Atlanta Jewish Times, Vol. XCI No. 47, December 2, 2016

Page 1

EDUCATION SPECIAL NEEDS

The Cloverleaf School offers social support so students can achieve. Page 16

CASTRO’S GLEE

TUITION CHANGE

In March 1959, the Emory Glee Club paid a visit to postrevolution Cuba. Page 19

Atlanta Jewish Academy creates a plan for families to pay what they can. Page 20

Atlanta VOL. XCI NO. 47

WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM

DECEMBER 2, 2016 | 2 KISLEV 5777

Rain Helps Fight Fire Near Ramah By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com The Rock Mountain wildfire a halfmile north of Camp Ramah Darom in Rabun County is more than 50 percent contained, thanks in part to 2 inches of overnight rain that began falling Monday, Nov. 28 — the first precipitation in the area in 52 days. Ramah is hosting about 200 firefighters. As of Tuesday, Nov. 29, the fire had spread to 24,725 acres in Rabun County, and more than 660 people were working to contain it. “This rain won’t stop the drought or reduce fire danger over time, but in the short term it has definitely stopped fire movement,” said Kale Casey, information officer for the Rabun County Emergency Management Agency. “What the residents need to know is that nobody was evacuated during the burnout operations, no structures were damaged, no firefighters were injured, and now we have the rain, which gives us a chance to catch our breath and wait for the sun to come out.” A full containment line has been set up around the fire, but fully extinguishing the blaze will take at least a few more weeks, he said. Dead and fire-weakened trees that could blow over from strong gusts remain a danger to firefighting crews.

BURNING ISRAEL

After nearly 1,800 fires scorched more than 32,000 Israeli acres in late November, with Haifa hit the worst, organizations from JNF to Federation are raising emergency funds. Page 8

Photo by Jerry Cohen

Smoke from the nearby Rock Mountain wildfire hangs over Camp Ramah Darom on the afternoon of Nov. 26.

The Rock Mountain wildfire began Nov. 9 and spread mostly by burning fallen leaves. Since Nov. 15, Ramah Darom has served as an unofficial base camp for many of the wildland firefighters, who have come from as far away as Colorado and Oregon. “I cannot overstress how important the camp has been to our firefighters,” Casey said. “In this part of the country you just don’t set up fire camps with tents for numerous safety reasons. Inside lodging is the norm here. Having a camp with those incredible facilities and staff and a location that close to the fire line reduc-

INTERFAITH TIES

Atlanta was well represented at the Interfaith Opportunity Summit, where personal relationships and Honeymoon Israel were stressed as ways to turn a problem into a potential strength. Page 24

ing travel has been unbelievable.” Fire managers plan to have a strong presence in Rabun County for months to deal with the containment and aftermath of the wildfire. The fire near Ramah Darom is just one of many blazing in North Georgia and surrounding states, including a fire that whipped through Gatlinburg, Tenn., about the time rain was bringing relief to Rabun County. More than 6,000 firefighters from Alaska to Maine have joined forces with local, state and federal agencies to battle wildfires in six Southeastern states. ■

INSIDE Calendar ��������������������������������������� 4 Candle Lighting �������������������������� 4 Israel News �����������������������������������6 Opinion �����������������������������������������9 Education ������������������������������������14 Obituaries ���������������������������������� 26 Marketplace ������������������������������ 28 Sports ������������������������������������������ 29 Crossword ���������������������������������� 30

Keep Faith, Lewis Urges “Hold on to your beliefs and never hate,” Rep. John Lewis advised a crowd packed into the Davis Academy Lower School gym Monday night, Nov. 29, “for hate is too heavy a burden to bear.” The Democratic congressman was answering the final question of his hourlong appearance and the second from one of the youths in the crowd. The young man asked whether the veteran of the civil rights movement ever was so badly beaten that he wanted to give up. Lewis was arrested 35 times before Atlanta elected him to Congress and five times since. He nearly died from beatings by Klansmen in a Greyhound waiting room in Montgomery, Ala., in 1961 and by state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma in 1965. But he said he never got down, never lost faith and never became bitter. He just got back up and continued the fight. The first question after Lewis spoke for about 30 minutes came from Davis’ student government president, Lily Fleisch­ mann, who asked what Lewis hopes young people will learn from his three-part graphic memoir series, “March,” the most recent volume of which won a National Book Award in November. “Madame President,” he said, drawing a chuckle from the crowd, “thank you for your leadership.” He said he hopes youths who read the books will learn never to give up, will keep the faith and will keep pushing for a better world. Lewis wants to “inspire people to give everything they can” to make this country and this world better. Young people not only should never give up on themselves and their goals, he said. “Never, ever give up on another person.” ■ • Lewis preaches nonviolence and chicken farming, Page 14.


2

DECEMBER 2 â–ª 2016


MA TOVU

A Child’s Special Needs

Pick a Program for His Needs First, congratulations on getting your child tested. Accepting that your child has a learning difference is difficult to do. It is natural to experience anger and frustration with a school for not helping your child. One of the most important things you can achieve as a parent is to provide a safe environment where your child can learn and be successful. Mr. Fin is correct that school is only going to get more difficult for your child, and a dual curriculum is not the route for him. Some of the Jewish day schools do have programs for children with language processing disorders. You have work to do to make sure he is in the program best suited to his needs. Public schools don’t always have a “polluted atmosphere,” but you need to be involved without hovering to make sure his academic needs are met. Besides a dual curriculum, there are many ways for Josh to receive a Jewish education. You can begin that in your home. My strongest recommendation is for you to read David Flink’s book “Thinking Differently.” — Patty Nathan Weigh Overall Well-Being I designed psychiatric rehabilitation programs for Grady and JVS of Detroit, among others, and was a consultant for the Edenwald School (a residence for children from broken homes) in the Bronx. I also have a son with a processing disorder who could go only to selected colleges. I understand the problem. If your general practitioner discovered you had a specialized problem, would you want her to treat it, or would you want a referral to a physician who had the special training, knowledge, experience, interest and equipment? Doesn’t your child deserve the same consideration? Is it reasonable to expect one school to be able to handle all problems? It is possible that Josh just couldn’t handle the dual curriculum even if the school provided the ap-

propriate teachers, space, time and tools. You could risk more problems in several areas if the decision is to try to force the school to provide what Josh is unequipped to handle. I know what you are going through. My hope is that Josh’s results are as good as my son’s. — A Friend

Shared Spirit Moderated By Rachel Stein rachels83@gmail.com

Prepare for Concessions Who said being a parent is easy? When your job situation doesn’t work for you, it can usually be changed. When a relationship with a friend is unproductive or unhealthy, you can let go and move on. And if you’re in a community where your family’s needs are not being met, there is the option to relocate. But once you’ve birthed your child, there is no release, no letting go — you’re in it for life. First, let me commend you on your devotion and concern for Josh’s well-being. You are clearly a doting Jewish mother whose primary concern is for your child to grow and become a source of joy and inspiration to his family, the community, the Jewish people and ultimately to G-d. If there is any way to keep Josh in the Jewish day school, that is a good place to start. Can they modify the curriculum so it’s not so confusing and demanding for him? If they can’t or won’t work according to Josh’s needs, what choice do you have but to send Josh to the public school that has a program geared to his specific learning challenges? You can hire a tutor for Josh so that he is exposed to the Judaism that is obviously of great value to you. Perhaps enroll him in a Jewish youth group so that he has Jewish friends in a positive framework. And be good to yourself. Don’t hit yourself over the head with should’ves and could’ves. Go out with friends for a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy life. Thank G-d for giving you a precious Jewish child to raise and nurture. And when you have a spare moment, a little prayer can do wonders. — Renee Altman

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Dilemma recap: What can concerned parents do for Josh, a child flailing in a Jewish day school because of a language processing disorder? The public schools have a better special education program, but what will happen to his Jewish education?

3


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CALENDAR Atlanta

PUBLISHER

MICHAEL A. MORRIS

michael@atljewishtimes.com

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER KAYLENE LADINSKY

kaylene@atljewishtimes.com

ADVERTISING

Senior Account Manager

BRENDA GELFAND

brenda@atljewishtimes.com Senior Account Manager

MICHAL BONELL

michal@atljewishtimes.com Account Manager

SARAH MOOSAZADEH sarah@atljewishtimes.com

EDITORIAL Editor

MICHAEL JACOBS

mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com Associate Editor

DAVID R. COHEN

david@atljewishtimes.com

Contributors This Week RABBI RUTH ABUSCH-MAGDER MARK L. FISHER RABBI DAVID GEFFEN YONI GLATT JORDAN GORFINKEL LEAH R. HARRISON KEVIN MADIGAN MORRIS MASLIA RUSSELL MOSKOWITZ GAIL RIPANS DAVE SCHECHTER TERRY SEGAL KENNETH STEIN RACHEL STEIN

CREATIVE SERVICES Creative Design

DARA DRAWDY

CIRCULATION

Circulation Coordinator

ELIZABETH FRIEDLY

efriedly@atljewishtimes.com

CONTACT INFORMATION GENERAL OFFICE 404.883.2130 KAYLENE@ATLJEWISHTIMES.COM

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

The Atlanta Jewish Times is printed in Georgia and is an equal opportunity employer. The opinions expressed in the Atlanta Jewish Times do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta, Ga.

4

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

THURSDAY, DEC. 1

POSTMASTER send address changes to The Atlanta Jewish Times 270 Carpenter Drive Suite 320, Atlanta Ga 30328. Established 1925 as The Southern Israelite Phone: (404) 883-2130 www.atlantajewishtimes.com THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES (ISSN# 0892-33451) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY SOUTHERN ISRAELITE, LLC 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 © 2016 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES Printed by Walton Press Inc. MEMBER Conexx: America Israel Business Connector American Jewish Press Association Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce Please send all photos, stories and editorial content to: submissions@atljewishtimes.com

Rosh Chodesh. Jewish studies teacher Chaya Lieberman leads a Women of Weber session called “Heroines & Hanukkah: A Picture and a Thousand Words” at 8 a.m. at the Weber School, 6751 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. Free; RSVP to bit.ly/2fPkGav.

Toledot Friday, Dec. 2, light candles at 5:10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, Shabbat ends at 6:09 p.m. Vayeitzei Friday, Dec. 9, light candles at 5:11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, Shabbat ends at 6:10 p.m.

FRIDAY, DEC. 2

Shabbat in the Highlands. After services at 7 p.m. at Chabad Intown, 928 Ponce de Leon Ave., Midtown, YJP Atlanta holds dinners in homes in Virginia-Highland at 8 before gathering for scotch and desserts at 10. Free; RSVP at YJPAtlanta.org or 404-931-6449.

SATURDAY, DEC. 3

Shopping extravaganza. Congregation Ner Tamid, 1349 Old Highway 41, Suite 220, Marietta, holds its holiday boutique from 6 to 9 tonight and noon to 4:30 Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4. Free admission; www.mynertamid.org. Sushi and comedy. Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Johns Creek, follows Havdalah at 7:30 p.m. with all-you-can-eat sushi and comedy by Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz. Tickets are $15; chabadnf.org or 770-410-9000.

SUNDAY, DEC. 4

Alembik Lecture. Psychologist Lisa Miller speaks about the science and power of spirituality at 10 a.m. at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; templesinaiatlanta.org or 404-252-3073. Widows and orphans benefit. Violinist Boris Savchuk performs to raise money for the Tzarkei Naomi Fund at 2 p.m. at the Selig Center, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Tickets are $18 each, $28 per couple or $10 for seniors; tzarkeinaomi@ aol.com or 404-735-3342. Children’s benefit. The Tower of Tal-

ent fundraising concert for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta is at 4:30 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Cumberland area. Tickets are $35 to $100; www.choa.org/toweroftalent. Couples game night. The Kehilla of Sandy Springs, 5075 Roswell Road, provides board games and a nacho bar from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is $25 per couple; www.facebook.com/ events/1808086789405228. Churchill and the Jews. Congregation Or Hadash Rabbi Analia Bortz speaks at the Winston Churchill Society of Georgia’s annual observance of Churchill’s birthday at McCormick & Schmick’s, 600 Ashford Parkway, Dunwoody, about the British leader’s relationship with the Jews. Dinner is at 6 p.m. after a cocktail hour with a cash bar at 5. Tick-

ets are $65 for society members, $75 for others; chap_pub@bellsouth.net. Chanukah toy drive. CTeen Cares collects and wraps toys from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the CTeen Intown Lounge, 928 Ponce de Leon Ave., Midtown. Free; to volunteer a teen or donate toys, contact Rabbi Ari Sollish at 404-898-0434 or rabbiari@chabadintown.org. Poetry. Richard Blanco, the inaugural poet for President Barack Obama, reads his work at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs, at 7:30 p.m. after wine and cheese at 7. Free but $15 donation suggested; templesinaiatlanta. org or 404-252-3073.

MONDAY, DEC. 5 Art opening. The first part of “Atlanta Collects,” an exhibit of art from private

Send items for the calendar to submissions@atljewishtimes.com. Find more events at atlantajewishtimes.com/events-calendar.

Remember When

10 years ago Dec. 1, 2006 ■ Congregation B’nai Torah, after two years under the leadership of Rabbi Josh Heller, is preparing to spend the next few months discussing whether to drop its nonegalitarian rules, which include an optional mechitzah and a ban on women reading Torah. Rabbi Heller spoke about the issue on the second day of Rosh Hashanah. ■ The bat mitzvah ceremony of Loren Cohen of Roswell, daughter of Bruce and Debi Cohen, was held Friday, Aug. 18, at Chabad of Cobb. 25 Years Ago Dec. 6, 1991 ■ Temple Beth David and a cross-street neighbor in Snellville have reached an uneasy peace after an incident Nov. 17

during which a member of the Garmon family was charged with criminal trespass for smashing a car window and the driver of that vehicle, a Beth David member, was charged with reckless conduct. Both sides met with police. ■ Nancy and Norman Miller of Kennesaw announce the birth of a daughter, Rachel Jayne, on Oct. 25. 50 Years Ago Dec. 2, 1966 ■ The Atlanta Jewish Community Center’s “Six in the Center” series continues Dec. 4 with a discussion among Don McEvoy of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Ted Freedman of the Anti-Defamation League, and Clarence Coleman of the National Urban League on the subject of “The Negro and the Jew.” ■ Mr. and Mrs. Lee Roy Schraibman of Charleston announce the engagement of daughter Gloria to Joseph Adelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Adelson of Worcester, Mass.


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CALENDAR

Rosh Chodesh series. “Simple Truths,” a monthly study program for women led by Dena Schusterman and Leah Sollish, begins at 7:30 p.m. at a private home. The fee is $59; 404-898-0434 or www.intownjewishacademy.org.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 7

Gun violence screening. Interfaith Community Initiatives and the Arthur M. Blank Foundation hold a screening of “Newtown” in the Hendrix-Chenault Theater at the Lovett School, 4075 W. Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead, at 6:45 p.m., followed by a discussion with director Kim Snyder at 8:15. Free; RSVP by Nov. 30 at conta.cc/2f1MRU2.

THURSDAY, DEC. 8

Infertility support. Wo/Men Infertility Support & Help meets at 6 p.m. at MACoM, 700-A Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. Free; 404-275-9678 or

RSVP@JewishFertilityFoundation.org. Candle making. The Sixth Point lets adults make rolled beeswax Chanukah candles at 7:30 p.m. at the Ashford Park Community Building, 2980 Redding Road, Brookhaven. Candles are $5 per set; thesixthpoint.org/event/causemama­-not-hard-candle-now-2016.

FRIDAY, DEC. 9

Scholar weekend. Congregation Or Hadash, 7460 Trowbridge Road, Sandy Springs, hosts Dead Sea Scrolls curator Adolfo Roitman for “The Temple of Jerusalem in Ancient Israel” after dinner and services Friday night at 6; “The Religious Significance of the Wilderness in Ancient Israel” after 9:15 a.m. services Saturday; “The Greatest Archaeological Discovery of the 20th Century” after Havdalah at 7 p.m. Saturday; and “The Significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls for Judaism” after brunch at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Free; bit.ly/SIR-Roitman.

of healing, memory and advocacy at 6:30 p.m. Free; www.facebook.com/ events/228548340892413.

cafe at 8:30. Free; www.facebook.com/ events/881749401961823.

Food’s soul and psychology. Café Chabad at the Intown Jewish Academy, 928 Ponce de Leon Ave., Midtown, holds a discussion with therapist Irene Celcer and Rabbi Ari Sollish and serves a gourmet candlelight dinner at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18; RSVP at www.intownjewishacademy.org or 404-898-0434.

Chanukah bazaar. Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 N. Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven, holds its 41st annual bazaar from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; orveshalom. org or 404-633-1737.

Club-K. The Kehilla of Sandy Springs, 5075 Roswell Road, welcomes violinist Boris Savchuk to its Saturday night

SUNDAY, DEC. 11

Temima benefit. The annual concert for the Temima School features a tribute to Dan Appelrouth at 1:30 p.m. at Atlanta Jewish Academy, 5200 Northland Drive, Sandy Springs. Tickets are $36; temima. org/benefit-concert or 404-325-5560.

SATURDAY, DEC. 10

AIDS awareness service. Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead, and Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal welcome the pastor and members of Virginia-Highland Church for a special Havdalah service

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

collections in Jewish Atlanta, opens at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. On display until Feb. 26 are works created from the 18th through the 20th centuries. Museum admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and educators, $4 for ages 3 to 6; www.thebreman.org or 678-2223700.

5


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

ISRAEL NEWS

Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home Protein power against cancer. An international study led by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Crick Institute in London has revealed that cancer stem cells survive even after aggressive treatments. But the cancer cells need low (or zero) levels of a DNApackaging protein, H1.0, to reactivate, offering a new treatment possibility. Tiny bar codes for cancer treatments. Scientists at Israel’s Technion have developed nano-packages of anti-cancer treatments tagged with synthetic DNA sequences. Released into the blood and collected 48 hours later, they identify which treatments are most effective. Success against HIV. Scientists at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot have developed a treatment called Gammora that kills 95 percent to 97 percent of the AIDS virus in laboratory tests. The Kaplan AIDS clinic is the largest in Israel, caring for 1,400 patients. Ethiopian-Israeli colonel. Avraham Yitzhak will be the first colonel of Ethiopian descent in Israel Defense Forces history when he becomes the chief

medical officer of the Southern Command. Yitzhak came to Israel in 1991, graduated in medicine from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and was the first Ethiopian-Israeli combat doctor. Beauty queen publicizing diversity. Yityish “Titi” Aynaw, 25, was crowned Miss Israel in 2013. On her fifth speaking tour of the United States, the Ethiopian-born Israeli emphasized that the world must learn how diverse the Jewish state is. She is studying international relations at IDC Herzliya.

office meeting without interruptions. Solar-powered desalination. Tel Aviv startup Tethys has developed a solarpowered desalination system that produces drinking water using energy from direct sunlight. Record aliyah from Brazil. Approximately 700 immigrants are scheduled to arrive in Israel from Brazil in 2016 — a 45-year record and over three times the annual average. Israel’s better

economy is the main reason. Since Israel’s establishment, more than 15,000 Brazilian Jews have immigrated. New Rio mayor visits Israel. Marcelo Crivella celebrated his election as mayor of Rio de Janeiro by flying to Israel with family and friends. He met with Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. Compiled courtesy of Only Good News From Israel, verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot. com and other sources.

Canine healing. Noach Braun ran the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6 to raise awareness of the lifesaving role guide dogs play in healing. Braun cofounded the Israel Guide Dog Center for the Blind in 1991 and ran the marathon tethered to a blind runner. Talking face to face. Want a phonefree family meal, or just a break from checking messages and email? Purchase an Israeli Pause. The sleek metallic box blocks WiFi signals, calls, texts and email messages for up to six phones. Enjoy quality family time or an

Photo by Clara Amit

The Middle Bronze Age jug from Yehud has been restored in an Israel Antiquities Authority lab. Israel Photo of the Week

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

The 3,800-Year-Old Man

6

An archaeological excavation in Yehud involving high school students uncovered a 3,800-year-old pottery vessel topped by the image of a man, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Wednesday, Nov. 23. The vessel, about 8 inches tall, was found with daggers, an ax head and arrowheads, all apparently buried as funerary offerings. The discovery came on the last day of a dig that preceded construction of housing, said Gilad Itach, who led the excavation for the Israel Antiquities Authority. “It seems that at first the jug, which is typical of the period, was prepared, and afterward the unique sculpture was added, the likes of which have never before been discovered in previous research. The level of precision and attention to detail in creating this almost 4,000-year-old sculpture is extremely impressive.” An ancient artisan, perhaps the potter, added arms, legs and a face to a torso formed from the neck of the Middle Bronze Age jar, Itach said. “One can see that the face of the figure seems to be resting on its hand as if in a state of reflection.” The excavation included students in the new Land of Israel and Archaeology high school program, which is designed to train Israel’s archaeologists of the future. “The archaeological excavations provide an opportunity for an intensive and direct experience that connects the pupils with our country’s past,” said Efrat Zilber, who coordinates the Land of Israel and Archaeology program in the Ministry of Education.


ISRAEL NEWS

The first 22 women to receive nursing degrees in the land of Israel graduate Dec. 7, 1921.

Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details. Dec. 2, 2010: The deadliest forest fire in Israel’s history breaks out on Mount Carmel near the city of Haifa when a teen discards a piece of charcoal from a water pipe he has been smoking. Over four days, the fire consumes more than 8,000 acres and 5 million trees and kills 44 people. Israel gets firefighting assistance from 24 countries. Dec. 3, 1995: Matityahu Shmulevitz, a member of the underground defense organization Lehi and an adviser to Menachem Begin, dies at the age of 75, one day after collapsing during a chess game in Tel Aviv. Dec. 4, 2004: Just three days after voting against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s 2005 budget, the Cabinet ministers from the Shinui (Change) party are fired by Sharon, and the party leaves the Kadima-led government. Led by Israeli television personality Tommy Lapid, Shinui won 15 seats in the 2003 Israeli election. Dec. 5, 1897: Gershom (Gerhard) Scholem, the pre-eminent scholar of Jewish mysticism, is born in Berlin. Scholem emigrates to the land of Israel in 1923. Dec. 6, 1867: Early Zionist activist Leo Motzkin is born into a traditional Jewish household in present-day Brov­ ary, Ukraine. Dec. 7, 1921: Twenty-two women graduate from the Nurses’ Training Institute at Rothschild Hospital in Jerusalem. They are the first to receive nursing degrees in the land of Israel. Dec. 8, 1885: Joseph Sprinzak, who will serve as the first speaker of the Knesset and twice as interim president, is born in Moscow.

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Today in Israeli History

7


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

ISRAEL NEWS

With Wildfires Contained, Fundraising Follows More than 32,000 acres were burned by 1,773 fires in the northern half of Israel, particularly the Haifa area, from Nov. 18 to 26, The Times of Israel reported. The worst of the wildfires began Nov. 22. Jewish National Fund said 10,000 acres of forests were destroyed. Unlike Israel’s 2010 Carmel fire, which affected less land, no one was killed. But as many as 200 people were injured, and at least 400 homes were destroyed in Haifa alone. “What made this incredibly difficult to fight, more so than the Carmel fire in 2010, was the number of blazes that took place simultaneously all across Israel,” said Yoram Levy, a spokesman for the Israel Firefighters and Rescue Services. “We had every firefighter across the country fighting the fires and witnessing extensive damage to infrastructure, housing and land.” The blazes raised fears of arson as the latest tactic for Palestinian terrorism. At least 35 people have been arrested in connection with the fires, but by Tuesday, Nov. 29, police had announced arson charges against only one man. Residents of Haifa, Zichron

the Haifa area. Search-and-rescue group ZAKA deployed dozens of volunteers and more than 40 vehicles in Haifa, first helping with evacuations, then dousing areas to prevent flare-ups. With the fires unPhoto by United Hatzalah der control by Nov. 29 United Hatzalah volunteer paramedic Doron Shafir’s Haifa through the efforts of apartment was destroyed Nov. 24 while he was providing firefighters, planes and medical aid with his ambucycle and assisting evacuations other equipment from in the city. “As our neighbors began to return home, we all took solace in the unity of our tragedy and began to work Israel, the Palestinian together to figure out who to call and how to handle the Authority, and countries situation,” Shafir wrote. “How do we rebuild what was lost?” including the United Ya’akov, Tal-El, Nataf and five West States, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Croatia, Bank settlements are eligible for gov- Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Italy, ernment compensation for losses be- Jordan, Romania, Russia, Turkey and cause arson is suspected in those areas. Ukraine, attention turned to recovery, Dry conditions and high winds including fundraising. contributed to fires’ start and spread. “For a week our beloved homeland Magen David Adom, Israel’s equiv- was engulfed in devastating fires, forcalent of the Red Cross, repeatedly de- ing hundreds of families to abandon ployed its ambulances. The emergency their homes on the front lines,” JNFmedical service United Hatzalah mobi- USA CEO Russell Robinson said in lized more than 600 volunteers to as- announcing JNF’s effort to raise $10 sist with evacuations and firefighting, million for firefighting equipment, as with most of its efforts concentrated in well as additional relief aid, at www.

jnf.org. “To answer the great need, we have launched a special campaign for the intensive reforestation of areas destroyed by fires, as well as critically needed firefighting trucks and equipment.” Jewish Federations of North America is collecting donations for a fire relief fund at jfeds.org/IsraelFireFund. “Our thoughts are with those in Haifa and throughout Israel who have been affected by the fires,” Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta CEO and President Eric Robbins said in a statement. “In keeping with Federation’s mission to care for Jews in need around the world, we are glad to participate in the fund that was created by JFNA and hope that our community in Atlanta sends support to those who need it. Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to all of those who are displaced, and especially to those in our partnership region of Yokneam/Megiddo, who lost not only so many acres of forestry, but more importantly their sense of security.” Others taking donations include B’nai B’rith (www.bnaibrith.org) and the Israeli American Council (www. israeliamerican­.org). ■

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Fines Buy Ambulance

8

Atlantans Lowell and Laraine Fine have donated a $100,000 ambulance to Israel. The donation to Magen David Adom, Israel’s version of the Red Cross, was celebrated with a dedication ceremony outside Ahavath Achim Synagogue on Friday, Nov. 25. The actual ambulance was brought to Buckhead for the ceremony before traveling to Jacksonville, Fla., to be shipped to Ashdod. The Fines will learn where the ambulance is deployed after it arrives in Israel. Tammy Karu, the Southeast regional director for American Friends of Magen David Adom, said Lowell Fine was willing to donate a more expensive mobile intensive care unit, but MDA officials in Israel said they needed the standard ambulance more. Fine said he and his wife were thinking about donating an ambulance, so they met with MDA and toured its Jerusalem facility in May during one of their many visits to Israel. When they returned to Atlanta, they were ready to make the donation. “Both of us hope and pray that it will save a lot of lives, help to deliver a lot of babies and do a lot of good in this

Laraine and Lowell Fine check out the ambulance they are giving Israel before the dedication ceremony Nov. 25.

world, and that’s why we did it,” Fine said. The ambulance dedication came a little more than a week after the groundbreaking in Ramla of MDA’s Marcus National Blood Services Center, the world’s first fully operational underground blood center, where Israel’s blood supply will be safe from rocket, biological and chemical attacks. The center is named for Bernie and Billi Marcus, who donated $25 million of the estimated $110 million cost of the facility. Lowell Fine insisted that Karu talk about the blood center during the ambulance ceremony. ■


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

A History Lesson on Trump and the Mideast Donald Trump’s presidency, his foreign policy and the Middle East: What does history tell us? The question for every incoming president is whether his administration will internalize lessons from the immediate past or assume that being the president of the United States will grant him some magical powers that did not already affect his predecessors. Axiom 1: For the region at large, autocrats can change, but the cronyism or corruption of autocracies generally continues. Islam will remain a platform for political mobilization. Imposing political change from outside is difficult if not impossible. Presidents who raise expectations or make demands later retreat because the region and its leaders don’t accept externally driven edicts. Israeli Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin and Menachem Begin were incredulous in 1977 that President Jimmy Carter wanted Israel to openly negotiate with the PLO. The Netanyahu government did not accept President Barack Obama’s admonition about settlements in his June 2009 Cairo speech or his outline, suggested in May 2011, that negotiations should be based on the 1967 lines. It is important to remember that not all positive policy emanates from Washington: Allies, friends and enemies often talk and work with one another without informing Washington. The 1993 Oslo Accords were negotiated without Washington in the loop. Be careful of what you say out loud; everyone in the Middle East is listening and prepared to put his own spin on remarks. Curb your tweets! Axiom 2: Where does foreign

policy fit into a president’s immediate agenda? Most presidents since the end of World War II have focused on domestic priorities their first two years. The exception unfolds when a recently sworn-in president is confronted by a foreign policy spectacular, as 9/11 greeted George W. Bush eight months

Guest Column By Kenneth Stein

after he took office. And what if the Trump administration is confronted by unanticipated domestic issues? What we do know about the Middle East is that every president since Lyndon Johnson, with the exception of Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton, was engaged with a major war, regime shift or reality that dragged the president into unexpected involvements. One can guess that an implosion of Arab states, the total splintering of Syria, the undoing of Islamic State, the growth of insurgencies, potential regime instability in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Gulf states, and a violent confrontation on any of Israel’s borders could send the Trump administration scurrying for replies. Axiom 3: Henry Kissinger said, “We cannot always assure the future of our friends; we have a better chance of assuring our future if we remember who our friends are.” Israel is Washington’s only stable, reliable and consistent regional ally. Besides his own outlook and a stated priority to crush militant Islam, Trump is twinned to the Obama administration’s recently signed 10-

year, $38 billion military aid package with Israel and to Vice President Mike Pence, who is deeply pro-Israel. Axiom 4: How the president makes decisions matters. Peter Rodman, a Kissinger adviser, summarized different decision-making models in his book “Presidential Command.” There is the White House-centered system of Richard Nixon and Barack Obama. Gerald Ford tried to designate responsibility to his Cabinet, in part because he emerged from a quarter-century of consensus building in Congress. Jimmy Carter often elicited opposite viewpoints from National Security Adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski and Secretary of State Cyrus Vance. From his business experiences, Trump, like George W. Bush, will likely implement a modified CEO model and will want to be at the decision-making center. But perhaps not on all issues, reminiscent of Ronald Reagan, who was seized by Soviet policy but not the Arab-Israeli negotiating process, Lebanon or Central America. One can see Trump engaged deeply in immigration and trade issues, perhaps while leaving ISIS and Islamic

radicalism to his national security team and playing a role in determining whether and when the Iran deal is reinforced or overturned. It seems that Pence will, at least at the outset, be a key congressional liaison. Axiom 5: Strong-willed advisers often lead a president but butt heads with similar personalities; when heavyweights or institutions go toe-totoe, dysfunction in policy can occur. Rodman concludes that presidents who do not engage personally, consistently and forcefully lose control over an issue. How the secretary of state, defense secretary and national security adviser get along matters to policy-making and implementation. Finally, history tells us that since World War II, presidents who do not have previous, even if limited, experience in Washington or in international affairs — Carter, Reagan, Clinton, Bush II — have a steeper learning curve about foreign policy issues. ■ Kenneth Stein teaches Middle Eastern history, political science and Israel studies at Emory and leads the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org).

Fall coding classes starting for grades 4-12

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Start Code is an after-school, weekend, and summer program that teaches computer programming and technology to students.

Decatur/Toco Hills Shopping Center • 2949 North Druid Hills Rd Ste B, Atlanta

www.StartCode.net | (404) 507-2772

9


OPINION

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Our View

Good Fights

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

The news out of Israel hasn’t been the best lately: • A Reform synagogue in Ra’anana was vandalized Thursday, Nov. 24, by those who think the best way to defend Torah values is to threaten and attack fellow Jews whose observances are different. • Wildfires, some of them arson, scorched parts of Israel, especially around Haifa, and drove tens of thousands from their homes in late November. • Islamic State, which has long hovered near Israel and has made no secret of its desire to see Israel excised from its caliphate, seized an opportunity to open fire on Israeli soldiers early Sunday, Nov. 27. Fortunately, good has come out of each of these examples of bad. After the Ra’anana disgrace, the Israeli government and the biggest American Orthodox organization joined the chorus of condemnation. “Such acts have no place in our free society,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose government relies on the support of religious political parties. The Orthodox Union, not needing to worry about the niceties of Israeli politics, was even stronger in its response: “The perpetrators appear to assert in their messages that their behavior is a reflection of traditional Torah values. The Orthodox Union vehemently rejects this assertion, and does not condone such behavior. We support the condemnation of this attack by the prime minister of Israel and his commitment to bring the perpetrators to justice.” The OU added a message American political activists should take to heart: “The Torah’s ways are ways of pleasantness. Disagreements within the Jewish community — over fundamental issues and challenges to authentic Torah theology — must be conducted with civility. There is no justification for resorting to vandalism, violence or even the threat of violence.” Meanwhile, the fires, while causing extensive damage and risking inflaming Jewish-Arab relations, have cost no lives and have again shown the resolve of Israelis to defend their land. More important, the blazes brought an international show of support for Israel, a country that is so often in the vanguard when other nations are struck by disaster. About a dozen nations, including Turkey, with which Israel so recently restored full relations, sent firefighting equipment, supplies or manpower. Not least among the responders was the Palestinian Authority, which did not join the fires’ cheerleaders among Israel’s haters but instead sent men to help extinguish the flames and protect areas that are among Israel’s most diverse. Northern Israel not only is diverse; it’s also the region closest to Syria and the threat of Islamic State. And its residents should feel a bit safer after Israel’s air force killed four terrorists who made the mistake of shooting at Israeli soldiers in Israel. As reserve Brig. Gen. Nitzan Nuriel said, the message to Islamic State was strong and simple: “Don’t mess with us.” It’s never hard to find reasons for doom and gloom regarding Israel, but as recent news has shown, it’s usually just as easy to spot the rays of light 10 poking through the clouds. ■

Cartoon by Bill Schorr, Cagle Cartoons

Jimmy Carter’s Broken Record Ten years ago in November, Jimmy Carter make him more powerful than anyone could have released his notorious book “Palestine Peace Not imagined in 1980, there he and I go again. Apartheid.” Then as now, On Monday, Nov. 28, Carter reveled in the role Carter published a New of the wise old statesman York Times column urging Editor’s Notebook and never let inconvenient President Barack Obama By Michael Jacobs facts get in the way of his to recognize Palestine as a mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com version of truth. state before leaving office. The AJT spent much It’s useless to rebut of the next year refuting Carter point by point, but I what he wrote and what he have two suggestions: said in appearances from “The Daily Show With Jon • Look at a map of the settlements rather than Stewart” to a conference at UGA marking the 30th the numbers of settlers to judge whether construcanniversary of the start of his failed presidential adtion is destroying the hope for a two-state solution. ministration to his annual spring address at Emory. • Consider whether the wording of U.N. ResoluThat Athens conference in January 2007 celtion 242, calling for “withdrawal of Israel armed ebrating — yes, celebrating — his administration forces from territories occupied in the recent conwas a real-life exercise in alternative history, during flict,” has the meaning Carter promotes — the withwhich Carter was hailed as a great president who drawal of all Israelis from all occupied territories. would have beaten Ronald Reagan in 1980 if not for What is worth a response is Carter’s vision of the his many noble, principled actions: the Panama Cafuture. He argues that if only a vaguely defined place nal Treaties; the boycott of the 1980 Summer Olymcalled Palestine gains U.S. recognition, a process will pics; the response to the energy crisis; the economic soon produce what most American and Israeli Jews policies that buried us under soaring inflation, want: two states living side by side in peace. unemployment and interest rates. Pay no attention It’s as unrealistic as thinking that a boycott of to the Iranian hostage crisis behind the curtain. the Moscow Olympics would persuade the Soviet Two things stick with me from that conference: Union to withdraw from Afghanistan. Carter administration veteran Stuart Eizenstat’s “no Carter remains fixated on the idea that the comment” about the book and Carter’s annoyance obstacle to peace is Israel, period. But Israel could that people kept adding a colon to his book title. He withdraw from every inch of the West Bank outside insisted it should be “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid.” Jerusalem, and it wouldn’t bring peace. It wouldn’t The AJT won a national award for our reporting end hatred of Israel or halt the boycott, divestment and commentary in response to the book, but I don’t and sanctions movement. And it wouldn’t give Israel remember what we wrote. I just remember the fear a Palestinian partner with the strength of Carter’s that all our words were worse than worthless — that old friend Anwar Sadat — someone able to drag his we played into Carter’s hands, keeping his book in people into peace, even at the risk of his own life. the public eye and making him a media victim. Carter’s prescription of U.S. recognition of Nonetheless, to paraphrase the man who ended Palestine isn’t a cure for what ails the Palestinians Carter’s political career but, like Darth Vader strikand Israelis; it’s just a placebo to make him and likeing down Obi-Wan Kenobi, somehow managed to minded Americans feel better about themselves. ■


OPINION

Keeping Post-Election Eye On ‘Creepy-Crawlies’ people, he might start with his words. To be clear, I found much of what he said on the campaign trail repugnant. I may not agree with many of the policies he implements. I take issue with some of his Cabinet selections. I am concerned about his learning

From Where I Sit By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com

curve on governance. I am wary of his pronouncements since the election. The previous paragraph notwithstanding, I am less distraught than many about Trump in the Oval Office or about Steve Bannon, the on-leave executive chairman of Breitbart (“the platform for the alt-right”), who managed the campaign, whispering in his ear as White House senior strategist. Our system of government — based on checks and balances among the executive, legislative and judicial branches — withstood challenges to its foundation in the past and will again as necessary. There are constraints on the office of president. A free press also serves an important function. All of this helps me resist the apocalyptic visions — again, knock off the Holocaust analogies — so prevalent on social media. I do remain concerned about dark forces loosed by Trump’s campaign. “He has kicked the rotten log and now all the creepy-crawlies have slithered out into the daylight,” Mordecai Lightstone wrote in the online Jewish magazine Tablet. The alt-right is not entirely trusting of Trump, worried that he’ll backtrack on campaign promises and that he is influenced by Jews. “Donald Trump is a step forward, toward this new normal, but even he is deeply compromised by our society,” Spencer said. I worry that among the creepycrawlies are those whose anti-Semitism will not be satisfied by spray-painting a swastika or a slogan on a synagogue wall. I worry about the Muslims, immigrants, LGBT community and others who take at face value threatening language from whatever source. I hope I am overstating these concerns, but for now, the ((( ))) stay. ■

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Back in June, I added three parentheses to my Twitter handle, like this: (((Dave Schechter))). I did this to support Jewish journalists being subjected to harassment online by the “alt-right,” a fairly benign name that belies its malignant speech. This melange of politically incorrect, antiestablishment conservatives has a bent toward anti-Semitism and white nationalism. Alt-right members employed parentheses — “echoes,” they called them — to identify and target Jews. They professed allegiance to the campaign of Donald Trump and took his reposting of their comments as validation. After the election I considered removing the “((( )))” self-identification. But the perpetrators have been emboldened by Trump’s victory. A couple of hundred adherents who gathered recently in Washington heard speakers assert that America no longer benefits white people or treats them fairly. “America was, until this past generation, a white country, designed for ourselves and our posterity. It is our creation, it is our inheritance, and it belongs to us,” said Richard Spencer, who claims to have coined “alt-right.” Spencer heads the National Policy Institute, which bills itself as “an independent organization dedicated to the heritage, identity, and future of people of European descent in the United States, and around the world.” In disparaging the news media, Spencer said, “One wonders whether these people are people at all or instead soulless golems, animated by some dark power,” a reference to the Jewish folktale of a creature formed out of clay to protect Jews. Spencer’s closing words — “Hail Trump, hail our people, hail victory” — elicited cheers and Nazi salutes. These exponents of racial, religious and ethnic intolerance represented a fraction, albeit an attention-getting fraction, of the more than 62 million Americans who voted for Trump. The campaign allowed (critics would say welcomed) them into its tent, and they basked in Trump’s postelection glow, even as the presidentelect told The New York Times: “I condemn them. I disavow, and I condemn.” If Trump is, as he said, curious about whether he “energized” these

11


OPINION

Global Threats for Trump

ELECTRIFY THE HOLIDAYS!

Bring your old bicycle to ElectroBike Georgia’s retail store and receive $150 off any new ElectroBike model. Your old bike will be refurbished and donated to the Clarkston Community Center. Offer good through Jan. 31, 2017.

ElectroBike has come to Brookhaven’s Brighten Park!

Getting around town has never been so much fun!

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

A rechargeable Lithium ion battery provides power when you want it.

12

2484 Briarcliff Road, NE Atlanta, GA 30329

(404) 400-7132 www.electrobikega.com

Before the election, Reginald Vachon briefed my class at Senior University on the many global challenges the new president will encounter. An engineer, lawyer and global business executive with military experience and involvement with nuclear energy and proliferation issues, Vachon began with the Middle East. He explained the competition in Islam between Sunnis, led by Saudi Arabia, who comprise about 87 percent, and Shia, led by Iran, who are about 11 percent. This struggle is playing out with bloody conflicts in Syria and Iraq involving Islamic State and its Sunni allies; the Shia, who are the majority in Iraq; and the minority Alawite sect, led by Bashar al-Assad, in Syria. Russia and the United States are embroiled in these battles, as are the Kurds, who live near much of the oil. Vachon said Iran is using proxies to dominate the Middle East. He described the role of the Houthis in Yemen, backed by Iran in the overthrow of a government favored by the Saudis and Americans. The Houthis are firing missiles at U.S. ships in the Red Sea. The Iran nuclear agreement was a mistake, Vachon said. Iran has not tempered its aggressive behavior since reaching the deal in July 2015. Russia is heavily involved in the Syrian civil war, supporting the Assad regime alongside Iran. One consequence is the mass migration of refugees to Europe, even though many Muslim countries, especially Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states, have the resources to take them but refuse. Vachon mentioned 100,000 empty, airconditioned tents in Saudi Arabia that are used during the annual pilgrimage to Mecca known as the hajj.

Vachon said some terrorists are embedded among the refugees. He also said Islamic State has money from the oil fields it has captured and is sponsoring fighters in 32 countries. Not only is Israel surrounded by

Capturing History

expertise this committed descendant to these precious recollections. Meanwhile, the Moments in Time project (“Project Curates Magic Moments of Community,” Nov. 4) will save the actual expressions of Jewish Atlantans as they recall the community. The pioneers in this field of recorded interviews were Professor Moshe Davis of the Hebrew University and Professor Dov Levin, a survivor from Kovno, Lithuania, and great-nephew of Shearith Israel Rabbi Tobias Geffen and Sara Hene Geffen. All their work of the past 50 years is being put online. — Rabbi David Geffen, Jerusalem

How nice to see the Breman being used in the way it was created to be (“Finding Family in the Breman Archives,” Nov. 4). Jane Leavey and Sandy Berman led the museum and archives through exhibits and, in a pioneering fashion, the collection of archival data from Atlanta and many other Southern locales. It is wonderful that a woman can find personal material of her grandfather that she did not know existed but that he had deposited in the Breman for all to study and read. Breman archivist Jeremy Katz led with professional

Guest Column By Gail K. Ripans

this instability, but it also is the victim of attacks by Hamas and Hezbollah. In addition, UNESCO recently passed a resolution challenging the identity of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. China also poses a challenge. It is building artificial islands in the South China Sea to secure the resources there and dominate the sea lanes. The United States needs to rebuild its military, which has too few ships, especially while facing a resurgent Russia. But a military buildup will be difficult, given the enormous federal debt of almost $20 trillion. The U.S. debt to China alone is over $1 trillion. We must secure our borders and renegotiate trade deals, Vachon said. Securing the border with Mexico would help control the influx of people from non-Latino countries who may be terrorists. A secure border also could curtail the drug traffic. The market for drugs in the United States must be reduced because drug trafficking supports cartels that terrorize Mexicans. Drug use in the United States now exceeds the use of tobacco and is detrimental to society. It behooves all of us to support our next president, who must tackle these mounting challenges on behalf of Americans. ■


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Ahavath Achim Synagogue helped push Operation Isaiah well past the millionpound mark by collecting more than 100,000 pounds of food this year.

1M Pounds of Food

The High Holidays in October marked the collection of the 1 millionth pound of donated food during Operation Isaiah. It was the 26th year for the Jewish communal effort, making it the longest-running food drive for the Atlanta Community Food Bank. The food drive was founded at Ahavath Achim Synagogue to follow Isaiah’s call to “share your bread with the hungry.” The campaign has long been supported by most of metro Atlanta’s synagogues and Jewish day schools and has grown into one of the food bank’s largest campaigns. “Supporting our community and those in need has always been a priority for our congregation, and we’re honored to hit such a significant milestone of helping the food bank feed

the hungry,” Ahavath Achim Rabbi Neil Sandler said. “On the morning of Yom Kippur we hear the powerful and timeless message of Isaiah — ‘This is the fast I desire … to share your bread with the hungry’ — and we use this as inspiration to give forth during the holiday. Operation Isaiah is our way to act through this message.” Ahavath Achim alone donated more than 100,000 pounds this year.

The winner, to be decided by judges from Moishe House-Inman Park, PJ Library and the AJT, will be the most creative and eye-catching display. Visit www.anshisfard.org or call 404-969-6763 for more information. Also, don’t forget that anyone age 15 or younger may enter the AJT’s Chanukah Art Contest until 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9. The winning work will be our cover Dec. 23.

Chanukah Contests

HAMSA Mini-Grants

If you like to light up the neighborhood for the Festival of Lights, you could be a winner in the Chanukah house decorating contest being organized by the Atlanta Scholars Kollel, Anshi and Jewish Kids Groups. The contest is open to anyone in metro Atlanta. Registration in advance is not required but is recommended, and a free solar-powered string of 200 LED lights will go to the first 10 who sign up at www.anshisfard.org/ chanukah­- house-decorating-contest, where you can find the complete rules. To enter, send a photograph or video, taken by day or by night or both, to contest@anshisfard.org by 11 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20. That’s four nights before Chanukah begins, so be sure to get your decorations up early.

Jewish Family & Career Services’ HAMSA is offering as many as 10 minigrants to support programs that will be held by June 30 to provide substance abuse outreach, education and support in the Jewish community. Examples of eligible activities include sponsoring a speaker from the addiction field for a specific audience; holding a workshop that focuses on the spiritual aspects of recovery; providing access to peer support groups, workshops and other support services; and hosting awareness, education or prevention activities. The Helping Atlantans Manage Substance Abuse program wants grant proposals to be brief but specific and include details about the agency seeking the grant, the goal of the activity,

statements on experience relevant to the program and how it fits the agency mission, and such program information as staffing, budget and timeline. Proposals are due to HAMSA coordinator Eric Miller at emiller@jfcsatlanta.org by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19. Call Miller at 770-677-9318 for more information.

Corrections & Clarifications

• A Nov. 11 article on Arteeni.com misidentified co-founder Arwen Fine in a caption. • A Nov. 25 article on “Octonauts” actor Daniel Jared Hersh had the wrong date for the show in one reference. It was held Nov. 29. • A Remember When item Nov. 25 repeated an error published a decade earlier regarding the bar mitzvah celebration of Samuel Feldman. His ceremony was held Oct. 21, 2006. • The articles Nov. 25 for the 20th anniversary of the Breman Museum had several errors. The museum has one permanent exhibition, “Absence of Humanity: The Holocaust Years 19331945.” Collector Lois Blonder has one piece from her ceramics collection in the new “Atlanta Collects” exhibit. That exhibit has a work by Max Schödl, not Georg Schobel.

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

LOCAL NEWS

13


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

Lewis Cites Obligation to Get Into Good Trouble By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atjewishtimes.com

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

When John Lewis was a child, he decided to be a pastor someday. So the man who grew up to be an impassioned orator in Congress and is the last surviving speaker from the 1963 March on Washington got his first practice in public speaking as the impromptu minister for a congregation of chickens he cared for on his family’s farm in rural Alabama. Some chickens bowed their heads; others shook their heads, Lewis said. “They never would quite say amen,” he said, though he speculated that they listened better than some of

14

Bearing a set of his “March” trilogy as a gift for the Davis Academy library, Rep. John Lewis draws lessons from his life story for students and the rest of the crowd Nov. 28.

his colleagues in Congress. Those chickens couldn’t have been a more attentive audience than the diverse crowd of hundreds packed into the Davis Academy Lower School gym to hear Lewis talk about his life and his

award-winning graphic memoir series, “March,” Monday night, Nov. 28. The better audience fit one of Lewis’ themes: No matter what politicians or protesters might say, today’s United States, where a black man could be elected president and a woman could win the popular vote for that office, is a better place than the segregated America where he grew up. “Our country is a better country, and we are a better people, and don’t let anyone tell you different,” Lewis said. For example, in 1956, inspired by Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., a 16-year-old Lewis sought a library card in Troy, Ala., only to be told that

“the library was for whites only.” But a 58-year-old Lewis returned to that library for the first time in 1998 to sign copies of the first book of “March” and was given a library card. In introducing Lewis, Davis Associate Head of School Drew Frank, the son of the congressman’s longtime friend Sherry Frank, recalled working hard at age 10 to get Lewis elected to Congress for the first time. But he was disappointed when Lewis chose to walk to his victory celebration rather than ride in the waiting limousines. “John never stops marching,” Frank said. Lewis urged people in the audience to take up the march through nonviolent civil disobedience for social justice — with an added reminder for the youngest to listen to their parents and teachers and do their homework. “Get into trouble, good trouble, necessary trouble,” he said. The United States can serve as the world’s model for justice and equality, Lewis said, “but we have to get it right.” He echoed Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) in explaining that we must try to solve problems such as poverty and climate change even if the work won’t be completed in our lifetimes, just as people in such movements as civil rights, women’s rights and LGBTQ rights sacrificed themselves as down payments for their causes. “We all have an obligation to leave this little piece of real estate a little cleaner, a little greener and a little more peaceful,” Lewis said. In a brief meeting with reporters after the public event, he spoke of some ways he hopes the federal government can meet that obligation: • Enact legislation addressing gun violence instead of just talking about it. “We’re losing just too many people. There’s too many guns. It’s sad.” • Spend more on education to “see that all of our children receive the best possible education. If not, the rest of the world is going to pass us by.” • Fix the Voting Rights Act, whose requirement for certain states to get changes preapproved was thrown out by the Supreme Court in 2015. “If the majority party would bring us a piece of legislation to fix it, we would pass it.” • Follow through on Donald Trump’s talk of heavy spending on infrastructure repairs and improvements. “I think he would have a tremendous amount of support from the Democratic members, rank and file, and from the Republicans.” ■


EDUCATION

Event Marks 4 Decades Of Emory Jewish Studies The Tam Institute for Jewish Studies at Emory University is celebrating 40 years of the academic program with a Community of Scholars Showcase on Sunday, Dec. 4, during which some of Emory’s leading professors will share insights from their teaching, writing and research. The showcase, in the Cox Hall Ballroom on the Emory campus, will include three professors — Deborah Lipstadt, Ellie Schainker and Miriam Udel — discussing their recent books. The public is invited. The event starts at 2 p.m. and ends with a dinner. Jewish studies received formal recognition as part of the Emory curriculum in 1976 with the inauguration of the Jay and Leslie Cohen chair in Judaic studies, established by the university with the assistance of the Atlanta Jewish Welfare Federation (now the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta). Since its inception, the chair has been occupied by David Blumenthal, a specialist in Jewish thought and theology hired from Brown University. The Jewish studies program soon added Kenneth Stein, an expert on the history of Israel and the Middle East, and Oded Borowski, a biblical archaeologist who helped lay the basis for Emory’s Hebrew language program. Paralleling the growth of Emory, Jewish studies expanded with faculty in history, literature, anthropology and Holocaust studies, including the appointment of Deborah Lipstadt as the Dorot professor of modern Jewish history and Holocaust studies in 1992. In 1999 the Institute for Jewish Studies was created as an interdisciplinary program to explore Jewish life and culture, and in 2000 the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation endowed the program, naming it the Rabbi Donald A. Tam Institute for Jewish Studies. The Tam Institute is a leading cen-

David Blumenthal, speaking at a tribute to Herbert Karp on Oct. 16, talks about being hired from Brown in 1976 to start Emory’s Jewish studies program.

ter for research and teaching in Jewish studies. Its 19 core faculty members, working in Emory College, the Candler School of Theology and the Emory Law School, specialize in such fields as biblical studies and archaeology, Jewish law and ethics, contemporary Jewish theology, European and American Jewish history, the Holocaust, Jews in Islamic lands, modern Hebrew and Yiddish literature and culture, and the history and politics of modern Israel. The institute offers an undergraduate major and minor and helps train doctoral students in many disciplines. Students working with the institute receive donor-supported aid each year through graduate fellowships, such as the Brickman-Levin Fellowship, and through grants that facilitate study abroad, research and language training for students at all levels. The Tam Institute sponsors several public events each year, most notably the Tenenbaum Family Lecture Series in Judaic Studies and the Rabbi Jacob M. Rothschild Memorial Lecture, bringing leading scholars to Emory. The Jewish studies program also includes the Holocaust Denial on Trial website (hdot.org), which provides access to the documents from Lipstadt’s libel trial against Holocaust denier David Irving, and the Stein-led Institute for the Study of Modern Israel. ■

Day of Learning The schedule for the Tam Institute for Jewish Studies’ afternoon of learning in the Cox Hall Ballroom on campus Sunday, Dec. 4: • 2:15, two sessions of faculty panels featuring Ken Stein, Eric Goldstein, Oded Borowski, Gordon Newby, David Blumenthal, Don Seeman, Jonathan Crane, Jacob Wright, Michael Berger, Peter Hoyng, Catherine Dana and Hazel Gold. • 4:30, presentations on recent books by Deborah Lipstadt, Ellie Schainker and Miriam Udel. • 5:30, book signing and cocktail reception.

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

• 2 p.m., welcome.

• 6, dinner. Tickets are $65 for the general public and $25 for students; www.js.emory. edu/40thAnniversaryInvitation.htm.

15


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

Cloverleaf: Special Focus for Special Needs By Kevin Madigan kmadigan@atljewishtimes.com

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

“I wish our school didn’t have to exist; the public system is just not serving our kids well,” said Jen Owen, who runs the Cloverleaf School for children with special needs. She began the nonprofit venture in 2012 with three sets of parents who had trouble finding appropriate education for their neuro-diverse children. “It’s a very challenging thing to take on,” Owen said during a visit to Cloverleaf, located on Tucker’s border with Decatur. “What we noticed was that here in Atlanta, families had to choose between either a school that was academically rigorous or one that provided ample social support in a therapeutic environment,” she said. “Why do parents have to make that choice when so many students are fully academically capable but need some social support? So we started the school to be that middle ground. We believe our kids are capable of achieving at really high levels and can continue growing to achieve those goals.” The school serves students diag-

16

Jen Owen is the principal and executive director of the Cloverleaf School.

nosed with autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other disorders and runs through the seventh grade, with plans to add the eighth grade next year. Cloverleaf has a 6-to-1 student-teacher ratio. “A lot of kids have milder disabilities such as Asperger’s, so they don’t qualify for a ton of services. They get in a mainstream classroom and just drown,” Owen said. “Too often with special education in particular, it’s all being spoon-fed to them, but they’re human beings. They can drive their own learning a lot more than you think, so flipping that script is really

empowering. You see them build so much confidence. Owning their education makes a huge difference.” Owen, Cloverleaf’s principal and executive director, has a master’s in urban teacher leadership and a doctorate in educational leadership. “I studied elementary education in school. I taught here in the States for about a year, and then ran away for a year to New Zealand and taught there,” she said. “I was in a special character school, and their special thing was student-directed learning, which was about kids taking ownership in their learning to self-

Therapy dog Ari, a shepherd-husky mix, has been a part of student life at Cloverleaf since 2012.

drive the process, with the teacher acting more as guide. That really impacted my beliefs about education.” She added: “I learned specifically how to gear an educational experience to a disempowered population. It totally transfers to kids with disabilities.” Cloverleaf started small in rented space in a church on Briarcliff Road. The name and logo were inspired by a cloverleaf interchange in the belief that everyone is on a different path. The school, whose motto is “Quo Vadis?” (Where are you going?), is on a long-term growth plan. It has 23 students, including several from Jewish families, and aims for 28 by the end of the year. The ultimate goal is 48 students, which would be capacity. Owen may explore the possibility of a sister campus if there is sufficient interest. The current facility is “just shy of 10,000 square feet, and we occupy about two-thirds of it, slated for occupying all by the end of 2019,” she said. Fees cover only part of costs, Owen said. “We’re really working on increasing financial aid; that’s a big focus this year. We have a scholarship fund. Also, Georgia has a special needs scholarship through the S.B. 10 bill, so a lot of parents take advantage of that. We got a big grant last year for general funds, and then we got one for scholarship funds.” She wants Cloverleaf to be an educational model, she said. “I’d love to do a teacher training program to show other educators how to do what we do and serve the students well.” Owen stays inspired by the success stories of her students and their horror stories of beforehand. “It just becomes so painfully obvious that what we do is needed. Kids come to us destroyed. They had these terrible experiences in their past. They hate school, they think they’re stupid, and then you see them go from that place to presenting to an audience an idea they came up with to feeling good about themselves and making friends. That adolescent support is so important in those developing years, and those are the pieces that really motivate me.” ■


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

Are You College-Smart? school seniors when? A. Jan. 1. B. Oct. 1. C. Nov. 1. D. Dec. 1. 13. Which college has an accep-

The Admissions Game By Dr. Mark L. Fisher drmarkfisher@yahoo.com

tance rate of more than 10 percent? A. Princeton. B. Chicago. C. Cornell. D. Stanford. 14. Which public college does not have a kosher meal plan? A. Maryland. B. SUNY-Bingham-

ton. C. College of Charleston. D. Georgia. 15. Which private college does not have an on-campus kosher meal plan? A. Boston U. B. Franklin & Marshall. C. Muhlenberg. D. Wake Forest. 16. The average starting salary for the Class of 2015 was highest in which of these academic disciplines? A. Biology. B. English. C. History. D. Psychology. 17. Which of these colleges had the best salary outcomes after 10 years? A. Rensselaer. B. Stanford. C. Pennsylvania. D. Washington and Lee. 18. From 2004 to 2014, which of these increased enrollment the most? A. Mississippi. B. Central Florida. C. Rutgers. D. Alabama.

19. Which of these colleges has met with me because of a desire to increase the Jewish student population? A. Birmingham-Southern. B. Rhodes. C. Queens (Charlotte). D. All. 20. For more information about Jewish concerns on a particular campus, what is the best resource? A. Hillel. B. Chabad. C. Rabbi in that city. D. Any and all of the above. Answers: 1B, 2A, 3A, 4A, 5A, 6D, 7C, 8D, 9A, 10C, 11C, 12B, 13C, 14D, 15D, 16C, 17A, 18D, 19D, 20D. ■ Dr. Mark L. Fisher is a college and career consultant at Fisher Educational Consultants (www. fishereducationalconsultants­.com).

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Here is a quiz based on the latest information available. Using the Chronicle of Higher Education Almanac (2016-2017), other sources and my own knowledge, I came up with questions to test your knowledge on collegerelated topics. Included are Jewish aspects of college that parents may want to know: 1. Which reason is the least important in deciding where to go to college? A. Get a better job in the future. B. Become more cultured. C. Make more money. D. Train for a specific job. 2. Which of these colleges increased its enrollment the most from 2004 to 2014? A. Worcester Polytechnic Institute. B. Drexel. C. Rice. D. Rochester. 3. Among these private colleges, which is most expensive (tuition, fees, room and board) before financial aid? A. NYU. B. Tulane. C. Brandeis. D. Emory. 4. Which public institution is most expensive for out-of-state students (tuition, fees, room and board) before financial aid? A. William & Mary. B. Vermont. C. Illinois. D. Rutgers. 5. Among these public colleges, which has the highest number of Jewish students? A. Rutgers. B. Ohio State. C. Georgia Tech. D. Texas. 6. Among these private colleges, which has the highest number of Jewish students? A. Syracuse. B. Columbia. C. Tulane. D. Yeshiva University. 7. Colleges usually want how many Common App prompts answered? A. 4. B. 3. C. 1. D. All. 8. A student accepted by early action must reply by what date? A. Dec. 1. B. Jan. 15. C. April 1. D. May 1. 9. Must a student who applies early decision enroll if accepted? A. Yes. B. No. C. After hearing from all colleges applied to. D. Until May 1. 10. One can receive nonbinding financial aid information from which of the following? A. FAFSA4caster. B. Net price calculator for any college. C. A and B. D. Neither A nor B. 11. Who needs a personal identification number for the FAFSA? A. The student. B. The parent. C. Both. D. A PIN is not needed. 12. The FAFSA is available to high

17


EDUCATION

Filling Gaps in Israel

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

18

Gap years between high school and college aren’t just for the Orthodox. More than 80 parents and students learned about non-yeshiva Israeli options Wednesday, Nov. 16, during a gap year fair at the Weber School that was co-sponsored by Masa, the umbrella organization for immersive experiences for Jews ages 18 to 30. The options ranged from academic, university-based programs to service-focused programs, with all kinds of combinations in between. Some require more Hebrew. Most offer the possibility of college credit and a choice of a semester or a full academic year. While the American Gap Association says there are no solid statistics on how many students in general take a year for travel, study or other enrichment between high school and college, anecdotal evidence supports the practice as beneficial for the students. “It really does prepare you for your college years,” said Steve Berman, who has sent three daughters on Young Judaea’s gap year program. He said young adults have plenty of time to get on with college and the rest of their lives, but the gap year provides a chance that doesn’t come again. “You can all walk into the promised land. You can all see its richness, its goodness, its beauty,” he said. “Grab this moment and make a relationship with your people for the rest of your lives.” That’s not hyperbole: Berman met his wife, Gita, during their gap year. “If you’re looking for the love of your life, go on a gap year program,” Gita Berman told fair attendees. Steve Berman said all the programs at the fair are great: • Aardvark Israel (aardvarkisrael. com), which operates from Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, aims to offer each student an individualized program chosen from a menu of academic, volunteer and internship options, plus add-ons such as a cultural exchange in Nepal. • Bar Ilan University’s Israel Experience (israelxp.com), the most religious of the university-based programs under Masa, combines academics in Givat Shmuel in central Israel with trips around Israel and uplifting Shabbatons to enhance Jewish growth. • Ben-Gurion University (www. bgustudyabroad.org) provides immersive academics in Be’er Sheva, which is the capital of the Negev and offers a college-town feel.

Director Debbie Goldsmith tells a family about her gap year program, Aardvark Israel.

• Bina (www.bina.org.il/gapyear) is a social action program in Tel Aviv that includes academics but focuses on volunteering to create meaningful social change, with the second semester applying full Hebrew immersion. • Hebrew University (overseas. huji.ac.il/first-year) aims to help gapyear students make the transition from high school with a core course emphasizing preparation and participation, as well as Hebrew ulpan and academics. • IDC Herzliya (bit.ly/IDCstudyabroad) caters to students from 86 countries and offers three-year degree programs in addition to a year abroad, all taught in English. • Kivunim (www.kivunim.org), based in Jerusalem, has students study the past so they can make their own history by applying an outward-facing vision of Zionism that takes them on international service trips. • Nativ (www.nativ.org), the Conservative movement’s gap year program, begins with an academic semester in Jerusalem, then moves into a semester of volunteering in a development town or youth village. • Technion (int.technion.ac.il/gapyear-at-technion), Haifa’s answer to Georgia Tech, offers academics for science or engineering students, with volunteer work throughout the 10 months and optional Jewish studies. • Tel Aviv University (international­. tau.ac.il) provides academics in English with college students taking a year abroad, life in student dorms and three group trips to see the whole country. • Yachad (www.yachadisrael.org), one of Israel’s mechina programs, integrates Americans into a leadership and volunteer program with Israelis taking a pre-military year. • Young Judaea (www.youngjudaea.org) involves one semester of academics in Jerusalem, one semester of volunteer work in Bat Yam and a special interest month to end the year. ■


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

When 2 Emory Students Sang for Castro assured there would be no problems for the singers to travel safely to and from Cuba. Too many other incidents happened on the trip to discuss, but I want to focus on our concert in the main auditorium of the University of Havana on a Friday night.

Guest Column By Rabbi David Geffen

Cartoon by Rayma Suprani, CagleCartoons.com

In the afternoon, since we were already in Havana, Ivan and I went to eat at Maishe Pipick, a kosher restaurant of many years’ duration. A Jewish cabdriver took us there, and we enjoyed a wonderful kosher meal, the first of our entire tour. We returned to our hotel, and the Glee Club members walked to the auditorium. It was evident that there had been battles in Havana. Buildings remained damaged. The streets were covered with bullet casings. Amputees

were on the street begging. The Emory Glee Club’s program included traditional choral pieces by the great masters and a few modern songs. The second part of the concert was devoted to African-American spirituals, for which we were noted. We sang one or two encores, and we closed with “In the Heart of Dear Old Dixie,” the Emory anthem. The auditorium was dark for the entire concert — only a small light for our director. We sang by heart.

An Emory administrator who traveled with us was in the back of the auditorium, watching the performance. As he stood there, a man in military fatigues, an army hat, a pistol on his side and a scraggly black beard walked in. He was smoking a cigar when he entered, which he snuffed

out. Our Emory escort immediately recognized Fidel Castro. Not a word was exchanged. Castro stayed for half the concert, then he slipped out. When we heard about the visitor, we all excitedly said that Castro knew the Emory Glee Club was singing, and he wanted to hear us. We were only the second American group to visit Havana after the revolution. Ivan and I were truly proud we had sung for Castro. ■

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

The death of former Cuban dictator Fidel Castro on Friday, Nov. 25, brought this reminiscence from former Atlantan Rabbi David Geffen, now living in Jerusalem. In 1959, Ivan Millender and I were invited to be on the traveling squad of the Emory Glee Club for the spring tour. Ivan is an outstanding musician and has a beautiful voice; I spent four years in the Emory Glee Club, always hoping I would improve. We were to be roommates for the tour. The arrangements for performances in March 1959 were made in the fall of 1958. The itinerary headed south, hitting Waycross, then Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, Miami and finally Cuba. Between the arrangements and the tour, Castro defeated Fulgencio Batista’s army and took over Cuba in January 1959. The question the Emory leadership had to answer: Should the Glee Club go to Cuba? Discussions were held with Cuban Embassy officials, and Emory was

19


EDUCATION

AJA Tuition Plan Targets Ability to Pay Atlanta Jewish Academy has launched a tuition plan that shifts the focus from the aid the day school can offer families to those families’ ability to pay. The Flexible Tuition Program, announced Monday, Nov. 28, is part of Head of School Rabbi Ari Leubitz’s effort to “Reimagine AJA” while tackling the challenge of tuition affordability. With the goal of making AJA an option for families from a wide range of economic backgrounds, Rabbi Leubitz and the academy’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer, Mark Dingmann, designed the Flexible Tuition Program. “We are making our school accessible for all families who want to join us at AJA. By creating the Flexible Tuition Program, we open doors literally and figuratively to students who may not otherwise be able to benefit from the education and inclusive environment we provide here,” Rabbi Leubitz said. “AJA is the only infant-to-12thgrade Atlanta Jewish day school, and we want to offer our 21st century learning experience to any Atlanta child who wants to be here. Flexible tuition will allow us to do that,” he said.

Photos by Andria Lavine Photography

Freshman Ari Slomka and junior Sarah Lewyn perform during the Weber fall show.

To register for flexible tuition, which is available starting with the 2017-18 school year, families must start an account with FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment at online.factsmgt.com/ aid. FACTS confidentially and objectively assesses a family’s ability to pay for independent education. More than 2,400 schools and organizations use FACTS, whose assessments will result in individualized pricing for each family. Families who do not enter the Flexible Tuition Program will pay regular tuition rates, which, depending on grade level and other discounts, will range from unchanged to 5 percent higher next school year. Any new family interested in applying to Atlanta Jewish Academy can submit an online application to the school, then register with FACTS for the assessment. For more information, contact AJA’s directors of admissions, Erica Gal (infant through eighth grade) and Elizabeth Schoen (high school). The deadline for existing students to register for the Flexible Tuition Program is Jan. 2. The deadline for new students is Jan. 9. ■ mances were part of a partnership with True Colors Theatre Company. “It was an honor to be a part of this process. Witnessing and assisting the talented cast write and give life to their thoughts, feelings, remembrances, angst and joys was exciting and inspiring,” Weber drama teacher Fhena Lewis said. The show combined poetry, prose and music written by the cast and compiled and edited by performing arts director in residence Hilda Willis.

JCC Vacation Camps

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Weber Gets Dramatic

20

Weber School students Max Bittner, Darcey Denneen, Erin Edwards, Abby Goldberg, Caroline Goldman, Rachel Hayut, Sarah Lewyn, Blake Rosen and Ari Slomka recently delivered two performances of the school’s fall drama production, “My History, My Power, My Legacy.” One show was for Epstein School students; the other, at the Fulton County Arts and Culture Southwest Arts Center, was for the public. The perfor-

The Marcus Jewish Community Center is offering School’s Out day camps for pre-kindergarten through eighth grade during winter breaks. Programs are available Thursday and Friday, Dec. 22 and 23; Tuesday through Friday, Dec. 27 to 30; and Tuesday through Friday, Jan. 3 to 6. Sports, arts and crafts, cooking, drama, and more are available at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. For more information, email campdays@atlantajcc.org, visit bit. ly/2fJTCwf, or call 678-812-4004.


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Women’s Learning Enters the Cyber Age

Marist Teacher Explores Holocaust History

By Mindy Rubenstein

It’s an age-old question: Why the Jews? That leads to related questions. What is the source of anti-Semitism? Why did the Holocaust happen? What does the non-Jewish community think? More than 250 people gathered at Congregation Etz Chaim on Tuesday, Nov. 15, to hear Marist School teacher Brendan Murphy address those questions from a Christian perspective as part of the East Cobb synagogue’s Lil­ mode adult education program, in partnership with the Catholic Church of St. Ann. Murphy has twice been named the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust’s educator of the year, including this year. In 1996, he developed a world history and Holocaust seminar called “Bearing Witness.” The course includes a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington and a class trip to Europe to see such Holocaust sites as Auschwitz and Dachau. Murphy led the audience on a journey through history to explain the origins of Jew-hatred, blood libels, and the myths of deicide and supersessionism.

Jewish women of all backgrounds and ages have an opportunity to continue — or start — their religious education without leaving home. Launched in October by Chavi Goldberg of Toronto, CyberSem (www. cybersem.com) is an online women’s program geared toward those seeking to further their Jewish education. “I realized that a person could do almost anything online except go to seminary,” Goldberg said. “There was a gap in women’s Jewish education, and I wanted to close that gap.” She spent 12 years developing the program, including the time she needed to complete her doctorate in instructional technology and distance learning. CyberSem — short for seminary, the traditional, yearlong, immersive Jewish education program for girls after high school — offers about a halfdozen classes and has more in development. It also has as several trained instructors and the oversight of rabbis to ensure the coursework adheres to certain halachic guidelines. Class topics span the practical and religious, from Torah textual study and Shabbat to kosher laws and ritual family purity to better communication skills. “Everything taught through CyberSem can be immediately put into practice in our daily lives,” Goldberg said. “When thinking about my own Jewish life and how busy I was raising a family, working, going to synagogue and so on, I realized that it wasn’t easy to squeeze Jewish learning into my life,” said Goldberg, who did not grow up religiously observant but began learning as a teenager. “By providing online classes, our students could learn and study when it was convenient for them.” No prior Jewish knowledge or education is necessary. “It’s the desire to learn and not the background that’s important,” she said, adding that “extra help” is built into the system for those who may need it. In general, online learning is selfregulated. “We are giving our teachers the skills to keep the students on track and recognize when someone may be slipping through the cracks,” said Goldberg, who became familiar with the

process during her graduate work. Because online classes are more independent, they require certain skills to make it to the end. Those skills, beyond the actual education, are also useful, she said. “Life skills are bumped up as well,” Chavi Goldberg Goldberg said. “We offer women a new lease on life and the confidence to be successful.” The only school that offers credit for the online seminary’s courses is Touro College. But organizers are working with other schools to form partnerships. “I just want to give women the opportunity to learn. If they can get credit for it, great,” Goldberg said. “It’s positive for their self-esteem and for their Yiddishkeit.” Enrollment has begun for classes starting in January. One-time classes are $25 and are accessible for a year. The average eight-week course is $350. ■

Medieval churches throughout Europe used architecture and statuary as teaching tools — what Murphy called a medieval PowerPoint presentation. Supersessionism, or replacement theology, was illustrated by the statues of EcBrendan Murphy clesia and Synagoga. Ecclesia represented the church and was crowned and stood upright. Synagoga was blindfolded with her crown on the ground. In contrast, Murphy discussed Pope Francis’ U.S. visit last year. A Catholic school in Philadelphia was informed that the pope would visit, so it commissioned a sculpture for the pope to commemorate the occasion. The statue, “Ecclesia-Synagoga in Our Time,” depicted Ecclesia and Synagoga as twins, both seated and dressed alike, but with one holding a Torah and the other a Bible. Representing friendship and dialogue, each statue looks at what the other is holding. ■

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

EDUCATION

21


torah Fun Toldot 5777

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

i

Yitzchak and Rivka didn’t have any children so Yitzchak davened to HaShem and Rivka became pregnant with twins. The first child was born red and they called him Esav and the second was called Yaacov. Esav became a hunter and Yaacov learned Torah. Esav sold his birthright to Yaacov for lentil soup. There was a famine and Yitzchak went to the land of the Plishtim. HaShem told Yitzchak that He will bless him, make his offspring like the stars of the heaven and give them the land. Avimelch, King of the Plishtim, told Yitzchak and Rivka to leave because Yitzchak became great. Esav married and didn’t live with the same values as his father and grandfather. Yitzchak was old and wanted to give a blessing to Esav, but Rivka told Yaacov to dress up like his brother and go to his father for the blessing. Yitzchak gave the blessing to Yaacov and when Esav found out, he wanted to kill Yaacov so Yitzchak told Yaacov to flee to Lavan and to take one of Lavan’s daughters as a wife.

spot the difference Which one is different? Hint: Rivka’s Immediate Family

YITZCHAK

BETUEL

NACHOR

LAVAN

ESAV

YAACOV

CROSSWORD Complete the crossword by translating each Hebrew

word into English. Use the parsha reference for help. 1

2

4

5

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

8

22

6

ACROSS

3. ‫( ּכוכב‬26:4) 4. ‫( שער‬25:25) 6. ‫( יד‬27:16) 8. ‫( לילה‬26:24)

3

7

DOWN

1. ‫( גדל‬26:13) 2. ‫( לחם‬27:17) 3. ‫( עבד‬26:24) 5. ‫( יין‬27:25)

WORD FIND

Can you discover the Secret Message? Find and circle the bold, italicized words from the Torah summary in the Word Find. Write the unused Word Find letters in the spaces below to spell the Secret Message. Have Fun!

F

L

E

E

Y A V G R E A T

A C A K V

R A B O V B

I

O U

T O L D G H

T W

I

N A V E

I

N S

A N D

L

T

E U E

S

S H C A B S R E

E

T

L

R A H K V

W R R

T

E H S

S

I

E

I

A G S

S O L D

T

F

N O E N R V

L K

I

N G E R U N

N E H W

I

L

T

D

T

H A T

S O D H U P

SECRET MESSAGE

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _' _ __________ ___ ______ ____

gematria

Hint: Yitzchak’s father in law

‫טז‬ + ‫יד‬

‫ט‬ -‫ח‬

‫שא‬ - ‫רצה‬

‫מ‬ x‫י‬

‫לד‬

÷ ‫יז‬ ‫ב‬

‫א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט י כ ל מ נ ס ע פ צ ק ר ש ת‬ 400 300 200 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10

9

WORD CMRLESAB

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

(scramble)

HSAVEEN NEFSATS ERTAH _______ _______ _____ NRAIG IWEN RVEES _____ ____ _____ Hint: Yitzchak’s blessing to Yaacov

CANDLELIGHTING IN JERUSALEM 3:55 P.M. weekly chinuch podcast - OVER 150 posted! parsha + chinuch < 5 minutes www.thefamousabba.com/podcasts

Brought to you by:

© 2016 The Famous Abba

www.thefamousabba.com

Check your answers at: www.thefamousabba.com/toldot

1


LOCAL NEWS

Scouts are shown the respectful way to cut up an American flag for its burning.

Scouts Honor Vets

DECEMBER 2 â–Ş 2016

Cub Scout Pack 1818, based at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, honored veterans Sunday, Nov. 13, with a service project and flag retirement ceremony at the Dunwoody Nature Center. Joined by Jewish veterans and Dunwoody City Council member Jim Riticher, the first- to fifth-graders in the pack assembled comfort packages for patients at the VA hospital in Decatur. A donation from the Hebrew Order of David helped pay for the toiletries and other items in the comfort packages. A couple of worn-out American flags then were retired with a traditional ceremony that included the singing of the national anthem. The ceremony involved cutting the flag into four pieces, then burning it into unrecognizable ashes. â–

23


LOCAL NEWS

Atlantans Embrace Interfaith Engagement By Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder “It is not interfaith families that we fear; it’s indifference,” Jodi Bromberg, the CEO of InterfaithFamily, said at the conclusion of the Interfaith Opportunity Summit: Embracing the New Reality in Philadelphia on Oct. 26. Studies show that positive engagement with the Jewish community can make all the difference to the sense of connection for interfaith families. And Atlanta’s Jewish community is anything but indifferent. Atlanta had a strong showing at the summit, which brought together hundreds of rabbis, communal professionals and lay leaders eager to think about how to support this growing segment of the Jewish community. The keys, stressed throughout the summit, are personal relationships and approaches. When she arrived in Atlanta in the summer of 2015, Rabbi Malka Packer, the director of IFF/Atlanta, was contacted by a couple looking for a rabbi to officiate with a priest at their wedding. They had been turned down by several rabbis and were surprised when Rabbi Packer agreed to meet with them. After a long conversation about their hopes and Rabbi Packer’s vision for an interfaith ceremony, they decided to have her officiate alone. Today the couple is taking a class with Rabbi Packer and exploring how to connect with the Jewish community. A lunch session co-sponsored by Be’chol Lashon, which celebrates the racial and ethnic diversity within the Jewish community, and Keshet, which advocates LGBTQ inclusion in Jewish life, encouraged consideration of the ways interfaith is just the beginning of

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Come see us at Ticknors Men’s Clothiers, Atlanta’s newest spot for high end casual, sportswear, and quality men’s tailored.

24

Located on the upper level (next to Mayor’s jewelers) Ticknors carries finer brands such as Robert Graham, Bugatchi, Tommy Bahama, and Coppley clothing. Ticknors Men’s Clothier • Phipps Plaza 3500 Peachtree Rd. NE #2012A

Atlanta, GA 30326-1222 (404) 946-5808

a more complex set of conversations. Atlanta’s Sandra Lawson spoke on behalf of Be’chol Lashon. As a queer black woman who was not Jewish, she found a spiritual home at Congregation Bet Haverim. She eventually converted and is studying to be a rabbi at the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Lawson emphasized the value of welcoming people into our community no matter their background or race. For Mark Silberman, the chair of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s 2017 Community Campaign, the complexity is a given, “but we have no choice to continue to move forward.” Attending the summit with Federation CEO Eric Robbins, Silberman said the community commitment is clear, and Federation has a role in bringing people together and serving interfaith populations. He said multiple constituencies fall under the interfaith rubric and need support: “College kids who come from an interfaith family trying to deal with their Judaism on campus. Young adults not married or with a partner, then of course married interfaith. How about parents who have remarried into interfaith relationships? Plus grandparents who may be interfaith.” Silberman sees Atlanta’s synagogues making a concerted effort. So does Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus of The Temple, who attended the conference “to learn more about what is happening nationally in interfaith engagement and to apply it to our work.” Listening to the national experts, she is reassured that Atlanta is on the right track. Many local institutions are reaching out to interfaith families, and Rabbi Lapidus sees much good in their efforts. “Our community is strength-

Your GO TO Specialists for all YOUR REAL ESTATE Needs RE/MAX AROUND ATLANTA David Shapiro Jon Shapiro DShapiro@remax.net JonShapiro@mindspring.com 404-252-7500 404-845-3065 404-845-3050 www.jonshapiro.com


LOCAL NEWS Atlantans attending the Interfaith Opportunity Summit include (from left) Rabbi Malka Packer, Faye Kimerling, Federation CEO Eric Robbins, Laurel Snyder, Mark Silberman, Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder, Martin Maslia and Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus.

ened when we strive to be inclusive of the diversity that exists in Judaism and our Jewish community.” Organizations such as Jewish Kids Groups and In the City Camp have a focus on integrating interfaith families. In the City Camp has included interfaith families since its inception in 2012, but, founder Eileen Price said, sending a representative to the Philadelphia gathering “allowed us to more deeply understand this significant segment of our camp population.” InterfaithFamily and Honeymoon Israel were singled out as national cutting-edge programs that cater to the needs of interfaith families. Atlanta is one of three communities in the country where both programs are fully in action, better positioning Jewish Atlan-

ta to connect with interfaith couples. Like Birthright Israel, Honeymoon Israel brings groups to connect with Israel and with one another. “Honeymoon Israel is on the front lines in engaging young couples with at least one Jewish partner, and Atlanta is one of our pilot communities,” cofounder Avi Rubel said. “We’ve already run two groups of 20 couples each from Atlanta, and we have three couples applying for every spot. Going into 2017, we’re excited to attract hundreds of new couples in Atlanta in exploring how they want to build Jewish families and create Jewish community.” Rabbi Packer staffed the most recent Honeymoon Israel trip and is working with many of those couples and helping them plug in locally. ■

THE SONENSHINE TEAM

Bring the whole family to Mr. Popper’s Penguins, the coolest musical in town!

Atlanta’s Favorite Real Estate Team

DEBBIE SONENSHINE STAR NEWMAN KATIE GALLOW

December 9, 2016 - January 1, 2017 at Synchronicity Theatre

Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Internationally Certified Negotiator, Luxury, New Homes and Corporate Relocation Specialist #1 Sales Associate in Sandy Springs Office Voted Favorite Jewish Realtor in AJT, Best of Jewish Atlanta

#2 Team Coldwell Banker Atlanta

Debbie Sells Houses Sandy Springs/ Dunwoody Area $899,900

• Stately Home Located on a Private Drive Off • 5 Bedrooms/ 5 Full Baths / 2 Half Baths Jett Ferry Road • Gorgeous Flat Lawn That Backs To Woods• New Carpet, Paint, Granite, Backsplash, Etc. Serene Setting • Master Suite on Main w/ Fireplace & Large • Access to the Chattahoochee River Double Walk-in Custom Closet

Exciting visit from Georgia Aquarium on Saturday, December 10th!

For tickets and information, call 404-484-8636 or visit synchrotheatre.com.

direct 404.250.5311 office 404.252.4908

Debbie@SonenshineTeam.com | www.SonenshineTeam.com ©2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Operated By a Subsidiary of NRT LLC.

One Peachtree Pointe • 1545 Peachtree St. NE #102, Atlanta

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Private Estate on 2+ Acres in Area of Multi-Million Dollar Homes!

25


We offer freshly baked cinnamon rolls, cookies and brownies. Call to place your catering order today. www.cinnaholic.com Vegan/Kosher Pareve Bakery Edgewood Retail District 1230 Caroline Street • Little Five Points UNDER SUPERVISION OF THE ATLANTA KASHRUTH COMMISSION

404-343-0805

OBITUARIES

Louis David Coddon II 71, Atlanta

Louis David Coddon II, 71, of Atlanta, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away peacefully Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016. He was born July 31, 1945, in St. Paul, Minn., to Irma and Marvin Coddon, both of blessed memory. Louis enjoyed a successful career as a corporate attorney for the Coca-Cola Co. that spanned 29 years and included four years spent in Tokyo, where he served as legal counsel for Coca-Cola Japan. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Susan; a son, David (Aileen Har); a daughter, Emily (Evan Epstein); granddaughters Georgina Coddon and Elliott Epstein; sister Marjean Coddon (Henry Johs); sister-in-law Lisa Karesh; brotherin-law Mack Karesh (Lavonne Fore); and many nieces, nephews and loved ones. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held Sunday, Nov. 27, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi David Spinrad officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the APBD Research Foundation, 2710 Avenue S, Brooklyn, NY 11229. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Jay Alan Gerwit 78, Duluth

Jay Alan Gerwit, 78, of Duluth passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 25, 2016. He was born July 1, 1938, to Lottie and Lawrence Gerwit, both of blessed memory. Jay attended Cornell University and enjoyed a successful career as the owner of Uniforms by Mindy for over 30 years. He is survived by his wife, Pam; daughters Mindy Gerwit and Stacey Wood (Geoff); son Larry (Debby); stepdaughters Bonnie and Debbie Golden; grandchildren Max, Ellie and Paige Mason and Grant and Abby Gerwit; brother Kenny (Barbara); ex-wife Arline Gerwit; mother-in-law Phyllis Lee; and beloved dog Queenie. He was loved by all and will be deeply missed. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held Monday, Nov. 28, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Scott Colbert officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Blanch Snitzer 93, Cincinnati

Blanch Scheinfeld Snitzer, 93, of Cincinnati, formerly of Atlanta, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 18, 2016. She was born in Krzpice, Poland, on June 16, 1923, to Wolf Hersh Besser and Rifka Rotbart Besser. She was a Holocaust survivor and came to the United States in November 1949 with her family. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Leo Snitzer, also a Holocaust survivor, as well as brothers Ario Besser and Myer Besser and sisters Hela Lask, Lola Klug and Sophie Scheinfeld. She is survived by son Morray Scheinfeld and daughter-in-law Susan; son Ronnie Scheinfeld; stepsons David Snitzer (and wife Shirley) and Isaac Snitzer (and wife Yudith); beloved brother Abe Besser (and wife Marlene); grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. She is remembered for her resilience and strength throughout her life. Funeral services were held Sunday, Nov. 20, in Cincinnati at Weil Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the William Breman Jewish Home.

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Death Notices

26

Amy Derin, 69, of Marietta, wife of Stephen Derin and mother of Rachel Munk, on Nov. 27. Richard Engstrom, 88, of Atlanta, husband of Charlotte Binder Engstrom and father of Donna Milne, David Blinder and Susan Blinder, on Nov. 22. Regina Maslia Krochmal, 84, of Dayton, Ohio, formerly of Atlanta, wife of Jerome Krochmal, mother of Kenneth Krochmal, Linda Krochmal Pitarys and Francis Krochmal Haas, and sister of Albert Maslia and Henry Maslia, on Nov. 26. Myron Laipson, 91, of Worcester, Mass., husband of Hannah Karp Laipson and father of Congregation Or Hadash member Deborah Payne, Ellen Laipson and Adam Laipson, on Nov. 18.


OBITUARIES

Bella Solnik Dunwoody

Bella Urbach Solnik passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016, long past what the odds would have predicted. Born in Zdunska Wola, Poland, Bella was the second of seven children born to Abram and Golda Taube Urbach. Unfortunately, she was the only one of her immediate family, and one of only two of a very large extended family, who survived the Nazi Holocaust. Separated from her family, Bella, on her own, escaped Dachau on a death march in March 1945 after six years under Nazi control in ghettos, labor camps and numerous concentration camps. After being harbored for six weeks by a Bavarian farmer and his wife, she met her husband-to-be in April 1945 in a displaced persons camp, where she was taken once her host family learned she was Jewish. Pinkus Solnik had come to the camp in Bad Worishofen, Germany, for nutritional rehabilitation after his liberation from Dachau by American soldiers, but he was healthy enough to know at first sight that Bella would be his life partner. Bella and Pinkus were married nine months later and waited four years in Germany for legal immigration as displaced persons. They arrived in Atlanta in October 1949 with their firstborn, Goldie, sponsored by the local Jewish community. Two more daughters, Betty and Rosalie, were born to them within the next decade. Bella and Pinkus led successful, full and active lives in America, enjoying friends, travel, theater and dining, but they always grieved the loss of family in the war. Bella spoke to schools and churches, telling of her story of survival and receiving beautiful letters and notes from the schoolchildren she touched. Bella was honored in 2010 by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum as one of six candle lighters in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda during the national Days of Remembrance. Bella is now reunited with Pinkus, who died in 2001, in dance and in love. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Goldie and Lou Bertone, Betty and Alan Sunshine, and Rosalie and Mark Wolfe; grandchildren Darren Traub (Amy), Shaun Traub (Cara), Jeremy Wolfe (Grace), Justin Sunshine (Jennifer Famery), Reid Wolfe (Jaime), Marshall Sunshine and Garity Wolfe; and great-grandchildren Brady, Hudson and Madison Traub and Angelica and Grayson Wolfe. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held Monday, Nov. 28, at Arlington Memorial Park with Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating. Donations can be made to the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum (www.thebreman.org) or Ahavath Achim Synagogue (www.aasynagogue.org). Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Harold D. Yudelson Harold D. Yudelson, age 92, passed away Monday, Nov. 21, 2016. He was born in Atlanta to the late Sol and Anne Spielberger Yudelson, both of blessed memory. Harold embodied the Southern ideal of someone who never knew a stranger, and his family and friends reveled in his warmth, generosity and spirited opinions. Harold served in the U.S. Army, 1st Infantry Division, as a first lieutenant during World War II. He was wounded in Germany and awarded the Purple Heart. A Boys’ High graduate, Harold was attending the University of Pennsylvania when he enlisted in the Army. After the war, he returned to finish his studies at Penn (“We got back a little late; we’re the Class of ’48!”), where he would meet the love of his life, Jane Betty Zion Yudelson, of blessed memory, to whom he was married for nearly 67 years. Harold was a successful businessman who took a profound interest in anything to do with Atlanta. He loved the city and delighted in its civic and cultural growth. He served as the chair of the board of the Wren’s Nest and as the president of Atlanta ORT and was actively involved in several other civic organizations over the years. Harold is survived by three daughters, Robin Rosenberg (Fred) of Atlanta, Terry Stetzner (Bill) of Belgrade, Mont., and Karen Sandler (Joe) of Washington; six grandchildren, Jason Taylor (Kirsten), Ted Taylor (Tami), Ben Rosenberg (Annie), Pete Rosenberg (Debbie), Nora Sandler and Eli Sandler; and eight great-grandchildren. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Donations in his memory may be made to the Wren’s Rest, ORT Atlanta or Jewish Home Life Communities. A graveside service was held Wednesday, Nov. 23, at Arlington Memorial Park with Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Thanks so much Ralph for taking good care of me as I fulfilled my dream of owning a Subaru! Ralph made buying easy-and I LOVE my new car! Rabbi Brad Levenberg, Temple Sinai

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

92, Atlanta

27


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

MARKETPLACE

FINANCIAL SERVICES

GENERATOR SERVICES

COMPUTER SERVICES

COMPUER HOUSE CALLS

Also Lending in Florida & Southeastern States When it comes to finding your perfect home, it’s important to have options. The same is true when Whenitit comes comes to finding perfect home, it’s When findingyour your perfect deciding on yourtomortgage. That’s why wehome, offer important to have options. The same is true iswhen it’s important to have options. The same a wide variety of mortgage options to fit yourtrue deciding on youronmortgage. That’s why we offer when deciding your mortgage. That’s why particular needs: a wide varietyvariety of mortgage options options to fit yourto fit we offer a wide of mortgage yourparticular particular needs: • Purchases andneeds: Refinances • Purchases and Refinances & VA • Conventional, Purchases andFHA, Refinances •• Conventional, FHA, & VA Jumbo Loans with no Conventional, & PMI VA •• Jumbo Loans FHA, with no PMI 100% Financing Financing for Doctors •• 100% Jumbo Loans with no PMI for Doctors

Voted #1 by Atlanta Jewish Community

770-751-5706 www.HealthyComputer.com

• • • • • • •

• 100% Financing for Doctors

Jay Givarz Jay Givarz

Senior Mortgage Banker

678-522-2343 jay.givarz@lionbank.com 678-522-2343 jay.givarz@lionbank.com NMLS# 203728 NMLS# 203728

fakakta computer?

770-251-9765

24/7 Power Protection Hands Free Operation | Professional Installation

I’ll drive to you! → Desktop & Laptop Repair → Home/Business Networking → Performance Upgrades → Apple Device Support → Virus/Spyware Removal

GENERATORS 24/7 POWER PROTECTION

RECOVERY RESOURCES

REAL ESTATE SERVICES

Alan Rothenberg REALTOR®

Fast Appointment Scheduling Reasonable Rates All Services Guaranteed

678-772-5629 (mobile) 404-531-5700 (office)

404-954-1004

alanrothenberg@kw.com

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

WHAT’S YOUR HOME WORTH? GET YOUR FREE HOME MARKET ANALYSIS NOW.

28

Each Keller Williams Realty Office is Independently Owned and Operated.

Tenth Series Jubilee Bonds ($25,000 minimum) for 10 Years

3.50

Tenth Series Maccabee % Bonds ($5,000 minimum) for 10 Years

3.35

Seventh Series Mazel Tov % Bonds ($100 minimum) for 5 Years

2.82%

As Seen On

It’s Time to Call for Help!

Generator Sales & Service, Inc. www.perkinselectric.com

Senior Mortgage Banker

PC, MAC, iPhone/iPad Service Home & Commercial Service Virus/Malware Removal Laptop Screen Repair Data Recovery/Forensics Wireless Corporate Networks We beat competitor pricing!

damon.carp@gmail.com ROOMMATE WANTED Roommate Wanted! Furnished condo with Amenities. Convenient to Emory University, CDC, Shuls and Shopping! Please Contact Ari (404) 437-5009 Cell / 404-474-1778

CAREGIVER Private care for you or your loved ones. 30 years exp. in healthcare field with credentials and excellent references. Call Audrey 404-437-8813

Seventh Series eMitzvah Bonds ($36 minimum) for 5 Years

2.82%

(404) 817-3500 Atlanta@Israelbonds.com Development Corp. for Israel Member FINRA Effective through November 30, 2016


www.atlantajewishtimes.com

SPORTS Braves Protect Fried

The fall modified fast-pitch all-stars at the Marcus JCC

JCC Wraps Up Fall Softball The Marcus Jewish Community Center’s modified fast-pitch softball league finished the fall season Sunday, Nov. 13, with the championship and allstar games at Zaban Park. In the league championship, captain Rob Schein-

man and his squad knocked off the Ken Danis-captained DanisBoys. The all-star game that followed was a back-and-forth affair that saw retiring pitcher and captain Jody Blanke’s­ team defeat captain Justin Katz’s squad, 18-17.

The Atlanta Braves don’t have any Jewish players on their likely 25-man roster for 2017, their first season in SunTrust Park in Cobb County, but they have ensured that a promising Jewish pitcher remains in the pipeline. In preparation for the Rule 5 draft Dec. 8, during which teams can select players from other teams’ minor-league systems, the Braves added Rome Brave Max Fried to their 40-man roster, thus preventing him from being taken. Fried, a 2012 first-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres who came to the Braves in the Justin Upton trade in December 2014, continued an injurymarred career with two stints on the disabled list for Class A Rome and finished his first season back from Tommy John surgery with a record of 8-7

and a 3.93 ERA with an encouraging 112 strikeouts in 103 innings. He was Rome’s ace in the South Atlantic League playoffs, winning the semifinal-clinching game 4-1 with an 11-strikeout performance against Charleston, then striking out 13 in seven innings in a 6-1 win that clinched the championship over Lakewood.

Be’er Sheva Stays Alive

Ben Sahar’s 93rd-minute goal completed a second-half comeback for Israeli soccer champions Hapoel Be’er Sheva, securing a 3-2 home win over Inter Milan on Thursday, Nov. 24, to keep the club’s Europa League hopes alive. Be’er Sheva must win at Southampton on Thursday, Dec. 8. Maccabi Tel Aviv also can advance with a win at home that day against Ireland’s Dundalk.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

MARKETPLACE

IT SERVICES

PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES

SPA SERVICES

10 OFF $

with this ad

Pain relief Improved sleep Improves acne Reduces headaches

Paper Mill MASSAGE &

SPA

255 Village Parkway Ste 420 • Marietta

50% off

Any Family Portrait Packages, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Weddings, Social & Corporate Events Just mention you saw our ad in the Jewish Times!

410-804-6408

404.660.6762 | www.gotoswan.com

richard@rmbstudiosllc.com www.rmbstudios.zenfolio.com

Open 7 days a week 10:00am - 9:30 pm Sunday Open at 12:00

HOME SERVICES

SENIOR SERVICES

If You Live Alone You Need LIFEWatch! 24 Hour Protection at HOME and AWAY! 4 Ambulance 4 Police 4 Fire 4 Friends/Family

SENIOR SERVICES

Solutions as Low as

$1 a Day!

FREE Shippingn FREE Activatio Contracts NO Long Term

AS SEEN ON

TV

Fall Detectors Also Available

No Landline? No problem! “I have peace of mind... t.” Mom remains independen

Ask about our AARP discounts

CALL NOW! 800.809.3352

MONITORED

IN THE USA

Births, B’nai Mitzvah, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Special Birthdays Have something to celebrate? Share it with your community with free AJT simcha announcements. Submit them at atlantajewishtimes.com, or email them to submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

Visit our website www.AtlantaJewishTimes.com for More of What You Need.

Dr. Mitzi Schepps, DVM

404.579.7806

vet@wellwag.com • www.wellwag.com Acupuncture for your pet in the comfort of your home.

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Cellular & GPS Units Available!

29


CLOSING THOUGHTS

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

Follow Kislev’s Path Toward Peace Rosh Chodesh Kislev began on Thursday, Dec. 1. Kislev is the month of miracles, rainbows, dreams and dreamers. The zodiac sign is Sagittarius; Hebrew letter, samech; tribe, Benjamin; sense, sleep; and controlling organ, belly. In the aftermath of our presidential election, there is no greater focus than on PEACE: People Embracing and Accepting Community Everywhere. The task is ours. As we’re cloaked in the darkness of the season, we must become candles that light the path toward peace. The zodiac sign of Sagittarius in Hebrew is Keshet, or rainbow, represented by the archer, who is half-man, half-horse. Sagittarians are goodhearted, just, peace-seeking intellectuals known for speaking the truth. The Hebrew letter samech is associated with trust and supporting the fallen. Our nation is behaving as if we have fallen into an abyss. From “The Enchanted Journey,” my life’s work to banish stress and create a life of enchantment, we are in the Dungeon of Doom. Let’s get out. The tribe is Benjamin, the 12th son of Jacob and the only one born in the Promised Land. Joy and sorrow coexisted at his birth because we simultaneously lost his mother, Rachel. For some, the change in national leadership represents a death, but we’re not without personal power. We can’t control world events, but we can choose how we respond to them. Sleep is the sense this month, with Hashem always watching over us. We’re not alone. Our waking and sleeping dreams can inspire us. Inspiration is the “immediate influence of G-d.” It’s the in-breath of spirit. When we sleep, G-d breathes us. The controlling organ is the belly, the third chakra or the seat of our selfesteem and centering. For those who feel punched in the gut, breathe into it and flood it with divine light.

Meditation focus: If ever we needed to make life an enchanted journey, it’s now. Turn the darkness to light using 10 Enchanted Keys: • Mindfulness — Sit quietly and honor your thoughts and feelings. Release the ones that have disrupted 30 your peace.

• Altered perceptions — Dragon chatter doesn’t serve you or others. Don’t bond on pain points. Challenge yourself to find something good in each thing that stresses you. It’s there to be found. • Journaling — Write your

CROSSWORD

thoughts and feelings in a journal, releasing them from your body, mind and spirit. • Sensory experiences — In your corner of the world, how can you find tranquility? What images? What sounds? Scents? Tastes? What textures? How would peace feel? • Reduced clutter — Sometimes when you feel chaos “out there,” clear clutter within. Whether it’s your closet or mind, you say what stays and what goes, what fits, what you’ve outgrown and don’t need. It creates breathing room and an opening for the ahh. • Humor — Humor’s a great release. Don’t cross the line into the harm of others. Deep belly laughs release tension and recalibrate your breath. • Movement — Work out. Pound the punching bag. Dance and, as the late Gabrielle Roth would say, “Sweat your prayers.” Appropriately release the pent-up Dragons of Stress. • Art — Draw your feelings out, literally. Put pen or crayon or paint to paper and have at it. On a large craft sheet, draw symbols and images until it’s all outside you. Dispose of what’s negative and keep what’s positive. Clay requires more muscle and offers an even greater release. • Nature — Go outside to be dwarfed by nature and the cosmos. Walk, cry, pray, dream and hope. Move beside tall trees. Lie on the ground and stare at the sky. Regain your perspective as you take your place in this puzzle, gazing at the infinite stars. • Meditation — Quiet yourself. Set a vision of peace. Focus on making the world better and more peaceful. The world will balance when each of us has done the work to balance ourselves. Begin it now. Peace and tranquility to all. ■

“Who’s Your Daddy?”

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

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

26

27

29

28 32

37

38

41

42

13

34

35

36

56

57

30

33

39

40 43

44 48

12

25

31

47

11

23

24

New Moon Meditations Dr. Terry Segal tsegal@atljewishtimes.com

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

45

49

50

51

46

52

53

54

58

59

60

62

63

64

65

66

67

ACROSS 1. Dina 6. Great Talmudic rav from Sura 10. Most readers of this paper 14. Baggage ___ (Ben Gurion locale) 15. Skewed view, for Ginsberg or Kagan 16. Israel’s airline 17. Rhea (Perlman) played her on “Cheers” 18. “Your old road is rapidly ___, please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand” (Dylan line) 19. Judah Friedlander’s “30 Rock” co-star Fey 20. Show where 19-Across rose to fame, for short 21. Zipporah 23. Israel’s Zin or Ara 24. Breaks the 10th Commandment 25. Leah 26. Actress Dane or Bloom 29. What Esau hunted 31. Jochebed 32. Billy Joel line 34. Golden Girl Arthur 37. I, in Israel 38. Bithiah 40. Start of Lag B’(62Across)? 41. One of Mark Cuban’s players, for short 42. Like Chagall 43. Michal 44. Solomon, for one 45. “Halevai …” 47. Tamar 50. Piece of schnitzel 53. Moshe Ya’___ 54. Ivanka 55. “Y’hay, sh-may rah-___ …” (Kaddish response) 58. Adam, to 22-Down 59. Say, say 60. Scarlett in Selznick’s

55 61

made Israel proud 32. One who arrives to services for “Aleinu” 33. 1948 and 2016, e.g.: abbr. 34. Cholent morsel 35. The last month 36. America, to Israel 38. Gave shekalim 39. Shabbat as 25: abbr. 43. A shikur DOWN 44. Herzog or Golan 1. Jewish gyms: abbr. 45. Many at Terem 2. Former Fed Chairman 46. Indiana Jones’ hat Greenspan 47. He played Private Ryan 3. Lewis who showed the for Spielberg Nazis a thing or two 48. Crockett’s last stand or 4. Chanukah liquid an American alternative to 5. Scale one might try Eldan playing “Hava Nagilah” in 49. Picks (Likud) (using only the black keys) 6. What a rocking simcha will 51. Take away an uzi 52. One who is 32-Down eventually do 54. Partner of David 7. Enhanced sense for a Duchovny’s Fox on “The prophet? X-Files” 8. Musical with Tracy 55. “Roseanne” star Turnblad 56. Israel’s is 8,019 square 9. “There ___ there there” miles (Gertrude Stein) 10. Connector to a door on a 57. It can be caused by violence or saying lashon 16-Across plane hara 11. David’s oldest brother 12. Title name of the fish in 61. Meat not on the kosher menu a Kevin Kline comedy 13. Struck down, biblically 22. She didn’t have a grandmother? LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 24. How S I M B A S A U L R O B B Josephus might 14E L I A V 15A L M A 16A W E D 17 18 19 L O A F D E N S T O R M E write 102 20 21 22 23 A N G I E F A A 25. ___ Lecha 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 A R T H U R J A C K S O N 26. Treif 31 32 33 34 35 S Y R E E L U S O L A Y chowder 36 37 38 39 40 41 G O O N R E A R M K E E P morsel 42 43 44 K I N G O F K I N G S 27. Headey 45 46 47 48 49 50 T A K E I S A I D O H E L on Benioff’s 51 52 53 54 55 56 A N I C H E E O N E N E “Game of 57 58 59 60 L E B R O N S T E P H E N 61 62 63 Thrones” R E L M I S E R 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 28. Tel ___ Y A F O D I E S D O V I D 73 74 75 30. Where A M I N U R A L L I A D I 76 77 78 Yarden Gerbi K O N G P E L E E L V I S “Gone With the Wind” 62. See 40-Across 63. Screech, e.g. 64. Stan Lee’s early publications, compared with his later work 65. Like a yenta 66. The IDF, e.g. 67. Miriam


Chanukah ART CONTEST

We’re looking for a festive Chanukah illustration for the cover of the Atlanta Jewish Times’ Dec. 23 issue. If you’re age 15 or under, send us your Chanukah-themed artwork by Friday, Dec. 9.

Size: 9.5 inches wide by 6 inches high Materials: Anything that shows up bold and bright, such as crayons, markers or cut paper. We suggest taping your artwork to cardboard to protect it. Do not fold artwork. Digitally produced art is accepted. Artwork may be submitted as JPEG or PDF file at atlantajewishtimes.com. To enter: All work must be received at the Atlanta Jewish Times office, 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 ATTN: Art Contest, or submitted through the website. (One entry per child, please.) All work must have an entry form attached on the back or filled out online: Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, 2016. Artwork may be picked up in January at 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 during regular business hours. There are four age categories: 6 and under, 7 to 9, 10 to 12, and 13 to 15.

GRAND PRIZE $50 Gift certificate to Binders. Winner’s art may be the cover of the Dec. 23 AJT.

FIRST PRIZES $25 Gift certificate to Binders for each category (total of 4)

Awards: Contest winners will be honored at a reception at Binders Art Supplies. Artwork may be reprinted in the Atlanta Jewish Times, posted online and publicly displayed at Binders.

ALL ENTRANTS $5 Giftcertificate to Binders

Contest Sponsor

3330 Piedmont Rd. 404-237-6331

for each contest participant. Show copy of entry form at store to receive gift.

Entry Form - 2016 Chanukah Art Contest NAME (FIRST AND LAST)

Deadline: Friday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. PHONE

CITY

STATE

AGE

SCHOOL

PARENT’S NAMES ONE ENTRY PER CHILD, PLEASE 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 www.atlantajewishtimes.com For additional entry forms call 404-883-2130 or look in future issues of the Jewish Times.

[

ZIP

] CHECK HERE IF DIGITALLY PRODUCED

DECEMBER 2 ▪ 2016

ADDRESS

31


32

DECEMBER 2 â–ª 2016


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.