Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. 99 NO. 3, February 15, 2024

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NEWS Havinagala Raises Big for PAL, JF&CS

By Sasha Heller The stars were shining outside and inside the Illuminarium on Jan. 27 for Havinagala, the JF&CS annual fundraiser for PAL -- Atlanta’s only Jewish “Big Brother/Big Sister” program.

Set against a 3-D projected backdrop of the glittering cosmos, astrological illustrations, and falling cherry blossom leaves, Havinagala raised approximately $100,000 for PAL, which is a volunteer program of Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta.

The event, which attracted more than 450 young Jewish Atlanta professionals, served a two-fold purpose, organizers said: to raise funds to support PAL and to nurture a sense of philanthropy in the next generation of Atlanta’s Jewish community leaders.

“I’m a pediatric nurse, so I know how important it is for these kids to have role models in their lives,” said event co-chair Brooke Berman. “So, for me, I just really connected with this charity.”

Fellow event co-chair, Emma Rinzler, echoed Berman’s sentiments and emphasized unity during a time of rising antisemitism and global conflicts.

“As someone who grew up in the Atlanta Jewish community, I always knew the importance of getting involved at a young age. When I attended Havinagala last year, I thought that it would be the perfect event to jumpstart my involvement. Not only is the event geared towards a younger generation, but it also supports a cause that I’m passionate about,” Rinzler said.

Before the main event officially kicked off, a VIP party was held to recognize the evening’s donors and to celebrate standout PAL volunteer Nate Rubin, who received the Joel Libowsky Big PAL of the Year Award.

“It means the world to receive the award,” Rubin said. “The program provides an incredible platform to help improve children’s and families’ lives, and it is an honor to be recognized.”

Rubin, who has been volunteering with PAL for seven years, said he and his match have regularly attended performances at The Fox Theatre, and gone to Atlanta Braves games, bowling events, Top Golf, to the movies, and much more.

Two-time Big PAL, Jordan Enoch, was also on hand to celebrate the program and its impact in the community.

When asked about what it means to be a part of PAL, Enoch said, “I enjoy the PAL 6 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

(From left) Doug Kuniansky, Debbie Kuniansky, Brooke Berman, Emma Rinzler, Keith Rinzler, Brett Feldman, Michael Feldman, Jody Feldman, JoJo Rinzler // // All photos by Lu Christian of 1 G L A N C E Photography

Pictured are event co-chairs Brooke Berman and Emma Rinzler // Photo by Lu Christian of 1 G L A N C E Photography

program because it allows me the ability to make a direct and long-lasting difference in somebody’s life, and the fact that you can do that for someone who shares your Jewish background is an added bonus. With PAL, you can make a real difference in a child’s life while also having a ton of fun.”

Enoch joined the PAL program in 2014 and was first matched with Little

Joel Libowsky Big PAL of the Year Award winner, Nate Rubin, with Joel Libowsky

PAL, Zev, who was 12 at the time and had recently lost his father. Through PAL, Enoch and Zev enjoyed going to comic bookstores, attending Braves games and various festivals, sampling new cuisines, hiking, and watching old movies. Zev exited the PAL program at 18 and is currently a junior at Boston University and keeps in regular contact with his Big PAL.

Enoch is now volunteering with Lucas, 9, whose mother is single by choice and wanted Lucas to have a positive role model in his life. Lucas also has a twin brother who has his own Big PAL. Enoch said he and Lucas like going to Atlanta United and Braves games, escaping corn mazes, and visiting Fernbank, Zoo Atlanta, and the Georgia Aquarium.

Through volunteering with their

NEWS

Sarah Bernstein, PAL & Young Professionals Program Manager

Aerialist, Liquid Sky Entertainment

Little PALS, Enoch said Big PALS “really get to see this person grow.”

And according to Rinzler, it’s not just the Little PALS who grow through

the program. “I think that the amazing part of the PAL program is that it’s not a one-time thing. Individuals who become involved in the PAL program are involved

for many years in the future,” Rinzler said. “It’s amazing to see that the PAL program not only has a positive impact on the Little PALS, but also on the Big PALS and volunteers as well. In some cases, the impact on the Big PALS is larger than on the Little PALS.” The party, which featured a silent auction with all proceeds going to support the program, also served for many as an introduction to philanthropy in Jewish Atlanta.

Rinzler said, “Havinagala really is the only Jewish young professionals’ event of its kind. For many, it is the first charity event that they have attended.

I think the impact of introducing the younger generation to the world of giving back in a way that they can relate to cannot be understated and Havinagala provides the perfect platform for this.”

Berman added that, for her peers who are early in their careers, Havinagala “blends philanthropy for a cause that easily resonates with young adults and provides a way for young Jewish professionals to connect with others and start building the next generation of Jewish Atlanta leaders.”

PAL is Atlanta’s only Jewish “Big

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Brother/Big Sister” program for children ages 5-17, who are being raised in a variety of family situations—often by single parents, grandparents, legal guardians, or they may have siblings with developmental disabilities.

“While we match Little PALS between ages 5-17, we have seen the lasting impact of this program through those who have grown with the program and aged out,” said Sarah Bernstein, PAL & Young Professional Manager. “These lasting bonds provide lifelong friends and mentors and fulfill the lives of both the Little and Big PALS.” PAL program staff match Big and Little PALS based on a thorough screening process that considers availability, geography, family dynamics, and shared interests. Big PALS are required to provide personal references and submit to a rigorous background and security check.

At sign-up, all participants commit to the program for a minimum of one year.

To get involved with the PAL Program, please visit https://volunteer.jfcsatl.org/opportunities/TtGeX7pRe4.

For more information about volunteering with JF&CS, please visit https:// jfcsatl.org/volunteer. ì

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NEWS

Art Saul: 'I Wanted to Do More'

By Chana Shapiro “Thankfully, we Jews immediately reached for our wallets after the horror of Oct. 7,” Art Saul, a 72-year-old retired actuary, says, “But I wanted to do more.”

Saul, who likes to take challenging hikes, run, and exercise, learned that seasonal workers from other countries who worked on Israeli farms had returned home at the start of the war (many had been taken hostage and released), thereby leaving Israeli farms at risk of losing their crops. Volunteering in Israel would become the next chapter of Saul’s Jewish story.

Saul grew up in New York’s Peter Cooper Village, in a family who belonged to a German American Reform temple. In those years, the Reform movement did not celebrate bar mitzvahs, and, instead of becoming a bar mitzvah, Saul was part of a confirmation class in his teens.

His family did not have a JNF “blue box,” the ubiquitous receptacle in thousands of Jewish households to collect money for the nascent Jewish State, or observe Shabbat in any way, and they didn’t seem particularly concerned with Jewish issues or ideas.

When he was young, Saul read Leon Uris’ “Mila 13” about the Warsaw Ghetto heroic uprising, and, as he read more books with Jewish content, he wondered, “Are these Jews my people? Are Jews my brothers and sisters?”

He continued to learn about Jewish ethics, which he admired, and even visited Israel a few times with his wife, Robin, but did not deeply identify with the people.

Then, this past October, he learned about the murder of Atlantan Rose Lubin and was impressed by the sincere praise he heard about her from people who knew her. In Atlanta, he awoke in the middle of the night to hear Rose’s mother, in Israel at her daughter’s memorial service, read Rose’s bat mitzvah d’var Torah. He was so moved by the compelling words of a 12-year-old girl (who grew up to become a lone soldier and was tragically murdered while serving as a border police officer,) Saul was determined to go to Israel and “be useful. I couldn’t do nothing.”

Saul believed that he could handle some of the work the foreign laborers had left undone on Israeli farms, and he searched for a group in which he could volunteer, and which would meet three personal requirements: work outdoors,

8 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

It takes two people working together to make one shipping box.

Art in the huge moshav greenhouse.

One of the African exchange students is pictured behind him.

Art Saul (on right) planting fennel on the farm.

do physical labor, and address immediate, crucial Israeli needs. He found an international group that met his objectives, Israeli Food Rescue (IFR), which falls under the aegis of Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture. The cadre of volunteer workers Saul joined was comprised of Jews and non-Jews, men and women, of ages ranging from 30 to 82, from Russia, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Luxemburg, and the United States.

The group was housed in a “one-totwo star” hotel in Jerusalem. Before Saul planned his trip, he was cautioned, “Don’t go to Israel without a reserved bed.” Hotel rooms are currently so scarce in Israel because thousands of Israelis, who lived in areas considered unsafe because of

the war, had to leave their homes and are currently being housed in all available hotel rooms.

The group had a bountiful Israelistyle breakfast early each morning, and at 7 a.m., boarded a bus that traveled an hour and a half each day to farms where crops needed to be planted. The bus driver, their unofficial leader, had been a tour guide who had no work because of the lack of current tourism in Israel. The orientation instructed the volunteers how to respond in case of a rocket attack because the farms had no “safe rooms.”

They learned to lie face down and cover their heads with their hands. Fortunately, during Saul’s stay no sirens went off in his area.

Art Saul in makeshift boots on the farm.

Art picking cucumbers in giant moshav greenhouse.

At two farms near Ashdod in the Southern District of Israel, Givati and Ozer, Saul and other IFR workers followed a hired-hand schedule, planting fennel all day, with an on-site lunch break, returning to the Jerusalem hotel in late afternoon. Evenings and Shabbat were free (Sunday is a workday), and Saul was able to spend time with friends who live full or part-time in Israel.

The IFR volunteers worked in fennel bogs, on their hands and knees, learning the ropes from earlier volunteers in the program, working faster and more efficiently each day.

“It was planting season, so we knew our timing was crucial,” Saul explains.

A potential setback occurred. Saul’s

NEWS

A group shot of Art Saul’s Israel Food Rescue group.

luggage had been misrouted, and the boots he brought along in anticipation of muddy agricultural assignments left him on the first day of work with only the running shoes he was wearing. Necessity is the mother of invention: Sturdy red, plastic bags were taped to cover his shoes. His luggage arrived the next day.

In a single day, Saul planted 18,000 plants, which were the contents of 300 trays. On an especially wet and muddy day, the volunteers were assigned indoors

to assemble the large boxes in which produce leaves the farms, a job which required two individuals working on opposite sides of the box to complete each container, an exercise in cooperation and strategic creativity. Saul found that the task was more complicated than the large, finished product appeared. Nevertheless, 5,400 boxes were completed!

One morning, a man from nearby Moshav Meshek Saisel drove by on a tractor as the group toiled. He was sur-

prised to find volunteers hard at work planting. He invited them to tour his dairy moshav, which also grew vegetables. The group ended up spending a day harvesting tomatoes and cucumbers in the huge commercial greenhouse. While there, Saul befriended a coterie of Africans who were on a six-month exchange program in Israel to learn adaptable agricultural techniques they will take back to their native countries. These exchange students live on the moshav and were al-

ready adept at managing the greenhouse tasks. (Israel has a similar program with Cambodian agriculture students.) After the day working at Meshek Saisal, in which Saul enjoyed interacting with the Africans, the fennel group returned to their work in the farm bogs.

Saul’s pre-trip research had revealed other possible work trips; however, the one he chose was more affordable than most and included Shabbat meals. Israel Food Rescue is an ongoing endeavor in which participants continuously come and leave. Saul was the only “newbie” on the day he arrived, and his brief selfintroduction to the group was balanced by others who were bidding farewell. Instant camaraderie was a major benefit for the diverse people who spent a lot of time together, especially on the long bus rides to and from work.

Volunteers pay their own way to cover air fare, food, and housing. Saul’s 10-day trip cost $1,000, in addition to airfare. Saul muses about his adventure, “This trip was meaningful in many ways: helping the people and country of Israel by working in an economic sector dependent on manual labor, a chance to visit with friends, and the opportunity to connect with other Jews, regardless of where they call home.” ì

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NEWS

Dunwoody Church is Site for Holocaust Remembrance

By Bob Bahr A near capacity audience crowded into the spacious social hall of the Dunwoody United Methodist Church, just north of the Perimeter, last month to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. The event at the church, which was sponsored by the Atlanta World War II History Roundtable, featured an hourlong multimedia presentation by Robert Ratonyi, who was only 6 years old when the Nazis began their destruction of the Hungarian Jewish community in the last full year of World War II, late in 1944.

Ratonyi has been a frequent speaker at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum and at various programs around the state, sponsored by the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust. His book, “From Darkness Into Light,” is a 343-page personal memoir of growing up, first, during the Nazi invasion late in the war, and then during the Communist takeover of Hungary after the war. Later, as a young college student, he participated in the Hungarian uprising of 1956 and had to

The organizers of the event at Dunwoody United Methodist Church made a concerted effort to attract young people to hear Ratonyi speak.

flee the country. His book is particularly focused on his memories of those dozen years that led him, as his book’s title suggests, to a new appreciation of freedom.

After carefully leading his audience through the horrors he endured as a child, he reminded them of how it was not just Germans who hunted down and killed

Robert Ratonyi’s memoir of his battle as a young person against political injustice was published three years ago.

Jews, but it was their Hungarian allies, the Fascist soldiers of the Arrow Cross army, who were at least as brutal and murderously antisemitic as their Nazi allies. He

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NEWS

Holocaust survivor, Robert Ratonyi, cited the famous words of the antiNazi German Lutheran pastor, Martin Niemoller, that urged individuals to take a stand against injustice before it was too late to act.

reminded the audience just how bloodthirsty and vicious these troops had been when he showed a film clip of how Jews were led to the edge of the Danube River bound, together by rope or in iron manacles, so they couldn’t escape and shot one by one on the riverbank.

It is those deep-seated urges that were expressed to commit evil so cruelly that day that, according to Ratonyi, we must guard ourselves against.

He urged his listeners at the church, to look deep into their hearts and ask themselves a simple but profound question: “What causes people to cross that thin line between good and evil? The famous philosopher George Santayana once said, ‘those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.’

That’s why I told my story to you and thousands of students and adults.”

He went on to describe the murder and violence he had seen as a child to the events of the recent past that occurred in Southern Israel.

“Human nature has not changed for the better for hundreds of thousands of years and it is not likely to change in the future. There will never be a medical cure or a vaccine against genocide. I have concluded that with strictly enforced laws, the drive for power, whether by a dictator or a politician in a democracy, leads to the corruption and the killing of inno-

cent people.”

While the crowd sat in attentive silence, most were older, many with graying hair. It caused Jeffrey Johnson, the president of the World War II Roundtable, to wonder why there were so few young people there. High school and college students were invited to participate, and even a number of history teachers in the public schools were urged to come.

Few did, Johnson lamented.

He cited a poll taken by The Economist magazine and the YouGov website that found that one in five Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 believe the Holocaust is a myth and about 30 percent neither agree nor disagree that the Holocaust happened. In an interview following the event Johnson expressed his disappointment that there were so few young people in the audience to hear Robert Ratonyi.

“We had really promoted this to be an event for young people,” Johnson said, “because it’s really addressing the rise of antisemitism and Holocaust denial among America’s youth. There was one lady who brought her five kids, and I saw some others, but overall, there was a lot of gray hair that was at that meeting. And for me, it’s disappointing, but it provides clarity, and I would rather have clarity, even if that clarity does not fit the way I would like things to be.” ì

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NEWS

‘Grow A Legacy’ Donor Event set for Feb. 29 The Atlanta Jewish Foundation is hosting an event to recognize all donors who have made a legacy commitment to the Atlanta Jewish community at Ahavath Achim Synagogue on Thursday, Feb. 29.

“The Atlanta Jewish Foundation looks forward to honoring the members of our community who have established a lasting legacy. Now, more than ever, we know the importance of securing JewishATL, for the sake of our children and their children beyond them,” says Lindsay Kopecky, vice president of the Atlanta Jewish Foundation.

The program, hosted by local standup comedian, Amanda Marks, will include a story slam and celebration of the community’s past, present, and future legacies. The event will also honor outstanding philanthropists and professionals who help elevate the community’s culture of giving, including the event’s speakers, Ted Blum, Mike Leven, and Jenny Levison.

The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, The Jewish Future Promise, Linea Private Wealth Management, and Roots are the sponsors for the Grow a Legacy event.

The Atlanta community has been participating in the Harold Grinspoon’s Life & Legacy Program for five years. Life & Legacy is a capacity building partnership that provides training, support, and monetary incentives to move organizations to secure meaningful after lifetime legacy gifts. This program creates a strong partnership between the Atlanta Jewish Foundation and local Jewish community agencies, synagogues, and day schools.

To date, more than 550 local donors have made legacy commitments that will support the Atlanta Jewish commu-

12 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

(From left) Guests at the 2023 Atlanta Jewish Foundation Grow a Legacy event: Lauren Harris, Lisa Freedman, Brian Harris, and Steve Freedman // Photo Credit: Dani Weiss

nity with over $43 million in future gifts.

Worldwide, the Life & Legacy program has motivated more than 18,000 donors in 72 communities to commit more than $1 billion to the Jewish organizations which shaped their lives.

The Grow A Legacy event also includes those that have signed the Jewish Future Promise, a worldwide movement inspiring Jews of all backgrounds to commit that from the charity they leave at their passing, at least half is earmarked

to support the Jewish people and/or the State of Israel. Atlanta had over 300 people sign this pledge.

This celebration reaffirms the importance of legacy giving within the Jewish culture of philanthropy. Legacy giving is an option for all donors. These commitments will ensure that organizations have a solid financial foundation to provide impactful programs and services during both calm and turbulent times.

The Grow A Legacy Host Committee

is co-chaired by Caren and Michael Merlin and Lisa and Evan Toporek.

To register for the Grow A Legacy event visit atlantajewishfoundation.org/ grow-a-legacy/ For more information on Life & Legacy visit atlantajewishfoundation.org/ life-legacy/ For more information on Jewish Future Pledge visit jewishfuturepledge.org/ ì Compiled by AJT Staff

NEWS

Summit Covers Climate Change Resilience

A N D C O M PA N Y COLLECTIONS FOR THE HOME

Local experts and faith leaders discussed the benefits of addressing climate change together // Photo Credit: Raj Tejani, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light

The Green Team Summit offered workshops during breakout sessions where attendees could dive deeper into various topics // Photo Credit: Raj Tejani, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light

Georgia Interfaith Power and Light hosted its sixth annual Green Team Summit at Oak Grove United Methodist Church on Feb. 3 // Photo Credit: Taylor Pendley, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light

On Saturday, Feb. 3, Georgia Interfaith Power and Light (GIPL) hosted its sixth annual Green Team Summit at Oak Grove United Methodist Church (UMC) in Decatur focused on climate resilience.

More than 230 faith leaders and environmental advocates came together to learn and grow, considering how they might weather the effects of global warming together.

Dr. Debra Rienstra, professor at Calvin University and author of, “Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth,” offered the keynote, emphasizing the importance of resilient faith in addressing environmental injustices in Georgia and beyond. She invited participants to contemplate how congregations might “transform despair into preparation, alienation into kinship, consumption into healing, avoidance into lament, resignation into gratitude, passivity into citizenship, and indifference into attentiveness.”

Following her talk, a panel response was held from local faith leaders and a climate scientist offering context from their traditions and backgrounds. Par-

ticipants continued exploring resilience concepts over lunch and in two separate breakout sessions. Workshops during breakouts explored everything from “Advocacy During the 2024 Georgia Legislative Session” to “Greening Sacred Spaces: Practical Climate Solutions for Congregations.”

The summit also formally recognized GIPL’s 2024 Power-Wise Grant recipients and introduced GIPL’s revised mission, vision, and purpose statements.

A testament to GIPL living out its values, the event was nearly zero-waste, sending a mere 16.2 pounds of waste to the landfill.

“I am walking away from this weekend inspired by the people in this network,” says Codi Norred, executive director of GIPL. “I am so proud that together we continue to be people who see all that is possible and who actively work for a world in which every living thing can thrive.”

The date and location for next year’s Green Team Summit will be announced in summer 2024. ì Compiled by AJT Staff feb sale 23.indd 1

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 2024 2/6/202415, 2:02:36 PM| 13

ISRAEL PRIDE

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME

The gathering highlighted the importance of supporting small business owners in the north amid the challenges faced by the war.

Galiladies Event Showcases Women’s Entrepreneurship The Galiladies community, comprised of 2,000 women entrepreneurs from the Galilee and the Golan Heights, convened at Margalit Startup City Tel Aviv, in an event aimed at spearheading innovation and economic growth in Northern Israel. The gathering highlighted the importance of supporting small business owners in the north amid the challenges faced by the war.

Attendees had the opportunity to network and engage with prominent business figures such as Erel Margalit, chairman

Today in Israeli History

The flagship Les Grands Magasins Cicurel et Oreco store, owned by Salvator Cicurel until 1956, is seen in downtown Cairo in the 1940s. // Lehnert & Landrock

Feb. 15, 1975: A former leader of Cairo’s Jewish community, 1928 Olympic fencer and department store magnate Salvator Cicurel, dies. He was forced to sell his store after the 1956 Suez war and left Egypt in 1957.

Feb. 16, 1932: Award-winning author Aharon Appelfeld is born near Czernowitz, then part of Romania and now in Ukraine.

He escapes a concentration camp at age 10, joins the Soviet army as a kitchen boy in 1944 and makes aliyah in 1946.

Feb. 17, 1948: The State Department’s policy planning staff sends a memo to President Harry Truman and Secretary of State George Marshall that argues against implementing the U.N. partition resolution for Palestine.

Feb. 18, 1577: The Jews of Safed (Tzfat), which is the largest Jewish community in Ottoman Palestine and is growing, petition the sultan for protection from official persecution, such as extortion, violence and forced menial tasks on Shabbat.

14 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

and founder of Margalit Startup City and JVP, and Yael Vinar, CEO of ‘Overot VeShavot,’ who provided mentorship talks.

One of the highlights of the event was a special sale showcasing Galilean products developed by these entrepreneurial women, offering a glimpse into the creativity and diversity of their ventures. Products ranged from cheese from Kibbutz Ortal to wine from Harei Galil Winery and handpainted scarves from Moshav Ma’ale, among others.

Said Margalit, “These women of Galiladies give us great inspiration. They work together, help each other, continue to be entrepreneurs even when they are not in their homes in the Galilee, and are determined to return as a community to the Galilee and mark the North as the next big thing even after the toughest period in recent years. The images of victory belong to the State of Israel, which seeks life and not death. We are committed to them, and with them, we will bring the vision to the Galilee of ‘the day after.’”

Compiled by AJT Staff Feb. 19, 2009: Facing terrorist threats, 10 of the fewer than 300 Jews remaining in Yemen are secretly airlifted to Israel. Most of Yemen’s Jews, numbering 50,000 in 1948, left during Operation Magic Carpet in 1949 and 1950.

Feb. 20, 1957: In a nationally televised address, President Dwight Eisenhower emphasizes the need for Israel to abide by U.N. resolutions calling for its withdrawal from all of Sinai and the Gaza Strip after the 1956 war.

Feb. 21, 1955: David Ben-Gurion, in political semiretirement since December 1953, joins Prime Minister Moshe Sharett’s Cabinet as defense minister. He replaces Pinhas Lavon, who was forced to resign over a botched covert operation.

The Technion, shown during construction, opened in Haifa in 1924 with Hebrew as its language of instruction.

Feb. 22, 1914: The directors of the underconstruction Technikum in Haifa decide that the language of instruction will be Hebrew, reversing an October decision to teach in German, and they change the name to the Technion.

Volunteers united with families of the Nova music festival victims to inaugurate a new ambulance named NOVA in memory of the 364 people killed at the festival on Oct. 7 // Courtesy Photo

NOVA Ambulance Inaugurated in Oct. 7 Tribute In a poignant commemoration event held at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation, ZAKA Tel Aviv volunteers united with families of the Nova music festival victims to inaugurate a new ambulance named NOVA in memory of the 364 people killed at the festival on Oct. 7.

Feb. 23, 1965: The Israeli movie industry has its first Oscar nominee when “Sallah Shabbati” is nominated for best foreign language film. The film loses the Academy Award but wins a pair of Golden Globes.

The joint initiative of the Peres Center and ZAKA stands as a powerful symbol of resilience and unity, fostering a spirit of healing and collaboration in the face of tragedy. The ceremony included representatives of the Children of the Light association supporting the families of the victims, bereaved families, and members of the Nova community.

Chemi Peres, chairman of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation said, “In my worst dreams, I never imagined such a gathering at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. This is a very moving meeting between the families of the murdered and the members of Zaka Tel Aviv who did holy work in the most difficult moments. My father used to say that there are no desperate situations but only desperate people, and I am hopeful that we will all take these moments to continue building the country to new heights. We will not give up on life and hope, and from the terrible grief, we will emerge stronger and more united.”

Compiled by AJT Staff worshipping at the Mosque of Abraham in Hebron’s Cave of Machpelah and wounds 125 others before being beaten to death.

Feb. 26, 1973: In Armonk, New York, Egyptian National Security Adviser Hafez Ismail tells his U.S. counterpart, Henry Kissinger, that Egypt is willing to negotiate directly with Israel under U.S. mediation.

Ariel Sharon visits the Suez Canal in 1982. // By Moshe Milner, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0

Jewish underground forces distributed this “wanted” poster for Harold MacMichael, the British high commissioner for Palestine, after the sinking of the Struma.

Feb. 24, 1942: Thinking it is an enemy ship, a Soviet submarine sinks the refugee transport SS Struma in the Black Sea. Only one of the 769 Jewish refugees survives. The British had denied them visas to Palestine.

Feb. 25, 1994: Kach party member Baruch Goldstein fatally shoots 30 Muslims

Feb. 27, 1928 : Ariel Sharon, Israel’s 11th prime minister, is born in K’far Malal. He serves in the army from the War of Independence through the Yom Kippur War and oversees the first war in Lebanon as defense minister.

Feb. 28, 1955: Approximately 50 Israeli paratroopers strike an Egyptian military camp in Gaza as a reprisal for repeated Arab attacks against Israeli civilians. Eight Israeli soldiers and 39 Egyptians are killed in Operation Black Arrow.

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

Birthright Students Experience Israel at War

ISRAEL

By Elana Sztokman/JTA (JTA) — When Alon Fishman, 23, visited Israel in early January on a group trip, it wasn’t his first time in the country. But Fishman, 23, had never seen Israel like this before.

When his Birthright Israel group arrived at the Western Wall, they found it uncharacteristically empty, and the plaza featured a new memorial with the names of the 1,200 victims of the Oct. 7 attack. For Fishman, a native of Rockland County, N.Y., the muted visit was a poignant reflection of the times — and a powerful emotional experience.

“It was a blessing to have that space and time to reflect, and an opportunity I may never get again,” Fishman said of the experience of visiting Israel in wartime.

“It made me understand not only how hard we got hit but also how we face these things, how we are still standing and come out ahead.”

Many participants traveling to Israel on Birthright Israel trips these days say the experience is unique and affirming at a time when many Jews around the world feel at a loss for how to respond to the atrocities of Oct. 7 and public displays of anti-Israel sentiment in their communities.

In Israel, they say, they feel safe, embraced and a sense of belonging being around Israelis and fellow Jews.

“The friendships I made — it’s nothing I’ve ever felt before,” said Noah Solomon, 25, from Boca Raton, Fla. “The amount of Israelis who I met who now say ‘You are my brother for life, my friend for life, come to my house for Shabbat’ — it’s incredible.”

Over 400 Jews visited Israel in January on Birthright, which offers free 10-day Israel trips to Jews ages 18-26. Participants came from the United States, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, France, and Russia.

When Gillian Zitrin, a 21-year-old Skidmore College senior from New York’s Westchester County, told friends she was going to Israel, many of them expressed surprise.

“There was a lot of concern from people — like, there’s a war happening, don’t go,” Zitrin said. “But I felt very safe and had such an amazing experience. I’m glad I didn’t listen to those people.”

Since November, over 1,200 Birthright Israel alumni have come to Israel to volunteer in the country. Seeing their enthusiasm as well as hundreds of new Birthright Israel participants come on the 10-day trip has been extraordinary and heartwarming, said Noa Bauer, Birthright Israel’s vice

Birthright’s current trips include all the typical highlights of the organization’s tours, including this jeep tour, but also offer opportunities to volunteer and bear witness after Oct. 7 // Photo Credit: Oded Antman/JTA

More than 400 American Jews came to Israel on Birthright trips in January 2024 // Photo Courtesy of Nate Lawler/JTA

president of marketing.

She added, “Some may be concerned with safety or that they will miss the ‘real’ Birthright Israel experience, but I want to assure them that safety is our top priority and we will not compromise on anyone’s gift of their free trip to Israel.”

Birthright’s current trips include all the typical highlights of the organization’s tours, including visits to popular sites and encounters with Israelis, but they also offer opportunities for participants to volunteer, bear witness to what happened on Oct. 7 and go beyond the headlines to learn about what’s happening on the ground in Israel.

Participants visit Tel Aviv’s “Hostage Square” to learn about Israel’s captives in Gaza and spend time volunteering on farms.

They also hike Masada, swim in the Dead Sea, eat their way through shuks in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, sleep in Bedouin tents and visit national sites like Yad Vashem. They currently do not spend time near the border conflict zones or in the Golan Heights.

Birthright Israel is booking trips now

for the spring and summer both for traditional 10-day tours for Jews ages 18-26 as well as for volunteer-focused programs for Jews ages 18-40 who want to spend their time volunteering.

“We expect thousands of young Jews to visit Israel this summer,” Bauer said.

Fishman said that visiting Schneider Children’s Hospital, where he learned about how the hospital dealt with the historically unprecedented challenge of caring for children recently released from Hamas captivity, was one of the most meaningful moments of his January trip.

“It was a very deep, emotional day,” Fishman said, “seeing how much people cared, and understanding that this is what Israel is about.”

Zitrin said her trip helped equip her to better deal with challenges of being a representative of the Jewish community at home, especially on her college campus.

“The trip changed me,” she said. “I now connect more with Israel and understand the importance of Israel and I feel like I can

now advocate in my community.”

Nate Lawler, 25, of Los Angeles, said he’s always been a proud Jew: “I wear a Chai and star of David, I love being Jewish, and I’m unapologetically me,” said Lawler, who went to Israel in January. “But now I feel like I want to be more outspoken, and I have better understanding to do so. When I see people attacking the Jewish community, I will stand up for what I love and what’s close to my heart.”

Most of all, Lawler said, he felt like he was among his people.

“I made wonderful friends. I never felt like I fit in so much in my life. It strengthened my feeling of being Jewish,” Lawler said. “When you’re in Israel, you are wrapped up in Jewish unity.” ì This story was sponsored by and produced in partnership with Birthright Israel, which aims to give every young Jewish adult around the world the opportunity to visit Israel on an educational trip. This article was produced by JTA’s native content team.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 15

BUSINESS Antisemitism Now Defined Foundation for Jewish in Georgia Law Camp Adds Arogeti to Board

Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 30, the Antisemitism Bill, into legislation // Photo Courtesy of Facebook

By Dave Schechter Effective with the signature of Gov. Brian Kemp on Jan. 31, antisemitism is now defined in Georgia law.

The Georgia code now includes a reference to the definition adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, as follows: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

As he put pen to paper in a ceremony at the Capitol, Kemp referenced the hate crimes bill he signed into law four years earlier. “When I signed that legislation, I said that it did not right every wrong, but it was an important step,” he said, adding that with the antisemitism measure, “We are reaffirming our commitment to a Georgia where all people can live and learn and prosper safely, because there is no place for hate in this great state.”

Kemp singled out Jewish Democratic Rep. Esther Panitch and Republican Rep. John Carson for praise, to applause from dozens of legislators gathered behind 16 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

him. He also credited Republican Sen. John F. Kennedy, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Democratic Sen. Gloria Butler for moving the bill through the Senate, where it had stalled a year earlier.

“Your leadership on this issue is a reminder of what we can accomplish when we work together to serve the needs of those we serve,” Kemp said.

The bill signing took place while a delegation of Jewish community leaders, some of whom were actively lobbied in support of the bill, were on a mission to Israel.

Other noteworthy roles were played by attorney and law professor Mark Goldfeder, director of the National Jewish Advocacy Center; and Renee Evans, of the World Jewish Congress, and Betsy Kramer, who mobilized support at the Capitol, and inside and outside of the Jewish community.

The effort to pass a bill defining antisemitism began in 2022 with Carson and then-Democratic Rep. Mike Wilensky.

“We are thankful for the perseverance and dedication shown in getting this bill across the finish line,” Kemp said. “In Georgia we stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters, today and every day.”

Joel Arogeti has been named to the Foundation for Jewish Camp Board of Directors.

Foundation for Jewish Camp proudly announces the appointment of Joel S. Arogeti from Atlanta, to its esteemed Board of Directors. With a wealth of experience and a commitment to FJC’s mission, Arogeti brings invaluable expertise to further enhance the foundation’s impact and strategic direction. His addition reflects FJC’s dedication to fostering growth and innovation within the dynamic landscape of the camping field.

FJC looks forward to benefiting from Arogeti’s insights as he contributes to the organization’s ongoing success.

Arogeti brings more than 35 years of business law experience, serving as a trusted advisor and counselor to business owners. Formerly the president and

CEO of Kitchens Kelley Gaynes, PC, Arogeti has an extensive leadership background, having also been a member of the Board of Directors of National Bank of Commerce and a charter member of Private Bank of Buckhead’s Board of Directors. An alumnus of George Washington University and Emory University’s Lamar School of Law, Arogeti’s commitment to the community includes active involvement with organizations such as the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, and Camp Barney Medintz.

Joel and his wife, Beth, are parents of four children and grandparents of two.

Compiled by AJT Staff

BUSINESS

Goldbergs Group Promotes Susan Minsk Joins AJT Saxe, Lenderman to Co-CEO Staff as Account Manager

Bradley Saxe has been named Co-CEO of Goldbergs Group.

Steve Lenderman will join Bradley Saxe as the new Co-CEO’s of Goldbergs Group.

Goldbergs Group, the premier food solution provider consisting of restaurants, manufacturing plants, commercial kitchens and airline catering solutions, announced the promotion of two key leaders.

The organization promoted Bradley Saxe and Steve Lenderman to Co-CEO for Goldbergs Group. Saxe most recently served as CEO for Mainline Foods and Lenderman as CEO for Mainline Aviation. Both companies are subsidiaries of Goldbergs Group.

Goldbergs Group Founder and former CEO Wayne Saxe remains with the company as Chairman of the Board. He is developing a Board of Directors for Goldbergs Group and steering the organization’s strategic vision by engaging the new co-CEOs and the Board.

“This is an exciting development in the evolution of Goldbergs Group, and we are delighted to introduce a co-CEO structure to lead our company into the future,” said Board Chair Wayne Saxe.

“I am honored to step into this new role with Goldbergs Group and to work alongside Steve to drive our enterprise into an exciting future of growth and evolution,” said Bradley Saxe, Co-CEO for Goldbergs Group. “Having grown up in the business, I’ve experienced first-hand all the incredible growth since our humble beginnings and am thrilled to be part of its next phase.”

Steve Lenderman is joining Bradley Saxe at the helm of Goldbergs Group. For the past two years, he served as CEO for Mainline Aviation. He led the Atlanta-based company with their extensive services including in-flight catering, airline lounge catering, menu preparation, staffing, sourcing of ingredients, dry goods, and packaging materials, tray assembly, recycling, and more.

For more information about Goldbergs Group, visit www.goldbergsgroup.com.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Susan Minsk is a new AJT account manager

Susan Minsk has joined the Atlanta Jewish Times as an account manager. Susan brings more than 25 years of experience in sales and public relations, with the last 18 years specializing in real estate.

“I am beyond excited to be working with such a creative and involved group in the Atlanta Jewish community, Susan said.

A native of North Carolina, Susan lives with her husband, Harry, a real estate attorney and partner with Ganek, PC, and their two dogs, Ollie and George.

Their children, Sophie and Eli, live in Washington, D.C. and Chapel Hill. Sophie is a graduate of the University of Mary-

land and will start law school in the fall.

Eli is a junior at UNC Chapel-Hill studying business at the Kenan-Flagler Business School.

Susan and her family are very involved in the Atlanta Jewish community and are long time members of Temple Sinai, where she has proudly served on many committees, including Second Helpings and Social Action.

During her time away from work, Susan enjoys cycling, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Compiled by AJT Staff

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 17

SPORTS Blank Picks Raheem Morris to Lead Falcons A f t e r c o m b i n g through the resumes of dozens of candidates, and conducting interviews with 14 hopefuls, Arthur Blank David Ostrowsky has landed on former Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to be the next head coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

Morris may be a familiar face in Atlanta -- he has previously worked as an assistant in multiple capacities, defensive coordinator, and interim head coach in 2020 – but his hiring is nevertheless historic as the 47-year-old New Jersey native represents the first Black head coach (without an interim tag) in Falcons history.

“With 26 years of experience in the NFL, including the last three in an outstanding organization that has won our league’s championship in that time, Raheem emerged from a field of excellent candidates and is the right leader to take our team into the future,” Blank remarked immediately after the hiring of Morris on Jan. 25. “His time in LA has given him an enhanced perspective on everything from personnel, team operations, game planning, working with an outstanding offensive staff and many other things that has helped him develop into an even more prepared coach in all aspects of the game. I believe his leadership skills have grown and his understanding of what it takes to have a highly collaborative one-team culture are now at a much higher level.”

The Falcons, who parted ways with Arthur Smith hours after the head coach posted his third consecutive 7-10 season, one in which the Falcons were once again in contention before fading after Thanksgiving, were rumored to be the frontrunners to bring aboard Bill Belichick, who as the head coach of the New England Patriots under owner Robert Kraft, guided the team to six Super Bowl titles. But, ultimately, the Falcons, after conducting two rounds of interviews with Belichick, tabbed Morris to be the 19th head coach in team history.

“I am overjoyed for the opportunity for my family and I to return to Atlanta as the Falcons head coach,” said Morris shortly after he was hired last month.

“We know from firsthand experience 18 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

During his end-of-season press conference following the dismissal of head coach Arthur Smith, Falcons principal owner Arthur Blank addresses his team’s shortcomings this past season and the rationale for making the move // Photo Credit: Atlanta Falcons

what a first-class organization Atlanta is and what this team means to its city and its fans. I am incredibly appreciative of Arthur Blank for his leadership and for this entire organization for putting its trust in me to help lead this team.”

This Falcons team – equipped with a stable of young, dynamic playmakers coming into their prime and a stout defense – is expected to be a contender in the NFC next season. During his end-ofseason press conference following the dismissal of Smith, who was named the offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly thereafter, Blank delivered some fairly pointed comments about the state of the franchise: “Our record against losing teams this year was abysmal, honestly, and Coach [Smith] would be the first to say that. Lots of reasons, but we lost a bunch of games we probably should not have lost or didn’t have to lose, if you will. I don’t think it was any one thing, and it was not like one point in time where you press a button and decide.

“Beyond the personal side which makes it extraordinarily difficult and G-d willing it will always be that way—I never take these things lightly because of the impact on human beings. Professionally, it was just a number of factors that went into it and the fact that we ended up where we did after we had a schedule that was really to our favor… The gap between achieving and underachieving was much bigger than what I anticipated this year in a variety of ways.”

Blank, who has hired five coaches

The Atlanta Falcons have selected Raheem Morris to be their new head coach // Photo Courtesy of Twitter/X

in his 21 seasons as Falcons owner, went on to address the evolving nature of the position of NFL head coach, which has certainly become even more time-consuming and prone to turnover through the years.

“I do think today being a head coach in the NFL is more demanding and more complex,” acknowledged the 81-year-old owner. “Players, I think, are coming into the NFL with a different set of life experiences today, often expectations, and so, I think a head coach, part of his job is to sometimes be a psychologist along with everything else and putting a team together with the right kind of chemistry … I do think that most coaches in the NFL would probably say their job compared to 10, 15, 20 years ago is more complicated today than it has been in the past.”

At Morris’ introductory press conference on Monday, Feb. 5, Blank was not present as he was recovering from a minor medical issue that had surfaced a couple days before. But naturally, his influence was ever palpable as his stewardship over the franchise came up during multiple questions.

Falcons GM Terry Fontenot at one point remarked, “Obviously, all owners are passionate – but man, I think we have the most passionate owner. He wants to win in the worst way. He’s no different than that passionate fan in the front.

That’s who he is. You get calls at all hours of the night and him just talking about little things because that’s all he thinks about is winning and wanting to do everything he can do to win, and he’ll pro-

vide us anything, literally anything, to help us win.”

In his opening remarks to the assembled media, Morris, who last served as a head coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2009-11, during which the Glazer family-owned franchise went 17-31, made a point of emphasizing the meaningfulness of his longtime friendship with the Blank family: “I can’t express the joy that I have right now to be able to come back and work with the Blanks, to be able to come back and work with all these people around me that I’ve been with for years.”

In addition to the head coaching change, Blank also adjusted the chain of command in the front office. Longtime prominent NFL executive Rich McKay, the CEO of Blank’s sports operations and a former GM for both Atlanta and Tampa Bay, will not be involved in football-related decisions. Going forward, Morris and Fontenot will report directly to Blank, whereas before the head coach and GM would answer to McKay. In his new role, McKay – who was very involved with the head coach search – will represent the Falcons on league matters, serve on the rules-setting competition committee, and oversee Atlanta United.

In response to McKay’s shifting role, Blank said, “It is hard to quantify the positive things Rich has done to impact our organization over the last 21 years, laying a strong foundation for our football team and getting Mercedes-Benz Stadium built and functioning as one of the best in the world.” ì

SPORTS

Jewish Goalie Perets Debuts for Carolina

By David Ostrowsky It’s been quite a year for Yaniv Perets.

Last April, the delightful young man from Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, was the starting goalie for the national champion Quinnipiac Bobcats. A few days after the school’s first-ever NCAA hockey championship, the Carolina Hurricanes signed Perets to a two-year entry-level contract. A couple months later, after Perets finished up his sophomore year, he and the rest of the Quinnipiac team were honored at the White House as part of “College Athlete Day.”

By December, he had been called up from the Norfolk Admirals in the ECHL to the big club in Carolina, bypassing hockey’s top minor league, the AHL; and then, on Jan. 15, one of last year’s top college hockey goalies made his NHL debut when he was called into action in relief of Antti Raanta in the third period of an eventual 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.

Perets’ first taste of NHL action could not have gone any better, at least personally: in 12:46 of ice time, he didn’t allow a single goal, stuffing the one shot he faced from Pierre-Luc Dubois off the rush. Apparently, Carolina has a bunch of solid backups behind starter Frederik Andersen, who’s been sidelined with scary blood-clotting issues since November, as Perets was sent back to Norfolk merely a few days after his first NHL performance.

Nevertheless, it seems safe to say that the NHL hasn’t seen the last of Perets, who doesn’t turn 24 until next month and was a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, given to the nation’s best goalie, during his two years at Quinnipiac.

“My goal for me was not just to play one [NHL] game, it’s to have a career,” explained Perets when speaking to the Atlanta Jewish Times earlier this month.

“Can you have one year, can you have two years, can you have three good years, four, five, six? Can you put together a nice career in the NHL? Can you help your team bring a Stanley Cup to Carolina?

These are all goals the everyday process can bring if you stick to it.”

When asked to compare the two most momentous games of his career – the NCAA championship win over Minnesota last April and his first NHL assignment last month – Perets, also a two-time All-American at Quinnipiac who posted a 56-9-5 record, 1.34 goals-against average, .935 save percentage, and 21 shutouts, responded, “I’m not sure. I didn’t ever really

By virtue of posting a 5-5-1 record with a 2.38 goals against average and a .916 save percentage for the ECHL’s Norfolk Admirals in the early part of this season, Yaniv Perets punched his ticket to the NHL back in December // Photo Courtesy of Norfolk Admirals

think about it that way. It’s two separate events—both goals in my life. Winning a [college] national championship was always a dream and one of the steps along the way. Making an NHL appearance is one of the steps along the way, too. It’s hard to compare different things. It’s all so special and also surreal.”

Perets has had these goals and dreams for nearly two decades, which means his folks quickly became “hockey parents,” those hardy souls who winter after winter brave sub-zero temps and slick roads on early Saturday mornings to get their kids to the rink on time.

With four other hockey-playing sons, all of whom competed at the recreational level, Yaniv’s parents faced even greater demands on their time – and expenses – than most. This wasn’t lost on Perets when he further reflected on the magnitude of his NHL call-up.

“I think it’s just big for my family,” added Perets, whose dad was in attendance at Raleigh’s PNC Arena for the big night. “Hockey’s not a cheap sport and my parents supported me ever since I was growing up. They never complained once about anything if I needed something.

They always just pushed me toward my

dream of one day playing in the National Hockey League. I owe them a lot for that moment.”

When discussing the White House visit, Perets articulated a similar message. Sure, Vice President Kamala Harris and NCAA President Charlie Baker were emceeing the event and there was neat behind-the-scenes access; but Perets didn’t recall feeling overly starry-eyed in the midst of such dignitaries. Rather, Perets’ greatest takeaway from the Washington, D.C. trip was spending one last day with his hockey brethren – almost as if they were high school seniors on a class trip to the nation’s capital.

“For me, it was pretty special just to be with the guys,” said Perets, who was referring to, among others, Quinnipiac sophomore forward Sam Lipkin, who also represents the Jewish community.

“It was such a close group at Quinnipiac when we won. In the summer, everyone goes their own ways, so being reunited just for like a day or two days, I think that was even more special. It was almost like a little field trip for us, walking around and going out to dinner. I have nothing but love for every single one of those guys.”

Akin to college hockey, life in the minors – and the NHL for that matter – means dealing with the constant comings and goings of teammates. Seemingly every single day, someone new is getting reassigned, demoted, promoted, or released. And Perets has certainly been in limbo this winter, what with his onemonth NHL stint sandwiched between his longer stays in Norfolk. And it was a month – from mid-December to midJanuary – largely spent waiting around, wondering when, or even if, his number would get called. It’s one thing to be on an NHL roster; it’s another, to man the crease during live game action.

“For me, whatever happened, whether I’m waiting for my name to get called to go into a game or not, I think you’ve got to be thankful just to be there every single day and be able to compete with the best players in the world,” said Perets.

Perets has now competed with and against the best players in the world.

But that half-period of action against the Kings represents a checkpoint, not an accomplished goal, for a lifelong NHL aspirant such as himself.

Added Perets, “You get a little taste of it and you just only want more.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 19

OPINION A Century of Lived History As anyone who has been in her presence knows, Janice Rothschild Blumberg’s stories have an “in the room where it happened” Dave Schechter quality.

From Where I Sit T h i s chronicler of Atlanta and Southern Jewish history is marking the centennial of an extraordinary life that provided her with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of material.

Interviews with Janice are tutorials on subjects you do not learn about growing up in the North and may know little about even after living for many years in the 404 area code.

Born Janice Brown Oettinger, her century began on Feb. 13, 1924.

Atlanta’s Jewish community, which then numbered about 11,000, had yet to recover from the lynching of Leo Frank

not nine years earlier.

On Aug. 17, 1915, Frank was hung from a tree in a Marietta woods, by a Cobb County cabal furious that Georgia’s governor had commuted the death sentence Frank received when convicted (wrongly, in the judgment of many) of murder in the death of 13-year-old Mary Phagan, an employee of the Atlanta pencil factory where the Jewish native of New York was manager.

“As to how the community talked about it when I was growing up: it didn’t,” Janice said several years ago. “I first heard about it in 1939 in the course of a required course for freshmen at UGA entitled ‘Contemporary Georgia.’ When I asked my mother if she had ever heard of Leo Frank, she said, ‘Of course, dear. You know Miss Lucille.’”

Referring to Alfred Uhry [the playwright whose “Atlanta trilogy” includes “Parade,” based on the Frank case], Janice said, “Both of us knew ‘Miss Lucille’ all of our lives, but it wasn’t unusual for a woman the age that she was when we knew her to be widowed, so we never

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thought to ask what became of her husband.”

Janice has witnessed Atlanta’s Jewish population grow and the community find its voice, becoming outward facing and publicly engaged.

A significant piece of that voice came from the pulpit at The Temple, from Rabbi Jacob Rothschild, whom she married on Dec. 29, 1946. Rothschild died on Dec. 31, 1973.

Talking to students at Georgia State University, Janice downplayed her influence. “I really think I get credit for more than I did. I was raising two children and trying to be a preacher’s wife,” she modestly said in sessions available on the AIB Network YouTube page.

Early on the morning of Oct. 12, 1958, the Rothschilds were awakened by a telephone call informing them that The Temple had been bombed — 50 sticks of dynamite detonated by white nationalists angered by the rabbi’s support of the civil rights movement.

Janice’s best-known phrase may be “the bomb that healed,” the wound being the trauma caused by the Frank lynching. “I felt like that it was like lancing a boil that had grown over but was still sore and would stay sore until you got the pus out,” she said in an interview.

A few years later, she told me, “It’s still ‘the bomb that healed.’ I might even go so far as to call it the first event in a series, followed by the Atlanta dinner honoring Martin Luther King for winning the Nobel Peace Prize, that led to the Olympics and other signature happenings which brought Atlanta to its current prominence.”

When I was researching King’s legacy in the Jewish community, Janice said, “You know the Jewish expression ‘from Moses to Moses there’s no one like Moses’? I really believe that, decades from now, Christianity will have that kind of

expression, ‘From Martin Luther to Martin Luther King, because he made this monumental change in Christianity.”

Still, she acknowledged, “It’s hard to conceive of that person as being a real icon, when someone is a friend.”

The Rothschilds forged a personal relationship with King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.

There was a night when the Kings arrived late for a dinner party. King apologized profusely, explaining that the street was dark, and they could not read the house numbers. He already was a public figure, so Coretta knocked on a door, inquiring where the Rothschilds lived, as if the couple would be servants, rather than guests. “We didn’t want to embarrass you with your neighbors,” Janice recalled him saying.

Recounting this and other stories for the GSU students, she dabbed her eyes with a tissue, admitting that these memories continued to resonate emotionally.

Like many others, I have benefited from Janice’s history lessons.

[In our own game of Jewish geography, when I mentioned having begun my career at a newspaper in Davenport, Iowa, Janice informed me that Jacob Rothschild’s first pulpit was at Temple Emanuel — where, years later, I occasionally attended services. Then, a couple of years ago, while researching a story about Jewish congregations sharing a building in Davenport, I met Lee Blumberg, whose paternal grandfather, David Blumberg, was Janice’s second husband.

Blumberg, a former president of B’nai B’rith International, died in 1989.]

You have to admire someone who, at age 98, published a memoir titled: “What’s Next? Southern Dreams, Jewish Deeds and the Challenge of Looking Back While Moving Forward.”

I certainly do. ì

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OPINION

It’s Never Too Late to Find Love Valentine’s Day is in the books, and for many singles it can be a holiday that brings a mix of emotions, especially if they don’t Ray Rothman have that special someone in their life. Yet it’s never too late to find that romantic relationship and avoid the feelings of loneliness and isolation that being single can evoke.

Here are some ideas to consider that may help open the door to finding that special someone: Consider visiting one of the many Atlanta parks for a walk or perhaps a picnic with friends. An added benefit is that being outside can boost your mood!

Sign up for a class to explore a new pursuit, such as cooking, meditation, or a new language.

Visit a local library or bookstore, peruse the self-help section, and pinpoint a book that may assist you with personal

22 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

growth and self-discovery.

Write or journal about your feelings, which may help you to identify your emotions and understand yourself a bit better.

Explore one of Atlanta’s many cultural offerings, so plan to visit a museum, go to a live performance.

Indulge your foodie desires at one of our city’s delicious destinations.

You can do any of these activities by yourself but consider connecting with the Atlanta Jewish community by attending a synagogue event, participating in Jewish singles groups, or joining other social clubs to build meaningful connections. Volunteering and working in the community are also great ways to make connections with others, as your presence might help others as well as potentially meeting other singles you may click with.

Navigating Valentine’s Day or any holiday as an unattached Jewish single brings its own set of challenges and opportunities. Hopefully these helpful tips will guide you to finding love.

Ray Alyssa Rothman is the Chief Kib-

bitzer and Founder, Kibbitz & Konnect. Kibbitz & Konnect is a non-profit organization for Jewish singles in the great Atlanta area.

There are events for young professionals and those who are 50-plus. The organization hosts monthly events, which include happy hours, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festi-

val party and movie (AJFF), theater outings, concerts, networking meetings, dancing, and Shabbat dinners. Kibbitz & Konnect promotes Jewish continuity by sponsoring social events where Jewish singles can meet romantic partners. Find them on Facebook and Instagram. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 23

PROFESSIONALS & REAL ESTATE Empowered Woman of the Year Award 2024 Kaylene Ladinsky, Editor and Managing Publisher for the Atlanta Jewish Times, and President of Southern Israelite, LLC publishing company, was recently chosen to receive the Empowered Woman of the Year Award for 2024, given by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). Her exemplary role as a female entrepreneur and talented professional displays her influence, capability, and proficiency.

Inclusion with the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP) is an honor, only a few women are chosen for this distinction based on their years of experience, professional accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership abilities, and contributions to their communities. These women empower

24 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

others with innovation and compassion to reach their goals while creating change for future generations. Kaylene Ladinsky will be honored for this distinction at IAOTP’s 2024 Annual Awards Gala. www.iaotp.com/award-gala.

The President of IAOTP, Stephanie Cirami, stated, “We are honored to have Kaylene Ladinsky as part of the IAOTP family. She provides visionary leadership as a female entrepreneur, and her extraordinary accomplishments prove

she will empower women worldwide. We look forward to celebrating all her merits at the Annual Awards Gala and cannot wait to see more amazing things from this woman.”

With 13 years of experience in the journalism industry, Ms. Ladinsky has certainly proven herself as an expert in her field. The Atlanta Jewish Times aims to foster a sense of community across the wider Atlanta region. The AJT fulfills its mission by promptly sharing local news and significant national Jewish and Israeli matters. It also provides assistance to local synagogues, non-profit organizations, and cultural events. Additionally, it announces family simchas and lifecycle events and encourages thought-provoking discussions and debates on cur-

rent issues and Jewish concepts.

Before embarking on her current career path, Kaylene earned an Associate of Science degree in criminal justice from Iowa Community College and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Northwestern Ohio State University.

Kaylene Ladinsky’ s impressive repertoire of roles includes the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Americans United with Israel. This non-profit organization encourages the expression of support, inspiration, and education of democracy and peace in the Middle East.

Before her current role, Kaylene was the President and Owner of Atlanta’s Impress Express for almost 12 years.

Throughout her illustrious career, Ms. Ladinsky has earned many prestigious titles, awards, and accolades and has been recognized as an active member of her community for her outstanding leadership and commitment to her industry. Earlier this year, Kaylene was awarded Top Editor and Managing Publisher of the Year 2023. She will receive her Empowered Woman of the Year award at the IAOTPs Annual Award Gala at the magnificent Opryland Horel in Nashville in December 2024. In previous years, Kaylene has been bestowed with the coveted Simon Rockower Jewish Journalism Awards, which include the Best Jewish Newspaper in America, the Best Jewish Website in America, and the Best Jewish Essay in America. She has also been honored with the Unwavering and Faithful Friendship to Israel Award by the Consulate General of Israel.

Ladinsky has also been recognized

by Marquis Who’s Who, honoring the legacies of professionals around the world, and is featured on the cover of the 14th edition of Millenium Magazine. She was also recognized has Who’s Who Women of Influence for 2022.

Ladinsky said,” It is a great honor to have my work recognized by such amazing organizations.

It also means so much to me to see Atlanta Jewish Times, Atlanta Jewish Life Foundation and

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Americans United with Israel being recognized as well. I love my work. I am excited each day I wake up to get busy making an impact in the world around me.”

While she is honored to be recognized for her past achievements, Ladinsky is also looking to the future for ways to expand the AJT’s online presence and help ensure the local Jewish publication, which has served the community for nearly a century, can continue to provide an invaluable service to Jewish Atlanta for another 100 years.

In addition to her successful career, Kaylene remains active in her commu-

As seen on:

nity. She is the Secretary of the American Jewish Press Association and the National Newspaper Association, COO of the Atlanta Jewish Life Foundation, and the founder of Americans United with Israel.

Looking back, Kaylene attributes her success to her perseverance, work ethic, and firm conviction to advocate for the Jewish community. Kaylene enjoys traveling, fine arts, and spending time with her husband, Lou, when she is not working. For the future, she aspires to remain a representative of the community.ì Compiled by AJT Staff

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‘Snappy’ Couple’s Product is Animation Experiences with websites featuring rabbis dancing, folks “fishing” for investments, and congregations depicted as “Creation,” Marcia may have been Caller Jaffe designed and executed by Shmuli and Hana Landesman.

These married sabras work together as owners of SNAP Animation Studio which produces lively videos for companies and organizations, covering the entire range of promotion, marketing, and sales.

“The name ‘SNAP’ reflects the magic created by snapping fingers, symbolizing lightness, speed, and sharpness -- all values aimed to deliver to customers. Our diverse background with roots in the Orthodox world and Israeli and American culture, brings richness to our work,” stated Shmuli.

Hana added, “We help our clients conceive the initial concept and accompany them all the way to the final product.

We have a wide variety of clients who are looking for creative marketing to stand out in the marketplace -- dynamic companies, lawyers, social media, organizations, and healthcare clinics, who want to communicate with their patients.”

Animation projects include an annual fundraising video, a series of illustrated books about rabbis, informational videos for hospitals in Israel, and a marketing video for an investment company.

Skilled animation, priced at $6,000 per minute of animation, does not come cheaply.

At the beginning of 2021, the couple joined forces to work together professionally. They arrived in Atlanta a year ago, after spending 18 months traveling in Europe during the pandemic while working remotely with Israeli clients and home schooling their two sons. With a clear division of roles, art director Shmuli is the lead animator and in charge of design, while Hana handles business development, marketing, and sales.

Hana said, “We work as a team, and we work great together because we emphasize openness, listening, and patience. In addition, we work with a professional team of freelancers who assist us in making the entire operation hap26 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Co-owners Shmuli and Hana Landesman work as a team with openness and a clear division of duties.

SNAP created this fundraising video for Congregation Ariel in Dunwoody // Images Courtesy of SNAP Animation Studio

SNAP created a virtual bots service for an Israeli bank.

pen, including animators, screenwriters, and voice actors.”

Operating out of Atlanta, they still have clients from Israel. Recently they began expanding and focusing their main activities on the American market, matching with companies who want to convey messages in memorable and humorous ways. Their studio’s designs and animations are digitally hand-drawn with special attention to detail. They embrace progress and technology, utilizing

AI for creative and visual work.

SNAP specializes in creating videos that tell a story or showcase the use of a product, often incorporating light humor and using relatable characters. They employ freelancers, most of them from the U.S. or Israel, adapting to clients’ needs in terms of script and visuals.

Shmuli said, “We love incorporating humor and storytelling into our animations like a narrative involving a father and his son embarking on a journey, wit-

nessing the history of their congregation from the creation of the world. Another animation features friends who go fishing, and through their fishing experiences, learn about investing principles.”

Hana’s best advice is for businesses to create personal relationships that communicate with the target audience, crafting an image with which the viewer identifies. She continued, “Storytelling is crucial, especially on social networks using short and catchy videos. For those

PROFESSIONALS & REAL ESTATE

A SNAP marketing video recruiting investors by “fishing.”

starting a business, maintaining a personal voice, and finding uniqueness is essential.”

Both owners hail from Israel -- Hana from Gush Etzion and Shmuli from Rehovot. Shmuli has family roots in Atlanta where his grandparents, Alice and Nathan Spielberg, thrived as part of Con-

gregation Or VeShalom. Shmuli served in the IDF in the Combat Engineering Corps, while Hana served in National Service, working with children removed from their homes.

Since he was a young child, Shmuli has “never stopped drawing.” Hana said, “Luckily, he didn’t listen to his teachers

This SNAP video explains the Iron Dome with Rafael Defenses during the current war.

who told him to stop doodling in class."

After the Army, he studied animation at a college in Israel and immediately got involved in the industry with a feature animation film. Following that, he worked as a lead designer in a well-known animation studio in Israel. Hana graduated with a bachelor’s degree in industrial de-

sign and managed a studio.

Hana concluded, “In five years, with G-d’s help, we aim to be pioneers in creating messages with character, promoting the idea of marketing through animation and storytelling.”

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PROFESSIONALS & REAL ESTATE

Theology Student Recites Kaddish for Fallen Soldier

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Set your clock by Terri Murru standing to the far left of the bima every Saturday at Ahavath Achim Synagogue as she stands to say Kaddish.

However, this prayer, in memory of the dead, is not being recited by a family member, but by Murru, a last-year student at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and full-time chaplain with the Ministry of Presence at the Hartsfield Jackson Airport. This involves her support for the Honor Guard, responsibilities that center around the military, including liturgical services, new recruits, the travels of thousands during Army holiday blocks, and the sorrowful role of handling fallen soldiers.

Although non- Jewish, Murru began studying Torah 26 years ago in an effort to learn about Middle Eastern Jews. She stated, “I have worshiped my whole life and had extraordinary rabbis who encouraged my studies; and congregations who welcomed my perspective.”

Terri Murru serves in the Ministry of Presence and has made concerted efforts to bring Judaism into the Atlanta airport.

For a decade, she has been an associate member of B’nai Torah in Boca

Murru is shown receiving the casket of a fallen soldier and honors their faith choices. Currently, she is saying Kaddish weekly for a captain with Jewish roots.

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HAPPY

Valentine’s Day Murru helps the military, passengers, and employees observe Judaism with siddurs and services along the way.

found herself with a fallen soldier who had Jewish roots. This hero, who perished in the November USAF Osprey crash in Japan, was labeled “Spiritual but not Religious” or “Humanistic Atheist.” After he was sent home, his sister questioned Murru’s experience with Judaism, who then recognized the opportunity to honor the Jewish father’s side of the family.

Murru stated, “It’s not uncommon for the fallen to be unreligious as was the case with our captain. I respected his life choice in prayer as we received him.

He went home to a Unitarian funeral; I decided to say Mourner’s Kaddish at Ahavath Achim where Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal [initially] engaged the congregation in honoring him.”

Her other connections to Judaism for the airport include streaming High Holiday services in the F terminal, and leading Haggadah readings for Passover.

Murru explained, “We have more than 676,000 employees and 94 million passengers traveling annually. They don’t always have a choice in timing, and it’s a delight for most to find a true interfaith chapel available 24/7.”

In addition to acknowledging Jewish holidays, she assures that there are siddurs in the three chapels. She also works with Rabbi Yossi Lew, of Peachtree City Chabad, and would welcome more volunteer rabbis.

Speaking about Emory, Murru says, “As for Candler students, we are fortunate to have (Jewish) Professor Michael Berger on campus and in our

library. The campus Interfaith Chapel is amazing. I was told Emory is 30 percent Jewish; I’ve had wonderful conversations with our extraordinary President [Greg Fenves] about his father, a Holocaust survivor.”

Murru “fell in love” with Israel in 2015 for three months while learning beekeeping and ended up conducting interfaith walking tours in Jerusalem.

She returned in 2018 for the summer in Nazareth. Future trips were cancelled because of COVID and now, war.

In terms of personal worship, she said, “Shabbat is the best kept secret and greatest gift. Havdalah is my favorite service … my Torah studies are with remarkable scholars who add dimensions and unmatched learning.”

Her most meaningful prayers besides the Kaddish, are Vidui, and “Who does not love Aleinu?”

Terri is working on her Hebrew skills in an effort to be truly fluent since attending services and singing has made memorization easier.

Regarding campus antisemitism, Murru stated, “Most know that I’m not objective. It’s a tough time. I pray for the day when all college campuses focus on framing political issues with academic rigor. Please know you are not alone in this horrific war. We are all praying for you and with you! Hostage return is at the top of my daily prayer list.”

Murru is currently in the ordination process with the Episcopal Dieses of Atlanta. After another “year of discernment,” she hopes to become a priest. ì

Sending warm wishes for a Valentine’s Day overflowing with love and happiness.

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PROFESSIONALS & REAL ESTATE

Authenticate Your Humus

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Humus, to the Middle Eastern and Western Asian palette, is like good pasta is to Italians. It goes with basically anything as long as it goes “well.”

Some credit Syria in the 13th century for recording its early origins. Some ancient cookbooks trace humus descriptions back to Cairo, Egypt, also in the 13th century.

However, figuring out how to spell it (Houmous? Hummus? Humus?) is as numerous as the varieties themselves.

Local humus chef, Batel Ohana, operating as Hahumusia, offers up her versions for sale to special clients and on social media.

Considered a savory dish, humus is generally made from cooked mashed chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and topped with olive oil, parsley, and paprika, alongside puffy pita and tasty falafel.

But Ohana doesn’t stop there. She imagines the spread if “authentic” as, “The delight of a heavenly taste, leaving you with a sense of contentment and happiness.”

Batel Ohana was raised in the “charming” town of Arad in the southern part of Israel. She explained, “Growing up, my parents were always busy working hard, leaving me as the responsible older sister. This is where my love for cooking blossomed. From the tender age of 12, I found myself spending countless hours in the kitchen, experimenting with flavors, and perfecting my culinary skills.”

As much as Israel lays claims to the popular spread, the Lebanese also tout their versions. As part of the Meze (appetizer course), humus was also claimed

by Mizrachi Jews and, later, merged with European culture. In 2005, a film parody of “West Side Story” won an Academy Award, entitled, “West Bank Story,” about a fictional feud between the “Kosher King” and the “Palestinian Humus Hut,” cutely named, “Make Humus not War.” Unfortunately, this was over a decade ago.

At first, Batel embarked on an adventure as a waitress serving the diverse cuisines of Jewish Israelis. Working closely with talented chefs, she observed techniques and absorbed culinary wisdom.

Then, relocating to Atlanta, she pursued her dreams and began working in the kitchen of a restaurant owned by Jewish Israelis. When that closed, she pushed onward.

“I found myself pondering my next move, to find a job that aligned with my

30 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Batel Ohana channeled her background and love of Israeli cuisine to selling humus in many varieties.

Hard boiled eggs make for a fine blend.

Falafel is the most popular side kick for humus.

passion for the kitchen. This led me to stumble upon something intriguing on social media – fruit sushi, a sensation back in Israel. Eager to learn more, I took courses and mastered the art of creating this delightful treat.”

Now, blessed with five beautiful children and a blissful marriage, she went with fate’s plan.

“I prepared a scrumptious lunch for my family, featuring homemade humus paired with falafel and freshly baked pitas. Not only did they adore it, but our friends couldn’t stop raving about it.

They insisted that I share this culinary

treasure with the world and open a food truck.”

Eschewing the labor-intensive demands of a food truck, she made the decision to sell her mouthwatering humus from home and invested countless hours researching and experimenting with different textures and flavors until “perfecting the ultimate humus experience.”

Hahumusia now offers a variety of flavors to lucky customers. From classic humus to unique combinations like humus with beans, hot mushrooms, ground meat, and even humus with shakshuka – there’s something for everyone’s taste

buds.

She added, “Humus is a beloved Israeli dish that graces every household in that country. It’s the star of every supermarket shelf and the centerpiece of numerous dedicated humus eateries. This nutritious food is not only good for you, but also bursting with flavors that will leave you wanting more.”

Prices range from $11 to $17. Pickles and pita included with main order. 404-719-0877. To see the menu and place orders, visit Hahumusia Facebook at www.facebook.com/ hahumusia?mibextid=LQQJ4d. ì

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PROFESSIONALS & REAL ESTATE

Real Estate Roundup Winter 2024

Debbie Sonenshine

Barbra Wollner

What are some key challenges in the current residential real estate market?

Each real estate transaction is unique and presents its own set of challenges. That is why it is essential for buyers and sellers to engage a professional who is experienced in navigating through the complex process of acquiring or marketing a property for sale. Even with the short-term volatility with mortgage interest rates, buyer demand remains strong. The number of homes available for purchase remains low and that may limit a buyer’s choices and often those buyers are potential sellers, so the impact is doubled.

What are some key challenges in the current residential real estate market?

The last few years in real estate have been nothing short of a wild ride! As a seasoned agent who has been selling residential real estate for over 20 years, our primary challenge is the inventory shortage.

Coldwell Banker Realty

Are there any emerging trends in today’s market?

Quality construction and finishes have never been more important than now.

Buyers are well-educated and demanding when choosing which property to purchase.

Most buyers are also looking for a turn-key project and are less interested in fixer-uppers. The sellers need to ensure that their property is up to date, well maintained, and properly staged to ensure maximum return. Entertaining space … luxurious kitchens, high-end pools, functional outdoor space … are on many buyers’ shopping lists.

Can you give any specific advice to potential homeowners looking to buy this year?

Put greater focus on finding the right home for your family and spend less time fretting over the mortgage interest rate on any particular day. The interest rates are trending downward, and it is relatively easy to refinance a mortgage loan once the rates have stabilized. In addition, buyers need to be prepared to act quickly when their dream home hits the market. This means having their financing, cash, or mortgage in place early in the process and thinking through potential negotiating strategies with their agent.

Conversely, any advice for those looking to sell in 2024?

Most sellers are also buyers, so there are a lot of similarities. Sellers should consider options to assist with temporary interest rate buydowns for buyers and need to also have their financial ducks in a row to act quickly for their next purchase. Homes that are appropriately priced, in good shape, and properly marketed are still getting multiple offers. Home prices are generally still rising faster than interest rates, so owning a home remains a far better option than renting.

32 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The Wollner Group

Are there any emerging trends in today’s market?

Organization and chic clutter concealment continue to be a trend in 2024. I’m seeing lots of things like charging drawers, or “appliance garages” become the thing that can set apart a listing. Prep kitchens are popping up all over the place and are key in minimizing countertop clutter in the main kitchen.

Can you give any specific advice to potential homeowners looking to buy this year?

The population in Atlanta grew to 11 million in 2023 with many people continuing to relocate here. The good news is that interest rates will start to come down, which will bring more confidence to both buyers and sellers; and with the lack of housing and the high demand, home values will continue to increase. So, if you are considering purchasing a home, now is the time!

Conversely, any advice for those looking to sell in 2024?

2024 will also continue to be a great year to sell since real estate is widely considered an escalator to wealth-building. In fact, home prices have doubled in the last few years which, in turn, gives sellers the opportunity to cash in on their homes and collect profitable equity. Agents need more housing supply to meet the ever-growing demand so whether you are planning to downsize, upsize, or relocate to be closer to family or friends, it’s a great time to sell!

A question I’m frequently asked is how to maximize profit potential when selling since it usually involves making updates. Focusing on lower cost updates like new interior paint and flooring can freshen up the overall look and feel without breaking the bank. Higher end updates such as a fully renovated kitchen or primary bathroom can also give you a competitive edge over comparable homes in your area that might lack these types of improvements.

PROFESSIONALS & REAL ESTATE focuses on answering questions, offering options, and knowing how to navigate the steps with knowledge and experience. Lenders understand there is not one mortgage formula that fits all, and a great realtor knows this about houses. What makes a house a home is an important part of the journey.

Conversely, any advice for those looking to sell in 2024?

Walk through your home and ask yourself does this meet my/our needs right now and the answer is worth noting why? There are many reasons to sell a house, not just one. The historically low rates of recent years are most probably not coming back. But refinancing for lower rates later whatever they may be is always an option. So, making a change now to move to a home that is better suited for where life has taken you and working with a realtor and lender to guide you will offer peace of mind, confidence in your decision and help you meet your goals.

Monica Parker

Monica Parker & Company

What are some key challenges in the current residential real estate market?

With almost 20 years of experience in real estate, I’ve seen a variety of real estate markets all unique in some way. The Terry College of Business at Georgia Tech hosted the annual Economic Forecast for 2024 in which all their reports show indicators that we will have a different year for 2024 in real estate than the recent years past.

The Georgia economy overall, reported by Dean Ayers of Georgia Tech, is better in so many aspects than the nation overall. To add to that, Dean Ayers reported Site Selection Specialists identified Georgia as the No. 1 state to do business for 10 straight years. Bringing it home to Atlanta, 31 Fortune 1000 headquarters are in our Atlanta metro area offering a firm platform for growth in and around Atlanta.

As industry thrives, the housing needs remain strong due to all that life can bring along the way. In 2023, with the rise in interest rates it definitely roused a closer look at buying and selling and created a home lock situation. Yet the resilience of the housing market in more recent years strongly supports that there will always be those that need to move due to jobs, changes such as families growing with more children, adding multi-generational occupants or empty nesters not needing as much space.

There also is the well-known need that is still a staple of an office or workspace within the home as more people work from home still post COVID. In recent months, as buyers and sellers took a closer look at their own personal equation of needs and wants, the inventory levels dipped lower in 2023 and homes sold in Atlanta were 15 percent lower than the year before but are showing a solid rebound beginning in December and is continuing into Q1 2024. Bottom line, as inventory increases even if slowly there are buyers ready to purchase and the cycle of the housing market is picking up steam.

Are there any emerging trends in today’s market?

The millennials who have been waiting by the sidelines, either because the recent bidding wars that just pushed them out of the market or they just needed more time, are now ready to purchase a home. This is an important factor to a strong real estate market because of the move up process that begins with a first-time homebuyer ready to get started building wealth by building home equity. Additionally, homes that offer added space for friends and family to gather, even outdoor living opportunities, continue to be very appealing.

Can you give any specific advice to potential homeowners looking to buy this year?

If you’re thinking of buying this year but want to wait until the rates come down, don’t wait. When that happens, prices go up. Follow your timing that works for you and identify a reputable and trustworthy realtor and lender who can guide you through the process from concept and idea to obtaining the keys. It is important to have a solid team behind you and surrounding you each step of the way, that

Pailey Pidgeon Nooromid

Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty

What are some key challenges in the current residential real estate market?

Low inventory and rising home prices are two of the biggest challenges in today’s market. We simply do not have enough homes for sale to keep up with the current buyer demands. This shortage has led to rising home prices and competitive buyer conditions.

Are there any emerging trends in today’s market?

Traditional design is making a comeback. We are seeing the combination of old and new trends including bolder colors, louder accessories, and tons of texture!

Can you give any specific advice to potential homeowners looking to buy this year?

Prepare and educate yourself on the process early! If you are thinking about buying in the next 10-12 months, discuss your purchasing goals with a trusted lender and lean on your realtor to educate yourself on navigating the current market conditions.

Conversely, any advice for those looking to sell in 2024?

If selling your home is on the horizon, start making a list of all the little repairs you have been putting off and tackle them little by little. The smallest updates/repairs go a long way with the savvy buyers in today’s market. Invite your realtor over for coffee and have them prioritize your list. ì Compiled by AJT Staff

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 33

PROFESSIONALS & REAL ESTATE

How to Stage a Home

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Back in 1972, Barb Schwarz, a Washington state real estate agent, came up with the home “staging” concept -- the advantages of expertly and visually preparing a home to make it more sellable and appealing, based on the quick impression potential buyers make.

Local stager Candi Miller couldn’t agree more and stated, “You have one chance to make a great first impression.

It only takes buyers seven to 10 seconds to make the decision to look at your home, and home staging costs less than your first price reduction.”

Miller noted that, according to the Real Estate Staging Association, 73 percent of staged homes sell more quickly and at an increased selling price and staging a home can provide [up to] a 586 percent return on investment.

Also an interior designer, Miller grew up in Savannah and moved to Atlanta in 1995 to join the wine industry.

After working 20 years with a distributor and then a California winery, she pur-

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Candi Miller believes that a staged house will sell quicker and for a higher price.

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This bedroom has a neutral palette and still abounds with personality.

home staging, interior/exterior color consultations and design. She received certification by The Decorator Guild in home staging and redesign in 2014; and then in 2015 was certified as an interior/ exterior color consultant.

Miller found that buyers view staged homes as being well-maintained.

She continued, “As soon as you decide to make the commitment to sell a home, you need to think of your home as a product, one that you want to sell quickly and for top dollar. You want your home to stand out from the rest.”

Home staging is also important in today’s digital age where potential buyers often first turn to the Internet to shop for homes.

She continued, “Your photographs need to grab the attention of buyers at first glance. A staging is editing the home to appeal to a broad market. You want potential buyers to walk in and picture themselves living there.”

Staging can take anywhere from two to four hours depending on how much editing needs to be done. Before Miller arrives, she has the homeowners put away some personal belongings, photos, religious or controversial items, and replace any burned out or mismatched light bulbs (specifically with LED soft white bulbs).

Miller notes that each project is different but lists some basic things she executes in every home.

• Remove excess furniture which may require renting a storage unit or moving to an attic or garage.

• Reduce clutter to make the house feel more organized.

• Natural wood and statement tile

• Create good sight lines and flow from room to room.

• Decluttering closets is a great way to show off storage. Organizing clothes, removing items from floors and upper shelving.

• Remove kitchen counter items not used every day.

• Provide a neutral color palette as wall paint is a personal preference.

• The most important rooms for staging are the main living area, primary bedroom and kitchen.

In terms of cost, Miller labels professional staging as affordable. Sometimes, realtors will share the cost. Her experience is that bringing in a professional stager reduces stress and provides a clear picture of what needs to be done and how to do it. Miller motivates by saying, “Remember, staging your house is getting you one step closer to your new dream home!”

In addition to staging, Miller wears a designer “hat” and dove into design trends she sees for 2024, including: • Bold hues like jewel tones • Statement wallpaper and statement accent walls using millwork, color, or paper • Organic and large scaled lighting • Mixing metals. Brass is still in, and

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Miller advises that the most important rooms for staging are the main living area, primary bedroom, and kitchen.

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Miller suggests decluttering and using organic and large scaled lighting.

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Commited to You, Your Business and Your Family Miller implements interesting angles and good sight lines that flow from room to room.

chrome and stainless steel are making their mark.

• Intimate dining areas • Vintage furniture • Sculptural art • Customized secondary spaces like wet bars, coffee stations and sculleries Bottom line per Miller:

“Stay

true to your style. No matter what the forecasters say, you can still infuse your own personal touches while staying current. Your home should tell your story, incorporating your personal treasures with a few modern touches.

Your living space should feel fabulous and functional!”

Miller lives in Dunwoody with her two teenagers, loves “all things nature,” and attends Temple Emanu-El. ì

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Commercial Office Owners Face Challenging Future Last Summer, when Barry Sternlicht handed back the keys to Tower Place 100, the 29-story class A office building off Piedmont Road Bob Bahr in the heart of Buckhead, the building was almost half empty. Just over 60 percent of the more than 600,000 square feet of commercial space in the building was rented.

That was sharply down from 87 percent in 2018 when Sternlicht’s Starwood Capital Group took out a mortgage of more than $200 million to buy the Atlanta landmark. So, Starwood, which is a major corporate landlord with more than $115 billion in assets under management, was unable or unwilling to refinance the loan or pay it off. The building went back to the bank.

Last week, Sternlicht estimated that lenders have absorbed $1.2 trillion in losses from loans made for office build-

According to local financial experts, Atlanta’s office glut has been aggravated by over construction.

ings, although he admitted to Bloomberg News that “nobody knows exactly where it is,” and that it could put many smaller banks under considerable pressure.

In Atlanta, like most major office markets around the country, commercial portfolio managers are crunching the numbers and deciding whether to

hold on to troubled office buildings or let them go.

Office occupancy rates dropped sharply during the pandemic as workers stayed home to work from behind their computer on the dining room table or in the bedroom. But even after the public health emergency has faded, demand for

office space has been sluggish.

For economic observers like Jeffrey Humphreys, director of the Simon Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia, Atlanta’s depressed office market has been aggravated by the surge in new construction that has occurred in the metropolitan area in recent

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from The Schiff Team The 29-story Tower Place 100 office building in Buckhead was given back to the lender last summer.

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years.

“I think we’re very oversupplied in respect to office space, particularly after the work from home phenomenon, which I think is becoming more permanent. It’s not temporary. And so, I’m worried about the office market becoming even more oversupplied.”

According to the National Association of Realtors, the trend to work from home rather than commute to a high rise is just one of the issues commercial real estate investors are facing. According to the realtors, “layoffs and higher interest rates further increased office space availability in the market.”

Moody’s Analytics, the financial services data firm, reported that in the fourth quarter of 2023, the national office vacancy rate set a historical record of 19.6 percent, the highest rate in almost 45 years.

The rise in interest rates brought on by the Federal Reserve Bank’s desire to slow spending and control the threat of further inflation is certain to make life more difficult for those who manage a commercial real estate portfolio. According to Bloomberg, the financial news service, big corporate investors like Blackstone and Brookfield Asset Management have stopped making payments on buildings that are money losers.

The analytics from Trepp, an important source of data about the commercial office market, indicates that the delinquency rate for offices with commercial

mortgage-backed securities has nearly tripled in the past year.

Amidst the prospect of continued high interest rates, the debt on over half of the $2.9 trillion in commercial mortgages will need to be renegotiated by the end of 2025. Since a number of those loans were negotiated at attractive rates during years of easy credit, the refinancing of all that money is likely to weigh heavily on local and regional banks which, according to the statistics from the Bank of America and Goldman Sachs, are responsible for nearly 70 percent of the lending.

According to Humprey, there’s considerable nervousness in the banking industry these days.

“I think that it’s a very uncertain time right now for commercial real estate. Because of the very aggressive actions of the Federal Reserve to tighten credit rates, lenders are tightening lending standards.”

And it’s not just the United States that’s having trouble managing bad commercial property investments. Real estate in China has been plunging for more three years and, according to Bloomberg, the decline in property values has spread to Germany and Scandinavia where loans made with cheap money turned bad when interest rates rose. According to the news service, internationally more than $220 billion in bonds and loans linked to property is currently distressed. ì

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PROFESSIONALS & REAL ESTATE

Dorfmans Unveil New Investing Model

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Father-son team and Roots co-founders Larry and Daniel Dorfman rolled out a new concept to democratize investing that aims to revolutionize the real estate world by allowing residents to become partners, not just tenants.

Roots buys single family properties, fixes them up, manages them, and finds renters; they then offer residents the opportunity to build wealth and credit through their innovative “Live In It Like You Own It” program.

CEO Daniel Dorfman stated, “We are creating win-win ecosystems that delivered a 16 percent internal rate of return for all in 2023. At Roots, we believe it’s critical to create opportunities for personal financial growth while renting if we are going to narrow the wealth gap and help people create a more secure financial future. The majority of Roots’ residents have never owned real estate or participated in the market before moving into our properties.”

Currently employing 18 people, Roots is looking to expand nationally

CEO and co-founder Daniel Dorfman aims to democratize investing.

Jori Mendel will serve as partner and chief growth and community development officer.

Co-founder Larry Dorfman brings passion and energy to Roots.

over the next few years.

Larry Dorfman stated, “We are set up to be a long-term consistent investment that gives investors the opportunity to participate in the appreciation of the fund and to generate passive income through quarterly dividends. Roots funds are not weighed down by heavy fees and high minimums.”

There is a $5 fee to get in, no fee to cash out after the first year, and a $100 minimum investment. As of Jan. 1, 2024, Roots’ net asset value was listed as $25,989,910.

Daniel Dorfman explains the details: “Roots’ investors can be accredited and non-accredited investors. We have investors who find us online and invest on average $1,000-plus and those with whom we work who invest $300,000 to $1 million. Roots is a beautiful opportunity for those starting on their investment journey … begin with an investment as low as $100. For those more sophisticated, investors can further diversify their portfolio, build wealth for the next generations and concurrently 'do good.'"

To add excitement and an elevated skill set to the roll out, the Dorfmans hired community leader Jori Mendel as partner and chief growth and community development officer. Mendel is a veteran foundation executive with an extensive, Atlanta-based philanthropic network. She works to grow the company’s relationships with community partners and individual investors who are aligned with Roots’ mission. Previously, Mendel served as the chief foundation officer of the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, where she oversaw a record-high $500 million in charitable assets under management and as vice president of innovation at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

Mendel also had various entrepreneurial roles with AT&T. She served in communal leadership roles as a board member of In The City Camps, advisory committee of the Jewish Fertility Foundation, board member of a local family foundation, and member of the Atlanta Civic Collab, hosted by The Arthur M. Blank Foundation, Atlanta History Center, and National Center for Civil and Hu-

man Rights.

Regarding her role, Daniel Dorfman said, “Jori has developed an impressive track record through her diverse career in business and philanthropy, especially when it comes to stewarding key stakeholders and structuring complex investments that maximize growth. We welcome her ability to successfully lead collaborations around communal priorities and all that she will bring to help realize our vision of helping more renting families build wealth.”

Roots also has presence in the local Jewish community as sponsors of JCREN and the Federation’s Jewish commercial real estate network. Larry Dorfman uses his donor-advised fund at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation to grow his philanthropic giving.

Larry Dorfman summarized, “With over $25 million invested in the fund, from over 3,500 investors, 88 single family homes, serving 153 doors throughout Greater Atlanta and almost half a million dollars of wealth built for residents, Roots is commercially motivated and community minded, converging economics and community to generate a profound synergy that will foster more impact for everyone engaged.”

Daniel Dorfman added, “Roots believes that wealth transcends mere finances by encompassing knowledge, community, and access to opportunities and is converging economics and community to deliver on this.”

Larry and Daniel Dorfman work harmoniously together. Larry brings passion and energy while Daniel supplies the calm.

Daniel said, “We argue passionately, but are able to always come to a conclusion without letting it leak into Sunday dinner.” ì

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The Lowdown I Bet You Didn’t Know …

Matthew Bernstein Atlanta is chock full of interesting “movers and shakers” - some bent on creativity, activism and/or just plain having fun and living the good life. Lean in to hear some of the “off the cuff” remarks as to what makes Matthew Bernstein, PhD, tick.

Matthew H. Bernstein is the Goodrich C. White Professor of Film and Media at Emory University, where he teaches courses on film history and criticism. He is the author of “Screening a Lynching: The Leo Frank Case on Film and Television” (2009), and “Walter Wanger, Hollywood Independent” (1994; 2004), a biography of a major producer in the classical era.

The editor or co-editor of four anthologies on topics ranging from John Ford westerns to film censorship, Bernstein is a twotime recipient of NEH research grants as well as teaching and scholarship awards from the prestigious Society for Cinema and Media Studies. From 1998 to 2020, he hosted the popular Atlanta Cinema Club. He has served in leadership roles in the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival since 2006. From 2005 to 2020, he served on the National Film Preservation Board, advising the Librarian of Congress on matters of preservation as well as films to add to the National Film Registry. He is currently cowriting a history of the Columbia Pictures studio and a study of Atlanta film culture in the segregated era.

Matthew earned his B.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an MFA from Columbia University. He and his wife, Natalie, the former elementary school librarian at the Paideia School, moved to Atlanta in 1989. They are proud parents of two sons residing in Amsterdam and Atlanta. Members of The Temple, they love to travel, especially to film festivals, or curl up with a good bottle of wine and binge watch.

And who has even heard of the movies this “master of all things film” lists as favs?

What was your first job?

When I was 14, I worked at a heating oil storage plant from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. It was formative.

What advice would you give a 20-year-old Matthew Bernstein?

Read and watch widely and serendipitously, be infinitely curious about people. Travel abroad so you can meet your future wife (which I did, in England, at the age of 20).

My comfort food is …

Pizza and pasta. I would eat them every day if I didn’t care about turning into Jabba the Hutt. Any shape, pretty much any sauce.

I am currently reading …

“Down There,” a noir novel by the Philadelphian David Goodis. Francois Truffaut adapted his “Shoot the Piano Player” from it.

If “they” made a movie of your life, who would play the lead?

In earlier years, I was mistaken for Kevin Kline (usually when sitting down—he’s much taller). More aspirationally, Cary Grant … You know he said: “Everyone wants to be Cary Grant. Even I want to be Cary Grant.”

College students today are definitely more … than when I was a student …

Smart, motivated, thoughtful, engaged! And sober.

Top three favorite films of all time?

Just three? No can do. Jean Renoir’s “The Rules of the Game” (1939); Preston Sturges’ “The Lady Eve” (1941); Alfred Hitchcock’s “Notorious” (1946) or “North by Northwest” (1959); Akira Kurosawa’s, “High and Low” (1963).

More recently? Florian von Donnersmarck’s “The Lives of Others” (2006).

One silly thing no one knows about me is …

I drive around singing (badly) along to Beatles songs.

My last fashion error was …

Should I have buttoned my jacket for this photo?

The last time I cried was …

Watching Federico Fellini’s “The Nights of Cabiria” (1957) and Vittorio De Sica’s “The Bicycle Thieves,” even though I’ve seen each of them at least 14 times.

Best city for making movies? Hollywood vs. Atlanta?

Hollywood for now, but Atlanta will catch up soon. ì

Reported by Marcia Caller Jaffe

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 39

ARTS & CULTURE Jewish Fashionistas Preen for Spring

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Is Barbie pink still the rage? Will skirts hike up or down? Local fashion merchants and stylists weigh in with style advice for spring.

Trend setting website, Stylecaster, “Fashion Trends 2024: Millennial Pink and Runway Looks for the Real World,” (Dec 27, 2023) swoons over predictions, many of which are set by millennials who are now eschewing Barbie’s bubble gum hue for a more subtle shade of pink or lilac.

Other trends Stylecaster predicts, along with our local experts, are femininity with bows and ribbons, drop waist dresses, asymmetrical necklines, satin trench coats, white suits outside of the bridal realm, mega purses, metallic gold, and the “preppy” look with collared shirts, relic thin belts, pleated skirts, and boat shoes.

Local professional shopper Dana Bernath is aligned with Stylecaster as she stated, “I see lots of fun trends for spring -- the continuation of hair bows, denim on denim, and metallics. I like cropped jackets with a cargo or barrel jean plus a belt, paired with ballet flats or micro heels. And you can’t forget your large tote bag to tie it all together!”

Personal stylist and wardrobe consultant Holly Katz thinks that the fashion cycle is a curve running on a time span.

She clarified, “What was popular and on-trend 30 years ago will usually come back around. We’re now experiencing trends from the early '90s.”

Her favorites are 1950s-style dressing with poofy sleeves, shirtwaist dresses, and long (opera) gloves. She said, “Think Audrey Hepburn; lady-like clothing -- cropped slacks, ballet flats, outerwear capes, low-heel shoes, and bushy eyebrows.”

And add what Katz labels “matcheymatchey,” or matching tops and bottoms, jackets, and skirts, and print dresses with matching printed pumps. Pencil skirts are also back with matching sweaters and jackets. And matching sets in tweed.

She added that knee-length boots are very “in” with skirts or dresses to the knee, skinny jeans, and leather leggings.

If worn with a dress, she suggests using a pattern tight (fishnet or a floral), or an animal print on tights. Even though hosiery is back on trend, she prefers tights which offer more support.

She concluded, “Trench coats are a

40 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Lexi Yellis, plus model and influencer, expresses the return of ‘Indie Sleaze,’ trashy and trendy.

Joni Barocas, owner of Best Dressed, is shown here in Planet by Lauren G with Jackie O top in Porto silk organza and pants with big pockets in Obsidian nylon.

Jamie Vrono is diving into the preppy elegance of Polo shirts, collared blouses, and shoulder-tied sweaters.

Nicole Borsuk is into a comfort-meetschic vibe of elevated athleisure.

Dana Bernath predicts the return to metallics and kitten heels and large tote bags.

staple that every stylish woman should have in their closet. Buying a trench coat is something that is an investment, and you will have it for several years. Labels like Karen Millen, Veronica Beard, Cole Haan, and Burberry are the classic highend trench -- also J Crew.”

Lexi Yellis, plus size model and influencer, anticipates the triumphant return of “Indie Sleaze,” a style that rocked the early to mid-2010s and is staging a come-

back fueled by social media nostalgia.

She recounts, “Originating with Brooklyn hipsters, this trend strikes the ideal balance between trashy and trendy.

The beauty lies in its accessibility— achieve the look with items likely hanging in your closet! Bold colors, patterns, and iconic accessories like Ray-Bans and Converse are my sets to dominate spring fashion.”

Fashion retailer Joni Braverman

Barocas opened Best Dressed, a contemporary women’s boutique, in Johns Creek last June. On trends, she states, “I see cropped pants, which are a perfect length for petites. Full length pants, not straight and fitted, are relaxed, even flowy, with unusual touches toward the lower portion. Tops may be shorter or tunics, not tucked in. Sundresses are always in style, usually fun and flirty. Pockets are a hugely popular feature, on a top or dress --

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ESTATE SALES Greater Atlanta Area

Stylist Holly Katz is into Audrey Hepburn and 1990s style, opera gloves, trench coats, knee length boots, and poofy sleeves.

Jill Clow, owner of Jilli’s Boutiques, predicts hyper feminism with frills and bows, cowboy boots and flats. She likes a tailored fit like Shiv Roy in “Succession.”

large pockets on pant legs create a great, easy cargo look.”

Her favorite lines change with the seasons. She strives to discover designs that are not found elsewhere like Me and Gee and Orly, which are new to her customers. She continues, “Pinks are big (Thanks, Barbie!) as are shades of blue and lime. Important neutrals include navy, cream, beiges, white, and black and white combined. Shapes are flowing and feminine, a change from more structured styles. COVID changed the way we dress for work and even for going out. Shoppers want great style, but comfort is key.”

Barocas advises focusing on fabric quality. “We make sure that our garments are made of high-quality fabrics like Pima cotton, handkerchief linen, silk organza and exceptional new blends. It’s more important to purchase a few quality pieces versus a quantity of lesser garments, so that they are a lasting part of your wardrobe.”

Personal shopper Nicole Borsuk, who aims to assist clients with pieces that exude confidence and a distinctive style, enthused, “For me, fashion is a captivating medium without the need to utter a single word. This spring, I’m embracing the allure of trousers, the shimmer of metallics, and the comfort-meetschic vibe of elevated athleisure, reflecting my dynamic fashion perspective.”

Jill Clow, owner of Jilli’s Boutiques in Dunwoody, Chastain, and Milton, picks a flattering peachy pink and white as favorites. Look for crisp white blouses, flowy dresses, and skirts. Soft, natural shades of blue, green, lilac, and pink

also usher in spring. Roses adorn fabrics and range from dainty to dramatically large.

She alludes to “hyper feminine” dressing. “Girls just want to have fun, and this season designers have embraced everything feminine. Flattering A-Line dresses with nipped or belted waists, flowy maxi and midi skirts (some with sheer overlays), halter neck dresses and tops that emphasize feminine shoulders are examples. Natural fibers like linen and cotton gracefully enhance the female form. Ultra feminine bows are everywhere. Clothing, handbags, jewelry, shoes (even cowboy boots) are sporting girlie bows and ribbons.”

Clow likes a tailored fit. She says, “Think Shiv Roy in “Succession.” Well fitted blazers paired with high-waisted trousers, slim belt, pencil skirts, or Bermuda shorts. For a sophisticated look that elongates figures, Clow opts for monochromatic colors with attention grabbing black cherry (burgundy) as the new black. “Less New England country club and more coastal charm, new preppy mixes casual and dressy pieces, thin stripes. Heavy logos are passé."

Jamie Vrono, stylist, sees fashion as a canvas of self-expression.

She said, “I adore well-crafted, timeless pieces that transcend trends. This spring, I’m diving into the preppy elegance of Polo shirts, collared blouses, and shoulder-tied sweaters—a nod to enduring style. Kitten heels effortlessly complete a chic spring ensemble.”

Whatever you envision of spring, be your fabulous self! ì

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ARTS & CULTURE

‘Just For Us’ was Just Plain Funny

By Marcia Caller Jaffe The weekend of Jan. 6 scheduled sell out shows for one of the hottest comedians with a unique and especially energetic young Bostonian who is topical and mesmerizing concurrently.

Alex Edleman’s show, “Just For Us,” at the Alliance Theatre, is loosely based on his undercover attendance at a white nationalist meeting in Queens, N.Y.; but is mainly a one-man show that delves into many aspects of the Jewish experience seen through a 30-plus-year-old still questioning and molding his Jewishness vis a vis his Yeshiva upbringing and the reference to himself as neurodiverse, having some “sexual secrets,” well-meaning parents, and the world around him seen through the lens of a Semitic kaleidoscope.

Local attorney and fan, Ben Levy, said, “Alex Edelman has such a unique stage presence, and his comedy is unabashedly Jewish. He weaves different memories of his life and Jewish identity … ‘Just For Us’ is timely but also timeless since antisemitism is timely and time-

Alex Edelman took questions from the Atlanta audience whom he said had a “Hebbie tone.”

less. He was hilarious and his complex Jewish identity was so relatable. I loved the story about how he and his very shel-

Jack Balser, Cookie and Fred Aftergut, and Lee Krinsky get ready for some unusual laughs.

tered brother first learned about Christmas when they were nine years old and ended up celebrating it for a very unex-

pected and very Jewish value: empathy.”

Just wait until the Yeshiva head of school gets wind of it and calls Alex’s dad,

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ARTS & CULTURE

WHAT WILL INSPIRE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE?

Gail Solomon (center, with Atlanta Falcons scarf) organized 68 Ahavath Achim seniors for the performance and is seen here with Jack Balser, Joel Lobel, and Debbie Smith.

an observant Jew and MIT professor.

The “thing” about Edelman is his kinetic, frantic, yet flowing, energy as he gallops, dips, and pauses about the stage.

In the style one of America’s most favorite comedians, Sebastian Maniscalco, who sold out Madison Square Garden in 24 hours, Edelman is a physical comedian. And it works in his favor, even when he’s sitting on a stool at a controversial pro-Nazi meeting, chatting with a potential “lady” and warding off antisemitic inquiries, he’s moving -- body, eyes, neck swirls, language, et al.

Some of the comedic highlights are attending synagogue with Jared Kushner (Edelman says he’s “loud”), defining whiteness in Boston’s WASP hierarchy, explaining how he is the “vessel” bringing bad news in describing a friend’s baby as a brisket with two eyes, poking fun at anti-vaxers, and grouping his antisemitic social media followers on X/Twitter into a Jewish Federation Contributors file, much to their chagrin.

On more serious topics, he lamented, “I could say one word about Israel and half of you would be offended. We’re not just in our own silos, we are in our own mirrors.”

Is there a crossover for white versus Jewish privilege? Trying to retell an Edelman joke is like describing the first taste of a lox, bagel, and cream cheese … you just have to witness it firsthand. Can one relate to a Jewish living room where everything is covered in plastic and only used for guests and tragedies (shiva)?

True or false? Alex’s brother is on the Israeli Skelton Bobsled team and trains in Munich.

After the performance, Edelman changed clothes and took questions from the audience where he eschewed Jewish geography tales of who knows whom and got anyway. He said our questions had a “Hebbie tone” and explained the origins of his success were in Wales and Great Britain (Actually, non-Jews like his show more), and how COVID put a kink in his momentum. He got pointers from Billy Crystal about how to use a microphone and redid his act. Someone asked if his parents knew he was a comedian, and he quipped, “No, they think I’m a law clerk for Oliver Wendell Holmes.” He mused that he would like to think of himself as a kinder Sasha Baron Cohen (of “Borat” fame).

Speaking of Cohens, a sprinkling of Andy Cohen peeked through, too. A Welshman who met his first Jew, Edelman, when queried about his opinion, said “Fidgety. I see him as fidgety.”

Meanwhile, half the fun is Edelman enjoying his own jokes, even though he’s done them hundreds of times. Talent never gets stale.

Gail Solomon, as part of her volunteer role at Ahavath Achim Synagogue leading the mature adults group, sold and corralled 68 attendees in a block for the Sunday matinee which was an impetus for adding an extra Sunday night show on Jan. 7. ì

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Atlanta Opera Moves into Top 10 Ranks

By Bob Bahr The Atlanta Opera, which for the past 10 years has been led by its Israeliborn artistic and executive director, Tomer Zvulun, has been recognized as one of the top 10 opera companies in America. The Atlanta company, which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, joins the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the National Opera in Washington, D.C., the Lyric Opera in Chicago, and companies in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Houston, and Dallas.

The designation by Opera America, a New York-based center for the promotion of opera in America, is in recognition of not only the artistic excellence of the company’s productions but of its solid financial foundation as well.

The company has tripled its budget since Zvulun arrived in Atlanta and has operated for the last eight seasons in the black. For the 2024-2025 season, the company, for the first time, will have an operating budget of more than $15 million.

The chairman of board of the Atlanta Opera, Rhys Wilson, credited Zvulun for much of what has been accomplished since Zvulun was hired 10 years ago.

“He immediately went to work innovating and celebrating the art of opera in our city. We’ve created new ways of thinking about opera and supporting the next generation of creative artists and audiences through our program.”

Among its many accomplishments in recent years, the Atlanta Opera has brought its production to a more diverse audience in the city, including partnering with the Alliance Theater and with Morehouse College.

Later this year, in May, the Opera will present a special performance with the support of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta at The Temple in Midtown to commemorate Yom HaShoah, the Holocaust.

During the recent pandemic, with the guidance of the Emory School of Medicine and Grady Hospital, it was one of the few opera companies in the nation to continue its performances. It erected a large tent for performances on the campus of Oglethorpe University and streamed 40 shows on-line.

From that experience, the company created The Atlanta Opera Film Studio. It is one of the few professional companies to bring its recorded productions online to a national and international audience.

In acknowledging the move by the company to the front ranks of the opera 44 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The Atlanta Opera latest program was a traditional staging of Puccini’s “La bohème.”

The Atlanta Opera, which presented a production of “Cabaret” at Pullman Yards, returns there to open its new season in September.

world in America, Zvulun acknowledged the hard work that made it possible.

“This encouraging moment is a testament to the determination of so many staff and board members, donors, and community leaders. Working alongside these people has been one of the greatest honors of my life.”

The company, which has just completed a traditional staging of Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera, “La bohème,” will open its new season with a program of reinterpretations in a contemporary setting. In what the opera is calling The Boheme Project, the Puccini work will be updated with

a contemporary setting, and a modern theme, where COVID is the source of the tragedy that besets the main characters.

In September, the more modern version will be performed at Pullman Yards, the industrial center in East Atlanta that has been repurposed as a non-traditional performance space. To co-direct the new production, Zvulun will be joined by another Israeli, his longtime colleague and frequent associate, Vita Tzykun.

“We’re doing ‘La bohème’ in an immersive environment -- updated to modern times -- amplified at Pullman Yards.

And it will allow us to connect with the

community in ways that we were never able to do before, to tell a story that has historical resonance, health resonance, and community resonance in a way that goes way beyond just putting on a show.”

To complete the Bohème Project, the Atlanta Opera will present nine performances on alternate evenings of the hit Broadway musical, “Rent,” which is a modern interpretation of the “La bohème” story, where the health crisis is HIV/AIDS. Rounding out its 2024-25 season, the company will present four works about the hero’s journey: Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” Verdi’s “Macbeth,” Wagner’s “Siegfried,” in

ARTS & CULTURE

Tomer Zvulun (right) participated in a program at The Breman Museum about Wagner’s antisemitism.

a five-hour performance of the third opera of his Ring cycle, and one of Handel’s early 18th century works, “Semele,” in English, based on the classic mythological tale of

The Atlanta Opera’s budget next season tops $15 million.

Ovid’s “Metamorphoses.”

These may be old stories, but for Tomer Zvulun the challenge is always to tell them in a way that demonstrates that opera is an

exciting contemporary art form.

“My purpose in life is to tell those stories in the most immediate, visually arresting, vocally spectacular way pos-

sible, so that audiences will understand that opera is vital and alive and is not some museum art form that is gathering dust.” ì

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ARTS & CULTURE

Bernstein & Bahr’s AJFF Best Bets The 150 members of the screening committee of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival watched more than 650 films Matthew Bernstein and wrote over 15,000 evalua& Bob Bahr tions to come up with the 40 features and documentaries that make up this year’s program.

Here are half dozen of the best.

Shoshana Bernstein: This is a compelling portrayal of the period in the 1930s when the British administered Palestine, a subject that hasn’t gotten much attention in the Israeli cinema. It’s centered on a romance between Shoshana Boroslav, the title character, and one of the British police officers, Thomas Wilkin, who is in Tel Aviv trying to keep the peace.

Ultimately, the film is about the ways political extremism and violence drives

“Shoshana” is the story of an unlikely romance in pre-World War II Palestine.

wedges in between people, forcing them apart. Of course, given what’s happening in this film and now, in our own country, it’s a very relevant story. I recommend it very highly.

Vishniac Bahr: All three of my Best Bet choic-

Anthony Hopkins, left, portrays Nicholas Winton, who saved more than 600 children from the Holocaust.

es are films that have at their heart a hero. That was certainly the case with the subject of this documentary about the life of Roman Vishniac, who for three years in the mid-1930s went on a mission to document the lives of ordinary Jews and their communities in Eastern Europe, just before they were decimated by the Holocaust.

This masterfully edited production combines archival materials with dramatic recreations, a restrained musical score and narration. We should all feel a deep sense of gratitude for Vishniac’s sensitive eye and his profound commitment to this unique body of work.

Monkey House Bernstein: The latest film from the veteran Israeli director, Avi Nesher, is a meditation on mortality and the question of what we will be remembered for.

And like all of Ari Nesher’s films, it has a lot of heart and passion. This film has a wistful tone that alternates with its undeniably comic moments. It’s an absolutely marvelous, wonderful, warm, funny film.

Remembering Gene Wilder Bahr: A documentary that reminds us of what a great person and what a great comic actor Wilder was. Much of his best work was created with Mel Brooks, who also appears in this film. They created such classics as “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” and “Young Frankenstein.”

They are all here plus a lot more.

The film is often narrated by Wilder, himself, using the audio from a book he recorded in 2005. But for all the laughs

46 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

in this wonderful tribute, there is heartbreak as well. His first wife, Gilda Radner, succumbed to ovarian cancer only six years after they were married. Later in life, Wilder suffered from and died of Alzheimer’s disease.

You may need a Kleenex or two for this one, but you don’t want to miss it.

Give yourself a gift and go.

One Life Bernstein: A film passed on the life of Nicholas Winton, a London stockbroker who for nine months devoted himself to rescuing over an estimated 600 children, mostly Jewish, who had escaped from Prague in 1939 at the start of World War II. It features outstanding performances by Anthony Hopkins and Helena Bonham Carter. This story demonstrates what one person can accomplish with determination and a sense of responsibility, Once again, we have a film that’s very relevant to today’s world. As one critic put it, the film serves as an urgent reminder of the importance of individual action at a time when the world refugee crisis is out of scale. Getting tickets may be tough. The distributors only agreed to the two screenings on the condition that no more than 500 tickets be sold.

Kidnapped - The Abduction of Edgardo Mortara Bahr: This is the dramatic retelling of how a six-year-old boy played a major role in upending the political power of Pope Pius IX and the Catholic Church in Italy. Edgardo Mortara, who was born to a Jewish family in Bologna in the middle

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Just prior to the Holocaust, Roman Vishniac documented the life of Eastern European Jews.

of the 19th century, was forcibly taken as a child from his family by the Catholic Church.

He was taken to Rome, where he lived under the protection of Pope Pius IX. Rather than resign himself, his father undertook an international campaign to raise awareness outside Italy to the abuses of power that the Pope during the time was responsible for.

He rallied to his cause such important supporters as the Rothschilds in London, the ruler of France, Napoleon III, and much of the world’s great newspapers.

It helped end the Papacy’s 1,100-year rule over much of Italy and eventually led to the creation of the modern Italian state.

This richly told tale of Jewish power amidst seeming powerlessness is a surprisingly absorbing film that demands to be seen. ì Matthew H. Bernstein is the Goodwin C. White Professor of Film and Media at Emory University and Secretary of the AJFF Board of Directors.

Bob Bahr is the former Managing Editor of the CNN Documentary Unit and writes frequently about film and media for the Atlanta Jewish Times.

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ARTS & CULTURE

Vishniac Documentary Explores Photographer’s Life

By Bob Bahr His photographs are like an open window on a world that is forever lost, the traditional world of Eastern European Jewry.

From 1935 to 1938, Roman Vishniac, with little more than a pair of cameras and film tucked into his luggage, crisscrossed communities large and small in Poland, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. He captured a priceless record of the daily life of Jews suffering under the crushing burden of poverty and dislocation. It was made worse by newly passed antisemitic laws and government regulations.

His many trips through the region were financed through the European office of America’s Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, which saw -- in his powerful portrayal of communities under stress -- a way to help raise both money and public awareness.

Now, for the first time, Vishniac’s monumental record of Eastern European life and his long career as a photographer of rare skill and sensitivity are the subject of a new documentary by director, Laura Bialis. The documentary will have its Atlanta premiere in a pair of screenings at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

Bialis was given full access to Vishniac’s vast archives of more than 23,000 images and had the extensive on-camera participation and support of Vishniac’s daughter, Mara, who lived just 10 minutes from Bialis’s home in California.

Over the four years that the two women were involved in the project, Bialis developed what she described as her transformation under Mara’s influence.

“It was like a very slow unwrapping of everything Mara had experienced growing up with her father and their long relationship. And we became friends. She was this incredible person and was so wise, but also still had that childlike interest in looking at the world through something her dad gave her, her gift of observing people. I feel like I was transformed by Mara.”

Mara and her family, with some assistance from the Joint Distribution Committee, made a miraculous escape from Nazi-occupied Europe on one of the last ships to bring refugees to America at the end of 1940.

For the film’s director, Bialis, there is something in Vishniac’s photographs of those doomed communities and their residents in the 1930s that transcends the mere recording of everyday life.

48 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The mid to late 1939s were a stressful time for the impoverished communities of Eastern European Jews.

This portrait of an old Jewish man was featured on the cover of a book of Vishniac’s photos that won a National Jewish Book Award in 1984.

“I feel like when you look at his photos, you’re getting right into the face of someone, and you really meet them. This is a real person in their real habitat. He was somehow able to capture their essence -- their personality. It was a spark that he captured. Photography is not just light and film. There’s a thing that happens, a magic spark for a second that happens between the photographer and his subject. And he had something that was able to get these people to give him

Roman Vishniac captured a remarkable portrait of Jewish communities in Eastern Europe just before the Holocaust.

that.”

After his arrival in America on the eve of World War II, Vishniac worked to reinvent himself. During the last 50 years of his life, before his death in 1990, he shifted from being a deeply intuitive photographer of people to becoming an intense observer of the natural world, particularly as a pioneer in the use of microphotography to study nature up close.

His work was featured in Life Magazine, and he lectured widely about nature

and basked in his celebrity. But arguably, his scientific photography never achieved the richness and depth of those pre-Holocaust years when he was searching out the many faces he fleetingly captured in Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, and Munkacs.

“Vishniac” is one of those rare documentaries which has a professional artistic finish that honors the profound artistry of its subject and his work. The production, which effectively integrates a number of recreations of many of the

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Vishniac’s Eastern European photos were financed by the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

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Water “Vishniac’s” director, Laura Bialis, says that the photographer had an ability to capture the unique relationship between photographer and subject.

incidents in both Mara and her father’s life, was put together by producer Roberta Grossman, who has been a frequent presence at the AJFF. She was joined by the executive producer, Nancy Spielberg, Steven Spielberg’s sister.

The script, by Sophie Sartain, that neatly wraps up the many strands of Vishniac’s professional and personal life, and the music by Todd Boekelheide, subtly and effectively punctuate the film.

Finally, the deft handling of all the many

elements that make up the final production by the editor, Chris Callister, is truly remarkable.

The documentary is one of Bernstein and Bahr’s Best Bets at the festival, It arrives in Atlanta after a heavy schedule of screenings domestically and internationally, where it was the closing night film at the Toronto Jewish Film Festival and was chosen best documentary in this year’s Jewish film festival held in, of all places, Hong Kong. ì

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ARTS & CULTURE

Theatrical Outfit Explores Karski’s Moral Heroism

By Bob Bahr “Remember This,” performed at Theatrical Outfit in downtown Atlanta and presented with The Breman Museum, is a story set during World War II of the attempt to alert the world to the destruction of the Jews in Germany by the Nazis and their allies.

The one-man show, which is also titled, “The Lesson of Jan Karski,” is a performance of a lifetime by Andrew Benator, whose family has their roots in Atlanta’s Sephardic community. Working on a bare stage with only a wooden table and two wooden chairs as props, he simulates the abuse and torment that Karski, who was Catholic, and active in the Polish resistance, suffered at the hands of the Nazis.

With his sharp mind and an almost photographic memory, he became a trusted courier between various factions active in the underground. Eventually, with his skill in languages he is chosen to alert the world to what he had seen as a personal witness to the brutality of the Nazi occupation.

The film version of “Remember This,” starring David Strathairn was featured at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival in 2023.

He also secretly tours the Warsaw ghetto, and he visits a Nazi concentration camp where Jews are stuffed into cattle cars bound for Auschwitz.

But his most intense anguish came in 1943 at the hands of those whom he attempts to alert in the American and Brit-

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ish government.

He travelled to London to speak with the British wartime Foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden, and then to Washington for a half-hour meeting with President Franklin Roosevelt. Both of them ignore his dramatic pleas. Roosevelt particularly shows more concern for the horses of Poland than its Jews. After meeting the president, he sought out the Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter, who was Jewish. However, Frankfurter curtly dismisses him, with the words, “I don’t believe you.”

Many of the most dramatic moments in the play come when Karski reacts to the responses of these world leaders to the atrocities of the Holocaust that he has personally witnessed.

Although he is portrayed as deeply indignant and discouraged by his meeting with the American leader, it is said that after his meeting with Karski, the president was moved to establish the War Relief Board, the beginning of official American government efforts to aid the victims of Nazi tyranny.

The stage performance is a follow up to the filmed version of the work, which was shown at last year’s Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Like the film, it was directed

by Derek Goldman who also co-authored the play. Goldman is a professor of theater and the artistic and executive director of Georgetown University’s theater lab. On a side note, Georgetown is where Karski taught starting in the 1950s.

When the AJT spoke with Goldman last year, he was finishing up a theatrical tour of Poland, with the star of the film and the play, David Strathairn, the distinguished American actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Edward

The real Jan Karski was a Polish Catholic who made the lessons of the Holocaust his life work.

R. Murrow, the legendary American journalist and broadcaster, in the film, “Good Night and Good Luck,” for which he was nominated for an Academy Award.

Goldman believes that his play dramatizes the choices that confront us in life and how we respond to them.

“I think for us, one of the core themes of the film is individual responsibility, the idea that individuals have souls.

Karski didn’t go silent; he chose to teach for 40 years. And we see in his teachings and his beliefs our human tendency to ignore things that are not convenient, as the film says, and our tendency towards certain kinds of denial and complacency that individuals have. He believes that souls and individuals have the capacity to make significant differences by taking care of each other, by bearing witness to what’s happening, by speaking up and speaking out.”

Frustrated by his journey to the United States, Karski turned to tell his story to the American public. In 1944, he wrote, “Story of a Secret State: My Report To The World,” about his experiences in Poland. It sold 400,000 copies, became a best seller and a Book of the Month Club selection.

In 1952, he began teaching at Georgetown University where he received a PhD, and he spent the next 32 years of his life teaching the lessons he had learned of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man.

He was cited by Yad Vashem, as a “Righteous Gentile” and made an honorary citizen of Israel for his work during the Holocaust; and, in 2012, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama. It is the highest civilian award the American government can bestow. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 51

DINING Swooning Over ‘The Vegan Queen’

By Marcia Caller Jaffe In Atlanta’s dining landscape of niche upon niche of cuisines, Planta Queen is a most welcomed addition, “planted” in the heart of the Buckhead Village District.

Touting “tuna out of pressed ahi watermelon to cheesecake without the cheese,” Planta Queen, bills itself as premier vegan and opened in fall 2023. The 10 location “Plantas” are run by founder Steven Salm, a Toronto native by way of New York where he became a trendsetting foodie and philanthropist.

Their motto of “dining as it should be, an unguilty pleasure,” is not entirely accurate as some options are rich in coconut fats and calories; and the first “Wok” item is indeed plant-based, but coated and fried versus stir fried, but there are sufficient satisfying choices to dance around that.

Note that the sister restaurant, Planta, has been open on Inman Park’s Krog Street since June with a similar, but not identical menu. Where Planta Queen leans Asian, Planta has additional pizza and some American fare. Both locations feature creative cocktails like a kombucha mojitos, and Herb Your Enthusiasm with Thai chili-infused tequila, lime, pineapple, mint, and basil, and several au currant non-alcoholic choices like Spicy Not A Rita, Miso Mango Sour, Cucumber Mule and Singapore Spritz with roots divino, certainly creating curiosity for elevated palettes. There are also cold pressed juices, beer, cider, tonics, sake, “bubbles,” and wines, some of which are noted as low alcohol and “skin contacted.” An ambitious list to be sure.

The parking in the west lot elevator (just off Pharr Road) popped right up within steps of Planta Queen.

The establishment’s youthful vibe matched its music and décor with twisted dragons, arched ceiling, and a glowing bar of coordinated triangles. Half the restaurant with 28 tables can be rented out for private parties.

The ebony stone earth ware was well matched with black utensils. The terra cotta banquettes along the wall is primo seating.

What we had Sushi

Unagi Eggplant Nigiri -- like “butta” melt in your mouth texture in umami heaven (two pieces, $6.25) Spicy tuna hand roll -- Ahi tuna was 52 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Buckhead Atlanta’s new Planta Queen has a youthful vibe with dragony pizzazz and creative plant-based menu options.

The Queen Caesar was kale based with bacon made from mushrooms with a smoky flair.

the “tuna” and, yes, they pulled it off!

Plus, avocado and toasted coconut ($7.25).

Chilled and Raw

Queen Caesar Salad -- green papaya, kale, mushroom bacon, almond parmesan, yuba crisp was even better the next day leftovers since the kale stood the test of time ($15.75).

Wok & Noodles

General D’s Cauliflower -- tofu, shishito peppers, pineapple, sesame, sweet chili. The flavors were all right, but would have been a better dish stir fried versus tempura deep fried, which was not noted on the menu ($20.75).

Udon Noodles

Truffle mushroom cream shaved black truffles. For those wanting a true gourmet experience, this is a rich indulgence best shared to balance the richness ($25.50).

Entrees were rich and filling: General D’s Cauliflower and Shaved Black Truffles with Udon noodles.

Dessert

Matcha cheesecake – coconut-based cream cheese, coconut whipped cream, berry compote. The olivey-lime green hue made it campy and tart enough to take on the tea ($14).

Bubble Waffle Taro (a root vegetable used as a staple in Africa and South Asian cuisines) ice cream, rice crunch, black sesame caramel, strawberry. Don’t expect super sweetness. We found the waffle to be a bit doughy, playing second fiddle to the macerated strawberries ($15); A better dessert choice here would be the Brownie Sundae with salted peanuts.

Plenty to order for next visit: Torched and Pressed: avocado, miso truffle glaze Avocado Lime Tartar: beetroot tuna, capers, pine nuts, citrus soy, sesame, cilantro Pad Thai Slaw: kelp noodles, green papaya, lemongrass, cilantro, peanut

The Unagi Eggplant Nigiri and watermelonbased spicy tuna roll were table favorites.

A tall colorful mojito awaits.

Desserts were a colorful bounty.

Foreground matcha tea cheesecake.

Waffle treat with macerated strawberries (rear) and taro ice cream.

sauce Bang Bang Broccoli with sweet chili 1000 Layer Crispy Potatoes with caviar Japanese Sweet Potatoes Cold Sesame Peanut Noodles Spinach Shitake Dumplings (remember no eggs!)

Dan Dan Noodles: Szechuan kamut, sesame, cilantro, coconut milk Note: Items are clearly labeled for allergies, nuts, celiac, soy, gluten.

Verdict: Ten thumbs up! Lumberjack manly men who like their plates mooing have to suspend disbelief and give this queen a try. Feel young, feel adventurous, know that someone thought about this food’s preparation. And don’t worry about what’s not kosher.

Planta Queen is open seven days a week at 3013 Bolling Way. Weekdays start at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday brunch, and happy hour are also options. 404905-1343. ì

You’re invited! Join us for these great events at beautiful

HEARTIS BUCKHEAD. Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2 p.m.

Back by popular demand! Claudia Saleh will lead us on a virtual reality tour of her native Israel. As a licensed tour guide, she has experienced the beauty and history of each amazing Holy Land site we will visit. A non-virtual tour experience is also offered. offered Claudia Saleh

Thursday, Feb. 22, noon Claudia Saleh will lead an interactive Middle Eastern cooking class and share delicious Israeli and Purim dishes.

Thursday, Feb. 29, 11 a.m.

It’s the last day of American Heart Month! Join Avril James Maynard, MPH, CHES, program coordinator at Piedmont Women’s Heart Program, who leads small-group coaching for women with heart disease. She will be joined by Jerry Smith, American Heart Association development director. We’ll learn about heart attack warning signs, stroke prevention, simple ways to improve your health and how the AHA can help.

Blood pressure screening provided.

To attend any or all events, please RSVP by phone 470-693-8009 or email buckheadsc@islllc.com.

Upscale Independent Living • Assisted Living • Memory Care 2051 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30309 • HeartisBuckhead.com

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 53

CALENDAR

FEBRUARY 15-29

Knit and Crochet Group - 1 to 3 p.m. Join Dor Tamid and crochet and knit beanies for premature babies from home. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3VY3R1j.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18 Kabbalah and Coffee - 10 to 11 a.m. Discuss, explore, and journey with Intown Jewish Academy through the world of Jewish mystical teaching and learn how to apply these profound teachings to your daily life. This ongoing class probes the esoteric through a unique program of English textbased study. No prior Kabbalistic experience required. Learn more at https://bit. ly/3V3sfiE.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15 Torah Study with Rabbi Dorsch - 10 a.m.

Join Rabbi Dorsch from Congregation Etz Chaim for one of the many Torah Study classes being offered. Find out where at https://bit.ly/45kiCk4.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19 Jeff’s Place Café – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Need a place to host your Monday-morning business meeting? Looking to meet a friend for breakfast and coffee? Craving some bagels and lox before heading into the office? Come to Chabad Intown and find out more at https://bit.ly/3IRgve6.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16 Brain Health Bootcamp – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join a fun, social class to strengthen your mind and body to stay sharp! With age serving as the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment or memory loss, JF&CS is taking action with the Brain Health Bootcamp. The first of its kind in Atlanta, it is designed to provide memory enhancement techniques through cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, education, and socialization. Join by visiting https://bit.ly/3tPwMs3.

National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine - 8 to 10 p.m. Founded in 1918 as Ukrainian State Symphony Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine is the most-recorded orchestra in any former Soviet territory and has long been recognized as one of the finest orchestras of Eastern Europe. The Schwartz Center welcomes the orchestra for its first tour in the U.S. since conflict in its country began.

Find tickets at https://bit.ly/3Uj1SGS.

Kabbalah Café – 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Fuel up your week with the transformative teachings of Kabbalah as you enjoy a gourmet hot breakfast and coffee bar. You’ll study text-based spiritual wisdom that gives you practical guidance to living a healthy and empowered life. Join Beth Tefillah by visiting https://bit.ly/3Ak2BfX.

Brain Health Bootcamp – 11 a.m.to 1 p.m.

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

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Calendar sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Connector, an initiative of the AJT. In order to be considered for the print edition, please submit events three to four weeks in advance. Contact Diana Cole for more information at Diana@atljewishtimes.com.

54 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

BEARING WITNESS Unforgettable Stories from the Holocaust - 2 to 4 p.m. Holocaust survivor and Breman Museum speaker Bebe Forehand presents her remarkable story of resilience at this free presentation. Register at https://bit. ly/3vOFSts.

Join a fun, social class to strengthen your mind and body to stay sharp! With age serving as the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment or memory loss, JF&CS is taking action with the Brain Health Bootcamp. The first of its kind in Atlanta, it is designed to provide memory enhancement techniques through cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, education, and socialization. Join by visiting https://bit. ly/451GNDC.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES Torah Reading: Terumah Friday, February 16 Adar I 7, 5784 Light Candles at: 6:04 PM Saturday, February 17 Adar I 8, 5784 Shabbat Ends: 7:01 PM

Jewish Women’s Torah and Tea – 8 to 9 p.m. Weekly women’s in-depth and fascinating exploration of the chassidus book of Tanya. Register at https://bit.ly/3TlT4ja.

Torah Reading: Tetzaveh Friday, February 23 Adar I 14, 5784 Light Candles at: 6:10 PM Saturday, February 24 Adar I 15, 5784 Shabbat Ends: 7:07 PM

Kabbalah Café – 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. Fuel up your week with the transformative teachings of Kabbalah as you enjoy a gourmet hot breakfast and coffee bar. You’ll study text-based spiritual wisdom that gives you practical guidance to living a healthy and empowered life. Join Beth Tefillah by visiting https://bit.ly/3Ak2BfX.

Brain Health Bootcamp – 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 Emory@Shearith: Guest Lecturer Eric Goldstein - 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dr. Eric Goldstein, Associate Professor in Emory’s Department of History and Institute for Jewish Studies, will present a three-part lecture series titled “Where do Jews fit into America’s racial and ethnic mix?” based on his book The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race, and American Identity. Purchase sessions at https://bit.ly/4aMlFnT.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22

to 12:30 p.m. Join a fun, social class to strengthen your mind and body to stay sharp! With age serving as the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment or memory loss, JF&CS is taking action with the Brain Health Bootcamp. The first of its kind in Atlanta, it is designed to provide memory enhancement techniques through cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, education, and socialization. Join by visiting https://bit.ly/3tPwMs3.

gation Beth Shalom and Israel Bonds in commemorating a long-standing and dedicated supporter of Israel, Hibby Margol, on his 100th Birthday. Also, hear from special guest Jonathan Schanzer, Senior Vice President of Research at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Register at https://bit.ly/48KWKQh.

CTeen 2023-2024! - Welcome to CTeen, the newest, hottest club in town. With CTeen you don’t just have the time of your life – you actually take part in making this world a better place by giving back to your community. CTeen is a Jewish teen club that compacts exhilarating fun and meaningful projects into a program that’s thrilling and uniting. The impact is magnificent, the experience priceless. It’s the place to be for every Jewish teen! CTeen demonstrates that education and service is a pillar of personal growth. Learn More at https://bit.ly/3UlklTd.

Knit and Crochet Group - 1 to 3 p.m. Join Dor Tamid and crochet and knit beanies for premature babies from home. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3VY3R1j.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 Kabbalah and Coffee - 10 to 11 a.m. DisJewish Women’s Torah and Tea - 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. Join the Jewish Women’s Circle of Decatur for a weekly discussion on the Parsha and contemporary Jewish issues.

Find out more at https://bit.ly/3T8oR4B.

Torah Study with Rabbi Dorsch - 10 a.m.

Join Rabbi Dorsch from Congregation Etz Chaim for one of the many Torah Study classes being offered. Find out where at https://bit.ly/45kiCk4.

Special Briefing on The Current Situation in Israel - 10:30 a.m. Join Congre-

cuss, explore, and journey with Intown Jewish Academy through the world of Jewish mystical teaching and learn how to apply these profound teachings to your daily life. This ongoing class probes the esoteric through a unique program of English textbased study. No prior Kabbalistic experience required. Learn more at https://bit. ly/3V3sfiE.

Wildlife Baby Shower -12 to 4 p.m. The Chattahoochee Nature Center annual Wildlife Department fundraiser and supply drive is to prepare for the upcoming raptor and reptile baby season in rehab.

There will be game stations, an educational slideshow of baby animals, and private aviary tours with Wildlife Department staff. Please Note: Baby animals will not be on view. Learn more at https://bit. ly/3UePlEu. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 55

Powerful Tools for Caregivers - 10 to 11:30 a.m. This program from AgeWell Atlanta helps family caregivers reduce stress, improve self-confidence, learn different ways to communicate, and increase ability to make tough decisions. Interactive lessons, discussions, and brainstorming will help you use the tools and put them into action for your life. Classes consist of six inperson sessions held once a week. Register at https://bit.ly/3RXf1E2.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29 Brain Health Bootcamp – 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28 Mah Jongg at Temple Beth Tikvah - 1 to

The Jewish Table: From Babka to Za’atar - 1 to 5 p.m. Join Congregation

3 p.m. Mah Jongg at Temple Beth Tikvah.

Bring your card and come for games, a nosh and friendship. Register at https://bit. ly/3vZLrFj.

Shearith Israel for a delicious afternoon of learning and sharing the love of Jewish food and foodways featuring keynote speakers Lyssa Kligman Harvey and Rachel Gordin Barnett, co-authors of “Kugels and Collards: Stories of Food, Family, and Tradition in Jewish South Carolina“. Register at https://bit.ly/49fCEO1.

Torah Study with Rabbi Dorsch - 10 a.m.

Join Rabbi Dorsch from Congregation Etz Chaim for one of the many Torah Study classes being offered. Find out where at https://bit.ly/45kiCk4.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27 Brain Health Bootcamp – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Oran Etkin Quartet - 4 p.m. Join the Breman Museum for an incredible night of music as the Oran Etkin Quartet takes the stage with their captivating Open Hands Project. Purchase Tickets at https://bit. ly/4bc6Fjv.

to 12:30 p.m. Join a fun, social class to strengthen your mind and body to stay sharp! With age serving as the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment or memory loss, JF&CS is taking action with the Brain Health Bootcamp. The first of its kind in Atlanta, it is designed to provide memory enhancement techniques through cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, education, and socialization. Join by visiting https://bit.ly/3tPwMs3.

Join a fun, social class to strengthen your mind and body to stay sharp! With age serving as the greatest risk factor for cognitive impairment or memory loss, JF&CS is taking action with the Brain Health Bootcamp. The first of its kind in Atlanta, it is designed to provide memory enhancement techniques through cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, education, and socialization. Join by visiting https://bit. ly/451GNDC.

Knit and Crochet Group - 1 to 3 p.m. Join Dor Tamid and crochet and knit beanies for premature babies from home. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3VY3R1j.

Emory@Shearith: Guest Lecturer Eric Goldstein - 7:30 to 9 p.m. Dr. Eric Goldstein, Associate Professor in Emory’s Department of History and Institute for Jewish Studies, will present a three-part lecture series titled “Where do Jews fit into America’s racial and ethnic mix?” based on his book The Price of Whiteness: Jews, Race, and American Identity. Purchase sessions at https://bit.ly/4aMlFnT.

Grow a Legacy - 6 to 9 p.m. An annual celebration of Jewish Atlanta’s community Legacy Donors. RSVP at https://bit. ly/3UkK3Hs.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26 Jeff’s Place Café – 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Need a place to host your Monday-morning business meeting? Looking to meet a friend for breakfast and coffee? Craving some bagels and lox before heading into the office? Come to Chabad Intown and find out more at https://bit.ly/3IRgve6.

56 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Jewish Women’s Torah and Tea – 8 to 9 p.m. Weekly women’s in-depth and fascinating exploration of the chassidus book of Tanya. Register at https://bit.ly/3TlT4ja.

Jewish Women’s Torah and Tea - 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. Join the Jewish Women’s Circle of Decatur for a weekly discussion on the Parsha and contemporary Jewish issues.

Find out more at https://bit.ly/3T8oR4B.

Pathways to Parenthood: Starting a Family in the LGBTQ+ Community - 7:30 p.m. JFF is partnering with several amazing Atlanta organizations, expert speakers, and comedian Sam Morrison to create a welcoming, celebratory space for members of the LGBTQ+ community to explore the avenues to parenthood and building a family that are available, and how JFF can support this journey. Register at https://bit.ly/3Sks7tM.

Simcha Announcements Have something to celebrate?

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

Share it with your community with free AJT simcha announcements.

Send info to submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

Wedding Announcement

Cohen-Michaeli Taylor Brooke Cohen and David Michaeli were married at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Buckhead, Ga., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. Rabbi Alexandria Shuval- Weiner officiated.

Taylor is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Emory University School of Nursing. She works as a family nurse practitioner in Mobile, Ala. She is the daughter of Terri Steinberg and David Cohen of Alpharetta, Ga. David is a graduate of Mercer University and Mercer University School of Medicine. He is a fifth-year orthopedic surgery resident at the University of South Alabama Hospital in Mobile. David is the son of Maya and Zurab Michaeli of Marietta, Ga. Taylor and David will move to San Antonio, Texas, this year for David to complete a fellowship in orthopedic trauma.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 57

KEEPING IT KOSHER

JEWISH JOKE

Healthy Blueberry Oat Muffins Savor these healthy and delicious blueberry muffins, sweetened with honey and fruit; perfect for a hearty breakfast or a healthy snack! Yields 12 muffins

Ingredients 1/2 cup oil 1/2 cup Gefen Honey 1 egg 1 and 1/4 cups Glicks Flour 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/3 cup oats for the batter, plus 1 tablespoon for topping 2 and 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon Gefen Cinnamon juice of an orange (or 1/4 cup orange juice) 1 cup blueberries

Directions 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. In a bowl, mix well all the wet ingredients.

3. Add the oats, cinnamon, flour, and baking powder, and mix until fully combined.

4. Add the blueberries to the batter and stir gently.

5. Pour the batter into muffin pans, filling each cup about three-fourths full.

6. Sprinkle some oats on the top of each muffin.

7. Bake for 15-18 minutes.

Recipe by Leah Klein Source: Kosher.com 58 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The Groom “Congratulations, Moshe,” said the bridegroom’s uncle. “I’m sure you’ll look back on today and remember it as the happiest day of your life.”

“But I’m not getting married until tomorrow,” replied Moshe.

“I know, I know,” replied his uncle.

YIDDISH WORD Mini-megillah n. A post on social media that is too long to keep its reader’s attention, like a Twitter thread that just goes on and on. Today’s common shorthand would refer to it as “TLDR.” “My eyes glazed over when I read Asher’s five-paragraph Facebook entry about his dinner at Olive Garden. Such a mini-megillah it was.”

From the Yiddish megillah, meaning “an interminable and tedious story.”

BRAIN FOOD

Jewish Geography

ACROSS

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 59

OBITUARIES

Cathy Anne Gershon

Sydell Harris

On Jan. 9, 2024, my sister, Cathy, passed away in the early morning. I hope she left us while in her sleep, but I do not know.

Cathy left this world pretty much as she entered it 74 years earlier, as a human being waiting to live her life as most of us do. We have happy times that bring us joy, sad times that bring us sadness and more of the middle times that I think, falls into just living day to day, year to year. Sadly, Cathy’s life did not follow this usual pattern because she was never really able to try out, when young, those strong wings that G-d gives most of us. She could never soar. She could never get off the ground.

Cathy never really accomplished anything in her life. It’s an understatement to say she was profoundly unhappy with her life. Hers was a life that was full of drama and stress and her mood was, as I could tell, always a sad one.

So, for those who knew Cathy, you might ask why was this? Why was this pretty, intelligent girl not be able to carve out her place on this Earth?

Cathy was a troubled soul from the time she was very young, I believe, until before puberty. Her parents simply were not prepared to raise a child such as Cathy. They certainly tried, for years, for decades, for a lifetime. They tried many things, but none were really effective in confronting head on a person with deep and serious emotional issues.

She needed the help of medical doctors who could diagnose and treat these kinds of disorders with medications. Cathy was not unique with her issues. There are thousands out there with similar disorders that can go on with a rather normal life thanks to good medical council and proper medication.

You might ask “why didn’t Cathy’s parents seek proper, serious help for Cathy?

Consider that her (and my) parents were children of the Depression who then grew into adulthood during WW II. Many of that generation didn’t look at mental issues as requiring the expensive services of these doctors where they viewed their results as dubious. They felt, more often than not, these were family matters to be quietly dealt with behind closed family doors. Our parents loved Cathy dearly but that was not the issue.

I firmly believe had Cathy been born a generation later, her life would have been very different in so many positive ways. For those reading this that knew Cathy, I have included a photo of her from so many years ago, from a time that looked full of hope and promise. Rest in peace, my sister.

Cathy was preceded in death by her parents, Muriel and Burton Gershon, Atlanta; survived by Jeff Gershon, brother, Atlanta; Andrew Gershon, nephew, New York City; Marian Gershon Radwin, aunt, Birmingham; John Lanier MD, close family friend, Atlanta; and numerous cousins. A graveside service took place Jan. 14, at Greenwood Cemetery, Rabbi Lawrence Rosenthal officiating. Arrangements, Dressler's Jewish Funeral Care.

Sydell Dienner Harris—devoted daughter and sister, loving wife and mother—died on Jan. 12, 2024. She was the youngest daughter of Rose and Sam, and sister to Helen and Shirley.

In 1942, Sydell met the love of her life, Arthur Harris, in the Bronx, New York City, which started the romantic journey that led to their 70-year marriage.

The early challenges that Sydell, her mother, and her sisters faced only spurred her on. She talked her way into her first job, selling lingerie, at the Macy’s in Manhattan, at age 15. Sydell loved fashion, she drew and sketched, and she always sewed—she sewed her entire trousseau herself.

She became Sydell Harris in 1949. Richard, her son, was born in 1952. Karen, her daughter, was born in 1956. The Harrises left New York City for West Orange, N.J., in 1959.

By 1969, upon moving to Atlanta, Sydell had entered the world of personal care, which led to her passion—and mastery—as an esthetician.

In 1982, all four of the Harrises brought into being the successful and nationally respected first-generation family business Spa Sydell.

Her devotion to training, developing skincare, and leading by example paved the way for those who surrounded her. She was respected as a speaker and enjoyed by local media and press for her knowledge and insight, which led to a career highlight: her being interviewed on the “Today Show” by Katie Couric.

Sydell’s love of volunteerism for almost four decades became everything to her.

She always shared, often amid tears, the joy of doing makeup and manicures for — and massaging the shoulders of — patients at the Shepherd Center, residents of the William Breman Home, and young people with cancer at Camp Sunshine.

After Arthur passed away, in December 2019, Sydell missed him greatly, but she lived and thrived on her own. She exercised, cooked dinner, had her glass of wine, read voraciously, and entertained her friends.

In addition to her centenarian sister, Shirley, Sydell is survived by her children, Richard and Karen; her son-in-law, Bruce Froy; and her nieces and nephews, and their children.

The family asks that donations be made to Camp Sunshine, the William Breman Home, and the Shepherd Center.

In her 96 years, Sydell touched this city, and so many people, with her work, her volunteering, and her compassionate, open heart. She will be missed.

74, Atlanta

Brook Bolton Owner 770.757.0330 office 770.289.0982 cell brook@rmemorials.com www.rmemorials.com

Expert Knowledge of Jewish Memorialization Helping the Atlanta Jewish Community for over 20 years Bronze Markers • Stone Monuments & Markers • On-Site Engraving Quality, Compassion, & Lower Costs Set Us Apart

60 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

96, Atlanta

OBITUARIES

Alice Orenstein Kaplan

David Bruce Rechtman

Alice Orenstein Kaplan passed away on Jan. 26 at the age of 94 with family by her side, having repeatedly stated that she was quite ready to join her husband Sidney to whom she was married for almost 60 years.

Born in Decatur, Ga., in 1928, she was the only Jew in elementary and high school, yet she remained strictly kosher, travelling by streetcar every week to Sunday School at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue on Washington Street, and later to the old Alliance Jewish Center to be with Jewish friends and especially with Sidney.

She would recall standing under the chupah with Sidney in 1948, only one month after the State of Israel was established, listening to Rabbi Harry H. Epstein draw a comparison between their marriage and the creation of the new Jewish State.

Preceding her were her father and mother, Samuel and Esther Orenstein, and her two brothers, Leonard and Marvin Orenstein. She enjoyed a very special “big brother, little sister” relationship with Marvin, and both families always celebrated together High Holidays, Passover Seders and family events.

She affectionately remembered Thanksgivings of old when the two families would always come together for lunch at the old Progressive Club, followed by the traditional Thanksgiving Day “Tech vs. Georgia Freshman Football Game.” Alice was the consummate mother and homemaker, devoting every minute of her early years to raising her children, Scott, Randy, Mark, and Terri. Later, she adored her children-inlaw, Shelley, Paul, Karen, and Jack. Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Shira (David), Dori (Mark), Laura (Eli), Jeffrey, Kristin (Alex), Cody, and, of course, her greatgrandchildren Sydney, Hailey, Harper and Aliyah.

She loved spending time with all children, and after she raised her own, she became a teacher’s-aid at the Ahavath Achim Synagogue Early Childhood Program for many years. A week did not pass without a former student recognizing and reconnecting with her.

Among her chief joys in life were her weekly card games (actually reported in the Atlanta newspapers) with her lifelong friends Shirley Tenenbaum, Barbara Bock, Margie Greenberg, Betty Goldstein, Florence Gillman, and Augusta Cohen which took place consistently for almost 70 years.

Together with husband Sidney, she emersed herself in AA Synagogue affairs, volunteering at countless events, serving as a member of several committees, and as an officer of the sisterhood.

She loved dancing and performed in several musical productions at the Synagogue, as well as the old Mayfair Club of Atlanta.

Alice was an early advocate of Jewish Day School education and Jewish summer camps. She and Sidney were among the very first in our community to send each of their children to the Hebrew Academy of Atlanta (now the Greenfield Hebrew Academy) and Camp Ramah in the Berkshires.

She insisted upon a strict rule that wherever you were and whatever you were doing, you came home to be with family for Rosh Hashanah and Passover Seders.

With Sidney by her side, Alice was blessed to enjoy a full, joyous life, traveling with family and friends to more places than she could recall. She was known for her elegant, creative, and contemporary sense of style.

The family is grateful to Alice’s care providers, Zee, Stephanie, Susan, Jane, and Melissa, who provided loving and compassionate care during her final years.

May the memory of Alice Kaplan be a blessing to all who were honored to know and love her. A graveside service was held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

David Bruce Rechtman passed away on Feb. 2, 2024. He was born on Sept. 12, 1951, in Reform, Ala., and his legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to helping others and his profound impact on the lives he touched. He is survived by his wife, Judy; his daughters, Lauren Rechtman (Jeff Chod) and Michelle Rechtman; his grandchildren, Logan, Ella, and Ian Chod; and his siblings, Mike Rechtman (Sheryl), Scott Rechtman, and Sallie Friedman.

He moved to Atlanta with his family in 1963 and graduated from Grady High School with the class of 1969. Continuing his education, David attended the University of Michigan for two years before completing his undergraduate degree at UC Berkeley in 1976. He then pursued his legal aspirations at UCLA, graduating from law school in 1981.

In 1987, David co-founded the law practice Rechtman & Spevak, where he dedicated his career to representing over 3,000 injured individuals. His tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to justice earned him the respect and admiration of both colleagues and clients alike.

Beyond his professional achievements, David was a man of diverse interests and passions. He had a love for travel and an appreciation for music and film, and he always enjoyed spending time on the golf course or walking by the river. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially Michigan football (Go Blue).

David held a deep commitment to his faith and community at Temple Kol Emeth. Actively involved in the synagogue, he was not only a devoted member but also played a key role in establishing the Jewish film club and participating in social action.

David was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, and friend. His warmth, kindness, and unconditional love left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know him. His grandchildren were a particular source of joy, and he adored every moment spent with them.

David’s passing leaves a void in the lives of those who cherished him. However, his legacy lives on through the love he shared with family and friends.

A funeral service to celebrate David’s life will be held on Feb. 4, 2024, at Temple Kol Emeth. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Brain Tumor Society or the Vera Javor Holocaust Education Fund at Temple Kol Emeth.

May his memory be a blessing, and may he continue to inspire us all to strive for justice, love, and the pursuit of our passions. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770451-4999.

94, Atlanta

72, Atlanta

OBITUARIES

Terry Tenenbaum

James Donald Thomas

Terry Tenenbaum, age 75, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Jan. 9, 2024. Terry is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jan Myers Tenenbaum; children and childrenin-law, Stacy (Adam) Blaiss and David (Gina) Tenenbaum; sisters, Susan (Bill) Usdan and Carol (Beverly Moser) Tenenbaum; sister-inlaw, Debra (Fred Spring) Tenenbaum; grandchildren: Shane, Jared, Ari, and Sophia, who brought so much nachas to their “Papa Zayde”; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Terry was preceded in death by his brother, Allen Tenenbaum.

A native of Atlanta, born to Sol and Fay Tenenbaum z’l in 1948, Terry was in the first kindergarten class of the Hebrew Academy and went on to graduate from Grady High School. After college at the University of Florida, he moved back to Atlanta and met Jan on a blind date. Once married, Terry worked with his father at the family grocery store, Great Savings; a few years later, his brother, Allen, z’l, joined the business as well. Terry worked at Great Savings until it closed in 2004, the last known Jewish-owned “mom and pop” grocery store in Atlanta, many of which had once dotted the Atlanta landscape in earlier years. Terry enjoyed working in the kosher department at the Dunwoody Kroger in his later years.

Terry’s Jewish faith played a central role in his life, and he was a founding member of Congregation Ariel in Dunwoody, which opened its doors in 1993 in a small, rented home. Now a thriving congregation, Terry was an integral member for 30 years, serving as gabbai for many years in the early days. The Ariel community holds a very special place in both Terry and Jan’s heart, and their love and support as Terry’s health declined meant so much to the Tenenbaum family. The Tenenbaum family also extends our most heartfelt gratitude to Koya, Sokona, Tina, and TeeTee for their care, kindness, and support during Terry’s last few months.

Sign up online guest book at www.dresslerjewishfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Congregation Ariel or the Weinstein Hospice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta (770) 451-4999.

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of James Donald Thomas, age 80, on Feb. 8, 2024, in Peachtree City, Ga. He was born on Feb. 11, 1943, in Union City, Ga., to James and Volona Thomas, was raised in Fairburn, Ga., and graduated from Campbell High School in 1961. He attended The Southern School of Pharmacy and graduated as a licensed pharmacist in 1967.

He met Barbara Thomas at the University of Iowa, and they married in 1967 and he began his pharmacy career in Georgia. Don and Barbara moved to Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1970 where he continued his pharmacy career at the Broadmoor Hotel. Don loved Colorado and enjoyed cycling, skiing, hiking and many other outdoor activities. Don also loved to explore new places and traveled around the world with Barbara and his children. He became an ardent student of the Jewish scholars, Arthur Green and Mordecai Kaplan, and for the past five years has been a student of Daniel Matt studying the Zohar.

Don is survived by his wife, Barbara Thomas, his son, Jeffrey Thomas (Erin), daughter, Kellie Healy (Carl), granddaughters, Gabbi Healy, Regan Thomas, Isa Healy, Eliana Thomas, and grandsons, Jacob Healy and Michael Healy.

75, Atlanta

62 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

80, Peachtree City

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

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES FEBRUARY 15, 2024 | 63

CLOSING THOUGHTS Leap Year Brings Purim Katan

Rabbi Richard Baroff DD

If you have a Jewish calendar, you might notice that on Feb. 23, we commemorate Purim Katan.

You might wonder what this is, and how it is different from the regular Pu-

rim.

Purim Katan literally means “Little Purim” in the sense of a minor version of the holiday, or perhaps a “shadow Purim.” This shadow Purim takes place on 14 Adar this year. Most years regular Purim is celebrated on 14 Adar. This year, the Jewish year 5784, the full Purim falls on 14 Adar II, corresponding to the evening of Saturday, March 23 (Erev Purim) and Sunday, March 24. The Scroll of Esther (Megillat Esther) is usually chanted on the morning of Purim. Ta’anit Esther

64 | FEBRUARY 15, 2024 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

(the Fast of Esther) takes place this year 11 Adar II (March 21).

Nothing is really celebrated on Purim Katan. Some rabbis suggest that Jews should consider the main themes of the regular Purim: we thank G-d for redeeming us from the evil plans of tyrants, like the Persian Prime Minister Haman, who seek to destroy us. There is a daily prayer called Tahanun when we entreat our merciful G-d for forgiveness, which is not recited on joyful days (like Shabbat), and so is omitted on Purim Katan. Also fasting is not permitted, and there are some changes to how funerals are conducted. These changes reflect the fact that Purim Katan, like Purim itself, is a happy time.

Purim Katan becomes necessary during leap years, when there are two Adars in the calendar rather than one, and 13 months rather than 12. During a leap year some amount of time is inserted into the calendar to make the year longer for calendrical purposes. In the Jewish calendar, an extra month is

added seven times every 19 years, so that over that nearly two-decade period of time, the lunar years and the solar years reconcile. The reconciling is necessary, because the Jewish calendar needs to be lunisolar: the months are determined by the phases of the moon, but the pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Shavuoth, and Sukkoth) are fixed by the seasons in which they occur in Eretz Yisrael (The Land of Israel).

Therefore, an extra Adar is added seven times in the 19-year cycle.

It is not completely clear, according to rabbinic law, whether this extra Adar intercalated (inserted) is Adar I or Adar II. Adar I is also called Adar Rishon/ the first Adar, and Adar II is known as Adar Sheni/second Adar (also VeAdar/ and Adar). This system of bringing the lunar year and the solar year into sync was the invention of an ancient Athenian astronomer and mathematician named Meton. The Metonic Cycle is not just used by Jews, but by other cultures whose calendars have both lunar and

solar considerations.

During this year 5784, a year of peril for the Jewish people and for the State of Israel, we supplicate our Creator for strength and wisdom, and for divine guidance, to help us navigate this very dangerous time. Purim Katan gives us an extra special day exactly one month before the full Purim to reflect on our gratitude for divine deliverance in our past, and our need for spiritual direction and inspiration moving forward.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. ì

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