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NOVEMBER 22, 2013 –December 5, 2013

19 kislev – 2 tevet 5774 vOL. LXXXVIII NO. 46-47

www.atlantajewishtimes.com SPECIAL HOLIDAY DOUBLE ISSUE

FROM ONE MAYOR TO ANOTHER PAGE 26

THANUKAH AT EPSTEIN PAGE 17

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November 22,29 ▪ 2013

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israel

Israeli Pride

GOOD NEWS MADE IN THE JEWISH STATE THIS PAST WEEK

WORLD RECORD DONATION OF HAIR. Zichron Menachem—the Israeli association for the support of children with cancer and their families—set a Guinness World Record for donating the most hair to cancer victims in one day alone. Some 250 women, including cancer survivors, cut 53.1 kg (117 lbs) of their hair to make wigs for cancer patients.

THE LARGEST ARAB-ISRAELI HI-TECH COMPANY. Imad Younis founded Alpha Omega in Nazareth in 1993 and received his funding from Israel’s Chief Scientist program. Today Alpha Omega employs Muslims, Christians and Jews together, and ships its brain surgical guidance systems to 500 hospitals and laboratories across the world.

SLEEP SOUNDLY WITH SOMNUSEAL MASK. For those suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), Israel’s Discover Medical has developed a lessintrusive CPAP mask to help regulate breathing at night. It is fitted like a boxer’s mouth guard and also requires less air pressure from the CPAP machine than previous models.

ISRAELI RESCUERS IN THE PHILLIPINES. A lead IDF team went to the Philippines on Sunday night, which was hit by a devastating typhoon. Another team of 148 flew out on Wednesday; IsraAID is also sending a relief team. JNS reports that a baby born in one of the IDF field hospitals is to be named “Israel,” in honor of their support for the victims.

A NEW GREEN FUEL. Scientists with Ben Gurion University have developed a revolutionary method for producing alternative liquid fuel from two of the most common substances on earth—hydrogen and carbon diox-

ide. Professor Moti Herskowitch unveiled the breakthrough at the Bloomberg Fuel Choices Summit in Tel Aviv last week.

SLOWING DOWN THE IMMUNE RESPONSE. Tel Aviv University researchers have also found a way to control overactive eosinophil white blood cells—a disorder that can lead to allergies as well as autoimmune diseases. In lab tests they have located and regulated the two cell receptors, PIR-B and PIR-A, that protect or shut down the trouble cells.

GARBAGE ENERGY IN GHANA. Israel’s Energy Industries is to construct a plant in Kumasi (Ghana’s second largest city) to create electric power from natural gas extracted from a large landfill. Test drills coming will determine the amount of Methane gas that can be obtained from it.

adults from around the world to Israel for the range of five months to a year.

This year, Masa celebrates its 10th anniversary, during which a record 11,000 young Jews from 62 countries will partake.

NEW DEAN CHANGES STATUS QUO. Professor Malka Schaps, a Harvard graduate from Bnei Brak, an UltraOrthodox (Haraidi) area, is the new dean of Bar-Ilan University’s Faculty of Exact Sciences. Before this promotion, she founded the university’s program in financial mathematics.

OVER TWO THOUSAND FOR NIGHT RUN. This year, Jerusalem held its second annual night run. The runners, all 2,500 of them – including Jerusalem’s Mayor Nir Barkat – ran 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) on an enchanting route through both modern and historic sites.

ANOTHER RECORD FOR CURRENCY DEPOSITS. Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of October 2013 stood at a record $80.7 billion, an increase of $669 million from the end of September. Additionally, $320 million were purchased to prevent Israel’s natural gas production from strengthening the Shekel’s exchange rate.

HAMAS PM’S GRANDDAUGHTER TREATED IN ISRAEL. Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh’s granddaughter returned to Gaza on Monday after being admitted to the Schneider Children’s Medical Center for Israel, located in Petah Tikva for emergency treatment on Sunday. Israel Hayom confirmed with Palestinian Authority sources in Ramallah that the 1-yearold girl was brought to Israel after officials in the PA Health Ministry contacted their Israeli counterparts.

IS WATER THE KEY TO WORLD PEACE? “Filtration will ensure that life as we know it continues,” says the CEO of Amiad, an Israeli water filtration company. “Ensuring that there is enough clean water to grow the food that burgeoning populations need is a concern for farmers and governments everywhere. With our systems, farmers grow 10 kilos of cucumbers in an area where they previously had been able to grow just one kilo.”

ISRAELI WINS $3.7 MILLION IN POKER WORLD SERIES. Israel-born Amir Lehavot finished in third place in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, taking home about $3.7 million.

Lehavot moved to the United States from Israel at age 16, but always plays under the Israeli flag.

DON’T TOUCH MY BIKE. Israel’s HUHA team devised a solution to preventing bicycle theft that is only slightly larger than a plastic Coca-Cola cap. Their invention, The Cricket, is a silent alarm that uses Bluetooth technology to alert smart phone users if anyone touches their bicycle.

MASA’S 10 YEAR JOURNEY. Israel’s Masa program brings young Jewish

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

A PROTEIN THAT KILLS BACTERIA. Researchers at Tel Aviv University have succeeded in isolating a protein called Gene 0.4 that can kill bacteria.

The protein prevents bacteria from dividing, thus destroying them and combating infections; its finding is the first step towards finding a substitute for antibiotics.

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Letters to the editor

Dear Editor,

I

was taken aback when reading an opinion page by Chana Shapiro in the October 23, 2013 Atlanta Jewish Times entitled, “A Cause for Concern?” in which Chana asks, “Am I hopelessly out of it?”

The answer is “yes.” And may I add that there is no better example, Chana, of rudeness, insensitivity and selfishness than your own behavior.

Poor Chana and her fussbudgetin- crime companion are trying to enjoy a meal at neighborhood restaurant (no clues as to the time of day) when children seated nearby are overheard complaining about the ketchup. And, heaven forbid, the parents are ignoring these “ear-shattering” complaints.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

Hold on tight folks, the walls of civilized society are coming crashing down around us. Not one to turn the other cheek, the Butinsky sisters march over to the hapless family and offer to “help.” Fortunately, the par-

4

ents mostly likely recognize them for the two curmudgeons that they are and decline this offer (which is really a passive aggressive request for quiet) from two strangers.

Not to be rebuffed, Chana and her companion march over to the proprietor and demand the family of four be evicted. To his credit, he declined.

There is a good reason, Chana, since you are so concerned with sensitivity that one does not behave as you did. We all frequently encounter other family’s social dynamics while eating out, going to movies and standing in the grocery line. What we get is a small glimpse into one family’s struggle in that singular moment.

What is grossly inappropriate is for you to put your judgmental wagging finger in their face. How do you know what that family, or any family for that matter, is facing?

Maybe the parents are numb with worry over a downturn in their financial situation, blind with grief

over the loss of a loved one, or maybe they are just bone-tired from working two jobs and struggling to raise their children.Maybe those children are anxious to be home; maybe they sense their parents’ worry or pain.

Maybe fighting over ketchup is just how they are handling their own fears. Or hey, maybe the kids were just tired. The point is, what do you possibly know about these total strangers?

And here’s the real comedy in your piece. Chana and another companion are off to the see the Marco Polo exhibit at the Museum of Natural History when they sandwiched between a school busload of teenagers and a Cheerio-eating toddler and his baby sibling. Ha! You guessed it: Chana is beside herself that these teenagers are “shouting, running, shadow-boxing and necking.” They are acting like (you guessed it) TEENAGERS!

What great act of disrespect did

they show? They failed to be fascinated by Marco Polo. Instead of taking copious notes on this historical figure (who I might add was himself a bit of a savage), those teenage hooligans, freed from the bondage of high school, were frolicking and lolly-gagging about to the great consternation of Chana.

Is your own youth, Chana, so far back in the recesses of your mind that you do not remember the sort of wild abandon of teenagers on a field trip?

Or perhaps did you never experience that? And about the baby and the toddler, did you and your tsktsking friend approach the curator of the museum and seek to the throw the mom and toddler out too? Since you are the self-proclaimed bastion of sensitivity, did you have all the young mothers expelled on your visit?

The truth is, I only stumbled upon this piece because I was looking for

Happy Chanukah from the Atlanta Jewish Times aTlanTa

atlanta

PUBLISHER CLIFF WEISS

If I am overly hard on you, Chana, it is because I am angry. You are privileged to have been given a long life and you seem determined to squander it with your petty bickering and mean-spirited sniping at children and strangers. You are oblivious to the humanity in the world because you can’t see past the end of your own nose.

In my grief, I read over and over Thornton Wilder’s play, “Our Town.”

In that play, Emily, who has died in childbirth, returns to see her life on an ordinary day. But she can’t bear to see the way humans squander life.

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“Do humans ever realize life while they live it – every, every minute?”

Probably not.

elizabeth friedly

Chana you will go back to publishing your whiny op-eds (worriers of the world, unite!). And the Jewish Times will keep printing them and any other inane piece somebody writes.

dspector.kc@gmail.com

For me, I am going to read better works than that. And when I see children or teenagers racing through the museum, my heart will sing.

I had better things to do today than read that article and craft my response. But I did it anyway. Do what you want with it. The cathartic experience of writing it was worth the cost in my time.

Lisa Siegel Lisa Smith Siegel, Attorney at Law Dear Editor, I want to heap praise on Marcia [Jaffe] for her very interesting, educational, and entertaining articles.

It’s obvious she’s put a lot of time and effort into her pieces and I wanted you to know how much I enjoyed them. Keep her busy and tell her to keep up the good work Phil Kaplan

Continued on page 53

efriedly@atljewishtimes.com Assistant Editor

DANA SPECTOR Contributing Writers

ARLENE APPELROUTH BRAM BESSOFF Eden Farber Rachel LaVictoire marcia jaffe Al Shams CHANA SHAPIRO JEFF ZELL CREATIVE SERVICES Creative Design

Rico Figliolini ez2BSocial Photographer

GABRIEL WEISS CONTACT INFORMATION general office 404.883.2130 KRUDY@atljewishtimes.com The Atlanta Jewish Times is printed in Georgia and is an equal opportunity employer. The opinions expressed in the Atlanta Jewish Times do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.

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The Atlanta Jewish Times Established 1925 as The Southern Israelite 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 Phone: (404) 883-2130 www.atlantajewishtimes.com THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES (ISSN# 0892-33451) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY ZADOK PUBLISHING, LLC 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, ATLANTA, GA 30328 ©COPYRIGHT 2012 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MEMBER AMERICAN-ISRAELI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Please send all photos, stories and editorial content to: submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

the obituary of my dear friend, who died last month at the age of 53. Sixteen years earlier she faced her first bout of cancer. She taught me a great deal about the importance of enjoying every single day and not sweating the small stuff.

cmweiss@atljewishtimes.com

5

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in the moment

Music Will Keep Atlanta’s Jewish Culture Alive WHAT HOODIE ALLEN MEANS FOR THE FIGHT TO KEEP TEENS ENGAGED

BY BRAM BESSOFF AJT COLUMNIST

E

ver wonder where all the Jewish kids go at night?

Sunday they were with me at the Hoodie Allen show, throwing down in midtown at Center Stage, where I wrote this article, to a packed house of raging kosher hormones.

‘Who is Hoodie Allen?’ you might

ask. But the more important question is, how did Hoodie Allen book and fill Center Stage all on his own without a manger, record label or distribution deal?

Not just two weeks ago I got hit up by a few Jewish teens requesting to bring him out for the next AJMF Spring Festival this coming March, so I began my research.

Hoodie Allen, born Steven Mar-

kowitz, was raised Jewish in Plainview, Long Island where he wrote lyrics and performed his tunes at house parties under his childhood nickname “Hoodie” to which he later added the “Allen” as a comical way to describe his personality – he is anything but urban.

A fellow former-AEPi brother at U Penn, (I was AEPi at Syracuse class of ’93) he left his first job at Google to

No charitable gift has a greater impact on the lives of Israelis.

follow his dream of becoming a hiphop recording artist.

Success for Hoodie even before Google, back in college, where he garnered an MTVU Best Music on Campus Award for tracks off his two college productions “Bagels & Beats” & “Making Waves” under the duo Steve Witz and Obey City.

In 2010, Obey left the project and Markowitz continued on as Hoodie Allen, beginning a new collaboration with producer RJF on the mixtape, “Pep Rally” that was downloaded over 200,000 times.

In proper indie fashion he kept releasing new material with his next record, “All American,” released spring of 2012, featuring the crowd favorite “No Faith in Brooklyn (feat.

Jhameel)” which debuted as the No. 1 album on iTunes.

He went on to sell out rooms like NYC’s Roseland Ballroom and open for Passion Pit in front of 10,000 people at University of Minnesota.

An acoustic based EP titled “Americoustic” was released on Aug. 13 that debuted at No. 4 on iTunes and kicked off yet another tour, “Party with Your Friends” which brought him here to Center Stage Atlanta this past Sunday.

None of the kids in the audience knew any of this, I can guarantee.

What they did know is that Hoodie puts on a killer show and has a slew of catchy tunes.

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He keeps the crowd engaged by constantly changing things up, whether it is a tune featuring his bassist and lead guitarist on cowbells, floor toms or he is crowd boating, not surfing – he used an inflatable raft to move across the sea of teenage hands barely keeping him afloat (he almost took a dig a few times into the abyss of hot and sweaty, not-so-nimble kids in the crowd).

None of this still answers the question: how did he get so many kids out to his show? The answer lies in the way he communicates with his fans.

It all started with HAM “Hoodie Allen Mondays” where he would

of work they do to help put tuchases in seats.

This is how he does it, and it is brilliant.

Engage and capture your audience, not only during your show but before and after as well.

purchased a copy to say thanks.

After Google Hangout became available, the show switched platforms and was renamed to “Hoodie Hang” – this worked amazingly well for the release of “All American.” The night-prior to the drop date, he used the platform to announce that he would personally call each fan who

He took it one step further and created his own street teaming engine rightfully called the “Hoodie Mob,” where fans are assigned certain tasks to help promote shows in exchange for private meet & greets prior to the show, free merch and other bennies relative to the amount

Needless to say, he is still making calls to the 30,000 people that signed up that night to buy his record.

I’d love to bring Hoodie Allen back for this spring’s Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, depending on how much he wants to. We could expose hundreds of local teens to a part of Jewish culture that they can sink their teeth into and call their own.

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Just so happens that last week the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival started its fundraising for the 5th Annual Spring Festival and all you need to do is support it with a couple dollars and a few minutes of your time to spread the word.

If there is one force powerful enough to motivate and connect a teenager to their religion and culture, music is your best shot, start today by visiting uruut.com/projects/237.

Bram Bessoff is a drummer and musician. When not onstage, Bram sits on the board of directors as VP for The Atlanta Jewish Music Festival.

Follow Bram’s experiences on, off and backstage @bram_rocks. Interact with him at #InItForTheMoment and share thoughts, comments and ideas about this column.

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November 22,29 ▪ 2013

stream live chats featuring new music and trivia. The first to answer would get a live call from Hoodie on the show.

So what does this have to do with saving the Jewish culture through the power of music? Simply put, provide a cool experience for teens and they will come.

That’s the magic bullet – give them something they can call their own. So how can you help make it happen?

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AJT

community

FIDF presents ‘Legends and Heroes of the IDF’ HONORING OPERATION ENTEBBE & GEN. SHANI SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

T

he Southeastern Region of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces is presenting “Legends and Heroes of the IDF” at the Woodruff Arts Center honoring Brigadier General (Ret.) Joshua Shani and all those who fought in Operation Entebbe.

On June 27, 1976, an Air France aircraft was hijacked by Palestinian and German terrorists eventually landing in Entebbe, Udanga with approximately 100 Jewish, non-Jewish and Israeli hostages.

When diplomatic negotiations failed, the IDF and Mossad organized Operation Entebbe to rescue and liberate the hostages.

A week later, Operation Entebbe succeeded in rescuing the hostages with minimal losses. This incredible action saved lives and illustrated the strength and determination of the IDF. The Southeastern Region of Friends of the Israel Defense Forces invites you to honor the brave men and women involved in Operation Entebbe, in particular Joshua Shani who piloted the lead plane in the rescue mission.

The FIDF program will be Dec. 2 with a dessert reception at 7 p.m. and the main program starting at 7:45 p.m at the Woodruff Arts Center Editor’s note: For more information please contact Seth R. Baron, Executive Director, Southeast Region by phone at (678) 250-9030, email at seth.baron@fidf. org or online at www.fidf.org/atlanta/entebbe.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

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ACCORDING TO ARLENE

A Column About a Column

UNCOVERING THE PAST AND LEARNING FROM THE PAIN AJT CONTRIBUTOR

T

he email was from Michael Robinowitz, M.D., a name I didn’t recognize, but the name

Max Lipschitz was the subject of the message, so I immediately opened it: “I am the nephew of Rabbi Max Lipschitz about whom you recently wrote such kind words. When I read the article I called Max’s widow, Rhoda, who was thrilled about what you said and also told me that her daughter Cathy Stein was in the car at the time of the accident.”

I read the email several times. Dr. Robinowitz was referring to a column I had written naming the first rabbi I had a meaningful relationship with.

(Atlanta Jewish Times, July, 2013).

The accident, which caused my 70year old brother’s death, was a tragedy that changed my life.

I was in my junior year of college at the University of Florida. It was a common practice for high school seniors to participate in homecoming weekend, and I invited my brother Barry for the event. He got a ride from North Miami to Gainesville with Sherry, another high school student, who was the sister of one of my roommates.

The accident happened on their drive home on the Florida Sunshine State Parkway.

It was a single car accident. I never had the opportunity to ask what happened. My brother was the only one who died.

I knew there was another passenger in the car in addition to my brother, but I never knew who that was. I wasn’t aware of the extent of the injuries to the driver or the other passenger.

Grief can be emotionally devastating.

I went numb. My parents were heartbroken and unable to talk about what happened. Instead of mourning together and perhaps finding comfort by sharing the pain, I was sent back to college a few days after burying my brother.

The roommate whose sister drove

the car moved out.

I was alone in my grief, learning the painful truth that sometimes even close friends don’t know what to say. Death is not an easy subject to talk about - especially when a young person dies unexpectedly.

People tell each other that time heals all wounds. Although there’s a kernel of truth in that pithy saying, my experience is we learn to live with our wounds. The pain of loss might lessen in time, but it never fully disappears.

When I read Michael Robinowitz’s email again, I was shocked to learn the relationship between Rabbi Lipschitz and the other passenger in the car.

It was his step daughter. Why didn’t he say so?

A few weeks later, I received a letter from Rhoda Lipschitz, the rabbi’s widow, which answered that question. She had married the rabbi 10 years after the accident. Her letter filled in many of the blanks I had had about the accident.

said it was too painful to discuss. I stopped asking.

A week after my conversation with the rabbi’s widow, I received an email from her daughter.

She gave a detailed account of what happened. It didn’t surprise me to learn of the flashback images she still experiences of the accident and the feelings she still has. Trauma lingers. After I got her email, we talked for some time on the phone.

I sent an email to my brother’s high school friend, now Rabbi Edwin Farber. He replied in an email that he would be glad to share memories with me. He suggested I get in touch with him on my next trip to South Florida.

Last week I sat in his office at Congregation Beth Torah Adath Yeshurin in North Miami Beach.

I recognized photographs of his Atlanta grandchildren in his office.

I’ve been to his son’s house in Toco Hills many times to take women’s Talmud classes. We talked about his son and his family.

Then I asked about my brother.

He told me that he and Barry knew each other well. They had gotten close during Bar Mitzvah classes and shared many honors classes at Miami Norland High School.

“I remember what a great smile he had,” he reminisced. “And his wavy light brown hair. Everyone liked your brother. He was very smart and very popular.”

After all that time, it was good to hear.

Arlene Appelrouth earned a degree in news-editorial journalism from the University of Florida and her career as a writer and journalist spans a 50-year period; she currently studies memoir writing while working on her first book.

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But I wanted to know more, so I called her on the phone.

Mrs. Lipschitz was eager to talk.

She told me how much she appreciated what I wrote about her husband and that she had told her daughter and her rabbi about it “When I told my rabbi about your column, he said he lost a good friend in a car accident when he was in high school,” Mrs. Lipschitz said.

The good friend was my brother.

I wondered if her daughter and her rabbi would be willing to talk with me.

Even though 46 years had passed since my brother’s death, I still wondered why the driver lost control of the car, causing it to flip over and propel my brother through the windshield.

There was so much I didn’t know about my brother. At the time of the accident I had been away from home for three years. Even though we talked a lot during his last weekend of life, there were questions I wished I could ask someone who knew him well.

Unfortunately, my parents were never able to talk about these things.

When I did ask questions, my mother

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jaffe’S Jewish Jive

Why Some People of Color ‘Chose’ the Tribe IS THERE ROOM ON OUR BIMAH?

BY MARCIA JAFFE AJT CONTRIBUTOR

H

ow much courage does it take to step out from one’s own upbringing and family traditions?

Far be it from me to tackle a dicey racial topic; but honesty and curiosity sometimes prevail. If you’re in a Jewish environment, say at Temple praying, and a black person enters wearing a keepah and joins in the service; do you do a “double take”?

Does your mind wonder: Did he do it to marry someone? Was she adopted and raised by a Caucasian family like “Seven Degrees of Separation”? Is he a student in comparative religion?

“What would you do if I brought home a black man to marry? But what if he was a converted Jew? What if he was president of Harvard Medical School? What if…..”

My mother Rosalie, a southern belle who had a KKK cross burned on her front yard when her dad won a Model T Ford in a raffle, answered, “Life is hard enough as it is. Why seek out problems?”

Or “Think how would your children would(not) fit in?”

Rabbi Brian Glusman, Director of Outreach and Engagement at the MJCC, says that is the Baby Boomer generation that, “could have angst about such conversions.”

He has open arms that different races who “add beauty to our culture, and make the bigger statement that Judaism is not a

Below I have condensed some in-depth conversations with black men and women of Atlanta who take their faith in Judaism David Smith very seriously and are willing to share their innermost theorace.” logical thoughts.

Those of you “of a certain age” Rabbi Glusman further notes remember the clamor when Sammy that, “blacks and Jews have a common history of persecution and thereDavis, Jr converted. fore cross identification.”

Did he do it to make the “Mano So the ante is raised. We take that Manichevitz” wine commercial? we were born of Jewish Caucasian In reality, he was in an auto acci- parents for granted. How much more dent resulting in a lost eye. During a of an effort would a racially different hospital visit by Eddie Cantor, Davis convert (or one who accepts Jewish decided to become Jewish. values) have to make to elect to do it?

Once when asked about his golf handicap, Davis replied, “I’m a oneeyed, Negro Jew. Isn’t that enough of DAVID SMITH, MUSICIAN AND BUSINESS OWNER a handicap?”

I got just as excited when Eliza- Enter David Smith, an accombeth Taylor went through some plished musician, who grew up in sort of conversion to marry Eddie Brooklyn. As a young child, his mothFisher; but she looked Semitic with er spoke well of Jews; and at age 5, a raven hair and full ruby lips. OK, so Jewish man gave him “an expensive I stretch this a bit out of star envy. harmonica” to motivate him and nurMaybe Eddie got Debbie Reynolds to ture his talent. convert also, which is how we got our bottle blond hair.

I remember baiting my mother after seeing the movie “Patch of Blue.”

He was further predisposed to Jewish “in-depth thinking” through his Chasidic friends in New York.

David was “rediscovered by a Jewish Atlanta man at a Men’s Club

p p a H y

HANUKKAH

meeting at the Concourse Club.”

The man exclaimed, “You’re more Jewish than a lot of people I know!”

David was discussing the Book of Esther at the time in conjunction with his original music. I saw David perform at Steve Grossman’s house a few years back, and blew the audience away; since then he has performed on a national TV talk show.

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Now David attends Sabbath services and is a Biblical scholar. He is raising a young daughter and hired a South American nanny who is Jewish and will reinforce Torah lessons.

David states, “Jews are the apple of G-d’s eye; and Christians should be servants of Jews. But I feel no need to convert. Mother is as mother does,” sums it up for him.

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JAY AUSTIN, ENTREPRENEUR Jay Austin, a bowtie manufacturer, whom I met years ago at a Chabad class, is very conscientious and expressed some of his obstacles and rewards. He grew up on military bases and is not strongly attached to a church.

“My first experience living with a large Jewish population was in Ft Lauderdale. The customs of family and community really made an impression on me. Now that I have my own lasting Jewish relationships, it’s very rewarding for me and my wife.

“The first time I went to Lunch ‘n Learn, my heart was racing because I was the only person of color in the room; and Jewish people can be a lit-

Continued on page 12

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Our board certified cardiologists and highly experienced medical staff work together to put the patient first. In addition to General Consultative Cardiology, we provide:

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11

AJT

wishing our family and friends a very Happy Hanukkah!

jaffe’S Jewish Jive

Continued from page 11

The william Breman jewish Home aviv Rehabilitation Center The zaban Tower The Cohen Home weinstein Hospice The one group meyer Balser noRC Berman Commons

Cynthia Adams, a public health professional, was raised as a Christian with a yearning to be closer to G-d.

Until 17 years ago, this would begin to change as a friend challenged her to defend her beliefs.

Join us for Coffee and Sufgianot!

Concurrently Adams’ job provided the perfect opportunity to interface with various religious traditions on a national level. As she gathered knowledge, she found she was most comfortable with the Torah.

Berman Commons Information Center Sunday, December 1st 3:00pm-5:00pm MJCCA | 5342 Tilly Mill Road | Dunwoody www.bermancommons.org

Tzor Cad tle stand-offish until they get to know you. I just told myself that Jews have been persecuted throughout history so I am just sharing in the suffering of my people.

“There have also been times people have come up to me and said an older relative of theirs told them to be good to Jews, so they can give you things.

“When I started to openly express my new culture as a black Jew by wearing a Yamulka, I was in a cigar shop in Buckhead when the clerk told me I could not wear my ‘hat’ if I was going to smoke there. I will never step foot in the place again!

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

“I hate when I am around other black people that trash Jews. I just think about how it must have been in Germany during WWII being Jewish. But if the roles were reversed, and Jews start talking about how all blacks are on welfare, it would be a big issue.

“Not knowing Hebrew sometimes brings me down because the meanings of some prayers just don’t translate well into English. Another early obstacle was unplugging from the world of work on Shabbat. Secular thinking must be unlearned.”

CYNTHIA ADAMS, PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

12

Cynthia doesn’t expect everyone to be “OK with her decision,” and she is alright with that. She widened her circle of friends to others whose faith was similar before meeting Brooke and Rabbi Rosenthal.

She found them to be welcoming – something she was not sure she could expect. She was reluctant for over a decade to align with a synagogue which might “not accept her.”

When she began what she thought would be a multi-synagogue trial, Cynthia found a home at Ahavath Achim.

Within her birth family, there is much love mutual respect. “So,” says Cynthia, “there is no rift between us.

We never argue about our differences.”

Cynthia’s two young adult children also consider themselves Jewish. They are not concerned about crowd approval.

“We live our faith to align with the will of G-d, not the will of man,” she says.

Cynthia, who has been to Israel several times, first visited with a Christian women’s group. After years of study (including Steve Chervin’s classes), she was converted by Rabbi Rosenthal in 2012. Cynthia had a formal conversion ceremony culminating in an oral examination by a panel of three Conservative rabbis and a mikveh immersion.

She was a little nervous waiting

for the rabbis to give a “thumbs up” after the bet din “quizzing and discussion.”

Memorably a synagogue member gave Cynthia’s “post conversion” celebration dinner.

TZOR CAD, STUDENT Born Raymond Cad, Tzor selected the Hebrew word “Rock” for his name when his curiosity began five years ago at age 18.

He says that he is, “mesmerized

by Jewish ancestry and pride” and began studying on his own.

low Judaism.”

When asked to elaborate on her spiritual journey, Tammy muses that this development aligned with two incidents in particular:

“During the buzz-y era of Christendom’s wildly popular ‘WWJD’ catchphrase, the realization that the central figure of my birth tradition was Jewish inspired me to examine the question, ‘What would Jesus do?’

Formulating an authentic response and then comprehending the answer meant looking at the Hebrew Scriptures afresh.

“I was compelled to take responsibility for the Commandments I knew I was breaking according to G-d’s word and to find the ones I should have been keeping.

“The second point being when I understood that I was called to raise my son Jewishly.”

Tammy is careful to separate faith and religion.

She gives the example of disliking the Prince of Egypt, “because it cast Moses as an eloquent, confident speaker. It required no faith for me

to believe he could have convinced an audience. But a leader with some sort of speech issue… that requires faith!”

After 35 years with the Atlanta Newspapers, Marcia currently serves as Retail VP for the Buckhead Business Association where she delivers news and trends(laced with a little gossip).

On the side, Marcia is Captain of the Senior Cheerleaders for the WNBA at Philips Arena.

His year spent in Phoenix was not met with a welcome from that Jewish community.

Now back in Atlanta, he enjoys children’s services which provide explanation and more English.

His family (mother) has written him off as a rebel because he “chooses to think on his own.” He no longer goes to church or wants be structured. He does not follow the New Testament. Tzor says,“I admire the Jews as a great people.”

He knows his journey will not be an easy one ahead.

TAMMY MEANS, TEACHER Tammy Means, a “Grady Baby,” grew up Atlanta’s former 5th Ward and was reared as a “southern black Baptist.”

She is a certified teacher who home schools her 15 year-old and occasionally substitutes at Epstein, Greenfield Hebrew Academy, and Torah Day School. She currently teaches preschool at AA’s religious school.

She states that her family’s transition to Judaism was a spiritual one, based on faith in the Torah, whose seeds were planted in her heart and mind before she was even born. Tammy’s husband Ken was the official family “researcher” when it came to selecting the Orthodox or Conservative tradition and a corresponding synagogue.

Tammy does not like the term “convert.”

“I despise the term convert because it implies that some human system influenced my intuition to fol-

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

She says of her work, “I hope to be able to show these babies within a Jewish framework that G-d is one and truly awesome!”

13

AJT

chai fashion

Chai Fashion with Nicole

Jewish community. Please send me your fashion-related questions and I will try to tackle them one-by-one!

ALL YOUR FASHION QUERIES ANSWERED

By Nicole Borsuk AJT CONTRIBUTOR

F

rom High Fashion to High Holidays...Answering your fashion dilemmas one question at a time!

My name is Nicole Borsuk and I am

very excited to be writing this fashion “Q & A” column for the Atlanta Jewish Times.

I have over 15 years of fashion experience, including my own personal shopping business, and can’t wait to share my knowledge with the Atlanta

Dear Nicole, Can you tell me where to best find petite clothing? I am a woman in my mid-50s and continue to have a hard time finding age-appropriate, quality items that actually fit.

Sincerely, Petite on Peachtree Dear Petite on Peachtree, Standing at a whopping 5’0”, I feel your pain! It can be very challenging to find petite clothing, especially since many retailers have stopped carrying them in the last few years.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

The Davis Academy wishes our community a beautiful Chanukah filled with light and miracles!

Proud Affiliate of:

www.davisacademy.org 14

Stumped in Sandy Springs Dear Stumped, This is an age-old question, and what makes it more confusing, is that the answer is always changing. Years ago, fundraisers were considered much more formal events than they often are today.

As far as the larger retailers in Atlanta, I have had success finding petite clothes at Bloomingdale’s, Banana Republic (Lenox Mall is their largest selection for petites), Nordstrom and Ann Taylor.

Therefore, I’d definitely advise a dress and heels for you, and a suit for your man. If the invitation had specified an attire (i.e. “cocktail,” “business casual,” etc.), you’d probably still be confused because, these days, no one seems to know what those terms mean anymore .

Most Macys stores also have a petite-only area and are a little less expensive than some of the first options I named (plus, use a Macy’s card and you’ll almost always get an additional 20 percent off!).

But without any dress code specified, here is one rule of thumb to stick to: no jeans. Short of denim, you should fit in with whatever you choose to wear (especially because none of the other guests will know what to wear either).

If you happen to like boutique shopping, you may want to check out Petite Place, a shop specifically geared towards women 5’4” and under. They are located on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs and have been in business for more than 25 years!

To get more specifics, however, consider the venue: is the event in a fancy hotel or does it take place in a more casual venue, like a bar or restaurant?

If internet shopping is your thing, Anthropologie and J. Crew both carry petite clothing online.

Zoe Shapiro, 4th grade

takes place on a Tuesday night and does not specify what to wear. As a women, do I wear pants...a dress?

Does my husband need a jacket, tie? Help!

While not everyone is as comfortable purchasing their clothes without actually trying them on first, I have to advocate this as a great option which can truly expand your reach – especially when so many stores now offer free shipping and free returns these days, i.e. buy a few options and send back whatever doesn’t work.

While these options are certainly not the only ones, there is another (slightly more annoying) approach: buy whatever clothes you like and take them to a great seamstress. A skilled seamstress (who doesn’t have to be expensive, I might add) could take your too-long/ too-wide clothing and tailor it to fit your body exactly the way it should hang.

Yes, this does add another step to your shopping, but it can also be worth it in the end for great clothing that actually fits!

Dear Nicole, My husband and I have been invited to the annual fundraising dinner of a Jewish cause that we support. The event

For example, if you would normally wear pants and a dressy shirt to this restaurant, that’s probably the way to go.

Or if this seems like the type of place where you’d normally wear a dress or skirt, you should probably stick to your instincts and dress it up a bit. The bottom line is that, as a Jewish woman, you can never go wrong with black pants or a LBD (little black dress, or any color for that matter).

As far as your husband, this is trickier since he doesn’t want to be the only man there without a tie. Or worse, the only man without a jacket. But remember, if you’re confused, so is everyone else and this will lead to a medley of variations.

Unless otherwise told, a man would generally wear a sport coat (with or without tie) to a Jewish fundraising event on a weeknight (unless he was coming straight from work and happened to be in something dressier, like a suit).

As long as neither of you wear jeans, I really don’t think that you should stress it and that you’ll both fit in and look great. Hope this helps make you more comfortable!

Send Nicole your question at nicole@nicoleborsuk.com, or for more info about Nicole, visit www.nicoleborsuk.com.

AJT

OP-ed

How Blind the Russian Bear WHO SHOULD BE MOST WORRIED ABOUT IRAN?

BY TED ROBERTS SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

W

hen it comes to nincompoops, John Kerry ranks way up there.

I wonder if he remembers that his paycheck is backed by the U.S. Treasury, instead of by the Iranian National Bank. I have no qualms in calling him one of the greener weeds of our State

Department.

He has the backbone of a jellyfish. And if there’s a G-d who cherishes His planet, and I believe there is, He must laugh at Mr. Kerry or cry, because His planet – due to Kerry – is in imminent danger.

However, surprisingly enough Mr. Kerry is only the No. 2 shliemel in the world. No. 1 is that ex-KGB agent, Alexander Putin.

Can you imagine: 25 million violent Chechyans who for over a hundred years sought their freedom from Russia, and who sporadically kill any Russians they find available.

Can you imagine this horde of crazed patriots with a nuclear weapon? And how difficult would it be for such an asylum full of loonies to get their hands on a weapon of awesome destruction from their next door neighbors, the Iranians?

Not good if you cherish relationships with the Saudis, your ally Syria, and the rest of the wild, wild west known as the Middle East.

To follow this thesis you must understand the hostility between the nominally Christian Russia and the violent Muslim Chechnya. It’s hard for we united Americans to understand 50 million aliens being wrapped in chains to a country that has nothing in common with the so-called mother state. And in an era when Pakistan and North Korea are selling nuke components and technology all over the world, do we dare believe that Chechnya won’t place an order?

So why does Russia consistently vote against sanctions, especially as they apply to their crazy neighbor? They misunderstand the target. Mr. Kerry could give them lessons in incompetency.

In summary: Russia, instead of obstructing the process, should be No. 1 in joining the consortium threatening wholesale Iranian destruction unless Iran ceases and desists from any further nuke process.

You don’t even need a delivery system with long legs. Russia borders on Iran, who in two years or less (unless constrained) could demand the freedom of their fellow Muslims in Chechnya. Moscow is less than a thousand miles from northern Persia.

How stupid of Russian foreign policy to open the cage of this tiger. They have sabotaged every effort to cage the beast. Of course, none of this addresses the overwhelming threat to Western civilization.

I focus only on the foolishness of the Russian bear in safeguarding his own interests. It only takes a smattering of Russian-Chechnyan history to feel the hatred expressed by the captive Chechnyans toward their Russian jailors.

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Not only are there political differences, but the Eastern Orthodox faith and Islam are like oil and water. Why would the Russki politician hand the enemy the rod that will pry them from the jaws of a KGB run state? How long will a nuclear-armed Middle East put up with the serfdom of their fellow Muslims?

Master Russia, trying to regain their Middle Eastern ambitions, sees their sponsorship of Iran and their Syrian friends as the ultimate goal. They somehow forgot about 23 million angry Chechnyans.

I have noted in my study of humanity that G-d in his wisdom rarely combined evil and wisdom. This is a prime example.

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November 22,29 ▪ 2013

Of all those threatened by an Iranian nuke, no one is threatened more than Mother Russia – including the Israelis. If you nuke Russia, you only kill Russians. If – G-d forbid – you nuke the Jewish state, you severely damage a couple hundred thousand Arabs.

15

AJT

Chanukah

Nes, Gadol, Haya, Cranberry!

BY LOGAN RITCHIE SPECIAL FOR THE AJT Far from the Land of Milk and Honey, Something happened; something funny.

Two holidays collided, Which nonetheless provided American Jews to stop and mutter, “Turkey and menorahs?” they stuttered.

Thanksgivvukah created a fuss And it never did quite dawn on us That two holidays we love Would together be shoved.

So Jews lit candles in the turkey And called it a Menurky.

“But, the children!” everyone cried, “Will their confusion subside?”

“Don’t fret,” said the team at JKG, “We hold the key!

Our students are strong and know This silly holiday will come and go.”

“That’s right,” said the mini mensches, “Get off the benchåes!”

We get to learn by Rap, rhyme, and turn, We love JKG And we’re nuts for our Menurky!”

All through Atlanta the sound Could be found Of JKG kids reciting November 22,29 ▪ 2013

The news so exciting

16

Thanksgivvukah was here But not again for 76,000 years!

Logan is the mom of three boys: a 7-year-old who loves math and 2-yearold twins who love to climb furniture.

She lives with her husband in Atlanta, and craves silence and a clean kitchen.

She earned a BA in writing from Emerson College in Boston.

Thanukah Thanks-giving

What Kindergarten Students Are Thankful For At the First Ever Thanukah

T

his year is historical. It is the first time in our lifetime, and the last, we are celebrating Thanksgiving and the first day of Chanukah together, calling it Thanukkah.

This phenomenon will not ever be repeated again because of the disparity between the Gregorian solar calendar and the Hebrew lunar calendar. This is a unique opportunity to celebrate the Jewish culture and history along with the history of the nation in which we live.

As we share a wonderful meal and memories with our families, it is also important that we reflect upon the many gifts God has provided us: our family, friends, freedom and health.

At The Epstein School, young TK (Transitional Kindergarten) students have spent time reflecting on the many things they are thankful for. They shared with us what is on their mind: Brady - “My mommy because she gives me hugs.”

Alex – “My brother because he lets me come up to his room.”

Jonah - “Ice cream because it tastes good!”

Dylan – “My dog because he sleeps with me.”

Seth- “My brother because he lets me flip on him.”

Ariela- “My dad because he lifts me up to the ceiling!”

Alex Leff, Brady Traube and Dylan Dickson.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

17

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AJT

community

A Time before Neighborhood Shopping Was Global CHOSEN JUDAICA OWNER’S DECADES OF SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS

BY ELIZABETH FRIEDLY ASSOCIATE EDITOR When Judaica Corner first opened on Briarcliff Road in 1987, the world was a very different place.

For starts, the retail landscape was significantly smaller; if a costumer needed a mezuzah for their new home, they went down the street to the stucco building with the familiar sign.

Today, their web search might take them to New York or even Israel before they set foot inside.

Celebrating 26 years in the Jewish community, store-owner Janet Afrah’s answer to these new challenges lies in the personal, day-today interactions.

“There are a million things online, but nobody’s going to tell you what’s appropriate to take to your future mother-in-law,” jokes Afrah.

She has amounted countless stories over the years of costumers for whom she has been able to better help in retail based upon her knowl-

edge of their personal lives. The parade of characters is seemingly endless.

One woman only decorates her house in red and black. Another is a grandfather who visits once a year, with the confidence that Afrah will remember his past purchases and thus keep him from duplicating gifts.

Some times its mixed marriage couples still in the process of navigating uncharted territory. Sometimes its individuals who are in the process of converting, looking for direction but too afraid to ask.

“I do have a consulting business, if you want to call it that,” Afrah laughs. “I’m not just there to sell. I know, we do help people and we do guide them.”

Saturday, Nov. 30 marks the third annual Small Business Saturday, sponsored by American Express, during which registered cardholders are awarded $10 credit to the independent store of their choosing.

Afrah’s Chosen Treasures and Judaica Corner will both be participating and celebrating for the second year, since the U.S. Senate officially recognized the event in 2011.

Due to the unique timing, Afrah will be combining the day with a Chanukah party located at Judaica Corner, complete with donuts, cookies, drinks and dreidels. In accordance with Shabbat, the shop will be open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Afrah encourages costumers to

snatch up holiday items like pure olive oil, for both the observant customer and those who simply dislike the mess wax leaves behind. Yet no matter what’s in style, Afrah holds herself to serving the community. “[Being a small business] has its ups and downs. We had a lot of hard times and we had good times. I like it,” says Afrah. “I see how my store is needed in the community. They feel the difference.”

After so many years, through Judaica Corners and now Chosen Treasures, Afrah’s family has seen boys and girls grow into men and women, who then bring their own children into the store.

She describes a costumer who buys a tallit for his bar mitzvah, then a kippah for his wedding. Soon he’s coming back to prepare for the bris of his son.

“That’s what I offer people, a personal relationship,” Afrah affectionately explains. “Over the past 26 years, I’ve made a lot of friends.”

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AJT

chanukah

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The Festival of Life THE FORGOTTEN MESSAGE OF CHANUKAH

BY MARK IRA KAUFAMN SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

J

ews all over the world will soon be celebrating the festival of Chanukah by lighting the menorah and savoring symbolic

foods.

However, even the most thoughtful modern commentators rarely note that the historical events Chanukah commemorates also represent a striking yet unheralded contribution to the evolution and establishment of Judaism’s highest value.

The Chanukah story, familiar to Jews and non-Jews, is that after Alexander the Great conquered Judea (what is known today as the West Bank), the Seleucid emperor Antiochus IV conquered Egypt, and subsequently seized Jerusalem.

He gutted the Temple, desecrated it by installing idols, forbade circumcision, suppressed Jewish observance

in public and prohibited Temple sacrifices, all while forcing even Jewish leaders to sacrifice to idols.

The Jewish priest Mattathias called upon those Jews who remained committed to tradition to revolt. His three sons, who came to be known as the Maccabees, began a military campaign against the invaders.

Commanded by Judah, Mattathias’s third son, they led a successful revolt, and restored both the Temple and Jewish rule in the region.

The festival of Chanukah marks the rededication of the Temple after its desecration by Antiochus and commemorates the “miracle of the container of oil.” According to the Talmud (a 6,200-page compendium of Judaism’s Oral Law and elucidation on this law and the Torah itself), at the re-dedication following the victory of the MacContinued on page 22

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AJT

chanukah

Continued from page 20

The Festival of Life THE FORGOTTEN MESSAGE OF CHANUKAH cabees over the Seleucid Empire, there was only enough oil to fuel the Ner Tamid (Hebrew for ‘eternal flame,’) in the Temple for one day.

Miraculously, the oil burned for eight days, which was the length of time it took to press, prepare and consecrate fresh olive oil. These events are commemorated with the festival of Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights.

Although the Maccabees are credited with victory, their refusal to fight on the Sabbath led to the horrific loss of nearly a thousand lives to Antiochus’ forces.

After this catastrophe, it was reasoned that when attacked, Jews must defend themselves, even on Shabbat (the seventh day, and the Hebrew word from which the word ‘Sabbath’ originated.)

This historical event gave birth to

Judaism’s ultimate moral imperative, the preservation and protection of life.

To understand how important this is, consider the importance of the Jewish Sabbath.

Shabbat is actually the most important observance in Judaism. Unlike annual holidays, it is observed once each week, and is the only observance mandated in the Ten Commandments.

Traditional laws of Shabbat include 39 categories of prohibited activities.

These categories include such diverse activities as engaging in business of any sort, the use of telephones and computers, any sort of gardening, cooking, writing, lighting or extinguishing a fire, and if one is orthodox, driving.

Lest one think that because of these restrictions, Sabbath observance is self-deprivation for orthodox Jews, the reality is that for such observant Jews,

it is pure liberation.

Theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel wrote in his classic book “The Sabbath,” that, “The meaning of the Sabbath is to celebrate time rather than space. Six days a week we live under the tyranny of things of space; on the Sabbath we try to become attuned to holiness in time.”

Because of this and more, Shabbat is pure joy for observant Jews. So much so that it is even a sin to be sad on Shabbat.

Herman Wouk, the Pulitzer Prizewinning American author, whose novels include “The Caine Mutiny,” “The Winds of War” and “War and Remembrance,” offered this description of the Jewish Sabbath in the context of his life and career: The Shabbat has cut most sharply

athwart my own life when one of my plays has been in rehearsal or in tryout.

The crisis atmosphere of an attempt at Broadway is a legend of our time, and a true one; I have felt under less pressure going into battle at sea. Friday afternoon, during these rehearsals, inevitably seems to come when the project is tottering on the edge of ruin.

I have sometimes felt guilty of treason, holding to the Shabbat in such a desperate situation. But then, experience has taught me that a theater enterprise almost always is in such a case. Sometimes it does totter to ruin, and sometimes it totters to great prosperity, but tottering is its normal gait, and cries of anguish are its normal tone of voice.

So I have reluctantly taken leave of my colleagues on Friday afternoon,

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and rejoined them on Saturday night. The play has never collapsed in the meantime.

is imperiled. They are required to do so. This principle is known as Pikuah Nefesh (preserving life).

When I return I find it tottering as before and the anguished cries as normally despairing as ever. My plays have encountered in the end both success and failure, but I cannot honestly ascribe either result to my observing the Shabbat.

Thus, if an observant Jew discovers that his or her neighbor has become seriously ill on Shabbat, and the quickest means to get the neighbor the care he needs is to drive him to the hospital himself, he is not merely permitted to do so. He is commanded to.

Leaving the gloomy theater, the littered coffee cups, the jumbled scarred-up scripts, the haggard actors, the knuckle-gnawing producer, the clattering typewriter, and the dense, tobacco smoke has been a startling change, very like a brief return from the wars.

It is why one might find orthodox Jewish doctors on duty in hospitals on the Sabbath.

We have sat down to a splendid dinner, at a table graced with flowers and the old Shabbat symbols: the burning candles, the twisted challah loaves, the stuffed fish, and my grandfather’s silver goblet brimming with wine. I have blessed my boys with the ancient blessings; we have sung the pleasantly syncopated Shabbat table hymns.

The talk has little to do with tottering ruins. My wife and I have caught up with our week’s conversation. The boys, knowing that Shabbat is the occasion for asking questions, have asked them. We talk of Judaism.

For me it is a retreat into restorative magic.

Shabbat has passed much in the same manner. The boys are at home in the synagogue, and they like it.

They like even more the assured presence of their parents. In the weekday press of schooling, household chores, and work – and especially in play producing time – it often happens that they see little of us.

On Shabbat we are always there and they know it. They know too that I am not working and that my wife is at her ease. It is their day.

It is my day, too. The telephone is silent. I can think, read, study, walk or do nothing. It is an oasis of quiet. My producer one Saturday night said to me, “I don’t envy you your religion, but I envy you your Shabbat.”

However, Jews are not merely permitted to engage in activities otherwise prohibited on the Sabbath - and almost every other Jewish law - if human life

In order to maintain basic and emergency functions, many army tasks, which would normally be forbidden on Shabbat, must be performed on Shabbat.

The guiding principle for Shabbatobservant soldiers is Pikuah Nefesh. If the function may plausibly save a life, it supersedes the laws of Shabbat. Before using electric equipment for radio communication, writing, and performing guard duty, observant soldiers con-

sider whether they could be justified according to the principle.

When the Maccabees chose to defend themselves on the Sabbath, they recognized life as above all else. To understand Chanukah as the birth of Pikuah Nefesh is to recognize the candle’s flame as more than a commemoration of history’s ‘high mileage oil lamp.’

To understand this overlooked aspect of Chanukah is to see the flames from the menorah as an avatar for the divine spark of life itself.

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My wife and my boys, whose existence I have almost forgotten in the anxious shoring up of the tottering ruin, are waiting for me, dressed in holiday clothes, and looking to me marvelously attractive.

Because saving life is so important, even many haredim (Israeli ultra-orthodox Jews), historically notorious for their resistance to public service, now

serve in the military, making up the Netzah Yehuda Battalion (sometimes called Nahal Haredi), a unit within the Kfir Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces.

23

AJT

chanukah

A Coney Island Chanukah

THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS IN A JEWISH CHILDHOOD

BY HELEN ZEGERMAN SCHWIMMER SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

I

grew up in a modest third floor walkup apartment on west 3rd street in Coney Island.

Outside our kitchen window, which overlooked a courtyard, my father had suspended a long clothesline that extended about 30 feet, the entire length of the courtyard. It was in constant motion.

There was no washer or dryer in the house, only my mother’s wooden and metal washboard that converted our bathtub into a laundry. After vigorously scrubbing our clothes she carried them into the kitchen where she removed the wooden clothespins that hung in a bag alongside the window and expertly pinned each item to the line.

Several hours later, my mother reeled them in, dried and smelling of sunshine. But more than just laundry was reeled in from the clothesline

one magical Chanukah night.

As we got ready for bed, my father announced he heard a noise outside our kitchen window. He purposefully pulled on the clothesline, reeled in a large black sock, thrust his hand inside and to our childish delight pulled out two bright orange tangerines!

How did they get there?

My father laughed knowingly and said they must have been left as gifts for my brother, Milton, and me.

Maybe it was the Christmas carols we learned in public school or the constant barrage of holiday television ads, but we were only too eager to believe that we weren’t forgotten.

In school, my third grade class was busy rehearsing the play “Christmas Everywhere.”

The matter was settled when my mother consulted her very worldly cousin, Betty, who insisted it was only a play, with the emphasis on “play.”

My classmate, Teddy, and I starred as the brother and sister who visited different countries to see how they celebrated the holiday. I was given the role as a reward for winning the class spelling bee, but there was much discussion in our house as to whether I should take part in the play.

And so I sang “I saw mama kissing Santa Claus” and other holiday favorites and finally felt like an American child.

Allowing their child to participate in a Christmas celebration worried my parents, Holocaust survivors, who had only been living in America for five years, but were very respectful of my school and my teacher, Mrs. Reilly.

While Papa Claus remained an elusive fantasy figure who never descended on our rooftop, one Chanukah night my daddy gave me the gift of a loving memory that still warms my heart almost 60 years later.

Helen Zegerman Schwimmer is the author of the acclaimed anthology, “Like The Stars of the Heavens” and the video, “A Taste of Shabbos with Rebbetzin Esther Winner.”Visit her website, helenschwimmer.com

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community

Contemporary Folk Artist Piha Returns to MJCCA with New Exhibit ‘BETWEEN THOUGHTS’ TO CELEBRATE J EWISH LIFE AND TRADITIONS

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W

ith Hanukah rapidly approaching, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta is pleased to open an exhibition of new work by contemporary artist Leonard Piha in its Katz Family Mainstreet Gallery entitled, “Between Thoughts: Images of Life, Love & Being Jewish.”

The exhibition features 25 works of oil on wood and glass, and includes abstracts as well as depictions of holidays including the festive holiday of Chanukah, celebrations, life-cycle events, and family portraits.

The late Donald Keyes curated Piha’s work for many years, commenting:

“Piha’s art concerns spiritual beliefs that are based in history, fables, and imagination as much as the dogmas of Judaism.

For all their humor and playfulness, Piha’s works represent his spiritual personal expression that is not bounded by any single set of religious beliefs. Piha has great respect for his materials, not unlike folk artists. Rough and slightly awkward, his sculptures suggest ancient crafts and hence the ineffable spirituality so easily expressed by these artists. Through his use of such common materials Piha provides a glimpse into his and perhaps the viewer’s heart.”

About the Artist

“For the past 30 years I have been on continual guard. I look out for relationships, past images, unusual feelings…trying to discover and solve a mystery I can’t even verbalize.” Piha states.

“It seems that no matter what I do, my experiences and my ancestors’ experiences keep me on guard trying to find an answer to a question I have not yet figured out,” he adds.

Piha earned his M.F.A. at the Cranbrook Academy of Art and now teaches art in Athens, Ga. His work is included in collections in New York, Beverly Hills, and Atlanta.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

Leonard Piha’s Seattle, Washington, roots include growing up in a religious Jewish home. While many works reflect his Jewish background, many more address universal themes of peace and the mysteries of life.

Editor’s note: for information, visit www.atlantajcc.org.

25

AJT

Get

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The celebration continued on Sid Cojac’s actual birthday, Mon. Nov.18, when a tree was unveiled for him at the MJCCA, and a luncheon celebration was held in his honor, with the MJCCA preschoolers and staff singing Happy Birthday.

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community

Where Great Music Thrives

A Tribute to Those Who Served

CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY MORROW, GEORGIA

“Spivey Hall in Morrow takes home the blue ribbon as the region’s best small concert space.”

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MJCCA VETERAN’S DAY CEREMONY

O

n Nov. 8, students from The Weinstein School at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta honored our United States War Veterans at a special ceremony.

The tribute included a song presented by the students and a blessing from Rabbi Glusman. Each Veteran was presented with a United States flag and special gift in appreciation of their service to our Country.

To conclude the event, all joined together in the singing of “God Bless America.”

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AJT

community

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, which opened Sun., Nov. 17, 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.”

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

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.

28

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

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.

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

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Some other popular features and facts about Rich’s included in the exhibition: • The Pink Pig started in the mid1950s as the Snowball Express 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.

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• Rich’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.

• There is the Great Tree, Atlanta’s symbolic Christmas tree tradition, which began in 1948 and usually stood around 60-feet tall.

• The exhibition also will offer something for the whole family in interactive photo opportunities with Percival, one of the original Pink Pigs, and the famous Rich’s clock.

• There is also a collection of Return to Rich’s merchandise in the museum store.

• The museum will “reinvent” Fashionata and have a “Spend the Day” teas among other programs during the exhibition’s run.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

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

29

AJT

community

‘Music from the Holocaust’ Captivates Audiences TWO ADDITIONAL EVENTS PLANNED AS PART OF MOLLY BLANK CONCERT SERIES

BY DEBBIE DIAMOND SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

A

s Holocaust survivors grow older, who will bear witness to the atrocities of that time? Younger generations must understand the enormity of this loss, not only to the Jewish people, but also to the world at large.

How many bright lights were extinguished? How many concertos went unwritten? Was there a brilliant cadre of minds ready to unleash the cure for cancer?

Saturday night’s performance at the Breman Museum brought together the Atlanta Opera and world-renowned musicians from Germany to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Part of the Molly Blank Jewish Concert series, the evening focused on several of these bright lights – two promising composers, Gideon Klein and Hans Krása, the writer Pavel Friedman, who penned the famous text, “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” and a varied group of other poets, composers and writers, many of

whom were murdered at Auschwitz.

In addition, world-renowned mezzo-soprano Helene Schneiderman, the child of Holocaust survivors, performed with composer Götz Payer, who accompanied Schneiderman on piano.

Audience members, including several Holocaust survivors, were visibly moved listening to the string trios composed by Klein and Krása shortly before their murders at Auschwitz.

Set against a backdrop of black and white photography that captured the demolition, firebombing and desecra-

Happy Hanukkah From Our Family To Yours

tion of European synagogues, the multi-media performance was riveting for all in attendance.

Schneiderman delighted audience members as she sang Yiddish music, as well as a German song written by German composer and cabaret favorite Emmerich Kálmán. Her rendition of Kaddish, the Mourners’ Prayer, set to the music of Maurice Ravel’s Kaddisch, gripped the audience as the concert concluded.

As the inaugural concert of the Mollie Blank Jewish Concert Series, “Music of the Holocaust,” sets the stage for two more engaging concerts.

“Jewish Composers,” set for Sunday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m., will feature works from the 19th and 20th centuries by composers who made conscious decisions to affirm or suppress their Jewish origins.

The final concert in the series, “The Best of Broadway,” will focus on the music of the Great White Way and be held on Sun., March 9, at 2 p.m.

The idea to bring together the Atlanta Opera and the Breman Museum came out of a dinner party held at the home of ardent arts supporters Judith and Mark Taylor, who had the idea to bring both groups together.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

ַ‫חַ ג חֲ נּו ָּכה ָּשמֵ ח‬

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The Epstein Difference: Academics | Character | Community

At the party, Arthur Fagen, Conductor of the Atlanta Opera and the son of Holocaust survivors, Aaron Berger, Executive Director of the Breman Museum and Joyce Shlesinger, then President of the Breman Board, developed the framework for a threeconcert series.

With generous support from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Georgia Council for the Arts, their vision came to fruition.

Editor’s note: Tickets for the upcoming concerts may be purchased at www.thebreman.org.

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Stay warm during the holidays.

Wishing you a Happy Chanukah and Happy Thanksgiving.

AJT

Bringing King David Back to Life

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acob Wright has an ambitious, maybe even revolutionary agenda; simply put, he wants to change how we read, how we learn, and how we think of ourselves as Jews.

Dr. Wright, an Associate Professor of the Hebrew Bible at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, is a young, rapidly rising star in the ancient craft of biblical study.

Better yet, he is passionately committed to fully exploring the very latest technology to do it.

At Emory, he regularly brings world-class scholars from all over the globe to his graduate seminars with just a few keyboard strokes and a Skype connection.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

Early next year he’ll be part of a pioneering group of a half dozen Emory professors who will teach a fascinating line-up of free courses online to tens of thousands of students from every corner of the planet.

32

All a student will need is a computer screen and an active internet connection.

His new book, “King David and His Reign Revisited,” is a unique partnership between Apple Computers and the world’s oldest publishing house, the Cambridge University Press.

It is to be published in the next few weeks as part of a new series of

Enhanced Apple IBooks that combines sound, motion graphics, text and video into a new learning tool.

When I met him recently, over a cup of coffee in the Emory Village, he was excitedly flipping through his IPad at an advance copy of his book on King David.

Like a kid with a new toy, he showed off the mini-documentary videos that introduce each chapter of his new IBook, the art and archeological images that can be expanded and analyzed on the screen, quotes that can be blown up at will, footnotes and sources that can be examined close up – a whole new world of scholarship that comes to life with just a flick of his index finger.

All in the service of a figure who, in Dr. Wright’s opinion, is the most human of any figure in the Bible.

“David,” he points out, “is the most passionate, the most vibrant character. You see the ups, the downs, all the pain, the grief, the exultation, how the mighty have fallen. It is a roller coaster with David.”

In short he’s a character too good to leave to the Sunday school classroom or the Shabbat sermon. Rather, he’s one who has much to teach us about the human psyche, the limits of power and what it means to exercise it.

He believes him to be a character worthy of our greatest secular minds, a Shakespeare, a Melville, a

Faulkner, a man whose story has, for too long, been held prisoner by the sanctimonious and the self righteous.

of one community from one place thinking it was better than all the others.”

Although he sits with a kipah slightly askew in his prematurely grey hair and talks often about his commitment to his local orthodox shul, Dr. Wright believes that David’s story and so much of our religious literature should be claimed by us all.

The answer to all of this discord, in Dr. Wright’s point of view, is to reexamine and reclaim a literature, like David’s story, that emphasized community; that tried to bring together widely divergent viewpoints in an effort to show the importance of the values and beliefs and practices that unify us.

“We have a generation that doesn’t know the literature very well.

They have been told this literature is religion. You have to accept it as religion. It’s not for you. And,” he lifts a finger to drive the point home, “That’s b.s.”

In Dr. Wright’s view, David and his era, three thousand years ago, faced issues not unlike those we face today.

The time is now, he passionately believes, to rediscover David and put him not on a pedestal, but an Ipad.

Editor’s note: Starting in January, Bob Bahr will be teaching a course at Mercer University on “The Daylight Dream - Fantasy and Reality At The Movies”

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Let’s Celebrate 2013 Together!

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November 22,29 ▪ 2013

We are Showcasing Our Community’s 2013 Memorable Moments & Simchas in Our December 20th Winter Simcha Issue

33

AJT

op-ed

Finding the Luck in Unlucky News

LIFE AS A PREVIVOR AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CANCER AWARENESS

BY MEREDITH SIDEWATER SPECIAL FOR THE AJT Previvor – what a strange word.

F

or the uninitiated, a previvor is someone with a predisposition toward developing cancer resulting from a genetic mutation, but who is not yet diagnosed with the disease.

I’m a previvor who formerly felt cursed, but who now feels extraordinarily blessed. I feel it’s important to share my story with hopes it will inspire others to get screened and discuss their risk of cancer with a professional.

As a previvor and a member of Komen Atlanta’s board, I hope that National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October reminded women everywhere that they must take charge of their health.

It was during the early 1990s when my maternal aunt was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 52. My aunt was the third generation of family members diagnosed with cancer, and the second with ovarian cancer (my grandfather likely died from prostate cancer though we aren’t sure).

When my aunt was diagnosed, her sister – a research scientist at the CDC – collected blood from herself and her three siblings. At the time, the BRACAnalysis® was not yet available; however she was aware of its development, and she stored their blood until it could be tested.

Unfortunately, they all tested positive for the BRCA1 mutation.

According to the Stanford Cancer Institute web site, the BRCA1 mutation results in an average 65 percent

lifetime risk for breast cancer; a 40 – 60 percent lifetime risk for second breast cancer (not reappearance of first tumor); an average 39 percent lifetime risk for ovarian cancer; and an increased risk for other cancer types, such as prostate cancer.

As the children of a carrier of the BRCA1 mutation, my cousins and I have a 50 percent chance of inheriting the mutation. Upon learning of our parents’ carrier status, some of my cousins immediately underwent a screening.

At the time – in my 20s, not yet married and not yet a mother – I was unprepared to take drastic measures in response to a possible positive test result. And I was not interested in learning of a positive test result only to spend many years worrying about what might be going on in my body.

So, I decided against testing until done having children, a time that arrived about 10 years later.

There are still vivid memories of receiving the envelope from Myriad Genetics. My aunt delivered it to me after she submitted my blood sample anonymously. We knew a positive test would be life-changing, leading to radical surgeries to prevent the occurrence of cancer.

I opened the envelope, quickly scanning the page for one of two words, positive or negative, only to find the word “positive.” I briefly cried. I was 34-years-old and not ready to dismember my body, even if to save my own life.

My aunt helped me quickly assess the risks given the family history, leading to a calculated decision that I could afford to wait until closer to 40

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For the next five years, I was able to put the impending surgery out of my mind. However, I had some type of medical screening each calendar quarter: mammograms, breast MRIs, breast ultrasounds, vaginal ultrasounds, and CA 125 tests. The screening was time consuming and always a little nerve-wracking, but became part of my routine. Each screening provided a welcome relief – all clear (whew!).

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In my 39th year, “messages” or “signals” led me to believe it was time to bite the bullet and have surgery.

On at least three occasions, magazine articles appeared about other women who were BRCA1 positive and who had undergone prophylactic surgeries or learned about their status after being diagnosed with cancer.

or visit atlantaballet.com Groups of 10 or more call 404-873-5811 x207

Anne Tyler Harshbarger. Photo by Jim Fiscus. Additional photos by Charlie McCullers.

I was no longer comfortable waiting until 40.

The weeks leading up to my first surgery were filled with dread and horror. As a healthy, active, busy professional and mom, the thought of voluntarily dissecting my body scared me tremendously. I worried about dying during surgery, not waking up, experiencing pain, or surviving disfigured. Yet, in my mind, there was no option. Surgery was my key to survival.

Katherine and Jacob Greenfield Hebrew Academy

‫ש גרינפילד‬,,‫בית הספר היהודי ע‬ www.ghacademy.org

Happy Thanksgivukkah!

I had a prophylactic bilateral mastectomy in October of 2008, waking up feeling like by a truck hit me.

And yet, the pain wasn’t as bad as anticipated.

‫חג‬ ‫חנוכה‬ ‫שמח‬

Over the course of the following year, I went through the process of temporary expanders, a hysterectomy and oophorectomy, and, ultimately, the swap from temporary expanders to silicone implants.

Please join us at 6:30 p.m. on December 5th for our annual

By the end of that year, I was tired of doctor appointments, tired of feeling out of shape, and ready to get back to my regular life. But, I also felt thrilled to be on the other side of

continued on page 36

Evening of the Arts

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

to undergo surgery. All of my afflicted family members were diagnosed with cancer in their 50s.

To inquire about admissions, contact Bonnie Cook at 404-843-9900.

35

AJT

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op-ed

continued from page 35

such a dreaded experience, now feeling empowered, relieved and mentally strong.

Most importantly, I felt and continue to feel blessed. I question whether I have a right to claim kinship with those women who have undergone treatment for breast cancer, who have suffered through the fear and the sickness.

As a previvor, I had the benefit of prior notice: the ability to detect my predisposition to cancer and to do something to prevent it.

How lucky to be informed about my risk, that the body parts most in peril were not ones critical to survival, and that I had access medical insurance that covered the cost of my surgeries.

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I hope women will be proactive and take advantage of access to breast screening and breast care, with many resources available via KomenAtlanta. org.

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Cell: 404-281-0097 Direct: 404-364-8919 Office: 404-233-4142

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

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36

I don’t want to jinx myself, as I’m obviously not immune to illness, but it feels like my “previvor-ness” helped me dodge two bullets, one aiming for my breasts and the other for my ovaries.

Choose knowledge over fear and stay strong.

Meredith Sidewater is a senior vice president and general counsel for LexisNexis Risk Solutions. She is board member for Komen Atlanta, and she resides in Sandy Springs. She is also a member of Temple Sinai. Her children attend The Epstein School and the Greenfield Hebrew Academy.

AJT

Arts & life

JEWS MAKING NEWS Gyllenhaal Tackles Zionist Politics

Gellar’s “Crazy” Success

roduction has begun for Maggie Gyllenhaal’s new Sundance Channel miniseries, “The Honourable Woman.” Billed as a complex

arah Michelle Gellar’s return to TV in CBS’s “The Crazy Ones” is giving the actress reason to celebrate. The sitcom, co-starring Robin Williams, was picked up for a full season last month by the network.

The combined star power of Gellar and Williams made “Crazy Ones” the most-watched debut of the season. Gellar plays the director of an ad agency who must work alongside her eccentric father (Williams).

Fans who know Gellar from her titular role in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” were recently treated to a “Buffy” mini-reunion, via Twitter. Upon Gellar’s joining the site, her former co-stars immediately began reconnecting with amusing welcome messages.

P

thriller, the series will touch on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict with Gyllenhaal starring as Nessa Stein, the daughter of a Zionist arms dealer. Stein goes on to inherit her father’s company and is later appointed to the House of Lords.

“The Honourable Woman” will air in 2014, both in the U.S. and the UK on BBC Two. Not one to shy away from politics, Gyllenhaal also appeared in a recent video for the coalition group, “Stop Watching Us,” in which she and others demand Congress reveal the full extent of the NSA’s surveillance. The video features other actors, as well as various activists and politicians who support the project.

Margaret “Maggie” Ruth Gyllenhaal was born to Naomi Foner Achs and Stephen Gyllenhaal.

She is also the older sister of actor Jake Gyllenhaal. Their mother is Jewish, of Russian and Lithuanian descent.

The elder Gyllenhaal is married to actor Peter Sarsgaard. The couple has two children.

S

Gellar has stated that she’s open to reprising “Buffy,” but only if there was a sufficient story to support it.

Sarah Michelle Gellar was born to Rosellen Greenfield and Arthur Gellar, both of whom are Jewish.

Although she began her acting career as early as age 4, her film debut didn’t come around until 1997’s “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” It was on the set of “Summer” that she met her husband, Freddy Prince Jr, with whom she now has two children.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

Complied by elizabeth friedly

37

AJT

business

And the ‘President’s Award’ Goes to …

STEVE LEVETAN HONORED BY TRADE GROUP FOR YEARS OF SERVICE SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

S

teve Levetan, executive vice president of Pull-A-Part, was recently awarded the prestigious “2013 President’s Award” from the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA).

The award is given by the association’s president each year to a person who has shown exemplary dedication to the industry through their service and work on behalf of the trade group.

This year’s award was presented during the group’s 70th annual convention earlier this month in Phoenix, Ariz.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

“Steve Levetan has spent over 40 years in the recycling industry,” said Chris Wright, the immediate past president of ARA, explaining why he had chosen Levetan to receive the honor. “His history of service within his home state and neighboring states, as well as his knowledge and expertise, is well respected.”

38

Wright went on to say that Levetan is an asset to the automotive recycling industry “not only for his knowledge and expertise, but also for his willingness to give back to the industry.”

Levetan, a native of Atlanta who currently lives in Sandy Springs, is an active member of the ARA Governmental Affairs Committee and, according to Wright, a tireless advocate on behalf of the profession.

“Steve never misses an opportunity to make a difference,” Wright said, “whether it’s organizing a coalition of stakeholders on a given issue; travelling to other states to support ARA members conducting facility tours with their legislators; speaking to members of Congress; or giving back to his local community.”

Levetan, for his part, thinks it an “honor and privilege” to work with Wright, the ARA Executive Committee, and the ARA staff.

“I’m truly humbled by this recognition and look forward to continuing my ARA activities,” he said. “I’d like to particularly thank my colleagues at Pull-A-Part for their support for my activities on behalf of the industry.

Levetan maintains active memberships in the ARA, serving as a member of its Governmental Affairs Committee and Safety Committee; as well as the National Recycling Coalition, Georgia Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Council (serving as Chair of the Environment Committee from 20022004), and is a board member of the Georgia Recycling Coalition and Chair of the Sandy Springs Conservancy.

In September of 2010, Levetan was appointed as one of the founding board members of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Foundation by the DNR Commissioner, and in 2012 was elected as Chair of the Board.

“Steve has been a vital part of our

Chris Wright (left) congratulates Steve Levetan after Levetan received the Automotive Recyclers Association’s President’s Award. PHOTO / ARA senior leadership team at Pull-A-Part for many years,” said Ross Kogan, the company’s president and CEO. “We are proud that he has been honored with this well-deserved award.”

Pull-A-Part, with headquarters in Atlanta, is an award-winning family business serving the do-it-yourself, used auto parts market. Founded in 1997, Pull-A-Part operates a growing network of 27 used auto parts superstores in 12 states.

Whishing you a Chanukah filled with light, joy and hope!

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AJT

MATZAH BALL SOUP FOR THE SOUL

Not Quite a Technicolored Dream THE COMPLEX IMPLICATIONS BEHIND JOSEPH’S STORY

BY RACHEL LAVICTOIRE AJT CONTRIBUTOR

T

his week, we read Vayeishev, the famous story of Joseph— his dreams, his colorful coat, and his envious brothers.

This story, like many others through-

out the Torah, was first introduced to me in a fun and lighthearted manner: through the musical, “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat.”

To be honest, I’m not sure if I saw the real musical, or a video of the musical, but I remember walking away

thinking I understood the story pretty well.

sun, moon, and stars who were prostrating themselves to Joseph.

At that young age, here’s what I gathered: Joseph got a really cool coat from his dad because he was his dad’s favorite. His brothers got jealous, which was wrong of them to do.

Then they put him in a ditch, sold him to some passerby, and told their father that Joseph was dead.

Year after year, I grew increasingly knowledgeable about the story itself; and yet, year after year, I was surprised by various new elements.

These were all examples of how the brothers misbehaved, which is why right before intermission, the chorus sang to Joseph the famously encouraging tune:

On November 28, 2013 give thanks for

“go, go, go Joseph you know what they say go, go, go Joseph you’ll make it someday

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sha-la-la Joseph you’re doing fine you and your dreams are ahead of their time” Within a few years, more details were added to my knowledge of the story.

For example, in the past, I hadn’t noticed the way in which Joseph treated his brothers. In fact, he was quite rude to them, and arguably arrogant.

If you go back to the text, the first dream he shared with his brothers was as such: “Listen now to this dream which I have dreamed: Behold we were binding sheaves in the midst of the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright, and behold, your sheaves encircled it and prostrated themselves to my sheaf” (Genesis 37:7).

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

In his second dream, it was the

There was the year I learned that Joseph’s brothers originally wanted to kill him, but Rueben changed the plan to save his brother. Then in middle school, during the teachers’ reenactment of the story, I first picked up on the fact that Joseph had created a pleasant life in Egypt, until he was tricked by his master’s wife and put in jail.

Last year, I remember, I deviated from Joseph’s story entirely and, focusing on the 4th aliyah of parshat Vayeishev, learned about the mitzvah of Yibbum.

The point I mean to get across in all of this is that, within this seemingly simple story of Joseph and his brothers lay hundreds of minute, additional meanings.

This year, I decided to go directly to the Midrash Rabbah, the compilation of the teachings of Jewish sages. I’d read bits and pieces of it from Google searches and in-article quotes, but until now, I’d never just sat down and read these interpretations.

Now, the parshah itself is about four chapters, which takes up about seven pages of printer paper. The interpretations? About 40 pages.

I don’t plan on sharing everything, but here are a few interesting things I found (the text in small caps is from the parshah, and the rest is the interpretation): AND JACOB DWELT IN THE LAND OF HIS FATHER’S SO-

Happy Chanukah

from The Temple

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46

The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are secure as a young lion (Proverbs XXXVIII, I): the wicked flees when none pursue—And [Esau] went into a land because of his brother Jacob (Genesis XXXVI, 6). … “but the righteous are secure as a young lion” applies to Jacob: AND JACOB DWELT IN THE LAND NOW ISRAEL (JACOB) LOVED JOSEPH MORE THAN ALL HIS CHILDREN, BECAUSE HE WAS THE SONG OF HIS OLD AGE—ZEKUNIM R. Judah said: It means that [Joseph’s] features (ziw ikunim) resembled [Jacob’s].

R. Nehemiah said: It mans that all the laws which Shem and Eber handed down to Jacob, he transmitted to [Joseph] This next one I found most interesting. I remember, like Joseph’s brothers, thinking so highly of this colorful coat that Jacob gave to his favorite son. I remember thinking it was a wonderful gift. And yet, here is what our sages have to say on the matter: AND HE MADE HIM A COAT OF MANY COLORS (PASSIM).

Resh Lakish said in the name of R. Eleazar ben Azariah: A man must not make distinction among his children, for on account of the coat of many colors which our ancestor Jacob made for Joseph, THEY HATED HIM. The word PASSIM indicates that it reached as far as his wrists (pas). It is called PASSIM because they cast lots (hefissu) over it, as to who should carry it to their father, the lot falling to Judah. It was further called PASSIM in allusion to his misfortunes, the [letter] peh standing for Potiphar, the [letter] samek for Soharim (traders), the [letter] yod for Yishmeelim (Ishmaelites), and [the letter] mem for Midyanim (Midianites).

Again, PASSIM denotes strips.

R. Simeon ben Lakish quoted in the name of R. Eleazar ben Azariah: Come, and see the works of G-d: He is terrible in His doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land. Why was it that THEY HATED HIM? because G-d divided the sea before them, PASSIM indicating pas yam (the sea in strips).

How could it be that such a beautiful gift could be clouded with such negativity? And how could it take so long to uncover these meanings from just four pages of text? The lessons here are many but, as usual, the questions I’m left with are countless.

For a few years now, I’d been thinking about taking on the task of reading the Midrashim—bit by bit, I thought about making it a daily task.

Now, I remember why I resisted.

Opening a Midrash means questioning each and every line of the five books of the Torah. My already vague set of beliefs only gets further confused by the lines of Midrash.

The evolution of my understanding of this one story speaks to the overall development of many individual’s understanding of religion: it’s something that starts simple—“I know nothing else, so yes, G-d created the earth, and G-d rules everything”—and grows increasingly more complicated—“But wait, did G-d create Adam and Eve… were they humans or were they monkeys that went through evolution to become humans… did G-d, who rules everything, just look the other way during the Holocaust?”

Sure, there’s nothing morally controversial in this specific story. But even without the controversy, there’s certainly something to be said for the difference between the “Amazing Technicolored Dreamcoat” and the Passim that alludes to Joseph’s future misfortunes.

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November 22,29 ▪ 2013

JOURNINGS

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AJT

d’var Torah

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?

PARASHAT VAYEISHEV

BY RABBI ERIN BOXT

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

T

his week’s Parashat HaShavuah begins ‫שיַו‬ ֵּ ‫ב‬ ֶׁ ‫קעַי‬ ֲ ‫ב‬ ֹ , “Now Jacob was settled...” Then, the Parasha moves immediately to the line of Jacob, an abbreviated version of the same lineage explained earlier in Genesis 35:22-26.

The next line of the text, “At 70 years of age, Joseph tended the flocks with his brothers...” turns our focus from Jacob to Joseph.

Up until this point, our focus has been on Jacob and Esau and their reconciliation in Parashat Vayishlach. Parashat Vayeishev seems to be a bridge between Jacob and his sons, with a very short prologue to the Joseph story.

Joseph, Jacob’s favorite son, now becomes the center of our attention for the remainder of the book of Bereishit.

Let us center for a moment on the first word of this Parasha: Vayeishev.

I translated it above to mean “settled.”

However, at the root of this word is the word Yashav, or to sit down.

Rashi reads it to mean that after living a life of turmoil over the past 20 years or so, Jacob is looking to settle down and find some tranquility in his life.

It is not that Jacob is seeking peace, but that he has an attitude in which he seeks to settle down in the Holy Land, after his years of turmoil and exile. Jacob has returned to the Land of his Fathers, Israel, and chooses to yashav, “sit down,” and live out the remainder of his life in tranquility.

Louis Ginzberg, in “Legends of the Jews: Volume 1,” writes:

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Jacob was not exempt from the lot that falls to the share of all the pious. Whenever they expect to enjoy life in tranquility, Satan hinders them. He appears before God, and says: ‘Is it not enough that the future world is set apart for the pious? What right have they to enjoy this world, besides?’ After the many hardships and conflicts that had beset the path of Jacob, he thought he would be at rest at last, and then came the loss of Joseph and inflicted the keenest suffering.

Ginzberg tells us that it is not unusual for our pious ones, our forefa-

thers, to have a life filled with tzorus.

Even when Jacob thought his life was about to be full of peace, 10 of his sons sell his favorite, Joseph, into slavery. When the brothers return to Jacob, they explain to him that Joseph had been killed by a wild beast.

In one respect, Jacob’s life is never empty of turmoil. He is reunited with Joseph later; it is then that he has contentment and peace.

Often times, I am asked why bad things happen to good people. I am sure many rabbis are asked this question, just as I am sure many rabbis have also asked this question themselves!

In the book, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” Rabbi Harold Kushner examines how one can be a committed, G-d loving person and still question G-d: “This is not an abstract book about G-d and theology…This is a very personal book written by someone who believes in G-d and in the goodness of the world, someone who has spent most of his life trying to help other people believe, and was compelled by a personal tragedy to rethink everything he had been taught about G-d and G-d’s ways.”

It is always OK to question G-d. As a matter of fact, we are shown by Jacob when he wrestles with the Angel and has his named changed to Israel (one who struggles with G-d), that this is a part of our culture and our personality as Jews.

What do we learn from this week’s Torah portion? It is that sometimes events happen in our lives that leave us bewildered and with many, many questions. However, it is up to us and those in our community to come together and get through these tough times together.

Just as Jacob is reunited with Joseph later in our Torah and his life finally seems tranquil, we are able (maybe not as quick as we would prefer) to find peace and tranquility in our lives.

Often times, the tranquility was there all along, it just took some time for us to accept and understand it was there!

AJT

may their memories be a blessing

Glen Friedman 64, Atlanta

Glen P. Friedman, a native Atlantan, born September 14, 1949, to Gertrude W. Friedman and the late Stanley M. Friedman, passed away on Nov. 18, 2013. He is survived by sisters, Saundra (Bernie) Russo and Jill (Yossi) Ovadia, both of Atlanta; nephews Stuart (Liza) Cristol-Deman, Eitan (Cara) Ovadia and Tal (Jessi) Ovadia, nieces Sheryl Cristol, and Shanee (Josh) Kirschenbaum, three great nephews, aunts: Shirley and Ruth Einhorn and numerous cousins. Glen was a member of Very Special People and People First of Georgia, for which he served on the Governor’s Council. He was also a volunteer at Disability Link in Decatur. Glen was very social, which made him a friend to everyone who knew him and he will be missed and remembered by all. Sign the online guest book at www.jewishfuneralcare. com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Weinstein Hospice, Yeshiva Atlanta or the charity of your choice. A graveside service was held Tues., Nov. 19 at 11:30 a.m. at Crest Lawn Cemetery with Rabbi Ilan Feldman officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta (770) 451-4999

Shabbat Candle Lighting Times shabbat blessings 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.

Friday, November 22, 2013 Torah Reading: Vayeshev Light Candles at: 5:13 pm Shabbat Ends: 6:10 pm Friday, November 29, 2013 Torah Reading: Miketz Light Candles at: 5:11 pm Shabbat Ends: 6:09 pm

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

Let’s Celebrate 2013 Together!

Email photos of your special events by December 13th to be included in this special issue for FREE. Send them TODAY to krudy@atljewishtimes.com Please include announcement and photo.

Photos must be high-resolution JPeGS (250Kb or more)

aTlanTa

Happy Chanukah from our family to yours!

Edward Dressler, President

770.451.4999

www.JewishFuneralCare.com David Boring Michael Braswell Allen Guertin Jonathan Miller

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

We are Showcasing Our Community’s 2013 Memorable Moments & Simchas in Our December 20th Winter Simcha Issue

Licensed Funeral Directors 49

50

November 22,29 â–Ş 2013

what’s happening

Fri., Nov. 22

TKC Thanksgivukah Dinner, Kehillat Chaim will be celebrating coinciding of Chanukah and Thanksgiving complete with turkey, cranberry sauce and latkes! Followed by a Shabbat worship service. Fri., Nov. 22, 6 p.m. $15/adult, $9/child (ages 5+). Nonmembers: $18/adult, $12/child. Send checks & reservations to Temple Kehillat Chaim.

Sun., Nov. 24

Chabad Chanukah Expo, first of a three-day Chanukah family experience from Chabad of Cobb. Enjoy 4,000 square feet of activities and entertainment. Sun., Nov. 24, 12 p.m.

Free. Sports A Rama, Marietta.Info, www.chanukahcobb.com.

luck with latkes provided. Fri., Nov. 29, 5 p.m. Congregation Bet Haverim.

Sun., Dec. 1

Menorah Lighting, a two-night, hands-on celebration with Chabad Intown. Enjoy latkes, hot drinks, donuts, raffles and prizes. Mon., Dec. 1, 4:30 p.m. & Dec. 2, 6 p.m. Virginia Highlands. Info, www.chabadintown.org/Chanukah Chanukkah on the Line, join Rabbi Josh to make a moving, glowing, human Chanukkah menorah, as we walk together on the Atlanta Beltline. Glowing accessories provided.

Sun., Dec. 1, 5 p.m. Free. Irwin Street/Krog Street beltline entrance. www.congregatoinbethaverim.org.

Fri., Nov. 29

Chanukkah Services & Party, services for adults and young adults and activities for children. Bring your own menorah and candles to light.

Followed by a Thanksgivukkah pot-

Mon., Dec. 2

Quilt on the Quad, Emory’s AIDS Awareness Club annual event honoring those who have passed away

from AIDS with the largest collegiate display of the Memorial Quilt, reading of the names, performances and speakers. In partnership with the NAMES Project. Mon., Dec. 2, 10 a.m. Free. Emory.

Thurs., Dec. 5

Ketura Hadassah Meeting, the Ketura Group of Greater Atlanta Hadaassah’s closing dinner meeting and installation of officers. RSVP by Dec. 2. Thurs., Dec. 5, 7 p.m. $25/person.

Mirage Persian Restaurant. RSVP, scherr@mindspring.com.

Tues., Dec. 3

Grand Menorah Lighting, the lighting of the tallest menorah in the state of Georgia with live music, treats and rides. From Chabad of Cobb. Tues., Dec. 3, 6:30 p.m. Free. Fountains of Olde Towne Shopping Center. Info, www.chanukahcobb.com.

Wed., Dec. 4

Community Hanukkah Celebration, join the Jewish Federation for lighting the menorah, PJ Library storytelling, crafts and more. Guests can also bring gently used or new shoes for the Shoe-Shoe Train to help local families, or bring costumes to send to Israel for Purim. Wed., Dec. 4, 6:45 p.m. Temple Kol Emeth. RSVP, www. jewishatlanta.org/Hanukkah2013

Sat., Dec. 21

Bat Mitzvah Celebration, join Etz Aviv Group of Greater Atlanta Hadassah in celebrating its Bat Mitzvah year with dinner, dancing and a candle lighting ceremony. Sat., Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. $18/person. Hilton Garden Inn, Kennesaw. Info, marshamike@ comcast.net

Ongoing

Volunteer tutoring opportunity with the Atlanta Jewish Coalition for Literacy. Min. 30 minutes one-on-one per week, beginning this fall. Nine metro area elementary schools. (404) 843-9600.

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

AJT

51

AJT

thanksgivukkah recipes

Pecan Pie Rugelach Credit: Christine Byrne on BuzzFeed.com Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces ½ cup cream cheese (4 oz.), cut into 4 pieces 2 cups shelled pecan halves ¼ cup unsalted butter (½ stick), cut into 4 pieces 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup corn syrup ½ cup dark brown sugar 1 egg 1 tablespoon water Directions: 1. For the dough, first combine the flour and salt. Scatter the butter and cream cheese pieces over the top of the flour mixture, and mix until dough is the texture of cottage cheese, still slightly crumbly. Roll the dough into two pieces and refrigerate.

2. Chop pecans and put in a medium mixing bowl.

3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, brown the butter until it begins to bubble or foam, and add it to the pecans. Add vanilla extract, corn syr-

up, and brown sugar, and mix until combined.

4. Preheat oven to 350°F. Once the dough is chilled, unwrap and place it on a lightly floured surface, and roll until flat, but still thick.

5. Sprinkle half of the pecan mixture on top of the dough, all the way to the edges of the circle, making sure the mixture is evenly distributed.

6. Cut dough into roughly 16 slices, and roll each slice from the outside in (starting the wide end and rolling towards the point), placing each roll onto the cookie sheet as you go. Repeat this process with the other disk of dough.

7. Coat each piece with the egg-water mixture. Bake rugelach for 20 minutes until golden, turning the cookie sheet halfway through baking.

Challah Apple Stuffing Credit: Christine Byrne on BuzzFeed.com 2 loaves challah, 1 lb. each 1 cup non-dairy butter or margarine (2 sticks) 2 cups diced celery 2 cups diced onion

2 cups peeled and diced Granny Smith apples 8 sprigs thyme, leaves picked and finely chopped 3 sprigs rosemary, leaves picked and finely chopped 6 sprigs marjoram, leaves picked and finely chopped 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth kosher salt freshly ground pepper, to taste Directions: 1. Cut challah into 1-inch cubes and either dry them by placing them in the oven on 250°F for about 30 minutes or by leaving them on the counter until stale.

2. Preheat oven to 350°F. 3. In a large sauté pan, melt butter over medium-low heat then add onions and celery, plus 3 teaspoons of salt and ground pepper to taste. Cook until onions are soft (about 8 minutes.)

4.

Add apples and herbs, then cook until apples are soft. (about 5 minutes more.)

5.

Combine the challah cubes, cooked, and chicken broth. Mix until the bread is saturated with liquid, and everything is evenly mixed.

6. Press stuffing into a 9x13-inch baking dish and cover with foil. Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes, then remove the foil, raise your oven to 450°F. 7. Cook stuffing uncovered for an-

other 10-15 minutes, or until the top starts to brown slightly.

Sweet Potato Latkes Credit: Kutsher’s Tribeca Ingredients: 2 medium sweet potatoes 1 onion 3 cups whole eggs 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar 1/2 cup matzo meal 1/4 cup vegetable oil for frying Directions: 1. Shred the sweet potatoes and the onion. Rinse the shredded potatoes under cold water in a colander.

2. Place a cheesecloth over the potatoes and squeeze to release as much liquid as possible.

3. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potatoes, onions, eggs, sugar, matzo meal, and cinnamon. Gently mix together.

4. Heat oil in a large heavy skillet to 375ºF. 5. Scoop 3 and 1/2 spoonfuls from the mixture and drop into the hot oil.

6. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.

Happy Chanukah!

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

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Across 1. Doesn’t possess 6. Hit 2006 film banned in every Arab country except Lebanon 11. Letters in Pretoria politics 14. “Shall ___ your kiddush cup?”

15. The Israelites were taught by the Canaanites how to raise it 16. Re-elected Jerusalem Mayor Barkat 17. New York Congressman who represented the Twin Towers 19. Words under a non-Orthodox chuppah 20. Body in Jerusalem 21. What golf pencils lack 23. What the king repeatedly says in “The King and I” 24. Fins and ___ (criteria for kosher fish) 25. Papa and Assi in the Talmud 28. Reaction to Haman on Purim 32. Red or yellow or green or brown 33. ADL Director Foxman 34. Put on ___ (fake it) 36. Ark groupings 39. Frank family fried Miep 41. Bitter herbs 42. Leopold Bloom’s land 43. Son of Adam and Eve 44. Occasional “New York Times” contributor Newhouse 45. Judah P. Benjamin served in its cabinet (abbr.)

46. “M*A*S*H” prop 48. Schreiber who won a Tony for “Glengarry Glen Ross” 49. ___ HaBeracha (last Torah portion) 50. “...and ___ in the wells of silence.” (Simon and Garfunkel lyric) 53. Battery for a camera or phone 55. Level 57. Blood ___ (one who accuses Jews of kidnapping children at Eastertime) 61. MIA Arad 62. Author, “Women and Jewish Law” 64. Braun or Gabor 65. “Victory ___” (Rodgers score) 66. “___ my love...” (Song of Songs lyric) 67. “So many ___, so little time”: Mae West 68. More reserved 69. Palmach commander Yitzchak

for ___ (founded 1881) 5. Adultery event 6. “The Altalena,” e.g.

7. Like Methuselah 8. Bug and more 9. Swears 10. Abraham’s old man 11. Holocaust hero Mordechai 12. Kol ___ 13. “Under Crescent and ___: the Jews of the Middle Ages” (Mark R. Cohen book)

18. “Defiance” author Tec 22. Onion-cooking instruction 25. Jewish immigrant musical 26. Broadway Rose-lover 27. Torah portion whose name means “And I pleaded” 29. Taken as a whole 30. Abram pretended she was his sister 31. Bagel alternative 35. Labor

37. Margin-of-error phrase 38. One of 120 at the Knesset 40. Movie ___ (place for Spielberg) 47. Bright swimmers 49. Parsha with several plagues in Egypt 50. Violinist Zimbalist 51. It’s often smelled at Havdalah 52. “Murder by ___”: Neil Simon comedy 54. Arafat’s successor 56. Orthodox teenagers org.

57. “People for the American Way” founder Norman 58. Reposed 59. “Show Boat” song “Nobody ___ But Me” 60. Deuteronomy Torah portion, literally “see” 63. Bit of a laugh

Last week’s answers

Down 1. Letters between G and L 2. With the stroke of ___ 3. Boil, during the plagues of Egypt 4. Mount Sinai Training School

Continueed from page 5

educator, I will speak up for my colleagues and scream out loud: WE WILL NOT BE SILENT!

Dear Editor,

I

was so honored to share an evening with my community and raise awareness of domestic violence in the Jewish community. The event focused around the powerful and poignant play, written by Atlanta native, Mira Hirsh, “Not So Happily After... the Very Real Stories of Some American Jewish Families.”

We get that kids come to school with much more than load of books in their backpacks.... Your children are safe HERE! (in our Jewish school ) and they can speak up HERE! ( in our Jewish school) If they are fearful, we will direct them to the appropriate resources, such as JF&CS’s Shalom Bayit program.

The play intertwined stories of pain and silence of Jewish families who have encountered abuse.

As the Torah states in Leviticus 19:16 “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor: I am the LORD.”

One of the themes that kept lurking throughout the powerful scenarios was that of children in day schools who kept quiet, acted out in anger, children who hoped for death rather than a scary life of childhood.

Jewish day schools, Jewish educators, the trusted adults that spend the day with your children will not be tale bearers, rather bearers of truth and we will NOT stand by, NOR be silent.

Mira Hirsh and her actors made it clear that children in Jewish day schools (and children in supplemental Hebrew schools) felt in many instances that they had no one to turn to- not within their immediate families nor trusted adults, teachers, rabbi’s, in their school settings.

Respectfully Submitted,

As a school counselor at The Greenfield Hebrew Academy, and as a Jewish

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Lease a 2014 Honda Accord LX Sedan Auto to well-qualified lessees approved by Honda Financial Services for $249 per month for 35 months. $0 security deposit. MSRP: $23,545. Actual Net Capitalized Cost $21,944 and includes $595 acquisition fee. Total monthly payments $8743.70. Option to purchase at lease end $13891.55. Lease includes 12,000 miles per year, $0 cap cost reduction. Plus tax, tag and title. Lessees responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and $0.15/mile over 12,000 miles/year. Maintenance valued at $499. See Curry Honda for complete details. Expires November 30, 2013.

Lease a 2013 Honda Civic LX Sedan Auto to well-qualified lessees approved by Honda Financial Services for $199 per month for 35 months. $0 security deposit. MSRP: $19,755. Actual Net Capitalized Cost $17,794 and includes $595 acquisition fee. Total monthly payments $6972.35. Option to purchase at lease end $11260.35. Lease includes 12,000 miles per year, $0 cap cost reduction. Plus tax, tag and title.

Lessees responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and $0.15/mile over 12,000 miles/year. Maintenance valued at $499. See Curry Honda for complete details. Expires November 30, 2013. Lease a 2014 Honda Odyssey LX Auto to well-qualified lessees approved by Honda Financial Services for $309 per month for 35 months. $0 security deposit. MSRP: $29,655. Actual Net Capitalized Cost $26894 and includes $595 acquisition fee. Total monthly payments $10838.45. Option to purchase at lease end $16606.80. Lease includes 12,000 miles per year, $0 cap cost reduction. Plus tax, tag and title. Lessees responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and $0.15/mile over 12,000 miles/year. Maintenance valued at $499. See Curry Honda for complete details. Expires November 30, 2013. Lease a 2014 Honda CR-V LX 2WD Auto to well-qualified lessees approved by Honda Financial Services for $249 per month for 35 months. $0 security deposit. MSRP: $23,775. Actual Net Capitalized Cost $22,609 and includes $595 acquisition fee. Total monthly payments $8734.60. Option to purchase at lease end $14740.50. Lease includes 12,000 miles per year, $0 cap cost reduction. Plus tax, tag and title. Lessees responsible for maintenance, excessive wear/tear and $0.15/mile over 12,000 miles/year. Maintenance valued at $499. See Curry Honda for complete details. Expires November 30, 2013.

November 22,29 â–Ş 2013

Or visit us at 5525 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Chamblee GA!

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WellStar Medical Group Proudly serving East Cobb

ALLERGY & ASTHMA Grace Chiang, M.D. 3939 Roswell Road | Suite 200 Marietta, GA 30062 770-333-2027

CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE Mindy Gentry, M.D. Michael Hardee, M.D. Harvey Sacks, M.D. 1010 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30068 770-321-3490

ENDOCRINOLOGY Sona Patel, M.D. Reshma Shah, M.D. 3939 Roswell Road Suite 110 Marietta, GA 30062 678-403-4300

FAMILY MEDICINE & GERIATRIC MEDICINE

November 22,29 ▪ 2013

Whitney Denton, M.D. Shravantika Reddy, M.D. 3939 Roswell Road | Suite 240 Marietta, GA 30062 678-403-4660

FAMILY MEDICINE AND INTERNAL MEDICINE — PEDIATRICS Mitzi Rubin, M.D., FAAFP Megan Bowles, M.D Travis Bowles, M.D. 3939 Roswell Road | Suite 200 Marietta, GA 30062 770-973-2272

PEDIATRICS

Amy Cooper, M.D., MPH, MS Eva Montgomery-McGuire, M.D., FAAP 3939 Roswell Road Marietta GA 30062 770-578-2868

PEDIATRICS

Susan Staviss, M.D., FAAP 1523 Johnson Ferry Road | Suite 150 Marietta GA 30062 770-509-1234

PULMONARY MEDICINE Morohunfolu Akinnusi, M.D. Mark Schlosberg, M.D. 3939 Roswell Road | Suite 110 Marietta, GA 30062 770-422-1372

All practices accepting new patients and most insurance plans.

770-956-STAR

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