Atlanta Jewish Times, Vol. XCIII No. 17, April 27, 2018

NAZIS IN NEWNAN

The community rallies to reject hate on a road trip.

Local News, Page 15

VOL. XCIII NO. 17

SANDY SPRINGS SHOWDOWN

Newcomer Gavi Shapiro challenges freshman Rep. Deborah Silcox in the GOP primary. Politics, Pages 32-33

WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM

Silcox

Shapiro

APRIL 27, 2018 | 12 IYAR 5778

Focus on Real Estate

JEWTOPIA?

See where the Jewish community is moving in our special real estate section, Pages 16-31

INSIDE Candle Lighting �������������������������� 4 Ma Tovu �����������������������������������������5 Israel News �����������������������������������6 Opinion ���������������������������������������10 Politics �����������������������������������������32 Sports �������������������������������������������34 Obituaries �����������������������������������35 Marketplace �������������������������������36 Crossword �����������������������������������38

Carnegie Honors Fallen Hero The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission has made official what Davis Zinsenheim’s friends and family knew: He died a hero.

Zinsenheim and Joey Hopkins, both 22 and graduates of Pope High, died May 10, 2016, during a hike at a waterfall at Lake Toxaway, N.C. Hopkins slipped and fell partway down a 150-foot cliff, and Zinsenheim

fell to the bottom in a rescue attempt.

On Sunday, April 22, Zinsenheim’s family received his posthumous Carnegie Medal.

“Penny, Madison and I are thankful to the Carnegie Hero Commission,” father Steve Zinsenheim said by email. “We have always been proud of him, and this just adds to it.”

See more about the award on Page 37. ■

This is the back of the Carnegie Medal presented posthumously to Davis Zinsenheim. The verse from John is on all the medals.

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CALENDAR THURSDAY, APRIL 26

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APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

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THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES (ISSN# 0892-33451) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY SOUTHERN ISRAELITE, LLC 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 © 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES Printed by Walton Press Inc. MEMBER Conexx: America Israel Business Connector American Jewish Press Association Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce Please send all photos, stories and editorial content to: submissions@atljewishtimes.com

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Artist in residence. Mordechai Rosenstein opens a residency through Sunday at Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway, East Cobb, by painting a piece today and Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free and paid events; full schedule at etzchaim.net/artist.

Sound and taste. In connection with the Breman Museum’s Iraqi exhibit, Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 N. Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven, hosts oud expert James Schneider for music and Dolce Catering’s Moshe Ben Gigi for desserts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for museum or synagogue members or $18 for others in advance or $20 at the door; www.thebreman.org/Events/0426-2018-Oud-and-Food.

Agency talk. Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs, hosts former MACoM President Alice Wer­ theim and SOJOURN Executive Director Rebecca Stapel-Wax at 7:30 p.m. to discuss their agencies. Free; bit. ly/2qWHQDF or 770-395-1340.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27

Shabbat with Rabbi G. Rabbi Brian Glusman presents child activities, songs and blessings with the Weinstein School Shabbat Dinosaur at 5 p.m. at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Free; www.atlantajcc.org.

SATURDAY, APRIL 28

Percussive comedy. BAM Percussion presents “eXplosion” at 8 p.m., with a second show Sunday at 4:30 p.m., at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Tickets are $26 for adults and $13 for children for members, $36 and $18 for others; www.showclix.com/ event/bampercussion/listing.

Acharei-Kedoshim Friday, April 27, light candles at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 28, Shabbat ends at 8:59 p.m.

Emor Friday, May 4, light candles at 8:06 p.m.

Saturday, May 5, Shabbat ends at 9:05 p.m.

Maziar to Speak at JBN Breakfast

Former ZEP Manufacturing President Harry Maziar will be the featured speaker at the Jewish Business Network’s annual business networking breakfast Wednesday, May 2.

Maziar, who presented his book “Story Selling” at November’s Book Festival of the Marcus JCC, will offer “Jewish Confessions of a Sales Guru” at Chabad Intown’s new BeltLine facility at 730 Ponce de Leon Place.

The lifelong Atlanta resident once led a sales organization of more than 2,000 representatives. He is the first executive in residence at Kennesaw State University and helped develop the Center for Professional Selling at the university’s Coles College of Business.

Networking over coffee will start at 7 a.m., followed by praying and wrapping tefillin at 7:30, breakfast at 7:45 and the program with Maziar at 8.

Tickets are $36 and are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/jbns-annualbusiness-breakfast-tickets-44382539370. ■

SUNDAY, APRIL 29

Iraqi exhibit. The National Archives exhibit “Discovery and Recovery: Preserving Iraqi Jewish Heritage” has its final day at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Museum admission is free for members, up to $12 for others; thebreman.org or 678-222-3700.

Immigrant panel discussion. Temple Beth David, 1885 McGee Road, Snellville, holds the Leon Charney Forum for Immigrant Justice at 3 p.m. Free; www.eventbrite.com/e/the-leon-charney-forum-for-immigrant-justice-tickets-42854218120 or 770-978-3916.

Mendelssohn concert. The Choral Guild of Atlanta presents a concert of

Mendelssohn sacred music at 4 p.m. at Northside Drive Baptist Church, 3100 Northside Drive, Buckhead. Tickets are $15 ($12 for seniors, $5 for students); www.cgatl.org.

Beth Jacob birthday. Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Toco Hills, celebrates its 75th anniversary with a gala dinner, starting with a reception at 6 p.m. Tickets are $118; www. bethjacobatlanta.org/dinner.

AJFF Selects. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival presents “A Memoir of War,” based on French Resistance member Marguerite Duras’ autobiographical novel, at 7 p.m. at Regal Tara Cinemas 4, 2345 Cheshire Bridge Road, Atlanta.

Tickets are $15; bit.ly/2qVlCSk.

Find more events and submit items for our online and print calendars at the Atlanta Jewish Connector, www.atlantajewishconnector.com.

Remember When

10 Years Ago April 25, 2008 ■ Emory University has hired its first Jewish chaplain, Victoria Armour-Hileman, who will be ordained in May after graduating from the Reform movement’s Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. She will be an associate dean of religious life as well as a chaplain. Her appointment comes as Hillels of Georgia prepares to break ground Sunday, May 4, on the Marcus Hillel Center at Emory.

■ Ben and Raina Nadler of Roswell announce the birth of a daughter, Kira Marley, on Nov. 8.

25 Years Ago April 23, 1993 ■ Atlanta’s Reform Jewish day school has received accreditation from the Georgia Accrediting Commission, an independent agency that assesses educational standards at the preschool, kindergarten and elementary school levels, Principal Mollie Aczel says. The Davis Academy is completing its first year and has added a second kindergarten class

and a second grade.

■ The bar mitzvah ceremony of Jonathan Eric Botstein of Atlanta, son of Laurie and Gary Botstein, took place Saturday, April 17, at The Temple.

50 Years Ago April 26, 1968 ■ The Atlanta Jewish Welfare Mollie Aczel, the first Davis Federation and its affiliated Academy principal, gets a organizations, together with hug during a celebration the Israeli Consulate Genof the school’s 25th anniversary March 16. eral, Southeast Region, have extended an invitation to the entire community to join Israel and Jews around the world in the celebration of the 20th anniversary of Israel’s statehood at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the Progressive Club in Midtown.

■ Mr. and Mrs. Oscar C. Kersh of Atlanta announce the engagement of daughter Bonnie Nan to Daniel J. Boaz, son of Dr. and Mrs. Herman Boaz of Atlanta.

MA TOVU

Tug of War at Home That’s how I found myself answering phones, filing papers, sending bills and looking at the clock. Every time I tried to tell Rob that I wanted to return to the classroom, he brushed me off.

“But this is working so well!” he said. “We’re a husband-wife dynamo!

The business is thriving, and it’s the best thing in the world for our family.”

Shared Spirit Moderated By Rachel Stein rachels83@gmail.com

So why did I taste bitter disappointment? Didn’t I also want what was best for our family?

One morning at breakfast, the thought of another day of office work felt like a noose tightening around my neck. I plunked my coffee cup down with a thud, eyed Rob and asked, “Do you want me to be happy?”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

His brows knitted in puzzlement.

“It means that I want to teach. I never signed up to be a secretary.”

“But I need you,” Rob said.

“Doesn’t that count for anything? Why do you have to rock the boat when things are going so well?”

“But they’re not going well for me!” I cried. “I’m a teacher, not a secretary or an office manager! Why don’t you care about my needs?”

Rob blinked, stung. “I thought we were in this together,” he said softly. “I guess I was wrong.”

After an uncomfortable silence, he said, “My parents always worked together, and they were happy.”

We locked eyes, and another silence stretched between us. “Well,” he finally asked, “can you at least wait until I find someone else?”

“Of course,” I said, smiling at the vision of myself giving a scintillating lesson to eager students.

But weeks have passed with no new secretary. Is Rob even looking?

Is he just delaying my job search so that it will be too late for me to find anything for the coming school year?

Am I shirking my duty to the family by insisting on following my heart?

I would greatly appreciate suggestions on how to handle this dilemma. ■ All dilemmas printed in this column are submitted from friends, relatives or AJT readers. They are not my personal conflicts.

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

I glance at the clock for what must be the 10th time in as many minutes, and I sigh, wondering how 60 seconds can feel like an eternity.

It’s like this all day, every day, trudging along just to get through another 9-to-5. But does it have to be?

Don’t do it, Lisa, I caution myself.

Rob doesn’t need to see you cry. It’s not like he cares anyway.

A lifetime ago — before I got married — I followed my dream and got a master’s in teaching.

I landed a job as a seventhgrade teacher in a Jewish school, and my heart took wings. I knew this was where I belonged and felt as if I was making a real difference in precious lives.

When the clock showed that the lesson was over, I wondered how the time had flown. Hadn’t we just started?

A few years passed, and a friend introduced me to the man I would marry. Rob embodied everything I wanted. He was warm and personable, determined and motivated, smart and kind. During our first decade together, our life proceeded by my script. I continued teaching as several beautiful little people joined our family, and Rob managed his insurance business.

But once I had three kids, I could no longer cope with the teaching.

There was not enough of me to produce creative lessons, teach effectively and tend to the needs of the children.

“You can always go back to it,” Rob assured me. “But for now, our kids need you. They won’t be little forever.”

Heart throbbing with conflicting emotions, I waved goodbye to my students and my career and dived into being a stay-at-home mom. We went to parks and libraries, baked cookies, read stories, and enjoyed life together.

And then, almost before I blinked, all three were in school full time.

“Guess I’ll start sending out my résumé,” I said one day, my heart sprouting wings at the thought. I had been there for my kids in their formative years, and now it was time to make my mark on the world again.

“You could,” Rob said, “but I’ve been thinking. I could really use some help with the business. Since Dayna (Rob’s secretary for 10 years) moved away, I’ve been kind of swamped. And it would be great not to have to hire someone else and just keep the money in the family.”

I gulped. Me, Rob’s secretary? But that’s not what I want to do.

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ISRAEL NEWS

CIE Hosts First Teen Israel Seminar at Emory Twenty-four 10th- and 11th-graders gathered April 13 to 15 in Atlanta for the Center for Israel Education’s inaugural Teen Israel Leadership Institute.

Representing nine states and including two sisters from Israel who attend the American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro, N.C., the participants engaged in learning activities centered on expanding their knowledge of Israel and Zionism. Partnering with CIE on this endeavor were the North American Association of Community and Congregational Hebrew High Schools, the Emory Institute for the Study of Modern Israel and Emory Hillel.

The program was part of a CIE initiative to provide more impactful Israel learning for Jews ages 13 to 18.

Supported by a grant from an anonymous foundation, CIE staffers have presented 17 Israel learning engagements to 1,096 teens across the country since October. Presentations have been coordinated with and delivered at Jewish day schools,

synagogues, youth group gatherings and national Jewish organizations.

A highlight of the weekend was exposure to the vibrancy of Jewish life The two dozen students participating in the Teen Israel Leadership Institute come from nine states and Israel.

Guest Column

By Rich Walter

and the options for Israel engagement on the Emory campus.

A special Israel-themed Shabbat dinner was held at the Marcus Hillel Center on Friday evening.

After the dinner, CIE President Ken Stein addressed an audience of teens and Emory students. Stressing the centuries-old relationship among the Jewish people, the land of Israel and the Torah, Stein urged the students to expand their knowledge so they can take pride in owning Israel’s story.

Sessions held throughout the weekend were layered chronologically and thematically. Students and

staff explored Israel in the Torah and liturgy, the origins of Zionism, Israel’s first decades, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and Israel’s political system.

After Shabbat, we focused on Israeli culture, screening two episodes of “Arab Labor,” a popular Israeli sitcom that explores race and identity. The show ran from 2007 to 2012. Its first season is available to screen on PBS. Teens were asked to think about and plan ways they could share in their home communities what they learned during the weekend.

Rebecca Raush, a 10th-grader from Cherry Hill, N.J., said she is running for the regional USY board,

COME VISIT THE

and, if elected, “I am going to use the program ideas you gave us and the resources you told us about in order to plan programs and events.”

Other participants are planning learning sessions in religious schools, in public high schools and online.

Parker Siegel, an 11th-grader from Longwood, Fla., said: “My favorite part of the program was meeting kids with the same love of Israel as me.”

The 2018-19 Teen Israel Leadership Institute is being planned. ■ Rich Walter is the associate director for Israel education at the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org).

IN THE CHILL ZONE record a video of up to 70 seconds:

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

70 Years, 70 Seconds

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join us for the ultimate party

share your thoughts on Israel and the celebration of its 70tH birthday. We’ll turn the videos into a special online tribute.

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ISRAEL NEWS

JNF Laughs and Cheers for Israel’s Birthday bies, the tribulations of serving Jewish patrons as a waiter and shoe salesman, the diminished role of Jewish husbands, and the purchase of Dead Sea mud to bring home to his wife.

Only Sarge, reared by Long Island Jews after his adoption from an Orthodox Jewish mother and black father, could cross such cultural and politically incorrect lines. “The Jewish part

Photos by Marcia Caller Jaffe and Michael Jacobs

Robert Max, days before handing over command of Jewish War Veterans Post 112, holds the U.S. flag while Israel Scouts bear Israeli flags at the opening of the jubilee program.

Co-President Howard Wexler, with his mother, Estelle, says, “No other organization besides JNF allows us to help Israel in the particular ways that we ourselves choose.”

Jaffe's Jewish Jam

By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

of me doesn’t work on Shabbos. The black part of me doesn’t want to work the other six days.”

A child prodigy and Juilliard student, he ended with a piano medley.

“Sarge was an entertaining balance to the first part of the program, which was inspirational and celebratory of JNF’s partnership with Israel,” fan A.J. Robinson said. “Sarge reminded me of my childhood watching Don Rickles with my father and witnessing

Alan and Lisa Lubel talk with Jeff Kaufman about the direct programs JNF provides.

Headliner Sarge visits with Ziv Zusman, the founder of JNF’s Sababa Society for young people.

him laugh till he literally cried. … The musical piece combining ‘Hatikvah,’ our national anthem, and many wellknown Jewish-inspired songs was brilliantly compiled and performed.”

We saw only a tiny bit of his story.

His book is a must-read to understand his journey back from drug and

alcohol addiction, which ruined his careers in sports and fashion. But Sarge got sober and rose through standup comedy. Today he is a husband, a father and a mentor to thousands.

I read the book in two days. He is real. He is hilarious. He doesn’t write jokes; he writes about life. ■

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The Buckhead Theatre hosted a high-vibe crowd to celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday with Jewish National Fund’s “Platinum Jubilee” at the close of Yom HaAtzmaut (Independence Day) on Thursday night, April 19.

“We’ve had 70 wonderful years developing water and land,” co-event chair Barbara Lincoln said. “Now we plan for the next 70.”

Alan Lubel, a past copresident of JNF in Atlanta, said, “JNF gives us direct contact to the land. Almost all the projects are about improving quality of life.”

JNF Atlanta Executive Director Beth Gluck and co-Presidents Michael Jacobson and Howard Wexler charged up the crowd in front of a backdrop of breathtaking, changing Israeli scenery.

Gluck evoked the emotions we all felt the first time we heard the plane wheels touch down in Israel.

“We have all arrived. We have won the lottery. … We have seen the Tel Aviv beach at sunset,” she said. “From bare land 70 years ago, Israel entered the 21st century with 260 million trees.

Even as the Negev blooms, we are developing and populating the north. …

“We are celebrating 70 years of Israel’s accomplishments and our involvement in securing and building the modern state.”

Six JNF “doers” spotlighted their areas of interest with the agency: Roni Wolk, Special in Uniform, which helps people with developmental disabilities serve in the Israel Defense Forces; Eyal Postelnik, Lotem, which makes nature accessible to people with physical disabilities; Michael Levison, Arad task force, which helps the Negev municipality; Debbie Levy, JNFuture, JNF’s young-professionals arm; Seth Bernstein, housing development task force; and Stacy Lewin, water task force.

Ziv Zusman, 13, spoke about founding JNF’s Sababa Society for ages 10 to 14: “I am your future.”

Lubel accepted the challenge from the teen to keep the agency growing.

Bam! Steve Pickman (Sarge) took the stage. To say the audience shrieked in laughter is an understatement.

He told me earlier that he is not a comedian, but a storyteller à la Alan King and Myron Cohen. He said, “My life experiences … you can’t make it up.”

One scenario after the other touched our funny bones with relatable topics, such as senior citizens in Florida driving through building lob-

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ISRAEL NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 26

Millennials and Israel. Rabbi Rachael Miller leads a discussion over lunch about young adults’ engagement with Israel at noon at Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs.

Free; bit.ly/2Jbq8TK or malberhasky@ templeemanuelatlanta.com.

Food trucks. Celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut with the Marcus JCC, including kosher food, Israeli dancing, live music, performances by day school students, games and crafts, at Liane Levetan Park at Brook Run, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free admission; www.atlantajcc.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29

Israel@70 Atlanta. Jewish Atlanta holds a community celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with games, exhibits, activities, food and live music at Park Tavern at Piedmont Park, 500 10th St., Midtown. Admission is $10 per or $18 per family in advance, $18 or $25 at the door; jewishatlanta.org/israel70.

THURSDAY, MAY 3

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

Israeli comedy. Israeli and former Atlantan Benji Lovitt presents a comedy show about the immigrant expe-

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rience in Israel and the differences between Diaspora and Israeli Jews, at 7:30 p.m. at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Tickets are $18 for JCC members, $24 for others; bit. ly/2HhUDe9 or 678-812-3798.

FRIDAY, MAY 11

Scholar in residence. Avraham Infeld, who spoke to Federation’s leadership mission in Israel this winter, spends Shabbat at Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Morningside.

Details to come at shearithisrael.com.

MONDAY, MAY 14

FIDF gala. Friends of the IDF honors the men and women who have defended Israel for 70 years with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and a dinner program at 7 featuring Rep. Brian Mast at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, 3315 Peachtree Road. Admission is $250 ($118 for ages 35 and under); fidfse. wixsite­.com/atl70/event-details.

TUESDAY, JUNE 5

Perspectives on Israel. Journalist Alon Ben David speaks in an Israel Bondssponsored appearance at 7 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; bit.ly/2Hnm4Di.

Israeli poet Yehuda Amichai is a cowinner of the 1982 Israel Prize for poetry.

Today in Israeli History Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details.

April 27, 2009: In a speech in Ramallah, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas dismisses a demand from Benjamin Netanyahu to recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

April 28, 1982: Yehuda Amichai, considered by many to be Israel’s greatest poet, jointly wins the 1982 Israel Prize for poetry with Amir Gilboa.

April 29, 1956: Ro’i Rothberg is killed in an ambush along the Gaza border near Nahal Oz. Memorably eulogized by Moshe Dayan, Rothberg becomes a symbol for the inability to achieve peace in Israel’s early years.

April 30, 2003: The Quartet issues

its road map for peace. Conceived by President George W. Bush during the Second Intifada, the road map serves as the centerpiece of failed peace negotiations at the beginning of the 21st century.

May 1, 1987: Shahar Pe’er, the highest-ranked professional tennis player in Israel’s history, is born in Jerusalem.

She peaks at No. 11 in the women’s rankings, wins five singles and three doubles titles, and twice reaches the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event.

May 2, 1921: Yosef Haim Brenner, a pioneer of modern Hebrew literature, is killed by an Arab gang during the 1921 Jaffa Riots after he refuses to flee the Abu Kabir neighborhood.

May 3, 1882: The May Laws, which restrict Jewish land tenure and residency rights, are passed amid widespread pogroms in Russia. The repression the laws reflect results in the emigration of more than 2.5 million Jews from Eastern Europe between 1881 and 1914.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

ISRAEL NEWS

Jewish Atlanta’s community celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday is Sunday, April 29, at Park Tavern at Piedmont Park, but Yom HaAtzmaut (Israeli Independence Day) also was a festive occasion from Wednesday night to Thursday night, April 18 and 19.

More than 500 people attended Young Israel of Toco Hills’ annual Yom HaAtzmaut barbecue at Mason Mill Park in Decatur on April 19.

The previous night, Gov. Nathan Deal, Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple and the Rev. Raphael Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church were among the featured speakers at the Israeli Consulate General’s crowded reception at the Woodruff Arts Center.

“Israel will continue to thrive and never, ever stand alone again” because of people like you, Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer, Israel’s consul general, told the crowd after accepting an Israel@70 proclamation from Deal.

“Rising from the ashes of the Holocaust, Israel has come to embody the true meaning of perseverance and resilience,” she said, noting the cost of more than 23,600 soldiers and more than 3,100 terrorism victims who were memorialized the night before at a Yom HaZikaron service at The Temple (visit atlantajewishtimes.com for highlights).

After overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles, “Israel stands proudly alongside the world’s most developed nations and as the Middle East’s sole true democracy, one rooted in equality and freedom of speech and religion,” Shorer said.

Rabbi Berg said that identity as a democracy as well as a Jewish refuge is the essence of Israel and fulfills the visions of its great prophets. But like the United States in 1846, Israel at age 70 has work to do.

“It is our own hands that will write that great history,” he said, urging the people in the crowd to roll up their sleeves to help build Israel and support the U.S.-Israel relationship.

“Let us make sure that Israel is in our thoughts and in prayers,” the rabbi said. “Let’s make sure that ‘next year in Jerusalem’ is not a distant aspiration, but rather a personal invitation, a place we should constantly return to. … It’s all about going home.”

Deal talked about his trip to Israel in 2014, drawing laughs with his pronunciation of “kibbutz” and cheers for his announcement that Georgia has purchased $10 million in Israel Bonds since he took office in 2011.

Photos by Beth Intro Photography

Israel@70 T-shirts and Israeli flags are the hot look for youths attending Young Israel of Toco Hills’ annual Yom HaAtzmaut barbecue April 19 at Mason Mill Park.

He said Georgia had $215.4 million in exports to Israel in 2017, a 4 percent increase, while the state imported $159.1 million worth of Israeli goods, a 20 percent jump.

A flag show is one of the treats for the more than 500 people attending the Young Israel of Toco Hills barbecue on April 19.

Young Israel Rabbi Adam Starr joins his congregation at the Yom HaAtzmaut celebration at Mason Mill Park.

“Those kinds of investments bring us closer together,” Deal said. (Visit the AJT’s YouTube channel at www. youtube­.com/user/atlantajewishtimes or go to atlantajewishtimes.com to

watch his full speech.)

Shorer noted that one of Georgia’s 12 trade representatives is based in Israel and that 50 Israeli companies operate in Georgia. ■

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

Georgia Helps Israel Celebrate 70th Birthday

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OPINION

Our View

Party for Israel

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

Sunday, April 29, should be a big (and, we hope, sunny) day for Jewish Atlanta. The Israel@70 celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Park Tavern in Piedmont Park could be the biggest gathering of the community since Federation celebrated its centennial with 7,000-plus people in the new Georgia Aquarium a dozen years ago.

If you’re part of a Jewish family or love Israel or both, don’t miss this opportunity to show it. You don’t need to spend the whole time at the party. Just check out the schedule in the AJT or at https://jewishatlanta.org/israel70, plan your visit to catch what interests you, and buy your extremely affordable tickets ($10 in advance or $18 at the door for individuals, $18 in advance or $25 at the door for a family).

Be sure to stop by the family-friendly Chill Zone, sponsored by the AJT, where the activities will include our own “70 Years, 70 Seconds.” We’ll offer everyone (free of charge) a chance to record a 70-second video birthday wish for Israel. Our plan is to post them all online as a communitywide collection of our love and support of Israel.

The more, the merrier — as is the case for the celebration at large and support for Israel in general.

Our challenge will be to build on Sunday’s spirit all year long.

Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple made the point during the Israeli Consulate’s Yom HaAzmaut reception Wednesday, April 18: All who love Israel need to roll up our sleeves and participate in the work of building a nation that fulfills the best of the Jewish prophetic visions.

That means we should visit as often as possible, but we also should continually engage with our Jewish homeland. Follow the news from a range of sources. Participate in organizations that are involved with Israel. Listen to what other people have to say.

That last point is vital. A generation ago, Israel was the one thing we knew united us, but today the pro-Israel consensus is cracking, particularly among younger Jews.

It’s no accident that the youth-driven activist group IfNotNow has responded to Hamas-provoked violence along the Gaza border by protesting American Jewish institutions, or that a young Israeli led the effort by 51 student groups at New York University to boycott Israel and pro-Israel student organizations, or that students at Barnard College (where a third are Jewish) voted in favor of a BDS referendum.

Too many young Jews believe that neither Israel nor U.S. Jewish institutions will listen to them or will care. As a result, we’re losing them as part of our community and as part of the Zionist dream.

As Jews and as humans, we are always going to have disagreements about Israel, from its borders to its policies toward its neighbors to its respect for diversity in Jewish practice. None of us should expect to see an Israel identical to our personal visions. But if we accept that disagreements over particulars don’t rule out belief in the big picture — an independent, democratic nation that is a haven and a home for all Jews who choose to live there — we can work together to ensure that the Zionist dream flourishes.

To start, let’s all pray for a sunny Sunday. ■ 10

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A Future of Eternal Survivors best friend in the camps, a young man who was We have just marked Yom HaShoah and Georshot dead trying to escape. He carried that special gia’s Days of Remembrance, our annual reminder survivor’s guilt with him for decades until he finally never to forget what the Nazis did to the Jewish decided to go back to Eastern Europe for a visit — people, as well as Slavs, Roma and others they and found himself talking to the friend he thought deemed flawed. It’s also our annual time to ponder the ever-pressing question of how we ensure remem- had died all those years ago.

Trust me: Pinchas tells it much better. brance once no Holocaust survivors are left.

The crucial point is Recordings, particuthat the computer driving larly videos, of survivor the selection of answers is testimony are invaluable, Editor’s Notebook not making things up. It’s but they lack the interacBy Michael Jacobs not slicing together words tivity that seems so vital mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com and partial answers to for catching the interest create realistic responses of the generations most to questions. Instead, it’s likely to forget, or at least searching the keywords in each answer for a match to doubt. with the words used in a question.

A possible answer was demonstrated at the The technology is not perfect, of course. Even a Atlanta Jewish Film Festival in the documentary short “116 Cameras,” in which survivor Eva Schloss is series of hundreds of questions can’t provide useful answers to every question anyone could ask when shown going through the process of being intersitting face to holographic face with a Holocaust viewed and filmed for the USC Shoah Foundation’s survivor.

New Dimensions in Testimony project.

Sometimes when Carnes repeated a question Survivors are recorded answering hundreds from the audience, virtual Pinchas either sat still or of questions with enough video cameras to create answered with a flustered “I don’t understand.” holographic images. The resulting hologram can Sometimes interact with audiences, answering their questions rephrasing the as a computer plays back relevant video recordings. question elicited Students and staff at Georgia State University’s a meaningful Perimeter College campus in Dunwoody got a taste response. Other of the technology — albeit on a screen in an auditotimes, we were rium, lacking the three-dimensionality and closedigging into ness of a classroom or museum setting — when the areas Pinchas Shoah Foundation’s Amy Carnes brought one of the Pinchas Gutter speaks to college never addressed. students in Dunwoody on April 12.

16 survivor holograms, Pinchas Gutter, for a visit to We tried mark Yom HaShoah on Thursday, April 12. to learn whether he or his neighbors in Poland had The event was organized by English professor Zionist thoughts before World War II. Carnes tried Michelle Kassorla, the Hillel adviser at the campus. asking whether he knew anyone who went to PalesIt drew her own students and other classes, a diverse tine, whether he thought about Palestine, whether mix presenting a range of questions, all of whom he talked about Palestine or Zionism. Nothing. seemed captivated by hearing a Holocaust survivor When she tried calling it Israel instead, again speak and respond to them. probing for prewar information, we got a repeat of The interactions at times were playful and an earlier response about the postwar odyssey that funny — that is, human. One student asked Pinchas his pick to win the World Series this year, and we got took him from Germany to England to Canada, with a stop in New York that lasted just long enough for a reasonable answer that made everyone chuckle: “I him to know he didn’t want to stay there: “I never don’t know.” lived in Israel.”

Occasionally, the seemingly mundane can Carnes took notes throughout the presentaproduce magic. tion about possible areas of improvement in the One example was a yes-or-no question about machine-learning system. One suggestion is not to whether Pinchas received reparations. He launched replay an answer once it is used in a given session, into a soliloquy of several minutes about the evolualthough in a setup like the one used in Dunwoody, tion of his views toward Germany and Germans. with people coming and going the whole time, In the early years after the war, he was so repeat answers have value. angry that he wanted nothing to do with Germany.

The project is evolving as it is being road-tested, He struggled to deal with the knowledge that so but it has great promise. In the not-to-distant future, many people responsible for the Holocaust escaped anyone with an Internet connection could go to the punishment. And he wanted nothing to do with the Shoah Foundation and have an online conversation “blood money” of reparations. with a Holocaust survivor.

But his views mellowed over the years as he Pinchas himself expressed optimism for the came to realize that it was wrong to punish all future, and after seeing his holographic version in Germans for the evil actions of a few. Each person action, his words should give us all hope that people should be judged individually. will never forget: “I always feel hope. I always feel Perhaps the most moving moment of the 45 hope. I’m not a pessimistic person. … If I wasn’t minutes I observed Pinchas’ interactions with the hopeful, I wouldn’t be talking to you or anybody else students came when he told his survival story. about my experience.”■ He said he lived because of the actions of his

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OPINION

Gov. Nathan Deal appointed me to serve as the 4th District representative to the state Board of Education in Georgia from 2010 to 2012. The SBOE approves the Department of Education’s budget. The DOE dispenses approximately $6 billion in state money and $3 billion in federal money to the public K-12 schools in Georgia’s 180 school districts.

On the board I learned how much confusion, misinformation and mythology exist about education, particularly when it comes to private and charter schools. To help me with the facts, I leaned on two friends from my SBOE days: Brian Burdette, who served on the board for 10 years and chaired its charter school committee, and Lou Erste, the associate superintendent for charter schools at the DOE. I want to elaborate on the three scenarios in which public money could be perceived as being used for a private or charter school.

Scenario 1 represents the closest thing to a voucher program in Georgia.

In 2007, the Georgia legislature passed S.B. 10, which provides scholarships for special education students to attend private schools.

To qualify, a student with special needs must attend a public school for one year. The next year, the parents can get the equivalent of the state money that would be spent on their child at a public school and use it at private school. The state cuts a check to the parents, who then must use it toward private school tuition.

Scenario 1 is a voucher scheme.

But do we want to deny over 5,000 students with special needs who receive S.B. 10 scholarships the option of attending a private school with public money? I view it as heartless to say these vouchers are evil.

Scenario 2 is the Georgia private school scholarship tax credit. Many in the Jewish community know it because of the ALEF Fund. Sixteen Jewish schools get ALEF Fund money to subsidize tuition.

A contributor writes a check (limits apply) to a student scholarship organization, which gives the money to a Jewish school for scholarships. The contributor gets a 1-for-1 tax credit for the donation. This program is so successful that the cap is being increased from $58 million to $100 million.

Under this scenario, a tuition pay-

Part of a Scary Picture

ment converts into During Point/Counterpoint a tax-free contribuGeorge W. Bush’s Public Funds for Private Schools tion under state administration, The Georgia General Assembly has law. And I say that’s I had a conversadecided to nearly double the annual tion with a friend awesome. Jewish cap on a tax credit for donations about wealth. We education is one of that fund scholarships to private were sitting in his the best guarantees schools. Should public money supwell-appointed, for sustaining the port private schools? $750,000 home.

American Jewish He argued community, and that between his mortgage, private anything we can do to make it more school tuition for his children, the affordable for parents is worthwhile. nice cars and the vacations, he was Why would anyone in our community barely scraping by. He resented that oppose this? he was not considered lower middle The last scenario is the one most class and thus didn’t deserve the kind rife with misunderstanding: charter of assistance we as a nation provide to the needy.

Maybe you’re reading this and nodding. After all, Point Epstein is expensive, and

By Dan Israel the kids need a safe neighborhood with the right sort of neighbors, so what choices do you have? schools. Charter schools are NOT Or maybe you’re reading this and private schools that get public financshaking your head because you’re ing. Charter schools may not charge not sure how you’re going to get your tuition, and the vast majority of them 12-year-old car to pass the emissions report to a school district superinteninspection next year, and you need it dent and a local school board. to make your 20-mile commute from Charter schools must abide by the your $150,000 home in a school dissame federal and state laws as all pubtrict that is not winning any awards. lic schools — no picking and choosing All of this is relevant because, of students, no denial of students with just like 15 years ago, a Republican adspecial needs. Charter schools receive ministration is working to give school funding like any other public school, vouchers to parents who choose to albeit usually less. Local school boards move their children to private school. decide how much charter schools get, I’m sympathetic to the idea that with a floor set by state law. wealthy people need help. If your Charter schools obtain waivers to county spends $9,000 to $12,000 a year gain autonomy in certain areas, such per student, why should private school as hiring and firing teachers, requirfamilies be excluded? Publicly funded ing school uniforms, and changing sidewalks are free to walk on, whether the curriculum. In exchange, charter you make a lot or a little. There’s no schools commit to meeting certain means testing to access public parks. academic levels for their students. If On the other hand, it would be they fail, they are shut down. a little weird if, instead of investing Unfortunately, the same cannot in parks, the city of Brookhaven gave be said of our public schools. Has anyeach resident a voucher for $48 a year one seen a public school shut down for to spend on the private or public park poor performance? of their choice.

With Georgia in the lower rungs What would happen? The betterof U.S. academic performance, we off residents who belong to a neighmust find ways to improve. If the soluborhood swim and tennis club (aka tion involves putting public money in private park) would use the voucher to some situations into private schools, reduce what they spent. But because so be it. Throwing more money on $48 can’t fund a park space for most outdated methods is not the solution. residents, the city would pool what More important, for our commuwas left to help pay for Blackburn or nity, the key to survival is getting more the PATH trails in the city, except that youths into Jewish schools, and any it wouldn’t be enough anymore. mechanism that makes it easier and Obviously, nothing in the city more affordable is something I cheer would be made better by this. There for. ■ would be fewer, lower-quality parks,

not more. There would be no increase in private parks either, though maybe they’d raise their prices by, oh, $48.

This scenario makes sense only in a world in which you believe cities should not fund public parks, in which all park funding is voluntary, and in which there is no expectation of a public space open to everyone. Once you go down that path, you can extend the thinking to everything.

Why should governments fund police? Brookhaven could give every resident a $156 security voucher. How about an $11 voucher for arbitration services instead of a municipal court?

Counterpoint

By Scott Sherris

This arrangement seems fine to some people. It appeals to the wealthy, who already pay for private versions of public services, and to religious people who believe that interacting with anyone outside their small community is corrupting them. And to the growing groups of white supremacists and neo-Nazis who want complete separation from people of color. And, at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, to the oligarchs who know that a strong, vibrant, publicly educated populace has kept America strong and free.

An America where you can siphon money from programs that don’t benefit you is one where nobody has shared responsibility. Where nobody owes the community any participation. Where mitzvot don’t exist and tikkun olam is seen as a globalist conspiracy.

I find that America horrifying, and I refuse to be silent while the right wing pretends that this is a dry, technical topic about tax deductions and municipal funding and confuses us with straw-man arguments about school choice. They want you to think this is disconnected from every other action they’ve taken, from cutting corporate taxes to trying to prevent universal health care to restricting voting to killing environmental regulations.

School vouchers are a small piece of fundamentally changing America.

For 200 years, the right to a publicly funded education has steadily expanded. Let’s continue that work and make sure the United States remains a 11 place where we live our values. ■ APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

A Must for Society

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LOCAL NEWS

How Talmudic Scholarship Shifted to Spain Moshe ben Hanoch was a rabbi from the Yeshiva of Sura in Babylonia, the most important Talmudic academy in the world (along with Pumbedita) between the third and 10th centuries of the Common Era. Around 945, with three other scholars, Moshe ben Hanoch and his family left Sura to raise money for the deteriorating academy; their target was the Jewish Diaspora throughout the world, especially in Europe.

Near Italy, their ship was captured by the Moorish-Spanish admiral Ibn Rumahis, who became infatuated with Moshe ben Hanoch’s beautiful wife.

According to legend, his wife, foreseeing the inevitable, asked her husband in Hebrew whether those who drown in the ocean can hope to be resurrected. He answered from Psalms: “The Lord saith, ‘I will bring again from Bashan, I will bring them again from the depths of the sea.’ ” Hearing that, she threw herself into the sea and drowned.

The four scholars were taken as

slaves. Moshe ben Hanoch and his son, Enoch, a child, were sent to Cordova, where the Jewish community always bought Jewish slaves to free them, and Moshe was liberated around 948.

The Sephardic Corner

By Mariana Montiel

A man of great prudence, he did not announce his identity and worked as a servant at the Talmudic school.

Because of the centralization of Talmudic studies in Babylonia, the discourse was rudimentary in Spain.

At one point Moshe could not contain himself when hearing Nathan, a rabbi and judge, explain a passage, and he gave an alternative interpretation in perfect rabbinical Aramaic.

Rabbi Nathan immediately ceded his position to Moshe ben Hanoch.

The prosperous Jewish community of Cordova named him its rabbi, and Hasdai ibn Shaprut organized a

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yeshiva that became, for a time, the center of Talmudic studies and the recipient of legal consultations from all over the Jewish Diaspora.

Cordova became the seed of independent Western Jewish thinking.

Looking North

This month we will talk about the Sephardic presence in Hamburg, a northern German port city on the banks of the Elbe River. Its first Jewish residents were Portuguese marranos.

The Sephardic emigration to northern Europe began in 1580. Of the 5,000 Portuguese Jews who abandoned Portugal during the 16th century, about 1,200 went to Hamburg. Many of them first went to Brazil, North Africa, Italy or the Balkans.

Many Spanish Jews who had left Spain in 1492 also eventually went to Hamburg, and the prosperous Jewish community became an important trade center.

These Sephardic Jews, successful in commerce, conducted their business through international family networks that encompassed the Mediterranean Sea and the American colonies. They dominated the trade in sugar, spices and silver. They were agents of the stock market.

The flourishing trade was carried out with Portugal, Spain, the Spanish West Indies, Curaçao, Suriname and the Caribbean in general. These commercial relations extended to Venice, Bordeaux and Bayonne, as well as the Baltic ports, such as Danzig, and the interior of Germany.

The peak of the trade system came between 1660 and 1780. As active persecution became less pronounced, the Portuguese Jewish communities became more and more integrated into their countries of immigration.

The Sephardic Jews played a big role in the founding of the Bank of Hamburg. The best-known protagonist of this story was Rodrigo de Castro, a businessman and doctor. In recognition of his services, he was given the privilege of possessing property in the city.

These communities, of course, were not only dedicated to commerce.

The positive conditions created by the first Portuguese merchants saw their fruit in a Jewish community of doctors, poets, authors, philologists, rabbis and scholars.

The first jajam (rabbi) of Hamburg was Isaac Athias of Venice, whose successor was Abraham Hayyim de

Fonseca. In 1652 the great synagogue Bet Israel was constituted, and the congregation chose David Cohen de Lara as the chief rabbi.

In 1663 the Sephardic congregation was the only Jewish community in Hamburg, and the wealth and political influence of several members helped the community flourish.

Daniel Abensur and his son, Jacob, were the Polish king’s ambassadors in Hamburg, and Diego (Abraham) Teixeira and his son, Manuel (Isaac), administered the fortune of Swedish Queen Christina in Hamburg.

Jacob Sasportas, a famous Sephardic rabbi in London, Amsterdam and Livorno, was the Hamburg rabbi from 1666 to1672.

The Hamburg Sephardim were active in the movement around false messiah Shabbetai Zevi. Rabbi Sasportas tried to intervene and moderate the enthusiasm that eventually was transformed into massive disillusionment when Shabbetai Zevi was unmasked and chose to convert to Islam.

Internal problems in the community, restrictions on religious freedom and the resignation of Jacob Abensur as the Polish king’s ambassador were among the causes of the declining Sephardic presence in Hamburg.

In 1697 the city raised the taxes on the Jews to an unsustainable amount, and most of the merchants, together with physicians, rabbis and scholars (most of whom belonged to the Spanish-Portuguese congregation), moved to Altona (Germany) and Amsterdam.

This emblematic community of the Sephardic Diaspora, which can be traced in many of the Sephardic surnames among the Jewish people, had descendants in Hamburg and all German society.

Some of our post-expulsion anecdotes have narrated the roles that the heirs of the Spanish-Portuguese tradition have played in key moments in the modern history of Western Europe, both in Jewish and secular contexts. Often, we do not think about the Iberian-Sephardic influence on the religious, scholarly and economic evolution of countries such as Germany, Poland and Denmark, an influence that can be followed to present-day reality. ■ The Sephardic Corner is a monthly contribution of Congregation Or VeShalom to the greater Jewish community.

Historian Alicia Benmergui contributed to this column.

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APRIL 27 â–ª 2018

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LOCAL NEWS

Action Honored Amid Holocaust Remembrance

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

Holocaust survivors, their children, a survivor’s widow and a survivor’s teacher had the honor of lighting the six candles at the annual Days of Remembrance ceremony held by the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust on Friday, April 20.

After a year at Heritage Sandy Springs, the commemoration returned to the state Capitol but moved from an atrium into the House chambers.

The historical core of the event, the candle-lighting ceremony, honored survivors Tosia and Fred Schneider; Michele Taylor, daughter of the late survivor Hanne Susi Trnka; Helen Hirsch, widow of survivor Harold Hirsch; Laurence Sherr, son of the late survivor Alice Sherr; Freda Goodman and Helen Silberminz, daughters of the late survivors Gisela and Israel Silberminz; and Frances Fitterman Zaglin, an Atlanta native and teacher who was escorted by a former student, survivor Hershel Greenblat.

Two fifth-grade teachers from the GEAR Gifted Center in Colquitt County, Noel Giles and Monica Tugwell, shared the Distinguished Educator Award for

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Photos by Michael Jacobs

After lighting the ceremony’s third candle, Helen Hirsch listens to Irish Consul General Shane Stephens tell the life story of her late husband, Holocaust survivor Harold Hirsch of Lodz, Poland.

their team teaching of the Holocaust.

In the commission’s Creative Arts Student Contest, on the theme of “Incite, Resist, Document: Weighing the Power of Words,” the middle school winners were Linda Olvera-Jones of Dalton Middle School, first; Edward Ramirez of Dalton Middle, second; and Margaret Hwang, General Ray Davis Middle School, third.

At the high school level, Kayla Park of Lambert High School was first, and

Task Force for Global Health President and CEO David A. Ross accepts the 2018 Humanitarian Award.

Michele Taylor places the second candle in memory of her mother, Hanne Susi Trnka.

Madeline Grasso of South Forsyth High was second.

The winning entries are at holocaust.georgia.gov/2018-winners.

David A. Ross, the president and CEO of the nation’s second-largest nonprofit organization, the Decaturbased Task Force on Global Health, received the commission’s Humanitarian Award, which he accepted on behalf of his colleagues.

“I am gratified to live in a state that nurtures the remembrance of the millions of victims of the Holocaust and

Fred and Tosia Schneider listen to their life stories after placing the first of the six candles at the ceremony.

those who survived,” said Ross, a postwar baby whose father was an American soldier in Europe during World War II. “I was raised knowing that something very awful had happened,” he said. “My parents’ sense of moral outrage taught me that this should never have happened and that we can never turn away from genocide and we can never turn away when events turn against any single group of people. My parents gave me the gift of conscience and, I think, the gift to act.” ■

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LOCAL NEWS

Newnan Refuses to Be Silent Against Nazis The real story of Saturday, April 21, was not how approximately 36 neoNazis rallied in Greenville Street Park in Newnan, but how the small Georgia city came together to fight darkness with light and hatred with love.

When word got out that the neoNazi National Socialist Movement had secured permission to rally in New­nan and that Antifa, a masked group that counters neo-Nazi rallies, was coming as well, Coweta County residents decided that their response ought to be one of love, unity and strength and that Newnan would not be defined by the outside groups.

Downtown businesses decided to close Saturday to avoid trouble, so people descended on the city Friday, April 20, to shop and show support.

Locals wore T-shirts with “NEWNAN STRONG” on the front and a list of local shopkeepers on the back.

A quaint store named Let Them Eat Toffee had a sign outside reading, “Chocolate doesn’t discriminate, chocolate loves everybody.”

After school Friday, children drew pictures of love, rainbows and kind words with pastel chalk on the sidewalks, and a banner was placed over Main Street: “Newnan Loves Everyone.”

Law enforcement brought in hundreds of reinforcements and special anti-riot and crowd-control equipment, including a helicopter.

Two Newnanites, The Temple member Nadine Winter and David Klepinger, organized an interfaith peace rally in Lynch Park to motivate people to stand united against evildoers.

“I will never be silent in the face of evil,” Winter said about organizing the Saturday afternoon rally.

About 75 people attended the antihate rally, including the Sabra Riders, a Jewish motorcycle club from Atlanta.

Some people stayed away because of safety concerns, and others joined rallies in churches, such as the interfaith Live Up to Love service at St. Smyrna Baptist Church, where Congregation Bet Haverim Rabbi Joshua Lesser spoke.

“We are different religions, backgrounds and political parties,” Winter said, “but we stand together today in love and respect for all.”

Jewish speakers at the rally included this reporter, Eternal-Life Hemshech President Karen Lansky Edlin and The Temple Rabbi David Spinrad, who referenced the “small-minded, hate-filled ideas of white supremacists.”

Photos by Mark Winter

One of the Sabra Riders holds an Israeli flag at the anti-hate rally. Find more photos at atlantajewishtimes.com.

Also addressing the crowd were Newnan Mayor Keith Brady, Coweta County Commissioner Al Smith, Newnan Mayor Pro Tem Cynthia Jenkins (who organized the later Live Up to Love service), Nabile Safdar of the

Islamic Speakers Bureau, the Rev. Miriam Beecher of Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church (host of a Yom HaShoah program six days earlier) and Cynthia Bennett of the Coweta Democrats.

Beecher spoke passionately about

Organizer Nadine Winter opens the Interfaith Rally Against Hate in Newnan’s Lynch Park.

the need to work together against evil and quoted Martin Luther King Jr.: “In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”

Rally attendee Gloria Abramowitz lives in Florida but visits Atlanta often and was one of the hundreds who refused to be silent in Newnan.

“My family has served in the United States Army for four generations,” she said. “The thought of neo-Nazis doing a Nazi salute in America is reprehensible to me.” ■ See more about the neo-Nazi rally and response at atlantajewishtimes.com.

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

By Vicki Leopold

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REAL ESTATE Jewish Community Spreading All Around Atlanta

By Fran Putney Where are Jews moving in metro Atlanta? Whether they are out-of-state transplants or locals seeking a new neighborhood, the short answer is everywhere.

When it comes to selecting a new home, Jews are no different from the rest of the population, real estate agents say. Each person or family has a particular set of priorities driving interest in specific areas of town and neighborhoods.

Factors such as price, transportation, schools, and proximity to family or friends are major influencers in such decisions.

General trends drawing buyers in Atlanta, said Todd Emerson, the general manager at Harry Norman Realtors, include walkability and a sense of city or town. People of all ages are seeking those features, and planners and developers are working to fulfill that trend all around the metro area.

A perfect example, Emerson said, is everything happening around the city of Alpharetta.

Likewise, convenient public and green spaces, such as parks and walking and bike trails, are high on many wish lists.

Lucky Condo

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

Brookhaven, which became a city in 2012, has become popular because of those amenities and its location inside the Perimeter between Buckhead and Dunwoody/Sandy Springs.

Debbie Sonenshine, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker who has been in the real estate business for 37 years, said people of all ages are attracted to 16 Brookhaven.

Bunny and Bob Lenhard are happy with their decision to buy an Old Fourth Ward town home after 37 years in Sandy Springs.

Emily Kleinberg, for example, is a 27- year-old teacher who said she decided last year that, after living with her parents in Dunwoody and then paying apartment rent, she was ready to make an investment in her first home.

She wanted to be centrally located and within easy reach of friends who live in intown neighborhoods such as Kirkwood and Old Fourth Ward. Kleinberg chose a condo with beautiful natural lighting in the heart of Brookhaven on Dresden Drive, above shops and restaurants.

Lucky for Kleinberg, she now works in Brookhaven, but she also takes advantage of being close to the MARTA station to visit her intown friends.

Sonenshine said the condo Kleinberg bought has a great Jewish backstory: Sonenshine sold the condo when it was new to a young, single Jewish woman who had just met a Jewish guy on JDate. Eventually, they married,

then lived in the condo for a few years before she helped them find a house in East Cobb.

The condo’s next resident was a young, single Jewish guy who, you guessed it, soon met and married a Jewish girl. After a while, they decided to move.

It was about then that Sonenshine and a member of her team were helping another young, single Jewish woman, Kleinberg, who was looking for a condo in Brookhaven.

“We quickly met with her and her parents and told them about this gorgeous and lucky condo,” Sonenshine said. “They bought it!”

New Empty Nest Keller Williams associate broker Jon Effron works primarily in the intown market and said he is seeing an influx of all kinds of people moving intown.

“We’re seeing this all over, from Decatur to Kirkwood to Old Fourth Ward, including neighborhoods that you’re seeing populations move to that they hadn’t in the past,” Effron said. “New construction is everywhere.

Whether or not I’m seeing more mezuzahs is hard to say, but I’m seeing them all over the place.”

But it’s not just young singles who want to live inside the Perimeter. Effron said he often has conversations with retirees about moving intown, including Jewish empty-nesters Bunny and Bob Lenhard, whom he worked with to move into a new town home near the BeltLine (the 22-mile multiuse trail being developed to connect many inner-city neighborhoods) after they lived in Sandy Springs for 37 years.

With grandchildren in Decatur and Marietta, the Lenhards had grown weary of the driving time and traffic aggravations required to visit and be part of their children’s lives. Bunny said she had always wanted to live intown, and she was finally able to persuade Bob in 2014.

Because of its nearness to restaurants, theaters, shopping and BeltLine access, they wanted to be in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood. They wanted a town home but not a highrise, and they didn’t want to care for much property themselves — just a small garden and a deck to plant flowers, Bunny said.

As she put it, they “took a leap of faith” and put a contract on a 10-unit community that wasn’t built. They lived in a small rental home in Candler Park for a year during construction after selling their Sandy Springs house.

Now in their Old Fourth Ward home for two years, the Lenhards

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REAL ESTATE High-schoolers in Chabad of Forsyth’s JUDA Hebrew school study a course called “Is It Legit?” to guide them through life’s ethical dilemmas.

Pupils at Chabad of Forsyth’s JUDA Hebrew school participate in Planting Day to prepare a garden outside Congregation Beth Israel.

Price Adjustments

The Lenhards’ choice of a lowmaintenance home reflects a trend called “lock and go,” which is extremely popular with empty-nesters and baby boomers, Emerson said. It typically is a single-family home with decent square footage where the owners feel comfortable after downsizing and where the community takes care of landscaping so that exterior maintenance is minimal.

Sonenshine said she has observed that empty-nesters and retirees are staying in their houses or are moving to closer-in areas, such as Buckhead, or are attracted to condos and smaller houses in Sandy Springs.

But price can cause people in any age group to choose alternatives, Effron said. “Over the last seven to eight years, prices have skyrocketed. People have been priced out of neighborhoods, and they really have to make a choice.

It’s just not all cut and dried.”

Eydie Koonin, who works with clients to find homes all over the metro area with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International, agreed that real estate is getting a little less affordable closer in and said housing inventory in many neighborhoods is at an all-time low.

Outside the Perimeter, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs, where the Marcus Jewish Community Center and many Jewish day schools and preschools and

synagogues are located, continue to attract families.

Community Center

David and Polly Shepard, for example, moved to Atlanta from Nashville, Tenn., last year. Harry Norman agent Robyn Zimmerman helped them find a home near David’s family in Dunwoody, which is where he grew up.

“Dunwoody has been really nice,” Polly said. “There are great restaurants and sidewalks everywhere. The location is great. We’re right across from the JCC. We’re members, and we go all the time.”

She added that their neighbors have been welcoming.

The Shepards now have a 3-monthold son, and Polly plans to stay home with him awhile. But she said she is happy to know that when the time comes, Dunwoody offers great preschool and day care options.

The family’s location is also good for David, a physician. He works in Lawrenceville but benefits from a commute that’s the reverse of the predominant traffic flow.

Northern Exposure

Others, including Jews, are deciding they want to be even farther away from Atlanta’s urban center. Synagogues and Chabad serve individuals and families settling south of the city, in Gwinnett, and in points north.

Chabad of Forsyth was established two years ago under Rabbi Levi Mentz to answer the calls from Jews there who wanted a center of Jewish community for worship, education and lifecycles in north Georgia.

When he and wife Chaya arrived, they began to meet people from areas such as the Lake Lanier communities, Dahlonega and Lumpkin County, Rabbi Mentz said.

“Everyone thought they were literally the only Jew. It was wild,” he said.

“The job was obviously grass roots, bringing together Jewish people and finding local partners with passion

to pioneer and build a vibrant Jewish community,” said Rabbi Mentz, who moved with his wife from the Los Angeles area with their desire “to service an underserved Jewish community.”

Two months after founding Chabad of Forsyth, around Passover 2016, they established the area’s first permanent synagogue, Congregation Beth Israel.

Living in Forsyth and areas farther north has many benefits, Rabbi Mentz said, including distance from but accessibility to Atlanta, as well as good schools, tax breaks for seniors and county government that encourage business growth.

Forsyth County also has the distinction of being named the healthiest county in Georgia for six years in a row by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

The Mentzes are building north Georgia’s Jewish community “family by family, door by door,” Rabbi Mentz said. Congregation Beth Israel now has about 300 families engaged with the synagogue, including 50 children who attend the Hebrew school and an active Sunshiners Group for adults 55 and over.

They’ve been building physically, too. They started meeting in a storefront in August 2016 but now own 10.5 acres in an area called Sharon Springs and are looking to purchase another 10 acres.

The long-term plans call for the development of a campus that will be “a real Jewish community center,” Rabbi Mentz said, with a synagogue, the Chabad of Forsyth headquarters, sports fields, a pool, a preschool, a Judaica store, a cafe, a deli, and a store for kosher food and other items.

“We’re dedicated to building something that is excellent and high quality,” Rabbi Mentz said.

Jewish Connections

From Toco Hills to Buckhead, from North Fulton to the Southside and vir-

tually every neighborhood in between, the diversity and geographic spread of Atlanta’s Jewish population can present challenges for institutions serving and engaging Jews.

“Atlanta is growing in all directions, and so is our Jewish community,” the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s chief impact officer, Jodi Mansbach, said in an email.

“We know that we can only truly serve our community by offering Jewish services and experiences in many parts of town, not just in a few resource-rich neighborhoods.”

She added: “Creating Jewish places is a major priority emerging from our work on The Front Porch — Federation’s bold community planning process. That doesn’t mean new buildings all over town. In today’s hyperlocal and networked world, we want neighborhoods and subcommunities to have their own unique character that defines the area and makes it special.

We want to empower neighborhoods to prioritize their needs and locate local leadership to activate networks and connect people. And we want to challenge our current partners to be creative and find new ways or, in some cases, expand on what they are already doing, to distribute resources and partner in new ways.”

Mansbach cited PJ Library connectors as a great example. The connectors, who are people in neighborhoods throughout Atlanta, receive resources from the Jewish community to create local networks.

“They meet in people’s homes, playgrounds, parks and coffee shops.

And they are creating Jewish community right where they live. It’s a low-cost but really powerful, effective and personal way to build community,” Mans­ bach said.

Moving forward, she said, Federation sees this strategy expanding to other partners and places while the agency’s planners explore where it makes sense to build physical hubs and 17 gathering spaces. ■ APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

couldn’t be happier, Bunny said.

They’re down to one car and walk everywhere possible.

Although traffic is still a factor when they drive to The Temple, where Bob sings in the choir, they’re able to easily visit and pick up the grandkids from school or Sunday school at the Jewish Kids Groups location in their neighborhood.

“It’s the best decision we ever made real-estate-wise,” Bunny said, adding that they love the diversity of their neighbors and their neighborhood. “It’s very stimulating and exciting.”

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REAL ESTATE

Robyn Anshell transformed this kitchen during a flip. She says small, sometimes inexpensive touches can make a big difference in resale value.

A Jewish House Flipper Shares Her Secrets

By Rachel Fayne

gun to work anymore.

Robyn Anshell of Atlanta’s Flipchic began her career as a real estate agent but has spent the past 20 years also focused on flipping houses for a profit. She spoke about everything from what flippers should look for in a property to why she doesn’t carry a

Q: What exactly is a house flipper?

How would you describe what you do?

A: My basic job description is that I go into moderate-income areas where some homes haven’t been cared for.

I buy them, tear them apart, fix them up and put them back together to make

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them beautiful again. My partner is a home builder, so I use my design style and his expertise. I’d say my style of flipping is unique though. Robyn Anshell has I tend to take been flipping houses for two decades. more expensive elements from my higher-end clients and incorporate them into the space.

I’ll take a nicer chandelier or betterquality granite, for example, and put it in these homes. People seem to love it, and I typically get multiple offers the first day.

Q: It sounds like it takes a certain kind of person. How did you get involved in flipping?

A: Twenty years ago when I got divorced, I was a stay-at-home mom and realized I needed an income. I already had a real estate license, but I didn’t have the client base or length in the industry to support myself and my child.

So I got a second mortgage, I bought an inexpensive home that needed work, and I renovated it. I then sold it, received a nice profit and knew I could make this into a business.

Q: What areas of Atlanta do you focus on?

A: At first, I sold mostly on the Southside, but I realized quickly that some crime-ridden areas in that neighborhood weren’t safe for me. I began carrying a gun for safety, and many of the houses I worked with started to have problems. I’d come back to the properties in the mornings and see broken windows, garbage in the homes, and there was even one time I returned

to see that the dishwasher had been stolen. That’s when I stopped buying in those areas and began buying more in the Gwinnett area.

Q: What are some things you would tell someone looking to flip a house?

A: A couple things. First, check the comps to see what’s happening in the neighborhood. You want to get an idea of those other homes’ value. With the home itself, it’s important to look for any possible foundation issues or sinkholes. Those structural issues are important. Good bones are one of the most important things in a property.

Also, look for seller disclosure. The seller is required to tell you certain things as a buyer of the home. Also, be sure to get it inspected to see what the house has been through. You just want to do your homework.

Q: Is there anything else you’ve learned over time?

A: It’s been lucrative to sometimes sell and even trade properties with other flippers. Sometimes I find properties through Multiple Listing Services, where agents go online to enter their listing and other agents can sell their properties. Sometimes, though, I get business by giving out cards to prospective clients that say I’ll buy their house for cash. I almost always buy with cash because it typically guarantees a quick close. I’ve also learned to rein myself in. Don’t overdo the renovations to the point that it’s no longer profitable. Use design materials that appeal to the general public, and try to avoid too much of a custom look. Flipping houses can be difficult at first, but profit is out there to be made. ■

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APRIL 27 â–ª 2018

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REAL ESTATE

Get Ready to Sell Now Spring is here in Atlanta, and with it comes peak home-buying season.

If you are thinking about selling your home, now is the time to start getting everything in order so that your home will look its best and garner the best possible price.

For most people, their home is the biggest investment they will ever make, so it is important to present it in a way that will be appealing to potential buyers.

Home buyers fall into two major categories — pragmatic and emotional — and you need to appeal to both sides to maximize the return on your investment.

The pragmatic buyer is looking for value, and it is here that you will need to focus on most of the traditional things one does to get a house ready to go on the market.

Does your house need a new roof?

An updated kitchen? Are basic repairs necessary?

Consult with real estate experts to make the best use of your funds. Not every change that could be made will have a good ROI, so let the professionals guide you through the process.

Of course, it is also important that your home have a deep cleaning and that you declutter as much as possible to make things look tidy.

Realizing that you put a lot of yourself into your home, it is important to think about taking some of your personal tastes out of the equation.

Funky wall colors? Paint over them with something neutral.

Unusual works of art? It may be time to put them in storage.

The goal is get buyers to imagine themselves in the home, so you will

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need to reduce your own imprint, even if that proves to be a painful process.

The majority of home buyers, particularly for higher-end homes, tend to fall more into the emotional category.

They need to be able to see and feel themselves living in your house.

As a hardheaded realist, you will

Guest Column

By Debbie Sonenshine

understand this fact and be willing to put some extra money toward luxury staging items.

You are not just selling a house.

You are also selling a lifestyle, and those fancy extra touches may be just what is needed to close the deal.

Items such as bath salts, luxurious towels, beautiful accent pieces and artfully arranged décor may be the clinchers for someone looking at your home.

The psychology of home buying is such that people want to aspire to have and be more than they already are. This factor can be clearly seen in the value that people place in brand names over their generic counterparts.

Staging your home correctly can make all the difference in separating your home from the crowd. School will be out soon, and the market will cool.

Start now! ■ Debbie Sonenshine leads the No. 1 Coldwell Banker team (www.SonenshineTeam.com) in Georgia, which provides free, professional home staging to all its home sellers. She can be reached at 404250-5311 or debbie@sonenshineteam.com.

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Seller’s Market Can Work For Prepared Buyer You want to buy a house? You want to sell a house? What’s the first thing you ask?

“Tell me,” you say, “what’s the market like?”

This is the most frequently asked question I get. I am asked it during listing presentations, during buyer showings, at the grocery store, and, yes, even in the ladies’ room. Everyone seems to have that question on the tip of the tongue.

The answer, however, is not a simple one. It often depends on your perspective and your reason for asking the question.

Let’s step back a moment and look at the broad perspective. Let’s take the Atlanta market as an example. Sales are up for both single-family and condominium homes. Days on market are drastically shorter, and prices are rising.

What accounts for these statistics?

First, fewer houses are on the market. Inventory is at an all-time low.

The law of supply and demand reigns.

I think it goes a step or two further, however. Only a few years ago we were seeing the market glutted with homes threatened by foreclosure or stumped by declining value. That is no longer the case, and the homes on the market now are generally in much better condition.

We now have a better informed seller. Many sellers spend their free time watching HGTV fix-and-flip shows.

Most sellers understand that a house needs to be staged and to show well to sell. Many sellers have their own inspections and make repairs before the house goes on market.

In short, the houses look and are in better condition than in previous markets.

That said, the lack of inventory is a real problem as more and more buyers come into the market.

Gone are the days when buyers could look at 20 or 30 properties and take a week or two to make up their minds. Now a good property goes to contract in the blink of an eye.

Is this good news for the seller and bad news for the buyer?

The answer is sometimes.

Many sellers are getting multiple offers on their homes. It’s a fact that

good homes can get several offers, pushing the sales price over the asking price.

On the other hand, the house has to appraise for that figure. You really can’t pay too much for a house if you

Guest Column

By Rose Anne Schulman

have an appraisal contingency.

A house that requires little additional repair is actually a bargain if the buyer doesn’t have to come out of pocket for upgrades to make the home livable. A home that has been consistently maintained and improved is simply worth more than one that has been neglected.

So what can buyers do to make sure they’re getting the most for their money?

“Be prepared” is not just a motto for Boy Scouts. A buyer who comes to the table prepared to buy has a great advantage.

Think about what you want in a home and where you’d like that home to be. Talk to a mortgage broker and be prequalified. Do this even before getting in the car with an agent. An offer must be accompanied by a prequalification letter or proof of funds if cash.

In this market, homes are typically on the market for a short period.

Therefore, it’s important for the buyers to give some thought to what they can or would do before setting out. Knowledge is definitely power in this situation. Think about what’s important to you, and you’ll be ready to make a reasonable offer when the time comes.

Buyers and sellers move for all sorts of reasons: new job, lost job, new baby, empty nest, retirement, promotion. If a move is in your future, now’s the time. Interest rates are still reasonable even though the Fed threatens a rate increase; they’re much better than the 18 percent rates that were in place when I first began my career.

Bottom line: Buyer and seller, go for it! ■ Rose Anne Schulman is a Coldwell Banker agent. She can be reached at roseannerealtor@gmail.com or 404-5025921.

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APRIL 27 â–ª 2018

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REAL ESTATE

Don’t Be in a Rush to Buy, Radow Advises The RADCO Cos. and founder Norman Radow have experienced rapid growth by investing in and managing multifamily real estate assets — essentially, apartment complexes.

Radow, a Congregation Etz Chaim member and the CEO of the company he founded in 1994, answered a few questions about RADCO, the apartment market and what’s ahead.

Q: How was 2017 for RADCO, and how is 2018 looking?

A: Last year was a phenomenal year for the company. We won the Pacesetter Award from the Atlanta Business Chronicle for the fastest-growing company in Atlanta. We also were named the fastest-growing middle-market company in all of Georgia by the ACG (Association for Corporate Growth). At the same time, we were fast becoming one of the best multifamily platforms in the industry. In 2018 we expect to remain about the same size, with approximately 20,000 apartments in 10 states.

Many of our 2013 and 2014 acquisitions are ripe for selling, and there is less to buy that makes sense today.

Q: How do you keep up the rapid growth for RADCO, or is that even a goal?

A: It is not our goal. We grew the way we did because we recognized the renting nation phenomenon before most others. We bought as much as we could in 2012 to 2016 because we knew we could always go back and backfill our infrastructure. However, we could not go back in time and buy inexpensively. Today, our focus is on execution, which is far more important, given the higher values today.

Quite frankly, our residents are the hardworking men and women of America who are the backbone of our country. They deserve the very best service for a value, and that is why our motto is “Building Better Living.” We do it better than almost anyone else because we care.

Q: Where is RADCO looking to expand geographically?

A: We intend to stay in the Southeast and central U.S. We look for probusiness, low-tax, right-to-work states with good weather. Don’t tell people in

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The new tax law, combined with rising interest rates, makes homeownership less financially appealing for many people, RADCO Cos. CEO Norman Radow says.

New Jersey, Connecticut or Illinois, but that is where the jobs and people are moving to.

Q: Where is new multifamily construction happening in the Atlanta area, and where is RADCO investing?

A: New construction is happening everywhere in Atlanta, and there’s too much of it. We really are a tale of two markets: the new double Class A market, and then there is everything else.

We have a serious housing shortage, but the double Class A developers are building an infinite amount of units for a narrow demographic who can afford those rents. Plus, those tenants have the means to buy a home or condo as well. Our Class B apartments are finite in number. No one can afford to build them today, but the average worker can only afford to live in Class C-plus or B apartments.

Our average rents are under $1,000, and we offer a great living experience for that value. The new stuff is twice that or more. We expect to see weakness in the double Class A space for another 18 months or so while the excess product is absorbed.

Q: From an investor’s perspective, what’s the outlook for the multifamily market in Atlanta in the next few years?

A: I am very optimistic. But again, it’s a tale of two markets.

Q: What are the risks of a bursting bubble? How do you protect against that?

A: We don’t. We never consider capital markets (interest rates or the amount of equity driving up values) when we buy. Anyone who has predicted either these past 10 years has been dead wrong, again and again. So we look to the fundamentals. Are the rents below market? If so, why? Can we add value through targeted investment in

improving the property? Is the area improving? The capital markets will take care of themselves. We may sell a little ahead of where we projected to take advantage of the capital markets, but we don’t financially engineer our buying decisions.

Q: From a resident’s perspective, how do rising but still historically low interest rates and the new federal tax law affect the decision whether to rent or buy?

A: My joke is it’s like Congress was working for a real estate developer.

Nearly everything about it is good for our business. Three things will steer a potential purchaser to renting. The first is the lower tax rates limit the tax benefit of owning. Second, the increased standard deduction mitigates any tax benefit except for the wealthy.

And third, interest rates have risen a lot recently, which is having a major impact on the decision to buy or rent.

We actually saw a noticeable increase in leasing activity this year.

Q: The American dream traditionally involves homeownership. Does it have to? Should rental housing be seen as more than a step to something else?

A: I laud anyone who treasures the notion of owning a home. But I think we artificially drove people into homeownership who really were not ready, financially or experience-wise. Owning a home is a big responsibility. And the true costs are much higher than just a mortgage and taxes. I have seen some of my employees buy homes. Then the AC goes out, and the cost to replace it is $5,000. The roof leaks, and then the rains come, which could cause drainage issues in the basement. Cha-ching.

Most people are not fully aware of these costs, let alone have the ability to shoulder them. Hence, homeownership should be considered very seriously before people act. ■

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APRIL 27 â–ª 2018

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REAL ESTATE

Intown Designer’s Wabi-Sabi Refuge Takes Shape

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

Interior designer Caryn Grossman is transforming her own multilevel modern home in Home Park near Georgia Tech. Known for her chic style, the talented Grossman’s mantra could be “the more unconventional, the better.”

“I’m driven by a voracious curiosity — fashion, music, a myriad of artistic styles, all inform my work,” she said. “Well-designed spaces have a rhythm, a way your eye and your body travel through. There’s a Japanese concept of three views: You see and want to explore what you first encounter, then move on to the experience beyond, and then what’s beyond that.

It’s a beautiful, relational, rhythmic transition.

“I am also a firm believer in wabi-sabi, which embraces imperfection.

When you look through my house, you’ll see a lot of that. I save broken china, chandelier parts, vintage clothing. My eye loves to wander, and I never know what I might do with it next.”

Fiancé Chris Buxbaum is a photographer who calls their new home Moonbase Alpha after a British TV series. We recognize Chris as the literary event specialist for A Cappella Books, who can often be seen in the lobby of the Marcus JCC during the Book Festival.

“I was born in England and lived there until age 27. … Growing up, I was involved in the London club scene (Bowie, punk, club kids), and that has informed everything I have done,” Buxbaum said. “I currently split my time between A Cappella Books and editing my latest photography series, ‘Deities,’ my third collaboration with the incredibly talented performance artist David Richardson.”

Jaffe: Share the house’s history.

Buxbaum: The original owner/ architect (1996) was Nicholas Storck, who now lives in France. Without counting the rooftop patio (700 square feet), we have 1,400 square feet. We love the expansive windows — it’s like being in a tree house — and Nicholas’ original design flows like poetry.

Jaffe: Fill us in on your design firm and how your professional ideas transfer here.

Grossman: After an initial career as a writer of architectural and design 24 reviews, I studied interior architecture

at Atlanta College of Art, now SCAD. I started my own design firm, CG Interiors Group, in 2000 for both residential and commercial interiors, from the bones up to simply decorative. I’ve designed projects in South Florida, Chicago, San Francisco and Atlanta. I also teach design, which exposes me to new passions, methods and ideas.

Each home I live in reflects an everexpanding imagination.

Jaffe: How do you describe your own taste?

Grossman: Expansive. I like surprises, or designs that don’t neces-

A

Chai-Style Homes

By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

sarily fit, like total opulence in an industrial warehouse or slightly baroque furnishings in a modern home. Form, function and scale are extremely important to me, but I don’t ascribe to any one particular style. I appreciate good design wherever I see it. It’s almost easier to describe what I don’t like, which is formulaic design, where nothing imparts individuality.

Buxbaum: Eclectic, edgy. I’m attracted to outrage and glamour, but there must always be an element of beauty. I am also very interested in art that makes political and social justice statements without being preachy, like Atlanta artist Michi Meko, whose works are sumptuous but contain deep messages.

Jaffe: What is your advice about collecting?

Grossman: I rarely choose artwork for my residential clients. I’ll point them in a direction by taking them to galleries and art openings that fit their style. I advise as to the size of the piece and where in the home it might best fit, but I don’t specify artwork the way I might commission something for a commercial space.

Having a designer’s guidance is excellent, but choosing art should be a personal decision.

Jaffe: Who are your favorite artists?

Buxbaum: They are a disparate group: Allen Jones (’60s pop art/fetishism), Egon Schiele (what that man could do with a few pencil lines), Tony

B Oursler (personally challenging video art), Robert Frank (the greatest living photographer). Recently, I am seeing a local artist, Lars WB, do great work.

Like Michi, he started in the street art scene but has the talent to cross over.

The two overriding influences on my life are David Bowie (brilliantly encompassing almost all artistic genres) and the Beat Generation, which is largely responsible for me landing on these shores from England.

Grossman: Locally, I’m a fan of Masud Olufani, Sarah Emerson and some who have left Atlanta, like Gyun Hur and Christopher Moulder, a lighting designer with whom I collaborated. On a wider scale, I’m drawn to experiential art, where the designed experience is part of the body of work.

Artists like Olafur Eliasson, Song Dong, Ai Weiwei. I love street art and interventions, where the art disrupts the urban streetscape or utilizes urban objects in a thought-provoking way. I love the surprise of the encounter.

Jaffe: How do you use the house’s flow?

Buxbaum: The moon base is

C almost a totally open plan and quite small, but it is designed to accommodate almost everything: Caryn’s studio, my photography shoots, entertaining.

After a hard day in the literary world, I’m on the porch with bourbon, and the speaker’s blasting some Coltrane or Rollins. We had the blue velvet sofa made especially long to enable chilling with the greyhounds. I love waking up in the master bedroom, where my first view of the world is a panorama of birds, trees and open sky.

Jaffe: Last word?

Buxbaum: I’d love to see more neon. An Aladdin Sane lightning bolt would do me fine.

Grossman: I have lots of plans!

I’d like to commission a street artist to paint the living room wall. A gilded antique chair with purple velvet fabric to throw a curve into our décor would be fantastic. I’ve been nagging Chris to get a Philippe Starck gold-edition gnome, mostly because they are ridiculous.

Bottom line: This is a hot bed of creativity. ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

REAL ESTATE

E

D

F

H

I

J

A: The powder room pays homage to Andy Warhol.

The shocking paint color is Benjamin Moore’s Simply Red. The autograph on the David Bowie photograph is addressed to Buxbaum — “Thanks for the use of your gaffe (and the sounds)” — after Bowie spent the day at his apartment. The mirror is a Venetian replica.

B: The large black-and-white graphic in the living room is “Fractured” by Lars WB, an up-and-coming Atlanta artist.

C: This diptych of a nude silhouette is by famed 1960s pop/fetish artist Allen Jones.

D: In British fashion, Caryn Grossman and Chris Buxbaum enjoy a spot of tea in cups from her great-grandmother. The black-and-white photo of a Lotus flower, “Om Mani Padme Hum,” is by Buxbaum. The aqua vases in the background are antiques from The End of History in New York.

E: The upstairs hall reflects the friendships Caryn Grossman made with many artists when she had a space at the 1930s Telephone Factory, an art community on the BeltLine. In addition to the Sister Louisa piece, the work on the top right, “Reasons I Love Secrets,” is by Squeak Carnwath. The vintage mannequin is from Belgium.

F: The couple rescued greyhound Mingus, as well as Italian greyhound Vinnie and three roaming cats.

G: Caryn Grossman believes that art should be an unexpected encounter and can be found in vintage hats, purses, old tuxedo shirts and well-arranged objects. The accent wall color in the master bedroom is Amethyst Cream by Benjamin Moore. The art over the bed is “Wish”

by Alex Leopold. The dressed mannequin jumping off the wall is by Clint Zeagler, a Georgia Tech professor who is an expert in wearable electronics. The amethyst glass chandelier is a rare original Venini from Italy.

H: The baroque amethyst chandelier took four men five days to install in the bedroom. The white graphics are original to the house.

I: Dennis Coburn from Boomerang custom-made the 1950s leopard lounge bar. The ghost barstools are by Philippe Starck for Kartell. The alcove is quite the conversation piece for entertaining.

J: Chris Buxbaum’s fantastical, detailed photography series of drag queen Babydoll Schultz (aka David Richardson, his longtime creative partner) has hand-painted frames with Cadillac body paint to achieve a glossy azure effect.

The photos, all taken by Buxbaum, were featured in the Museum of Design Atlanta and at a recent exhibition, “Schizophrenic Photogenic.” The wood ball is from a Belgian import container. The mushroom light fixture is by artist Christopher Moulder. The wood figure on the zebra rug is a saint from a Belgian church.

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

Photos by Duane Stork

G

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REAL ESTATE

The ABCs of Buying and Selling a Home We learned our ABCs at the beginning of school. They have served us well all these years. Now it is time to learn the ABCs of buying and selling one of the most important financial things in life, your home.

Selling and buying homes are among the most exciting experiences a person can have. So many options are in front of you as you look at new homes and, if you are selling, prepare to move on to a new part of your life. A great Realtor will be able to help with either transaction.

Here are the basics, as easy as ABC! • Appraisal is the estimated value of the property, ordered by the lender.

• Backup offer is a secondary offer on a home under contract, in case that contract falls out. We are seeing a lot of backup offers in this hot market.

• Cash is king — except when you have a wonderful lender as a partner.

• Days on market and other important stats can help you sell or buy your home. This number can change dramatically within a small area.

• Equity is what you would make from your home if you were to sell it today and pay off your mortgage.

• Financing needs to be put in order to help you get a preapproval and know your budget.

Guest Column

By Stacy Frohman Lampert

• Game plan covers what part of town, homeowners association or no HOA, basement or slab — in short, figuring out what works best for you.

• Homeowners association helps keep the neighborhood in good shape.

• Inspection is done after going under contract and can be thought of as your future maintenance checklist.

• Joint tenancy is an equal, undivided ownership of property by two or more people. Upon death of any owner, the survivor receives the decedent’s interest in the property.

• Knowledgeable Realtor who

understands the market can best navigate the process to get you the best deal.

• Loan to value is the risk assessment that lenders use if you are financing your purchase.

• Multiple Listing Service is how we promote your home listing to other agents in the metro area and is syndicated nationally.

• Net proceeds are the amount the seller receives at closing after all costs have been paid.

• Open houses are done to showcase your home to potential buyers.

• Prequalification should be done with a great lender.

• Questions — ask away! That is what we are here for. As you learned in school, there are no silly questions.

• Renovations — are you ready for them? A reno budget should be factored into your overall home-buying budget.

• Seller’s disclosure is a document that details the history of the home.

• Title is the right to ownership and is protected by the law.

• Under contract is when an offer

has been accepted, but the closing is not final.

• Value — how do you determine the fair market value?

• Walk-through is done just before closing.

• Xpert advice is based on many closed transactions.

• Your needs, including timing and expectations, are what this is all about.

• Z — don’t depend on your Zestimate; get real local, pertinent information.

There is a lot more to selling or buying a home than just these phrases.

We are here to help in any way if you are getting ready to buy or sell.

This is a hot market, with inventory in metro Atlanta down by 13 percent and pending sales and sold homes up by 2 percent. Homes that are priced correctly are selling quickly! ■ Stacy Frohman Lampert of Keller Williams can be reached at slampert@ kw.com or 678-457-6043 to help get you into the home you have always wanted to be in.

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APRIL 27 â–ª 2018

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REAL ESTATE

Tight Israeli Housing Reflects Conflicting Emotions I’ve been to Israel 25 or more times and properly scheduled my recent trip to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the country. I was curious to be part of the activities, watching, participating and reading about the events of the week.

At 70, Israel is a young democracy, yet it surely has a lot to celebrate and a lot to resolve. In fact, the anniversary was front of mind in many of my meetings, filled with opinions readily offered regarding the current politics.

Israelis seem to agree on very little; however, there was (in Tel Aviv) a firm resolve to party through the anniversary night, then watch the air show from the beach.

Rothschild Boulevard on Wednesday evening, April 18, was filled as the festivities began. The young and the not-so-young were out and about, and music was played at silly-high levels while historical footage was displayed on the walls of buildings adjacent to Independence Hall, just a few yards

from our patio setting. And then there were enormous fireworks from a building near Rabin Square and elsewhere through the city.

On Thursday, the beach filled with revelers awaiting the noonish air show, an amazing display of technical abilities, noisy helicopters, incredibly Photo by Kobi Gideon, Israeli Government Press Office

Guest Column

By Abe Schear

fast fighter jets and even parachutists.

People gave up trying to park and just left their cars in the street.

When you see fighter jets flying perpendicular to the ground and teams of jets dancing in the sky or, in one case, setting off fireworks, you can’t help but smile. It was quite a show and quite a crowd.

Yet, not unlike life, reaching milestone birthdays prompts considerable reflection, both good and bad. For some, it is very emotional,

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During a gathering of the foreign diplomatic corps to celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a special real estate pitch, urging more nations to move their embassies to Jerusalem.

and opinions were shared without a question. Others, of course, see this anniversary, any anniversary, in the very short term and with little concern for others.

Some saw the 70th as a reason to party, while others were disturbed with the direction of the country’s compass and didn’t find cause for celebration. And some saw it both ways.

It seemed without question that the goods are really very good and that the bads are without a realistic answer.

For instance, most everyone can agree that Tel Aviv has a housing crisis. It is exceedingly difficult for those without significant means to live in the city, and the situation seems to get worse and worse, particularly given the country’s current 1.9 percent annual population growth.

Gorgeous new buildings are built along Rothschild, near Sarona, along Yigal Alon and elsewhere, each displacing smaller, often dilapidated structures.

The recently announced census included the expectation that the country will grow from nearly 9 million people to nearly 15 million in 2048, Israel’s 100th anniversary.

The problem with affordable housing leads to an issue dealing with competent and quality education.

Unlike the United States, where the debate often centers on keeping welleducated foreign students, in Israel many students, often the best, leave to study abroad.

Yes, for sure there are dozens of Israeli IPOs and an enormous amount of high tech, but Israel’s loss of intellectual capital causes many to fret, and fret far more than even five years ago.

The politics in Israel can numb many voters. It was hardly an accident that The Jerusalem Post ran a large story that closely evaluated each of Israel’s 12 prime ministers and rated the current prime minister as the worst.

Israel is, unlike the United States, a country that elects the party, not the person. The Israeli system does not encourage the prime minister to transition and train new government leaders.

Without term limits or any transition strategy, meaningful change is not, to most, a relevant possibility.

No doubt the voters in Israel appreciate that the current government understands military discipline, yet it has been many years since a group of college-age students (i.e., post-military) has made it through school without a military event, a situation that many find discouraging.

Lastly, the question was raised, amazingly and emotionally, about whether the Zionistic views of the founders have been replaced with a system driven by money and power.

From where I sat, I could only listen, but the 70th anniversary brought thoughts of what needs to be completed and what must be improved (as well as what can get even better).

So, yes, Israel’s 70th anniversary was an amazing way to finish a lengthy business trip, and the party was made more poignant after recognizing Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) the day before, when the country twice came to a halt to honor its fallen fighters.

The question now is what is next.

What are the dreams? How can Israel best be a Jewish country, a Jewish homeland, one that continues to grow positively in a manner that embraces the most people, one that can incorporate new citizens with those who have been in Israel for generations?

As they say, “It is complicated.”

Happy anniversary, Israel. I look forward to many more visits and seeing you continue to evolve. ■ Abe Schear is a partner in the real estate practice of Arnall Golden Gregory in Midtown.

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REAL ESTATE DIRECTORY REAL ESTATE Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage Marc D. Oppenheimer 4170 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Suite 125 Brookhaven 30319 404-844-4198 oppy@atlantareo.com www.atlantacommunities.net Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage Melanie Weinberg 1801 Peachtree St. Atlanta 30309 404-844-4977 melaniejw@gmail.com www.atlantacommunities.net Atlanta Fine Homes/Sotheby’s International Realty Heery Brothers George Heery 3290 Northside Parkway, Suite 200 Atlanta 30327 404-974-4378 george.heery@atlantafinehomes.com www.heerybrothers.com Atlanta Fine Homes/Sotheby’s International Realty Eydie Koonin 3290 Northside Parkway, Suite 200 Atlanta 30327 404-697-8215 eydiekoonin@atlantafinehomes.com eydiekoonin.atlantafinehomes.com Your residential real estate expert Atlanta Fine Homes/Sotheby’s International Realty Jared Sapp 3290 Northside Parkway, Suite 200 Atlanta 30327 404-237-5000 jared@jaredsapp.com www.atlantafinehomes.com Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties Shelley Margulies Gordon 5481 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road Dunwoody 30338

404-944-2700 shelley@shelleysellsatlanta.com smarguliesgordon.bhhsgeorgia.com Chapman Hall Premier Realtors Hallie Chasen 1772-B Century Blvd.

Atlanta 30345 404-271-4635 halliechasen@gmail.com www.chapmanhallrealtors.com/ hallie-chasen Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Robin Blass 5591 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road Building 1300, Suite 100 Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 770-804-6226 robinblass@blassprop.com www.robinblass.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Star Newman 5252 Roswell Road, Suite 202 Atlanta 30342 (Sandy Springs) 404-252-4908 678-360-8615 (direct) StarNewmanRealtor@gmail.com www.starsellsatlanta.com Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Rose Anne Schulman 5252 Roswell Road, Suite 202 Atlanta 30342 (Sandy Springs) 404-502-5921 www.roseannesellshouses.com Rose Anne brings experience, knowledge and expertise to your home buying or selling experience.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage Debbie Sonenshine and the Sonsenshine Team 5252 Roswell Road, Suite 202 Atlanta 30342 (Sandy Springs) 404-250-5311 (direct) debbie@sonenshineteam.com sonenshineteam.com Coldwell Banker Residential

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

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Marc D. Oppenheimer Associate Broker

Cell: 678.296.6550 | Office: 404.844.4198 | Fax: 770.668.0043 oppy@atlantareo.com | Atlantareo.com 4170 Ashford-Dunwoody Rd. Suite 125 Brookhaven, GA 30319

Brokerage Melanie B. White 5591 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road Building 1300, Suite 100 Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 404-915-9622 melanie.white@ coldwellbankeratlanta.com www.melsellsatl.com Engel & Völkers Buckhead Janet Dennis 212 Pharr Road Atlanta 30305 404-307-8196 janet.dennis@evusa.com buckheadatlanta.evusa.com Harry Norman, Realtors, Atlanta Perimeter Amy Barocas 4848 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 404-790-0913 amy.barocas@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com Harry Norman, Realtors, Atlanta Perimeter Peggy Feldman 4848 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 404-310-0895 peggy.feldman@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com Harry Norman, Realtors, Atlanta Perimeter Christin Friedman 4848 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 404-314-2636 christin.friedman@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com Harry Norman, Realtors, Atlanta Perimeter Emily Green 4848 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 404-452-7532 emily.green@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com Harry Norman, Realtors,

Atlanta Perimeter Gloria Miller 4848 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 404-580-0181 gloria.miller@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com Harry Norman, Realtors, Atlanta Perimeter Elaine Rabb 4848 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 404-932-0089 elaine.rabb@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com Broker, dual specialty in residential new construction and residential resale Harry Norman, Realtors, Atlanta Perimeter Debra Rothenberg 4848 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 404-723-4636 debra.rothenberg@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com Harry Norman, Realtors, Atlanta Perimeter Robyn Zimmerman 4848 Ashford-Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30338 (Dunwoody) 770-394-2131 robyn.zimmerman@harrynorman. com www.harrynorman.com Harry Norman, Realtors, Buckhead Sandy Abrams 532 E. Paces Ferry Road, Suite 200 Atlanta 30305 404-281-0097 sandy.abrams@harrynorman.com sandyabramsweb.harrynorman.com Million-dollar producer representing both buyers and sellers Harry Norman, Realtors, Buckhead Rachel Brochstein 532 E. Paces Ferry Road, Suite 200 Atlanta 30305 404-710-9160 rachel.brochstein@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com

Your GO TO Specialists for all YOUR REAL ESTATE Needs RE/MAX AROUND ATLANTA David Shapiro Jon Shapiro DShapiro@remax.net jonshapirorealtor@gmail.com 404-252-7500 404-345-6788 404-845-3050 www.jonshapiro.com

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REAL ESTATE DIRECTORY

Harry Norman, Realtors, Buckhead Cathy Goldstein 532 E. Paces Ferry Road, Suite 200 Atlanta 30305 404-495-8337 cathy.goldstein@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com

Marietta 30068 770-977-9500 ec.office@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com/offices/1306east-cobb Harry Norman, Realtors, Intown Butch Whitfield 1531 Piedmont Ave. Atlanta 30324 404-897-5558 butch.whitfield@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com/offices/1310intown

Harry Norman, Realtors, Buckhead Lori Halpern 532 E. Paces Ferry Road, Suite 200 Atlanta 30305 404-932-8299 lori.halpern@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com

Harry Norman, Realtors, Sandy Springs Daniella Davis 5290 Roswell Road Atlanta 30342 (Sandy Springs) 404-250-9900 ss.office@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com

Harry Norman, Realtors, Buckhead Madeline Sater 532 E. Paces Ferry Road, Suite 200 Atlanta 30305 404-983-1059 madeline.sater@harrynorman.com www.harrynorman.com

Keller Williams Realty Alan Rothenberg 200 Glenridge Point Parkway Atlanta 30342 (Sandy Springs) 678-772-5629 alanrothenberg@kw.com alanrothenberg.kwrealty.com

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Peachtree Hills Place Katie Hamilton, marketing coordinator

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Atlanta 30350 (Sandy Springs) 404-483-1606 max@hzsolutionsinc.com INTERIOR DESIGN Bo Unlimited 120 Ralph McGill Blvd., Loft 204 Atlanta 30308 404-249-6363 www.bounlimited.com MOVING SERVICES College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk College H.U.N.K.S. Moving & Storage Roger Panitch, president 6670 Corners Industrial Court, Suite A Norcross 30092 404-849-2016 collegehunkshaulingjunk.com/ locations/ga/Norcross Masterpiece International 4200 S. Cargo Drive, Suite 214 Atlanta 30320 404-768-1978 masterpieceintl.com Toda Moving & Storage David Nir, president 1436 Stephens Drive Atlanta 30329 (Toco Hills) 470-875-5666 www.todamoving.com

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POLITICS

52nd District: Silcox Stands by Record

By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

Rep. Deborah Silcox faces opposition in the Republican primary for Georgia’s 52nd District from Gavi Shapiro on May 22, but the freshman lawmaker said she is not worried because she addressed a number of issues during this year’s Georgia General Assembly session.

Most of the 52nd is in Silcox’s native Sandy Springs, with a slice of Buckhead added. She said she’s proud to serve the district and its well-connected Jewish community.

Silcox graduated from Riverwood High School and majored in political science and French at the University of Georgia. She earned a law degree from Emory University and has practiced law for over 10 years.

She won her House seat in 2016, defeating Graham McDonald in a close Republican primary to succeed Joe Wilkinson, who retired. She had no opposition in the general election, although Democrat Shea Roberts awaits the Republican nominee this year.

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Republican Rep. Deborah Silcox is seeking a second term representing her hometown of Sandy Springs.

Silcox’s recent legislative work included serving as the House sponsor for Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick’s Senate Bill 356, which aims to strengthen financial and legislative support for the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust.

The bill also clears the way for the commission to design and “place in a prominent location” a Holocaust memorial, paid for with private money.

“I think the memorial will be a

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great addition to our state, and with the Anne Frank exhibit in Sandy Springs and the Holocaust Commission, I hope they find a location in Sandy Springs because it is such an important part of our community,” said Silcox, who spoke during the commission’s Days of Remembrance ceremony at the Capitol on Friday, April 20.

Silcox said she fully supports S.B. 327, which bans Georgia from conducting business with entities that boycott, divest or sanction Israel. “I think Israel is the United States’ strongest ally in the Middle East, and we need to maintain that relationship.”

She was against a religious liberty bill that was opposed by rabbis and other religious leaders on the grounds that it would have allowed discrimination if people could present a religious justification.

“I was pleased we didn’t pass that bill because, as is the case with any bill, it always depends on the language,” she said. “I am certainly not opposed to religious freedom. I think that is a very important and critical part of our American values. But at the same time I would not be in favor of any bill that discriminates against anyone.”

Among the many bills Silcox has sponsored, she said she is particularly excited about the passage of House Bill 419, which gives local control to city and county officials regarding the times when fireworks may be used.

That has been a big problem in the district, she said, because people could set off fireworks as late as midnight, which disturbed people such as veterans, the elderly and young children.

Silcox worked to ease outdated obstacles to child adoption, then opposed S.B. 375, which would have let agencies reject couples for not aligning with

their spiritual beliefs. Silcox said she is excited about the earlier legislation that passed because it will make adoption friendlier in Georgia, where the number of children in foster care has tripled.

In response to Shapiro’s claim that Silcox provided a tax break to yacht owners, she said she voted for H.B. 125 in 2017 because Rep. Ron Stephens (RSavannah), the chairman of the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee, told her the Georgia coast was not receiving any business for repairing boats and helping people with larger vessels.

“We were receiving zero percent of that business, and that was because we were not competitive with Florida or South Carolina. So, I did vote for this tax break, but it has brought hundreds of jobs to the Georgia coast and employed a lot of residents down there now,” Silcox said. “I would rather get a smaller percentage of some business than zero percent and zero jobs. Yes, I voted for a tax break, but I think a huge economic boom for the coast of Georgia is needed to be competitive with our contiguous states.”

Silcox said she supports efforts to enact a hate-crimes law in Georgia, such as H.B. 660, introduced by Rep. Meagan Hanson (R-Brookhaven) in January and endorsed by the AntiDefamation League and the Coalition for a Hate-Free Georgia. That bill never got out of committee, so it failed to pass the House by the Crossover Day deadline Feb. 28.

Attaching the hate-crimes language to another bill also failed to win passage.

“I certainly would have voted for it and supported it the way it was presented to me,” Silcox said. ■

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POLITICS

Jewish Challenger Separates Religion From Politics Gavi Shapiro is not letting politics interfere with his principles as an Orthodox Jew while running against incumbent Deborah Silcox in the Republican primary for Georgia’s 52nd House District on May 22.

The young entrepreneur has established himself as a technology expert and, together with a few friends, started a business that provides tech support to small businesses and specializes in the computer needs of smallbusiness owners.

He is trying to join Stone Mountain Democrat Michele Henson as the only Jewish members of the Georgia House.

Shapiro entered the race because of dissatisfaction with Silcox’s voting record, which he said includes support for a tax break for yacht owners, and her spending $100 per vote she received in the 2016 primary.

“There are plenty of people, especially veterans, who could have used the tax breaks more than people who could afford $500,000 yachts,” Shapiro said.

His frustration with bureaucrats who take money out of people’s pockets is one reason he is running. He also seeks to create a statewide schoolchoice system, fix transportation problems and repeal the state income tax, thus strengthening the economy, creating jobs and removing a burden from small businesses.

Shapiro said the state Education Department is wasting too much money, and parents should have the ability to choose how to educate their children. “Right now we are forcing everyone to get a cookie-cutter education, and those people who don’t fit into that fall through the cracks and are not prepared for success later in life.”

Georgia offers a tax credit to taxpayers who donate money to scholarship organizations supporting private schools, including Jewish day schools and preschools. The legislature passed House Bill 217 this spring to raise the cap on the credit from $58 million a year to $100 million; Silcox voted for the bill three times.

“I like that this program takes a step toward expanding school choice,” Shapiro said. “I would like to expand it further so that a wider variety of schools are accessible to the average Georgian family.”

To help fix the transportation sys-

Gavi Shapiro is confident he will beat incumbent Deborah Silcox with proposals such as the repeal of the state income tax.

tem, private companies should operate public transportation, Shapiro said, and competition will motivate systems such as MARTA. “I think when the quality of service improves, more people will be incentivized to use it,” he said. Shortly after the AJT interviewed Shapiro, the legislature passed Senate Bill 386 to establish the funding and framework for a public transportation system for all of metro Atlanta.

The 52nd District is mostly in Sandy Springs and has a large Jewish population. Shapiro is a Sandy Springs native and a member of Congregation Beth Tefillah.

Georgia in 2016 enacted a law to prevent it from contracting with entities that boycott Israel, but Shapiro said that measure, S.B. 327, was not strong enough. “I rarely suggest that we imitate New York, but they introduced far stronger versions of the bill, which I think we can pass here. Georgia won’t give state contracts to companies that boycott Israel, but the bills in New York went so far as to deny public funding to academics and student organizations which advocate Israel boycotts.”

Georgia is one of five states without a hate-crimes law, a situation H.B. 660 was designed to change this year by increasing punishments for crimes motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived race, religion, national origin, disability, gender, homeless status or sexual orientation. But the bill never moved out of committee.

Outgoing Rep. Wendell Willard (RSandy Springs) then attached similar language to a judiciary bill that had passed the Senate, but S.B. 373 never got a vote on the House floor.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea to make the government responsible for mindreading; that’s likely to waste a lot

of time and taxpayer money without helping anyone,” Shapiro said. “Criminals always have reasons for targeting their victims, even if the reasons aren’t on that list.”

He and Silcox disagree on the hate-crimes bill and on religious liberty legislation, which supporters say would protect religious practice but which critics say would protect discrimination.

“The religious liberty legislation affirms the right of business owners not to do business in a way that conflicts with their personal values. The idea behind this is that people own their own labor and have the right to associate with whomever they please. … This is part of freedom of association,” Shapiro said. “A business owner could theoretically choose to use this freedom to discriminate without cause against many different groups of people, and that would be unfortunate, but he still has that right. His business would suffer as a consequence. But just like a person could use freedom of speech to say unkind things and they would still retain the right to free speech, freedom of association doesn’t disappear when you use it in a way that is unpopular or even unjustified.”

Shapiro said he is keeping his own religion out of his campaign. “I promised myself before going into this that I would not violate any principles,” he said. “It’s been tested numerous times, but I have not given up on any of my religious beliefs, and I don’t think that is going to change.” ■

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

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SPORTS

It’s the Bottom of the 9th for the Braves’ Kosher Day

By Rabbi Reuven Stein

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

The Atlanta Kosher Commission is organizing Kosher Day at a Braves game for the 18th year Sunday, May 6, but the afternoon game against the San Francisco Giants will likely be the last Kosher Day, at least in its current form.

Kosher Day has relied on generous sponsors to cover the costs of running the community event and help raise money for educational and other projects, but that assistance is running out.

Lay volunteers led by Roberta Scher and Betty Minsk started the event around 1997 as a fun way to raise money for Jewish education. There are many Jewish baseball fans, and other teams, mostly in the Northeast, sell kosher food at their home parks.

The Atlanta volunteers talked with the Braves about a kosher concession for a game or a series, but the idea was complicated because all the concessions were taken. A vendor had to be persuaded to allow a kosher vendor to take over a stand for a game, which meant guaranteeing the usual income.

Volunteers trained to run the con-

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cessions at Turner Field; at one point more than 30 were involved. It was amusing watching doctors, lawyers and rabbis flipping burgers.

We needed to come in after the last nonkosher game, typically late Saturday night, and clean and kosherize (burn out) the stand for the next morning. One year the game went into extra innings, and we didn’t start kashering the stand until well after midnight.

Many years it took all night to complete the process because the kitchens required lots of cleaning before we could kasher them. I remember running out of charcoal one year and sending out volunteers to find more at 3 in the morning. They succeeded, but to this day I’m not sure what store they found open in downtown Atlanta.

We almost had a fire one year and activated the fire sprinklers during the kosherization because a buildup of fat in the oven began to burn.

The first few years were a huge success. Many organizations participated, the turnout was large, and much money was raised. But the volunteer group, which had to put weeks and weeks of

work into the event each year, moved on to other things, and no one stepped up to the plate to pinch-hit. As a result, we had a year without a Kosher Day. We were so disappointed because the event was so much fun.

The AKC had not run the event but had been at all the meetings and had arranged the kosherization. We decided to undertake the event with whichever organizations wanted to join us.

That was 17 years ago. We have drawn 300 to 600 people most years and have raised thousands of dollars for partner organizations and the AKC. One special aspect of Kosher Day is that it is one of the few truly pluralistic Jewish events in Atlanta. Groups across the Jewish spectrum were partners, including Federation, the Atlanta Scholars Kollel, the Marcus JCC, sev-

eral Chabads, the Consulate General of Israel, the Hebrew Order of David, Hadassah, all the day schools, and Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and Traditional congregations.

Jewish groups from Augusta, Columbus and Chattanooga participated.

JScreen, the Marcus Foundation and Publix Charities were involved.

At Turner Field we had a picnic area and musical entertainment. Retired Braves signed autographs, and Homer the mascot stopped by. We also held Mincha services.

The AKC hopes that another organization will take up the event, and we’re prepared to help. ■ Rabbi Reuven Stein is the director of supervision for the Atlanta Kosher Commission.

What: 18th Kosher Day with the Atlanta Braves Who: Braves vs. Giants Where: Section 154, SunTrust Park, 755 Battery Ave., Cumberland When: Sunday, May 6, with kosher food from Keith’s Corner BBQ at noon and first pitch at 1:35 p.m.

Tickets: $15 (including an online fee); groupmatics.events/event/braveskosherday56

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OBITUARIES

Robert Schultz 69, Marietta

Robert Schultz, age 69, of Marietta died Friday, April 20, 2018.

The world has lost an incredible husband, father, son, brother, friend, physician and musician. He was a caring, compassionate, gentle soul and was the ultimate family man.

Bob was born in Brooklyn in 1948 and attended Downstate Medical School.

He moved to Atlanta in 1978 as the first pediatric endocrinologist in the state of Georgia to establish the diabetes program at Scottish Rite. Outside medicine, he had an extreme passion for theater and directed, produced and acted in countless community theater productions over the years.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Schultz; daughters Kim (Rob) Velevis and Jaime (Ryan) Schwartz; son Brian (Kara) Schultz; grandchildren Asher, Max, Jordan, Hailey, Maya and Eden; his mother, Millie Schultz; and siblings Jeff (Karen) Schultz and Barbara (Jay) Cohen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice and Camp Kudzu. Sign the online guestbook at dresslerjewishfunerals.com. A graveside service was held Monday, April 23, at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Martin Seligman 90, Atlanta

Martin Seligman, 90, of Atlanta died Monday, April 16, 2018.

Mr. Seligman is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Seligman; stepdaughter Julie Silver (Marc); stepsons Jack Abraham (Elinor), Ed Doolan (Marsha), Michael Doolan and Sean Doolan; son-in-law Wally Martin (Charlene); grandchildren Ben and Emily Silver, Jeni Mesch, and Kristi Martin; and great-grandchildren Abbey and Quinn Mesch.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association. Graveside services were held Thursday, April 19, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Scott Colbert officiating.

Mrs. Stein was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Murray Stein, originally from Savannah, to whom she was married Sept. 5, 1948; daughter Ann Ryna Stein Friedman; one brother, Joseph David Stock; and her parents, Casper and Sarah Stock.

She is survived by two daughters, Jacquelyn Stein Greenstein and her husband, Lorin, of Peachtree Corners, and Shelly Stein Peller and her husband, Jeffrey, of Rome; a son-in-law, Freddy Freidman, and his wife, Marsha, of Sharpsburg; four grandchildren, Alyson Pauline Greenstein and Erin Elizabeth Greenstein, both of Alpharetta, Adam Colemen Peller of Asheville, N.C., and Rachel Elyse Peller of Atlanta; a sister, Katherine “Kitty” Stock Jacobs of Atlanta; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by Sheila Baxter, Sheral Marsh, the staff of the Renaissance Marquis, The Harbor, and many other caring angels who assisted her in recent years.

Funeral services were held Thursday, April 12, at the graveside in the Hebrew Cemetery of Mount Aventine with Rabbi Judith Beiner officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rodeph Sholom Congregation, PO Box 425, Rome, GA 30162-0425, or to the charity of one’s own choosing.

Death Notices

Abe Alhadeff, 98, of Atlanta, husband of Ruth Alhadeff, father of Barry Alhadeff, Irvin Alhadeff, Steve Alhadeff and David Alhadeff, and longtime Congregation Or VeShalom member, on April 22.

Janet Berman, 99, of South Bend, Ind., mother of Temple Sinai member Stephen Berman, Howard Berman and Pamela Berman, on April 18.

David Caplan of Cumming, husband of Sheila Caplan and father of Jill Flanagan, on April 20.

Sharon Freedman of Owings Mills, Md., mother of Congregation Ner Tamid member Lee Freedman and Erin Freedman, on April 17.

Morton Singerman, 89, of Boca Raton, Fla., husband of Deborah Brandt Singerman, father of Robin Delgado and Paul Singerman and stepfather of Temple Kol Emeth member Suzy Mayer, Laura Urken, Mark Patinkin and Cindy Power, on April 14.

Louise Stein Louise Shirley Stock Stein, 94, of 3126 Cedartown Highway, formerly of 500 E. 11th St., Rome, Ga., passed away early Tuesday morning, April 10, 2018, at Floyd Medical Center after an acute illness.

Mrs. Stein was born in Rome on Nov. 11, 1923, the daughter of Casper Isadore Stock and Sara Esserman Stock. She attended the University of Georgia, was a member of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority and received her degree in journalism. She lived in New York City with a dear friend before marrying and moving to Chicago while her husband, Dr. Murray Stein, attended Northwestern University Dental School. After growing up and working in her father’s store on Broad Street, the Boston Store, she took her retail experience and landed a job at the Chicago Merchandise Mart. It was in Chicago that she began learning about and developing her natural talents for cooking and entertaining.

Her love of retail, reading and writing, as well as her love of dancing, stayed with her throughout her life. She fondly recalled her days of dancing during high school basketball games, recitals at the Rome City Auditorium, and especially her days at UGA, where she and one of her favorite dance partners won the Freshman Jitterbug Dance Contest.

Mrs. Stein was a lifetime member of Rodeph Sholom Congregation, the Rodeph Sholom Sisterhood and Hadassah. She enjoyed many activities and followed her interests, including gardening and being a member of the garden club, playing bridge, traveling, entertaining and homemaking. But most of all, she will be remembered for her genuinely sweet nature, enduring smile and charming Southern hospitality.

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Associate Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext.

100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@ atljewishtimes.com.

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LOCAL NEWS

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Hero Honored After Death

Sister Madison Zinsenheim and parents Penny and Steve Zinsenheim accept the Carnegie Medal in memory of Davis Zinsenheim from past recipient Charlie Harris on April 22.

heard about the friends’ deaths from media reports and contacted him more than a year ago. The only witness, Zinsenheim’s girlfriend, provided the heroic details, and the commission announced the award Dec. 19.

During the award ceremony, Steve Zinsenheim read a statement a friend of his son’s, Bryan Panga, posted online in May 2016. Panga said Zinsenheim pulled him back from the edge at times when he was suicidal in high school. “I always knew you were a hero,” Panga wrote, “but now everyone knows what

Etz Chaim to Honor Officer

Congregation Etz Chaim will honor police Maj. Jerry Quan during its annual gala at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at the East Cobb synagogue.

Quan, the retired commander of the Cobb County police precinct covering Etz Chaim, as well as Temple Kol Emeth and Chabad of Cobb, has provided security at Etz Chaim on Shabbat and other occasions the past 17 years.

Etz Chaim President Allison Saffran called Quan “an integral part of this East Cobb community” and said he has worked to ensure the congregation has the most current security equipment and resources.

Tickets to the gala are $250 for people over 40 and $100 for those 40 and younger. For tickets and details, visit etzchaim.net/celebrate2018.

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fall. Both suffered severe injuries. Firefighters utilized a 100-foot ladder on a truck to reach Hopkins; he was taken to a hospital, where he died that night.

Zinsenheim died at the scene.”

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The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission posthumously honored Davis Zinsenheim on Sunday, April 22, for his fatal effort almost two years earlier to save his friend’s life.

Zinsenheim, who attended Congregation Etz Chaim, and Joey Hopkins, who went to Temple Kol Emeth, were graduates of Pope High in East Cobb.

During vacation from college — Zinsenheim went to Georgia Southern, Hopkins to Georgia Tech — the 22-yearolds were hiking above a waterfall May 10, 2016, at Lake Toxaway, N.C., when Hopkins slipped and fell partway down a 150-foot cliff. Zinsenheim fell all the way to the bottom during his rescue attempt and died at the scene.

Hopkins died at a hospital.

The two friends are buried next to each other at Arlington Memorial Park, where Hopkins’ parents, Gail and Jim Hopkins, installed a bench with an engraved dedication to Zinsenheim.

Zinsenheim’s father, Steve, said the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission

most of us have known all this time.”

More than 600 trees were planted in Israel in Zinsenheim’s memory, his father said. He and wife Penny went to Israel last year for the unveiling of a plaque in their son’s memory at Jewish National Fund’s American Independence Park west of Jerusalem.

The full award statement from the Carnegie commission: “Davis Ilan Zinsenheim died attempting to save Joseph H. Hopkins from falling, Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, May 10, 2016. While hiking in a mountainous area during the evening, Hopkins, 22, and his friend, Zinsenheim, 22, college student, were walking on the rocks in a streambed. Thick vegetation obstructed sight of the stream’s extension to the edge of a cliff and a waterfall at least 100 feet in height. Some distance from the cliff, Hopkins fell and slid over the brink to a ledge partway down. Zinsenheim, who had been standing close to Hopkins, yelled out. He ran after Hopkins until he too lost his footing, slid over the edge, and fell to the base of the water-

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CLOSING THOUGHTS

Iyar Helps Us Climb Ladders to Hashem

APRIL 27 ▪ 2018

Rosh Chodesh Iyar began Sunday, April 15. The task of this month involves taming our animalistic, primitive nature and elevating it to a spiritual level. We need to integrate these opposing energies and mindfully express them in their highest form to purify ourselves.

This spiritual spring cleaning occurs during the 49 days in which we count the Omer, from the second night of Passover until Shavuot, when we humbly and gratefully receive the Torah.

I meditate on the essence of each month before writing this article. This month I’m sharing my practice and inviting you to do whatever modification suits you for the meditation focus.

I sit in the cross-legged lotus position, but you may choose any upright, seated posture. I use mudras, but you don’t have to.

Mudra, a Sanskrit word meaning “seal” or “gesture,” refers to the approximately 28 hand gestures held during symbolic Hindu dances or yoga and meditation practices. These hand positions promote mental stability and focus, in addition to stimulating the body’s meridians, or points of healing.

Each of the five fingers coordinates to an element. The thumb is fire and represents the universe. The index finger is air and the individual. The middle finger is ether. The ring finger is earth. The pinky is water. The right hand represents the yang/masculine/ sun, and the left, the yin/feminine/ moon.

As Jews, we don’t hold our hands in “prayer pose,” with palms and upward-pointing fingers pressed together, but this position connects the spiritual and material worlds, which is the challenge of Iyar.

During meditation, holding the prayer pose, with slight pressure on the hands, balances the left and right brain hemispheres. Pressing your thumbs against your chest anchors the energy to your heart center. Bowing your head offers humility before G-d.

Another mudra places the nails of your index fingers under your thumbnails in the OK sign. Turn your palms up for wisdom and receiving or down for grounding and introspection. Fire and air join to enable energy to enter but not exit.

38 This month’s esoteric medita-

tion brought me to thoughts about the board game Chutes and Ladders.

Not what I expected! I observed the significance and realized that the game represents what we’re trying to do in Iyar.

In the actual game, there are 100 squares on the board. Players advance the number of spaces determined by a spinner. If players land at the bottom

CROSSWORD

Dr. Terry Segal tsegal@atljewishtimes.com

of a ladder, they immediately climb up to the top, but if they land at the top of a chute, they slide down to the bottom.

So, instead of 100 squares on a board, we have 49 days leading up to Shavuot. When we’re not behaving mindfully, we drop back down to the lowest level. When we heighten our awareness and discipline ourselves, we climb upward to join with Hashem.

There are seven main middot, or divine attributes. They are kindness, severity, harmony, perseverance, humility, foundation and royalty.

It’s believed that every soul is endowed with all seven, but one trait is dominant. This creates each person’s unique way of serving G-d. Studying these can help elevate one’s spirit.

An extended list of 48 middot is taken from various Jewish texts. They have to do with things such as offering a listening ear, engaging in a minimum of frivolity, pleasure, sleep and small talk, developing a perceptive heart, valuing knowledge, loving G-d and all creatures, not being arrogant with one’s learning, having orderly speech, quoting one’s sources, setting others on the path of truth, seeking peace, engaging in discussion with students, sharpening the wisdom of one’s teacher, being slow to anger, performing mitzvot, studying Torah, trusting in the sages, and sharing burdens with friends.

Meditation focus: Sit in a comfortable position, with your back straight for an uninterrupted flow of energy. Choose a mudra if you wish.

Honestly assess your thoughts, words and actions. Imagine which might land you at the bottom of the ladder, such as those on Yom Kippur’s confessional list of the Viddui, and which middot could raise your vibration. ■

A Yiddishe Cupful

By Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Challenging 1

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ACROSS 1. “I Don’t Want to ___ Thing” 6. Money in the bank, say 11. “___ Bom” (Shabbat song) 14. Biblical man involved in a water dispute 15. “The Hunger Games” tribute 16. Cell stuff, briefly 17. Cupful for a sweaty monarch?

19. Dad of 14-Across, for short 20. “Why?” 21. Discourteous 23. “Geez!”

24. At a quick rate, poetically 27. F or G, but not H 28. Kind of artery 30. Cupful for one who enjoys watery suds?

33. Hero Ramon 34. Cadillac hybrid 35. 1997 Lisa Loeb hit 36. Cupful for one putting cream cheese on a bagel?

40. Tool not used by one observing the sabbatical year 41. Shabbat wear, often 42. Slave girl of opera 45. Cupful for one spoofing pop hits?

49. Ma’ariv 50. Jabotinsky of note 51. Charlton’s “Touch of Evil” co-star 53. Second palindrome in the Bible

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brother 26. Museum honcho 29. Herringlike fish 31. App for short videos 32. Ruckus 34. Hefer or Refaim 37. Ad ___ 38. Criticizes harshly 39. Kind of essay or plot structure 43. Multifaceted 44. “I ___ no pleasant bread” (Daniel 10:3) 45. Heroic poet Hannah 46. Montana’s capital 47. Dutch city where Rembrandt was born DOWN 48. Bird with a heck of a 1. Fire starter? schnoz 2. Half-brother of 49. Feelings of anxiety 14-Across 52. Propel, in a way 3. Grassy plains 55. Kiss equipment 4. “And G-d ___” 56. Healthy 5. Genuine revolutionary?

6. Financing abbr.

58. Marseille “mine” 7. “Told ya!”

61. Crawled under the 8. Transitioned 9. Writer-director Cohen bed, say 62. Minyan need?

10. Creator of a 63. Big hits, for short bathroom cloud 11. Three cheers, perhaps 12. You might get one LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION before a party S C R U B A C H E S F E Y 13. Author O P E R A C H A V A U N O Norman D U A L C I T I Z E N L O D K R O N A D O L C E 18. Blast, sci-fi O P P O S I N G P A R S H A style R E L E T S L I L A C 22. To such a A C A R E D E E P S H E D degree, with T A C P A R T N E R O X O “as” E N E S H O S T I S L A M 23. Picture S U G A R I N H A L E A M O S O Z D E S S E R T S of health, for L O F A T S U N N I short?

L O W A B A N D O N S H I P 25. Up to it, E R O N A N C E G R A D E not Cain’s N E R A N G E R S I M O N 54. Notable seder guest 57. In awe, visually 59. Ryerson met repeatedly by Phil in a Ramis classic 60. Cupful for a big tzedakah giver?

64. Nazareth to Tiberias dir.

65. Garden variety 66. Remains of an ancient statue, maybe 67. Gabriel or Marino 68. Fires off, as a text 69. Browser history list

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