Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCIV NO. 50, December 20, 2019 by Atlanta Jewish Times

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VOL. XCIV NO. 50 | CHANUKAH

DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 22 KISLEV 5780

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THIS WEEK

Light My Fire Chanukah starts Sunday and we have plenty of holiday inspiration to share, from the winners of our art contest to the holiday-themed insights from community members and our staff. You will surely be enlightened. David Geffen shares a history of Chanukah in America, including Atlanta’s Jewish community before the turn of the century. We bring you to a performance at Temple Emanu-El of George Frideric Handel’s “Judas Maccabeus” with a 40-member choral group, 15-piece chamber orchestra and singers from area synagogues and a few churches. And our Keeping it Kosher is a simple and classic recipe for jelly-filled donuts, also known as sufganiyot. Aside from Chanukah coverage, we bring you multi-culturalism in our dining review of Feedel Bistro, featuring Ethiopian cuisine with its exotic spices, seasoned protein, stews and bread for dipping and scooping. We feature two women who recently celebrated 100-plus birthdays and reflect on the laying of markers in memory of Holocaust victims in Germany. Plus, we

tell the amazing story of survival of a Torah scroll hidden in Poland during the Holocaust. The refurbished Torah will be rededicated at Ahavath Achim Synagogue next month. Speaking of synagogues, contributor Bob Bahr takes us to the Union of Reform Judaism biennial conference in Chicago. And we discuss a push by a new cohort of programming and engagement directors to focus on creating small groups that foster stronger relationships. The AJT is on the scene for a few Jewish organizational meetings, including Israel Bonds’ President’s Club event and the annual meeting of Jewish Educational Loan Fund (JELF). We also hear from the voice of Jewish Atlanta, a panel of winners from the AJT’s 40 Under 40 contest. Among other big topics in the news, we explore the making of the new book about Richard Jewell, who went from Olympic bombing hero to suspect, and we bring you the latest on the third Israel election planned for March to choose a prime minister. Next week is our year in review wrapup. But until then, chag sameach! ■

Cover Photo: Sophie Cohen, eighth grade Davis Academy student. created the cover winner for this year’s Chanukah Art Contest.

CONTENTS LOCAL NEWS �� 6 ISRAEL NEWS �� 22 OPINION �� 24 CHANUKAH �� 30 ARTS �� 70 CALENDAR �� 72 COMMUNITY �� 76 DINING �� 81 KEEPING IT KOSHER �� 82 BRAIN FOOD �� 83 REFLECTIONS �� 84 OBITUARIES �� 87 CLOSING THOUGHTS �� 88

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LOCAL NEWS Celebrating Jewish Atlanta’s 40 Under 40 By Roni Robbins What was most surprising about the gathering of winners of Jewish Atlanta's 40 Under 40 awards was that many of them know and work with each other through the Atlanta Jewish community. So when they united to celebrate their achievement at a luncheon Dec. 11, hosted by the AJT and sponsored by Israel Bonds and A Kosher Touch Catering, they expressed a familiar connection. Some even sat together and schmoozed over a delicious lunch of salmon and couscous, spinach and pasta salad by the popular caterer at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. About 120 people attended the luncheon to recognize the 40 Under 40 honorees. They were chosen in July from among 84 nominations based on their success and achievements as active members of Jewish Atlanta. “Ultimately, we went for an overall feeling that the winners make Jewish Atlanta a better place,” Michael Morris, owner-publisher of the AJT, said in his opening remarks. “Aside from their impressive work resumes, their contributions to the Jewish community are unparalleled and their commitment to Jewish values are unmatched.” A few guests who attended the event in honor of their Under 40 relatives echoed that praise. “It’s wonderful to recognize young Jewish people in the community and the impact they make, and my sister is one of them,” Alla Umansky said of the sister she nominated for the award, Maya Lemberg. “My sister is an amazing therapist who guides people through difficult times in their lives and helps people get through their challenges. She is very engaged in her Jewish life,” Umansky added.

Michael Morris, owner-publisher of the AJT, introduces the 40 Under 40.

Steve Katz was there to support his general manager of television networks redaughter Julie Katz, assistant director of cently acquired by Tegna; and Rabbi Chaim AJCs Southeastern region. “It’s impres- Aharon Green of Chabad Intown’s Young sive,” he said of the winners. “It gives me Jewish Professionals. Kaylene Ladinsky, the AJT’s managa lot of hope about the Jewish community to see how accomplished they are and ing publisher and editor, posed several questions to the panelists. Some recurhow diverse.” After a brief introduction by sponsor ring themes that emerged from their Israel Bonds, including a push for younger responses were inclusiveness, pride in interfaith engageinvestors and leaders ment, and the role in the organization, of young people in the 40 Under 40 were serving as a “light recognized. The cerunto the nation,” emony was followed bringing about by a panel discuschange in the world. sion featuring six of What’s the bigthe winners: Rabbi gest question or conSamantha Trief of cern you are faced Temple Sinai; DaChuck Berk and Brad Young with? vid Hoffman, ADL’s speak about investing in Israel The responses Southeast associate Bonds, a sponsor of the event. centered on enregional director; Kelly Cohen, director of JumpSpark teen gagement: concern about the level of engagement; Julie Katz, assistant director engagement for those under 40 (Trief); of the American Jewish Committee’s South- teen engagement (Cohen); how to keep eastern region; Brian Weiss, president and young people engaged and involved in Israel (Katz); being inclusive of interfaith couples (Weiss); and how to make Jewish tradition relatable to 21st century young Jews (Green). The second question was: What should be our biggest concern for educating our future generations? “The biggest concern is Jewish continuity,” Green said. The goal is to ensure 1820-C Independence Square “there will be a Jewish people.” Also, that Dunwoody, GA 30338 Jews are proud to express their Judaism 770-396-3456 and know how to be Jewish at varying levels of observance, he said. Graduate Gemologist Weiss said Jews shouldn’t take for granted the “why” of their observance Special Order Follow us online! when inviting people of other faiths into their midst. Instead, Jews should take the time to review the customs, to avoid the www.hajewelry.com “secularization of the Jewish community.”

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Katz thought the biggest concern was teaching students how to have conversations about such topics as antiSemitism, apartheid, and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, and giving youth “talking points” so they are able to address those issues. The third question to the panel was posed by Chuck Berk, Israel Bonds’ new national campaign chairman. Do you, as young people, understand and do you feel it’s important for young people to support Israel and what can be done to better educate or bring more young people around to support of Israel? Weiss, who works with The Temple Young Professionals and interfaith couples, pointed to Honeymoon Israel as way to expose interfaith couples and couples in which one partner didn’t grow up Jewish to a highly subsidized “emotional” trip to Israel. Katz said the first engagement of children with Israel begins at home. She grew up in a very Zionist house in which the family would talk about Israel and learn about it during Shabbat. The next step is an “immersive experience” in Israel longer than what can be accomplished in a 10-day Birthright Israel trip, she said. “You need to live in Israel to experience it” deeply, through a long-term program. Cohen said teens want to engage in meaningful learning and multi-narrative conversations. She believes teen Israel travel is changing and going to look different than the past, but that’s not something to be scared or nervous about. “I feel very good about the future. More expansive conversations are going to benefit all of us.” Hoffman said the model of teen engagement in Israel needs to change. Teens need to experience Birthright before they go to college so they are prepared for the anti-

LOCAL NEWS Israel bias they may confront there, he said. “Israel is very much alive,” Trief said about programs at Temple Sinai. Shinshinim from Israel in Atlanta “represent the pulse of the community, alive and breathing and well.” Lastly, Ladinsky asked: From your experience what is the greatest asset the Jewish Atlanta community brings to the greater Jewish population? A few of the panelists spoke about reaching out across interfaith and ethnic lines to bring people together. Katz said Jews seem willing to step outside their comfort zones. “Let’s be the light unto the nation,” she challenged. That means engaging with people of different faiths and political views, she said. Hoffman said, “I think we do a great job capitalizing on the cultural opportunities that we have in Atlanta … our civil rights history.” He cited the ADL’s work with the National Center for Civil and

The six 40 Under 40 panelists were Rabbi Samantha Trief, David Hoffman, Kelly Cohen, Julie Katz, Brian Weiss and Rabbi Chaim Aharon Green.

Human Rights, the AJC’s Black-Jewish Coalition, and The Temple-Ebenezer Baptist Church exchange program, saying, “I think it’s really great that we are able to take advantage of that cultural history that we have and I think other communities can engage in that work as well.” Later, Hoffman added that no matter one’s interest, “there are so many ave-

nues of entry into the Jewish community that are available.” He said he visited four synagogues on Yom Kippur “because each offers me something different and because I am welcome in each of them, and so I think having all those different points of entry allows for the migration we are seeing to Atlanta, especially in the Jewish community, to be successful.”

A Kosher Touch catered the lunch with salmon and couscous, pasta and spinach salads.

To that, Morris summed up the program. “I think everybody in the room now knows why these six panelists are up here, … why it’s so important and uplifting, to see that this community is in awesome shape with the next generation.” He added that the winners were “the tip of the iceberg in Atlanta, and that is really heartwarming.” ■

The AJT recognizes the winners of its 40 Under 40 contest at a luncheon sponsored by Israel Bonds and A Kosher Touch Catering.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 7

LOCAL NEWS

Movie Financier Cohen Returns with a Splash

Financier and executive producer Adi Cohen will bring much of the production of “L’Inverno” to Atlanta.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe In an interview last month with the AJT, Israeli born Adi Cohen announced that his company, DCR Finance Corp. of Manhattan, would invest $150 million in post-production film making in Georgia. This targeted areas such as editing, special effects, music and sound that were often done out of state. Just one month later, Cohen gives the AJT the exclusive announcement that he has diverted to Georgia some of the budget of the $11 million Holocaust-themed movie, “L’Inverno.” The film will involve many Jewish executives including Oscar winning director Roland Joffe and DCR principal and executive producer Mark Damon (alongside Cohen.) Cohen’s background includes three years in the Israel Defense Forces’ combat and computer science units. Some of his studies were done in London and some at the Hebrew University. He speaks five languages and spends his time between Barcelona, Israel, New York and Los Angeles in addition to Atlanta. Amid a pack of other investors, Cohen chose Georgia because of the generous state tax credits. The Atlanta post-production portion of his company is Go Media Productions, headed by Len Gibson and Wayne Overstreet. Cohen said, “The filming will be shot mostly in Europe, but about 60 percent of the budget will reside in Georgia.” This film “L’Inverno” has a dramatic Jewish angle as the story of a brother and sister, both violin players in a concentration camp. Actor, screenwriter and producer Sharron Aubrey said, “Bringing forth feature film ‘L’Inverno’ to the screen has 8 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

DCR Finance principal and executive producer Mark Damon.

been a profoundly moving process. A captivating and intense character-driven tale, emotionally stirring and strikingly atmospheric, and what will be no doubt a compelling dramatic motion picture experience. “Roland and I spent an intensive amount of time delving into the research and further deepening the story. Roland is fearless of sensitive subject matters and knows how to deliver a compelling and emotionally intelligent dramatic story. He has worked with some of the most astonishing actors of our time, numerous Academy Award winners.” The plotline per Cohen: “L’Inverno” tells of a torn loyalty and love between former childhood friends, SS Officer Nikolaus Führich and Jewish violinist Elisabeth Soloveichik, spanning the period from World War I through World War II. The story is also expressed through the eyes of Elizabeth’s brother, Aaron Soloveichik, a successful violinist until wounds from war obstruct his ability to play. Audiences will witness the essence and power of music, hope and love to transcend the suffering and despair behind the barbed wire of a concentration camp. Set in Europe and completing its journey in New York City, “L’Inverno” is a moving exploration not only of human survival and the development of protagonists under extreme circumstances, but of the inner conflicts arising from the clash of loyalties between family, love and country. Production should begin in early 2020. On Jan. 24, Cohen will release the epic Washington-Vietnam drama “The Last Full Measure.” ■

LOCAL NEWS

New Book Tells Richard Jewell’s Controversial Story By Bob Bahr Kent Alexander and his co-author, Kevin Salwen, spent five years researching their recently released book about the bombing at the Atlanta Olympic Village during the 1996 Olympics. Their novel, “The Suspect: An Olympic Bombing, the FBI, the Media, and Richard Jewell, the Man Caught in the Middle,” published last month, coincides with the release of the film, “Richard Jewell,” produced and directed by Clint Eastwood. It premiered in Atlanta Dec. 13. The book details how Jewell, a lowly Olympic security guard on late night duty, quickly alerted authorities about a suspicious backpack he had found. His help in clearing the area around the suspected bomb is credited with saving countless lives before it exploded, killing one person and injuring over a hundred. Yet within three days, Jewell was transformed from a genuine hero into an all-butconvicted thrill-seeking criminal. Much of the responsibility for that, according to the book, falls to an overzealous press and a bumbling law enforcement agency intent on wrapping up a complex case in record time.

10 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Kent Alexander, center, and Kevin Salwen discuss their book with CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield at an Atlanta Press Club program.

The two authors discussed their findings at a program Dec. 9 sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club. According to Alexander, who was the U.S. Attorney in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics, the book is an attempt to tell the story as dispassionately as possible. “We don’t moralize,” he told his Press Club audience, “we lay out the story and we let people draw their own conclusions.”

Alexander, whose family has long played an important role in the life of Jewish Atlanta, was a consultant with Salwen on Eastwood’s new film about Jewell. Both the film and the book discuss how Jewell’s life was upended 72 hours after his heroic act, when the Atlanta Journal-Constitution published a headline that read “FBI Suspects ‘Hero’ Guard May Have Planted Bomb.” A psychological profile leaked by the FBI concluded that the bomber was someone who purposely planted the device so that he could discover it and be hailed as hero. The Constitution wrote that “Richard Jewell … fits the profile of the lone bomber.” After a thorough investigation, Jewell was cleared, but there were many who felt that the newspaper had acted precipitously and had savaged an innocent man’s reputation. Alexander told the Press Club audience, several of whom had worked for the Constitution during the Olympics, that the newspaper action raises some fundamental issues. “There are interesting questions about facts and truth,” Alexander said. “The fact is that Richard Jewell was the lead suspect of the FBI at that moment, but the broader truth is, did Richard Jewell commit this bombing? It’s a different question, and that was not the question that was considered at the time the AJC made the decision to run the story.” On Dec. 10, Cox Enterprises, which owns the AJC, threatened Eastwood, Warner Bros. and several others associated with the film with legal action if they didn’t acknowledge that “some events were imagined for dramatic purposes.” Specifically, the paper is said to have taken issue with the film’s portrayal of a

“Richard Jewell” stars Paul Walter Hauser.

female reporter at the paper offering sex to a federal agent in exchange for a frontpage headline. Jewell sued Cox and the paper after he was cleared, but the company never admitted to any wrongdoing, and 16 years after Jewell was named in its stories, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that the paper was not at fault. Jewell also sued NBC, the New York Post, and CNN, all of which settled out of court. At the Press Club program, Tom Johnson, who was president of CNN during the Olympics, said the network paid out $250,000. But he admitted that he felt “absolutely terrible about what we did to Richard Jewell, ” and that it is “something I will take to my grave.” Johnson said, “We staked out his home. We followed him everywhere. I mean if you look at what we did, and I don’t think we ever crossed the line to say he was the one, but the preponderance of all our coverage was that he had been the bomber, that he was the bomber.” As for the book, Alexander is pleased with the reception it has gotten from those closest to the story. Woody Johnson, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Atlanta office, told him that he was glad the FBI’s story, even though it was painful, was finally told. The present editor of the AJC, Kevin Riley, was compli mentary as well, and called the book, in Alexander’s words, “an accurate account of what happened at the paper.” But the one who was perhaps most pleased was Jewell’s wife, who witnessed much of the personal suffering he experienced until his death in 2007 at the age of 44. “I always told Richard that I would tell his story” Alexander quoted her as saying, “but I put my faith in you guys and you really came through.” ■

LOCAL NEWS

Atlanta Reform Temples Host Immigration Programs By Bob Bahr Two of Atlanta’s largest congregations recently heard urgent pleas for the community to get more deeply involved in immigration reform. At Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs, the director of immigration justice for the Reform movement, Dr. Julia Paley, spoke about the need to follow the teaching of the Torah in helping immigrants who are seeking refuge in the United States. “The current situation of what’s happened with immigration,” she told a Saturday morning brunch program Dec. 7, “is pretty much in direct opposition to what we learn in the Torah about not abusing and loving and welcoming immigrants.” She went on to describe recent programs that the Religious Action Center of the Union for Reform Judaism has taken on to combat the mistreatment of immigrants in detention camps, fight for the reinstatement of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and lobby Congress to limit funding for deportation and detention programs for immigrants. “We at the RAC, the Religious Action Center,” she said, “are very intent on working on immigration justice.” Immigration reform has not only been a national priority for the URJ but it has been part of the social justice program of many local Reform congregations around the country. “I am here at Temple Sinai,” she told her Shabbat audience, “to express that, and my respect and gratitude to everyone who’s been long in this struggle already.” Temple Sinai has recently formed a special interest

12 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Rabbi Lee Bycel spoke in The Temple’s chapel during a Friday night worship service.

Rabbi Ron Segal, the Senior Rabbi at Temple Sinai hosted Julia Paley's Shabbat presentation

group of members interested in individual action for immigrants. The group, under the leadership of Temple Sinai members Janie Fishman and Leslie Walden, has worked to monitor how immigrants are dealt with in the courts and has worked to improve conditions in detention facilities. In August, a group of Temple Sinai congregants led by Rabbi Brad Leventhal visited border areas in Texas to see firsthand the immigration situation there. Paley mentioned that over the last five years the Religious Action Center, which is based in Washington, D.C., has shifted some of its focus away from lobbying in Congress toward social justice program like the one she runs. Specifically, she urged those wishing to get more di-

rectly involved in the immigration issue to connect with migrant-led organizations and local interfaith coalitions. She also asked that temple members spread the word about the community’s opposition to stepped-up raids by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, engage in digital advocacy and develop and join local action against deportation raids. At The Temple in Midtown Atlanta, at a Friday night worship service Dec. 6, congregants heard a similar message of individual action and awareness from Rabbi Lee Bycel, who spoke about his recently published book, ”Refugees in America: Stories of Courage, Resilience, and Hope in Their Own Words.” Bycel is a former dean of the Hebrew Union College, the Reform seminary in Los Angeles, and the former head of The [Robert] Redford Center. Bycel recounted the individual stories of refugees who have come to America in recent years in search of a better life. Often, their journey has been marked by harrowing experiences of violence and war. Bycel, who is also a congregational rabbi in California, told of his own journey of understanding that dated back to the mid 1990s and the genocide in Rwanda and of his need to get more deeply involved in aiding immigrants. These refugees, he emphasized, shared extraordinary experiences of fleeing oppression, violence and war in their home countries in search of a better life in the United States “What I wanted to bring to this conversation is to humanize the story of refugees, to get their perspective and their insight about what they have experienced.” The Reform movement has a long interest in the immigration question in America. As far back as 1995 the biennial convention of the URJ passed a resolution in support of policy changes to bring about a fair and generous immigration policy. In April, the Reform movement announced a gift of over $1 million from the Kraus Family Foundation fund, a new initiative on immigrant and refugee justice and a push to activate and galvanize greater action across the Reform Jewish community. That conversation received renewed support at last week’s Reform Biennial convention in Chicago, where immigration issues were a prominent part of the discussion about social justice. ■

LOCAL NEWS

Atlanta’s Reform Jews Drive National Convention nizations, such as the National Association for “We have Temple Admincome to draw istration, who strength from are responsible the remarkable for the business spirit that is palaffairs of Reform pable when we temples. are all together On Dec. in one place.” 11, Jack FeldWith those man, the execuwords, Rabbi tive director of Ron Segal, seTemple Sinai, nior rabbi of In Chicago from Temple Sinai are: Cantorial chair Beth Atlanta’s JumpSpark program Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union for was installed Temple Sinai, Shafer, URJ board member Howard Fagin, director was highlighted by Rabbi Reform Judaism, urged attendees to make room as that group’s opened the 75th of Learning and Engagement Marisa Kaiser. Peter Berg of The Temple. for young people in their local synagogues. president. His Biennial conelection gave the vention of the Union for Reform Judaism Dec. 12 in the Action Center of Reform Judaism, which ken president of the organization and of- Sandy Springs synagogue the unprecedentSkyline Ballroom of the McCormick Place lobbies in Congress and oversees several of ten fiery voice for liberal causes, was rela- ed honor of running two of the most importively muted in his keynote address and tant organizations under the URJ umbrella. the organization’s social justice programs. convention center in Chicago. Next year, Temple Sinai’s Marisa KaiIn another session, The Temple’s senior Saturday morning sermon. He chose inRabbi Segal, who began a two-year term in March as president of the Central Rabbi Peter Berg discussed his synagogue’s stead to put his emphasis on the challeng- ser, who is the director of their Center for Conference of American Rabbis, the Re- successful partnership with JumpSpark At- es the Reform movement faces in bringing Learning & Engagement, will step up to the presidency of the National Association of form rabbinical organization, went on to lanta, the innovative program that provides more young people into temple life. A survey about the attitudes of young Temple Educators, the movement’s educadescribe the mission of the 5,000 attend- new ways for teens, parents and community ees at what is the largest Jewish religious professionals to work together to strengthen people toward religion was released by tional arm, thus adding a third jewel to the the American Enterprise Institute Dec. 12, synagogue’s national leadership crown. Jewish identity among young people. convention in America. And, as if having all this Atlanta talent Kelly Cohen, who directs the JumpSpark the same day the Reform biennial opened. “We have come to discover our capacity to become agents of change, for our congre- program, described the discussion at the bi- It claimed that large numbers of millenni- wasn’t enough, the Reform biennial ended ennial as an excellent opportunity to show als, young people between the ages of 23 with a stirring message after Havdalah Satgations, our communities and our world.” The leaders of Atlanta’s Reform com- how the Atlanta program is contributing to a and 39, are turning their backs on orga- urday evening from Dr. Deborah Lipstadt, the distinguished Emory higher level of engagement by nized religion. munity were not only front University scholar of the HoThere is mounting eviteens in Jewish life. and center on the convenlocaust. Her book, “AntiWhile there were many dence that even when they tion’s main stage, they were Semitism – Here and Now,” opportunities for organiza- marry and have families, seemingly everywhere durpublished in January, has tional networking and learn- millennials are not coming ing the five-day convention. been among the most widely ing, what was largely missing back. A study by the Pew At one workshop, Rabbi discussed Jewish works of from all the programs and Research Center earlier this Lydia Medwin of The Temple 2019. speeches by national leaders year reported that 40 percent and John Eaves, the social acShe urged the Reform was any mention of the po- of Christian millennials are tion chair of the synagogue, leaders not to build their Jewlitical drama that was taking religiously unaffiliated. The explained how temples naRabbi Ron Segal, senior place at precisely the same outlook for liberal Jewish Emory’s Deborah Lipstadt ish life only around how they tionwide could replicate the rabbi of Temple Sinai, was the concluding respond to anti-Semitism. synagogue’s highly success- opened the biennial Reform time at the impeachment millennials is, similarly, not speaker at the URJ She counseled them “to considered bright. hearings in Washington. ful Record Restriction Sumconvention in Chicago. Biennial convention. build your identity on what Rabbi Jacobs encourThere might have been mit. The program, which has been held on Veterans Day at The Temple plenty of informal conversations, but pub- aged the thousands who filled the conven- you do, not what is done to you. “If others rise up and try to destroy for the past two years, has provided an op- lic political rhetoric was largely absent. tion ballroom to “step back and make space portunity for hundreds in Atlanta to erase Although the convention approved a con- for Jewish youth and young adults to exper- us,” she stressed, “we live as Jews not because of them, but despite them. We revel minor criminal charges from legal records. troversial resolution to study the issue of iment and make decisions for themselves. “Our youth make us think,” he con- in our Jewish identity.” Medwin and Eaves offered guidance reparations for the African American comIt was that strong and optimistic and consultation for those congregations munity, most discussions of hot-button po- tinued. “They push us to be more open. It is our job to help them find their voices message that echoed in the words of around the country interested in setting litical issues were put aside. Rabbi Berg believes that those attend- and hear them when they do. They are Rabbi Segal, the national rabbinic leader up their own programs to enable otherwise law-abiding people the opportunity ing the biennial were not eager to engage forcing us to wrestle with new ideas and who spoke briefly at a small dinner one evening for those attending the convenI think that’s healthy.” in heated political debate. to clear their name. When they weren’t mulling over the tion from his Temple Sinai congregation. “I have a strong sense that people For many, The Temple program has Raising his wine glass high, he toasted helped them gain employment, rent living came to the biennial to recharge their bat- ideas of their national executives, Reform accommodations, apply for student loans teries and to participate in vibrant Jewish leaders from Atlanta could be found at gath- them and, by implication, all those who had and do many of the things that a criminal worship and learning. I believe that people erings of the URJ’s North American Board of traveled to Chicago last week to revel, as prowanted to turn off the political rhetoric. I Trustees, where a half dozen Atlanta temple fessor Lipstadt put it, in their Judaism. record often precludes. “To who we are,” he said, “and who we The Temple program is a 2019 recipient think people came to get away from it all.” members are currently serving. Some were Even Rabbi Rick Jacobs, the outspo- also participating at meetings of allied orga- will be.” ■ of the Irving J. Fain Award of the Religion By Bob Bahr

14 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Happy Chanukah!

LOCAL NEWS

Temple Emanu-El Provides Large-Scale Chanukah Performance By Bob Bahr The elegant modern sanctuary of Temple Emanu-El in Dunwoody was transformed for a couple of hours Sunday into an 18th century English concert hall. In a performance in honor of the Chanukah holiday, a choral group of 40 performed George Frideric Handel’s “Judas Maccabeus,” a classical oratorio that premiered in London in 1747. A 15-piece chamber orchestra, complete with the light delicate notes of a harpsichord, a forerunner of the modern piano, accompanied the singers. In soaring and often dramatic Baroque harmonies, the work tells the traditional story of the Maccabees from the death of the priest Mattathias through the successful uprising against the Syrian Greeks, led by his son, Judah. The Sunday performance brought together not just singers from Temple Emanu-El, but seven other area synagogues and three churches. It helped make the event not just a celebration of a holiday, but a celebration of community itself. Rabbi Spike Anderson, the Reform

The performance of Handel’s work played to a full house in Temple Emanu-El's sanctuary.

temple’s senior rabbi, meant the free performance to be a meaningful holiday gift to everyone. “There are few things in Atlanta that are open to the entire community around Chanukah and the ones that are, are based on the kids,” he pointed out. “We wanted

to do something that was about the magnificence of the holiday in the most profound artistic way that we could.” The work, which originally ran for three hours, was significantly pared down for the performance. Still the concert was considered to be one of the most ambitious in re-

cent memory at a synagogue. One of the conductors was Amy Thropp, the choir director at Congregation Beth Shalom, a Conservative synagogue in Dunwoody, and the choral leader of the Zimria Festivale Atlanta, a Jewish music group. She has spent a lifetime in

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LOCAL NEWS

Performances on the scale of the Handel oratorio are a relative rarity in Atlanta's synagogues.

the performance of Jewish music, but not style of the Friday night service or the always on the scale of last Sunday’s work. highly polished performance of a work “This one is unique in that it is the that is almost 275 years old, the role that very first one that we’ve ever done with music plays in bringing people together, an orchestra,” she said. “So we think this the cantor believes, is still much the same. “Music changes and grows and deis really a very new and unique thing in velops,” she said. “And Atlanta. It hasn’t been the role that it plays on done before, at least Friday night is a little not by a Jewish group.” bit smaller, in some Because an oraways. I may not do torio is essentially an these big, ginormous opera without scensolos because I am inery, costumes or stage terested in engaging movement, all the focus my congregants in is on the music. That singing with me and gives performers such singing together.” as Temple Emanu-El’s Sunday’s concert Cantor Lauren Adesnik had the financial supand the chorus and muport of a number of sicians the opportunity donors in Atlanta, into fully express the concluding Dr. and Mrs. siderable emotion that The story of Judah Maccabee Marvin Goldstein of is in the music. has inspired artists such Temple Emanu-El, the It is an opportunias the 17th century Dutch William Baker Choral ty Rabbi Anderson and painter Peter Paul Rubens. Foundation and a numhis Temple are happy ber of individual contributors. Cantor Adto provide. “We are fortunate to have what I esnik believes that such support is crucial to consider to be a world-class cantor with continuing all that musical performances of us at the very top of her profession,” he this kind bring to a local audience. “When choirs sing together, they besaid. “She’s more than able to handle this music the way it was intended. We are come friends,” she emphasized. “It is much happy to just let her loose. No one’s hold- more than just getting together once a week to learn the music. You become ining the reins.” Cantor Adesnik, who had two solos vested in seeing those smiling faces and and two duets in Sunday’s performance, learning about each other and growing was pleased to take up the challenge of together as friends and sharing your lives the performance of the oratorio. It was an with each other through music.” Creating an audience for serious Jewopportunity that, as a cantor in a modern ish music like the Sunday performance is Reform temple, she doesn’t often have. “What I find so engaging and unique something that Rabbi Anderson and the about music’s ability to create community Temple Emanu-El leadership want to exis the sharing of voices together,” she said. pand and develop. “What Cantor Adesnik and I have “When you join your voice with someone else and then another person and another been doing is working really hard to person, with each layer, you become stron- make Temple Emanu-El the central adger and stronger. And the layers of sound dress for Jewish music,” he emphasized. enable people who might not feel comfort- “We really want to lionize Jewish music able sharing their voice on their own to be as it can only really be performed by, you know, a cantor and those who are dediable to share their voice together.” But whether it is the more informal cated to it.” ■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 17

LOCAL NEWS

Israel Bonds on Iran and Israeli Miracles By Marcia Caller Jaffe Atlanta Israel Bonds hosted the President’s Club event at the home of Charlotte and Joel Marks Dec. 10. Double healiners were Israel Maimon, Israel Bonds president and CEO, who came in from New York City, and Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Moshe Kaplinsky, keynote speaker. Charlotte Marks welcomed the group of top-level givers by detailing her use of Bonds for birthday and special occasion gifts in addition to standard larger ones. Brad Young, executive director of the Southeast region, touted back-toback years of record Bond sales, bringing Atlanta totals to 10 percent of national sales. Stu Garawitz, national vice president of sales, said, “Over the past 69 years, Bonds have raised $44 billion as Israel’s insurance policy. Israel is one of the two countries that have a record of paying interest and principle on time, and thus been upgraded by S & P. And the U.S. is not the other country.” He went on to explain that Bonds are a strong defense against the Boycott, Divestment and

Ed Goldberg, Atlanta Advisory Council Chairman for Israel Bonds, poses with Brad Young, executive director of the agency’s Southeast region.

Stu Garawitz, national vice president of sales for Israel Bonds, chats with Joel Marks, who hosted the event at his home.

Israel Bond supporters Raanon Pritzker, from Wealth Management Fifth Third Bank, with Yale Pritzker.

Sanctions movement, saying, “divestment versus investment. We are sending a message that we have Israel’s back consistently, all the time.” Atlanta Advisory Council Chairman Ed Goldberg described his childhood journey starting with $18 bonds. “We have to commit to ensuring young

leadership and women’s voices.” He laid out his clever formula of laddering bond purchases, buying at least one each year in five- to 10-year terms, so one would mature every year. “This provides a higher long-term rate and liquidity,” he explained. Chuck Berk was praised as the new unanimously elected Israel Bonds national campaign chair beginning next year. He introduced Maimon with his impressive background in government, the private sector, and the Israel Defense Forces. He played a central role in the 2007 bombing of Syria’s nuclear reactor and had a seven-year partnership with Shimon Peres, Israel’s former president. Maimon recognized Berk for facilitating a meeting earlier in the day with the Georgia state treasurer, where an additional $10 million Bond commitment was proposed. He continued, “It was an intense meeting where the Georgia general accountant expressed pleasure with their Bonds investment over the years.” Later, Maimon spoke of the challenge of connecting the younger generation to their Jewish identity and Israel. “There are 50,000 new bondholders every year, held 60 percent by individuals and 40 percent by institutions.” Joe Rubin, Atlanta Israel Bonds executive committee member, introduced Kaplinsky. He said Atlanta felt like home since he was wounded in Lebanon and subsequently sent to nearby Fort Benning. “My oldest son speaks with a Southern accent, and my other son was married in Georgia.” Kaplinsky is the CEO of a major Israeli infrastructure cement company but is best known for heading the Central Command of the IDF during the Lebanon War. He emphasized that “Israel still has to

fight every day for the right to exist.” The most important element is security, even as world views change, he said. “The main enemy is still Iran. Make no mistake, Israel will not allow a nuclear Iran – for the sake of Israel AND the rest of the world. Even without nuclear weapons, Iran poses a threat with its fingerprint in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon ... seen just two weeks ago in a campaign in Gaza where Israel had no casualties, but it was still unpleasant living with missiles firing.” He elucidated the new kinds of warfare: the campaign to reduce the [enemy’s] flame or not allow the flame. “Cyber and media are huge ‘weapons.’ The example given was Israeli intelligence discovering a tunnel from Iraq to Syria smuggling weapons. Thus, we don’t need a missile, they can’t use the tunnel.” The bottom line, he continued, is that “Israel makes lemonade from lemons. We’re a miracle country with technology and medical advances. Security concerns are not draining the quality of civilian life.” He responded to questions from the audience:

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Europe’s bonding with Iran: “Nothing new. What do you expect from them? We have to rely on ourselves and our only ally, the U.S.” Are sanctions working? “Yes, it has them [Iran] in a dilemma.” Trusting China: Two new ports are being constructed with Chinese investors. “I’m not concerned about Chinese involvement. The risk is manageable. Former PM [Yitzhak] Rabin said, “I’d like to sell one Bamba (Israeli snack) to each Chinese citizen.” ■

LOCAL NEWS

Torah Rededication Links Family’s Past and Present By Dave Schechter Karen Lansky Edlin was 19 years old when the Ahavath Achim Synagogue dedicated a Torah that survived the destruction of the Jewish community in Orzokow, Poland, during the Holocaust. That ceremony, on Sunday, Aug. 14, 1977, was the culmination of a two-year effort by Karen’s parents, Rubin and Lola Lansky, to secure the sacred scroll from a town central to their life story. “As the Torah was brought in, the shofar was sounded! I was astounded. I had never heard a shofar blown outside of a major holiday,” Lansky Edlin recalled. “I knew that this was an important day. And an important event.” More than four decades later, on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, the refurbished Ozorkow Torah will be rededicated at Ahavath Achim. “Today, I smile a huge smile as we talk about rededicating the Ozorkow Torah. I have been to Ozorkow, I can imagine how the town looked; I see all the faces that lived in the town and I smile that they have not been forgotten,” Lansky Edlin said.

20 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Photos provided by Karen Lansky Edlin //

The Torah cover depicts the synagogue that stood in Ozorkow, Poland.

When the Holocaust began, some 5,000 Jews lived in Ozorkow, located in central Poland, north of Lodz and west

Rubin Lansky holding the Ozorkow Torah at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue.

of Warsaw. There was a thriving Jewish merchant and tradesman class. Lola Borkowska grew up in Lodz and spent summers visiting grandparents in Ozorkow and Parzeczew. When the Germans invaded Poland in 1939, Lola and her siblings fled to their grandparents in Parzeczew, until they were sent to Ozorkow in 1940. There, the Nazis assembled the Jews to witness other Jews being hanged, then divided the community by those selected to work and those transported to the Chelmno extermination camp, where an estimated 2,000 died, including Lola’s grandparents and young cousins. Lola and her family were sent to the Ozorkow ghetto, and in 1942 to the Lodz ghetto. When the Lodz ghetto was liquidated in 1944, they were transferred to the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp in Poland (where Lola survived an inspection by the Nazi Dr. Josef Mengele). From there, Lola, her mother, and sister were sent to a series of camps; Ravensbruck, Muhlhausen, and finally to BergenBelsen, which Lola described as “hell on earth” in an oral history. Among the prisoners Lola encountered at Bergen-Belsen were a pair of Dutch sisters, Margot and Anne Frank, whose family hiding place in an Amsterdam warehouse had been betrayed to the Gestapo. Both girls died there of typhus in February 1945. Lola’s mother died of illness one day before British troops liberated Bergen-Belsen in April 1945. What remained of the family –

Lola, her sister Helen, her brother Lou and their father Michael – reunited at the Feldafing displaced persons camp, an all-Jewish camp in the U.S. zone of post-war Germany. Rubin Lansky was a native of Ozorkow. He had been arrested at 17 and sentenced to work on the German Autobahn (highway) and railroads, and moved between camps in Latvia, Estonia, and Germany. He escaped into Czechoslovakia, eventually returning to Orzokow, where he learned he was the lone survivor of his immediate family. Rubin sought any surviving relatives at Feldafing. He found Lola, a distant cousin he had met as a child. “Actually a very funny story,” Lansky Edlin said. “My Dad went looking for my mother because he heard that she had nice legs.” Rubin found her in the camp hospital. “And, yes, he liked her legs.” Lola, her father, and siblings arrived in New York on June 24, 1946. Rubin followed on Jan. 5, 1947. They were married Nov. 23, 1947, in New York. In 1953, Rubin, Lola, and their son Murray moved to Atlanta, where Karen was born. Rubin operated a grocery in East Point and then built a successful real estate business. As founding members of Eternal Life-Hemshech, Inc., an organization of survivors and their descendants, the Lanksys were instrumental in creation of the Holocaust memorial at Greenwood Cemetery and the Holocaust exhibit at The Breman Museum. Their daughter, who today is president of Eternal Life-Hemshech, remembers her mother speaking publicly about the Holocaust at a time when most survivors did not. Rubin and Lola returned to Poland in 1975, their first visit since the war. In Ozorkow, they were directed to Tobias Drajhorn, apparently the only remaining Jew. Drajhorn and his uncle, Israel Frydman, had hid their synagogue’s Torah in the attic of its shtibl, a small house of prayer on the grounds. After the war, Drajhorn found the Torah still in the shtibl and for 30 years kept it in his home. As Poland was under Communist rule, the Lanskys were afraid to accept the Torah. When they returned home, Rabbi Harry Epstein drafted a letter, requesting that the Torah be donated to Ahavath Achim, allowing Drajhorn to request a government permit. A separate historical society permit had to be obtained, promising that the Torah would not be used for profit.

LOCAL NEWS

Photograph from Aug. 14, 1977, as Rubin Lansky carries the Ozorkow Torah into the sanctuary at Ahavath Achim, with Lola Lansky to his right.

Karen and her husband, Andy EdA few weeks later, “My mother and I come home one day and there’s a lin, arranged for the Torah to be refurhuge crate just sitting at the front door,” bished by a sofer, a Torah scribe, in MiKaren Lansky Edlin said. “We had no ami, work that began in November 2018 warning it was coming.” The Torah was and lasted for 10 months. At Ahavath Achim, Rabbi Laurence wrapped in white cloth. An inspection determined that the scroll, believed to Rosenthal is grateful for the presence of be 150 to 200 years old, still met the re- the Orzokow Torah. “Where, once upon a time, it was so fragile that we could only quirements for use in services. In an October 1976 letter to the Lan- use it a few times a year and only one reading [on Yizskys, Drajhorn’s kor], now we use wife wrote that it all year round. when her husIn fact, we are band learned encouraged to that “his last do so to keep living link with the pages limber the past” had arand the text free rived, “he was so from cracking overcome with and other istears, he was so sues that Torah happy. He was scrolls often go beside himself through,” he said. that the Torah “On the spiritual could be used level, having this again.” scroll, with what On the day it survived and the Torah was Karen Lansky Edlin with her father, Rubin the communities presented to Lansky, at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue, that it represents, Ahavath Achim, holding the cover to the Ozorkow Torah. is like having Lola wrote to the congregation: “It is with pride and joy those souls with us when we read it.” Lansky Edlin said, “My mother almy husband and I present this old Sacred Sefer Tora from the city of Ozorkow ways told me that people told her in the Poland in honor of Tobias Drajhorn, the camps, ‘Don’t forget us.’ We have not last living Jew in the city and in loving forgotten. We are so happy to be able memory of the Jewish Community that to continue the legacy that my parents started. And as long as the Torah could perished in the Holocaust.” be living, that is what they wanted.” ■ Lola died in 1999, Rubin in 2005. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 21

ISRAEL PRIDE

News From Our Jewish Home

YouTube screen capture // Swiss-Lebanese

businessman Abdallah Chatila.

Lebanese Businessman to Donate Nazi Memorabilia

A Lebanese businessman in Switzerland, Abdallah Chatila, has bought former possessions of Adolf Hitler to keep them out of the hands of neo-Nazis, The Times of Israel reports. He has offered to donate the items to the organization Keren Hayesod, which

Today in Israeli History Dec. 20, 1976: Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s Labor-led coalition falls apart as he fires two members of the National Religious Party, Religious Affairs Minister Yitzhak Rafael and Welfare Minister Zevulum Hammer, from his Cabinet and sees a third, Interior Minister Yosef Burg, resign. Rabin drops the NRP’s 10 Knesset members from the government, leaving him with 57 of 120 seats, and he calls for an election in the spring rather than face a no-confidence vote.

Photo by Howard Romero // Shown in 2014, Assaf Gavron teaches creative writing to college students and leads a soccer team of Israeli writers.

Dec. 21, 1968: Assaf Gavron, a writer and musician, is born in Arad to immigrants from England. After working as 22 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

is based in Israel. The items, which include Hitler’s top hat and other Nazi memorabilia, were being sold at a controversial auction by German auction house Hermann Historica Nov. 20. Chatila spent $601,000 on the items in an attempt to prevent neo-Nazis from acquiring them. “Far-right populism and anti-Semitism are spreading all over Europe and the world. I did not want these objects to fall into the wrong hands and to be used by people with dishonest intentions,” Chatila told Swiss paper Le Matin Dimanche. He said he thinks the items “should be burned,” but “historians think that they must be kept for the collective memory.” He told the paper he is in contact with Keren Hayesod, who are working “for the building and development of the State of Israel. I’m going to give them those objects,” he said, as he thinks they can display them in a museum.

Israel to Host Elite Chess Tournament

Israel is hosting an elite chess tournament for the first time, with 16 of the best

a newspaper food writer in the 1990s, he publishes his debut novel, “Ice,” in 1997. In addition to several other novels, his books include a short-story collection and a compilation of his newspaper columns. He is a singer-songwriter for the band The Foot and Mouth and is known for his Hebrew translations of books by Roth, Salinger and others. Dec. 22, 1938: The British Government Hospital of Haifa, now the Rambam Health Care Campus, opens with 225 beds at the foot of Mount Carmel. The British high commissioner for Palestine, Harold MacMichael, hails the hospital as the “finest medical institution in the Middle East.” Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Erich Mendelsohn-designed building, MacMichael hails the hospital as a reflection of Haifa’s growth and multicultural mix. Dec. 23, 1907: Avraham Stern, who becomes one of the most wanted members of the Jewish underground fighting British rule in Palestine, is born into a Zionist family in Suwalki, Poland. Stern joins the Haganah in 1929, but he and a few others break away to form the more radical Irgun in 1931. After the Irgun suspends anti-British activities in 1940, he forms Lehi, also known as the Stern

players in the world, including an Israeli. The Jerusalem Grand Prix began Dec. 11 and will continue through Dec. 23 at the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center. The organizers, a London-based company, have criticized the Israeli government for not offering funding that would allow the event to be brought back to Israel every two years.

“We hoped that, should there be government or city support that we discussed with the Israeli government, we would make the Grand Prix in Israel long-term,” World Chess CEO Ilya Merenzon told The Times of Israel last week. “However, unfortunately, there has not been any support from the government yet. This is very surprising.” Merenzon said, “we feel that chess is very popular in Israel, and this has proved to be the case — interest from media and chess fans is high. Israel, which is called the ‘start-up nation,’ is interesting for partners and we hope to develop collaboration with Israeli startups and technology companies and connect them to chess.” The World Championship cycle, of which the event is a part, is meant to determine who will challenge the current world champion, Magnus Carlsen of Norway, next year. Israeli Boris Gelfand will be part of the competition. Gelfand is already a known player who almost became the world champion in 2012. Each Grand Prix prize is $144,000 with an added $310,000 for the overall standings. ■

Gang, to keep up violent attacks. He is caught and killed in a raid in 1942.

controlled Palestine over the next two decades.

Israeli’s Boris Gelfand is a competitor in an international chess competition.

Dec. 25, 1925: Politician and activist Geulah Cohen is born in Tel Aviv. In 1942 she signs up with the Irgun military underground, then in 1943 jumps to the more radical Lehi (Stern Gang). After independence, she works as a journalist until she is elected to the Knesset as a Likud member in 1973. She breaks from Likud in opposition to the peace treaty with Egypt in 1979 and forms the nationalist party Banai, which becomes Tehiya (“Revival”). She serves in the Knesset until 1992.

National Photo Collection of Israel //

This early Keren Hayesod poster was used to raise money for Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel.

Dec. 24, 1920: Meeting in London, the World Zionist Congress launches Keren Hayesod (The Foundation Fund) to raise money for the Zionist movement and help fulfill the Balfour Declaration’s promise of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Now known in English as the United Israel Appeal, the organization collects enough money to help tens of thousands of Jews fleeing Europe to reach British-

Dec. 26, 1968: Two members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine attack an El Al flight during a layover in Athens en route from Tel Aviv to New York. One terrorist fires more than 80 rounds from a submachine gun, while the other hurls several grenades at the Boeing 707’s engines. One of the 41 passengers, Israeli maritime engineer Leon Shirdan, 50, is fatally shot, and at least two others are wounded. The two attackers are captured. ■ Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details.

ISRAEL NEWS Israeli Elections: If at First You Don’t Succeed… By Jan Jaben-Eilon

positions. Netanyahu said he would, by the end of the year. It is not clear yet whether Some Israeli observers are calling the someone under indictment can be asked to upcoming third election in form a new government. less than one year an elecThe court may need to toral version of “Groundhog rule on that question in the Day.” The country appears next couple of weeks. Likud trapped in a time warp, with party member Gideon Sa’ar voters expected to go to the has announced that he will polls again March 2, 2020, run for the party leadership and all indications pointing against Netanyahu in a prito results similar to those mary set for Dec. 26. This is after the last two elections in the first time in 14 years that April and September. Netanyahu has been chalNo party has been able lenged by anyone in his party. Benjamin Netanyahu to cobble together a majorPolls indicate that Likud was indicted Nov. 21, but ity 61 seats to create a new might fare better under Sa’ar the Israeli Supreme Court government. This extraordiruled he doesn’t have to in the national election, while resign as prime minister. nary stalemate has left the still not succeeding in gathercountry with only a caretaker government, ing enough support from other parties to coled by a caretaker prime minister, since De- alesce into a functioning government. cember 2018. Yohanan Plesner, president Although it’s too soon to know exactly of the Israel Democracy Institute, repeat- which parties will run in the March 2 elecedly used the word “unprecetion, already one right-wing dented” in a telephone press party, the Zehut party that briefing he held Dec. 11, the called for rebuilding of the day the Israeli legislature, Temple and legalizing marior Knesset, dissolved and set juana, announced that it will the next election date. sit this one out. “This instability is nothThe first polls released ing to be proud of,” he said. immediately after the Knes“Decision-making at the highset was dissolved and the next est level is not functioning election date set showed the and the Knesset is essentially center Blue and White party in a state of recess.” A Novemgaining four seats for a record Gideon Sa’ar announced ber IDI survey showed that 37, with Likud dropping from he would run for Israelis’ optimism about the 32 to 31 seats. The Joint List Likud party leadership future of the country’s decoalition of four mostly Arab against Netanyahu. mocracy has declined. parties would gain one seat Plesner blamed the current govern- while Avigdor Lieberman’s Yisrael Beyteinu mental crisis on “inherent weaknesses in would remain at eight seats. The ultra-Orthothe electoral system. The laws didn’t antici- dox parties would lose one seat, as would the pate a situation like this.” center-left parties. Still, Plesner suggested Overall, the right-wing that Israeli democracy reparties would seem to have mains strong. He was reless of a chance of accumuferring to the fact that, for lating enough seats to forge the first time ever, a sitting a coalition government than prime minister has been after the previous two elecindicted. On Nov. 21, Prime tions. Combined, the left-wing Minister Benjamin Netanyaparties could possibly reach a hu was indicted in three sepmajority of 61 seats, but only if arate cases and is charged all Arab party members agree with fraud, breach of trust to support the government, Yohanan Plesner, president and bribery. and that’s unlikely. of the Israel Democracy Indeed, days after the Hence, the GroundInstitute, held a telephone new election date was set, hog Day effect. On March 3, press briefing on the election last week. the Israeli Supreme Court 2020, the chance that Israel ruled that Netanyahu is not required to will have a sustainable, working governstep down as prime minister. However, he ment is about the same as it was on April is required to resign his other ministerial 10 and September 18.■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 23

OPINION

Letter to the editor,

Every week, when I go to the MJCCA, the first place I head is to the publication area and pick up the weekly copy of the Atlanta Jewish Times. Your publication has been a source of information, enlightenment and inspiration over the years. This past edition centered on the importance of light in our Jewish lives and is so appropriate as Chanukah, the Festival of Light, is approaching. The Jewish concept of klipot, encapsulated fragments of G-d’s light, was expressed in the article, “Eizenstat Lecture Brings Holocaust Music to AA.” The light of joy and happiness in the children’s eyes at “Amy’s Holiday Party Celebrates 25 Years of Giving” was touching and special. Dave Schechter’s moving article, “Looking for Light to Dispel the Darkness,” again highlighted the power of light in our lives to dispel the darkness. Keep on keeping on in communicating and connecting with the Atlanta Jewish community in positive and meaningful ways. Jerry Schwartz, Alpharetta

Letter to the editor, Where in the world is Israel? This past week I attended a group of congregants interested in immigration at my temple. The head of immigrant issues from New York representing the Reform Action Coalition presented and was recruiting members to come and protest at detention centers in Georgia, consider sanctuary policies at synagogues, rescue applicants for amnesty, and support the defunding of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Border Patrol. We were all told that this is in line with Reform Jewish policy and philosophy, which I do not doubt. My first question was how this topic was picked for resources and money from the URJ. With Orthodox Jews being beaten daily in Brooklyn, Christians being enslaved and murdered in the Middle East and Muslims in real concentration camps in

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China, why would this topic get the resources and action of sincere people who want to help? My second question was that if ICE and Border Patrol are defunded, what will happen to the opioid crisis we are just getting our hands around and addressing. Lastly, this past weekend with the terror attack at a naval base in Florida shows that even the military from two different countries cannot vet properly. How can these volunteers guarantee that these immigrants are really family members and have no ties to drug smuggling or do not have communicable diseases or vaccinations? I was told that in a very Family Feud-like poll, 100 reform congregations picked their top 10 issues. Immigration, racial justice, LGBQT rights, criminal reform, and gun control were the top vote-getters. I have no idea how the poll was conducted nor what choices were given the respondents. The amazing thing was that none of the respondents chose issues of anti-Semitism if offered, violence worldwide against Jews, the marginalization and threats on campus to Jewish students, or the progressive rise of anti-Semitism on the left made the list of concerns. I am impressed with the earnest dedication of these volunteers and certainly there is a long history of synagogues getting involved in social action. However, to not recognize Jewish issues, especially as this is Temple-based seems like counterproductive. There are multiple immigration advocate groups and civil rights groups and LGBTQ defenders but there is only one group in the United States that is totally committed to Jewish rights and progress, and that is through the synagogues. Synagogue action should make sure all our brothers and sisters and children in the United States and the world are safe, sheltered and fed before we expend money and time on everyone else. Moses did not lead all the slaves in Egypt to freedom, just the Hebrews. We must discuss the focus of aid efforts and make immigration reform based on what is good for America and not empathy. Dr. Jeffrey A. Kunkes, Atlanta

Letter to the editor, A Jew During Christmas … I’ve been a Conservative/Reform Jew for as a long as I can remember. I’ve had a naming, bat mitzvah and even worked at Gesher L’ Torah’s Hebrew school every Sunday for a total of eight years. But the one thing I am not too fond of about being Jewish is the bombardment of Christian holidays I deal with every year. Specifically, the “holiday season,” or otherwise known as: three months of the year where Santa Claus runs amok in every department store imaginable. At school, we always had Christmas parties. I remember as a kid always wanting a Hanukkah party. That never happened. Us Jewish kids had to be sat down by all the adults as they said: “You have to keep secrets.” We were forced to keep the secret of Santa Claus’s supposed existence from the Christian kids. I remember one Jewish kid getting in huge trouble because he broke that secret. On the other hand, did anyone care about how to spin a dreidel? Or how to make latkes? The only Jewish learning that ever happened was when my own mother would come in on occasion and teach about the nearest holiday. I always looked forward to those days. Even though I already knew a lot, I was eager for my classmates to learn about my religion. They didn’t seem to care. But I wanted them to. I wanted so badly for someone to put the time into learning about my way of life as I had done for so many others. It’s not about religion for me. It’s not about who believes what or if that person is right or wrong. I believe people can choose what to put their faith in and I have no say in that. I just want the respect that seems to be given to Christianity to be given to other religions as well. I have to put this point out there though, not all places are like the U.S. Some places have different religions as their main. There are places where Christians are prosecuted. All I want, from anywhere in the world, is the same amount of respect from one religion or way of life to another. Yes, that means respecting your one vegan cousin who refuses to eat anything at Thanksgiving. Yes, that means making sure your aunt who’s gluten-free has something to eat. Yes, that means respecting people’s lifestyles, wishes and religions, as long as they do not physically harm you. It’s the same for our Muslim brethren as well. There aren’t any Muslim holidays that are mainstream like Christian or even Jewish holidays. I believe all religions, major or minor, belong in the mainstream media. All are equal, and all deserve the same amount of recognition.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 25

OPINION One thing I say is I wish I had learned about Islam and other religions at a much younger age. I didn’t learn much about Islam until I was 19 years old. At Georgia Perimeter College (now Georgia State University), I took a world religions class. During that semester, I learned the history and major holidays of several different religions. Those included: Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and even Hinduism and Zoroastrianism. I have to be honest; Hinduism was my favorite to learn about. I may be Jewish, and plan on being so for the rest of my life, but if I was forced to pick another religion, it would be Hinduism. There’s just something alluring about having someone different to go to for everything and anything I could pray for. So, this coming New Year, I implore everyone who reads this to look outside their own cultures and learn something new and exciting. For example, maybe I’ll learn how to make figgy pudding, or why people put ornaments on a tree. Or even why putting a tree up is a tradition. Maybe I’ll offer to make an Iftar meal for a family celebrating Ramadan in the spring. Maybe I’ll go back to the Hindu temple I had to visit for an assignment. Not to hate, nor to judge, but just to learn. All I ask is you learn something new. Some new tradition that you may not have known before. Then we can work our way to the religions tolerance and peace we all crave. Chava Shapiro, Leesburg, Fla.

26 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Letter to the editor, Beyond an Abuse of Power On this day, as I write this, Friday, Dec. 13th, 2019, the House Judiciary Committee has voted to impeach President Trump on the grounds of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. No president, outside of Bill Clinton, has been impeached since Andrew Johnson in 1868, nor prior. Justice in our country is served after carefully examining evidence and applying the evidence and facts to the law. The Andrew Johnson impeachment trial affirmed our existing law and set precedent that “Congress shall not have the right to impeach a President simply because its members disagree with him over policy, style, and administration of the office,” and maintained that to impeach a United States president, a crime must be committed. Clinton was impeached due to the alleged crime of perjury, and the Senate did not confirm the impeachment. Is it an abuse of power to impeach a president without a crime being named? The impeachment hearings began on the basis that the crime committed was a quid pro quo with the Ukrainians. When no evidence supported that, the target became something else, and when they couldn’t show evidence on that, something else. What country holds impeachment hearings without any evidence supporting the purported crime? Congress ran impeachment hearings with a moving target of what the purported crime was and ended with naming no crime but voting to impeach. The moving target is simply, anything. Impeach him for anything. Find a crime and remove him from office. Nancy Pelosi, speaker of the House, stated as recently as yesterday, “I have been trying to impeach Trump for 2 ½ years.” They have all been trying. Just after Trump won the Republican nomination, Hillary Clinton’s campaign paid for a Russian dossier that claimed Trump “colluded with Russia.” That dossier was the substantive evidence presented to the FISA court in order to obtain a warrant to wiretap and spy on the Trump campaign. The dossier is now known, indisputably, to be a fabricated document. The FBI obtained a warrant to spy on the Trump campaign during a presidential election based on false evidence provided by the party in power, which gave them what they believed to be an “insurance policy” (Strzok-Page texts) that Trump wouldn’t be elected. They created a false narrative the American public would be sure to believe, and simultaneously (through wiretaps and spying) obtained the opposition party’s strategies and next moves. If this isn’t an undermining of our democracy, I don’t know what is. Treason is defined as “the crime of betraying one’s country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.” Illegal obtainment of a warrant to spy on the opposition party during a presidential campaign, and an ongoing effort to harass, intimidate and impeach the president without just cause, and a circus in the Congress with no rules, no grounds and no facts to impeach this president, is the definition of treason. Sheri Okun, Atlanta

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 27

OPINION

Letter to the editor, Now-abandoned charges of quid pro quo, bribery and extortion were designed to attack President Trump and damage his reputation. Knowing these charges were groundless, President Trump decided to fight them in court to determine if Democrat demands would withstand a legal challenge. Fearing the outcome if their efforts to compel were examined in court, Democrats asserted that refusal to comply with any of their demands was, by definition, an impeachable offense. Bear in mind that after President Obama’s decision to invoke executive privilege regarding internal documents demanded during an investigation into the “Fast and Furious” gunrunning operation, he was not subjected to an “impeachment inquiry.” Attorney General Eric Holder was held in contempt of Congress after he refused to comply with a congressional subpoena, but the Justice Department refused to prosecute him, and also refused to prosecute White House Counsel Harriet Miers, held in contempt after failing to appear before the House Judiciary Committee. Harvard Law Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz warned that Democrats have created “open-ended criteria which bear no relationship to the words of the Constitution itself” and impeachment of President Trump would set a precedent that will weaponize impeachment. Julia Lutch, Davis, Calif.

The AJT welcomes your letters. We want our readers to have an opportunity to engage with our community in constructive dialogue. If you would like your letter to be published, please write 200 words or less, include your name, phone number and email, and send it to editor@atljewishtimes.com. 28 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 29

CHANUKAH While preparing to light the Chanukah menorah, witnessing the candle lights ignited by a single flame, the Atlanta Jewish Times invited local community members to think outside the box and share their reflections on “What Fuels Your Fire?” Their passionate responses ranged from family and personal pastimes to love of Israel and a commitment to community service. Read their insights, advice and perspectives on what inspires them this Chanukah.

What Fuels Your Fire?

By Rabbi Peter Berg

By Bonnie Berk

Chanukah is called the festival of lights, referring to the many candles kindled in celebration of the holiday, and in recollection of the original menorah whose lights burned longer than the Maccabees expected. Therefore, these candles are different from all other candles as they have no purpose for us other than to bask in their light, in their warmth, and in the story they continue to evoke. This year, Chanukah is especially challenging. We worry about our country, which is becoming increasingly polarized, and we worry about the safety and security of Israel. This year, more than ever, we need the vision that comes from looking at things in the light of our Chanukah candles. We need to see the possibility where most see none, envision options while most bemoan their absence. Here is how we can have courage and hope, as did our ancestors: Candlelight softens the hard edges; it warms and invites imagination. People come together and often, in a moment of quiet, see the very best in themselves and each other when gathered around an open flame. Allow yourself to see the Chanukah light. By the glow of the candles, think about a seemingly insurmountable challenge in your life, in the life our country, in the life of Israel, or of the Jewish people. Try to imagine a response and how you might contribute to it. That is what the Maccabees did more than 2,000 years ago. They dared to create light when others deemed it impossible. Chanukah comes each year to remind us that we can do the same.

The first words we see God speaking in Genesis are “Let there be light.” All life and intellect are directly tied to this element of light, which sustains all men and nature. It is not surprising, therefore, that nearly every religion and culture celebrates the winter solstice focusing in some way on the return of light as the days gradually lengthen and the promise of life is renewed. So, with all these celebrations, what makes Chanukah extraordinary? It lifts us above the natural and purely observable. Having defeated the Assyrians, our ancestors cleansed the defiled temple. The rekindled lights miraculously burned eight days on a single day’s supply of oil. The lighted menorah served to reaffirm God’s Holy presence and support. Although the world was created for all mankind, only the Jewish people were tasked with being a light unto the nations, to use their lives, intellect and resources to demonstrate God’s purpose for humankind. So, while the winter solstice is the earliest harbinger of spring and natural rebirth, may the lights of Chanukah reignite a burning passion to use all our resources to bring the world to God.

Peter Berg is the senior rabbi of The Temple

Bonnie Berk is co-chair of the Republican Jewish Coalition

By Rabbi Michael Bernstein Light is a powerful symbol that we find not only once a year on Chanukah, but each day in the words of the morning prayers. Right before saying the “Shema,” we recognize G*d as the Creator of Light and ask G*d to shine a new light upon us. Like G*d, light is always around us, but cannot be seen directly. Only reflecting off of others can light, and G*d be recognized. The new light we ask for is a way of seeing the light that’s there in a new way, recognizing how it not only illuminates the world as it is, but points to a world that can be. The candles lit on Chanukah also burn with this new light. They are reminders of miraculous flames that refused to go out. A light that does not merely illuminate but inspires us, too, to refuse to give up seeing endless possibilities. Not to clear away darkness, but allow us to see the world in a new light. Michael Bernstein is the spiritual leader of Congregation Gesher L’ Torah in Alpharetta.

30 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHANUKAH By Rabbi Ronald Bluming The story of Hanukkah gives us much to think about. The lighting of the Hanukkah candles and the victory of Judah Maccabee teach us important lessons. First, the light of Judaism cannot be extinguished; it continues to burn through difficult times. Second, though the Maccabean army was small in number, their commitment and determination to win was great. We are facing challenges as Americans, Jews and citizens of the world. There have always been those who would seek to undermine the heritage of Judaism and the freedom and democracy of America. Remembering and being inspired by the Maccabees, our strength and resolve will not let them win. Ronald Bluming has been the chaplain at The Renaissance on Peachtree since 2012.

By Rabbi Lauren Cohn When I think about the brightness of Hanukkah, I think of the “Shehekiyanu,” the third blessing we recite on the first night of Hanukkah. We recite this blessing at certain sacred occasions and at joyous moments – anytime we wish to stop and acknowledge the greatness of the moment, appreciate it, and say, “This is a glorious moment. Thank you, God.” Someone once told me to “love what is right in front of you.” When we are content with what we have, we are free to love those not only in FRONT of us, but those AROUND us and BEYOND us, those who we may not know and those who need, deserve, and offer kindness just the same. Life is composed of ups, downs, the space in between, and hopefully, lots of glorious “Shehekiyanu” moments. During those dark and bumpy times, we get by because of the people in our lives. Some are so close to us that it feels like they hold us up when we cannot get by on our own. Others may be strangers, and their gentle actions cause us to smile and remember that the world is still a good place filled with kind people who can live together in peace. Lauren Cohn is a community Reform rabbi-educator. She is the rabbi of Temple Beth El in Anniston, Ala., and the Hebrew coordinator at Temple Sinai.

Hanukkah, the Opportunity to Embrace Diversity

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By Rabbi Dr. Analia Bortz

Imagine Rabbi Hillel and Rabbi Shamai visiting your home on the last night of Hanukkah. Hillel will be pleased to see that we are celebrating this non-biblical holiday the way the Talmud tells us the story, the mode he proposed it. What about Rabbi Shamai? We increase the light during the holiday according to the school of Hillel (Talmud Babli Shabbat 21b). Shamai’s approach to this holiday is to start with eight candles and diminish the amount as the holiday progresses. The Talmud is clear about the concept of “elu v’elu divrei Elohim hayim, this and this are the teachings of a living God” in which we respect the different opinions of many rabbis in order to embrace the opportunities to learn from and with each other. Nevertheless, the hallakha mostly follows Hillel’s opinion. In the spirit of promoting constructive discourse, we might review the way we bring light into our personal lives, our communities and the world. Maybe Hanukkah is the celebration in which we build community by allowing everyone to feel integrated and embraced. If both opinions matter, Hillel and Shamai should both be welcomed into our homes, into our holiday. I propose a challenge: How about starting a new tradition of lighting two hanukkiot? One according to Hillel, by increasing the light and another one according to Shamai, according to the days left in this eight-day holiday. Let’s invite both rabbis and let them feel that there is always room for constructive discourse as we gain a lot when we can agree to disagree. Dr. Analia Bortz is a rabbi at Congregation Or Hadash and senior rabbinic fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute and Global Justice Fellow at American Jewish World Service.

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 31

CHANUKAH By Rabbi Daniel Dorsch

By Beth Gluck

At a rabbinic retreat, my colleagues and I were charged to bring an item that inspired us as rabbis. Some brought copies of old sermons or summer camp memories. I was only one of two who chose to bring a picture of their family. Growing up, I was blessed to have a full Jewish childhood. My parents squeezed blood from a stone so that I could attend Jewish summer camp, day school and youth group conventions. To further their investment, they constantly reinforced what we learned at home. We celebrated Shabbat, the holidays and attended synagogue. Rabbi Ed Feinstein once wrote that when a young couple stands under the chuppah, they make the transition from becoming descendants to ancestors. For me, that moment happened on the car ride home from the hospital with our newborn son. As I turned into my driveway, it dawned on me that the free ride of taking had come to an end. It was now my turn to make sure that my children had the same wonderful opportunities that I had. What ignites the light for me this Chanukkah? It is the responsibility of having been made an ancestor: from Abraham and Sarah to the Maccabees to Jay and Cheryl Dorsch, to Amy and me. Watching my children grow Jewishly overflows my cup with joy each and every day.

From an early age, I understood that I was part of something much greater than myself. My grandmothers worked for the creation of Israel. One was the consummate fundraiser and the other met her husband in a parade promoting the Zionist dream. My years at Jewish summer camp taught me “all I needed to know,” including living in a tight community where every decision, activity and meal was linked to those around me. My childhood in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, opened my eyes to the wonder of knowing neighbors, feeling a part of what is happening in the streets, and connecting with nearby institutions that would enrich my development. Promoting a sense of community “fuels my fire.” I do so through my fundraising, where I emphasize the significance of going beyond personal needs to help others. I succeed not only when a donor makes a gift, but when they feel that they belong to a giving community. Being part of a community places me “at home” in a period of time and in a choice of activities, opinions and personal relations. Belonging provides me with the security to enjoy a healthy perspective on life. Finding one’s community is not always easy. This Hanukah, give yourself the gift of community. Work out at the same time every day, join a synagogue and become active however you’d like, volunteer with others, or reach out to your “old” friends to rekindle your timeless relationships. Hanukah means dedication. Dedicate yourself to your community, for you will receive in return the wonderful gift of a fuller life.

Daniel Dorsch is the senior rabbi at Congregation Etz Chaim, and a member of the board at Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta.

Beth Gluck is executive director of the Jewish National Fund, Greater Atlanta.

32 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 33

CHANUKAH By Rabbi Brian Glusman

By Rabbi Pamela Gottfried

Many of us have been taught that Hanukah is a simple children’s holiday, but this is not the case. Although the story of oil lasting for eight days is compelling, we find no historical basis for that event! So, what is the real miracle of Hanukah? The miracle of Hanukah is that we overcame the odds. We struggled for survival and won. Our conviction to maintain our Jewish identity and independence gave us the edge against a stronger and larger enemy. We light our Hanukah menorahs in the windows of our homes in order to fulfill the commandment of Pirsumei Nisah (publicizing the miracle). By letting our neighbors and all outsiders see our flames burning brightly, we are sending a powerful message. We want them to know and be aware that we and Judaism have survived. The Hanukah menorah is a symbol that inside of our homes we are celebrating and commemorating just one of many Jewish celebrations. Despite the odds and gloomy statistics, we are committed to our heritage and, because of that, Judaism has survived and will continue to flourish. On this holiday of Hanukah, may we all feel secure about our religion and not be afraid to let others see. Let us take this opportunity to talk about Jewish survival and continuity. Let us reflect on the many miracles and blessings in our own lives. May our Hanukah menorahs be a symbol that Judaism is alive and well and that Judaism is here to stay!

I am fueled every single day by the miracle of hanukat ha-bayit, the dedication of the house, as I recite Psalm 30, which is included in the Ashkenazi daily liturgy and is my favorite psalm. In the Sephardi liturgy, this psalm is recited for Hanukkah; the house in the title is understood to refer to the Temple, dedicated by the Maccabees after their victory. I prefer to think of the house not as a physical structure but as a metaphor for the human spirit. The miracle of hanukat ha-bayit that fuels my soul is not a single cruse of oil lasting eight days. It’s the divine spark that allows human beings to lie down at night in tears and awaken with shouts of joy at dawn. Each of us is the house that we can dedicate anew every day. I awaken energized every morning before sunrise and walk around my neighborhood quietly singing Psalm 30. This is how I experience the miracle of hanukat ha-bayit each day: dedicating my house to the service of God and the Jewish people, to the house of friends where I am privileged to serve, and to the bridge we’ve built to meet the unaffiliated who seek to fuel their spirits and rekindle the flames of Jewish tradition. Pamela Gottfried serves as a rabbi with Congregation Bet Haverim and Your Jewish Bridge. She dedicates her free time to ceramics and walking her dogs.

Brian Glusman serves as rabbi and outreach coordinator at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. By Arnold Heller

HAPPY CHANUKAH!

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I have been inspired and self-actualized by two major life forces. I am a teacher at heart, so the first has been a lifelong search for information, learning history to understand the present, identifying trends and phenomena to better prepare for the future, and most importantly, being able to make sense of life and our complex world for students. My teaching approach is to provide a foundation based on key concepts and basic facts to be learned. Educational success is the transfer of core knowledge and development of critical thinking skills that help young people to realize their hopes and dreams or self-actualization. Teaching has been defamed by the professional libel of “those who can DO, and those who can’t TEACH.” That’s both wrong and unfair; those who know and understand teach. I was a born social studies teacher and my desire to comprehend how the world works has driven a lifelong passion to acquire information, particularly through travel. My second special life force is an appreciation of cultural diversity and a personal joy from bringing many people and groups together for mutual benefit. My mother told me just before she passed that as a child, I was the fairness enforcer among my friends. She described how I got everybody on the same page, especially about bullying. I’d take the side of the child being picked on with readiness to fight on their behalf. My being a pretty good wrestler, too, usually influenced them to listen. I believe that bringing people together is in my DNA and may explain why I have served as chair of the Atlanta–Ra’anana committee for nearly two decades, and also organized 25 student exchanges as a teacher at North Atlanta High (1978 – 2003). People coming together across cultures to engage in friendship, trade, joint programs and projects is as good as it gets for me. I am now a retired teacher, but have developed a website and Facebook page that reflects these same two life forces – bringing people together and educating them to live in peace, freedom, prosperity and love. Arnold Heller is the chairman of the Atlanta-Ra’anana Sister City Committee and author of the novel, “Dues: The Coming of Allie Cohen.”

CHANUKAH By Rabbi Joshua Heller It is odd that we would choose to devote a whole festival to the rededication of the Temple. The Tabernacle and then the first and second Temples were each constructed and dedicated with great pomp and circumstance, but the anniversaries of their construction are hardly recalled. Why put so much focus on the reconsecration of the Temple under the Maccabees? Taking something old and making it whole again won’t often generate the same buzz and glamour of building something new and glamorous, which is ironic, because rebuilding and rededicating are often even harder and more sacred work than building anew. The fact that the Maccabees were able to take a place that was wrecked and desanctified and make it new and holy again was an even greater accomplishment. Judaism is a faith of renewal, rather than starting from scratch. We do not discard our traditions, prayers and teachings, but we also do not let them molder and decay. We refresh them with new light. As we approach Hanukkah, each of us may have parts of us, relationships and hopes, that are run down, that are lacking the spark of holiness they once held. Hanukkah tells us not to give up as long as even a negligible drop of fuel remains. We cannot give up on ourselves, on our relationships, on the people around us, on our values, because the faintest flames, when rekindled, are the ones that emit the greatest light!

Happy Chanukah!

Joshua Heller is the senior rabbi at Congregation B’nai Torah.

BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

‘TED’ Talks to Me By Marcia Caller Jaffe

How many of us boomers have lamented, “If I could go back to college for the pure joy of learning without the pressure of tests and grades…”? I get inspiration and knowledge from “TED Talks,” a free app. With a goal of three a day for an hour walk in 15-minute segments, the topics are vast. I lean towards Jewish-linked topics like an Israeli industrial psychologist suggesting what motivates people to respond to offers notes that the only sure bet for opening a text is from one’s child. Another researcher shares how Hebrew as an ancient language has been able to preserve itself, unlike many others. Then there was the Jewish widower whose wife had written a Jdate ad for him to attract the right woman, touting his positive characteristics. Lori Gottleib, a therapist, scored with “How Changing your Story Can Change Your Life.” Talk about inspiration, … listen to the one about a teenager with dramatically disruptive Tourette syndrome finding her place by playing piano and composing music where the ticks vanish. Or the autistic lesbian who debuted as a stand-up comedian to great success. Mix in science: What strides are being made with seaweed to combat climate change, what happens chemically when octopi fight, what really is inside cellphone hardware, what will quantum computers do for society (or not), urban architectural buildings simulating mountains? Don’t miss “The Link Between Fishing Cats and Mangrove Forest Conservation.” The world is our oyster. It’s free and we are free to choose topics.

Happy Chanukah! Laura K. Schilling, J.D., CPA, Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), Certified Senior Advisor (CSA®), is principal and founder of Financial Innovations, LLC and Laura K. Schilling, Esq, CPA, CSA, Estate Innovations, LLC. She is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Florida. Laura has been published in Forbes Magazine as well as Best Self Magazine. Clients benefit from Laura’s legal, accounting, and financial planning expertise. This diverse background enables her to review a client’s financial situation from many different perspectives. Securities offered through Triad Advisors, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Financial Innovations, LLC. Financial Innovations, LLC is not affiliated with Triad Advisors, LLC.

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Marcia Caller Jaffe is a regular contributor to the AJT. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 35

CHANUKAH History in Georgia 26 Years Ago

By Rabbi Ari Kaiman Al Shlosha Devarim Ha’olam Omed; Al HaTorah, Al Ha-Avodah, V’al Gemilut Chasadim. The world stands on Torah, Prayer and Acts of Loving-Kindness. I have the great blessing of connecting people to meaningful living through Judaism. The moment a person grows in wisdom through the deep textual tradition of Torah fuels my fire. The moment a person feels God’s presence through a room of children and adults baring their souls through music and prayer, fuels my fire. The moments our community is present for a person celebrating life, or grieving a loss, fuel my fire. When we are the hands of God and we use our collective power to protect the vulnerable, that fuels my fire. Most of all, when we imagine the world as it ought to be for my children and their children, and then work to make it so, I’ll never stop burning with a passion for that kind of change. Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim are the pillars that hold up the world. I am humbled and blessed to organize a part of our community in the holy work of holding up the world. Ari Kaiman is the rabbi of Congregation Shearith Israel.

Happy Chanukah!

By Mitchell Kaye

In October 1993, the 11th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals overturned a 1991 U.S. District Court opinion allowing the public display of a Chanukah menorah, citing the candelabrum as a universal symbol of religious freedom. On December 8, 1993, the first night of Chanukah, a menorah was lit at the Georgia Capitol for the very first time. The historic event was made possible by ChabadLubavitch of Georgia and all major television, radio and other media covered it. Speakers included U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell, Congressman John Linder and Georgia Secretary of State Max Cleland. Cantor Isaac Goodfriend of Ahavath Achim Synagogue, with his rich and beautiful voice, sang the blessings, which resonated throughout the rotunda, and I, a first-term state representative lit the candles. Chanukah commemorates a victory for religious freedom over 2,150 years ago. The Maccabees, in a three-year long uprising, defeated the ruling Assyrian Greek regime and their Hellenist supporters, who imposed restrictions on Jewish religious practices and values. That victory was not only for religious freedom, but a victory for the heart and soul of the Jewish people, many of whom were, like today, all too eager to accommodate the customs of the dominant culture. Our nation was founded on the premise of freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. The First Amendment to our Constitution guarantees neutrality between religions, not hostility to all religions. The phrase “separation of church and state” is not found in the U.S. Constitution, but taken from Thomas Jefferson’s 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptist convention, which intended a “wall of separation” to protect religious practice from government interference, not vice versa. The menorah, which we light, is a beacon to people of all faiths, a powerful symbol of resolve to not be intimidated by militants. It affirms that we can practice our religion in the public sphere without endangering democracy, descending to intolerance or endorsing religious compulsion. Chanukah sameach! Mitchell Kaye served five times in the Georgia House of Representatives.

By Rabbi Hillel Konigsburg

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It wasn’t until I was sitting on the bima, in the front of the congregation, that I realized the plethora of reasons people belong to a community. Looking out at the room, I saw people who were celebrating and people who were mourning, I saw Jews who came to fulfill their obligations of prayers and Jews who came to schmooze in the pews. As a congregational rabbi, I’ve gotten to know the stories and the people who make up the community in a way I wasn’t privy to otherwise. Only when I was in the middle of the operations of a synagogue was I more aware of who was dealing with sickness, or loss, or who sat on all the committees or volunteered with our community. I still find it humorous when two regulars sit near each other but don’t know that the other is a “regular” because they both frequent the synagogue at different times and in different ways. And I find this abundance of personalities and characters that constitute our congregation inspirational. It reminds me that while we might not know every reason a person chooses to belong to the Jewish community, there are reasons that are shared whether we are conscious of them or not. And it is not only nice to know that there are others who can share my celebrations and sorrow with me, but that I am also able to provide support and companionship to the hands that are reaching out to me. Hillel Konigsburg is the assistant rabbi at Congregation B’nai Torah.

CHANUKAH Be A Lamplighter

By Rabbi Mark Hillel Kunis What is the essential mitzvah of Chanukah? The Talmud (Shabbat 22b) debates whether it’s hadlaka (lighting the lights) or hanacha (setting them in their place). Those who felt hanacha — setting up the lights which were already kindled — was the essence of the mitzvah, felt that the survival of Judaism depended upon the faithful few in whose hearts the fire of Torah burned brightly. It was, after all, only a few Maccabeans and some faithful followers who had saved the day at that first Chanukah. The Hellenizing assimilated Jews were considered lost forever. Today too, there are Jews who believe that Jewish survival depends upon those whose hearts and souls are already aflame with God and Torah. They consider the assimilating present day “Hellenists” beyond the Pale, forever lost. But there was another view, that the essential mitzvah is hadlaka — lighting the lights and bringing that light to the hearts of others. Every Jew, no matter how distant from Jewish life, has a pintele Yid within — a special spark that, when ignited, can blaze with the light of Torah. We must never give up on any Jew. Don’t leave this task to others. Reach out and bring others closer to the light of God with your enthusiasm, your time, talent and love. Kindle light in hearts where it has seemed to die. One candle lights another. Cold hearts can grow warm and catch fire. The Talmud’s decision was given for all time: Hadlaka, lighting the lights is the essential mitzvah. It, therefore, is the task of every Jew to be a lamplighter bayamim haheym bazman hazeh, then, now and forever. Mark Hillel Kunis is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Shamayim in Toco Hills.

38 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

By Rabbi Micah Lapidus Working with children and teenagers, as I do every day, fuels my fire because I know, without a doubt, that the best is yet to come. Not just for the Atlanta Jewish community, but for the world. Watching children develop their intellectual, emotional, ethical and spiritual capacities, I am continually renewed in my dedication to this work. My fire is also fueled by the belief that the Torah, and Jewish tradition, more generally, holds the answers to many of the challenges that we face as individuals and as communities. I feel passionately that Jewish learning can transform individual lives as well as relationships of all kinds. Micah Lapidus is the director of Jewish and Hebrew studies as well as school rabbi at The Davis Academy.

CHANUKAH By Rabbi Brad Levenberg My fire is fueled by so much because, I guess, I have multiple fires raging all at once. My fire is fueled by my spouse and children and friendships that fill me with joy. My fire is fueled by being a part of a metro community that has balanced a sacred obligation to our history with an appreciation for innovation. My fire is fueled by the Temple Sinai community, truly a special congregation comprised of the most remarkable people. My fire is fueled by the challenges we face as a community and the solutions at our fingertips, should we find ourselves courageous enough to seize the moment. My fire is fueled by our amazing communal institutions serving the Jewish community. My fire is fueled by the sense of collaboration and cooperation that exists between Jewish leaders and synagogues in this city – which, by the way, is a rarity indeed. Most of all, my fire is fueled by the opportunities presented my way – really, to each of us in our own ways – to be present with and for each other, to create positive, joyous moments, and to make a difference in some small way.

planet. Natures’ suspension is not the stuff of miracles, rather it is the infantilization of faith. But an exquisite coincidence, the perfect storm of benevolent events, that can be a miracle. So too, an unanticipated marvelous occurrence that was unforeseen. The never-ending oil in the menorah was a contrivance by our sages. It was no more a historical event than Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo. The authentic Chanukah miracle was the victory of the Maccabees over the forces of Antiochus, the righteous few over the evil many. Spin the dreidel. Understand the nun and appreciate the miraculous. Not because what shouldn’t happen might, but because what can happen does. A Happy Chanukah to all. Shalom Lewis is rabbi emeritus at Congregation Etz Chaim, where he has served since 1977. Though retired, he still plays an active role in the synagogue and in the community.

Brad Levenberg is a spiritual leader of Temple Sinai.

By Rabbi Shalom Lewis Chanukah is the festival of miracles, but we dare not misunderstand the nun. The first letter of the dreidel’s quartet challenges the faithful Jew’s heart and mind. Nes, miracle, introduces the collision of truth and fiction. We are folks who require stability. We crave dependability and predictability as the necessary ingredients of virtually every human endeavor, from mixing a martini to sending astronauts into space. If physics, chemistry, biology, gravity, time had capricious minds of their own, our world would be mired in chaos collapsing under the weight of the erratic. We would find ourselves in a tohu vavohu that defined Genesis. Mother Nature cannot possess a mother’s heart. Her creations must have no intelligence. No emotion. No soul. They must operate in the vacuum of conscience. Anything less and we dwell in a place of mythology. Imagine a world where incantations, amulets, pixie dust, magic wands and yes, passionate prayer, can manipulate or negate cold implacable science. Our tradition understands the infinite power of God, yet also the covenant with the universe that declares ‘Hashamayim l’Adonai v’ha’aretz natan livnei adam,’ that the heavens belong to the Almighty, but the earth belongs to us. There are boundaries of dominion between the Good Lord and mortals upon which they shook hands years ago. Omnipotence does not call for intrusion. God is not offended by limitations; indeed, He celebrates them. Our sages wisely taught, ‘Ein somchin al hanes,’ that we are not to depend on miracles. We are taught that attempts to alter physical reality are folly and unholy tampering. We get it, nod, but secretly wish for the occasional divine visit, perhaps to remind us of God’s presence, perhaps, selfishly, to fulfill a need. But a deal is a deal. A covenant is a covenant and God does not go back on His word. Nevertheless, our destiny is not to live in a place bereft of miracles. Rather we must define what miraculous is, so it fits within the sacred parameters of what is respectful of God and of our

Happy Chanukah!

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CHANUKAH By Rabbi Max Miller

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A young boy was asked by his public school teacher what his favorite holiday treat is. Surely in a public school many of the answers revolve around the sweets in Christianity; however, this young boy instantly said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;sufganiyot!â&#x20AC;? the jelly-filled donuts eaten on Chanukah. This being a public school, the young boy was asked to explain sufganiyot and the reasons behind eating them for Chanukah. Proudly, he spoke about the miracle of the oil and that oily treats remind us of the story of the Maccabees. I love thinking about this scene because one of the most important lessons of Chanukah is to be proud of our Jewish identity and traditions. What I wish for anyone in our community is to feel the pride to be their truest self. Just as we display the light of the chanukiah in the window, we should confidently show our Jewish identity in Atlanta and everywhere we go. Max Miller is an assistant rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Sandy Springs.

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By Rabbi Rachael Miller When the tank seems to be running low, the days growing shorter and the cold moving in, I recognize the need for an intentional focus on what will motivate me through the winter season, answering the personal question: What fuels my fire? This is when I fix myself a warm cup of mint tea, cuddle up in my favorite corner of the couch, draw in some intentional breaths, and remind myself that I wake up every morning to serve God, my family and my community. When we take the time to reflect and care for ourselves, we provide ourselves with the needed rest to get back on our feet and continue to serve. With God, family, and community as my grounding pillars, I find continued strength to engage in the holy work necessary to continue to build a better world. Even when the darkest of days roll in on our year, I know that each of us has the power to bring light to the world, well beyond our eight nights of Chanukah. Take care of yourself this winter season, and may each of us find quiet moments to recognize what motivates our days, what fuels our fire. Through this process may we shine brighter for our community and the world. Rachael Miller is an assistant rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Sandy Springs. 40 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHANUKAH By Rabbi Steven H. Rau

By Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

Like many high schoolers, I struggled with Jewish apathy after my bar mitzvah. Growing up in a smaller Jewish community where there were only a handful of Jews at school, sadly I was embarrassed to be Jewish. While I did find some comfort many weekends with BBYO programming, I spent the first few years of high school ignoring my religion around my secular friends. Traveling to Israel on a summer teen tour was an expectation of my family. My sister’s scrapbook from her trip four years earlier added some wonder and excitement every time I looked at it, but I had no idea of the impact my summer in Israel after my junior year would have on the rest of my life. That trip sparked a lifelong love and passion for Judaism within me that still burns strongly today. A major part of the reason I chose to become a rabbi was to share the Land of Israel with other Jews. Over the past 20 years, I have been honored to lead over 1,000 teens and adults on their own journeys through Israel. Watching a teen tear up as he or she describes the emotions of their very first experience in Israel rekindles and recharges the passion for Judaism and K’lal Yisrael that I gained somewhere in the middle of the Negev desert in the summer of 1988. And like the flames of the candles we light this week, bringing Jews to Israel will always keep my love of our land and our people burning brightly for me.

Those of us who look towards Judaism’s religious portfolio: what is it that we are seeking? Our holidays are special times when we can lean into our observance, practice, sacred stories and rituals with the expectation that we might find what we are looking for. The holiday of Hanukah is no exception. But sometimes when we come to a spiritual moment with an agenda, we might not be open to the other gifts that are awaiting. I want to offer an idea about Hanukah that I am afraid many of us often don’t consider. Rabbi Menachem Nochum Twersky (1730 – 1787), the Me’or Eynayim, explains that the story is filled with metaphors understanding the oil to represent wisdom. Reread, the story of Hanukah means that when the people returned, they were in search of wisdom and all they were able to find was a small amount. They thought that what they found would only last for a short while and might only help in very specific situations. What they found was a wisdom greater than they could have imagined, a wisdom that lasted longer and was more applicable than ever dreamed. Our Judaism comes with many gifts, tools and opportunities to live deeper and more meaningful lives. However, our study of Judaism, seeking wisdom, knowledge, insight and understanding is an important part of our religious life. Hanukah is a good time to rededicate ourselves to the spiritual practice of wisdom-seeking. I bet you will be surprised at what you find.

Steven Rau is the director of Lifelong Learning at The Temple. Laurence Rosenthal is senior rabbi at Ahavath Achim synagogue and president of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 41

CHANUKAH By Maayan Schoen I began college this fall worried and confused about many things, but with great confidence and purpose in the realms that had most of my fellow first-year students panicking: the social scene, the pressure of good grades and finding free time, for example. Having learned the value of community as integral to living as a Jew from our Atlanta community, I relied on the small, but very special community of committed Jews I’d be joining for built-in friendships. In the radically pluralistic community I am now part of, we don’t just take our kosher meals together, but do community service, hang out, celebrate and support each other through difficulties. When it comes to grades and headspace, my commitment to G-d and Torah compels me and brings me clarity. G-d and Torah dictate my priorities; my success in those realms will not be measured in grades. Commitment to davening with my community, keeping Shabbos and attending regular shiurim [lessons] could feel taxing, but is instead rejuvenating. It provides me with regular reminders that I derive value in this world from some place deeper than homework, that my investment in schoolwork is another part of my commitment to G-d’s world and to my community. A recurring refrain that we sang during my gap year in Israel was v’taher libeinu l’ovdecha be’emet, may G-d purify our hearts to worship him earnestly. Tahor [pure,clean], like the oil that lasted against all odds. Being part of a community, with Judaism at the center, fuels me daily to stay honest and derive joy in my Jewish practices, relationships and schoolwork. Maayan Schoen is a graduate of Torah Day School and Atlanta Jewish Academy. She studies at Yale University.

Happy Chanukah!

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42 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

By Rabbi Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez Are you afraid of the dark? If you are, you’re not alone. Jewish tradition teaches that when Adam, the first human, noticed the nights getting longer and the days getting shorter he was afraid of the dark. Adam drew the conclusion that the world was slowly being destroyed because of his sins. He fasted for eight days to repent and convince God to give the world another chance. On the ninth day, Adam noticed slightly more light and the days continued to grow longer; more light was entering the world and the darkness was abetting. Adam realized that God was not planning to destroy the world. And so, Adam established an eight-day holiday, a precursor to Chanukah, that celebrated light and the fact that the world wasn’t going to be plunged back into darkness. (Talmud Bavli, Avodah Zara, 8a) This story, while about physical darkness, touches something deeper. Darkness represents the unknown. So while we don’t believe that God is planning to destroy the world each winter, we relate to Adam’s fear. Yet we know that we have the ability to add some light to the world to prevent the encroaching darkness and to see the possibilities for positive outcomes in the unknown. The lights in our windows over Chanukah are a sign to ourselves and every person who sees them that there is always a flicker of light in the darkness. May we find more ways to fuel one another’s fires this Chanukah so that we may shine abundant light into the darkness – together. Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez serves as the Jewish Camp Initiative manager at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta while shining light daily.

CHANUKAH Chanukah Celebrations By Terry Segal

We love a good Chanukah celebration in our family. Let’s face it, we find reasons to celebrate life every day! When our children were young, it was tough to celebrate Chanukah each night if it coincided with school nights, but celebrate it we did. Homework in between latkes and sufganiyot, a fast game of dreidel and opening a present. Not ideal, but doable. We loved it when Chanukah fell on winter break. I remember one year, in a packed auditorium at religious school, the speaker asked the children, “Who knows what the miracle of Chanukah is?” My son’s hand shot into the air and he was called upon. I was so proud. He announced, “The miracle of Chanukah is if my Mom fries food! It’s not healthy.” Everyone roared with laughter and I nearly fell through the floor. As our family grew, one gift per person per night became a bit much, even though the gifts were never extravagant. We changed it up. Each person had his or her own night to choose what dinner we made, to receive gifts, so that all of the other nights were about giving and enjoying watching others receive, and choosing what the family would do together. We helped cook and served at a shelter, watched movies, played games, did art projects, painted Chanukah sweatshirts for the family, made blankets, etc. Our family continues to grow and we’re finding new and traditional ways to celebrate. Happy Chanukah to all! Terry Segal writes a regular column, New Moon Meditations, for the AJT. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 43

Happy Hanukkah &

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CHANUKAH By Amy Shafron While we see less sun and more of the moon at this time of year, it’s all about how we “light the way” as we get ready to celebrate the spirit of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days. On Chanukah, and frankly all year long, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to not only tell our story, but to live our story by infusing Jewish values into all that we do, bringing spirit, hope and justice into the world around us. And when I see children living our values, I am inspired. Inspired by the child who collects items for a local food pantry before enjoying loads of latkes with his own family, and by the child who uses his gelt to buy a needy child a holiday present since he received eight gifts, one for each of night of Chanukah. Inspired by the child who creates a card for a member of the military who won’t be home for the holiday, and inspired by the child who writes her own verse for an original song about gratitude, as her voice will surely lift up others. This is the way we live our story – through our children. This is the way we keep the Jewish flame lit. At the corner of Spalding and Roberts sits Sandy Springs Fire Station #51 with its dedicated team of men and women who work to put out fires and keep our community safe. I am grateful for these brave firefighters. At the opposite corner of Spalding and Roberts sits The Davis Academy, with its dedicated team of men and women who work to keep the fire burning, safeguarding our community’s future. I am grateful for their dedication as keepers of the flame. May all of our community’s children continue to tell our story, live our values and light the way for a world of peace. Amy Shafron is head of school of The Davis Academy.

Chanukah In and Out By Chana Shapiro

Chanukah is the holiday of appreciation and wonder, the celebration of miracles, especially meaningful to me because of its home-centered nature. The best part of Chanukah for me is right after we’ve lit the menorahs and sung the songs. It’s the time when we observe the custom of tranquility. We simply sit quietly together and enjoy the beauty of the candles. A bit later, our family will gather for latkes and jelly doughnuts followed by dreidel games and lots of chocolate coins, yet, for a while, we physically and emotionally are emancipated from our over-stimulated, stressful lives. We live in a neighborhood where the residents attend many different Jewish houses of worship. It’s great to take a walk in the evening to enjoy the lit menorahs in all the windows. And that’s my second favorite part of Chanukah: we Jews are so diverse, and our customs are so varied, but it doesn’t matter on Chanukah. That’s because the light emanating from the homes announces our connection and unites us. Chana Shapiro is a teacher, writer and illustrator, and is a regular contributor to the AJT. 44 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHANUKAH By Rabbi Russ Shulkes

By Rabbi Albert Slomovitz

According to many surveys, Hanukah is one of the two most celebrated Jewish holidays. It has a certain splendor that is impossible to ignore. But aside from the presents and lights, a core focus of Hanukah is the celebration of the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem by the Maccabees. Indeed, the Hebrew word Hanukah means dedication. I have always found it fascinating that there is no Jewish holiday or celebration to remember the construction of the original Temple by King David, only one that celebrates its rededication some 800 years later. Indeed, the very name Hanukah highlights this rededication. Interestingly, the Hebrew word for education (hinukh) also comes from the same Hebrew root for Hanukah. What the two ideas have in common – dedication and education – is that they are cyclical processes. If a Temple’s usage ceases, or if you ever halt the lifelong journey of learning, both the Temple and you are no longer serving your intended roles. This is why we only celebrate the continuance of use of the Temple, and not its original construction. Likewise, a day without learning, or giving back to the Jewish community, or bettering the world, causes us to lose our core identities; it is equivalent of discontinuing using ourselves. Hanukah teaches us only through striving to continually grow and to continually learn can we live up to our true potentials and to our core identities.

On an emotional level, my wife, children and grandchildren are a central focus of mine. On a second level, I have a connection to those in uniform. The recent tragedies at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base and Naval Air Station Pensacola struck close to home for me. I served in the Navy as a chaplain for 20 years, concluding my career as the senior chaplain at NAS. Often, people are unaware of the enormous sacrifices that military people make on a daily basis. Here are a few examples of this dedication. For those assigned for duty on an aircraft carrier, it is possible to be away from home 75 percent of a year’s time during a deployment overseas. I once attended a ceremony where a senior enlisted person was honored for serving over 1,600 days on duty on a submarine. I have counseled people on one-year overseas assignments who greatly miss family and friends. Sometimes, wounds are lifelong emotional ones that need to be acknowledged as well. Those who serve do so willingly for love of flag and country. At this time of lights, gifts and celebrations, let us recall the heroic Maccabees who fought bravely for our faith. Let us recall and honor those in the military, lawenforcement, fire and first-responders who are always on call for our liberty and wellbeing. If you have a chance to offer them thanks – do so. It’ll make their day. Hag sameach.

Russ Shulkes is the executive director and campus chaplain for Hillels of Georgia.

Albert Slomovitz is a captain, chaplain (ret.), United States Navy.

By Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner Recently a group of Temple Beth Tikvah students engaged in hevruta text study in preparation for Hanukkah. With excerpts from the Books of Maccabees I and II, and the lyrics to Peter Yarrow’s 1982 song “Light One Candle” in hand, the students studied the literary pieces with a fervor. Light one candle for the Maccabee children With thanks that their light didn’t die Light one candle for the pain they endured When their right to exist was denied Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice Justice and freedom demand … Through their conversation, the teens discovered a charge; to realize that they are the inheritors of the flame of Jewish tradition that has lasted l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation. “Don’t let the light go out, it’s lasted for so many years …” The awareness that the Maccabees’ desire to keep Judaism alive was so great they were willing to sacrifice themselves for it impacted the teens deeply, one student declaring, “We have to make a decision: will the flame be extinguished on our watch or will we actively own our Judaism?” Just as these students came to their understanding, Hanukkah challenges each one of us to pursue our right to choose to live and practice Judaism freely, with pride and with gusto. This Hanukkah, the students of Temple Beth Tikvah will be fulfilling the mitzvah of pirsumay nisa by kindling their menorahs with a renewed sense of purpose, shining their Jewish pride and passion into the world. Hag Urim Sameach! Alexandria Shuval-Weiner is senior rabbi at Temple Beth Tikvah. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 45

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CHANUKAH Yehoshua Porath (z’l) – Glowing Standard By Ken Stein

From July 1971 to May 1973, we lived in Jerusalem’s Beit Hakerem neighborhood, then only a walk across an open valley to the Givat Ram campus of The Hebrew University. No high-rise hotels there then. Lots of stray cats and schoolboys playing soccer in the street. Prior to leaving for Israel to carry out dissertation research, I had been warned in a letter by a young prominent Hebrew University professor, Yehoshua (Shuka) Porath, not to search for a doctoral topic that touched on Israel’s pre-state period. ‘Too much is being written, nothing new to discover,” he said. “My students are all writing on the Palestinians in the ‘20s and ‘30s.” I paid no attention to his warning. Quite accidently, I found 3,000 boxes, 12 files-to-a-box, of untouched Palestine administration land registry documents. In detail, they revealed how the Palestinian Arab leadership manipulated the livelihoods of the majority peasant population for most of the Mandate. From Shuka, I would eventually read the sources, and learn why and how the Arabs lost Palestine. Quite coincidently, Professor Porath lived across the street from us on Rehov Hehalutz. Shuka was 5-foot-6 with thick glasses, possessing a brilliant, penetrating mind, and very quickly a love for my wife Ellen’s chocolate cake. Shuka was a scholar. He had impeccable standards. He read voraciously, loved history of all genres. Gradually, in Israel, he became my guide and mentor, and then for a lifetime of writing, I would ask, “What would Shuka say about the work I just completed?” When we met weekly at his apartment, he routinely pointed me to the next file folder in the archives that would reveal something new about Palestinian Arab and inter-communal societal clashes. Porath had just finished writing the two most important books to date written on the emergence of the Palestinian Arab national movement. He taught several generations of students who would play important roles in the Israel Defense Forces, business and government, and trained dozens of Israelis who would teach subsequent generations. He was among the greatest of Israeli scholars in the second half of the 20th century. Over the last several years, I have attended and participated in national Jewish conferences where Israel was gingerly discussed among Jewish youth, their mentors, rabbis and benevolent donors. Porath would have torn anyone apart who defended the notion of parallel narratives. For him, history was one story, complicated, nuanced, always woven together diligently and carefully by sources. Porath would not have tolerated concepts like post-modernism, best defined “as a version of the truth,” or political correctness, or accepted the premise that Israel is “too toxic to discuss.” All that mattered to him was the unreachable search for the objective truth, and if your personal sensitivities got in the way, Shuka would bellow at you for compromising intellectual rigor. Shuka Porath was himself a standard of extraordinary excellence. Moreover, I was simply lucky because he lived across the street, he cared, and he taught me mentorship. He died on November 24, 2019, at 81. He remains my beacon for a professional lifetime. Ken Stein is a professor at Emory University and president of the Center for Israel Education.

46 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHANUKAH

What Fuels Your Fire? By Martine Tartour

Swimming during the winter: Going to the pool, then after the effort, having a hot chocolate in a cozy place. Listening to the sound of the rain outside. Visiting my parents: Taking the forest road that leads to their farm, and knowing that they are both going to be there waiting for me, my father to help me park as if I had passed my driver’s license yesterday, and my mother to take my bag, because she knows I will spend the whole weekend with them. Driving with my daughter by my side: Putting Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face” on and singing at the top of our lungs. Tasting the fresh orange juice that my husband has been preparing religiously for me every morning for the past 10 years, leaving the drained oranges and the juicer on the work surface. But that it is another story. Discussing a book with my family: Each month deciding on a book that we will all read, and then discussing it, and arguing to defend our views. Successfully baking the macarons because it’s the hardest cake to bake, and when you get out of the oven 10 perfect macarons (usually half of them end up in the trash because they are not good even for the best bakers in the world), it’s a great victory. Singing “Maoz Tzur” during Hannukah, “Had Gadya” during Passover, “Sheya’alu” during Rosh Hashanah. I love the parodies like “Call Me Maybe Rosh Hashanah” ... Hilarious! Martine Tartour is a contributor to the AJT. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 47

CHANUKAH

By Rabbi Samantha Trief Hanukkah serves as a powerful reminder that on the hardest days of our life, when darkness seems to lurk at every turn, there is always a glimmer of light, a glimmer of holiness, a glimmer of God. Hanukkah represents so much more than just eight nights at the darkest time of the year. The festival charges us to engage in the sacred task of taking stock of how we live our days, even in the absence of the candles’ spiritual reminder to seek out light and love. Hanukkah is our story of hope. It is our story of miracles. And that profound message lingers an entire year. It teaches us that every single day – through the lights of our tradition, through the wisdom of our Judaism – we can always find our unique way. With the hanukkiyah as our guide, the lights of Hanukkah inspire us to look inward and find all that is hidden within our hearts. As the embers smolder and ignite, the brightness comes from that which is hidden in addition to that which is revealed. It inspires us to seek and commit to a life of purpose and meaning. Samantha Trief is a rabbi at Temple Sinai.

48 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHANUKAH By Doug Weinstein “Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” – Chinese proverb This Hanukkah, as I light the candles each night, I will think about how I can improve myself, my family, my friends and my community through action. Realizing that sitting in the darkness cannot change anything, I will be working to improve myself and my condition. Understanding that complaining about others will not make anyone’s life better, I will reach out to friends and family to better our relationships through empathy and understanding. Rather than look glumly upon the current state of our country, I will work in my small corner of our community to do all that I can to practice tikkun olam. As Hanukkah is about remembering the rededication of the Second Temple, this Hanukkah for me marks my own rededication to seeing a better home, community and country. Doug Weinstein is a patent attorney with the law firm Cantor Colburn.

By Rabbi Jeffrey A. Wohlberg Here in North America, Hanukkah is a very popular holiday both for adults and children. While it is referred to as The Festival of Lights, because in our hemisphere it comes during the darkest season, or the Holiday of The Miracle of the Oil, which unexpectedly lasted for eight days, neither of these are truly the elements of its essence. Hanukkah is really the celebration of the first rebellion for religious freedom in history. It does not commemorate a war for political independence but rather a Jewish uprising led by the Maccabees because the Persian Greek rulers were outlawing Jewish religious practice. The true miracle that Hanukkah reflects is not that a flask of sacred oil survived, but that the Jewish People survived. That miracle continues today. Despite oppression, tyrants and bigotry, Judaism and the Jewish People not only survive, but thrive. While in the past that may have meant that we had to physically fight for our Jewish rights, today it means that we have to spiritually fight for them. The renewal of open anti-Semitism is dangerous enough, but so is the internal danger presented by assimilation. The eternal mandate of Hanukkah is not only to remember our past, but to remain steadfast to the values and traditions that are our heritage. We may sing about ancient miracles, but we must not rely on them. Hanukkah means dedication. Our ancestors rededicated the defiled Temple. We celebrate in order to rededicate ourselves. HAG URIM SAMEACH. May we bring light into a darkened world. Jeffrey A. Wohlberg is the retired senior rabbi of Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, DC, and a past president of The Rabbinical Assembly. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 49

CHANUKAH Spiritually Charging our Youth By Rabbi Mark Zimmerman

The name “Hanukkah” comes from the Hebrew word meaning “dedication,” and it is so named because of the rededication of the Temple that took place after the Maccabees were victorious against the Assyrian Greeks in 167 B.C.E. But the word Hanukkah also shares the same Hebrew root as the word “chinuch,” which means “education.” This underscores the point that how we educate our children to lead Jewish lives has a pivotal impact on keeping the light of Torah alive for future generations. When our children know who they are; when they understand and appreciate their history, traditions and values, then the future of the Jewish people is bright indeed. When they lack that Jewish grounding, the Jewish future becomes bleak. I came across a fascinating article analyzing what American teens really believe about their religion. Carol Lytch discusses the book: “Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers,” by Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton. Lytch writes: “We have known for years that parents are key influences on teens’ religious lives. Despite the tendency of parents to say they are helpless in this area, three out of four religious teens consider their own beliefs somewhat or very similar to those of their parents (they are more similar to their mothers’ beliefs than to their fathers’). In choosing friends, teens tend to surround themselves with people who reinforce the shaping influence (religious or nonreligious) of their parents. This finding teaches an important message: Peers may be important to teens, but parents are still primary when it comes to religion. So when we discuss our religious beliefs with our children – and even our questions and doubts – we exhibit a powerful influence on our kids that permeates every facet of their often chaotic lives. Likewise, when we celebrate Shabbat and other holidays together with our family, we teach by our example that Judaism has a powerful message that resonates with us adults as well. That kind of religious modeling is more powerful than anything that happens at synagogue religious schools, day schools or even Jewish summer camp. So if Hanukkah is ultimately about keeping the “Jewish flame” alive, may it be that this holiday inspires all of us to work harder at refueling that passion for future generations. Mark Zimmerman is the spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Shalom.

50 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Aesthetics

CHANUKAH

Thoughts From Your Friends at the AJT By Michael Morris The end-of-year holidays are a great time of year. Kids in school are on break and are home. Many of us take extra time off. We celebrate Hanukah and the secular New Year. The family gathers for food, fun and gifts. What is not to like? At this time of year, I am reminded of the most important things in my life, my family and my children. As my kids become older and develop their own lives and traditions, family time becomes more precious. On one hand, I love to see their lives unfold before them. I watch their amazement as they spread their wings, create families and develop their own daily rituals and monthly traditions. On the other hand, I cannot help but be a little sad that my routine has changed because they are not around every day anymore; and, I have to change my traditions to be in sync with theirs. Bittersweet, I think, is the perfect description. At least I know the seeds I have planted still have a little bit of the same sparkle in them. One of my daughters reminded me that some family traditions will never disappear. When we all were in a texting conversation (that new version of communication), I asked my girls if anyone wanted anything special for Hanukah when we are together. One quickly responded – your latkes, of course! So, at this time of year, I want to offer two thoughts. To my kids: Whether you are near or far, I love you. Whether I speak to you every day or once a week, you are in my daily routine. And as the holidays approach, I cannot wait to spend some precious time together. To everyone else: Take a moment to stop and smell the flowers, then pick some for your mom, significant other or children. Take a break from politics

Lydia, Michael, Jacqueline, Hannah and Alexandra Morris.

(CNN or Fox), take a break from work – as long as you do not own a Chinese restaurant – and enjoy what is waiting for you at home. Michael Morris is the owner-publisher of the AJT.

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CHANUKAH What Fuels My Fire? By Kaylene Ladinsky

When I consider what fuels my fire, the first things that come to mind are my family, Israel and my work at the Atlanta Jewish Times. That’s easy, right? But after a long hard look at the meaning of “fueling my fire,” I realized that there was a deeper layer that really flames my dedication, ambition and the success of all my endeavors, even the ones that mean the most to me. I love my family with all my heart, and that unconditional love is certainly a motivating factor for being a good wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, niece, etc. They bring me joy, and most of all, a purpose that is far reaching into my soul, one that words could never fully describe. Israel makes my heart leap when I think of her. My work for Israel is so dear to my heart and fulfills a sense of purpose in my life, but there is more. There’s an obligation to protect and stand for the Jewish homeland. It’s the apple of G-d’s eye, and I want to be a part of the promises that come from supporting her. The AJT has become my mission, so-to-speak, an extension of who I am and my place in our community. It’s where I belong and what I am so supposed to do, my way of giving back and serving my community. This too, fulfills my sense of purpose and obligation. I am so very passionate about all of these things and they all define me as a woman and servant of my community, but this deeper layer is truly the foundation of why I am the mother I am, why I love and support Israel, and why I love serving my community through the AJT, to see that the paper will continue to be a conduit in keeping Jewish Atlanta connected for years to come. This deeper layer is my very personal relationship to G-d and my personal understanding and observance of Judaism. I am filled with faith and hope every day because I believe in the words of the Tanach and I have them written on my heart. It was this verse that came to my mind and why I had to think deeper than the obvious:

‫ ְּת ִהּלִ ים‬Psalm 41 ‫ ָחּנֵ נִ י וַ ֲה ִק ֵימנִ י; וַ ֲא ַׁשּלְ ָמה לָ ֶהם‬,‫יא וְ ַא ָּתה יְ הוָ ה‬. 11 But Thou, O LORD, be gracious unto me, and raise me up, that I may oblige them.

‫יָ ִר ַיע א ִֹיְבי ָעלָ י‬-‫ ּכִ י ל ֹא‬:‫ ָח ַפצְ ָּת ִּבי‬-‫ ּכִ י‬,‫יב ְּבזֹאת יָ ַדעְ ִּתי‬. 12 By this I know that Thou delightest in me, that mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

‫ ָּת ַמכְ ָּת ִּבי; וַ ַּתּצִ ֵיבנִ י לְ ָפנֶ יָך לְ עֹולָ ם‬,‫ ְּב ֻת ִּמי‬--‫יג וַ ֲאנִ י‬.

13 And as for me, Thou upholdest me because of mine integrity, and settest me before Thy face forever.

‫ ָא ֵמן וְ ָא ֵמן‬:‫ וְ ַעד ָהעֹולָ ם‬,‫ ֵמ ָהעֹולָ ם‬--‫ֹלהי יִ ְׂש ָר ֵאל‬ ֵ ‫ ֱא‬,‫יד ָּברּוְך יְ הוָ ה‬. 14 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen.

Kaylene Ladinsky is the managing publisher and editor of the AJT.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 53

CHANUKAH Giving Back My Own Way By Roni Robbins

Years ago, as a young married couple, my husband Ian and I volunteered as ushers during the high holidays at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. It made a huge synagogue seem a lot smaller. We got to know people we would never have met and more importantly, we had a front row seat (actually a front window seat) we would never have gotten without giving our time to maintain the sanctity of the service. When we moved to East Cobb to raise our family, of course Ian and I volunteered to usher during the high holidays at our synagogue, Congregation Etz Chaim. So when the call came for a lead usher for Shabbat services, it was a natural fit for me. I was attending services regularly anyway. No front row seat came with this post, but it was something I could do that didn’t require a donation or strenuous activity. I just had to stand at the sanctuary doors for 2 ½ hours and keep the peace, so to speak. It was easy exercise, when I’d otherwise be sitting on my tuches in services. The first-born leader and rule-follower in me felt good about giving something back in this way. Plus, there was the added benefit of meeting people I didn’t already know, greeting those I did, and learning the inner workings of a synagogue and its players. There’s a certain confidence I gain from this responsibility. For someone who grew up inhibited and shy, it forces me to be patient and understanding, to bend the rules on occasion, to be diplomatic and hospitable at all times. These are skills my children might say I lacked in their earlier years, pushing them to be the best I thought they could be. I volunteered then a bit, too, with their schools and activities, but the ushering is more of a weekly commitment. My synagogue has become my second home. So has my office. My job at the AJT is also a form of giving back for me. After 30 years of reporting for newspapers and magazines, large and small, both in print and online, I bring all of my skills to bear as an editor. The best part of my job is helping other reporters improve their writing in small ways so we put out the best possible editorial copy we can for Jewish readers each week. It’s giving back because it’s for and about the Jewish community that has shaped my life and for the benefit of fellow reporters who share with me a deep passion for the written word. I try to always keep in mind as I’m editing and suggesting improvements that I was in their shoes and still am, answering to a higher authority. I learn from them and they learn from me. It’s mutually beneficial, just like maintaining respect for the Shabbat service within the sanctuary doors. Roni Robbins is the associate editor of the AJT.

By Michal Bonell I guess I could write about my family, friends and my work, and though I love each of these and try to give them my all, I find that right now what fuels my fire is injustice in our country. We are living in an unconscionable time, when kids are sent to school with the hope that they’ll come home safely, when men of color fear for their lives if stopped by police for a minor traffic violation, when immigrants fleeing for their lives and seeking a better opportunity are rejected from U.S. borders because they don’t look like “US,” when women’s personal care for their health and body is controlled by men in government. What fuels my fire, or enrages me, is the lack of care or movement toward resolutions for these and many other predicaments. The question is, what can I do about it and where do I start? Michal Bonell is a senior account manager at the AJT. 54 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHANUKAH What Fuels My Fire By Jen Evans

Like fire in fireplaces, I must keep throwing another log on the fire that is my life to keep it going. I can’t just get it burning high and then expect it to stay that way forever. As my life becomes a series of work, paying the bills, chores, running errands, kid’s expenses, etc., it is easy for me to run the risk of burning out. So, I look to the little (and not so little) things in life to fuel my fire. My children are the fire that fuels my flame. I am so proud of their accomplishments and delight in watching them as they are in the beginning phases of adulthood. Currently, I am focusing on my daughter’s early graduation from UGA this month and my son’s return to Georgia State in the spring. Spending quality time with them – having meals with them, watching movies together and talking with them – is very important to me. My friends and family also fuel my fire. I have a wonderful support system and with all that has gone on in my life in the past year, they have stood by my side and given me the love I needed. The one thing that I need to remember is to fuel my own fire and take time out for me. I can achieve this by doing things I enjoy, getting enough sleep, exercising, eating a balanced diet and being with loved ones. On my 10 days off this winter vacation I plan on doing all the above. I hope that anyone reading this also takes time out for themselves this holiday season. Jen Evans is the community relations director of the AJT.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 55

CHANUKAH By Brenda Gelfand What fuels my fire? I have to say that me being the best version of myself and the absolute role model for my children is what fuels my fire every day when I wake up in the morning. From a young age as a new mother, I always wanted to ensure the best life for my children and their future. By making sure I set an example for them, I was able to learn a lot about myself as well. Teaching them right from wrong, being respectful, always striving to do your best, and the importance of giving were some of the areas. Especially as a single mother, it was my duty to prepare my children for the life in front of them. As I saw my children grow up, I would continue to better myself in the forms of friendship, spiritual living and health. Now, as they are both grown young adults who have exceeded my expectations in their personal relationships and work accomplishments, I will continue to strive to be the best version of myself. As I become wiser with age, I hope they will continue to follow in my footsteps in what makes them great people. I can’t wait to see how they continue to “LIGHT MY FIRE” in the upcoming years!

Brenda Gelfand is a senior account manager at the AJT.

Miracles of the Light By Sheri Okun

Injustice fuels my fire. Fighting for the underdog fuels my fire. Injustice in the court systems, money that buys high powered attorneys to defend cases verses others that don’t have the means to defend themselves, people that manipulate the system, criminals that get off scot-free, and non-criminals who are falsely accused and/or convicted, this boils my blood, and it always has. From a very young age, I have used my voice to help stand up for the abused, or the mistreated. From the kid on the school bus who was bullied for being fat, to friends and family that have been abused by others or the court system. I cannot tolerate injustice. The underdog is not always the underprivileged though. Sometimes the underdog isn’t who it appears to be. The underdog is often the abused, but the abuse isn’t always physical or obvious, and sometimes it is so widespread that it is accepted by others. The Holocaust being the most tragic example of that. But it could be a CEO of a company framed for a crime, or someone who is the target of a modern-day political smear. Injustice occurs when one’s voice is drowned out or truth is obscured by other’s gaslighting, or propaganda. Often, there is power in numbers, and that is not always a good thing. Listen to the still voice inside and break from the crowd to determine what justice is. Look only at facts, because if you were in the shoes of someone falsely accused, smeared or mistreated, would you not ask for the same? As the candles are lit, representing the miracles that occurred for our people after so much injustice, remember always that God is with us. Do good, refrain from judgment, keep the faith, connect with your inner voice and expect miracles. Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season and a new year of peace, prosperity, justice and light. Sheri Okun is an account manager at the AJT. 56 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

By Jodi Danis What fuels my fire? For me, the answer has changed over the years and stages of my life. I think it often does for many of us, unless you’re fortunate enough to discover your true passions early in life. As we learn and grow and experience the world around us, we begin to discover what “speaks” to our souls. At different times, these may be different things. While in high school, I realized how engaging and meaningful community service could be. In college, I explored a growing passion for literature and composition. Graduate school and a budding teaching career fueled my idealism about helping the next generation. When I became a wife and mother, my whole world then revolved around family; I threw myself into becoming informed, engaged and involved. You name it, and I did it: PTO board member, classroom volunteer, committee chair, classroom Mom, drama Mama (for son #1), baseball Mom (for son #2), and full-time chauffeur (for both). But I eventually realized that my role as an active, exhausted parent had defined me. When your children begin needing you less (and grow up and move out), it can shake your identity, especially if you have put a career on hold for many years. Who was I, in addition to being a devoted mom and wife? What other interests were still awaiting discovery? The search for those answers led to surprising new paths in recent years. As a former English teacher, I had always enjoyed creative writing but lacked the self-confidence to fully develop and share my own work. It felt too personal, too open to judgement. The anonymity of the internet, however, provided the inspiration and support I needed to further explore this passion. I adopted a pen name and joined several fiction groups where I finally found the freedom to express myself. Like-minded writers who can encourage, support and provide helpful feedback are quite a welcome discovery! I developed friendships in writers’ circles, served as a “beta reader” to help improve the stories of fellow authors, and eventually worked as a paid copy editor for an e-book publisher. Perhaps my proudest accomplishment was leaving the anonymity of the online world to attend a fiction writers’ retreat in New York a few years ago – having to produce and share my work with other writers in real life. It was an empowering experience that generated several short pieces and story ideas for further development. All of which leads me to where I am today … exploring the next chapter of life as an empty nester; donating my time and resources to organizations that matter to me; writing when I can find the inspiration; and settling back into the working world, most recently at the AJT. I am proud to be part of such a top-notch newspaper, surrounded by an incredible staff who share similar passions. I also know there is so much more yet within me just waiting to be discovered. As Chanukah approaches, I wish warmth and light and love to all of our readers. May you never stop finding the spark that ignites your own passions in life. Jodi Danis is the executive assistant to the AJT publisher and managing publisher/editor.

CHANUKAH By Lilli Jennison

By Paula Baroff

What fuels my fire is challenge. A challenge is a task or situation that tests someone’s ability. I’ve always loved a good challenge. When someone tells me I can’t do something, I love to prove them wrong. Many times it is the other way around. People tell me I can do things and I don’t believe them until I test the challenge and find out they were right. Currently, my biggest challenge is looking for a home to purchase. It is very discouraging to not be able to find the perfect home, but my biggest challenge to myself is to never settle. Some people say the perfect house doesn’t exist, but that challenge just fuels me to keep looking until I find it. My AJT family challenges me weekly to believe I can do more than I think in terms of design. My editor and I work together on the cover every week and she challenges me to go outside the box and “just try” – Kaylene’s famous words to me. Together, we always figure it out and in the process, my design skills get stronger week by week. Whether it is my family and friends challenging me to try new things, my editor challenging me to sharpen my design skills, or challenging myself to never settle, I am up for any challenge life throws at me. Ultimately challenges fuel me to be better.

There are many things I could easily cite as fueling my fire – politics, debate, justice, etc.– but lately I have not found the world to be very easy. Instead, I’ve been challenging myself to satisfy my instincts that tell me I should be drawn less by the fiery anger these other things bring out of my personality and more by things that ignite a warmer, longerlasting fire. This warmth I can find from my old interests in reading and singing, and newer ones such as Yiddish theater and writing Jewish poetry. It is a grounding kind of fire, one that brings me back from the excitement and horrors of the world as well as the intensity of my own passions. Social media and the barrage of information constant connection brings can be deafening, and I’ve found that for me, the unease that feeling too much passion for too long brings actually burns me away entirely. To temper this cycle of passion and exhaustion, I’ve been trying to instead invest my fuel in things that remind me who I am. And hoping that once I remember, I’ll be able to move through the world in a more purposeful way that is expressed by a commitment to others and to building a healthy Jewish community rather than to myself. It isn’t that I’m focusing on small moments and ignoring big issues; I could never do that. But there is no point in expending yourself until you disappear. I fuel my warmer, calming fire by taking the time to drink coffee, listening to entire musicals, and feeling the stillness of the outdoors after it rains. I especially try to have focus and create art in various forms, as creation is the closest you can get to connecting with the divine.

Lilli Jennison is the creative and media designer of the AJT. By Eddie Samuels As this time of year approaches, light tends to be a common theme, both in Chanukah tradition and in other holiday celebrations. As a journalist, light can take on many meanings. It can be hoping to enlighten readers on topics they’ve never had to consider before or shedding light on a previously unseen point of view. However, the most important light we can provide through our work is in holding those in power accountable. At its core, journalism aims to speak truth to power, and that can often make people uneasy. The old adage, sunlight is the best disinfectant, holds true, but perhaps not as true as it once did. In the era of “fake news,” and particularly as we approach an election in which foreign agents aim to meddle through misinformation, it is more vital than ever that journalists work to provide a shining light. The goal of providing a guiding light to others, making the mysteries and complications of the world a little less dark and confusing, fuels my fire.

Paula Baroff is an editorial intern at the AJT.

SIMCHA SPOTLIGHT

Have something to celebrate? Share your simchas with the

Eddie Samuels is the senior staff writer and web editor for the AJT.

Births, B’nai Mitzvah, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Special Birthdays and more ... Share your news with the community with free AJT simcha announcements. Send info to submissions@atljewishtimes.com submissions@atljewishtimes.com.. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 57

CHANUKAH

Thanks to Our Art Contest Participants! Each year, the AJT invites community members to put marker to paper â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or any other medium of choice â&#x20AC;&#x201C; in honor of Chanukah. Students from across Atlanta lit up our inbox and, yes, even our mailbox, with their submissions. Explore the imaginative creations of our young artists to help usher in the holiday spirit.

Tyler Frist

Goldie Teyf

Untitled Eighth Grade Atlanta Jewish Academy,

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Spinning Dreidel Pop Art The Davis Academy, First

Grade

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and create beautiful, everlasting memories. The Westin is the perfect place to rejoice in your celebrations and to share priceless moments with family and friends. Start planning your special day by contacting us at 770-395-3920. 58 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

FIRST PLACE

CHANUKAH

FIRST PLACE

Binny Schulgasser

FIRST PLACE

Daniel Weinstein

Chanukah Out of This World Torah Day School of Atlanta, Sixth Grad e

Star Wars The Davis Academy, Pre-K

Leora Sokol

A Bright Chanukah Atlanta Jewish Academy,

Fifth Grade

FIRST PLACE

Sophie Cohen

Cover Winner

Color Spectrum Chanukio t The Davis Academy, Eighth

Grade

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 59

CHANUKAH

RUNNER UP

Amaya Raidbard

Ruby Mundell

RUNNER UP

Chanukah Madness Heards Ferry Elementary, Second Grad e

Clay Dreidel I Made You Out of de Gra th Six y, The Davis Academ

Ava Satisky

Color Spectrum Chanukio t The Davis Academy, Eighth 60 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Grade

CHANUKAH

Eliana Antopolsky

Chanukah Menorah Chaya Mushka Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House, First Grade

Gabriella Cohen

I Love Chanukah Atlanta Jewish Academy,

First Grade

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 61

CHANUKAH

your life!

BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

Ahuva Windham

Oil and Latkes Torah Day School of Atlant a,

Bella Ebrams

Third Grade

Chanukah is Cool Third Grade Atlanta Jewish Academy,

62 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHANUKAH

Ava Segall

Ava's special Menorah Parkside Elementary, Kindergarten

Emerson Goldberg

I Have a Little Dreidel The Davis Academy, Sevent

h Grade

Happy Chanukah!

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 63

CHANUKAH

Moshe Davis

Chava Czuper

Untitled Torah Day School of Atlanta, First Grade

64 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Oil Can Atlanta Jewish Academy, Second Grad

CHANUKAH

Sophia Phillips

Chanukah Fun Jackson Elementary, First Grade

David Bricks

Spinning Dreidel Pop Art The Davis Academy, First Grade

May Sparks of Light and Love Fill Your Holiday Season

Gavriel Perez

Menorah Magic Atlanta Jewish Academy, Second Grade

Atlantaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Teen Hub for Jewish Engagement and Education ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 65

CHANUKAH

Shifra Czuper

Untitled Torah Day School of Atlanta, Third Grade

Wishing You and Your Family a Happy Chanukah

404-261-7711 www.bfvlaw.com Follow us @bfvlaw

Commercial Real Estate General Corporate Labor and Employment Business and Real Estate Litigation Non-Compete and Trade Secret Litigation 66 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Naomi Perez

The Magic Sufganiyah Atlanta Jewish Academy, Second Grade

CHANUKAH

Yaffa Baracha Antopolsky

Light Up the World! Chaya Mushka Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s House, Fifth Grad

Taylor Michel-Wolf

Hanukkia Crabapple Middle School

, Sixth Grade

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 67

CHANUKAH

Nadav Flusberg

Untitled Atlanta Jewish Academy, Third Grade

Mikayla Raidbard

Chanukah Dreidel Fun Pre-K Heards Ferry Elementary,

68 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Bagels& Bands& Belugas

Kosher Eats • Live Music • Artist Market • Community Partners • Israeli Wine Tasting • And More!

Sunday, January 26, 2020 | 10am - 3pm | Georgia Aquarium Celebrate Jewish Culture and Community at the 2nd Annual Atlanta Jewish Life Festival

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MAGIC and MIRTH with Paul Sponaugle

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Israeli Wine Tasting

Atlanta Jewish Theatre Co

Artist Market

Hannah Zale

Community Partners

Ruby the Clown

Caricatures by Lindsay Henna Art by Enrapturing Entertainment Kool Kids Face Painting

Steve Grossman of Steve’s Live music

Zale

Kosher Eats

Friction Webster Spring Street Band Mango Rabbi Jake Atlanta Jewish Boys Choir

Buy your tickets today at www.AtlantaJewishLifeFestival.com

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 69

ARTS From Blogs to Books, Duff is a Funny Lawyer By Jan Jaben-Eilon

Last year she was awarded the title of AtlanIt’s ironic that the title ta’s Funniest Lawyer from of Lori B. Duff’s latest book is the Fulton County Daily Re“If You Did What I Asked in port as part of a fundraiser the First Place” because she for children. As she told the actually did what her parents AJT, “I actually came in secasked of her. Growing up on ond, but the guy who came Long Island, Duff was given a in first wasn’t a lawyer, so I clear choice in occupations: took the title.” law or medicine. A high A conversation with school biology class cut those Duff is full of laughter. In her options to one. latest book, she wittily writes After attending Duke about planning her own fuUniversity, Duff went to Emneral, bringing up “Shrek” ory University School of Law during her daughter’s bat from which she graduated in mitzvah, bathroom etiquette, 1994. Faithfully following her drag queens and an ode to liparents’ request, Duff worked braries. Nothing seems to be in the juvenile division of the off limits, to which her two DeKalb County District Atteenagers could probably a torney’s office before going test. Duff’s latest book is “If You Did What into private practice. Now One of those teens, her I Asked in the First Place.” she serves part-time as pre18-year-old son, is an oboe siding judge in the city of Loganville. player who is auditioning for conservatories presentAt the same time, she is fulfilling one of her two ly. Duff played the flute when she was young, and she dreams – as a writer. She is the author of three best- considered herself “fairly successful. I wanted to major selling books, as well as the popular “Legalese” column in music.” But now she lives vicariously through her in the Monroe Local and a blog. children. Her nearly 16-year-old daughter asserts her

70 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Judaism in Loganville in a way that Duff never had to, growing up among many Jews on Long Island. “I took Judaism for granted, but my daughter asserts her Judaism to assert her identity. I’m proud of her for that,” said Duff, who goes head-to-head Lori B. Duff was named Atlanta’s with school administration over Funniest Laywer by the Daily Report. First Amendment issues separating religion and state. Duff acknowledged, “I guess I was funny as a child. In high school I was. I wonder how I would have done if there had been Facebook. I was an introvert. But if I had had an opening, I would have taken it.” She also said that having a sense of humor helps her as a lawyer. “I was a prosecutor for 10 years and I saw awful things. It’s hard to sit down with a five-yearold to talk about what her uncle did to her. If I didn’t laugh, I would have cried all day. It’s a survival mechanism.” As she was growing up, she also thought her father had a great sense of humor until one time she bought a Mel Brooks album for him and realized that her father had borrowed his jokes from the legendary actor. Duff didn’t start writing “publicly,” as she put it, until she was in her early 40s. She had run for a political office in Walton County and lost badly. “It was an awful experience, and I guess I was ripe for a midlife crisis. I needed time to recover from the experience and I needed to feel like I could control something,” she said. Then she launched into one of her everyday experiences, which resulted in her first blogging. “I wrote insane things and a local editor was looking for blogs. That’s how I started writing publicly, and it grew from there.” Although so far all of her books have been based on her real life, Duff is planning to “try something else. I have a series of books planned in my head based on a courtroom drama, but with a light-hearted side,” she said. Now she handles mostly probate work, wills and uncontested divorces. She also is a mediator. She enjoys being a judge, but ideally, she’d like to focus on her writing four days a week and remain a judge one day a week. As she looks back at her childhood, she realizes that writing was always important to her. And she had a truly unique training for it. Her high school offered a four-year, creative writing program. “You had to apply to get in and it was a really small class,” she said. But instead of following her dreams, she did what she was asked. “My parents wanted me to earn money and not starve,” she laughed ruefully. ■ Read more from Duff at www.loriduffwrites.com/blog/

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 71

CALENDAR DECEMBER 20 – DECEMBER 21

Rabbi-in-Residence: Ariel Root Wolpe – Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from Friday at 8 a.m. to Saturday at 8 p.m. Welcome Rabbi Ariel Root Wolpe, current Rising Song Jewish Music Residency Fellow, for a weekend of music, uplifting song and Torah. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/37XRwSf.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Vayeishev Friday, December 20, 2019, light candles at 5:14 p.m. Saturday, December 21, 2019, Shabbat ends at 6:14 p.m. Mikeitz Friday, December 27, 2019, light candles at 5:18 p.m. Saturday, December 28, 2019, Shabbat ends at 6:18 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25

Open Play Games – Marcus JCC, 5342

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

Trivia Night at Bambinelli’s – Bambinelli’s Italian Restaurant – Roswell, 2500 Old Alabama Road, Roswell, from 7 to 9 p.m. Join members and friends of B’nai B’rith Achim Gate City Lodge, as the Lodge meets new people and plays trivia at Bambinelli’s Dec. 21 and 28. Free to play, food and drinks for purchase. RSVP to Helen Scherrer Diamond at 770-2898964 or helenscherrerdiamond@gmail. com.

Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Open play tables are set up every week on MJCCA’s Main Street on Mondays and Wednesdays for you to enjoy popular strategy and skill games while making new friends. Free for members, $5 for the community. For more information, www.bit.ly/2H6mYRt.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 29

Rosh Chodesh Service – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Join Congregation Etz Chaim for morning minyan each Rosh Chodesh in solidarity with the Women of the Wall. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/31lbWk4.

more information, contact tumtum@ sojournsgd.org or visit facebook.com/ events/469275077179100.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 30

Divorce & Separation Support Group – Jewish Family & Career Services, 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, from 6 to 8 p.m. Join this biweekly support group facilitated by Helen Kotler Ph.D. LPC. $25 per session. To join the group, hkotler@jfcsatl.org or call 404210-9571.

MONDAY, JANUARY 6

Rosh Chodesh Society - Insight : Changing of the Garden – Chabad Intown on the BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. “Insight” is a remarkably transformative experience that unveils the purpose, beauty and power buried within ourselves, our destiny and all of existence. It does so by distilling the Lubavitcher Rebbe’s unique wisdom and infusing our lives with the ability to see things beneath the surface. Explore the Rebbe’s broad view of the world at large, personal failures, the feminine role, current trends and events, and more. $10 per class, $59 for the full series. For more information, www.bit.ly/32H8cJT.

Monday Night Parsha – Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, from 7 to 8 p.m. weekly. As Chabad of North Fulton begins the new annual cycle of Torah readings, consider joining this new class by Rabbi Gedalya Hertz on the weekly parsha. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/34E5JS1.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

Kabbalah and Coffee – Chabad Intown on the BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Discuss, explore and journey through the world of Jewish mystical teaching and learn how to apply these profound teachings to your daily life. This ongoing class probes the esoteric through a unique program of English text-based study. No prior kabbalistic experience required. Free. For more information, www. chabadintown.org.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2

Tum Tum Teen LGBTQ + Allies Group – Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave. NE, Suite A, Atlanta, from 2 to 4 p.m. Join SOJOURN for Tum Tum, a new teen group for Jewish LGBTQ+ identified teens and allies to share, learn and connect in a safe space. Free. For

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. In order to be considered for the print edition, please submit events two weeks in advance. Contact community relations director, Jen Evans, for more information at jen@atljewishtimes.com. 72 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Mahjong for Beginners & Advanced Players – Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. If you have played in the past and just need some reminding, you are welcome to join. If you have just learned and want to get better, you are welcome. If you are experienced, come alone or with your group. Open to the public. $2 for sisterhood members, $5 for non-sisterhood members. RSVP, 770399-5300 or office@bshalom.net.

Jewish Spirituality & Mysticism – Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, from 8 to 9 p.m. weekly. Join Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz for a weekly class on Jewish spirituality, mysticism and how to apply it to your personal growth in a meaningful way. Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/2WPA3Gn.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 7

Heroes of the Holocaust – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. During the dark days of Nazi-occupied Europe, Jewish and non-Jewish men and women took heroic actions to save Jews from extermination. Join Judy Schancupp in examining some of the courageous individuals from various countries whose acts of rescue and resistance are part of Holocaust history. Judy is a Lerner Fellow of The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous and has developed a series of lectures on the Holocaust. Free for members, $5 donation for nonmembers. For more information, www. bit.ly/38nLjiP.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8

Synagogues Scholars & Authors Series – Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from 7 to 9 p.m. Dr. Cindy Weinbaum, deputy director of the Immunization Services Di-

DECEMBER 20-JANUARY 9

SUNDAY, JANUARY 5

Beyond the Vote: Israeli Politics & Diaspora-Israeli Relations with Richard Walter – Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join in for a lox and bagels breakfast. The guest speaker will be Richard Walter, associate director for Israel education from the Institute for the Study of Modern Israel at Emory University. $7 for brunch. For more information, www. bethshalom.net. vision of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses “Working Title: Jews Vaccinating in the N.Y. Measles Outbreak.” Free. For more information and to register, www.bit.ly/34aiCTm.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9

JNF Beyond the Blue Box #2 – City Springs Center, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy

Springs, from 7:15 to 9 p.m. This is an Israel educational and outreach series produced by Women for Israel. “Every Drop Counts” focuses on Israel’s contribution to local, regional and global water concerns. Talia Tzour, chief Israel emissary and director of JNF’s Water Department, is the keynote. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2LqjtIN.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 73

CALENDAR

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20

Lunchtime Culture – Chanukah Favorites with the ASO – William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, 1440 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, from 12:30 to 1 p.m. Experience a specially curated program by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the historic Breman Museum. Audience members can visit the museum to learn about pivotal moments in Jewish history while also enjoying the music of Chanukah and other selections by Jewish composers. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2qc1rT8.

Happy Chanukah 5780! off the holidays with Congregation Beth Shalom. Bring friends, spouses, adult children and games. Dinner includes latkes, vodkas and all the fixings. Bring your favorite board game for a great time. $12.50 per adult. For more information, www.bit.ly/2OGZ5VN.

ers and first responders and watch as they drop chocolate gelt from their fire truck. Rabbi Yossi Lerman will light the first Chanukah candle along with community members and dignitaries. The menorah lighting ceremony will be accompanied by a family-oriented celebration with live music, singing and eating the traditional Chanukah treats of hot latkes and doughnuts. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2Pe8PWI.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 21

tion Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, from 6 to 9 p.m. Kick

BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta, from 8 to 10 p.m. Free. For more information and to register, www.bit. ly/2RayRg4.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24

AJMF Presents The Egg Drop –

Forum on Peachtree Parkway 5155 Peachtree Parkway, Peachtree Corners, from 4 to 5 p.m. Chabad of Gwinnett will light the sky with a public 10-foot grand menorah erected at The Forum on Peachtree Parkway. They will be honoring dedicated firefight-

Got old issues? If you discover old issues of the Atlanta Jewish Times laying around, we want them. To boost our archives, we will come pick up any AJT issues from 2014 or earlier. Please call 404-883-2130 or write kaylene@ atljewishtimes.com to setup retrieval. Subscribe, Support, Sustain. As always, thank you for reading your Atlanta Jewish times. 74 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

De Leon Ave. NE #8500, Atlanta, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information and to register, www.bit.ly/2RayRg4.

Grand Menorah Lighting Virginia Highlands – Chabad Intown on the

Chanukah Lights to Honor Firefighters & First Responders – The

Latkes, Vodka and Games – Congrega-

Grand Menorah Lighting Ponce City Market – Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce

Menorah Lighting at Avalon – Avalon, 2200 Avalon Blvd., Alpharetta, from 5 to 8 p.m. Grand menorah lighting, Chanukah snacks, kids’ entertainment, music and fun. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/33FetpV.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 23

Smith’s Olde Bar, 1578 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta, Throw back to the ’90s and 2000s and relive the years spent out on the dance floor at b’nai mitzvot. Join your friends at Smith’s Olde Bar for the newest Christmas Eve tradition in Atlanta with some old traditions, like Chinese food. $35 in advance, $40 at the door. For tickets and more information, www.bit. ly/33MV7PW.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25

Celebrate Chanukah in Milton/Crabapple – City of Milton’s Broadwell

Be a pinch Hitter! – Pinch Hitters is

Pavilion, 12615 Broadwell Road, Milton, from 5 to 8 p.m. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2rMEfv8.

an annual community service project where volunteers from the Atlanta Jewish community “go to bat” for non-medi-

DECEMBER 20-28

cal hospital personnel on Christmas Day. Volunteers work in four-hour shifts so our Christian brethren can spend the holiday at home with their families. Pinch Hitters is organized by the Achim/ Gate City (Atlanta) Lodge #0144 of B’nai B’rith International. Free. For locations to volunteer and more information, www.pinchhitters.org/.

Chanukah in Roswell – Roswell Park, 925 Canton St., Roswell, from 5 to 8 p.m. Chabad of Roswell/North Fulton presents Chanukah at the heart of Roswell Park. Grand menorah lighting, Chanukah sing-along, holiday treats for the kids, Chanukah latkes, music and free dreidels for all. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2YeULjJ.

Menorah Car Parade – Chabad Intown on the BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information and to register, www.bit. ly/2RayRg4.

Community Fun-a-kah at Etz Chaim – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 4 to 7 p.m. Join Etz Chaim for a Chinese dinner from Harmony Vegetarian Restaurant, light chanukiyot, sing songs with interactive activities for adults and children. $5 for children 12 and under, $10 per adult. To register and for more information, www.bit.ly/2qULOQx.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 28

Menorah Lighting, Glover Park Stage at Marietta Square – Mari-

Dec. 25 Chinese Dinner – Chabad Intown on the BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Join in for Chinese dinner followed by a timely discussion on the founding of Christianity as told in classic Jewish sources. Find out the true story behind “Yeshu.” We will also weave together incredible Talmudic, kabbalistic and Chasidic sources. $25 per person, $40 per couple, $10 per child. For more information, www.bit.ly/36nrLZS.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26

etta Square Glover Park Stage, 50 Park Square, Marietta, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Celebrate Hanukkah with Congregation Ner Tamid of Marietta/ West Cobb, featuring Chanukah music and dancing by the Smyrna Team Dancers, books from PJ Library, free hot chocolate and gift card raffle. For information, www. mynertamid.org or call 678-264-8575.

Grand Menorah Lighting Decatur – Decatur Square, 101 E Court Square, Decatur, from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information and to register, www.bit. ly/2RayRg4.

To find more Chanukah events, go to https://www.atlantajewishconnector.com/series/chanukahevents-2019/. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 75

COMMUNITY Synagogues Shift Tactics to Engage Communities By Paula Baroff In an age of alienation, synagogues can be more than just a place for prayer. When a group of Atlanta synagogue engagement professionals began chatting at a Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta event a few months ago, they were excited to realize they all had similar feelings about how to revitalize outreach and create a better quality of engagement for their members, who are craving personal relationships and community with other Jews. These professionals bonded and formed a working cohort that meets about every six weeks at alternating synagogues to learn about each other’s congregations, share tips, and grow a movement that’s breathing new life into the Jewish community. Instead of the traditional method of member outreach that centers on programming, these synagogues are consciously shifting to a more relationshiporiented focus to make synagogues a true center of Jewish community. “It is more in response to a societal decline in lots of friendships and public relationships. I like to talk about it in terms of the third place,” said Rabbi Lydia Medwin, director of engagement at The Temple. “Throughout history we’ve always had our first place as our home and our second place as our work. There has always been a third place where we can go and be ourselves and relax and rejuvenate. “In other cultures, there’s the tea house in China and the cafe in Italy – we don’t have a culture like that. The loneliness epidemic and the rise of social media that promotes a shallower quality [of relationships] – this is meant to act as an antidote. We’re hoping to create more of it.”

76 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The new engagement cohort are, from left, Summer Jacobs and Rabbi Lydia Medwin of The Temple, Ashley Cohen of B’nai Torah, Miriam Habif of Ahavath Achim, Samantha Berinsky and Jaimee Boettcher of Temple Sinai and Heather Blake of Etz Chaim.

This idea is called “relational engagement,” and is a new field emerging in Jewish professional life. “Relational engagement being the notion that we use relationships as the central point of Jewish communal life,” Medwin explained. The synagogues involved in the cohort include The Temple, Temple Sinai, Congregation B’nai Torah, Ahavath Achim Synagogue, and Congregation Etz Chaim, though they are very open to more joining. The Temple has already seen great

success with this shift toward relational engagement. A major initiative for them is small groups. Facilitated by the synagogue, members form groups based around interests such as mahjong, gourmet cooking and Jewish discussions. “People are spending holidays together, they’re at The Temple more often. New members are integrated more quickly into the community,” Medwin said. “We have really invested in it. That’s just one initiative and there’s more to think about. Things as simple as asking people to wear

name tags to make sure people have a chance to get to know one another. There are lots of other ways to do this work in addition to the deepest possible layer of it which is entering a small group.” The Temple started the effort several years ago and already has dozens of groups up and running. This initiative, which has been a success at Temple Sinai as well, and should be launching at the other synagogues soon, is a major effort to create that community feel people are looking for in a synagogue.

COMMUNITY “That’s been a big culture shift be- allows them to bring a unique perspeccause it can be demographic based, inter- tive to the cohort. “We’ll laugh with each other about how est based, affinone synagogue ity based,” said is off doing musiSamantha Bercal Shabbat with insky, program tambourines and and engagement dancing, and we manager at Temare in a differple Sinai. “You’re ent place on the sharing somespectrum – trathing in comditional,” Cohen mon. It’s about said. “I talk about being Jewish our challenges, ‘and.’ By adding how do we offer that extra layer, what our congrethey’re walkgants are looking away with ing for while still that personal upholding our connection,” Rabbi Lydia Medwin said relational synagogue’s traBerinsky said. engagement is part of a growing trend. ditions and val“The response is great because people just want to feel ues? It makes me think outside the box.” Though a change from the more conlike they’re heard, they’re seen, that they ventional methmatter, that their ods of outreach, synagogue is havCohen thinks it’s ing an impact for exactly what the them. The only remembership is sponse you’ll see looking for. “On is positive.” the other hand, Congregathe congregation B’nai Torah is tion doesn’t relooking forward alize they are to beginning small itching for this groups, as well. type of engageThey have two ment. I sent out pilot groups that a survey and are already runthe majority of ning. One is called the respondents’ “Eating Exploranswers were ers” and is geared People are looking for meaningful relationships ‘I want to meet toward moms of and connections, said Samantha Berinsky. people, I want to young children who want to try local international res- have relational moments.’ I think that the taurants, and the other is called “Work congregation is definitely hungry for it.” The synagogues that are currently from Home Lunch” for men who work from home to meet with each other at involved aren’t responding to a decline in membership, but various restaurather are trying rants. The rest to be proactive in of the groups building a comwill be officially munity feel to soft launching meet their current in January. members’ needs. “We have “At the end of the nine or 10 groups day, it’s all about that are ready to the feeling of congo,” said Ashley nectedness,” BerCohen, B’nai Toinsky said. “We rah’s director of understand that engagement and people are lookoutreach. The uping for meaningcoming groups ful relationships will include and meaningful couples’ dance Ashley Cohen said synagogues are trying connections. Part lessons, challah to think outside the box about outreach. of that is spiritufor seniors and ality and part of that is in the different Atlanta brewery visits. Each synagogue is different, which offerings we can give to our congregants.

It’s kind of changing with the times, understanding that if we’re continuing to do things in the same way, there would be a decline over time.” In addition to small groups, the cohort is looking to adapt other aspects of synagogue life to the philosophy. Temple Sinai is currently shifting to providing programs that are centered around different passions and interests rather than age groups, an initiative called Generation2Generation. This allows people of different ages opportunities to meet and form relationships, rather than the traditional age demographic-based programming. “We’ve been looking at ways of looking more into interfaith as well and providing more opportunities to interfaith [families],” Berinsky said. “Small groups have been a huge focus for the last couple of years. Now these are becoming self-sustaining, so it’s a look into what’s next.” In addition to spreading a new, rejuvenating approach to synagogue life, the cohort has allowed previously disconnected parts of the Jewish community to come together and form relationships themselves. “We’re such a large Jewish community, and engagement in the synagogue world is where everything is being

focused. … There’s so much out here in the community. We can learn best practices from each other. Instead of competing against each other, we’re coming together,” Cohen said. “I think this cohort allows us to create a similar message across the Jewish community.” Berinsky said, “It’s so reassuring. It’s so nice to have other people in your shoes that understand the experiences. … This is uplifting of one another and supportive of one another. We are enhancing the entire Jewish community.” The cohort hopes that other synagogue engagement directors will reach out to them if they have similar goals for changing how to engage members. Atlanta is at the forefront of how to think about reorganizing synagogues, and Medwin is involved with people in other cities to try to create a national movement. “It’s been really interesting to see the interest in it,” Medwin said. “Synagogues everywhere have shown a lot of interest in relational engagement. We really want to spread the word and see how far we can take these ideas about really putting people at the center of this work as opposed to programming. I think that’s what G-d would want us to do, you know? It’s pretty central to what Judaism is about.” ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 77

COMMUNITY

JELF Wraps Year on New High

Actuary Barry Gang poses with his daughter, accountant Ilana Gang , who enters the JELF board as one of its youngest members.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Jewish Educational Loan Fund held its 2019 annual meeting Dec. 3 at Le Meridien Perimeter. JELF CEO Jenna Shulman reported that 2018 was JELF’s most profitable year ever, and she could not have imagined 2019 being as strong. “We packed The Roxy with over 600 guests, held several community events, including a Young Professionals event at Bogartz, added four new staff members, and were awarded a transformational gift from The Marcus Foundation, which is now allowing us to invest in ourselves in a way that JELF has never been given before.” Shulman went on to say that 2020 will usher in a

78 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Incoming JELF President Jane Aronoff poses with husband Craig Aronoff.

JELF’s Jenna Shulman accepted a $2,000 check from Jody Pollack on behalf of the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival.

new student portal with a modern platform, easily navigable for student applicants and repayments. A d’var Torah by Rabbi Steve Lebow of Temple Kol Emeth characterized the organization, saying, “JELF takes money and turns it into mitzvahs. As Maimonides taught, there is no other mitzvah than teaching independence.” Outgoing board president Stan Lowenstein spoke about JELF’s momentum and new record of serving 296 students and exceeding $1.2 million in interest-free loans over five states. “Shulman is amazing, and our volunteers make our organization look incredible each day.” Philip Rubin shared his JELF story growing up off of Buford Highway in a divorced family. Tragically, his fa-

ther was killed in a car accident just before Philip was to begin college at the University of Florida, leaving him in the position of scrapping together jobs like cleaning the fraternity kitchen and borrowing from JELF. “I finished law school and promptly paid back the JELF loan. I am now JELF’s biggest fan – and very proud to be a JELFie.” Rob Rickles, a JELF past president as well as former recipient, presented the Garber Family Honor Roll Award to board member Donna Freedman and touted her “undeniable impact.” A video of Freedman further explained her role in leading JELF’s Loan Program Committee over the past three years. Nancy Galanti and Joanne Birnbrey received the Steve & Eydie Koonin Family Service Award presented by Amy (Koonin) and Michael Taylor. Galanti and Birnbrey both serve on the board of directors and have co-chaired the last four major JELF events, which have helped the organization become a household name. Incoming JELF President Jane Aronoff, a founder and past president of Kol Emeth, committed to bringing JELF project coordinator Jenifer her business acuLieberbaum works with student men and volunteer loan repayments and processing experience to her donations – all on the financial side. new post. “JELF has existed in some format since 1889, and I am honored to be its 32nd president. JELF changes lives and I am so proud to be at the helm of what is the ‘ultimate paying it forward nonprofit,’” Aronoff shared. Earlier in the reception, accountant Ilana Gang expressed her pride in becoming the youngest incoming board member. “I was inspired by my uncle, Rob Rickles, who is a JELF recipient. Now I love having the opportunity to get the word out to young adults who need our assistance.” Jody Pollack spoke of his $2,000 donation on behalf of the Hebrew Order of David’s efforts from the recent Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival, in which JELF participated as a community partner. ■

COMMUNITY

Two Centenarians and a Caterer By Marcia Caller Jaffe Caterer Annette Marcus reveled in her good fortune, saying, “I must be the only caterer in the universe to get phone calls to prepare two birthday parties for amazing Jewish centenarians back to back.” Annette, who has been catering in Atlanta for the past 35 years, rolled out the “kugel carpet” for Teddy Haber, 102, and Mary Ginsburg, 100, both celebrating their birthdays in November at separate events. “It’s really remarkable for those who reach these senior milestones; and I relish bringing them joy through food.” Marcus’ own mother, Charlene Sacks, 93, is an inspiration who visits here seasonally and helps Annette in food preparation. What the recent birthday events had in common was sweet noodle raisin kugel. The Haber event was coordinated by younger sister Rita Marokko, 94, whom Annette credits with having a flair for event planning. Their menu was nova, bagels, tuna and egg salads, Caesar salad, and desserts such as mandel bread and chocolate mousse parfait. The Ginsberg event was championed by daughter-in-law Jodi. That menu was Greek salad, and spinach, mandarin orange salad with honey goat cheese, caramelized pecans and ginger balsamic vinaigrette in addition to bounteous kugels. Mary Zakheim Ginsberg, 100 Ginsberg is a native Atlantan and grew up near Grant Park. After a public school education, she attended Oglethorpe College. Ultimately, she learned entrepreneurship at her father’s grocery store. As a 23-year-old single gal, she “up and moved” to Washington, D.C., in 1942 to work for the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. After the death of her father, she moved back to Atlanta to help out, and Aunt Minnie Tillem “set her up” for marriage to Max Ginsberg in 1958. As a working girl, Mary assisted Rabbi Harry Epstein at Congregation Ahavath Achim, then worked for philanthropist Max Cuba in his insurance business. Local attorney and only child Jonathan Ginsberg recalled, “Mom was able to work and raise me at the same time. My parents purchased Southeastern Drug Journal (later Southern Pharmacy Journal) in 1960 while Mom handled the books and admin duties.” Mary is believed to have created the first national pharmaceutical continuing education program in the United States, allowing pharmacists to obtain their credit hours by mail. Health conscious before her time, Ginsberg could be found at the Marcus JCC swimming and in exercise classes. When she was widowed in 2008, Mary toured the world on cruises. Speaking on behalf of his mother, Jonathan said, “Mom was calm with an optimistic personality, always looking forward. She attributes her longevity to not worrying about things out of her control.” Her party for 55 included relatives from Los Angeles, Ohio and Alabama. At the lunch, daughter-in-law Jodi joked, “No one had to pay me to say nice things about my mother-inlaw. She was always very kind.”

Mary Ginsberg, front row, second from left, was a “calm” mother, according to son Jonathan.

Younger sister Rita Marokko, right, 94, was instrumental in planning the 101st party for sister Teddy, left.

Atlanta with her husband, who had secured a job on Peachtree Road for Ford Motor Co. She recalled, “In 1946, I was a substitute teacher here, and Atlanta was a pretty nice place. It was different in that there was very little traffic, and we could drive easily to downtown. If the errand was quick, we’d leave the car unlocked and running!” The couple lived in the Clermont Hotel, which Teddy thought was pretty great because it had both a separate sitting room, bedroom and kitchen. She gave up driving eight years ago at 93. “I do employ a driver now to get to appointments, and I make sure to do my

weekly toning and stretching exercises.” Teddy takes an occasional nip of scotch or wine; and her favorite television show is “NCIS.” She discounts watching the news, “It’s just the same thing over and over and over.” When asked about her mantra for a long life welllived, she said, “I try to have a positive attitude and focus on being kind and thoughtful. I believe in doing the right thing at the right time.” She concluded, “I’m amazed at how fast the years go. It’s holiday time again and I haven’t had time to turn around from last year.” ■

Theodora Haber, 101 Post-World War II, Brooklynite Haber headed to ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 79

COMMUNITY

Fish Market Eats and Irish Beats

Steelhead Trout Poke Bowl with sticky rice, teriyaki, sesame, onions, cilantro and ginger scallion relish.

Our first step whenever deciding which hot spots to review is always to find worthwhile entertainment, then scout the area for a great nearby restaurant. City Winery had what seemed like an energetic Irish band, called Gaelic Storm, playing traditional Irish and Scottish music. What’s better than a lively band, an energized audience and a pint? Well, in this case a great glass of wine. Entertainment: check!

Jen Evans & Michal Bonell On the Town

80 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Crispy “Today’s Catch” Sandwich: Cod served with apple cider vinegar remoulade, pickles and onions on a roll.

Next it was time to find fantastic food. City Winery has a great full menu, which encompasses an array of appetizers to entrees, but we wanted to get the full Ponce City Market experience of strolling through the trendy shops and diverse Food Hall options. To our pleasure, we stumbled upon a seafood restaurant gem. W.H. Stiles Fish Camp is a casual joint serving a decadent menu. Chef Faye Poone greeted us and was

Jen and Michal pose with chef Faye Poone.

excited to feed us. She prepared her sig- available for large private events. We were excited to experience nature dishes for us to taste, including one that was about to be introduced to Gaelic Storm’s music. Think Celtic punk the menu. Being one of the few places meets country/folk with a bit of blueat Ponce City Market that sells food and grass and storytelling rolled up in to one. wine, we bellied up to the bar and or- They were a fun band and got the audidered a glass of Simple Life pinot noir, ence to participate by standing up, sitting served chilled, and a glass of the Go- down, dancing, singing and drinking. tham Project rosé. We started with their A true pub band vibe. The dedication to incredibly tasty Crispy “Today’s Catch” their live shows dates all the way back to Sandwich. The catch was cod that night the mid-1990s, when Gaelic Storm kicked and was served with an apple cider vin- off as a pub band in Santa Monica, Calif. egar remoulade, pickles and onions on a They have topped the Billboard world roll. You can also have the catch served chart six times and did the score for the on a bed of lettuce. Chef then brought out movie “Titanic.” Their instruments included the acthe Steelhead Trout Poke bowl made with cordion, spoons, sticky rice, teriyaki, guitars, mandolin, sesame, onions, ciharmonica, djembe, lantro and ginger cajon, ukulele, Highscallion relish. We land bagpipes, other were told that bevarious pipes and cause of the way the even a whistle! And trout is raised and they recently addtreated, it tastes a lot ed a fiddle player. like salmon. It did, Whew! They really and it was divine! cover the gamut and The menu is make it all look efloaded with an arfortless. ray of creative and Gaelic Storm at City Winery We had an inunique takes on deligets the crowd excited. credible night that cious seafood favorites at surprisingly affordable prices, with began with nothing. That’s what we love about Atlanta. There is so much going the fresh catch averaging $12 to $13. All of the food was served in cheer- on that is lively and fun. Thank you, W.H. fully colored camping metal dishes, Stiles Fish Camp, for an unforgettable which was a fun presentation. We in- dinner. We will surely be back to enjoy dulged in everything they were nice your creative menu. ■ enough to present to us. To review their menu go to www.starAfterwards, we walked through Ponce City Market and headed to City provisions.com/whstilesfish-camp. Thank Winery. If you haven’t been to City Win- you, City Winery, for great entertainment ery, you should really check it out. It’s a that we have come to expect from your vengreat music venue featuring a variety of ue. To see upcoming shows at City Winery entertainment, from local performers to or review their menu options go to https:// internationally recognized names and citywinery.com/atlanta/ diverse genres. It’s also a posh restaurant To have us review your event or resfeaturing a unique and exclusive wine selection and full menu. There is intimate taurant, contact us at 404-883-2130, jen@ event space available and a great patio. atljewishtimes.com, or michal@atljewishThe music venue on the lower level is times.com.

An Ethiopian Culinary and Cultural Adventure

DINING

By Marcia Caller Jaffe A geography lesson will tell us about the succession of Eritrea from Ethiopia in 2008. This east African cuisine is known for its unique spices, seasoned protein, savory vegetables, full bodied stews, and injera, a traditional dark spongy bread served alongside for dipping and scooping. Year old Feedel Bistro on Briarcliff Road, just off Clairmont Road, is owned by brother-sister team Simon and Tamar Telahun, who had previously run a Mediterranean restaurant in the same location. Tamar, who also was the restaurant’s interior designer, said, “Our mother served good food all the time and showed us that it should never be boring.” Tamar, who is tall and sleek, hailed from Addis Ababa at age 14 and speaks several languages. She shares that her given name is biblical, meaning “sweet fruit, tall like a palm tree and so high up as to be close to G-d.” She continued, “I have a passion for food and love that customers come in to experience our culture. Food, like art and music, crosses over and connects us.” Tamar showed us the extensive Eritrean alphabet wall chart (thus the name “Feedel” for alphabet) which reads left to right and makes Hebrew look easy. Although Feedel is not kosher, there is an ample selection of vegan and vegetarian choices and a delicious salmon. Ethiopian food is also known for not using animal fats. We started with a raw collard greens and cabbage salad ($11.99) which served three people and was chopped with onions, tomatoes and jalapeños. The citrus dressing was clean and carried a bite. The bowl’s rim presentation was laced with chopped herbs. There is also a Feedel’s salad with tuna, lettuce, tomatoes and jalapeños. Next we had a striking rainbow row of eight vegan samplers and injera bread for sharing. ($14). Taking special atTamar Telahun, owner tention to distinguish and interior designer, the orange from the is also backup chef. shades of green and brown, we narrowed it down to: azifah (whole brown lentils), cabbage, collard greens, yellow split peas, ye’shimbra asa (chickpea biscuits) and siljo (fermented legume). Some hot, some cold, but definitely colorful. The table favorite was the hot dished collards and cabbage. The four lentils were grouped together and had a similar texture and garlic flavor. Interestingly, the latter was even better the next day as leftovers. The best entree was Sagla’s Spris, a choice of proteins. The salmon was $20 and had a side choice of injera, pasta or rice. Because we were “old fuddy duddies,” we asked for silverware after sopping with the injera on the appetizers. The red sauce on the salmon was described as “well balanced with berbere,” onions, garlic and tomatoes served with a small square of timatim, chopped tomato salad, or house salad. Plenty to share or take home for a second meal. The salmon was prepared just perfectly and came

Industrial ceiling pipes overlook Tamar’s interior design execution in Feedel Bistro.

A winning entree was the Sagla’s Spris ($20) salmon over rice in a well-balanced berbere sauce with tomatoes, garlic and onions. Enough for second-day leftovers.

with a $3 upcharge option for adding collards. While there were no authentic African desserts, we thought the tiramisu looked mighty fine. Next time, I’d opt for the Ingudai Mushroom Tibs ($13.99), choice of mild, medium or spicy; and you guessed it, “onions, tomatoes, and jalapeños.” Another inviting vegan entrée is Shiro ($12.75), powdered dried legumes, chickpeas and traditional spices cooked with onions and spices and served with a side salad. The injera teff bread is porous and skeletal at the same time. A fermented sourdough flatbread, Feedel serves it neatly folded over like a camping

sleeping bag on top of an exercise mat. A note about culture. Nine languages are spoken in Eritrea, in the Horn of Africa, including Italian because Ethiopians had to defeat Italy twice to remain independent. Asmara is the largest city and the coastline hugs the Red Sea. It is a dictatorship and a country where freedom of the press is not valued. To the south is the more well known Ethiopia, which, like Eritrea, has a large Muslim population. Like Tamar said, “Cross over and learn about another culture.” Feedel Bistro is a good place to continue or start. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 81

KEEPING IT KOSHER Jewish Joke of the Week

At the Country Club Aaron and Rivka move to the suburbs and join the new, very elite country club. But just before their first meal at the club, Aaron is feeling somewhat anxious about Rivka’s lack of finesse and so he decides to give her some advice. “Rivka,” he says, “ven ve go to dee club and dee vaiter asks you vaht you vahnt for ah drink, please don’t say ‘ah glass Manishevitz vine.’ At a club like dis, you don’t esk for Manishevitz vine.” “Well, Aaron,” she replies, “if I can’t esk for Manishevitz, vot should I esk for?” “You should esk for ah martini,” replies Aaron, “every lady drinks martini. You’ll like it.” That evening at the club, as the smartly dressed drinks waiter arrives at their table to take their order, Rivka is ready. “Madam, may I bring you a cocktail?” Rivka replies, “Yes, I’ll have ah martini.” “Dry?” asks the waiter. “No,” replies Rivka, “tzvei iz genug (two is enough).” Joke provided by David Minkoff www.awordinyoureye.com

Yiddish Word of the Week Shicker, Shikur, Shickered, Shiker

‫שיּכור‬ A state of being drunk or tipsy. This comes from the Hebrew word ‫( שכר‬shakar) meaning “to become drunk or intoxicated”. “She was so shiker at the bat mitzvah, it was embarrassing.” 82 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

One Step Jelly-Filled Donuts This is an incredibly easy way to fill a donut, minus the mess! Cooking and prep: 1 hour 45 minutes Serves: 36 6 cups flour 6 egg yolks 1/3 cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons Gefen Vanilla Sugar 3 ounces yeast ¾ cup apple juice, lukewarm ¾ cup water, lukewarm 2 ounces margarine 8 ounces Tuscanini apricot jam, for filling Combine all ingredients except the margarine and jam. Knead well, about seven minutes. Add margarine and knead another two to three minutes. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes to one hour. Divide dough into two parts. Sprinkle plenty of flour onto working surface. Roll out dough to ¼-inch thickness. Using a fine glass (2 3/4-inch diameter), slightly mark circles of half the dough. Be sure to just slightly mark the first circle. If you cut down all the way, the sides of the donuts won’t have a good seal and will separate when frying. Place 1/3 teaspoon apricot jam onto each circle. Feel free to use other fillings such as chocolate, caramel or dulce de leche. Fold second half of dough over jam-filled dough. Judging by little lumps of jam, press down glass and cut through to form sealed donuts. Cover with dish towel and let rise for 15 to 20 minutes. Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. Top with either frosting or dust with powdered sugar. Repeat with second half of dough. Recipe by: Nitra Ladies Auxiliary Source: Heimishe Classics reprinted in kosher.com.

The Solstice

ACROSS

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

24 28

31 35

45 48

29 33

21 23

49 56

47 50

52 59

BRAIN FOOD

1. The longest parsha 5. Opening 10. Slang for endurance 14. Nordstrom rival 15. It's a wrap 16. CEO, e.g. 17. Wray and Weldon 18. Take ___ from (copy) 19. Possible breakout for some color war participants? 20. "___ different than all other..." 22. Jockey strap 23. End of yom tov? 24. Big bang maker 25. Cove 26. Kind of motion 28. First name of a Illinois Yeshiva day school 30. "___ piece of the rock": Prudential slogan 32. Time of the 10th plague, about 33. Thrilla in Manila participant 35. "Better than nothing" 39. Grown acorns 41. Classic Wiesel novel appropriate for December 21?..or a hint to solving this puzzle's theme 43. English lavs 44. "History of the Jews" author Heinrich 46. "Annie" song with the lyrics "Too busy / Too crazy / Too hot..." 47. One who might not have a tough time davening at sunrise 48. Pro teams spend half their

time on it, with "the" 50. Like a wallflower 52. Cat that would be of no use in Eilat 53. Meat sauce 56. Young newt 58. Member of the flock 60. Where Samson slew Philistines 61. Kiddush and Havdalah, e.g. 65. It's not a PC 66. Home of the original Maimonides Synagogue 67. Future J.D.'s hurdle 68. Dump 69. What some take down memory lane 70. Garage job 71. Terminal info 72. Israel's Tikvah (according to Google) 73. Gush

11. Spreadsheets program 12. Role where Robin Williams spoke some Yiddish 13. Lead provider 21. Tre + tre 25. Bad pass from Rodgers or Rosen; Abbr. 26. Urban haze 27. Perjurer 29. Tony who's perhaps best known for playing guys named Tony 31. King Saul visited one on his last night 34. Engine starter (Abbr.) 36. Relaxes 37. Half of this puzzle? 38. Norse capital 40. Maariv and Megillah reading 42. "Mass" emotional outburst 45. Woody, e.g. 49. Campaign feature 51. Israeli broadcaster 53. Coast DOWN 54. Invoice word 1. "Unfit to view at your desk" abbr. 55. Israeli name at some duty-free 2. 'That feels go-o-od!' shops 3. Bacardi rum alternative 57. Toy (with), as an idea 4. "I'm Not Rappaport" actor Davis 59. Shatner and Goldman, for 5. "Time ___ a premium" short 6. A tribe 62. Jr. preceder 7. Get into shape 63. 1998-2010 major-leaguer 8. Words between "from" and Kapler "riches" 64. Hamin, more or less 9. "___ with the King" (Purim 66. Some schnapps at 32-Across, movie) perhaps 10. What some do on Shavuot

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 13

E W

N O

22 27

36 41

K 37

G O

17 20

D O

G O U

A L

C O H

R O N

64 67

65 68

R 40

G R O

49 55

S K

C O H

O N

62 66 69

N G

N O N

18 21

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H O

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cob’s kitchen: almond chicken, beef with broccoli, moo goo gai pan, steamed rice, mixed vegetables, egg rolls and fortune cookies. ■ The Atlanta Jewish Community Center’s Shirley Blumenthal Park branch in Marietta held its annual Senior Brunch and Games Day Jan. 8. After the meal, seniors played bridge, canasta, mahjong, Rummikub and other games, all in a casual social setting.

Remember When

25 Years Ago// December 16, 1994 ■ Congregation Beth Jacob held a kosher Chinese dinner Dec. 19 at the synagogue. Chef Danny Eng prepared a feast in Beth Ja-

N O

15 Years Ago// December 24, 2004 ■ The bat mitzvah of Stefanie Pous of Roswell was held Dec. 18, 2004, at Temple Beth Tikvah. Stephanie is the daughter of Joseph and Paula Pous. She participated in the Nediv Lev community service program at The Epstein School, where she is a seventh grader. ■ The Iraq war was a little closer to home for students at The Davis Academy. Music teacher Andrew Traugots, 44, a 23-year military veteran, was called to active duty in the Air National Guard. Rabbi Steven Ballaban, Davis Academy’s head of school, said, “I’m heartbroken, but proud to share him with America.”

The Davis head of school was proud to share music teacher Andrew Traugots with the Air National Guard.

50 Years Ago// December 26, 1969 ■ Shearith Israel Couples’ Club held its annual New Year’s Eve party Dec. 31 at the synagogue. Music for dancing was provided by the Bob Henson band. A hot buffet was served throughout the evening, followed by a post-midnight breakfast. ■ Members of the JWV Post 112 and its Auxiliary visited the Georgia State Veterans Home in Milledgeville Dec. 21 to present gift boxes to patients in the Jewish War Veterans ward. The gifts included items donated by local banks and commercial firms, said Post Commander Gerald Reed. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 83

REFLECTIONS The Observance of Hanukka in America On Dec. 26, 1891 in Atlanta, there was a Hanukka Ball at the Concordia Club, which was planned by the Players’ Club, a youth Rabbi David organization Geffen made up of children of members of The Temple. The historian of Atlanta Jewry, Steven Herzberg, pointed out that the younger Haases, Riches, Cohens, Rosenfelds and Seligs were some of the youth who did the planning. We do not have details, but we are sure the young Atlanta Jews had a very good time. Let us move to the western part of the United States at the end of the 19th century. We are informed by a daily San Francisco newspaper on the 26th of December 1897, that a Hanukka celebration was held that day at the Bush Street Temple. The children performed intricate marches carrying the American flag. Following that there were recitations about Hanukka, Judah Maccabee and the miracle of the oil burning for eight days. “Many candelabra were lit as the prayers were recited.” Now Rabbi Isidore Myers spoke to those assembled, young and old. “To be regarded with favor by G-d, you must show how much you can do to spread the truth. Show your pride,” he continued, “to your noble ancestors by your own heroism, remembering that the true hero is the one who does G-d’s will. Let us follow the example of the noted Judah Maccabee.”

I made Hanukkah cards from some of the drawings of the noted Jewish cartoonist, Richard “Dick” Codor, a close friend.

The Hanukka celebration ended that day with everyone, old and young, singing the anthem “America.” It is fascinating how in various periods when the USA was at war, Jews emphasized their patriotism for their nation. The Jewish people, about 2 million then living in United States, demonstrated how much they loved America. In this case, embattled America was fighting in the Spanish-American War, where Jews were serving as well. Professor Andrew Heinze wrote a very important book, “Adapting to Abundance.” It is a fascinating study that documented how the observance of Pesach, Sukkot and Chanukah in the early 20th century was strengthened because these three holidays adapted to the commercial culture of American holidays at that time. In the case of Hanukka, the observance grew to be a mas-

Happy Chanukah! Rabbi Abi Nadoff Call: 844-MOHEL-ABI (844-664-3522) SimpleCircumcision.com 84 | DECEMBER 20, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

sive gift-giving event. However, in that period, the traditional element was not forgotten. “A view of the Lower East Side in the 1890s,” Heinze wrote, “showed that Hanukka had survived the shocks of immigration. During that time, passengers on the Second Avenue ‘EL’ train heading down toward 1st Street in the darkness of a December evening were struck by the rows of burning candles that illuminated the windows of tenement house after tenement house.” The Hanukka gift ritual, though traditional as we know, took on enormous proportions. A hundred years ago in the USA, Heinze showed that Jews, proportionally. surpassed the well-known gifts practice of the Christmas season. Heinze explains further that a century ago, Passover became the time when all the old furniture was piled on the curb and new furniture, in large quantities, was purchased. Buying to the hilt was emphasized in the Yiddish newspapers as the American rebirth of a freed Jewish people. The main objects used on Hanukka, menorot and dreidels, were in demand by the growing number of American Jews. Jacob Schiff, a leading figure in developing financial security for immigrants, underwrote factories for them where they could work in the 1920s. They were mostly in New York, where Hanukka menorot, dreidels, Passover seder plates and candlesticks were made on assembly lines. No work done on Shabbat. I possess a Hanukka menorah fashioned by the hands of those newly ar-

rived Jews. My grandfather, HaRav Tuvia Geffen (z’l), either bought it or it was given to him as a gift. My father inherited it, and he left it to me. That menorah has continued to glow on Hanukka for almost 100 years. My other grandfather, Cathriel Birshtein (z’l) of Norfolk, who made furniture, carved dreidel molds out of wood, then he poured hot lead into them and dreidels appeared. His children used them in the 20s, my mother especially, as they were growing up in Norfolk. I possess a few of those lead spinning Hanukka tops. Professor Jessica Josselit, in her study of American Jewish holidays 1880-1950, provided us with a description of a 1950s period piece, the oversized dreidel known as the Maccabee. “Made of laminated plastic and standing four feet tall, the Maccabee, touted its creators, the Dra-Dell Cooperation of North Bergen, New Jersey, ‘expresses a true holiday spirit in the home where modern children may share the wonder of Hanukka.’” In the photograph, showing its use, the children are sitting around the Maccabee with presents stacked up under this decorated top. Perhaps the Lubavitcher Rebbe (z’l) was the first to think about the display of the Hanukka menorah in a community site, where Christmas creches had always existed. However, that public menorah placement was preceded in fact in American military bases all over the world. I, as a chaplain, and American Jews, in general, are proud that the military high command at the Pentagon has encouraged Jews since the Civil War to

REFLECTIONS observe their holidays while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Before I reached my base in Fort Sill, Okla., as a chaplain in 1965, our post already had a wonderful way to mark the Hanukka holiday. A large menorah had been crafted out of wood several years earlier with nine sockets for the electric bulb lights. In addition, on one side next to the bulbs, a Judah Maccabee figure had been painted. On the other side we could see Antiochus in his armor. Both had swords in their hands. Each night of Hanukka, we recited the blessings outside and screwed in the bulb for that night, adding it to the other ones all aglow. Of course, we could not light the other bulbs with “our shamash,” which always shone brightly in the middle of the giant menorah. About 20 soldiers were there each night

with some Christian chaplains and a few Jewish civilians from Lawton, a nearby town. On the Sunday of Hanukka, a wonderful latke party was held at the welladorned Officers’ Club. Hundred-pound bags of potatoes were sent over by the quartermaster. The highest-ranking Jewish officer on the post, the late full bird colonel Jack Wolfson (z’l), put his apron on, then pan-fried latkes for almost an hour. Soldiers volunteered to peel the potatoes; others took the hot latkes, when they were ready, and served. The celebration was a big hit, with over 150 soldiers, Jewish civilians and

chaplains attending. The National Jewish Welfare Board Ladies Auxiliary from New York sent toys for the children, chocolate Hanukka gelt for everyone and other small gifts. The children attending were from families who lived in Lawton, Ardmore, Anadarko and a small SAC [Strategic Air Command] air

force base nearby. A lot of “Jewish Okies” were present. The noted collector, who assembled and resurrected the massive works of Arthur Szyk, thereby bringing them back for all to enjoy, is Rabbi Irvin Ungar. He has curated exhibits of Szyk around the world. They portray the artist’s deep Jewish commitment and his American patriotism. In the 1930s, before Szyk moved from Poland to the USA, he created a handy item that any of us or our children could use. He designed a set of playing cards with newly drawn pictures of the leaders of the Jewish people, heroes all. On one of the play-

ing cards is Judah Maccabee. The sets of cards initially printed in the 30s had all been lost. A few years ago, Ungar found some and decided to print them again. The “Judah Maccabee” card, shown here, possesses, in his facial expression, determination. As we play with the deck, which is available for sale, we feel the monumental victory, which Judah Maccabee oversaw as our people of old were led to freedom. The late Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menachem Schneerson (z’l), is recalled in many different ways. Personally, I feel that each giant electric menorah, shining brightly in a central public space of every major city in the USA, is an inspiring memorial to him. Through these, our holiday infuses the atmosphere of America with our continuing call of freedom for all. In Israel, we take for granted giant menorot on city centers, buildings and the like. In America, Chabad fought a legal battle to insure their placement “front and center.” It has worked and lights up all of our hearts. Richard “Dick” Codor, a native of Delaware, lives and works in New York.

He has become one of the leading Jewish comic artists and created many notable drawings for Hadassah. He produced an illuminated book for children on Hanukka. His “Bird of Peace,” drawn in 1978 when Begin and Sadat won the Noble Prize, was kindly executed since he added Jimmy Carter. The “Bird of Peace” drawing was first seen on the Israeli Arabic channel, where Codor was working. T-shirts were made and distributed at the Nobel Prize ceremonies. Because we are very close friends, he permitted me to print envelopes with the “Bird of Peace.” I put on stamps and had them cancelled. Since it was a way of making money, I sold them in front of the main post office on Jaffa Road. How does all of this stretch out to Hanukka? I suggested to Dick that he draw menorot of different types for Hanukka. We used those to make Hanukka cards. The most noted were the Hanukka menorot on the back of a reindeer. Quite a number of cards were sold, but only collectors have them now. Here in Israel, where he lived for 10 years, 1971 to 1981, Dick drew a poster of Popeye Moshe Dayan and, the most famous one, Super-Golda. Just for fun, he caught the spirit of the Four Sons, portraying them as the Marx brothers. Keeping Groucho and his siblings in his computer, Dick created “Richard Codor’s Joyous Haggadah,” which has sold very well through the years. We have many ways to observe Hanukka, and the Codor menorot will make us all smile. ■ David Geffen is an Atlanta native and Conservative rabbi living in Jerusalem.

Happy Chanukah!

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 85

REFLECTIONS

Stumbling Stones for Holocaust Victims Draw Controversy By Jan Jaben-Eilon Under rain-laden cool skies, dozens of coat-clad local high school students, city officials, members of the Christian-Jewish Association of Gottingen, Germany, and relatives from the United States solemnly paid tribute Dec. 9 to Jewish family members. Those relatives had lived in the house overlooking the site before they had to flee from the Nazis. Among those who traveled for the occasion was Atlantan Joab EichenbergEilon (full disclosure: the author’s husband), whose great-grandmother Meta Graefenberg Mueller, grandmother Grete and two sisters lived in the house in the late 19th century and first third of the 20th century. Eichenberg-Eilon’s grandmother moved to Palestine in 1933 with her husband Rudolf Eichenberg and her two young children – all of whom survived the war. Grete’s sisters Rosel and Ilse did not. Rosel’s four children managed to escape to the United States in the late 1930s, while Ilse’s young girls died along with their mother. Eichenberg-Eilon and a cousin, Ronald Brown from Seattle, traveled to Gottingen for the laying of the 4-by-4inch brass plates, known as Stolpersteine (stumbling stones). The stones were for eight family members of theirs who had once lived in the house behind where the stones were laid. The Stolpersteine Memorial Project was launched more than 20 years ago by artist Gunter Demnig as a memorial to victims of Nazi Germany. Although it’s known mostly for commemorating Jewish victims, Demnig told the AJT that the project actually began in memory

Stolpersteine were placed in the sidewalk in front of Gottingen house where the family lived.

of gypsies killed by the Nazis, and today also includes disabled victims. “Last year I spent 270 days abroad,” laying stumbling stones in more than 20 European countries, said Demnig, gesturing to his two-year-old van which he said now has more than 56,000 miles on it. Demnig, who has no Jewish connections, created the idea and still is responsible for 95 percent of the work. The Stolpersteine Project – like everything involving Jews and Germany – is not without controversy. Atlanta Holocaust survivor Henry Birnbrey told the AJT that he has mixed emotions about the plaques cemented into sidewalks in memory of Jewish victims of the Nazis. “People walk on them,” he complained. Another Atlanta Holocaust survivor, Manuela Mendels Bornstein,

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Gunter Demnig completes the laying of his Stolpersteine.

Joab Eichenberg-Eilon traveled to Germany to watch the placing of Stolpersteine for his family members.

agreed. “I don’t think it’s respectful be- disappear,” he added. They practically did. In 1933, when cause people walk on them.” Still, she acknowledged that there is a Stolpersteine Hitler came to power, there were about brass plate for her maternal grandmoth- 400 Jews in Gottingen, now a city of er in Hamburg, Germany, her last vol- about 130,000. In 1945, there were just untary permanent home. Like Eichen- three Jews. One was a distant cousin of Eichenbergberg-Eilon’s Eilon’s, whose family, Bornfamily also dedstein’s grandicated several mother and milStolpersteine lions of other in front of a reEuropean Jews tail store in the were forced to city center once move several owned by the times by the Nafamily. Three zis before they generations of were sent to the Gray famconcentration ily – shorted camps, ghetfrom Graefentos or, in some berg – traveled cases, able to esfrom the United cape abroad. States to Ger“I don’t many for the have a problem Dec. 9 program with Stolperthat included a steine on the ceremony at the ground,” said 800-year-old Eichenbergcity hall in GotEilon. “I think Manuela Mendels Bornstein believes tingen. it’s a way to Stolpersteine are disrespectful. Local high bring them [Holocaust victims] back to life since they school students read short profiles of weren’t allowed to continue their lives.” each person for whom a Stolpersteine Referring to the fact that Stolpersteine was laid that they had researched, and need to be requested by family mem- one student played the theme song from bers, he added that it’s a good way for “Schindler’s List” on a violin. The 17 Stolpersteine laid on Dec. family to remember those lost. “And it’s good for non-Jewish people and the city 9 added to the existing 37 brass plates to remember that these Jews just didn’t placed earlier in the city. ■

OBITUARIES

Arthur Frank Harris 93, Atlanta

Arthur Frank Harris, loving husband and father, died Dec. 1, 2019. He first saw the love of his life when he was 16, in 1942, in winter, in the Bronx. Arthur thought Sydell Dienner was the cutest thing he had ever seen. He promptly “washed her face in the snow,” as Sydell recalls. They wed after World War II and were together for the next 70 years. Arthur, born June 13, 1926, was the third child of Celia Frank and David Harris. The Harrises — Yvonne, Jerome, Arthur, and their parents — lived in the Bronx. There, Arthur found schoolwork to be easy. He graduated from high school at 16, but he chose to interrupt his studies at City College in Manhattan to volunteer as a radio operator for the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, Arthur served in the Merchant Marine and wooed Sydell. The couple married in the Bronx in May 1949 and later lived in several different boroughs of New York City. Sydell and Arthur’s first child, Richard, arrived in 1952. Karen followed in 1956. The family relocated to West Orange, N.J., in 1959. Arthur rose in his career as a sales executive for the next decade. In 1969, the Harrises moved south to Atlanta. Together, Sydell and Arthur entered the entrepreneurial world with a skin care company. In 1982, all four of the Harrises brought into being the successful and well-known first-generation family business Spa Sydell. As that company began to flourish, Arthur, a voracious reader and devoted cruciverbalist (he worked The New York Times crossword puzzle weekly in ink), felt compelled to revisit his studies. At age 81 he enrolled at Kennesaw State University, where he studied English literature. He graduated cum laude on July 30, 2007, with a bachelor of arts degree. On Dec. 13, 2011, he received an masters of arts in professional writing from the same institution. In addition to receiving an Adult Learner Program recognition award, Arthur also became KSU’s oldest enrolled humanities and social sciences student. Arthur loved volunteering. He read to pre-K students and kindergarteners at Garden Hills Elementary School. He also read to senior citizens at the William Bremen Jewish Home. On May 18, 2019, Sydell and Arthur celebrated 70 blissful years of wedded life. They were joined by several dozen friends and family members, and Arthur’s written appreciation of Sydell and account of how they fell in love was read aloud. Arthur is survived by his son, Richard; daughter, Karen; son-in-law, Bruce; and by his wife, Sydell.

Betty Gerson Minsk 78, Atlanta

Betty Gerson Minsk, beloved and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, teacher, and Atlanta Jewish community volunteer, passed away Dec. 12, 2019. Betty was born on Jan. 19, 1941 in Morristown, Tenn. and grew up there with her sister Alice and parents, Florence and Seymour Gerson (z’’l). In 1962, she graduated from The Ohio State University, and then moved to Atlanta and taught at Skyland Elementary School. In 1964 she married Malcolm Minsk, and together they raised three children. Betty loved teaching and working with children and continued her teaching career at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center and then the Greenfield Hebrew Academy (Atlanta Jewish Academy/AJA today), where she worked for over 20 years, first as a kindergarten teacher, and then as the early childhood director. Betty earned her master’s in education from Mercer University. Betty’s passion was conceiving and implementing creative educational and community events such as the First Grade Shofar Project and the first ever Kosher Day at Turner Field, which brought kosher food to the ballpark and also raised funds for all Atlanta community Jewish day schools. Also, in the Atlanta community, she researched and compiled the AJA History Book, served on the boards of AJA, Torah Day School and Weinstein Hospice, and was honored by Beth Jacob Synagogue and AJA. Betty enjoyed photography and travel, visiting all seven continents, with a special love of spending time in Israel. Her home was always open to others, and she loved entertaining family, friends and visitors as well as hosting community events. She is survived by her loving family members: husband Malcolm; sister Alice Goldfarb; son Ronnie Minsk (Gail); daughters Elisa Hartstein (Morris) and Wendy Solon (Alan); and grandchildren Miriam, Shira, and Oren Minsk, Eliana, Dalia, Zack and Jonah Hartstein, and, Sarah, Hannah and Rebecca Solon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Atlanta Jewish Academy or the charity of your choice. The funeral service took place Dec. 13 at Congregation Ohr HaTorah with internment following at Crestlawn Cemetery. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. ■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES DECEMBER 20, 2019 | 87

CLOSING THOUGHTS Who Do You Love and Why Do You Love Them? I read a remarkable book by Rabbi Noach Weinberg called, “48 Ways to Wisdom.” In one of his chapters, he asks the reader to make a list of the people you love: your spouse, your parents, your siblings, your best friends, or people you worked with. I picked four people for my list. You can pick yours.

supporting you, giving you comforting advice, making you feel just a little bit better. And always she made light of your problems. “Don’t worry,” she would say, “It’s okay. It will be alright.” You did not say “no” to Sophie because she never Allen H. said “no” to you. She never Lipis demanded, she never inThe Bottom Line sisted, she never requested. She told you what needed Sophie: This woman was no great Torah giant, but she was to be done, when it needed to be done, steeped in Jewish tradition. Yiddish- made you feel that you would be doing a keit ran in her veins; tradition pulsed mitzvah, and you ended up doing it with through her body; family was the cen- a smile on your face. There was love in ter of her attention; kindness was her her heart for everyone, and, in turn, evtrademark. She never met a person she eryone loved her. did not like. She was too busy loving, too busy caring, too busy helping to hate. Max: This man was easygoing, softSophie made you feel important spoken, and always upbeat with a smile when you talked with her. She listened added to his very positive attitude. Max to you, really listened, and you always was never wealthy financially, but he felt she understood. No matter what was rich with love for his family, and the problem, she was in your corner, with a willingness to help you before he

would help himself. Max was a “MacGyver,” able to fix anything and often would fix things needing fixing without anyone asking. For Max, everyone was his friend or, at worse, he understood the other person’s reasons, even for people who did not treat him well. Whatever the situation, he accepted it and moved on. You just had to love this guy. Rowena: This lady grew up in her father’s store, and then in her husband’s store. She learned how to sell, and in her soft-spoken way, she could sell you almost anything because she was a master at sizing up people. Still, she always had a kind word for everyone. She was never angry, never critical of anyone, and yet she knew who she could trust and who she couldn’t. Rowena was always optimistic about life, supportive of her family and friends, accessible to everyone, welcomed easily by people who hardly knew her, and willing to grow and change even into her later years. Whatever you needed, you could count

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on her to help. You couldn’t help yourself, you loved her. Dale: This guy was a visionary, a man who could see where the world was going and could make you believe that it was going to happen in the near future. He believed every word he said, which made him a salesman through and through. He loved the newest technology gadgets, and how they were going to change the world. Dale was a storyteller and when he spoke, you listened. It was difficult to argue against his vision because inevitably you knew he was going to be right. The only issue was when it would happen. He was often wrong on the timing, but never in doubt on the outcome. Over time, most of his visions turned out very nearly what he told you, but it took a great deal longer than he predicted. Still, you had to love the guy because he could see what very few people could. The bottom line: Make your own love list; it’s a recipe for seeing and feeling love. ■

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