Atlanta Jewish Times, Vol. XCII No. 48, December 8, 2017 by Atlanta Jewish Times

VOL. XCII NO. 48

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DECEMBER 8, 2017 | 20 KISLEV 5778

Chag Sameach Happy Chanukah 5778

DECEMBER 8 â&#x2013;ª 2017

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INSIDE THE AJT ONLY IN ISRAEL

Nearly two years into their aliyah adventure, Mort and Edie Barr celebrate the little things. Page 11

BIGGER PROBLEMS There’s no reason to like Linda Sarsour if you’re a fan of Israel, but she’s not our real concern. Page 12

NAZI INSIGHT A Weber School student interviews a New York Times reporter about his “Nazi next door” story. Page 14

TIME FOR CHANGE

EARLY START Chabad Intown helps kids make their own chanukiot at Home Depot. Page 26

On the cover: Our 2017 AJT Chanukah art contest winner, created by Marion Kogon. Meet the artist. Page 40

MITZVAH REDUX For the 23rd year, Amy’s Holiday Party brightens December for Atlanta youths. Page 28

LOTSA LATKES Put aside Bubbe’s classic recipe and get a little creative with your holiday frying. Page 30

FRIED OPTIONS Tired of latkes entirely? Try colorful carrots or doughnut holes. Page 38

CHAI 20

Johns Creek, whose only mayor in its decade-long history has been Chabad of North Fulton member Mike Bodker, continued its tradition of lighting a dreidel as well as a Christmas tree with a celebration at Newtown Park on Nov. 30.

FIGHTING MAD Don’t tell JWV and the Fort Benning Shacharit participants that Jews don’t fight for their country. Page 60

Chai Peking celebrates 20 years and looks for a new owner. Page 47

USCJ BIENNIAL

SOLDIER IN 1917

DOUGH GOOD

Check out our largely musical coverage of the Conservative movement. Page 62

Baked or not, the cookie dough at Batter is a sweet treat. Page 50

ACTING FAMILY

GRAND PARTY

Judy Benowitz celebrates her son’s struggle to make it onstage. Page 70

A new Torah helps the Chabad Israeli Center celebrate its completed renovations. Page 54

Associate Editor David R. Cohen

LIGHTER PROM InterfaithFamily brings back Promuk-

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

launches his monthly survey of Atlanta’s Jewish music scene with a fond farewell to Sammy Rosenbaum and a look ahead to AJMF9. Page 75

Chabad of Cobb is setting a record and raising money for Children’s Hospital with its menorah lighting. Page 20

A new translation reveals what a Yiddish-speaking soldier experienced in Georgia a century ago. Page 22

kah, this time with menorahs. Page 24

SOUND SCENE

INDEX Ma Tovu �� 5 Calendar �� 6 Candle Lighting �� 6 Israel News �� 7 Opinion �� 12 Health & Wellness �� 16 Chanukah �� 18 Food �� 47 Business �� 52 Local News �� 54 Arts �� 70 Home �� 76 Simchas �� 78 Obituaries �� 79 Closing Thoughts ��80 Crossword �� 81 Marketplace �� 82

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MA TOVU

Weighing Tried and True vs. Convenience in Care

Careful Deliberation Key I admire your steadfastness and adherence; those are both good qualities. However, moderation is always the best path, don’t you agree? My suggestion is to take some time to carefully consider the situation from all angles. Deliberation over medical care should not revolve around a question of loyalty. Your concern should be finding the best practitioner who can give you optimal care. Is Dr. Shot still providing the care you need despite her diminished hours? Do you hesitate to make an appointment because of the commute? Perhaps a consultation with Dr. Pain is an excellent way to figure out your dilemma. As you mentioned, a bedside manner that jibes with your personality is paramount to you. Your concerns with giving Dr. Shot a poor impression of Jews are valid, but I don’t feel they should weigh in regarding this situation. May the best doctor win! — Bernie W., M.D. P.S. My office is quite a distance from the central Jewish community, so please don’t worry about my feelings! Keep On Schlepping Dr. Shot has watched you grow from a young mother into a grandmother. If I were you, I wouldn’t trade that in. There is something special about someone who has known you for years, something you can’t trade in for convenience’s sake. As you mentioned in a somewhat humorous vein, losing your dry cleaner and TCBY were traumatic experiences. How much more challenging it would be to lose someone with whom you have a much more intimate and significant relationship. Unless Dr. Shot is no longer capable of caring for your needs, I say keep on schlepping. — Melanie Gresack

Shared Spirit Moderated By Rachel Stein rachels83@gmail.com Maintain Meaningful Relationships These days, everyone rides the fast train. Life is all about speed, dashing from one task to the next. Who has time to make a phone call when you can text a message? Oh, texting isn’t quick enough? WhatsApp is even more efficient; try it! Even Thanksgiving, when families

actually sit down together, has diminished drastically. Who has time to eat a big meal and spend hours — gasp — just talking and enjoying each other? You have a relationship with Dr. Shot that spans years. Are you ready to discard that because of the time you’ll save on the commute? A doctor who has served you with dedication has earned your patronage. — Josh A. Choose Convenience; You Deserve It If Dr. Pain suits your needs, switch. I’m a single mom who struggles to find a few minutes for myself. Life is sending the kids to school, racing to

work, coming home, making dinner, overseeing homework and bedtime, cleaning and crashing into bed — only to repeat the marathon the next day. Who has time to worry about divided loyalties? If you follow through on your letter idea to express your appreciation, then I don’t even hear your question. You need to choose the qualified professional who won’t take up so much of your valuable time. Enjoy the few minutes you save. — Suzie Long Have a dilemma to share with our readers? Please write to rachels83@ gmail.com and let us help you.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Recap: Naomi Green has used Dr. Shot as her primary care physician for decades, respects her professionalism and enjoys her demeanor. Dr. Shot recently decreased her hours, however, and her office is not centrally located. A new doctor, Dr. Pain, opened a practice in the heart of the Jewish community. Should Naomi make the switch or remain loyal?

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CALENDAR THROUGH DEC. 31

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JELF exhibit. The Jewish Educational Loan Fund’s history is featured in “The Legacy of the Hebrew Orphans’ Home” at the Breman, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and educators, and $4 for children 3 to 6; thebreman. org or 678-222-3700.

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Contributors This Week MARITA ANDERSON ARLENE APPELROUTH EDIE BARR • MORT BARR APRIL BASLER • JUDY BENOWITZ RABBI DAVID GEFFEN YONI GLATT • JORDAN GORFINKEL ELI HARRISON • LEAH R. HARRISON JOEL E. HOFFMAN MARCIA CALLER JAFFE BEVERLY LEVITT • KEVIN MADIGAN TED ROBERTS • DAVE SCHECHTER EUGEN SCHOENFELD DENA SCHUSTERMAN ANNA SELMAN • DANIEL SETZER AL SHAMS • CHANA SHAPIRO MATTHEW SIDEWATER RACHEL STEIN • DUANE STORK PATRICE WORTHY

CREATIVE SERVICES

THURSDAY, DEC. 7

Staying on the grid. Former FBI agent J. Britt Johnson, the vice president of corporate security for the Southern Co., discusses protecting the electric grid’s resiliency with the Edgewise group of the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, at 10:30 a.m. Free for members, $5 for others; www.atlantajcc.org/ knowledgewise or 678-812-4070.

FRIDAY, DEC. 8

Movie talk. Rabbi Herbert Cohen starts Shabbat as scholar in residence at New Toco Shul, 2003 LaVista Road, Toco Hills, by lecturing at 7:30 p.m. on whether movies are ever kosher. Free (dinner at 6:30 is $25 for shul members, $35 for nonmembers); newtocoshul. com.

SATURDAY, DEC. 9

Film scholar. Jewish film expert Eric Goldman visits Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway, East Cobb, for several events: a comparison between movies and the weekly Torah portion during 9:30 a.m. Saturday services; a presentation over dessert on the American Jewish experience through film at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and a breakfast talk on Israeli society in cinema at 10:15 a.m. Sunday; Free; etzchaim.net/filmscholar or 770-973-0137.

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DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

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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 © 2017 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

Cholent cook-off. Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, is accepting entrants for its cook-off, with preparation Thursday,

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Vayeshev Friday, Dec. 8, light candles at 5:11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, Shabbat ends at 6:09 p.m. Miketz Friday, Dec. 15, light candles at 5:12 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, Shabbat ends at 6:11 p.m. Dec. 7, and tasting and voting Dec. 9 at Kiddush after morning services. Free; linda@bshalom.net to enter. Movie talk. Rabbi Herbert Cohen talks about his year serving Congregation Beth Jacob and his book “Kosher Movies” at 8 p.m. at Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Toco Hills. Free; www.bethjacobatlanta.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 10

Bearing Witness. Holocaust survivor George Rishfeld speaks about his experiences in Poland at 2 p.m. at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Free; www.thebreman.org. Taste of Faith. The Atlanta Interfaith Leaders Forum presents a celebration of many religions’ holiday traditions with food, music and conversation from 4 to 6 p.m. at Unity Atlanta Church, 3597 Parkway Lane, Norcross. Free; www.facebook.com/ events/1340353646088150. Film screening. Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, shows the documentary “Above and Beyond,” about the birth of the Israeli air force, at 7 p.m. Free; RSVP by Dec. 7 at bit.ly/2z3PXjY.

MONDAY, DEC. 11

Islam discussion. AJC Atlanta, 3525 Piedmont Road, Buckhead, hosts the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs’ Alexander Gorlach for a

talk on Islam in Europe at noon. Lunch is $12; global.ajc.org/islam-europe. Infertility support. A Jewish Fertility Foundation support group meets at 6 p.m. at MACoM, 700-A Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. Free; rsvp@ jewishfertilityfoundation.org or 770843-7413.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 13

FIDF event. “Fauda” writer and actor Lior Raz speaks at the Friends of the IDF donor appreciation event at 6:30 p.m. at Mason Fine Art, 415 Plasters Ave., Buckhead. Admission, open to donors of $360 ($118 for 35 and younger), is $50 ($36 for 35 and younger); advance registration required at fidfse.wixsite. com/lh2017.

THURSDAY, DEC. 14

Sandy Hook vigil. Faith in Public Life and Outcry Georgia remember the elementary school massacre in Newtown, Conn., with a prayer vigil and a call to action for new Georgia gun laws at 7:30 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3003 Howell Mill Road, Buckhead. Free; www.outcrygeorgia.org/newtown.

FRIDAY, DEC. 15

Lunchtime Culture. The monthly collaboration of the Breman Museum, the Center for Puppetry Arts and the High Museum continues with a discussion on puppet building at noon at the High, 1280 Peachtree St., Midtown. Free; www.thebreman.org or 678-222-3700.

Find more events and submit items for our online and print calendars at the Atlanta Jewish Connector, www.atlantajewishconnector.com.

Remember When 10 Years Ago Dec. 7, 2007 ■ The Anti-Defamation League is trying to get hate messages banned from Georgia license plates after helping a Macon man replace a randomly generated license plate that could be read as an anti-Semitic message: “HA8 JWZ.” ADL Southeast Regional Director Bill Nigut has asked the state to discontinue the use of all plates that begin “H8” or “HA8.” ■ The bat mitzvah ceremony of Carly Shapiro of Marietta, daughter of Bob and Ilicia Shapiro, was held Saturday, Sept. 29, at Temple Beth Tikvah. 25 Years Ago Dec. 4, 1992 ■ Isaac Goodfriend, the cantor of Congregation Ahavath Achim for 28 years, has announced his retirement, effective

in January 1994. The cantor, 68, said he is stepping down because “life is getting shorter when you reach a certain age. … I’d like to go out in strength.” The synagogue will go through the Cantors Association to find a replacement. ■ Eva and Gordon Green of Marietta announce the birth of a son, Max Elliott, on Oct. 16. 50 Years Ago Dec. 8, 1967 ■ The Middle East should establish a common market modeled on the one in Europe, Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol told a group of newspaper editors at a Knesset luncheon. The apparent offer of economic unity to Arab nations would “restore to this region, the cradle of human culture, its proper place on the world map,” Eshkol said. ■ Mrs. Milton M. Skorman of Atlanta announces the engagement of her daughter, Joan Susan Skorman, to Jon Stephen Jacobs, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse J. Jacobs of Miami Beach. A summer wedding is planned.

ISRAEL NEWS

Arthur Creech Jones (left) talks with Moshe Sharett, the Jewish Agency representative to the United Nations, in March 1948.

Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details. Dec. 8, 1885: Joseph Sprinzak, who will serve as the first speaker of the Knesset and twice as interim president, is born in Moscow. Dec. 9, 1914: Shmuel Katz, a leader of Revisionist Zionism and a founder of the Herut party in Israel, is born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Dec. 10, 1952: At the end of the traditional 30-day mourning period for Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann, Ukraine-born Yitzhak Ben-Zvi, 68, is inaugurated for the first of his three terms as Israel’s second president in a Knesset ceremony. Dec. 11, 1947: A two-day debate on the future of Britain’s presence in Palestine begins in the House of Commons. Colonial Secretary Arthur Creech Jones explains that the British Mandate for Palestine will end May 15, 1948, and that the last British troops will be withdrawn not later than Aug. 1. “It is our prayer that the peoples in the Holy Land will cooperate and find that, while retaining their separate independence, they can join together to mutual advantage in making their country prosperous and happy,” he says. Dec. 12, 1920: The General Federation of Hebrew (later Israeli) Labor, the Histadrut, is founded in Haifa to serve as a neutral, independent trade union to represent all Jewish workers in Palestine. Dec. 13, 1961: Israeli Attorney General Gideon Hausner addresses the three presiding judges and demands the death penalty for Adolf Eichmann, an architect of the Nazis’ Final Solution. Eichmann is the only person ever executed by Israel. Dec. 14, 1981: In a quickly organized and somewhat surprising move, the Knesset votes to annex the Golan Heights by a vote of 63-21.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Today in Israeli History

SERVING THE ATLANTA

ISRAEL NEWS

INTOWN JEWISH COMMUNITY

Israel Photo of the Week

A Glimpse Back 2,200 Years Photo by Dane Christensen

Thanks to an aerial survey conducted by drones, the Israel Antiquities Authority and Hebrew University have found and partially excavated a 2,200-year-old stone structure that may have been a temple or palace for the Idumeans, the descendants of the Edomites and ancestors of King Herod. The building is at Horvat ‘Amuda in a military training area in the Lachish region. Read more about the discovery at atlantajewishtimes.com.

Chabad Intown is a non-proﬁt organization providing Jewish education and experience opportunities to all, regardless of background and afﬁliation

Desert landing. The 111,600-squarefoot Eilat Ramon Airport is due to open early next year 11 miles north of Eilat, one of Israel’s premier tourist destinations at the northern tip of the Red Sea. The airport has been built on reclaimed desert land in the heart of the Timna Valley, an area rich in copper that has been mined since the reign of King Solomon. The result is stunning, with the glass-cladded terminal providing exceptional views of the mountainous desert scenery. The airport, the first new one since Israel’s founding, will replace the Eilat J. Hozman Airport in the center of the city and the Ovda Airport 40 miles north of Eilat.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Your $3 logo. Two venture capital firms, Mangrove Capital Partners and Disruptive Technologies, have invested $5 million in Yali Saar’s Tailor Brands, which creates logos without involving a human being. You simply input the name of your business and answer a few questions, and in less time than it takes to order a cup of coffee, your branding campaign is on its way. A logo from Tailor Brands costs as little as $3.

Aid for Black Death. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South African branch of Magen David Adom have sent medical aid to Madagascar to help combat an outbreak of bubonic plague. The Black Death broke out on the island nation in August and has infected more than 1,800 people, killing at least 127. The World Health Organization described the outbreak as the worst in 50 years.

Embassy in Rwanda. Israel is opening an embassy in Kigali, Rwanda. “This is part of the expansion of Israel’s presence in Africa and of the deepening cooperation between Israel and African countries,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Nairobi. Medical device cyber protection. Tel Aviv-based Medigate develops a platform that protects medical devices such as patient monitors, MRI machines and CT scanners from cyber-attacks once the devices are connected to a health care provider network. Medigate has raised $5.35 million in capital. According to the company’s announcement, health care providers depend on nearly 100 million connected medical devices to deliver care to patients, and the number of these connected devices is expected to double within three years. Sparkling Gold. Lod-based Soda Stream has launched Sparkling Gold, a fine alcoholic concentrate to be added to sparkling water. The beverage contains 10 percent alcohol when prepared using the recommended mixing ratio and resembles the taste of a fruity Riesling wine. Sparkling Gold is being piloted in Germany, and feedback is positive. Last year the company launched a home-brewed beer product. Compiled courtesy of verygoodnewsisrael. blogspot.com, israel21c.org, timesofisrael. com and other sources.

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ISRAEL NEWS

Israel Always Surprises, Usually for the Good yahu’s friend Sheldon Adelson owns Israel Hayom. In the bribery case related to a submarine contract, people close to Netanyahu are alleged to have received a cut. The police have been trying to get sufficient evidence to charge the prime minister, who is a suspect in other deals. Meanwhile, the Knesset was

Guest Column By Rabbi David Geffen

poised to pass a law forbidding the publication of any information from a police investigation. But after Knesset members of the coalition announced they were voting against the bill and 30,000 people protested the bill Saturday night, Dec. 2, in Tel Aviv and coalition Chairman David Bitan was called in to be interrogated by the police about fraud and other charges, Netanyahu announced early Sunday afternoon, Dec. 3, that the bill will be rewritten so that it will not refer to the investigations he has undergone. There is a debate as to why Netanyahu buckled under, but some sanity has returned to Israel for those of us who care about the threats against democracy that have been growing in leaps and bounds. The victim in the cannon fire against the PM is Sara Netanyahu. Over the past year she has been in and out of the Labor Court of Israel. She has been charged with hoarding foodstuffs and having an expensive caterer prepare a dinner in the official residence for distinguished guests. She said she wanted the evening to be fancier. A maid has claimed that Sara harassed her so that the woman was afraid she would be hit, so she resigned. All the “Sara stuff,” everyone knows, is to make her suffer because her husband cannot yet be touched. Although there has been a paucity of rain, the flowers throughout Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and all the other big cities are blooming in bright colors. Israel knows how to use irrigation to keep everything alive — fruits, vegetables, grains, flowers — despite the shortage of water. For those who read newspaper stories about protests by the Haredim, including The New York Times and

The Washington Post, I want to describe a different feature of this group. The demonstrators are blackcoat robots. They are told what to do — riot, turn over garbage bins, hit soldiers and make the police crazy. But near where I live, Nahlaot, there are many synagogues, yeshivot, a Chabad house and a few mikvaot, and the Haredim are very concerned about Israel. Some men wear the black Hasidic garb; others do not but have a Haredi mindset. I do not know about their going in the army, as some do, but I am impressed by the attitude they express. The men work, as do some of the women, and the men study. They have guidelines for their children; they encourage them to join groups for enjoyment and for seeing the country. Some who are professionals are not sure whether they want their children to go college. The Haredim who have made aliyah from the United States are more open to permitting their children to go to college. The other day the operator of the light railway train saw a woman running for the train, and from afar

Photo by Amos Ben-Gershom, Government Press Office

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing increasing political pressure regarding corruption investigations, talks about Israel’s improving image in foreign nations Monday, Dec. 4.

he encouraged her to keep coming. He opened the doors so she could get in. She was thankful, as were the rest of us, even though we were packed in. We knew that the man running the train was a good, kind person. Israel has no available hotel rooms after Jan. 1. Every room has been reserved. One suggestion is to dock a big ship near a major city to house tourists. Why shouldn’t Israel be packed for its 70th birthday? Who realized the country would grow like this? Israel will always surprise us. Just strike up the band! ■

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Strike up the band! Strike up the band! We here in Israel and all of you abroad never know what will happen in the land of our fathers and mothers. Some of it is good; some not so good. Because we are in our 70th year and the United Nations just voted overwhelmingly that Jerusalem is not the capital, anything is possible. So strike up the band! The other night I saw a phenomenon of major proportions. I had no idea that Israel has worked for several years to construct a landing capsule that will make it to the moon and give Israel a chance to see what that heavenly body is all about. There on television was the space launcher almost completed, a Jewish moon lander. The three developers were standing around, explaining what is being done. One was in a wheelchair. Two years ago his spine cracked when he fell on a ski slope. You can imagine that to wake up and learn you will never walk again is devastating. Initially, he was in a deep depression. But his wife and his partners pulled him up and made him appreciate his family and his fabulous project, even in a wheelchair. A phenomenon requires millions of shekels to develop. Various people who believe that there will be a Jewish landing on the moon have donated considerable money, but not enough. If extra millions cannot be found, the project will have to stop just short of completion. What will happen? Strike up the band! When a close friend who has been one of the great supporters of Israel for over a half-century recently arrived from Atlanta, his first question on the telephone as we spoke was “What is going on with Netanyahu?” I have no idea. For months the TV, radio and newspapers have bombarded us with charges against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Supposedly, his friends give him expensive gifts, cigars in particular, and he is accused of colluding with Noni Mozes, the owner of Yedioth Ahronoth, the largest newspaper in Israel. Netanyahu, according to the leaked charges, asked Mozes to lay off him, and in return the prime minister would see that the free daily newspaper Israel Hayom would cut back the number of copies it prints. Netan-

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ISRAEL NEWS

Should Israel Give Life to the Death Penalty? Muhammad Muhamra, Khalid Muhamra and Younis Ayash Musa Zayn received life sentences in a Tel Aviv court Wednesday, Nov. 29. The perpetrators of the 2016 Sarona Market attack in Tel Aviv, the three men are responsible for the deaths of four Israeli civilians. Carried out with crudely made, blackmarket handguns, the deadly attack was part of a haphazard plan. The West Bank residents crossed into Israel through a break in the security barrier. Upon entering Tel Aviv, in search of a crowded location, the perpetrators asked locals where they could find a place with multiple restaurants. They were directed to the upscale, crowded Sarona Market, where they opened fire in the densely packed complex after ordering dessert. Beyond the four deaths, dozens were injured in the attack. Sentencing perpetrators of deadly terrorist attacks is an unfortunately common occurrence in Israel, a coun-

try where the death penalty has been carried out only once: Adolf Eichmann, convicted in an Israeli court of war crimes for his role in the Nazi Final Solution, was hanged in Ramla in 1962. According to a July Israel Democracy Institute poll, 70 percent of Israe-

Guest Column By Eli Sperling

lis either “strongly” or “moderately” supported “the execution of Palestinians found guilty of murdering Israeli civilians for nationalist reasons.” This issue is thorny in Israeli society because of the relatively common practice of releasing convicted terrorists as part of negotiations and prisoner swaps with the Palestinian leadership. Many politicians in Israel echo the sentiment of those polled by the Israel Democracy Institute. One of the

forerunners of this movement is Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) party leader Avigdor Lieberman, who has avidly pushed for legislation mandating the death penalty for Palestinian terrorists convicted of killing Israelis. But despite the efforts of Lieberman and others to pass such bills, none has gained traction, even when recently supported by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and public opinion. During the summer, Omar alAbed, armed with a knife, slaughtered three members of a Jewish family in their home in the settlement of Halamish. After the attack, many in Israel, including numerous members of the Knesset, lobbied for al-Abed to receive the death penalty. Despite such overtures, the Military Advocate General’s Office, responsible for trying the case, released a statement reiterating that while Israeli law allows for such measures, military prosecutors do not see it as Israeli policy and do not plan to pursue capital punishment in the case. This debate is unlikely to be

Photo courtesy of Channel 2 News Israel

These three terrorists were convicted of killing four Israelis in the 2016 Sarona Market attack in Tel Aviv.

resolved soon, especially considering the regularity of politically motivated violence in Israel and the government mandate of not pursuing the death penalty. Likewise, if capital punishment were to become common for convicted terrorists, what about extreme acts of violence perpetrated by Jewish Israelis? Should Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin’s murderer, a religious Jew, have been given the death penalty? ■ Eli Sperling is the Israel specialist and assistant program coordinator for the Center for Israel Education (www. israeled.org).

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ISRAEL NEWS

Our Aliyah Adventure: Only-in-Israel Moments Living in Israel is truly a privilege. A Facebook group called Only in Israel lists amazing things that can happen only here in a Jewish country. We have experienced them also. We recently ordered a wallmounted, fold-away clothes-drying rack online. A day later, the provider in Haifa called to explain that the product ID had changed, but it was the same product. Our Hebrew skills were inadequate, so we asked the caller to speak in English to ensure we understood the details. The next day when the UPS delivery came, we spoke in Hebrew, but the courier spoke only in English. When we asked him why he didn’t answer in Hebrew, he showed us that the delivery notice instructed him to speak to the customer in English. Deliveries in the language of your choice, we guess. In August, we were visiting the Old City in Jerusalem with our daughter and family from New Jersey. We ate dinner at a barbecue restaurant. Our granddaughter forgot her iPad on the table, and when we went back to get it, it was gone. We decided it was stolen. My daughter later told me that someone found the iPad and posted the pictures from it on Facebook, asking whether anyone recognized the people in them. Someone did and called my daughter. We got in touch with the person who found the iPad and discovered that she lives a few feet from our sonin-law’s co-worker in Bnei Brak. Thus, the iPad will be returned. Such honesty and effort to return a valuable lost object are typical of Israel. On a recent Sunday, the Misrad HaKlitah (Ministry of Absorption) celebrated Olim (New Immigrant) Day. Beit Shemesh had a free concert with free bus transportation in the evening and a carnival for children the next day after school. Are new immigrants treated this way in the United States? Rosh Hodesh Cheshvan began Senior Month in Israel. Our municipality planned many great events for us. It began with a free concert with a well-known singer. There were lowcost trips to places all over the country, including Be’er Sheva, Tel Aviv and a kibbutz. Senior Month also offered cooking, arts and crafts, and other workshops. Israel has many benefits for seniors on a regular basis. Public trans-

Edie and Mort Barr are happy to be Israelis.

portation is half-price, and special seats on buses are reserved for seniors. Every Tuesday, movies are only 11 shekels (about $3). Museums and sightseeing locations always have reduced rates for seniors. It is said Israel is a land of miracles. They happen every day. A friend and neighbor of ours needed a liver and kidney transplant. She is 60 and has many health issues, and we feared she would not get the transplants in time to save her life. One Friday night, as we gazed out our garden toward her building across the street, we noticed United Hatzalah

(the volunteer ambulance corps) and a police car with lights flashing but no sirens because they would disturb the neighbors on Shabbat. They stopped in front of her building. We worried that something had happened to her. But it turned out that our friend could not be reached by phone on Shabbat, so they came to get her. After she was on the transplant waiting list only two weeks, a man who happened to be an exact match died. She was taken to Hadassah Hospital. The double transplant operation took 21 hours. She came home after one month and was living a normal life again after two months. Her nurses and doctors were Arabs and Jews working together to save lives. Something to marvel at and be proud of. The waiting room at the health clinic that we frequent has reading material for patients, but instead of magazines, there are Tehillim (Psalms), the Mishnah and siddurim (prayer books). The nearby rental car waiting room has the same kinds of books. Last but not least regarding only-

in-Israel moments are the mundane things that convert ordinary life into Jewish life in Israel. Garbage collection follows the Jewish holiday calendar. Garbage pickup is always the day after Shabbat, with extra pickup days before and after each Jewish holiday. It’s remarkable to see the front and rear signs on buses rotating between the destination and “Shabbat Shalom” or “Chag Sameach” or a “Shanah Tovah.” Truly an inspiring Israeli sight to behold. We have lived in many places over the years and made friends we had to leave behind. Little by little, they are moving here to Israel, and our friendships are continuing where we left off so many years before. You can’t help but feel the hand of Hashem in this wonderful land. ■ Mort and Edie Barr lived in Atlanta from 2006 until they made aliyah March 30, 2016. Their reporting on their aliyah experience won them a Rockower Award from the American Jewish Press Association.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

By Mort and Edie Barr

OPINION

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Our View

To Jerusalem

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Another waiver deadline for the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act has come and gone, but as the AJT went to press Tuesday, Dec. 5, we still had no clarity on U.S. policy regarding the capital of Israel. Leading up to the deadline — Dec. 1, pushed back to Dec. 4 to avoid a Friday — news reports reflected the lack of decisiveness in President Donald Trump’s administration. Someone would leak word that after two decades of presidents from Bill Clinton to Trump signing waivers every six months, Trump was ready to make good on his campaign pledge to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Someone else would promptly leak news that, no, Trump would not sign the waiver for reasons of national security. Of the many ways Israel is treated differently from every other nation in the world, none is more aggravating and insulting than the refusal of countries to recognize Israel’s right to declare any city it governs as its capital. No nation puts its embassy to the United States in New York, refusing to recognize Washington, even though the U.S. government used to be based in New York and Washington was on the edge of disputed territory in a bloody conflict only 155 years ago. But although Israel has its government in Jerusalem, has held at least a portion of the city throughout its nearly 70 years and, of course, has historical claims going back more than 3,000 years as the nation-state of the Jewish people, the foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv, Israel’s version of New York. The only justification for the refusal to put the U.S. Embassy in Israel’s actual capital is that such a move would upset the Palestinians, other Arabs and other Muslims. We might see riots across the Arab world and protests at U.S. diplomatic offices, and the Palestinians promise the death of the peace process. Except there is no peace process. Regardless of Israel’s desire to make a deal, no Palestinian leader has shown any interest peace talks. To the contrary, the Palestinians have seen repeated signs that their obstinance will pay off in some sort of solution enforced by international organizations. Every time the United Nations or any of its agencies passes a resolution rejecting Israeli claims to Jerusalem — not all the holy city, but any of it — the Palestinians can hope that eventually they will gain Jerusalem as their undivided, eternal capital. Putting the U.S. Embassy in the western part of Jerusalem, an area that is undisputed as Israeli territory by anyone who accepts Israel’s existence, would make a clear American statement that Israel isn’t giving up Jerusalem. It would show that the United States is not too timid to do the right thing. After the initial uproar, it might even bring the Palestinians to peace talks by showing that waiting won’t work. It would not eliminate the possibility of a Palestinian state with shared sovereignty over at least part of Jerusalem. The United States could even push that process by simultaneously upgrading its Jerusalem consulate to an embassy to the Palestinian Authority. But we know what happens if Trump signs that waiver, even if he declares, by speech or tweet, that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital: nothing. No progress, no 12 justice, no satisfaction and no peace. ■

Cartoon by Steve Sack, The Minneapolis Star Tribune

Sarsour Isn’t the Real Threat

Irony doesn’t get much thicker than pro-PalesAlthough advocacy for the Palestinian people tinian, anti-Israel activist Linda Sarsour headlining a and their national aspirations does not require panel discussion on anti-Semitism, but she may have opposition to Israel — many American Jews are been the least offensive speaker at a New York event pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian — Sarsour’s right that Tuesday night, Nov. 28. we shouldn’t expect better of her. If I were the child “Antisemitism and the Struggle for Justice” of Palestinian immigrants, raised on stories of Ismade headlines in advance raeli atrocities, I probably because of the involvement would feel the same way. of Sarsour, who, among But I wonder what Editor’s Notebook other charming stateSarsour thought about her By Michael Jacobs ments, has said “nothing fellow panelists, Jewish mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com is creepier than Zionism” anti-Zionists from groups and has denied that anysuch as Jewish Voice for one can be both a Zionist Peace and Jews for Racial & and a feminist. Economic Justice. But, to be fair, Sarsour said many things that JVP member Lina Morales, for example, dewere true during the discussion, which you can clared, “Because I care about Jews, I am anti-Zionist.” watch in its entirety at the Facebook page of Jacobin There’s the threat to the Jewish people: Jews Magazine, one of the co-sponsors (bit.ly/2nfTnyD). who go beyond criticizing Israel and the occupation, Jews and non-Jews must commit to dismantling beyond accusing Israel of atrocities, beyond questionanti-Semitism, she said. Regardless of whether she ing the fairness of establishing Israel where non-Jews meant it, I can’t argue with that statement. had lived for centuries, beyond falsely labeling Israel “If what you’re reading all day long in the Jewish an apartheid nation and comparing its politicians media is that Linda Sarsour and Minister Farrakhan and soldiers to Nazis, to reject Israel’s existence. are the existential threats to the Jewish community, It’s telling that anti-Zionists love to complain something really bad is going to happen, and we are about criticism of Israel being labeled as antigoing to miss the mark on it,” she said. Semitism, even though most supporters of Israel That’s a straw man argument: This outlet of acknowledge that Israeli policies and actions, like the Jewish media, for example, has never suggested those of any other nation, are fair game. But those Sarsour threatens the Jewish people’s existence, same anti-Zionists rarely try to explain how rejectand we hardly ever think of Louis Farrakhan. He is ing the concept of a Jewish national homeland — the anti-Semitic, so it was odd for Sarsour to bring him essence of peoplehood, for which they fight so hard up. But she’s right that we have bigger threats in the for the Palestinians — is not inherently anti-Semitic. world than either her or the Nation of Islam leader. Anti-Zionism is an expression of anti-Semitism. “I am unapologetically Palestinian-American I can understand Sarsour and challenge her and will always be unapologetically Palestinianstatements about Israel, and I don’t much care what American. I am also unapologetically Muslimshe thinks about Jews. But the oxymoron of anti-ZiAmerican. And guess what? I am also a very staunch onist Jews is bewildering and depressing and was the supporter of the BDS movement. What other way am only existential threat on that stage at New York’s I supposed to be?” she said. New School on Nov. 28. ■

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OPINION

Have We Lost Our Capacity to Dream? coming of the Messiah with a more attainable dream. Zionism proposed that we, the Jews by ourselves, could redeem the ancestral home. And the repossession of the land began both through aliyah — returning to live in the land — and through the purchase

One Man’s Opinion By Eugen Schoenfeld

of the land. I remember the blue-and-white kufsoth, the boxes into which we dropped our coins, as well as the stamps we bought and the trees we planted and the songs we sang of how we would dry the mosquito-infested wetlands. We had dreams of self-determination. Of course, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda gave us another dream, the dream of Hebrew, along with the rejection of Yiddish. After all, as Ben-Yehuda proposed, there can be no national revival without the revival of its language. Hebrew was being revived. We took it out from its archaic status when the language was called Lashon Hakodesh (the holy language), not to be used in secular, everyday discourse, and turned it into a modern and vibrant language. With this language, we re-created our bond of ancient Israel with modern Israel and re-established our ties with our ancestors. Of course, Zionism sought to alter the image of the galut Jew, the Jew who for 2,000 years was a submissive person, whose motto was to become invisible, who lived in fear of what the morrow would bring, who refrained from speaking, lest our ideas would open Satan’s mouth and give fodder to anti-Semites. Zionism dreamed to strengthen our backbone so that we could, as the prayer states, return to our land, standing erect with pride and without fear. Zionism had a dream of the Jew as a chalutz, a pioneer, and not necessarily the matmid, the faithful Jew who sits in the synagogue and does not engage in life. We needed builders who also served as fearless defenders. We sought to emulate our heroes from the past, such as Gideon, Deborah, Yael, the Maccabees and Bar Kochba. The mold for the modern hero

was cast in the shape of a former Russian lieutenant, Yosef Trumpeldor, who died defending Tel Hai. He was a builder by day, plowing the land in his kibbutz, and at night stood guard with his rifle in his hand. Zionism was a vision and a dream infused into me of a new Jewish people free from the negativity and fearfulness that marked the Diaspora. When in 1948 the ancient dream of our restored homeland became a reality and some of the original dreamers were standing in the new Israel amid the horah dancers, the chalutzim and the Holocaust survivors, I cried. Some of the early masters of the dream, such as Chaim Weizmann and David Ben-Gurion, were there to realize the 2,000-year-old national hope. Unfortunately, it seems to me that we have lost or have forgotten our dreams. Instead of fulfilling our uniqueness as a people committed to the moral teaching of tzedek (justice) for all, we have become like all other nations, a secularized people who have lost the moral spark that made us a holy people.

Is this flag no longer a shining example for the world?

Moreover, we seemingly have lost our capacity to have dreams, a quality that our prophets wished for us so we could imagine a better future. Of course, we and Israel must live in a world governed by realpolitik, but must we lose our capacity to dream that we can create a world that rises above the worship of power? Must we give up the dream that we held dear for millennia to become a model for all nations as a people governed by justice and concern for the welfare of all? Must we become kechol hagoyim — like all other people — and lose our capacity to dream a dream that reflected the soul of this holy people and was an essential part of Zionism’s vision of tikkun olam? ■

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

I was born into great wealth. It was not the wealth people usually think of. My father worked hard to move us out of poverty and the Jewish ghetto, where mostly poor Jews lived. He was the proprietor of a bookstore, and we lived comfortably in a three-room house where love ruled. The three of us siblings slept in the same room, a room that served all purposes. It was our day room, where the family spent most of our time. While most of our meals were consumed in the kitchen, Mother on Shabbat put her treasured, crocheted tablecloth, two silver candlesticks, silver Kiddush cup and two challahs on the table, and the room assumed a new stature and became fit for the Shabbat banquet. But every night the room turned into a dormitory, including a certain pot in lieu of a bathroom. Still, I must reiterate that I was born into wealth, for we had a treasure: our dream for the future. We believed with an unwavering faith in the coming of the Messiah. Each day in the morning prayer we declared the 13 principles of faith coined by Maimonides, and we fervently declared that although he might tarry, we maintained our faith in the coming of the Messiah, who would establish a peaceful and just world. To my mother, the coming of the Messiah simply meant a world without drudgery, including no cooking. All one had to do was pluck the fruit off a new and marvelous tree, and, like the manna in the desert, it would taste like whatever one wished. I was born into a people who dreamed and were the masters of dreams. Out of our dreams of the Messiah came new dreams of a new land — a homeland that would become an ideal for the world. All one had to do was open the door to any classroom at the Hebrew grade school or the Hebrew gymnasium, the school I attended, to see a big placard of a man with a handsome black beard leaning over the rail of a balcony while dreamingly scanning the horizon of Israel. That man was Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, and under the picture was a new slogan written in Hebrew: “If you wish it, this is not merely a dream.” The rise of Zionism in a sense came to replace the dream of the

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OPINION

Missing the Point on the Nazi Next Door Richard Fausset, the Atlanta bureau chief for The New York Times, recently had an article published titled “A Voice of Hate in America’s Heartland,” which angered many people because they thought Fausset and The New York Times were humanizing Nazi sympathizers. I am nowhere near as experienced or as qualified as Fausset or the news organizations that shared negative opinions about his article. However, as an editor with my student newspaper at the Weber School, where I interviewed Fausset when he came to visit my class, I am compelled to share my 2 cents. While talking to my class, Fausset mentioned that he was working on an article focusing on a Nazi sympathizer in Ohio, a man who considers himself a white nationalist rather than a white supremacist. When prompted by questions from my peers and me about the article, Fausset mentioned that he was conflicted about the story for the same reason many news publications are critiquing his article: It humanizes the Nazi, Tony Hovater. I agree that this article presents

Hovater as more of a human than a monster. But the article has another function that many readers miss: It demonstrates that racist and anti-Semitic

Letters To The Editor

We opened up our Atlanta hub in January this year and already have 154 volunteers who have hosted 230 dinners for 2,830 seats at the table, with 23 more dinners planned so far this year. It has been amazing. Shabbat dinner may not look like involvement the way it was talked about at the 2017 General Assembly, but it is a beautiful, important part of Jewish life — one that millennials are choosing to participate in and make their own. One of our hosts, Steph K., wrote: “Shabbat dinner is a chance to slow down and recognize the moment. Time moves so fast now that, for me, it’s a moment to check in and reset for a new week. … OneTable feels like my Jewish community wants to support me on my terms. No pressure to fit into norms, just a desire to build community.” Instead of asking millennials to fit the molds of the previous generations, maybe it’s time to invite more of us to the table. We’re good guests. We’ll contribute. As Jacobs says at the end of his piece, “We must make it as easy as possible for all Jews to create their own forms of community.” That’s exactly

Millennials Mesmerize All

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Michael Jacobs’ recent piece “Millennials Mesmerize Jewish Federations” (Editor’s Notebook, Nov. 17) really caught my attention. In it he writes, “There’s a sense of crisis involving millennials, based on the belief that they’re somehow more disaffected and disconnected from organized Judaism than previous generations.” As a Jewish millennial, I hear these fears a lot: Why aren’t millennials joining more Jewish communities? As a millennial who works for an organization aimed at Jewish millennials, I know what it feels like to ask these same questions. Yet, working for OneTable, a nonprofit that makes Shabbat dinner more accessible for millennials, has shown me a different side of this issue as well. After just three years in business, we’ve celebrated 100,000 seats at the table. That’s over 55,000 young adults choosing to spend their Friday nights 14 engaged in Jewish community.

Guest Column By Matthew Sidewater

ideas are becoming too common in our society. People may want to believe that Hovater and those like him resemble members of the Nazi Party during the Holocaust or a Nazi caricature, but he does not. Hovater does not have swastika tattoos all over his body. He does not have devil’s horns or a forked tongue. He does not look like the monster children think is hiding under their beds. His appearance does not hint at his noxious ideology. In reality, he can pass as a normal member of society without anyone glancing twice. This is what is truly terrifying: Radical, cruel ideologies are becoming commonplace, taking root in the hearts of ordinary citizens.

Many readers misunderstand what I believe was Fausset’s intent, thinking that presenting the normal aspects of Hovater’s life indicates that his beliefs are unremarkable, when Fausset is attempting to show that his ideas are masked beneath the facade of normality. Fausset is not using his article to sympathize with Nazis or to further their cause. He is doing the opposite. He is giving a face to the ideology and illustrating that it is a fungus lurking beneath society’s surface that could continue to spread if unrecognized in all its forms. I believe this piece helps to prevent this cancer of an ideology, the same ideology shared at the Charlottesville rallies (Hovater helped found one of the Nazi groups that protested there), from finding its way into America’s bloodstream by showing how mundane these anti-Semitic beliefs seem to a Nazi. By berating Fausset and The New York Times, people and many news agencies are taking the focus away from the problem of the spread of Nazism. In fact, Fausset’s article serves only as a tool to stop the Nazi agenda. Fausset wrote this piece while trying to remain “a neutral and fair

arbiter of the information,” something he agreed during my interview with him is important for reporters to be. He did so because this is a news piece, a type of article in which the reporter should permit readers to draw their own conclusions. Fausset did verify, however, that he and the Times do not support the Nazi ideology by calling Hovater a “bigot” and by showing that Hovater is affiliated with a political party condemned by the Anti-Defamation League. While I agree that Fausset had more opportunities to condemn Hovater’s ideology, he decided not to because he was assigned to write a news piece, not an opinion article. In the case of this piece, it is up to the readers to realize that hatemongers are reprehensible. While my opinion as a Jew and as a journalist differs from those of many, I still believe that it is up to the readers to decide whether Fausset could have done more to condemn Hovater. ■

what I believe my work is doing every single day for the Jewish millennial community in Atlanta. — Shira Hahn, Atlanta, OneTable Atlanta hub manager

in Judaea and Samaria (renamed “the West Bank” to manipulatively skew opinion against Israel) were driven out or killed, and their communities, homes and property were confiscated or destroyed. Beit Ha’arava, Kalya, Atarot and Neve Ya’akov; kibbutzim Kfar Etzion, Ein Tzurim, Massu’ot Yitzhak and Revadim; the Jewish quarters of Hebron and the Old City of Jerusalem — these are among the communities that were eradicated by Arab invaders. The territories in question may be disputed, but they are definitely not occupied. To accept that designation is to aid and abet those whose culture of hatred would do to all of Israel exactly what was done to Jewish communities of Samaria in 1948. — Julia Lutch, Davis, Calif.

What ‘Occupation’?

In your otherwise very thoughtful “Our View: Blame Game” (Dec. 1), you state, “One thing about Israel stands out from all those other nations, and it’s not ‘the occupation,’ as regrettable as that may be.” Hmm. I wish to respectfully point out that what is regrettable regarding “the occupation” is the acceptance of this false and delegitimizing reference by so many Jews. There was never a sovereign state of Palestine governed by “Palestinians” at any time in history. The League of Nations gave Britain a mandate over the area including Israel after the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I. The Ottoman Empire, which lasted for about 500 years, was centered in Turkey and advanced across southeastern Europe and the Middle East. The only occupation involving Israel was the occupation of Israel by Jordan from 1948 to 1967. Jews living

Matthew Sidewater, 16, is a junior at The Weber School. He serves as a web editor on Weber’s student publication, The Rampage.

Hotovely’s Truth Hurts

Dave Schechter has had it with insults from Israelis (“Enough With Israeli Insults of American Jews,” Dec. 1). Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely stated that most American Jews don’t have children serving as soldiers, going to the Marines, going to Afghanistan or Iraq.

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OPINION

The Truth About American Jewish Military Service sider how their Judaism might affect their acceptance into the mainstream American culture. I was not surprised to see Lee Rogers, a columnist from the neo-Nazi

While that statement caused multiple seizures in the American Jewish community, let’s analyze it for truth. The majority of Israeli Jews perform military service, while the majority of American Jews do not perform military service. I think even Schechter could accept this statement. Hotovely did not say Jews never serve in the military or serve in the military in a lower proportion than their portion of the general population. Indeed, it is likely that Jews serve in the U.S. military in a proportion similar to their proportion of the population. It is this nuance that is not appreciated by either Schechter or the Daily Stormer. Indeed, the neo-Nazi Daily Stormer relies extensively on comments from left-wing icons like The New York Times’ Thomas Friedman, who implied that the U.S. Congress is a Zionist-occupied government, and Haaretz. This helps the Daily Stormer staff, which does not possess sufficient imagination. I would submit that Israel has a very good understanding of the American Jewish community. What it sees is a large but weak community. It sees a community that did little for European Jews during the Holocaust. It also sees a Jewish community that approved of the Iran deal, which provides a kashrut symbol for nuclear Iran, in significantly greater proportion than the general population. It sees a Jewish community that has a 71 percent intermarriage rate and a simi-

lar proportion of Jews who have never visited Israel nor plan to. Finally, Schechter omitted a crucial detail about Hotovely’s visit to America. Shortly before her comments, she was disinvited by Rabbi Julie Roth of Princeton Hillel. Rabbi Roth made the decision without any pressure from Muslim students. She was forced to apologize by the national leadership of Hillel. Hotovely was able to give her speech at Chabad instead. Among many American Jews, Israel itself is outside the “big tent” we are supposed to espouse. It would be difficult to imagine Rabbi Roth giving the same treatment to anti-Israel feminist icon Linda Sarsour, who likely would be welcomed by more Hillels than Hotovely would. Israel sees a U.S. Jewish community nearing its expiration date and relies more on the common values of the United States and Israel than a relationship between a community that sees Israel as an uncouth distant relative with a foreign accent. — Herbert Kaine, Berkeley, Calif.

Guest Column By Anna Selman

Daily Stormer, use Hotovely’s words against American Jews: “The last thing the Jews want are the American people waking up to the fact that they’re fighting wars for them even though few Jews serve themselves.” I expect a rabid anti-Semite to use anti-Semitic tropes against American Jews, but when the comments originate from a fellow Jew, albeit an Israeli Jew, that especially hurts. Which gets to my next point: The idea of Jews not serving in proportion

Liberal Jews Hurt Israel

I am really tired and fed up with excuses from liberal Jews to as why they supported Barack Obama, a past president with his hatred and stand at the United Nations against Israel. Where was your voice then? How is it that you had no opinion or no voice when the Obama administration gave

to their population is an old antiSemitic lie that reached its heyday in Nazi Germany. In fact, we again saw it used this year in Charlottesville when neo-Nazis chanted “blood and soil,” which refers to the idea that only white Americans have spilled blood for this country. We know that American Jews have fought and died for our country as far back as Asser Levy and his comrades in the New Amsterdam colony in the middle of the 17th century. Since then, Jews have fought for America in every major war, and Jews served disproportionately more than the rest of the population in World War II. Thousands of medals have been awarded to American Jews, 27 of whom have been awarded the Medal of Honor. American Jews have raised their hands to enlist at the same rate as other Americans. Thousands have fought in the 16-year-long war that

began with the 9/11 attacks. Currently, 15,000 American Jews serve on active duty, and an additional 5,000 serve in the Guard and the Reserves. In any case, I dare Hotovely to tell the parents of the 56 fallen Iraq and Afghanistan Jewish American heroes that American Jews don’t serve. These Jewish Gold Star families have made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting America and American values. We invite Deputy Foreign Minister Hotovely to come meet with representatives of the Jewish War Veterans of the USA and visit the National Museum of American Jewish Military History in Washington so that she can learn more about Jewish American military history. We hope she takes us up on our offer. ■

Iran billions of dollars — Iran, the No. 1 enemy of Israel, which wants to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth. Where was your voice when the Obama administration sent activists to Israel to press for the end of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during Israeli elections? American liberal Jews want to tell Israel, a democratic country, where and where not to build. Do you think you have the right because you send financial aid to Israel? Well, surprise, so do more conservative Jews. The Democratic Party is not the same party as when I was growing up. The Democratic Party has become divisive, arrogant and just plain ugly. The Republican Party has become a party of doing nothing, but now we have a president who leads the way for the Republicans or threatens them publicly. Independents like myself love and respond to this. So, Dave Schechter, the next time you express some negativity about Israel or the Jews, let the reader know that you are labeled as a liberal Jew. — Joyce Schechter, Atlanta

ter in Charleston put me in touch with the One Group, and they are absolutely fabulous! They operate through the services of the William Breman Jewish Home and offer private-duty, professional, registered nurses to provide one-on-one care in your home, assisted living community or nursing home. When you have been active all your life (I’m 86), it is very difficult not to be able to take care of yourself. From the first time Bintu, E and Marie walked through the front door, I knew I was being taken care of by three beautiful ladies who care. I am so surprised that I was not aware of the One Group’s existence, so I had to share this information with you. The telephone number is 404-751-2277, and the email address is onegroup@ wbjhome.org. I hope you will help spread the word about this wonderful service being offered in our community. — Kitty Jacobs, Atlanta

Wonderful One Group

I have lived in Atlanta since 1952 and had never needed home health care before this year. I had depended on the recommendations of friends and used the services of a group that had treated others I know. About two weeks ago, my daugh-

Anna Selman is the programs and public relations coordinator for the Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America.

From the Blogs

The community conversation is always active at blogs.timesofisrael.com/ atlanta-jewish-times. Visit the blogs to sign up for your own AJT blog or to add your comments to recent posts, including Rabbi Marc Wilson’s reminiscences of Chanukah in Chicago in 1953, Wendy Kalman’s rave review of Dan Rather’s optimistic “What Unites Us” and Bonnie Levine’s dismissal of The New York 15 Times. DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely claimed on Israeli English-language news over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend that American Jews are a “people that never send their children to fight for their country. Most of the Jews don’t have children serving as soldiers, going to the Marines and going to Afghanistan or going to Iraq.” As much as the Israelis resent American Jews meddling in their business, we Americans have the same reservations. Hotovely’s comments were in relation to the growing American-Israeli divide, but there is something she missed: It is easy to be a Jew in Israel, but in America it takes work. Israeli identity is ingrained in Jewish identity, and Judaism is a part of the culture. Jewish Americans, on the other hand, have to make the decision whether to be Jewish and must con-

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

How I’m Adjusting to Hearing Aids

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

When I was watching a video on my laptop, my son-in-law, Yosefi, asked me to turn down the volume. It didn’t sound loud to me. The next day, during our Shabbat lunch, I was sitting on the opposite end of the table from Yosefi. I noticed he was moving his mouth, talking about something, but no sound was coming out. I didn’t hear him. It was like watching a silent movie without titles. I knew it was time to have my hearing tested. It turned out that I’m one in six baby boomers suffering from loss of hearing who would benefit from hearing aids. The Better Hearing Institute estimates there are more than 35 million Americans who are hearing-impaired. Rather than remain among the 26 million who don’t get help and are always saying, “What did you say? I didn’t hear you,” I made the decision to get fitted for hearing aids. The audiologist assured me there

was no financial risk. I could try them for six months, and if I didn’t like them, my money would be refunded, no questions asked.

According To Arlene By Arlene Appelrouth aappelrouth@atljewishtimes.com

The devices were so small, I knew immediately that wearing them would be less noticeable than my loss of hearing. When I looked at myself in the mirror, the hearing aids were hardly visible. So far, it has been an interesting period of adjustment. The first time I walked around a store with the hearing aids in, I felt as if I was eavesdropping on everyone’s conversations. I heard the hum of motors and the dinging of cash registers from hundreds of yards away. Had I been missing these sounds? I wondered what else I had missed.

When I went into a bathroom, I found out. The sound of a flushing toilet was like being near the Iguazu waterfalls in Argentina. I ran out of the bathroom with my hands over my ears. Surely, this couldn’t be the way other people heard a toilet flushing. Remembering I could reduce the amplification with my iPhone, I tapped the hearing aid app and slid the volume control to the left. To make sure the new setting was acceptable, I went back into the bathroom, flushed again and was relieved I didn’t have to run out. It astonished me how talking on the phone changed. When my phone rings, or if I make a call, the sound travels down the tube in my hearing aids. It’s kind of cool. I was with my mother, talking on the phone to my son in Toronto. He wanted to talk to his bubbe, so I passed her the phone and put it on speaker. David talked, but my mother heard nothing. His voice was coming into my ears.

I had no idea what to do to change what was happening. I fiddled with the settings on the hearing aid app, but nothing worked. Did that mean no one else could borrow my phone? A bit embarrassed, I said goodbye to my son, called the audiologist and asked what to do. “Just turn off the Bluetooth setting on your phone,” she said. Why hadn’t I thought of that? Although today’s technology is amazing, I admit it sometimes confuses me. After I turned off the Bluetooth setting so my mother could use my phone, I went into my car, where talking hands-free is a pleasure. I’m proud to know how to pair my iPhone with the cars I rent when I travel. I tried making a call using voice commands, but nothing happened. By disconnecting the Bluetooth so my mother could use my phone, I disconnected the phone from the sound system in my rental car. I pulled over to readjust the settings. Bluetooth settings have lots of value. For instance, ordinarily I don’t like eating alone, especially in a restaurant. It’s one of the realities of adjusting to widowhood. One evening, around 5, I knew “All Things Considered” was on NPR. I parked at one of my favorite restaurants, tapped the WABE app on my iPhone and enjoyed a delicious meal while listening to the newscast. It didn’t disturb any of the other diners because Bluetooth brought the sounds only into my ears. Taking care of hearing aids also requires some adjusting. To preserve the tiny zinc batteries, you have to remember to open the plastic part of the hearing aid every night. I had to have my nails trimmed to be able to do that. I also carry extra batteries wherever I go. It’s one more thing to remember. Overall, getting hearing aids has been a positive experience. The audiologist who sold them to me predicted it would take as much as six months for my brain to fully adapt. I’m willing to give it whatever time it takes. Next time I am with my son-inlaw, I bet I won’t have to turn down the volume on my laptop. ■

DECEMBER 8 â&#x2013;ª 2017

CHANUKAH

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Enlightened Confession About Christmastime

I have a Chanukah confession to make: I like Christmas. My family has long been aware of my weakness and attributed it to my peculiar form of insanity, an eccentricity (that’s my word; theirs is “nutty”) about Judeo-Christian affairs. I can’t help it. I know I should feel “uncomfortable” late in December — a word most of my Jewish friends use. Why uncomfortable? I suppose because the season is full of reminders that numerically we’re a small island in a dominant sea of Christianity. Makes us feel different, they say. This uncomfortable sense of alienation is not unique to 21st century American Jewry. We have lived as a minority within the grasp of every significant society that has molded the mind of Western man: Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek, Roman and Anglo-Saxon, to name a few. Our defenses — those 613 “weird” dictates in the Torah that accented and advertised our uniqueness — worked to perfection. The Christmas season, when the air is heavy with carols and bells and Christmas greetings, is the mildest of challenges. Admit it. We’re a platter of potato latkes next to a baked ham on the Christmas table, an owl in the pear tree. As Gerard Manley Hopkins, a great Christian poet, says, “Glory be to G-d for dappled things” — by which he means diversity, us. Sure, we’re a minority. But we sent our intellectual explorers around the cultural currents of the world. Christmas reminds me of that, too. “White Christmas” by Izzy Ballin (Irving Berlin) and piles of yuletide films and plays and books and, most significantly, the child who’s the centerpiece of this adoration — all Jewish products. Maybe it’s a proud season for us. This all dawned on me one December afternoon in 1938. My third-grade class and I were singing Christmas carols. “Noel, Noel, born is the king of Iiiiiisrael.” I was, as usual, uncomfortable. Those alien songs underlined my lack of credentials for the affection of Betty Ann McIntosh. I didn’t have enough

trouble — once a year for two full weeks she was reminded that I was some exotic species different from her own. Then I heard more clearly the words of the song: “Born is the king of Israel.” Hey, this lyric had something

Scribbler on the Roof By Ted Roberts te11d@hiwaay.net

to do with me and my kind. Most of the kids didn’t even know what “Israel” meant. I explained it to classmates and did a little PR work in the process, elaborating on the Jewish war against Hellenic Syrian forces. This was a couple of decades before the Dead Sea Scrolls excitement and well before public awareness of Jesus the Jew: “The little Lord Jesus” was one of us. They were singing hymns of praise to a Jew. He never knew the word “Christian” in Hebrew, Greek, Latin or Aramaic. This greatly relieved my discomfort. It still does. But if you are one of the yuletide uncomfortables, you should warm yourself with a nice cup of tea Christmas Eve and think: Isn’t it amazing that my team is less than 2 percent of this nation, yet there’s the echo of klezmer music in the Christmas bells and a Jewish flavor to every course of the yuletide feast? I like the music and the food. The lights, too. And best of all, the rare attention paid to civility and kindness. I think it’s a season when Christians earnestly examine their behavior and try to improve it. It’s a Christian Yom Kippur. As for those who talk about the materialism of Christmas, well, it all depends on what kind of spectacles you’re wearing. Giving away your December paycheck in the form of gifts to others seems to me an excess of generosity, not the acquisition mania that characterizes materialism. So lighten up and thank the Lord that we live in the good ol’ USA and that the knock at the door is only the mailman delivering a Chanukah present. ■

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CHANUKAH

The True Miracle of the Festival tices were commanded by G-d. According to Jewish law, the oil used in the Temple’s menorah had to be pure, but in a crisis the use of contaminated oil was permitted. The Greeks knew this, so they opened all the containers and touched the oil in each. (Our Hebrew school teacher’s telling us that the Greeks destroyed all the oil in the Temple’s reserves was

Guest Column By Rabbi Joel E. Hoffman

not true.) The Greeks didn’t mind that a menorah was lighted in the Temple; it just had to have a “Greek touch.” According to Kabbalah, the cause and effect of the Jews deserving each type of miracle is as follows: • Jews merit salvation-level miracles by fulfilling G-d’s will. For example, the Shema states, “If you will walk in My statutes and keep My com-

mandments … I will give you rains in their season, and the land shall yield its produce.” In sum, when a Jew keeps the mitzvot, G-d does miracles within the natural functioning of the world. • A miracle-level miracle is merited only if Jews go beyond what G-d commanded and do the mitzvot with hiddur (enhancement and beautification). For example, using a beautiful Kiddush cup instead of just a glass, buying a more expensive lulav and etrog, or using an oil menorah at Chanukah instead of one with candles. When a Jew goes beyond what is required, G-d goes beyond nature in doing miracles. • Wonder-level miracles are merited by Jews who do mitzvot with mesirat nefesh, which means self-sacrifice but is much more. Mesirat nefesh means that a Jew reaches the level of surrendering his personal identity to viewing that his purpose is to live a life of performing mitzvot, no matter the challenges. This is an internal mode that is not obvious to an onlooker; thus, wonder-level miracles do not violate nature but occur within

the natural workings of the world. Because the non-Hellenized Jews were operating on the level of performing mitzvot not only with hiddur, but also with mesirat nefesh, it makes sense that G-d rewarded them with the highest level of miracle, a wonder, so that they could light the menorah in the best way, which was with pure oil. Thus, finding one jar of oil that the Greeks missed is the miracle of Chanukah. A practical lesson: According to the theology of Kabbalah, there is a correlation between how we do mitzvot and the degree to which G-d performs miracles for us. Thus, if we want G-d to do different types of miracles for us, we should evaluate how we are doing mitzvot: normally, with hiddur or with mesirat nefesh. Happy Chanukah. ■ Rabbi Joel E. Hoffman is a science and special education teacher at a public school in the Boston area. This d’var Torah is based on a talk by the seventh Lubavitcher rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Many prayer books have a paragraph to recite after lighting the Chanukah menorah. It praises G-d for the different types of miracles performed during the original Chanukah story and refers to “salvations,” “miracles” and “wonders.” But what were the specific miracles of Chanukah? First, we must understand each type of miracle to match it up with an event in the Chanukah story. The event that is the greatest type of miracle is the miracle of Chanukah. A salvation is an event in which two equal forces compete, and the good guys win. This is the lowest level of miracle. The second level, which is called a miracle, is an event that is counter to nature; it is how we understand the term in everyday, modern language. A wonder is the highest level of miracle but occurs within the framework of nature. Contrary to a salvation, which also occurs within nature, a wonder did not have to occur at all; the fact that it did occur is why this is the highest level of miracle. Now to match this up with the events in the Chanukah story. When Matisyahu and his sons killed the Greek army unit at Modin, it was a salvation level of miracle. There were two equal forces fighting, but Matisyahu’s side won. The Jewish military victory over the Greeks was the middle level of miracle. The Greeks were superior militarily and should have defeated the Jews, but the Jews won — thus, a miracle. So what was the wonder? It cannot be one day of oil burning for eight days in the Temple’s seven-branch menorah because that was beyond nature; wonders occur within nature. Erroneously, Hebrew school curriculum writers, teachers and even most rabbis have chosen to highlight the oil as the miracle of Chanukah. It makes for a climactic story, but it was one of the second-level miracles. The wonder-level miracle was the finding of a single jar of oil that had not been opened by the Greeks. That may sound anti-climactic at first, but once you know some of the key historical details of Chanukah and understand the cause and effect of how Jews do mitzvot and how G-d does miracles, it will make sense. The Greeks were not opposed to Jewish culture and practices as long as the Jews did not claim that their prac-

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CHANUKAH

Cobb Coin Menorah to Benefit Children’s Healthcare By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Rabbi Ephraim Silverman hopes to impart the charitable lessons behind Chanukah gelt through Chabad of Cobb’s project Lights of Change. To help tie the holiday’s message of shedding light on a sometimes-dark world, Rabbi Silverman said, Chabad of Cobb is partnering with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to build the world’s largest coin menorah, with the proceeds going to Children’s. “We wanted to do something fun for the family and the kids but also help connect the idea behind Chanukah,” Rabbi Silverman said. Children and families are collecting loose change so they can build a 10-foot coin menorah, which will be lighted Sunday, Dec. 17, the sixth night of Chanukah, at East Cobb Park during a celebration that includes other holiday activities, music and treats. People will be able to bring cash to the event and get change for the menorah. “Chanukah is an opportunity to educate our children about our history

Chabad of Cobb celebrated Chanukah with a 10-foot-tall menorah filled with Legos in 2016.

but also about giving,” Rabbi Silverman said. He hopes that the youths will gain a better perspective on charity by realizing that their coins will help other children who are ill or are undergoing treatment. Chabad of Cobb expects to raise $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the quantity and value of coins donated. But Rabbi Silverman said the money is not the focus. “I think the underlying concept is really about kids help-

ing other kids and understanding how much light they can bring to people during Chanukah.” Chabad of Cobb hopes to expand Lights of Change in the future to include other organizations and communities. “I think it’s a wonderful idea about children helping children and believe it will kick off to other organizations,” said Pam Younker, Children’s community development officer.

The congregation has partnered with Children’s for similar projects, including an annual Sukkot Festival, which Children’s helped sponsor. Children’s has not decided where the money will be allocated. “There are many needs in our system, but we always try to look to see where the biggest need is for contributions,” Younker said. “This is such an opportunity for Chabad of Cobb and Children’s, but the magnification past that and what the congregation is teaching children and the community is beyond exciting.” Rabbi Silverman said: “I think what the Torah wants us to understand is that the true joy of Chanukah is about opening up our homes and hearts to other people … and realizing that every penny, every coin, counts. It all adds up.” ■

What: Chabad of Cobb Lights of Change menorah lighting Where: East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road When: 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17 Cost: Free; www.chabadofcobb.com

DECEMBER 8 â&#x2013;ª 2017

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CHANUKAH

Jewish Soldiers Found Joy in 1917 Georgia The following is an excerpt from the “Oyf Blutige Vegen” (“On Bloody Paths”), the Yiddish-language World War I memoir by a Jewish immigrant from New York named S. Cohen. The book was first published in 1923 by Meizel’s Publishing in New York, although it included material published in the newspaper Der Tag in 1918 and 1919 and in Zeit in 1921. Cohen, who dedicated his book “to my dead and to my living comrades who fought and believed,” trained at Camp Gordon in 1917 and 1918, long enough that he celebrated both Chanukah and Passover in Atlanta. He estimated that 3,000 Jewish soldiers were at Camp Gordon with him. This excerpt comes from Dan Setzer, who recently completed what he believes is the first English translation of the entire book. His translation is available free as an e-book and a PDF file at dansetzer.us/ cohen.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

The only place the Jewish soldiers could go to seek out their brothers was on Friday evening at the “services” which were run in the spirit and format of the Jewish Welfare Board in an auditorium of the Young Men’s Christian Association. The spirit of this organization toward Jewishness and folklore has already been described in the Jewish press. It is enough to say that we in Camp Gordon were in the same situation as in the other camps. We came every Friday evening seeking our G-d in order to warm our Jewish feeling and soul, and found an experience without a face, without meaning. A dry “service” and a sermon that you could guess what the content would be ended our service to G-d. Usually we came away from such Friday evenings deflated and felt just as miserable as we did during the rest of the week from drilling, if not more so due to the bitter disappointment. We did get some comfort from the contacts we had with the nearby Jewish community in Atlanta. It is simply a wonder where all of the brotherly love came from that they showed us. The best of all was that it was not being done through institutions or parties but rather from individuals. Rich or poor, they came to the Allies Progressive Club in the Zionist shul, where the Jewish soldiers could come together and do a lot to chat and create a homey atmosphere for the Jewish soldiers. They took men into their homes for the few free hours we had. 22 Through the loving and intimate con-

Jewish artist S. Raskin created this and other illustrations for “On Bloody Paths.”

tact from the whole household, they got close to those people, just like they were old friends. As soon as we got back from Atlanta, it all went away, and we once again felt miserable and lost in the huge camp and felt even more intensely the emptiness of the Friday evenings. Fewer and fewer soldiers came to the “services,” and it appeared as though the little bit of Jewish life in the camp might wither and die if it were not for the past and active Zionists and Zionist workers. Once when I went to Atlanta, going into the Allies reading room, I found the usual small groups of intellectual Jewish soldiers huddled around newspapers and books. In a neighboring room they were divided up along the usual party lines as in civilian life: for and against Zionism due to the Jewish Congress, relief questions and so forth. It was an unusual sight to see men gesticulating and arguing in a pure Yiddish while wearing Uncle Sam’s uniform. Among the debaters, one’s striking appearance stood out. A strapping young man with a prominent forehead and gray, earnest eyes. With his loud voice and Litvak accent, his voice dominated the others when he yelled: “Assimilated is what you are! You are a scourge on the Jewish folk!”

On the way back to camp, we rode together and made plans about starting an organization, a national club for Jewish soldiers, and we even made up lists of the people we would invite to the initial planning meetings. The next evening when I went to Odess’ barrack, several of the gentile soldiers came at me, calling out: “Odess! Another Jew is coming!” “He wants to organize a Jewish army.” “Send them to Jerusalem.” “Better yet, give them some pushcarts.” I saw some friends and acquaintances sitting around Odess’ bunk. They belonged to other regiments and other organizations. Odess quieted us down. They respected him because he showed so much commitment to the Jewish community. Then we got down to the task at hand. First we wrote down a platform, which read something like this: Name: National Club for Jewish Soldiers Every Friday evening after the services in the YMCA, Building 151, Jewish readings, declarations and so forth. Agitate for the Allies, particularly for the Balfour Declaration. Support all Jewish works such as Zionism, relief and the Jewish Congress. Spread Jewish news among the less informed or Americanized Jewish soldiers. One of Odess’ friends, a Christian sergeant, listened very attentively to

our discussions, and when Odess at the fellow’s request explained to him all that we were talking about, he sat with us for a long time, acquainting himself with these Jewish issues. Finally, he said, turning to us all and pointing to the camp’s Christian soldiers, mostly Polish and other immigrants: “Don’t mind them. They aren’t true Americans.” In the coming several days we continued to pursue our goal. The two welfare board members, Mr. Ross and Mr. Ginsberg, at the beginning looked askew at our organization. They pointed out that we did not know how the men “up there” would take to the idea, but we explained to them categorically that we wanted to express our Jewishness according to the way we understood it, and the first thing we wanted to do was to hold a Chanukah evening, and they gave in. The feelings in the camp for one of the “welfareniks” slackened somewhat when he advised us how to get along with the Christians. He said: “I have gotten along well with the Christians, and do you want to know how? Throughout the four years I was in college, they never knew if I was Jewish or a Christian.” Chanukah in Camp The joy of the club members when we learned that finally we were going

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CHANUKAH and Blum with a concertina accompaniment. The evening closed with the singing of the Workers’ Zionist Oath. For a long time people could not tear themselves away from the hall and the people with their many dear and beloved brothers. Finally, we had to go back to the barracks, which were miles away, before lights out. Groups dispersed in all directions, and in the stillness of the night you could hear the Yiddish voices calling out “Shalom Aleichem,” hearty laughing, the sounds of “Hope” and also the sorrowful tune from the song “Oh Oh Mamenu!” You could hear a mournful voice, which was all the more poignant in the stillness of the dark night. A puzzled guard with a rifle on his

shoulder showed himself, looked at the unusual group, then went away disappointed into the darkness back to his post, undoubtedly thinking to himself, “What’s with the Jews?” And the Jews returned to their barracks but took a long time to get to sleep. Thousands of thoughts and feelings were crowding into the heads of the Jewish soldiers. A happy Friday evening and many joyful eyes had a hard time closing. That is how we celebrated Chanukah. It is also interesting to note that the Welfare Board members were unusually surprised with the success. They saw what the people wanted, and they promised to do everything in their power to help. Above all, it was the newcomer, S.

Zuckerman, who had with his sincere brotherhood drawn us all in. Our first attempt with Chanukah had convinced us that the Jewish soldiers longed for a homey atmosphere and were ready to work to create it, even in camp, in spite of it most times being very hard to do so. … Some of the non-Jewish soldiers made a few innocent comments like “I hope the Army doesn’t become Jewish like New York.” The weaker Jewish soldiers were frightened and shrunk back, lying low for a while, but it was enough to go to them with the magic words “Come brother!” And He came with outstretched arms and with a burning flame of love for his people and their dreams. ■

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to take the first steps was indescribable. They started getting ready for a big holiday with extraordinary enthusiasm and love. Then came the long-awaited Friday evening, the 14th of December, and as soon as they came into the auditorium of the YMCA, Building 151, they could see the amazing difference: The auditorium was packed to overflowing. In addition to the benches, which were full, every other available place was taken, right to the walls. On the stage was a beautiful menorah which had been brought in from Atlanta and was shining brightly. Even brighter sparkled and beamed the faces and eyes of the onlookers. The evening was introduced by a representative of the welfare society, Mr. Rom, who had been leading the Friday ceremonies. Then he introduced fellow member S. Adam as the chairman for the evening. Mr. Adam made some very cordial comments about the Soldiers’ Club, which had committed to do all the work in order to nationally promote a revival and well-being for the Jewish people and also mutually for the Jewish soldiers’ welfare. After that, he spoke about the meaning and the story of Chanukah. His later remarks about the English declaration called forth great joy and elation from the audience. The opening ceremonies continued with fellow member Genet, who sang the American song of praise. Member Schwartz played the song “Hope” (“Hatikva”) with piano accompaniment from member Blum. The audience stood as one man and sang along. It made our hearts joyful to hear the strong, young voices singing songs of hope. In the tones of “Hope” that we sang that night, we heard a powerful cry of freedom from a people who had waited such a long time for freedom. We did not want to break off from singing this Jewish hymn, which we repeated again and again. Then member Ravitz blessed the Chanukah candles with the true bent of a Jewish cantor. Member Kranik sang “Eli Eli.” Member Green recited “Cup” by Frug and “Jewish Freedom” and “The Little Light” by Morris Rosenfeld. Member Schwartz, an industrious student from Priochnikov, played “Moishele and Shlomele” by Hayim Nahman Bialik on his concertina. A. Fogel read “Nerves” and “Chanukah Gelt” by Sholem Aleichem. Members Pavel and Karp sang the “Song of Exile” and “Mamenu.” “Amerika” was sung by members Schwartz

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CHANUKAH

Menorahs to Light Up Second Promukkah By April Basler abasler@atljewishtimes.com

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

InterfaithFamily/Atlanta will host a prom-themed Chanukah party for the second consecutive year. Promukkah 5778, which is planned to be an annual event, will be Saturday night, Dec. 16, at Ponce City Market. The event will include many of the same fun activities as last year, as well as new things, including live entertainment. Rabbi Malka Packer-Monroe, the director of IFF/Atlanta, said Roxie Roz, a burlesque collective of dancers, performers, comedians and artists, will perform in a celebration of the themes of love for the holidays and a throwback to younger days. Shellie Schmals, the headliner of Roxie Roz, also works with the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. The food at Promukkah will be a bit different with a latke tasting station offering three types of latkes, and Second Self Beer is a sponsor. A revamped photo booth will include photo magnets.

Rabbi Malka Packer-Monroe (left) and friends enjoy the holiday spirit at the first Promukkah.

Picking up a tradition from IFF/ Atlanta’s Chanukah party two years ago that wasn’t a part of the first Promukkah, the organization is asking everyone to bring a chanukiah so they can all be lighted at the same time. The difference, Rabbi Packer-Monroe said, is that Promukkah falls on the fifth night of Chanukah this year; last year, it wasn’t during the festival. Rabbi Packer-Monroe described the experience two years ago, with 45 participants, and what she hopes it will be like this year. “It was so beautiful to have all of them together and everyone lighting together. So we’re excited to

see what will happen this year. If we get over 100 people like we did last year, we’re excited to see how many people bring their chanukiahs and how much light there will be that we will create together as a community.” Rebecca Holohan of Decatur enjoyed Promukkah last year and plans to go again. “It’s such a fun concept. I loved seeing everyone’s prom outfits,” she said. “There was delicious food, lots of dancing and a great photo booth. The highlight for me was being lifted onto a chair during the horah with my wife, Kai, because we had just gotten married the day before.” Holohan said she looks forward to celebrating Chanukah with friends at the IFF/Atlanta party. Amy Price of Chamblee also plans to attend Promukkah for the second time. “Promukkah was a lot of fun with great dancing, friends and food,” Price said. “I thought it was a well-done event in a very cool space. I had a fun time last year, so I’m looking forward to the experience again.” IFF/Atlanta’s partners for the event include the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Honeymoon Israel, Moishe House, Limmud Atlanta + Southeast, SOJOURN, Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, and Be’chol Lashon, which supports Jews of color and Jewish diversity. “For us, it’s important to partner with organizations like Be’chol Lashon and SOJOURN because we really strive to be welcoming and inclusive of everyone in the Jewish community,” Rabbi Packer-Monroe said. “That is a huge goal for us, to be welcoming and inclu-

sive of everyone and for everyone to feel comfortable and safe in this space.” She said IFF/Atlanta learned a few lessons from last year’s Promukkah. “One thing we learned is that people really loved it,” Rabbi Packer-Monroe said. “After Promukkah last year, I had several people come up to me and say that they were really excited that so many different organizations partnered together to put this on.” She said she often hears complaints that organizations in Jewish Atlanta just focus on their own events rather than work together. “People are really hungry for different organizations to come together for different events and not have seven different Chanukah events. Rather, they want one event that we are all sponsoring together so that people from different communities can get to know each other,” she said. “When we did it last year, it was definitely important to us, but this year that much more so. We really see that this is something important in the Jewish community.” Rabbi Packer-Monroe also said IFF/Atlanta learned that people like going to Ponce City Market and will travel up to 90 minutes each way to attend. The target demographic is people in their 20s, 30s and 40s, but Rabbi Packer-Monroe said anyone 21 or older is welcome. More than 100 people — Jewish couples, interfaith couples and singles — are expected. “This is an event that is really geared towards anyone who wants to celebrate Chanukah and community. … Last year it was amazing to see people from different parts of the community and different ages come together and celebrate together and really connect,” she said. Rabbi Packer-Monroe said IFF/ Atlanta exists “to make sure that there are safe and welcoming spaces for people in interfaith families and relationships. A lot of the work I do is working with interfaith couples to help them discuss and navigate what it means to be in an interfaith relationship and an interfaith family. I provide a lot of counseling, perform lifecycle events and show up for folks to help them talk things through.” ■

What: Promukkah 5778 Where: Industrious at Ponce City Market, 675 Ponce de Leon Ave., Old Fourth Ward; take the elevators on the west side of the building near West Elm to the eighth floor When: 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 Tickets: $10 without or $18 with alcohol in advance, $18 and $25 at the door;

www.facebook.com/events/156746835076882 or www.interfaithfamily.com/promukkah

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Do-It-Yourself Menorahs With Chabad Intown

Chabad Intown got an early start of the Chanukah season with a menorahbuilding party at the Home Depot on Ponce de Leon Avenue near Ponce City Market in Midtown. An estimated 300 people turned out for two sessions of hammering, gluing and painting chanukiot, as well as face painting and feasting on latkes and doughnuts. It was the first of more than half a dozen Chabad Intown celebrations for Chanukah this year. See Page 36 for a calendar of events throughout metro Atlanta, and visit atlantajewishtimes.com for more photos from the Home Depot event. â&#x2013;

CHANUKAH

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com The Atlanta Hawks might not make the playoffs this season, but the team will play at least one game on a seventh night when they host the Miami Heat for the fifth annual Jewish Heritage Night on Monday, Dec. 18, at Philips Arena. The event, a partnership between the Hawks and Chabad of Georgia, will include a pregame menorah lighting at midcourt and kosher catering by the Kosher Gourmet. The first 200 fans who purchase tickets to the game at hawks.com/jewishheritage will receive a free Jewish Heritage Night Hawks T-shirt. The Hawks have only two home games during Chanukah, which runs from Dec. 12 to 20. Because of the name of the opponent and the number of candles, it’s fitting that the pregame menorah lighting will happen on the seventh night against the Heat and not four nights earlier against the Detroit Pistons.

“We’re very fortunate to be able to bring this event every year to Philips Arena,” said Rabbi Yale New of Chabad of Georgia. “It’s a great opportunity for the Jewish community, and we have a great relationship with the Hawks. Chanukah is not a just a message for Jewish people, but a message to the entire world about religious freedom, and we’re always excited to bring that to the games.” The Hawks’ principal owner, Tony Ressler, is Jewish, as are co-owners Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely and CEO Steve Koonin. The Hawks are 3-1 on Jewish Heritage Night, beating the Los Angeles Clippers 107-97 in 2013 and 107-104 in 2014 and losing to the San Antonio Spurs 103-78 in 2015 before topping the New York Knicks 102-98 in an overtime game last year. Tickets for Jewish Heritage Night are priced at $24, $52, $58 and $64. The menorah lighting will begin promptly at 7 p.m. The game tips off at 7:30. ■

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CHANUKAH

Photos by Michael Jacobs

Tara Kornblum (left) and Amy Zeide get the volunteers fired up just before the start of the 23rd Amy’s Holiday Party.

A game of Skee-Ball proves fun for a young participant and teen volunteers.

Children get to pick their own toys as holiday gifts.

Teen volunteers crowd into the main hallway of the Ramada, waiting to be paired up with children for the afternoon.

While the matching between volunteers and attendees can be chaotic, it usually produces a lot of happiness on both sides.

One young attendee finds a winter coat that fits just right.

Amy’s Holiday Party One of Jewish Atlanta’s proudest traditions continued Sunday, Dec. 3, when Creating Connected Communities held the 23rd annual Amy’s Holiday Party at the Ramada Plaza Atlanta Capitol Park downtown. Working with more than 40 homeless shelters, foster care agencies, refugee centers and other agencies, the party helps brighten the Christmas season for more than 1,000 children and their families by providing new toys, books, hats, gloves, toothbrushes, toothpaste and other items, along with a carnival, a video game room, photos with Santa, a DJ dance party with Vibe Entertainment and a pizza lunch from Mellow Mushroom. The party relied on 400 teen volunteers, including 65 from the CCC Leadership Development Program. The party began as Amy Zeide’s bat mitzvah project and supported 25 children from one shelter. The AJT 40 Under 40 honoree and AJT blogger continues to lead the event as the executive director of CCC, the nonprofit she founded. ■

The line of attendees stretches out the door at the Ramada before the party and doesn’t let up for hours.

Santa Claus is a big deal for the party attendees, if not necessarily the hundreds of Jewish volunteers.

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Many of us grew up thinking it was sacrilegious to make latkes with anything but brown potatoes, yellow onions, white eggs, black pepper, kosher salt and matzah meal, but highprofile chefs and audacious matriarchs are changing colors and sometimes not using potatoes at all. No matter how far afield they go, however, everyone claims to treasure a great-grandmother’s basic Lithuanian, Latvian or Ukrainian latke recipe. Who can wait for that luscious first bite of the crispy potato latkes we’re used to? Using a recipe transported from the Old Country, our ancestors produced perfect potato shreds on sturdy box graters, threw them into ice water with a little aspirin to protect their whiteness, and squeezed them with their bare hands within an inch of their life to meld the ingredients and evaporate the juice, then piled the mixture into a tablespoon and carefully dropped the pancakes into hot oil, where they spat and sputtered until they were golden brown, when they were triumphantly lifted out — creamy on the inside, wispy and crispy on the outside. Because Chanukah lasts eight days, we can honor Great-Grandma — and our anxious taste buds — on the first night, then take her basic recipe and experiment on the remaining seven. Jeffrey Nathan, chef/owner of Abigael’s kosher restaurant in Manhattan, said, “It’s all about the science. “Russets and Yukon Golds have the same high starch content, so you need

less flour to bind the latke together. The less flour, the richer the potato flavor, and that’s what we all want.” Nathan favors the Yukon’s earthy flavor and creamy texture, and, of course, there’s that beautiful golden color. But they’re also considerably more expensive, so save them for intimate get-togethers or mix them with Russets, he said. If you want to add vegetables such as zucchini, cauliflower, carrots, yams or parsnips, you need to adjust the starch accordingly, Nathan said. He recommends using three-quarters potatoes as a base and one-quarter of the other vegetables. When adding yams or parsnips, use no more than 50 percent of them because these root vegetables have almost no starch content, and the latkes won’t get crispy. A Riff on the Traditional Michael McNally, chef/owner of London Grill in Philadelphia, loves adding various ingredients to his Russetbased batter, especially rutabaga, parsnip and celeriac. His Italian-influenced latkes contain zucchini, onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan and a dollop of tomato sauce. Although Laura Frankel, the executive chef and head of food services at the Wolfgang Puck Kosher Catering and Cafe at the Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago, likes her latkes traditional, she is fond of the Sephardic Italian favorite arancini di farro, a croquette made from the ancient grain. It’s more like a fritter and stays crispy for hours. New York chef David Ruggerio makes Indian-influenced latkes by add-

CHANUKAH

Sweet and Savory Toppings Frankel sets up a latke bar of toppings such as apple chutney, smoked salmon dip with caviar, Kalamata tapenade and roasted pepper sauce, along with the expected but still beloved applesauce and sour cream. She prefers making appetizer-size latkes, about 1½-inch rounds, so that guests can taste a different flavor with each bite. McNally is forever coming up with new toppings, such as pear butter made with fresh pears, lemon juice and butter. He also loves drizzling truffle oil over most of his creations. Philadelphia chef Matthew Levin makes his own crème fraiche and a twist on traditional applesauce: threeapple spiced applesauce with Hendrick’s gin. Like many of the chefs, he prefers experimenting with toppings rather than filling the latke with divergent ingredients. When Ruggerio was in Napa, Calif., he had latkes topped with creamy, locally produced goat cheese and fresh, crisp apples and drizzled with rich honey, such as pine, acacia and chestnut. He said latkes in Burlington, Vt., topped with pure maple syrup were delightful. That’s a stretch, even for me, the renegade traditionalist, which is what I think all chefs are at heart. Sweet Potato Latkes From Michael McNally Serves 6 to 8 4 large sweet potatoes (3 pounds), peeled 1 large onion (1 pound) halved 4 large eggs 1 cup flour Salt and pepper to taste ½ teaspoon nutmeg 1½ cups oil (combination of canola and olive oil) for frying Grate the potatoes and onions on a box grater. Add the eggs, flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg, and mix well. Heat the oil in a cast-iron pan. With a measuring

cup, scoop out 1/3 cup of the mixture and form it into a pancake. Slide the pancake into the hot oil, and cook 8 to 10 minutes on each side. Mom’s Latkes From Matthew Levin’s mother, Judi Simms Makes 25 to 30 latkes 5 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled 1 Spanish onion 3 eggs 3 egg yolks Sea salt and white pepper to taste 5 to 7 tablespoons potato starch 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour Grape seed oil for frying On a box grater, shred potatoes and onions together. Combine that mixture with the eggs and egg yolks, salt and pepper, potato starch, and flour. In a cast-iron pan, pour oil about 1/8 inch up the sides of the pan. When the oil is 375 degrees, shape the latkes with a tablespoon and drop each one carefully into the oil. Fry until the latkes are well browned and crisp on both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately. Spiced Apple and Gin Puree From Matthew Levin Serves 12 10 Gala apples, cored, peeled and cut into large chunks 10 Granny Smith apples, cored, peeled and cut into large chunks 10 Macintosh apples, cored, peeled and cut into large chunks ½ cup Muscovado sugar 1 cup Hendrick’s gin 2 cinnamon sticks 2 star anise, ground 3 allspice berries, ground 1 tablespoon ground nutmeg To a nonreactive saucepan, add all the ingredients except the gin. Sweat the apples until they’re soft, then deglaze with half the gin. Continue cooking until most of the liquid is reduced. Remove the cinnamon sticks and puree them in a blender until you reach the desired consistency, as smooth or chunky as you wish. Chill the puree for 2 hours. Just before serving, add the other half of the gin. Serve immediately. Arancini di Farro From “Jewish Cooking for All Seasons” (John Wiley & Sons) by Laura Frankel Farro is available at Italian and other specialty food markets and online. ½ pound farro (about 2 cups), rinsed to remove loose husks 4 to 6 cups water or vegetable stock

Continued on page 32

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

ing sweet potatoes and carrots to the Yukon base, then dropping currants and Indian spices into the batter. Frankel tasted a Venezuelan-influenced latke filled with macadamia nuts and fried in palm oil at the James Beard House. It was delicious, she said. When asked what she thought about adding mushrooms, she frowned and said: “A latke with a mushroom is like a truffle in a matzah ball. I wouldn’t fry a mushroom until it got crisp, and I wouldn’t bury a truffle in mounds of matzah meal.”

CHANUKAH Continued from page 31

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1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided Freshly ground black pepper ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup ricotta cheese 2 tablespoons chopped, fresh, flat-leaf parsley, plus extra for sprinkling if desired 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme 3 large eggs, beaten 2 cups fresh, untoasted bread crumbs Extra-virgin olive oil In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the farro, water or stock, and salt, and boil for 15 minutes. Lower the heat, cover the pan and cook until the farro is tender, thick and creamy, about 45 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. If the farro seems too hard, add more water and continue cooking until soft. Remove the pan from the heat. Place the farro in a shallow dish and stir in the Parmesan cheese. Cover and refrigerate until cold. In a medium bowl, place the ricotta, parsley and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. With a tablespoon, scoop out the farro and shape into small balls. Push a small indentation into each ball. Spoon a small amount of the cheese mixture into the farro, then close the opening. Place the eggs on a large, shallow plate. Season the bread crumbs with salt and pepper and place them on another shallow plate. In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, pour 2 inches of vegetable oil and heat to approximately 350 degrees. Dip a farro ball into the eggs, then roll it in the bread crumbs. When you have coated 6 to 8 balls, place them in the hot oil and fry until golden brown. Move the balls to a plate lined with paper towels. Sprinkle the arancini with parsley if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature. Purple or Blue Latkes With Apple Pear Relish and Winter Cider Drizzle From Jeff Nathan Makes 16 latkes 1 blue or purple potato (about 6 ounces) 2 Yukon Gold potatoes (about 4 to 6 ounces) 1 medium Spanish onion 4 tablespoons potato starch 1 large egg ¼ teaspoon hot sauce ½ teaspoon granulated garlic 2 teaspoons kosher salt ½ teaspoon black pepper 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 1 tablespoon olive oil Canola oil for frying Using a box grater or food processor, alternately shred the potatoes and onion into a large bowl, producing about 4 cups of shredded potato and

onion. Sprinkle in the potato starch. In a separate small bowl, beat the egg. Stir in the hot sauce, granulated garlic, salt, pepper, cilantro and olive oil. Pour the egg mixture into the potatoes. Using your hands, thoroughly combine all the ingredients. Heat the oil in a large skillet. Using a quartercup measure, carefully place the latke mixture into the hot oil. Using the back of a tablespoon, pat down the batter to make large, thin latkes. Do not crowd the pan. Fry on both sides until golden. Remove the latkes from the pan and drain them on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Continue until all the latke batter is used. Serve the latkes with the Apple-Pear Relish and Winter Cider Drizzle (below). Apple-Pear Relish From Jeffrey Nathan Makes 1½ cups ¼ cup dried cranberries 1 poblano pepper, roasted, peeled and seeded 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime) 2 tablespoons apple cider 2 teaspoons New Mexican chili powder ½ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon kosher salt 1 Fuji apple, cut into eighths, stemmed and seeded 1 Bartlett pear ½ medium red onion 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil Place the cranberries in a small container and cover them with hot water. Set aside and allow to plump for at least 20 minutes. Drain and discard the water. Roughly chop the roasted pepper into a small dice and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the apple cider vinegar, lime juice and apple cider. Add the chili powder, cinnamon and salt. Set aside. Place the fruit, plumped cranberries and red onion in a food processor and pulse until roughly chopped. Add the chopped fruit to the bowl and stir to coat the fruit in the spiced apple liquids. Add the chopped poblano pepper, cilantro and olive oil. Using a rubber spatula, stir well to combine. Set aside until ready to serve. Winter Cider Drizzle From Jeffrey Nathan Makes ½ cup 1 cup apple cider 1 tablespoon light-brown sugar 1 teaspoon honey In a small sauce pot, combine all ingredients. Over a low-medium flame, heat to a simmer to reduce by half. Remove from the fire and allow to cool. Drizzle over the fruit relish and latkes.

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Carrot-Yam Latkes From Oakland, Calif., cooking teacher and caterer Jean Brady Makes 8 4-to-5-inch pancakes 1 onion (5 ounces) 1 Russet potato (9 ounces), peel left intact 1 small yam (5 ounces), peeled 1 small carrot (3 ounces), peeled 2 teaspoons lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste 2 eggs, lightly beaten 3 tablespoons flour ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped Safflower or canola oil to fry With a hand grater or the fine grating disc of a food processor, grate together the onion, potato, yam and carrot. Add the lemon juice, salt and pepper. Allow the mixture to sit for 20 minutes. Squeeze moisture from the mixture. Sprinkle in the flour, nutmeg and cilantro. Add the eggs and stir just until thoroughly combined. Place a heavy, 12-inch skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Pour 1/8 inch of oil into the pan and heat until the oil is hot enough to brown a bread cube quickly. Using a large spoon, carefully place the batter into the pan. With the back of the spoon, flatten each pancake so it is very thin. Do not crowd the pancakes. Work slowly, being careful not to splash hot oil on yourself. Fry the pancakes for about 7 minutes on each side, raising or lowering the heat to get the pancakes brown and crunchy. Line a platter with several layers of paper toweling. Using a slotted spatula, remove the pancakes to the platter. Repeat the frying, adding additional oil to the pan if necessary. Serve immediately. Potato, Zucchini and Carrot Latkes From Jean Brady Makes 8 latkes 1 red potato (5 ounces) 1-2 Russets (total of 13 ounces) 1 small zucchini (4 ounces), seeded 1 small carrot (3 ounces) ½ onion (3 ounces) 2 teaspoons lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste 1 clove garlic, finely chopped 3 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon 1 tablespoon chopped parsley 2 eggs, lightly beaten Safflower or canola oil to fry With a hand grater or the fine grating disc of a food processor, grate the potatoes, zucchini, carrot and onion together. Add the lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic. Allow the mixture to sit for 20 minutes. Squeeze moisture from the mixture. Sprinkle in the flour, tarragon and parsley. Add the eggs and stir

until just thoroughly combined. Place a heavy, 12-inch skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Pour 1/8 inch of oil into the pan. When the oil is hot, carefully place the batter into the pan. With the back of a spoon, flatten each pancake so it is very thin. Do not crowd the pancakes. Fry the pancakes for about 7 minutes on each side, raising or lowering the heat to get the pancakes brown and crunchy. Line a platter with several layers of paper toweling. Using a slotted spatula, remove the pancakes to the platter. Repeat the frying, adding additional oil to the pan if necessary. Serve immediately. Mashed Golden Potato Pancakes From Jean Brady Makes 6 5-to-6-inch pancakes

4 Yukon Gold potatoes (total of 24 ounces) 3 tablespoons butter plus more to fry cakes 2 tablespoons cream 2/3 cup milk or a bit more 2 egg yolks 1 tablespoon white truffle oil or best olive oil, plus some to drizzle at table 1 bunch chives, finely sliced, plus some to garnish Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1 large shallot, minced 4 large chanterelle mushrooms, cleaned and sliced Set the oven to 350 degrees. Bake the potatoes until soft, and cool just enough to handle. Remove the skins. With a potato masher, mash them until lump-free. Add 2 tablespoons butter,

the cream, milk, egg yolks, truffle oil, chives, salt and pepper. Heat a large, shallow skillet. With the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, sauté the shallots and mushrooms until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes, and combine them with the mashed potato mixture. If the mixture seems too thick to easily form cakes, add a bit more milk. Use immediately, or chill for up to two days, bringing to room temperature before cooking. Form into 6 patties. Place a heavy, 12-inch skillet over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Melt enough butter to cover the bottom of the pan. Fry the cakes over medium heat in two batches until golden and crunchy on both sides. Drizzle with more truffle oil, and garnish with long, wispy chives. Serve immediately. ■

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

CHANUKAH

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Pick the Right Kosher Wine for Each Night Plenty of kosher wines are available to complement the latkes, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and other fried foods that are traditional for Chanukah to commemorate the miracle of the long-lasting menorah oil. Israel has excellent wines from the Galilee and the Judean Hills, and wineries in Italy, Spain, California, and New Zealand also are shipping out kosher bottles. “From potato latkes to the round jelly doughnuts, there’s a kosher wine for everything,” said Gabe Geller, a wine critic, blogger, and director of public relations and client services for the Royal Wine Co., which owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York and the Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, Calif., and imports and distributes wines from Israel, France, Italy, Spain, New Zealand and Argentina. Geller’s pairing suggestions: • Latkes — It may sound challenging to pair wine with latkes, but it is easy, Geller said. A dry, crisp white wine or a sparkling wine will work wonders with almost anything deep-fried, and latkes are no exception. Koenig, a producer from Alsace, has just released its delicious and affordable Crémant d’Alsace Brut. Produced with the méthode Champenoise, it showcases medium bubbles, delightful aromas, and flavors of green apples, toasted bread and sour cream. A tart, flavorful white blend from Israel, such as the Tabor Adama II Zohar, is an excellent alternative for those who do not appreciate bubbles in their wine. The blend includes such unusual varietals as French Colombard, Roussanne and Viognier and mixes floral and exotic aromas. • Sufganiyot — With doughnuts, especially those filled with jelly or chocolate, Geller suggests sticking with a sweet wine. An original option is the Zion Mihamartef. While it is not cheap (a bottle costs upward of $100 at retail), it is worth experiencing, especially

because it can be recorked and sipped over many months like liquor. The Mihamartef is a sweet dessert wine that was aged for 35 years in oak barrels in the cellars of the Israeli winery. It has a thick, almost syrupy texture with notes of caramelized walnuts, dried figs, cinnamon and candied orange peels. A few experts say it has some characteristics similar to old, sweet German Rieslings, which do not exist in a kosher version. Because Chanukah runs eight days, it always includes Shabbat. That means cholent, the slow-cooked, hearty stew traditionally made with potatoes, beans and onions and eaten for Shabbat lunch, is a possibility during the Festival of Lights. While red Bordeaux wines are not ideal to pair with the traditional dishes of Chanukah, they do work well with a traditional cholent and other savory dishes. Geller’s suggestion for those who would like to indulge during the double celebration of Chanukah and Shabbat is Château Le Crock. It is now available in a mevushal version, allowing it to remain kosher when handled by non-Jews. Château Le Crock features notes of crushed blackberries, tobacco and menthol with a rich, velvety texture and caressing tannins, plus enough of a bite to cut through a juicy steak. “The year 2015 produced an exceptional vintage in Bordeaux,” Geller said. “There have been some other great vintages over the past 20 years, specifically in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010 as well as 2014. There were, however, very few kosher Bordeaux wines from those vintages. With 2015, we are blessed to have an impressive and extensive selection of wines and at all price points. The new releases make great gifts.” So, this Chanukah, don’t just open any old bottle when celebrating. If you’re careful to pair your wine with your meal the rest of the year, there’s no reason not to do the same during these eight nights of celebration. ■

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CHANUKAH

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Chanukah with Rabbi G. Rabbi Brian Glusman adds Chanukah to the Shabbat, Me & Rabbi G program at 5 p.m. at the Marcus JCC. 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Free; atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4161.

SUNDAY, DEC. 10 Chanukah bazaar. The annual bazaar at Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 N. Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven, runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $3; orveshalom.org/ ovshanukkahbazaar or 404-633-1737. Menorah workshop. Chabad of Peachtree City helps children build their own chanukiot at 1 p.m. at Home Depot, 2715 Highway 54 West, Peachtree City. Free; RSVP to shternie@chabadsouthside.com. Guys’ night out. The Atlanta Scholars Kollel offers “Wings and Wisdom” for men at 8 p.m. at 5355 London Drive, Sandy Springs. Email netanelfriedman@atlantakollel.org for details.

TUESDAY, DEC. 12 Family celebration. Rabbi Brian Glusman leads the festivities, including a menorah lighting, dancing and free sufganiyot, at 5:15 p.m. at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Free; atlantajcc.org. Menorah lighting. Chabad Intown lights a giant menorah and provides latkes, doughnuts, dreidels and more at 6 p.m. at City Green, 21 North Avondale Road, Avondale Estates. Free; chabadintown.org/chanukah.

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Babyccino. The weekly mommy and toddler program with a focus on Chanukah continues at 10:30 a.m. at Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta. Free but registration required; hs@chabadnf.org or 770-410-9000. Family celebration. Rabbi Brian Glusman leads the festivities, including a menorah lighting, camp songs and free sufganiyot, at 5:15 p.m. at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Free; atlantajcc.org.

Jewish Center of Kennesaw lights a giant menorah and hears from Mayor Thomas Allegood at 6 p.m. at 4461 Main St., downtown Acworth. Free; www.facebook.com/ events/145210829376511. Chanukah on ice. Chabad Intown lights a giant menorah and provides latkes, doughnuts, dreidels and more, plus $10 tickets for the ice skating rink, at 6 p.m. at Atlantic Station’s Central Park in Midtown. Free; chabadintown.org/chanukah. Menorah lighting. Chabad of North Fulton celebrates the festival at the Avalon at the Living Room on Avalon Boulevard at 6 p.m. Free; www.chabadnf.org or 770-410-900.

THURSDAY, DEC. 14 Family celebration. Rabbi Brian Glusman leads the festivities, including a menorah lighting, Howie the Great and free sufganiyot, at 5:15 p.m. at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Free; atlantajcc.org. Menorah lighting. Chabad Intown lights a giant menorah and provides latkes, doughnuts, dreidels and more at 6 p.m. at Ponce City Market’s lawn, Old Fourth Ward. Free; chabadintown.org/chanukah. Mah-jongg. Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, holds a special Chanukah session at 6:30 p.m. Admission is a $5 gift card to any retailer; RSVP to office@bshalom.net. Vodka & Latkes. The Marcus JCC Young Adults program holds its annual Chanukah party at 7 p.m. at Rose Bar & Lounge, 3115 Piedmont Road, Buckhead. Tickets $18 for JCC members, $22 for others; atlantajcc.org. Trivia night. Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Toco Hills, celebrates Chanukah at 8 p.m. with trivia, including a Formaggio Mio tasting and an open bar, for teams of eight to 10 people age 21 and up. Entry is $28 per Beth Jacob member or $35 per nonmember; RSVP by 5 p.m. Dec. 11 at www. bethjacobatlanta.org/chanukahgamenight.

FRIDAY, DEC. 15 Shabbat dinner. Young Israel of Toco Hills, 2056 LaVista Road, holds a Chanukah family dinner at 6:15 after Kabbalat Shabbat at 5:15. Admission is $18 for adults and $12 for children for members, $25 and $15 for nonmembers; register by Dec. 10 at www.yith.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 16

Light Up Brookhaven. The city’s holiday celebration from 6 to 7 p.m. at Blackburn Park, 3493 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, includes a Chanukah display. Free; www. facebook.com/events/131694777540693.

Latkes and lox. The Sixth Point celebrates the holiday with Shabbrunch at 11 a.m. at the Garden Hills Recreation Center, 339 Pine Tree Drive, Atlanta. Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the door; thesixthpoint.org/ event/latkes-lox-shabbrunch.

Acworth menorah lighting. The Chabad

Havdalah and menorah lighting. Rabbi

CHANUKAH Ellen Nemhauser helps Congregation B’nai Israel, 1633 Highway 54 East, Jonesboro, celebrate at 6 p.m. Free; bnai-israel.net. Bluegrass concert. Nefesh Mountain performs at Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is a $5 donation; www.bethtikvah.com. Vodka and Latkes. Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway, East Cobb, holds a party for its seniors group at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $18; RSVP by Dec. 8 to www.etzchaim.net/vodka. Wine, Dine & Shine. Young Israel of Toco Hills, 2056 LaVista Road, holds Havdalah and a party with comic mentalist Ronnie Baras at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $18; www. yith.org.

SUNDAY, DEC. 17 Family fun. The Atlanta Scholars Kollel’s ASK Brookhaven & Buckhead and ASK Dunwoody celebrate the festival with families with children up to age 10 at 10 a.m. at Hippo Hop, 1936 Briarwood Court, Northeast Atlanta. Admission is $10 per family; www.atlantakollel.org/event_detail.php?event=359. Carnival. Young Israel of Toco Hills, 2056 LaVista Road, holds a carnival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free (bring an unwrapped gift for Children’s Hospital); www.yith.org. Golf cart menorah parade. Chabad of

Peachtree City leads the parade from the Lake Kedron Park boat ramp at 3:45 p.m., culminating in a menorah lighting at City Hall, 151 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City at 4:30. Free; www.chabadsouthside.com. Menorah lighting. Chabad Intown lights a giant menorah and provides latkes, doughnuts, dreidels and more at 4 p.m. in the Yeah! Burger parking lot at the corner of Virginia and Highland avenues, Virginia-Highland. Free; chabadintown.org/chanukah. Party. The Atlanta Scholars Kollel Morningside Center at Anshi, 1324 N. Highland Ave., celebrates with food and games at 5:15 p.m.; bring a gift worth up to $10 to participate in a white elephant game. Free; www.anshisfard.org. Coin menorah lighting. Chabad of Cobb raises money for Children’s Healthcare by lighting the world’s largest coin menorah at 5:30 p.m. at East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road. Free but donations being collected; www.chabadofcobb.com.

MONDAY, DEC. 18 Menorah lighting. Chabad Intown lights a giant menorah and provides latkes, doughnuts, dreidels and more at 6 p.m. in Decatur Square. Free; chabadintown.org/chanukah. Menorah lighting. Congregation Ner Tamid lights a giant menorah at Marietta Square at 6:30 p.m. Free; www.mynertamid.org.

Happy Chanukah

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CHANUKAH

Kid-Friendly Options for Holiday Feasting The centerpiece of the Chanukah table is fried food, typically latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (doughnuts). It’s not a particularly diet-friendly festival, but who cares when you’re rejoicing? Pereg Natural Foods and KosherMoms.com are joining forces to present Chanukah recipes. Pereg specializes in grains, spices and gluten-free products from around the world. KosherMoms.com is a new destination for Jewish moms looking for quick, healthy, family-pleasing meals. Together, they are putting a childfriendly spin on food. Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Holes ½ cup teff flour ½ cup coconut flour 2 teaspoons xanthum gum ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon cinnamon 2 eggs ½ cup milk ¼ cup sugar ¼ cup light-brown sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla Canola oil for frying Cinnamon-Sugar Coating 1 tablespoon cinnamon ¼ cup sugar Fill a heavy-bottomed, 6-quart pot halfway with canola oil. Heat to 350 degrees. (You can test this by putting the back of a wooden spoon into the oil; if there is a steady bubbling around the spoon, your oil is ready for frying.) Whisk together the flour, xanthum gum, baking soda, baking powder and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl. In another bowl, combine the eggs, sugars, vanilla and milk. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and mix just until combined. Scoop 1-inch balls of dough and drop them into the hot oil. Fry 1 to 2 minutes on each side until no longer doughy in the center. The doughnuts will rise when ready to be taken out. Do not crowd the pot; fry only a few doughnuts at a time. Combine the cinnamon and sugar for the coating on a plate. Prepare a second plate with 2 layers of paper towels. When the dough-

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nuts come out of the oil, place them on the paper towels for 1 minute, then immediately roll them in the cinnamonsugar mixture. Serve fresh. Winter Roasted Rainbow Carrots 2 pounds rainbow carrots 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon Pereg ras el hanout spice Juice of half a lemon Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Spread the carrots in an even layer on a baking sheet. Cover the carrots with the olive oil, salt, lemon juice and ras el hanout. Roast for 30 minutes. Serve warm. The carrots are delicious and warming — perfect as an easy side dish and a healthy addition to all the fried food. They also look like a row of candles, ready to go into a chanukiah. Still, no Chanukah celebration would be complete without latkes. Kosher.com celebrity chef Brynie Greisman, who has more than 300 recipes on the free site for kosher cooking, provided these tips for latke perfection: • Use a frying pan that will heat

evenly and withstand high temperatures, such as cast iron or heavy stainless steel. It’s not recommended to use nonstick pans. Remove any liquid from the grated potatoes or vegetables with which you are making the latkes; liquid makes for mushy latkes. But save the starch from potatoes at the bottom of the bowl; add the milky liquid starch back to the batter for the crispest latkes. • Heat your pan first without oil. Use oil that won’t burn easily at high heat, such as canola, peanut or corn oil. Add the oil to the hot pan and allow it to heat to the point at which it shimmers and thins out. Turn the heat to medium-high, because if it’s too high, it will sear the outside, and the inside of the latke will be raw. • Use about a quarter-cup of batter per latke. Do not crowd the pan, or else the oil temperature will fall. Flatten each latke slightly with a spatula to ensure that it fries evenly. Drain latkes on paper towels on a cooking rack so they don’t get soggy. Allow 30 seconds or so between batches to let the oil heat back up, especially if you’re adding oil. ■

DECEMBER 8 â&#x2013;ª 2017

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CHANUKAH

Marion Kogon poses with her prize-winning painting.

So Many Colors in the Rainbow

Epstein School fourth-grader Marion Kogon, age 10, wins our Chanukah art contest with her watercolor menorah on a rainbow background. By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

An eye-catching collection of colors and a still-life painting of a festive menorah were enough to secure top honors in the 2017 AJT Chanukah art contest for 10-year-old Marion Kogon of Sandy Springs. The Epstein School fourth-grader said she was inspired to use “all the colors” in her watercolor artwork and dedicated the win to her art teacher at Epstein, Pamela Cohen, whose menorah she used as inspiration. “I really wanted to do something 40 colorful with contrast,” she said. “The

counter kind of blends it all together. I decided if I did a blue-and-yellow menorah with a red-and-yellow background, it would make it really pop. Most people take one set of colors, and I think it’s great to use all of them.” Impressed by the rainbow of colors, a panel of AJT judges picked Marion’s painting out of 50 contest entries. Marion, who is the oldest of four children of Sara and Ross Kogon, said her favorite part of Chanukah is celebrating with her whole family, and sufganiyot are her favorite food for the festival. This year, she said, she hopes to get a Polaroid camera for Chanukah

because they come in lots of colors and “you can do a lot with them.” Marion was excited to learn that her painting earned her a $50 gift card to Binders Art Supplies in Buckhead. She said she plans to get some nice paintbrushes and art clay for her home studio. When she’s not creating art, Marion enjoys being outside and likes playing softball and basketball. “I’m really excited that I won,” she said. “It’s been hard not to tell anyone.” Besides her interest in art, Marion keeps a list of five lofty life goals on a whiteboard in her room at home. First on the list is to expand wom-

en’s rights around the world. Second, she would like to create a professional women’s softball league (although one may already exist). Third, she would like to create an app to make parking easier in Atlanta. Fourth, she wants to make it to the NBA (not the WNBA). Finally, she would like to make people believe in unicorns. Some of the items on her list may be easier than others to complete, but we wouldn’t bet against her. Marion’s parents are proud of their bright and creative daughter. Her mom said, “She’s actually the one raising me.” ■

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CHANUKAH

Winners by Age Group In addition to overall winner Marion Kogon, the AJT is recognizing three young artists for the best submissions in their age groups: 6 and under, Dana

Miller; 7 to 10, Julia Promoff; and 11 to 13, Shayna Robins. Each of these girls wins a $25 Binders gift card. The judging was extremely close, as it is every year.

Turn the page to see the age group runners-up, but we just as easily could have recognized a dozen other works of art. â&#x2013;

Ages 6 and Under

Dana Miller, 6 Atlanta

DECEMBER 8 â&#x2013;Ş 2017

Parents Rachel and Ben Miller First grade Sarah Smith Elementary School

Ages 7 to 10

Julia Promoff, 9

Atlanta Parents Gabbi and Michael Promoff Fourth grade Brookhaven Innovation Academy

CHANUKAH

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Ages 11 to 13

Shayna Robins, 11 Dunwoody Parents Rachel and Jay Robins Sixth grade Atlanta Jewish Academy

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CHANUKAH

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Runners-Up Here are the works of art the AJT judges almost selected as our winners for the three age groups, any of which might have been picked by another panel. Visit atlantajewishtimes.com to see more of the great submissions. â&#x2013;

Ella Katz, 11, sixth grade, Atlanta Jewish Academy Parent Justin Katz, Toco Hills

David Kaplan, 7, second grade, Peachtree Elementary School Parent Zhenia Kaplan, Peachtree Corners

Leah Medeiros, 10, fifth grade, The Davis Academy Parents Jennie and Alex Medeiros, Sandy Springs

DECEMBER 8 â&#x2013;Ş 2017

Romy Gellis, 11, sixth grade, Atlanta Jewish Academy Parent Aliza Gellis, Toco Hills

Shifra Czuper, 6, first grade, Torah Day School of Atlanta Parents Chani and Rabbi Jake Czuper, Toco Hills

Shami Frenkel, 13, eighth grade, Atlanta Jewish Academy Parents Jessica and Yisrael Frenkel, Toco Hills

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CHANUKAH

Levi Rainisch, 5, kindergarten, Oak Grove Elementary School Parents Krissy and Gabriel Rainisch, Atlanta

Isabella Birnbaum, 9, fourth grade, Abbotts Hill Elementary School Parents Carla and Scott Birnbaum, Johns Creek

Art Contest Entrants

Ariella Schulman, 8, Atlanta Jewish Academy

Chana Antopolsky, 3, Chaya Mushka Children’s House

Ava Snapper, 8, The Epstein School

Penina Mintz, 4, Anshei Lubavitch

Noah Woolfson, 8, The Epstein School Daryn Asrael, 9, The Epstein School

Yaniv Baron, 5, The Epstein School

Isabella Birnbaum, 9, Abbotts Hill Elementary School

Levi Rainisch, 5, Oak Grove Elementary School

Jonah Brown, 9, The Epstein School

Avraham Tzvi Antopolsky, 6, Chaya Mushka Children’s House

Hallel Gellis, 9, Atlanta Jewish Academy

Shira Czuper, 6, Torah Day School of Atlanta Nadav Flusberg, 6, Atlanta Jewish Academy Jacob Lala, 6, Timber Ridge Elementary School Dana Miller, 6, Sarah Smith Elementary School Aderet Afrah, 7, Chaya Mushka Elementary Shayna Miriam Antopolsky, 7, Chaya Mushka Elementary Maayan Gal, 7, Atlanta Jewish Academy Zach Guggenheim, 7, The Epstein School David Kaplan, 7, Peachtree Elementary School Chelsea Weiss, 7, The Epstein School Yaffa Bracha Antopolsky, 8, Chaya Mushka Elementary

Gavin Cohen, 9, The Epstein School Amy Nowitz, 9, The Epstein School Julia Promoff, 9, Brookhaven Innovation Academy Kevin Witten, 9, Cliff Valley Elementary School Michael Kaplan, 10, Peachtree Elementary School Lily Knapp, 10, Kingsley Elementary School Marion Kogon, 10, The Epstein School Oliver Mason, 10, Atlanta Jewish Academy Leah Medeiros, 10, The Davis Academy Ariella Mintz, 10, Yavneh Laura Pollock, 10, Austin Elementary School Abigail Richman, 10, The Davis Academy Yechiel Wolf, 10, Atlanta Jewish Academy Romy Gellis, 11, Atlanta Jewish Academy

Dylan Feinberg, 8, The Epstein School

Ella Katz, 11, Atlanta Jewish Academy

Beruriah Freedman, 8, Chaya Mushka Elementary

Shayna Robins, 11, Atlanta Jewish Academy

Selia Kelly, 8, Marietta Center for Advanced Academics

Gabriel Yusupov, 11, Atlanta Jewish Academy

Rafi Mintz, 8, Yavneh

Kayla Feingold, 12, Atlanta Jewish Academy

Zachary Rainisch, 8, Oak Grove Elementary School Maya Rowe, 8, The Epstein School

Yaniv Baron, 5, kindergarten, The Epstein School Parents Rachel and Lior Baron, Sandy Springs

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Julia Miller, 4, Primrose of Colony Square

Natan Gitman-Schulte, 12, home school Shami Frenkel, 13, Atlanta Jewish Academy

CHANUKAH

Military Might, Miracles Battle to Lead Narrative

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

By Elijah Harrison

Eight days and eight nights the oil burned, although it was to last for but one. This story of divine intervention defines our regard for a holiday that we often allow to take short shrift compared with its seasonal behemoth of a cousin (once removed). But this Chanukah miracle was not always the focal point of what we know as the Festival of Lights. There is little textual basis for the focus on the oil miracle, whose likely origin dates to the beginning of the rabbinic era, said Rabbi Michael Berger, an associate religion professor at Emory University. Every summer the professor has made a point of lecturing Jewish educators at Ken Stein’s Center for Israel Education teacher enrichment workshop on the relevance of the Chanukah narrative to Zionism, its evolution through Jewish history and its pertinence to the modern Jewish state. The story of one flask of oil miraculously lasting eight days until new oil could be pressed and kashered was taught not to inspire religious fervor, but to tamp down radical zealotry. The intention was not spiritual but pragmatic. After the destruction of the Second Temple and the establishment of Roman military law throughout the province of Palestine, Jews sought inspiration from the story of the Maccabees, who overthrew Seleucid-Greek control of Jerusalem and purged the Temple of impurity. The Maccabean revolt was a story of human determination and earthly action. Chanukah was a commemoration of this military victory, and the divine role was limited to the Jewish rebels’ inspiration. After the failure of the Great Jewish Revolt (66-73 C.E.), many Jews evoked the memory of Judah Maccabee as evidence that it not only was possible to overthrow oppressors and free Jerusalem, but it also was the ordained responsibility of Jews, whose relationship with the one true G-d predestined their victory. But, at least in ancient times, it did not. In 132, a leader named Simon Bar Kochba capitalized on this popular Jewish sentiment and launched a desperate revolt that would match or sur-

pass that of the Maccabees. Bar Kochba had early success, capturing and rededicating Jerusalem, but his army was crushed by 135. Ancient sources, known for exaggeration, estimated that up to 1 million Jews died in the war. What’s certain is that Jerusalem was left as a Roman colony, and most Jews were driven out of the land of Israel. For more than 1,800 years, Judaism would be a religion of the Diaspora, decentralized and scattered, forcing evolution or dissolution. Reeling from Bar Kochba’s failure and systematic Roman oppression, the rabbis saw a need to dissuade Jews from the belief that they were masters of their own destiny. They set out to dispel the ideology inspiring insurrection. Stories of Jewish military might, foremost that of the Maccabees, were regarded as dangerous. So the story of Chanukah got a makeover, shifting from military might to divine miracles. In response to prayer, good deeds and Jewish living, G-d would deliver us to the land of Israel; we would not redeem the land through direct action. For nearly two millennia this approach dominated the Jewish attitude toward Israel until a surge in anti-Semitism late in the 19th century inspired the modern Zionist movement. The Zionists took it upon themselves to reclaim the lost parts of Jewish history, including the military prowess of Judah Maccabee. As a result, we have dueling narratives, military and miraculous, as we celebrate Chanukah. Tension over textual interpretation still exists. With each new era in Jewish and now Israeli history, new challenges and interpretations arise. Continuing vigorous discussion of these narratives is important. As the original Diaspora rabbis realized, how we relay our past can dramatically affect our future. As you gather with your family to celebrate Chanukah, you may take a moment to consider the history of this conflict over narrative. What impact will your accounting have on future generations of Jews? What obligation do you have to the legacy of Jews who took up arms against oppressors and to the memory of those slaughtered through the millennia? What Chanukah story will you tell? ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

FOOD

Quietly Kosher Chinese Served for 20 Years By Kevin C. Madigan kmadigan@atljewishtimes.com Photo by Kevin C. Madigan

After 20 successful years running Chai Peking in Toco Hills, Raymond Robbins is looking for a buyer so he can retire.

to everybody around us: G-d, suppliers,

Israel. He also revealed that Chai Peking

employees — they all work to make us

is now for sale because Robbins wants

successful,” he said. “You must be will-

to spend more time with his grandchil-

ing to listen to others. You don’t have

dren and eventually move to Israel.

to do what they say, but you can’t know

“We’re very thankful and grateful

it all.”

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“When we opened, we knew we had to have good Chinese food, and it had to be kosher,” Chai Peking owner Raymond Robbins said during a visit to his small, brightly colored eatery inside Kroger at the Toco Hill Shopping Center. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Chai Peking does not advertise that it serves only kosher meals. “At the beginning we thought that might be a deterrent to business. We just wanted people to try the food without negative thoughts. This way they would have an open mind,” Robbins said. “So if you serve good food, that was the key, because then you can attract everybody. Jews would see the name (chai means life in Hebrew) and identify with that. Otherwise, nothing says we’re kosher.” Robbins tapped into other markets and avoided depending solely on Jewish customers because a relatively small number keep kosher, he explained, and because the Orthodox community has limited spending money. “We have repeat and loyal customers within the Jewish and Muslim communities, and now a lot of business from the gluten-free community, people who have celiac disease, those who are on the fad of no wheat — we cater to those groups also. We get new people all the time,” he said. The 20th anniversary coincides with Chai Peking having its best year since opening, though it went through hard times after 9/11 and during the economic crash of 2008. Robbins said people were afraid to spend money during a crisis, but his landlord helped him through the ups and downs. He came to Atlanta from Florida in 1974 after graduating from the University of Florida, working first as a fur buyer for Rich’s and then as the manager of retail operations at Perimeter Mall. “I’ve done a few things,” said Robbins, 67. “This is my seventh career since I’ve been here, and it’s the most gratifying one because I make it easy for Jewish people to keep kosher and for Muslims and others to have kosher food. I feel good about that.” The advantage of being inside a supermarket is the natural exposure to pedestrian traffic, but Robbins said his reach is far wider, with Chai Peking having established a solid reputation in New York and even as far away as

Robbins knows how to get attention as well. He asked on Facebook for customers to make donations for tzedakah to mark the anniversary day in mid-November, then posted that he received more than $30,000. In reality, it was $40, which went to charity. “That was a joke,” he said. “Everyone flipped out. It created conversation.” In any case, his restaurant is not just about profits. “It’s not always about the money,” he said. “You need it to live and pay your bills, but if you can do something for someone else at the same time other than just for yourself, then I think it’s a better deal.” ■

47 ATLANTA / C M Y K 6.72”W X 7.86”H

91999 / HALF PAGE / ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES RUNDATE: FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 17

FOOD

Our Chanukah gelt is for real.

Photos by Sarah Moosazadeh The 5Church version of an artistic $5 bill includes an image of Martin Luther King Jr. to incorporate a piece of Atlanta.

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DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Festival of Lights.

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By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

The food and ambience of 5Church aren’t the only reasons visitors keep coming back to the Midtown restaurant, owner Ayman Kamel says. The concept for 5Church began six years ago in Charlotte, N.C., after Kamel sought to get away from the hustle and bustle of New York. “There may be five restaurants on every block in New York right now, so thinking outside the city was perhaps the best decision I made,” Kamel said. Since its Atlanta opening in June 2016, 5Church has garnered attention from locals, some of whom stop by for a selfie while strolling down Peachtree Street, he said. “We wanted to offer a cool and modern experience that would not only introduce great food and cocktails, but also a total experience focusing on every detail, such as the art,

music and the temperature,” he said. “We want people to leave the restaurant saying they had a great experience not just diningwise, but that they really had a great time.” The reality is not far from what Kamel envisioned for 5Church’s customers. When visitors walk into the restaurant, which occupies the former Shout space at Colony Square, they are immediately drawn to the black-andwhite ceiling, which contains handpainted scripts by artist Jon Norris from Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” and to massive pieces of art, such as a yellowand-green $5 bill displaying Martin Luther King Jr. “Art is another way to feed the soul,” Kamel said. “It’s very abnormal for a restaurant to include a lot of colors. … But I think the idea is to keep people focused on the art.” There is a 99 percent chance diners at 5Church will see Kamel walking

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around the dining room, asking how everything is. “The smile on my guest’s face is what makes my night,” he said. “It’s as simple as that.” An immigrant of Egyptian and Italian descent, Kamel said most migrants like him are destined to become engineers or work in restaurants. Although he has a degree in engineering, he still enjoys the restaurant business. “I love to do something nice for people, which is similar to engineering. You do something that people will hopefully love, even though you might not see it there and then.” The food industry does present challenges, however, Kamel said. “Our business evolves around the clock, and if you’re not ahead of the game, your ideas start to become old.” Guests will always find something new at 5Church, he said. The restaurant recently launched its fall menu, which includes local produce and dishes prepared from scratch. “We love the fact that we can diversify the menu to everyone’s liking,” he said. After moving to Atlanta with his wife and children two years ago, Kamel considers himself a native. “I told myself that I was not going to bring my New York mentality with me but rather embrace every moment,” he said. “I love the people in Atlanta and think you really have to work hard to impress them.” Kamel welcomes visitors Friday and Saturday nights to enjoy a glass of cabernet sauvignon while they sit on the 5Church patio and gaze at the sky. “I want everyone who leaves 5Church to not only remember the food, but also say, ‘You know what? I was at that amazing place, 5Church Atlanta, I remember the art, the music and food and will be back.’” ■

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

The black-and-white ceiling at 5Church often draws visitors for selfies.

Wishing You and Your Family a Happy Chanukah

One scoop of eggless cookie dough at Batter is $4.25; toppings are extra.

Abes Goes for the Dough

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Julie Abes has 320 square feet to prepare and serve her treats at Ponce City Market.

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Joanne Bradley, Owner

404-617-6483 • 770-316-8030 www.amramp.com

A new confection is being offered in this season of indulgence at Ponce City Market’s Central Food Hall. Atlanta native Julie Abes has opened Batter Cookie Dough, a counter/walk-up shop. Developed in collaboration with Marietta-based High Road Ice Cream & Sorbet, Batter Cookie Dough was welcomed to the Old Fourth Ward by lines of fans and eager eaters. The Nov. 21 grand opening “was even better than we expected,” said Julie, who is married to David Abes, the COO of the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group. “We served a real mix of people: tourists, millennials and tons of families with baby strollers.” She spoke about how she hatched and executed the newest “in the raw” dessert rage.

seasonal dough is gingerbread and peppermint. Also, don’t forget glutenfree and vegan. We also have fresh-

Jaffe: How did you get the idea to do this? Abes: A visit to Manhattan with my daughter, she found social media postings about the trend there. We lined up to check it out, and wow! (We realized) this would really work in Atlanta.

egy?

Jaffe's Jewish Jive By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

baked cookies (served warm), coffee and milk. Our dough is freezable. Jaffe: What’s the price point? Abes: One scoop is $4.25, plus toppings if you want: M&M’s, crushed pretzels, marshmallow sauce, white chips and more. Baked cookies are $2.50 each or three for $7. We love to cater. ... We can either drop off or set up a cookie dough bar for bar/bat mitzvahs, birthdays. Jaffe: What’s the long-term strat-

Jaffe: What are we really eating here? Abes: Our batter is eggless and made with heat-treated flour (to ensure zero bacteria). We offer traditional and seasonal cookie dough flavors like sugar, chocolate chip, peanut butter, brownie batter, oatmeal, lemon, salted caramel and s’mores. Our

Abes: Since we only have 320 square feet here, I envision expanding with carts … like some of the popsicle businesses have done. Jaffe: Husband David certainly knows his way around the food business. Abes: He has my back and has consulted in many areas. He knows about equipment, ordering, etc., but the concept and business are my own. We think that PCM for our first location is really a cool win-win. Remember, PCM just put an ice skating rink on the roof. Skate on over for some fun and yummy dough. ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

FOOD

Better Know a Bagel: Bagel Palace One of the Atlanta’s longest-tenured bagel eateries in one of the most Jewish neighborhoods? How have we not written a review for Bagel Palace in Toco Hills? We rectify that oversight with a visit to an eatery that has served fresh New York-style bagels in Atlanta since 1993. Atmosphere There are two supermarkets in the sprawling Toco Hill Shopping Center at the corner of LaVista and North Druid Hills roads, as well as two bagel places. Bagel Palace is on the northern edge of the shopping center, and Goldbergs is on the southern end. The entire complex has undergone extensive renovations to the storefronts in the past year, but step inside Bagel Palace and you’ll be transported back to the mid-1990s. Old-school tables and chairs are surrounded by glass display cases with delicious cookies and cakes, and the aroma of fresh bagels wafts through

Photos by David R. Cohen

The bagels from Bagel Palace are kettle-boiled in classic New York style.

The interior of the eatery has a mid-1990s throwback look and feel.

the air. It was fairly empty when we visited, but the service was still subpar. Based on online reviews, that’s a common complaint. Getting coffee refills was a chore, and our server disappeared in the middle of our lunch to take a break. Verdict: Bagels The owners of Bagel Palace migrated south from New York in the early ’90s and opened a place to get classic New York-style, kettle-boiled bagels. They don’t disappoint. The bagels aren’t massive, but in true New York fashion they are thick and heavy. There are no exotic-flavored bagels or foodie-centric menu items here, just

classic, tried-and-true favorites like everything, sesame and cinnamon raisin. The prices vary from $2.79 for a bagel and cream cheese to $11.25 for a bagel with sliced nova or lox that comes all the way from the acclaimed Acme Smoked Fish in Brooklyn. Verdict: Spreads The cream cheese at Bagel Palace is made in house and comes in a variety of flavors, including veggie, scallion, lox and jalapeno. It’s a great addition to a toasted bagel with a side of hash browns. The extensive menu at Bagel Palace also includes omelets, pancakes, deli sandwiches, and such classics as matzah ball soup and challah French toast. Verdict:

Overall Bagel Palace isn’t the best bagel bistro in Atlanta, but it’s far from the worst. Sure, the inside is dated, and they don’t serve foodie favorites like avocado toast. But Bagel Palace has heart and some darned good bagels. There’s a reason this place has been open since 1993. I heartily recommend this establishment for a Sunday nosh or a lunchtime bite to eat. Verdict: Next time: Café Posh in Sandy Springs Previous Ratings • Brooklyn Bagel Bakery & Deli: 5/5 • Bagel Boys: 4.5/5 • Art’s Bagels & More: 4.5/5 • Hoboken Bread & Bagel: 4.5/5 • BB’s Bagels: 4/5 • New Broadway Cafe: 4/5 • Bagelicious: 4/5 • Soho Bakery and Deli: 4/5 • Goldbergs Bagel Co.: 4/5 • Sunny’s Bagel & Deli: 3.5/5 • The General Muir: 3.5/5 • Brooklyn Water Bagel: 3/5

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

BUSINESS

Business Principles Embedded in Jewish Law

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Jewish leaders in ancient times believed that honesty and ethical business standards were important parts of Jewish law and applied not only to commercial transactions between Jews, but also to transactions between Jews and non-Jews. Commerce and trade are as old as mankind. You can imagine a farmer with many apples but no sheep, so he makes a trade. That basic concept is at the heart of all commerce today. Without trade, we would not enjoy our high standard of living. We live in a highly interdependent society. If trust is broken, living standards decline, and conflict ensues. Maimonides believed that ethical business practices were one of the highest priorities of Jewish law. There is no dichotomy between ethical and ritual behavior; they are part of the same G-d-given standards of morality. I have long believed that men of varying backgrounds relate to one another through commerce. Once a mutually beneficial relationship has been developed, personal friendships and respect grow. But if one side feels cheated, conflict can result. Often it is not the loss of money but the loss of trust that makes a person angry. Some of these laws: • Do not engage in dishonest or immoral practices. Do not steal, distance yourself from false matters, do not bribe, use just scales and measurements, and speak truth to each man. • Do not place a stumbling block in the path of the blind. Do not give false or bad advice to the unwary, and do not place temptation before him.

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• Treat your employees fairly. Wages owed to workers should be paid promptly. Do not take advantage of someone who needs work; a worker’s wages must be fair. • Go beyond the requirements of the law.

Business Sense By Al Shams

• Practice kindness, justice and compassion. • Do not take unfair advantage of another in business, and refrain from the appearance of impropriety. Your good name and the reputation of the Jewish people are important and must be safeguarded through honest and ethical dealings. • Care for your environment. Do not needlessly waste the resources G-d has provided. • Care for the stranger. Do not oppress a stranger who lives in your land. The same laws apply to him as yourself. We were strangers in Egypt. • Help the needy and powerless. Do not harden your heart or shut your hand from your needy brother. The spirit and intent of these rules are clear. Each of us could think of other standards of ethical and fair conduct. Our challenge is to incorporate these rules and their spirit into our daily lives. ■ Al Shams is a Sandy Springs resident, a former CPA and an investment professional with more than 35 years of industry experience.

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BUSINESS

Judaica Corner Makes a Difference for 30 Years It is early morning as Janet Afrah opens her Toco Hills store and prepares to greet customers. For 30 years she has begun each business day with her own special prayer: “Hashem, please help me guide the people who come into our store today. Allow me to imbue their lives with the meaning and comfort they seek so they can emerge inspired.” Judaica Corner is more than a business. Judaica Corner has a mission. Many years ago a middle-aged woman entered the shop. Several customers were milling about, and Afrah flitted from one to the other, trying to be of assistance. “May I help you?” she asked the unfamiliar woman. The woman shrugged and continued wandering through the store. After a few more moments, Afrah approached her again, sensing a need. “Would you like a book?” she asked. The woman lifted her tearstained face. “My mother passed away a short

while ago,” she said, “and the nursing home just called to let me know. As I was driving over there, I noticed your store, and something pulled me to stop here first.” She added: “I always knew we were Jewish, but we never observed anything. My mother sometimes spoke about the possibility of cremation. But I’m just wondering — what special rituals are done when a Jewish person dies?” Afrah made eye contact with a prominent rabbi who was browsing a few feet away. Taking her cue, he edged closer. “I know why you’re here,” Janet said, and she introduced the woman to the rabbi, who offered to accompany the woman to the nursing home and arranged a full Jewish burial. Although this story happened many years ago, it encapsulates the magic that regularly takes place at Judaica Corner, a little alcove where ordinary days become extraordinary. Afrah and her mother, whom everyone calls Mrs. Naghi, never know who will walk through their doors or what baggage they carry. But they are

committed to greeting every person, Jew and gentile, with warmth, caring and respect. “Is your mother here?” customers often ask Afrah as they walk in. Mrs. Naghi’s geniality engenders sharing, and many confide in her about personal situations. “Your prayers worked!” they declare when they come back, and she shares their exuberance as if it is her own. In the pre-Uber days, someone called Afrah to ask whether she made deliveries. “What do you have in mind?” she asked. The caller explained that a relative who had gone through some hard times was coming to an Atlanta hotel for a convention. “I wondered if you could bring a cheer-up gift to the hotel for her.” After some discussion, they settled on Tehillim (Psalms). Hopping into her mitzvah mobile, Afrah drove the half-hour distance and left the package at the front desk. The gift-giving cousin wanted to remain anonymous, and Afrah was glad to

have a part in lifting the heart of a fellow Jew. “Do you have the prayer Jewish people say after using the bathroom?” a customer once asked. “Sure,” Afrah said, showing him laminated cards with the blessing and its translation. “That prayer saved my life,” the man said. “I was in the hospital with metastasized cancer, and the doctors gave me two months — that was it. Then a friend brought me this prayer. I began saying it regularly, and to the doctors’ befuddlement, I outlived my prognosis. Months passed, and I went into remission. So now every time a friend of mine is sick, I bring along this prayer. It’s powerful stuff.” Afrah shook her head as she rang up the sale. The man was a gentile, but giving thanks through prayer is universal. With a click on Amazon, a sale is made, and a package is delivered. But the human touch is missing. Judaica Corner has served the Atlanta Jewish community for 30 years, opening its doors and making a difference. ■

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

By Rachel Stein

LOCAL NEWS

Happy Chanukah Rabbi Mendy Gurary helps write the last letter on the new Sephardic Torah dedicated in memory of Reuven Manoah.

Donna and Michael Coles and Their Family Wish all of Our Friends A Very Happy Chanukah

(From left) Ron Manoah, Moshe Manoah, Rivka Manoah and Avi Manoah cut a ribbon marking the grand opening of the Chabad Israeli Center Atlanta.

Torah Grandly Opens Chabad Israeli Center

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

More than 200 people from East Cobb, Dunwoody, Toco Hills and Brookhaven gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the Chabad Israeli Center Atlanta and the dedication of its Sephardic Torah in memory of Reuven Manoah of the Crown Holding Group on Sunday, Dec. 3. Families and individuals filled the Congregation Beit Reuven sanctuary, schmoozed and noshed on light appetizers while Rabbi Mendy Gurary auctioned off the final letters needed to

complete the Torah. After initially holding services at Congregation Beth Tefillah and relocating from a location in Sandy Springs, the center opened the doors of its Brookhaven facility on Chamblee-Dunwoody Road in January 2016. The Dec. 3 ceremony marked the center’s grand opening after more than a year of renovations. The Beit Reuven sanctuary and the Torah were purchased with donations from the Manoah family to memorialize their father, who died two years ago. “As Jews, we strive to keep our traditions, and part of that includes giv-

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Ron Manoah and Rabbi Mendy Gurary carry the Sephardic Torah.

Alon’s restaurant owner Alon Balshan helps carry the new Sephardic Torah during a procession along Chamblee-Dunwoody Road.

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ing back to the community and hopefully preserving the future of Judaism,” Moshe Manoah said. The center, on Brookhaven property purchased Dec. 7, 2015, strives to help Israelis maintain a connection to their language, culture and heritage while living abroad. Chabad hopes to grow the center in the next few years and reach more of the estimated 10,000 to 15,000 Israelis in metro Atlanta to provide them with programs that will remind them of Israel. Israeli music played in the background while Israeli congregants and visitors took turns helping the sofer (scribe) complete the Torah. “When we write and receive a sefer Torah, it’s very special because we are all performing a mitzvah as a community,” Assistant Rabbi Alexander Piekarski said. “This brings unity among Jewish people and this specific community.” The last letter of the Torah was assigned to Rabbi Gurary before the Manoah family ushered it outside for a procession down Chamblee-Dunwoody Road and back. “This is an exciting day for us, and we are grateful to have the Israeli community with us, which encompasses thousands of people in Atlanta,” Rabbi Gurary said. “It’s not an easy feat to establish a synagogue in the 10 years we’ve been here, but, thank G-d, the community and the Manoah family helped make it possible.” ■

LOCAL NEWS

PJ Baby Connectors (from left) Ana Rodriguez, Abbey Adler and Leah Stinson look forward to hosting more programs to create deeper connections to the Jewish community.

PJ Baby Helps Create Jewish Engagement By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

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DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

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A new initiative of Jewish book club PJ Library is striving to help interfaith, single-parent and unengaged families with young children enhance Jewish learning and create deeper connections with the Jewish Atlanta community. The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta has launched PJ Baby in part to connect people with synagogues, preschools and other local organizations and make them feel more comfortable attending events they may not know about. “There is often this notion that the community is not very welcoming for people who live in the city or those who are just moving to Atlanta, but we want to help change that,” said Nathan Brodsky, Federation’s PJ Library engagement associate. The program targets families with children under age 3 who live in areas that may have a Jewish presence but not necessarily a community. The key to the program are people identified as PJ Baby Connectors. “We were looking to cast a wide net to see which areas would create the best connectors,” Brodsky said. Since its launch in mid-October, PJ Baby has found connectors Ana Rodriquez in Smyrna/Vinings, Abbey Adler in Johns Creek/Alpharetta and Leah Stinson in East Roswell/Norcross, based on similar interests and values. The women hosted a fall sensory play date in November and plan to schedule more programs. Each connector has free rein over the types of events she hosts, Brodsky said.

“We’ve found that families are eager to make a connection and looking for something Jewish,” he said. “It doesn’t have to be a Shabbat program or related to an upcoming holiday but can be as simple as a play group in the park.” While some families and areas have been receptive to PJ Baby Connectors, Brodsky said other neighborhoods have taken a bit longer and are surprised that the program exists. “I think people want to make friendships but are also curious about what the program is, what it looks like and what it could be.” He said he expects to expand the program to more areas. Stinson said it is too soon to determine whether the program has affected her involvement in the community, but she looks forward to getting more people to join from her neighborhood. “When you live far away from synagogues or are not really affiliated with one, it is helpful to have Jewish people around you and host events that you are normally removed from,” she said. Stinson plans to host a weekend Chanukah party for families and hopes it will help generate more personal relationships. “We were looking for great people that would help bring the community together and found three strong connectors which could tackle that challenge in a way that would be receptive toward that,” Brodsky said. “At the end of the day, we are looking to build Jewish communities in different areas so individuals have someone to call, whether it’s to get a cup of coffee or to join them for tot Shabbat. “We are not trying to connect the families to everything, but just what’s right for them.” ■

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LOCAL NEWS

Women’s Foundation Honors JF&CS, Client

JF&CS Chief Executive Officer Rick Aranson and Chief Program Officer Faye Dresner (right) join MiMi Mondesir (second from left) and her daughters at the Numbers Too Big to Ignore award ceremony.

them? My health was gone. I lost my home, job, income and insurance.” Mondesir met with Donna Coles, a career coach at JF&CS, who helped her start a new job search, find a part-time role and eventually gain full-time employment. While she was searching for work, JF&CS provided food from the Kosher Food Pantry and other emergency aid. Those services helped Mondesir put her life back together. She now works at the Georgia Department of

Veteran Services and plans to move into a new home. “JF&CS provided what many people need: compassion, understanding, respect, communication and genuine help. A hand was given, and I took it,” Mondesir said. “People are not aware of what’s out there until they are faced with unforeseen circumstances and have no idea where to go and who to turn to. You will never understand what it means to have the help such as this available.”

JF&CS CEO Rick Aranson said of Mondesir: “She’s a wonderful success story, a great person, and we believed in her. We knew she would be a success if given the tools.” JF&CS Career Services provides career coaching for job seekers and full-day boot camps with information about job searching, résumé writing, networking, using LinkedIn and negotiating a salary. Employers are sent screened, qualified candidates for appropriate roles, saving them time and money. “JF&CS truly demonstrates an outstanding ability to make significant change in the lives of women and girls through its ongoing work, and Mildred’s success exemplifies their efforts to lift up women in our community,” Atlanta Women’s Foundation CEO Kari Love said. JF&CS plans to invest the $10,000 from the award in the Career Services program. The award was presented at the foundation’s Numbers Too Big to Ignore fundraising luncheon, where former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright gave the keynote address. ■

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Jewish Family & Career Services received the Atlanta Women’s Foundation’s 2017 Sue Wieland Embracing Possibility Award on Nov. 1. The award is given to an organization that “demonstrates outstanding ability to make significant change in the lives of women and girls and by using an example of one individual that the organization sees as a shining example of their program.” The award included a grant of $10,000 to JF&CS and a $2,500 grant to a JF&CS client, Mildred “MiMi” Mondesir, to continue her journey of success. Mondesir, a single mother of two, lost her job and home after a rare illness, bullous pemphigoid, left her in debilitating pain despite 27 prescription medications. “I couldn’t wear clothes, walk or sit because of unbearable pain. Unfortunately, despite being a loyal, dedicated, hardworking employee who made a measurable impact, my supervisor informed me that I was terminated,” she said. “As you can imagine, I was very depressed. All I could think about were my children. How could I take care of

LOCAL NEWS

AJC Atlanta Regional Director Dov Wilker leads the luncheon discussion with French Consul General Louis de Corail and German Consul General Detlev Ruenger.

AJC Atlanta representatives meet with Mexican Consul General Javier Diaz de Leon.

Peter Zimmerli, who became the Swiss consul general in August, meets with AJC Atlanta members.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

11 Consuls General Meet With AJC in Marathon

A luncheon program with the consuls general of France and Germany concluded the annual diplomatic marathon of American Jewish Committee’s Atlanta Regional Office on Oct. 20. The diplomatic marathon, an AJC program that began in 1991 and that came to consulate-heavy metro Atlanta in 2011, included meetings with the top Southeastern envoys of Israel, India, Mexico, Ireland, Belgium, Greece, Japan, Switzerland and Canada in addition to France and Germany. The Swiss and Canadian consuls general, Peter Zimmerli and Nadia Theodore, respectively, took their posts in the past four months. Indian Consul General Nagesh Singh is working with AJC Atlanta to host a Chanukah reception at the consulate in Sandy Springs for the third consecutive year. The diplomatic marathon in At-

lanta closely followed the national organization’s meetings with global leaders who attended the opening of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. The agenda for AJC, often referred to as the State Department of the Jewish people, included Israel’s first bid for a rotating seat on the U.N. Security Council, strategies to counter rising anti-Semitism worldwide, U.N. institutional bias against Israel, Iran’s support for terrorism and insurrection across the Middle East and its development of ballistic missiles, and extremism and radicalism around the world. AJC Atlanta representatives meet with Atlanta’s consular corps throughout the year and participate in AJC missions to foreign nations. Recent delegations with Atlantans visited Morocco, Rwanda and Kenya, and Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. ■

LOCAL NEWS Dor Tamid Installs Rabbi Ottenstein

Congregation Dor Tamid installed its new senior rabbi, Jordan Ottenstein, during Friday services Nov. 10. Rabbi Ken Kanter, the associate dean and director of the Rabbinical School at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati, officiated at the installation, which was also attended by Temple Emanu-El Rabbis Max Miller and Rachael Miller. “It was a very moving service to watch as Rabbi Jordan was installed by his mentor and friend. The level of respect and admiration was evident,” Dor Tamid President Rob Lederman said. At a celebration held the next night at the Metropolitan Club in Alpharetta, Rabbi Kanter spoke and paid homage to the Jews of Broadway. Attendees sang along to Broadway standards. Dor Tamid has been a hub of activity since Rabbi Ottenstein arrived in Johns Creek in July from Beth-El Congregation in Fort Worth, Texas. He replaced Rabbi David Katz, who served in an interim role during the Reform congregation’s rabbinic search. Rabbi Ottenstein and his wife, Marni Phon, have two sons, Noah, 6, and Kaden, 2. “Everyone in the community has been very welcoming, and we look forward to making our home here in Georgia,” Phon said.

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Bob Bachrach, former executive director of Congregation Etz Chaim, recently was named to the board of TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation, a 14-year-old nonprofit in Sandy Springs that Bob Bachrach improves the quality of life for women with breast cancer in metro Atlanta and beyond by providing, promoting and advocating specialized, evidencebased rehabilitation. Services include physical therapy, massage therapy, counseling, nutritional counseling, exercise classes and education programs. Before he moved into nonprofit management at the Conservative congregation in East Cobb, Bachrach was the vice president of strategic accounts for ATS Executive Search. He also spent nine years as a women’s business mentor with Pathbuilders and nine years as a board member and officer of Jewish Family & Career Services.

LOCAL NEWS

Photos by Ahava Heart

Retired Navy Capt. Neil Block (right) and 11-year-old Avi Heart join U.S. Army troops on the bimah of the Regimental Chapel at Fort Benning on Dec. 3.

Jewish War Veterans Post 112 leaders George Heart (left) and Robert Max (right) join active-duty Jewish soldiers on the bimah Dec. 3.

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DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

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Shacharit, the morning Jewish prayer service, is scheduled at Fort Benning on Sundays at “oh-800.” That’s 8 a.m. civilian time. A congregation of more than 500 assembled Sunday morning, Dec. 3, in the Regimental Chapel of the Infantry at the U.S. Army base next to Columbus. Most were new soldiers undergoing weeks of basic training, also known as boot camp. Their ranks — the largest number of recruits to attend a Jewish service at Fort Benning — included a small number of women after the Army infantry became gender-integrated this year. Some worshippers wore tallit, and some wrapped tefillin. Not all were Jewish, but all were welcome. The Sunday service is the big one on base each week because that’s when the soldiers have a break from training. The service was led by retired Navy Capt. Neil Block, who is a Jewish lay leader at Fort Benning and a member of Temple Israel, a Reform congre-

gation in Columbus. Also participating were retired Army Signal Corps Maj. Robert Max, the commander of Atlanta-based Jewish War Veterans Post 112, and retired Washington State Guard Lt. Col. George Heart, the Post 112 public affairs officer. At least a couple of Sundays a year since 2014, members of Post 112 have left Atlanta at “zero-dark-thirty” to drive to Fort Benning to assist with the service and host a post-service oneg of bagels, cream cheese, peanut butter, candy and lemonade for more than 500. Block has been known to warn that the failure to schmear a bagel with cream cheese is an automatic Article 15 (a crime against the Uniform Code of Military Justice). In addition to donations by kosher bakeries, the Epstein School provided a basket of candy for the latest oneg. Other supplies and volunteers for the oneg came from the Jewish Federation of Columbus and the local Jewish community. About 30 of the military personnel signed up as new members of Post 112,

LOCAL NEWS

which has about 300 names on its mailing list. The military-issue prayer book at the service was a siddur published in the 1960s, the product of a combined effort by Orthodox, Conservative and Reform rabbis and the first such volume published since World War II. Heart, a member of Congregation Ariel, an Orthodox synagogue in Dunwoody, recited a prayer using his late father’s siddur from World War II and read from a prayer book for Jewish troops issued by the War Department (as it was then called) in World War I. The Post 112 delegation was small — “quality vs. quantity,” Heart joked. His children — 15-year-old daughter Ahava, a student at Dunwoody High School, and 11-year-old Avi, who attends Peachtree Middle School in Dunwoody — also did readings. “Avi always says … ‘I have stage fright, and I don’t like doing it,’ and after he’s done with that and interacting with the soldiers, he tells me, ‘I want to go to West Point,’” Heart said. “We go down there to host the oneg, to talk to the troops about our services, to say thank you. From them, we get more naches (pride) out of being there, being re-energized by those 500 troops.” The service at Fort Benning provided a counterpoint to recent comments by Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely, who referred to American Jews as “people that never send their children to fight for their country. Most of the Jews don’t have children serving as soldiers, going to the Marines, going to Afghanistan or to Iraq.” Several dozen Jewish troops have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, more than a dozen of them Marines. Heart was offended by Hotovely’s comments. “Typically Israeli uppity nose over American Jews. I’ve seen it quite often, unfortunately,” Heart said. “They have no idea that the oldest active veterans organization in the U.S. is the Jewish War Veterans.” ■

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DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

More than 500 soldiers, not all of them Jewish, gather in the Fort Benning Regimental Chapel for Shacharit on Dec. 3.

LOCAL NEWS

USCJ Biennial Confronts Identity Issues in Atlanta

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com

As Conservative Judaism gained traction in America in the early 1900s, its leaders could not foresee the changes responsible for the challenges facing the movement today. Back then, Jews were an “other” in American society. But in the mid-20th century, as barriers in housing, employment and education began to fall, Jews (primarily the non-Orthodox) entered the mainstream. What once seemed improbable — Jews marrying non-Jews, for example — gradually became commonplace. At the biennial of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, those challenges were a prominent theme for the estimated 1,000 congregation leaders, clergy and other interested parties who gathered at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta for five days. (Disclosure: The author’s family has historical and current ties to the Conservative movement.) The struggle to be “an authentic and dynamic Judaism,” a tagline favored by USCJ, remains the same as it was more than a century ago: how to remain faithful to religious laws and tradition while recognizing the realities of life in America. Take, for example, “Our Clergy Can’t Officiate Your Wedding, But …,” the title of a session that put front and center the ban on Conservative rabbis conducting marriages between Jews and non-Jews. Rabbi Robyn Frisch, the director of Interfaith Family/Philadelphia, and Rabbi Malka Packer-Monroe, the director of Interfaith Family/Atlanta, led 75 to 100 people through such topics as how to (and how not to) identify the spouse who is not Jewish under halacha (which uses matrilineal descent) or is of a different faith or has no faith. Shiksa (a woman who is not Jewish) and goy (a gentile) are obvious examples of terms that might provoke sensitivities, but so might non-Jew, half-Jew or patrilineal Jew, Rabbi Packer-Monroe said. Just as USCJ recently decided that individual congregations — USCJ’s preferred term is kehillot (communities) — can determine what membership status to offer non-Jewish spouses and partners, those congregations will decide for themselves what language to use. “We don’t have a great vocabulary

for this,” Rabbi Packer-Monroe said. “That is the challenge. How do we talk about these people in our community who are loving, supportive partners?” She said a relatively small fraction of Jewish families today fit an archetype of a mother and father, neither divorced and both born Jewish, with two to three children born to those parents. Congregations must gauge how to portray themselves internally and externally, including the member images selected for its website and printed materials. “How do you show an interfaith family without saying it’s an interfaith family?” Rabbi Frisch asked. Issues raised by the moderators, and increasingly by the audience, ranged from coming-of-age ceremonies for the children of interfaith families to the possible roles of non-Jewish members on synagogue boards and committees, and from retaining a nonJewish member after a Jewish spouse dies to the burial of non-Jewish spouses in congregation cemeteries. When an audience member raised the issue of conversion, Rabbi PackerMonroe cautioned that a non-Jewish partner might not wish to convert and thus surrender a cherished piece of identity and that being a supportive partner (including raising children in Judaism) does not require being Jewish. Identity also was the focus of a session featuring Yehuda Kurtzer, the president of the Shalom Hartman Institute of North America. The “affluence, influence, power and privilege” of today’s American Jews enable them “to be power forces for change in a society that needs help,” Kurtzer said. Yet these opportunities come as “issues of identity and boundaries,” challenge Conservative Judaism’s rabbinate and congregations. The movement’s share of American Jewish households declined from 38 percent in 1990 to 18 percent in the 2013 Pew Research Center study of American Jews and to 14 percent in the Public Religion Research Institute report on “America’s Changing Religious Identity,” released in September. Kurtzer drew a distinction between America, where there has been a “radical proliferation of forms of Jewish identity,” and Israel, where the lines between religious and secular are being more rigidly drawn. “We live in a time when there is increasing skepticism about boundaries in general,” he said. ■

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Leonard Cohen Wrestled With the Divine My husband and I are those crazy parents who give their children names that barely make the list on the Social Security survey. When my daughter was born, we named her Hallelujah because my husband cried every time he heard Leonard Cohen’s song of that name on the radio. I would test him by sneaking the song onto our playlist for long car rides, and it never failed to produce a deeply emotional response. It was my daughter who inadvertently introduced Leonard Cohen into my life, and I have been a loyal student of his music ever since. Like a teenage kid, I often find myself with headphones on, carried away into a world of confession and drama, listening to Cohen’s albums more for their poetry than music. I pre-ordered Cohen’s last album, “You Want It Darker,” which was released just weeks before he died in November 2016, and when I listen to it, I feel the full force of my heartbreak over what is the new reality of our anxiety-filled country. “If you are the dealer, I am out of the game/If you are the healer, it means I’m broken and lame/If thine is the glory, then mine must be the shame/You want it darker? We kill the flame/Magnified, sanctified, be thy holy name/Vilified, crucified, in the human frame/A million candles burning for the help that never came.” I had the opportunity Friday, Dec. 1, to study Cohen’s work with Stephen Arnoff, the executive director of the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, who taught a session during the Shabbaton that opened the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism’s biennial convention at the Marriott Marquis downtown. Arnoff earned his doctorate in midrash from the Jewish Theological Seminary, so when he introduced Cohen as rock ’n’ roll’s master of midrash, he did so through the lens of a fan and a scholar. Arnoff read through a collection of Cohen’s lyrics as one would study a Jewish text, defining his theology with “love’s the only engine of survival.” An excerpt from an interview with Arthur Kurzweil revealed Cohen’s charge that we should be unapologetic about inhabiting the biblical landscape and experiencing it in the present tense. In his work, he explored biblical archetypes, mythology, character voices and kabbalistic stories in a way that informed his creative spirit.

The title track to Leonard Cohen’s “You Want It Darker” is nominated for a Grammy for best rock performance.

That, Arnoff said, is the process of midrash, filling in the gaps in the text to answer its intellectual and spiritual call. Cohen allowed his audience to participate in his ongoing wrestling with G-d. He was a student of the hu-

man condition, and his lyrics give us a glimpse into his struggles with doubt, resentment, anger, love, longing, joy and everything in between. Cohen’s expression of pain lets his listeners feel the full impact of their own feelings. He engaged with the con-

flicts of his generation, sharing with his audience the sorrow over his view of the world. Arnoff said that exchange of private and public pain and the confessional sharing through music represent a cultural breakthrough that will have a lasting impact on the music world. Arnoff described Cohen as a payton, a liturgical poet whose lyrics can be read as prayer. And who knows? Perhaps, hundreds of years from now, Cohen’s music will be the liturgy of the future generations. “Behold the gates of mercy/In arbitrary space/And none of us deserving/ The cruelty or the grace.” ■

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Gold Shines As USCJ President By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

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Atlantan Margo Gold laid out a clear, conclusive and inclusive vision of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism in delivering her State of the Union Margo Gold address at the opening plenary of the USCJ biennial convention Sunday afternoon, Dec. 3, at the Marriott Marquis downtown. As USCJ’s international president, Gold leads an organization that drew about 1,000 people to its convention and represents 1.3 million Americans who identify as Conservative Jews. Welcoming the delegates from 200 synagogues to her hometown, Gold outlined the convention’s “dare” theme — compelling action and mustering courage to embrace change. “We are like ‘Star Trek’ on a voyage, examining change, the old with the new,” she said. “We are on a lifelong Jewish journey that is much bigger than ourselves.” She outlined elements of her platform, whose highlights include revitalizing the USCJ website, making innovative and diverse outreach efforts to LGBTQ people, seniors, those in interfaith relationships and people with disabilities, and heralding USY (the youth wing of the Conservative movement) as the crown jewel. Regarding resources, she said, “In our past fiscal year we raised $2.5 million from 20,000 sources.” On a relevant hot topic, Gold said USCJ is investigating a sexual harassment situation within USY, for which USCJ has launched behavioral training and a hotline (212-533-7813) for potential victims. Her vision includes a wide tent of religious pluralism for all Jews. “We are pursuing new vistas, even reaching out to the seminary in South America,” said Gold, who has served as the president of a few local Conservative congregations, most recently Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Gold thanked many who contribute to USCJ efforts, including the Buckhead-based Marcus Foundation, and others who funded scholarships for young adults to attend the convention.

She became emotional when addressing the 20-plus Atlanta volunteers on how “our kehillot (congregation communities) came together with months of preparation — stepping up, round trips to the airport, making everything beautiful, even organizing a cookbook on Shabbat dinners. See them (the volunteers) here, all in bright orange shirts!” Gold introduced the USCJ CEO, Rabbi Steve Wernick, who pondered whether his tone should be that of a truth teller or a rabbi. He challenged the group to look below the tip of the iceberg, to release the “save me” instinct of recounting typical synagogue problems: dues, financial models, fundraising, membership, recruitment, leadership and public relations. “Instead, let us enhance the mundane with serous questions of how we convey truth to the next generation, address intermarriage and deal with identity politics,” Rabbi Wernick said. “Growth and change, how we went from horses to cars and now the driverless car. … As we make sense of a complex world, more Jews are willing to marry non-Jews — and more non-Jews are willing to marry Jews. … We have to dare to be life coaches and get to work.” Last up for the opening session was TV personality and The Atlantic Editor in Chief Jeffrey Goldberg, representing his synagogue in Washington, D.C. Goldberg comically related his recent appearance at another Jewish organization, which wanted him “in 15 minutes to discuss the roots of terrorism, Israel’s future and Iran, but keep it light.” For the body of his talk, he bashed President Donald Trump, his tweets and the responses to them, the role of rage and extremist speech, the lure of politics for some people who are indifferent to laws and norms, and the potential damage to democracy, with a sidebar mention of Hitler. None of that was new fodder for discussion. Goldberg ended on more enriching themes. “I’m a Conservative Jew because the Reform movement favors social justice over laws, Orthodoxy favors laws over social justice. … We can be extremists in only two areas: humility and self-control. Sometimes I wish I was a Haredi. I could sleep better at night, not complicated by the truth,” he said. “Getting wound up in tweeting, you can provoke others and yourself. The dog barks; the caravan moves on. Be the caravan.” ■

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

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Younger Jewish generations have increasingly complicated relationships with Israel.

Unfiltered Facts Can Link Younger Jews, Israel By Leah R. Harrison lharrison@atljewishtimes.com Keren Fraiman and David Bryfman took on the challenge of unpacking the relationship of American teenagers and young adults to Israel during a breakout session at the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism biennial Sunday afternoon, Dec. 3, at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta. The topic baffles and bewilders older Jews who grew up with the backdrop of the Holocaust and new Israeli statehood, and it requires the understanding that younger American Jews grew up in vastly different circumstances. While the faith in and devotion to Israel have been historically steadfast and absolute for many Americans, the allegiance of Generations Y (those in their 20s and 30s, often referred to as millennials) and Z (teenagers, born in 2000 and later) is much more nuanced. For the USCJ audience, the emphasis placed on tikkun olam (repair of the world), human rights, and social justice and activism among Conservative Jewry profoundly influences people’s worldview. No longer directly exposed to the issues of survival and the necessity for a Jewish homeland, young Jews coming largely from liberal or socially progressive backgrounds and universities naturally struggle with the IsraeliPalestinian conflict, equal rights at the Western Wall, and disputes between the Diaspora and Israel regarding religious observance and Israeli government. Bryfman, the chief innovation officer at the Jewish Education Project, a Schusterman fellow and a research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute, said: “Non-Orthodox Jews are liberals. … There are exceptions, but I’m a sociologist, so I look at generalizations.” Some Orthodox youths are liberal, he said, but in the range of 90 percent of social progressives will vote liberal

on all major issues. “Popular culture cannot be underestimated,” he said. Young people get their news from social media, where they only follow people whose values, opinions and beliefs run in tandem with theirs. By the algorithm of social media, Bryfman said, “your news cycles are fed by people only like you. It’s called confirmation bias. So now you’ve got young Jews, social progressives, only learning from people like them about the world in which they live today.” Regardless of whether what they see is “fake news,” it’s their news. Bryfman showed that Israel is low and dropping in the minds of young people today because of this liberal bias. “The less connected you are to Jewish life today, the more that what you know about Israel is what you see on news and through your social media feeds. Therefore, the more you know about Israel is primarily about the Arab-Israeli conflict, especially the conflict with the Palestinian people. … As we know, most media presents Israel in this situation as the occupier and the Palestinians as the oppressed people.” Bryfman concluded that it is logical for young Jews today to make these negative links, given their liberal bias and the environment in which they live. Compounding that limited knowledge is that all these young Jews know of Israeli leadership is Benjamin Netanyahu, the conservative Likud party and its aggressive settlement policy. “That part is their reality, and now our job as educators is to see how we’re actually going to try to include them in the discourse,” Bryfman said. He concluded that complete apathy would be a problem, but in this case the challenge for the Jewish community is to accept these shifts and engage with young people who have passion-

ate opinions, although they may differ from those of their elders. Because of their environment and exposure, Generations Y and Z tend to reject the unquestioning devotion to Israel exhibited by earlier generations. “We are failing them when we continue to infantilize the education we provide them,” said Fraiman, the director of evaluation and research at the iCenter for Israel Education and a former Schusterman Israel scholar and officer in the Israel Defense Forces. In response to the demand for conflict education in 2014 after the most recent Gaza war, the iCenter received a grant to create a more holistic approach. Conflict education is “not an add-on or something that does or should happen later,” Fraiman said. “It’s part of the story.” The philosophy is to fully explain the history so that an open and honest connection can develop between learners and Israel, feeding their natural curiosity “to allow them to develop deep relationships that we hope for them, but part of that is conflict.” It is an unedited education without the sugarcoating. As teens struggle with many aspects of their education, ranging from American history to politics, their educators are learning to engage in conversation in the classroom. The same should hold true for Jewish educators. The discussions about Israel are necessary and urgent and should not come as a reaction as the inevitable crises arise. Jewish educators have many questions about revealing aspects of conflict while trying to engender a love for Israel. In addition, they harbor a concern about the reaction to such unfiltered education. What type of phone calls would the educators have to field from parents, board members and school administrators? The iCenter tried to pinpoint “the complexities and nuances of the conflict that we want our learners to understand” and came up with recurring themes on which to shed daylight, such as diverse narratives about the founding of Israel, Arab labor and different paths to peace. Those themes enable open conversation within the “Jewish and universal values” that resonate with younger Jews, and, in this case, the students are getting their news from a reliable source. Values-based conversations empower the educator and the learner and allow for parallels to be drawn between American history and the Israeli experience, Fraiman said. “We must create space for these conversations, or we’ll lose them.” ■

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

LOCAL NEWS

Neshama Carlebach has plenty of strong backup on the Ebenezer stage.

Neshama Carlebach shows that sometimes when the spirit takes you, the shoes have to go.

The joy is infectious as Neshama Carlebach and the Glory to G-d Gospel Singers bring down the house.

USCJ President Margo Gold and Congregation Shearith Israel Rabbi Ari Kaiman (right) feel the pull of the horah breaking out.

Congregation B’nai Torah Rabbi Joshua Heller follows USCJ CEO Rabbi Steve Wernick through the horah during the concert finale.

Carlebach Rocks Church

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

By Leah R. Harrison lharrison@atljewishtimes.com

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The words “gospel” and “Jewish” don’t typically go together, but the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism biennial didn’t stick to the typical Jewish music and liturgy. Neshama Carlebach, her fourpiece band and the Glory to G-d Gospel Singers showed how the combination of Jewish and gospel can rock a house of worship during a concert at Martin Luther King Jr.’s church, Ebenezer Baptist, in downtown Atlanta on Sunday night, Dec. 3. In keeping with the legacy of her father, the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach, to “uplift, inspire and bring joy to every human being,” Carlebach delivered soulful renditions of 10 songs and prayers ignited by her father and

infused by her own style, sultry voice and musical soul. Ebenezer’s incredible acoustics enhanced the experience. She told the crowd of Conservative rabbis, administrators, synagogue members and curious Atlantans how she first sang 30 days after her father died in 1994 and never stopped until her divorce five years ago. That’s when she first mourned her father. Carlebach said that mourning lasted four years. Around a year ago she began to sing again, and “it’s been the most grateful time of my life,” Carlebach said. She has again been spreading the joy ever since. Carlebach ended her set with a rousing rendition of “Am Yisrael Chai” that brought the crowd to its feet and left lines of smiling horah dancers in its wake. (See more photos at atlantajewishtimes.com.) ■

LOCAL NEWS

Photos by David R. Cohen

Yizhar Hess (center), sitting next to Rabbi Mauricio Balter (right), says fundamentalist Judaism in Israel is threatening Zionism.

Jerusalem-based group Nava Tehila calls itself a liberal prayer community.

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com The final night of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism biennial was filled with spirit and a call to action. “We have one decade to ensure that Zionism is not taken over by fundamental Judaism in Israel,” Yizhar Hess, the executive director of the Masorti (Conservative) movement in Israel, said Monday night, Dec. 4, at the Marriot Marquis in downtown Atlanta. Hess was joined by Rabbi Mauricio Balter, the executive director of Masorti Olami, to discuss a renaissance of egalitarian Judaism in Israel and the world. The two agreed that the Conservative movement and Zionism in general are threatened in Israel even as more Israelis choose to identify with the movement. Rabbi Balter, who was born in Uruguay and made aliyah in 1995, said many Israelis want more structure from their Judaism: “People were very flexible for many years. Today they want definitions.” But despite the increasing number of Israelis joining the Conservative

movement, Hess is alarmed that fundamentalism has too much power. He pointed to the June suspension of plans to develop an egalitarian prayer space and share oversight at the Western Wall as proof. He was somewhat critical of the North American branch of the movement. He told the crowd that a longterm lack of financial support stunted the growth of the movement in Israel. “North American Jewry missed out,” he said. “They should have invested over the last 40 years but didn’t. And I’m only talking about tens of millions of dollars, not hundreds.” Hess said the Conservative movement has 10 years to get back on track. The highlight of the night came when Jerusalem-based liberal prayer community Nava Tehila performed inspirational prayers set to song. It wasn’t quite a concert, and it wasn’t quite a service. After the first tune, the group asked the crowd not to applaud after each song; the result was a spiritual, intimate atmosphere. Still, the audience was so entertained by the high-energy group that applause broke out after certain songs anyway. ■

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

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“We are on our final approach to Boston,” the flight attendant announces. My husband, Bob, is shuffling his newspaper beside me. In the middle seat of an overbooked flight, angling for elbow room on the armrest with my knees pushed into the seat in front me, I remember a different time in air travel. In the ’70s, when I was a flight attendant for United Airlines, airplanes were half-empty because of government subsidies. There was no need to drag anyone off kicking and screaming. Today, the world is different, and so am I. Boston breaks through the clouds. A fine city, but we will not be touring today. Instead, we’re driving 60 miles to Manchester, N.H. Our son, Brett, is on stage there in “Million Dollar Quartet” at the Palace Theater. Bob and I will see four shows — one Friday night, two Saturday and a Father’s Day matinee Sunday — before flying home Monday. Brett started acting when he was 8 in “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” in which he cried in character when Snow White died. “Mom, I cried real tears,” he said. That same year he played a surfer dude in a children’s production at Cartersville’s Grand Theater. He wore Levi’s with a Hawaiian shirt. “Yeah, surf’s up,” he said with a little hip thrust, as if he were on a board. Brett was born in Newport Beach, Calif., where Bob and I moved as newlyweds. I was a flight attendant based in Los Angeles. Like most young women who moved to L.A., I wanted to be a movie star. I did some modeling when the apartment complex where we lived made a new brochure. I was wrapped in a towel in the sauna for one shot, wearing a leotard and riding a stationary bike in the second photo, and dressed for tennis with the pro for the back cover. Nina Blanchard, the famous modeling agent in Los Angeles, thumbed through my portfolio and read my résumé. “You’re a flight attendant? Where do you fly?” “Honolulu,” I said. “Why do you want to do this? You already have a great job.” She took off her glasses and ran her fingers through her bleached-blond curls.

“I need to do more. On the airplane, I watch life go by. People get off the airplane and go somewhere. I turn around and fly home.” She studied me for a second then pushed my portfolio back to me. “These are pictures of an actress. You

Guest Column By Judy Benowitz

Brett Benowitz performs Nov. 24 at Temple Kol Emeth.

need to take acting lessons. You can do it all your life.” She wished me luck and added: “You’ll meet people from the industry on your flights. Introduce yourself. You’re already too old to model.” I was 28. I enrolled in the University of California, Irvine, to pursue a degree in drama. Ten years older than most students, I was closer to the age of my professors. I played a nurse in a student film at the University of Southern California: “Boy With Wings,” filmed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. I appeared in “Sweet Charity” at the Westminster Playhouse with two retired Las Vegas showgirls, who taught me a lot about dance and instructed me to just “sell it.” I almost sold it on one audition. As I approached a small bungalow in Hollywood for the audition, a pretty blonde raced past me.

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Brett Benowitz (blue shirt) portrays Carl Perkins in “Million Dollar Quartet.”

star, we wouldn’t get anything done.” The director later apologized, but CBS never called me back. I had an 18-month-old baby, Shayne, at home, and my baby-sitter made more money than I did that day. I had three children in seven years, and I retired from flying and acting to stay home as a full-time mom. We moved across the country when Bob took a job in Cartersville. The town has a vibrant community theater with the Pumphouse Players and the Grand Theatre. I started acting again. My director needed a boy to play a 12-year-old in “Lost in Yonkers.” My influence on Brett’s career began. “My 9-year-old son can do it.” Brett, my youngest, born when I was 39, played my grandson. He took piano lessons, as did his two older sisters, Shayne and Kristy, and they all performed at the local theater. As a high school senior, Brett was leading man Tony in “West Side Story,” and Bob appeared alongside him as Lieutenant Shrank. My daughters gave up the stage, but Brett took his University of Georgia drama degree to New York to make it a career. He learned to play guitar as a teenager when he wanted a break from the piano. I bought him his first electric Squier by Fender, and he signed up for lessons with a musician who sometimes forgot to show up. As Brett became more proficient, he sold the beginner Squier and purchased a Fender Stratocaster in deep purple. He later added acoustic and bass guitars to his collection, and he is the lead singer in a new band. Brett recently toured the country as the lead vocalist in “Rockin’ Road to Dublin,” an original extravaganza complete with Irish river dancers, that we hope makes it to Broadway. Bob and I saw that show in Sacramento for Brett’s birthday, then in Austin,

Continued on page 72

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“Don’t go in there,” she said. Was she talking to me? A handsome man answered the door of the bungalow, and we exchanged pleasantries in the living room. “You’ll play a woman who’s getting older and losing her looks. She’s depressed, looking at herself in the mirror,” he said. “Come in the bathroom. Let me see what you can do.” The director stood next to me as I frowned into the mirror and brushed my hair forward. I squinted and pulled back my face with my hands, turning side to side. I gave a little sigh and shot a bird at the mirror. “Good. Come back into the living room. We need to talk about a few other things.” He sat down next to me on the couch and told me the film had nudity. When I didn’t object, he asked me to take off my blouse. I did. “Would you mind taking off your bra? I need to see your breasts.” I took off my bra and sat there topless. He smiled fiendishly. I looked at his lap, saw his erection and panicked. I jumped up, grabbing my shirt for cover. As I ran out the door, buttoning my shirt while holding my bra, I saw a young girl coming up the walk. “Don’t go in there,” I warned. The industry has a seedy side. When Brett in college started auditioning for independent filmmakers in Atlanta, I advised him not to go on auditions in private houses alone. The pinnacle of my acting career was when I was an extra getting union wages on the TV show “Archie Bunker’s Place,” starring Carroll O’Connor at CBS Studios. “Mr. O’Connor, I have always admired your work,” I said when I saw an opening. He shook my hand warmly and walked away. “What are you doing?” the director said, running over. “You don’t talk to the star. You are supposed to be a professional. If everyone ogled the

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Judy Benowitz joins Sham (Damian and Brett) for dinner at the Red Rooster before their amateur-night appearance at the Apollo Theater in 2015.

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Macon, Montgomery and Fort Lauderdale. In June, Brett had a four-week engagement of “Million Dollar Quartet” in New Hampshire. He called me when he got the part. “Mom, Carl Perkins was a guitar virtuoso. He played lead guitar for all his music. I had to learn about 23 songs, not to mention all the dialogue,” he said. Brett agreed to cut his hair for the part and got to play the guitar solos for Elvis and Johnny Cash as well as his character, Perkins. Unless you are a musician or a music lover, you might not remember Carl Perkins, who wrote “Blue Suede Shoes” but never enjoyed the fame Elvis did for the song. People think Elvis wrote it. The drama plays out on stage in “Million Dollar Quartet” — Perkins, Elvis, Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis — with Brett as Perkins playing “Blue Suede Shoes” on a Les Paul electric guitar. While in Manchester, we listened to a rough cut of Brett’s new album, played through our rental car’s speakers from a file on his phone. “You know the songs, but I have changed some of the arrangements, adding harmony and a piano.” While I listened to the familiar tunes, I was reminded of the stages where he played them — Nashville, Austin, New Orleans, Cartersville. Brett wrote “Something to Believe In,” and tears filled my eyes as it played. “Brett, that is beautiful. I am so proud of you.” “Mom, are you crying?” “Yes. It’s so beautiful, it touches my heart.” At the show that night, I watched Brett play the guitar behind his head and do a little dance, showboating Jimi

Hendrix style. When the quartet actors gathered around a piano to harmonize on “Peace in the Valley” in perfect pitch, I started to cry, remembering the song my mother loved so much. “Are you crying?” Bob asked. “Yes.” I laughed as the spell was broken, but that is what theater and music do. They take you to a place in your mind as nothing else can. After the show, we went for dinner and drinks. “Mother cried during your performance,” Bob said. “Mom, you cried again?” Brett chided. “Yes, son, I cried twice today, for cryin’ out loud.” We laughed. It was so good to spend time with Brett. I thought of a night two years before when Brett cried in frustration over his career in New York. He had been booed off the stage at the Apollo Theater’s amateur night. His band consisted of one other player, his roommate, Damian. They moved to New York together after college. Brett played guitar and keyboard, and Damian, a rapper, played drums, keyboard and harmonica. They wrote their songs and recorded them on video, marketing themselves online. They sold T-shirts, buttons and CDs at their concerts and busked on the subway until police chased them off. Bob and I flew in to see them play the Apollo. The house was packed, and Brett and Damian’s band, Sham, came on last. Brett’s hair was long and curly, and he wore a suit. Damian’s hair was cut short, and he also wore a suit. It took a few minutes to plug in and get set after they walked onstage.

ARTS That night in Manhattan came back to me when I heard Elvis talk to Sam Phillips in “Million Dollar Quartet.” “The Colonel had me open for Shecky Greene, and they booed me off the stage every night. I am never playing Vegas again,” Elvis said. Knowing his Vegas future, the audience laughed. Elvis persevered, and so will Brett. “How does it feel to have your son follow in your footsteps?” Bob’s brother asked me. “He looks just like you. It’s like watching you on stage again.” I realized I went from the stage to stage mom. I had not considered my influence on Brett’s choice of the stage until I saw a televised interview he did for “Rockin’ Road to Dublin.” “My mom played piano and sang at music parties she hosted in our home in California. There was always music around,” Brett said when asked how he got into musical theater. “When we moved to Georgia, my room was in the basement, and that’s where the piano was. Mom came down to practice in my room, and she would sing Patsy Cline songs so passionately. Sometimes she would open the basement door from the kitchen and sing loudly ‘House of the Rising Sun.’ It echoed down the stairwell.” Brett’s interest in the stage had seemed to evolve organically. The whole family loved the theater. “Don’t give yourself too much credit,” Bob said. “Kids choose their paths for many reasons. There are plenty of doctors whose children did not pursue medicine.” Brett could have been a doctor, but he chose acting. At 28, the age I started, he has endured longer than I did, and he has had more success. How long before he tires of being the starving artist who is only as good as his last show, having to pay rent by waiting tables between gigs? He rides million-dollar tour buses across the country, which sounds glamorous until you realize that he falls off his bunk when the bus rounds a curve. He’s a troubadour who knows the next ride will be smoother because he has something to believe in: himself. ■ Judy Benowitz (JudyBenowitz. com) is a freelance writer in Cartersville with a master’s in professional writing from Kennesaw State. She is writing a memoir, “Highway 11.” Brett Benowitz (BrettBenowitz.com), who lives in Brooklyn, is appearing at the Charleston (S.C.) Music Hall in “The Charleston Christmas Special” from Dec. 8 to 23.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

They started to play a hard-rock original that Damian wrote with a long instrumental introduction. The members of the Apollo backup band looked at one another and shook their heads. Soon, the clown came onstage, blowing his horn and dancing them off while the crowd booed. Brett and Damian were stoic outside as audience members shook their hands. One person thought they sounded good and should have been given the chance to finish their song. “Thanks, man,” Brett said as he handed him his business card. “We play the Bitter End tomorrow night. Come see us.” The Bitter End is a small, dirty, famous bar in Greenwich Village where Carole King, Bob Dylan and other great musicians played. Brett and Damian had a one-hour slot at 10 p.m. Brett came out wearing the signature black suit I bought him at Macy’s for his New York look. They opened with “Gotta Get a Cat,” a song Brett wrote about the mouse problem in their apartment. “We were booed off the stage at the Apollo Theater last night. Can you believe that?” Damian said before vowing to return. The crowd loved it. Over whiskey and chocolate cake at the crowded Hilton lobby bar with me and Bob later that night, Brett broke down and cried. “Mom, why does New York have to be so hard?” he said. “I went to three callbacks for ‘One Man, Two Guvnors,’ and I didn’t get the part. Now the Apollo boos me off the stage, and I got to work dinner at the Spice Market tomorrow night. New York is so hard.” “Listen, son, suck it up,” Bob said. Brett cried more as I drank my martini. In the quiet of our room on the 11th floor, Brett said he was OK. He picked up his acoustic guitar, played softly and sang his newest song. Bob and I were mesmerized by his talent. “Son, remember the song ‘New York, New York’? ‘If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere,’” I said. Brett smiled and kept singing. “The Apollo Theater just isn’t ready for your sound, son. They always pick someone to boo off the stage. It is part of their schtick. Last night it was you,” I said. “Don’t feel bad. You are in good company. James Brown was booed off that stage the first time he played there too, but he came back and owned the place. Hey, you got booed off the stage, but you still played the Apollo Theater. How many people can say that?” We laughed.

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ARTS

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is flanked by Marcus JCC Chief Financial Officer Janice Wolf and CEO Jared Powers before his appearance Nov. 4.

Photos courtesy of the Marcus JCC

Grammy-winning songwriter Steve Dorff, whose “I Wrote That One, Too …” is captured on a giant cookie from Ali’s Cookies, performs at the festival Nov. 6.

Harry Maziar reads from his book of business and life advice, “Story Selling,” on Nov. 7.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

The authors of the comedic haggadah “For This We Left Egypt?” — Adam Mansbach, Alan Zweibel and Dave Barry — pose with representatives of the Atlanta Jewish Times (Michael Jacobs, Jen Evans, Kaylene Ladinsky and Lou Ladinsky), the media sponsor for their appearance Nov. 16.

NBC investigative journalist Jeff Rossen (left) meets festival patrons Dave and Sandy Abrams on Nov. 8.

Festival co-chairs Dee Kline (left) and Bea Grossman (right) meet with twin authors Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush.

Joel Arogeti, the chairman of the Marcus JCC board, meets the final author of this year’s festival, Dan Rather.

Closing the Book on the 2017 Festival

The 26th edition of the Book Festival of the Marcus Jewish Community Center has earned a place in the history books, packing venues around the main building at Zaban Park, as well as the Rich Theatre at the Woodruff Arts 74 Center. Although what would have

been the biggest event in festival history was canceled after closing-night speaker Sen. Al Franken halted his book tour in response to allegations of sexual misconduct, the two-week celebration of the written word, co-chaired by Dee Kline and Bea Grossman, still

started (Justice Stephen Breyer) and ended (newsman Dan Rather) with national names. The 27th festival is scheduled for Nov. 3 to 18 next year. Until then, aboveare a few of the 2017 festival’s many highlights. ■

(From left) Barbara Pierce Bush and Jenna Bush Hager chat with best-selling novelist Emily Giffin on Nov. 18.

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ARTS

Rosenbaum Leaving After Uplifting Release Billy Joel at AJMF9

The eighth annual Atlanta Jewish Music Festival included a collaboration with album-cover live-music series ATL Collective to perform the classic Beastie Boys album “Licensed to Ill.” During ATL Collective’s re-creation of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” at City Winery

Jewish Music Scene By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

Rosenbaum Releases EP

Atlanta-based musician Sammy Rosenbaum, who released his debut album in 2015, released the EP “Lift,” a collection meant “to lift up our souls for Shabbat,” on Monday, Nov. 27. The three songs were Sammy Rosenbaum, inspired by shown at the 2015 Rosenbaum’s time Union for Reform leading The Well Judaism biennial, is at The Temple, a leaving Atlanta soon Shabbat service as he prepares for rabbinical school. for young professionals that meets the first Friday of each month. “It’s music meant for lifting you up before Shabbat, and it’s music meant for Kabbalat Shabbat,” Rosenbaum said. “My hope is this music can be another melody in the repertoire of Jewish music and the music that we use in our prayer spaces.” The three tracks — “Kol Ha’olam Kulo,” “Or Zarua” and “Lecha Dodi” — seamlessly connect the reggae, jam band and Judaic music genres into a blend of Shabbat music perfect for a new generation. The EP and accompanying sheet music can be downloaded free at sammyrosenbaum.com. Rosenbaum has lived in Atlanta since 2014 as a resident of Moishe House, but he will soon move away as he prepares to apply to rabbinical school. The founding member of Moishe House Virginia-Highland will move out in a few weeks but said he’ll return to Atlanta from time to time and will continue to lead The Well with Rabbi David Spinrad.

Billy Joel’s fifth album, released in 1977, is generally considered his best.

Atlanta on Nov. 22, the festival announced that it will partner again with ATL Collective for a production of Billy Joel’s “The Stranger” at AJMF9 in

rock at The Davis Academy, which presents the show in partnership with PJ Library and the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. Free, 10:30 a.m., 8105 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs, www. davisacademy.org/cubclub. Teen open mic. The open mic series continues at Intown Coffeehouse in Toco Hills. Soloists, duos and groups of all genres are welcome. Free, 4 p.m., 1219 Houston Mill Road, www. intowncoffeehouse.org. Thursday, Dec. 14 David Bromberg Quintet. Multiinstrumentalist, singer and songwriter David Bromberg performs at The Foundry in Athens. Bromberg, 72, is known for his unique fingerpicking style. He has performed and recorded with many famous musicians, including Jerry Jeff Walker, Willie Nelson, Jerry Garcia and Bob Dylan. Tickets are $25, 8 p.m., 295 E. Dougherty St., thefoundryathens.com. Friday, Dec. 15 Jewgrass Chanukah. Bluegrass group Nefesh Mountain takes up a

two-day Chanukah and Shabbat residency at Temple Beth Tikvah. Friday evening at 6:30 includes candles, food and dreidel games. On Saturday night at 7:30, the New Jersey-based duo of Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg performs a Chanukah concert. In 2016, Nefesh Mountain released a pairing of Chanukah songs written by Woody Guthrie, “The Chanukah Dance” and “Chanukah’s Flame,” inspired by Guthrie’s Jewish mother-in-law, Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt. Saturday admission is a $5 donation for Drake House, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, www.bethtikvah.com. Sunday, Dec. 24 Gozapalooza. Goza Tequila’s fourth annual Christmas Eve bash for young Jewish professionals is set for City Winery Atlanta. Zale performs at 8 p.m., and a DJ starts at 10. Tickets are $20, 8 p.m., 650 North Ave., Suite 201, Old Fourth Ward, gozapalooza.com. ■ Email david@atljewishtimes.com with music news and concerts for the calendar.

March. “The Stranger” remains Joel’s bestselling noncompilation album and is ranked No. 70 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. With hits such as “Movin’ Out (Anthony’s Song),” “Just the Way You Are” and “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant,” the album is considered by many to be Joel’s masterwork. The double-bill show will have early and late sets March 24. Like all ATL Collective shows, it will involve a group of local musicians re-creating the classic album. AJMF3 featured artist Jacob Jeffries will perform original tunes to open the show.

Music Calendar

Friday, Dec. 8 Acoustic Shabbat. The featured musicians at this month’s casual coffee-house evening of acoustic and soulful music include Rabbi Brian Glusman, Drew Cohen, Tristan Hulsebos, Max Bittner and Rebecca Glusman. Food and wine are available for purchase. Free, 7 p.m., Java Monkey Decatur, 425 Church St., bit. ly/2jMQCQq. Sunday, Dec. 10 Children’s music. Latin Grammy winner Mister G, a superstar in children’s music, performs kid-friendly

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Atlanta is a musical city, and the Jewish community is a big part of what makes the music scene here so special. Besides the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, which has established a strong following in the Southeast, Jewish music and Jewish musicians often find their way to Atlanta for performances, residencies and other fun stuff. As a musician and an enthusiast of the local scene, I’ve started a monthly column highlighting Jewish music in Atlanta. The column usually will combine local Jewish music news with a calendar of concerts.

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Contemporary Collector Creates Own Artistic Edge Sandy Springs is home to an illustrious guardian of treasures who has long paid her dues in the Atlanta art scene. Eve Mannes and husband Harvey Mannes, a retired urologist, built a tri-level stucco-and-glass block home in 1985. The former owner of the Eve Mannes Gallery said, “In collecting, I like to mix high and low artwork with design objects.” Mannes is confident in her approach and dazzles her audience with outrageous surprises, such as creating her own 50th anniversary dress out of silk flowers and an industrial material called Parametre. In 2003, she spearheaded Say-So, a conversational salon. When not swimming, traveling, pitching public art, spending time with friends and family, and hosting events, she can be found in her studio creating. Mannes said, “After all, what drives me is the creative part and the process of making.”

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Jaffe: You’ve lived an art-filled life. How did it evolve? Mannes: As a youngster, I was always fabricating and creating objects. Although a biology major at Douglass College, I minored in art and had the good fortune of experiencing Roy Lichtenstein and George Segal there. I would dash between art classes to science labs and lectures. Later I took classes at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia and taught science. From our first year of marriage, Harvey and I started purchasing art, the first of which was a 6-foot-by-6-foot black fiberglass mushroom. Our parents were a bit stunned, especially since we had virtually no possessions. After Harvey’s medical training in Oklahoma, in 1976 we moved to Georgia. Influenced by Native American Indian powwows, I started designing neck-to-waist breastplates, feathered capes and adornments. These were shown at Henri Bendel, Bloomingdale’s and Caesars Palace. Later, 3-foot masks were in a window display at Barneys on Madison Avenue. Reversible hostess aprons were shown at Saks in conjunction with a Breman event, Vaknin Gallery, Switch and Retro Modern. On the lighter side, over 10 years ago, I imagined flamingos Dude and Honey having human personas and as such have made three76 dimensional vignettes portraying their

engagement, wedding and reception, honeymoon at the pyramids, birth of daughter Sweetie, Honey walking her pet lion, Dude and Honey being Rhett and Scarlett. I do need to get them on the web. Jaffe: What are you fabricating now? Mannes: I am going back to my earlier years and working with paper and other mixed media: Parametre,

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By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

tulle, silver wire and an array of beads. Wearables include kimono coats, party outfits out of tulle, ribbon and imported papers, bags out of paper and chopsticks, woven and crocheted bracelets and necklaces, hats with veils. Jaffe: You had an eponymous gallery here? Mannes: Not knowing anyone in Atlanta and wishing to open Eve Mannes Gallery, I did three years of legwork by doing presentations at Brandeis, architectural and design firms, and other groups. The first gallery opened on East Paces Ferry Road and, ever expanding, three locations later ended up at King Plow. With artists such as Ed Paschke, Joel Perlman, Terence La Noue, Sandy Skoglund, Nam June Paik, my focus was on painters, sculptors and public art. Along with both private and corporate clients, I had the opportunity (with David Heath Gallery) to commission artists for the 1996 Summer Olympics: topiary garden for Kodak, artistdesigned illumination of the BellSouth and NationsBank buildings, Pierre de Coubertin bronze sculpture, International Sculpture Exposition Atlanta (ISEA), which included Israeli artist Menashe Kadishman. Another public art project was the commissioning of over-life-size bronze sculptures of some winners of the green jacket for Riverwalk in Augusta. Postures were created when these golfers won the Masters: Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, to name a few. Jaffe: With art everywhere in your home — bathrooms, hallways, laundry

B room — how do you collect? Mannes: We purchase what we like and juxtapose works from known to unknown talent along with design objects. We have two war bowls of melted toy soldiers by Dominic Wilcox near a limited-edition print by Kara Walker and an Italian table named Anthurium by Edra. There are two old canes, one by an Aboriginal and a whaler’s cane by a sailor, adjacent to a bronze sculpture by Manuel Neri. Jaffe: What have you collected in your travels? Mannes: Again, these acquisitions have and still do run the gamut: an emu shell necklace from Namibia, tribal headwear from Myanmar and Bhutan, small wood totem from New Guinea, silk saris (used as tablecloths) and lenticulars by artist Akash Choya from India, Jaffe: Your kitchen is such a happy place with a heap of function. Mannes: We cook most nights and entertain and host events frequently. Harvey is a gourmet chef and loves using the human-body knife

holder as well as the pick-up-sticks steak knives. Two Jenette chairs by the Campana brothers are in the kitchen, along with a glass panel depicting “Piglet in Paradise.” Jaffe: Your granddaughter Sophie did a documentary, “Ta Da,” on your creativity as a school project for the Atlanta International School? Mannes: I was stunned she wanted to do this video. At first, she was thinking of doing it on exotic foods on Buford Highway. Needless to say, I am very proud of her effort, and each time I view it, it brings tears to my eyes. You could say it is a legacy highlight for me. Jaffe: You do have a keen sense of frivolity. What’s left for you to accomplish? Mannes: I am always dreaming up creations. There is never a shortage of ideas. That being said, I would love to promote a large-scale public event in Atlanta and curate a sculpture garden. On my wish list is to buy … a sculpture by Martin Puryear. ■

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HOME

H D

E (left), Kari Russell-Pool’s glass sculpture “Tea Pot Trophy,” Carlo Maria Mariani’s oil painting “In Spite of It All” and Radcliffe Bailey’s mixed-media work “Flikaflame.” E: Robert Hudson’s conceptual chair welcomes people to the basement great room, which also features a Nan Goldin photograph (left) and Jack Goldstein acrylic painting. F: Nam June Paik’s “Time Flies Diagonally” is made from old television tubes, neon and video displays. G: Ricky Bernstein’s “Piglet in Paradise” glass window (left) and Gunter Damisch’s “Gouache” pastel drawing enliven the breakfast nook off the kitchen, which features iconic Jenette chairs by Brazilian design gurus the Campana brothers. H: Eve Mannes’ fondness of mixing new and old,

J high and low, is evident in a kitchen collection that includes a Parisian art deco coffee and tea service, a limited-edition coffee set by artist Arman, work by Ukrainian artist Sergei Isupov and Japanese artist Joan Takayama-Ogawa, and a Dorothy Hafner teapot set. I: Eve Mannes designs jewelry and clutch bags fabricated with chopsticks, imported papers and upholstery cords. J: The Mannes collection includes “Reclining Nude,” created in the early 1960s by Roy Lichtenstein, with whom Eve Mannes crossed paths during her time at Douglass College in New Jersey.

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Photos by Duane Stork

A: The Mannes dining room includes colorful Bimini Werkstatte Austrian glass (rear), Seattle artist Ginny Ruffner’s glass art atop the Italian dining table, Sandy Skoglund’s “Fox Games” (right), and an antique, gold-leafed, lacquer lunch box from Myanmar. B: The guest bedroom includes “Evening at the Opera” (left), a painting by Eve’s mother, and a collection of vintage Italian glass over the bed. C: Harvey and Lakeland terrier Remy Mae relax with Eve Mannes in their art-filled home, which includes a life-size print by John Buck (left) and a black sculpture titled “Cauldron” by Heide Fasnacht. D: The living room features Judy McKee’s sculpted table

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SIMCHAS

Engagement Kahn-Pastroff

Dr. and Mrs. Brian Kahn of Atlanta announce the engagement of their daughter, Brooke Lauren Kahn, to Jeremy Simon Pastroff, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Pastroff of St. Joseph, Mich. Brooke is the granddaughter of Dr. and Mrs. Gerald Berger of Atlanta, formerly of Mobile, Ala., and the late Dr. and Mrs. Bernard Kahn of Atlanta. Jeremy is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. John Schrier of Muskegon, Mich., and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Pastroff of Pittsburgh. Brooke graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in journalism and is employed by Russell Reynolds in Chicago as an executive search and assessment professional. Jeremy graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University with a B.S. in finance and international business while also a member of the Hutton Honors College. He is employed as a senior strategy consultant for Ernst & Young in Chicago. A December 2018 wedding is planned.

Birth Ella Drew Nguyen-Khoa

DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

Mazel tov to Marcy and Nhan Nguyen-Khoa of Orlando, Fla., on the birth of their daughter, Ella Drew, on July 5, 2017. The proud big brother is Miles, and the grandparents are Jill Rosenberg and Chester Rosenberg of Atlanta and An Thi Hoang of Silver Spring, Md., and the late Thinh-Anh NguyenKhoa. Ella Drew was named in loving memory of her great-grandmother Dorothy “Dottie” Haskins.

Engagement Kalfon-Tohar

Wendy Kalman of Atlanta and Daniel Tohar of Jerusalem are pleased to announce the engagement of their son Avichai Tohar to Sarah Kalfon, daughter of Stephane and Joelle Kalfon of Sandy Springs. Both are graduates of the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, he with a B.B.A. in management information systems and she with a master’s in marketing research and two B.B.A.s in marketing and international business, along with a double minor in French and Spanish. The two are employed with Lieberman Research Worldwide in Los Angeles, Avi as a survey engineer 2 and Sarah as a senior research manager. Avi and Sarah are to be married in Israel in June and will continue to live in Los Angeles afterward.

Engagement Kalman-Braun

Wendy Kalman and Marius Braun are pleased to announce their engagement. Wendy, of East Cobb, is the daughter of Hermine and Richard Kalman of Boynton Beach, Fla., and mother to Avi, Gil and Robby Tohar of Los Angeles, North Carolina and Georgia, respectively. Marius, of Acworth, is the son of the late Jolan and Andrew Braun and father to Andrew and George. A November 2018 wedding is planned in Atlanta.

OBITUARIES

Judith Smith 92, Atlanta

Judith Gershon Smith of blessed memory, 92 years young, wife extraordinaire, inspirational mother, unconditionally loving grandmother, devoted friend, ribbon-winning storyteller, one-of-a-kind coach, motivational speaker, fashionista and tchotchke connoisseur, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, comfortably in her home and birthplace of Atlanta. Born Aug. 17, 1926, Judy was the daughter of Rebecca and Oscar Gershon. She was a USO volunteer during World War II, a Pentagon employee outside Washington, and a traveler to exotic places in the Mediterranean, the Iberian coast, Israel, Europe, the Caribbean, the Pacific islands and the Canadian Rockies. Her husband, Jacob Smith, was lucky enough to have been married to Judy for just shy of a half-century; he passed in 1995. Her son Bruce, known for his comic relief and original antics, passed in 1975 and awaits his mom with Papa Jake. Judy is survived by her daughter, Karen Chernoff; her son and “daughter,” Michael and Vicki Smith; four grandchildren, Brian, Jeffrey, Alison and Brad; five great-grandchildren; a sister, Marion Radwin (Myron); and a brother, Burt Gershon. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held Tuesday, Nov. 28, at Greenwood Cemetery with Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal officiating. After the funeral, memorial and lively discussion and celebration of her life, memory and legacy took place at the Jewish Tower. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, www.lung. org. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Death Notices

Irving Bravman, 88, of Atlanta, husband of Marilyn Bravman and father of Susan Bravman and Betsy Halpern, on Nov. 27. Eda Chowdrow of Vauxhall, N.J., mother of Congregation Beth Shalom member Sara Chowdrow, on Nov. 29. Herbert Goldstein, 93, of Marietta, Ahavath Achim Synagogue member, husband of Mary Goldstein and father of Susan Goldstein, Paula Goldstein Shea, Jacob Goldstein and Marietta City Council member Philip Goldstein, on Nov. 28. Sondra Lichtenstein, 81, of Orlando, Fla., mother of Temple member Cheryl Orlansky, Mark Lichtenstein, Jerri Johnson and David Lichtenstein and wife of Meyer Lichtenstein, on Dec. 2. Jeanette Newman, 93, of Atlanta, mother of Simon Newman, Shelley Linsey and Allison Cuba, on Dec. 1. Julian Scharfman, 72, on Nov. 27. Esther Tendler of Columbia, Md., grandmother of Congregation Beth Jacob Executive Director Rabbi Yitzchok Tendler, on Nov. 27. Richard Wise, 85, of Fairfield, Conn., father of Congregation Ner Tamid rebbetzin Leslie Prass and Ira Wise and husband of Zelda Wise, on Nov. 24.

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Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Associate Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@ atljewishtimes.com.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS

A Mother’s Prayer Answered Prayer, it seems, is getting a bad rap as of late. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Charlottesville, Puerto Rico, Houston, Florida, Las Vegas, rural Texas” — and people don’t want prayers. They understandably want action, steps taken to create lasting change, help given to rebuild. In last week’s Torah reading we see that Jacob is a man of action. He is preparing to meet his brother, Esau, and sets out for this significant event with a plan. He sends gifts of appeasement to his brother, plans for the probability of war and prays to G-d that he should be successful. In Judaism, when we pray for someone or something, it is not a shallow, one-dimensional activity. Often you will hear someone say, “I will pray for you” or “I will daven for you,” which is the Yiddish word for prayer, whose root is in the Latin word for divine. A connection upward and a connection inward, but always accompanied by action. When someone says a mi shebeirach at the Torah for a loved one, it is customarily accompanied by designating an amount of money toward charity. What the person is saying is that through my act of charity, please accept my prayers on behalf of my loved one. Action with prayer. Words seem hollow. “We are praying for the victims of (insert latest global tragedy)” somehow doesn’t cut it. What are we doing about all the recent natural and man-made disasters? The frequency of traumatic events (and the sending of prayers) is indeed concerning.

Yet sometimes we have done all that we can personally do, and all that is left for us to do is pray. Do we throw the baby out with the bath water? The Tzemach Tzedek, Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schnersohn, the third rebbe in the Chabad dynasty

Guest Column By Dena Schusterman

(1789-1866), said: “If you only knew the power of verses of Tehillim/Psalms and their effect in the highest heavens, you would recite them constantly. Know that the chapters of Tehillim shatter all barriers. They ascend higher and still higher with no interference. They prostrate themselves in supplication before the Master of all worlds, and they effect and accomplish with kindness and compassion.” The Book of Psalms (Tehillim) is powerful. Tehillim is like a multivitamin for your soul or starch for all things needing to be ironed out in your life. It is the one-size-fits-all-problems prayer machine, and, like most functioning humans, I need constant blessings, hence constant prayer. Practically, one cannot be busy in prayer all day, but many people say a single psalm each day, and on Shabbat Mevorchim, the Shabbat preceding each new month, it is customary to say the entire Book of Psalms. This is a custom that dates to the time of the Ba’al Shem Tov. As a mother of small children, I say as many chapters as my time will allow me to.

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DECEMBER 8 ▪ 2017

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It is not a pressure; it is a privilege. I can remember a time recently when my monthly Psalms recital was overshadowed by a more significant personal need. Not only was I concerned about the chaos in our world, my family, health, happiness and livelihood, but we also were facing a personal challenge for which, after doing all I could in a down-to-earth, physical sense, I was left only with prayer. I helped myself, and now I was hoping G-d would kick in in answer to my prayers. Many people find themselves in situations for which it can seem as if there is no way out, no way to resolve the unpleasantness; for this there is prayer and the new reality you can create for yourself through it. To be sure, the month’s prayers were fervent and plentiful, and as Shabbat was coming to an end, I was unwavering in my goal to finish all 150 chapters of Psalms. Coincidentally, I was also in the midst of a self-prescribed sleep-training boot camp for all my little ones. What I didn’t realize was how equally single-minded I was to finish Psalms as I was to train my children to fall asleep easily, which means without jumping out of bed for fruit, drinks, boo-boos and books every three minutes or so. Compound one child doing this by four and you have a nightly game of spirited whack-a-mole on your hands. One down, one up, one down, another up. You get the picture. So as the sun was setting and Shabbat waning, I sat on the floor, perched on a pillow against a wall, in the space that is called a four-square, with bedrooms in each corner and a bathroom in between.

Sitting there at my post, I had strategic access to each bedroom and the goings-on by my children inside. For the most part I continued reciting chapter by chapter, my thoughts on blessings and success for the coming week. I got up to provide a drink of water, a fallen book, a re-tuck-in and a toy confiscation. Some shushes and “We’ll talk about it tomorrow” comments, and all seemed quiet. Except for my child who claims he never sleeps, the child whom I sometimes believe when he makes this claim. If you don’t try very hard to catch him sleeping, you won’t know it happens. As all the other children had fallen prey to the lull of nighttime, I moved myself from the floor into the bed of the last child standing. I continued reciting the Tehillim as he tossed and turned, talked to himself, and played with the window coverings. Before long, I realized I was no longer praying for lofty things like world peace, healthy children, the livelihood for our household or the clarity of success for our specific struggle; I was praying that my son should please fall asleep. As I began to murmur the lengthy Chapter 119, I could hear the calm of steady breathing and the hush of his sleeping peacefulness descend — indeed, my prayers were answered. Try it for yourself. ■ Dena Schusterman is a founder of Chabad Intown, a Jewish educator, and a founding director of both the Intown Jewish Preschool (intownjewishpreschool. org) and the Intown Hebrew School. She and her husband, Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman, are native Californians living in Atlanta for 20 years with their eight children.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS

Running Through a Page CROSSWORD From My Treadmill Diary

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“Bugging Out”

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

Slim woman: Hi, there! Remember me? Chana: Ummmm …? Slim: It’s hard getting back in shape, isn’t it? Chana (breathing hard after only half an hour): I’m sorry, you do look familiar, but … Slim (nudging Chana slightly aside to check the treadmill monitor): Oh, I see that you’re doing 3.5 miles an hour. So far, so good, but if you increase the incline, you’ll get more bang for your buck. Chana (intensely out of breath): Actually, this is the best I can do. Slim: Well, it’s a start. Just keep at it, and you’ll lose some of that belly fat. Chana (panting): You’ll have to remind me (more panting); how do we know each other? Slim: Our kids went to school together! Chana (stepping off the treadmill while tightening belly): They did? How old are your kids? Slim: Remember my twins? They’re already in college. Chana: I’m pretty sure our kids didn’t go to school together. Slim: Oh, I remember your son very well. Chana: I think you’ve got me mixed up with somebody else. I have two daughters. Slim: Are you sure? Chana (resetting the machine): Let me think for a minute. Yes, I’m positive I have two daughters. Slim: Well, did they go to Lakeside High School? Chana: They both spent four years at a place called Yeshiva High School. But that’s not all … Slim: I knew you’d remember! You do have a son, right? Chana: What I was about to say is that my daughters are in their 40s. Are your twins in their 40s? Slim: Of course not. Do I look like somebody whose children are in their 40s? They’re 19. Chana (stepping back on the treadmill): Well, it was lovely meeting you. Gotta get back to work! Slim: This is really confusing. See, Lynn, I remember you from some place. Chana (relieved): Oh, I’m not Lynn! Slim: What’s it a nickname for? Something Southern like Mary Lynn I bet! Everybody always called you Lynn!

Chana: My name is Chana. I’m sure you’re thinking of somebody else. Slim: Oh, whatever! What kind of a name is Kahn-na, anyway? Chana: It’s Hebrew.

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By Chana Shapiro cshapiro@atljewishtimes.com

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Slim: Are you from Israel? Chana (fingering the control panel): No, I’m a full-blooded American with a Hebrew name. Slim: How unusual! I wonder why your parents did that? Chana: I promise you that they had a good reason, but I have to get back on the treadmill. I’m going to start now if that’s OK with you. Slim: Do you mind if I give you one little piece of advice? Chana (resolutely resetting the monitor): Go for it! Slim: You’ll have better results if you get some real exercise clothes. That T-shirt does hide your upper arms, which is smart, but it’s got to be too hot. And those pants are kind of floppy. Get workout tights, and don’t worry about tights showing how big your bottom is because it’s nobody’s business. Chana (starting to walk again): I appreciate your observation. Slim: Just one more thing, OK? You should probably put your hair into a ponytail. It’s all over the place. Doesn’t that bother you? Chana (succumbing to sarcasm): Your expertise is amazingly helpful and well-intentioned. Perhaps you’d do me a big favor and critique my shoes. Slim: Well, since you ask. How long have you had them? Chana (breathing erratically): Three or four years, why? Slim (appalled): No wonder you’re leaning toward the left. You’ve got to get better shoes, and don’t buy another pair of cheap ones. Chana (controlling herself before becoming violent): Well, I see that I’ve been here for a long time, so I’ve got to go. Tuesdays are my treadmill days, but unfortunately I didn’t walk as much as I’d planned. Slim (elated): Now that I know when you come, I’ll try to show up at the same time! We can catch up more next week. Won’t that be great? ■

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Chana’s Corner

ACROSS 1. Forceful one? 5. “Bridge of Spies” supporting actor 9. Fire stacks 14. Writing on the wall, for one 15. Wicked adviser to King Saul 16. Depart 17. Not like Sarah or Esther 18. Top 19. Arm bones 20. Moses carried one? 23. George of “The Goldbergs” 26. “Silly me!” syllables 27. One who could join a minyan? 32. Is unwell 33. Primary number 34. “A Nightmare ___ Street” 37. Chem. or biol. 38. One lighting Shabbat candles? 41. He rode the Nebuchadnezzer in “The Matrix” 42. ___ Mall (Jerusalem locale) 44. Paulo preceder, in Brazil 45. 100-meter, e.g. 46. One joining the IDF? 50. Lee who has made many a movie cameo 51. NBC newsman Roger 52. One building a bimah? 58. Euphoric way to walk 59. Carrier of those getting high when davening? 60. Big no-no in Judaism 64. Singing show, with “The” 65. Capital of Latvia 66. Common Friday night

course 67. Finished 68. Capone capturer 69. “Guarding ___” (Shirley MacLaine movie)

Linka Glatter 36. One who makes the cut? 38. Stumbled 39. Like the walk from the Kotel to Yad Vashem DOWN 40. Kind of throw 1. “I love” follower 43. Home for the ill 2. “Holy cow!” in text talk 45. Job for Doc Holliday or 3. ___ Boca Vista Tim Whatley (“Seinfeld” locale) 47. Son of Jacob who had 4. “As I was saying …” only one son 5. Dar on “Homeland” 48. Low person on the 6. Ending for wed, dead or office totem pole head 49. Many, many years 7. Lovato who claims to 52. Inlet have Jewish ancestry 53. Soon, to a bard 8. “To do” list 54. Camp night activity that 9. Cuddly teddy, for one can get you docked from a 10. Russia’s president in camp night activity the ’90s 55. Nobelist Wiesel 11. Hindu princess 56. Schmattas 12. Emergency removal, for 57. “Woe is me!” short 61. Kosher animal not often 13. “___ ye the Lord”: Isaiah on a menu 21. “Aladdin” prince 62. Some package symbols 22. One 25-Down 63. Records that may be 23. Involuntary twitch broken? 24. Writer Jong 25. Some Israeli arms 28. “___ ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm” (Bob LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION Dylan) S E R A D E E M S G A L L 29. They A R E S I S S U E O R E O played F A L S E S T A R T G R A D “Paradise City” A S I A N S R U S H I N G in Tel Aviv on R E E D S L E A P T V E E July 15, 2017, I D F G A M Y A M A S S for short J U I C E S M E L T C O N V E R S I O N S 30. Reagan T H E M E G L A S S attorney C H A Y A R E A M A T M general U R N S P A S M S H I R E 31. Group P I G S K I N S A B R A S of 100 in F L I P T O U C H D O W N S U L N A A U R A E M A C E Washington L A G S S T I L L B Y E S 35. Director 81 1

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