Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCV NO. 4, January 31, 2020

NEXT ISSUE: EDUCATION & CAMP

VOL. XCV NO. 4 | AJFF PREVIEW

AJLF 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH LIFE FESTIVAL AGAIN GETS RAVE REVIEWS.

AJA GREASES THE STAGE ATLANTA JEWISH ACADEMY TO PERFORM “SCHMALTZ!”

SCOTT GLAZER ATLANTA NATIVE WITH DECADES OF TALENT IS ALL ABOUT THAT BASS.

JANUARY 31, 2020 | 5 SH'VAT 5780

photo: Philip Groshong

The Gershwins’

PORGY AND BESS George Gershwin, DuBose & Dorothy Heyward, and Ira Gershwin

Mar 7, 8, 10, 13, 15 | Cobb Energy Centre

404-881-8885 | ATLANTAOPERA.ORG

Give the Gift that Keeps Giving All Year!

50% Off fOr a gift SubScriptiOn fOr 1 year!

OnLy $32.50 fOr the firSt year. $65 per year thereafter. *Offer applies to new subscriptions only.

Subscribe at www.atlantajewishtimes.com/subscribe-to-home-delivery Give your friends and family the gift of home delivery of the Atlanta Jewish Times.

They will love knowing what’s going on in the community and beyond!

VOTE and WIN PRIZES! BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

Support Your Favorites Of Jewish Atlanta And Win Prizes

VOTE and WIN PRIZES! Visa Gifts cards • Zoo Tickets • GA Aquarium Tickets Gift Certificates to Jewish ATL stores, restaurants and much more…

Your vote automatically enters you into the “2020 Readers’ Choice Drawing”

New Nominations will close February 15, 2020 Voting closes on March 15, 2020.

NOMINATE AND VOTE FOR THE BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA TODAY!

VOTE AT: www.atlantajewishtimes.com/best-of-jewish-atlanta-2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 5

PUBLISHER

MICHAEL A. MORRIS michael@atljewishtimes.com

MANAGING PUBLISHER & EDITOR KAYLENE LADINSKY

kaylene@atljewishtimes.com Executive Assistant

JODI DANIS

jodi@atljewishtimes.com

EDITORIAL Associate Editor

RONI ROBBINS roni@atljewishtimes.com Sr. Staff Writer & Web Editor

EDDIE SAMUELS

eddie@atljewishtimes.com Contributor & Proofreader

LEAH R. HARRISON leah@atljewishtimes.com Editorial Intern

PAULA BAROFF Contributors This Week BOB BAHR CHANA SHAPIRO DAVE SCHECHTER JAN JABEN-EILON JANICE CONVY-HELLMAN LOU LADINSKY MARCIA CALLER JAFFE RACHEL STEIN

ADVERTISING

Senior Account Manager

BRENDA GELFAND brenda@atljewishtimes.com Senior Account Manager

MICHAL BONELL

michal@atljewishtimes.com Account Manager

SHERI OKUN sheri@atljewishtimes.com

CREATIVE & MEDIA Creative & Media Designer

LILLI JENNISON

lilli@atljewishtimes.com

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Community Relations Director

JEN EVANS

jen@atljewishtimes.com Interns

ELIANA WEISS

GENERAL OFFICE 404.883.2130

The Atlanta Jewish Times is printed in Georgia and is an equal opportunity employer. The opinions expressed in the Atlanta Jewish Times do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, Ga. POSTMASTER send address changes to Atlanta Jewish Times 270 Carpenter Drive Suite 320, Atlanta Ga 30328.

Established 1925 as The Southern Israelite www.atlantajewishtimes.com ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES (ISSN# 0892-33451) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY SOUTHERN ISRAELITE, LLC © 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES Printed by Walton Press Inc. MEMBER Conexx: America Israel Business Connector American Jewish Press Association Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce Please send all photos, stories and editorial content to: submissions@atljewishtimes.com

6 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

THIS WEEK Movie Madness This week you’ll get a taste of what to expect from the movies in the 20th anniversary Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. We provide brief previews of the films and share the history of the festival, which has grown to be one of the largest in the country. AJT contributor Bob Bahr teams up with Matthew Bernstein to offer their best bets for AJFF movies not to be missed. Another AJT contributor, Marcia Caller Jaffe, gets personal with AJFF Executive Director Kenny Blank in this week’s Lowdown to learn more about the man behind the festival.

On the heels of the AJFF, you can venture further north to the Athens Jewish Film Festival in March. In other arts and culture, you can read about Scott Glazer, a musician who performed at the AJFF preview party earlier this month.

We interview the author of “Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup,” featured at A Page from the Book Festival event next week. And we offer a peek at the Atlanta Jewish Academy’s upcoming production of “Grease.”

PJ Library has its first major local fundraiser, a PJ Party. And Chabad Intown’s Jewish Business Network featured a Brooklyn marketing expert teaching about LinkedIn and offering other tips to expand networking skills.

Also in this issue is our recap of another Jewish festival. The AJT presented the largest single-day gathering of Jewish Atlanta, the Atlanta Jewish Life Festival. Plus learn about the new CEO of the Georgia Aquarium, which is undergoing a major expansion.

Our next issue is primarily about youth: education and camp. Not only are kids the future, but there’s so much to learn in the next few months before summer, when books and homework give way to camp adventures. ■ Clarifications and corrections: In last week’s “Where Do Orthodox Atlantans Send Kids to Camp,” Rabbi Adam Starr of Congregation Ohr HaTorah only commented that he “wants to see kids in camps that provide an immersive religious environment that kids love.” The remaining text in the paragraph printed is writer’s commentary and read, “If your family observes Shabbat and kosher laws, you probably wouldn’t be happy with a camp that drives kids to McDonald’s on the way to a Friday night co-ed dance. Not a problem for most people, but not reflective of the atmosphere in most Orthodox homes.”

Camp Ramah is shomer Shabbat. The story may have indicated otherwise. And at Camp Stone, boys and girls daven separately, but eat together.

Cover photo: Kenny Blank is executive director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival we preview this week.

CONTENTS PUBLISHER'S NOTE ���������������������� 7 LOCAL NEWS ���������������������������������� 8 ISRAEL NEWS ������������������������������� 16 OPINION ����������������������������������������� 18 AJFF PREVIEW ����������������������������� 20 ART ��������������������������������������������������� 38 CALENDAR ������������������������������������� 40 COMMUNITY ��������������������������������� 42 OY VEY �������������������������������������������� 44 BRAIN FOOD ���������������������������������� 45 OBITUARIES ���������������������������������� 46 CLOSING THOUGHTS ����������������� 48

PUBLISHER'S NOTE

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Taking an Exciting Bold Move Into the Future As a leader in America’s Jewish media industry, the Atlanta Jewish Times is taking a bold step into the future. We have been fortunate enough over the last 18 months to have increased our engagement, readership and even our income by more than 18%.

This is no small feat in media’s current evolving online presence. We are excited about the many possibilities for continued success in our online and social engagement with Jewish Atlanta, and about being the catalyst in sharing Jewish Atlanta with the world around us.

Michael A. Morris

Make no mistake that our print newspaper is still our greatest asset. We have been diligent in finding out what our loyal readers want and how we can continue to produce a more relevant and engaging newsPublisher paper. During these 18 months we have been listening to your feedback and have made changes that you have received with open arms, such as a more vibrant layout and diverse content to engage a wider variety of readers’ interests. We have more work to do to keep your newspaper fluid and evolving with the community and loyal readers who support us.

One of our industry’s greatest challenges is keeping up with the rising costs to produce the product that our community deserves. While most newspapers’ income is decreasing each year by 10 to 20%, AJT’s is growing. Even though this is an enormous accomplishment, our production costs have continued to increase over 28% in the last 18 months.

So, in order to continue our growth and increase our product’s quality, the AJT is making a bold move. As of February 2020, we are changing our production schedule from weekly to semi-monthly. By making this adjustment we plan to increase our online presence, while providing you comprehensive reporting and more extensive community feature stories. Our monthly content will not decrease in quantity; it will increase in quality and be distributed twice per month versus our current four times per month. In addition, we plan to publish special editions including our readers’ favorites such as Simcha Celebrations, Voter’s Guide, Best of Jewish Atlanta and the Guide to Jewish Atlanta.

By making this adjustment, we promise to up our game and utilize the additional production time to deliver a more comprehensive and engaging product with more pages and a longer shelf life on your bedstands, coffee tables and office shelves.

This will also decrease recycling needs and increase our support for a green community.

We know that this may be a small disappointment for those who count on a weekly AJT as part of their Shabbat traditions.

Words cannot express how deeply we appreciate your loyalty over the last 94 years that the AJT has been a part of Jewish Atlanta. We ask that you give this new production plan a chance in this rapidly changing industry as we look forward to our 100th anniversary.

Thank you for your continued community partnership.

Michael Morris Michael A. Morris Owner & Publisher ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 7

LOCAL NEWS Second Jewish Life Festival Raises the Bar

By Eddie Samuels

I was also really impressed by the other caterers there, and it was really great to see them and talk about what they were doing.”

For an adult pairing with their kosher treats, Tip Top Proper Cocktails’ canned cocktails and Israeli wine from The River Wine were big hits.

After a groundbreaking first year, the second annual Atlanta Jewish Life Festival shattered all expectations. It united more than 4,000 Jews from throughout Atlanta in the Georgia Aquarium’s Oceans Ballroom Community partner booths attracted community Photo by Eddie Samuels // Webster brought KOOL KIDZ face painting was a on Jan. 26 for a day members from throughout Atlanta to learn about hippie vibes to the Oceans Ballroom, big hit with younger attendees. of fun, festivity and new organizations and chat with old friends. playing the Grateful Dead and the Beatles. forging bonds with friends old and new.

“It was great to see so many people this festival is to showcase some of the Nosh Pit Entertainment What would a Jewish event be withfrom different parts of incredible work our On a stage sponsored by the Atlanta Atlanta come together wonderful community out food? The AJLF showcased how di- Jewish Film Festival, the AJLF featured a for a positive commupartners do and intro- verse kosher cooking in Atlanta is, with number of performers, opening the day nity celebration,” AJT duce them to members 11 food vendors on hand. with some of Atlanta’s students, first “There was owner and publisher of our community.” from The EpMichael Morris said.

As soon as doors really an outstein School and “The camaraderie, opened at 10 a.m. standing diverAtlanta Jewish entertainment and community members sity of food and Academy, and community partners flooded into the ball- it was all kosher, then the Atlanand vendors made it room, going from table so no one was ta Jewish Boys incredibly meaningful. to table to see every- left out,” Morris Choir performed Rabbi Jake and the Atlanta Jewish Boys The connections made thing Jewish Atlanta said. The entire with Rabbi Jake.

Choir opened with “Hinei Ma Tov.” atrium smelled there strengthened our has to offer.

“My choir community.”

And it wasn’t just like a true Jewish festival and I know sev- and I had an amazing time. We started New aquarium guests making new eral non-festival aquarium visitors were off with a song [“Hinei Ma Tov”] about chairman Steve Koonconnections, commu- so enticed by the smell they came up for how beautiful it is when the Jewish in shared his thoughts nity partners also laid a taste.” people come together, and that’s how I Jodie Sturgeon of For All Occasions on the event. “It was the groundwork for felt about the day,” said Jake Czuper, aka The Kids Zone featured cornhole, and More was one of the vendors on site, very rewarding to see future partnerships, Rabbi Jake. “It didn’t matter your denomface painting, caricatures and more. so many people come according to Erin Lis, who was serving two kinds of beef with ination or background; it was a day for together to celebrate the Jewish commu- A Kosher Touch Catering’s director of rice. everyone to come together.”

“It was truly a great event. We were nity in Atlanta,” he said. “Whether you sales and marketing.

Following those performances came have been in the city 60 years or 60 min“We went into the main ballroom there last year but this year was even big- three bands who rocked the ballroom. utes, the festival was fun, informative and chatted with a lot of vendors,” she ger,” she said. “There were people coming Friction, formed by students at The Davis and a great value for said. “In particular we back for thirds Academy who our community.” connected with Sec- and fourths just are now around ond Helpings, who we for themselves.

15, returned after prepared Community Partners used to work with, … We shocking attendFilling row upon and they told us about twice as much ees in their first row in the Oceans Ball[Jewish Family & Ca- food as we did year. Once again, room were over 100 reer Services’] kosher in year one, and they performed community partner food pantry, and we just like last year, some classic and sponsor tables. Ordiscussed the possibil- we sold everymelodies. thing and had no ganizations including ity of a partnership.”

Zale was synagogues, schools, In addition, art leftovers.” next up, led by Just like camps, nonprofits, vendors in The Shuk singer Hannah Free cotton candy from Cotton A businesses and more sold their wares, in- Sturgeon, Zale. They perCravings drew a long line.

Touch shared their important cluding handmade Kosher formed a combimissions with those in Judaica, rugs, fine art doubled its food again this year, serving nation of originals and covers, including South African curry chicken with green Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.” While attendance. and more.

“I was glad to see EB Catering Company was one of the “We were thrilled cabbage slaw and naan, according to Lis. performing, Zale was unconfined to the “It was fabulous, and we got great stage, making her way into the crowd, and so many community to have some artists new food vendors in the Nosh Pit. partners this year,” back and see some feedback,” she said. “We sold out of food inviting them to be a part of the show. once again this year, so we were thrilled.

Morris said. “One of the main reasons for new faces this year as well,” Morris said.

“I always try to get the audience in-

8 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

LOCAL NEWS volved in some way and I wanted them to know how much I care about them,” Zale said. “It also gave my Jewish friends who are probably more familiar with my Photo by Eddie Samuels // Zale played a The Henna Den was a popular attraction, Jewish music a combination of originals and covers. especially with younger festivalgoers. chance to see this other part the staff and volof who I am,” she said.

Webster followed and brought their unteers who made classic, hippie sound to the stage, per- the Atlanta Jewish forming hits from the Grateful Dead and Life Festival into The Beatles, among others. The afternoon another great sucentertainment concluded with the Atlan- cess and we hope ta Jewish Theatre Company performing to be a part of this event and future excerpts from “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Founder and director Aurélie Wein- Jewish events in stein explained that the troupe was formed the months and out of a desire for a theater group tailored years ahead.”

Morris was to Jewish performers and audiences.

“We are very excited to see this dream thrilled with this turn into a reality this past Sunday at the year’s musical vaRiver Wine tastings were enjoyed by the adult crowd.

Georgia Aquarium,” she said. “The Atlanta riety.

“The entertainment was spectacular, ing Ruby the Clown Jewish Theatre Company is grateful for

with Paul Sponaugle.

“The Atlanta Jewish Life Festival was amazing,” Sponaugle said. “It was so much fun to entertain the attendees with The Atlanta Jewish Theatre Company closed the our special afternoon with excerpts from “Fiddler on the Roof.” brand of magical entertainfrom the student ment and comedy. The ensuing laughter choirs in the morn- and applause were a great way of knowing to rock ‘n’ roll ing that everyone was having fun and enmidday, and our joying themselves.”

The Kids Zone was also a hot ticket, fantastic finale, excerpts from ‘Fiddler with face painting from Kool Kids Face on the Roof,’ which Painting and art from Caricatures by reminded us all of Lindsay. Henna art by EnRapturing Enour rich Jewish tra- tertainment also excited festivalgoers of all ages. dition,” he said.

Reflecting on the AJLF as a whole, Also in attendance were a num- Morris expressed his gratitude to the comber of wandering munity and looked toward the future.

“This year’s success ensures that performers and entertainers, includ- there will be a festival next year and for and Magic & Mirth years to come,” he said. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 9

LOCAL NEWS

From the Jersey Shore to the Georgia Aquarium

Existing

New Before and after view of the current and expanded aquarium exterior.

By Dave Schechter Mike Leven’s first stint as president and chief executive officer of the Georgia Aquarium, from 2008-09, ended when he became president and chief operating officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp.

Leven, a highly regarded executive with decades of experience in the hospitality industry, returned to Atlanta in 2015, as CEO and chairman of the aquarium’s board of directors.

in its history and I’m proud of all of our staff and volunteers for their hard work in setting this organization apart from other destinations and educating the millions of our guests about our ocean.”

Leven, 82, has been succeeded as CEO by Brian Davis, who has been the aquarium’s executive vice president and now also is its president.

Growing up in New Jersey, Davis spent summers at the beach, developing a personal connection with the ocean.

The expansion is expected to include a new entrance on Baker Street.

Late last year, the aquarium announced that Leven would retire from those positions, though he will remain on the board.

Steve Koonin, CEO of the Atlanta Hawks basketball team and an aquarium board member since it opened in 2005, succeeded Leven as board chairman.

In a statement released at the time by the aquarium, Leven said, “I have been lucky to serve Georgia Aquarium twice

10 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

In September 1992, after graduating from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree focusing on marine biology, he became an education instructor at the New York Aquarium.

Davis came to Atlanta in 1994, initially developing education materials for Zoo Atlanta and then alternating between positions in education with the Cobb County schools and the Georgia Aquarium (where he was among the earliest hires). Davis

brings a strong background in education District, created before the 1996 Olympic to the aquarium, holding a master’s de- Games to boost the economic fortunes of gree in secondary science education and a the western portion of downtown Atlanta doctorate in education and teaching, both and neighborhoods to the west.

Invest Atlanta previously provided from Georgia State University.

He left Atlanta in late 2014 to become $25 million in 2014 when the aquarium president and chief executive officer at The expanded, adding its dolphin exhibit.

The aquarium employs more than Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Conn., before returning to Atlanta in mid-2018 as the 600 people and has nearly 1,200 volunteers. According to Invest Atlanta, “The aquarium’s executive vice president.

In a statement issued by the aquari- expansion will add 22 full-time employum, Koonin said, “This is a banner year for ees and 20 part-time employees. Curthe Aquarium with our largest expansion rently, the Georgia Aquarium generates opening in the fall. I’m confident in Brian’s $5.5 million in sales tax [annually]. The leadership and experience to lead us into expansion will generate an additional $1.3 million.” a new decade “As part and continue of this expanthe Aquarision, the Georum’s reputagia Aquarium tion as one will enhance of the best its Sponaquariums in sored Educathe U.S.” tion AdmisTo mainsions Grant tain that posiprogram to tion, late this provide addifall the Geortional free adgia Aquarium missiongrants plans to open The new entrance is to include interactive to schools in a four-story, 1 media and a light display. the Westside. million-gallon saltwater shark gallery with floor-to-ceiling Scholarships to rising college students purwindows for viewing. The species on view suing degrees in aquatic animal medicine may include hammerhead, sand tiger and will also be provided. It’s anticipated that sandbar sharks. The aquarium broke ground a minimum of 10 per year for 10 years will in September 2018 for the expansion, which, be awarded. In addition, a training program with other improvements, carries a reported for potential Georgia Aquarium employees will be developed and offered at Westside price tag of $108 million.

Invest Atlanta, the city of Atlanta’s Works in Vine City,” Invest Atlanta stated economic development authority, voted in a review of the aquarium’s grant applica4-3 in August to donate $7.5 million over tion.

The development of the aquarium a five-year period to the aquarium’s “Expansion 2020” project. The funds will benefited from a $250 million donation by come through the Westside Tax Allocation Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home

LOCAL NEWS

The expansion will bring the aquarium to 11 million gallons in capacity and expand its size to 680,000 square feet.

Depot, and his wife, Billi.* Ground breaking for the aquarium was in May 2003. It is located across the street from the north end of Centennial Park along Baker and Luckie streets, on a nine-acre plot of land donated

by The Coca-Cola Brian Davis brings a Company. strong background The aquarin education to ium opened in the top role at the November 2005, Georgia Aquarium.

Expansion 2020 is set to open a four-story, 1 million-gallon saltwater shark gallery with floor-to-ceiling windows for viewing.

with hundreds of species housed in 9 in the Western Hemisphere and one of the million gallons of water. Over time the largest in the world, the expansion will bring it to 11 million gallons in aquarium has added exhibcapacity and expand its size its of manta rays, dolphins, to 680,000 square feet. penguins, sea lions, and pufThe aquarium operates fins – and the popular whale as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit under sharks and beluga whales. the federal tax code. In the The aquarium also offers a fiscal year ending Decemmyriad of education and conber 2017, the most recent for servation programs. which a tax filing was availThe aquarium drew 3.4 million visitors in its first year Steve Koonin recently able online, the aquarium became board reported revenues of nearly and currently averages about chairman of the $93.8 million and expenses of 2.4 million visitors annually.

Georgia Aquarium. $88 million.

Billed as the largest aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium also operates the Marineland Dolphin Adventure and a dolphin conservation field station, both in St. Augustine, Fla. ■ The Marcuses are the parents of AJT ownerpublisher Michael Morris, who is also a member of the aquarium’s board.

Mike Levin retired as CEO and board chairman of the Georgia Aquarium, but will remain on the board.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 11

LOCAL NEWS

AJA Greases the Stage

By Paula Baroff High school girls from the Atlanta Jewish Academy will be performing “Schmaltz!” for their annual Chagiga production Feb. 3-4. A Jewish parody of the popular musical “Grease,” the show is written, produced, directed, and acted by girls of AJA. The plot of the show parodies the original musical: two friends, Shaindy and Dina, meet at camp and one arrives at a new high school, leading to surprise as they discover they are now students at the same school. Mirroring the famous contrast of 1950s greasers with Sandy’s innocent demeanor in “Grease,” one friend is part of a group of rougher girls called the “Tuffs,” while the other is friends with sweeter girls, called “Preps.”

“Follow the Tuffs and the Preps, in their denim and leather, their pom-poms and pigtails, as they crack witty jokes and sing and dance their way through their last year at Chai-dell High,” according to the light-hearted program description of the show.

Tension arises between the groups as the girls try to reconcile their friendship and navigate peer pressure and conformi-

The Chagiga production is entirely run by girls in AJA’s upper school.

ty. “It’s really going to be fun,” said Simonie Levy, Chagiga’s adviser and performing arts director at AJA. “You’ve got the pink ladies who have got the pink jackets and then kind of 1950s style with the big skirts and shirts, just fun and cute.”

Chloe Karpel, Chagiga director and

THE SONENSHINE TEAM

Atlanta’s Favorite Real Estate Team

DEBBIE SONENSHINE Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Internationally, Certified Negotiator, Luxury, New Homes and Corporate Relocation Specialist Voted Favorite Jewish Realtor in AJT, Best of Jewish Atlanta

Debbie Sells Houses!

East Cobb - $550,000

Best Golf Course Lot in Indian Hills • Open One Level Living

• Walton High School

• Windows and Views Galore

• Low Cobb County Taxes

direct 404.250.5311 | office 404.252.4908 Follow Us On Facebook

Debbie@SonenshineTeam.com | www.SonenshineTeam.com ©2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Operated By a Subsidiary of NRT LLC.

12 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

“Schmaltz!” is a fun Jewish parody of the hit musical “Grease.”

AJA senior, thought of adapting “Grease” because the musical resonates with everyone. “Choosing ‘Grease,’ I wanted to do something that had amazing, colorful, bright costumes and recognizable songs, and something that everybody can recognize and have fun with,” she said. “I had a few options but in the back of my mind it was always ‘Grease.’”

Often Chagiga parodies various popular musicals, but for the last couple of years the girls created their own script and adapted music to fit the show, Karpel said. This year, rather than write a totally new plot, Karpel really wanted to get back to Chagiga’s Broadway parody roots.

“When I was trying to come up with the idea of what we were going to do for this year, I wanted to ask around, ask people what they’d want to see. And I got a lot of people who wanted to see that old tradition come back and see the parody – the fun, the light, the happy, the colorful – come back onto the stage,” Karpel said.

Karpel has been involved in theater for several years, but this is her first time having a leadership role. “I loved watching [theater], listening to show tunes, and my mom was pretty big in introducing it to me. I just fell in love with it at that point,” she said. Karpel’s first experience on stage was in middle school, when she was cast as Miss Hannigan in her school’s production of the Broadway musical “Annie.” After that, she went to performing arts camp, became involved in community theater, and helped as stage manager for a middle school play. Writing and directing Chagiga has pushed Karpel’s theater skills into new territory.

“Being a director, especially since I’m the same age as a lot of people I’m leading,

is a little tough. But it’s also so rewarding when I get to see my work and my directions come to life on the stage,” she said. “There are ups and downs. There are times when it’s tricky telling people what to do when you are on the same level.”

The show is entirely created and produced by the girls of AJA’s upper school, including a crew that was involved in set painting, a technical crew that works with lights and sound, and a backstage crew responsible for moving set and props on and off stage. All the girls have to work with each other to execute the performance, including advertising and setting up opening night.

“I’m extremely proud of everybody who’s a part of this show, who’s participating, who’s working so, so hard to make this incredible. The cast members, the producers, the backstage crew and the scenery crew,” Karpel said. “It’s so time-consuming and it’s just beautiful to see everything come together after so long of it just being on paper.” She added that she wanted to thank everyone who helped her out with the process, including her parents.

“The wonderful thing about it is that every single girl is involved in it. There’s not a girl who doesn’t have something to do. It really is a nice coming together,” Levy said.

Because of the fun 1950s setting of “Grease” that concludes with a school carnival, carnival food will be served before the show, including popcorn, candy apples and similar items.

Doors open at 6:30 for the 7 p.m. scheduled start. The show runs for about 1 ½ hours and is suitable for girls of all ages, Levy said. Tickets are available for women and girls and can either be purchased at the door or on AJA’s website. ■

LOCAL NEWS

JBN Sponsors Networking With Brooklyn CEO

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman is always tuned in to relevant and hot topics.

On a rainy Jan. 23, Chabad Intown on the BeltLine packed in a vibrant crowd bent on maximizing their business savvy for a networking dinner featuring Joe Apfelbaum, CEO of Ajax Union, a digital marketing agency in Brooklyn. His working topic was “15 Minutes or Less: Three Ways Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman welcomed to Generate ROI on LinkedIn.” guest speaker Joe Apfelbaum.

Eli Brafman of EB Catering Co., himself a Brooklyn native, matched the youthful vibe by presenting a buffet of using LinkedIn for brand development, colorful Mexican cuisine. For an hour B2B digital marketing and development, prior to the dinner, recruiting, and music was boomeffective lead gening as young and eration as he has older businessdone in features in people had their Forbes magazine, phones out estabFox Business, and lishing contacts.

The Wall Street Rabbi Eliyahu Journal. Here are Schusterman welsome of his highcomed the group lights: with Jewish Business Network’s • A reported mission to nurture 650 million are the teaching of Ju- Connecting as avid networkers are Rachel and on LinkedIn. It’s daism in conjuncavailable 24/7 Brian Friedman and Harriette Ostrzega. tion with personal • The best cligrowth and success. His d’var Torah told ents come from referrals. People don’t of Aaron’s approach to wielding a staff want to be sold, but they love to buy. Just that turned into a snake in front of Pha- look at Walmart. raoh, whose own staff did the same. Aar• Don’t deal with the bottom of the on’s powerful lesson by turning the snake barrel (broad audiences). Get referrals back into a staff from people who showed his superilike and trust you. ority and restraint.

• No need to “Attitudes, even if go viral. A thourebuking or guidsand of the right ing, should come people seeing you from a place of 1,000 times a year love not harshness. is the best forAaron, a kohen, mula. represents love • The average and kindness and CEO has only 930 Moses represents connections. truth,” Schuster• Start with man said. a plan. The right The millennials showed up to learn more Apfelbaum strategy will save about LinkedIn: Eric Elan, Ashley Berfield, was introduced you a decade.

Elaine Berkovich and Reid Shapiro.

by Laura Dorman, • Great hires a local voice talent, who touted his new come from LinkedIn. Bad hires can come approaches to “Dialing for Dollars” for from Craigslist better results using today’s technology, • Don’t be afraid to put yourself out which Joe uses to train everyone up the there. He credited Jerry Seinfeld with line to billionaires. exclaiming, “Ninety percent of people Tzitzit flying, Apfelbaum, a father would rather be in the casket than giving of 5, came out “mojovating” and rapping the eulogy.” about his being “a wannabe gansta frum • Three simple keys to using rapper,” as the music pulsated.

LinkedIn 15 minutes a day: 1) Post 2) He proceeded to extol the benefits of Engage 3) Control the message. Think

Joe Apfelbaum talks to the crowd about LinkedIn.

Learning more about marketing as a goal are Elliott Durdick, Zachary Diamond, Andrew Mackler and Marc Gault.

about your message. For example, Volvo=Safety, Google=Search.

• Greet properly. No “Hello,” No “What’s Up?” Show appreciation. Strive to be appropriate. Happy Chanukah or Happy Birthday is OK when real. If you’re reaching out to someone in the South, start with how nice the weather is.

• Facebook and Instagram are not the right platform. They are all about fun, family and fake lives. TikTok is too “ADD.” • Set up your contacts on Google Alert.

Georgia Tech in medical physics, enjoys the challenges on LinkedIn. Andrew Mackler, a salesforce administrator here for Dallasbased Medicision, came for the networking opportunity. Marc Gault, Sea Change Properties, wanted some tips in marketing to flip houses and buy distressed property. Brian Friedman, a real estate investor, mentioned, “I came to learn how to maximize the use of social media, turn obstacles into strengths and overcome limiting beliefs.” The wine certainly also boosted the atmosphere.

Watch for JBN’s Earlier in the netupcoming events: working hour, Eric Dan Ariely, a psyElan, a Georgia Tech Caterer Eli Brafman prepared chologist and author, grad, head of Pro Text, a colorful Mexican fiesta speaks about “Unravsaid he came to increase his velocity in networking for his eling the Mysteries of Human Behavior,” 7:30 p.m. Feb 9 at the Academy of Mediautomatic SBA loan closing startup.

Reid Shapiro from East Cobb came to cine, 875 West Peachtree St. Tickets start better market his consumer media video at $20 for the first bookers.

A real estate symposium is set for production company. Zachary Diamond, in the process of getting his doctorate at March 25. ■

SEE WHAT ALL THE BUZZ IS ABOUT! ALL DAY BREAKFAST. GOURMET BISCUITS. HEALTHY LUNCH CHOICES.

Sara Hanna photos

EGG, CHICKEN, CURRIED CHICKEN AND TUNA SALAD SCOOPS AND SANDWICHES. FRIED CHICKEN LIVERS. TURKEY OR PASTRAMI REUBENS, CUBAN SANDWICHES. (404) 963-1080 City Walk 227 Sandy Springs Pl NE suite 506, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 13

LOCAL NEWS

Lineup Secured for Athens Jewish Film Festival

By Paula Baroff

screenings on each day of the As a small festival. festival in a colThe last lege town, the day of the fesAthens Jewish tival, March 25, Film Festival includes the has the ability shorts competo capitalize on tition, where the tight-knit three or four community and short films build stronger from around bonds with lo30 are selected cal businesses as winners and and organizascreened before tions. The festithe final movie, val’s 2020 film the Danish film lineup has just The Athens Jewish Film Festival “A Fortunate Among the movies shown will be Athens Jewish Film Festival president Ron Zell, right, with Marlene will open with a showing of “The Tobacconist,” about a man’s Stewart, who handles social media and publicity for the festival. been confirmed Man,” is shown. friendship with Sigmund Freud. and tickets are on “Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles” The festisale for the gala val draws other and screenings March 21-25. allowing for a larger audience for open- acle of Miracles,” a documentary explor- locals along with its Jewish attendees.

Though the festival is not affiliated ing night. The rest of the films will be ing the legacy of “Fiddler on the Roof,” at “You get a wide range of people that are with the University of Georgia, this year’s screened at Ciné, a popular independent 8 p.m. The gala is sponsored by Mama’s interested in the independent type of gala will take place in the modern event art house theater in downtown Athens.

Boy, a very popular breakfast restaurant movies. You’ve got more of a circulation space and theater of the Georgia Museum Opening night at the Georgia Muse- in Athens. up there,” as it’s a college town, Zell said. of Art on UGA’s east campus. The mu- um of Art will include a gala beginning at Being a smaller festival means ac- “They’re films they would never see anyseum includes a 200-seat movie theater, 6 p.m. and a screening of “Fiddler: A Mir- cess to films is more difficult than larger where else.” ones like the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

The Athens Jewish Film Festival There’s a long screening process in which featured a special pre-festival event for a committee, made up largely by mem- free Jan. 12 at the Athens-Clarke County bers of Athens’ Congregation Children Library. They screened the classic film of Israel synagogue, watches each movie “Avalon,” celebrating its 30th anniversaand filters through which they’d like to ry, about a Jewish immigrant family. “We show before attempting to secure rights had pretty good attendance. Everybody to the movies. “Generally, what we do is liked that movie,” Zell said. the screening committee looks between The city has been very supportive of May and October for movies. In that time the festival, he said. They have received frame we’re getting 2018 and 2019 mov- two grants from the city of Athens, inies,” said Ron Zell, the festival’s president. cluding support from the Athens Down“It’s a lot smaller; there’s a lot less town Development Authority and the people on the board, which means there mayor, and have many local advertisers, is more to make sure gets done right.” which enables the festival to uniquely However, the board sees payoff from their provide food with every movie that’s hard work with the success of the festival screened. and looks forward to a great turnout this “I don’t believe anyone else is doing year as well. “Last year we had the largest that in the area,” Zell said. “All our noshes attendance that we’ve had. … We’re doing are provided free of charge; it’s all donaa pretty good job of filling up the theater,” tions by some of the businesses, restauZell said. rants in the city of Athens.”

In its 12th year running, the festival They also aim to keep the cost of the has secured a diverse lineup of carefully festival low. People can purchase a festiselected films from countries includ- val pass for all the movies for $55 and an ing Austria, Germany, Israel, France opening night gala ticket for $65. If someand Canada. The first day of the festival, body wants to only go to individual films March 22, begins with the German film rather than purchase a festival pass, they also being shown at the Atlanta Jewish can arrive 15 minutes prior to showtime Film Festival, “The Keeper” at 1 p.m., and at Ciné and purchase a ticket at the thecontinues into the evening with “A Bag of ater’s price.

Marbles” and “Mr. & Mrs. Adelman.”

Tickets, as well as the lineup, are Over the next two days, viewers can available on the website, athensjff.org, see “The Second Time Around,” “The To- and can be paid either online or through bacconist,” “Echo,” and “Holy Lands.” a check sent to the Athens Jewish Film Food will be provided in breaks between Festival. ■ 14 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 15

ISRAEL PRIDE

News From Our Jewish Home

Flash90 // Amar’e Stoudemire at the 2017 National Cup final game between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem.

Stoudemire Returns to Israeli Basketball

Former NBA All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire shocked his Israeli fans announcing his return to Israeli basketball by signing with Maccabi Tel Aviv Jan. 21.

Maccabi Tel Aviv announced that Stoudemire had been signed through the end of the season and will make around $55,000 a month.

Stoudemire’s decision has outraged many of his fans. Stoudemire played for

Today in Israeli History

Actress Hanna Rovina stars in the premiere of “The Dybbuk” in Moscow.

Jan. 31, 1922: The Hebrew version of “The Dybbuk, or Between Two Worlds” begins its successful stage run at Moscow’s Habimah Theater. Written in Russian and then Yiddish by S. Ansky and translated into Hebrew by Hayim Nachman Bialik, the play tells the story of a young woman (played by Hanna Rovina) who is possessed by the malicious spirit of a man who loved her but died upon hearing of her engagement to another.

Feb. 1, 1885: Novelist and Hebrew editor Peretz Smolenskin dies of tuberculosis at age 43. Born in Russia in 1842, he began 16 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

several seasons for Maccabi’s biggest rival, Hapoel Jerusalem, and promised that “the only team on earth” he would play for was Hapoel. He is still one of Hapoel’s owners, controlling 5 percent of its shares.

“I am very humbled for the opportunity, happy to be in Israel, the place that I love,” Stoudemire said in a statement posted on Maccabi’s website. “I have a chance to play in the highest level in Europe, which is a dream come true.”

Coach Giannis Sfairopoulos said of Stoudemire, “He is coming to help his new teammates and the team in the Israeli league and in the Euroleague. I want to welcome him to our team and in the Maccabi family.”

Stoudemire had signed in October to play for the Fujian Sturgeons in the Chinese Basketball Association but left after only 11 games and returned to the United States.

13-year-old Discovered Ancient Artifact

After rains near Caesarea, 13-yearold Stav Meir went foraging for mushrooms. “Instead of a tasty fungus, the his writing career while teaching Hebrew in Odessa at age 22, then moved to Vienna to lead the Hebrew department of a large press and founded the journal HaShachar (The Dawn). He rejected assimilation and became a strong advocate for Jewish immigration to Palestine after the wave of Russian pogroms in the early 1880s.

Feb. 2, 1965: The Knesset revises the Absentees’ Property Law to allow a government office to maintain, rent or sell property held in a waqf, an endowment created under Islamic law. Any proceeds are meant to benefit absentee owners whenever Israel achieves peace with its neighbors, but in the meantime, the law enables Israel to use as much land as possible to accommodate its rapid population growth since independence.

Feb. 3, 1980: Hanna Rovina, eulogized as “the high priestess of the Hebrew theater,” dies in Ra’anana at age 91. Born near Minsk in 1888, she gave up teaching Hebrew in Warsaw so she could make her stage debut in Moscow in 1918 with a new Hebrew company that became Israel’s national theater, Habimah. She starred as Leah in the premiere of “The Dybbuk” in 1922 and returned to the role for every Habimah revival of the play until 1957.

Karem Said/ Israel Antiquities Authority // Stav

Meir holding a 1,500-year-old Greek burial inscription he discovered near Caesarea.

seventh-grader uncovered a chunk of a 1,500-year-old Byzantine-era Greek burial inscription,” The Times of Israel reported.

Meir, who studied archaeology through the Israel Antiquities Authority for several years in elementary school, told his father they needed to report the item before it was damaged.

“I immediately recognized that it was something ancient,” Meir said in an IAA press release announcing the find

Photo by Celia Garion, Israeli Air Force //

The fatal helicopter crash Feb. 4, 1997, involved the CH-53 Yasur, a mainstay of the Israeli military for a half-century.

Feb. 4, 1997: Two CH-53 Yasur military helicopters collide in the middle of the night over northern Israel while ferrying troops and munitions to the Israeli-occupied zone in southern Lebanon, killing all 73 military personnel on board the choppers. Bedouin, Druze and Jews, secular and religious, are among the victims of the crash, for which a cause is never established. The disaster contributes to Israel’s decision to withdraw from Lebanon in 2000.

Feb. 5, 1879: Engineer Pinhas Rutenberg, credited with bringing electricity to British Mandatory Palestine, is born in present-day Ukraine. He becomes involved in Russian revolutionary politics, is drawn to Zionism while in exile in Italy and helps form the British army’s Jewish Legion during World War I. He moves to Palestine in 1919 and builds out the elec-

Jan. 22. “I studied archaeology in school together with the Israel Antiquities Authority; therefore, I can easily identify antiquities when I see them.”

The marble slab is a burial inscription marking the grave site of a wealthy individual interred there, according to IAA archaeologist Dr. Peter Gendelman.

Zohar Meir, Stav’s father, said in an IAA video that Stav and his siblings have studied archaeology in their school since fourth grade. “It’s an amazing thing,” he said. “They go out in the field, learn our history, find interesting things, go on hikes.”

Karem Said, the IAA’s Haifa district archaeologist, said rainstorms may have uncovered many artifacts. “The IAA is pleased and proud of Stav’s good citizenship, and the actual application of the knowledge he has acquired with us in the classroom and in the field.

“We awarded Stav a certificate of appreciation for his good citizenship, and we will come to his class for a special lesson addressing the discovery he made. We urge citizens to be our partners in preserving the treasures of the land. Let us know if you discover archaeological finds that have surfaced in the rain,” Said said. ■

The Palestine Electric Co., founded by Pinhas Rutenberg, opened this Jordan River hydroelectric plant, designed

by Rutenberg, in the 1930s.

trical grid, first powered with diesel generators, then with hydroelectric plants of his own design.

Feb. 6, 1951: Israeli soldiers launch an overnight raid across the Green Line on Sharafat, the home to about 200 Arabs just south of Jerusalem, in retaliation for a deadly Arab raid into Israel that used the village as a base. The Israeli troops destroy two houses and kill nine villagers, including five children ages 13 and under. The mission is part of an escalating cycle of Arab infiltrations into Israel and Israeli retaliations into the West Bank and Gaza. ■ Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details.

ISRAEL NEWS Netanyahu is Formally Indicted

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

peace in the Middle East was announced.

Both Netanyahu and Gantz, who had met “A prime minister steeped up to his with Trump the day before, pledged to supneck in investigations doesn’t have a moral port Trump’s plan which, in effect, calls for or public mandate to make such fateful de- “fateful decisions” on the part of both the cisions regarding the state of Israel.”

Palestinians and Israel.

In 2008, that’s For the first what Benjamin Netime, Trump called tanyahu said about for a two-state soluthen-Prime Minister tion, which some of Ehud Olmert when Netanyahu’s fellow he was under invesLikud party memtigation. Under presbers would consider sure, Olmert chose a nonstarter. The to resign before he proposal also calls was actually indictfor a four-year settleed. Eventually he ment freeze, which served time in prisNetanyahu’s rightPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on for his offenses. wing supporters will right, supports President Donald Trump’s This week, afoppose. On the other peace plan for the Middle East. ter withdrawing his hand, the proposal request for immunity for charges of brib- calls Jerusalem the capital of Israel, while ery, fraud and breach of trust, Netanyahu stating that the Palestinian capital will be was formally indicted in three corruption in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods becases, the first sitting prime minister to be yond the separation barrier that Israel has indicted. Netanyahu’s decision to revoke his constructed in the past couple of decades. bid for protection from prosecution in the Despite the call for a Palestinian state three cases allowed Israeli Attorney General and settlement freeze, Republican Jewish Avichai Mandelblit to immediately file the Coalition National Chairman Norm Coleformal indictment with the Jerusalem Dis- man said in a statement that “the presitrict Court. dent’s plan has great potential to bring The Israeli parliament, or Knesset, peace and security to both Israelis and Palwas on the verge of debating Netanyahu’s estinians.” immunity request and had been expected And Christians United for Israel to deny the protection from the court. A founder and chairman Pastor John Hatrial date can now be set, even as the March gee, who attended the proposal’s formal 2 election date approaches. announcement at the White House, In his 2008 quote, Netanyahu under- stated, “This plan …is the best peace proscored the lack of authority and support posal any American administration has that Olmert had to proever put forth. The presiceed with his negotiations dent’s vision ensures with Palestinian AuthorIsrael’s defensible bority President Mahmoud ders, a united Jerusalem, Abbas in an attempt to sovereignty over biblical settle the long-standing holy sites, and provides conflict between Israel an opportunity for the and the Palestinians.

Palestinians to choose Yet, Netanyahu has peace.” headed a caretaker govThe self-declared proernment for more than Israel, pro-peace organiIsrael’s Attorney General a year as the country has zation J Street stated, “The Avichai Mandelblit filed repeatedly traipsed to the timing of this announceformal indictment charges polls to try to elect a new ment, coinciding with against Netanyahu. functioning government. the formal indictment Neither Netanyahu nor his chief com- of Prime Minister Netanyahu and the impetitor, Blue and White Party head Benny peachment trial of President Trump, only Gantz, have been able to cobble together a underscores that it is a cynical political majority government after the April and maneuver entirely lacking in diplomatic September elections. credibility. Coming in the midst of an IsraeJust hours after dropping his request li election campaign, this is an attempt to for immunity, Netanyahu stood next to hand the prime minister a political gift and President Donald Trump in the White a distraction from the very serious charges House as the latter’s long-awaited vision for he is facing.” ■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 17

OPINION Enormous Images Link Past to Present and Future This is a town where, on On a cold, sunlit afterApril 20, 2018, to mark the noon we drove 45 minutes date Adolf Hitler was born, a south to historic downtown few dozen white supremacists Newnan to see a very public rallied at a public park, sepadisplay of photographs illusrated from hundreds of countrating the town’s diversity terdemonstrators by some and change.

700 law enforcement officers.

The day before, a story What began in 2016 as a on the 17 billboard-sized imtwo-week artist’s residency for ages had topped the front page photographer and educator of Sunday’s New York Times. Dave Mary Beth Meehan became (Mind you, the canvases went Schechter two years visiting Newnan, up last spring, so this was From Where I Sit meeting townspeople and takhardly breaking news.)

The portraits are affixed to the exterior ing photographs. This is Meehan’s fourth walls of buildings. Some are easily spotted, such large-scale public installation; the first while others are tucked in alleys and around was in her hometown of Brockton, Mass.

The “Seeing Newnan” exhibit, sponcorners. After taking a break at the Leaf & Bean coffee shop, we resumed our search, sored by the University of West Georgia locating a dozen of the portraits before driv- School of the Arts and funded by the Hollis Charitable Trust, will remain in place ing home at nightfall.

The Rev. Jimmy Patterson, senior pastor through the spring.

The photograph that we particularly of First Baptist Church, sat on a sofa above a grassy space between two storefronts, while wanted to see faces Jefferson Street, where Rev. Rufus Smith of New Mt. Olive Baptist it crosses Lee Street. To say that the portrait Church, resplendent in a plum-colored suit, of Muslim sisters Zahraw and Aatika Shah looked on from above an intersection. Pat- generated controversy is an understatement. Examples of the vile reactions and terson is white and Smith black.

Trent Citarella stood on the white- heartening rebuttals can be found online.

Zahraw and Aatika, the Georgia-born washed wall outside the Bigfoot Cycles motorcycle shop, wearing a blue, button-down daughters of an engineer who emigrated shirt and a white cowboy hat, holding an from Pakistan in the 1980s, sat side by side, the former’s hijab in light shades of blue and American flag in his right hand.

On a wall along Perry Street, behind red and the latter’s a deep purple. They were the Newnan Presbyterian Church, Jineet honor students at Newnan High School and Blanco, a server at the Latino market, sat today attend universities in Atlanta.

Something in “Seeing Newnan” caused with her left hand resting on her right, wearing a colorful Mexican dress that she me to think about the diversity in Atlanta’s Jewish community. I wondered, what would purchased for her 21st Birthday.

World traveler William Nathaniel a similar exhibit look like, displayed at, say, Banks Jr. leaned on his cane and gazed the William Breman Jewish Heritage Muupward from around the corner of the en- seum or the Marcus Jewish Community trance to Full Circle Antiques. At the coffee Center?

In no particular order, perhaps such an shop, we learned that Banks had died a couexhibit might include portraits of an Orthople of months earlier at age 95.

Wearing a white shawl, white dress dox rabbi wearing a black suit, white shirt and white gloves as she attended cotillion, and black hat; a Reform rabbi wearing her an African American fifth grader named kippah and tallit; an elderly man or woman Ariel graced the front of the Newman Mu- surrounded by family photographs; a child preparing for a bar or bat mitzvah; a Holonicipal Building.

Newnan’s population has increased caust survivor; an African American Jew, roughly 140 percent since 2000, to shy of an LGBT Jew; Jews of Bukharian, Sephardic, 40,000 in 2019. In that time, the census clas- Mizrachi, and Russian heritage; an intersifications “white alone” (52 percent today) faith family; a physically-challenged Jew and African American (30 percent) have and a developmentally-challenged Jew. You get the idea. Who would you declined, while Hispanic (12 percent) and Asian (under 4 percent) representation have choose?

The city of Newnan bravely mounted grown.

This is a town where monuments to an exhibit linking the town’s past to its pres“Our Confederate Dead” and to Confederate ent and future. The Jewish community of hospitals are displayed outside the Coweta Atlanta might be well-served to similarly remind itself of its diversity. ■ County Probate Court.

18 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Letter to the editor,

OPINION

Other than his defense of George Soros, I agree with Dave Schechter (“Your Status as a Jew Is Not Dependent On,” Jan 17) that Jew-haters don’t distinguish based on the religiosity of their victims. Nazis considered anyone with one Jewish grandparent as Jewish.

Philosopher Hannah Arendt made a distinction between Jew, an existential accident of birth, and Judaism, a system of beliefs that one can accept or reject. She rejected Judaism and was persecuted as a Jew (despite being a Nazi’s paramour). Jewhaters detest existential Jews.

George Soros is existentially Jewish, though, as Rudy Giuliani correctly noted, “hardly a Jew.” He is a leftist darling who funds many organizations that hate Israel.

During the Holocaust, he collaborated with a Hungarian Nazi confiscating Jewish property. He justified this action as a 14-year old, “If I wasn’t there, if I wasn’t doing it, somebody else would be taking it away anyhow.” In a proud excerpt from his 60-Minutes interview about 25 years ago, he said he had no regrets about his collaboration.

I am personally not concerned with which synagogue or temple a Jew attends, or whether he attends none. Like most of us, I feel an affinity for all our fellow Jews.

However, a few, like Soros, deserve excommunication. There’s a prayer in the “Shemoneh Esrei” we recite three times daily condemning such wicked Jews.

Jay Starkman, Atlanta

Letter to the editor, For 1,300 volunteers on MLK Day, what comes next?

On the 34th annual Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, we have a lot to be proud of.

A coalition of 23 Jewish organizations and 26 service partners, coordinated by Repair the World, mobilized 1,300 volunteers to address urgent local needs.

We packed 2,850 kits for people experiencing homelessness and sorted 168 boxes of books. We cooked 380 meals for people in shelters and delivered over 100 more to families facing food insecurity. We packed 400 dental supply kits and swabbed 40 potential new bone marrow donors. We planted trees and sustainably stewarded green spaces. We modeled love and care for our seniors and volunteered with our children.

We didn’t let the scale of need paralyze us; we took action and we tried to meet it.

One week later, I’m still proud of our service together. And, I know that 200 people will line up at SWEEAC [Southwest Ecumenical Emergency Assistance Center] to get groceries today. I know that 90 percent of these food pantry clients are currently employed, but don’t earn enough to feed their families. I know that those 200 people standing in line represent 600-plus family members who don’t have enough to eat, most of whom are children. And I know that they will be back next week.

Working at Repair the World means that I get to see firsthand the ongoing commitment to service from many individuals and institutions in the Atlanta Jewish community. I get to fight back against the overwhelm every day and see the impact of small acts of kindness. For example, hearing about the moving experience of providing nail care to men at the Gateway Center, how unusual to connect on a deeply human level with individuals who we more often fear, demonize and hustle past. Service is an opportunity for us to reconnect with our own humanity and compassion.

Dyonna Ginsberg teaches about the difference between chesed (kindness), tzedakah (philanthropy) and tzedek (justice). A few days after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, I find myself thinking about the times that I have been forced to rely on the kindness of strangers. A random act of kindness or charity is a beautiful thing, prized in our tradition, but I wouldn’t want to count on it for adequate nutrition, shelter or safety.

We have accomplished a lot by honoring Dr. King with acts of service. But let’s not be too proud, or too complacent, to ask ourselves why acts of kindness and philanthropy are still necessary in the wealthiest nation on earth, in a thriving city. We can also honor Dr. King with frankness and honesty: 52 years after his murder, massive health and wealth disparities based on race persist in this country and in this city.

Between now and next MLK Day, let’s ask ourselves what enduring structural changes are necessary to ensure that the basic needs of every person are non-negotiable, that their rights are iron-clad, their dignity a foregone conclusion. The legislative session is upon us. There are people and organizations doing the work of long-term change.

Between now and our next service day, let’s join them.

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

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 19

AJFF PREVIEW Blank and Frank Look Back Over AJFF’s 20 Years

By Bob Bahr

festival already had a certain natural momentum behind it. The community was longing for this kind of connection and cultural event. The response I think surprised everyone in the early years, even before I was formally involved. So when I got involved in the first few years after the festival began, it was like boarding a speeding train that was already well on its way.

Before the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival began two decades ago, the American Jewish Committee sponsored film programs for its members in places such as The Temple, where a rabbi or community educator would lead a discussion afterward.

But around the year 2000 there was talk of the need to create what has become one of the largest Jewish film AJT: How did you get involved in the festivals in the world. We AJFF? asked Kenny Blank, exBlank: I first became ecutive director of the fesinvolved, actually, as a voltival, and Sherry Frank, unteer. I was a TV news executive director of the producer at WXIA here. I American Jewish Commitgot involved in the second tee when the festival was or third year of the fesfounded and a longtime tival as a member of the AJFF board member, to screening committee that discuss the growth of the makes the initial selection festival over the past 20 of films. And around that Sherry Frank was executive years. time, because of the festidirector of the American val’s growth, it was already Jewish Committee in Atlanta AJT: How did the fesbeginning to outpace the when the AJC founded the tival originate?

American Jewish Commitfilm festival in 2000.

Frank: Well, about tee’s in-house capacity to 20 year ago Cookie Shapiro, the chair of manage the growth and to give it the rethe AJC board at the time, was going back ally dedicated oversight and management and forth to California and just really that it needed. There was a meeting of the pushing us to do a Jewish film festival. minds and I became the first full-time exSo we met with Joey Reiman, who ecutive director. It was for me, professionwas a public relations expert here, and ally, a great opportunity. we came up with a theme, “Not another night at the movies.” He was also the one AJT: Did it help once you became who developed the logo that we still have executive director to be a member of the today, the iconic director’s chair with Blank family? a Jewish star on the back. The first pubBlank: I have no doubt that being a lished descriptions of the films that year member of a prominent Atlanta family was really just a piece of paper folded in has opened up some doors and opportufours. nities that have allowed me to bring some From the beginning we had huge value to this film festival and recruit a community support. That first year we high caliber of leadership to our board sold almost 2,000 tickets. and to our committees and to assemble Blank: Even in those early years, the all the components that have made the

Family Matters Are Our Only Matters!

Traci A. Weiss, Esq. Partner Family Law Attorney Guardian ad Litem

For over 19 years,Traci has been passionately advocating for what is right and just for individuals and their families, while helping them through challenging divorces and other family law situations with dignity and compassion.

Warner Bates’ attorneys have 250+ years of collective litigation experience, handling complex matters while maintaining our core principles: Integrity. Excellence. Results.

3350 Riverwood Parkway, Suite 2300, Atlanta, Georgia 30339 TWeiss@warnerbates.com | Learn more at www.WarnerBates.com | 770.951.2700 20 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

In 20 years attendance at the AJFF has grown from 2,000 to 40,000.

AJFF a world-class film festival.

There’s been a lot of resources that are available to tap into because of relationships and because maybe they’ll take a call from Kenny Blank, that they wouldn’t maybe take from someone else.

But also, I think people respond to passion and leadership. And I think anyone who has the kind of enthusiasm for the work that I do, I think that’s contagious.

ing] Arts Center, it’s really given us the opportunity to consolidate the festival event.

With our year-round program, we have other opportunities to present films in other settings where they might get a little more love and a little more attention, a little more visibility.

Our AJFF North is a new mini festival we’re going to be launching this summer for North FulAJT: During the first ton County and for those 10 years of the festival you communities. That’s an had explosive growth. Acopportunity to present cording to your own figsome new content. ures, it grew from 2,000 These films at the festhe first year to 20,000 tival in February or at othticket buyers in 2010. er times of the year tackle What kind of problems everything. There’s no did this kind of growth subject that can’t somecreate? how be viewed through a Frank: It got to be in Jewish prism.

Kenny Blank has led the our office at AJC that you And so I hope that AJFF as executive director for the past 17 years. could hardly schedule a these films have made us meeting for all the meetings there. And better human beings and better memas a professional, you could hardly do bers of our community and society, more your work during the month of the festi- informed, empathetic humans and if it’s val or the month before it. not too lofty a goal, they help make this When the festival grew so big, we world a better place. The AJFF is truly tikbegan to realize that there was a need to kun olam, repairing the world through do year-round programing, which AJC film. couldn’t do. And there were arts grants Frank: So it’s a huge gift to the comout there that we couldn’t apply for be- munity. Plus, an extraordinary number cause AJC wasn’t an independent arts of non-Jews have a Jewish experience. organization. So I would say that that It’s amazing. During the weeks of the conversation boiled over five years ago. festival, thousands of people are talking about something Jewish. You know, at AJT: The AJFF became an indepen- their Shabbos table, at their synagogue, dent nonprofit organization in 2015 with in their workplace, people are talking the AJC as its most important partner. about an experience, a learning, an inHow has that affected the festival? sight. It just has to, in some measurable Blank: The festival is as strong as way, enhance Jewish identity and educaever. With the Sandy Springs [Perform- tion and pride. ■

The Lowdown I Bet You Didn’t Know …

Kenny Blank

Atlanta is chock full of interesting movers and shakers, some bent on creativity, empire building, activism, and some on just plain having fun and living the good life. Lean in to hear some off-the-cuff remarks about what makes Kenny Blank tick.

Blank serves as the executive director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, the city’s largest film festival and the world’s preeminent Jewish film festival, a celebration of international cinema attracting some 40,000 moviegoers annually. He was previously executive producer of morning news for NBC affiliate WXIA-TV, where he received an Emmy award for managing breaking news coverage, as well as a producer with Savannah NBC affiliate WSAV-TV, where he won an Associated Press award for special coverage.

A graduate of New York University, he received a bachelor of fine arts degree in film and television from the Tisch School of the Arts, as well as a bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication. A recipient of the IMAGE Film Award and Atlanta Contemporary’s Nexus Award, Blank previously chaired the Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund, and currently holds board positions with The Woodruff Arts Center, Alliance Theatre and Woodward Academy.

He and his wife Nancy are actively involved in the philanthropic work of The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. They are the parents of two children with whom they spend family time watching the evening news. Read on to envision Blank with shoulder-length “hippie hair.”

I’m obsessed with …

Everything Disney. I like how their organization works.

Best advice your father gave you.

“Put the customer first.” That rings true for Home Depot or entertainment.

My most exotic vacay was …

Taking the family on safari in Kenya. Being there we were very connected to nature — trees, earth and sky and changing our sense of civilization.

If they made a movie of your life, who would you choose to play the lead?

Paul Rudd, … but maybe Adam Sandler, not so sure about that now.

If I had one more talent, it would be …

I’m into gourmet cooking and with more time, I would develop that with elaborate recipes.

Most unusual job: Working all night in a TV newsroom, and sleeping all day, which may be why now I am a night owl. I was also the communications specialist for mayors Maynard Jackson and Bill Campbell.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Bingeing in New York. The new places, the old places, only the top desserts.

Everything is so specialized now; they even have rice pudding stores.

I was star str struck meeting …

Steven Spielberg and John Williams.

My last fashion disaster …

College! I had shoulder-length hair and dressed a decade behind the styles.

The best thing about Atlanta is …

The diversity and cross section of people and cultures. ■

Reported by Marcia Caller Jaffe

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 21

AJFF PREVIEW

Two Decades in the Making For two and a half weeks next month, Feb. 10 to 27, Atlantans will be treated to the diverse films of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with the theme “20 Years of Storytelling.”

The 48 films and four programs of short films include documentaries, films about Israel, the Holocaust and Jews and allies around the world, from comedy and romance to mystery, documentary and tragedy. Certainly enough variety to suit any taste.

To help you decide which movies to attend, the AJT brings you its annual preview of many of the films in the AJFF lineup.

#AnneFrank. Parallel Stories

Abe

Advocate

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

By Jodi Danis

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

This updated accounting of the “icon of the Shoah,” – as Anne Frank is called in the film – relates her story and her legacy, from many different and parallel perspectives.

A young woman visits the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany, stopping at the black matzevah, grave marker, noting Anne and her sister Margot’s death at the camp in 1945. She tweets a message to Anne. Hence the hashtag in the film’s title.

She continues her journey around Europe, tweeting as she goes, and completes the trip in the annex where Anne and her family hid for two years in Amsterdam before the Nazis discovered them and deported them first to Westerbork, then Auschwitz and finally Bergen-Belsen.

Only Anne’s father Otto survived the Holocaust. When he returned to Amsterdam, he found Anne’s diaries and decided to publish them.

But the Twitter account is not the only accounting in this film. Several female Holocaust survivors who had been about the same age as Anne Frank recounted their stories of hiding, deportation and camp survival. As they relate their stories, Oscar-winning actress Helen Mirren reads dramatically from Anne’s diary. After she reads of Anne’s first kiss, one of the survivors talks about her first love in a concentration camp.

The film thus goes back and forth between the past and present, embellished by archival footage and photos of camp life – especially children’s lives in the camps -- as well as Anne’s family life before they went into hiding in July 1942. There are no existing photos of Anne once she entered the annex.

“The Diary of a Young Girl,” one of the bestread Holocaust books, particularly for children, is brought to life in this educational film. And, one of the most-quoted lines from Anne’s diary is proven true. “I want to go on living even after my death,” the budding author wrote with prescience. ■

Oscar Wilde once wrote, “After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relatives.” That notion is put to the test in the film “Abe,” a dramedy that focuses on food, family and friction. Noah Schnapp, of “Stranger Things” fame, plays a 12-year-old aspiring chef curious about food and his family’s traditions. But learning about what customs to follow is complicated for Abe, given that he is half Palestinian and half Israeli.

Conflict reigns supreme at family dinners, thanks to Abe’s opinionated grandparents, who believe he must decide to be either Jewish or Muslim. Having been raised secularly by atheistic parents, the preteen has questions and concerns about the path he should follow.

Abe (short for Abraham or Ibrahim, depending on which family member you ask) attempts to please everyone by exploring both sides of his heritage, whether fasting for Ramadan or attending bar mitzvah services. But these are strange and unfamiliar practices to him. Where he is most comfortable is in the kitchen.

Through his love for cooking – and social media – he discovers a Brazilian chef and food blogger online who works locally to create fusion cuisine. The chef, Chico (Seu Jorge) soon takes Abe under his wing, where the young cook is eager to watch and learn.

Chico shares his knowledge and love of food, anchored in the core belief that mixing flavors can unite people. So when tensions escalate at home, Abe decides to use his kitchen experience to create a culinary “peace gathering” by cooking a Thanksgiving dinner that embraces both sides of his family. But will food be enough to bring his divided family together?

The film does a good job capturing the joys and angst of a preteen going through an identity crisis in today’s culture. It is not surprising he feels a connection to fusion cuisine. After all, combining different traditions from different cultures is at the heart of his own identity. ■

The subject of this timely documentary, Israeli attorney Lea Tsemel, continues to make her way into Israeli headlines – as controversial as ever. The prominent Jewish lawyer who has been representing Palestinians suspected of committing terror attacks recently had her position frozen as chair of a military tribunal committee in the Israel Bar Association’s Jerusalem District. This followed pressure by right-wing organizations and families who have lost members in terror attacks.

The film was shortlisted for an Oscar in the documentary film category and won a best picture award at Tel Aviv’s annual Docaviv film festival. Still, it is considered controversial among some right-wingers in Israel.

In the film, the cigarette-smoking, salty-tongued Tsemel openly admits that she takes on the “tough cases.” She explains: “I always see the person behind the offense,” adding that she accepts all cases that “resist the occupation.”

Many Israelis are not sympathetic to her reasoning.

She’s been called “traitor,” “leftist” and “devil’s advocate.”

And similar to the documentary about U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the filmmakers interview Tsemel’s children, asking them what it was like growing up with a mother who may be widely attacked and even threatened on the street.

“The Advocate” walks viewers through Tsemel’s evolution coming from a Holocaust-victimized family to volunteering to help Israel during the Six Day War to defending Palestinians charged with the worst of crimes against Israelis. It is one such case, against a 13-year-old defendant, that is weaved throughout the film.

Viewers watch Tsemel initially learning about the case, speaking with the parents of the defendant, researching the case, negotiating with prosecutors, arguing with those on her legal team, taking it to trial and following it all the way to sentencing. She doesn’t always win, but the indefatigable advocate says she always starts a case with optimism and doesn’t give up. “Persistence” could be another title of this film. ■

22 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AJFF PREVIEW

Africa

After Class

Alan Pakula: Going for the Truth

By Janice Convoy-Hellmann

By Jen Evans

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Oren Gerner’s “Africa” and Yaron Shani’s “Reborn” were jointly awarded the top award at the 35th Haifa International Film Festival in October. “Africa,” the story of a retiree coping with growing older, also picked up the Danny Lerner award for best Israeli feature debut.

The director cast his parents, Meir and Maya, in the lead roles, and stars alongside them, thus blurring the lines between fact and fiction. Meir won the Michael Shvily award for best actor in an Israeli feature film for his role.

“Africa” is a subtle, observational film with little action. It focuses on Meir who, like many, is not entirely thrilled about settling into retirement. His identity up until his retirement was always intertwined with a sense of purpose, and his raison d’etre had been to be useful for his family and the community. As a result, his life becomes meaningless once he retires, as he passes his time hanging out with his dog and his wife, who is not yet retired herself and actually works as a psychotherapist in a home office. Meir also engages in his daily routines and creates projects for himself.

The film’s title alludes to a happier time in Meir’s life when he visited Namibia and led a more adventurous existence. In post-retirement, however, those adventures are mere memories and his present-day life feels irrelevant, at best, and depressing, at worst.

“Africa” gives us a glimpse of what it means to grow old and of the challenges we face trying to create meaning for ourselves in the “final chapters” of our lives. The film unravels slowly, forcing the audience to ponder its message and experience its poignancy and melancholy directly. This is a film likely to resonate more for those over 50 but is still apt to have broad audience appeal. ■

Writer-director Daniel Schechter’s new film “After Class” is a character study on a family’s dynamics during a trying time in their lives, the illness of their matriarch Agatha (Lynn Cohen). The film is also a collection of subplots but it’s main focus is on a self-centered man, Josh Cohen, Agatha’s grandson.

Cohen, played by Justin Long, is an adjunct professor of creative writing at a New York City college. His unorthodox, in-your-face style of teaching gets him in hot water with his superiors. His troubles at the college, his grandmother being hospitalized and the train wreck of a relationship he has with his Italian grad student girlfriend, are entirely too much for Josh to juggle.

“After Class” also shows the interactions Josh has with his mom Diane (Fran Drescher), his father Jeff (Richard Schiff), sister Jackie (Kate Berlant) and brother David (Michael Godere). The family situations are funny, but highly dysfunctional and Josh seems to have a joke for everything that is wrong in his life.

Josh eventually understands he must relate to other people’s problems instead of always focusing on his own. In the end, “After Class” is s heartfelt comedy about the Cohens coming together through their grandmother’s illness. ■

For those of us attracted to documentaries, “Alan Pakula: Going for the Truth” connected a lot of dots and pushed even more buttons. In 110 minutes of major actor interviews and film clips, we are retold the stories of our lives. Perhaps the biggest revelation was how Pakula’s directorial insight was behind so many of the most provocative films of our generation.

From a Polish Jewish family in the Bronx, Pakula made his way from Yale Drama School to the cartoon department of Warner Bros., then on to Oscar nominations and a single win. The most compelling parts of the documentary are clips from top-rung actors and writers who knew him best.

Harrison Ford wept about Pakula’s demise, and much was made about the horrible way he died at 70. Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts and Robert Redford touted his sadness and insight. Some credited him with having the skills of a psychiatrist to analyze people with empathy and a touch of sadness.

“All the President’s Men” was one of his movies, and Woodward and Bernstein had a lot to expose. Along the way, Woodward shares the drama and tragedy of his own childhood with Pakula, whose high school senior annual labeled him “a still small voice.” Even back then.

Meryl Streep (star of Pakula’s “Sophie’s Choice”) said he had “methodical curiosity.” Jane Fonda talked about his “Klute” paranoia trilogy and how he extracted the best emotions from the actors. Julia Roberts recalls “The Pelican Brief.” The only Oscar that he did win was for “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

Leave the movie thinking “How did so many of us not know the reclusive Pakula’s cache and reputation akin to Spielberg’s and Scorsese’s?” Then recall Ford’s quote, “Beauty Always Dies” … and just how did Pakula meet his horrific end? ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 23

AJFF PREVIEW

The Art of Waiting

Aulcie

Back to Maracanã

By Janice Convoy-Hellmann

By Eddie Samuels

By Janice Convoy-Hellmann

Israeli film director Erez Tadmor is no stranger to the AJFF. Some of his previous films have been screened before, scoring high points with AJFF audiences. “Magic Men” explored a Holocaust survivor’s visit to his birthplace in Greece with his son, “A Matter of Size” dealt with obese Israelis and their embrace of sumo wrestling, and “Strangers” was the story of an Israeli Jewish man falling in love with a Muslim woman at the World Cup in Europe.

Here, Tadmor examines how infertility issues wreak havoc on a couple’s life, drawing closely from his own six-year fertility odyssey with his wife and making this his most personal endeavor to date. It is likely to be another AJFF audience favorite both for couples who can relate to the issues of infertility and those who cannot because it not only captures the difficulties and inconveniences of infertility but also explores the emotional toll infertility takes.

In an article in The Jerusalem Post last month, Tadmor said, “In Israel, you’re required to do three things: go to the Army, get married and have kids. And if you have a problem having kids, you feel like there’s something wrong with you, like you’ve done something wrong. I felt like, ‘I can’t have children, I’m a cripple.’

You feel like concealing it protects you. There are definitely feelings of shame. You keep it all inside, and you don’t really deal with it.”

Ironically, while many Israelis believe there is a stigma attached to having fertility treatments, a sizable number of Israelis undergo them because they are subsidized by the government and covered by health insurance (Indeed, some Jewish Americans make aliyah for the sole purpose of receiving free fertility treatment).

In our child-centric world there is an unspoken taboo associated with admitting that you are infertile. What’s so wonderful about this film is how it unabashedly confronts the subject matter and thereby manages to emotionally connect the audience with the protagonists. I cannot recommend this film enough. ■

Chronicling the life of one of Israel’s first sports superstars, Aulcie Perry, the film bearing his name intersperses flashbacks of his life with his current quest to meet his daughter.

Mixing sketch-style animation and clips of his life, “Aulcie” recounts his journey from growing up in the U.S. as a young basketball star and his move to Israel, where he led Maccabi Tel Aviv to its first European championship.

His dominance on the court brought basketball to the forefront of Israeli culture, and his lifestyle, including dating Israeli supermodel Tami Ben Ami, made him a central figure of Israeli culture. His love of Ben Ami led him to eventually convert to Judaism, a religion he’d grown more connected to than his Southern Baptist roots.

All was not well for Aulcie, however, as the film also shines a light on the superstar center’s fall from grace.

Ultimately, it also chronicles his redemption, as he returns to Israel to honor Shamluk Maharovsky, a pioneer of Israeli basketball and a father figure for Aulcie.

Combining a modern narrative of who Aulcie is with where he has come from, the film truly shows the making of the superstar, but also the making of the good man who followed.

The film pulls no punches in discussing his struggles, but also emphasizes his ever-presence in the Israeli zeitgeist of the 80s. Perhaps no figure in Israeli sports loomed quite as tall as the 6-foot-10 Perry, both on and off the court. ■

The genre of “road trip movies” is not new to the AJFF. This particular film is a very effective one. Besides being international (multilingual Israelis on the road in Brazil), it is also multi-generational (a grandfather, son and grandson traveling together in an RV), with subplots of the World Cup, family secrets and culinary delights added to the mix.

Although one of the protagonists has used all of his life’s savings so that he can attend the 2014 World Cup in his homeland, a love of soccer isn’t necessary in order to enjoy this film. Indeed, whether or not the World Cup game is even attended is secondary to the plot. The trio could have just as easily been on their way to a bar mitzvah in Canada or a rock concert in Europe. Instead, this is a film about being in close quarters, for extended periods of time, with loved ones. It is more about navigating others’ feelings than navigating the road.

The overarching message deals with families’ deeprooted secrets, how they become entrenched in family lore, and how such secrets ultimately undermine the possibility of real closeness and intimacy with those we love. It’s an Israeli, Brazilian and German film production written in Hebrew, Portuguese and English by Argentinean-born Israeli writer-director Jorge Gurvich.

The stars are Israeli, it was mostly shot in and around Rio de Janeiro, and it is thoroughly enjoyable to watch. ■

24 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AJFF PREVIEW

Black Mercedes

The Bronx, USA

By Paula Baroff

By Jen Evans

“Black Mercedes” tells a stylized story of Poland during World War II with the Holocaust as the backdrop rather than the focus. The film re-creates the dark world of Nazi-occupied Poland as the setting for a murder-mystery noir. When a beautiful Jewish woman named Aneta (Maria Debska), hidden by prominent attorney and her former teacher as his Polish wife Krystyna, is found in the kitchen with a knife in her back, chief inspector Rafal Król (Andrzej Zielinski) is assigned to discover who her killer is. The inspector is emotionally pulled deeper into the case as we see him split between two worlds, having no choice but to cooperate professionally with the German Gestapo even as he hides his ties to the Polish underground resistance.

The film takes us to pre-war universities, resistance nightclubs, and luxurious apartments as Król questions odd and eccentric personalities who may have information about the murder. Mysterious relationships and suspicious characters, including an SS officer with ties to Aneta’s husband, are revealed as each layer of secrets is exposed. Every character in the film has hidden motives and questionable backgrounds as flashbacks and dramatic turns move the plot forward and call into question any assumptions you may have about how the story will conclude.

The mystery is set against the foreboding and uncomfortable backdrop of a very atmospheric Warsaw under Nazi occupation. The film unfolds with shocking twists uncovered in the investigation and the circumstances become more and more precarious as Król races to discover the identity of the killer before they murder again.

Based on a novel of the same name, Janusz Majewski adapted his own book as a screenplay.

Król’s investigation throws him and the audience into a world of sex, intrigue and secrets in a deeply unsettling but luxuriously filmed story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. ■

“The Bronx, USA” is a film that takes a look at the Bronx from the early 1940s through 2017 and delves into its socio-cultural history. This Danny Gold documentary follows “Seinfeld” producer George Shapiro and a couple of his childhood friends, “The Bronx Boys” Carl Golub and Jay Schwartz, as they take a sentimental trip down memory lane visiting their old schools, the street they grew up on and places they played as kids.

I found “The Bronx, USA” heartfelt and poetic, at times.

The musical introduction, “Da Bronx,” performed by comedian Robert Klein and singer Donald Webber, Jr., is a bit silly, but fun, nonetheless.

The body of the film is full of brief interviews with Bronx natives Alan Alda, Colin Powell, Chazz Palminteri, Grandmaster Melle Mel, Hal Linden and Rob Reiner, just to name a few. The film delves into the lasting friendships they made in this NYC borough and in Alda’s case, the story of meeting the love of his life, wife Arlene.

“The Bronx, USA” is not all about a bunch of aging men, it also focuses on the 2017 graduating class of DeWitt Clinton High School, comparing and contrasting what is was like back in the day to what it’s like for young adults in today’s world. The Bronx was originally an immigrant neighborhood, and most of the teens interviewed are first generation Bronx kids. There is a lot of discussion of the unification of cultures throughout the years as well.

The main trio of men go back to their alma matter at the end of the movie to talk to the kids at DCHS before their graduation. There is really not much difference in how these two very diverse groups grew up. The charming ending updates the viewer on where the DCHS graduation class of 2017 is now. ■

Bully. Coward. Victim. The Story of Roy Cohn

By Michal Bonell Roy Cohn was a corrupt attorney who began his career as an anti-communist prosecutor, which led to the questionable death sentence of two Jewish American parents, alleged spies Julius and Ethel Rosenberg.

This is a story told by their granddaughter, shining the light on the corrupt counsel who fought for the Rosenberg’s death penalty. Ruthless and unconscionable, Roy Cohn was known as a “fixer” for the rich, the crooked and the famous, with a reputation for victoriously settling 60 to 75 percent of his cases out of court.

An aggressive lawyer who hated to lose and would do anything in his power to win, Cohn is believed to have mentored Donald Trump. Behind this tough persona was a gay man who was unable to show his full identity to the public.

His flamboyant lifestyle surrounded him with young men either at Studio 54 or during summers in Provincetown, Mass., known to be a gay community. Cohn was criticized by his peers as a self-loathing villain, for hiding in the closet and fighting against gay rights. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 25

AJFF PREVIEW

Crescendo

Exodus

Flawless

By Jodi Danis

By Roni Robbins

By Lilli Jennison

Promoting itself with the hashtag #makemusicnotwar, “Crescendo” presents its theme clearly from the start. But can music bridge the great divide between Israeli and Palestinian viewpoints? In a film both hopeful and heartbreaking, Israeli director Dror Zahavi elicits strong performances from his young cast and veteran lead actor, Peter Simonischek.

World-renowned music conductor Eduard Sporck (Simonischek) is persuaded to create an Israeli-Palestinian youth orchestra, with the goal of performing a “peace concert.” As well as the expected concerns regarding divisiveness and friction, the maestro has his own personal misgivings about the project. His worries are proven true as early as the auditions, when it becomes evident that forming a cooperative ensemble will be a challenge. But Sporck’s reputation is so wellregarded that the aspiring musicians are willing to defy family and societal expectations to perform under his direction.

The film focuses on several relationships as well as the overall dynamic of conflict between the two warring cultures within the orchestra. The young lead actors deliver impressive performances in their roles. Layla (Sabrina Amali) is an outspoken and determined violinist from the West Bank who clashes with her Israeli counterpart, Ron (Daniel Donskoy). Meanwhile, starryeyed Shira befriends the talented but shy Omar (Mehdi Meskar) as the divided group settles in for rehearsal. As their conductor, Sporck has much more to teach them about compromise, tolerance and self-discovery than about music. But the learning is far from easy. During the process, the musicians must confront their own anguish and Sporck, his own past.

As its title suggests, the film focuses on the growing tensions that build to (several) crescendos during the time these young adults live, learn and play music together.

As they search for harmony within their own group, the audience is left to question whether peace can ever become a reality in the divided world surrounding these musicians. ■

Among the classic films at the festival is “Exodus,” the 3 ½-hour saga from 1960 capturing in dramatic landscapes and memorable Academy Award-winning music, risky maneuvers and steamy romance the semihistorical struggle to create a modern Israel.

From the smuggling of Jewish Holocaust refugees to the resistance against British rule, the gorgeous superstars in this big-budget Hollywood blockbuster based on Leon Uris’ novel help us experience what it must have been like at that pivotal time in our Jewish legacy.

From a personal standpoint, I grew up hearing about our family’s connection with central character and Israeli resistance leader Ari Ben Canaan, played by “ol’ blue eyes,” Paul Newman. My mother must have been obsessed with the sex symbol of her youth because she named her youngest and only son based on the fictional character. My brother’s first name is different, but his middle and last names are similar to the protagonist’s, Ben Kayne.

So while I didn’t watch the film until much later – this is its 60th anniversary – I knew about it for as long as I can remember.

When I decided to preview “Exodus,” I asked my mom what it was about the film that inspired her so. As my mom is my main role model and influencer, the one who exposed me to all things cultural, I value her opinion and perhaps you will too.

“I loved reading the book,” she said. “I was a teenager at the time, so I fell in love with some of the characters.”

Of course, Newman, but also Sal Mineo as Dov Landau, John Derek as Taha and Eva Marie Saint as Newman’s American love interest, Kitty Fremont.

“I found that it was a great epic film and the music gave me chills, and still does. … I love Israel.”

You will too after watching this film. ■

Flawless is a dramatic story of three unpopular, outcast teenagers in Jerusalem who take serious risks to look “beautiful.” Playing Eden is Stav Strashko, the first transgender woman nominated for Israel’s top acting prize, an Ofir Award. Eden, who is a transgender female in the film, transfers to a new school in the middle of the year and becomes friends with Tigist (Netsanet Mekonnen) and Keshet (Naom Lugasy).

The film begins with various over-the-top “promposals” and the envy that surrounds them. Tigist and Keshet just want to fit in with the cliques and be as beautiful as the girls who have had work done. They believe this is the key to an extravagant promposal like their peers had.

Eden hides being transgender even from her friends because she is fearful about people finding out.

She just wants to have the surgery her father keeps postponing. There is one problem for all three girls – lack of money. The three will have to come up with lies for their families and travel to Kiev for the surgeries. Will they go through with it? Will they risk everything to fit in? Will they go as far as risking their lives to become what they think is beautiful enough for a promposal?

The Jerusalem high school is full of cliques, drugs and bullying. It is a real eye-opener to parents with teenagers to show how much pressure is put on these students and to what extremes they will go to just to fit in.

“Flawless” is much better suited to older audiences as a result of its dramatic themes and strong language.

It’s a tale of fitting in while being yourself, overcoming racism and prejudice, and getting through tough situations. It is also an enticing story of friendship and selfdiscovery and a very informative account of how some kids will go to extremes just to fit in. ■

26 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AJFF PREVIEW

Incitement

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

Holy Silence

By Paula Baroff

The Glass Room

By Sheri Okun The movie opens with the designing of a home by an architect for an affluent newly married Czechoslovakian couple in the 1930s. One of the rooms in the home, a glass room, was to bring clarity, light and serenity to the lives of its occupants. The architect added to the home a marble wall, a wall which itself cost more than a mansion in those days. The wall was a masterpiece, sparkling as the sun hit it, but hidden so that others would not attempt to steal this expensive and beautiful piece of art. Both the wall and the glass room foreshadow the life to come, though unexpectedly different than intended.

The glass room ultimately symbolized a borderless, unprotected, unguarded room, a window to indiscretions for the initial occupants and the others that followed, and a self-imposed prison in which great suffering took place. The hidden wall represented the beauty in boundaries and strength, its fine natural markings able to glow in the sunlight and shine back the sparkle in life.

The family life of house occupants Liesel and Viktor became anything but beautiful, and filled with light.

Viktor fell deeply in love with another woman, while Liesel fell in love with Hannah, a love that was denied – all leading up to the time of Nazi exile.

Parts of the film were sexy and filled with yearning and suppression. The characters fell into the darkness, not just of the times, but of prisons in their own lives, and of their own making. They were victims not only of the horror of the alienation of Jews, but of the prisons in which they chose to live. Each character loved another, and each made choices based on fear, survival and righteousness. The movie, a love story during a dark time, is worth the watch. ■

Ahead of the anticipated release of previously undisclosed documents from the Vatican archives in March, “Holy Silence” is a damning expose that unveils the dark politics and complicity of the Catholic Church during World War II. As Hitler rose to power and Mussolini mimicked his anti-Jewish measures in Italy, Pope Pius XII took a neutral stance on the war, with the belief that fascism could win and the church needed to take measures to protect itself in wartime chaos. Controversy has surrounded his papal legacy since, as people debated whether or not he did everything in his power to prevent the death and persecution of Jews during the Holocaust and in fascist Italy.

The film interviews contemporary historians, focusing on American actors during the war who were in contact with the Vatican in attempts to influence the institution politically in favor of the Allied cause.

The tangled politics and the Vatican’s moral failure are heavily criticized by historians who study the pope’s role in the war. The question posed by the film seems, even before the secret archives are released, to have a pessimistic answer to the church’s questionable decisions.

As the Vatican used its authority to call morally upon politicians to spare Rome, monasteries, and other religious institutions, and support a peaceful conclusion to the war, they ignored the horrors that were being waged against the Jews.

Many American voices are heard in the documentary, including Catholic clerics who are critical of this pope’s lack of action in trying to save the lives of Jews and what that means for the moral authority of the Catholic Church today. As the documentary debates the role of the pope historically, it raises a larger moral question about the complicity of inaction and silence in the face of atrocities. ■

It is not at all surprising that “Incitement,” directed

by Yaron Zilberman, was Israel’s submission for an Oscar for best foreign film. This is Israeli moviemaking at its best.

Zilberman takes a story we know too well, starting with the signing of the Oslo Peace Accords between Israel and the Palestinians on the White House lawn in 1993. Immediately, right-wing Israeli protests break out around the country. And immediately, Zilberman begins to tell the story of Yigal Amir, the convicted assassin of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, by interweaving Amir’s efforts to organize demonstrations against the Oslo Accords at Bar-Ilan University, where he was studying law.

It is that incredibly seamless interlocking of original video, some from Israeli television screens, with movie footage of Amir, that makes this film simply phenomenal. Viewers watch what they know is actual material filmed from 1993 to 1995, and suddenly we see the actor who plays Amir appear in the next scenes.

And that’s another amazing aspect of this film: the actors look exactly like the actual people who populated this story that changed the course of Israeli history forever.

There have been several films about the Rabin murder, from different perspectives. Yet, this film succeeds in telling us more, this time from the assassin and his family’s point of view. We see his father’s willingness to believe in peace juxtaposed with Amir’s fanaticism and desperate desire to halt the government’s efforts to make peace with the Palestinians. At the same time, Amir’s mother believes her son is infallible. “You’re destined for greatness!” she tells him.

The thread that sews the story together is Amir’s struggle to find rabbis who support his contention that Jewish law agrees that Rabin should be murdered. He researches Jewish law about “pursuers” and “informers” and decides that Rabin fits the definition, thus justifying what he intends to do. His brother, a munitions expert, is part of his scheme, and later serves several years in prison where Yigal still sits.

When asked if he found rabbis who agreed with his decision to kill Rabin, the assassin answers, “each in his own way.” And that’s the deeper part of the story that remains very much alive in Israel today. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 27

AJFF PREVIEW

Jay Myself

The Keeper

By Eddie Samuels

By Sheri Okun

Legendary photographer Jay Maisel has had the privilege of living in a former six-story bank in New York City for over 50 years. His home was stuffed to the brim with his photos, negatives, sculptures, trinkets and baubles collected over that time frame. “Jay Myself” chronicles Maisel’s moving out.

Selling the bank for $55 million, Maisel has to pack up five decades worth of collection, seen through the eyes of his former protégé Stephen Wilkes, who has returned to document the process.

The film is a view into the abstract mind of one of the 20th century’s preeminent photographers. “To be able to see, you have to look,” Maisel says. “In order to look you have to want to look.”

Beyond the photos are seemingly random objects, serving no apparent purpose, from Styrofoam box inserts to screws that can only be used for one antiquated type of machinery. Maisel himself admits he feels a delight in the “perception and enjoyment of objects.”

The narrative itself is interspersed with commentary from his family, friends and contemporaries in the world of photography, marveling at his work, but also expressions of his true love of all things art and glimpses of his incredible and unique personality.

While Maisel himself is never one to break from his fun-loving, joking attitude, it becomes quickly apparent how important the odds and ends, and the space itself are to him.

In particular, one scene captures him arguing with movers over what is and is not garbage, as they joke about his tendency to throw away what’s useful and keep what seems to be trash.

The film really is a love story of the oddities that accompany artistic genius. ■

“The Keeper,” a biographical film of the life of Bert Trautmann, the famous football player and former Nazi paratrooper, stars German actor David Kross and is directed by Marcus Rosenmuler. The set opens with active World War II scenes, and later depicts Trautmann’s capture by the British and transfer to a POW camp in 1944.

The movie highlights his struggle to be accepted in post war England, the subject’s own guilt, his love, loss and battle, as well as heroism on the football field.

Would his ambition and success as a goalkeeper be enough to wipe away his past, and garner the respect of a people?

A true story, “The Keeper” brings to light a moral dilemma: Should a human being be judged for his past actions, the actions of a group, no matter how evil, or be judged based on the merits of his own person, his own being, and his desire and actions toward change?

After the atrocities committed by Nazis, does humanity then judge those who fought in the war and seek to destroy their lives and future? Is that a hypocrisy or is that justice?

And is there such a thing as karmic justice?

This is a historical movie, a love story, a war movie, a sports movie and a drama all mixed in one, and keeps its viewers emotionally and mentally engaged throughout, leaving one to ponder the questions and study the details of the life of this man after the movie ends.

The film premiered at the Zurich Film Festival in 2018 and was released in Germany under the title “Trautmann” last March, and other parts of Europe in the months to follow. It was released under the title, “The Keeper,” in the U.S. in October at the Sioux City International Film Festival. ■

28 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Keeping the Faith

By Roni Robbins You know the corny joke that begins: A priest and a rabbi walk into a bar... In “Keeping the Faith,” a classic celebrating its 20th anniversary at the festival, it was the priest who walks into the bar. He’s there – alone – to brood about a love triangle between him, his best friend, who happens to be a rabbi, and a childhood female friend. Wait, what?

Ed Norton, the Catholic priest, is director and lead actor in this rom-com perfect for the upcoming Valentine’s Day (or a week later, Feb. 21 and 22 at the AJFF).

Norton stars with Ben Stiller as the rabbi and Jenna Elfman as their love interest.

What follows the bar scene is a very modern, comedic look at the life of young clergy and their attempts to make faith relevant, not to mention a love affair with New York’s sights, sounds, and cultural and religious diversity.

In “Keeping the Faith,” you’ll learn about the inner workings of the clergy, the rituals that go along with their positions and the leadership that guides them.

You’ll also feel the angst of the way-too-cool, selfappointed “God Squad” – complete with shades in one street walking scene – as they learn the ropes, struggle to gain a loyal following, and test their limits in their traditional religious settings, all while being held to a higher standard as the conduit between their respective congregations and the Almighty.

Watching the film from 2000 taking place in the city of my youth, I found the script very relatable. I especially enjoyed the pop culture of the time interspersed throughout the movie– for starters, the pay phone, and the bittersweet Manhattan skyline before 9/11.

The film also took some liberties with traditions. At least at my synagogue, the cantor doesn’t sing the very soulful “Kol Nidre” as congregants enter the high holiday service. Ok, we don’t have a cantor, but we did have a Rabbi Lewis (Eli Wallach), Stiller’s mentor in the film.

If nothing else, Norton and Stiller made religion fun, at least in the fictional sense. I especially enjoyed the welcomed shaking up of old-world customs. Personally, I’d love to hear a gospel choir sing “Ein Keloheinu,” on occasion. Perhaps there are some lessons after 20 years for today’s clergy to still learn from “Keeping the Faith.” ■

AJFF PREVIEW

Oliver Sacks: His Own Life

The Painted Bird

Picture of His Life

By Lou Ladinsky

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

By Eddie Samuels

This is an inspiring documentary of a man who devoted his life to treating and sharing the story of those trapped within themselves. You’ll be amazed to learn how this British-born Orthodox Jewish young man’s ups and downs ultimately contributed to his becoming world-renowned as a neurologist, naturalist, historian of science and author. Later he became an instructor, then clinical professor of neurology at Yeshiva University’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Sack’s work hit the big screen in the 1990 American drama film, “Awakenings,” based on his published 1973 memoir of the same name. It tells the story of a fictional character, Dr. Malcolm Sayer, based on Sack’s real-life experience working with catatonic patients. The blockbuster film starred Robert DeNiro and the late Robin Williams.

As a neurologist and scientist with a love of chemistry and an attention span of about 12 seconds, he thrived on human connections. The impact of his work on the medical world, especially in treating patients trapped in a state of catatonic psychosis and with psychiatric and neurological disorders, was revolutionary.

This documentary takes you on a journey through time, discovering the incredible influence one man can have on the entire world. ■

We laud child Holocaust survivors, but we never really want to know what they did to survive or what they experienced. And we don’t want to know what those experiences did to their souls. “The Painted Bird” gives us a gruesome glimpse of those experiences through the life of one young Jewish boy who is willing to do anything to survive.

Based on the 1965 novel by Jerzy Kosinski, this brutal depiction of a child wandering from one horror to another through Eastern Europe during the waning years of World War II was the Czech Republic’s submission for an Oscar.

Despite its vivid portrayal of the worst that humankind has to offer, this film is a cinematic masterpiece.

Juxtaposed with the cruelties of war and ignorant peasants is the beautiful countryside displayed one season after another.

Although the film is subtitled, there’s not a lot of dialogue. Director Vaclav Marhoul gives voice to the characters through incredible facial portraits that speak louder than words. The cameras focus on the faces emitting emotions and reactions that can’t help but generate strong responses from viewers.

The movie opens with the boy trying to adapt to a relative’s home where his parents lodged him, hoping to keep him safe from the Nazi extermination plans. When she dies, he’s on his own. Not only does he learn how to acclimate to life in the forests, he somehow navigates himself to the seeming protection of one adult after another. He learns how to ingratiate himself with each, to stay alive. But his persistent struggle to survive is challenged by unimagined depravity as humans – men and women – sink to less than animalistic levels.

This gut-wrenching graphic film is at times simply hard to watch. But viewers who stay with it are rewarded by a story that will stick in one’s memory long after viewing — whether you want it to or not. ■

Perhaps ironically, for the world’s most accomplished underwater photographer, Israeli Amos Nachoum, a white whale isn’t a whale at all, but instead a bear of the same color.

“Picture of His Life” follows Nachoum as he tries to capture photos of a polar bear from a place no one ever has before, swimming alongside it.

Nachoum lives out of a suitcase much of the time, with no wife and no kids, but as fellow photographer Javier Mendoza says, “He’s married to the ocean.”

The film follows his attempts to make contact with the elusive bears, one of the few predators on the planet that can rightly count humans as a possible source of food. Nachoum heads to Churchill, Canada, the region where most polar bears live.

He explains that he has attempted to capture a polar bear in the past, but ultimately failed, having to evade the predator in the water, and nearly dying in the process.

A large portion of the film is dedicated to the undertaking of finding a suitable bear, which are stealthy in the water at the best of times and not nearly as populous as they once were. The film explains that because of reductions in polar ice, scientists predict that two-thirds of the current polar bear population will be gone by 2050, one of many reasons Nachoum feels the need to undertake this quest.

Nachoum, who fought in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, still envisions the soldier in his uniform, now shooting photographs instead of bullets.

“I see myself as a soldier of mother nature,” he said. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 29

AJFF PREVIEW

The Rabbi Goes West

Saul & Ruby, To Life!

By Janice Convoy-Hellmann

By Bob Bahr

“The Rabbi Goes West” was financed by a Kickstarter campaign. In trying to raise funds, the filmmakers, Gerald Peary and Amy Geller, wrote in their pitch, “Our documentary asks: How can we talk with an open heart to those who seem our political and religious opposites? This unique, complex portrait of a Chasidic rabbi in the new West will resonate with people across the country and even around the world.” They went on to say: “We are as disturbed as everyone – liberal, moderate, conservative – by the incredible divisions in America today. “‘The Rabbi Goes West’ asks for tolerance and acceptance for a diversity of religious thinking. Through the lens of a camera, we as liberal, secular Jews from Massachusetts, strive for connection with Montana’s observant Jewish community.”

Having watched the documentary, I can attest to the fact that the filmmakers achieved their goals – no small feat in these contentious times. I admit that my husband and I are members of Congregation Beth Tefillah, a Chabad synagogue, so I have some first-hand knowledge of much of what’s covered in the film. Still, I marveled at the filmmakers’ balanced and nuanced handling of Orthodox Judaism and its various strictures.

Although the Reform and Conservative rabbis interviewed for the film occasionally express disdain for the “new kids on the block,” Rabbi Chaim and rebbetzin Chavie Bruk of Chabad, they ultimately can’t object to the end goal of connecting Jews – unaffiliated or not – with Judaism.

Despite differences of opinion regarding Rabbi Bruk’s methods for achieving his goals and even, perhaps, his politics, at the end of the day they’re all simply Jews seeking community in Montana.

In a nutshell, “The Rabbi Goes West” is about a charismatic Chabadnik from Brooklyn who uproots himself and his family from all that’s familiar and moves to the Wild West.

The Bruks’ mission might be to change Jews, by asking them to do more mitzvahs, but, not surprisingly, the power of Big Sky country changes them, too. ■

This closing night documentary feature is further proof that one is never too old to help repair the world.

“Saul & Ruby, To Life” is the distinguished filmmaker Tod Lending’s effort to chronicle the musical careers of two South Florida Holocaust survivors to re-create the music that helped them survive those terrible years during World War II. The two musicians, Saul Dreier, who is now 95, and Rudy Sosnowicz, who is 90, naturally enough call their musical duo the Holocaust Survivor Band. During the early years friends and family derided their efforts, but they persevered.

Survival, after all, even when life presented challenges, was something they knew a lot about.

Gradually their wit and charm began to take hold and their audiences grew increasingly larger and more enthusiastic. The two men even were able to bring their music back to Poland, where they were born and where they experienced the loss of so many family members during the Holocaust.

The film, which was created over 2 1/2 years, took on a certain urgency for Lending because of the advanced age of his two subjects. Indeed, the wives of the two men died while the film was being made. But the warm-hearted enthusiasm for life by these two oldtimers is undiminished in the film. Festival goers on the final night are likely to leave this year’s closer with a new spring in their step and a greater appreciation for the possibilities that life offers.

Lending, who took on a number of tasks during the film, was for a time both the cinematographer and the director. He will be interviewed on the closing afternoon and evening about his experiences producing the film. It will be screened at the Byers Theatre at the Sandy Spring Performing Arts Center, which is the flagship venue for the 20th anniversary of the AJFF. ■

30 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Shared Legacies: The AfricanAmerican Jewish Civil Rights Alliance

By Bob Bahr Kenny Blank, executive director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, has described this film, which is the opening night offering, as among the most significant films to have been screened in the 20-year history of the festival. It is having its world premiere here.

The documentary is a moving tribute to the historic partnership between Jews and African Americans during the long history of the civil rights struggle in America.

As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, the AJFF has mounted an ambitious effort to bring the film not only to the Jewish community in Atlanta, but to the African American community here as well.

Opening night attendees will see many familiar Atlanta faces in the film, including Peter Berg, senior rabbi at The Temple, and Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, one of his predecessors there. Also appearing are veterans of the civil rights movement in the 1960s such as Atlanta Congressman John Lewis, former United Nations Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, and members of the family of Dr. Martin Luther King.

The film was partially financed by donors from the Atlanta Jewish community and was a natural choice for the festival’s 20th anniversary. It reflects, in part, the long history of cooperation between the African American community and the American Jewish Committee in Atlanta, which founded the AJFF. Indeed, some of the early inspiration for the film came during a retreat several years ago that was sponsored by the AJC’s Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition.

The AJC’s work in recent years has helped to mend and strengthen ties between the two communities, which were in danger of fraying after the critical years of the early and mid 1960s.

Following the opening night screening at the Cobb Energy Centre there will be a panel discussion featuring distinguished members of the African American community in Atlanta; Sherry Frank, who was instrumental in founding the Black-Jewish Coalition; Martin Luther King III, one of Dr. King’s sons; and Louis Gossett Jr., the Academy Award-winning actor. ■

AJFF PREVIEW

Standing Up, Falling Down

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

By Bob Bahr

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

Billy Crystal’s new film is a warm, wonderful comedy drama that gives the legendary comedian room to turn in a great performance as an aging physician in danger of losing control of his life.

He’s an alcoholic dermatologist, living on Long Island, who needs help. “Standing Up, Falling Down” resonates with a knowledgeable feel for small-town life on the island, with much of it shot in Crystal’s real-life hometown of Long Beach.

Crystal’s character, Marty, is wasting his life away on booze and karaoke until he meets a young stand-up comedian, played by Ben Schwartz (“Parks and Recreation”) who has returned home after a not-very-successful career in Los Angeles to take a long hard look at his life. Together they create a film about how we can make change in our lives when we stop talking to ourselves about our problems and open up to another person.

Crystal, who has mastered stand-up comedy, Saturday Night Live satire and Broadway, in his hit, “700 Sundays,” has a well-honed talent for generating empathy and honesty in much of his more serious work.

In this film, he’s able to create a character that convincingly connects on a number of levels with his costar. There’s a real sense of chemistry in the film that Crystal and Schwartz create together on screen in their humor and their search for self.

The feature is a nice alternative to some of the heavier fare of the festival. It’s the AJFF choice for the Young Professionals Night, which is presented with the American Jewish Committee’s ACCESS Atlanta program. There’s a party for attendees prior to the screening Feb. 15 at The Woodruff Arts Center. The festival is premiering the film in Atlanta just before its national release ■

One might think this film is about a pink rabbit, and that is partly correct. It is also about Adolph Hitler, or rather the ramifications of his actions on the German Jewish community. But at the heart of this sweet story is one family of German Jewish refugees, seen through the eyes of an engaging young girl. It is a film based on a true story written by the woman who recalls her dislocated childhood.

It is very much a Jewish story, as the film points out: Jews are experienced at being refugees. “We Jews live scattered throughout the world,” notes the young girl, Anna. This German family must leave their home and go abroad because the father is a well-known journalist critical of Hitler. They leave in 1933, as Hitler is coming to power. Not only is her father fleeing Germany, with a price on his head, but he also must find employment to support his young family. Neither is easy.

But as the story is told from young Anna’s perspective, we see and hear the burden of fleeing one’s home on children. On her first day of class in a new country, she is introduced by the teacher to her classmates as “the refugee.” Throughout the film, we are told how being a refugee means saying goodbye to the familiar, whether it’s our home, our friends, our language and the lives we thought we had.

This is a family film [although with subtitles] which can open the eyes of the young, and the not-so-young, to the current worldwide issue of refugees, not from a political perspective, but from a very real human point of view. The scenic backdrop of the story is beautiful, making it even more palatable.

Another potential title for this film could be the “Wandering Jew,” as it tellingly displays how and why Jews are scattered throughout the diaspora. ■

Underground Ballet

By Paula Baroff The winner of the Haifa Film Festival’s best Israeli documentary, “Underground Ballet,” tells the story of Nadya, a Russian-Israeli who runs a classical ballet studio beneath the crowds of cheering fans in Jerusalem’s Teddy Stadium. The daughter of Russian prima ballerina Nina Timofeyeva, Nadya describes how her mother made her way to Jerusalem for spiritual reasons but ended up struggling professionally.

Without any other means of supporting herself, her mother was inspired by the lack of an Israeli ballet scene to open her own studio. Nadya now runs the intensive ballet studio started by her mother, full of young Israeli girls and boys who train for years to perform and win prestigious competitions.

The documentary follows the lives and training of the ballerinas studying under Nadya. Some have been through struggles and found respite in the world of ballet. One girl is worried about having to go to the army because she won’t be able to continue her ballet training.

Though ballet does exist in Israel, it is not a friendly place for dancers, according to Nadya. Jerusalem is described as “anti-ballet” and if you want to make a living dancing, you’ll have to go abroad. Beneath the focus on precision and beauty runs an undercurrent of heartbreak as the dancers struggle to make it.

The documentary shows in jarring contrast the crowded and loud stadium juxtaposed against the beauty and structure of the dancers in the studio just underneath it. And it pits the reality and tragedy of the financial and societal struggle to maintain the studio with the elegant intensity of the ballerinas under Nadya’s instruction. It is unclear whether or not her mother’s dream of creating a thriving Israeli ballet scene will succeed, but the dedication of the dancers will undoubtedly continue. ■

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 31

AJFF PREVIEW

AJFF Short Highlights Kosher BBQ Festival

By Eddie Samuels

festival as they prepare for the event, ultimately serve guests and prepare for judging, The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival brings all while under the strict supervision of the cinema from around the world to Atlanta, but Atlanta Kosher Commission. it’s not often a fixHirsch, who ture of the Atlanta had participated in Jewish community the barbecue festival takes center stage. prior to working on At the 20th annual the film, explained film festival, howthat what surprised ever, “No Pork on him the most was the the Fork” features participation of those the Atlanta Kosher even outside the JewPhotos by Tommy Antonino // Behind the scenes BBQ Festival and photos show the process of making “No Pork on the ish community. the conflux of Jew- Fork.” Here, Jody Pollack, in purple, is interviewed “The first reby Adam Hirsch, red, and Jacob Ross, blue. ish and Southern sponders, the Sandy cuisines.

Springs police and The film was directed by Adam Hirsch fire departments, came out to support the and Jacob Ross. Initially, Hirsch was ap- Jewish community,” he said. “Their involveproached by Jody Pollack, the event’s execu- ment really showed that they believe the tive director, about potentially telling the Jewish community is a strong and vital part festival’s story. of not just Sandy Springs, but the broader “When we were first asked to provide city of Atlanta.” an artifact to the Atlanta History Center’s In fact, at one point the film features ‘Barbecue Nation’ exhibit, I realized we had Sandy Springs firefighters discussing the something really special and we needed to festival. One notes that he’d never had an spread the word,” Pollack said. “Adam had understanding of kosher rules before but done a few films for the [film] festival before, was embracing the challenge, of course … and he got excited about the idea.” while also trash-talking their friendly rivals From there, at the police departHirsch contacted ment.

Ross and the two Ross noted that pulled together a with the barbecue crew to make the festival taking place film a reality. in September and “I’d been the deadline for wanting to work AJFF submissions with Jacob for quite not long after, there Festivalgoers sample the team’s barbecue some time now,” was a challenge while Matt Antonino captures footage.

Hirsch said. “I told in getting the film him we had a story about the festival, but ready in time for screening. really about the Southern barbecue experi“Including the prep, and the night beence and how it comes together with South- fore, I would say it was probably somewhere ern Jewish culture.” around 30 or 40 hours of footage,” he said.

While the film’s focus is unquestion- “I think the original cut of the film was ably on the festival itself, it also dives into around 45 minutes, and that’s way too long the roots of barbecue and how Jewish and for a short film, … So we made sure it was 20 other global cultures around the world have minutes and maybe we’ll do a director’s cut influenced it. It includes interviews from later on.” other Atlanta-area pitmasters and chefs, The film will be screened on Feb. 23 at including Todd Ginsberg, who explains that Regal Perimeter Point as part of Shorts ProJewish barbecue has a surprisingly long his- gram 3, and Hirsch explains that he looks tory, whether that’s pastrami or Montreal- forward to seeing the audience reaction. style smoked meats.

“These films can tell some amazing sto“There are a lot of moving parts to the ries, but can also sometimes be very difficult barbecue festival, but we also realized we to watch, whether they be about the Holoneeded to expand the scope to speak to the caust or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” he greater Atlanta Jewish community and the said. “I think it’ll be really nice to have our barbecue community,” Pollack said. “It re- film shown with three very serious films ally gave it a greater context than just an and just give the audience a chance to sit isolated Jewish event.” back and laugh and see Atlanta on display The film also follows teams at 2019’s on the big screen.” ■ 32 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

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 experiences. Learn more about them here:

Bob Bahr is with the Center for Media and the Moving Image and frequently lectures on film and modern society. He is a regular contributor to the AJT.

Eddie Samuels is a staff writer at the AJT.

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

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.

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.

Lilli Jennison is the creative and media designer of the AJT.

Lou Ladinsky is a product manager for LexisNexis Risk Solutions, where he has worked for the past 26 years.

Marcia Caller-Jaffe is a regular contributor to the AJT, including regular dining reviews and Chai Style Homes features.

Michal Bonell is a senior account manager for the AJT.

Paula Baroff is an editorial intern for the AJT.

Roni Robbins is associate editor of the AJT.

Sheri Okun is an account manager for the AJT.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 33

Mark Your Calendars Here is the lineup for the 20th anniversary of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. From opening night, Feb. 10 to closing night, Feb. 27, you can pick and choose from a variety of movies playing at various times during the day. Many days there are four different movies playing at theaters around town, including downtown, Midtown, Druid Hills, Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. So mark your calendars and plot your favorites. Plenty to keep you at the movies over the next few weeks. See you at the movies.

AJFF PREVIEW

Bahr and Bernstein’s Best Bets

Matthew Bernstein & Bob Bahr

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival offers an exceptionally strong program of 48 feature films and documentaries in its 20th year, plus four programs of short films.

Our Best Bets feature films that explore a series of Jewish characters whose passions range from the sublime to the psychotic.

Golda

An Israeli and German production of the life of the former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir with particular emphasis on her last decade in the 1970s. The film includes a recently discovered candid interview that was made in a Tel Aviv television studio after Meir thought the cameras had stopping rolling. It also portrays both the public and private sides of the woman whose fall from grace came after the difficult war between Egypt, Syria and the Jewish state in 1973.

Not always seen in this film is the lovable matriarch that so many Americans remember from the early history of Israel.

Oliver Sachs: His Own Life

An incredibly enlightening film about an amazing physician and best-selling author. This is hands down the most moving biographical documentary the AJFF has shown in its 20-year history. A penetrating yet celebratory profile of a man who has what filmmaker Ric Burns calls a “tenacious sympathy for others.” It follows Sachs during the last months of his terminal illness. It offers us a master class in how to complete our lives.

Incitement

Picture of His Life

The quest by a world-famous Israeli nature photographer to swim with the ferocious polar bears in the Arctic and photograph them in the water close-up, something that has eluded him his entire life. In his relentless search he resembles another man of the sea, Captain Ahab, who risks everything in his search for the great white whale, Moby Dick.

A dramatic retelling of the story of the assassin who murdered Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, after Rabin signed the controversial Oslo accords. It was the recipient of Israel’s Ophir Award in 2019 for best picture. A masterful job of portraying this controversial figure without creating sympathy for him. The rhythm of this film is quick and propelling as we witness Yigal Amir’s transformation from a young law student to a killer. He is aided by the loving support of his family and several Jewish religious figures. The rhetoric of incitement we hear in this film is frightening because it remains with us today.

The Great Dictator

Charlie Chaplin’s first sound film released 80 years ago gets an encore screening as one of three classic films this year. The production was a rare critical filmed work about the dangers Adolf Hitler presented to the world in the early years of World War II. It is also a reminder of the challenges we face in many parts of the world today. This brave and, at times, astonishing film almost didn’t get made because of the campaign Hollywood studio executives waged against Chaplin prior to the start of production.

In addition to our Best Bets, we recommend the following films worthy of further consideration, what we call our “Honorable Mentions.”

Flawless and After Class, a pair of dramatic comedies featuring young people.

A Cantor’s Head about the trials and tribulations of a classically trained Reform cantor who finds he’s out of step with changing fashions.

The Mover, a stirring award winner from Latvia about a young man who decides to personally harbor Jews during the Holocaust.

Holy Silence, a timely film about Pope Pius XII’s controversial record during World War II. The Vatican is scheduled to release documents of the period for the first time in March.

Black Mercedes, a skillful and stylish murder mystery set in Poland during World War II.

Crescendo

A narrative fictional film that brings together a group of young Jewish Israeli and Palestinian musicians in an orchestra led by a major conductor. The legacy of distrust that each group is heir to provides a major barrier to the success of the undertaking. The film’s uncompromising depiction of this enmity gives the work great power and realism. It is inspired by a similar orchestra created by the famed Jewish conductor Daniel Barenboim and the Arab American academic, Edward Said, in 1999. It is visually rich, and a pleasure to watch, particularly for the performance of the Austrian actor Peter Simonischek.

36 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Standing Up, Falling Down

A warm and witty comedy drama, which is a lighter alternative to many of the films in this year’s festival. It is the choice for Young Professionals Night. See Bob Bahr’s more extensive preview in this issue.

Those Who Remained, a sensitive and poignant story of two survivors of the Holocaust who begin their lives in post-war Hungary under the Communist regime.

And the opening night film, Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance. ■ Matthew Bernstein is the Goodrich C. White Professor of Film and Media Studies at Emory University and chair of the department. Bob Bahr writes about popular culture for the AJT and teaches about film and modern life through his Center for Media and The Moving Image.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 37

ART Reporter Goes For Blood and Topples Deception

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Imagine a phenomenon like Bernie Madoff in high heels. Every decade has its share of elephantine scandals, but not many involve women. Like moths drawn to a flame, we are attracted to their stories, machinations and motivations.

Speaking of motivation, who believes that Madoff started as a legit broker, then fell into the abyss a crack at a time? Let’s also remember Frank Abagnale, the “Catch Me if You Can” genius thief who ended up working for the government.

Another bright, charming mastermind, Stanford University dropout Elizabeth Holmes’ spiral down the rabbit hole of misleading investors is detailed in Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter John Carreyrou’s book “Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup.” Carreyrou will appear at the Marcus JCC’s Page from the Book Festival Feb. 4.

In the frenzied culture of throwing money at Silicon Valley, Holmes started from the base of being former Secretary of State George Schultz’s granddaughter and raised billions from savvy investors chasing the pot of gold and maybe hoping to help save lives through the company she started, Theranos.

The book devolves to “truth is stranger than fiction” as Carreyrou describes Holmes’ affectations in the black turtleneck garb and deep voice of a Steve Job-like character as she misleads retail partners such as Walgreen’s

into flawed attempts to provide precious medical information via a simple blood test for which she did not have the technology. Along the way, she has a “liaison” with her partner and presides over a secretive and poisoned work culture.

Carreyrou shines as The Wall Street Journal reporter whose inquiries and articles brought down Theranos’ biotech start up cum house of cards. Or shall we say, “theatre of misplaced tubes and vials”?

In one interesting scene, Carreyrou describes a Theranos facility visit from then Vice President Joe Biden who praised it as “the laboratory of the future,” which was actually a fake staged setup.

“Bad Blood” is a must-read as the gripping story of one of the biggest corporate frauds since Enron. It’s the scam of the decade carried over to the new decade with the trial set for July. It ain’t over yet!

The AJT spoke with Carreyrou: AJT: You are known for your expertise in financial journalism. How would you compare the Theranos fraud versus other scandals?

JC: It was especially brazen, but that makes sense in the context of Silicon Valley circa 2014-15. There were no checks and balances on the private tech startups that were proliferating. No analysts or public investors to scrutinize public filings and ask tough questions; no history of regulation or even law enforcement in Silicon

Photo by Michael Lionstar // John Carreyrou writes about

one of the biggest corporate frauds since Enron.

Valley; a culture that turned rule-breaking into a virtue; and hundreds of millions of dollars available to those who made a good pitch.

AJT: What are your forethoughts about the July 2020 trial and the potential of Holmes serving prison time?

JC: I think it’s going to be a pivotal, precedent-setting case for Silicon Valley. If Holmes is convicted and has to serve time in prison, it will be a wake-up call to Valley entrepreneurs that if you take things too far, you’ll be punished. It will signal the end of the anything-goes-inthe-name-of-innovation era. If, on the other hand, she’s acquitted, it will have the opposite effect: young Valley entrepreneurs inclined to push the envelope will say, “See, even Holmes got away with what she did. I don’t have anything to worry about.”

AJT: Have you had any particularly targeted feedback from Silicon Valley?

JC: A lot of people from Silicon Valley have told me they loved the book. In terms of the impact on behaviors out there, I hear mixed things. Some entrepreneurs and VCs argue that Theranos was an outlier and not representative of Silicon Valley as a whole, so there are no lessons to be learned from it. I obviously don’t agree with that point of view.

AJT: Is she now funding a new startup?

JC: I’m told she was exploring the launch of a new startup in the spring of 2018, but that ended when she was indicted in June 2018, three weeks after “Bad Blood” was published in hardcover. As far as I know, she’s living in San Francisco and preparing with her attorneys for this summer’s trial. ■ Carreyrou will appear and autograph his book at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the Marcus JCC as A Page from the Book Festival, which brings a prestigious array of authors to the Atlanta community throughout the year. Member tickets are $15, $20 for the community, or $32, which includes a paperback copy of the book.

38 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ART

All About That Bass

By Marcia Caller Jaffe What Wynton Marsalis is to New Orleans, Doc Severinsen was to Johnny Carson, and Scott Glazer, with his decades of talent, is to Atlanta. We’ve heard him perform at clubs, symphonies, the Atlanta Jewish Life Festival, and Ahavath Achim Synagogue, in combos, and perhaps in Tokyo or Manhattan.

“I’ve played the gamut from weddings to funerals, and for motorcycle gangs.” Glazer is just plain cool, in both the classic and modern sense. He’s an ace sidekick, trained musician, and soulfully mellow performer who knows his way around the electric bass guitar and bass violin.

Recently he appeared in Courtenay Collin’s Cabaret at the Alliance Theatre’s Hertz Stage, where he harmonized with her, modeled a holiday sweater and charmed the audience as a straight man while supporting the starlet.

An Atlanta native, Glazer grew up within a musical family where his father, Morris, played coronet and appeared as a band leader. On the maternal Tabaksman side, descendants of Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, he grew up in a world of opera, chazanut (cantorial) records, and music of the world, including Italian and Hungarian.

After public school, then The Lovett School, he was off to the “blue blood” Massachusetts Lawrence Academy. “There I was a southern Jewish kid in an East Coast prep school that was founded in 1792.” Naturally talented, he still knew the importance of formal training and got a music degree at Georgia State University.

“I enjoy a variety of situations: theater, orchestras and jazz gigs. Once I was a rocker, then decided to broaden my horizon and not be focused in one direction. The gig I enjoy the most is the one I’m on right now.”

His group, the Mojo Dojo, is composed of six pieces with two horns, vocals, and great guitarists performing The Allman Brothers Band with a twist or recognizable iconic songs from Sam & Dave, Ray Charles, and Wilson Pickett.

Glazer, who occasionally plays with jazz pianist Joe Alterman, as during the recent AJFF preview, reminisces about the music scene in Atlanta. “Thirty years ago, live music here was bigger. Today there are too many distractions like personal earbuds. So we have smaller venues. Atlanta is still a good [music] town. There are artistic and society dates and clubs. The bottom line is doing what I want and pleasing the crowd.”

Glazer has toured domestically and internationally and performed with artists as diverse as Grammy winning guitarist Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Scott Henderson (Chick Corea, Jean-Luc Ponty), Edwin McCain, Carmen Bradford (Count Basie), The Last Waltz Ensemble, jazz sax legend Houston Person, Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie), Carmine Appice (Jeff Beck), and Liberty DeVitto (Billy Joel).

He has played at Seattle’s Jazz Alley, the Blue Note in New York City, and in Tokyo clubs on the road with the jazz legend Earl Klugh (2000). Glazer currently doesn’t have an agent and depends on word-of-mouth, friends and theater people to get bookings.

“I made great friends on the road, especially Detroit. I am thankful for the experience. Klugh was an innovator of smooth jazz.”

Good deeds for Glazer included working for Lit-

Scott Glazer with Grammy winning guitarist Earl Klugh.

Scott Glazer on bass.

eracy Action, serving as a Boy Scout leader in a “rough area,” Jonesboro homes, and delivering meals for Project Open Hand. He still keeps up with some of those now-adult young men whom he was able to mentor.

Glazer confirms that the life of a professional musician takes discipline and can be grueling. “After doing two shows a day, I head home to unwind. The YMCA on Moores Mill is my ‘country club’ where a lot of musicians work out.”

When asked to share a fun memory, Glazer recalls with a laugh, “I am the only white guy to have played in the house band for a year at Atlanta’s historic Elks Lodge on Auburn Avenue (1987). Some very famous locals and politicians came through there. I looked up at the liquor license to witness that it had expired three years ago.” ■ Glazer appears next in Jenny Levison’s Valentine Day cabaret at the Atlanta History Center.

Alluring

cosmetic & Family Dentistry

COSMETIC, IMPLANT & GENERAL DENTISTRY FOR THE FAMILY.

An international leader in cosmetic, implant and general dentistry for more than three decades, Dr. David Mastro’s patients travel world-wide for his Atlanta cosmetic dentistry and report that he is one of the country’s top cosmetic and general dentists.

NOT YOUR ORDINARY DENTIST, NOT YOUR ORDINARY DENTAL OFFICE.

DR. DAVID MASTRO 80 Mansell Road Roswell. Georgia 30076 770.642.9900 1.888.SeeMySmile alluringcosmeticdentistry.com

Dr. Mastro is a unique dentist with his artistic expression developed through years of hand crafting crowns, veneers and bridges. Today, with the aid of the most advanced technology available, Dr. Mastro can care for patients’ complete dental needs from oral surgery and implants to fillings and general cleanings. Dr. Mastro is legendary for quality dentistry and for transforming smiles for people from all walks of life.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 39

CALENDAR Monday Night Parsha – Chabad of

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

North Metro Goes to Camp – Congrega-

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

Saturday, February 1, 2020, Shabbat ends at 6:47 p.m.

Beshalach Friday, February 7, 2020, light candles at 5:56 p.m.

Saturday, February 8, 2020, Shabbat ends at 6:53 p.m.

tion Gesher L’Torah, 4320 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta, from 6:15 to 9 p.m. Join your favorite camps for a fun night of crafts, a Shabbat service led by Rock ‘n’ Roll Rabbi David Paskin and a s’mores oneg! Open to all ages and the entire North Metro Jewish community. Free.

RSVP to Rebecca at gltrelschool@gltorah. org, or call 770-777-4009.

Rosenbaum, Instructor and Congregant – Congregation Etz Chaim,

Tot Shabbat – Temple Emanu-El, 1580

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

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 1

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

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

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

1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 10 to 11 a.m. Join in as Miriam introduces you to various tropes for reading Torah and provide some background history on the how’s and why’s of using trope. The best way to learn how to read Torah is to learn the trope and then start applying it to the actual readings as soon as possible. Therefore, we will be singing and chanting trope from the very first day. While this class is offered in conjunction with the Adult B’nai Mitzvah Class, you do not need to be enrolled to take this class. $25 for members, $36 for nonmembers. For more information, www.etzchaim.net/event/trope.

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

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2

Chanting Trope Course with Miriam

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

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

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3

Divorce & Separation Support Group – Jewish Family & Career Services, 4549

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

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4

Women in Israeli Society: A Diplomat’s Prospective – 1440 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Breakfast briefing with Consul General of Israel Anat Sultan-Dadon. Free. Preregistration is required, jwfatlanta.org/ events.

JLI Judaism’s Gifts to the World – Pre-

Trivia and Nosh with 3 Score and More – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190

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

40 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

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

Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, from 6 to 8 p.m. Join this biweekly support group facilitated by Helen Kotler Ph.D., LPC. $25 per session. To join the group, hkotler@jfcsatl.org, or call 404210-9571.

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

A Page from the Book Festival Presents John Carreyrou – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. John Carreyrou is a two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter at The Wall Street Journal. His book, “Bad Blood,” is the riveting exposé that traces the breathtaking rise and collapse of the multibillion-dollar biotech startup Theranos. It is told by John Carreyrou, the journalist who first broke the story and pursued it to the end, despite legal threats from the company’s charismatic CEO. $15 member admission, $20 community admission, $32 for members and community, which includes one ticket and one copy of the book. For more information, www.bit.ly/38dI7p9.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Shabbat, Me & Rabbi G – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 5 to 6 p.m. Bring your children to the JCC for a Shabbat celebration featuring fun songs

JANUARY 31-FEBRUARY 9 A warm and friendly gathering place of Latin American Cuisine, where your neighborhood community comes together to feel at home.

DRINK SPECIALS DAILY

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night HAPPY HOUR Monday-Friday 3pm to 6pm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6

JumpSpark Presents: Navigating Parenthood: Teen Substance Abuse – Congregation Gesher L’Torah, 4320 Kimball Bridge Road, Alpharetta, from 7 to 9 p.m. Dr. Brian J. Dew is the guest speaker talking about the topic, “Emerging Drug Trends.” Dr. Dew currently serves as chair of the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services at Georgia State University and has served as Atlanta’s primary representative to the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Community Epidemiological Work Group for the last 12 years, where he is responsible for reporting Atlanta drug trends to federal officials. Dr. Dew’s research has been focused on substance use, primarily on the topics of methamphetamine use and treatment, ecstasy use, and more recently, the spread of opiate consumption. He is also closely monitoring the e-cig and vaping trends. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/30FBKbz.

BRUNCH Saturday-Sundays 11am to 3pm www.mojaverestaurant.com 6450 powers ferry road, Atlanta, GA 30339 | 770-858-1720

one is given the rest of Shabbat. This is extended to all living beings and to the land itself. The land is recognized as an extension of the Source of Life, sustaining and nourishing it, but Torah teaches we must covenant to sustain and nourish the land in return to honor the precious and fragile balance. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2TKwphr.

with Rabbi G. Program begins at 5 p.m. with an activity and/or craft followed by songs and blessings with Rabbi Brian Glusman, concluding with a visit from the popular “Weinstein School Shabbat Dinosaur.” Challah and grape juice will be served. Free and open to all. For more information, www.bit.ly/2VnuIFE.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Shabbat Shirah: The Liberty of the Land – Congregation Shearith Israel,

Blood Drive – Ahavath Achim Syna-

1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Shabbat Shirah is when people retell the crossing of the Sea, but to what end? The journey begins as it is retold how the spiritual ancestors left the “Narrow Place,” where greed and scarcity caused others to enslave them and exploit the land. They are freed in order to pursue justice for themselves and for the land. As a symbol of our freedom

gogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave. NW, Atlanta, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Every day blood donors help patients of all ages, accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.

Schedule an appointment through the Red Cross. Free. For more information, www.aasynagogue.org.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 41

COMMUNITY PJ Party is First Fundraiser

By Eddie Samuels

PJs.

“We thought it might be fun to center PJ Library has been a fixture for many this around the whole bedtime routine, families in Jewish Atlanta for years, but since it’s such a fun thing for children as Feb. 23, the national book-gifting program young as 6 months old,” Bernstein said. “So will be holding its first major local fund- come in your pajamas, we’re going to have raiser, and true to form, it’s aiming to be breakfast for dinner and we really want to bring PJ alive through the couple of hours fun for the whole family.

“Atlanta already has so many fund- we have with our families.”

PJ Library serves more than 5,000 raisers out there for adults, so why don’t we do a family fundraiser and really teach children in Atlanta between the ages of 6 kids about tzedakah and giving back?” said months and 8 years old, and the “PJ Our Sarah Bernstein, PJ Library family impact Way,” program adds another 1,000 kids from 8 to 12 who reassociate. “I think supceive chapter books. porting our commu“The two things nity through the eyes people always say to of everyone, from our me first, are: ‘Where littlest 1- and 2-yeardid these books come olds all the way to our from and who’s paygrandparents.” ing?’” Bernstein said.

The party was in“The books come from spired by the original nationals, but a large idea behind PJ Library.

Sarah Bernstein, daughter Harper part of the funding PJ stood for pajama, as her great-grandmother Betty is coming from local the founder hoped to Garrett all love PJ Library. donors. We want our provide bedtime stories to Jewish children. The party itself in- families to know that as much as it is a free vites participants to show up in their own program, we want to sustain that for more

42 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Julia and Terry Bernath with grandchildren Ella and Hudson are among the host families for the event.

Posing in their pajamas with their PJ Library books are Joelle, Edie and Eva.

generations to come.”

She added that while, of course, fundraising and bringing people together was a big goal for the event, so too was boosting PJ Library’s profile in Atlanta.

“We want to raise awareness that PJ is more than just a book in your mailbox,” she said. “Getting these books can be the first step in what you want your Judaism to look like.”

In addition to PJ, the program will also be supporting two local programs, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research, and the Pajama Program, which provides needed nighttime supplies and

comfort to underprivileged children. Bernstein explained that she hoped to give the children some agency in giving back to the broader community.

“It’s really cool to have these families giving and getting at the same time, and using PJ’s model to bring the community together,” she said.

In addition, Atlanta Jewish Academy, The Davis Academy and The Epstein School will be helping through volunteers and performances such as Israeli dance.

The party takes place from 3 to 6 p.m.

Feb. 23 at The Weber School. ■

B’nai Mitzvah

SIMCHA SPOTLIGHT

COMMUNITY

Oliver Isaac Cope, son of Sophie A. Lukashok and James D. Cope, Jan. 25 Beckett Danielle Kraynak, daughter of Michelle and Greg Kraynak, Jan. 25.

Mazel Tov

Betsy Blumberg Teplis Betsy Blumberg Teplis turned 94 this week. Teplis served on the board of the Chastain Park Civic Association and was membership chair of the Southern Jewish Historical Society for eight years. She spearheaded the project to repair and clean up the Ahavath Achim Synagogue section at Historic Oakland Cemetery and remains on the advisory board there. Teplis plays mahjong, is a member of the Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia, and is active at her senior residence.

Shirley Yudelson Mosinger Shirley Yudelson Mosinger, a former Atlantan, celebrated her 91st birthday Jan. 29.

Mosinger was vice president of the National Council of Jewish Women in St. Louis and served on the board of Temple Emanuel there.

She stared the program, Beginning Babies with Books, which received President George H.W. Bush’s Points of Light award, and also recognized her work with literacy.

Shirley volunteers with the ESL program at the local public school.

Betsy Teplis and Shirley Mosinger celebrated their birthdays Jan. 26 at The Breman Museum’s tour of Girls High School (now The Roosevelt Historic Apartment Homes). Teplis was Class of 1944; Mosinger, Class of 1946. It was the first time Mosinger had seen the school since graduating.

Have something to celebrate?

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

Share it with your community with free AJT simcha announcements.

Send info to submissions@atljewishtimes.com submissions@atljewishtimes.com..

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 43

OY VEY OY VEY! HAVE I GOT A PROBLEM...

Hi Rachel,

iva. As her friend arted sitting sh st s ha d an r he her how much lost her mot ortive and show pp My close friend su be me to is b y jo u know how so ster, I know m shiva houses. Yo to and adopted si ic the rg r le fo al the floor problem is: I’m e dead bugs on th e av I care. The only le ing rs ep he ke ot es while windows, and tend shiva hom at ity un people don’t do m m co t? Well, I let the guys to sweep ou at of emotions th or the intensity h at de s, my distance. to ht ity lig g in neon it’s the proxim e’s a sign flashin er I don’t know if th e lik ar t ne os e m m al lie needs h churning. It’s ’t resist). But Ju sets my stomac to (Sorry, I couldn d!

En d ithout coming ea w D r! re Clea ow her I ca sh I n warning: Steer ca ow H . re than ever befo rning? her now, more gloom and mou in ed dence has totally ud ro sh is at th e rners, my confi us ou m rt it her ho fo m co witless and that I have gone to , feeling totally The few times ed -ti n, ue io ng at to er e er consid ther I’ve sat th ment that, upon deserted me. Ei I’ve made a com r O e. m co ve to ha was a mistake ht stupid. itive or downrig ns se in d sounde hat to do.

Please tell me w Signed, g f And Mournin Allergic To Grie

Jewish Joke of the Week

Dear Allergic, You’re not alone. So many of us share the fear of approaching mourners. (Others get trembly when visiting hospitals or elder care facilities.) Bereaved individuals have encountered a life altering situation that has put them in a different reality. No wonder we feel like they’re encased in some type of impenetrable bubble, and if we make the wrong move, something may go POP! But so many of life’s situations are unappealing, yet we handle them because we know we must. Who wants to clean up after a sick child, go to the dentist, or argue with the insurance company? Challenges are presented to us by the Master Planner and are designed to help us strengthen our soul muscles.

And so, you have found your spiritual workout guide. Now, you want to know the best way to embark on your new training program.

Here’s my take. The first step is like jumping into a cold pool. You can either take an hour to immerse, or you can close your eyes and dive in. Surely, as hard as it is to take that dive, the second option will yield more enjoyment and overall benefit.

So, while your heart is screaming and your feet are desperately trying to turn you in another direction, take the plunge and go sit down next to your friend – after you encircle her with a great big hug.

My next question is: Who said you have to say anything? Where does that pressure come from? We know that visitors are supposed to wait for the mourner to initiate conversation. If they are not ready to speak, then silence is appropriate. Once conversation starts, is there protocol for a regular shiva visit? The overriding rule is to follow the mourner as they direct the conversation. We visitors don’t need to fill in empty gaps. It is perfectly fine to sit in silence with someone, conveying caring simply through our presence.

I believe there is one vital ‘Thou Shalt Not’ to keep in mind. We visitors come in hauling our own baggage. Sometimes we forget that we are coming to comfort someone and wind up monopolizing the conversation and sharing our own grief stories.

The goal of a shiva visit is to console the mourner. We want the mourner to share his experience and memories as a healthy way of processing grief. The inspiring stories he may tell about the departed can also elevate the person’s soul.

I don’t think comforting mourners will ever be an “easy” mitzvah, but it can definitely get easier. Mourners may appear enveloped by a bubble of grief that seems to say, “Stay Away! You can’t understand what I’ve just been through!” And even if we’ve also dealt with losing loved ones, everyone’s experience is unique and personal, and we will never fully understand what someone else has endured.

That bubble of grief is not impenetrable. It is patient for you to place your hand inside, hold the mourner’s hand, and show, I’m here and I care. And when you’ve done it right, you’ll know.

Good luck, my friend, Rachel Atlanta Jewish Times Advice Column Got a problem? Email Rachel Stein at oyvey@atljewishtimes. com, describing your problem in 250 words or less. We want to hear from you and get helpful suggestions for your situation at the same time!

The Night Out

Yiddish Word of the Week

Moishe telephoned his wife. “Sadie, darling, I’ve got some good news. You know that Andrew Lloyd Webber musical you’ve always wanted to see?”

naches / nachas

“Yes.”

‫נחת‬

“Well, I’ve just bought us two tickets to see it.”

“Oh Moishe, that’s marvelous. I’ll start dressing immediately.”

“Sadie, that’s just what I wanted to hear you say. The tickets are for tomorrow night’s performance.”

Joke provided by David Minkoff www.awordinyoureye.com 44 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Pleasure, satisfaction, delight; proud enjoyment Example: I have naches from you. from Hebrew ‫ נחת‬nachat, “relaxation”

BRAIN FOOD

Growth Objectives

ACROSS

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

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

14

15

16

17

18

19

21

20 25

22 27

26

31 34 37

38

23

28

29

32

33

35

36

39

40

12

13

41

42

24 30

44

43 45

46

50

51 53

56

11

57

58

54

47

48

49 52 55

59

60

64

65

66

67

68

69

61

62

63

1. America and Marvel (Abbr.)

5. Where Elks gather?

10. Jewish teen org.

14. Side squared, for a square 15. Shapes of Australian football fields 16. "Do not correct a fool ___ will hate you..." (King Solomon) 17. Pitcher Hideo 18. Agricultural mitzvah 19. Maine toothpaste 20. "Angry Birds," for one 21. Impair 22. They make technophobes nervous, for short 24. Thor's wife in mythology, but friend in the movies 25. United alternative 27. Setting letters that are needed to connect smartphones to networks 29. "...I know that a person's life is not ___ control..." (Jeremiah 10:23) 31. ___ HaShalom 32. He did great work with Kirby 33. Confine to jail 34. My in Marseilles 35. "Curb Your Enthusiasm" nickname 36. Revival effort: Abbr.

37. Greek colonnades 39. "Quiet down!" sounds 40. Pays attention to 43. T. Jefferson's first V.P.

6. Stereotypical farming garb 7. Black Hills terr.

8. Grain gatherers 9. Israeli model Ginzburg 10. Ending to many a lame joke 11. Creates Kilayim 12. Agricultural mitzvah 13. "It's a ___ me" (words contestants hope to hear from Simon Cowell) 21. Agricultural mitzvah 23. Agricultural mitzvah 26. Book that recommends putting the sun in your opponent's eyes 28. Agricultural mitzvah 30. Supporter of the British empire 37. Jewish grandfather, as some spell it 38. Vague spots on a schedule, briefly 41. Letter shaped mesh device for collecting plankton 42. Bone-dry 46. Budget alternative 47. Like one receiving a kind of forgiveness during the Jubilee year 48. Some doctors still wear them 54. She, in Italy 55. "Fine" 56. Geol., e.g.

57. Gluttonous sort 58. Matador's accolade 61. Former NFL star Bryant 62. Back, in a way 63. Site of many '60s tours

44. Major Hurricane of 2011 45. Tony Danza role on "Taxi" 46. Challah go-with, for some 49. Fermented apple juice 50. Car starter in Bond films?

51. Word between "Based" and "True Story" 52. Waste maker 53. Objective for those observing the mitzvot in this puzzle...or something to kick through the center of the grid?

56. Display 59. Aerodynamic 60. "Galgal Mistovev" singer Raichel 64. Dark drink 65. One who might observe the mitzvot in this puzzle 66. Genesis creator 67. Bob who heads Disney 68. Fitting description for one who uses Etsy 69. Yom that, ironically, doesn't go by quickly (for many)

DOWN

1. Its oldest synagogue is Congregation Shaar Hashomayim in Westmount 2. Impart motion to 3. Locale where crops would be brought, long ago 4. Paulo preceder 5. Manilow maiden

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1

2

M A

14

A

17

H

3

S

4

S

I

A

A

P

P 20

L

22

C

26

A

32

N

23

24

I

S

H

N

E

R

38 41

E

S

47

O

51

L

56

A

15 years Ago // January 28, 2005 ■ Jewish day schools, including The Davis Academy, welcomed 48 Israeli, Argentinean and Ethiopian students to their schools and host families. “We always talk about Jewish continuity, but it’s not physical, it’s relationships,” said Mollie Aczel, founding head of school and coordinator for the American ORT Lipson International Studies Program. “If you bring the kids together when they are young, the connections stick.”

■ Robert and Leslie Tourial announced the birth of their daughter, Hannah Shira, July 15, 2004. Her naming ceremony was held at Congregation Or VeShalom Dec. 3. She was given the Hebrew name Chana Shifra in memory of her great-grandmothers.

25 years Ago // January 27, 1995

I

S

B E

27

A

33 36

F

39

L

42

I

N

U

L

M E

S

S

Y

S

E

T

S

C

H

E

S

H

A

R

T

H

A

R

R

I

E

N

D

S

A

D

L

E

S

S

O N

H O

D

45

S

T

C

C

G

A

50

H

34

E

C O D

S

B

O

L

I

T

Y

N

Y

60

E

E

A

H

N

D

S

H A

40

I

31

N

B

I

57

U E

37

E M P

52

30

S

W A

46 49

S

29

43

L

R

A

R

L

13

H

D W A

E M M E E

S

12

C

19 21

11

I

E

A

S

I

28

10

R O W E

16

S 25

P

9

E

O U

N

59

Remember When

48

8

Y

S

44

T

A

Y

S

E

7

D

18

S

T

A

C O N

B

S

6

E

U

Y

F

15

A M E

U

35

5

H

58

E

61

T

S

T

S

O N

53

E

54

S

E

55

T

L

I

A

A

X

I

■ Danielle E. Botstein, daughter of Laurie and Gary Botstein, read a portion of a multicultural Litany of Commemoration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Jan. 14. She was one of 12 guests to take part in the service.

■ Michael Phillip Shure, son of Yvette and Al Shure, became a bar mitzvah Jan. 21 at Congregation Shearith Israel.

Mollie Aczel is founding head of The Davis Academy. She’s pictured here at the school’s groundbreaking in 1995.

50 Years Ago // January 30, 1970 ■ Betty Ann Enenstein, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Enenstein of Atlanta married Bernard Aaron Fishman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Fishman of Gloucester, Mass., on Dec. 27 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. A reception was given, and the couple traveled to Montreal for their honeymoon.

■ The Jewish Welfare Federation participated in a historic telecast via Telstar Feb. 3 with Israeli leaders including Prime Minister Golda Meir, Defense Minister Moshe Dayan, and Foreign Minister Abba Eban. The live, closed-circuit telecast was shown at the dinner of the Pace Setters Division at the Standard Town and Country Club.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 45

OBITUARIES

Nelson Gold 82, Atlanta

Nelson Gold, 82, of Atlanta, died Jan. 23, 2020. Nelson was born in Bronx, N.Y., to Samuel and Cele Gold. Nelson had a strong personality, which made him a truly devoted friend to all. He enjoyed working as the head of the over-the-counter security trade department at Interstate/Johnson Lane for many years.

Nelson is survived by his loving wife of 56 years Linda Gold; daughters Leslie (Ted) Moradi and Nancy (Kenny) Blank; son Jeffrey (Lauren) Gold; grandchildren Emily and Oliver Blank, and Ava and Jake Moradi; and brother Edwin Gold.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions be made in memory of Nelson Gold to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc. A graveside service was held Jan. 26 at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Isaac Jack Lévy 91, Atlanta

Isaac Jack Lévy passed away Jan. 22, 2020. Lévy was born on the Isle of Rhodes Dec. 21, 1928. With his family, he left Rhodes in 1939 and went to Tangiers, Morocco, where he lived with others from Rhodes who escaped the terrors of World War II. Isaac, his mother and his grandmother came to the United States through the Port of New Orleans in 1945 during the war. They made their home in Atlanta and in Brooklyn. Isaac received his master of arts from the University of Iowa in 1959 and his doctorate from the University of Michigan in 1966. He devoted his life to research and writing about his people, the Sephardim.

Isaac is survived by his wife Rosemary Lévy Zumwalt; children Cathie Lévy Ott, Heather Elrick and Michael Lévy; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A graveside service was held at Greenwood Cemetery Jan. 24 with Rabbi Hayyim Kassorla officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Herbert Sidney London 88, Atlanta

Herbert Sidney London, 88, passed away Jan. 26, 2020, after a brief illness, surrounded by his family. He was the son of Mary Taratoot London and Max London of blessed memory.

Herbert attended Boys High School in Atlanta, Emory University and New York University. He studied at two medical schools, University of Tubingen, Germany, and University of Bern, Switzerland. After returning to Atlanta in the 1970s, he was associated with his family business. In the 1980s he created the London-Feldman Russian Resettlement Program through Jewish Family Services.

For years Herbert worked endlessly, advocating for the medical needs of new Russian refugees coming into Atlanta. His focus included transportation and language interpretation, and he worked tirelessly to engage medical professionals who would provide pro-bono services.

The example of Herbert’s many kindnesses towards others will continue as a moral compass for us to follow. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this sad and difficult time. May his memory be a blessing.

Herbert is survived by his brother Bob London and sister-in-law Sandy Schriber London; nieces and nephews, Dr. Jeremy and Tracey London of Savannah, and Leanna and Eric Rinzler of Atlanta; four great-nephews and one great-niece, Max, Reese and John Asher London of Savannah, and Charles and Mary Ella Rinzler of Atlanta. He was loved by many and will be missed dearly.

Funeral services were held at Ahavath Achim Synagogue Jan. 28 with interment following at Greenwood Cemetery. Contributions may be directed to Jewish Home Life (www.jewishhomelife.org) or the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. Please sign online guestbook at www.edressler.com.

‫זיכרונה לברכה‬ 46 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

OBITUARIES

Bootsie Streem Soble 77, Atlanta

Bootsie Streem Soble passed away Jan. 25, 2020, peacefully surrounded by her family and friends. She was born to Irving and Geraldine Streem of Cleveland, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1942.

She married her husband Sheldon Soble and moved to Atlanta, where they lived happily together for the last 50 years. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children Ingrid and Jeff Gero and Alli Royce Soble, and her brother James Streem of Tallahassee, Fla. Her grandson Jacob was the absolute light of her life.

Graveside services were held Jan. 28, 2020, at Arlington Memorial Park. In memory of Bootsie, donations can be made to the American Diabetes Association or the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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.

CLOSING THOUGHTS The Lights Went Out For the record, electrical emergencies are not unknown to me.

I was on the subway in 1965 during New York’s biggest blackout, trapped for many hours with other weary commuters in the ancient days before cell phones.

The trains stopped where they were, the lights went Chana out, and the doors wouldn’t Shapiro open. All the smokers in our car whipped out their lighters to provide illumination (yes, some lit up, and no one protested).

While a few altruistic individuals shared their snacks, throat lozenges and chewing gum, an innocent-looking teen pulled out a handgun and aimed it at a window. It’s reassuring to know that subway windows are bullet-resistant, but that time we passengers were disappointed. Everything’s relative.

Here’s a piece of advice: do your best not to be confined underground with angry New Yorkers looking forward to dinner and their favorite TV show.

I was once trapped at the apex of a

mammoth Ferris wheel, on a first date. I’m never comfortable hanging up in the air with a steel bar between me and a free fall, but Stan was eager to try the oversized ride, and I decided to gird my loins and be a good sport. When the wheel suddenly came to a complete stop, some of the riders in lower seats chose to risk life and nice clothes by climbing down to freedom, but the rest of us stayed put. We were aloft for a long time, and I found out a lot about my date that afternoon, the most important fact being that, in spite of my protestations, he considered rocking back and forth in the sky to be a form of entertainment.

More advice: if you have even a touch of acrophobia, do not date people who have a different idea of high-altitude fun than you do.

Now we come to my latest, and, in my opinion, most instructive electricityrelated situation: a recent Shabbat power outage.

My husband, Zvi, and I are Sabbath

observers, which means that all our utility-related devices are set well before sundown on Friday evenings. Two weeks ago, uncharacteristically, I had prepared everything necessary a bit early, and I decided to light my candles and read while Zvi finished what he had to do before heading to synagogue.

There I was, enjoying a book, with absolutely no worries. The table was set, the meal was on a warming platter, the house lights were on or off, as needed, when suddenly they failed. I had already entered the world of Shabbat; however, my ace in the hole was still home. I ran into Zvi’s study, but he was a step ahead of me. He was frantically looking for the three battery-powered lanterns we keep, just in case we lose electricity.

It’s true that my husband periodically suggested that we purchase a generator for the all-too-frequent incidences of power outages, but I, the ever-thrifty and reality-averse member of our team, demurred. In a stopgap move, Zvi bought three long-duration lanterns. But we had used them before, so how long would they last? We immediately discovered that one of them already didn’t work and decided

to place one of the functioning lanterns on our table and one in a bathroom.

The sun hadn’t completely set, and it was still a bit light outside. Zvi decided to pray at home; then we could take a walk to check the neighborhood. Even though our street was completely without illumination, we saw that houses on other streets had light, and some of our neighbors, especially those with young children, were heading to friends and relatives. We ate dinner and talked about the Torah portion, the news, our family and generators.

Was it better to leave our leftover food out, in order to keep from opening the refrigerator, which would reduce its temperature? We decided to chance it. As we opened the door slightly and quickly put food in, the house lights miraculously came on for good. It was so gloriously bright!

It occurs to me that our electricitydeprived ancestors lived contentedly from sunrise to sunset, adapting to the natural cycle of seasonal light. Shabbat oil lamps and menorahs actually extended the illumination in their homes. Isn’t that interesting?

Atlanta’s Finest Persian Cuisine

Outside Patio  Full Bar

Outside Patio ! Full Bar

Catering For Large And Small Events

Book Your Next Holiday Party

Catering For Large And Small Events Book Your Next Special/Corporate Event!

Atlanta’s Finest Persian Cuisine

WEEKDAY LUNCH SPECIALS

SufisAtlanta.com I 1814 Peachtree St NW I Atlanta, GA 30309 I 404-­‐888-­‐9699

SufisAtlanta.com I 404-888-9699 1814 Peachtree St NW I Atlanta, GA 30309 48 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

MARKETPLACE ADVERTISE WITH THE

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

w w w. At l a n ta J e w i s hTi m e s.c o m F O R M O R E O F W H AT YO U N E E D

FOLLOW

404-883-2130 INSURANCE

:

COMPUTER

TRAVEL

BAGELS

GENETICS

Is your health insurance premium more than your mortgage or rent?

Full Service Agency Specializing in Marketplace & Alternative Health Insurance Plans and Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans.

SAVE UP TO 60% CALL TODAY FOR A FREE HOUSE CALL (678) 523-0759 Stephen Weinberger Stephen@healthinsurancedoctor.net www.healthinsurancedoctor.net

MOHEL

Navigate Genetic Counseling, LLC

Understand your genetic risk and be proactive.

Indications for Genetic Counseling Include: - Cancer genetics risk assessment - Reproductive risk counseling - Family history of genetic disease - Review of previous genetic test results - Gamete/embryo donor screening - Proactive genetic health screening Genetic counseling and test coordination services provided by

Rabbi Abi Nadoff Call: 844-MOHEL-ABI (844-664-3522)

SimpleCircumcision.com

Jamie K. Dokson, MS, LCGC, Licensed and Certified Genetic Counselor Appointments available via telephone, HIPAAcompliant video conferencing, or in person.

Contact Jamie at jamie@navigategc.com or 404.969.5590 to schedule an appointment. www.navigategc.com ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 49

MARKETPLACE COLLECTIBLES

TUTOR

THE DUSTY COIN, LLC

“Shekels For Your Collectibles”

• Coins • Bullion • Jewelry • Flatware •

404-263-2967 Strict Confidentiality • References Upon Request Member: ANA, NGC & PCGS HOME

Stella Tarica Gordon Tarica Tutoring Stellagordon835@gmail.com 678-592-3155 call or text • Writing and reading comprehension • Certified in 5-12 grade English curriculum • ACT and SAT prep • College bound and grad school essays • Georgia Milestone preparation 5-8

Serving students since 1986

HOME

COMPUTER

FAKAKTA COMPUTER BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

DESKTOP & LAPTOP REPAIR HOME/BUSINESS NETWORKING

10% OF PROFITS THR

PERFORMANCE UPGRADES2019 WILL BE DONATE APPLE DEVICE SUPPORT

JEWISH CHARITIES.

VIRUS/SPYWARE REMOVAL

404.954.1004

Same DayDAMON.CARP@GMAIL.COM Appointments • Reasonable Rates • All Services Guara

10% OF PROFITS THROUGH 2020 WILL BE DONATED TO JEWISH CHARITIES.

• Same Day Appointments • Reasonable Rates • All Services Guaranteed

BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

COMPUTER

COMPUER HOUSE CALLS

Voted #1 by Atlanta Jewish Community

770-527-3533 www.HealthyComputer.com

As Seen On BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

Closets, pantries, garages, offices and more!

404-255-0589

Atlanta Custom Closets Rick Moore www.closetpro.net

BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

INSURANCE

PROTECT THE THINGS YOU CHERISH THE MOST Stephanie Holtz Your Local Agent

1954 Airport Road Suite 210, Chamblee, GA 30341 sholtz@farmersagent.com • Contact me for a free coverage review • Get the most value for your coverage • Insurance you can tailor to meet your needs

It’s Time to Call for Help!

HOME

HOME

Control. Entertain. Secure.

Affordable Home Technology Solutions for Everyone

Seamless Flat Panel TV Wall Installation, Programming & Sales Universal Remotes & WiFi based Smart Home Solutions Wired & Wireless Distributed Audio Systems Wireless Automated Lighting & Shades Structured Wiring for New or Existing Homes Home Networking Design, Sales & Installation All Work Guaranteed & Supported 7 Days a Week

Call 470-246-4509 today!

For Home, Auto, Life and Business.

Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten

by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states. Coverage is not available in all states.

Life Insurance by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th ave. SE, Ste. 300, Bellevue, WA 98005

50 | JANUARY 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

B J A

For a Free 30 Minute In-Home Site Survey Call us Today 404-229-4180 taki@waveintegration.net

MARKETPLACE Development Corp. for Israel | 404-817-3500 Eleventh Series Jubilee Bonds 2.77% Eleventh Series Maccabee Bonds 2.62% Eighth Series Mazel Tov Bonds 3.12% Eighth Series eMitzvah Bonds 3.12%

LEARNING

Learn Canasta

Patti Wasserman Certified Canasta Instructor 561-350-7124 • playcanasta@yahoo.com

: CRUISE

MY EXPERTISE IS YOUR TICKET TO AN AMAZING JOURNEY! Top producer with all major cruise lines and tour companies.

Recommended

by Jewish Times Readers

w w w. At l a n ta J e w i s hTi m e s.c o m F O R M O R E O F W H AT YO U N E E D

LEAGUE of AMERICA

FOLLOW

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

ADVERTISE WITH THE

• Custom planning by land and sea • River cruise specialist • Individual and group arrangements • Escorted land vacations

FOLLOW

: HOME CARE

Carehelper Elise carehelperelise.com earonson99@gmail.com 770-500-4137 Professional references upon request

I’m looking to help others with daily tasks and provide companionship.

Being aware that many people need help as they age, and may not have family near, I can be of assistance.

Barbara Diener Land & Cruise Specialist

770-740-9099

bdiener@cruiseplanners.com www.travelsmartdreambig.com

Experienced in all aspects of travel.

Travel Smart, Dream Big!

404-883-2130

HOME

HOME

Among the services I provide are: • Groceries and prescriptions pick-up • Preparation of meals • Transport to/from doctor appts • Light housekeeping & organization HOME CARE

MAKING UGLY KITCHENS BEAUTIFUL FOR 41 YEARS!

Let us make your kitchen beautiful again!

Before

404-664-1174 Home Renovations Handyman Services Over 20+ years Home Depot Experience

Follow us on Facebook Ray’s Roswell Renovations www.raysroswellrenovations.com Call us at 404-664-1174 for a free estimate!

No Inte re 6 or 12 st months Same as Cash (if qu alified)

After We Use Real Wood!

FREE In-Home Consultation

Extra Military & Senior Discounts Available!

15% OFF

With Complete Kitchen Re-Facing Not valid with any other offers.

SAVE 40%-60%

Off New Cabinet Replacement

Family Owned & Operated

Kitchen Fronts of Georgia

Call or Text Us Now

404-455-3139

www.kitchenfrontsofga.com

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 51