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Dear Alif Community,Happy Spring! We hope that you have been enjoying the unseasonably pleasant weather! We can’t believe that we’re already about half-way through our Spring semester. February was so busy preparing for all of our spring activities and March is packed with programs and events. Read on for more about what’s coming up but be sure to reserve your seat for our Ramadan Iftar & Lent Dinner on March 24! This event always sells out so please don’t wait until the last moment and risk disappointment!
We appreciate all the support you continue to show us and are looking forward to connecting and creating new memories in the coming months. As always, thanks for reading!— The Alif Team
March Newsletter Sponsors
Thank you, newsletter sponsors!We couldn’t do it without your support!
Opportunities for Sponsorships at Alif
Programs
Events
Your sponsorship will help us keep Arab cultures alive while gaining visibility among event visitors and the Arab-American community and beyond! There are many options for sponsorships, including: Major events, Individual programs, Educational outreach/visits to schools and organizations.Please click on each image for more sponsorship information!
Alif Institute is a proud member of the National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), which has just announced a major development in their effort to add a MENA (Middle East & North Africa) category on the Census so that our community can be counted!
Would you like for us to come to your organization or event to talk about this important topic? Please send us an EMAIL and let us know how we can help.Let your voice be heard! Please click below to find out how YOU can submit your comments to help us achieve this goal.
Upcoming Programs & Events
Friday, March 24 at 7:30 PMUnder the Stars at Alif Institute
Each year, the Alif community and friends gather together for a cultural celebration of the holy month of Ramadan. Over delicious food, we enjoy the company of each other as we hear stories and enjoy a performance.
This year, we are taking advantage of the overlap between Ramadan and Lent to share common traditions of fasting, introspection, good food, and good company. The menu will include favorites for those fasting Ramadan and Lent.
This event brings community together, educates about cultural practices of Arabs and Arab Americans, and raises the profile of the Arab American community. Your sponsorship will help us keep Arab cultures alive while gaining visibility among event visitors, the Arab American community, and beyond!
Sunday, April 16 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm at Alif InstituteCost: $35 (members)/$39 (non-members)All are welcome!
Folk dance is the dance of the people, done by anyone, fully inclusive, for the purpose of community cohesion. We have many examples around the Arab world, and teaching-artist Karim Nagi will give introductions to multiple styles. These regional dances will include Dabke (showing examples from Palestine, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan), Saidi Raqs Assaya from Southern Egypt, Moroccan Shaabi, Khaliji Gulf, and Sufi from the Egyptian Moulid. For each, Karim will present the rhythm, steps, cultural context, and overall demeanor of each tradition. Any gender, age, and ability level is welcome.
Eating - Saturday, March 2511:30 AM to 2 PM
Volunteer to cook: Friday, March 24 at 10:30 AM
Alif’s very own Knit and Stitch club launched “Sahtain Wa Hana,” a NEW COMMUNITY PROGRAM celebrating Arab cuisine and building community. Community members volunteer to cook at Alif to prepare a homemade and heartwarming Arabic menu to be served the following Saturday.
Everyone is welcome, but RSVP is appreciated. Next dates are:
Alif’s Youth GroupFunday Fundraiser
Join Alif’s Youth Group for a day of family fun in support of earthquake relief efforts. We’ll have games, food, and activities for the whole family.
Story Time, Arabic style, at Alif Institute is going strong! What better way to engage your children in language and culture than with a fun and interactive story time? Come and make memories with your children on the first Thursday and Saturday of each month. We’ll read stories and nursery rhymes in Arabic, enjoy Arabic cultural stories in English, dance and sing, and create a fun craft project.
Our guest storyteller for April is local author Mr. Antoine Honein who will read his new book, Camelait. For questions, please EMAIL US.Free for all children accompanied by parents!Saturday, April 1, 1:15 PM - 2 PM
Thursday, April 6, 11 AM - 12 PM
Interested in learning how to play Oud? Our Oud classes begin again soon! Next 6 sessions, April 25 – May 30
- Beginners II: Tuesdays, from 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm, in-person at Alif Institute.
- Beginners I: Tuesdays, from 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, in-person at Alif Institute.
- Previous experience with the oud? Please EMAIL us for more information.
- PRIVATE LESSONS are also available. The cost is $35 per half-hour. Please email us for more details.
Welcome to our Winter/Spring 2023 Arabic Cooking series, featuring classic Arabic recipes taught by experienced, local caterers:3/18 - Zeina’s Catering (Shawerma)4/1 - Sweets by Diah (Mamool)5/6 - Leon International Foods (Falafel)If you have any questions, please email us at info@alifinstitute.org.
Calling high school, college students, and graduate students as well as non-student Arabic language learners! Alif’s summer intensive, in-person domestic and study abroad programs return for a second year! Contact us to learn how you can study Arabic, immerse yourself in the culture, and embark on a language learning adventure of a lifetime.
On Sunday, March 5, perfect weather and our talented vendors attracted a crowd to enjoy an afternoon of shopping, eating, socializing, and fundraising! Thanks to all our vendors, volunteers, board, staff, and attendees who made A Taste of Ramadan in the Arab World Artist & Artisan Bazaar a huge success!
As a special surprise treat, Mr. Rudy Smeihah, a talented musician from Alabama, came for the day and added a special touch to the bazaar by playing beautiful Arabic music on his violin, keyboard, and tabla!
We are also happy to report that our Create & Donate fundraiser for Syrian earthquake relief, led by Syrian Arab American artist and humanitarian Nabil Mousa, was a huge success. Donors gave generously in cash and online to UNICEF or Karam Foundation and raised $1,370.94. (This amount does not include online donations to UNICEF as we don’t have access to that information.)
We would like to thank Nabil Mousa for partnering with us on our second Create & Donate humanitarian project. The giving spirit extended to our bazaar vendors as well: The Flying Pepper and SRT gave all their proceeds to Syrian earthquake relief organizations of their choice! Please click on the picture above for a report by Al Hurrah TV about this important project.
Mark your calendars for our 16th Annual Atlanta Arab Festival on September 30-October 1, and A Taste of Christmas in the Arab World Artist & Artisan Bazaar on December 9!
On February 25, our second Sahtain Wa Hana attracted a nice gathering of new and familiar faces who enjoyed eating delicious potato kibbeh (Lent friendly), musakhan, and rice pudding in addition to playing games and socializing.
For the next gathering, volunteers can join us to cook the meals on Friday, March 24 and enjoy the the delicious meal with family and friends on March 25 from 11:30 AM to 2 PM. Please see our website for menus and more information. Yallah, let’s cook, eat, and make new friends!
On Saturday, February 25 , Alif Arabic instructors continued their professional development this semester with “Teaching Through Storytelling,” part two of a training with Dr. Noura Yousfi. Dr. Yousfi joined our instructors in their classrooms to put into practice what they discussed in theory.
Looking for a venue for your special occasion? Add Alif’s special touch to your event!
Our newly renovated EVENT HALL is open and ready to host your special event! Our Event Room make-over is complete, featuring freshly updated paint, carpet, and a new stage! We have created an elegant and clean canvas for you to decorate with your own personal touch to reflect the spirit of your special event. And, if you like, ask us how Alif can help you add the beauty of Arab cultures as a special touch.If you are interested in celebrating your special affair in our Event Hall, please email us EMAIL US to reserve and we’ll be happy to help.
Community News & Announcements
AAWSG Mother’s Day Luncheon
Friday, March 17, 202311:30 AM - 2 PMLa Petite Violette| Arab American Women’s Society of Georgia Cordially invites you to Mother’s Day Luncheon Celebration.
RSVP required.
Please RSVP by March 12 to info@aawsg.org.
Friday, March 17, 2023Gathering at 7:30 PMRay's Pizza | Cedar's Mediterranean Midtown26 5th St NWAtlanta, GA 30308REGISTRATION REQUIRED! LIMITED SEATING!We will not be accepting walk-ins. To secure your spot, please register by the end of the day on Wednesday, March 29, 2023.
TAA Ramadan Potluck Iftar
Saturday, April 8, 2023Gathering at 7:30 PMKimball Farms Clubhouse1255 Seale Drive, Alpharetta, GA 30022Tripoli Association of Atlanta communal gathering where each guest brings an adequate size of a homemade dish of food to be shared. If you are brining Dessert please let us know so we won't end up with too much sweets and not enough main dishes. TAA will furnish, drinks and all supplies including the venue rental.
CONTACT HOST - 404-319-1835
April 14, 20237:30 PMAt Alif InstituteJoin PCRF’s Atlanta Chapter for a community Iftar. Details coming soon. For more information, please visit our Facebook page or email us at pcrf_atlanta@gmail.com.
April 29, 20232 PM - 4 PMAt Alif InstituteJoin the AAWSG Book Club Discussion – “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann.
Noor Family ServicesTea Time for a Cause
Saturday, May 20, 20232 PM - 5 PMJoin NFS as they celebrate brave survivors as they journey toward independence from abuse. As always, enjoy a colorful afternoon filled with good conversations, delectable desserts, scrumptious savories, amazing entertainment, silent auction items and raffles!Please remember as always, this is a women's-only event.For more details on sponsorships, please contact info@noorfamilyservices.org.
2023 Annual GalaCelebrating Diversity & InclusionSaturday, November 4, 20236:30 PMSave the Date!This year's theme is Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion. Join us for an inspirational evening honoring leaders and corporations who are making our Atlanta community better through diversity and inclusion!
Please send us an email if your organization has an event you’d like for us to share with the community!
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