Atlanta Jewish Times, Vol. XCIII No. 49, December 14, 2018

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VOL. XCIII NO. 49

DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 6 TEVET 5779

EDUCATION

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WHO ARE THEY? AJT INTERN GETS THE SCOOP ON PEER VAPING.

CHABAD ON THE BELTLINE

CHABAD OPENS ITS DOORS ON ONE OF ATLANTA'S MOST SOUGHTAFTER STRETCHES OF REAL ESTATE.

CHANUKAH AT THE WHITE HOUSE LOCAL JEWISH COUPLE SHARES THEIR EXPERIENCE CELEBRATING THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS AT THE CAPITOL.

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Contributors This Week ARLENE APPLEROUTH BOB BAHR DAVE SCHECHTER EDDIE SAMUELS JAN JABEN-EILON MARCIA CALLER JAFFE DR. MARK L. FISHER RABBI JOAB EICHENBERG-EILON RACHEL FAYNE RACHEL STEIN DR. TERRY SEGAL

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Hot Flash It seems harmless enough. A USBcharged flavorful vapor that warms the throat and temporarily calms without leaving a lasting smell on your breath or clothes. But under the surface, vaping is a growing threat to teens in the Atlanta Jewish community that counselors and educators tell us they are struggling to understand and manage. It’s also a budding addiction teens hide at home and at school, as we report in this week’s education issue.

Discover the tools of vaping and how counselors recommend parents address the issue with their children. Read our teen-to-teen interview with youth from the Sandy Springs-Dunwoody area, revealing their vaping habits. And learn how schools are updating their policies to include vaping.

In other education news, we report on what may be the state’s first religious beliefs policy and cover the historic opening of a religious institution on the Atlanta BeltLine, Chabad Intown. The grand opening included a menorah lighting.

THIS WEEK At the tail end of Chanukah, we take you to the White House with an active member of Jewish Atlanta, and to a celebration by Jewish War Veterans including patriotic chanukiyot made from various weapons and other military items.

Honoring history is a new lynching memorial in Marietta, which sits alongside a plaque to commemorate the 1913 lynching of Leo Frank. The new memorial is thought to be the only one in Georgia addressing lynching that occurred throughout the state.

We also review the previous elections in which Lindy Miller came close to becoming the first Jewish woman to win a partisan statewide race, and we tell you why Benjamin Netanyahu is the favored candidate for Israeli prime minister.

Becoming a champion in its own right, Atlanta United proved that this city can have a winning sports team. In its second year, the team won the Major League Soccer Cup final Saturday.

From politics to policies and chanukiyot to soccer trophies, it pays to keep one’s mind focused and free from intoxi-

cating chemicals when it comes to landing on top. ■ Corrections and clarifications: In the Dec. 7 “Etz Chaim Kicks off $4 Million Investment in Future” story, a photo was misplaced on the page.

In the “Giving Tuesday Keeps on Giving” story in the same issue, Jewish Family & Career Services annual campaign goal was $1.6 million, not $3 million, as reported.

CONTENTS LOCAL NEWS ���������������������������������� 4 POLITICS ������������������������������������������ 9 ISRAEL NEWS ������������������������������� 10 OPINION ����������������������������������������� 12 SPORTS ������������������������������������������� 13 COVER STORY ������������������������������ 14 EDUCATION ����������������������������������� 16 CALENDAR ������������������������������������� 24 COMMUNITY ��������������������������������� 26 BRAIN FOOD ���������������������������������� 31 OBITUARIES ���������������������������������� 32 CLOSING THOUGHTS ����������������� 34 MARKETPLACE ���������������������������� 35

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LOCAL NEWS Lynching Memorial Commemorates Georgia Victims

By Dave Schechter On Roswell Road in Marietta, bordered on one side by a restaurant parking lot and on the other by Interstate 75, is a strip of grass and shrubbery with a sidewalk that leads to two memorials.

Leo Frank, a Jew, was lynched on August 17, 1915, in a nearby woods long since cleared and built over. His memorial, a plaque affixed to a pole, was rededicated in August after being removed four years earlier for road construction.

Several feet away is a recently installed black granite slab, believed to be the only memorial in Georgia addressing lynchings that took place throughout the state.

The inscription reads: In respectful memory of the thousands across America, denied justice by lynching: Victims of hatred, prejudice and ignorance.

Between 1880-1946, ~570 Georgians were lynched.

ADL Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation Rabbi Steven Lebow, Temple Kol Emeth

4 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The new Georgia lynching memorial sits a few feet from the plaque memorializing Leo Frank's lynching in August 1915.

The benefactor for the lynching memorial, as for the Leo Frank plaque, is Jerry Klinger, a 70-year-old retired financial services executive from Rockville, Md., and founder of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. JASHP has put up historic markers on dozens

of sites nationwide, and in several countries.

In 2016, Klinger told The Forward (in an article written by the author), “The marker projects go to create simple visible facts on the ground. They create visible affirmation of forgotten history of American Jewish legitimacy and commonality as Americans. The markers affirm the incredible experience of American Jews and Jews as Americans. In mass cultures, where the Mona Lisa is appreciated by millions of visitors in 15 seconds or less, the markers are extremely effective.”

Klinger had a succinct answer when asked by the Atlanta Jewish Times why a memorial to lynchings in Georgia was being created and funded by someone from outside the state. “Frequently those nearest the trees can’t tell it’s a forest,” he said.

Lebow has been a leader in efforts to remember Frank and press for his exoneration of a 1913 murder conviction in the death of 13-year-old Mary Phagan, who worked at the Atlanta pencil factory where Frank was the superintendent.

Cobb County residents, angered by Gov. John Slaton’s commutation of Frank’s death sentence, kidnapped Frank from the state prison in Milledgeville, drove him to woods near what is now Frey’s Gin Road and, early on the morning of August 17, 1915, hanged him from a tree.

In a statement, the Atlanta regional office of the Anti-Defamation League said: “This memorial is the first to recognize all victims of lynching in Georgia.

That makes it very significant. The placement of the memorial at the Leo Frank historical marker is very appropriate.

ADL’s founders recognized through our mission that you cannot just fight hate

against Jews but must speak out no matter who is targeted by hateful acts. While Leo Frank is the one Jewish lynching victim we are aware of, there were thousands of African Americans and others lynched, not just in Georgia, but across the country.”

By some estimates, as many as 95 percent of those lynched in Georgia were African-American.

Klinger had hoped to make the memorial national in scope, but what has been installed is what the Georgia Department of Transportation, which controls the site, would approve, he said. The memorial – 36 inches tall, 14 inches wide at its base and six inches in depth – was crafted to Klinger’s specifications by the Roberts-Shields Memorial Company in Marietta. Steel pins have been inserted to make the memorial resistant to vandalism.

A formal dedication of the lynching memorial may take place next August.

Klinger said the number of Georgians lynched came from Dana Chandler, the university archivist at Tuskegee University in Alabama. Klinger has been working with Chandler to create and place markers on a Tuskegee civil rights trail.

The reason for the use of the “~” figure on the memorial is because the documented number of lynchings in Georgia may be incomplete, Klinger said.

A report issued in 2017 by the Equal Justice Initiative identified 4,084 “racial terror lynchings” in 12 Southern states, and 300 in other states, between 1877 and 1950. Among the states, Georgia, with 589, was second only to Mississippi’s 654. According to EJI, the largest number in any Georgia county, 37, was in Fulton County, many taking place during the September 1906 Atlanta race riots.

The EJI is the organization behind The National Memorial for Peace and Justice and The Legacy Museum: From Enslavement to Mass Incarceration, in Montgomery, Ala. The 1946 date on the newly installed memorial is connected to the Moore’s Ford lynchings, the shooting deaths on July 25 that year of two married AfricanAmerican couples – George W. and Mae Murray Dorsey, and Roger and Dorothy Malcolm – in Walton County, Ga., in the area of Moore’s Ford Bridge. The case attracted national attention and prompted the introduction of anti-lynching legislation that failed to pass in Congress. The state of Georgia and the FBI closed the case in December 2017 with no one ever prosecuted. ■

LOCAL NEWS

Former JELF presidents Drs. Steve and Marianne Garber congratulate Eydie Koonin, award recipient and executive board member.

Socializing at the annual event were Stan Lowenstein, JELF board president, Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal and JELF CEO Jenna Shulman.

JELF Volunteers and Professionals Deserve Applause

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Closing out a banner year, Jewish Educational Loan Fund held its 2018 Annual Meeting on Dec. 4 at Le Meridien Atlanta Perimeter. The tone was upbeat to celebrate that 279 students were helped with interest-free loans in the five-state region of Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and North and South Carolina, for the 2018-19 academic year.

“In my role, I really see it all, and it makes me happy that we have loaned so much money,” JELF COO Cathy Miller said during the reception.

“These new fundraising milestones empower students, which is what it’s really all about,” added Josh Schaier, JELF director of development.

Heading up the program, JELF CEO Jenna Shulman laid out the passion behind the mission. “Since 1997, the cost to attend a state university is up 334 percent compared to inflation, which is only up 51 percent. … 94 percent of today’s undergraduates are borrowing. That figure was 45 percent in 1993.

"JELF represents the good in the

world, focusing on core Jewish values of tzedakah, human dignity, education and independence over its 55 years. Dreaming big means lending even more than the $1,011,266 that we provided to 279 students in 2018 in our region.”

Shulman and Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal of Ahavath Achim Synagogue led Chanukah blessings. Then the rabbi, in a short text study, related that his wife, Brooke, received an interest-free loan from a Hebrew Free Loan organization on the west coast to pursue her MBA with little family support.

JELF President Stan Lowenstein presented two newly named awards.

The first, The Garber Family Honor Roll Award, is named for Drs. Stephen and Marianne Garber, both JELF past presidents and son and daughter-in- law of Al Garber. In a video of the couple, Marianne joked that she “married into JELF and remains dedicated to paying it forward.”

Stephen Garber said his biggest contribution to JELF was Marianne, who served two separate terms at its helm.

Marianne then presented the Garber

JELF COO Cathy Miller chats with outgoing board member Stephanie Gang.

award to Don Sklar, an accountant and immediate past treasurer of JELF. Sklar was recognized for his “smart, amicable and calm financial decisions.”

Eydie Koonin, executive board member of JELF, was also featured in a video alongside her husband, Steve, as she accepted the Steve and Eydie Koonin Family Service Award. Koonin recalled her participation in JELF’s loan review process for which students’ needs are assessed as far away as South Florida. Eydie said that upon learning she would be this year’s award recipient, she was truly speechless. Steve went on to explain that the need for grants and loans for higher education is increasing. “It is no longer enough to simply give now; we must leave money in our wills and estates. This money has to recycle itself so that others can get ahead through education. I love both JELF’s mission as well as the multiplying effect.”

President Stan Lowenstein motivated the crowd by relaying a summary: “All We Have Accomplished.” He said, “I’m giddy with JELF’s success, … $6,318,000 is currently loaned out to students, which

Josh Schaier, JELF director of development, poses with Ken Hockstein, JELF board member. Both believe in the empowerment of younger generations.

recycles at a 99 percent rate, ... but even with as much as we are accomplishing, the numbers still fall short. Over the last five years, the number of students served is up 39 percent while the need is up 50 percent. … While we have also had a 165 percent increase in fundraising, we still fall short of meeting our need 100 percent.” Lowenstein ended with a slide that quoted Malcolm X, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” He said that JELF has to keep deciding where it goes from here and what lies ahead.

Attorney Walter Jospin, originally from Savannah, wrapped up the evening with a short and poignant story about growing up in a “Savannah-rich” Jewish family – until everything crumbled.

“After our family’s financial decline, my father worked to pull together every resource to allow me to attend the University of Pennsylvania, but we still did not have enough – which is where JELF came in to make up the shortfall. Without JELF, my education at Penn would not have been possible .... thank you JELF, for your important role in my life.” ■

Hope Kaufman and Rich Artzi came to the annual event to learn more about JELF. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 5

LOCAL NEWS

Chabad on the BeltLine

By Rachel Fayne Chabad Intown may be the first religious organization to grace the Atlanta BeltLine. To celebrate the historic event, the organization welcomed more than 400 guests to its grand opening Dec. 9.

The day included a menorah lighting, a dedication ceremony, music, dancing, and a live graffiti mural. There was even a clown, a magician and face painting for younger visitors.

Chabad Intown moved from Ponce de Leon Avenue to the much larger nearby building at 730 Ponce de Leon Place.

Part of the space has already been transformed into a synagogue, a grand lobby, a community café called Jeff’s Place, and a co-working space with various amenities. The building houses two floors and operates as a split-level. Facing Ponce de Leon Place on one side and boasting direct BeltLine access on the other, the building’s grand opening was dedicated to the celebration of the top floor. Chabad bought the 4,000-square-foot floor for $1.7 million, partly through an anonymous gift of $1 million and partly with

The front of the building in preparation for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

the equity from the previous Chabad house.

The grand opening also signaled the launch of Chabad’s two-year capital campaign to raise $8.5 million to buy the 17,000-square-foot bottom floor. The

The café, named Jeff’s Place in honor of a major donor, sits directly on the BeltLine and offers a coffee bar along with snacks and seating.

lower floor is under contract and will house space for Chabad as well as other organizations. Those include Chabad Intown Preschool, Hebrew School and staff offices. A commercial kitchen, an art center, and a kosher restaurant will be a part of future offerings. Chabad’s Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman hopes to rent out some of the smaller offices as workspaces to boost revenue. He has plans to replace the doors of those potential workspaces with glass and use new technology to pull light from outdoors into the space for a more pleasant environment.

Be Hot Yoga is one of those companies considering the new space. As a tenant of the building before it was transformed from a gym into the Chabad headquarters, the yoga studio stayed on board when the space was renovated.

Rabbi Schusterman emphasized the potential for growth of businesses independent of Chabad, in addition to the organization. “The building itself in its entirety is 21,000 square feet. It has the potential to house eight floors,” he said.

“We wanted something that would allow us to continue growing, something that we wouldn’t have to move out of in 10 years. It’s way beyond anything I could have dreamed of in terms of potential and its location. Being in the heart of Atlanta, right in front of where thousands of people are walking almost all the time, is just an amazing opportunity.”

Grand opening festivities for the BeltLine building began late in the afternoon, but preparation began early that morning. Hours before the party, the rabbi could be seen walking briskly throughout the building delegating tasks to volunteers and answering calls on his cell phone. The Schusterman children were

Children enjoyed face painting and entertainment from a clown and a magician. Inset: Mira, 14, Sara, 17, and Mutik, 22, three of the Schusterman children, on one of the café’s sofas, helped make the day a success. Mutik emceed and Sara and Mira took care of last-minute preparations.

6 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

LOCAL NEWS

SERVING THE ATLANTA

INTOWN JEWISH COMMUNITY B”H

ENROLLMENT 2019-2020

The new building sits directly on the BeltLine at 730 Ponce de Leon Place, with offices and workspaces now available for use on the lower floor.

also there to help. Mutik Schusterman, 22, was the emcee for the afternoon. Two of the younger children, Sara and Mira, helped set up food and took guests on tours when they arrived. Volunteers Denise Brody and Sandrine Simons also led tours. Longtime friends to Rabbi Schusterman and Chabad Intown, they also arrived hours before to assist with preparations.

Mandy Rubin also began her day early by preparing the food. Platters of cheeses and fruit were accompanied by a ‘popcorn bar’ with seasonings, in addition to a ‘trail mix bar’ Rubin designed to mirror the feeling of being at a Jerusalem shuk.

With the grand opening complete, Rabbi Schusterman takes a moment to relax with volunteers Sandrine Simons and Denise Brody.

Chabad Intown will focus on hiring a new rabbinic staff, rebuilding the preschool and fundraising for the building’s lower floor. Chabad Intown also wants to rebrand the organization to reflect the nonjudgmental and welcoming atmosphere it aims to project. It worked with a local branding agency to create a logo that includes vibrant colors meant to reflect the spirit of the BeltLine with lines that symbolize the tassels of a Jewish tallit, or prayer shawl.

“The organization has grown tremendously, and we want to create individual-focused branches of smaller organizations that create opportunities for people to come into Chabad without feeling like they have to embrace the entire organization,” Rabbi Schusterman explained. “They can pick what they want to be a part of like a buffet table, and that’s the goal. It doesn’t matter how you participate; you’ll get the same authentic experiences of Jewish learning and tradition. This new branding opportunity and our new building are both really signaling the move from one era to another.

We’re a fun, welcoming organization, and we’re able to convey that in a very new and exciting way now.” ■

Ages 12 months to 5 years IJP believes in an experiential & intentional approach to teaching & learning. This approach fosters the child’s intellectual development as the children are encouraged to explore their natural environment & express themselves through words, movement, clay, drawing, painting & playing. This nurtures & strengthens the child’s social & emotional development, building a strong foundation for their future!

www.intownjewisphrschool.org | 404-898-0438 | admin@intownjewishpreschool.org You can find us on: www.facebook.com/intownjewishpreschool and ijpatlanta.blogspot.ca Chabad Intown is a non-profit organization providing Jewish education and experience opportunities to all, regardless of background and affiliation

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Mandy Rubin puts final touches on her work. Rubin prepared all the food for the event.

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LOCAL NEWS

Chanukah at the White House

By Roni Robbins Smack dab in the middle of Chanukah, the White House was abuzz with Jewish holiday spirit. Not to mention excitement about the main attraction, the country’s leader recognizing the minority religion’s winter celebration.

As a band played classical music, invited guests grabbed some bubbly or wine and were given free reign to tour the rooms before the menorah lighting for the fourth day of Chanukah.

But the central event, seeing President Donald Trump, couldn’t come quickly enough for Chuck Berk, co-chair of the Republican Jewish Coalition of Atlanta, who traveled to Washington to attend the Chanukah reception Dec. 6 with his wife, Bonnie.

They were kind enough to share with readers their experience of Chanukah at the White House.

Trump greeted the crowd and honored the holiday; former President George H.W. Bush, who was being buried that day; Holocaust survivors; and the victims of the Pittsburgh massacre.

“Today I’m thrilled to commemorate the miracle of Chanukah. More than 2,000 years ago, a band of Jewish patriots led by Judah Maccabee reclaimed their freedom from an oppressive dictator who had persecuted the Jewish people and ransacked the Holy Temple. … Throughout history, the Jewish people have suffered unthinkable repression and terrible violence. Yet, in the face of this hardship, the Jewish people have endured, overcome and thrived. Thrived, like few, that I can tell you, thrived.

“Five weeks ago, our nation mourned a horrific tragedy. Eleven Jewish Americans were brutally murdered in a sinister anti-Semitic attack on the Tree of Life syn-

President Trump and the first lady are joined by Vice President and Mrs. Pence, along with several Holocaust survivors.

agogue in Pittsburgh. … In the aftermath of that wicked assault, we reaffirmed our solemn duty to confront anti-Semitism everywhere it occurs. We must stamp out this vile hatred from the world.”

At that point, Trump recognized eight Holocaust survivors who attended.

He also spoke about his support for Israel, sanctions against Iran, what he sees as a failed Iran nuclear deal and the decision to move the Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

“Civilization is indebted to the Jewish

people for their incredible contributions to art and science, history, culture and society. Since the founding of America, Jewish communities have uplifted every aspect of our national life. Today we renew our gratitude for those amazing blessings and we reaffirm our unbreakable solidarity with the Jewish people.”

Trump’s opening of the White House for Chanukah continues a tradition that began when Bill Clinton lit the first menorah there in 1993, according to The Forward. But the White House connection

with the holiday dates back to when Israel Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion gave a menorah to President Harry Truman on his birthday in 1951, as reported by the National Archives. In 1979, Jimmy Carter lit the menorah on the Ellipse, just south of the White House, and George H.W. Bush displayed a menorah in the White House given to him by the Synagogue Council of America in 1989, The Forward reported.

The first president to host an official White House Chanukah party was George W. Bush, in 2001, according to the Yiddishbased newspaper.

Before Trump’s Chanukah reception, the Berks had visited the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to view some of its new exhibits, he said. “At the party, when we were standing in the East Room waiting for President Trump to address the attendees, Bonnie turned to me and remarked, ‘After being at the Holocaust Museum today and being reminded of that horrific experience, it reinforces what a great country we live in that we can be invited to a Chanukah party hosted by the President of the United States in the White House!’” ■

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Bonnie and Chuck Berk in the White House Library.

The menorah is lit for the fifth night of Chanukah.

Elections Come to a Close

POLITICS

By Dave Schechter Lindy Miller came close to becoming the first Jewish woman to win a partisan statewide race, but fell short in her race for a seat on Georgia’s Public Service Commission.

As the Democratic challenger, Miller received 48.17 percent of the vote in the Dec. 4 general election runoff, while two-term Republican incumbent Chuck Eaton received 51.83 percent.

Miller issued a concession statement the next day, telling supporters that she had congratulated Eaton on retaining his District 3 seat and “urged him to listen to the voices of nearly half of his constituents and expand our investments in energy efficiency and in renewable energy.” District 3 covers Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, and Rockdale counties.

Her 18-month quest for public office over, Miller said, “For now, I am going to spend some time with my tremendous husband, Jonathan (Crane), and our three, beautiful little boys. We will bask, together, in the warmth and joy of the miraculous Chanukah lights.

Thank you all.” Miller is a member of Congregation Shearith Israel and an Atlanta Jewish Times 2017 “40 Under 40” selection.

The PSC race was one of two that required a runoff because no candidate in the general election received a majority of the vote. The other was the contest for secretary of state, won by Republican Brad Raffensperger. In both cases, a Libertarian candidate forced the Democrat and Republican into the runoff.

Of Georgia’s nearly 6.43 million registered voters, a relatively impressive 61.44 percent turned out for the Nov. 6 general election, but a paltry 22.68 percent turned out in runoff.

In the end, Republicans swept 10 statewide races, topped by Brian Kemp’s defeat of Democrat Stacey Abrams (50.22 percent to 48.83 percent) in the contest to succeed Republican Gov. Nathan Deal.

The gubernatorial contest was embroiled in controversy, as Kemp remained in office as secretary of state, a position that includes oversight of the state’s elections, while campaigning. Post-election, an organization called Fair Fight Action, an outgrowth of Abrams’ campaign, has filed suit, alleging that mismanagement prevented some Georgians from exercising their right to vote.

Geoff Duncan defeated Democrat Sarah Riggs Amico (51.63 percent to 48.37 percent) and was elected lieutenant governor. Raffensperger succeeds Kemp as secretary of state, having defeated Democrat John Barrow (51.07 percent to 48.03 percent) in the runoff. Attorney General Chris Carr defeated Democrat Charlie Bailey (51.3 percent to 48.7 percent) to win election to the position that Deal appointed him to after Sam Olens (the first Jewish man to win a partisan statewide race) stepped down to become, briefly, the president of Kennesaw State University.

Democrat Lucy McBath, a gun control crusader, upset Republican incumbent Karen Handel (50.51 percent to 49.49 percent) and will represent the 6th Congressional District. Handel entered Congress after defeating Democrat Jon Ossoff in a June 2017 special election to replace Republican Tom Price, who served, briefly, as the

Republicans Brad Raffensperger and Chuck Eaton were elected in the runoff. Lindy Miller (right) conceded the PSC race.

federal secretary of health and human services.

Democrat John Lewis ran unopposed and will serve a 17th term representing the 5th Congressional District.

Democrat Hank Johnson won a 7th term representing the 4th District, defeating Republican challenger Joe Profit (78.85 percent to 21.15 percent). Republican incumbent Brad Woodall narrowly won re-election to a fifth term representing the 7th District, defeating Democrat Carolyn Bourdeaux by 419 votes (50.07 percent to 49.93 percent), out of more than 280,000 cast.

A half-dozen Jewish candidates ran for seats in the general assembly, with mixed results.

Republican Renee Unterman was re-elected in the 45th Senate District, while Democrat challenger Ellyn

Jaeger failed in her bid in the 56th Senate District.

On the House side, Democrat Michele Henson ran unopposed for re-election in the 86th District and Mike Wilensky was victorious in the 79th District. However, Democrat Jen Slipakoff in the 36th District and Republican Alex Kaufman in the 51st District, were unsuccessful in their bids.

Despite Democratic gains, Republicans remain in control of the state House and Senate.

One hundred ninety-six days elapsed between the May 22 primaries and the Dec. 4 general election runoff.

For those curious, there are 728 days between 2018’s Nov. 6 general election and 2020’s Nov. 3 Election Day. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 9

ISRAEL PRIDE

News From Our Jewish Home

Photo courtesy of Ancient Shiloh Visitors Center

An ancient unearthed pomegranate.

Ancient Biblical-Era Pomegranate Discovered in Shiloh A small ceramic pomegranate dating back to the times of the Mishkan (tabernacle) in the First Iron Age was found in Ancient Shiloh, the area’s visitor center announced Dec. 2.

The pomegranate seems to fit the biblical description of the pomegranates hung on the priest’s coat, but was made of clay, so it is perhaps a replica used for decoration in the Mishkan.

The nearly 8-inch-long pomegranate, with four of its five prongs still intact, was found in a joint excavation this summer of the archaeological staff officer and the associates for biblical research in Texas.

Moriya Shapira, director of the ancient Shiloh Visitors' Center, told Tazpit Press Service that Shiloh was the first capital city of Israel and the beginning of the Jewish nation after exile in Egypt.

Shiloh was the Mishkan’s first permanent place, she said. “For almost 400 years it was the center, meaning the cen-

ter during three books of Tanach [Bible], Joshua, Judges and the beginning of Samuel. So many important and well-known stories happened in Shiloh, the most famous being Chana praying for a child, Joshua throwing the lots and dividing the land among the tribes, as well as the girls dancing in the vineyards during Tu B’Av, which started in Shiloh.”

Shapira told TPS of the Chanukah connection. “We found findings that the Hashmonaim [Macabees] were fighting against the Yevanim [ancient Greeks] in Shiloh. … They actually won their battle.

The pomegranate is from much earlier, that’s from the time of the Mishkan, but it relates to Chanukah because Chanukah is the holiday of the Kohanim [high priests]. The Kohanim were the leaders and they led the revolt.”

The event opened with a judo exhibition session between Israeli judoka and Olympic bronze medalist Arik Ze’evi and Levav Barkan, a Special Olympian.

Special Olympian swimmer Shai Dagan, only 8 years old, presented the president with a Play Unified ball, which symbolizes the links between people with and without intellectual disabilities.

Regional Special Olympics official David Evangelista commented, “As Israel is celebrating 70 years of independence and Special Olympics is celebrating 50 years, the event today is an invitation from our athletes for everyone to join our world. It’s a world of competition without victims. They invite everyone to a world where you will see them as they are – strong.”

Israeli President Champions Special Olympics

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin hosted Israeli athletes of the Special Olympics at his home in Jerusalem on Nov. 22 as part of the launch of the team that will participate in the 2019 Special Olympic Games in Abu Dhabi and Dubai in March.

The Special Olympics, which began in 1968, was the brainchild of then-U.S. President John Kennedy’s sister, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, aimed at empowering people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all.

Photo by Mark Neiman/GPO // Israeli judoka and Olympic bronze medalist Arik Ze’evi, president Reuven Rivlin, and Levav Barkan, Special Olympian.

resolution on sustainable development through entrepreneurship was put forth

by Israel’s mission to the U.N. and adopted at the U.N.’s Second Committee on Development.

Through this resolution, the U.N. calls upon member-states to support and provide tools to the younger generations so that they can find and create innovative solutions to global issues; promote the involvement of people with disabilities in the workplace; assist small and medium-sized businesses; promote social entrepreneurship; and prevent genderbased discrimination.

Israel’s Ambassador to the U.N., Danny Danon, stated after the victory that “Israeli entrepreneurship not only represents an international example of success in innovation, but it is also a bridge between countries.”

“Israel’s resolution puts the values of Israeli entrepreneurship on the map and will promote global development,” he added.

Israel is second only to the Silicon Valley in California in the number of startups, with more than 6,000 founded in Israel in the last decade. ■

Promoting Biz Development

Despite opposition from the Arab block, the vast majority of 137 United Nations member-states supported an Israeli resolution Nov. 21 promoting entrepreneurship and development. The

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon.

Today in Israeli History Dec. 14, 1981: The Knesset votes 63-21 in favor of surprise legislation to annex the Golan Heights — captured from Syria in 1967 — and apply Israeli law there in place of military administration. The Labor Party boycotts the vote because of the bill’s hasty introduction and one-day debate, and the United States joins international condemnation of the law.

Eden Springs water now reaches far beyond Israeli grocery shelves.

Dec. 15, 1999: San Francisco-based venture fund Aqua International Part10 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ners buys a 25 percent stake in Israeli bottled water company Mayanot Eden (Eden Springs) for $47.5 million, financing the company’s expansion into the European market. Eden Springs becomes Europe’s leading provider of water in the workplace.

Dec. 16, 1922: Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, considered the father of modern Hebrew, dies of tuberculosis at age 64 in Jerusalem. His article “A Burning Question” in 1879 called for a spiritual center in the Land of Israel to serve as the territorial anchor for Jewish nationalism. He and his wife made aliyah in 1881, and they spoke only Hebrew to their children at home. He founded the Va’ad ha-Lashon, the forerunner of the Academy of Hebrew Language, in 1890 and was working on the Complete Dictionary of Ancient and Modern Hebrew when he died.

Dec. 17, 1975: U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger meets with Iraqi Foreign

Minister Saddun Hammadi in Paris and tells him that although the United States will not negotiate over Israel’s existence, it is willing to see Israel “reduce its size to historical proportions.” The vision of Israel as small and nonthreatening like Lebanon may have been U.S. policy, Kissinger’s view or simply an effort to tell Hammadi what he wanted to hear.

Dec. 18, 1911: At the urging of Berl Katznelson, a special convention of Jewish agricultural workers in Palestine approves a proposal to create Kupat Holim Clalit (General Sick Fund) to take care of the health care needs of immigrants to the Land of Israel. The Histadrut labor federation takes over the fund in 1920. Its modern successor, Clalit Health Services, covers 60 percent of Israelis.

Dec. 19, 1903: Max Nordau, who founded the World Zionist Organization with Theodor Herzl, escapes unharmed when two shots are fired at him at close

range during a Chanukah party in Paris.

The would-be assassin, 27-year-old Russian student Chaim Zelig Luban, is angry at Nordau’s support for the Uganda Plan, which would establish a Jewish homeland in East Africa.

Dec. 20, 1936: New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra conductor Arturo Toscanini, considered one of the virtuoso conductors of the 20th century, arrives at the airport in Lod to conduct the opening performance of the Palestine Philharmonic six days later before a soldout crowd of 3,000 people. ■

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

ISRAEL NEWS

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Netanyahu is Preferred Candidate as the Next Prime Minister Most Jewish Israelis are critical of the government’s performance on the Gaza border struggle and believe that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not hold the defense portfolio in addition to his other duties.

The November monthly Peace Index of the Israel Democracy Institute and Tel Aviv University reveals that 46 percent of Jewish Israelis name Netanyahu as their preferred candidate for the next prime minister; 76 percent of Jewish Israelis are critical of government’s dealings with the situation on the Gaza border.

Main Findings:

Whom do you want to see as the next prime minister? The Jewish public places Netanyahu first among the candidates, with 46 percent wanting to see him as the next prime minister. Second in line is Benny Ganz with 39 percent. Lagging far behind are Naftali Bennet and Yair Lapid, Avigdor Liberman, Tzipi Livni, Ehud Barak, and Avi Gabbay. Among the Arabs, Livni is in first place, with 27 percent who would want to see her as the next prime minister.

The majority of Jewish and Arab Israelis (61 percent and 72 percent respectively) think they will vote for the same party they voted for in the previous elections.

Should Netanyahu continue to hold the defense portfolio? Fifty-eight percent of Jewish Israelis believe that Netanyahu cannot adequately deal with the security issue while acting as prime minister. A look at the responses by political camps reveals that among the left and center (86 percent and 73 percent, respectively) there is a majority who believe that Netanyahu’s handling of the security issue is compromised by the excessive burden on his shoulders.

On the other hand, the right is split on this

question: 46 percent agree that prime minister should not hold the defense portfolio, and 47 percent think that it is fine. Among the Arabs, 55 percent think prime minister Netanyahu is overburdened in the current situation.

The Gaza border:

Seventy-six percent of the Jewish public is sharply critical of the way the government is dealing with the Palestinians’ ongoing struggle along the border with Gaza (up from 56.5 percent in June 2018). Among Arab Israelis, the rate of disapproval has reached 82 percent. On the other hand, 67 percent of Jewish Israelis (down from 76 percent in June 2018) and only 14 percent of Arab Israelis gave the Israel Defense Forces positive grades. As for achievements along the Gaza border, 33 percent of Jewish Israelis believe that the Palestinians have scored greater success, while 21 percent think that the Israeli side has won greater success, and 28 percent think that neither side has had any significant success so far. Sixty percent of Arab Israelis think that neither side can cite any success to its name. ■ The Peace Index is a project of the Evens Program for Mediation and Conflict Resolution at Tel Aviv University and the Guttman Center for Public Opinion and Policy Research of the Israel Democracy Institute. This month’s survey was conducted by telephone and internet on November 27-28 by the Midgam Research Institute. The survey included 600 respondents, who constitute a representative national sample of the adult population of Israel aged 18 and over. The maximum measurement error for the entire sample is ±4.1percent at a confidence level of 95 percent. Statistical analyses were done by Yasmin Alkalay, www.peaceindex.org.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 11

OPINION Choose Your Own Jewish 'Seven Dirty Words' hating Jew, and suggestions On her recent visit to of reckless naïveté. Never Atlanta, New York Times mind that the vitriol is not op-ed writer and editor Bari a successful tool of persuaWeiss offered her version of sion (though that probably “seven dirty words” in the is not the user’s objective).

Jewish community.

Respect: Israeli politiThese words, Weiss cians and government ofsaid, represent either values ficials routinely show the being lost or issues not being back of their hands to nondiscussed sufficiently.

Orthodox Jews on such In the order she pre- Dave matters as religious identifisented them, they were: Schechter cation and marriage. Politipeoplehood, empathy, lone- From Where I Sit cally, liberal Jews look conliness, chosenness, the East/ temptuously at those whose definition of mizrach, occupation, and power.

Addressing the Jewish National Jewish values may not fit their progresFund’s annual Jack Hirsch Memorial sive mold. Politically, conservative Jews Breakfast, Weiss said that she could have deride liberals as being enemies of the picked other words – and mentioned Jewish people and endangering Israel.

The divide: I cannot improve on pride, Zionism, intermarriage, and Jewish literacy – and that the audience prob- these words from Alana Newhouse, editor-in-chief of the online magazine ably could come up with their own lists.

Your columnist herein offers his Tablet (in an interview with the Israeli choice of seven words – and declines to newspaper Haaretz): “American Jews asapologize in advance for any generaliza- sume they are important to Israel and Israelis, but they may not be. In fact, there tions that may be taken personally.

Civility: I read the comment sections is an argument to be made that Israelis after articles in Jewish publications and assume Israel should be important to never fail to be astonished by the name- American Jews. But if Israel decides to calling, snark, accusations of being a self- be, in many ways, a country that blocks

the ability of American Jews – rightly or wrongly – to find meaning there, then it’s very presumptuous to imagine that American Jews should care about Israel.”

Education: Would more parents choose a Jewish education for their children if it was free? Schools with scholarship programs and, of course, their donors, are to be commended. But if (as often stated) education is the critical factor in the future of American Jewry, maybe the top priority for fundraising and allocation should be a Jewish education at no cost. Yes, that might mean less money sent to Israel and other international programs or slowing the pace of brick-and-mortar projects.

Intersectionality: This theory, developed in academia and popular on the left, links the struggles for rights by one group with the struggles of other groups.

In practice, it has presented liberal Jews with a dilemma (Should I stay or should I go?) when they are made to feel less welcome in coalitions on issues they support if they express pride in their Jewish identity and display any affection for or support of Israel (no matter how actively they may oppose its current government).

Mental health and substance abuse:

Still, the stigma persists; still, insurance benefits are insufficient; still, too many feel no choice but to remain silent. Beyond the individual suffering are families that often lack the knowledge of what resources are available and the financial ability to pay for the necessary care and treatment. The turnout and personal stories heard at a Jewish community meeting on this subject earlier this year made it clear that these issues are more widespread than some may choose to believe.

Pay the piper: A local rabbi recently made a point of telling me that even though he reads the Atlanta Jewish Times online – and does so for free – he pays for a subscription. This community benefits from having an independently owned newspaper. But journalism – Jewish or secular – is not a charitable enterprise.

If you’re reading this column online, for free, be like the rabbi – pay for a subscription. (Your columnist, a freelancer, thanks you.)

Like Weiss, I could have selected other words, such as inclusiveness, white and patrilineal.

So, what would be your “seven dirty words” in the Jewish community? ■

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12 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

SPORTS

Photo courtesy of AP/Todd Kirkland

Owner Arthur Blank hands captain Michael Parkhurst the championship trophy.

Goalie Brad Guzan holds the trophy aloft to the cheers of his teammates.

Photo by Ryan Catanese

"Uncle Arthur" is cheered on by fans in the supporters section.

Atlanta United players ride on a bus amidst crowds of fans.

Arthur Blank’s Atlanta United Is MLS Champion

By Dave Schechter

On Dec. 8, the seventh night of Chanukah, Atlanta United FC gave owner Arthur Blank the best imaginable present: the championship of Major League Soccer, in only the second year of the team’s existence.

A first half goal by Josef Martinez and a second half tally by Franco Escobar, combined with the defensive prowess demonstrated throughout the playoffs, secured Atlanta a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers in the MLS Cup final.

A “rowdy and proud” league record crowd of 73,019 filled the Mercedes-Benz Stadium to its rafters, cheering at such volume that players on the field had difficulty hearing each other. A few thousand Portland fans, mostly grouped in a section of the stadium’s upper deck, were in fine voice until late in the game, when the outcome seemed all but certain.

When the referee blew the final whistle, the “Five Stripes,” as the team is known for the design of its red-and-black primary home uniform, mobbed each other on the field, as the crowd, save for the visitors from the Pacific Northwest, erupted in delight.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber presented Blank with the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy. The 76-year-old owner held it aloft before handing it to captain Michael Parkhurst, who joined his teammates on a riser, thrusting the cup over his head as

the squad jumped up and down, prompting another roar from their faithful fans.

Two days later, Atlanta celebrated its rarest of events: a professional sports championship. A bus carrying the team, coaches and management made a slow trek through downtown, preceded by flag-waving and drum-beating members of supporters groups. At some points, cheering fans lined the sidewalks threeand four-deep.

The procession wound its way to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium “back yard,” where – despite the chill and drizzle – fans who had lined the parade route joined several thousand waiting there.

The players were introduced on stage one at a time. Gov. Nathan Deal and Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke, followed by Blank, team president Darren Eales, general manager Carlos Bocanegra, manager Gerardo “Tata” Martino, goalkeeper Brad Guzan, defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, and Parkhurst.

Blank, affectionately referred to as “Uncle Arthur” by the fans, told the celebrants: “I could walk around and thank every single person here, but the greatest tribute belongs to you, our fans. You’re unbelievable. God bless you all. You did an unbelievable job supporting this team throughout the year. … I want to thank you for responding with energy and passion and caring and love for this team and for our great city.”

The end of the rally marked the be-

ginning of the off-season, which itself promises drama.

Martinez collected a unique haul of trophies, including the most valuable player awards from: the league’s all-star game (which was held in Atlanta); the regular season (after smashing the MLS single-season scoring record); and the post-season playoffs.

Martino previously had announced his departure, reportedly to oversee the Mexican men’s national team. A new manager will be expected to continue the team’s attractive style of attacking play.

The soccer grapevine has rumored for weeks that midfielder Miguel Almiron, a fan favorite for his electric

style of play and infectious smile, is headed for Europe, but nothing official is expected until the January player “transfer window” opens.

Other players will leave, either because the club has opted not to renew their contracts or because they will join other teams. New players will be added to the roster.

The team will resume training in January, in anticipation of play in the CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) regional tournament, a perk of having been so successful in its first two seasons. ■

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EDUCATION Vaping Sends Smoke Signals to Jewish Atlanta pervise them as effectively and safely The use of e-cigarettes, commonly Although the sale and as possible; and respond when inciknown as vaping, has been labeled a nationdistribution of vapor proddents present themselves. al epidemic and the Atlanta Jewish commuucts to people under 18 is pro“Like all high schools, Weber nity is feeling the heat. Just last week, several hibited, according to Georgia faces challenges around vaping. It’s Jewish organizations that work with teens, law, it is still readily available a great challenge for high school and including Jewish day schools and those that online. middle schools,” said Harwitz. counsel about substance abuse, sponsored a A starter kit of the most He said that, at Weber, “we have parenting program about vaping. The propopular Juul brand of vape our eyes wide open.” The alternative gram opened the eyes of those who attended includes the device, USB – denying that the problem exists – about the rampant availability and stealthy charging dock and four flawould be unrealistic and irresponnature of the e-cig devices and the teens that Roni vored Juul pods with 5 perRobbins sible, he added. use them. cent nicotine strength. It Weber’s main concerns are preThe event also proved that the Jewcosts about $50.

Rabbi Ed Harwitz serving the health, wellness, safety ish community sees vaping as a serious concern among Juul and other popular electronic teens. vaping devices heat liquid to produce an odorless, smoke- and security of the students. In addition to working “We are saying publicly there is a problem. We can’t less aerosol or vapor from a canister easily mistaken as a with students, parents, faculty and staff and staying up-to-date on the issue, the school has clarified its polipretend this is not happening in our community,” said USB flash drive.

Kelly Cohen, director of JumpSpark, a teen engagement Counselors and school officials we interviewed say cies and is clear about consequences for violations. Just program, which organized the vaping talk. “So much of they are aware of the trends and are trying to be proac- as the issue came to the forefront and the level of convaping is kept hidden. It’s the silence that can be the most tive. They see the writing on the bathroom wall, so to cern increased in the last couple of years, Weber started thinking through it creatively to ensure our students damaging.” speak. were well informed and safe,” Harwitz said.

The fast-growing popularity of “Vaping is the new reality. We want to take the lead vaping and resulting need to manage it Underlying Health Risk in the schools and among area youth is A number of national health or- and be clear about our standards, … and deal realistikeeping Jewish educators and counselganizations have come out with re- cally” with the problem, he said.

Also being pro-active, the Atlanta Jewish Academy ors on their toes. ports about the risk of vaping, which “What is just astonishing is that tends to contain highly addictive revised its substance abuse policy this summer to inteens don’t know they are introducing nicotine that can damage the devel- clude vaping. If there’s a report of substance abuse, the addiction into their brains,” said Daniel oping brain and lungs. The vapor school will work with The Berman Center to get students Epstein, program director of The Beralso contains propylene glycol and/or the resources they need, said Pam Mason, AJA’s upper man Center, which provides intensive vegetable glycerin, which are used to school counselor. “We do not want to punish; we want outpatient programs for mental health produce theatrical fog and can irritate to help them.” At the start of the school year, AJA also and substance abuse. “People struggle the lung and airway after concentrat- held a show-and-tell parent night to teach about vaping.

Jill Weinstein is co-founder of The Berman Center’s and lose their lives over addiction.” ed exposure, according to ACS. It also Kelly Cohen While e-cigs may be an alternative may contain volatile organic com- new Evolve program, an adolescent intensive outpatient to cigarettes for those who already use them, for young pounds, flavoring chemicals and formaldehyde, which treatment program for teens dealing with mental health issues. Most turn to vaping as a way to deal with stress, people, they can be a gateway to cigarettes or other more can cause cancer. dangerous drugs, according to a U.S. Surgeon General reThe subject is so grave and timely that the U.S. FDA anxiety and depression, Weinstein said. “Our goal is to port widely cited by other health organizations, includ- is holding public meetings about eliminating e-cigs, va- help give them alternatives to vaping. It depends on why ing the American Cancer Society. porizers and other electronic nicotine delivery systems they are vaping.” If it’s anxiety, Evolve may offer breathing or mindfulness exercises, suggest distracting behav“Because addiction is a form of learning, adolescents (ENDS) and taking public comments until Jan. 2. can get addicted more easily than adults. The nicotine in A parent of a Jewish high school student first iors or other alternative coping skills, Weinstein said. e-cigarettes and other tobacco products can also prime brought the issue to the attention of Cohen of Jumpthe adolescent brain for addiction to Spark. “She said, ‘I know this is hapother drugs such as cocaine,” the Surpening at my daughter’s school and I geon General wrote in its 2018 report, don’t know what’s going on.’”

“Know the Risks: E-Cigarettes & Young JumpSpark sponsored last week’s People.” parenting talk, presented by Caron In the U.S., youth are more likely Atlanta, a nonprofit behavioral health than adults to use e-cigs. This year, treatment center, and Helping Atmore than 3.6 million U.S. middle and lantans Manage Substance Abuse high school students used e-cigs in the (HAMSA), a program of Jewish Family past 30 days, including about 5 percent & Career Services. The event was held of middle school students and nearly at The Weber School with its support, 21 percent of high school students, acalong with that of The Epstein School cording to the Centers for Disease Conand Atlanta Jewish Academy, Greater trol and Prevention.

Atlanta BBYO and Temple Beth TikDaniel Epstein That’s 1.5 million more students vah. using these products over the previous year. E-cigarette Rabbi Ed Harwitz, head of The Weber School, said use increased 78 percent among high school students vaping has become one of the biggest topics of conversafrom 2017 to 2018, and 48 percent among middle school tion online among heads of school, principals and adstudents, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Adminis- ministrators. The issues around the country are similar: tration. how to combat and prevent vaping among students; su14 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

EDUCATION

Popularity of Vaping Anderson, both with JF&CS, report see“One way that teens can push bound- ing vaping issues in their high school aries and test the waters of independence population. “Actually, the problem is is by taking risks, and vaping is an easy that teens and youth are NOT concerned way to do that,” said about their vaping. ...

Leslie Lubell, HAMSA’s For them it is socially information and referacceptable behavior ral specialist. “Not only and part of the culture. that, but it’s naturally Teens will often not see appealing to teens bea problem, because of cause it’s trendy. The the flavors, the fact that consequences are usuit is easily concealed ally minimal at first, and that it is used as but the long-term efpart of a social and recfects are powerful; reational experience. nicotine is an addictive Additionally, they misdrug, and people who takenly believe that it is vape are four times harmless. For example, Leslie Lubell more likely to ultimatesafer than cigarettes,” ly smoke combustible cigarettes. Also, the counselors wrote in a joint email. the vape industry is largely unregulated, and the products that people use in their How do you counsel teens with this vapes can contain harmful chemicals,” mindset?

“So, generally, teens and youth will Lubell said.

“Last, but certainly not least, teens not be seeking services for their vaping, who vape are exponentially more likely and don’t recognize it as a problem,” they to experiment with other drugs and al- wrote. “It may emerge as a part of a broadcohol. It’s important for parents to be in- er discussion. Kids may have some insight formed so they know how to talk to their as to why they are vaping, but usually we kids and identify the risks and negative have to explore the reasons behind what purpose vaping serves and help them unconsequences associated with vaping.”

Ellen Zucrow, clinical supervisor, derstand its harmful effects. Part of our and substance abuse counselor Sally role may include educating teens that

Ellen Zucrow

Sally Anderson

what they vape may be laced with other substances that they are unaware of. It may be that these unknown substances cause unintended consequences such as depression, anxiety or even psychosis.

What we have experienced is that often teens begin vaping to calm anxiety and stress. While vaping initially may be used as a coping tool to manage anxiety, it can quickly become problematic. It is important to explain to teens that while vaping may provide temporary relief from their stress, continued use will actually worsen their symptoms over time.”

While the vaping program last week

was a first step to educating Jewish Atlanta, Cohen said she hopes the community will continue the conversation. “We need to shine the light on this and continue to address it.”

The next step, she said, is giving educators the tools to help them address vaping in the schools. “They at the front lines, working with teens in the community,” she said.

“We have to be open and honest in dialogue about this. We should not be afraid to talk to teens.” They should know, too, “they are not on their own to deal with it.” ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 15

EDUCATION

Teens Who Vape: Who Are They?

High School. A time when many of us try new things. One of those things is vaping or “Juuling.” In the past three years, I have seen a big increase in the number of friends and classmates who vape or “Juul.” I hear so much about how vaping is a huge problem, but never Charlotte about the teens themselves.

Morrison For that reason, I set out to find high schoolers from the Sandy Springs-Dunwoody area who were willing to share their unique stories and experiences about vaping. I interviewed six upperclassmen with GPAs ranging from 3.5 to 4.5, involved in sports or other school activities, who use at least one brand of vape, the most popular, Juul.

To protect their privacy, we have changed their names and other identifying information.

Maria, a senior, has a 4.5 GPA and plays sports. She uses a Juul, and goes through a pod about every two months.

(One pod is equivalent to a pack of cigarettes)

Amanda is a senior. Her GPA is 4.3 and she is part of student government. She uses a Juul and a Sourin, and blows through a pod in two to three days.

Jamie, a junior, rides horseback and has a 4.1 GPA. She’s used Juul, Suorin and Smok, and goes through a pack of pods (4 pods) in a week.

Zach, also a junior, has a 4.2 GPA, and participates in theater. He uses a Juul, and uses a pack a week.

Ron, a junior, has a 4.5 GPA and plays varsity sports. He has a Juul, but rarely uses it.

Adam is a senior with a 3.5 GPA and is on a mock trial team. He has a Juul, and only uses it with friends.

Here are their stories: AJT: What/when was your first experience with vaping?

Maria: I was at a party about a year ago, and was offered it, and it wasn’t bad. I started vaping myself only a few months ago.

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Amanda: During my sophomore year, I started to notice that older kids were using it, but they were mostly boys, and none of my close friends were involved. Halfway through junior year, one of my best friends got a vaping device. I started vaping after she started because she enjoyed it and was talking about how great it was. It wasn’t even peer pressure; I just wanted to, like everyone else was enjoying it.

Ron: The first time I used one was at a party during sophomore year. I was sitting next to my friend, and I asked him if I could try it and I did.

AJT: Is vaping harmful?

Amanda: Yes, just because in order for the liquid to be able to vaporize without it [the Juul] being so hot, there have to be chemicals we don’t know much about in it. But honestly, I think that smoking regular cigarettes is worse because of the tar. I still think Juuling is bad, and I don’t recommend it.

Zach: Yes, but like at the same time, I don’t really care. For me, I know it’s bad because I’ve been told you can get diseases like popcorn lung. There’s also a bunch of chemicals like glycol and stuff that we don’t really know what they are, and we’re inhaling them, and that’s gross.

Ron: Yeah, I don’t know the exact [reason], but it’s not good for your lungs.

It probably has some kind of effect if you use it a lot, and for me, at least, I barely use it. Also, if vaping wasn’t harmful it would be legal for everyone to use it. I’ve just kind of accepted that.

Adam: Yeah, it’s probably pretty harmful because you can get addicted to nicotine. I wouldn’t say it’s a good thing to do long term.

AJT: Why do you vape if you know it’s harmful? Would you stop? Why haven’t you?

Maria: I try to keep my usage low, and I’ve only just started vaping, so I haven’t thought about stopping really.

Amanda: I’ve tried to stop, and over the summer I stopped for a few weeks, but honestly, I’m addicted to nicotine.

Like if I don’t have it, I think about it all the time.

Jamie: I haven’t really tried. My whole thing is like, honestly, I kinda wanna stop, but I feel like vaping will start to be lame and then I’ll stop then, before it’s gonna be bad enough to affect me.

Ron: I know it’s very harmful, but I limit myself heavily by not using it often, and I gave it away when I thought I used it too much.

AJT: Do your parents know? What would they think if they found out?

Amanda: Yes, my mom found it before. She was very mad and took it away.

But I bought a new one the next day.

Jamie: They don’t; they’d probably take away my car, which isn’t really worth it. But also, they don’t know what it is, so the chances of that happening are pretty low.

Zach: They have in the past; they think I’ve stopped, but like I obviously haven’t. They searched my room for like an hour and found literally everything and threw it away. I just bought new stuff.

AJT: Do you have any concerns about addiction?

Jamie: I’ve never felt myself having symptoms after being away from it; it’s more of like an emotional want.

Zach: Oh, for sure, but I don’t really

EDUCATION

care. I feel like I’m not super-energized, and I feel like I definitely could not work out if I haven’t had it [my vape] in 24 hours, so yeah I physically need it to survive.

Ron: Yeah, I’m pretty worried about that, but I know that I’m gonna stop myself before I get to that point. When I first started, I guess I was a little worried so that’s why I limit myself. It’s just against my morals.

Adam: I’m not worried because I have pretty good self-control since I’ve had it for about a month or so and I basically only use it on the weekends.

AJT: Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced plans to limit the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products to teens, and Juul announced its ban of in-store sales of flavored pods, except for Virginia tobacco, tobacco, mint and menthol. Do you think these measures will affect your or other’s vaping habits?

Maria: No, because Juul still offers other flavors like mint, and people will still use them. I already use the mint flavor, so I’ll just continue to use that.

Amanda: No, because the day I actually found that out, I bought a Suorin device instead. I don’t think that one product will

change anything. Now when I see people vaping, someone always has a new device that I haven’t seen before.

Ron: No. That’s not gonna change anything. Like, I went with my friend to get some Juul pods. He asked the guy selling stuff about the ban, and he just told us about off-brand pods you can buy that are the exact same. Juul may lose some customers, but there are so many different brands of pods, and people use other products like Suorin.

What I learned from this research is that there are two types of teens who vape: those who do it with friends and on weekends and those who have become or are becoming addicted and tend to use it quite often. I didn't include all my questions and answers. For instance, I asked if they would consider smoking. They all replied “no” because of the smell and the dangers that have been associated with smoking. But vaping is a very new thing, and I’m curious to see what happens in the future. ■ Charlotte Morrison is a senior in high school and plans to major in journalism. As a part of an independent study program, she is completing a six-week internship at the AJT.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 17

EDUCATION

Vaping stores, like this new one across the street from the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center, are prominent along Roswell Road.

Dean Monteleone, clinical director of Caron Atlanta, led the seminar on vaping at The Weber School.

Vaping Seminar Raises Awareness of Dangers

By Bob Bahr Parents and concerned educators last week heard a teen drug counseling expert remind them to keep open lines of communication if they want to succeed in confronting the challenge of vaping among adolescents.

The parent program Dec. 5 featured Dean Monteleone, a licensed professional counselor with more than two decades of experience treating substance abuse among teens. He is also the clinical director of Caron Atlanta, a drug treatment program, which was a co-sponsor of the evening.

“Conversation is paramount,” Monteleone said at the seminar on “The Reality of Vaping” at The Weber School. “Silence may kill them. That’s what we need to be mindful of.”

Monteleone cautioned parents to balance their concern with a sense of openness and empathy. He pointed out that intimidation and strict discipline can often be counterproductive. Parents should instead aim to build what he describes as a resilient child who can make healthy decisions for themselves.

“Focus on building the resiliency part, the distinguishing part,” he emphasized.

“Focus less on control, because control is an illusion. It’s a tempting one, but it’s not real.”

The sudden rise in the use of vaping devices, particularly among teens, is a new and potentially troubling trend among young people, who often see the practice as being harmless and a safe alternative to the use of tobacco products.

But the danger he emphasized is what has been mixed in with the water vapor the devices produce. Not just nicotine can be an additive, but any product including dangerous and addictive drugs that can be mixed with a solvent, can be vaporized.

That includes THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredient in marijuana; 18 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

DMT (dimethyltryptamine), a strong hallucinogen; flakka, an inexpensive synthetic drug that can produce paranoia; and potent forms of synthetic marijuana.

By the time they reach their senior year in high school more than 31 percent of students actively use marijuana and 25 percent use at least one other illegal drug, Monteleone said. Often, they start with vaping devices.

Many young people start using vaping devices in response to peer pressure.

Although they often begin as a way to gain social acceptance, changes in how the devices are used should raise a red flag.

“At a certain point you may start to use those chemicals for a different use than they were intended. That’s a key factor for parents to be aware of,” Monteleone cautioned. “When you are talking with your sons or daughters about chemical use, ask them why they do it. The answers you get can be very, very powerful. If you start to hear answers like ‘It helps me to prepare for my tests,’ now they are coping with anxiety with a chemical, or they’re sad and it makes them feel better, that’s when you start to get into dependency.”

Recognizing the danger signs, early in the use of vaping products, is critical, because continued use can be an important factor in neurological development.

“The teenage brain doesn’t fully develop until the early to mid-20s,” he empathized. “If I am putting toxic chemicals, addictive chemicals into my brain six, seven, eight years before it is fully developed, it’s causing damage, brain damage. If I continue to damage my brain, the damage goes up exponentially.”

The evening at Weber was a communitywide effort co-sponsored by a number of Jewish day schools, including Weber, JumpSpark, which develops innovative programs for teens and their parents, the Caron Foundation and Jewish Family & Career Services’ Helping Atlantans Manage Substance Abuse (HAMSA). ■

EDUCATION

Aidan Mokotoff and Jared Katz work together at the computer.

Davis Academy Gets Grant Sponsored By Google A national library program sponsored

by Google gave The Davis Academy $500 to plan and implement coding activities during Computer Science Education Week Dec. 3-9. The Jewish day school is one of 250 schools and public libraries around the country to receive the microfunding from Libraries to Code, an initiative of the American Library Association sponsored

by Google.

The microfunding supports The Davis Academy's efforts to “continue to educate our students, faculty, and families about the value of integrating coding into the curriculum,” said 21st Century Learning Coordinator Stacy Brown. “It is increasingly important for students to learn the impact that computer science has on the evolution of our society. We hope to cultivate an understanding of coding and to nurture a love for this increasingly demanding field for those students who may wish to choose this as their concentration as they progress academically.”

Google Program Manager Nicky Rigg said, “Libraries are the cornerstones of our communities. We are proud to include The Davis Academy in our CS Ed Week activities this year. We hope these libraries will join the growing number of libraries excited to offer CS programs that help youth create, problem solve and develop the confidence and skills to succeed in their future careers.”

The ALA is pleased to offer the funding to The Davis Academy, said President Loida Garcia-Febo. “We hope this microfunding will not only generate enthusiasm for CS Ed Week, but spark year-round programming to develop critical thinking and digital skills youth can draw on over a lifetime.”

The 250 libraries and schools selected for CS Ed Week funding will each host activities based on Google’s free CS First curriculum, which uses video-based instruction to introduce computer science to kids through block-based coding. Libraries will pursue projects that reflect Ready to Code themes critical for advancing youth learning, especially for building computational thinking literacies. The Ready to Code team estimates that the CS Ed Week funding will support more than 60,000 youth all around the country taking part in coding activities throughout the week.

With the funding, Davis can expose students to more complex coding opportunities and allow them to continue to go beyond the surface of learning computer science, demonstrating the power of learning coding as a literacy, and ultimately, helping create a more sophisticated culture of computational thinkers. ■

21st Century Learning Coordinator Stacy Brown works with student, Sierra Frank.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 19

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Our approach will impact your child’s success in college and in life.

Take the time to explore our website.

Visit us at www.collegebridge.net

Contact Steven W. Cook, PhD swc@collegebridge.net or 404.983.4573

20 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

EDUCATION

Does the PSAT Really Count? will be a little different than By mid-December, high the SAT, where the score rangschool juniors should be rees from 400 to 1600 for the ceiving their PSAT results two sections of the test. On the from the October test. True, PSAT, the score range for the some sophomores also took EBRW and math is 160 to 760. that test as the PSAT, and The total score goes from PSAT10 are the same test. In 320 to 1520, not 400 to 800. fact, there is an additional Why is it different? The Coltime for sophomores to take lege Board can then give you a the PSAT. Some high schools better prediction of where you offer that 10th grade test, the Dr. Mark L. might score on the SAT. Your PSAT10, but not all opt to offer Fisher score will let you know where it in the spring.

Ask a student how they scored and, for you stand on your readiness for college. example, they could say “on the English I What are those sub-scores? For example: scored a 480, and on the math section, the the reading score ranges from 8 to 38. Well, score was 550 for a total of 1030.” That is as some colleges in the state of Georgia are far as it goes. That student hardly looked at now using those scores that appear on the real SAT for admissions purposes. Sitting the results after knowing their score.

Back in the old days, only high school with some admissions officials this past juniors took the PSAT. Then, the students summer, I learned of this reading score knew where they stood prior to taking the as a big factor in admissions. When your SAT that year for the first time. In time, questions and answers are available, you since the PSAT exam was a practice test, can start to analyze your score. You will get why not take it even earlier in high school? your test booklet back from your testing So, the onslaught began with many high site. You will see your answers, the correct school students other than juniors taking responses and the difficulty of the questhe test. Finally, the College Board designed tion, whether it was easy, medium or hard. a new version of the test titled PSAT8/9, ap- In the math section, it will also be broken propriate for grades 8 and 9. Not all high down into calculator and non-calculator schools or middle schools administer that questions.

The PSAT 10 for sophomores is on the exam.

Many students would state that the same scale as the PSAT. Additional skills PSAT doesn’t count. Yes, it’s true, colleges and improvement suggestions will be do not see the PSAT scores. But colleges found on your online score report. Take adbuy PSAT scores, so they can send emails vantage of this feature.

Review each question and your anor mail to students. Then students begin to hear from colleges, some of which they swer, especially those you didn’t answer never had on their radar. Again, colleges correctly or didn’t answer at all. To really are not using those scores in the admis- learn from your incorrect answers, you sion process. In fact, they don’t know your should take advantage of resources recomactual score; they only know you fell in a mended by the College Board. Certainly, there are tutors in the area who can help. certain range of scores that interest them.

For the National Merit Scholarship There are also online courses to assist you.

Corporation, the scores are the only fac- But, use your PSAT report to help gain a tor for students who are juniors to enter higher score on one of the upcoming SAT the competition. Later, other factors such tests, which do count. If you do nothing but as grades could eliminate a student. So, for know your score, how are you going to do high scoring students, it counts. You will see better on the SAT? Certainly, good grades your National Merit selection score(index) in school can help you as you prepare for national tests. ■ and other information on your feedback.

Lazy students will stop just knowing Dr. Mark Fisher is a college and career their evidence-based reading and writing (EBRW) score and their math score. But consultant at Fisher Educational Consultants scores do count if the student reviews the (www.fishereducationalconsultants.com) and test they have now obtained. You can even a consultant for the College Planning Institute get your score online. Be careful, the score (www.GotoCPI.com).

EDUCATION

Year Two of Important JumpSpark Programs JumpSpark, the new community initiative to engage teens in Jewish life has a new ally – parents. The program, which begins its second year of programming this month, has discovered that parents want to better understand the wants and needs of their teenagers.

Kelly Cohen, who heads Bob JumpSpark in Atlanta, de- Bahr scribed a series called Navigating Parenthood as an important part in connecting not just with parents, but with teens, as well.

“I think that when we are serving the parents of our community, we are serving the teens of our community, and I think that has been a great learning experience.”

Specifically, she pointed to the success of a program in August at the Marcus JCC about anxiety in teens. It was not only a dialogue between teens and a trained facilitator, but included separate conversations about the issue with the more than 140 parents and community professionals who participated.

“When you see over a hundred parents saying this is something that I want to come out to, then you know you are tapping into a real need in the community. And I would say, consistently, through the Navigating Parenthood series, this kind of participation has helped us to feel that we are really onto something,” Cohen said.

The idea of reaching out to parents as well as to teens originated in a conversation Cohen had with a parent who was looking for help that was hard to find in the community. There was plenty of help available for parents to get together with other new parents of infants to discuss the needs they had, but not much when the children grew up, she said.

“The stakes are a lot higher with teenagers, and this parent was really looking for a way to build community with other Jewish parents of teens.”

JumpSpark, which is supported by a collaborative of community organizations led by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, is part of a national program to increase the participation of Jewish adolescents in community life.

Last week, JumpSpark held a community seminar for parents at The Weber School on the growing problem of vaping among young people.

The seminar, with the support of the HAMSA substance abuse program of Jewish Family & Career Services and the Caron Foundation, was moved to a larger venue because of the intense parent interest in the subject.

JumpSpark Atlanta is part of national programming in 10 American cities funded by the Jim Joseph Foundation, which is among the largest supporters of Jewish educational work for children and youth. It is named for the Jewish philanthropist who escaped the Holocaust in Austria as a child and became a successful California real estate investor. He died in 2003.

As part of a new initiative in the works, JumpSpark in Atlanta plans to expand a program making small philanthropic grants in the next year for innovative projects developed by Jewish teen organizations.

The first round of collaborative grants was awarded recently to a Jewish teen group that will partner with an-

Kelly Cohen is JumpSpark Atlanta's Executive Director.

JumpSpark Atlanta promises a new look at working with Jewish teens in the community.

other Jewish teen group to create new programs.

“We want to support and raise up the professionals in our community that are already on the ground,” Cohen emphasized, “We’re here for them and the amazing work they are doing. We want to elevate and enhance that work.”

Cohen was lower school Judaic Studies coordinator of The Davis Academy for six years. Before that, she lived in Jerusalem for four years as a member of the Pardes Day School Educators Program.

She feels especially grateful for the experience of

guiding a new generation of young community leaders through the JumpSpark program.

“A lot of the teens that we work with I have known for years, and I’ve watched them grow up,” she said. “I’ve been a part of their growing up. That is very meaningful to me, to really be part of someone’s Jewish journey from third grade to being a junior in high school. It’s an amazing gift to be able to touch lives at multiple ages and multiple points.” ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 21

EDUCATION

Athens School District Leads State with Religious Tolerance Policy tion, language and culture.

This week an Athens Recently, she received a grant school district may be the from the National Education first in the state to establish Association to “promote una religious tolerance policy derstandings of difference that will recognize and eqthrough literature.” uitably treat the religious She had been focusing rights of students and teachon Latino and African-Amerers. The policy would also ican communities when she provide guidelines for teachrealized that her own Jewish ing about religion, allowing community was in turmoil absences for holiday obser- Jan because friends of hers were vances and accommodating Jaben-Eilon not bringing their children to dietary restrictions.

The Clarke County School District High Holiday services out of concern that was to vote on the religious beliefs policy they’d miss tests in their public-school on Dec. 13, after a policy subcommittee classes. “My son is in middle school next approved the proposed policy and submit- year, so this became an issue for me,” ted it for 30 days of public comment. The Cahnmann-Taylor told the AJT. The board proposal had received only positive public of directors at Congregation Children of comments by press time, and the Board of Israel, her Reform synagogue, had been talking about writing a letter to the local Education was expected to approve it.

The initiators of the policy proposal, school district, “but there was no followit would seem, had knocked on an open through. So, I decided to do it.”

She drafted a letter, sent it to several door.

Raising her hand to launch that effort Jewish people she knew, and eventually was Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor, a professor edited a final draft with the synagogue’s at the University of Georgia in the Depart- Rabbi Eric Linder. “He already had a rement of Language and Literacy Education. lationship with the new superintendent She teaches classes on bilingual educa- of the Clarke County School District, Dr.

22 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Photo by Melisa Cahnmann-Taylor // Muslim and Jewish

women of the “Salaam-Shalom” women’s group, a new Athens chapter of the international organization, came together recently for a Chanukah party.

Demond Means. We met with him right after Yom Kippur. He was immediately responsive. He told us that we needed more than a memo to distribute to the schools.

We needed a policy.”

Remembering the meeting, Cahnmann-Taylor called it a “beautiful moment, coming from an African-American male. I heard from someone who was not in my tribe, honorably talking about my religious needs. It’s so unique to have another minority person deeply ‘get it.’”

Means directed Dawn Meyers, associate superintendent of policy and school support systems, to look for a model policy, but she couldn’t find one in Georgia.

Finally, after a search, she found a policy in a Pennsylvania school system after which she could model one for the Clarke County School District.

The policy was necessary, Meyers explained, “because we didn’t have it. We had some practices, but no clarity. It’s not enough to have a calendar that doesn’t conflict (with religious holidays). The policy will be a best practice for all schools and it aligns with our strategic priorities.

Those priorities include the social/emotional growth of the students and educational equity.”

“When the superintendent handed me the letter from the Jewish community, I was primed,” Meyers said. She noted her personal experience when one of her daughter’s volleyball teammates showed up for a game after school, out of uniform. Rachel explained that since she was absent from school that day for a Jewish High Holiday, she thought she couldn’t play. But in fact, if you miss a school day for a religious holiday, it is okay to play. I call this the Rachel part of the policy.”

The policy addresses more than excused absences for religious holidays. It also includes direction about the teaching of religion. “The board endorses teaching about religion only where the curriculum guides indicate it is appropriate and when

Dawn Meyers used a Pa. religious beliefs policy to model one for the Clark County School District.

the classroom atmosphere encourages both teachers and students to be responsible and to respect the rights of each person,” the policy states.

Rabbi Linder says he’s a firm believer in the separation of church and state, but in some schools, “in an effort to follow this, they’ve avoided talking about religion at all. There are ways to discuss religion without proselytizing.”

According to Meyers, “there’s been widespread good feelings about this policy. We live in a community that has a lot of engaged citizens in public education. Dozens of people attend the school board meetings on a regular basis. Personally, I’m excited about this policy.

When my oldest kid was in kindergarten, his best friend was named Muhammed.

The boy’s parents were at UGA and were Muslim. I was mentoring the mother when I received a message from a room mother about holding a Christmas party.

I wrote to the principal that it shouldn’t be a Christmas party, but a holiday party. I wondered, how will Muhammed’s mother feel about this?”

She added, “This isn’t Jewish policy.”

It affects many in the diverse Athens area.

Initially, Cahnmann-Taylor received some push-back from other Jews, who were primarily from the South. Cahnmann-Taylor is originally from Chicago.

“They disapproved of making ourselves visible. They said, why make a fuss?” She acknowledged that there’s risk to making a fuss, but feels it is worth it.

Rabbi Linder has seen some isolated anti-Semitic bullying in the community and some insensitive teaching of the Holocaust, but nothing systemic. “Athens is open to this. It’s not been controversial.”

He also noted that among the 175 members of his congregation, several are teachers.

“For me,” the rabbi says, “the fact that there’s a policy is as important as what it says.” ■

CALENDAR FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14

“Mary Poppins, Jr. Community Performance” – The Epstein School, 335 Colewood Way NE, Sandy Springs at 2:25 p.m. For preschoolers, neighborhood children and seniors. Free and open to the public. To RSVP, www.bit. ly/2FWPqrZ.

Shabbat, Me & Rabbi G @ the JCC – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 5 to 6 p.m. Activities and crafts followed by songs and blessings with Rabbi Glusman, concluding with a visit from the popular “Weinstein School Shabbat Dinosaur.” Challah and grape juice will be served. Free and open to everyone. For more information and to RSVP, www.bit.ly/2BwiaoZ.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Vayigash Friday, December 14, 2018, light candles at 5:12 p.m.

Saturday, December 15, 2018, Shabbat ends at 6:11 p.m.

Vayechi Friday, December 21, 2018, light candles at 5:15 p.m.

Saturday, December 22, 2018, Shabbat ends at 6:15 p.m. for 2nd Fridays Shabbat dinner on the Atlanta BeltLine. Mingle, schmooze and meet new people with an open bar and a Shabbat dinner buffet. $25 per person. Limited to the first 50 RSVPs. For more information, www.bit. ly/2E6BcD0.

Women’s Event with Rebbetzin Tziporah Heller – Congregation Ariel,

Blue Jean Shabbat – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 6:15 to 8 p.m. Musical Shabbat featuring the Men’s Club brisket dinner. Salmon and vegetarian options available. Wear your blue jeans for a delicious Shabbat dinner and short musical Shabbat service. Open to the community. $8 per adult, $5 children 12 & younger. RSVP, www.tinyurl. com/BJS1214 , or email Heather Blake at heather@etzchaim.net.

YJP 2nd Fridays Shabbat Dinner – Chabad Intown On the BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Join YJP every month

OVS Shabbat Dinner - Featuring Conversations with Rabbi Kassorla – Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 North Druid Hills Road NE, Brookhaven, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. $18 suggested donation per member, $10 associate member, $20 non-member. To register and for more information, www.bit. ly/2E6nErl.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15

CDT Goes Italian – Congregation Dor Tamid, 11165 Parsons Road, Johns Creek, 6:30 p.m. Enjoy an Italian meal

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and bring a bottle of Chianti to share. $30 per person. For more information, www.bit. ly/2TWEz47.

5237 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Women’s speaking engagement with Rebbetzin Heller – “How do you know G-d is listening?” Free. For more information, www.congariel.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 16

Chabad of Toco Hills Presents: World History by a Jew: Chanukah Edition – Torah Day School of Atlanta, 1985 Lavista Road NE, Atlanta, at 10 a.m. Topic: “A Historian’s Take on the Chanukah Story” by Seth Fleishman. Free. For more information, cayatlanta@gmail.com.

Infant Manual,” who also has 15 years of experience guiding more than 1,000 men through the beginning of fatherhood. $89 for members, $109 for the community. For more information, www.bit.ly/2EdJrgx.

Researching 19th Century Jewish Life in the Russian Archives – William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, 1440 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Presented by the Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia. Professor Ellie Schainker of Emory will speak on “Researching 19th Century Jewish Life in the Russian Archives: Converts, Missionaries and Religious Disputes.”

Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/2BOekpC.

Beth Shalom Mini Movie Festival: “The Boys from Brazil” – Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, from 7 to 9 p.m. Academy Award winners Laurence Olivier and Gregory Pack star in this electrifying thriller based on the best seller by Ira Levin. $5 per adult. For more information, www.bethshalom.net.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

Synagogue Scholars & Authors Series – Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Harvey Brightman, Ph.D. Regents professor emeritus of managerial sciences at Georgia State University - “Why Dr. Johnny can’t teach, and Student Jimmie can’t learn.”

Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/2FUpHQM.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

Hero Dad Fatherhood Class – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn to manage your infant’s needs with ease. Learn the safest diaper changing techniques, Hero Feeding & Soothing System, how to handle infant choking and a CPR review. Level 1 is a three-hour, hands-on class taught by Dr. Yale Nogin, father of four and author of “The Hero Dad’s

Lunch ‘N Learn with Atlanta Rabbis – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 12 to 1 p.m. A lively class and discussion. The MJCCA Lunch ‘N Learn series features Atlanta rabbis who share unique perspectives on topics of their choice. Guests may bring lunch or purchase food from A Healthy Touch kosher café. Free and open to the community. For more information, www.bit.ly/2U8UkFa.

DECEMBER 14-JANUARY 4 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15

Havdallah Under the Stars – Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, from 5 to 7 p.m. Join us for Seudah Shlishit (the third meal of Shabbat) followed by Havdalah, crafts for young children and singing around the bonfire with marshmallows and smores. Bring your camp chairs for the patio. $5 per person, $15 for family of 4. To register, www.bit. ly/2BOjXnr.

NextGen Atlanta’s Nosh to Meet You – From 12 to 1 p.m. Three locations, Jason’s Deli – Buckhead, 3330 Piedmont Road, NE, Atlanta; Sweet Hut - Midtown, 933 Peachtree Street, Atlanta; Your Pie – Perimeter, 123 Perimeter Center W, Atlanta.

Free. Meet with fellow young Jewish professionals in your work neighborhood.

Free. For more information, www.jewishatlanta.org.

your kids during school holidays and teacher work days. Activities include, sports, arts and crafts, science and more. $60 for members, $80 for the community.

WED., DEC. 26 – FRI., JAN. 4

Holiday Camp at CDT – Congregation

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21

School’s Out Camp – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. When your child’s school is out, MJCCA Day Camps is in. They offer a variety of exciting, engaging, activities for your kids during school holidays and teacher work days. Activities include, sports, arts and crafts, science and more. $60 for members, $80 for the community.

Dor Tamid, 11165 Parsons Road, Johns Creek, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Ages pre-K through 5th grade. Crafts, singing, dancing, movies, outdoor fun and more. $75 per child per day, siblings $10 off per day. To register and for more information, www.dortamid.com.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 24

Jewzapolooza! – Hudson Grille, 6317 Roswell Road NE, Sandy Springs from 8 to 11 p.m. What’s a Jew to do on Christmas Eve? Join Atlanta Jewish Singles 40s and 50s, for a night of fun, friends, food, drinks and dancing. $20 in advance, $30 at the door. For more information and to register, www.bit.ly/2rhLtno.

WED., DEC. 26 – FRI., DEC. 28

School’s Out Camp – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. When your child’s school is out, MJCCA Day Camp is in. They offer a variety of exciting, engaging, activities for

MONDAY, DECEMBER 31

Atlanta Symphony Orchestra New Year’s Celebration – City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, at 8 p.m.

Ring in the New Year in style at City Springs with an evening of music and celebration with the Grammy awardwinning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra performing a program of orchestral pops favorites, featuring trumpeter and vocalist Joe Gransden and vocalist Francine Reed. $45 to $55 per person. For more information and to purchase tickets, www. bit.ly/2AQAohl.

Find more events and submit items for our online and print calendars at:

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Calendar sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Connector, an initiative of the AJT. Please contact community liaison, Jen Evans, for more information at jen@atljewishtimes.com.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 25

COMMUNITY

MACoM Executive Director Barbara LeNoble leads synagogue heroes on a tour of the mikvah.

MACoM Synagogue Heroes Meet and Greet Ahead of Signature Event

By Eddie Samuels

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Team in State Start The New Year With A New House!

Sandy Springs-Chastain – $1,750,000

Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah hosted two meet and greets last week for this year’s 16 synagogue heroes selected by Atlanta congregations who fit the theme, Education and Spirituality.

The meet and greets Dec. 4 and Dec. 6 were held ahead of a “A Mitzvah for the Mikvah” fundraiser, which honors those heroes on March 7.

“We reach out to all the synagogues in the community and tell them our focus and they pick [a congregant] who really embodies that,” said MACoM event chair Nancy B. Miller.

This year’s selections come from a variety of fields, including teachers, Jewish educators and others who found their way into the role of a leader later in life.

The 16 synagogue heroes to be honored this year are: Alan Wexler (Ahavath Achim); McKenzie Wren (Bet Haverim); Fred Rich (Beth Shalom); Sam Gold (B’nai Torah); Cheryl Eppsteiner, Cindy Lewis and Marsha Shrago (Etz Chaim); Sue Chase and Andrea Capuano (Gesher L’Torah); Jenny Kutner and Sherry Frank (Or Hadash); Erin Chernow (Shearith Israel); Martha Mathis

(Beth Tikvah); Jess Goldberg (Emanu-El); Larry Weiner (Temple Sinai); and Karen George (The Temple).

The morning meet and greets were the first time many of the heroes had been in the same room, and for many, the first time they were seeing MACoM’s mikvah.

Executive Director Barbara LeNoble led the synagogue heroes on a behind-thescenes tour of the different aspects of the mikvah, proudly showing off all the features and amenities, including the dressing rooms and the control room, which collects live rainwater, and regulates and filters water in the mikvah basin.

The heroes then returned to the boardroom to learn more about the goals of the program and their fellow heroes. They were also encouraged to schedule a free immersion, another perk of their selection.

MACoM’s fundraiser, “A Mitzvah for the Mikvah,” will be at 6:30 p.m. March 7 at Congregation B’nai Torah. Tickets start at $180, or $90 for those 35 years and younger.

“Our event the last couple of years has gone so well that we really want to spread the word and get the word out to the community that we’re here,” Miller said. ■

Cheryl Eppsteiner and Alan Wexler share their stories and get to know one another.

Synagogue heroes Cheryl Eppsteiner, Frank Rich and Alan Wexler enjoy a MACoM tour.

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26 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

COMMUNITY

Church Quilt Honoring Pittsburgh to be Housed at The Breman Last week, members of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church dropped off a prayer quilt to the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta they made for the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh.

“They shared with us how their Bible study group has been meeting weekly for four years, studying half Old Testament and half New Testament each year, and what an honor it is for them to feel that they share their heritage with the Jewish people,” said Renee Kutner, the Federation’s vice president of marketing.

Hanging threads on the quilt include several knots to represent a prayer that was said by someone in the church on behalf of Tree of Life synagogue – a prayer of concern, healing and hope. “They have made about 20 prayer quilts in the last year, whenever they are requested by people for someone who is facing any type of crisis (illness, hard times, etc.), so their particular Bible study group within the church requested this quilt in the aftermath of Pittsburgh.

“Because of the large amount of items already sent to Pittsburgh from around the world, they requested that we keep this quilt here in Atlanta as our own reminder, and it will be housed at the Breman Museum,” said Kutner. ■

Jeremy Katz of the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum and Renee Kutner of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta receive a quilt from members of the Oak Grove United Methodist Church.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 27

COMMUNITY

Rabbi’s Musical Talent Benefits Temima

By Arlene Appelrouth The auditorium at the Atlanta Jewish Academy was filled almost to capacity Dec. 9 for the grand finale fundraising concert benefiting the Temima High School For Girls.

Rabbi Menashe Goldberger, a gifted classical pianist, called the concert “the end of an era.” He began performing for the Atlanta Jewish community in 2005, when his oldest daughter was a sophomore. His youngest daughter will graduate from Temima this year.

Sunday’s program included Rabbi Goldberger playing Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, Dr. Leo Lipis playing classical guitar, and many Hebrew songs performed by the rabbi and four of his adult sons.

In addition, a 15-minute video montage with highlights from the previous 13 concerts delighted the audience.

Rabbi Goldberger, a member of the Atlanta Scholars Kollel, had not played the piano for 23 years when he began taking lessons again. “The real inspiration came from my parents in two ways,”

Dr. Leo Lipis, a guitarist and AJA graduate, flew in from Berlin to play compositions

by Leo Brouwer and Agustin Barrios.

he reflected. “They always encouraged me to keep an open mind regarding resuming my piano. My mother told me I could use my talents to help the Jewish community.”

His mother, Betty Goldberger, was right. The rabbi has raised more than

Photos by Harold Alan // Musical Goldberger family from left: Yaakov, Yom Tov, Rabbi Menashe, Yehoshua, and Eliyahu at a fundraising concert for Temima High School.

$200,000 for Temima.

He attributed the success of his concerts to collaborating with other musicians, the rabbi told the AJT. “This contributed to a well-rounded program.”

Cantor Gustave Goldberger, the rabbi’s father, sang in his son’s concerts

until 2013. While the rabbi and his sons sang Jewish music, four of his grandchildren walked back and forth across the stage dressed in costumes commemorating Jewish holidays.

It all goes to prove: performing and music are a Goldberger family legacy. ■

Star-Spangled Chanukah Military-themed chanukiyot were the centerpiece of the Chanukah party sponsored by the Jewish War Veterans Post 112 Dec. 9 at Berman Commons. The chanukiyah on each table was military-themed, fashioned from such items as a sword, a bayonet, a pistol, a canteen, and sculpted wood bearing military insignia. The three-dozen people on hand, primarily veterans and some spouses, were entertained by The Gray Matters Band, whose rock ‘n roll offerings could be described – with no offense to the musicians – as oldies. ■ Photos by Dave Schechter. View more on AJT's website.

28 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

COMMUNITY SIMCHA SPOTLIGHT

Mazel Tov Uncle Arthur!

Arthur M. Blank, owner of Atlanta United FC, for the Major League Soccer team's victory over The Portland Timbers Dec. 8 to become the 2018 MLS Cup Champions. Atlanta was awarded the MLS expansion team in 2014.

B’nai Mitzvah

■ Elizabeth Anne Jonas, daughter of Lisa GleimJonas and William Jonas, on Dec. 8.

■ Vivian Kohn, daughter of Jami and Lawrence Kohn, on Dec. 8.

■ Natalie Hope Spear, daughter of Douglas and Andrea Spear, on Dec. 8.

Have something to celebrate?

Births, B’nai Mitzvah, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Special Birthdays and more ...

Share it with your community with free AJT simcha announcements.

Email them to submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 29

COMMUNITY OY VEY! HAVE I GOT A PROBLEM...

Dear Grateful but Frustrated Mother of the Bride, Congratulations on your beautiful occasion!

As a peacemaker, I shy away from dispute and love compromise. Therefore, I propose the following innovative solution to your sensitive dilemma.

What if you print two invitations? One will go to Great Aunt Judy and her e our dream was and it looked lik , Dear Rachel, th ea br r ou e asked H ld v! he immediate family, and Jennifer Sarah will be displayed prominently. The other to e w el , az rly m ge – arching Waiting ea ged. Folafter years of se , ga st invitation will be sent to the rest of your family and friends with only Jennifer en la ly At al . ue fin tr as e hter w about to com that the and our dear daug , ed ed in appearing. pt ag ce im ac e ly ul sh sf The Question, Mr. Right, I blis Is it deceitful? In my opinion, absolutely not! It’s called peaceful, not deceitous climb was s struggle to find sailing. The strenu th lowing her arduou oo sm be l al ld ou ful, and everyone will be happy. Perhaps it could be disingenuous if you told your w ts en em ng int? wedding arra wrong at this po es, even go su ly is ib great aunt that everyone is receiving the invitation where both names appear. g ss in po ct d pe ul ex co t u’re no over, so what or. But when yo rents: Exaj pa m But why should you say anything? And if by any chance she catches sight of the g g tin in ec th sp no su ly, all un Thankful ticipatains. (Warning to nt an e ou ar other version, well, printing errors occur all the time! m e ey th lik n ok he lo w stacles little hills can expecter to deal with ob n, si tio ea The bride is entitled to be happy with her invitation; it is her wedding. And ta s vi ay in w al ng s di It’ the wed pect glitches! rprise. hter the proof of su ug by I’m sure you want her to be happy. At the same time, you are welcome to give da e y m m ok nt to se I xt r te ed.) So, when ht for printing, he lig n ee nachas to your well-deserving, devoted great-aunt who gave so much to you gr e th e . m te e wro ing her to give the invitation,” sh weighing t on r en throughout your life. m ife nt nn oi Je pp te ri sa “Please w yance and di What do you say, Mother of The Bride? Do we have a win-win? a mixture of anno ointed.

Uh-oh, I thought, sa y of Great will be so di pp or dy May the happy young couple be a source of pride and joy to their families Ju em m nt in Au t h ea ra e Sa me down. Gr r the middle nam survivor st ife au nn and the entire Jewish people as they build a home predicated on love, honor Je oc ol ve H ga d e ol r w 90-yea You see, eat Aunt Judy is a ilt her life Gr bu r. and respect. re he ly ot us dm eo ag an gr ur e co Aunt Judy’s ring the war. As sh w and the du Je l Wishing everyone such wonderful problems! ily ya m lo a fa e as tir g in en ount: liv who lost her , as well, lues were param us va e o Warm regards, ud tw cl , in es to or sh ed tend on American love for family ex as increder w H . e Rachel Stein ily Sh . m fa de r si s he d’ of an

well-being ay ugh her husb were related thro r father passed aw pecially since ou even though we es ut o, to ho , ug us ro ro th ne , and ge art to us her home and he ibly devoted to us ed en op e .

Sh ile g. sm ry youn and with a loving when we were ve magnanimously ng n so that Aunt vi gi tio s, ta vi ar in ye e e th iv Sarah on our format ep ke to r ife nn Je ask Is it too much to easure? pl e m so t Judy will ge Signed, of the Bride ustrated Mother A Grateful but Fr

Atlanta Jewish Times Advice Column Got a problem? Email Rachel Stein at oyvey@ atljewishtimes.com, describing your problem in 250 words or less. We want to hear from you and get helpful suggestions for your situation at the same time!

Identifying details will be changed upon request.

Jewish Joke of the Week

Yiddish Word of the Week

Home, Sweet Home

tachlis

Maurice was a good, well-respected, elderly Edgware man. He felt that death was close and asked his sons to take him to the Holy Land, to die there and be buried in Jerusalem.

The loving sons did as he asked, brought him to Jerusalem, put him in a hospital and waited for death to come. However, once in Jerusalem, Maurice started to feel better and better, and after a few weeks was again strong, healthy and full of life.

He called upon his sons and said: “Quickly, take me back to Edgware.”

The sons were somehow disappointed and asked: “Father, how come?

You said you want to die in the Holy Land and be buried in Jerusalem!"

“Yes,” Maurice answered, “to die, it’s OK, but to live here ... !?”

Tachlis, Yiddish pronunciation: tákhless of the Hebrew takhlít ‫ – ַתכְ לִ ית‬purpose, end, goal – used colloquially as exclamation of expediency and sometimes impatience. Similar to English expressions like “ultimately,” “bottom line,” “cut to the chase,” “in short,” etc. May insinuate “what is in it for me.”

Examples: “After all the talking, tákhlis, nothing has changed.”

“Hon, your new guy is quite impressive, but tákhlis, is he going to propose?”

Joke provided by David Minkoff www.awordinyoureye.com 30 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Rabbi Joab Eichenberg-Eilon, PhD, teaches Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic at the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies, eTeacher Group Ltd.

BRAIN FOOD

Flip-Flopping By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Manageable 1

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1. Disdain 6. Discharge 10. One of a matched pair 14. “Cake ___ cream?” (dessert choices) 15. Michelin product 16. Jump on the ice 17. Bad tasting Sukkot drink?

19. Actor Eric in “Munich” 20. Morrow and Damone 21. Moon vehicle, for short 22. They’re given at a bris 23. Spanish pronoun 24. Rosh Hashanah euphoria?

27. Common thing?

29. Part of a play 30. Once called 31. Pitching stat.

33. Org. on “24” 34. Matt Harvey’s team after the Mets 35. Hoover’s upset about how history remembers him?

38. Actress Stapleton of “All in the Family” 40. Some batters, for short 41. Jewish witness 42. Hebrew “I” 43. Pair 44. Relieved sounds

12. Went back on 13. Cuts 18. ___-mo replay 22. WSJ competitor 24. Munich mister 25. Not chiloni 26. Kind of angle 28. Espied 32. Original “American Idol” judge 33. “60 Minutes” network 34. Quick, in some marketing prefixes 35. It can recede 36. Free throw, e.g.

37. Mrs. Addams, to Gomez 38. Tea flavoring flower or Disney Princess DOWN 39. In a box 1. Finishes (this puzzle) 43. Where some injured athletes 2. Kind of control go, for short 3. Tin Man’s first words in “The 45. Singer Josh Wizard of Oz” 46. Announce 4. Many old radios 47. “Star Trek” engineer 5. The Silver State, Abbr.

49. Mary-Kate or Ashley 6. Lucy’s best friend 50. Of the eye 7. Its Jewish population increases 51. Demolishes in late January 52. Off-road goer, for short 8. Annoy 56. “___-Team” 9. Start of Tammuz?

58. May honoree 10. Olam ___ (64-Across, perhaps) 59. Hoppy brew, initially 11. Tester 60. Pop-ups, e.g.

48. Learn the Books of Moses on an iPad? 53. Kind of center 54. Malcha and Short Hills 55. NFL sensation Mahomes, for short 56. Bull, in Spain 57. Terrorist group 58. Mammal flying around doing good deeds?

61. One named NBA player 62. 60’s TV boy 63. Gave out 64. Paradise lost?

65. Some computers 66. 2012 hurricane

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1

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15 Years Ago // December 12, 2003 ■ Reform congregation Temple Beth Tikvah is starting a search for a successor to its founding rabbi, Donald Tam. Tam was the rabbi of Beth Tikvah for nearly 17 years. Tam announced his intent to become rabbi emeritus in a recent letter to the congregation, but said his intent to retire had been known to congregational leadership for close to two years.

■ Temple Sinai members voted Nov. 16 to confirm the succession of Ron Segal to be the synagogue’s senior rabbi upon the retirement of Rabbi Phil Kranz. Temple members expect Kranz to retire sometime within the next five years.

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Jews during the Holocaust. The movie is Spielberg’s stark, unforgettable tribute to Schindler, and a haunting memorial to the millions of Jews who perished.

■ The bat mitzvah of Lara Lorena Aronoff of Marietta took place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 11, at Temple Kol Emeth. Lara is the daughter of Dr. Craig and Kathy Aronoff.

50 Years Ago // December 13, 1968 ■ The year 1968 saw records set in Israel tourist traffic with an estimated 430,000 visitors Schindler’s List premiered Dec. 15, 1993 expected by the end of the year. Income earnings from tourism, exclusive of the earnings of El Al and Zim, the Israel national carrier, reached about $90 million.

25 Years Ago // December 10, 1993 ■ The b’nai mitzvah of Alan Mark Sheron and Allan Samuel Nassau was held at 9 ■ Steven Spielberg’s movie “Schindler’s List” was released by Universal Pictures on a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Alan is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Dec. 15, 1993. Oskar Schindler was a Czech-born member of the Nazi party who saved Alex Sheron. Allan is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Saul Nassau.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 14, 2018 | 31

OBITUARIES

Florence Brody 93, Boca Raton, Fla.

Florence Brody died peacefully at the age of 93 in Boca Raton, Fla., Nov. 26, 2018. Born in Newark, N.J., she attended Weequahic High and graduated from Upsala College. After World War II, she met and married Martin Brody, the love of her life. Martin Brody was the chairman of Restaurant Associates from 1963 to 2009.

Together as partners, Florence and Martin crafted a life full of hard work, civic duties and philanthropy. Towards these goals, she hosted many social, business and philanthropic events.

In 1981, Florence hosted a 60th birthday party for Martin at Lincoln Center, where she invented “food stations.” The food stations offered guests a variety of international cuisine. Ahead of her time, this entertaining style remains popular today. Florence was a theater and art devotee and served on the board of the New York Shakespeare Festival and the American Folk Art Museum. Her highly successful fundraising events for the New York Shakespeare Festival were featured and photographed in the New York Times society section. Florence was also active in the Jewish community, chairing events for Jewish Federation of MetroWest NJ and the Jewish Federation of South West Palm Beach.

Florence, a beautiful woman, had an eye for aesthetics and was known for her impeccable taste, her beautifully curated homes and her masterful entertaining skills. In her later years, she developed a passion for bridge and played daily. Florence was a force who lived her life on her own terms. She was truly a woman in full. We will all miss her spirit.

Surviving Florence are son and daughter-in-law, Marc Robert and Carleen Brody; daughter and son-in-law, Renee Brody and Alan Levow; grandchildren Jake Levow, Cary Levow, Justine Brody; and sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marian and Myron Soled. A graveside memorial service took place at B’nai Abraham Memorial Park, in Union, N.J. Dec. 9. Tributes may be sent to either the Jewish Federation of MetroWest NJ, or of South Palm Beach County in Florida.

Dianne Kirsch 77, Atlanta

Dianne Kirsch, age 77, a lifelong resident until last year of Quincy, Ill., died on Dec. 6, in Atlanta. She was born Aug. 9, 1941, the daughter of Max and Zelda Chanen. She graduated from Quincy High School in 1959. Dianne met the love of her life, Myron Kirsch, on a blind date at Union Station in St. Louis, and the couple celebrated the 60th anniversary of that event last month. They were married at Temple B’nai Sholom in Quincy in 100 degree weather on Aug. 28, 1960. Dianne was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend to so many. She took great pleasure in raising her three sons, and was active as PTA president, den mother, and as a member of various nonprofit boards. Dianne was a lifelong member of Temple B’nai Sholom, where she served as board secretary and bulletin editor for many decades, sisterhood president, and in many other roles. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren. Dianne was a warm, caring, and extremely capable person who so many people depended on, and she will be missed by all who were fortunate to have known her. Survivors include her husband Myron, of Atlanta and formerly of Quincy; son Jeff Kirsch of Conway, Ark.; sons and daughters-in-law, Mike and Ilana Kirsch of South Bend, Ind., and Greg and Lanie Kirsch of Atlanta; seven grandchildren Aaron, Amanda, Arielle, Asher, Eden, Eli and Max; brother Fred Chanen of Quincy; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Wolff and Marie-Claire Kirsch of Redlands, Calif.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her parents-in-law David and Ethel Kirsch of St. Louis; her sister-in-law Carole Chanen of Quincy; and her brother-in-law Morton Kirsch of St. Louis.

The funeral was held Dec. 10 in Quincy, Ill., with Rabbi Alvin Sugarman officiating.

The family sat shiva in Atlanta at the home of Lanie and Greg Kirsch on Dec. 12. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org

Rachel Kron 88, Atlanta

Rachel Kron, age 88, passed away peacefully at her home Dec. 3, 2018 surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and loved ones. Rachel was born in Riga, Latvia, and had to flee her home with her mother during World War II. She was a Holocaust survivor.

32 | DECEMBER 14, 2018 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

OBITUARIES She and her husband, Samuel, were married 66 years. Together they endured a life of love, bringing their family to the United States in 1978. Rachel was a strong woman, full of beauty and elegance. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Samuel, her mother Lea, father Phillip, and step-father Abraham. Rachel is survived by her son Jacob (Sasha) Kron; daughter Faina (Alex) Sporn; grandchildren Elana, Michaela, Abigail, Marc, Meg and Sabi; and many close, loved family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice or Holocaust Survivor Support Fund. A graveside service was held Dec. 5, 2018, at Crestlawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. Sign online guest book at www.edressler.com.

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Evan Benjamin Weisman 80, Atlanta

Evan Benjamin Weisman, a lifelong Atlanta cardiologist who fell in love late in life with acting and the city’s theater scene, died Dec. 4, 2018, at the age of 80 of multiple myeloma.

Dr. Weisman was born in Queens, N.Y., the son of a radiologist, Joseph, and a doting Jewish mother, Belle. He cared for his two younger brothers, Alan and Hank, when his father went to World War II as an Army doctor. At Yale University, he made his mark as an editor of the humor journal, but more importantly, he met and married a Vassar girl, Nancy Cowan.

Medical school brought him to Emory University and Atlanta, and he never really left, besides stints in residency at Syracuse University and the public health service in Salt Lake City. He began his cardiology practice in Marietta in the 1960s, something of a country doctor, at times bringing home eggs and chickens as payment, doing rounds at Kennestone and Windy Hill hospital, and playing tennis with a passion.

Upon retirement, he found a calling as an actor in community theater. A lifelong member of The Temple, he also sang in the choir.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughter, Jamie; his sons, Mark and Jonathan; and his four beloved granddaughters, Isabelle, Hannah, Alissa and Shira.

A graveside service was held Dec. 6 at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. In lieu of flowers, mourners are asked to contribute to his favorite causes, the Southern Poverty Law Center, Physicians for a National Health Program, and the Weinstein Hospice.

Arrangements made by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Death Notices:

Sylvia Applebaum was the loving wife of the late Jacob, devoted mother of Morris (Beverly) Applebaum, Rose Blumstein and Helen (Norman) Taffet, and proud grandmother of Sam, Daniel, Brian, Jason, Jenna and Carly. A service was held Dec. 2 at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment was private.

Memorials in her memory can be made to HIAS, 216 West Chicago Street, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60606, www.hias.org or to the Illinois Holocaust Museum, 9603 Woods Drive, Skokie, IL 60077, www.ilholocaustmuseum.org. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847-229-8822, www.cjfinfo.com Sonia Raquel Selmonosky passed away Nov. 20, 2018, at home in Falls Church, Va., surrounded by her loved ones. Sonia was predeceased by her brother, Roberto Korob, and son, Daniel Selmonosky. She is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Carlos Alberto Selmonosky, and her daughters Deborah Selmonosky (BG Jones), Arlene Miller and Monica Selmonosky. She leaves six grandchildren: Olivia, Jacob, Gabriela, Isabella, Max and Sophia. ■

‫זיכרונה‬ ‫לברכה‬ Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact 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.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS Tevet: I Spy With My Little Eye, A Brighter Future to National Geographic. They have 12 to 16 Rosh Chodesh Tevet began on Saturday, types of light-detecting cells – compared to Dec. 8. The Hebrew letter is ayin, meaning, our three – that are sensitive to red, green eye, and looks like two eyes joined together and blue light, which allows them to see a at the base. Tevet’s task is correcting our far greater range of colors than we can. inner and outer vision. As far as physical The Mayans honored those who were eyesight, human beings are created to have cross-eyed, not seeing it as a disability to be excellent vision. We have both rods and corrected, but as a high-status trait. Mayan cones, two types of photoreceptors in the mothers attempted to induce cross-eyed retina, and are able to view stars that are strabismus by hanging balls in front of ba4.24 light-years away. We can distinguish Dr. Terry bies’ noses, in honor of Kinich Ahau, the a wide variety of colors and can see great cross-eyed sun god. They were thought to distances ahead, if nothing is blocking our Segal be able to see into the future, looking first view. Since not all human beings have per- New Moon Meditations with one eye and then the other. fect vision though, we’ve developed methods of improving and correcting it. This is unique to hu From the esoteric to the mundane, “good eye” mans at this time. Having the sense of sight, especially is a slang sports phrase used to compliment a player keen vision, benefits us as a survival tool. who sees or intuits something that benefits the team, Animals whose survival depends upon their abil- such as whether the pitch is a ball or strike, if it’s good ity to see include birds of prey, who all have fine-tuned to swing at, or when a pitcher spots a player leading too long-distance vision. The eagle’s vision, however, is su- far off the bag and throws him out. In basketball, a good perior, able to see its prey, such as a rabbit in the field, pass can be made “behind the eyes of the defense.” at a distance of about two miles. They see a wider range All of this is to say that vision is important. As huof colors than we can, while also being able to see ultra- mans, we don’t see well in the dark. In so many ways, it violet light. Eagles, hawks and falcons see best during has been a very dark year, and tough for some people the day, but owls excel at night, using their binocular vi- to see their way through it. But see through it we must. sion. They’re also able to move their heads nearly in a Tevet is the perfect time to create vision boards. full circle.

Each year, on January’s New Year’s Day, our family gets Additionally, pupil shape and the orientation of the together, and each participant makes his or her own vieyes plays a part in how well animals see. The mantis sion board. We gather our magazines for the year-end shrimp has the most complex eyes in nature, according recycling, but first, we cut out phrases that speak to our

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souls about our hopes and dreams for the coming year.

We might be moved by an image, or decide to cut out letters, random-style, that express a goal or an action that we’d like to embrace and keep in the forefront of our thoughts. It’s a mindfulness practice to keep the positive vision in front of your eyes. Motivating and encouraging, it brings your focus back to what you choose to pay attention to, those things that matter to you, and to what you’d like to bring your time and energy to daily.

Meditation Focus: Consider your own vision. What are you a keen observer of? What is in your blind spot?

What is the impact on you when you have temporary blindness and can’t see your way in the dark? If a corrective lens was placed, not on your eyes but on your attitude, what would that look like? ■

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