No 35, August 31 The Atlanta Jewish Times by Atlanta Jewish Times

AMIT PROGRAM GROWS

“MY NAME IS ASHER LEV”

New Board Members, Bright Future PAGE 3

the atlanta

An Incredible Dramatic Adaptation PAGE 22

SCUBA DIVING IN ISRAEL

VISIT OUR NEW

WEBSITE & like US ON

…And Other Experiences from Career Israel PAGE 9

AUGUST 31, 2012 - SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

13 Elul - 19 Elul 5772, Vol. LXXXVII No. 35

THE Weekly Newspaper Uniting the Jewish Community for Over 85 Years

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Exciting Events This Labor Day Weekend!

LimmudFest at Ramah Darom PAGE 6

Nibble & Noshfest at Temple Kol Emeth PAGE 21

GRILLER’S PRIDE START Labor Day the Kosher Way YOUR DAY W

HEALTHFUL AND DELI PUBLIX BAKERY BREAKFA Page 8

Health & Wellness Guide Pages 13-20 Sponsored by

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

START YOUR DAY WITH HEALTHFUL AND DELICIOUS PUBLIX BAKERY BREAKFAST BREAD.

AJT

Mazel tov

Amit Program Names Eight New Board Members

SHEMA YISRAEL’S COMMUNITY HIGH HOLY DAYS WORSHIP SERVICES

ADDITIONAL LEADERS WELCOMED

he Amit Program is happy to welcome eight new members to their 2012-2013 board. Jason Cristal, Mindy Feinstein, Sue Feig, Stacey Geer, Roseanne Lesack, Laura Markson, Hilly Panovka and Yael Swerdlow will join the 25 existing board members. Since 2001, Amit has been the central resource in the Jewish community for special education. By offering a wide range of educational services and family support, the organization strives to ensure that students with special needs can reach their individual potential while learning in a Jewish environment. The Amit Program offers a wide Incoming Amit board president Ina range of programs, including The Amit Enoch (left) presents Carol Sherwinter, outgoing president, with a parsha Gar’inim School, a SACS accredited kinpanel from Amit’s Visual Torah as a dergarten-thru-eighth-grade school; Early thank-you for her two years of service. Intervention; Amit University professional PHOTO/courtesy The Amit Program development; parent education through the Taylor Family Speaker Series; Yad B’Yad Sunday School for unique learners; The Amit Parent Network listserv support group; facilitation training and placement; disability awareness training and general resource and support.

Held at UNITY ATLANTA 3597 Parkway Lane - Norcross Traditional Services or Reform Services It’s your choice! Everyone is welcome There is never a ticket charge Ticket reservations immediately on-line at www.shemaweb.org

The Halpern Center 4381 Beech Haven Trail, Smyrna GA 30080 (off Cumberland Parkway)

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Another community event from Kol Echad and Shema Yisrael- The Open Synagogue

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For more information on any of Amit’s programs, visit amitatlanta. org or contact info@amitatlanta.org or (404) 961-9966.

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MARSHA STRAZYNSKI TO EXPAND PROMOTIONS

he Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) announces that Marsha Gilmer Strazynski has accepted the position of Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Having spent the bulk of her career at two global trailblazers in their industries, Marsha brings corporate and entrepreneurial marketing leadership to her role as CMO. “We are thrilled to welcome Marsha to the MJCCA, bringing with her many years of marketing expertise,” said MJCCA CEO Gail Luxenberg. “Marsha is ready to expand the efforts promoting the MJCCA’ s vibrant programs to new and broader audiences using all available media.” Strazynski was previously at Feld Entertainment (Vienna, Va.), where she served in the capacity of VP Marketing in the Disney On Ice and Disney Live! businesses for almost eight years. Prior to Feld, Marsha worked at Coca-Cola North America for 23 years in numerous marketing capacities including regional and local advertising, brand management and promotions. A native Atlantan, Strazynski is a graduate of the Greenfield Hebrew Academy and Grady High School and spent many fun-filled hours at the Peachtree location of the Atlanta Jewish Community Center while participating in B’nai Brith Chapter Bat Tovah. She is also a graduate of the University of Georgia.

Marsha and her husband Mark have three children.

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AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

MJCCA Announces New Chief Marketing Officer

AJT

from our readers

Those with Special Needs are Underserved Dear Editor:

just read the recent issue of the Atlanta Jewish Times and was pleased to read the article “New Program for Day School Graduates Launches” [see the Aug. 17 edition]. Programs such as these are crucial towards leading to better odds of marrying within our religion and remaining involved in our local community.

ing with these children to have a bar/ bat mitzvah experience most fitting for the child. The Amit Program has a great Sunday School program and runs the Gar’anim Program for kids with severe disabilities.

But I maintain that, for the most part, the Jewish community has turned a blind eye to our special needs children and ignored a very real issue of how we should be educating and including these children within our community, though let it be noted that Amit ran a much larger Gar’anim Pro While that gram due to VISIT OUR NEW demographic WEBSITE & lIkE popularity and US ON group develops demand, offering THE ATLANTA programming, I these children must ask about an opportunity of our special needs GREENBERG HITS an inclusion prop o p u l a t i o n , THE BIGTImE gram at The Dawhich has all but vis Academy; it is been ignored by a shame that proour Jewish day SEE HIm ON PBS’S “BROAdWAy OR BuST” gram is now conschools and local siderably smaller Jewish commuand no longer a nity. While the viable option for YOGLI MOGLI, YUM! [Greenfield] Hechildren with brew Academy ISRAEL’S LIOR mild to medium LIPSHITS runs a wonderful VISITS CAMP disabilities givM’silot Program en the changes and both Davis mandated by The [Academy] and Epstein [School] ofDavis Academy. fer some support for mild learning differences, Jewish kids with special One rabbi spoke out about the situation between Davis and Amit and needs have been abandoned. was immediately chastised for doing The fallout between The Davis so. Where were all the other rabbis? Academy and The Amit Program left Why was there not support for these many families of kids with special children? What are we going to do needs with no choice but to look elseabout it now that most have transwhere. And while the three schools ferred to public or secular schools? mentioned offer some support, it is for a small portion of the population Again, I ask if we, as a commuand comes at extreme costs. By the nity, are okay with this situation. If time a family pays regular tuition so, fine. We can move on and educate plus learning lab fees, they are look- our children wherever we can find their needs are best met. ing at a bill of around $25,000. AFTER THE SINAI ATTACK

Six Comments from Jewish Journal’s Shmuel Rosner PAGE 10

THE FLIGHTS OF JAN WEINER Local’s Play Tours Europe, Comes Home PAGE 14

AuGuST 10, 2012 - AuGuST 16, 2012

WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTImES.COm

mOLLy’S mITZVAH PROJECT

Getting Ready for Ruach Atlanta PAGE 19

22 Av - 28 Av 5772, Vol. LXXXVII No. 31

THE WEEKLy NEWSPAPER uNITING THE JEWISH COmmuNITy FOR OVER 85 yEARS

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

PAGE 16

Shabbat Candle Lighting Times shabbat blessings Blessing for the Candles Baruch Arah A-do-nai,El-o-hei-nu Melech Haolam Asher Kid-shanu b’mitzvotav V’zivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of time and space. You hallow us with Your mitzvot and command us to kindle the lights of Shabbat. Blessing for thw Wine Baruch Atah A-do-nai, El-o-hei-nu Meelech Haolam, Borei p’ri hagafen Praise to You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine. Blessing for the Bread (Challah) Baruch Atah A-do-nai, El-o-hei-nu Melech haolam, Hamotzi Lechem min haaretz.

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

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

Friday, August 31, 2012 Light Candles at: 7:46 pm Shabbat, September 1, 2012 Shabbat Ends: 8:41 pm Friday, September 7, 2012 Light Candles at: 7:37 pm Shabbat, September 8, 2012 Shabbat Ends: 8:31 pm Friday, September 14, 2012 Light Candles at: 7:27 pm Shabbat, September 15, 2012 Shabbat Ends: 8:21 pm Eve of First day Rosh Hashana Sunday, September 16, 2012 Light Candles at: 7:24 pm Eve of Second day Rosh Hashana Monday, September 17, 2012 Light Candles after: 8:18 pm Tuesday, September 18, 2012 Holiday Ends: 8:17 pm

On the Forefront of the Froyo Movement Page 17

Basketball Clinics from a Pro Page 13

So, I ask: Are we as a Jewish community okay with this portion of our population going elsewhere for education and support? Are we satisfied with so many of our kids going to St. Francis, Mill Springs, The Cottage School and others? Or do we want to truly take care of our own? Jennifer Lieb does a phenomenal job of running an inclusion program at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, and some rabbis have become more flexible in work-

However, if this is not acceptable, then I urge the Jewish community to start working together and take care of our own. After all, each child is created in G-d’s image and deserves the same opportunities as the others. Sincerely, An Atlanta resident

AJT

ASK BUBBE

Wedding and Baby Showers Becoming Floods! ASK PEACHY BUBBE Dear Bubbe, What’s the story with all of these bridal and baby showers these days? Back when I was young (and dinosaurs roamed the earth), I always heard that any sort of shower was NEVER given by a relative of the honoree. Friends, yes, but relatives, absolutely not.

gifts. But I guess I’m willing to cut a little slack if it is given by sisters or cousins who are contemporaries of the guest of honor. As for baby showers, I think it is reasonably optimistic to have ONE baby shower for a FIRST child. I don’t have a problem with that.

As for naming the registries on

an invitation (or requesting gift cards only), I’m sorry, I think it is crass. However, I cannot think of any law on the books that says you must shop from the registry, so go ahead and buy whatever you wish for a gift. It is, after all, a gift, not a commandment!

Editor’s note: Submit your questions and have them answered by one of the AJT’s four Bubbes! Email your concern(s) to submissions@atljewishtimes.com, and you might just get a little free – but valuable – advice!

- Peachy Bubbe

Also, baby showers were very rare because it was considered bad luck to have things for a baby who wasn’t yet born! Nowadays, I receive invitations to showers given by sisters or even mothers of the honoree, and baby showers happen regularly. But the thing I find the most outrageous, is that the invitation itself tells you where the person is registered! No more just picking out something you think would be a nice, useful gift for someone. In effect, they’ve already picked out what they want; the party is just an excuse for someone to buy it! While I hesitate to sound like a cranky old lady, I just feel like these parties have become more about accumulating gifts and less about people and celebrating. What do you think? Sincerely, Perplexed Party Goer

I have also noticed that things have really changed, and I too feel that it hasn’t been for the best. I know that relatives seem much more free to entertain in this way. I personally would not wish to be a part of a shower given by the honoree’s mother or mother-in-law, because to me, that just sounds like begging for

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

Dear Perplexed,

AJT

CHANA’S CORNER

Thou Shalt Lie

SOMETIMES IT’S BEST TO SKIP THE TRUTH By Chana Shapiro AJT Columnist

recently heard a group of prominent psychologists debate the merits of being totally honest and straightforward and letting go of one’s secrets. The conclusion was that those who don’t hold back do better in coping with their issues.

whose private lives moved so easily from the water closet to the water cooler? Nobody asked me, of course, but let me bring to your attention a couple of personal anecdotes. Trust me, full disclosure is seldom a good idea. I had a part-time job when I was a university student in the Old Country (St. Louis, Mo.). The Washing Well was a laundry/dry cleaner located close to campus where I worked, receiving clothing and other items from our clients and in due course returning these goods.

It was agreed upon by the members of this esteemed group that coming clean is a great palliative and a powerful step toward self-acceptance and untroubled sleep. I am willing to believe that all this sharing may be It was a great way to meet people. good for the confessor, but what does Most of our regulars were university it do to those of us on the receiving students who were wealthy (or lazy) ATLANTA+SOUTHEAST end of information that was previ- enough to pay other people to do their limmudse.org laundry…and let me just add: The ously hidden? Did the panel themselves have en- majority of these clients were men. riched lives after hearing the malevolence and deception of those whose chests are now unburdened and

I got to know most of them pretty well. The customers and I usually

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chatted a bit during the drop-offs and pick-ups, giving me ample opportunity to “check out the talent,” as they say. One of my steady customers, Stan, was a post-doctorate scientist. I learned that Stan had worked at Monsanto for several years, after which he received a fellowship to do research in a new area. It was clear that he was older than most of my customers, and he was certainly more entertaining and interesting; with his curly black hair, trimmed goatee and amazing dark blue eyes, he had a youthful and attractive appearance. Stan dropped a bundle of laundry at The Washing Well every Monday afternoon and picked it up, folded and ironed, on Wednesday evening. By the time he asked me on a date, we’d been conversing for several months, and I felt very comfortable with him. Naturally, I didn’t tell my parents that I, an 18-year-old sophomore, was about to go out with a fellow much older than I. And if nothing came of the relationship, I was sure that he was mature enough to continue bringing his laundry to me. We would still have his laundry in common. We were a few blocks from the restaurant, when Stan pulled onto a side street and stopped the car. I was curious, but not frightened, because Stan just wasn’t that kind of a guy. Besides, we were parked directly under a street lamp. Maybe something was wrong with the car. He turned to me. “I have to be honest with you,” Stan said, “I’m 31 years old and I wear this.” I sat in stunned silence as he pulled off his toupee, revealing a shiny, bald head. Without his hair, the matching goatee looked redundant. “I also wear tinted contacts,” he announced. Fortunately, he didn’t remove them as well.

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

Then he put on his hair, started the car and off we went.

The evening wasn’t a disaster, but I couldn’t figure it out. Maybe Stan felt a lot better after the revelation, but I didn’t; why did he decide to share his secret on our first (and last) date?

I confronted him on Monday afternoon when he came to The Washing Well. “I just had to tell somebody!” he explained. I really wish it hadn’t been me. Then there was the time at camp when I organized the arts and crafts show for visitors’ day. As my Israeli assistant Yaakov and I worked together, we talked about the excellent quality of the exhibition. Then, for some reason I will never understand, Yaakov decided to take me into his confidence. He told me that he was a recovering alcoholic. The woodwork and crafts he taught were part of his rehab. He wasn’t finished with that tidbit, though: He proceeded to inform me that he had been dishonorably discharged from the Israeli army. I’m sure he would have told me why, but I quickly moved to the ceramics area, figuring that the kilns were bulletproof. Through the rest of the summer, Yaakov’s uninvited disclosures did a job on my subconscious. I was acutely aware of Yaakov’s comings and goings, watching him like a hawk with a heightened expectation of disaster. Wouldn’t we all have been better off without Yaakov’s disclosures? I tell you this: I do not love these moments of truth. So, a word to the wise: If you have an urge to report that your aunt, who just happened to be my favorite teacher, faked her teaching certificate, please keep it to yourself. I don’t want to know if you sneak money from your home tzedakah box or smoke on Yom Kippur. So what if your feet are two different sizes, you have an Elvis tattoo on your derriere or were born with a tail? I love you just the way you pretend to be. And I’m telling you the truth. Editor’s note: Chana Shapiro is an educator, writer, editor and illustrator whose work has appeared in journals, newspapers and magazines.

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The Atlanta Jewish Times is printed in Georgia and is an equal opportunity employer. The opinions expressed in the Atlanta Jewish Times do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. The Atlanta Jewish Times Established 1925 as The Southern Israelite 270 Carpenter Drive Suite 320, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 Phone: (404) 883-2130 www.atlantajewishtimes.com THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES (ISSN# 0892-33451) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY ZADOK PUBLISHING, LLC 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320 ATLANTA, GA 30328 ©COPYRIGHT 2012 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MEMBER AMERICAN-ISRAELI CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Please send all photos, stories and editorial content to: submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

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AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

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Griller’s Pride: Atlanta’s Kosher Butcher TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT YOU COOK!

ow in its 10th year, Jewish-owned-and-operated Atlanta-based kosher butchery Griller’s Pride is hard at work preparing its Glatt Kosher meat and poultry for Labor Day, Rosh HaShanah and beyond.

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Founder Peter Swerdlow started off producing and selling the now well-known authentic South African grilling sausages purely for his family’s enjoyment.

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“My wife had been hankering and nagging me for these authentic South African sausages called ‘boeries,’” he said. “I’d been making some [but at the time] with no intention of making a business out of it.” For the first 18 months, Griller’s Pride did not have premises, but rented time at various kosher caterers kitchens to produce its sausages under kosher supervision.

Griller’s Pride does not have a walk-in store but operates a kosher meat and poultry processing plant in Doraville and delivers directly to its Atlanta customers’ homes in the late afternoon. “We have no shortage of competitors out there but I remain committed to our competitive differentiators: quality and customer service,” Swerdlow said. “We cannot always beat prices at the supermarkets and club stores, but we can guarantee our customers that they will receive superb quality and unbeatable customer service.”

Swerdlow is WEBSITE very appreciaof his loyal WE CAN DESIGN IT,tive BUILD IT patrons AND MANAGE IT FOR YOU.and stresses the need FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE, LINKEDI for the Jewish community to TWITTER , PINTEREST direct a portion YELP of their business to local priKUDZU vate businesses

whose products “We would proor services are duce these sauOTHER SERVICES: specifically insages one day per tended for the VIDEO PRODUCTION, PHOTOGRAPHY, week on a Sunday Jewish commuGRAPHIC DESIGN FOR BROCHURES, using kosher canity, be that koterers’ kitchens,” CUSTOM MAGAZINES (PRINT AND DIGITAL sher butcheries, Swerdlow explained. “I would ANDload OTHER PRINT PRODUCTS. kosher restaurants, Judaica stores, up the van with our equipment and or otherwise. supplies after Shabbat and on Sunday pick up the mashgiach [kosher Without adequate support, compainspector] at about 5:30 a.m., set up nies like these will simply close down the equipment and be in production for lack of viability, and with them, a by 8 a.m., finishing late that night. I part of what makes up the fabric of would then deliver these to custom- a Jewish community will disappear. But Swerdlow remains optimistic. ers during the week.” The company has come a long “We have so many fantastic expeway since then and is now a full-line riences with customers – and that’s Glatt Kosher butchery. Their prod- not just as customers, but as human uct range of beef, bison, veal, lamb, beings,” he said, then laughed. “Genchicken and turkey is certainly the uinely, 98 percent of the people I deal with are an absolute pleasure.” most extensive in Atlanta.

AJT

Life at Home is the Key to IndependenceSM

ISRAEL

My Experience as a Journalist in Israel

CAREER ISRAEL OFFERS UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES Dov Preminger (center) scuba dives in Israel as part of his internship with the Jerusalem Post through Career Israel. PHOTO/courtesy Israel Experience

Career Israel

Editor’s note: Dov Preminger, now a law student at the University of Georgia, participated in the Israel Experience’s Career Israel, a five-month internship program, and interned at the Jerusalem Post. Here, he reflects on some of his favorite memories from the program.

here’s something very primal about Israel, a sense of youth and vitality. It’s something that can feel oddly absent in the developed serenity of urban/suburban America. Sometimes, it feels like you can live more in five months in Israel than in five years back home. • Chasing a hot air balloon through fields of wheat in the North: I’m on an old dirt bike, loaned to me by my ubiquitous Israeli cousin. It’s 6 a.m., far too early for a twenty-something to be awake, but if I can just keep up with it, when it lands I’ll catch it, corral the owner and book a ride. Then I’ll share with tens of thousands of JPost readers what it feels like to float 10,000 feet in the sky. • Out to dinner at a fine restaurant at the Dan Hotel: I’m reviewing it, one of a dozen such food assignments I’ve got. I take a different date each time, and never get more than a kiss. Feeling bewildered in the elegant surroundings, I help myself to a spoonful of a grainy-looking dish, only to crunch down and find it’s rock salt. • Covering the evening shift for the JPost website: Reports of rocket fire from Lebanon come through. I’m

breathless, convinced I’m about to have to report the opening salvo of the Third Lebanon War. My more stolid colleagues assure me this is just another routine flare-up…which, of course, it is. • Moderating the comments on JPost.com as the infamous Gaza Flotilla incident unfolds: Comments are flowing in at five, ten times their normal volume. I’m charged with keeping them more or less kosher. • Scuba diving in Eilat: The proprietor and his wife, both olim (immigrants), buy me a beer at the seaside bar, and we watch the new divers spluttering in the water as they tell me the history of this place. Later, I meet a young commando whose unit was on the Flotilla raid. He tells me about it firsthand.

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• My first cover feature: I’m asked to write about the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem. I meet personally with the Patriarch, an amazing man. I take a tour of the site, conducted by a monk. We skip the sprawling lines to gaze upon the resting place of Jesus. You can make anything out of your time with Career Israel. If my internship sounds exotic, it was largely because I sought out those opportunities. I proposed those assignments to my editors; I researched them, spoke with the right people and wrote the articles, giving tens of thousands of readers a chance to read about something exciting. For me, writing was the career I chose. But you can seize on any type of work, and make something out of it.

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AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

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AJT

business & finance

Jonathan Minnen, Pioneer of the Atlanta-Israel Connection ENTREPRENEUR PROFILE By Al Shams

AJT Columnist

any in the local Jewish community are aware of Israel’s dramatic economic growth during the last 20 years, but few are aware of how much the local Atlanta economy has benefited from Israel’s economic miracle. A prime example of the connection is Jonathan Minnen, a local attorney associated with Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, who has created a niche legal practice serving the domestic legal needs of Israeli companies with U.S. operations. Minnen was born in Paducah, Ky. and grew up in that city’s small, unique Jewish community. He moved to Illinois to attend college, and while a student, he became a principal in a retail business. After several successful years in that business and graduation from college, he decided to become an attorney and moved to Atlanta to attend Emory Law School. From there, he joined a law firm in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he served clients in the beverage and textile industries. Ten successful years later, he decided to expand his opportunities and moved back to Atlanta to join Smith Gambrell & Russell. Within a year of his arrival he joined the AmericanIsrael Chamber of Commerce, and quickly became intrigued with the idea of developing a practice serving the legal needs of Israeli companies with U.S. operations.

At the time, Smith Gambrell &

Russell had a robust practice with companies based outside of the U.S., focusing especially on the United Kingdom, Germany and South Korea. However, the firm had no attention focused on Israel; Minnen saw this opportunity and sought to take advantage of such an opportunity, and today, 50 percent of his billings come from this niche. As with most good things in life, nothing comes easy: Minnen undertook a dedicated long-term effort to build relationships, network among various business groups and use some creative business development skills. The American-Israel Chamber was one of the groups to which he devoted much of his time and effort; over the years, he has served that organization and the community in various capacities. Through consistent effort, he has developed numerous business and personal contacts in Israel and the U.S. His excellent reputation is so widespread that, on several occasions, he has been approached by Israel-based companies for introductions to other Israel-based companies, and Minnen has several times served as a “clearing house” for bilateral contacts. Among the legal services he has provided are: • Merger and acquisition advisory • Joint ventures consultation • Venture capital • Intellectual property protection • Aspects of patent law • Immigration law

and

employment

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

Thanks again, Chester Brown, Decatur, GA

• Highest per capita number of citizens with advanced degrees of any country • An attitude among its citizens that does not accept the notion “it can’t be done” • Being a small country in a hostile neighborhood, it was imperative that its citizens be innovative, creative, and focused on cost effective solutions. Simply stated, many tasks were critical to the country’s existence • Requiring citizens to spend several years in the Army results in a more mature individual attending college with a more focused personal agenda • Great cooperation between the military and industry regarding the transfer of technology for commercial applications. Many examples of this process exist, the most notable being Given Imaging: They developed the “swal-

• A well-developed and active venture capital community willing to finance high-risk, high-reward opportunities. Minnen currently serves on the Chamber’s Board of Directors, as a member of the Executive Committee and as the pro-bono Secretary of the Cleantech Committee. Over the years, he has served the community at large in ways too numerous to mention. He resides in Sandy Springs with his wife and two children. In addition to his passion for working with Israeli companies, his outside interests include power boating and biking the Silver Comet Trail. Editor’s note: Readers who wish to learn more about Israel’s success should read the book “Start-up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle” by Dan Senor and Saul Singer. Al Shams is a Sandy Springs resident a former CPA and an investment professional with more than 35 years industry experience.

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Having visited Israel frequently over the years and interacting closely with many Israeli professionals, this pioneer of sorts has developed some insight into how Israel’s economic miracle came to be. Minnen notes several key characteristics of the Jewish State:

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IF YOU ASK ME

Iran: The Need for Consensus THE TIME HAS COME By Rabbi Yaakov Thompson AJT Columnist

he most hotly debated issue in the American-Israeli relationship is one that affects both countries like never before: the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. Yes, the threat to Israel is more direct, but we all understand that Iran is a threat to America as well. If you need to be told this, you must be living in a cave. We are all too aware of this issue to ignore it. But the real issue is that we all (Israelis and Americans, civilians and politicians) still have yet to reach a consensus on action. I write this now as a simple call – we need to decide what to do and we need to do it now! In the Jewish community there are, of course, “hawks” and “doves.”

The fire of public debate was recently turned up in a TV interview that Alan Dershowitz gave: When asked to comment on the situation, the well-known commentator criticized the position of “doves” like J Street (a liberal advocacy group that favors negotiation on all land for peace and defense issues over military options; for a better understanding of the J Street position, read “A New Voice For Israel” by Jeremy Ben-Ami). Dershowitz went on to say that J Street has been trying to get the White House to take military action off the list of possible American policies toward Iran. His words: “J Street will have blood on its hands if it continues this policy of undercutting the Obama administration, when the Obama administration has said in no uncertain terms [that] it is willing to use military action against Iran if Iran is about to develop nuclear weapons…

“J Street is neither pro-Israel or pro-peace.” Dershowitz concludes that it is vital that Iran believes that America will take action. This is very strong language and shows that American Jewry is divided on the proper course of action. And I only wish the situation in Israel was any better. Both Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have recently stated that a unilateral attack on Iran by Israel would be “worth it” even if it only brought a delay to nuclear development in Iran. That contrasts vividly with a recent statement by Israeli President Shimon Peres that claimed such an attack would be a mistake, and I have no doubt that public opinion in Israel is just as divided as the opinion of her leaders.

As I said, we need to reach a consensus. It may soon be too late to do anything; nobody really knows. What we do know is that Iranian leaders continue to make the daily call for the destruction of Israel and continue to say that America shall be the target of their weapons as well. Debate is great, and everyone is welcome to express their opinion, but the time has come for agreement and action. We are running out of time with each passing day. We, Israelis and Americans, need to set a course for our safety. Diplomacy is always better than war, but diplomacy needs a partner. Saving lives is always better than taking lives, but the most important life to save is your own. Editor’s note: Rabbi Yaakov Thompson is a regular contributor to the South Florida Jewish Journal; more of his writing can be found at yaakovthompson.blogspot.com.

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FROM MY LIPS

Kosher Wine A DISTILLATE OF JUDAISM’S COMING OUT PARTY By Rabbi Marc Wilson AJT Columnist

olks tend to call me a “whiner,” but I do not claim to be an oenophile. Once I had a friend who boasted about

being an oenophile, yet all I remember of his predilection toward wine was dining with him at the Atlanta Hilton, when he loudly dismissed a bottle of Chateau Whatchamacallit with, “I wouldn’t serve that swill to pigs!” as I slid under the table.

Looping in and out of Jewish orthodoxy has also taken a toll on my pretensions of oenophilia. Talk to an Orthodox Jew and s/he will tell you that wine, too, must be kosher. A word of explanation: If you want your palate to be strictly kosher, your wine must pass through the hands only of Orthodox Jews, from juicing the grapes to sealing the bottles. This all has to do with wine’s potential for libation to foreign faiths. In short, my gastronomic theology has cycled me between phases of Chateauneuf du Pape and PouillyFuse counterpointed by Schapiro’s Extra-Heavy and Kedem Bananarama…but that’s all yesterday’s news.

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Today, Jewish gastro-journalists celebrate that one can now procure kosher dry wine with a real cork – not a screw-top – as though it were Moses splitting The Sea. It’s true: Chateau de Fesles Bonnezeaux, Chateau Fonbadet Pauillac, Chateau Giscours Margaux, Chateau Leoville Poyferre Saint Julien and Chateau Patris Filius (isn’t that two-thirds of the Holy Trinity?) are all kosher. And not only do they come bearing corks and un-sugar-encrusted bottlenecks, but tales of international awards! Crabbiness aside, I am pleasantly proud to be part of that bridge generation of Jewish orthodoxy that has learned to discern between the sugary sweet and the delicately dry. It is a prism through which we may view the coming of age of American Jewry. Then again, with one foot on each side of the bridge, I do owe a love song to those syrupy wines that were so long synonymous with kosher. They have taken a bum rap; after all, when the final chapter is written, they were us, and we were just fine with them. Those were the wines that had an indelible influence on my earliest infancy. Sweet kosher wine makes me regress to my bris, when I was administered my pre-op anesthesia, gauze soaked in Schapiro’s Extra-Heavy Malaga. Primal nursing instinct and Chateau Schapiro soothed my castration trauma then, and I have owed it a debt of gratitude ever since.

The super-sweets likewise sanctified the Holy Days and consecrated the marriage vows. They were sipped at the Seder to coax down the bolus of matzo stuck at the back of your throat and chug-a-lugged on an empty stomach at Yom Kippur’s end. Fond memories of childhood include eating brisket at Siegel’s under the Lake Street El tracks in Chicago, and Mr. Siegel furtively bringing over sugary glasses of Mogen David to the men of the party, a lagniappe to his “preferred” customers. I likewise remember my own rite of passage, the evening that Mr. Siegel included me among the “preferred.” The brands were all interchangeable: Manischewitz, Kedem, Lipschutz, Mogen David and Schapiro’s. Manischewitz was first with the fruity, soda-poppy varieties – peach, strawberry, mango – quite a buzz, and cheap too. I even remember the old Mogen David label, which displayed a goofy little picture of the Seder table, prompting bygone winos to ask for “Morgan Davis, you know, the one with the guys playing poker on the label.” Now, our Jewish palates are more finely tuned. Our noses are better sensitized to inhale the bouquet, and we know – and own – the right crystal for each Chardonnay and Merlot. We debate how “chilled” chilled should be with Talmudic acuity, having arrived, remarkably, with our yarmulkes still clipped to our heads. We are deservedly proud, as we have lived to witness the “synthesis” of old and new become reality. Yet I also pine for the other days. We were not so smug, nor so selfsatisfied, nor so damned sure of ourselves. One thing was for sure: When someone raised a thimbleful of Mogen David at Siegel’s and bellowed “l’chayim,” we knew what to answer…and we meant it. Editor’s note: Marc Howard Wilson is a rabbi and writer in Greenville, S.C.

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Jamie Kleber Sandy Springs "It was one o'clock on a beautiful Sunday afternoon," Jamie Kleber recalls. "My entire family was in the car, on the way home from Sunday school, when we had to swerve to avoid a mattress in the road and our car flipped over. My husband found me lying on the expressway, bleeding profusely. I was taken by ambulance to Grady with a shattered pelvis, a broken hip, broken ribs and a collapsed lung. I was very scared. After several surgeries, Jamie is back to life with her family.

"If it wasn't for Grady," Jamie says, "I wouldn't be here today to tell my story." "Grady saved my life," she says. "The resources that Grady has are not available anywhere else in the city. I'm thankful we have a trauma center like Grady." Grady is home to the Marcus Trauma Center, the premier Level 1 Trauma Center in Atlanta with state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

AUGUST 31 â&#x2013;Ş 2012

Hear more of Jamie Kleber's story online at gradyhealth.org

Health & Wellness Guide Dr. Steven Levy of Atlanta Oral and Facial Surgery HEALTH PROFESSIONAL SPOTLIGHT

the northern half of the city and surrounding areas, Atlanta Oral and Facial Surgery offers the full spectrum of procedures in the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery.

With eighteen oral and maxillofacial surgeons caring for a large portion of the Atlanta population in

This encompasses not only the more routine surgeries of dental extractions, removal of impacted teeth, biopsies, placement of dental im-

plants and other minor office-based procedures; but also more involved surgeries often provided in the hospital setting, including repair of trauma-related injuries to the mouth and face, repair of developmental deformities (orthognathic surgery) resulting from growth disturbances or injuries and jaw joint (temporomandibular joint, or TMJ) surgery. Dr. Levy himself has been in private practice as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon since 1984, maintaining a solo practice until joining AOFS. Prior to opening an office, he had been on the faculty in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Emory University School of Dentistry, where he was an assistant

Revitalize and Rejuvenate a Youthful Smile BATTLE THE EFFECTS OF AGING

id you know that over time teeth fade, the bite wears down unevenly and your smile ages?

Often, years of normal chewing forces or grinding can cause teeth or fillings to break, leaving you with a smile that’s short or has worn, chipped edges. And sometimes, older existing restorations – like fillings or crowns – wear differently than regular teeth, creating an irregular appearance. Worse, malocclusion (an altered, incorrect bite) can cause a variety of annoying and painful problems, from headaches to discomfort when chewing. The good news is that with new dentistry techniques, you can make your smile not only look years younger, but perhaps better than it ever did! “Smile rejuvenation” turns back the hands of time by combining the most advanced dental procedures

to restore your teeth, bite and smile to the original, youthful and relaxed state. This improves your overall health, creates a uniform and balanced bite with proper mechanical function, relieves any jaw pain and instills confidence in one’s appearance. Rejuvenation completely enhances the form and function of your smile. A smile is “healthy” when the muscles, bones, teeth, jaw joints and nerves all work together in harmony. Dramatic improvements can occur not only with the look of a person’s smile but also in the function of the bite when placing the teeth and jaw in their optimal position. If you’re being evaluated for this procedure, the dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination to determine the cause of an aging smile; this may include scanning the jaw and muscles of the lower face and examining the teeth. Then, the dentist

professor in the department for six years. After obtaining his D.D.S. degree from Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, Dr. Levy advanced his education during a dental internship in the U.S. Air Force. Then, after three years providing care to military personnel, he obtained his specialty training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Maryland. Today, Dr. Levy also practices in Canton, Georgia, one of the other offices in this large group practice. He and his wife live in Sandy Springs, where he has resided since 1987; together they have two grown daughters. Editor’s note: Contact Dr. Levy at Atlanta Oral & Facial Surgery by calling (770) 977-0364.

a “gum lift” can uncover the natural beauty of your full smile and increase the overall health of your mouth.

may take a mold of your mouth to determine the individual’s ideal bite and jaw alignment. There are many possible treatment solutions. The easiest inSmile rejuvenation turned the mouth at left into clude re-contouring and a dazzling smile (right). PHOTO/courtesy smileatl.com shaping the teeth, ad Recent developments in technoljusting the bite, whitening or replacogy allow dentists to envision what ing worn fillings with tooth-colored you would look like before any work fillings to blend in. Sometimes, more is ever done. Using digital imaging, comprehensive treatments – such as you can see your “trial smile”; this porcelain veneers, implants, crowns method gives you a good idea of the or bridges – are needed. rejuvenation experience. The gums too play a crucial role in the perfect smile. Obviously, the Editor’s note: Dr. Patrice Robbins received her dental degree from the Medical College gums and jawbone help hold the of Georgia School of Dentistry and practices teeth in place, but their function in general, cosmetic and reconstructive denthe overall appearance of the smile tistry in Buckhead. She belongs to numerous dental organizations and is a member of the goes beyond that. Gum tissue that Frank Spear Study Club, for which she atextends too much over the top of the tends monthly meetings to speak about comteeth can be unsightly and even un- plicated dental issues and to discuss ways to better communicate between specialists to healthy, as it can lead to periodontal create a smooth plan for treatment for every conditions, but a procedure known as patient. Visit smileatl.com for more info.

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

r. Steven Levy joined the group practice of Atlanta Oral and Facial Surgery when it opened a new office in Alpharetta, Ga. in 1994. He practiced there until 2011, when he moved to the practice’s East Cobb office, where he now practices with Drs. Robert Wunderle and Paul Schaner.

Health & Wellness Guide Judaism and Well-being CONTINUING EDUCATION WITH THE MELTON MINI-SCHOOL

TOP DOWN Shelley Buxbaum and Rabbi Brian Glusman share a moment of levity with an adult learning class. Shelley Buxbaum, Director of the Brill Institute for Jewish Learning at the MJCCA.

From the MJCCA For the Atlanta Jewish Times

udaism teaches that the value of human life is supreme and takes precedence over virtually all other considerations. We learn in the Talmud that when one life is saved, it is as if an entire world has been saved. What does this mean? This verse, together with the discussion of the rabbis in the Talmud and the later amplifications in the various codes of Jewish law offers insight on how the rabbis understood the obligation to help our fellow human beings. The Talmud contains discussions about a variety of examples, including rescues of a drowning person (hence the requirement of a father to teach his son to swim), as-

sistance to one who may be mauled by a wild beast and aid to one who has been attacked by bandits. Preserving and maintaining our individual intellectual wellness is no less important. What should a person know? What are a person’s spiritual and moral aspirations? The Torah, our classical Jewish source helps us to articulate an answer. According to our rabbis, the Torah provides THE educational resource to shape ones character. By becoming a branch of The Florence Melton Adult Mini-School – the largest pluralistic adult Jewish Education network in the world – the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta has positioned itself to provide opportunities to adults to learn about Jewish life. The school at the MJCCA in Atlanta is among

the largest of the Melton locations, boasting more than 1,500 graduates. Over the course of a two-year program, the Melton curriculum welcomes adult learners on a journey to explore and discuss Jewish roots and traditions. It enables and empowers adults from all backgrounds to learn about our heritage and culture in an exciting and inspiring course of study with a group of experienced, talented instructors. The core Melton courses – Rhythms, Purposes and Ethics of Jewish Living along with Dramas of Jewish Life – were prepared and are continuously updated by a team of scholars at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Questioning and dialogue are encouraged in a participatory classroom environment. The Melton program is designed to fit into the real lives of adults;

It can save yours too. Research has shown that through early detection and removal of colon polyps during a colonoscopy, colon cancer can actually be prevented. The Board Certified physicians of Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates are asking men and women over the age of 50, or anyone with a family history of colon cancer, to take charge of their health and get a screening colonoscopy.

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

To find the location nearest you, visit www.atlantagastro.com or call toll-free: 1-866-GO-TO-AGA

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Two participants in the MJCCA’s adult education programming read from the Tanakh. PHOTOS/courtesy MJCCA

there are no prerequisites, no grades, no exams, no outside reading and no homework!

Health & Wellness Guide Epstein’s Arbiv Takes First at Junior Olympics EIGHTH-GRADER VAULTS TO NEW HEIGHTS

he Epstein School is thrilled to announce that eighthgrader Becky Arbiv pole vaulted her way to compete at Nationals after she qualified by taking first place at the 2012 USATF Region 3 Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships with a pole vault of 8 feet, 10-and-a-quarter inches. Then, at the 2012 USA National Track & Field Competition, Arbiv placed seventh in the nation with a 9-foot, 2-inch pole vault. Near the end of last school year, Becky also competed in the 2012 Georgia State Middle School Championships, where she placed second in the high jump, second in the pole vault and sixth in 300-meter hurdles.

If YES then consider volunteering for a clinical research study conducted at Emory University. This clinical trial is for children 1–5 years of age, who suffer from wheezing. We are trying to see if giving an antibiotic (azithromycin) for upper respiratory infections will help improve asthma symptoms and lower the incidence of more serious lower respiratory infections in preschoolers. You may be asked to participate for as long as one year (52 weeks) in this study. Contact: Jennifer Dodds 404-727-5176 jcdodds@emory.edu or Denise Whitlock 404-712-1773 drwhitl@emory.edu Study Includes: • Pulmonary evaluation • Physical exam (by a MD) • Study drug • Compensation for time and travel

TOP: Becky Arbiv cleared the seventh-highest height in the nation at the 2012 USA Track and Field Competition. BOTTOM: A runner and high jumper as well as a pole vaulter, Arbiv excels in each of her sports. PHOTOS/courtesy The Epstein School

Give the “Gift of Life”

BONE MARROW DRIVE AT ARTISANS AT THE ETZ, NOV. 11 s part of Artisans at the Etz – an art show featuring more than 40 exhibitors and their jewelry, paintings, pottery, mixed media, textiles, glass, metal and wood creations - on Nov. 11, Congregation Etz Chaim will host a donor recruitment drive to register potential bone marrow donors on behalf of Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation.

The drive will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The process of registering as a potential donor is fast and painless; all that is asked is a $54 lab processing fee for each kit. If you are between the ages of 18 and 60 and in general good health, you are eligible to be screened and join the worldwide registry for patients in need. A simple swab from the inside of your cheek is all it takes to determine if you are a match. For more information on Gift of Life and saving lives through bone marrow donation, visit giftoflife.org or call (800) 962-7769.

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

Gift of Life, a 501(c)3 non-profit, helps match patients suffering from various blood cancers and diseases to compatible donors of bone marrow. A bone marrow transplant can save the life of those battling leukemia or lymphopma, as well as other cancers and genetic disorders.

Health & Wellness Guide A Happy Brain and a Healthy Jewish New Year! FIVE TIPS FOR A HEALTHY BRAIN By Lauren Zimet For The Atlanta Jewish Times

veryone is born with about 100 billion brain cells. You may know that we form new synapses or connections between these cells throughout life, but did you know that your experiences and your nutrition contribute to these connections and the overall health of your brain? With the Jewish New Year fast approaching, what better time than now to take a moment and reflect on what you can do to take better care of your (and your child’s) brain? Here are five tips to help enhance brain health:

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

1. Eat a rainbow: It’s no secret that the benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables are numerous; eating a colorful array of fruits and veggies each day provides antioxidants, vitamins and minerals needed to nourish and protect your brain. These are the healthy colors (also known as phytonutrients) created by Hashem. If your children are resistant to eating produce, plan a shopping trip together so they can select something new to try. Then let them help wash, platter and prepare – children are more likely to eat something they’ve helped make! Having a rainbow at the Shabbos dinner table can become a brain-healthy tradition for years to come.

2. Eat omega-3 brain food: Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for brain development and nourishment and are needed for optimal overall health. While fish, nuts and seaweed are good omega-3 sources, kids (as well as some adults) typically don’t gobble down these foods. Experts agree that the safest, most reliable source of these important fatty acids (EPA and DHA) is a high-quality fish oil supplement. Fortunately, there are purified, molecularly distilled fish oils that are available for infants, children and adults.

3. Happy brains are hydrated brains: Drinking water can increase mental and physical performance, remove toxins from the body and keep skin radiant and healthy. Today, most nutritionists agree that we need more water in our daily diets. To estimate how many ounces of water you should drink daily, divide your weight in half and aim for that number of ounces per day. 4. Move and groove, and relax the right way on Shabbos: `While it’s true that exercise boosts brain power by providing increased oxygen to the brain, it’s also important to relax. Balancing activity with relaxation is important for adults and children. Teaching children early on the benefit of setting goals, working towards those goals and giving their brain and body time to relax are important life skills. When it’s time to relax, turn off the TV and teach your child that taking a walk in nature (or even just around the block), reading a book or drawing are great ways to unwind. Deep breathing is also an excellent practice to teach children of all ages. Maybe another new Shabbos activity can be quiet time for deep breathing, yoga or just a mindfulness moment that families share together. 5. Think positive…be a problem solver, not a complainer: What we put out into the world has a great effect on what we get back; your thoughts directly influence your life. Reflecting on our own thoughts and teaching children to reflect on theirs is a powerful life skill.

Your brain is your thoughtmaker…when you make a mistake, ask your brain to make a “Band-Aid” thought, learn from the mistake and then move on. We can all benefit from slowing down. Take a deep breath. The things we think over and over again gain more power each time they are thought, heard or believed. So, as we approach the Jewish New Year, why not bring more positive thoughts, visions and brainhealthy habits into mind and practice? Wishing everyone a happy and brain healthy new year!

TOP: Lauren Zimet explains the principles of brain health to a youngster. ABOVE: “Eating a rainbow” – consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables of different colors – can help keep the mind sharp. PHOTOS/Kristy Heller Photography

Editor’s note: Lauren Zimet, CCC/ SLP is the founder and co-director of The Healthy Foundations Program – facilitating brain health, nutrition education, self-regulation and social thinking to children of all ages and abilities. For more info, call (404) 944-9561.

Health & Wellness Guide A Curse that is Really a Blessing MORGAN KLEBER CALLED TO THE TORAH

t was a bright sunny Sunday afternoon. I was riding home from Sunday school with the family when I heard my dad yell, “There’s a mattress in the middle of the road!” The car swerved. The next thing I knew, I was strapped really tight upside down. As I saw my dad laterally swimming through the glass in the car, little first-grade me said, “Daddy, are we dead?” He replied, “No, Morgan, we’re fine. Let’s do a role call to make sure were all here. Morgan?”

“Here,” I said.

“Shane?”

“Here,” called Shane.

“Jamie?”

No response. My dad got out of the car and helped Shane and I out. The first thing I saw was my mom passed out in the middle of the highway.

An ambulance quickly came and

took her to Grady Hospital. As you can tell today, they took extremely good care of her; she is still as beautiful, if not even more beautiful than she was before the accident. Shortly after my mom had been taken, another ambulance came for my dad, Shane and I. Thanks to Grady, we’ve all pretty much recovered mentally and physically from this accident. In the hours and days following this accident, it was easy to think that we, as a family, were cursed. Our mother lay in the hospital, and our family was clearly in need of major healing which would take years. For all of us who have experienced life in ways that feel like a curse, we can relate to the Torah portion Parshat Re’eh because it’s about curses. But it’s not all about curses; it’s also about blessings.

G-d states:

R’eih! Anokhi Notayn lief’naykhen ha’yom bracha ook’lala. “See, this day I set before you blessing and curse.” G-d puts forth a curse and a blessing, and when we read this verse from the Torah, we often see that as two different things, one bad and one good. However, I think we can read it

as one thing. What is put before us is a choice!

appreciated. In fact, their love and support was a true blessing!

We get to decide if our life is going to be about blessings or curses. I know what you are thinking: How can something as bad as a horrible car accident, which at the moment felt like a awful curse, really be a blessing?

All of you have the chance to be a part of a blessing, to help people in need. Grady was there for us, and now it’s our turn to help Grady. It is the only hospital in Georgia with a Trauma Center, and meanwhile, families are in the same situation as my family was those many years ago.

Well, with this car accident, I figured it out. I had to step back and look at the big picture. We are all still here. We are all still healthy. We have friends and family who came over and helped us with this recovery. At the accident scene, everything felt like a curse, but the blessing began as soon as we got to Grady Hospital. Many close friends brought over dinner nightly for weeks, and my whole first-grade class made cards and books to help show they care. My granny came all the way from Florida to help take care of Shane and I and visit my mom at Grady, and my grandma and grandpa were standing there at the side of the road as soon as they found out. They also did a tremendous amount to help us recover after this accident.

For my bat mitzvah project, I went and toured Grady Hospital. I realized what just a little donation could do, which is why I’m donating my bat mitzvah money to Grady hospital. Grady saved my mom’s life, and I’m so thankful for that! I hope all of you will take the time to make a donation. It would mean the world to me and I know that Grady would appreciate it as well. Every penny counts.

These were just a few examples. Everyone did his or her share to help, which was greatly

LEFT: Several years after a serious car accident sent her mother to Grady Hospital’s Trauma Center, Morgan Kleber was able to celebrate her bat mitzvah with her healthy and whole family. TOP: Morgan Kleber chooses to see the blessing of the help of her friends and family at a time of crisis. PHOTOS/courtesy Kleber family

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

Editor’s note: Recent bat mitzvah Morgan Kleber gave the following d’var Torah on her big day. Her mother Jamie is still with us today and healthy because of Grady Hospital.

Health & Wellness Guide Worry or Grace? FROM “SPLASH INTO CALM” By Ellen Sichel AJT Columnist Editor’s note: Here, Ellen Sichel shares a chapter from her upcoming book “Splash Into Calm,” which targets how worry compromises health and enjoyment of life.

recently taught a program on anxiety, stress and pain. In our discussion, one student stated that she was worried about the fact that she was worried. At first, the group found this amusing, but her insightful observation indicated that she was aware that her worry was detrimental to her physical and emotional health. Worry affects everyone, and I am sure we could all make lists a mile long about our concerns. I find it interesting that although we know worry has no positive influence on the outcome, we still worry. For some, worry is actually an addiction – it seems to help us feel in control. We get used to it, and it undermines our enjoyment of life; our thoughts are exhausting, and we agonize over everything. There are different opinions of how many thoughts we have per day, but the average is around 55,000. I can assure you, most of them are not uplifting! Here is an example of the process – let’s say you are planning a party. Your worry track might go like this:

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

Will the party go as planned? What if someone doesn’t eat meat – will the vegetables be enough or should I make something special? If I do that, will others want it and there won’t be enough of that?

What will happen if it rains? One of my plates is chipped – should I use it anyway or use one that does not quite match? What will everyone think? How can I wear this outfit again after some of them saw me wear it a few months ago? Oh no! Two of the people I invited do not get along, so I have to remember to find a way to keep them apart. And what if they cancel at the last minute? What will I do with all of the leftovers?

Yes, sad but true, this is the exhausting life of worry which will continue throughout the party, and before you know it, the evening is over. You have spent tremendous effort, time and money to be with your company, and in your worry and anxiety you forgot to enjoy yourself and those around you. We not only worry when hosting an event but also with each and every plan and person with whom we are involved; worry envelops us and it spills out into our relationships. “What will happen if my two-yearold doesn’t get into the best preschool? I know it will affect his/her growth and future college options!” I enjoyed the perspective of comedian Tina Fey in her book “Bossypants”: “My ability to turn good news into anxiety is rivaled only by my ability to turn anxiety into chin acne.” Yes, worry has a definite spiral, right down to our complexions! Some situations are more serious, such as an illness or a financial issue, and you might be wondering how I can expect you to stop worrying about them. I agree, but when you understand the consequence of worry you will realize that no matter what you are facing in life, worry will make it worse. This epidemic not only affects adults, but children as well. The Atlanta Journal Constitution published a feature article (Aug. 8, 2011) on the rising stress symptoms seen in children of all ages; the article, “Child Anxiety Can Be a Big Issue: Fears and Worry Seen in Kids Today” highlighted the need for psychologists to pay serious attention to symptoms of anxiety, which are the cause of panic attacks and other physical and emotional consequences. Mindfully Based Stress Reduction Suggested as a countermeasure are some of the mindfulness-based

stress-reduction programs we mentioned earlier to help children see clearly what is happening in the present. They learn techniques to divert emotional reaction. The practices include breath, movement, activities, touching, tasting, smelling, seeing and listening. The medical community is advocating “Mindfully Based Stress Reduction” techniques to help a multitude of conditions caused by anxiety and worry. No matter which technique is implemented, the goal is to anchor the mind back to the here and now, as when we worry, our mind is either in the future or the past; not where we are at the moment. To illuminate, let me divert to some philosophy that can shed some light on the subject: In his book “The Sacred Art of Loving Kindness,” Rabbi Rami Shapiro says that all that matters is this moment and how you engage it. There are two ways to engage this moment: with grace or with worry. He goes on to say that the opposite of grace is your own anxiety. Grace can be thought of as effortless movement, form or proportion. If you have watched a ballet, the movements flow with an ease that is mesmerizing: You feel relaxed, while being fully engaged in the beauty before you. No need to be concerned, you can embody grace without being graceful in movement. On the other hand, anxiety encompasses a state of uneasiness and apprehension, and much if it stems from future uncertainties. This is paramount in every area of your life, including your livelihood. When you apply a Mindfully Based Stress Reduction technique, you open the door for grace. Concern and anxiety are now replaced with ease and calm.

“The Serenity Prayer” There is a prayer that can be quite effective when struggling with worry: The Serenity Prayer. The New York Times ran an article (July 11, 2008) by Laurie Goodstein concerning the disagreements over the prayer’s origin – I find this quite amusing and on point; even the Serenity Prayer is creating anxiety! Still, give it a try the next time you feel worried: G-d grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. If you do not relate to the word G-d, feel free to change it to something you are comfortable with or simply omit it. This prayer is the embodiment of living life in the moment in all of your activities. Since you cannot change the outcome of situations, all you can do is the footwork needed and then let go of the results. They are simply not under your control. You cannot think your way out of worrying, but what you can do is replace it with the Serenity Prayer. It is the antidote for anxiety and concern every time you say it; you will feel lighter, calmer and have a life filled with grace when you abide by its principles. But in closing, let’s go back to the worry track I was previously discussing. Imagine your party a complete success; you showed up in last year’s outfit, in the rain, and you didn’t worry about a thing. In fact, you were present to enjoy every moment. Now, that’s living in grace. What an exquisite way to live. Editor’s note: Consultant, speaker, writer and teacher, Ellen is the owner, CEO of Custom Calm, LLC. She consults with and provides individuals, groups and businesses with pain and stress management techniques. She currently works at the Cancer Support Community at Northside and the Weinstein Center.

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

AJT

ArtS & life

Hirsch Succeeds with Theatrical Production of “My Name is Asher Lev” A PREVIEW & A REVIEW By Suzi Brozman AJT Columnist

hen I heard that Mira Hirsch, the founder and longtime head of Jewish Theater of the South, was tackling a production of one of my favorite books by one of my favorite authors, I didn’t know whether to be delighted or skeptical. How, I asked myself, does one turn a multi-continent, multi-decade, multi-character novel into something manageable on the stage? So I called Mira. Her enthusiasm was contagious as she told me how the production had come about: Tom Key of the Theatrical Outfit was a friend and a peer, a fellow theatrical director, she said. They’d worked together in the past.

gift that is in conflict with the faith that is so important to him? “We are all seeking the right balance of what we’ve been given, what we want and need our lives to be. How do we achieve that?”

“I find this conflict so relevant and so similar – gay people in the religious community, Jewish, Christian or any other,” she said. “They’re dealing with this terrible conflict: ‘I am gay, I am a believer, I am both of these things.’

“Anyone should come,” Hirsch responded. “It’s a beautiful story, a beautiful piece of theater, about the human condition, about some of the deepest questions in life. AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

“How do we all go about seeking the truth? What is our relationship to our community, our family, our faith? How can that be in conflict with our G-d-given talents and qualities? Here’s this young man who has been given an innate gift – or is it an 22 innate curse? Why does he have this

The basic premise is this: The ultra-Orthodox Jewish world does not, to put it kindly, look with favor on the artist. This, then, is the story of Asher Lev, born into the Ladover Chasidic community (a thinly-veiled fictionalization of the Lubavitch community) with an artistic talent and temperament. His father is an assistant to the Rebbe, a stern realist who cannot comprehend or accept his son’s need to express himself artistically. His mother is a meek, good woman beaten down by life who tries to reconcile the differences between her husband and her son.

IMAGE/courtesy Theatrical Outfit “My Name is Asher Lev” runs through Sept. 16 at Balzer Theatre at Herren’s.

Tom Key had picked “Asher Lev” for his season.

Why, I asked, should Jews in particular come to see this play?

Let it be known that I love Chaim Potok, that I’ve read and reread all of his novels. So the work was famil-

Hirsch thinks Asher Lev has implications far beyond the Jewish community.

“But this is the first time I’ve worked with Theatrical Outfit,” Hirsch said. “They’re true professionals, they have a great space… the old Herren’s. And they’ve done a magnificent job of creating the theater there.”

“He felt very strongly about doing it,” Hirsch said, “He is drawn to pieces about art and artists. This piece is about an artist in conflict with his faith; that’s prevalent in Theatrical Outfit’s mission, doing works about faith, the struggle with faith.”

of the work – the writing, the acting, the scenery, the sheer meaning of it all.

“Here’s Asher Lev, an artist, an observant Jew – how can he be one? He is both. There’s a huge relevance in the conflict – how to be not one or the other, but both.” Hirsch sees Lev as an artist from his heart, a religious observant Jew from his head. This division impacts his world, his family and his very existence. My Verdict This was the first time I have ever walked out of a theater utterly speechless, totally bereft of words. Not only emotionally drained, I was stunned into silence by the intensity

iar to me, and yet – thanks to the incredible mind of playwright Aaron Posner (more about him later) and the vision of director Mira Hirsch – it was brand new, presented in a way I could not have imagined. Only three actors, only one set and only one act, yet nobody moved a muscle, whispered or even (as far as I could tell) texted. I even forgot to take notes, and I normally have my review written before I leave the theater. My biggest question after this tour de force: Where is Mira Hirsch going to land next and how will she ever top this production?

Early on, she asks her young son, “Are you making the world pretty?” His answer: “It’s not a pretty world.”

This is the theme of the play – balance, trying to find where and how one can live in two worlds at once and how family members can maintain balance with one another as their lives drive them apart. Even the scenery reflects this: A huge scale hangs over the actors as they strive to balance the disparate parts of their lives. Whether it’s Asher trying to be a good Jew while still true to his art, or his father trying to be faithful to his Jewish upbringing while working to forge a bond with his son, or the mother, driven by her own demons, attempting to keep her family unified; it’s all about the conflict that arises when the balance is challenged, especially conflicts between religion, tradition and personal need. Continued on next page

AJT

ARTS & LIFE

Kosher Movies: The Sugarland Express (1974) SPIELBERG’S ADVENTURE TEACHES TEMPERED OPTIMISM Continued from previous page

Brian Kurlander played Asher’s father, his uncle, the Rebbe and Asher’s teacher. I wondered ahead of time how one actor could portray several characters without each being a pale carbon of the others, but Brian did it; I didn’t always like his accents, but those as well as his body language were effective in sketching totally different characters. For Lane Carlock, it was easier. A blonde wig and sexy dress transformed the meek housewife into a brassy businesswoman, owner of the gallery that displays Asher’s works. I have to say, as the meek housewife, she was a woman I meet daily in Kroger or Publix in the Toco Hills neighborhood. When I complimented Carlock on her work, I was told theater student Meira Merlis had worked with her, and the result was so true to life I was ready to believe Lane had grown up in Brooklyn (which is not at all the case). But even more impressive is how much Carlock, Kurlander, Arapoglou, Potok and Hirsch each put of themselves into this play. If you haven’t figured it out yet, I was entranced by the production, and I urge you to get down to the Balzer Theater at Herren’s on Luckie Street to see it for yourself. Editor’s note: “My Name is Asher Lev” plays through Sept. 16; call (877) 725-8849 or visit thetricaloutfit. org for ticket information. Go online to atljewishtimes.com to read the extended version of this article, which includes Suzi Brozman’s interview with Chaim Potok.

By Rabbi Herbert Cohen AJT Columnist

hen I was in ninth grade, my friend Sammy – a self-proclaimed songwriter – very seriously attempted to start a musical group. I was invited to join because I had a reasonably good voice, was an aficionado of rock and roll and had Elvis sideburns with lots of hair (all of which made me a very cool person back then).

– is scheduled to be released in four months. Desperate, Lou Jean compels Clovis to break out of prison before his scheduled release to help reunite her with her baby. Buoyed by the initial success of taking a state trooper hostage, she naively assumes that she will be able to take back her baby. The journey to Sugarland is filled with humorous and dangerous detours, and Lou Jean and Clovis be-

Our group of four vocalists practiced for a couple of months before Sammy told us that an agent was coming to audition us. We sang with visions of stardom, but the audition was brief; after one song, the agent told us in polite but clear words that we were not up to professional standards.

Lou Jean is just being released, having been in prison for committing petty crimes. The state welfare agency awarded custody of her child to foster parents in Sugarland, Texas, and her husband Clovis – presently in prison also for petty crimes

Although optimism in the face of trouble is a Jewish mode of thinking, optimism is usually grounded in some reality. Jacob’s ladder is directed toward the heavens, but the ladder is still firmly planted on the ground. The Sages clearly tells us not to rely on miracles; it is wonderful if they come, but it is not part of an intelligent strategy. Certainly we should pray for positive outcomes, but we cannot depend on prayers alone, nor should we be devastated if our prayers are not answered. We cannot presume to see things from the aspect of eternity. Sometimes our requests, however sincere, are denied. King Solomon observes that foolishness results from a youthful, over-simplified approach to life, an approach that presumes because we make the effort, the desired result will follow. Proverbs somberly states that a person who wanders from the intelligent way will ultimately rest in the congregation of the dead.

Sammy was devastated because the project was his baby, whereas for me, the rejection simply meant that I now could move on to other things that interested me. I was not invested in the fantasy, so I could easily move back to reality. I was reminded of this teenage memory as I watched “The Sugarland Express,” which tells the story of two adults who think like kids, building a future around a fantasy that will not materialize.

and optimistic does not guarantee success. Outcomes are often determined by other factors.

come folk heroes along the way. Captain Tanner, the law enforcement officer in charge of the pursuit, sees them as misguided kids: He encourages them to surrender and release their hostage, though their inability to separate fantasy from reality prevents them from seeing the folly of their actions. This shows us that being positive

This is the sobering wisdom Captain Tanner tries to impart to Lou Jean, who insists on believing in her alternate reality. “The Sugarland Express” reminds us of the possible pitfalls of single mindedness, and to always consider the real obstacles in front of us. Editor’s note: Rabbi Cohen, former principal of Yeshiva Atlanta, now resides in Beit Shemesh, Israel. koshermovies.com.

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

Just a word on the actors: Asher was played brilliantly by Nick Arapoglou. If I remember correctly, he was never off-stage, though his character ranged in age from six to adulthood, transitioning from childishly sweet to angry to obsessed flawlessly.

AJT

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Food Shopping and Cooking in Jerusalem A TALE OF TWO SOUPS, PART I By Suzi Brozman AJT Columnist

ure, I know how to cook. I’m good at it, but I was used to Kroger and Publix, to having ingredients packaged and labeled in English. To ovens with temperatures in Fahrenheit. To measurements in cups, not milliliters. To chickens with the feathers already plucked. But be that as it may, my first cooking experience in Jerusalem was to provide the chicken soup for Shabbat dinner. And what an experience it was. It began with the requisite Friday morning visit to the open-air shopping extravaganza in the heart of Jerusalem, better known as Mahane Yehuda, or affectionately, the Shuk. Imagine thousands of people, each with a “granny cart,” a canvas or plastic shopping bag on wheels, each pushing toward his or her favored destinations. Yes, plural, destinations. At the Shuk, you don’t choose everything and then pay at a single cashier; here, you choose your items one or two at a time, then pay and move on. A vendor might sell fruits or vegetables or chicken or spices or cheese or fish or bread or pastries or candy or scarves or plastic ware or hardware or shoes or dresses – you get the idea.

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

And it’s not like you line up in order to be waited on. Israel doesn’t believe in lines, except maybe the Green Line, and even that’s debatable (the Green Line notes the territory Israel captured in 1967, or sometimes it’s used to refer to the boundary between Israel and her neighboring countries). At the Shuk, it’s every person for him or herself: Expect pushing, shoving and rudeness, and you won’t be disappointed. But it’s fun, exhilarating, and a great way to meet people, not to mention practice your Hebrew, though you shouldn’t be surprised if impatient shopkeepers address you in English, rather than waiting for you to compose sentences in the native language.

Of course, once you’ve bought your parsnips in one place, you’ll see them 24 a few steps farther along, and they’ll

look fresher and cheaper than the last, but such is life. No returns, no exchanges and certainly no refunds. Some vendors let you pick your produce, while others insist on doing it themselves, preventing cherry-picking the prettiest strawberries or reddest tomatoes. But tasting? That’s another story. Pickles, olives, nuts, fruits…you can see people feasting their way through the Shuk without ever buying anything. It’s expected, even encouraged. And why not? More varieties of olives than I knew existed, more ways to roast and season nuts. Food shopping here is what it should be, a magnificent assault on your eyes, your nose and even your ears as vendors hawk their specials – pitas here, radishes there. And the everpresent Halvah man, handing out samples from a seemingly never-ending variety of flavors? I dare you to make your way without a taste.

standing in the kitchen on any day, for that matter) don’t stick with you.

use leg quarters and extra backs and necks.

But back to my cooking. I bought what I could (whole allspice was nowhere to be found, and Ihad to settle for ground). Then, home to cook, though I could barely lift the overstuffed cart onto the bus and needed my roommate’s help to get it up the 60 stairs to my fourth-floor walkup apartment.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Rub the chicken with whole garlic and brush it lightly with oil and honey. Roast uncovered in a single layer until the skin is golden brown, about 45 minutes.

Anyway, here’s my recipe for really fresh, quite delicious chicken soup. I hope you enjoy it.

At the same time, roast carrots, halved onions, parsnips and a whole garlic bulb cut horizontally in half. These can go in the oven with the chicken, be roasted separately at 450 degrees until they brown (about 15 minutes).

Refrigerate the juices or drop in a few ice cubes to congeal the fat. Then skim that off and save the juices.

Then, whether you choose to roast the vegetables or not, everything but the allspice goes into a big pot of water. Bring it to a boil and simmer for several hours. Add back in the chicken juices, without the fat; also add in the carrot and celery leaves.

About an hour before serving, add the whole allShopping in the Shuk is like going to the supermarket – except not. spice berries. Taste to make PHOTO/courtesy Suzi Brozman sure it’s strong enough – if not, leave the lid off and boil for a few minutes to concentrate the flavors. You quickly develop a pattern: Ingredients Check for seasoning, adding salt and This stall for the best olives, that (amounts not included; see below) pepper if needed. butcher for chicken, another for Strain and serve clear soup with fresh meat, the open stalls or the en• Chicken leg quarters with extra vegetables added back in or just laclosed alleyways crammed with vegbacks and necks dle it up straight from the pot. etable vendors, the side alleys with a rainbow of dried fruits, shops full of • Carrots (cut off and reserve the candy, and of course Marzipan, the leaves) Special Notes bakery famous for its delectable ru• Celery (cut off and reserve the The step of roasting the chicken gelach and mouthwatering challot. leaves) and vegetables can be omitted, but in This too is fascinating: Go on • Parsnips my opinion, it’s what gives the soup Thursday, and there’s barely a loaf of its rich color and complex, caramelchallah to be found, but Friday morn- • Onions (with the skin still on; ized flavor. Skip it and be sorry! I use yellow onions) ing, there are stacks and stacks of You’ll notice I didn’t give amounts. challah in braids, circles, rolls, with • Parsley I use plenty of chicken, so there’s seeds or without, sized for a couple enough to serve for dinner or freeze or a banquet. What fun to watch • Dill (if you like it) for later use. men refilling the shelves, carrying • Garlic, whole the fresh, still hot loaves on long • Allspice, 6 or 7 whole berries Another trick I’ve learned is to boards balanced on their shoulders freeze leftover soup in ice cube trays, • Salt or heads. then save them in a Zip-lock bag. That way, you can make one cup of It’s an array of pastries, full of • Pepper soup or have a bit to use in a recipe honey and cinnamon and calories, • Water without having to make fresh soup or but for Shabbat, who cares? There’s defrost a large container. a tradition in Israel, and probably throughout the Jewish world, that Directions Next week, a cold soup for the holcalories consumed on Shabbat (or First, wash and dry the chicken. I idays.

AJT

education

GHA Proud to Salute Alumni on Aliyah to Israel ACADEMY GRADS BECOMING OLIM By Leah Levy AJT Columnist

ead of School of the Katherine and Jacob Greenfield Hebrew Academy Rabbi Lee Buckman was understandably very proud when his son decided to make aliyah and move to Israel. His pride was increased when his son mentioned that the new olim traveling with him included a number of GHA alumni. So significant was this information that it prompted Rabbi Buckman to do a little research. He discovered

Yarden Lewit, class of ’08 – all starting their new lives in Israel. “How wonderful to learn that so many of our graduates will be dedicating their lives to an ideal that means so much to us,” said Rabbi Buckman. “What a point of pride for GHA, to know that we helped our students to find the meaning, the significance and the love of Israel that brought them to this place in their lives.” Sarah Loubser, who is attending Bar Ilan University, says that she absolutely traces her love of Israel to her years at GHA. “I was fortunate enough to be able to go on the eighth-grade Israel trip,” she said. “At first, it was exciting just because I was going to be traveling across the world with all my friends—and missing some days of school.

learn the history and significance of the places they see. They learn that some people have hearts of rock, and that some rocks have hearts.

family, and that we have one land.” Editor’s note: Leah Levy is a paraprofessional at GHA and the author of “The Waiting Wall,” a Sydney Taylor Notable Book for 2010.

“We want all our students to un08.27.12 ATL Catering Ad one 8/27/12 2:42 PM derstand that we are people, onePage 1

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“But I had so many ‘aha!’ moments on that trip. One can learn about something many times, but it’s something completely different to experience it.” Nishmat student Rachel Broyde also credits GHA with helping to develop her desire to make her life in Israel. ©2012 Bruegger’s Enterprises, Inc.

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“An appreciation for Israel is a vital part of the GHA experience,” he said. “We designed a Tanakh curriculum around our Israel trip; our students

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that no fewer than 13 graduates of GHA had recently moved or were moving to Israel: Mara Berman and Stacey Zebrak, class of ’98; Shoshana Schroeder, Jamie Zebrak and Jonathan Adler, class of ’01; Noy Lewit, Ethan Berman, and Sarah Frankel, class of ’04; Mor Lewit and Sarah Loubser, class of ’06; Rachel Broyde, class of ’07; and Yvonne Sonsino and

“GHA gave us so many opportunities to learn to love Israel – the trip in eighth grade, of course, but also in the classrooms,

Rabbi Lee Buckman, GHA Head of School, presents the bulletin board created to honor Greenfield Hebrew Academy alumni who recently moved to Israel. PHOTO/Jill Rosner

AJT

WHAT’S HAPPENING

This Week’s Highlighted Events

Saturday

SEPT

Sat., Sept. 1 It’s a Birthday Party, hosted by North Atlanta Jewish Singles, celebrate the September birthdays of members. Sat., Sept. 1, 7:30 p.m. Sage Wood Fire Tavern. RSVP to Mark Horvath: mhorv00@gmail.com.

SEPT

Sunday

Sun., Sept. 2 Nibble and Noshfest 2012, come for a taste of Jewish food and fun. Sun., Sept. 2, 7 p.m. 2 canned foods/person. Temle Kol Emeth. Biking the Silver Comet Trail and Picnic, hosted by North Atlanta Jewish Singles, a Family Day event. Sun., Sept. 2, 11 a.m. South Cobb Drive in Smyrna. RSVP to Mark Horvath: mhorv00@gmail.com. Dunwoody Sunday Cycle, inaugural bike ride for all ages. Sun., Sept. 2, 2:30 p.m. Bruster’s in Dunwoody Village Parking Lot. For more information, dr_barbara@bellsouth.net or (770) 604-3803.

Monday

SEPT

Mon., Sept. 3 Shoot the Hooch, hosted by North Atlanta Jewish Singles, come join this Family Day event for some water fun. Mon., Sept. 3, 10 a.m. Powers Island, Sandy Springs GA. RSVP to Mark Horvath mhorv00@gmail.com.

Monday

SEPT

Wed., Sept. 5 Sweeten the New Year - Intown, featuring children’s songs, activities, crafts, and prizes; 20 percent discount on all pur-

chases. Wed., Sept. 5, 6 p.m. Menchie’s on N. Druid Hills Road. For more information, brian.glusman@atlantajcc.org. Auction Benefit, event benefits: Genesis Shelter, Hope House, Coalition for Literacy and Agape Community Center. Wed., Sept. 5, 7:00 p.m. Peachtree & Bennett Auction House. Donations, $50/ person in advance, $65/ person at door. (404) 843-9600. Alefbet Preschool Speakers Series, kick off event with Renee Kutner of Peace by Piece Organizing presenting, “I Can Barely Even Take a Shower...How am I Supposed to Stay Organized Too?!” Open to Alefbet families and Congregation Beth Shalom members. Refreshments will be served. Wed., Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m. $5/person. RSVP at getzow@comcast.net Soul Trip to New York, join Metro-Atlanta Chabad Rabbis for a unique, inspiring, and uplifting trip to Jewish New York. Enjoy the Jewish shopping, delicious kosher food and the ambiance of the Jewish community of New York. Please make your own airline reservation. RSVP requested. Wed., Sept 5. $130/person. office@chabadga.com or (404) 843-2464.

Thursday

SEPT

Thurs., Sept. 6 Sweeten the New Year- Dunwoody, featuring children’s songs, activities, crafts, and prizes; 20 percent discount on all purchases. Wed., Sept. 5, 6:00 p.m. Yogli Mogli on Dunwoody Club Drive. For more information, brian.glusman@atlantajcc.org. Fri., Sept. 7 Shabbat Potlock on the Playground, a fun evening of singing, eating, and relaxing while your children play on the Paradies Playground. Families are asked to bring dairy or vegetarian food to share with others. Fri., Sept. 7, 5:00 p.m. Zaban Park. For more information, brian. glusman@atlantajcc.org.

Shabbat at Chastain, Shabbat service and dinner at Chastain Park and Club Chastain. Additional Train concert afterwards. Fri., Sept. 7, 6:00 p.m. Chastain Park. info@atlantajmf.org Wine Tasting Class, hosted by North Atlanta Jewish Singles, a private wine tasting class and chance to socialize. Fri., Sept. 7, 7:00 p.m. $22/ person. The Wine Shoe. RSVP to Mark Horvath: mhorv00@gmail.com. Sat., Sept. 8 Selichot, a contemporary/traditional musical setting of the Selichot Service followed by a mini Oneg. Sat., 8, 7:30 p.m. Congregation Dor Tamid. (770) 623-8860. Sun., Sept. 9 Camp Sunday, program for children (grades Pre-K to 2nd) to learn Jewish values, customs and traditions. Sun., Sept. 9, 9:45 a.m. MJCCA’s Camp Isidore Alterman. (678) 812- 3881. Training Wheels Atlanta, come learn about Rosh Hashanah at this Jewish family education program created by Hadassah that lets parents and children ages 3-5 become partners in discovering the joys of being Jewish. Sun., Sept 9, 10 a.m. barids@bellsouth.net. Family Pool Party and Cookout, hosted by North Atlanta Jewish Singles, come join for an afternoon of water, fun and food. Bring a side, drink or dessert to share. Sun., Sept. 9, 11:30 a.m. $5/ person. Private residence. RSVP to Mark Horvath: mhorv00@gmail.com. Etz Aviv’s Meet and Greet Lunch, hosted by Etz Aviv Hadassah, come join us for lunch, socializing and making cards for the New Year. Sun., Sept. 9, 12:30 p.m. $10/person. Private residence. (678) 401- 5669.

Bearing Witness: Ilse Reiner, dedicated to the children of Theresienstadt, survivor Ilse Reiner will share her experience and sign her book, “Through the Eyes of a Child: Diary of an Eleven Year Old Jewish Girl.” Sun., Sept. 9, 2:00 p.m. Free for members or $12/ person. The Breman Museum. (678) 222- 3700. SAT Test Prep, Ages 15 and up. Sun., Sept. 9, 1:00 p.m. MJCCA- Zaban Park. (678) 812-4078. Mon., Sept. 10 “Holocaust Survivor Cookbook” Author Event, Joanne Caras will speak about her experience in creating this project and retell some of the most stirring stories from her books. Mon., Sept. 10, 7:00 p.m. $15/person. Chabad Intown. RSVP to (404) 898-0434. Rock, RATL and Roll, a benefit concert to help purchase wheelchairs for Paralyzed Veterans of America. Mon., Sept. 10, 8:30 p.m. $11/person. Steve’s Live Music. (404) 418-6777.

Congregation Kehillat HaShem

(Chambrel at Roswell on Applewood Dr.) invites you to spend the High Holy Days in their warm welcoming atmosphere. Rabbi Jeffery Feinstein leads services and discussions utilizing the user-friendly Reform Machzor, “Gates of Repentance.” A limited number of books are available for purchase at services for $20.

Erev Rosh Hashanah: Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m. Rosh Hashanah Day: Sept. 17, 10 a.m. Kol Nidre: Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m. Yom Kippur morning: Sept. 26, 10 a.m. Afternoon services: 3 p.m. Yizkor, N’elah, Havdalah: 5 p.m. Services are open to all at no charge. Donations are gratefully accepted.

UPCOMING AJT SPECIAL ISSUES

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

September 14 rosh Hashana*

*The September 14 Rosh Hashana issue will enjoy expanded distribution at most Atlanta Synagogues for all congregants to enjoy.

September 21 yom kippur* *The September 21 Yom Kippur issue will enjoy expanded distribution at most Atlanta Synagogues for all congregants to enjoy.

Please contact your AJT sales rep at 404.883.2130 for more information and preferential rates. Email Jeff Silberblatt at: jsilberblatt@atljewishtimes.com to reserve your ad space!

October 5 and 12 Education

Parshat Ki Tetze THE TORAH ON WOMEN’S RIGHTS By Rabbi Lauren Cohn Temple Emanu-El and the Atlanta Rabbinical Association

n this week’s parasha, Ki Tetze, Moses continues his summation of the laws that G-d gives to the Israelites. In fact, this portion is so abundant with laws that it contains more mitzvot than any other parasha. Legal categories in this portion range from the interpersonal – including slander – to the relationship between humanity and the earth that we farm. One particular category caught my eye this week, given its prominence in the national dialogue: the treatment of women. This is not the first time our Torah has taken up the cause of women; we are familiar with the story of the daughters of Zelophehad, who fought to gain their rights and set a precedent by inheriting their father’s share of land. Ki Tetze makes clear that as Jews, we both respect and understand the rights of women.

The Torah says:

• “During war, if a beautiful woman is desired, she may be taken as a wife, and that is all that may happen for a while. She is allowed to wash away all and any remnants of captivity” (Deuteronomy 21:10-13). She is given fresh clothes and then must be given time – the period of sheloshim, or the first 30 days of mourning – to mourn the separation from her parents. Only then may the man take the woman as his wife. Even though a woman is taken against her will, before anything can happen to her she is not to be treated as a piece of property, but as a human being with emotions. • “If a man encounters a virgin, to whom he is not married, and they are discovered, the man must pay the girl’s father money, and she shall be his wife. Further, he can never divorce her” (Deuteronomy 22:28-29).

This law is less straightforward and needs more unpacking. There is much debate about whether this was a form of elopement (and a way for the virgin to bypass having her father’s approval of her husband) or whether the man actually coerced the virgin (which the reader can infer since the text states, “He seizes her and lies with her”). • Either way, marriage without the possibility of divorce protects the woman, since having to make her marital or sexual history known would make it difficult for her to re-marry. Just as with the first law, this is not an ideal situation, yet our Torah holds fast to the notion that women deserve no less than what men receive – laws that preserve their rights. In an ideal world, both in the time of our ancestors and now, men would never overtake women in any way, but unfortunately, this is not our reality. Both of these laws from Ki Tetze focus on women’s rights only after their subjugation by men. As we look back at our ancestors’ lives and laws, it is incumbent upon us to remember that it was a different time with different rules and mores. During this time, men and women were not treated equally; women were, in fact, objects. They were often taken against their will from their families. Remarkably, though, our tradition had foresight enough to have measures in place for protecting women’s rights. Such rights are in jeopardy in these complicated and politicized times. Yet, we can take comfort that Judaism recognized – even back to biblical times – the importance of the existence and preservation of the rights of women. Editor’s note: Rabbi Lauren Cohn is Director of Youth and Teen Programs at Temple Emanu-El and a member of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association.

AJT

tell & kvell

Birth

Seth Maslin Enzor Matthew and Heidi K. Enzor of Wilmington, N.C. are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Seth Maslin, on July 10, 2012. He weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces and was 19-anda-half inches long. Seth is the grandson of Jeffrey M. Kamin of Atlanta, Gary and Robin Kramer and David and Cynthia Enzor of Whiteville, N.C. Seth was named for paternal great-grandmother Sylvia Kamin (Milton) and maternal great-grandmother Helen Maslin Steinman (Herman), both of blessed memory. Additional great-grandparents are Andrew and Harriet Enzor, who lived in Newport News, Va.; Hyman and Doris Kramer; George and Diantha Turner; and Kathleen Reynolds, all of blessed memory.

Engagements

Silverman-Weiss Terri and Jack Silverman of East Brunswick, N.J. announce the engagement of their daughter, Laura, and Eli Weiss, son of Barbara and Yitzy Weiss of Highland Park, N.J. The future bride is the granddaughter of Alice and Sidney (z”l) Kaplan of Atlanta. She graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and minors in Spanish and animal sciences. She is employed by JFK Health Systems in their community outreach program based in Plainfield, N.J. The future groom also graduated from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and psychology. He is employed by J.H. Cohn LLP Accountants & Consultants in New York City. A May 2013 wedding in New Jersey is planned.

Wedding

Cohen-Zadoff Rita and Michael Zadoff of Atlanta announce the marriage of their son, Jonathan, and Jaime Cohen, daughter of Linda and Rick Cohen of Franklin, Mich. The bride received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her doctorate of optometry from the New England College of Optometry. She is an optometrist for the John D. Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit. The groom received his bachelor’s degree from George Washington University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia School of Law. He is a practicing attorney for Trott & Trott in Detroit, Mich. Close family and friends from Michigan, Georgia, Maryland, Sweden and elsewhere celebrated the wedding in Sarasota, Fla. Their parents joined the couple under the chuppah during an intimate ceremony on the beach; Rabbi Jonathan Katz from Temple Beth Israel in Longboat Key, Fla. and Cantor Leonard Gutman from Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield, Mich. officiated. Following a honeymoon in Sedona, Ariz., the couple reside in Royal Oak, Mich.

AUGUST 31 ▪ 2012

AJT

d’var torah

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