Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCV NO. 7, March 15, 2020 by Atlanta Jewish Times

NEXT ISSUE: HOME & GARDEN AND PASSOVER RECIPES

VOL. XCV NO. 7 | 18 UNDER 18 AND CAMP

18 UNDER 18

MARCH 15, 2020 | 19 ADAR 5780

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MICHAEL A. MORRIS

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Contributors This Week ALEX BLECKER BRANDON GOLDBERG BOB BAHR CHANA SHAPIRO DAVE SCHECHTER ISABELLE MOKOTOFF JAN JABEN-EILON JAREN LINOWES JODY POLLACK LISA LEBOVITS MARCIA CALLER JAFFE MARK FISHER

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Rising Stars When you read the bios of the 18 Under 18 youth we spotlight, you will know the future of Jewish Atlanta is in competent hands. They represent the boldest and brightest our community has to offer in terms of young leaders with strong academic standings who are heavily involved in their synagogues, schools, youth groups, and in community service. Ranging in age from 10 to 17, these young stars are certainly outliers worthy of our notice. We also focus this week on camp in its multiple forms. From a camp for millennials that features an open bar to the enhanced zipline and aerial adventures at Camp Isidore Alterman, our stories remind you that the heat of summer is just a few months away. Young people dominate this issue. We share the latest ADL report on how white supremacist propaganda has doubled, including on college campuses. There’s an article on Hillels of Georgia honoring cookie magnate Michael Coles and another piece by two young professionals who participated in an ACCESS trip to Japan. The AJT advances the Atlanta Jewish Academy’s Young Women in STEM Career Fair.

THIS WEEK Among our other features, we wrap up two big events in the Jewish world: the AIPAC Policy Conference, including takeaways from two area college students, and closer to home, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. We also highlight how the Jewish community has become more inclusive of people with disabilities, including the recent Inclusion Shabbats in many area synagogues. Trying to be inclusive but understanding that desperate times call for drastic measures, the AJT reports on how Jewish Atlanta is reacting and responding to mobilization surrounding the international coronavirus outbreak and what’s in store for the future of Israeli leadership after the most recent election earlier this month. President Reuven Rivlin has until Tuesday to decide which party he will assign the task of forming a government. Speaking of foreign lands, Temple Sinai discusses several trips the congregation plans to take this year. So much to pack into our issues. Next up is Home and Garden and Passover recipes because after all, nothing like a healthy meal with fresh ingredients from mother nature when the family comes together for the holidays. ì

Cover photo: Our 18 Under 18 finalists represent many facets of Jewish Atlanta.

CONTENTS LOCAL NEWS �� 6 BUSINESS �� 20 ISRAEL NEWS �� 22 OPINION �� 24 18 UNDER 18 �� 26 CAMP �� 40 EDUCATION �� 48 ART �� 50 DINING �� 54 CALENDAR �� 56 COMMUNITY �� 60 KEEPING IT KOSHER �� 68 BRAIN FOOD �� 69 OBITUARIES �� 70 CLOSING THOUGHTS �� 72

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The Atlanta Jewish Times is printed in Georgia and is an equal opportunity employer. The opinions expressed in the Atlanta Jewish Times do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. Periodicals postage paid at Atlanta, Ga. POSTMASTER send address changes to Atlanta Jewish Times 270 Carpenter Drive Suite 320, Atlanta Ga 30328. Established 1925 as The Southern Israelite www.atlantajewishtimes.com ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES (ISSN# 0892-33451) IS PUBLISHED BY SOUTHERN ISRAELITE, LLC © 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES Printed by Walton Press Inc. MEMBER Conexx: America Israel Business Connector American Jewish Press Association Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce Please send all photos, stories and editorial content to: submissions@atljewishtimes.com

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 5

NEWS Being Jewish in the Time of Coronavirus By Dave Schechter

ing the risk of transmission, let us find new ways to welcome one another warmly One of the cherished traditions at Con- like touching elbows and expressing our gregation Bet Haverim comes with recita- warmth in words,” Lesser wrote. Congregations, schools, and other Jewtion of the Hamotzi prayer over bread, after ish institutions throughout Shabbat services. the Atlanta area are copAs the rabbi recites ing with a new reality, one the blessing, a web of worcaused by the spread of COshippers is formed, beginVID-19, a coronavirus that ning with a hand placed the World Health Organizaon the rabbi’s shoulder, tion has said was unknown and a hand placed on that before the December 2019 person’s shoulder, and so outbreak in Wuhan, China. on, until everyone present The faithful have been is connected. advised to change their But no more. The Rabbi Josh Lesser encouraged ways, particularly when it coronavirus designated as Bet Haverim to find new ways comes to kissing a mezuzah COVID-19 has put a stop to to welcome each other “like or the Torah. For example, that tradition. touching elbows and expressing during hakafot, when the Henceforth, “we will our warmth in words.” Torah is carried through refrain from touching one another” during the blessing of the bread, the sanctuary, members of Temple Beth TikRabbi Josh Lesser wrote to members of his vah have been asked to “use your personal tallit to touch the Torah or give a simple nod congregation. As at congregations throughout At- of the head towards the Torah.” The guidlanta, CBH members were asked to refrain ance at Congregation Beth Tefillah to “use from kissing, hugging and shaking hands. alternate means for acts such as kissing the “This will likely feel a loss to the closeness Torah or a mezuzah to show honor and reof our culture, but in the interest of reduc- spect,” came with a benediction, “May G-d

6 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

bring a speedy recovery to all who are ill, Museum. There, a sign affixed to the front and bless us all with good health and hap- door, reads: “If you are sick with a persistent cough or fever, please postpone your visit piness.” Shaking hands is another problem. with us and do not enter the building today.” This is a busy time in the Jewish cal“Wishing someone ‘Shabbat shalom’ or endar, with the holidays ‘yasher koach’ can be done of Purim, which began the verbally, with a nod of the evening of March 9, and head, or an ‘elbow bump,’” Passover, which begins Rabbi Adam Starr wrote to the evening of April 8. “Althe members of Ohr HaTothough this is a wonderful rah. “I ask that no one be oftime of the year, these comfended when other congremunal gatherings put us all gants refrain from shaking at risk and we need to all hands, and please expect take appropriate precauthat I will not be shaking tions,” Beth Tefillah advised hands as well. We also ask its members. that you refrain from kissRabbi Adam Starr told To serve those who ing the Torah as it passes by; congregants not to be offended by people not shaking hands might be disinclined to atto show honor to the Torah, and that they should find tend in person, The Temwe suggest pointing to the other ways to honor the ple, Temple Sinai and TemTorah as it passes and kissTorah than kissing it. ple Kol Emeth were among ing your own hand.” Fist or elbow bumps are the new hand- those included on a list of synagogues nashake. “Consider adopting alternative greet- tionally that livestreamed megillah readings like waving or place one or both hands ings on Purim. The coronavirus is just one more factor over your heart,” the leadership of Beth as Lauren Menis plans her Tikvah wrote to the memdaughter Sarah’s bat mitzbership. When it comes vah for March 21 at Temple to handling food, “During Emanu-El. “I’m trying not HaMotzi and onegs & kidto get really stressed. So far dushes, please use a napkin only a few cancellations or utensil to take challah but expecting more,” she and/or treats.” messaged. The approach at ConLesser wrote to CBH gregation Beth Jacob is twoabout the values of pikuach fold: the religious and the nefesh (preserving life) and practical. “Generosity, conshmirat haguf (protecting cern for others, construcRabbi Ilan Feldman explained the body): “Preserving life that hand sanitizer “use is tive and inspired speech, being a contribution and permitted on Shabbos as long as is often seen as the ultisanitizer is rubbed thoroughly mate Jewish value, trumpnot a source of strife, avoidand absorbed into the skin.” ing virtually all other coming looking for blame, and above all, davening and asking Hashem for mandments. In addition, Judaism teaches health and protection – these are the behav- that taking care of our bodies is incredibly iors of a religious community,” Rabbi Ilan important, especially if we understand that we are created in the Divine image. We are Feldman wrote to his congregation. Beth Jacob members should avoid com- responsible to each these sacred values by following the instructions ing to shul with symptoms and recommendations of of illness, Feldman wrote, medical experts in prevent“even if you are a chiyuv ing the spread of the virus.” (obligated to recite kaddish The Marcus JCC, or lead davening).” Hand where many in the Jewish sanitizer will be available community go to care for and “use is permitted on their bodies, is taking a proShabbos as long as saniactive stance. “Our Support tizer is rubbed thoroughly Services team is currently and absorbed into the using high-level antiviral skin,” Feldman wrote. Jared Powers said the Marcus cleaning agents to properly Hand sanitizer disJCC has upped its cleaning disinfect the entire facility pensers are proliferating and disinfecting efforts. on a daily basis,” JCC Directhroughout the community, including at The Selig Center, home tor Jared Powers wrote to members. “Staff to the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta members are being reminded to follow and the William Breman Jewish Heritage procedures for sanitizing toys in preschool

NEWS classrooms and Kid Zone, equipment in the the Paper Brigade of Vilna.” Coronavirus concerns also have imfitness center, high-use surfaces, and equippacted the weekend civil rights history ment/supplies throughout the facility.” In addition, “We will be making sure trips led by Billy Planer through his Etgar that all youth program participants engage 36 program. In a year’s time, more than in frequent and proper hand washing and 2,400 people travel with Etgar, includthat we remind them about proper use and ing synagogues and school groups from disposal of tissues. We’d like to remind our throughout the country, to visit historic sites in Atlanta and Alaadult participants as well,” bama. Powers said. As of the first weekend If face-to-face meetof March, “Basically, so far ings with clients are not just one school, a Jewish possible, Jewish Family & day school from northCareer Services plans to ern California, canceled. employ technology to Everyone else has called bridge the gap. “As a clientto see what options they centered social service have. The temple I am with agency, we intend to confrom Westchester [N.Y.] this tinue serving our clients in weekend originally had 90 times of public health disAt The Epstein School, David Abusch-Magder has traded people on the trip and now ruption, should that occur. elbow bumping for high-fives. we have 60,” Planer said. We will utilize tele-mental Back at Bet Haverim, when it came health protocols, phone sessions, and all other services we can do remotely,” JF&CS time for the blessing over the bread, rather than hands on shoulders, worshippers stated on its website. Jewish day schools are reassessing pointed toward their neighbors or toward procedures and plans, as well. The proper the plate of challah. “It brings a sense of way to wash hands might be considered a gravity when you alter a ritual that you’ve mundane subject, but it is receiving extra been doing for beyond 20 years,” Lesser said. He told those attendattention from students ing services, “Some of you and staff at The Epstein wouldn’t want to give up School, said David Abuschthis ritual, but the truth Magder, the head of school. is, because we are in comAs this article was munity, separately from written, The Epstein what each of us might School was considering want, we have to figure out whether to proceed with what might work best for a its seventh grade trip to group of people.” Washington, D.C., in the Instead of delivering third week of March, and a sermon, Lesser offered a its eighth grade trip to IsBilly Planer has seen text from the Talmud about rael in the third week of cancellations in people attending his Etgar civil how a group of rabbis dealt April, both trips involving rights history trips. with a contagious disease, about 40 students. prompting discussion about how people act At The Weber School, the contents of a when only limited information is available, letter sent Feb. 28 to the school community by Rabbi Ed Harwitz, the head of school, and and are uncertain whether they are overreprincipal Shlaina Van Dyke, were discussed acting or under reacting. “It felt like such a with students and faculty during an assem- helpful release valve for people to recognize bly that day. “All students, faculty and staff the kind of anxiety we’re living in,” he said. who are ill or feeling ill should stay home In this new reality, “We may need to be more until they recover. If you have any concerns, thoughtful about how we connect with each we ask that your child be examined by a other. We can connect with our eyes. We medical professional. Depending on the di- need to be more present than just putting a agnosis, Weber may require clearance from hand on someone’s shoulder.” For Abusch-Magder the coronavirus a doctor to return to campus,” the letter said, has changed a cherished personal habit, one with that last line written in bold-faced type. that he feels strengthens emotional and perThe Tam Institute for Jewish Studies sonal relationships with his students at The at Emory University, “due to health/travel Epstein School. “I’m a big high-fiver with the concerns and out of an abundance of caukids,” he said. Now, “we’re being more caution,” canceled the 24th annual Tenentious. We’re elbow bumping. It’s less satisfybaum Lecture scheduled for March 19. The ing, but it is what it is.” ì speaker was to have been professor David E. Fishman from the Jewish Theological Semi[Note: The author is a member of Bet nary, the author of “The Book Smugglers: Haverim but did not attend the service dePartisans, Poets and the Race to Save Jewish scribed here.] Treasures from the Nazis. The True Story of ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 7

NEWS

White Supremacist Propaganda Hits Recorded High By Paula Baroff According to a new ADL report, white supremacist propaganda doubled last year in the United States, with a total of 2,713 cases reported in 2019. This is the highest number of incidents the ADL has ever recorded. Cases of propaganda in Georgia contributed to that number. “The report found that there was a steady increase in the number of propaganda The ADL graphic contained in the report shows a distributions across the coundoubling of white supremacist propaganda in 2019. try,” said Amy Iandiorio, one of ADL’s investigative researchers events at the Montgomery Bell State Park in on extremism. Propaganda means physical Burns, Tenn., with multiple groups hosting pieces of literature, stickers, banners and events there. other items that are placed in a public space, All examples of propaganda in the U.S. she said. This report only focuses on physical were posted at such places as schools, on propaganda: “Online propaganda is its own street signs, or on posters. “The numbers that beast. … They have different levels of success we got this year are the highest that we’ve seen and exposure than what we track in the pub- since we’ve been documenting this,” Iandiorio lic sphere,” she said. said. The ADL counts propaganda distribution In Georgia, both Patriot Front and the both on and off campus and found there was Daily Stormer Book Club distributed flyers, a substantial increase of incidents in both. according to an ADL press release. Patriot About 630 incidents were reported on Front’s propaganda efforts included placing college campuses, which is almost double fliers on the front of a synagogue in Colum- the reported number in 2018. They targeted bus, Ga., that said, “Better dead than red” and 433 campuses in 43 states and Washington, “Reclaim America.” D.C. Off-campus incidents accounted for Other activity in Georgia included neo- 2,083 reported, which was a 133 percent inNazi group The Base, which was responsible crease from 2018. Every state except Hawaii for a propaganda incident last year. Across reported at least one propaganda incident. the Southeast, the ADL found that Patriot The distribution of occurrences can be found Front and American Identity Movement on ADL’s H.E.A.T Map on its website, which (formerly Identity Evropa) have a significant shows the type and number of various incipresence. dents across the United States. Other incidents included a swastika “White supremacists see propaganda and cross burning in Tazewell, Tenn., by vari- distribution – including fliering, leafleting ous Ku Klux Klan groups and the Nationalist and stickering – as a convenient and practiSocialist Movement. There were also several cally anonymous way to promote their mes-

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of all propaganda incidents were attributed to Patriot Front. The Texas-based group uses a red, white and blue color scheme in its propaganda and included new slogans in 2019 such as “One Nation Against Invasion,” “For the Nation Against the State” and “America is Not for Sale.” There were at least 50 incidents of Patriot Front hanging banners from buildings, overpasses or footbridges with messages such as “Revolution Examples of propaganda by Patriot Front, based in Texas. is Tradition,” “Reclaim America,” and “Deport Them All,” the ADL sages of hate and intolerance,” ADL CEO report stated. Jonathan Greenblatt said in a press release. American Identity Movement rebrand“While we know extremists and hate groups ed after the 2017 neo-Nazi and white supremare emboldened by the current environment, acist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, this surge in fliering and propaganda distri- Va., which hurt its reputation, Iandiorio said. bution powerfully demonstrates how bigots The group has shifted from European-cenare able to spread their message without tric messaging and imagery to propaganda compromising their anonymity.” promoting the preservation of America’s About 90 percent of the year’s white “white culture,” the ADL said in the report. supremacist propaganda activity was car- New propaganda includes the slogans “Deried out by three organizations: Patriot Front, fend America,” “Nationalism not Globalism,” American Identity Movement and New Jer- “Diversity Destroys Nations,” and “Embrace sey European Heritage Association. Other Your Identity.” groups responsible for propaganda distribuPropaganda from various groups has tions included the Daily Stormer Book Clubs, been placed on establishments including the Ku Klux Klan, and a variety of other neo- synagogues and multicultural centers. The Nazi and white supremacist groups. content itself doesn't always specifically tar“I think it’s important for communi- get these groups with their slogans, but the ties to know that they’re doing this and it placement does explicitly target them. doesn’t necessarily mean these people are in “They’re seeing propaganda is a quick their communities,” Landiario said. Because and easy way for them to increase their mesplacing propaganda is anonymous and can saging, increase fear in communities, but also be done by a few individuals, it is able to be to increase that first point of contact,” Iandiodistributed across the United States, even rio said. Distributing propaganda in public though groups may be headquartered in spaces using patriotic imagery is a recruitother regions. ment effort to make contact with people who “These are groups that are trying to nor- may not be part of a white supremacist movemalize their messaging. A lot of their messag- ment but are susceptible to the messaging. ing has to do with an idyllic white identity,” “I think the normalization of these Iandiorio said. Propaganda often has a patri- messages, the fact that they feel emboldotic slant, using popular public discourse as ened. ... Just this weekend we saw members a launching point to normalize their views, of Patriot Front marching through D.C. with she said. They use topics such as anti-immi- their flag and masks,” Iandiorio said. “These gration and patriotism to couch a white su- groups feel they’re in a space where they can premacist ideology. do these things. We saw it increase over the “The barrage of propaganda, which years. I think their coordinated effort to place overwhelmingly features veiled white su- this propaganda in public spaces is going to premacist language with a ‘patriotic’ slant, continue.” Groups continue to rely on flash is an attempt to normalize the white su- demonstrations, rather than pre-publicized premacists’ message and bolster recruitment events, the report stated. efforts while targeting minority groups, It’s important for people to be vigilant including Jews, blacks, Muslims, non-white when it comes to hate in their communities immigrants and the LGBTQ community,” and report any instances of white supremasaid Oren Segal, ADL’s vice president for the cist propaganda to the ADL, Iandiorio said. Center on Extremism. “There are groups across the country dediAccording to the ADL’s data, 66 percent cated to fighting hate.” ì

NEWS

Atlanta Jews Lead Interfaith Anti-Hate Lobby By Paula Baroff A coalition of Jewish and non-Jewish organizations met in downtown Atlanta Feb. 26 to lobby the Georgia legislature for hate crimes legislation. The effort was led by Tzedek Georgia and the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta. Before the diverse group of Jews, Christians, Muslims, and others walked from The Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception to the Georgia Capitol to meet with key legislators and lobby their representatives, there was a breakfast, panel and brief discussion. Considering the legislation and how to lobby, Tzedek Georgia and JCRCA joined forces with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center, of which JCRC is a founding member; the Anti-Defamation League; several legislators, including Sens. Brandon Beach and Elena Parent, and Rep. Mike Wilensky; and Jeff Graham, the executive director of Georgia Equality, an LGBTQ rights group. “Georgia is one of five states in the nation that still does not have a hate crimes statute. Georgia citizens are not protected from most hate crimes that could and would occur,” the ADL’s Allison PadillaGoodman told the AJT. “We have a hate crimes bill that’s been given wide bipartisan support. We have bipartisan sponsors and ADL leads a coalition called ‘Hate Free Georgia’ that has 30-plus different organizations on the coalition that represent both sides of the aisle and all affinity groups all coming together.” The hate crimes bill, HB 426, passed the House last year and is currently sitting in the Senate Judiciary Committee. “We are excited about the prospect of this bill passing,” said Padilla-Goodman, vice president of ADL’s Southern division. “We think that once we get a hearing, we’ve got a really good chance of making Georgia the 46th state in the nation that has a hate crimes statute and protects its citizens for identitybased crimes.” A hate crime must have two pieces, she said: a bias motivation and an underlying crime. The bill would be a penalty enhancement, saying that crimes motivated by bias are more severe. HB 426 would protect all people from bias crimes based on religion, race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender or disability. JCRC has supported hate crimes legislation for years. To pass this legislation, they are in coalition with the GIPPC. “We have so many people of faith here and a lot of them are very active in social justice areas, particularly in poverty, housing, healthcare, criminal justice,” said Leslie Anderson, JCRC executive director. “We just felt that would

Leslie Anderson, Rabbi Michael Bernstein, Tarece Johnson and Noah Roos at the interfaith lobby day.

After hearing from the panel, many attending the event walked to the Georgia Capitol to lobby legislators.

be a good opportunity to bring people of all faiths together to show what we have in common and pull together our voices.” Along with the hate crimes bill, the day focused on lobbying against SB 368, which would allow adoption agencies to discriminate against religious and other minorities while receiving government funding. Anderson said she was concerned about the adoption bill. “My reading of it is that it feels very overbroad to me and on its face appears to be problematic. The room for discrimination in a whole bunch of different directions seems so obvious to me.” Tzedek Georgia co-chair Jeff Willard spoke to the crowd about the best way to lobby politicians and said they can be swayed by constituents. If enough people speak face-to-face, call and email their representatives in support or opposition of a bill, it can create pressure on the floor for politicians to vote a certain way. Of the lobby day, Willard told the AJT, “Every single year we stop some bad bills and get some good ones passed.” The goal was to get the hate crimes bill moving to a hearing and vote, and to oppose the adoption bill, he said. Tzedek Georgia has a legislative agenda for the rest of the year that includes supporting gun safety laws, repealing campus carry, and Medicaid expansion. “Religious adoption agencies, they can take money from the state to discriminate against really anyone they want, particularly same-sex couples but it could be Jewish couples as well. We saw in South Carolina that that happened where a Jewish couple was refused adoption by a Christian agency,” Willard said. “One of the governor’s goals is to get more children adopted out of foster care because we have a lot of children in foster care. And that’s just not the best place for them to be. They really need to be in loving homes. And so why cut off sources that are willing to take in children and give them loving homes?” For JCRC intern Noah Roos, this was a great opportunity to learn how to lobby legislators. “I’m definitely very excited to

be able to get to take some action on an important issue,” he said. A former intern on Capitol Hill, Roos has seen the other side of lawmaking, but this is his first time lobbying to pass bills. “It’s been exciting getting to know more about the bill and getting to have worked behind the scenes to help make this happen.” Author and educator Tarece Johnson said that her identity as a black and Jewish woman made hate crimes legislation very important to her. Affiliated with Alliance for Black Lives and Black Lives Matter, Johnson said this bill would be an important pro-

tection for black lives and mentioned the number of transgender people being killed. “Those stiffer laws may deter people from wanting to even commit an act of hate,” Johnson said. This is just one initiative in the collaboration between the Jewish and black communities, she said. They’re also working together on voter awareness and mobilization. “[We can] really be in solidarity with one another around something that impacts both Jewish lives and black lives,” Johnson said of the hate crimes bill. “We’re going to continue to look at ways that we can find things that we can mutually identify with and fight together.” Hate crimes legislation had already been on the agenda of her organizations, making this collaboration an easy one that would benefit both communities. “I’m committed to both because I live this space; I live this life. So I’m committed to doing what I can to make life better for black people, and then I’m Jewish; whatever I can to make life better for Jewish people and to end anti-Semitism and hate around the nation and the world because really, hate crimes have spiked not just in the U.S." ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 9

NEWS

AIPAC Sees New Threat to U.S.-Israel Ties By Dave Schechter

Mike Bloomberg, who is also Jewish, was the lone While the Democrat left on speeches at AIPAC’s the party’s debate annual policy constage to show up in ference garnered the flesh. headlines, the priOn March 4, mary mission of the day after Super the American IsTuesday, Bloomrael Public Affairs berg suspended Committee was his campaign and, carried on away Israel Prime Minster Bernie Sanders, a Democratic Democratic presidential hopeful Joe Biden like Klobuchar and from the WashingBenjamin Netanyahu presidential candidate, drew the ire of delivered his remarks via video. Buttigieg before ton, D.C., convenaddressed AIPAC via video. participants for not attending. him, backed Biden. tion center. In recorded Preserving Democrats’ presidential nomination. merits their support. bipartisan support for Israel is AIPAC’s Sanders, who is Jewish, drew fire remarks played March 1, Biden told the AIPAC CEO Howard Kohr opened prime directive and, inside the hall, poli- the conference by warning of “an emerg- from AIPAC supporters for saying that AIPAC conference that he would “always ticians from across the American politi- ing threat to America’s friendship with he would not attend the AIPAC confer- stand with and for a secure, democratic cal divide spoke of the need to defend Israel. … A growing, highly vocal, and en- ence because the organization provides Jewish state of Israel,” but also cautioned that relationship and not allow Israel to ergized part of the electorate fundamen- a platform “for leaders who express Israel against annexing West Bank terbe “weaponized” as a political issue. tally rejects the value of the U.S.-Israel bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian ritory that would prevent creation of a contiguous Palestinian state. Meanwhile, thousands among the alliance.” rights.” “That’s going to choke off any hope 18,000 people attending the March 1-3 The conference opened the day after In this election year, it was not difconference, including some 4,000 col- ficult to determine that Kohr was refer- former Vice President Joe Biden won a for peace. And to be frank, those moves lege students, marched up Capitol Hill ring to, among others, Vermont Sen. decisive victory in South Carolina’s Dem- are taking Israel further from its demoto lobby members of the House and Sen- Bernie Sanders, who, at the time, was ocratic presidential primary and ended cratic values, undermining support for ate about why bolstering U.S.-Israel ties the presumptive front-runner for the hours before Super Tuesday vote totals Israel in the United States, especially put Biden ahead of Sanders in the contest among young people in both political for delegates to the party’s nominating parties,” he said. “That’s dangerous,” Biden added. convention this July in Milwaukee. In that interval, Minnesota Sen. “We can’t let that happen. We can’t let Amy Klobuchar delivered an address Israel become another issue that divides via video and the next day suspended Republicans and Democrats. We can’t let her campaign and Mayor Pete Buttigieg anything undermine the partnership.” Bloomberg told the AIPAC audience of South Bend, Ind., suspended his campaign before his recorded address was March 2 that “strong supporters” of Israel “don’t need to agree with everything shown. Both then endorsed Biden. In addition to the self-avowed Dem- an Israeli government does. I certainly ocratic Socialist Sanders, Massachusetts don’t. And as proud patriots of America, Sen. Elizabeth Warren also did not par- we do not need to support everything our government does either. Again, I ticipate in the AIPAC conference. Biden delivered his remarks via vid- definitely don’t. Differences of opinion eo, while former New York City Mayor are healthy, even on big issues.”

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NEWS

The administration’s chief representatives at AIPAC were Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Bloomberg did throw some shade in the direction of President Donald Trump. Anti-Semitism “can be found both on the right and the left,” Bloomberg said, “but there is one fact that we cannot ignore: Presidential leadership matters. It sets a tone. It is either inclusive or exclusive, divisive or uniting, incendiary or calming.” Trump has not appeared at the AIPAC conference since 2016, when his criticism of a sitting president, Barack Obama, was rebuked by AIPAC’s leadership, as it strived to maintain bipartisanship. [Note: Trump is scheduled to speak March 14 to the Republican Jewish Coalition meeting in Las Vegas.] The administration’s chief representatives at AIPAC were Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. “The most pro-Israel president in history must not be replaced by one who would be the most anti-Israel president in the history of this nation,” Pence said, referring to Sanders, who may or may become the Democrats’ nominee for the November election. “That’s why you need four more years of President Trump in the White House.” While not referring to Sanders by name, Pence said, “One of the leading candidates openly and repeatedly attacks Israel as a racist state.” Sanders has called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a “reactionary racist,” but has not said that Israel is a racist state. Sanders has expressed support for the “two state solution” that would create a Palestinian nation, while denouncing the building of housing settlements in the West Bank, which many Israelis refer to by the biblical names of Judea and Samaria.

According to its website, AIPAC’s position is: “A durable Israeli-Palestinian peace can best be achieved through direct negotiations between the two parties, resulting in a Jewish state living side-by-side in peace with a demilitarized Palestinian state.” The No. 2 Democrat in the House of Representatives, Steny Hoyer of Maryland, told the conference, “To be frank, however, there has been a lot of heated talk lately about Democrats, and from some Democrats with regard to Israel. I have spent the past 50 years supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship. Let me make it clear: as a party, Democrats in the House stand solidly with Israel and the right of every Israeli to live in peace and security.” As it happened, Israel’s third attempt in a year to elect a Knesset, and thereby a prime minister, came on March 2, in the middle of the AIPAC conference. [Note: Based on results reported March 5 by Israel’s Central Election Commission, a potential bloc formed by Netanyahu’s Likud party and other right-wing parties would fall two or three short of a 61-seat majority in the 120-seat parliament, while the centerleft opposition Blue and White and its center-left allies would have a lesser number.] Netanyahu and Benny Gantz, leader of the Blue and White party, both addressed the conference via video. Netanyahu did not name Sanders but said that accusations of “bigotry” were “outrageous.” “You send a powerful message to all those who seek to weaken our great alliance that they will fail,” Israel’s longestserving prime minister told the AIPAC conference. ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 11

NEWS

Local Rabbis Rebuke Bernie Sanders By Bob Bahr Bernie Sanders may not have been at this year’s policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, but that didn’t mean that he was forgotten. For many of those attending AIPAC’s important annual gathering of Israel’s advocates March 1-3 in Washington, D.C., Sanders was a frequent target. The Temple’s Senior Rabbi Peter Berg was among the 18,000 who attended the meeting earlier this month, including a sizable delegation from Atlanta. Sanders was never far from their minds. “Some mentioned him and some spoke about him without mentioning his name,” Berg pointed out, “but universally Republicans and Democrats critiqued Bernie for not being there.” Sanders, who frequently acknowledges his Jewish ancestry, not only turned down an invitation to attend, but in a message on Twitter, derided the prominent lobbying organization. In a Feb. 23 tweet, he wrote, “I remain concerned about the platform AIPAC provides for leaders who express bigotry and oppose basic Palestinian rights. For that

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Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders was a big topic of contention at AIPAC.

reason, I will not attend their conference.” The words struck a nerve among a broad cross-section of Jewish community leaders, including a number of prominent rabbis from all branches of American Judaism. They quickly circulated an open letter, which is something of a rarity for American rabbis, rejecting what they described as his “outrageous comments.” They rapidly collected 347 signatures on the letter, which praised AIPAC’s bipartisanship as “one of the last remaining vehicles in American politics that proactively seeks to bring Americans from across the political spectrum to achieve a common

goal.” 2018. Berg, a longtime supporter of Israel on Many of these changes in attitude this year’s ballot as a Reform delegate to the were discussed in the book, “Trouble in The World Zionist Congress, describes Sanders Tribe: The American Jewish Conflict Over as “misinformed and his Israel,” by UCLA professor comments about bigotry are Dov Waxman, published in highly regrettable.” 2016. Berg said, “I sat in a sesWaxman delivered the sion at AIPAC in WashingRothschild Memorial lecture ton just before I came back at Emory University the folto Atlanta and immediately lowing year. He points out surrounding me were Demthat what we are observing ocrats, Republicans, Jews, is an important change in Christians, African Amerithe eroding support for Iscans, Hispanic Americans, rael. LGBT Americans, all sitting “What we’re seeing now Rabbi Peter Berg said together and united in talkis a new development since Sanders is “misinformed ing about Israel. He missed I wrote the book,” he said in and his comments the boat.” an interview March 3 with about bigotry are Also among those signthe AJT. “This battle that had highly regrettable.” ing the letter was Rabbi been happening within the Stanley Davids, rabbi emeritus of Temple American Jewish community is now playEmanu-El in Dunwoody, whose long career ing out in American politics at large.” has included the presidency of Association As if to underscore that change, Sen. of Reform Zionists of America and 12 years Joseph Biden, who accepted the invitation on the senior executive committee of the to speak at the AIPAC conference, warned World Zionist Organization. attendees that they had to do “I believe that Bernie more to influence Israel poliSanders, by virtue of the cies toward the Palestinians. people he chooses to gather “Israel has to stop the around himself, by virtue threats of annexation and of the statements he’s made settlement activity,” Biden regarding Israel, has very said. “That’s going to choke weak standing to criticize off any hope for peace.” AIPAC.” He also warned AIPAC Although Davids dethat they had to do more to scribes himself as a lifelong cultivate the younger genDemocratic, he was critieration. cal of what he described as “To be frank,” he continRabbi Adam Starr said he the “progressive wing of the is worried how young Jews ued, “those moves are taking seem to be drifting away party. Israel further from its demofrom support for Israel. “The far-left Democrats cratic values, undermining have drunken the Kool-Aid of anti-Zionism support for Israel in the United States, esas part of its world view and I really regret pecially among young people of both pothat.” litical parties. That’s dangerous. We can’t One Jewish organization of younger let that happen.” activists on the left, IfNotRabbi Adam Starr of Now, in fact, campaigned to the Ohr HaTorah modern keep Democratic presidenorthodox synagogue in Toco tial candidates from speakHills, who also signed the ing from the AIPAC meeting. rabbis’ letter about Sanders They and many like them and who participated in the see AIPAC as too closely AIPAC conference, is also aligned with the policies of worried about how young the right-wing government Jews, particularly, seem to be of Prime Minister Benjamin drifting away from support Netanyahu and his Republifor Israel. can supporters in Washing“That concerns me ton. greatly,” Starr said. “Israel Rabbi Stanley Davids was Polls by Economist/ has always been the great critical of what he calls the “progressive wing” of YouGov show a steady deunifier of the Jewish people the Democratic party. cline among Americans who in the diaspora. Many young strongly support Israel. Support dropped people have grown up without that as a from 47 percent in 2015 to 37 percent in given.” ì

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WWW.ADAMGARDNER2020.COM ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 13

NEWS

‘Cookie Man’ Gets Award

The audience can expect an upbeat sensational show at City Springs for Hillels of Georgia 2020.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe On March 24, Hillels of Georgia will honor Michael Coles, the co-founder of Great American Cookie Company, former CEO of Caribou Coffee and namesake of Kennesaw State University’s Coles College of Business. The event is dubbed “Hillels of Georgia Presents A Salute to Michael Coles: The Impact of One Tough Cookie.” For the second year in a row, the event will be held at City Springs and include a variety of upbeat live entertainment highlighting the impact of Coles’ life as a business expert, serial entrepreneur, education advocate and transformational leader. He is also a published author and well-known public speaker, but his tireless advocacy for Hillel will take center stage. “I have been fortunate in my life to have had many jobs, and this is by far the most important job I have ever had,” Coles said. “In my six years as president of Hillels of Georgia, with the help of our incredible board, we have been able to step up our role across the state to fight antiSemitism and offer college students a safe haven.” When Hillels of Georgia announced that it would devote this year’s Billi and Bernie Marcus Visionary Award to Coles, it seemed like the obvious choice. Hillels of Georgia's mission is to empower Jewish students on campus. Under his leadership, Coles has worked tirelessly to enable Hillels of Georgia to create safe spaces and meaningful experiences for college students across the state. Under Coles’ six-year presidency, Hillels of Georgia increased programming and presence on campuses around the state. And amid a rise of anti-Semitism and discrimination worldwide, he was instrumental in helping the organization grow with the addition of three full-time Israel Fellows to its professional staff to assist in educating and support14 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ing students confronted with anti-Israel sentiment and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Coles played a key factor in strengthening the organization and ensuring that Hillel served as a safe space for students to meet, learn, be involved with Israel, and stay connected. “We are grateful for Michael Coles’ support, which has been instrumental at every stage of our development,” said Bob Wilensky, president of Hillels of Georgia. “Our upcoming event is a celebration of the organization’s growth since 2004, and we look forward to a continued expansion in programming, staffing and support for all students on all campuses in the state of Georgia.” Today, Hillels of Georgia is active on 24 campuses serving 5,000 students across the state. Through programming and mentorship, the organization works to enrich the lives of the Jewish students and significantly increase the number of individuals who have meaningful Jewish experiences on campus. Coles’ commitment to mentorship and higher education is seen in the roles he’s played on the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents and the Kennesaw State University Foundation board. He is actively involved in an array of organizations within the Jewish community, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, The Temple, American Jewish Committee and Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. Coles and wife Donna live between Atlanta and Jackson Hole, Wyo. ì Tickets for “Hillels of Georgia Presents A Salute to Michael Coles: The Impact of One Tough Cookie” start at $150; the event is free to student members of the organization. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at http://hillelsofgeorgia.org/ salute/. All contributions go to programming for the campuses served by Hillels of Georgia.

NEWS

Former Middle East Negotiator Shares His Concerns By Jan Jaben-Eilon

worry too much about U.S. support for Israel. He called it the “cosmic oy vey.” American Jews have a deep sus“I never thought I would see the relationship picion that the United States would sell out Israel, but he thinks the exact opposite is between Israel and the United true. “This country has always States used as a stick to hit been supportive of Israel. And people over the head,” or that when the Republican Party or there would be a “litmus test on the Democratic Party becomes what it means to be pro-Israel.” the go-to party [for Israel], you Those were the words of Aaron can kiss the U.S.-Israeli relaDavid Miller, former U.S. State tionship goodbye. I worry when Department analyst and Midone party thinks it’s the most dle East negotiator under six pro-Israel party and denigrates secretaries of state. the other party.” Now a senior fellow at the When asked about his view Carnegie Endowment for Interof the American Israel Public national Peace, Miller spoke to Affairs Committee, which held about 70 American Jews at the its annual conference days beTillie & Max Stein Family Lecfore he spoke in Atlanta, Millture series held March 3 at Coner cited that a problem arose gregation Or Hadash. when AIPAC transitioned to Miller not only shared his lobbying the executive branch observations about the relarather than Congress. “The relationship between Israel and the tionship that counts is the one American Jewish community, Aaron David Miller calls American between the Israeli prime minhe brought his insight from 25 Jewish concerns about U.S. support ister and the U.S. president,” he years at the State Department, for Israel, a “cosmic oy vey." said. “And I’m concerned that much of it focused on the Middle East, which ended in 2003 when Colin Powell was the current prime minister and the current president have willfully tried to turn the Republican Party Secretary of State under President George W. Bush. A trained historian, Miller attended graduate school at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with Ken Stein, who set up the lecture series to honor his parents. Miller revealed what he learned from traveling on the negotiators’ highway. “For the last 17 years, I’ve been trying to define what we did right and what we did wrong,” he said. For instance, he no longer believes that solving the Israel-Palestine issue would resolve all the issues in the Middle East. Miller noted that there are only three highly functional countries in the region: Israel, Iran and Turkey, all of which are non-Arab. Repeatedly, Miller pointed out that the frame of reference of large countries, such as the United States, is very different from that of small countries like Israel. “The United States is distinguished by being sandwiched between two non-predatory nations,” Mexico and Canada – and fish – he said, referring to the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. “No other nation in the world has such a luxury.” Since he’s left the State Department, through books, articles and TV appearances, Miller said his goal has been to help people understand how difficult it is for the United States to find its way in a very broken, dysfunctional part of the world. Using the selfdefinition of late President John F. Kennedy, Miller calls himself an “idealist without illusion.” He believes that what is important in negotiations, and in marriage, is finding the balance between the way a person wants the world to be and how it really is. And while he urges the American Jewish community to conceptualize the Middle East conflict more broadly, he recognizes how difficult it is because it’s “a very vocal, passionate community.” In fact, he stated that he believes American Jews

“The acid test is whether my mother and father would want to be here tonight,” said Ken Stein on how he chooses speakers for the Stein Family Lecture series.

into the go-to party on Israel. Bipartisanship is what makes the U.S.-Israeli relationship special.” In his introduction to the speaker, Stein explained that the goal of the Stein Family Lecture series was to bring to Atlanta “smart people who know what they’re talking about, who are pragmatic and not left or right. The acid test is whether my mother and father would want to be here tonight.” He added that he wanted people to walk out after Miller’s talk, and say, “I didn’t know that.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 15

NEWS

Vatican Opens Pius XII Papers. Now We Wait By Dave Schechter Now that the Vatican has opened its archive, we may learn, some 80 years later, what Pope Pius XII did, or did not do; said, and did not say; and thought, or did not think, during the Holocaust. Just not right away. Beginning March 2, the Vatican allowed scholars to examine what may be millions of pieces of paper, written in a variety of languages, from Pius XII’s papacy, which began in 1939 following the death of Pope Pius XI, and ended with his own death in 1958. Pius XII’s relative silence during the Holocaust has been criticized by some as a failure to use his moral position to aid Europe’s Jews and explained by others as an attempt to shield the Vatican and church operations from the Nazis. A retired rabbi now living in Atlanta, who has invested some two decades in contact with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, cautions not to hold your breath waiting for revelation of a socalled “smoking gun.”

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The Vatican opened its archive to learn about Pope Pius XII’s involvement – or lack thereof – in the Holocaust.

“I don’t think there’s going to be a major document that will be discovered, that will answer the question everyone is asking: One, what did he (Pius XII) actually do during this entire period? Two, could he have done more? Why didn’t he do more? What influence did he think he had, and what positive steps was he able to effectuate behind the scene,” said Rab-

bi Jeffrey Wohlberg, who retired in 2008 after 23 years as senior rabbi of Adas Israel Congregation, a Conservative congregation in Washington, D.C. For two decades Wohlberg has represented the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly on the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations, an international

group of rabbis and lay leaders formed in 1967 when the Vatican asked that Jewish groups interested in dialogue with the Catholic church create a single representative body. In 1965, Pope Paul VI issued the document known as Nostra Aetate, Latin for “in our time,” in which the Catholic Church repudiated the charge of “deicide”

NEWS against the Jewish people in the death of learn through the archives. This shows Christ and declared that anti-Semitism that the relationship between the Catholic and Jewish communities is strong and will had no place in church doctrine. The members of IJCIC meet annu- create further opportunities for learning ally with either those holding the highest between our communities.” Wohlberg said that the decades duroffices in the Catholic Church, or their representatives, one year organization- ing which scholars and activists sought ally and the next in dialogue on a select- access to Pius XII’s papers should be viewed in the context ed theological theme. of 2,000 years of often(Last year was on the strained relations berise of anti-Semitism tween the church and and the rise of antithe Jewish world. Catholicism.) Two de“The Catholic cades of experience Church is a very comin such conversations plex institution, reliunderpins Wohlberg’s giously and politicalperspective on the ly,” he said. “It does not opening of the archive. change quickly, and it “Different people is very cautious for all will come up with difkinds of reasons, interferent documents. The nal as well as external. documents are going “What we have to be an entree into seen in our life, in my the discussion, but time, has been noth"not provide definitive Dov Wilker, director of the AJC’s Atlanta regional office, said ing short of extraoranswers. I don’t think “there is a lot to learn through the dinary, from before we’ll find a clear anarchives … and they will create Nostra Aetate until swer to any questions. further opportunities for learning now,” Wohlberg said. I think we’ll find indibetween our communities.” “We’ve had relations cations that provide us some insight and some direction, but with extraordinary popes who have done many documents will be ambiguous and extraordinary things, starting with John I doubt that we will find anything of sub- XXIII before Nostra Aetate and until tostance, certainly not immediately, that day with Pope Francis. We’ve gone from will give clear and definitive answers that being a hated adversary to being called will be satisfactory, especially to the crit- ‘our brother, our friend,” from a time when anti-Semitism was perhaps part of ics,” Wohlberg said. The documents that scholars will what was being fostered by the Catholic Church to a time now review “essentially when the leaders of are anything that they the church have asked have in their archives for the forgiveness of that he (Pius XII) prothe Jewish people. duced, that he wrote, “The relationship that he authored perbetween the Catholic sonally or had the Church and the Jewish church produce, his people has not been personal files, anybetter in 2,000 years thing that was written than it is right now. to him by any of his We have a very strong, ambassadors, cardipositive relationship, nals throughout the fostered in part by onworld, or that came going dialogue with to the Vatican,” Wohlthe church hierarchy,” berg said. Wohlberg said. March 2 marked Rabbi Jeffrey Wohlberg said he doesn’t believe the documents will Dialogue between the 80th anniversary answer all the questions being asked. the Catholic Church of Cardinal Eugenio and the Jewish community is a two-way Pacelli’s election to the papacy, for which street, he said. “What we give, what we he chose the name Pius XII. When Pope express is appreciation for the transforFrancis announced in March 2014 that the archive related to Pope Pius XII mations within the church, the recogniwould be opened, he said, “The church is tions of our concerns and our pain, the willingness to speak to us and with us not afraid of history.” Dov Wilker, director of the AJC’s At- in a positive, brotherly, compassionate lanta regional office, said, “As we saw re- way and to acknowledge the importance cently at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival’s of this dialogue and this relationship,” screening of ‘Holy Silence’ there is a lot to Wohlberg said. ì

The Daffodil Dash Sunday, March 29, 2020

9:00am Dunwoody High School 5035 Vermack Road Dunwoody, GA 30338 Register NOW at: www.daffodildash.org email:worldwidedaffodilproject@gmail.com In memory of the children of the Holocaust and Supporting children in Darfur, South Sudan, and Rwanda

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 17

NEWS

AJA to Inspire Next Generation of Women in STEM

At a mentorship event are AJA students Maayan and Yakira Starr and Katherine Cranman.

By Paula Baroff For the second year, Atlanta Jewish Academy will be hosting the Young Women in STEM Career Fair. Jewish girls in eighth through 12th grades are invited to attend the free event March 22 to learn about different STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, math) and meet with women who are professionals in various STEM career fields. The event will feature mini sessions, including computer animation, where the girls can learn the artistic side of technology; green chemistry, a lab about the synthesis of biodiesel from vegetable oil; and the science of makeup. “We end with some hands-on programming so the students can get a deeper dive into some of the different fields that are out

18 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Daisy Bourassa with AJA students Ella Goldstein and Leah Houben in a green chemistry mini-session.

Students Ariel Raggs, Eva Beresin, Jemima Schoen and Miriam Raggs at last year’s career fair.

there,” said event organizer Rivka Monheit. The career fair, organized in partnership with The Weber School, begins with a variety of booths and the opportunity for professional headshots. The interactive displays will include representation from diverse STEM careers, including biotech, industrial engineering and computer design. Registration begins at noon and the girls will be able to peruse the tables, speak with STEM volunteers and get professional headshots taken for free before the keynote speaker at 1 p.m. There will also be a speed-networking period for girls to speak with at least 10 different women with careers in STEM, facilitated by Brenda Morris, corporate relations manager for Georgia Tech’s Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Deborah Berebichez, a physicist, television host and STEM advocate. She is the first Mexican woman to graduate from Stanford University with a doctorate in physics, Monheit said. Berebichez co-hosts Discovery channel’s “Outrageous Acts of Science” and is currently working on an IMAX film “Secrets of the Universe,” narrated by “The Big Bang Theory” star Simon Helberg. “Debbie is really excited to come,” Monheit said. “She’ll be there the entire time to network with the girls. She actively mentors high school students. We’re really excited to have her expertise and enthusiasm and to share her voice with the girls.” Berebichez said she serves as a STEM ambassador to “inspire a young woman to be curious and learn about the world around her. The joy of learning science is the best gift you can give a young person. It will positively influence their self-esteem and guarantee an independent future.” The event will kick off the next round of registrations for the Women in STEM mentorship program, run with JumpSpark, an organization that promotes teen engagement. “The goal of the overall program is to increase access to careers and educational opportunities in STEM,” Monheit said. The mentorship program matches girls with Jewish women who are professionals in a STEM discipline during a yearlong one-on-one mentorship program. The first cohort of the program started in September and will finish in the summer. The current cohort of mentors includes doctors and researchers from the CDC, a nurse, a software engineer, and a research scientist from Georgia Tech. “One of the points of this event [is] for students to see how supportive the women in STEM community is,” Monheit said. “You’re not alone; there are challenges but you’re not alone in facing them and you’re not the first one who faced them. “That’s part of the point of the mentoring program, to really feel the support and hoping that those relationships between mentors and mentees are long term.” Monheit said the program started at AJA, but they enjoy connecting with all the different schools. She spoke at Torah Day School of Atlanta and is planning to speak about women in STEM and her career as a patent attorney. “This is a community program,” she said. The event is sponsored by the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta. The Women in STEM Career Fair will be held March 22 at Atlanta Jewish Academy. The event is free. Register in advance on AJA’s website or at the door. ì

NEWS

Temple Sinai Hosts Travel Scholar

Two years ago, Rabbi Brad Levenberg led a group from Temple Sinai to India.

By Bob Bahr Often when synagogues plan a weekend with a scholar-in-residence they engage a well-known teacher or rabbi or even, as one synagogue did in January, a performer of the music of worship. But for its latest guest scholar, Temple Sinai heard from an authority on Jewish travel. The scholar is Jeremy Leigh, who teaches Israel studies and modern Jewish history at the Hebrew Union College in Jerusalem. He’s also a professional tour guide who has accompanied numerous groups to Jewish travel sites around the world. But his goal is for Jewish travel to be more than merely seeing the sights. In his book about the travel experience, “Jewish Journeys,” Leigh describes the trips we take as an opportunity for self discovery. “Journeys are more than about travel,” he writes. “They comprise the thrilling, challenging, at-times dangerous, and other times depressing encounter with the world beyond. Most importantly, however, they unlock an encounter with oneself.” In conjunction with Leigh’s visit, Temple Sinai has announced an ambitious schedule of four travel programs this year. Two of the trips are to Israel, another is to Croatia and the Balkans and a fourth is a long weekend in Amsterdam. Temple Sinai Rabbi Brad Levenberg, who is accompanying the trip to Croatia and the Balkans in June, believes the journeys deepen the Jewish experience. “Interacting with other cultures and other people helps us to understand what in our own unique Jewish experience is important to us. It also helps us to understand how we’re actually quite similar to so many people all over the world.” Leigh’s presentation last month, “Let My People Go,” capped his visit to the Sandy Springs synagogue. He took his audience on journeys of the imagination to several dif-

ferent places. In Mantua in northern Italy, he pointed out in a photograph of a city street, a small piece of metal that sticks out of the wall. It is the hinge of a gate that once closed off the Mantua ghetto, which helps to recall the entire history of the place. Outside of Auschwitz, he ponders how to direct our gaze at this tragic place. He asked his audience to look not at the buildings but at the railroad tracks and their role in carrying Jews to their journey of death. In Sarajevo, at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a photograph shows a tour group visiting the famous, historical haggadah of the 14th century. In every generation, he notes, people have risen up to kill the Jews. Here too, in Sarajevo, Jews were killed in the civil war of the 1990s. What kind of a conversation, he questions, could we have about life and death and freedom in this museum that houses this historical book? In his talk and in his book, he emphasizes the importance of the imagination in travel. “Journeying to a place where the Jewish drama once unfolded means to acknowledge that imagination and feeling are critical. Jewish journeys are very often about the invisibility of the story, the reality of looking at something that is not there,” Leigh writes in his book. Rabbi Levenberg also believes that travel can bring people closer together in a synagogue that has grown in recent years to more than 1,500 households. “One of the great results, for me, of any congregational trip we take, is being able to look out in the congregation during the following Shabbat services. People who didn’t know each other beforehand are now sitting together and worshiping together.” For Leigh, the experience of group travel as Jews, is similarly profound. “It is,” he says, “a place where we find each other.” ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 19

BUSINESS

Amy Saul was named Rising Star Among Georgia Super Lawyers in the area of family law.

Dr. Cary Goldstein was appointed president of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.

Paige Alexander will be the new CEO of The Carter Center.

Paige Alexander Next Carter Center CEO

The Carter Center announced the selection of Paige Alexander as its next CEO, replacing retired Ambassador Mary Ann Peters when she retires in June. The center’s global CEO search began in the fall. “My life’s work has been to lift up human rights, justice and fairness, economic and social opportunity,” Alexander said in a statement. “For years, I have observed and admired the work of The Carter Center on the ground and in global human rights, health and peacekeeping contexts. Joining the Center at this time of transition, when the world needs the founders’ vision, legacy and mission more than ever, is the privilege of a lifetime.” Board Chair Jason Carter said in the announcement, “Paige Alexander has had a distinguished global career, during which she has held leadership positions for a total of 15 years at USAID and over a decade in the nonprofit sector.” He added, “Paige has deep experience relevant to The Carter Center. This includes election monitoring, democracy- and peacebuilding, rule of law, health systems strengthening and mental health. She is as comfortable in remote rural communities as with heads of state.” Alexander met with former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in his hometown of Plains, Ga. “Rosalynn and I are excited about Paige Alexander becoming the CEO of The Carter Center. We believe her energy, experience, ideas, and ambition for our mission will enable the Center to build on its legacy and important work. Paige is exceptionally well-qualified to leader the Center into its next chapter, and she is fully aligned with our vision and values. We are confident that many of the Center’s most significant accomplishments are yet to come,” he said. 20 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Dr. Cary Goldstein Named AAED President Georgia Commission on the Holocaust to honor teacher Gordon Mathis.

Holocaust Commission To Honor Galloway School Teacher

The Galloway School announced that Gordon Mathis, the head of community engagement, was named the 2020 recipient of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust’s Distinguished Educator of the Year Award. Mathis will be honored at the Georgia Capitol April 24 at the Annual Days of Remembrance Commemoration. This award is presented to full-time educators “who demonstrate excellence and creativity in the development and presentation of lessons or activities which focus on the Holocaust, human rights, civil rights, or character development,” The Galloway School said in a press release. Mathis has been a Galloway faculty member since 1986. Former head of Upper Learning and a current history teacher, he has recently taught an elective class called “Facing History,” where he discussed difficult events in history such as the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide. His recent courses have also included European history and a two-week immersive course that explored grassroots advocacy in the South. “In [his] role at Galloway, [Gordon] has connected with community organizations to promote and foster Holocaust education with students and parents,” said Sandra Craine, the Commission’s education coordinator. Gordon’s “commitment demonstrates that learning how and why the Holocaust happened is an important part of the education of Georgia citizens.”

Atlanta Dr. Cary Goldstein was appointed president of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, the professional organization for the most accomplished researchers, professors and teachers in esthetic dentistry, his office said in a press release. In his new role, Dr. Goldstein’s major objective is making dental insurance more widely available for people. Only about 50 percent of people are protected by by dental insurance and getting approved for procedures and reimbursements is restrictive, so Goldstein hopes to reinvent it so patients are covered for the services they need and dental professionals are reimbursed more effectively. “Current dental insurance plans tie dentists’ hands and prevent them from providing high quality services and products that last longer and save money in the long run,” Goldstein said. “The objective is to put dental care into the hands of dentists and their patients by removing the bureaucracy that counters the best outcomes. We want more people to benefit from better oral healthcare.” Goldstein has taught or lectured at over 150 organizations on four continents and is widely published in professional and consumer publications. Goldstein is a third generation Atlanta prosthodontist, and he has developed advanced tools and less intrusive techniques for patients. These tools include instruments for dentists to produce thin veneers, burrs with self-governors that prevent accidental cutting away of natural dental surfaces, and new techniques for tooth imaging and bleaching, the press release said. These products are in line with his minimalist approach to dentistry, which involves the least amount of invasion and the greatest preservation of natural teeth as possible.

Amy Saul Recognized as Rising Star Lawyer

Amy B. Saul was named as a 2020 Rising Star among Boyd Collar Nolen Tuggle & Roddenbery attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers for 2020 in the area of family law. Founding shareholders of the firm were among firm attorneys named Georgia Super Lawyers. Two were recognized among the Top 100 Georgia Super Lawyers and another shareholder was named among the Top 50 Females. Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only five percent of lawyers in Georgia are selected as Super Lawyers. Selections for Super Lawyers are made through a rigorous process entailing independent attorney-led research, evaluations and peer evaluations. Each candidate is judged on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement, including verdicts/settlements, transactions, special licenses and pro bono service.

Scott Greenfield, CEO of Capstone Financial, which was named an AJC 2020 Top Workplace.

Capstone Financial Named AJC 2020 Top Workplace

For the first time, Capstone Financial, LLC. has been named one of the Atlanta Journal-Constitutions 2020 Top Workplaces. Capstone president and CEO, Scott Greenfield, is an active member of the Jewish community. “It’s an honor to be considered

BUSINESS a top place to work and to have that title associated with our firm by such a prestigious institution as the AJC. More important than that, it’s about the people here at Capstone,” COO Adam Bass said. “It’s about our staff and our leadership team caring tremendously for our advisors and our advisors’ clients,” Bass said. “You have to have a standard of care when you’re dealing with someone’s finances and you have to treat them with the utmost care. Our staff understands that and treats our clients that way.” That stems from the professional and personal leadership and vision of Greenfield, he said. “All of that is at the heart of what we do. That’s why we were able to win that award. ...The real factor is how the people who are here feel about this organization.” Shelley McCune, marketing director at Capstone Financial, also said being listed as a Top Workplace is a huge honor for the company. “The thing very exciting about top workplaces is that it’s based 100 percent off employee feedback,” she said. McCune noted that Greenfield sends his daughter to a Jewish day school and has sponsored Jewish events, including the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival. He and his wife have their own charity, Go Long for Luke, that benefits children with autism.

Retiring Buckhead Coalition president Sam Massell encourages cooperation between banks and nonprofits.

Buckhead Coalition Pushes Banks to Help Nonprofits

The Buckhead Coalition has lobbied community-oriented banks to provide free space, a desk, a file, and chairs to area related tax-exempt associations. More electronic banking has resulted in bank lobbies having unused space, and office rent rates are increasing beyond what small nonprofit groups can afford, so the Buckhead Coalition decided to bring these two issues together. “Partnerships like these will be in keeping with the civic service the banking business brands its image, and should generate some incremental business as well,” retir-

ing Coalition president and former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell said in a press release. An example of such a partnership is Cadence Bank finalizing an arrangement with the nonprofit Buckhead Business Association at Buckhead Tower at Lenox Square to provide free space for the nonprofit. According to the Buckhead Coalition, there are 24 brick and mortar storefront banks in the Buckhead community, and nine of those are considered small, community-oriented banks. There are nearly 30,000 nonprofit groups in Georgia, according to the National Center for Charitable Statistics.

Leadership Sandy Springs Hosts Leadership Event

Leadership Sandy Springs hosted its sixth annual award-winning leadership event, Live Learn Lead, Feb. 27 at Cox Enterprises. The event featured dinner and a panel discussion around the Business Roundtable’s recent Statement of Purpose committing to a new standard of corporate social responsibility. The panelists included Michael Goltzman, vice president of Global Policy and Sustainability at The Coca-Cola Company; Erika James, dean of the Goizueta School of Business at Emory University,

Leadership Sandy Springs hosted its sixth annual leadership event, Live Learn Lead.

and Christopher Womack, president of External Affairs at Southern Company. The moderator was David Rubinger, publisher of the Atlanta Business Chronicle. “Leadership Sandy Springs is pleased and proud to present a community leadership event of this caliber,” said Executive Director Jan Paul. “We began working on Live Learn Lead last summer following news of the Business Roundtable’s new statement of corporate responsibility. We appreciate that two of our distinguished panelists represent companies, The Coca Cola Company and Southern Company, whose CEOs signed the new statement.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 21

ISRAEL PRIDE

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME

Avner Rinot, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel // Wildflowers at the Dead Sea.

Dead Sea Shore Carpeted in Flowers

A long period of rain this winter has caused the shores along the northern Dead Sea to burst into fields of colorful wildflowers. The 4-mile stretch of land between Kibbutz Kalya and Ovnat is carpeted

Today in Israeli History March 15, 1939: Kol Tzion HaLokhemet (“Voice of Fighting Zion”), the underground radio network operated by the Irgun, broadcasts for the first time.

with annual species of flowers and plants “whose seeds can lay dormant in the desert for years until there is enough water for them to germinate,” The Times of Israel reported. The tapestry of flowers includes sections of Rainbow Toadflax, which comes in mauve, yellow, or white; with pink-leaved Rumex; yellow Faktorowsky’s Aaronsonia; and white mignonette. There are also a number of bright red poppies. Faktorowsky’s Aaronsonia is named after Aaron Aaronsohn, a botanist and agronomist. Aaronsohn is known for discovering one of the wild ancestors of wheat, Triticum dicoccum or spelt wheat, in 1906, in what was then Ottoman Palestine. Pink Rumex pictus is edible in small quantities. It contains a chemical that gives it a tangy taste but when consumed in large qualities it can damage the liver and blood vessels.

Technion researchers: professor David Broday, professor Eran Friedler, Ilan Katz and Liron Houber.

Technion Researchers Develop Water-From-Air System

Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology said that they have developed a new system for producing water from air, including in desert regions. The new system, called “H-to-all,” is more energy efficient than other

March 19, 1999: Hanoch Levin’s final play, “Requiem,” makes its debut at Tel Aviv’s Cameri Theatre. The play is based on three short stories by Anton Chekhov. Levin dies of bone cancer at age 56 later in 1999.

March 23, 2016: Aharon Megged, who won almost every literary prize in Israel, dies in Tel Aviv at age 95. He wrote 35 books, as well as plays, skits and articles, and nurtured such writers as A.B. Yehoshua.

March 20, 1917: Yigael Yadin is born in Jerusalem. After becoming the second IDF chief of staff in 1949, he turns to archaeology in 1952. His excavations include Masada, Megiddo and the Dead Sea caves.

March 24, 1966: An instructional program in math targeting seventh- and ninthgraders in 32 schools becomes Israel’s first television broadcast.

March 21, 2016: The Jewish Agency secretly brings 17 Yemeni Jews to Israel, completing an effort in recent years that has helped roughly 200 Jews escape a civil war. About 50 Jews refuse to leave.

U.S. Defense Department photo // Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah presented a Palestinian-Israeli peace initiative at the 2002 Arab League Summit in Beirut.

Photo by Orrling via Wikimedia Commons //

March 17, 1921: Meir Amit, who builds the Mossad into a renowned intelligence agency, is born in Tiberias. A career soldier who joins the Haganah at age 15, he leads the Mossad from 1963 to 1969. March 18, 1974: OPEC lifts the oil embargo it had placed on the United States in the fall of 1973 for resupplying Israel during the Yom Kippur War. 22 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

C-SPAN YouTube screen grab // Vice President

Mike Pence addresses the AIPAC Policy Conference on March 26, 2017.

Photo by Ted Eytan via Wikimedia Commons // Pride is on display during the annual

Tel Aviv Pride Parade in June 2019, more than 31 years after the legalization of homosexuality in Israel.

March 22, 1988: The Knesset repeals a British Mandate-era law banning sex between people of the same gender and thereby legalizes homosexuality in Israel.

berias. Though not Jewish, she was the first woman to publish a volume of Hebrew poetry in Palestine.

March 25, 2019: A rocket destroys a house in Mishmeret, so the IDF bombs suspected Gaza military locations. Thirty rockets then are fired into southern Israel. Egypt brokers a cease-fire to prevent an all-out war.

Knesset member Basel Ghattas, shown in 2013, said he was the victim of discrimination.

March 16, 2017: In the first use of the 2016 MK Impeachment Law, Basel Ghattas, an Arab member of the Knesset for the Joint List, signs a plea deal on charges he smuggled cellphones and documents to prisoners in jail.

technologies, the researchers said. In this system, moisture is stripped from the air with a desiccant. Then the moisture is removed using heat and subatmospheric pressure and condensed into liquid water, according to The Times of Israel. The system also filters water better than existing methods, the researchers said. It uses a concentrated saline solution to kill bacteria. This system can be used in off-grid areas with solar power and works in any climate. “Our technology turns water into a commodity as it enables water to be produced anywhere in the world, without being dependent upon existing sources of liquid water. The prototype we have built demonstrates that the system works as expected and we currently work toward turning it into a commercial product,” professor David Broday, one of the researchers, said in a statement. ì

March 26, 2017: Vice President Mike Pence lays out the Trump administration’s Israel-related goals at the AIPAC Policy Conference. They include the U.S. Embassy’s move to Jerusalem and a comprehensive peace plan. March 27, 1949: Elisheva Bikhovsky, one of the “four mothers” of modern Hebrew poetry, dies of cancer at age 60 in Ti-

March 28, 2002: Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah presents a peace initiative to the Arab League in Beirut. The plan features two states along pre-1967 lines and normal relations between all Arab countries and Israel. March 29, 1967: Writer Yitzhak Dov Berkowitz, who translated the work of his father-in-law, Sholem Aliechem, into Hebrew, dies at age 82. In his own writing, Berkowitz helped bring realism to Hebrew literature. Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details.

ISRAEL NEWS Future of Israeli Government Remains Unclear After Election By Jan Jaben-Eilon

wing bloc, it is not clear whether he can legally do so. That is also the date when After more than a year of uncer- Netanyahu’s trial on several criminal intainty about the future of the Israeli dictments is scheduled to open in Jerusagovernment, several factors became lem District Court. crystal clear after the March 2 elections, Immediately following the March 2 the third elections held election, The Movement since last April. for Quality Government First, Israeli voters in Israel filed a petition weren’t tired of voting; with Israel’s High Court turnout rose to 71 perof Justice arguing that cent. Second, Israeli votNetanyahu cannot form ers weren’t afraid of the a government because coronavirus, although of his indictments. The several separate voting court had been faced booths were established with this question in for as many as 3,000 January, but it punted voters who were under because, at that point, it quarantine. was a theoretical quesUnfortunately, aftion. Israel is heading towards ter the final votes were One High Court “constitutional uncertainty” counted – including justice, Noam Sohlberg, according to Yohanan the ballots of diplomats immediately stated that Plesner, president of the abroad, soldiers and the until Rivlin decides Israel Democracy Institute. quarantined – neither who will be tasked with the right-leaning nor the left-leaning blocs forming a government, the petition canmustered a majority 61 Knesset seats not be accepted. to form a viable government. That’s the “A person accused of criminal chargsame result for the third straight election. es, in particular serious charges such as And it didn’t stop Prime Minister bribery, fraud and breach of trust, canBenjamin Netanyahu from immediately not be seen as fit to take upon himself launching negotiations with the religious the role of forming a government,” stated right-wing parties – Shas, United Torah Ju- The Movement for Quality Government. daism and Yemina – with whom his Likud Not willing to rely on the courts to act, party inched closer to the magical major- leaders of the left and center parties are ity number. Indeed, Likud scored better reported to be considering legislation that in this election than in would prevent a prime the elections of April minister from serving and September last year under indictment. Once when rival party Blue the new Knesset is sworn and White either tied in March 16, it appears to or slightly beat Likud in have a majority to supvote counts. This time port this legislation. Acaround, Likud captured cording to the Hebrew roughly 36 seats to Blue press, a similar law that and White’s 33, equal to would have ejected Neits number after the Septanyahu’s predecessor tember election. Ehud Olmert from his After all the votes seat in 2008 was supporthad been counted, howed by Netanyahu at the Shai Robkin believes the ever, the right-wing bloc time. Olmert resigned bedivision between the majority captured 58 of the 61 fore he was indicted, and of American Jewry and Israel Knesset seats it needed the law never passed. is as wide as it has ever been. to form a majority govWhile initially noternment, but that’s two less than after ing that Netanyahu appeared to win a the April 2019 election when Netanyahu “significant political mandate from the was still unable to cobble together a vi- Israeli people,” Yohanan Plesner, presiable government. dent of the Israel Democracy Institute, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has contended that “the country is heading until March 17 to decide which party he towards constitutional uncertainty. On will assign the task of forming a govern- March 17, the prime minister’s trial will ment. While it’s expected that he will ask begin, and the country will find itself in Netanyahu to form a government, given the unprecedented situation in which the strength of both Likud and the right- the man in charge of institutions of law

and order will begin his fight to clear his least large segments of them – namely religion and public life, including recogniname.” According to Richard S. Walter, vice tion of non-Orthodox forms of Judaism?” According to Atlantan Shai Robkin, president of curriculum and outreach at the Center for Israel Education, aside from who holds dual American and Israeli citithe increase in Netanyahu’s party size in zenship, “the results of the election clearly show that the division the election, the big winbetween the majority of ners, states, are the Arab American Jewry and Isparties. The combined rael is now as wide as perArab list captured 15 haps they have ever been. seats, “up from only 10 The majority of Israel’s after the first election in Jewish population has April. While I don’t think voted for a government anything will change that will advance policies regarding their possible favorable to religious and inclusion in the governnational extremism, poliment, they do need to be cies that are miles apart taken seriously as a pofrom the views of the malitical faction.” jority of American Jews,” Walter added that from the perspective of Besides Prime Minister Benjamin Robkin observed. Netanyahu, the big winners of the “I can only hope American Jews, this elec- election are the Arab parties, said that American Jews do tion isn’t different from Richard S. Walter, vice president of curriculum and outreach at not abandon Israel, but the last two. “Namely, the Center for Israel Education. instead seek out the will these elections produce a government and how will that many Israelis who are working tirelessly government proceed on the issues that on behalf of democracy, civil society and are important to American Jews – or at social justice.”ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 23

OPINION Why Students Need to Attend AIPAC Policy Conference By Alex Blecker

the only democracy in the Middle East. Israel is one of America’s greatest allies, and This past week I had the privilege to join America is one of Israel’s greatest friends, over 18,000 people of all backgrounds at the and their bond is unbreakable. What I learned the most at AIPAC did annual AIPAC Policy Conference in our nation’s capital. Coming together with such a not come from within the doors of the convention center diverse group of itself, but from activists with a the protestors common goal of shouting outside. supporting the For the first time Jewish state of Isin my life, I came rael proved to be face to face with an experience that open anti-Semites. every college stuWhile some vocaldent should gain. Lobbying Sen. Kelly Loeffler, third from ly denied the HoWith the left, are Alex Huskey, Savannah Simpson, locaust, and some anti-Israel BoyWill Vermeulen and Alex Blecker. called for another, cott, Divestment and Sanctions movement quickly gaining these protestors unintentionally proved the traction on college campuses, students like exact opposite of what they were protesting. Their calls for the destruction of AIPAC myself are so often questioning our own set of beliefs regarding the state of Israel. and the state of Israel showed that the JewCollege students are continually being told ish people need a nation they can call home to forget their morals and disavow the sole in the rise of anti-Semitism, a place to esJewish state, so nothing is more reassur- cape the very same anti-Semites that shouting than joining over 4,000 fellow students ed from outside the conference. While deep from hundreds of universities to show sup- down I always knew anti-Semitism existed, seeing it in person changed my perception port for Israel. Once I stepped foot in the conference about the necessity and urgency of a Jewish hall, all feelings of doubt and fear quickly state. Seeing anti-Semitism firsthand was washed away. AIPAC showed me that supporting the land of my people is not an evil the final piece of the puzzle in understandendeavor, nor am I alone in my support. ing why I was at the conference. I was there In the partisan political environment in to do my part as a member of the Jewish which I grew up, nothing made me happier community and as an American citizen. than to see politicians from both sides of It was my job to lobby for the protection the aisle come together to support the Jew- of the state of Israel. On the last day of the conference, as I entered the bus heading ish state. I am convinced that there is nowhere for Capitol Hill, I was ready to make my else in the nation where thousands of peo- presence known to my congresspeople. I ple will stand and clap for both [Republi- was eager to convey the same sense of urcan] Vice President Pence and [Democratic] gency and necessity that I realized just a House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. Seeing day before. By showing up to Capitol Hill in numDemocrats and Republicans put their differences aside and stand together on stage bers, our congresspeople were able to visushows how vital Israel’s existence and secu- alize how significant support for Israel is to rity really are. This is not a liberal or conser- their constituents. If they want to remain in office, they understand that support for Isvative issue, but an American one. With the spreading of lies and misinfor- rael is non-negotiable. That is the power that mation that frame the state of Israel in a bad strength in numbers has in politics. That is why all students that love Islight, I was convinced the Democratic party as a whole was moving away from support- rael need to attend an AIPAC Policy Coning Israel. I am proud to report that this is ference. Being able to come together with not the case. I learned through the passion- over 18,000 supporters of Israel from all ate speeches Sens. Cory Booker and Chuck ethnicities, religions and political ideologies Schumer delivered, as well as the lobbying showed me that by standing together, Israel meeting I had with my Rep. Lucy McBath, would never have to stand alone. ì the majority of Democrats love and support Alex Blecker is a freshman at Oglethorpe Israel just as much as any Republican does. Whether it be for religious or moral University double majoring in economics and reasons, Americans see a clear need to back political science. 24 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

OPINION

See Under: Kvell If you ask why she went into journalism, Darling Daughter might well answer “What choice did I have?” B o r n Dave Schechter when her From Where I Sit parents both worked at CNN, the oldest of our three children grew up visiting the Atlanta headquarters and wearing shirts emblazoned with those three letters. Straight out of college, she worked at the Aiken (S.C.) Standard and then the Greenville (S.C.) News. For the past two years, Darling Daughter has reported on politics and state government for The State newspaper in Columbia, the capital of South Carolina. Which brings us to a remarkable week at the end of February. Leading up to the Feb. 29 Democratic presidential primary, she had spent months covering visits by the men and women seeking the party’s nomination. Her reporting for The State was solid and insightful. Along the way she was interviewed a few times by the cable news networks and their online channels. Still, nothing prepared us for the final week of the South Carolina campaign, when she was interviewed live on a dozen or more occasions. Life came full circle as the little girl who used to visit CNN became the poised young woman interviewed on the network that was her parents’ professional home for a combined 35-plus years. Throughout the week, we kept her siblings, aunts and uncles, maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother apprised of her television appearance schedule. We posted videos and still frames from the television and computer on Facebook. Newspapering, in general, is not glamorous work, but there was our daughter, sounding and looking smart, the camera seeming to favor her. The plaudits that we received from former colleagues, including news veterans who do not praise lightly, were particularly meaningful. On primary day, we drove to Columbia, pulling into a rest stop eastbound on Interstate 20 to watch on our phones her live “hit” on CNN. She knew we were bringing refreshments and snacks to The State’s news-

room, which of course left her a tad embarrassed (What are parents for?). I had secured a credential for the primary night Biden campaign rally in a gymnasium at the University of South Carolina. It had been more than a few years since I had worked in a campaign filing center, which amounted to nothing more than the bleachers and tables behind the elevated platform from which a couple of dozen television cameras recorded the event. Viewed from afar, a filing center resembles a beehive or an anthill in its frenetic activity. I was pleasantly surprised to have impromptu reunions with a couple of former CNN colleagues, now working for other networks. Earlier in the week, at the debate in Charleston, two people with whom I had worked closely took the time to visit with Darling Daughter when she appeared on their network, a gesture I truly appreciated. On primary night, the evening’s treat was standing at the foot of the camera platform stairs to watch my daughter being interviewed. Amid the deafening music piped into the gymnasium, I could not hear a word, but was amazed at the confidence she demonstrated, gesturing animatedly in conversation with the correspondent. I found a space in the bleachers to sit and write most of this column. My father began his career with the Associated Press and spent many years as the editor of publications in the health care and hospital fields. I began life as a newspaper reporter before crossing the street to television, first at the local level and then for many years with CNN. My father died before his granddaughter began her newspaper career. I get choked up thinking about how much he would have enjoyed reading her articles and talking journalism with her, as he did with me. My wife and I may be in the business, but as parents, we got a tremendous kick out of seeing her on television. Anyone who has been a parent knows that there are times when children try your patience, yet those memories recede when you see your child thriving in such an environment. Primary night was a long night. By the next morning, the campaign circus had folded its tent and moved on to the Super Tuesday primary states. We took Darling Daughter to breakfast and then drove back to Atlanta, amazed at what a week it had been for her and, frankly, for us. ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 25

18 UNDER 18 Jewish Atlanta's Young Leaders and Rising Stars Leading their generation into the 2020s, Jewish Atlanta’s 18 Under 18 are up-and-coming stars in the Jewish community. These are young people who share a dedication to their Jewish identity, shine in positions of leadership, excel academically, and show a great commitment to bettering both the Jewish and global communities. Ranging in age from 10 to 17, some are engaged in Jewish youth groups, hold positions of leadership in school and community activities, and volunteer with various community service efforts. Most were nominated by parents, family friends, school faculty or community leaders. Prepare to be amazed by the accomplishments of these very ambitious youth.

Tess Berman , 17

Riverwood International Charter School

18 UNDER 18

Tess is passionate about making a difference in both her community and the world. A role model for her peers, Tess has led her grade at Riverwood High School each year as vice president, continuing to take on more responsibilities. She is a strong advocate for gun control and co-founded Students Demand Action at school, serving as co-president since the organization’s inception. Tess was an ADL intern last summer, a volunteer for the ADL Concert Against Hate, and a participant in ADL’s No Place for Hate Summit. Tess is working with a fellow graduate of The Epstein School to coordinate a voting drive for her high school. She’s also a talented soccer player and an IB Diploma candidate. Activities and Awards: National Honor Society member, January 2020 ADL No Place for Hate Summit participant (2019, 2020) Beta Club member, January 2019 Riverwood varsity soccer Coach’s Award, May 2019 – honors and recognizes leadership, being a team player and coachability Riverwood High School Student Government Association vice president, freshman, sophomore and junior years Riverwood Students Demand Action club co-founder and co-president Riverwood Varsity Soccer, freshman, sophomore and junior GiGi’s Playhouse junior executive board and secretary American Jewish Committee Leaders for Tomorrow alum (2018-2019) Anti-Defamation League intern (summer 2019) ADL Concert Against Hate volunteer Riverwood High School Principal’s List (GPA of 95 or greater), fall 2017, spring 2018, fall 2018, spring 2019, fall 2019 YMCA Camp Thunderbird Double Gold Bandana Award, July 2017 – youngest female in history of camp to achieve this highest honor for a camper. It reflects athleticism, commitment, hard work and drive.

Lola Bessoff

CONGRATULATIONS SAM!

Love, Mom, Dad, Riley, Lucy, Bubbe, Zadye, Yia Yia and the Fam!!!

You add so much energy and fun to all that you touch. We are SO PROUD of you.

Mazel Mazel Tov on 2 amazing honors this year and 2020 has just begun. 18 under 18 and Hadassah Chesed Student Award. We couldn't be any prouder.

26 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

With tremendous LOVE from your Mom and Dad.

18 UNDER 18 Lola Bessoff, 16 River Ridge High School

Lola is a self-motivated activist who is dedicated to her mission, taking her roles in the Jewish and Atlanta communities very seriously. She is very passionate about engaging Jewish youth in activism to stop gun violence, and met with March for Our Lives Parkland, Fla., students to discuss how to properly address and educate others on gun violence prevention in 2018. She became the co-state outreach director of March for Our Lives in 2019, planning all events and reaching out to members, organizations and legislatures. Lola is involved at her synagogue through youth groups, leading social action initiatives, including monthly events and starting a recycling program. Since seventh grade, she has pursued community leadership and Jewish involvement. Activities and Awards: Hadassah Chesed Student Awards, 2020 March For Our Lives against gun violence, 2018; co-state outreach director, 2019-20 Temple Beth Tikvah HOTTY youth group board retreats, freshman rep, 2018-19, social action vice president, 2019-20 Regional youth group event "Saving the Planet," 2019 LLTI regional youth group leadership training, 2018-19 Cooking for Atlanta shelters with mosque, 2018 Camp Jenny bingo fundraiser, counselor training, volunteered 100 hours, 2018 Mill Creek Middle School, Beta school officer, 2017-18 Student Government Association, school leadership training, 2017

Congratulations to all of our 18 Under 18 Winners!

18 UNDER 18

Isabelle, Each and every day, you make us â&#x20AC;&#x153;beam,â&#x20AC;? as you walk through life with such a beautiful sparkle and purpose! We love you, sweetheart! Mommy & Daddy

Grant Chernau, We are so proud of you! Keep making a difference!

Love, Mom, Dad, Madelyn and Mason ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 27

18 UNDER 18 Grant Chernau, 17 Pope High School

Grant is a smart, committed and inclusive person. He is incredibly hardworking and responsible, taking on leadership positions only when he feels he learned enough to accomplish the job successfully and can dedicate enough time to the role. He has moved up the leadership positions in various groups at school, such as Philosophy Club and Jew Crew. As Sababa USY chapter president at Congregation Etz Chaim, Grant worked with the board to rewrite the Youth Department Constitution and created a new framework for USY programming. His duties with USY included overseeing the eighth grade Gesher convention and working to increase and maintain membership in the region. Grant has been an active part of his synagogue through playing in Etz Chaim’s band and teaching at its religious school. Activities and Awards: Pope High School honor roll, , ninth through 12th grades Etz Chaim band member, ninth through 12th grades 12th grade: National Merit Scholarship recognition, PSAT/NMSQT Pope High School: one of 20 Who’s Who awardees Pope High School superlative: Most Intellectual United Synagogue Youth HaNegev USY, regional membership and Kadima vice president 11th grade: National Honor Society inductee Hadassah Chesed Student Award winner The Linda and Michael Weinroth Chesed Community Service Award Etz Chaim religious school teacher for seventh grade Etz Chaim Sababa USY chapter president USY HaNegev region, Ein Gedi sub-regional liaison (membership and Kadima general board) Tenth grade: Sababa USY chapter programming vice president United USY HaNegev region - Kadima liaison (membership and Kadima general board) Pop High School Principal’s Award Etz Chaim Sababa USY Member of the Year Ninth and 10th grade: Etz Chaim religious school madrich Ninth grade: Sababa USY, Chapter Young Leader

Sam Cohen, 17 Druid Hills High School

Sam has maintained a strong commitment to Judaism, social action and leadership in the face of great challenges and family tragedy when his sister lost her battle to brain cancer in October. Described as mature and resilient, Sam is heavily involved in teen programs at The Temple, including social action work and the Gesher teen mentor program, which accepts only 16 of 150 applicants each year. He works closely with The Temple on different initiatives and volunteered to assist in reviving their youth group. Among various volunteer projects, Sam is preparing for his second “Ultimate Hike,” which raises funds for groundbreaking childhood cancer research. Sam is also passionate about Jewish summer camp, working three summers at In the City Camp, and he will be a counselor at Camp Coleman this summer. At school, Sam helped build Druid Hill’s ultimate Frisbee program and is a co-captain of the varsity team. His strong character has also helped him professionally. After last summer’s week-long internship at Jamestown Properties, Sam was hired in an ongoing role this school year, working two mornings a week while juggling school responsibilities. Activities and Awards: Horizons Atlanta video editor The Temple Madrachim/Gesher leader Druid Hills Middle School ultimate Frisbee assistant coach/mentor Nicholas House, Merry Mitzvah projects volunteer Druid Hills High School IT intern Project Connect Youth Group vice president of membership National Honor Society Beta Club DHHS Outstanding Math Student Award

28 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

18 UNDER 18 Ryan Diamond, 17 The Weber School

Ryan has demonstrated an inspiring level of resilience and commitment by taking an active and increasing role in supporting the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation after his diagnosis with Crohn’s disease in 2012. He has been a leading fundraiser for the organization for the past six years, raising over $75,000. But more importantly, he has been willing to speak up and speak out to create awareness about the disease. Ryan has successfully lobbied with CCF at the Georgia state capitol to pass groundbreaking legislation, providing medical protections for all Georgians with chronic illnesses. This May, he plans to lobby at the national level in Washington, D.C. Ryan has received numerous CCF awards, been an Honored Hero of the annual Take Steps Walk and has continued to serve as an ambassador and a speaker at the event each spring. Ryan also regularly meets with the organization leadership to implement new ideas for the walk. In addition, Ryan has represented The Weber School at multiple AIPAC events locally and in Washington, D.C., and has used his lobbying experience to bring insights to the Weber Model UN team. His love for travel, history, Jewish culture and languages, having studied Hebrew, Spanish and Mandarin, has led him to participate in Spanish immersion and mission trips to Cuba and Spain through The Weber School. Activities and Awards: National Honor Society Spanish National Honor Society CCF, Take Steps Walk ambassador, 2017-present; top individual fundraiser, 2016-19; top team fundraiser with Spandorfer family, 2016, 18-19; Honored Hero, 2016 The Weber School peer leader, 11th grade Weber Chronic Illness Awareness Club, co-founder and co-president, 11th Weber AIPAC Club, tenth-11th, vice president programming, 11th Weber Rams for Israel Club, tenth-11th, VP recruitment, 11th Model UN, tenth-11th Weber Student Ambassador, ninth-11th The Weber cross country, basketball and golf teams Northside Youth Organization Baseball Umpire, ninth-11th Camp Thunderbird Counselor in Training, tenth grade

Creating and Amplifying Opportunties for Teens to Connect

Congratulations Harris! Your passion inspires us everyday! We can’t wait to see what’s next. Atlanta’s Teen Hub for Jewish Engagement and Education

Love, Mom, Dad, Justin

JUMPSPARKATL.ORG | INFO@JUMPSPARKATL.ORG | 770.648.2918 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 29

Mazal Tov Ryan Diamond Harris Jacobs

from The Weber School

30 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

18 UNDER 18 Chase Flagel, 17 Walton High School

Chase’s leadership, compassion for others and commitment to inspire other to be involved is unique for someone of any age. Chase has volunteered or taken the initiative himself in every aspect of his life: school, synagogue and extra-curricular activities. With each, he has impacted each organization and made them more attractive for his Jewish peers to feel a part of, but even more importantly, to be engaged and to contribute themselves. Chase has used his platform on the regional board of BBYO to re-energize passion and excitement for BBYO and Judaism for his Jewish peers in areas around Atlanta. His goal is to inspire and reach as many Jewish teens as possible to help them find a place where they feel included and are socially thriving. Chase also has a passion for music and is a song leader in two Friday night music groups where he plays the cajon and piano. He loves the aspect of community prayer driven by music as well as connecting congregants from multiple generations. Activities and Awards: Walton High School junior class president, 2019-2020 BBYO Greater Atlanta Regional moreh, 2019-2020 Congregation Etz Chaim Musical Shabbat services musician, 2018-2020 BBYO GAR Hazakah chapter member, 2017-2020 Walton Leadership Team, 2017-2020 Jew Crew, 2017-2020 Walton High School sophomore class president, 2018-2019 Principal Leadership Committee, 2018-2019 Student Leadership Council, 2019 Walton Ambassadors, 2018-2019 Amy’s Holiday Party, December 2017, December 2019 National Beta Club, inducted spring 2019 Marching Band, 2017-2019 Future Physicians Club, 2017-2019 AIPAC, High School Summit, BBYO delegate, fall 2019 BBYO GAR Hazakah chapter Godol, spring 2019 Atlanta Braves Leadership Institute, 2018-2019 Walton High School Principal’s Award for Outstanding Student, 2018-2019. Highest award from principal for one male and one female student per grade per year. Walton High School Raider Pride Award, spring 2018, fall 2019, character award given once a semester, nominated by select teachers. BBYO GAR Hazakah Moreh, fall 2018 BBYO GAR Hazakah Mekasher, spring 2018 Walton High School Student Government Association representative, freshman class, 2017-2018 Junior Civitans, 2017-2018 Creating Connecting Communities, TLP, 2017-2018 BBYO GAR Mekasher of the Year, 2017-2018. Award given to one member of all the chapters who has shown leadership and recruitment of eighth-graders. Hadassah Chesed Student Award, 2016

18 UNDER 18 Harris Jacobs,17 The Weber School

Harris is a passionate Jewish advocate and an accomplished leader, giving back extensively to the Jewish community. Having been a volunteer for Created Connected Communities’ events, he was accepted into their Leadership Development Program, where has was able to become more deeply involved in planning their events and fundraising. This year, Harris was accepted onto the executive board of the program where he currently serves as secretary. Harris is dedicated to language learning and has been committed to learning both Hebrew and Spanish all four years at Weber, earning gold on the National Spanish Exam. On the recent Spanish language immersion trip, Harris was determined to speak only Spanish and encouraged others in the group to do the same. He is involved in various school activities, including Model UN and varsity tennis – he is planning on varsity tennis captain next year – and plans to play a more expanded role in Weber’s Rams for Israel Club next year. Last year he was a part of AJC’s Leaders For Tomorrow advocacy and training program. Activities and Awards: Creating Connected Communities’ Leadership Development Program, three years. CCC LDP executive board, secretary, first year. Weber Rams for Israel (planning on co-president next year) Camp Barney Medintz , summer 2020 staff member Atlanta Maccabi Teen Advisory Board, 2019 National Honor Society, 2019 Coach’s Award, tennis, 2018 BBYO Summer Passport trip to Europe, 2018 Weber Student Ambassador Model UN, two years Weber varsity tennis (aiming for captain next year) AJC’s Leaders For Tomorrow Jewish Advocacy and Leadership Training Program Center for Israel Education, Teen Leadership Institute at Emory University, 2018 Marcus JCC volunteer basketball coach, SOAR Program (for adults with special needs) AIPAC: attended two policy conferences in Washington, D.C.; attend many local events Volunteered for Mike Bloomberg’s campaign Earned gold on National Spanish Exam

Noa Nirelle Lazarian We can't wait to see what you accomplish next! So proud of you! Love, Ima , Aba, Ella Mia and Princess ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 31

18 UNDER 18 Noa Lazarian, 12 The Davis Academy

Noa is an exceptionally gracious and generous person. In addition to being an excellent student, Noa is one of the youngest people to ever be enrolled at the Centennial Aviation Academy flight school and will receive her pilot’s license before her driver’s license. She is also a 12-year-old black belt who trained tirelessly to complete the belt in Taekwondo. Noa founded the organization Lazarian Girls: Do Good Be Good when she was 7 years old, following the death of one of her classmates from cancer. Noa has raised over $10,000 for community nonprofits like The Packaged Good and organizes an annual toy and clothing drive to give to children in Honduras. Noa is an avid environmentalist and supports initiatives to protect the natural world, advocating recycling and repurposing. She has a particular affinity for the sea turtle. Activities and Awards: ATA Leadership Program, black belt in Taekwondo Peachtree-DeKalb Airport-Centennial Aviation Academy flight school The Davis Academy, Middle School Leadership Training Institute Founder of Lazarian Girls “Be Good, Do Good” Honored by the Packaged Good for her leadership

Samantha Miller, 17 Chattahoochee High School

Samantha is a leader among her peers. Outgoing and friendly, she always has a smile. Samantha is a varsity athlete and a dedicated volunteer. She is the president of the Will to Live Club at Chattahoochee High School, which educates kids on suicide prevention and mental illness. Since family friend Will Trautwein died by suicide 10 years ago, Samantha has been heavily involved in the organization, educating friends, teammates, and schoolmates on what it takes to be a “life teammate,” the message of the foundation started by Will’s friends and family. Samantha plans to start a Will to Live Club in college as well. As communications chair of Creating Connected Communities, Samantha has the responsibility for marketing the organization and speaking publicly as a representative throughout the community. She coaches and helps with Maccabi basketball tryouts, and has participated in the B’nai B’rith Pinch Hitter Program, volunteering at nursing homes on Christmas Day since she was 10 years old. Activities and Awards: Varsity lacrosse, three years Will to Live Club president, nine months Creating Connected Communities North communications chair, five months Latin Club member, three years, BBYO Mizrah chapter member, three years MVP for lacrosse, 2019 Camp Barney Medintz, numerous camper awards

Tzedek tzedek tirdof Justice, justice shall you pursue.

Congratulations Ariel Raggs! Love, Ema, Abba, Hadassah, Miriam, & Solomon. 32 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Maya, We are so proud of you today and every day for the wonderful person you are! We love you. -Mom, Dad, and Jacob

18 UNDER 18 Ethan Povlot, 17 North Atlanta High School

Ethan is intelligent, thoughtful, kind and extraordinarily involved in the community. He was a key participant in AJC’s 2018-2019 Leaders for Tomorrow cohort. Articulate in expressing his views, Ethan has an understanding of issues affecting the Jewish community that surpasses that of a normal high school student. In 2016, at the age of 13, Ethan started a company called Trash Can Movers. He brings neighbors’ full trash cans to the curb on trash day and returns them when emptied. Ethan has been fencing for four years and has been on the varsity high school team for three years. As a junior, he was elected captain of the team of 10 men and nine women. In addition, Ethan has a passion for robotics and has been a member of the North Atlanta Warbotz Robotics Team for three years. Through his hard work and dedication, he was chosen as chief programmer, responsible for writing Java code that controls the robot and he collaborates with the full team, including the design and build team. His weekly mentoring of the middle school robotics team was a foundation for being elected to lead the Warbotz team. Activities and Awards: Ahavath Achim USY chapter president, 2019-2020 North Atlanta High School math tutor, monthly, 2019-2020 NAHS fencing team captain, 2019-2020 Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, 2019 Science National Honor Society, 2019 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program finalist, 2019 USY regional, 2017-20; international convention representative, 2019 Sutton Middle School robotics mentor, weekly, 2018-2020 Alpha Mu, math honor society, 2018-2020 (grade of 90 or more in math) Ahavath Achim Sunday School assistant, 2017-2020 All A’s Honor Roll, 2017-2020 AJC Leaders for Tomorrow, 2019 MJCCA 2019 Maccabi Game Teen Council NAHS student government vice president, 2018 Future Business Leaders of America Leadership Award, 2018 USY Shusterman AIPAC Teen Summit Recipient Hadassah Chesed Student Award, 2018. National Honor Society Alliance Francaise European Studies Summit participant, summer 2018 (one-month program, selected based on nomination, French language and leadership skills) Georgia Tech Hands on Technology finalist, 2018 NAHS International Baccalaureate Showcase Top 20, 2018

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 33

18 UNDER 18 Ariel Raggs, 16

Chamblee Charter High School

Ariel is poised to be a leader for Jewish diversity and inclusion advocacy around Atlanta and nationally. Because her sister has severe cerebral palsy, she is passionate about ensuring all synagogues and Jewish communal spaces are accommodating and handicapped accessible to those with special needs. Additionally, she recently spoke in Atlanta’s first Jews of Color Field Building Initiative. As a teen panelist, she implored the need for better welcoming of Jews of different ethnicities. She promoted tolerance, appreciation, empathy and respect for all Jews, regardless of race. In addition to being in the gifted program at Chamblee for the last two years, Ariel has worked as a madricha at Congregation B’nai Torah’s religious school, and she tutors German to middle school students. She plans to attend law school in the future to become an attorney so that she can continue advocating for people like her sister who often are unable to have a voice for themselves. Ariel is passionate about the political process. In 2017-19, she volunteered on the political campaigns of candidates such as Stacey Adams, Lucy McBath, Mike Wilensky, Sally Harrell and John Eaves. During the Maccabbi Games, she broke four meet track and field records, and made history by being the first athlete to ever take home an unprecedented nine medals. In 2019, Ariel traveled to Washington D.C., as a member of the American Jewish Committee’s Leaders For Tomorrow to meet diplomats and lobby against anti-Semitism. Activities and Awards: International Culture Club member Women’s Political Club member Debate Team Mock Trial Team German Club Jewish Student Union member JumpSpark’s Strong Women Fellowship cohort, member, 2019-20 Chamblee Charter High School’s track and field team captain 5A Regional Champion in the 300-meter hurdles, 2019 Most Valuable Athlete award winner, 2019. Macabbi Games track and field team captain, 2019 Camp Ramah Darom Gesher Banner Captain, 2019 J-Serve participant, 2017-19 Friendship Circle volunteer, 2016-17.

Lulu Rosenberg, 15 North Springs High School

Lulu is proud to be Jewish and values her unique heritage passed down through her Ashkenazi grandparents and Sephardi grandfather. As the great-grandchild of Holocaust survivors, Lulu is committed to honoring survivors in the community. For her bat mitzvah, she wanted to raise money to sponsor a Cafe Europa luncheon organized by Jewish Family & Career Services for Holocaust survivors in the Atlanta community. She raised enough to sponsor two luncheons, even contributing her babysitting money. Lulu volunteered with JF&CS clinical social worker Anat Granath to help lead Shabbat and Jewish holiday celebrations at senior care facilities. Lulu developed a special friendship with Ann Klug, a survivor who recently passed away, calling her every week for three years to wish her “Shabbat Shalom.” Lulu is deeply immersed in BBYO and has become a chapter board leader who younger members look up to. She has inspired fellow members to become involved in social action programming. Lulu has attended every BBYO regional convention, traveled to two international conventions, and was part of an international leadership summer program. Lulu is also a peer leader in JumpSpark’s Strong Women Fellowship, co-mentoring a group of first-year fellows. As an active member in the Spanish National Honors Society, Lulu had to volunteer in the school year a minimum 10 hours in a Spanish-related activity and 10 hours in community service. Lulu also participates in the Jewish Culture Club monthly luncheons at North Springs High School. Activities and Awards: HOSA (future health professionals) State Qualifier (only top 40 percent of students statewide qualify), 2019-2020 HOSA State Leadership Conference attendee (based on academic achievement and qualifying exam), 2019-2020 North Springs Spanish National Honor Society, North Springs, 2019-2020 BBYO chapter board, Sh’licha (community service, Jewish culture), 2019-20; regional inclusion chair, 2019-20. North Springs varsity swim team, 2018-2019, 2019-2020 HOSA (North Springs healthcare association club) member, 2018-20, state qualifier, 2019-2020 JumpSpark Strong Women Fellowship, fellow, 2018-2019; peer leader, 2019-2020. North Springs Jewish Culture Club member, 2018-20 BBYO regional convention steering committee, 2019 Holocaust Survivor Support Fund, baking for Cafe Europa, February 2019 North Springs High School Varsity Swim Team, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 Maccabi Games swim team member, 2019 The Epstein School Student Knesset, public relations, 2016; administrative secretary, 2017-2018 JF&CS volunteer, Cafe Europa, April 2017 34 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

18 UNDER 18 Maya Schiele , 17 Dunwoody High School

Maya is a smart, kind and ambitious person. She takes every opportunity to engage in activities that help her grow and takes on new challenges to push herself further. She was the president of the Dunwoody BBYO chapter and is currently the regional treasurer of the Greater Atlanta Region. Maya was involved in her school Spanish club for two years and tutors English to Spanish-speaking children from an Atlanta Title I elementary school as an intern with La Amistad. She is also a Youth Ambassador representing the United States for the World Literacy Foundation. Maya finds many opportunities to volunteer; she promoted green initiatives with her high school green club and volunteers with Second Helpings, bringing unsold food products to a local church for underprivileged people. Activities and Awards: Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank Personal Finance Competition (Dunwoody High School team), March 2020 National Honor Society, 2018-present National Social Studies Honor Society (Rho Kappa), 2018-present National Spanish Honor Society, 2018-present Dunwoody High School Green Club, 2016-present, oversees DHS recycling program Stand UP! (BBYO international initiative), 2016-present Second Helpings, 2015-present BBYO regional treasurer, Greater Atlanta Region, planning leadership conference, March, 2019-20. BBYO Dunwoody chapter, president, 2018-present; treasurer, 2017-2018; membership and treasury committees, 2007 BBYO International Leadership Network, fundraising task force, 2018-present Dunwoody High School Principal’s List (school’s highest academic honor), 2016-present Seal of Biliteracy (For earning a 5 on AP Spanish exam), 2019 Powerade “Power Your School” Competition winner (Filmed and edited a video, awarded $2,000 for DHS athletic facilities), 2018 BBYO Chapter of the Year (Chosen by the Atlanta regional board during term as chapter president), 2018-2019 BBYO Treasurer of the Year (Chosen by Atlanta regional board as the most accomplished treasurer), 2017-2018 BBYO Chapter Leadership Training Conference, International Leadership Training Conference, summer 2017, summer 2018 La Amistad program intern: tutor and teach English to Spanish-speaking children from an Atlanta Title I elementary school twice weekly Camp Barney Medintz, counselor

Mazal Tov to our outstanding teenagers Grant Chernau, Chase Flagel and Evan Sommer on being honored in AJT’s “18 under 18”.

‫מזל טוב‬ Rabbi Daniel Dorsch Rabbi Shalom Lewis, Emeritus ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 35

18 UNDER 18 Frankie Silverman , 13 The Davis Academy

As a student government leader, athlete and musician, Frankie demonstrates his commitment to his community in everything he does. Frankie was instrumental in helping lead successful community initiatives with student government at The Davis Academy, including raising money to buy car seats for local first responder vehicles and raising funds to send children with cancer to camp. Frankie has continued to grow and mature as a leader and in the leadership roles he pursues, serving as the student government president for 2019-20. As an athlete, Frankie leads by example with his great sportsmanship on and off the course. Frankie is also a musician who plays a variety of instruments, including the bass, which he plays for The Davis Academy Shabbat Rocks Club. Activities and Awards: Camp Barney Medintz, camper, 2013-present Davis Academy Middle School Leadership and Training Institute Student Government Association president, eighth grade, 2019-2020 Davis Academy Shabbat Rocks Club, plays bass, eighth grade, 2019-2020 Ahavath Achim Synagogue Ba’al Tekiah, one of five people to blow shofar at high holiday services, seventh-eighth grade, 2018-2020 Davis Academy cross country team sixth-eighth grade, 2017-2020 Davis Academy Middle School Leadership and Training Institute/Student Government Representative, sizth-seventh grade, 2017-2019 Davis Academy Drum Club, sixth-seventh grade, 2017-2019 Davis Academy Lion’s Pride Award for Cross Country, eighth grade, fall 2019 The Lion’s Pride Award, peer-nominated award given to one male and female player on each sports team who exhibits true sportsmanship, builds team morale, and positively represents The Davis Academy throughout the season. Davis Academy Most Improved Golf Player, sixth grade, spring 2018

Mazal tov, Samantha Rose Miller We can’t wait to see what life has in store for your bright future! We love you, Mom, Dad, Max, Evan and Charlie. 36 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Isabelle Skid, 17

Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School

Isabelle is a thoughtful and genuine leader who uses her experiences to uplift others. She is passionate about Judaism and is part of AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow Program. Isabelle was nominated to participate in the Round Square international program, which connects diverse schools across the world to offer programs and service experiences for students to develop character and become engaged global citizens. She attended the Global Round Square Project 2050 Conference in 2019 in Calgary and currently serves on her school’s leadership board for the organization. Isabelle is a varsity athlete at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School and is the co-vice president of its Jewish Student Union. She has participated in various volunteer efforts, including Meals on Wheels, Temple Sinai Second Helpings food delivery program, and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Activities and Awards: HIES Fearless Dialogues, student representative, 2020 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, HIES representative, 2019 -present Project Round Square, 2018-present; leadership board, 2019-present HIES Quill and Scroll (Journalism National Honor Society), 2019-present Science National Honor Society, 2019-present HIES Rho Kappa (History National Honor Society), 2019-present HIES Jewish Student Union 2018-present: co-vice president, 2019-present; board member, 2018 Girl Up, 2018-present Send a Smile, 2018-present HIES Varsity tennis team, 2019-2020 (lettered both years) National Student Leadership Conference, HIES nominee, 2019 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Student of the Year candidate, 2019 AJC Leaders for Tomorrow program, 2018-19 HIES varsity cross country team, 2018-2019, activities committee, 2017-2018 HIES junior varsity tennis team, 2017 Meals on Wheels, various dates beginning in 2010 Temple Sinai Second Helpings food delivery program, various dates beginning in 2008 Atlanta Community Food Bank, various dates on more than a half dozen occasions Temple Sinai Community Action Days, various dates beginning in 2008

Mazel Tov Lulu! We are so proud of you for always wanting to make a difference in the world around you! We love you so much! xoxo Mom, Dad and Zoe (and your grandparents are totally kvelling!)

18 UNDER 18 Will Solomon, 16 Dunwoody High School

Will is a well-rounded teen who is involved in numerous activities, community service and sports while maintaining above a 4.0 GPA. He is responsible and cares deeply about his community. In addition to other service projects, Will has exemplified his dedication as a volunteer and leader with Creating Connected Communities, where he has become knowledgeable and involved in helping the community on issues of homelessness and poverty. He currently serves as vice president and has participated in educational development such as visiting a women’s home; listening to guest speakers address homelessness, poverty, and how to eradicate these issues; and visiting a homeless shelter. Will was a madrich, or assistant teacher, at Congregation B’nai Torah and has participated in numerous Maccabi and BBYO sports. He was just named captain of his Dunwoody High School varsity swim team for next year. Activities and Awards: DeKalb County Swim Team qualifier and school representative, January 2020 Local elementary schools, monthly tutor, 2019-2020 Dunwoody High School varsity swim team National English Honor Society Beta Club Rho Kappa (Social Studies Honor Society) Amy’s Holiday Party, December 2019 Maccabi Swim Team, summer 2019 (swimmer and host); various community service projects, July 2019; Midot Medal for exemplifying six core values of JCC Maccabi: Jewish peoplehood, joy, pride, respect, Tikkun Olam and big-heartedness, August 2019 Lifeguard certification, February 2019 Lifeguard, summer 2019 National Honor Society, member MLK Day of Service, January 2019 B’nai Torah Sunday School teacher assistant, 2018-2019 Creating Connected Communities Leadership Development Program, vice president, board member, various events, 2018-19 Amy’s Holiday Party, December 2018 Swimmer of the Week, awarded by swim teach coaches for effort and sportsmanship, 2018 Play Your Heart Out Basketball Tournament, team member, August 2018 Maccabi Swim Team, summer 2017 (Birmingham, Ala.) Close to Home Club, vice president, 10th grade, various events, 2017-18

Congratulations Rachel We are so proud of you! Keep following your dreams and passion for helping others. Love, Mom, Andy, Dad, Suzanne, Cydney, Ilana and Josh ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 37

18 UNDER 18 Evan Sommer, 16 Walton High School

Evan is an exceptional athlete, a top student, and a leader within the Jewish community. He was a leader of his club NASA soccer team and helped to bring his Maccabi soccer team to medal in 2019. Evan volunteers with children who have physical and mental disabilities through NASA’s TOPSoccer Program, in line with his Jewish values. An example of hard work and effort, Evan is committed to Jewish studies. In third grade, his Hebrew school teacher at Congregation Etz Chaim recognized his love of Torah and Judaism and asked Evan to read Torah in front of the congregation. He has been reading Torah ever since. Activities and Awards: National Honor Society, Walton High School, 2020 Rabbi Daniel Dorsch’s Teen Leadership Council, Etz Chaim, 2019-2020 NASA Elite Clubs National League and varsity soccer player, 2018-2020 Georgia state top 10-ranked wrestler, 2018-2020 NASA’s TOPSoccer Program, volunteers for children with physical and mental disabilities, 2017-2020 Iron Raider Award (for being a varsity athlete in three sports in one year) Walton cross country team, Georgia High School Association State Cross Country Championships all class team champion; voted most valuable runner of cross country championship meet by Walton coaches, 2019 2019 U16 Atlanta Maccabi soccer team silver medalist, 2019 Walton High School Jew Crew club, 2018-2019 MJCCA day camps camper and counselor, 2006-2010, 2019 Camp Barney Medintz camper, 2011-2018

Rachel Wolchock, 17 Saint Francis High School

Rachel is a thoughtful and effective teen leader. Part of AJC’s Leaders For Tomorrow, Rachel is dedicated to the Jewish community and volunteer work. As a volunteer, Rachel has participated in environmental and community improvement initiatives; school recycling; a cancer research fundraiser; and collecting food for a local shelter. She has also participated in various causes such as hurricane relief, Camp Jenny, military families and the elderly. Rachel is a visual artist and is part of the National Art Honor Society. She received an award in ceramics at her school and two honorable mentions in ceramics at the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. She has been honored by the board of her BBYO chapter and Maccabi Games, and teaches religious school at The Temple. Activities and Awards: Saint Francis student ambassador, 12th grade The Temple teen trip to Israel, 12th grade National Art Honor Society president, 12th grade; treasurer, 11th grade Maccabi Games Teen Advisory Board, 12th grade The Temple Gesher program co-teacher, 11th-12th grade National Art Honor Society, 11th-12th grade Beta Club, 11th-12th grade 3D Award, ceramics: Teacher award given to one art student, 11th grade Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, two honorable mentions, ceramics, 11th grade BBYO: board, social media coordinator, 11th grade; leadership conferences, tenth-11th grade; Chapter Leadership Training Conference, 2017; Kallah, 2018 AJC Leaders for Tomorrow, leader, 11th grade The Temple assistant teacher (madrichim) eigth-11th grade URJ 6 Points Sports Academy, sixth-11th grade Piedmont College, art show, tenth grade Honor roll, ninth-tenth grade 38 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 39

CAMP Camp for Millennials: Open Bar Included S u m m e r president, said Trybal is not like other camp has tra- next gen gatherings. “This is not a sinditionally been gles’ weekend. It’s young people wantfor youth. But ing to be with other young people. It one former takes them back to their camp days or Boston camper gets them away from life’s everyday” and Jewish routines and technology, he said. “It’s travel market- unique in that it’s not for the alumni er found a way of a specific camp. What we have here, to bridge the what makes it unique, is that we really Roni Robbins gap between believe the next gen wants to meet … and summer camp have fun.” He said the camp also aligns with and Birthright Israel trips for today’s milthe Federation’s mission of building lennials. The new twist on Jewish camp for community and Jewish identity. “When young adults is coming to Georgia. And it’s multiple days, Thursday through unlike the traditional camp experience Sunday, they are building significant for youth, there are major benefits to at- relationships. They are building comtending post drinking age. For starters, munity, and that’s what we care about there’s no lights out and alcohol isn’t – building identity.” The majorconfiscated. In ity of Trybal fact, an open participants are bar is part of the between ages lineup of camp 25 and 36, alofferings, in adthough the exdition to beloved periences are standards such open to young as color war, adults 21 and up, a ropes course said Warsawski, and informal who is 35. She Shabbat experibegan Trybal ences. Gatherings in “There aren’t 2017 by piloting many opportuon the coasts, in nities to go back the Berkshires to camp when Ilana Rosenberg glides down the slip ‘n’ (which are beyou’re in your 20s slide kickball field at Trybal SoCal. tween Boston and 30s,” said Carine Warsawski, founder of Trybal Gather- and New York) and Los Angeles before ings. She runs all-inclusive extended week- expanding to Chicago. SXSE is the end getaways at Jewish summer camps for fourth camp location. “Atlanta is one of the regions where this age group. “Trybal is recapturing the feel and taste of a rich, intentional and we conducted our original market research. It has an incredible economy transformational experience.” Registration began last week for and lots of opportunities for young Trybal’s first camp in the Southeast at adults to seek new ways to get involved,” URJ Camp Coleman in Cleveland, Ga. she said. “When we evaluate the landscape of The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta teamed up with OneTable for a Silent opportunity, we consider the larger ideas Disco Shabbat March 6 to promote the marketplace that participants [use to] SXSE (South by Southeast) camp. The decide on other immersive experiences. camp reported that 35 people attended We see young adults investing time and resources in these [other activities] in the event at the Atlanta Brewing Co. Federation is offering subsidies for pursuit of connection. They spend their early registration through the end of the disposable income on festivals, concerts month. The cost of the four-day, three- and weekend getaways. We want to pronight gathering includes meals, lodging, vide a buzz-worthy, meaningful experia bar mitzvah-themed party, and more ence that also offers a sense of Jewish than 70 classic and out-of-the-box camp connection.” Trybal is a “come as you are,” nonactivities. Eric Robbins, Federation CEO and denominational Jewish camp that, un40 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CAMP

The competition and comradery of Color War are part of the traditional summer camp experience.

like many others, is not shomer Shabbat, Trybal Gatherings while visiting a URJ she said. “We aim to be a portal of con- sister camp in the Northeast that was hosting it. nection to further Jewish experiences.” “The URJ sees it as a major priority In a survey of 37,000 Birthright alumni in 2016, Warsawski found that to engage or reengage people in their young adults want to stay connected 20s and 30s, and Trybal is one strategy and participate in all-inclusive three to reach them. Many members of this to five-day experiences within a three- generation look back at their youth and hour radius of home. Another outcome view their camp experience as the most of studies of Jewish millennials and the joyous time in their lives,” he said. “A lot of 20s and 30s ask me about power of “immersive” Jewish experithe possibility of ences was that holding retreats young adults are and reunions “looking for conat camp. It’s nections socialdefinitely somely, Jewishly and, thing people in many cases, are yearning romantically,” for, the comfort Warsawski said. of connecting Of the latwith others and ter, she said, belonging to a “It’s not somecommunity. And thing that’s at there is a whole the front line of group who nevour marketing, er had a camp but there’s an experience. assumption that A cabin posts their first bunk photo “I think it’s people are comon the first day of camp. really important ing here to meet their ‘people.’ Dating apps can only take that they have a place to go and to connect and introduce them to other opporyou so far.” She explained that those who come tunities within the Jewish community,” Harris said. to Trybal fall into four categories: Warsawski said her goal for a first FOMOs: Fear of Missing Outs who year in a new location is about 100 peonever went to camp and want to try it; Nostalgic: Former campers seek- ple. “We cap camps at 150 people though, ing to recapture the experience of their and usually have a waitlist. We already have 90 signed up for the Berkshires.” youth; In terms of the relationship with FedDo-overs: Those who didn’t have a great experience at camp or didn’t “land eration, camps and other Jewish organizations in this space, “we want to be an entry in a Jewish place;” Tag-alongs: Friends of friends and point to their programs and community,” she said. “We want to make camp a lifeinterfaith couples. Before Trybal, Warsawski was mar- long opportunity for engagement.” Federation is helping to promote keting director for a company that ran global Jewish travel programs for youth and recruit for Trybal and is offering and young adults, such as URJ’s youth $250 subsidies until March 31, bringing Israel programs. So she already had a the total cost to $275, “which really sweetconnection with URJ camps when she ens the deal for locals!” Warsawski said. approached Camp Coleman to hold Registration is regularly $599 and up. ì Trybal weekend there, said Camp Direc- For more information go to www.trybaltor Bobby Harris. He first encountered gatherings.com. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 41

CAMP

After-School Fun, Language, Service ies to local police and fire stations; made sandwiches for Malachi’s Storehouse and In some ways, Club J, the Marcus meals for the South Atlanta Youth Group. “I love that they give kids a chance to JCC’s after-school program, is similar to summer day camps held at the same lo- do something … that helps people directly,” cation. That’s definitely what convinced Friedberg said. “Having the kids make the Jennifer Swenson-Friedberg to sign up her cookies but then also get on a bus and detwo young sons for the after-school club liver them to the fire station is so important. at the MJCCA “This is instead of at my son Noah’s their school second time or another optaking cooktion. ies to the fire “They can station and he swim on Friloves it. He recdays or use the ognizes how gym when it’s important it raining. There is to help othare cooking ers. We discuss facilities they how imporcan use on a tant it is to say regular basis. thank you to There’s a comothers, includputer lab kids ing those who have access to.” Josh and Noah Friedberg decorate cookies are there for us She said as a community service project. when we need most afterschool clubs don’t offer that variety in one them,” she said. “I never thought that my kids would place. Besides what Friedberg mentioned, be so excited to go to an after-school proClub J members have access to the lake gram. I love that they are given the opporand rock-climbing wall when weather per- tunity to do fun things that really impact mits, and they learn lessons from visiting the community. “These values of helping others and shinshinim Israeli high school graduates, said Dana Rifkin, MJCCA’s Club J director. showing appreciation for others are ones New this school year, the club be- that they will surely take with them long gan offering Spanish, she noted. There’s after they graduate from Club J,” Friedalso time for supervised homework help, berg added. Rifkin said, “We are thrilled to have counselor-led activities and physical acthis opportunity to teach our Club J chiltivity. “I wanted my kids to play after dren how important it is to give back to school,” Friedberg said of her motivation. our community. It’s important for the She also likes how they are exposed to a kids to get involved and say, ‘thank you.’ multicultural mix of students. “They were We impart on them that there are things able to make friendships they would not outside that are bigger than us, and how have been able to make at other schools. important it is to not only show our apThey are meeting kids from public school, preciation, but to help those who help Jews and non-Jews, a much more varied keep us safe, and to help those who can’t help themselves. We try to teach them to and diverse crowd.” Children from pre-K through fifth be selfless and hope that this translates to grade from 10 local schools also partici- a value that they take with them in their pate in community service. This past year, everyday life.” ì Club J registration began March 9 for the more than 200 children in the club made handmade blankets for the home- returning families and opens March 23 for less and worked with The Packaged Good new families for the 2020-21 school year, and Creating Connected Communities – which runs from Aug. 3 to May 25, 2021. both have Jewish founders – to put togeth- Transportation is available to Club J, located er care bags for children in need. The af- at the MJCCA Tilly Mill campus. For inforter-school club also wrote letters thanking mation about registration and rates, contact soldiers, firefighters and police officers for Club J at 678-812-3761, or visit atlantajcc.org/ their service; baked and delivered cook- afterschool. By Roni Robbins

Horse Lovers Summer Camp Chastain Horse Park - convenient Buckhead location!

Horse Lovers Summer Camp Boys and girls ages 4-8 - Mon-Fri 8am-1pm

Chastain Horse Park - convenient Buckhead location! Many weeks to choose from during Summer 2020 Boys and girls ages 4-8 – Mon-Fri 8am-1pm

Camp activities forweeks our younger includeSummer horsemanship Many to chooseriders from during 2018 instruction (grooming, safety and more), riding lessons, crafts and games! Camp activities for our younger riders include horsemanship instruction (grooming, safety and more), riding lessons, crafts and games!

Contact us at 404-252-4244 ext. 1001 or camps@chastainhorsepark.org. Contact us atinformation (404) 252-4244 ext.1 orsummer ponypals@chastainhorsepark.org. More regarding schedule dates and More information regarding summer schedule and registration form can be found registration form can be founddates at chastainhorsepark.org, at chastainhorsepark.org, select Riding Services, selectCamp! Summer Camp! select Riding Services, then select then Summer

www.chastainhorsepark.org www.chastainhorsepark.org 404-252-4244 ext.ext.1 1001 404-252-4244

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CAMP

Zipping into Camp

The new climbing wall at Camp Isidore Alterman is separate from the zipline this year.

By Roni Robbins This summer, more campers at the Marcus JCC’s Camp Isidore Alterman will be able to zip across the lake at the 52-acre camp daily with an upgraded zipline, newly enhanced aerial adventures, challenging climbing tower and renovated high ropes course. In the past, only older campers who could scale the climbing tower one at a time could use the zipline and then only when staff was available to assist them, according to camp director Mackenzie Sherman. Improved technology will allow more campers, even the youngest ones, to enjoy the climbing wall, ropes course and zipline, he said. The climbing wall is a separate element with two campers now able to climb at the same time as opposed to only one before. “Our large climbing tower will feature two self-belay devices, allowing rising [kindergarten] through sixth graders to safely and independently climb up and repel down while supervised by specially trained counselors on the ground.” The zipline also was restrung so that campers can zip faster on a direct line to the end instead of having to disconnect at a transfer point and zip in again to continue,

Sherman explained. Staff will be there to assist at several stages, he added. “There’s a lot more usability” to participate on a daily basis, and he hopes it will “inspire kids to meet a new challenge point or experience something different.” The MJCCA reports, “Rising first through sixth graders can climb a new ropes bridge while secured to a zipline from the ground through a beautiful canopy of trees to the platform. Campers will then experience a faster, smoother ride on the new zipline wire and descend to a brand-new receiving tower, featuring stairs for campers to easily climb down.” Sherman said, “Our high ropes course and zipline have always been camper favorites. We are thrilled to have renovated them, making these aerial adventures even more accessible and user-friendly. We can’t wait to see them in action this summer.” ì MJCCA day camps offer more than 100 camp options that run from May 26 to Aug. 14. CIA offers lake activities, archery, ropes course, swimming, sports, arts and crafts and outdoor cooking, among others. Specialty camps focus on sports, theme, travel, performing arts and teen options. Free bus transportation is available from various locations. For more information, contact mjccadaycamps.org or 678-8124004.

Sensory Affective Play Camp Linking Sensory to Behavior

Kennesaw 770-499-1950 See you on FB

Session 1 July 13-16 (non verbal) Session 2 July 20-23 Session 3 July 27-30 Half Day

Dr. Jule Kagan Outstanding Occupational Therapy Practitioner 2019

Morah Carol’s Place SUMMER CAMP We are so excited to be offering an amazing summer camp program this year! Our camp will include ages Infant through Rising 1st Grade; see below for a complete list of camp dates. Theme Dates Week 1: Classic Children’s Stories June 8 - 12 Week 2: Summer Time Fun June 15 - 19 Week 3: Animal Adventures June 22 - 26 Week 4: Rocking in the USA June 29 - July 3 Week 5: Ocean Exploration July 6 - 10 Week 6: Science & Nature July 13 - 17 Week 7: Sports & Dance July 20 - 24 Week 8: Under the Top Circus July 27 - 31 Please note the following days: Friday, July 3 - Noon Dismissal Wednesday, July 29 - 3:00PM Dismissal Thursday, July 30 - No Camp - Tisha B'Av Friday, July 31 - Regular hours - Last day of camp For questions or to sign up, please contact Morah Carol at morahcarol@morahcarolsplace.com or 617-275-3021. Please visit morahcarolsplace.com for more information. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 43

CAMP

Camp Advertiser Directory Alliance Theatre Drama Camp Atlanta www.alliancetheatre.org/content/ drama-camps We offer week-long theatre performance intensives in musical theatre, improv, on-camera acting, playwriting, tech design, and songwriting. Students work with professional teaching artists in the creation of an original performance, culminating with a shared performance with family and friends at the end of the week.

Atlanta Academy Summer Camp Roswell 678-461-6102 www.atlantaacademy.com/sum mer-camp/ Summer fun begins at Atlanta Academy! We offer a variety of half-day and full-day camp options for Preschool through 8th grade. Be a Superhero. Tame a Dinosaur. Hunt for Treasure. Become a Scientist. Build a Robot. Bake a Cake. Play a New Sport. There is something for everyone this summer at Atlanta Academy. Atlanta Academy Summer Camp groups

campers by age so that everyone from preschoolers to middle schoolers can make the most of their summer.

Atlanta’s Rock 'N Blues Camp Atlanta 404-202-6044 www.RockandBluesCamp.com Atlanta Rock ‘N Blues Camp is the South’s premier music camp where students learn from the city’s top musical talent. Grouped into bands, campers craft a four song set with some help from the pros. At the end of the week it all comes together when the bands get ready for a live Thursday night rehearsal at a local venue and then wow everyone at the highly anticipated Friday night show. We include drums, bass, guitar, keys, singers, saxophone, trumpet and trombone. Don’t miss out on this incredible experience! The South’s premier music camp. Top talent faculty; bands learn a four song set for the Friday show. Drums, bass, guitar, keys, singers, saxophone, trumpet and trombone.

Art Camp at The High

Camp Gan Israel North Fulton

Atlanta www.high.org Young artists will explore the museum’s galleries, create original artworks, and showcase their masterpieces in a special exhibition each week. Campers will learn about the museum’s collection and special exhibitions while honing their skills in drawing, painting, and design. Professional teaching artists will inspire your child to look closely, experiment with materials, and try new techniques. We serve rising firstthrough eighth-graders.

Alpharetta 770-410-9000 www.cgi.com CGI North Fulton is part of the worldwide Camp Gan Israel network of camps operated by Chabad. We offer the most exciting and fulfilling camp experience you can find for your child in the North Fulton area. We are located in Johns Creek/Alpharetta on a beautiful seven acre campus, which includes an exquisite new 23,000 square foot building, outdoor sports facilities, a swimming pool and a kiddie pool.

Camp Barney Medintz – MJCCA

Camp Kef & Extreme Action Basketball Camp at AJA

Dunwoody 678-812-3844 www.campbarney.org Camp Barney Medintz is the MJCCA’s Jewish summer overnight camp located in the North Georgia Mountains on more than 500 spectacular acres. Offering the most meaningful and transformational overnight camp experience, boys and girls completing 2nd-10th grade build lifelong friendships, gain confidence and independence, challenge themselves, and strengthen their Jewish identities.

Camp Carlos Emory University Michael C. Carlos Museum Atlanta 404-727-0519 www.carlos.emory.edu/camps Inspiration from the Carlos collections and guidance from talented practicing artists come together for camp experiences that encourage children ages 7 to 17 to look closer, dig deeper, and push their creativity further.

Camp Flix Emory and Oglethorpe University Campuses Atlanta 404-863-6778 www.campflix.com Camp Flix is Georgia’s premiere summer filmmaking camp – a one-week or two-week, real-world experience that immerses teens and tweens in the craft of filmmaking. Camp Flix introduces kids, ages 11-17, to the techniques, language, and processes of filmmaking and acting, and provides an opportunity for teamwork and collaboration as they make a short film during the week with other campers.

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Atlanta 404-843-9900 www.atljewishacademy.org Camp Kef is an AJA camp for ages 3-10 Years old. We provide themed weeks which are filled with activities from a variety of incredible vendors. Extreme Action Basketball offers an energetic, unique and dynamic teaching camp for basketball character development, focus skills, goal setting, and follow through. While having fun, participants are challenged to align individual goals with experiential learning.

Camp Kingfisher at the Chattahoochee Nature Center Roswell www.chattnaturecenter.org/ education/camp/ Connect with nature this summer, build lasting friendships and have all the fun of a traditional summer camp at Chattahoochee Nature Center’s Camp Kingfisher. Since 1993, Camp Kingfisher has provided an unforgettable camp experience to thousands of children and young adults. Campers can explore 127 acres of woodlands, three ponds, and the Chattahoochee River for a unique summer experience that encourages personal growth, teamwork, and environmental stewardship in campers. Certified counselors lead hikes, animal encounters, science explorations, canoeing, swimming, arts, and more. One-week and two-week sessions for rising kindergartners to seventh-graders.

CAMP Chastain Horse Park Horse Lovers Summer Camp Atlanta 404-252-4244 www.ChastainHorsePark.org Calling all equestrian campers. Chastain Horse Park’s Horse Lovers Summer Camp is offered for riders 4-8 years of age and is filled with learning, horsemanship, riding, and fun for campers at beginner skill levels. Developing skills and understanding the importance of safety are key themes for our youngest riders, as well as fostering a love of horses, horse care and riding. We emphasize a handson and safe learning approach while developing and strengthening skills in the areas of awareness, coordination, confidence, courage, friendships and fun. Daily riding lessons are age- appropriate and include skill building activities geared toward our younger riders.

Camp Judaea Hendersonville, NC 404-634-7883 www.campjudaea.org At Camp Judaea, we offer a wide variety of really fun activities in a loving family atmosphere. This allows campers to grow and even transform themselves

every summer they return. Camp Judaea’s small scale allows campers to explore, learn and grow while being surrounded by unconditional love and acceptance. We know and understand each child individually and embrace them in a caring summer family where lifelong friendships develop and are nurtured.

Camp Minimac at The Temple Atlanta www.the-temple.org/camp-mini mac Play and learn with Camp Minimac’s “Summer Reading." Each week will focus on a different book and theme. We will enhance our knowledge and enjoy learning more about each topic through activities including special in-house field trips, art, music, science, songs, games, cooking, and more! Enrollment is flexible around your vacation schedule.

Duke Youth Programs

High Meadows Camp

Duke University Durham, NC 919-684-6259 www.learnmore.duke.edu/youth Duke Youth Programs offers a summer experience like no other: academic enrichment, a taste of life on a college campus, and friendships to last a lifetime. For 35 years, academically motivated youth from around the nation and the world have gathered on Duke’s campus to deepen understanding and hone skills.

Roswell 770-993-7975 www.highmeadowscamp.org A relaxed and caring atmosphere set on 40 acres of farm and woodland in Roswell. Children ages 4 -13 have opportunities for self-discovery through age-appropriate activities directed at personal improvement, environmental awareness, and noncompetitive achievement. Activities include archery, animal encounters, woodworking, canoeing, crafts, swimming, drama, nature and sports. Providing outstanding traditional outdoor experiences enriching lives in a caring, nurturing, child-centered setting since 1973.

Epstein Summer Camp Atlanta 404-250-5606 www.epsteinatlanta.org/esa Epstein Summer Adventure Camp (ESA) is located at The Epstein School and open to the public for four weeks in June (3-28) for 2-year-olds - eighth grade. With new and exciting adventures each week, we are your Sandy Springs headquarters for summertime fun! Please check out our camp options and register early to ensure your child has a spot. With over 40 different half-day and full day camp options, there is something for everyone. Before and aftercare is available.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 45

CAMP High Touch High Tech Science/ STEM Camp 8 locations in Atlanta Metro Atlanta and surrounding areas, GA 770-667-9443 www.sciencemadefunatl.net Each day during X-TREME SCIENCE CAMP, campers will enjoy 270 minutes of degreed professional, instructor-led hands-on SCIENCE and STEM activities including a visit to TECH LAB. Science, technology, and engineering come alive as we excite your child with our unique form of “edutainment”! Eight metro locations. Serving Atlanta Since 1994.

In the City Camp Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Johns Creek, 404-698-1134 www.inthecitycamp.org In the City Camp is a Jewish Day Camp like no other—we truly see your child and your entire family as important parts of our community. Campers (K – 6th grade) choose their own daily activities, learn to take risks, and develop skills in a safe and nurturing environment. Our small camper-to-counselor ratio allows every camper to become the best version of themselves. With three

locations around Atlanta (Intown, Sandy Springs, and Johns Creek), children form strong connections to each other, the Atlanta Jewish community, and Israel. Join us for a day, a week, or the entire summer as we revolutionize Jewish Day Camping by building a community of STRONG, KIND, and CONFIDENT children.

learning environment where they can build friendships, learn more about Judaism, and have fun!

Kennesaw State University College of the Arts Summer Arts Programs

Atlanta 404-931-6449 www.intownjewishpreschool.org Warm, nurturing and filled with hands-on learning excitement. Summer activities include enrichment activities in art, music, science, water play and special guests. Camp is open to preschool children from 18 months to 6 years old.

Kennesaw 470-578-3417 www.arts.kennesaw.edu/summer_ programs/summer-arts.php College of the Arts’ Summer Arts program is for young artists who want to know what it is like to pursue college-level work in the arts. Choose from: Acting, Dance, Music, Musical Theatre or Visual Arts. All intensives are for rising ninth graders - 12th graders except The Middle School Choral Program, which is for rising sixth-graders - eighth-graders.

Jewish Kids Groups

Morah Carol’s Place

Morningside and Brookhaven Atlanta 404-913-9554 jewishkidsgroups.com/camp Designed for Jewish families of all backgrounds, Jewish Kids Groups is more than just a ridiculously cool school: It’s where Jewish identity is built! Our afterschool, Sunday, and camp programs offer kids an active, hands-on, experiential

Atlanta 617-275-3021 www.morahcarolsplace.com/ summer-camp-2018 Welcome to Morah Carol’s Place (MCP), a unique new Jewish preschool that focuses on Torah, academics, and the Hebrew language, while respecting every child’s individual learning style. MCP provides your child with a topnotch preschool experience, as well as a school calendar that keeps you, the working Jewish parent, in mind.

Intown Jewish Preschool Camp

Pace Academy Camp Atlanta 404-240-9130 www.paceacademy.org/programs/ summer-programs With over 40 different types of camps during the summer, there is the perfect camp for every child! We offer academic, athletic, specialty and art/theatre camps for campers of rising K-12th grades.

Ramah Darom Clayton, GA 706.782.9300 www.ramahdarom.org Ramah Darom inspires a lifelong love of Jewish values, tradition and community by bringing people together for exceptional, immersive experiences in Jewish living and learning at every stage of life. Offering Summer Camp, Family Camps and Year-Round Retreats at our breathtaking 185-acre North Georgia campus, just two hours from Atlanta.

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Sensory Affective Play Camp Kennesaw 770-499-1950 www.facebook.com/The-SensoryAffective-Play-Clinic-LLC Sensory Affective Play Camp is a unique experience for children with special needs. Dr. Jule Kagan, Outstanding OT Practitioner for 2019, is the camp director. Focusing on regulating emotions, improving self-esteem and social skills. What fun! A sensory-motor gym, handwriting activities, creating snacks, drama, social games, crafts and more!

Spruill Center for the Arts Atlanta 770-394-3447 www.Spruillarts.org Join us for an artful adventure this summer! Spruill Center for the Arts offers week long visual arts camps for ages 5-14 and performing arts camps for ages 7-10. Our exciting hands-on activities allow campers to explore art, meet creative challenges and exercise their imaginations. Our summer camp program runs Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with before care (beginning at 8 a.m.) and after care (ending at 6 p.m.) available for an additional fee. Visit spruillarts.org for more information.

Start:Code Brookhaven, Decatur, Roswell 404-507-2772 www.startcode.net At Start:Code students learn the coding languages and tools behind today’s technology in our camps and weekly classes. They practice coding and apply the tools to their interests creating games, simulations and digital artwork. Hands-on project-based lesson tracks include Python, JavaScript, Java, game development with Unity 3D, Minecraft, and Roblox.

Summer Safari Camp at Zoo Atlanta Atlanta 404-624-5822 www.zooatlanta.org/camp Join us at Zoo Atlanta this summer for an exploration of all things WILD! Each week, campers ages 4-17 are engaged in different hands-on STEAMbased projects and explore how to make a difference for wildlife. Select an individual week or spend the entire summer at Zoo Atlanta.

CAMP Temple Sinai Preschool Atlanta www.templesinaipreschool.org Join Temple Sinai Preschool for a summer of fun for children ages 18 months to 5 years old hosted at Springmont Montessori. Choose to register for individual weeks or sign up for all six weeks of summer camp. Each week will feature: fun weekly themes and water play, art, science, sports, music and exciting special guests! These are just some of the activities that your child will experience during camp, in a safe and caring preschool environment. Join Temple Sinai Preschool for a summer of fun for children -- infants through 5 years old. Register for individual weeks or all 10. See you at camp!

The Cottage School Cougar Athletic Camps Roswell 770-641-8688 www.cottageschool.org/ tcs-2020-summer-camps/ The Cottage School offers a variety of sport opportunities during the summer, including girls combination basketball and volleyball, coed running, boys basketball, and coed soccer. Current students can sign up via the online school store. For all other inquiries, please call 770641-8688 or email Athletic Director Richie Briggs at richardb@cottageschool.org.

URJ Camp Coleman Cleveland, GA 770-671-8971 www.campcoleman.org For over 50 years, Camp Coleman, a program of the Union for Reform Judaism, has served campers from the Southeast United States from Tennessee and the Carolinas through Georgia and Florida. Committed to core values of respect, peace, community and kindness, we build a warm and caring community where campers have fun, make lifelong friends, and learn new skills. Our mission is to inspire campers and staff to become caring, committed, and connected to the Jewish community through an extraordinary camp experience.

Walker Summer Programs Marietta 770-427-2689 www.thewalkerschool.org/ summer Over 500 campers agree -- Walker Summer Programs are the best way to spend your summer! Located just two miles from the Marietta Square, Walker offers an extensive and diverse selection of academic, athletic, and artistic opportunities for 3 to 18-year-olds in the metro

Atlanta community. Choose from half day or full day options; early morning dropoff and late pickup is also available. From Quidditch Camp and Broadway on 41 to Big Shots Basketball and Tennis FUNdamentals, there is something for every camper at Walker!

Woodward Camps

Academy

Summer

College Park 404-765-4401 www.woodward.edu/camps Woodward Academy Summer Camps offer enrichment, athletic, academic, and activity camps that are open to the public and accessible through our exceptional bus system. Your child will be immersed in a one-of-a-kind summer experience from the moment they arrive. Learn more about Woodward Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s camp offerings and join the fun!

WOODWARD ACADEMY SUMMER CAMPS 2020 MAIN CAMPUS College Park WOODWARD NORTH Johns Creek

Woodward.edu/camps | 404-765-4401 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 47

EDUCATION Does Legacy Matter in College Admissions? Your parent, sibling or even grandparent went to a college that you, a high school student, are considering. Wow, you think, “I Mark Fisher have an advantage being a legacy.” Let’s look at legacy in admissions. It is a little bit more complicated than you think. In 2018, a survey of college admissions officers in [the online publication] Inside Higher Ed found that 42 percent of officials at private colleges still considered legacy in admissions decisions. For public universities, the number was much lower, at 6 percent. Why did colleges consider legacy as a factor in admissions? Let’s assume that the legacy candidate was ineligible for admission or not as worthy as the college’s other candidates. The college likely considered the following: 1. We could raise money from fami-

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lies loyal to the school. 2. Some of those relatives may have given substantial donations in the past. 3. Alumni children would be more familiar with the college. After all, they may have been cheering for the college football team when just a young child. The origins of legacy, dating back to the 1920s, don’t paint a pretty picture about enrolling certain students. A study emanating from researchers at Purdue University indicated that Jewish, non-white and immigrant students did not have many relatives who had attended a particular university. Therefore, a mostly white, Christian student body resulted. Most Jews would not be able to claim legacy status because, early on, the Jewish parent population was not what it is today with so many Jewish parents who had been to college. In January, Johns Hopkins University, a highly ranked academic institution, eliminated legacy in the admissions process. The admissions world was stunned. That change was compared to the University of Chicago going test-optional last year. “But my father and mother and sis-

ter went to your college,” the college applicant laments. “I thought that I may be next.” “Sorry, we no longer use legacy in the admissions decisions at Johns Hopkins.” Quietly over the past 10 years, Johns Hopkins has been phasing out legacy preference. Why? The president, Ronald Daniels, stated that “one of the university’s most fundamental roles in a democracy is to promote social mobility. And students from the top 1 percent of the income spectrum are more enrolled in top universities than from the bottom 60 percent.” Now, the incoming class at Hopkins comprised only 3.5 percent legacies, down from 12.5 percent 10 years before. Furthermore, students eligible for federal Pell Grants rose from 9 to 19.1 percent. The application for Hopkins does ask for any legacy connections. But this is for research to determine any changes in the student body. So far, there has been some disappointment in the admissions change, but not much. There has been no decrease in donations. In fact, alumni generally are satisfied with the new process in admissions. What will the future bring? Some colleges have noted that multigenerational families are still important to the college. This leads to a network of dedicated alumni. However, that does not mean that first generation students and non-white students are losing out. Legacy students are not a major part of the student body. Poor academic applicants, even if a student has legacy status, won’t be admitted anyway. What will happen if the legacy applicant and the first-generation student are both

eligible for acceptance in the applicant pool? Here is a scenario for you to judge: You are the president of a college. How would you want your admissions department and the development office to handle the following case? You are finishing the acceptance, denied, waitlist admissions process. Student No. 1 comes from a highly ranked high school. Her GPA is 4.0 with a host of extracurricular activities. Her SAT verbal [reading-writing score] is 590; math score is 610. She is a legacy student whose father attended your university. In fact, the father donated $2 million to the college’s new business school building and has always donated to the school. Student No. 2 comes from a very diverse inner-city high school. His GPA is 3.7 with a SAT verbal score of 590 and a math score of 610 and he is the first child in his family to attend college. He’s also a seasoned basketball player and has been recruited by your athletic department. You have to choose between these two students. Of course, there are many factors in this case but knowing only the above scenario, what do you want the admissions office to decide? The choice is yours to make as the president of the college. The board of trustees has left the decision to you. You know what the development department desires, and you know what the basketball coach wants. Yes, you are the decisionmaker. Good luck. ì Dr. Mark Fisher is a college and career consultant at Fisher Educational Consultants, www.fishereducationalconsultants. com, and a consultant for the College Planning Institute, www.GotoCPI.com.

EDUCATION

Davis Academy Brings ‘Frozen Jr.’ to the Stage By Roni Robbins More than 150 cast and crew members from The Davis Academy will recapture the icy world of princess sisters Elsa and Anna and the magical land of Arendelle in the school’s production of Disney’s “Frozen Jr.” March 22-23. The student version of “Frozen,” based on the 2018 Broadway musical, engages “audience-goers to reflect on themes and values regarding family, identity, isolation and acceptance, tolerance, forgiveness, empathy, courage, community and love,” said Kendrick Phillips, Davis’ director of visual and performing arts. “The social emotional learning piece found in ‘Frozen Jr.’ is not only timely, but one of the most important pieces of educational learning in a child’s development," she said. The production is an adaptation of the movie, “Frozen,” which is “beloved worldwide,” Phillips said. “Everyone, young and old, is familiar with the story, songs and characters.” It also “aligns perfectly” with Davis’ mission of L.O.V.E. (Live Our Values Every day). The story teaches us to act upon such values as ruach, spirit; chochmah, wisdom; tzedek, righteousness; kehillah, community; and chesed, loving-kindness. “There is a dearth of musicals featuring multiple strong female roles, and as a female director with a largely female middle school cast, it is important to pick material which empowers our students of all genders to see a femaleforward story of two sisters Kendrick Phillips, finding their way back to each Davis’ director of visual and performing arts, other and themselves and that said “Frozen Jr.” teaches true love in this story is about lessons aligning with familial love and acceptance. the school’s mission. Since the production officially opens right at the end of Women’s History Month and Arts in Schools Month, ‘Frozen Jr.’ could not be a more perfect fit for this year’s annual musical production.” When Davis produces a Broadway-style musical, “all aspects of the set design, special effects design and costume design are fabricated by leading entertainment industry professionals,” Phillips said. “Middle school students are put through professional auditions and three rounds of callbacks. Davis also continues its tradition of a no-cut policy. Every child may participate on-stage or on the crew. ‘Frozen Jr.’ includes 150 students ages 5 to 14 and 20 Davis alumni student mentors in addition to the production staff and volunteers, which places the total number involved in the production at over 200.” She added that this is the first Davis-produced musical headlined by two female lead characters. “This is our first foray into an icy color palette with snow special effects and low-lying dense fog. New to this year’s production are extended pre-show activities in our princess hair braiding station. Visit our ‘Frozen’ store and Olaf raffle; walk the ice carpet to our selfie photo, ‘Frozen’ standee area, as well as post-show opportunities for audience members to have their picture taken post-show with their favorite ‘Frozen’ characters and get their Playbills signed.” “Frozen Jr.” features all of the memorable songs from

The cast of “Frozen Jr.” at rehearsal for their production next week.

the animated film, with music and lyrics by husband-wife team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, plus five new songs written for the Broadway production. A story of true love and acceptance between sisters, “Frozen Jr.” expands upon the emotional relationship and journey between princesses Anna and Elsa. When faced with

danger, the two discover their hidden potential and the powerful bond of sisterhood. ì The school production will take place at 1 and 7 p.m. March 22 and 6:30 p.m. March 23 at The Davis Academy Lower School, 8105 Roberts Drive. Tickets can be purchased at www.davisacademy.org/musical.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 49

ART The AJFF Has Another Great Year The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival wrapped up another highly successful run that was marked by an exceptionally strong lineup of Bob Bahr narrative and documentar y films. The 48 works that were featured, plus four programs of short films, reflected the sharply honed formula of high-quality, carefully selected releases that offered something for almost everyone. Kenny Blank, the festival executive director for much of its 20-year history, believes that the broad selection of films offered is part of the reason for the festival’s appeal. “The key to our selection process is diversity,” he said. “Whether you are part of the Jewish community or not, you see something of yourself in the stories that we tell.” The diverse nature of the festival

was reflected in the jury prizes handed out at the end of the festival. The winner of the 2020 Narrative Jury Prize was the Hungarian film, “Those Who Remained,” a sensitive retelling of the relationship between two survivors of the Holocaust in Hungary who are drawn to each other in the years right after World War II. “This intimately painted picture takes you through depravity, hope, loss and love, and how human connections are formed and nurtured,” according to the citation that accompanied the jury prize. The prize for best documentary went to “Rewind,” a searing recreation by filmmaker Sasha Joseph Neulinger, who described years of sexual abuse by family members that he experienced as a young child. The film was only shown once, but for many in the audience it clearly left an indelible impression. The illuminating discussion that followed the screening featured three local psychologists and an adult victim of childhood abuse. The absorbing question and answer session went on for a half-hour.

The screening of the prize-winning film, “Rewind” featured a lengthy discussion of childhood sexual abuse.

The prize-winning citation read, “This was the documentary jury’s unanimous selection. It’s a brave, uncensored and raw depiction of sexual abuse and the emotional journey to recovery.” Another important award went to the opening night film, “Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance.” It won the Building Bridges Jury Prize that was said to most exemplify “the mission of AJFF, informed by founder and partner American Jewish Committee to foster understanding

among communities of diverse religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.” The documentary, which had its world premiere at the festival, was capped by a memorable live performance by Peter Yarrow of the 1960s folk group Peter, Paul and Mary and the members of several local church and synagogue choirs. Not only did the film make a conscious effort to build bridges in the community, but the festival, by the way it highlighted and celebrated the work, made an attempt to highlight the efforts

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ART

The opening night film “Shared Legacies” brought together Academy Awardwinner Louis Gossett Jr., seated left, alongside AJFF board member Alexis Scott, and Janice Rothschild Blumberg of The Temple, back right.

of community leaders to improve racial ternet. The movie-going public, which once made a weekly trip to a movie understanding. Rabbi Brad Levenberg of Temple Si- theater, is now watching many new renai, an AJFF board member, described leases at home on Amazon, Netflix, and what he termed as a “tremendous effort Disney+. Last year the American theater box office sales and an intenwere down 4 pertionality” by the cent, the sharpest board to tackle drop in five years, new programs industry analyst that reach out Comscore reportto the broader ed. community. A c c o r d “The board ing to the White is having a lot Hutchinson Leiof conversations sure eNewsletter, about how to in 2018, the avfurther elevate erage American the role of film only spent $32.39 year-round, and on movie tickets. to educate our Even though young people to In a sharp program departure, the AJFF presented a discussion of “What Makes a Film Jewish.” the AJFF sold the opportunities for bridge-building with groups that 38,000 tickets during its 20th anniverare not necessarily connected directly to sary this year, changing patterns of how films are marketed and exhibited is an the Jewish experience.” Last month, the AJFF initiated a pub- important consideration for the future. It’s part of a new five-year plan that lic dialogue with a Sunday morning program that discussed what makes a film the board and the professional staff is exJewish and how that is considered when amining closely, Blank said. “This anniversary serves as a wonthe final selections for the festival are being made. It’s the first time that the AJFF derful opportunity to think about how has set aside time during the festival to this festival grows and evolves going create a discussion that was not specifi- forward, to continue to serve the needs of the community, to respond to the dracally tied to a festival film. The hour-long discussion also matic changes in this industry as movietouched on the changing nature of the watching habits have changed, how peofilm-viewing experience, which is in- ple consume content, what they expect at creasingly a part of the world of the in- a film festival and a film experience.” ì

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ART

AJFF Ends in Rousing Life Affirmation It was a sentimental farewell to the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival’s 20th year of storytelling Feb. 27 with the premier of the documentary “Saul Marcia & Ruby, To Life!” Caller Jaffe The film closing the three-week festival showcased two very peppy and inspirational seniors who rose from obscurity to start the Holocaust Survivor Band. Ruby Sosnowicz and Saul Dreier took us back through their tortured past to express positivity through their subsequently formed band. There was pain, hope and spunk, and the message “Never Again,” repeated three times. One of the most endearing scenes was repeated on the road when Saul and Ruby shared a motel room with twin beds and fought over TV football games or rehashed their success and loving life. Director-writer Tod Lending clarified that it took two years to shoot the footage and another 18 months

52 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The movie’s writer and director Tod Lending, right, was interviewed by CNN’s Holly Firfer.

Ruby and Saul played “Hevenu Shalom Aleichim” to a delighted audience.

The film’s stars Saul, Ruby and Ruby’s daughter Chana took center stage after the screening to spread their message, “Never Forget.”

to edit. “Thus, I had to decide what 1 percent of content made it to the screen.” During the two years both men formed the band, lost their wives, and traveled to Eastern Europe. To have a rousing live conclusion, Saul and Ruby appeared with professional local musician Chip Epstein for several numbers, including “Ani Maamin,” and “Hevenu Shalom Aleichim,” and concluding with “God Bless America.”

Ruby’s daughter Chana, a dental hygienist, is a constant throughout the film and appeared lovingly in the band. “After all, these guys are 91 and almost 95!” Both men spoke emotionally about their zest for life and love for each other. Saul, with no notes, spoke of surviving twice, “Once from the Holocaust, once from cancer.” After the film, CNN’s Holly Firfer interviewed Lending. She started by sharing, “Music is the moving, universal language that we all use.” Lending explained, “Ruby & Saul is a longitudinal film that follows the subjects over years; and that takes trust for access and intimate moments.” At the subsequent dessert reception, Dr. Jay Levin said, “I loved the movie for its humanity in spite of the past hatred.” Saul and Ruby were treated like rock stars and posed with fans. Sisters Melissa Bauer and Jennifer Salisbury gathered around Ruby. “We grew up as non-Jews and just found our Jewish roots. We came to see what it’s all about.” Millennial Robert Fineman said, “It’s difficult to see that this [Holocaust] generation is almost gone. It was a pleasure to see such life in Saul and Ruby.” Their positive spirit was palpable. When I asked Ruby if he was “eligible and dating,” he looked me up and down and joked, “Sure, but my cutoff is 39.” In the tradition of Closing Night, AJFF jury wrangler Gabe Wardell presented the six juried prizes. He explained that the judges were grouped in smaller category units with film students and luminaries in each. The winners were: Emerging Filmmaker: “My Polish Honeymoon,” Elise Otzenberger Building Bridges: “Shared Legacies: The African-American Jewish Civil Rights Alliance” Human Rights: “The Passengers” Documentary: “Rewind” Narrative: “Those Who Remained”

Short: “Mum’s Hairpins” Earlier in the evening, AJFF devotees weighed in on their experiences so far. Sponsors Judy and Steve Funk recalled their favorites. Judy said, “I was most moved by ‘Crescendo’ with the kids interacting and showing hope for the future.” Steve preferred “Standing Up, Falling Down” the Billy Crystal movie. “We got the message in just the right length of time. Not drawn out.” Ed Harris reminisced, “I related to ‘The Bronx.’ Being from that area, I had the same mindset and tonight I am excited about the klezmer band since I was a drummer in LA in a klezmer band.” Harriet and Jim Berger leaned towards “fun movies” such as ‘The Bronx” and “Last Week at Ed’s.” “We really liked ‘Golda’ and now tonight, it’s always important to see Holocaust-themed movies within the festival.” Ellen Berman and Ron Lipsitz also had opinions. She said, “I loved the Oliver Sacks movie since I had actually met him years ago when I was on “Noonday Atlanta.” Lipsitz marveled that the City Springs venue was “just right” for the festival. He liked “Standing Up, Falling Down.” “It was clever, well acted and had a great ending.” Over 38,000 moviegoers attended this year’s festival across metro Atlanta, according to the AJFF. The spirit of the AJFF doesn’t end with closing night. Sari Earl, vice president of the AJFF board, announced that programming begins next month as the AJFF kicks off its Select series with the biographical drama “Resistance” starring Jesse Eisenberg as the legendary mime Marcel Marceau. AJFF has also announced a special 20th anniversary gala concert in partnership with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, featuring film scores from Jewish-themed Hollywood classics. The concert will held held on the evening of Monday, Oct. 19 2020.ì

ART

‘Holy Silence,’ ‘Incitement’ Pose Big Questions By Bob Bahr Two films from the recently completed Atlanta Jewish Film Festival confront historical events in the last century that have profoundly shaped contemporary Jewish life. The first, “Holy Silence,” written and directed by the American filmmaker Steven Pressman, examines the influence that two popes of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius XII, wielded just in the years leading up to and during World War II. It was nominated for the AJFF Human Rights Jury prize. In particular, Pressman takes up the charge that Pope Pius XII did little or nothing directly to help Jews in Italy and elsewhere in Europe who perished in the Nazi death camps. Pressman, whose previous film “50 Children” was shown at the AJFF in 2014 and also dealt with Holocaust history, was a guest at this year’s festival, where he described his documentary as an attempt to present Pope Pius XII in an evenhanded way. The AJT caught up with Pressman at the recent AJFF.

zis would do to him and to the church if he spoke up for the Jews. What do you think? Pressman: I think there’s a significant consensus among historians that he really probably wasn’t motivated all that much by fear, even though that was probably a factor in his mind, but that he really did seriously think of himself as a statesman, as a diplomat, as somebody who could be, for better or worse, rightly or wrongly, a peacemaker. He really did see himself as somebody who could potentially broker a peace between Germany and the Allies.

AJT: On March 2, the Vatican opened its archives of Pius XII official papers to scholars. There are some who believe the release of the papers will help support the case that the Pope did a lot behind the scenes to help Jews during the Holocaust. Pressman: That is an issue that may be further clarified as people make their way through the archives of Pius XII. You know, Susan Zuccotti is the historian who makes that point that there’s really not been any strong evidence that the pope specifically directed Catholic institutions to open up their doors to Jews. I do like to acknowledge that there are Catholic institutions AJT: What did you and individual priests mean by describing the “Incitement” won 10 of Israel’s prestigious Ophir Awards last and nuns, certainly in film as an even-handed year including best picture. Rome at that time, who portrayal? Pressman: I knew all along that the did take Jewish refugees and were directly sort of weight of history, at least at this responsible for saving the lives of hunpoint, winds up being fairly critical in dreds, if not thousands of Italian Jews. But the issue here is, and the focus of terms of how Pius XII has been viewed, visa-vis his response to the to the Holocaust. this film is, directly on what the pope was So, by even-handed, you know, I don’t doing or not doing, and we have not yet mean to say that I felt the need to give sort ever seen any evidence that the pope specifically gave the green light to those instiof equal time to all sides and all opinions. But I also want to add that I really tutions to open up their doors to Jews who never set out for this film to be solely about are trying to stave off being deported to the Pius XII, the first half of the film is focused concentration camps. on his predecessor, Pius XI, and the whatifs and what might have happened had he Another film at this year’s festival issued this encyclical about anti-Semitism dealt with a figure who influenced history, that he intended to issue just before he died but in quite a different way. The Israeli in 1938. But also there are these American docudrama, “Incitement,” won 10 of Israofficials who were kind of working behind el’s prestigious Ophir Awards last year, inthe scenes in Rome to try to influence what cluding best picture. It was nominated for the Vatican was doing in terms of two very this year’s AJFF Narrative Jury Prize. different popes. The film describes how a 25-year-old Jewish Israeli law student, Yigal Amir, plotAJT: Some of the Pius XII supporters ted to kill Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in have defended his silence during the Holo- November 1995. He was said to have been caust because he was fearful of what the Na- encouraged by the views of radical reli-

“Holy Silence” examines the influence that two popes of the Roman Catholic Church, Pope Pius XI and Pope Pius XII, wielded in the years leading up to and during World War II.

gious figures, prominent politicians, and even his own mother. The AJT spoke with director Yaron Zilberman at the AJFF. AJT: How did you and Ron Leshem, who helped write the screenplay, reconstruct the two years that Amir spent preparing for the assassination? Zilberman: We read everything and interviewed many people, including those in Amir’s family. I would say the first year we just researched before we wrote a single word in the script. We started to write the outline and then we went back to research. We even talked with Amir in jail over a phone connection. So the research was extensive. There was at least five years of research that we did so that everything in the film was as accurate as we could make it. AJT: What would you say that this film says about Israeli society and that one Jew could kill another Jew, who was the country’s most important leader? Zilberman: For me, it’s not particular to Israel’s society or to Jews. I think it’s a general notion that it can happen any time you

have a strong environment of incitement by politicians, by religious leaders, by university professors, to a level where you create a narrative where an assassination turns into something positive for those who believe in the narrative they’ve created. I would say that it ignites the potential for extreme violence. So for me, that’s really what we’re seeing in this particular film. AJT: Are the effects of this terrible tragedy, including Benjamin Netanyahu being accused in 1995 of encouraging Israelis to demonize Rabin, still being felt in the political life of Israel? Zilberman: Absolutely. I see a straight line between that tragedy and today’s situation in Israeli society. Yitzhak Rabin was a leader for peace, a leader for change in the region. And therefore, I think that creates a division, between those who are interested in continuing to discuss with the Palestinians and try to engage in a real discussion. For those who are not interested in that discussion, the assassination stopped that process in a significant way. I think absolutely the effects are still with us. The answer is yes. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 53

DINING il Giallo Serves Sophistication, Authenticity S a n d y Springs knows a hit when it tastes it. Five years ago, chefowner Jamie Adams created il Giallo Osteria & Bar on the top parcel of Marcia the movie theCaller Jaffe ater tucked in an eclectic mix of eateries and businesses facing Roswell Road. First one has to master the pronunciation “il jah lo,” combining the Italian words “yellow” and “mystery,” evoking the hues of the yolk and sun and the inviting aromas and grains in the towns and villages of coastal Italy. And if that beckons more intimacy, read on to see how Adams is taking willing customers later in the fall on an “eat your way through” trip to his favorite gourmet haunts in Italy. Note that Adams and co-owner Leo Moura came from now-closed Buckhead Life’s Midtown Veni Vidi Vici, along with native Atlanta pastry chef Libby Muldawer.

Desserts are sublime, created by native Atlanta pastry chef Libby Muldawer. Left: deconstructed tiramisu. Right: Morello cherry and Georgia apple cobbler with vanilla gelato.

Favorite starters were: Eggplant with sweet onion stew, cacio di roma and grilled ciabatta.

The expanse of the glamorous bar and interior shares the open kitchen, displaying the art of making fresh pasta in full view. The mirrors are artistically etched, reaching out as an exotic satyr, a mythological Greek figure reputed to have human legs and goatlike horns, and an etched map of the Italian regions. The artists were Patrick Nguyen and Helen Choi. More on pasta: tagliatelle and pappardelle for starters. Their agnolotti with brown butter, sage and pecans was featured on the Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.”

With well-run management on site, AdOur carefully considered bill of fare: Melanzane: Eggplant, sweet onion, to- ams said, “Since we opened on ‘Gialloween,’ mato stew, cacio di roma and grilled ciabat- as we call it, Halloween 2015, both the Sandy ta. This dish was rich and perfectly cheese- Springs and Jewish communities have truly embraced not only our restaurant, but my crusted. Caesar salad: Grana, focaccia bread- partner Leo and myself as individuals.” As in past Jewish community events, crumbs, anchovies. The presentation of this shareable salad was an artistic bundle, and il Giallo sponsored one of the food stations for the opening night of the thicker less salty white the Atlanta Jewish Film anchovies (optional) were Festival at the Cobb Energy a standout. Performing Arts Centre Two whitefish enFeb. 10. trees rang true to their “Our guests have becoastal origins. come an extended family to Halibut: Braised laciall of us at the restaurant,” nato kale, sweet onions, Adams said. “It’s not uncrispy fingerlings, pumpusual to see locals dining kin seed and salsa verde. at il Giallo several times a The two-inch thick steak week; and we take pride in was moist, as often the knowing all of their favorbest treatment for halibut ite dishes, exactly how they is not overcooking. Pumplike them prepared, which kin seeds appeared on cocktails they like to start more than one dish that Gary Mennie, director of off with and the wines they night. culinary operations, presents the prefer with each dish. It’s Trota: Grilled North whole roasted fish with capers that familiarity that makes Georgia trout, caramelized and lemon, a house specialty. il Giallo feel like an extenroot vegetables, cipollini onion. It was deboned well and comple- sion of their homes – where they don’t have mented the sweet and sour agrodolce sauce. to cook, but rather have the opportunity to truly relax and feel special,” he said. The root vegetables echoed sweetness. “Several of our great guests are planDolci: Crostata di mela, Georgia apple, morello cherries in a warm cobbler with va- ning on accompanying me on a highly nilla gelato. Tangy combo, irresistible cher- curated trip to Italy in October. We’ll visit the Piedmont region, where I spent several ries, even out of season. Tiramisu: “Giallo style”- deconstructed years cooking at wonderful restaurants. I’ll mascarpone pick-me-up. Not as rich as oth- be giving an insider’s view of my favorite ers and void of the traditional lady fingers, places in Italy. This trip is really an extenbut a good ending with its espresso coffee sion of what they experience every time they dine at il Giallo.” sauce.

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Suggested for next visit: House specialty Pesce Intero: Whole roasted fish with capers and lemon. Salmone: Grilled big green egg short smoked salmon, chickpea puree, broccolini, and warm wild mushroom vinaigrette. Cavolfiore arrosto: Roasted cauliflower and lemon basil salsa verde.

il Gialo was among the first to bring sophistication to Sandy Springs dining.

Week of Passover Chef Special Matzoh ball soup For those who prefer, il Giallo will offer matzah on the tables instead of bread. Slow-roasted smoked brisket, braised cabbage Ice Cream, matzoh toffee $39 ì

DINING

Tavern Provides Satisfaction and Variety Tavern is not kosher, with advance notice, they can order meats I wasn’t beatfrom Griller’s Pride, ing a path to drive separate out all dairy, to Roswell to eat at a and prepare in a diftavern. The word “tavferent area. ern” comes from the Bottom line: If Latin taberna, meanyou think Houston’s ing “shed, workshop can do a wide variety or pub” and more curwell, you will like 1920 rently conjuring up Tavern with its heipeople gathering for a mish family touch. brew and salty appeThe two blocks tizers. That was until Jenna and Howard Aronowitz 1920 Tavern has a large lively bar area in Broccoli laden, sweet and tangy salmon of Canton Street, in I met Jenna Aronowitz love entertaining and are shown the front, and seats families and those teriyaki stir fry over long grain rice. which the restaurant here with a grilled Caesar salad seeking a more low-key vibe in the rear. at a Kollel event, and with heirloom tomatoes. is located, are busshe explained, “Go tling. 1920 Tavern can home and look at our tion – a rich vanilla-chocolate blend- fussy when we go out to eat and train seat an additional 22 people outside to menu before you form an opinion.” Whoa! The 1920 Tavern menu covers ed amaretto/Kahlua frothy liqueur. the staff to create this positive energy.” dine, where they can watch the street “Dixie like the Dew,” which begs the next Aronowitz recalled that she drank it as a There is no shortage of work to share. scene with space heaters. We parked With a staff of 30, they are only closed three blocks away at the Roswell municiquestion: With so much super specializa- child in Zimbabwe. pal complex only to realize that the resBounteous other fish choices: Chil- two days a year. tion, can one albeit “globally inspired,” With two sons at The Weber School, taurant had free valet parking on its back restaurant do so many things well? The ean sea bass, grouper and blackened corthey take off Shabbat and Sundays. “We side on Webb Street. ì vina. answer is “Surprisingly so.” 1920 Tavern is open at 11 a.m. seven Salads to order next visit: Roasted both share a common passion for food 1920 Tavern is 1,800 square feet of a vertical and deep historic building with a pear salad, melon beet salad, and qui- and entertaining, whether at our Dun- days a week at 948 Canton Street, Roswell. speakeasy feel echoing the Roaring Twen- noa salad with shallots, oranges and feta woody home, or here, our home away Brunch on weekends. Some nights have live from home,” Jenna said. Although 1920 music. ties. The front area houses a long bar cheese. There are ‘Nawlins choices, 17 small with adjacent dining booths. The bar has plates, 13 sandwiches, cheeses, charcuteenough bottles to make the head spin. The back area is quieter and more rie, dips, Keto vegetarian lasagna, spefamily oriented. The servers work in cials and entrees galore. The challenge comes in focusteams and are ing and chooswell-paced. ing. Jenna and What we had: Howard AronowGrilled Caeitz first immisar Salad: The grated to the U.S. presentation as tennis pros. with hanging anJenna noted, chovies was im“Coming from pressive, topped South Africa, with parmewe were used to san crisps. The ‘from scratch’ dressing was too An artful pair, crispy Brussels sprouts fresh food made white and sweet alongside sesame encrusted tuna with bok from different (mayonnaisey?) choy and wasabi risotto in a ginger sauce. tastes and cookfor my taste, still shareable and accented with heirloom ing styles. We started our restaurant careers at the Atlanta airport in franchising tomatoes. Salmon Stir Fry: Pan-seared Atlan- (for 16 years). Our biggest issue would be tic salmon with veggie medley over long ‘Where we would eat?’ as I’m a vegetargrain rice in house-made teriyaki sauce – ian, and Howard goes for meat and posweet and tangy. Even better as leftovers. tatoes. Thus, we opened 1920 Tavern, where you can get an Amazing Burger, ($14.95) Sesame (sashimi) Encrusted Tuna: steak, vegetarian lasagna and everything Sautéed baby bok choy in ginger soy in between.” The couple believes in teamwork broth. The wasabi risotto had a nice kick and jokes around. Howard, who went to and minty color. ($16.95) Brussels Sprouts: The absolute best. Auburn University, joins in, “We share Our server called this right! Huge por- the work, but basically I do what she tells me. I like to chat with guests and tion, crispy, yet solid. Don Pedro: A South African tradi- make everyone feel like a VIP. We are By Marcia Caller Jaffe

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 55

CALENDAR

MARCH 13-29 CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 Bearing Witness: Alfred Schneider – William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, 1440 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, from 2 to 5 p.m. The speakers of Bearing Witness, all Atlanta residents, recall their experiences during the Holocaust. Their words rise above hatred and retribution to speak about the strength and will that enabled them to survive and go on to build new lives. Free. For more information, info@thebreman.org or 678-222-3700.

Atlanta Jewish Bowling League Wants You! – Bowlero Spalding, 6345 Spalding Drive, Norcross, weekly through April 19 at 6:45 p.m. The 63-year-old Atlanta Jewish Bowling League, established in 1956, is looking for a few bowlers to join their Sunday night league. All skill levels accepted. They are a co-ed social league that likes to have fun. $17 per night for three games. To register and for more information, www.bit.ly/2U5twIk. AJMF Presents: “Annelies” Performed by Clark Atlanta Philharmonic – The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, from to 4 to 6 p.m. The Clark Atlanta University Philharmonic Society will perform “Annelies,” a fulllength choral work based on the “Diary of Anne Frank” in partnership with The Temple. Anne, as this young Jewish author is often known, is the abbreviated form of her actual first name, Annelies. British composer James Whitbourn created the music and Melanie Challenger compiled the words from the diary. The performance is broken into 14 movements that follow along to the story Anne

sary. Fee includes supplies, snacks and wine. $15 per member, $18 per non-member. For more information, www.etzchaim.net/event/artnight.

Ki Tisa Friday, March 13, 2020, light candles at 7:26 p.m. Saturday, March 14, 2020, Shabbat ends at 8:22 p.m. Vayak'hel Pekudei Friday, March 20, 2020, light candles at 7:32 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2020, Shabbat ends at 8:27 p.m. Vayikra Friday, March 27, 2020, light candles at 7:37 p.m. Saturday, March 28, 2020, Shabbat ends at 8:33 p.m.

wrote. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2HhgrEk.

MONDAY, MARCH 16 The Anti-Defamation League Presents: 23rd Annual Jurisprudence Luncheon – The Whitley, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Atlanta Buckhead, 3434 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The ADL is proud to honor exemplary leaders Congressman John Lewis, Linda Klein and Daniel Huynh at the 23rd Annual Jurisprudence Luncheon: An Afternoon of Good Trouble. The luncheon will also feature remarks by ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt. Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. $150 per person. For more information, www. adl.org/JPATL2020.

TUESDAY, MARCH 17 Boomers Speaker Series – CongregaBoomers tion B’nai Torah, 700 Mount Vernon Highway NE, Sandy Springs, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. On the third Tuesday of each month, join fellow Boomers for an inspirational, educational and meaningful discussion as part of this Boomers Speaker Series. Each month, a new speaker and topic will be featured. Snacks will be provided. $5 per person. For more information, www.bnaitorah.org/boomers. Atlanta Purim Parade & Festival – Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 Lavista Road NE, Atlanta, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join Beth Jacob for its largest

parade ever, with the DeKalb Police Beast, Batmobile and other cool cars, trucks, jeeps, floats and fabulous costumes riding in the parade from Toco Hills Shopping Center to the Beth Jacob parking lot. Food and ride tickets available for purchase online or at the festival. To register and for more information, www.bit.ly/39v55IU.

Men, Women and Judai Judaism sm – Presented by Chabad Intown on the BeltLine, 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through March 31 or noon to 1:15 p.m. Thursdays through April 2. Viewed through the prism of Jewish spiritual teachings, gender is a cosmic quality interwoven throughout the fabric of the universe. From the mystical to the practical, Judaism’s ancient teachings will bring new depth in understanding life’s most challenging issues. $50 per single registration, $90 per double registration. For more information, www.bit.ly/326jRmG.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

Young Professionals Bureka Baking Nights at OVS – Congregation Or Ve Shalom, 1681 North Druid Hills Road NE, Brookhaven, from 6 to 9 p.m. Are you a young professional interested in making burekas but no time to make them? If you’ve made burekas before, come and help teach your friends. If you have never made them before, come learn how these Sephardic hot pockets are created. Free. For more information, orveshalom. org.

A Page from the Book Festival Presents Harlan Coben – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Harlan Coben, “The Boy from the Woods,” in conversation with Emily Giffin, New York Times bestselling author. $35 per ticket and includes one hardcover copy of the book. For more information, www. bit.ly/2Hnv48R.

Lilmode Art Night: Miriam’s Cup – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 7 to 9 p.m. Join us as congregant and artist Rob Foster walks us through making our very own Miriam’s Cup wine glass. No art experience neces-

Lunch ‘N Learn at the JCC Featuring Rabbi Daniel Dorsch, Conservative – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 12 to 1 p.m. The JCC Lunch ‘N Learn series features Atlanta rabbis who share unique perspectives on topics of their choice. Guests may

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

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

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

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

intention setting and supportive discussion regarding lunar and seasonal wisdom. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2GKqpOl.

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

SUNDAY, MARCH 15

Hunger Walk 2020 – The Home Depot Backyard, 1 Backyard Way, Atlanta, from noon to 4 p.m. The Hunger Walk Run — an annual 5K walk and “fun run” that began in 1984 — is an event of the Atlanta Community Food Bank that unites our community to raise awareness and critical funds for local hunger relief. Proceeds from the event benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank and other local nonprofit organizations that support food pantries, community kitchens, shelters and other programs for people in need of food assistance. The benefiting partner organizations help recruit participants and receive a percentage of the funds raised to support their direct hunger relief programs. For more information, hungerwalk@acfb. org or call 404-419-1723. bring lunch or purchase food from A Healthy Touch kosher café. Free and open to all. For more information, www.bit.ly/2kVzr3K.

d e l

Emory Lecture: The Book Smugglers of the Vilna Ghetto – Emory University, 1390 Oxford Road NE, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Emory’s annual Tenenbaum Lecture will explore “The Book Smugglers of the Vilna Ghetto: A Story of Spiritual Resistance,” with guest scholar David E. Fishman of the Jewish Theological Seminary. Free. For more information, js.emory.edu.

for a weekly class on Jewish spirituality, mysticism and how to apply it to your personal growth in a meaningful way. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2vuZCCV.

JaneBunnettandMaqueque–Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, 1700 North Decatur Road, Atlanta, from 8 to 10 p.m. Internationally acclaimed flutist, saxophone player, and pianist Jane Bunnett joins Maqueque for an exploration of how Afro-Cuban melodies express the universality of music. While Maqueque started out as a project to record and mentor young brilliant Cuban female musicians, in recent years this award-winning ensemble has become one of the top groups on the North American jazz scene. $45 per ticket. For more information, www.bit.ly/37kl372.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

Friday Night Live – Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Shearith Israel’s monthly, spirited, song-filled Friday evening service followed by a lovely oneg and socializing. It’s a wonderful way to welcome Shabbat. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2Gp5SRI.

Kiddush Levenah- New Moon Wisdom Circle – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. For centuries, Jews have gathered under the light and darkness of the moon to create community, deepen the connection to nature and her cycles, plant new visions and harmonize with Mother Earth. Please join Etz Chaim for this new monthly gathering to experience this ancient practice in community through niggun, mindfulness practice, guided meditation,

Jewish Spirituality & Mysticism – Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, from 8 to 9 p.m. Join Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz

Kabbalah and Coffee – Chabad Intown on the BeltLine, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Discuss, explore and journey through the world of Jewish mystical teaching and learn how to apply these profound teachings to your daily life. This ongoing class probes the esoteric through a unique program of English text-based study. No prior kabbalistic experience required. Free. For more information, www. chabadintown.org.

Atlanta Jewish Academy Young Women in STEM Career Fair – Atlanta Jewish Academy, 5200 Northland Dr., Atlanta, from noon to 4:00 pm. The keynote speaker is Dr. Debbie Berebichez, physicist, TV host and STEM advocate. AJA is a proud grantee partner of Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta. In partnership with JumpSparkATL and The Weber School, they are creating programs to provide young women in the Atlanta Jewish community with the information and knowledge to pursue degrees and job opportunities in STEM fields. All Jewish female eighth- 12th - graders in the Greater Atlanta area are invited.

Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours: Fulton Bag & Cotton Mill – William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, 1440 Spring St. NW, Atlanta, from 2 to 4 p.m. Once the largest employer in Atlanta, the Fulton Bag and Cotton Mill is now loft apartments and condos. Explore the Jewish history of the factory and how it gave rise to Cabbagetown and Georgia Tech. Free. For more information, www.thebreman.org.

AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow (LFT) High School Program – National Council of Jewish Women, 6303 Roswell Road NE, Atlanta, from 5 to 8 p.m. American Jewish Committee’s Leaders for Tomorrow enables young Jewish leaders to develop skills to advocate on behalf of the Jewish people, Israel and human rights around the world, and to serve as positive change agents for their peers and community. AJC’s goal is to ensure that graduates of the program enter college with the knowledge and confidence to engage in ongoing dialogue regarding antiSemitism and Israel. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2V3PD2q.

MONDAY, MARCH 23 Shalom in the Shul – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from noon to 1 p.m. Rabbi Emeritus Shalom Lewis will share his thoughts on The Rise of Chassidism and its Teachings. Participants should bring a dairy lunch. All are welcome. This learning opportunity is sponsored by Sisterhood. Free for members, $5 for non-members. For more information, www.bit. ly/39RMcjA. Divorce & Separation Support Group – Jewish Family & Career Services, 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, from 6 to 8 p.m. Join this biweekly support group facilitated by Helen Kotler Ph.D., LPC. $25 per session. To join the group, hkotler@jfcsatl.org or call 404-210-9571. Monday Night Parsha – Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, from 7 to 8 p.m. weekly. As Chabad of North Fulton begins the new annual cycle of Torah reading, consider joining this new class by Rabbi Gedalya Hertz on the weekly parsha. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/34E5JS1.

Passover Tasting Event – Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, from 9 to 10 p.m. Do you have a favorite Passover recipe, something that your family waits all year for you to make? Whip up a dairy or pareve dish, from charoset and soup, to a side dish, to Passover

rolls or bread, to main courses, and tasty desserts. Bring your dish to share along with 10 copies of your recipe. Chef Jan Adler will share some of her tantalizing Passover dishes and her recipes. Sisterhood will provide the set-up and drinks. Open to all Sisterhood members and prospective members. Free for Sisterhood members, $5 for nonmembers. For more information, www.bit.ly/3bVX4i0.

TUESDAY, MARCH 24 Campus Top Talent – City Green at City Springs, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs, from 6 to 10 p.m. Join Hillels of Georgia as they honor the recipients of the Billi and Bernie Marcus Visionary Award and enjoy performances by college students from all over Georgia. $250 for general admission, $150 for 40 and under, admission waived with donations. For more information, www.bit. ly/3bUeSdv. Tradition, Tradition and Change – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 7 to 9 p.m. Change is what keeps our faith vibrant and relevant. Join Shalom Lewis, rabbi emeritus of Congregation Etz Chaim, for this interesting discussion. Free for members, $5 for nonmembers. For more information, www.bit.ly/2SJJ2bF.

of Shlichei Tzibbur (prayer leaders). Free. For more information, www. bit.ly/2wzeaSM. bit.ly/2wzeaSM

THURSDAY, MARCH 26 Rosh Chodesh Services – Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Sisterhood invites all women and men of Etz Chaim to join them for Rosh Chodesh each month, as the women of Etz Chaim lead the morning minyan. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/37MoovX.

Coffee and Cuddles – Early Childhood Education Center at Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, from 10 to 11 a.m. Join Linda and Sheri at Temple Beth Tikvah for playtime and conversation. For parents, grandparents and caregivers with children under 2 years old to connect and play. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/37L6l9s.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 Synagogue Scholars & Authors Series – Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from 7;30 to 9 p.m. Featuring Gloria Jacobson, Ph.D., and Leah Jacobmann, professional violinists and Suzuki teachers answering everything you always wanted to know about the violin: its history, construction, performance techniques, and why it’s so hard to play. Free. For more information and to register, www.bit.ly/34aiCTm.

Mishmar Ruach (Spirit Cycle) – Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday. Members and friends of Shearith Israel gather to enrich the spiritual and musical culture of their community. The schedule alternates between the Singing Circle, when they meditate together in song, and the Tefila Leader Cohort, a prayer lab where they share tunes, study nusach (traditional chanting) and build up the group

NCJW Atlanta/Congregation Or Hadash Women’s Seder – Congregation Or Hadash, 7460 Trowbridge Road, Sandy Springs, from 6 to 9 p.m. The Community Women’s Seder will consist of all the symbolic seder foods plus dessert. The ritual itself follows the format of the regular Passover seder, with discussions centered around women’s issues and food as part of the celebration. $35 per person. For tickets and more information, 404-843-9600 404-843-9600. Jewish Spirituality & Mysticism – Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, from 8 to 9 p.m. weekly. Join Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz for a weekly class on Jewish spirituality, mysticism and how to apply it to your personal growth in a meaningful way. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2WPA3Gn.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27 Acoustic Shabbat Café @ Crema Espresso Gourmet – Crema Espresso Gourmet, 2458 Mount Vernon Road,

Dunwoody, from 7 to 8:15 p.m. Join Rabbi Brian Glusman, Drew Cohen and teen musicians from The Weber School for an evening of music and Shabbat prayers. Food and wine available for purchase. This interactive Shabbat-themed experience is sponsored by Atlanta Jewish Music Festival and The Weber School. Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/33ToaBw.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Dueling Pianos – Congregation Dor Tamid, 11165 Parsons Road, Johns Creek, from 7 to 11 p.m. Food, auction items and dueling pianos. You can win vacations, baskets, services and more. $36 per person. For more information, www.bit.ly/38GSIt8. Metulla Group HGA Presents:“Passover Taster” – Private residence in Sandy Springs, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. This is a chance to share and enjoy your favorite dairy or vegetarian Passover culinary creation. As well as your food dish, bring along copies of your recipe to give to others who will be there. $7 per person. For more information, bphlang@yahoo.com or mslink55@comcast.net.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 The Daffodil Dash – Dunwoody High School, 5035 Vermack Road, Dunwoody, from 9 a.m. to noon. A onemile and 5K run/walk in memory of the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust and in support for children suffering in the face of genocide and other humanitarian crises in the world today. It also raises awareness and funds for Holocaust education and genocide awareness. Proceeds benefit Am Yisrael Chai, a nonprofit Holocaust education and awareness organization, as well as the “Kids for Kids,” “Raising South Sudan” and “Agahozo-Shalom” organizations helping children and families in remote villages in Darfur, South Sudan and Rwanda. The race also supports the Atlanta Holocaust survivor fund providing medical, dental and home care for Holocaust survivors. $30 per adult, $15 per child 10 and under. For more information and to register, www.bit. ly/2Vb8CrM.

Passover Celebrations at Kroger (Dunwoody) – Kroger – Orchard Park, 2090 Dunwoody Club Drive, Dunwoody, from noon to 3 p.m. All are invited to Kroger for an afternoon of songs, crafts, activities and fun as they celebrate and shop for the holiday of Passover. Children can visit craft stations, participate in activities and learn about Passover. Adults can enjoy guided Passover shopping tours with local rabbis, wine tasting, Passover food tasting and more. People of all faiths and backgrounds are welcome, Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2SIVJUc. Atlanta Jewish Bowling League Wants You! – Bowlero Spalding, 6345 Spalding Drive, Norcross, weekly through April 19 at 6:45 p.m. The 63-year-old Atlanta Jewish Bowling League, established in 1956, is looking for a few bowlers to join their Sunday night league. All skill levels accepted. They are a co-ed social league that likes to have fun. $17 per night for three games. To register and for more information, www.bit.ly/2U5twIk. Film Screening: “Nevertheless” – Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Atlanta, from 7 to 9 p.m. As part of Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta’s Change the Culture Initiative, we are excited to bring you “Nevertheless.” Join us for the local premiere of this brandnew film March 29. Looking behind the headlines of #MeToo and Time’s Up, “Nevertheless” follows the intimate stories of individuals who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace or school context. From a writer’s assistant on a top TV show to a tech CEO and 911 dispatcher, the film shines a light on the ways in which we can shift our culture and rebuild. $18 per adult, $10/student. For more information, www.jwfatlanta.org/events. The Kabbalah of Wine + Wine Tasting – Chabad Intown on the BeltLine, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wine is one of the oldest and most symbolic drinks in human history and its mystique continues to cast its shadow over society. Learn the secrets of this mysterious drink and uncover the truth behind its intoxicating power. Event features a guided wine tasting and pairing. $25 per ticket. For more information, www. bit.ly/2T0aTn3.

Connector Chatter Welcome New Directory Member

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Cobb Galleria Centre In conversation with Karen Caro How long has your organization been in Atlanta? Cobb Galleria Centre is celebrating 26 years! What is unique about your organization? We are Atlanta’s most walkable events destination. Shopping, dining, entertainment, and hotel accommodations are all located within our campus or are located within easy walking distance. Additionally, our award-winning, in-house culinary team can create custom menus to suit any theme or culinary style for your next celebration. Do you have a volunteer and/or intern program? At our sister property, Cobb Energy Centre, we have a robust volunteer usher program with almost 1,000 volunteers! The ushers are the face of our organization, and we couldn’t do what we do without them.

Directory Spotlight Congregation Beth Shalom

Congregation Or VeShalom

In conversation with Loli Gross How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

Beth Shalom has been in existence since 1975. We moved to our current location in 1988. What is unique about your organization? Our rabbi has been with us for 31 years. We are an inclusive, spiritual Jewish community, providing a warm, nurturing environment where we pray, learn, educate and perpetuate Torah and Jewish values, while serving the greater community. We are a shul with a strong culture of welcoming, where all our members can learn, pray and become an integral part of our extended family. Beth Shalom is committed to be a meaningful spiritual home for all of our members regardless of background, age, stage of life, gender or sexual orientation. Whether you are Jewish or the non-Jewish member of a Jewish family, you can find a home at Beth Shalom. We have a full Kiddush lunch every Shabbat following services, catered by our Sisterhood. We have the best tuna and whitefish! We normally have 125 folks joining us each Shabbat for lunch, if not more. Do you have a volunteer and/or intern program? Beth Shalom has a small staff but we are an extremely active kehillah, thanks to our cadre of volunteers! Every program from Purim to Simchat Torah to Chanukah to special events are all chaired and driven by our volunteers. Our kitchen is run by our Sisterhood. All meals for our holiday celebrations are prepared, cooked and served by our Men’s Club. We have an active group of members who read Torah every Shabbat. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of Beth Shalom.

In conversation with Adam Kofinas How long has your organization been in Atlanta? Congregation Or VeShalom has been in existence since 1914. What is unique about your organization? We are the only modern Sephardic synagogue in Atlanta. Do you have a volunteer and/or intern program? We have volunteers assist us in programming all the time.

Holocaust Remembrance Event

The Paper Clip Project Talk and Q&A by Linda Hooper Principal of Hartwell Middle School who founded the project and documentary Followed by Coffee and Dessert

Date: April 20, 2020 7:00 PM Location: Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Rd Marietta, GA 30062 Please R.S.V.P. Elliott.Kirshner@gmail.com This Event is Free and Open to the Entire Atlanta Community 60 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

COMMUNITY It’s Not All About Winning in Vegas

The MJCCA teams that participated in the national games.

The Catchball Team of the Marcus ties, empower women, and encourage JCC didn’t win the national tournament them to participate in physical activity, in Las Vegas Feb. 28 to March 1. But they the MJCCA stated in a press release. The group that traveled from Atlan“left their heart on the court and grew closer as a team as well as an organiza- ta to Las Vegas included 14 women and tion,” Coach Carissa Mindt, who repre- Mindt. While her team is named Peach sented two of the teams, said upon re- Perfect, they split into two competitive teams of seven for the tournament, Peach turning from the USA Catchball Games. “Atlanta was well represented at the United and S-peach-less. “Our catchball team has been play5th Annual Catchball Games, bringing ing here since four teams to 2016,” wrote the tournaValerie Chamment. Every bers, MJCCA’s team rose to director of the challenge Athletic Dein their pools, velopment while facing & Wellness. tough com“We currently petition from have four difacross the ferent teams country," said practicing Mindt. through the In the MJCCA – two end, Valley MJCCA catchball brings women together for teams that Net2 from physical activity, competition and socializing. practice here Silicon Valley, Calif., became the tournament champi- and two teams that practice off site. “Our program is set up to help imons. But that didn’t stop the MJCCA team from setting the next goal. “They are al- prove catchball skills and techniques, ready back in the gym preparing for their providing women with everything needed to attack the court with enthusiasm next tournament appearance!” she said. According to the MJCCA, catchball and fun.” The MJCCA’s catchball program is is a fun, women’s-only variant on volleyball. The rules are similar to volleyball, regularly touted by its participants as the but the ball is caught and thrown, rather perfect mix of athleticism, competition than hit. Catchball originated in Israel and socializing, according to the release. and is considered one of the most popu- “Through sport, women come together lar sports there played by female adults. and form bonds that last long past the Catchball is known to unify communi- last match is played.” ì

COMMUNITY

JAA to Survey Disabilities Community By Jan Jaben-Eilon

his federally funded, independent state On March 1, the agency convenes Jewish Abilities Alliorganizations that ance of Atlanta held work with individuits Power of a Proals and families livgram to celebrate the ing with intellectual inclusion of people and developmental with disabilities into disabilities in Georthe Atlanta Jewish gia. Recently this community. The proincluded members gram, which is five of the Atlanta Jewish years old, capped off community for its Dani Weiss Photography // Representing the MJCCA JF&CS’s Abby Frantz Dani Weiss Photography // Representing Temple Atlanta’s celebration annual GCDD Advoposes with a client. Sinai Preschool were Ellyse Zindler, Jamah of Jewish Disability were Sarah Scheuer, Board Chair Ken Winkler, CEO cacy Day to talk with Jared Powers, Elizabeth Knapp, and Emily Shapiro. Maman, Emily Weissman and Amy Shapiro. Awareness, Acceplegislators. tance and Inclusion In 2015, the Month in February. Georgia Council surSeveral disability inclusion events ish community and hear what’s needed. I leader with a disability. “If you see it, you veyed people across the state to determine were held throughout Atlanta in Febru- want to learn what programming would can be it, and today Jews with disabilities the needs in the disability community that ary, including Inclusion Shabbats in many excite the community.” need more role models with disabilities in weren’t being answered. The result was a synagogues. And, this month, from March At the same time, JAA plans an as- leadership in the Jewish community,” Miz- five-year plan for 2017 to 2021 to address 12-22, Jerry’s Habima Theatre, the theatri- sessment program to “research the entire rachi said at the time. “Many also want to those needs across the state. cal company directed and produced by lifespan” of the disability community, Gar- be recruited, trained and empowered to It’s been 30 years since the Americans industry professionals, featuring actors rett said. “It will be a big undertaking. Our make the Jewish community stronger, just with Disabilities Act, or ADA, was passed. with special needs as well as professional priority will be the adult level. Older adults like anyone else.” Since this civil rights law that prohibits community actors, is producing “Mamma have not been as engaged in the Atlanta RespectAbility’s national survey discrimination based on disability went Mia!” This is the 27th musical produced by Jewish community.” was funded by Genesis Prize Foundation, into effect, much has changed for the disthe theater at the Marcus JCC. In fact, the Atlanta Jewish community whose president, Steve Rakitt, formerly ability community. “Thirty or 40 years ago, Since JDAIM was launched in 2009 to previously supported a centralized special headed the Atlanta Federation. He sug- those diagnosed with disabilities were sent bring Jewish agencies, schools and syna- education agency for youth. But the Amit gested that “the fact that most respondents to programs designed only for those with gogues together in a united effort to raise Program closed in June 2013 after serving cannot name a Jewish leader with a disabil- disabilities,” Garrett said. “There’s been a awareness and champion the rights of indi- hundreds of Jewish students in various ity simply highlights that many disabili- movement since then to pull people out of viduals with disabilities, a lot has changed. programs since 2001. ties are not visibly evident. By modeling isolation” and into the community. That includes adding the words “accepHaving grown up with a mother who The creation of JAA meant that Jew- openness and candor, we can change the tance” and “inclusion” to its title. worked in the disability realm as a special ish Atlanta decided to focus on the broader perception that being a Jewish leader and In 2013, the Jewish Federation of disabilities’ community, and not just young being a person with a disability are not mu- education teacher, Frantz said she’s “really Greater Atlanta officially launched JAA people. excited to see so many in the Jewish comtually exclusive.” with the mission to “support the commuAnother former employee of the Fed- munity embrace inclusion.” After all, she Garrett notes that one in every five nity’s inclusion work,” said JAA manager Jewish Americans – the same ratio as in the eration is Eric E. Jacobson, now executive stressed, “inclusion is not a special need. Annie Garrett, who started in May 2018. larger American population –– has a dis- director of the Georgia Council on Devel- It’s not just for those with developmental “We want to make the Jewish commu- ability. Including siblings, parents, other opmental Disabilities. “Still active with the disabilities. As human beings, we all want nity more welcoming to those with disabil- family members and friends, the vast ma- Jewish Abilities Alliance,” Jacobson said to be included.” ì ities,” Garrett said. She explained that JAA jority of Jews are impacted by someone doesn’t provide direct support to individu- with a disability. als, but rather supports Jewish agencies Garrett uses statistics provided by that directly serve those with disabilities. RespectAbility, a national nonprofit orgaFor example, at Jewish Family & Ca- nization that fights stigmas and advances reer Services, there’s an adult day care pro- opportunities for people with disabilities. gram that currently serves 54 adults with The president of RespectAbility is Jennifer disabilities, including Down syndrome, Laszlo Mizrachi, a graduate of Emory Unicerebral palsy, autism and some physical versity. disabilities. About 1 ½ years ago, RespectAbil“The age range is 22 to 67,” said Abby ity conducted a Jewish disability inclusion Frantz, community access program man- survey. The biggest takeaways from that ager for JF&CS’s developmental disabilities survey were the lack of people with disabilservices. With a staff of 20, the program of- ities in leadership roles as clergy or staff at fers outings every weekday. Jewish institutions, and a feeling of unwelFrantz plans to grow the program comeness to serve as lay leaders in the Jewgradually, adding about 10 clients a year. ish community. The report noted that only “We want the staff to get to know each 15 percent of Jews with disabilities knew of client, so we don’t want them (to join) all a person with a disability in a leadership at once.” She also plans, in the next year, role, while fewer than 10 percent of Jews to raise her profile, “to listen to the Jew- without a disability connection knew of a ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 61

COMMUNITY

Coles Super Bakes Jewish Networkers By Marcia Caller Jaffe About 11 years ago, Adam Butler, a commercial real estate broker, along with Jonathan Grant and Blair Rothstein, started Jewish Networking Atlanta with the idea of growing contacts within the Atlanta Jewish business community. Serving as president, Butler said, “We hold meetings every other week with an average of 35 members and guests. I have developed hundreds of personal and business relationships, which translated into friendships, clients and business partners.” On March 4, member Eric Fisher, through his Buckhead firm Barnes & Thornburg, hosted 60 eager, mostly millennials, for a motivational talk by local legend cum business guru and author Michael Coles. Fisher, a business litigation attorney who recently changed law firms, said, “JNA’s support network helped to ensure the transition was easy in terms of community awareness of the change and referrals of new business. In the nine-plus years that I’ve been a member, I have built friendships, client relationships,

Michael Coles, center, shared his bumpy road to success with JNA networkers David Liniado and Jason Smith. Liniado came as a guest of JNA member Smith.

and connections within the Atlanta Jewish community.” After a light dinner, Coles, who has been generous in sharing his wisdom with various groups, including the Atlanta Jewish Book Festival, brought to life scenes from his book “Time to Get Tough: How Cookies, Coffee, and a Crash Led to Success in Business and Life.” That all translates into his “aggressive” push in 1977 to get a cookie business into Perimeter Mall, recovering from a near-fatal motorcycle crash to become a record-break-

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Officers and event co-chairs Holly Gelfand Kurtz, Eric Fisher, Adam Butler and Samara Kaufman-Waldman welcomed 60 members and guests.

JNA founder Jonathan Grant brought guest Kenneth Asher and posed by the chocolate cookie display in tandem with Michael Coles, cookie entrepreneur.

ing cyclist, and heading Caribou Coffee, example of his education advocacy. After the program March 4, Coles doubling its business model. And that’s just a tiny glimpse of his roller coaster signed books and networking continued. ride, which found him with a financial- Holly Kurtz, meeting planner and hotel ly bankrupt father, and forced him as a insider, a two-year JNA member, noted, youth to take very seriously pitching in “Here is a professional community which to help the family “while peers were out creates opportunities for leadership. I gain more knowledge of what others do enjoying Miami Beach.” Coles recalled that he had 25 years of in their fields, which helps me refer cliPost-it notes, which he eventually compiled ents and vice versa.” Co-founder Grant explained, “In my into the book. He told the group that his message is to move forward by understand- sales career I was a member of other networking groups ing that things like PowerCore go wrong, learnand BNI. They ing from them, were composed and then doing of different a better job. He types, like masrecalled that in seuses and 1977 he stalked chefs, and their the Perimeter rules were very Mall manager to strict. That’s take a chance on why I started his 100-squareJNA.” Raanon foot cookie Gal, employbusiness, which Amanda Brandenburg, a legal recruiter, ment lawyer later became a Rhianna Shemper, realtor, and E.J. Stern, and JNA mempioneering and business coach, make the most of networking. ber, said, “JNA huge franchise. He said, “We had no paid employees, my is doing great things and keeps us from mom, all family when we opened the being insulated.” An anonymous memdoors.” They had no oven mitts and made ber laughed that co-member Justin Spiza smoky mess, but persevered. “Things man had coached him on how to handle progressed from there,” Cole recalled. a previous traffic violation. Samara Kaufman-Waldman, entre“Southlake Mall was the first store to do a million dollars, then Greenbriar Mall was preneur and sommelier at Cinagro Wine a disaster.” Coles’ mantra is: “Learn to deal Experience, echoed, “JNA has brought with the unexpected.” Confidence is one of many incredible professional and personal relationships into my life. Through my inColes’ charms and forces. Coles, immediate past president of volvement, I have grown my business sigHillels of Georgia, ended his talk with nificantly and helped others do the same.” Jason Smith, director of business an emotional acknowledgment. “We all draw from our inner strength grounded development of Cingo, summed up the in our Jewish heritage.” Fisher then an- group’s mission. “I’ve been in JNA over nounced a $500 donation to Hillel in three years. It’s become more than busiColes’ honor. Coles will be honored by ness networking. We’ve become a tight Hillels of Georgia at its annual event knit group that helps each other in busiMarch 24. The Coles College of Business at ness and in life.” Annual JNA dues are Kennesaw State University is yet another $100. ì

COMMUNITY

NCJW Celebrates 125 Years and Looks to the Future By Jan Jaben-Eilon The Atlanta Section of the National Council of Jewish Women kicked off its 125th anniversary year last month with a visit from Sheila Katz, the new CEO of the national network of 90,000 members and supporters, which is two years older than Atlanta. Current president of the Atlanta Section, Sherry Frank, reviewed the many accomplishments of the local progressive Jewish women’s organization. Frank listed those accolades in 25-year increments starting with 1895 to 1920. In those years, free education was the group’s top priority. It sponsored free kindergarten at the Jewish Educational Alliance and established Shabbat schools for new immigrants. In the past 25 years, NCJW took over the Atlanta Jewish Coalition for Literacy, initiated a backpack/ school supplies project, pop-up Mother’s Day jewelry shops, and teen dating advocacy services, adopted Toomer Elementary School and Agape Community Center and hosted the national convention. But the AJT challenged Frank to look forward to 2045 – in another 25 years – and what she expected of NCJW’s Atlanta Section then. “We will still be fighting for women’s equality,” she said. “We will be fighting the same issues.” Frank pointed out that throughout NCJW’s history, it has been involved with immigration, including working at Ellis Island at the turn of the 20th century. Currently, the Atlanta group is training women to document the “shady practices” in Georgia where some 97 percent of cases brought by immigrants and refugees before the courts are turned away by the judges. “We’re training court watchers,” Frank said. In addition, NCJW in Atlanta is training people for poll watching for the upcoming elections. “We will always be looking at civil rights and democracy,” she said. Fortunately, she’s observed that “people are coming out of the wood works for advocacy and volunteering.” Recently she handed out a sign-up sheet for those interested in working against domestic violence and was amazed at the number of women who signed up. The group also plans this year to bring a domestic violence and teen dating program with a one-person play to schools across Atlanta. “We are almost over-programming to give people a voice,” Frank said. Indeed, this 125th anniversary year will be busy for NCJW’s Atlanta Section. “Our Women’s Seder was so successful in 2019 that we are holding it in the evening so working women can attend,” Frank told attendees at the kick-off brunch last month. The Women’s Community Seder will be held March 26, again at Congregation Or Hadash, with their co-sponsorship. The group’s haggadah was so popular last year that Frank said extra haggadot will be printed and sold this year. Last year’s Celebrating our Sheroes event will also be repeated, this year on May 6, at City Springs. As part of the anniversary celebration, an e-Blast from The Past will be sent out monthly, Frank said, to highlight several notable historic milestones. The first said that the group was organized in November 1895 at The Temple at its original location at Forsyth and Gar-

Celebrating NCJW Atlanta Section’s 125th anniversary are Sherry Frank, president; Sheila Katz, national CEO; and Rachel Rosner, immediate past president.

nett streets. Thanks to several endowment funds, Frank said the group has been able to raise its profile in the community. “We were blessed with endowment funds decades ago,” she said. Some of that money will be used to send leaders to the national convention in Chicago in April. Frank said that much of NCJW’s work is done in

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 63

COMMUNITY

ACCESS Atlanta Leaders Find Commonality in Japan

ACCESS leaders from around the U.S. met with the Israeli ambassador to Japan while visiting the country.

By Brandon Goldberg and Lisa Lebovitz “Welcome to Israel!” It’s not a phrase you would expect to hear in Tokyo, but as we sat with Yaffa BenAri, Israeli ambassador to Japan, inside her embassy, she was most accurate in her greeting. As leaders of ACCESS, the young professionals’ division of the American Jewish Committee, we traveled with fellow ACCESS leaders from around the U.S. to Japan in early February as a part of the Kakehashi Project bridge building program. While spending the week in Tokyo and Kyoto, we engaged with Japanese, American, and Israeli diplo-

Brandon Goldberg and Lisa Lebovitz were part of a national ACCESS Kakehashi Project mission to Japan.

Lisa Lebovitz, right, met with the granddaughter of a man honored as one of Yad Vashem’s Righteous Among the Nations for saving Jews during the Holocaust.

mats. The discussions ranged from trilateral and bilateral relations to Japanese history and the dynamic Tokyo Jewish community, a vibrant group that welcomed us for Shabbat. The trip was not all suits and handshakes. We were able to experience sunrise sushi from tank-to-plate at the well-known Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo; we watched Mount Fuji fly past at 200 mph on the bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto; and we participated in a traditional tea ceremony at Kinkakuji, the Golden Pavilion Temple of Kyoto. Among these experiences and more, we connected in unpredictable ways with a culture as rich and an-

cient as our own Jewish roots. Talmudic and rabbinic references are as common to Jews as thousand-year-old historical references to the Japanese. Typical meals are often family-style with shared dishes and casual conversation, not unlike a Shabbat dinner among friends. One of the most poignant moments was having the opportunity to meet Madoka Sugihara, the granddaughter of Chiune-Sempo Sugihara, one of Yad Vashem’s Righteous Among the Nations for his heroic acts in saving Jewish lives during World War II. He was a Japanese diplomat who, against direct orders from his government, wrote over 2,000 household transit visas allowing Jew- Lisa Lebovitz with Japanese women ish families to flee at the Zen Buddhist Temple in Kyoto. through Japan to safe havens. Descendants of those he saved are thought to number over 250,000. One of our own fellow participants was able to find her relative on the wall of names of those he saved – a welcome departure from the typically tragic memorial wall. When we arrived in Japan, we were strangers in a strange land, and when we left, we were among friends. If you’ve never explored a culture you thought was different than yours, you’ll never find out how much you truly have in common. This is one of the many lessons AJC and Kakehashi have brought us, and one we bring home to our Atlanta Jewish community. Let’s keep looking for similarities among us so we can keep building bridges. Many thanks to AJC, ACCESS, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Japan for this experience. ì Brandon Goldberg and Lisa Lebovitz participated in ACCESS Atlanta’s Kakehashi Project mission to Japan, a leadership exchange program exposing young professionals to Japanese society, culture and politics. It’s a partnership with AJC’s Asia Pacific Institute.

64 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

COMMUNITY

The Secret Sauce for ‘No Pork on the Fork’ we had something special to share with a larger community. I began to recognize what it takes to run the festival: finding Last month at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, we excellent talent for the planning team; coordinating with basked in the smoky glow of the world premiere of “No Pork sponsors, teams and entertainers; working with the city of Sandy Springs and its police and fire on the Fork,” the short film that docudepartments; and taking care of countments how we produce the annual Atless other details. It became obvious lanta Kosher BBQ Festival. It’s the largthat this needed to be captured on film. est event of its kind in the Southeast, Now we needed to find a filmand plans are well underway for our maker. While volunteering at the 19th eighth annual AKBF Oct. 18. Fittingly, AJFF, I worked the information booth our story played to a full house Feb. 23 at City Springs with Devra and Walter at the 20th annual AJFF, arguably the Kolesky. I casually mentioned the Atlargest event of its kind in the United lanta Kosher BBQ Festival and said it States. would be really cool to do a film about Just as every successful BBQ creit and have it appear in the AJFF. They ation has its own special recipe, so does suggested that I reach out to the acthe film we shared. And, every great claimed director Adam Hirsch. They recipe has its own special story. Ours said he has had a few films show at the goes back some 15 years, when I took AJFF and may be interested in helping my mom, Gladys Pollack, of blessed Photos by Alan Ripps and Scott Turner make this dream come true. memory, to her acting debut. She had // Directors Jacob Ross and Adam Adam loved the idea. He assemcalled me from The Jewish Tower and Hirsch discuss their film. bled an extremely talented crew led by asked me to take her to Goldbergs deli on Roswell Road so she can be in a movie. She told me that up-and-coming director-editor extraordinaire Jacob Ross. there was a new Jewish film festival in Atlanta and some guy Adam and Jacob recognized that the film had to show how named Kenny Blank was doing a trailer advertising it. I had the AKBF marinated greater Atlanta’s love of BBQ while no idea what she was talking about, but these are the things maintaining our Jewish heritage through kashrut. We walked through the sequence of events and identiyou do for your mom. When we got there, the pickle jars and bagels on the fied key phases of the BBQ festival that needed to be filmed: deli counter had been replaced with reels of film, and the prep night at Congregation B’nai Torah, Saturday night set crew was there to begin filming. I met Kenny, who explained the concept: Customers would go to the counter and order a movie from Sid, the counterman. Sid would check with the ladies in the back to see what films they have. My mom was one of those ladies in the back. The result was a very cute trailer that both promoted the fifth AJFF and captured the essence of my mom and her view of life. She delivered her Jodi Pollack says he was inspired famous line: “I made it by his mother to make a film of the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival. myself!” Here is a link to the trailer https://youtu. be/RAMEs9OzPQI. But wait, there’s more. My mom then wrote a letter to her late mom, titled, “Ma, guess what I got to do!” Here is part of her letter that appeared in the 2005 winter edition of the Meyer Balser Center for Healthy Living newspaper. “Ma, you never told me that when I would be in my eighties, I would be an actress. When I was told that they liked my personality so much that they wrote a part for me in the trailer promoting the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, I felt that I had won the lottery. The whole movie making atmosphere gave me a glow that let me know I was still alive and not ready to smell the roses.” Fast forward to 2019. When the Hebrew Order of David took over the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival from the B’nai Torah Brotherhood team of Matt Dickson, Brian Mailman and Keith Marks, I knew By Jody Pollack

up, and cooking through the night and festival day. We featured our 2017 grand champion trophy, then on display at the Atlanta History Center’s exhibition “Barbecue Nation,” along with narratives with Don Rooney, exhibition curator, and Jim Auchmutey, author of “Smoke Lore.” We featured Keith Marks prepping ribs on Saturday night for Sunday’s festival attendees. And thus, “No Pork on the Fork” was born. It premiered as part of the AJFF to a sellout crowd, and it will be making the rounds to community events in Atlanta and any place where good BBQ is savored. While she is not around to take me to the shoot, I’m sure my mom is looking down, sharing my joy and smelling my BBQ smoke. And now, I can say: “Ma, guess what I got to do, too!” She gave me the recipe, but I made it myself! ì

Jody Pollack is executive director of the Hebrew Order of David and its annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 65

COMMUNITY

How We Became Jewish Advocates

LFT students meet at the office of Georgia Congressman Drew Ferguson.

By Isabelle Mokotoff and Jaren Linowes

vocacy is helping everyone walk away as a winner. In our interactions during and after As Jewish teens, we developed a pas- LFT, knowing how to advocate has made all sion for the community that was nurtured the difference. In school, extracurriculars by our Jewish camps, day schools and syna- and pre-college programs, we’ve frequently gogues. For us and many of our peers, we turned purposeful or inadvertent anti-Semfirst left the comfort of our “Jewish bubbles” ites into allies of the Jewish community. LFT also provided us with a comprein the ninth grade. It was then that our core beliefs were first questioned and we realized, hensive education about looking at antimany times through first-hand experiences, Semitism through a trifocal lens: from the unfortunate truth that anti-Semitism is the right, the left, and religious extremists. While we typically understand the alive and well in 21st century America. Thankfully, American Jewish Commit- implications of right-wing anti-Semitism, tee has a high school program that helps many of us were caught by surprise when teens address these issues and become anti-Semitism reared its ugly head on strong and confident Jewish advocates. the left. Armed with this knowledge, we now know how to Leaders for Tomorrow handle BDS [Boycott, trains Jewish students Divestment and Sancas advocates and protions] protests or “Isvides the skills to stand rael Apartheid Week” up for Israel and the demonstrations, and Jewish community in we will confidently college and throughtake charge if and out their lives. when we encounter We were fortuPalestinian eviction nate to have the oppornotices on our dorm tunity to participate room doors. When in this life-changing program. Through in- LFT students meet with Shane Stephens, we and our fellow LFT alumni leave for novative and didactic Consul General of Ireland in Atlanta, college, we will be activities, engaging to advocate on behalf of world Jewry. prepared to tackle all guest speakers and abundant opportunities to teach and be types of anti-Semitism present on today’s taught by world leaders, LFT alumni be- college campuses. Our LFT experience was an incredible come equipped to strengthen a world that starting point for our lifetime journeys as desperately needs Jewish advocates. With over 113 years of experience safe- Jewish advocates. We could not be more guarding the rights of the Jewish people and grateful for the skills and tools we gained promoting democratic values, AJC has per- during LFT. ì fected the art of advocacy. Throughout the LFT applications for the 2020-2021 school program, we were taught about effective coalition and relationship building. One of year are now open. If you know of a rising high the most impactful examples was learning school sophomore or junior who may be interabout how AJC met with the Japanese gov- ested in participating in LFT, they can find the ernment for five years to encourage them to application at AJC.org/LFTinfo. Applications reverse their support of the Arab boycott on are due April 12. Israel. This helped us understand that adIsabelle Mokotoff and Jaren Linowes are vocacy is about consistently strengthening relationships and building trust. Our LFT alumni of the 2018-2019 LFT program and inclass also learned about how effective ad- terns at AJC Atlanta. 66 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

COMMUNITY

March is

SIMCHA SPOTLIGHT

Month

Engagement Announcement Weinberg-Feldman

Jon and Leslie Weinberg announce the engagement of their daughter Paige Anne Weinberg to Samuel Gershon Feldman, son of Robin Feldman. The bride-to-be is the granddaughter of David and Pearline Franco, an alum of The Davis Academy class of 2008 and a native of Atlanta, while the groom-to-be is an alum of the Atlanta Jewish Academy class of 2008 and was born in Chicago. Paige Anne and Samuel will be married in Atlanta at Congregation Or VeShalom in November.

B’nai Mitzvah Notices: February 2020

Michael Apolinsky, son of Joanna and Craig Apolinsky. Avery Berman, daughter of Mara and Justin Berman. Sylvie Bella Brown, daughter of Stacy and Kevin Brown.

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Summer Folbaum, daughter of Kelcey and Rick Folbaum. Joshua Markwood, son of Lindsey and William Markwood. Kyra Russotto, daughter of Dana and Daniel Russotto. Juliana Socoloff, daughter of Catherine and Michael Socoloff. Jacob Sugar, son of Dana and Aaron Sugar.

In partnership with

Have something to celebrate? Births, B’nai Mitzvah, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Special Birthdays and more ... Share it with your community with free AJT simcha announcements. Send info to submissions@atljewishtimes.com submissions@atljewishtimes.com..

and Is proud to host an America Red Cross Blood Drive ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 67

KEEPING IT KOSHER

5-Ingredient Chocolate Chip Halva Cheesecake Hamantashen Cooking and Prep: 1 ½ hours Serves: 24 Preference: Dairy Difficulty: Easy Diet: Vegetarian, pescetarian 1 package cream cheese, 250 grams 1/3 to ½ cup crumbled halva 1/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 rolls chocolate chip cookie dough (468 grams packages suggested) Preheat oven to 325 F. Mix together cream cheese, halva, sugar and vanilla. Roll out dough as thinly as possible. The chocolate chips will limit how thinly you can roll them. Using a 2 ½ to 3-inch cookie cutter, cut out circles. Fill each with 1 teaspoon of cheese mixture. Form hamantashen. Chill for one hour. Then bake for about 15 minutes. Source: Erin Grunstein, kosher.com 68 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

JEWISH JOKE OF THE WEEK

The Latest Barbie Doll Little Emma is talking to Naomi, her best friend. “My mom has just bought me the latest Barbie doll for my birthday. It’s a Jewish mother Barbie doll.” “Oh, you lucky thing,” Naomi says. “So what does the doll do, Emma?” “When you press her button,” Emma replies, “it cries out, ‘Oy Vey, enough with the button already.’” Joke provided by David Minkoff www.awordinyoureye.com

YIDDISH WORD OF THE WEEK schmooze

‫שמועס‬ To converse informally, to small talk or chat. Can also be a form of brown-nosing (from Yiddish ‫ שמועסן‬shmuesn—cf. German schmusen; ultimately From Hebrew ‫שמּועֹות‬‎ ְ (sh'mu'ót), plural of ‫שמּועָ ה‬‎ ְ (sh'mu'á, “report, piece of news, rumor”), related to ‫ש ַמע‬‎ ָ (shamá, “to hear”). The word is commonly used in the business world to refer to informal networking activities.

BRAIN FOOD

Again & Again

ACROSS

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

43 46

56 62

11 16

58 63

1. Son of Jacob 6. Son of Jacob 11. Son of Jacob 14. ___ B'Tevet 15. Push hard 16. Be in debt 17. Spewed 18. Figured out a route 20. Tony Stark's metal 21. Palindromic Hebrew letter 22. Palindromic Hebrew letter 23. Coastal city in Israel 25. Coastal city in Israel 29. Aka for The Vilna Gaon 30. She has her own network and magazine 32. Consumed some 65-Across 33. "Pass" 34. Meshuggah 36. Jewish youth org. 37. Like a cantor saying the "Shemona Esrei" for the congregation...or many of the clues in this puzzle 40. Jewish youth org. 42. Be a nudnik 43. Dec. settings in Denver 44. Obamacare, for short 45. He flew with Maverick in "Top Gun" 47. NYC Yeshiva or travel org. 50. One of the five Books of

Moses 54. One of the five books of Moses 56. Palindromic Hebrew letter 57. Palindromic Hebrew letter 58. Washingtons 59. Joseph wore one, according to Webber 63. Leave no doubt 64. Food on a seder plate 65. Food on a seder plate 66. Food on a seder plate 67. Chicken General 68. Film critic David 69. Kick off

25. Pointing pronoun 26. Rug cleaners, for short 27. Part of TGIF 28. Oy follower 31. Friend, to Jose 33. "The Matrix" hero 35. Chinese appetizer mix 36. Meshuggah 37. Gosling in "La La Land" 38. Luggage attachments 39. Major Israeli food manufacturer 40. Free supermarket item 41. Letters accompanying some 2,000-year-old+ dates 46. What 2,000 pounds is equal to 47. Branched item in Judaism 48. Talk show host Noah 49. Say with authority 51. Ending in many female names 52. ___ cum laude 53. Mayan neighbor 55. Cohen's controversial comedic character 57. A corn field could be turned into one, fittingly enough 59. The Tigers, on a scoreboard 60. Some NFL linemen: Abbr. 61. Humility obstacle 62. Sudden death times, for short 63. Meir and Netanyahu: Abbr.

DOWN

1. Wisecracking 2. One charging interest 3. North or South, in America 4. The Knicks often lose in one 5. Consumed some 65-Across 6. Equally close 7. Former leader in Iran 8. Kind of hwy. lane 9. Cybernotice for a party 10. Hebrew foot 11. This: . 12. Elicit an "ooh" from 13. Nudnik in "Groundhog Day" 19. Two ___ time (in pairs) 21. This: 24. ___ credit, what a score of 1 will result in on some HS tests

LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION 1

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Remember When 15 Years Ago // March 11, 2005 ì For her mitzvah project, recent bat mitzvah Hannah Bock, a student at The Davis Academy, collected old dance costumes to donate to underprivileged children. Dance costumes cost about $100 each. Hannah’s bat mitzvah took place Jan. 8 at The Temple. ì Three Temple Sinai members – Alli Allen, Guenther Hecht and Shirley Leaderman – participated in a program called Second Helpings to help deliver food to people in need. Hecht began the program in Hilton Head, and was met with enthusiasm when he mentioned the idea of beginning a similar program at Temple Sinai. The program picked up leftovers from restaurants and delivered them to those in need.

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fornia Pizza Kitchen in Marietta and raised $16,700, more than doubling last year’s total. “Everything went perfectly, surpassing our most optimistic expectations,” said Dan Uslan, chairman and founder of the event. ì Dr. Alan and Lisa Belinky announced the birth of their son, Jacob Aaron, Feb. 20, joining siblings Joshua and Rebecca. Jacob was given the Hebrew name Yaakov Hershell. Rabbis Ilan Feldman and Shmuel Khoshkerman officiated at the brit milah, held at Congregation Beth Jacob.

50 Years Ago // March 13, 1970 ì A large and colorful Purim parade was held by Atlanta’s young Jewish community March 15 beginning on Techwood Drive and ending Guenther Hecht, Alli at the old JCC campus. The parade mimicked how Purim is celebrated in Allen and Shirley Leaderman founded Tel Aviv, with decorated cars and floats and Israeli folk songs. Participants Second Helpings Atlanta included groups from Young Judaea, Congregation Shearith Israel, Greenin 2004 to link food field Hebrew Academy, and Temple Sinai. and Jewish values. ì Vallie Jeanne Mell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Labe B. Mell of At25 Years Ago // March 17, 1995 lanta, became the bride of Lt. Phillip Angel Rosenberg, son of Mr. and Mrs. ì About 400 Atlantans attended an event called “Havinagala,” to raise money for Herbert J. Rosenberg, March 1 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Rabbi Harry Epstein officiJewish Family Services’ big brother/big sister PAL program. The event was held at Caliated, assisted by Rabbi Jacob Rothschild and Cantor Isaac Goodfriend. ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 69

OBITUARIES

Mark David Kempner 68, Atlanta

Mark Kempner, 68, passed away peacefully at the William Bremen Jewish Home Feb. 2, 2020. He was born in Chicago to Sarah and Bernard Kempner, Holocaust survivors. Mark always had physical difficulties and dreamed that he would someday walk again. He lived for a number of years at The William Breman Jewish Home, where he was loved by staff, fellow residents, volunteers and many friends, especially for his infectious smile, sense of humor and curiosity. He is survived and sorely missed by his sister Fran Kempner Ackerman and niece, Rosanne Mastin. Graveside services were held at Crest Lawn Memorial Park Feb. 4. Donations can be made to The William Bremen Jewish Home.

Bernice W. Mendel 97, Atlanta

Bernice W. Mendel, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt, passed away peacefully Feb. 22, 2020. Bernice was born in Chicago Nov. 17, 1922, and moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., before the age of 1. She was the youngest child of Sadie and James Barney Siskin of blessed memory. She was loved and respected as a role model by her family and friends. She spent many years working in Atlanta, the last 15 years before retirement from Ahavath Achim Synagogue. She was active in the AA Sisterhood and was a member of various Jewish organizations in the Atlanta area. She was preceded in death by husbands Marvin Wolkin and Richard Mendel; brothers Marvin, Mike and Sam Siskin; and sister Sarah Hamovitz. Bernice is survived by her daughters Shirley Zaner and Elaine (Allan) Carp; son Larry (Susan) Wolkin; grandchildren Marci (Jeremy) Silverman, Marc Zaner, Morgan and Paige Wolkin; great-grandchildren Reese and Mira Silverman and many nieces and nephews. Graveside services were held Feb. 24 at Green Lawn Cemetery and was officiated by Rabbi Neil Sandler. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ahavath Achim Synagogue or The William Breman Jewish Home.

Martin Alan Schneider 75, Atlanta

Martin Alan Schneider of Atlanta passed away March 7, 2020. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., July 27, 1944, and grew up in Roslyn, N.Y. After attending Hofstra University and Queens College, Marty began his aviation career in the U.S. Air Force. He was stationed in Selma, Ala., at Craig Air Force Base, where he was a trainer on the T-38. Upon discharge, he moved to Atlanta with the intent of flying for Delta Air Lines. He was hired by Delta in 1976 and remained with them as a pilot and instructor until his retirement as captain in 2004. He loved flying and continued on as a private pilot after his retirement. Loved as husband, grandfather, father, son, brother, and friend, Marty was the quiet caretaker. He was preceded in death by his parents Marge and Aaron, and his brother Stuart. He leaves behind his wife of 50 years, Ann; daughters Christine Schneider and Jenny (Brad) Shoemaker; grandchildren Vivian and Jett, and Josie Miller; brother Brian (Donna) Schneider; sister Iris (Paul Feldman); and many nieces and nephews. He will be truly missed by all and by the many people that he called friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Paideia School, the Ashford Park School Education Foundation, or the Kittredge Magnet School Foundation. Services were held March 11 at the chapel of Dresslerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewish Funeral Care in Atlanta, Arrangements by Dresslerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. Please sign online guestbook at www.edressler.com.

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@atljewishtimes.com. 70 | MARCH 15, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Joyce Ford Stine

OBITUARIES

82, Atlanta

Joyce Ford Stine passed away peacefully while surrounded by loved ones March 5, 2020, at the age of 82. Joyce was a talented artist and epitomized grace, class and beauty. She was a kind soul who welcomed all into her heart and home. Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everybody that knew her. Joyce was preceded in death by her son Adam Jay Stine and her parents Norman and Mildred Ford. She is survived by her loving husband Herbert Stine; daughter Kelly Beth Stine; daughter-in-law Stephanie Ramsey; brother-in-law Jules Stine; sister-in-law Sandi Stine, and many friends and family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Jewish Family & Career Services. Graveside services were held March 8 at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care.

Norman Herbert Wasserman 84, Duluth

Dr. Norman Herbert Wasserman, 84, of Duluth, Ga., passed peacefully Feb. 27, 2020. Norman was born Dec. 31, 1935, in Brooklyn, N.Y. He earned his undergraduate degree from Hofstra University, then graduated from the Illinois College of Optometry in 1958. Following optometry school, he was called to active duty in the U.S. Air Force, proudly serving our nation from 1958 to 1964. Dr. Wasserman established his professional practice in 1971 in Riverdale, Ga., where he served patients and the community for more than 30 years before retiring in 2000. Dr. Wasserman also served as the Georgia Optometric Association president of the 5th district. Norman will be lovingly remembered as an incredible, kind and devoted husband of 57 years, father, grandfather and special friend to so many. Everyone who ever met Norman left as a better person. He always had a bright smile, positive attitude, infectious sense of humor and passion for life. He is survived by his wife Iris; children Myles, Michele and David; son-in-law Brian; and three grandchildren, Brock, Reese and Noah. Dr. Wasserman was a veteran and his ashes will be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Ga. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in the honor of Dr. Wasserman to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.

Toby Parker White 71, Atlanta

Toby Parker White, 71, passed away March 5, 2020. An Atlanta native, she attended Grady High School and Purdue University. Born into a “Hadassah” Zionist home, Toby devoted herself to supporting and serving Hadassah and Israel in every capacity for over 50 years. She served as group president, Hadassah Greater Atlanta Chapter president, and Southeastern region president. Toby’s strength was mentoring members to become future leaders, and just as her mother, Laurel Weiner, she was a member of the Society of Major Donors. Her love of Hadassah was established early on, attending Camp Judaea in North Carolina as a camper, counselor and finally unit leader. Toby then spent a year in Israel in 1967, answering The Jewish Agency’s call for volunteers. She served as president of her Young Judaea region and of the Southern Zionist Youth Commission. Her devotion to “camp” inspired her to serve as a member of the board of directors for Camp Judaea for many years. Toby was married to Brian White and the two in 1988 started Georgia Case, a manufacturing plant, which they grew into a very successful business. She is survived by her husband Brian White; son Jason (Jennifer) Parker of Atlanta; daughter Michelle (Marcelo) Parker of Arlington, Va; brother Steve (Diane Bessen) Weiner; and three grandchildren, Benjamin Parker and Sidney Parker of Atlanta and Lorenzo Fernandez of Arlington, Va., all of whom she doted on immensely. A memorial service was held March 8, and shiva was observed through March 11 at the home of Jason Parker in Marietta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Camp Judaea at 404-634-7883 or alyson@campjudaea.org. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES MARCH 15, 2020 | 71

CLOSING THOUGHTS Fur and Subtitles There are people who will do anything to avoid standing in line for a long time, but I’m not one of them, especially at the Atlanta Jewish Film FesChana Shapiro tival. Surrounded by my people, I actually welcome it. Of course, there are those who waste the hiatus thinking deep thoughts, sending text messages or buffing their nails, but some of us use the time wisely. We are the talkers. In the span of 30 or 40 minutes, one can get to know quite a lot about the six or eight people nearby, and it’s fun to debate the merits of the movies we’ve enjoyed and to consider the ones to come. There was a lot of conversation afoot concerning the film we are about to see, which had actors speaking three different languages, including Portuguese. Some otherwise cultured, worldly and open-minded people -- that means my husband -- are uncomfortable with foreign films because reading the sub-

titles is too multigenerational, and most avid moviegoers, over the years, have become comfortable reading the translations streaming across the bottom of the screen. Standing behind me was a friendly couple with distinct New York accents. The fellow was debonair in a gray fedora, paisley muffler and tweed jacket. His companion was wearing something you don’t see every day, a full-length Persian lamb coat. I had to ask. The coat originally belonged to her grandmother, purchased in Russia long before the species was declared endangered and illegal to export. For years, especially in New York, my new acquaintance was embarrassed to wear it. Nowadays, she explained, Persian lamb is so rare and unidentifiable, people don’t think it’s even real fur. She’s now emboldened to wear it. A woman, lingering two couples back, overheard us and edged closer. “My grandmother also had a coat like that. She accessorized it with hats that had exotic feathers from real birds. When I was a kid, I didn’t think anything about the coat, but the hats bothered me.” Mr. Fedora nodded. “I hated those

hats!” he agreed. I concurred. Memories of retro styles could have led to an engaging chat among temporarily-bonded strangers, but we were interrupted. In line directly behind the New Yorker were two young women, who had also been listening to our conversation. One of them addressed Ms. Persian Lamb, “I know you didn’t buy that coat yourself, but you’ve got it on, and you’re enjoying it. Fake fur’s wrong, too. It still represents skinned animals. I won’t buy clothes with animal patterns!” Her friend added, “She won’t sit on my brother’s sofa because of the leopard print pillows.” I feared that our original amiable conversation could take an unpleasant turn, when an overwrought, middle-aged man and two ushers came bustling our way. The ushers had flashlights, and the three of them were exploring every nook and cranny. There was a large waste receptacle near us, and they carried it away. Spooked out, we onlookers hypothesized about the situation. Our immediate thought was that there had been a bomb threat, but that

fear was quickly quashed. If we were in any possible danger, the theater management would have immediately evacuated us. Other possibilities followed, and now our little Persian lamb chat group expanded to include more people. There was a general agreement that the man believed he had thrown something of great value away, and the ushers were going through the garbage with him, away from the other patrons. Ahead of us, a woman told about losing a treasured diamond earring at a restaurant. (I wondered if the ring and bracelets she was wearing were also the real thing.) Other people started sharing anecdotes of lost-forever objects. I was about to relate my own tale of purloined traveler’s checks in the Holy Land, when the line began to move. As the New York couple and I parted, I spotted the man who had been searching with the ushers. “Is everything OK? I asked. “I saw you in the lobby.” “I lost a hearing aid,” he answered. “It’s a good thing that this movie has subtitles!” Saved by subtitles! I had to tell this one to my husband. ì

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