STUDY BUDDIES
A BIG BET
Temple Sinai and an Episcopal church will spend a weekend worshipping and studying with AmyJill Levine. Page 4
Mike Leven and other Jewish industry experts offer advice on whether Georgia should gamble on casinos. Page 14
OFF UNTIL ’16
This issue concludes the AJT’s 2015 publishing schedule. Thanks for your support. Look for our next issue Jan. 8.
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VOL. XC NO. 49
DECEMBER 25, 2015 | 13 TEVET 5776
2016 Jewish Film Festival Set for Global Journey
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he 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival will take perhaps 40,000 moviegoers from Holocaust memories to a quest for the best Israeli cuisine, with stops along the way in Israel and Europe, history and horror, terrorism and therapy, the classics and the cutting edge. A year after becoming the world’s largest Jewish film festival with a total audience of more than 38,600 in its first outing as an independent nonprofit organization, the Atlanta festival is again presenting a challenging mix of movies at venues inside and outside the Perimeter. A new theater for the 16th festival is the renovated SCADshow in Midtown, whose films will include the ACCESS Night showing of the romance “Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong” on Jan. 28 and a screening of “East Jerusalem West Jerusalem” followed by a performance by star David Broza on Jan. 30. Broza’s performances after the two showings of the documentary about his latest album are among the highlights of the programming enhancing the festival screenings. While the lineup of guests is subject to change, others expected include Bosnian Judeo-Spanish music legend Flory Jagoda with the documentary “Flory’s Flame”; Rain Pryor, Richard Pryor’s Jewish daughter, with “That Daughter’s Crazy”; one of the backpackers who was held in Iran for 26 months as shown in the documentary “The Three Hikers”;
CHAI TIME
For many, Christmas means Chinese food, but for 18 years Chinese has been a daily fact of life for Chai Peking’s Reuven Michoel Robbins. Page 8
Auschwitz survivors Max (Martin Landau, left) and Zev (Christopher Plummer) plot a journey of revenge from their New York nursing home in “Remember,” the opening-night film of the 16th Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.
and chef Michael Solomonov for the closing-night screening of the documentary about his exploration of Israeli food, “In Search of Israeli Cuisine,” to be followed by a tasting. Like last year, the festival has blocked out screening times for unscheduled encore presentations of the most popular films. But whereas the encores were the day before closing night in 2015, they will be Feb. 17, the day after closing night, in 2016. The 16th annual festival runs from Tuesday, Jan. 26, to Wednesday, Feb. 17, and presents 77 films, 51 of them feature length, from 26 countries. Five of them,
UNFORGETTABLE
Look back at 2015, a year of big anniversaries, important local leadership changes, horrifying terrorism and heartening responses. Page 20
all short films of three to 28 minutes, are world premieres, including a documentary about Atlanta comedian Jerry Farber called “Jerry-Atric.” Nine other films are touted as North American premieres, and four are U.S. premieres. “Remember” isn’t any of those, but the Hollywood talent in front of and behind the camera earned it the role of opening the festival Jan. 26 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Oscar winner Christopher Plummer stars as an Auschwitz survivor, supported by fellow Oscar winner Martin Landau. Academy Award nominee Atom Egoyan directs
INSIDE
Calendar 3
Arts 23
Candle Lighting
3
Cartoon 24
Israel 6
Obituaries 25
Education 7
Home 28
Business 8
Crossword 30
Opinion 10
Marketplace 31
the film, which is being released in the United States 2½ weeks after it opens the Atlanta festival. Tickets for opening night, closing night, ACCESS Night and the Broza shows are $18. Other tickets are $13 for screenings that Michael Solomonov gets to enjoy one start after 4 p.m., of his food finds in $9 for matinees, “In Search of Israeli and $11 for chil- Cuisine,” which closes dren, students, the festival Feb. 16. and people 65 and older. Tickets go on sale at ajff.org and 678-701-6104 on Sunday, Jan. 10. “We are proud to unveil the sprawling lineup for the 2016 AJFF, featuring diverse, high-caliber films from around the globe,” festival Executive Director Kenny Blank said in an announcement of the lineup. “This is a cultural celebration and an artistic showcase meant to feed the soul and the mind, as well as entertain. It is more than just a night at the movies; it is a curated experience that engages and inspires diverse audiences with film through a Jewish lens.” The Atlanta Jewish Times is sponsoring screenings Feb. 4 and 5 of “Je Suis Charlie,” a documentary about the staff members of the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo who were slain in a terrorist attack in January. You can view the full lineup and schedule and download the program guide at AJFF.org. The AJT will have the full schedule as part of an expansive festival preview in our first issue of 2016 on Jan. 8. ■ Israel’s crucial film funding, Page 23
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CALENDAR Buffet. The Heeb Xmas Eve Farm-toTable Super Chinese Buffet starts with cocktails at 6 p.m. at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., Midtown. Tickets are $72; www.heebxmasatl.com. Jew Jam. Steve’s Live Music, 234 Hilderbrand Drive, Sandy Springs, hosts a Christmas Eve concert sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door; www.steveslivemusic.com. MatzoBall. The holiday party for adults under age 40 is at the Havana Club, 3112 Piedmont Road, Buckhead, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets are $30; matzoball.org/ our_events/matzoball-atlanta. Gozapalooza. The second annual party presented by Goza Tequila, the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival and the Marcus JCC Young Adults runs from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Gold Room, 2416 Piedmont Road, Buckhead. Admission is $25 and includes one drink; bit.ly/1Ij4WJL.
FRIDAY, DEC. 25
Christmas fun. The Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, hosts a family day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with movies, inflatables, basketball, swimming and more. Free; brian.glusman@ atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4161.
THURSDAY, DEC. 31
Sendak exhibit. The Maurice Sendak exhibit “Where the Wild Things Are” closes at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Museum admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and educators, $4 for children 3 to 6, and free for members and younger children; thebreman.org or 678-222-3700.
SUNDAY, JAN. 3
Film festival preview. Bob Bahr and Matthew Bernstein look at the 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and offer their best bets among the documentaries at 3 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs. Registration is $25 (this session is included if you attended the Dec. 20 session on narrative features); www.templesinaiatlanta.org.
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6
Mitzvah projects. Registration is due for the Friendship Circle’s new Mitzvah Volunteer Program, a six-week course to help sixth- and seventh-graders prepare for b’nai mitzvah projects. The program runs from 6:3o to 8 p.m. on six
consecutive Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 12. Free; www.fcatlanta.org.
THURSDAY, JAN. 7
Intro to Judaism. Rabbi Brian Glusman teaches the Brill Institute for Jewish Learning’s “Taste of Judaism” class at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, at 7 p.m. for anyone curious about Jewish tradition. Free; www. atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4152.
SUNDAY, JAN. 10
Film festival tickets. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, running Jan. 26 to Feb. 17, opens ticket sales to the general public at noon through ajff.org and 678-701-6104. Genealogy project. My Family Story, a six-session project of Beit Hatfutsot, the Museum of the Jewish People, with the Breman Museum and Congregation Shearith Israel, begins at 9:30 a.m. at Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Morningside. The project, for children ages 11 to 15, continues Jan. 31, Feb. 28, March 13 and 27, and April 17, culminating in the entrance of art projects into Beit Hatfutsot’s international competition. Free, but registration is limited to 30 children; thebreman.org. Mahjong. Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway, East Cobb, holds a mahjong tournament to benefit the synagogue’s preschool. Players sign in at 12:45 p.m.; play begins at 1. First, second and third places win cash prizes. Registration is $30; etzchaim.net/ mahjonggtournament. Health program. The Greater Atlanta Hadassah Ketura Group and Jewish Family & Career Services sponsor Ketura’s sixth annual L’Chaim program, “A Vibrant New You,” at 1:30 p.m. at JF&CS, 4549 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. Panelists include Belinda Ossip, a holistic health practitioner for the JF&CS Health Power Initiative; Carol Berg, a Yoga Alliance practitioner and instructor; and Debbi Dooley, a JF&CS case manager specializing in older adults. Admission is $10; 770-442-2854 or sfparks@emory.edu. Office warming. InterfaithFamily/Atlanta hangs a mezuzah and holds a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. to show the public its new office space at Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Midtown, on the eighth floor. Free; www.facebook.com/ events/443631345828307.
Send items for the calendar to submissions@atljewishtimes.com. Find more events at atlantajewishtimes.com/events-calendar.
CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES
Parshah Vayechi Friday, Dec. 25, light candles at 5:17 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26, Shabbat ends at 6:16 p.m. Parshah Shemot Friday, Jan. 1, light candles at 5:21 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2, Shabbat ends at 6:21 p.m.
Corrections & Clarifications
Jeff Cohen, who was the runner-up in the People category of Jewish National Fund’s Israel Photo Contest, lives in East Cobb. His place of residence was incorrect in the Dec. 11 issue.
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Sinai, Church to Share Worship and Bible Study By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com
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emple Sinai and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church are taking interfaith relations to the next level in January with a weekend in which the neighboring religious communities study and worship with a leading Jewish scholar of the New Testament. The weekend with Vanderbilt University professor Amy-Jill Levine is a natural extension of the longtime relationship between Sinai and Holy Innocents’, which have run smaller programs together and have used each other’s buildings for worship during renovations of their own facilities. “These are two groups of people that have supported one another for generations,” said the Rev. Michael Sullivan, the rector at Holy Innocents’. Temple Sinai Senior Rabbi Ron Segal called Father Sullivan “a wonderful leader and dear friend” with whom he has taught, but the rabbi said their congregations haven’t jointly brought in a scholar or worshipped together. “This is a new kind of shared experience,” Rabbi Segal said. “We’re really going to be intentional about welcoming as many of their congregants as possible” for Friday worship and dinner and Saturday study, then bringing as many Sinai members as possible to Sunday worship and study. Father Sullivan has studied with Levine and said she is a “dynamic, challenging professor who doesn’t let you hide behind easy answers.” Levine teaches Jewish studies and the New Testament at Vanderbilt and is known, among other scholarly work, for serving as co-editor of “The Jewish Annotated New Testament.” “The New Testament is a book substantially written by and about Jews, so it is part of Jewish history. It has also been used by anti-Semites and other groups for tragic ends,” she said about why she studies the Christian Bible. “I am interested in recovering Jewish history; more, I am interested in helping people see how the Bible should func-
tion to promote love and compassion, not hate and violence.” She is scheduled to address mistakes Christians and Jews make about each other during FriAmy-Jill Levine is the day night servicauthor most recently es, plus the Good of “Short Stories by Samaritan in his Jesus: The Enigmatic Jewish context at Parables of a Controversial Rabbi” Sunday morning She’ll and is the editor with worship. Marc Brettler of “The lead a Saturday Jewish Annotated morning study New Testament,” session on how the second edition Jews and Chrisof which she is tians read Scripworking on now. ture differently and a Sunday school session on reading Jesus’ parables as Jewish stories. Such interfaith worship and study weekends are increasingly common, Levine said. “The point is not for everyone to hold hands and sing ‘Kumbaya.’ We do not sacrifice our own tradition on the altar of interfaith sensitivity. Rather, the point is to learn more about each other and about the texts and traditions we hold sacred.” The shared experience should be full of joy and laughter and not challenge faith, she said. “Belief is like love: It is not something one chooses; it is a matter of the heart, not the intellect.” “We’re removing some of the mystery about what happens at our houses of worship so we appreciate one another and our communities,” Rabbi Segal said. “The more we learn and see how much, with the exception of a few theological distinctions, the more we share as people of faith and citizens of the community, the more it enables us to try to work together.” Opportunities to celebrate differences should be applauded, Father Sullivan said. “Weekends like this allow us to take this relationship even deeper and not just rely on artificial, easy articulation of why we get along.” ■
Who: Vanderbilt scholar Amy-Jill Levine What: Weekend of study and worship When: 5:45 p.m. reception, 6:30 p.m. service and 7:30 p.m. dinner Friday, Jan. 8; 9 a.m. study Saturday, Jan. 9; 9 a.m. worship and 10:10 a.m. study Sunday, Jan. 10 Where: Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, on Friday and Saturday and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, 805 Mount Vernon Highway, on Sunday, both in Sandy Springs Cost: Everything is free and open to the public except for the Friday dinner, which is $18; register at templesinaiatlanta.org or www.holyinnocents.org
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10 Years Ago Dec. 23, 2005 ■ Baila Silverman, 11, found inspiration in the opening of the Georgia Aquarium for her winning entry in the AJT’s Chanukah Art Contest. The Torah Day School sixth-grader’s colorful entry features a fish menorah, seahorses, octopi and deep-blue water. “It’s a great, big Chanukah present to all of Atlanta,” Baila said about the aquarium. She recalled going to preschool with Sharon Marcus, aquarium benefactor Bernie Marcus’ granddaughter. ■ The bar mitzvah ceremony of Adam Schneider of Marietta, son of Jason and Alison Schneider, was held Saturday, Nov. 19, at Temple Sinai. 25 Years Ago Dec. 28, 1990 ■ Atlanta’s four Jewish day schools have almost run out of space after absorbing 105 recent Soviet immigrants, who are receiving one to two years of free education as part of
Atlanta’s effort to absorb the new arrivals. As a result, the 50 school-age children expected to arrive by Oct. 31, 1991, from the Soviet Union may need to go to public schools with supplemental religious education. ■ Jodi and David Dubrof of Atlanta announce the birth of a son, Jordan Blake, on Dec. 6. 50 Years Ago Dec. 24, 1965 ■ Sandy Koufax, perhaps the greatest pitcher in baseball history and Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year, will speak at a dinner Feb. 1 at the Marriott Motor Hotel. Tickets are $25 per plate. Proceeds go to the Leo N. Levi Memorial National Arthritis Hospital. Stars of the Atlanta Braves baseball team and the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League also will be introduced. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Greenbaum of Atlanta announce the engagement of their daughter, Elaine, to Joel Friedman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Israel Friedman of Miami. A February wedding is planned.
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Critical Minds
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Committed Leaders
AJT 5
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ISRAEL NEWS
Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home An Israeli on Mars? Israeli Barak Stoltz spent Chanukah in the Utah desert in a few cramped capsules that make up the Mars Desert Research Station. He lighted his menorah, sang some songs and even tried to make latkes — all while practicing for a mission to Mars.
New city. The Israeli Cabinet on Dec. 20 approved spending a quarter of a billion dollars to turn Harish, near Haifa, into Israel’s first new city in years. The initial investment is expected to expand the population from about 4,000 to at least 50,000. “This will be a new city along the lines of Modi’in,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. Success in trials of arthritis treatment. Tel Aviv-based biotech Kitov has announced that its KIT-302 treatment for osteoarthritis reduced arthritic pain in British trials on 152 patients without heart problems. KIT-302 is the only treatment for both osteoarthritis and hypertension (high blood pressure).
DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
Treatment for radiation disease in Japan. Japan’s Fukushima Medical University and Haifa-based Pluristem Therapeutics plan to develop Plu-
AJT 6
ristem’s PLX-R18 cells to treat acute radiation syndrome. Radiation disease continues to spread since the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster in 2011. Micro-treatment for diabetes. Ramat Gan-based Betalin has significantly increased the lifetime of pancreatic beta cells transplanted into diabetics to produce insulin. Betalin has achieved this success by simultaneously transplanting an Engineered Micro Pancreas to sustain the cells. $20 million for medical research. Robert Kraft, owner of the New England Patriots, is donating $20 million for research in personalized medicine. The Kraft Endowment will enable scientists and physicians to use a patient’s genetic history to understand a disease, then diagnose and develop tailored treatments. Peace through baseball. Fifteen 12-year-olds from Modi’in and 15 sixthgraders from a Christian Orthodox school in the mixed Arab-Jewish city of Ramle met for the third time to play baseball at the Baptist Village field in Petah Tikvah. The program for sixth-
graders is called Baseball for All.
Israel 18th on human development list. Israel ranked 18th out of 188 countries on the 2015 U.N. Human Development Index, which analyzes economic strength, education and health. Israel scored higher than Japan, Belgium, France, Spain, Italy, all of Eastern European, plus African and Arab countries. Biogas for your home. Now you can order a portable digester and turn kitchen waste into cooking gas and fertilizer. Israel’s HomeBiogas has launched a crowdfunding project on Indiegogo through which you can purchase a system for under $1,000. Buy online clothes in the correct size. Startup MySizeID, based in Airport City, has developed an algorithm, SizeUp, that measures your body with the sensors of your smartphone, then works with a retailer to ensure that clothing sizes match the measurements. MySizeID has just raised $4 million. Holiday tourism boom. Israel’s Tourism Ministry is working to welcome the tens of thousands of visitors ex-
pected to arrive for the Christmas period to the country. The ministry plans to provide free shuttles between Jerusalem and Bethlehem for Christmas Mass celebrations and to support Christmas festivities in Nazareth. A fireworks display will be put on by the ministry during the Christmas parade in Nazareth. Additional defense. David’s Sling, an anti-missile system designed to provide a layer of defense between Iron Dome and Arrow, has passed its final test and is on track to become operational in 2016. Enrique the sellout. Spanish pop star Enrique Iglesias’ concert in Tel Aviv on Dec. 16 sold out almost as soon as tickets went on sale, so he decided to perform a second time Dec. 22. Israeli Mr. Universe. Dani Kaganovich, 23, of Beersheva is the first Israeli to win the Mr. Universe competition — one of the bodybuilding world’s biggest titles. He had won the Mr. Universe youth category three years in a row. Compiled courtesy of verygoodnewsisrael. blogspot.com and other news sources.
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EDUCATION
Emory Hillel Gets Proactive Against BDS By April Basler abasler@atljewishtimes.com
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he boycott, divestment and sanctions movement is the biggest Israel-related problem on American college campuses, Hillels of Georgia head Rabbi Russ Shulkes believes, so Emory Hillel took action this fall. Over the recently ended semester, Hillel organized and presented a fourpart lecture series to educate Emory University students on the BDS movement, created by anti-Israel activists 10 years ago to delegitimize Israel by any means possible. The Hillel course, which required an application process, covered topics such as the history of the IsraeliPalestinian debate, anti-Semitism, college campus support and the defense of Israel at the International Criminal Court. The lecture series also explored how media portray Israel and how to understand that portrayal from a practical perspective, as well as what students can do if anything happens on college campuses. Ken Stein, professor of contem-
porary Middle Eastern history, political science and Israeli studies, spoke about BDS from a historical viewpoint. Mark Goldfeder, an Emory Law School senior lecturer and senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion, spoke about BDS from a legal perspective. Also contributing to the series were Rabbi Shulkes, lawyer David Schoen and Hillel Israel Fellow Moran Shabo. About 35 students applied to take the course, and 20 students were selected to participate. The series was open to anyone on Emory’s campus, and several non-Jewish students took part. The course was free and included dinner at each session. Although many states, especially California, have issues with BDS votes and anti-Israel organizations at universities, Rabbi Shulkes said Hillel launched the course as a proactive measure because most Georgia campuses do not face a large BDS threat. Emory, the University of Georgia and other campuses do have Students for Justice in Palestine chapters. The SJP chapter at Oglethorpe University in April helped pass the only college BDS
resolution in Georgia, but the university’s investment committee refused to implement it. Although Oglethorpe has a Jewish president, Lawrence Schall, it has few Jewish students. “Oglethorpe was able to pass a BDS vote underneath our noses because we just don’t have Jews there. We don’t have a Hillel professional who works there,” Rabbi Shulkes said. Emory Hillel also decided to host the lecture series because students lack knowledge of what BDS stands for. “While it’s not something that’s impacting our students on a daily basis, it’s definitely something that we want our students to know about, how to combat it and how to talk educationally about it,” Rabbi Shulkes said. Emory Hillel wanted students to take away a lot of good information from the lecture series, but one fact in particular. “The most important thing I would say is that BDS is an attack on Israel,” Rabbi Shulkes said. “It’s not a small issue. It’s not something that is about trying to make sure Israel suffers economically. The BDS program and ideology is about the destruction of Israel.”
Based on feedback from surveys after the course, the lecture series was successful; students had only positive comments. The lecture series was a local initiative. Emory Hillel was not responding to any national push by Hillel. Goldfeder said Rabbi Shulkes made the right move by bringing the lecture series to Emory. “He’s doing a good job of making sure that Emory people can become educated about these issues and become a school people can turn to,” Goldfeder said. “I think he did a good job of getting ahead of the game and making sure people are educated and are doing this the right way, as opposed to some kind of reactionary way. Education is really important on all sides of the equation.” Hillels of Georgia plans to repeat the series in the spring semester at Emory and to add a course through the University of Georgia Hillel chapter. “If it goes well at UGA, we might roll it out to Georgia Tech or Georgia State, as long as we continue to have positive feedback and these professors are free,” Rabbi Shulkes said. ■
Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of Jewish People & The Breman Museum Present:
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AJT 7
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BUSINESS
To Life With Chai Peking By Rachel Stein
O
ne of the unfathomable nonbiblical mysteries of Judaism is the affinity of Jews for Chinese cuisine. Reuven Michoel Robbins, the owner of Chai Peking, shares a glimpse of life inside the longest-operating kosher meat restaurant in Atlanta. Those of us who frequent Kroger in the Toco Hill Shopping Center can’t imagine life without Chai Peking. The devotion, concern and patience of Robbins and his wife, Trudy, are part and parcel of Jewish life here. AJT: What are the roots of Chai Peking? Robbins: Twenty years ago my wife, Trudy, and I were in Los Angeles during winter break. We dined frequently at Chick’n Chow, a kosher Chinese to-go restaurant. During that time, I was interested in changing jobs and had my eyes open for a new employment opportunity. “What do you think of bringing a kosher Chinese restaurant to Atlanta?” I asked Trudy, and she loved the idea. Gary Lubowski, Kroger’s capable manager, was equally enthusiastic and approached his superiors with the idea. The powers that be were ready to run with the project, but 18 long months passed until they were ready for us to open.
DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
AJT: Why did it take 18 months? Robbins: 1996 was the year the Olympics came to Atlanta. Kroger was very busy opening additional stores to accommodate the expected overflow of consumers. Although the extended wait seemed difficult at the time, ultimately the year and a half proved beneficial, giving me the time I needed to learn all I could about the … business.
AJT
AJT: What motivated you to establish a kosher Chinese restaurant? Robbins: Giving something back to the community, making it easier for people to keep kosher, and providing an adequate livelihood to support my family were the three main catalysts for launching my new endeavor. One writer penned an article condemning us to fail before we ever opened our doors, and another prominent individual called my vision a “pipe dream.” With G-d’s blessings, we are currently in our 18th year.
AJT: How do you relate to Chinese workers and kosher understanding? 8 Robbins: My workers know we
have to check eggs for blood spots, vegetables for insects, and to wait for us to turn on the flames before they begin cooking. They are very astute and respectful and have a great love for the many, varied Jewish holidays. Who wouldn’t anticipate paid vacation? My head cook has been with us for 17 years, and my second cook almost two years. I’ve told my cooks, “You don’t work for me; we work together. I just call the shots, but we’re a team.” They work with loyalty and devotion, and we’re grateful to have them. AJT: What lessons have you culled along the way? Robbins: Sunday was predicted to be my busiest day, but sometimes it’s slow. To my surprise, different days can be jam-packed. Throughout these 18 years, I’ve come to realize that G-d is running the show. Sometimes people ask me if the competition hurts my business. “Of course not,” I assure them. I know the secret: My income is determined by G-d on Rosh Hashanah, and no one can take away what’s supposed to be mine. The challenge is keeping that focus no matter what’s going on in my life, but I know it’s the truth, and I do my best to internalize that reality. We’re employed by our customers; they continue to support us. If we take care of our customers, they’ll take care of us. Like anything in life, what you give is what you get. I’ve learned to keep my mouth closed and do my best to listen to what our customers are saying and what they are not saying. It’s important to be a good listener. And patience, patience and more patience is an invaluable commodity. Because when Jewish people are hungry, watch out! I know not to take things personally and have developed a thicker skin. Often customers simply want their food and need to go; they’re not trying to be curt. AJT: Do gentiles frequent Chai Peking? Robbins: Thirty percent of my business is non-Jewish, whether they are Muslims or other nationalities. We also cater to people who are gluten-free and … afflicted with celiac disease. The app Findmeglutenfree has helped us immeasurably as we endeavor to provide for varied dietary specifications. AJT: What are the origins of Thursday night cholent? Robbins: Can it be that there are
Chai Peking has operated from Kroger in the Toco Hill Shopping Center for 18 years.
families in our community who don’t have enough food to eat? Startled and dismayed by the discovery, my wife and I conceived the idea of making and selling cholent on Thursday nights, with 100 percent of our proceeds going to support Yad L’Yad, a local organization that benefits our Jewish friends and neighbors who have come upon hard times. Cholent nights have become an opportunity that enables us to give tzedakah on a regular basis. AJT: Are your customers all local? Robbins: Our customers come from all over the U.S. People come to Atlanta for business, and they always come back to Chai Peking. Many years ago we did a function in Nashville for 150 people. Someone flew a private plane to pick up the order, part of which included 28 gallons of soup. I had never seen such a huge quantity of soup in my life. We used to fly orders out on dry ice, but FedEx regulations make it much more difficult to do so, claiming it’s a fire hazard. We’ve driven food down to Jacksonville, Fla., using coolers. If people want our food, we’ll get it to them. AJT: What are some memorable moments? Robbins: One lady was very ill with cancer and was not able to tolerate most foods. She would order our egg drop soup, insisting that it made her feel better. Those were the best moments, the ones that will last a lifetime. We still have the thank-you note she wrote. It’s very gratifying when people enjoy your food. When New Yorkers confide, “Your Chinese is better than any of our Chinese restaurants back home,” it’s uplifting. Meeting people from all over the world is a broadening and spectacular experience. People come from all over, returning every few years, and we develop relationships. Sometimes I’ll forget a name, but I never forget a face. The number of part-time boys who once worked for me and now have smicha (rabbinical ordination) is incred-
ible. I’m not sure what the connection is between Chinese food and the rabbinate; it must be another one of those imponderables. When a reporter called from The New York Times to interview us, we wondered if we were dreaming. That interview led to our being featured in a book called “The Fortune Cookie Chronicles,” which was, hold on to your seats, ladies and gentlemen, on the New York Times best-seller list. Chai Peking was written up in the chapter titled “Why Is Chow Mein the Chosen Food of the Chosen People?” AJT: How is working with the Atlanta Kashruth Commission? Robbins: Atlanta Kashruth works hand in hand with me, and we enjoy a congenial relationship. As long as we do what we’re supposed to do and follow their guidelines, everything proceeds smoothly. AJT: What are some challenges? Robbins: We wish we could offer a broader menu but are restricted due to space limitations. AJT: What is your vision for the future? Robbins: I would like to open Chai Peking in Israel and hope to fulfill that dream after our children graduate high school and middle school. AJT: Any closing remarks? Robbins: I can hardly believe 18 years have passed since we opened. When a huge line snaked in front of our counter on that awesome first day, I reminded my team, “Don’t look at the line and feel overwhelmed. Just look at the person standing in front of you.” With that in mind, we could properly tend to each person’s requests and have tried to continue in that vein ever since. We are deeply appreciative to G-d and our clientele, who have supported us for so many years. We are also grateful to our vendors and to our landlord, Kroger. Without their support throughout the years, we wouldn’t be here today. ■
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BUSINESS
Purple Hippo Moves Studio to JCC By Logan C. Ritchie lritchie@atljewishtimes.com
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arni Steinhardt, a 34-year-old mom of two, purchased Purple Hippo two years ago. Now with the new year, thanks to a boom in business, the Dunwoody art studio is making a new home at the Marcus Jewish Community Center. Purple Hippo began as an art studio with limited options for children. Steinhardt increased community visibility by adding classes, workshops, school programming and parties. Listening to her clients and responding to community requests, Steinhardt expanded her business right out of a Dunwoody shopping center. After an extensive search, Steinhardt and Rabbi Brian Glusman approached the Marcus JCC about renting a space in the new Kuniansky Family Center. Steinhardt’s classes will begin there Jan. 4. Families don’t have to be JCC members to take Purple Hippo classes in the studio’s new home. Steinhardt said she is not concerned about losing longtime custom-
Starting in January, children will meet at the Marcus JCC’s Kuniansky Family Center for their Purple Hippo art classes.
ers, including a local church preschool. “I’ve told everyone you don’t have to be Jewish to attend. Everyone is welcome. Our non-Jewish and Indian population has followed us.” Originally from New York by way of Florida, Steinhardt holds degrees in children’s theater and child psychology and a master’s degree in elementary and special education. Her background includes teaching at the Epstein School and for the state of Georgia in special education. As the online teacher of 24 autistic and emotionally and behaviorally challenged children, Steinhardt spends her time working with the parents of
her students: filing paperwork, helping with their educational journey, assessing psych evaluations, and generally providing family support. She calls herself an educator and “believer in feeding good thoughts. I believe we can make a better world through children if we give them a chance.” Local homeschooling groups seek out Purple Hippo for a creative outlet, socialization and freedom of creativity. “When students walk in, they tell me what they want. If a kid comes in and says he wants to build a canoe, I look at my staff and say, ‘You’re building a canoe.’ I want everyone to come
and feel comfortable,” she said. An East Cobb resident, Steinhardt is active in the Jewish community at Congregation Etz Chaim. But her Jewish reach extends all over metro Atlanta. From volunteering with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta to running arts and crafts events at synagogues and providing children’s activities at events such as October’s Kosher BBQ Competition, Steinhardt is community-driven. Now in addition to delivering Jewish arts content to religious schools, Steinhardt is partnering with SAGE Speech & Learning at the Marcus JCC to implement speech therapy play groups for ages 10 to 36 months, starting Jan. 29. Jared Powers, the JCC’s chief programming officer, said he is excited to welcome Steinhardt and Purple Hippo to campus. Steinhardt plans to add an afterschool program, tie-dye bar, hand sculpting class and morning play groups for young children. She also hopes to be involved in Marcus JCC events, such as the Book Festival and holiday celebrations. ■
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OPINION
Our View
Dual Loyalty
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DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
ne of the classic slanders against Jews is the accusation of divided loyalties — the idea that a nation can’t trust its Jewish citizens because they answer to some outside force, whether an international conspiratorial organization or Israel. It’s not a uniquely anti-Jewish charge. American Catholics at least through John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential run were suspected of putting the Vatican above Washington. Muslims today face similar suspicions, as do immigrants throughout the West. Still, the charge has clung with persistence to the Jewish people without justification, so perhaps we shouldn’t have been surprised by a report from The Wall Street Journal’s Bret Stephens on Thursday, Dec. 17, about a Jewish dentist named Gershon Pincus. According to Stephens, Pincus decided after 35 years of private practice in New York to take a parttime job doing basic dental work at a naval clinic hundreds of miles away in Sarasota Springs, N.Y. He didn’t do it for the money, which was far less than in his own practice; he did it for love of country. The problem arose during the screening for his security clearance as a civilian employee of the military. He seemed to breeze through the interview in October 2014, but he was called in for a second interview in March because of his suspicious ties to Israel. Those ties consist of two siblings who made aliyah in the 1980s; his dementia-afflicted mother, who moved to Israel so her daughter could care for her; and a son who served in the Israel Defense Forces but died of a drug overdose. Pincus has visited Israel three times and regularly calls his mother. Those connections were enough for the Office of Personnel Management in September to deny his security clearance and thus his Navy job because of the risk that he might leak valuable information about sailors’ cavities to a sibling, who then could report that intel to the Mossad. Or something like that. Stephens found that 58 people have appealed denials related to Israeli ties during the Obama administration; 36 lost. We don’t know how many people accepted such rejections without appealing. We do know that suspicions about Israeli ties are unique among U.S. allies — one French citizen and no British citizens lost such appeals during the same period — even though in the era of Wikileaks it’s clear that everyone to some extent is spying on everyone. We don’t know whether federal officials missed obvious signs that San Bernardino terrorist Tashfeen Malik had Islamist leanings before she immigrated to marry her partner in massacre, Syed Rizwan Farook. Perhaps homeland security officials went easy on her to avoid any appearance of anti-Muslim bias. Muslims are not the enemies of the United States, and Muslims should not be kept out merely because of their religion. But it is practical to apply extra scrutiny to people from nations where Islamist terrorism is most active, including Malik’s native Pakistan. Instead of worrying about real external threats, however, our federal government is wasting time and personnel rooting out a nearly nonexistent threat based on a virulently anti-Semitic belief in Jewish dual loyalties. 10 The result is both offensive and dangerous. ■
AJT
An Ode to Google’s ‘Ode to Joy’
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his is not a Jewish column; it’s about a Google the point that I could pound out a barely passable Doodle. “Chopsticks,” the only effort I put into playing music The animation on Google’s home page came when my sons were babies. Thursday, Dec. 17, celebrated the 245th birthday of Like most middle-class tots, they had an assortLudwig van Beethoven, and for 10 minutes I found ment of Fisher-Price-type musical toys: a keyboard, myself playing with cartoon Ludwig and a few of his a xylophone, a guitar that used color-coded keys greatest hits. If you didn’t happen to stumble upon instead of strings. To encourage their play, their curithis Google Doodle, you have my sympathy. osity and their music-driven brain development (and The cartoon story was perhaps entranced simple enough: Ludwig is late by the colors and to deliver some sheet music lights), I did my best Editor’s Notebook and runs into trouble. He steps to make music. By Michael Jacobs in something unpleasant, and Fortunately, I’m while he deals with that mess, mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com not tone-deaf, so I a horse behind him (remember, could at least hear poor Ludwig is quite deaf) chews whether my notes up the music and spits out the matched anything. pieces. Then he trips, and the music flies into a tree. As it happens, the one real song I taught myself was He collects the music but drops it back into the “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s “Ninth,” which is a street, where a carriage rolls over it. As he crosses a beautiful but simple melody that fits within the limbridge, the wind blows the sheets into the river. ited scale of a musical toy made for a 2-year-old. Google’s task: Reassemble portions of the music “Ode to Joy” also has long been special to me. My for the “Fifth Symphony,” “Fur Elise,” “Moonlight grandfather, who died less than 10 months before Sonata” and “Ninth Symphony.” It was particularly my wedding and was a true connoisseur of music, tough for those who, like me, don’t read music. used to say that Beethoven wrote his best symphony I’m the black sheep of the family when it comes when he was deaf, referring to the “Ninth.” And my to music. I grew up in a house with a piano-playing wife and I used “Ode to Joy” for our wedding recesmom and a dad who regularly played a couple of gui- sional, in part because its universality made it work tars and occasionally pulled out a banjo. My brother for a crowd of Jews and non-Jews alike. played some piano. So maybe it was luck that after struggling to My wife grew up playing music. One of my sons recompose three Beethoven pieces Dec. 17, I put eight played the bass clarinet in high school; the other “Ode to Joy” sections into the proper order in one try. played the tenor sax. Both have dabbled in other Maybe I received some inspiration and guidance. instruments. Regardless, that Google Doodle brought me a Me? I’ll sing with the radio on occasion, but I silly sense of accomplishment and, yes, a tremennever picked up an instrument, never took piano les- dous amount of joy. And if Judaism is largely about sons, never showed the slightest interest in being in family and tradition as Tevye would have us believe orchestra or marching band or a garage rock band. — I first heard the “Fiddler on the Roof” soundtrack Other than plinking around with the famon my grandfather’s turntable — maybe this is a ily piano a couple of times a year as a youth, to Jewish column after all. ■
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
OPINION
One Year Down, Many to Go
Letter To The Editor
Adjust Attitude on Aging In “Planning for Life Events We Can’t Control” (Dec. 4), Jeff Taratoot rightly asks, “What plans have we made for our inevitable old age?” Millions of us who are looking after aging parents have much experience with that generation’s “plans” or lack thereof. The most fortunate of us have parents with the means to pay for the Lenbrooks or Piedmonts or private-duty home care to which Taratoot refers. However, even money does not provide the emotional wherewithal to anticipate, manage and cope with the aging process that every one of us will experience, one way or the other. Living longer and being healthier longer also mean being old longer than most of our parents imagined or had to manage with their parents. If we don’t die suddenly, the period between healthy old through disabled to death can be five to 10 to 20 arduous years. I have been a hospice and geriatric social worker for 10 years and a primary caregiver to my 90-plus-year-old parents for five years. If I had a nickel for every old person who has despon-
Write to Us
I am confident that virtually every one of our readers took exception to an article or two throughout the year,
Publisher’s Letter By Michael A. Morris michael@atljewishtimes.com
as did I. The key is for us to remain fair and balanced and offer you different perspectives and sometimes conflicting opinions for you to judge and opine. I want to personally and publicly dently said, “I never thought I would end up this way,” I too might one day be able to afford a luxury senior community. I will never have the financial resources my parents managed to pull together, which are evaporating with every day of their 24/7 care. In other ways, however, I will be much better prepared than they have been. Why? Because I will never feel disappointed, victimized or unprepared for my physical or cognitive decline. I will do everything possible to maintain my physical and mental strength and well-being and expect, accept and adapt to my increasing debilities with modified activities and ambitions. I will help create and move myself to an accessible and manageable care community of my peers rather than force my child to do this for me, kicking and screaming, in the midst of some crisis. I will make it clear to my loved ones that after the age of 75, medical interventions such as surgeries and chemotherapies (much less feeding tubes and expensive treatments) are strictly off limits so that I can die as brief and natural a death as possible. I will situate my life so that I can live well without driving rather than force my child to wrestle my keys away from me. I will appreciate any caregiv-
The Atlanta Jewish Times welcomes your letters in response to articles we run and in regard to issues of interest to our Jewish community. Letters should be no more than 400 words. Longer opinion pieces may be considered for use as guest columns. Submit letters at atlantajewishtimes.com or email them to mjacobs@ atljewishtimes.com. Include your town or city of residence (for publication) and a phone number (not for publication) for verification purposes.
thank Michael Jacobs for a great year. The community and I could not ask for someone more devoted to our paper’s coverage of Jewish events and news, nor to professional journalistic standards. I would also like to thank the entire team at the office. We are like a bowl of jelly beans. We are all different, yet without our individual strengths and inputs, the Times would not be the paper it has become today, nor could it reach its aspirations in the years to come. Finally, I would like to thank my father. Without his support, both personally and professionally, the new Atlanta Jewish Times could not have
attained this level of community acceptance this quickly. I challenge myself and my team to be the best that we can be so that we can continue to support the Jewish community of greater Atlanta, to maintain the highest level of journalistic integrity, and to have a good time doing so. Next year, please put us on your list of things to do. Write us and tell us your thoughts. We want to hear your opinions on issues that face our community, and our readers want to hear from other readers as well. Please stay engaged and join the discussion. Grow with us. ■
ing assistance I can get rather than yell, “I don’t need that! I don’t want those people hanging around my house!” My mother’s incredibly deliberate, frugal and wise financial planning for old age has been a godsend for her, my dad and her children. The denial, shame, indignation, and refusal to recognize and accept their declining health and capacities have added an excruciating additional layer of pain,
crisis and suffering to a heartbreaking series of losses. This is the aspect of planning for old age upon which I hope my generation will improve, regardless of our finances. It would be an educational legacy to our children and a gift of grace to admire and appreciate. — Jenifer J. Firestone, Atlanta, Weinstein Hospice social worker and volunteer coordinator
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hank you, Atlanta. This is the 49th and last issue for 2015 and marks the first year of Michael Jacobs as your editor and myself as your publisher. I want you to know that we are looking forward to many more years, even decades, together, providing salient, timely, newsworthy coverage to the greater Atlanta Jewish community. We have heard from several hundred readers through the year, and I believe that the general consensus is that we are providing interesting, engaging and relevant information to our community.
AJT 11
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OPINION
What Price Experience?
B
uilding a pediatric practice within the community engenders a mixed bag of emotions: breathless excitement, hopeful anticipation and unbridled joy alongside concern and confusion. Dr. Schwartz’s hiring dilemma was aired two weeks ago, and he received two intriguing responses. Dear Dr. Schwartz: What price tag can you put on experience? OK, Dr. Schwartz, I’ll admit it: Your dilemma left me reeling. Heaven sent you the answer to your prayers on a silver platter, and you’re seesawing in uncertainty? What is there to ponder? A mature, responsible secretary who has been on the job for decades comes your way, and you hesitate to take the plunge? Why? Yes, you will have to pay a higher salary commensurate with her qualifications. But the investment will surely reap untold dividends. Would you purchase an old car with a faulty transmission because the asking price is low? Presumably you would opt not to spend the better part of the next few years visiting mechanics and would therefore choose to invest in a newer model that is in topnotch condition. How is your hiring dilemma any different? With Lori, the long-term investment will be worth your while. When you enter your office in the mornings
and leave in the evenings, you will have the security of knowing that everything is in order, managed by capable hands. Not only will that give you
Shared Spirit By Rachel Stein rachels83@gmail.com
peace of mind, but it will create an atmosphere that families appreciate. Patients will flock to you as your reputation for competence and organization spreads. I’ve had my share of secretaries come and go over the years, and this Lori sounds like a gift. If you choose not to hire her, can you please send me her résumé? All the best, Dan B. Dear Dr. Schwartz: Congratulations on opening your new practice! I hope you are soon flooded with patients who will appreciate your dedication to their health and well-being. After reading your dilemma, I feel strongly that you should give Shelly a chance. My mental Rolodex spins back to a time when I, too, was just starting out and going on frequent job interviews. I can almost feel that knot
Media Play Trump Card
D
DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
onald Trump claimed earlier in the Republican primary season that his interview and debate performances increased the ratings of those media outlets that covered him. He was correct. What he didn’t know was that cable news programs also get high ratings by covering Trump’s gaffes. And boy, does The Donald provide fodder for commentary. Here are five groups the Republican candidate has offended with memorable remarks: • Mexican immigrants. It is not often that a candidate for president begins his campaign with a major gaffe. Trump did so June 16 at Trump Tower when he said of Mexican immigrants, 12 “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bring-
AJT
ing crime. They’re rapists, and some, I assume, are good people.” Trump’s rat-
Guest Column By Jordan Barkin
ings increased at the time, but, given that an increasing percentage of the electorate is Mexican-American, this comment may damage his long-term political prospects. • Women. In December 2006, Trump called Rosie O’Donnell “fat little Rosie.” The comment gained media attention at the time but faded. That is, until Trump criticized the looks of his opponent Carly Fiorina in Rolling Stone, remarking, “Look at that face!”
of tension, picturing my younger self approaching yet another potential boss, desperate and oh so eager to land that coveted position. Attaining that first job is so challenging, and the frequent rejections are more than disheartening. Yet Shelly deserves a chance; she seems confident, capable and talented. What an asset to be young and malleable, as you said. While building your practice, you will grow into your unique, professional style while learning the language of your patients and families. Lori already speaks her own language, which will compel you to adapt to her methods. Shelly, on the other hand, will easily conform to your needs and changing expectations. Regarding technology, while Lori may know the basics, it is an indisputable fact that the younger generation is much more adept at computers than their older counterparts. I am confident that Shelly will be able to vanquish any computer jargon put at her disposal, helping you to navigate the often confusing sea of advancements in industrial science. There is an additional concern that lurks in the shadows when hiring someone who has worked in one profession for so many years, and that is burnout. As Lori said, she has been doing this work for a lifetime. Your office needs the enthusiasm and excitement of someone embarking on a fresh start alongside you, not someone who is painting her nails and glancing at the clock every few minutes, already planning for retirement.
And there is the practical issue you raised: Shelly will agree to a lower starting salary, and that can make a substantial difference in your finances. With your many costs and expenditures, it can be quite helpful not to have to pay top dollar for a secretary. I recommend offering a training session to Shelly for about a week’s duration before you open your doors. Allow her to learn the ins and outs of the office, which patients to prioritize, and when to consult with you vs. when to use her own judgment. Wishing you all the best at this exciting new juncture, Randy Goldman
• The media. Yes, journalists and commentators are accustomed to being called liberal and hypercritical. But usually politicians make these media criticisms with more finesse. Trump, by contrast, fought with NBC and its property Univision early in his campaign. He then went on to, inexplicably, feud with two television hosts who are quite fair to Republicans, Megyn Kelly of Fox and Joe Scarborough of MSNBC. • The physically disabled. In late November, Trump made more news by mocking the hand movements of reporter Serge Kovaleski, who has a disability. Few people rushed to Trump’s defense that time. • Muslims. On Dec. 7, a campaign press release read, “Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States until our country’s representa-
tives can figure out what is going on.” Never mind that Islam is a diverse religion with more than a billion followers from numerous nations, many of which are American allies. In Trump’s defense, there is a great deal of scrutiny in this era of constant news coverage, criticism on the Internet and smartphones. But other candidates from both parties seem to have made fewer preventable gaffes. And Trump seems to have demonstrated a pattern of unclear strategy and rash interactions with others. One thing is for certain: Not all attention is positive attention. ■
Shaking his head, Dr. Schwartz reaches for his ever-present mug of coffee. Oh, for a secretary who will keep a piping hot mug on my desk within arm’s reach! Both advisers made valid points, and precisely for that reason, it seems the good doctor will have to decide on his own. Heads or tails? Experience and maturity win, Dr. Schwartz finally decides, and a wave of calm descends on him. Ah, the joy of clarity and knowing your next step! “Mrs. Boden? This is Dr. Schwartz calling. I am pleased to offer you the position of secretary.” And now to pen a rejection letter to Shelly. I feel her pain — poor girl. Hopefully she’ll find something worthy of her in the near future. In the meantime, I will try to be as gentle and compassionate as possible, assuring her that I saw many positive qualities and wishing her the best of luck in her future endeavors. ■
A freelance writer and former associate editor at Veranda, Atlanta native Jordan Barkin divides his time between his home in South Alabama and his family’s home in Atlanta.
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
BUSINESS
Riding Rudolph Back to Judaism ited commingling, restricted interaction and deliberate segregation. The isolation stunted us but
Guest Column By Rabbi Shalom Lewis
sustained us as well with the absence of facile, alien seductions. And so we lived in the shtetl, in the ghetto, in the Pale, and life proceeded year after year without McDonald’s, golf and Shabbos SATs. Options were narrow, bigotry strong, and so we rarely strayed far from home. And then along came America. A nation unique in our history, where the Jew is embraced unconditionally and granted full citizenship, no strings attached. This blessing was sweet, but in time we ate and dressed and lived like everyone else. We were indistinguishable from our neighbors in appear-
ance and in deed. The melting pot homogenized everyone. In the mirror, staring back, was not Finkelstein and Schwartz, but Smith and Jones. We had arrived. It was and remains a great moment in our history, but how do we remember that Moses and Hillel are our heroes alongside Lincoln and Mantle? That Torah is our sacred document as well as the Constitution? That Sinai and Washington are both holy places? Rabbis can wax eloquent and preach with podium-pounding passion, but folks are going to do what they wish, what is easier, and what, let’s face it, they perceive as more fun. So what do we do to remind the possible spiritual defectors that they belong here, not there? It is a challenge, but at least once a year we loyalists have an ally in Christmas. During the post-Thanksgiving weeks till New Year’s, we have a friend in Jesus. (Please do not quote me out of context.) The beauty and allure and bombardment of Christmas remind the Jews of their Judaism. From the outside we can admire and appreciate the
sentiment of “peace on Earth and good will toward men,” Drummer Boy and Santa, but they do not belong to us. I love the lights and the melodies, the tinsel and Rudolph. I appreciate the majesty of Handel’s “Messiah” and the towering, glittering tree at 30 Rock, but these serve as gentle reminders that we are Jews. It is a kindly push-back, and for those among us teetering on the cusp, it is a call to return home, to light our chanukiah, to sing “Maoz Tsur” and to eat latkes. There are places in this glorious country where faith overlaps, and there are places of religious distinction. We dare not get confused and lose our dignity in the pursuit of that which belongs to others. But if all else fails, remember the Claxton Fruit Cake. A nibble and our equivocating co-religionist friends will come begging for bobka and rugalach. A merry Christmas to our Christian friends, and a happy Chanukah to us. ■ Rabbi Lewis is the spiritual leader of Congregation Etz Chaim.
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ur history is one of victimization, exclusion, and begrudging, occasional tolerance. When we were embraced, it was for a purpose, and when we were invited in, there was an agenda of exploitation. Typically, we were ostracized and dwelt apart. We lived far from the action. Social evolution and social revolution were distant, tantalizing dreams, but not ours to experience. It was clear who we were. Our language was different. Our faith was different. Our clothing was different. Everything about us screamed outsider. There was no difficulty identifying the Jew. Eating a salad, tucking in our tzitzis, shaving our beard just didn’t work. We were branded. But the bittersweet consequence of such isolation preserved us from assimilation. The rejection without preserved the Yiddishkeit within. There was lim-
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Bet Big or Fold
Jewish casino experts see gambling’s potential amid the risks in Georgia By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com
J
osh Arieh has a simple reason for wanting to see casino gambling legalized in Georgia. The professional poker player, with career tournament winnings of nearly $7 million, could go to work, then sleep in his own bed in Alpharetta. Mike Leven, the former president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp., the casino and resort company founded by billionaire Sheldon Adelson, sees a low probability of the state legalizing casinos and worries that legislators will not ask the right questions. Jason Frank, who has experience with online and brick-and-mortar casino enterprises, offers a cautionary tale about the benefits touted by proponents. These members of Atlanta’s Jewish community have unique insights into an issue likely to make headlines in early 2016. Atlanta-area rabbis, many of whom are recreational poker players, have said little about the issue, though the holy books suggest that the rabbis of old took a dim view of wagering for profit (and loss). In the coming months, rabbis may contrast biblical references to casting lots with casting dice down a green felt table. The odds on casino gambling will become clearer after Jan. 11, when the Georgia General Assembly convenes a session that likely will adjourn in midMarch. Legislators may find before them a resolution to amend the state constitution and legalize casino gambling, earmarking a percentage of the proceeds to the HOPE college scholarship fund and the state-funded pre-kindergarten program.
DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
Billions for Education Money for education was the lure when Georgia entered the lottery business in June 1993 after 52 percent of voters approved its creation in the previous November’s election. The Georgia Lottery Commission has reported sales of more than $59 billion since 1993, producing more than $16.7 billion for education. The size of a casino windfall for education would depend on the tax rate applied to revenues, a figure that could be contentious if the proposal 14 gets that far.
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Photo courtesy of Las Vegas Sands
Sheldon Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands Corp. would likely invest $2 billion to create a destination resort in line with its Venetian in Las Vegas, former Las Vegas Sands President Mike Leven says.
This is a high-stakes game. The keepers of Georgia’s coffers know that hundreds of millions of dollars — estimates range as high as $400 million — cross the borders for casinos and resorts in other states. Casino backers tout some big numbers if the state gives gamblers the option to stay home. A proposal by Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, who heads the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee, calls for up to six “destination” casino resort licenses across five geographic zones in Georgia: metro Atlanta (two, with one more limited than the other); Columbus; Macon; Savannah; and South Georgia. Potential Atlanta sites include a downtown area known as the “Gulch” and property near Centennial Park. Leven and others suggested the Turner Field property, which the Atlanta Braves will vacate after the 2016 season, but the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority announced Dec. 21 the selection of Atlanta real estate company Carter and Georgia State Uni-
versity as the winner bidders for the 67 acres. Their plans call for student housing, apartments and retail space, as well as the conversion of the baseball stadium for use by Georgia State’s football team. The six proposed casinos could have a combined impact of $5 billion per year, create more than 30,000 permanent jobs and bring in $288 million a year in taxes, according to a study by the consulting firm Marquette Advisors (“international hospitality and gaming consultants” retained by MGM Resorts International) for House and Senate committees considering methods of preserving the HOPE scholarship. Annual Olympics The House committee was scheduled to issue a report on its findings by Dec. 1, but that date was extended. Its final meeting was held Dec. 10, and the report is expected by Dec. 31. A separate report is expected from the Senate committee. The $5 billion annual figure — a combination of $2.8 billion in direct im-
pact and $2.2 billion in what is termed “catalytic” impact — is the “equivalent of hosting another Summer Olympic Games every year,” according to the study. The Marquette Advisors report estimates that 26 million people a year would visit those casinos and spend $2.4 billion. The job creation would consist of 15,655 in the casino industry and 14,626 generated indirectly — equivalent to 10 percent of those currently unemployed in Georgia. In addition to the $288 million in taxes for education, the report projects $345 million in federal payroll taxes, $200 million in sales taxes, $29 million in property taxes and $9.3 million in hotel taxes. Whatever tax rate would be applied to the hypothetical casino revenues — the 12 percent figure in the legislative proposal should be considered an opening bid — would be compared with the percentage the lottery provides to the education fund. While the state law “encourages”
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Two Steps to Bet Legalizing casino gambling in Georgia would be a two-part process. First, two-thirds of both houses of the legislature would have to vote to put a constitutional amendment before Georgia voters, possibly in 2016 (amendments are permitted on the ballot only in even-numbered years), and a majority of voters would have to say yes. The second part would address the devil in the details: enabling legislation defining how casino gambling would be operated and regulated, including the tax rate on casino revenues. Republican Gov. Nathan Deal has said he opposes an expansion of gambling beyond the state-run lottery and video slot machine games. The governor could not block a constitutional amendment as it made its way through the legislature, but he would have to sign off on the enabling legislation. Observers of Georgia politics report that Deal has signaled he might refrain from vetoing such legislation if voters approved a constitutional amendment. Before a casino opened for busi-
ness, voters in its designated region also would have to vote on whether to host a casino. State Rep. Michele Henson, DStone Mountain, the only Jew in the Georgia House, is unsure whether casinos in the Atlanta area would be a good idea. She is one of only a handful of legislators who remain from when the lottery was approved. “I’d like to see more money going toward our students. I think pre-K is very, very important. I think likewise the HOPE scholarship has been very instrumental in allowing a lot of kids to go to college,” said Henson, for whom education has been a legislative priority. She said she would want to study the details of the enabling legislation before passing judgment. The percentage of revenues casinos would pay the state would be the key, in her view. Don’t Bet on It Leven, a veteran of the hospitality industry, left Las Vegas Sands in 2014 after five years as the right hand to Adelson and now is the chairman and chief executive officer of the Georgia Aquarium. “I think there’s a low probability it will pass,” Leven said of a casino amendment. “Even if it passes, I’m concerned about whether they do it right. If they do it right, it could be a massive economic generator for the state and the city of Atlanta. If they do it wrong, it will be a bust and recirculate money that’s already there. … The only way to do it right is a really significant destination resort in Atlanta.” A Las Vegas-style resort, he said, would draw money from out of state while also serving people who now travel to North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi and beyond to gamble. The Southeast has no such resort now. As an impressive noncasino venture in the region, he mentioned the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. “The only reason you want it to happen is if, in fact, it is an economic development function, meaning that it creates jobs, development, tourism, and it’s done in the right way so that the state or the cities also gain revenue. If it doesn’t do that, if it’s not for economic development, it’s not worth doing,” Leven said. Smaller casinos elsewhere in the state would run the risk of merely recirculating money already in the local economy, he said, but Atlanta could hit the jackpot with a Southern twist
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the lottery to give about 35 percent of its ticket sales to the fund, the return rate in fiscal 2015 was about 25 percent, or $980.5 million on revenue of more than $4 billion. In fiscal 2016, the return is expected to exceed $1 billion. Since the inception of the lottery, more than 1.7 million students have used some $8 billion in HOPE scholarships, and 1.4 million 4-year-olds have attended state-funded pre-K programs. The general HOPE scholarship (different from what now is called the Zell Miller scholarship, which has higher academic requirements) provides money to students with a 3.0 grade point average in high school (which must be maintained in college). For example, HOPE in 2014 paid 79 percent of the tuition for students taking at least 15 hours of classes at the University of Georgia, the largest college or university in the state. To cope with financial pressures, the HOPE program has reduced its benefits (no longer covering books or fees), and the pre-K program increased class sizes. The law also mandates that the Georgia Lottery Corp. annually devote up to $200,000 of unclaimed winnings to programs for the prevention and treatment of problem gamblers — an amount that, even if met, is less than what’s needed for the task, said Eric Groh, the director of the Georgia Council on Problem Gambling.
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LOCAL NEWS on the Venetian, operated by Las Vegas Sands, or the Bellagio, operated by MGM. Leven said a $2 billion investment — the type he could imagine Adelson making — would create a casino-hotelretail-entertainment complex employing 6,000 to 7,000 people and potentially returning $350 million annually to the state. “What you want when you develop things is for the gift to keep on giving.” Leven has not talked with his former boss about Atlanta, he said, but “I’d like to see Sheldon do it because I think he’d do the right thing.” The casino itself would produce 30 percent of the revenues — enough money to finance construction and pay the mortgage — with the remaining 70 percent coming from the hotel-retailentertainment side of the enterprise.
Jason Frank, who has worked for online and brick-and-mortar casinos, warns that smaller casinos outside the Atlanta area likely would recycle money already in the local economy instead of bringing in new money.
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Tourist Attraction Leven estimated that 35 percent to 40 percent of those coming through the doors would be locals, enjoying the entertainment, casino and retailers, and the rest would be visitors filling some 2,000 hotel rooms. (The Marquette Advisors study, based on a $1 billion investment, projected 500 rooms for the primary Atlanta casino.) Socio-economically, the patrons would be a mix of middle class, upper middle class and the wealthy, he said. “Ninety-nine percent of the people buying lottery tickets are not going into a Sheldon Adelson casino. They can’t afford it,” said Leven, who considers the lottery “immoral” and “a regressive tax on the poor.” People don’t buy lottery tickets for fun, but “because they hope their world is going to be saved.” Leven worries that if legislators do not talk with people who know the business well — a group that includes him — they won’t ask the right questions. While neither the governor nor the leaders of the legislature have asked Leven for his opinion, the veteran of the hospitality industry is willing to share. “I have no skin in the game.” Among Leven’s suggestions: Do not put the oversight of casinos under the Georgia Lottery Corp.; instead, create a casino commission, such as exists in Nevada and New Jersey. Forty states have casinos, either commercial or tribal. The Seminoles in Florida, the Cherokees in North Carolina and the Choctaws in Mississippi, for example, operate full casinos on their own lands, while the Creeks in Alabama offer slot machines. Georgia, like neighbors South Carolina and Tennessee, is one of the 10 states with no casino gambling,
although a boat that puts to sea from Brunswick permits gambling once into reaches international waters. In an increasingly saturated national casino market, Georgia is sought-after real estate by the gaming industry. Georgia Code Title 16, Section 1612-21, bans wagering on the result of a game or contest, as well as games played with cards, dice or balls, to win money or other things of value. Online casinos are not explicitly banned, but the general prohibition is viewed as covering Internet gambling. Betting on professional or college sports teams is outlawed. Aside from the Georgia Lottery, so are lotteries and raffles not approved for charitable purposes (such as those used by congregations and other organizations as fundraisers). That penny-ante (or greater) poker game in a friend’s basement? Illegal. Slot machines (or “coin operated amusement machines,” as they’re formally known) are legal. Some 25,000 devices operate at 5,000 locations, regulated by the Georgia Lottery Corp. The state limits payouts to $5 in merchandise, gasoline or lottery tickets (no alcohol or tobacco) per spin, but police raids have targeted locations that allegedly paid out cash. Groh compared the slot machines to crack cocaine. $95 Billion Industry Nationally, the money generated by the legal gambling industry, in all its forms, adds up to about $95 billion annually. Major segments include about 500 commercial casinos (including those in resorts and hotels), about 475 Indian casinos, 43 state lotteries, bingo parlors, online casinos, off-track betting facilities, electronic betting arcades and sports bookmakers. U.S. casinos and the manufacturers of the games they offer had a $240 billion economic impact and employed 1.7 million people in 2013, according to the industry. Those businesses paid $38 billion (including $10 billion directly attributable to gambling) in 2013 to local, state and federal governments in gambling fees, property taxes, income taxes and more (including money paid by tribal casinos, casino game makers and some online enterprises), according to the American Gaming Association. “It’s completely ridiculous that we don’t have a casino already,” said Arieh, who has won two World Series of Poker titles and finished third in the 2004 WSOP main event. “The lottery is the worst possible way you can gam-
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LOCAL NEWS ble, percentagewise. Georgia is so far behind, not having a casino. So many Georgia tax dollars work their way out of Georgia from people driving to North Carolina and Mississippi. There are so many ways that a casino in Georgia could be successful, but the government is yet to pull the trigger on it.” Arieh grew up in the Emory-Druid Hills area. “My father moved to the U.S. after the Israeli army and eventually divorced and raised three kids on his own. We weren’t very religious growing up, but I was very independent because my dad was busy working so that he could take care of myself, my brother and sister. I found gambling at an early age, and the many aspects of it really intrigued me. I’ve been gambling since I was 14 years old.” The 41-year-old, now living in Alpharetta, would welcome the opportunity to take home a prize playing in his home state. He’s not holding his breath. He remembers talk in the late 1990s about putting a casino in Underground Atlanta. “So I don’t get too excited when these talks come about every couple years. But there is nothing I would love more than to be able to practice my profession legally and sleep in my bed that night.”
Biblical Criticism The Jews of another age viewed gambling as the result of greed and laziness, the desire for wealth without work, the gaining of good fortune at someone else’s expense. Particular opprobrium was directed at dice players and those who raced pigeons; neither was welcome in Jewish courts. Among the admonitions is Proverbs 13:11: “Wealth hastily gotten will dwindle, but he who gathers little by little will increase it.” Another is Psalm 26:10: “In whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.” In short, gambling was not considered a proper activity for Jews. Nonetheless, history is replete with Jews engaged in various facets of gambling — too many to list. In modern times, Jews (including several with, uh, checkered backgrounds) helped establish Las Vegas as “America’s playground,” where “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” Meyer Lansky’s heirs this month have talked about seeking compensation from Cuba for the loss of the Riviera casino, which mob leaders opened in 1957. Today, some of the biggest names in the casino industry are Jews. The biggest is Adelson, 82, who has
a personal fortune estimated at $26 billion and owns Las Vegas Sands, with a market cap of almost $34 billion. The company operates casinos in Las Vegas, Pennsylvania, Macau and Singapore. (Disclosure: About a decade ago, the author left behind relatively small amounts of money at Adelson’s emporium in Las Vegas, the Venetian, and nearby establishments, primarily at the dice tables.) Those who follow politics rather than gambling know of Adelson as a major player in conservative politics; the “Adelson primary” is a term sometimes used when presidential hopefuls court his support (i.e., his money). He provided tens of millions of dollars to Republican candidates during the 2012 election cycle and serves on the board of directors of the Republican Jewish Coalition, along with Home Depot cofounder Bernie Marcus. Adelson opposes online gambling, in part through the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling. In June, several members of the U.S. Senate, including Republican presidential hopefuls Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Marco Rubio of Florida, were among those reviving the proposed Restoration of America’s Wire Act, which sup-
porters say would expand federal law to ban most forms of online gambling. Those who follow Israeli affairs know Adelson as owner of the free daily Hebrew-language newspaper Israel Hayom (Israel Today), which has the largest readership of any Israeli paper and supports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also just bought the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the largest media outlet in Nevada. Adelson and his wife, Miriam, have donated millions of dollars to various Jewish causes and institutions. Potential Players The casino mogul was spotted in Atlanta entering the Capitol in September (when Deal was out of town), apparently to parley with legislative leaders about siting a casino in Georgia after he failed to gain favorable terms in Florida. “He’s a guy with a very good heart,” Leven told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He’s controversial for sure. He’s dynamic and aggressive. But he makes enormous contributions to every community he’s been in. And that’s what people should be looking at.” Adelson’s Las Vegas Sands may be the biggest potential player in Georgia,
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but it is far from alone. MGM (market cap $12.3 billion) has hired 11 Georgia lobbyists since July to join three others on its payroll since January. MGM CEO Jim Murren told Georgia legislators that his company could envision a $1 billion investment in Atlanta that would create 3,000 to 4,000 temporary construction jobs and 4,000 to 5,000 permanent jobs. MGM owns 15 properties in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan and has major investments in properties in Nevada, Illinois and Macau. Boyd Gaming Corp. (market cap $2.1 billion) has had three lobbyists registered with Georgia since late August, and Penn National Gaming (market cap $1.3 billion) put two to work in October and another in November. Another potential Jewish player is Steve Wynn (personal wealth estimated at $2.4 billion). His Wynn Resorts Group (market cap $6.3 billion) operates casinos in Las Vegas and Macau and is building a casino outside Boston. The casino proposals have opponents, including such prominent Christian groups as the Faith & Freedom Coalition, although the Georgia Christian Coalition plans to sit out this fight, Atlanta Magazine reported in November. None of a dozen area rabbis contacted said they had spoken to their congregations about the issue. Some objections are secular in nature. John Kindt, a professor emeritus of business and legal policy at the University of Illinois, spoke at a November hearing at Armstrong State University in Savannah. In a column published in the Savannah Morning News, Kindt wrote that Georgia lawmakers have “failed to open their eyes or their testimony beyond the propaganda promoted by the gaming industry.” He cited data showing an increase in crime around gambling facilities and costs that outweigh benefits. “Under the best scenarios for gambling revenues to the government, the socio-economic costs of legalized gambling to the taxpayers are $3 in costs for every $1 in new revenues,” he wrote. “Nongambling and less-gambling states have better economies and more future tax revenues than gambling states.” He added: “Historically, it should be noted that 80 percent of the U.S. Congress, including the Georgia Congressional delegation, supported establishing the bipartisan U.S. National Gambling Impact Study Commission. The U.S. Gambling Commission’s Final Report in 1999 called for a moratorium on the expansion of any type of gam18 bling anywhere in the United States.”
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as a cautionary tale. “They were kings of the world until every state near them started building casinos, and the past few years has seen a dramatic nose dive in revenue, multiple closures and bankruptcies, and surrounding communities falling apart. And the taxes they relied on and budgeted for years ago dried up, and New Jersey now has one of the worst economies in the country.” Then there is the ugly aspect of gambling, the people who can’t walk away and develop a habit Casino and hospitality industry veteran Mike Leven says that if that destroys lives Georgia legalizes casinos, it should create a casino commission — not only their instead of giving oversight to the Georgia Lottery Corp. own, but also those of their families — and wreaks havoc on the economy. No Moratorium “We’re here to make sure that peoThat proposal has been ignored as casinos have proliferated the past two ple who want to get help for gambling decades, from riverboats to racetracks addiction, that everybody in the state to resorts. One of the newest casinos who wants to stop, can get the help they is also the closest to Atlanta, Harrah’s need,” Groh said of the Georgia Council Cherokee Valley River, which opened on Problem Gambling (888-236-4848). Groh estimates that since 2002 he Sept. 28 in Murphy, N.C., about two has counseled more than 500 people hours away. “What we are seeing now across with gambling problems. According to the council, 1.4 perthe country is a massive rush to claim cent of Georgians have a gambling adpotentially untapped resources, which diction, and an additional 2.6 percent from a business sense makes sense, are classified as problem gamblers. given that most states have massive The council extrapolates that in a state budget shortfalls and no one wants to with 10.1 million people, as of 2014 cenraise taxes or further burden their resisus figures, more than 403,000 Geordents,” Frank said. In Israel and in the gians are gambling addicts or problem United States, he has worked in product development, marketing and man- gamblers. Making a distinction between a agement for online casinos and now consults for land-based and online problem gambler and an addicted gambler is “possibly splitting hairs,” Groh gaming businesses. The economic risk lies in a situa- said. “Most people who report a gamtion Frank compared to the prolifera- bling problem need treatment.” tion of railroads earlier in American history. “I think Georgia is in a difficult Social Costs The council has yet to issue a forposition. On the one hand, they want to get their hands on the revenue it’s los- mal statement on the casino proposal, ing when its population drives to near- but Groh said, “It’s important to know by states to gamble. On the other hand, that the legalization of gambling is not if they can’t control themselves, they’ll a free ride for Georgia taxpayers, and find themselves with a market satura- the creation of jobs and HOPE is not tion, and instead of increasing revenue, adequate justification financially for it flattens out.” expanding gambling into casinos.” Frank suggested Atlantic City, N.J., He added, “The main points to be
considered are not being discussed.” The council estimates the annual hidden social and economic costs in Georgia at $1,200 per gambling addict and $715 per problem gambler. As for the personal toll, pathological gamblers and problem gamblers divorce at significantly higher rates than nonproblem gamblers, the council says. When casinos were introduced in Gulfport and Biloxi, Miss., suicide rates increased significantly, Groh said. “There’s no reason to believe that wouldn’t happen with casinos in Georgia. We can’t assume that there would be anything significantly different between Mississippians and Georgians.” The National Council on Problem Gambling has reported that one in five pathological gamblers attempts suicide, a higher rate than for any other addictive disorder. The Georgia council cites research from 1999 that found 90 percent of pathological gamblers bet with their paychecks or family savings, 30 percent accrued debts ranging from $75,000 to $150,000, 60 percent borrowed from friends and family to avoid credit problems, and 20 percent borrowed from loan sharks. All of that without casino gambling in the state. “To start, the proponents, mostly elected politicians and influential business insiders, will focus on the revenue boon, which appeals to the people, as that money helps social services stay funded, etc. They’ll also focus on job creation, revitalization of local communities, and they’ll also sell it as a class addition to the state to drive tourism and so forth,” Frank said. “By the way, all of those things are true and good — if all true and nothing goes wrong.” He said the issues around a casino are more complicated than government officials want people to think, “but if done fairly and with good business sense and proper planning, one or two casinos can be a really great thing for the state.” Arieh conceded part of the argument against casinos but countered with the positive potential. “Yes, casinos attract lots of bad elements but at the same time could generate an absurd amount of money from out-of-staters that the lottery could never reach,” the poker player said. “Done correctly, a casino in Georgia could provide all the tax dollars that the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia need to improve education, along with many other areas that are neglected because of a lack of resources.” ■
匀䄀嘀䔀 吀䠀䔀 䐀䄀吀䔀匀 䰀䤀一䔀唀倀 䄀一一伀唀一䌀䔀䐀
䘀刀䤀䐀䄀夀Ⰰ 䐀䔀䌀䔀䴀䈀䔀刀 㠀 吀䤀䌀䬀䔀吀匀 伀一 匀䄀䰀䔀
DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
匀唀一䐀䄀夀Ⰰ 䨀䄀一唀䄀刀夀
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2015: A Year to Remember
A
DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
year that began and nearly ended with Atlanta responding to terrorist attacks in Paris also will be remembered as a year that Israel avoided any new wars but perhaps saw the beginning of a third intifada with random, individual acts of terror. The Atlanta Jewish community observed major anniversaries in 2015, saw the leaders of its three biggest nonprofits resign, established itself atop the world of Jewish film festivals, and for one weekend served as the center of American Judaism’s youth movements. Here is a quick look back; more details are at atlantajewishtimes.com. January The massacre of 11 people at the offices of Charlie Hebdo on Jan. 7 and the killing of four people at a kosher supermarket in Paris two days later sparked a solidarity march in Atlanta on Jan. 11. The Epstein School picked a new head of school, David Abusch-Magder, who arrived July 1. Kollel Ner Hamizrach celebrated its grand opening Jan. 20. The 15th Atlanta Jewish Film Festival opened Jan. 28 with “Above and Beyond.” By the time it closed Feb. 19 with “Theodore Bikel: In the Shoes of Sholom Aleichem,” Bikel’s last local visit before his death July 21, more than 38,600 tickets had been sold, and the Atlanta festival was No. 1. Jewish leaders joined interfaith criticism Jan. 28 of a proposed religious liberty bill. The bill was tabled March 26 after Rep. Mike Jacobs, R-Brookhaven, added nondiscrimination language. Jewish Family & Career Services announced Jan. 28 that Gary Miller would step down as CEO July 1, to be replaced by Rick Aranson, who had spent 11 years as the chief operating officer.
February Temple Beth Tikvah on Feb. 1 hired Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner to replace Rabbi Fred Greene on July 1. 20 Chabad of Cobb celebrated 15
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years with Rabbi Ephraim Silverman and his wife, Chani, Feb. 7. The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta held its first Power of One reception Feb. 8 to honor inclusiveness. The Kehilla in Sandy Springs celebrated its fifth birthday Feb. 8. A Cumming teen was arrested Feb. 9 and charged with making terroristic threats through a prank voicemail left at Congregation Gesher L’Torah. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the former chief rabbi of the United Kingdom, spoke at Young Israel of Toco Hills on Feb. 11. Over Presidents’ Day weekend, BBYO and NFTY held their conventions in downtown Atlanta, bringing together 3,000 youths, while Young Judaea gathered in Winder. USY, which held its convention in Atlanta in late December, and NCSY also sent representatives to the Coalition of Jewish Teens. A gunman attacked a Copenhagen synagogue amid a bat mitzvah party Feb. 15. “The Red Tent” author Anita Diamant spoke at The Temple on Feb. 22 to help launch the Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah. The mikvah’s groundbreaking was May 17, and its ribbon cutting was Nov. 15. March Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angered the White House by speaking to Congress on March 3 against a nuclear deal with Iran. Chabad of North Fulton marked the first yahrzeit of the death of its rebbetzin, Rashi Minkowicz, with the dedication of a Torah and groundbreaking of a campus expansion March 8. Assisted-living facility Berman Commons opened March 8.
The sixth annual Atlanta Jewish Music Festival mixed local and international acts March 12 to 23. Athens held its seventh annual Jewish film festival March 14 to 18. Jewish Interest Free Loan of Atlanta founder Mort Barr stepped down as president March 16, handing the reins to Laura Kahn Travis. Likud won 30 of the Knesset’s 120 seats March 17, enabling Netanyahu to form a 61-seat coalition. Young Israel of Toco Hills was named Congregation of the Year at Georgia Interfaith Power & Light’s Gippy Awards on March 19. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed joined Conexx and the Metro Atlanta Chamber for a cybersecurity mission to Israel from March 21 to 27. April The General Assembly passed a bill April 2 to let DeKalb residents, including most of Toco Hills, vote on forming the city of LaVista Hills. The referendum lost in November. The United States and its partners announced a framework for Iran to halt progress toward nuclear arms in exchange for the end of sanctions. The deal was done in July. The Georgia Commission on the Holocaust honored former Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos and Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran on April 17. It was one of a series of honors for Aviran in his final months in Atlanta before being replaced by Judith Varnai Shorer. Galambos missed the
ceremony and died two days later at 87. The American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS turned 25 on April 18. Hemshech marked the 50th anniversary of its Memorial to the Six Million on April 19. The Atlanta Hawks on April 22 announced their sale to a group with Tony Ressler, Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely. Jewish National Fund’s Yom HaAtzmaut breakfast, set for April 23, erupted in controversy over the choice of First Baptist Church Atlanta Senior Pastor Charles Stanley as an honoree. He eventually declined the honor. Oscar winner Hilary Swank won the role of Emory professor Deborah Lipstadt in a film about her court battle with Holocaust denier David Irving. Oscar winner Rachel Weisz later replaced Swank. May Toco Hills got its first public playground May 1 in Kittredge Park. AJC Atlanta honored Eliot Arnovitz on May 4.
LOCAL NEWS
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June Rabbi Malka Packer launched InterfaithFamily/ Atlanta on June 1. Hemy Neuman, who killed Rusty Sneiderman in November 2010, had his conviction thrown out by the state Supreme Court on June 15. A retrial is set for August 2016. Sandy Springs on June 16 approved AJA’s campus expansion. AJA sold its Doraville campus and later announced
a $10 million capital campaign. Conexx named COO Guy Tessler its president. The Atlanta History Center on June 17 unveiled a marker honoring Gov. John Slaton, who commuted Leo Frank’s death sentence in 1915. The U.S. Supreme Court made same-sex marriage legal nationwide June 26. Cobb County Superior Court Judge J. Stephen Schuster performed that county’s first same-sex wedding.
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July July 1 marked the arrivals of Spike Anderson as the senior rabbi at Temple Emanu-El and David Katz as the interim rabbi at Congregation Dor Tamid. Congregation Etz Chaim’s longtime associate rabbi, Paul Kerbel, left to take a similar position on Long Island. DeKalb Judge Dax Lopez, a Jewish Republican, was nominated to the U.S. District Court in late July. The Senate has not acted on the nomination. August The Marcus JCC announced Aug. 5 that CEO Gail Luxenberg had resigned, effective Aug. 11. Chairman Douglas Kuniansky became interim CEO. Multiple events marked the Aug. 17 centennial of Leo Frank’s lynching. The Brickery in Sandy Springs said Aug. 24 that it would close instead DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
Fe d e r a t i o n honored Perry Brickman on May 12. Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Mike Jacobs to the State Court in DeKalb County on May 12, reducing the number of Jewish state House members to one. Congregation Ner Tamid celebrated Rabbi Thomas Liebschutz’s 50 years as a rabbi May 16. Graduation season began with the Weber School’s ceremony May 17 and concluded with Temima on June 11. The Friends of the Israel Defense Forces gala May 19 was briefly disrupted when Rise Up Georgia protesters chanted and sang support for Palestine. Emory’s Raymond Schinazi was the top honoree at Conexx’s Eagle Star Awards on May 28. Congregation Shearith Israel celebrated outgoing Rabbi Hillel Norry on May 30. Shearith in June named Rabbi Melvin Sirner its interim rabbi.
Continued on the next page
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LOCAL NEWS of moving. Dec. 23 was its last day. Chabad of Georgia launched Kosher Food & Wine Atlanta on Aug. 27. Aug. 29 brought the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall. Congregation B’nai Torah won the Atlanta Men’s Synagogue Softball League’s top division again Aug. 30. September Vice President Joe Biden delivered the annual Eizenstat Lecture at Ahavath Achim Synagogue on Sept. 3. Federation CEO Michael Horowitz announced his resignation Sept. 8, effective in February. Chief Development Officer Michael Balaban later left to run the Broward County Federation. The Davis Academy launched a $7.5 million capital campaign. Congregation B’nai Israel bid farewell to Rabbi Lou Feldstein on Sept. 26. Rabbi Rick Harkavy was hired. October Congregation Bet Haverim celebrated Simchat Torah on Oct. 5 in its new home, the former Young Israel of Toco Hills building. Sandy Springs sealed a sister city relationship with Israel’s Western Galilee Cluster during a mid-October trip by Mayor Rusty Paul. Attacks on Israelis sparked a vigil at Congregation Beth Tefillah on Oct. 15 and a CNN protest Oct. 18. Bukharian Congregation Beit Yitzchak opened a new building Oct. 18. B’nai Torah won the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Competition on Oct. 18. The Shabbat Project packed the JCC with 600 challah makers Oct. 22. Catholics and Jews celebrated the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate on Oct. 28. November Greater Atlanta Hadassah began a yearlong celebration of its centennial with a Breman Museum exhibit Nov. 1. Israel Bonds honored Gov. Nathan Deal Nov. 3.
The Chaya Mushka Children’s House hired Rabbi Michoel Druin as head of the elementary and middle schools, effective March 1. Nov. 4 brought the 20th anniversary of the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. The Book Festival of the Marcus JCC started a day late when David Gregory had to cancel his Nov. 5 appearance. Ted Koppel closed the festival Nov. 22. The Nov. 13 terrorist attacks on Paris stunned Atlanta, leading to a rally at the French Consulate two days later. The Birthright Israel Foundation, led by new Atlantan David Fisher, held its National Gathering in Atlanta. December An interfaith rally Dec. 6 rejected Islamophobia after the terrorist attack in San Bernardino, Calif. Congregation Beth Shalom celebrated the restoration of a scorched Holocaust Torah on Dec. 13. An interfaith gathering at the King Center on Dec. 14 rejected Donald Trump’s call to bar Muslims. ■
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ARTS
Festival Reflects Israel’s Rise as Global Film Leader Israel Film Fund, she proposed that all filmmakers supported by the fund identify themselves as Israeli. Despite the political ups and downs, the publicly supported Israel Film Fund the past seven years has helped to finance more than 230 films, including many that are sure to stimulate considerable discussion in Atlanta.
Guest Column By Bob Bahr and Matthew Bernstein
The fund has about $16.5 million each year to encourage filmmaking. It is a drop in the bucket by Hollywood standards. But in a country where the average film budget is only about $1 million and projects often take three years to get funded, the public Israel Film Fund and the private Yehoshua Rabinovich Foundation for the Arts, founded in 1988, are important pools of money. Smaller budgets mean productions can’t be built around expensive digital effects or the proverbial cast of thousands; they must depend on a more intimate style of storytelling and character development. An example at the 2016 festival is “Mountain,” a stark tale of the sexually frustrated wife of a Talmudic scholar who rebels against her unhappy life in a single, tragic act that transforms the film during its final five minutes. It’s an important first film by one of the new crop of female directors who are challenging the largely masculine world of Israeli filmmakers. Another notable feature film is “Tikkun,” which was the big winner at this year’s Jerusalem Film Festival. It took home the prizes for best Israeli film, best actor, best screenplay and best cinematography. It’s a complex and disturbing story of life and death in Jerusalem’s Hasidic community and the slow unraveling of a young man and his deeply religious family. The increasingly complex international market for films and the technological changes that have created opportunities for distribution have also meant that a new generation of Israel’s filmmakers are producing more marketable productions. The Atlanta festival includes “Jeruzalem,” which won the audience award at the Jerusalem Film Festival.
The Israel Film Fund helped “Atomic Falafel” get made.
The film is the work of two young brothers, Doran and Yoav Paz, and it’s aimed at the lucrative international market for zombie thrillers and supernatural terror. We’ll also be seeing Dror Shaul’s “Atomic Falafel,” a comedy about the planning for a pre-emptive attack on Iran that’s a hilarious and commercial blend of “Dr. Strangelove” and Mad Magazine. That kind of creative self-confidence has made it easier for Israel’s film industry, despite the country’s difficult diplomatic situation, to team up with a great number of foreign funding sources. Israel has doubled the number of films it produces by negotiating 18 co-production treaties with countries around the world, most importantly with France and Germany. Thus, the
money that comes directly from Israel for an Israeli film makes up only about 25 percent of the budget. The long list of funding sources that plays out during the opening credits of Gitai’s “Rabin, the Last Day” is one indication of how important coproduction agreements have become. That is perhaps part of the reason Gitai, arguably Israel’s most important filmmaker, has chosen to live not in Tel Aviv, but in Paris. But sitting through long opening credits of funding sources is a small price to pay for such a rewarding lineup. So get ready for three weeks of entertaining and exciting offerings beginning Jan. 26. The 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is a significant point of entry into the culture, the values and the beliefs of our people. ■ Matthew Bernstein and Bob Bahr will discuss their best bets for documentaries at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 3, at Temple Sinai. Reserve your place at www.templesinaiatlanta.org. Ticket sales for the festival begin Jan. 10.
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DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
I
f you are looking for evidence of Israel’s rapid rise as an entertainment powerhouse, just shuffle through the pages of the program guide for the 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, which is arriving in our mailboxes. Included in the 51 feature-length films offered at the 16th festival are some of the most provocative and compelling Israeli narrative films and documentaries produced in recent years. Among the standouts is “Rabin, the Last Day,” Amos Gitai’s searing indictment of the political environment 20 years ago that led to the assassination of the Jewish state’s prime minister by a Jewish religious extremist. Also at the top of the list is “Censored Voices” by director Mor Loushy, which won an Ophir, the Israeli Academy Award, for best documentary film this year. It’s a frank and unsparing assessment of the dark underbelly of the Six-Day War of 1967, told through a series of interviews secretly made just days after the war ended. The interviews, conducted by the prominent Israeli author Amos Oz, have been heavily censored over the years by the Israeli government. But in this powerful film, the reactions of the soldiers then and now provide a dramatic counterpoint to the way the war has been remembered in the popular imagination. The maturity and undeniable power of these offerings from Israel are testimony to how far the Israeli film industry has come in recent years. That’s partly the result of a renewed commitment to film production in the 21st century by the Israeli government. A reworked Israeli Cinema Law was passed in 2011 to insulate government film funding from political pressure, although that separation was called into question this year when the newly appointed minister of culture forced the Jerusalem Film Festival to cancel the showing of a controversial documentary. The minister, Miri Regev, later said the government would no longer support works that “defame Israel (and undermine) the image of the state of Israel.” Regev, a brigadier general and one-time chief censor of the Israel Defense Forces, has developed a reputation for controversy. After a dispute this year with Palestinian filmmakers supported by the
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ARTS
Festival of Light Photos by Eli Gray
On Tuesday, Dec. 15, just one night after the conclusion of Chanukah, Jewish American reggae artist Matisyahu performed a stripped-down show at the Variety Playhouse, which happens to be Jewish-owned and -managed. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of his breakthrough album, “Live at Stubb’s,” Matisyahu has taken a different show and look on the road with new arrangements of his early reggae hits.
The Glenn Miller Orchestra Saturday, January 9, 2016 • 11:00 AM & 3:00 PM
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AJT 24
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ARTS
A Long, Strange Trip
Grateful Dead songs go to Israel, enter Hebrew, then visit Sandy Springs By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com
J
ewish Deadheads rejoiced when Israeli recording artists Sagol 59 and Ami Yares performed at Congregation Or Hadash on Monday, Dec. 14. The musicians, who recently released “Promised Land,” their collection of Hebrew-language Grateful Dead covers, made their way through Atlanta on the second stop of an East Coast tour that also hit Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York. The album was released in April and includes Hebrew versions of such Dead classics as “Tennessee Jed,” “Sugaree” and “Friend of the Devil,” all translated by Khen Rotem, who records as hip-hop artist Sagol 59. “The difficult part is choosing what not to translate,” he told the AJT. “I chose songs that have a more square lyrical format and less of the abstract lyrics because it’s very hard to capture in Hebrew. I look at the text and try to find a hook or a main phrase of a song and see if it has an equivalent in He-
(From left) Khen Rotem (left), Drew Cohen and Ami Yares play for the Deadheads at Or Hadash.
Photos by David R. Cohen
Khen Rotem (center) and Ami Yares (right) perform songs from their album, named for the Grateful Dead’s 1976 song “Promised Land.” Drew Cohen joins in on the cajon.
Self-proclaimed Deadheads Randy and Nancy Gorod watch Ami Yares and Khen Rotem perform at Congregation Or Hadash.
brew. Once you realize that Tennessee can turn into Kfar Hanassi or Bertha can turn into Netta, then ideas start flowing.” After Rotem spent 18 months translating the Dead’s lyrics, they recorded the album at Yares’ home in Jaffa over two weeks. The project was officially authorized by the Grateful Dead’s publishing company, Ice Nine. Yares, a New Jersey native who met Rotem at a music venue in Tel Aviv, was brought into the project to perform lead guitar and backing vocals. He left Israel shortly after the album was recorded and now lives in Philadelphia.
“The album was done in a bomb shelter at my house in Jaffa,” Yares said. “Every new construction has a secure room in case something were to happen, and it also makes a great recording studio. Coincidentally, my house is two blocks away from a mosque, so we had to stop recording every time they had the call to prayer.” At Or Hadash, the two were accompanied by Drew Cohen, who directs the Weber School’s music program and who set the rhythm on the cajon. Tiedyed kippot and T-shirts dotted the sanctuary, and the lively crowd enjoyed Rotem’s translations of Dead classics. The performance was sponsored
by the Weber School, Or Hadash and the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. Besides introducing Grateful Dead fans to Israeli music, Rotem and Yares hope that with this project, more Israelis will be exposed to the free-flowing sounds of the Dead, the world’s first jam band. “A lot of Israeli underground Deadheads came out of the woodwork after this album,” Rotem said. “It’s a growing community. A lot of people in Israel also told me they discovered the band through this project, which is great.” “It’s safe to be a Deadhead in Israel now,” Yares said. ■
OBITUARIES
Libbie Bliss Abramson 99, Shreveport, La.
Libbie Bliss Abramson of Shreveport, La., and Atlanta died Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, at age 99. She is survived by her husband of 76 years, Leon Abramson; a daughter and her husband, Marcia A. and Larry D. Spielberger of Atlanta; a granddaughter, Julie Korotkin, and her husband, Stephen Laughlin, and a great-grandson, Syrus Laughlin, of Denver; and her special niece, Rachelle Neuman of San Antonio. Libbie is also survived by her extended Atlanta family, Lori, Robert, Carly, Julia and Marc Silverman; Lee, David, Sarah and Adam Spielberger; and Lynne Spielberger and Daniel Maslia. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank very special caregivers Eloise Levine, Nekeisha Miles, Morine Ruffin and Sharon Stevens and the staff at Weinstein Hospice for their loving care. Libbie will be greatly missed by all who knew her and remembered for her kind and gentle ways and feisty manner. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Temple Sinai, Weinstein Hospice or the charity of your choice. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler. com. Graveside services were held at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs on Wednesday, Dec. 16. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999.
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Estelle Voll Nirenstein 86, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Estelle Voll Nirenstein, 86, formerly of Macon, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. After her husband, Henry, passed away, she moved to Augusta to be near a sister. Two years ago she moved to St. Petersburg, near daughter Lois. She was a Latin teacher for years at Stratford Academy before retirement. Until her death, she remained an avid and voracious reader, Scrabble player, New York Times crossword puzzle worker, and witty and incisive conversationalist. Survivors include her daughters, Lois Landis of Seminole, Fla., and Marcia
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OBITUARIES Nirenstein of McLean, Va.; four grandchildren; two sisters, Rosslie Kavy of Ossining, N.Y., and Barbara Schneider of Augusta; and several nieces and nephews. Graveside services were held Friday, Dec. 18, at Sha’arey Israel Cemetery. Rabbi Aaron Rubinstein officiated. The family requests donations be made to Sha’arey Israel Synagogue, 611 First St., Macon, GA 31201. Register at www.hartsmort.com. Hart’s Mortuary and Crematory, Macon, has charge of arrangements.
Janet Krugman Roberts 68, Atlanta
Janet Krugman Roberts, born in Atlanta on Jan. 29, 1947, to Manuel and Harriet Krugman, left this world Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015. She was a painter, sculptor, pianist, bridge player, devoted wife, daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin and friend. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, Alan Roberts; her brother and sister, Maurice Krugman and Marcia Singer; and her parents. She is survived by all who were lucky enough to have had their lives touched by hers, most notably her sister, Karen (Warren) Steinberg; her brother-in-law, Billy Singer; her children, Meredith (Eric) Sidewater, Paige (Eric) Mintz, Marc (Louise) Roberts, Jeff (Sharon) Roberts and Gary (Lisa) Roberts; her grandchildren, Matthew and Celeste Sidewater, Jordan and Elliott Mintz, Ashley and Jesse Vila, and Lesley, Brittany, Christopher, Ally, Abbey, Jonathan and Alexis Roberts; her great-grandchildren, Anthony and Gabriella Vila and Dylan Roberts; her best friend, Joanie (Bob) Hardcastle; and too many nieces, nephews and dear friends to name individually. Janet was the one so many turned to for love, support, advice, encouragement and just a listening ear, and she will be missed more than words can say. She was generous to those she loved and to those in need. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Wounded Warrior Project or Heifer International. A funeral service was conducted at H.M. Patterson & Son Arlington Chapel, Sandy Springs, on Thursday, Dec. 16, followed by interment at Arlington Memorial Park.
Ruth Cohen Siegel
DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
86, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
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Ruth Cohen Siegel, 86 years young, passed away early Wednesday morning, Dec. 16, 2015, in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Karen Siegel and David Propis. She was born and raised in Boston to Sam and Fanny Getrya Cohen and was the middle of three daughters, all of whom were first-generation Americans. As a young adult, Ruth became involved in the Zionist Pioneer movement and remained a staunch Zionist her whole life. In the early 1950s she moved with her husband, Stanley Siegel, to Puerto Rico and became another kind of pioneer. She was the driving force behind the construction of the JCC de Puerto Rico, also known as Sharey Tzedek Synagogue. She collected money by sitting at a table near the gangway of cruise ships with a sign that said, “Help us build a synagogue here.” From Puerto Rico, the family moved to Atlanta in 1965, where she became active in Hadassah, Federation, NCJW, ORT, Senior University at Mercer University, AIPAC, CUFI, the symphony, opera and the Holocaust Museum. She also transcribed books into Braille. After 46 years in Atlanta, Ruth moved to be near her daughter in Michigan, where she felt she had returned to her roots, enjoying the four seasons and the lilac trees she loved growing up in Boston. Ruth was predeceased by her parents, Sam and Fanny Cohen, and her older sister, Carol Krems. She is survived by her sister Dorothy Kaufman (Alberto z’’l); her children, Morrie Siegel (Leigh), Randie Siegel and Karen Siegel (David Propis); and special niece Jan (Brian) Channon. In addition, she leaves her grandchildren, Lillian and Sarah Siegel and Dena and Sam Propis (Elyse); great-niece Rachel Channon Miller (Zac); great-nephew Daniel Channon; as well as Gari Fisher (Mark) and children Samantha Diaz (Daniel) and Oliver Fisher, and Greg Kaufman (Ellen) and children Kayla and Daniel. The funeral was held Thursday, Dec. 17, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, please remember Ruth with donations to Hadassah, FIDF or the Holocaust Museum. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999.
OBITUARIES
Naomi Walker 46, Atlanta
Naomi Tsipora Walker, 46, died Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015. She was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Jan. 16, 1969. She graduated with a B.A. from Oglethorpe University and a law degree from Emory University. Naomi was born with a rare genetic condition but never allowed it to interfere with her love of life or her professional and personal goals. She dedicated herself to advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, spending her entire career with the Georgia Advocacy Office. She was adored and respected by all who knew her for her tremendous courage, great compassion and dedication to all the people she served. She leaves behind her loving husband, Barbaro Ponce; her parents, Ruth and Ben Walker; mother-in-law and father-in-law Angela Ponce and Julio Enrique Ponce; sister and brother-in-law Ronit Walker and Matt Bronfman; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Lisbet and Manuel Cantelli; her aunt, Suly Tenenbaum; her uncle, Salo Tenenbaum; a niece, Kyra Bronfman; nephews Sam Bronfman, Micah Bronfman, Manuel Cantelli Jr. and Christopher Cantelli; and cousins. Donations may be made to the Naomi Walker Fund at the Georgia Advocacy Office, 150 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, to continue the work she championed or to the Dysautonomia Foundation, 315 W. 39th St., Suite 701, New York, NY 10018. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. A graveside service was held at Arlington Memorial Park on Monday, Dec. 21. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999.
88, Atlanta
Marion Zaglin, age 88, of Atlanta passed away Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He was the adored son of Charles and Annie Zaglin of Greenville, S.C. Mr. Zaglin proudly served his country in the Navy and explored the seas as an FF V6 on the Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carrier during World War II. He received the World War II Victory Medal and the American Area Medal for his service. Good fortune came when Marion met Frances Fitterman Zaglin, and they experienced love at first sight. In 1951, Marion moved to Atlanta to marry the love of his life. They were devoted to each other and their families, and Marion stepped in to work alongside his in-laws in their grocery store. He then established Marion Motors, following a lifelong interest in automobiles. His most rewarding endeavor was anchoring his siblings Ella, Jack, Louis and Phil to Atlanta, where they established Atlanta Army Navy Supply, now Atlanco. Working with his family on a daily basis was his greatest pleasure. He relished the opportunity to touch everyone who was in his presence, no matter the location, every day of his life. Alongside his devoted Frances, they enjoyed a true love story. They relished the joy in every moment, the influence of a positive attitude and the importance of love within their family. Marion was a founding member of Congregation Shaarei Shamayim and a member of Congregation Shearith Israel. He was also a member of the Jewish War Veterans and a 50-plus-year member of the Shriners and the Masons. Marion was the last survivor in his family of 12 children. He was predeceased by his Atlanta siblings, beloved sister Ella Glickman and beloved brothers Phil Zaglin, Louis Zaglin, Jack Zaglin and Joe Zaglin. He was predeceased by his beloved Greenville siblings, Harry Zaglin, Sol Zaglin, Frieda Kaplan, Morris Glickman, Sara Glickman and Herman Glickman. Mr. Zaglin is survived by his precious wife of 64½ years, Frances Fitterman Zaglin; beloved son Carl Alan Zaglin; beloved daughter and son-in-law Ellen Ann Zaglin and Louis Roistacher; and treasured grandchildren Parker Lane Zaglin and Andrea Jacqlyn Zaglin, all of Atlanta. Survivors also include his devoted nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, great-great-nieces and -nephews, cousins, and friends throughout the country. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Shaarei Shamayim, Weinstein Palliative Care or the American Heart Association. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. A graveside service was held Tuesday, Dec. 8, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Mark Kunis officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999.
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DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
Marion Zaglin
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7/20/15 3:15 PM
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Hands-On Perspective
Frank Joseph applies surgical precision to photography, collection
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enowned hand surgeon Frank Joseph collects and creates historical, technical and magical photography. Joseph has traveled the world and his own back yard to hold his breath, to get the perfect click, and to know where to stand to capture the light (or not) in his own work. Controversial photographer Robert Mapplethorpe said, “The more pictures you see, the better you are as a photographer.” And Joseph sees. Joseph, a refined Henry Winkler look-alike, sits alongside his Tibetan terrier, Dylan, to share his vision of this fine art niche and how he is evolving within it.
DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
Jaffe: Photography has changed so much in a decade, not to mention a generation. Were you interested in photography as a child? Joseph: I grew up in Queens, N.Y., in very humble surroundings. I was interested in photography but had very rudimentary equipment since my parents were modest, hardworking, German pre-World War II immigrants. After college and medical school, I rekindled my interest in photography. Of course, now photography is very computer-intensive. Jaffe: Photography transcends the constraints of language and culture. Much of your work is done visiting foreign lands. Is that your preferred palette? Joseph: I have sought out some exotic locations, like Morocco, Greece, Italy, even Austin, Texas. One more memorable shoot was at the Burning Man festival in Reno. Then again, I have photographed icicles in my own back yard. Alfred Stieglitz said, “Wherever there is light, one can photograph.” In the future, I’d like to shoot in Japan because of the color and energy there. You could say that some venues make it more inspirational and challenging.
Jaffe: Ah, Burning Man (held annually in late August) is the “evolved baby boomer’s Woodstock,” a network of dreamers and doers. It touts Viktor Frankl’s quote “What is to give light must endure burning.” 28 Joseph: In one regard, Burning
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Man, which I attended in 2014, may have been my turning point. There I began having more fun and not overthinking my work. Spending an entire week in a creative environment allowed me to evolve artistically. I came back from the playa with a deeper understanding of myself as a photog-
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rapher and thousands of pictures of Burning Man participants and sunsets. Jaffe: Describe some of your most treasured collected photographs on this grand studio office wall. Joseph: I collect black-and-white photography that has historical meaning to me. This “March on Selma” captures a pivotal moment in the ’60s, the era in which I grew up. I cherish a photograph of a sleeping Robert Frank by Elliott Erwitt. Both men are Jewish, and Frank in particular is celebrated for his book “The Americans.” In 1959 Frank set out across the U.S. to film the high and low strata of our society. He took 28,000 shots, 83 of which are in this book. During the course of shooting it, he was thrown in jail in Arkansas because he was Jewish and because authorities found “Russian-sounding” names among his correspondence. This type of photography will stand the test of time and is one of the most important photography books in the last 100 years. The female figures are by German-born Ruth Bernhard, whom Ansel Adams hailed as the all-time greatest nude photographer. On a lighter note, I love the portrait of Bianca Jagger by Jeannette Montgomery Barron, an Atlanta native, well known in the New York art world for documenting the ’70s and ’80s. I also love this series of photographs of 1950s pinup model/actress Bettie Page. I jokingly call Page the early Katy Perry. Another series I have collected over time features small prints by Japanese artist Yamamoto Masao. The large-scale print by Andrew Moore is of an art studio in Russia and coincidentally mimics my own studio
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A. Frank Joseph shot this hamsa door knocker in Marrakesh, Morocco, in the spring. B. A Burner, one of the attendees of Burning Man in 2014, runs around in red feathers. C. Two cats seem in no hurry for a Moroccan bicycle to go anywhere. D. Frank Joseph says Burning Man in 2014, including these two wooden heads, was a turning point for him to have fun with his photography.
in setup and lighting. Jaffe: Arbus, Frank, Erwitt, Bernhard, Stieglitz, Eisenstaedt — many of the greats were Jewish. Can you connect the dots on what particular ethos tapped into that? Joseph: As a nomadic people, we are familiar with and feel compelled
to document the human condition. Moreover, Jewish people often feel like outsiders. Helmut Newton, another famed Jewish photographer, is wellknown for his work in fashion photography. Few people realize that he grew up as a Jew in Berlin and, in fleeing the Holocaust, ended up in Singapore. It was this mix of experiences that led
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him to be a visionary artist.
Jaffe: Is Atlanta a prime city in which to be a photography collector? Joseph: Indeed it is. Much of what you see here is from the Jackson Gallery of Fine Art in Buckhead. Elton John has the best private photography collection in the world. That certainly puts Atlanta on the map in terms of sophistication and availability of highly sought-after works.
Jaffe: How do you combine medicine with your artistic side? Joseph: It’s a good thing that photography is not as technical as surgery, but it can be complicated. Lights, colors and shapes require a studied and precise eye. My work has evolved over the last 15 years. Patience has contributed to that. Medicine is more regimented vs. my artistic, looser, more creative side. Jaffe: You collect Buddhas? Joseph: Their appeal relates to being in the moment, which is paramount in photography, and much about letting go. I collect robots too. Call me a combo nerd-artist. Final thought: Diane Arbus said, “Photography is the secret about a secret. The more it tells, the less you know.” Thank you, Dr. Joseph, for sharing your secrets. ■
I Photos by Duane Stork
E. Frank Joseph and his Tibetan terrier, Dylan, relax in front of his Buddha collection. F. Todd Selby’s photograph of sleeping pills prescribed to Marilyn Monroe by Dr. Finger appeals to Frank Joseph, who says that name is “tongue and cheek for my profession.” G. Frank Joseph says the Russian art studio shown in this Andrew Moore photo coincidentally mimics his own home studio in lighting and setup. H. Harry Benson’s “Berlin Kiss 1996” reminds Frank Joseph of his German family. I. These photos in Frank Joseph’s studio, including “March on Selma” and a portrait of Bianca Jagger, reflect his interest in collecting black-and-white photographs of historical significance.
DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
Jaffe: Your master bedroom has some multilayered clever photography. What were you thinking in here? Joseph: Over the bed is a photograph by Todd Selby, shot of a bottle of sleeping pills prescribed to Marilyn Monroe. What drew me to this is the prescriber is Dr. Finger, tongue and cheek for my profession. “The Berlin Kiss 1996” (Harry Benson) is reminiscent of one of my favorite uncles in Germany. Again, the historical significance resonates.
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CLOSING THOUGHTS OBITUARIES – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING
Learning From the Best Throughout My Life
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DECEMBER 25 ▪ 2015
efore I learned to shop, I had to learn to crawl. I have a photo of myself as a wee little one. My dad (z”l) is bent at the knees with his arms stretched toward his firstborn, me. I am sporting a big-brimmed pink corduroy hat with a matching grosgrain ribbon tie. My coordinating outfit consists of jodhpurs and matching coat with high-top white shoes. So adorable. Dad is encouraging me to walk toward him, one shaky step at a time. And so I learned to pick myself up from the comfort of a crawl and begin the long walk toward adulthood. Dad loved to dance. As I got older, he would show off his skills with me at his side at all the family events. I felt like the charm on a bracelet. When I turned 14, Dad taught me to drive in the New York mountains. My dad and my uncle Joe (z”l) had invested three years before in a small bungalow colony in Highland Mills. Dad kept an old green stick-shift Chevy pickup there. One beautiful summer afternoon, he said, “Today I am teaching you to drive.” He drove to the top of said hill, and I wound up in the driver’s seat. Dad named all the parts of the car and how each was needed, then simply said: “Drive and look straight ahead like you ride a bike. Do not look at the hood or at the immediate road. Just look straight, and don’t forget to use your mirrors to see who is in back of you or on the side of you.” When I turned 18, I passed the driving test with flying colors. By the way, he also taught me how to fix a washing machine and a lawn mower and to be respectful of electricity. When I started dating, my mom (z”l) taught me about “mad money” and where to keep it. Always carry your mad money in a “knipple” in your purse. A knipple is a handkerchief tied in a knot. If I was not carrying a purse, mad money went in a shoe. My aunt Ruthie (z”l) was a champion knitter. She could whip up beautiful sweaters, hats, mittens, coats and blankets. I would sit near her and watch in amazement. When she deemed me ready, she bought me 30 my first knitting set: two needles and a
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couple of skeins of multicolored wool. My first scarf was born. Sweaters, hats, scarves, little dresses, booties and blankets soon followed. I wasn’t an elite athlete, but I loved athletics and tried my best. However, I could not figure out how
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CROSSWORD “Kosher Carols”
By Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Challenging
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ACROSS 1. Frenemy of Saul on “Homeland” 4. City of David activities 9. Dathan or Jezebel 14. Genre of the band JEW (Jimmy Eat World) 15. Angelic glows 16. Hamins, e.g. 17. Moshav box 18. The high priest wore them 20. Killer of a city of priests 22. Hamins, e.g. 23. Necklines forbidden in many seminaries 24. Where to wager on American Pharoah, for short 27. Iron Butterfly’s “___-Gadda-Da-Vida” 28. Like Greenberg in 1935 29. Where to find Balaam’s donkey 34. Ethnicity of Lizzy Caplan’s character in “Mean Girls” 35. Chills on Saturday 38. Bet ___ 39. Actress Kirshner 40. Morgenstern of “Rhoda” 42. Day Yom Kippur can never fall on: Abbr. 43. Ho’s “Shalom” 45. Sabbatai Zevi was one 47. Cry to Maya to go for public office 50. The ___ (“I’ll have what she’s having”) 52. Benjamin with a Turkish last name who led the Crimean Karaites 53. They’re not as professional as El Al security 54. Maccabi ___ 55. Bar mitzvahed 57. Good singer Lo? 61. A roomful of yentas won’t be one 65. Dad of Max who wrote “World War Z”
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Shaindle is eternally grateful to her aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and anyone else she may have forgotten to mention for getting her started on the road to adulthood.
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to pitch a decent softball. Enter my cousin Larry. His pitching instructions taught me great form. He soon realized I also needed lots of help in learning to catch a ball. I could finally handle first or second base. Basketball was not as great a challenge. My friend George was my coach. To this day, if I am close to the net, to the right, and if I aim for a specific spot, I can score. Usually. My uncle Jack (z”l), whom we called Zaidle, taught me how to wash and dry dishes quickly and efficiently. Am I saying I could not wash and dry a dish? Of course I could; he just didn’t like the way I did it. My aunt Jeanette (z”l) taught me to sew. What a thrill. Create haute couture clothes for my dolls. Sewing by hand became too tiresome, so my bubbe (z”l) showed me how to operate her sewing machine by pressing on the pedal. My aunt Jeanette also taught me the joy of baking. Her little cookies were the best. Not last, and certainly not least, my cousin Loretta taught me how to shop. She schlepped me to Orbachs department store in downtown New York. She gave me strict instructions on how to find the department I needed, the size I needed and the color I preferred. I hated shopping, still do. But when I shop, I always follow her instructions. Loretta also taught me how to file and paint my nails. The very first color she used on my nails was Ten Baby Fingers, a soft pink. I still use her method, and it still works. ■
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Shaindle’s Shpiel
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31. How the Monster behaves in “Young Frankenstein” 32. Ruling great-grandson of Solomon 33. Chaps (Yiddish) 36. Kunis wore one in “Black Swan” 37. “Wars I Have ___,” Stein DOWN book 1. Low sea 40. Facebook’s was $38 2. Desert Eagle insert 41. Yutz 3. Rappelling Mitzpe 44. Tint choice, for Chagall Ramon need 45. Slow work by Copland 4. Gibson who plays for or Barber Jerry Reinsdorf 46. “Analyze ___,” Crystal 5. How Marceau would film verbally say “yes” 48. Vessel for little Moses 6. They are often filled 49. Locale of Netanyahu’s before the Sabbath last stand 7. 1975 Doctorow novel 50. It’s not kosher with 8. “College grad” Joan unagi (Rivers) told to shut up 51. Like 50-Down about Gaza 55. Er’s biblical brother 9. Breaks the 8th 56. Role played twice by Commandment, perhaps 10. Dancing Camel makes Harold (Ramis) 58. Writing on the wall it 11. Medal of valor received 59. Higher power? 60. Girl from Arendelle by Maj. Abraham J. Baum played by Idina 12. Lindelof’s “Lost” plot 62. Bond girl Green has them 63. Occasional oppressor 13. An Israel bond, e.g. 19. One of Natalie’s “Star of Jews in the Middle Ages: Abbr. Wars” co-stars 21. Francisco who painted 64. D&D company that also had an Indiana Jones game “The Inquisition Tribunal” 25. Oz character who might LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION be jealous of B A R A O S K A R K L A L Asher Lev A R E S A T E I N A E P I 26. ___ Akiva T A P E L I G H T S A B R A 28. Seinfeld R E G A L L I V E A A A “Movie” A N I M U S B I B I F E T T 29. Spielberg’s M A N I C N U N N I A “Bridge N E T E E L B E T S of Spies” T H E S H T A R K S I D E supporting D R O R E R R S L O actor R U T B O A O M A H A 30. “You’ve J E W B A C C A S T E V E N Lost That L A O S T I S C H O L D Lovin’ Feeling” D A R T H S E D E R I O T A co-writer A T E A M D A N E O V E R Cynthia Y E S N O S H A W N E R D 66. Achva product 67. Lambs’ blood locales 68. Some Abrams extras 69. Hebrew topic? 70. Fredricksen in “Up” 71. Daughter involved in a famous inheritance case
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