Atlanta Jewish Times, XCIV No. 04, January 25, 2019 by Atlanta Jewish Times

NEXT WEEK: SUPER BOWL

VOL. XCIV NO. 04 | AJFF PREVIEW

JANUARY 25, 2019 | 19 SH'VAT 5779

ATLANTA JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL PREVIEW

SEE THE WORLD ON FILM

WHAT MLK MEANS TO US AJT DIVES INTO OUR RICH HISTORY WITH THE LATE, GREAT DR. KING JR.

BIG GAME BIG GIVE THE BLACK EYED PEAS, LUDACRIS AND A-LIST CELEBS GIVE BIG FOR SUPER BOWL CHARITY.

THE LAST JEWISH MOBSTER EX-CON TELLS ALL AND MAKES LIGHT OF HIS ADVENTUROUS PAST.

2 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

PUBLISHER

MICHAEL A. MORRIS

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MANAGING PUBLISHER & INTERIM EDITOR KAYLENE LADINSKY

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JODI DANIS

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RONI ROBBINS

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Contributors This Week BOB BAHR CHANA SHAPIRO DAVE SCHECHTER ERIC M. ROBBINS HAROLD KIRTZ JAN JABEN-EILON MARCIA CALLER JAFFE MATTHEW BERNSTEIN RABBI JOAB EICHENBERG-EILON TIFFANY PARKS

It’s Showtime! Get your popcorn and Milk Duds ready. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival begins its three-week run Feb. 6 and we are raising the curtain just a smidge in this week’s issue with a delicious sample of the films you’ll view. In essence, we help you “See the World on Film,” the theme of this year’s festival, with our previews of nearly half of the 76 films the festival. Plus, we take you behind the scenes with our exclusive interviews of some of the directors and jurors involved with the award-worthy films. Learn about the inspiration that sparked the storylines, and what goes into the jury prize decisions. We get an exclusive from the visionary behind the festival, Executive Director Kenny Blank, and offer some best bets for films not to be missed. After reading our very thorough film festival preview, you’ll be more than prepared to set your own film-watching lineup. Atlanta continues to be a hotbed of film production, as we learn from Jeffrey

Stepakoff, executive director of the Georgia Film Academy. But movies are not the only entertainment we have for you this week. While there’ll be celebrities at the film festival, even before it starts, a number of A-Lister actors, athletes and performers have signed on to attend the Big Game Big Give event for charity on the eve of the Super Bowl in Atlanta. Then there’s the former mobster who bears all to Chabad in a comedic recounting of his live-on-the-edge background. Talking about history, when MLK Day coincides with Tu B’Shevat, the New Year for trees, it’s an opportunity to look back at a shared background of discrimination that defined Black-Jewish relations. It’s a freedom fight that propelled Jewish leaders such as Sherry Frank, recognized last week with a Salute to Greatness Award for her civil rights activism. Emory University Holocaust educator Deborah Lipstadt knows a few things about honoring history. In conversations

THIS WEEK with the AJT, she discusses her new book and the state of anti-Semitism in our world. The city too busy to hate is certainly hosting a number of key events in the next month and your AJT is documenting every bit of it. So prepare for the excitement. It’s showtime! ■

CONTENTS REFLECTIONS �� 4 LOCAL NEWS �� 5 ISRAEL NEWS �� 10 OPINION �� 12 AJFF PREVIEW �� 14 ARTS �� 31 CALENDAR �� 36 COMMUNITY �� 38 KEEPING IT KOSHER �� 42 BRAIN FOOD �� 43 OBITUARIES �� 44 CLOSING THOUGHTS �� 46

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REFLECTIONS

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.

Dr. King and Rabbi Heschel in Selma.

Rabbi David Geffen and his wife Rita, formerly of Atlanta, made aliyah in 1976.

Dr. King with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heshel at Arlington National Cemetery, Feb. 6, 1968.

real friendship that I had formed with an African-American. “In 1965, I was a volunteer chaplain in the U.S. Army, and I invited him to the seder and asked him to sing a song. In a deep voice, he sang “Go Down Moses.” Everybody in the service was in awe. Here you had an African-American and Jews all experiencing this shared history. That was one of the most powerful moments in my life.” The Temple’s Rabbi Jacob Rothschild and King became very close friends during the 50s and 60s. In 1965, Rothschild organized a banquet for King in honor of his Nobel Peace Prize. Rothschild presented King with a commemorative Steuben bowl. The banquet was Atlanta’s first interracial banquet event. Rabbi Abraham Heschel, the renowned Polish-born Jewish theologian from New York, said that “King was the voice of G-d in our time.” Heschel joined King at many important civil rights events, including the Selma to Montgomery march. In 1968, James Earl Ray assassinated Dr. King. For many Jews, the sadness and anger that they felt after King’s death was too strong to put into words. Many Jews feared that King’s visionary dream would die with him. However, many Jews, young and old, carried King’s dream deep in their hearts. Some became our future lawyers, doctors, rabbis, and teachers who changed America through kindness, justice and love. In 1976, Geffen and his wife and three children moved to Israel and made aliyah, But King’s legacy never left his heart. “King was a prophet. He was able to bring down a strong segregated system through nonviolent actions. It took a tremendous love for others to be able to do

that. That was so important to me,” Geffen said. In 1986, Geffen was part of the ceremony to name a street near Liberty Park in Jerusalem after King. “I was there with the Prime Minister of Israel Yitzhak Shamir and Rabbi Alvin Sugarman [of The Temple]. It was a surreal moment for me. That ceremony proved how far-reaching and important King’s legacy was becoming to Jews around the world.”. On Jan. 21, many Jewish day schools across America celebrated Tu B’ Shevat, the New Year for Trees, and the MLK holiday on the same day. Geffen believes that King made life better for millions of people, especially African-Americans. He showed the entire world how to succeed in the face of adversity. He did not just give speeches. He answered questions. King's legacy is even more pivotal in today’s hostile climate. As in decades ago, the future generation of Jews will defeat hostility, and some will do so by holding King’s moral standard up against hate, anti-Semitism and division. ■

What MLK Means to Us By Tiffany Parks This week, many people across America are celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s powerful legacy through prayers, lectures and memories. But it is particularly important to reflect upon why King’s legacy means so much to Jews around the world, as well as in Atlanta. According to Rabbi David Geffen, a native of Atlanta, the hanging of Leo Frank sent a strong message to the Jewish community that they were not equal. Many Jews lived their lives in fear. In 1958, The Temple in Atlanta was bombed by white segregationists. Many colleges and universities across America blatantly discriminated against Jewish students by using a quota system. From 1948 to 1961, Emory University’s Dental School used quota systems to keep qualified Jewish students out. The university made a public apology in 2012. By the time King became the leader of the civil rights movement, many Jews had been suffering in silence and frustration. King’s visionary dream energized many Jewish people to take action to help end discrimination and to help make America a more perfect union for all its citizens regardless of race or religion. Rabbi Geffen can attest that his knowledge and appreciation of King’s remarkable history grew only after he left Atlanta and moved to Israel. As a boy growing up in Atlanta, Geffen could visibly see that life for AfricanAmericans was harsh. “I would play with African-American boys my age who lived in shanties. I never played with the girls. A fence at the end of my grandparent’s backyard at 593 Washington Street opened to a dirt street lined with shanties of African-American families. That fence was quite a defining 4 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

line for me in my life,” Geffen said. During the Jim Crow era, it was mainly Jewish businessmen who gave African-Americans employment and buying power, but the majority of Jews kept to themselves in their tight-knit communities. Geffen graduated from Henry Grady High School. He received his bachelor’s degree from Emory University and later received a doctorate. Geffen decided he wanted to become a rabbi to help serve and to enrich the knowledge of his community. In 1963, he went to seminary school in New York, but then the Vietnam War broke out and he signed on as a military chaplain. Geffen’s cousin, Peter Geffen, was heavily involved in the civil rights movement and voter registration. But Rabbi Geffen admits that he wasn’t in the streets protesting for civil rights or going to jail, like his cousin. Peter Geffen was one of those young students during the 60s who adored and admired King. In 1965, he began working with King and the Southern Christian Leadership Council to register AfricanAmerican voters. Many Jewish students from the northern states went South, and marched and got spat on, beat up, cursed and called names. Some Jewish students and civil rights workers, such as Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner, were murdered while fighting for freedom. Andrew Goodman was Peter Geffen’s classmate. King’s inclusive leadership style helped Jews and African-Americans forge lifelong bonds. “Wes Geary was an African-American chaplain from Texas,” Rabbi Geffen said. “We became really good friends and we talked about our families and race during the Vietnam War. It was the first

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Forest in Israel’s southern Galilee, sponsored by JNF and honoring MLK and Jewish activists such as Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman, who were murdered in 1964 while volunteering to register African-American voters in Mississippi.

LOCAL NEWS

Sherry Frank, middle, with Bernice King and Christine King Farris.

Award recipients Dikembe Mutombo and Sherry Frank with Bernice King.

Frank with her grandchildren and basketball player and humanitarian Mutombo.

Sherry Frank’s grandchildren attend the awards gala.

Sherry Frank Earns King’s Salute to Greatness Award By Tiffany Parks

Two Jewish leaders, one a champion of Black-Jewish relations in Atlanta, received the prestigious 36th annual Salute to Greatness Award Jan. 19 from The King Center. Sherry Frank, a community activist and former head of the American Jewish Committee Atlanta, and Howard Schultz, chairman emeritus of Starbucks, received the award, which celebrates people and organizations committed to the principles and philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Five others also received awards, including NBA basketball star Dikembe Mutombo and, posthumously, U.S. Sen. John McCain, who died in August. The semi-formal awards ceremony was held at the downtown Hyatt Regency Hotel. “This award means so much to me,” Frank said. “I’ve lived my entire life fighting for the civil rights of all people.” To Frank, the award is not only a recognition of her civil rights activism, but also a symbol of the unique journey that she and her family have had with the King family’s legacy. Frank grew up during a time when “black only” and “white only” signs were familiar hallmarks of downtown Atlanta. However, Frank was nurtured in an environment that craved social justice. “I had a strong sense of right and wrong from a very early age. My uncle Joe Zimmerman owned Zimmerman’s men’s shop, and it was one of maybe two stores in downtown Atlanta that allowed African-Americans to try on clothes. When King accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he was wearing one of my uncle’s shirts. That shirt is on display at The King Center. I learned how to be fair to people by watching the examples of family members like my uncle,” Frank said. When her uncle died, Martin Luther King Sr. preached at his funeral because of his fairness towards African-Americans.

During the 1950s and 60s, many Jewish people saw Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s inclusive leadership as an inspiration and an opportunity to boldly confront and eliminate long-standing racism, she said. “I was a teenager during the 60s, and I saw the discrimination of AfricanAmericans, but I started to see changes. I saw the sit-ins, and I saw the young African-American students protest against the segregated stores. I was determined to be part of that change. “I joined the National Council of Jewish Women and we went to inner city schools and taught students cultural immersion, reading, arts, and the importance of having equal rights.” As early as the late 1800s, Jewish organizations such as NCJW and AJC have been committed to helping the marginalized and the downtrodden in the community, she said. Frank strongly believes that her success as an activist has been tied to being involved in organizations with strong mission statements and with involved, like-minded, people. In 1982, Frank used her organization skills to mobilize African-Americans and Jews to campaign for the renewal of the Voting Rights Act, which was extended with special provisions by then-President Ronald Reagan. “It was in 1982 that I and Congressman John Lewis helped to form the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition as a way for Jews and African-Americans to rekindle the camaraderie of the civil rights movement and to have meaningful dialogue and social interactions,” Frank said. This year marks 37 years of the AJC educating and advocating for the community. Frank's activism and friendship with Lewis led her to make frequent visits to The King Center, where she met Coretta Scott King. “Mrs. King and I started working closely together. I marched with her on many major events, including the March

on Washington anniversaries. In 1987, I marched with her to Forsyth County to protest the Klan, who had earlier that year attacked a group of African-American activists, including Hosea Williams. I visited Jewish activists in the former Soviet Union, and King’s vision and dreams were strong in the hearts and minds of many Russians,” Frank said. When Frank went to the former Soviet Union, Mrs. King gave her three signed books about her husband’s life and asked her to give each book to a woman whose husband was incarcerated. The Jewish Russian women appreciated Mrs. King’s encouragement. “Mrs. King died in 2006 and I spoke at her funeral. I admired her. She was such a strong, consistent voice against all forms of prejudice,” Frank said. Frank believes the Salute to Greatness Award represents a full circle of her activist life. All of Frank’s children, spouses and eight grandchildren attended the event. “I really wanted my grandchildren to see how rewarding life can be if you serve and protect others.” A tribute film about Frank, which played at the event, made her very sen-

timental and brought back a flood of memories. She thought about how fulfilling her life has been and the relationships she has built through strong Jewish social justice organizations and intimate relationships with people from all races. Frank wrote her memoirs as a lasting legacy to her family and grandchildren. The book, “A Passion to Serve: Memoirs of a Jewish Activist,” will be available next month. She also wants her family and grandchildren to see a new documentary by filmmaker Shari Rogers, “Shared Legacies.” The film, which premieres next year, details the often untold but complex relationship between African-Americans and Jews in America. “As I look at the world today, I don’t like the division I see,” Franks said. However, Frank believes that the younger generation, including her grandchildren, will rise up and embody the loving spirit of King and be the springboards that inspire future generations. Inspiration was something the Kings embodied. Mrs. King created the Salute to Greatness Award in 1983. If alive today, she’d be proud that her deserving friend received the award this year. ■

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LOCAL NEWS

Lipstadt’s New Book on AntiSemitism is Perfect Storm By Bob Bahr Reading Deborah Lipstadt’s new book, “Antisemitism: Here and Now” is like being in a class taught by the famed Emory University professor. Like her, it speaks directly to the point and is clearly stated. In a way, it reflects her image as the scrappy defendant in the trial of Holocaust denier David Irving, which was the subject of the 2016 film “Denial,” starring Rachel Weisz. Nonetheless, she writes about the emotionally charged subject dispassionately as she herself notes and gives us a picture of anti-Semitism in the world today, with 28 pages of footnotes to back up her quotes and statistics. If you’ve ever wanted to have Professor Lipstadt as your professor but couldn’t make it to Emory, buy the book, which comes out Tuesday, Jan. 29. In recent conversations we touched on the changes in contemporary anti-Semitism that she writes about in her new book. AJT: What’s new about anti-Semitism today? Lipstadt: I think what we see today is both very much the same and very different. It’s the same emphasis in ant-Semitism on money, on power, on the various uses of that power, and conspiracy theories. In essence, the template of anti-Semitism remains the same. What’s different is we’re seeing what I would describe as a perfect storm: antiSemitism on the right, anti-Semitism on the left and in sectors of the Muslim community. And on top of that, we are in an era right now where the level of discourse, what people can say, is so low that that, too, is enhancing the danger. AJT: In your book you quote the antiSemite Richard Spencer, who says ‘I love Israel, but I hate the Jews.’ Is this something new? Lipstadt: Yes, yes, yes. This is happening. It’s a right-wing phenomenon. I think it’s going to evolve and become stronger. People who are overt anti-Semites like Richard Spencer, who says ‘I love Israel because, look, it is the ethno-state that we want to create here in America. The Jews have done it, they have a Jewish state, why can’t we have a white Christian state here in America?’ It’s very weird. It’s very, very weird. AJT: Should we hold the government of Israel more accountable for its actions? Lipstadt: Israel is a Jewish state and it 6 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

cares about Jews worldwide. But I object to certain behaviors of the current Israeli government toward anti-Semites … If you’re going to say that anti-Semitism worldwide is something that is of concern to you, and you feel yourself one of the protectors of Jews worldwide, then you don’t support [Hungarian] Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has run overtly anti-Semitic campaigns in Hungary, or the Polish government, which has put into effect a law that calls for rewriting the history of the Holocaust. You don’t overlook that. You don’t embrace them. You don’t say to Viktor Orbán: ‘You are a great fighter against anti-Semitism.’ He’s not. I’m sorry. It just doesn’t work. AJT: Your book went to the printer before the murders at the synagogue in Pittsburgh in October, so you didn’t have an opportunity to comment on them. Do they change anything you said in your book? Lipstadt: I don’t think I would say anything different. Pittsburgh shocked me, but it didn’t surprise me. There was nothing in Pittsburgh that I hadn’t described in the book. AJT: You speak a lot in your book about the how of anti-Semitism in recent years. What would you say about the why of antiSemitism in recent years? Lipstadt: Anti-Semitism is like a virus that lies dormant. When there is some sort of stress in society, and when people need someone or something to explain or blame for a crisis that is facing them, they will often turn to anti-Semitism. Because it’s something that’s familiar. If you have grown up in the Western world, it’s in the oxygen we live and breathe. So I think there have been fractures in society. There have been economic stresses, immigration, nationalism, etc. And there has been also in the past two, three years a climate where this extremist kind of talk and the rhetoric I was referring to earlier is more acceptable, so it has come together in what I was calling a perfect storm. AJT: And is there perhaps a lack of national leadership? Lipstadt: In many countries national leadership is willing to accept this. Here in America I am not saying the president is an anti-Semite. I don’t think that is the issue. But anti-Semites on the right and extremists on the right think that he is, yes. ■

LOCAL NEWS

“Big Game Big Give”

Super Bowl Party Turns Out Stars at Goldstein’s By Marcia Caller Jaffe It may be the biggest game of the year, but it’s also the biggest give of the year. And this year, “Big Game Big Give,” one of the most anticipated pre-Super Bowl charity events in the nation, will be held in Atlanta on Saturday, Feb. 2, at the estate of philanthropists Jeff and Carrla Goldstein. For the 10th year, the pre-Super Bowl charity event has a goal of raising $2 million for The Giving Back Fund, a national nonprofit that creates and manages charitable foundations and projects for high net worth individuals, celebrities, athletes, business entrepreneurs and corporations. The exclusive star-studded gala has been voted the Number One Super Bowl Party by ESPN The Magazine, and, to date, has raised more than $10 million for worthwhile causes around the globe. This year, The Black Eyed Peas will perform and serve as celebrity guest hosts. Atlanta is no stranger to celebrities and several of this year’s A-listers are locals. Special guest artist will be internationally acclaimed Atlanta native Michael Kalish, known for his one-of-a-kind pop art and metal sculptures. At the gala, Kalish will present this year’s Big Game Big Give honoree, Steve Gleason, with a sculpture in honor of Gleason’s award for extraordinary philanthropic achievement. Gleason, formerly of the New Orleans Saints, is the leading advocate for ALS patients worldwide. He was recently selected by the U.S. Congress to receive the Congressional Gold Medal for his work as an ALS activist. “It’s a tremendous honor to come (back) to my hometown for an event like this and present one of my personal heroes with a portrait to honor his incredible work and dedication to ALS advocacy,” Kalish says. He will also donate a “Kalish experience” as part of the silent auction, which is an opportunity to work with him at his Los Angeles studio and receive a custom sculpture valued at $50,000. Sister Adina, another Atlanta native and Kalish’s PR representative, takes personal pride in repping her brother. “Michael has an amazing story,” she says. After attending Woodward Academy and playing college baseball at Kennesaw State University, he was scouted by the pros before hurting his shoulder. He then pursued a career as an artist and has truly changed the world with his remarkable sculptures and public art installations.”

Philanthropists Jeff and Carrla Goldstein in their home.

Kalish’s next project will soon tour the country with a huge rotating sculpture “The Quest for Love.” Other noted Atlanta celebrities slated to attend include Olympic champion Edwin Moses; entrepreneur and inventor Lonnie Johnson; actor Lamman Rucker; DJ Frank Ski; music producer Dallas Austin; Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; former Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli; Ludacris and more. Long known for their commitment to charitable giving, the Goldsteins have opened up their Sandy Springs mansion and hope to raise more than the fund's goal of $2 million. “We are thrilled to host this event with celebrities, sports legends, philanthropists and NFL players for more than 500 people in our home. The music will be fantastic, the food divine, and we will have a wonderful group of incredibly generous people coming out for Big Game Big Give,” says Carrla, adding that she invites anyone who is able to participate to “be part of this rare Atlanta opportunity for such wonderful causes.” Those wonderful causes are what drive The Giving Back Fund’s founder and president Marc Pollick every day. Prior to entering the philanthropic world, Pollick had an extensive career in academic Holocaust studies, working with 1986 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Elie Wiesel as founding executive director of the Zachor Institute for Holocaust Studies. He also founded The Elie Wiesel Institute for Humanitarian Studies. Pollick has been recognized for his achievements as a recipient of the prestigious University of Chicago Alumni Award for Public Service. He has been featured and interviewed by a vast array of news, sports, entertainment and philanthropic media, including ESPN, HBO Sports, Forbes, and USA Today, and is a guest

Local artist Michael Kalish (metal roses inset).

columnist on philanthropy for SportsBusiness Journal. “Big Game Big Give is my personal Super Bowl,” Pollick says. “It’s an opportunity to show the world there is a tremendous amount of good out there – people using their fortune and fame for causes that matter, causes greater than themselves. The world needs this now

more than ever. I am simply the conduit to bring these people together.” ■ Interested in being a part of this spectacular event? Tickets and select sponsorship opportunities are still available. For additional information or to purchase tickets, email BGBG@givingback.org or contact The Giving Back Fund at 310-649-5222.

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LOCAL NEWS

The Breman Gets New Director By Dave Schechter

Breman, while 46 percent According to its annual were somewhat familiar, report, the Breman Museum and 19 percent not at all faAfter a nationwide search, the William Breman Jew- received 28,100 visitors in fismiliar. ish Heritage Museum has tapped an Atlantan as its next cal year 2018, an increase of executive director. Leslie Gordon, the director of the Ri- 9.3 percent from the previous Asked to rate The Brealto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University since year. man, 41 percent gave it an Gordon takes the helm 2003, will assume the top post at The Breman on Feb. 4. excellent mark, 49 percent She succeeds Ghila Sanders, who has served as the several months after the board good, 7 percent fair, and 3 Breman’s acting executive director since June 2017, fol- approved a five-year strategic percent poor. lowing the resignation of Aaron Berger, who held the plan that calls for The Breman Gordon’s background “to transition into a role as a post for 5 1/2 years. fits with the desire to ex“I hope to build on the great foundation that’s al- cultural center and gatherpand the museum’s cultural ready been laid” at The Breman, Gordon told the Atlanta ing place for the community, offerings. while retaining its primary Jewish Times. She is a native of SavanBreman board chair Lori Shapiro said in a state- role as the Southeast’s reposinah and grew up attending ment: “We are excited about Leslie’s proven leadership, tory, caretaker, and storytellCongregation Bnai Brith Jaher dynamism and her passion for the mission of The er of Jewish history, including Photograph by Judy Ondrey cob, then led by Rabbi A.I. Breman. We were seeking an inspiring leader to bring the Holocaust.” The Breman's new Director, Leslie Gordon Rosenberg. She said that she would the vision of a Jewish cultural center to life. Leslie deeply Gordon’s career in arts management began in 1985 understands the potential of The Breman, and she has like to see The Breman reach into corners of the Jewish as director of cultural affairs for the city of Savannah. the vision and proven ability to lead us into the future.” community that may not utilize the museum and also She moved to Atlanta in 1992 as a producer of the CulThe Breman is home to a permanent exhibit on the attract non-Jewish Atlantans. tural Olympiad, four years of arts and cultural program“I want to work with the board and staff to figure Holocaust and the Weinberg Center for Holocaust Eduming that preceded the 1996 Olympic Games. cation, as well as the Cuba Family Archives for Southern out how to make the most of the existing space while Gordon was artistic director for the 1997 Arts Festidrawing in a broad cross section of the entire Atlanta Jewish History. In the past year, The Breman has hosted val of Atlanta and served as manager of humanities and population,” she said. temporary exhibits on topics as diverse as the role of education for the National Black Arts Festival, developThe challenges are evident from the 2016 Jewish baseball in Jewish and minority communities and Iraqi ing programming for its 2000 and 2002 events. community survey conducted by the Jewish Federation Jewish heritage. The museum’s programming ranges “Under her leadership, the Rialto has evolved into of Greater Atlanta in which 30 percent of respondents from Jewish history tours of Atlanta to the Molly Blank a thriving international cultural center and a hub of described themselves as being very familiar with The Jewish Concert Series. multi-cultural activity,” The Breman’s statement said. “It’s very hard to leave a place like Georgia State, where there’s so much innovation going on and a staff, many of whom you’ve worked with the entire time you’ve been there,” Gordon said. Among the goals in the museum’s five-year plan is to “cultivate the community to financially invest in The Breman.” The Breman’s operating budget for fiscal year 2018 was $1.385 million, according to its annual report. On the revenue side, grants provided 39 percent of its funds, contributions and memberships 37 percent, endowment and restricted funds 16 percent, admissions and programs 7 percent, and other income 1 percent. Archives and exhibitions accounted for 38 percent of The Breman’s expenses, education and programming 22 percent, administration 17 percent, rent and facility maintenance 14 percent, and development 9 percent. The Breman is the largest tenant in the facility owned by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Having decided to maintain its headquarters in As a comprehensive dental office that goes above and beyond our speciality in Midtown Atlanta, the Federation is considering options Cosmetic Dentistry, our patients believe Dr. David Mastro is the right choice for all your for the future of the three-acre site at Spring and 18th family dentistry needs! When it comes to your smile and oral health, Dr. Mastro has a streets in terms of both renovation of the existing buildproven 30 year track record of providing quality cosmetic and family dental care for families in our local community and around the world. ing and possible new construction. 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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 9

ISRAEL PRIDE

News From Our Jewish Home Stage IV Cancer Treatment Available for Israelis A highly effective stage IV cancer treatment that can cost up to $1 million in America is now within reach for millions of Israeli citizens, according to a Sheba Medical Center spokesperson. Israel is taking revolutionary steps to subsidize this groundbreaking cancer treatment, which, despite its overwhelming success in the most desperate cases, is often prohibitively expensive. The immunotherapy treatment, called CAR-T, boasts a staggering 90 percent rate of remission for patients with stage IV leukemia and a 70 percent rate of remission for those with lymphoma at Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer, Israel’s largest hospital. This type of treatment changes a patient’s T cells (immunity system cells) so they will attack the cancer. The new policy instituted by Israel’s Ministry of Health allows terminally ill cancer patients to receive subsidized CAR-T immunotherapy treatment options through their HMOs. Sheba Medical Center, which is one of the few hospitals globally to manufacture its own

Today in Israeli History Jan. 25, 1904: Theodor Herzl takes time during a two-week trip to Italy to meet with Pope Pius X in an effort to win his support for the Zionist cause. Despite getting a warm reception from King Victor Emanuel III two days earlier, Herzl fails to sway the pope. “We cannot give approval to this movement,” Pius says. “We cannot prevent the Jews from going to Jerusalem, but we could never sanction it.” The pope says he cannot recognize the Jews because they have not recognized Jesus. Chaim Weizmann wrote in 1919 that “the whole tragedy of my people” had only recently become apparent to him.

Jan. 26, 1919: Chaim Weizmann writes a letter to anti-Zionist Gen. Arthur Money, who heads the British military administration in Palestine, to make 10 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CAR-T cells, will now treat patients at its new Bone Marrow Treatment Unit.

Israeli Tech Sends a Message at Electronics Show Showing off their wares, 22 Israeli startups formed the Israeli Pavilion at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas from Jan. 8 to 11. They exhibited products and innovations in diverse electronic fields, such as artificial intelligence, health and wellness and wearable technology, according to the Israeli Ministry of Economy and Industry. CES is known globally as the stage to show off new developments in consumer electronics and technology, and Israel has been a strong presence for years. The trade show included more than 4,500 exhibitors and more than 180,000 attendees.

Israel Invests Big in Quantum Computing Future The Israeli Ministry of Defense announced last month it would invest more than $27 million in new quantum computing technology over five years to ensure Israel maintains its position as

the Zionist case. Sent as a follow-up to a meeting a week earlier, the letter warns that “unless they secure a place which they may call their home in a real sense of the word, they will be faced with a terrible catastrophe” that “would shatter not only the whole fabric of Jewish existence, but would endanger the peace and society as a whole.” Jan. 27, 2001: Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in the Egyptian resort town of Taba conclude after a week of progress toward an agreement based on the Clinton Parameters, issued early in the month. “We leave Taba in a spirit of hope and mutual achievement,” a joint statement says. But Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak loses a landslide election 10 days later to Ariel Sharon, who says he is not bound by anything discussed at Taba or at Camp David in 2000, and the peace initiative dies amid the Second Intifada. Jan. 28, 1790: The National Assembly of revolutionary France decides to give citizenship to Sephardi Jews after a debate on Jewish emancipation the previous month. The Sephardim, whose families came to France in the 16th century, are well assimilated but represent the Jewish minority in France. The majority

one of the world’s most technologically advanced militaries, according to the Jerusalem Post. Quantum computing works with quantum particles, allowing computers to solve more complex problems than currently possible in much shorter time frames, in essence making computers faster and smarter, which — particularly as a military tool — allows for decryption of closely-guarded secrets. It also has the potential to revolutionize communications systems. The funding will be jointly provided by the Defense Ministry and The Council for Higher Education. Quantum computing funding is a common theme among global powers, with the U.S., China, Europe and Israel all focusing on keeping up with one another in their research and development.

Israeli Image Sensor Yields New Pictures of the Sun NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which made the closest-ever approach to a star — the sun — on its recent mission returned several images that give scientists new data with the potential to answer decades-old questions about the nature of our solar system.

An 1806 painting depicts Napoleon emancipating the Jews across his empire.

Ashkenazim are not emancipated until September 1791. Jan. 29, 2005: Israeli writer, playwright and filmmaker Ephraim Kishon dies at age 80 in Switzerland. Known for satire, his works often focus on the daily struggles of regular Israelis and the state bureaucracy. His films include “Sallah Shabati” (1964) and “The Policeman” (1971), both of which won Golden Globes for best foreign film, and his books sell more than 40 million copies. A native of Budapest, Hungary, he escaped from a Sobibor-bound train during the war and reached Israel in 1949. Jan. 30, 1933: German Zionist Recha Freier founds the Committee for the Assistance of Jewish Youth on the day Adolf

Photo courtesy of NASA

An image from the Parker Solar Probe at 1:12 a.m. Nov. 8, 2018.

The cutting-edge image sensor aboard the probe in November was created by an Israeli company, TowerJazz. The sensor, similar to those found in modern cameras, was the culmination of years of work to develop technology specifically for the U.S. government’s needs. The probe was the first to ever enter the sun’s corona, or the aura of plasma in its atmosphere, and offers new information to study solar winds and their interactions with Earth’s magnetic field, according to NASA’s briefing materials for the mission. ■

Hitler is appointed the chancellor of Germany. Later renamed Youth Aliyah, the program rescues more than 11,000 Jewish children during World War II and becomes a signature Hadassah program for bringing children to Israel from various parts of the world, although at first Hadassah founder Henrietta Szold does not support the project out of doubts about the ability to support the youths in Palestine. Freier makes aliyah in March 1941. Jan. 31, 1961: Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion resigns, triggering Israeli elections in August, to protest a Cabinet decision a month earlier to exonerate Pinchas Lavon for his role in a botched Israeli spy operation in Egypt in 1954. Lavon had been blamed and had resigned as defense minister at the time, although an investigative committee was inconclusive about what went wrong. The Lavon Affair resurfaced in 1960 over revelations that two senior officers had given false testimony implicating Lavon. ■ Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details.

ISRAEL NEWS

Team Israel in Seoul, South Korea, during the World Baseball Classic in 2017.

'Heading Home 2' on Deck for 2020 Olympics By Eddie Samuels Israel shocked the world in 2017 as one of the breakout teams in the World Baseball Classic. “Heading Home: The Tale of Team Israel” told the story of the global underdog’s rise from obscurity to the quarterfinals of the WBC. The film premiered at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival in 2018 and is still screening around the country. Now gearing up for the 2020 Olympics, expectations are higher than ever for team Israel, and a camera will be there to document. Matt Wasserlauf, who recently signed on as executive producer of “Heading Home 2: Return of the Mensch,” explained that the classic laid the groundwork for a new era of Israeli baseball. “We put baseball on the Jewish map, so to speak,” he said. “Even the players were surprised by what they accomplished, and it’s given them the enthusiasm to go after the 2020 Olympics. The 2017 team featured a number of major leaguers on the roster, including Ike Davis, Josh Zeid and former Brave Ryan Lavarnway, and the 2020 team is set to benefit from their success. “You have these American Jews who feel that Israel is special, and they’ve come together to make Israel a formidable baseball team,” Wasserlauf said. “The success from the World Baseball Classic confirmed that there really is a lot of talent there.” In the World Baseball Classic, a player only has to be eligible for citizenship in a country to represent it, but according to Olympic rules, a player must have been a citizen of the country for at least a year. This didn’t stop Jewish players in the slightest, however, as 10 Jewish-American baseball players became dual-citizens to play for Israel in 2020. The American athletes who also played for Israel in 2017 are: Corey Baker, a retired minor leaguer; Gabe Cramer, a minor leaguer in the Kansas City Royals

system; Blake Gailen and Joey Wagman, who play in the Independent League; and Alex Katz, a Baltimore Orioles minor leaguer. Players joining team Israel for the first time are: Eric Brodkowitz, a former college player; Jonathan de Marte, who plays in the Independent League; Jeremy Wolf, a retired minor league player; and Jon Moscot and Zack Weiss, Major League Baseball free agents. While the sequel is still early in production, the success of the first film has Wasserlauf confident that there is a desire for the team’s story. “They’re still running around the country screening ‘Heading Home,’” he said. “We just had a showing in Newton, Mass., and we actually outperformed ‘Spiderman’ in the theater. So, there is a pent-up appetite; ask any Jew who loves baseball.” Wasserlauf explained that he felt the need to tell this story in particular. “I’m a guy who is passionate about two things: baseball and Judaism,” he said. “I think the story that a bunch of Jewish baseball players came together and shocked the world, and now they have the opportunity on a bigger stage, is really the makings of a great story.” There’s little doubt that expectations for the Israeli team are at an all-time high. “I think before the World Baseball Classic, I would’ve said that they’re extremely low, but they raised the bar,” Wasserlauf said. “But it also adds drama. They did beat a couple of powerhouses, and so they’re not going to be taken lightly.” Wasserlauf also explained that baseball has the potential to be a powerful unifying force between American Jews and Israel. “The marriage of Israel with baseball, which is so near and dear to the American culture, is going to be something special. It brings Israel to America in a way that it hasn’t been before.” ■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 11

OPINION Put on Your Jewish Political Action Hat The American community is in a delicate balance politically and socially – not knowing how or when there will be a resolution to the conflicts between the branches of government, between the parties, between different groups in society. We read in this past week’s Harold Torah portion about PassKirtz over. Even though we are about 100 days from the beginning of the holiday, we read this portion, in part, to begin thinking about and preparing for Passover. Just as it takes time to prepare and it takes instruction on how to celebrate Passover, it takes time and instruction to rebalance the conflicts we are experiencing. Although the conflicts are major and often beyond our ability to resolve, each of us must take our own steps to help the rebalance. Many of our conflicts should be and can be resolved through engagement in the political process. Meaningful participation will not just help rebalance but

12 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

will also lead to re-energizing oneself for the benefit of society. The legislative portion of politics has begun anew in Washington, with even worse conflicts, including the government shutdown. It is a poor reflection on the process that much of our government is not allowed to do its job of protecting and providing for the needs of the American people. The legislative process is also beginning on the state level. The Georgia state legislature has come together this week for the annual legislative session. Citizen participation will be critical this year as we face many challenges. At 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 27, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta will host a Legislative Advocacy Training program. Everyone should attend to ready themselves for this legislative season. We will provide tips on how to advocate for your particular issue and your particular position, and offer the advice

of legislators, lobbyists and experts. This legislative session may see a number of contentious issues, including religious liberty bills; voter registration and identification issues; immigration; health care; and educational priorities. For example, the expansion of health care coverage will likely be on center stage again. Will Georgia finally expand Medicaid, or will it provide an alternative that will be consumer-friendly? Or will we fail again to provide the necessary coverage for the health of all Georgians? JCRC has taken the position that health coverage must be expanded so that all Georgians have access to decent health care. The way to get there may differ across the political spectrum, but Jewish values, in our opinion, call for the ability of all citizens to have that access. In the Mishneh Torah, the revered Jewish scholar — and physician — Maimonides, listed health care first on his list of the 10 most important communal services that a city must offer its residents (Hilchot De’ot IV: 23). Almost all self-governing Jewish communities throughout history set up systems to

ensure that all their citizens had access to health care. Doctors were required to reduce their rates for poor patients, and when that was not sufficient, communal subsidies were established. Immigration is another subject on which Judaism has a lot to say. Welcoming the stranger is listed many times in the Torah, but there are numerous other provisions and commandments. Torah forbids returning a person fleeing captivity to his or her enslaver. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, in fact, points out that the Torah mandates that we give that person political asylum. We must allow such person to live where they wish and take special care not to wrong them, the JCRC also believes. Moreover, the lesson of Passover is for the ideal hope that all human beings live in freedom. As we prepare for Passover, may we join together in political action to establish a community and state that is welcoming, caring and productive for the human spirit. Join us on Jan. 27; we are meeting at Congregation Shearith Israel. ■ Harold Kirtz is president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta

OPINION

Weaving a New Jewish Ecosystem Pull up a rocking chair and come sit awhile on my imaginary Front Porch as we look out over Jewish Atlanta. I know, I know, traffic is still terrible, but in ways that are both subtle and tangible, I see change. Things feel warmer, more collaborative and more connected in Jewish Atlanta. One year after The Front Porch initiative, I believe it is in human and communal relationships that we are making the most Eric M. progress, and this is a very good sign. I see Robbins Atlanta weaving human networks that are welcoming, innovative and caring. I see us opening our minds to a broader vision of global Jewish peoplehood and creating new pathways to inclusive Jewish experiences that enrich all Jews and their loved ones. Today, conversation by conversation, collaboration by collaboration, we are becoming the 21st century Jewish ecosystem we need to be. Assume the Best of Each Other It takes great kavannah (intention) and focus to make these shifts. Last year, as an offshoot of The Front Porch, we sent a diverse group of Jewish community leaders to Israel on a Learning Journey. Before we left, I framed the trip this way: “We are traveling to Israel with a unique kavannah, not as tourists, but as curious and committed partners. We have a mindset to build

bonds as a community of leaders, affirm and deepen our ties to Israel, and immerse ourselves in Israeli innovation. Our trip prioritizes time for difficult conversations, for small group work and personal reflection. We’ll be creating a precious infrastructure of human capital and relationships, so that when we come home, we’ll be primed and ready to co-create our Jewish ecosystem.” There were many difficult conversations and moments of discomfort on the trip, but our love for Israel and our growing love and respect for each other outweighed the differences. When we returned, we wrote a brit, or covenant, committing ourselves to “work collaboratively, to take each other’s phone calls, to assume the very best of each other, and to model respectful dialogue when issues divide us.” One trip participant wrote, “I immediately hung a note on my desk: ‘Always assume the best of each other.’ It is a direct quote from the brit we all signed together. This is a mantra I turn to before returning calls and emails – and it has been a transformational practice for me. I’m proud to be a part of this Atlanta community where we live the values of our covenant every day.”

modeled in Israel will help us become the "Radically Welcoming Jewish Community" we want to be. Next week, I’ve invited the lead professional and laypeople from every Jewish organization, many of whom were on the Israel trip, to come together. This is the second time we have met since finishing up our Front Porch work, and our focus will be on Radical Welcoming. The location of this gathering will change so that we can be in many different parts of our Atlanta Jewish community and my goal is to do this two to three times per year. I’m thrilled that a group of our professionals from organizations across Atlanta have become our Network Weavers. They have planned with us an impactful morning of networking, learning and working toward approaches our organizations can use individually and collectively. We’ll hear from Rachel Wasserman from the Jewish Women’s Fund about a very important national Jewish initiative around Safety, Equity and Respect. And together, we will discuss our ideas for Radical Welcoming and leave with some new ideas to try. We may not solve Atlanta’s traffic problems, but I know that together we will widen the circle that began on The Front Porch and will move ever closer to co-creating a thriving Jewish Ecosystem. ■

It’s all About Relationships I believe that the trust, friendship and respect we

Eric M. Robbins is president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 13

AJFF PREVIEW Kenny Blank’s Steady Hand Still Guides the AJFF By Bob Bahr For most of its 19-year history, Kenny Blank’s vision as the executive director has helped make the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival one of the most important cultural events in this part of America. This year the festival will once again present a broad program of excellent films, backed by authoritative introductory speakers and informative panel discussions. Blank spoke to the AJT recently at the AJFF’s newest theatrical venue, in the Sandy Spring Performing Arts Center, about how this large and complex program is shaped, and about its direction, going forward. AJT: How do you make your decisions about what’s in and what’s out in the festival schedule? Blank: The process itself involves six months of pre-screening entries from around the world, some 700 submissions. The volunteers on the screening committee weigh in with their feedback. The evaluation process is invaluable in helping us judge how a film is going to resonate with a real audience, not with elite critics or a panel of expert judges, but with everyday movie lovers. And we ask ourselves: Does a particular film deal with a timely topic, something ripped from the headlines? Is there an outreach opportunity to explore the intersection of Jewish life with the LGBT community, the Muslim community, interfaith, all different sorts of constituencies? We look at those different considerations and try to create a wellrounded program, and by well-rounded, meaning, not too much of the same subject or the same style of filmmaking.

Executive Director Kenny Blank sees a bright future for AJFF.

AJT: It sounds like an exhausting job. Blank: It’s doesn’t seem difficult because it’s just fun to me. Who can complain about such a wonderful professional opportunity to do what you love? I love film and I come from a journalism background. This is like the merging of both of those things and it’s so rewarding to present these films and then see how the audience responds. That, to me, is the payoff at the end, to be in the theater as people are coming out of the film and see whether they loved it or hated it or are asking questions about it or are confused by it or were challenged by it. I mean nowadays there are still few things that actually move us. We’ve become so jaded and cynical, but art can still provoke people and get them thinking, and that’s what’s exciting for me. AJT: What would you say, for you personally, are some of this year's highlights?

Blank: Well certainly the biggest highlight is this glorious space of the new Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center at City Springs. We’re very excited after, as we say, being Jews wandering the desert for years and years, we finally found the Promised Land here at City Springs. Our biggest challenge as a film festival is this industry trend of commercial theaters downsizing and putting in luxury seats and other amenities to try to get people out of their homes. But for a film festival, where you have huge demand and you’re trying to accommodate a large number of people, that industry trend was not in our favor, so more and more we were seeing theaters shrinking, and we were struggling to find ways to accommodate everyone who wanted to come. Now we have this glorious, 1,000seat, spectacular, state-of-the-art, luxuriously appointed theater, which I think is just going to open up all kinds of capacity and access to the festival.

AJT: You’ve done so much in the last year, with the AJFF on Campus, AJFF Selects programs, Cinebash, and now this festival. What’s next? Blank: We’re very conscious of the fact that we have a big milestone anniversary coming up in 2020, which will be the 20th anniversary of the festival. So, I think a lot of our focus in this coming year is going to be to figure out how we can best recognize that anniversary and that 20th milestone. I think the American Jewish Committee, which grew and nurtured the festival for so long, five years ago sort of set us free to let us grow on our own. That independence has given us the opportunity to start doing a kind of longterm visioning and to experiment with some different kinds of programs that may embrace other art forms as well as film. AJT: More and more the film experience is based in the home, with companies like Amazon and Netflix having an important influence. Is the habit of movie going dying? Blank: We, as human beings, absolutely still need this cinematic storytelling opportunity, and that can really only be best experienced when you experience that with an audience in a theater. I think people still crave that human connection. So yes, the technology may change, the format may change. There may be some changes in the industry that change the viewer experience a little bit, but I think, ultimately, the need to share and connect with others in an audience, in a movie theater, will continue. ■

Directors’ Cut By Eddie Samuels A few of the AJFF’s most heralded directors spoke to the AJT this week about the process of making a film and the importance of film festivals. These four directors demonstrate how diverse the AJFF’s offerings really are, from documentaries to comedies and everything in between. While some may think a director simply sits in a tall chair yelling “Action” and “Cut,” these storytellers let us see behind the curtain and into the minds of rising stars in the world of Jewish filmmaking.

Jamie Elman and Eli Batalion on ‘Chewdaism’ Making their way around the world through food is not new to Jamie Elman and Eli Batalion, but their film, “Chewdaism: A Taste of Jewish Montreal,” takes them on a novel journey — home. 14 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Though the pair first met in high school, their partnership really blossomed when they started their YouTube series, “YidLife Crisis.” “It was 2005 in Los Angeles and we got to know each other through a mutual friend and realized we had a lot of similarities in our comedic leanings,”

Batalion said. The series – and its spinoff docuseries, “Global Shtetl,” – has taken them across the world, visiting places with deeply ingrained Jewish roots like Tel Aviv and Krakow. But the pair felt the need to do something special for Montreal. “We decided we would turn the cam-

eras back on our own hometown, and we had to do it in the most deluxe way,” Batalion said. Food as a vehicle simply seemed like the most natural fit to tell the stories the pair wanted to tell. “Any chance we can get to – professionally – stuff our faces with Montreal bagels and smoked meat is enough rea-

AJFF PREVIEW

Jamie Elman (left) and Eli Batalion

son for us,” Elman said. “We’ve used food throughout the YidLife series as a way of talking about Jewish culture generally and in Montreal.” The film is broken down into six meals, telling the history of Jewish Montreal, which, according to Elman, is really the story of Montreal more generally. “Over the last 100 years, the Jewish community has had a huge impact on the city,” he said. Batalion explained that “Chewdaism,” much like their Yidlife series, taught them a number of lessons about their hometown. In particular, the pair cited one of the meals from the film as especially informative. “We go and have a dinner amongst Sephardic Jews,” he explained. “There’s a term being used a lot these days – Ashkenormative – and we tend to look at our history through that, we don’t think about those who arrived from elsewhere.”

Shawn Snyder

Shawn Snyder on ‘To Dust’ Dark, sometimes morbid humor is certainly a Jewish staple. That Jewish tone defines the background of Shawn Snyder’s film, “To Dust.” He knew from an early age that he wanted to be a musician or filmmaker, and his directorial debut is born out of his own emotional story, following the death of his mother. “For some reason, right when my mom died, there was an epiphany-like

shift that it was time to do film now,” he said. “The emotions that I was grappling with after her death lent themselves to film more than rhyming couplets in folk songs.” He explained that he was fascinated by Jewish mourning customs. “I’ve always felt that the Jewish mourning rituals and understanding of grief are so profound, even so ancient. This idea of focusing on the living rather than on death really resonated,” he said. “To Dust” draws from some of Snyder’s own thoughts in the wake of his mother’s death and how those ideas could be taken to an extreme. “There was this question of what’s happening with her body and it’s a question we all have and don’t engage with because our cultures and our societies make us hide those thoughts,” Snyder said. “I never went crazy with those ideas, but I saw how someone could.” He described the process of putting the film together following a $100,000 grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, which — in addition to its scientific research — also supports art with a scientific theme. From there, his idea continued to resonate, and while he had originally planned to work with what he had and make a film, support kept flowing. “Every step of the way I’m pinching myself, but here we are: ‘Let’s do the work.’ To this day I joke that Dayenu — that if we took $100,000 and went into the woods — it would’ve been enough,” he said. Snyder explains that while he still wonders what it was that caused such widespread interest in the film, he believes it captures something special. “We were tackling something so odd and so specific that could be so universal. We knew that we were walking a tonal tightrope and that everyone was taking this leap of faith with us,” he said.

Peter Kenneth Jones on ‘Henri Dauman: Looking Up’ One of the most heralded documentaries of this year’s AJFF would never have been put to film if it weren’t for Henri Dauman’s granddaughter and producer of “Henri Dauman: Looking Up,” Nicole Suarez. Director Peter Kenneth Jones explained that while dating Suarez, he traveled to Paris to see Dauman’s first exhibition and was blown away by the photography on display. “It was the first time I’d experienced his photography, and to a certain degree,

Peter Kenneth Jones with Henri Dauman

the first time Nicole had experienced his photography as well,” he said. “During that time in Paris, she turned to me and said, ‘We have to make a movie about him.’” He had never even met Dauman before, but Jones was already looking for a project to make his directorial debut, as he had served as an assistant to Jonathan Liebesman and Dean Israelite. One running gag in the film is Dauman’s perfectionism, even throughout the filmmaking process as he directs Jones around and makes comments about lighting and shot framing. “We knew going into the project that it was going to happen, and that it was something that we just can’t fight,” Jones said. “We decided we should have some way to include it, so we decided to always have cameras running to catch him doing what he naturally does. It definitely informed certain scenes; he literally adjusts the frame for one of our interview set-ups.” And while the film likely would never have been made without Suarez’s insistence, in retrospect, Dauman looks back with gratitude. “In a way, I’m glad I finally accepted,” he said. “With all the hatred going on around the world and rising anti-Semitism, I think that this will leave a witness to what happened in the World War and what it entailed. … There are fewer and fewer survivors of World War II and so the film can testify to the tragedies of war and why we should avoid it.”

Isaac Cherem on ‘Leona’ Born in Mexico City in 1992, Isaac Cherem, director of “Leona,” grew up within the tight-knit Mexican Jewish community. “The Jewish community in Mexico is very unique in its shape, its people and its ways,” he said.

Cherem’s interest in filmmaking was born of his love for music, which still heavily influences his filmmaking today. In high school, a theater teacher approached him with an idea. “He wasn’t really asking me. He was like, you have to act in my play,” Cherem said. Cherem enjoyed the energy of the theater and even won prizes at theater festivals. But his passion for film developed when his mother took him to a film festival because of his appreciation for films from different cultures. “I met some people that invited me to participate in shoots and short films,” Cherem said. “And I met my partner, the producer of ‘Leona.’”

Isaac Cherem

Cherem graduated from the Los Angeles Film School in 2011 and dreamt of making his own movie until the idea for ‘Leona’ popped into his head. Calling the film his portrait of the Jewish community in Mexico, Cherem highlights the flaws and the beauty of growing up isolated from much of the rest of the world. “I really didn’t see much of Mexico growing up as a Jew,” Cherem said. “I only had Jewish friends. It wasn’t until I went to LA that I realized how big the world is and how much I’d been segregated from it.” The film includes his ideas for the future and discussions he would like to see happen more often in his community, on subjects like intermarriage, homosexuality and breaking customary boundaries. While it seems like “Leona” could ruffle some feathers among Mexican Jews, Cherem explained that several members of his community traveled great distances to see his directorial debut at a Mexican film festival. “I’ve heard from people who haven’t seen it that it’s not good, that it’s making us look bad, that we should keep our problems inside our community,” Cherem said. “But a lot of young people and women, in particular, are very thankful for the film.” ■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 15

AJFF PREVIEW

Inside the Jury Box By Eddie Samuels For the average AJFF goer, the Jury Awards can be a fun addition to supplement the amazing hours of film already on display, but for filmmakers, they are often the highlights of the event. With six categories: narrative, documentary, shorts, emerging filmmaker, building bridges and human rights, the jury prizes offer commendation and validation to excellent films across every genre. Each jury is made up of three individuals from different walks of life who discuss, debate and deliberate on the six finalists in their category, eventually choosing a winner. As the largest Jewish film festival in the country, AJFF’s awards carry a lot of weight. Three jurors spoke with the AJT to discuss their excitement, philosophies and criteria when judging film.

Jeffrey Abramson – Emerging Filmmaker

In his first year at the AJFF, Jeffrey Abramson is relishing his opportunity as a member of the Emerging Filmmaker

Jury. Previously an organizer of the Gen Art Festival in New York City, he has experience selecting from emerging artists in a variety of fields. Part of his role previously took a little of the luster away from festivals, but his role as a juror has given him a renewed vigor, said Abramson, who is a producer and marketing strategist. “It’s interesting because when I started watching films for a festival, it does sometimes become a little bit more about finding a balance between the science and the art of it all,” Abramson said. “It took a little of the joy out of watching films.” He clarified that his focus for the emerging filmmaker category, in particular, is not necessarily on finding the highest production value film, but rather about a distinct perspective. “I’m looking for a unique voice,

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something daring to go where others won’t — something fresh,” he said. He also noted that it was interesting to observe a number of common themes, both with films in his category, and also at the festival as a whole. “It really does speak to the state of mind of people and particularly within the Jewish community, there’re a lot that have to do with identity,” he said. As a former festival organizer, he also explained that awards can be vital for reinvigorating filmmakers after the laborious process of putting a film together. “The little celebrations that we can mount can fuel filmmakers to keep moving forward, both on this film’s journey and also to tell their next story,” Abramson said.

A regular attendee of the AJFF, this is Erin Bernhardt’s first year being involved in the jury awards process. As an emerging documentary filmmaker herself, Bernhardt seems right at home in understanding the trials and triumphs of those in her category. “It was very interesting because the selections were a mixture of documentary and narrative, which is very unique for emerging filmmakers,” she said. She explained that while she ordinarily watches documentaries with a critical eye, she had to take a new tact with the narrative entries in the category. “Every time I watch a documentary, I watch with a critical eye because I’m trying to learn from it, and potentially to give constructive criticism,” Bernhardt said. “Part of the beauty of narrative films is that you’re able to lose yourself in them, and so staying aware of my role is the biggest change for me.” Although she didn’t come up with a rubric for grading the films, she said she did self-impose some parameters on her judging. “I watched all of them within the same two weeks and didn’t watch anything else between watching them be-

cause I didn’t think it would be fair to the films I’m judging,” she said. “I thought a lot about the audience, which I think a lot about when I watch a documentary already. Will the audience be crying? Will they be laughing?”

Steve Mensch – Shorts

Steve Mensch is the president and general manager of operations at Tyler Perry Studios and has been involved with the AJFF since 2015. This year, he’s serving on the festival’s steering committee as well as the Shorts Jury. “One of the things I really enjoy about working with the AJFF is that they have great trust in the people who volunteer and participate. It’s a healthy debate; there is some structure provided, but it is absolutely up to the jurors who is selected,” Mensch said. That debate is at the core of the jury experience for Mensch, as he appreciates that different backgrounds often lead to spirited discussions. Often minds change in the process, he said. “The thing I enjoy the most about it is how diverse the jurors are. Diversity of thought in what makes a film a winner,” he said. Mensch also explained that when serving on a jury, he’s always careful to watch films twice. “I watch it through a couple different lenses: As an audience member, am I engaged? And then I’ll watch it again through a more critical, creative lens,” he said. “How is it constructed technically? Is there a story arc and does it come to a logical conclusion?” The importance of the role is not lost on Mensch, however, as he realizes how life-changing the awards can be. “We are making a very significant impact in someone’s career as a filmmaker in this decision,” he said. Mensch clarified what makes an excellent short film. “A great short is like a delicious appetizer. When finished, you want more but realize it was the perfect size, and any more would be too much,” he said. ■

AJFF PREVIEW

Meet Our Previewers The AJT is proud to present previews of some of the most-anticipated films of this year’s AJFF. Hopefully our guide can help you make your own list of must-see movies and can’t-miss shorts. Our previewers come from a variety of backgrounds and experience. Learn more about them and find out who shares in your movie savor below:

Bob Bahr is with the Center for Media and the Moving Image and frequently lectures on film and modern society and regularly contributes to the AJT.

Judy Bozarth is a writer and copy editor who’s been on AJFF’s Film Evaluation Committee and its copy editor for 11 years.

Bruce Kahn is a retired technical editor, and worked for IBM for more than 30 years. He and his wife Pam live in Brookhaven.

Kaylene Ladinsky is the managing publisher and interim editor at the AJT.

Eddie Samuels is a staff writer at the AJT.

Lou Ladinsky is originally from Brooklyn, N.Y., and now lives in East Cobb, Marietta. He is a product manager for LexisNexis Risk Solutions, where he has worked for the past 25 years.

Janice Convoy-Hellmann has been involved with the AJFF for almost 10 years, serving on both the Evaluation and Programming committees and pre-screening hundreds of films in advance of the festival.

Marcia R. Cohen, visual artist and educator, is a professor emerita of SCAD Atlanta and maintains a full-time studio practice in Atlanta.

Jan Jaben-Eilon is a long-time journalist who has dual citizenship in the United States and Israel.

Jason Evans is a local film critic and journalist. He is the co-chair of the AJFF Film Evaluation Committee.

Jen Evans is the community liaison for the AJT.

Jodi Danis is the executive assistant to the publisher and managing publisher at the AJT and has a background in writing, editing, and teaching.

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Michael Rosenzweig, a former lawyer and nonprofit CEO, is a longtime Atlanta resident and AJFF enthusiast. He serves on the Festival’s Screening, Community Engagement and Programming committees. Sandra Craine is the education coordinator for the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust. She participates on the AJFF Evaluation Committee and Guest Programming Committee. She is a committed cinephile.

Sara Ghitis, a former producer at CNN, is the founder of Oral Histories and Life Stories and was an interviewer for Steven Spielberg’s Survivors of the Shoah Visual History Project; The Mathausen Project, Vienna; Survivors of Forced Laborers Documentation Project, Berlin. She’s a docent at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum and has been involved with AJFF for several years.

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AJFF PREVIEW

N FILM O D L R O W SEE THE Lights, Camera, Action For nearly all of February, Atlanta Jews can “See the World on Film,” the theme of the 2019 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. That “world,” developed over 19 years of the film festival, includes international features, biographies, current events, history, politics, interfaith relations, and anti-Semitism. The festival was started by the American Jewish Committee – celebrating 75 years in Atlanta this year – which continues to partner with the AJFF to bring 76 feature films, documentaries and short films to locals screens over three weeks Feb. 6-26. So go out and “See the World on Film” at a theater near you. You are sure to be enlightened, entertained and engaged. It’s showtime!

A Fortunate Man

Alt-Right: Age of Rage

Carl Laemmle

By Judy Bozarth

By Bob Bahr

A fortunate man, a daring and brilliant man, and an idealistic, obsessed and obstinate man. These are all apt descriptors for this extraordinary film by Danish director Bille August, based on Dutch writer Henrik Pontoppidan’s Nobel Prize-winning novel. Absolutely perfect performances, dazzling cinematography, and an alluring, absorbing storyline fully justify the length that actually feels half as long. Peter (later Per) Sidenius (Esben Smed) has lived in rural Denmark under the yoke of his domineering and repressive father, an ultra-conservative Lutheran minister who espouses only the darkest prophecies and tenets of his religion. No wonder Peter is overjoyed to be accepted into a prestigious engineering school in bustling Copenhagen, for which he sets sail, despite the furious wrath of his father. Through serendipitously “fortunate” circumstances, he becomes acquainted with a wealthy and powerful Jewish family, with two daughters. Swayed by his naïve charm and engineering genius, the family takes him under its wing. World over, however, apples don’t fall far from the tree, the fruition of which heralds the beginning of Peter's heartbreaking travails. The narrative unwinds many threads: class structure, religious doctrine, social issues, family tensions and romantic love, with expectations both realistic and otherwise. This gorgeous, exquisitely filmed epic chronicle is not to be missed. ■

Being at the right place at the right time is everything in the creation of documentary film, and the producers of “Alt Right: Age of Rage” made some strategic decisions that helped to shape their successful documentary. First, they decided to follow two political agitators during the first half of 2017, just after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. The film sets up a dialectical clash between alt-right activist Richard Spencer, who takes Trump’s election as a sign that the time is right to organize. His opponent is Daryle Lamont Jenkins, a black political leader of the antifa or anti-fascist left, who seems in the film to be working overtime, if somewhat unsuccessfully, at looking as menacing as possible. Ultimately, they square off against one another in Charlottesville, Va., on August 11-12, 2017, where the filmmaker’s narrative comes into focus. From the nighttime torchlight parade that eerily resounds with the chants of “Jews Will Not Replace Us” to the final moments of deadly violence that climax their “Unite The Right” rally, we are abruptly confronted with the full meaning of “Alt-Right: Age of Rage.” The makers of the film had their cameras rolling when James Alex Fields Jr. drove his automobile at full speed down a narrow Charlottesville street, killing a 32-year-old paralegal, Heather Heyer, and injuring three dozen others. Their video of those several terrifying minutes makes up the stunning climax of the film. Fields was later convicted of numerous charges, including first-degree murder. If we need yet another look at where America is headed in these perilous times, “Alt-Right: Age of Rage” is a timely, and at times frightening, reminder. ■

James Freedman’s homage to the pioneering film maker, Carl Laemmle, is a heartfelt tribute to one of the great Jews of early Hollywood. Laemmle, who was only 5-foot-2 and a humble immigrant from Germany, became a world class brawler early in the 20th century. He took on Thomas Edison and Edison’s early partners in the movie industry and ran them out of business. In doing so, he became among the first of a long line of Jewish entrepreneurs who made Hollywood, as it’s been described, an empire of their own. Later in the 1930s, he plunged into the much bigger job of taking down Hitler in Nazi Germany, or at least trying to save as many of Germany’s Jews as he could. As it was, he worked tirelessly to rescue more than 300 families from the jaws of the Nazi death machine. He was able to do all that because of his great success as the founder and head of Universal Studios. But that all pales in comparison to the real-life drama that Laemmle created for himself as an oversized Jewish hero saving his people from Nazi Germany. Unlike many of his contemporaries in Tinsel Town, he did it all without changing his name, changing his nose or changing his religion. ■

18 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Chewdaism: A Taste of Jewish Montreal By Janice Convoy-Hellmann Being a Jew from Montreal and a graduate of the same high school as both Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman, the zany duo behind the online series “YidLife Crisis” as well as this film, I was curious to see what they’d high-

AJFF PREVIEW

light on their gastronomic tour of Montreal. Unlike their series, the Yiddish here is kept to a minimum, but the humor’s still there. The film includes a comic food tour of the city and history lesson about the Montreal Jewish community. Immigrants arrived in succeeding waves over the past century and impacted the foods within the Jewish community and beyond. (You can now get poutine, a classic Quebecois dish, topped with smoked meat). They also influenced the culture of the city (Leonard Cohen and Mordecai Richler), its businesses (schmatas/textiles and garments), and its medical field (the Jewish General Hospital). This duo makes the history lesson fun, visiting eateries familiar to all Montrealers,

Enemies, A Love Story By Jodi Danis Love is complicated. But for Herman Broder (Ron Silver), it’s even more so as he juggles not one, not two, but three romantic relationships in post-World War II New York City. First released in 1989, “Enemies, A Love Story” is based on a novel by Isaac Bashevis Singer. As the main character juggles a Gentile wife, a volatile mistress, and a cynical wife returned from the grave, the film injects dark humor to cover its serious themes. The indecisive Broder divides his time between his new spouse, Yadwiga (Margaret Sophie Stein), the simple yet adoring Polish woman and his sexy lover Masha (Lena Olin). Add in the untimely arrival of his presumed-dead first wife, Tamara (Anjelica Huston), and things become even more problematic for the despondent Broder. At one point, so deeply entrenched in his many lies and relationships, he cannot even choose the correct train sign between Brooklyn, the Bronx or Manhattan. Director and co-screenwriter Paul Mazursky deftly explores fidelity and faith amidst characters trying to rebuild their lives after great loss. The film is haunting, tragic, darkly comic and erotic at times, with strong performances by the four main leads. Huston and Olin were both nominated for Best Supporting Actress awards. The late comedian-actor Alan King plays a small role as a not-so-holy rabbi whom Broder works for as a ghostwriter. The film has aged well in its storytelling and is worth a revisit for those who may have seen it years ago. As we watch

Jewish or not, because they are emblematic of the city and part of every tourist’s itinerary. For the most part, the documentary focuses on Ashkenazic foods, such as Montreal’s famous bagels. But the pair does travel to the neighborhood they grew up in, Côte Saint-Luc, a 70 percent Jewish suburb where many Moroccan, Egyptian, Lebanese and Iraqi Jews who arrived in the 1960s and ‘70s live, to sample some Sephardic food. Of late, Jewish food is “on trend.” Young Jewish chefs and foodies are creating their own style of classic dishes by drawing on the diversity of Jewish food traditions from around the world and giving them a fashionable freshness. Montreal is no exception, and the film ends by visiting those at the helm of Montreal’s Jewish foodie scene who, though creating cuttingedge and newfangled dishes, admit that it’s hard to beat the beloved food staples that have come to be synonymous with Montreal cuisine. Given that the Closing Night screening will have the bonus of including some of these Montreal dishes, you would be remiss not to attend. ■ Broder become more and more entangled in a web of his own weaving, as we meet characters deeply haunted by their horrific past, we cannot help but wonder why some individuals are resilient enough to overcome their scars, yet others ultimately self-destruct. ■

By Sara Ghitis Some films are unforgettable. The AJFF’s 30th anniversary film this year is one of them. It’s one of my all-time favorites: “Enemies: A Love Story.” Directed by Paul Mazursky and featuring Alan Arkin, Lena Olin, Margaret Sophie Stein and Anjelica Huston in the main roles, the movie is based on the novel by the same name, written by master storyteller Isaac Bashevis Singer and representative of the best Yiddish literary tradition. Set in New York during the long aftermath of the Holocaust, the film manages to capture the author’s brilliant ability to surprise, the pathos, the eroticism and the wicked humor. This is an unusual tale, but in fact, it may be less unusual than we imagine. Much to look forward to at the theater as the screening will be enhanced by the actual presence of Olin, one of the lead actors. I hope you will love this film as much as I do. ■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 19

AJFF PREVIEW

Family in Transition

The Frisco Kid

The Golem

Henri Dauman: Looking Up

By Judy Bozarth

By Jason Evans

By Bruce Kahn

By Eddie Samuels

This extremely intimate and sensitive portrayal, and winner of the Best Israeli Documentary award at the Docaviv Film Festival, drew me in completely, as it observes a father’s transition from male to female. Over a two-year period, a devoted Israeli family of six – Amit, the dad; Galit, his wife; and their four children who are about 7 to 18 – deals with Amit’s highly emotional and often stressful evolution. Using a cinéma vérité approach, the film offers an up-close and very personal examination of a family with a parent who’s always desired to make a radical change. As we watch, we can’t help but become involved as Amit first shares his intentions with Galit, and then with various acquaintances, including his religiously observant business partner. As Amit embarks on the extensive process, beginning with alternate clothing choices and use of hormones, he experiences a rollercoaster of emotions, despite his attempts at positivity. Social ostracism is an undercurrent, as occasionally Amit, and even the children, are met with homophobic-like reactions from members of their conservative northern Israeli community, compounding the worry and tension that mark their otherwise middle-class, pleasant lives. Even friends and extended family vary in their reactions. Anxiety and stress clearly take their toll and threaten the family’s stability. We see the effects of the transition on their children, and long-term ramifications that profoundly affect the dynamics of this loving family with whom we share a most personal journey. ■

The AJFF celebrates the 40th anniversary of the release of “The Frisco Kid” by bringing this crowd-pleasing comedy back to theaters. Starring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford — fresh from being launched to superstardom by “Star Wars” — this hysterical comedy is the tale of an Orthodox Polish rabbi travelling across the Old West to his new congregation in San Francisco. Along the way, he meets up with a bank robber, who agrees to help the rabbi reach his destination. The two men accidentally end up teaching each other a lot about their different worlds and also learn a good deal about themselves. Wilder’s remarkable comedic timing is on full display here and many critics say this is his finest work on film. The role Ford plays was originally intended for John Wayne, but the youthful Star Wars star fits the part better than The Duke would have. Considered one of the finest Jewish comedies ever to come out of Hollywood, you’ll be guaranteed to laugh as the big screen welcomes back an old friend in “The Frisco Kid.” ■

The story of the Golem in Jewish folklore is centuries old. The last time it was filmed was over a century ago. Part of a Golem trilogy, only parts of the original German film remain. According to various online sources, the golem grew from ancient Jewish myths, the most common involving a 16th century rabbi who created it to protect Jews from antiSemites. This latest incarnation of the golem legend, filmed in English, is directed by Israel’s Paz brothers. Their extraordinary tale of good versus evil begs to be seen on a big screen. Beautifully filmed on location in Eastern Europe, the film has scary moments, but the focus on character and plot make it much more than a typical horror film. “The Golem” centers on a young Lithuanian woman named Hannah, superbly acted by Hani Furstenberg. Hannah, a strong, independent woman, battles both inner demons and outside forces. After the death of her child seven years earlier and her inability to conceive again, Hannah is devastated. With the help of a rabbi, they conjure a golem, a young boy made of clay. With its depictions of grief and loss, sexism, Jewish tradition, sickness, and village life, “The Golem” offers a unique narrative not often found in horror films. The slow unraveling of the story requires focus and strict attention that demands your commitment. “The Golem” is a film that you will not soon forget. ■

You may not have heard of Henri Dauman, but you’ve certainly seen his photos. From Marilyn Monroe and Martha Stewart to Andy Warhol and Muhammad Ali, Dauman’s photos tell the story of America in the second half of the 20th century. “Henry Dauman: Looking Up,” by director Peter Kenneth Jones, tells the story of the man who lived a life behind the camera. Unbeknownst to many, Dauman is a Holocaust survivor, having escaped Paris with his mother after his father was deported to a French prison camp and later Auschwitz, where he died. The film follows Dauman as he returns to his childhood apartment in Paris for the first time since 1963. He first left France following his mother's death shortly after the war, when he was just 13. From there, he travels to the countryside, trying to track down the house where he hid with a local family during the war. Dauman later left France for America, falling into a love of photojournalism, a field he would forever change. “When I’m wearing a camera around my neck, I basically have no fear,” he recounts at one point. Throughout his illustrious career, he became known as a perfectionist. In one scene, Dauman describes how he bonded with Elvis Presley. Presley took an immediate liking to Dauman because he was one of the few who could understand him during that time in his life. Littered with stories of his interactions with celebrities, Dauman’s story, much like his camera, captures the perfect frames from an iconic era of American history. ■

20 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AJFF PREVIEW

Holy Lands

The Interpreter

By Lou Ladinsky

By Janice Convoy-Hellmann

From Sonny Corleone, son to Don Corleone in “The Godfather,” to Walter, the father of Buddy in “Elf,” and now Harry Rosenmerck, a retired secular Jewish cardiologist in “Holy Lands,” who leaves everything behind in New York to become a pig farmer in Israel. James Caan is credited with more than 131 appearances in his illustrious acting career. As you can imagine, in "Holy Lands" becoming a pig farmer in Nazareth was not endearing to his new community, including the rabbi and priest. It is during his conflict with the community where Harry develops a relationship with a rabbi and tries to reevaluate his life as it relates to his estranged and dysfunctional family. Spread out all over the map are his ex-wife, brilliantly played by Rosanna Arquette; his son, who is a gay playwright; and a 30-something daughter, who refuses to grow up. Since Harry is virtually devoid of all technology, the family communicates via snail mail to express feelings. While pig farming in Israel would certainly seem ridiculous, at its core the film is all about love and acceptance of not only family, but humankind in general. Harry's family could never understand his change of career, hoping he would have instead just played golf like everyone else. The slow blossoming friendship between the rabbi and Harry lets you look inside Harry and how he is trying to remain connected to his family. In a perfect balance, the movie does mix humor with real human drama. Watching the relationship blossom between Harry, the protagonist, and the rabbi, the antagonist, as both try to understand each other, was touching, as a real bond was established between the two. While Harry might not fully understand why raising pigs in Israel would be such a big deal, it is the conversation with the rabbi regarding the issue surrounding pigs and the Jewish religion that hits home: “Judaism is not a religion of faith; it is a religion of question.” ■

Odd-couple road trip films are nothing new, and are enjoyable to watch. Most recently, there was “Green Book,” but this genre includes film favorites such as “Easy Rider,” “Harry & Tonto,” “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles,” and “Thelma and Louise,” to name just a few. Here, however, there’s a slight twist: The two men who embark on the road trip are elderly — one is the son of Holocaust victims and the other is the son of the SS officer who allegedly executed the other’s parents. Not only that, their route and destinations include the towns and villages where they will connect with living witnesses. This is a dramedy and much of the early part of the film focuses on the protagonists’ wildly contrasting personalities, possibly attributed to the fact that they are the children of victim and perpetrator, the former having led a principled life, while the latter has had bouts with alcoholism, multiple divorces, and loneliness. Still, while there are certainly comedic moments, this film, by Slovakian director Martin Šulík, is ultimately more melancholic and reflective. This is nonetheless a pensive film with wonderful cinematography, somewhat dramatic revelations and twists, as well as hints of optimism. As far as Holocaust films go, this is certainly unique and definitely worthwhile. ■

The Jewish Underground By Jan Jaben-Eilon This documentary can be looked at in two entirely different ways. On one hand, it’s a typical crime investigation in which the authorities have to piece together evidence while hoping the alleged perpetrators make some kind of mistake that will give away their identities. On the other hand, it’s not at all emblematic of any other carefully planned criminal undertaking. As the movie notes, the conspiracy to blow up the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem by Jewish Israeli extrem-

ists could have – if achieved – led to a nuclear war. As one of those Shin Bet investigators who finally helped discover the perpetrators tells us, they are “lunatics.” So much news comes out of Israel, it’s hard for most of us to recall the early 1980s when extremist, right-wing settlers carried out a string of violent acts against Palestinians, including booby-trapping cars of three Palestinian mayors in the West Bank – badly injuring them -- and attacking the Islamic College in Hebron, killing three Palestinian students. Members of what the media called “the Jewish underground” were eventually rounded up in April 1984 as several were caught placing explosives in four Palestinian buses. To watch them go from strategizing how to best rid the Land of Israel of Palestinians, to politicking to reach the same goals, is the most chilling aspect of this powerful film that must be seen to be believed. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 21

AJFF PREVIEW

Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People By Bruce Kahn Everyone knows about the Pulitzer Prizes, America’s most distinguished honor for journalists and other writers. But what do we know about their namesake, Joseph Pulitzer? Narrated by Adam Driver and featuring the voice of Liev Schreiber as Pulitzer, this documentary includes reenactments of the journalist’s life and interviews with journalists and historians who give voice to Pulitzer’s legacy. The film recounts his attacks on corruption; his defense of the freedom of the press; and his tireless fight against “fake news.” The son of Hungarian Jews, Pulitzer grew up in Budapest where he was educated in private schools and by tutors. As a young man, Pulitzer wanted to be a soldier. Unable to enlist in the Austrian Army, the French Foreign Legion or the British Army because of his weak eyesight and frail health, he found a position in the U.S. Union Army. His influence on a national level began when he became owner of the New York World. Pulitzer famously defended the freedom of the press and continued exposing corruption, despite his indictment for libel against the president and J.P. Morgan. When the case was thrown out, Pulitzer was applauded for a crucial victory for freedom of the press. Virtually blind, Pulitzer’s last years were aboard his yacht. He continued control of his newspapers until his death in 1911. The Columbia School of Journalism began awarding the Pulitzer Prizes six years later under the terms of his will. The film brings us up to the present day with quotes from Pulitzer about the need for vigilance in defending freedom of the press. ■

22 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

King Bibi: The Life and Performances of Benjamin Netanyahu By Jan Jaben-Eilon Benjamin Netanyahu will soon surpass David Ben-Gurion as the longest serving prime minister of Israel. Most don’t know that Netanyahu grew up in the United States, graduating from a Philadelphia high school, and attained university degrees in this country. Most don’t remember that he was snatched from oblivion as a marketing director of a furniture company in Boston when the late Israeli Ambassador Moshe Arens hired Netanyahu as his deputy in the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. But as this documentary relates, Netanyahu – known by his nickname “Bibi” – had his planned corporate career in business upended. Overnight, his professional trajectory transferred to politics. As this film recounts, Netanyahu took his new job seriously. Through dozens of videos from his many TV appearances, we see how he sought to improve his public relations style. What may feel eerie to some American viewers is how the documentary discloses parallels between Netanyahu’s politicking and Donald Trump’s. This film is amazingly up-to-date, while leaving open the question mark of what comes next in Netanyahu’s career. Will he be indicted for several potential counts of bribery and other misdeeds? Will he be reelected prime minister in the upcoming April 9 elections? Stay tuned! ■

The Last Resort

Leona

By Marcia R. Cohen

By Jessica Matthews

“The Last Resort” is a powerful, yet bittersweet film that documents the oeuvre of two aspiring photographers, Andrew Sweet and Gary Monroe who, in the mid-1970s, began their quest to capture the fading community of Jewish retirees who settled in South Miami Beach. The film quickly becomes a story-within-astory as directors Dennis Scholl and Kareem Tabsch carefully construct both the cultural history of this Jewish enclave of Miami along with the introduction of the photographic work of Sweet and Monroe. We gain insights into the opposing styles of these two photographers as they record the life and times of their subjects. Both men partner to begin a 10-year, ambitious collaboration called the “South Miami Beach Photographic Project.” Sweet’s impromptu, off-kilter snapshots emerge with all their candy-colored, sun-drenched chroma while Monroe’s work, in black and white, maintains a more stoic and deliberately composed record of this waning group of Jews, many of whom were Holocaust survivors. Sweet and Monroe’s photographs can be appreciated in the context of other important 20th century street photographers like Lee Friedlander, Garry Winogrand and Lisette Model. Through the lens, and this is especially true of Sweet’s, the diminishing, vibrant life of this aging population, the decline of the neighborhood and its urban transition in the early 1980s expose the sadness of a paradise lost. The film reveals both the “joy and oy” of the lives of these elders and, sadly, of Sweet, whose brutal murder in 1982 is a jarring episode of this multi-layered story. The human tragedy is compounded by the loss of Sweet’s negatives while they remained in storage for many years. The finale of “The Last Resort” restores one’s belief in the consistent power and focus that photographs bring to our lives and of their connection with the stories that record humanity. ■

Thank G-d “Leona” is not your typical rom-com. Of course, it has the requisite elements: annoying matchmakers, a meet-cute, great sex, breakups and haircuts. But it’s no predictable homage to love and marriage. Populated with people that could easily be plucked from your newsfeed, “Leona” follows Ariela, a 25-year-old creative spirit challenging the modus operandi of a hundred years. Leona, which means lioness in Spanish, has the courage to tell Ariela’s love story under its breath, in the moments of silence that only she hears. Rather than dialing up her voice to compete with the cacophony of nuptial expectations swirling around her, the film grounds her internal dialog in the medium’s strongest element: visual composition. Rom-coms derive their best qualities from the inevitable collisions within too little space or too little time. In that vein, Leona tracks with the best of them, drawing out a charming heroine’s journey in poignant relief against a milieu crowded with self-important grandmothers, childhood friends, interfering cousins, and last night’s empty bottles. And though its allegiance lies with the protagonist, these supporting characters appear with fine enough detail to introduce competing perspectives. Regardless of our own particulars, we recognize ourselves, our friends, and our families in every scene. And maybe, our chance to be a lion or lioness. ■

AJFF PREVIEW

Love, Gilda

Murer: Anatomy of a Trial Noble Savage

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

By Judy Bozarth

By Janice Convoy-Hellmann

If you don’t know who Gilda Radner was, you’re probably still in your third decade. Hear of Roseanne Roseannadanna or Baba Wawa? Gilda – as everyone knew her – was the heart of the initial cast of “Saturday Night Live,” the first performer hired. In this tribute and memorial, we see and hear from several from the former cast: John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman. We hear from comedian Martin Short, who noted: “When she walked in a room, all the energy would go to her.” This documentary allows former and current SNLers to read from her personal journals, allowing us to see behind the wacky comedienne. She describes herself as a “circus performer,” but her journals disclose her eating disorders, insecurities, need for love and hesitation to grow up. This documentary lets the audience relive her hysterical antics while learning of her personal downs and ups, including meeting Gene Wilder while filming “Hanky Panky.” They married a few years later. “My life went from black and white to technicolor,” she says. Radner was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer, for which there is no diagnostic test. The sense of loss of this talented woman is magnified by this brilliant movie. ■

This absorbing courtroom drama depicts one of the greatest scandals of the Austrian justice system, the trial of Nazi war criminal Franz Murer (Karl Fischer), the so-called Butcher of Vilnius. Murer was an established landowner and highly respected statesman. He is charged, roughly 20 years after the war, with orchestrating the murder of thousands in a Jewish Lithuanian community. One by one, over several days in 1963, witnesses and survivors offer harrowing and graphic testimonies about murders Murer either carried out himself, usually in anger at very minor infractions, or ordered others to do. The geography of the eyewitnesses is varied, with many from Europe and several from Israel. Some speak German, and many, Yiddish. But it’s their performances that are riveting, so astonishingly real they create an immediacy that makes you believe you are either in the courtroom with them, observing an actual trial, or at least watching a documentary about the event. Their gestures, their emotions, their body language, are devastatingly authentic – it’s spellbinding. We also see others involved in the drama – Murer’s wife and children, jurors, journalists, and even Simon Wiesenthal – and the interplay among them and the case itself. Equally mesmerizing is defense attorney Böck (Alexander E. Fennon), eminently unflustered and slightly arrogant, whose sarcastic questions and innuendo, often focusing on witness recollections of obscure details, serve to unnerve many of those on the stand, and call their credibility into question. Even though the war ended nearly 20 years before, Austrian bigotry and nationalism haven’t diminished, and the varied emotions in the community influence every scene in which survivors share their stories of the inconceivable brutality. ■

It is difficult not to squirm in your seat watching director Marco Carmel’s “Noble Savage.” It’s certainly savage, if not brutal, to follow the life of Eli, an obese and bullied teenager living in the seediest part of Tel Aviv and trying to keep it together as his world falls apart. Early in the movie, we learn that his mother is a recovering junkie who’s divorced from his alcoholic father, a wannabe artist/ philosopher, and living with another recovering junkie, who has a violent temper as well as a criminal past. The two are desperate to live a “normative life,” trying to welcome the Shabbat and parent Eli, but lacking the tools to achieve

their ideals. In reality, nothing here is “normative” at all; the child becomes the parent, the father becomes the child, and the mother becomes the lover. In literature a “noble savage” embodies the concept of the indigent, wild human, or “other” who has not been “corrupted” by civilization, and therefore represents humanity’s innate goodness. Here, we watch as Eli traverses the course from noble to savage and it’s a tragic viewing at best. Although we get glimpses of Eli’s potential, we quickly doubt that escaping his claustrophobic existence is not a likely outcome, or is it? The film is masterfully done and deservedly received 10 Ophir Award nominations (the equivalent of the Oscars in Israel). Neveh Tzur, who’s already a hip-hop star in Israel, won best actor for his gutwrenching portrayal of Eli. This is certainly one of the 2019 AJFF’s best narrative films. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 23

AJFF PREVIEW

The Oslo Diaries

The Other Story

Promise at Dawn

Redemption

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

By Jason Evans

By Kaylene Ladinsky

By Janice Convoy-Hellmann

Anyone who has followed Israeli politics and the “peace process” since the infamous handshake between the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on the White House grounds, Sept. 13, 1993, knows all about the Oslo Accords. Or thinks they do. This thoroughly researched and beautifully produced documentary not only reminds us of the powerful hope that was launched by the Oslo process, but also of the mind-boggling tragedy of the assassination of Rabin and the resulting tragic squashing of those hopes. Using original video of the secret, unsanctioned negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian diplomats, narration of their diaries and recent interviews, “The Oslo Diaries” tells the inside, behind-thescenes story of this historic — if controversial — agreement. We see the intense human, personal aspects of peace-making between longtime foes who become lifelong friends. These individuals – now often vilified and called traitors – knowingly accepted personal and political risks for peace. The film reminds us of how close Israel and the Palestinians were to making progress towards peace. “The Oslo Diaries” lets us hear from the diplomats who rose to the challenge, as they look back on the experience. Watching “The Oslo Diaries” is an emotional rollercoaster that cannot leave a viewer unaffected. In the end, the movie makes us wonder, “Is this a tale of triumph or defeat?” The answer is up to you, the viewer. ■

This extremely powerful look at dysfunctional family relationships is one of the best Israeli films released this year. It is the story of a young woman who is in a relationship with a rock musician. This relationship leads them both down a path to giving up their wild ways, to take up a life of religious observance. Her secular parents are shocked at their daughter’s conversion and scheme to break the couple up, something the parents know all too well, as they have been divorced for years. At the same time, there’s a side plot about another troubled family; a man who worries that his wife is joining a pagan cult and wonders what the cult will do to his son. If it all sounds crazy, rest assured that this wonderful film pulls these disparate threads together in a way that makes sense and feels entirely real. The film has funny moments but is mostly a tale of parents struggling to hold on to their children and of the difficult task of healing fractured relationships. It features a fabulous cast of top Israeli actors and is directed by legendary Israeli filmmaker Avi Nesher. Despite an ambiguous ending, I guarantee you will be glad you saw this film and will be talking about it long after it is over. ■

This is the life story of the French novelist and diplomat Romain Gary. He grew up with his Russian-Jewish mother in Wilno (now Vilnius) in the 1920s, later enlisting in the Free French Forces during World War II. The film opened in France in 2017 with the star casting of Charlotte Gainsbourg and Pierre Niney as mother and son. “Promise at Dawn” has a distinct focus on Gary’s childhood. Indeed, the whole film has an intense mother-son bond, with his mother Nina’s impossible expectations for her son starting during his childhood. Her constant pressure and nagging – “Don’t forget to work on your novel!”– played a large role in leading Gary to greatness. This intense story will take you on a ride through the 1920s and 30s, and showing a young Jewish man’s devotion to his mother and the lengths he will go to make her proud and fulfill every promise to her he has ever made. You begin to question many aspects of his relationships, whether they are healthy or stable, even the one that means the world to him. If you get the opportunity to enjoy this film, you will not regret it, as its storyline will linger in your mind well past its two-hour showing. ■

The title of the film is a double entendre. Of course, the film is about actual redemption, that of a father trying to lead a pious life in the hopes that it’ll create “good” for both himself and his young daughter. But the Hebrew name of the protagonist’s daughter is also Geula, which literally translates to redemption. So, what’s this all about? Who’s redeeming who? Do Orthodox Jews even believe in redemption if, at the end of the day, it’s all in G-d’s hands? Repeatedly, throughout the film we’re reminded of this when the protagonist is asked how things are going, andhe simply responds “Thank G-d”? In a nutshell, the film explores the lengths to which a parent will go in order to save their child. It addresses the question of whether it’s possible to simultaneously live in both the Orthodox and secular worlds. It considers the horrible hands of fate, from which the devout are not exempt, from and which challenge their beliefs. And it also touches upon how our paths change as we move through life and experience loss and confront old “wounds” and personal insecurities. Very heavy themes, both deep and philosophical, but executed by the screenwriter-directors, Yossi Madmony and Boaz Yehonatan Yacov – himself a ba’al teshuvah, newly Orthodox Jew – in the most sensitive and engaging way, with a terrific Hassidic rock soundtrack, to boot. The story unfolds slowly, with the pieces of the puzzle becoming clear rather subtly, as our connection to the protagonist and his moral dilemma deepens. Of the films I’ve screened this year, this is probably one of the most memorable and gut-wrenching. It’s not to be missed and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. ■

24 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AJFF PREVIEW

Shoah: Four Sisters By Bob Bahr There have been few of what we might consider “holy men” in the filmmaking business. One who surely qualifies for that honor was Claude Lanzmann. His epic film of the Holocaust, simply entitled “Shoah,” is considered the gold standard against which all other such documentaries are measured. The film was 11 years in the making and runs for 9 1/2 hours. After its release in 1985 to universal acclaim, Lanzmann spent much of the rest of his life working with the material that he was unable to use in his masterwork. One of the results of that editing process is his last film, “Shoah: Four Sisters,” that is being shown twice at the festival. It tells the story of four women who are

sisters only by virtue of the tragic experiences of the Holocaust that they all lived to tell. The four women, Ruth Elias, Ada Lichtman, Hanna Marton, and Paula Biren are the only members of their respective families to have survived those terrible years. Their haunting testimonies will have you sitting up in your seat, hanging on every word of the plain-spoken, heroic story of their struggle to survive. Lanzmann lets them speak at length, prodding them only occasionally to bring out a telling detail or unearth a buried memory. The camera is also mostly static, becoming in a sense another participant in this most intimate of conversations. That was Lanzmann’s style – spare and direct. In none of his films do we see a single frame of archived, historical film to distract us from the human image that fills the screen with its singular power. He firmly believed that films of the Holocaust should not be entertaining. The stamina of most film-goers will be tested by the film’s length, which is a full afternoon’s viewing of 4 1/2 hours, but they will be rewarded with a quiet and powerful film experience that will remain long after the film flickers out. Lanzmann died last summer at the age of 92, just one day after his film premiered in his native France, content, apparently, in all that he had accomplished in his long life and in this, his last film. ■ Bob Bahr will introduce “Shoah: Four Sisters” at the Feb. 18 show.

Shoelaces By Michael Rosenzweig Films are most compelling when they authentically depict the human experience. The Israeli film “Shoelaces,” nominated for eight Israeli Academy Awards including Best Film, is unusually compelling because of its tender and sensitive depiction of the complicated relationship between an aging father and the special needs adult son he abandoned years earlier when his son was a young boy. Directed by Jacob Goldwasser, himself the father of a special needs child, “Shoelaces” tells about their difficult reconnection with subtlety and gentle humor while raising serious questions about society’s attitudes toward the disabled. The film’s focus of uniting and bonding then shifts to the thorny ethical and legal issue of whether Gadi should be allowed to make one of the most important decisions of his life. The transition makes the rest of the film intensely gripping and emotionally wrenching, and far more touching than the reunion story it tells to this point. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 25

AJFF PREVIEW

Shooting Life

Simon and Théodore

To Dust

The Waldheim Waltz

By Sara Ghitis

By Jason Evans

By Jen Evans

By Sandra Craine

I’m always impressed by Israel’s creative energy, especially represented in the numerous films submitted to the festival year after year. I liked this film because it’s about the power of imagination. See what happens when a creative teacher comes to Sderot and places his challenging youngsters in front of and behind a camera, and tells of their own life stories. See what happens when technology, education, personal growth and true humanity intersect. And, what are your chances of ever visiting Sderot, Israel’s southern town? This film will take you there. Get a feel for what life is like for the people who live in this unique and charming town on the border with Gaza, constantly under the threat of rocket fire, caught in the relentless conflict that has lasted decades. ■

This French film is a touching examination of madness, love and responsibility that will also make you laugh out loud at times. Simon is about to become a father, but he cannot shake the internal demons that cause him to hurt himself whenever he becomes frustrated. After being released from the hospital, he feels he must prove to his wife, Rivka, that he can handle the responsibility of raising a child. Rivka has her own problems. She’s a rabbi and is dealing with a troubled teen named Theodore. He comes from a broken home and thinks his upcoming bar mitzvah will heal his family. Simon figures he can prove himself to his wife by helping with the troubled teen. These two strangers form an unlikely bond as they embark on a sometimes funny and often moving adventure on the streets of Paris. This wonderfully acted film is challenging and genuine. It raises real questions about mental health and parenting that will leave the audience thinking. ■

In the film, “To Dust,” first time feature director Shawn Snyder tells of the lengths a devastated widower goes to find out exactly how his deceased wife’s body is decaying. Hasidic cantor Shmuel (Géza Röhrig) begins to have night terrors (animated sequences designed by Robert Morgan) about what his wife’s body is going through. Even though the Orthodox community gives Shmuel support, he feels that this is something he cannot discuss with them. Looking for answers, Shmuel heads to the local community college and into the classroom of gentile biology professor, Albert (Matthew Broderick). He talks the professor into helping him figure out the process of decay. They research decay in several ways, by performing lab experiments on dirt and going on a research road trip. As a result, a reluctant friendship eventually begins between the two men. “To Dust” is truly a unique twist on the buddy movie. Röhrig & Broderick are entertaining and give both heartfelt and deadpan performances in this charming macabre film about dealing with loss. ■

“The Waldheim Waltz” is a suspenseful, dramatic documentary composed of archival footage and newsreel clips that make the viewer reflect on the long arm of history. It is a documentary that resonates as relevant as we see the rise of the far rightwing parties in Europe and are reminded of ever-present historical Holocaust amnesia. Kurt Waldheim, a diplomat and politician was born in Austria in 1918. He served in the Austrian army as a volunteer (1936-37) before he began to study for a diplomatic career. Waldheim was the “master of alternative facts.” In 1986, he ran as the People’s Party candidate for president of Austria. His candidacy became controversial when the World Jewish Congress discovered documents revealing his Nazi past. Waldheim proclaimed his innocence. He never expressed remorse for lying about his past. In 1986, he was elected president of Austria for a six-year term. But the United States barred him from entry under suspicion of Nazi war crimes. The “Waldheim Affair” forced Austria to evaluate and confront its stained Nazi past. The film begs reflection on how we view history. As William Faulkner reminds us, “The past is not dead. Actually, it’s not even past.” ■

26 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AJFF PREVIEW

Who Will Write Our History By Janice Convoy-Hellmann If you saw the film “The Invisibles” in the 2018 AJFF, you watched a fictionalized documentary shedding light on Jewish citizens hiding in Berlin despite the Nazi's declaration of the city being “free of Jews.” Here, we are privy to another group of relatively unknown Nazi resisters of the Holocaust, a secret band of 60 Jewish journalists, scholars and community leaders in the Warsaw Ghetto known as the “Oyneg Shabes” (Sabbath Joy), who fought back against Nazi propaganda with pen and paper and then buried their writings, drawings, poems, and eyewitness accounts in containers under the Ghetto itself just before it was burned to the ground. Like ‘The Invisibles,” it is a fictionalized documentary feature that uses newsreels, voiceovers and re-enactments to bring the story, based on the book by Samuel D. Kassow, to life. Roberta Grossman, the documentary’s director, creates a comprehensive portrait of the atrocities taking place in Warsaw at the time and reveals the risks taken by this courageous group. The staged scenes are well-acted, while readings from diaries and letters reveal how similar Warsaw’s inhabitants were to us, making it especially heartbreaking. At the end of this powerful film, we are told that in 1999, UNESCO added three collections from Poland into its Memory of the World Register: The scientific works of Copernicus, the masterpieces of Chopin, and the Oyneg Shabes archives. There is no doubt that this is an important piece of work. Indeed, it will be spotlighted as part of a global screening event on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day. UNESCO headquarters in Paris will join more than 200 venues in 40 countries to host screenings of this documentary film in a variety of languages. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 27

AJFF PREVIEW

Working Woman By Jan Jaben-Eilon It’s truly hard to understand the position working women are put in by aggressive male bosses – unless you’ve been in that position. But in “Working Woman,” actress Liron Ben-Shlush does a superb job of portraying the stresses and challenges of learning and mastering a new profession, while fending off

a totally out-of-line boss. We also see the main character, Orna, as a loving mother and wife, and the struggle of juggling all three. In this realistic portrayal of sexual harassment in the workplace, we learn that the #MeToo experience is just as troublesome in Israel as in America. In fact, perhaps more so, considering the machoism of the Israeli society. It’s just a throwaway line at the beginning of the movie, but we learn that Orna’s boss, Ben-

ny (Menashe Noy), was her commander when she served in the Israel Defense Forces. This is probably not coincidental. Director and co-writer Michal Aviad powerfully relates the conundrum of women who are faced with unwanted sexual advances by a man who has the power over their family’s much-needed income. What choices do the women have? Ignore the advances and believe the boss’s promises of never again, while

focusing all energy on the job itself? Or quit? At times, some women might find this film very difficult to watch. It’s so very realistic, including the character’s tendency to blame herself. But fortunately, Aviad concludes the story in a very surprising, yet satisfying way. Israeli filmmakers, in general, seem to have perfected the storytelling of real life. But with “Working Woman,” Aviad has hit the jackpot. ■

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28 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AJFF PREVIEW

Bernstein and Bahr’s Best Bets for the 2019 AJFF This year’s selection at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is a bountiful collection of more than 50 feature films and documentaries plus four programs of outstanding Matthew Bernstein short films, all & Bob Bahr of which come with either expert introductions and commentary or interviews with filmmakers, actors and directors who participated in the creation of the films. From all these great films, here are our best bets: (Three are dramas and three are documentaries.)

“Shoelaces” – How a father reconnects with a son who is developmentally disabled after abandoning him for more than 30 years, and what it means to the son and what it means to the father. Over the course of this opening night film from Israel, a new, strong bond, a kind of shoelace, develops to tie them together, highlighted by strong performances and a director who has real life experience with a developmentally disabled child. One of the stars, Nevo Kimchi, will be interviewed at the screening at the Cobb Energy Center.

“The Other Story” – Essentially about two young women and their respective families. One is newly committed to an ultra-Orthodox way of life and an impending marriage and another is seeking a divorce and escape from the constrictions of what she sees as an oppressive marriage. A rich and multi-layered film that explores the issues that arise when we try to control the life of another person. This film offers a great cast and a perfect example of Israeli filmmaking at its highest from veteran director Avi Nesher, who will be appearing at the festival with his film.

“The Tale” – Simple title for what may be among the most complex and provocative films being offered at this year’s festival. Laura Dern’s brilliant portrayal of a middle-aged woman coming to terms with the sexual abuse she suffered as a young teen won a Golden Globe award earlier this month. Dern, who started her career as a child actress at the age of 11, may have felt echoes of her own experiences. She is the cover story in this month’s Vanity Fair. Some very graphic and even, in the words of one reviewer, raw, scenes. But it’s an exceptional film that won a lengthy standing ovation from the audience at the Sundance Film Festival, where it premiered.

is that the group today, after serving their prison sentence, is more influential than ever before in Israel’s parliament, the Knesset. They have access to the prime minister and they are perfectly comfortable with what they tried to do decades ago. They have gone from the extreme to the mainstream of Israeli political life.

“93Queen” – A real crowd pleaser. An inspiring story, told with verve and wit, of how a group of ultra-Orthodox women start their own ambulance service for women in Brooklyn despite opposition from ultra-Orthodox men where they live. They want to enforce the separation of the sexes that informs Hasidic life, but they are pilloried for it. This is a fascinating portrait of female empowerment in the Hasidic community. The Orthodox filmmaker, Paula

Eiselt, will be appearing at the Festival with her film. Also recommended are the following dramatic films: “The Dive,” “Noble Savage,” and the classic from 1989, “Enemies, A Love Story.” Among the documentaries that are particularly impressive are: “King Bibi: The Life and Performances of Benjamin Netanyahu,” “Alt-Right - Age of Rage,” “Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of The People,” “Love, Gilda,” and “Chewdaism: A Taste of Jewish Montreal,” which is the closing night film at the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center. The two featured performers in the concluding film, Eli Batalion and Jamie Elman, will be interviewed and there will be a complementary buffet after the performance. ■ Matthew Bernstein is the Goodrich C. White Professor and Chair of the Department of Film and Media Studies at Emory University and an AJFF board member. Bob Bahr is with the Center for Media and the Moving Image and frequently lectures on film and modern society.

“Who Will Write Our History?” – A story of extraordinary heroism in the most difficult of circumstances. A brave group of historians and scholars set out to write the history of the Warsaw Ghetto under the very noses of their Nazi occupiers. In effect, they fight their battle with the only weapons they possess – the power of the pen and the printed word – and they succeed brilliantly. Ably produced by, among others, Nancy Spielberg, the sister of the renowned filmmaker.

“The Jewish Underground” – This film is an amazing eye opener. It focuses on an extremist, fundamentalist group of 27 Jews in Israel in the 1980s who plot acts of murder and violence against Palestinians. Before they are apprehended, they create a plan to blow up the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount. The drama unfolds like a detective story that is quite thrilling. What is even more remarkable ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 29

30 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ARTS Peaches, Peanuts, and Now Stepakoff Tackles Production By Marcia Caller Jaffe We Georgians go gaga over our burgeoning film industry. Peering out at my condo parking lot, I see a full movie set. My friend chatted with Carmen Diaz getting a manicure in East Atlanta; witnessed Jennifer Garner walking on the Atlanta BeltLine; and was that Jennifer Anniston shopping at Whole Foods? Peel back the shiny surface and who congeals all this revolutionary activity is native son Jeffrey Stepakoff, the steam engine behind our state’s business of film entertainment. With a sweeping 30-year career in the development and production of film, television, publishing, animation, and digital media, Stepakoff is an accomplished producer, screenwriter, novelist and entertainment industry expert who also happened to become a bar mitzvah at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Stepakoff was featured in the Atlanta Business Chronicle article Dec. 7 by Randy Southerland titled “Georgia Film Academy Executive Director: Film could be the state’s premier industry.” Thinking “big picture,” compare Stepakoff to other local media visionaries such as Ted Turner – with the mojo of it happening so rapidly. “In 2007, prior to the 2008 film tax credit, there was $242 million in economic activity in Georgia from film and television production. Currently that is a whopping $9.5 billion,” he said, emphasizing the “b” in billion. Read on to understand what makes him get up every morning at 5 a.m. to welcome the sunrise. Jaffe: Growing up in Dunwoody, were you dreaming about becoming Steven Spielberg or Tennessee Williams? Stepakoff: My goal at that time was to be a playwright. I attended Woodward Academy, the University of North Carolina, and then got an MFA at Carnegie Mellon. In 1988, the day after graduation, I drove out to Hollywood where I was an intern for Universal Studios. Then there was the writers’ strike; but that’s a different story. Jaffe: As an author, your novels have romantic sounding titles: “The Melody of Secrets,” “Love a la Carte,” “Fireworks Over Toccoa,” “Billion Dollar Kiss,” to name a few. Stepakoff: They certainly are all set in Georgia. In terms of career writing, I worked on the scripts for “Dawson’s Creek,” “Tarzan”(the movie ), “Chasing Life,” “The Wonder Years” … maybe 16 TV

businesses have been created. This is unprecedented! Jaffe: Would The posiyou describe tions that are yourself as an most needed in academician? today’s market S t e p a ko f f : are “below the For many years I line”: grips, scene did teach at Kendesigners, electrinesaw State. I encal, accounting, joy sharing “best and post-producpractices” with tion like hair, colleagues and makeup and sperecently returned cial effects. from Ireland doOne area of ing just that. the business that In my curI’m uniquely pasrent role at the sionate about, esGeorgia Film Georgia Film Academy Executive Director pecially because Academy, we proJeffrey Stepakoff is the steam engine behind of my own histovide leadership our state’s business of film entertainment. ry in the writer’s in academics by working collaboratively with colleges rooms of Hollywood, is supporting writers here in Georgia. and universities. shows over my 20 years in LA.

Jaffe: How does the Georgia Film Academy operate? Stepakoff: We are THE platform with 17 partners, including Kennesaw State, Georgia State, University of Georgia, Clayton State, etc. We hire instructors, develop classwork, and further job placements. Students register through their chosen institution. Our course takes three semesters to complete. About one-third make it all the way through. Over 4,000 have taken our courses. Currently there are over 800 enrolled students. We are also affiliated with Pinewood Studios in Fayetteville, where we operate a 15,000-square-foot sound stage, and a Gwinnett County film production facility. We are the “gold standard” in workforce training.

Jaffe: What can we learn about politics and civility from this enterprise?

Stepakoff: Both sides of the aisle are unified in support of our entertainment industry as a major economic driver. If you are looking for political drama, we find that more often in scripts for projects set to film here than in our own reality. Jaffe: What’s in your average day, and what happens in your rare spare time? Stepakoff: I get up around 5 a.m. to watch the sunrise, exercise, catch up on correspondence, and then head out to work. I might finish around 7:30 p.m. I enjoy Atlanta’s art ecosystem and live near Piedmont Park, … like to hike and go to the High Museum, music scene, etc. On weekends, I spend time with my three children from ages 10 to 19. Jaffe: What would you like your legacy to be? Stepakoff: We are on the tidal wave of creating a permanent, sustainable impact that will leave a legacy for Georgians for generations to come. I am deeply impassioned about that. That’s what I wake up thinking about. ■

Jaffe: You are a man with a mission. How would you translate that into what it means for Georgia? Stepakoff: I’ve already addressed the economic impact, but what it means to individual Georgians is jobs. For those who dream of creating content, they no longer have to leave their beloved state of Georgia to make that happen. We are developing a full ecosystem. Jaffe: How does this affect our work force? Stepakoff: The impact on jobs in Georgia is phenomenal. About 92,000 Georgians are employed, and 300 new ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 31

ARTS

Ex-Mobster Thrills Chabad With Storied Past By Marcia Caller Jaffe Chabad Intown blew off the doors on Jan. 15 with an atypical historian, storyteller and ex-mobster Myron Sugerman. He also spoke at two other Atlanta Chabads on subsequent nights. Sugerman, who was promoting his book “The Chronicles of The Last Jewish Gangster From Meyer to Myron,” charmed and demystified a standingroom-only audience in the sanctuary of the new Atlanta BeltLine facility. There he stood under the eternal light speaking of prison life, suitcases of cash from Meyer Lanksy’s Las Vegas casinos to Israel in the 1940s, helping nail the reviled Nazi torturer Dr. Josef Menegele — all though the “underworld.” Sugerman ended his talk on the high note of how he values faith. Now in his early 80s, he is “spilling the beans” and “dishing the dish,” and the audience didn’t want to let him leave the podium. When I spoke to him privately beforehand, his demeanor and language were what one would expect in a John Gotti movie role. But when he took the stage

32 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Guest speaker Myron Sugerman enthralled a packed Intown Chabad audience, seen here with Rabbi Ari Sollish, signing his book.

for 90 minutes without a single note, the audience wanted it to be more like a miniseries than a single episode, as so much meaningful history was elucidated. Throughout his talk, his language became more elegiac and it was hard to distinguish which was the real Sugerman. He called every woman “Sweetheart” and brushed off what he deemed as non-intellectual questions. His humor was like a mélange of Alan King, Jackie

Sugerman's book, "The Chronicles of The Last Jewish Gangster: From Meyer to Myron"

Mason and Don Rickles evolved into a university professor. The couple behind me (including a local cantor) shrieked with tears of laughter. “The Jews and the Italians were like Jacob and Esau in the Bible,” Sugerman said. “The Italians were very xenophobic and only wanted to do business with Sicilians and Nepalese. Lucky Luciano saw the future and wanted to include Jews and recognized that together we could make money.” A sample of unique Jewish “situations” from Sugerman: Bugsy Siegel worked well with the Italians and brought in more Jews such as Louis Rush and Sam “Red” Levine, who kept kosher and wore a kippah. Levine’s orders were, “Never kill anyone on Shabbos unless it is absolutely necessary!” A bookmaker’s Yizkor was held at a “pizza joint.” If the World Series fell on Yom Kippur, a parade of vans pulled up at halftime to make a shul for Kaddish in the basement. Sugerman explained that when Jews immigrated to New York, it was Darwinian “dog eat dog” toughness. They took fake names (to hide their activities from their parents) while they snuck out at night to be prizes fighters. Hymie Kugel was a Jewish referee and very protective in seeing that Jewish boys had the advantage, ..a very slow count: 1, 1 and a quarter, 1 and a half …” Rabbi Ai Sollish urged Sugerman to explain his relationship with Simon Wiesenthal. Using his language skills and mob connections, Sugerman overheard a Spanish conversation on a plane that led to the location of the reviled Nazi doctor Josef Mengele. Myron – who has a Bachelor of Science degree from Bucknell University in language arts and political science — speaks Portuguese, German, Yiddish, Ladino, French and Hebrew, in addition to Spanish.

His book is a must read to get Sugerman’s front row seat and historical perspective on scenarios about which we have long heard: Whether Jack Ruby was “a Jewish patriot;” fighting the American Nazi Party; Arnie Rothstein’s fix of the World Series; Truman defying his own Cabinet; bootlegging; Siegel; Lansky; the Stern Gang; guns and Swiss bank accounts helping form the State of Israel; the Mossad; David Ben-Gurion; and much, more intrigue — all with Jewish connections. Sugerman concluded by sharing his faith connection. “You can’t be a Jew without Judaism. We’ve been given this perfect diamond passed on over 3,000 years. We have survived the ashes of the Shoah to this place of pride and honor. I made an intellectual decision to evaluate myself and actions like sending my son to yeshiva. He is now an Orthodox rabbi in Boca with eight children.” How’s that for passing it on? And recent news flash: Hollywood called! Daniel Finkelman, the producer of the film “Menashe,” has contracted with Sugerman to make his life story into a movie. ■ In my one-on-one with Sugerman, we discussed his jail time and personal life. Jaffe: Why exactly did you go to prison? Sugerman: I was in Ellenwood for 19 months in 1995 (at age 57) for organized crime/illegal slot machines. Jaffe: What was life like in "the slammer?” Sugerman: Not as bad as you think. I was physically and mentally active and did a lot of learning. Rabbis visited. We had services. If we didn’t have 10 men for a minyan we plugged in [a Latin- or African-American.] My job was keeping one window clean; then I got transferred to the laundry. I paid someone to make my window the cleanest one and do the laundry. Jaffe: Jews like good food. What did you eat? Sugerman: A lot of peanut butter and jelly. For dinners, I pooled with the Italians and we had our own cook making pasta. Jaffe: Did your wife stick with you? Sugerman: I’ve been married over 50 years. I met my wife, who is a Jewish Argentinian, in South America while I was doing business there. We have three adult sons. Jaffe: Can I have a role in the movie, … like a prison guard or a mole? Sugerman: Sure, Sweetheart. You can be the godmother in the kitchen cooking kugel.

Photos by Duane Stork //Barbara Wilensky shows off her work “Morning Haze.” Her artwork

is displayed at I.D.E.A. Gallery in Chamblee, owned by Amy Spanier.

Chai Style Art

Wilensky’s colorful original “The Dance,” a 5-foot-wide acrylic inspired by ballet movement and costumes.

Wilensky’s Creations Balance Standout Collection Jaffe: Describe your Southern roots. Barbara Wilensky’s lack of pretension anchors her Wilensky: My husband Frank, a local attorney, and Southern roots with an art collection grown organically through decades of travel. The development of her own, I grew up side-by-side in Columbus, Ga. My mother Saevolving art has idiosyncratic, textured and layered die Belle Feinberg Scopp was related to just about everyone there! gestures that elevate negative and positive Sentimentally, I found the journal space celebrating her individuality. Swirlbook of names, signatures and hometowns ing colors burst out into a flock of birds or that my grandparents kept in 1943 welcomthe Fourth of July subject to the viewer’s ing the Jewish soldiers (stationed at Fort eye. Benning) whom they entertained at their “I love Barbara’s paintings because home for holidays and Shabbat dinners. they make you feel like you’re looking This is now housed at The Breman Musethrough a fine art kaleidoscope that draws um. you inside each piece. The longer you look, the more you see,” said Amy Spanier, ownJaffe: Were you interested in art as a er of I.D.E.A. Gallery in Chamblee, where Marcia child? Wilensky’s works are displayed. “Barbara’s Caller Jaffe Wilensky: Yes, I went to the University work is visually stunning.” As for her collection, Tobiasse, Seguso, Vasarely, of Georgia for a minor in fine art where I studied under Werger, Kohlmeyer, Campay and the whacky renowned the head of the department, Lamar Dodd. My uncle Paul Zhou brothers meld into a chic assemblage of treasures. Scopp in New Jersey ran his own art school. My mother And Wilensky reveals that every object has a story. was a self-taught painter. There are pieces that furnish a home and those that deJaffe: Who are some of the artists that you collect? fine it. Let the voyeur decide.

Wilensky: It’s been said before, but I buy art that I like. I acquired two fun pieces by Jewish artist Sissy Rosenberg at an art fair in Montgomery. She packs energy and action into the frame. I like our large Art Werger works, which are prints done on copper plates and submerged in acid to get a watercolor effect. He hand-pulls his proofs of panoramic shots using mezzotints to feature normally unnoticed details like capturing the light under water. He was the Georgia Print Artist of the Year noted for his “Shifting Tides of Realism.” I adore Dennis Campay, who paints memories of towns and villages, really everyday environments, that create feelings through drawings. He is on display at Mason Fine Art gallery here as well as a gallery in St. Simons. I collect Ida Rittenberg Kohlmeyer, who went to Newcomb College in New Orleans and studied with Hans Hofmann – starting very late in life. Her mixed media have abstract geometric grids. Then we have two works by Théo Tobiasse, who was born in Jaffa, Israel, to Lithuanian and Zionistic parents. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 33

ARTS Wilensky displays her favorite piece of her own work: “Abstract in Crimson and Gray” acrylic with cement for texture, and oil stick.

Left: This vertical paper sculpture is by Vasarely, “the grandfather of pop art,” in applied cubistic graphics." Right: Wilensky original “Nothing but a Rose” captures the drama of her vision.

He composed his portfolio hiding underground in Paris (1943) during the Holocaust. He is well known in Japan and Mexico. He also hand paints the elaborate frames. A teapot is buried in his painting as his signature, and in each painting is a private Yiddish message that cannot be revealed unless the work is destroyed. Some of his work uses the checkerboard because, in hiding, he passed the hours by playing chess with his father.

Our vertical paper sculpture is by Vasarely, known as “the grandfather of op art” in applied cubistic graphics. Venetian Archimede Seguso hand blew the transparent Murano glass in the entrance. His family’s glass craft goes back to the 6th century. His retrospective was shown at Tiffany’s in Manhattan in 1989.

Jaffe: What are some of the most unusual works that you collect? Wilensky: I am intrigued by the Zhou Brothers, who share the same canvas concurrently and are world famous in various media; watching them paint is a performance. ShanZuo and DaHuang collaborate in an Eastern/Western symbiosis inspired from cave paintings and their hardships as children in China. They

Wilensky placed this Venetian glass vase by Archimede Seguso in her foyer.

Wilensky values this Zhou Brothers work as the brothers’ collaborative effort, one starts and the other finishes the painting. The stacked glass sculpture (left) is untitled and especially heavy.

“The Patriarchs” by Israeli Théo Tobiasse, who hid in France during the Holocaust. A secret Yiddish message is concealed in each canvas.

34 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ARTS “Hydrangea” by Jewish Southern artist Sissy Rosenberg was found at a Montgomery art fair. Note the detail on the frame.

Behind the couch is one of Wilensky’s earlier (2008) acrylic blends reflecting the mountains upon the sea, entitled “Sunset,” which took two weeks to complete. The rug was custom-designed and woven for Wilensky by a fellow artist.

have performed and had shows at the White House, Louis Vuitton London, and the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum in Switzerland. In Florence, I happened upon this traditional-looking landscape and examining closely, it is an artful and technically placed mosaic of puzzle pieces of tiny natural stones and jewels.

We have some Craven Pottery, a multigenerational family in Gillsville, Ga., who began in the 1700s (in Staffordshire, England). They are said to have used 8 million pounds of clay in their work!

Wilensky brought back this intricate stone mosaic from Florence, Italy.

Wilensky’s kitchen showcases her own “Whirlwind” using cold wax on paper.

"I like to mix it up. The funkier, the better!"

Jaffe: How would you describe your own style? Wilensky: I never know where I am headed. I have a variety of styles and materials. Right now, my process combines acrylic, oil, cold wax layers on birch or paper. I see shapes and colors like layers of clothing with negative and positive spaces. My earlier work was more realistic landscapes. I like to mix it up. The funkier, the better! ■

A large Craven moonshine jug sits in the family rec room. The multigenerational southern Craven family is said to have produced 1.3 million clay pieces. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 35

CALENDAR CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25

Family Shabbat and Pot Luck Dinner – Congregation Beth Shalom,

Yitro Friday, January 25, 2019, light candles at 5:44 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2019, Shabbat ends at 6:42 p.m. Mishpatim Friday, February 1, 2019, light candles at 5:50 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2019, Shabbat ends at 6:48 p.m.

5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Rabbi Zimmerman for an intimate Shabbat evening service. After services stay for a casual potluck dinner. Come meet the rabbi and Beth Shalom families. Free with a kosher, parve dish you will share. For more information, www.bit. ly/2AJuHTq.

Acoustic Shabbat Café – Virginia Highland – San Francisco Coffee Roasting Co., 1192 North Highland Avenue NE, Atlanta, from 7 to 9 p.m. Join Rabbi Brian Glusman, Drew Cohen and teen musicians from The Weber School for an evening of music and Shabbat prayers. Food and wine available for purchase. This interactive Shabbatthemed experience is sponsored by Atlanta Jewish Music Festival and The Weber School. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2nVTxbJ.

Sister Program. Celebrate the 30th anniversary of Havinagala and enjoy an open bar, raffle and games. $60 general admission, $70 at the door, $100 VIP Ticket with Chick-fil-A Fan Experience, $110 at the door VIP ticket with Chickfil-A Fan Experience.To purchase tickets, www.havinagala.org.

Lost and Found Jewish Musical Treasures – Earl and Rachel Smith Strand Theatre, 117 N. Park Square NE, Marietta, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Congregation Etz Chaim invites you to attend its Saturday evening Scholarin-Residence Program with Hankus Netsky and Hebrew National Salvage. $20 per person. To register, www.etzchaim.net/event/sir2019.

Temple Beth Tikvah Early Childhood Education Open House – Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, from 9:45 to 11 a.m. Curious about preschool and pre-K at Temple Beth Tikvah? Join them for family Shabbat services followed by the opportunity to meet with their preK staff and director of congregational learning. Free. For more information, 770-642-4168.

benefitting its preschool and religious school. Bid on restaurant gift cards, birthday party packages, spa deals, weekend getaways, swim lessons and much more. Join the community for breakfast and bidding while the kids enjoy fun activities. $9 per adult, $18 per couple and $10 per child. For more information, email bagelsAndbidsetzchaim@gmail.com.

Positive Attitude Towards Aging – Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Beth Shalom’s Men’s Club and Sisterhood invite you for a delicious brunch with guest speaker, Debbie Koval, board certified clinical specialist in geriatric physical therapy. She will speak about learning how to take care of your body through exercise and balance. As you age, learn what you can do for your body to enhance the quality of life. $7 per person. For more information, www.bit.ly/2VI1m4x.

MJCCA Arts and Culture Presents La Tortuga and the Hare – Marcus

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27

Men’s Club Ski Trip – Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 Lavista Road, Atlanta. All day ski trip to Cataloochee Ski Area in Maggie Valley, N.C. Chartered bus leaves from the Beth Jacob parking lot. Trip includes meals, several options for skiing and other outdoor activities. For pricing, options and more information, www.bethjacobatlanta.org/ skitrip.

JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, three show times, from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., 12 to 12:30 p.m. and 4 to 4:30 p.m. Join in the fun and excitement as the tortoise and the hare hit the starting line. The audience is invited into the center of the race track to experience the action all around them. Through dance, movement, music and bilingual storytelling, young children will engage in this classic folk tale in wholly imaginative and new ways. $12 for member child, $14 for member adult, $14 for community child and $16 for community adult. For more information, www.bit.ly/2QAnhqx.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 26

Havinagala 2019 – College Football Hall of Fame, 250 Marietta St. NW, Atlanta, from 8 to 11 p.m. Join the Young Professionals of JF&CS for a fun evening to benefit the PAL Program, Atlanta’s only Jewish Big Brother/Big 36 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Bagels and Bids – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 9:15 to 11:30 a.m. Support Etz Chaim’s annual silent auction

The Classics Film Club– Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 1

to 3 p.m. Join the monthly film club, where you watch movies from different genres and discuss the techniques and themes that went into producing them. The first session is always free, so invite friends to join for a weekend classic and a vibrant discussion. Free for members, $5 for the community. For more information, www.bit. ly/2CcGKbS.

MONDAY, JANUARY 28

Succulents & Smoothies – Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The Chabad of North Fulton Jewish Women’s Circle is celebrating Tu B’Shvat with Succulents & Smoothies. $18 per person. RSVP, www.chabadadnf.org/womens.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 29

Jews and Food – Chabad Intown On The BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta. Tuesday evenings through Feb. 12, from 8 to 9 p.m. and Thursday afternoons through Feb. 14, from 12 to 1:15 p.m. $60 for single reservations and $100 for double reservations. Why are Jews obsessed with food? Dive into Jewish history and Kabbalistic insights. For more information, www. chabadintown.org.

Simone Dinnerstein & Matt Haimovitz – Byers Theatre at City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, 8 to 10 p.m. Approaching the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, two artists pair this giant with one of contemporary music’s most influential composers, Philip Glass. Pianist Simone Dinnerstein and cellist Matt Haimovitz collaborate on a program that includes a Beethoven Cello Sonata alongside a Glass Partita and solo piano and cello repertoire by both composers. $35 to $45 per person. To purchase tickets, www.bit.ly/2sqQ87h.

JANUARY 25-FEBRUARY 3 daily life. This ongoing class probes the esoteric through a unique program of English text-based study. No prior Kabbalistic experience required. Free. For more information, www.chabadintown.org.

Cantor Patti Linsky Teen Talk –Tem-

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3

SUNDAY, JANUARY 27

SOAP UP Atlanta – Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave. NW, Atlanta, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ahavath Achim’s AAACTS Committee (Action and Awareness to Abolish Child Trafficking for Sex) and The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta’s Commission on DMST (Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking) invite you to participate in SOAP UP Atlanta. Help label 20,000 soap bars with the national human trafficking 800+ hotline number and distribute them to hotels surrounding Mercedes-Benz Stadium where the Super Bowl will be held on Sunday, Feb. 3. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2RnRY7C.

Kabbalah and Coffee – Chabad Intown On The BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta, every Sunday from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Discuss, explore, and journey through the world of Jewish mystical teaching and learn how to apply these profound teachings to your

ple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Cantor Patti Linsky from Southern California meets with Atlanta-area teens to talk about her experiences as a member of the clergy, a mom, wife and community leader, all while dealing with addiction and ultimately, healing. Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/2M9SGzA.

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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30

Melton: Foundations of Jewish Learning – Chabad Intown On The BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta. Wednesday evenings through April 3 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Foundations of Jewish Family Living is a curriculum for parents, providing a thought-provoking encounter with many of the core values of Judaism. Instructed by Dena Schusterman. $100 for the series. For more information, www.chabadintown.org.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 31

Black Forest Documentary Premiere with Survivor Kay Wilson – Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 Lavista Road, Atlanta, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. The brilliant, heart-wrenching story of Kay Wilson that will inspire all to discover what it really means to live life to the fullest and how, against all odds, it is possible to find hope in the darkest of places. A chilling 50-minute Israeli documentary, which chronicles the brutal slaughter of two women, and the extraordinary survival of Kay Wilson, which led to the capture of the terrorists who perpetrated the crimes. The screening includes a Q&A with Kay Wilson. $10 per person, students are free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2Ma0VLV.

7:15 p.m. Service led by Rabbi Dorsch, Heather Blake and other musicians. Vegetarian Chinese dinner from Harmony. $8 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under. For more information, www.etzchaim.net.

Young Adult Shabbat in the Park – Garden Hills Rec Center, 335 Pine Tree Drive NE, Atlanta, from 7 to 9 p.m. Join MJCCA Young Adults and Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s NextGen for a free Shabbat dinner for young adults in the heart of Buckhead at the Garden Hills Recreation Center. Street parking is available. This program is limited to the first 40 people to RSVP. Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/2QNiLF6.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 1

gation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 6:15 to

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 liaison, Jen Evans, for more information at jen@atljewishtimes.com.

APPOINTMENTS ONLINE!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2

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. A Kiddush luncheon will follow services. Free. For more information, www.shearithisrael.com.

For the Love of Art – Congregation Dor Tamid, 11165 Parsons Road, Johns Creek, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid for its art auction, wine and hors d’oeuvres. $10 in advance, $15 at the door. RSVP at fundraising@dortamid.com.

Cantor Patti Linsky – A One Woman

Beatles Blue Jean Shabbat – Congre-

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Musical “Altar Ego” – Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cantor Patti Linsky gives a witty telling of one cantor’s transformation from addiction to healing. Free. For more information, www. bit.ly/2MbFnOW.

www.vintagebarbershopatl.com Monday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

6649 Roswell Rd, Suite A Sandy Springs, GA 30328 678-967-4700 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 37

COMMUNITY

Photos courtesy of Atlanta Jewish Academy

Learning and volunteering are both keys to the annual Service Learning Day.

Students of all ages work together to learn and act, promoting equality and peace.

Speaker Majok Marier discussed his journey as one of the ‘Lost Boys’ of Sudan.

AJA Observes Tu B’Shevat and MLK Day with Service On Jan. 18, in conjunction with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Tu B’Shevat, Atlanta Jewish Academy held its annual Service Learning Day for the fifththrough 12th-graders. The middle schoolers had a meaningful program with special guests and

lessons centered around the theme “Planting Seeds to Change the World.” First, the students heard from Majok Marier, a lost boy of Sudan and author of “Seed of South Sudan: Memoir of a Lost Boy Refugee,” (2014). He spoke about his journey out of his war-torn country and

how he returned to his village to build wells supplying clean drinking water. After the assembly, each class engaged in purposeful activities. At one station, students packed bags with toiletries and food for shelters in Dekalb County, as part of a partnership with Compassionate Atlanta. Students personalized the bags with notes of promise and encouragement for recipients. At another station, students painted peace rocks that will be displayed as part of an art installation at AJA. Next, they learned about music that influenced change, from African-American civil rights anthems to Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’,” (1964). Students also had the opportunity to hear from William Francis, CEO of Atlanta Faith in Action. He spoke about his work

with the homeless in Atlanta and showed the students the reality of living on the streets. In the Upper School, students watched the movie, “Sustainable Nation” and had a meaningful discussion about MLK Day, Tu B’Shevat and the connection to Judaic traditions. They also worked together to pack lunches for the Atlanta Mission that will be delivered to the local homeless community. Throughout the day, they traveled off campus in groups to volunteer at different service organizations in the area, such as Dunwoody Nature Center, Sandy Springs Recycling Center and Samaritan’s Feet. Students spent a meaningful day learning about tikkun olam and leaving their impact on big issues through action. ■

AJA students prepare lunches for those in need. 38 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

COMMUNITY

Photograph by Ethan Merbaum // 2019 HGA officers: Diane Fisher, Nancy Schwartz, Michele

Weiner-Merbaum, Annie Loventhal, Judy Bart, Marni Hoffman with Linda Hakerem and Sheila Dalmat. Not shown: Marci Abrams-Feinstein and Cheryl Gordon.

Above: Linda Hakerem presented the president’s pin to Michele Weiner-Merbaum. Below: Dr. Rachel Schonberger addresses the audience.

Linda Hakerem presented gifts to Sheila Dalmat, HGA immediate past president, in appreciation for her outstanding service to the chapter the past two years.

Hadassah Installs 2019 Officers, Graduates Leaders Hadassah Greater Atlanta chapter held its 2019 installation of officers and Centennial Leadership Institute graduation at Maggiano’s Perimeter on Jan. 6. Michele Weiner-Merbaum was installed as the new president along with chapter officers. Linda Hakerem and Sheila Dalmat officiated the ceremony. A successful chapter was compared to a challah where all the ingredients combine for a delicious result. In the same way, every portfolio should combine with the others to ensure that chapter goals are met. Each officer received a symbolic challah, while the president received a challah cover as a memento. Weiner-Merbaum and Hakerem, 2018 HGA Leadership co-vice presidents, officiated at the graduation of the CLI 2018 graduates. The institute is designed

to bring knowledge, leadership skills and passion to the HGA chapter and its individual groups. The guest speaker was Dr. Rachel Schonberger, national Hadassah Medical Organization chair. She spoke about the importance of Hadassah’s contributions to medicine. “Hadassah isn’t the best in everything – no place today can truthfully claim that mantle. But we are a world leader in the three pillars of 21st century medicine – genetics, stem cell science and immunology.” She emphasized Hadassah’s world leadership in genetics and the desire of credible institutions on six of the seven continents to collaborate with Hadassah’s scientists. She spoke about Hadassah as the original organizational bridge to peace – not just in Israel, not just be-

tween Arabs and Jews, but all over the world. Hadassah also has helped with preventing blindness in Liberia, treating HIV positive children in Ethiopia, responding to Tsunamis and earthquakes in the ring of fire countries, and training local therapists to help children recover

from post-traumatic stress disorder in Mexico, Australia, and Pittsburgh, Penn. ■ To learn more about Hadassah and Hadassah Greater Atlanta, www.hadassah. org/atlanta.

CLI graduates with leadership co-vice presidents: Michele WeinerMerbaum, Renée Rosenheck, Judy Roseman, Terri Nordin, Sandye Charlop and Linda Hakerem. Not shown: Beth Gaan and Jessica Stern. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 39

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When famed comedian Gilda Radner was struggling with the fight of her life against ovarian cancer, she reluctantly visited The Wellness Center in Santa Monica. It was the first walk-in community of its kind to provide support for those suffering from cancer, and their families. She wasn’t sure she would be comfortable there. In the movie “Love, Gilda,” screened at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Feb. 9 to 10 and Feb. 19 to 20, we see how she felt so welcomed there that she insisted her husband, actor Gene Wilder, attend programs with her, and that similar cancer support communities should be available throughout the country. Unfortunately, Radner died of ovarian cancer in 1989. To honor her legacy, Wilder and her therapist and friend, Joanna Bull, founded Gilda’s Club in 1991, launching chapters all over the country, including one in Atlanta, to provide psychosocial oncology services to those diagnosed with cancer and their families. In 2009, Gilda’s Club Worldwide and The Wellness Community, which had run a facility in Atlanta for 12 years, merged under the name Cancer Support Community. Now it’s one of the largest providers of cancer support worldwide. (Full disclosure: This author has attended programs at the Cancer Support Community as an ovarian

cancer survivor.) In 2000, Northside Hospital chose Cancer Support Community Atlanta to be the provider of its psychosocial oncology services. In its 8,000-square-foot home-like space near Northside, CSC offers programs that focus on support, education, exercise, nutrition, stress reduction and social gatherings. According to CSC Executive Director Christy Andrews, a 2007 report by The Institute of Medicine emphasized the importance of addressing the social and emotional needs of people facing cancer, rather than just their physical needs. A native Atlantan who has been in her position since 2006, Andrews says it’s imperative to “treat the whole patient, not just the medical condition.” Unlike her experience working at other nonprofit organizations, Andrews says that at the Cancer Support Community, she gets to meet many of the 6,000 visitors who participate in the free programs. “They hang out in the hallways between classes,” she tells the Atlanta Jewish Times. “This is a lifeline for so many people.” Indeed, one of CSC’s taglines is “so no one has to face cancer alone.” And that’s exactly why Gilda Radner became a huge fan of The Wellness Center. As the film relates, she no longer felt as isolated from society as she went in and out of various treatments that robbed her of her hair and her identity. ■

COMMUNITY SIMCHA SPOTLIGHT

Birth Announcement

Bar Mitzvah Notices Issac Benjamin Lourie, the son of Cindy and Adam Lourie, on Jan. 5. Jared David Rovak, the son of Corrie and Don Rovak, on Jan. 5.

Ethan Jacob Warsett

Rachel (Wolf) and Ross Warsett of Johns Creek are proud to announce the birth of their son, Ethan Jacob Warsett on Jan. 4, 2019. Thrilled grandparents are Karen Kleiman of Plantation, Fla., Andrew Wolf of Alpharetta, Gwenn and Stan Silverman of Boca Raton, Fla. and Duane Warsett of Boca Raton, Fla. Ethan is loved by his aunts, Alexandra Wolf and Julie Warsett, and aunt and uncle, Lori and Jeff Schnier. Ethan is honored to be named in memory of his greatgrandparents, Elliot and Judith Kleiman and greatgrandmother, Ruth Warsett.

Caleb Joseph Dick, the son of Kimberly and Bradley Dick, on Jan. 12. Landon Reese Denker, the son Karen and Steven Denker, on Jan. 19. Ian Mednick, the son of Kirsten and Brandon Mednick, on Jan 19. â&#x2013;

Have something to celebrate? Births, Bâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nai Mitzvah, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Special Birthdays and more ...

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 41

KEEPING IT KOSHER Yiddish Word of the Week bóbbe máyse Bóbbe Máyse: old wives’ tale, untrue belief. Mixed Yiddish and Hebrew origin. Máise is the Yiddish pronunciation of the Hebrew noun ‫ ַמעֲ ֶשה‬, pronounced ma’aséh, deed, action, derived from the verb ‫‘ עָ ָשה‬asáh, he did, made. By extension, ma’aséh is also used for “occurrence, happening,” short for ma’aséh shehayáh, something that happened (as opposed to ‫ ַמ ֲע ִשיָ ה‬ma’asiyyáh, a fictional story). Combined with the Yiddish noun ‫ ָבאבע‬bóbbe, grandmother, we get “a grandmother’s tale.” The expression is not restricted to the family circle, but used to discredit anything in any context: When Joseph said to his father and brothers, “Listen, I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me,” Jacob reprimanded him, saying, “What are these bóbbe máyses of yours? Do you really believe that your mother and I and your brothers would come and bow down to you?” (paraphrased from Genesis 37:9-10)

Rabbi Joab Eichenberg-Eilon, PhD, teaches Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic at the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies, eTeacher Group Ltd.

Jewish Joke of the Week Adam’s Payment After Adam was created, there he was, all alone, in the Garden of Eden. Of course, it wasn’t good for him to be all by himself, so the Lord came down to visit. “Adam,” he said, “I have a plan to make you much, much happier. I’m going to give you a companion, a help mate for you, someone who will fulfill your every need and desire. Someone who will be faithful, loving and obedient. Someone who will make you feel wonderful every day of your life.” Adam was stunned. “That sounds incredible!” “Well, it is,” replied the Lord. “But it doesn’t come for free. This is someone so special that it’s going to cost you an arm and a leg.” “Oy, Vey! That’s a pretty high price to pay,” said Adam, “What can I get for a rib?”

Joke provided by David Minkoff www.awordinyoureye.com 42 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Fish Tacos with Mango Pico de Gallo Cook and prep: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Preference: Pareve Difficulty: Medium Diet: Gluten-free, low carb, pescatarian

1 mango ¼ cup fresh parsley plus more for garnish ½ tablespoon lime zest 3 tablespoons lime juice 2 tablespoons oil

Ingredients: Halibut 1 pound halibut or turbot (side) 2 tablespoons dried parsley 2 tsps each hot paprika, lime zest, salt 1 teaspoon pepper 4 tablespoons canola oil

Guacamole 2 avocados 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno ¼ cup each diced tomatoes and red onion ½ cup fresh corn 2 tablespoons lemon juice Salt and pepper, to taste

Pico de Gallo 1 small red onion 4 plum tomatoes

For serving 1 cup shredded purple cabbage 8 corn tortillas

For the spice rub: In a small bowl, mix the dried parsley, paprika, lime zest, salt and pepper. Rub the spice mix onto the fish side. If your fish is not in fillets, slice your fish side into 2-ounce portions. Set aside. For the Mango Pico de Gallo: Finely chop your onion and mango. Place in large bowl. Remove the seeds from the tomato and dice, then add to the onion and mango. Mince your parsley and add it. Add in your lime juice and the half tablespoon of lime zest. Add oil. Stir well. For the guacamole: Mash your avocado and add your diced tomatoes, minced jalapeno, diced onion and corn. Add your lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Fry the fish: Heat up a large pan with canola oil. Cook your fish for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, depending on the thickness. To achieve perfect crispy skin, keep it on high heat and don’t move your fish. When cooked, it should be completely white and flaky. Let it rest. To serve: On an open flame, warm your tortillas for about 30 seconds per side. Smear your taco with the guacamole. Then add your crispy fish, a big spoonful of pico de gallo, and some shredded cabbage. Finish it off with some fresh parsley and a squeeze of lime. ■ Recipe by: Rikki Junik | Source: Kosher.com

BRAIN FOOD

The French Connection By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Challenging 1

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1. 2017 Disney smash 5. Barbra’s “Funny Girl” co-star 9. Borders on 14. Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Freed 15. “Anything Goes” songwriter Porter 16. Katmandu’s land 17. “Thanks for the etrog” 19. Small sample 20. Indicate 21. Ran 100 yards, perhaps 22. Village in northern Israel that’s also a common Israeli name 24. Busy bee in Apr. 25. Trojan hero, and others 26. Say hi to Blitzer and Bernstein 29. Alarm sounds 30. Anti-perspirant brand 31. Autobiography subject 32. Jamaican music 33. “Got it!” cries 37. See 28-Down 39. Bear, as a witness 41. Closed off korban locale 45. Locals 46. ___ Od Milvado 47. Its members usually have high GPAs

23. James who was known as the “Pineapple King” 25. Lashon ender 27. Land developing org. established in 1901 28. The “catastrophe”, to many a 37-Across 32. Chutzpah 33. Org. that might raid a gun shop 34. Dutch brew 35. “Kiddush HaShem” writer DOWN Sholem 1. Newton of note 36. Sanctified women: Abbr. 2. Soccer stadium cheer 37. Purely and simply, for two 3. One might rush in Phoenix or to 38. Stalk in a swamp Rome? 39. Lion name, for a girl 4. First word of “The Raven” 40. Athlete’s foot 5. Well-armed animal? 41. “It’s Too Late” songwriter King 6. Brick-layer’s material 42. Eden, e.g. 7. Shower gel ingredient, perhaps 43. Straight and narrow 8. Kevin Bacon in “Footloose” 44. Disease aggravated by gluten 9. Tums, e.g. 45. A Dr. Crane from TV 10. Ark twosomes 49. “Catch a Falling Star” crooner 11. Final result 50. Eye sore 12. Mashed dish, in slang 52. Kilmer who played Moses 13. Snow toys 53. Take part in a Siyum 18. Alias user, briefly 54. Those who may spend next 21. Pastrami purveyor year in Isr. 22. “Sesame Street” lessons

48. Removed wrinkles 49. John of “Fawlty Towers” 51. One running easily 52. “And here’s your Chanukah dish!” 55. David’s oldest brother 56. Mrs. Clooney 57. Orbital period 58. Grills 59. Last word of a Ricky Martin hit 60. Fangorn Forest residents

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urday, Jan. 22 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Justin is the son of Robyn and Willy Spizman. ■ The Atlanta Committee for UNICEF and The Carter Center presented the 1994 Child Survival Awards on Jan. 26 to Marian Wright Edelman, The Georgia Center for Children, and the Northeast Georgia Immunization Project.

15 Years Ago // January 23, 2004 ■ Shearith Israel Women’s Shelter renovation has been completed thanks to an anonymous donation of more than $10,000. With the help of an interior designer who volunteered her time, the shelter has new floors, new bathrooms and more storage in the kitchen, laundry room and bedrooms.

■ The bar mitzvah of Justin Ian Spizman took place Sat-

25 Years Ago // January 21, 1994

■ Ahavath Achim Synagogue, Atlanta’s largest Conservative congregation, has a new senior rabbi after a search that took more than two years. The 1600-member Buckhead congregation voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Neil S. Sandler as the new senior rabbi.

Remember When

50 Years Ago // January 24, 1969 ■ A 300-year-old Torah scroll written in Baghdad has been donated to the Emory University Museum. Rabbi Jacob L. Friend, the donor, obtained the Torah in Hong Kong, where it had been for 150 years. It can no longer be used because of water damage. Ahavath Achim Synagogue appointed Rabbi Neil Sandler as its new senior rabbi in 2004.

■ The recipient of Hadassah’s Myrtle Wreath Award, Dr. James Lieberman, will speak at a joint meeting of Bat Shalom and Bat Ami groups of Hadassah and at the Jewish Community Center. Dr. Lieberman is head of the audio-visual department at the Communicable Disease Center. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 43

OBITUARIES

Sandra Coffsky 79, Atlanta

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It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sandra Coffsky at home Jan. 20, 2019. Sandy was the ever-flowing wellspring of love and strength that nurtured and sustained her family. She was born in New York City on March 6, 1939 to Violet and William Schwartz. Her family moved to Augusta, Ga., when Sandy was 13. Sandy had the good sense to realize that Jay Coffsky was the one and only man for her when she first met him at the age of 14. During their nearly 60-year marriage, Sandy was the world to Jay, and he to her. She did everything for him except read his patients’ X-rays and write his published columns. Their deep love and devotion to one another was joyfully apparent to all who knew them. Sandy had a generosity of spirit that attracted a wide circle of friends drawn to her essential kindness, her positive energy, her calm demeanor and her beautiful smile. She was an excellent listener with the gift of intuition and common sense. Over the years, she enjoyed countless games of canasta and mahjong, book club meetings and shared meals with friends. She was the matriarch of a large and loving family whose well-being governed her agenda and ruled her heart. Her attention to detail on their behalf was legendary. Her holiday tables were set at least a week in advance, and most of the meal was prepared and placed in the freezer well before the day of the celebration. Sandy showered her children, grandchildren and great-grandson with love and attention. Their athletic events, musical performances and school milestones were important constants in Bubbe Sandy’s life. She enjoyed taking the children shopping, hosting sleepovers, and taking them for brunch at Goldberg’s. She was a loving presence in the lives of her extended family, always there to celebrate, to console or uplift with her special touch. The family summer gatherings at Hilton Head kept connections strong. With great respect for her Jewish heritage, Sandy served capably as co-president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the William Breman Jewish Home, and for 25 years was a member of the Jewish Burial Society of Ahavath Achim Synagogue. She was a member of Hadassah and ORT. Sandy is survived by her loving husband, Dr. Jay Coffsky; her children, Brian (Terri) Coffsky, Mindy (Danny) Capitel, and Rebecca (Brent Bernath); her grandchildren, Jamie and Todd Vrono, Jessica and Seth Gardella, Aaron Capitel, Evan, Emma and Cooper Bernath, and Simon and Shayna Coffsky; and her great-grandson, Kaleb Gardella. Additional survivors include her brother, Louis (Marilyn) Schwartz, brother-in-law Barry (Michelle) Coffsky, and many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. In her quiet, gentle way, Sandy was the powerful engine that propelled her family forward. She was resolute and uncomplaining in the face of her illness. It’s hard to imagine life without her. We measure our lives by her shining example. We consider ourselves the luckiest of families to have lived our lives in the embrace of this rare and wonderful woman. Graveside services were held Jan. 21, 2019, at Arlington Memorial Park, with Rabbi Joshua Heller officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Congregation B’nai Torah, the William Breman Jewish Home Women’s Auxiliary, or the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999.

Milton H. Freedman 99, Atlanta

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Dr. Milton H. Freedman died peacefully in his sleep Jan. 21, 2019, at age 99. He was married to his beloved wife, Irma Bluestein Freedman, for 64 years until her death in 2012. He is survived by his devoted daughters, Francie Teitelbaum, Sally Plesser and Jane Freedman; his loving granddaughters, Jennifer Teitelbaum, Emily Teitelbaum and Samantha Plesser; and his many caring nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and their children. Milton was born in Atlanta on Nov. 11, 1919, to Fannie Saul Freedman and Joseph Freedman, and was the youngest of three

OBITUARIES children (Julian Freedman and Sylvia Freedman Cooper). He spent his entire life in Atlanta, except for his years in the Navy as a flight surgeon during World War II and his medical fellowship in hematology at Pratt Diagnostic Hospital (now Tufts Medical Center) in Boston, Mass., where he did pioneering research under Dr. William Dameshek at Boston Children’s Hospital. Milton graduated from Boys’ High School in Atlanta and was a proud Eagle Scout. He graduated from Emory University as a Phi Beta Kappa and was first in his class at Emory Medical School. He did his internship and residency in internal medicine at Grady Hospital. In 1949, Milton was the first hematologist to open a private practice in Atlanta, where he treated many patients from throughout the Southeast in his early days as a doctor. He retired from his solo medical practice in 1994, and then worked as a physician consultant for the Disability Quality Branch of the Social Security Administration until his death. Milton will be missed by many friends and family members, his dear friend Rose Simms, and his wonderful caregivers, Celeste Smith, Trice Howard, Alethea Smith and Felicia McQueen. He will be remembered for his joke-telling, his intelligence, his love of medicine, nature and sports, but most of all, for his love for his extended family. Funeral services were held Wed., Jan. 23, at Ahavath Achim Synagogue followed by interment at Arlington Memorial Park. Donations may be made in Milton’s memory to the Dr. Milton and Irma Freedman Scholarship Fund, Office of Gift Accounting, Emory University, 1762 Clifton Road, Suite 1400, Atlanta, 30322; Ahavath Achim Synagogue; or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999. Sign online guestbook at www.edressler.com.

Irwin “Bill” Winter 91, Atlanta

Irwin “Bill” Winter, 91, of Atlanta died Jan. 19, 2019. Graveside services were held Jan. 22 at Greenwood Cemetery with Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., he served in the Army, obtained his business degree from NYU, met his soul-

mate, and moved to Georgia to start a family. Bill was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was predeceased by his wife of 51 years, Ruth. Together they owned and operated the Cumming Convalescent Home, providing excellent care for others. His positive attitude was infectious and his kindness unmatched. Bill was always quick with a joke and a welcoming smile. He is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Alison Winter of Johns Creek and Mark and Elaine Winter of Flagler Beach, Fla; his daughter and son-in-law, Janet and Perry Beard of Alpharetta; and grandchildren, Ryan, Shannon, Jordan, Tyler, Kayley, Alyssa, Stacey and Jaime; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770-451-4999. Sign online guestbook at www. edressler.com. ■

‫זיכרונה‬ ‫לברכה‬ 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 about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 25, 2019 | 45

CLOSING THOUGHTS Marcus the Matchmaker My friend, Eileen, told me this story… Marcus is a special ed woodworking teacher. He isn’t an intellectual heavyweight, but his practical advice and knowledge of current events and sports draw students to him. It is commonly believed that Marcus, who “gets” kids, was put on earth in order to teach teens to use tools to gain confidence and work cooperatively with others. Parents love him because their Chana offspring are able to make simple home repairs and advise them on trips to home Shapiro improvement stores. In his youth, Marcus was the fix-it guy in the Queens apartment where he grew up. He now lives with his wife and children in St. Louis, where he works at an alternative high school. Eileen, his wife, is also an educator, a world literature teacher in the suburbs. Each summer Marcus and Eileen go back to enjoy the vibrancy of the Big Apple. Marcus and Eileen met at Queens College, so every trip includes a tour of the old neighborhood and a sentimental journey through the campus. Two years ago, they bumped into Francine, a classmate from their student days. She and Eileen immediately recognized one another and the three of them, all on vacation from home, spent the rest of the day together. Francine is now a respected poet and a tenured

HOME CARE

professor, teaching in Kansas City. Marcus hardly knew her; however, Eileen had a solid memory of the slim, serious classmate who was at the top of their class. They had both written for the college paper, and Eileen recalled that Francine received a big grant to study somewhere in Europe. The two could have been closer friends, Eileen told Marcus, but Francine spent all of her time writing, reading and folk-dancing. Francine never married. She loves to travel to unusual places and enjoys teaching in the English department. She runs poetry workshops and reviews cultural events for papers in Kansas, Illinois and Missouri. It turned out that Francine is occasionally in St. Louis, lecturing or participating in conferences. Eileen invited her to visit when she was in town, and Francine agreed. In the fall and again during spring break, Francine visited Eileen and her family, with the seemingly passive presence of Marcus, who had little to say to the two wellread women. Francine stayed at a hotel, but she enjoyed discussing books and art with Eileen and got a kick out of Marcus’ projects-in-progress. Francine brought handmade jewelry to their three daughters, who viewed her with cool admiration. What they liked about Francine, however, wasn’t the gifts she brought. It was the fact that she didn’t talk too much. She was a listener.

Eileen told Francine that there was a man Marcus wanted her to meet. Harold, a widower, was Marcus’ friend, a fellow woodworker and owner of a large hardware store. On the surface, this fellow was not an obvious match, but it was Marcus’ idea. Eileen joked that Harold had a library card and knew how to use it. When Francine raised her eyebrows, Eileen assured her that Harold not only read books, but also went to museums. His wife had passed away more than five years earlier, and he was ready to meet someone. Francine finally agreed to have lunch with Harold. It would be a new experience, like visiting a foreign land. A man who owns a large hardware store, like a bartender, probably has seen it all. She wasn’t disappointed. Harold’s anecdotes were insightful and funny, yet his eyes teared when he talked about his late wife. His view of Midwestern life was thoughtful and provocative. He was a talker; she was a listener, and she felt a poem coming on. She read it to Eileen that evening. Harold wanted to know about Francine, so they decided to walk, and a couple of hours passed quickly. Harold had never dated a poet, and Francine had hardly dated at all. A relationship takes time, and they live in different cities. But they both knew there was something worth pursuing. Now, if things progress, Marcus the matchmaker worries that his buddy will close his store and move to Kansas City. Eileen is optimistic. Stay tuned. ■

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48 | JANUARY 25, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES