Atlanta Jewish Times, Vol. XCIII No. 12, March 23, 2018 by Atlanta Jewish Times

STUDENTS RESPOND TO PARKLAND, PAGES 14-17 STANDING APART SITTING DOWN MARCHING ON

AJA students delay a walkout to avoid links to questionable national leaders. Page 14

VOL. XCIII NO. 12

A sophomore explains why she mourned but didn’t walk with her peers. Page 15

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Youth groups and synagogues support participation in the March for Our Lives. Page 16

MARCH 23, 2018 | 6 ADAR II 5778

More Than Sponge Cake And Macaroons

Check out our Passover recipes for some sweet seder inspiration, starting on Page 18

INSIDE Candle Lighting �� 4 Israel@70 Calendar ��5 Israel News ��6 Education ��8 Health & Wellness ��9 Opinion ��10 Obituaries �� 29 Crossword �� 30 Marketplace �� 31

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Join us in celebrating Israel’s 70th birthday and seven decades of ever-closer connections between the Jewish state and Georgia as seen through the eyes of our people.

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MA TOVU

Should I Sweat a Dent On Neighbor’s Old Van? pay out of pocket? Yuck, I think, feeling slightly nauseated. My husband is not going to be happy. In spite of my apprehension, I enjoy my class and head home, hypervigilant as I coast along the lightening road. When I pull down my street, I

Shared Spirit Moderated By Rachel Stein rachels83@gmail.com

see the culprit van parked in the same spot. There are so many dents and scratches on that van, I can barely count them. Trying to appear casual, I stare at one particularly large dent, the one closest to the spot I may have hit. Did I do that? I shake my head, doubtful that my little car could have caused such a large indentation. After all, I was inching out at about 2 miles an hour. There’s no way I could have done something so monumental to that monstrosity. “But what if I did?” a small voice asks. In hindsight, I realize I should have gotten out of my car immediately after the accident to assess any possible damage to both vehicles. But I was so befuddled, not to mention half-asleep and intent on getting to exercise, that I neglected my duty. At that point it didn’t even occur to me that I might have caused him damage; I was sure that because mine was the much smaller vehicle, only my car had suffered. Because I have no earthly idea whether I caused damage, am I obligated to inform my neighbor about the collision? Since it’s an old vehicle anyway, sporting multiple dents and scratches, why does one more make a difference? Why awaken a sleeping lion? I am generally an honest person. That is, I think I am — or at least I used to be. What would you do if this happened to you? Please submit your responses to rachels83@gmail.com. And drive safely! ■

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

I woke up this morning as if it were a regular morning. At 5:30 sharp, my alarm jolts me awake, and I hurry to silence it before it rouses my slumbering husband. Moving in automatic mode, I jump out of bed, don my exercise clothes, down a hefty cup of coffee and whisper a thank-you to my Maker for the gift of a new day. Off I go into the early morning darkness, closing the front door behind me and climbing into my cobalt-blue Chrysler. Gentle music serenades me as I back out of my driveway. And suddenly, CRASH! My heart stops as I internalize the sickening thud and its ramifications. What in the world did I hit? And why did my perfectly planned morning have to go up in smoke? I pull forward and glance behind me. My heart sinks. My neighbor’s geriatric 15-seater van is the victim, parked directly opposite my driveway. No matter how many times I’ve begged him not to park in that spot because it makes it difficult for me to back out, that is precisely how many times he has placed his vehicle in that spot. Is it senility or obstinacy? Does he want me to smack his van so he can collect for the other damages decorating its worn body? I don’t know his reasoning for ignoring my request, but I do know that my temper is soaring. It’s almost 6. If I don’t hurry, I’ll miss the class I woke up at this unearthly hour to attend. I’ll deal with this situation later. After all, my neighbor is fast asleep. Heart hammering against my ribcage, I drive to the gym. I am secretly grateful that there are no witnesses to my crime. Well, other than an all-seeing eye and my, ahem, conscience. When I slide out of my car, I glance at its rear and see that the bumper is sharply dented. Two simultaneous emotions play their tunes. I feel grateful that it’s just a bumper and nothing more severe. And fear grips me as questions assail me: Did I damage my neighbor’s van? Will it be an expensive repair? Will the cost of our insurance go up, or will we

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POSTMASTER send address changes to The Atlanta Jewish Times 270 Carpenter Drive Suite 320, Atlanta Ga 30328. Established 1925 as The Southern Israelite Phone: (404) 883-2130 www.atlantajewishtimes.com THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES (ISSN# 0892-33451) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY SOUTHERN ISRAELITE, LLC 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 © 2018 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

Jewish hip-hop. The Atlanta Jewish Music Festival presents a night of local Jewish hip-hop with Matt Citron, Sammy K and Prodezra at 9 p.m. at the Music Room, 327 Edgewood Ave., Sweet Auburn District. Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door (21 and older); atlantajmf.org/ajmf9-line-up.

FRIDAY, MARCH 23

Kirtan Shabbat. An Atlanta Jewish Music Festival service features sacred Hebrew chant and original melodies from Flavia & Gershone and Sunmoon Pie at 6:30 p.m. at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead. Free; atlantajmf.org/ajmf9-line-up.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

Pink Affair. A gala to benefit nonprofit TurningPoint Breast Cancer Rehabilitation starts at 6 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta, 3300 Peachtree Road, Buckhead. Tickets are $150; pinkaffair18. auction-bid.org/microsite. Billy Joel re-created. In the climax of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival, ATL Collective presents “The Stranger” with Jacob Jeffries at 7 and 10 p.m. at City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Ave., Old Fourth Ward. Tickets are $20 to $25; atlantajmf.org/ajmf9-line-up.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25

Daffodil Dash. Am Yisrael Chai holds its annual 5K (a Peachtree Road Race qualifier) and 1-mile run/walk to support the Daffodil Project and other Holocaust and genocide programs at 9 a.m. (registration at 8) at Liane Levetan Park at Brook Run, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. Registration is $30 in advance, $35 on race day, or $15 for kids 10 and under; www.daffodildash.org.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Tzav Friday, March 23, light candles at 7:34 p.m. Saturday, March 24, Shabbat ends at 8:29 p.m. Pesach Friday, March 30, light candles at 7:39 p.m. Saturday, March 31, light candles after 8:35 p.m. Sunday, April 1, yontiff ends at 8:36 p.m.

Corrections & Clarifications

Although seventh-grader Sara Goldberg played the title role of “Mary Poppins” when the AJT attended the Atlanta Jewish Academy musical March 11, as reported March 16, eighth-grader Shiraz Agichtein filled the role of the flying nanny in two of the three other performances.

Lecture to Examine Poland’s Role in Holocaust

An emeritus Princeton University history professor plans to argue during a lecture at Emory University that Poland must accept and understand its role in the Holocaust as a central part of its national history. Speaker Jan Gross, whose 2001 book, “Neighbors,” exposes the massacre of Jews in the village of Jedwabne as being carried out by Poles instead of Germans, has been threatened with prosecution in Poland. Poland recently enacted a law that makes it illegal to blame the country or its citizens for atrocities committed during the Holocaust. The law has raised concerns that Poland is trying to rewrite history to hide the Polish role in the mass murder of Jews. Gross’ topic — “In the Aftermath of Neighbors: Were the Killings of Jews by Polish Peasants a Norm or an Exception?” — takes on that Polish law. The Tam Institute for Jewish Studies is sponsoring the lecture at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, in the presentation room at Emory’s Oxford Road Building, 1390 Oxford Road. The free lecture, with a reception to follow, is open to the public. “Seussical, Jr.” Davis Academy students perform the musical three times at the Lower School’s Rosenberg Performing Arts Center, 8105 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs: at 1 and 7 p.m. today and at 6:30 p.m. March 26. Tickets are $10 to $15; www.davisacademy.org/musical. Iraqi Jews. Maurice Shohet, the president of the World Organization of Jews From Iraq, speaks about the fate

of Iraq’s Jews at 2 p.m. at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Admission is free for Breman members, $12 for others; bit.ly/2psPHqT. Book talk. Steve Berry discusses “The Bishop’s Pawn,” about the MLK assassination, at 7 p.m. at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Tickets are $10 for JCC members, $15 for others; www.atlantajcc.org or 678-812-3981.

Find more events and submit items for our online and print calendars at the Atlanta Jewish Connector, www.atlantajewishconnector.com.

Remember When

10 Years Ago March 21, 2008 ■ Tifton resident Joe Lewis is traveling to Israel in May to receive the Wolf Award with Penn State chemist Jim Tumlinson for their decades of agricultural research into the biological control of good and bad insects. The Israeli award is worth $100,000 to Lewis, who is not Jewish. ■ The bar mitzvah ceremony of Stuart Ascher of Duluth, son of David and Ellen Ascher, was held Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Standard Club. 25 Years Ago March 19, 1993 ■ A winter storm packing bitter winds and blinding snows Saturday, March 13, knocked out power, altered Shabbat observances, canceled dozens of events and closed religious schools. David Webber’s bar mitzvah celebration at Congregation Etz Chaim had 10 percent of the expected attendance, while Ahavath Achim Synagogue lost power during Lauren Habif’s bat mitzvah service.

■ Karin and Brad Miehl of Marietta announce the birth of a son, Matthew Evans, on Jan. 15. 50 Years Ago March 22, 1968 ■ Rabbi Richard Lehrman of Atlanta has accepted the position of spiritual leader of the new Northside Reform Rabbi Richard Lehrman, Congregation being organized named the founding rabbi in Atlanta. Rabbi Lehrman is of what became Temple assistant rabbi at The Temple. Sinai in March 1968, The formal announcement of remained in that role until his death at age 41 in 1979. his acceptance will be made at an organizational meeting Sunday, March 24. ■ Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Yerlow of Atlanta announce the engagement of daughter Wylma Jeanne to William Levinsohn, son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Levinsohn of Baltimore. The wedding will be July 7.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead. Admission is $155; www.conexxgala.com.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25

Israel at 70: Unfinished. Center for Israel Education President Ken Stein leads an open discussion about Israel and its relations with the Diaspora as its 70th birthday approaches at Congregation Or Hadash, 7460 Trowbridge Road, Sandy Springs, at 9:45 a.m. Free; RSVP to erica.hruby@israeled.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11

Israel@70 The following events are part of Atlanta’s celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday. Send additions to this calendar to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22 Conexx Gala. Conexx presents seven awards, including the Tom Glaser Leadership Award to Benny Landa, at a gala at 6 p.m. at the Atlanta History Center,

until March 30, then $118, $180 for patrons, and $36 for JNFuture members; www.jnf.org/events-landing-pages/ israel@70-a-platinum-jubilee or 404236-8990, ext. 851. Stories and music. Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs, celebrates Israel’s birthday with funny stories and musical acts with its Beit Café at 7 p.m. Tickets are $18; RSVP by April 15 at templeemanuelatlanta.org/ calendar/temple-emanu-el-beit-cafe.

MONDAY, APRIL 23

FIDF speaker series. Hudson Institute senior fellow Michael Doran speaks, along with a dessert reception, at 6:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; advance registration required at fidfse.wixsite. com/israel70speakers/event-detailsregistration.

Women at the Wall. Israel Religious Action Center Director Anat Hoffman speaks about the struggles for religious rights for women at the Western Wall at 7 p.m. at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., Midtown. Free; www.the-temple. org or 404-873-1731.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19

THURSDAY, APRIL 26

JNF jubilee. Comedian Sarge entertains at Jewish National Fund’s gala birthday celebration for Israel at the Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Buckhead, with a VIP reception at 6 p.m., a champagne celebration at 6:45, the main program at 7:45 and a JNFuture after-party at 9. Tickets are $70

Food trucks. Celebrate Yom HaAtzmaut with the Marcus JCC, including kosher food, Israeli dancing, live music, performances by day school students, games and crafts, at Liane Levetan Park at Brook Run, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Free admission; www.atlantajcc.org.

SUNDAY, APRIL 29

Israel@70 Atlanta. Jewish Atlanta holds a community celebration from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with games, exhibits, activities, food, and music from performers including the Billy Jonas Band, Joanie Leeds and Taking the Time at Park Tavern at Piedmont Park, 500 10th St., Midtown. Admission is $10 per or $18 per family in advance, $18 or $25 at the door; jewishatlanta.org/israel70. BeltLine bar crawl. Birthright Israel alumni have brunch at 11:30 a.m. at Mariposa Lofts, 100 Montag Circle, Inman Park, and stop at a few bars on the way to the community celebration at Park Tavern. Tickets are $36, including brunch, four drinks and Israel@70 Atlanta admission; jewishatlanta.org/ birthright-bar-crawl or 678-222-3746.

MONDAY, MAY 14

FIDF gala. Friends of the Israel Defense Forces honors the men and women who have defended Israel for 70 years with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and a dinner program at 7 at the InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta, 3315 Peachtree Road. Admission is $250 ($118 for ages 35 and under); fidfse.wixsite.com/ atl70/event-details.

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

CALENDAR

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ISRAEL NEWS

Kvelling Over Granddaughter in the Israeli Navy The day before Purim, I understood one of the key factors as to why being an Israeli is so significant, especially in the 70th year of the nation. What did I do? At a naval base in Haifa, I witnessed our granddaughter completing an intensive course and becoming a sergeant — three stripes — in the Israeli navy. My wife, Rita, and I, who have been in Israel a substantial amount of time, four decades, are privileged to watch our grandchildren become a soldier, a sailor, a tank commander and a member of the intelligence corps using filming expertise. How proud we are because we know that our next generation has been inspired to care for Israel. As Passover, the freedom festival, approaches, followed by Yom Ha Shoah, which marks the savage death of our 6 million, and the 70th anniversary of the state, we know that the spring of 2018 will fill each of us with satisfaction and hope, both for the Israelis and for the Jews abroad. Why do I use the word “satisfaction”? To bring Israel to this point, we all have participated. Eight million live right here on the soil of Eretz Yisrael, and many of you have helped through financial

assistance and lobbying. This partnership has sought to ensure that Israel is not destroyed. Instead, it has become better and better in each of its seven decades. As the world knows — Jews in particular — Israel had to build one of

For security reasons, the IDF does not allow the media to publish photos of active-duty navy personnel, but the recent ceremony involving Rabbi David Geffen’s granddaughter shows a continuing commitment to Israel as it approaches its 70th birthday.

Guest Column By Rabbi David Geffen

the finest fighting forces in the world because it is surrounded by enemies. This military prowess can clearly be witnessed with success and sadness. Who needs this constant demonstration of excellence to provide the protection required? Why should we continue to weep over the loss of life of so many of our citizens of all ages? Israel is a thriving nation that wants to ensure our existence forever. Our family is a fighting family. My father, the late Louis Geffen, was a judge advocate during World War II. I was a chaplain during the Vietnam War. Our three children and three of our grandchildren have served or are serving in branches of the Israel Defense Forces. Our son-in-law and two daughters-in-law were in the IDF, and

this summer our fourth grandchild enters the IDF. Some of you may think I am boasting. On the one hand, I am, but on the other hand, we are patriots who want to defend what is precious to us. At the ceremony at the Haifa naval base, parents and siblings and two grandfathers were present to witness our progeny assuming major tasks. Our granddaughter, like most of those completing the course, is only 20. Israel’s navy is not large, but its task is to defend the precious Mediterranean Sea along 180 miles of coast. The coastline is one aspect of the navy’s work, but Israel’s territorial waters are important. Today, Israel must be astute in identifying ships carrying armaments for enemies. Usually carrying conventional weaponry when captured, some

of these secret shipments include rockets and even nuclear materials. Israeli gunboats have devices to detect what is dangerous among regular shipments. From land, Israeli naval personnel are constantly using sophisticated devices to pinpoint what is illegal and to notify our vessels on the sea so they can prevent this weaponry from reaching the enemy. Today submarines are in a class all their own. Almost all of them, no matter what country owns them, use nuclear power. A lot of future wars will be based on the success or failure of the submarine strikes on land. So on Purim night at a naval base, Rita and I felt a thrill. A baby girl is now a sergeant dressed in her whites. The thrill will remain with us, and we will continue to pray for her safety. ■

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home Bad news for BDS. Tel Aviv University has formed an initiative with Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley, to conduct breakthrough, multidisciplinary research financed with a $10 million, five-year grant from the Koret Foundation. The work with Berkeley will focus on bioinformatics and computational biology. The research with Stanford will target advances in Smart City and digital living technology.

between Switzerland and the southern Israeli resort city in many years.

Healthier ties. Haifa’s Rambam Health Care Campus and Stanford Medicine have agreed to work together on issues related to the future of medicine, including medical innovation, research involving big data and machine learning, drug development, and trauma and emergency preparedness.

Never mine. The Israel National Mine Action Authority, working the HALO Trust charity, has begun clearing mines from the Six-Day War on 247 acres along the Jordan River considered holy by Christians. The Qasr al-Yahud Baptism Site is regarded as the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Clearing approximately 3,000 anti-personnel mines, anti-tank mines and other explosives is expected to take a year.

Ski slopes to beaches. Swiss airline Edelweiss is launching direct flights between Zurich and Eilat, effective 6 Oct. 28. It will be the first direct route

Haredi EMTs. Volunteer emergency medical organization United Hatzalah graduated 34 Haredi women from its emergency medical technician course Thursday, March 15, increasing to about 150 the women trained as medical first responders in the Haredi communities of Jerusalem, Beitar Illit, Beit Shemesh, Modi’in Illit and Bnei Brak.

Compiled from press releases.

Israel Photo of the Week Celebrating Israel in Atlanta Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer, Israel’s consul general to the Southeast, is joined by, among others, state Sens. Lester Jackson, Kay Kirkpatrick and Freddie Powell Sims and four Israelis participating in the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Reverse Mifgash program at the state Capitol on Wednesday, March 14. The state Senate that morning honored Shorer for strengthening the bonds between Israel and Georgia in a resolution sponsored by Jackson, Kirkpatrick, Sims and Steve Henson, and Shorer addressed the chamber. Shorer, a daughter of Hungarian Holocaust survivors, thanked the Senate for its unanimous passage of legislation calling for the construction of a Georgia memorial to the Holocaust and for reaffirming the state’s ties to Georgia. She cited the population of up to 15,000 Israelis in metro Atlanta, the more than 40 Israeli companies with headquarters in Georgia, and the large, highly supportive evangelical community in Atlanta. The ambassador also spoke about the upcoming celebration of Israel’s 70th birthday.

ISRAEL NEWS

The first Maccabiah Games open in Tel Aviv on March 28, 1932.

Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details. March 23, 1914: Rabbi Raphael della Pergola, the grand rabbi of Alexandria, Egypt, administers the oath of allegiance to approximately 500 volunteers for the new Zion Mule Corps, known officially as the Assyrian Refugee Mule Corps. March 24, 1993: On a 66-53 vote on the second ballot, the Knesset elects Ezer Weizman the seventh president of Israel. A nephew of Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann, he advocates peace and the interests of Israel’s Arab citizens and serves until resigning in 2000. March 25, 1950: Sheik Yusuf Yassin, Saudi Arabia’s deputy foreign minister, tells a U.S. State Department official that Arab states will “never agree to any working relationship with Israel.” He adds, “We shall never admit a Jew to Saudi Arabia, and we shall never admit anyone traveling on an Israeli visa.” March 26, 1979: Sixteen months after Egyptian President Anwar Sadat’s historic visit to Jerusalem to address the Knesset, the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty is signed at the White House in Washington. March 27, 1839: Tensions between Shiites and Jews erupt in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad as a mob attacks the Jewish community and kills 30 to 40 people. The surviving Jews, nearly 2,400 people, are forced to convert to Islam in an event known as the Allahdad. March 28, 1932: The first Maccabiah Games, a Jewish Olympics, open in Tel Aviv with 390 athletes from 18 countries, although some sources say 14 or 21 countries are involved. March 29, 2002: Israel launches Operation Defensive Shield, a military operation devised to curtail violence associated with the Second Intifada, which began in September 2000.

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Today in Israeli History

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EDUCATION

Photos by Marcia Caller Jaffe

The kollel rabbis belt out a parody of “Eye of the Tiger” to celebrate the strength of the kollel’s 30 years.

Beatbox Champ

Photo courtesy of Hillel International

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Emory University’s ChaiTunes competes with eight other teams in Hillel’s eighth annual Kol HaOlam, the collegiate Jewish a cappella national championships, on Saturday night, March 10, at Adas Israel Congregation in Washington. Although a team from New York University won the competition and was the audience favorite, Emory’s Joshua Perlin was named the best beatboxer. Other ChaiTunes members are Xiaochen Chen, Sahrudh Dharanendra, Julia Dorfman, Sara Frank, Tulasi Kadiyala, David Kulp, Julia Lawrence, Briley Newell, Dom Refuerzo, Jessica Soforenka, Colleen Su and Mark Wang.

Scholars Kollel Sings For Spirit and Survival The Atlanta Scholars Kollel celebrated its 30th anniversary Sunday night, March 11, at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North in Sandy Springs. Always upbeat Rabbi David Silverman said the evening was about “expressing the good to those who helped start the kollel. Tonight is the time to make them proud of their investment.” In a moving ceremony, Peyton Alexander walked in a newly completed Sefer Torah dedicated to the memory of his father-in-law, Bennie Auerbach, and presented it to the rosh kollel, Rabbi Doniel Pransky. Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, Congregation Beth Jacob’s emeritus rabbi, who flew in from Israel, recalled his arrival in Atlanta 35 years before the kollel emerged. He contrasted the “dreamers in the news today to the real dreamers … couples who came as pioneers to kollel.” He spoke fondly of Auerbach, who generously put a refrigerator and stove in Rabbi Feldman’s first house near Georgia Baptist Hospital. Rabbi Feldman also recounted an Erev Pesach rush in 1978 to prepare remarks for President Jimmy Carter to deliver at an event at the White House attended by Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and 100 rabbis, including Rabbi Feldman. As a favor to Atlantan Stuart Eizenstat, Rabbi Feldman drafted inspiring words about the significance of Israel’s 30th birthday, representing “strength.” The charismatic kollel rabbis lined up for their traditional parody song.

This year’s performance was based on “Eye of the Tiger,” with words substituted about Jewish learning and survival. Emory University student Emily Calhoun, who grew up struggling with religion in an interfaith household in Augusta, received the kollel’s Bernie

Jaffe's Jewish Jive By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

Marcus Award. She said, “In Atlanta, I saw the happiness in community events like Purim to solidify my decision for a Jewish commitment.” Also attending were students from the Woodward Academy, even though it was their spring break. Yad v’yad, this strength through the younger generation, reinforced the kollel’s survival theme. ■

Rabbi Doniel Pransky holds the Torah dedicated in memory of Bennie Auerbach.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Hadassah Crowd High On Medical Marijuana By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com Integrative physician Zachary Cohen answers questions about medical marijuana.

products are more expensive, and insurance does not pay for prescriptions. • Nurse practitioners cannot prescribe CBD oil. • Conditions such as a loss of appetitive, back pain, anxiety, depression and insomnia are not approved for treatment in Georgia, but Cohen is encouraged by reports from patients with approved conditions who say those symptoms improve. On the positive side, Cohen is encouraged about the future of cannabis: • He has not seen any issues with addiction in patients using low-THC oil. • CBD does not interact with such prescription medications as blood thinners and hormones. • Israel is on the cutting edge with 110 clinical trials. Migraines, cancer, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, improper sugar levels and dementia are among the ailments being explored. • Topical application is being explored for back and neck pain. The idea is to turn down the pain signals via receptors that he compared to open baseball gloves. • Israel has 700 hybrids of the cannabis plant and eight grow farms. Tsfat is a fertile area. • People can join studies through Clinicaltrials.gov. Cohen said Rep. Allen Peake (R-Macon) is the hero of legalizing cannabis oil in Georgia, but Peake is not running for re-election this year. Cohen made a plea for people to write legislators to expand the legal applications. “Evolution has kept this plant around for thousands of years. One should ponder why Mother Nature did this for us,” Cohen said. “The plant seems to have secured its own evolution through its interaction with humans.” Audience member Laura Temins, a therapist and hypnotherapist in Roswell, said, “I’m impressed that Dr. Cohen is authentically interested in helping people navigate the benefits and limitations of medical marijuana. He is an awesome resource.” ■

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

The January 2017 cover of Hadassah Magazine featured an older woman smoking marijuana to treat glaucoma. That sight helps explain why an audience filled the Congregation Or Hadash sanctuary Sunday, Feb. 18, to learn the latest on medical marijuana from integrative physician Zachary Cohen of Oak Grove Family Medicine. Women from event sponsor Hadassah Greater Atlanta set the stage. Registered nurse Marsha Hildebrand put the program together with Ellen Sichel, the co-president of Hadassah’s Health Professionals Group. Malka Shutman gave a detailed slide presentation, and retired physician Rachel Schonberger, who chairs the Hadassah Medical Organization, said: “Our funded research is leading the way in immunology, stem cells and genetics. Hadassah really gets a wonderful ROI, return on investment. That’s a good business term for this.” She noted that Raphael Mechoulam at Hebrew University Hadassah Medical School was the 86-yearold biochemist who isolated and characterized marijuana’s THC and CBD in the 1960s, setting in motion the field of medical uses of cannabinoids. For the audience of mostly baby boomers and seniors, the starting point was a Georgia law that allows medical uses of CBD oil with not more than 5 percent THC, which causes the high. The law specifies that the oil can be used to treat only a small number of illnesses, including Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, AIDS, Tourette, neuropathy and Crohn’s. End-stage cancer patients, people in hospice care and some people with autism may use the treatment. Before the talk, Atlanta native Cohen said that even as a teen, an integrative medical practice was his dream. Cohen said there is a slippery slope in medical marijuana: • Despite liberalization at the state level, marijuana is still against federal law, so U.S. doctors can’t do their own research. Israel is leading the botany and scientific studies into medical uses of marijuana while the United States, Germany and other countries pay for the state-of-the-art research. • Someone who is drug-tested on CBD oil might not get a security clearance for a federal job. • You get what you pay for. Organic

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OPINION

Our View

Getting Active

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

It’s no coincidence that this week’s AJT flows from coverage of student activism on gun violence into preparations for Passover. Many commentators have noted a connection between Jewish activism and the formation of Jewish peoplehood in our struggle to escape Egyptian slavery and reach the Promised Land (just as there’s a connection to modern Zionism, as the Center for Israel Education’s Rich Walter writes on Page 22). So it made sense for day schools such as Atlanta Jewish Academy and the Weber School to support their students in walking out for 17 minutes March 14 in memory of the 17 people slain at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Whether they were marking the traditional Jewish mourning period or calling for legal changes to make school slaughters less likely, students who walked out were practicing what their teachers at school and synagogue have preached. Students who chose not to go along with the crowd — whether they shifted the time of the demonstration, as AJA did (Page 14), to break from national adult activists who are too comfortable with anti-Semites, or separated the mourning from a blanket call for new gun laws, as AJA sophomore Eliana Goldin did (Page 15), or simply decided not to walk with their peers because it didn’t feel right — deserve the same praise as long as they made thoughtful decisions like the adults they are becoming (and scolding). Just as their controlled environments help Jewish day schools and other private schools keep their students safe, as we noted after the Parkland shooting, so they make it easier to support such moments of student activism. The physical openness and sprawl that make many public schools more vulnerable also complicated those schools’ handling of the student walkouts, and many of our public school leaders, particularly in Cobb County, didn’t rise to the occasion any better than their legislative peers have met the challenge of school security. School officials couldn’t let teens by the hundreds or thousands walk off campus, but they could have done what many administrators did around the nation and worked with student organizers to take the demonstrations to football stadiums or other controlled locations where students could safely mourn and make any political statements. There was no need for threats of excessive punishment, such as three days of suspension or Saturday school, for 17 minutes of activism, although neither students nor their parents should have objected to minor punishment (an hour of detention, for example) for the walkout. A protest means more if you’re willing to pay a price for your actions. Speaking of paying a price, much has been made of the potential of young voters to punish lawmakers at the polls this year for inaction on gun violence, but the same day that students walked out, the U.S. House voted 407-10 to pass the STOP School Violence Act. We’re disappointed that Rep. Hank Johnson (DLithonia) was one of the 10 no votes. The measure is not a cure-all, but the $50 million a year it would spend on security training, assessments and protective measures represents a positive 10 step toward making schools safer. ■

The HOD International awards for outstanding lodge, membership growth and best newsletter wait to be handed out while Grand President Alan Rubenstein speaks at a lunch concluding the biennial March 18. The awards never had to be hauled out of South Africa for presentation before, and it was a big enough hassle that the presenters vowed never to do so again.

Alan Rubenstein makes his first address as the first American grand president of HOD International over lunch at Congregation B’nai Torah on March 18.

Hebrew Legacy Blooms in Atlanta A venerable, international Jewish organization Executive Director Jody Pollack was recognized durheld its biennial convention in Atlanta from March ing the biennial luncheon. 15 to 18, but the first such gathering of the Hebrew HOD moved into Texas in 2014 (Dallas) and 2015 Order of David outside South Africa came and (Houston), which proved fortuitous when Hurricane Harvey struck in September. The Houston lodge, like went without most of Jewish Atlanta noticing amid Passover preparations, student protests and the plea- most of the Jewish community there, was hit hard, but members of the Dallas lodge, named for Shimon sures of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. Peres, provided rapid support and led HOD fundraisThat’s a shame for at least two reasons: HOD ing for their brethren. is growing in Atlanta and the United States, and an The next lodge to open is in San Diego, which Atlanta resident, Alan Rubenstein, will be leading also will host the 2020 biennial. Rubenstein said he that growth the next two years as the first American expects at least one other lodge to open in North grand president of HOD International. America during his twoHOD was founded year term. He also has his in South Africa in 1904, eyes on expansion to a and it took root in North new, unspecified country Editor’s Notebook America with Atlanta as its to join South Africa, the continental base in 1999, By Michael Jacobs United States, Canada, thanks to the significant mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com England and Israel, whose South African population one lodge is in Atlanta here. You can hear the sister city Ra’anana. fraternal organization’s Like any legacy organization, HOD struggles history in the accents of members such as Rubento remain relevant in the 21st century, and memstein and David Joss, who during the biennial passed bership is a constant concern. Even as the order is the mantle of HOD’s North American presidency to flourishing in North America, where it can operate a non-South African, Mario Oves. as something new and something traditional at the Eight of HOD’s 20 lodges are in North America, same time, it is declining amid a shrinking Jewish including four in metro Atlanta, based at Young population in South Africa. Israel of Toco Hills, Chabad of Cobb, Congregation But Rubenstein takes office with energy and Gesher L’Torah and Congregation B’nai Torah, whose optimism about HOD’s ability to remain true to its Lodge Carmel is the biggest of the four and played history while meeting the needs of the modern Jewhost to a luncheon concluding the biennial Sunday, ish world. March 18. (Congregation Beth Tefillah shared con“We can succeed,” he told the 130 or so brethvention hosting duties.) ren and family members at the closing luncheon. About 220 men — it is a fraternal order of “Together, we will succeed.” ■ brothers and worthy brothers — are members of the Atlanta-area lodges, Joss said. They’re drawn by the rituals, camaraderie and opportunities to do some good within a Jewish context. “I want to thank all the HOD wives for their support and encouragement and the patience you have shown to HOD by letting your husbands do this thing once a month, sometimes twice a month, maybe three times a month,” Rubenstein said. HOD’s local efforts are most visible through the annual Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival, which will return for a sixth year Oct. 21 and which raises money for several charitable causes while bringing together more than 5,000 people for food and fun. Festival

The new North American HOD president, Atlantan Mario Oves, notes that he brings a Latin American voice to the South African accents so common among HOD members.

OPINION

We Must Speak Up Or Forever Hold Our Peace and acted contrary to the law and to medical ethics. I became disturbed when the judge vented her personal feelings and transformed the court into the scene of an angry mob. I have no doubt that the physician was guilty. But even a guilty person

One Man’s Opinion By Eugen Schoenfeld

should be treated with some respect and without causing excessive pain — after all, this also falls under the Jewish belief of tzar ba’al chai — the law of not causing pain, physical or mental, to any living thing. There is a difference between punishment as dictated by the law and the heaping of venom and pain on the guilty party. Just because the perpetrator of the crime lacked humanity, should the courts also act inhumanly? The act of transforming the courts from a place of revenge to a place of justice began with the Torah instruction in Leviticus 9:15: “Do not pervert justice. You shall not be partial to the poor nor defer to the might of the powerful. But in righteousness you shall judge thy neighbor.” This idea is expressed by Tacitus, the Roman historian, who proposed that the courts should be careful to follow the idea of sine ira et studio — that judges should ensure they judge without hate and zealousness. Otherwise, we will reduce our courts to mob scenes reminiscent of those during the French Revolution that reduced France to mob rule. I remember the Nazi courts, in which judges had to defer to ideology and not to justice. Should anyone demand that the courts and the judges in them reflect loyalties to anything but to the principle of justice? The idea of justice is a frail idea, and it is up to us to guard it, lest we are ready to give up, for the sake of popularity, the idea of justice based on law. I had to give up my fears instilled into me and speak up. I am no longer to be governed by the fear, lest my words open Satan’s mouth to harm me. ■

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

I am caught on the horns of a dilemma. On the one hand, I am still influenced by my early upbringing in the shtetl, where I was emphatically taught not to rock the boat. Never take sides, especially when it is a heated issue. On the other hand, I am in America, supposedly a country of free speech. I was a professor subscribing to the ideal of free inquiry and thought. I know that if I keep quiet and if I cause no stir, I will be safe. But should the desire for safety supersede the challenge for doing what is right? It seems that young people in the zealotry of a cause no longer wish to permit free questioning. Recently students have vehemently opposed universities’ right to present speakers with views that stand in diametric opposition to their perspectives. I do not advocate that dangerous views should go unchallenged. I had to discard my ancient belief of not rocking the boat, even when my comments could bring down some people’s wrath on me. I still feel the pain I suffered when, early in my residence, I dared to comment on certain occurrences (especially those associated with Sen. Joseph McCarthy) that bothered me, and those who opposed my perspectives always retorted, “If you don’t like it here, why don’t you go back where you came from?” But if we do not question conditions that seem to violate the spirit of freedom of thought and inquiry, don’t we violate and retard our love of freedom? Lately our justice system is being challenged from the right and the left. There are those in the government who seek to argue that the justice system should acquiesce to the desires and the needs of the powerful. This is not a new phenomenon. And there are those who, in the name of justice, seemingly seek revenge and violate strongly held beliefs. Earlier this year, television news broadcast scenes from the trial of Larry Nassar, the Michigan State University doctor who functioned as the team physician for USA Gymnastics, violated the trust placed in him,

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OPINION

Atlanta Can Learn From Israel’s Dialogue Have you ever been so moved by someone’s story that you placed a hand over your heart, palm open, and said, “Oh, my G-d”? Maybe you’ve taken a deep breath right after. A moment of stillness with your hand covering your heart as the person’s words reverberate. That’s empathy, feeling the other person’s experience. Many times that experience is fleeting as our conscious mind tries to make sense of the story. We judge, criticize, explain, problem-solve and attempt to create some distance from the story because the story hurts. Listening can hurt. And it should hurt. When we are confronted with the pain of the world and a person’s experience, it should hurt to hear. Sickness, death, trauma, hunger, abuse, war, loneliness, exclusion, discrimination, school shootings — the list of what people experience is as long as our messy human history. The constant news cycle makes it difficult to keep hearing. I know sometimes my heart can’t hold knowing about one more experience of pain. But what happens when we stop listening? When we stop letting other people’s experiences affect us? What happens when we run a people’s reality through our own narrative and can no longer hear their story? When our worldview doesn’t allow us to hear the pain, or even just the experience, of another person? I spent a week in Israel “on the Front Porch” with 70 community

leaders from Atlanta in January. We represented a range of demographics and interests: multiple synagogue denominations, male and female rabbis,

Guest Column By McKenzie Wren

lesbian and gay people, startup agencies and well-established agencies, and a variety of political affiliations. I talked with more Atlanta rabbis than I had met in my whole life. I talked with board chairs, agency heads, Israeli soldiers, kibbutzniks, Ethiopian Jews, young people who had made aliyah, elders who had made aliyah, secular tour guides frustrated with changing neighborhoods, women who had been spit on for praying at the Western Wall. I heard from people on the right, the left and everywhere in between. I even stopped four female soldiers on the street to ask them about their experiences in the military. It was exhilarating and exhausting. The more I listened, the more I realized the complexity of the country, how dangerously simple it is to take a stand and think you know the answer. Many times I found my hand over my heart, making space for the latest story, the latest expression of pain. I had to make space in my heart for the man on the border who could casually explain away theft and violence with the comment “Because they’re Arabs.” I had to make space

in my heart for the woman of Givat Haviva who fears, after 50 years of working toward peace, that her country may brand her a traitor. For the story of the Palestinian caught between a rock and a hard place as he tries to educate the children in his village. For the man who believes with all his heart that Israel’s military might is the way to peace, and for the man who believes that Israel was given to the Jews by G-d and that only our experience as Jews matters. From Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, involved in an organization called Roots, I heard the most illuminating quote: “The Infinite is a kaleidoscope of partial truths, and we can only ever know our partial truth. Falsehoods occur when we think that our partial truth is the whole truth.” This quote resonates so deeply with me. We all have beliefs and values and a plethora of opinions, but if we allow those opinions to close our ability to hear, it is unlikely that any change can occur between people. It is in listening first that we can begin to see. Said Noor A’wad, a Palestinian tour guide who works with Roots, “We listen until it hurts.” The people of Roots believe that “by encouraging direct contact and deep communication between local communities, we (see) transformation: Stereotypes are replaced by an understanding of the other’s humanity, suffering, needs and roots. This greatly reduces fear and creates appreciation and support for each other. This groundwork of trust, safety and understanding is the foundation of

any political solution.” We in Atlanta have often not been able to listen to one another because of our preconceived worldviews. We stand and stare at each other — and sometimes scream at each other — from across our divides. And sometimes we just stand and stare at each other from across a field of not-knowing. Because we have never talked to each other. Though the stories of Israelis and the stories of Atlantans are not the same, there is much to learn by talking to each other, to listening deeply. Our views of our stories about Israel keep us separate, unable to talk to each other, as do many other things. Our views on LGBT people, interfaith families, female rabbis, who is Jewish, whether we are a culture or a religion, who we are as a people and whether we even are one people keep us separate. But they don’t need to. If we in Atlanta can make the same vow as the people working across the most divisive conflict in history can make — to listen until it hurts — we may be able to find a way forward together. A new way. Listening may not solve problems, but it creates the conditions to be able to learn and understand our hopes and fears, and maybe, just maybe, something new will emerge for both us. Here’s to our deep listening and a rich kaleidoscope of sharing. ■ McKenzie Wren is the president of Congregation Bet Haverim, program coordinator with SOJOURN and owner of facilitation group Culture on Purpose.

Congress Endorses Local Health Solutions

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

One in 13 Americans depends on the network of community health centers for access to primary health care. There are 281 federally qualified health centers in the United States, including two here in the 6th Congressional District. St. Joseph’s Mercy Care and Oakhurst Medical Centers treat nearly 30,000 people every year who otherwise would have few or no health care options. St. Joseph’s and Oakhurst provide care at low or no cost, thanks in part to important federal funding. These centers serve the health care needs of the working poor, the 12 unemployed and anyone else in need

of primary medical care. Through the network of CHCs, nearly 27 million Americans a year

Guest Column By Rep. Karen Handel

receive preventive care, cancer screenings and treatment for chronic conditions. In the U.S. House, I fought to pass a budget that makes strong, vital investments in CHCs for the next two fiscal years. The president signed the bill into law Feb. 9, ensuring that the

CHCs have the support and funding certainty they need to provide health care to those who might not otherwise be able to afford it. Community health centers increase access to health care, improve patient outcomes, and are uniquely positioned to spread the benefits of community-based and patient-centered care. Congress continues to work to address overall health care issues in this country, including access to care and the rising costs of health care and insurance. The repeal of the individual health insurance mandate is already having a positive impact, as insurance companies have begun offering new products to meet individual health

insurance needs. The Department of Health and Human Services has proposed regulations to expand short-term, limitedduration insurance, restoring the pre-Obamacare standard that these short-term insurance plans can be offered for up to 364 days. More work, however, is needed. I am committed to continuing the effort to find meaningful solutions that lower costs, increase competition and expand treatment opportunities for everyone in this country. ■ Karen Handel represents Georgia’s 6th Congressional District, stretching from Marietta to Brookhaven and from Milton to Sandy Springs.

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OPINION

Letters To The Editor

AIPAC Right to Be Secretive

As a staunch supporter of the First Amendment and of the U.S.-Israel relationship, I found your editorial decrying closed sessions at the AIPAC Policy Conference nonsensical (“Our View: Open Up, AIPAC,” March 9). I attended sessions dealing with strategy and tactics to confront BDS. I heard a way for college students to confront antiSemitic hate speech on campus. Which of these should have been published? That would make as much sense as the Israel Air Force holding a press conference on pre-emptive strikes the first week of June 1967 or Eisenhower talking about Normandy on June 5, 1944. A little common sense would be appreciated. — Alan Schulman, Atlanta

March 9). However, the situation is a bit more complex than a choice between ghettoization and assimilation. For instance, the classic picture of an Israeli Haredi man is someone who received no secular education, devotes himself to Torah studies, refuses to serve in the military and doesn’t work outside the yeshiva environment, which contributes to his large family’s extreme poverty. Thus, Haredi insularity affects the broader Israeli community because Haredi families are dependent on government grants. There is also a less obvious effect. In Israel’s parliamentary system, Haredi parties can wield a good deal of power. Their rabbis are in charge of religious matters and have put barriers in the path to conversion for hundreds

of thousands of Russian Jews who are not halachically Jewish but have settled in Israel under the Law of Return. In addition, interaction with the state rabbinate is often very trying for secular Israelis who need to obtain marriage licenses or arrange funerals. I hope that this situation will improve, as younger Haredim are beginning to increase their involvement with the broader Israeli community. The last decade has seen a marked increase in the number of Haredi students enrolled in higher education, with over half of Haredi high school girls now taking matriculation exams. In addition, roughly one-third of Haredi men now serve in the Israel Defense Forces. Today’s non-Orthodox Jews, living in democratic countries, clearly

won’t seek a return to the ghetto, but their synagogues can encourage them to make Judaism an important part of their lives. If getting the children to the synagogue for Hebrew school more than a couple of days a week is too hard, perhaps lessons can be given online. Certainly, Jews should be expected to make Shabbat a special day, although not necessarily observed in a strictly Orthodox manner. Having the children attend Jewish summer camps and participate in Jewish Scouting troops would also help. There are no guarantees, but certainly a family that does nothing specifically Jewish can’t expect its sons and daughters to feel obligated to consider only Jews as potential life partners. — Toby F. Block, Atlanta

The AJT is an excellent paper that for the most part is interesting, informative and entertaining. But was the March 9 issue supposed to have comic relief? The article “The Stuff of Dreams Can Be Lost in Translation” seemed to be two unrelated stories. One could be seriously arrogant or naive or both, and the other could be for kids or young teenagers. No disrespect to Harold Goldmeier, who I assume is an intelligent man, but what did you expect? Israel is a foreign country with its own language. Did you think that because we are Jewish and they are Jewish, they all came from Brooklyn and would speak English? As for the young people getting the first shot at jobs, OK. It is the same here and I believe in most places. Plus, Israel is about the size of New Jersey and has about 9 million people, compared with about 325 million for the United States. Of course there are comparisons that can be made, but many that cannot. Israel is a wonderful country, an amazing place and a beautiful dream come true, but you need to work hard to become part of any new place and learn the language. Still, thanks for the words to “Over the Rainbow”; I keep humming it. — Eddie Greenberg, Atlanta

The Middle Ground

Eugen Shoenfeld makes some good points about the challenges facing the Jewish people and the need to develop strategies to ensure our future (“Halting the Hemorrhaging of the Jewish People,”

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Reality in Aliyah

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SPECIAL REPORT: GUNS AND SCHOOLS

Photos by Sarah Moosazadeh

Students light battery-operated candles to commemorate the victims slain in the Parkland massacre while the names are called out one by one.

Students from Atlanta Jewish Academy participate in a ceremony in honor of the 17 people killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., on Feb. 14.

Students stand in solidarity with the national walkout Wednesday, March 14, to call for changes on gun laws and school security.

After the commemoration, students spend 17 minutes walking around the campus to demonstrate their frustration with gun violence.

The faces in the student crowd reflect anguish at the loss of lives to gun violence.

A student from the crowd bows her head as the names of the Parkland victims are called out.

Tenth-graders Tali Feen (left) and Aden Dori call out the names of the people killed in Parkland.

AJA Students Walk Out Later for Jewish Values By Sarah Moosazadeh sarah@atljewishtimes.com

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Atlanta Jewish Academy Upper School students joined thousands of their peers across the nation in walking out of class Wednesday, March 14, in memory of the 14 teens and three adults slain in the Parkland shooting one month earlier. But while most students demonstrated at 10 a.m., AJA students waited until 1:20 p.m. so they could distance themselves from national protest movement leaders believed to hold anti-Semitic views. “We have always been supportive of our students’ ability to become leaders and express their rights,” said Rabbi Ari Leubitz, AJA’s head of school. “When we became aware that the organizers’ leaders had interactions with some anti-Semitic people and were unwilling to denounce their views, we were confronted with a conflict between the value of speaking out against the injustice and sadness we are expe14 riencing while standing by our proud

Jewish values.” AJA and the student walkout’s organizers compromised on a plan that allowed the high-schoolers to walk out on the same date as the national movement but at a later time. Students who decided to walk out for 17 minutes at 10 a.m. did not face disciplinary consequences. “Regardless of how bad the situation is, as a Jew, I will always put my Judaism first,” 10th-grader Aden Dori said. She organized the walkout with 12th-grader Ben Ogden and 10th-grader Tali Feen. “It was more powerful for me to send a message that you can’t talk down to Jews and expect us to join because the end goal will always be more pressing,” Dori added. The commemoration began near the Sandy Springs school’s entrance underneath the flagpole. Dori and Feen read the names of the victims with a brief description of what each person meant to the family and friends left behind. Some of the more than 30 students

in the crowd lighted battery-operated candles as each name was read. Young Israel of Toco Hills Rabbi Adam Starr recited Psalm 20, said in times of tragedy and distress, in memory of those fallen. “These are the kids in my community, and I want to show them that their rabbi supports them,” he said. “I’m really proud of them for taking the initiative and doing it in such a positive, respectful and appropriate way.” Ogden spoke about the need to stand up for change and to never forget the people who died, five of whom were Jewish. “I think it’s very easy for these things to happen, to leave them and assume that it will get figured out by those in charge, but there comes a point where somebody has to step up,” he said. “This is our time to thrive and to take action.” After the memorial service, the students participated in a 17-minute walk around the school campus. Some students held signs, wore “Enough” Tshirts and sang “Acheinu” as a police

car escorted them down Northland Drive to High Point Road. The students also held a moment of silence in memory of the people killed. “We are always faced with situations and events, but no one is actively doing anything to stop it, so the fact that students took it upon themselves to be in this movement means a lot,” Dori said. “Our generation is always talked down to because people feel we are young and may not know how to resolve anything, but we ourselves can start making change.” Citing hundreds of school shootings since 2013, Feen said, “it’s important for us to take notice of this because these shootings are happening to students who are trying to make a difference.” She added, “The walkout was important to me because we wanted to show that we not only cared about the individuals that were killed, but also because we need to make change.” (Watch a video of the walkout at atlantajewishtimes.com.) ■

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SPECIAL REPORT: GUNS AND SCHOOLS

Why I Didn’t March With AJA’s Walkout buy legally, options such as the black market exist. Because good people wouldn’t break the law and wouldn’t find ways to get guns, and because bad people would break the law to get guns, the situation results in only bad people with weapons. Where would that leave us, the

Guest Column By Eliana Goldin

good people? It would leave us without any form of protection. The second part, similar to the first, brings to mind that bad people will find other ways to commit terror. Let’s say that no one, even the bad guys, has access to guns. In this case, the bad guys can find other ways to murder, and the public is still left without any form of protection. The third part is the most complex. The third part tells us that, weapons aside, the problem doesn’t lie in the gun itself. The third part explains that the real issue is the people behind the guns, the people pulling the triggers. People take to the streets in marches, demanding a change in gun laws, demanding we put gun control at the top of the list, but it is the human who pulls the trigger. We live in a society that is devoid of love and acceptance. We are plagued with depression and anxiety — mental diseases that are so often disregarded as teens just being teens. We call each other bad names, bully one another in person and online, and brush it all aside as if bullying is something regular and normal. We have problems with our selfesteem and with our relationships with others, and instead of trying to fix these problems, we distract ourselves with selfies and homework. Our society is built on avoiding the real problems and instead creating problems out of what could be solutions. Believe it or not, gun violence isn’t even on the top 10 list for causes of death. Instead, diseases are the causes for most deaths in the United States. In fact, you are 38 percent more likely to die from falling over than from a finger pulling a trigger. Our resources need to be dedicated not to opposing our means of protection, but to solving the problem

AJA senior Ben Ogden leads his peers in a walkout Wednesday, March 14.

Students march in Sandy Springs as part of the national walkout.

at its core. On our high school students’ Facebook page, Yitzi Zolty, an AJA junior, posted an inspiring photo labeled “#Walk Up NOT Out.” The picture outlined ways to join the National Student Walk Up, such as by walking UP to the kids who sit alone and asking them to join your group or by walking UP to your teachers and saying thank you for all the hard work they do. Movements like these, movements of kindness and motivation and love and respect, are the kinds of movements that will make a lasting impact on issues that matter most. Rather than participate in the march, Shayna Shapiro, an AJA freshman, learned Torah with me for the 17 minutes commemorating those who died. We studied a book about Tehillim and learned about the importance of following b’derech Hashem, in the way of G-d.

In the last passage of Masechet Brachos, Rabbi Elazar says in the name of Rabbi Chaninah, “Torah scholars increase peace in the world.” While I don’t know for sure how to increase peace and cease bloodshed, I do know that the correct steps to take are those involving others. It can be anything from sitting with a friend learning Torah to inviting someone without many friends to join your study group. Life is about living, and I chose not to participate in the National Student Walkout because I chose to participate in the National Student Walk Up instead. I chose to stay true to my ideals and beliefs regarding the Second Amendment, and every day I continue to stay true to the idea that we can diminish violence by creating an environment of love. ■ Eliana Goldin is a 10th-grader at Atlanta Jewish Academy.

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

My Atlanta Jewish Academy classmates did an amazing job putting together AJA’s National Student Walkout. It was moving, organized and well-executed, from the somber background music to the cards handed out with a quote about each victim. The memorial recognized each individual whose life was lost, and Rabbi Adam Starr recited a heart-wrenching perek of Tehillim (a chapter of Psalms). Standing by the flagpole, hearing my friends talk about kids our own age dying in school, I felt trapped. I was angry, and I was hurt. I was fearful, and I was disappointed. I pictured the shooter in my mind, and immediately my fists clenched. And because of this, I didn’t participate in the student walkout. The walkout consisted of two parts: the first to memorialize and the second to demand new gun laws. In the first part, memorializing, I took part; I’ve always believed that it’s important to dedicate time and memory to those who have left this world too early. But the second part, demanding new gun laws, is something I see as ridiculous and almost a waste of our time. On Dec. 15, 1791, the Second Amendment was ratified. It states that we have the right “to keep and bear Arms,” and it was written with good reason: If our government were ever to attack us, we would need some form of protection. The same can be said for every situation: If someone is pointing a gun at you, it would be pretty handy to have a gun, too. Guns supply our mortal bodies with the means to retaliate against and protect ourselves from those who wish to hurt us. Many people look at this situation and think, “Well, why don’t we just get rid of guns?” Seemingly, that would get rid of the problem; however, that isn’t the case. The answer has three parts. The first part simply suggests that no matter whether something is illegal, a bad person will find a way of obtaining any object desired. Take, for instance, drugs that have the capabilities to kill: Students my own age find ways to get around the law and endanger their lives every day. Alcohol falls under this example, too. The same can be said for guns. Even if we make guns impossible to

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SPECIAL REPORT: GUNS AND SCHOOLS

Walkout Just the Start of Gun Response The student-driven response to gun violence after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., is moving from the 17-minute National Student Walkout on Wednesday, March 14, to an international series of marches Saturday, March 24. Like Atlanta Jewish Academy, the Weber School supported a student-led demonstration during the national walkout. Faculty members joined students in gathering outside the Sandy Springs school for 17 minutes in memory of the 14 students and three educators slain at Stoneman Douglas one month earlier. The Weber demonstration included 17 empty desks and chairs as a backdrop while the student organizers — 11th-graders Aliza Abusch-Magder and Cydney Wolchock, 12th-grader Micah Cohn, 10th-grader Hannah Rosenberg and ninth-grader Tali Cohn — paid their respects to the dead and discussed the power of students to effect change. Public school systems had policies ranging from support to opposition to the walkout. In Cobb County, where high schools had a scheduled early

Photos by Bob Bahr

Middle-schoolers at Temple EmanuEl work on posters March 18 for the March for Our Lives.

dismissal about 90 minutes after the 10 a.m. walkout, unspecified threats of punishment limited participation to about 1,000 students, several of whom complained to the Board of Education the next night about efforts to suppress the demonstrations, East Cobb News reported. Congregation Etz Chaim Rabbi Daniel Dorsch heard rumors that Walton High School students who walked out would be forced to attend school on a Saturday, and he made a public offer to write letters so Jewish demonstrators wouldn’t have to go to school on Shabbat. But he said Monday, March 19, that no one had requested an excuse letter.

Rabbi Spike Anderson led a forum on gun violence for middle-schoolers and adults Sunday, March 18, at Temple Emanu-El. Participants included Judy Draisin Wolman, a family therapist in Sandy Springs, and Andrea Teichner, who heads the Georgia chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. After the forum, EmanuEl middle-schoolers prepared posters for the March for Our Lives, scheduled for Saturday morning, March 24, in Washington, D.C., and sites around the world, including downtown Atlanta. Teens from Emanu-El and other Atlanta-area Reform congregations will participate in the march through

the Reform youth group NFTY. The Conservative movement’s youth group, USY, also is facilitating march participation locally and at the main location in Washington. The Atlanta march is sponsored by the Georgia Alliance for Social Justice. Ahavath Achim Synagogue’s rabbis, who have called gun violence in America a spiritual problem, acknowledged in a letter to congregants that some will join the march rather than attend synagogue services March 24, but they urged everyone to incorporate some kind of spiritual activism reflective of the marches’ purpose, whether a discussion over a Shabbat meal, the recitation of a special prayer for gun victims, or the study of one or more related texts on a sheet prepared by the Atlanta Rabbinical Association (find it at bit.ly/2IDuO5b). Ahavath Achim (600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead), which is forming a group to address the issue of gun violence, also is holding a special prayer and study session that Saturday night, with Mincha at 6:15, a meal and text study at 6:45, and Ma’ariv and Havdalah at 7:55 p.m. ■

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SPECIAL REPORT: GUNS AND SCHOOLS

Cartoon by Bill Day, Tallahassee, Fla.

17 Minutes of Mourning both agree, as do their friends, that stronger background checks and an increase in the age to 21 to be eligible to purchase a gun are two fixes that can happen fairly quickly. “It’s a start.” Most of the students who gath-

Shaindle’s Shpiel By Shaindle Schmuckler shaindle@atljewishtimes.com

ered on the football field were not there to protest the use or misuse of guns. Their walkout was a performance out of profound respect for the 14 high school students and three faculty members who lost their lives in a violent assassination in Florida. They walked to raise awareness that problems exist and that our politicians are commanded by voters to put in the bipartisan effort to find solutions to the issues brought to them. The tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School affected them not only on the intellectual level, but also on an emotional level. Friends from their summer camp are students at the school or live in Parkland. As they heard the reading of the names of the 17 people killed, the 16-year-old sophomore said, it brought back emotions and memories of his experience at the Children’s Holocaust memorial in Israel. The scoreboard timer read 17 minutes as an announcement was heard: The time devoted to this very moving memorial had come to an end. As they returned to class, each participant was given the names and telephone numbers of elected officials they can contact, along with a list of the names and ages of the 17, who will be remembered through walkouts, marches and social media. And life goes on. ■

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

They heard the announcement at 9:55 a.m. At 10, they joined friends and some teachers on the football field. Noah and Elijah spotted the drone immediately, the drone equipped to record this emotionally charged, momentous event. Although Mother Nature wasn’t ready to give up the cold weather, 80 percent of the student body walked out of their high school in northern Fulton County to attend a memorial for peers killed in a school in Parkland, Fla., a month earlier. Before the walkout, teachers and students engaged in conversation around the First Amendment — freedom of speech, freedom of assembly. In discussions concerning any possible flaws in our democratic process or in our Constitution, all agreed that our system is far superior and civilized to what other countries, under a monarchy, for example, would experience. Elijah, who is involved with model United Nations, learned at a conference held in New York that many issues facing American schools don’t exist in other countries. We have the Second Amendment, which both protects us and can frustrate us. In speaking with these two young men, one a sophomore and one a senior, I learned they were clear on why they joined hundreds of their fellow students in the 17-minute walkout. Both agreed that changes could happen only through voting. The senior I spoke with is eligible to vote this year, as are his classmates. They take this privilege seriously, understanding that their power is in the ballot. Both young men agreed there is not a single solution to treat the ills of our schools and country. Additional amendments or additions to amendments are where politicians must start. In reference to gun control, they

PASSOVER

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Wittenberg’s Favorites from Susie Fishbein The Spicy Peach co-owner Jodi Wittenberg raves about two recipes from “Passover by Design,” the 2009 cookbook by her friend Susie Fishbein. The recipes, with Wittenberg’s comments written into the book, are published with permission. Mesorah Publications Ltd. holds the copyright.

Blintz Souffle As she peeled the pages apart to show the recipe, Wittenberg said, “This I like so much, the pages stuck together.” She prefers using 18 instead of 12 Passover blintzes for this recipe. ■

Chocolate Mousse Pie “This is off the charts,” Wittenberg said.

Susie Fishbein’s Chocolate Mousse Pie

Susie Fishbein’s Blintz Souffle

Paula Shoyer’s Chocolate Quinoa Cake

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Celebrated Jewish cookbook author Paula Shoyer has many Passoverkosher recipes in her latest book, “The Healthy Jewish Kitchen,” published by Sterling Epicure in November. This parve, gluten-free cake made with quinoa is one example (as long as you don’t use pure vanilla extract, Shoyer notes). “I had heard the myth of chocolate cakes made with cooked quinoa and didn’t quite believe they’d actually be tasty,” she writes. “This cake is surprisingly moist and delicious — great for Passover and all year round.” The recipe requires 20 minutes of prep time, 15 minutes of cook time for the quinoa and 50 minutes of bake time. It serves 12. ¾ cup quinoa 1½ cups water Cooking spray 18 2 tablespoons potato starch

1/3 cup orange juice (from 1 orange) 4 large eggs 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (or other vanilla if for Passover) ¾ cup coconut oil 1½ cups sugar 1 cup dark, unsweetened cocoa 2 teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate Fresh raspberries for garnish (optional) For Glaze (optional) 5 ounces bittersweet chocolate 1 tablespoon sunflower or safflower oil 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or other vanilla if for Passover) Place the quinoa and water into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and cook the quinoa for 15 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Set the pan aside. The quinoa may be made 1 day

in advance. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Use cooking spray to grease a 12-cup Bundt pan. Sprinkle the potato starch over the greased pan, then shake the pan to remove any excess starch. Place the quinoa in the bowl of a food processor. Add the orange juice, eggs, vanilla, oil, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt and process until the mixture is very smooth. Melt the chocolate over a double boiler, or place in a medium, microwave-safe bowl and put in a microwave for 45 seconds, stirring and then heating for 30 more seconds until the chocolate is melted. Add the chocolate to the quinoa batter and process until well mixed. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and bake for 50 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the cake comes out clean. Let the cake cool for 10 minutes,

Paula Shoyer’s Chocolate Quinoa Cake is kosher for Passover as long as you use imitation vanilla.

then remove it gently from the pan and set it on a wire cooling rack. For the glaze, melt the chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl in the microwave (see above) or over a double boiler. Add the oil and vanilla and whisk well. Let the glaze sit for 5 minutes, then whisk it again. Use a silicone spatula to spread the glaze all over the cake. ■

PASSOVER

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Passover Pops Up at The Spicy Peach By Leah R. Harrison lharrison@atljewishtimes.com Flowers aren’t the only things blooming this spring. Showing what can be accomplished with creativity, innovation and hard work, the owners of kosher specialty retailer The Spicy Peach have opened a Passover pop-up store in the space recently vacated by Alexander’s of Atlanta jewelers next door at the Toco Hill Shopping Center. The Spicy Peach owners realize that preparation for Passover seders and the eight-day celebration can be exhausting. “It doesn’t need to be like that,” co-owner Tzippy Teller said. “We have great stuff to make things easy.” To prevent Passover breakdown and help remember “it’s freedom for all,” including those slaving in the kitchen, you can take steps to lessen the workload so the entire family can enjoy the holiday, she said. Arriving just in time to provide helpful and innovative items for the product-intense holiday, the pop-up offers “gorgeous paper goods and plastic ware,” co-owner Jodi Wittenberg said, as well as a vast selection of foil pans and a thoughtful array of dry goods. Passover palates will appreciate imitation soy, teriyaki and Worcestershire sauces, as well as imitation mustard and the ever-popular date syrup, which Wittenberg suggests for charoset. At $4.89 for 4.2 ounces, Pereg spices, including basic, BBQ, Zahtar, Shawarma and Red Sea Salt, will add interest to entrees during Passover and year-round. Joburg Kosher Biltong, or South African-style beef jerky, and gourmet salami are proving popular. Also featured are “great sweets

Photos by Leah R. Harrison

The Spicy Peach co-owner Jodi Wittenberg helps a customer on a crowded Sunday before Passover.

Gluten-free truffle mousse cake from Israel is a Passover favorite.

and lovely new desserts,” including mousse cakes from Israel, French macarons and tempting products from Yum Tov. Available frozen in four varieties, the gluten-free, kosher-forPassover, L’Mehadrin parve mousse cakes are “really delicious,” Wittenberg

said. “People have been calling us about them since December.” Gourmet French and domestic cheeses round out the store’s selection. While offering their usual array of mainstay Passover products, Toco Hill anchors Publix and Kroger seem

to have left the innovation and international flair to their smaller competitor. Although the space next door is “just a shell of a store,” Wittenberg said it was perfect timing that it came available before Passover. The Spicy Peach hopes to expand after the holiday. ■

Maos Chitim, derived from the Hebrew for “wheat money,” has its roots in the haggadah, which reads, “All who are hungry, let them enter and eat. All who are in need, let them come celebrate Pesach.” For over 45 years, members of our community, now led by Allan Tanenbaum, have raised money for the Maos Chitim Fund at Passover. Last year Maos Chitim provided money to more than 600 families, many of them Jewish Family & Career Services clients, to purchase Passover food, and the fund gave food baskets to 215 families. To help provide Passover food to those in need in Jewish Atlanta, visit www.jfcsatl.org/donate/maos, or call 770-677-9329. ■

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Food for the Hungry

PASSOVER

Gourmet Pesach Tastes “A Taste of Pesach 2” is the new sequel to a cookbook of recipes from volunteers at Yeshiva Me’on HaTorah, a dormitory high school and Talmudic college founded by Rabbi Yisroel Meir Eisenberg in 2005. The school was in its original home, Roosevelt, N.J., when the first book came out and is now in Monsey, N.Y. Proceeds from the cookbook benefit the school. This Artscroll book of “trusted favorites, simple preparation, magnificent results” has more than 150 recipes, most of which are gluten-free. The authors have included a chapter on gourmet plating, with step-by-step photos.

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quently. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place 1/3 cup filling at one edge of a crepe. Fold the top and bottom in, then roll, starting from the filling. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining crepes and filling. Bake, uncovered, for approximately 20 minutes until crispy.

Pastrami Egg Rolls Baking the dish uncovered gives it a real egg roll wrapper texture. Crepes: 8 eggs 1 cup potato starch 1 cup water ½ teaspoon salt Oil for frying Filling: 1 tablespoon oil 2 onions, julienned 1 (8-ounce) bag shredded Green cabbage 8 slices pastrami ½ teaspoon garlic powder For the crepes, beat the eggs lightly, then add the remaining ingredients. Don’t overbeat. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a 10-inch nonstick frying pan. Pour a scant ¾ cup batter into the hot pan; swirl the pan to cover the bottom completely. As soon as the batter is set, use a spatula to flip it over for 15 seconds. Remove from the pan. Continue until all batter has been used. You may need to re-grease the pan between crepes. For the filling, heat the oil in a large skillet. Add the julienned onions and shredded cabbage. Sauté until the onions are soft and the cabbage is wilted. Add the pastrami strips and garlic powder. Sauté 5 minutes, stirring fre-

Citrus Sea Bass The stunning presentation is part of this recipe. When eaten together, the citrus fruits and avocado complement the subtle flavors of the fish. The bonus is that its beauty will surely enhance your table. Easy to prepare and always gourmet. 2 oranges 2 pink grapefruits Salt and pepper to taste 4 (6-ounce) skinless sea bass fillets 1 tablespoon oil 1 avocado, diced just before serving 4 tablespoons avocado oil Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Using a small, sharp knife, cut all the peel and white pith from the fruit. Working over a medium bowl, cut between the membranes to release the segments into a bowl. Squeeze the juice from the membranes into the bowl, and discard the membranes. Drain the fruit, reserving ½ cup fruit juice. Return the ½ cup of reserved juice to the bowl with the fruit. Season the fillets with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat. Cook the fish until it is golden brown and releases easily from pan, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the fish gently to a 9-by-13-inch pan, cooked side up. Bake until just opaque in the center, 5 to 10 minutes. Divide the fruit and avocado among individual plates and top with a fillet. Spoon 2 tablespoons citrus juice and 1 tablespoon avocado oil over the fish and fruit on each plate. ■

Pastrami Egg Rolls

Citrus Sea Bass

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PASSOVER

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Wittenberg’s Favorite Passover Recipes Jodi Wittenberg, co-owner of The Spicy Peach, shared with us some of her most treasured Passover recipes. Because some of the sources are wellseasoned chefs, details may be a bit scarce. My Friend Naomi’s Best Cookies Ever “Everyone that makes these loves them,” Wittenberg said. It’s a great gluten-free recipe that can be used on Passover and year-round. Although they can be made as bars, they work

Persian Charoset

Passover is one of Iranian Jewish nutritionist and founder of Nooromid Nutrition Consulting Group Safa Nooromid’s favorite Jewish holidays because of the traditions and memories she recalls practicing in Iran. Every year Nooromid prepares a Persian rendition of charoset that uses ingredients commonly found in the Middle East, such as dates, raisins and pistachios. The ingredients help give the charoset its pastelike consistency, rich color and taste and are a main staple for many Sephardic dishes. Nooromid’s charoset recipe is great twist for anyone eager to incorporate Middle Eastern flavors into a seder this year. 1 cup raisins ½ cup chopped walnuts 1 cup dates (soaked and pitted) 1 cup sesame seeds ½ cup unsalted almonds ½ unsalted pistachios ½ to 1 cup red wine It is very important to chop and paste each item individually and to chop your dry ingredients first. Soak the pitted dates for several hours. Chop the almonds, walnuts and pistachios in the blender. Empty the blender, then chop the sesame seeds in the blender until they are pasty. Remove the sesame seeds, and repeat the process with the raisins in the blender until they are pasty. Finally, place the soaked dates in the blender and chop until pasty. Add all the chopped ingredients back to blender, add the red wine, and blend for a few minutes until they are mixed well. If your product is very thick, you can add more wine, grape juice, or water and blend to your desired consistency.

better as cookies, and they are best under-cooked, she advised. The recipe can be doubled. 1 cup brown sugar* 1 egg, beaten 1 cup ground almonds ½ package chocolate chips Combine all the ingredients. Cook at 350 degrees until the cookies begin to brown but are still soft. *For a less-sweet option, use only a ½ cup of brown sugar. My Friend Deborah’s Passover Brownies Wittenberg’s well-used copy of this recipe notes that they are “the best brownies so far” for Passover, coming out fudgelike and making up in taste what they may lack in appearance. 1 cup oil 4 eggs 2 cups sugar ½ cup potato starch 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup cocoa 1 bag (2 cups) chocolate chips Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-9-inch baking pan. Com-

bine all ingredients and pour into the prepared pan. Bake for 30 minutes. Makes 16 brownies. The recipe can be doubled using a 13-by-9 pan, and it’s so easy that children can make the recipe. A variation adds marshmallow cream if you can find the right ingredients for Passover. Tzippy’s Citrus Salmon From Wittenberg’s co-owner, Tzippy Teller, this salmon recipe uses Oxygen Citrus Fusion Sauce, which can, of course, be purchased at The Spicy Peach. 1 jar Oxygen Citrus Fusion Sauce 1 teaspoon minced garlic ¼ cup orange juice Lemon and orange slices (thinly sliced) One side salmon Combine the sauce, garlic and orange juice in a small bowl. Place the salmon in a baking dish, and pour the sauce over the top. Line the side of fish down the center with lemon and orange slices. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes. ■

Oxygen Citrus Fusion Sauce, available at The Spicy Peach, is the key to Tzippy’s Citrus Salmon.

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

By Leah R. Harrison lharrison@atljewishtimes.com

PASSOVER

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Zionism Taps Into Parallels to Exodus The Exodus from Egypt is considered to be the seminal experience in the history of the Jewish people. Each year during Passover, we gather around the table with family and friends for a seder to recount the story through readings, prayers and actions. All are meant to stimulate our personal attachment with this historic moment. According to many sources, the Passover seder is the most widely celebrated Jewish event each year. Much of the brilliance of the seder that takes place in the home lies in the powerful memories that it creates in each of us. While the seder is about preserving the memory of the Exodus from Egypt, it is also about creating new and lasting memories with those who sit around our table and remembering those who are no longer present. One of the names for the holiday of Passover is Zman Cheiruteinu, the Time of Our Freedom, and at the core of the seder is the story of how a group

of slaves left Egypt and emerged as a nation in their own land. It is precisely because of this story of freedom that we feel the seder is

Guest Column By Rich Walter

also the perfect moment to reflect on the modern exodus of Jews to Israel. If the biblical Exodus is the source document of the Jewish people, then Zionism is its modern realization. Early pioneers, especially those who settled on kibbutzim, created their own haggadot that reflected their hopes and visions for renewed Jewish life in the land of Israel. Many featured themes beyond the Exodus from Egypt, such as spring, nature, difficulties with the British administration and intercommunal violence in Mandatory Palestine. Many of these haggadot can be found at the National Library of Israel.

The Exodus theme that is central to the Passover story also resonated for many Zionist and Israeli leaders as they sought to encourage Jews to make aliyah and move to Israel. Oftentimes, they used Passover imagery to emphasize that the Zionist efforts represented a modern liberation of Jews suffering persecution and were bringing them to freedom. Some examples of this are the 1947 ship the SS Exodus, which, under the command of Yosi Harel, attempted to bring over 4,000 Holocaust survivors into Haifa before being intercepted by the British; Operation Moses, the first of several successful efforts to bring Ethiopian Jews to Israel; and Operation Exodus, the 1990s initiative that, through the United Jewish Appeal, raised money to bring and resettle 1 million Jews from the former Soviet Union. As you gather around your seder table this year, we encourage you to infuse discussion of Israel into your ritual. Some suggestions for doing this can be found on the Center for Israel Education website. ■

This 1934 “Haggadah of Tel Aviv” is in the National Library of Israel.

Rich Walter is the associate director for Israel education at the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org).

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PASSOVER

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Diversity Haggadah Embraces All Jewish People be a strong bond that demonstrates acceptance of differences, equitable practices, effective collaboration and

Writing on Writing By Tarece Johnson

inclusion. Together we create a powerful light that beams love and kindness to make a difference in the world. Meditation — This evening we are together in celebration of G-d’s love and the liberation of our people. As

the sun continues to set, we honor the glory of G-d. G-d has shown us beauty in the world as we witness the tree produce fruit, a rose bloom, rain dropping to the ground and a rainbow in the sky. We are the bright ray from the sun and the vibrant colors reflected from G-d’s tears. … Tonight we remember our suffering, we retell the story of our freedom, and we celebrate the great diversity of the Jewish people. ■ Temple Sinai member Tarece Johnson is the founder of Beauty & Glory and co-founder of Jewish Global Diversity. Besides “Global Diversity Haggadah,”

available at amazon.com and at the Breman Museum, her books include “Ahava,” a book of Shabbat meditations and affirmations, and “The Global Purpose Approach,” a multicultural resource book.

Global Diversity Haggadah By Tarece Johnson CreateSpace, 88 pages, $8.88

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

“Global Diversity Haggadah” was created to provide a personal window into my life and identity as a black and Jewish woman. I am sharing this book to provide my perspective related to the multicultural celebration of freedom (Pesach) from all forms of oppression, injustice and slavery. This haggadah contains diversity-themed poems and Torah verses. It provides a multicultural perspective related to our common Jewish history while honoring our distinct journeys around the world. We are all Jewish, and we all belong. The purpose of “Global Diversity Haggadah” is to share my perspective related to the multicultural influences that contribute to the richness of our community. I hope to inspire and motivate community and to encourage the continuation of our work together to make the world a more loving, peaceful and harmonious place where all people may be free to be who they are and to prosper joyfully. Among the additions in this haggadah is a Cup of Unity & Love, joining the traditional four cups of wine, Elijah’s Cup and the more recent Miriam’s Cup. One option for incorporating the cup into the seder is to go outside, recite the haggadah’s poem “Cup of Unity & Love,” and pour the sweet juice into the dirt, honoring our ancestors and representing the diversity of Jews on Earth. The following is an excerpt from the haggadah. Affirmation — We are ONE people with a common purpose. We are intricately tied together, and our histories are linked to the same great land of wonder. We accept that although we may be from different countries, have different skin colors or hair types, be of different genders, have different sexual preferences, be of different ethnicities, be of different religious observations/sects, and have distinct geo-cultural identities, we are all ONE family. Our differences make us stronger, more powerful and prosperous. The various colors of who we are make being and doing Jewish a beautiful rainbow of hope, peace and love around the world. We will honor ourselves and appreciate the uniqueness of our people. We will respect all people and be empathetic to their personal and collective journeys. We are all Jewish, and we aim to

PASSOVER

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Cartoon Haggadah Tells Serious Story of Survival By Rabbi David Geffen

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

We are all in the debt of Koren Press, which decided to publish a new edition of “The Dry Bones Passover Haggadah” last year. I very much like to look at haggadot, but I have never attempted to collect them. However, I have seen quite a number, and I have found that some make a bigger impression on me than others. I have known “Dry Bones” creator Yaakov Kirschen for about 30 years. He drew a cartoon for our youngest son’s bar mitzvah, for our 25th anniversary, and for the 50th anniversary of my parents, Louis and Anna of beloved memory. I have always found him to be a fascinating individual. His making aliyah was a gift to the entire Jewish people because it cemented his dream to be a cartoonist. For 45 years, he has drawn “Dry Bones,” which began in The Jerusalem Post and can be read throughout the world, including the AJT. In the introduction to his haggadah, Kirschen describes a few of the characters in his cartoons. “The main

‘Dry Bones’ character is the kindly, idealistic ‘Uncle Shuldig.’ He represents me. His dog ‘Doobie’ projects a more objective, critical point of view.” The author also notes that “the ‘LSW’ (his wife, Sali) claims that the loyal but doubting dog represents her.” In his candor, Kirschen decided that he not only wants to talk to people today through his cartoons, but also wants to connect in a way that will help them focus on tomorrow. Kirschen feels that the time for this to happen is the Passover seder. The whole family sits together, and the words of the haggadah can slip into their minds. “My haggadah,” he said, “begins with Shuldig explaining the seder to Doobie.” Shuldig stands there, pointer in hand, with a drawing of the seder plate on the wall. Doobie has to see to believe, which Shuldig knows well. He first explains the seder plate and its six symbolic foods, then the 15 steps of the seder. Doobie is ready, as are all of us sitting around the table. Once the seder begins with the Kiddush, a cartoon appears with two

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Photo by Sali Ariel

“Dry Bones” creator Yaakov Kirschen works in a studio in Herzliya Pituach.

ancient Jews leaving Egypt. “No bread?! We’ve been slaves in Egypt for 400 years. And we leave in such a hurry that … there’s ‘no time’ to pack some sandwiches?” The punch line in this four-box cartoon: “I tell you,” one of the freed men says, “people will be talking about this for years.” The excitement of this haggadah is found in the drawings, the cartoons and the carefully executed design by S. Kim Glassman of Jerusalem. Plus, Sali Ariel’s “hand has been involved in the look and feel of every page.” It can be difficult to get people to listen to the story of the Exodus; “Dry Bones” has an answer. A little boy says, “When you’re a kid, you don’t have time to listen.” A suave, successful gentleman says, “And then before you know it …” — setting up the words of a budding senior citizen: “You’re the generation that they don’t have time to listen.” Shuldig puts it all together: “This is called the miracle of Jewish continuity.” Another haggadah cartoon shows Pharaoh on his throne saying, “We’ve got to wipe out these Israelites.” His first idea: “Let’s force them to kill all their newborn babies!” His second: “Nah! Make them drown only their boy babies — after all, I’m not a bad guy.” On Pages 36 and 66, the Jews are building in Egypt and are being whipped so they can never stop. But then the sea splits, and our ancestors are free. Next to the ceremony of “the cup of Elijah,” a cartoon has a yellow background so the character of Moses with a white beard stands out on Mount Sinai. Moses questions G-d, “Israel will become a light unto the nations?” The answer is “YES.” Then G-d continues, “But ‘the nations’ will get really good at looking the other way.” Moses says, “Bummer!” G-d answers, “YUP.”

Cartoon by Yaakov Kirschen

The haggadah weaves humor through the seder.

The return to Eretz Yisrael is presented in modern terms. On one page the cars and buses are seen driving up to Jerusalem. On the page opposite the buses and cars are passing through greenery as they move toward the fancy city of Tel Aviv. Accompanying L’shana habaa b’Yerushalayim, we see the beautiful greenery through which the vehicles pass as Jerusalem awaits them. The idea of using the haggadah to deepen people’s awareness of the Exodus, even for the future, is interesting because it was first used for actual commercial products. In my “American Heritage Haggadah,” I brought to light companies from banks to coffee companies (Maxwell House) to wines and other foodstuffs that realized that the “hang time” for reading the haggadah and looking at its text and ads is quite lengthy. A hundred years after the first haggadah with commercial ads, “Dry Bones” draws us in via his fascinating and jubilant text. He does not expect us to buy material goods, food or wine, but to take a bite into the cartoons and illustrations so that we can make the haggadah’s message our own. “Everyone knows that the Jews have survived as a people,” Kirschen said, but, in his view, no one knows why. “They think we have a secret book, and we do, but its identity is more obvious than most people would think.” Sitting in his studio in Herzliya Pituach, he added: “The secret book of the Jews is the Passover haggadah. We have a guidebook for a ceremony that will be in our own home every year to teach the next generation.” ■ The Dry Bones Passover Haggadah By Yaakov Kirschen Menorah Books, 104 pages, $16.95 www.korenpub.com/maggid_en_usd/ the-dry-bones-passover-haggada.html

PASSOVER

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The Seder as a Vehicle to Fight Hunger pantries. They are in yards, on the side of the road, next to buildings. Most of these trees were untended and ignored, their produce “being wasted to wildlife while only miles away many poor and homeless struggle to

Guest Column By Harold Kirtz

include any fresh produce in their diet,” as Concrete Jungle’s website states. Come to the Hunger Seder and learn how to volunteer to help pick this produce for local people in need. Concrete Jungle also grows vegetables on a small urban farm in Southwest Atlanta, Doghead Farm. That farm allows the organization to host additional volunteer events. Another partner is Global Growers, which manages nearly 20 acres and supports a network of farms and gardens throughout metro Atlanta.

Since 2010, it has produced around 500,000 pounds of fresh produce. Its 15-acre incubator farm in Stone Mountain, Bamboo Creek Farm, is a center for commercial crop production. It is hosting immigrant farmers who were involved in agriculture in their native countries and are now able to engage again in farming. The Hunger Seder is in its eighth year. It provides a full meal and a chance to see the haggadah become a vehicle for liberating people from hunger and food insecurity. We are helping, as the haggadah says, “let all who are hungry come and eat.” The Jewish tradition is rich with references to how Jews are expected to provide for those in need. Leviticus 19:9-10 states: “When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not fully reap the corner of your field, nor shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. And you shall not glean your vineyard, nor shall you collect the (fallen) individual grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the stranger. I am the Lord, your G-d.”

From Isaiah, we hear, “If you shall pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” In the Talmud, Midrash Tannim, we see, “G-d says to Israel, ‘My children, whenever you give sustenance to the poor, I impute it to you as though you gave sustenance to Me.’ Does G-d then eat and drink? No, but whenever you give food to the poor, G-d accounts it to you as if you gave food to G-d.” Those are but a few references from our tradition. Through the Hunger Seder, we aim to create advocates for food and nutrition programs. We encourage you to join us as we work to make our tradition live in numerous ways in our metro area. Please join us. ■ What: Hunger Seder Where: Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 4 Admission: $36; www.aasynagogue. org/event/hunger-seder-2018 or 404355-5222

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Many of us have gardens to grow small amounts of food for our personal use. But there are operations in Atlanta that harvest food for many others beyond property owners. Some of these operations will be highlighted at the Hunger Seder at Ahavath Achim Synagogue on Wednesday, April 4. Please join us to find out how you can participate in helping provide food for others, whether it is through harvesting food or by advocating policies that assist those in need. The Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta and Ahavath Achim are partnering with a number of other Jewish congregations, non-Jewish congregations, the Atlanta Community Food Bank, and other food-related organizations, from Second Helpings Atlanta to Food Security for America. One of those organizations is Concrete Jungle, which harvests fruits and nuts from over 2,000 trees. Yes, there are thousands of trees in Atlanta that provide food for shelters and food

PASSOVER

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Kosher Patrón Fuels Seder’s 4 Tequila Cocktails Step aside, Elijah, there’s a new spirit to welcome to the Passover seder this year. Thanks to some hard work and strict adherence to religious standards, Patrón Silver and Roca Patrón Silver Tequila are officially kosher for Passover this year. They’re certified by the good folks at the Mexico-based Supervisores en Calidad Kosher. Both tequilas have been certified kosher for year-round use for a while, but, thankfully for us, they’ve stepped up their game for the festival of matzah. Patrón Silver and Roca Patrón Silver tequilas are readily available in most liquor stores around Atlanta. While the bottle packaging and labels are still being updated to add the new hechsher, all bottles available in the stores are fine for Passover even if they don’t have the specific Passover certification. The traditional Passover seder requires us to enjoy four cups of wine throughout the evening, but it’s time to add a new tradition to the canon: the four tequila cocktails. To help you and your guests celebrate, here are four easy-to-prepare cocktail and punch recipes guaranteed to elevate your seder from a dinner party to a full-on fiesta. Tequila Sangria A big pitcher of pre-made sangria is a great way to serve a large crowd and to let them serve themselves. Plus, if you add a bit more wine to the recipe, you can absolutely use this sangria for Kiddush during the seder, which means it’s pulling double duty. That’s a benefit to anyone who’s spending every waking minute leading up to the

seder doing prep work in the kitchen. This recipe isn’t set in stone; use whatever fresh fruit appeals to you. Add more berries, use more mango — the possibilities are endless.

you’ve chosen to the pitcher. If you’re preparing in advance (the day before, no earlier), let the mixture sit in the fridge until just before the seder. About 20 minutes before serving, add the sparkling wine. Serve over ice.

The Cocktail Hour By Robbie Medwed Photo by Robbie Medwed Photo by Angeli Laura De via Creative Commons

Sangria is an excellent, flexible option that a busy seder host can prepare in advance.

1 orange 2 limes 1 lemon 1 cup tequila 2 cups mango, pineapple or other tropical juice 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced ½ cup raspberries ½ cup sliced strawberries ½ cup chopped pineapple or mango 1 bottle sweet sparkling wine (think Bartenura’s blue bottle) Juice the orange, limes and lemon, and combine them with the mango/ pineapple juice in a large pitcher. (Note that 100 percent juice with no additives is always kosher for Passover. If you buy frozen concentrate or a juice blend, certified kosher for year-round use is also acceptable for Passover.) Add the kiwi, raspberries, strawberries and any other fruit

The paloma is simple and tasty and can be adapted to the season with variations such as a strawberry simple syrup.

Paloma The paloma is my favorite tequila cocktail. It’s light and refreshing, and it’s great all year. Try substituting strawberry simple syrup for a seasonal variation on this classic cocktail. 2 ounces tequila 1 ounce grapefruit juice ¾ ounce fresh lime juice ½ ounce simple syrup (50-50 sugar and water, boiled for a minute) Soda water to top Fill a tall (Collins) glass with the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and simple syrup. Add ice, stir well, and fill the rest of the way with soda water. Citrus can be juiced up to a day in advance, but for the freshest taste, juice it as close to making the drinks as possible. And if you have too many guests offering to help in the kitchen with not enough tasks to assign, juicing citrus is a great job to hand off to someone. Garnish the glass with a lime wheel or a grapefruit wedge. Photo by Robbie Medwed

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

A Texas margarita using fresh juice instead of triple sec is a tequila variation that’s easy to make kosher.

Texas Margarita We can’t very well have a list of tequila cocktails and not mention the most famous. The Texas margarita is a play on its more traditional cousin, and it’s a bit easier to make kosher for Passover. Traditionally, margaritas call for

triple sec or another orange liqueur. While Sabra does make a kosherfor-Passover orange liqueur, it’s hard to find in Atlanta. If you have some, great. If not, here’s our workaround for this Tex-Mex favorite. 2 ounces tequila 1 ounce orange juice 1 ounce lime juice ½ ounce orange simple syrup Orange simple syrup: Combine equal parts sugar and water in a saucepan with the peels (no white part, just the orange part) of an orange and bring to a quick boil. Combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Strain well and serve on the rocks. Salted-rim optional! To prepare a salted rim, reserve a tablespoon of lime juice in a dish. Dip the top of the glass into the juice, then dip the glass into a dish filled with kosher salt. Photo by Robbie Medwed

The spiciness gradually builds from fruitiness when you drink the Angél de la Muerte (Angel of Death).

Angél de la Muerte Deep, dark, blood-red and spicy, the Angel of Death is a step above the average tequila cocktail. Fresh jalapeno slices add a deceptively fruity taste that turns slowly spicy. 2 ounces tequila 1 ounce lime juice 1 ounce blood orange juice ¾ ounce pomegranate molasses 2-3 fresh jalapeno slices Drop the jalapeno slices into the bottom of a shaker, and muddle (crush) them with the handle of a wooden spoon. Add the remaining ingredients plus ice and shake well. Strain well into a coupe or other stemmed glass and garnish with a lime wedge. Pomegranate molasses: Add 1 cup of pomegranate juice to a saucepan and boil until it’s reduced by half or more. The longer it boils, the more syrupy it will get. ■ A teacher by day, Robbie Medwed writes about cocktails and alcohol at koshercocktail.com.

PASSOVER

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Before you trade your bread for matzah and beer for potato vodka, enjoy these gluten-laden days. Some of our favorite restaurants around Atlanta can provide that over-thetop, carby satisfaction you need before the eight days without. Three Sheets Signature Grilled Cheese If you want a full meal dedicated to crunchy, griddled bread, journey to Photos by Skye Estroff

Two kinds of cheese enhance the crispy goodness of the grilled cheese sandwich at Three Sheets.

Three Sheets in Sandy Springs (www. threesheetsatlanta.com). One of the restaurant’s staple menu items has created quite a following. The grilled cheese is filled with Applewoodsmoked cheddar and Tillamook and is served with a side of tomato bisque.

The Food Scene By Skye Estroff

Varuni Napoli Margherita Pizza Varuni Napoli’s (www.varuni.us) pizzas are quickly cooked in signature wood-burning ovens that transform dough to pizza in a matter of seconds. The restaurant pays special attention If the lack of pizza is one of your Passover challenges, hit one of Varuni Napoli’s two locations for a Margherita pizza before the holiday.

to every ingredient, especially the flour. Varuni uses double-zero flour, water, yeast and salt for the dough. Order the Margherita pizza, with fresh buffalo mozzarella, Pecorino Romano, basil and extra-virgin olive oil, at locations in Midtown and at Krog Street Market.

Rhodes Bakery Petit Fours Everything is specially crafted at Rhodes Family Bakery (www.rhodesfamilybakery.com), from cookies to cakes and pastries to cheese straws, but the petit fours provide the perfect portion-controlled bite of good, simple, light and sugary cake. The Rhodes family still owns this lovely bakery and was recently recognized by Food Network for having best caramel cake in Georgia. Try the locations in Roswell and in Midtown (the original) off Cheshire Bridge Road. Il Giallo Spaghetti e Polpette Spaghetti e Polpette — aka homemade spaghetti tossed with tomatoes, marinara, garlic and fresh-made meatballs (or without if you opt for a vegetarian version) — is impeccable at il Giallo (ilgialloatl.com). In our culture, we’re always searching for what’s new and trendy, but sometimes the classic dishes delight and impress us the most. Il Giallo will attend Food That Rocks on Saturday, June 9, the inaugural event at the City Green at City Springs.

For a classic pasta dish, it’s hard to beat the Spaghetti e Polpette at il Giallo.

Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop I-40 Pie For a crunchy, sweet bite, try Buttermilk Sky Pie Shop in Sandy Springs (www.buttermilkskypie.com). The I-40 Pie is worth devouring. This crunchy slice is loaded with pecans, chocolate chips, toasted coconut and pecan pie filling with a sweet shortbread crust. Buttermilk Sky is also on board to serve delicious bites of its signature pies at Food That Rocks on June 9. Once you’ve consumed an exorbitant amount of matzah in all forms, you’ll be ready to get back on that gluten-filled train. If you miss these spots before Passover, they’ll be there when you break your bread fast. ■ Skye Estroff is the marketing and media manager for Atlanta’s largest food festival, Taste of Atlanta. Stay up to date with food and restaurants by following Taste of Atlanta on Facebook (Taste of Atlanta), Instagram (@TasteofAtlanta) and Twitter (@TasteofAtlanta).

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

5 Ways to Fill Up on Pre-Matzah Carbs

PASSOVER

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Passover Happenings

install your child seat from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Free; register at bit.ly/2G6XR2B.

THURSDAY, MARCH 22

Children’s programming. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive, downtown, offers Passover crafts and activities from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $15.95 ($14.95 in advance with code MJCCA18 or at the door with proof of JCC membership); childrensmuseumatlanta.org.

Pesach begins Friday night, March 30, and ends Saturday night, April 7. Visit atlantajewishconnector.com to find more holiday-related events.

Desserts. Learn several Passover desserts at the Marcus JCC’s Kuniansky Family Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, at 6 p.m. Admission is $40 for JCC members, $50 for others; www.atlantajcc. org/pldb-live/passover-desserts-39293. Wine and mikvah. Have a sip and take a dip at MACoM, 700-A Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, with Rabbi Judith Beiner at 7 p.m. Admission is a $5 donation, with a $25 donation for immersion; info@atlantamikvah.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 24

Family cooking. The General Muir and the Marcus JCC teach three childfriendly matzah recipes at 9:30 a.m. at The Canteen, 75 Fifth St., No. 170, Midtown. Admission is $18; bit.ly/2pqZxcS.

SUNDAY, MARCH 25

Car cleanout. The Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, and US Auto Spa vacuum out the chametz, then re-

Child Passover prep. The Marcus JCC and PJ Library tell a Passover story, lead the creation of seder plates and provide dessert at 3:30 p.m. at Michaels, 612 W. Crossville Road, Roswell. Free; bit.ly/2FOKKUt. Middle school party. The CTeen Jr. club at Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, celebrates Passover with crafts, games and a dairy dinner at 6:15 p.m. Free; RSVP to rabbihertz@chabadnf.org.

FRIDAY, MARCH 30

Seder. Chabad Intown, 928 Ponce de Leon Ave., Poncey-Highland, holds a community seder at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 for adults, $25 for children; bit. ly/2DGtGu3.

Seder. Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, holds a community seder at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for children older than 3; RSVP by March 25 at www.chabadnf.org or 770-410-9000. Seder. The Kehilla in Sandy Springs, 5075 Roswell Road, holds a community seder at 8 p.m. (bring your own shmurah matzah and wine). Tickets are $26 for adults, $14 for ages 3 to 10; RSVP by March 23 at bit.ly/2FNCTGx.

SATURDAY, MARCH 31

Second seder. Congregation B’nai Israel, 1633 Highway 54 East, Jonesboro, holds a community seder with a buffet dinner at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $26 for members, $35 for nonmembers and $18 for children 10 and under; RSVP as soon as possible to bit.ly/2Gc6wAM. Second seder. The Sixth Point holds a relaxed, entertaining, kosher-style seder at 6 p.m. at Heritage Sandy Springs, 6110 Bluestone Road, Sandy Springs. Tickets are $36 (subsidized) or $50 (actual cost); register at thesixthpoint.org/ event/community-passover-seder-2. Second seder. Temple Emanu-El, 1580

Spalding Drive, Sandy Springs, holds a seder at 6 p.m. with all the clergy. Tickets are $36 for adults and $25 for children; RSVP at templeemanuelatlanta. org/calendar/2nd-night-seder. Second seder. Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road, East Cobb, holds a kosher-style seder at 6 p.m., including an interactive haggadah experience for children 7 to 12. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for children for members, $40 and $20 for others; register by March 23 at bit.ly/2pqEXcv. Second seder. Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 North Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven, provides a Sephardic Passover meal after 7 p.m. services. Tickets are $40 for adults and $25 for children 12 and younger for members or $60 and $35 for others; register by March 26 at office@orveshalom.org or 404-633-1737.

TUESDAY, APRIL 3

Sober Seder. Jewish Family & Career Services’ HAMSA holds a seder for those in recovery and the people who love them at 6 p.m. at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; bit.ly/2FVFcn4.

Removing Spiritual Chametz

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

We are just a week away from Pesach, and for many of us that means one thing: cleaning our homes. It is the tradition in the days and weeks leading up to this festival of unleavened bread that we take the time to clear our homes of chametz, the food products that have risen, even looking for the smallest of crumbs to be taken away. Think of this as Jewish spring cleaning. But to clean out the chametz, we must truly understand what it is.

Chametz is any food that has risen or been leavened and is forbidden on Pesach because, as our Torah teaches

The View From Up North By Rabbi Jordan M. Ottenstein

us, our ancestors did not have time for their bread to rise as they were leaving Egypt. And yet there is another type

of chametz in our lives: the spiritual chametz. This chametz is that which causes our egos to inflate and our sense of self-worth and self-importance to rise to unhealthy levels. Rabbi Arthur Waskow refers to this type of chametz as “the swollen sourness in our lives.” It is the chametz that keeps us enslaved spiritually to the material trappings of our lives and prevents us from being free to encounter the world in a spiritual manner. And just as we clean our home to rid ourselves of bread, cake and other leavened food, it is through

this process of removing the spiritual chametz that we have the ability at our Passover seder to open up to those around us, appreciate the gifts we have and truly understand the meaning of the matzah, the bread of affliction, which reminds us each year to flatten ourselves and our egos as we attempt to encounter the world in a holy way and celebrate our freedom. Chag sameach. ■ Rabbi Jordan M. Ottenstein is the senior rabbi of Congregation Dor Tamid in Johns Creek.

OBITUARIES

Rachel Guillen 78, Atlanta

Rachel Capeloto Guillen, 78, of Atlanta passed away peacefully Wednesday, March 14, 2018, after a 15-month battle with lung cancer. Rachel was born Jan. 19, 1940, in Atlanta, where she lived most of her life. She was preceded in death by her parents, Victor Gabriel and Mary Piha Capeloto. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Manuel Guillen; her children, Michelle Lawrence (Chris), Carl Guillen (Laura) and Greg Guillen (Caroline); her most precious gifts, her four grandchildren, Lyndsey, Graham, Ford and Asher; her sister, Annette Schulman; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and close friends. Sign the guestbook at dresslerjewishfunerals.com. A memorial service was held Sunday, March 18, at the Freedman Chapel of the William Breman Jewish Home. The family requests donations to Weinstein Hospice at www.weinsteinhospice.com. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Sarah Levin Atlanta, 97

Sarah “Sally” Levin of Atlanta passed away peacefully Sunday, March 18, 2018. Sally was born Jan. 1, 1921, in Atlanta, where she lived her entire life. She was kind-hearted and the epitome of a Southern belle. She was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside. Her most precious gifts were her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and fur babies. Sally was preceded in death by her husband, Sol Levin, and a daughter, Flora Jean Levin. Her memory will be cherished by her children, Michael and Ann Levin; grandchildren David and Ilene Levin and Leigh (Levin) and Mathew Nathan; and great-grandchildren Aaron and Lily Levin and Rachel, Rebecca and Jordan Nathan. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at the William Breman Jewish Home and Weinstein Hospice for their excellent and loving care. Sign the guestbook at dresslerjewishfunerals.com. Donations may be made to the William Breman Jewish Home, 3150 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327; Weinstein Hospice at www.weinsteinhospice.com; or the charity of your choice. A graveside service was held Tuesday, March 20, at Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

91, Atlanta

Hessel Sturisky, age 91, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday, March 11, 2018, at Hospice Atlanta. Raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Hessel moved with his wife, Julie, to Atlanta in 1994, joining their sons, Selwyn, Hilton and Gary, who already lived here. Son Derrick moved to Atlanta in 1995 to complete the family. Selwyn and Derrick had recently married, and, as Hessel said at the time, “We didn’t want to be long-distance grandparents living a continent apart from our future grandchildren.” Hessel was known as the “Bagel Boy.” He worked at Goldbergs Deli for four years before moving to the Atlanta Bread Co. in Perimeter, where he worked every day until he was 88. He was beloved by his customers for his friendly welcome of “darling” for the ladies and “young man” or “boychik” for the gentlemen. People would make a special trip for lunch or stand in a longer line to be served by Hessel. A big fan of “Deal or No Deal,” Hessel’s go-to joke for customers placing lunch orders was “Is that your final answer?” with his best Howie Mandel imitation. A true mensch, Hessel is survived by his wife of 53 years, Julie; his sons, Selwyn (Lauren), Derrick (Dena), Hilton (Lauren) and Gary (Diana); Jeff and Emily Grosoff; and 13 grandchildren, Sam, Ilana, Maddie, Adam, Marc, Ryan, Kiefer, Ava, Benjamin, Jared, Elliot, Natalia and Gigi. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Atlanta, Weinstein Hospice or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Associate Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@ atljewishtimes.com.

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MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Hessel Sturisky

CLOSING THOUGHTS

In Nisan, Time to Align With the Moon’s Phases

MARCH 23 ▪ 2018

Rosh Chodesh Nisan began Saturday, March 17. Even if you’re not Irish, you may have been busy that day, donning green beads, drinking green concoctions and maybe even eating green bagels. I get it. St. Patrick’s Day is on the Gregorian calendar, in every advertisement and in many store displays. Celebrating makes you a part of something. The Hebrew calendar does that too, and we as a people have much to be a part of and to celebrate. So let’s honor the arrival of the new moon with joy equal to or greater than that derived from shamrocks and leprechauns. Before Nisan got its name, it was known as the first of months. It contains Passover, which falls on a full moon in spring, on the 15th day of Nisan. That is March 31 this year. Nisan was the month in which, two weeks before the Exodus, Ha shem showed Moses the sliver of the crescent moon and instructed him about the mitzvah of observing a new month. From that time on, we’ve followed the commandment to sanctify the new moon. Regardless of the world’s chaos, the constant moon, our ancient timepiece, rhythmically appears and disappears in the night sky. We can align ourselves with the energies of the waxing and waning moon. The waxing phase occurs after the new moon and before the full moon. In this phase there’s greater illumination until the moon reaches its full brightness. The new moons are most conducive to creating and beginning projects and being seen. The moon is waning after the full moon and before the new moon. During this phase, the light reflected on the moon diminishes until it’s hidden from sight. This time is more in sync with retreating, going inward, storing energy and completing projects that have begun. Think of the phases as huge, lightfilled breaths contrasted against our breaths, contracting and settling into quiet darkness. This flow in the expression of energies can allow for a cycle of creation and rest before creating again. Our society doesn’t operate that way, and 30 burnout is often the result. Imagine if

you mindfully designed your time and energy to flow in this way. While we’re talking about the moon, when I was growing up, I spent most of my childhood outside. Never do I remember the phenomenon of the supermoon. I think it might be a fake moon thing.

CROSSWORD

Passover Prep

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

Dr. Terry Segal tsegal@atljewishtimes.com

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ACROSS 1. Distrusting sort 6. Luxury Swiss watch 10. Charoset ingredient 14. Chant in the Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop” 15. The first “A” of A.A. Milne 16. Aseret ___ Teshuvah (repentance time) 17. Elizabeth or Ashley 18. Jr. preceder 19. What many do at a seder 20. Prepare for Passover 23. Portman’s “V for Vendetta” co-star 24. Marlins’ locale, briefly 25. CBS show produced by Jerry Bruckheimer 28. Prepare for Passover 34. Sinai or Habayit preceder 35. Lahren of Fox News 36. Ring advantage 37. Above 39. Amazon voiceactivated assistants 42. Lie adjacent 43. Buy more time? 45. “It’s the end of the world ___” 47. Parseghian of Notre Dame 48. Prepare for Passover 52. “Danny and the Dinosaur” author Hoff 53. Trigonometry abbr. 54. 610, to Caesar 55. Alternative to 20-, 28and 48-Across 61. When many a seder ends 64. What many do during

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New Moon Meditations

However, it certainly gets our attention. It’s as if someone has moved the projector very close to us, and the glowing orb in the sky can’t be ignored. It makes it easier, though, to be aware of the moon cycles. We also just altered our hours of daylight and darkness when we switched to daylight saving time. Let’s harness the power of this increased light in Nisan for new growth and beginnings. Astrologically, we should also note that Mars, the red or warring planet, rules at this time, so from the new moon until the full moon of Passover, our wars and conflicts are said to be determined for the year ahead. That makes it an important time for us to get our tempers in check and practice patience and tolerance for those whose opinions differ from ours. There is much to do this month. When you’re using the feather by candlelight to sweep out your chametz from the pantry, consider this: What if that rogue Cheerio that slipped out from the box and rolled underneath the sack of potatoes was a negative habit to be swept away? What if the crumbs represent lashon hara (derogatory speech about another), or each slice of bread stands for moments when you were inauthentic? Meditation focus: Sit in a darkened room with candlelight as the only source of light. Search your soul for those crumbs of shame or misconduct that you’ve pushed aside. Imagine Hashem shining the searchlight on them. Breathe and release as you own your negative actions. Redirect, on this halfway point to Yom Kippur, and realign with your neshama, your pure soul. ■

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the course of a seder 65. Pianist’s practice piece 66. Abba of Israel 67. Parsha Kedoshim follower 68. Those who have more than four cups at a seder, maybe 69. Charoset ingredient 70. Make like a bubbe to a grandchild 71. Bamboozles DOWN 1. Partner of van. 2. What annoying fans may do 3. Wall St. fixture 4. “___ Huckabees” 5. Get in touch 6. Reckless 7. Burn balm 8. Actress Zuniga of “Spaceballs” 9. Where one might hear elevator music off an elevator 10. Noah of “The Librarian” 11. The Beatles’ “___ Mine” A B E 12. PBS funder R A S 13. Karem or M R S Gedi S T A 21. Western D R resort lake E R A 22. She said, R E N “Don’t be R A D M I humble. … You’re not that R H E great.” E A R 25. Many F R O S A S an overseas 1

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contact, for Jews 26. Impervious to bugs 27. 1987 Beatty-Hoffman bomb 28. Relatives of flats 29. Weak, as a brew 30. Pressed 31. SHO subsidiary 32. Drum kit part 33. Yam, in Hebrew 38. Invigorate, with “up” 40. ___ Kosh B’Gosh 41. Alfred Nobel, for one 44. 1993 standoff site 46. Forgoes 49. Cheered (for) 50. Word preceding dog or Pie 51. Like some birds 55. Stein and Stiller 56. A gait 57. What “poh” means 58. Ahi, e.g. 59. Another name for Esau 60. Take away 61. Football’s Dawson 62. Disney simian 63. Ink

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