LEVEN SAYS
Columnist Al Shams draws lessons on leadership from a chat with hospitality legend Mike Leven. Page 10
MUSIC MAN
Sammy Rosenbaum talks about his mix of Jewish and secular music and his upcoming debut album. Page 23
FUN RIDE
To learn more and request an at-home screening kit, visit JScreen.org
Hymie and Sukey Shemaria explain their thriving marriage as their 60th anniversary approaches. Page 28
Atlanta VOL. XC NO. 29
Netanyahu: Better Deal Is Possible
Global LGBTQ Forum Picks Medwed
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he rejection of the Iran nuclear deal would clear the path to a better deal through tougher sanctions and reduce the risk of war, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu argued in a live webcast Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 4. The address gave Netanyahu a chance to tell Americans why he and 70 percent of Israelis oppose the agreement. The prime minister repeated many things he has said before, including his No. 1 point: “The nuclear deal with Iran doesn’t block Iran’s path to the bomb; it actually paves Iran’s path to the bomb.” He denied that the only alternative to the deal is war or that Israelis want war. He said Israelis seek a better deal because they are on the front lines and want to avoid war, but this deal increases the danger by promising to set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. “That’s a real nightmare,” he said. He also denied that congressional rejection of the deal would destroy international sanctions. While rejection would lead to some erosion of the sanctions, he said, they would come back stronger once companies faced the reality of choosing between the U.S. market and an Iranian economy one-fortieth as big. ■ IDF major criticizes deal, Page 6
HOOKED ON FISH
Owner/chef David Silverman explains why he opened a seafood restaurant in Woodstock and his vision for the culinary future. Page 25
AUGUST 7, 2015 | 22 AV, 5775
WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM
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A Helping Hand Photo courtesy of ORT America
ORT Atlanta is raising money for the Hodayot Youth Village, a religious boarding school in Israel’s lower Galilee that succeeds in preparing many at-risk students for college. Read more about Hodayot on Page 20, part of a college-focused education special section, Pages 11-21.
SELF-STYLED
Sara and Armand Harris’ personal touches and design expertise create a home where even their poodle likes to strike a pose. Page 26
INSIDE
Calendar 2 Arts 23 Candle Lighting
3 Food 25
Israel 6 Simchas 28 Opinion 8 Obituaries 29 Business 10 Crossword 30 Education 11 Marketplace 31
OJOURN Assistant Director Robbie Medwed is going to Salzburg, Austria, this month to participate in a global think tank addressing LGBTQ issues in the Jewish community. He is one of 60 LGBTQ leaders and allies selected from applicants in 30 countries to attend Eighteen:22 from Aug. 11 to 13. No one else is from Georgia. Eighteen:22, whose name comes from the Leviticus verse banning gay male relationships, is a new group connecting Jewish LGBTQ activists worldwide to facilitate improvements in lives. To that end, the application focused on local work for equality and its fit into a global approach, Medwed said. “There are things that we’re doing really well in Atlanta that we can teach to others and tactics and programs I’m sure we’ll be able to learn from others. I hope that Eighteen:22 will be a chance for those of us involved in grassroots education and activism to combine all of our efforts to create change across the world.” The think tank’s first forum will convene less than two weeks after the stabbing attack on the Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance. Yishai Schlissel killed a 16-year-old girl, Shira Banki, and wounded five others. “I’ve never been one to sit back and hope that someone else will step up and make things better for LGBTQ Jews,” Medwed said. “It’s up to those of us who are willing to put ourselves out there to help create change around the world.” Eighteen:22 wants to be a model for LGBTQ inclusion for other faith groups. ■