Atlanta Jewish Times, No 51, December 27, 2013

debra messing celebrates 15 years of grace

edgar bronfman: loss of a great jewish leader and philanthropist

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Israeli Pride

GOOD NEWS MADE IN THE JEWISH STATE THIS PAST WEEK GOVERNMENT APPROVES “DIGITAL ISRAEL” PROJECT. The Israeli cabinet has approved the “Digital Israel” project, designed to improve public access to the education, health and welfare systems. It will also encourage e-trading and reduce bureaucracy. The optical fiber grid will allow internet speeds up to 1,000 megabits per second.

INFLATION FALLS BY 0.4 PERCENT. An 8.1 percent drop in the prices of fresh vegetables means that Israel’s annual inflation is now running at 1.9 percent, just below the middle of the government’s target.

DEVICE FOR DETECTING CERVICAL CANCER. A quarter of a million women die of cervical cancer every year.

Israel’s MobileOCT has developed an image enhancement device that can detect early stage cancer. MobileOCT just won a $100,000 investment in an Elevator World Tour event in Tel Aviv.

UN AUTHORIZES DEVICE TO COMBAT AIDS/HIV IN RWANDA. The United Nations and the Rwandan government have selected PrePex - a nonsurgical device developed by Israel’s Circ MedTech to circumcise 700,000 Rwandan men to stop the spread of AIDS / HIV in the country.

WIFI EQUIPMENT TO THE PHILIPPINES. Israeli company RADWIN has donated its point-to-point equipment to help re-establish communications networks in areas devastated

by Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). The network infrastructure is essential to the recovery process in order to facilitate relief efforts.

ISRAELIS IN INTERNATIONAL SPACE PROJECT. Tel Aviv University Professor Shay Zucker and Dr Yifat Dzigan will be searching for new planets in our galaxy as part of the European Space Agency’s Gaia project, which launched last week. Gaia contains a camera with a billion pixels to measure the movements of the stars.

NEW WONDER TREATMENT. Israel’s VBL Therapeutics has developed VB201 – the first of a new class of oral anti-inflammatories called Lecinoxoids. VB-201 has the potential to treat immune-inflammatory diseases such as Psoriasis, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and more. The U.S. FDA has also granted fast-track designation for VB-111, which treats GBM - an aggressive form of brain cancer.

ENTREPRENEURIAL SOLUTIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. PresenTense Israel, the Ruderman Family Foundation and Beit Issie Shapiro are launching Accelerating Inclusion in Israel (A3i) - the first start-up accelerator for hi-tech and social ventures that helps people with disabilities become entrepreneurs.

GLOBAL RESEARCH INTO ALZHEIMER’S. Israel Brain Technologies has signed an agreement with four U.S. organizations to create a partnership in neuroscience research, and in particular Alzheimer’s disease.

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A NEW AGRICULTURAL MODEL FOR FARMERS. Israeli scientists are to use the new Agriculture Technology Center to develop the “Facebook or Wikipedia of agricultural technologies.” They will build a model to incorporate information technology into modern farming and assist farmers in implementing the model.

ISRAEL ATTENDS WTO CONFERENCE IN INDONESIA. Naftali Bennett was the first Israeli minister to visit Indonesia for 13 years when he attended the World Trade Organization conference in Bali. He made a speech to 157 economic leaders and signed a trade agreement designed to inject a trillion dollars into the world economy.

ISRAELI TV IS AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE. The Israeli Network (TIN) exports Israel and the feeling of belonging to it, around the world. Watch Israeli TV with English subtitles; hear and learn the Hebrew language; see news as it happens from the Israeli point of view, rather than how foreign news channels often portray Israel.

REVOLUTIONARY SHOES RELIEVE FOOT PAIN. Israeli Yaffa Golan couldn’t find a solution to the foot pain caused by her diabetes, so she invented Medic Shoes – clinically proven flexible shoes featuring vibrating motors that massage the sole of the foot. They relieve burning, cramping, tingling, and improve circulation and the quality of sleep.

ISRAELI SWIMMER WINS SIXTH EURO MEDAL. Israel’s Gal Nevo claimed his sixth career medal at the European Short Course Swimming Championships, winning a silver medal in the 400-meters individual medley final in Herning, Denmark. He missed becoming the first Israeli gold medalist by two one-hundredths of a sec.

GET YOUR SKIS ON. More than 1,600 visitors crowded Mount Hermon to enjoy the snow after the ski site recently opened. The snow depth at the site ranged from 24 inches in the lower areas to more than 40 inches in the higher ones. One visitor said, “It feels like Switzerland.”

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2013’s Top 10 Issues Affecting Jews

ADL HIGHLIGHTS WORLD EVENTS WITH GREATEST IMPACT ON JEWS FOR THE PAST YEAR

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he launch of a diplomatic process on Iran’s nuclear program, concerns about rising global anti-Semitism, chemical weapons and civil war in Syria, the jump-started Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the election of Pope Francis and his symbolic steps to further Catholic-Jewish relations topped the Anti-Defamation League’s annual list of top issues affecting Jews in 2013.

Also among the Top 10 issues affecting Jews: President Obama’s history-making visit to Israel, the proliferation of antiSemitism on the internet, the rise of fascist, anti-immigrant neo-Nazi parties in Europe, anti-Israel activism on U.S. college campuses, and landmark Supreme Court decisions on marriage equality and voting rights that could change the face of civil rights in America for years to come.

ADL’S TOP 10 IN 2013 • World powers negotiate with Iran, • U.S. spearheads new round of Israewith limited results li-Palestinian negotiations • In visit to Jerusalem, Obama urges • Anti-Israel Activity Spreads two-state solution American College Campuses

on

• Supreme Court decisions change • Anti-Semitism declines domestilandscape for civil rights in America cally, but concerns remain • Attacks against Jews increase globally; Neo-Nazis gain traction in Eu- The Anti-Defamation League, founded rope in 1913, is the world’s leading organi• Election of Pope Francis bodes well zation fighting anti-Semitism through for Catholic-Jewish relations programs and services that counteract • Syrian civil war prompts refugee hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Follow crisis; Assad fires chemical weapons us on Twitter: @ADL_News • Anti-Semitism challenges internet providers

“The diplomatic talks in Geneva over Iran’s nuclear program were a serious gamble for the U.S. and the other five countries involved, and now that there’s a limited initial agreement on the table there is also an open question of Iran is truly serious about conceding its nuclear weapons program and arriving at a comprehensive final agreement,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director.

“We were very much encouraged by the election of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argentina as the new Pope Francis, a true friend of the Jewish community who has expressed a strong desire to foster Catholic-Jewish relations,” added Mr. Foxman. “And we have kept a close eye on the situation in Syria, which changes by the day and threatens to have serious repercussions for Israel and the entire region, particularly if Assad’s chemical weapons wind up in the wrong hands.”

“In the United States, there were profound changes on the civil rights landscape as the Supreme Court declared a key section of the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional and struck down a critical component of the Voting Rights Act,” said Barry Curtiss-Lusher, ADL National Chair. “These were landmark decisions that could impact Americans and the Jewish community for years to come.”

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

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Faith in the Impossible ISRAELI AMBASSADOR, RON DERMER AT the FRAN EIZENSTAT AND EIZENSTAT MEMORIAL LECTURES

BY KAYLENE RUDY SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

O

The event was opened by Philip Siegel, President of Ahavath Achim Synagogue.

Barry Herman, Ahavath Achim Synagogue’s Executive Director led the Hatikvah and Star Spangled Banner. The D’var Torah was given

by Rabbi Neil Sandler, Senior Rabbi of Ahavath Achim Synagogue and the benediction was presented by Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal of Ahavath Achim Synagogue.

A prestigious event since 1987 featuring distinguished world figures, the lecture covers topics of interest to the Jewish and general communities, speakers ranging from Dr. Henry Kissinger, Rabbi Shlomo Riskin, Prime Minister Shimon Perez, Professor Allan Dershowitz, President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton and Ambassador Michael Oren along with many others.

Consul General of Israel Opher Aviran introduced the Honorable Stuart E. Eizenstat, which spoke on his relationship with The Honorable Ron Dermer, Ambassador of Israel to the United States. He shared the long history of years as close family friends with Ambassador Dermer’s family, attending several simchas and even recalled being present at the Bar Mitzvah of Ambassador Ron Dermer in Miami Beach, Fla.

n Dec. 19 The Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Memorial Lecture was hosted at Ahavath Achim Synagogue of Atlanta. Ambassador Stuart E. Eizenstat created the annual Eizenstat Lecture Series to honor his father, Leo, who died in 1986.

Each year Eizenstat’s parents, aunt and uncle is remembered. Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat has held several key senior positions, including Chief White House Domestic Policy Adviser (1977–1981) and Deputy Secretary of the Treasury (1993–2001).

Eizenstat was a leader in the negotiations of belated justice for victims of the Holocaust and other victims of Nazi tyranny during World War II during the Clinton Administration and his efforts resulted in great success.

Co-Chairs for this 2013 The Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Memorial Lecture were Ross and Sara Kogon of Atlanta.

This year’s newly refrained lecture title was changed to “The Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Memorial Lecture” paying tribute to the memory of Fran Eizenstat. Her passing took placed in February of 2013. She was Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat’s wife of 45 years, a role model for women balancing professional accomplishments and non-profit leadership and a loving friend, sister, wife, mother and grandmother.

She combined a life of professional accomplishment focused on the disadvantaged in the U.S. and on Jews in distress around the world with a deep commitment to Judaism, to the State of Israel.

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Eizenstat then went on to his introduction of Ambassador Dermer, stating, “During such an important time in history, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chose very wisely on Israel’s trusted diplomatic advisor to come to the United States at this truly difficult time. To manage this bilateral relationship to make sure that one of the largest democracies of the world and one of smallest march arm and arm to face these dramatic challenges today…Because of Ambassador Dermer’s past as an American making Aliyah, he is uniquely qualified to help bridge the gap between our two countries at this time.”

As the featured guest speaker, Ambassador Ron Dermer spoke on the topic of A Nuclear Iran. He stated that there are many challenges that Israel faces, both politically and even internal challenges.

Ambassador Dermer stated, “Tonight I am going to talk about the greatest challenge Israel faces by far. And in this case it is not just a challenge for Israel, but one the entire Middle East faces together. And that is to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.”

He continued, explaining that the real power in Iran is the regime. Everyone, he believes, is focused on the deal and negotiations, but not specifically who they are dealing with.

“The Iranian Regime stones women and hangs gays, repressing their own people. This regime is killing hundreds of thousands of people. Iran is the foremost sponsor of terrorism in the world. In the last three years alone, perpetrating terrorist attacks in 25 countries.

This is the 21st Century and the leaders of Iran openly call for the annihilation of Israel.

Just weeks ago they were leading chats of death to America.”

Ambassador Dermer raised the question: What are we going to do to prevent this regime from arming themselves with nuclear weapons? Most of the world wants containment of their nuclear program, but containment is not an option.

Everything must be done to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon. This can be done through crippling sanctions on the Iranian’s nuclear program. These sanctions must be supported by us as Americans, as we continue to encourage our government officials to vote in unanimous support of them.

Ambassador Dermer asks that we do not give up on the people of the Middle East, democracy is something that takes time and with each step the people of these countries are fighting for their freedom from the tyranny and repression they face every day.

The Iranian people want to be free from the regime.

He closed the evening by expressing his belief in the impossible. Just as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and so many others believed in the impossible, through their leadership and faith they made the impossible, possible.

Stand Firm – and say no to a nuclear Iran.

Ambassador Ron Dermer is an impressive Ambassador of Israel to the United States.

With his diplomatic charm, intelligence, close relationship to Prime Minister Netanyahu and political connections within the United States, he is the ideal individual for the job.

It was a great pleasure to shake his hand, speak with him and hear his brilliant words on this very important challenge that Israel and America must both face together.

TOP: Ron Dermer and Ron Opher MIDDLE: Ron Dermer BOTTOM: Stuart E. Eizenstat, Ron Dermer (L-R) J. Glenn Photography

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israel

Our Crowd CROWD FUNDING FOR ISRAELI STARTUPS

L

ast week the AICC had a rare treat for its members. Jonathan Medved was invited to introduce a new innovative way in which accredited investors can pull small amounts of money into promising Israeli startups.

Medved is one of Israel’s most wellknown venture capital entrepreneurs and was prominently mentioned in the book “Start Up Nation.”

The Washington Post considers him one of Israel’s leading high-tech investors. He has been deeply involved with more that 100 startups, 12 of which achieved valuations of at least $100 million.

The firms Alston-Bird and Habif, Arogetti & Wynne were the primary sponsors for the evening events. Some of the companies in which he had a significant impact include: • Vringo – a leader in mobile social applications • Israel Seed partners - a venture capital fund • Compugen – Develops bioinformatics hardware • Business Layers • Broadlight • Xtellus • Answers.com What is Crowd Funding In general terms, Crowd funding is a process by which an entrepreneur will place some information about an investment on a website and then request investors send in money.

This is a largely unregulated process and situations can range from responsible to totally insane. Many abuses with crowd funding have already arisen. Unless you have significant knowledge and confidence in the promoter, you should be highly skeptical of sending money to some one you don’t know.

Historically, it has been very difficult for outside passive investors to participate in the dramatic returns earned by Israeli startups. Usually these opportunities were limited to hedge funds, pension funds, very wealthy individuals and institutional investors.

The “OurCrowd approach” appears to make these startup investment opportunities available to a larger audience. It is believed to be the leading crowd funding platform, with more than 27 million raised to date.

The fact that Medved, his in-house team of professionals and his venture capital professionals are deeply involved should provide investors with great comfort.

In all business ventures, integrity, experience and competence are key qualities. It appears that the OurCrowd approach incorporates these key traits.

The OurCrowd Team Medved’s efforts are supported by a strong, experienced and highly talented inhouse team of 12 venture capital professionals. The firm is also able to draw upon the skills of five venture capital partners.

Space does not allow the description of these individual’s background; however this information can be obtained by visiting the OurCrowd website.

The Process Those readers, wishing to further investigate this process should visit the OurCrowd website. There, they must complete various documents to certify that they know of and have the resources to handle the risks associated with venture capital investments.

Once these documents are accepted by “OurCrowd” they are considered an accredited investor and then they can view details on current and upcoming opportunities.

Corporate Presentations

tor the company’s activities and to provide investors updates. For their services they receive modest ongoing fees with the bulk of their compensation dependent upon a successful transaction.

Important Disclosure This article only seeks to describe a unique method of raising capital for small high risk venture capital startup companies.

It is strictly for information purposes and does not constitute a recommendation or solicitation.

Writers Special Diversion I can not conclude this article without mentioning another “Our Crowd” - a tremendous book written in 1967 by Stephen Birmingham that tells the history of the Great Jewish Families of New York.

Some of the families include Lehman, Goldman, Sachs, Loeb and Kuhn. As you will recognize, many of these names became the basis of powerful and wealthy Wall Street investment banking firms.

I would heartily recommend the book “Our Crowd” to our young readers.

Any reader who seeks to take this process further, should conduct their own thorough due diligence effort and may wish to utilize the services of a CPA, lawyer or investment professional.

Those wishing to learn more about this capital raising process should visit the following sites: www.ourcrowd.com, www.

AICCSE.org, or Google Jonathan Medved.

In the interest of full and fair discloser, I must disclose that I recently made a small, non-material investment in one of the OurCrowd startups. Also, I have not received any form of direct of indirect compensation for preparing this article.

Al Shams is a Sandy Spring resident, a former CPA and an investment professional with more than 36 years experience.

At the meeting, three investment candidates were introduced. Two are briefly discussed below: • Surgical Theater

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The company has developed an innovative solution that combines the science of flight simulation with advanced CT/MRI technology. Their surgical rehearsal platform converts a patient-specific scanned CT/ MRI image into a 3D model that responds to a surgeon’s actions in a manner similar to real life surgery.

The company feels that it is the only one with an FDA cleared rehearsal platform for cerebral and spinal procedures. They have had early sales to the Mayo Clinic, Mt Sinai (New York) and UCLA, among others.

• Highcon This company’s goal is to revolutionize the packaging industry by incorporating digital techniques that would offer faster turnaround, lower overall costs, wider applications and a lower carbon footprint.

The company’s management team is comprised of some of the printing industry leading innovators with experience at Landa, Proctor & Gamble, Indigo and VIM Technologies.

Due Diligence OurCrowd has stated that they have a very intense screening and due diligence process that among other things include: very wide screening to generate candidates for further review, macro analysis of industry trends as well as of niche markets, info on the background of senior management and verification of product/ service effectiveness.

Once a transaction has been funded, OurCrowd has the responsibility to moni-

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oNe maN’s opiNioN

The Descendants of Abraham Are Seekers of Peace SHOULD WE OR SHOULDN’T WE TRUST IRAN’S CLAIMS

BY EUGEN SCHOENFELD AJT Contributor

P

erhaps one of the dominant influences that the two thousand years of galuth the Diaspora had on Jews is distrust.

The common denominator of Jewish experiences was, and perhaps still is, hostility and broken promises.

Lewis Namier, a noted Jewish historian, when asked by Isaiah Berlin why he, a Jew, devoted himself to write English History and not the history of Jews, responded, “There is no modern Jewish history. There is only a Jewish martyrology” and that didn’t interest him.

In fact, a part of the High Holiday service is devoted to the history of the martyrs. While all nations honor their heroes – the people who gave their lives for a cause – Jewish history in contrast honors those whose lives were taken away, namely martyrs.

No wonder the generations of preHolocaust Jews distrusted the Christian and the Muslim world. Even

when, on the very infrequent times, the Christian world sought to eliminate the harsh anti-Jewish laws that characterized many European and Islamic countries, the two thousand years of negative experiences led Jews to distrust the sincerity of offers for changing Jewish-Christian relationships.

We have always questioned the sincerity of any positive offers and that is quite understandable. How frequently in our history were we permitted to settle in a country and later we were summarily thrown out?

This doubt places me on the horns of a dilemma about Iran. Can we trust them? Is their offer sincere or, as the American Indians would say, are they speaking with a “forked tongue?”

Most Jews, be they in America or Israel, as well as many non-Jewish Americans do not trust the Iranian government. If history is an indication of the future, Jews have indeed good reason for distrusting them.

They have denied the Holocaust, they have vowed to destroy not only

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Israel, but like Hitler, Jews altogether. So how shall we treat this sudden change in attitude? Is their new peace offering merely a façade induced by self interest?

I have no doubt that Iran’s new image does not reflect a change of heart, but rather represents a way to maximize their economic self-interest. And yet, with all that doubt and distrust should we take an opportunity to explore the possibility of an accommodation between the Western Nations (including Israel) and Iran?

Let me point out that in spite of historical hostilities, Israel made peace with both Egypt and Jordan.

I am not here to tell you that these countries became friends with Israel – but they have established a modus Vivendi that has now lasted for a number of decades.

But even more importantly, I wish to propose that Israel’s political perspective should not reflect an attitude that rises from real-politick and become kechol-hagoyim like all other nations, but should reflect the unique Jewish value that raises the search of

peace above all else. The following Talmudic midrash is apropos in this instance.

The rabbis asked, “How can we differentiate between Jews who are truly descended from Abraham from those who are descended of the erevrav [the mixed multitudes who joined the Jews and freed themselves from Egyptian slavery]?”

The answer the rabbis proposed is that those who descended from Abraham are seekers of peace. The Hebrew text is rodef shalom namely those who run after peace. For the sake of peace we must often take a chance – after all we can always make war.

Thrice daily Jews for millennia have prayed: Grant us peace for with peace we also have welfare and blessings. The Karliner Rebbe instructed us: “The entire progress of mankind depends on loyal cooperation. If quarrels are absent from the company of men, no evil can over take them.”

The Bratzlaver Rebbe taught us: “Prayers are not heard when there is no peace.”

Many years ago, before my brother lost his life in Auschwitz, there were times when the two of us had disagreements. At such times my mother (z”l) would tell me: “Tuli, you are the oldest and hence wiser than your brother. For the sake of peace, give a little.”

And so, I must say to the powers to be in Israel – don’t be like others, honor our values and seek peace.

Even when we doubt the honesty of the Iranian government, let us give it a chance. Haven’t we lost enough people?

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

Shall we not choose, as the Torah advises, life over death? After all, we can always respond with war if necessary, but give peace a chance first and foremost.

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We always took pride that we are the people of the “book,” that we are a learned people we are talmodey chachomim a people of scholars. We should therefore remember the teaching of Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Chaninah who said, ”Scholars increase peace throughout the world – that scholars are the true builders are the true builders of peace and let us be the true example of the teaching of Abraham and run after peace.”

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AJT

ISRAEL

Community Conversation 2014

CONSUL GENERAL OF ISRAEL, AHARONI VISITS ATLANTA SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

J

ewish National Fund (JNF) proudly announces its 2014 Community Conversation featuring Ambassador Ido Aharoni, Consul General of Israel in New York. Ambassador Aharoni, will brief the crowd on Israeli politics and media to discuss the evolving image of the land and people of the country.

Ambassador Aharoni will speak on

Sun., Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m., at Congregation Or Hadash. There is no charge for the event and pre-registration is requested. The event will also hold a technology drive by Ecycle Services, eco-tour of Or Hadash Synagogue and special discussion with JNF Israel Special Emissary Ezra Ravins on current and social issues in Israel.

Pre-Keynote Events for the morning are as follows: 9:30 a.m.- noon,

bring your computers/electronics for safe, secure, recycling by Ecycle Services, then at 10 a.m.. an Eco-Tour of the new Or Hadash Synagogue, in addition to JNF Israeli Emissary Ezra Ravins’s discussion of current social issues in Israel “Theodor Herzl, the visionary founder of the Modern State of Israel, taught us that ‘if we will it, it is no dream.’

Today, Israel continues its tradition of reaching for its dreams,” said Beth

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“Striving for a just State and contributing to the global good is an integral part of the young country’s culture. It is most fitting that Israeli Ambassador Ido Aharoni will visit Atlanta on Martin Luther King weekend. It is a tribute to MLK’s legacy of promoting social justice that we will gather to discuss Israel’s path to improving the quality of life all over the world.”

Ambassador Ido Aharoni assumed the post of Consul General of Israel in New York in February of 2011 after serving as acting Consul General since August 2010.

Ambassador Aharoni has brand management expertise as the former Head of Israel’s Brand Management Team, with previous experience holding positions in the Israeli government including Senior Advisor to Israel’s Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister, responsible for media and public affairs and policy advisor to the Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem for five directorsgeneral.

He has been a member of Israel’s Foreign Service since 1991, and is a sought after speaker on all topics related to Israel.

Two Jewish sisters’ lives and the spirit of a city are forever changed in this romantic comedy.

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

By Atlanta’s own Janece Shaffer | Directed by Susan V. Booth

January 15–February 9, 2014 Tickets @ 404.733.5000 | alliancetheatre.org/gellergirls | Groups 404.733.4690 fulton county arts & culture Series on the Alliance Stage

8

Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs

As part of Tu B’shivat, this event will bring Jews together from the southeast region to celebrate the holiday. After addressing the Atlanta community, Ambassador Aharoni will continue onto Memphis, Tenn. at Baron Hirsch Synagogue.

Editor’s note: For more information or to RSVP, visit jnf.org/atlido or contact Southeast Campaign Executive Abby Halper at ahalper@jnf.org or (404) 2368990 x852.

AJT

COMMUNITY

Metulla Installation of 2014

LUNCHEON WELCOMES MICHELE WEINER-MERBAUM

T

he Metulla Group of Greater Atlanta Hadassah honored the outgoing Board and installed its new Board of Officers for 2014 on Dec. 15.

Members, family and friends were present at this luncheon. The new President is Michele Weiner-Merbaum. The installation was presented

by Paul Zucker, VP of Leadership Development for GAH. The guest speaker was Peggy Freedman, Expert Genealogist.

MJCCA Arts & Culture Brings Neverland to Dunwoody

W e n d d y n a n a eet r P P JANUARY 9-19

Presented by Synchronicity Performance Group

Peter Pan's not the only one who won't grow up. Wendy's having trouble coming to terms with moving out of her childhood room and putting on adult clothes. Wendy's life gets sprinkled with a little pixie dust when the daring Peter Pan comes along to whisk her away to the magical island of Neverland. In this swashbuckling adventure, which includes opportunities for audience participation, our heroes must decide if growing up is really all that bad after all.

Thursday, January 9 • 10:30 am Sunday, January 12 • 10:30 am, 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm Thursday, January 16 • 10:30 am Sunday, January 19 • 10:30 am, 1:00 pm & 4:00 pm Best for ages 3 and up. Show length: 1 hour.

TICKETS: Member Adult: $15 / Child: $12

Community Adult: $22 / Child: $18

New Metulla Board members from left to right: Sydelle Silberman, Anita Ortero, Nancy Schwartz, Karen Miller, Elaine Schlissel, Linda Lieberman, Barbara Lang, Rhea Schwartz, Ruth Berg, Michele Weiner-Merbaum, Livia Sklar, Stephanie Pure, Sharyn Lazarnick, Laurie Furman. Not pictured Randi Mazer, Eileen Cohn, Joan Baskin, and Judy Feldstein.

•

678.812.4002

MJCCA | 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338 | 678.812.4000 |

/MJCCA | atlantajcc.org

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

atlantajcc.org/boxoffice

9

AJT

Jaffe’s Jewish Jive

P.O.R.K: Parents of Religious Kids

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD BECOMES MORE OBSERVANT THAN YOU

BY MARCIA JAFFE AJT Contributor

I

n the face of the PEW study and how many of our offspring are losing their Judaism, some of us have reared children (now adults) who are much more observant than any of us could ever have imagined.

It took some adjusting, but we have arrived closer to them and also more learned.

Years ago, I scratched my head to figure out what both my older brother and I did in common as far as child rearing.

Was it an emphasis on basic Jewish values? Lighting the shabbas candles (I took them on trips for the hotel bathroom sink)? Or saying kaddish for a parent every day for 11 months? Or why did some siblings in the same home become observant and not others?

What spark (or need) did becoming a baal teshuva fill to be within so much structure (more rules), a closeness with a Higher Power, the belonging to a tight knit group of like minded peers, the intellectual stimulation of studying with brilliant rabbis, the joy of visiting and learning in Israel, and the ability to reach out to others with kindness, perhaps not seen when they lived a less religious lifestyle.

After all, before this took place, my son Judd was a Friday night waiter at a five star restaurant where he relished the octopus du jour, but passed on the ham…something within him held back just a little.

For me, his becoming observant was a positive change. In my early zealous days of this process, I exclaimed to Rabbi New, “My son Judd is now the Bael Shem Tov.” Rabbi New, being the gentleman that he is, said, “I think you have some part of that wrong.”

Bael Shem Tov, Baal teshuva sounds similar, yes?

I use the term baal teshuva loosely to describe those who move from non-obser-

vant or somewhat observant lifestyles to highly observant ones. It literally means “master of return,” referring to those who transgress and repent their sins.

Sam Kessler, a doctoral student in Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, who himself is more halachikly observant than his parents, notes: “Today the term baal teshuva is often used by those who grew up with little or no torah learning in the primary home and assume a stricter lifestyle. We trace the vernacular use of baal teshuva to the 19th century, when Jewish communities in Europe began to negotiate the divide been Jews who were or were not observant. They had to find a language that included all Jews while recognizing varying boundaries of observance.”

There are times when I think, “Isn’t this a bit extreme?” Watching my son wash lettuce (searching for bugs), strawberries or broccoli can be an hour long event. He was also featured in the Israeli newspaper when his plane was delayed arriving in Tel Aviv too late to exit on Friday night.

They slept on mattresses for over 24 hours in the terminal where local religious groups brought in food and a make shift synagogue.

Another time he arrived in Tel Aviv too late to get a cab on Friday night, and walked four hours with a suitcase to the rabbi’s house, later to find out that it would have been more acceptable to get in a cab (with a non-Jewish driver) and not carry the suitcase.

I am glad he told me this story after it happened. I would have worried; but he seems to always come out of situations with a spiritual lift as if G-d was watching out for him.

There are other new rules. I have a kosher house with two sets of everything. Yet he says if a knife was not used to cut garlic or onions, it could be used for either dairy or meat.

I lose my wallet and cell phone twice a day and cannot be relied upon to remember which knife cut what.

And now some Ashkenazi Jews eat rice and beans on Passover. It’s a lot to keep up with going in both directions.

The bottom line results in a closeness and respect. In law school while he was tuned into Chabad (and I was also because of him), we talked every Thursday night for hours about that week’s parsha.

Estee and Judd Jaffe - a religious life together.

I began to understand that he had a gift and depth of knowledge; and I could look to him for clarification and spiritual connection. He encouraged whatever small steps I took.

We also accommodated: going to the Kosher Hyatt in Acapulco over winter break (hardly a sacrifice), eating in strictly kosher restaurants, sponsoring a swing year after college in Yeshiva in Efrat, Israel, and ultimately attending his wedding in Yad Benyamin.

When he came for Passover, I relied on Goodfriend’s Catering. I bought many new utensils and dishes which Judd took to the Chattahoochee River to “tuvel” (make pure thru fresh running water.) We had a hamatz burning session on the deck which defied all County ordinances.

I was complimented (not embarrassed) when an acquaintance said, “I ran into your son at a Dolphins game in Miami; and he suggested we go outside and lay tefillin.

Actually it was not something I would have normally done, but it was meaningful.”

Truth be told, some of us parents do share stories. Not derisively, but when asked, “How was your visit with your son?”

There are some interesting answers:

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

“Well, he announced that he became Cholov Yisroel (a higher level of dairy kashruth) and I threw out all my milk and yogurt.”

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“My daughter wouldn’t let the kids play in the front porch on Shabbas because it wasn’t connected properly to the house; but they could play on the back deck.”

“We had a rabbi come over and change out all the mezuzah scrolls.”

“In Israel, glatt kosher restaurants are not acceptable unless they further have a Mehadrin certification.” Many new concepts to us.

The Isaacs Glow The Isaacs Light Up the Garage Cheryl Isaacs made a decision to keep a kosher home once she had children. She felt that her oldest child David had a spiritual nature and relished the visits back to Wilmington, N.C., to visit his “granddaddy” who was a practicing Jew in her small home town.

She recalls waking him up at 2 a.m. as a young boy to see an eclipse of the moon.

They were both touched by the expanse of the heavens and she wanted him to remember the moment they shared, to fall back on.

David, now an interventional radiologist with five children of his own, went to a high school program in Israel and connected with Rabbi David Silverman here in Atlanta who mentored him.

Off to UGA, he helped run the Shabbat services at Hillel and met his wife Tobi, who became observant along with him.

Cheryl says, “David liked the structure and the warmth of Orthodox communities in Kansas City, Detroit and Cleveland where he did his medical training. So it became a progression for the couple. (In Cleveland, they were in walking distance to six shuls.) My daughter-in-law went from hair to hat to a sheitel.”

Now that the family has resettled here, Cheryl loves celebrating the holidays with her expanded family. For Chanukah, she went to Costco for kosher latkies, sour cream and cookies to glow in the warmth of her garage set up with multiple sets of menorahs on tablecloths for each grandchild.

sharp observations delivered with enthusiasm and deep belief. Vacations are special times together, especially Orthodox Passover trips. They live in a beautiful neigh-

She revels in the fact that these grand children have wonderful manners and morals. “Good Middos” is what they are all about,” beams Cheryl. “This journey has definitely brought our family closer together in a positive way. We celebrate Hebrew and English birthdays which is a monthly event!”

Pierce began learning with Rabbi Friedman here (Kollel) who helped arrange his marriage.

Mother and Rabbi Michael Knopf Run Marathons Together

Randy Farrow and son, Rabbi Knopf

Randy Farrow’s son Michael Knopf was raised at Ahavath Achim and attended the secular Woodward Academy as well as the Greenfield Hebrew Academy. He became more connected with USY as international VP where he signed a contract to be observant “to the best of his ability with in the framework of his home life;”

The family had a kosher home, and he did not go to the mall as a teenager on Shabbas.

Fast forward to after he had attended Columbia in the dual Jewish Theological Seminary tract and as a practicing Conservative rabbi (degreed from the Zeigler School in LA), he is a dynamic community leader.

His mother Randy says, “I am very proud of the adult he has become. I rely on him for spiritual guidance and information with regards to customs and traditions.”

Yes, there has been learning and accommodations. Randy has learned about cooking for shabbas, that food has to be cooked totally before shabbas comes in and then “let to sit”; or that she cannot stir the cholent on Saturday and change the cooking “process.”

Randy keeps it all in perspective.

“What’s fanatical to some is not so to others.”

She was amused when one of his congregants approached her, “Did I always know that he would be such an amazing rabbi and speaker?” She was flattered, but thought to herself, “If you only knew the mischief he got into as a teenager……”

Kentucky Caller Heads Out West My older brother Steve Caller and wife Susan enjoy seven grandchildren five of whom are from their baal teshuva daughter in California. He feels that the religious seeds were planted by attending kosher summer camp, trips to Israel, and growing up in a “waspish southern Kentucky town.”

“We appreciate the chesid (kindness) of our grandkids. They learn mitzvot early on and are noticeably very respectful. We enjoy the specialness of shabbos and holiday meals, and the dialogue about the weekly Torah portions. Even the 8-year-old has

and then “ultra-Jew” and started a Holocaust program. He was respected by the gentile parents who brought special food at play rehearsals and was lauded as the “star student” at graduation, which ironically won him a free year of McDonald’s fast food, which he of course would not eat.

The Caller Kapensteins in L.A. borhood in L.A. with likeminded friends who support each other in good and bad times. Generally, their strength of conviction has solidified our practices.

Now he is an Orthodox rabbi in Ohio with four children in Day School. Kerry says, “I have always been proud of him. Judaism is here today (and will be in the future) because of the Observant.

“My attitude has changed from the outside looking in with preconceived notions about Orthodoxy.

They live a beautiful life.

People tell me what a difference he has made in their lives. I even met a farrier [someone who shoes horses] and steer wrestler who became religious because Pinchas coached him along.

“We do not keep a kosher home. When they come, we kasher the ovens and use plastic cutlery and paper plates. I put on a keepah when I drive up to the house in Ohio and take it off when I get in the car to return. We learn from each other.

“For a gift, we once sent them sterling silver slotted spoons. He was gracious; but said they cannot be used on Shabbas because the slot serves the purpose of separating, where a normal fork could be used since separation was not its primary purpose.

“I have always been supportive. I really only asked two things of him: that he try to always be consistent and non-judgmental.

Yes, his observance has made me more tuned in,” mused Kerry. “And we find time for humor by referring to Pinchas as the man formerly known as ‘Pierce’.”

Two out of Three Dr. Joe Marcus, who also reared his family at Ahavath Achim, has an observant son in Boston and an observant daughter in Seattle, and one adult child who is not traditional.

Joe felt his son was inspired by an Epstein history teacher, and then began walking to shule. He preferred that he not

continued on the next page

“There have been accommodations – dressing more modestly, spending extra time in the grocery checking ‘heckshers’ (kosher designations), not watching the Masters Golf Tournament on Shabbas for example. But it is the least we can do to honor their dedication.

“My parents and grandparents would be kvelling if they could see them today,” said Steve who set an example by serving as shule president and various national Jewish organizational positions.

My niece, Jill Caller Kapenstein, made a very wise point: “It is important that the family not view this as ‘distancing themselves from the child’; but as a better way to connect and find the good in each other.”

An Orthodox Rabbi from the Avondale Magnet School Kerry and Linda Landis were both community leaders while serving as president of Ahavath Achim and Sisterhood president. Son Pierce (now Rabbi Pinchas Landis) got involved as a teen in AZA (eventually becoming Grand Aleph Gadol, international president) since “USY was too religious.”

“I get a kick out of that,” says Kerry.

Although he was in no way musical or theatrical, Pierce wanted to transfer to the Avondale Performing Arts Magnet school where the students weren’t so “into designer clothes.”

Pierce became known as “super Jew”

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

On Rosh Hashana, Cheryl sampled for the first time the symbolic foods called simanim: Gourds, pomegranates, and especially the eyes and head of the fish to signify that we should be “as the head,” always looking forward and making good decisions and not the tail. Cheryl is really a trouper as you can tell.

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AJT

Jaffe’s Jewish Jive

P.O.R.K: Parents of Religious Kids

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD BECOMES MORE OBSERVANT THAN YOU continued from previous page walk in the dark or rain, but let him “do what he wanted to do.”

Joe who has Orthodox roots growing up in Baltimore, visits and “plays by their rules.”

“Yes, it is a little inconvenient at times, so I tape up the refrigerator light on Shabbas. I am proud that he has gone past where we are.”

Joe says, “My daughter who is also Shomer Shabbas is Sephardic and has

slightly different rules and customs. So we honor each child in their home environment. They in turn are tolerant that their choices are not ours.”

religious schools, involves ‘real money.’ ”

“Everyone is different with their ‘do’s and don’ts.’ Jewish holidays are a challenge, so the kids visit us on secular Thanksgiving when it is easier and doesn’t involve walking to shule,” says Joe.

Thank goodness that for every need, there is a rabbi and a class. Rabbi Daniel Freitag, the Director of Outreach for the Atlanta Scholars Kollel, has an ongoing group for couples who face these practical challenges with their kids.

“There are practical matters also. Like having many children and raising them in

A Class for P.O.R.K.

Freitag says, “We offer emotional support for families to learn how to deal with

this positively. Kids have to maintain respect for their parents; and the parents have to not feel rejected if the child decides over night he won’t eat in their home.

“Often a person who is raised observantly understands the subtleties and is able to see more middle ground. A newly observant person can be more rigid- ‘black and white.’

I helped kasher a kitchen where the young man refused to allow an OU product which was properly marked; but had a negligible trace of fish. I complimented the parents who were making a tremendous effort to begin with; and perhaps the son was starting out a bit too extreme.”

Out of the Mouth of Babes Recalling the Wordsworth poem, “The child is father to the man.” Deep down my son says he wishes that his parents would “see the light” and become more religious.

Perhaps they do want to change us.

“After all,” he says, “you gave me this beautiful thing (Judaism); and I would like to give it back to you.”

Or as Kerry Landis’ then 7-year-old granddaughter said to her dad the rabbi, “Tate, Grandma and Poppy are not Observant, are they? How did you grow up?”

Answer from the rabbi, “When I was in high school, I found that the more I learned, the more beautiful it became.”

Ayala said, “Why didn’t you tell them?.... I guess you can’t tell your parents what to do.”

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

Amen

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Rabbi Pinchas Landis and family

AJT

CHANA’s CORNER

Yuletide Shabbat Delivery

A FAMILY’S ATTEMPT TO OBSERVE IN THE FACE OF ONE GREAT SURPRISE AJT contributor Every family has its own saga, replete with unforgettable moments. This story, one of our family’s most memorable incidents, took place exactly nine years ago.

I

t’s always a surprise or a concern when the phone rings at our house on Shabbat. As Sabbath observers, we receive calls only from those who don’t know us or who try to contact us because of an emergency.

If we’re in hearing distance of our answering machine, we know what to do, but if we’re in another room….well, here’s our story.

It had been years since we had the good fortune to worry about the wellbeing of our parents, and there didn’t seem to be any pressing problems with our kids. So, when the phone rang repeatedly at 5 a.m. on that fateful winter Shabbat morning, we had no reason to expect any significant news.

We woke with a start, looked at the clock and went right back to sleep.

The phone rang again, but we were so confident that it was a wrong number, we weren’t concerned enough to hurry into the kitchen to catch a possible message.

An hour or so later, we heard loud banging nearby. It sounded like someone was engaging in construction.

Why would anyone start hammering at dawn on a frigid Saturday morning?

We were still too tired to get out of bed to locate the source of the noise, but when we realized that the racket was closer to us than we realized, we

got up. It was happening at our house.

Someone was banging on our front door!

We were sure that a confused individual had the wrong address, and we took a moment to calm down enough to greet the innocent stranger with something like good manners. My husband, Zvi, started to get ready to go to synagogue, and I threw on my bathrobe and opened the door.

It was our daughter, Rachel.

“Want to take a long walk?” she asked. She was holding a tiny orange sweater in her hands. It was a symbol. It took a second or two, then I got it. Our pregnant daughter, Sara, was in the hospital, maybe giving birth at that very moment.

The baby wasn’t expected for another month, so there had been no anticipation that the early-morning phone calls we’d discounted could be earth-shattering signals.

We didn’t know what to do first. By now, Zvi was in full Shabbat mode, so he immediately launched into speed davening as I got dressed. Rachel kept reminding us that it was freezing outside and we needed warm clothes. We were going to take the most memorable Shabbat walk of our lives, all the way to the hospital.

Getting into our warmest coats, mufflers, gloves and hats, we headed to the hospital, praying for sidewalks. Zvi wore his favorite down coat, a puffy, three-quarter length bright red jacket. With his full white beard, round, rimless glasses and crimson garb, he looked just like everybody’s favorite jolly, old elf – albeit the kind of elf who wears a kippah. My own green coat and hat added to the elf effect.

Our merry little band made our way to our own nativity experience, and we inadvertently attracted a certain amount of attention. We were frequently greeted with cheery “ho, ho, ho’s,” as joggers, other pedestrians and passing cars noticed our trek.

One gentleman whom we passed, taking note of Zvi’s persona, summed it up rather neatly, “I thought you were a real-life Santa, except for the beanie on your head.”

Miles later, a very excited Santa and his helpers arrived at the hospital.

We were temporarily stymied, however, at the hospital entrance. How were we to enter without triggering the electronic doors? After years of living a carefree orthodox life, we were faced with our own Shabbat conundrum.

We stood slightly back from the entrance and waited, facing several folks inside who were looking through the glass back at us, wondering what we were up to.

Were we some people from a place so remote that we didn’t know how to manage those magical electronic doors in order to engage their opening mechanism? Or, more likely, were we out there, biding our time, planning something sinister? In that case, the insiders were not going to jeopardize anyone or anything in the hospital by opening the doors for us.

“We’re Sabbath observers,” we explained. It was likely that this woman’s Sabbath was Sunday and her observance included the ability to use an elevator, but she nodded kindly. She’d seen our type before.

We raced up the stairs, worried that we’d missed the whole thing. Instead, we waited all day with our son-in-law, Alex, and his parents until after dark.

At 6:40 p.m. Miriam Dahlia Burmenko came into the world. Shabbat was over, but no one had brought cameras or video equipment because of the Sabbath.

In reality, it didn’t matter one bit because her dimpled chin and silky hair were permanently imprinted on our mental hard drives.

Miriam just celebrated her 9th birthday. These days we enjoy her telling the story.

Chana and her family wish you and yours a very happy, fulfilling and joyful 2014.

A couple approached the entrance and we quickly moved close to them.

They took a long, hard look and apparently decided we looked more silly than scary and weren’t going to cause any harm. They entered; we entered.

All eyes followed us as we asked where the stairs were. The woman at the desk spoke slowly and clearly,

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making sure that we could understand her, “There’s an elevator just around the corner,” she pointed out.

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DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

By Chana Shapiro

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AJT

atlanta jewish film festival

Feast of Film CELEBRATING 14 YEARS of cinema FROM THE ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

W

e could not be more excited to kick off the 14th annual Atlanta Jewish Film Festival (AJFF). How else can you travel the world and experience amazing international stories from your seat?

AJFF offers a smorgasbord of great movies and big ideas.

The most enthusiastic and devoted moviegoers we know are those that support AJFF. To ensure the best possible festival-going experience, we’ve increased seating capacity and added screenings of popular films – all the more opportunity for everyone to engage.

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre is again the illustrious host for Opening Night and the Atlanta premiere screening of “Run Boy Run,” an extraordinary WWII sur-

14

vival story.

Other films set during or after the war take unique approaches to a well-worn subject, including the sexually-charged “In Hiding,” the spinechilling “The German Doctor,” and the amorous “For a Woman,” while “Aftermath,” “Ida,” “My German Friend,” and “Hanna’s Journey” tell of personal and national reconciliation.

The documentaries “Mel Brooks: Make a Noise,” “Quality Balls: The David Steinberg Story,” and “When Jews Were Funny” explore Jewish identity through comedy.

Equally captivating characters (albeit fictional) inhabit the comedies “Blumenthal,” “Hunting Elephants,” “It Happened in Saint-Tropez” and “Like Brothers.” Finally, “Esther Broner: A Weave of Women,” “Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did for Love,” and “Prime Ministers: The Pioneers” are enthralling profiles.

Films tackling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are especially compelling; “Bethlehem” and “Omar” both meet harsh realities head on, while “Dancing in Jaffa” and “Zaytoun” offer hope.

And don’t miss special anniversary screenings of “The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz,” “Driving Miss Daisy,” and “The Pawnbroker,” a rare chance to experience these classics on the big screen.

For sheer entertainment, check out the kitschy “Cupcakes,” the scary “Big Bad Wolves,” or the spy-vs-spy kicks of “Kidon.”

Tweens and teens can join their folks for such family-friendly fare as “The Zigzag Kid” and “Igor and the Cranes’ Journey.”

American Jewish Committee believes that understanding is nurtured and strengthened from shared experiences, and storytelling is superb at fostering such experiences.

Thus, Film is an exceptional means of communicating AJC’s mission of building bridges among Atlanta’s many cultural, ethnic, religious and generational communities.

We are eternally grateful for our ever-growing list of sponsors, volunteers and moviegoers who make this dream possible every year. This year, we invite you to join us at AJFF and feast of film!

Sincerely, Kirk Dornbush 2014 AJFF Chair Shelton Stanfill 2014 AJFF Chair Lauren Grein AJC Atlanta President Editor’s note: For more information on dates, tickets and opening night, please visit ajff.org.

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DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

38 • AJFF.Org

tHe Wonders

januarY 29 tO februarY 5

40 • AJFF.Org

like brotHers

februarY 6 tO 12

februarY 13 tO 16

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

my german friend

42 • AJFF.Org

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AJT

atlanta jewish film festival

Sneak Peak of Films You Don’t Want to Miss Nineteen movies that will have you talking at this year’s festival

One of the most controversial Polish films ever made, “Aftermath” is a harrowing mystery-thriller based on the real-life cover-up of a Jewish massacre at the hands of Catholic Poles.

After decades living in Chicago, Franek is prompted to return to his ancestral family farm by news that his estranged younger brother Józef has come into conflict with fellow villagers. Upon his arrival, local peasants greet Franek with much hostility. As they repair fraternal ties, the brothers literally uncover half-buried secrets and disturbing historical clues that ultimately lead to an appalling revelation.

Created by acclaimed filmmaker Władysław Pasikowski, “Aftermath” sent shockwaves throughout Poland, forcing the country to confront a long history of virulent antiSemitism. Nominated for seven Polish Academy Awards, with wins for Best Acting and Set Design, it is also the winner of the Yad Vashem Chairman’s Award at the Jerusalem International Film Festival.

Before the Revolution Challenging misperceptions of life-long enmity in Iranian-Israeli relations, “Before the Revolution” recounts the dramatic final days of a utopian existence by Israelis living in Tehran.

The film recounts a time when Iranians and Israelis wined and

dined together as pragmatic trade partners. Thousands of Israeli professionals lived in luxurious comfort thanks to a cozy relationship with the oil-rich and corrupt Iranian regime.

But everything changed with the arrival of the Islamic revolution. What begins as a nostalgic look back at the glory days becomes a suspenseful thriller, as the Israeli expatriates flee to safety in the face of shifting political dynamics and rising turmoil.

“Before the Revolution” is the unknown story of a close-knit community caught in a historic uprising that forever changed the Middle East region.

Bethlehem “Bethlehem” is an intricate, tick-tock cliffhanger centered on the tragic relationship between an Israeli intelligence officer and his Palestinian informant.

Sanfur, a hot-headed Palestinian teenager feels overshadowed by older brother Ibrahim, a local hero wanted for orchestrating suicide bombings in Israel. Conflicted and vulnerable, young Sanfur is exploited by Israel’s Shin Bet security service and fatherly intel agent Razi who establishes a fragile bond with him. As an Israeli plot to assassinate Ibrahim heats up, loyalties are tested and pressure mounts.

Nominated for 12 Israeli Academy Awards, “Bethlehem” garnered wins for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Editing.

Big Bad Wolves

A string of grizzly child murders puts a trio of characters on a collision course in “Big Bad Wolves,” an edge-of-theseat revenge thriller.

After a girl goes missing in the woods and is later found beheaded, suspicion immediately falls on a timid religious studies schoolteacher who is arrested but released due to a police blunder.

Frustrated by the lack of justice, a renegade cop and the victim’s vengeful father take matters into their own hands by capturing, interrogating and tormenting the accused killer.

Their diabolical rage quickly spins out of control in a series of unpredictable plot twists that ingeniously toy with audience emotions and subvert genre tropes.

Dancing in Jaffa

Just when peace in the Middle East appears hopeless, there is “Dancing in Jaffa,” a joyous realization of one man’s seemingly impossible dream to see Israeli and Palestinian children dance together.

World champion ballroom dancer Pierre Dulaine returns to his birthplace of Jaffa, a deeply divided society simmering with intractable ethnic and religious animosity. There, he dedicates himself to teaching ballroom dancing to grade-schoolers to confront the more difficult issues of prejudice and political violence. Over the course of four months, the debonair works tirelessly to challenge the entrenched beliefs of parents and teachers, while inspiring the reluc-

tant boys and girls to overcome their own shyness and cultural fears. As they rehearse for a citywide competition, historical archenemies find commonality through shared applause.

The German Doctor A distinguished foreign physician with a sinister obsession for genetic purity upends the lives of an unsuspecting Argentinean family in “The German Doctor.” Eva and Enzo are preparing to open a cozy lakeside hotel in a remote Patagonia town when the family first encounters the charismatic doctor along a long desert road. With mother Eva pregnant with twins, and her 12-year-old daughter mercilessly teased about her stunted size, the family becomes interested in the nefarious doctor.

Unaware of the danger, they accept him into their home, until a local archivist and photographer suspects the town is harboring one of the world’s most infamous war criminals.

At turns eerily gripping and thought provoking, the visually striking drama is a meditation on the complicity of those who sheltered the Nazi elite in postwar South America.

God’s Slave Motivated by personal tragedies, two obsessive characters on either side of the ArabIsraeli conflict are set on a collision course in “God’s Slave,” an adrenaline-rushing drama set against the 1994 bombing of a Jew- 17 DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

Aftermath

AJT

atlanta jewish film festival

ish community center in Argentina.

in “Hanna’s Journey.”

Filmed on location in Argentina, Venezuela, Uruguay and the United States, the taut action is skillfully helmed by Venezuelan filmmaker Joel Novoa. Walking a tightrope of sympathies,

Headstrong Berlin business major Hanna heads to the Holy Land to volunteer with the mentally disabled as a way of proving herself and boosting her résumé. Her contact in Israel is brusque social worker Itay, who baits Hanna with Holocaust jokes, while openly flirting with her. Initially offended, she slowly becomes more interested in both German and her own family history, not to mention the man who set her onto this path of self-discovery.

“God’s Slave” exposes the appalling cost of extremist acts carried out in the name of religious conviction.

Ida An exploration of personal and national reckoning, “Ida” is told through the story of a young novitiate nun in early 1960s Communist Poland.

The angel-faced Anna is on the brink of taking her vows when the Mother Superior insists she make contact with her only living relative.

Emotionally remote Anna is met by her boozy, free-living aunt Wanda, an embittered ex-prosecutor of so-called enemies of the state. An offhand revelation about Anna’s true identity sets in motion a road trip through the Polish countryside during which these two strikingly different characters confront family secrets and postwar demons.

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

Hanna’s Journey

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U n e x pected complications arise when a young German student travels to Israel to escape her country’s tragic past,

goldsmith’s shop on a rainy night in 1950s Prague. When state secret police suddenly seize control of the case and pin the crime on Jewish immigrants accused of running aid to Israel, Hakl suspects anti-Semitic scapegoating. Waging an uphill battle against both an East German agent specializing in so-called Zionist crime and the Soviet-corrupted Czech security apparatus, Hakl is undaunted in his quest for the truth.

Kidon A zippy and sleek piece of popcorn entertainment, “ K i d o n ” imagines the cloakand-dagger puzzle behind the real-life assassination of

In Hiding An increasingly obsessive relationship forms between a young Polish woman and the Jewish refugee she is sheltering in “In Hiding,” a shocking psychosexual thriller.

Upending the conventions of wartime dramas, “In Hiding” is a Hitchcockian exploration of destructive human emotions that can lead desperate people to renounce all moral inhibitions and commit dreadful acts.

In The Shadow A simple jewelry store heist unravels a larger Cold War conspiracy a g a i n s t Czechoslovakian Jews in “In the Shadow,” a political thriller.

Honest police detective Jarda Hakl is directed to investigate a seemingly mundane robbery at a

a Hamas leader.

The tongue-in-cheek action begins when Mahmoud al-Mabhouh is found dead in a Dubai hotel room. The local police immediately blame the Mossad and release security tapes showing what appear to be red-handed Israeli agents carrying out the killing. The shocking story makes international headlines, but no one is more shocked than the Mossad: they have never heard of these agents or their mission. The Mossad soon realizes that it is just one player in a high-stakes con game involving a conspiracy of diplomats, goons, and spies from France, Russia and Iran.

Next Year Jerusalem A rollercoaster of emotion sure to elicit laughter and tears, Next Year Jerusalem follows a group of spunky senior citizens on a pilgrimage to the

Holy Land for one last great adventure.

Surmounting the daunting physical and emotional challenges of the transformational trip, the travelers return to the day-to-day realities of institutional living, having demonstrated that even near the end, there is still much life to be lived.

Omar C a t a strophic c h o i c e s threaten to consume a young lovelorn Palestinian caught between both sides of the occupation in “Omar”, a punch-in-the-stomach political thriller from Hany Abu-Assad.

His West Bank village split by Israeli’s separation wall, Omar is accustomed to scaling the physical and metaphorical concrete divide in order to visit Nadia, his secret love interest and sister of childhood friend Tarek, a Palestinian militant. Bereft of any options, Omar is forced to betray his friends or accept unending blackmail by the Israelis. The film’s nihilistic coda will leave stunned audiences contemplating the endless cycle of violence and retribution in the Palestinian territories.

The Prime Ministers: The Pioneers Based on the book by Ambassador Yehuda Avner, “The Prime Ministers: The Pioneers” is a captivat-

his solitary struggle to outlast the Nazi occupation and keep alive his Jewish faith.

As adviser to five Israeli Prime Ministers, Avner was privy to lifeand-death decision-making, top secret military operations, diplomatic in-fighting and high-level peace negotiations. Drawing from his bestselling memoirs, the film illustrates personal anecdotes and never before revealed historical details with a dazzling array of archival images. Oscarwinning director Richard Trank traces such key events as the Six Day and Yom Kippur Wars, the fight against terrorism, and Israel’s close strategic alliance with the United States.

An unforgettable cinematic experience featuring exceptional performances, arresting cinematography and transcendent musical score, “Run Boy Run” is directed by Oscarwinner Pepe Danquart and based on the bestselling Holocaust novel by Israeli author Uri Orlev.

Run Boy Run A superlative saga of courage and compassion, “Run Boy Run” tells the extraordinary true story of a Polish boy who seeks the kindness of others in

Transit The plight of an extended Filipino migrant family living in constant fear of deportation from Israel is poignantly captured in “Transit”, the acclaimed directorial debut of Hannah Espia.

Set in and around Tel Aviv amidst an immigration crackdown by Israeli authorities, the story crosscuts between the intermingled lives of these

desperate expatriate workers and their Israeli-born children of mixed identity.

The Wonders Based on the book by Ambassador Yehuda Avner, “The Prime Ministers: The Pioneers” is a captivating account of Israeli politics as told through the iconic leaders of the Jewish State.

As adviser to five Israeli Prime Ministers, Avner was privy to lifeand-death decision-making, top-secret military operations, diplomatic in-fighting and high-level peace negotiations. Oscar-winning director Richard Trank traces such key events as the Six Day and Yom Kippur Wars, the fight against terrorism, and Israel’s close strategic alliance with the United States.

Tell Our Advertisers you’ve seen them in the Atlanta Jewish Times

The Zigzag Kid The son of the world’s greatest detective embarks on a rollicking adventure to solve the mystery of his true identity in “The Zigzag Kid”, a family-friendly, action-packed adaptation of the beloved book by Israeli writer David Grossman.

Growing up without a mother, life is not easy for Dutch 13 year old Nono Feierberg. But the boy’s overactive imagination and mischievous stunts constantly get him into trouble. Sent away on the eve of his bar mitzvah to be set straight by his uncle, Nono meets his father’s nemesis, master jewel thief Felix Glick who whisks him off on a secret mission to the French Riviera. With only 24 hours to go until his rite of passage, the race is on for Nono to put his detective skills to work and complete the high-stakes quest that will change his life forever.

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

ing account of Israeli politics as told through the iconic leaders of the Jewish State.

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AJT

arts & life

Q&A With Janece Shaffer

local MODERN PLAYWRIGHT SET TO DEBUT FIRST HISTORICAL piece

BY ELIZABETH FRIEDLY ASSOCIATE EDITOR

H

aving garnered national fame for her dramas, along with awards such as the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award and the Gene Gabriel More award for Best New Play, Jewish playwright Janece Shaffer returns to Atlanta with a brand new production for 2014.

Outside of writing, Shaffer is currently the senior editor at Womenetics, helping businesses profit by advancing women into leadership positions.

In her first foray into historical fiction, Shaffer focuses on the lives of two sisters, Rosalee and Louisa Geller of Atlanta, set in the year 1895.Shaffer shared the details of bringing a historical drama to the stage, as well as the ways in which it connects with both her creative and her personal life.

JS: I think it’s so easy. There are always moments…when we feel this desire to be something that maybe our parents hadn’t thought for us or hadn’t hoped for us.

All of the pressure to be a certain way, and to be a nice girl or a good girl, in this moment where Atlanta has survived.

It’s 1895, it’s 30 years after the Confederacy – and to say, “What kind of city are we going to be? Are we gonna be that? Or are we gonna be forward looking?”

So it’s this beautiful moment for this city, as it is for these young women, filled with possibility.

AJT: Is there anything specific that comes to mind when you

Atlanta Jewish Times: Where is “Geller Girls” at this point in the process?

Janece Shaffer: Yesterday was first rehearsal. What we did was, we sat around the table and read the kind of beginning script. It was the first time that cast had assembled in a room.

We got to look at all the costume designs and they’re unbelievably beautiful. We read the play and there were some things that were evident that I could improve, so I spent last night rewriting and came in this morning with about 25 new pages.

AJT: What about that moment in time caught your interest?

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

JS: It’s just this moment of Atlanta’s history that we don’t know very much about, ‘cause all that’s left over are some stone steps and some planters.

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The whole wall of the rehearsal hall is covered in research, all these photographs of women in 1895. The Liberty Bell came here for the [Cotton States and International Exposition]. There was everything,– the first movie, it was called a phantoscope, and electricity and fireworks and a global village. It was the first exhibition ever for women, for African Americans.

AJT: In what ways do you think modern-day audiences will connect with this story from 1895?

TOP: Shaffer Courtney Patterson, Joe Sykes, Courtenay Collins and Mark Cabus Left: Shaffer with director Susan V.Booth and costume designer Linda Roethke Right: Shaffer and Susan V. Booth mention that kind of big moment, big decision experience?

JS: They’re just moments where you go, “I’m different than what you had hoped for. I’m just different.” You know? I’m a playwright. My mom and dad are very different than I am. My daughter’s very different than I am.

AJT: Does that mean any of your family members are also interested in the theater?

been that she would honor whatever she wanted to do, that she would be an independent thinker and follow that.

AJT: Could you talk a little more about your work with Womenetics?

JS: It’s the opportunity to tell women’s stories, which is what’s important to me. So I get to interview the most amazing women.

working with smart women.

AJT: And your family?

JS: Yesterday my husband came in for first rehearsal and it was amazing. I love that I want to include my family as much as I can. My daughter, school gets out soon and hopefully she can come in and listen.

JS: I have a 17-year-old daughter who wants to be an actor. And she has to follow her path and I have to celebrate that.

I love our site because it’s the opportunity have a diet of high-achieving women put in front of you. By having that constant diet of high-achievers, you start to see your own potential differently.

AJT: Are you wary of that at all?

AJT: Is juggling all of this difficult?

JS: My dad’s birthday is on Christmas, so that’s the only thing we have.Christmas Eve, all the Jews were always at our house, you know, telling Yiddish jokes and eating pigs-in-a-blanket and celebrating my dad.

JS: I’m so grateful that I get to do everything, because I don’t think I would be happy doing either of it alone. I really like going to the office, I really like

Audiences can catch performances of “The Geller Girls” beginning with a preview on Jan. 15 until Feb. 9. Tickets available at www.alliancetheatre.org.

JS: I’m nervous, protective, excited, celebratory – but you know, I also have tremendous faith in my daughter. Tremendous faith. My goal has always

AJT: Finally, any plans to relax over the holiday or before the New Year?

AJT

arts & life

Feeling Blue During the Holidays?

HOW TO MANAGED THE STRESS OF THE SEASON

SPECIAL for the AJT

T

he holiday season is supposed to be joyous. It is a period meant to be filled with an abundance of family, festivities and gifts. But those who are facing such challenges as financial struggles, battling an illness or living away from immediate family are not always able to celebrate fully.

Other factors, like the recent loss of a loved one, can make celebrating feel wrong. The holidays also occur in the winter, which is a time when the weather is cold and gloomy. For these reasons, it is not uncommon for the holiday season to make some feel worse.

Those who are feeling sad or stressed during the holidays need to know there are things they can do to make this time of year a bit easier.

One of the best things people can do to feel better is manage their expectations.

If the individual in question goes into the holiday season expecting every meal or gift exchange to be perfect, they are only setting themselves up for disappointment. They should expect some bumps in the road, while still trying to focus on the positive.

Giving to others also can go a long way when it comes to lifting the spirts. This doesn’t necessarily mean donating financially; it can mean giving time.

Something like volunteering at a shelter or baking cookies with friends can be a fun and thoughtful thing to do. It also is important for people to take care of themselves physically.

They should try to eat healthfully, get lots of rest and make sure they stay physically active.

Many studies have shown that exercise can be as effective in treating depression as some medications. No matter how individuals may choose to improve their mood, it is impor-

tant to stay in the company of others.

Isolation can contribute to feeling sad and lonely.

For those who are dealing with grief or sadness, it will help to remember the holidays will pass, and there are always ways to get through.

If the feelings do not go away at the end of the season, or if this is something that has gone on for a long period of time, they should not hesitate to seek help. There is no shame in doing so. Depression is treatable.

Editor’s note: For more information about help with depression, visit www.ytfl.org/counseling or call (770) 677.9474.

Symptoms of depression can include: • Feeling alone • Feeling fatigued • Feeling short-tempered • Irritability • Oversleeping (especially during the day) • Feeling sadness • Feeling like it’s difficult to connect with other people

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“Send Me Money, I‛ll Make You Funny”

AJT

education

First Grade Community Building DAvis youngsters create “small” businesses special for the AJT

F

irst grade classes created 3-D communities in their classrooms. The students designed their own houses as well as worked together in groups to create businesses of their choice. The project taught the students about collaboration, citizenship, as well as how to use a compass and give directions.

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Fourth Grade Blanket Making Tzedakah

davis students warm hearts at children’s healthcare of atlanta special for the AJT

P

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

ictured (left to right) Jacob Mirsky, Eleanor Altwarg, Brooke Stanley, Nate Artzi Davis Academy fourth graders fashioned nearly three dozen cute and warm fringed-edged blankets for the For A Day Foundation, which will distribute them to the young patients at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta during a special evening of fun for the kids. It’s all part of the students’ year-long tzedakah project that focuses on learning about and assisting those with disease and disabilities.

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education

As My Fathers Planted For Me BIRNBREY AND MINSK HONORED, APPOINTED LIFE TRUSTEE FOR GHA

BY LEAH LEVY

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

O

n Dec. 17, the Katherine and Jacob Greenfield Hebrew Academy honored Henry Birnbrey and Malcolm Minsk as trustees for life at a wine and cheese reception held at the school.

Henry Birnbrey and Calcom Minsk Board President Judy Stolovitz opened the event, citing the Talmudic passage “As my fathers planted for me, so I planted for my children.” She noted that the passage, which appears on the school’s Founders Wall, is a perfect description of what Mr. Birnbrey and Mr. Minsk have accomplished through their years of hard work.

Henry Birnbrey, one of the visionary founders of GHA, embodies the spirit of the Academy. Seeking community support, he convinced the Jewish Federation of the importance of day schools; thus, GHA received its first substantial allocation, beginning the Federation’s continuing support for Jewish education.

Mr. Birnbrey’s goal for ensuring the Academy’s financial stability was the establishment of an endowment fund.

Furthermore, as of this year, there has been a member of the Birnbrey family attending GHA for 56 continuous years.

Malcolm Minsk, appreciated for his candid assessments and his dry wit, has provided his special expertise in the ongoing oversight of GHA’s financial affairs and trust funds.

The fiscal responsibility and accountability that he demands have been invaluable gifts to the school, but his wisdom and astute counsel have been just as important. Mr. Minsk has translated his campaign to make Jew-

Education Landscape of the 21st Century EPSTEIN HOSTS LEADERSHIP CLASS FOR ITS ANNUAL EDUCATION DAY

ish day school education accessible to everyone by becoming the driving force behind the school’s participation in the ALEF fund, which raises much-needed scholarship funds.

Interim Head of School Leah Summers explained a passage from Mishnah. “Moses received the Torah; our tradition was not just given,” she said, “and the Midrash tells us that this chain of tradition is like a ball that is flung by hand without falling…it is due to the great integrity, character, commitment, and vision of these two individuals whom we honor today that the ball is still in our hands.”

Mr. Birnbrey and Mr. Minsk were then presented with certificates affirming their new status as lifetime trustees by their respective grandchildren.

Mr. Birnbrey thanked GHA “for my four children, for my 15 grandchildren, for my two children who have taught here—this school has given me so much more than I ever gave to it.

The education they received here has made all my children conscious of and committed to their Jewish heritage.”

Mr. Minsk reminisced about becoming involved with Jewish leadership at the tender age of 15, when “Jewish education was a mile wide and an inch deep.” He went on to congratulate GHA for doing “a great job of teaching our children how to be Jewish.”

Citing the recent Pew poll that reports increased assimilation, Mr. Minsk charged GHA never to fail to teach their students why to be Jewish.

Dr. David Frankel, past President of the Board, closed the ceremony with a D’var Torah about the different but equally necessary leadership styles of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

“Malcolm is insightful, smart, consistent, passionate, dedicated, colorful, responsible…Henry is a true scholar, a pragmatist who takes the historical perspective, always excited by the opportunity to learn at the age of 90.”

And in that metaphor, he explained, Miriam represents their wives. “The secret to success lies in one’s partner, and we recognize the support, wisdom, and guidance of Betty (Minsk), Ricky (Birnbrey), and Shirlye (Birnbrey).”

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

T

he Epstein School recently hosted members of the Leadership Sandy Springs (LSS) Class of 2014 for its annual Education Day.

The purpose of this day is to provide the class with an insight into education in our city and state. Prior to their arrival, the future leaders of our city were provided a statewide perspective of education by Dr. Steve Dolinger, Ed.D., President of the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

Once at Epstein, class members were greeted by Director of Communications and LSS alumna Coleen Lou, who facilitated the 21 Century education experience for the current class.

Head of School Stan Beiner, took LSS members on a tour that highlighted the 21st Century learning experience, Epstein’s nationally recognized bilingual program, and how educational design thinking is driving our Building Our Future Capital Campaign and renovations planning.

TOP: From left to right ar members of the Leadership Sandy Springs Class of 2014 who visited and toured The Epstein School to learn about 21st Century Education: Stan Beiner (Epstein Head of School), Chip Houston, Steve Soteres, Adriana West, Ken Dishman (Sandy Springs Councilman, District 2), Christy Merritt and Sherwin Lewis-Nelson. In foreground are Epstein Middle School students are engaged in group work as part of an English lesson. (front and center is Carly Wohlberg and behind her to the right is Sean Lewis) BOTTOM: Left to right are members of the Leadership Sandy Springs Class of 2014: Tony Giardino, Steve Soteres, Adriana West, Christy Merritt, Ken Dishman (Sandy Springs Councilman, District 2) and Sherwin Lewis-Nelson

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

AJT

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AJT

ARTS & LIFE

Exhibition Opens at The Breman, ‘Return to Rich’s: The Story Behind the Store’ STORIES UNFOLD OF FAMOUS RETAIL INSTITUTION AND CITY special for the AJT

T

he Breman Museum celebrates the history of a great store and a great city in the exhibition “Return to Rich’s: The Story Behind the Store.” The show opens Sun., Nov. 17, and promises memories of Atlanta’s iconic institution while tracing the momentous events that shaped the city.

“Rich’s was much more than a place to shop,” said Aaron Berger, executive director of the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum (The Breman). “During its 138-year history, the store had a significant influence upon Atlanta and its residents.

This exhibition portrays those years and the major events that shaped Atlanta, such as the Civil Rights Movement.”

The exhibition, during its run through May 27, will showcase Rich’s in a variety of photographs and artifacts of the store, and in stories from customers, employees and leaders of Atlanta.

“The stories play a major role in this exhibition,” Berger said.

“While people will come to see the Pink Pig and the array of other artifacts, the show is about more than iconic objects. It is about the stories people tell, the feelings and intangible parts of Rich’s that people will come to reconnect with in an environment where they can relive their Rich’s experiences.”

“The story of Rich’s begins as a story of Jewish immigration from Hungary and evolves into a great story of American entrepreneurship, civic engagement and retail innova-

The store was established by Jewish immigrant Morris Rich as M. Rich & Co. in 1867 when Atlanta was rebuilding after the Civil War. Rich’s grew into a successful enterprise and was well known for its customer service, credit and return policies, and its generous donations to charitable organizations in the city.

Today The Rich Foundation continues this tradition through its contributions to non-profit organizations throughout metro Atlanta.

It was the Civil Rights Movement that brought national attention to the Rich’s stores in Atlanta and Knoxville. During a sit-in in October 1960, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested trying to enter the downtown Atlanta store’s Magnolia Room.

“We knew in Atlanta that if Rich’s went, so would everybody else,” Civil Rights leader Julian Bond said.

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and had several other names in the early years.

The ride was discontinued in 1964, but public sentiment was quite vocal and the Pink Pig was quickly brought back to life. Percival, one of the two original Pink Pigs will be on display.

tion,” explained guest curator Dr. Catherine Lewis of Kennesaw State University.

The difficult period will be retold in the words of Lonnie King and others. Lonnie King led student sit-ins and protests that ultimately helped bring about the desegregation of Rich’s and other stores in Atlanta.

Visitors will find that the exhibition has interactive touch points. And already, Rich’s devotees can share their memories on ReturnToRichs.org.

Some other popular features and facts about Rich’s included in the exhibition: •

he Pink Pig started in the midT 1950s as the Snowball Express

•

R i c h ’ s Fashionata brought worldclass fashion designers to Atlanta from the 1940s and ‘50s through 1994.

• Rich’s bought and donated the license for WABE FM, the radio station of the Atlanta Public Schools.

•

here is the Great Tree, Atlanta’s T symbolic Christmas tree tradition, which began in 1948 and usually stood around 60-feet tall.

•

he Magnolia Room used to host T “Spend the Day” parties, which women from around the Southeast traveled to Atlanta to attend.

•

he exhibition also will offer T something for the whole family in interactive photo opportunities with Percival, one of the original Pink Pigs, and the famous Rich’s clock.

•

here is also a collection of ReT turn to Rich’s merchandise in the museum store.

•

he museum will “reinvent” T Fashionata and have a “Spend the Day” teas among other programs during the exhibition’s run.

arts & life

One Year Later: Ellen

One Year Later: Andrew

BY ELLEN MAZELMAN

BY ANDREW SINGLEMAN

W

I

‘GET MARRIED’ EXPERIMENT MEANS GROWTH AND PROGRESS AJT contributor

ow! Where has the time gone? Here I sit writing my ninth and final article for 2013. Well, I have come a long way in the last 12 months, with the encouraging help and guidance from Dr. Janet Page, my male counterpart, Andrew and the entire staff at the AJT! I have potential suitors here in Atlanta, but also in New York, Boca Raton and even Pensacola. The ones in Atlanta are through online dating, singles events and just putting myself out there and getting out.

The ones in faraway places are old friends who I have reconnected with or met through friends, etc.

As I sat down to write this article, I checked my match.com account.

Here are today’s stats: 24 new matches, 9 new emails, 74 likes, 795 views, 15 have me on their favorite list, etc. Of course, not all of this is just for today, but has accumulated over time.

Now, you may say, “holy cow,” and yes, even I would say that. Who would have thunk. Yes, I am very proud of the stats, but I guarantee you, most of it is not worthwhile or even worth it! So I will sit down this evening (as I do many evenings) to wean through it all, the sheer overwhelming and exhausting process of this whole thing.

First, there is just the pure navigation of the site (which I still have not mastered), but secondly, how do you decide who to choose from this vast list who you might want to email, wink at, put on your favorite list or overall pursue?

I cannot and will not reveal those criteria because quite frankly, I don’t think I could take the judgment of what you might think of me. You get the idea!

So let’s say I have made some of those decisions and have gone on some dates with some interesting, charming, and surprisingly, overall nice gentlemen. Quite truthfully, there is one in particular who has caught my eye.

Not sure why, but I am very intrigued at the moment. But again, how do you navigate the waters? Then of course comes the awkwardness of this whole dating thing. Do I have to spell it out for you? I hope you can read between the lines here!

Although I am not getting married in 365 days, and am not in a wonderful, serious relationship like my male counterpart, Andrew, I have made great strides. And let’s face it, it only takes one!

I am thrilled that I took this journey in 2013 and hope my strides will continue into 2014. Maybe there will be big news and a big reveal in the coming year! Thank you to those of you, who through the paper took this journey with me! Wishing you all a Happy New Year.

Signed your 50 year old Carrie Bradshaw!

‘GET MARRIED’ EXPERIMENT ENDS WITH FINDING LOVE, BRIGHT HORIZON AJT contributor

want to start this column with an apology. When I started this project last December, we were given a schedule of monthly deadlines. It seemed easy and simple enough at the time and I was able to deliver my column on time, or close to it, for eight months.

However, I’ve obviously not done so for a few months now and want to apologize to the readers of this column, Dr. Page, my partner Ellen, and the staff of the Atlanta Jewish Times. I was given an opportunity and didn’t hold up my end of the bargain.

A little of the back story: First, I was involved in a legal matter until recently that devolved into some rather unpleasant ugliness. Second, my house, which was for sale, had two separate offers and a scheduled closing collapse before finally being sold at the end of November.

And finally, the software development project I was working on was cancelled, effectively leaving me unemployed and putting me in position to focus entirely on finding employment at the expense of just about everything else.

While these stresses and distractions are significant, the buck stops with me. I was still responsible for the commitment I had made but had neglected. I sincerely apologize to you all for that.

Now let me get to what we’re here for. You want to know what’s up with me and Rachel and there’s lots (LOTS) to tell. First, based on a conversation we had about the impending sale of my home and her desire to improve her own financial situation, Rachel and I agreed that I would move into her house and rent her basement.

While we do share the same home, this is most definitely not the average “we’re living together” situation. We have an agreement and rules and expectations in place to make both us and all the kids happy and comfortable. Second (and this is a biggie), I have decided Rachel is the one for me.

Actually I decided that last April, but had kept it to myself until recently. I know, though, that she is not ready yet to get engaged, and so I’ve not yet asked her to marry me. But we’ve talked about it and she knows my intentions.

Rachel and I just celebrated the one year anniversary of our first date.

I cannot believe how fast the year has gone and how much has happened.

What had started as a simple year spent with friends and (hopefully), a little dating, instead, with the help of Dr. Page and this project, became the year I found my beshert and started working towards the next big chapter in my life.

Over the months I’ve been writing this column, I’ve received very flattering and encouraging comments and reviews. I’ve been encouraged to pursue writing and even to write a book. My sense of humility prevents me from thinking I’m that good or people would actually buy a book I wrote about the dating life of a divorced, single dad. But since I really do enjoy writing, I intend to find a way to keep it up. A blog at AndrewSingleman.com could very well be on the horizon. I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, I’d like to thank you all for following along, thank Dr. Page for her help and input, thank the Atlanta Jewish Times for giving me this chance, and definitely thank my partner Ellen Mazelman for inviting me to join her on this journey.

Of course, the biggest thank you goes to Rachel for saying “yes” when I asked her out, and tolerating me writing a public diary of our private life.

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

AJT

For this, I thank you. I love you honey!

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AJT

arts & life

HOTTEST JEWS OF 2013

DECEMBER 20 â–Ş 2013

JEWISH STARS WHO MADE THE BIGGEST SPLASH in hollywood this year

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adam levine

Adam Sandler

andrew garfield

andy cohen

andy samberg

ben stiller

Chris Pine

jake gyllenhaal

james franco

jesse eisenberg

jj abrams

joaquin pheonix

joseph gordon levitt

josh radnor

seth green

seth rogen

steven spielberg

skylar astin

zach braff

ALYSOn HANNIGAN

amanda peet

Emmanuelle Chriqui

emmy rossum

gal gadot

ginnifer goodwin

gwyneth paltrow

idina menzel

isla fisher

Julia LouisDreyfus

KAT DENNINGS

Lea Michele

lizzy caplan

mila kunis

natalie portman

RASHIDA JONES

AJT

arts & life

tell us who you think the hottest stars are? email efriedly@atljewishtimes.com danieL radcliffe

Danie Day-Lewis

harry styles

leiv schreiber

lenny kravitz

paul rudd

Some history is worth repeating.

Come join our family tree.

ORT educates over 300,000 students around the world every day.

To learn more about ORT’s mission to educate and elevate at home and around the globe, please visit us at www.ORTamerica.org. Connect with ORT in the Atlanta region!

Contact Jenna Shulman at 404-327-5266 or jshulman@ORTAmerica.org

bar refaeli

DIANNA AGRON

elizabeth banks

jamie lynnsigler

jane levy

Jennifer Connelly

Sarah Silverman

sarah michelle gellar

Scarlett Johansson

DECEMBER 20 â–Ş 2013

ORTamerica.org | info@ORTamerica.org | facebook.com/ORTamerica

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AJT

arts & life

JEWS MAKING NEWS Compiled by elizabeth friedly

Debra Messing Celebrates 15 Years

B

est-known as one half of NBC’s “Will & Grace,” Debra Messing recently celebrated the influential show’s 15th anniversary with co-star Eric McCormack. The two reunited for The Television Academy’s event honoring the series’ director, James Burrows.

Messing played the character for all eight years of the sitcom’s run.

“Will & Grace,” may have made her a household name, but Messing has since gone on to realize another dream. The 45-year-old actress will make her Broadway debut January 2014, co-starring in “Outsider Mullingar,” a romantic comedy by Pultizer, Oscar and Tony winner John Patrick Shanley.

Born to Sandra Simons and Brian Messing, both Jewish, her family is descended from Russian and Polish immigrants. Messing is originally from Brooklyn, New York before to Rhode Island as a child.

She graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University with a bachelor’s in theater before being accepted to and earning a Master’s from the renowned Graduate Acting Program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Winona Talks ‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

T

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wenty-seven years later, there may finally be a “Beetlejuice” sequel, as teased by star, Winona Ryder. She recently told the Daily Beast that while she can’t diverge any details, things seem to be shaping up for her to reprise her famous role as teen Lydia, now an adult. Ryder assured fans that she wouldn’t consider the project unless both Michael Keaton and Tim Burton were involved.

The quirky Burton classic may not be the only piece of Ryder’s past that’s risen from the grave. This coming March, “Heathers,” a musical inspired

by Ryder’s 1989 dark comedy, is set to open off-Broadway. Ryder will be passing the torch on to a new actress for the adaptation, no longer playing the role of a murderous high schooler, but her legacy lives on.

Born Winona Laura Horowitz, Ryder was born to Cynthia Palmer and Michael Horowitz. The actress has described herself as Jewish in the past, the religion of her father’s family who immigrated from Romania and Russia. The relatives on her father’s side who managed to escape the Holocaust changed their name from Tomchin to Horowitz upon arriving to America. The name Ryder was chosen as a stage name while listening to singer Mitch Ryder.

may their memories be a blessing

Edgar M. Bronfman LOSS OF A GREAT JEWISH LEADER

E

dgar M. Bronfman Sr., billionaire businessman and longtime president of the World Jewish Congress, died Saturday at age 84 in his New York home surrounded by family.

Bronfman’s life was a legend in Jewish philanthropy. He first made his fortune with his family’s Seagram’s liquor empire, taking over as chairman and CEO in 1971 and continuing the work of his father, Samuel. Under Bronfman’s leadership, Seagram expanded its offerings and was eventually acquired by French media and telecom group Vivendi Universal in 2000.

Bronfman’s wealth, combined with his role in the World Jewish Congress, which lobbied the Soviets to allow Jews to emigrate and helped spearhead the search for hidden Nazi loot, allowed him to be a tireless advocate for his fellow Jews.

“He was the first of his kind, a titan of industry that dedicated himself fully to advocating, advancing and encouraging the Jewish people,” said Dana Raucher, executive director of The Samuel Bronfman Foundation.

In 1999, President Bill Clinton awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In the citation, Bronfman was heralded for working “to ensure basic rights for Jews around the world.”

The year before, he had become the first congress president to meet with Soviet officials in Moscow, bringing his case for human rights and taking a little time to promote Seagram’s interests. He visited again in 1988, by which time Jewish emigration from the Soviet Union, a key goal of the congress, had begun to rise under the reforming leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev. During the 1980s and 1990s, the congress also helped lead the effort to gain $11 billion in restitution for heirs of Holocaust victims.

Bronfman also extended his kindness and Zionism to the youth. He helped fund Birthright, a program that gives identified Jews between the ages of 18-26 from all over the world a free trip to Israel, known as “heritage trips.” Additionally, he founded the Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel, a program that recruits high schoolers from across North America and Canada for an intensive, transformative exploration of “Jewish text study, pluralism and social responsibility.”

His life was filled with kindness and charity, and he will be dearly missed.

Tell Our Advertisers you’ve seen them in the Atlanta Jewish Times

AJT

may their memories be a blessing

Peter Mallen 65, Atlanta

Peter James Mallen passed away on Dec. 17, 2013, in Atlanta, Ga. He was born Jan. 16, 1946 in Chattanooga, Tenn., to Saul “Twom” and Muriel Goldberg Mallen, both of blessed memory. Peter attended college at the University of Oklahoma on a wrestling scholarship before getting his business degree from the University of Georgia. After college, he founded Mallen Industries, a textile manufacturing company. Peter married Janie Mallen on May 11, 1985, and they started a family together in Atlanta shortly thereafter. He served as President of Mallen Industries, Chairman of United Knitting, President of The Temple in Atlanta, and was a member of the board of National Jewish Hospital in Denver, as well as other notable institutions. Peter was preceded in death by his brother, Steven Lawrence Mallen.

Survivors include his wife, Janie; children: Stephanie, Jonathan and his fiancée Amy, Amanda, and Matthew; brother, Ted Mallen and his wife Carolyn; dear family friend, Rossy Bruno; multiple nieces, nephews and cousins, and countless friends. An online guestbook is available at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, GA 30309, www.the-temple.org. Services were held 10 a.m.

Fri., Dec. 20 at The Temple, with Rabbi Peter Berg and several clergy colleagues officiating. Arrangements entrusted to Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, (770) 451-4999.

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ll of us at National Jewish Health are saddened by the tragic loss of our Council of National Trustees member and friend Peter Mallen. He had a generous spirit, and his loyal support helped make our annual East Lake Golf event in Atlanta a pleasure for all. Peter’s commitment to National Jewish Health and all those who suffer from respiratory, cardiac, immune and related diseases will not be forgotten. Our hearts go out to his family and his friends.

National Jewish Health Denver, Colorado

Serving Atlanta’s Jewish Community

Michael Salem, M.D.

Chairman of the Board

President and CEO

with Sensitivity and Respect Edward Dressler, President

David Boring Michael Braswell Allen Guertin Jonathan Miller Licensed Funeral Directors

770.451.4999

www.JewishFuneralCare.com

DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

Rich Schierburg

29

JEWISH PUZZLER

by David Benkof

Across 1. “Lotty’s ___ Tablecloth (Jewish Heirloom Stories)” 5. Conservative camp since 1947 10. Yiddishe ___ 14. High holiday preparation month 15. American Yiddish poet Greenblatt 16. Jerem. alternative 17. Pioneer of graphic novels (“A Contract with God”) 19. Historian Levin (“While Messiah Tarried”) 20. Urges forward 21. Lawmakers 23. Floppy-eared dog 25. Jewish American Heritage Month 26. “Golden Boy” playwright Clifford 29. Cynthia Ozick’s Holocaust short story “The ___” 33. Small bay 37. Wisconsin Jewish camp 38. Champion figure skater Cohen 39. Eilat sight 40. “Etz Chayim ___” (Hebrew for “it is a tree of life”) 41. Violated the Ninth Commandment 42. “___ in the Prussian Forest” (Holocaust poem) 44. Some Atlanta Jewish Times employees (abbr.)

45. Ramon and Halimi 46. ___ Stooges 47. Drudge and Stone 49. Oscar-winner Buttons (“Sayonara”)

51. Plains Indian 56. “___ on Hebrew Themes” (Prokofiev work in C-minor) 61. Triptik, notably 62. Kabbalah Center devotee Moore 63. “A Fish Called Wanda” Oscar-winner 65. Garcetti or Cantor 66. ___ is a curved line 67. “Man on the ___” (Andy Kaufman biopic) 68. Smith & ___ (vaudeville comedy duo) 69. ___ of humor (Seinfeld specialty) 70. Slaloms

22. “Dream a Little Dream of Me” singer Mama ___ 24. HaMotzi word 27. Bara in “Salome” 28. Shabbat activity for a Spanish Jew 30. From Haifa to Hanoi 31. “___ Harry Met Sally...” (Rob Reiner film) 32. Bar mitzvah boys 33. “The peacemker’s time ___ hand!” (“Light One Candle” lyric) 34. Bible from Joshua to Chronicles

35. Holocaust denier, e.g.

36. “The Adding Machine” playwright 43. Amanda of “Syriana” 45. “Red Cavalry” author Babel 48. “Shamanic ___ in Modern Kabbalah” (Jonathan Garb book) 50. “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” composer 52. Hamsas 53. Self-evaluating question for the self-help crowd 54. “Trip to ___” (1968 Susan Sontag book)

55. Begins on Broadway 56. Israeli negotiator Eran, who held out the prospect of a Palestinian state 57. Former Portland mayor Katz 58. Holocaust philosopher Fackenheim 59. Civil libertarian Cassin 60. Actress ___ Rachel Wood (“Across the Universe”) 64. In 2013, it targeted groups with “Israel” in their names

Last week’s answers

Down 1. Jerry or Shari 2. Walk with ___ (hobble) 3. Part of an apology 4. Barkin of “The Big Easy” 5. Taken in, as by a Federation 6. Jolson and Capp 7. Land ___ (Golan Heights problem) 8. “One God Clapping: The Spiritual Path of ___ Rabbi” 9. ___-esh-Sharif (Temple Mount) 10. “Let’s Make a Deal” host 11. Suffix with peek 12. Lenny Bruce’s comedian mother Sally 13. Workers for Robert Morgenthau 18. Scandal-plagued Spitzer

Shabbat Candle Lighting Times DECEMBER 20 ▪ 2013

shabbat blessings

30

Blessing for the Candles Baruch Arah A-do-nai,El-o-hei-nu Melech Haolam Asher Kid-shanu b’mitzvotav V’zivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of time and space.

You hallow us with Your mitzvot and command us to kindle the lights of Shabbat.

Blessing for the Wine Baruch Atah A-do-nai, El-o-hei-nu

Meelech Haolam, Borei p’ri hagafen Praise to You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Blessing for the Bread (Challah) Baruch Atah A-do-nai, El-o-hei-nu Melech haolam, Hamotzi Lechem min haaretz.

Our Praise to You Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Fri., Dec. 27 5:17 p.m.

Sat., Dec. 28 6:17 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 3 5:23 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 4 6:22 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 10 5:28 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 11 6:27 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 17 5:35 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 18 6:34 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 24 5:42 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 25 6:40 p.m.

Fri., Jan. 32 5:48 p.m.

Sat., Feb. 1 6:46 p.m.

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