HUNGER FEAST
A special seventhnight Passover seder opens eyes to opportunities to address hunger. Page 9
STAR MAKER
HONORED TRIP
At 21, Yeshiva Atlanta grad Carmelle Danneman already is an award-winning filmmaker. Page 16
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed talks about his latest trip to Israel, including a streetcar connection. Page 21
Atlanta VOL. XC NO. 14
APRIL 17, 2015 | 28 NISAN 5775
WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM
Jewish-Led Groups Vie For Hawks By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com
T
Light for the Nations After lighting the first candle, Abe and Marlene Besser stand behind the memorial lights at the Yom HaShoah commemoration at the Marcus Jewish Community Center on April 12. The Bessers donated the Besser Holocaust Memorial Garden at the Marcus JCC, and Abe Besser built the Memorial to the Six Million, which will mark its 50th anniverary during a service April 19 at Greenwood Cemetery. Yom HaShoah coverage, Pages 6-7 Photo by Michael Jacobs
JNF BREAKFAST
Jewish National Fund comes under pressure from near (Buckhead) and far (New Orleans) for standing by the decision to honor Charles Stanley. Page 8
NEW JEWEL
More than 75 years after starting, D. Geller & Son has polished its suburban set of jewelry stores by moving into Sandy Springs. Page 26
Calendar
INSIDE
2 Israel
17
Candle Lighting
3 Business
26
Local News
4 Simchas
27
Remember When 5 Obituaries
28
Opinion 10 Crossword
30
Arts
31
16 Marketplace
he Atlanta Hawks were expected April 10 to receive the final bids for the NBA team from the last two potential ownership groups. While no word has arrived about the winner, one thing is certain: The team will remain in the control of Jewish-led ownership. One group is led by Los Angeles private equity investor Steve Kaplan, the founder of Oaktree Capital Management, who became a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012. The other group also has a Jewish leader with business interests in Los Angeles: Lionsgate Entertainment Chairman Mark Rachesky, who heads his own investment firm, MHR. Hawks CEO Steve Koonin, who like the current ownership group’s controlling partner, Bruce Levenson, is Jewish, said at the Business of Sports Summit last month in Australia that he expects an ownership announcement this summer. Levenson’s revelation last year of a racist email he sent in 2012 about the team’s fans spurred the sale of the Hawks. The purchase of the franchise, which will enter the NBA playoffs as the topseeded team in the Eastern Conference, includes operating rights to Philips Arena and $112 million in debt on the arena. Forbes values the Hawks at $825 million, 22nd among the NBA’s 30 franchises. But some predicted a higher price after Steve Ballmer bought the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion from Donald Sterling — another sale between Jewish owners after publicity over racist language. ■