Atlanta Jewish Times, Vol. XCII No. 10, March 10, 2017 by Atlanta Jewish Times

Atlanta VOL. XCII NO. 10 WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM

MARCH 10, 2017 | 12 ADAR 5777

Anti-BDS Case Needs Nuance Pastner Top ACC Coach Georgia Tech men’s basketball coach Josh Pastner was hired last April with limited expectations for his first season. Some didn’t expect the Jackets to win a single Atlantic Coast Conference game. Instead, the ragtag squad Pastner inherited from Brian Gregory won eight conference games and went 17-14 overall. The Jewish coach’s surprising success was recognized Sunday, March 5, when he was named ACC Coach of the Year. He was picked by 24 of the 53 voters. “From where we started Year 1 in a rebuild job with the least experienced team in all of college basketball and where we are right now with 17 wins is a lesson in team over individual and how we’ve become a really good basketball team,” Pastner said after the Jackets won their final home game of the season Feb. 28 against Pittsburgh. “I believe eight wins in the ACC should be an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.” Georgia Tech center Ben Lammers was voted the ACC Defensive Player of the Year and second-team All-ACC; guard Josh Okogie was named All-Freshman. The Jackets entered the ACC Tournament as the 11th seed and were scheduled to face No. 14 seed Pittsburgh at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, in Brooklyn. Tech likely needs a deep run for an NCAA berth. ■

INSIDE: PURIM, PAGES 20-26

Party Like It’s 499 B.C.E. Photo by Michael Jacobs

There’s nothing but joy coming from the Netzach Israel entry in Congregation Beth Jacob’s 26th annual Purim Parade down LaVista Road in Toco Hills on Sunday morning, March 5. Netzach Israel won the grand prize for best float (Beth Jacob’s own “Where’s Waldo?” float scored highest but wasn’t eligible for the prize). See more from the parade and the festival that followed on Page 26, plus Dena Schusterman’s thoughts on who rules the world on Page 25, Robbie Medwed’s cocktail suggestions on Page 24, Beth Jacob’s Adarstarting upside-down dinner on Page 23, our full Purim events calendar on Page 22, and all the news that fits in print from The Times of Shushan on Pages 20 and 21.

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INSIDE Calendar �� 4 Candle Lighting �� 4 Israel News ��6 Opinion ��10 Education �� 27 Obituaries ��33 Arts ��34 Marketplace ��36 Crossword ��39

The Jewish community needs to learn how to respond to supporters of the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement as if they are swing voters whose minds can be changed, not as if they are dupes who can’t see through the effort to delegitimize and eliminate Israel. That was the core of the advice offered by Israel Action Network Deputy Director Max Chamovitz at a discussion hosted by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta on Monday morning, March 6. The BDS movement in more than 10 years has largely failed to compel businesses, governments or nonprofit organizations to sell their holdings in companies that operate in Israel. Many states, including Georgia, have passed laws barring companies that boycott Israel from doing business with state agencies. But the movement has persuaded some entertainers not to perform in Israel and some academic associations not to work with their Israeli peers. More important, Chamovitz said, BDS is using more nuanced arguments that feature concepts no one would oppose — freedom, justice and equality — while trying to isolate Israel as the latest incarnation of apartheid South Africa. Chamovitz said the intention of BDS is clear: Its three stated goals of forcing Israel to retreat to its pre-1967 borders, ending its “apartheid” system and enforcing the right of Palestinian refugees to return would destroy Israel. But it’s ineffective to tell people who believe Israel should exist but are drawn to the progressive BDS message that they’re being tricked, Chamovitz said, because that’s the same as telling them they’re stupid. And clever retorts — “If you want to boycott, throw away your cellphone” — won’t change minds. Chamovitz suggested positive messages about the good Israel does and responses that address specific interests. To someone who seeks peace and a two-state resolution, for example, he would say BDS drives people apart and keeps them from finding solutions. ■

MARCH 10 â&#x2013;ª 2017

MA TOVU

Age Plays a Part In Concealing Life Sagas try where we can live freely as Jews. I let the residents know that I keep kosher and observe Shabbat — that I live proudly and openly as a Jew and that my children attend Jewish school. They bring me kosher cookies and visit my office on the third floor to

Hand of Hashem By Mindy Rubenstein editor@nishei.org

wish me Shabbat shalom each Friday afternoon. A short, round man with a mustache popped his head in to say, “Happy Purim.” Another stopped me in the hallway to ask if I speak Yiddish. He hasn’t spoken it since his childhood and misses it. My role is not glamorous, and sometimes I feel like I’m spinning my wheels amid the snarls of governmentfunded cellphone programs and health insurance. But then Rivka, in her 90s with white hair and blue eyes, comes in to give me a kiss on the cheek, and I feel like it’s all worth it. As my own body begins to show signs of aging, I imagine what the years ahead will be like. Will I live alone, like many of them, my family in other parts of the country or world? Will I still feel useful, a sense of purpose guiding my days? Will people younger treat me kindly, or will I be a burden? These are not easy things to contemplate. So as they come to me for help or to chat, I try to be patient and respectful and joyful. It is amazing the effect a smile can have. Sometimes I feel as if all I can offer them is a little hope and a brighter day. But then again, maybe that’s all we need from one another, whatever our age. This Sunday, March 12, we celebrate Purim, a holiday about all things hidden. Queen Esther hid her Jewishness. There is no mention of G-d in the Megillah. We wear masks as we celebrate the miracle of our survival. Likewise, our souls are hidden amid the physicality of our bodies as they change throughout our lives. Their wrinkled skin, I realize, is just a mask. Who they truly are is within. What a joy it is to reveal that. ■

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

In addition to being a freelance journalist, I recently took a position at a low-income independent living facility working with elderly and disabled residents. Part of my role is to coordinate services, such as finding medical professionals and bringing in educational speakers. Much of my job also involves counseling the residents and their family members, though I have no formal training in this area other than a master’s in communications. But after 18 years as a writer and editor, I wanted to do something working more directly with people and, I hoped, helping them. Many of the residents are Jewish Russian refugees who came here about 30 years ago. I see them in just one chapter of their lives, toward the end of their stories, as they are in their 80s and 90s. But as I speak to them and uncover bits and pieces of their lives, I start to see past the wrinkled faces, toothless gums and silvery hair. They were electrical engineers, physicians, professors, business owners once full of energy and purpose. They were confident and useful, their bodies and minds still relatively fresh. I try to see this version of them when they come to my office, to remember the full lives they experienced before their bladders and eyesight started to fail them. Though they were not allowed to practice religion, college was free in Russia. While many received a decent education, eventually life was no longer bearable because of the restrictions on Jews. They fled with official papers in hand to unfamiliar cities in the United States. Once here, they worked as janitors and salad makers, baby-sitters and secretaries. But they were proud to have work and to be living in a free, democratic country. One woman, Margarita, said the first time she saw a menorah was as an adult, in a grocery store in America. She asked a non-Jewish friend, “What is that?” He told her it was a menorah for Chanukah. I cried when she told me this. How fortunate we are to live in a coun-

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THURSDAY, MARCH 9

Stem cell ethics. Rabbi Jeffery Feinstein of Kehillat HaShem speaks to Hadassah Greater Atlanta’s Metulla Group at 1 p.m. at the Alpharetta Public Library, 10 Park Plaza, Alpharetta. Free; sharyn209@yahoo.com or 678-4432961 (Sharyn Lazarnick).

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MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

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CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

“The Temple Bombing.” The worldpremiere show based on Melissa Fay Greene’s book appears at the Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St., Midtown. Tickets start at $10; alliancetheatre. org/production/the-temple-bombing.

Infertility support. Wo/Men Infertility Support & Help holds its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. at MACoM, 700-A Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. Free; RSVP@JewishFertilityFoundation.org or 404-275-9678 (Lynn Goldman). AJMF International Night. Nick Edelstein, Foad Naraghi and Sarah Aroeste perform for the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival at 7:30 p.m. at Eddie’s Attic, 515B N. McDonough St., Decatur. Tickets are $10 to $15; atlantajmf.org. “Why Be Jewish?” Federation CEO Eric Robbins and Ruth Andrew Ellenson discuss Edgar Bronfman’s book at 7:30 p.m. at the Selig Center, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Free; bit.ly/2miuVr4. Jewish security. Attend the 7:30 p.m. showing of “The Temple Bombing” at the Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St., Midtown, then stay for a discussion with Federation’s security director, Cathal Lucy. Show tickets are $10 to $65; alliancetheatre.org. Register for the discussion at jewishatlanta.org/ service-dialogue-security-series.

Tetzaveh Friday, March 10, light candles at 6:24 p.m. Saturday, March 11, Shabbat ends at 7:19 p.m. Ki Tisa Friday, March 17, light candles at 7:29 p.m. Saturday, March 18, Shabbat ends at 8:25 p.m. a phone talk with Cathal Lucy about community security at noon. Free; for call-in details, register at jewishatlanta. org/jewish-community-security-call. Sushi, sake and spirituality. Jumpstart your Shabbat with the monthly Carlebach Kabbalat Shabbat service at 6 p.m. at Chabad of Cobb, 4450 Lower Roswell Road, East Cobb. Free; 678-7734173 (Yaacov Gothard) or 770-565-4412 (Chabad of Cobb). AJMF Ladino Jam. In cooperation with the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, Sarah Aroeste participates in Shabbat services at 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Or Hadash, 7460 Trowbridge Road, Sandy Springs. Free; atlantajmf.org. AJMF Acoustic Shabbat. In cooperation with the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, Rabbi Brian Glusman, Drew Cohen and others play during the Marcus JCC service at 7 p.m. at Crema Espresso Gourmet, 2458 Mount Vernon Road, Dunwoody. Free; www.atlantajcc.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

Divorce boot camp. Experts offer women advice on issues related to divorce at 10 a.m. at the Dunwoody Library, 5339 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. Free; call Debbie Dorman at 770-377-4941.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

Open house. Berman Commons, 2026 Womack Road, Dunwoody, welcomes

the community to celebrate Purim and the facility’s second anniversary with dancing, costumes and hamantaschen from 2 to 3 p.m. Free; RSVP to 678-2227500 or info@bermancommons.org. AJMF Teen Battle of the Bands. The Atlanta Jewish Music Festival holds its teen musical battle at 4:30 p.m. at the Dunwoody Nature Center, 5343 Roberts Drive, Dunwoody. Tickets are $5 each or $18 per family; atlantajmf.org.

TUESDAY, MARCH 14

Atlanta History Center tour. Hadassah Greater Atlanta’s Metulla Group takes a guided tour of the center at 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead, at 10 a.m. Tickets are $13; sandyecharlop@gmail. com or 678-443-2961 (Sandye Charlop). For women. Temima High School students perform an original play about Rabbi Tobias Geffen, Coca-Cola and kashrut at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 N. Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven. A repeat performance is March 15 at 7:30. Tickets are $22 in advance, $26 at the door and $15 for students; www.temima.org/production.

THURSDAY, MARCH 16

Frankly Speaking. NCJW Atlanta holds its monthly women’s discussion group on current events with Sherry Frank from noon to 1:30 p.m. at 6303 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. Beverages and dessert provided. Free; RSVP by March 15 to christineh@ncjwatlanta.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 10

Security update. Join Federation for

Send items for the calendar to submissions@atljewishtimes.com. Find more events at atlantajewishtimes.com/events-calendar.

Remember When

25 Years Ago March 6, 1992 ■ Jimmy Carter’s decision to transfer the Carter Center’s Middle East studies program to Emory University will deliver a heavy blow to the internationally recognized effort, according to those who work with the program. Director Ken Stein and his staff and interns were caught off guard by the move. “It has been a wonderful 10 years,” Stein said. “I don’t think it is going to end, but I think it is going to cause an abrupt halt in terms of what we can do.” ■ The bar mitzvah of Ronnie Daniel Agami of Atlanta, son of Amos and Leah Agami, will take place at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, March 14, at Beth Tefillah Synagogue. ■ Stanford Levy and Barbara Levy of Atlanta announce the engagement of their daughter, Donna Gay Levy, to Jason

H. Adler, son of Martin Adler of Silver Spring, Md., and the late Esta Adler. 50 Years Ago March 10, 1967 ■ Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas has been chosen as the site for the 1967 Biennial Conference and Institute of the Southern Region of the National Jewish Welfare Board, to be held April 14 to 16. ■ Israeli officials reported recently that 10 Syrian soldiers forcibly prevented United Nations observers from investigating a border incident that occurred when Syrian troops fired at Israelis trying to remove Syrian farmers from the demilitarized zone near the Dan settlement. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Merton Levin of Atlanta announce the engagement of their daughter, Rina Levin, to David Irwin Horowitz, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur N. Horowitz of Hollywood, Florida.

CALENDAR FRIDAY, MARCH 17

Book discussion. The On the Same Page book club of Hadassah Greater Atlanta’s Metulla Group talks about Marie Benedict’s “The Other Einstein” at 1:30 p.m. in Sandy Springs. Contact Barbara Shoulberg at brsgolf1@bellsouth.net or 770-948-2443 for details. AJMF Shabbat service. The Atlanta Jewish Music Festival brings Noah Aronson to The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., Midtown, for a soulful worship service at 6 p.m. Free; atlantajmf.org. AJMF concerts. World music star Idan Raichel performs shows at 7 and 10 p.m. in coordination with the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival at City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Ponce City Market, Midtown. Tickets are $48 to $75; www.citywinery.com/atlanta.

SATURDAY, MARCH 18

Beastie re-creation. ATL Collective and the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival present the classic Beastie Boys album “Licensed to Ill” at 9 p.m. at Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Buckhead. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; atlantajmf.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 19

Chevra Kadisha training. David Zinner of the National Chevra Kadisha Society discusses burial societies and ritual washing at a training session at 2 p.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; malberhasky @ templeemanuelatlanta.com. Molly Blank Concert Series. The music of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller is featured in “Baby That Is Rock ’n’ Roll” in the next installment of the series at 5 p.m. after a reception at 4 at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Tickets are $49 for Breman members, $59 for others; thebreman.org. Fiesta Forever. Intown Jewish Preschool’s annual big event fundraiser is at 6:30 p.m. at Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Morningside. Tickets are $30, plus optional raffle tickets; www.eventbrite.com/e/ the-big-event-tickets-31065672262.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

MONDAY, MARCH 20

Senior Day. The Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, with Federation and Jewish Family & Career Services, offers active older adults their choice of three activities plus lunch from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. JF&CS Alterman/JETS Transportation provides rides if needed. Admission is $5; www.atlantajcc. org/seniorday or 678-812-3861.

ISRAEL NEWS

Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home New way to fight MRSA. Researchers at the Technion in Haifa have discovered unique amyloid fibrils used by the deadly, antibiotic-resistant MRSA bacteria to attack the immune system. The finding means that treatments inhibiting the amyloid formation will neutralize MRSA.

Israeli design for Dubai hotel. Israeli architect David Fisher has designed Dubai’s 80-story Dynamic Tower Hotel, due for completion in 2020. Hotel residents will be able to rotate their rooms through 360 degrees, to either follow the sun or shade or change the view endlessly or on demand.

Bionic implant to restore sight. Inomize in Netanya has teamed up with Nano-Retina in Herzliya to build the tiny integrated circuits for NanoRetina’s Bio-Retina. The implant is designed to restore sight to those suffering from retinal degenerative diseases.

Bringing flavor back to tomatoes. Scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and elsewhere have identified flavor components that contribute to the delicious taste of tomatoes. They intend to breed those components back into modern tomatoes.

Never forget your meds. Jerusalembased Eximore is developing ophthalmic treatment delivery products. The company has begun development of a noninvasive punctal plug designed to release glaucoma treatments automatically via the tear ducts, controlled over a long period. As a result, you wouldn’t have to remember to apply eye drops.

A solution to parking woes? The Jerusalem Municipality has completed a pilot program to test the viability of automated parking systems. Each Ferris-wheel-like unit in the Mesilat Yesharim parking lot occupies two parking spots and provides 12 to 16 vertical spaces in exchange.

Affordable Tel Aviv apartments. Plans for Tel Aviv’s Dov Neighborhood, to be constructed after the Sde Dov airport is vacated, include 2,100 affordable apartments. Half the people eligible for a discount of at least 50 percent on the housing will be local residents. Launching women into high tech. For the first time, most of the commanders of the Israel Defense Forces’ elite tech C4I communications corps are women. Also, 30 percent of the students in the C4I programmers training course are women. The IDF’s role of introducing women to high tech is crucial for Israel’s continued economic success.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Popular diplomatic destination. President Edgar Lungu of Zambia, who visited Israel in early March, said his entire Cabinet wanted to follow. But he had room only for his ministers of foreign affairs; agriculture; commerce, trade and industry; energy; tourism; water development and environment; transportation; and health.

Breathe like a fish. Like-a-Fish has reinvented the underwater breathing apparatus. Instead of carrying heavy cylinders of compressed air, the innovative technology extracts the air from the water as you go. Like-a-Fish is developing the air supply system for INOVA’s ATLANTIS hydrofoil/submarine.

Wildlife protection through roadkill. Israeli drivers now can use the Waze navigation app to report dead animals on the side of the road. The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel will consolidate and analyze the data from the reports to find ways to ensure safe passage for wildlife. Delivering a daughter’s baby. Ofra Grady saw thousands of births, including 11 of her grandchildren, while cleaning the delivery rooms at the Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot. But she never expected to deliver another grandchild in the family car while her husband drove them to the hospital. Chinese investment in environmental tech. Chinese investment fund Blueconomy Center has raised $150 million to invest in marine and environmental technologies in Israel. Israeli tech in Oscar nominees. Mellanox Technologies, based in Jewish Atlanta’s sister city, Yokneam, provides the server and data center technology to the film companies responsible for 10 Oscar-nominated films, including “La La Land” and “Moana.” Mellanox’s massive bandwidth is needed to stream the complex, high-density pixel data for the visual effects. Compiled courtesy of verygoodnewsisrael. blogspot.com and other sources.

Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details. March 10, 1970: Israel’s Law of Return, originally passed in 1950, is amended to further define citizen eligibility in Israel and thus address the issue of who is a Jew. The revised law says that “Jew means a person who was born of a Jewish mother or who has become converted to Judaism and who is not a member of another religion.” March 11, 1978: Eleven Palestinian terrorists who had left Lebanon by boat land on a beachhead north of Tel Aviv and embark on one of the worst terrorist attacks in Israel’s history, the Coastal Road Massacre. The terrorists hijack a taxi and two buses and kill 38 civilians, including 17 children, before being stopped in a shootout with police. March 12, 1947: In a speech delivered to Congress, President Harry Truman outlines a new, decidedly antiSoviet direction for American foreign policy that becomes known as the Truman Doctrine. That policy of supporting democracies and opposing the spread of communism leads to U.S. recognition of Israel 14 months later. March 13, 1881: Czar Alexander II of Russia is assassinated in St. Petersburg when a bomb is thrown into his carriage. A wave of pogroms strike Jewish communities a month later, and the new czar rolls back liberal policies that had aided Jews. March 14, 1473: A riot breaks out in Cordoba against Spanish Jews who had publicly conBeing a reformer verted to Christian- didn’t save Czar ity but continued to Alexander II from practice Judaism be- assassination. hind closed doors. March 15, 1972: In a radio address delivered to the Jordanian people on Amman Radio, Jordan’s King Hussein proposes a federal solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, including one state composed of the West Bank and Jordan with a regional capital in each area. March 16, 1722: Berlin’s Jewish community reorganizes with a new constitution, the Aeltesten Reglement, reinforcing the idea of Jewish autonomy within Prussia.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

ISRAEL NEWS Today in Israeli History

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ISRAEL NEWS

Middle East Offers New Friends if Not Allies By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

The threats of terrorist organizations such as Islamic State and the aggressions of Iran have produced new levels of cooperation between Israel and many of its Arab neighbors. To expand on that topic, the World Affairs Council of Atlanta invited Ambassador Haim Koren, who served as Israel’s ambassador to Egypt and South Sudan, to share his views on the new era of Israeli-Arab relations. Israel has few allies in the Middle East, but common interests with some Arab countries have led to stronger relationships. “Israel has never had a better relationship with Egypt since the Camp David Accords,” Koren said, partly because Abdel Fattah el-Sisi seized power from Muslim Brotherhood leader Mohamed Morsi in 2013. One key is Iran, Koren said. “Iran remains an enemy for Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates, and for the first time we are all in a coalition against the country to fight terror.” The process is not always easy. For

Ambassador Haim Koren talks to the World Affairs Council of Atlanta about Israel’s relationship with its Arab neighbors March 2.

30 years under Hosni Mubarak, Israel’s relations with Egypt were strictly government to government, and the Egyptian educational system continued to preach hate against Israel, Koren said. “He kept a frozen peace with Israel. Whenever there were issues, he would ask people to protest and failed to educate the masses on anti-Semitism.” Sisi, however, “quickly realized the circumstances have changed in the Middle East.” Israel also has fortified its relationship with Jordan. “Jordan is like a sister to Israel, and people should not believe fake news or

the media. They have been cooperating with us for years,” Koren said. Saudi Arabia also is willing to compromise for security. “I don’t think Saudi Arabia or its people were born to love Jews or are enthusiastic about the state of Israel, but they are extremely afraid of terrorism and need help,” Koren said. The same mentality applies to the United Arab Emirates, Koren said. “While Israel and the Emirates have never really shared a strong connection to one another, it depends on who you point out. Our relationship with Abu Dhabi is not great, for example, but it’s also not formal.” Syria, on the other hand, remains a threat to Israel’s security, he said. “Syria is less than 40 miles away, and you have Hezbollah, ISIS and Iran all there, with Israel in the middle. While Assad is the only leader who has preserved stability in the region, he is also among the many who have gassed their own people yet blames South Sudan for human rights violations.” Meanwhile, Lebanon is hosting Hezbollah, a Shia proxy of Iran, and missiles, money, training and Assad are

being used to create a conflict based on religion, not nationality. “To build an effective coalition against Israel, Lebanon called on their Sunni brothers and Iran to provide them with whatever they needed to keep Israel busy. In the meantime, Iran has continued its nuclear capabilities, simply because terrorism is an integral part of the country’s foreign policy,” Koren said. Whenever Israel tried to get closer to the Palestinians, Iran built tension to try to isolate Israel and promote its own interests in the Middle East. Perhaps Israel’s most awkward relationship with a Muslim neighbor is with Turkey. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan radicalized policies and spread hatred of Israel to strengthen his position in the Middle East, but it backfired and led to an attempted coup last year. That situation and cooperation in natural gas exports have restored ties between Israel and Turkey, but Koren said no one can trust Erdogan. “This is our neighborhood,” Koren said. “We didn’t choose to have it, but we have to learn to deal with that.” ■

MARCH 10 â&#x2013;ª 2017

OPINION

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Our View

We Blew It

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Many of us at the AJT have college-age or nearly college-age children, so we’re attuned to fears about anti-Israel and anti-Semitic incidents and attitudes at campuses across the country. Even if we didn’t share these concerns because of our own children, we would be well aware of them because of our readers, many of whom communicate outrages they’ve read about from other news sources or heard about through the virtual grapevine. It’s hard from afar to tell how serious some incidents are. The Hillel director at the University of Tennessee, for instance, has raised doubts about reports of surging anti-Semitism there. And the Students for Justice in Palestine walkouts at pro-Israel programs at the University of Georgia last month and last year were annoying and childish but not scary. But the hatred and the danger behind other incidents are terrifying clear, from fake eviction notices left at Jewish students’ dorm rooms to questions of bias asked of Jews running for student offices to slurs and threats aimed at Jewish students minding their own business while walking across campus. We all want to prepare our children to be safe but proud when they go off to school, and most of us could use an education in how to make that happen. One of the treasures we’re lucky enough to have in Atlanta, Ken Stein’s Center for Israel Education, stepped up to the challenge and scheduled a threepart series — free — to prepare high school students and their parents for the college search and for what to expect when they arrive on campus. In the last session, March 1 at Temple Beth Tikvah, Stein talked through ripped-from-the-classroom scenarios — several from Southern schools, in case you think the problem is confined to California and the Northeast — regarding Israel, the Palestinians and the Middle East. He helped the teens in the group understand the differences in a professor offering varying viewpoints, presenting a biased set of sources, teaching opinion as fact and stopping dissent. He also explored some important student life issues. He offered advice on finding the right school based on what you want to learn and what it has to offer. And he made some points about getting value out of four years in college at $50,000 a year for tuition. It’s not realistic to think that none of the five teenagers at the session will never sleep through a class, but we’re confident they’ll give some thought later to the idea that the lost hour of learning was equivalent to burning $250 or more. The most important number in that paragraph, however, was five. In all of Jewish Atlanta, only five high-schoolers could set aside an hour or so to prepare themselves for their first years away from home. More important, the parents of only five high-schoolers could get them to Roswell for the program. The attendance wasn’t much better at the first program, held at the Weber School in Sandy Springs, or the second, at The Temple in Midtown. We don’t get it. The CIE programs were just what we needed, just what we seemed to be asking for, and the community didn’t show up. We can only pray none of us will be sorry in a few years for being too 10 busy to prepare our children. ■

Cartoon by Yaakov Kirschen, Jerusalem Post

Facing Mideast’s New Reality Assuming that U.N. Security Council Resolution official peace with Israel, and nations such as Saudi 2334 doesn’t have any lasting ramifications, history Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which do not, will likely judge President have learned to accept that Barack Obama’s Middle Israel isn’t going away. East policy on what hapThey also have serious Editor’s Notebook pens with Iran. threats to worry about, If it never goes nuand Israel can help them By Michael Jacobs clear and gives up efforts in areas of shared danger, mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com to re-create the Persian most notably Iran and its Empire, he’ll get the credit. subsidiaries, Islamic State, If it becomes a nuclear and the Muslim Brotherpower, he’ll get the blame. If it skips the nuclear hood and offshoots such as Hamas. option but remains the primary state sponsor of terThose Arab nations care less about the plight of rorism, he’ll get mixed grades that reflect the politics the Palestinians than about themselves, so they’re of those doing the grading. not going to miss the chance to work with Israel. Ambassador Haim Koren’s recent visit to AtThey just won’t tout the cooperation in public. lanta, however, served as a reminder that we might Unfortunately, it seems that the Obama adminnever know the damage and missed opportunities istration did not encourage such Arab-Israeli coorinflicted on that volatile region by Obama. dination, at least in part because the administration Koren, who served as Israel’s envoy to South Su- was more interested in a legacy-making agreement, dan and Egypt, moved off and on the record during a such as the Iran nuclear deal, than actual progress. breakfast briefing Thursday, March 2, at Ken Stein’s The Palestinians thus dominated the adminisCenter for Israel Education, so I can’t provide some tration’s non-Iran work, and Arab leaders couldn’t of the most entertaining details. understand why the United States let longtime But Koren’s impressions reinforce the idea friend Hosni Mubarak fall, then supported a Muslim of Obama as someone more likely to be tough on Brotherhood president, Mohamed Morsi. (Morsi’s friends and friendly to enemies (or nonfriends). And replacement, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, by the way, has the picture Koren painted of American abdication of done something Mubarak never did: added the Camp the superpower role in the region and of decisions David Accords to the school curriculum.) that left U.S. friends bewildered can’t be ignored if Secretary of State John Kerry insisted on we hope to assess how the United States can do the incorporating Qatar — the patron of Hamas abroad most good in the Middle East. and the oppressor of imported labor at home — into Koren supported the idea offered by Dennis plans and arrangements. No one else, particularly Ross and other experts who have visited Atlanta the Israel, wanted anything to do with Qatar. past year that the chaos and terror spread by Islamic The Saudis and others will never love Israel, but State and Iranian aggression have created a rare Koren said he can live with mere acceptance. That’s opportunity for realignment in the Middle East — a the diplomatic approach, and the United States shift that integrates Israel into the security operagoing forward should try to support such improvetions of leading Sunni Muslim states. ments where possible instead of always swinging for The leaders of Egypt and Jordan, which have a home-run deal. ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

Celebrating Israel’s Female Leaders Born in 1918 in Vitebsk, Russia (today Belarus), she made aliyah in 1936 after high school in Lithuania. She

Guest Column By Rich Walter

studied law in Jerusalem and received her lawyer’s certificate in 1945. In 1948, she began working in the Ministry of Justice and served as deputy state attorney from 1949 to 1958.

In 1958 she was appointed to the Jerusalem District Court, becoming the court’s president in December 1975. After her mandatory retirement from the Supreme Court in 1988, Ben-Porat was elected state comptroller, becoming the first woman to hold that post. Born in Tel Aviv in 1976 to a mixed Sephardi-Ashkenazi family, Ayelet Shaked became the second woman (after Tzipi Livni) to serve as Israel’s minister of justice in May 2015. After her army service, Shaked received degrees in electrical engineering and computer science from Tel Aviv University and enjoyed a career in high tech before working as an as-

sistant to Benjamin Netanyahu while he was the leader of the opposition. She eventually broke from Likud and joined Naftali Bennett’s Jewish Home as one of the few secular members of the party. She was elected to the Knesset in 2012 and was second on the party’s list for the 2015 elections. Shaked has taken strong positions against African asylum seekers in Israel, for harsher punishments for terrorists and against the current makeup of the Supreme Court. ■ Rich Walter is the associate director for Israel education at the Center for Israel Education.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

As the calendar turns to March, we pivot from celebrating black history to commemorating the many contributions of women to American history. Women’s History Month also provides an opportunity to recognize and honor the contributions of women to the building and development of Israel. Golda Meir was only the third woman to serve as a head of a government when she became Israel’s prime minister in February 1969, but many other women have played prominent roles in Israel’s history. While this article highlights four, more are covered under “Women in Israel” on the Center for Israel Education website (www.israeled.org). Rachel Cohen Kagan was born in Odessa, moved to Palestine in 1919, and became active in the Hebrew Women’s Organization, which would become WIZO, the Women’s International Zionist Organization. She focused on improving conditions for women. In 1925, with her sister-in-law, Dr. Helena Kagan, she established a network of baby clinics called Tipat Halav (“Drop of Milk”). She served on both the Haifa City Council and the National Council. On May 14, 1948, Kagan was one of two women (Meir was the other) who signed Israel’s Declaration of Independence. She was elected to the first Knesset in 1949, and in 1951 she oversaw the passage of the Law of Family and the Equality of Women. Rivka Guber was born in Ukraine in 1902 and became a teacher before making aliyah with her husband in 1925. In World War II she volunteered in the Auxiliary Territorial Services of the British army. Both of her sons, Ephraim and Zvi, served in the fledgling Israel Defense Forces and were killed in battle in the 1948 war. Guber then devoted her life to fulfilling their ideals. She was active in the absorption of immigrants, setting up schools and other education programs. She received the Israel Prize in 1976. In 1979, she was part of the delegation accompanying Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the United States to sign the peace treaty with Egypt. On March 2, 1977, Miriam Ben-Porat was appointed to Israel’s Supreme Court by President Efraim Katzir. She became the first woman to serve on the highest judicial authority of any country with a common law system.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

Past, Present and Future Tents I was recently on a panel discussing “Compassion in Action: An Interfaith Response” to asylum, refuge and relocation. Instead of capturing the powerful content of this Muslim and Jewish panel, the AJT headline tried to discredit it: “Pro-BDS Voice Allowed to Speak for Jewish Atlanta.” I don’t presume to speak for the entire Jewish community. It has never fully represented me or my values as a Sephardi/ Mizrahi Jew or as an Israel/ Palestine activist. Like the other panelists, I shared multiple stories concerning the conditions of refugees, asylum seekers and global migration as a Jewish person active in these issues. I spoke about the 1938 Evian Conference and how my Turkish family on Rhodes could not obtain U.S. visas. Most of them were killed in World War II. So when the United States closes its doors and Syrian and other refugees are targeted by Donald Trump’s ban, I get concerned and activated. I spoke about how Palestinian refugees have yet to fulfill their right of return and about the difficult status of Palestinian-Syrian refugees, about Israel’s detention of African asylum seekers and the racism they experience as black Africans, some of whom are Muslim. I urged the larger community to study and dismantle white supremacy, Christian dominance and

the underlying roots of Islamophobia that made the Muslim ban possible. Why attempt to discredit the panel? Let’s be honest: Our Atlanta Jewish community has often had a tent problem — with Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews, with LGBTQ Jews, with interfaith families, with Jews of color and with Jewish advocates for Palestinian human rights, to name a few.

Letters To The Editor

to winner Gabe Weiss for his insightful essay, as well as to Atlanta Jewish Academy teacher Anna Lefkoff. I hope their initiative will take root and flourish. The original concept came from the museum’s director, Ori Z. Soltes, because the actual letter from George Washington was on exhibit at the museum, on permanent loan from its owner, the Morgenstern Foundation. Open to Grades 6 through 8 in all public and private schools in the Washington area, it was part of the museum’s ongoing educational program implementing the schools’ efforts to combat prejudice. Prizes were offered for visual as well as textual interpretation of what the letter meant to the student in her/his personal life. A most gratifying aspect was that almost all the winners throughout the years of the museum’s existence were themselves immigrants, Christian and Muslim as well as Jewish (from the former Soviet Union). The first winner

Essay Contest’s Origins

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Your story in the Feb. 24 Jewish Times about the B’nai B’rith essay contest regarding the George Washington letter (“AJA Eighth-Grader Wins B’nai B’rith Contest”) was especially interesting to me because I chaired the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Museum in Washington when the contest began. The first awards were presented in 1994 by Georgia Gov. Zell Miller, who was introduced by Georgia Congressman John Lewis. Attorney General Janet Reno presented the awards the next year, as did others of equal note in the years following. I am delighted to see the contest revived in Atlanta by Art Link, Karen Kahn Weinberg and the Achim/Gate 12 City Lodge and send a hearty mazel tov

Guest Column By Ilise Cohen

In 2014, 10 Jewish Voice for Peace members asked to meet with the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta about events in Gaza. We were asked not to enter the building and not to use the parking lot. Eventually they said we could meet in the “courtyard.” Chairs were brought outside along the parking lot in the summer heat, even though one of us suffered from COPD. One simple request, never granted, was for a public statement: “Arab lives are just as valuable and important as Jewish lives; Palestinian lives are just as valuable and important as Israeli lives.” The tent was closed that day. In 2000, the Second Intifada had begun, and the rhetoric of hate in the Jewish community was vitriolic. I was assaulted at Ahavath Achim Syna-

gogue at a pro-Israel rally. Community members I had known my entire life, including families who had carpooled me to Jewish day school, stood by as I called for help. I felt ashamed of my people and their (in)actions. I was traumatized and needed a path to overcome my rage and grief. I sought emotional support from three rabbis. Each gave a similar answer: Why do you have high expectations of your community? If you just lowered them, you might find it easier. Their tent was too small for me. Recently, I attended a benefit with CAIR, a Muslim civil rights group. I felt proud to be Jewish and to know that people in that community understood why I and Jewish Voice for Peace stand against Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, and all forms of racism and bigotry. Why wouldn’t they? The Islamophobic sentiment and anti-Arab racism that target Muslims and Arabs in this country also fuel the almost-50-year Israeli military occupation of Palestinians. I felt welcomed in this tent. I remain an advocate for Palestinian human rights and for ending racism toward Mizrahi/Sephardi Jews and Ethiopians in Israel as well as more broadly in our communities. Some would rather divert attention from ways that we, as Jews, participate in structural oppression of black people (including black Jews), Muslims, indigenous people and others by focusing on victimization and

not addressing white privilege. Jewish institutions rejected the Movement for Black Lives platform because it supports Palestine. Considering at least 20 percent of us are Jews of color and Sephardi/Mizrahi Jews, this rejects our own communities. With rising anti-Semitism, the only model I see is aligning with those who fight against injustice and demand a world that includes us all. That’s the tent I’m building with others. I don’t accept being part of a tent that has borders and walls and is exclusive to a particular viewpoint or group or that is primarily about seeking proximity to power. The AJT had it wrong: A BDS Jewish voice was not allowed to speak for the Jewish community; a multifaceted Jewish activist speaks because this is her community. Twenty years ago, it was a problem to say “occupation.” Ten years ago, “Palestine.” And now, BDS. How long does this community take to move on critical issues of justice? Activists working on justice-related issues with Palestine/Israel will keep pushing until the pressure to support Palestinian rights is irresistible. There really is no other option. We must awake to the real danger: the white supremacist nationalists who fuel anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, racism, misogyny and transphobia, and the Jewish people who align with them and these ideas. I am not interested in that tent, at all. ■

was a young girl from Mexico. The award presentation nights were great occasions, not only for the families involved, but also for many others whose presence testified to their determination that our government would “give to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.” That message resonates today more than ever. Thank you for publicizing it. — Janice Rothschild Blumberg, Atlanta and Washington

there were initially five synagogues, then six and then a seventh on University Drive that did not last too long. There were a certain number of organizations, but even they were limited. The AJT now has almost 40 synagogues to cover and over 100 Jewish organizations. What some people don’t realize is that a weekly newspaper is more difficult than a daily. A daily has a tight routine and publishing makeup. With a weekly paper, as soon as you finish one, you have to start again. The editor of the AJT demonstrates weekly how the Atlanta Jewish community and Israel can be covered. There are also many think pieces. I cannot say that I agree with all that appears, but I am proud to say that this is the weekly Jewish paper of the Gate City of the South, where I was born. Michael, me chayil le chayil — from strength to strength — Rabbi David Geffen, Jerusalem

AJT Deserves Honor

As a reader from Jerusalem, I was very pleased to hear that the AJT is being honored as Conexx’s Partner of the Year (“Conexx to Honor AJT,” Feb. 24). I believe that Michael Jacobs, the editor, and the paper are most deserving. My family read The Southern Israelite from its inception in the 1920s. I read it in the 1950s when I was still in Atlanta. The paper had a variety of stories, international and national, but

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

LOCAL NEWS

Fair Competition Helps Disabled Get Rolling More than 300 people crowded into the Marcus Jewish Community Center auditorium Sunday, Feb. 26, to celebrate the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, which helps children push past disabilities to become adults fully integrated into society. The event, which was free to attend, was organized by the American Friends of the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, which raises money and awareness for the center. Donations associated with the event, matched by the Michael & Andrea Leven Foundation and an anonymous donor, brought in more than $100,000 for the center. “The one thing that’s changed my life … is sports,” said Boaz Kramer, the executive director of the Sports Center for the Disabled and a paraplegic who plays tennis. Sports are based on competition and giving each side a fair chance to win. Everyone plays by the same rules. That level playing field means a lot to those who face longer odds in life because of disabilities. Sports give them a fair environment and a chance to win. While those with disabilities may have an equal shot at winning a science fair, they don’t get to play on the high school football team. They can’t join the track team or play basketball. The Israel Sports Center for the Disabled gives athletes that opportunity to compete. Caroline Tabib, who placed fifth in the Rio Paralympics in table tennis, said her passion for sports started with swimming at the center. Swimming is incredibly important at the center, Kramer said. It helps youngsters learn to trust their bodies as they learn to float, and it increases strength. From swimming, people move into different sports. Tabib went into table tennis, which took her to the Paralympic Games. The Sports Center for the Disabled’s goal is not to make Olympians, Kramer said, but to give everyone a chance to win and to improve their bodies. When the presentation moved from the auditorium to the basketball court, attendees learned how similar wheelchair basketball is to regular basketball. The court, scoring and number of players are the same. The basketballs are the same, and the hoops are the same height. If players fall, they simply push themselves back up, which players demonstrated by placing their hands

The able-bodied get to try out the sport.

out and doing push-ups. Getting back up took less than two seconds. Instead of the consistent dribble required of able-bodied players, wheelchair players push their chairs twice and dribble once. Each wheelchair is built for the specific player, depending on his or her disability. The players must be strong and have full control of their chairs. Able-bodied attendees got to try wheelchair basketball themselves after watching the demonstration. “Any time that I can share my sport, I’m excited,” said Gavin Cloy, who plays wheelchair basketball and participated in the demonstration. Awareness is a large part of helping such organizations, and being more knowledgeable helps able-bodied people decide when people with dis-

abilities need someone to intervene on their behalf and when they don’t. “The wheelchair basketball event was an enormous success on multiple levels,” said Isaac Frank, who organized the event with his wife, Vanessa, and with Florie and Danny Glusman and Michelle and Rob Leven. “Not only did we raise much-needed funds for the Israel Sports Center for the Disabled, but more importantly we helped educate our community.” ■

The crowd is caught up in the competitive wheelchair basketball action.

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LOCAL NEWS

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Backed by Marc Sonenshine and Emily Haft, auctioneer Patty Brown leads a game of tushies and tatas.

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Jewelry from Pure and a wall of donated wine are on display for a silent auction.

Hadassah Cancer Event Again Reveals Big Hearts By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com More than 500 people helped raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer Saturday night, Feb. 25, at the Big Reveal for Breast Strokes, Hadassah Bares All for A.R.T. (Awareness, Research and Treatment). The event honored Debbi Chartash, Melody Maziar and Rina Wolfe, the women behind the Angels 4 Angels team, which has raised over $1.5 million to fund breast cancer research. “Our fans cheering us on the sides gave us the push and strength that we needed,” Chartash said. “The best part of Angels 4 Angels is about the wonderful people and the lifelong friendships we made,” Maziar said. Throughout the Big Reveal, guests

participated in a silent auction to raise money for genetic research while they browsed a gallery of 25 paintings rendered in the fall on breast cancer survivors and sipped Breast Strokes’ signature pink drink. A live auction included an authenticated Falcons jersey signed by quarterback Matt Ryan, an African safari, and a private suite at Philips Arena for a concert by Lionel Richie and Mariah Carey. In a separate wing of the Stave Room, people played tushies and tatas. Players purchased Mardi Gras beads for $20, $40 or $50 and tried to win a 48-inch TV. Auctioneer Patty Brown, alongside volunteers Emily Haft and Marc Sonenshine, led the game by asking participants to place their hands on their tushies or tatas. A coin was then

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Hadassah’s immediate past president, Marcie Natan (right), visits with two Atlanta physicians: Rachel Schonberger (left), who chairs the Hadassah Medical Organization, and Diane Alexander, who was the honorary chair of the 2016 Big Reveal.

The heart of the Big Reveal is the paintings rendered on breast cancer survivors.

(From left) Big Reveal chair Janis Greenfield and Breast Strokes co-chairs Linda Hendelberg and Linda Weinroth stand with a poster of this year’s art.

flipped, with a body part for each side. People who had their hands on the wrong body part each had to remove a strand of beads until only one player was left wearing beads. Marcie Natan, the immediate past national president of Hadassah, spoke briefly about the need to continue fighting breast cancer, a disease she has survived twice. “People always tell me, ‘You’re so brave to put yourself out there.’ I am not so brave,” she said. “I understand how important it is for each and every one of us to empower ourselves and others. This is a disease we can fight, and it is a disease we can survive.” When Natan learned about Breast Strokes and the Big Reveal, she knew she wanted to participate. Her painting is of two penguins and is in memory of her younger sister, who was diagnosed

with breast cancer at 33 and had a recurrence at 50. The painting was done a year after Natan’s sister died. “It was so meaningful and innovative to be with a group of women who were willing to be painted,” she said. “They each had a story to tell, and they each left with a feeling of pride in celebrating life.” The ceremony closed with attendees each removing a shoe and holding it up to show solidarity for the fight against all cancers. “This is the second year the Big Reveal has sold out and has brought individuals together, not just from the Hadassah community, but other communities as well,” Big Reveal chair Janice Greenfield said. “We are in amazement at what we have created. Tonight is about raising money for a good cause and having a good time.” ■

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LOCAL NEWS

NCJW Atlanta is excited to continue our women's discussion group for our members and friends. Moderated by noted Atlanta advocate extraordinaire Sherry Frank, this monthly luncheon meeting focuses on current events through a Jewish lens. Bring your lunch; we’ll provide beverages and dessert. Mark your calendars with the upcoming dates for our discussion series:

Thursday, March 16 Thursday, April 13 Thursday, May 18 The series will be held from noon – 1:30 pm each day at the NCJW Atlanta office at 6303 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs, Georgia. Please RSVP by the day before each meeting to christineh@ncjwatlanta.org. Visit our website at www.ncjwatlanta.org.

The women’s activism exemplified by the national protests Jan. 21 has National Council for Jewish Women organizers sensing momentum heading into the 47th National Convention this month.

NCJW Convention To Honor Clinton, Lewis

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

By Joe Schulman

About 300 women from all over the United States are expected to attend the National Council of Jewish Women’s National Convention this month in Atlanta, and organizers are excited about the diverse backgrounds that will be represented at the event. “It’s an opportunity with an amazing group of women who are so smart and so dedicated to social justice,” said Rachel Rosner, the president of NCJW’s Atlanta Section. “It’s really impressive to see so many talented women together in one place.” The triennial convention, being held March 23 to 25 at the JW Marriott in Buckhead, has taken on an added dimension this year because of the women’s protests involving millions of people across the country after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. The feeling of unity and the grassroots organizing of women created a momentum that organizers feel is building toward the convention, which has the theme of “Shaping the Future, Leading the Way.” “We want to bring attention to issues,” said convention co-chair Janet Solitt, who is also a national vice president with NCJW. The 47th National Convention has plenty of star power. Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton will be presented the Women Who Dared Award; she’s scheduled to accept by video speech rather than appear in person. Democratic Congressman John Lewis of Atlanta, who has taken a leading role in the opposition to Trump, will receive the Faith and Humanity Award in person and speak at the awards gala the final night of the conference. “They’re inspiring,” Rosner said.

“I hope they inspire women who are and aren’t members to take an interest in what we’re doing and feel moved to help us with our projects.” Local speakers include SOJOURN Executive Director Rebecca Stapel-Wax and the Center for Israel Education’s Rich Walter and Rabbi Ellen Nemhauser. NCJW members will elect their national officers for the next three years; Atlanta’s Sue Tilis is nominated for treasurer. Sessions on the schedule include activism, LGBTQ equality and JewishIslamic relations. “We are very much looking to work with different segments of the population,” Solitt said. “We’ve seen Muslims and Jews working together recently, like when the Muslim community raised money and helped repair Jewish headstones that were damaged at a cemetery.” The convention was originally slated for Miami, but concerns about the Zika virus led organizers last fall to decide to move the gathering to Georgia. Registration for the convention is open to NCJW members and nonmembers for $675. Day passes are available for $200 for those interested in attending just a portion of the events. Registration and schedule details are available at convention.ncjw.org. As the convention moves closer, Solitt reflected on what the organization and the event mean to women. “I hope the women who attend feel they are not alone in wanting to make changes in their communities,” she said. “I want them to know they can all become advocates and that we all need to stand together do what’s right for our country.” ■

LOCAL NEWS

Rights Will Highlight Reform Rabbis’ Agenda In the post-presidential-election atmosphere of fear, anger and increasing expressions of anti-Semitism, more than 500 Reform rabbis will gather in Atlanta from March 19 to 22 to discuss moral courage and civil Rabbi Peter Berg rights at the Central Conference of American Rabbis annual convention. Being held at the Loews Atlanta Hotel in Midtown, this year’s convention has the theme of “Being a Rabbi in Turbulent Times.” Attendees will discuss issues including anti-Semitism, immigration, racial and economic justice, and preservation of Earth’s resources for future generations. “Postelection, our members have expressed concerns and sometimes fears for their communities, as well as for themselves personally and professionally,” said Rabbi Steve Fox, CCAR’s chief executive. “We will address these concerns by providing rabbis with the necessary resources with which they can return to their communities and congregations to more confidently address the issues they are facing and at the same time feeling supported in their leadership and service.” Although Atlanta was selected as the location for this year’s conference several years ago, the timing couldn’t be more appropriate in the current political climate because the city boasts, among others, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, the King Center, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King and his father preached. “It’s really an opportunity we want to take advantage of,” said Rabbi Peter Berg, the senior rabbi of The Temple. “Our colleagues are really excited to be here and experience the moral courage of the leaders of Atlanta.” The Temple, Atlanta’s oldest synagogue, will host a special showing of “The Temple Bombing,” a new Alliance Theatre play about the dynamiting of the Midtown synagogue in October 1958 by people who didn’t like Rabbi Jacob Rothschild’s support of the civil rights movement.

When Rabbi Rothschild arrived in Atlanta from Pittsburgh and saw segregation firsthand, he was “so disheartened by what he saw with separate drinking fountains and bathrooms,” Rabbi Berg said. “He dedicated his entire career to racial (issues).” Rabbi Rothschild became friends with King after The Temple was bombed, and the synagogue and Rabbi Berg have partnered with Ebenezer Baptist Church and its senior pastor, the Rev. Raphael Warnock, in pulpit exchanges and a joint choir called Voices for Justice. The choir will perform for the first time during the CCAR convention, and Ebenezer Baptist’s Mary Gurley will sing “My Living Shall Not Be in Vain,” which she sang at King’s funeral and sings every year at The Temple. “It’s special to us at The Temple because of our historic relationship with Ebenezer Baptist,” Rabbi Berg said. In addition to civil and human rights, Reform rabbis at the conference will explore spirituality and study Torah. They will have the opportunity to study at Emory University, listen to world-renowned scholars and participate in professional development workshops. Featured speakers are scheduled to include Dana Bash, CNN’s chief political correspondent; Cornell Brooks, the president and CEO of the NAACP; Richard Cohen, the president of the Southern Poverty Law Center; and Deborah Lipstadt, the Emory professor of modern Jewish history and Holocaust studies who was featured in last year’s feature film “Denial.” “The world in which we live is changing rapidly, and the political climate in the United States, Israel and around the world is creating opportunities and challenges to leading,” Rabbi Fox said. “This year, as in past years, we’ll be tackling a broad array of issues, both big picture and practical. … Much of our itinerary this year will also focus on what it means to be a rabbinic leader in today’s turbulent political climate.” The convention will feature a lecture on the United States’ relationship with Israel by an Israeli rabbi and a Palestinian leader who promote dialogue and trust between Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank. A series of workshops will address how to create a culture of dialogue with Israel. ■

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MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

By Cady Schulman cschulman@atljewishtimes.com

LOCAL NEWS

Edgewise Gets Look Inside Surveillance

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

By Zach Itzkovitz

President Donald Trump’s claim that his predecessor had his phones tapped in the final weeks of last year’s presidential campaign has brought fresh attention to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and the use of FISA courts to approve surveillance operations. But members of the Edgewise group at the Marcus Jewish Community Center got their own FISA primer Thursday, Feb. 16, when FBI Special Agent Stephen Emmett, a 30-year bureau veteran from Marietta who works in the Atlanta Field Office, spoke about the agency’s history and operations. He discussed the PATRIOT Act and the impact of the Sept. 11 attacks on the structure and perception of the FBI and the rest of federal law enforcement. “We almost didn’t survive as an agency,” Emmett said. “Our intelligence side of the house was under a lot of scrutiny for not stopping that 9/11 disaster.” He said the PATRIOT Act ramped up the use of FISA courts for wiretaps. “The government presents its case to (federal judges), but it’s just done in a more secretive manner, and they’re all dealing with national security.” Those matters are far different from the issues that drove the development of the FBI nearly a century ago in an era of violent gangsters and somewhat helpless local police. “They were skipping across state lines,” Emmett said of criminals. “They would just evade local law enforcement by skipping over into neighboring states, and that’s where the FBI stepped up.” The FBI’s popularity with civilians and certain industries has deteriorated since the tenure of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, Emmett said. “He seized upon that time period to really elevate us in the public eye with the top 10 most wanted programs, identifying these folks that were the most egregious of public enemies.” He said the bureau still owes Hoover gratitude for centralizing its fingerprint identification operations. Asked about FBI cooperation with local law enforcement, Emmett explained the mutually beneficial relationship. “We have task forces now where these officers are embedded with us, and what that does for us — it’s a force multiplier for us, but it also

Photo by Zach Itzkovitz

FBI Special Agent Stephen Emmett speaks to the Marcus JCC’s Edgewise seniors group Feb. 16.

gives their chiefs eyes and ears at our table.” The FBI empowers certain officers in local law enforcement, Emmett said, by granting them national jurisdiction through federal task forces. Law enforcement cooperation doesn’t always go well. “In 2005 at a bank robbery matter in Conyers, I was shot in the leg,” Emmett said, “and I will confide in you that the behind-the-scenes story was that it was in fact friendly fire.” He said a detective on the other side of a car shot through the vehicle and hit him in the thigh. “I know what our own ammo feels like when you get hit by it, and it’s a sledgehammer.” Emmett refers to the Cold War era of the FBI as the “spy era.” He discussed the spy activities of John Anthony Walker, a Navy sailor who was convicting of being a Soviet informant. “We now believe that that is how the North Vietnamese were able to intercept and shoot down a lot of our aircraft during the Vietnam War,” Emmett said. “They were reading our encrypted transmissions, so they knew more than we thought they did at the time.” These days, Emmett is concerned about a lack of cooperation from technology companies. He stressed the importance of the private sector and federal law enforcement working together. The issue was brought to public attention when Apple declined to write software to help the FBI unlock an iPhone that belonged to one of the shooters in the San Bernardino attack in December 2015. Eventually, however, the FBI purchased a third-party tool and was able to unlock the phone. The Domestic Security Alliance Council was created in 2012 to enhance cooperation between the federal government and the private sector and enable the FBI to be more proactive and less reactive. The Southern Co. is one private entity that meets regularly with federal officials as part of the DSAC. ■

LOCAL NEWS

Kollel Salutes Abe Levine By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

uncle with the three hallmarks of Judaism: kindness, generosity and charity.” Kollel Rabbi Michoel Lipschutz, Family, friends and Atlanta Schol- who studies with Levine, said he is a ars Kollel sponsors gathered at the deep thinker with a golden heart. Westin Buckhead Rabbi Lipon Sunday night, schutz presented March 5, for a tribLevine with a ute program honphotograph of oring businesshis late parents man Abe Levine, superimposed on who most recently the ark. donated the aron Earlier, durkodesh (ark) to the ing a lavish appekollel Toco Hills tizer buffet and study hall. cocktail hour, Levine’s three Levine said: “Kolsons and only Photos by Marcia Caller Jaffe lel does all the brother came from Above: Honoree Abe Levine (center) heaving lifting. distant points to is joined at the kollel tribute by (from I am honored left) brother Yale Levine and sons speak about his Jeremy, Zachary and Josh Levine. and pleased to modest and generBelow: Atlanta Scholars Kollel rabbis be here tonight, ous nature. Brothperform the chorus of “Teach Us a Song” thank you.” er Yale called him to the tune of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man.” Levine is the a “man of valor,” chief financial and his sons said officer and vice he has always been there for them and president of Adinstilled Jewish ams Outdoor Advalues. vertising. The sons’ He has eswords were made tablished an enall the more poidowment fund gnant when Levine for Atlanta Jewhimself, tearyish Academy eyed, explained students offerthat his own faing subsidies for ther died before he the eighth-grade trip to Israel, as well was born. “It’s where we are now that as a scholarship fund to enable public counts,” he said. “I was raised by my school students to attend Jewish day single mother, grandparents, aunt and school. ■

The annual deadline for Georgia legislation to pass at least one of the two General Assembly chambers marked the end of this year’s fight over religious liberty legislation but extended the battle over carrying firearms on college campuses. Senate Bill 233, the only legislation this session addressing the issue of religious liberty, died without facing a vote in the full Senate on Friday, March 3, known as Crossover Day. LGBTQ advocates, who see such measures as efforts to legalize discrimination, maintained a presence all day at the Capitol to oppose any last-minute bid to sustain the bill.

Some of those same activists were disappointed, however, when House Bill 280, which would allow gun license owners to carry firearms on public college campuses, passed on a 108-63 vote and moved to the Senate. The bill, now before the Senate Judiciary Committee, is similar to one Gov. Nathan Deal vetoed last year. “As people of faith, we believe that H.B. 280 will make us a more violent, less moral society. We believe it will turn communities of learning into places of more frequent gun tragedies,” Temple Rabbi Peter Berg said in a statement released by Outcry: Interfaith Voices Against Gun Violence. ■

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Campus Carry Lives; Religious Liberty Bill Dies

The Times of Shushan All the fake news that fits, we print From a Shushan Far, Far Away (We Hope) Intrepid reporter Polly Esther Pantz brings readers the latest Jewish news, all dressed up for any Purim party she can find (as long as you bring the booze). Chabad Rescues Macy’s

Facing widespread store closings throughout the United States, Macy’s has announced an 11th-hour agreement with Worldwide Chabad to save the department store chain. Eighteen Macy’s stores will be transformed into synagogues, schools and senior adult facilities. Smaller emporia will serve as regional outposts offering free kosher pizza and blue T-shirts with a heart logo surrounded by the words “I love davening” in Hebrew-style lettering. The religio-corporate takeover thus brings Macy’s full circle (or perhaps a couple Branding is all about the cotton. of loop-de-loops): From a New York chain run by Georgia Jews that eventually took over Atlanta’s Jewish-owned Rich’s, it now will be a Jewish organization run out of Brooklyn. Speaking from Chabad headquarters in Brooklyn, Rabbi Kalman Gettit revealed another potential corporate coup: “We are about to finalize negotiations with the Chickfil-A people, who respect our religious devotion. We plan to place our own signage in front of their restaurants on their day of rest, Sundays, so we can spread our message about our day of rest, Saturday.” Those devout Chick-fil-A people declined to comment. Asked about retrofitting the Macy’s stores, Rabbi Gettit turned to hard-hatted colleague Rabbi Asher Chooh, who is managing the overhaul. “We’ve figured out how to reconfigure the various floor plans to suit building usage. Naturally, we’ll devote the larger stores to synagogues, the ones with predominantly vinyl floors for schools, and those with the most bathrooms to senior housing,” Rabbi Chooh said. Rabbi Gettit proudly continued, “In all our facilities, the above-mentioned T-shirts will be given gratis during the first year of operation. We’ve learned that people keep confusing Chabad men with Orthodox males from other streams of Judaism, largely due to our common garb and physiognomy. With these T-shirts, we’ll be able to distinguish ourselves from run-of-the-Jewish-mill bearded men in black suits.” Open houses featuring free pizza (or perhaps Chick-fil-A) and T-shirts at the former Macy’s stores will take place on Lag B’Omer, and High Holiday services will commence in September. T-shirts also can be ordered by calling the Chabad hotline, though a two-minute inspirational message and a session with virtual matchmaker Alexis are mandatory. The cholent recipe is optional.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Shalom, Alpharetta

In an unprecedented move by a City Council, Alpharetta is changing its name to Alephetta. The Alpharetta Jewish community, led by Hebrew teacher, cabaret singer and shawarma cafe owner Mira Mirrah, staged a pan-synagogue protest and stormed City Hall. Mirrah calmed the crowd of Jews and half-Jews as she presented their case. She stirred the council with her heartfelt and melodic message, delivered to the tune of “Jerusalem of Gold.” “We represent the thousands of taxpayers and voters who are sick and tired of our inappropriate city name. We of the Hebraic persuasion will no longer live as Alpharettans. From now on, we shall be known as Alephettans. Our city shall henceforth be called Alephetta, in order to acknowledge our connection to aleph, the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, not the Greek alpha.” (Trust us, it’s much more melodic when you see Mirrah sing it on YouTube.) “Let me be clear,” Mirrah added. “Unlike the Maccabees of yore, we have nothing against the Greeks, or any of the Mediterranean people for that matter. I mean, who doesn’t like grape leaves and roasted eggplant? We’re simply opposed to their alphabetic dominance, and we’re not going to take it anymore.” The group enjoyed a midafternoon snack, provided to protesters at a 10 percent discount by Mirrah’s Reflection Cafe, while the council deliberated. The initial desire by council members to table the discussion was voted down as the aroma of falafel and shawarma wafted into the council chamber. Two hours later, the decision to adopt the name Alephetta was announced. “We are pleased and relieved, naturally, but not surprised,” Mirrah declared, while texting her restaurant for more food. Chabad of Soon-to-Be-Alephetta celebrated the occasion by distributing “I love davening” T-shirts.

ALEPHETTA Welcome to

Mah Jong Madness in East Cobb

It all started with a Hadassah program bringing several mahjong groups together at the Marcus JCC for friendly games. Volunteer coordinator Sally Mander, who participates in four daytime and three evening mahh jong games each week, had the idea to amp up the challenge with a tournament. Each team would record its highest scorer, and the four women with the best scores would play a public game. The Final Four winner would reign as Maj Queen for one year, with her picture on the front page of a high-gloss issue of The Times of Shushan in a tiara fashioned from hundreds of faux ivory tiles. The Maj Queen would also receive two tickets to a one-woman show at the Cobb Energy Centre featuring international celebrity Ma Djongg, a Taiwanese contortionist. Eight teams entered, and things went as planned until the final game, which, unfortunately, was televised live and seen by patients at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem. Things quickly got out of hand. Ann Appoliss was discovered hiding tiles in her dirndl skirt. The judges replaced her with first runner-up May B. Knott, who immediately lost her cool when another player was caught covering selected tiles during shuffling. Carrie Awn was disqualified when onlookers noticed manipulation of end tiles when building the wall. Then Bea Mein, whose mah jong set was being used, was accused of marking the tiles. The viewers at Hadassah Hospital watched the Skyped match in horror: They never imagined that any of the women funding their medical care could be as corrupt as their

Just Sleep, Just Sleep, You Shall Seek Did you ever notice how the Hebrews complained about EVERYTHING during the 40 years wandering the Sinai — except insomnia? It’s true. We slept like lambs every night in the wilderness, so we had lots of strength to complain. Now pseudo-science has discovered the key: the monotonous tones of an elderly Torah scholar. But there’s no need to enroll in yeshiva. You can get your own sleepy sermons from the lips of the great Rav Bahyeem, delivered straight to your pillow.

Available wherever finer Chabad heart T-shirts are sold.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

THE SHUSHAN TIMES

Your New Shushan Times

Haunted by nightmares of trees howling on the way to their slaughter for the newsprint to produce an entire 12-page newspaper every week, burdened by the increasing costs of production and mailing, and weary of endless tweets pinpointing typos, the management of your Times of Shushan has decided to produce monthly YouTube videos instead, starting with “The Ballad of Alephetta,” featuring Mira Mirrah. The less frequent showcasing of the newspaper’s previously unseen full-time and freelance staffers on camera will be more entertaining and au courant and save readers the trouble of walking to their mailboxes, which don’t provide anything but political fliers, pizza coupons and tree-chopping ads anyway. The content of the so-called paper will necessarily shift. Because dowdy columnists reading their copy on camera would bore their audience to tears — thus changing nothing from the out-of-favor print format — writers will be required to attend a series of makeovers, comedy stand-up workshops, and, for most, Lasik surgeries. “No more fatties, long-winded pedants or nearsighted staff,” Publisher Michael Morris said from the Charlie Brown Airport tarmac between flights to and from Florida. “We’ll produce the best-looking, funniest and most stylish half-hour show around. Our viewers will appreciate that each writer will get a max of two minutes, be funny and look good.” Naturally, some regular writers worry that they cannot adequately convey their thoughts in two-minute segments, but because none of them wants to lose valuable perks (trips to Cancun and St. Moritz, jewelry, concierge doctors, company cars) or relinquish the fawning entourages they have acquired, they are expected to accept the change. “I know these writers,” Editor Michael Jacobs said between innings of streaming baseball games. “Most of them desperately need the training and physical improvement,” he added, wiping his eyeglasses with a tissue, “so they should be grateful. I expect a certain amount of kvetching, but I’m used to it. That’s why I make the big bucks.” The YouTube launch, under the more inclusive name Semitic Times, is scheduled for summer 2017.

Drake Goes Mad (Dog)

Mogen David, the venerable producer of undrinkably sweet kosher wine for Passover and irresistibly cheap nonkosher wine for any time (as long as you live within stumbling distance of a well-armed liquor store), is taking a 40-proof leap into the 21st century with a dramatic rebranding campaign. No longer will the wino down the street be the face of Mogen David’s best-selling MD 20/20. Instead, Jewish Canadian rapper Drake will be celebrity pitchman for the newly labeled Mad Dog 20/20. “We believe Mad Dog 20/20 is the perfect product to compete with Bud Light Limerita,” Mogen David Senior Vice President for Shucking and Jiving Kelé Konwich said. “Or at least Bud Light Strawberry Rita.” Drake will bring sly looks, head shakes, and perhaps a tear or two to launch parties in Chicago, Oakland, Atlanta and Houston. “I saw my dad drink it while hanging out in the parking lot of the local liquor store” during visits to Memphis, Drake said. “It was at every cookout and stashed in every glove compartment. I’m happy to represent a brand that has been around for such a long time.” Drake is featured in the new ad campaign along with Lauren London, Nipsey Hustle and their son. The ad starts off at cookout with people dressed in bell bottoms, sporting afros and doing the hustle. The scene switches to present day with Drake grilling Hebrew National hot dogs, Nipsey Hustle in a candy-red 1975 Chevy, and Lauren London drinking from the Mad Dog 20/20 bottle while getting her hair braided. She passes it to Drake, who holds up the bottle, looks into the camera and smiles over the caption “Mad Dog 20/20: Black and Jewish since 1975.”

Bad Luck of the Irish

A full-page ad in last month’s newspaper has created a maelstrom in the administration of Camp Barney Medintz. The headline “Greenery Abounds at Camp Blarney” was the cause. “We began to get a lot of inquiries from chatty people with Irish-sounding surnames,” camp director Gym Mittengal said. “But when Conan O’Connor, president of the Georgia Society of the Old Sod, contacted me, I finally figured out what was going on. It was a typo in our latest ad.” Mittengal said his complaint to Editor Michael Jacobs was unsettling. “He said, ‘Join the typo complainers club’ and offered to buy me a fifth of Jameson.” Called for comment, Jacobs muttered something about no typos on YouTube videos and hung up. Old Sod head O’Connor, just back from speaking to parents at Shamrock High School in DeKalb County, laughed as he recalled the Blarney experience. “Every week I pick up a complimentary copy of Times of Shushan at the local bagel shop, but I’d never seen such a welcoming advertisement in it. When I noted the ad for Camp Blarney, I had to look twice. I decided that our Jewish friends were reaching out to us.” The use of “greenery” in the same headline seemed to confirm the camp’s newly

inclusive attitude toward those of the Irish persuasion, as did descriptions of planned potato patches. “Except for that Jesus thing, we Irish have so much in common with the Jews,” O’Connor said. “It makes perfect sense to have a joint camp.” Asked to list similarities, O’Connor waxed eloquent: “My Jewish friends tell me that they find James Joyce’s ‘Ulysses’ incomprehensible, just as we Irish do. On the other hand, we all love ‘Angela’s Ashes.’ Let me mention Guinness Extra Stout, Irish coffee and fourleaf clovers. And, of course, potato pancakes.”

Greenery Abounds at Camp Blarney

Oops, we did it again.

Democratic Conversion Therapy

Scrambling to regain the support of their fellow Americans, the Democratic Party held a series of clandestine meetings. The goal was to identify future leaders and to take advantage of well-known, outspoken Democrats who would fall on their sword, so to speak, for the party. Finally, a PR expert advised taking a page from the Republican book and playing the Jewish card. Upward of 80 percent of Jewish-Americans traditionally vote in the liberal camp. But Donald Trump managed to win as much as 22 percent of the Jewish vote in some states. What happened? The Orthodox conversion of Trump’s daughter Ivanka. Photos of Ivanka wearing moderately modest clothing in her high-end kosher kitchen appeared in all the glossy decorating and lifestyle magazines. Trump’s boasting about his grandson’s brit milah added more fuel to the fire. And what Jewish grandmother can resist Jared Kushner’s boyish smile? The Democrats immediately launched a crash conversion campaign for star Democrats. TV host and “Kosher Sex” author Rabbi Shmuley Boteach was called on to work with the chosen, soon-to-be-snipped few. First to agree was Congressman John Lewis, who still has a lot of Jewish friends and has taken a number of free trips to Israel. His conversion class includes Elizabeth Warren and Chelsea Clinton, and Harry Belafonte, Selena Gomez and Mel Gibson have expressed interest in doing whatever it takes to bring a Democrat to the White House. Hopes are high that Meryl Streep will come on board with the promise of converting a few of her annual Oscar nominations into actual gold statuettes.

Good News From Our (or Their) Home

“Jewsies” Wins Prestigious Theater Award. Ultra-Orthodox yeshiva boys from B’nei Brak and Me’ah Shearim have found a way to demonstrate their singing, dancing and acting talents. The Universal Frumkeit Award for an original musical was won by their “Jewsies.” The play about kids who strike to lower school tuition has been playing to sold-out crowds. Memorable songs like “HaShem Is the King of New York,” “The World Will Know Kabbalah” and “Seize the Territories” have become popular all over the world. This production is a response to last year’s standing-room-only shows featuring three prominent Haredi rabbis, “Men in All Black.” Ringling Bros. Relocates to Be’er Sheva. Jewish National Fund’s ongoing efforts to develop the Negev have attracted the Ringling Brothers, who constructed a permanent three-ring circus near Be’er Sheva. Certain adaptations to the desert were necessary, including their scantily clad performers now cavorting on camels and 25 clowns amazingly spilling out of an army tank. Contrary to misguided claims that camels are obstreperous and porcupines and lizards are stand-offish, Bedouin teens are successfully training these desert-dwelling species. The lizards are especially adept at fly-catching. Miracle in Safed. Sephardic Rabbi Moshe Ahveenoo was nervous as he approached the courthouse in Safed to complain about working conditions at the reproduction book bindery. He was uncomfortable because he wasn’t accustomed to speaking to government officials, and with his recent leg injury, he was walking with a cane. Standing before the magistrates, he found himself trembling, and his cane fell to the floor. He was as stunned as everyone else when the cane turned into a snake, and his lifetime vocal stuttering disappeared. The government officials immediately ruled in the rabbi’s favor. At that moment, the cane resumed its shape, and Rabbi Ahveenoo returned to work. Recorded Lectures Outsell Ambien and Lunesta. Rabbi Baruch Ha Bahyeem gives a mandatory weekly class to all the students in his Netanya yeshiva. In recent years, a number of American boys have enrolled in the program, and they often report to their parents that the rosh yeshiva’s classes put them into a deep sleep. The mother of one student works at the drug company Squab. When she learned the soporific effect of Rav Bah yeem’s lessons, she persuaded her employers to hire the rabbi to tape every lecture, which is transferred to a microchip implantable in a standard pillow. The monotonously voiced lecturing chip works within two minutes after the head hits the pillow, and eight hours of sleep are guaranteed. Unlike other costly sleep medications, there are no adverse side effects, and the chips can be purchased over the counter. In some isolated incidences, users have reported a desire to make aliyah and study Jewish texts, but the effect is short-lived.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

own government. This reporter was assured, however, that mah jongg will remain part of the popular Hadassah hospital rehab program, with the addition of tips on bettor cheating.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

PURIM

Finding Crazy Fun for the Holiday Purim starts Saturday night, March 11, and ends the evening of March 12. Here are some of your options for the holiday. (Don’t forget that daylight saving time starts early March 12, meaning you’ll have to spring forward an hour to be on time for events Sunday. Just to add to the craziness.)

SATURDAY, MARCH 11

Intergenerational celebration. Congregation Bet Haverim, 2074 LaVista Road, Toco Hills, presents a tot Megillah reading at 5:30 p.m., fun and games with an optional pizza dinner at 6, and a game show and Megillah reading with a touch of “Hamilton” at 6:45. There’s also a hamantaschen bake-off. Free (pizza is $5 for adults, $3 for kids); www.congregationbethaverim.org. Golden Domes. The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., Midtown, offers drinks and appetizers on the red carpet at 7 p.m., followed by the Golden Domes (a version of the Purim story) at 8. Free; RSVP to jschmidt@the-temple.org. Pour ’em Purim. Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road, East Cobb, holds a whiskey tasting at 7 p.m., a Megillah reading with adult beverages at 8 and a costume contest, plus a late-night trivia contest for young professionals. Free; www.kolemeth.net or 770-973-3533. Megillah Tequila. Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, holds a Megillah reading for adults at 7:15 p.m., followed by music by Oy Klezmer and Goza Tequila drinks. Free; bethshalomatlanta.org.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Klezmer Megillah. Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead, and the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival present a musical rendition of the Megillah infused with humor and featuring the MarlaTov Cocktails at 7:30 p.m. Free; atlantajmf.org. Persian Purim. Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway, East Cobb, offers Middle Eastern appetizers and cocktails, belly dancers, and music to go with a Megillah reading at 7:30 p.m. Free; etzchaim.net/persianpurim.

Ladino concert. Congregation Or Hadash, 7460 Trowbridge Road, Sandy Springs, presents Havdalah at 7:30 p.m., a Megillah reading at 7:50, a dessert reception at 8:30 and a concert by Sarah Aroeste at 9. The concert is $18; 22 RSVP by March 8 to bit.ly/purim-sarah.

Adult shpiel. After Havdalah at 7:30 p.m., Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, offers a Mel Brooks-themed Purim shpiel. Free; www.bethtikvah.com. Family Megillah reading. Chabad Intown, 928 Ponce de Leon Ave., Midtown, offers a festive reading and hamantaschen at 7:45 p.m. Free; www. chabadintown.org. Megillah reading. Anshi, 1324 N. Highland Ave., Virginia-Highland, holds a traditional reading at 8 p.m., followed by dessert, music and dancing. Free; www.anshisfard.org. YJP party. People in their 20s and 30s are invited to Amer Bar in Inman Park, 299 N. Highland Ave., for live jazz and a cash bar at 9:45 p.m. and a Megillah reading at 11. Free; www.yjpatlanta. org/events/yjp-purim-party.

SUNDAY, MARCH 12

Celebration. Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 N. Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven, reads the Megillah at an 8:30 a.m. service, then has pizza and a spiel for children at 11. Free; www. orveshalom.org or 404-633-1737. Purim Palooza. Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs, holds a block party celebration with games and activities for toddlers through sixth-graders from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. after holding family and sensory-sensitive Megillah readings at 9:30 a.m. Carnival admission is $20 in advance or $25 at the door for children 6 and older and $15 in advance or $20 at the door for ages 2 to 5; templesinaiatlanta.org. Emoji Purim. Chabad Intown, 928 Ponce de Leon Ave., Midtown, celebrates at 10 a.m. with brunch and an emoji costume contest, photo booth, desserts and face painting, and a Megillah reading for all ages. Admission is $10; www.chabadintown.org/purim. Family concert and celebration. The Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, presents a sing-along with Rabbi Brian Glusman, a concert and a costume parade at 10 a.m. Free; www. atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4161. Family carnival. Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Johns Creek, offers entertainment, refreshments and a Megillah reading at 11 a.m. Admission is $5; www.chabadnf.org.

Pirate party. Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, holds a carnival with a pirate and mermaid theme from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Admission, including all games and lunch, is $12 until March 8, then $15; bethshalomatlanta.org.

Purim in Persia. Netzach Israel and New Toco Shul hold a carnival from 3 to 5 p.m., then a festive meal at Torah Day School, 1985 LaVista Road, Toco Hills. Free for the carnival. The meal is $15 for adults, $8 for ages 4 to 12, free for younger; www.netzachisrael.org.

Children’s fun. Congregation B’nai Israel, 1633 Fayetteville Road, Jonesboro, is celebrating from 11:30 to 2 p.m. with face painting, tattoos, crafts and games and with all money raised going toward the construction of a playground. Free admission; bnai-israel.net.

Triangulation. The Sixth Point holds an adults-only hamantaschen-making party at 3 p.m. at 2884 Parkridge Drive, Brookhaven. Admission is $5; thesixthpoint.org.

Carnival and silent auction. Congregation Ner Tamid, 1349 Old Highway 41, Suite 220, Marietta, reads the Megillah at 11:30 a.m., then holds a carnival from 12:15 to 2 p.m. Free; events@ mynertamid.org or 678-264-8575. Purim ExtravaganzAA. Ahavath Achim, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead, presents food trucks at 11:30 a.m., a traditional Megillah reading at 12:15 p.m., a Mardi Gras Megillah reading at 12:30, and celebrations from 11:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Free; aasynagogue.org. Carnival. Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, offers fun and games from noon to 2. Admission is $10 for unlimited play; www.bethtikvah. com. Carnival. Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road, East Cobb, offers games, a petting zoo and more from noon to 2:30. Free entry; www.kolemeth.net. Magical carnival. Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway, East Cobb, offers a Disney theme from 12:15 to 2:15 p.m. Admission is $15 at the door; etzchaim.net/purimcarnival. Family fun. Congregation Beth Tefillah, 5065 High Point Road, Sandy Springs, holds a family Megillah reading at 12:30 p.m., followed until 2:30 by a carnival with pony rides, a petting zoo, activities and a barbecue lunch. Admission of $12 per child or $65 per family includes each attraction and food; tinyurl.com/PurimCarnival2017. Family gathering. The Atlanta Scholars Kollel Brookhaven & Buckhead Torah Center, 1175 Alexandria Court, Brookhaven, welcomes young families to meet one another and have fun from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Free; www.facebook.com/ events/509813452522560.

PurimCon. The Kehilla in Sandy Springs, 5075 Roswell Road, reads the Megillah at 3:30 p.m., followed by a comic-themed party until 6:30. Free; www.facebook.com/ events/1289579324441821. Purim in Israel. Chabad of Peachtree City, 632 Dogwood Trail, Tyrone, celebrates at 4 p.m. with a Megillah reading, an Israeli buffet and prizes for all children in costumes. Admission is $15 for children, $20 for adults; www. chabadsouthside.com, shternie@ chabadsouthside.com or 678-595-0199. “Back to the Future” celebration. Congregation Ariel, 5237 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, starts with a magic show at 4 p.m. and continues with a festival meal at 5. Tickets are $25 for ages 12 and up and $10 for ages 3 to 11, with a family max of $80; www.congariel.org. Purim in the Jungle. Chabad of Cobb, 4450 Lower Roswell Road, East Cobb, adds dinner under a jungle canopy, a drum circle and animal crafts to a Megillah reading from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Admission is $15 per person or $46 per family; www.chabadofcobb.com. Musical Purim. Chabad of Gwinnett presents the Megillah at 5:30 p.m. and a party with food and entertainment from Drum Cafe at 6 at the Norcross Cultural Arts & Community Center, 10 College St. Admission is $25 at the door; www.chabadofgwinnett.org. Spiel. Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs, presents the adultsonly Purim spiel “Shushan” at 7:15 p.m. after dinner at 6. Admission is $20; templesinaiatlanta.org. Adult party. Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Johns Creek, holds a Roaring Twenties party at 7 p.m. Admission is $25; www.chabadnf. org/Purim2017 or 770-410-9000.

PURIM

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Norm Schloss takes his pick of the French toast on the buffet.

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Rabbi Dov Foxbrunner, the new assistant rabbi at Beth Jacob, brings his kids to check out the Purim party goods.

Josh Kahn and his family don quick costumes for a photo during the dinner.

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The hot cocoa bar is a big draw along the buffet line.

Feasting Backward

Adar, the month of Purim, is a time for silliness and increasing happiness, and Congregation Beth Jacob got the fun started in typical Jewish fashion — with a meal — by holding an upside-down dinner Sunday, Feb. 26. Community members enjoyed a breakfast buffet and a hot cocoa bar while sporting some of the first costumes of the Purim season.

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MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

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PURIM

3 Ways to Enjoy Your Holiday Binge There’s no holiday on the Jewish calendar more associated with consuming alcohol than Purim. As far back as the Talmud and again in the Shulchan Orech, we read of rabbis debating whether you are obligated to get so drunk you can’t tell the difference between the holiday’s protagonist, Mordechai, and its villain, Haman, or if you are simply obligated to “drink a bit more than usual.” No matter how much alcohol one drinks on Purim, it’s clear we’re supposed to drink something special. Here are two cocktail recipes and one punch recipe that are easy to prepare and even more fun to drink.

Chatham Artillery Punch If your goal is to get so intoxicated you can’t tell the difference between good and evil, this is your drink. Legend has it that this Savannah concoction originated in the late 1700s for George Washington’s arrival at the Chatham Artillery. This punch is colloquially known as “the Strongest Drink in America.” 8 lemons 1 pound sugar 750 ml bottle bourbon or rye 750 ml bottle dark Jamaican rum 750 ml bottle brandy or cognac

2 bottles sparkling wine Peel the lemons and place the peels in a container with the sugar, mixing

The Cocktail Hour By Robbie Medwed

well to incorporate. Let that sit for at least an hour. After peeling, juice the lemons, and reserve the juice. After the lemon peels have had their time in the sugar, add the lemon juice. Stir well to melt the sugar, then strain out peels. In a large bowl or bucket, combine whiskey, Photos by Robbie Medwed the You can get creative cognac/branwith the presentation, dy, rum, lembut always beware of on juice/sugar the powerful Chatham and sparkling Artillery Punch. wine. Serve in individual cups over ice and watch out — this won’t taste lethal, but the history books tell tales of this punch laying out entire military units. Gin Sparkler With its deep red color and its bubbles, this simple drink is sure to be

a hit, and it’s great for a crowd. Blood oranges should be easy to find in the store. If you’re not a fan of gin, you can easily swap it out for vodka. 2 ounces gin 1 ounce blood orange juice Sweet sparkling wine to top Combine the blood orange juice (be sure to strain it) and the gin in a glass with ice and mix well. Strain out the ice The Gin Sparkler is simple and seasonal — and can and pour into easily take vodka in place a stemmed of the gin if you prefer. glass. Top with sweet sparkling wine and enjoy. Strawberry Margarita Everyone loves margaritas, and they’re absurdly easy to make. This one uses fresh strawberries for an extra bit of flavor and fun, especially because strawberry season is just beginning. (If you want to stay traditional and leave out the berries, just double the triple sec, and you’ll have a classic margarita.) Let’s also get this out of the way to start: Do not, under any circumstances, buy “margarita mix.” It’s sickly sweet and can’t hold a candle to the classic, which is made with fresh lime juice. Trust me: It’s worth the trouble of

Using fresh strawberries gives a nice spring flavor to the Strawberry Margarita.

squeezing limes. 2 ounces tequila 1 ounce lime juice ½ ounce triple sec or other orange liqueur 1 ounce strawberry syrup* Pinch of kosher salt Shake all the ingredients together (except the salt) to combine, and strain into a rocks glass with ice or a stemmed glass without. I like to finish with a pinch of salt over the top of the drink and not around the rim. If you prefer to rim your glass with salt instead of using it in the drink, rub the edge of your empty glass with the squeezed lime, and push the glass into a pile of kosher salt. * Strawberry syrup: Bring 1 cup of chopped strawberries, ½ cup of sugar and ½ cup of water to a slow simmer until it turns very smooth. Strain the liquid, and allow the syrup to cool. It will last in the fridge for about two weeks. ■ Robbie Medwed writes for koshercocktail.com. Find these and other kosher cocktail recipes there. L’chaim!

Your Guide to a Safe, Happy Purim Provided by United Hatzalah

Toys Follow the labels regarding age appropriateness and proper use. Do not allow the use of any handgun or rifle that too closely resembles the real-life version. These toys can cause aggravation and excessive reactions. With regard to cap guns and other toys that involve gunpowder, it is 24 strongly advised to avoid them, but if

Alcohol Parents should prevent anyone underage from consuming alcohol. Alcohol affects children differently from adults, and what is acceptable for adults can be dangerous to children. Remember that alcohol is a drug and can cause injury or death. Consumption of alcohol can cause hypoglycemia, a severe decrease in blood pressure, hypothermia, excessive

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Every year on Purim children and adults suffer from a variety of injuries related to their costumes, makeup and improvised explosives. The most common injuries include burns on the hands, face, neck and legs. To avoid such injuries, Israeli volunteer emergency medical service United Hatzalah compiled a list of tips to help you and your loved ones enjoy a safe, injury-free holiday.

they are used, adult supervision is a necessity. Do not leave caps in a pocket because friction can set them off, resulting in severe burns. Keep caps and similar materials in their original packages until they are used. Explosive toys should be used only in open spaces and never aimed at anyone’s face. Ensure that groggers are unbroken and do not contain small plastic pieces that can create a choking hazard for small children.

urination and vomiting. Do not try to restrain an aggressive or violent drunken person. Remember that someone who is drunk has impaired decision-making processes. On the other hand, try to ensure that the person does not harm himself or others around him. If a drunk person begins to lose consciousness, check his blood sugar level and act based on the reading. Provide ample nonalcoholic, nondiuretic fluids to avoid dehydration, and call for medical assistance to get the person to a hospital if needed. Costumes Purchase costumes from authorized sellers. Manufacturer information, including age appropriateness, will be printed on the tags. For homemade costumes, avoid flammable materials, such as feathers, and don’t have long strings or laces near the neck, where they can present

a choking risk. Children should remove all costume pieces that dangle or can catch on equipment before they play on jungle gyms and playgrounds. Masks limit the field of vision and should not be worn by children under the age of 8. Makeup products should have a seal of approval from the Food and Drug Administration. Unapproved makeup can cause itching, burns and severe allergic reactions. Mishloach Manot Avoid sending gifts containing small candies or gumballs to families with young children. Pay attention to possible allergic reactions when preparing and sending food gifts. Include a list of ingredients with mishloach manot if you send homemade items containing milk, eggs, fish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat or soy, all of which are major allergens. ■

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PURIM

Who Runs the World? Achashverosh. Meanwhile, the king has a wicked vizier named Haman, who is filled with hate for Mordechai, who is the

Guest Column By Dena Schusterman

Jewish leader. Haman plots to designate a day to begin a genocide against all the Jews in the Persian Empire and persuades King Ahasuerus to sign the decree. Esther then recognizes that there is purpose in her being chosen as queen, putting her in the right place at the right time, so she begins to use her position for the good of the Jewish people. She does save the day. So back to that question. Who runs the world? Girls! Well, almost. Back up. When you read the complete story of Esther, with all its plots, subplots, twists and turns — which I encourage you to do twice during the holiday — you are struck by one significant fact, which is that G-d seems to have gone missing. G-d is in the details but nowhere in the text. In every one of the Jewish holiday stories, we speak of G-d’s blockbuster miracles: the splitting sea, the lightning, the thunder, the oil, the cloud of glory and so forth. This holiday is no different. It has a big miracle: The Jewish people are saved from certain death. And to read the story, you would not even know it. It is easy to become enamored with all the coincidences and chance events: Esther is picked as the queen; Mordechai is her uncle (or husband), so she has the pulse of the entire Jewish community; Mordechai happens to save the king’s life; the king happens to have a sleepless night; Esther seduces the king. Is it all just extraordinary luck? Perhaps some see it that way. But the message of Purim is to see it in another way. In a G-dly way. The very name Esther means to conceal, and Megillah has the same root word as reveal. Megillat Esther is telling us that we need to reveal that which is concealed. Every. Single. Day. The Mishnah brings home this point with an interesting principle. It states that if the Megillah is read back-

ward, from the end to the beginning (the way I read a magazine), one has not fulfilled the mitzvah of the day. Why this unusual rule? It is telling us something more than the rule itself; if someone reads the story as if it happened in the past “backward,” that person is missing the point. This is not a story for the ages; it is a story for today. Find G-d in your story. All of us live lives that look like a series of chances, good luck and coincidences. But in reality it is all miraculous, and it should all be celebrated. It is so easy to take for granted that which we deem normal and usual. So don’t. Don’t take it for granted, and don’t see it as normal. Appreciate all the small and insignificant things. See the divine in the synchronicity and in the people with whom we share this planet; take the time to acknowledge the connections we have with one another. Both locally and globally. It is not always easy. That is why it is meaningful. It is a choice to make. Feel empowered. To look around and see that we

You’re never too young to join in a parade.

walk in miracles every day is to reveal the concealment of the divine-human relationship. Why is this important, so important that when Esther and Mordechai write their story, they intentionally leave out G-d’s name? Because this is how we develop an attitude of intention, purpose and gratitude — and then we ultimately can come to the child’s unbridled joy. So who runs the world? G-d. But perhaps it will be the girls who let everyone know it. ■ Dena Schusterman is a mother of eight, a wife, the rebbetzin of Chabad Intown and the executive director of the Intown Jewish Preschool.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Who runs the world? Girls! Surely you have heard these popular lyrics, as I have, and maybe you have heard the entire song, “Run the World (Girls),” which I have not. But the verse is catchy, and it’s stuck in my head. According to the Torah’s teachings, G-d runs the world. Although mostly it seems that it is run by just the girls or just the boys. The women or the men. Or a mixture of them all. While the world looks to be running by itself, on auto-pilot or in utter chaos, this is intentional. G-d created the universe and promptly concealed Himself within it. The less G-dly something appears, the more concealment is at play. Conversely, when you notice a beautiful sunset, when a baby is born or when you partake in a mitzvah, you are experiencing G-d revealed. This juxtaposition is by design: He is here, but He is hidden. This requires us to take notice. G-d hard-wired us to see our lives as mundane and contained within the so-called laws of nature, so that we are compelled to search Him out, to find purpose, even where it seems there is none, within our personal life journey. When every one of my children was a baby, the first and favorite game we would play was peek-a-boo. I was constantly amazed by how thrilled each child was by this simple game. My face is directly behind my hands; the baby can see my neck, my forehead and my chin. Yet, somehow, “boo” and I am back, and it is the funniest, most amusing pastime, delivering gaggles of giggles on demand. The child knows I am there, but it is in finding me that the greatest joy takes place. We will be celebrating the Jewish holiday of Purim on Sunday, March 12. The Purim story, called Megillat Esther, or the scroll of Esther, and its holiday have always been my most enjoyable. It is an authentic story of a princess and her heroism. It is the antithesis to the Disney caricature of feminine dreams and desires. Esther is a common girl and has no aspirations for a handsome prince to drive her off into the sunset with a happily ever after. She is taken against her will to the palace and inexplicably is chosen by the king over all the more suitable maidens in the vast kingdom, and she remains there as a hostage in the harem of King Ahasuerus or

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PURIM

Photos by Michael Jacobs

Atlanta Jewish Academy representatives dance their way down LaVista.

A Great Dane finds a rare canine to look up to, albeit one on two legs.

A quiet moment can mean a lot after the hubbub of the parade.

There’s no doubt that Haman was no wise guy.

Happiness is watching the Purim Parade roll by.

The judges keep a close eye on the passing entertainment. As the sign says, Beth Jacob is the Orthodox synagogue for all Waldos.

This Snow White comes with her own dwarfs.

The Force is strong in this one.

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Perfect weather enabled thousands of people to participate in or watch Congregation Beth Jacob’s 26th annual Purim Parade and Festival on Sunday, March 5, a week before the actual holiday. It took nearly 45 minutes for the entire procession of motorcycles, cars, trucks, buses, walkers and a kiddie train to make its way from the Toco Hill Shopping Center to Beth Jacob along LaVista Road. In the judging of the floats, Netzach Israel was the big winner, but it was hard to find any losers that day. See more photos at www.atlantajewishtimes.com. The AJT welcomes photos from all the Purim celebrations ahead. Email high-resolution photos with information about the events and the people in the photos to mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com. ■

Parade participants come in all shapes and sizes.

EDUCATION

Photos by Sarah Moosazadeh

Seventh-grader Shiraz Agichtein plays Dorothy in the opening show Wednesday afternoon, March 1. Her previous productions include “Music Man,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Annie” and “Peter Pan.”

Dorothy (Shiraz Agichtein) gets some wisdom from Aunt Em (fifth-grader Shilat Shalom) while (from left) Hickory (sixth-grader Sharon Hatami), Hunk (seventh-grader Miriam Lynn), Uncle Henry (sixth-grader Gil Slomka) and Professor Marvel (sixth-grader Sammy Lebowitz) listen.

Dorothy (Shiraz Agichtein) meets the Scarecrow (Jordan Joel) while traveling the yellow brick road toward Emerald City.

Glinda (sixth-grader Eva Beresin) rescues Dorothy (Shiraz Agichtein), the Scarecrow (sixth-grader Jordan Joel), the Tinman (sixth-grader Dov Karlin) and the Lion (sixth-grader Miriam Burmenko) from a field of poppies.

Dorothy (Shiraz Agichtein) meets Glinda (Eva Beresin) amid the Munchkins.

Dorothy (Shiraz Agichtein), the Scarecrow (Jordan Joel) and the Tinman (Dov Karlin) get lost in the woods while searching for the wicked witch.

Off to See This ‘Wizard’

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Atlanta Jewish Academy followed the yellow brick road and chose “The Wizard of Oz” for the annual musical performed by the day school’s fifth- to eighthgraders. The students performed four shows from March 1 to 5 at the Sandy Springs campus. ■

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EDUCATION

Nitzan Gilady: The Filmmaker as Outsider By Bob Bahr

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Israeli filmmaker Nitzan Gilady has been lecturing this spring semester to a small group of Emory undergraduates with little filmmaking experience. His three-month course is “Constructing Reality in Israeli Documentary Films,” something he has done for 20 years. The past two decades, his work has been shown at 120 film festivals and won 13 international awards. But on a recent Wednesday afternoon he was hard at work behind a small video camera in a nondescript, windowless classroom, trying to get his student group of film beginners to understand the secret of his success. “The most important gift you can give as a filmmaker is the gift of truth,” he said. “There is no absolute truth. It is the truth of how you see things and how you feel about it.” But getting at the truth, or constructing reality, as he prefers to call it, has not been easy. He chased the truth in the shadowy world of a New York Hasidic sect with 2003’s “In Satmar Custody.” Then he was in the middle of a battle in Je-

Nitzan Gilady is a Schusterman visiting artist at Emory University this Spring.

Moran Rosenblatt (right) as Hagit and Assi Levy as her mother, Sarah, helped Nitzan Gilady’s “Wedding Doll” win two Israeli Academy Awards.

rusalem a decade ago with “Jerusalem Is Proud to Present,” his documentary about the city’s first gay pride parade. What made that documentary the most difficult film crafted by this tall son of Yemenite immigrants was that neither his conservative father nor his mother nor anyone other than a few close friends knew he was gay. Concealing his sexual orientation took its toll. “For two years after, I had this weird feeling in my stomach. I was afraid,” Gilady said. The film was a hit, and he summoned up the courage to tell his parents the truth about himself. He was 35.

“If I would blame anyone” for his concealing the truth for so long, “I would blame myself for not being able to stand up for myself. You should be able to take your own place in society just like everyone else.” For four months this semester the film writer and director is a Schusterman visiting Israeli artist in Emory’s film and media studies department. His stay is part of a program sponsored by the Israel Institute in Washington on more than a dozen college campuses across the country. To local audiences, Gilady is perhaps best known for his first narrative

feature, “Wedding Doll,” a big hit at the 2016 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. It’s a charming and tender romance between a young woman with a developmental disability and the son of the owner of the factory where she works. The film won two Israeli Academy Awards in 2016. The Emory Cinematheque is sponsoring a free retrospective of five of his films, starting with “Wedding Doll” in White Hall at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 15. The common thread that runs through the five films and much of Gilady’s work is the role of the outsider who is never quite able to fit in. He describes himself as an outsider. He is an Israeli born into the community of immigrants who came from Arab lands in the late 1940s and 1950s and have struggled for acceptance. “I connect with people who are outsiders,” Gilady said. “I know exactly what they go through. I know how difficult it is to be different.” The other Emory screenings are “The Last Enemy,” “In Satmar Custody,” “Jerusalem Is Proud to Present,” and a highly personal film from 2012, “Family Time.” “Family Time” tells the story of Gilady’s weeklong family trip to the Grand Canyon in a small RV. During the journey, each family member is confronted by some of the painful truths of family life. One of his brothers faces the truth of his flight from Israel to a life in America. Another brother confronts his post-traumatic stress disorder, the result of Israeli military service. Gilady, during the making of the film, has his first real conversation with his parents about his sexual identity. “I thought I was going to die when I first showed the documentary to my parents. I was sitting behind them shaking,” he said. “During the film my father was dabbing at his eyes, and I knew he was crying.” In the end, though, truth wins out, just as in his movies. “They said they loved the film,” Gilady said, “but what they meant is ‘We love you. We accept you, and we love you.’ For me, it was amazing, and it was unbelievable.” ■ On March 28, Bob Bahr begins a sixweek class on Tuesday mornings at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs, “In Search of Three Jews: Steven Spielberg, Sidney Lumet and Woody Allen at the Movies.” Tuition is $49, and it is open to the public (bit.ly/2mtZYDu).

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EDUCATION

Author: Horrific Past Haunts Israel’s Future David Grossman’s little boy came home from kindergarten one day, shaken and terrified, after the Holocaust was taught in class that morning. “He asked me, ‘Why did they do what they did?’ And I, who wrote the book about a child deprived of knowing about it (“See Under: Love,” 1986), found myself reluctant to talk to him,” the Israeli author said during an appearance at Emory University. Protecting children from reality is a frequent topic in his books. “It is a naive, pure child,” he said. “If he knows what people are able to do to other human beings, the option of human brutality and cruelty, then his pure, childlike mind will be polluted forever. Inside he will never be the child he was.” Grossman’s talk, “The Holocaust’s Carrier Pigeon: Reflections on Writing and Memory,” was the annual Tenenbaum Family Lecture in Judaic Studies on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Grossman has written more than a dozen works of fiction and nonfiction. “Parents in other, more normal places on Earth find themselves confused and embarrassed when they have to tell their children about facts of life, while we first have to deal with the facts of death that are so entangled in our destiny,” he said. Grossman said he is haunted by a World War II incident he once heard about in which two kids were picked up from a playground and carted off to an extermination camp. He lamented “the unbearable lightness in which a Jew can be uprooted” and said Jews always feel like foreigners, regardless of location. “This existential lack of confidence is the most typical of symptoms of the Jewish condition,” he said. “For thousands of years we Jews do not feel at home in the world. It prevails even (after) 69 years in our sovereign home — a kind of deep foreignness of the Jews among other people, a solitude in which what happened with the Shoah was just the most extreme and most murderous expression.” It’s a self-perpetuating problem, Grossman said. “Time and again you see the youngsters of Israel, who should be liberated from the anxieties of their parents and grandparents, … struggling with the memory of the Shoah. They’re almost doomed to go back to it. So many of us are still like that, the carrier pigeon of the Shoah. It will be hard for Israelis to get rid of the anxieties of the past that are ingrained

Photo by Kevin Madigan

David Grossman longs for Israel to have fixed, accepted borders.

in them and from the distortions of war and violence.” Just as the past looms large for Israelis, he said, the future is in question. “We have a glorious past, traumatic sometimes and tragic; a very agitated present; and yet the idea of the future is

frail and problematic for us. Others can be sure about the future of their country — the Dutch, Belgians, the Americans — if it even occurs to them. No Israeli will think of the future without an unpleasant feeling of hesitation.” Not having permanent boundaries is a huge problem, Grossman said. “I dream of a time when Israel will a have a fixed border recognized by the U.N. and the whole world, including Arab countries. This is so important.” Though Israel has “enormous military might,” the country settles for mere survival and seems unable to take calculated risks that would “create a situation in which gradually the conflict with our neighbors will be solved,

and then and only then will we feel at home in the world.” A supporter of Palestinian rights, Grossman added, “My hope is that settling the problem between us and our neighbors could cure a deep disability in the sense of our acceptance into some normalcy.” He concluded: “In every man there is an active woman, even if he doesn’t know it, and vice versa. In every old person there is a child; also in every child there is an old person. In every sane human being there is an insane one. I will go one step further: In every Israeli there is a Palestinian, and vice versa. We are practical people, and we have to act practically.” ■

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

By Kevin Madigan kmadigan@atljewishtimes.com

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HOME

Lawyer Builds Home Gallery From Ground Up Gary Snyder’s Buckhead home is a restful, museumlike escape triggering a response from color and savvy construction. Snyder, a senior partner at law firm Greenberg Traurig, designed and built the contemporary home to showcase a mix of top-flight art and sophisticated bachelor living. Snyder knows what he likes and how to get it. He initially was inspired to collect art by his fiancée, Ellen, who lives in Manhattan and is active in New York’s cultural scene through the Lotos Club, a literary and art club on East 66th. She has influenced his purchases, especially a wire-mesh ballerina costume sculpture. (Mark Twain was among the early members of the club, which began admitting women only in 1977.) Snyder, a proud grandfather, is studied and hands-on about what goes where and why. The furniture includes tangerine dining room chairs but is predominantly neutral to showcase the art, which is not shy. The chicest chair north of Miami is a cranberry velvet midcentury modern anchoring the great room alongside a black marble garden bench. It’s quite an “aha” setting.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Jaffe: So here you are an attorney, and you see a vacant lot. How did we get to this point? Snyder: Nineteen years ago I was impressed by this piece of land. The lot had been on my route carpooling my daughters to and from the Epstein School at the Peachtree Battle location. I had been looking at town houses but was inspired to proceed with an architect and builder, Julian LeCraw, who jokingly thought I would be easy to work with as a single man and not having a spouse with whom to debate. Then we formed a team with Carole Weaks (interior designer) and Fay Gold (art consultant). It was completed in one year. I am always adding and refreshing. Jaffe: How would you describe your style? What atmosphere did you want to create in your home? Snyder: I like a contemporary feel without hard chrome edges. The high ceilings (24 feet) and gray walls let the art and red tones pop. I move 30 art around a bit to find just the right

angle. Of course, the windows let everything breathe in the wide-open outdoors. The lighting is mostly from a funky boutique store in Virginia-Highland and one on Miami Circle. Jaffe: You gravitate toward bold colors and some lighthearted pieces. What are your favorites?

Chai-Style Homes By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

Snyder: I first discovered Miami Beach modern pop artist Romero Britto at Fay Gold’s gallery. I have his work indoors and also out by the pool: “Boom Fish.” I bought my first Britto at his gallery on Lincoln Road in South Beach. The larger red sculpture in the great room is “Doubt” by Jerry Peart. The smaller bronze is by Tolla, which I bought in St. Paul de Vence in the south of France. I am also a business partner with the artist Anthony Liggins, now also based in Miami Beach, who did this mushroom sculpture which almost abuts the ceiling. I have several of his works. The Alex Katz in the entrance to the media room is of his wife, Ada. He recently appeared at our High Museum of Art. He is 90 years old.

ahead of its time and for developing your clients’ cultural awareness. Gold (art consultant): The moment you enter Gary Snyder’s home in Buckhead, you are struck by its contemporary, sharp, white symmetry. His collection attracts your eye since the walls are covered with works in various media. Gary celebrates the joy of having the spirit of the artist close to him. His selections have become assets which have greatly appreciated in value, although his passion for them is based on their exchange of new ideas and relaxation of rigid boundaries. When he makes up his mind that an artist is right, he follows his heart. Gary is not a timid collector. He likes to “Speculate! Gamble! Take risks!” He opens himself to new expressions of feelings through art.

Jaffe: Fay, you have a reputation as an iconic visionary who for 30 years has taken the Atlanta art world to new heights. Gary said he admires your instinct for recommending work

Jaffe: Gary, what are some of your most unusual works? Snyder: At the pool you will see a sculpture by Israeli artist Boaz Vaadia: a Buddha bronze with a cement base

that weighs 5,000 pounds and had to be installed with a crane. The energetic work off the kitchen is by disco singer Donna Summer, who recently passed away. I liked her music. I am most recently enthralled by this Sophia Vari piece titled “Fulgurations 1994” from the Rosenberg & Co. Gallery in Manhattan. I am fond of the cubist era. We think it’s a man sawing (laughing). I also have Jasper Johns and Rauschenberg signed prints and two Rocio Rodriguez oil paintings — all very different. And let’s give kudos to local philanthropist Ron Balser, who crafted this marble bench with my favorite saying: “Nothing Happens Until You Make It Happen,” 2008. Jaffe: Last word. I can’t decide if this is a gallery that looks like a house, or a house that is made to feel like a gallery. Snyder: Art provides the prism that connects everyday life to the magical. ■

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A: The highlights of the dining room are the painting “War of Attrition” by Rocio Rodriguez and tangerine chairs by David Iatesta. B: The neutral tones in the master bedroom help the Liggins painting over the fireplace stand out. C: Jerry Peart’s crimson statue “Doubt” brightens the living room. D: Gary Snyder’s front entrance gallery includes a cerulean oil painting by Anthony Liggins, an iron sculpture by Vincent Magni that Snyder purchased in Paris at the Place des Vosges, and an oil painting acquired in Aspen, Colo. E: Gary Snyder enjoys the openness of a 24-foot ceiling in the great room. The area includes a mushroom-shaped sculpture by Liggins high on the wall, a three-panel Jasper Johns print called “Untitled” on the back wall, and a bronze sculpture of dancers by Tolla on the coffee table. F: Alex Katz’s portrait of his wife, Ada, hangs at the entrance to the media room. G: “Ellen’s room,” reflecting the influence of Gary Snyder’s fiancé, features a wire-mesh ballerina costume sculpture by Susan Freda. H: Gary Snyder’s favorite new addition, from the Rosenberg & Co. Gallery in Manhattan, is “Fulgurations 1994” by Sophia Vari. I: Rocio Rodriguez’s oil painting “Border” is in the master bedroom. J: Romero Britto’s “Boom Fish” is a natural fit for the pool area. K: Israeli artist Boaz Vaadia’s Buddha “Eli” weighs 5,000 pounds and had to be installed by crane.

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BUSINESS

AKC Certifies Only Single-Estate U.S. Rum By Robbie Medwed Richland Rum, produced just over two hours from Atlanta in southwest Georgia, is the nation’s only singleestate rum and just gained Atlanta Kosher Commission certification. Both Richland Rum and its unrefined sugarcane syrup, Almost Rum, are certified. Rum is traditionally made from fermented molasses. It was the original alcoholic drink of the American colonists and played a major role in the colonies’ relationship with Britain. Slaves in the Caribbean harvested sugarcane and processed it into sugar, which was then sold to the colonists. The byproduct of sugarcane processing is molasses, which was collected in vats to ferment. The fermented mixture was distilled to create rum. Richland Rum owners Erik and Karin Vonk grow sugarcane on the farm they purchased in 1999 after Erik left Randstad, where he was president

and CEO. Sugarcane, which looks vaguely like oversized bamboo shoots, grows to about 8 feet tall over the summer and into the fall. Come late October and November, the fields are harvested, and the cut stalks are transported to the distillery a few miles away at 333 E. Broad St. in the center of Richland. (The distillery is open for tours weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) No other U.S. distillery grows its own sugarcane for its rum. Richland Rum is cared for by the same group of people from farm to glass. Richland also uses pure sugarcane juice instead of molasses, which makes for a lighter, almost sweeter product. I visited the sugarcane fields and distillery during Sukkot with a group of bartenders and cocktail writers and talked with the Vonks. My work for koshercocktail.com came up. The Vonks said they had always wanted to become certified kosher because “there were a considerable

amount of people that didn’t have access to our rum, simply because it wasn’t certified kosher. We had a few people come in for a tour but couldn’t taste it.” Many people place pure rum into a category of spirits requiring no kosher certification, but others take a stricter approach. After a bit of research, the Vonks realized that their methods and ingredients fit the AKC requirements, so they didn’t have to change their artisan methods, ingredients or tools. They just needed an AKC inspection. “Rabbi David Kayser came out and inspected our facility, processes and equipment,” Karin said. “All in all, it took about four to five hours. We were very pleased with the simplicity of the process and the devotion of Rabbi Reuven Stein to make sure that each piece met the overall criteria to become kosher.” The process was so easy because Richland’s rum contains just three in-

gredients: sugarcane juice, yeast and water. Sugarcane juice is mixed with a bit of water and yeast and ferments for five or six days. The mixture is distilled and aged in barrels for a few years, developing a rich, brown color and an incredible flavor. It’s worlds away from what you used to drink in college. Many people drink it like whiskey — in a glass with maybe an ice cube or a drop of water and nothing more. Richland Rum is available at local liquor stores and is certified kosher when bearing the AKC symbol. The Vonks are building a second distillery near Brunswick, where they plan to make an unaged (clear) rum. As they build the facility from the ground up, they are keeping the requirements of kosher certification in mind and are going a step farther to become certified for Passover in addition to year-round use. ■

For a Great Present, Adapt to Millennials

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

When is the most important time in life, the past, the present or the future? The past is our history, the future is our destiny, and the present is a gift from G-d. Yes, it is important to learn from the past so as not to make the same mistakes. It is also important to look to the future to create a path toward our destiny. But to be fully alive and engaged in life is to be present in every moment of today. What does this have to do with business? If a business, company or organization is viewed as a living entity, it also has a past, present and future. Likewise, a business must learn from the past, plan for the future and live in the present. Unfortunately, many organizations are struggling with the most prevalent employees of today. If businesses are to continue to grow, they must understand the demographic shift in today’s workforce. This demographic shift came as no surprise to anyone. Millennials have surpassed baby boomers as the nation’s largest living generation, according to population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Millennials, 32 defined as those who were ages 18 to

34 in 2015, now number 75.4 million, surpassing the 74.9 million baby boomers. And the gap will only grow. We must focus our attention on

Coach’s Corner By Jason Adler JasonAdler@johnmaxwellgroup.com

this generation. We need to engage millennials at work to grow successful organizations. But how do you do that? First, let’s dispel several myths about millennials. Here are a few: • Millennials want to change jobs frequently. • Money doesn’t matter to millennials. • Every millennial wants to be an entrepreneur. • Millennials are lazy. Here are the facts: • A study by the Pew Research Center shows that millennials value job security more highly than boomers do but won’t stay at a job they dislike. • The Pew study also found that millennials put “a high-paying job” near the bottom of their list of work priorities — but so do other generations, in roughly equal proportions.

• A recent Wall Street Journal analysis of Federal Reserve data shows that the share of people under age 30 who own private businesses has hit a 24-year low of 3.6 percent. • They want to get tasks done in the most efficient, least time-consuming way possible and squeeze out the max results. They use technology to accomplish everything quicker. So what can be done to engage this all-important generation at work? • Communicate often. The way millennials communicate — texting, tweeting, Snapchat, etc. — is real time and continual. Millennials are accustomed to constant communication and feedback. So not only is responding to email correspondence within 24 hours a must, but so is scheduling a weekly managerial check-in. • Build a strengths-based culture. Organizations that invest in strengthsbased development achieve as much as a 29 percent increase in profit and a 15 percent improvement in employee engagement. Organizations should transition to strengths-based cultures to attract and keep the best employees. • Be a coach, not a boss. Millennials want to be valued by their supervisors as people and employees and want to work with their managers vs. having to work for them. They care

about having managers who can coach them and help them understand and build their strengths. • Help them grow. Millennials want to experience as much training as possible. Start by building and measuring the effectiveness of mentoring programs alongside other learning and education. Then provide them with leadership training. • Create a corporate social responsibility initiative. This is the key. Millennials want their job to be their way to make a positive contribution to the world. For Millennials, a job is no longer just a job; it’s life as well. They will work harder, smarter and be more engaged when they can connect to causes greater than themselves. You may think this is pandering to millennials and has the employeremployee relationship turned upside down. You might be correct. However, just as we eliminated sweatshops and tyrannical bosses in the 20th century, so today’s workplace is evolving. If you want your present to be a gift from G-d, it’s time to move your employment strategy into the 21st century. ■ Jason Adler is a John Maxwell-certified executive coach (www.johncmaxwellgroup.com/jasonadler) helping organizations hire and keep quality employees.

OBITUARIES

Robert Dreyer 93, Dunwoody

Robert Lewis Dreyer passed away Wednesday night, March 1, 2017, at age 93. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 3, 1923, but called Atlanta home the past 50 years, 48 of which he was married to the love of his life, Ernestene Betsill Dreyer. No one fought pancreatic cancer harder than he did. Robert was involved in the National Association of Women’s and Children’s Apparel, serving as national president. He was a major advocate for his fellow traveling salesmen. After forming his own company, Bureau Match, he furthered his support of his peers by matching them with the perfect manufacturing jobs. As a member of Congregation Or VeShalom, he was head usher for 30 years. He is survived by his loving wife, Ernestene Betsill Dreyer. He was predeceased by a daughter, Karen Dreyer Friedman, and is survived by adoring children Sherri (Jerry) Kramer, Barbara (Ed Green) Pomer, Barry Dreyer, Tricia Dreyer, Alan Dreyer and Susan (Tim) Nichols. His 11 grandchildren lighted up his life; Kelli Meyer, Ryan Phillips, Hilary Phillips, Emily Nichols, Eric Nichols, Russell Dreyer, Joshua Blanton, Zack Pomer, Alex Pomer, Sloane Dreyer and Holden Dreyer will miss his enormous presence in their life. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Funeral services were held Sunday, March 5, at Congregation Or VeShalom with Rabbi Hayyim Kassorla officiating; burial followed in Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice, www.weinsteinhospice.org, or Hadassah Greater Atlanta, www.hadassa.org/atlanta. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Henrietta Gilbert 88, Atlanta

Henrietta Biloon Gilbert, 88, died Monday, Feb. 27, 2017, after a life well lived. She leaves a close-knit family and many dear friends whom she considered her extended family. All of them will miss her far more than words could ever express. Born Oct. 10, 1928, Henrietta was one of four children (including a twin brother) of Alvin and Fannie Biloon of Tarrytown, N.Y. Henrietta was an extraordinary woman: loving, warm and vivacious, and always quick with a laugh that raised the spirits of those around her. Everyone adored Henrietta, especially her husband, Jerome (Jerry) Gilbert, whom she married in 1951 after a blind date and who died in 2007. They moved from New York to Florida and ultimately settled in 1954 in Atlanta, where they enjoyed Jerry’s successful career. Henrietta shared her big heart with many organizations, including her synagogue, civic and volunteer associations, and mah jong group. She was a deeply devoted and beloved mother. Her children, Beth (Jeff) Tatelman, Gary (Karen) Gilbert and Francee (Larry) Craig, will miss her greatly. Her five grandchildren also adored her: Leanne Tatelman Podzinski, Michael Craig, Jaclyn Gilbert, Hannah Craig and Reed Gilbert. Henrietta’s joyous love and zest for life, which she taught us, will be carried forward because that is what she wanted. She will always be a blessed memory. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held Wednesday, March 1, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Bradley Levenberg officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice, 3150 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327, www.weinsteinhospice.com, or to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Marion Goren Marion Goren, age 87, of Marietta died Friday, March 3, 2017. Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Sandy Gerber of Atlanta; a sister, Ruth Greenfield of New York; daughter-in-law Marlene Goren of Atlanta; grandchildren Harrison Gerber and Jennifer Goren; and great-grandchildren Arianna, Keera and Dakota. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Goren; her son, Barry Goren; and a sister, Pearl Leferson, of blessed memory. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Weber School, 6751 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30328. A graveside service was held Sunday, March 5, at Arlington Memorial Park with Rabbi Samantha Shabman officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

87, Marietta

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ARTS

Temima Play Will Relive ‘The Temple Bombing’ Real Coke Kosher Drama Retains Urgent Relevance

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

By Rena Gray

There is a flurry of commotion. Lighting and sound are tested. Scenery pieces move left and right under careful direction, and costumes are donned amid the chatter and high-pitched giggles prevalent among high school girls. Though this familiar scene repeats itself every two years, something is different about the anticipation. The introduction of a new concept, perhaps? A fresh script whose origins lie right here in Atlanta? We’re talking about the upcoming musical production put on by the girls of Temima, the Richard & Jean Katz High School: “It’s the Real Thing! You’ll Know When You Taste It — Putting Atlanta on the Map: Coca-Cola & Rabbi Tobias Geffen, Spiritual Leader of Atlanta, 1910.” The story follows the efforts of Rabbi Geffen to create a Jewish presence in Atlanta and his role in establishing kosher certification for CocaCola early in the 20th century. Written by Temima Principal Miriam Feldman, the script was conceived after extensive research about CocaCola and the Geffen family, as well as Jewish Atlanta at that time. Contact with members of the Geffen family from the beginning of the process has added a personal touch to the story. The show is directed by Rachelle Freedman. The Temima girls made the costumes, scenery and props. The entire Geffen family (with eight children) is represented in the show and played by Temima students. Born in Kovno in 1870, Rabbi Geffen was raised in a traditional Lithuanian Jewish home. He married Sara Hene Rabinowitz and immigrated to the United States, establishing roots in Atlanta in 1910 at Congregation Shearith Israel. Almost immediately upon arrival, Rabbi Geffen sought to establish a Jewish community, streamlining kashrut supervision and founding Atlanta’s first Hebrew school. Rabbi Geffen arrived soon after Coca-Cola was developed and gained popularity across the country, including among Jews. But rabbis disagreed about the kosher status of the beverage.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

Temima students promote the forthcoming musical during the Purim carnival at Congregation Beth Jacob on Sunday, March 5.

Rabbi Geffen felt a responsibility to solve this issue because he was located at the source of the problem. However, because of Coca-Cola’s infamous secrecy, he faced challenges in proclaiming it kosher. Let the Temima girls share his story and lasting impact. Since its inception in 1996, Temima has presented 14 musical productions to the women of the Atlanta Jewish community. The professional-level productions have been well received by close to 600 women each season. Temima has also taken its Chanukah show, “Twirl & Zip,” on tour to Jewish preschools throughout Atlanta. “We have our girls work on these musicals to internalize the messages which are integral to them growing to be Jewish women who take responsibility for their community, themselves and their Jewish identity,” said Gitty Golding, the activities coordinator at Temima and producer of the shows. “We feel our students have a lot to learn from the vision, dreams and hard work of both Rabbi Geffen and CocaCola,” she said. “It is their big dreams, long-term vision and perseverance that impact our thriving Jewish community to this day, as well as the global name brand that was born right here.” Meechal Lovett, who plays Rabbi Geffen, had no prior knowledge of her character. “I had no idea that such a story happened in the city I live in.” Representing this remarkable figure and his love for fellow Jews is daunting, she said, but she identifies with the rabbi’s value of family connection. “Our students are proud that they are still living Rabbi Geffen’s dream today,” Golding said. “And as Coke says, we’d like to share it in a way that is enjoyable, creative and exciting.” ■

What: “It’s the Real Thing” Where: Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 N. Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, March 14 and 15

Tickets: $22 in advance, $26 at the door, $15 for students (women and girls only); www.Temima.org/production

The world premiere of “The Temple Bombing,” the Alliance Theatre drama adapted from the book by Melissa Fay Greene, is sweeping through audiences as a clarion companion to America’s current political fury and hate crimes. The play centers on the 1958 bombing of Atlanta’s oldest and most prominent synagogue, The Temple, and that historic event’s aftermath. The show gets an A for creativity and relevance but brings along some risk of character confusion. The lead actors, Todd Weeks as Rabbi Jacob Rothschild and Caitlin O’Connell as Janice Rothschild, could not have been more compelling, clear and believable. But many of the other actors shift in and out of different characters, regardless of sex or race. While that approach is trendy, as seen in the Broadway smash “Hamilton” and with Cate Blanchett playing Bob Dylan in “I’m Not There,” it led to awkwardness in following the plot line. A black man, a finely trained and versatile actor, flips from a Jewish female congregant carrying a purse to a male white Klan witness. A black woman portraying a Temple member suddenly becomes a white judge. If the message is that we are all interchangeable in regard to race and sex, one might ask why the four accused haters are portrayed only by white men. Set designer Meredith Ries gets high marks for a snazzy stage with moving parts — dashing, flashing up and down, in and out of focus as scenes change. The lighting design by Jake DeGroot has shadows, shades and backdropped tones that soar. The lighting in the scene with Rabbi Rothschild being consoled by Mayor William Hartsfield exemplifies the effectiveness. The play works in the finest and edgiest of ways. Civil rights, hate crimes, the role of “moderate” Jews to blend in (or not), and the importance of clergy leadership could not be more relevant. A chilling quote in the play comes from Atlanta Constitution Editor Ralph McGill: “When the wolves of hate are loosed on one people, then no one is safe.”

Photos by Greg Mooney

Colorful lawyer Reuben Garland (Ric Reitz) puts Janice Rothschild (Caitlin O’Connell) on the stand.

Mayor William Hartsfield (Justin Walker) consoles Rabbi Jacob Rothschild (Todd Weeks) at the scene of devastation after the bombing.

And don’t miss the comment in the play that the “new synagogue on Northside Drive,” Ahavath Achim, was the initial target, even though it’s believed that Rabbi Rothschild’s outspoken support for civil rights led to the dynamiting of The Temple at 3:30 a.m. Oct. 12, 1958. Lawyer Bob Fierman recalls that he was 9 years old when his father, Frank, then the director of the Atlanta Jewish Community Center on Peachtree Street, awoke him at 6 a.m. to view the minor damage to the center grounds that could be observed from The Temple. He remembers the chilling fear of seeing the devastation of The Temple from a distance. After seeing the play, Fierman said: “J.B. Stoner (a segregationist and bomber) may be dead, but ‘The Temple Bombing’ reminds us that the cycles of anti-Semitism, like Leo Frank, are still with us. … There are plenty of young people ready to replace them with new haters.” The play, written and directed by Jimmy Maize, is a must-see. Just as Berlin schoolchildren are required to go to their Holocaust museum, every Atlanta high-schooler should experience this re-enactment. ■ What: “The Temple Bombing” Where: Alliance Theatre, 1280 Peachtree St., Midtown When: Through Sunday, March 12 Tickets: $20 to $77; alliancetheatre. org/production/the-temple-bombing

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ARTS

Necessity Drives Israel’s Military Might By Al Shams How did Israel become a high-tech military superpower? The simple answer is it had to in order to survive. Immediately after declaring its independence, Israel was assaulted by the armies of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and others. The tiny nation had virtually nothing to defend itself, and many Western countries did not want to supply the fledgling state. The fact that Israel survived the 1948 war is a great miracle. In the wars after 1948, Israel had varying levels of success in getting weapons from Western powers. France, Britain and the United States were unwilling to provide arms at various times. An incident in late 1969 is worth relating. In 1967, Israel purchased four 90-foot coastal patrol boats from France, which accepted payment and built the boats but then decided not to deliver them. In a daring nighttime operation, Israeli commandos entered the shipyard, took the boats and sailed them to Israel. Nobody likes paying for a boat and not receiving it. That event and many others eventually forced Israel to decide that it must rely on its own resources for de-

fense. Now the Israeli arms industry is an exporter of great importance. The exception is fighter aircraft, which Israel has obtained from the United States the past 30 years. Israel decided that it could not afford to develop its own military aircraft. The book “The Weapon Wizards” goes into detail about how Israel developed various weapon systems. The areas in which Israel excels include: • Adaptive armor — Many nations have reduced the tank’s role in urban combat because of its vulnerability to short-range rockets. But Israel’s defensive capabilities allow the tank’s use in an urban setting. • Space satellites — After being caught by surprise in the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the IDF saw a great need to be able to monitor enemy troop movements and preparations. That capability has been in place since the 1980s. • Defensive rockets — As a counter to the constant rain of short-range Hamas rockets, Israel has developed the Iron Dome anti-rocket system. No other country has a system like it. In the mid-1980s, President Ronald Reagan invited Israel to be a partner in the “Star Wars” program. Over the years, with U.S. help, the Iron Dome missile

defense system became an operational success. We all saw its value in 2014. • Computer viruses — For several decades, Israel relied primarily on human assets on the ground. Now it uses telecom intercepts, computers and cyber systems. Israel’s best-known cyber strike was Stuxnet, a computer virus introduced into the machines Iran used to enrich uranium. • Drones — Israel was one of the first countries with a drone surveillance program. As early as 1968 an Israeli engineer used toy airplanes for military recon, but senior Israel Defense Forces officers felt that such an effort was unnecessary. That thinking changed with the Yom Kippur War. By 1980, the IDF had a robust drone program. The United States then worked closely with Israel on a drone program. Many believe that Israel’s superiority is based on three key decisions by David Ben-Gurion: • Israel could never match the number of soldiers in the armies of surrounding Arab countries, so the IDF would have to be a people’s army able to rapidly grow by calling up reserves.

• The IDF should emphasize quality over quantity and have a cadre of highly educated, adaptive soldiers. • Science and technology would be vital within the IDF. It is easy to take Israel’s success for granted. But Israel and its leaders made mistakes and faced huge challenges. Hard work, great determination, great courage, great leadership and a realization that the country’s survival is always at stake are elements that have led Israel to become a respected military power. G-d smiles on Israel. ■

The Weapon Wizards By Yaakov Katz and Amir Bohbot St. Martin’s Press, 304 pages, $27.99

The ninth annual Athens Jewish Film Festival offers a four-day celebration of Jewish cinema March 18 to 21. Many of the movies were shown at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival this year or last year, including the opening feature, the Dutch romantic comedy “Moos,” which screens at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 18, before a celebration catered by home.made at 7 p.m. at Hotel Indigo. Other films familiar to Atlanta Jewish Film Festival attendees are Israeli family fantasy “Abulele” at 1 p.m. March 19, Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball documentary “On the Map” at 3 p.m. March 19, Israeli Holocaust survivor murder mystery/comedy “Fire Birds” at 7:45 p.m. March 19, and French-Israeli family dramedy “The Kind Words” at 4 p.m. March 20. Also on the schedule are “A Blind Hero,” a dramatized version of the true story of a German businessman who saved his Jewish employees from the Nazis, at 5 p.m. March 19; “Fever

at Dawn,” about two Hungarian Holocaust survivors who find each other and fall in love in Sweden, at 6:30 p.m. March 20; and “Peter the Third,” an Israeli comedy about a man who runs for political office just to get a pension, at 8:45 p.m. March 20. The festival closes March 21 with the 5 p.m. screening of three shorts submitted through a competition, “Yehudit” from Israel, “Jewish Blind Date” from Switzerland and “The Yidlife Crisis” from Canada; a 6 p.m. reception; and the 7 p.m. showing of “For the Love of Spock,” director Adam Nimoy’s documentary about his father, Leonard, and the “Star Trek” character he played. All the films are showing at Ciné Bar Café Cinema at 234 W. Hancock Ave. A festival pass, which covers everything except opening night, is $45. Opening night is $40 for the film and celebration or $30 for the party only. Visit athensjff.org for tickets and details. ■

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Athens Film Fest Runs From ‘Moos’ to ‘Spock’

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ARTS Jewish Arts Month March is Jewish Arts Month, and the American Guild of Judaic Art is marking the occasion with a celebration of synagogue art. Members of the American Guild of Judaic Art, an organization founded in New York in 1991, create art that can be considered hiddur mitzvah, a way to beautify or glorify Jewish rituals and celebrations. One subset of that art is synagogue art, examples of which can be found on this page from Flora Rosefsky, Lynette Joel and Bonnie Cohen. You can view more synagogue art at jewishart.org/synagogue-art. Jewish Arts Month aims to raise awareness and encourage exhibitions and collections so future generations

gain a better understanding of Jewish culture.

Artist in Double Residence

Jewish Atlanta will have two consecutive weekends to spend time with world-renowned artist Mordechai Rosenstein. Congregation Or Hadash, continuing its bar mitzvah celebration, welcomes Rosenstein from March 15 to 19. His visit to the Sandy Springs synagogue will include a painting event for third- to seventh-graders, a dessert reception, a gallery tour of his works, several dropin paint-with-artist sessions to create a work for Or Hadash, talks at Friday and Saturday services, and a wine-and-

painting session with the artist (the only event for which there is a charge — $18 for nonmembers of the synagogue). All the details are available at www.or-hadash.org/ event/artist-in-residence.html. Rosenstein then will be at Temple Beth Tikvah, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, March 23 to 26. The “Master of the Hebrew Alphabet” will work with the community on an anniversary artwork during multiple sessions, will hold a wine-and-painting session ($18) one night, will spend some time with Beth Tikvah’s tots, and will speak at Friday and Saturday services. The details are available at www.bethtikvah.com.

Craft Show Returns

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225 of the nation’s top contemporary craft artists presenting jewelry, clothing, furniture and other home décor at the American Craft Show from March 17 to 19 at the Cobb Galleria Centre at 2 Galleria Parkway in the Cumberland area. The show celebrates the American Craft Council’s 75th anniversary. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. A one-day pass is $13, or you can attend free the whole weekend by joining the American Craft Council for $40. Tickets are more information are available at www.craftcouncil.org/atlanta.

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Fans Ahead of and Behind Atlanta United in Loss By Patrice Worthy Atlanta United FC’s first regularseason game ended with a 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls that left the sellout crowd of 55,279 grumbling about the officiating and the failure of another Arthur Blank-owned team to hold a late lead. But the excitement and optimism about the Major League Soccer expansion team survived one disappointing result at Bobby Dodd Stadium, where United will play until Mercedes-Benz Stadium is ready. Forward Yamil Asad scored United’s only goal in the 25th minute off a beautiful cross from Tyrone Mears, and United held the lead for more than 50 minutes with an aggressive style that produced strong possession time. United Coach Tata Martino capitalized on the technical skills of players from the Argentinian leagues while honing the aggression familiar to South American play to complement the finesse of MLS. “It’s not that different from other teams necessarily. They have a determined style and want to compete for the playoffs,” Martino said. “They want to be aggressive and control the ball. They won’t be the only team to play

Photo by Eric Rossitch, Atlanta United

Atlanta United players celebrate the historic opening goal by Yamil Asad against the New York Red Bulls.

like that — there are other teams in the league to play a similar style — but that’s the kind of style we want.” But United is a young team that has trained together only since Jan. 23, including four preseason games, and its lack of cohesiveness showed as it surrendered the tying goal off a corner kick in the 76th minute, then lost on what was ruled an own goal by defender Anton Walkes six minutes later. “We don’t know if it will be days or months or how long it will take for the team to come together, but hopefully you’ll see it in our first few matches,” Martino said. “Once we had all the players together, we tried to establish a clear form of how we want to play, and we did that by talking a lot, having team meetings and trying to get on the same page.”

Before the game ended, Carlos Carmona received the first red card in United history as frustration mounted on and off the field with the 17 fouls called against Atlanta. The red card proved to be the last straw, and United supporters started throwing things onto the field. The intensity of the fans reflected the years of hard work to bring a team to Atlanta. Sam Veal, the founder of the supporter club Resurgence, said Atlanta is ready for a change of sports environment. “People weren’t sitting down, and that says a lot,” Veal said. “It’s speaking to a different population of sporting fans in the city. I’m very confident, when it comes to the passion of fans.” MLS Commissioner Don Garber agreed. He said the number of fans at

Bobby Dodd Stadium left him speechless, and United has set a record by selling more than 30,000 season tickets its first year. “I’m not sure any of our clubs have the size of the supporters they have, especially before their first game,” Garber said. He said Blank was certain Atlanta had a strong soccer fan base when they began to talk about expansion in the South in 2008, and the first match proved that league expansion in the Southeast was a smart move. “We wanted to be in this city when we were thinking about expanding south of Washington, D.C., when the league was a third of the size it is now. He said it to me back then, and he said it to me just now, that this is a great sports town, and people here love the city. It’s changing, it’s diverse, and there are lots of young people,” Garber said. “I think it’s another jewel in the crown of the city. I’m proud Atlanta is in Major League Soccer and really proud we can show images from today around the world.” Veal said the loss reflected the team’s youth and inexperience but not its future. “I’m not worried about the loss. I left the stadium feeling very hopeful.” ■

Israel Surprises Baseball World With 2 Wins By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

Team Israel showed that it can win with pitching and defense and it can win with relentless offense by grabbing two victories in less than 24 hours to open the World Baseball Classic. The Israeli team, composed almost entirely of Jewish Americans, began the 16-nation tournament by beating host South Korea 2-1 in 10 innings, then pummeled Taiwan 15-7. Both games were played at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome — a lot like Tampa’s Tropicana Field but with more sunlight — and both featured important contributions from players who have spent time with the Atlanta Braves. This is the fourth time the World Baseball Classic has been played but the first time Israel has qualified for the baseball equivalent of soccer’s World Cup. Israel was the last of the 16 teams to earn its spot, qualifying in a fourteam tournament in Brooklyn in the 38 fall, and entered the WBC as a 100-1

shot to win. Unlike the defending champion Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the Netherlands and the United States, Israel’s roster isn’t packed with current major-leaguers. Most of the players are in the minor leagues, while others are former major-leaguers, some trying to work their way back to the big leagues. Team Israel’s ace starting pitcher and former Brave Jason Marquis last pitched in the major leagues in May 2015, when the Reds cut him. But he shut out South Korea for the first three innings in Monday’s tournament opener, despite appearing to struggle with his control and release point. He left the game before throwing his 50th pitch so that under the WBC’s pitch-limit rules he’ll be able to take the mound again Wednesday against the Netherlands, scheduled for 10 p.m. Atlanta time on MLB Network. First baseman Nate Freiman, who started spring training with the Braves last year, scored the first run of the tournament when Tyler Krieger

walked with the bases loaded in the second inning. But Israel failed to get a hit to break the game open, and Korea tied the game in the fifth inning. Israel also loaded the bases in the seventh and eighth innings but failed to score. The team didn’t get a hit with a runner in scoring position until the 10th inning, when shortstop Scott Burcham’s two-out infield single brought home pinch runner Mike Meyers from third. It was a frustrating game at the plate for Team Israel, which had eight hits and nine walks but left 14 runners on base. It was a different story in Game 2 against Taiwan. After taking 10 innings to get a single hit with a runner in scoring position against Korea, Israel needed only three batters against Taiwan. Ike Davis singled in Sam Fuld and Ty Kelly to give Israel the lead, and the team went on to score four runs and knock out Taiwan’s starting pitcher before the first inning ended.

Catcher Ryan Lavarnway, an exBrave, hit a two-run home run in the third inning, and Korea didn’t get a man on base until the fourth inning as starting pitcher Corey Baker cruised. An Israel error in the sixth inning led to three Taiwan runs, but Israel responded with five runs in the seventh inning, three of them scoring on a squeeze bunt when no one from Taiwan covered first base. Lavarnway finished the game 2 for 3 after going 1 for 3 with two walks against Korea. He also threw out a Korean player trying to steal second. Freiman, who went 0 for 4 with a walk against Korea, went 3 for 6 with a home run and a team-high four RBI against Taiwan. He was one of four Team Israel players with three hits each as the team totaled 20 hits. Now Israel, which was a long shot to reach the quarterfinals by finishing in the top two of the four-team round robin, has a good chance of advancing even with a loss to the Netherlands in its third game. ■

Blessing Them All Believe me when I tell you I did not become Shaindle all on my own. The universe sent angels to ensure I stayed focused on becoming the best Shaindle I could be. Admittedly, a few wonderful devils managed to sneak in. Indeed, those devils showed me how to have some great times, but they were always politely booted out the door by my angels. My first angel almost blew it. It was my mom’s (z”l) obstetrician, who insisted she was pregnant with twin boys. Can you imagine two of me? And boys? Surprises can come in tiny packages. I was the first of my mom’s three girls. I would have to say my cousin Loretta came next. Teaching me how to be. Teaching me, not so successfully, how to shop for clothes and how to wear them. Introducing me to the sweet pink nail polish named Ten Little Baby Fingers and telling me never to bite my nails. I never did. Loretta helped me learn to play piano and to navigate being a first-generation American. And when she and her boyfriend, Mike, became serious, he would help me create and correct my English papers. My first-grade teacher, I so wish I remembered her name, helped me on my journey by supporting me the first time I decided to change my name. My yearning to find me began way back then. She never made fun of me, so neither did my classmates when I announced the change. I remember, once when I was sent to the principal’s office for “visiting” my classmates too often, she called me by my new name. I could not have loved her any more than I did at that moment. My aunt Jeanette taught me the value of friendship, honesty, confidences, sewing and unconditional support. She taught me that being creative is a wonderful outlet if we can simply trust ourselves. Jeanette kept her home well-appointed and clean. A clean home, a clear mind. Mom and her sisters, Ruthie and Jeanette, had homes that were HGTV beautiful. I should know: I am an HGTV addict. Uncle Jack and Aunt Edna taught me by example. Kind and thoughtful, true mitzvah makers. Then there was the teacher (no

names please) who proctored one of the compulsory regents exams we had to pass to graduate high school and gain college entry. The instructions were clear: Last name first, middle initial and first name last were to be printed clearly at the top of the blue exam booklet or the judges would not bother reading your responses inside the booklet.

CROSSWORD 2

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ACROSS 1. Any (discovered) part of the Mishkan 6. “___ Sam” (Sean Penn film) 9. Be unselfish 14. Ben-Gurion rental 15. Saul Berenson’s org. on “Homeland” 16. He’s usually mentioned with Amos 17. Evil-plotting heroic smuggler? 19. Parts for a shochet 20. Selig was its commissioner 21. They cheer for Team Israel 22. (Some Elite) chewy candy 23. He gets along well with The Donald 24. Casspi plays one for a living 25. Jewish savior who was a wicked son? 30. One rebelling against G-d 31. Boy singing group originally from Florida, for short 32. One to care for a sick red heifer 34. More in need of refuah shlema 35. Tool on a kibbutz 36. Give land for peace, e.g. 38. Red ___ 39. Madoff is one 40. Invalidated (like Madoff’s accounts) 41. Noise-making Obi-Wan actor? 45. Bobby Fischer’s corner piece 46. Truth 47. “You’re ___” (Carly Simon hit) 50. Tinker with this publication 51. “Shecket!” 54. Jericho residents 55. Sith lord who was

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Shaindle’s Shpiel

When the proctor made his first set of rounds, he hit the right top corner of my desk with his pointer finger. I looked up, smiled and continued to complete the instructions on the cover of the exam booklet. A few minutes later, he used all the strength his pointer finger could muster and hit my desk again. I looked up and saw a strange look on his face. Hmm. Being the astute student that I was, I stared at that blue booklet until I realized what I had done: first name first, middle initial, then last name. So many angels. I married one and had four girls who prove angels live and love among us. I must not forget the doctors who on at least two occasions saved my life. Angels in the right place at the right time. I had two supervisors, mentors in my working life, who showed me through tough and demanding conversations the road to becoming a Jewish communal professional. They believed in me, pushed me beyond my comfort zone, and showed me how to be a mentor and supervisor: Mike Lainoff, who, when he left, handed me over to Harry Stern. Talk about angels in our midst. As I sit and compose this shpiel, I realize I can go on and on. It took and is still taking a village of angels to bring me here. Perhaps I will see my way clear to compose second and third editions. After all, I have not mentioned my camp counselor when I was 11 and my first serious boyfriend. No, I did not forget my mom, dad and extraordinary sisters, without whom, well, I wouldn’t be. What more can I add? A blessing on their heads. ■

“A Very ‘Star Wars’ Purim”

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

By Shaindle Schmuckler shaindle@atljewishtimes.com

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Israel’s first king? 57. Robin Williams character who spoke a little Yiddish 58. Stat for Thor or Koufax 59. Bird with a similar head to Larry David 60. Syrian president 61. NBA team owned by Joe Lacob, on the scoreboard 62. What rotten herring does

(Beth Din) 27. “A Stranger ___ Us” 28. Avoid, like a Mossad agent 29. Bli follower 30. Display chutzpah, slangily 33. Cruz who strongly supports Israel 35. Pawn (but not one for Fischer) 36. “Someday we will all be ___” 37. Fixes like Rothstein DOWN of the World Series, 1. Emanuel of note supposedly 2. Carrier whose name 39. “Achshav!” means “skyward” 40. Bag on a 2-Down flight 3. Passover sacrifice 42. Saudi land 4. “___ Believer” (Neil 43. ___ off (said some Diamond) lashon hara) 5. Best friend, psychologist 44. Create 52-Down again or maybe a rabbi 47. The “Star Wars” films, 6. Like Lauren Bacall or e.g. Harrison Ford 48. Timna Valley mine 7. Suffers from a plague outputs 8. Cultural Revolution 49. Sheruts, basically leader who supported 50. Obama’s are often Palestinian militants exaggerated 9. First name in Jewish 51. Ramban or Rambam song 52. Avenger created by Lee 10. Astaire or Abdul, and Kirby slangily 53. Drinks in Palestine and 11. Catchphrase of Cher Jerusalem? Horowitz 55. Paper from YU? 12. Dustin’s “Outbreak” 56. Freelancer’s enc. co-star Russo 13. Alleviate LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 18. Light T E L M E L S R A B B I S weapon for I T O E L O I D R R U T H this puzzle L A N A L A N G S P I R A L 22. Locker G R O G M A L I L O room supply L A B A N L A Y S C L A I M 23. Cheesy C H A B I B I E V E L A O actress S A L I A F I E N S Alison? L A R G E S T L A K E 24. Lewis N O F R O T Y M C A Black line, at A K A M U D L E A F I E R times L A S T P L A C E B A S E R 25. Like E L L E F O R R L S the end of P L A N T S L A L A L A N D “Blazing H A N S E N O N E M R B I Saddles” R T E S Y A D S H T E T L 26. Court ___ 39 1

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MARCH 10 ▪ 2017

CLOSING THOUGHTS

MARCH 10 â&#x2013;ª 2017