Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCVI NO. 2, January 31, 2021

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VOL. XCVI NO. 2

JANUARY 31, 2021 | 18 SH'VAT 5781

Education & Camp and...

Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Preview Together Through Film

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CONTRIBUTORS THIS WEEK BOB BAHR BRACHA SLAVATICKI CHANA SHAPIRO DAVE SCHECHTER FLORA ROSEFSKY JAN JABEN-EILON MARCIA CALLER JAFFE MARK FISHER MATTHEW BERNSTEIN RABBI RUTH RACHEL STEIN TERRY SEGAL

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THIS WEEK Stars and Students In this week’s education, camp and Atlanta Jewish Film Festival preview issue we bring you stars: exemplary students, the kind that shine over summer camp and the celebs of one of the world’s largest Jewish film festivals. The 21st annual festival is virtual, like many community events this year. But watching a cornucopia of films in your living room is nothing new during the pandemic.

The lineup of AJFF films range from biography and documentary to comedy and family drama. Not to mention the classic throwbacks of yesteryear. Ironical for the 21st AJFF, our preview gives you a sneak peek at 21 films, more than half of the 36 films in the lineup. The AJT also offers a Director’s Cut of interviews behind-the-scenes with those who created a few of the films, and Best Bets from our film correspondent Bob Bahr and Matthew Bernstein, chair of Emory University’s film and media department.

For our education section, we interview a teen playwright who won worldwide film competitions and a budding musical prodigy.

The AJT explores what it’s like for students to return back to college for the spring semester as vaccinations begin in the state and how homeschooling is gaining traction among Atlanta Jews during the pandemic. Even our Roving Reporter this week is focused on education, asking readers to share stories about

their favorite teachers.

With registration for summer camp underway, we update you on camp plans and take a walk down memory lane of 25 years of Camp Ramah as it celebrates is silver anniversary this summer.

There’s so much more to celebrate. Tu B’Shevat is Thursday and those who play in the dirt tell us why it’s a good time for planting.

The news never stops it seems. We’ve got politics galore with Jewish Atlanta’s reaction to the impeachment of former President Donald Trump and the inauguration of newly elected President Joe Biden. Also on everyone’s minds are vaccinations. Our frontline workers, Jewish doctors, tell us about being the first to receive the lifesaving shots.

Next week it’s all about business at the AJT. We feature companies, real estate agents and professionals on the cutting edge. Movers and shakers taking our economy forward as we look ahead to challenges and comebacks across the financial spectrum. ì

Corrections & Clarifications: A headline in the Jan. 15 issue announcing the wedding of Leanna Wertheimer Katz to Elliott Davin Kozin should have been listed as Katz-Kozin instead of Wertheimer-Kozin.

Cover image: This 21st year of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival ticketholders will be able to watch movies from the comfort of their homes.

CONTENTS NEWS ����������������������������������������������� 6 BUSINESS ������������������������������������ 16 ISRAEL NEWS ����������������������������� 18 OPINION �������������������������������������� 20 AJFF �����������������������������������������������22 EDUCATION & CAMP �����������������36 DINING ������������������������������������������46 CHAI STYLE ���������������������������������47 CALENDAR �����������������������������������50 COMMUNITY ��������������������������������54 OY VEY ������������������������������������������58 BRAIN FOOD ��������������������������������59 NEW MOON MEDITATIONS �����60 CLOSING THOUGHTS ����������������61 OBITUARIES ���������������������������������62

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 5

NEWS Jewish Atlanta’s Hopes for Biden Administration

Rabbi Ilan Feldman hopes that the Biden administration builds on the Trump administration’s Middle East successes.

By Dave Schechter

“We need a path back to normalcy and to building back better,” from the impact of COVID-19, state Rep. Mike Wilensky said.

matic relations with United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

Rabbi Ilan Feldman of Congregation Wednesday began the test of Joe Biden’s Beth Jacob was among pledge “to be a president several people who want for all Americans,” those to see the Biden adminiswho voted for him and tration — “even though those who did not. they understandably have Based on an informal disdain for the Trump adsampling by the AJT, Jewministration” — build on ish Atlanta has a myriad its successes, “particularly of hopes for and concerns in foreign policy and speabout the new adminiscifically regarding Israel.” tration, primarily in three Dan Israel, who also areas: Israel/Middle East, opposes the U.S. re-enterhealth care/COVID and ing the Iran nuclear deal, governance.

“Rooting out anti-Semitism offered an admittedly Eli Sperling is the Isand racial inequality in unlikely suggestion for rael specialist for the CenAmerica” should be a Biden Biden: “Ask [Secretary of ter for Israel Education at administration priority, Rabbi State] Mike Pompeo to be Emory University. In 2010, Laurence Rosenthal said. the designated representahe was a graduate student at Tel Aviv University when Biden spoke tive for peace deals between Arab countries there. He remembered Biden talking about and Israel. Biden claims that he wants to “a new era of diplomatic engagement … revi- reach across the aisle. What better way to talizing a partnership in education, science, reaffirm to Christian conservatives and supporters of Israel that Biden technology, business, culremains committed to ture; because the best way what Trump did between to counter the lure of exIsrael and Bahrain, Sudan treme ideology is to offer and the UAE. Granted, future opportunity.”

Pompeo may not bite, but Today Sperling, who such a gesture would also is also a postdoctoral asgive Biden ‘political cover’ sociate at Duke University, for what he plans to do “hopes to see the Biden with Iran.” administration put those On another topic, ideals into practice, by Israel echoed the frustrabuilding on recent diptions of many about the lomatic advances in the response to the COVID-19 Middle East and working Jon Barry warned that pandemic. “Streamline the toward a final status peace implementing the “liberal patchwork of distribution agreement between Israel agenda” will receive a “swift and registration for vacand the Palestinians, “dereaction” from 74 million cines. It should be as easy spite the many extant chalAmericans who backed Trump. to make a reservation for a lenges and roadblocks.” In recent months, with the aid of the Trump shot as it is to reserve a table at a restaurant administration, Israel has established diplo- through OpenTable,” he said.

6 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Abbie Fuksman wants the Biden administration to encourage Georgia to expand its Medicaid program.

Strengthening the institutions of government is necessary for the country moving forward, Andrew Feiler said.

COVID-19 also was on the mind of State levels; reducing the backlog of family unifiRep. Mike Wilensky, a Democrat who rep- cation and employee applications; and endresents the 79th House district. “The Biden ing the separation and detention of families.

More broadly, Schwartz administration needs to be would like to see Congress getting our country on the pass and the president path to recovery in health sign comprehensive imand business. We need a migration legislation. quick and efficient plan for There are several vaccine distribution. Many issues that the Biden adof our small businesses ministration “will need to have closed their doors or address in a clear and conhad significant setbacks sistent manner,” said Paul due to this virus. We need a Root Wolpe, director of the path back to normalcy and Center for Ethics at Emory to building back better,” University. The first of Wilensky said.

Abbie Fuksman, a “Establishing trust, truth-telling, these issues, is “establishand evidence-based claims in ing trust, truth-telling, and board member of Georthe national political dialogue” claims gians for a Healthy Future, must be a priority, said Paul Root evidence-based in the national political tied COVID into another Wolpe, director of the Center for Ethics at Emory University. dialogue,” he said. Wolpe health care priority. “Medicaid/Medicaid expansion is one of the most named several of the same issues as others, important decisions the Biden administra- but also “the global effort on environmental tion can take to reduce the number of unin- protection, species extinction and climate sured in the U.S. Especially at the time of CO- control,” as well as “reining in and regulating big tech’s excesses, VID, Medicaid expansion while still supporting would address the disthose elements of our digiparities in access, quality tal age that are productive and affordability of care. and helpful.”

Medicaid provides access Victoria Raggs, exto care for those who canecutive director of Atlanta not afford medical care.

Jews of Color Council, said, The 12 states — Georgia “To me the three most critbeing one of them — that ical issues facing the new have not expanded Medadministration are comicaid should immediately bating white supremacy, be encouraged to do so,” police reform and the enFuksman said. vironment.”

Dale Schwartz, a past White supremacy, police In addition to COpresident of the American reform and the environment VID-19 and Israel/Middle Immigration Lawyers Astop Victoria Ragg’s list of the East, Rabbi Laurence sociation, cited a number most crucial issues facing Rosenthal of Ahavath of hopes for the Biden the Biden administration.

Achim Synagogue would administration on that issue. Among them: restoring the number of like the Biden administration to make a refugees admitted into the U.S. to pre-Trump priority of “rooting out anti-Semitism and

NEWS

Restoring faith in the foundations of democracy is a critical move forward, said Billy Planer, director and founder of Etgar 36.

Eli Sperling would like to see Biden implement the ideals he voiced in a 2010 speech at Tel Aviv University.

Dan Israel said that scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine shot should be as easy as making an online restaurant reservation.

Dale Schwartz wants to see the number of refugees admitted into the United States returned to pre-Trump levels.

racial inequality in America.” That will require “real discussions about systemic racism in our culture and organizations; calling out anti-Semitism in our education system and home-grown extremist groups; and assessing and changing bias, racism and discriminatory politics and practices in public service,” he said.

Other issues on Rosenthal’s list not named by others were “ensuring quality education and access to higher education or professional training, hunger and food insecurity, and prison reform.”

Not just the policies, but the tone of how Biden governs concerns Billy Planer, whose Etgar 36 program takes teens on an

issue-based cross-country tour of America and school, congregation and family groups on civil rights tours throughout the South.

The new administration must “try to restore our faith in institutions and foundations of our democracy, set a competence and confidence in government, and restore compassion to government,” Planer said.

Andrew Feiler, who is active in civic groups and Democratic Party politics, spoke in a similar vein. “One of the lessons of these past four years is that much of how the executive branch operates is by custom and not by law. We desperately need to strengthen our institutions so they cannot be abused as they were by the outgoing administration,”

he said.

After specifying various areas related to ethics involving federal agencies and Congress, Feiler said, “We need so much more, but it is efforts to strengthen our institutions that I feel will be the enduring measure of the Biden administration.”

A different perspective was offered by Jon Barry, who is active in organizations that support Jewish causes and Israel, including the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Looking ahead, and with evident sarcasm, Barry said, “Biden should go all-in on the liberal agenda: Stop the Keystone XL pipeline and kill 40,000 jobs; stop border wall construction and enable a new wave of ille-

gal immigrants; require the census to count non-citizens in shaping congressional districts; rejoin the Paris [Agreement] climate accord. Go for it!

“Without the lightening rod of Donald Trump, we can finally focus on the policy differences of Democrats and Republicans.

The down-ballot voting in November did not reveal a Biden ‘wave.’ The 74 million Americans who voted for Trump, many while holding their nose, favor smaller government, free-market capitalism, private property, freedom of speech, equal opportunity and rule-of-law. An erosion of these principles will be met with a swift reaction.

The pendulum never stops swinging.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 7

NEWS

Trump’s Impeachment Divides Jewish Community

By Dave Schechter Political and legal voices from Atlanta’s Jewish community have staked out differing positions on the second impeachment of President Donald Trump, who left office last week.

Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution gives the House of Representatives “the sole Power of Impeachment,” requiring a vote by the majority present. That happened on Jan. 13 by a 223-205 margin.

The House charged Trump with incitement to insurrection one week after Jan. 6, which began with him speaking at a “March for Trump/Save America” rally on The Ellipse. Crowd estimates vary, but the event permit listed 30,000. In the early afternoon, a mob battered its way into the Capitol, temporarily disrupting the constitutionally mandated certification of the Electoral College vote that made Joe Biden the 46th president of the United States. Trump’s four-year term ended Jan. 20, when Biden took the oath of office.

Article 1, Section 3 of the Constitution gives the Senate “the sole Power to try all Impeachments” and requires a vote by two-

Emory University law professor Michael Broyde said that the Constitution’s impeachment rules can be read two ways.

thirds of the members present to convict.

At this writing, what comes next is uncertain. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will send the article of impeachment to the Senate. This is where Georgia’s new Democratic senators Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff come into play. The Senate now is knotted 50 Democrats (including two in-

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Former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens said that Trump’s Jan. 6 rally address speech “is not protected free speech."

Attorney David Schoen feels that President Joe Biden lost an opportunity by not speaking out against Trump’s impeachment.

Attorney David Schoen believes that an dependents in their caucus) and 50 Republicans, with tie-breaking votes going to Vice opportunity was lost in the aftermath of Jan. President Kamala Harris. Control of the 6. “I think that the impeachment was a terSenate calendar, and thus the scheduling of rible idea for the country. In his first speech any trial, shifts to Democratic Sen. Charles after the election, President-elect Biden Schumer of New York, who replaces Repub- called for healing and unity. This impeachlican Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky as ment reflects a very different agenda from that and will ensure even further polarizamajority leader. tion. I am disappointed If there is a trial and if that President-elect Biden Trump is convicted, a secfailed to speak out against ond vote, requiring only a it. He might not have majority of the members stopped it — and might present, would determine not have wanted to stop it whether his punishment — but it would have been includes “disqualification to the statesmanlike thing to hold and enjoy any Office of do and would have gone a honor, Trust or Profit under long way,” he said. the United States.”

Schoen referenced a In the nearly 244 years CBS “60 Minutes” intersince the Constitution was view with Pelosi that aired written, only three presiJan. 10, particularly her dents have been impeached: statement that preventAndrew Johnson, Bill Clining Trump from running ton, and Trump, twice.

Attorney Marc Hershovitz again for president was Trump was impeached called the events of Jan. 6 “the one reason “that people Dec. 18, 2019, on charges worst peril this country has faced since Pearl Harbor, if have for advocating for of abuse of power and obnot since the Civil War.” impeachment.” struction of Congress and Schoen said, “We see a complete poacquitted by the Senate Feb. 6, 2020.

Attorney Marc Hershovitz called the liticization of the constitutional impeachevents of Jan. 6 “the worst peril this country ment process for strictly partisan purposes has faced since Pearl Harbor, if not since and that is very dangerous. It also demeans the Civil War because of what has occurred our democratic process and the American and what looks like an ongoing situation.” voter.”

Laura Weinstein, who is active in the He has no doubt about what should happen.

Republican National Coalition, views the “You go forward with the trial,” he said.

Hershovitz, whose resume includes impeachment as politically motivated. “It work with political candidates and cam- has been confirmed by several reputable paigns, said Biden may not want the po- attorneys, including Alan Dershowitz, that litical headaches that could come with his impeachment cannot occur once a presipredecessor put on trial but, “There was dent has left office. This is according to the an insurrection seeking to overthrow the Constitution, and the Senate should adhere democratically elected government of the to it. Additionally, the House rushed through the impeachment process without having United States.”

NEWS a hearing, which is purely political. It was vindictive and spiteful. The House called for impeachment, but based this claim on the president’s speech, which clearly stated, ‘march to the Capitol and be peaceful and patriotic,’ which in itself does not incite violence,” Weinstein said.

Dershowitz, who was part of Trump’s defense team in the first impeachment, has said that Trump’s speech is protected by the First Amendment. He told Fox News that “the Constitution specifically says the president shall be removed from office upon impeachment,” but the Senate’s “jurisdiction is limited to a sitting president.”

Former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens takes a different view on the First Amendment issue. “The president’s actions of January 6 are indefensible. Inciting an insurrection is not protected free speech,” he said.

Politically, “The trial would limit the amount of time the Senate could work on the president-elect’s agenda, potentially aggravated by the cloture rule, which requires 60 votes to end debate on most items. In other words, assuming there is a strong case for conviction, it will distract from the president-elect’s agenda,” said Olens, now a lawyer in private practice.

As to whether the Senate can try a for-

Republican activist Laurie Weinstein sees the impeachment as politically motivated, “vindictive and spiteful.”

Attorney and Democratic Party activist Michael Rosenzweig said that “the country cannot heal without accountability.”

mer president, Emory University law professor Michael Broyde said, “I think that the better technical read of the Constitution in a vacuum is that only people who are current civil officers of the United States can be impeached, although the counter argument –- that impeachment has only two punishments, removal from office and banishment from holding future office — is technically possible.”

Broyde, who is senior fellow and projects director at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory, is among legal scholars who cite a possible precedent.

On March 2, 1876, William Belknap resigned as secretary of war to President Ulysses S. Grant, but later that day the House impeached him, alleging that Belknap “criminally disregard(ed) his duty as Secretary of War, and basely prostitut(ed) his high office to his lust for private gain.” The resignation did not stop the Senate from holding a trial during April and May 1876.

A majority of the senators voted against Belknap, but not the two-thirds required for conviction. Thus, Belknap was acquitted and did not face further prosecution.

As regards Trump, attorney Michael

Rosenzweig, a national board member of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, said, “The appropriate next step in the impeachment process is a trial in the Senate.”

Rosenzweig acknowledged that the political math might make conviction difficult. In a full Senate, assuming that all 50 Democrats voted to convict, 17 Republican votes would be needed. The fewer senators present, the lower the number that would be needed for conviction.

He suggested that “some Republicans may simply stay away in order to avoid having to take a position, which would make conviction easier. … The fact that the Democrats will be in control of the Senate is less significant than some might think, though it would be very significant if Trump is convicted, because there would then be a separate vote to bar him from public office forever, and that requires only a majority vote,” Rosenzweig said.

“But all this aside, the important thing, I think, is the principle at stake here, that the country cannot heal without accountability. Quite simply, Trump incited violent insurrection against the government of the United States in stark violation of his oath of office, and justice demands his conviction in the Senate.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 9

NEWS

Hillel, Georgia Tech to Jointly Oppose Anti-Semitism

By Dave Schechter A little more than a year after the campus Hillel chapter accused the Georgia Institute of Technology of not protecting Jewish students, an agreement calls for the university to implement a definition of antiSemitism endorsed by the United States government.

In a Jan. 18 statement, Georgia Tech said “Anti-Semitism and any other forms of discrimination are not acceptable. . . . It is incumbent upon all of us to work together to ensure that unlawful discrimination and harassment are not welcome at Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech is committed to working collaboratively with Hillel and others to provide a campus community that is free from unlawful discrimination."

The university “recognizes” that the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism will be employed “when evaluating the intent in cases of discriminatory harassment,” the statement said.

That definition reads: “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhe-

10 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

torical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or nonJewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

The incident that led to the agreement happened April 1, 2019, when Lauren Blazofsky, then the director of Hillel at Georgia Tech, was barred from entering an oncampus room where the Young Democratic Socialists of America were holding a “Teachin: Palestine 101” as part of Israel Apartheid Week.

Asked about the recent agreement, Blazofsky told the AJT, “I am very pleased with the outcome with Georgia Tech. Our goal all along was to ensure that moving forward our students feel safe and can rely on the university to protect them when faced with discrimination. This outcome now establishes the groundwork for us to build a partnership with the university that ensures a safe environment for Jewish students on campus.

“I am happy with where we have arrived with the university and feel very positive about the continued relationship we will build on. I think it is important to real-

Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology) is a technology-focused college in Atlanta, Ga, and one of the top research universities in the USA.

“This was not about trying to look back but about trying to build forward together,” said Lauren Blazofsky of Hillels of Georgia.

ize that all along this was not about trying to look back but about trying to build forward together,” she said.

Blazofsky became associate director of the Hillel at Emory in February 2020 after two years at Georgia Tech. “It’s going well,” she said of her time at Emory. “We are all so lucky to work with this generation of passionate, driven students.”

A complaint filed on behalf of Hillels of

Georgia in December 2019 by the American Center for Law and Justice alleged that Georgia Tech “has willfully ignored” anti-Semitic activity and asked the federal Department of Education to conduct a civil rights investigation.

The complaint was filed two weeks after then-President Donald Trump signed an executive order that codified protection against anti-Semitism on college and uni-

NEWS versity campuses within the Civil Rights Act, which already covered “discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.”

In a letter to then-Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kenneth Marcus, ACLJ attorneys said, “We write to respectfully urge you to investigate and determine whether Georgia Tech has engaged in discrimination, in permitting a hostile environment, and other violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

According to the ACLJ: “Georgia Tech allowed blatant anti-Semitic exclusion and harassment at a campus group event, attempted to conceal the offense, repeatedly and systemically stonewalled Jewish student and faculty efforts to address the incident; ignored two out of the three complaints arising from said event; and after a student conduct board finally found the campus group guilty on the one complaint they did hear, violated their own policies and issued a decision on appeal reversing that guilty ruling – allowing the anti-Semitism to continue unchecked.”

There are 500-plus Jewish students at Georgia Tech, a small fraction of the campus population.

Most are undergraduates.

The attorney representing Hillels of Georgia pro-bono was Mark Goldfeder, ACLJ’s Special Counsel for International Affairs. Formerly a fellow at Emory University’s Center for Law and Religion, Goldfeder also is an ordained rabbi, religious court judge, and Hillel’s general counsel.

Goldfeder told the AJT that he was “very happy with the agreement” and “I think this is a win-win, for Hillel, for Georgia Tech, and for the Jewish community. We think that it’s going to protect Jewish students.”

“We did agree that we, Hillel, are going to work together with them on next steps, . . . as partners, not adversaries,” Goldfeder said.

The IHRA adopted the “non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism” at the organization’s 2016 meeting in Bucharest. The U.S. became a signatory in January 2019. As of September 2020, the governments of 28 nations have adopted the definition, as well as a growing number of universities and other institutions around the world.

Of the 11 defining examples of anti-Semitism that accompany the 38-word definition, six reference Israel. Among them are accusing Jews outside of Israel of dual loyalty and “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination.”

Critics contend that the examples referencing Israel could lead to a stifling of debate around the Israel-Palestinian issue, with criticism of Israeli policies being taken as anti-Semitism. On Jan. 12, a coalition of a dozen politically progressive American Jewish organizations issued a statement that focused not on the definition itself, but with the examples regarding Israel. “The effort to combat antisemitism is being misused and exploited to instead suppress legitimate free speech, criticism of Israeli government actions, and advocacy for Palestinian rights,” the group stated.

Goldfeder said, “The IHRA definition doesn’t silence speech,” and called it a tool to use “when analyzing motivations behind antisemitic acts.” ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 11

NEWS

Sheldon Adelson’s Reach From Las Vegas to Atlanta

By Bob Bahr Sheldon Adelson took over a failing Las Vegas hotel and built his investment into one of the world’s biggest international empires of casinos and resort properties.

He was also among the top contributors to Israel and to numerous Jewish causes.

Adelson, who died Jan. 11 at the age of 87, was estimated to have a personal worth of $33 billion, and he regularly used that vast fortune to support the causes he Sheldon Adelson, a member of Alpha believed in.

Epsilon Pi, at a fraternity gathering in In a statement announcing his death, Tel Aviv in 2016. Photo by Alpha Epsilon his wife Miriam, an Israeli doctor and Pi Alumni Association of Israel close associate in many of her husband’s most significant projects, paid tribute to visited Israel in the 1980s, he wore his father’s old shoes to set foot on the soil of the her husband’s dedication.

“He was the proudest of Jews, who Jewish state, something the man, a Boston saw in the State of Israel not only the re- taxi driver, was not able to accomplish in his own lifetime. With alization of an historical Adelson’s passing “Israel promise to a unique and has lost its best friend,” deserving people, but Leven said. also a gift from the Al“He was a phenommighty to all of humanenal philanthropist and ity,” she said. probably the largest Another big Jewish supporter of the State of philanthropist, Bernie Israel individually. And Marcus, co-founder of his support for medical The Home Depot and cancer research was rechairman of The Marcus nowned. But also what Foundation, shared his was never seen is what he thoughts on Adelson’s Bernie Marcus did individually for peopassing. “Sheldon was a great philanthropist. The Jewish commu- ple and how he helped people quietly and nity will surely lament the loss of one of without public knowledge along the way. the largest donors to Jewish causes of our And I saw that with my own eyes. Some of the times that that happened amazed me.” time.”

Although Adelson went to college Retired Atlanta hotel executive Mike Leven was president of Adelson’s compa- only briefly, Leven helped to make him an ny, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, for five honorary brother of Alpha Epsilon Pi, and years beginning in 2009, and was instru- to present him with the fraternity’s Dismental in building the corporation into tinguished Service Award.

Jay Feldman, managing director of a highly profitable financial powerhouse.

He recounted that when Adelson first the Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation, remem-

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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel counted Adelson as one of his most important supporters.

Adelson’s personal fortune of $33 billion fueled a variety of causes in the Jewish world and in American politics.

bers Adelson not only the organization’s servative Republican during a bruising biggest individual donor, but as someone fight over union representation at his Las who was never too busy to mentor the fra- Vegas hotel.

Adelson was a prominent member ternity members when he met with them of the Republican Jewish in this country and in IsCoalition and was among rael. the biggest individual “What I’ve always contributors to the Readmired about him was publican Party during his passion for wantthe two presidential caming to see young Jewish paigns of Donald Trump. adults be proud young “Our nation lost a reJews, proud of their Jewmarkable American with ish history, proud of their the passing of my friend heritage, and also to build Sheldon Adelson,” Senate strong relationships with Republican Leader Mitch their young Jewish peers McConnell said. “He who are in Israel as well.”

Mike Leven climbed from sleeping on Leven, who has his own admirable record of support for Jew- tenement floors during the Great Depresish causes such as AEPi and the Hillel sion as a young boy to literally towering campus movement in Georgia, estimated over Las Vegas and beyond.”

Trump, according to The Forward that Adelson contributed over half a billion dollars to the Birthright Israel Foun- newspaper, received $215 million from Adelson during the 2020 election and dation.

That program reports having under- named Adelson and his wife co-chairs of written 750,000 free trips to Israel by Jew- Jewish Voices for Trump. He added his ish young people from 68 countries. It is words of praise.

“Sheldon was true generally credited with to his family, his country, having a major impact on and all those that knew a stronger sense of Jewish him. The world has lost a identity as well as a greatgreat man.” er interest by young Jews Adelson’s deep politin the future of Israel. ical commitments, Leven Adelson was also a said, were all part of the major contributor to Yad extraordinary belief that Vashem, the Holocaust Adelson had in his own memorial museum in Isopinions. It is, in part, rael, and started that nawhat drove him to be the tion’s largest circulation great success in life that newspaper, Israel HayJay Feldman he was. om, in part to support Leven added: “He believed incredibly Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Although he grew up as a liberal in himself and his own judgment and his Democrat in the working-class Jewish own purposes, even sometimes when he community of Dorchester in Boston, he was wrong… But, you know, no one’s right attended his first political convention all the time. But he believed he was right when the Democrats met in Atlanta in and that’s what drove him and drove his 1988. He was said to have become a con- energy.” ì

MLK Shabbat Service Adjusts to COVID Concerns

NEWS

By Dave Schechter

Cloud, which, according to published reports, serves some 1,200 congregations In any other year, The Temple’s sanc- worldwide.

The incident is being investigated by tuary would have been filled for the annual Shabbat service that honors the memory the Secure Community Network (a program serving Jewish communities in North of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. This year, as a COVID-19 precaution, America), law enforcement agencies, and the pews were empty on Jan. 15, which the Anti-Defamation League. “We will conwould have been the 91st birthday of the tinue to work closely with The Temple to slain civil rights icon. The Temple’s 36th ensure that all appropriate steps are taken annual MLK Shabbat — and the 13th in to address this incident and to prevent furconjunction with Ebenezer Baptist Church, ther incidents,” said Neil Rabinovitz, comthe downtown church that was King’s spir- munity security director for the Jewish itual home — was held virtually, with pre- Federation of Greater Atlanta. He added that “there is no specific, credible threat” at recorded segments edited together.

It has been customary for Rev. Rapha- present against the Jewish community.

During the Jan. 15 service, Rabbi Peter el Warnock, senior pastor at Ebenezer Baptist, to preach from The Temple’s pulpit. Berg, senior rabbi at The Temple, introBut he delivered his sermon this year from duced “our preacher, my friend and teachEbenezer. Clergy from both congregations er” and noted that Warnock recently “addparticipated, as did Anat Sultan-Dadon, ed just a small item” to his resume, that of Consul General of Israel to the Southeast- United States senator. Warnock and fellow Democrat Jon Ossoff were sworn in Jan. ern United States.

20 in Washington, The program D.C., after the state began online at 7 the day before cerp.m., but a cyber attified the results of tack prevented an the runoffs in which unknown number of Warnock defeated viewers from accessinterim Republican ing it for more than Sen. Kelly Loeffler an hour on The Temand Ossoff unseated ple’s website, Youincumbent RepubliTube or Facebook. can Sen. David Per“ Pr e s u m a b ly, due.

The Temple was Addressing Warsingled out by a racnock, Berg said that ist and anti-Semitic “as the first Black sengroup or individual ator from the state of bent on silencing our Georgia, may you joint Temple-Ebenego from strength to zer Baptist Church strength. … We pray MLK Jr. Shabbat,” Rev. Raphael Warnock recorded his sermon congregation presi- for The Temple’s MLK Shabbat service from for your wisdom and dent Kent Alexander his own pulpit at Ebenezer Baptist Church. discernment.”

Warnock’s opwrote in an email to ponents had accused him of being antiThe Temple’s membership.

Alexander said that the website ser- Semitic and anti-Israel. Berg praised Warvice provider — later identified as Shul- nock, saying, “You have a genuine loving Cloud — determined that “‘malicious concern for all of God’s children. You stand user agents had continuously loaded The up against anti-Semitism and racism. You Temple website with the objective of shut- support the state of Israel. You speak truth ting it down. In doing so, they blocked ac- to power.”

Warnock began his remarks by saying cess not only to The Temple, but to every other synagogue client website across the “how good and pleasant it is for brothers country. Eventually, access was restored and sisters to dwell together in unity, . . . for all, but The Temple was last. Our site even in this virtual space,” though he lawas down for over an hour into the service. mented the absence of the traditional postMark [Jacobson, The Temple’s executive service oneg.

Acknowledging the circumstances, director] was told this was the largest-ever attack affecting the provider’s network of Warnock said, “These are tough times.

These are difficult days. We’ve all suffered client synagogues.”

The AJT sought, but as of press time under this thick fog of a global pandemic had not received, comment from Shul- that has exposed longstanding inequities,

Rabbi Peter Berg, senior rabbi at The Temple, praised Rev. Raphael Warnock as “our preacher, my friend and teacher.”

work that is yet unfinished, the building of what Dr. King and others called ‘the beloved community.’”

The theme of Warnock’s sermon was “unfinished business” and his text was rooted in the Book of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of walls that protected Jerusalem in 444 B.C.E., during the Second Temple period.

Warnock pronounced himself “inspired by Nehemiah, that bold, brilliant, and trailblazing brother who set out during difficult days to rebuild that which was broken.”

As cupbearer to the king, Nehemiah “had a good government job, but he was concerned about those who were uncomfortable, those who were unprotected,” Warnock said. “He decided to take a risk, stick his neck out do something about it.

I submit that that’s what we need in our community, in our city, in our nation. We need folk who don’t mind blazing a new path in order to get a new result,” he said.

“Nehemiah decided to get something started. . . . Thank God for folk who have the nerve just to get something started,” Warnock said. “It takes passion to start, but it takes clarity of purpose to finish. It takes temerity to start, but it takes tenacity to finish. It takes a decision to start, but it takes real discipline to finish. It takes inspiration to start, but perspiration to finish.”

King was 39 years old when he was assassinated April 4, 1968, as he stood on a motel balcony in Memphis, where he had gone in support of the city’s striking garbage workers. “We are so inspired by this man, who rose, a star shot across the galaxy of our minds and our lives, and settled all too soon in the distance, leaving behind him a legacy that inspires us to this moment,” Warnock said.

In his last speech, in Memphis the

night before he was murdered, King said, “I may not get there with you, but we will, as a people, get to the promised land.” Referring to those words, Warnock said, “He would finish his work, his work, but the full manifestation of his mission would be left to us.”

Warnock extolled the relationship between The Temple and Ebenezer Baptist.

“Thank God for Rabbi [Jacob] Rothschild, who stood by the civil rights movement in a dark and difficult period, when it was risky to do so.”

Moving on to Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, now rabbi emeritus at The Temple, and the Rev. Joseph L. Roberts, his predecessor at Ebenezer Baptist, Warnock said, “Rabbi and pastor, standing side by side, doing the work. And now Rabbi Berg and your’s truly, and all who work beside us,” on such issues as human trafficking, mass incarceration, and poverty. “Each community recognizing the challenges faced by the other.”

Warnock recalled “Dr. King standing up, not only against racism, but standing up against anti-Semitism, saying that Israel’s right to exist is incontestable, talked about it as an oasis of freedom in the midst of a desert.”

As he concluded, Warnock addressed his future and Ossoff’s: “It really isn’t a political affirmation. I am so grateful for this moment and I hope you can see it, regardless of your politics, thank God for this moment. The election is now over and standing together you have the pastor of Ebenezer Church, where Martin King stood, a kid who grew up in public housing, standing alongside a young Jewish man, the son of an immigrant, on our way to represent this state in the Senate.

Regardless of your politics, will you pray for us?” ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 13

NEWS

COVID-19 Vaccine: Double Dose for Doctors

By Roni Robbins

across the street from his Atlanta Allergy & Asthma office.

Based on her age, his wife also received Over the past month, as the world began recovering from the largest health crisis her first dose Jan. 12 at the pharmacy in his in a century, Jewish Atlanta’s medical pro- office building. The pharmacist previously fessionals joined the first ranks to receive warned that her vaccination was dependent life-saving vaccines touted as the way out of on availability, “so there are some problems with distribution channels.” the malaise of 2020.

Fineman compared receiving the vacIn Georgia, nearly 675,000 vaccines had been administered, as of Jan. 25 accord- cine to the flu shot and didn’t have adverse ing to the Georgia Department of Public reactions. He was initially concerned after Health. The first phase of vaccinations is be- hearing about allergic reactions from some ing administered to healthcare workers, res- patients in England and the United States. “I idents and staff of long-term care facilities, participate in panels that try to collect data on the potential reacadults 65 and old and tions and safety.” The their caregivers, law enconclusion is that the forcement, firefighters benefits outweigh the and first responders, small amount of risk, the DPH reported.

Fineman said.

A few of those For his own pafrontline workers, tients with a history of namely Atlanta docallergic reactions, such tors, shared their exas from flu shots, insect periences with the AJT stings or food allergies, being among the select he recommends waitpopulation to be vacciing 30 minutes after nated against the cororeceiving the vaccine navirus. They said the to see if there’s a reacprocess was easy and tion rather than the they had little reaction average 15-minute wait. to the injection. They Dr. Dale Bearman, a gynecologist, If there’s a severe reacalso agreed they’d still received his first dose of the vaccine tion to the first dose, be wearing their masks Dec. 23 at Northside Hospital. it’s not recommended and following other that patients receive a second dose, he said. health precautions.

“In general, the number of patients with a severe reaction you can count on one hand Just like a flu shot When he heard that doctors would be compared with the thousands and thouamong the first to receive the vaccine, Dr. sands of doses given.”

He said he took Tylenol after receiving Stanley Fineman thought, “hopefully I will arrange to get one. … When Kennestone the shot and had some soreness in the area Hospital offered it, I said, ‘Absolutely, I’ll take of the shot, but “it did not keep me from doit.’” The Marietta allergist and immunolo- ing what I normally do.”

For those interested, Fineman is writgist received his first dose in late December and a second dose Jan. 12 from the hospital ing notes to help patients with immune de-

14 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Dr. Stanley Fineman, an allergist and immunologist, received his first dose of the vaccine Dec. 22 and received his second dose Jan. 12 at Kennestone Hospital.

ficiencies become candidates for receiving little bit,” he added.

Roseman said he wasn’t concerned the vaccine.

But not everyone is eager to receive the about adverse reactions to the vaccine. “I shots, he said. “Although most of my staff is have a degree in genetics, and I understand receiving the vaccine, there are a few who molecular biology, so I can’t quite figure out why someone would have a reaction to the are wary and waiting a few months.”

For these and other reasons, Fineman mRNA vaccine.” He said he suspects the resaid he isn’t throwing caution to the wind. actions are caused by the solution, material, “I still wear a mask. I am still not going out solvents or liquid that help stabilize the vacto restaurants. I’m still taking all the precau- cine to get into the cells.

“Some people are sensitive to things tions to avoid potential exposure. It’s still that are not natural in the body,” he said. important to do that.

“For example, more “I’m not changing than 5 percent have my behavior after two an allergic reaction to doses. I think right now something. … Getting with the surge higher, sick from COVID was and more incidents and hundreds and thoucases, and there may sands of times scarier be a variant [of the vithan having a reaction rus] which the vaccine to a vaccine.” does protect us from, Roseman’s wife, it would be foolish if I who is eligible based said ‘I had the vaccine on her age, received and I can go to venDr. Barry Roseman, a breast cancer her vaccine Jan. 12. “It’s ues and restaurants. … doctor, received his second dose of the getting to pharmacies With time, hopefully I vaccine Jan. 9 at Emory Healthcare. now. Everyone will will see other friends have a chance to get the vaccination soon.” who’ve had the vaccine too,” Fineman said.

Not 100 percent Dr. Barry Roseman, a Marietta breast cancer doctor and surgical oncologist, agreed the double vaccine doses he received Dec. 19 and Jan. 9 at Emory Healthcare don’t guarantee total protection from COVID. “We are all going to wear masks and gloves ‘til the virus is gone,” he said about the 12 employees in his office and his patients.

“Just because we were immunized doesn’t mean we can take any risks. Remember, it’s only 95 percent effective, not 100 percent.”

Also, he realizes not everyone will get vaccinated and that ups the risk. While half of his employees are enthusiastic about receiving the vaccine, a few “stragglers” have expressed apprehension about the shots, Roseman said. He said he’s hoping they will come around as more people they know get vaccinated without side effects. And he’s not above figuratively “twisting their arms a

A little sluggish Dr. Dale Bearman, a Sandy Springs gynecologist, was surprised how fast he received the vaccine doses Dec. 23 and Jan. 10 at Northside Hospital, where he practices.

“I have a daughter in the ER and she got the first vial that got to Northside. Priority was given to those in the ER, intensive care, respiratory therapy and those who have face-to-face contact with COVID positive” patients, he said.

“Anyone who provides clinical care is at risk. We see the dangers with hundreds of patients every day, and the majority have no idea if they are positive or negative.” That drives home the point of wearing masks diligently, he added.

“It offers a sense of relief, but my dayto-day life is not going to change because I got the vaccine.”

In terms of his risk, he said, “My per-

NEWS spective is: I am 64 years old and have a history of heart disease, so I had some of the same fears as most in my peer group. I am at risk of a severe reaction and possibly a poor outcome if I contract the virus.”

He “assumes” everyone in his practice took advantage of the opportunity to get vaccinated. But he doesn’t believe staff can be required to receive it. “It’s a personal choice. Plenty of folks are waiting for more people to be vaccinated before they make their decision.”

Bearman added that he is confident in the vaccine. “I believe the science behind it is excellent. … This vaccine was built on a

platform that has been used successfully” in fighting Ebola and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome), he said. “This is not the first rodeo with this one and the results were outstanding.”

After receiving the first vaccine, Bearman said he was a little sore in the injection site and with the second dose, he felt sluggish for three hours. “That’s it.” But he has a radiologist doctor friend who complained after receiving the vaccine he “felt really fatigued for several days. That’s an unusual thing.”

Still, Bearman encourages patients to sign up for the vaccine whenever it’s available to them. ì

Fact Sheet By the Numbers Enrolled Providers 1,930 Pfizer Allocation 546,000 Moderna Allocation 776,000 Vaccines Administered 674,967 *Totals are cumulative from the initial date of vaccine availability.

Pfizer Shipped 522,600 Moderna Shipped 677,000 Source: Georgia Department of Public Health, as of Jan. 25.

Five points to consider about vaccines: • Vaccine supply is very limited. Public health departments are scheduling vaccines by appointment only, as are most other providers. Depending on vaccine supply allocations from the federal government, it may be weeks before additional providers have vaccine available for quicker and more widespread distribution.

• To date, the vaccines are nearly 95 percent effective in preventing COVID-19. More than 70,000 people participated in clinical trials for the two vaccines to see if they are safe and effective.

• The vaccine imitates the infection so that our bodies create antibody defenses to fight off COVID-19. There is no COVID-19 virus in the vaccine.

• The first vaccination phase includes but is not limited to healthcare personnel likely to be exposed to or treat people with COVID-19, first responders, people at risk for severe illness and other essential workers. Those who will be vaccinated in the first phase will be notified where to receive the vaccine. These sites will likely be at or near work and care sites.

• Side effects are mild, temporary, and normal signs that your body is building protection. You may experience pain and swelling in the area of the injection. Throughout the rest of your body, you may experience fever, chills, tiredness and headaches.

For more information about the vaccine and how it is being administered in Georgia, visit the state Department of Public Health’s Georgia Vaccine Plan, https://dph. georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 15

BUSINESS Center for Puppetry Arts Wins Award The Center for Puppetry Arts Distance Learning Department, headed by Sara Burmenko, won an elite Pinnacle Hall of Fame Award, given to Virtual Fieldtrip content providers who have won annual Pinnacle awards for 10 or more years.

The Center for Puppetry Arts Distance Learning Department serves teachers in all 50 states and 80 countries, including China, India, Australia, Costa Rica, South Africa and Sweden.

The Pinnacle awards are granted by the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration, the international nonprofit educational programming rating organization. CILC provides access to interactive programs delivered through videoconferenc-

ing and distance learning technology.

Organizations and individuals who create virtual learning programs can post them on CILC’s website. Schools and other groups use the website to find programs that match their subject matter, then they book programs through CILC. After the programs are presented, the teachers complete a detailed questionnaire to rate them.

Pinnacle awards are given to the content providers with the top scores.

Another 2020 accolade is connected to the Distance Learning Department. The Center for Puppetry Arts won Atlanta Magazine’s prestigious Best Home Entertainment Award for excellent programming during the pandemic. When Atlanta school

field trips were put on hold and the city of Atlanta closed Puppetry Arts’ doors, within days all departments were able to provide programs remotely by adapting the in-place technology of the Distance Learning Department.

Teachers and parents could log on to a variety of live puppet shows, ranging from the educational, such as “Captain Healthy and Safety Dog,” to the classics, including “The Little Red Hen and the Grain of Wheat.”

Each show gave viewers an opportunity to move, dance or learn from puppeteers.

Atlanta Magazine recognized the popularity and impact of the Center for Puppetry Arts virtual programming, which began via direct connection to the Distance Learn-

Sara Burmanko presents a program in the Digital Learning Studio at the Center for Puppetry Arts.

ing Zoom rooms, then, when the platforms maxed out after the first day, programs were accessible via Facebook Live.

Atlantans Are Leaders with U.S. Holocaust Museum Compiled by AJT Staff Mark Goldfeder, Hillels of Georgia’s legal counsel, was appointed to serve on the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Council.

According to the Hillels of Georgia announcement, “Mark’s appointment

to the Council is a testament to his professionalism, dedication to protecting the rights of Jewish students, his efforts combatting antisemitism and securing Israel’s right to exist, as well as his commitment to eradicating all forms of bigotry, prejudice, and hatred.”

Also from Atlanta, Karen and An-

Creating and Amplifying Opportunties for Teens to Connect

Atlanta’s Teen Hub for Jewish Engagement and Education JUMPSPARKATL.ORG | INFO@JUMPSPARKATL.ORG | 770.648.2918 16 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Mark Goldfeder was appointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Council.

Karen and Andy Edlin with Karen’s parents, Lola and Rubin Lansky, at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1993.

drew Edlin are chairing a Southeast virtual event at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 as part of the national museum’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day commemoration, marking the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

The Edlins are chairing the museum’s 2021 “What You Do Matters” event.

In Atlanta, Karen has been a driving force behind the community’s Holocaust remembrance initiatives for years, including coordinating the annual Atlanta Holocaust remembrance ceremony and serving as the main steward of Atlanta’s Holocaust Memorial, according to a press release.

The Southeast virtual event features special guests Morgan Freeman, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Alexander, Ray Allen and others.

Karen Edlin’s parents Lola and Rubin Lansky met after World War II in the displaced persons camp in Feldafing, Germany.

Lola Borkowska of Łódź, Poland, was only 12 when the war started. Her journey took her from the Łódź Ghetto to Auschwitz, to Ravensbruck, Mulhausen and then Dachau. She was liberated from Bergen-Belsen on April 15, 1945, by the British army.

Rubin (Zychilinsky) Lansky of Ozorków, Poland, was 17 at the war’s outbreak. His travails took him to forced labor, then to camps in Latvia and Estonia, Buchenwald and many other camps. By 1947, after he and Lola met in Germany, they immigrated separately to New York, where they married and lived until they relocated to Atlanta in 1953.

“My parents became involved with the Museum when it was still a dream.

They joined the National Executive Committee of the American Gathering/Federation of Jewish Holocaust Survivors and attended the Museum’s groundbreaking. … Andy and I were thrilled to be with them the day the Museum opened in 1993.”

Karen is the president of Atlanta’s Eternal Life-Hemshech group for Holocaust survivors, their families and friends. Her family restored and rededicated a Torah from her father’s hometown of Ozorkow, Poland, which is housed and used regularly at Ahavath Achim Synagogue in Atlanta, related in a 2019 AJT story.

In 2018, Karen and Andrew pledged a major donor wall gift in honor of the Museum’s 25th anniversary and in memory of Karen’s parents.

BUSINESS

Jewish Fertility Foundation Benyamin Cohen Named Forward News Director Moves, Hires New Staff Jewish Fertility Foundation moved its director. For the past year, Emily has worked offices from 60 Lenox Point in Buckhead to on a local level with our Atlanta community bigger offices less than two miles away at 1417 in addition to taking JFF’s presence online to Zoom and social media at Mayson Street in Atlanta. the onset of COVID-19, so we The nonprofit that proknew she would be a perfect vides financial assistance, fit for this new position,” JFF educational awareness and reported in a press release. emotional support to Jewish The new development people with medical fertilassociate is Emma Hall ity challenges also hired Wimberly.

She was a masfour new staff members: its ter of social work intern in first chief financial officer, 2019-'20.

“Emma has now national program direcgraduated from her MSW tor, development associate New JFF staff are, top row, Michael Himmelstein, Emma program and is re-joining and JFF-CINCY (Cincinnati) Wimberly; bottom row, Emily the team to help with gift manager.

Zaghi and Anna Meyer Burke. processing and grant manThe new CFO is Miagement,” JFF reported. chael Himmelstein, who comes with more Anna Meyers Burke is the new JFFthan 40 years of similar experience and is CINCY manager. As JFF’s presence in Cinalso working part-time for JFF’s partner orcinnati expands, the need for JFF’s services ganization, Honeymoon Israel, with which it has increased exponentially, the nonprofit will share offices.

Emily Zaghi is the new national pro- reported. Burke was the JFF rabbinic fellow in 2019-'20. She will “fill the JFF-CINCY mangram director.

“As JFF expands, we were thrilled to ager role and continue to build relationships promote Emily from our first-ever director of with the local Cincinnati community,” the JFF-Atlanta to our first-ever national program release stated.

Former Atlantan Benyamin Cohen, a staff writer for the Atlanta Jewish Times about 20 years ago, has been named news director of The Forward, the iconic Jewish newspaper now an online publication.

After serving in similar editorial roles at other Jewish and secular publications, including those in Atlanta, Cohen assumed his new responsibility Jan. 11.

Cohen has spent most of his writing career in Jewish journalism. He founded and edited Jewsweek, a culture webzine in the early 2000s, and then served as the editor of American Jewish Life Magazine. Until his appointment at The Forward, Cohen was editorial director of Narrative Content Group, which runs From the Grapevine, a website about all things Israeli, other than politics and religion, whose audience he helped grow to 20 million users a year.

Cohen has written for The Washington Post, The Daily Beast, The Huffington Post, Yahoo News and Slate. He is the author of “My Jesus Year: A Rabbi’s Son Wanders the Bible Belt in Search of His Own Faith” (HarperCollins), a book about spending 52

Benyamin Cohen formerly worked at the AJT.

Sundays in 52 different churches.

The Forward, formerly known as The Jewish Daily Forward, was founded in 1897 as a daily Yiddish-language socialist newspaper, which served the Eastern European Jewish immigrant population and featured prominent Jewish writers such as Isaac Bashevis Singer and Sholem Asch. It became the most widely read Jewish newspaper in America, and by the 1920s its circulation outstripped The New York Times.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 17

ISRAEL PRIDE

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME in new Israeli diplomatic stations in Morocco and Bahrain.

Israel Expands Vaccinations to Older Teens Eitan Na’eh, the head of Israel’s mission to the UAE, in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 24.

Israel Opens UAE Embassy

The cabinet of the United Arab Emirates has approved the opening of an embassy in Tel Aviv as Israel opens its embassy in Abu Dhabi. The latter officially opened Jan. 24 with Ambassador Eitan Na’eh taking up the new post, according to The Times of Israel.

The new embassies arose from established diplomatic relationships from the September Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States, that helped usher in a new series of diplomatic relationships with Israel and a variety of Arab countries.

“This is an important decision that will advance the warm ties between countries and between nations,” said Israel’s Foreign Minster Gabi Ashkenazi. “We look forward to welcoming the UAE representatives soon.”

The Abraham Accords have already resulted

Today in Israeli History

As Israel continues to be among world leaders in vaccinations, it has begun to allow older teenagers between the ages of 16 and 18 to be vaccinated, according to The Times of Israel.

About 2.5 million Israelis have already received their first dose of the vaccine, although the country is dealing with a large outbreak of COVID-19 and has entered another shutdown in an attempt to quell the spread of the virus.

In late January, cases peaked temporarily at over 10,000 a day. Teens are being vaccinated to allow them to return to school this semester, particularly for the exam season.

As of Jan. 23, people over the age of 40 are also allowed to receive the vaccine. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hoped the vaccine campaign would allow Israel to overcome the recent outbreak. The vaccinations “will afford us the possibility of overcoming the coronavirus, of emerging from it, of opening the economy and getting life back to routine.”

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 occupied zone in southern Lebanon, killing all 73 personnel on board.

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 run at Moscow’s Habimah Theater. The play tells of a woman (played

by Hanna Rovina) possessed by a malicious spirit.

Feb. 1, 1885: Novelist and Hebrew editor Peretz Smolenskin dies of tuberculosis at 43.

He rejected assimilation and advocated Jewish immigration to Palestine after Russian pogroms in the early 1880s.

Feb. 2, 1915: Politician, diplomat and historian Abba Eban is born in South Africa. As part of the Jewish Agency’s delegation to the United Nations, he plays a crucial role in the passage of the partition plan for Palestine.

Feb. 3, 1980: Hanna Rovina, “the high priestess of the Hebrew theater,” dies in Ra’anana at 91. Born near Minsk in 1888, she gave up teaching Hebrew to make her stage debut in Moscow in 1918 with what became Habimah.

18 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Meir Panim, a nonprofit organization that helps combat poverty in Israel, has stepped up efforts in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since last March, Meir Panim reports having to triple its output as a result of the lockdown and skyrocketing unemployment, which suddenly thrust families beneath the poverty line.

While Meir Panim had previously relied on food donations for many of their goods, they had to look for alternative sources as COVID-19 has decimated the event industry.

“We’d always received donations of fruit and vegetables, but all our cooked food came ready-made, rescued from event halls and hotels that were happy to send us their surplus

at the end of the day,” said Mimi Rozmaryn, Meir Panim’s director of global development.

“Today, with hotels and establishments closed, along with the shuttering of our own restaurant-style soup kitchens, we’ve had to start a whole new enterprise of cooking and packaging for delivery.”

While feeding the hungry comes first, the organization has widened its view to the next generation in an effort to break the cycle of poverty. Meir Panim has initiated various social programs to rehabilitate at-risk youth, provide tools for a better future and promote social mobility.

In the Gaza border town of Sderot, Meir Panim operates three neighborhood-based teen centers nightly, offering workshops, leadership development and pre-military counseling. In a community in which 40 percent of young adults suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, programs like these have proved life-changing, Meir Panim reported.

During the lockdowns, the centers moved all activities outdoors so that programs could continue, ensuring the youth would be productively occupied, according to the nonprofit.

mined to establish a permanent presence in the lands captured in June 1967.

and flies to Israel, where he arrives under his Hebrew name, Natan Sharansky.

Volunteers are seen preparing food as part of Meir Panim.

Meir Panim Steps up Amid Covid-19

Photo by Moshe Milner, Israeli Government Press Office // (From left) Mahmoud Abbas,

Ariel Sharon, Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah II meet for peace talks at Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on Feb. 8, 2005.

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

by Rutenberg, in the 1930s.

Feb. 8, 2005: Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordanian King Abdullah II close a summit by declaring the end of the Second Intifada.

Feb. 5, 1879: Engineer Pinhas Rutenberg is born in Ukraine. He helps form the British army’s Jewish Legion during World War I. He moves to Palestine in 1919 and builds out the electrical grid, including hydroelectric plants he designs.

Feb. 9, 1953: The Soviet Embassy in Tel Aviv is bombed, injuring three people, in an attack blamed on the Kingdom of Israel terrorist group. Despite Israeli apologies, the Soviet Union breaks off diplomatic relations.

Feb. 6, 1951: Israeli soldiers attack Sharafat, an Arab village across the Green Line south of Jerusalem, and kill nine people, including five children age 13 and younger, in retaliation for a deadly Arab raid into Israel.

Feb. 10, 2009: Kadima finishes first in the election for the 18th Knesset with 28 seats, but Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud is the effective winner with 27 seats because it is better positioned to form a governing coalition.

Feb. 7, 1974: Followers of Rabbi Tzvi Yehuda Kook launch Gush Emunim (Bloc of the Faithful), a religious settler movement deter-

Feb. 11, 1986: After eight years in a Siberian labor camp, Jewish refusenik Anatoly Shcharansky is released by the Soviet Union

Feb. 12, 1994: The Winter Olympics open in Lillehammer, Norway, with an Israeli team for the first time, consisting entirely of figure skater Michael “Misha” Shmerkin, 24, a Soviet native who finishes 16th.

Feb. 13, 1955: Prime Minister Moshe Sharett announces that Israel has acquired four of the first seven Dead Sea Scrolls found in Qumran through a $250,000 purchase facilitated by two Hebrew University professors.

Photo by Meteb Ali via Wikimedia Commons // The F-15 Eagle remains the

backbone of the Saudi air force.

Feb. 14, 1978: President Jimmy Carter announces a plan to sell F-5, F-15 and F-16 fighter jets to Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia as an all-or-nothing package for congressional approval and draws immediate criticism.

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

Israel’s Vaccinations, Poverty Rates Soar

ISRAEL NEWS

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

are ultra-Orthodox, despite accounting for only 12 percent of the population, “It was the best of times, it was the according to Israeli press reports. Still, Hasidic rabbis are insisting that their worst of times. schools remain open notwithstanding -Charles Dickens the national closing of educational inThe quote aptly describes the cur- stitutions.

Israel’s National Insurance Inrent status of Israel. Unquestionably, Israel leads the world in getting its pop- stitute, meanwhile, reported that the pandemic created a 20ulation vaccinated, acyear low last year in the cording to Oxford-based country’s standard of livOur World in Data. Nearing. Although financial ly a third of Israelis have support from the govreceived the first dose of ernment and extended the COVID-19 vaccine; unemployment benefits three-quarters of the prevented a double-digit most vulnerable over-60 increase in poverty rates, population have received that means more Israelis at least one dose. The are dependent on govnumber of new cases of ernment handouts. The the virus is dropping. overall economy is not One of Israel’s four predicted to rebound for national healthcare seryears. vice providers, Maccabi, Transportation Minister Miri Regev says the ban That’s partly because reported a 60 percent on incoming flights keeps Israel’s middle class drop in COVID-19 infecout Jews from making shrunk by about 15 pertions three weeks after aliyah for the first time. cent last year, according the first vaccine was adto a report issued by Latet, an organiministered. zation that works to fight poverty. The That’s the good news.

With particular concern with the poverty rate among self-employed rose U.K. variant of the virus, which is con- to 16.5 percent from 15.3 percent in sidered more contagious than the origi- 2019, according to the NII report.

Even while Israel’s government apnal, the Israeli cabinet voted Sunday to ban foreign airlines from landing in proves new anti-COVID measures, vacIsrael at midnight Monday night, or 5 cinations continue. Those 40 and over p.m. Atlanta time. The new restriction can now get vaccinated, as well as teens born in 2003 and 2004, will end Jan. 31, when the or 11th and 12th gradcountry’s third lockdown ers, so they can complete is scheduled to come to their matriculation, or an end. During the flight pre-college testing. ban, exiting the country Israel’s successful will also be limited. vaccination program According to Israeli entails providing Pfizer, newspaper Haaretz, exone of the leading vacemptions will be made cine manufacturers, for foreign cargo planes, with statistics about its firefighting planes, medieffectiveness. “We are cal emergency flights giving them statistics and for those in need of about number of cases, overseas medical treatgravity, vaccination data, ment. However, for the Israel’s upcoming March side effects and antibody first time ever, Transpor23 election may have to be levels,” according to one tation Minister Miri Repostponed because of the pandemic, suggests Deputy Jerusalem physician gev said Jews can’t make Health Minister Yoav Kish. who is involved in the aliyah during the ban.

There is more bad news. Police are vaccination program and declined to being forced to protect themselves from be identified. “What we are providing aggressive crowds of ultra-Orthodox to Pfizer is supposed to be only statiswho refuse to adhere to the COVID re- tics. What they get in fact, is anybody’s strictions, despite the fact that the high- guess. The Ministry of Health swore est incidence of the virus is within that loud and clear on TV that they were community. Nearly 40 percent of Israe- giving no personal data and sending no lis testing positive for the U.K. variant personal files. What they actually do is

Israel leads the country in vaccinations. Those 40 and older and high school upperclassmen can now receive the vaccine //Miriam Alster/Flash90.

anybody’s guess.”

Known for their cynicism, Israeli citizens are spreading humorous videos around the world via social media about what personal information the government might be sharing with Pfizer, and the potential repercussions of that sharing.

Less humorous is the speculation by the Deputy Health Minister Yoav Kish that the scheduled general election on March 23 – the country’s fourth in less than two years – might be postponed if the COVID virus is still spreading in the country. In Israel, essentially all voting must be accomplished in person. ì

DONATE TODAY Jewish National Fund’s Alexander Muss High School in Israel welcomes students from across the U.S. excited to learn about their heritage, Israel, and their Jewish Identity, all while keeping up with their academic studies and preparing them for college.

Donate today to help our youth forge their link to the chain of Jewish continuity. Invest for a brighter tomorrow.

JNF Honors Sheila and Larry Wilensky for Their Multi Year Gift Supporting Muss School and Our Children’s EducationToday and Into the Future.

(This ad was contributed by Michael Miller, JNF Trustee) ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 19

OPINION Are Jews White? Yes. And No. As I was coming of age, the well-intentioned would say, “I don’t see race” to signal that they did not judge people by the color of their skin.

Dave Schechter The problem From Where I Sit with that approach was that if you did not “see race,” you ignored part of what made an individual unique and, societally, you risked overlooking historic inequities grounded in race.

Perhaps the meaning of these words spoken by the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Aug. 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, was misconstrued: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” King certainly was not saying to overlook race, but to look beyond race when judging people, and instead focus on the values that guide their lives.

20 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

This brings me to “Are Jews White? It’s Complicated,” a column I wrote in December 2016. Month after month since it was published, that column has ranked among the most-viewed items on the Atlanta Jewish Times website; indeed, it attracted the second-most page views in the whole of 2020.

From time to time, I have wondered whether some of those pulling it up online are using its content to justify their anti-Semitism.

Re-reading that column and taking into consideration all that has transpired since its publication, I find reason to reframe the question.

I suspect that more of us are aware of and personally acquainted with “Jews of color,” a catch-all that by varying definitions includes African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Sephardim, and Mizrahim; though not all may self-identify as such. Estimates of this population range from the 12 to 15 percent in a May 2019 study by researchers from Stanford University and the University of San Francisco to the 6 percent cited in a 2013 Pew Research Center report. Whatever the figure, the phrase highlights, for American Jews and non-Jews alike, the diversity in a community too often and too easily ste-

reotyped as white and/or Ashkenazi.

My 2016 column began with a story told by playwright Alfred Uhry, whose Atlanta trilogy (“Driving Miss Daisy,” “Last Night at Ballyhoo,” and “Parade”) deals with issues of assimilation, anti-Semitism, and racism. Growing up in Atlanta in the 1940s, Uhry was told, “We’re not white; we’re Jewish.”

Uhry said much the same last month, as the keynote speaker for the inaugural Janice Rothschild Blumberg Lecture, sponsored

by The Breman Museum, the Southern Jewish Historical Society, and The Temple. “We Jews were not quite white, not like the echelon we wanted to be in. And black people certainly weren’t white. So we were all kind of ‘other,’” he told an online audience.

I am white and of Ashkenazic descent.

I do not pretend to know what goes through the mind of an African American when a police car passes by or when they feel suspicious eyes on them as they walk in a store.

Nor did I need to have “the talk” with my sons, as Black parents do, about how to handle interactions with the police. Without venturing into the fraught worlds of wokeness and intersectionality, these are realities

experienced by a minority of Jews in America, but from which the majority are spared.

“Are Jews White? It’s Complicated” was written several months before Charlottesville, Va., where a khaki-clad, tiki torchcarrying mob marched, chanting “Jews will not replace us.” But the white nationalists, supremacists and other breeds of bigots can look at a “Jew of color” and, without knowing their religion, hate them first for the color of their skin.

The Jewish community has been an active voice in the multireligious, multirracial, multiethnic chorus calling attention to incidents in which African Americans have been killed in questionable circumstances by police and, in some instances, by civilians acting in an extra-judicial fashion. The Jewish community is engaged in self-examination and discussion about the role that race plays in its synagogues, schools and other communal institutions. Atlanta is home to numerous clergy, groups and individuals working in this space.

In December 2016, I framed the question as, “Are Jews White? It’s Complicated.”

Today I would amend that to read: “Are Jews White? Yes. And No.” ì

OPINION Letters to the Editor 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.

Disclamer to our readers: This section of the newspaper is a forum for our community to share thoughts, concerns and opinions as open letters to the community or directly to the newspaper.

As a letter to the editor, we proof for spelling and grammatical errors only. We do not edit nor vet the information the letter contains. The individual signing the letter is accountable for what they share.

Letter to the editor,

Georgia Tech is to be commended for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of anti-Semitism. (“Hillel, Georgia Tech Jointly Oppose antiSemitism”).

Natan Sharansky in 2003 presciently described those who today oppose the IHRA definition with his famous three Ds concerning anti-Semitism and Israel.

The Delegitimating of Israel.

The Demonization of Israel.

Subjecting Israel to Double Standards.

By adopting the IHRA definition, Georgia Tech and Sharansky are on the same page.

Richard Sherman, Margate, Fla.

Letter the editor,

The Socialist Workers Party raises its working-class voice against the Jan. 15 cyberattack against the annual MLK Shabbat service at The Temple synagogue in Atlanta. This was the 13th year that the city’s Jewish and Black communities have honored together the legacy of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unlike any other form of racism or discrimination, anti-Jewish hatred is a unique form of scapegoating that aims to take working people’s eyes off the capitalist system as the source of the worsening conditions we face. Anti-Semitism is a mortal threat to the working class. It is one of the tools the rulers have and will again use to try to smash a rising working class movement.

For help in understanding why Jew hatred and anti-Semitic violence persist today, I urge readers to turn to “The Jewish Question: a Marxist Interpretation,” by Abram Leon, published by Pathfinder Press. Why is there “no solution to the Jewish question under capitalism, just as there is no solution to other problems before humanity,” without revolutionary struggles that will transform us as we fight to transform the world?

Leon, a communist and Polish-born Jew, wrote the book as he took part in leading the underground working-class movement in Nazi-occupied Belgium in the 1940s before being captured by the Gestapo and sent to his death in the Auschwitz gas chambers.

Today, as the boycott of the Jewish state breaks apart in the Middle East especially, there are renewed openings to press for immediate talks to recognize both Israel and a contiguous, sovereign Palestinian state and for the rights of Jews everywhere to take refuge in Israel in the face of the global rise of anti-Semitic violence.

Rachele Fruit, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor of Atlanta

Letter to the editor,

Now that the House has impeached Donald Trump, the Senate needs to convict him in order to bar him from future office. Otherwise, he may purport to be running again in 2024, to the detriment of the nation and particularly the Republican Party. Both have already suffered massive damage from his malignant influence and lawless behavior.

It is hard to understand how any Jew could support someone whose Big Lie technique so closely resembles that of Adolf Hitler. We, of all people, should recognize the method and what it reveals about the character of the practitioner.

The biggest liars typically project their lies on others. Like Hitler accusing the Jews of practicing the Big Lie, Trump’s scheme to steal the 2020 election depended on deceiving millions of his followers into believing that the Democrats had stolen it.

It is also incomprehensible how any Jew could support a racist demagogue who invited white “nationalists” and outright Nazis to slither from under their rocks and bask in the sunshine of his approval. On his account, domestic terrorism is an even greater threat now than before the Electoral College overcame the popular vote four years ago.

Martin A. Dyckman, Asheville, N.C.

IN MEMORY OF:

Sue Kaplan Cohen 1962- 2019

To keep Sue’s memory alive in our hearts forever, we have built a park at the Northside Hospital Forsyth Campus.

I would be very appreciative if you can attend the dedication event at the park.

March 8, 2020 11:00 am Northside Hospital Campus at Forsyth, just off GA 400 RSVP: Robert Cohen at 678-480-7947 rcohen@tcohenbg.com THOSE WE LOVE DON’T GO AWAY, THEY WALK BESIDE US EVERY DAY. UNSEEN, UNHEARD, BUT ALWAYS NEAR, SO LOVED, SO MISSED, SO VERY DEAR.

24th ANNUAL TENENBAUM FAMILY LECTURE IN JUDAIC STUDIES

EVENING LECTURE

The Book Smugglers of the Vilna Ghetto: TWENTY-FOURTH ANNUAL A Story of Spiritual Resistance TENENBAUM FAMILY LECTURE

DAVID E. FISHMAN

Photo courtesy of the YIVO Institute

Monday, February 22, 7:30 PM

Register for this Zoom webinar: https://tinyurl.com/tenenbaumlecture This event is free and open to the public.

Registration required.

In Vilna, a group of ghetto inmates risked their lives during World War II to rescue thousands of rare books, documents, and works of art from the Nazis. What did they rescue, and why did they do it?

See js.emory.edu for more information.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 21

AJFF AJFF To Premiere Totally New Look Forget most of what you know about the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

When it opens on the evening of Feb. 17, everything from Bob Bahr the way you buy tickets, view films, watch guest programming and interact with others is new.

Festival executive director Kenny Blank, who has built the event into one of Atlanta’s cultural crown jewels and one of the largest such events in the world, has – with his professional team – rethought almost every aspect of the popular annual event. As Blank sees it, the AJFF’s 21st edition is about making “everything old, new again.”

He explained, “The most direct answer to what’s new is the way the audiences will experience the film festival.

No question about that. That is going to be different. Our focus has been on

“Kiss Me Kosher,” an Israel/Germany romantic comedy co-production, is the opening night film Feb. 17.

reimagining the festival experience.

How can we make it easy, convenient for people, and most importantly, of course, keep our audience safe.”

This year there are fewer films to choose from. There are 36 in the 2021 festival versus 50 last year, plus four programs of short films. The event this year

AJFF, which runs from Feb. 17-28, has pared down the number of films and number of days the festival is scheduled.

is what organizers like to call “consolidated,” meaning it will run only 12 days, from Feb. 17 with the opening night romantic comedy “Kiss Me Kosher” to the closing night documentary Feb. 28, “Howie Mandel: But Enough About Me.” Last year it was an 18-day program.

Most of the films will only be shown online, with a 72-hour window to watch a one time showing of a film once it has been downloaded. There’s a slight bump in ticket prices and no option for seniors, but there is a $2-a-ticket discount during the first days after tickets go on sale Feb. 10.

No matter how many tickets you buy, the festival is still one of the year’s best entertainment bargains. You can enjoy what the AJFF is calling its Virtual Lobby, which allows film fans in a free lunchtime event to meet for a hosted discussion every day. Also free is an expanded number of video conversations with a long list of film stars, directors,

and other VIPs. Blank believes being virtual has brought new possibilities to the festival.

“With virtual, the whole world can be here at our doorstep. We are able to bring in filmmakers and actors from all around the world to participate in the festival, virtually. So we have a vastly expanded array of curated conversations that will happen after the film this year with some of the top filmmakers and actors from some of these major international releases.”

Moreover, a single ticket purchase allows you to watch the selected film with as many people as you can safely invite to the screening, a big saving for families with children.

For those who still crave the more traditional theater experience, the AJFF is sponsoring three films in a drive-in setting at The Home Depot Backyard, an 11-acre green space adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in downtown

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Three films will be shown outdoors at a drive-in created at The Home Depot Backyard green space adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

know you do something great; we know Atlanta.

The first drive-in film is for Young we need the film festival to endure. And Professionals Night Feb. 18. It’s the new, so we’re going to continue to support edgy comedy “Shiva Baby.” Two motion you based on your 20 years of amazing picture comedy classics follow, with programing that you’ve brought to the Mel Brooks' “Spaceballs" Feb. 20 and community.”

Those who worked so hard to prothe musical remake of “Little Shop of duce such a Horrors” from different kind 1986 on Feb. 21. of festival exFood trucks will perience are provide refreshexpected to be ments. There’s watching closely a limited numhow this year’s ber of tickets program will be for each perforreceived. In a mance, so an world awash in early purchase streaming posis encouraged. sibilities from For Blank, such corporate his board of giants as ATT’s directors and The documentary “Howie Mandel: But Enough HBO Plus and staff, the year About Me” is the closing night film Feb. 28.

Disney+, that of planning that went into all of these changes has been have premiered in the last year as well a testing time. The year-round calendar as the newly launched Jewzy.com and of the AJFF has been filled with monthly ChaiFlix Jewish film websites, the AJFF events that sought to engage and expand faces some formidable challenges in its audience with free or greatly reduced maintaining its large audience. Still, pricing for productions from previous Blank is confident of the festival’s imyears along with in-depth discussions portance as a cultural institution.

“We have built incredible trust with with creative figures from selected moour audience over the years that we are tion pictures.

The successes of the past year and outstanding curators of not just Jewish the outpouring of financial support by cinema, but the best Jewish cinema, the the festival’s sponsors has been an ac- best international cinema. And so you knowledgment that, not-withstanding don’t have to do that digging on other the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic streaming sites, we will do it for you. We this year, the event is on solid ground, will discover these great films and bring them to you through whatever platform, according to Blank.

“I think that’s a real vote of confi- whatever venue the AJFF is presenting dence from our community, saying we in.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 23

AJFF

AJFF Intro Together Through Film To prepare you for 21st year of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, completely virtual-for-the-first time as you’ve never seen before, we bring you 21 previews spotlighting the breath of films offered for your home viewing. The films, which represent more than half of those in the AJFF lineup Feb. 17-28, include classics, intimate family dramas, upbeat comedy and historic documentaries. Sit back and relax as the AJFF brings us together through film.

200 Meters

By Jan Jaben-Eilon It is said that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Or is it? Certainly not for Mustafa, the main character in the warm-hearted, but sharpedged film “200 Meters.”

Beautifully played by actor Ali Suliman, Mustafa is the devoted Palestinian father of three children. His wife Salwa, also Palestinian, works and lives with their children on the Israeli side of the separation wall, while Mustafa lives with his mother in the Palestinian occupied territories. While his family are Israeli citizens, Mustafa refuses to obtain the permit that would allow him to live with them. Instead, they communicate across the long divide of 200 meters – or about 219 yards – by phone or flashing their lights at each other.

Mustafa’s rejection of Israeli rules means that he needs to obtain temporary work permits to take parttime construction work in Israel and to visit his family. The film clearly displays the obstacles the situation creates in his life as he navigates the checkpoints established by Israel to control Palestinians’ movement.

Writer-director Ameen Nayfeh’s depiction of the everyday hurdles of Palestinian life rings realistic.

The story moves from the daily family life and the political highwire they traverse when Mustafa learns that his son, Majd, is in an Israeli hospital. At that point, the film takes a sharp and dangerous turn, introducing several new characters who share Mustafa’s anguished, tension-filled journey to reach his son.

This adventurous, and ultimately heart-warming, story reveals the humanity of a people who most often are presented in a totally negative light.

“200 Meters,” which premiered at the 77th Venice International Film Festival last September and won the Audience Award, is Jordan’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category of the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021.

24 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

A Crime on the Bayou

By Bruce Kahn “In 1966, in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, a 19-yearold Black teenager named Gary Duncan was arrested for touching a white boy’s arm. This is his story.” Thus begins “A Crime on the Bayou,” a beautifully made, affecting film about race and justice in America that still resonates today.

Duncan’s arrest came amid the turmoil of racial unrest in the mid-'60s South: desegregation of schools; protests in Selma, Jackson, and other cities; and Martin Luther King Jr.’s pleas for social justice through nonviolence.

Duncan’s story stands out as an abject lesson in the fight for racial equity. The “crime” he was arrested for was cruelty to a juvenile after Duncan tried to intervene when his cousin and nephew were confronted by a group of white boys hoping for a fight. He touched one of the white boys on the arm to prevent him from harming the Black boys. The police came and arrested Duncan when the boys claimed that Duncan had slapped the white boy. Duncan could have pled guilty, paid a fine and returned home. His mother, however, insisted that he go before a judge and jury.

Under the state law, the judge was not obligated to call in a jury. Duncan and his lawyers refused to give up. Hearing about the case, Jewish civil rights attorney Richard Sobol volunteered to represent Duncan in his appeals. Enter Leander Perez, the racist and anti-Semitic political boss of the parish. Refusing to back down on a Black fisherman’s case against his parish and state, Perez had Duncan rearrested again and again. Even Sobol came under attack.

The documentary follows Duncan’s case as it winds its way through court after court. The outcome was to become a significant landmark in the fight for racial justice.

Featuring interviews with Duncan, Sobol, and others, the film weaves the unrest of the '60s with contemporary issues such as Black Lives Matter, protests over the killing of Blacks, as well as the rise of anti-Semitism. This is an unsettling and timely documentary guaranteed to spark conversations about race in America.

A Starry Sky Above the Roman Ghetto

By Bruce Kahn The ancient ghetto of Rome dates back to the 16th century. A papal bull required the Jewish community, the oldest in the world outside the Middle East, to live together in oppression. The ghetto returned to its infamous roots during World War II when, like the Warsaw Ghetto, it served as a containment area for Jews. Today, the Roman Ghetto is a four-square block area, a favorite haunt of Romans and foreign tourists alike, drawn to its many kosher and kosherstyle restaurants. Located near the popular Trastevere district, most significantly, the ghetto houses the Great Synagogue of Rome, a staid old reminder of the original residents of the community. And it’s the young residents of the ghetto who are at the heart of this lovely, warmhearted film.

“Starry Sky” opens with a black-and-white scene set during Black Saturday, 1943, the day that the Nazis came to the ghetto, rounded up the Jews, and took them to concentration camps.

Now in present-day Rome, a high school student, Sofia, and her friend Valentina discover a letter addressed to a Sarah Cohen and a photograph of a young girl from the 1940s.

Who wrote the letter to Sarah? Is Sarah still alive?

Part detective story, part high school drama, part interfaith love story and part plea for religious tolerance, "Starry Sky" is a film for all ages, especially teens and other young adults. Moving seamlessly between past and present, the film’s young protagonists, both Jewish and Christian, team up in their search for Sarah Cohen with the help of a rabbi and nuns from a nearby convent.

Their remarkable discovery and the people they meet along the way set the stage, literally, for a satisfying and warm conclusion: a play that the kids write and stage honoring Sarah and the many others affected by the roundup of Jews during the war. All in all, un buonissimo film indeed.

AJFF

Adventures of a Mathematician

Asia

Breaking Bread

By Jason Evans

By Janice Convoy-Hellman

By Bruce Kahn

Emotional, honest and touching, "Asia" may be the “must see” film of this year’s AJFF. Israel’s entry in the 2021 Oscar race features two of the finest acting performances you’ll see on film.

The main character here is Asia, an Israeli nurse who struggles with motherhood because she gave birth at a young age before really learning how to be an adult.

Her rebellious teenaged daughter, Vika, has little respect for Asia and spends most of her time at a skate park dreaming of boys. Despite living under the same roof, the two women are emotionally distant from each other.

But there is a complication, Vika has a neuromuscular disease and her condition is rapidly deteriorating. Asia doesn’t know how to deal with this, but soon finds she is forced to become a real mother to her dying daughter.

Israeli-Russian actress Alena Yiv stars as Asia and infuses so much honesty into the role that she won the Israeli best actress at the Ophir Awards (Israeli Academy Awards). But, the performance that truly makes the film is Shira Haas as Vika. Haas blew audiences away and landed an Emmy nomination as the lead in the TV series “Unorthodox.” Her tender and heart-wrenching performance as Vika won her Israel’s best supporting actress award.

It is the power of the two leads that elevates this film beyond the typical “teenaged tragedy” film. "Asia" ended up winning nine Ophir Awards and is clearly the best film to come out of that country in 2020.

The documentary film “Breaking Bread” begins with a quote from the late Anthony Bourdain stating, “Food may not be the answer to world peace, … but it’s a start.” The idea of bridging cultural divides through collaborative food ventures (aka ‘cuisine diplomacy’) is not new, but in the hands of first-time director Beth Elise Hawk’s film, the focus shifts from the food itself to social commentary.

The film’s protagonist, Dr. Nof Atamna-Ismaeel, the first Muslim Arab to win Israel’s “Master Chef” competition, founded the A-Sham ‘Levantine’ food festival in Haifa, a city where Arabs and Jews coexist peacefully.

The annual December festival pairs up Jewish and Arab (Muslim, Christian and Druze) chefs who are tasked with working together to transform traditional Arab recipes into creative, modern dishes that harken back to their roots.

In addition to Dr. Atamna-Ismaeel, the film features other noteworthy chefs including a Jewish-Arab couple, an Alawite Muslim from the Golan Heights, and another Arab from Acre, who opened a restaurant in Tel Aviv. The film is punctuated by interviews with these chefs, tracing their family histories, their culinary evolutions, as well as their personal experiences with the ‘other.’ While some expected Jewish-Arab clichés are voiced, most of the chefs are articulate and offer interesting perspectives on life in Israel.

Besides the beguiling images of food, the film serves up (pun intended) optimism; it becomes apparent early on that the tantalizing aromas and tastes of mouth-watering food leave little room for religion or politics in the kitchen. Overall, “Breaking Bread” is both satisfying and insightful, visually arresting and inspiring. If you’re like me, you’ll try and plan your next visit to Israel so that it coincides with this mouthwatering food festival.

Adventures may not be the first word that comes to mind when you think about the work of a mathematician. Sure, Indiana Jones was an adventurous archaeologist, but how many mathematicians can you think of who fit the bill? Meet Stanislaw (Stan) Ulam, the reallife hero of the biopic “Adventures of a Mathematician.”

Granted, Stan is no Indiana Jones, but his work in the 1940s made him an unsung hero of his time.

Based on his autobiography of the same name, this warmhearted film tells the story of one of the brilliant minds behind the Manhattan Project. Stan Ulam may not be a household name like his peers Oppenheimer and Teller but, as the film shows, his contribution to the project was profound.

This German-Polish-British co-production introduces us to Ulam, a Polish-Jewish mathematician who joined the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos and became one of the key figures in the development of the hydrogen bomb, along with being a pioneer in computer technology, and a card shark to boot. While in Los Alamos, Stan and his brother Adam have growing concerns about the fate of their parents and sister left behind in Poland. After Germany surrenders, Stan and his fellow scientists become concerned that their work may be for naught, until, that is, the plan to drop an atomic bomb over Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

How this plays out is the crux of this drama. The Polish actor Philippe Tlokinski brings Stan Ulam to life with his deeply moving performance. The film is beautifully shot and features a haunting musical score. You won’t want to miss these adventures of a brilliant, yet almost forgotten, mathematical genius of the 20th century.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 25

AJFF

Brighton Beach Memoirs

By Sara Ghitis Even if you already saw “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” I invite you to come back. This story will touch that spot in your heart where your Bubbie and Zayde, your grandparents, your parents’ parents and the heroic Greatest Generation live.

The movie is not only highly entertaining, but it is also funny and insightful; the kind of story everyone can relate to, but with a special resonance for Jews in America.

The story, based on a play by the same name by the prolific playwright Neil Simon, takes place during the Great Depression, just a few years before the beginning of World War II, an important period in the history of the country and of the Jewish people.

The film adaptation came out in 1986, after the play’s acclaimed three-year run on Broadway, where it won multiple Tony awards.

Many of Neil Simon’s memories are reflected through his work, especially in the story of his alter ego, Eugene. The story is largely autobiographical and suffused with humor. We get to know Eugene during his coming-of-age years, when he and his family, PolishAmerican Jews, lived in a lower middle-class neighborhood in a crowded home in the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn. We see Eugene as he struggles to deal with his complicated family, his sexual awakening and selfdiscovery.

This film helped me laugh at a time when I needed it.

The movie was directed by Eugene Saks and it features, among others Blythe Danner – now perhaps better known as Gwyneth Paltrow’s mother – as Kate, the mother, Jonathan Silver as Eugene, and Jack Jerome as the family patriarch.

26 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Howie Mandel: But Enough About Me

By Sara Ghitis There are few showbiz careers that have had as many twists and turns as Howie Mandel. He grew to fame as a standup comic with an inflatable rubber glove over his head. He then became a notable actor on “St. Elsewhere” and as one of the most successful voiceactors around. After fading from view for some years, he came back as a game-show host on “Deal or No Deal.”

And now, as his career enters its fifth decade, Mandel again finds himself in American homes every week as a judge on “America’s Got Talent.”

Mandel has long been open and honest about his battles with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and anxiety. He’s terrified of shaking hands. This documentary was little more than halfway done when the pandemic hit, allowing the filmmakers to document how one of the world’s most famous germaphobes deals with the terror that is COVID-19.

Much of the film focuses on Mandel recalling the moments from his life that led to where he is today, including a trip back to his high school in Toronto and to the synagogue where he got married. Lovingly directed by biography documentarian Barry Avrich, “But Enough About Me” is a touching look at a man who uses humor to cope with a world that terrifies him.

The AJFF sat down for a conversation with Mandel and Avrich. That candid discussion will be a part of the presentation of this film.

Love It Was Not

By Janice Convoy-Hellman The adage ‘truth is stranger than fiction’ best sums up this extraordinary documentary film, which was the winner of the Israeli competition at Docaviv 2020.

The film tells the story of Slovakian Helena Zitron, who was on the first transport of 1,000 women, arriving in Auschwitz in March 1942. She subsequently developed a relationship, based less on power dynamics than on actual affection, with an SS officer not much older than herself, which likely led to her survival.

In Helena’s telling, after being chosen to sing at the SS officer’s 20th birthday celebration in December 1942, performing the German song “Love It Was Not,” he tearfully approached her and politely asked her (“like a human being”) to sing it again. In that moment, their dangerous and forbidden relationship was forged.

The film uses archival footage, as well as firsthand accounts provided by several other women (now in their 90s, yet very well-spoken) who worked alongside Helena in the ‘Kanada’ facility at Auschwitz, to unravel this amazing, yet tragic, tale.

Creatively executed, using photomontages and snippets of interviews to illustrate the story, “Love It Was Not” is both jaw-dropping and a pleasure to watch.

There are unexpected twists and turns throughout, the most astonishing of which is Helena being summoned to testify at her former paramour’s war crimes trial in Austria in 1972, 37 years after their last encounter.

Because the film successfully conveys the complexity of Helena’s story, how she’ll testify – either by trying to save the man who saved her or as a proud Jew condemning the brutal Nazi he was to inmates other than herself – is basically unpredictable. As viewers, you watch this documentary conflicted, wondering whether the SS officer was good or evil, whether Helena was selfish or caring, and so forth. Like all successful films, this one leaves you wanting to know more and thinking about it for days on end. In my humble opinion, this is one of the more unique and poignant Holocaust films the AJFF has screened in years.

AJFF

Maverick Modigliani

On Broadway

Rain in Her Eyes

By Judy Bozarth

By Janice Convoy-Hellman

By Marcia R. Cohen

Both a primer on Broadway harkening back to the 1940s and a loving, joyful ode to The Great White Way, this delightfully entertaining and enlightening documentary describes the rise, fall and resurgence of what became the most visited area in the United States. Legends of the stage and screen—Helen Mirren, James Corden, Viola Davis, John Lithgow, Hugh Jackman, Tommy Tune and Ian McKellen among them —probe Broadway’s most beloved plays and musicals to describe how the world’s center of live performance returned from the brink to achieve an uneasy balance of art, commerce and inclusivity.

Though especially meaningful for Broadway lovers, anyone who grasps the raw creativity, chutzpah and struggle involved in bringing a germ of an idea to a full-scale production will appreciate the film’s craft.

In the ‘40s, shows like “Oklahoma,” “Brigadoon,” and “Death of a Salesman,” put Times Square front and center in popular culture. But by the late ‘60s, the region became a crime-infested rathole, and in 1972, ticket sales tumbled to their lowest point and many theaters closed.

The Shubert Organization that owned over 100 theaters, was first to intervene and support new producing and directing talent, like Bob Fosse who infused sex into Broadway choreography in both “Pippin” in 1972, and then “Chicago” in 1975. “A Chorus Line” also opened in ’75, ran for 18 years, and further propelled ecstatic audiences back to the theater district.

Clips from these and numerous other shows, like “Annie,” “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” “Cats,” “Les Misérables,” and “Phantom of the Opera” illustrate Broadway’s tantalizing allure. While AIDS devastated many lives, especially among Broadway talent, it also spawned great new works like “Torch Song Trilogy” and “Angels in America.” August Wilson’s 10-play series including “Fences,” drew new theatergoers, namely Black audiences, and “The Lion King” gained a huge following among families as well as traditional attendees. “Jersey Boys,” “The Book of Mormon,” and of course “Hamilton” are all also singled out in this glorious tribute to live theater on Broadway.

Dvora Omer, one of the most prolific and popular children’s writers in Israel’s history, is the subject of this very moving documentary film. It won the 2020 Ophir Award (Israel’s Oscar) for best documentary film under 60 minutes, and deservedly so.

Written and directed by one of Omer’s children, Ron Omer, the film revisits her childhood and the seminal event that shaped her, …. being orphaned at 11 years old and left to be raised by members of the Kibbutz Maoz Haim when her mother apparently committed suicide, or at least that’s what she was told.

Dvora Omer’s sense of loss and abandonment, which ensued, led her to describe herself as a woman with “rain in [her] eyes” and pervaded many of the 100plus books, plays and radio scripts she penned. Despite living an outwardly “charmed” life, married to theater actor Shmuel Omer, who went on to become the director of Israel’s national theater, Ha’Bima, having three children and an enviable career, Omer never fully recovered from losing her mother.

She received numerous awards, including the Yatziv Prize (1959), the Lamban Prize Awards (1967, 1981), the Ministry of Education prize (1973), the Prime Minister’s Prize (1979), the Ze’ev Prize (1981, 1991), the Hadassah Prize (2002) the Ministry of Education Prize for Lifetime Achievement (2005) the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement (2006) and the ACUM Lifetime Achievement Award (2012).

Still, she remained a lifelong depressive and even contemplated suicide herself later in life. Despite her inner turmoil, primarily engendered by the false narrative she had been given, Omer managed to impact the lives of the vast majority of Israelis and remains an integral part of their shared childhood memories.

Consider “Maverick Modigliani” as a virtual tour of Paris in the early 20th century. Our guide is Modigliani’s muse and common-law wife Jeanne Hébuterne.

Her measured, deliberate voice transports us though the winding streets, studio garrets, cafés and haunts of this visionary artist whose untimely death at the age of 35 is magnified in this beautifully crafted dramatic film.

Our tour takes a circuitous path as we time-travel back and forth from the past to present day Paris where, like voyeurs, we examine Modigliani’s loves as seen through the act of painting, his indiscretions with women, overdrinking and comradery with the great painters of the School of Paris.

Along the way, voices of historians, critics and art forgers deepen our understanding of this complex, Jewish-Italian artist, whose iconic portraits appear ultramodern with their sleek, elegant contours and ocean breeze coloration. His portraits of mask-like faces are defined by the melancholy and trauma of French Jews briefly after the period of the Dreyfus Affair. The eyes of each figure stare only into themselves, not at us. One can appreciate Modigliani’s infusion of cross-cultural influences in his stylized figures that seem to sublimate any nuance of the anti-Semitic caricatures so prevalent in the graphic media of the day.

The director Valeria Parisi examines, with a keen lens, the faces of the Montparnasse circle and another important Jewish artist in the orbit of Modigliani, Chaim Soutine, whose contrasting painterly language underlies the eternal struggle of the artist as other. The soundtrack by Zaganelli, Myachin and Clampi add a complex dimension to the film with a dramatic aural collage of ambient sound, pop instrumental and orchestral music.

This is a fine film that creatively coalesces the prolific 14-year artistic oeuvre of one of the great Jewish artists of the 20th century.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 27

AJFF

Shiva Baby

Soros

Sublet

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

By Christina Nicoles

Let’s just say it’s complicated. Not your everyday shiva. “Shiva Baby,” written and directed by Emma Seligman, is a satirical comedy filled with a cast of characters awkwardly interacting at a shiva. The movie’s focus is Danielle, an unmotivated millennial, played by Rachel Sennott. As her identity dismantles and takes center stage, the unpredictable layers of her lies are revealed at this debacle of a gathering. Centered around an accidental run-in, Danielle bumps into her real-life sugar daddy who unknowingly shares this common connection. Next, add a high school lover who appears, and the rest of the shiva is a whirlwind of conflictual fiascoes.

This comedy combines a disastrous reunion, an untimely gathering and unravels one embarrassing moment after another.

The movie’s provocative opening and perplexed ending further position “Shiva Baby” as a character study of intertwined relationships. Its comic relief mixed with sex, lies and a shiva is a quick-witted story swirling around Danielle’s life choices and looming stress as her secrets unfold. Add in her interfering mother, who uses the shiva opportunity to network her daughter for a job while both of her parents are cluelessness about their daughter’s life behind the scenes. The pushing and shoving of Danielle’s mom through the story is comedic, but certainly tragic, as Danielle appears to be an imposter outrunning the parent’s expectations.

The shiva also includes a cast of judgmental characters sharing an undercurrent of whispers. While “Shiva Baby” exposes Danielle’s secrets, to make matters worse, her hidden lover also brings his wife and their baby to the shiva. Of course, no one escapes judgment in this crowd, with characters chiming in with comments like, “Who brings a baby to a shiva!”

The gossip that swirls around this film keeps the story lively and unpredictable. Sexual interludes and panic attacks leave the main character trapped in her past as she does her best to manipulate the present. Unlike any shiva you’ve attended, you’ll wonder should you laugh, cry or just feel sorry for the main character, who is trying her best to sort out her undirected path in life.

Last summer the Anti-Defamation League analyzed thousands of tweets deemed anti-Semitic. According to the ADL – the more than 100-year-old anti-hate organization – nearly 40 percent of all the “problematic tweets” contained conspiracy theories involving George Soros. These included allegations that Soros funds Black Lives Matter and Antifa protests, as well as being responsible for spreading COVID-19.

Indeed, Soros has long been blamed for leading a “globalist” takeover of the world. On one level, this is not surprising since Soros is one of the world’s richest men, making his billions as a hedge fund owner during Europe’s currency crisis in the early 1990s. But calling this Hungarian-born child survivor of the Holocaust a Nazi collaborator, as the ADL reports some anti-Semites do, may be taking it too far.

Learning about both the charges against Soros as well as the facts of his life makes seeing this film required viewing for the entire Atlanta Jewish community.

“Soros” is admittedly a positive presentation of the nearly 90-year-old man, but it’s also thorough and extremely well produced. It was directed by Jesse Dylan, son of Bob, which is probably why he was able to access the Soros family and his inner circle and follow him around the world to learn how a Holocaust survivor became one of the biggest contributors and crusaders against authoritarianism and hate.

The film shows that Soros has a sense of humor and relishes controversy. “Having money gives you freedom and power,” he understates in one interview.

Soros is also self-reflective. He acknowledges his constant struggle to understand the world and make it a better place, including supporting COVID relief efforts around the world, tikkun olam. But he also acknowledges that “trying to improve the world is more difficult than making money.”

He should know.

“Sublet,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, is an intelligent and quiet little film about how seeing the world around you from someone else’s point of view can help you move forward with your life.

Michael (John Benjamin Hickey), a reserved, grieving travel writer, goes to Tel Aviv to write an article about the “real Tel Aviv,” not just the tourist side of things for his New York Times column, “The Intrepid Traveler.” Michael has just five days to get the inside scoop of the city. To help with his quest to live like a local in the new city, he sublets an apartment for the week from the down-on-his-luck independent horror filmmaker, Tomer (Niv Nissim).

After an awkward and mildly hectic start to his visit, that leaves Michael wanting to quit, his husband gives him a somber pep talk that leaves the Intrepid Traveler reluctantly ready to face Tel Aviv. As Michael starts out on his journey of discovery, he runs into Tomer, and in an act of self-serving benevolence, convinces him to be his unofficial tour guide.

Michael and Tomer are a likely, yet unlikely pair of gay men at different crossroads in their respective lives.

The old versus young, experienced versus novice, timid optimism versus cautious realism debates pit the two against each other, yet the generational and the cultural differences lead to sweet and frustrating moments, as they urge each other to look outside themselves.

With great performances, “Sublet” reminds the viewer that you’re never too old to go after what you want, and it is important to mend relationships with people that you don’t want to lose; life and dreams are still worth the pursuit, even after devastating loss. An unconventional life is still a life to be lived, and despite your fears, you can be what you’ve always wanted to be.

28 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AJFF

The Auschwitz Report

The Chosen

The Un-Word

By Bob Bahr

By Judy Bozarth

By Judy Bozarth

One of the best of several great classics in the year’s festival is “The Chosen,” an independent film produced

by Ely Landau in 1981.

In her 1998 book, “The 50 Greatest Jewish Movies,” film critic Kathryn Bernheimer ranks it as No. 1, ahead of “Fiddler on the Roof” at No. 2 and “Schindler’s List” No. 3. Part of the reasoning that puts this modest film ahead of its more lavishly produced rivals is the effective way she believes it deals with the religious tension that underlays the modern Jewish experience.

The film features strong performances by two masters of the screen acting craft, Maximilian Schell and Rod Steiger. The latter, who won best actor at the Montreal International Film Festival for his role, was said to have spent time observing the Chabad leader Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

The film tells the story of how two young men, one born to the Chasidic Rebbe, the other to a modern Orthodox Talmudic scholar, navigate the road to maturity in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn in the mid to late 1940s.

While Robby Benson (born Robert Segal) as the modern Orthodox teen and Barry Miller as the Chasidic heir are both attractive characters, the real star of the film is the book upon which the film is based. It is the 1967 novel of the same name by Chaim Potok, a rabbi and faculty member of the Jewish Theological Seminary.

When it was published, it was on The New York Times best-seller list for 39 weeks and was a finalist for the National Book Award. It eventually sold 3.4 million copies worldwide.

The novel is the foundation upon which screenwriter Edwin Gordon, in his only produced screenplay, builds an intelligent and solidly plotted work. Jeremy Kagan directs with a sure and steady eye.

What results is a very Jewish film, not only in all its details, but also in all its substance. Bernheimer, who had a long history with the Denver Jewish Film Festival, calls it one of the most profoundly Jewish films ever made.

And while, after 40 years it is somewhat dated in its approach to the traditional Jewish world, it remains a strong and even-handed attempt to come to terms of what it means to be Jewish.

The 2021 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival has interviews with Robby Benson and director Jeremy Kagan on its festival website.

This satirical take on rising anti-Semitism in Berlin schools is a razor-sharp commentary about Germany’s post-World War II second and third generations navigating the choppy waters among Germans, Jews and “others.”

Max, a Jewish student, is harassed by classmates, then taunted to defend himself. The ensuing fisticuffs lead Max to injure both an Iranian student, Reza, and Karim, a Palestinian student. The boys’ completely clueless teacher arranges a conference with the distraught parents, the “headteacher” (essentially an assistant principal), a caretaker ironically named Eichmann, and Frau Nüssen-Winkelmann, the local district authority sent to sort things out.

As flashbacks reveal specific disruptive incidents in the teacher’s classroom, the school hallways, and in the schoolyard, it seems neither is anybody totally wrong nor completely in the right. The trouble that fermented and then escalated among the ninth graders is replicated among the parents, only a couple of which initially show up for the meeting.

While the school inspector desperately attempts to keep order and find a resolution to the unhappy confrontation, going haywire seems to be the law of the land, as emotions, deep-seated resentments and assumed stereotypes dominate the discussions. Max’s parents, his dad born Jewish, his mother a convert, feel very German and not at all like outsiders, while Reza’s mom, who emigrated from Iran, attempts to establish a connection with them by pointedly assuming they must feel just as she does, an interloper.

The superb, tightly written script delivers the punch of reality, ... we feel present as the action unfolds. Filled with gravity and irony, yet with light touches, the stellar acting throughout by both the tempestuous adults and squabbling teens make the film remarkably authentic, each character perfect in his or her role, in this crisis of biases and less-than-kosher remedies.

Meticulously crafted and absolutely riveting, this previously untold story of two Slovak Jews who managed to escape Auschwitz to smuggle out a painstakingly detailed report on concentration camp operations and systematic genocide, demands viewing. Freddy and Walter had been scribes in Auschwitz for two years, from 1942 to April 1944, recording for the Nazis overseeing the dismal camp, reams of potentially damning statistics on incarcerations and deaths, numbers that were unknown to the Red Cross, the Resistance and the Allies.

Scrupulously planned, the men’s terrifying escape amid daily humiliations and outright atrocities is abetted by their fellow captives who audaciously stand their ground as the Nazi officers, having discovered the “crime,” attempt to uncover the specifics of the violation through psychological and other means. Propelled by the hope that their crucial evidence, once viewed by the outside world, could save lives, the two emaciated and injured men slowly but doggedly forge their way through the rough mountainous terrain back to Slovakia. With the unexpected benefit of fortuitous encounters, they ultimately manage to cross the border and meet with members of the Resistance and the Red Cross.

Emotionally grim, even brutal at times, “The Auschwitz Report” reveals the determined and treacherous journey of the two escapees, portrayed with emotionally jarring realism, and depicts immense passion and empathy for the suffering of all the prisoners at the hands of the Nazis. Joining the pantheon of must-see Holocaust narratives, director Peter Bebjak’s heartwrenching story of daring and defiance is Slovakia’s Best International Feature Oscar submission.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 29

AJFF

The Vigil

By Jason Evans Yakov is a young man who has left his Chasidic community. One night, a rabbi friend asks him for a favor: will he act as a shomer, performing the Jewish ritual of watching over the body of a man who recently died.

Yakov is struggling to make ends meet and agrees to the task. How difficult can it be to just sit in the house with a dead body? What Yakov does not realize is that the man had been possessed by an evil spirit, … a spirit that now wants to find a new host. Creepy, tense, claustrophobic, and dripping with atmosphere, the audience feels trapped alongside Yakov. Featuring a great lead performance by Dave Davis, the film is also notable as one of the last pictures to feature Lynn Cohen (“Sex and the City,” “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” and dozens of other films) as the wife of the deceased man.

The AJFF tries to have one horror film a year in the festival and, in my opinion, “The Vigil” is the best yet.

Even though I am not usually a fan of horror films, I was captivated by this one and could not tear my eyes from the screen. For months after seeing this film I had nightmares about it and was convinced I was seeing something strange in the shadows around my house, … which probably makes it a “must see” for some of you and a “must avoid” for others.

30 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

They Ain’t Ready Thou Shalt Not for Me Hate

By Sandra Craine

By Janice Convoy-Hellman

The documentary “They Ain’t Ready for Me” introduces a charismatic woman, Tamar Manasseh, who leads the fight against the alarming trend of gun violence in the South side of Chicago. Tamar founded the grass roots organization, Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings (MASK). The goal is to replace violence and crime by engaging and building a meaningful community of committed neighbors.

Her inner-city home is plagued with poverty and violence. The senseless shooting and killing of a young mother prompts Tamar to “fix the problem.” She goes to the same corner of the murder, brings lawn chairs and food, organizes and mobilizes other mothers and neighbors to “put eyes on the street” to stop the violence.

The long hours of community vigilance continues on the corner. Mothers show children what community means. Neighbors begin to volunteer starting youth activities to create a safe environment for kids and families. Neighbors build a shelter on the corner for inclement weather. Over time they witness a decrease in violent crime. Their efforts result in creating a sense of ownership and pride in a broken neighborhood.

The documentary intersects all aspects of life. Tamar is raised Jewish and attended Akiba Schecter, a Jewish day school. Tamar is a rabbinical student guided by the principles of tikkun olam. Tamar contends that her community-centered activism is a true expression of Judaism. She proudly asserts, “I’m practicing Judaism on the corner. The neighborhood is broken and it’s for me to fix it.”

The film exposes her faith and experience as an African American Jew. She does not identify with any particular denomination. “I’m just a Jew and I’m a Black woman in America.” Tamar introduces Judaism to the neighborhood and hosts collective Sukkot, seders and other holiday celebrations for Jews and non-Jews. Tamar sees joy in her Judaism. Her fierce determination is the force that brings positive change to the community.

Tamar’s authentic Jewish journey is inspirational and hopeful. Audiences of all ages will appreciate this urban tale. Sit back and enjoy a compelling and candid documentary.

Mauro Mancini’s feature-length debut, “Thou Shalt Not Hate,” is an Italian-Polish co-production that had its premiere at the 2020 Venice International Film Critics’ Week.

There, Alessandro Gassmann, the son of the late, great Italian-Jewish actor Vittorio Gassman, won the best actor (Pasinetti) award for his spot-on portrayal of the conflicted protagonist, while the film itself won the best Italian film award.

The story follows a renowned surgeon (Gassmann), the son of a Holocaust survivor, who violates his Hippocratic Oath when he uncovers a swastika tattooed on the chest of a motor vehicle accident victim he’s treating and neglects to save him. Racked with guilt about his wrongdoing, the film explores the subsequent choices the surgeon makes, as well as the ripple effects his initial transgression has on both himself and the family of the neo-Nazi he abandoned.

According to the film’s producer, “Thou Shalt Not Hate” took five years to complete and, as luck (or bad luck) would have it, nationalism in Italy and elsewhere globally intensified dramatically during that time. As a result, the film’s recent release is chillingly relevant to the zeitgeist both here and abroad. Although some of the story elements are a bit far-fetched, the film nevertheless succeeds in making its viewers reflect on racial hatred and xenophobia, currently and historically.

According to Neil Friedman, president of Menemsha Films, the U.S. distributor of “Thou Shalt Not Hate,” “The film works both as a morality tale and as cinema vérité.” Considering the present-day divide in our country, one would be remiss not to screen this gripping and thought-provoking 2021 AJFF offering.

AJFF

Meet Our Previewers Our previewers represent a cross-section of writers from various backgrounds and experience. Learn more about them and find out who shares your taste in film below:

Bob Bahr directs The Center for Media and The Moving Image in Atlanta, where he teaches about television and motion pictures and their social impact. He regularly writes about film and culture for the Atlanta Jewish Times.

Judy Bozarth, a writer and copyeditor, has served on AJFF’s Film Evaluation Committee and been its copy editor for 13 years.

Bruce Kahn, a retired technical editor, lives in Brookhaven with his wife Pamela. Bruce has served on the AJFF Film Evaluation Committee and Guest Programming Committee for several years.

He has competed in the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament for more than 20 years with the hope that the tournament returns after the pandemic.

Marcia R. Cohen is a visual artist and professor emerita of SCAD Atlanta.

Christina Nicole is a member of the Georgia Film Critics Association, and the founder of the Rejected Reels Film Festival.

Robyn Spizman Gerson is a veteran media personality and a New York Times best-selling author whose most recent book is “Loving Out Loud: The Power of A Kind Word.” She also writes regularly for the AJT.

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

Sandra Craine remains a committed cinephile serving on the AJFF Film Evaluation and Guest Programming Committees. She is education coordinator with the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust.

Janice Convoy-Hellmann is a Canadian married to a Dutchman, the mother of three boys and the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Atlanta has been her home since 1991. She has a Master of Arts in clinical psychology and a Juris Doctor.

Her passions include films, travel, art, exercise and cooking. She has been involved with the AJFF since 2010.

Sara Ghitis has been active with the AJFF almost since its inception.

Jason Evans is a film critic and co-chair of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival Film Evaluation Committee.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 31

AJFF

Director’s Cut Each year, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival offers a wide variety of films exploring stories from different walks of life and movies that resonate with diverse tastes. In this special Director’s Cut section of the AJT, we go behind the scenes with three directors and explore three very distinct and gripping films from the upcoming festival. We learn more about the directors’ creative process, their inspirations, and what they hope the audiences takes away from their films.

Keith Thomas on ‘The Vigil’

In his feature debut, Keith Thomas tells a supernatural Jewish horror tale with his film, “The Vigil.” It follows a young man, Yakov, who is estranged from his Brooklyn-based Orthodox Jewish community. Needing rent money, he agrees to serve as a shomer, one who looks after a dead body, for one of the deceased members of his former community. In doing so, Yakov sets himself up for a terrifying night with a malevolent spirit.

Anna Levy Jewish horror films are few and far between, but Thomas’ producers on the film, BoulderLight, are observant Jews who love to create horror films.

“There have been a handful of horror films that deal with Jewish mythology and monsters – most of them are about dybbuks, or evil ghosts,” Thomas said. “But they don’t necessarily take place in a Jewish milieu.

For ‘The Vigil,’ I wanted to create a horror film Keith Thomas, that was specifically Jewish. That means one director of that took place in an observant community, ‘The Vigil’ had Yiddish dialogue, and addressed Jewish themes, but also had a universal appeal.”

Thomas has been a fan of horror from a young age. When it came time for him to make his first feature film, Thomas said he wanted to “find an original angle and, at the same time, create a film that felt personal – tackling themes of guilt and generational trauma.”

“The Vigil” opens with Yakov leading a support group for young Chasids that have left their faith. With the film taking place almost entirely at night, and plenty of atmospheric horror and well-timed jump scares, the film creates a sense of unease in the viewer that mirrors Yakov’s guilt about his decision to leave his faith. The malevolent spirit haunting him serves as a further vessel to drive home Yakov’s complex and often terrifying feelings.

The film has already begun to see success; it premiered in 2019 at the Toronto International Film Festival, where Blumhouse Productions saw it. Blumhouse produced several successful and well-known horror films such as “Paranormal Activity,” “The Purge,” and “Happy Death Day.” Thomas said of his film, “This really was a passion project, and I was amazed at how deeply our team believed in it. We set out to make a unique film set in a world most audiences aren’t familiar with, and I’ve been blown away by how well it has been received.”

Jordy Sank on ‘I Am Here’

In “I Am Here,” director Jordy Sank aimed to create a Holocaust documentary that stood apart from others, and that focused on life, not death. The documentary tells the story of the life of Ella Blumenthal, a 98-year-old grandmother who Sank described as “feisty, bubbly and bursting with personality.”

Sank said he wanted Blumenthal’s “extraordinary personality and positive outlook on life” to take center stage in the documentary. Instead of grisly, harrowing photos and footage typical of Holocaust documentaries, “I Am Here” features shots such as Ella enjoying a stroll through beautiful scenery to go for a swim at the public pool.

32 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Jordy Sank, director of ‘I Am Here’

The documentary opts for animation sequences when referring to Blumenthal’s past, as opposed to the usual black and white. Sank said of the decision: “The infusion of animation into the documentary was chosen to give the audience a more personal and emotional perspective of Ella’s experiences, and so that we could show the uplifting moments that occurred alongside the tragedies.”

The film’s title comes from a line in Hebrew that is one of Blumenthal’s favorites: “Baruch Hashem Ani Poh,” which translates to “Thank G-d I Am Here.” Sank calls this “extremely poignant, as she is one of the few remaining Holocaust survivors alive today. She is standing strong and resilient with an unwavering spirit.”

“I Am Here” aims to teach the Holocaust in a different way for a new generation, and to help instill empathy and understanding in the viewer. “The younger generations will be the future of Holocaust remembrance going forward. We want a youthful audience to be able to empathize with what Ella has been through, so that they don’t see the Holocaust as just another piece of history. The only way to have empathy is to have understanding, and we strongly believe that allowing the audience a glimpse into her world is the perfect catalyst for conversations and understanding.”

Sank expands further on Blumenthal’s character and their close relationship, describing Blumenthal as “like a grandmother to me.”

“We FaceTime weekly to catch up,” Sank said. “What Ella has taught me cannot be summed up in words. She has given me a new perspective on life. I hope that this film inspires our audience with Ella’s contagious spirit, just as I have been so inspired.”

Eric Steel on ‘Minyan’

Set in 1980s New York, Eric Steel’s “Minyan” tells the story of David, an 18-year-old Yeshiva student living in Brooklyn with his overbearing mother and abusive father. Often feeling like a fish out of water, David’s closest companions are his grandfather and a pair of elderly, closeted Jewish men who live down the hall from him. He feels stifled by the expectations of his conservative, religious community and seeks comfort through various ways, including alcohol, books, and eventually even a gay bar. David begins to experience a Eric Steel, sexual and spiritual awakening and struggles director of ‘Minyan’ to come to terms with what it means to be an immigrant, gay, and Jewish.

“Minyan” is based on a short story by David Bezmozgis.

Steel explained his interest. “I was completely taken in by David Bezmozgis’ short story when I first read it in 2004. It was the last story in the collection, and what I loved about it was after having read all the stories that preceded it, I had come to know the character of David. I was moved by the changes I saw in him.”

One goal of the film is adding another voice to the discussion of LGBTQ+ in Judaism.

“There’s been a very vibrant, productive conversation about LGBTQ+ Judaism before I even thought of making ‘Minyan,’” Steel said. “I’m very grateful to have heard and explored these discourses, to have been guided by the wisdom and experience of rabbis and wise Jews.

This conversation is well underway, is ongoing and challenging, and certainly not completed.”

Steel talked about his inspiration adapting the film from the original short story, and how moments from the film stemmed from his own life experiences.

“I felt compelled by the example David Bezmozgis set as a storyteller and the kind of authenticity and detail he wove through the story,” Steel said. “There are many moments in the film that flowed from my experience, so that the DNA of the film feels like mine (and David Bezmozgis’). Once the story had its own DNA, there was still a lot to discover – threads that connect immigrant life, queer life, Jewish life – especially at a moment in time in the late 1980s when AIDS was crashing down on New York City with a ruthless cruelty, a kind of horror many Jews understand too well.”

AJFF Jonathan Gruber on ‘Upheaval’

After six successful films, including two featured in past Atlanta Jewaish Film Festivals, Jonathan Gruber began directing the film “Upheaval” Stephanie Nissani in April of 2019. He finished it just in time for the Heartland International Film Festival premiere in October 2020.

In “Upheaval,” Gruber accentuates the ongoing struggle against anti-Semitism in the U.S. and around the world.

“Upheaval” narrates the adulation of former Prime Minister of Israel Menachem Begin and his fight against antiSemitism, and for equality, democracy and unity.

Gruber has an incredible affinity toward Begin due to his audacious leadership protecting the land of Israel and the Jewish people. Gruber said he strongly believes that when your entire family has been wiped out, it impacts the way you look at the world.

Through the film, Gruber said he hopes people will learn about Begin’s courageous leadership and accountability, so rare these days. “Today there is a lack of faith Jonathan Gruber that people is a successful documentary have in their film director with political a background leaders and in journalism. institutions,” Gruber said.

“With Menachem Begin, whether you agree or disagree with him, you could not say that he is a hypocrite.”

As a Jewish filmmaker with a background in journalism, he travels to Israel quite often, whether it is to visit family or work on a film. His love for Israel and its people is represented in his films, which express the complexities of Israeli society to connect to the people and the land’s ancient history.

“Upheaval” is a film that sheds light on discrimination in the political and social arena, the Holocaust and Israel’s will to prevail against anti-Semitism. Gruber revisits Begin’s resilience toward anti-Semitism in the film. “If Jews didn’t stand up for Jews, then who would?”

Gruber’s main goal is to tell Begin’s story, for people to understand how the Holocaust infused his attitude toward Israel, the Jewish people and the rest of the world. “AntiSemitism is just as bad as racism, and we should stand up and fight it like Begin did,” Gruber said.

The film director’s ties to Atlanta include his participation in the AJFF; interviewing and connecting with Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat, who was the domestic policy adviser to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. The 39th president is mentioned numerous times throughout the film.

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AJFF

Bernstein and Bahr’s Best Bets Wo r k s by a talented group of creative Israeli filmmakers dominate these halfdozen choices from the 2021 Matthew Bernstein Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. & Bob Bahr During the past decade, Israel has emerged as a major center for both streamed television series and feature film productions, and this year’s festival is confirmation of how far it has come in such a short time.

Here We Are A divorced Israeli father abandons his lucrative and successful career as a commercial artist to care for his autistic son, then finds he can’t give him up when the young man is about to be placed in a group home. The film deftly chronicles the emotional price some parents face as they are forced to deal with such dif-

34 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

“Love It Was Not” is an extraordinary documentary recreation of a love affair between an SS officer and a young Jewish woman in Auschwitz.

ficult situations. Last year it swept the top awards at Israel’s celebrated Ophir Awards, winning best screenplay, best

“Asia” features another superb performance by Shira Haas.

actor, best supporting actor and best director for Nir Bergman, who has been interviewed for the festival website. The film is also up for the AJFF’s jury prize for narrative films. Director Bergman may also be remembered for his role in creating the Israeli TV show “B’Tipul” that ultimately became the basis for HBO’s highly successful “In Treatment” series.

the Nazi, Franz Wunsch and 20-year-old Helena Citron. The film expands on Sarfaty’s 2016 student Academy Award short to examine, through a series of revealing interviews with a group of women who were inmates with Citron in the infamous death camp, how and why the long romance endured in such horrific circumstances.

Love It Was Not The extraordinary and often-chilling story of a love affair between an Austrian SS officer and a young Jewish girl in Auschwitz. Israeli filmmaker Maya Sarfaty has chased down archival footage from a variety of sources in this often-chilling portrayal of a seemingly deep relationship that develops between

A Crime on the Bayou Noted documentarian Nancy Buirski’s takes an ambitious look at a case from 1960s civil rights history that changed the course of American jurisprudence. The film recounts the efforts of attorney Richard Sobel to defend a young Black man, Gary Duncan, against charges that he assaulted a white teenager in

AJFF

“‘Til Kingdom Come” examines the ties between Israel and Evangelical Christianity.

south Louisiana’s Plaquemine Parish. On its face the case was a simple one, which without Sobel’s intervention might never have been given a second thought. Ultimately, the issues were argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, which handed down a verdict that changed the interpretation of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. But more than just the story of a legal fight, Buirski’s powerful film emerges as a symbolic examination of American racism that seems particularly timely when seen against the backdrop of events of the past year.

Golden Voices Victor and Raya Frenkel arrive in Israel in 1990 as part of the exodus of Jews from Russia. In that country they were well known to Russian audiences as the unseen but familiar vocal talent that dubbed in the screen performances for a long list of Hollywood icons. In their new home they are aging nobodies with little more than memories of their past fame, their frayed relationship they have as husband and wife and their golden voices. This wishful romantic feature film follows the couple as they reclaim their true voices, often in unexpected ways and rekindle their love for one another.

A moving tribute to the mystery of love at any age.

Asia Fans of Shira Haas, who has received international acclaim for her roles in two streamed series that portray life in the Hasidic world, “Unorthodox” and “Shtisel,” turns in another brilliant performance in this film. She’s Vika, a teenage Russian immigrant in Israel with health issues that lead to her confinement to a wheelchair. As she matures sexually and

emotionally, she clashes with her mother over Asia’s unique and open approach to rearing her daughter. Out of that they develop a new understanding and appreciation of one another. The film had its world premiere at last year’s prestigious Tribeca Film Festival in New York, where it won top awards for cinematography and best actress for Haas. It claimed the Nora Ephron Award for Ruthy Pribar, in her film debut, for outstanding work by a female director. And it picked up nine honors at Israel's recent Ophir Awards ceremony and is the country's entry for best foreign film at the Academy Awards.

‘Til Kingdom Come The fervent support by the evangelical community for the state of Israel gets a closeup look in this controversial documentary. Emmy award-winning Israeli filmmaker Maya Zinshtein profiles the Christian Bingham family in Binghamtown, a poor rural community in the heart of Kentucky’s coal country and their ties to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. This timely look at the influential political bonds between fundamentalist Christianity, Washington politics and the Jewish state is slated for wider distribution on public television later this year. ì Matthew H. Bernstein is Goodrich C. White Professor of Film and Media at Emory University and chair of the department. He is a longtime board member of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

Bob Bahr leads the Center for Media and The Moving Image, where he develops programs on film and society. He writes regularly about film and culture for the AJT. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 35

EDUCATION & CAMP Pre-Vaccine, Students Head Back to Campus

Nathan Posner

As students prepare to return to their colleges across Georgia, both in-person and online, students face a variety of situations, depending on

each school.

While there aren’t universal policies for the Georgia university system, many colleges are taking similar approaches to their fall 2020 semesters, as college-age students haven’t been eligible yet to receive the vaccine.

Some of the universities are adopting mixed classes in which a few classes are in-person – with online options – as well as fully online courses.

Students arriving back on campus for the spring semester will also be facing an upsurge in COVID-19 cases among their peers, as there’s been an uptick in COVID cases since a relative low level at the beginning of October.

36 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The University of Georgia consistently had over 90 cases a week since Nov. 30 according to the University Health Center and nearly 5,000 positive tests during the fall semester through Jan. 17.

Even with the COVID pandemic at its worst as the spring semester begins, UGA plans to increase the number of classes offered in person.

Among the students the AJT interviewed, some were excited to return to campus, while others are not sure their school is totally prepared for possible COVID outbreaks on campus.

Although being back on campus will be a better educational experience, a few students said they were concerned about the health risk. “I haven’t been going out all that much so I’m not too worried about being exposed,” said sophomore Jacob Rogow. “I am kind of upset most classes will likely be online again as it makes the learning process that much more difficult.”

Several schools in Georgia have gone above and beyond to protect their students.

Mercer University has seen some

Photo courtesy of Hillels of Georgia // Josh Lerner,

Noah Bruckner and Michael Einhorn pick up their Shabbat dinners at Georgia Tech so they can safely observe Shabbat at home.

Photo courtesy of Hillels of Georgia // Kennesaw

State University students Adam Prass and Avital Shimon take time outside on a pre-Shabbat hike to appreciate nature and friends before the Sabbath.

success stopping COVID’s spread while system to inform students if they come in hosting in- person classes. All students contact with someone in class that tested are required to have testing before com- positive for COVID, dependent on the ining back to campus for in-person classes, fected student informing the school of as well as face coverings required for all those details.

Datiel Dayani, a sophomore at KSU classrooms, laboratories and common studying biology, is pleased with how spaces.

While some schools may struggle the school is responding to COVID. “I feel fine going back amidst to get test results back COVID; they seem to be in a timely manner, taking proper protocol Mercer has created an and everything.” One on-campus laboratory of the major reasons to ensure testing capacolleges have been rebilities are maintained. turning to in-person Mercer has a “Bears classes has been to enCare” initiative meant able students to get the to keep both students in-person experiences and faculty safe as they need for their dethey resume in-person grees. classes.

“As a STEM major, Bradley Rudy, a Photo by Nathan Posner // Gov. it’s important to have freshman, said of the Brian Kemp, who spoke at a press my labs in person bepandemic, “It is someconference on the pandemic Jan. 8, said he believes all students cause I need those eswhat of a letdown to should be in the classroom. sential skills,” Dayani have my first-year college experience affected so heavily by said.

Georgia Tech has taken a similar COVID-19.” Still, he is confident in his school’s response and felt “rather calm” approach this semester to last. Tech has returning to campus. “The level of care decided to reinforce in-person classes foland detail they put into keeping every- lowing feedback from last semester that thing sanitary and safe has let me be able showed, “students feeling at times isolatto feel somewhat at ease with the fear of ed and missing a more engaged academic experience.” Tech said it “can safely inCOVID.” At Kennesaw State University, many crease on-campus presence and instrucof the safety requirements are the re- tion, to include regular, prescheduled insponsibility of students. KSU is asking person meetings in hybrid courses.”

Cody Kaplan, a Tech freshman, is students to self-monitor temperatures and hand sanitizing, as well as requir- feeling “very excited about going back. I ing them to wear masks and socially dis- feel my school does a great job with their tance. They are also using a notification restrictions to keep us safe.” Ruthie Sto-

EDUCATION & CAMP

Photo courtesy of Hillels of Georgia // Georgia

Photo courtesy of Hillels of Georgia // The KSU

Tech students picking up their Shabbat dinners as part of Shabbat to Go program are Olivia Sanford, Sydney Walker, Melissa Braunstein, Marin Londe, Lindsey Mains and Shayna Coffsky.

student Israel advocacy club, Owls for Israel, after a successful first event of the semester are top row, Hillel staff members Ari Liberman, program director, and Elinoy Granot, Israel Fellow; middle row: Gabe Grau, Korinna Corley, Amelia Shengouat, Esther Steingold, Sophia Steingold, Phillip Weinstein, Mishelle Mulko, and Adam Prass; bottom row: Roei Gilad and Max Einig.

lovitz, a sophomore, said she is “pretty happy with how the school is reacting right now. Their testing is incredible, really fast, easy, and free.” Stolovitz said “some students are doing their part, and many are not, but I think the school had a good handle on it as of the end of fall semester.”

Georgia State University, like most Georgia colleges, has continued to offer both in person and online classes amid the pandemic. “The majority of courses are offered in a ‘blended’ format, a mix of face-to-face and online instruction.”

GSU freshman Talya Gartner said, “I feel going back to schools with the existing COVID situation is not a smart idea and is only going to make the outbreak worse.” Still, she added, “I feel like my school has prepared. …. There is really only online classes, but I am aware that some classes do have an in-person option. I think this is a great idea, despite the fact that I do not like the idea of learning through a computer.”

As with all colleges in the University System of Georgia, students will be required to wear face masks.

Georgia Southern University is increasing the number of classes offered with in-person learning in the upcoming semester. Sophomore Sidnie Gothard said, “Georgia Southern has actually handled the situation well, considering the circumstances, and have made preparations to keep campus as COVIDfree as they can without completely shutting down the university. They have split classes into groups and assigned days that you go in so you can stay socially

distant during any in-person classes. “ Emory University has created a compressed spring semester to reduce students’ exposure to COVID during breaks, where students may travel off campus. Students are required to complete an “on-boarding” process, which includes a health assessment, contact tracing form, and a COVID-19 test, before being allowed back on campus. Students will also have a “passport” on their phone starting in February that will allow them to have clearance to enter certain buildings. Emory junior Jake Busch said, “All of my classes for the spring are online and there will be limited opportunities for me to be on campus, which I understand also, but wish wasn’t the case ….”

For freshmen, “it sounds like they’ve been able to make the most out of their experience at Emory despite the COVID situation.”

Emory has also been pushing a “For You. For Us. For Emory” campaign that emphasizes the responsibilities of community members for the safety of the general community during the pandemic.

While the University System of Georgia generally oversees how public colleges and universities respond to COVID this upcoming spring semester, Gov. Brian Kemp said in a press conference Jan. 8 he believes that schools had enough time to create safe protocols for in-person school.

“Students of that age bracket do not meet the qualifications yet [for vaccination] ...

The data we are seeing in young people in our state is very clear. The kids should be in the classroom.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 37

EDUCATION & CAMP

Homeschooling Gains Momentum Government leaders, school administrators, teachers and parents are trying to figure out how best to teach children during the pandemic.

Flora Rosefsky “Homeschooling showed myself and my kids that learning can be something you love, not just something you have to do,” said Saren Schapiro, owner of a pediatric speech-language therapy practice in Sandy Springs.

The virtual learning method, in which children sit at home in front of computer screens taught by their classroom teacher, is the more familiar option now. However, the AJT learned that a growing group of Atlanta Jewish parents are finding that homeschooling, becoming their child’s primary teacher, is the best choice to educate their children.

A few of those interviewed seek advice and share information on a new Facebook group started by Schapiro called Jewish Homeschoolers of Atlanta. Since it began in April it has grown to 79 members, according to its Facebook page.

Facebook for Jewish homeschoolers Schapiro, owner of SAGE Speech & Learning, started the group to offer networking and Jewish studies resources to parents contemplating this education option. “It’s definitely possible to figure it out and shift priorities if it’s something you want to do.” She is homeschooling her two daughters in second and third grade as well as treating clients and supervising her team of speech therapists virtually. When her children’s private school switched over to virtual learning in March due to COVID, she said, “my daughters’ spirits were breaking.

They were crying, hiding under the table, refusing to participate in learning with the virtual option.”

After conducting research, she decided homeschooling was “the most consistent, highest quality way to educate my children.” She adapted some online secular curriculum guides to help shape her lessons. To continue their Hebrew education, the girls use virtual tutoring, clocking three, 30-minute sessions per week.

A typical day of homeschooling includes four to five hours of structured education, such as math, reading, writing, history, geography, art and music study, as well as a constant rotation of literature read aloud with books such as “The Secret Garden” by 38 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Finding huge pinecones when visiting a fishery in Georgia’s coastal plain is one of the many science-based outdoor lessons for the Schapiros.

Nana Suellen Katz reads a story to granddaughter Melanie.

The Batya children use Kahn Academy online for some subject curriculum.

Frances Hodgson Burnett. Spending time in nature is also part of the daily schedule, filling each day with science, journaling and free play time.

Many homeschool families have one parent who works or one who works fulltime and the other, part-time.

hours.

Homeschoolers learned in small groups, usually meeting at churches or community centers rented for the purpose.

Rarely did they meet in participants’ homes, she said. Sometimes Co-op parent members taught when needed for certain subjects, or professional teachers were paid to lead the class. But during the pandemic, this is the first time Silverman’s children are only participating through virtual learning and homeschooling without the in-person socialization with friends in the small-group sessions.

drastic impact on their education because the children already were accustomed to learning at home, Batya said. However, the pandemic put “a dent in plans to visit certain places like museums and national parks because of closures which resulted in less opportunities for outside learning.”

One size doesn’t fit all Sarah Silverman told the AJT that her three daughters, ages 9, 13 and 15, don’t learn the same way. The North DeKalb mom started homeschooling her older children when her youngest was a newborn. Over the years, Silverman found that “each daughter, with our parental guidance, chose the kind Learning on the fly Personal trainer Sofia Batya, living in of schooling that best suited their personalities.” Options included homeschooling, California at the time, chose homeschooling when each of attending a neighher two children borhood public reached 4 years school or virtual old. “Because Calilearning. fornia required In a given two incomes to year, there could live, I stopped be one child homehomeschooling schooled and anfor two years and other using virtual went back to it in learning, a hybrid November 2019 of the two methwhen my husband ods, or classes in a got stationed at traditional school Robins Air Force setting.

Base.” For curBefore COVriculum ideas, she ID, Silverman parArt time at the Schapiro’s home includes consults different ticipated in the Atlearning how to use watercolors and educational sourclanta Homeschool learning about lines and color mixing. es, workbooks and Cooperative.

The program helps parents navigate online services such as Khan Academy.

What she likes best about homeschoolhomeschooling resources in metro Atlanta.

“This is a true co-op, where parents volun- ing her children, now 8 and 11, is how she teer to fill the positions of administration, can be more involved in her children’s eduteachers and caregivers” Silverman said. cation while allowing them to work at their With a small fee to participate, members own pace.

The arrival of COVID didn’t have a complete a certain number of volunteer

It takes a village “We don’t use a computer nor get our curriculum from a public school,” said Ana Rodríguez-Katz, who owns a yoga business, teaches Spanish and outdoor classes, and volunteers with PJ Library. She has been homeschooling her 5-year-old daughter from the time she was a preschooler, when her friends came to their home to learn Spanish.

Rodríguez-Katz said she and her husband enrolled Melanie last year in a Spanish-nature immersion school in Candler Park to begin kindergarten. But when school closed in March because of the pandemic, the family moved into the home of Rodriguez-Katz’ inlaws in Blue Ridge, North Georgia.

“With my husband’s parents now living with us, we created a beautiful multiage home where everyone contributes to Melanie’s education.” As a PJ Library Connector for the Smyrna and Vinings area, Rodriguez-Katz’ experience working with children from birth to 5 was helpful in planning lessons.

“We do a child-led nature-based method at home, teaching around Melanie’s interest and mostly doing it outside in nature,” Rodriguez-Katz said. She told the AJT she schedules work and volunteerism around Melanie’s sleep and homeschooling schedule.

Strengthening the family unit is also one of the side benefits of homeschooling, according to Schapiro. “I hope all those who have spent more quality time with their kids and families this year can see the benefit of more time together,” she said. ì

EDUCATION & CAMP

Israel Summit Targets Non-Jews on Campus It’s one thing to advocate on Israel’s behalf to Jewish university students. It’s quite another to share Israel’s story with the non-Jewish students.

That larger audience is the target of next month’s virtual Israel Summit, an international conference organized by university students Jan Jaben-Eilon around the world. Harvard sophomore Aidan Golub, the executive director of The Israel Summit, said his goal is to “change the conversation about Israel on campus.

We have Jewish organizations that run Israel programming targeted to Jews, but for the other 97 percent of the students who don’t have the exposure, Israel is merely synonymous with the desert, apartheid weeks and violence.”

Golub expects more than 100,000 viewers to participate in the virtual summit 8 p.m. EST Feb. 7-11.

Organized in conjunction with 125 universities in 20 countries, the summit has the support of more than 60 institutions, including the World Jewish Congress, American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Hillel International, Chabad International, the World Union of Jewish Students, Christians United for Israel, AJC, StandWithUs, the Simon Wiesenthal Center and JCC Global.

Keynote speakers will include Sen. Mitt Romney (RUtah), Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair, former Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, TV star Lior Raz, Moderna Chief Medical Officer Tal Zaks, Waze CEO Noam Bardin, Google Israel CEO Barak Regev, KIND founder Daniel Lubetzky and the next Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Gilad Erdan, among others.

After the speakers, there will be a virtual summit that will connect students with study and internship possibilities in Israel.

Emory University sophomore Thomas Getman is enthusiastically spreading the word about the summit to Emory students not typically interested in Israel. “I am forming a network of support particularly among non-Jewish groups,” Getman told the AJT. He’s reaching out to what he calls the 80 percent who don’t have a vested interest in Israel.

Because of the lineup of speakers, Getman has contacted Emory’s student heads of the technology club and the medical society. “The speakers are the draw.

We’re going after those who don’t care about Israel,” he said. “When the pre-med students hear that the chief medical officer of Moderna will be speaking, they light up the same way I light up when talking about Israel.”

Getman grew up in New York City in a family that belonged to a Reform synagogue. He attended Jewish day school. Israel was a frequent topic of conversation.

Then he became a student at a boarding school in Connecticut without other Jews, which was a wake-up call to him. He decided to focus on Israel advocacy when he attended college. At Emory, he is vice president of the Israel political club.

Getman said the non-Jewish students he’s seeking “need incentives” to learn and care about Israel. He said it’s important for their “first interaction with Israel” to

Israel Summit Executive Director Aidan Golub said his goal is to change the conversation about Israel on campuses.

“We’re going after those who don’t care about Israel,” said Emory University sophomore Thomas Getman.

be positive. As of mid-January, the double-major student of philosophy and business has signed up more than 100 Emory students.

According to Golub, Getman is one of many campus managers active in recruiting for The Israel Summit. He is engaged in conversations with students at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University to spread the word about the summit.

“These kids will be the future leaders” of the country, said Golub, so it’s important for them to learn about

Israel.

But Golub is not just focused on American university students. He noted that 50 students taking a course in the Hebrew department of an Azerbaijan university have signed up as well as the non-Jewish students in an inner-city high school where Hebrew is taught. “They will be writing up in Hebrew what they learned” from the summit, he said. “There will be dozens other students and classes that we won’t know about,” he added.

“We don’t know what the ripple effect will be.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 39

EDUCATION & CAMP

Teen Playwright Bags Awards Rachel Dohan, a junior at The Westminster School, got involved with the arts when she was 6 years old beginning in musical theater and landMarcia ing the lead in Caller Jaffe “Oliver!” at the Theatrical Outfit at age 12. She then moved into film as a professional actress (represented by East Coast Talent) and ventured behind the camera a few years ago when she began working with a mentor who was writing and producing original films by and for other teens.

Two years ago, as a 14-year-old high school freshman, Rachel wrote her first original short screenplay, “Castle,” about a young girl who struggles socially with Asperger’s but ultimately uses it to excel in international chess competitions and inspire other children.

“Castle” was the first of Rachel’s short screenplays to be submitted to international film festivals and writing competitions and

40 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

to win honors, most recently winning Best of 2019. While there, she wrote “Making Short Screenplay in the AFIN (Australian) Waves,” which won the 2020 Loudoun Arts International Film Festival. The festival Film Festival in Virginia and is now being praised “Castle,” calling it a “brilliant script” rewritten as a full-length screenplay at the with “tension and susrequest of a Los Angeles pense” and a “subtle call producer who is seriousfor action” that demonly interested in turning strated the “emotional init into a feature film for telligence” of the screencommercial release. At play. the Loudoun Arts festival, When asked about “Making Waves” was perthe connectivity and formed by professional theme of her writing, she film and Broadway accites her advocacy for tors in a table read. social change by saying, Rachel has four “I am most interested in other short screenplays areas like anti-Semitism, that have been winning Westminster junior Rachel dealing with disabilities, recognition in festivals Dohan puts herself both in front of and behind the camera.

Tourette syndrome, for around the world. She In her spare time, she is a pole example, environmental also has been the subvaulter and Hapkido student. and mental health topics. ject of video interviews, I am also inspired by current events.” Her been on a panel of finalists talking about play “To Enlighten” explores anti-Semitism their work, and had her pre-recorded acthrough the eyes of a child. Rachel cites The ceptance speeches played in at least one Temple for her base of Jewish learning. film festival. “Castle” was the runner-up for “Castle” was submitted on Rachel’s ap- Best Student Screenplay in the Student Los plication for admission to Interlochen Cen- Angeles Film Awards, “His Wonderland” ter for the Arts summer camp, where she was runner-up for Best Short Screenplay in studied screenwriting during the summer the Indo Global International Film Festival

(India), and “Finding Bella” was the runnerup in the Sunday Shorts Film Festival, with “To Enlighten” coming in third place in the same competition. “Castle,” “Finding Bella,” “To Enlighten,” and “His Wonderland” all received honorable mentions in the Tagore International Film Festival.

Combining her talents, Rachel believes that being both an actor and writer, moving back and forth from stage, on camera and behind the camera, she is excited about an upcoming blockbuster film trilogy where she portrays “the teenager,” which will be released this summer. It was filmed in March of 2019. Prior to that, she was featured in “Hip Hop Holiday,” a made-fortelevision movie, where she played a foster child. In addition to training with her voice coach, Rachel is on the Westminster track team, where she pole vaults. She is looking forward to testing for her black belt in the Korean martial art Hapkido.

Facing college applications and eventually decisions, Dohan claimed, “Believe it or not, I am fascinated by business and hope to attend a university in the northeast as a business major. Before then, it would be a really cool experience if I could star in an action-based thriller film!” ì

EDUCATION & CAMP

Checklist to Keep Juniors on Task The second semester of high school just started.

For some, the past year has been a mixture of sitting in a classroom and in front Mark Fisher of a screen at home. A smaller number were only physically present in the school building, but that seems to be the minority.

What will happen in the second part of the year? That depends on several factors. Nevertheless, high school juniors have a different world to encounter, regardless of the physical setting.

Below is a list of 10 tasks to tackle this new year. Some of the tasks you may have already started. That is great.

A common question you will hear from classmates, parents and others is: Where are you applying to college? In a few words, you might be able to answer that question, but how much knowledge and research goes into your reply? Are you willing to accept the challenge and make goals to delve into these tasks?

Here is your challenge: 1.____ Review colleges you have thought about even if you have not really done any research about the institution.

2._____ Will an admissions officer see rigorous courses on your transcript?

That does not mean taking courses above your ability to do well.

3._____Are there AP, IB or honors courses you have taken? Will you have

taken an AP exam after completing the course?

4._____Analyze your PSAT scores.

You took it in previous years, but that does not matter. This is the only year that the PSAT counts for the National Merit Scholarship competition. The test also lets you know how you may stand on the SAT and which test areas need improvement.

5. ____Register for the SAT and ACT if you have not already done so. If you plan to take at least one SAT and ACT, on which exam did you do better? Which test are you more comfortable? Do not worry which exam a specific college prefers. All colleges accept both tests. But, this year, a fantastic number of colleges are “test optional.” Later, you will determine if your scores are like those of specific colleges. Then, determine if you are better off applying “test optional.” A host of possibilities exist to prep you for the tests. Test optional does not mean you can skip the tests altogether. There are still some scholarships and financial aid programs that continue to require SAT or ACT scores.

6.____Meet with your school (guidance) counselor. Most likely, your counselor will be writing a recommendation to the colleges to which you apply. But you might say your counselor does not know you well. Then imagine what your recommendation might look like. It could be a repetition of your transcript and activities. Therefore, you better let your counselor know you. For example, what challenges have you met? What have you given to your school community? Have you had an impact in the classroom or in extra-curricular activities? What can you contribute to a col-

lege environment?

7.____Colleges usually want one or two teacher recommendations. Who are you going to ask? Obviously, a teacher in whose class you did well or where you exceeded your own or the teacher’s expectations or a class in which you succeeded on a project.

8.____Prepare a resume that can be appropriate to show your counselor, your teachers, and sometimes admissions. But the big advantage is taking information from your resume onto your college application. The resume should highlight not only your extracurricular activities, but more important are your accomplishments. Do not forget your leadership positions in and out of school.

9.____What colleges should you apply to in your senior year? There are a multitude of factors involved in this decision. Some factors, but not all, include: Competitiveness in admissions; size of the college; geographic location; extra-curricular activities; Jewish students on campus and Jewish life avail-

able, including Hillel and/or Chabad; academics including majors; various admission options and gap year programs; availability of need-based financial aid and merit aid; interaction with faculty; large classes or small classes; special programs if you learn differently; and available majors. This is just a sampling of the topics you need to research.

10.____All of the factors above need to be researched. View college websites.

Talk to present students and/or alumni.

Plan college visits when available. If visits are not allowed due to COVID-19, many colleges have developed virtual tours and interviews. Talk with your counselor. Some students use an independent counselor. As time goes by, you will shorten that list as you do more research and thinking about the various schools you are considering. ì Dr. Mark Fisher is a college and career consultant at Fisher Educational Consultants (www.fishereducationalconsultants. com) and a consultant for the College Planning Institute (www.GotoCPI.com).

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 41

EDUCATION & CAMP

Musical Prodigy Feels the Beat

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Nature versus nurture is an age-old question. Can parents mold a Tiger Woods by starting early? Is musicality genetically inherited?

Michael Levine is a singer-songwriter, music producer and musician. He has taught music enrichment to 1- to 5-year-olds for 20 years. Levine co-founded The Learning Grove early music education with Eric Litwin. They have six albums of interactive songs and stories that help children develop musical skills, language skills, social-emotional skills from listening and singing along in classes.

Wife Bonnie, an attorney, sings and plays piano. Michael and Bonnie have a band Sunmoon Pie, focusing on alternative Jewish music and meditative chanting.

The Levines’ “pandemic pod family” is the Rosenthals from Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal plays guitar and drums and his teenage son Avram Eli is learning guitar, bass and drums. They created a pod-family band to play Chanukah and Havdalah lyrics to songs for Ariela Rosenthal’s Zoom bat mitzvah last month.

The Levines’ son Emet, now 5, played drums

42 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Emet Levine, now 5, started playing drums when he was 1.

on two of the seven songs.

Tune in to what educator Michael Levine shares about encouraging talent and son Emet’s progress.

AJT: What is “too early” to start?

Michael: Like language, children develop proficiency in music with exposure.

The more children hear a variety of music,

Emet Levine is advancing his knowledge of chords and melodies.

Dad Michael Levine recommends getting children to tap out beats even as infants, using knees and making silly songs.

Emet: We listen to music on car rides, especially in fun, loving, meaningful ways with parents, friends, the more their brains watch YouTube videos of drummers, and literally develop connections that give more make up silly songs.

Michael: We jam in the home recording refined recognition of musical facets.

When young, it’s less about hard work, studio two to three times a week. Practice is and more about joyous exposure. I just natu- only a small part. rally sing and tap to beats all the time. When AJT: Can Emet cross over to other inEmet was a baby, I would often tap his body to the music while holding him. Young children struments?

Michael: can feel rhythms Many of the better than they skills learned can hear them, so from drums can bouncing, tapping, transfer to piarocking is more no, guitar. Emet understood than also plays ukulejust hearing beats. le; he can strum Emet played complex strumhis first real payming patterns ing gig at age 3 at easily, based on the Children’s MuFather and son use Facebook Live to his drum experiseum of Atlanta. share music during the pandemic. ence. He is still AJT: Why drums? They seem hard to learning chords and notes on uke. He can improvise on piano very well and his transport.

Michael: Drums are great for chil- rhythms are impressive. He is gradually dren because tapping is easier than playing getting better at chords and melodies. chords and melodies, and one can practice AJT: How do you use Facebook during anywhere by tapping your knees (or anything around) to work out rhythms and stay the pandemic?

Michael: We’ve made several in tempo. It’s also easier to identify the main drum kit instruments (like bass drum, snare livestreaming and pre-recorded videos for drum, hi-hat) when listening to music. Since kids and families online.

Since I am the music teacher at Ahava Emet was able to learn how each drum part sounded at an early age, he could recognize Early Learning Center, where Emet goes to them in songs, and learn beats by listening, pre-K, once the pandemic hit, we started leading music classes online from my recording while imagining playing.

True, drums are less portable than gui- studio. We made them public so anyone tars, etc. I got Emet a small First Act drum kit could enjoy them on YouTube channel Little for $10 on the Nextdoor app then added oth- Drummer Emet, https://www.youtube.com/ er drum kit parts. That kit was super easy to channel/UCW8tWeHhrNIBnF-S-cqOWoQ/ transport compared to a full-sized adult kit. videos.

For his fifth birthday, we got him a Mendini AJT: Where do you see yourself as a full drum kit, still child-sized, just a little biggrown up? ger than his First Act kit.

Emet: Musician, fireman, teacher, police and music teacher. ì AJT: How much do you practice?

EDUCATION & CAMP

Inaugural ‘O/ART and the City’ Goes Virtual

By Marcia Caller Jaffe ORT, one of the world’s largest non-government education and training organizations, announces its first annual O/ART and the City Atlanta event from Jan. 25 to Feb. 1, which will take place virtually.

Note that this event was initially slated for March 15, 2020, at The Stave Room, and co-chair Delilah Cohen one year ago touted, “Photographers, painters and artists of other mediums were hand-selected by local art advisors and challenged to create an original masterpiece centered around the specific theme, ‘Inspiration by Education.’” Being mid-March 2020, this was one of the first pandemic postponements, as it was all meticulously set for food stations built around countries where ORT schools are located alongside a wine tasting featuring wines from Argentina, France and Spain.

By pivoting in 2021 to stand strong, Rachel Miller, director of ORT America, Atlanta region, said, “We are very excited to offer O/Art and the City virtually. COVID didn’t stop us! View 40 artists work from the comfort of your own sofa and at the same time know that you are helping 300,000 ORT students around the world!”

This new format will be an online art auction, featuring one-of-a-kind art created by emerging and nationally recognized Atlanta artists, individually selected and sponsored by local art collectors. The theme of this year’s art challenge remains “Inspiration by Education,” as ORT’s mission is to inspire students through education leading to job opportunities in the 21st century.

Participating artists were challenged to produce an original piece, reflecting on what is important, influential, central, or vital to them with the theme in mind. Artists “Fruits of Knowledge,”

by Idit Kolan, 12 ½-inch were sent a video about high, clay, sponsored by ORT, around which to Eydie and Steve Koonin. build their submissions.

Some familiar artists’ names are Adam Podber, Susan Proctor, Judy Robkin, Patricia Silbiger, Donna Sherman, and Columbian-born artist Esteban Patino. The latter is in the rotating collection at Atlanta’s High Museum, and is known for his use of symbols, manipulation with language, and speech bubbles. “Art is an incredible connector, a gift that unites people from different ages, backgrounds, races. The ORT video reminded me of the opportunities I’ve had while engaging with young minds.”

In addition to the art, there will also be several special items up for auction, such as highly sought-after theater tickets, intimate dinners, a cooking demonstration while dining on the home-delivered food.

As background, ORT was originally founded in St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1880 with a mission to provide the impoverished Jewish community with marketable skills, the organization reported in a press release. ORT’s educational and vocational programs provide its students with the educational preparation, social services assistance and financial support to remain in school and break the cycle of

“Endless Possibilities,” by Donna Sherman, 30-by-24-inch acrylic on canvas, sponsored by Maya and Michael Sunshine.

poverty, the release stated.

To date, ORT reports it reaches 300,000 people per year and has impacted the lives of millions of students – regardless of their backgrounds or religious beliefs – equipping them with the skills and education needed to become productive members of their communities and the world.

ORT also strives to break through social and economic barriers to transform lives. The organization believes that when students from underserved communities have access to high-quality education, they are better positioned to enter the job market with viable skills, become leaders in their own right, and invest back into their communities. ì The O/ART and the City Atlanta online auction will begin

“An Old Man, a Young Man, an Artist, and Life’s Greatest Lesson” by Remy Joy Zimmerman, sponsored by Julie and Jeff Rotenstreich.

at 10 a.m. Jan. 25. Bidding will close at 10 p.m. Feb. 1, with winners immediately notified. Online viewing will be available beginning Jan. 22. For more information, visit ortamerica.org or call the ORT Atlanta office at 404-327-5266.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 43

EDUCATION & CAMP

Camps Prepare to Reopen for Summer As children return to school after winter break, many are looking forward to heading to camps this summer after a year in which Nathan Posner the camps couldn’t operate because of COVID-19. This time around, camps are going full steam ahead with inperson camps while putting in place new protections to prevent outbreaks of the virus.

Local Jewish summer camps, from the Marcus Jewish Community Center day camps to Camp Ramah Darom and nonJewish camps that attract Jewish campers, such as the High Museum of Art Camps, are preparing to bring children back while ensuring their health safety.

Although camp experiences traditionally include close-quarter bus rides and numerous indoor events, many are shifting towards smaller units in which campers

44 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Jocelyn Hathaway and Maddie Baer in the experimental kitchen in the MJCCA Kuniansky Family Center.

have limited contact with a specific group of other campers and participate in more outdoor activities.

Ramah Darom, a Jewish sleepaway camp in Northern Georgia, is welcoming back campers after holding an online camp experience last summer. The camp is taking a wide variety of measures to ensure camp safety and limit possible COVID-19 exposures. Before campers head onto buses, they will be required to have a negative PCR test, and will have their temperatures taken as well as rapid testing to some extent upon arrival and throughout the summer.

Campers during the Havdalah service at Camp Ramah Darom before COVID.

Photo courtesy of In the City Camps //

ITC Assistant Director of Camps Hannah Toland with camper Hannah playing songs for Shabbat.

Camp Director Anna Serviansky, who min, ITC director of marketing. Campers assumed her new role last month, explained will still be able to choose their own activito the AJT that campers will be limited to a ties, but masks will still be required, as well small group of contacts; restricted for the as social distancing when possible, she said.

“We ran four weeks of in-person camp first seven to 10 days to their bunk or “pod,” as she called it. When different bunks inter- last summer when a lot less was known, and act, they will be socially distanced and wear- we did it successfully with no cases of COVID, so we really feel confident that our model ing masks.

Serviansky said the goal is after that works and that we can keep campers safe initial period, camper groups can be ex- and still have fun and it feeling like camp.”

The High Museum of Art also hosts panded to their grade or larger, if safe. “The a summer camp for chilcamp program will largely dren in grades one through be the same; they will still eight, and will do so in perbe able to participate in all son again this summer. the activities,” Serviansky “Like last summer, we said. “The one major differwill be socially distanced ence is that we will not be in our workshops; we are taking any of our campers reducing the number of into cities for day trips or campers per workshop overnights. Instead, we are [down from 25 to 12], and going to be doing a lot of Melissa Katzin is the High requiring masks,” said nature based activities.”

Museum of Art’s manager Melissa Katzin, High MuWhile overnight of family programs. seum manager of family camps may have more close contact between campers, day camps programs. “We want to make sure all of our campers are safe and healthy.” also face a variety of challenges.

Campers will also have their own supMJCCA day camps, which offered inperson and virtual camps last summer, plies, go through staggered drop offs, and have moved camps largely outside and have temperature checks in the morning. downsized their cohorts in response to the The biggest lesson they learned last sumpandemic. With camper groups of 12 last mer, per Katzin, was that “for kids it takes summer, some traditions had to change, a lot more reminders. … We were trying to according to Jodi Sonenshine, director of learn a lot of things as we go along, so it was a lot of trial and error.”

MJCCA Day Camps.

The museum was closed to guests durFor instance, camp usually has one large Shabbat gathering. This summer each ing camp last summer. Campers and relgroup of campers will be holding its own evant staff were the only ones with access Shabbat. Campers also have to go through to the building at the time. But the museum temperature screenings and clean anything will be open this summer with safety prethey use. Sonenshine said that the biggest cautions in place. The camp hopes “to make lesson learned from last summer was: “We it safe and healthy, but as fun as it can poscan be COVID safe and have a magical sum- sibly be, and getting campers that oppormer, full of everything that MJCCA day tunity for informal learning and to make new friends, explore and have a lot of fun,” camps are known for.”

In The City Camps, Jewish day camps Katzin said.

COVID-19 may be making camps this for kindergarten through ninth graders, expanded from half days last summer to full summer different than usual, but camp days planned for this year. Up to 15 campers leaders hope that campers will still be able will be assigned to a bunk and will not mix to have fun and enjoy a safe summer expewith other bunks, according to Tali Benja- rience they will remember for a lifetime. ì

EDUCATION & CAMP

Camp Ramah Darom Celebrates 25th Summer

Leah Gross and Leah Fingerman met as campers at Camp Ramah. They have remained best friends since, and Gross was the maid of honor in Fingerman’s wedding

Levitt, who joined Camp Ramah as the Camp Ramah Darom, CEO about two years ago, speaks highly of an overnight the camp and the community it has built, summer camp even during COVID times. Though camp for children wasn’t held in-person last year during the third through pandemic, Camp Ramah put on many vir11th grade, is tual events and activities during the sumcelebrating 25 mer. The camp plans to reopen this sumsummers of mer.

In another milestone, Levitt menoperation this Anna Levy year. The camp tioned that this year, camp alumni have threw a kickoff event to the festivities this formed the Camp Ramah Darom Alumni month and plans for more fun and memo- Association. It holds alumni events, offers resources and opportunities to alumni, rable events for the rest of the year.

The kickoff event, A RAMAHrk- and provides an alumni newsletter called able Night, took place Jan. 16, gathering “The Hill Times.”

Leah Gross, a Camp Ramah alumna, more than 600 visitors through Zoom for recounts how her Havdalah, music and time spent at Ramah camp memories. The enhanced her life feature of the night even after she left. was a 20-minute vid“Camp is where I met eo called “The Legacy my best friend; it’s of Ramah Darom,” where I met my huswhich featured interband. And now I sing viewers with foundthe ‘Shema’ and ‘Rad ers, staff, participants Hayom’ to my son evand other people who ery night before bed. have both impacted It’s undeniable that it and been impacted by Camp Ramah Darom has been in operation for 25 summers, and is [camp] holds so many the camp throughout celebrating the anniversary with yearimportant memories the years. round celebrations planned for 2021. and has influenced Flora Oynick, one of the chairs of the 25th-year celebra- even the simplest routines in my life.”

Leah Fingerman is Gross’ best friend tions, said of the event, “The RAMAKrhable Night celebration made it clear that and another camp alumna. “We met at Ramah Darom is not only a place. It is a Ramah the summer of 2001, and we have feeling, a connection, a community and a been best friends since. We grew up at guiding light that every single one of us has camp together, being called ‘The Leahs.’

She was the maid of honor at my wedding.” touched and has been touched by.”

While the camp has changed a bit, esCEO Wally Levitt discussed future plans. “We will be posting photos and pecially because of COVID, Levitt said it has memories from camp year-round this year found ways to keep people connected, and on social media, and will encourage others held a few scheduled events, as planned, to share their camp memories, as well,” he while maintaining proper health protocols.

Since July, the camp has also held said. “Another way we are celebrating is by creating a display in the Levine Center. It’s Mishpachah B’Ramah family retreats. a giant timeline of the highlights from the They last from two to five days and offer last 25 summers, and it will be placed on a families the opportunity to enjoy camp activities in a safe, socially distanced enlong wall in the center.”

Leah Gross with her future husband, Geoff, who she met at Camp Ramah.

vironment. Activities include swimming, archery, yoga and bike rides. Levitt said that hundreds of people have been able to safely attend these getaways with their families.

The next retreat is for Passover, which Levitt says is “one of the biggest events of the year.” The family-friendly gathering will be held March 26 to April 5. Levitt noted the “amazing food and incredible speakers” planned for the retreat.

Camp Ramah will reopen in June for summer session with plans to welcome

over 700 campers. The camp has worked with its medical committee to make sure it is safe for campers and following COVID protocols.

“Camp may look a little different this year, but it will still be exciting,” Levitt said.

“What has been amazing to me is the unbelievable sense of community that we have at Ramah Darom. They come to camp and are forever connected to the magic of our camp in the mountains. It is a special community, and we are so excited to bring people back together again.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 45

DINING Modern Indian Fare in Midtown

Marcia Caller Jaffe

Owned by executive chef Anish Nair, Jai Ho Indian Kitchen & Bar and Jai Ho, a chef-crafted Indian Kitchen are modern Indian restaurants with French inspiration and in-

ventive fusions.

Jai Ho Indian Kitchen opened in 2017 in Midtown and serves updated takes on traditional recipes. The restaurant features an outdoor patio with neon art near the Atlanta BeltLine and Piedmont Park in an expansive, window-lined dining room. The high ceilings, lush tangerine drapes, and honey-colored clear globes are awe-inspiring and not what we have come to expect from casual Indian decor.

Jai Ho is “off the beaten path” at the dead end of Dutch Valley Road. There are several adjacent easily accessed parking spaces, which is now becoming a wel-

Aloo Gobi, left, had dried red peppers, cauliflower and potatoes in a tomato base.

Bang Bang Gobi, right, was deeply coated fried vegetables in a sweet chili sauce.

Inspired high ceilings and windows draped in tangerine have upscale vibes not usually associated with casual Indian food.

Cochin seared whole snapper had firm white flesh and head and tail intact.

comed relief in Midtown.

Early last year, Nair opened a second location, Jai Ho, a chef crafted Indian Kitchen inside Krog Street Market in Inman Park. The 550-square-foot quick service food stall serves a rotating menu of Indian-fusion street food and sandwiches for lunch and dinner.

Jai Ho’s Dutch Valley menu calls up

cuisine common to the former French colony Pondicherry in Southern India.

Pondicherry is a tourist destination and represents a central marketplace, hailing back to both Dutch, Portuguese, French and British influences. Some Jai Ho sauces are prepared according to French recipes updated with Indian ingredients.

Spices are roasted in-house and blended into French mother sauces such as espagnole, a French tomato sauce, prepared with coriander, cumin and cardamom and mirroring a tikka masala sauce.

At the original location in Midtown, learn to pronounce vindaloo, an Indian curry dish with vinegar and tangy spices, and biryani, which was known as a dish for the royals and involves slow braised long grain basmati rice with garam masala, caramelized onions, cumin, peppercorns, sometimes rose water and saffron strands. Then there are tangy sauces with mustard and curry leaves. The bar is chic South Beach-like with an ultraviolet blue base. There is an extensive wine, craft beer and cocktail menu. Dessert specialties are Gulab Jamun Pie, Pistachio Kulfi and Rice Kheer, which we did not sample.

breading.

Garlic Naan: Two “pizza” sized pieces, great for folding and dipping, wafting with intense garlic.

Aloo Gobi: Potatoes and cauliflower in a tomato base with cumin and ginger.

The dried red pepper provided a wow kick! Overall complex combination.

Our entrée was Cochin Seared Snapper – So fresh the tiny teeth are biting.

Have to be very careful separating bones throughout. Flesh was white and firm.

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What we ordered for “pandemic friendly” pickup: Chickpea salad: thinly sliced red onions, loaded with garbanzo beans, juicy lemon hunk, light dressing.

Mulligatawny soup: Our best dish – not too salty, intertwined herbs, lentils pureed with vegetables.

Kurkure Bhindi: Fried okra slivers — toasted and crispy, not in the healthy column.

Bang Bang Gobi: Cauliflower, onions, peppers, batter-fried topped with a sweet chili garlic sauce. Vegetables were firm and fresh but hidden by so much

For next time: Hot lemon pickles Nigiri Fish Korma: Salmon prepared with coconut, poppy seeds and turmeric.

Dal Makhni: Seasoned black lentils and kidney beans.

Fish in banana leaf (salmon or tilapia based on availability) wrapped in banana leaf, garam masala, garlic and fresh coriander.

The menu is easily categorized: starters, veggie lovers, sides, biryani, specialty breads, noting what contains gluten and levels of spiciness.

The Krog Street Market has a focus on Indian street food such as aloo bonda, chickpea-coated potato dumplings; samosas, crisp pastries filled with seasoned potatoes and green peas; Indian cajunseasoned chicken wings; and added new menu items including smoked gouda chicken sandwich with Indian spices and mango chutney, and chicken pot pie with potatoes, green peas, curried bechamel sauce and deep-fried bread. ì Jai Ho Indian Kitchen & Bar is located at 560 Dutch Valley Road near Ansley Mall.

Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, noon to 9:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m.

Photos by Duane Stork // Designer Stuart Pliner poses in his foyer with (right) Thornton Dial’s “Lady Looking

for Shade,” 2003 mixed media on paper. Left: Rocio Rodriguez watercolors and oil paintings on paper.

Chai Style Home

A Designer's Design “An artist is not paid for his labor, but for his vision.”

-Picasso

The swivel chairs are A. Rudin upholstered in Schumacher, selected to visualize both interiors of the rooms and exteriors as well as their transitional clean design. Raku ceramic sculpture (right) is by Doug DeLind, The cocktail table is custom designed by John Saladino: glass, steel and blond oak juxtaposition of round and square with sculpted legs.

Marcia: How do you work as a team?

Stuart: Often great, ... sometimes, not so great, but we always resolve in harmony, maximizing each other’s strengths.

Barbara: Stuart is a trained designer with incredible vision and impeccable taste. He has an uncanny ability to maximize every inch of space and understands the importance scale and proportion play in the design process. He recognizes there are clients who want to keep heirlooms and furnishings of sentimental value and is skilled at taking these older favorites and making them into new pieces.

Interior designer Stuart Pliner and wife Barbara Bing felt the timing was right to downsize from their 1920s Georgian Manor home where they lived for over 20 years on North Muscogee Avenue to high-rise living two blocks away.

Here Pliner gives us a rare look inside his private world, a careful tableau of responses to space, reflecting his creativity, tasteful design, and constant attention to scale and proportion.

"After thinking about it more and more, we felt the timing was perfect to do this project Marcia: I’ve seen your work in high profor ourselves versus an investment opportufile homes. Can you name names? nity,” he said. “It met our key objectives of an Marcia Stuart: We work on referrals and are senoriginal condo never renovated, high floor and Caller Jaffe sitive about mentioning specific projects, except beautiful views. We redefined our lives, ridded to say that we have done a multitude of projects lots of unneeded “stuff” and set out for a new adventure in in and outside Atlanta and out of state. While our focus is two different places. We traded one home for a condo in the primarily residential, we have done a number of commercity and a house in the country.” cial and hospitality projects. We also participate in numerBarbara added, “The concept of downsizing was re- ous show houses, most recently the 2020 Cashiers Historical freshing, and we made it fun. That’s not to say that it was Society Designer Showhouse and support many local events perfectly orchestrated and easy, yet it all worked … two dif- with ADAC [Atlanta Decorative Arts Center], Art Papers, and ferent lifestyles, never needing to make reservations!” others. I have also contributed my expertise and time over the Tune into the Pliner duo. years, speaking on many aspects of interior design.

Marcia: Why did you select this particular location?

Stuart: We wanted to remain in the neighborhood located on a residential section of Peachtree. We chose the building for its iconic mid-century architecture. We chose our condo for the spectacular unobstructed views of west and north Atlanta, with 9-foot windows that were the inspiration for the design of our space. Here we were able to expand volume within the space without changing the footprint. We were also successful in maximizing space and storage by creating space within space.

Marcia: Elaborate on your art here.

Stuart: We collect special pieces and artists that make us feel good. Our home was designed to give prominence to our art. Some of the artists collected are Thornton Dial, Andrew Bucci, John Harvard, Jack Spencer, Will Clift and John Gibson to name a few. One of my favorites is the “The Elephant” by Kelly Fearing that we discovered at an estate sale.

Marcia: How would you categorize your furnishings?

Stuart: Transitional. Our goal was comfort, function and beauty with clean lines. Fabrics were selected for texture, color, and pattern and how they all work together. We used Romo, Lee Jofa, Phillip Jefferies, Jim Thompson, Pierre Frey, Schumacher, and others.

We like to mix eras: Circa 1920 lamps; Knoll high back leather chair, circa 1980; Arthur Brett vintage bench covered ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 47

CHAI STYLE Pliner relaxes in front of his favorite oil traded 15 years ago at an estate sale by Kelly Fearing, this piece is “untitled.”

Hall gallery wall: Michelle Y. Williams vertical panels mixed media on metal/plexiglass six vertical squares. The two pieces to the left are: “Poem to Panov,” 1970 by Canadian Sara Wallach. Nude is oil on panel by Patrick McGannon.

in Metaphores Paris cotton velvet horizontal stripe; A. Rudin tufted sofa, upholstered in Jim Thompson mohair fabric; Eames lounge chairs; and French pier mirror, circa 1875.

Another favorite piece is a cocktail table custom designed

by John Saladino. A must-mention is our custom designed Savoir bed, first experienced at The Savoy Hotel in London when we were newly married. I love wallpaper and I used everywhere it fit; and where I could not, used marble and porcelain. A consistent comment made by guests to our home is the unexpected of what they see and a sense of calm they feel here.

Marcia: You are quite the chef?

Stuart: Our kitchen is where it all happens, and custom-designed for the space. I love to cook. Barbara plans and we love to entertain ourselves and others. My two favorite appliances are our AGA stove, which anchors the kitchen and our Miele steam oven, which not only cooks great, but does its own cleaning too! We consider our OCHRE lighting fixture in our dining area as art and part of our collection.

Anyone that knows us, knows we have a passion for food and wine that began during our first bicycle trip touring Bordeaux, Chateau Ducru Bueucaillou is a favorite. Others

The Pliners entertain and use their kitchen spaces. Here the OCHRE crystal filament fixture drops down in front of Thomas Swanson’s “Generational Flyaway,” 2010.

Stuart and Barbara love their Miele steam oven that self-rinses and dries. Calacatta Manhattan marble countertop was chosen for its white field and unique blend of colorful veining.

48 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHAI STYLE The primitive painting by T.L. Lange (Asheville, N.C.) custom framed by Larson-Juhl. The beach scene: A lomography, “Praia Piquinia”

by Christopher Chaize, a photograph done on a beach in Portugal, part of a yearlong series taken at the same place at different times.

Bed is Savoir with backboard and spread upholstered in Pierre Frey silk. Side tables: Julian Chichester, solid walnut with leather velum surface. Wall sconces are Circa Lighting.

Pliner opened up the main living space connecting the kitchen/dining and wonderful views. Left, John Gibson “6 Ball Watercolor #6,” 2005. Lamps are circa 1920 with original globes from Barbara’s Kentucky grandparents. The bench is a vintage English Arthur Brett frame. Right, Erte “P” from the Alphabet Series, 1975, in original Erte frame.

are Turley wines, and the namesake for one of our Westies: Turley Zin Peabody Pliner!

tures, creating beautiful, timeless and comfortable spaces for everyday living.

Marcia: How would you describe your role and vision as a designer?

Stuart: I only work on two to three projects at one time so I can give my personal attention to each one. I work in collaboration with each of my clients, understanding their objectives and how they want to live in their home. I love blending old with new, mixing eras, styles, colors, and tex-

Marcia: Last word on design.

Stuart: I am influenced by artists such Picasso, Stella, Rauschenberg, Hockney, and architecturally by Renzo Piano, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, Frank Gehry, John Portman, Neel Reid.

Most importantly, Mother Nature is my most prolific muse. It always amazes me what she can do! ì

The Pliners converted the guest bedroom into a den where fine photography lines the walls, zebra rug afoot. The white chairs are Eames lounge chairs made of Palisander wood and Polar White leather. The sofa is Holly Hunt.

The west side of the master bedroom boasts an 1875 French pier mirror and base. The “noble” style chairs are Donghia covered in silk and wool.

Robert Meredith’s “6 Men and a Boat,” a trompe l’oeil (eye deception), 2011.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 49

CALENDAR Virtual Classes and Events: WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 Scott Turow, “The Last Trial: A Novel” – 8 p.m. The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta presents this legal thriller, which is full of insights into the spaces where the fragility of human nature and the justice system collide and questions how we measure a life. Register at https://bit. ly/39m2Glp.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28 Cook By the Book – 10 a.m. The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta presents this program to nurture minds, bodies and dinner tables as participants discover a variety of cuisine and cultures. In the comfort of your home, cook along while exploring modern and classic Jewish cookbooks. Each week we will “browse” a different cookbook and experience new approachable recipes. The week before each class, you will receive the recipes and list of ingredients to cook along. Register at https://bit.ly/2XuvfHv.

JANUARY 27-FEBRUARY 9 Moderated by noted Atlanta advocate Sherry Frank, this monthly lunchtime meeting focuses on current events through a Jewish lens.

Due to the pandemic, the meetings are held on Zoom. Contact christineh@ncjwatlanta.org for the link.

Broadway Backstage – 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’ s instructor James Sokol will sneak you in “backstage” on Broadway. Meet special guest theater professionals who bring unique expertise, experiences and insights to the discussion with live, behind-the-scenes visits, photos and video clips. To register, https://bit. ly/3bmmfg0.

Couples Cooking Class – 8 to 9 p.m.

Join Jewish Fertility Foundation for this virtual class for Tu B’Shvat Shabbat. Register at http://bit.ly/3q95etN.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 “American Baby” by Gabrielle Glaser – 8 to 9 p.m. The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta presents this tale of love, loss and the search

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

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

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

50 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

tions you may have in advance with Rabbi Lewis at ravlewis@etzchaim. net. Visit https://bit.ly/2XwMsjW for the Zoom link.

Bearing Witness – 2 to 3 p.m. The Breman Museum presents “Bearing Witness: Unforgettable Stories from The Holocaust” program featuring survivor Manuela Mendels Bornstein (France). The program will include a short documentary film about Bornstein’s life and then she will take questions from the audience over Zoom. To register, http:// bit.ly/3quDKih.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 1

Think Different – 8 to 9 p.m. Study with master Tanya teacher Rabbi Ari Sollish one of the most transformative Jewish spiritual texts written in the last three centuries. Sponsored

by Intown Jewish Academy. For more information, visit https://bit. ly/2MGGxq1.

Frankly Speaking with Sherry Frank – 12 to 1:15 p.m. The National Council of Jewish Women Atlanta is excited to continue its women’s discussion group for members and friends.

for identity, ultimately showing a path to justice and healing after years of shame and secrecy. For more information, http://bit.ly/35vY5Mg.

Bet Haverim Lunch & Learn – 12 to 1 p.m. Your Jewish Bridge, supported

by Congregation Bet Haverim, presents this Torah study program. Join Rabbi Pamela Gottfried as we examine classical and modern midrash (interpretations) related to the weekly Torah reading and draw lessons from Jewish wisdom about how we can live and be our best selves today.

All are welcome; no previous experience necessary. The Zoom link can be found at http://bit.ly/35zg6tc.

The Judaism & Wealth Series – 8 to 9 p.m. Intown Jewish Academy presents this series, which teaches Judaism’s approach to the economic dilemmas encountered in our personal and professional lives. This new series reveals a sensitive, fair and unshakable economic paradigm grounded in 3,000 years of Jewish tradition and experience, an ancient yet fresh spin on how to view the ethics of money. For more information and to register, https:// bit.ly/2LvD8dk.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2 Strange and Odd Jewish Customs and Traditions – 7 to 8:30 p.m. Congregation Etz Chaim presents this program on why Jews have such odd customs and traditions. Rabbi Emeritus Shalom Lewis will answer your questions on why we do the things we do. Feel free to share ques-

Hadassah Heralding Our Heroines – 1 p.m. Join Hadassah Greater Atlanta as Dr. Daniel Aschheim, Consul for Public Diplomacy for the Consul General of Israel to the Midwest, opens the Heralding Our Heroines Speaker Series. He offers a prelude to the theme of this program, “Jewish Women CEOs of the 20th Century” with Leah Stern Reicin, past national Hadassah vice president. She will share the stories of female leaders inside the “boardrooms” of Hadassah throughout its history. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/3qn18OF.

Brain Health Bootcamp – 1 to 3 p.m.

Jewish Family & Career Services presents this weekly program. If you are recognizing symptoms of cognitive changes or have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, this fun and social class can help you strengthen your mind and body to stay sharp, especially during these times. The class combines gentle physical exercise, including yoga and exercises, to help reduce stress and anxiety, along with a full hour of brain exercises done in a non-stress and engaging way. To sign up, contact Georgia Gunter at 770-677-9421.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4 Think Different – 8 to 9 p.m. Study the single most transformative Jew-

ish spiritual text written in the last three centuries with master Tanya teacher Rabbi Ari Sollish. Sponsored by Intown Jewish Academy.

For more information, visit https:// bit.ly/2MGGxq1.

Jews and Jazz – 7 to 8:30 p.m. Presented

by The Breman Museum, Dr. Gordon Vernick plays trumpet, accompanied by vocalist Rita Graham and pianist Kevin Bales, as he tells the stories about the significant roles Jews have played in the jazz scene as composers, performers, writers and entrepreneurs. Learn about the contributions of composers such as George Gershwin, Yip Harburg and Oscar Hammerstein, among others.

For more information, visit http:// bit.ly/3nZoNDk.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES Beshalach Friday, January 29, 2021, light candles at 5:47 p.m.

Saturday, January 30, 2021, Shabbat ends at 6:45 p.m.

Yitro Friday, February 5, 2021, light candles at 5:54 p.m.

Saturday, February 6, 2021, Shabbat ends at 6:52 p.m.

the rebirth of the state in 1948. You will encounter its people through the lens of Israel’s leading writers, discovering an Israeli culture that is original, contemporary, honest and proud. For more information, https://bit.ly/3oCI2Ue.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6 3 Score and More Trivia and Nosh – 7 to 8 p.m. Join this Congregation Etz Chaim group on Zoom for Trivia and Nosh, a fun night of trivia and camaraderie, Register at https://bit. ly/2XDlNly.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 Cub Club: Space, Science, and Judaism – 10 to 10:30 a.m. Get ready to blast off with The Davis Academy’s Cub Club along with PJ Library for an out-of-this-world experience. Together, families will participate in a New Moon drum circle, learn some fun facts about space and Judaism, then create their own space-themed art project. This is a virtual community program welcoming all families with children ages 3 to 5. To sign up, visit http://bit.ly/3i1kqq6.

Israeli Literature as a Window to Israeli Society – 10 to 11 a.m. Presented

by Congregation Etz Chaim, in partnership with the MJCCA Lisa F. Brill Institute of Jewish Learning, join Rabbi Dan Dorsch for a literary journey offering a fresh and fascinating examination of Israeli society since

Teens Can Learn to Be Leaders About Israel – 1 to 4 p.m. The Center for Israel Education, along with the Emory Institute for the Study of Modern Israel and Emory Hillel, are accepting applications from 10th- to 12th-graders. Expert instructors will present interactive sessions on topics including Jewish identity, music, peoplehood, the prospects for peace, media bias and Israel on campus.

For more information and how to register, visit https://bit.ly/3i0mQFq.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8 Bet Haverim Lunch & Learn – 12 to 1 p.m. Your Jewish Bridge, supported

by Congregation Bet Haverim, presents this Torah study program. Join Rabbi Pamela Gottfried as we examine classical and modern midrash (interpretations) related to the weekly Torah reading and draw lessons from Jewish wisdom about how we can live and be our best selves today.

All are welcome, no previous experience necessary. The Zoom link can be found at http://bit.ly/35zg6tc.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Hadassah Heralding Our Heroines – 1 p.m. Join Hadassah Greater Atlanta and Faye Levinson, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, to discuss Heroines of the Holocaust. Levinson

delves into the roles of women during one of the darkest periods in our history. The Our Heroines series will connect you with the history and stories of exceptional Jewish women who were leaders in their times in unique and notable ways. To learn more, visit http://bit.ly/3qn18OF. Brain Health Bootcamp – 1 to 3 p.m.

Jewish Family & Career Services presents this ongoing program. If you are recognizing symptoms of cognitive changes or have been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, our fun and social class can help you strengthen your mind and body to stay sharp, especially during these times. The class combines gentle physical exercise, including yoga and exercises, to help reduce stress and anxiety, along with a full hour of brain exercises done in a non-stress and engaging way. To sign up, contact Georgia Gunter at 770-677-9421.

Strange and Odd Jewish Customs and Traditions – 7 to 8:30 p.m. Congregation Etz Chaim presents this program on why Jews have such odd customs and traditions. Rabbi Emeritus Shalom Lewis will answer your questions on why we do the things we do. Feel free to share questions you may have in advance with Rabbi Lewis at ravlewis@etzchaim.net.

Visit https://bit.ly/2XwMsjW for the Zoom link.

Mental Health: Jewish Values and Prayer – 7:30 p.m. The Blue Dove Foundation, along with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, presents “Jewish Approaches to Mental Wellness: An Exploration of Jewish Values and Prayer.” Participants will be guided through different activities that explore Jewish values and prayer as they connect to mental health. The focus is on eight middot

(Jewish values) and understanding the importance of the “Mi Sheberach” for mental health and addiction. For more information, http:// bit.ly/3ssXqou.

Ongoing: Chabad.org Presents Jewish Kids Activities Online – Jewish art projects, videos, games, activities and more.

For more information, www.bit. ly/2UgUFId.

MJCCA Fitness – MJCCA is open. See the group exercise classes at www. atlantajcc.org/reopen.

MJCCA Book Festival – In Your Living Room Live, click to view MJCCA’s upcoming Book Festival virtual events, www.bit.ly/3bk1mi7.

BBYO – Tune in to BBYO On Demand, a new virtual experience for teens worldwide. Enjoy amazing programming and global events. Some of the sessions will even be led by our very own Greater Atlanta Region BBYO members. For more information, www.bit.ly/2QFlCD2.

MJCCA Blonder Department for Special Needs – Please stay tuned to the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs Facebook group for daily activities, chats, workouts and more. For more information, www. bit.ly/2Jmpl4x.

PJ Library – PJ Library is bringing fun, crafts, stories, Q&As, scavenger hunts, food demos and so much more. To join in and for more information, www.bit.ly/2WzFFqh. Repair the World – Repair the World welcomes you to sign up for its programming. Join from the comfort of your home for a discussion on compassionate care for ourselves and ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 51

our community. For more information, www.bit.ly/2xhUsv5.

Virtual Hillel Connections – If you’re looking for community, connection and meaningful learning opportunities or if you’re just bored and need a distraction during coronavirus cancellations, you’ve come to the right place. Hillel has virtual meetups and online gatherings that bring you together with Jewish and Jew-ish students from around the world in realtime. For more information, www. bit.ly/3af7wjA. Please send Virtual Classes & Events to diana@atljewishtimes.com.

Community Services: Anti-Defamation League – The Coronavirus Surfaces Fear, Stereotypes and Scapegoating: A blog post from ADL to help provide accurate information, explore emotions and, most importantly, play a role in reducing stereotyping and scapegoating. To read more, www.bit.ly/3dp5a3t.

build a national community with Israel at heart. With activities for kids, teens, young professionals and adults, you can stay connected to Hebrew, Israeli and Jewish heritage, online activism and to one another.

IAC @Home lets you enjoy a coastto-coast community right from your own home. For more information, www.israeliamerican.org/home.

JF&CS - Emergency Financial Assistance – JF&CS is here to provide emergency aid for individuals and families. Please call 770-677-9389 to get assistance. For more information, www.bit.ly/2wo5qzj.

JF&CS - Telehealth Counseling Services – Now offering telehealth options via phone or video conference for current and new clients to help our community during this crisis. For more information about our therapy services or to make a telehealth appointment, email us at therapy@ jfcsatl.org or call 770-677-9474.

JF&CS - Telehealth Older Adult Services – Aviv Older Adult staff are there to help provide resources, care plans and support for you and your family. Call AgeWell at 1-866-AGEWELL (1-866-243-9355) to find out how they can help. For more information, www.bit.ly/2wo5qzj.

Atlanta Community Food Bank Text for Help SMS Function –The ACFB’s mission to provide nutritious food to the people who need it has reached a major milestone toward access to food for all. The Text for Help is ‘findfood’ (no space). Responses will include a list of three different nearby pantries and their contact information. For more information, www. acfb.org.

Israeli American Council – IAC @ Home brings you the most innovative content online while helping 52 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Resources – The unsettling, fast-moving and unpredictable world of life with COVID-19 is upon us. As we’re all discovering, a worldwide pandemic disrupts everyone on an unprecedented scale. For updates and more information, www. bit.ly/3ahrNVM. Please send Community Service Opportunities to diana@atljewishtimes.com.

at regular times through Zoom.

They are counting participants in these Zoom services as part of a minyan, allowing members to recite full prayer services including Mourner’s Kaddish. To participate via phone, dial 929-205-6099 and then enter the meeting code 404 873 1743. To be a part of services, visit the Zoom link, www.bit.ly/2wnFWlD.

Synagogue Livestreaming Services: Ahavath Achim Synagogue – Shabbat evening services at 6:30 p.m. Shabbat morning services at 9:30 a.m. To watch and for more information, www.bit.ly/38dS4Ed. Congregation Beth Shalom’s Virtual Services – Erev Shabbat, Fridays at 6:30 p.m., Shabbat service, Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. Zoom minyan Sunday at 9:30 a.m. For more information, www.bit.ly/3gY0mUK.

Temple Beth David — Kabbalat Shabbat services every Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Shabbat morning service and Torah Study every Saturday at 11 a.m. on our YouTube channel, (https://www. youtube.com/channel/UC2GcbAI_ HdLRSG5hhpi_8Cw).

Temple Beth Tikvah Livestreaming Services – Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays at 10 a.m. To join on Facebook, www.facebook.com/TempleBethTikvah/ or www.bit.ly/2ZlCvrr.

Temple Kol Emeth Services – Shabbat services on Fridays at 8 p.m. View our services on www.kolemeth.net or www.facebook.com/Temple Kol Emeth-Marietta, GA.

Congregation Etz Chaim – Erev Shabbat Musical, Fridays at 6:30 p.m.

Shabbat morning services at 9:30 a.m. Join in for weekly livestream Shabbat services. To join, www.bit. ly/3gWL02s.

Temple Sinai Livestream Services – Temple Sinai has live Shabbat services on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m. For more information and to view services, www. bit.ly/2BXRfTF.

Congregation Or Hadash – Shabbat services Friday at 6:30 p.m. Saturday morning services at 9:15 a.m. Minyan Sunday and Tuesday mornings.

To participate and get Zoom link, www.or-hadash.org.

Congregation Shearith Israel – Daily and Shabbat services will continue

The Temple Livestreaming Services – Find live streaming services here, www.the-temple.org.

Please send Synagogue and Temple Streaming Services to diana@ atljewishtimes.com.

Check the Atlanta Jewish Connector for updates: www.atlantajewishconnector.com.

CONNECTOR CHATTER Directory Spotlight www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Congregation Dor Tamid

North Fulton Master Gardeners In conversation with Lee Tanenbaum, publicity/marketing coordinator How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

The North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc., is a Georgia nonprofit whose purpose is to educate its members and the public in the areas of horticulture and ecology in order to promote and foster community enrichment. Since 1995, the NFMG has assisted the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension by providing unbiased horticultural information to Georgians through volunteer community service and educational gardening projects using applied research and the resources of the University of Georgia. NFMG volunteers are trained and certified by the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension.

In conversation with Stacey Jahanfar, executive director How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

16 years.

How do you cater to the younger members of the community?

For several years, our master gardeners have provided gardening education to Fulton County second graders in our Roswell greenhouse. We have participated in many Earth Day and community fairs in the North Fulton area, bringing simple gardening activities for children in attendance. We have provided horticultural scholarships to horticulture students at the University of Georgia and Gwinnett Technical College.

How do you cater to the younger members of the community?

We have Virtual Religious School, Tot Shabbat and Play Tamid.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

A community of 500 members, a strong presence in the community, partners with multiple religious organizations and the Johns Creek community.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

We hope to still have a strong group of volunteers providing community horticultural education and enrichment.

Café Intermezzo In conversation with Brian Olson, owner How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

We opened the first Café Intermezzo in Atlanta in 1979, so 41 years.

How do you cater to the younger members of the community?

Among the many realities we learned in the years following opening, one which I deeply appreciate and consider a blessing, is the popularity of the café among young girls and women. Having discussed this phenomenon over the years with parents and young people as well, I ascertained that some characteristics of the café made it an attractive choice: they could order as little as they chose, and thus spend as little as they could afford; our extensive beverage selection (of course without alcohol) including coffees such as cappuccinos, hot chocolates, teas, imported and domestic unique soft drinks, such as Orangina from France; a bevy of pastries, desserts, savories to satisfy an appetite; and an environment with an air of elegance, while at the same time not requiring full meal ordering and a lot of money; and the ability to spend as much time in the environment as they chose. Additionally, I learned (personally re-learned from my own memories) that females on a date, especially among high school-age people, tend to drive the decision on where to go and what to do after a movie or a party. I have been told over the years that many young ladies found the café comfortable and attractive. Parents also found it an agreeable stop for their children, given the safety and respectability of the environment (in spite of alcohol service. We have always been stringent on the age/ID subject!)

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

We currently own and operate four [cafes] in Atlanta, and one in Nashville. I envision 10 years from now our company having 14 Café Intermezzo European coffeehouses in six cities.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 53

COMMUNITY A Time to Plant, A Time for Trees The weather is still chilly new trees at this annual event takes place on Sundays, so in metro Atlanta; blooming that all Jewish community volunteers can attend.

This year’s Tu B’Shevat event, sponsored by Trees Attrees, the appearance of crocus or tulips wait till early March lanta, occurs at Adams Park in Southwest Atlanta Jan. 31.

Because of the pandemic, Trees Atlanta to appear. has greatly reduced the number of volYet, for the unteers allowed at each of its tree-plantJewish coming projects. munity, Tu “In a typical year, we could accept B’Shevat, the walk-ups, but because of COVID-19 safe“New Year of Flora Rosefsky ty guidelines, registration is required Trees” winto participate,” said Cate Hughes, a proter holiday, gram staff member. offers an opportunity to engage in plantA planning group led by Myrtle ing activities, along with its reminder to Lewin, Tu B’Shvat ATL, is recruiting the appreciate nature and our environment. volunteers, largely among the Jewish From nonprofit Georgia organizacommunity. tions such as Trees Atlanta and Jewish In addition to the annual Tu Climate Action Network to synagogue B’Shevat event, Trees Atlanta welcomes greening groups, there is a heightened Joanna Kobylivker holds two sense of bringing their messages to the compost bins, the contents of which volunteers to plant trees with them evforefront with the holiday’s attention to are processed through CompostNow ery weekend while following the safety to nourish her home garden. guidelines. trees and nature.

At The Temple, member Ruth Menter chairs the synaAccording to its website, Trees Atlanta is a nonprofit community organization that protects and improves At- gogue’s greening group, which she calls The Temple Green lanta’s urban forest by planting, conserving and educating. Team. As a three-term board member of Georgia Interfaith Greg Levine, co-executive director and chief program Power and Light, a faith-based environmental group, she officer of Trees Atlanta, told the AJT how the organization became involved with The Temple’s newly formed Rothshas been holding Tu B’ Shevat planting activities since 1995, child Social Justice Institute. One of its 11 issues addressed first partnered with a Jewish group called Mosaic. Planting the environment. In a phone interview, she said The Tem-

54 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Photo courtesy of Ruth Menter // The Temple’s greening group planted a red maple tree in 2019 in memory of a Pittsburgh Tree of Life victim who was an uncle of a congregant’s family.

ple has been participating in Trees Atlanta’s Tu B’Shevat plantings for the past three years. Another example of a tree planting occasion took place in 2019. To remember Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue victims, The Temple planted a red maple tree on its front lawn in memory of a congregant family’s uncle.

Joanna Kobylivker, a member of Congregation Shearith Israel, last year organized the Georgia chapter of JCAN. It is a resource for synagogues and the Jewish community to co-sponsor or support events such as the Trees of Atlanta planting and the free community Tu B’Shevat Seder, held virtually using Zoom Jan. 27.

Kobylivker connects this Jewish Arbor Day to contemporary Israel when trees are planted in celebration. “It has developed into an ecological holiday that reminds Jews of our connection to the earth and to our role Photo courtesy of Tree Atlanta // as caretakers of the enviA family plants a tree together ronment,” she said. at the Tu B’Shevat event in Executing a planned 2015 at The Carter Center. home landscape can become another way to bond with the earth.

Joe Delafuente, Jewish owner of Creative Concepts Landscape Services, started his Marietta business in 2010 after nearly a decade working in landscape design. He said he believes tree plantings not only add beauty to one’s home but can help revitalize Atlanta’s area tree canopy.

Sitting outside on one’s patio or porch, or even looking out the window to a landscaped area can bring a sense of calm and relaxation, which have gained importance as COVID-19 forces many to stay indoors most of the time, he said.

Delafuente said Tu B’Shevat might be the perfect time to recognize nature and consider adding more trees and shrubs to beautify one’s home.

Spring will arrive soon with more sunshine and longer days, so during the remaining dark days ahead in the pandemic, think of how the planting of trees around the time of Tu B’Shevat can be a harbinger of brighter days to come. ì

CMCH Integrates Judaic-General Studies It was 11 a.m. on a Tuesday morning last month, and Matan Fleishman was sitting in his sixth grade classroom at CMCH Elementary & Bracha Slavaticki Middle School, Guest Contributor t h o u g h t f u l ly tapping his pencil to his chin.

In three days, he would need to submit the position paper he’s worked on to a rabbinic council of teachers and rabbis for review. At that moment, however, he was not in class with his Judaics teacher, Rabbi Mendel Jacobson, but with Wes Morris, who runs the middle school’s English Language Arts program.

“Rabbi Jacobson and I both come from a Montessori background and were looking for ways to integrate the Judaic and General Studies sides of the curriculum,” Morris said. “We decided to come up with hot topics in the Jewish world; he would guide them in researching their assigned topics, and I would support them in writing their papers and preparing for a debate.”

The project they came up with is a challenging but fascinating one. The boys were divided into groups and assigned a debate based on real life situations and recent events. Two scenarios were: whether Nintendo should be held liable for trespassing and damages caused by Pokemon players; and whether autonomous vehicles, in the event of a collision, should be programmed to save the passengers or the pedestrian. Each group was further split into two pairs and instructed to research one of two opposing positions and create arguments based on halacha and other scholarly works.

Some students used online search engines to aid in their research; others, like Matan, preferred to go straight to the source.

“Rabbi Jacobson gave me some guidance on where to start looking,” Matan shared. “Then I opened the Gemara (Talmud) and Shulchan Aruch (Code of Jewish Law) and found the sources that would back my position.”

On this particular Tuesday, the students were editing their position papers, which were previously submitted, reviewed and returned to them. Two weeks later, they’d be arguing in a debate that would be streamed live for the parents, grandparents and school community to enjoy. The boys were nervous about what to expect, yet they seemed confident that

COMMUNITY

Motti Levin studies Talmud.

Eli Lipskier sorts the alef-bet.

Wes Morris welcomes and opens up the debates.

they could hold their own and argue their positions convincingly.

Unlike previous years, when seats were grouped together to optimize collaborative learning, the students sat 6 feet apart, in desks surrounded by plexiglass.

This didn’t seem to faze them as they eagerly exchanged ideas about debate strategy and pondered aloud what kind of questions might be thrown at them by moderator Rabbi Yossi New, senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Tefillah and executive director of Chabad of Georgia.

If you were to walk through the hallways and peek into other classrooms, you would notice a similar sight. The setup of each room prioritizes COVID safety. Class discussions flow freely, and students are engaged in various learning activities assigned to them.

Back in the ELA room, Matan shared that the skills he is picking up through this assignment extend far beyond academics.

“I learned how to write a paper, find information and draw people in, but this project also prepares us for the real world. In life, people will say things against you, and you can’t just respond by saying they’re wrong; you have to give evidence and say, ‘That isn’t right, and this is why.’”

As it turns out, this kind of practical application is exactly what the teachers had in mind when they initiated this project. In fact, it’s what drives most of their innovative lesson planning.

“Our teachers challenge themselves daily to find meaningful ways to improve student engagement,” said Leah Sollish, the Judaic principal who was the driving force behind this project.

Pushing the limits comes naturally to this crew. Back in March, as most schools were slowly coming to terms with the new COVID-19 reality, it took only one day for CMCH to move all classes online. It was a mammoth effort, but in short order the students were learning and engaging socially in their new virtual classroom.

Now the school has opened for in person learning.

Registration is climbing steadily, and the office is fielding almost daily phone calls from parents around the city and out of state interested in enrolling their children in the school. Most notably, an additional first grade class opened Jan. 4 and all but two spots have already been filled.

“People see a school that is open at a time when many are struggling to operate, and we are not only surviving, we are thriving!” said Elaine Padron, who oversees the General Studies Department.

Rabbi Isser New, who serves as the school’s executive director, agreed.

“Over the past two years, I have

watched our principals weave together a multi-faceted curriculum that encompasses Judaic studies, general studies, development of character and social-emotional growth,” Rabbi New said. “The Rabbinic Debates project is a result of that integration."

As for Matan Fleishman, he is back at work researching his topic and honing his arguments. The debate date is getting closer, and this future leader needs to be prepared. ì Bracha Slavaticki is a CMCH parent and co-director of Chabad of Decatur.

Here’s to lots of reasons to SMILE in 2021!!

We are honored to care for so many of yours!

Harris B. Siegel, DMD, FAGO Arthur H. "Skip" Dolt, Ill, DDS, FAGO Marc “Chas” Plaisance, Jr., DMD

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Druid Pointe Building • 2751 Buford Highway • Suite 302 Atlanta GA 30324 Telephone: (404) 634-1277 www.siegelanddolt.com ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 55

COMMUNITY

Hadassah Greater Atlanta Installs Leaders

56 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Sheila Dalmat, a past chapter president, discharged and installed the new leaders.

Marci Abrams-Feinstein is the new Hadassah Greater Atlanta president.

Michele Weiner-Merbaum, outgoing president, holds up a mezuzah, one of many gifts from her appreciative Hadassah board.

Past chapter president Phyllis M. Cohen helped to discharge and install the new board and officers.

Hadassah Greater Atlanta held its installation of officers and board via Zoom last month. Phyllis M. Cohen and Sheila Dalmat, both past chapter presidents, discharged and thanked the outgoing board and installed the incoming officers and board Dec. 20. In keeping with the theme of light, each incoming board member lit a candle and presented a quote to represent something meaningful and uplifting that referenced light.

Outgoing president, Michele Weiner-Merbaum, was thanked for her outstanding service to the chapter for the past two years. Marci Abrams-Feinstein was installed as president. Her involvement in Hadassah and the Hadassah Medical Organization is the extension of her background in healthcare.

In her remarks, she shared that she learned early on how important good health and medications can be to a per-

son’s life through parents who were both pharmacists in their Philadelphia drugstore, where they served their community and brought healing to their patients. She followed in their footsteps and served as a community pharmacist, striving to improve the health and welfare of the people she served.

Abrams-Feinstein became devoted to the HMO because she saw firsthand how Hadassah is on the cutting edge of medical research with amazing new treatments and state-of-the-art hospitals.

HMO’s willingness to share knowledge with other medical institutions around the world makes it a leader in the field of medicine. In her words, “Hadassah is no stranger to light. Involvement in Hadassah helps light the way for continued healing.”

To learn more about Hadassah in Atlanta, visit www.hadassah.org/atlanta. ì

COMMUNITY

Who Was Your Favorite Teacher? peers, I encountered my first mid-life crisis. In the summer of 1997, I left Atlanta to study with Rav Binny Freedman at the Isralight institute in the Old City of Jerusalem. He became my guide as we dove headfirst into Torah and Jewish philosophy. Through the stories he told and the books we read, he showed me a path of self-reflection and purpose. He gave meaning to life and to Torah. I was 34. I thought it was too late for an epiphany.

I was wrong.

- Eric Miller

Erica Bercovitch was encouraged to think by her Western Civ teacher.

Eric Miller’s mother was his best teacher.

By Chana Shapiro I grew up in Atlanta, on Jody Lane, around Toco Hills. I started at the Hebrew Academy (now Atlanta Jewish Academy) from first through third grades, when I was diagnosed with a learning disability.

Much of the credit goes to Ms. Falack, who first spotted the problem. But it sent me on a long trail of tutors and school programs, leading me to Margaret Harris and Briar Vista elementary schools.

There are many teachers who deserve my gratitude. But my most consistent mentor and advocate has always been my mother. A teacher herself, she was the most diligent and the most persistent in getting me to graduate from high school and college.

After teachers, tutors and mentors, and learning just as much from my

I grew up in central New Jersey in a little town called Iselin, where the Turnpike and Parkway and Routes 1 and 9 meet. Inspired by Annie Sullivan (Helen Keller’s teacher), I became a teacher. Now I tutor and I really enjoy it. When I’m not tutoring, I am either knitting or reading.

I’ve had a lot of wonderful teachers and picking one was extremely difficult. The winner for me was Mr. Evan, who taught ninth grade Western Civ at Iselin Junior High. Mr. Evan was great at bad Dad jokes and always made us laugh. He also made us think. He never told us what we should think or his point of view. He taught us the information and allowed us to draw our own conclusion. When we learned about world religions, he refused to tell us his until we finished the unit. He also taught me how to learn. Some learn by sight, some through hearing. Mr. Evan used both methods, and as an added bonus, he made us rewrite our notes two times each night. But, don’t groan!

I had a terrible professor in college, and guess whose notes I used? Of course, the notes of Mr. Evans, who went on to become a school principal. I really hope he knows how much he influenced us!

-Erica Bercovitch

Mordechai Gerchikov’s favorite teachers in Leningrad and Maryland reflected their school systems.

Meredith Schwartz blossomed when her drama teacher treated her as an adult.

I went to elementary school in Leningrad (currently Saint Petersburg), Soviet Union. My favorite teacher was Nadejna Vladimirovna. In the structured Soviet school system, there were strict rules. She was firm, but fair and kind. As a result, I wanted to please her and do my best. We sat in pairs in neat straight rows, raising our hand only half way with the elbow resting on the other arm, and stood when teachers entered. Very few students made side conversations. I remember her calm demeanor and kind eyes.

My family immigrated to Maryland in 1979. The Jewish Federation gave my family English lessons and sent me to camp where I improved the English I knew from Russia, before I started Charles E. Smith Jewish Day School. My favorite subject in high school was language arts with Mrs. Wizkasky, who took me under her wing. I guess one could call her warm and fuzzy.

I went to grad school at Adelphi University, where I studied English as a Second Language. I am now a world literature teacher at Clarkston High School, for students who come from other countries.

I enjoy reading, learning Talmud, outdoor camping and taking nature walks.

-Mordechai Gerchikov

I’m a stay-at-home mom and part-time caterer. My husband Jeremy and I have a 2 ½- year-old son and a 7-week-old daughter.

My family moved to Atlanta when I was little, and I’ve lived in and around the city for most of my life, despite attempts to establish my life elsewhere. Atlanta keeps drawing me back, and we love it.

I’ve been to several schools and had many good teachers. My best, most memorable, and funniest teacher was Steve Young, who came to my fine arts magnet high school when I was 16. Mr. Young (now I call him Steve) taught drama, but his education was in film. By the middle of my junior year, I had taken every drama class, and I convinced our administrator to let me study independently with Steve and apply for grants to establish a film department. I also worked outside of school as a production assistant at Steve’s small independent film company. He treated me like an adult and supported my self-confidence in a way other adults had not. We keep up to date about our families through our Facebook friendship, and, hopefully, after corona, when my life is no longer dominated by tiny children, our family will meet him, and I’ll see him again, 20 years later. ì -Meredith Schwartz

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 57

OY VEY

JEWISH JOKE

OY VEY! HAVE I GOT A PROBLEM...

Dear Rachel, mpliant. There are days become completely nonco has jy Ben son s until ge na tee My he stays out with friend , and many nights when ool sch to go in his to f s sel use him ref when he quently locks avior is so erratic! He fre beh His ng.

I find rni lo. mo hel the say in 3 or 4 se or even to t come out to eat, exerci sn’ doe He be. he day If ire d. ent ore room the t my pleas are ign ough the closed door, bu thr him D h GE wit the ng ose adi cho ple myself k like? He could t, what will his future loo pou t dro sn’ ool doe sch he h if d, hig a comes tageous route. An him to choose a disadvan for ? me him sha a of e at om wh t bec bu route, g, what will healthfully and exercisin ing eat by f sel him of e take car ngs around?

What can I do to turn thi A Distraught Mom Dear Mom, Life was so much easier when that baby could be placed where you wanted him to go!

Seemingly in a flash, that baby developed a mind of his own. And it sounds like he is making some very poor choices.

You are clearly a devoted mother mired in a difficult quandary. How can you help Benjy before he slides so far down that it will be infinitely harder for him to rise up again?

When dealing with a teen, everyone knows that “parents don’t know anything.” Teens often assume we’ve been grownups for so long that we cannot possibly understand, remember or identify with what they’re going through. They therefore figuratively or literally slam the door on us, and we are left wondering “What just happened? Was it something I said?”

No, dear parent, it is just your teen moving along the trajectory of the turbulent teens. And all I can tell you is that many of us have been there, so hold tight; you will make it to the other side! Try to maintain a positive relationship as best you can and pray often.

To be proactive, may I suggest trying to gain entry through a back door? Is there someone Benjy respects and with whom he has a positive rapport – a teacher, a sports coach, an older sibling – anyone? If so, I would try speaking to this person and see if s\he is willing to speak with Benjy. Since their conversation needs to appear totally incidental and not prearranged, it may take a few sessions until they make any progress.

The other option could be playing hardball or using “tough love,” though this is not my style and doesn’t sound like it would suit your nature either. You can inform Benjy that you are not running a hotel. He doesn’t have a choice about school attendance, and his room cannot be his haven 24\7. What can you do if he refuses to comply? You can tell him you will not make him supper or do any of the other myriad tasks you surely do for him regularly like shopping or carpooling. He is living in your home and that privilege comes with responsibility.

Perhaps an ideal method would be to use a combination of approaches. Continue to be loving and positive most of the time. Contact this alternate person to try to knock some sense into Benjy (gently, of course) and lay down the law in one or two areas that are at the top of your “Thou Shalt Not” list.

One path I would relinquish is the incessant pleading. First of all, you tried that tactic, and it was ineffective. Second, you are the parent and authority figure; it is not suitable or respectable for you to have to beg your son to follow your rules. If you appear weak and inept, it may demean you in his eyes. It is also not healthy for your self-esteem.

Why certain children do not come with an instruction manual is one of the eternal mysteries of this world.

May G-d bless you with strength and success in helping your child grow and achieve his potential.

Rachel Atlanta Jewish Times Advice Column Got a problem? Email Rachel, a certified life coach, 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!

58 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The Four Questions The Hebrew School lesson had just finished, and the rabbi asked if the children had any questions...

Little David quickly raised his hand. “Yes, David? What question would you like to ask?”

“I have four questions to ask you, rabbi: Is it true that after the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, they received the Ten Commandments?”

“Yes, David.”

“And the children of Israel also defeated the Philistines?”

“Yes, David, that’s also true.”

“And the children of Israel also fought the Canaanites and fought the Amalekites and built the Temple?”

“Again you are correct, David.”

“So my last question is, rabbi... What were the grownups doing all this time?!”

Chabad Naples Jewish Community Center.

YIDDISH WORD OF THE MONTH a schande

‫א שאנדע‬ A disgrace; one who brings embarrassment through mere association, cf. German eine Schande, translated "a disgrace," meaning "such a shame."

BRAIN FOOD

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party with a theme focusing on the Super Bowl, happening a week before. The party will have participants calling supporters for donations, and they will be “coached” by advisors in jerseys. They have had over 90 volunteers sign up so far, and plan to target those who have 50 Years Ago// January 22, 1971 ì Atlanta is among a number of American Jewish communities sending missions to donated less than $500 in the past.

Israel. The missions are meant as a sign of support for the young Jewish 15 Years Ago// January 27, 2006 state. The missions allow Jews to directly observe the new state and see ì Chabad of Cobb is breaking ground on a new building this the facts for themselves, which they can then bring back to the states weekend, moving down the street on Roswell Road. The congregation, and share with their friends and family. led by Rabbi Ephraim Silverman, has grown from 85 in attendance durì Temple Sinai has introduced a new worship service, created ing the high holidays in 1999 to more than 450 last year with the Hebrew by a group of 10 men and women assembled last year. Presented as a school growing from 17 to 120 students. With such a growing congregaThe Delta Phi Epsilon chapter “unique, moving, and contemporary” service, congregants hoped to survived despite financial struggles tion, a new space was needed as the congregation continues to expand. look at the Shabbat service with a new, creative approach. Members 15 years ago, and is pictured here Silverman hopes to incorporate the new building’s 7-acre plot into how hoped to “rethink” the Rosh Hashanah service next. in 2018. // Courtesy DPE/ Facebook. the congregation is serviced. ì The Delta Phi Epsilon chapter at University of Georgia has 25 Years Ago// January 26, 1996 ì A new program at The Temple is allowing parents to join their children for some been struggling with financial issues and faces the possibility of not returning next semester. religious classes. The program, called Yad B’yad or hand in hand, intends to allow parents Alumnus of the sorority are trying to raise $70,000 to help support the chapter. Discussions to learn Jewish concepts alongside their children, as well as show their children the impor- about reviving the sorority at UGA have included remembering its Jewish roots. The chapter tance of Jewish learning. It was initially a smaller focus group program, but its success led The has been around for more than 70 years, and Michelle Lewis, an Atlanta resident and DPhiE alumna, said that, “It’s sad to think that there are 70 years of Jewish history going down the Temple to grow the program, currently only available to fourth graders. ì The Atlanta Jewish Federation is hosting its yearly “Super Sunday” fundraising drain.” ì

Remember When

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 59

NEW MOON MEDITATIONS Live Intentionally This Shevat R o s h Chodesh Shevat began at sundown, Jan. 13. We’ve just come out of the month in our history in which people strayed from Dr. Terry Segal belief and worNew Moon Meditations ship in one G-d. They began to worship idols because Moses hadn’t come back down the mountain quickly enough and so they lost their hope and faith.

Currently we enter a time in which we need to restore our faith in G-d, and each other, more than ever. Shevat has always been designated for the tithing of trees. I looked up the word in the dictionary to learn the origin, and it referenced the practice of taking or paying a tithe, which was considered to be one tenth of annual produce or earnings that were taxed for the support of clergy and the church. It further stated that, in England, tithing referred to “a group of ten house-

60 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

holders who lived close together and were collectively responsible for each other’s behavior.” Imagine that. Also imagine this month, giving one tenth of your attention to someone with another view, one tenth of your patience to someone who needs it, or one tenth in support of your synagogue, not only in donations, but in efforts through your hand and heart.

Tu B’Shevat, the 15th of Shevat, is the New Year of the Trees. We plant trees in our yard and in Israel. Tithing, in this instance, means that we calculate the age of the trees from Tu B’Shevat. In Leviticus 19:23-25, we learn that the fruits from a tree may not be eaten during the first three years. The fourth year’s fruit is for G-d, and then, beginning in the fifth year, the fruit may be eaten. This cultivates patience and respect for the trees, with the sweetness as a reward. Each year on Tu B’Shevat, the tree has its birthday.

Kabbalists honor this month with a celebration seder that includes Torah, Talmud and mystical readings, four glasses of different wines to represent each season, and a sampling of foods from the sev-

en species of native produce to Israel mentioned in the Torah. Those foods include wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and honey. Envision Hashem imbuing Divine essence into each of these foods for us to ingest.

The Zodiac sign of the month is Aquarius, the water carrier. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, when it is a dry season, the crescent moon tilts upward, as if holding water in a cup. When it’s rainy, the crescent moon faces down, as if pouring the water on to the land.

Tzadik is the Hebrew letter of the month. It means “righteous one” and focuses on justice. A righteous person, referred to as a tzadik, embodies the spiritual qualities of Divine energy and channels blessings that flow into the world.

According to Chabad Rabbi Aaron L. Raskin, two planets rule Shevat: Saturn, the planet of judgment, order, responsibility, discipline and laws, and Uranus, which elevates us to new consciousness and concepts beyond limitation. He states: “This is why the Age of Aquarius and the month of Aquarius are considered times of change. Both are times of

new knowledge, inventions, humanity, and charity.”

The tribe is Asher, which was granted the fertile land of Galilee. It prospered from the olive oil of that region.

Taste is the featured sense. It’s customary to try a new fruit this month or eat from the seven species.

The stomach is the controlling organ, digesting the food that’s been consumed. We can open ourselves to digesting holy foods with our bodies, but also our minds and souls, as we embody the Divine and then radiate that love, beauty, and wisdom to our families, our community, to the people of our nation, and the world.

Meditation Focus: These are the words of Renewal Rabbi Arthur Waskow: “We breathe, and the trees breathe. We breathe in what the trees breathe out. So we breathe each other into existence. We, and the galaxies, and the arrays of science and the codes of law and the plays of music, we are breathing each other into existence. And the breath, of course, goes in a cycle.” What intention can you put on this breath? ì

CLOSING THOUGHTS Spiritual and Not Religious?

Tu B’Shevat is for You The fastest-growing religious group in the United States are the nones, those who profess no religious affiliation. Is America becoming more Rabbi Ruth secular? Maybe.

But studies seem to suggest that unlike Europeans, Americans continue to believe, but not to affiliate. In other words, more and more people identify as spiritual, but not religious.

The same studies indicate that many Jews fall into this broad category.

If this resonates for you or someone you know, may I recommend looking into Tu B’Shevat. Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur may be better known, but unlike the High Holy Days, the deep meaning of Tu B’Shevat is not focused on liturgy and observance, nor does it involve synagogue attendance.

There is no singular experience of spirituality without religiosity. And yet, when I have spoken with people who see themselves this way, there are some commonalities: a sense of awe and reverence, connection to forces beyond themselves and a sense of the sacred.

One of the most common places people of all backgrounds, faiths and spiritual identities find a sense of awe and reverence is in nature. Tu B’Shevat is about nature and about taking time to pause and appreciate it.

The holiday gets its name from its date.

Tu B’Shevat literally means the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. In 2021, that is Jan. 27-28. Most of us know that Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, but in fact, there are four different Jewish New Years. Tu B’Shevat is one of them, it is the New Year for the Trees.

We in the United States also have multiple New Years. There is the new tax year.

There is the new school year. On a personal level, there is the year that starts each time we reach a birthday. For the ancient Israelites, celebrating the New Year of the Trees was directly tied to worship, and tithing connected to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, which is largely irrelevant today.

So why bother making Tu B’ Shevat a thing? After all, getting out into nature is one of the few pleasures available to us in the COVID era; do we need a special day to notice it?

I would venture, yes. If I have learned anything in this challenging time when so many forms of connection have disappeared, it is that we need to actively make meaning and Tu B’ Shevat offers us that possibility.

Where we sit in 2021, the idea of looking to trees and nature as a marker of time feels

right. At the start of January, we bid goodbye to 2020 with glee. By most accounts, it was a challenging year. But into 2021, we have to acknowledge that the date change on a calendar does magically release us from our problems. Trees, however, offer a different vision of the passage of time. Instead of the complete renewal each year, trees add rings.

What has passed has passed, and becomes part of the inner core, with a new layer being added each year.

So take the opportunity on Tu B’Shevat to consider where you have been in the last year spiritually and emotionally. Likely, like the trees, you have not moved much in the past 12 months, but you have grown new layers (and not just the COVID-19 that show on the scale). What is in your core? What has kept you strong over your life? What are the bumps in your outer layer? What is your outer layer protecting you from?

If you are so inclined, write this up on a diagram with literal rings. Or go out and appreciate trees. For many people spiritual and or religious, nature is a source of awe. So go for a walk with the express purpose of kindling your sense of awe. Walk among trees.

You will be more likely to find that awe if you leave technology behind and do not worry about your steps. Instead, pay attention to the sounds, the wind on the branches, the birds and maybe a river. Notice how it feels to be in nature, the quality of the air, the feeling under your feet. With every breath, let yourself celebrate the trees and the world in which they grow and stand.

Buy a variety of produce. Take time to sit with the shapes, the textures and the smells.

The natural world is truly astonishing. Consider the frail fronds of dill leaves, which are as powerfully fragrant as the sturdy leathery peel of the many kinds of citrus. Contrast the bumps of a cauliflower with the smooth skin of an apple. Compare the shiny squishy seeds of the papaya with the singular hard seed at the core of the avocado. The bounty of the natural world is truly magical.

Prepare a plant-based meal with that produce. Set out a nice place setting. Before you dig in, take a moment to appreciate what is on your plate and all the many wondrous elements of nature that come together and make nourishment possible. Then, sit in quiet and take time to savor each bite.

Each of these activities has the potential to deepen a sense of spiritual connection.

There is no liturgy or formal ritual to do in a particular way, but there is great possibility for reverence and awe within the broad framework of our Jewish heritage. However you understand your relationship to spirituality, I recommend Tu B’Shevat to you. ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 61

OBITUARIES

Richard (Dick) Irvin Born 99, Atlanta

Richard (Dick) Irvin Born, 99, died Jan. 13, 2021. He was born in Boston, Mass., and raised in New Haven, Conn. He met his wife Sylvia at the University of Georgia in 1938, and after graduation in 1942, they were married and lived happily until Sylvia’s passing in 2011.

Richard attended Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Ga., received commission as 2nd lieutenant (infantry) and was transferred to the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943 serving in the 9th Air Force. As a lead flight navigator for a B-26 Marauder, he flew 23 combat bombing missions over Nazi Germany air space from a makeshift air base in northern France. He was a member of the World War II Round Table group and his stories are documented in The National WWII Museum and the Atlanta History Center museum, among others.

After the war he owned Atlanta Sandwich Company on Ponce de Leon Avenue, servicing schools, factories and mills, and then was self-employed as a candy broker until his retirement. The game of golf was his passion and he hit five holes in one on three different courses (five different holes), with the most recent one at age 90. He was an extraordinarily successful card player and looked forward to sitting down with his friends to play gin rummy as often as possible.

Proud of his driving skills and independence, he loved to schmooze and visit with his friends at Goldbergs Deli on Roswell Road, where he could be found most days for lunch. His love for the staff and friends he made there and also at Houston’s restaurant on Northside Parkway were definitely the highlight of his daily rounds. He was treated like royalty everywhere he went and loved to tell stories to the friends he made.

He was musically gifted and enjoyed singing and playing the harmonica, entertaining friends and family with their song requests of old standards, show tunes and classical music.

He could play by ear, so once he heard a tune, he could play it. He had an impeccable sense of style and fashion, and his sense of humor was forever present in his delivery of a good joke.

He leaves behind his children Mark (Robin) Born of Nashville and Lori (Lee) Krinsky of Atlanta; grandchildren Jon (Stella) Born of Manhattan, N.Y., Ryan (Lauren) Born of Los Angeles, and Melissa Krinsky (Jamie Prince) of Atlanta; his great-grandchildren Grayson Born of Manhattan and Eden Born of Los Angeles.

We are thankful to the many special friends who touched his life and were touched by him. You all know who you are. He lived a wonderful life and we will miss him.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. The funeral was Jan. 15 at Arlington Cemetery. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Alan Howard Fine 47, Oakland, Calif.

Alan Howard Fine was the most kind, caring, and compassionate person one could ever know. He was an artist and adventurer beloved by everyone who knew him. Alan loved his family and friends, whom he truly considered an extension of his family, and he was always willing to help them in any way he could. A creative free spirit, Alan was an avid traveler, loved music and going to shows, and prioritized spending time with family and friends above all else. He was an animal lover and wonderful dog dad to Dov and Gizmo.

Alan was born in Atlanta on Jan. 23, 1973. He attended Woodward Academy and The Galloway School. Alan loved spending summers at Camp Barney Medintz, where he formed many of his strongest relationships. He loved seeing live bands including the Grateful Dead and Widespread Panic and built a community of music-loving friends.

Alan’s love for travel began with the family pop-up camper trips to Disney World and continued with adventures in Europe, Southeast Asia and South Africa. He loved all things outdoors, including camping, jumping ocean waves and lounging poolside.

Alan graduated from the University of Georgia with an art degree in sculptural design focusing on metalworking and glass blowing. While in Athens, Alan opened a glass blowing studio called Controlled Burn Studios. He continued his career at the Corning Museum of Glass, the Penland School of Craft, and in the California Bay area. Alan’s passion for art and eagerness to learn led him to make friendships across the U.S. and beyond, including Murano, Italy, where he befriended famous glassblower, Elio Quarisa.

After more than 20 years of working as an artist, he decided to separate passion and career. In 2014, Alan began his nursing education so he could directly help people in need. Alan 62 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

never lost his love for making art and continued blowing glass and teaching art and glass blowing while in nursing school. He received his nurse practitioner degree in 2019, and since then, devoted his time to helping the homeless and the dying, adults with dementia, and children with terminal illnesses.

Alan volunteered at several hospitals and was known as the friendly professional with a smile that could light up a room. He had a gift for empathizing with others and sought to give his patients the high-quality care he would want for himself, his family or his friends. When COVID-19 struck, Alan volunteered endless hours making hundreds of face coverings and conducting contact tracing. At the time of his death, from a heart attack, Alan was providing excellent nursing care at a hospital.

He will be sorely missed by his family, friends, and co-workers. He is survived by his parents Laraine and Lowell Fine; sister, Alison Fine (Josh Rosenberg); niece and nephews Aviva Fine, Zev Fine, Levi Rosenberg and Max Rosenberg; aunts and uncle Barbara and Larry Fine, Loretta Fine, and Fay Faye; sister-in-law, Leigh Olstein; and cousins and other relatives. He was predeceased by his brother, Lewis Sandford (Sandy) Fine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Camp Barney Medintz (MJCCA), the American Heart Association or Penland School of Crafts (Penland, N.C.).

Graveside services were held Jan. 10, viewable on Zoom. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999

Marvin J. Fish 77, Atlanta

Marvin J Fish, retired vice president of marketing and a leading expert in scrap metal recycling, passed away due to complications from COVID-19 Jan. 12, 2021, in Atlanta. The beloved husband, father and grandfather was 77.

Born in 1943 to parents Adeline and Harry Fish, Mavin was raised in Pensacola, Fla. He received a bachelor’s in industrial engineering from the University of Florida. While attending UF, he was the president of Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity, where he met the love of his life who became his wife of 55 years Marsha (Kramer) Fish.

Respected as one of the country’s top experts in scrap metal recycling, Marvin built a vibrant career spanning 55-plus years with some of the most progressive companies in Pensacola, New Orleans, Birmingham and Atlanta.

In addition to his professional work, he also dedicated himself to a life of service within his community. He is a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces and served the country in the U.S. Army. He also generously dedicated his time and leadership expertise serving as president of B’nai Israel Synagogue and president of the Easterseals of Northwest Florida in Pensacola.

In Atlanta, he has been an active member of Congregation Beth Shalom and a longtime participant in the North Atlanta Men’s Club and in a weekly poker game. Following his retirement last year, he actively participated in various classes. He challenged himself throughout his life and was a lifelong learner.

He is survived by Marsha; their children Howard Fish (Amanda) and Lori Fish Bard (Larry Bard); and five grandchildren Gregory, Addie, Marissa, Eva, and Simon. He was known as “Pop” and proudly displayed a framed sign that read “My favorite people call me POP.” He also leaves behind his brother, Buddy, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and family members.

Donations in Marvin Fish’s name can be made to Congregation Beth Shalom (www.bethshalom.net). Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

OBITUARIES

Edyth Lorna Plotkin 96, Roswell

Edyth Lorna Plotkin, age 96, passed away Jan. 17, 2021. She was born July 21, 1924, in Chicago, Ill., to loving parents Rose (Auerbach) and Benjamin Zeigmund, and she was married Dec. 19, 1943, for 63 years to the late Dr. Paul Plotkin.

After World War II, Edyth and Paul settled in Miami Beach, Fla., and raised a family. Her passion was taking care of her large family, sewing, traveling, camping, sailing and entertaining.

She was famous for her baking and cooking, especially her chocolate shot cookies, homemade challahs and flatbread platzilahs.

Edyth was active in the PTAs of her children’s schools, Temple Emanuel Sisterhood in Miami Beach and with Hadassah. In 2005 Edyth and Paul moved to Roswell, Ga., to be closer to some of their many grand and great-grandchildren. Edyth was a member of Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell.

She is survived by her sister Marilyn (Lawrence) Bau; five children Dr. Michael (Erica) Plotkin, Joseph (Susan) Plotkin, Gale (the late Carson) Sprow, Norman (Lois) Plotkin and Dr. Jacob (Dr. Ruth Ann) Plotkin; grandchildren Dr. Benjamin Plotkin and Dr. Anna Kitzman, Ilene Lakin, Avi, Jeremy and Adam Adler, the late Wade Sprow, Julie Cohen and Shoshana Fliegel, Ariel Gould and Aaron Plotkin; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Due to COVID, a private service will be held at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga., where her beloved husband Paul was laid to rest.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hadassah, Temple Kehillat Chaim and the Rebecca Kutchins Fund, www.RebeccaKutchinsFund.org.

Sharon Levin Price 88, Atlanta

Sharon Levin Price, age 88, Atlanta, died Jan. 9, 2021. She touched so many with her caring heart and listening ear. There will be family and friends that now have a void but filled with positive memories.

As a teenager, Sharon had moved from Atlanta to Anderson, S.C., where she was president of her high school class. She obtained a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina and associate degree in lab technology. Sharon had a career in the lab before raising her five children.

A born leader, she also was co-president of the Briar Vista Elementary School PTA. Sharon and Mike were married for 66 years. Once the children became independent, Sharon worked as the receptionist at Atlanta’s Temple Sinai for 18 years.

Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law Marvin and Andi Price of Atlanta; son and daughter-in-law Elliot and Bonnie Price of Augusta; son David of Atlanta; daughter and son-in-law Lisa Price and John Beasley of Atlanta; daughter Carol Price of Atlanta; grandchildren Timothy (Emily) Price, Amy Price (Rob Kistenberg), Mara (Elan) Zeichner, Jay Price, Eryn Price-Ormsby, Devon Price-Ormsby, Rebecca Price, Brian (Carolina) Baer, and Cathy Baer (Mitch Ergas); and great-grandchildren Alex and Zoe Ergas; Eviana, Ila, and Charlie Price; Oriel Kistenberg; and Yosi Zeichner.

Graveside services were held Jan. 10, viewable on Zoom. Rabbi Ron Segal and Rabbi Phil Krantz officiated. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice. Sign online guest book at www.DresslerJewishFunerals.com. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Esther Weisman Rechtman 94, Decatur

Esther Weisman Rechtman of Decatur, Ga., passed away peacefully Jan. 19, four days short of her 95th birthday. Esther was born in Detroit, Mich., and married her high school sweetheart Edwin (Eddie) in 1945. They were married for 68 years.

Esther is predeceased by her husband Eddie; son Mark and her daughter-in-law Jane; children Paul (Brenda), Jay (Ilene), Neal, and daughter-in-law Debbie; grandchildren Stephen Rechtman, Jenny Ferguson (Chase),Paige Rechtman (fiancé Kung Gene Chu), Jeff Rechtman, Beth Rechtman, Rachel Banks (Emily), Brian Rechtman (Courtney), Jonathan Rechtman (Emma), and Joseph Rechtman (Abbie Rickard); great-grandchildren Nolan and Carter Ferguson, Austin and Elle Rechtman, and Jane Rechtman; and many loving nieces and nephews.

A virtual memorial service is planned for Jan. 31. For information about attending, or to make a memorial donation, please contact Congregation Bet Haverim, 2074 LaVista Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30329, www.cbhatlanta.org.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JANUARY 31, 2021 | 63

OBITUARIES

David Joel Skoke

Dorothy Kaufmann Steinheimer

David Joel Skoke, age 83, passed away peacefully Jan. 14, 2021, and is sorely missed by his loving family and friends.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1938, David was the eldest son of Abraham and Pearl. As a young man, David worked in advertising and sales for several national publications, including the Miami Herald, establishing an industry reputation and leading to his business success.

He moved to Atlanta in the early 1970s to open the Atlanta office of Metropolitan Publishers Representatives, which flourished until his retirement.

David had a wry sense of humor and had many interests, including golf, politics and travel, and he was an avid reader. His true joy in life came from spending time with his family and his beloved wife Sandy.

He is survived by Sandy; daughters Erin and Jamie; grandchildren Zachary and Mackenzie; great-granddaughter Klorissa; and brothers Bernard and Howard.

A memorial service may be scheduled at a future date. In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.

Dorothy Kaufmann Steinheimer, 95, born 1925, died Jan. 17, 2021. A native of Atlanta, Dot, as she was called, graduated from Girls High in 1943 and from University of Georgia in 1946, with a degree in accounting. At UGA, Dot was a Delta Phi Epsilon (DPhiE).

Dot lived in Savannah for the first 48 of her 57 years of marriage to Lawrence Mayer Steinheimer, Jr., who predeceased her.

A dedicated wife and mother, Dot also had a career as a part-time bookkeeper for Kelly Accounting in downtown Savannah. Active in Congregation Mickve Israel’s Sisterhood and in the Savannah Chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women, Dot was also a leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout troup. After her children were in college, she became the bookkeeper for Steinheimer Insurance Agency. An avid square dancer for over 40 years, Dot enjoyed knitting, crocheting, playing cards, Sudoku, her family dogs, and cooking beautiful meals for the large extended family.

Dot was a loving and faithful daughter to her parents Lawrence Kaufmann and Hettie Dewald Kaufmann; sister to Cathryn Marjorie Kaufmann; niece to numerous uncles and aunts; mother to Carole Steinheimer Brand (Nicholas) and George David Steinheimer (Helen); loving grandmother to Jonathan Steinheimer Brand (Elizabeth), David Lawrence Brand (India Menninghaus), Ellen Kaufmann Channing (Teague), Benjamin David Steinheimer (Megan), and Lauren Rae Steinheimer; and adoring great-grandmother to Rose Harriet Brand, Henry Lawrence Brand, Elsa Josephine Channing, Kate Marie Channing, and Noah Mayer Steinheimer.

By treating everyone with kindness, taking care of the elders in the family, and by welcoming all to her home, she was a great example to her children and grandchildren, her nephew Herbert Lawrence Victor and niece Rhonda Susan Victor, whom she treated as her own.

Funeral services were held Jan. 18. Donations in Dorothy Steinheimer’s memory may be made to Midtown Assistance Center, https://midtownassistancecenter.org/, or The Temple, www.the-temple.org. Arrangements by Dressler’s Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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Myron David Wolf 82, Atlanta

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The son and oldest child of Meyer and Mollie Wolf, Marty was born Oct. 22, 1938, in the Bronx, N.Y. After graduating Hofstra University with a degree in accounting, Marty proudly served in the Air Force for nine years and travelled the world, earning the rank of captain. While serving in the Air Force and stationed in Virginia, he met and fell in love with Bonnie Banks. They were married Nov. 30, 1970. They moved to Gainesville, Fla., where he earned his master of business administration at the University of Florida, before settling in Atlanta to start a career and family.

Marty went on to have a fulfilling and successful career in commercial real estate. With his wife, he raised three accomplished sons, while remaining an active part of the local Jewish community. In his free time, he loved working on cars, especially his prized ‘66 Corvette, and just generally tinkering with and fixing things, carrying on the industrious spirit of his mother’s Henkin family.

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64 | JANUARY 31, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Lillian Lashinsky, 97, died in Atlanta Jan. 9, 2021. She is survived by her sons Richard Lashinsky (Sharon) and Daniel Lashinsky (Susan); and grandchildren Sarah, Anne and Joe Lashinsky. Born and raised in the Bronx, she was the devoted wife to Morris Lashinsky; daughter of Anna and Nathan Dubin; and sister to David and Esther, all of blessed memory. A graveside service was held Jan. 12 at New Mount Zion Cemetery in Lyndhurst, N.J. Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Editor and Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

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