COSM Theater Attraction Coming to Centennial Yards
By Bob Bahr
Centennial Yards, the large-scale redevelopment project situated in Atlanta’s central business district, has taken a significant step toward becoming a major entertainment center. Officials with the 50-acre real estate project that fronts Centennial Olympic Park announced they have signed a long-term lease with COSM, an entertainment technology company based in Los Angeles, to create a 70,000-square-foot theater attraction using new image projection technology.
The project, with seating on three levels, incorporates what is called Shared Reality to project live sports programming and experiential entertainment on a round 87-foot LED dome that creates a lifelike 12K+ image that surrounds the audience. It’s a far cry from traditional flat screen movie theater projection systems and more like a radically updated version of projection systems that have a long history at major planetariums around the world.
Brian McGowan, president of the
Centennial Yard project, described the technology as an opportunity to give sports fans and concert goers up close and intimate entertainment.
“We believe Centennial Yards will
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become the center of gravity for entertainment in Atlanta, connecting people of all ages with an incredible combination of sporting events, music, bars, restaurants and retail.”
This is the third such structure that COSM has built. The first in Los Angeles features a broad spectrum of sport programming, from horse racing to ice hockey and UFC mixed martial arts matches.
Mural by Artist Roberto Hernandez
Brookhaven Farmers Market
Petite Violette
The COSM Entertainment Center will feature three levels of seating for video projection.
Tony Ressler, the billionaire owner of the Atlanta Hawks, is one the visionaries behind Centennial Yards.
The new entertainment project follows similar projects in Los Angeles and Dallas.
The venture has partnerships with ESPN, NBA, NBC Sports, TNT Sports, FOX Sports, and other networks that allow guests to experience live Shared Reality productions of the biggest sports events in the world.
There’s also what are called immersive art and entertainment experiences. The first three of these sound and image projections were created by a team of new media artists; a second features a simulated voyage through the physical universe; and the third is “O,” a new Cirque du Soleil show that explores the new communal projection format. A second COSM dome opens in Dallas on Aug. 31.
Pricing at the new Dallas facility begins with standing room only tickets inside the dome for $39, then jumps to reserved seating priced from $77 to $127 for the Week 1 college football games. A Hall Pass, which admits customers to a full-service bar with a large LED display, but not the LED dome, starts at $22.
The CEO and president of COSM, Jeb Terry, believes the new attraction will bring crowds to a downtown area of the city that already offers a rich assortment of attractions.
“The COSM at Centennial Yards is the perfect complement to the State Farm Arena, Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Atlanta Convention Center to help make Centennial Yards the sports and entertainment capital of the South.”
The Centennial Yards mixed-use renewal project is among the largest such developments in the nation. It’s aimed to revitalize an area known as The Gulch that was once the junction of several rail lines. It has long been shunned by At-
lanta residents but is now on the verge of becoming one of the city’s hottest properties.
Construction has already begun on a boutique hotel and residential tower, each of which are 19 stories and additional retail and residential structures are set to break ground later this year. It’s expected to eventually offer four million square feet of new commercial space, and another four million square feet for residential. The project is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $5 billion.
The Centennial Yards Company serves as the master developer of Centennial Yards and consists of a partnership between an affiliate of CIM Group. The co-founder and one of the principles in the CIM group, Shaul Kuba, sees the development as a transformative project.
“At Centennial Yards, we have the opportunity to reshape a major area of Atlanta as a walkable and appealing destination for residents and visitors, and key to that effort is bringing unique and engaging businesses such as COSM that attract people to the district,”
Among the other principles in the CIM group is Tony Ressler. The Los Angeles based businessman is also a major investor in a group that bought the Atlanta Hawks NBA franchise nine years ago. He also has a minority interest in the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team.
He is the co-founder of the giant private investment fund, Apollo Global Management, with his brother-in-law Leon Black. He founded an investment firm, Ares Management that has more than $400 billion in assets. Forbes estimates his net worth at $10.4 billion. ì
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Saratovsky Aims to Keep Moving Birthright Forward
By Bob Bahr
Elias Saratovsky has just completed his first year as the president and CEO of the Birthright Foundation, the fundraising organization behind the Birthright Israel Program that has brought more than 850,000 young Jews to Israel over the past 25 years. His parents were Russian Jewish immigrants, and he was born in the U.S. a year after their arrival. Saratovsky was a member of the first Birthright trip a quarter century ago.
Last year, the foundation was instrumental in raising an organizational record $85 million for the Birthright program. It came from thousands of individual contributions and large donors like the Marcus Foundation in Atlanta.
The AJT interviewed Elias Saratovsky in Israel, during a recent visit. This writer asked him how he believed the events of Oct. 7 have affected the young people who participated this year with Birthright?
Saratovsky: I think Oct. 7 has made a lot of people realize that we’ve been on a break from history. And while it is still an in-
credibly golden age for our people, we have shared threats. And the threats come from multiple directions, and we need to stand together. That means that Americans have to stand up for Israel and stand up for the Jewish people. When young people come to Israel on a Birthright trip, they’re giving us an incredible gift. Ten days of their undivided attention. The more bonds that we can create, the better we’ll all be in the end.
AJT: What has been Birthright’s role in
creating connections between Jewish communities in Georgia and Israel?
Saratovsky: Birthright Israel has been blessed to bring tens of thousands of Jewish young adults to Israel, from Atlanta, from Georgia, from the various universities across the state of Georgia. Over our last 25 years. they have strengthened their own Jewish identity. Birthright Israel really is a gift from one generation to the next. This is the most important organization that is building and strengthening bonds between Jews in Amer-
ica and Jews in Israel. It’s more important now than ever.
AJT: And how successful do you think you’ve been so far this year?
Saratovsky: Since Oct. 7, we have brought over 5,000 volunteers to the newly created Birthright Israel Onward volunteer program that is available to all Jews between the ages of 18 to 40. This program did not exist prior to Oct. 7. Israel is in need of volunteers, so we plan to bring a total of 8,000
Elias Saratovsky has just finished his first year as the CEO and president of the Birthright Foundation.
Members of the IDF are pictured with Birthright participants // Photo Credit: Birthright/Mark Nomdar
Jewish young adults to volunteer in Israel this year. We’re going to bring roughly 15,000 Jewish young adults on our flagship 10-day program. And we also have our Birthright Onward program for a long-term summer internship. So, all, we'll have about 23,000 Jewish young adults on Birthright this year. I think that’s remarkable given the circumstances.
AJT: So many of those who were murdered in Israel on Oct. 7 were young people. How does that resonate with young people who come here with Birthright?
Saratovsky: One of the most important things that we’re doing is ensuring that every single Birthright person comes to Israel is able to bear witness. Every single participant has a meeting with a survivor of Oct. 7. There were over 300 people killed at the Nova Festival. But there were also over 3,000 survivors. So, they’re hearing those stories. Every participant is meeting with families of the hostages, which are such a critical part of Israeli society today. And on every single Birthright trip there are five to seven Israeli participants that participate as well.
AJT: How do you believe Oct. 7 has influenced the level of financial support you’ve received.
Saratovsky: Oct. 7 was a calamity, and the amount of money that the American Jewish community has raised on behalf of Israel to rebuild has been historic. But on Oct. 8, we also realized that there’s a war in our own communities, on college campuses in Georgia and elsewhere, and we need to fortify our young people and ensure that they have the knowledge and the connection that is necessary to fight the war back at home. So, people are stepping up in order to help Israel rebuild. And in order to ensure that our young people have the skills that they need to fight the battle at home as well.
AJT: There is seemingly a deep division that has developed among young Jews in America about the importance of Israel in their lives. What would you say to them?
Saratovsky: Israel is a beacon of hope. You have to come here to understand that. We’re not here to tell you how to feel about Israel. You have to come here to experience it. You’ll be strengthened and will be solidified in a much more positive way. ì
ENJOY A WHOLE SUMMER NEW OF
ALL-NEW EXPERIENCES
Dr. Miriam Adelson (center) the widow of hotel and casino owner Sheldon Adelson, an important Birthright supporter, was a recent visitor for donors and participants at a Birthright event in Israel // Photo Credit: Birthright/Mark Nomdar
The Appalachian Mountain Foothills are Calling
By Robyn Spizman Gerson
If a mountain town nestled in North Georgia is calling your name, the reason is Blue Ridge, Ga. This charming town is filled with a colorful store-lined Main Street and downtown area, plus a throwback to simpler times. It’s home to a variety of restaurants, festivals, antique haunts, and regional attractions to be enjoyed by all.
A stroll down Blue Ridge’s downtown area and surrounding areas offers an inviting day trip visit and is an easy drive, approximately an hour-and-a-half from Atlanta. Cabins, rentals, homes and an appealing vibe has positioned Blue Ridge as a lively yet laid back cozy mountain town. The kid-friendly railroad train sounds its horn and circles the area for a fun trip into another place in time. The mix of home-grown delicacies, plus creative fare, adds a delicious dive into the good ole days.
Meet Mercier Orchards
When you arrive in Blue Ridge, head to Mercier Orchards, a beloved and well-
known popular destination. Mercier is a one-stop, can’t miss resource for mouthwatering apples of every taste and description, plus fruits galore. According to Mercier family member and CEO, Joe
Foster, “We are so proud of Mercier Orchards, with generations of loving attention given to everything we grow. We pride ourselves on sustainable farming, 300 acres in fruit and 125 employees who are part of the Mercier family, making our farm a can’t miss destination, minutes from downtown Blue Ridge.”
This fourth-generation family and veteran owned and operated apple orchard founded back in 1943 by Bill and Adele Mercier has assembled a huge orchard store filled with an A-to-Z list of fresh fruit, baked goods, ciders, and shelves of specialty items throughout the sprawling bustling market. Hundreds of acres line the rolling hills with breathtaking views and are home to carefully lined trees and plants. With 80 years of farming experience, Mercier grows strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, and more than 40 varieties of apples.
Year-round, Mercier Orchards has U-Pick events and even U-Plant events, which for decades have been a special tradition for families and kids who want a true learning farm-to-table experience. A love of farming and family supports this impeccably maintained orchard and visitors can sample the apples, apple butters -- from ‘Ever Crisp Apple Butter to Apple Pecan butters -- and don’t miss the pastries, including apple fritters, doughnuts, delicious apple pies, and ciders which are irresistible and tasty treats to bring home. One thing about your orchard visit to Blue Ridge is certain, when it comes to Mercier Orchards, you’ll be back. (www.mercierorchards.com)
Don’t Miss Black Bear Antique and
Interiors
Next, while in Blue Ridge, check out Black Bear Antiques and Interiors. Brand new to their antique and collectible scene, Black Bear relocated from nearby Ellijay, which was a popular home to it for 15 successful years. The Ahlers Group, the Atlanta-based firm well-known for world-class auctions and estate sales, owns Black Bear and is excited to join the Blue Ridge community. They have assembled 80 dealers who are displaying a wide assortment of goods. Shoppers and treasure seekers will love strolling the aisles of this treasure trove of antiques, art, handmade items and vintage items of which Black Bear has become well known for and sought after for years.
Owner Robert Ahlers said, “We are thrilled to relocate to the Blue Ridge community celebrating the diversity of over 70 vendors and collectibles. There’s treasure in the hills of Blue Ridge and it is a remarkable community. While we just relocated, the interest and support has been outstanding. We’re located a block off downtown Blue Ridge and look forward to supporting community and welcoming guests to visit Black Bear.”
Ahlers added, “Just look for the 500-pound bronze bear standing outside our building. Black Bear offers locally sourced made goods, accessories, cabin décor, woodworking and crafts, antiques, memorabilia and there’s something for everyone.”
Black Bear Antiques and Interiors can be seen right off GA-515, a two-minute drive from downtown Blue Ridge and is easily accessible. The 21,000-squarefoot antique mall is located at 4177
Black Bear Antiques features a wide assortment of antiques, crafts and more.
Mercier Orchards has welcomed visitors year-round from near and far since 1943
// Photo Credit: SquareFrame Media
Cabin accessories and hand-made mountain crafts are plentiful at Black Bear Antiques.
Shoppers will discover a wide array of collectibles, including sports items, at Black Bear.
East 1st Street, with ample parking and minutes from Lake Blue Ridge. Black Bear Antiques is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday; and from 12 to 5 p.m. on Sundays. www.blackbearantiques.com
Dining and Eating Out in Blue Ridge
With restaurants popping up, Blue Ridge has also become a source of delicious dining from casual to fine dining. The restaurants in Blue Ridge are yet another reason to stay for breakfast, lunch or dinner or even all three! Check the times and hours as some restaurants are open for dinner and not lunch.
For lunch, if you are longing for some Southern food, try Southern Charm located at 224 W. Main Street, which welcomes guests in a cheerful and true to its name, charming atmosphere. Located near the train depot, Southern Charm presents a warm and inviting home where you can enjoy some delectable Southern cuisine. The menu is designed to offer diners a taste of the deep south, with wonderful service and the essence of Southern hospitality. From fried chicken to fried chicken livers, okra to peach cobbler and bread pudding, if you are a Southern food lover, Southern Charm awaits you. Enjoy a variety of options and they also have a gluten-free menu.
Next, a highly popular restaurant is Twisted Tomato Blue Ridge on 11 Mountain Street. Imagine a high-end dining experience plus assorted gourmet pizzas that’s ready for guests. The restaurant includes around 8,000 square feet, seating up to 400 and the largest outdoor deck in Blue Ridge. Owner Michael Galinski shared, “As a brand-new restaurant, we’re open Thursday through Sunday and expansions and lunches will begin soon. We’re located in the heart of downtown Blue Ridge with ample customer private parking attached. The reception has been incredible, and it took three years to build out from start to finish and we have three full-service bars and ready for customers.”
From intimate settings to large groups, it’s already a winner attracting special events who need larger spaces. Guests will discover the magic as every dish at Twisted Tomato is created fresh daily and you will be enticed to come back. www.twistedtomatoblueridge.com
Without question, Blue Ridge is a jewel and will continue to be a favorite place to visit. Whether you head there when the trees are turning in the fall for apple or berry picking time at Mercier Orchards or a chance to go treasure hunting at Black Bear Antiques and Interiors, Blue Ridge is filled with memorable experiences you’re certain to enjoy with family or friends. ì
Care
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Samantha Shams, MD
Ha Tran, MD
Eiran Warner, MD
Jay Rhee, MD Rajni Sinha, MD, MRCP
Nikita Amin, MD
Vipin Lohiya, MD
Trevor Feinstein, MD William Jonas, MD
Eric Mininberg, MD
Vasily Assikis, MD
Minesh Patel, MD
Jonathan Bender, MD
The rolling hills at Mercier Orchards makes a visit to view Blue Ridge’s scenery spectacular // Photo Credit: SquareFrame Media
Mercier Orchards is most famous for their wide varieties of apples // Photo Credit: SquareFrame Medi
Mercier Orchards’ market store is jampacked with apples, fruit, preserves, jams, baked goods and more // Photo Credit: SquareFrame Media
Let My People GOOOAL Campaign Launched
Stars of the Tribe, a media and apparel brand celebrating Jewish sports icons that smash stereotypes, has teamed-up with Tai Baribo, soccer star on the MLS Philadelphia Union and Israel National Team, to launch a fun participatory soccer-themed campaign this summer to help the world’s hostages come home at http://letmypeoplegoal.com/ and across social media @starsofthetribe.
LET MY PEOPLE GOOOAL! invites
Today in Israeli History
Aug. 15, 2005: Soldiers and police begin carrying out Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s plan for disengagement from the Gaza Strip. After the Aug. 14 deadline for settlers to leave, evacuation orders give residents 48 hours to depart.
Jacob Bekenstein, shown in his Hebrew University office in 2009, developed his theory about the entropy of black holes while working on his doctorate at Princeton University in the early 1970s.
Aug. 16, 2015: Physicist Jacob Bekenstein, who advanced efforts toward a theory of quantum gravity, dies of a heart attack at 68. He theorized that black holes emit radiation, a finding Stephen Hawking rejected, then confirmed.
Aug. 17, 1949: The body of Theodor Herzl, buried in Vienna in 1904, is reburied with those of his wife and parents in Jerusalem. David Ben-Gurion calls the funeral “the triumph of a vision that became a reality.”
Aug. 18, 1994: Yeshayahu Leibowitz, a controversial Jewish thinker and Israeli public intellectual, dies at 91 in Jerusalem. He advocated the separation of religion and state, arguing that the state corrupted religion.
NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME ISRAEL PRIDE
athletes and sports fans to join soccer’s biggest stars to kick off a movement shining a light on the men, women and children taken from their families around the world. Those hostages include civilians from 24 different countries kidnapped by Hamas in Israel on Oct 7, 2023.
Sports fans can follow three easy steps to get in the game with the LET MY PEOPLE GOOOAL! Challenge:
Step 1: SCORE – Film yourself kicking a soccer ball.
Step 2: SHOUT – Cheer, “Let My People GOOOAL!”, and challenge a friend.
Step 3: SHARE – Upload your video to social media with #letmypeoplegoal and #bringthemhomenow while tagging @starsofthetribe.
The two best video submissions will each receive an MLS Philadelphia Union soccer jersey signed by Tai Baribo. The top videos will be chosen on Aug. 31, 2024. Stars of the Tribe will notify the winners through social media direct message.
Compiled by AJT Staff
Aug. 19, 1856: Scholar and writer Michah Joseph Berdichevski is born in Ukraine. He writes in Yiddish and German but is best known for his Hebrew work, including a debate with Ahad Ha’am about Hebrew literature.
The Hebrew-language medical journal Harefuah got its start in 1920.
Aug. 20, 1920: The first Hebrew medical journal in Palestine, Harefuah (Medicine), begins publishing quarterly through the Jewish Medical Association of Palestine. The Israel Medical Association still publishes it.
Aug. 21, 1982: American, French and Italian troops arrive in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, to supervise the evacuation of about 14,000 PLO fighters through Sept. 1. Yasser Arafat leaves on Aug. 30 for Tunisia.
Aug. 22, 1952: The Development Corporation for Israel, known as Israel Bonds, brings 22 American Jewish leaders to Israel on a 15-day American Champions of Israel Bonds mission, the first of its kind.
Aug. 23, 1903: The Sixth Zionist Congress, the last presided over by Theodor Herzl, convenes in Basel. It is the largest so far, with approximately 600 delegates, and explores a plan for a temporary homeland in East Africa.
The Tzofim Friendship Caravan brought their high-energy performance to Camp Wise in Ohio, a special stop on their U.S. tour.
Tzofim Friendship Caravan Spreads Cheer
The Tzofim Friendship Caravan brought their high-energy performance to Camp Wise in Ohio, a special stop on their U.S. tour. This renowned group of young Israeli Scouts, who have been singing and dancing their way across Ameri-
Aug. 24, 1926: Playwright and translator Nissim Aloni is born in a poor area of southern Tel Aviv. His second play, “The King’s Clothes,” establishes him as one of Israel’s leading playwrights and a stage revolutionary.
Wearing his windsurfing gold medal, Gal Fridman is honored during a ceremony upon his arrival at Ben Gurion Airport on Aug. 30, 2004. // By Moshe Milner, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0
Aug. 25, 2004: Windsurfer Gal Fridman wins Israel’s first Olympic gold medal at the Summer Games in Athens and thus becomes the first Israeli with multiple Olympic medals. He took the bronze in Atlanta in 1996.
Aug. 26, 1903: “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” the most widely distributed antisemitic publication in history, is first published in Znamya, a Russian newspaper. The Times of London proves it is a fraud in 1921.
Aug. 27, 2001: Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Secretary-General Abu Ali Mustafa is killed when helicopter-fired missiles strike his office in Ramallah. Israel takes responsibility for the assassination.
ca, delivered a heartwarming and memorable concert that resonated deeply with the audience.
The Friendship Caravan group called Amit, one of the traveling groups, performed in front of young campers, including several children evacuated from Kibbutz Be’eri, a community that suffered the loss of 101 members and had 32 of its members kidnapped during the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre.
Among the performers was ShayLee, a member of the Caravan, who was evacuated from Sderot with her family. For Shay-Lee, this concert was especially moving.
“When I realized that, in the audience, there were evacuee children and teenagers like me, my heart was filled with joy,” Shay-Lee shared. “These are people I don’t know, but there is a feeling that we understand each other even without words. I feel proud to represent my country and the story of my family and friends.”
Compiled by AJT Staff
Aug. 28, 1898: The Second Zionist Congress opens in Basel with 400 delegates, nearly double the size of the First Zionist Congress. The new participants include Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel. Aug. 29, 1897: Spearheaded by Theodor Herzl, the First Zionist Congress opens in Basel. The congress unanimously adopts the Basel Program, which calls for a legal, safe Jewish home in the Land of Israel.
Harold MacMichael, the high commissioner for Palestine, poses in the sunken garden of his official residence. // Matson Photo Service via U.S. Library of Congress
Aug. 30, 1944: Rattled by numerous attempts on his life, Harold MacMichael resigns as Britain’s fifth high commissioner to Palestine after more than six years, a period of rising restrictions on Jewish immigration.
Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.
Stars of the Tribe is leading an awareness campaign this summer to help bring the Israeli hostages home.
Israel Could Strike Iran if Attack is Imminent
By TOI and Agencies
Israel would consider launching a preemptive strike to deter Iran if it uncovered airtight evidence that Tehran was preparing to mount an attack, Hebrew media reported after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened Israel’s security chiefs for a meeting on Aug. 4.
The meeting, attended by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, Mossad head David Barnea, and Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, was held amid preparations for anticipated attacks on Israel by Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah.
The assessment that Iran is likely to attack Israel in the coming days or weeks follows last week’s back-to-back assassinations of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death and has vowed to retaliate.
Israel is not certain what to expect from Iran and its proxies, reports have indicated, and so is discussing a wide range of options as to how it can best respond to, or prevent, an anticipated assault.
During the meeting with Netanyahu, the option of striking Iran as a deterrence measure was discussed, Ynet reported, although security officials stressed that such a move would only be authorized if Israel received definite intelligence confirming that Tehran was about to launch an attack of its own.
Jerusalem would require its own intelligence on the issue to match up with U.S. intelligence on the matter, the report said, and even if it did match, it may still choose to avoid going down the route of a preemptive strike.
Former war cabinet observer Gadi Eisenkot, whose National Unity party bolted the wartime coalition in June, told Army Radio that he and his party leader, Benny Gantz, had demanded a much tougher response to Iran’s direct drone and missile attack on April 13-14, to deter future such attacks, but Netanyahu disagreed.
“That night, I and Gantz demanded a much more powerful reaction to convey the message to the Iranians that the firing of 500 missiles, rockets, and drones cannot pass quietly — Netanyahu chose otherwise,” Eisenkot said, referring to Israel’s relatively tame and delayed subsequent strike on Iran.
With his city under relentless He-
zbollah rocket fire, the mayor of Kiryat Shomina, Avichai Stern, said that he did not understand why Israel’s leadership was not preemptively striking at Hezbollah, rather than waiting for further attacks. “When did our army stop carrying out preemptive attacks to protect us?” he asked. “Don’t they know how to get to the weapons stores and launchers?”
Like Israel, the U.S. was said to be unsure what an attack by Iran could look like, as it believes Tehran has yet to come to a final decision and is unlikely to have finished coordinating with its proxies.
In addition to a U.S.-led international coalition that has been taking shape in recent days to thwart any attacks, officials were said to believe that another
advantage Israel has in its arsenal, which it did not have when Iran previously attacked on April 13, is foreknowledge.
As the April attack was the first time that Iran ever launched an attack from its own soil, there were a lot of unknowns, including uncertainty about how large the assault would be.
This time around, however, Israel will know if the attack is shaping up to be similar in scope to the previous one — when around 99 percent of the roughly 300 missiles and drones launched from Iran were intercepted by Israel and its allies — or if it will be larger, as some assessments have reportedly indicated will be the case.
Even if the attack is larger, the as-
sessment from within the government is that Israel will be able to withstand it and will once again be able to mount an appropriate defense with the help of a coalition of allies, Ynet reported.
At the same time as Israel and the U.S. prepare for whatever attack Iran ultimately chooses to launch, Washington and its allies, both in the West and in the Middle East, have continued to push both Israel and Iran to de-escalate the situation, and to avoid the possibility of triggering an all-out regional war.
To that end, Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi visited Iran on Sunday with a plea for the region to be able to live in “peace, security and stability,” without further escalation. ì
Demonstrators wave Iran’s flag and Palestinian flags as they gather at Palestine Square in Tehran on April 14, 2024, after Iran launched a drone and missile attack on Israel // Photo Credit: Atta Kenare / AFP
(From left) Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi follow Israel’s strike in Yemen from the IAF operations room at the Kirya Headquarters in Tel Aviv, July 20, 2024 // Photo Credit: Ariel Hermoni/Defense Ministry
MK Gadi Eisenkot attends a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting on June 24, 2024 // Photo Credit: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani (right) welcomes Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi for their meeting, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024 // Photo Credit: AP Photo/Vahid Salemi
Athletes Gather in Detroit for JCC Maccabi Games
David Ostrowsky
While dozens of worldclass Jewish athletes were competing in the Paris Summer Olympics, hundreds of Jewish teens convened in Detroit for the JCC Maccabi Games, some of whom may be one-day Olympians themselves — perhaps even as early as the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
From July 28 to Aug. 2, Detroit, a city with a vibrant Jewish community, hosted the JCC Maccabi Games, otherwise known as the largest Jewish youth sporting event in the world, with over 1,200 athletes, between the ages of 12 and 16, competing in an array of team sports (boys baseball, boys and girls basketball, 3v3 boys basketball, boys and girls soccer, girls volleyball and ice hockey) and individual ones (boys and girls dance, golf, swimming, tennis, and table tennis). Across the country, JCCs in different regions have a specified number
of athletes allotted to them for the Maccabi Games, and they decide which teams they want to send.
This year’s edition marked the seventh time that the Motor City held the Maccabi Games, the most of any host city in the Games’ 42-year history.
“We are most proud of our community coming together to host the Games for the seventh time,” shared Sarah Allyn, chief operating officer of JCC of Metropolitan Detroit, when speaking to the Atlanta Jewish Times last week.
“Hosting would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, chairs, volunteers, host families, and JCC staff. The 2024 Games were years in the making and the success is truly shared with our entire Detroit Jewish community.”
The 2024 Maccabi Games also marked one of the most nationally and globally diverse displays of youth athletics in its history as there were 48 delegations on hand, spanning not only many regions of the United States but also countries such as Israel, Ukraine, Hungary, Mexico, and Canada. From a local perspective, Team Atlanta, whose delegation head consisted of James
Harrison, Jack Vangrofsky, Todd Starr, Jessica Mencher, and Daniel Pomerantz, represented one of the largest contingents of athletes with nearly 100 local teens partaking in the events.
Following last year’s Maccabi Games, held in early August in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., at the Posnack Jewish Community Center, the 2024 Games commenced with a moving opening ceremony, held at Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit that, according to Allyn, was “spectacular.” With over 5,000 spectators in attendance, which included the coaches along with their friends and relatives, chaperones, host families, and volunteers, the procession of athletes from North America, Europe, and the Middle East paraded through the home of Detroit’s two pro indoor sports teams (Pistons and Red Wings) in their formal introductions.
Certainly, the pomp and circumstance of this year’s opening ceremony could rival that of any NBA or NHL game, even as some of it took on a somber tone. Michael Harpaz, a Detroit native and Israeli pop star, served as the master of ceremonies for an event that showcased, among many moving performances, a musical set by Shufuni, a folk group of young Israelis who were directly impacted by the attacks on Oct. 7. Also, per tradition, as part of the opening ceremonies, there was a remembrance of the 11 Israeli athletes who were taken hostage and later murdered by the Palestinian group Black September in Munich during the 1972 Summer Olympics.
As per its tradition stretching back to the inaugural event in 1982, once the competition actually began in earnest, this year’s Maccabi Games facilitated opportunities for participants to engage in Jewish educational seminars and community ser-
vice projects -- a cornerstone of the festivities.
“There is nothing like the energy of the Games — athletes from around the world have as much enthusiasm for building community as they have spirit for the competition,” added Allyn.
This week is essentially Part II of the Olympic-style competition as the JCC Maccabi Games continue at the brand-new Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center in Houston, Texas. From Aug. 4-9, 45 delegations of Jewish teen athletes hailing from Argentina, Canada, Costa Rica, Great Britain, Israel, Mexico, Ukraine and the U.S. and thousands of volunteers are immersing themselves in the second round of events while JCC Maccabi Access, a program designed for young athletes (ages 12-22) with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate in unified and specialized activities, will run concurrently. (JCC Maccabi Access has one location each year and in 2024, it happens to be Houston.)
While Houston traditionally hosts every four years, this summer is Space City’s first time serving as the host city in 11 years, as the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey prevented the Games from returning sooner.
For any version of the Maccabi Games – regardless of the locale -- the requisite manpower to ensure the weeklong series of events runs like a well-oiled machine is immense.
“Hosting the Games is a massive undertaking that requires years of planning,” reasoned Allyn. “We are lucky to have staff and volunteers who have been involved in past Games. They worked tirelessly to ensure that everything — from housing to athletics to evening events — ran smoothly.” ì
At the JCC Maccabi Games in Detroit, Team Atlanta had a prominent presence across different sports, including a robust baseball roster // Photo Credit: Evan Deutsch
Fox Stacks Medals at Paris Olympics
By David Ostrowsky
If there was any question as to whether Australia’s Jessica Fox is the greatest canoeist ever – not just among the Australian and Jewish communities, but in sporting history – the Paris Summer Olympics cemented her legacy as such.
The 30-year-old French-born Aussie -- she was born in Marseille, France, but moved to Australia at four years old -delivered a resounding performance in her home country by capturing a pair of gold medals last week, first in the kayak slalom event and a few days later in the canoe single competition. Fox, a fourtime Olympian who served as one of her country’s flag bearers in the opening ceremonies, now has six career medals to her name (three gold, one silver, and two bronze), making her the most accomplished Olympic slalom canoeist of all-time and the only one of her countrymen who’s taken home a half-dozen Olympic medals.
In a career-defining race last Wednesday at Paris’ Vaires-sur-Marne
Nautical Stadium, Fox posted a sparkling time of 1 minute, 1.06 seconds to edge the German silver medalist Elena Lilik by 2.48 seconds. No stranger to attaining glory in the women’s canoe single competition, Fox won gold in the event at the last go-round of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
“I don’t know how I did that,” Fox told reporters after her first-place finish last Wednesday. “The atmosphere was incredible. I looked out, and I saw so much green and yellow, so many Aussie flags, and I think that was the best run I’ve ever done. I knew once I had got through the hard moves, it was about trying to get to the finish and holding it together and wow!”
Second to last to go, Fox zipped down the course with pinpoint precision, brushing off a two-second touch penalty and deftly navigating the upstream and downstream currents to make history.
“This has been a dream Games,” Fox exclaimed following the emotionally charged race. “As an athlete, you put in the blood, sweat and tears, and the team
invests in you. For it to come down to one day every four years, and then to actually pull it off, is the best feeling in the world.
“It does not always go your way, and I have experienced that as well. For it to turn out this way, it has been the perfect Games, and it’s so magical to be here in Paris.”
Her magical Olympic run began on July 28 with a gutsy performance in the women’s kayak slalom in which she shook off a subpar semifinal performance to blow past the field in the final
“It means everything to me right now,” an elated Fox declared after her first gold medal. “I think it’s been years and years of chasing this dream of getting really close and persevering and picking myself back up.”
A first-place finish in the women’s kayak slalom event had eluded Fox for years. As a teen in the London Games in 2012, she notched a silver medal before securing third place finishes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016 and during the pandemic-postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
But there’s more to the story than Fox’s career-long chase of gold in the whitewater event. Her Jewish mother and coach, Myriam Fox-Jerusalmi, a world-class paddler in her own right, competed in the kayak slalom for France during the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta. She returned home with a bronze medal that summer, four years after not
placing in the 1992 Barcelona Games. Even though the younger Fox’s latest triumph added to Australia’s mantle, it was also a nod to her French background.
“It’s very special with this French connection,” noted Fox, whose sister Noemie is also an Olympic paddler and actually bested Jessica in Sunday’s kayak cross event. “I’ve been chasing this for a few years. And my mom before me was chasing this gold medal in ‘92 and ‘96. So, to achieve it in Paris is just very special for our family.”
Looking ahead to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles when the Summer Olympics return stateside for the first time since ‘96 in Atlanta, Fox may have an opportunity to build on her Olympic resume – and carve out her mark on the Mount Rushmore of Jewish Olympic legends. With six medals, Fox has already matched gymnast Aly Raisman and is within striking distance of swimmer Dara Torres, who won a total of 12 medals and retired after the 2000 Olympics, and swimmer Mark Spitz, who received 11 Olympic medals throughout the 1960s and 1970s.
But for now, Fox, the first woman to medal in the kayak event in four consecutive Olympics, can soak up the exhilaration of dominating yet again on the grandest of stages.
As Fox-Jerusalmi remarked when speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation last week, “in the sport of canoe slalom, she won’t be beaten by anybody any time soon.” ì
Friday
AUG 23-25
• Braves Legends Parade through The Battery Atlanta
• Pregame Roll Call Recognition on the field
Saturday
• Autograph Stations
• Softball Home Run Derby
Sunday
• Pregame live podcast of “Behind the Braves” on the Georgia Power Pavillion
Israel’s Grieving Druze Community
Dave Schechter
From Where I Sit
Reda Mansour is sharing the grief of his Israeli Druze community.
Mansour, who served as Israel’s Consul General to the Southeastern United States from 2006 to 2010, is a member of that relatively small religious and ethnic group.
On July 27, a rocket fired from Lebanon by the Iranianbacked Hezbollah exploded into a soccer field in the Druze town of Majdal Shams in the Golan Heights. A dozen children and teenagers were killed and 30 wounded.
“The sight of 12 white coffins in one row was shocking,” Mansour wrote in the Times of Israel, an online newspaper. “It had been difficult to identify them from what remained after the bombing; the innocent beautiful faces and the eyes staring at you from their photos are too difficult for us.”
The Druze religion, whose history dates back 1,000 years, is an offshoot of Ismaili Islam, with a set of beliefs drawn from many influences. An estimated 1.5 million Druze live in Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Israel. An estimated 150,000 Druze, living mostly in the north, comprise 1.6 percent of Israel’s population.
The Druze have a complicated relationship with Israel, which captured the Golan Heights in the June
1967 six-day war. A barrier separating Israel from Syria at Majdal Shams was dubbed the “shouting fence,” because for many years, before the advent of mobile phones, that is how members of bisected families shared information.
Israel annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, an action recognized internationally by only the United States, in the form of a proclamation signed by thenPresident Donald Trump in 2019. The rest of the world views the Golan Heights as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation.
About 20 percent of Druze in the annexed Golan Heights have accepted Israeli citizenship, a figure said to be increasing even as many maintain an identification with Syria.
Druze serve in the Israel Defense Forces; in fact, they are over-represented in combat units and the Israeli police. Mansour noted that in the first month of the war in Gaza 10 percent of the fallen soldiers were Druze.
“The Druze community plays a vital role in Israeli society, contributing to the country’s defense forces and holding positions in government and public service. Their unique religious and cultural heritage adds diversity to the fabric of Israeli society,” Mansour told the AJT.
Mansour was Israel’s first non-Jewish career diplomat and its youngest-ever ambassador when appointed at age 35. He served as ambassador to Brazil, Ecua-
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dor, and Panama and held consular posts in Atlanta and San Francisco. His Atlanta peers chose him as the dean of the consular corps. Mansour “departed wellliked and appreciated," the AJT reported at the time. A published poet and author of short stories, Mansour returned as a visiting professor at Emory University from 2017 to 2018.
His social media posts reflect the Druze community’s anger with Hezbollah and irritation with the Israeli government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was jeered in Majdal Shams by residents who considered his condolence call to be lip service after the fact. “The Druze community’s stance on the Netanyahu government’s responsibility for the conditions that led to the attack may vary. However, the general feeling is that the government failed to protect the north,” Mansour told the AJT.
“The ongoing challenges posed by conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and the impact of Hezbollah’s actions in northern Israel certainly place a strain on Israeli society. The country is resilient, but the situation undoubtedly presents significant challenges,” he said.
In support of Iranian-backed Hamas, Hezbollah — which wields considerable political influence in Lebanon — has fired thousands of rockets into Israel. Upwards of 100,000 Israelis have fled their homes. Israel has responded by firing on Hezbollah rocket sites and targeting its commanders.
Hezbollah possesses 120,000 or more rockets and missiles, perhaps 10 to 20 times more than Hamas, and can field a fighting force of 30,000 and 20,000 reservists, according to a report issued in March by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. A major escalation of the conflict in the north would make “the current war in Gaza look like a minor dust-up,” CSIS warned.
Mansour told the AJT: “Given the risk of escalation in the conflict with Hezbollah, Israel must carefully consider its response to ensure the safety of all citizens and minimize further tensions in the region. Iran has built a fire ring around Israel made by Shiite militias. Israel has to remove this threat as early as possible. If we drag our feet we will meet a very dangerous situation down the road."
While the world watches, the Druze grieve. “The world will know us through this tragedy, and it will learn about the noble culture of courage and generosity that has sustained us for 1,000 years. We will bring this heinous crime of Hezbollah to the four wings of the earth. The memory of our angels will not be forgotten,” Mansour wrote on Facebook. ì
Reda Mansour served as Israel's Consul General to the Southeastern United States from 2006 to 2010.
Upscale Living Is Downright Fun
Letters to the Editor
The AJT welcomes your letters. If you would like your letter to be published, please write 200 words or less, include your name, phone number and email, and send it to kaylene@atljewishtimes.com.
Letter to the editor,
Let’s face the truth. Even without data from international agencies, we could safely surmise that the people in Gaza were not in danger of starving. If there had been food shortages of the magnitude predicted, Hamas would have flooded international media with pictures of obviously malnourished children and families mourning at their children’s funerals. Hamas’ stories of impending starvation were intended to increase calls for a quick ceasefire, needed to prevent Israel from achieving a decisive victory over Hamas, the first step in Israel’s plan to prevent Hamas from fulfilling its goal of inflicting multiple October 7 atrocities on Israelis in the future.
Hamas has long claimed that an Israeli blockade prevented it from developing Gaza’s economy. Yet, Hamas managed to spend $1,000,000,000 building its extensive network of terror tunnels. Embedding the fortifications amid the Gazan populace and turning the people of Gaza into human shields. Likewise, the stories of impending famine saw funds and supplies flowing into Gaza, with any shortages resulting from Hamas’ commandeering the aid for its fighters and selling the food to the Gazans at black market prices.
Hamas Is Seizing Food Aid Meant for Gazans and Selling It on the Black Market https://townhall.com/tipsheet/saraharnold/2024/03/09/hamas-seizing-food-aidmeant-for-gazans-and-selling-it-on-the-black-market-n2636290
Source: townhall.com
Toby F. Block, Atlanta, Ga.
Disclamer to our readers:
This section of the newspaper is a forum for our community to share thoughts, concerns and opinions as open letters to the community or directly to the newspaper. As a letter to the editor, we proof for spelling and grammatical errors only. We do not edit nor vet the information the letter contains. The individual signing the letter is accountable for what they share.
Letter to the Editor,
After the Hezbollah attack on the soccer field in Israel’s Golan Heights, Israel released a statement saying, “We will not tolerate harm to civilians.” (PBS, 7-30-24)
This is outrageous hypocrisy given the fact Netanyahu’s war policy in Gaza has been to drop dumb bombs on civilian buildings there.
Israel lost 12 young civilians in that recent Golan attack, but Israel’s far-right government wants the world to overlook the 12,000 or more children whose lives have been sacrificed by Mr. Netanyahu in Gaza.
Meanwhile, American politicians continue to spew out the knee-jerk slogan, “Israel has a right to defend itself.” No, silly people, Israel does not have the right to take over 20 civilian lives in Gaza as restitution for each and every Jewish civilian life taken on October 7th. This is not a tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye, or a life for a life that Israel’s own Hebrew Bible says is the proportional restitution standard for evil.
Is there a politician anywhere in Washington, D.C. or in Tel Aviv who has an actual human conscience or respects the Bible today?
Kimball Shinkoskey, Woods Cross, UT
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Goldbergs Launches Book Drive
Goldbergs Fine Foods, Atlanta’s original New York-style deli and awardwinning restaurant, is hosting a book drive in collaboration with Reach Out & Read - Georgia, a nonprofit that champions the positive effects of shared reading and engaging in other language-rich activities with young children. Throughout the month of August, Goldbergs locations will rally behind the cause by accepting new book donations tailored for infants to five-year-olds. As a token of appreciation, each contributor will receive a complimentary bagel and cream cheese from Goldbergs.
“Our team is honored to support Reach Out & Read Georgia, an organization that strengthens families through nurturing shared reading,” said Bradley Saxe, CO-CEO of Goldbergs Group. “Within each of us lies a treasured book from our childhood and it is our aspiration that our community unites to create similar lasting memories for children across Georgia. With a rich history spanning over five decades in the vibrant Atlanta
Goldbergs will host a monthlong book drive during the month of August. Every donor will receive a free bagel with cream cheese.
area, we are deeply proud to call this city our home. Understanding the importance of aiding our fellow residents and contributing to the regions we serve, we believe that together, we can genuinely bring about a positive impact.”
Suggested donations for the Goldbergs Book Drive include books for ages newborn to five. All donations should be new. Every donor will receive a free bagel with cream cheese. The free bagel offer is valid through Aug. 31, 2024.
Compiled by AJT Staff
Hadassah National Elects Three Officers
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, is pleased to announce that members Dale Marcus of Englewood, Colo.; Dana Waxler of Lookout Mountain, Ga.; and Deborah Wiskind of Ardsley, N.Y., have been elected to the executive committee of the National Board, with the title of national vice president. The three new officers, who will succeed Peg Elefant, Valerie Lowenstein, and Jill Sapperstein, will begin their three-year term on Jan. 1, 2025.
Marcus is a member of Hadassah’s Greater Denver chapter and sits on its board and on the advisory council of the Desert Mountain Region.
A member of Hadassah’s Chattanooga, Tenn., chapter and a past president of Hadassah’s Southern Region, Waxler is the national co-chair of Annual Giving; chair of the National Associates, a group
of more than 33,000 men who support Hadassah’s mission; and a 10-year member of Hadassah’s annual giving team.
Wiskind is a former president of Hadassah’s Westchester Region, which she served as its vice president and representative to the former National Young Leaders Advisory Council and Metropolitan Young Women’s Institute.
In addition to the three new officers, 14 Hadassah members were elected to the National Board and will begin their terms on Jan. 1, 2025. They are Nancy Bechek Bluth, Leslie Deman, Peg Elefant, Francine Ephraim, Sheila Glass, Michelle Goldberg, Jill B. Goldstone, Roz Kantor, Shelley Kaplan, Debbie Knight, Geri Lipschitz, Judith Mann, Bobbi Prager and Tami Rudnick Rubin.
Compiled by AJT Staff
The three new national vice presidents, Dale Marcus, Dana Waxler, and Deborah Wiskind are pictured at Hadassah’s bi-annual conference, which was held in Las Vegas. The election took place there on Monday, July 29 // Photo Courtesy of Hadassah
Scherrer-Diamond Receives Health & Wellness Award
Helen Scherrer-Diamond receives her award during a ceremony held May 4 at the Whitley Hotel.
Helen Scherrer-Diamond has received the Health and Wellness Award from the Atlanta Neuroscience Foundation and Atlanta Neuroscience Institute. She was recognized for her “unwavering spirit of service and giving and impact she has had on those suffering from multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders.”
Scherrer-Diamond has raised awareness about the disorders and supported funding for comprehensive care for all. She received the award at the second annual World Neuroscience Day Conference, held May 4 at the Whitley Hotel in Buckhead.
Artist Lewis Gruskin was the subject of a video because a filmmaker was intrigued with his dual right brain/left brain capabilities. In his business career as Worldwide Manager of Multimedia Services, Gruskin was part of the original IBM Personal Computer team where he headed the creative group that produced early visual output of the devices that we all use today. Now as an active retiree, he labels his painting style as “probably closest to Expressionism but does vary from loose Realism to totally abstract.”
Gruskin explained, “Most of my work has been based on personal experiences. I take photos of interesting images, scenes, and people. I also work from still life arrangements that I have set up. Or a photo in a newspaper or magazine can provide the inspiration for a painting. As a golfer, many of my landscapes are based on the scenery on a course that catches my eye. And a lifetime of travel has built up a box of photographs to inspire.”
Gruskin grew up in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn while attending Erasmus Hall High School. He always had an interest in art and visited local museums, especially the Brooklyn Museum which was just a few miles from his home.
He shared, “Drawing was with me all along. No formal training, but I would sketch when I saw something interesting or copied photographs. My father was skilled in drawing, so his encouragement was helpful.”
Since retiring in 1999, Gruskin has attended art classes mainly at the Spruill and Chastain art centers. The classes focus on drawing, painting, composition, figures, still life, and abstraction. Some
of his background delayed his current creative expertise in painting with intention. Gruskin stated, “Since my job/work
entailed much travel and with an active family life, I didn’t have much time to pursue art. Creative work was postponed
until I had retired. Since early 2000 I have been at it pretty regularly.” In understanding his method,
Lewis Gruskin was the subject of a film about those who are right- and left-brained.
The colors and brightness of a local supermarket stand inspired “Fall Market” in 2023.
“Intersecting Scissors” was developed from multiple sketches for this 2018 painting.
Indoor “Fiddler in the Room” is based on Gruskin’s photo of a street musician outside Zoo Atlanta.
ARTS & CULTURE
Gruskin rarely paints without first sketching his vision and experimenting with modifications in order to get his general concept. He then creates a charcoal image, modifying the direction along the way, layering in the dark and light areas, using warm and cool colors. As he works, the piece further changes so he’s not just “filling in the blocks.”
He stated, “I review the entire interaction of the space, color, shapes, depth, etc. It’s a repetitive process since a change in one aspect can impact others. A typical piece can vary from three hours to eight hours of work.”
His color palette is based on the subject at hand as he considers complementary colors in most of his work where the vibration at the edges adds interest.
Gruskin has done several pieces on commission. His largest was a 4’ x 12’ landscape painting for a corporation. He had a large show 10 years ago and sold many paintings, but that is not his driving force. His paintings hang in homes and offices in Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, and California.
Gruskin noted whose masterful works he most admires, “Avery, Cezanne, Kahn, Klee, Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh. plus, plus…”
He is most proud of a large abstract painting of scissors, and another with iris florals.
He said, “I like paintings that are playful with their subjects like the abstract/cubist fiddler I did. It’s pretty hard for me to select the ‘best’. Composition is my focus; and that includes so much -line, shape, color, value, texture -- that it provides all of the challenge I need.”
While working, Gruskin listens to music, “not classical, but more upbeat,” to set the mood in his studio.
Looking ahead, Gruskin is in contact with a local gallery arranging a show. He concluded, “I really enjoy painting with my grandkids to get them involved in what it takes to make a good piece of art so they can better appreciate what they see in museums.” ì
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“Quilted Chair” (2023) is Gruskin’s reminder of family household hand-me-down items.
Gruskin’s photo of a rainy street scene is captured in his “Greenwich Village Corner” from 2022.
ARTS & CULTURE
Franco’s Book is Brimming with Beauty & Emotion
By Marcia Caller Jaffe
Daughter Rebecca Franco Chalmers took some time to compile an emotional and magnificent tribute to encapsulate her mother, Phyllis Alterman Franco’s, artistic body of work. Chalmers turned to artist/author Robin Bernat to co-create the coffee table book, “Collected Works of Phyllis Franco Alterman.”
Chalmers stated, “My mother was an accomplished, well-loved artist for over 40 years. After her death, I realized that her work that meant so much to so many, had never been catalogued in one place, such that you could see her contribution to the art world and the Atlanta Jewish community in its totality. I thought a gorgeous, curated coffee-table book would serve as the kind of documentation I was seeking. It would also serve another purpose: her work would be shared with, and enjoyed by, many more people than she’d been able to reach in her lifetime.”
To execute a project of this scope, Chalmers needed an expert collaborator, whom she found in artist Robin Bernat,
“Collected Works of Phyllis Alterman Franco” is available as are prints and originals.
owner of publishing company Poem88 EDITIONS. Bernat and Phyllis had worked together to produce an art book in 1997, so the bittersweetness of joining
Author Robin Bernat (left) teamed up with Chalmers to create the book. Rebecca credits Robin for the book’s beautiful layout and print quality. Franco often painted birds seen here in “Water Bird.”
with Bernat, as Chalmers’ mother had done years ago, gave this book extra poignancy. Bernat was featured in the AJT Chai Style column, Oct. 28, 2021, while
Dr. Richard Franco’s home, replete with Phyllis’ work, was likewise featured in September 2023.
The book is 305 pages featuring more
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ARTS & CULTURE
“Layers.”
than 275 images, a forward by Bernat, an afterward by Chalmers, and an essay by art critic and culture writer Beth Ward who analyzes, critiques and contextualizes both the artwork and Phyllis’ life— her love for her husband, children, family, Judaism, friendships and the themes she devoted her life to pursuing. It is arranged thematically, mostly chronologically, and flows sensually with color, texture, image. It’s designed to flip through quickly for inspiration, or to open flat to savor individual images.
Phyllis’ large, multi-medium paintings hang in many private and corporate collections throughout the Southeast, so it took Chalmers almost a year to track down the work, have it professionally photographed, and documented. Art photographer Mike Jenson and Chalmers traveled to private homes, meeting with collectors, shooting the pieces, and learning what the artwork meant to them and how they came to own it. This process is continuing beyond publication of the book because there is still so much art not yet located.
When asked to summarize the impact of her mother’s work, Chalmers said, “I suppose what I love most is the narrative arc of the book and the impact the images have. My father, brother, sister and I all love watching people as they have their first look at the book and its artwork. We love watching expressions on their faces deepen and change, their
bodies relax. Many will reach back out to say how many times they will go through the book and what it means to them, even if they did not personally know Phyllis, and how they would like to gift another copy to someone about whom they care.”
A poignant part of the book is the story of Phyllis’ journey with Alzheimer’s disease as her art changed through various and progressive stages. Chalmers noted, “It’s fascinating and inspiring. For years, my sister, Meryl Franco, patiently enabled our mom to keep expressing herself through art. At times I found this change in her art too painful, and I questioned whether I would be able to include it in this retrospective. Fortunately, I was able to evolve to appreciate the work and how strongly it does connect to who she always was. I believe there is value in enabling your loved one to find avenues for expression and in accepting what is, because though you may not see the beauty or brilliance in it at that moment, you may appreciate it with the passage of time.”
Chalmers concluded, “My experience is that Phyllis Franco painted when words did not suffice. She used her work to challenge, calm, heal, inspire and connect. My hope is that this book will do the same.”
Available at Cappella Books and directly via rfrancochalmers@icloud.com. Prints and originals available at the Atlanta Art Fair at Pullman Yards, Oct 3-6. ì
Harmony of Opposite Tensions a world premiere by
The 109th Yahrzeit service for Leo Frank will be held at Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta Sunday August 18 5:00 pm Isn’t it time to clear the
Phyllis Franco’s daughter, Rebecca Franco Chalmers, poses in front of her mother’s painting
Stanton Welch Music by Maurice Ravel
Elemental Brubeck by Lar Lubovitch Music by Dave Brubeck
Kiyon Ross
Supported by Kathleen & Kirk Knous
Supported by:
Erica Alvarado and Sergio Masero
Photo by Kim Kenney.
Local Students Craft Stones of Remembrance
By Sasha Heller
Each year, the Stones of Remembrance project, sponsored by The Breman Museum, the Lillian and Al Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education, Eternal-Life Hemschech, and the Jewish Foundation of Greater Atlanta, memorializes the 1.5 million Jewish children who were killed during the Holocaust.
The students are given an actual child’s first and last name, the date and place of their birth, and a memorial stone in which they decorate. The students are then encouraged to write a reflective essay to help them process the project’s tragic themes. For their written reflections, the students could choose from a set of prompts or write an open-ended essay. The stones are then either displayed as a Holocaust memorial on their school grounds, at The Breman, or each student could bring their stone home to place in a location personal to them.
This year, students from 15 area schools participated in the project. The following is a selection of the students’ guided reflections:
Guided Reflections
How did you feel when painting your Stone of Remembrance? Why did you feel this way?
I felt sad and heartbroken hearing that this person died at my age. I had wished this had never happened. I almost started crying! Aviyah Tzuben, AJA grade 5
I felt a bit of hope in a time of darkness. That even though it happened around 90 years ago, we still remember the people who died and how it actually matters to us. Coby Ebrams, AJA grade 5
I felt sad knowing that a 10-year-old girl had a family and a life and could have had a beautiful family and kids but is not able to live up to her full potential. Rebecca Carter, AJA grade 6
I was wondering how did Renia feel? She was only six. Eden Amos, Lovett grade 6
Why is it important to remember children who were killed in the Holocaust?
Because we are their age and we can’t imagine that happening to us. We also need to learn about the Holocaust because it is a big part of our Jewish history. Emily Katzman, AJA, grade 5
Because we are Jewish children remembering Jewish children that did not have a proud happy life like we do. Anih Aavdar-Rubin, AJA grade 6
It is important because they do not have a burial place. Shlomo I, AJA grade 6
One reason is because 1.5 million innocent children were murdered for no other reason
than being Jewish. Another reason is because their families were also murdered, so there was no one to say Kaddish for them. Naomi Perez, AJA grade 6
What did you learn from participating in the Stones of Remembrance project? I learned that everybody matters. Evan Bettsack, AJA grade 5
I learned that not everyone is remembered. Ryan Schwartz, AJA grade 5
I learned that many children died and have nobody who remembers them and that it’s important to remember them. Zachary Schulman, AJA grade 5
I learned it is a kind of important thing to make someone’s life matter every year. Priya Hebbar, Lovett grade 6
If allowed to take your stone home, where would you place it and why?
I would put it near my Shabbat candles on my Shabbat table, so I can remember this child and pray for them. Ruth Frank, AJA grade 6
I would put it right next to one of my windows because in nature there is always peace and harmony, and I hope for these poor children there is always peace and harmony. Mattie Katz, AJA grade 5
I would put my stone in the front of my house so everyone who walks by or comes in will know the child and remember all the kids that were killed. Yael Baranes, AJA grade 7
In my room because that is where I am most during the day, and you need to remember it all day long. Daria Gal, AJA grade 8
Maureen Danzig’s seventh-grade English class at Holy Innocents Episcopal School proudly displaying their stones. In the center is Jeannette Zukor, Chair of The Stones of Remembrance Project.
Star of Stones at The Breman. A camper at Camp Coleman satisfied with his Stone of Remembrance. Campers at Camp Coleman concentrate on their messages on Stones of Remembrance.
Memorial Stones Garden at The Breman. A Lovett School sixth grader proud to present his Stone of Remembrance.
Riya Heda, seventh grade, The Lovett School, is happy to share her stone and written reflection
Kelly Lecceardone’s sixth-grade English class at The Lovett School diligently crafting their artwork on Stones of Remembrance.
Holocaust-themed art at the Atlanta Jewish Academy including a Stone of Remembrance, barbed wire, and a yellow sunflower.
Stones, candles and yellow sunflowers on the crypt holding six flaming torches at the Memorial to the Six Million in Greenwood Cemetery.
A toddler adds a Stone of Remembrance to the crypt at the Memorial to the Six Million in Greenwood Cemetery.
A sixth-grade Lovett School student pleased with his artful Stone of Remembrance.
Stones of Remembrance and Daffodils at The Breman.
Jews Under Attack in ‘The Insider’
By Lou Ladinsky
I was really excited when asked to review the new Harry Stern novel, “The Insider,” a sequel to his first novel, “My Brother’s Keeper,” featuring the return of Joshua Canaan and Leora Bargal, two of our favorite Israeli Mossad agents from “My Brother’s Keeper.”
This time they are called to action, away from their Israeli homeland, to assist the New York Police Department, along with the FBI, to thwart a bomb attack being planned by Iran’s Quds Force Unit 840 on a high-level meeting with more than 200 prominent Jewish philanthropists and nonprofit executives at the 92nd Street Y designed to inflict maximum damage. This is all in retaliation to Iran’s proclamation of Israel’s assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists, use of the Stuxnet computer virus to damage centrifuges, and the targeted killings of military leaders.
The territorial relationship between the NYPD, the FBI group based in New York, and the Israeli Mossad agents was expertly crafted throughout the story. Each group had its own agenda and idea on how to stop the terrorists. The one commonality they all exhibited was the hate of antisemitism against the Jewish targets. This brought them together to combat the enemy, breaking the territorial boundaries surrounding the different law enforcement agencies. The one obstacle the FBI faced was support from the top in Washington, D.C., who did not see the immediate threat at hand as a high priority, especially when the Attorney General was no friend of the Jews and had little use for Israel. Thankfully, the FBI agents working with the New York police and the Mossad agents were willing to risk their jobs to do the right thing.
The relationship between New York
detective Alex Ramirez and his Israeli wife, Maayan, was also full of surprises. Detective Ramirez knew his wife had some Israeli connections prior to a trip to Israel with her to discuss the threat in New York. To his complete surprise, he finds out his wife was one of Mossad’s top analysts at some point in her life. She refers to her role with Mossad as a “never-ending connection.” Her role and background were critical to the mission at hand as the story kept unfolding.
While Stern’s previous novel took us all over the world, this story centered around New York City where there is a very large Jewish population. If you wanted to inflict the maximum damage against the Jewish people in the United States, then New York would be the ultimate target, especially when it was the site for a large Jewish meeting. To divert attention away from New York, the enemy also staged attacks in other major U.S. cities with sizable Jewish populations. From start to finish, this was a very hard book to put down. It kept me on the edge page after page with many twists and turns. With antisemitism around the world at its highest peak in decades, it makes me wonder how fictitious and far from the truth this story can actually be. Just look at all the anti-Israel/pro-Palestine demonstrations taking place today across our college campuses in the United States. I can only imagine how many groups and sleeper cells are lying in wait plotting to attack at a moment’s notice.
Thankfully, our law enforcement and intelligence agencies around the world work diligently each day to prevent such heinous acts of violence from occurring. We must never let our guard down and always remain vigilant. Let’s hope Stern has Joshua Canaan and Leora Bargal called back into action in some future story. ì
“The Insider” is the sequel to “My Brother’s Keeper” by Harry D. Stern.
Local author Harry Stern’s newest novel is “The Insider.”
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Coles Gets Tough, Digs Deep, Beats Cancer
By Bob Bahr
Late last year Michael Coles, who, at the age of 80, walks several miles each day and does a long ride on his stationary bike, noticed he was slowing down. He was taking naps in the late afternoon, something he rarely did, and he noticed an increase in abdominal discomfort. He thought at first it was just a sign of advancing age, but after his symptoms persisted, he decided it was time to check in with his doctor.
It was not a moment too late. He was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer, one of an estimated 150,000 Americans who have the disease. It’s fourth on the list of common cancers and is the second most deadly.
Coles is one of our community’s most active philanthropists and business leaders. He co-founded the Great American Cookie Company. The operation, which was built on a family recipe for a chocolate chip cookie, grew into one of the largest operations of its kind in the country.
From a small cookie counter at Pe-
rimeter Mall that opened in 1977, it expanded into an operation of more than 300 franchises that was selling 110 million cookies a year when it was sold in 1998. Today, the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University, of which he is a principal benefactor, is a testament to that success.
But, as he observes, cancer does not respect financial success and a week after visiting his doctor, he was on the operating table. Because the growth had spread in his colon, one-third of the organ was removed and then, in a procedure called resection surgery, stitched back together. Given his age and the advanced stage of his cancer, it’s not an easy operation.
“It’s a tough surgery,” Coles says, “be-
Michael Coles endured four months of intense chemotherapy for colon cancer. His miniature schnauzer snuggled close by during the long treatments.
Much of Michael Coles’ philosophy of recovery from serious health crises is in his book “Time To Get Tough”
HEALTH & WELLNESS
cause that surgery, as my doctor puts it, brings together two parts of your body that have never met before, and it’s like a relationship that has to be formed. They have to learn how to get along together, which is different. And that process takes between six months to a year.”
Over his long life he’s come to an intimate knowledge of medical recovery. What he learned over the years is described in his 2018 memoir, written with Catherine Lewis, “Time to Get Tough.” Central to his life story is how he embarks on his recovery from a catastrophic motorcycle accident in 1977 when doctors told him he would never walk again without a crutch or a walker. Much of the book is about his remarkable recovery and the astonishing business success that followed.
Among his many accomplishments was a series of record setting, cross country bicycle races across America. A malignant tumor in his neck 13 years ago sidelined him again. But his routine of alternating long-distance bike rides and long-distance walking and his dedication to a healthy and positive lifestyle worked. Over the years, in all, he’s endured 30 different surgical procedures.
His latest recovery, which came after four months of aggressive chemotherapy, was a challenging regimen that over time affected his entire body.
“I developed neuropathy in my feet. which left them numb and it was hard to keep my balance,” he says. “I couldn’t
touch anything that was cold. So, I couldn’t go in the refrigerator without gloves on. It was bad for about a month toward the end of the chemotherapy.”
All the while, he wrote notes to himself that read, “time to get tough,” and he scattered them in every room. And he kept moving.
“I made these little signs. They were all over the house,” Coles recalls. “And as a reminder that the one thing you don’t want to do is give in to your illness. The bed and the couch, I believe, are your two biggest enemies. And so, I never took to a bed or couch. I just pushed through.”
He successfully completed the grueling months of treatment in May. Late last month he and his wife, Donna, whom he credits for much of his survival and success, celebrated 52 years of marriage.
According to the American Cancer Society, those who successfully survive a stage three colon cancer diagnosis have a 73 percent chance of surviving for at least another five years.
After all he’s been though over the years, Coles’ latest battle for survival has left him with an acute sense of his own mortality.
“This time I had the question of how much time do I really have? What are the things I want to try to get done? If I don’t live beyond a year, what do I need to do? So, it’s different. It was different and it’s still different. I still think about things in a very different way.” ì
Michael Coles’ success with the Great American Cookie Company was built on a chocolate chip cookie recipe from the Coles’ grandmother.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Helpful Tips for Selecting a Concierge Doctor
By Robyn Spizman Gerson
If you are a patient considering a move to a concierge doctor, there are multiple reasons why this could be a timely decision that interests you. It is helpful, first and foremost, to understand what a patient can expect from a concierge physician. It is also essential to know how a specific concierge practice process works for one’s overall health.
While concierge practices have been emerging over many years, in 2021, Dr. Fredd E. Miller made the decision to become a concierge doctor and joined Sandy Springs Internal Medicine, an established concierge medicine practice. A board-certified internist practicing since 1998, Miller earned his undergraduate degree from the University of North Texas, received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and completed his internal medicine residency at Emory University affiliated hospitals. When he was approached to join this well-known concierge medical group, he knew it was the right fit.
Regarding how patients can navigate this decision when considering the option, Miller shared, “The goal of concierge medicine is to provide availability, peace of mind, and access. Becoming a concierge physician was the best decision I have ever made. I have always
loved what I do, and concierge medicine was the perfect fit. As an internist, there’s never a dull moment and while I certainly work as hard as I have always worked, the structure of concierge medicine was very appealing to me. Concierge medicine can provide a meaningful op-
portunity for a patient when their expectations meet the services we provide. Realistic expectations are very important as each practice is unique and needs to be a fit for each patient.”
There are multiple reasons which motivate patients to pursue a concierge
Many people have recently made the switch to concierge medicine for a variety of reasons. Dr. Fredd E. Miller is a concierge physician at Sandy Springs Internal Medicine.
doctor. Miller stated, “There are many reasons someone may feel it is time to select a concierge practice. Sometimes, a person’s busy schedule can make finding care difficult so they want someone they can easily reach in their own timeframe. Or perhaps, they are older or have multiple medical issues. Some people may require more reassurance and more support coordinating their individual needs, specialists or personal challenges. Then there are those who just want to be proactive about their health and are highly motivated. And some people just want a change. The reasons differ greatly.”
He added, “The goal of all our physicians is to partner with patients for their future well-being and health. That is always the bottom line for any doctor-patient relationship. I try to stress this to all my patients, that you must listen to your body and be an advocate for yourself and be a part of the team with your medical professionals.”
Regarding the popularity of the concierge practice model, Dr. Miller added, “Another reason concierge medicine has become popular is that medicine is more complicated today than ever before with new advances in technology, and new understanding in certain areas of biology and physiology. The way we address and treat problems has changed dramatically and continues to change. I believe that educating a patient and providing understanding of their own medical problems leads to a healthier patient and better outcomes. An educated patient is more likely to become an advocate for themselves and be more motivated to work as a team. In many ways, the internist is the conductor of the orchestra. I very much believe in teaching patients to advocate for themselves and what that really means. When I refer a patient to a specialist, I want the patient to have clar-
HEALTH & WELLNESS
ity as to why they are seeing them and to know what questions to ask to best learn about their medical health.”
Miller shared, “When a patient wants to determine if our concierge practice is a fit, prior to joining the practice, an initial meeting is scheduled with the prospective patient and doctor. I encourage patients to interview their options to make sure they have found the best match. Once a patient is accepted in a concierge practice and the process begins, a patient starts by sharing their full medical profile. Our practice sets up a detailed data review collection of the entire medical history, vaccinations, pharmacy records, medications and surgical history.”
The important thing Miller suggests is to, “keep in mind if you are searching for a concierge physician, you need to understand how it works and select a doctor that inspires you to stay motivated about your overall health. Make sure you are aligned in your beliefs and expectations and understand what they provide and how the partnership works.”
While Miller has enjoyed every step of his career along the way as an internist, the concierge approach is clearly a meaningful match. If you are searching for a concierge medicine service, prospective patients should keep in mind there can be waiting lists and you’ll potentially discover some practices or specific doctors are already full. Timing is everything and be patient.
Dr. Miller adds, “Happy, well-informed and healthier patients are the goal for all doctors, and as a concierge physician, I value the extra time available for my patients. This has proven to be a wonderful match for both me and my patients who have made the decision to transition to concierge care.”
For more information visit www. ssim.com. ì
Common FAQ About Concierge Medicine
* Can I meet the doctor first to see if this is a match for me?
* How does your office merge my medical records, history and collect all of my previous data?
* How does my health insurance get handled at the practice? Who will guide me administratively and be my contact?
* How does communication work at the practice regarding calls or questions including after hour calls? Who will I speak to if you are unavailable?
* Do you have a portal I will need to sign up for where all my records will be stored?
* What is the membership fee, what does it cover and how does that work yearly and throughout time?
* Do you have a hospital affiliation and what if I use physicians at other hospitals?
* How does your referral process work for additional specialists?
ClearWorks Audiology
Jewish Teen Brings Music to Memory Impaired
By Sasha Heller
The power of music on the proverbial soul cannot be understated, and its ability to influence memory via nostalgia has been well documented by everyone from gerontologists to musicians.
To that end, Elias Kremer, a rising senior at The Galloway School, has launched NOTEWORTHE Music as a way to share his love of music with those who are dealing with cognitive impairment and may benefit from his piano concerts. Kremer has also partnered with Emory University’s Cognitive Impairment Program to enhance NOTEWORTHE’s programming capabilities and has started a fundraising campaign to benefit the program.
The AJT recently sat down with Kremer to discuss his “noteworthy” program, its connection to Emory, and the impact his organized student concerts have had on local senior living communities.
AJT: What was your inspiration to start NOTEWORTHE Music?
EK: I started NOTEWORTHE Music after seeing how playing piano brought joy to those I love who are cognitively impaired. My grammy was recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s, and my great
uncle has Alzheimer’s. When I play piano for them, they connect with me, with the music, in a way that is really special. I wanted others with memory impairment to experience this kind of connection and benefit from the power of music on the mind. It is this goal that inspired our mission statement: Bring the power of music and memories to people through live performance. NOTEWORTHE Music’s talented student musicians have played concerts at senior living communities, respite care centers, and brain health programs. There is something really powerful and unique about the connection between student musicians and seniors. The seniors tell us we give them hope for the future, while the musicians get to interact with an amazing audience and truly see the impact their music can have on our community.
AJT: What led you to partner with Emory’s Cognitive Empowerment Program (CEP)?
EK: My grammy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at Emory Brain Health Center which made me aware of Emory and the work they were doing for cognitive impairment. After researching, I learned Emory’s Cognitive Empowerment Program’s purpose was to create programming that promotes joy, purpose, health, and wellness for seniors with mild cognitive impairment. I was surprised to find that the CEP did not have music therapy/enrichment for their patients. And, knowing how impactful music enrichment could be, I reached out to Dorna Shokoohi, the director of the CEP, about the possibility of bringing music enrichment through a
partnership with NOTEWORTHE Music.
AJT: What are you trying to accomplish with the funds you are raising for CEP?
EK: The student musicians are volunteering their time and talent, but we will use the funds raised to bring licensed music therapists to the CEP and ensure the program’s sustainability for years to come. Thanks to Cooper Piano’s generous piano donation, NOTEWORTHE Music was able to install a piano in the CEP facility. We’ve set a goal of $25,000 and have raised $10,000 so far. People can make a tax-deductible donation at noteworthemusic. org that goes straight to Emory’s CEP.
AJT: Why is this personal for you?
EK: I love playing piano - it is my greatest passion, and I’ve played since I was five. Music has always been a way for me to process the world, but only recently have I realized the impact my music can have on those around me. I’ve seen how much joy music has brought to my family members who are cognitively impaired and want to share that same joy with others.
AJT: What is the reaction to your student concerts when you perform?
EK: The seniors absolutely love it, they are always so engaged. Sometimes the audience will sway in their seats to the rhythm of the song, and every time without exception they come up to us after our performance and shake our hands. They tell us how we remind them of themselves when they used to play instruments, or how they loved one of our pieces, and it is those moments that remind me why I started NOTEWORTHE
Elias Kremer, a senior at The Galloway School, started NOTEWORTHE Music to share his love of music with those who are dealing with cognitive impairment // Photo Credit: NOTEWORTHE Music staff
Kremer (left) partnered with Emory University’s Cognitive Impairment Program to reach a larger audience with his music therapy // Photo Credit: Micah Parness
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Music. At our ribbon cutting concert, a woman stood and said, “For those of us in this program when we found out that our brains that we had trusted all of our lives had some cracks in them, it was devastating. For me personally, I did not know there would be much more joy in my life. But you guys - YOU bring the joy!”
AJT: What have you learned through this effort of starting your nonprofit?
EK: The power of music on the mind is enormous. Music keeps our minds active, young, and strong. Yet, music doesn’t just have a profound impact on the mind - it also brings us together. Regardless of our differences, we are all connected by music.
The AJT also spoke with Dorna F. Shokoohi, Director of Projects for the Charlie and Harriet Shaffer Cognitive Empowerment Program at Emory, about the university connecting with Kremer and his NOTEWORTHE program.
AJT: How did you first connect with Elias?
DS: I have known Elias since he was a young child, although we pleasantly reconnected when he reached out to Emory Goizueta Brain Health Institute to express his interest in offering music enrichment to those with mild cognitive impairment. The Shaffer Cognitive Empowerment Program provides in-person and virtual lifestyle intervention classes to its members diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment. While we have offered music classes to our members in the past, Elias brings a more tailored kind of music enrichment with interactions between songs and the potential for future programming and music therapy.
AJT: Please discuss the impact that music therapy can have for people deal ing with cognitive impairment and memory issues.
DS: Concerns with memory is one of the first signs seen among individu als with cognitive decline, and while over time, it might become harder to re member daily matters, music memory is partially spared in these individuals. Re search has shown that those with mem ory issues can still learn new songs and react emotionally to music. These obser vations are encouraging to the introduc tion of music therapy, as music is known to improve mood, bring back memories and emotions from the past, provide a non-verbal means for communication and expression, and conducted in group settings, promotes valuable social inter actions and connection to others. Over all, the quality of life is positively impact ed through the introduction of music and the interaction that comes with it.
AJT: Are there any plans in place for the music therapy program going for ward?
DS: We are excited that Elias is rein troducing music enrichment to our pro gram. Through his continuous support, we look forward to sprinkling music en richment activities throughout the year in different ways, and music therapy can certainly be one form of engagement with our members. We are grateful to Elias and all who have contributed to this undertaking, and from the very warm reception received by everyone in attendance at the piano cutting ceremony and concert last week, we believe that the benefits of this enrichment program will be felt strongly by all our members, care partners, and program alumni. ì
At the Lenbrook concert, (from left) grandfather George Shapiro, grandmother (Grammy) Ray Ann Kremer, Elias Kremer, and Betsy Baker // Photo Credit: Lenbrook
Muscle Stimulation is Key at
By Marcia Caller Jaffe
Glenn Braunstein recently opened Pulse Performance Studio in Buckhead, introducing the innovative world of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) training.
Electrical muscle stimulation training claims to be a revolutionary fitness method where low-frequency electrical impulses stimulate muscles, mimicking the natural process of muscle contractions. Clients wear cutting-edge EMS suits while personal trainers lead them through an intense, efficient, primarily all-bodyweight workout that engages multiple muscle groups simultaneously.
Braunstein stated, “This combination of technology and professional guidance builds muscle, improves strength, and burns fat with just a short 20-minute training session – and the results are equivalent to a 2–3-hour, all-body gym workout. Pulse Performance is not just another gym – it’s a personalized fitness experience designed to transform the way you approach your health and well-
ness.”
While Pulse Performance Studio is a new venture here, EMS training purports to have a proven track record worldwide
and is growing rapidly. Braunstein reports that many individuals have experienced significant improvements in their fitness levels, including increased muscle
tone, better posture, and enhanced overall strength. Pulse’s benefits help achieve fitness goals with an emphasis on efficiency and speed.
Pulse Performance purchased VisionBody Suits - the latest innovation in EMS training.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Braunstein advised, “Pulse is for anyone who wants to maximize their health and wellness results without spending hours in the gym.” And for the gym rats? EMS training can be added to any current fitness routine to help accelerate results. “Whether you’re a busy professional, a fitness enthusiast looking for a new challenge, or someone seeking a quick and effective workout, our personalized approach ensures that each client receives the attention and support needed to succeed.”
Political affairs guru and fan, Karen Isenberg Jones, stated, “I didn’t know quite what to expect before trying the Pulse Performance arm demo, but Glenn walked me through the whole process and explained how the equipment works in a very easy way. I immediately felt my biceps and triceps being engaged, and I could feel the resistance when exercising those muscles. I’m excited to continue training at Pulse and look forward to strengthening my entire body!”
In terms of competition, Pulse claims to be the first EMS studio to combine EMS training with other med spatype wellness services, like EMS body sculpting and infrared therapy. All clients have access to a high-tech, 3-D body scan that will help track their progress and
goals. Braunstein sells suits so people can come in ready-to-go with their own suit; for those who do not want to buy, Pulse offers studio suits on hand which are washed after every use.
Pulse Performance Studio offers tai lored membership packages. As part of their grand opening promotion, they are offering a 50 percent discount to the first 50 “founding members,” who want to get in on the front end.
Braunstein grew up in South Florida and attended the University of Miami. After a successful career in corporate America at large technology companies, Braunstein decided to leave “big business” to help inspire others take on his lifelong passion for fitness and wellness. Outside of work, he enjoys time with his wife and two teenage girls and stays active by hiking, mountain biking, running, skiing, and EMS training. The Braunsteins belong to The Temple.
Braunstein concludes, “While EMS training offers incredible benefits, it won’t compensate for an unhealthy lifestyle. Proper nutrition is essential for energy, recovery, and achieving optimal fitness results. We encourage our members to maintain a healthy diet, and we partner with a company that provides healthy eating packages.” ì
Glenn’s 5 Tips for Getting Fit
Start small: It doesn’t have to be difficult or long. Walking, light running, biking, or lifting light weights for 20-30 minutes can make a difference.
Consistency: Regularly engage in physical activities at least a few times a week.
Gradually increase intensity: Slowly add volume and frequency to your workouts to avoid injuries and burnout.
Immerse yourself in fitness: Read articles and listen to health/fitness podcasts to stay motivated.
Find accountability partners: Surround yourself with friends, family, or trainers who have similar healthy goals and who can help you stay accountable.
Partnering with ambitious professionals around the globe to Realize Better Health
Thriving in your career and feel like your health and wellness is taking a back-seat?
In an ever-changing hybrid work environment, balancing life’s many competing priorities, including work, relationships, and health, is challenging.
With each client’s unique needs and goals in mind, we’ll work together to create sustainable daily habits to build the overall well-being and work-life balance you crave.
years
Pictured is Pulse Performance’s original location in Austin, Texas, the concept from which Pulse Performance Buckhead was born.
Bronx Bagel Buggy Scores Tops for Deli
By Marcia Caller Jaffe
Julie Dragich and Steve Novotny proclaimed, “When a Polish girl from Cleveland meets an Italian boy from the Bronx, you get authentic New York style bagels” and tons more.
They started in the bagel biz during the pandemic when Dragich lost her job and the pair started playing around with bagel recipes at the Brookhaven Farmers Market in 2021, then expanded to Alpharetta, Dunwoody and Sandy Springs markets.
The brick-and-mortar facility opened in January 2024 in downtown Chamblee. Now with 15 employees, Bronx Bagel Buggy is making its mark as “an authentic New York Style graband-go shop,” with an appealing variety of products. Dragich and Novotny live together and bake together, everything from scratch.
Explaining the arrangement, Novotny said, “I mostly run the front of house, and with Julie handling the kitchen, marketing and sales. I was raised in the
ZooATL-Sippin-2024-AJT.pdf 1 7/26/2024 11:50:44 AM
deli business, and Julie was a sales executive for an IT datacenter infrastructure company.” When asked what makes an authentic New York style bagel, Dragich describes it as “crunchy outside, airy on
the inside with a good chew, made with traditional ingredients.”
Bagels are made onsite by a professional hand roller who moved here from Long Island. He makes the dough, rolls
the bagels, then kettle boils and bakes them in a stone-lined revolving oven. While everything, sesame, and plain are the most popular choices, some creative and more unusual flavors include asiago
Julie Dragich and Steve Novotny work as a team starting in the early morning to oversee an authentic “Bronx” style and varied menu.
The whitefish sandwich is a favorite with choice of bagel.
Bronx Bagel Buggie makes their own pickles onsite.
jalapeno, rosemary sea salt and cinnamon crunch. All salads and spreads are also made onsite as are the half sour pickles. Then there’s latkes, flagels, spreads, desserts, sandwiches, lattes, mugs, and even T-shirts.
Atlantans need to get familiar with these bialys. Dragich uses her grandmother’s recipe with soft dough, not boiled. The end result is a light airy oval roll with onions and poppy seed, and the option of a summer spin with tomato, garlic and basil. Dragich describes their yummy babka choices: “Made from scratch – not purchased frozen. We make all of our baked goods in-house. Our most popular babka flavors are chocolate and cinnamon, then there’s strawberry, blueberry, apple, Nutella, pistachio/chocolate.”
Bronx Bagel Buggy has a fun atmosphere, extending its red and white checkered theme into the product wrappings. But this food is not just about the cute covers; the “Bronx” authenticity and product depth is top tier in quality and creativity (one display was oozing with yummy Cookie Monster babkas). We tried bagels that were hefty giants. The spreads were really delish -- honey fig, scallion, vegan roasted veggie (really chunky), raspberry jalepeno (indescribably zingy), honey sriracha, olive, lox/ cream cheese. The talent is not just in thinking these up, but in executing.
BBB has online ordering and catering and has served baby namings and mitzvahs. They prepare salad platters like whitefish, tuna, chopped liver, and chicken salad, pimento cheese, fruit platters, and lunch boxes. They also make
DINING
Julie and Steve prepare all baked goods onsite with a professional dough roller.
mini babka, rugalach, black and whites, and a variety of baked goods on platters.
By choosing a Chamblee location (near Whole Foods and the popular Eli’s Pita), BBB brings an influx of a more “hip” crowd, as Dragich sees a “mix of trend setters, young families, millennials, lots of New Yorkers and Northerners. We also have many Jewish families.”
In addition to the “human” menu, dog treats are up for grabs. BBB worked with a vendor to make dog biscuits shaped like bagels with natural ingredients like peanut butter and bacon.
For a typical day, Dragich and Novotny arrive onsite at 5 a.m. after waking up at 4 a.m. with the exception of Saturdays when they are onsite at 4 a.m. They close at 2 p.m. and usually leave by 4 p.m. Customers are encouraged to register online as VIPs to receive special offers and notifications about upcoming events and promotions; the bagel shop is also in the process of starting a loyalty program.
Is franchising in the future? “Yes,” said Dragich. “We will eventually get there. We have had many people approach us about franchising our concept.”
Approximately 95 percent of their business is takeout, and they have seating inside and outside for 20 people. Unsold food is donated to Bagel Rescue.
Bottom line: The food at BBB is “the real deal” delivering New York quality down south.
Bronx Bagel Buggy is located at 5494 Peachtree Road. 678-587-5711. Closed Monday through Wednesday. Open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. ì
DASH Goes Truckin’ with Yoffi
By Marcia Caller Jaffe
Some build brick walls, visionaries build the village.
David Abes, through his DASH Hospitality, has honed in on Dunwoody Village where he established his vision to create not just dining choices, but “a happening, neighborhood scene,” reminiscent of a town square or a quaint European town where neighbors mingle to eat and drink.
In July, Abes added Yoffi, yet another cuisine and concept to join the circle of fun. That’s why Abes calls it “Funwoody.” To seal his spot as a local legend, Abes dressed elaborately in a red, white and blue costume to lead the Fourth of July Parade through Dunwoody.
Yoffi is Mediterranean “fast food” leaning more towards the Israeli palette. It is permanently housed in a fun, bright orange food truck complete with a digital ordering screen and easy-serve window. But wait, a truck is not a truck, when Abes recounted its history, “I drove by this empty looking trailer marked Taste
of Asia, in Cornelia, Ga. When I inquired about buying it, the fella said, ‘just take it off the property.’” Meanwhile, Abes has used it for a test kitchen for the various
concepts and taken the air out of the tires so it’s not a “roving” truck.
Abes shared, “I love the flavors of the Mediterranean, and wanted to infuse
Some
that into our already bustling group of restaurants in Funwoody.”
Yoffi serves lunch and dinner complete with vegetarian options. Yoffi
David Abes added this bright orange Yoffi food truck to his circle of fun in Dunwoody.
outdoor tables have spinning blades as bug detractors. The roasted green beans after shakin’ in their spice bag were enough to share alongside mains.
DINING
Abes takes delight in forming a community and having a place for neighbors to meet under the bright jib sails.
translates as “way to go” or “beauty” or “all good” in Hebrew -- there are several translations while serving “street food,” like falafel, shawarma, pita.
Menu items include a variety of house-made dips (served with fresh pita) like roasted pepper and feta and silkysmooth hummus. Entrees include five different bowls including falafel with tahini, wood roasted mushrooms with harissa dressing, rotisserie chicken, za’atar with a mild red chili relish, a traditional gyro burger, and a double cheeseburger smeared with simcha sauce.
(Abes declined to define “simcha” to retain the mystery.) All of these are also offered “outside” a bowl, but with a piping hot pita.
The brown bags (ours was white) are fun shareables that have already become uber popular due to their “shakeability.” Diners can choose to shake up their roasted green beans or Yoffi fries with a tangy mix of malt vinegar and salt and pepper, or a savory seasoning of oregano and lemon zest, or top them with harissa dust for a little heat.
One of the best parts about Yoffi is that guests order and take a seat anywhere in the grand, outdoor courtyard. The open-air space is complete with a large screen for sports, concerts, and movies as well as a raised stage where live, local musicians and weekend DJ’s filter tunes throughout the family-friendly space.
Our best dish was Shroomin’ ($13), a roasted mushroom bowl over lemon quinoa, Israeli salad, charred scallion stems, hearty strips of “meaty” mushrooms, with harissa sauce. A clever touch was layering the hummus on the side of the bowl. The same ingredients are available in a pita for $12.
The falafel pita was a generous portion of several “logs,” not balls, with a bright green interior. The pita is not a pocket, so the circular flat bread makes for delightfully messy eating. The Sack of Sides is a conversation piece. Our sack of roasted green beans ($6) was cooked just “snappy” right, and brought tableside by Camron Woods, culinary director, who came with directions of how to apply the spice choice and “shake it up, baby.” Yoffi fries are the other sack option.
Yoffi serves anywhere from 50 to 200 meals a day … some through delivery and catering. Outdoors guests are also welcome to order from any of the four dining concepts (Yaffi, Morty’s Meats, bar{n}, or Message in a Bottle) or bars while dining thanks to the hand-held point of sale systems used by the service staff.
Abes told the AJT that son, Mitchell, a graduate of the University of Maryland, would soon be joining “the biz” as DASH brand manager.
Always a plus, Yoffi has free parking just steps away. Located at 5521 Chamblee Dunwoody, Yoffi is closed on Monday. 770-338-6992. ì
7 Bedrooms | 8.5 Bathrooms
2± meticulously groomed acres, embraced by a privately gated entrance
Walkout saltwater pool, artificial turf and fireside entertaining
Wine cellar, sophisticated bar, fitness studio and private movie theater
OFFERED FOR $6,850,000
Discover more about this exceptional new listing or schedule a complimentary consultation by reaching out to us today.
Leigh + Michael Schiff
d. 404.569.6233 o. 404.237.5000
leighschiff@atlantafinehomes.com michaelschiff@atlantafinehomes.com schiffrealestateteam com
CALENDAR
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15
The Power of Women: Leading the Fight Against Antisemitism - 8:30 p.m. Join Atlanta Israel Coalition for a Roundtable discussion about the Power of Women: Leading the Fight Against Antisemitism. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/29eyxkfc.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18
Israel Virtual Tours: Let’s GATHER Together to Re-Discover the Land of Israel after October 7th - 9:30 - 11 a.m. We are thrilled to announce an upcoming series of three virtual tours in Israel hosted by the Atlanta Israel Coalition (AIC) and the Jewish Interest-Free Loan Association of Georgia (JIFLA), featuring tour guide David Sussman. Get the virtual link at https:// tinyurl.com/pakkv7h8.
Rabbi Shai Held in Conversation: Judaism is About Love - 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Congregation Shearith Israel is pleased to welcome Rabbi Shai Held, one of the most influential Jewish thinkers and leaders in America, to speak on his new book, 'Judaism is About Love." Join Rabbi Held for a close look at some of the core concepts of his book and discover the forgotten heart of Jewish theology and practice: love. Rabbi Held’s talk will be the closing event of Shearith Israel’s Together Again: Celebrating Community weekend. RSVP at https:// tinyurl.com/m6rhfzuc.
From Place to Place: Book Signing and Lecture - 2 to 4 p.m. Join Chabad of Hall County for a powerful book signing and lecture. In this powerful memoir, local author Bernardo Szwarcbart tells the true story of his father’s miraculous escape from Nazi-occupied Belgium to Brazil during WWII. Based on research, his father’s memories, and some creative license, it’s a testament to hope and resilience in the darkest of times, urging us to fight against rising antisemitism and ensure such tragedies never happen again. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdec6nxk.
The 109th Yahrzeit for Leo Frank - 5 p.m. Justice Delayed is Justice Denied! Join Rabbi Chase Foster and Rabbi Steven Lebow along with special guests, Governor Roy Barnes and Cobb County District Attorney Flynn D. Broady, Jr., at a memorial service for Leo Frank, on the occasion of the 109th Yahrzeit of his passing. Frank was wrongly convicted of having murdered Mary Phagan in 1913 and was lynched in 1915 a few miles from Marietta Square. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/4zpckskm.
Uncomfortable Conversations with Emmanuel Acho - 6 to 7:30 p.m. New York Times best-selling author of the recently released "Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew," co-written by Noa Tishby, Emmanuel Acho sits down with The Temple’s Rabbi Peter S. Berg and Ebenezer’s Rev. Dr. John H. Vaughn for an exclusive conversation about the challenges he faced as he set out to write a book about antisemitism and the uncomfortablesometimes painful - questions he needed to ask and understand to become an ally that today’s Jewish community needs. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5x5bsnkb.
MONDAY, AUGUST 19
Ancient Wisdom for Your Life – 8 to 9 p.m. Join Chabad of Fulton for a weekly journey into the Torah’s relevance. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/3vpn24m5.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 20
Brain Health Bootcamp – 11 a.m.to 1 p.m. Join a fun, social class to strengthen your mind and body to stay sharp! With age serving as the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment or memory loss, JF&CS is taking action with the Brain Health Bootcamp. The first of its kind in Atlanta, it is designed to provide memory enhancement techniques through cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, education, and socialization. Join by visiting https://bit. ly/451GNDC.
Women’s Torah and Tea - 8 to 9 p.m. Weekly women’s program with Chabad of North Fulton in-depth and fascinating exploration of the chassidus book of Tanya. Find out more information at https://bit. ly/3TK8j53.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21
AIPAC Leadership Dinner - 6 to 8 p.m. Leadership dinner exclusively for donors who contribute $10k or more to AIPAC and/or its affiliated political entities. Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/yaurysyh.
Jewish Women’s Torah and Tea - 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. Join the Jewish Women’s Circle of Decatur for a weekly discussion on the Parsha and contemporary Jewish issues. Find out more at https://bit.ly/3T8oR4B.
Mitzvah House Torah Class – 8 to 9 p.m. Join the Mitzvah House for a weekly Torah class for men and women. Snacks for the body and soul. Find out more at https://bit. ly/4bhIL5f.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 22
Artist Opening: Diane Shaftman - 6 to 7 p.m. Join us in welcoming the incredibly talented Diane Shaftman, our artist-inresidence. Diane’s art will be available for sale, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting MACoM. Registration is requested at https://tinyurl.com/4ezetbx7.
CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES
Torah Reading: Va’etchanan
Friday, August 16 Light Candles at: 8:04 PM
Saturday, August 17 Shabbat Ends: 9:00 PM
Torah Reading:Eikev
Friday, August 23 Light Candles at: 7:56 PM
Saturday, August 24 Shabbat Ends: 8:51 PM
Torah Reading:Re’eh
Friday, August 30 Light Candles at: 7:47 PM Saturday, August 31 Shabbat Ends: 8:42 PM
FRIDAY, AUGUST 23
Shabbat Unplugged - 6:30 to 9 p.m. Step away from the week’s hustle and join Chabad Intown for an enchanting evening of music, snacks, drinks, community, and the serene ambiance of the Atlanta skyline. RSVP at https://bit.ly/3VsUt6N.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 25
JBaby Story Time with SLPs - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Speech-language pathologists, Ilyssa Sultanik and Lisa Friedman from Speech Bubble Atlanta, will model story time with kids! They will demonstrate ways to engage your child and encourage speech and language development. Find out the location by registering at https://tinyurl.com/ yyjpvr74.
Orkin Hillel Center at UGA Donor Celebration - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mark your calendar as Hillels of Georgia and Hillel UGA celebrate the generosity of donors who made possible the new Orkin Hillel at UGA. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ y8jr64kd.
BBYO August Kickoff - 12 p.m. Join BBYO to watch the Braves take on the Nationals to kickoff the year. BBYO membership is not required. Transportation will be provided both ways from either Intown or Dunwoody. Limited tickets are available. No credits or refunds are given for a canceled game or date change due to a rainout. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5dxyysff.
Kibbitz and Konnect 2nd Anniversary - 4 to 7 p.m. Kibbitz & Konnect is turning 2! Join us to celebrate our 2nd anniversary, meet new friends, and more. We’ll have light bites and a cash bar. RSVP in advance at https://bit.ly/3JRGimi or at the door. This event is 21+.
Discover the Joy of Volunteering in Israel - 7 to 8:30 p.m. Learn about various volunteer opportunities in Israel and how to pay for them. Learn about group VolunTours or how to travel alone or with a friend to volunteer. Meet Atlantans who have volunteered in Israel. Learn about resources to help you plan your trip, including Facebook and WhatsApp groups. The Jewish Interest-Free Loan Association of Georgia will share how an interest-free loan can help pay for your trip to Israel. Join the Chabad of North Fulton, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta Gather Grants, the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeastern US, Congregation B’nai Torah and find out more at https://tinyurl. com/yzsd84ak.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 27
NCJW ATL Banned Book Club – 12 to 1 p.m. Meet to discuss NCJW ATL latest read! Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/bdzydben.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28
Empowering Parents: Supporting Your Teen’s Executive Functioning - 7 to 9 p.m. Unlock your child’s potential with essential executive functioning skills. Join us for a workshop designed for parents of middle and high school students, offering resources and strategies to enhance organization, flexible thinking, and working memory. Register with JumpSpark at https://tinyurl.com/2y2sw8b8.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29
Pathways to Parenthood: The Journey Continues - 7 to 9 p.m. An intimate follow up to February’s Pathways to Parenthood with Jewish Fertility Foundation event. Attendees to this event will have the opportunity to engage in detailed, individualized conversations about different components of the road to building a family. Panelists include Rabbi Malka PackerMonroe, Kaitlyn McLaughlin MS LPC, and Attorney Lynn Goldman. Delicious light food and drink will be served! Register at https://tinyurl.com/tu39nnj8.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 30
Kabbalat Panim Shabbat Service - 5:45 to 8 p.m. Once a month at Congregation Dor Tamid we'll gather for a Kabbalat Panim, an Oneg Shabbat before services at 5:45 p.m. We will then move to the sanctuary to welcome in Shabbat together at 6:15 p.m. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4caRiaZ.
KEEPING IT KOSHER
Pizza Pasta Muffins
So quick to put together, these muffins take pasta to a whole new level.
Ingredients
Pasta Muffins
1/2 pound ziti or Tuscanini Penne Pasta, slightly undercooked
1 (15-ounce) can Gefen Tomato Sauce
8 ounces cottage cheese
2 eggs
1/2 cup shredded cheese
2 tablespoons Haddar Brown Sugar
1 teaspoon parsley
1 teaspoon oregano
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Combine all ingredients and spoon into muffin tins.
3. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for 10 minutes.
Recipe Source: Kosher.com
Recipe by Mirel Freylich
The Kippah
When young David was asked by his father to say the evening prayer, he realized he didn’t have his head covered – so he asked his little brother, Henry, to rest a hand on his head until prayers were over.
Henry grew impatient after a few minutes and removed his hand. The father said, “This is important, put your hand back on his head!”
Henry exclaimed, “What, am I my brother’s kippah?”
YIDDISH WORD
Tsu sakh disorder
n. Anxiety caused by too-muchness, whether it is too much stuff in the house, too many responsibilities, or too many people coming for dinner.
“Rachel says she is beside herself with tsu sakh disorder, but her husband says that’s impossible because the house is so full of tchotchkes that there’s no room beside herself.”
From the Yiddish tsu sakh, meaning “too much.”
An Anatomical Puzzle
By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com
Difficulty Level: Easy
ACROSS
1. Approximately 1,600 feet, for the Brooklyn Bridge
5. Edinburgh girl
9. Some JFK guesstimates 13. “Leading With My Chin” author Jay
14. Important talmudic Rav 15. After-dinner confection
16. Notable Jerusalem locale often visited by foreign dignitaries
18. Actor Sharif of “Funny Girl”
19. Off the mark, as a throw
20. Alternatives to a 27-Across
22. Bigeye tuna, in Hawaii
23. Driving hazard, in winter
24. Notable Chaim Potok character
26. LAX search party?
27. Kind of comp.
29. 2001 Audrey Tautou title role
30. Promises
32. The Jewish High Priest wore several on his chest
33. Notable Jewish holiday treats
36. Rubik of “cube” fame
38. Finish in the top three, in the Olympics
39. Former Mets’ star Céspedes
42. Beat or peace ender
43. Tsp., e.g.
46. Notable song by Shalsheles
48. Shemonah ___
50. Pub
51. Software for a 27-Across
52. Cause genetic anomalies
53. Pitchers’ assets
55. What can be found in 16, 24,
33, and 46-Across...or an alternate title for this puzzle
57. “In ___ of...”
58. Jewish daughters
59. “The Wizard of Oz” surname
60. Bonanza vein
61. “___ Tikvah” (Benny Friedman hit)
62. French for “summers”
DOWN
1. Craftiest
2. Bits of wisdom
3. Singer Bocelli
4. Astronomical bursts
5. Dead finish
6. Pompeii coating
7. Enjoys (nachas)
8. Occasion where one 7-Down
9. Angsty rock genre
10. Buzz Lightyear’s voice
11. Home of Angels
12. Contends
17. Scott Lang’s superhero alter
ego
21. Yeshiva alt.
24. Kayin and Hevel, e.g.
25. Princely, perhaps
28. Hit the shmorg
30. Important layer
31. Rite of a Levi
33. Like the drummer of Def Lep-
pard, amazingly
34. “Jeweled” Israeli name
35. Like some exams and dates
36. Evaluate visually
37. Dawson who plays “Ahsoka”
40. A crowd, for Caesar?
41. Elitist
43. Har where the ark was parked
44. Courage and fortitude
45. Advanced-degree writings
47. United
49. Performance location
52. The Maharal’s golem is one (so it would seam)
54. BasketbalL great Bird
56. Spanish for “two”
OBITUARIES
Dr. Eugene D. Davidson 84, Atlanta
Dr. Eugene D. Davidson (Gene), 84, of Atlanta passed away at his home on July 31 with his loving wife, Linda, by his side. A renowned surgeon, loving husband, father, grandfather, and Renaissance man, Gene was known for his brilliant mind, encyclopedic knowledge, notable wine cellar, and carefully curated works of art. There was no field that didn’t interest him. He was the Siri, Google and AI for his family and friends. His unique sense of humor emerged in a variety of ways including his hilarious use of authenticsounding dialects.
Gene spent years skiing and hiking in Snowmass, Colo., and golfing around the globe. He and Linda toured the world, but the highlight of his life was enjoying his children and precious grandchildren at home and in locations like Colorado, New York, California and Argentina, (home to two grandchildren). Gene’s list of friends is legendary, as reflected in the number of celebratory occasions the couple delighted in attending.
Born in New York in 1940 to Eva and George Davidson, Gene grew up in Toledo. He graduated from the University of Michigan and Case Western University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, where he completed his internship and residency. He served in the Army at U.S. Kenner Army Hospital, Ft. Lee, Virginia for two years and then relocated to Emory University in Atlanta as a faculty member. His 37-year medical career in Atlanta was remarkable. There he served as a general surgeon and Chief of Staff, Chief of Surgery and interim President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Hospital, earning him the respect and love of all who crossed his path. Past President of the Atlantic Surgical Association, Gene was a board member of Mercy Care of St. Joseph’s and chaired several important committees. He traveled throughout the country giving talks and authored multiple articles in medical journals. Throughout his career and long after retirement, Gene was the go-to medical expert for his many friends and family members. Never impatient, always caring when called upon, he immediately returned calls, constantly appreciating the opportunity to help.
In addition to his wife, Linda Newman Davidson, he is survived by sons, Jeffrey, of Los Angeles, Eric, of Redondo Beach; daughter, Laura, of Atlanta; grandchildren, Penny and Sam Davidson, of Redondo Beach, and Sophia and Delphina Sann, of Argentina; brother, Martin of Toledo; cousins, Connie Royce Reed Wiere of Thousand Oaks, Calif., and Leslie Royce Resnik of Cleveland, Ohio; nieces and nephews and his canine companion, Charlie.
Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 5, 10 a.m. at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St. NE, 30309. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish may donate in Dr. Eugene Davidson’s memory to Case Western Reserve Medical School or to a charity of their choice. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
Jeanne Phyllis Shugerman
Denson
98, Atlanta
Jeanne Phyllis Shugerman Denson passed peacefully in Atlanta, Georgia on Aug. 2, 2024, after a brief illness with her children by her bedside.
Jeanne was born in Birmingham, Ala., on Aug. 9, 1925, and was the only and very muchloved child of Ida and Abraham Shugerman. The Shugerman family moved to Gadsden when Jeanne was 14 years old. After high school, Jeanne studied journalism at the University of Alabama and was active as a song writer and danced for the Army troops as part of the USO during World War II.
Jeanne left her university studies to marry Allan Irving Denson on Jan. 6, 1946, and for the next 50 years together, Jeanne and Allan devoted their lives to their family. The couple reared eight children, and the sounds of a large family, a menagerie of pets, and music always filled their home.
Jeanne nurtured her children, exemplified motherhood, exuded grace and her children adored her. She treated each of her children as if they, too, were only children. With so many, she was unable to individually read to them at night, so she played bedtime stories on vinyl records through the intercom every night.
Judaism was important within the Denson household, and Jeanne faithfully prepared Shabbat dinners and took her family to Friday night services and Sunday School at Temple Beth Israel.
Jeanne taught her children to love both science and the liberal arts, to “help your fellow man,” and to “make the world a better place.”
Jeanne was very proud of each of her children and encouraged their activities, including Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Chess Club, Drama Club, Debate, music lessons, ballroom dancing, swim team, ballet, cheerleading, science fair projects and summer camp.
Jeanne set the standard for her family by handling each challenge life brought her with grace, strength and a positive attitude. Jeanne’s intellect, love of community, and willingness to give of herself to those less fortunate brought her much admiration and many friends.
One of her proudest moments was her creation of “The SHEMA Award.” This was Temple Beth Israel’s highest honor bestowed on a member of the community who contributed in caring fashion to make The Temple “our home and its members our family” by giving service, promoting harmony, showing empathy and performing mitzvot at all times.
Jeanne supported Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood, The Smeltzer Educational Center for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, the American Diabetes Association and Birmingham Hadassah.
Jeanne was predeceased by her son, Harold Joseph Denson, her husband, Allan, and her parents, Ida and Abraham Shugerman. She is succeeded in life by her children and their spouses, Arthur Denson, Scott Denson (Judith), Bill Denson (LeNae), Miles Denson (Rita), Kathryn Cox (Louis), Jim Denson (Barbara), and Susan Newman (Randy); her 16 grandchildren include Ariel Dixon (Jeremy) and Rebecca Denson; Josh Denson (Casey), Aaron Denson (Meredith), and Megan Denson (Bar); Jared Denson (Van) and Brandon Denson (Jordanna); Michael Cox, Sarah Cox, and Caroline Cox Monday (Matt); Hana Denson, Sarai Denson, and Ari Denson (Kelsie); Noah Newman (Noam), Catherine Newman, and Kyle Newman; and 10 great-grandchildren, Sawyer and Mazie Denson; Eli, Isaac, and Benjamin Denson; Ayden Burns, Solomon, Jeremy, and Rafael Denson; and Emmett Monday.
The family would like to thank Raphael Adadevoh for the love and care you have given our mother and Arthur, our brother.
Graveside services were held at Temple Beth Israel Cemetery, 411 N. Vanderbilt Road on Monday, Aug. 5, with a luncheon immediately following at The Women’s Club of Gadsden. Shiva was held at Temple Sinai in Atlanta.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the following: Birmingham Temple Emanu-El Gadsden Cemetery Fund 2100 Highland Avenue South, Birmingham 35205; Birmingham Hadassah; JF&CS Atlanta Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Services; and Temple Sinai Youth and Teen Scholarship Endowment.
OBITUARIES
Phyllis Frankel
94 Atlanta
Phyllis Frankel passed away peacefully on Aug. 3, 2024, in Atlanta after a long illness. She was born in New York City on Dec. 13, 1930, to Nathan and Helen Freedman. Phyllis was an only child, but throughout her childhood and teenage years she was surrounded by her maternal relatives, including four aunts and numerous cousins, who all lived in her Upper West Side neighborhood of Manhattan. Phyllis graduated from Julia Richman High School in Manhattan and attended Syracuse University.
Following college, Phyllis worked in New York City’s jewelry district and then in the sales department for women’s clothing company Maidenform. In 1956, while visiting Miami for her cousin’s wedding, she met her beloved husband and soulmate, Jerome S. Frankel, on a blind date and they were married a few months later. They were married for 48 years when he passed away in 2005.
Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Liz Pila (Moritz) of Tampa, her son, Steve Frankel (Nicole) of Amagansett, N.Y. and Miami Beach, and five grandchildren, Joshua Pila (Jennifer) of Atlanta, Rachel Prochut (Eric) of Tampa, Sarah Pila-Leiderman (Eric) and Stefani Kasimer (Nathan) of Chicago, and Samantha Winters of New York, and six great-grandchildren, Zachary Pila, Gabriel Pila, Louis Prochut, Nehama Kasimer, Haddasa Kamisar, and Jack Leiderman.
The Frankels relocated from Miami to Atlanta in 1970, but even after living in Georgia for more than 50 years Phyllis never lost her distinctive New York accent. She was an active member of the Atlanta Jewish community for many years, first as a congregant of Temple Sinai and then Etz Chaim, and was also a member of Hadassah and ORT. Phyllis was an avid reader and excellent card player, enjoying competitive weekly games of bridge and canasta for many years. She was an extremely kind, outgoing and friendly person who had never met a stranger. Throughout her life, Phyllis always remembered and enthusiastically celebrated the birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions of her many friends and relatives, whose good health and happiness were very important to her.
The family wishes to thank Phyllis’s caregivers for their loving and dedicated care and support.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at 2 pm at H.M. Patterson & Son – Arlington Chapel in Sandy Springs, Ga., with burial to follow at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Phyllis’s memory to Congregation Etz Chaim, www.etzchaim.net, 1900 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, GA 30068.
Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Editor and Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@atljewishtimes.com.
CLOSING THOUGHTS Teachers I Remember
Chana Shapiro
We all remember certain teachers, the ones who “got us” or inspired us or expanded our world. I can’t recall much about my high school teachers; however, two of them stand out because of the permanent impact they made on me: an English teacher, Augusta Gottlieb, and an art teacher, Marie Anselevicius.
Mrs. Gottlieb insisted that her students become critical readers and clear writers. She gave us a load of work and demanded correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. She expanded our vocabulary and helped us speak and write articulately. We gave oral presentations, wrote too many essays, and learned to critique newspaper columns. We dissected “Oedipus Rex,” “King Lear,” and “Idylls of the King,” and were intrigued by Edgar Allen Poe.
Mrs. G. was a stealth snoop who knew
a lot about her students. She had no qualms about getting into our everyday lives, and she wasn’t averse to speaking her mind. She advised my friend, Richie, to pursue his dream of acting and decided to talk to his disapproving parents about it (which she did, successfully). She even had the chutzpah to tell me she didn’t like my boyfriend (it didn’t work). Once, she called me at home to remind me about a new journal she’d discovered for teen writers. (We did a lot of writing in her class, dreading Mrs. Gottlieb’s damning marginal notes on our essays of “awk,” meaning “awkward writing,” or “sloppy,” meaning careless writing).
Mrs. Gottlieb selected a few students to submit original work to the journal, and she made sure we’d comply with her directive by eliciting parental pressure. Mrs. G. called me at home, and my mother answered the phone. Needless to say, my mother was unaccustomed to this tactic, but she appreciated Mrs. G.’s gall. That very night, to placate both teacher and mother, I started writing! My classmate, Charles, (he also got a home call) and I were surprised (and relieved) that our pieces were accepted. The acceptances were sent to our school, and Mrs. G. gave us
the good news, taking our accomplishments as a personal vindication that her nagging worked. I agreed with other students that Mrs. G.’s work was excessive, yet I doggedly accepted the oppression, and worked overtime to appease her.
Marie Anselevicius, a well-known fiber artist, was the opposite of Mrs. Gottlieb, who favored white blouses and sensible shoes and got into our personal lives. Mrs Anselevicius, whose garb and accessories were delightfully theatrical, didn’t care a whit what we were reading or whom we were dating. Her goal was to get us hooked on art—making it and appreciating it. Aware of her status in the art world, I was thrilled to get into her class. We had fun experimenting with various mediums and participating in community art shows, but our pleasure was diminished by her difficult “Fifty Most Important Works of Art” assignment.
Mrs. A. brought a mini art world into our classroom. She mounted 50 oversized postcards of famous paintings and sculptures on a huge bulletin board. The collection was comprehensive. This was years before PowerPoint or other technologies, so we stu-
dents gathered around the board and took notes as she highlighted several cards each week, to explain salient elements of each one and tell us about the artists’ lives and ideas.
Mrs. A introduced me to Georgia O’Keefe and Louise Nevelson and explained the revolutionary Expressionists and mysterious Surrealists. Students had to correctly identify every picture and name its artist in order to pass the class; however, she gave her students as many tries as needed to accomplish it (this was anathema to Mrs. Gottlieb, who expected that the paper you handed in was your best effort. No re-tries.)
Mrs. A. often opined, “How can people enjoy a museum without understanding what they’re looking at?” I spent many lunch periods in that art room, studying the cards. The Fifty Card Challenge worked for me. My subsequent museum visits became more interesting, having been given an appreciation of an artist as a thinker, a social critic, an iconoclast, or a reflection of an era. Many students considered Mrs. G. too tough and bossy. Many considered Mrs. A. too pedantic. Today, I thank these two unforgettable teachers for making my life fuller and more enjoyable. ì
JOB OPENINGS
VOTED BEST NEWSPAPER & BEST WEBSITE BY THE AMERICAN JEWISH PRESS ASSOCIATION 2022 AND 2023
We are looking for YOU to fill one of these positions. We offer competitive salaries, benefits, PTO and both national and Jewish holiday time off.
RECEPTIONIST
The Atlanta Jewish Times has an immediate full-time opening for a dependable and organized individual to assist with front office tasks including circulation and subscription development. Responsibilities include customer service; answering phone calls and greeting visitors; handling subscription renewals and development; compiling and posting events online and in print; generating Excel reports; assisting in community engagement projects; and supporting staff with misc. tasks as needed. Direct knowledge of the Atlanta Jewish community a plus.
$15-$20 per hour.
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Atlanta Jewish Times has an immediate, in-office FULL TIME opening for an experienced administrative professional. Must be a quick learner who is highly organized, able to multitask in a fast-paced environment, and provide support at the executive level. Duties include assisting the company’s owner and president in day-to-day tasks; meetings; spreadsheets; maintaining calendars and scheduling appointments; handling phone calls and correspondence; in various projects and community events as needed.
Requirements Work experience as an Executive Assistant, or similar role. Strong MS Word and Excel skills Ability to work independently. Familiarity with database management. Outstanding organizational and time management skills.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Discretion and confidentiality. $25k-$35k annually.
