Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCV NO. 3, January 24, 2020

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VOL. XCV NO. 3 | CAMP

JANUARY 24, 2020 | 27 TEVET 5780

Importance of Camp to Jewish Continuity

UGA SCHOLARSHIP JUDGE KRAVITCH HONORED AS LEGAL TRAILBLAZER.

CANTORIAL CONCERT FIRST FEMALE CANTOR PERFORMS IN ATLANTA.

CHAI STYLE ART MEETS JUSTICE AT PAIGE AND BRUCE HARVEY'S HOME.

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THIS WEEK PUBLISHER

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MANAGING PUBLISHER & EDITOR KAYLENE LADINSKY

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Campfire Stories Ask a child the best time of their life, and if they’ve ever been to summer camp, they’ll list it among their top experiences.

Friends that last a lifetime, trying new skills, away from parents, endless water sports, what more could a kid want from summer?

This week you’ll learn what our community leaders say about why summer camp is so essential to ensuring Jewish continuity.

Two of our North Georgia camps received grants to address mental, emotional and social health at camp. The Atlanta Jewish Academy is offering new camp options this summer and we report where Orthodox Jewish families send their children to camp.

We introduce you to the first female cantor, coming to Atlanta next month to promote her book and lead a concert with five female cantors from our community. And we reveal a new scholarship at the University of Georgia honoring a trailblazer among female judges.

Well-accustomed to challenges are two Atlanta uber-marathoners, who took on the monumental task of reading

a page a day of Talmud for 7 ½ years, a feat recognized at their respective synagogues earlier this month.

In local news, we cover a number of events. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Anti-Defamation League hosted a keynote by former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams as part of its No Place for Hate Summit. In keeping with the national holiday, The Temple also hosted members and clergy of Ebenezer Baptist Church for its annual Friday night Shabbat service honoring the civil rights icon.

The AJT details a zoning dispute between Peachtree Corners and Chabad of Gwinnett over its efforts to expand its property. An Atlanta cybersecurity expert speaks about the worldwide war on misleading information, bots and political propaganda on the web.

And we share a film out this week about how leaders in the Philippines led an effort to rescue Jews during the Holocaust.

Speaking of new films, next week we bring you our preview of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. Just a peek. You’ll have to wait a bit for the red carpet opening of the two-week festival Feb. 10. ■

Cover photo: Shabbat services, such as those at Camp Barney Medintz, are among the experiences at sleepaway camp believed to help ensure Jewish continuity.

CONTENTS LOCAL NEWS ���������������������������������� 6 OPINION ����������������������������������������� 11 ISRAEL NEWS ������������������������������� 12 CAMP ����������������������������������������������� 14 CHAI STYLE ����������������������������������� 21 ART ��������������������������������������������������� 24 CALENDAR ������������������������������������� 26 DINING �������������������������������������������� 28 COMMUNITY ��������������������������������� 29 KEEPING IT KOSHER ������������������ 36 BRAIN FOOD ���������������������������������� 37 OBITUARIES ���������������������������������� 38 CLOSING THOUGHTS ����������������� 40

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 5

LOCAL NEWS Chabad of Gwinnett Enmeshed in Zoning Dispute

By Dave Schechter

One person who plans to attend and support Chabad Chabad of is Jim Gaffey, a Gwinnett’s current member of Mary home is a nondeOur Queen Catholic script, rented office Church, located sevfacing Holcomb en-tenths of a mile Bridge Road in Norfrom the Chabad cross. Rabbi Yossi property.

Gaffey, Lerman says the who attended the 2,000 square-foot The house and wooded half acre at the center of the zoning dispute in Peachtree Corners.

The wooded site along Spalding Drive Chabad meeting, space is inadequate where Chabad of Gwinnett wants to build. told the AJT, “I grew for the myriad of up in a very diverse services he wants to Neighbors opposing the rezoning religious community which enriched offer a growing Jewish community. boil before the issue is resolved.

Two miles away, at the intersection “This is a very historic moment for raised issues of traffic flow and water me in many very positive ways. As a 40of Spalding Drive and Crooked Creek us at Chabad of Gwinnett,” Lerman told runoff, and, according to minutes of the year resident of Peachtree Corners I will Road, is a wooded, triangular-shaped acre, about 30 people who came to a Jan. 15 meeting, expressed worries about a nega- be speaking up about my support of the Chabad rezonwhich Chabad has meeting to discuss tive impact on ing application. owned for a decade the unexpected ob- property values, We have many increased noise, and is zoned to perstacle. religious denomimit construction Lerman said and that Chabad’s nations within of a planned “Enthat Chabad be- presence would walking distance richment Center,” lieves there are “change the charof their propa triangular-shaped upwards of 10,000 acter of the neigherty. Why not a building with 6,000 Jews in Gwinnett borhood.”

Chabad?”

No one from square feet on each County. “We have There are two of two floors. made a great dent Chabad attended other synagogues The estimated in Gwinnett,” Ler- the planning comin Gwinnett Counmeetcost of that project, man told the meet- mission ty: Congregation ing, which took which was delayed ing.

“Hundreds and The wooded area where Chabad of Gwinnett Rabbi Yossi Lerman of Chabad of Beit Yitzchak in place during the by a downturn in hundreds of famiwants to build, viewed from Crooked Creek Road.

Gwinnett and Scott Frank, who is leading Norcross, founded the fundraising drive for the planned the economy a delies have been en- holiday of Sukkot. expansion in Peachtree Corners.

Rather than seek a delay because of Suk- by Bukharian Jews, and Temple Beth David, cade ago, is $3 milriched.” lion to $4 million. Of that, the Chabad There are more than a dozen church- kot, Chabad accepted an attorney’s guid- a Reform congregation in Snellville.

During the meeting, Lerman was serving Gwinnett and Hall counties has es and religious institutions within a cou- ance that the rezoning would be approved.

Now Chabad must wait for the March asked whether the Anti-Defamation League raised about $500,000. ple of miles of the Chabad property, which The problem is next door. is situated in an area of single-family 24 city council meeting and a vote by the should be engaged, the questioner suggestIn May, Chabad bought an adja- homes, apartments, an elementary school mayor and six council members. In the ing that anti-Jewish sentiment might have coming weeks, Chabad of Gwinnett plans been involved. “We’re talking to anybody cent half-acre residential lot at 5815 and an office park.

Crooked Creek Drive and asked the city of Peachtree Corners’ planning and zon- to seek support from other Chabad cen- and everybody. We don’t know what was Peachtree Corners to change its zoning to ing staff recommended approval of the ters and the broader Jewish community, in those people’s heads who recommended denial. Our goal here is to make sure there be the same as the larger parcel, permit- rezoning request, provided that Chabad and from churches in Peachtree Corners.

Lerman said that Chabad met with isn’t some sort of social injustice, some imting construction of a 2,500-square-foot agree to modifications of its plan. But on chapel that would straddle the properties. Oct. 15, the planning commission voted Mayor Mike Mason and that he was sup- pact on our freedom of religion.

“I think it all comes down to the word That half acre is at the center of a sim- 4-1 not to recommend the project for ap- portive. Mason told the AJT, “My standard practice is not to make any decision on a ‘change’” and recognizing that change can mering zoning dispute that could reach a proval by the city council. zoning case until I hear all the facts and be unsettling for long-time residents, Lerwe haven’t held the public hearings yet. In man said. When Chabad of Gwinnett met fact, our city attorney cautions us not to with some of its anticipated new neighprejudge a vote — and discuss it publicly.” bors, “One of the big lessons we learned “Our presence has to be there,” Nancy from this experience was, they wanted to If you discover old issues of the Atlanta Mears, one of those attending the Chabad understand who we were, what we were Jewish Times laying around, we want them. meeting, said to applause. “I think per- planning, not only immediately, but in haps, maybe, they felt emboldened to three, five, 10 years from now. What was speak things they would not have spoken our long-term vision?” Lerman said.

To boost our archives, we will come pick With or without the rezoning of the had we been there.” up any AJT issues from 2014 or earlier.

“We need our friends. We need our adjacent property, Chabad of Gwinnett Please call 404-883-2130 or write kaylene@ families. They need to know that there intends to build its Enrichment Center on atljewishtimes.com to setup retrieval. are a lot of people who support this,” said the land already zoned for that purpose.

Scott Frank, an intellectual property at- “We’re just asking for a little slice and Subscribe, Support, Sustain. torney who is leading the fundraising ef- we’ll be just like everybody else here, good As always, thank you for reading your Atlanta Jewish times. neighbors,” Lerman said. ■ forts.

Got old issues?

6 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

LOCAL NEWS

No Place for Hate Summit Teaches Tolerance

By Eddie Samuels

slavery in the United States. How would you respond?”

Honoring the legacy of the late Rev. Other scenarios touched on subMartin Luther King Jr., ADL Southeast jects such as bullying and discriminahosted its 19th antion. Each group nual No Place for wrote their response Hate Summit at Agto the scenario on a nes Scott College on large sheet of paper Monday for over 250 and then responded Atlanta-area high to previous groups’ schoolers from both ideas. The answers public and private included common schools. sense solutions, like The morning speaking to students kicked off with a and administrators, group activity that as well as using some tackled how to recogof the new strategies nize and work against they’d learned that Stacey Abrams discussed hatemotivated violence, including bias. From there, studay. the rise of anti-Semitism. dents broke off into Concluding the smaller groups, each led by an ADL volun- day was a keynote from Stacey Abrams, teer, while teachers broke off into a group former 2018 gubernatorial candidate and of their own led by David Hoffman, ADL minority speaker of the state legislature.

Southeast associate regional director.

She was met with raucous applause as Among the topics covered were she shared her own experiences with hate systemic bias and and how she was inequality and the working to comADL’s “Pyramid of bat it.

Hate.”

She opened “It isn’t a hierwith a story about archy of hate,” he how she, as a high said. “Rather hate school valedictoat the higher levels rian in Georgia, can only happen if was invited to the hate at the lower governor’s manlevels of the pyrasion along with David Hoffman leads educators in a mid is tolerated. her peers from workshop on how to tackle bias and prejudice in their own classrooms.

The way to stop other schools. hate from escalating is to stop it at those “Everyone was driving up and we lower levels.” were the only ones walking,” she exHoffman offered a handful of strate- plained. “When we got to the guard at gies for tackling situations that arise in the gate, he took one look at me and said, classrooms, including pushing back, ‘This is a private event. You don’t belong asking questions, interrupting and here.’ … I can see he’s telling himself redirecting, and “ouch.” The latter a story about me, and I don’t know is a keyword he recommended if it’s a story about the fact that teaching students to use when I’m a young black woman who’s they hear something that bothwalking on the sidewalk or ers them, that may clue in the because he thinks only poor speaker and others around people ride the bus.” them as to the situation.

Abrams recounts her Following discushumiliation on what sions, the teachers should have been one broke up into smaller of the most imporgroups to tackle tant days of her some scenarios life, and although posted around she was let in afthe room. One ter her parents such question argued with was, “A teachthe guard, the er comes to event sticks ADL’s Pyramid of Hate was one of the subjects you with an with her. teachers discussed during their training. idea of hav“I caning students argue a pro and con side of not remember meeting the governor of

Abrams spoke to a packed room of high schoolers, and relayed her own experience dealing with racism while she was their age.

Georgia,” she said. “I don’t remember meeting my colleagues from around the state. … All I remember was this man standing in front of the most powerful place in the state and telling me I don’t belong.”

Turning to the present, she discussed the increasing rates of identity-related crimes, whether they be targeting black

Americans, undocumented immigrants, or Jews, like those recently attacked in New York and New Jersey.

“I believe that we live in a nation where we are watching a resurgence of anti-Semitism go unchecked,” she emphasized. “It is not enough to say it is wrong. It’s about being willing to do something about it.” ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 7

LOCAL NEWS

Security Consultant Describes New War on Web

By Bob Bahr

with artificial intelligence to make real people seem to be doing or saying America is in a worldwide things they never would war, but it’s not a traditional war in real life.” on a traditional battlefield. It’s The result, according an information war that is being to Azar, is that ideas no fought electronically on the inlonger drive political parternet. The outcome could help tisanship.

Partisanship to shape the future of American forms a stronger bond democracy just as certainly as a than political ideas, even war with tanks and guns. if it has no basis in truth That was the message at a or reality. recent program featuring cyPhotos by Micah Smith // James Azar and his wife Karin Zalcberg, originally The World Affairs Council heard Azar single “Now, these charbersecurity expert James Azar, from Israel, run the computer security consultancy, CyberHub USA. out hostile foreign governments that have free acters and these fake sponsored by the World Affairs rein to influence American public opinion. personalities are getting Council of Atlanta of Georgia State University. Azar, who grew up in a nologies of choice in America – computThe allies of these two nations, ac- thousands, if not millions, of followers.

Sephardic family with roots in the Mid- ers and smartphones. They put almost cording to Azar, are the major social me- And the Chinese are very good at emulatdle East’s old Turkish Ottoman Empire, is every nook and cranny of our country dia platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, ing human behavior,” he says. “They are a security consultant in Atlanta. within reach of those nations whom Azar Google and Instagram, which make huge at the forefront of artificial intelligence.

“We’re in a place where we’ve never believes have long-range plans to discred- profits from distributing content that is There are said to be 30,000 Chinese indibeen before. We’re in uncharted waters,” it the American way of life and our abil- deliberately false and misleading. Anyone viduals that work in different provinces he told members of the Georgia State ity to think freely and clearly. with an internet connection, including within China in what they call cyber forum, “and when we’re in uncharted “The people who want to sow discord an army of disinformation specialists in farms based out of specific universities. waters, we tend to make mistakes. There and create this level of division in our pop- countries that are our adversaries, can The Russians do the same thing as well.”

If we are not to fall victim to even are casualties in the process and losses ulation are long-term players,” he pointed use social media with little or no restraint. in that process. And we’re in the midst of out “and they are predominantly the two “They create fake websites. They cre- more insidious manipulation by foreign that right now.” largest nation states that have a problem ate all kinds of fake characters, fake bots governments and their legion of meThe war he describes affects almost with America. They happen to be China, online that will engage with subsets of dia manipulators, Azar believe we must anyone who uses communication tech- number one, and Russia, number two.” the population,” Azar maintains. “Today be more vigilant. He cautions that we anyone can be a blogger or a journalist. should not believe everything we see on Anyone can put up a website. I can start social media and on the web.

Ultimately, he feels that our govsowing discord. I can spread misinformaernment will be forced to step in, even tion and neither Facebook nor Twitter though there has been strong resistance nor Instagram or Snatchat can stop it.” to doing so in both Congress and in the According to two distinguished Trump administration. professors at Cornell University, Glenn One of the easiest measures he beAltschuler and Sidney Tarrow, the Telelieves that our government can do now, communications Act of 1996 gives social Azar suggests, is to regulate who buys media corporations the right to dissemidomain names.

He urges a system that nate information they know to be false would require website addresses be regand profit from it, if they don’t endorse it. istered to Americans who can offer ironThey wrote on the online publicaclad guarantees to their identity. tion, The Hill, “This could range from “You’d get rid of probably 80 percent simple misinformation, to bots, to fullyof the fake web,” Azar said. ■ synthetic ‘deep fakes,’ videos constructed

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LOCAL NEWS

JNF Is a Lot More Than Trees

Co-chair Cyndi Sterne, Lindsay Lewis and Romi Elkounovitch chat with cochair Caryn Berzack. Elkounovitch said that Israel and JNF are providing help to the Australian fire disaster.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe As part of the Beyond the Blue Box series, Jewish National Fund’s Atlanta Women for Israel presented an evening Jan. 16 at City Springs, “Start Up Nation: From Desert to Oasis.”

Event co-chair Caryn Berzack welcomed the group and explained that the importance of water and recycling in Israel cannot be overestimated.

Guest speaker Talia Tzour Avner, Jewish National Fund’s chief Israel emissary, explained JNF’s role in greening the desert and supporting cutting-edge water technology. Pride permeated the room as she reinforced how Israel’s scientific brilliance helps the world.

She shared statistics that lent perspective to why water is a global issue: In the 20th century, the world’s population tripled as our water usage increased six-fold, she said. “Israel’s solution is to be self-sufficient. While they recycle 85 percent of the country’s water, the closest country is Spain at 17 percent and the U.S. at 5 percent. Israel is doing miracles getting the salt out of the water and working on making water from air.”

She explained that desalination happens 24/7 and the process only takes 30 minutes. JNF has supplied reservoirs for storage and has plans for 18 more since Israel’s population for 2050 is expected to be 16 million versus the present 9 million. She noted that Israel has no natural forests, saying, “All has been planted by JNF, 5 percent of the land with 250 million trees.”

She emphasized the importance of education. “Today in Israel, little children know to quickly turn off the faucet.”

Tzour Avner laid out JNF’s meaningful game plan to even out the con-

Dr. Paul Scheinberg, who had just spent Shabbat with the Jewish community in Dubai, shares travel experiences with Diana and Rosi Fiedotin, who had recently visited the new JNF medical clinic in Northern Israel.

Roni Wolk, co-chair of JNF Women for Israel, poses with Stacy Lewin, a member of the JNF National Water Task Force

Guest speaker Talia Tzour Avner with Beth Gluck, JNF Southeast executive director.

centrated population. “Eighty percent of Israelis live in a small triangle that connects Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa. Real estate there is more like New York. We are striving to redistribute 500,000 to the Negev and another 300,000 to the North.

We need to spread out and develop the periphery. To do that, JNF is behind making these areas habitable and stable with medical facilities and even man-made lakes. Also very special is transforming the North into a “food basket” with R&D and a state-of-the-art culinary institute, Galilee Institute of Culinary Arts in Kiryat Shmona.

She also showed the map of the Arava region, from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea, Israel’s long border with Jordan. “It’s 22 percent of Israel’s land, but only 9,000 people. We have to protect that border; and it doesn’t even have one seat in the Knesset. That takes 36,000!”

Earlier in the evening, Stacy Lewin, a member of the JNF National Water Task Force, Cheryl Cohen Miller and Mindy Miller received pins. They were recognized as powerful, like-minded women who exemplify education and their connection to Israel.

Lynn Oves and Marsha Spector honored the new members of the Sapphire Level ($5,000) and Chai ($1,800 donation) members, who exemplify the power of women in education and the connection to Israel.

Roni Wolk, an Atlantan on the national JNF executive board, explained how JNF involvement can be approached from different angles depending on individual passions. “With JNF, no one is left behind.

Find things that match your values. My husband and I got hooked on the area of special needs, Disability Task Force. When the sparks strike you, you will know it.”

Beth Gluck, JNF Southeast executive director, concluded, “Thanks to all who showed up to support JNF with time and funds, and spreading the word by speaking to others.”

Upcoming JNF events include: JNF Women for Israel National Call, Jan. 29 at noon. Conversation with Dr. Rachel Fish, “Anti-Semitism in the 21st Century.”

To attend, RSVP to Beth Gluck, bgluck@ jnf.org.

The 6th annual JNF Women Noshin Hamentaschen will be Feb. 23 at various homes around Atlanta.

The Women for Israel Independence Day luncheon April 29 will feature Ethan Zohn, and the JNF national conference in Israel is Oct 25-29. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 9

LOCAL NEWS

UGA Scholarship Honors Jewish Jurist

By Eddie Samuels

said.

Two of her former clerks, Justice Therese M. StewPhyllis A. Kravitch was never one to back down art of California’s First Appellate District and Jason Alfrom a challenge. She began practicloy, a partner at Atlanta’s Robbins Ross ing law in 1944, almost 10 years before Alloy Belinfante Littlefield LLC, spoke to women were allowed to serve on juries the AJT about Kravitch’s impact on their in the state of Georgia. She was also the then-young careers. third woman in the nation appointed to Stewart’s clerkship was still relativea circuit court seat. Now over 40 of her ly early in the judge’s time on the circuit former clerks are establishing a scholcourt, in 1981. arship in her name at the University of “When I was applying for clerkships, Georgia’s School of Law. there were very few women on the fed“The operative word that I would use eral bench,” Stewart said. “I wasn’t only to describe Judge Kravitch is trailblazer,” applying to women, and a professor of UGA law school Dean Bo Rutledge said. mine who knew that I was particularly in“From the very moment that she graduterested in working for a woman, … called Phyllis A. Kravitch ated from law school and set foot in a me and said she was looking for a woman broke barriers as the Savannah courtroom with her father she clerk. I later learned that Judge Kravitch third female circuit court was fearless. She was undaunted, and would often hold open a spot to see if she judge in the country. she was never afraid to break the next got qualified women applicants.” glass ceiling.”

Stewart made the journey from California — where While Kravitch died in 2017, her legacy lives on in she’d grown up and attended law school — to clerk for those who learned from her, according to Rutledge, who Kravitch in Savannah. saw firsthand the impact she had on his students.

“She had really wanted to work with a firm after “As the dean of the law school and a professor of school but there weren’t any that were going to hire a students who have themselves gone on to clerk for her, woman, so she worked with her father.” Stewart said of those experiences, whether the cases that they were Kravitch. “When she ran for the trial court, her two opworking on or simply the exposure to someone of her ponents dismissed her and did a lot of mudslinging at accomplishment, exert a powerful, inspiring influence each other and she stood out, above the fray.” in the life of a young lawyer or a new law student,” he Stewart explained that Kravitch’s practice with her fa-

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ther gave her experience working with the African American community, who supported her in that election.

“She had a history, both as a woman who had been overlooked and marginalized because of her gender and for working in a pretty segregated area for people who were being mistreated – not to mention the fact that she was Jewish,” Stewart said.

“When President [Jimmy] Carter was looking for qualified women to put on the bench, she stood out.”

Stewart also remiJustice Therese Stewart nisced about the materclerked for Kravitch in 1981. nal way she looked after her clerks, particularly the young women. “It was incredibly charming and infuriating at the same time,” she said.

Alloy, who clerked for Kravitch in 2003, shared his first impressions of her.

“She was already in her 80s, but was so sharp,” he said.

“You couldn’t get anything by her; she was meticulous and paid very close attention to following the law, even if it led to an outcome she might not personally favor.”

He added that his limited time clerking for her sticks with him today.

“I think that what you learn in one year clerking for a judge like Judge Kravitch might be worth more than years of practice experience; it really is something that practice may never be able to replicate,” he said.

Alloy, himself a graduate of UGA law school, believed that the scholarship is the kind of legacy of which Kravitch would approve.

“She’s from Georgia and grew up here and practiced law here,” he said. “She unquestionably had a large impact on the state as a lawyer and a judge, and having a scholarship at the state university’s law school, Jason Alloy believes Judge giving future students Kravitch would be proud the chance to attend in of the scholarship. her name, is something that I think is a great way to honor her.”

Rutledge explained that the scholarship was fully endowed, and thus a permanent fixture at UGA’s law school, noting that he hoped it would foster a sense of community and carry on her legacy through its recipients.

“Over time we will build a cohort of Kravitch scholars who, much like the clerks themselves, will be bonded by being beneficiaries of her legacy,” he said. “If you are the Kravitch scholar at the law school this fall and spend three years learning about this individual, … you might want to become acquainted with the next Kravitch scholar.”

The first Kravitch scholarship will be awarded in the fall of 2020. ■

Letter to the editor: Ya Basta Bre! The recent and ever-increasing violence, terrorism, racism and anti-Semitism in the U.S. is alarming. Each one of us has the responsibility to assure that in addition to being respectful of others’ beliefs and practices, we speak out whenever inequities or misguided perception are present.

Most hate crimes, anti-Semitism, etc. are based on ignorance. Each one of us has the responsibility to educate when the opportunity arises. Uninformed individuals need to be reminded that, as Americans first, we are guided by a set of values, embraced by most if not all religions, of respect, tolerance and understanding of others.

Similarly, those that deviate from American values and laws should understand that actions have consequences.

Individually and collectively, we should all be proactive and subscribe to the Ladino/Spanish refrain; “Ya Basta Bre!”- Enough is Enough!

Dr. Albert Barrocas, Atlanta

OPINION need to come forth and declare that the Jewish and black communities should work in concert as they did back in the 1960s civil rights era. And, they must specifically condemn negative stereotypes regarding Jewish people for what they are: undefendable bigotry.

Al Sharpton, guilty of anti-Semitism in the past, has started this movement forward. Others must join him. Now, not later.

Jack Bernard, Peachtree City

Letter to the editor: Over the last decade, I’ve had hundreds of op-eds in Georgia newspapers and online, publications which reflect my progressive anti-racism views on controversial topics. On every issue, my views as a Southern Jew are the same as most African Americans, not surprising given my past.

However, your 12-30 column, “Jewish Atlanta Reacts to New York Anti-Semitic Stabbing,” clearly left out a key element of the issue: black anti-Semitism. Surprisingly, there’s a hesitancy to ignore black anti-Semitism in both the Jewish and general media.

As similar ADL surveys since 1992 have shown, black anti-Semitism is not a recent thing. Bigotry towards Jews is nearly two-thirds higher in the black community.

The Anti-Defamation League 2016 survey that found that 23 percent of African Americans held anti-Semitic views.

Numerous black leaders have long condoned it and, in some cases, promoted it.

To give just a few examples among the many: *Rep Omar’s “Benjamin” remarks, etc.; *Tamika Mallory, organizer of the Women’s March, called anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam, “the GOAT,” i.e. “the greatest of all time;” * Mallory stated: “Jewish people bore a special collective responsibility as exploiters of black and brown people;” * Per Farrakhan, “the powerful Jews are my enemy,” and “the Jews were responsible for all of this filth and degenerate behavior that Hollywood is putting out turning men into women and women into men.” (Mallory was there and did not object); * Farrakhan praised Adolf Hitler, calling him: “a very great man;” *Jesse Jackson stated: “That’s all Hymie wants to talk about, is Israel; every time you go to Hymietown, that’s all they want to talk about;” *Alice Walker, author and activist, states in the New York Times: “In [David] Icke’s books there is the whole of existence.” Mr. Icke blamed the Jews for the Holocaust.

Unlike most whites, I have a long relationship with (and compassion for) the African American community. My first jobs were with the poverty program, working under black men/women. My territory included the rural Georgia county where Alice Walker was raised. When I received threats to burn down my trailer because I was a “n*****” lover, I left.

I eventually went into the healthcare industry and established the first national GPO minority vendor program, working with major companies and hospital systems to set goals and establish minority set asides. I now do volunteer mentoring of primarily black businesses.

Which, once again, is why it pains me to see that the bigotry of anti-Semitism is more accepted in the black community versus in America as a whole. It’s personally disturbing that the Black Caucus came out against a specific declaration against antiSemitism based on Rep. Omar’s original comments.

House Minority Whip Rep. Clyburn stated: “There are people who tell me, ‘Well, my parents are Holocaust survivors. It’s more personal with her ... I’ve talked to her, and I can tell you she is living through a lot of pain.”

My father, a refugee, lost all of his grandparents to the Holocaust. Was he not living in pain? Does Rep. Omar’s pain supposedly negate his? Is this a contest Rep. Clyburn?

African American leaders like Clyburn must change their one-sided views. They

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

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 11

ISRAEL PRIDE

News From Our Jewish Home

“Promised Land,” part of the Fallen Fruit project, as shown at Tel Aviv’s Genia Schreiber University Art Gallery.

Tel Aviv Art Exhibition Promotes Connection to Plants

A new exhibition called “PLAN(e)T” opened at Tel Aviv’s Genia Schreiber University Art Gallery. The presentation links scientific research and art to depict the beauty, significance and human exploitation of plants.

“Even though we know that plants are developing beings, we mostly place them closer to the world of objects than the world of living things,” the gallery curators said in their notes. “Plants, flowers, and trees make up the backdrop for our lives and serve us as

Today in Israeli History

consumer products, primarily as food.”

The goal of the exhibition is to influence viewers to see plants in a more complex way in order to lessen the divide between people and plants.

American artists David Burns and Austin Young have transformed the entrance to the gallery into a colorful “Promised Land” with floor-to-ceiling wallpaper as part of their project Fallen Fruit. They began the enterprise 15 years ago, mapping public fruit trees in Los Angeles. After being invited to Tel Aviv, the duo visited three times to conduct research; their exhibition includes mapping fruit trees in Tel Aviv as well as depictions of Israeli plants and endangered or extinct birds of prey against what The Times of Israel describes as a “dark, brooding background.”

Tel Aviv University physicist Yasmine Meroz cooperated with artist Liat Segal to create an installation of objects that move in response to light, based on mechanisms and sensors that mimic what Meroz has found in the plant world.

The exhibition also includes the abstract “Weeping Stones” by French artist Stéphane Thidet; a “Hub” comprised of benches of recycled wood among large

potted plants; a series of drawings called “Maps” by artist Noam Rabinovich; and a video of microscopic pollen grains by artist and landscape architect Relli De Vries.

Beginning in March, Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be performed against a backdrop of a living green wall by the university’s theater department.

agreement to obtain $80 million in arms from the Soviet Union. But the idea for the first major U.S. arms deal with Israel goes nowhere under President Dwight Eisenhower, who in 1960 says Israel receives enough weaponry from France and Britain.

nized International Holocaust Remembrance Day is held on the 61st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The president of the U.N. General Assembly, Jan Eliasson, says the commemoration should be “a unifying historic warning around which we must rally, not only to recall the grievous crimes committed in human history, but also to reaffirm our unfaltering resolve to prevent the recurrence of such crimes.”

Women’s Siyum HaShas in Jerusalem

Women Celebrate Talmud Study

More than 3,000 mostly Orthodox Jewish women congregated at the Jerusalem Convention Center for an uplifting and moving Siyum HaShas celebration Jan. 5 of the culmination of a 7 1/2 year period of daily daf yomi Talmud study, The Times of Israel reported.

Technion — Israel Institute of Technology photo //

Dan Shechtman’s work “eventually forced scientists to reconsider their conception of the very nature of matter,” according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Jan. 24, 1941: Dan Shechtman, Israel’s 10th Nobel Prize winner, is born in Tel Aviv. Trained at the Technion, where he teaches, he is on sabbatical at Johns Hopkins University when he discovers by studying the diffraction of X-rays through crystals that some crystals grow without a repeating pattern. He publishes his findings on “quasicrystals” in 1984, and, despite scientific ridicule, he is proved correct and wins the Nobel in chemistry in 2011.

Jan. 25, 1956: Abba Eban, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, and John Foster Dulles, the U.S. secretary of state, discuss a proposal for a $50 million weapons sale in response to Egypt’s 12 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Kent College photo // Hamas supporters

celebrate victory in parliamentary elections Jan. 26, 2006.

Jan. 26, 2006: Hamas wins 76 of the 132 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council during elections in which 77% of eligible voters cast ballots. Fatah, the party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, wins 43 seats. Although Fatah’s corruption and Hamas’ provision of social services are believed to be the main reasons for the results, Hamas’ recognition as a terrorist organization and its rejection of Israel’s existence stand in the way of the peace process.

Jan. 27, 2006: The first U.N.-recog-

Photo by Amos Ben Gershom, Israeli Government Press Office // President Shimon Peres, who

in 1996 was the target of protests over the dumping of Ethiopian-Israeli blood, visits the Reshit school in Jerusalem in January 2012 in response to more episodes of discrimination toward Ethiopian Jews.

Jan. 28, 1996: About 10,000 Ethiopian Jews demonstrate outside Prime Minister Shimon Peres’ office to protest the government’s decision to accept blood donations from thousands of Ethiopian Israelis, only to throw away the blood for fear of spreading the AIDS virus. The disposal builds on feelings of humiliation and discrimination.

“It’s no longer a locked book in front of us, but rather every single person can learn,” said Michelle Cohen Farber of the Talmud. She is the co-founder of the Hadran organization that arranged the event.

It was billed as the first global event of its kind, and it also celebrated the decadeslong effort to mainstream intensive women’s Talmud study.

“This is a formative moment for us all,” said Farber, before she said the “Shehechiyanu” prayer.

“This study of the daf hayomi doesn’t presume to reach the heights of Jewish scholarship or the depths of inventiveness,” said Rabbi Benny Lau, referring to criticism of daf yomi style Talmud study. “It’s … the adoption of a language. Of turning a foreign language into a mother tongue.”

There are now “thousands of women, who come and say, we are coming to learn this intimate language, the deepest, most synchronized with the Jewish pulse,” he added.

From the stage, the hosts invited all the women in the crowd who had completed the entire Talmud to stand up and recite the concluding prayer with them. About 30 women stood, to loud applause. ■ When police deploy water cannons and tear gas, the protest turns into a riot, injuring several officers and damaging many cars.

Jan. 29, 2004: Israel frees more than 430 Arab prisoners to win the release of an Israeli businessman abducted in Dubai in October 2000 and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers captured the same month along the Lebanese border

by Hezbollah and killed in captivity.

The Palestinian Authority and Hezbollah celebrate the exchange. Israelis are divided, in part because the swap happens the same day as a bus bombing in Jerusalem.

Jan. 30, 1958: During a meeting in Ankara, Turkey, Secretary of State John Foster Dulles says the United States is committed to the defense of the Baghdad Pact nations: the Muslim-majority states of Iran, Iraq, Pakistan and Turkey, plus the United Kingdom. Dulles’ statement is seen as an extension of the Eisenhower Doctrine, under which any Middle Eastern country threatened by a Communist regime can seek U.S. economic aid. ■ Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (www. israeled.org), where you can find more details.

ISRAEL NEWS Few Israel Parties Remain

By Jan Jaben-Eilon Since Israel was founded in 1948, nearly 200 different political parties have competed in the many national elections.

A majority of these parties survived only a few years, and most are no longer around. About half of the 200 managed to capture seats in the Israeli parliament, or Knesset, at one point or another.

On March 2, in the third wave of elections to be held in less than a year, Israeli voters will choose from 30 different parties.

But according to Dr. Ofer Kenig, a researcher at the Jerusalem-based Israel Democracy Institute, the record low number of parties in the outgoing Knesset may be broken in the upcoming election with a new low.

“Based on recent opinion surveys, only eight [party] lists are expected to make it past the threshold and into the Knesset,” he said, pointing out that the current Knesset is comprised of nine parties. He explained that the declining number of parties is a result of the Knesset raising the electoral threshold in 2015 to 3.25 percent, meaning each party must capture more than 3.25 percent of votes cast in order to be seated in the 120-member Knesset.

That means, like in most elections before this one, parties that the American Jewish community never hears about will essentially disappear on March 3.

In the past, parties such as Man’s Rights in the Family Party, The Pirate Party of Israel, or the Casino Party List didn’t make it into Israel’s consciousness, let alone America’s. Other parties such as the Center Party, The Third Way and Shinui (Change) party came and Laborwent.

GesherThis time around, one Meretz of the newest parties, MishBlue pat Tzedek, or Fair Trial, aland ready is being written off by White political pundits. Mishpat Tzedek is headed by Larissa Yamina Trimbobler-Amir, wife of Likud Yigal Amir, assassin of the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who received a life sentence for his crime. The Joint Central Elections CommitList tee, which must approve all Yisrael registered parties, agreed Beitenu that Mishpat Tzedek could Shas compete in the election as long as it doesn’t condone UTJ the assassination. Mother of the assassin, Guela Amir, is number

six on the list of the party whose goal is to obtain a retrial for Amir and other “unjustly jailed prisoners.”

After the elections last April and September, no party was able to cobble together a majority coalition. Neither the various parties on the right of the political spectrum nor the left could muster the majority of 61 votes. As of this writing, observers are not expecting any real change in the upcoming election.

The IDI does foresee, however, a continuing decline in the number of women in the Knesset, dropping to fewer than 30 of the 120 members. In the April election, the number of female Knesset members declined from 35 in 2015 to 30. That placed Israel’s international ranking of female representation at 69th, down from 54th in 2015.

The only real wild card in this March election is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s future. This week the Knesset was to convene to vote on the creation of a committee that will review Netanyahu’s request for immunity in three corruption cases. Both in that committee, and in the wider Knesset, lawmakers are expected to vote against granting him immunity.

He is the first sitting prime minister to be indicted, in his case, for bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Only if or when the immunity is rejected, will a trial date be set in the Jerusalem District Court.

Number of Women Expected in the Upcoming Knesset Anticipated # of party’s seats in the Knesset

Anticipated places (within party) of women’s seats in the Knesset

Anticipated % of women in the Knesset

11

2, 4, 6, 10

36%

33

7, 10, 13, 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, 25, 31

30%

7

3, 7

29%

32

6, 10, 18, 23, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32

28%

13

5, 8

15%

8

5

12.50%

9

-

0%

7

-

0%

Source: Israel Democracy Institute ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 13

CAMP Camp Bonds Foster Jewish Continuity

By Paula Baroff Heading into a new decade, Jewish summer camp has the unique capacity to continue to not only provide fun Jewish experiences but build stronger year-round connections and bonds that can last a lifetime.

“I just look around our community and I see the bonds and the connections people have, not just in Atlanta, but across the Southeast” that developed from camp, said Eric Robbins, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

“I think it’s the roots of Jewish identity for so many of us, Eric Robbins said camp is where but just as imhe learned about leadership, portantly, very, friendship and hardship, and he very, deep reladraws upon that every day. tionships that are multi-generational.”

Robbins attended camp growing up. After his first session at 10 years old, he loved it so much he refused

14 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

to leave, and ended up staying for the entire summer.

“I know today that so many of our children are having the same experience and building the same bonds and the same deep-rooted connections.”

The opportunities camp brings for children to form close bonds in a natural setting is significant in a time of increased technology and social change, Robbins said. “We don’t spend as much time with people, so camp is even more important. It takes us back to the basics of being with people and being in groups.

“I think our way through anything, both good and bad times, are through very strong relationships. I just think camp, when you live with people day in and day out, when you’re immersed in an experience with them, the relationships you build are incredible. And those relationships will get us through the good and the bad times, whatever the world brings us.”

According to those interviewed for this story, camps foster impactful Jewish experiences that allow these types of close relationships to continue throughout the year, both formally and informally, such as through social media, youth movements and life cycle events.

Camp Coleman, which is affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism, has a youth movement for both middle and high schoolers that helps to maintain a Jewish environment throughout the year. Bobby Harris, Camp Coleman’s director, said a lot of campers love being involved in youth groups and conventions be-

cause they have a built-in calendar where they’re able to see their friends from the summer.

“There are a lot of people who keep in touch with their camp friends throughout the year. That’s one way the Jewish connection doesn’t stop after the summer,” Harris said. “Because a lot of our kids come from congregations, when the bar and bat mitzvah scene gets going, a lot of those kids are going to each other’s simchas. That occurs a lot.”

Synagogues often help to cultivate the relationships through youth groups or events that center around camp. “A lot of our congregations have a ‘Return from Camp Shabbat’ Bobby Harris thinks more connection and a ‘Sendto camp throughout the year yields off Shabbat.’... stronger Jewish connections.

It’s fostering that kind of connection for the kids to come together as campers and see the connection they have between the temple and their camp,” Harris said.

Harris also spoke about the privilege of watching Jewish kids grow up together and continue cultivating Jewish communities. “This will be my 29th summer [at Camp Coleman.] I’ve been able to see kids who invited each other to their bar or bat mitzvah, to their weddings, baby namings, and then seeing their kids off to camp.

I’ve watched these groups stay together from when they were 10 or 12 to now when they’re in their 40s.”

Jewish Education Project’s 2019 Gen Z Now study found that teens involved in youth organizations often have a rich history of Jewish formal educational experiences, including camp, and that youth programming throughout the year has a significant impact on how teens see their Jewish identity: “Teens in YSOs [youthserving organizations] rate themselves higher on almost every GenNow outcome we measured.”

Along with formal youth movements, Camp Coleman uses social media to keep the connections alive throughout the year by engaging people on platforms such as Instagram. During Rosh Hashanah, Camp Coleman posted the recipe for apple brown betty, a popular dessert at Camp Coleman that has become camp tradition, and asked people to tag pictures of themselves eating it. “I would say the more connection to camp throughout the year, the more a person is deepening their connection to the Jewish community and developing their own Jewish identity,” Harris said.

In 2018, the Foundation for Jewish Camp conducted a study called Outcomes & Impacts of Jewish Day Camp to design better surveys that measure the effectiveness of day camps in achieving their missions. “Our research revealed a general consensus among key stakeholders that attending a Jewish day camp not only helps campers develop socially, but contributes significantly to their ‘Jewish journey’ through life.” As an example, a majority

CAMP of parents (79 percent) rated day camps’ much fun they’ll have, and they’ll create performance as “good” or “excellent” Jew- the bonds that we have. We just can’t ish learning environments based on a wait for them to experience that.”

She also knows how incredibly imstudy of JCC camps in 2011.

“We are fortunate to have great portant summer camp is for the develJewish camps surrounding the Atlanta opment of Jewish children and commucommunity,” said Jay Kaiman, president nity. “Camp, in general, is good for kids,” of The Marcus Foundation. “I see grand- she said. “It teaches them independence; parents, parents, and kids today who it teaches them responsibility; it teaches still talk about their Jewish camp life them leadership, self-confidence, social and how it impacted their Jewish iden- skills; and also, most importantly, they learn new skills as tity. It works. For well, things they most kids, it works wouldn’t necessarin shaping Jewish ily pick up on someidentity and makes where else other them feel part of than that environsomething bigger ment.” than themselves.”

Adding the JewJim Mittenthal, ish aspect to that director of Camp stack of benefits alBarney Medintz, is lows children who still inspired by his may not receive a own experiences Jewish background growing up at sumelsewhere to gain it mer camp. “The Jim Mittenthal said camp brings Jewish in a fun, informal essence of my Jewexpression to a child’s life and connects setting: “They actuish soul came from them to the global Jewish community. ally may gain more those summers,” he said. Like Harris, he sees campers going out of it because they don’t realize that out of their way to continue camp rela- they’re even learning.”

Another benefit of camp is that chiltionships throughout the year through dren are given opportunities to build Jewish events.

“I’m sent photos of these kids tra- leadership skills that transfer easily to versing the Southeast attending each the “real world,” and camp is sometimes other’s bar and bat mitzvahs,” he said. worth more, in that way, than other “It’s not just a reunion. There’s some- leadership experiences such as internthing very special about kids wanting to ships, Kurtz said. “I worked year-round celebrate their Jewish life cycle moments for Young Judaea and Camp Judaea, and people used to ask me, ‘When are together with their camp friends.”

Holly Kurtz, who was a camper and you going to go get a real job?’ And my then program director for Camp Judaea, answer always was that this is the most has experienced firsthand the sorts of real job anyone could ever have,” she deep relationships and community build- said. “You’re not only responsible for the lives and welfare of children, but you’re ing described by Mittenthal and Harris.

“You just create this automatic bond also molding them into future leaders that nobody else understands because in the Jewish world and just in general. you were in this intense, exciting envi- The leadership skills that you develop at ronment with them and going through camp really help mold you.”

Mittenthal has seen former campers the motions with them. I don’t even know how to explain it. I don’t even know how go on to be leaders and volunteers in the to put in words. They’re different from Atlanta Jewish community, inspired by the experiences they had at camp growing other relationships,” Kurtz said.

She has many groups of close up. There are many Jewish organizations friends, but camp friends share a dif- throughout Atlanta and the United States ferent sort of bond. “Whatever happens, where the presence of former campers is if I need something or vice versa, we’re noticed and appreciated, he said.

“I’m doing what I’m doing because always there for each other. It doesn’t matter how many years have passed; I had that kind of experience Jewishly,” you just end up picking up where you he said. “I think it is woven into everything we do, … nobody is leaving camp left off.”

Kurtz is planning to send her own just having the things that you see in two young children to Camp Judaea. brochures and websites. They’re leaving “We have been counting down the years with much more depth of a culturally since both of our children were born for Jewish experience at Camp Barney and them to have this experience,” she said. a way of choosing to live their life in be“We know how important it is and how tween summers.” ■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 15

CAMP

Georgia Camps to Address Mental Health, Disabilities

Roni Robbins

When a child arrives at camp for the summer, they may not just be shlepping along duffle bags and backpacks, but other baggage as well. The mental, emotional, sensory and social health

kind.

For that reason, Camp Barney Medintz and URJ Camp Coleman are grateful for a new Yedid Nefesh (beloved soul) grant funded by The Marcus Foundation through the Foundation for Jewish Camp helping to address mental health at camp. The North Georgia camps are among 32 selected from more than 90 applicants for the first round of $3.2 million in grants designed to help camps address mental, emotional and social health (MESH).

Camp Barney also received a $55,000 Yashar (level, integrity) Initiative match-

16 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The Doris Zaban Chapel at Camp Barney Medintz is a great place to relax and unwind each week.

ing grant from the FJC and The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation to help offset costs in creating a sensory

space building, grow the camp’s inclusion team, and create high-quality professional development training focused on the inclusion of campers with disabilities. Matching funds for this initiative came from Gail and Lyons Heyman.

Only 15 Jewish camps received $2.8 million in funds to increase access and promote inclusion of campers and staff with a range of disabilities. The camps also commit to increase their number of campers with disabilities to at least 5 percent of the total camp population, according to FJC. Camp Barney Director Jim Mittenthal said, “The reality is that we value a child’s mental health for 12 months out of the year.” That includes the 11 months children are with their families and the two or four weeks at overnight camp, he said. During the time away from camp, children with mental health issues or other disabilities receive intervention from parents, clinical professionals and psychotherapists, among others. “It would be a missed opportunity to not have that same level of support system at Camp Barney.”

Considering Camp Barney also has doctors and nurses on staff, Mittenthal said it made sense to also create a department at camp for mental health professionals. Last summer, through a grant from the Ron & Lisa Brill Family Charitable Trust, the camp hired five such community care staffers and about a month ago began construction of an 800-square-foot building overlooking

one of the camp’s lakes.

“It’s a place they can exhale,” he said. Campers with sensory issues can escape the noise or social pressures that sometimes accompany camp activities by donning noise-canceling headphones or snuggling under a weighted blanket, known to calm anxiety, he said. Or they can chat with a mental health professional. There will also be a relaxing water feature and rocking chairs.

The building is expected to be completed in the spring in time for camp, Mittenthal said.

The Yedid Nefesh grant also will allow Camp Barney to add activities such as art projects that “enable kids to express themselves,” yoga, meditation, theater, journaling and listening to, writing and performing music.

The new mental health clinicians will continue to train and offer strategies for counselors for addressing mental health issues. Before last year, visiting mental health professionals and Mittenthal, formerly a child and family psychotherapist, trained the staff and camp counselors, he said.

Issues of mental health might include homesickness. “For a child it does not get much harder than that. It feels as challenging as any illness. A counselor might notice aggressive behavior that has nothing to do with kids in their cabin or at camp. It might be a reflection of his or her chemistry, family dynamics or peer relationships.”

Camp Coleman Director Bobby Har-

CAMP

Shabbat at Camp Barney is known as a time to recharge, nourish the soul and meditate.

ris said the Yedid Nefesh grant allows the camp to add more staff to its “camper care” team. It also enables them to “more readily and more frequently meet with families prior to camp” and address concerns related to emotional and mental health, “to set the family and the camper up for success.”

The grant will allow for better communication with the family on an ongoing basis. “Having the resources to have those conversations is important so whatever shows up, camp is prepared for it.”

Harris said that some people believed that simply by sending a child to camp, they would be cured. “It’s a myth because whatever is going on in their life doesn’t just go away.

“If they are depressed, that’s not just going to go away; relationship or family issues are going to show up” at camp.

“No one can anticipate exactly what will

come up, but we’ll be more capable to respond to it,” he said.

The grant will also allow for staff training on mental health and social issues throughout the year instead of just the seven days before camp begins.

In the future, the camp will create more private meeting rooms and safe spaces for campers to call their therapists or meet with a social worker. The grant “allows us to dream what we want to do.”

FJC CEO Jeremy Fingerman said about the Yedid Nefesh grants, “We’re thrilled both Camp Barney Medintz and URJ Camp Coleman – both large, leading Jewish camps – have been selected for the first round of this important initiative.

Led by highly respected, veteran directors, we feel confident that their participation and experiences will help inform camps across North America and our broader Jewish community.” ■

The new sensory space will overlook Lake Wendy, where water sports can release pent-up energy and allow campers to unwind.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 17

CAMP

Where Do Orthodox Atlantans Send Kids to Camp?

By Suzi Brozman

Jewish values. But egalitarianism is a nonstarter for most observant families.

Sylvan Wallenstein grew up in When you decide to send your kids away to summer camp, what do you con- Queens. He spent summers in the 1950s sider? Location? Cost? Friends attending? in Camp Massad in the Poconos, Pa. HePrograms such as sports, arts and crafts, brew was the language spoken there, givacademics, special needs? Timing? All rel- ing kids an excellent grounding in the ancient tongue, as well as evant and important. But an education in Zionism. if you’re in an observant There were sports galore, Jewish home, there is one including baseball, soccer, other consideration to basketball, archery and take into account – does swimming, arts and crafts, the camp reflect how you singing and dancing, along live your life the rest of the with Hebrew classes, theyear? ater and more. As part of Rabbi Adam Starr of their Zionistic goal, campCongregation Ohr HaToers could go to Israel. Part rah wants to see kids in of Yeshiva University, camps that provide an imCamp Massad no longer mersive religious environexists. ment that kids love. If your Gila Wenger attends Camp Deborah Broyde family observes Shabbat Stone in Pennsylvania. chose Camp Stone because and kosher laws, you probably wouldn’t be happy with a camp that her older sister Rachel went there. Debodrives kids to McDonald’s on the way to a rah started at age 7, and has continued unFriday night co-ed dance. Not a problem til now, spending the last several summers for most people, but not reflective of the as a counselor. “I loved it,” she exclaims.

“It was amazing. I learned Jewish history. atmosphere in most Orthodox homes.

Most Orthodox parents choose a I experienced an intense life, loving Israel, camp that provides a well-rounded expe- practical and Zionistic, from a religious rience for their children. Daniel Wenger, and historical perspective.” So incredible a member of Ohr HaTorah, a modern Or- was this experience that Deborah, like her thodox synagogue, is sending his eldest older sister, has made aliyah. Now 19, she daughter, 11-year-old Gila, to Camp Stone lives in Jerusalem.

Camp Stone offers a life filled with in Pennsylvania.

He describes the atmosphere: “Every Torah and avodah (work). Deborah likactivity is crafted to be done with Jewish ened it to living on a kibbutz where evvalues in mind. At home, your children eryone participates in all aspects of life are exposed to many different environ- and contributes to all activities. At Camp ments — home, school, clubs, shul and Stone, boys and girls eat and daven (pray) more. They’re all interrelated, but not with separately but do have activities togethone experiential viewpoint. But sleepaway er where appropriate. “I got a lot from camp can provide this immersion for one camp,” she said. “I’m glad I went there and to two months, giving the child an amaz- worked there. Now I see how much effort goes with working there.” ing time in a fully Jewish world.”

Her father, Rabbi Michael Broyde, Some “old timers” relate the idea that Jewish sleepaway camps developed an Emory Law School professor, agreed. because many Jews, living in New York’s “Both of my daughters, Deborah and RaLower East Side, wanted their children to chel, went to Camp Stone for many years. have an escape from the city’s miserably It was fundamental to their growth and development as traditional Orthodox hot summer days with nothing to do.

So camps began to grow. Often as- Jews. Indeed, both of them now live in sociated with movements, emphasis on Israel and there is no doubt that this is a organizations or Zionism were expected tribute to Camp Stone.”

Sometimes people choose camps for or even welcomed. In fact, many camps today retain those ties. Some camps asso- more specific reasons. Rachelle Freedciated with the Conservative movement, man, whose name is familiar to anyone such as Camp Ramah Darom in North involved in Atlanta’s Jewish theater life, Georgia, offer much that attracts the ob- chose Camp Maor in the Poconos for her servant community. Camp Ramah is ko- girls. Camp Maor is a performing arts sher, somewhat shomer Shabbat (Shabbat camp for Jewish girls, particularly obserobservant), and it offers a program full of vant girls whose custom is not to sing or 18 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CAMP

Hannah Freedman, 13, attends Temima high school for girls when not at Camp Maor in the Poconos.

Rachel and Deborah Broyde at Camp Stone.

dance in front of men. Freedman wanted her girls, who are passionate about theater, to have the opportunity to meet other Jewish girls with similar interests.

“It’s nature and nurture,” she explained. “Kids make friends with others who share their passions. It’s important for them to meet others who live this life, to know they are not alone.” In addition to daily shirim (classes), there’s a lake and pool and varied sports. Girls choose majors and minors. At the end of the session, they give a non-musical performance, after which the men leave and the girls per-

form music for their mothers, in the spirit of kol isha, not performing in front of men but giving girls a place to shine. They take a trip to see a Broadway show, with a class from an actress in that show. This is always a highlight of the summer.

So while it looks like observant kids are limited, in truth the opportunities are limitless, letting children experience sports, crafts, theater, education and much more, all the while absorbing the halachic norms prized in their homes and helping them grow into strong, Jewishly knowledgeable and active adults. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 19

CAMP

Summer Camp at Atlanta Jewish Academy

By Brooke Rosenthal

vendors are brought in to facilitate a highquality program. KesIt’s a common sler also pointed out thought many parents that the camp “has a have as spring apheimish, family feel. proaches: What will We [depend upon] a the kids do this sumlot of word of mouth – mer? This is not a fliplast year was all school pant question. Workstudents and their ing parents need to siblings. The goal is stay on similar schedto grow slowly, focus ules, and the children on quality.” This year need quality, engaged NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, center, will visit the AJA camp. He is Learning about nature and the outdoors Camp Kef is extendcare during those sumpictured here with Kenny Williams, a former NBA player and Israel professional at Camp Kef are Evan and Adam Bettsack, ing its reach, trying mer hours. player and Rodney Zimmerman, a former UCLA and NBA player.

Lian Gass, Joey Shapiro and Leora Gal. to capture non-Jewish This year, Atlanta Jewish Academy has two exciting ketball and shifted his focus to create his of the week, those goals are plugged into a members of the community, as there is options. The first is Extreme Action Bas- company, Conditioned Minds, Inc. rubric for the children to work on moving no Judaic content in the weekly programketball Camp, which offers an energetic When asked what does “extreme ac- forward. “Basketball and sports are used as ming. The camp has an enrollment goal of and dynamic teaching camp for boys and tion” mean, Zimmerman said, “I developed tools to teach all life lessons. The success of 50 children per week.

Both Camp Kef and Extreme Action girls, ages 6 to 17. This is more than just this program 10 years ago in a Colorado this camp is being able to show outcomes run June 8-12, June 15-19, June 22-26, and basketball. Character development, focus camp to engage young people towards their after the process,” Zimmerman said.

June 29-July 3. The skills, goals setting, and follow-through are excitement edge. We push them to their exSpecial guests hours are Monday equally emphasized alongside the physical treme point of abilities, past their comfort during camp will through Thursday aspects of the training. former level and to their edge in different areas [of include 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (FriAJA Athletic Director Rodney Zim- development].”

Atlanta Hawks days end at 2 p.m.). merman is the principal behind the camp.

In the beginning of the week, par- player Dikembe Optional extended After seven years in both the NBA and Eu- ticipants will articulate individual starting Mutombo, plus morning and afrope, Rodney retired from the game of bas- goals for sports and life skills. At the end women from the ternoon hours are WNBA team, the available for an adAtlanta Dream, ditional fee. offering opportuThe cost is nities to receive $240 per child per coaching and feedweek if registered back from profesbefore April 1. The sional basketball price goes up to players.

When $340 per week if meeting with the Adam Bettsack enjoys a water slide, registered after campers, these among activities offered at Camp Kef. the early deadline. guests will focus more on the character development and Faculty and staff of any Atlanta area school goals- setting portion of the camp’s focus, will receive the rate of $240 per child per rather than throwing balls together around week if registered before May 1. Sibling disthe court. Interaction with the campers counts are also offered.

The basketball camp will be held in will be personal, and these accomplished players will offer life lessons and leader- AJA’s Minsk Gymnasium, a year-old facility containing a sensory room, indoor basship development ideas.

If basketball or anything “extreme” ketball court and locker rooms. This is the is not for your child or you have younger second summer for Extreme Action at this kids, AJA’s popular after school program location. Other locations are in Gwinnett extends into the summer as Camp Kef (He- County and Colorado Springs, Colo.

Camp Kef will use space in the newly brew for fun), which is for boys and girls built high school building on the AJA camages 3 to 10.

The four-week schedule includes: pus. Both camps are located at 5200 Northcrafts, cooking and music; science, nature land Drive in Sandy Springs. Participants and outdoors; sports, play and movement; bring their own sack lunch. Daily kosher and crafts, nature, sports (mixed media snacks and Friday pizza are included in the week). AJA began offering the camp a year pricing for both camps. A kosher canteen ago, as a result of parent and faculty re- will be offered on Fridays, with food for quest. When asked what separates Camp purchase.

For more information and to register, Kef from other summer day camps in the area, camp director Alexa Kessler said, visit www.atljewishacademy.org/. From “Our incredible vendors. These people are the athletics and events dropdown menu, the best in their specialty.” Each week, new click on summer camps. ■ 20 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Photo by Duane Stork // Bruce Harvey poses in his multilevel 1920s office building among the original bricks and Paige’s paintings.

Chai Style Art

Art Meets Justice and Sparks Fly Envision relics from The Gold Club, Perry Mason Marcia: You come off as being a bad ass dude with novels, and MLK mementoes alongside ephemeral oil tatts and the notorious hair braid. paintings reflecting nature and faraway travel. This conBruce: Actually, I had a traditional Jewish backtradiction exists at high-profile criminal defense attor- ground growing up in Worcester, Mass. We headed ney Bruce Harvey’s downtown office building, a stone’s South when my father joined the faculty of the Univerthrow from wife Paige’s brick-walled, warehouse-style sity of Georgia business school, which I attended. After art gallery. an MBA, I headed to UGA law school.

Paige’s 4,000-square-foot studio and As to my appearance, I work out to Bruce’s office are Manhattan Soho-like stay in shape. I joke that “if I cut my hair, structures replete with her flowing abstracts my brains would fall out.” My tattoos are of galloping animals and 12-foot-high ceilmostly dragons and my shirts are monoings backdropping rescue pup Rocky. grammed with an old jailhouse symbol 13 Paige recalls, “A series I painted after ½ : one judge, one jury – and half a chance. traveling around Ethiopia reflects my memoMy dad advised me to always do the ries of a country washed by rivers, waterfalls, right thing and to remember “what goes grain and rain, and streams of orthodox pilaround comes around.” But I had zero head grims draped in white and gathered in the for business; however, the Jewish ideals of Marcia underground stone churches of Lalibela.” study, reasonableness and rationality have Bruce’s multilayered 1920s office build- Caller Jaffe served me well. ing lies across from the downtown Skyview Ferris wheel near Centennial Park and displays Paige’s Marcia: What’s with The Gold Club jacket? interpretation of an electric chair. Can’t get any more Bruce: No one I represented in that case went to jail. explicit than that! Fortunately, none of Bruce’s clients That’s my artform – a commitment to justice. I think have ended up in that type of chair. With his trademark that defendants’ rights are paramount in my profession. ponytail and Mezlan shoes, Harvey’s trials are fodder This leads to frequent weekends visiting clients in jail. for newspaper cover stories.

Listen in on this couple who likes to switch things up.

Marcia: Paige, where did you meet this jurispru-

Photo by Duane Stork // The Harveys relax with Rocky, a mixed

breed rescue that they jokingly call a “teacup” Great Dane.

Background: Paige’s “Convergence on a Gold Ground #3,” 2018 74-by-80-inch oil on canvas, right. On the easel is Paige’s work in progress.

dent rogue?

Paige: I was an art teacher in Tallulah Falls, where Bruce visited to play in a rugby tournament.

We spend our time now between Atlanta and our internet-free beach cottage in Oregon. During trips to remote destinations like Indonesia, Rwanda or Democratic Republic of Congo, our cells phones were used for photos only.

Living with someone structured like Bruce is a challenge, as I am prone to pop off to birdwatch or find a subject to paint. Bruce is one few people in the world I cannot teach to draw. His creativity is in the world of legal defense, which has defined his career.

Marcia: Some of your paintings sell for five figures.

Describe your art.

Paige: I paint mostly with oil on canvas. My subjects are grounded in nature and reflect growing up in the country, riding horses and living on a farm. It has also been influenced by art history, travel and observing nature, as well as teaching drawing and painting. Subjects for a series might include weeks in Nepal; trekking, observing such sights as the intricate carvings of Bhaktapur, houses with bamboo walls, or women dressed in patterned saris with elaborate gold ornaments working the rice terraces.

Marcia: What are your methods?

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 21

CHAI STYLE Photo by Jason Burnett // “Above and Below #2,”

acrylic on paper. Work on paper was for a show in Paris at Espace Christiane Peugeot.

Paige was amused to see Parisians taking selfies with her versions of The Eiffel Tower.

Photo by Duane Stork // Papier-mâché puppet of Hindu goddess, Kali, who is worshipped as the preserver

of nature, contrasts Paige’s oil “Swift Shadows,” 77-by-80-inch, on canvas, 2003.

Paige: I invariably have three or four works in progress. I use a broad palette in every work.

I may sketch before painting, but the results are rarely a direct response to that, meaning I go off script. Once a dealer informed me that a client specifically rejected orange and green in a large commissioned work. Naturally, I returned to the studio and painted half the 7-foot-wide canvas orange and the other half green. All the other integrated layers grew from that vibrant base. The client was pleased and never realized the base colors.

I wrote my MFA thesis about Antoni Gaudi’s Guell Colony chapel, whose organic forms remain important to me.

Though my studio is downtown, I treasure the sights and sounds of an urban forest. Our house has the longest residential border of Fernbank Forest; we are frequently serenaded by owls, pileated woodpeckers and songbirds including the Eastern Phoebes that raised two broods of chicks in our garage. The nest was in the rafters over Bruce’s new Tesla. He didn’t find it too funny.

Marcia: What other artists do you collect? Role models?

Paige: Which do I collect or which do I wish I could collect?

Old favorites include Arshile Gorky, Chaim Sou-

Photo by Duane Stork // Study in Gallery From left, Paige’s “Soque Frolic with Palomino,” 70-by-43-inch, 2017, oil on canvas, center, certificate from Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for visiting mountain gorilla families. Canvas, right, “Oregon Series: Sea Lion Cave,” 58-by-58-inch oil on canvas. 2018. The furniture is mid-century modern. Far right sculpture by Sandi Grow.

22 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHAI STYLE Photo by Duane Stork // The electric chair

paper collage is from Paige’s early work.

Fortunately, none of Bruce’s clients have ended up in “the chair.”

Photo by Jason Burnett // “Tidal Pool” series, mixed media Nudibranch, 2012.

This series is the culmination of the Paige’s portrayal of the dramatic power of the Oregon coast.

tine, Alice Neel, Lee Krasner, Helen Frankenthaler, Rosa Bonheur, Beverly Buchanan, and Julie Mehretu. Elaine de Kooning was my graduate advisor and held ad hoc salons for us. I considered her a major voice of 20th century painting. Fay Gold was my dealer for years.

Bruce and I collect more sculpture than painting.

Our walls fill up with my canvases. Eclecticism is our only theme so our rather random collection ranges from African sculptures to a Robert Clements steel “literary” obelisk featuring quotes from southern writers.

Marcia: Did your parents live to see you as a success?

Bruce: Depends on how you classify “success.” My parents embarrassingly came to my first murder trial.

Imagine my chagrin when the judge had to shush my mother for making comments on the witnesses’ performance during the proceedings. They subsequently followed my trials via the Fulton Daily Report and the AJC. Marcia: Why the Mezlan shoes?

Bruce: Didn’t O.J. Simpson prefer them? ■

Photo by Jason Burnett // “Nocturnal Realm” was among Paige’s works created for

an exhibit inspired by birding in three African countries.

Oil on canvas.

Photo by Duane Stork // Bruce landed this original

jacket from The Gold Club. Note that none of his clients went to jail in this case.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 23

ART First Female Cantor Sings a Difficult Tune

By Bob Bahr In 1975, Barbara Ostfeld walked down the broad marble center aisle of Temple Emanu-El in New York City to become ordained as the first woman cantor in the 2,000-year history of rabbinic Judaism. It was a high-profile role for which she now admits she was not fully prepared. In her newly published memoir “Catbird: The Ballad of Barbi Prim” she recounts the difficult life she endured as a pioneering figure in American Jewish life.

Ostfeld will discuss her book and help conduct the Shabbat service at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 7 at Temple Emanu-El with Cantor Lauren Adesnik. Ostfeld will have a book talk and lead a free community concert of cantorial music with five Atlanta cantors, sponsored by Greater Atlanta Hadassah and Israel Bonds, at 4 p.m. Feb. 9 at Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell.

We asked her how she decided to become a cantor: Ostfeld: As a child when I sang solo in temple, I felt important and good.

24 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

And so I found that the synagogue was a very comfortable, warm, communal, safe place for me as a kid. And in other settings, partly due to anti-Semitism, but partly because I was kind of an oddball, I felt uncomfortable and out of place.

But the synagogue always felt like home.

And so I decided as a little kid and in children’s choir that I wanted to be a cantor when I grew up.

AJT: You were only 17 when you were accepted by Hebrew Union College, the Reform seminary in 1970. What was it like, those five years in New York?

Ostfeld: It was lonely. There were very few women faculty members, maybe there was one or two. And they were considerably older. And I was just alone in this sea of male rabbinical and cantorial students who were considerably older than me. So I was their babysitter.

I was like their little sister. And they were very kind to me, very welcoming, very accepting. No worries on that score. But I was lonely for female friendship and companionship.

AJT: What happened after you grad-

Cantor Ostfeld will lead five Reform cantors at a free concert in her honor next month at Temple Beth Tikvah.

Pictured here are four of them.

Cantor Barbara Ostfeld was honored with the prestigious Debbie Friedman Award for Contributions to Jewish Music at the Union for Reform Judaism’s biennial convention in Chicago in December.

AJT: And why did you seek psychouated? You were suddenly in the public therapy? spotlight.

Ostfeld: Because I knew I was sinkOstfeld: It was very, very difficult. At age 23, I took a large pulpit in Great Neck, ing, and I was depressed and anxious all the time. And I N.Y., which at the needed to deal time was a very with it in order programmatito find happically complex ness and fulfillsynagogue. And ment, personally, I plugged in all professionally these ways that and intellectucantors plug in. ally. And so I was S c h o o l smart enough to hadn’t prepared ask for a referral me for the kind to a psychiatrist. of cantorial life Then I basically I was expected stayed in psychoto lead. The pultherapy all this pit in those days time. was more formal. There was AJT: How do more emphasis people react to on performance your story and than there is all the hardships now. And so I you endured? was always havOstfeld: ing to superThe most intercharge myself esting thing that for public moThe recently published memoir by Cantor Barbara happens wherments.

Ostfeld details the personal and professional ever I speak I learned on challenges of the first ordained female cantor. is that people, my feet how to make hospital calls, how to teach b’nai women, but also men, approach me and mitzvah students, when there were a tell me that I’ve told their story, too, and that they’ve identified very closely with hundred bar and bat mitzvahs a year.

What to do with the junior choir of certain parts of the book and with cersome 60 kids? It was all a whirlwind. I tain parts of my journey from anxiety to stayed on my feet, but just barely. And I health.

They often have tears in their eyes as was incredibly anxious the whole time, they tell me this, so I know that what I’d but I managed.

The reason I managed was because I hoped for has come to pass. That my stohad I had good and targeted psychother- ry would resonate with people and that it apy. And that enabled me to process what would affirm them and their choices and was happening in my life and enabled me encourage them to make good decisions in their lives. ■ to cope with the rigors of pulpit life.

ART

Story of Survival in Philippines During Holocaust

By Bob Bahr An audacious plan to save thousands of Jews in Germany and Austria during the Holocaust was first hatched around a friendly game of poker in the Philippines, half a world away from where Jews were being threatened with annihilation.

The plan was first suggested by two Jewish brothers, Alex and Herbert Frieder from Cincinnati, who had operated a cigar factory in the Philippines Islands in what was then the American Commonwealth in the Pacific and subject to American immigration laws.

They had become alarmed at the violent rise of anti-Semitism in Europe and one evening, while playing poker with the president of the Philippines, Manuel Quezon, Jews have lived in the Philippines since the 1870s. This they asked if there wasn’t a way to bring community seder was held in Manila in 1925. some of the endangered Jews to safety.

500 at the time. Quezon, himself, offered The story of how the plan was put into years before World War II. action is the subject of a new feature film Together they cajoled a reluctant Presi- personal assistance in welcoming them.

“Quezon gave land to help settle the from the Philipines, dent Franklin Roos“Quezon’s Game,” evelt and an openly Jews when they arrived,” Sasser said. “He which opens Jan. 24 hostile State Depart- was a real hero. He was a great humanifor a one-week run in ment to grant 1,200 tarian who wished the project well.”

Quezon died in 1944. The Philippines Atlanta. Monday, Jan. visas to Jews, many 27, marks the 75th anwith professional back- became independent the following year.

The full story of the once-obscure niversary of the libgrounds. Although the eration of Auschwitz original plan was to try concentration camp to rescue 10,000 Jews, during world War II. the rapidly deterioratMuch of the creding situation in Europe it for the success of and foot dragging by the plan recaptured American diplomats in the film is due to short-circuited the Manuel Quezon (Raymond Bagatsing) the initiative of the plan. tries to enlist the Filipino people to leader of the PhilipThe director convince the U.S. to allow Jewish pines. The grandof the film, Charles refugees to emigrate to the Philippines. daughter of Alex FrieRosen, who is a longder, Barbara Sasser, describes Quezon as time Jewish resident of the Philippines, a genuine friend of the Jews. believes the film is a tribute not only “He said in describing why he sup- to the leaders of the Philippines at the ported the plan was time, but to all membecause he was a good bers of the Philippine Catholic,” she said, nation.

“The most unreligious “At a time when thing I can think of, he the rest of the world is quoted as saying, is was in despair and apto think badly of the athetic,” Rosen mainpeople who brought tains, “the Filipino us our savior.” people — who were Among the other suffering their own poker players was hardships —shed a Paul McNutt, a former light on justice and governor of Indiana, morality to lead othand a powerhouse in ers. Quezon fought a At the side of Filipino President the Democratic party. lonely battle for what Manuel Quezon (Raymond Bagatsing) He was the American throughout the delicate rescue operation was right up until his high commissioner to was ambitious, young U.S. Army Lt. Col. untimely death.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower (David Bianco). the Philippines at the Nonetheless, the time when then Lt. Col. Dwight Eisenhow- arrival of 1,200 Jews stretched the reer was Quezon’s military advisor and an sources of the small Philippine commuArmy officer officer on his way up in the nity of Jews, which numbered only about

plan is laid out in the book “Escape to Manila” by Frank Ephraim, a docent at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., when he published the book in 2003.

The book also helped to bring together a number of the survivors for a reunion in Cincinnati in 2004 with 50 members of the Frieder family. Subsequently, Sasser helped produce a documentary, “Rescue in the Philippines: Refuge From the Holocaust” that was shown on the Public Broadcasting System in 2013.

Sasser hopes that Quezon, the president of the Philippines, will be recognized as “A Righteous Gentile Among the Nations,” by the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem.

“Our goal is that the Philippines get the recognition it deserves as a rescuing nation,” Sasser concluded, “and that Quezon get the recognition he deserves as a righteous gentile.” ■ “Quezon’s Game” is showing at AMC Camp Creek 14, 3780 Princeton Lakes Parkway, in Atlanta. The 2013 documentary “Rescue in the Philippines” is available on Amazon Prime. It can be rented or bought at www.rescueinthephilippines.com.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 25

CALENDAR FRI., JAN. 24 – SAT., JAN. 25

Scholar in Residence Program Featuring Rabbi Sid Schwarz – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Friday and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Rabbi Sid directs the Clergy Leadership Incubator, a program that trains rabbis to be visionary spiritual leaders. He also created and directs the Kenissa: Communities of Meaning Network, which is identifying, convening and building the capacity of emerging new models of Jewish identity and community across the country. For prices and more information, www.etzchaim.net/event/sir2020.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Va‘eira Friday, January 24, 2020, light candles at 5:42 p.m.

Saturday, January 25, 2020, Shabbat ends at 6:40 p.m.

Bo Friday, January 31, 2020, light candles at 5:49 p.m.

Saturday, February 1, 2020, Shabbat ends at 6:47 p.m. tion, raffles, DJ and a photo booth. $75 per ticket. For tickets and more information, www.Havinagala.org.

Rosh Chodesh MACoM will celebrate with a community partner to bring you uplifting and invigorating events. This month we are proud to join with Hadassah Chaya Evolve for Sparkle & Spirits, a ladies’ night filled with fun, food and spirits. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2TqXrdT.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28

JLI Judaism’s Gifts to the World – PreFriday Night Live – Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Shearith Israel’s monthly, spirited, song-filled Friday evening service followed by a lovely oneg and socializing. It’s a wonderful way to welcome Shabbat. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2Gp5SRI.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27

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

sented by Chabad Intown on the BeltLine, Tuesdays through March 3 from 8 to 9:30 p.m. or Thursdays through March 5 from noon to 1:15 p.m. Join this groundbreaking new course that explores six of Judaism’s most cherished values and learn how Judaism continues to serve as a beacon of light and wisdom for all humanity.

Vista Road, Atlanta, from 8 p.m. Thursday through 9 p.m. Saturday. A series of lectures and programs throughout the weekend by renowned speaker Rabbi Pinchas Winston. A Toronto native, Rabbi Winston attended Yeshivat Aish HaTorah where he received semichah from Rabbi Avraham Kofshitz, zt”l, and Rabbi Noach Weinberg, zt”l. He lives in Telz-Stone, Israel, with his wife and children. Rabbi Winston’s first book, “The Unbroken Chain of Jewish Tradition,” was published in 1986, and he has published several more books since then. He is widely sought after for both his erudition and novella. Free. Contact Rabbi David Kapenstein for details, info@kollennh.org.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

North Metro Goes to Camp – Congregation Gesher L’Torah, 4320 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Join in for a spaghetti dinner, camp-style Shabbat service and a s’mores oneg in celebration of all their amazing regional camps. Open to all ages and the entire North Metro Jewish community. Free. RSVP, to Rebecca at gltrelschool@gltorah.org, or call 770-7774009.

Monday Night Parsha – Chabad of

SATURDAY, JANUARY 25

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

Havinagala – SweetWater Brewery, 195 Ottley Drive NE, Atlanta, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Support the PAL Program of JF&CS with 400-plus young professionals at the 31st annual Havinagala, the largest Jewish young adult fundraiser in Atlanta.

Benefits the PAL Program of JF&CS, Atlanta’s only Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program. Beer, wine, signature drinks and mocktails with dinner, a silent auc-

Marcus JCC Presents Happy Hour @ Dunwoody Tavern – Dunwoody

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30

reJEWvinate with Sparkle & Spirits – MACoM, Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah, 700-A Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs, from 7 to 9 p.m. Each

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

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Calendar sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Connector, an initiative of the AJT. In order to be considered for the print edition, please submit events two weeks in advance. Contact community relations director, Jen Evans, for more information at jen@atljewishtimes.com.

26 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Frankly Speaking with Sherry Frank – National Council of Jewish Women Atlanta Section, 6303 Roswell Road NE, Sandy Springs, noon to 1:30 p.m. NCJW Atlanta continues the women’s discussion group for members and friends.

Moderated by noted Atlanta advocate Sherry Frank, this monthly luncheon meeting focuses on current events through a Jewish lens. Bring your lunch, they will provide beverages. Free. RSVP before the meeting to christineh@ ncjwatlanta.org or call 404-843-9600.

THURS., JAN. 30 – SAT., FEB. 1

Weekend with Rabbi Pinchas Winston – Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 La

Tavern, 5488 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy drinks, food, music and mingling with a hint of Shabbat inspiration. Free and open to all adults 21 and up. Food and beverages available for purchase. For more information, www.bit.ly/2N3i7Va.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Inclusion Shabbat – Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Congregation Shearith Israel is pleased to participate in Jewish Disability Awareness & Inclusion Month with Inclusion Shabbat on Shabbat morning. Services begin at 9 a.m. and a Kiddush luncheon will follow.

Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/2uCSFiP.

JANUARY 24-FEBRUARY 2

SUNDAY, JANUARY 26

Atlanta Jewish Life Festival – Georgia Aquarium, Oceans Ballroom entrance, 225 Baker St. NW, Atlanta, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Atlanta Jewish Life Festival is Atlanta’s largest single day festival promoting and celebrating Jewish and Israeli arts, food, music and culture while connecting the community to local synagogues, nonprofits and social action groups with the hope of further strengthening the bonds and understanding of Jewish beliefs, traditions and family. Come out and enjoy live music and great food while connecting with the community. Free for children 3 and younger; $8 for children 4 to 12 years old; $22 for adults and children 13 and older; $65 family pass (two adults and four children). All tickets include entry to the Georgia Aquarium for the entire day. For more information, www.atlantajewishlifefestival. com. To purchase tickets, www.bit.ly/36TXfYn.

Tot Shabbat – Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive, Atlanta, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Filled with music, laughter, spirituality and soul, join us one Saturday a month for Tot Shabbat. Rabbi Rachael and Rabbi Max have crafted a program to bring together those little ones from birth to age 5 to feel the rhythm of Jewish music and Jewish time. Meet other parents with children of the same age and be a part of a loving and engaged group. Open to the community for tots and their loved ones. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/388PqPx.

10 to 11 a.m. Join in as Miriam introduces you to various tropes for reading Torah and provides some background history on the hows and whys of using trope. The best way to learn how to read Torah is to learn the trope and then start applying it to the actual readings as soon as possible. Therefore, we will be singing and chanting trope from the very first day.

While this class is offered in conjunction with the Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, you do not need to be enrolled in it to take this class. $25 for members, $36 for nonmembers. For more information, www. etzchaim.net/event/trope.

Trivia and Nosh with 3 Score and More – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Test your knowledge of unimportant trivial facts or details that are considered to be amusing rather than serious or useful. Join the trivia competition, where all competitors are asked questions about interesting but unimportant facts on many subjects.

Free. For more information, www.etzchaim.net/event/trivia2020.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Chanting Trope Course with Miriam Rosenbaum, Instructor and Congregant – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from

Enchanted Woodland Trail: Featuring Fairy Houses – Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, daily through Feb. 29. Hike CNC’s Woodland Trails to find fairy houses and gnome homes. Miniature abodes made of natural objects and tiny treasures line the trails. Try making your own house from found natural objects in the free play area. Included with general admission, $6 per child, $10 per adult, $7 for seniors 65 and up, $7 for students 13 to 18, free for CNC members and children 2 and under. For tickets and more information, www.bit.ly/2uIVxuB. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 27

DINING Lazy Betty Like No Other

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Those who travel the world with a particular interest in the dining arts will understand this relative scene stealer on the BeltLine, Lazy Betty. Some might not have predicted that a restaurant with such cachet and price point would land on DeKalb Avenue in an unpresumptuous setting that is difficult to label. Suffice it to say that every morsel, every flake, every sauce has been fretted over and perfected to have claimed a top spot as Atlanta magazine’s Best of Atlanta 2019 new restaurant.

Chef Aaron Phillips said, “People said we were crazy to start a seven- and 10-course tasting menu like this in Candler Park. Atlantans have now proved that they were ready.” As further proof, Eater Atlanta selected Lazy Betty as the best overall Atlanta Restaurant of the Year and National Thrillist selected them in the top 12 Best New Restaurants of 2019.

Chef Phillips grew up cooking latkes and matzo balls at his local temple in St. Louis but was enthralled by media personality chefs Emeril Lagasse and Anthony Bourdain. Phillips, a graduate of the American Culinary Institute in Hyde Park said, “By age 6 I knew I wanted to be a chef.” He took leaps by working at three Michelin star New York restaurant Le Bernardin, and Bouley at Home in Tribeca, then serving as the chef at the Four Season’s on 87th to then land in Atlanta. “At Le Bernardin, we were inspired by food from all over the world, explaining why Lazy Betty is also global. I am constantly evolving and looking towards unique flavors with Korean, Spanish or even Peruvian influences, … lately fea-

28 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

An elaborately arranged beet salad features juniper-olive oil jam emulsion, and granola sablé with three types of beets.

turing Japanese black truffles, for example.”

The New York experiences introduced Phillips to Lazy Betty founder and co-chef Ron Hsu, whose mother is the eponymous “Betty.” Siblings Anita and Howard Hsu are also on the team.

Here’s how the menu works. Diners have a choice of a seven-course tasting for $125 per person or 20 diners can experience the Chef’s Counter 10-course meal for $150.

There are two seatings. Note: prices include service.

Phillips is proud that gratuities are shared with the cooks and dishwashers. The restaurant seats 50. Phillips elaborated, “We don’t scuttle the whole menu seasonally, but rather insert a few new dishes at a time.”

Caviar service with steamed milk bread, scallion pancake, and cauliflower toastsourdough melba and smoked cauliflower mousse is à la cart. Wine pairings are optional for $80 per person (sevencourse) and $100 (10-course); but at that point, who’s Chef / partner Aaron Phillips grew counting shekels? up cooking latkes and matzo ball soup in St. Louis and admiring Emeril Suffice it to Lagasse. He later worked at the three say that no one Michelin star restaurant Le Bernardin. here is “lazy.”

With the open kitchen, the culinary staff treats each dish with surgical precision and pops by to explain why which wine goes with what, keeping the atmosphere hip instead of stuffy. Once, when complimented, Phillips said, “Go ahead and lick the plate; no one here is judging.”

With champagne, pinot from Slovenia, organic riesling, Monkey Jacket red blend, and a 20-year-old port, it’s a study in itself to complement the food. Oenophiles thrill to the sommelier sounds of “decadent tropicals, raisins, orange blossom, notes of bubble gum and lemonade….” We had a tasting menu that was fish and vegetable-forward.

The beet salad with granola sablé and juniper-olive oil jam emulsion was artfully arranged in a mini wreath allowing each of the three beet colors to sing.

The celeriactruffle tortellini with parmesan fondue and herb oil was a lesson in what all the fuss is about truffles.

Chef Phillips pointed out the use of the wheel of the parmesan edges.

The aji potato foam course A rich and intensely flavorful was spiked with course is celeriac-truffle tortellini pepper relish in Parmesan fondue and herb oil. and had a meaty mushroom layer instead of shrimp. Our duo of salmon with braised romaine heart in preserved lemon broth was among the very best. The fish was the size of two fingers.

Fine food like this does not rely on salt; and don’t expect American portions.

Dessert was chocolate roulade with chocolate génoise, dark chocolate mousse, and quenelle of raspberry sorbet. ZING!!!! The meringue kisses did not go unnoticed.

On a personal note, Phillips announced his engagement to Lai Khamphan, the general manager of Chai Yo Modern Thai in Buckhead. As resident of Decatur, when he’s off work, Phillips might dine at Umi Sushi or The White Bull.

Lazy Betty is located at 1530 DeKalb Ave. in Candler Park. ■

COMMUNITY Going Old School in the Heart of Buckhead

Super, fresh and fabulous sushi and sashimi including Spicy Tuna and Yummi-Yummi rolls and tuna, salmon and white tuna sashimi.

Two of AFM’s specialty cocktails are Basil Smash and Blueberry Mule.

We usually look forOkay, okay, we know ward to telling you about you want the nitty gritty on new restaurants, venues or the food and drink. As we developments in and around tend to do, we started off Atlanta. This week, however, with some of their AFM spewe’re going old school – cialty cocktails. Michal had classic Buckhead stops that the Basil Smash made with exude the area’s grandiose locally made Old Fourth reputation and flair.

Ward dry gin, muddled with As you know, when fresh basil and lemon, and planning dinner and enter- Jen Evans & Jen had the Blueberry Mule tainment, we always begin Michal Bonell made with Absolute Elyx, On the Town with entertainment and ginger beer, fresh blueberry then scout out a fantastic puree and lime. Both were restaurant nearby. Buckhead Theatre made to perfection! was featuring a comedian named Ari We were then thrilled to be welShaffir with a show called, “Ari Shaffir: comed by Chef Bobby who was excited Jew.” Really? How could we resist? to prepare a selection of specialties for To find an incredible restaurant us. We started with a variety of melt-inwouldn’t be tough in the heart of Buck- your-mouth sushi and sashimi. We were head, but since we are going old school delighted by the Spicy Tuna roll made with Buckhead Theatre, let’s keep it clas- with seven spices, chili sauce and green sic with the one and only Atlanta Fish onions and the Yummi-Yummi roll made Market. Need we say more? If you live un- with tuna, salmon, cream cheese and der a rock and have not yet been to Atlan- spicy mayo. We then moved on to a vata Fish Market, do yourself a favor, make riety of sashimi, including tuna, salmon a reservation, and get ready for not only and white tuna served on ice and accoman exquisite meal, but an experience. panied by wasabi and lemon.

Atlanta Fish Market is part of BuckEverything was prepared to perfechead Life Restaurant Group, making it tion but the highlight of our first course instantly synonymous with upscale At- selection was the best yellowfin tuna lanta, through décor, atmosphere and carpaccio we have ever tasted! This raw, menu selection. In addition to being one pounded thin tuna topped with spices of Atlanta’s best seafood restaurants, At- and capers and served with toasted bread lanta Fish Market is a true fish market. was to die for!

They are known for having Atlanta’s The next course consisted of three largest selection of fresh and wild caught seafood entrées, each prepared in a comfish with an expansive selection of fresh pletely different and unique way. The fish, “never frozen,” also for purchase to Blackened Block Island Swordfish was take home and prepare for yourself. Most perfectly blackened on the outside and cuts are around 7 ounces, but if you need light and flakey on the inside, the Florida a large portion of any fish, they will ac- Grouper “Francese” specialty was light commodate and ask for a 24-hour notice. and topped with lemon butter and caPlanning a special celebration? At- pers and the Boston Lemon Sole we opted lanta Fish Market offers private dining to have served sautéed with olive oil and space at the restaurant level and upstairs, lemon was quite flavorsome. We also had with capacity at 160 people seated or 200 an array of sides including a vegetable reception-style. medley, whipped potatoes (Jen’s fave!)

Block Island Swordfish was perfectly blackened on the outside and light and flakey on the inside, served with whipped potatoes and a vegetable medley.

Exterior shot of the Buckhead Theatre, a former movie theater that opened in 1930. It is the focal point of the Buckhead Triangle intersection.

steamed broccoli and sautéed spinach.

Even though we were feeling full, we made room for the New Orleans Style Bread Pudding made with Italian rum, white raisins and vanilla cream anglaise.

Roll us out the door!

Overstuffed as usual we Lyfted a one-mile ride to Buckhead Theatre. Don’t judge, it was pouring down rain!

As noted on their website, “Central to Buckhead nightlife for more than 80 years, Buckhead Theatre is steeped in the lively spirit of its history, yet fully modernized to accommodate today’s various forms of entertainment and special events. The restored Spanish-Baroque architecture of this classic movie house jewel is a seamless historical counterpoint to the updated state-of-the-art lighting and sound system, modern catering kitchen, event space, and other amenities.

“Beyond the theatre’s 10-foot LED marquee, original Art Deco doorways lead from the lobby into the 8,000 square-foot main theatre and orchestra and loge spaces.”

Buckhead Theatre has a rich and beautifully designed and decorated ambiance. From the first moment you enter, you are transported into a magnificent

cigar bar style ambiance (without the smell). The space is wide and luxurious and the décor simple and elegant. This would be another brilliant option for any simcha, large or small.

We were seated in the front of the balcony to a sold-out show, among a millennial crowd.

Ari Shaffir grew up as an Orthodox Jew who lost his religion and turned comedian, actor, podcaster, writer and producer. Though we, Generation X, were not familiar with his work, it was clear that the young crowd surrounding us included fans who understood his humor.

As the night was winding down and the rain stopped, we headed home, remembering these two landmarks in Atlanta that we recommend everyone revisit. ■ To review the AFM menu, visit www. buckheadrestaurants.com/restaurant/ atlanta-fish-market/. And for more great entertainment coming to the Buckhead Theatre, www.thebuckheadtheatreatl.com/.

If you want us to review your event or restaurant, contact us at 404-883-2130, jen@atljewishtimes.com, or michal@ atljewishtimes.com.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 29

COMMUNITY

Kurds See Israel as Model

By Jan Jaben-Eilon Kurdish-American Butan Amedi told supporters of the Israeli American Council that the majority of Kurds believe Israel has the right to exist. “Kurds don’t hate Jews,” he said. “The majority are pro-America and pro-West. Americans should know there aren’t many pro-American people in the Middle East – only Kurds and Israel.”

Amedi, an Atlanta engineer, spoke at IAC’s first fundraising gala Jan. 20 before about 50 people gathered to hear him, musician Hemi Rudner and the achievements of the regional office of the IAC after completing its first two years here.

Nationally, the organization is 11 years old, said Shaked Angel, regional director for greater Atlanta. IAC was designed to create a community of both Israelis and Americans who support Israel and connect the younger generation to their Jewish identity.

Partly because Kurds support Israel, Amedi believes that Israelis and Americans should support the Kurds.

“This is the largest ethnic group in the world without a country of its own,” said

30 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Amedi, who is fluent in Kurdish, Arabic and English, and is currently learning Hebrew as well.

According to Amedi, the estimated 20 million Kurds – who mostly live in Iraq, Syria, Iran and Turkey – see Israel as a model of an ethnic group that has achieved its goal for a national homeland. He sees other parallels between Jews and Kurds. “Both have been persecuted throughout history,” he said.

Amedi grew up in the Kurdish region of Iraq while Saddam Hussein was still in power. When the Americans created a no-fly zone, the Kurds were able to establish their own governing bodies.

Before that, though, he vividly recalls one day in his seventh grade history class. At the time, his only awareness of Israel was what he saw and heard from Arabic television about how Israelis were killing Palestinians and expelling them from their land.

“One day, I recall we were learning about the history of Islam in class, and the teacher was talking about Jerusalem.

He set aside the book and said, ‘no matter what we hear about Muslims living in Jerusalem before the Jews, the truth is

Jews were there first.’ I was shocked and signs in Israel were in Arabic as well as went home to ask my father about what Hebrew but noted that Iraq also now the teacher said, and my father told me recognizes the Kurdish language as well that that was correct. My view about Is- as Arabic. Recently, Amedi published a column in The Jerusalem Post criticizing rael began to be reshaped.”

Turkish PresiIn the early dent Recep Tayy1990s, during the ip Erdogan for first intifada and accusing Israel of after moving with denying human his family to Atrights to Palestinlanta, Amedi noians. “Mr. Erdoticed on TV that gan needs to put when young Palhis own house in estinians threw order before critirocks at Israeli cizing others,” soldiers, they only he wrote. In fact, fired back with Amedi pointed tear gas, not bulout, Kurds are lets as he would more persecuted have expected in Turkey than from his own exanywhere else in perience in Iraq. the world.

His change At the IAC in perspective was program, Amedi further reinforced talked about about a year ago how the current when Amedi visButan Amedi felt at home while visiting American adminited Israel for a Israel last year with a friend. istration pulled week with a Kurdish friend who now lives in Germany. Upon its troops from the border of Iraq and Turlanding at Ben Gurion Airport, Amedi was key a few months ago and “green-lighted” pulled aside for further questioning, but he the latter’s incursion against the Kurds in said the security people were all very polite Iraq. “Abandoning the Kurds will smear and he was soon on his way. “I felt at home the American image in the Middle East,” he argued, “and will rid America of potenin Israel,” he said.

In fact, while shopping at Mahane tially a great ally in the region.”

A graduate of the Georgia Institute Yehuda market in Jerusalem, he found Israeli Kurds from his hometown. One of Technology, Amedi works as an engiman who lives in Ma’ale Adumim “even neer and lives with his wife and two preremembered my grandfather.” Amedi teen children in the Atlanta area, where noted that like Israel, Kurdistan at one he says the Kurdish population numbers point included Muslim, Christian and about 500. Amedi said he would love Jewish Kurds; the Jews have since left the to move to Israel and live as a minority member there. He just has to convince region, mostly for Israel.

Amedi was impressed that street his wife. ■

COMMUNITY

Marathoners Stay Course to Complete the Talmud

By Roni Robbins There’s a competitive, never-giveup attitude that comes from completing 26.2-mile marathons year after year. Jeff Brown and Anthony Shapiro have the added distinction of being part of the 100-plus marathon club. They’ve completed more than 110 marathons each.

So, when they learned they both were completing a different type of marathon undertaking – reading a page of Talmud every day for 7 ½ years – the competitive juices kicked in.

“There was no way I was going to let Jeff Brown finish first,” Shapiro, of Johns Creek, said of the Daf Yomi (page a day) feat. To this, study partner Brown, of East Cobb, shot back, “And vice versa.”

Both men recently reached the finish line together. They completed the central text of 2,711 double-sided pages in 2,711 days. Earlier this month, they marked the accomplishment with a Siyum HaShas (completion of the Talmud) at their respective synagogues, where they are active members and leaders: Brown at Congregation Etz Chaim Jan. 6 and Shapiro at Chabad of North Fulton Jan. 11.

Those celebrations followed one at MetLife Stadium in the New York area Jan. 1 attended by nearly 100,000 Jews.

About 350,000 Jews globally are believed to have participated in the 13th cycle of the Daf Yomi movement – mostly Orthodox men. The movement dates back to 1923, created as a way to unify Jews in the growing diaspora.

Of his congregant’s accomplishment, Rabbi Daniel Dorsch said, “Jeff’s remarkable achievement proves that the wisdom of the Talmud is today accessible to all Jews willing to dedicate themselves toward its study, regardless of their affiliation.” Brown is a former Etz Chaim vice president of fundraising, and previously, of religion.

Shapiro’s rabbi, Hirshy Minkowicz, said, “Our community is absolutely honored and proud to be part of this experience with our gabbai [Torah service manager] and leader making a Siyum (completion) on the entire Talmud as part of the Daf Yomi program.”

Shapiro and Brown met in 2015 on the course of the Jerusalem Marathon.

“He was speeding past me,” Shapiro said of Brown. They didn’t see each other again until several months later at another marathon in Manitowoc, Wisc., where they learned that they were both participating in Daf Yomi.

Brown decided to take on the daunting task after returning from an Etz

Jay Spector, left, introduced Anthony Shapiro and Jeff Brown at the Jerusalem Marathon in 2015. They are pictured here at the start of the Georgia Marathon downtown three years later.

Anthony Shapiro at the Jerusalem Marathon.

Chaim congregational trip to Israel with his family, where he also celebrated his eldest daughter’s bat mitzvah. “I came back and wanted to deepen my understanding of Judaism … to see how I can prolong the wonderful feeling I had when I was there.”

The 12th Siyum was gaining a lot of attention at the time, he said, adding that he was also inspired by Matisyahu’s song, “Jerusalem.”

For Shapiro, the journey began with a chance encounter at a bar mitzvah with his rabbi’s brother-in-law, who was looking for a particular volume of the Talmud for his Daf Yomi studies. Shapiro had four, one of which happened to be the volume needed. “I had been gifted it seven years before. … It was divine intervention. I learned a page with him, and I decided the next day” to continue the effort.

Although Shapiro started out 150 to 160 pages behind at that point, “I knew I’d have seven years to catch up,” he said.

Brown listened every morning for 45 minutes to a podcast of the shiur, which translates and explains each page, while “unloading the dishwasher, making the coffee and taking the dog for a walk around the block,” he said.

For the first 3 1/2 years, Shapiro studied from the text about an hour a day with Hebrew-to-English translations.

When he learned how Brown was studying, he switched his routine by reading a page one day and the next day, listening to the same podcast as Brown on the commute to work.

The study buddies especially enjoy comparing notes. “When we are inspired by something interesting, we get together to discuss,” typically through text messages, Brown said.

It’s what pushed Shapiro along, he said, knowing that Brown was also reading the same pages and listening to the same shiur. He compared the process to training for and running a marathon.

“It’s step by step. This is page by page.”

While Shapiro is part of a more traditional congregation, he’s only the second person to complete the Daf Yomi in

his synagogue. There were six or seven who started together, but he was the only who finished, he said.

For Brown, the accomplishment stressed for him “the continuity of the Jewish people. I felt much closer to my ancestors. … I feel like we were all having conversations together” by studying what rabbis studied thousands of years ago.

Shapiro said he was in awe of the brilliant, analytical minds he learned from that debated and dissected the Torah. “Just to know we are still learning what they were talking about 3,000 and 4,000 years ago … it’s the reason we are such a strong nation.”

Minkowitz shared similar sentiments. “I don’t know of another cause in Judaism that has been able to pull together a gathering of over 100,000 Jews for one event in the same week that 25,000 Jews gathered to march in solidarity by crossing the Brooklyn Bridge united as one following the machete terrorist attack in Monsey, N.Y. There were over 100,000 that gathered to celebrate Jewish solidarity through the study of Torah” ■

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 31

COMMUNITY

Study Looks for More Male Participants

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

that men are not signing up because they are not aware of their risk. Many people think that mutations in the Emory’s JScreen is looking for a few good men – BRCA genes only increase a person’s risk for breast and particularly for Jewish men with an Ashkenazi, or East- ovarian cancer, and that that testing is only relevant to ern European, background. women. It’s important for men About 90 percent of the to know that they are also at risk Atlanta Jews who have signed and that testing could provide up for the free screening unuseful information.” der JScreen’s PEACH BRCA Atlantan Gene Rubel told Study, announced last year, are the AJT that he’s “been on a women, said Karen Arnovitz crusade for this issue for years.

Grinzaid, executive director of Men need to be tested just like JScreen. It is a national online women.” genetic disease screening proRubel would know since gram based at Emory University he’s tested positive for the BRCA School of Medicine’s Depart1 genetic defect. His mother, two ment of Human Genetics. aunts, an uncle and a sister all PEACH stands for Program were diagnosed with cancer. His Karen Arnovitz Grinzaid says men for the Evaluation of Ashkenazi sister had “multiple breast canare not aware of their risks.

Cancer Heritability. BRCA 1 and cer diagnoses but died of ovarBRCA 2 are the genetic defects that could cause several ian cancer,” he said. cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate and pancreAfter he tested positive for the gene defect, Rubel atic. In the general population, the BRCA defect carrier said he was “devastated.” Anyone with a mutation has rate is 1 in 500. Among Ashkenazi Jews, the carrier rate a 50 percent chance of passing it down to each of his or is one in 40. BRCA genetic defects are passed down in her male and female children. Father of four children, families.

Rubel wondered, “what did I give them and how do I tell While most people connect women with the BRCA them?” gene defect because of the prominence of breast cancer, Griznaid noted that counseling is provided to study men, too, can get breast cancer, as well as prostate and participants. “Genetic counselors are trained to help papancreatic cancers, she noted. Hence, the importance tients navigate genetic testing and make decisions that of testing men for the defect as well. “We are concerned are suited to the individual,” she said. “We put empha-

32 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

sis on sharing results with children, but how and when to share depends on their age and maturity level. Adult children should consider testing, and they may wish to discuss the impacts of potential results with a genetic counselor prior to ordering the test.

There are many possible ways the results could impact a person’s life planning, medical care and family dynamics, and these effects depend on individual life factors.”

JScreen, which has been testing for genetic diseases Gene Rubel has been on a crusade in the Atlanta Jewfor years to get men tested. ish community for years, decided to add the study to test for the BRCA genetic defect “to make this test affordable and accessible to any Ashkenazi Jew who wants it regardless of his or her family history,” Grinzaid said.

“It’s so important to be tested,” Rubel emphasized.

“Arm yourself with information. You don’t have to die of breast cancer.”

Rochelle Schube’s grandfather had prostate cancer “before we knew about the BRCA gene defect,” she said.

After her younger sister was diagnosed with breast cancer in her 20s, Schube was tested and was found positive with the BRCA 1 gene defect. She chose to have a prophylactic mastectomy to lower her chances of a breast cancer diagnosis.

Schube, a social worker at Weinstein Hospice, said that it is empowering to have the knowledge of whether one is positive or negative for the gene defect. “This is difficult no matter what, but we need to be realistic and honest,” and have the conversation.

To be eligible for the free testing offered by JScreen, a person needs to have at least one Ashkenazi Jewish grandparent, be at least 25 years old, reside in the metro Atlanta area, and have no significant personal or family history of BRCArelated cancers. To determine eligibility, one should go online at www.

Rochelle Schube’s grandfather jscreen.org/BRCA. had prostate cancer, while her If eligible, particisister had breast cancer. pants will provide a saliva sample for the genetic test. Results either way will be provided by a genetic counselor.

The PEACH BRCA Study was funded by The Marcus Foundation, the Florence and Laurence Spungen Family Foundation, the Kay Family Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, and the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta. ■

COMMUNITY

The Temple, Ebenezer Baptist Unite for MLK Day

By Bob Bahr The Temple’s Senior Rabbi Peter Berg welcomed the congregants and clergy of the Ebenezer Baptist Church to the annual Friday night Shabbat service Jan. 17 that honors the work of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Ebenezer Baptist Church is where King spent his boyhood and adolescence. In his opening remarks, Rabbi Peter Berg led The Temple’s annual interfaith Shabbat service honor the Rev. Martin Luther King.

Rabbi Berg reaffirmed the longstanding partnership of the two urban congregations. year,” with a rising tide of anti-Semitism in “We must continually work for a soci- America and elsewhere in the world. ety,” he said, “that is truly just, truly equal “Alone we are strong, but together we and truly diverse.” He also thanked the are so much stronger. I want to thank our church for the support they have offered friends at Ebenezer,” he continued, “who during what he described as a “difficult have been with us every step of the way.”

smile, “from another life.”

Both Rev. Warnock and Rabbi Berg are featured in this year’s opening night feature at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

The film, “Shared Legacies: The A f r i c a n -A m e r i can Jewish Civil Rights Alliance” will have its world premiere Feb. 10 at the Cobb Galleria Center.

The Temple’s Rabbi Peter Berg of the Temple and the Rev. Raphael Warnock of Ebenezer Baptist Church have enjoyed a Social Justice Inclose working relationship over the past decade. stitute will feature a film and In his response, the senior minister of discussion about the racial inequality in Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Rev. Raphael the criminal justice system the preceding Warnock, who has participated in 11 of afternoon, Feb. 9. The program will feathese interfaith services, thanked Rabbi ture the recent HBO documentary “True Berg for the deep friendship they enjoy. Justice,” about the work of famed Alabama “He must be my brother” he said with a civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 33

COMMUNITY

First Big PAL Award to be Presented at Havinagala

Joel and Staci Libowsky were Community of Caring co-chairs in 2018. The new Big PAL award is in Joel’s honor.

An award was created this year in honor of former Big PAL Joel Libowsky, Jewish Family & Career Services Atlanta announced.

The award, to be presented Jan. 25 at the 31st annual Havinagala, will honor a Big PAL who has made a “superlative influence” on their Little PAL’s life; helping their little PAL navigate difficult times in their life; and acting as a support for the family as well. Big PALs were nominated by families of little PALs and fellow Big PALs. The PAL Program, Atlanta’s only Jewish Big Brother/Big Sister Program, provides one-on-one mentor relationships for children who could benefit from extra time with a trusted adult.

PAL serves a diverse range of families, including single-parent households, LGBTQ+ families, military families, children raised by guardians other than their parents, and siblings of children with developmental disabilities.

Big PALs are Jewish young professionals carefully matched with children to help build confidence, self-esteem and a Jewish identity.

The new award honors Libowsky, who was a Big PAL to two little PALs for more than 13 years, including Scott Tenenbaum, who spoke at the JF&CS Community of Caring event in 2018.

Libowsky, co-owner of Jeckil Promotions, continues to be an advocate for the program, and is actively involved in JF&CS and the Jewish community.

“Being part of the PAL program has made me who I am today; it has made me a better person. It is an honor to present 34 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

this award to an exemplary Big PAL, and there were so many touching nominations,” Libowsky said.

The award will be given at this year’s Havinagala, the annual benefit for the PAL Program. This year’s event chairs are Sarah and Brian Meyer, Jodi Seligman and Jared Kopelman. This is the second year in a row Meyer and Seligman are cochairs.

The presenting sponsor this year is Perennial Properties. The gold sponsor is Jeckil Promotions and Aprio is the silver sponsor. Atlanta Fever, Button It Up, Classic Tents & Events, College Hunks, Not As Famous Cookie Company, and Sholight LIVE are in-kind sponsors.

General admission tickets are $75 online at Havinagala.org or $85 at the door, and include dinner, beer, wine, and signature drinks.

In addition, there will be a sober mixologist crafting non-alcoholic beverages provided by the HAMSA (Helping Atlantans Manage Substance Abuse) program of JF&CS. Silent auction and raffle prizes are still coming in, but include vacations, fitness memberships, sports tickets and restaurant gift cards. The event will also include music from Atlanta Fever Entertainment, and a photo booth from Button It Up. ■ For sponsorship opportunities, contact Jessica Katz Yonatan, 770-677-9364. Visit Havinagala.org for more information or to purchase tickets.

Havinagala takes place 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Jan. 25 at SweetWater Brewing Co., 195 Ottley Drive, NE, Atlanta, 30324.

COMMUNITY SIMCHA SPOTLIGHT

Wedding Announcement Koonin – Taylor

Eydie and Steve Koonin are excited to announce the marriage of their daughter, Amy Beth Koonin, to Michael Julius Taylor, son of Vicki Jackson and Robert Taylor of Chevy Chase, Md. Rabbi Brad Levenberg officiated at the ceremony, which took place Oct. 19, 2019, at The St. Regis Atlanta in Buckhead.

The Jackson-Taylor family are members of Adas Israel Congregation in Washington, D.C. Michael is the grandson of Theodore Jackson and the late Harriet Jackson and the late Ralph and Henny Taylor. Amy is the granddaughter of Carolyn Chayet and Harriet and Boris Koonin, all of Atlanta, and the late Allen Schwartz of West Bloomfield, Mich.

Michael graduated from Cornell University and Georgia University Law Center and works in commercial and residential real estate for Serenbe. Amy attended the University of Kansas and Kennesaw State University and has a Bachelor of Arts in public relations. She is the marketing media manager for Rubicon Global, and hosts their chart-topping podcast, “The Town Haul.”

The happy couple lives in Serenbe with their dog, Myra.

B’nai Mitzvah Notices

Jolie Miriam Kessler, daughter of Valerie and Randy Kessler, on Jan. 18.

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.

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 35

KEEPING IT KOSHER Jewish Joke of the Week

Feasting or Fasting – Which Is It to be?

I’m sure most of you realize that many of our Jewish holidays fall into two categories. Category 1: holidays during which we must starve ourselves and category 2: holidays during which we must fress and even become khozzers.

Here are 17 of our Jewish holidays: Rosh Hashanah: Feast Tzom Gedalia: Fast Yom Kippur: More fasting Sukkot: Feast Hoshanah Rabbah: More feasting Simchat Torah: Keep feasting Month of Heshvan: No feasts / fasts for one month. Get a grip on yourself Chanukah: Eat potato pancakes Tenth of Tevet: Do not eat potato pancakes Tu B’Shevat: Feast Fast of Esther: Fast Purim: Eat pastry Passover: Do not eat pastry Shavuot: Dairy feast (cheesecake, blintzes, etc.)

17th of Tammuz: Fast (definitely no cheesecake or blintzes) Tisha B’Av: Strict fast; don’t even think of cheesecake, blintzes Month of Elul: End of cycle. Enroll in National Center for Eating Disorders before high holidays arrive again Fress: Eat and enjoy lots of food and maybe even pig out!

Khozzer: A gluttonous person.

Blintze: Pancake filled with cream cheese or jam.

Joke provided by David Minkoff www.awordinyoureye.com

Yiddish Word of the Week

‫ניסטא‬ ַ ‫מעטשוטא‬ ַ

mechutanista (f) / mechutan (m) / mechutanim (pl) or machutainista (f) Kinship term for one's child's female or male parent-in-law (from Hebrew ‫מחותן‬ mekhután, "belonging to the groom").

36 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

S’mores Trifle Cooking and prep: 20 minutes Serves: 12 Preference: Pareve Difficulty: Easy Diet: Vegetarian, pescatarian Crust 1 packet (8 whole) graham crackers 6 tablespoons margarine, melted Marshmallow Mousse 2 cups Kineret Whipped Topping or other non-dairy whipped topping 16 ounces Gefen Marshmallow Creme Ganache 1 7-ounce bar good quality baking chocolate such as Shufra 64 percent chocolate, chopped 1 cup non-dairy creamer Topping Elyon Mini Marshmallows

In a food processor, process crackers into crumbs. In a small bowl, combine graham crackers and margarine. Spoon into the bottom of individual dishes or one large serving dish.

In a bowl of an electric mixer, whip non-dairy whipped topping until stiff. Add marshmallow creme and mix to combine. Spoon mousse on top of graham cracker crust. I use a piping bag so it’s neater.

Place chopped chocolate in a small glass bowl. Heat creamer in a saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Pour over chocolate. Let it sit for 1 to 2 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt, then stir until ganache is smooth. Pour ganache over marshmallow mousse.

Top trifles with mini marshmallows. To toast the marshmallows, you can either use a kitchen torch (more fun) or place trifles under the broiler for 60 to 90 seconds.

Make sure you are using an oven-safe dish if using the latter method.

Recipe by: Victoria Dwek Source: Excerpt from Whisk by Ami Magazine reprinted in kosher.com

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

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1. Sitcom that debuted in the 70's about one way to make Charoset?

5. Relative of hashgacha pratis 9. One doing crew 14. Where most people live 15. Subj. for an M.B.A. 16. Apple app replaced by Messages 17. Sitcom that debuted in the 70's about Purim and Simchat Torah?

19. Picked 20. Many a French king 21. Places for 7-Down 22. Surfaced 25. Make the Top 40 26. Pit of darkness 27. Coed Jewish day school in Rockland County, NY 29. Synonym for 1-Down 32. Many schools try to be free of them 33. Many an British king 34. "___ Einai" 35. Guy, in Geula 36. Sitcom that debuted in the 90's about David and Jonathan?

37. Jake's youngest, in the Bible 38. It has esh 39. Kitchen dippers 40. Haddock relatives 41. Sha'arei Hesed to Mount Zion dir.

42. "Love ___ you need"

between Adonijah and Solomon?

12. Winner of the 2014 NBA AllStar Game 13. Waze paths (Abbr.)

18. Thank-___ (gift acknowledgments) 21. Salad greens 22. Boxer or pug 23. Rule violations 24. Sitcom that debuted in the 60's about Noah's kin?

25. A Coco 27. Nike alternative 28. "Neato" 30. Totally comfortable with 31. Evan of Broadway 33. Undoes writing 36. Frivolously 40. Trump has (a revolving) one 43. Good at scheming 45. They have options 46. Some dressed in black with eye makeup 47. Hazeh or Haba 48. "Good!" in Genoa 49. Last word of many a Jewish service 50. Alternative option for reading this publication 52. Palindromic body part 53. Brew the wrong way?

54. Books of Mishna 55. "Chi" intro

43. Refuse 44. One way to spell the truth in Hebrew 46. Guitar brand 47. Be too single-minded 49. Garlic mayonnaise 51. Téa of "Jurassic Park III" 52. Sitcom that debuted in the 80's about the outcome of Shiluach Haken?

56. Make invalid 57. "Sure" 58. Writer-director Kazan 59. Like politics 60. They can be loose or tight 61. Sitcom that debuted in the 70's about many a Mercedes in Israel?

DOWN

1. Say what, in Israel 2. Jehoshaphat's father 3. Kiddish action 4. Inept 5. Angry and impatient 6. Brazilian juice berry 7. Transformers and Ninja Turtles, e.g.

8. Netanya residents?

9. Kramer portrayer in "Seinfeld" 10. Brownish yellow 11. Sitcom that debuted in the 80's about the power struggle

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1

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Remember When 15 years ago // January 21, 2005 ■ Atlanta Jewish Film Festival co-chairs Steve and Sheri Labovitz led the event into its fifth year. They reflected on how the festival evolved from a small local event to a nationally recognized festival that helped small films gain national release.

■ Rob and Stacey Gole celebrated the bat mitzvah of their daughter Jennifer Ansley Gole Jan. 15 at Temple Beth Tikvah. Jennifer, a seventh grader at Haynes Bridge Middle School, dedicated her service to the memory of her grandfather Sol Nachmias.

25 years ago // January 20, 1995 ■ Marla and Mark Shavin announced the birth of their son, Adam Isaac, Aug. 17. Adam was given the Hebrew name Chaim Itzhak in memory of his maternal great-grandmother Anne Friedman and his paternal

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great-grandfather Isidore Shavin. Adam has an older sister, Naomi.

■ Local Jews brought lunch to Common Ground, a Midtown center for people with AIDS. Jews from synagogues including Congregation Bet Haverim, Congregation B’nai Torah, Congregation Shearith Israel, Temple Emanu-El and Temple Sinai talked and ate with people at the center, and some volunteered over many months.

Composer Gershon Kingsley, who died last month, was among the performers at a rock service sponsored by Congregation Ahavath Achim’s education committee Jan. 26, 1970.

50 Years Ago // January 23, 1970 ■ The Atlanta Jewish National Fund Council on Jan. 29 featured Tu B’Shevat as a theme for its third of five socio-cultural programs. The program highlighted the showing of the new JNF documentary film, “Gates to Paradise,” which shows unfamiliar areas in Israel.

■ The Congregation Ahavath Achim education committee held an unusual rock service Jan. 26 meant for Shabbat, called “Sabbath 69.” It was presented by Cantor Isaac Goodfriend along with a rock group, The Northside High School Choral Group, and composer Gershon Kingsley.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 37

OBITUARIES

Marvin Botnik 85, Atlanta

Marvin Zachariah Botnick, the longtime publisher of The Jewish Georgian, died Jan. 17. He was 85.

Botnick was president of The Temple in the 1980s and was instrumental in the creation of Atlanta’s first homeless shelter for couples. A native of Hattiesburg, Miss., Marvin passed away surrounded by his family at his home in Sandy Springs after a courageous four-year battle with cancer.

A man of multiple talents who began his professional career in banking, Marvin spent his later years editing his newspaper, volunteering in the community and visiting with his seven grandchildren. He loved to read, discuss Judaism and visit with relatives.

Marvin arrived in Atlanta in 1956 after completing his secondary education at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. He then went to Duke University, where he was a four-year letterman in lacrosse and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. He then spent two years as a sergeant in the U.S. Army Finance Corps.

When he first came to Atlanta, Marvin was hired by the First National Bank of Atlanta, where he was the city’s first Jewish commercial loan officer. In 1972 he was named to the Mercantile National Bank board of directors and became chairman of the board and chief executive officer.

Marvin became involved in multiple charities and volunteer organizations. He was president of The Temple in 1984, where he proposed a plan to open the Temple Night Shelter for the Homeless, the first and only shelter for homeless couples in the city.

Since then, the now Zaban Paradies Center for Homeless Couples has its own building on The Temple campus and has helped keep couples together as they move from homelessness to finding permanent places to live.

“Marvin had the wisdom and understanding of Judaism and the commitment to the concept of social justice which is based on our prophetic tradition,’’ said Alvin Sugarman, rabbi emeritus at The Temple. “He presented this to the board, saying, ‘Let’s make a real commitment to the world that is based on our prophetic tradition.’ So, when the opportunity of the shelter arose, he didn’t have to go through a discussion with the board of whether we should do it or shouldn’t do it. And in less than 10 days, the shelter became a reality.’’

Marvin served as president and treasurer of Jewish Children’s Services, helped set up the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce (now Conexx), and served on the board of Jewish National Fund. Marvin was also on the board of directors of the Joseph B. Whitehead Boys Club; was treasurer and a member of the executive committee at Inner Harbour, a psychiatric residential treatment center for youth; and a board member at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center.

He brought his love for lacrosse to Atlanta by founding the Atlanta Lacrosse Club and later coaching. He served as president of the Jewish Educational Loan Fund, which gives interest-free loans to students in the South, and was a founder of Jewish Interest Free Loans of Atlanta.

In 1992, along with help from Sam Appel, Marvin became involved with The Jewish Georgian, ultimately becoming publisher of the bimonthly paper that is distributed free throughout the metro area and other Jewish communities in Georgia. His columns, on the inside cover of each edition, brought thoughtful attention to Jewish teachings and a variety of community events.

Marvin, whose Jewish name is Mordechai Zalman ben Herschel v’Malka ha-Levi, will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Miriam; children Karen Paz (Roy Cranman), Beth Ann (IJ) Rosenberg, and Harris (Geri) Botnick; and grandchildren Jonathan and Danielle Paz, Ashley (Alex Carey), Lindsey and Chase Rosenberg, and Molli and Logan Botnick.

He is survived by his brother Dr. Robert Botnick (Lelia) of Augusta, Ga., and several nieces and nephews. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Mollie Botnick.

A memorial service was held Jan. 20 at The Temple followed by interment at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Temple or The Jewish Georgian archive at The Breman Museum.

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details.

38 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

OBITUARIES

Kenneth Lyons 92, Alpharetta

Kenneth Lyons, 92, was born in the Bronx, N.Y., March 20, 1927, and passed away Jan. 18, 2020, in Alpharetta, Ga. He was preceded in death by Arlene Betty Gilbert Lyons, his wife of 63 years. Kenneth passed away one day after what would have been their 66th wedding anniversary.

Arlene was his love, partner and the light of his life. Their first date, a family setup, was to the Roller Derby when Arlene was visiting her aunt in New York. After one date, Kenneth knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Arlene. He was also preceded in death by his sister Grayce Cooper and parents August and Isidore Lyons.

Kenneth is survived by his two children, Sharon Lyons and Gilbert (Tobi) Lyons; two grandchildren, Allyn Guy, daughter of Sharon, and Gavin Cole Lyons, son of Gilbert and Tobi; and two great-grandchildren.

Kenneth, a WW II veteran, was one of the few remaining survivors of the “Greatest Generation.” He was only supposed to survive three years on dialysis but survived an additional year. He was stubborn and strong-willed to a fault, but was the kindest and most non-confrontational individual you could ever imagine, and a staunch rule follower. Kidney doctors said he would be on dialysis for the rest of his life and he took that literally, willing to continue, even though his body was saying he no longer could.

His body was worn out, but not his mind or will.

Kenneth was an accountant by trade and was therefore methodical, specific and orderly, but was a father first and foremost. He was involved in his children’s activities throughout their lives, attending just about every sport and social activity in which they were involved.

Despite today’s healthier trends, he loved his meat and potatoes. He did not eat chicken or fish because of the bones. If Arlene and Kenneth went to an event that served chicken or fish, Arlene would take the additional main course and Kenneth would take her potatoes and vegetables.

They did just about everything together, even paying bills. They would sit at the kitchen table and one would write the check and the other would seal the envelope and stamp it. After Arlene’s passing, Kenneth never expressed his loneliness, but you could see in his eyes that he missed his love and life partner every day.

We Should Do Better

Kenneth has now joined his partner, and they will forever be known as Arlene and Kenneth, not just Kenneth, as he has been the past three years.

Humanist Jews are fighting against the Torah Jews.

Graveside services were held Jan. 22 at West End Synagogue Cemetery in Nashville, Tenn.

Shiva followed in Nashville at the home of Kenneth’s nephew Alan (Regina) Cooper. Shiva will also be observed at the home of Gilbert and Tobi Lyons in Marietta at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26.

Torah Jews are fighting against the Humanist Jews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kenneth’s honor to the American Kidney Fund.

Robert Scobel 68, Atlanta

Robert Scobel, age 68, of Atlanta, died Jan. 7, 2020. He was a retail salesman who loved sports, especially baseball and football, as well as loving the outdoors and classic cars. Survivors include his daughter Stacy Scobel; son Hunter Scobel; sister Gail; and brother Philip Scobel. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Mental Health America. A graveside service was held Jan. 9, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999. ■

‫זיכרונה לברכה‬

We need to stop the prejudices and do as it teaches.

Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself

Email: bethesunshine999@yahoo.com to join with a heart to help share the light.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 24, 2020 | 39

CLOSING THOUGHTS Gratitude I have seen on TV lately a lifeline, and I have had the suffering of so many the same phone number people outside of the United for decades, so hundreds of States. It is a devastating picpeople have it. ture of what hurricanes can Next is my computer, a bring, what failed governfantastic device that brings ments do not do, and what me the news, an encyclodestruction wars bring. pedia of knowledge, the As I sit at my desk, and ability to write this article look at what’s on it, I am so and print it, the ability to grateful for the hundreds of Allen H. buy items from around the thousands of people, per- Lipis world, and hundreds of haps even millions, who The Bottom Line other things. I can talk to made my life so efficient people around the world and so pleasant. I had not thought about and see them without spending a penny. what I have available to me until I re- As a child, all this was described to me as cently saw a documentary on how cor- a fantasy, but now it is real. rupt the systems can be for the food we Also on my desk are two speakers eat, and for the water we drink. That’s connected to a sound system that alanother story, but for now let me make lows me to play the music I own, while clear how thankful I am for what I have my computer allows me to find almost so available to me. any music available and play it through First and foremost is the light on my computer to my speakers. I tested my desk. It indicates that I have regu- this out with my grandson, gave him lar electric power that gives me light some remote music and he found it and whenever I want it. That power runs my played it for me in less than a minute. telephone, a phone that allows people I have a few books on my desk, writaround the world to reach me and al- ten by very famous people. I can buy lows me to reach them. That phone is with my computer almost any book

40 | JANUARY 24, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

available in print. I have the resources of some of smartest people in the world available to me at my fingertips.

I have access to the major financial markets in the world, including the Dow stocks, the stocks that make up the S&P 500, and the stocks on the NASDAQ. I can stay up to the minute on where the stock market is heading, and I can see the price of any particular stock over the past five years or even longer. I have available press releases and financial information written by experts on almost any stock or fund I am interested in.

Also on my desk are pencils and pens, and paper and pads, that make it easy for me to write. I have notebooks, graph paper, scotch tape, a stapler and a clock to keep me organized. I have a calendar to keep track of my appointments and a list of every member of my synagogue with their address, phone number and email address.

In addition to all that, I have perhaps the most useful device of all, my cell phone, sitting on the desk right next to me. That device goes with me whenever I go and allows people to reach me in my car, in a restaurant, and even in

the bathroom. It will tell me how to get where I want to go in the most efficient way possible, and it will let me call anyone I know that gave me their phone number.

I am grateful for all of this because I remember growing up that my family did not have a phone at first, and then a phone with a party line (several families using the same cable line), no computer, only the U.S. mail, no directory of people except for the entire AT&T telephone directory in the city, and no way to buy anything except to go directly to the store, which might not have what I wanted.

And by the way, I left something out, the key to my car hanging on my light. My family didn’t have a car until I was about 12 years old, and it doesn’t compare to what I drive now. I once asked my aunt, who lived to the age of 95, what was the most important change in her life, and she said it was indoor toilets instead of an outhouse.

The bottom line: Be grateful for what you have; it’s a lot more than most of the world. ■

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