INSIDE: STUDY UP FOR SHAVUOT, PAGES 6-9 FUN TIME
KISS, TELL
With the Famous Abba’s help, kids can join the holiday learning even if it doesn’t last all night. Page 6
THE RULES
Rabbi David Geffen explains how our custom of throwing the Torah kisses has roots in pagan practice. Page 7
Baseball helps Chabad Intown’s Dena Schusterman understand the importance of life’s rule book. Page 8
Atlanta INSIDE Calendar �����������������������������������4 Candle Lighting ����������������������4 Opinion ���������������������������������� 10 Education ������������������������������� 14 Technology ���������������������������� 16 Business ��������������������������������� 18 Israel News ���������������������������� 21 Health & Wellness ���������������26 Arts ������������������������������������������27 Cartoon �����������������������������������28 Obituaries ������������������������������29 Crossword ������������������������������30
VOL. XCI NO. 23
WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM
JUNE 10, 2016 | 4 SIVAN 5776
TECH TALK
Sales are in the cloud, kosher’s at your fingertips, and we’re all coping with the problems of screen time. Pages 16-17
No Place Like Graduation Photos by Paula Baroff
Atlanta Jewish Academy Student Council Co-President Daniella Sokol kicks off the AJA Upper School commencement May 31 by reading from a classic — Dr. Seuss’ “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” — while her co-president, valedictorian Abby Stein, watches. Later, Nicole Nooriel enjoys the moment before accepting her diploma from Associate Head of School Paul Oberman. More from AJA’s high school and eighthgrade graduations and the Davis Academy ceremony, Pages 14-15
NO TIME TO REST
For 60 years Colgate Mattress in Atlanta has helped the next generation get a good night’s sleep. Page 20
DELAY THE GAMES?
Over 200 experts say it’s unethical to hold the Olympics while Zika is raging. Page 26
ROLL CAMERA
FilmTribe makes time for Torah study amid cutting-edge digital production. Page 28
Time to Sign Up for LimmudFest
R
egistration is open for LimmudFest, a three-day festival of Jewish thought, arts, culture, life, learning and teaching in the North Georgia mountains. LimmudFest 2016 will bring together hundreds of Jews from all backgrounds and of all ages Labor Day weekend, Sept. 2 to 5, at the Ramah Darom Conference and Retreat Center. Visit limmudse.org/register-now to sign up. Registration includes kosher meals and accommodations that range from $180 to $800 per person. Scholarships and day rates are available.
Limmud originated in England more than 30 years ago, and now events are held by chapters worldwide. The event celebrates a quest for Judaism through endless exploration and lifelong learning. Incoming Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta CEO Eric Robbins was one of the leaders in bringing Limmud to Atlanta and has compared his vision for Federation to the Limmud model of community without hierarchy. LimmudFest is not aligned with any Jewish denomination, and participants range from Orthodox synagogue mem-
bers to the unaffiliated. Limmud drops such titles as rabbi, doctor and professor, and everyone is on a first-name basis. Since 2009, Limmud Atlanta + Southeast has held LimmudFest at the 122-acre Ramah Darom retreat center in Clayton, which features a lake, a heated swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts, two waterfalls, and multiple gathering spaces for prayer, discussion and learning. The volunteer-staffed event includes Camp Ramah@Limmud for children ages 5 to 12 and GanLimmud for children 4 and under. ■