VOL. XCIII NO. 22
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JUNE 1, 2018 | 18 SIVAN 5778
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE Special Graduation Section, Pages 14-25
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Seeing Everyday Holiness example, was time not spent at recess. Blessings were a distraction I felt I could not afford. But as an adult, I’ve come to appreciate the rabbinic approach to daily blessings and the understanding it brings to me of holiness. That night on 285 was busier than most. Dinner had been rushed, and still we were late. Class was delightful, but upon returning home there
Taking Root By Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder rabbiruth@gmail.com
was homework and emails, dishes and laundry. But in the middle of this business there was the supermoon in all its glory. The moment might have been swallowed up by the daily concerns, but, instead, my daughter and I said a blessing, taking in the glory, noting the holiness. Weddings, births and b’not mitzvah are wonderful, but they are rare. Holiness, by contrast, is common but often overlooked. Daily blessings provide us the chance to stop and notice, to take in the moments before they pass and to recognize their value and importance. In contrast to big-event holiness, everyday holiness hides in the midst of the mundane. The food blessings that I viewed as a burden as a child have been transformed into an opportunity to notice, to remind myself to see this food you are about to eat, really see it, appreciate it, know its value. When I bless, I remember that my hunger and I are not at the center of the universe; there is something bigger and more sacred going on. If we are open to noticing, rare are the days that are not worth 100 blessings. It may be something simple, like someone holding a door, a kind word from a neighbor or the smell of honeysuckle. Saying a blessing names these things as holy so we do not overlook the holiness that we have. We need not wait until the baby is born, the wedding dress bought, or even a supermoon expected to experience holiness. In the midst of our busy daily lives, it exists all around us. All that is left is for us, even if only briefly, to notice. ■
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Marbled with gray, the bright orange moon seemed bizarrely large and unreal. Knowing the supermoon was going to be visible in the night sky did not in the least bit prepare me for the overwhelming awe and wonder I felt upon seeing it. As I shifted my gaze back to the earth, my sense of amazement disappeared. In front of me and behind me were cars and trucks, moving very little. We were late to our evening class at the Marcus JCC, and I felt the stress of the traffic jam that meant it would take at least 10 minutes to exit 285. Holiness is a big idea and one I often expect to come in a big, notable package. And sometimes it does. Like the giving of the Torah as described in the Bible, or a birth, a wedding, a graduation, a bar mitzvah. It is easy to see these events as holy. Each takes preparation. That preparation breeds anticipation. And then there is the event itself, filled with drama and ritual and awe. Often this type of holiness moves and changes us. But most holiness, I have found, is more akin to the appearance of the supermoon over a traffic-filled highway on a busy weeknight. Life is busy. Maybe it’s a modern thing with technology and cars and incredible amounts of information. Who has time to sit and watch the stars when we have to catch up on the newest season of the latest show on Netflix? Besides, who can even see the stars? But maybe I’m romanticizing the past. For while I’m sure that Sarah our foremother could see the stars through the cracks in the tent she and Abraham pitched outside Be’er Sheva, I doubt that, after a day that included gathering kindling, feeding the goats, cooking food for the family, mending a sock, bartering for some spices, bringing water from the well and washing soiled garments, she had the strength or interest to ponder the wonder that is the night sky. Into busy Jewish life, ancient, modern or medieval, Judaism drops the obligation of 100 daily blessings. At first glance the obligation to recite so many blessings might seem like another burden. As a child, I certainly experienced it that way. Time spent in blessing food, for
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Clear Voices on Drugs, Mental Illness By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtime.com Temple Sinai member Arin Clem ents struggled for years with meth, heroin and other opioids. Her addiction worsened after her father left and her mother died of cancer. But after her sister’s wedding, Clements decided to seek help. Before 2016, life for Jennifer Greenberg and her husband, Adam, seemed great. They had high-earning jobs and took frequent vacations. Adam was fiercely devoted to his family and his colleagues. But people didn’t see his bouts of depression. Jennifer tried to help and suggested therapy, but she was sworn to secrecy — until Adam killed himself. Those were two of the stories about addiction and mental health at “Quieting the Silence,” the Blue Dove Foundation’s debut program, held at Temple Sinai in partnership with The Berman Center, Jewish Family & Career Services and its HAMSA, Sinai’s Nefesh mental health program, Jewish Path to Recovery, and Derech Transitional Living on Thursday, May 24. Berman Center CEO Justin Milrad and Executive Director Alyza Berman organized the program, which drew more than 200 people. More than 64,000 Americans fatally overdosed last year, most from opioids. Over 170,000 people are believed to have used heroin for the first time. Meanwhile, one in five Americans has some mental illness, and nearly 60 percent of adults with mental illness did not receive health services in 2017. “What we know is that mental illness and substance abuse occur in the Jewish community whether we want to acknowledge it or not, and what we know is that it occurs in the Jewish community at relatively the same rate as the general community. We are not immune. We are not protected,” said Dan Arnold, the JF&CS director of clinical services. “The trend is stigma and silence. … But we are bucking that by saying treatments need to happen, community needs to happen, it’s real, and we have to address it.” Marci Talarico’s three children suffer from binge eating, depression, drug addiction and anxiety, but she refuses to keep her struggle a secret. Today she has numbers for therapists, doctors and psychologists in case any of them relapse.
Photos by Sarah Moosazadeh
Jewish Path to Recovery founder Eric Miller, Berman Center medical director Michael Gordon, Berman Center Executive Director Alyza Berman, JF&CS clinical services head Dan Arnold, National Alliance on Mental Illness representative Robert Gray and therapist Josh Spitalnick discuss substance abuse and addiction.
She is one of the few who are not afraid to talk about their family issues. “I think the Jewish community is coming to the table on mental health and substance abuse,” Jewish Path to Recovery founder Eric Miller said during a panel discussion led by Berman Center program director Daniel Epstein. “I think what people have noticed is that in their own lives and own families they have been experiencing substance abuse and mental health issues and have wondered where to go.” Epstein noted a gap between the time that a person or a family recognizes a problem and the moment a patient receives treatment. “I think it’s the judgment that we put on families and someone, but I think the best thing to do if you know someone is not to shame them, but to approach them with love and ask a question,” Berman said. OCD specialist and therapist Josh Spitalnick said: “One of the things I would recommend for anyone battling this disease is to seek out specific services that are online that are scienceand academic-based. I think a way to increase that access to care is to identify legitimate websites that have really good providers.” When people talk about mental health, the focus tends to be on the individual, but the family also faces challenges, Arnold said. “It’s crucial to reach out to the family system to treat individuals holistically because what we strive to do is to create a connection, boundaries and support. … We have to engage the family.” Miller said: “I also think it is important to provide a lot of education to the families. There is a way to intervene, but it is important to have a plan and understand what that is before you
do so and perhaps find a professional to do that. I think we need to come out of the closet with people who are ready to help support the family because the family is as clueless as anybody.” Denial is the correct term for the conflict, said The Berman Center’s medical director, Michael Gordon. “For a person with an addiction, there are two stages to denial. The first is ‘What drug problem? What drinking problem? I don’t have a problem. I am fine.’ But past that, there is ‘OK, I drank too much but can handle it on my own.’ “The family’s denial is ‘I don’t have a problem. He is the one with the problem. I will be fine.’ In a way, that is obviously true. But what we need to do as a community and as a culture is to break that down.” Epstein said some types of care may be underrepresented in treating addiction or substance abuse. “In most of our training, you start medical first and then go social second, but if there are any issues with mood or anxiety, one of the first things you want to find out is whether something organic or biological is going on, and that is often controlled by a primary care doctor, psychiatrist or physician,” Spitalnick said. “Quieting the Silence” was a successful event, Berman said. “It was wonderful to have the community come together to learn more about mental health and substance abuse. We were able to start the difficult conversations of what the issues are and how our community can address them.” The Berman Center plans to hold a similar night of education in the fall that will focus on youths and to pre sent many more events that break the shame associated with mental illness and substance abuse. ■
HEALTH & WELLNESS
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Garber Wins Elite Penn Dental Alumni Award By Robyn Spizman Gerson David Garber of Cumberland dental practice Goldstein Garber & Salama received the Thomas Evans Achievement Award from the University of Pennsylvania Dental Medicine Alumni Society on Friday, May 11. The award honors Penn School of Dental Medicine alumni who have shown innovation, excellence and a lifetime of leadership in the profession of oral health care, both nationally and internationally. The recipient is considered a role model to be studied, a person who has inspired others in the profession to reach greater heights. Garber, who earned degrees from Penn in 1978 and 1981, still goes nonstop as a valued member of the internationally recognized multidisciplinary educators known as Team Atlanta. He received postgraduate training in periodontics and fixed prosthodontics from Penn and is a professor in periodontics and oral rehabilitation at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University. The Thomas Evans Achievement Award marked a milestone for Garber. “Thomas Evans, for anyone who went to Penn, was a surreal figure — larger than life and the dentist in a horse carriage who treated and cavorted with the royalty of Europe. He was an ambition for a young student to aspire
to, and once at Penn, students had the Thomas Evans notion of ‘second to none’ embossed on their frontal lobe.” His wife, Barbara, daughter Karen and her husband, Matt, grandchildren Jake and Sara, and twins Mike and Jen and her husband, Sam, have been Garber’s priority, and when he accepted the award, he thanked them first. Born in Johannesburg, Garber served in the Rand Light Infantry before becoming a dentist. When he left Philadelphia, he joined Ronald Goldstein in private practice in Atlanta. “David has been and continues to be one of the most popular dental
speakers on the worldwide lecture circuit for a very good reason,” Goldstein said. “His presence and manner of speaking is so easy and enjoyable to listen to, but the most professional and up to date, with not only his clinical experience, but also the tremendous amount of research and untold hours of preparation before each presentation, many times working even on the podium as he is being introduced. No one could have been a better choice to receive this prestigious award.” As their Atlanta practice expanded on the premise of interdisciplinary care, Goldstein and Garber brought in
two more dual-degreed Penn graduates as partners: Maurice and Henry Salama. Goldstein and Garber have been partners nearly 35 years, and Maurice Salama has been with them for 25 years. They are a family within the practice and outside work. “David Garber, simply put, is an icon in the field of dentistry,” Salama said. Receiving the Thomas Evans Award “simply validates a career serving his profession and thousands of patients. … He has been a mentor, friend and consultant for my own growth as a person and professional.” ■
David Garber
The May 25 cover story about Marissa Karp incorrectly presented her as the first Jewish woman from Georgia to graduate from West Point. While Jewish women from Georgia have been rare in the 39 U.S. Military Academy classes that have included women, the AJT has been informed of at least two others: Jeanne Britanisky Hutchison in 1988 and Catherine “Kitty” Ball Spencer in 2012.
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Corrections & Clarifications
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ISRAEL NEWS
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Atlanta Tests Respectful Disagreement on Israel By Patrice Worthy The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta tried to strengthen and unify the community Tuesday, May 22, through a special dialogue about Israel after the U.S. Embassy’s move to Jerusalem and deadly violence on the Gaza border exposed fractures in Jewish Atlanta the week before. “Today is about building community, about understanding the diversity within our community and how different people see something that we should get an understanding of,” Federation CEO and President Eric Robbins said. “We have different experiences and different ways that we see different things. But we all love Israel, and we all love this community.” Itai Tsur, the vice president of the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, moderated the discussion, “How Jewish Atlanta Talks (and Listens) About Israel.” The panel consisted of Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder, Be’chol Lashon’s rabbi in residence; Shari Dollinger, co-executive director of Christians United for Israel; Rabbi Ilan Feldman, the senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Jacob; Rabbi Brad Levenberg of Temple Sinai; Dov Wilker, the regional director of American Jewish Committee’s Atlanta Chapter; and McKenzie Wren, the president of Congregation Bet Haverim. The discussion included the embassy move but largely avoided the debate over the blame for dozens of Pal-
estinian deaths amid border protests, rioting and efforts to infiltrate Israel from Gaza. The group focused on active listening, a practice that Rabbi Feldman said is the mark of a spiritually mature person. Listening to understand is essential during dialogue about controversies such as Israel, and Rabbi Feldman said many, himself included, fall short. “We are all in a culture, in a society, that has lost the ability to talk to each other about anything, forget about talking about Israel,” Rabbi Feldman said. “We listen to cable stations that tell us what we want to hear. We read columns that reinforce what we want to believe. And we filter out any voices that we disagree with, and that doesn’t really make us effective. If we actually have a concern or a passion for something, we need to know what other people are saying, and we need them to know that we know what they’re saying.” Acknowledging that there are differences in opinion about Israel is one of the first steps toward building bridges in the Atlanta Jewish community, Rabbi Abusch-Magder said. She said Jews of color often are left out of the conversation about Israel and Judaism, which is part of the larger conversation because Israel itself is ethnically diverse. “When it comes to Jews of color, we assume we know their politics and beliefs on Israel. There’s a lot we’re missing out on because we’re
Photo by Patrice Worthy
Talking about how we talk about Israel on May 22 are (from left) AJC Atlanta Regional Director Dov Wilker, CUFI Co-Executive Director Shari Dollinger, Be’chol Lashon Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder, Congregation Bet Haverim President McKenzie Wren, Temple Sinai Rabbi Bradley Levenberg and Congregation Beth Jacob Rabbi Ilan Feldman.
not as inclusive as we need to be.” Wilker agreed. He said one issue with Israel is that non-Jews usually think of Jews as white, and that couldn’t be further from the truth. “How non-Jews tend to understand Israel is something we’re challenged by because most non-Jews see us as white,” he said. He said opposition to the embassy move reflects who made the decision. “If we disagree with our leader, we’re more inclined to disagree with his policies,” Wilker said. “It’s about striking a balance between not supporting Donald Trump but supporting the policy that made Jerusalem the capital.” Rabbi Levenberg said that the issue goes beyond politics and that making Israel a political issue is “problematic and dangerous.” He disagreed that opposition to
the U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the embassy move is solely driven by the media or by anger at Trump. Instead, he said, the criticism stems from a set of homogeneous beliefs that are identified as Jewish. “For me, the challenge is what comes after the phrase ‘Jerusalem is the capital of Israel,’ ” Rabbi Levenberg said. “We are being forced to identify with a monolithic pattern, and we don’t deserve that.” Rabbi Feldman said he tries to avoid Fox News, CNN and The New York Times. “They are not designed for thoughtful people,” he said. “My thought leaders died about 3,000 years ago. What I think about is what the G-d who gave us the land wants us to do with it. I’m careful about forming big positions because I’m an eyeblink in Jewish history.” ■
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Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home
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Reality on the road. The Foreign Trade Administration organized the fifth annual road show of Israeli companies to Asia at the end of May. The trip to South Korea and Japan focused on augmented and virtual reality, bringing companies such as Asymmetric Medical, Newsight Imaging, Elbit Systems, Actiview and White Raven to meet with the likes of Toyota, Hyundai, Mitsubishi and Samsung. “We are excited by the enormous global interest in Israeli innovation,” Economy and Industry Minister Eli Cohen said.
Genesis Prize Foundation is pushing ahead with its 2018 theme of “advancing women’s equality in all aspects of human endeavor” by launching a $1 million grant competition for Israeli nonprofits working to advance women’s equality. Four areas are the focus: socio-economic opportunity, gender equality, women in minority groups and resistance to violence. The winners will be announced in September before Rosh Hashanah. A parallel matching-grant program is planned in North America.
For women’s equality. Actress Natalie Portman skipped the recent Genesis Prize ceremony — she was avoiding Benjamin Netanyahu, not boycotting her home nation — but the
Civil society innovation. The United Nations isn’t the friendliest of arenas for Israel, but it served as the site Thursday, May 24, of a program celebrating 70 years of Israeli innova-
tion in civil society organizations and their global contributions. The forum, hosted by the Israeli mission, featured presentations from four Israeli nonprofits: Save a Child’s Heart, dedicated to improving pediatric cardiac care for children in developing countries; ZAKA, which provides search-and-rescue assistance during mass-casualty emergencies worldwide; Innovation Africa, which uses solar energy to provide clean water, light, and refrigeration for vaccines and medications to schools, orphanages and clinics; and IsraAID, a disaster relief organization that offers long-term support for refugees. “We recall with great pride our country’s commitment to helping others live a better life,” said Israel’s U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon. “We
have committed ourselves to this cause since the birth of our state.” Bad day for BDS. Louisiana became the 25th state officially opposing the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement Tuesday, May 22, when Gov. John Bel Edwards signed an executive order barring state agencies from doing business with companies that boycott Israel. “The United States, and by affiliation Louisiana, have benefited in innumerable ways from our deep friendship with Israel,” Edwards said in a statement. “Any effort to boycott Israel is an affront to this longstanding relationship. I am pleased that Louisiana will join what is now a critical mass of states in supporting our closest ally.” Georgia enacted a law to do the same thing two years ago.
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ISRAEL NEWS
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Spring Training: Israel Content in a Camp Context The Center for Israel Education, with the cooperation of the Foundation for Jewish Camp, led a three-day Israel learning retreat in May for 35 overnight and day camp staffers, most of them in college or recent graduates. Participants represented 12 summer camps that either are unaffiliated or are part of the URJ, Young Judaea and Ramah camping movements. The three-day workshop focused on enhancing one of the most successful Jewish education models — summer camp — with historical, fact-based content and state-of-the-art, informal education methods. A beneficial result from working with these students is that they will return to campuses where their information base can be used in asserting Israel’s story. Camps were invited to send cohorts of up to five staffers, including a member of the senior leadership. Core funding for the retreat, held at Ramah Darom, came from a New York-based foundation that supports facilitating Israel identity in Jewish environments. Content included the origins of Jewish identity, peoplehood, Zion-
ism, state making and contemporary issues. We devoted time to implementing the content for camp experiential engagement. Each camp cohort spent time figuring out how its unique setting could infuse Israel into interactive, experiential programming. We’re mindful of the longtime contributions of Israeli summer shlichim (emissaries) and know that a lot of camps have long incorporated el-
Guest Column By Steve Kerbel
ements of Israeli life, lore and culture into their camp programming. This workshop is about ramping up the content to be more than an Israel Day. It is about giving the campers, through their staffers, content about Israel that reaches far beyond headlines and news bites. It is about building historical foundations that provide innovative ideas for engaging campers. Recounting her experience at the retreat, Elana Pollack, the program director of Camp Judaea in Henderson-
Jewish camp staffers participate in a three-day CIE retreat at Ramah Darom.
ville, N.C., found the time a delightful interlude to what she normally does. “I spend most of my time in camp leading and setting up the discussions rather than participating in them,” she said. “The seminar challenged me to think and respond in ways that I hadn’t in several years about topics that did not actually require my solution — oh, how refreshing as the summer camp season is upon me! After allowing myself to sit on the student side of the classroom, learning from the CIE staff and the impressive, young participants, I now feel more properly positioned to encourage these exercises and conversations in camp.” CIE President Ken Stein said: “Some participants wrote feverishly, jotting down ideas from peers. Others
challenged their own perceptions of Israel’s story, and still others figured out, through brisk exchanges, how to apply content to their camp’s settings. As a teacher, watching each of them belong to Israel’s story in their unique ways generated similar outcomes to what educators, teens and clergy have experienced in previous Israel learning sessions with us. Common to all of them is understanding content in context.” If you’re interested in having your camp participate next year or want to learn more about CIE’s Israel engagement work, email steve@israeled.org, or visit www.israeled.org. ■ Steve Kerbel is the camp project director for CIE (www.israeled.org).
Taking a Walk in Jerusalem on a Summerlike Day By Rabbi David Geffen
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The late-May temperatures here in Jerusalem kept registering in the 90s, but for some reason on the day after Shavuot I went out to run errands that could have waited. Because the sun was blazing, I ducked under awnings and umbrellas and searched for shade. Catching my breath, I watched my surroundings more than I had for a long time. I saw parents walking their children home from nursery school. The girls had bright ribbons in their hair, and most tightly held parents’ hands. Sometimes the little girls would spurt ahead until parents called them back. The boys wore small, black kippot, and most ran far ahead. Their parents had to step lively or call for a return. The vigor of parents with children in Jerusalem and, I assume, in many cities in Israel strikes me all the time. Where I live, most are dati (religious) but not haredi. I assume that in most American 8
communities, small nursery school children are picked up by car, and walking on the street is an activity of the past. Many of you should walk with your kids, even in a closed area. Those walks will be long remembered. The “seekers of alms” were out despite the heat. Most had cans, but some had plastic boxes or containers. Most of these men and women were not demanding in a way that could be upsetting but instead had special niches where they stood, hoping to be assisted. One man, however, was going to get the shekels he was due. He berated people who did not help. I wondered where his belligerence came from. Downtown Jerusalem has a museum that is about 2 years old. The music museum combines instruments on display with digital areas where you can let the Jewish people sing as they cross the Red Sea. The Levites sing as they climb the steps of the Temple. Children love the hands-on museum and learn about the ancient music of our people. I walked by there today, and peo-
ple were inside. So the heat did not keep the tourists off the street. A few weeks ago our grandchildren and their parents came here, so I joined them at another museum I have visited many times. The concept of this science museum is to enable children of all ages to let their curiosity run wild via all the scientific exhibits. A newer exhibit makes planes fly through the reflected light created and bounced off light plates. Around and around the planes fly, enthusing a child at (scientific) play. At several exhibits, balls roll along defined routes, drop into baskets, then flip into other baskets before reaching the trail again. Each ball then jumps into a child’s waiting hands. We are seeing all around the city and in the newspapers the pictures of the candidates to be the mayor of this city. Nir Barkat has led the city; his sister-in-law down in Be’er Sheva has funded her Be’er Sheva Hapoel soccer team to its third championship. Our Barkat is passing on the reins to who-
ever wins the election in the fall. Fortunately, all mayors in Israel are directly elected by the citizens of their cities, not like crazy coalition bargaining to pick a prime minister. Jerusalem, unlike all other Israel cities except Bnei Brak, has a large Haredi population being told how to vote. It’s like the old days in Georgia when a Talmadge or someone similar gave orders to followers on how to vote. Sometimes even the dead put ballots in the box. Jerusalem will be a lot of fun this summer. A rash of concerts will fill the air. Museums will continue to have fascinating exhibits. Politics will certainly be on the bubble. A friend asked me when 20,000 Jews a year will make aliyah from the United States; the number is now 3,500, according to Nefesh B’Nefesh statistics. I answered that American Jews know we need them; maybe more will come. Jerusalem’s population is now 900,000. Let us hope it will be a lot higher. ■
ISRAEL NEWS
Today in Israeli History
Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details. June 1, 1967: As tensions with Egypt escalate, Israeli Prime Minister Levi Eshkol appoints Moshe Dayan as defense minister, leading to Israel’s first national unity government. June 2, 1990: The third biennial Tel Aviv International Student Film Festi-
www.atlantajewishtimes.com val takes place. Among the winners is Adam Davidson’s “The Lunch Date,” which goes on to win the Academy Award for best live-action short film at the 1991 Oscar ceremony. June 3, 1948: David Ben-Gurion, serving as prime minister and defense minister, delivers a report to the provisional Israeli government on the status of the 1948 war with neighboring Arab states, discussions with the United Nations and the domestic needs of a young country at war. He accuses the British of assisting the Arab war effort. June 4, 2009: President Barack Obama addresses the Muslim world from Cairo University with a speech
titled “A New Beginning,” focusing on mutual interests and respect between Muslims and the West. June 5, 1967: The Six-Day War begins. Egypt is on alert, expecting an Israeli attack at dawn, but the Israeli air force does not strike until 8:15 a.m., when most Egyptian pilots are at breakfast, and Egyptian commanders are caught in traffic. June 6, 1944: More than 325,000 Allied troops, under the command of U.S. Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, land at Normandy on D-Day and begin their march across France. The Normandy landings represent the largest seaborne invasion in history. Within 11
months, the Nazis are defeated. June 7, 1930: Magen David Adom, Israel’s answer to the Red Cross, is founded. The idea of such an emergency medical society is revived in response to the 1929 Arab riots against Jewish settlements in Palestine.
Egyptian planes are destroyed on the ground June 5, 1967.
Medical Mission Prescribes Failing Forward
Even a great meal with Atlanta-area medical professionals is an opportunity to learn the lesson that failure in business isn’t scary for Israel’s military veterans.
Guest Column By Aviva Leigh
frustrations with home administrative conflicts; it seems that so often we play it safe when faced with new opportunities. Often our fear of failure makes it too easy to find the “no.” Meanwhile, the Israel Center for Medical Simulation leads medical students through fully simulated hospital cases. Not only is this program delivering necessary hands-on hospital experience before people work with live patients, but, perhaps even more important, young adults are being trained to self-reflect, own mistakes and apply what they’ve learned to upcoming cases. Furthermore, this program encourages students to empathize with their patients. To see human emotion valued as an asset in business was refreshing, to say the least. This program
Photos courtesy of Aviva Leigh
Aviva Leigh faces the daily news amid the wonders of a medical mission to Israel.
is producing a generation of problemsolvers, professionals who have a positive outlook on making mistakes and are unafraid to find the “yes.” We entertained the notion that perhaps because all Israelis serve in the army, they share training in followthrough, focus, teamwork and stress management. I, for one, have seen how anxiety can be a leading cause of surrender and even counterproductive choices in the United States. Unlike what I’ve seen elsewhere, the Israeli medical field addresses psychological stress head-on. The Israel Trauma Coalition specializes in refining and sharing psychological therapies such as EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing), practiced to treat trauma-related symptoms, including those of posttraumatic stress. These therapies are well received among Israeli citizens. My friends and I recapped over authentic Moroccan cuisine, where I met a young man who started his restaurant line with little knowledge of the food industry. I said, “That must have been really scary.”
Aviva Leigh gets a reminder that Israel has a lot of heart.
He didn’t understand. “Scary? Scary is the army. Opening a restaurant, that’s just life.” Intrigued, I persisted and asked if he was afraid to fail. Again, as if he didn’t understand the question, he said, “If you fail, you learn, and you just try again.” I’ve received so many curious inquiries regarding how in the world a young artist would benefit from a trip catered to seasoned medical specialists. I dare to argue that I found the trip most transformative of all. To see the most successful men and women in the world building phenomenal legacies on such simple work ethics, anyone in my shoes would have concluded, “I can do that too.” Since returning from this medical mission, I’ve been a trailblazing best new me. I’ve learned it’s not so challenging to evolve. I encourage you, from time to time, to treat yourself to being the dumbest person in the room. Just be brave, welcome failure, and find the “yes.” ■
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
“You don’t want this one,” Roey said, referring to the Atlanta Federation’s medical mission to Israel, which I’d brought to his office. “You want this one: a 40-under-40 trip to Tel Aviv.” Seeing as I’m in my 20s and an artist, Roey made a lot of sense. But I had no interest in making sense. I’d read that medical mission description, and I’d fallen in love. Lucky for me, Jews must appreciate chutzpah because soon I was granted generous scholarships from Federation and Moishe House to awkwardly blog, vlog and selfie-log 10 brilliant medical practitioners as we toured the most progressive health programs in the Middle East in late winter. From the colossal Sheba Medical Center to the Save a Child’s Heart nonprofit, my American posse always came around to ask the same question: “How do you do it?” As if it were the dumbest question in the world, Dr. Sylvie Luria, the CEO of the Sheba Technology Transfer Co., replied, “Well, we get up at 6,” and, essentially, “We use the phone.” Many said, “Where we’re weak, we collaborate,” and representatives of Given Imaging, inventors of the famous PillCam, said, “We have an inventors club.” An inventors club. This was grade-school-level problem-solving. These success stories seemed to boil down their accomplishments to “Use teamwork, be brave, and if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” Kindergarten concepts. Have I not been applying these concepts? Many on our trip explained their
Aviva Leigh is an actress who helped open the Buckhead Moishe House in 2017. 9
OPINION
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Our Views
Gaza Barrage At least three Israelis were wounded in a barrage of rockets and shells fired into southern Israel from Gaza on Tuesday, May 29, as we were preparing to go to press. One shell struck a tree outside a kindergarten only an hour before children were due to arrive. European Union and U.N. officials condemned the indiscriminate attack on civilian areas of Israel, but we want to ask them: What did you expect? The clear message they sent to Hamas the past two months is that any violence is Israel’s fault and that it is wrong for Israel to defend its people. If you follow the logic of recent condemnations, the problem Tuesday wasn’t that Palestinians tried to kill Israelis; it’s that they did so with poorly directed rocket fire instead of charging across the border. The only good news so far from the barrage is that people can still ask “How many Israelis died?” as a not-so-subtle way to argue that Israel is unjustified to use lethal force against attackers from Gaza. Better for Israel to face vicious comments than to suffer even a single death to counter them.
Campus Jews
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
A dispute has broken out at the University of Florida, and even if your devotion to the Dawgs makes you hate the Gators, you ought to take notice. According to Hillel’s annual college guide, you won’t find more Jews on any public university campus in America than at Florida’s Gainesville home: 6,500 undergraduates, 19 percent of the student body. But then Leonard Saxe and associates at Brandeis University checked the numbers using the demographic gold standard: a random sample from a list of all undergraduates. They concluded that Florida had 2,300 Jewish undergrads this spring, 7 percent of the total and only 35 percent of Hillel’s estimate. Saxe and team wrote in a column at eJewish Philanthropy that the Florida findings follow the pattern at four other universities studied: Harvard, Penn, Michigan and Brandeis. “The Hillel Guide’s estimates are implausibly high across the board.” But Rabbi Adam Grossman, who heads Florida’s innovative Hillel, responded in his own eJewish Philanthropy column that 1,959 students visited Hillel at least three times this academic year — an unlikely 85 percent of the Saxe estimate for the Jewish population. Hillel International spokesman Matthew Berger added in a separate response that nearly 2,000 Florida students went on Birthright over four years — far more than would be expected with 2,300 undergrads. The uncertainty is not just academic. Hillel and other Jewish campus organizations can’t judge how effective their engagement efforts are if they have no idea how many Jewish students they’re trying to reach, and they might need to redouble efforts away from the traditional campuses. From the student perspective, it’s worth looking beyond the numbers and focusing on the kind of Jewish services you want. It doesn’t matter how many thousands of Jews a school has if it’s not the right fit 10 for you otherwise. ■
Cartoon by Yaakov Kirschen, Dry Bones, Israel
The Women of West Point The AJT reported last week that Marissa Karp of Jeanne Britanisky Hutchison, an alumna of CampSavannah was set to become the first Jewish woman bell High School in Smyrna who graduated from from Georgia to graduate from West Point. West Point in 1984. Hutchison, who made a career We were wrong. in the Army, died in February 2009 at age 43 after a Among the many truisms in journalism is that sudden illness. if a story sounds too good to be true, it probably is. She was a lieutenant colonel stationed back at I had suspicions but failed to follow through, so, as West Point, where she was buried. She was marseveral people told us and many others know, we ried to a fellow Army officer, Robert Hutchison. Her had an embarrassing error right on the front page. daughter followed her to West Point after her death; It was a bad enough her son, we’re told, is at the mistake that we did someAir Force Academy. thing we almost never do: She was a signal After we went to press, we officer, and her service Editor’s Notebook redid the online version included Operation Desert By Michael Jacobs of the newspaper, which Storm and postings in mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com can be read as a PDF file South Korea, Kansas and at atlantajewishtimes.com close to home at Fort Gorand issuu.com/atlantajewdon. Her medals included a ishtimes, to make the electronic version correct. Bronze Star and, posthumously, the Legion of Merit. It’s important to understand that the mistake is She set school swimming records as a West ours, particularly mine as the editor of this newspaPoint freshman, then, according to the PointerView per, and that neither 2nd Lt. Karp nor her family did newsletter, gave up the sport she loved to focus on anything wrong. Nobody tricked us or misled us. We academics. But she found time to be active in West were told about what sounded like a great story, and Point’s Jewish community as a cadet and an officer. we didn’t do our due diligence to confirm that what In an email to PointerView, Rabbi Carlos Huerta, we heard about Karp was true. who was an Army major and West Point’s Jewish It’s also important to recognize that whether chaplain when Hutchison died, wrote: “In our tradishe was first, third or later, Karp is someone worthy tion, the body of the deceased does not enter the of being profiled in the AJT. She’s an impressive synagogue due to the sanctity of the location. Excepmember of the Georgia Jewish community doing tions are only made for those remarkable members something few of us do, and along the way her of the community who have made selfless contribuJewish identity has been strengthened. I hope we’ll tions that have greatly impacted its members. This continue her story in the future. honor is being given to Hutchison by the members of We haven’t had time to research how many the Jewish community for her love, dedication and Jewish Georgia women have gone through the U.S. selfless service.” Military Academy, which first graduated women in If, like me, you never knew Hutchison, I urge 1980, but we now know of at least two others. you to read the tributes to her at www.army.mil/ Catherine “Kitty” Ball Spencer from Lincolnton article/19820/signal_regiment_remembers_batgraduated from West Point in 2012. She reached talion_commander and defender.west-point.org/ the rank of captain while serving as an intelligence service/eulogies.mhtml?u=45012. officer until leaving the service in 2017. Her brotherTo Susan Britanisky, who had the unhappy task in-law, Peter Rivner, tells us that she was active in of calling days before Memorial Day to tell me that Jewish organizations at West Point. we had overlooked her late, heroic, beloved daughI hope we can interview her this summer. ter, I can only say that I am sorry, and that I hope no Unfortunately, we’ll never be able to interview one forgets your daughter again. ■
OPINION
Halevi’s 200-Page Effort To Bridge Israel’s Divides against our connection to this land and its holy sites tells Jews that our conflict isn’t about occupation or settlements but is, instead, a war against Jewish history. The attempt to
From Where I Sit By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com
erase us conceptually, many Jews fear, is a first step toward erasing us physically,” he writes. “Tragically,” Halevi acknowledges, “each side has tried, at different stages of the conflict, to deny the legitimacy of the other’s national identity, to rationalize the other out of existence.” Halevi explains his hope for a negotiated two-state solution this way: “I long ago realized that the historic claims and religious longings that connect me to this land cannot justify my possession of all of it at another people’s expense. And so, however painfully, I accept partition as a practical expression of resolving a conflict between two legitimate claims.” His caveat is that “the trade-off will be peace, and not greater terror. … Ensuring the security of Israel — and not implementing historical claims — is the most important measure for deciding the fate of the territories,” which Halevi calls by their biblical names, Judea and Samaria. However daunting the divide between his Jewish neighbors and the Palestinians across the valley, Halevi finds value in this modest step. “So far whatever has been tried between us has failed miserably and has brought death and destruction to both sides. Let’s start talking and see what happens. And so, neighbor, here I am. I invite you into my spiritual home, in the hope that one day we will be able to welcome each other into our physical homes,” he closes the first letter, “The Wall Between Us.” “Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor” may not be addressed to American Jews, but, Halevi messaged in response to my asking, “I hope the book will challenge Jews on the right with the need for empathy for the Palestinians, and challenge Jews on the left with the need to affirm our story.” ■
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
“Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor” is Yossi Klein Halevi’s invitation to an unseen reader in the village he can see and hear from his home in the French Hill neighborhood of Jerusalem. Halevi, a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem, shares “why being Jewish and Israeli is so important to me, why I draw so much strength from the intensity of those commitments,” in the hope that his neighbor will respond in a similarly personal vein. To spur such dialogue, an Arabic translation of “Letters,” published by HarperCollins, is available free online. I read widely on Israel (albeit in English), and Halevi is among the journalists I find most insightful, particularly about the relationship between Israel and American Jews. (Disclosure: We were, briefly, classmates in journalism graduate school.) In his previous books, Halevi, who made aliyah in 1982, has written about his youth in New York (“Memoirs of a Jewish Extremist”), his journey into the faith lived by Palestinian Christians and Muslims (“At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden”) and the later lives of Israeli soldiers who fought in the 1967 war (“Like Dreamers”). A religiously observant and spiritual Jew, Halevi separates that which he regards as being in G-d’s hands from that which can be influenced by men and women of flesh. “I call you ‘neighbor,’ ” he begins “Letters,” “because I don’t know your name or anything personal about you. Given our circumstances, ‘neighbor’ may be too casual a word to describe our relationship. We are intruders in each other’s dreams, violators of each other’s sense of home. We are living incarnations of each other’s worst historical nightmares. Neighbors?” Throughout the book’s 200 pages, Halevi states his case for the necessity and legitimacy of Israel while appealing to Israeli Jews and Palestinians to respect each other’s narrative. “To solve our conflict, we must recognize not only each other’s right to self-determination but also each side’s right to self-definition,” he says. “What I need from you is respect for my people’s story. The campaign
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OPINION
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Why I Walked Out on My Graduation I was drawn to the master’s program in nonprofit management at Hebrew Union College because I thought it could be a springboard to pursue my passion for deep, thoughtful Israel advocacy. For most of my life, I’ve dreamed of building a career centered on sharing my love for my complex country, Israel, and I spent the past two years working for this diploma to advance that goal. My mother flew from Israel to join me for the graduation Monday, May 14. With great pride, I marched into the Stephen S. Wise Temple sanctuary in Los Angeles and sat in the front row. Our commencement speaker, author Michael Chabon, took the stage. Very quickly, it was clear that Chabon, as eloquent as he was, viewed Israel in black-and-white terms. He condemned Israel’s security wall, proclaiming: “Security is an invention of humanity’s jailors … putting up the separation barriers and propagandiz-
ing hatred and fear of people on the other side of the wall. Security for some means imprisonment for all.” As I heard his one-sided take, I thought: Unlike Chabon, I lived in
Guest Column By Morin Zaray
Israel throughout the Second Intifada and know that the security wall is not a prison. It is a lifeline. I know that the fear of people on the Israeli side is not driven by government propaganda, but by the terrorism that we have experienced and the loved ones we have lost. I know that the same wall he despises enabled me to live a normal life and to use the bus as a young girl. Chabon also demonized a group of Israeli Jews: “I have never seen a sorrier and more riotous group of convicts than the Jews of present-day Hebron,” who he asserted live behind a
Smile
“wall made from the bodies of teenage soldiers.” It was as if horrific terror attacks have never occurred against these Jews, this “sorriest” and “most riotous” group of “convicts” Chabon has ever seen. Maybe he hasn’t seen the virulent Jew-hatred that permeates Palestinian society. As I heard Chabon’s simplified takedown of my country, the room began to spin. I turned to look at my brother, who served in a combat unit in the Israel Defense Forces. He looked sick to his stomach. I got up from my seat and approached my family. I wanted to stand up and scream, but my voice wouldn’t come out. I felt ashamed for being part of this gathering, ashamed that many in the audience were just nodding at this reductionist view of a multilayered and complicated country. I asked my mother if not seeing me graduate would disappoint her. She responded that she would feel ashamed to see me walk on that stage after what had been said.
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Morin Zaray is a 2018 graduate of Hebrew Union College.
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We left the sanctuary. Standing outside, I was nearly brought to tears as I heard the crowd of Jews give Chabon thunderous applause. For someone who presents himself as an intellectual steeped in nuance, Michael Chabon has a remarkable ability to present a onedimensional reality in which the Jews are evil oppressors and the Palestinians are powerless victims, with no agency, no responsibility and no blame. Such a careless disregard for depth and complexity dishonors an institution of higher learning — particularly a Jewish one and particularly on a graduation day. I wish we would have heard from someone such as Yossi Klein Halevi, who, in my opinion, best captures the complexity of an intractable conflict and makes me think rather than just react. In recent years, watching the same caricature that Chabon painted displayed across the global media has only renewed my determination to share the story of the country I love, with all its challenges. In June, I begin my career in the Jewish nonprofit field, guided by two truths: To live as a Jew at a time when there is a Jewish state is an incredible miracle, and this miracle is not the black-and-white narrative people like Michael Chabon would have us believe but is full of complicated, challenging and fascinating colors. ■
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Another shooting! This time in the Lone Star State, the proud host of the NRA’s recent convention. And we want the leader of North Korea to surrender his nuclear arsenal? He is but an international example of the arguments the NRA forwards in our legislatures. — Rabbi Scott Saulson, Atlanta
Merit of Our Ancestors
It is written in our holy Torah that Jews must remember our ancestors in each generation. Can we recall our grandparents who struggled and sacrificed to uphold our tradition? If we refuse to do so, the above-mentioned verse falls on deaf ears. — Phil Wendkos, Silver Spring, Md.
CLASS OF
2018
Jewish Voice Speaks Up at Presbyterian School
Isidore Alterman’s granddaughter spreads appreciation of Judaism, Mount Vernon By Breanna West
Maqueline Weiss is the winner of Mount Vernon’s 2018 Prefect Award.
Photos courtesy of Maqueline Weiss
Davis Academy alumna Maqueline Weiss graduates from Mount Vernon Presbyterian School on May 19.
with her classmates. She said she was nervous beforehand but described it as an interesting experience overall. “Everyone liked it. A lot of people didn’t know I was Jewish.” Weiss said it is “needed and necessary” for people to learn about other religions, especially when she hears a student make an anti-Semitic remark and tell a disturbing Holocaust joke. On such occasions, she said, she always educates that person. Weiss expressed universalities: “Bagels are Jewish; Jesus was a Jew.” She introduced her classmates to the festive side of Judaism and organized apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah and matzah for Passover to be served in the school cafeteria. Weiss was one of seven seniors to win the school’s iDiploma Stoles award, which celebrates successful failure and entrepreneurship. Weiss was on the student team that designed the park at Peachtree Station in Chamblee. The project was led by Jeff Garri-
son, a partner at S.J. Collins Enterprises, a commercial real estate and retail development firm. She described herself in three words: “determined, motivated and curious.” Weiss was diagnosed at age 7 with Type 1 diabetes. “It changed my life forever,” she said. Weiss said she has supportive parents, but the constant effort to maintain proper blood-sugar levels and meet the disease’s other demands has caused her to “grow up fast and take care of myself very quickly.” Weiss described her pull toward philanthropy as “second nature.” In thee 11 years since her diagnosis, she has raised $300,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. She has spoken in front of senators and congressmen for the cause and participates in the JDRF walk with her team, Maquie’s Marchers. She also asks companies and her neighbors for donations.
Maqueline Weiss shows off her dual diplomas: the regular Mount Vernon Presbyterian diploma and the Innovation Diploma issued by the Mount Vernon Institute for Innovation for completing the joint program between the school and institute.
“I do not live for a cure because, realistically, if there is not a cure, that’s OK,” Weiss said. She is not letting anything hold her back. “Diabetes does not define me as who I am.” Weiss will attend Elon University on the pre-med track with a major in biology. She hopes to attend Emory University School of Medicine to become a pediatric endocrinologist on “the patient side but also have my hands in research.” This summer she will be a junior counselor at Camp Kudzu, a nonprofit Georgia camp for children with diabetes. Weiss has attended the camp since she was 8. The camp serves as “a time where you don’t feel alone with the disease,” she said. “You can all complain about the same problems. … (It) makes everything special.” To continue her Jewish journey, Weiss plans to join Hillel at Elon. She said she is “excited to connect back to Jewish people and Jewish friends.” ■ 13 JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
A leader in representing Mount Vernon Presbyterian School this year was one of three Jewish students in the Class of 2018, Maqueline Weiss. The 18-year-old is known for her school leadership and philanthropic efforts for Type 1 diabetes. Weiss described herself as “the face of Mount Vernon” because of her position as ambassador prefect. She spoke to parents at school events, trained 60-plus students as tour guides, and planned open-houses and other school activities. “I’ve always been very close with faculty and administrators.” The prefect system is like a student council, with nine students as heads of departments. Weiss won the end-of-the-year Prefect Award. Weiss is a Davis Academy alumna. When it was time to choose a high school, Mount Vernon Presbyterian stood out, she said, because “the people are genuinely sweet.” Her great-grandparents Esther and Isadore Alterman were key contributors to building the Atlanta Jewish community, said Weiss’ mother, Cheryl Weiss. The Marcus JCC’s Camp Isidore Alterman was named for Maquie’s great-grandfather to honor his philanthropic contributions. “My grandma and my mom talk about their kind hearts,” she said. Throughout high school, Weiss educated her classmates on Judaism. The school has a weekly chapel assembly in the gymnasium to discuss a passage from the Old or New Testament. Weiss planned two chapel assemblies, on Passover and Rosh Hashanah, and brought in a rabbi. Weiss also shared her life story
GRADUATION
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The penultimate graduate of the Class of 2018, Jason Zarge, gives Rabbi Ed Harwitz, the Weber head of school, a big hug before receiving his diploma. See more photos at atlantajewishtimes.com.
The Weber Class of 2018 enjoys some of Rabbi Ed Harwitz’s final words before the distribution of diplomas.
With his speaking role complete, valedictorian Sammy Weiss-Cowie awaits his turn to walk across the stage and get his diploma.
Faculty speaker Mitch White, bound for a job as head of school in Ohio, provides some parting advice for the Weber graduates.
Members of the Weber Class of 2018 flip their tassels to the left, indicating that they are graduates.
Accompanied by Zachary Negin, Abigail Goldberg sings “You Gotta Be.”
Weber Grads Advised to Ease Into College By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
After four years of AP classes, foreign languages, sports and general overachieving to earn spots in elite universities, the 70 members of the Weber School’s largest graduating class yet were advised to slack off. “Take the easiest classes you can,” faculty speaker Mitch White told the Class of 2018 at its graduation ceremony Friday, May 25, at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center for the Arts. White, a social studies teacher and the dean of students and academic planning, who is leaving Weber to lead a school in Cleveland, emphasized that the advice applies to only the first semester of college, a time of transition that can be challenging enough without a brutal course load. “You can always take the harder classes later,” he 14 said. “There’s no downside.”
That was one of three pieces of advice White offered the new graduates, along with living where the people don’t speak English and creating a personal board of directors to help make important decisions. “If one of you takes one of those pieces of advice and it makes your life a little better,” he said, “I’ll feel like I’ll have done my job here.” (See highlights of White’s speech at atlantajewishtimes.com or the AJT’s YouTube channel.) The ceremony was a special one for the head of school, Rabbi Ed Harwitz, because he and the Class of 2018 started at Weber together in 2014. He recalled watching the new freshmen with Director of Admissions Rise Arkin and saying, “‘Rise, we’re going to build this school around them.’ I have to say in this case I was right.” Rabbi Harwitz praised the graduates for fulfilling their role of building
up the school, leaving it stronger, while beginning to take on their Jewish mission of building peace and justice in the world through their creativity, passion, chutzpah, spirit and love for one another. “This is your time now. You graduate high school as our world faces great and complex challenges but also at a time of unlimited opportunities,” Rabbi Harwitz said. “We are looking to you, and we are counting on you.” Counting was the theme of graduating senior Aaron Gordon’s d’var Torah, based on the census completed in Parshat Naso. “Each of us made a critical mark on the Weber community,” he said. “Just as each person was counted equally in the census of the Jewish people, each of our contributions to the school have been critically important in making Weber what it is today.” Salutatorian Rosa Brown said
the Class of 2018 has thrived, gaining acceptance to more than 30 colleges and earning major scholarships, but also has learned that “high school isn’t about attaining perfection. It’s about striving.” After 13 years of having teachers wish he would talk more in class, valedictorian Sammy Weiss-Cowie acknowledged feeling awkward as a graduation speaker. He used the opportunity to charge his classmates with respectfully engaging in both ends of constructive dialogue — speaking and listening — just as they have throughout their time at Weber, where they showed that a community can survive different perspectives. “I implore you to have both the confidence in the unique ideas I know each of you has to impart and the humility to never underestimate what you can learn from others,” he said. ■ Photos by Michael Jacobs
GRADUATION
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Emory Medical Graduate Finds His Calling Max Goldman grew up saying he would never enter medicine, but his interest in science and love of working with people led him to that field. As a child, Goldman recounted, he was part of his parents’ chavurah, which volunteered to cover shifts at a nursing home during Christmas. He spent a summer in college volunteering at St. Joseph’s Mercy Care, which provides services to indigent and uninsured patients. Mobile clinics visit homeless communities in Atlanta in what Goldman called street medicine. “There was something about delivering care to those who needed it most but were not necessarily seeking it out that really clicked with me,” he said. “The experience had a very meaningful impact for me, and I think that is when I began thinking about the external detriments of health.” Goldman attended North Springs Charter High School and grew up in Alpharetta. He is the son of Ken and Susan Goldman and has a younger sister, Haley. The family attends Temple Emanu-El. The summer before his senior year at Emory, Goldman was deciding between business and medical school when he applied for a Fulbright scholarship. He was ready to take a consulting job when he learned that he was one of 20 recipients nationwide. Months later Goldman moved to Jorakhe, a rural village in Thailand. He taught English to about 700 secondary school students and worked in a hospital. For 14 months he taught English to nurses and doctors in exchange for making rounds with the medical staff. “That was my first true exposure to medicine,” Goldman said. “My move to Thailand was one of the most challenging yet eye-opening experiences I have had and ended up being the best year of my life.” His time in Thailand cemented Goldman’s move into medicine. He was one of four students in his Emory School of Medicine class to get a full scholarship through the Woodruff Fellowship for Medicine. He then was one of 12 third-year medical students at Emory elected to the national medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha. In May he was one of 10 magna cum laude graduates in his class. He received several awards for his research in medical school, including the Amer-
ican Society of Hematology Abstract Achievement Award for his research on follicular lymphoma and the Williams Foundation Award for innovative oncology research. He will do his residency in internal medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. One thing Goldman took from his experience in Thailand is the ability to improvise. “I always thought that medicine was this one-size-fits-all area. You just learn about this disease and apply that treatment to everyone, but I think what Thailand showed me is that you really have to factor in all these various
Photos courtesy of Mark Goldman
Max Goldman taught English to about 700 children in Thailand.
considerations. The people’s medical understanding, their own background and circumstances, and tailor the medicine to the individual.” Goldman said graduation feels like the beginning of his career and training as a physician.
Max Goldman graduates from Emory School of Medicine on May 14.
“I am ecstatic. I was not sure I wanted to do medicine growing up, and I think that was better for me personally,” he said. “I think taking all that extra time after college to explore different fields, only to come back to medicine, confirmed that this is really my calling and what I was meant to do.” ■
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com
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GRADUATION
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Gathering for a final photo together before heading to high school are (front row, from left) Hillary Smith, Emma Nowitz, Molly Fisher, Lulu Rosenberg, Marissa Goodman, Gali Bendavid, Tamar Guggenheim and Elana Katz and (back row, from left) Gabrielle Rosenfeld, Rebecca Kann, Galia Cohen, Mollie Meyerowitz, Olivia Lerner, Andrea Zaglin, Reagan Lapes, Kira Berzack and Emma Mailman.
(From left) Mollie Meyerowitz and Rebecca Kann perform a skit based on “The Wizard of Oz” to represent the heart, brains and courage of Epstein graduates.
Elana Katz (as Dorothy) performs “Over the Rainbow” as Andrea Zaglin (Toto) listens.
(From left) Asher Force, Mo Zibitt, Spencer Dickson, David Leavitt, Aaron Bock and Jordan Tovin gather for a moment of camaraderie and a final picture the night of their graduation.
Epstein eighth-graders (from left) Lulu Rosenberg, Reagan Lapes, Tamar Guggenheim, Galia Cohen and Hillary Smith perform “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” from “The Wizard of Oz” as part of their graduation.
(From left) Lulu Rosenberg, Reagan Lapes, Kira Berzack, Tamar Guggenheim and Marissa Goodman perform a moving modern Israeli dance at their graduation.
Epstein Sends 40 Graduates Over the Rainbow
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com
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Many are unaware of the path their lives will take after graduation, but for 40 Epstein School eighth-graders, the journey seems less challenging, thanks to the values the school has instilled in them. Friends and family packed the Sandy Springs day school’s gymnasium Wednesday, May 23, to celebrate graduation, scheduled 10 minutes before the air conditioning turned off. Despite the heat, the ceremony continued with the Class of 2018’s rendition of the “Wizard of Oz.” Like the show’s character, the Epstein graduates are taking courage, heart and brains to high school, including the ability to think critically and see the world through multiple per-
spectives, according to the graduation program. Students shared their capstone projects, a new initiative this year, and Knesset President Gabriel Kadoori presented the class gift, a printer, for the use of faculty and students in the fall. The students also spoke about what they learned in their favorite subjects and how those lessons shaped their views. Congregation Or Hadash Rabbi Mario Karpuj delivered the d’var Torah and recited a blessing for the students. He said his hope is that each student can become a blessing by effecting change. It was Myrna Rubel’s last graduation as Epstein’s middle school principal, but she will remain on campus to teach a class. Rubel spent a few final moments with the graduating class
during the presentation of the diplomas. She encouraged the students to never forget their Jewish identity and to stand as ambassadors for Israel.
Photos by Coleen Lou
Harris Dankberg receives his diploma from Morgan Dempsey-Brookhart, an English and world cultures teacher.
“Epstein is meant to be your cheerleader, telling you that whatever path you choose, you are supported by your teachers, by your parents and your friends.” ■
Graduating eighth-graders (from left) Jonathan Merlin, Max Chernow, Mo Zibitt, Asher Force, Aaron Bock and Salo Szumstein sing “Hatikva” and “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
GRADUATION
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Song Goes On and On for Epstein and ‘Shiriyah’ band music and drama, all emphasizing Hebrew. The theme changes each year, and sometimes the school does two shows instead of one, choreographer Meliss Jakubovic said. She ensures that Israeli dance remains part of the performance. This year’s show, produced and directed by Hamutal Keinan and performed in front of more than 500 people, celebrated Israel’s 70th birthday with music, dances and costumes from the many immigrant cultures that have merged to form modern Israel. Such themes combine with the celebration of Hebrew and the dancing and singing to unite the Epstein community and develop the students’ identities, Abusch-Magder said. “They’re all going to connect to Israel, to Hebrew and to Epstein in their own unique ways, but they’re going to connect.” Middle School Principal Myrna Rubel developed and led the “Shiriyah” program to strengthen student ties to Hebrew and Israel, and Abusch-Magder said it will remain a centerpiece of the school despite her retirement at the
Epstein students bring some of Israel’s Moroccan flair to the Sandy Springs stage.
Epstein alumni join in the “Shir Israeli” finale at the Epstein School’s “Shiriyah” in February.
end of the school year. “I am confident that this is a program that will continue to evolve and will continue to be meaningful,” Abusch-Magder said. He has seen many Jewish day schools but knows of no other with a program like it. “I’m thrilled that this is our showcase.” He said “Shiriyah” fits two core elements that set Epstein apart in the marketplace: its Hebrew programs and its commitment to STEAM (sci-
ence, technology, engineering, arts and math). “Shiriyah” also meets Epstein’s goals of creating confident lifelong learners and giving students access to their unique Jewish identity, he said. “They have lots of different ways to enter into what it means to be in relationship with Israel, and those songs that are in Hebrew really wind up being a part of who our kids are for the rest of their lives.” ■
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
The 40 new alumni of the Epstein School can be confident in the years to come that there will always be at least one place where they can return to the Sandy Springs school and fit right in: the finale of the annual “Shiriyah.” The then-eighth-graders could see what to expect at the Hebrew-language musical extravaganza Feb. 12, as could the hundreds of other performers from preschool up. While current students sang “Shir Israeli” (“Israeli Song”), complete with arm motions, Epstein alumni filled the floor in front of the stage to join in the performance. Head of School David AbuschMagder said he gets emotional every time he sees generations of Epstein students come together for “Shir Israeli.” “When I watch that, I sit there, and I say, ‘We’re doing this for a reason. It’s making a difference. I’m proud of our students, and I’m proud of the work that our school does.’ So it actually gets quite emotional,” Abusch-Magder said. Epstein has made “Shiriyah” part of the school program for almost two decades. It mixes singing, dancing,
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GRADUATION
Epstein Class of 2018 The following are the 40 students who graduated from the Epstein School on Wednesday, May 23. Gali Bendavid Kira Berzack Aaron Bock Max Chernow Emma Cohen Galia Cohen Harris Dankberg Spencer Dickson Molly Fisher Asher Force Marissa Goodman Tamar Guggenheim Jaron Holzer Justin Jacobs Gabriel Kadoori Rebecca Kann Elana Katz Naomi Kuropatwa Reagan Lapes David Leavitt
Olivia Lerner Ralph Liniado Emma Mailman Jonathan Merlin Mollie Meyerowitz Emma Nowitz Max Pargman Moira Poh Eitan Pritzker Lulu Rosenberg Gabrielle Rosenfeld Joshua Sampson Zoe Siegel Max Silver Hillary Smith Salo Szumstein Jordan Tovin Andrea Zaglin Mo Zibitt Yaniv Zigmond
Weber Class of 2018
JUNE 1 â–Ş 2018
The following are the 70 students who graduated from the Weber School on Friday, May 25.
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Jordan Benjamin Arbiv Walt Dmitry Arkhipov Jael Zahava Azani Miles Harrison Barkowitz Carly Grace Berman Courtney Leigh Berman Averie Megan Bernstein Emily Michelle Bernstein Rosasharn Lilly Brown Justin Lawton Cobb Neri Sara Cohen Micah Benjamin Cohen Chloe Hope Deutsch Julie Hannah Dichtenberg Liora Isabelle Dressler Isabelle Hannah Faidley Jacobs Samuel Atticus Fialkow Omer Friedman Abigail Danielle Goldberg Harrison Maxwell Goldfein Aaron Joel Gordon Lior Dov Granath Samuel Michael Halpern Aaron Ross Heller Jeremy Ezra Hellmann Hannah Ruth Jones Sophia Darby Jones Rachel Bloom Kaplan Eli Isaac Katz Nadav Kishban Yeglin Hannah Simkin Krinsky Camille Ariel Levin Noa Elizabeth Levy Sarah Bena Lewyn Eric Connor Lieberman
Ira Livnat Daniel David Livnat Raye Claire Merlin Elijah Jakob Meyers Mallory Nicole Nathan Zachary Louis Negin Dylan Nicole Oakes Idan Pinhasi Hannah Rose Ripans Paul Jacob Rosing Steven Allen Rubin Hannah Isabelle Saban Mollie Alyssa Schwarz Jolie Elizabeth Seir Ezekiel Amichai Siegman Lucy Jayne Singer Liana Bret Slomka Adam Benjamin Spector Adam Jesse Spielberger Asher Jacob Stadler Zoe Rose Starr Daniel Conrad Stearns Skyler Matthew Swislow Megan Nicole Swygert Julia Belle Tresh Noah William Trugman Liana Lei Turiansky Zachary Aaron Vexler Sophia Jo Videlefsky Samuel Aaron Weiss-Cowie Isaac Noah Weissman Molly Jaclyn Yoels Parker Lane Zaglin Jason Randy Zarge Levi Sterling Zindler
,אבא אהבה ואבי Arielle Heart
Nittai Shiff As you go to bigger and better things, don’t forget who you really are. We can describe our pride but not the LOVE we feel. Congratulations on your graduation, Ima, Aba and Daniel
Hannah,
Mazel tov on your graduation from Weber. Now on to College of Charleston! You have worked very hard these four years, we are very proud of you.
Love, Mom & Dad Mazel Tov to the Mighty
Quinn Cohen! Your biggest fans,
Mom, Jordan & Nana xoxo
Mazel Tov, Carrie! We are so proud of you! Thanks for being an amazing intern & good luck in your future endeavors! From, your friends at the Atlanta Jewish Times
NICHOLAS BONELL Graduated Magna Cum Laude from Alpharetta High School
“Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.”
—Shel Silverstein
We are so excited to see what your future holds.
All our love ~Mom & Dad
Mazel Tov JA COB MI RSK Y on your graduation from The Davis Academy. We are so proud of you! Love, Mom and Dad Congratulations Morgan! “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go...”
—Dr. Seuss
MORGAN EVANS
Love,
Mom & Avery
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
מזל טוב וכל הכבוד
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Mazel Tov
on a great achievement! We wish you great things at UGA. Love you forever! Love,
Julianna Isbitts
Mommy, Daddy, Lily & Claire
Mazel tov Harrison Lewis on your graduation! We are so proud of you! Love, Mom, Dad & Tanner
Naomi, you've done so well in so many ways. We are so proud of you! ~Rob & Sonya Kuropatwa
JUNE 1 â–Ş 2018
Mazel tov, Matthew Moskowitz
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on your graduation from the United States Air Force Academy and your commissioning as a 2nd Lieutenant! We are proud of your accomplishments and your commitment to serve our country! Love, Mom, Dad & Scott
Ari and Ian Levin Congrats from Mom and Dad. On to your next adventure at UGA!
~Mom & Dad
Noa Levy
Mazel tov on your graduation! I miss you! Love, Grandma
Jillian Gerson Jillian is graduating from AJA. She is planning to study in the Fall at the University of West Georgia where she received a scholarship in theater. She is the daughter of Shelley Gerson and Scott Kenith.
We are so proud of you and are looking forward to your growth in excellence! -Nana & Papa Brenda and Bernie Bookman
Benjamin H. nadolne
Congratulations on your graduation from Davis Academy. Continue to follow your dreams and never give up! We are so proud of you and love you very much! Love, Mom & Dad
Mazel Tov, Binyomin! Love, Papa, Mom, Menachem and Emanuel
Ava Stark
Congratulations on your graduation from Davis Academy. You are an amazing young lady! Don’t ever stop believing in yourself - you can do anything you want in this world. We are so proud of you and love you very much! Love, Mom & Dad
Congratulations on completing a Masters in Jewish Communal Service with high honors, receiving the Legacy Heritage Mid-career Fellowship, and being awarded a graduate prize for Communal Service and Nonprofit Management.
ConGRATZ, Mom and Dad
Mazel Tov Amalia
Sarah Koplin
on your 8th grade graduation! We are so
Mazel Tov on your graduation! We are so proud of you.
proud of you and your many achievements. May you go from strength to strength.
Love, Mom, Dad & Alex
Love, Mom, Dad and Gabby
Mazal tov on your graduation! Have an amazing time in Israel on Nativ next year! With lots of love & pride,
Mommy, Daddy, Becca and Mollie
Benjy nadolne
Lisa Lebovitz
We’re so proud of you,
Ilana Herr on your graduation from NYU law school. Now go out and continue to repair the world!
Love, Mom, Michael, Deborah & David
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
Lily Stark
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Mazel tov, Sloan. We are so proud of you. - Mom, Dad and Drew
SLOAN WYATT
Max, You make us so proud with your dedication to your family, your studies, your friends and your charity: Game Givers. With your passion for others, there is no doubt you will change the world. ~Mom, Dad & Eli Go Huskies! Northeastern University, Class of ‘22
Mazal Tov, Bay! Wishing you all the best.
Mazal Tov, Ski. We wish you all the very best!
Abba & Mom
Abba & Mom
Benjamin Moses
Devorah Chasen Mazel tov on your graduation! We are so proud of you! Love,
Mom, Dad, Doni and Dassie
Emma Moses We’re so proud of the respectful, bright, and driven young man you have become! Mazal Tov, Jonny! Love, Mom, Dad, Jessica and Nicole
JONATHAN NOORIEL
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES' YEARBOOK FEATURES GRADUATES FROM THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS:
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United States Air Force Academy The Galloway School New York University Yeshiva of Greater Washington (D.C.) Atlanta Jewish Academy Weber Alpharetta High School North Cobb High School George Walton Comprehensive High School North Springs Charter High School Pace Academy
Lakeside High School Kennesaw State University The Davis Academy Atlanta Jewish Academy Pace Academy Stratford Academy Pope High School Gratz College The Epstein School University of Georgia
WE CELEBRATE AND CONGRATULATE OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE LEADERS.
GRADUATION
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Your Guide to the Perfect Graduation Gift So that child has finally walked the stage, grabbed a piece of parchment and flung that mortarboard into the air, marking graduation and entry into a new phase in life. Now it’s time to pick out the perfect gift. Just remember: Almost anything looks like a bargain if you no longer have to shell out tens of thousands of dollars a year for day school or college.
Coffee Maker For grads who are on their own, a way to get caffeine without the time and expense of heading to Starbucks is crucial. Whether you get the basic Mr. Coffee or top-end Keurig is up to you.
Wristwear A charm bracelet serves as a perpetual reminder of how much you care. An inscribed watch does the same thing and might even get your grad to work or class on time. Luggage For the grad who’s going to see the world, or at least flying off to school or a job, a reliable rolling bag that fits in the overhead compartment is hard to beat.
Cash Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but not if she’s fresh out of high school or college. We’re sure most new graduates have never met a $100 bill (or $50 or $20) they wouldn’t be thrilled to get to know better. You can customize the amount to be a multiple of chai (18) or some other meaningful number. Checks, easily deposited with a phone app, are as good as greenbacks. Stock or Bond Instill a lesson about the long view in personal finances and support Israel by buying an Israel Bond, or add thrills and chills with a few shares of stock. (We’d recommend some, but our lawyers advise against it.)
Car Nothing says “graduation” like “plastics,” but only slightly behind that is “new car.” To a parent’s ears, “used Corolla” also has a nice ring to it.
Gift Card When you care enough to think about where your graduate likes to shop — and enough not to stomp on his or her style. It could be for a clothing store, an electronics retailer, Bed, Bath & Beyond, or even Kroger. Transit or Gas Card Your grad will need to get around. A little gas money or a few trips on public transportation will help make that happen.
Electronic Knickknack From portable phone chargers to earbuds to portable power sources to noise-canceling headphones, these little necessities are always welcome — and always needed because they get lost or broken so often. Laptop Any computer more than a month old is way behind the cutting edge. Help your grad enjoy the thrill of the latest technology to get a jump on “Fortnite” rivals.
Bicycle Of course, the need for gas money and transit card refills never ends. A bike is a good alternative that’s cheaper long term and provides some muchneeded exercise.
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
Cruise The school years have been tough, and a simple beach vacation just isn’t enough. Whether it’s for you or the graduate is another matter.
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GRADUATION
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College Graduation Shows Value of Coaching By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
Next Generation Men and Women co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Ben Sperling hardly knew the impact he would have on one boy’s life until a chance encounter years later in downtown Atlanta. Sperling grew up in a Conservative Jewish household where he learned the principles of tikkun olam (repairing the world) at a young age. Whether it is volunteering alongside his parents at a food bank or establishing an afterschool basketball program for elementary school students, nothing is better than working with kids all day, Sperling said. With a strong interest in the education system, Sperling thought there was no better way to make a difference than serving as a teacher. After applying to Teach for America, Sperling became a high school math teacher at Carver High School. The experience was great, he said,
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but he noted the inequities in the education system. The issues include the lack of positive exposure to colleges and careers and the limited support for high school students, Sperling said. After realizing he could have a greater impact outside the classroom, Sperling, Ian Cohen and Travis Salters quit teaching to launch Next Generation Men and Women. The nonprofit works with schools throughout Atlanta to create college and career readiness for underserved students through exposure and support. NGMW consists of gender- and grade-specific groups, each with 15 to 20 students led by one teacher or coach trained in NGMW’s curriculum. NGMW also hires a college fellow to meet with the kids twice a week after school to work on personal identity, relationship skills, and college and career exposure. “The goal is to fill some of the gaps that exist in the education system for underserved students and pre-
Devante Tyuse and his soccer coach, Ben Sperling, take a selfie after the two reminisce about the impact Sperling had on Tyuse’s life.
pare them for what comes after high school,” Sperling said. Sperling has seen both sides of the spectrum, which is why he said he likes helping kids. “Growing up, I was a middle- to high-income person with a lot of privilege and didn’t have to worry about a lot of things other students had to. I could get an unpaid internship over the summer because I did not have to work to support my family. … But there are students who don’t have those opportunities,” he said. Devante Tyuse, known as “Poncho,” was one of the students Sperling coached while teaching at Carver. The high school’s soccer team needed a goalie, and even though Tyuse had never played, Sperling recruited him. “It was very clear that he had no idea what he was doing, but it was my responsibility as a coach to train him and teach him the rules of the game,” said Sperling, who spent two years training Tyuse until he became one of the team’s best players. Tyuse’s natural skills and hard work landed him a full scholarship to Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Sperling lost touch with Tyuse after he went to college. A chance encounter in mid-April reunited the two: They both stopped at the same red light. Tyuse had transferred to Georgia State University and was about to graduate with a degree in political science. Through a series of Facebook messages, the ex-coach and his former player met for lunch. “It was amazing to hear everything he was doing,” Sperling said. “He went through some hardships, family issues, and lost his sister last year, but now he is graduating.”
The meeting made Sperling tear up after Tyuse explained how instrumental Sperling was in the trajectory of his education. Tyuse also said he wants to become a teacher through Teach for America after he graduates. “To me, that is one of the most amazing things to hear,” Sperling said. “To hear that he sees the value of education because of the experience he has had and that I was impactful makes it one of the best lunches I have had all year.” Because Tyuse lived in a rough neighborhood, Sperling used to drive him home after every soccer game at night. Sperling said Tyuse’s family supported him but didn’t have the time to be everything he might have needed. “Devante has been an adult and has taken care of his family for a few years now and is much younger than most people put in that situation,” Sperling said. Tyuse’s college graduation means a lot to Sperling. “It’s about opening doors and finding a career that will make him, as well as his family and future generations, successful. A high school degree is important but really does not provide a lot of opportunities compared to that of a college degree.” Sperling said Tyuse’s graduation is about him beating the odds. “Not many people graduate from Carver, so the fact that he is graduating from college, let alone high school, and wants to give back to the community is special. It’s the best story an educator can hear or ever ask for, but it’s mostly about Devante having the same opportunities as his peers and being rewarded for all the hard work he has put in over the years.” ■
GRADUATION
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Robbins to Chesed Winners: We Need You
Photos courtesy of Hadassah Greater Atlanta, www.hadassah.org/atlanta
The women behind the 2018 Chesed Student Awards are (from left) Hadassah Greater Atlanta President Sheila Dalmat and program co-chairs Phyllis M. Cohen, Eileen Cohn and Linda Weinroth.
Marian F. Perling Hadassah Chesed Student Award recipients at the May 6 reception are (front row, from left) Shalom Dovid Schulgasser, Zoe Siegel, Jacob Mirsky, Hildy Newman and Hannah Krinsky, (middle row, from left) Ian Maman, Ethan Povlot, Jared Skyer and Sydney Levy, and (back row, from left) Jeremy Levin, Jonathan “Nate” Linsider, Miles Kirsh, Emily Glatter, Naama Erez, Dori Balser, Julia Maynard and Max Maslia. Not pictured are award winners Carly Judenberg, Elisheva Caplan, Ethan Asher and Brandon Rubin.
Federation CEO and President Eric Robbins urges the Chesed recipients to keep giving back to the Atlanta community. “We need you here in Atlanta,” he says.
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
Hadassah Greater Atlanta honored the recipients of the Marian F. Perling Hadassah Chesed Student Awards on Sunday, May 6, at Congregation Dor Tamid in Johns Creek. The Chesed (lovingkindness) Awards recognize outstanding students in Jewish day schools and synagogues for their love for Israel, concern for fellow Jews and involvement in the greater Atlanta community while maintaining good academic standing. Each year the community can draw inspiration from the accomplishments, ideals and aspirations of the award recipients. Keynote speaker Eric Robbins, the president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, shared a personal connection with Hadassah. Not only does he have relatives who are life members of Hadassah, but also the importance of the Women’s Zionist Organization of America hit home when he was 18 and needed surgery. The surgeon who treated him at the Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh came from Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Robbins lauded the Chesed recipients for their accomplishments. “The youth that we’re bringing into this community have a lot more to teach us than we could ever teach them,” he said. “If this doesn’t give us optimism, I don’t know what does. Not only do they understand what needs to be done, they act on it.” Addressing the students, Robbins said: “Help us to inspire others and spread the word. Leadership is more than doing; it’s understanding, taking risks and challenging yourself and others. Advocate how incredible it is to be part of this people, to support and connect with the land of Israel, and continue giving back to the Atlanta community. We need you here in Atlanta.” Students Jonathan “Nate” Linsider of Atlanta Jewish Academy and Emily Glatter of Temple Kehillat Chaim spoke of how their involvement with Jewish organizations has helped in other areas of their lives. They both plan to continue the same level of commitment. For All Occasions and More provided the kosher refreshments. ■
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EDUCATION Signs of the Times
Atlanta Jewish Academy’s Upper School held its first Signing Day for seniors Tuesday, May 1. Each of the 22 seniors autographed the back of a sign representing his or her choice of college, seminary or yeshiva for next year while AJA’s seventh- through 11th-graders watched. The school is keeping the signs as part of the legacy of the Class of 2018, which was scheduled to graduate Wednesday, May 30.
Our approach will impact your child’s success in college and in life. Take the time to explore our website.
Photos courtesy of AJA
Visit us at www.collegebridge.net
Development Program. She also is active in Young Judaea, which she said helps root her Jewish identity in Zionist ideals.
YOY Tribute Book
Contact Steven W. Cook, PhD swc@collegebridge.net or 404.983.4573 Jereme Weiner
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
North Atlanta Student Wins Hadassah Prize
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Jereme Weiner, who just completed her junior year at North Atlanta High School, is one of two recipients in the nation of Hadassah’s 2018 Leaders of Tomorrow Award for Young Women. Weiner and fellow 17-year-old Allison Kashan of Edison, N.J., were awarded all-expenses-paid trips to Israel and full tuition for four weeks at Young Judaea’s Teen Summer Program in Israel through the merit-based Hadassah scholarship competition. It is the fifth year Hadassah has run the program. One of last year’s two winners also was from the Atlanta area: Tessa Stanton of Pope High School. “Hadassah is proud to provide opportunities for leadership and personal growth for women of all ages,” Hadassah President Ellen Hershkin said. Weiner plays on the North Atlanta High soccer team and is a member of BBYO, Key Club, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Politics Club, Hiking Club and International Baccalaureate Mentor Program, according to a Hadassah announcement. She is part of a three-generation family of Hadassah life members and has participated in American Jewish Committee’s Leaders for Tomorrow program and Creating Connected Communities’ Leadership
Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael plans to present a book of memories to Rabbi Shimon Wiggins, the principal of general studies, at the school’s graduation ceremony Sunday, June 24. Anyone with photos, anecdotes or tributes for Rabbi Wiggins, who has been at the Toco Hills school since 2004, is asked to email them to office@ ohryisrael.org by Friday, June 15, for inclusion in the book.
$10,000 Grant to AJA
The Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta has awarded Atlanta Jewish Academy a $10,000 grant for its Women in STEM Career Fair initiative. The event is planned for next winter. The grant reflects the efforts of AJA Upper School faculty members Catherine Brand, Pam Mason and Elizabeth Schoen and alumna and AJA parent Rivka Monheit.
Riverwood Golf Event
The Riverwood International Charter School’s football program is holding its first celebrity golf tournament Monday, June 18, at Smoke Rise Country Club in Stone Mountain. The fundraising tournament features the Raiders’ new head football coach, Robert Edwards, a former star running back for the University of Georgia who was picked in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft. Edwards has asked an assortment of football friends to participate in the benefit. The tournament tees off at 9 a.m. Registration is $150 per person or $500 per foursome. Register at buff. ly/2K9Tp1j.
FOOD
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First Excitement Brews at City Springs the party and kitchen,” said Sharon Kraun, Sandy Springs’ director of communications. Dale Gordon DeSena, the founder and CEO of Taste of Atlanta,
Jaffe’s Jewish Jive By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com
which produces Food That Rocks, “has helped us create a fun and inviting setting for the community to gather to meet new neighbors, catch up with old friends, eat and be entertained.” Kraun noted that Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul calls City Springs “everyone’s neighborhood,” so “it is a natural fit that Food That Rocks be at home on the City Green. It’s our communitywide gathering spot, where we can catch up and nosh a little.” This party with a purpose benefits Sandy Springs-based charities The Drake House, Community Assistance
Center and Second Helpings Atlanta. Sheri Labovitz is the president of Second Helpings, which rescues an average of 100,000 pounds of fresh, nutritious food every 22 days for delivery to anti-hunger organizations. “Second Helpings Atlanta, a partner of the Atlanta Community Food Bank, is growing rapidly thanks to the increase in large event pickups, the additional awareness of our mission and our effective business model,” she said. “Food That Rocks gives us another platform to tell people about our 90-Minute Model, which allows volunteer drivers, who use their personal vehicles, to perform a pickup and delivery and return home or to work in 90 minutes or less.” Steven Eisenstein, the president of sponsor Classic Tents & Events, is revving up to provide a comfortable outdoor venue, rain or shine. “We will be supplying two large, 50-foot-wide tents, along with tables, chairs, lighting, 10-by-10 high peaks and 34,000 pounds of ballasts to safely secure the frame tents,” he said. “We sponsor
the event because we also have a new company, Coastal Restaurant Equipment Rentals, so food service is very important to us.” ■
Photo by Marcia Caller Jaffe
(From left) Sandy Springs spokeswoman Sharon Kraun, Taste of Atlanta CEO Dale Gordon DeSena, Marla Shavin of City Springs and Steven Eisenstein of Classic Tents line up over the grounds where Food That Rocks will be held June 9. What: Food That Rocks Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs When: 6:30 to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 9 Tickets: $55 in advance, $65 at the gate ($10 more for VIP admission), 21 and over; foodthatrocks.org
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
The third annual Food That Rocks festival celebrates Sandy Springs and its new centerpiece development, City Springs, on Saturday night, June 9. At least 23 food and beverage vendors will make Food That Rocks the first event on the City Green at City Springs, off the new Eva Galambos Way. VIP admission begins at 6:30, and general admission is at 7:30. The event, featuring music from Saved by the Band and DJ Jimmy E, runs until 11, with food served until 9:30. Tickets are $55 in advance or $65 at the door; VIP tickets are $10 more. Attendees must be 21 or older. We’ve all been driving by the construction for a couple of years, and now it’s time to experience firsthand how far Sandy Springs has come as a destination — specifically City Springs as its nascent central point and heart. “Where does everyone gather at a party? Either in the kitchen or around the food table. Food That Rocks is both
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CALENDAR Judaic Mosaic. JumpSpark presents
CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES
Behaalotecha Friday, June 1, light candles at 8:26 p.m. Saturday, June 2, Shabbat ends at 9:27 p.m. Shlach Friday, June 8, light candles at 8:29 p.m. Saturday, June 9, Shabbat ends at 9:31 p.m.
THROUGH JULY 15
Baseball exhibit. “Chasing Dreams: Baseball & Becoming American” is at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Museum admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and educators, $4 for ages 3 to 6, and free for museum members and children under 3; www.thebreman.org or 678-222-3700.
THURSDAY, MAY 31
laman Way, Kennesaw, holds a reception at 6 p.m. for the opening of an exhibit of contemporary printmakers titled “Time Like the Present,” which runs through July 29. Free; zuckerman.kennesaw.edu or 470-578-3223.
SUNDAY, JUNE 3
8105 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs, holds its eighth-grade graduation at 7 p.m. Free; www.davisacademy. org or 770-804-9191.
Dive into Shabbat. The Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, holds a pool party at 5 p.m. and Shabbat songs and blessings with Rabbi Brian Glusman at 6 p.m. Free to all; bit.ly/2IQsOJV or 678-812-4011.
Splash into Shabbat. The Marcus JCC helps East Cobb and Roswell families have fun before Shabbat, including grape juice and challah, at 5 p.m. at the splash park at Riverside Park, 575 Riverside Road, Roswell. Admission is $4 per child; bit.ly/2KHxNdd.
Bayning on the BeltLine. Chabad Intown’s BeltLine location at 730 Ponce de Leon Place, Atlanta, provides live music, chicken soup, challah and an open bar outside at 6 p.m. to wind down before Shabbat starts at 8:25, with an optional service to follow inside. Free; RSVP at chabadintown. org/bayning.
TUESDAY, JUNE 5
LEADS happy hour. The Jewish Fed-
Graduation. The Davis Academy,
FRIDAY, JUNE 1
a camp today through Friday, June 8, for rising ninth-graders through new high school graduates to study music theory, songwriting and engineering while writing and recording a song, with a second session scheduled for June 11 to 15. Registration is $199 per session; atlantajewishteens.wufoo. com/forms/m1140k541hz66a1.
com/80534614090148 or call 404327-5266 for details.
PJ Library gatherings. PJ Library kicks off its Summer Series of family get-togethers at parks in Brookhaven, Decatur, Virginia-Highland, Alpharetta, Dunwoody, Fayetteville, East Cobb and Smyrna at 10 a.m. Free; RSVP at www.facebook.com/ pg/pjlibraryatlanta/events, and contact Nathan Brodsky at nbrodsky@ jewishatlanta.org or 404-870-1870 for further details.
Photo show. Nature photographer Lee Cookie flag. The Jewish community assembles a record-setting cookie mosaic of the Israeli flag, to be unveiled around 1 p.m., outside Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Toco Hills, as the culmination of an effort to raise more than $1 million for three charities in Israel. Free to view, $10-per-cookie donation sought; www.cookiesforisrael.org.
Nature hike. Jewish Cub Scout Pack 1818 invites potential Scouts entering first to fifth grade in the fall to join it for a nature hike at Stone Mountain Park, 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd., Stone Mountain, at 8:15 a.m. Park entrance is $15 per carload; email 1818scouts@ gmail.com to RSVP and get details.
Friedman of Alpharetta displays and talks about his images from 2 to 6 p.m. at Oy Toys, 1150 Grimes Bridge Road, Suite 300, Roswell. Free; www. andthoushaltread.com or 770-9935432.
eration of Greater Atlanta holds a happy hour for Learning Engagement & Discovery Series alumni at 6:30 p.m. at Monday Night Brewing, 670 Trabert Ave., West Midtown. Admission is $8; jewishatlanta.org/ leads-alumni-happy-hour.
Israel@70. Israeli journalist Alon Ben David addresses “Perspectives on Israel After 70 Years” as part of the Israel Bonds speaker series at 7 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; www. templesinaiatlanta.org/event/israelbonds-speaker.html or 404-252-3073.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 6
Molly Blank Concert Series. The 2018 series at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown, closes with “The Way We Were,” a Theatrical Outfit show on Jewish composers Alan and Marilyn Bergman, with a reception at 4 p.m. and the concert at 5. Tickets are $50 for Breman members, $60 for others, with discounts for students and young professionals; www.thebreman.org or 678-2223700.
MONDAY, JUNE 4
JCC golf tournament. The Marcus JCC’s Harry Maziar Classic Golf Tournament, honoring Garrett Van de Grift, at the Atlanta Country Club in East Cobb is sold out. Contact Erika Barnes at erika.barnes@ atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4144 for donations or more information.
Film screening. Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs, kicks off its summer film series with “Funny Girl” at 11 a.m. Free; www. templesinaiatlanta.org/event/1968summer-film-series.html or 404-2523073.
Graduation. Atlanta Jewish Academy, 5200 Northland Drive, Sandy Springs, celebrates its eighth-graders’ completion of middle school at 2 p.m. Free; atljewishacademy.org or 404-843-9900.
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
ORT My School. ORT Next Gen, the
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SATURDAY, JUNE 2
Exhibit opening. The Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art at Kennesaw State University, 492 Pril-
Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and Jewish Family & Career Services rebuild the rooftop garden at Springdale Park Elementary School, 803 Briarcliff Road, Virginia-Highland, at 9 a.m., with breakfast provided. Free; RSVP at form.jotform.
Whiskey tasting. Sample scotches and bourbons and learn about the halacha behind kosher spirits at 7:30 p.m. at the Atlanta Scholars Kollel Dome, 5237 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Admission is $20; RSVP at congariel.org.
THURSDAY, JUNE 7
MAY 31-JUNE 23 MONDAY, JUNE 11
Graduation. Torah Day School of Atlanta holds its eighth-grade graduation at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Hall at Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Toco Hills. Free; www. torahday.org or 404-982-0800.
Cinebash preview. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival offers a VIP, sushifueled peek at its artistic tribute to graphic designer/filmmaker Saul Bass at 7 p.m. at Atlanta Stone Works, 112 Krog St., Inman Park. Tickets are $150 (including Cinebash on June 23); www.ajff.org/programs/cinebash.
TUESDAY, JUNE 12
Graduation. Torah Day School of Atlanta, 1985 LaVista Road, Toco Hills, holds its kindergarten graduation in the school gym at 10:30 a.m. Free; www.torahday.org or 404-9820800.
Art opening. Sisters Judy Robkin and Anita Stein open the latest art exhibit at MACoM, 700-A Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, at 7:30 p.m. Free; atlantamikvah.org or info@atlantamikvah.org.
SATURDAY, JUNE 9
“Sweeney Todd.” The Atlanta Opera presents the Stephen Sondheim musical about a murderous London barber at 8 p.m. at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Cumberland, with additional performances June 12, 15, 16 and 17. Tickets start at $35; www. atlantaopera.org/performance/ sweeney-todd-demon-barber-fleetstreet.
SUNDAY, JUNE 10
Blood drive. Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Morningside, plays host to RJ’s Pay It Forward American Red Cross blood drive, helping 11-year-old RJ give back in thanks for blood transfusions he received during the repair of a congenital heart defect, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free; sign up at www. redcrossblood.org/give.html/driveresults?zipSponsor=RJ.
THURSDAY, JUNE 14
Expecting after infertility. Jenny Barwick facilitates a Jewish Fertility Foundation support group for pregnant women who dealt with fertility issues at 6:45 p.m. at MACoM, 700A Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. Free; www.jewishfertilityfoundation.org/expecting-after-infertility.html or 678-744-7018.
Graduation. Temima: The Richard & Jean Katz High School for Girls holds its graduation at 7:30 p.m. at Heritage Hall at Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Toco Hills. Free; www.temima.org/news/ graduation-save-the-date8808753 or 404-315-0507.
FRIDAY, JUNE 15
Dive into Shabbat. The Marcus JCC, Project Understanding happy hour. Alumni of the American Jewish Committee program gather at 6 p.m. at Wrecking Bar, 292 Moreland Ave., Little Five Points. Free; www.ajc.org/ atlanta or 404-233-5501.
Infertility support. Ashley Marx
5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, holds a pool party at 5 p.m. and Shabbat songs and blessings with Rabbi Brian Glusman at 6 p.m. Free to all; bit.ly/2IQsOJV or 678-812-4011.
Shabbat Alive. Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, holds a tot service at 5:30 p.m., followed by service filled with music and soul at 6:30, then a dairy potluck dinner. Free; www.bethshalom.net or 770-399-5300.
SATURDAY, JUNE 23
Cinebash. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival celebrates art, film and Saul Bass with food, music and more at 7 p.m. at Atlanta Contemporary, 535 Means St., West Midtown. Tickets are $35; www.ajff.org/programs/ cinebash.
Find more events and submit items for our online and print calendars at:
www.atlantajewishconnector.com
This calendar is sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Connector, an initiative of the AJT.
facilitates a Jewish Fertility Foundation support group in Toco Hills at 7:30 p.m. Free; RSVP for location at www.jewishfertilityfoundation.org/ toco-hills-support.html.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13
Film screening. Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs, shows “The Lion in Winter” at 11 a.m. Free; www.templesinaiatlanta.org/ event/1968-summer-film-series.html or 404-252-3073.
Pool party. The Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, kicks off summer with a party at the Sherwin Glass Aquatic Center that is open to all. Free; www.atlantajcc.org.
eration of Greater Atlanta holds its annual meeting, with the presentation of five annual awards and the election of a new board led by Mark Silberman as chairman, at 7 p.m. at Atlanta Jewish Academy, 5200 Northland Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; RSVP at jewishatlanta. org/2018annualmeeting.
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
Annual meeting. The Jewish Fed-
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ARTS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Ranking Israel’s Eurovision Winners, Plus One When Israeli singer Netta Barzilai won top honors at the 2018 Eurovision on May 12 with her song “Toy,” she became the fourth Israeli act to win the hotly contested 43-nation pop music competition, which began in 1956. Israel first entered the competition in 1973 and has claimed 11 top-five finishes, including seven in the top three. Israel now ranks sixth on the all-time leaderboard of Eurovision winners, behind Ireland (7), Sweden (6), France (5), the United Kingdom (5) and Luxembourg (5). So I got to thinking: How does Netta’s “Toy” stack up to Israel’s previous winners? • Honorable mention, Avi Toledano, “Hora,” 1982. After Israel’s back-to-back wins in 1978 and 1979, Toledano’s “Hora” placed second in 1982. The uptempo number, sung about the joy of watching Israelis dance the traditional folk dance, was beaten out by Germany’s “Ein bißchen Frieden,” performed by Nicole.
It was succeeded as Israel’s entry at the 1983 Eurovision by Ofra Haza’s “Hi,” which also took second place. “Hora” is a good song, and even though
Jewish Music Scene By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com
it has that cheesy, early-1980s, postdisco feel, it’s still audible in 2018. • 4, Netta, “Toy,” 2018. Amid the praise (and calls for boycotts), there’s something people aren’t talking about: This song is kind of terrible. Yes, it is about women’s strength and is super-relevant in the #MeToo era. That’s great. And, yes, Netta is challenging what a successful singer can look like, but why couldn’t she make a song that was actually good? How does a song in which the singer makes chicken noises half the time have 59 million views on YouTube? • 3, Dana International, “Diva,” 1998. The year was 1998, and Israel had
not had a winner in Eurovision since 1979. Singer Dana International, who had undergone a sex change in 1993, was selected to compete, sparking controversy from Orthodox and Conservative Jews. Nevertheless, she won. The story is inspiring, but this song is pure late-’90s pop trash. It has been mentioned on multiple “worst Eurovision winners ever” lists, and listening to that dated synth drum track makes me glad musicians left the effect behind in the early 2000s. • 2, Izhar Cohen, “A-Ba-Ni-Bi,” 1978. When Cohen captured Israel’s first Eurovision title in 1978 with “ABa-Ni-Bi,” the win was filled with controversy (seems like a common theme here). Jordanian television showed flowers instead of Cohen’s performance. Jordanian media announced that second-place Belgium had won. The song makes excellent use of an uptempo beat and a funky, discoinspired groove, not to mention the syrupy-sweet harmonies from Cohen’s backing band, the Alphabeta. • 1, Milk and Honey, “Hallelujah,” 1979. It’s hard to win Eurovision once;
Milk and Honey perform “Hallelujah” at Eurovision 1979 in Jerusalem.
it’s even harder to win it twice in a row. But that’s exactly what Israel did in 1979 with Milk and Honey’s “Hallelujah.” The group, which was put together for the sole purpose of competing in Eurovision, was unique in that it included a female lead vocalist and three male backing vocalists. Starting slowly and building to an emotional crescendo, “Hallelujah” took top honors in Jerusalem (the previous year’s winner hosts). The song has become something of a modern Jewish standard and is recognized by many who have not heard of Eurovision. Israel did not have a chance at a three-peat in 1980 because the contest was scheduled for Yom HaZikaron, Israel’s Memorial Day, and Israeli officials thought the festivities would conflict with the tone of the day.
Concert Calendar
Sunday, June 10 Robby Hecht. Nashville-based singer-songwriter Robby Hecht performs with vocalist Caroline Spence at 6 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. Hecht’s lyrical prowess has earned him praise from his peers. In 2010 he won the prestigious Telluride Troubadour Contest. Tickets are $10 to $15; eddiesattic.com.
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
Sunday, June 24 Zale. Atlanta-based indie rocker Hannah Zale performs an acoustic set at 8 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515-B N. McDonough St., Decatur. Zale performed at two Atlanta Jewish Music Festivals. Tickets are $12 to $16; eddiesattic.com.
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Monday, June 25 Joshua Davis. A top 3 finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” in 2015, roots singersongwriter Joshua Davis performs at 7 p.m. with Chely Wright at City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Old Fourth Ward. The Detroit native released an album, “The Way Back Home,” in September. Tickets start at $45; citywinery.com/atlanta/joshua-davischely-wright-6-25-18. ■
LOCAL NEWS
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The Temple Goes Back to the Future By Kevin C. Madigan kmadigan@atljewishtimes.com
Arthur Blank and wife Angie Macuga check out The Temple’s new History Wall.
Clergy and staff sing a tribute to Lauren Grien based on “We Are Family.”
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
Superlatives were the order of the day as The Temple concluded a yearlong sesquicentennial celebration with its annual meeting Tuesday, May 22. The occasion marked the end of Lauren Grien’s two-year term as president and the beginning of Janet Lavine’s stint. “I hit the jackpot with you as my executive vice president,” Grien told Lavine. “You are a wonderful complement to me, and I can’t thank you enough for all your support. You are so ready to be president. You’re an incredible leader, and it’s easy for me to step aside knowing The Temple couldn’t be in better hands. I’m here if you need me, but I don’t think you will.” Grien thanked The Temple’s staff and clergy, saying to the latter: “I have really loved working with each one of you. Your intellect, creativity, caring and devotion to our temple knows no bounds. Because of you, The Temple is so much more than a synagogue — it is a warm and welcoming home.” She reminded the audience that when she began her tenure in 2016, she invoked the Hippocratic Oath. “Had I known then what I know now, I definitely would have set a higher standard. You see, when you are surrounded and supported by such incredible clergy, staff and leadership, it’s impossible for any president to do harm.” Grien said The Temple is a trailblazer in the Reform movement and the envy of others who want to replicate its success. Senior Rabbi Peter Berg lauded Grien’s accomplishments, many affecting The Temple’s future. “Lauren has strategically guided the process by which our next 10 years
will have purpose and will be guided by achievable outcomes. Because of her leadership, we will continue to go from strength to strength,” he said. He spoke of her “keen financial sensibility” and her ability to “make tough decisions — to forecast properly and to balance our multimillion-dollar budget for both years of her term.” Rabbi Berg noted that during Grien’s tenure, The Temple was recognized by the Georgia Historical Society as a national civil rights historic site, and he credited her work with the Rothschild Social Justice Institute. “Another of Lauren’s deep passions is the expansion of our welcoming and inclusivity. Lauren has worked on this with a particular focus on our African-American Jewish prospective members,” he said, calling her the “greatest champion of our engagement efforts.” Staff members then rose in unison to sing their version of Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” with new lyrics, now titled “We Love Lauren Grien.” Rabbi Berg, who is starting a sabbatical from The Temple after a decade as its senior rabbi, also honored Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus for 10 years of service, hailing her as a “comforter, consoler and confidante, a visionary, a seer, a cheerleader and an entrepreneur.” At the end of the meeting, Rabbi Berg invited attendees to look at The Temple’s new History Wall, showing timelines and artifacts and an interactive exhibit profiling significant participants in its past. He said it took the administrations of three presidents to put it all together, “but look how magnificent it is. We have 150 years of stories that need to be told and preserved so they can inform the future.” ■
Photos by Kevin C. Madigan
Lauren Grien has completed her twoyear term as The Temple’s president.
Janet Lavine has succeeded to The Temple’s presidency.
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POLITICS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Miller, Abel, Jeager Advance in Primaries
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
At least three Jewish Democratic candidates had reason to celebrate the results of the Georgia primaries Tuesday, May 22. Two of them, Congregation Shearith Israel member Lindy Miller in Georgia Public Service Commission District 3 and Congregation Or Hadash member Ellyn Jeager in Georgia Senate District 56, easily won three-way primaries to earn the chance to oppose Republican incumbents in November. Jeager will face John Albers, while Miller will challenge Chuck Eaton. Miller is trying to become the first Jewish woman elected in a statewide partisan contest in Georgia. Although District 3 covers only Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton and Rockdale counties, its representative on the PSC is elected statewide. The primary polls closed at 7 p.m. May 22, and Miller addressed jubilant supporters at 9:45 at The Marlay House in Decatur as returns showed her winning more than 65 percent of the vote — and every county in the state except Burke and Calhoun — against John
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Noel and Johnny White. “We will run through November with all of your support and love and dedication,” Miller said, saluting her campaign staff and volunteers, as well as her husband, Rabbi Jonathan Crane, and their three young sons. The challenge Miller faces in the Nov. 6 general election was evident as Eaton, running unopposed in the Republican primary, garnered almost as many votes as the three Democrats combined: 470,000 to 475,000. She was one of two Democratic women trying to be the first to win an office elected statewide in a partisan race. The other, Cindy Zeldin, lost to Janice Laws in the primary for insurance commissioner, getting about 37 percent of the vote. Laws advanced to face Republican Jim Beck, who won a three-way race with a campaign emphasizing that he is a Christian, in the campaign to succeed retiring Republican Ralph Hudgens. In the closely watched Democratic primary for the 6th Congressional District, Temple Sinai member Kevin Abel
Photo courtesy of the Miller campaign
Lindy Miller, with the help of her father, Charles Miller, celebrates the election results May 22.
finished second with 30.5 percent to reach a runoff July 24 against Lucy McBath, who got 36.3 percent. Former CBS 46 newsman Bobby Kaple was third with 26.3 percent, and Steven Knight Griffin was fourth with 7 percent. The winner faces incumbent Republican Karen Handel in November. Unchallenged in the primary, she got about 1,300 fewer votes than the four Democrats combined. “I’m so humbled by last night’s results and grateful for the 12,000 people who voted for me because they believe in our campaign’s message that there’s a better way of doing business in Washington and that the people of the 6th District deserve better representation than Karen Handel,” Abel said in a statement issued Wednesday morning. “Our campaign was fueled by an incredible base of community support, an amazing group of committed, hardworking volunteers, and over a thousand individual contributors, almost 90 percent of whom live in the metro Atlanta area. This race is going to be decided by the voters of the 6th District, not hundreds of thousands of dollars of outside money.” McBath, who gained a national profile as a gun-control advocate after her son, Jordan Davis, was killed in Jacksonville, Fla., in 2012 by a man angered by loud music, has received donations from across the nation, as did the top Democrat in last year’s special election for the 6th District, Jon Ossoff. In other races involving Jewish candidates: • Rep. Michele Henson, the only Jewish member of the state House, won re-election by getting almost 72 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary against Joscelyn O’Neil. No Republican is running in House District 86. • Rep. Deborah Silcox got 72 percent of the vote to defeat Gavi Shapiro for the Republican nomination in House District 52. She’ll face Democrat Shea Roberts in November. • Allan Levene got less than 13 percent of the vote in a Republican
primary for House District 15 against Matthew Gambill, who has no opposition for the open Cartersville seat in November. • Democrat Jen Slipakoff doesn’t yet know who her opponent will be in House District 36 in West Cobb. Ginny Ehrhart, wife of retiring Rep. Earl Ehrhart, will face Thomas Gray in a Republican runoff; each of them got more votes than did Slipakoff, who had no opposition in the primary. • The Temple member Bobby Wolf finished third in the race for an open Superior Court seat in Fulton County with 19.6 percent of the vote. Fani Willis (49 percent) will face Kevin Farmer (31.4 percent) in the nonpartisan runoff July 24. • Louis Levenson got 26 percent in losing to incumbent Cassandra Kirk in the nonpartisan election for Fulton County’s chief magistrate judge. • Julia Bernath was not challenged for her seat on the Fulton County Board of Education. At the top of the ballot, former House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams received more than 76 percent of the vote against Stacey Evans to win the Democratic nomination for governor. Abrams would be the first woman to hold Georgia’s highest office and the first black woman in the nation elected governor. She’ll face either Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle or Secretary of State Brian Kemp, who advanced to a July 24 runoff as the top two vote-getters. Hunter Hill was third, Clay Tippins fourth, and Michael Williams fifth. Republicans also will have runoffs for lieutenant governor (David Shafer vs. Geoff Duncan) and secretary of state (Brad Raffensberger vs. David Belle Isle), to face Democrats Sarah Riggs Amico and John Barrow, respectively. The only statewide Democratic runoff is between Otha Thornton Jr. and Sid Chapman for school superintendent, with the winner facing incumbent Republican Richard Woods. ■
BUSINESS GreenSky’s stock hit the market Thursday, May 24, at an initial price of $23 a share, the top end of its projected range. By issuing 38 million shares — almost 4 million more than it had planned in an SEC filing May 14 — the Sandy Springs-based financial technology company is raising $874 million. The underwriters for the offering retain the option to purchase an additional 5.7 million shares — 600,000 more than previously publicized — within 30 days. If all 5.7 million are purchased, the price would be $131.1 million, pushing the total stock sale past the billion-dollar mark. GreenSky uses proprietary technology to make point-of-sale consumer loans, usually providing approval within a minute while asking for minimal information from the borrower. It serves as a middleman between banks and consumers, working with merchants — such as home contractors, doctors and veterinarians — to bring financing offers to people. Its founder, CEO and biggest shareholder is Sandy Springs resident and Jewish community member David Zalik, an Israeli native who grew up in Alabama and has been a serial entrepreneur since starting a computer assembly business as a teenager attending Auburn University. By Forbes’ estimate, Zalik is worth $2.5 billion. He told Forbes that the investors and founding team sold “a relatively small portion of ownership” with the stock offering. Trading under the ticker symbol GSKY on the NASDAQ market, the stock went into the Memorial Day weekend at $24.77 a share, up 7.7 percent in the first two days of trading. “I think GreenSky is an unusual company that shows growth and profitability that a lot of experts are looking for and the market responded with a lot of enthusiasm,” Gerry Benjamin, the board vice chairman and chief administrative officer, told the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
better care and treatment options to those who suffer from tinnitus. It is a great honor to be selected to serve the American Tinnitus Association,” said Wikoff, a member of the 2017 AJT 40 Under 40. “My involvement with the ATA will provide access to experts in the field and more knowledge of tinnitus treatment options to my patients here in Atlanta.” Tinnitus is a condition in which a person experiences ringing in the ears or other noises when no external noise is present.
Dentons Gives Tanenblatt Global Leadership Role
Jewish community member Eric Tanenblatt recently was named the chair of the global public policy and regulation practice at Dentons, the world’s largest law firm. Tanenblatt retains his position as the head of the firm’s U.S. public policy practice, which this year added former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens to its team of state attorneys general. “Dentons has an impressive bench of public policy veterans with extraordinary experience in many aspects of government who can advise on a wide variety of policy issues,” said Sharon Gay, Dentons’ Atlanta managing partner. “Eric’s global leadership will further position our exceptional practice to support clients with their most challenging policy matters, not only in Georgia, but across the world.” Tanenblatt served in the administrations of both Bush presidents, including four years on the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service under George W. Bush. He was a senior adviser to U.S. Sen. Paul Coverdell and was Gov. Sonny Perdue’s chief of staff. Dentons also appointed former state legislator Edward Lindsey as the head of the firm’s Georgia state government affairs team, which includes senior partner Steve Labovitz.
Audiologist Wikoff Named To National Tinnitus Board
Audiologist Melissa Wikoff of Peachtree Hearing in East Cobb has been appointed to the board of directors for the American Tinnitus Association. In addition to doctors, scientists and professionals dedicated to treating tinnitus, the board includes actor William Shatner in an honorary role. “I am committed to bringing hope,
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JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
GreenSky IPO Raises $874M
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SPORTS
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Blank Named 2018’s Top Sports Executive Arthur Blank had a big night Wednesday, May 23, at the Sports Business Awards in New York as the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United was named the Sports Executive of the Year and the food and beverage experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was named the Sports Breakthrough of the Year. The SportsBusiness Journal pre sents the Sports Business Awards. Blank was selected over four other finalists: Bill Foley, the owner of the Vegas Golden Knights; Casey Wasserman, the chairman of the 2028 Olympic organizing committee in Los Angeles; Mark Lazarus, the chairman of NBC Broadcasting & Sports; and Michael Rubin, the founder and executive chairman of sports merchandise company Fanatics. “Last year was an incredible, memorable one for all of our businesses, and I’m very humbled and grateful to the SportsBusiness Journal and its staff by this recognition for our businesses, associates, and, most importantly, our
fans,” Blank said. “The most important partnership we have is the partnership with our fans, supporters, guests and customers. They are the focus of everything we do, and I can’t thank them enough for their commitment and support of our teams, our stores and our causes — these awards are truly community achievements.” The food and beverage experience at the stadium — which is home to the Falcons and Atlanta United, played host to the national college football championship game in January, and will be the site of Super Bowl LIII next February — features a family-friendly pricing structure, such as $2 hot dogs, $5 beers and $2 refillable sodas. Atlanta United, which made the playoffs and smashed attendance records in its first season, was nominated for Sports Team of the Year but lost to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Atlanta Braves’ SunTrust Park and the Battery Atlanta lost to Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena for Sports Facility of the Year. ■
Summer Softball Starts Congregation B’nai Torah is seeking its 11th A Division title in 12 years as the Atlanta Men’s Synagogue Softball League season starts Sunday, June 3. Also trying to defend their titles are Congregation Etz Chaim in the B Division and Temple Beth Tikvah 2 in the C Division. Altogether, 25 teams from 18 congregations are competing this year: • A Division — Ahavath Achim, Beth Tefillah, B’nai Torah 1, Chabad, Dor Tamid 1, Or VeShalom, Sinai A and The Temple 1. • B Division — Ariel, Beth Tikvah 1, Etz Chaim, Gesher L’Torah, Sinai B, Or Hadash and Young Israel. • C Division — B’nai Torah 2, Beth Shalom 1, Beth Shalom 2, Beth Tikvah 2, Beth Jacob, Dor Tamid 2, Emanu-El, Kol Emeth, Sinai C and The Temple Z. “AMSSL has been around for over 30 years and serves to foster brotherhood among the members of the various synagogues in the metro Atlanta area while competing in the spirit of fairness and sportsmanship,” Commissioner Cory Davis said. Games are played on Sundays
through the end of July at Ocee Park in Johns Creek, East Roswell Park and the Marcus JCC in Dunwoody. Doubleelimination playoffs are scheduled to start the first week of August. The opening-day schedule calls for afternoon games at East Roswell (Etz Chaim-Or Hadash and B’nai Torah 2-Dor Tamid 2 at 3, Etz Chaim-Young Israel and Emanu-El-Dor Tamid 2 at 4:15, Beth Shalom 1-Sinai C and EmanuEl-Kol Emeth at 5:30, and Beth Tikvah 2-Temple Z and Beth Jacob-Beth Shalom 2 at 6:45) and the JCC (Ariel-Sinai B and Beth Tikvah 1-Gesher L’Torah at 3, Ahavath Achim-Dor Tamid 1 and Beth Tefillah-Or VeShalom at 4:15, ChabadTemple 1 and B’nai Torah 1-Sinai A at 5:30, and Chabad-Sinai A and B’nai Torah 1-Temple 1 at 6:45). “The league is as vibrant as ever. The competition is strong, and the games are highly entertaining. I have been a part of the league for 17 years, and what I like the most about it is the camaraderie and the competition,” Davis said. Information about the league can be found at www.amssl.org. ■
YOU OUGHT TO BE IN PICTURES (OR AT LEAST YOUR PET SHOULD BE)
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
The AJT turns our focus to pets for our June 29 issue, and we can’t imagine cuddling up next to a few pages of newsprint without your favorite four-legged or winged or scaly friend as part of the fun.
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Email a high-resolution photo of your pet (with or without you in the frame) to editor@atljewishtimes.com by 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 20, and we’ll publish a gallery of Jewish Atlanta’s most photogenic pets. Be sure to include your pet’s name, your name and where you live. If we find just the right pet, it could wind up on the cover of the newspaper.
OBITUARIES
Jackie Gothard 83, New Orleans
More obituaries on page 37
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The family of Jackie Gothard is heartbroken to announce her passing Monday, May 21, 2018. She was beloved by her husband of 60 years, Judge Sol Gothard, and her five children: Yaacov; Eddie and his wife, Blayne; Andy and his wife, Julie; Shayna and her husband, Eric; and Sander and his wife, Julie. Jackie was devoted to her 11 grandchildren — Aimee, Taylor, Ben, Daniel, Tara, Sidnie, Gabriel, Mikayla, Maya, Lindsay and Jeremy — and to great-grandson August. Jackie’s parents were Ralph and Etta Pressner. Her younger sister and lifelong best friend was Frieda Posnock, wife of Leonard Posnock. She was blessed to be a member of the Kansas and Pressner families, with countless cousins, nieces and nephews. Proud natives of New Orleans, Jackie and Frieda grew up above the family business, Pressner’s Kosher Delicatessen, where they and their friends were frequent visitors to the famous pickle barrel. Jackie attended Alcee Fortier High School, where she played first-chair violin in the school orchestra, as well as second chair in the All-State Orchestra. While in high school she was on a synchronized swimming team coached by Roy Brenner. She excelled in various sports, including volleyball, softball and basketball. After graduating at the age of 16, Jackie attended Sophie Newcomb College, graduating second in her class with a bachelor’s in psychology. She drove her Chevy convertible with her father, Ralph, to Cleveland to attend the Western Reserve University Graduate School of Social Work, where she earned a master’s in social work. There she met a fellow M.S.W. student, the love of her life, Sol. Jackie won Sol’s heart on the basketball court by making a perfect half-court shot. Upon graduation, Jackie and Sol came to New Orleans, where they were married at Congregation Beth Israel on Carondelet Street. Jackie worked as a social worker for New Orleans Child Protective Services for several years. Later she was an active travel agent, specializing in trips to Israel. She was devoted to many volunteer organizations, including Hadassah, Jewish Family Service (where she was active in the teen suicide prevention program), the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans and the New Orleans post of the Jewish War Veterans. Her passion was Congregation Beth Israel, where she served as the first female president. Her term coincided with the 100th anniversary of the synagogue and then its destruction in Hurricane Katrina. She was the moving force, the inspiration, for the rebuilding of Beth Israel in its new home alongside Congregation Gates of Prayer in Metairie. Jackie was honored as a People’s Health Champion at a New Orleans Saints game in 2007 for her work and success in rebuilding Beth Israel. Jackie and Sol loved to travel, hiking in U.S. national parks, salmon fishing in Alaska, walking the Great Wall of China, visiting the Inns of Court in London, and especially hiking the Blue Ridge Mountains near Asheville and listening to “their” bluegrass music. She visited Israel over two dozen times. Her love of travel, Israel and work with the youth community culminated in her leading six-week summer youth trips to Israel from 1980 to 1986. Jackie was the strength that Sol relied on in his political campaigns for Juvenile Court judge in 1972, Appellate Court judge in 1986 and Appellate Court re-election in 1999. Jackie and Sol often said, however, that their proudest accomplishments — far exceeding judgeships and professional achievements — were their children and grandchildren. Among them, they have earned 10 college and graduate degrees and have established businesses and professional practices. More important, the children and grandchildren brought them joy through their love of Judaism and devotion to a variety of cultural, environmental, civic and charitable causes. Jackie, our bubbe, will be sorely missed but will live forever in the hearts of her devoted Sol — her “honey” — her entire family and those on whom she made a positive impact through her too-short years. In lieu of flowers, consider a contribution to Congregation Beth Israel, 4004 W. Esplanade Ave., Metairie, LA 70002. The funeral was held Thursday, May 24, at Beth Israel, with burial at Beth Israel Cemetery. An online guestbook is at www. tharpsontheimerfh.com.
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OBITUARIES
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Idell Begner 95, Atlanta
Idell Begner passed away Sunday, May 27, 2018, at the age of 95. She was born in Chicago and at age 17 moved to South Bend, Ind., where she met her future husband, Robert. Playing the violin was Idell’s life. She began playing violin at 7. By 11, she was performing solo. In addition to studying violin at the University of Indiana, Idell studied under the best teachers, including Mischa Mischakoff and Hans Lange. Idell and Robert married in Spartanburg, S.C., in 1943 and moved to Atlanta around 1945. Idell played for the Emory University Symphony in the early 1970s. They moved to Denver in 1974. While in Denver, Idell played for the Community Arts Symphony, where she regularly played solo performances. Idell was a member of Congregation Shearith Israel, where she did volunteer work. After the death of Robert in 1983, Idell moved to Los Angeles, then back to Atlanta in 1998. She is survived by her son, Dennis Begner, and two grandchildren, Zachary and Ben. Sign the online guestbook at dresslerjewishfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the William Breman Jewish Home. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
Alice King 93, Atlanta
Alice King of Atlanta passed away peacefully Sunday, March 25, 2018, after a long illness. Alice was born Sept. 8, 1924, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Bernard and Dorothy Cohn. She had one sister, Shirley Cohn. Alice married Eugene King in 1946; they soon thereafter moved to Virginia, where Eugene practiced veterinary
medicine. They had two children, Kevin and Gerry, whom they raised in Lynchburg, Va. Alice was a stay-at-home mom until her sons went to college, when she began working as an office manager in a glass company. While in Lynchburg, she and her husband enjoyed a vibrant Jewish social life as members of Agudath Sholom Congregation. She served as the president of her Hadassah chapter and held various positions in her synagogue. She was committed to a Jewish life for her family. In 1985, her sons grown and working, she and Eugene fulfilled a lifelong dream and retired to South Florida, where they enjoyed many friends and lots of golf. They lived there until 2010 when Eugene died. They had been married 64 years. Alice continued to live in South Florida until she moved to Atlanta in 2015 to live near her son Kevin, daughter-in-law Claire and granddaughter Lauren. She is survived by her sons, Kevin (Claire) and Gerry (Mimi); grandchildren Brian (Sarah) King and Lauren (Bryan) Gershkowitz; and great-grandchildren Ethan Jonah King and Noah Simon King. Memorial donations may be made to Congregation Beth Tefillah. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
Death Notices
Bernice Dressler, 85, of Atlanta, mother of Stu Dressler and Pam Westmoreland, on May 22. Morton Grosswold of Atlanta on May 24. Lee Kaplan, 62, of Dallas, Texas, brother of Steve Kaplan, on May 24. Lev Krichevskiy, 80, of Atlanta on May 28. Selma Ruda, 95, of Atlanta on May 21. Clara Schecter, grandmother of Congregation Beth Shalom member Jill Mainzer, on May 21. Arlene Siegel, 96, of Atlanta on May 23.
Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Associate 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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BRAIN FOOD
REMEMBERING ROTH By Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Manageable 1
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63. Fire, in Hebrew 64. Maples or Sokoloff 1. Org. with finals happening now 66. Madison Avenue award 4. Was on offense, in baseball 67. “Moby Dick” captain 10. “The ___ thickens!” 69. Roth was the first recipient of 14. Bobby of hockey this award named after another 15. She ended the Soup Nazi’s great Jewish writer reign 72. ___ Martin (cognac) 16. “Skip ___ Lou” 73. “Pleased ___ you” 17. 2000 Philip Roth novel, with 74. Theologian’s subj. “The” 75. One of two basic test options 19. Bronze and Iron, e.g. 76. Play settings 20. Aka ISIS 77. Chapter in history 21. 1973 No. 1 Rolling Stones hit 23. “Where did ___ wrong?” DOWN 24. Believer in the Almighty, un- 1. Kind of shutout, in baseball like Roth 2. Comb alternative 27. With 55-Across, novel that got 3. Actor Hammer in “The Social Roth the Pulitzer Network” 29. Esau, e.g. 4. Jacob’s youngest, for short 31. Helper; abbr. 5. Jolson and Pacino 32. Do sums 6. “Adieu” 35. Purim’s month 7. “The Princess and the Frog” 37. “SportsCenter” network princess 41. Roth’s winner of the 1960 8. Conundrum National Book Award 9. Says “I didn’t do it!” 46. Penultimate fairy tale word 10. Grade-sch. supporter 47. Slain Genesis figure 11. Sound reasoning 48. Jacuzzi 12. 24th Greek letter 49. “Back in Black” band 13. 1980s-1990s ring champ 53. Little hopper, Down Under 18. Came down on the tarmac, 55. See 27-Across say 59. Roth’s New Jersey hometown 22. M.D. locales
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10 Years Ago // May 30, 2008 ■ The Marcus JCC expects more than 500 runners and walkers early Sunday, June 1, for the 15th annual Harris Jacobs Dream Run, which raises money for the center’s sports programs and for camp scholarships. “It’s like a legacy that Dad passed down to us, and we passed on to the JCC,” said Marsha Freudenberg, Jacobs’ Harris Jacobs Dream Run shirts and daughter. The JCC launched the event numbers use red and black because shortly after the death of Jacobs, a Jacobs’ love of the University of Georgia. former JCC president. ■ David and Jaime Sherman Wender of Atlanta announce the birth of twin sons, Harrison Wade and Avery Foster, on Nov. 7.
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25 Years Ago // May 28, 1993 ■ The kosher dining market in Atlanta remains a puzzle as restaurateurs wrestle with the mix of location, menu and price. Cafe Brussels, a dairy restaurant in Sandy Springs, is dropping its kosher status after five months for lack of business from the Orthodox community, while kosher fast-food eatery Gold Burgers is preparing to open in Toco Hills with a business strategy that reaches beyond the Jewish community. ■ The bat mitzvah ceremony of Mariel F. Risner of Atlanta, daughter of Judy and Ray Risner, was held Saturday, May 22, at Temple Emanu-El. 50 Years Ago // May 31, 1968 ■ A blast of dynamite destroyed the education building of Temple Beth Israel in Meridian, Miss., early Tuesday. The nearby sanctuary building and several houses were damaged. The congregation has offered a $12,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the culprits, while Meridian is offering an additional $10,000. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Morris Alhadeff of Atlanta announce the engagement of daughter Patricia Lynn Alhadeff to John H. Kramer, son of Mrs. Lily Kramer of Atlantic City, N.J. The wedding will be June 30 at Shearith Israel.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The Green-Eyed Monster Is Never Satisfied More, and one more — what a disgusting word, what a disgusting concept. It is buy, buy, buy. It is spend, spend, spend, and the company’s motto is sell, sell, sell.
We invite members of the community to nominate those under the age of 18 who they believe are Jewish Atlanta’s rising leaders in academics, religious and family life, as well as community action. A NEW DE
AL? Meet the five leadin g Republi in the rac cans e to keep a GOP governor in Georgia . Pages 30 -34
The Bottom Line
HAPPY
By Allen H. Lipis VOL. XC
III NO
I am sick and tired of the mail and email I get telling me to buy a product, tired of the phone calls offering me products I don’t need and tired of the junk mail telling me that my lost relative left me $6 million if only I pay the $100 in shipping costs to receive this windfall. Leave me alone to enjoy my day. Let me decide what I want to buy. Don’t tell me I need one more. I’ll let you know when I’m ready. And, by the way, I don’t need one more because I don’t even have one to begin with. I don’t need even 1 percent of what you’re selling. So, what am I jealous of? What do I want that I don’t have? The answer is less weight on my body. I want to weigh 160 pounds, run a marathon, make tons of money in the stock market, have servants at my beck and call, have a terrific memory, meet the leaders of the free world, own a sailboat and sail around the Caribbean, be on the front page of The New York Times, and have huge parties that I give as the host. Am I jealous that I am not doing that? Just a tiny little bit, not much to get me into action, but enough to know that I wouldn’t refuse the possibility if any of them occurred. What I am now seriously jealous about are the people I spend my time with and how I spend my time. I want my remaining days to count. I want to have some impact on my world, and often I don’t know if that’s happening. The more jealous I am about my time, the better I will feel about my life. The bottom line: Jealousy is a thirst that cannot be quenched. ■
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A nominee must be Jewish, at least 10 years old and must not have turned 18 before July 25, 2018. You can nominate yourself, a friend, student or your child - anyone who meets the criteria. Nominees are judged on their academic and community achievements as an active member of Jewish Atlanta.
The deadline for nominations is Sunday, July 1, 2018. Please visit atlantajewishtimes.com/18-under-18/ for more information
JUNE 1 ▪ 2018
Jealousy will take you out of this world. I am totally convinced of that. Jealousy can lead to lying, to cheating, to fighting, to killing and to insanity. Now who wants to end up being that way? In principle, no one, yet jealousy is rampant. If you’re jealous, you are driven to follow what others are doing or at least think you want what they have. You are not willing to give what you have, but you want what the other person has. You don’t think about what you have at all. You just want what the other person has. The worst word in the English language is “more.” We have a culture that emphasizes having more and more and more. We think we are second class or poor if we don’t have what the other guy has. Advertising promotes jealousy, and that isn’t good. The object of growing old is to simplify your life, and jealousy is just the opposite — it makes your life much more difficult. Now, what do I need one more of? I don’t need one more pound on my body, or one more bottle of liquor, or one more shirt, or socks or pants or ties. I can skip shopping. I can skip another hardy meal or even a drink of booze. However, there are a few things more that I would like. I would like another hour of sleep when I wake up at 5 a.m. I would like another good movie; there are so few of them. I would like a compelling show on TV that I can watch without someone being killed or raped or cursed. I would like one more lovely day of warm weather to enjoy the sun, the heat and the smell of the outdoors. I would like one more book that I can write and publish. One more is what everyone is trying to sell me. It is American capitalism. It is keeping up with the Cohens. It is being convinced that I need one more, that I can’t live without it, that spending money on one more is what I need to be happy.
Nominate Jewish Atlanta’s 18 Under 18!
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JUNE 1 â–ª 2018