NOT ENEMIES
An interfaith gathering picks love over hate in the face of violence such as the San Bernardino slaughter. Page 4
NEW HOME
DEDICATED
The Chabad Israeli Center buys a Brookhaven home to be the gathering place for Atlanta’s Israeli community. Page 14
woodruffcreateATL.org
In memory of her mother, Elena Oliker opens her basement studio to guide Torah Day students in building art. Page 17
Atlanta VOL. XC NO. 47
WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM
DECEMBER 11, 2015 | 29 KISLEV 5776
Torah World Eyes Atlanta
M
Standing Up for the Faith
Danielle Foster, the religious school director at Congregation B’nai Israel, stretches to light the first candle on the synagogue’s electric chanukiah at Heritage Park in downtown Fayetteville on the first night of Chanukah, Sunday, Dec. 6. Rabbi Rick Harkavy, enjoying his first Chanukah since becoming the Reform congregation’s spiritual leader, keeps a close eye on her effort. The Chanukah menorah, built by B’nai Israel member Harold Leopold, sits a few feet in front of the city’s towering Christmas tree. For more start-of-Chanukah photos, see Page 26.
NOT ACADEMIC
The scholarly organizations for anthropology and women’s studies join the movement to boycott Israel, and a history association could be next. Page 8
COUNTRY STYLE
Patty Berkovitz has filled her home with an eclectic collection, from the paintings on the walls to the horses, dogs and donkey on the grounds. Page 18
INSIDE
Calendar 2
Cartoon 17
Candle Lighting
3
Home 18
Remember When 5
Education 20
Israel 7
Business 24
Opinion 10
Obituaries 29
Arts 17
Crossword 30
onday night, Dec. 14, will mark a milestone in Atlanta’s growth as a center of Torah observance and Talmudic study. The Daf Yomi Commission of Agu dath Israel of America will bring its celebration for the completion of a tractate of Talmud to Congregation Ner Hamizrach at 1858 LaVista Road in Toco Hills. It will be the commission’s first siyum, or celebration of completion, in Atlanta, and there’s no telling when the next one will be here because so many cities want the honor of hosting, said Rabbi David Kapenstein, the executive director of Kollel Ner Hamizrach. “We’re really very excited,” he said, noting that in addition to a capacity crowd at Ner Hamizrach, thousands will participate at sites in other cities or watch the festivities online. The Daf Yomi Commission organizes the daily study of one page, or daf, of Talmud. Every day, including holidays, people worldwide spend an intense 45 minutes to an hour to study the same page. Atlanta has at least four daf classes. By sticking to the rigorous schedule, participants complete the Talmud in 7½ years, leading to a grand siyum; the last one drew 98,000 people to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Smaller celebrations are held when each tractate is finished. Dec. 14 marks the end of the Gemara’s Tractate Sotah, focusing on adultery. Part of the excitement for the event, free and open to the public, is that Rabbi Eli Mansour will be the speaker. “We’re really honored that he’s coming to Atlanta to speak,” Rabbi Kapenstein said. “You always walk away with something very meaningful.” The event will start at 8 p.m. ■