festival the most successful one yet!

Whether you are traveling or here in Atlanta, we wish you an enjoyable summer and look forward to seeing you in August. As always, if you have questions, comments, or ideas please EMAIL US. We’d love to help!

In appreciation,

Alta Schwartz,

Operations Director

Newsletter Sponsors

Thank you, newsletter sponsors! We couldn’t do it without your support!

Upcoming Programs

JULY 19

AUGUST 2

AUGUST 8

AUGUST 9

AUGUST 22

OCTOBER 4 & 5

ARABIC LANGUAGE OPEN HOUSES

You now have two ways to find out more about our Arabic Language Program:

IN-PERSON OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, August 2 from 1 pm - 3 pm at Alif Institute
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE on Saturday, August 9 from 12 pm - 1 pm. EMAIL US and we will send you a Zoom link.

Want more information? EMAIL US and we’ll be happy to help!

Arabic Music Program at Alif Institute

JUL 19 & AUG 9

AUG 2 (1st SAT/month)

JUN 17

IN-PERSON ARABIC MUSIC OPEN HOUSESaturday, August 2 from 1 pm - 3 pmAt Alif Institute

Explore the world of Arabic Music at Alif Institute! Whether you are a beginner or have some experience, we have several options for you to try! You can join our OUD or TABLA/DERBAKEH classes or workshops. This summer, we started Yalla Nghani, a Ladies Arabic Chorus.

June Recap

6/9 - 6/13/25 - Zaytoona Summer Camp: A Joyful Return!

This year, we reimagined a beloved tradition that hadn’t run since the pandemic—Alif’s annual summer camp returned with a fresh new name and spirit as ZAYTOONA Arabic Summer Camp!

We had an incredible time planning new activities, reconnecting with longtime Alif parents, and welcoming new families into our community. Each morning began with fun games and interactive lessons to introduce new Arabic vocabulary. Campers then brought those words to life through art, music, and creative projects—making language learning joyful and meaningful.

Afternoons were filled with laughter and excitement thanks to our wild and wonderful water play! The atmosphere created by our dedicated teachers and counselors was so warm and caring that we received very positive feedback—with many families already asking for more than one week next year.

Special thanks to:

Matias Hazrum for teaching the kiddos tabla/darbakeh
Teresa Abboud and Ghenwa El Souki for leading inspiring art projects
Lara Karam for starting each day with joyful musical activities

And we couldn’t have done it without our amazing core team:

Teachers: Bana and Malak
Counselors: Jumana (lead), Layla, and Jad
Junior Counselors: Yousef, Jawad, and Abdallah

One camper said it best: “Best. Day. Ever!”

This experience reminded us how vital cultural education is—especially when offered in a welcoming and loving environment—for nurturing the next generation of Arab Americans. We’re already dreaming up even more for next summer! Stay tuned—2026 camp dates will be announced early next year!

6/13 (The Promise) & 6/27 (Yomeddine) - Movie Nights

Our June screenings were a beautiful blend of cinema, culture, and community! We explored powerful stories from Palestinian and Egyptian societies, brought to life on screen and served with delicious home-style meals.

- The Promise took us on an awe-inspiring journey through the eyes of a Palestinian climber chasing his dream to summit Everest—a story of ambition, resilience, and national identity.

-Yomeddine is the touching tale of a man raised in a leper colony in rural Egypt. After being cured, he embarks on a moving road trip to rediscover his roots and reconnect with his past. The discussions that followed were just as rich as the films themselves.

Thanks to everyone who joined us—we can’t wait to see you at our next screening in August!

6/14/25 - Yalla Nghani - Let’s Sing! (Ladies Arabic Chorus)

Inspired by our beloved annual Mother’s Day Brunch—a cherished tradition co-hosted with the Arab American Women’s Society of Georgia—a diverse group of women came together for the very first session of Yalla Nghani! Led by veteran oud musician and instructor Suheil Sedran, the gathering was filled with the timeless melodies of classic Arabic songs. The simple act of singing together proved deeply moving, creating a space for joy, connection, and cultural expression.

Our next sessions are July 19 & August 9 No experience necessary—just come and have fun! EMAIL US for more information.

6/14/25 - Cooking Class: Rolled Grape Leaves

We were thrilled to welcome guest chef Yasmine Makhlouf, who generously shared her family’s treasured recipe for waraq ‘aynab—rolled grape leaves, a beloved staple of Levantine cuisine. With her expert guidance and time-tested techniques, participants rolled, stuffed, and simmered their way to a flavorful feast. Laughter, storytelling, and the aroma of home cooking filled the room as the meal came together. Guests were rewarded not only with a delicious dish to enjoy together, but also with the skills and confidence to recreate it in their own kitchens.

6/17/25 - Rhythms & Roots: A Joyful Introduction to Dabke and Darbakeh

Huge thanks to the amazing Samir Hasan of Al Fursan Dabke for giving Alif youth an energetic and engaging introduction to tabla (darbakeh) and dabke! With rhythmic beats and lively steps, students got a taste of the vibrant music and dance traditions that bring Arab culture to life. Stay tuned for more opportunities to connect your children with their cultural heritage through the joy of music and movement!

6/27 & 6/28/25 - Alif at the International Night Market (Chamblee)

A huge thank you to the incredible organizers of the Atlanta International Night Market and the City of Chamblee for ensuring everyone’s safety during the intense weather that surprised us Friday and Saturday evenings. Even amidst the storms, the spirit of community shone brightly—neighbors helping neighbors, performers entertaining us as we took shelter in Chamblee City Hall, and people from all walks of life coming together with patience and joy. It was a beautiful reminder of the power of diverse cultures gathering in celebration, resilience, and solidarity. We’re proud to have been a part of it!

Thanks to our JUNE Alif Volunteers!

Summer Camp - Yousef, Jawad, Abdallah, Lara, Jumana
June Cooking Class - Yasmine
Yalla Nghani - Suheil Sedran
Atlanta International Night Market, Chamblee - Helen, Jihan, Adnan, Fadi
Call for Volunteers: Atlanta Arab Festival - In-person, October 4 & 5!

Alif Announcements -

CALLING ALL VENDORS, SPONSORS, AND VOLUNTEERS!

VENDOR APPLICATIONS

NOW OPEN FOR:

Artists & Artisans
Caterers
Businesses
Nonprofits

CALLING ALL SPONSORS! Community, Corporate, and In-Kind sponsorships are available. Sponsorships are tax-deductible! Let us know your suggestions for sponsor outreach!

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! Have fun and help us celebrate and preserve Arab cultures! Options available for individuals or groups. If you’d like to volunteer as a group, please EMAIL US.

INSTRUCTORS, VOLUNTEERS, & INTERNS NEEDED: Alif is looking for two instructors to help us expand our cultural class offerings! To apply, please send an email with your resume to info@alifinstitute.org. And, please share our call for applications in your circles.

Tabla Instructor - Teach children 5 - 14 years old on Saturdays from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM at Alif Institute and Sundays from 12 PM - 1:30 PM in Roswell.
Arabic Calligraphy Instructor - In-person at Alif Institute.
Atlanta Arab Festival Volunteers - In-person, October 4 & 5.
General Volunteers - We always need volunteers! Send us an email and we can add you to WhatsApp and/or email list.

Community Announcements:

Send us your community events and we’ll be happy to post them here!

As a service to the community, we offer this space as a bulletin board to announce events in the community. The following events are not planned, endorsed, or verified by Alif Institute. Please click on the images and reach out directly to the event organizers for more information.

JULY 13

JULY 25

SEPTEMBER 6

SEPTEMBER 13

SEPTEMBER 20

NOVEMBER 1

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