Atlanta Jewish Times, Vol. XCI No. 12, March 25, 2016 by Atlanta Jewish Times

Inside: Celebration of Simchas, Pages 16-40 NEW PAL

TWIN JOY

Rabbi Adam Starr sends his son an important lifelong message from his first siddur. Page 28

Atlanta

“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” has nothing on the crazy fun of a double Hasidic b’nai mitzvah. Page 30

ARTISTIC TIES

Kennesaw State’s Daniel Sachs turns Jewish wedding contracts into personalized works of art. Page 32

INSIDE

Ma Tovu ��3 Calendar �� 4 Candle Lighting �� 4 Opinion ��10 Education ��13 Israel News ��14 Simchas ��16 Youth ��41 Arts �� 42 Obituaries �� 44 Crossword �� 46 Marketplace �� 47

PURIM PARTY

Beautiful weather for Beth Jacob’s 25th annual parade helps Toco Hills start the holiday week right. Page 8

LIBERTY OR ...

Gov. Nathan Deal is under pressure to veto a religious liberty bill. Page 9

ISRAEL’S ALLIES

At AIPAC, Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton agree with Benjamin Netanyahu on U.N. peace plans and Iran. Page 14

MOVIE STAR

At 21, Carmelle Danneman is making the film festival circuit for a second year. Page 43

VOL. XCI NO. 12

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MARCH 25, 2016 | 15 ADAR II 5776

Brussels Bombs Cause Latest Shock Wave

t least 34 people died in bombings at the Brussels airport and a subway station during morning rush hour Tuesday, March 22, in the latest stunning terrorist attack on the West. Islamic State claimed credit for the attack on the Belgian capital, where a suspect was arrested days earlier in connection with November’s Islamic State slaughter of 130 people in Paris. Three days earlier a terrorist tied to Islamic State killed three Israelis (two of them dual American citizens) and an Iranian in a tourist area of Istanbul.

“The chain of attacks from Paris to San Bernardino to Istanbul to the Ivory Coast and now to Brussels and the daily attacks in Israel — this is one continuous assault on all of us,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a speech to AIPAC. “In all these cases the terrorists have no resolvable grievances. It’s not as if we could offer them Brussels or Istanbul or California or even the West Bank. … What they seek is our utter destruction and their total domination.” David Harris, the CEO of American Jewish Committee, arrived in Brussels

from London the night before. He said all AJC staff and families are safe, but “one of our colleagues was close to one of the stations and witnessed the event.” Yaakov Yeret, a volunteer emergency medical technician from Israel’s United Hatzalah, was praying at the airport synagogue when the bombs went off. “We felt the explosion,” he said. “We are determined to fight this scourge until it is defeated,” World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder said. “This is a fight of good against evil, and we must not shy away from it.” ■

Miraculous Story After Cobb Crash By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com Aaron Holder, wearing a plaid shirt, helps carry the driver from a car crash in East Cobb on Tuesday, March 15. The man who took this photo, Matt Chanin, is also Jewish, and after sharing the shot with Holder, he was invited to Holder’s house for Shabbat dinner.

serious East Cobb traffic accident Tuesday, March 15, at the intersection of Johnson Ferry and Roswell roads had an unlikely hero in Aaron Holder. Holder was inside the nearby Sprint store when he witnessed a blinding flash of light and heard a deafening crash. “G-d just puts me into situations he knows I can handle, I guess,” said Holder, who ran across the street to the accident and found two men opening the passenger door to assist the driver, who veered into a power pole after suffering a stroke. “I went over to the driver-side door, and there were wires and fuel leaking everywhere,” Holder said. “I opened up the door, and with the help of one of those two guys, we got her out of the car. It was very surreal.” Holder, who is studying to be a chiropractor at Life University in Marietta, said he took precautions to minimize the

risk of head or neck injuries when moving the driver. The accident shut down that busy intersection for hours, including most of the afternoon rush hour, while crews cleared the power lines and repaired the pole. Holder organized a peaceful proIsrael rally at the CNN Center in October. He is also a singer-songwriter and

performed at halftime during the Atlanta Hawks’ Jewish Heritage Night in 2014. “I don’t usually go that way, and there was no need for me to go to that Sprint store,” Holder said. “It was a miracle that she survived, a miracle that I was there and able to help, and a miracle that everyone did their part to make sure that things went right. It was all a miracle, thanks to G-d.” ■

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MA TOVU

What’s Best for All

Dear Seesaw Rider, I write to you from the other end of the spectrum. I am 85 and living in my own home. But because of declining health, I am forced to consider other options. My daughter has invited me to move in with her family, yet I waver. I love the idea of living with family and being there for each other. As long as I could, I would gladly help with household chores and child care. And isn’t it a timeless Jewish value to care for our parents? Old-fashioned Jewish pride bubbles up in my heart to know that my daughter has her priorities straight. And who can quantify the benefits of Bubbe’s involvement in her grandchildren’s lives? Yet I hesitate to accept the generous invitation. Perhaps it would be better for all if I lived close by in assisted living. Especially after reading your dilemma, I wonder if my presence would be a burden, although I know they would never make it obvious. Yes, they would sacrifice their privacy, and in the event of medical issues, they would also sacrifice their time. Is that what I want for my children? I’m uncertain what to do. I may ask my rabbi for advice. My thanks to Rachel for printing your dilemma; it is definitely helping me weigh the issues and pushing me to get clarity. Wishing you all the best, Miriam Klein Dear Undecided, You appear to be a compassionate child who wants to do the right thing. However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this monumental issue. You and your husband have to

take a deep look inside yourselves. How will having your father-in-law around 24/7 affect you and your family? In an ideal world, it is proper to open your home to your elderly parent. We all owe our parents — they gave us life, not to mention everything

Shared Spirit Moderated By Rachel Stein rachels83@gmail.com

else they’ve done. But if Dad’s presence will be a source of tension rather than joy, it might erode your disposition and joie de vivre. Will you take out your frustrations on your spouse and children? If that happens, can we honestly say this is a good move? You wrote: “We feel strongly that elderly parents deserve respect, and consigning them to assisted living or nursing homes is tantamount to shirking our filial responsibility.” I contest that statement. My mother resides in a wonderful assisted living facility. I visit her frequently during the week, popping in either before or after my workday, and arrange longer visits on weekends. Sometimes we go on pleasant outings, and the children love having Grandma around. I often do her shopping, help her with medical appointments, and we enjoy a loving, intimate relationship. Am I neglectful? I don’t think so. And I don’t believe she feels that way. She is happy with her own peer group and still enjoys a sense of independence. If you and your husband are at a dead end, perhaps it is time to consult someone you respect and trust. Do you have a rabbi, therapist, coach or wise friend who can listen to all the ramifications and guide you? Your adviser should know you well and understand your strengths and weaknesses to shine a light onto the murky waters. Do what’s best for your family now, taking every aspect into consideration. And no matter where your father-in-law lives, please enjoy a loving, respectful relationship filled with boundless love, appreciation and the special brand of closeness inherent in the parent-child connection. Wishing you the very best, Mrs. H. Ostro, L.M.S.W. ■ Shared Spirit is a forum in which people send their problems to Rachel Stein, who invites readers to help.

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

ecap: A woman wavers about whether to invite her father-inlaw to live with her family. Dear Friend on the Seesaw, I would happily invite my in-laws to live with us with almost no qualms. As of now, they can live independently, and I would be happy if they lived in a local apartment. I believe they are content being independent. If at some point there were only one of them and the other one wanted to move in, I would be hard pressed to decline. To me, it is one of those things I would say yes to and then figure out how to make it work. This is just me; I hope it doesn’t make you feel guilty if you feel otherwise! Sincerely, Howard Daniels

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CALENDAR THURSDAY, MARCH 24

Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. Music at the Mikvah, featuring Jaffa Road’s Aviva Chernick and Aaron Lightstone, starts at 7:30 p.m. at MACoM, 700A Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs. Tickets are $10; www.freshtix. com/events/music-at-the-mikvah.

FRIDAY, MARCH 25

Preschool parade. The Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, hosts a Purim parade and costume contest for the Weinstein School at 10 a.m. on Main Street, followed by a Purim-flavored Shabbat sing-along in the Morris & Rae Frank Theatre. Free; www.atlantajcc.org. Sober Shabbat. HAMSA brings its sober service to Congregation B’nai Torah, 700 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs at 6:30 p.m. Free; RSVP requested to emiller@jfcs-atlanta.org. Purim spiel. Temple Kol Emeth, 1415 Old Canton Road, East Cobb, presents its Purim show, “MagThriller,” during Erev Shabbat services at 8 p.m. Free; www.kolemeth.net or 770-973-3533. Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. The Well, with Rabbi David Spinrad and Sammy Rosenbaum, is the monthly service for young professionals at 8:30 p.m. at The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St., Midtown. Free; www.atlantajmf.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 26

South-side Purim celebration. Congregation B’nai Israel, 1633 Highway 54 East, Fayetteville, offers a Purim extravaganza with games, a spiel, costumes, hamantaschen and a light dinner at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $8 for children and $10 for adults in advance or $10 and $12 at the door; bnai-israel. net/project/purim-extravaganza-2016. Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. A-WA and Jaffa Road headline the AJMF Purim party at Terminal West, 887 W. Marietta St., West Midtown. Doors open at 8 p.m.; music starts at 9. Tickets (ages 18 and up) are $25 at the door; www.atlantajmf.org.

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SUNDAY, MARCH 27

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Run for Rashi. Chabad of North Fulton holds a fundraising 5K run starting at 8 a.m. at Newtown Park, 3150 Old Alabama Road, Alpharetta. Registration is $36; www.chabadnf.org, runforrashi@ gmail.com or 770-410-9000.

Purim-inspired giving. The Toco Hills Moishe House holds its Any Giving 4 Sunday event, featuring a blood drive,

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

a clothing drive, a blood marrow registry and a carnival, at Young Israel of Toco Hills, 2056 LaVista Road., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free; www.moishehouse. org/houses/atlanta-toco-hills. To give blood, sign up at rdcrss.org/1XGUrCr; walk-in donors also are welcome. Purim carnival. Congregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, holds its Out of This World carnival from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., including the Amazing Race Adventure for fifth- to seventh-graders. Admission, including all activities, is $15 at the door (lunch is $4 to $7); bethshalomatlanta. org/purim-carnival. Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. A teen battle of the bands is at 1:30 p.m. at the 595 North Event Center, 595 North Ave., Midtown. Free; www.atlantajmf.org. Torah study. The Atlanta Rabbinical Association holds a yom iyun, or day of Torah study, at 2 p.m. at the Weber School, 6751 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. Free; register at atlantayomiyun.eventbrite.com. Spaghetti and bingo. The Sisterhood at Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 North Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven, holds a spaghetti dinner and bingo night at 5 p.m. Admission is $18 for adults, $12 for kids under 13; bit.ly/1LK9Y3B, events@ orveshalom.org or 404-633-1737. Science lecture. Arri Eisen from Emory University’s Center for Ethics addresses the convergence of science and religion at 7 p.m. in the Fernhoff Ethics in Science Annual Lecture at Atlanta Jewish Academy, 5200 Northland Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; RSVP at secure.acceptiva.com/?cst=e4b126.

TUESDAY, MARCH 29

Tot holiday class. Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta, focuses on Passover at its weekly Babyccino class for children through age 2½ and their moms at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $12; hs@chabadnf.org. Hillel benefit. Hillels of Georgia honors the Leven family at its Night With the Stars at 7 p.m. at the Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Buckhead. Tickets are $250 for the general public, $150 for those who never attended Campus Superstar, and free for college students; hillelsofgeorgia.org/ nightwiththestars.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30

Cancer fundraiser. A Cure in Our Lifetime holds its spring breakfast at 9 a.m.

Parshah Tzav Friday, March 25, light candles at 7:35 p.m. Saturday, March 26, Shabbat ends at 8:31 p.m. Parshah Shemini Friday, April 1, light candles at 7:41 p.m. Saturday, April 2, Shabbat ends at 8:37 p.m.

Hear How Israel Cares For Wounded Syrians

he head of the Israeli hospital that has treated more than 570 wounded and sick Syrians the past three years will speak at Young Israel of Toco Hills on Thursday, March 31. Salman Zarka, the director general of Ziv Medical Center in Safed, will talk about how Israel treats those Syrians as a humanitarian response without knowing whether they are civilians or combatants. More than 2,000 Syrians have been admitted to Israeli hospitals the past three years. As the hospital closest to the Syrian border, Ziv has treated more than a quarter of those Syrian patients. Ziv is the first stop for most patients who come through the border fence between Israel and the Syrian city of Quneitra. One Ziv doctor estimated that 70 percent to 80 percent of the Syrian

patients were fighting in the civil war, but Israel doesn’t ask questions about what happened or about what they will do once they are well. Zarka, who got his medical degree from the Technion in Haifa, is the first Druze to lead an Israeli hospital. He served 25 years in the Israel Defense Forces, eventually commanding the military health service. Before that, he was in charge of a military field hospital handling Syrian casualties in the Golan Heights. The Israeli Consulate, American Jewish Committee, ACCESS, American Healthcare Professionals and Friends for Medicine in Israel, and Young Israel of Toco Hills are sponsoring his visit to Atlanta. The event starts at 6:30 p.m., and admission is $5. Registration is required by Tuesday, March 29 at www.ajcatlanta.org/ salmanzarka. ■

at Cherokee Town and Country Club, 155 W. Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead, with breast cancer survivor Geralyn Lucas speaking. Tickets are $125; www. atlantacure.org or 470-242-1030.

its 1-mile and 5K run and walk to benefit Holocaust education and anti-genocide efforts at 9:15 a.m. at Brook Run Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. Registration is $25 until April 1, then $30 race day; daffodildash.org.

Greek history exhibit. The Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, opens the “Synagonistis: Greek Jews in the National Resistance” exhibit in the Katz Family Mainstreet Gallery. Free and open to the public when the center is open; www.atlantajcc.org.

FRIDAY, APRIL 1 Shabbat in the Highlands. Various young adults host Shabbat dinner at 8 p.m. in Virginia-Highland after optional services at 7 p.m. at Chabad Intown, 928 Ponce de Leon Ave., and before a scotch and dessert bar at 10 p.m. at a private home. Free; www.yjpmidtownatlanta.com or 404-931-6449.

SUNDAY, APRIL 3 Daffodil Dash. Am Yisrael Chai holds

Passover preparation at the mikvah. The Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah, 700A Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs, holds a program on “Cleansing the Chametz: A Spiritual Preparation for Passover” at 3 p.m. Free; rsvp@atlantamikvah.org. TDSA benefit. Torah Day School of Atlanta honors Joseph and Phyllis Tate, Rabbi Moshe and Leah Hiller, and Yacov and Rachelle Freedman at its annual fundraising dinner at 6 p.m. at Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Toco Hills. Tickets are $100; torahday. schoolforms.org/mainevent2016. Wine tasting. Prepare for Passover with a wine tasting at 7 p.m. at Young Israel of Toco Hills, 2056 LaVista Road. Free; www.yith.org.

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

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MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

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LOCAL NEWS Katz Leads Israel Bonds

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE MONTHLY MEETING OF

The Jewish Breakfast Club Wednesday, April 13th 7:30 am – 9 am

7:30 am Reception • 8:00 am Program

Being held at Greenberg Traurig 3333 Piedmont Rd NE #2500

Reservation Required RSVP at JBC@atljewishtimes.com

$15.00 cash payment at the door

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

We require a reservation because the breakfast is catered and we need to be able to plan. Kosher dietary laws observed.

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JBC

Jewish Breakfast Club

Arthur Katz succeed Chuck Berk this month as the chairman of the Development Corporation for Israel/Israel Bonds’ Atlanta Campaign Advisory Council. Berk filled the post the past two years. The organization announced regional sales in excess of $44 million for 2015. “We look forward to continuing our long-term sales growth pattern and contributing more than our region’s share of the national goal,” Katz said in a press release. Israel announced a goal of over $1 billion in sales in the United States, the fourth year in a row Israel Bonds will try to exceed that level of U.S. sales. The Southeast Regional Office intends to exceed $50 million in sales for 2016. Katz is a graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He is one of a limited number of recipients of the Coast Guard Academy’s Hall of Heroes, Wall of Glory designation, recognizing him for bravery under fire during the Vietnam War. Among his top positions in the volunteer world was his presidency of Temple Emanu-El during the congregation’s formative years and almost two decades on the board of Marcus Jewish Community Center. In June he will again become copresident of Temple Emanu-El. He made his mark in the executive recruiting field as CEO of the Dunwoody Group, a franchise within the Management Recruiters’ international system. As a member of the parent corporation’s hall of fame and ring of honor, he continues to recruit while serving as chairman emeritus. He and his wife of 52 years, Carol, are the parents of three daughters and seven grandchildren, all of whom grew up in the Sandy Springs/Dunwoody area. The Israel Bonds organization emphasizes the resilience of Israel’s economy, the investment value of the bonds, and the importance of using the bonds as a repudiation of the boycott, divestment and sanctions agenda. Katz’s succession occurred while anti-BDS legislation was approaching the deadline for passage in the Georgia General Assembly. Senate Bill 327, which would require businesses to certify that they do not boycott Israel in order to win state contracts worth more than $1,000, easily passed the Senate. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Judson Hill (R-Marietta), was watered down in a House committee before reaching the floor, where it awaited action Tuesday,

Arthur Katz is the new Atlanta chairman for Israel Bonds.

March 22, the second-to-last day of the legislative session. If the bill does not pass the House, then win acceptance of the changes in the Senate, it will have to wait for action next session, along with a proposed constitutional amendment to prevent Georgia’s retirement funds from being invested in ways that benefit state sponsors of terrorism, such as Iran.

Tasting Set for April

The Tasting, the main annual fundraiser for Jewish Family & Career Services’ Zimmerman-Horowitz Independent Living Program, is set for 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, at Mason Fine Art, 415 Plasters Ave. in Atlanta. Restaurants participating in the night of sampling fine food and wine include 1kept, Avenue Catering Concepts, Brezza Cucina, Buckhead Diner, the Cheesecake Factory, Cibo e Beve, Corso Coffee, Dantanna’s Tavern in Sandy Springs, Davio’s Atlanta, Dolce Italian Atlanta, Food 101 in Sandy Springs, The General Muir, GENKI Noodles and Sushi, Haven, Honeysuckle Gelato, La Grotta Ristorante Italiano at Ravinia, Lure, Maya Steaks & Seafood, Oy, Saltyard, the Shake Shack in Buckhead, Sotto Sotto, South City Kitchen Midtown and Valenzia. In addition to wines from around the world, The Tasting offers an array of bourbons and beers. A silent auction includes paintings by celebrated artist Penley, gift cards from Atlanta restaurants, vacation getaways and sports memorabilia. The Zimmerman-Horowitz Independent Living Program offers nonsectarian programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and their caregivers. Tickets are $100 in advance or $125 at the door. If you’re under 35, tickets are $50 in advance or $75 at the door. For more information, visit www.thetasting.org.

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MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

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LOCAL NEWS

Sunny Ride Through Shushan

erfect weather got the Purim celebration through Toco Hills rolling on the right wheel and stepping off on the right foot. Led by the motorcycles of the Sabra Riders of Atlanta, the 25th annual parade organized by Congregation Beth Jacob traveled down LaVista Road from the Toco Hill Shopping Center to Beth Jacob for a festival packed with rides, food, fun and thousands of Jews. ■

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

Photos by Michael Jacobs

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A & B: Whether walking or riding, children from the Chaya Mushka Children’s House and from Congregation Netzach Israel watch the people watching them. C: Atlanta Jewish Academy delivers a range of emotions with an emoji theme that carries from street dancers through multiple parade vehicles. D: Chabad Intown’s childhood education programs make a colorful impression. E & F: After the parade, the carnival rides help extend the festive mood. G: Betraying the cool conveyed by the leather jacket, one dog rises onto two feet to fight, loudly if harmlessly, a similarly bipedal canine. H: Fred Glusman, the chaplain and kosher supervisor at Berman Commons, hands out candy ahead of the assisted living facility’s bus. I: Congregation Beth Jacob uses a 1950s, “Happy Days”-type theme on its float, with Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich in a Yale letterman’s sweater and Rabbi Ilan Feldman looking like the Fonz. J: Size helps these dogs play the Chick-fil-A cows. K: Parade riders enjoy the view of the crowd lining LaVista Road. L: A smile and a wave come from the back of the last float, a Standard Truck & Equipment Co.

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LOCAL NEWS

‘Religious Liberty’ Bill Widely Attacked

usiness organizations, high-tech companies and sports leagues are among the many groups joining the LGBT community in urging Gov. Nathan Deal to veto religious liberty legislation that easily passed both chambers of the Georgia General Assembly on Wednesday, March 16. Atlanta’s Falcons, Hawks and Braves, the Metro Atlanta and Georgia Chambers of Commerce, the Sam Massell-led Buckhead Coalition, and SOJOURN and other gay rights organizations all have decried House Bill 757, the Free Exercise Protection Act, a comprehensive rewrite of various religious liberty proposals. The NFL has warned that the measure could hurt Atlanta’s chances of hosting a Super Bowl. Temple Sinai member Andy Bauman, a Sandy Springs City Council member, responded to the legislation by proposing that his city enact a policy ensuring nondiscrimination regarding sexual orientation in areas such as hiring, contracting and facility use. Opponents of the legislation say that if it becomes law, it could cost Georgia $2 billion a year in economic activity. At the same time, some proponents say the bill doesn’t go far enough to ensure that Georgians don’t have to be involved with same-sex marriages and other activities they find religiously objectionable. H.B. 757 passed the House on a 104-65 vote after an hour of debate that largely consisted of self-congratulations on the Republican side and anguish on the Democratic side. Enough Republicans voted no, however, to sustain a veto. The Senate voted 37-18 to accept the House’s version. The action March 16 was the culmination of two sessions’ worth of legislative struggle and competing public relations campaigns. Many rabbis have spoken out against the various religious liberty bills. The governor has sent mixed signals, vowing to reject anything that would allow discrimination but praising the legislature for passing a bill. Emory University law professor Sasha Volokh told public radio station WABE that the measure clearly allows discrimination. Proponents say the legislation is necessary to protect the rights of free religion and free speech in light of the Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage last June. Op-

ponents say the measure establishes lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transsexuals — and perhaps single parents, divorced people and those who have premarital sex, among others — as second-class citizens subject to discrimination from businesses, employers and service providers. The bill says faith-based groups may refuse to let their property be used for an objectionable event, so, for example a synagogue couldn’t be forced to rent out Heritage Hall for a same-sex marriage. More problematic is the next paragraph: “No faith based organization shall be required to provide social, educational, or charitable services that violate such faith based organization’s sincerely held religious belief as demonstrated by its practice, expression, or clearly articulated tenet of faith.” A church-based domestic violence shelter could thus deny service to a victim of a same-sex partner. A Jewish or Catholic school could expel a student who came out as gay. An Episcopal school could ban Muslims. Those faith-based organizations also are allowed to fire or refuse employment to people “whose religious beliefs or practices or lack of either are not in accord” with the groups’ beliefs. What appears to be the most principled line in the bill also could provide the greatest room for trouble because it is so broad: “Government shall not substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion even if the burden results from a law, rule, regulation, ordinance, or resolution of general applicability,” unless that burden furthers a compelling government interest in the least restrictive means possible. The breadth of that language would turn the legislation into a jobs program for lawyers, Sen. Emanuel Jones (D-Decatur) said. The use of that clause as a defense against a wide range of criminal and civil claims has limits: • The measure cites the Georgia Constitution’s ban on using liberty of conscience to excuse licentious acts and practices that endanger peace and safety, as interpreted by Georgia Supreme Court decisions. • An elected official could not use religious belief as an excuse not to perform official duties; call this the Kim Davis rule. • “Invidious discrimination on any grounds prohibited by federal or state law” is banned. But as House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams (D-Atlanta) noted, no

federal or state laws ban discrimination against LGBT people, and the bill doesn’t honor local ordinances that do. Abrams was one of several Democrats who decried the bill on the House floor. Abrams said she was proud that the original H.B. 757, which focused on pastor protection, passed the House with unanimous support, but the version the Senate sent back abandoned the idea of standing together. Responding to repeated Republican claims that the final legislation represented a balance of competing religious, business and LGBT interests, Abrams said: “We cannot balance discrimination on the backs of those we force to bend.” Rep. Taylor Bennett (D-Brookhaven) — who was elected last year in a special election to replace Republican Mike Jacobs, whose addition of an antidiscrimination clause effectively killed a religious liberty bill last year — spoke on the House floor for the first time on the 38th of 40 legislative days. The original H.B. 757 “was a shield for our clergy, a shield we could be proud of,” said Bennett, who noted that his mother is a lesbian. “What we got

back today was a sword. … The irony of that is diabolical.” The longest and most emotional speech came from Rep. Karla Drenner (D-Avondale Estates), who in 2001 became Georgia’s first openly gay legislator. “I don’t think this is balanced. I think it’s unbalanced,” she said. “It says to me, ‘There’s something wrong with you, Karla. There’s something wrong with your family. There’s something wrong with your faith.” She said she doesn’t demand acceptance, only respect under the law. She said the final version of H.B. 757 replaces mutual respect with discrimination. “I am not as much of a citizen as my neighbor,” Drenner said. “My neighbor and I are held to different standards. I cannot enjoy the same measure of respect.” Georgia Prospers, representing 480 businesses, including Google, Home Depot and Coca-Cola, tweeted its disappointment with the passage of the bill. Georgia Unites Against Discrimination is leading an email campaign urging Deal to veto the bill. ■

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

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OPINION

Our View

Defend Liberty

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

ov. Nathan Deal faces the most important decision of his administration on whether to sign or veto House Bill 757. The Free Exercise Protection Act, a response to the legalization of same-sex marriage, lacked a vetoproof margin when it passed the House and Senate on Wednesday, March 16, bringing the dominant issue of the 2015-16 legislative session to the governor. What is at stake from the perspective of bill opponents is the liberty for all Georgians to live as equals. Thanks to the Supreme Court, marriage rights are no longer a legal question, but H.B. 757 draws a line in the red clay to say, “You will go no further.” Despite a cleverly written passage declaring that nothing in the legislation would allow “invidious discrimination” barred under state or federal law, H.B. 757 allows people who are citizens to be treated differently as a group. That’s invidious discrimination. By specifying state and federal law, H.B. 757 would override the local ordinances that offer the only legal protection for LGBTQ people, as well as others who might stand on the wrong side of some religious beliefs, such as single parents, divorcees and those who dare to have sex outside marriage. H.B. 757 specifies that a faith-based organization may refuse services and deny or revoke employment to people who don’t conform to that group’s religious ideals. And it allows individuals to discriminate in the name of religion unless the government can prove a compelling interest to intervene. The primary targets are lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transsexuals and anyone else outside traditional sexual norms. It’s easy for those who are within those norms and who, abnormally, don’t have LGBTQ friends or family to turn their backs on people who find an unwelcoming environment in some synagogues. But no Jews are safe from H.B. 757. Anyone battling drug addiction, trying to escape an abusive home or left homeless by unemployment could be denied services by a faith-based agency. And as a tiny religious minority, we must be hypersensitive to any legal justification for faith-based discrimination. To be fair, rights do come into conflict, so the governor must examine the threats to religious freedom that motivated so many well-intentioned Georgians to support H.B. 757. And Deal will find — nothing. No harm that needs to be addressed. No rights violations to be corrected. No loss of essential liberty. Nothing but fear and perhaps hate. Proponents of H.B. 757 have not cited a single Georgia incident this bill would address. We know of no Georgia Christians — this bill’s primary supporters — being forced to violate their religious beliefs. From a practical perspective, Deal must veto H.B. 757 to avoid boycotts. The economic cost of the bill might not be $2 billion a year as threatened, but why pay even a few hundred million dollars for nothing? The practical price, however, pales next to the fundamental principle of equality in liberty, opportunity and treatment under the law. A Deal veto says Georgia is a place where we all can be proud to live. A signature turns Georgia, whose capital is the city too busy to hate, into a state too full 10 of hate to be busy with building a great future. ■

AJT

Ruling on Jewish Judges

hat is it about Jewish judges? Hillary Clinton wins the presidency, the Republicans As someone who would have purmight hold a lame-duck Senate session to confirm sued the law as a career if I hadn’t been Garland for fear of seeing a more liberal nominee in January. From the GOP’s perspective, that strategy bitten by the journalism bug in college — an apparmakes a lot of sense.) ently incurable disease — I’ve been asking myself The craziest bit of trivia, however, isn’t the prothat question a lot lately. It started with Judge Dax Lopez and his inability portionally high number of Jewish justices; it’s the absence of representatives of America’s dominant after his nomination to the U.S. Protestant culture. District Court in July to get fair The five non-Jewish consideration in the U.S. Senate, justices are Catholic, thanks to Georgia Republican Editor’s Notebook as Scalia was. Sen. David Perdue. Not that I By Michael Jacobs To put in perthink Perdue cares, but he won’t mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com spective the Jewishbe getting a vote from me ever. As Catholic control of for what Lopez thinks, check out the high court since the story next week. John Paul Stevens retired in 2010, remember that in The election qualification period this month the history of the United States, Catholics and Jews was a reminder of the prominence of Jewish judges have combined to produce exactly one president. in Georgia, at least compared with legislators. At this point, maybe the real question to ask is Only two of 236 state legislators are Jewish, and where have all the good Protestant judges gone? one of them, Michele Henson, will have to survive a Democratic primary challenge to keep her House Our Own Queen Esther seat. But Jewish judges and candidates for judge are I hope you enjoyed our playful Times of plentiful from Probate Court to State Court to SupeShushan Purim section last week. If you did, the rior Court, to the point that at least two judgeships credit goes to AJT columnist Chana Shapiro, who have two Jewish candidates on the ballot May 24. once again filled the heroic role of Esther by bailing Then there’s the U.S. Supreme Court. us out in our time of need. She was the driving force We Jews make up less than 2 percent (and behind the section and did almost all the writing. shrinking) of the U.S. population, yet our representaAlso deserving thanks is a merry band of tion on the highest court in the land continues to contributors who sat around a table at Broadway grow. It was 33 percent (three of nine) to start 2016 Cafe and brainstormed with Chana and me: Logan and rose to 38 percent when Antonin Scalia died. C. Ritchie, Leah R. Harrison, Dave Schechter, R.M. Sure enough, President Barack Obama picked Grossblatt, Kevin Madigan and Associate Editor another Jewish jurist, Merrick Garland, to fill that David R. Cohen. Supreme Court vacancy. In the unlikely event that Much of the best material didn’t make it into Republicans cave on their vow not to consider Garprint, but if you gained even half the pleasure from land’s nomination and confirm him, 44 percent of reading the section that we had creating it, we acthe justices will be Jews. complished our mission to enhance the celebratory (I’ve heard it suggested that if Garland doesn’t silliness of the season. ■ get a hearing before the November elections but

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OPINION

If You Oppose Discrimination, Fight H.B. 757 “The law of the land is the law.” That means that a civil law is enforceable law, and unless that law requires Jews to violate one of the central commandments, we are required to follow it. Allowing others to pursue their own happiness — especially when it does not affect us nor our own freedom in any way — is not only allowed by Judaism, but required. There is no law saying Jews can’t photograph a wedding they may not agree with, nor a law that says taxpayer-funded services can be denied to someone the provider doesn’t approve of. Those types of decisions have no basis in Jewish law. We understand that a job is just a job, that providing a service for a paying customer is not the same thing as endorsing the customer, and that taxpayer funds must support all citizens equally, even when we disagree. Make no mistake, these bills are nothing more than attempts at righteous vengeance and retaliation for the Supreme Court decision legalizing marriage equality nationwide. The sponsors of these bills have said so. They’ve made it very clear that they do not believe that our families

should have equal rights and legal protections, and they will do anything in their power to erode those few that are available to same-sex couples and LGBT families around the country. They want to impose their versions of thought, belief and religion onto us, and they want to do so with a legal blessing, even though a majority of Americans support nondiscrimination laws protecting LGBTQ people. Please help us in stopping them. The Jewish community has not asked for and does not want these bills to become law. As a religious minority, we understand the danger of legislating morality. We understand that our beliefs belong to us and to us alone, and they are not to be used as weapons against anyone for any reason, even when we disagree. Visit georgiaunites.org to help fight discrimination in Georgia. Make your voice heard! ■ The SOJOURN board consists of Leanne Rubenstein, Charlie Chasen, Susan Kupferberg, Marjorie Blum, Abbie Fuksman, Beverly Korfin, Mark Spieler and Rabbi Joshua Lesser.

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

If Gov. Nathan Deal signs the bill s the board of directors of SOJOURN: Southern Jewish and H.B. 757 becomes law, people will Resource Network for Gender be able to turn their religious beliefs and Sexual Diversity, an organization into weapons against LGBT people, based in Jewish and universal values, same-sex families, and virtually any we are incredibly sensitive to the idea of religious freedom and are strong supporters of it. However, Guest Column House Bill 757 and the By the SOJOURN board other religious exemption bills are directly against the teachings of Judaism and the Torah. other individual or group. Even before In Pirkei Avot 2:10 we are taught they have been finalized, these proposthat Rabbi Eliezer said, “Let your als are already having a detrimental neighbor’s dignity be precious to you effect on our friends and families. as your own.” Leviticus 19:13 prohibits us from Hillel’s famous teaching from the oppressing our neighbor. Verse 14 of Talmud (Shabbat 31a) is as clear as can that chapter prohibits us from placbe: You should care as much about ing a stumbling block in front of the your neighbor as you do yourself. blind: We’re prohibited from making Unfortunately, that teaching was someone’s life harder than it already blatantly ignored by the Georgia legis. That same verse prohibits us from islature on March 16 when it chose to being unrighteous in judgment. Verse codify discrimination against lesbian, 17 prohibits us from taking vengeance. gay, bisexual and transgender GeorThe principle of dinah d’malchuta gians — masquerading as religious dinah, originally found in the Talmud, practice — in H.B. 757, now known as the Free Exercise Protection Act. is an Aramaic phrase that translates to

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OPINION

Tomorrow’s Leaders Now The Tallit’s Meaning

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

he March 4 editorial “Generation Now” highlighted the contributions and potential of Jewish leaders under the age of 40 in Atlanta. ACCESS Atlanta, the young adult division of American Jewish Committee, strongly supports the article’s statement that because of the positioning of young adult visionaries in professional and lay leadership, “Jewish Atlanta is in good hands to carry us into the middle of the 21st century.” The ACCESS model focuses on cultivating young adult leadership through programs, meetings, and opportunities to serve on committees, cochair events and oversee portfolios related to AJC’s priorities. Atlanta young professionals who attend programs and want to contribute more meaningfully to the ACCESS mission enter the leadership pipeline by serving on our steering committee, where they can play key roles in program planning. Those who demonstrate exceptional leadership potential move on to our executive committee, a small group of vice chairs who manage portfolios that align with AJC’s mission. Our portfolio areas include governance of our strategic plan, Jewish identity and culture, membership, leadership, international affairs, interfaith and interethnic relationships, Israel, international travel opportunities, and film festival partnership. Some call AJC the State Department of the Jewish people, meaning we position ourselves as the first responders to interfaith and interethnic partners who seek updates about how events are affecting the Jewish people. We also seek opportunities to advocate for areas of common interest to our Jewish and non-Jewish constituents. ACCESS intergroup vice chairs tackle the task of identifying Muslim, Latino, black, Asian, Christian and Indian leaders and organizations, building relationships by combining networks and planning programs and events that serve both communities. Our governance portfolio empowers our young leaders to set and meet development goals so that we can learn fundraising skills to sustain our organization for generations. Through Shabbat in the City, our lay leaders host intimate Shabbat dinners to deepen connections with Jewish tradition. Our Dinner With a Diplomat 12 series, which connects ACCESS with

AJT

representatives of foreign countries in an intimate setting, has been adopted and implemented on a national level. Atlanta and its Jewish commu-

Guest Column By Dara Gever

nity continue to be molded by former and current ACCESS leaders. Several ACCESS co-chairs have served as AJC Atlanta chapter presidents, including ACCESS founders Elise Eplan, Kent Alexander and Beth Paradies. Other former co-chairs and steering committee members contribute to Atlanta’s Jewish and civic community: Beth Brown, who has served on the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Israel outcomes committee, advisory board and allocations committee; Avery Kastin, who co-chairs Federation’s Under 40 Division and is a former member of The Temple’s board; Ross Kogon, who is on the Ahavath Achim Synagogue board, has been heavily involved with AIPAC, and has served as vice chair of Jewish Federations of North America’s National Young Leadership Cabinet; EJ Stern, who chaired L.E.A.D. Atlanta; and Michael Morris, the AJT’s owner and publisher. David Rubinger was named publisher of the Atlanta Business Chronicle in November. BJ Bernstein has championed high-profile criminal cases, such as the Genarlow Wilson case. Russell Gottschalk splits his time among ACCESS in Atlanta and globally, the Birthright Israel Foundation’s Atlanta Chapter, and his pioneering role as executive director and founder of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. Sherry Frank, who facilitated the birth of ACCESS 26 years ago, said, “It is safe to say that ACCESS members have moved on to every major community board in the city — synagogue, agency and day schools.” We believe that our leadership opportunities empower Jewish young adults to be tomorrow’s leaders today. ACCESS Atlanta is proud to provide leadership and professional development to young adults who are, as the AJT said, “stepping up to guide the community into the future.” ■ Dara Gever is AJC Atlanta’s Goldman bridge fellow.

few weeks ago on Shabbat, the sanctuary of my small shul was almost full. In fact, attendance five weeks in a row was heavy because of a series of b’nai mitzvah. The sanctuary is relatively small, but it is large enough to give hadrath melech (honor to G-d). I love the intimacy and warmth of this synagogue. The boys and the girls were well prepared for their b’nai mitzvah. Not only did they read many sections of the parshiot, but each also performed beautifully as a sheliach tzibur (cantor). But in one service I noticed the bare backs of most of the men who were visiting family and friends; almost none wore a tallit. None of these bare-backed men availed himself of any of the handsome, clean, woolen tallitot hanging at the entrance. I am not a died-in-the-wool Orthodox Jew; at best I am a historical Jew with a traditional heart. While I always wear a tallit, Reform Jews without never bothered me. Yet this time the absence of tallitot saddened me — not because the men were violating a mitzvah, but because none of them has experienced the beauty and the positive impact of wearing a tallit. Perhaps at age 90, like most elderly, I am feeling nostalgia. Perhaps I am rejecting a belief held by many with a liberal bent that in modernizing Judaism we should discard all that is associated with symbolic rituals. While I believe in modernization for Judaism to serve and reflect the needs of present-day conditions and beliefs, we should be careful not to throw out the baby with the bathwater. Just because something is old does not mean it is useless. To understand the present meaning of the tallit, we must understand its past. In Numbers 15, G-d speaks to Moses and commands him to inform the children of Israel that they should put tzitzit (fringes) on the corners of their garments as a reminder to observe the commandments. The wearing of tzitzit is one of three reminders to observe the mitzvot. The others are the tefillin and the mezuzah. To comply with the commandment, Jews created an outer garment with four corners, the tallit. Its function was to be a facilitator for the tzitzit. We also wore an inner fourcornered caftan with tzitzit tied on its corners, the tallit katan (small tallit).

With time, the tallit itself assumed a primary function. While it continued to be the carrier of the tzitzit, the garment became a symbol of identity.

One Man’s Opinion By Eugen Schoenfeld

Most Jews in my shtetl, Munkacs, wore a tallit whose pattern of stripes represented my city; it was a Munkacher tallit. Other tallitot represented other cities and certain Hasidic groups. Above all, the garment served as a public statement that the wearer was a member of the Jewish people. In my part of the world the tallit was an indication of a married man. A father-in-law with the means would give his daughter’s new husband two items: a pocket watch and a tallit. A tallit was judged by its size, the quality of the wool and weave, and the atarah, the silver decoration added to its top. I always thought a tallit was like an academic robe. When completing my doctorate, I was hooded and given the right to wear this particular garment. In the same manner, every time I don my tallit, I reaffirm my status as a member of the Jewish collective. To me, the tallit is not a religious object. It does not sanctify me or represent a magical relationship between me and the transcendent. Still, it does have magical properties. It has endowed in me emotional experiences that I still feel. When the kohanim, wrapped in their large tallitot, spread their fingers and pronounced their blessing on the congregation at a holiday, I was told that the Shechinah (G-d’s presence) descended into the synagogue, and the tallit protected me from harm. My father would wrap me and my brother with his large tallit. In the mystical light that filtered through the cloth, I was bonding with my family and with historic Judaism. Years ago I attended services at a synagogue in San Diego where I experienced the power of the tallit. People held their tallitot and with the cantor’s lead chanted hineni muchan oomzuman (behold, I am prepared to don the tallit). I felt that the Shechinah indeed descended to be with the congregation, and I knew I was at one with the universe and its Creator. ■

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Seeking CHESED Alumni

Greater Atlanta Hadassah is holding its annual ceremony recognizing the winners of the Marian F. Perling Hadassah CHESED Student Awards on Sunday, May 15, at 2:30 p.m. at Congregation Or VeShalom, and as part of the celebration of 100 years of Hadassah in Atlanta, the group plans to include a special tribute to the more than 300 recipients of the awards the past 23 years. The awards recognize outstanding local students for their love of Israel, concern for fellow Jews and Jewish culture, concern for fellow humans, and good academic standing. If you are a past recipient or know someone who is, please contact Eileen Cohn, the Hadassah CHESED Awards chair, at eileensc6@gmail.com.

Weber’s Arts Month

The Weber School is celebrating music, dance, drama, and literary and visual arts with its Arts in April series. “Weber’s innovative and professional visual and performing arts program is taught by artistic professionals who enhance our powerful learning community,” said Rabbi Ed Harwitz, the head of school. “Arts in April will celebrate the Jewish arts and feature

the breadth of artistic work of students at Weber, collaborating with top working artists from Atlanta and beyond.” The scheduled events: • Tuesday, April 5, 7 to 9 p.m. — “A Taste of the Arts: Fine Arts Night,” featuring visual and literary arts and performances from dance, drama and musical ensembles at The Weber School, 6751 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. • Sunday, April 10, 4 p.m., and Monday, April 11, 6 p.m. — “Elevate,” a student dance showcase, followed by “Cinderella the Enchanted Version,” at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. The musical is a collaboration with Tri-Cities High School in East Point. • Wednesday, April 13, 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. — Spring concert for the chorus and band ensembles at Steve’s Live Music, 234 Hilderbrand Drive, Sandy Springs. Visit weberschool.org/arts for more information and tickets.

Johns Creek Grad Named to Hillel Board

University of Alabama sophomore Bianca Levy, a graduate of Johns Creek High School, is one of 24 members of the inaugural Hillel International Stu-

dent Cabinet. None of the members attends a college in Georgia. The Cabinet members will serve during the 2016-17 school year but will gather for an initial meeting in Washington on April 10 and 11, Hillel announced Friday, March 24. The purpose of the Cabinet is for Hillel’s international leadership to have direct access to opinions and perspectives representing Jewish college students around the world. “Having diverse students in positions of power and influence within Hillel will make our organization stronger,” said Sheila Katz, Hillel’s vice president for social entrepreneurship. “The 24 students selected represent great diversity from our movement. They range from all sects of Judaism, varying levels of involvement with organized Jewish life, and diverse ideologies about Israel and the world.”

Regents Honor Greenwald The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents recognized Georgia Tech junior Hannah Greenwald of Marietta for her academic achievements during its meeting Wednesday, March 9.

Each university gets to select one undergraduate to have lunch with the regents for Academic Recognition Day. Only one Georgia Tech undergraduate has the honor each year. “There are so many talented students here at Georgia Tech, and I feel so honored to be able to represent my school,” Greenwald, an environmental engineering major, said in an announcement from the university. “At first I was a bit confused, since I had never heard of Academic Recognition Day. As I learned more about the award, I realized what an honor it is to have been chosen,” she said. Greenwald said she plans to work on environmental remediation for a few years after she graduates next year.

AJA 20th in Tournament Atlanta Jewish Academy’s boys basketball team struggled against some of the best Jewish high school teams in the nation at the Red Sarachek Memorial Tournament at Yeshiva University this month. The Jaguars suffered three consecutive losses to finish 20th. AJA lost 61-30 to Chicago’s Ida Crown Jewish Academy, 52-27 to Philadelphia’s Kohelet Yeshiva High School and 41-30 to San Diego’s SCY High.

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

EDUCATION

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ISRAEL NEWS

At AIPAC, No to U.N. Peace, Nuclear Iran

he following are highlights from three of the speeches delivered to the AIPAC Policy Conference in Washington from Sunday to Tuesday, March 20 to 22. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (via satellite): There are those who seek to malign Israel among the nations and especially in the United Nations. At the U.N., Israel, the Middle East’s only true democracy, is slandered like no other country on Earth. At the U.N., Israel is subjected to consistent, systematic discrimination. Only Israel is permanently scheduled for condemnation at the U.N. Human Rights Council — not Iran, not Syria, not North Korea. Only Israel is hounded by U.N. bodies expressly established to delegitimize its very existence. Only Israel is condemned every year by 20 hostile resolutions in the U.N. General Assembly. The U.N., my friends, has a shameful record of singling out Israel for castigation and condemnation. So I have a question for you: Why would anyone think that the U.N. could decide on a fair and secure peace for Israel? Yet amazingly, there are some who

believe exactly that. They seek to impose terms on Israel in the U.N. Security Council. And those terms would undoubtedly be stacked against us. They always are. So such an effort in the U.N. would only convince the Palestinians that they can stab their way to a state. Mind you, not a state next to Israel, but a state instead of Israel. A Security Council resolution to pressure Israel would further harden Palestinian positions, and thereby it could actually kill the chances of peace for many, many years. … Iran remains fully committed to genocide — our genocide. Its leaders loudly, openly, even proudly, they say and proclaim that their goal is to destroy Israel. … So here’s what I believe: I believe that both those who supported the nuclear deal and those who opposed it can, at the very least, work together to stop Iran’s aggression and terror and hold Iran accountable for its transgressions. Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump: My No. 1 priority is to dismantle

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MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

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the disastrous deal with Iran. I have been in business a long time. I know deal-making, and let me tell you, this deal is catastrophic — for America, for Israel and for the whole Middle East. The problem here is fundamental. We have rewarded the world’s leading state sponsor of terror with $150 billion, and we received absolutely nothing in return. I’ve studied this issue in greater detail than almost anybody. The biggest concern with the deal is not necessarily that Iran is going to violate it, although it already has; the bigger problem is that they can keep the terms and still get to the bomb by simply running out the clock, and, of course, they keep the billions. … First, we will stand up to Iran’s aggressive push to destabilize and dominate the region. Iran is a very big problem and will continue to be, but if I’m elected president, I know how to deal with trouble. Iran is a problem in Iraq, a problem in Syria, a problem in Lebanon, a problem in Yemen, and will be a very major problem for Saudi Arabia. Literally every day, Iran provides more and better weapons to their puppet states. … Secondly, we will totally dismantle Iran’s global terror network. Iran has seeded terror groups all over the world. During the last five years, Iran has perpetrated terror attacks in 25 different countries on five continents. They’ve got terror cells everywhere, including in the western hemisphere very close to home. Iran is the biggest sponsor of terrorism around the world and we will work to dismantle that reach. Third, at the very least, we must hold Iran accountable by restructuring the terms of the previous deal. … With President Obama in his final year, discussions have been swirling about an attempt to bring a Security Council resolution on the terms of an eventual agreement between Israel and Palestine. Let me be clear: An agreement imposed by the U.N. would be a total and complete disaster. The United States must oppose this resolution and use the power of our veto. Why? Because that’s not how you make a deal. Deals are made when parties come to the table and negotiate. Each side must give up something it values in exchange for something it requires. A deal that imposes conditions on Israel and the Palestinian Authority will do nothing to bring peace. It will only further delegitimize Israel, and it would reward Palestinian terrorism because every day they are stabbing Israelis and even Americans.

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton: Today, Americans and Israelis face momentous choices that will shape the future of our relationship and of both our nations. The first choice is this: Are we prepared to take the U.S.-Israel alliance to the next level? … I believe we must take our alliance to the next level. I hope a new 10-year defense memorandum of understanding is concluded as soon as possible to meet Israel’s security needs far into the future. That will also send a clear message to Israel’s enemies that the United States and Israel stand together. … The second choice we face is whether we will have the strength and commitment to confront the adversaries that threaten us, especially Iran. For many years, we’ve all been rightly focused on the existential danger of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon. After all, this remains an extremist regime that threatens to annihilate Israel. That’s why I led the diplomacy to impose crippling sanctions and force Iran to the negotiating table, and why I ultimately supported the agreement that has put a lid on its nuclear program. Today Iran’s enriched uranium is all but gone, thousands of centrifuges have stopped spinning, Iran’s potential breakout time has increased, and new verification measures are in place to help us deter and detect any cheating. I really believe the United States, Israel and the world are safer as a result. But still, as I laid out at a speech at the Brookings Institution last year, it’s not good enough to trust and verify. Our approach must be distrust and verify. … And here is a third choice. Will we keep working toward a negotiated peace or lose forever the goal of two states for two peoples? Despite many setbacks, I remain convinced that peace with security is possible and that it is the only way to guarantee Israel’s long-term survival as a strong Jewish and democratic state. It may be difficult to imagine progress in this current climate when many Israelis doubt that a willing and capable partner for peace even exists. But inaction cannot be an option. Israelis deserve a secure homeland for the Jewish people. Palestinians should be able to govern themselves in their own state, in peace and dignity. … As president, I would continue the pursuit of direct negotiations. And let me be clear: I would vigorously oppose any attempt by outside parties to impose a solution, including by the U.N. Security Council. ■

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ISRAEL NEWS

Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home

Photo by Haim Tzach, Government Press Office

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and one of the newly arrived children from Yemen read from the 500-plus-year-old Torah that made the journey with the 19 Jews.

19 Jews rescued from Yemen. Israel has spirited 19 Jews out of war-torn Yemen, thus rescuing some of the last remnants of a Jewish community that dates back 2,000 years and once numbered 60,000 people. Only 50 or so Jews remain in Yemen; they chose to stay, according to the Jewish Agency. The group making aliyah includes the community’s rabbi, who brought a Torah believed to be 500 to 600 years old. Elsewhere in the Muslim world, Iran, Morocco and Tunisia still boast significant Jewish communities. In Egypt and

Photo courtesy of Israel21c

Habima Square’s famous statue gets an unexpected face lift for Purim.

Smileys in Habima Square. The wellknown statue of three circles at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square was turned into a set of emoticons in celebration of Purim on March 23 and 24. The smiley faces tower over the popular square. The statue was created by Mosh Kadishman and is one of the city’s most famous artistic landmarks. Hispanic visitors. Some of the biggest stars in Latin American entertainment spent March 13 to 20 exploring Israel.

Grammy-winning Puerto Rican entertainer Luis Fonsi, 2006 Miss Universe and actress Zuleyka Rivera, Spanish model Águeda López, Telemundo and Univision director Luis Alfonso Borrego, and telenovela actresses Ana Brenda Contreras, Sherlyn González and Andrea Escalona were part of a group that got guided tours of Jaffa, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nazareth, Safed, Jerusalem, Masada and the Dead Sea. Incision-free treatment for acid reflux. Omer-based medical device company Medigus has pioneered an incision-free outpatient procedure for acid reflux. The system enables physicians to reconstruct the esophageal valve through the mouth in about an hour, eliminating the need for surgery in eligible patients. To perform the procedure, Medigus created the MUSE (Medigus Ultrasonic Surgical Endostapler) system, which includes the world’s smallest video camera. A trip to Jupiter. Scientists at the Weizmann Institute of Science have partnered with the European Space Agency to send an atomic clock that was de-

signed and built in Israel to Jupiter. The ESA mission, known as JUICE — JUpiter ICy moons Explorer — will spend at least three years making detailed observations of the solar system’s largest planet and three of its largest moons. Jupiter is known to have 67 moons. JUICE is scheduled to launch in 2022 and reach Jupiter by 2030. Vitamin drink against Alzheimer’s. A breakthrough study has shown that consuming a daily vitamin-enriched drink could improve memory, reduce brain shrinkage and slow the progression of early Alzheimer’s disease. The drink included omega-3 fatty acids, choline, uridine monophosphate, phospholipids, antioxidants and B vitamins. Tel Aviv University neurobiologist Daniel Michaelson was one of 19 researchers to take part in the European Unionfunded dementia trial. “The results of the study were very exciting. That the shrinkage of the brain was halted by this treatment is amazing,” Michaelson said. Compiled courtesy of news.yahoo.com, Israel21c.org and other news sources.

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

war-torn Iraq and Syria, few if any Jews remain.

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SIMCHAS

Lois Frank and Eric and Sasha Robbins wait at the starting line.

Residents of the Zaban Couples Center lend their support.

A Mitzvah Project on Foot

mir Dressler, son of Eddie and Sam Dressler of Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, made participation in the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s Hunger Walk/Run his bar mitzvah project, and he succeeded in making the Champions Club by smashing his $1,000 fundraising goal. At the 5K walk/run on Sunday, March 13, Amir turned in $2,079 he had raised to fight hunger. Online alone, his total exceeds $1,600, and donations are being accepted through the end of March. (To donate, go to hungerwalkrun.org, click on “Donate,” and search for Amir

by name among the participants.) Amir’s bar mitzvah ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 28. As usual, the Jewish community as a whole was prominent at the Hunger Walk/Run, and support in and around the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta tent was obvious. The rain held off, and the temperature was moderate. Spirits were high as people from all over Atlanta turned out in great numbers, and the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival All-Stars entertained the throng of participants from a stage near the finish line. ■

Amir Dressler (in orange) is joined in the Champion’s Tent by (from left) mother Sam Dressler, grandfather Jay Barcus, sister Liora and grandmother Lois Barcus at the Hunger Walk/Run at Turner Field on March 13.

Jewish Family & Career Services engagement coordinator Sheri Schwartz and husband Mark participate in the walk.

Federation Hunger Walk cochair Bob Frohlich goes with the festive feel of the day.

Walkers proceed through downtown Atlanta.

Kaplan’s Drive Unmatched for Hunger Walk By Leah R. Harrison

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

he moment you meet Sally Kaplan, you know you are in the presence of someone special. She looks you in the eye and tries to place how she might know you or your family. She is petite and unassuming, warm and engaging, and infectiously positive. She lives with gratitude and with the driving imperative to do all she can to help others — specifically, to eradicate hunger in Atlanta. Her dedication to that goal has driven Kaplan to become the largest fundraiser for the Atlanta Community Food Bank’s annual 5K Hunger Walk/ Run. Amy Hudson, the food bank’s senior communications manager, said at the start of March that a final push for donations to reach Kaplan’s $27,000 annual goal would bring her total to $370,000 by walk day March 13. Her total for the year now has exceeded $28,500 and counting. That means her personal fundraising total is more than one-third of the $1 million the Jewish community has raised for the Hunger Walk since record keeping began in 1996. “Make no mistake, she takes no prisoners,” said Bill Bolling, the food bank’s founder and its executive director since 1979. “But people are delighted to support her. You know, I think it gives people great joy.” The Kaplan and Bolling families 16 usually walk together at the Hunger

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Walk. Bolling said, “I’ll tell you what: You’d better be in shape to keep up with her on the walk.” Kaplan’s Hunger Walk involvement began with the activism of her mother, Helen Cavalier, when the walk moved from Saturday to Sunday in 1985 to encourage Jewish participation. Ahavath Achim Synagogue was the first Jewish institution to get on board, said Bill Bolling, the founder of the food bank. “Sally’s mom was one of the first people.” Bolling added: “Sally represents the heart and soul of what the Hunger Walk is for me, and it actually began with her mother, and she’s very quick to say she’s doing this in her mother’s name, for her mother. It’s a great legacy in the family.” Cavalier’s first years with the walk were supported by the AA morning minyan men. Her legacy has reached Bebe Kaplan, Sally’s daughter and a co-chair of this year’s Hunger Walk committee of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. When her mother died in 1996, Sally Kaplan picked up Cavalier’s Rolodex and the Hunger Walk torch. She said her mother wanted to rid the community of hunger, so that became her responsibility. “She sat on my shoulder and told me what to do and how to do it.” Members of AA and other associates know it’s futile to resist Kaplan on the walk. She will track you down. Michael DeCoursey, the Hun-

In the Hunger Walk Champion’s Tent on March 13 are (standing) Sally Kaplan and daughter Bebe Kaplan and (sitting) grandson Jonathan Kaplan, who flies in from Texas for the walk each year, granddaughter Rachel Kaplan, in from Athens, and Lisa and Philip Kaplan.

ger Walk project manager, said Kaplan does it “old school.” With label and spreadsheet assistance from her daughter, Kaplan sends out 350 to 400 notes in mid-December (allowing response time for year-end donations to gain tax deductions), asks for support and reminds people of their gifts from the previous year. A stamped, self-addressed envelope is included. From January through the walk in March, Kaplan follows up and makes phone calls. She has been encouraged to use email but said the personal touch motivates people to contribute. She reminds people when she sees them at synagogue or at a movie. She even acknowledged turning to someone at a funeral and saying, “Did you get my note? I haven’t heard from you.” You can donate through the end of March at hungerwalkrun.org. Click on “Donate,” then enter “Sally’s Friends.” Through lots of little gifts of $10,

Sally Kaplan receives a gift of appreciation from food bank head Bill Bolling.

$18 and $25, with some rising into the hundreds of dollars, Kaplan reaches her goals. She calls herself “a little fundraiser” who relies on time-tested techniques, passion and determination. DeCoursey called Kaplan inspiring and a hero because “she’s not afraid to advocate and champion for the cause to anyone/everyone she meets.” Kaplan is gratified that Bebe and the rest of the family are involved in the fight against hunger. Her niece drives in from Athens and her nephew flies in from Texas for the walk. “Nothing is more beautiful than three generations gathering to honor her legacy,” Bebe said. “Children are not born with this knowledge. The powerful Jewish obligations must be taught at the level of individual families with love and inspiration. Without a doubt my grandmother and mother have been role models, not only for our family, but for the entire Jewish community.” ■

AJT

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

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SIMCHAS

Invitation Innovation Delivers Personality By Robin Zusmann

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

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nvitations give the necessary details about your simcha, but they also set a tone for your upcoming event, get your guests excited, convey a theme and even serve as a keepsake. So what’s popular in printing these days? A current market trend is the desire to preserve our environment. Invitations can be printed on eco-friendly papers, including all cotton or paper with recycled content. Some families are sending response postcards without envelopes and using a single outer envelope, scrapping the inner envelope traditionally used for wedding invitations. Shiny papers are growing in popularity, including the use of laminated papers. Texture is also being seen in more invitations. Sparkle and shine are often important to 12- and 13-yearold girls. Crystals can be added in a multitude of colors, or glitter or shiny paper can be used to boost the glitz and glamour. Boys’ invitations are getting brighter. While dark shades used to be the choice for every bar mitzvah invitation, fun colors are showing up more and more often. Think orange, red or lime green accompanying the traditional navy, silver or charcoal. Bold color combinations are eyecatching and make a statement. Even neon colors are moving onto invitations. Many girls are passing on pinks in favor of Tiffany blue, aqua and turquoise with hot pink or purple. The ability to use different printing processes makes your imagination the only limiting factor. Although traditional thermography printing is still popular, advances in silk screening and digital printing have made it possible to print light and bright colors on dark backgrounds and use multiple colors on a single invitation. It used to be that a square shape was a dramatic change from the traditional rectangle. Now there are no shape rules, giving invitations a distinctive look. Die cutting and laser cutting are two of the hottest trends, enabling almost any shape to be used — from scalloping or rounding invitation edges to cutting a name or design out of a top layer to allow another color or texture (think glitter) to pop through. You can even have an invitation shaped as your child’s name or initial. Acrylic, thin plastic, board invita-

Glitter and texture are popular ways to make invitations pop.

tions (layers of paper bonded together to make an invitation as thick as you like) and hand-painted edges are gaining in popularity because of the statement they make when the invitation is opened. Today’s hosts want an invitation that is unique and stands out. Logos are in right now. You can use them throughout your invitation or on custom-printed envelope liners to reinforce your event theme in an understated way. Your logo can also be used on seating cards, printed napkins, save-the-date notices and more. If you have an idea, it can happen. The majority of families are still sending paper response cards for b’nai mitzvah and weddings. The use of the cards reflects the more formal nature of these events compared with a casual birthday party. It’s also easy for those who cannot attend to put a gift check inside the reply envelope if they wish. RSVPs are still traditionally mailed, even if printed on a postcard. Event cards supplying hotel and additional weekend information are usually included for out-of-town and family guests. Websites and QR codes are gaining popularity as families develop informational websites with everything from directions to more detailed information about a mitzvah project or how a couple met. It is nice to know that even in our electronic world, in which an email or text is the norm for communication, a handwritten note is still de rigueur for thanking your guests for being a part of your simcha and for their gifts. With all of the options in papers, finishes, cuts and printing techniques, you can get an invitation that is as unique as the mitzvah child or wedding couple. Your invitation vendor can help create the perfect invitation to reflect your individual style. ■ Robin Zusmann is the owner of Paper Matters LLC, a personalized printing and consultation service.

AJT

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

SIMCHAS

A Modern Mikvah For Beth Tefillah By R.M. Grossblatt

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

efore Congregation Beth Tefillah constructed a synagogue building on its High Point Road property in Sandy Springs, the members built a mikvah. That was 28 years ago. Now on the other side of its parking lot, Beth Tefillah is building a new, modern mikvah. With the SilverstoneWolf families as major contributors, it will be called the Mei Shifra Mikvah, in memory of Yaarit Silverstone’s grandmother Shifra and in remembrance of the midwives in Egypt who delivered and cared for babies in spite of Pharaoh’s decree. Dassie New, the director of the Chaya Mushka Children’s House and wife of Rabbi Yossi New, said, “The only thing you’re allowed to sell a Sefer Torah for is to build a mikvah.” She said the mikvah is so important because it keeps our relationships sacred and affects future generations. Yet New said that when she and her husband began the Chabad synagogue in Sandy Springs, few women in the area knew about this mitzvah. Over the years, New and others taught classes to women and learned one on one with brides. Today many women in Sandy Springs regularly visit the mikvah, sometimes surprising their friends. People don’t have to be Orthodox to go to the mikvah, New said. “This mitzvah speaks to women from all walks of life.” It helps them get in touch with themselves and their femininity, she added. The kickoff event for the Mei Shifra Mikvah, “Women’s Voices, Women’s Souls,” was held at Beth Tefillah in late January. The evening, co-sponsored by Beth Tefillah, The Kehilla and the Chabad Israeli Center Atlanta, offered a memorable sensory experience. About 100 women sampled desserts, listened to the soothing sounds of a harpist and the uplifting songs from a trio of singers, saw and felt materials to be used in the new mikvah, and heard five women speak about how mikvah has affected their lives. The women’s personal stories covered lifecycle events including getting married, facing infertility, becoming pregnant, recovering from illness and entering post-menopause. “Whether using the mikvah once after menopause or going every month, every woman should look at 20 the mikvah as hers,” New said. “That’s

AJT

To incorporate the drawings women made at the mikvah’s kickoff event into a mural for the facility, Israeli artist Andi Arnovitz is using a printmaking process called Xerox lithography. She used the same process to create this piece.

why we’re going to great lengths to build the mikvah to satisfy every halachic opinion.” The mikvah will have two pools that will connect to the immersion pool: one on the side of the pool and one beneath the pool. Rabbi Yirmi Katz, known for his expertise, is overseeing the details that will make the mikvah kosher. While Tzali Levin is supervising the construction, Debby Derby of D Squared Creative Design Solutions is heading the interior design of the facility. As at the kickoff event, the mikvah’s interior will provide sensory opportunities. Derby, who is working pro bono, has planned a fireplace, towel warmers, and a copper pedestal sink, reminiscent of the sink in the Beit Hamikdash (Temple). That ancient sink was crafted from the copper mirrors women used to make themselves attractive to their husbands in Egypt. At Beth Tefillah’s new mikvah, the pedestal sink is the last thing that a woman will see when she exits the mikvah. “We want women to have a meaningful experience when they come here,” Derby said, “like going back to the Garden of Eden.” Part of that experience for women will be seeing their artwork on the wall of the mikvah. At the end of the kickoff event, the women were encouraged to draw meaningful pictures with black Sharpies on white paper. “We came up with the idea of uniting the women through a mural which will hang on a strategic wall in the mikvah,” New said. She presented the idea to Andi Arnovitz, a renowned artist who made aliyah from Atlanta in 1999. Arnovitz, a former member and strong supporter of Chabad, is excited about using a part of each woman’s art to create the montage. Dassie New’s hope is that a woman entering the mikvah and seeing her work adorning the walls will feel an emotional connection that says, “This mikvah is mine.” ■

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Mikvah Artist Arnovitz Shares Mural Vision By R.M. Grossblatt

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ormer Atlantan Andi Arnovitz is painting a mural that will be a featured element in the new mikvah at Congregation Beth Tefillah. The mural will incorporate drawings women made during a design and launch event for the facility in January. Arnovitz talked to the AJT about her art and how she got involved with the Beth Tefillah project. AJT: When did you first get interested in art? Arnovitz: I have been making art forever. My degree is a B.F.A. from Washington University. Even as a little girl, I was always drawing and making things. My mother took me to museums my entire childhood, had me taking classes, and so art has been a big part of my life and has been an ongoing inspiration as well. AJT: What media do you use, and what special pieces have you made? Arnovitz: Until about five or six

years ago I basically worked with either paper or fabric. I am a printmaker. Recently, though, my work has expanded to doing large-scale installations and more sculptural works, and so I use porcelain a great deal, as well as polymer resins, feathers, silk, glass and other industrial-based materials. AJT: What area of art do you feel the most passionate about? Arnovitz: My work today is very political. I deal with the places where gender, politics and religion meet. My website gives a good representation of these kinds of works: www.andiarnovitz.com. My favorite thing is to create pieces which are interactive. For example, for the Jerusalem Biennale of Jewish art this last fall, I filled a room with hundreds of suspended steel rods, from which fragile clay scrolls were balanced. If people paid close attention, they realized that the two clay scrolls were related to one another. One was a page from halacha, and the other was an article from the newspaper. For example, one was the halachic source for

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SIMCHAS chock-full of women’s prayers — their gratitude and their pleas. Clearly the energies of the women using it make it much more powerful than just a pool of water. So my hope is that, first of all, there will be a bright spot of color and texture in the mikvah, as well as a literal tapestry of hopes and dreams and blessings — a communal effort. The art could not exist without the members; the mikvah could not exist without the community.

An example of Andi Arnovitz’s work is this interactive piece from last fall’s Jerusalem Bienalle. Visitors had to walk through the clay scrolls, paired into opposites, without breaking anything, a metaphor for the balance Israel strikes between Jewish law and daily threats.

redeeming the captive, and the other was a story about Gilad Shalit. Or the halachic sources for who is required to go to war and the new Haredi draft laws. And on and on. In order to continue through the exhibition, people had to try to walk through this without breaking anything. The entire installation became a metaphor for the country — a place founded on Jewish law but a place where real life butts heads with those very laws on a daily basis. The goal is to move forward delicately, severing neither Jewish law nor the needs and wills of the individual.

the mural will affect the women of the community? Arnovitz: I tend to view the entire mitzvah of mikvah as a spiritually transformative one. I have always felt that the waters of the mikvah are

AJT: Will you bring or ship the artwork to Atlanta? Arnovitz: I will ship it, and there will be a tightly drawn template for how to mount it. Hopefully, I will be there sometime this fall and help to hang it.

AJT: When did you make aliyah, and how has living in Israel affected your family and your work? Arnovitz: We have lived in Israel since 1999. Israel has affected everything. Everything. My art, my kids, my worldview, my family. Having sons, sons-in-law and daughters in the army, losing people you know to terror attacks, celebrating Yom Kippur as an entire nation, living with a Jewish clock. … Israel gets under your skin and inside your head. The best way to explain it is to say that when we lived in America, whatever I read in the newspaper always seemed to happen to someone else, somewhere else. Here, everything is personal. Deeply, incredibly personal. ■

AJT: How are you incorporating the women’s art from their kickoff event? Arnovitz: So it is hard to explain, but there is a very complicated printmaking process that is very similar to lithography. I call it Xerox lithography, and it allows me to print copies of anything — copier copies with colored lithography inks. By rolling colored inks on paper and then playing with the colors, I can create rich and varied pieces that become a rich tapestry of color and form. I intend to take the drawings, doodles and prayers the women wrote and then make panels with these. They won’t look like the originals, but when the women look closely, they will see their own handwriting, their own prayer, their own art as a part of the whole. AJT: What is your vision for how

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

AJT: How did you get involved in doing the mural for Beth Tefillah’s new mikvah? Arnovitz: As a past, very involved member of Beth Tefillah, I care very much about the growth of the shul and feel very sentimental about it. We are still in close contact with Dassie and Yossi New, our rabbi and rebbetzin and dear friends, and when Dassie asks me to do something, I can’t say no.

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Simcha of Surprises: Officiating in Israel

fter years of searching for a husband in Israel, my wife’s dearest friend from her year studying at Hebrew University found her Israeli beshert living in New York. The engagement for us was not a surprise. Their asking me to officiate at their wedding in Israel was. I was surprised because officiating a wedding in Israel isn’t without its challenges. Legally, a Conservative rabbi may not officiate a state-sanctioned marriage in Israel. It was also challenging because speaking with the happy couple made it clear that their American and Israeli backgrounds were leading them to have deeply different expectations about the wedding. Coming from a deeply chiloni/secular background, the groom’s family in Israel had come to expect a quick, standard, “no speeches” ceremony that was merely an obstacle to getting to dinner. The bride, on the other hand, was looking for an American ceremony as I was used to officiating. The groom came from a largely Russian family that spoke Hebrew and Russian but little English. The bride’s guests would speak mostly English, a little Hebrew and no Russian. In life, of course, I have discovered that the level of any challenge taken is commensurate with the reward. After meeting with the bride and groom several times, I was able to guide them toward closing some of the gaps in ceremony expectations. The couple married in New York first, which avoided any legal issues. I also sought advice from Israeli colleagues with experience conducting bilingual weddings and prepared well. The evening of the ceremony ended up being one of the most memorable, joyful experiences I have had at a wedding. Israeli weddings are much less formal than American weddings. Imagine that after the hors d’oeuvres, the guests were paraded together from

The view of Tel Aviv is only one of the special elements of the first Israeli wedding at which Rabbi Daniel Dorsch officiated.

the banquet hall to the chuppah, led by a New Orleans-style jazz band. The chuppah was set up in Old Jaffa overlooking a panoramic view of the city of Tel Aviv. Everyone stood for the chuppah, and this might be the only wedding I officiate after being strongly encouraged not to wear a tie. As I suspected, many of the groom’s family during the ceremony

Guest Column By Rabbi Daniel Dorsch

had been anxious to get to dinner, but this may have had to do more with the fact that, as is also typical of Israeli weddings, we were running an hour behind schedule. People seemed so overjoyed to be together, they almost forgot there was a wedding. After the ceremony, as I spoke to the guests, I found that most of the Israelis were pleasantly surprised by the idea of a Conservative Jewish wedding. Despite my tight timeframe, I was able to squeeze in a few personal words to the bride and groom. I was told that in Israel, rabbinate rabbis often don’t know brides and grooms personally, so they rarely take the time to say more than a perfunctory mazel tov. The Israelis gathered were simply floored that I stayed for the party and danced with my wife. I hope I helped a few see what a boon religious diversity could be for the state of Israel, if only a little. I have been blessed to attend three weddings in Israel since being ordained. This was the first one I officiated. For me, it was not only a joyous simcha, but also a truly sacred moment when I was able to deepen my connection with the land of Israel. I will always cherish it. ■ Rabbi Daniel Dorsch will join Congregation Etz Chaim in July.

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SIMCHAS

Button It Up owner Sharon Hochdorf, who won the Dale Riggins Humanitarian Award last year, celebrates her part in the best team effort award for Black and White and Luxe All Over!

An aerial show is part of the fun.

Jason Kagan and Aaron Payes receive the award for best entertainment production over $20,000 for Neon Dream.

The Event Savvy team gets the award for best nonfloral design for a bar mitzvah with the theme Keep Calm and Neon On.

Photos by PWP Studio — Corporate Event Photographers

Sharing the best team effort award are Event Savvy, Button It Up, POHP Events, Celebration Concierge and Venetian Room.

Event Savvy owner Doris Geller has at least two reasons to smile: awards for best nonfloral design and best team effort.

The entertainers are part of the decor welcoming the crowd at the Georgia Aquarium.

Atlanta Event Industry Xperiences Big Night

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

he 26th annual Allie Awards, the Oscars for the Atlanta-area event industry, were given out at a gala called Xperience the Elements on Sunday, March 6, at the Georgia Aquarium. The ceremony recognized companies, including such Jewish-led businesses as Kagan Entertainment, Event Savvy and Button It Up, for outstanding events produced or contributed to in 2015. Three career-type awards also were given out.

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The following are the winners with the events that earned them recognition. Bob Blaesing CSEP Lifetime Achievement Award Teresa Day Dale Riggins Humanitarian Award Dee Lane Eades Tim Lundy CSEP Rising Star Award Tasha Jackson Best Team Effort: Wedding Event — Clearly Southern TOAST Events, Atlanta Showstoppers, the Moore Agency, Peachtree Tents &

Events, Swan House at Atlanta History Center, Event Drapery Inc., Jackson Durham, Paper Daisies Stationery, and Bold American Catering & Events Best Team Effort — Black and White and Luxe All Over! Event Savvy, Button It Up, POHP Events, Celebration Concierge and Venetian Room Best Culinary Innovation Proof of the Pudding — A Mashup With Flair Best Menu Design (tie) A Divine Event — All Aboard! Proof of the Pudding — Love Your Future Best Menu Presentation Proof of the Pudding — Love Your Future Best Off-Premise Catering Kathy G & Company — No Place Like Home Best Event Innovation Active Production and Design Inc. — Holiday Spectacular Best Event Photography

PWP Studio — A Six Year Journey to Seattle Best Use of Media/Technology Active Production and Design Inc. — Holiday Spectacular Best Entertainment Production (Over $20K) Kagan Entertainment — Neon Dream Best Entertainment Production (Under $20K) Destination South Meetings & Events — A Burlesque Affair! Best Themed/Unique Entertainment Destination South Meetings & Events — A Burlesque Affair! Best Nonfloral Design Event Savvy — Keep Calm & Neon On Best Tabletop Design Bold American Catering & Events — The Showstopper Best Themed Event Décor Your Event Solution — Atlanta Pride Meets Bollywood Best Use of Rental Equipment Faith Flowers — A New Year’s Eve Dream Wedding Best Event: Corporation/Association (Over $100K) Destination South Meetings & Events — Ocean Legends Best Event: Corporation/Association (Under $100K) Kathy G & Company — No Place Like Home Best Event: Fundraiser/Nonprofit Gala Plateau Event Productions Inc. — Unmasking Autism Fundraising Gala Best Event: Social Event (Under $50K) Ashley Baber Weddings — Hawks Tip Off BBQ Logistical Achievement: Planning Legendary Events — Too Darn Hot Most Creative Venue: Planning A Divine Event — All Aboard! Best AV Design Active Production and Design Inc. — Holiday Spectacular Best Lighting Design PPi — International Training EventBaltimore Logistical Achievement: Technical Production PPi — ICON Honors 2015 Best Event: Wedding (Over $50K) Legendary Events — Vintage Love Best Event: Wedding (Under $50K) Cherokee Town & Country Club — Wedding Day 911 Best Wedding Floral Design Bold American Events — A Spring Wedding in Full Bloom! Best Wedding Photography Renee Brock: Photojournalist — A Day to Be Treasured Best Wedding Cake Presentation Cherokee Town & Country Club — Princess Bride

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

SIMCHAS

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MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

Visit www.atlantajewishtimes.com/simchas to submit your announcement and photos or call 404-883-2130

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SIMCHAS

To My Son From His First Siddur Rabbi Adam Starr of Young Israel of Toco Hills wrote to his son from the perspective of his son’s new siddur for his chagigat siddur at Atlanta Jewish Academy. ear Adin, I am your very own siddur. I love the way you and your parents decorated my cover, making me feel so special. You’ve been working so hard at school, waiting for this day. You were so excited to receive me. This morning you and your friends held and caressed me like a new baby, flipping through my pages with great pleasure and joy. You and your friends embraced me as if you had received the most prized possession in the world. I like when you kiss me, especially if you drop me, but try not to do that too often. I can’t wait for us to get to know each other better. You know the Ma Tovu, Adon Olam and Shema, and there is so much more to learn. Pretty soon Aleinu, Shemoneh Esrei and Ashrei. Right now you are slowly blending my letters into words; before you know it, my words will flow from your lips.

But please don’t read me too quickly; treasure each of my words. Grownups sometimes rush through my words and really should slow down; it is not a race to see how fast you can finish me. I am so lucky I get to grow up with you. I want you to know I will always be there for you; just remember to bring me along. Whether it is a sad time, a happy time, a difficult time or a wonderful time, you can turn to me to speak to Hashem. I will have the right words; I can help you open your heart. When you daven from me, you are reading the same words Ima and Abba have davened with throughout their lives, the same words your Safti and Tahti and Safta and Papa have used, and the same words the Jewish people have used for thousands of years. No matter where you go, please take me along. My words will be the same as you will find in any shul in the world. This means wherever you are, you will always feel at home with me. Over the years you will probably swap me out for another siddur. I am

SIMCHAS

Rabbi Adam Starr and son Adin

told I even come in an app version. But you are really not leaving me at all because I am the words on the page much more than the page and binding itself. My words are a treasure that will grow with you, guide you, challenge you, inspire you and uplift you. It won’t always be easy to connect with me, but as you get older, I promise you will see more and more meaning in me. Adin, I can’t wait to begin this life journey with you. Love, Your First Siddur ■

Remember When

25 Years Ago March 22, 1991 ■ The bar mitzvah of Adam Goldstein of Marietta, son of Liz and Bobby Goldstein, will take place Saturday, March 23, at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. 50 Years Ago March 25, 1966 ■ Rabbi and Mrs. Frank Fisher of Athens announce the birth of their second son, Jonathan Eli, on March 11.

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

10 Years Ago March 24, 2006 ■ Allan and Gail Ripans of Atlanta announce the marriage of their daughter, Holly Patricia, and Douglas Jeffrey Witten, son of Dr. Bruce and Sharon Witten of Jacksonville, Fla., at the Westin Buckhead on Nov. 12, 2005.

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www.atlantajewishtimes.com

SIMCHAS

My Big Fat Hasidic Bar Mitzvah

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

ou’ve seen the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” Yeah. It’s funny. I lived through it. I consider myself a BMS: bar mitzvah survivor. My twin boys had their bar mitzvah in November, and this is how it went. It was my big fat Hasidic bar mitzvah. A twin bar mitzvah. Baruch Hashem. That’s what “frum” or religious people say in between breaths so often it sounds like “brush him.” It’s like the code word to “I’m part of the group,” but it really is a phrase of extreme gratitude meaning “thank G-d.” I needed G-d’s help and am extremely grateful for the help He sent my way. A few years ago, I said, “I’m not going to do one of those big bar mitzvahs. Let’s just have an open house on Sunday. Come have a bagel.” I dreamt about that. It just got complicated. Relatives. Friends. Rabbis. Speeches. Hasidic husband. I was told I was experiencing PBSD (pre-bar-mitzvah stress disorder), and I had a few things on my mind: • Menus. How much would bulk herring cost? How many hot dogs to order for the hot dog bar? As I write this, we still have plenty of hot dogs. • Would the black hats (two each) and long coats (four each because you need one for each part of Shabbos, holidays and weekday davening) that we bought during the summer still fit? We somehow started our boys on growth hormone three months before their bar mitzvah — after purchasing

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their clothing. As I sat in a store in Monsey, N.Y., surrounded by more black hats than you can imagine, I quietly but firmly asked, “Uh, honey, don’t you think we should get the hats just a bit big, maybe a half-size too big? Isn’t it like

Guest Column By Ilana Danneman

buying shoes?” “No. That’s not how it’s done. They need to fit just right” “OK.” P.S. The hats were a bit snug. • How would I be sure there was enough of a mechitza (separation) to keep my husband happy but not too much of a mechitza to freak everyone else out? • Would my dog get enough attention over the weekend? • Would my mother be happy? Oh, yes, and the video montage. We didn’t want to pass that up. Everyone needed to see each moment of our twins growing up. I’ve suffered through enough of them, and it was our time. Plus, we have two kids, so the video had to be twice as long, right? Oh, and what about those gargantuan pictures you blow up so everyone can sign? Our firstborn son has one sitting against the wall in our basement. He’s holding a trumpet that he doesn’t play anymore. He is so taking the photo to his apartment — when he gets one. It’s the first thing I’m shipping out. He gets the trumpet too. I got smart with my daughter and made her a collage. It’s hanging in the bedroom she uses when she comes

home from school about twice a year. Nope. No big fat photo, and no collage. I went for the photo books; iBook to the rescue. Now each boy has a book full of his fondest moments along with 250 signatures tucked away on his shelf. I do learn. I’ve been to a lot of bar and bat mitzvah celebrations, from ones that look more like weddings — actually, they look better than most weddings — to ones that are quite simple. I once was at a bat mitzvah celebration where the entire synagogue was turned pink. Pink chairs, pink ceiling drapes, pink, pink, pink. It was like we had stepped into a bowl of cotton candy. It was quite breathtaking. I went to another one where they had shopping bags for each table because shopping was the theme. You could choose the “store” (table) you wanted to sit at. Of course, you haven’t lived if you haven’t been to a sports-themed bar mitzvah with a huge 3D stand of the bar mitzvah boy holding a basketball. Our invitation lady asked what theme/style/color I was looking for. She said, “Well, I see you like color (it was a tie-dye day). Maybe let’s splash some color on the invitation.” “Color?” I asked her. “Have you seen my other half?” My husband and boys wear two colors, which aren’t technically colors: black and white. She looked at a photo of my husband and said, “Oh, I see. Well, we can work with that.” Our black-and-white invitation was a hit. Thank you, Robyn! I once had an acquaintance of mine (not Jewish) remark that he thought it would be nice to have a “bar mitzvah.” That’s when you know we’ve all missed the point. A few weeks before our big fat

event, one of my twins asked me what his theme was going to be. “Uh, Jewish.” “Oh,” he said. “Well that makes sense.” He’s smart. Stick with the family theme. Don’t rock the boat. Then there’s the invitation list. Just creating the list was enough to cause a migraine. My husband wanted to be sure that everyone was dressed appropriately and kept Shabbos and that it was noted on the invitation. That eliminated about three-quarters of the guest list. I nixed all of that. Our list contained friends, family and those we felt compelled to invite, covering just plain Orthodox, Modern Orthodox, Yeshivish, Conservadox, Conservative, Reform, non-Jewish, just plain Jewish and Hasidic. Though anyone was welcome to attend, as our shul is always open, my husband suggested that I send invitations only to those friends and family members who clearly identify with their birth sexual orientation and know on which side of the mechitza they belong. How boring. I suppose it was simply a logistical issue, along the same lines as choosing which bathroom to use. We were told our crowd was too large for the shul Kiddush committee. So we decided to basically hijack the shul Kiddush for a Hasidic-style Kiddush with a mechitza, which should have sent just about everyone — the vilda chaya (wild kids), candy hoarders, cake stuffers and plate-over-fillers — into a tizzy, including the guy who constantly peeks over the mechitza. Well, the mechitza was not approved for the Kiddush. Apparently, we were too Orthodox for our Orthodox shul. It was complicated, but then again Orthodox shuls are just that way. Well, shuls are just that way.

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Food, yes, it was a necessary part of the long weekend, but somehow it got out of control. And, honestly, it made me sweat. And decorations. I thought about just throwing up some balloons. I had one person suggest I make miniHasids out of scarecrows and put two on each table (one for each boy). Yep, that’s cute. Did not happen. I was rescued by an overachiever party planner, G-d bless her. And I stuck with the balloons tied to picture frames with photos of my boys. I now have 40 Dollar Tree photo frames. You see, it’s not that I don’t like a good party. I just don’t like planning them. I like going to other people’s parties. I’m just being honest. But I suppose this was all good for me, for everyone, for our community and for my boys. Because our Friday night dinner, Kiddush, lunch and party were a huge success, noted by the smiles and comments such as “That was such a nice bar mitzvah, and it really felt like a bar mitzvah.” I’ll let you interpret that. I suppose it was the pshetel (long-winded, not-so-easy-to-follow bar mitzvah boy speech) and siyum (completion ceremony on a tractate of Gemara), and my speech rocked. And, of course, the hot dogs were a hit. My boys, like many other bar mitzvah boys around the world, did not culminate their learning with a bar mitzvah. This was the beginning for them. They have stepped into a world where they wrap tefillin daily, pray three times a day, are counted among a minyan and are required to uphold most of the 613 commandments. They (G-d willing) will continue learning Torah, Mishnah, Gemara and many other books of Jewish thought. So I, as their mother, savored the end of their childhood. I still adore their sweetness, which I pray sticks around under all their new clothes. I am not sad. I am honored. I am in awe. It is a precious moment to see someone take responsibility for his place among the Jewish people. Though there are many sects of Judaism and interpretations, we all depend on “the keepers of the book” to keep us grounded. It’s the Torah that, after all, calls us all back home. May these boys grow up kind, strong, fearless, dedicated, respectful and honored to be Jews. Now back to the food: I was torn over ordering beef, turkey, chicken or Polish hot dogs for our hot dog bar. We went for beef. And I did invite cousin Clara. But I did not put out those cards at the party that say, “Table 20: I DID

NOT RSVP.” Instead I said, “Of course you can come with your family of eight. We’d love to have you!” I suppose at certain points I lost focus on what was important: twin boys becoming responsible adults under Jewish law and the Torah. Even Oprah realized the importance of this day when she featured a boy, Mendel from Budapest, on the day before his bar mitzvah on her show “Belief.” I’m thinking a bar mitzvah in Budapest might not have been a bad idea. ■ Ilana Danneman is a mother of four plus a dachshund, Cloe, “wife of a Yid,” physical therapist, author (“A Tale of Two Souls”), and freelance blogger for various special needs communities and at marriedtoayid.com.

Happy 90th

Former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell (left) congratulates Stanley Srochi on his 90th birthday during a celebration at Guffey’s Men’s Shop while Don Guffey looks on. At Guffey’s suggestion, Massell, acting in his position as the president of the Buckhead Coalition, issued a proclamation honoring Srochi for his many years of philanthropic service and his work in the real estate field and declaring Feb. 11, Srochi’s 90th birthday, Srochi Day in Buckhead. Massell praised Srochi’s commitment to civic service and thanked him for his long friendship.

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

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KSU Art Professor Creates and Inspires

ennesaw State University’s Daniel Sachs is a treasure-trove of Judaic art imagery and its relationship to Jewish, Arabian and Victorian art. Sachs completed his doctorate in art history at Case Western Reserve, specializing in 19th century American Romantic landscape painting. His artwork includes elaborate ketubot (wedding contracts), self-portraits and stunning scenes of Jerusalem. A former New Yorker and a member of Chabad of Cobb, he came to Atlanta from a five-year teaching position at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah. It’s easy to see why his courses are so popular with students as he makes art come to life with his wisps of wild white hair flowing amid his tales of ancient times with a slice of Jewish tradition on the side.

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

Jaffe: Describe your background and how you got a jump-start in art. Sachs: I have an illustrious family.

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My father, Mendel, was a descendant of Rashi (the famous French rabbi and renowned biblical scholar) and an important Ph.D. physicist, specializing in relativity theory, who carried on (actually completed) some of Einstein’s

Chai-Style Art By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com It takes Daniel Sachs 100 to 150 hours to complete a ketubah. This example, a work of ink and watercolor commissioned as a surprise anniversary present for a wife, incorporates designs important in the lives of the husband, the wife and their children.

work, including his unified field theory. My younger brother, Michael, is the Northeast regional director of AIPAC. My older brother, Robert, is a Ph.D. in philosophy and a tai chi/yoga instructor. My sister is a writer. My mother is a Holocaust survivor. Basically, we are a bunch of very creative renegades. Jaffe: So are you more of a scientist or an artist? Sachs: The mental process that informs both is closely related. With a creative mind, one daydreams about ideas and problem solving. There is art in physics and vice versa.

Jaffe: So how does a child get interested in Judaic art? Sachs: As a youth, I was into forging famous signatures … exploring pen-and-ink techniques and playing with color. Visiting a Judaic store in Buffalo, I was asked if I could do calligraphy for my first ketubah, and the rest is history. I have custom-designed ketubot from the East Coast to Alaska … mostly consisting of intricate Victorian borders or Arabian design. The text is primary, so I pick elaborate designs to enhance the text, not play with it. Look closely and you’ll see areas that are personalized for the bride and groom. Here’s a pizza, the Ohio State logo, a cruise ship, cheese fries, the Knickerbocker Hotel and ballet slippers woven in but not detracting from the sacredness of the text of the world’s oldest valid legal contract. Jaffe: How long does it take you to complete one, and how much does it cost? Sachs: Anywhere from 100 to 150 hours and in the range of $2,000 and up, depending on the intricacy of the ornamentation. Note the handwritten text in Hebrew and English and that the bride’s name is in a different color than the groom’s. Jaffe: Your Jerusalem series is

breathtaking. Describe the process. Sachs: Back in the early ’80s, when I was creating a wide variety of works, a New York gallery owner advised me to get more focused and create a series. Having been to Israel three times, I undertook 10 original drawings/paintings in colored pencil on toned paper of the Old City: the Mount of Olives, Absalom’s Tomb, David’s City, the Old Jewish Quarter (before 1948). Some of these works reside in private collections; a few are still for sale. They are done on my trademark burgundy paper (or blue for a night scene), then glazed with colored pencil in many layers … actually in the tradition of the Renaissance masters. Jaffe: Your self-portraits are varied and dramatic. Sachs: Again, in the style of the old masters, I also use a Caravaggio style, which results in a very emotional feeling by using black fabric and a mirror and building up the rich color with abundant layering called glazing. Jaffe: Your collage paintings are rather startling. Like a rock album cover? Sachs: A few people have made the same observation. I call them conglomerates. My black-and-white “Eyes Have They” is a collection of famous eyes from Mao to Hitler and the

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SIMCHAS Beatles. Look very closely to see whose eyes you can recognize. I start in the middle, then work outwards to fill all the negative spaces.

I teach a group of periods that include Italian and Dutch Baroque painting, Italian Renaissance, Romanticism, Caravaggio and the Spaniards.

Jaffe: Describe your classroom style. Sachs: Never dull or boring. I believe that art history should be informative, intriguing and entertaining. Every lecture is a performance that includes histrionics, sound effects, colorful anecdotes, the history of ideas and images, and the character of each period’s culture. In my course “Historic Studio Practices,” I have students study a historical period and then teach them how to paint like the masters of that time. They use art supplies that are specific to the era. They start with a wooden panel and create an oil painting from a preliminary drawing using a white pencil only to the almost-finished oil. I am told this is the only course of its kind in the U.S.

Jaffe: What’s next? Sachs: I am curating an exhibition at Kennesaw State University’s Zuckerman Museum of Art that will feature Romantic American landscape paintings from KSU’s permanent collection. It will run from June to August. In conjunction with that, I will also complete a collection of progressive panels demonstrating what stages lead up to a completed oil painting in the Renaissance tradition. Spectators will internalize the process. And, of course, my students are the most important mission. Can you believe that KSU has grown to a student body of over 30,000 since our merger with Southern Polytechnic? It makes your head spin! ■

The most elaborate of Daniel Sachs’ ketubah designs, this ink-and-watercolor piece uses ornaments taken from Arabian tiles, buildings and other objects so that the intricately woven filigree patterns enhance the importance of the text.

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The Art of Daniel Sachs

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

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A: This is a mizrach, a nonreligious piece of ornamental art work found in Jewish homes for centuries. It is hung on the eastern wall of a home, causing an observer to face Jerusalem. B: Daniel Sachs created this self-portrait in oil on a canvas board in one week in 1987 after twice visiting a John Singer Sargent retrospective at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. C: Daniel Sachs’ “I Have Hand” is a pencil study of hand gestures that have been part of American and British culture for generations. D: The pencil drawing “David’s City in Moonlight” is part of Daniel Sachs’ 10-piece Jerusalem series. It’s the only one done on blue paper to re-create nighttime. E: The title of “Eyes Have They,” the ninth in Daniel Sachs’ series of conglomerate drawings (graphite and pen and ink on paper), comes from Genesis. Abraham says to his father: “Eyes have they, but they see not. Ears have they, but they hear not.” The eyes belong to people from history who have moved Sachs, including his late father. F: This work of ink and watercolor on paper uses a quote the customer supplied from the Book of Samuel and a design Daniel Sachs created based on the customer’s love for Southern flowers. G: This oil painting of Albert Einstein, marking the centennial of the physicist’s birth in 1979, was a gift to Daniel Sachs’ father, Mendel, who idolized Einstein and continued his work. H: Drawn on his trademark burgundy paper for his Jerusalem series, “Jerusalem: The Old Jewish Quarter” is inspired by Daniel Sachs’ year of study in Jerusalem at the Hebrew University in 1976-77 and is based on a pre-1948 photograph. The domed building at the top, the Hurva Synagogue, was destroyed by the Jordanians in 1948 and rebuilt in 2010. I: Daniel Sachs has experimented with digital photography in black-mirror portraits to reproduce the dramatic lighting effects of Caravaggio. This portrait is the artist with his 85-year-old mother, Yetty Sachs, a Holocaust survivor.

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When You Dislike Your Stepchildren

ometimes your wedding comes with a ready-made family. So what do you do if you find that although you love your spouse, you dislike your stepchildren? They are inseparable. Your spouse had children before he or she met you. They are dependent on him or her and should and will, let’s hope, always be your spouse’s first priority. If a new spouse cannot accept that situation, in my humble opinion (IMHO, as the new generation says), the relationship is doomed. But what if you dislike your stepchildren? There is a lot there. What if your spouse also dislikes the children? Yes, it happens. Parents and children grow apart. But as a divorce lawyer who has seen my share of stepparent-stepchild relationships, I believe that the stepparent must be a “step-back” parent. The stepparent cannot be the primary disciplinarian, instructor and guidance counselor. The parent must be primary, or things get askew.

Sure, there are exceptions, and I am by no means a psychologist. But we often see children desperately wanting their parent to be their parent and

Guest Column By Randy Kessler rkessler@ksfamilylaw.com

treating the stepparent as the adversary (even if the stepparent is actually their best advocate). So what to do? First, if you really not only dislike the stepchildren, but actually can’t stand them, please consider whether the relationship is worth it and will survive over time. Seek individual therapy and think about the long term. Not only can a bad relationship with stepchildren be uncomfortable, but it also can get worse as children get older. And that places the parent at a true risk of having to choose between spouse and children. What a horrible dilemma.

But if the choice has been made and you decide to try your best to make it work despite disliking the stepchildren, you have an immense task ahead, and I don’t envy you. There will be times when the children want to do things alone with their parent. Let them. Let’s hope they appreciate your allowing them the time. Maybe they even will realize that they are being rude and that you should be included. Their parent may choose you and love you, but the children did not choose you. They have to learn who you are and see for themselves why their parent chose you and loves you. And you can hope that they will of their own volition. Certainly your spouse should support minimum requirements of decorum and respect, but the balance is to let children grow into a new situation. This is their entire universe. As one judge I appeared before years ago put it, “Just as the children’s empire is imploding, to make it even harder, a new emperor is installed.” So be patient, hope for the best and love your partner. Kids grow up,

Even if it is never acknowledged, being a supportive, loving and considerate stepparent is one of the most important jobs a new spouse can have. graduate and move on (in most cases). Then you will be left with memories of how you handled things, and you want to feel good about that. Even if it is never acknowledged, being a supportive, loving and considerate stepparent is one of the most important jobs a new spouse can have. In today’s world of new family arrangements, being an adult takes on a new meaning. We all get only one childhood. Let’s do our very best to give every child the best one we can. ■ Randy Kessler is the founding partner of the family law firm Kessler & Solomiany (www.ksfamilylaw.com) in downtown Atlanta and former chairman of the American Bar Association’s Family Law Section. A version of this column originally appeared in Divorce Magazine.

BAR /BAT MITZVAHS

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Hair Mail to Israel

Toco Hills family delivers six women’s hair for wigs for children with cancer By April Basler abasler@atljewishtimes.com

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

essica Wilson, a Toco Hills resident and social worker at Emory University, has donated her hair since college to organizations that make wigs for people with cancer. A free haircut first drew her in, and she has grown and donated 10 to 12 inches of her hair every two years since then, a total of 10 times. Hair donation is a simple and easy way for Wilson to give back to the community. “I have tons of hair. It’s really thick. It grows quickly. It was a no-brainer for me,” she said. She has donated to Locks of Love, which makes wigs for children with cancer across the United States; Pantene Beautiful Lengths, which makes wigs for women with cancer; and a national hair donation event put on by Hadassah. Two years ago, Wilson became friends with a couple from Israel who were working at her synagogue, Young

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The Wilson family arrives at Zichron Menachem with six bags of donated hair in February.

Israel of Toco Hills, and Atlanta Jewish Academy, which Wilson’s three boys attend. The couple’s two daughters were donating their hair to an organization in Jerusalem called Zichron Menachem, which makes wigs for Israeli children who have cancer. “They said that there’s this program in Israel that’s very much like Locks of Love, but it’s the Israeli version,” Wilson said. “They make wigs for children in Israel. It’s a much smaller organization than Locks of Love. You really know that it’s going to the kids. That’s when I first got introduced to Zi-

chron Menachem.” Once that other family returned to Israel, the older daughter was diagnosed with cancer and was expected to lose her hair through chemo. Wilson donated her hair to Zichron Menachem in the hope that the girl she knew would receive it. She mailed the hair through the organization’s office in New York. Wilson later learned that the girl didn’t lose her hair after all and was actually in remission and healthy. Over the summer, Wilson’s hair was long enough to donate again. A co-worker at Emory told her she had always wanted to donate her hair but was afraid. Wilson encouraged her to donate and said they would do it together. Wilson’s co-worker agreed to donate her hair to Zichron Menachem as well, and the original plan was to mail the hair again through the New York office. But Wilson and her family decided to travel to Israel several months later in honor of her son Simmy’s upcoming bar mitzvah celebration, and she wanted to donate the hair in person. She called Zichron Menachem and made the arrangements. Word spread around Toco Hills about her hair donation, and soon four other women she knew asked Wilson to bring their donated hair with her to the organization in Israel. Wilson agreed to bring hair donations from Garet Green, Esther Kaiser, Simcha Frieda Kaiser, Mindy Tanenbaum and Chava Neiditch. Wilson said she was overwhelmed about transporting that much hair. “They have tight security when you go on planes to Israel,” she said. “I was thinking, ‘What if they stop me and say, “What is all this hair?” What if I explain it and they say, “No, you can’t take it?” What if they say it’s too suspicious?’ ” But Wilson had no problems taking the hair to Israel. Wilson and her family visited Zichron Menachem in Jerusalem on the last day of a 10-day trip to Israel in February. She carried the hair everywhere she traveled and was protective of it because the other women were counting on her to donate it. Wilson and her family were blown away when the visited Zichron Menachem and found out that the facility does much more than make wigs for children. The organization is named after a boy who was diagnosed with cancer at 18 months old and fought for

Zichron Menachem’s facilities for children with cancer and their families include a library, an arcade and a music room.

15 years before dying in 1991. Zichron Menachem has many activities and services for children with cancer and their families, including video arcades, gyms, movies, music lessons, air hockey, pool tables, social workers, reflexologists and counseling. Kids are taken there from the hospital so they can enjoy themselves and stop thinking about being sick. Offerings for parents include massage therapy and exercise classes. Everything at Zichron Menachem is free, thanks to private donations and volunteers. Families from across Israel visit the facility, and its support programs are connected with hospitals around the country. “I would love to see this spread to the United States,” Wilson said. “At the very least, people should know about this and think about donating to this because it’s such an amazing place. It’s specifically helping children in Israel.” Wilson suggests donating to Zichron Menachem instead of Locks of Love because the Israeli organization is a much smaller program, enabling you to see the benefits of your donation. She plans to donate her hair as long as she can, although she will most likely mail it to Zichron Menachem next time unless she knows someone else who is going to Israel and willing to make the special delivery. ■

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Simmy Wilson and brother Mikey are shown before and after getting their heads shaved for St. Baldrick’s last year.

By April Basler abasler@atljewishtimes.com

he Wilson family continues to give back to children with cancer, and once again it is hairrelated. Simmy Wilson, son of Jessica and Joey Wilson of Toco Hills, decided for his bar mitzvah project to shave his head for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a volunteer-powered charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long, healthy lives. Simmy, a seventh-grader at Atlanta Jewish Academy, has raised over $5,000 for St. Baldrick’s this year, in addition to money he raised in previous years. He participated in one of several events around Atlanta on Friday, March 11, at Fado Irish Pub in Buckhead. “I did this because I thought I was lucky to not have cancer, and there are kids that are not lucky. So I wanted to raise money for them to find a cure for them,” Simmy said. “Also, my dad raised money for St. Baldrick’s for the past 11 years.” The Wilson family found out about St. Baldrick’s 11 years ago from friends working at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite. Simmy watched his father shave his head for St. Baldrick’s all those years, and the son has joined the father in having his head shaved the past three years. Simmy and Joey shaved their heads as part of the AFLAC team at Children’s at Scottish Rite. The entire team raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“It felt like I really wanted to do it much more this year because it was for my bar mitzvah,” Simmy said. “And I got my friend to do it with me.” That friend raised $1,000 for St. Baldrick’s by having his head shaved. Simmy has gotten a lot of positive feedback for St. Baldrick’s from his peers as well as from adults. Many of his friends donated money for him to shave his head, and about 10 friends came to watch and cheer him on along with his relatives. Oftentimes at St. Baldrick’s events, children who are sick attend, as do doctors and nurses who are treating sick children. “Sometimes it’s very emotional because you’ll see surgeons having their patients whose lives they have saved shaving their heads,” Jessica said. “It’s a really nice thing to witness. The patients would come and shave the surgeon’s heads.” Two years ago, Jessica and Joey Wilson took their children to a hospital to teach them that cancer could happen to anyone, even children. There was a boy they visited in the hospital who was exactly Simmy’s age. A month after the visit, the boy died. “Simmy really felt like ‘That could be me because he’s no different than me. He just happens to have cancer,’ ” Jessica said. “That was important for me to teach him. Cancer isn’t one of these diseases you can catch or that you need to stay away from. It just happens.” Simmy will be called to the Torah to become a bar mitzvah Saturday, May 7, at Young Israel of Toco Hills. It’s not too late to donate to Simmy’s St. Baldrick’s fund. Just go to www. stbaldricks.org/participants/simmy. ■

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

Bald Head Boosts Bar Mitzvah Project

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Special in Toronto

Simcha shows son’s family is at home By Arlene Caplan Appelrouth aappelrouth@atljewishtimes.com

hen I boarded the Delta flight to Toronto, my thoughts and feelings put me in a kaleidoscopic vortex of emotion. I was going to my oldest grandson Raphael’s bar mitzvah ceremony at an Orthodox outreach synagogue where my son David has been the assistant rabbi since 2007. It’s his first job as a rabbi, which he began after 11 years of total immersion studying Torah in Jerusalem. He’s probably the only graduate of Pace Academy to become a yeshiva bocher. He married Dalia, and they had two children before he returned to North America as an Orthodox rabbi. When Raphael was born in Jerusalem, my heart opened to the special love between a grandmother and grandchild. I had no idea how much love I would have for the son of my son. In spite of the thousands of miles between Atlanta and Jerusalem, I visited often, maintained a close relation-

ship by telephone and did everything possible to be a part of my grandson’s life. My husband, Dan, and I had been looking forward to the bar mitzvah ceremony for almost a year. But two months before the simcha, Dan fell off a bicycle, landed in the hospital for 10 days and was transported to a facility for rehabilitation. When I got on the plane, I left Dan at the Jewish Home, where he had been for five weeks and remains as I write this column. The five days I spent in Toronto filled me with pride and were soul satisfying in a way that doesn’t happen often. The events were extraordinary. It wasn’t only that my grandson was self-confident and had mastered everything necessary to become a bar mitzvah or that his reading from the Torah was flawless. Raphael has always been an exceptional student who takes his responsibilities seriously. His performance as a bar mitzvah was consistent with the person he has always been.

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Raphael Appelrouth with his bubbe, Arlene Appelrouth

The Temmy Latner Jewish Community Centre in Forest Hill had just moved. My grandson’s simcha was the first in the elegant, beautiful new building. The Shabbos services had an air of excitement not only because the rabbi’s son was called to the Torah, but also because the Torah itself was now housed in a magnificent aron kodesh. There were many things to celebrate and enjoy in Toronto. My daughter, Michelle, and her family, who live outside Washington in Silver Spring, Md., came for the simcha. My son Jed, who lives in Atlanta, was there. Aunts, uncles and cousins flew or drove to Toronto. It isn’t often that our scattered family gets together. Sharing meals, services and other activities enhanced the experience. It was simply wonderful to be together. My daughter-in-law is a perfectionist. Everything was well planned. The hospitality bags containing drinks and snacks, all the catered meals over the long weekend, and the fact that guests were told again and again how grateful the family was that they had come — all contributed to the joy of celebrating with Raphael. It’s hard to describe the nachas I felt listening as my son David gave the sermon. His delivery was impressive not only because his words re-

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AJT 38

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vealed what a Torah scholar he is, but also because his easygoing personality, warmth and sense of humor came across loud and clear, reinforcing for me, as his mother, why David is beloved by people wherever he goes. It was heart-warming to see the way the Toronto Appelrouths are embraced by the Forest Hill Jewish community. It wasn’t only the congregants of the shul who participated in the simcha. Rabbis and others from all over Toronto came to celebrate with the family and wish them mazel tov. My son is the assistant rabbi of the Temmy Latner Jewish Community Centre. When the founding rabbi spoke to Raphael during Shabbos services, he said the whole community thinks of him as “our son.” Rabbi Elie Karfunkel was generous with his praise of David and Dalia and how much they give to their community. What’s more important than knowing you are appreciated for who you are and belong where you are? By virtue of what he accomplished regarding his Jewish learning, Raphael knows who he is and where he belongs. I witnessed the love and appreciation the congregation has for my son, my daughter-in-law and each of their five children. Simchas don’t get any better than that. ■

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SIMCHAS

A Time for Singing

Hello, Goodbye & Peace release simcha album By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

ello, Goodbye & Peace, a musical project of Rabbi Micah Lapidus, his wife, Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus, and Congregation Bet Haverim Chorus Director Will Robertson, have released their third album. “Eit HaZamir,” which means “a time for singing,” was released Feb. 19. It is a collection of songs written for simchas and other lifecycle events. “Loren and I started composing lifecycle music to use at family celebrations mostly as a way of bringing authenticity and warmth to those events,” Rabbi Micah Lapidus said. “This album is a collection of those songs.” “We’re at more weddings and baby namings than the average person,” said his wife, one of the rabbis at The Temple. “They’re all special and wonderful, but as a rabbi, how do you take what you do all the time and then when you’re doing your own lifecycle event take those moments and make them feel unique and special?” The two rabbis have created a 10-track album with songs focusing on

some of the most important Jewish lifecycle events. The opening track, “Zeh Hayom,” conveys a message of gratitude and celebration and is meant to be played at any simcha. The two rabbis wrote the album’s next four tracks for weddings, and the final five songs explore the miracle of children with songs for baby namings, births and blessings over the children. “What makes this album different from our other two is that this is just a love for our family and friends,” Rabbi Micah Lapidus said. “These songs are completely animated purely through love.” The group’s first two albums were commissioned by the Davis Academy, where Rabbi Micah Lapidus is the director of Jewish and Hebrew studies. The rabbi had seen Robertson performing at Bet Haverim soon after moving to Atlanta in 2012 and asked him to collaborate on the first album. The two have been making music ever since. Robertson has performed on, produced and recorded all three Hello,

Photo by David R. Cohen

Hello, Goodbye & Peace — Rabbis Micah and Loren Lapidus and Bet Haverim Chorus Director Will Robertson — visit the AJT offices March 17 to play a few songs from their new album. Check out their performance at youtube.com/watch?v=d_oUbdqzRgg.

Goodbye & Peace albums at his own Gallop Studios in Ashford Park. “It’s been a really amazing and fruitful relationship working with Micah and Loren,” he said. “Through those first two albums and especially this one, it’s been really interesting to watch how the writing has evolved. We’ve both kind of grown together, learned about each other, and hopefully we’re creating music now that

people will be moved by.” The trio hope that songs from this album will become a part of Jewish lifecycle events. But the goal, Rabbi Micah Lapidus said, is to not be involved. “My music is much more beautiful if I don’t have to be involved,” he said. “So the greatest joy would be showing up to a wedding and not knowing anyone there and hearing one of my songs.” ■

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AJT 39

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SIMCHAS

JF&CS Celebrates 125 Years With $6.6M Campaign By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

ewish Family & Career Services doubled up on the nachas Thursday afternoon, March 17, celebrating its first annual meeting under CEO Rick Aranson, then breaking ground on its campus expansion and upgrade with the successful completion of a 16-month capital campaign. That campaign started in November 2014 with a goal of $5.1 million, and JF&CS President John Perlman acknowledged skepticism about being able to raise that much during a slow recovery from recession in a Jewish community being asked for money for several major capital campaigns. Last fall JF&CS revealed that rising construction costs had pushed the target to almost $5.5 million to complete the project as envisioned — consolidating services at the agency’s Dunwoody campus by bringing all the Tools for Independence training there, improving confidentiality in counseling, creating an area for internal and community collaboration, and generally ensuring, as Aranson said, that the facilities match the quality of the services JF&CS provides. Campaign co-chairs Perlman and Cherie Aviv, backed by honorary chairs Lois Blonder and Ann and Michael Kay, more than did their job: Perlman officially closed the campaign March 17 with a total of $6.6 million raised. The extra money will enable JF&CS to include some options in the project, such as new paint for the entire exterior, so that the old areas of the 1970s-era complex fit with the topquality additions. Construction is expected to take nine months, with the new facilities ready in January. Donors embraced the capital campaign and kept giving even when the goal was reached because JF&CS represents a Jewish community of caring, Perlman said. “People recognize it’s important to support that.” The crowning gift of the campaign came from the Walter and Frances Bunzl Family Foundation, represented at the Dunwoody groundbreaking and the earlier annual meeting at Congregation B’nai Torah in Sandy Springs by matriarch Frances Bunzl and her daughter, Suzy Bunzl Wilner, who were the first recipients of the ceremonial yellow hard hats for the celebration. The meeting included the announcement of two annual awards: 40 the Herbert Kohn Meritorious Service

AJT

Last year’s winner, JF&CS Comptroller John Jordan, (right) presents the Fialkow Staff Appreciation Award to Chris Greer, who gets a laugh out of the fancy ribbon on the award. Greer, a graphic designer, took leadership of the Renterpiece program in 2015 and had to tie countless bows himself.

(From left) Dunwoody Mayor Denis Shortal, Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, JF&CS CEO Rick Aranson, JF&CS Vice President Cherie Aviv, DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester, JF&CS President John Perlman, and Dunwoody Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Stephanie Snodgrass bring the shovels to bear on the future site of the agency’s Tools for Independence building.

Photos by Michael Jacobs

Frances Bunzl (right) and daughter Suzy Bunzl Wilner try on their ceremonial hard hats at the JF&CS annual meeting with agency CEO Rick Aranson.

It’s a beautiful day for a groundbreaking in Dunwoody on March 17.

Rick Aranson (left) says “consultant” underplays the role his predecessor as CEO, Gary Miller, played in the capital campaign.

Award to Cherie Aviv, the agency’s vice president of program, planning and evaluation, and the Stacy G. Fialkow Staff Appreciation Award to Chris Greer, a graphic designer. All the good news came as JF&CS marked the 125th anniversary of its first predecessor agency, the Montefiore Relief Association, created in response to the influx of Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe. The annual meeting also provided an opportunity for Aranson to lay out his plans for the agency after nine months as CEO. He said three things will drive

JF&CS into the future: impact, adaptability and sustainability. For impact, JF&CS wants to help clients achieve self-sufficiency and improve quality of life. For adaptability, the agency is shifting from trying to deliver all services for which it finds a need to focusing on integration and collaboration with such partner agencies as Jewish Home Life Communities, the Marcus Jewish Community Center, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Sometimes such collaboration

JF&CS President John Perlman pulls out the golden shovels for the groundbreaking.

will lead to something more: Aranson noted that JF&CS officially acquired One Good Deed, a nonprofit agency serving the elderly, on March 1. As for sustainability, Aranson said it will be a consideration from Day 1 for any program JF&CS takes on. Fiscal responsibility and entrepreneurial innovation will go hand in hand as the agency strives to meet the needs of new clients, new volunteers and new donors. After 125 years, JF&CS is moving confidently into the future, Aranson said. “We will get there.” ■

YOUTH

Photos courtesy of Mag-nificent for the Marcus JCC

Teenagers volunteer inside and outside to help animals, the elderly and others March 6.

J-Serve Teaches Teens To Make Difference

n old man watches a boy at the beach bend over and pick up starfish after starfish and throw them into the sea. The man tells the boy that there are thousands of starfish for miles along the beach and that he will never make a difference. In response, the boy bends over, picks up another starfish, throws it into the sea and says, “But for this one I am making a difference.” This parable, told by Rabbi Brian Glusman, acted as the kickoff Sunday, March 6, of the Atlanta session of JServe, an international day of Jewish youth service that every year inspires over 10,000 Jewish teens to take part in improving their local communities. That day, 250 Atlanta Jewish middle-schoolers and high-schoolers met at the Marcus Jewish Community Center to participate in 10 service and advocacy projects. One project that left participants with a sense of fulfillment was “Am Yisrael Chai! Remember and Respond: Holocaust Awareness and Refugees.” The program kicked off with the students watching a video produced by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. It’s “not enough to curse the darkness of the past. Above all, we have to illuminate the future,” Holocaust survivor Estelle Laughlin says in the video. That’s the core message of sponsoring partner Am Yisrael Chai, which focuses on Holocaust education and genocide prevention. “We need to remember the past and then apply those lessons to today’s world by standing up to support those who face genocide or other humanitarian crises,” said Andrea Videlefsky, who leads Am Yisrael Chai. After the video, the teens packed 50 knapsacks with school supplies and toothbrushes and delivered them to a community of refugees in Clarkston,

where the youths heard the story of a Sudanese refugee, Philemon Juac Gor. Gor told of his experience as one of the “Lost Boys” of Sudan. During the second Sudanese civil war from 1983 to 2005, 20,000 ethnically Neur and Dinka boys were orphaned and displaced. On their journey to refuge, nearly half of the Lost Boys died of starvation, dehydration and diseases such as malaria or were killed by wild animals or enemy soldiers. In 2001, Gor and 3,800 other Lost Boys were authorized to move to the United States as refugees. He told the students that people still are killing each other in South Sudan, where “school is held under a tree even now,” and that genocide is happening around the world. “It was really nice to hear about his individual experience and how we take so many things for granted,” said Katie Freedman, a junior at Walton High School. Other students learned that they have the ability to change the world. Aden Levine, an eighth-grader at Atlanta Jewish Academy, said, “It’s inspiring to hear everyone’s stories and know that we can make a difference.” Gor, meanwhile, was touched by the generosity of the students. “It makes me so really happy. Sometimes it (seeing the volunteers) makes me want to cry. … I encourage you to keep doing these things.” Public service, Videlefsky said, should not be underemphasized. She told the students: “You’re going to go to get a great education … to become great leaders and things like that. If you can always do it through the prism of wanting to help other people and make this world a better place, this is where it starts. With one small action, one person can make a big difference.” ■ Alex Hoff is a marketing professional in his native city of Atlanta.

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AJT 41

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ARTS

KehillaFest Keeps Spreading the Joy

Photos by Michael Jacobs

Dozens of people dance in front of the stage during Soulfarm’s encore.

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

oulfarm had members and friends of The Kehilla and fans of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival dancing from the balcony to the front of the stage Sunday night, March 20, at KehillaFest, which celebrated six years of the Sandy Springs community led by Rabbi Karmi Ingber and honored the contributions of Matt and Diane Marks. Rabbi Ingber told two stories to illustrate what The Kehilla is. First, he told of Yankel, the lone Jew in a town in Ireland. Yankel loved to barbecue on Fridays before Shabbat, aggravating his Catholic neighbors, who abstained from meat on Fridays. The local priest advised the townspeople to get Yankel to convert to Catholicism. Yankel agreed, and during the conversion ceremony he was told that he was born a Jew and was raised a Jew but now was a Christian. The next Friday, the smell of barbecue filled the town again, and the angry neighbors headed to Yankel’s house to confront him. As they approached, they heard him tell the cooking meat: “You were born a cow. You were raised a cow. Now you are a fish.” The point is that you have to know who you are and name yourself appropriately, Rabbi Ingber said. That’s

AJT 42

Rabbi Karmi Ingber, himself a veteran of rock bands, dons his musician hat, along with his guitar and harmonica, for a few songs before Soulfarm’s show.

Soulfarm lead singer Noah Solomon Chase (left) and bassist Mitch Friedman

how The Kehilla, which means “community,” got its name: “We named our community ‘community.’ ” The story drew laughs and brought joy to the crowd, which the rabbi said is the point of the annual celebration of KehillaFest. The second story was about one Rosh Hashanah when Rabbi Ingber told of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach visiting a prison and hugging prisoners, culminating in a big, tough prisoner demanding a second hug and telling Rabbi Carlebach that if anyone had hugged him like that when he was growing up, he wouldn’t be in prison. When he told that story to The Kehilla, Rabbi Ingber recalled, there wasn’t a dry eye in the sanctuary, and Matt Marks stood up and said, “Rabbi, give me a hug.” That hug set off 40 minutes of spontaneous hugging while the Rosh Hashanah service waited. That incident reflected the closeness of The Kehilla and the leadership of Matt Marks, who was the president of the community for its first six years. Marks, in accepting the congregation’s recognition of him and his wife, shared the most important lesson he has learned from years of Torah study and involvement with The Kehilla: “G-d is always in our lives. He’s not just a spectator.” ■

Kehilla President Malcolm Joel praises Matt and Diane Marks, as well as their dog, Betsy

Diane Marks looks over the crowd before KehillaFest concert.

Drummer Ben Antelis (out of the frame) keeps the beat for C Lanzbom and Noah Solomon Chase.

Matt Marks recounts his journey, powered by Torah and Talmud study, to The Kehilla.

Soulfarm lead guitarist C Lanzbom

Soulfarm’s Noah Solomon Chase switches from guitar to a drum.

ARTS

Young Filmmaker Blazes Path for Orthodox Girls By Tova Norman

Carmelle Danneman

doing in the industry and how everyone was paving their own path,” she said. What did they think of her being so young and still in college? “People were very impressed that I got into this particular festival at such a young age,” she said. Danneman took all that she learned at the festival back to New York, where she continues to write scripts and work on films. She hopes to work toward a future in the film industry when she graduates in May. “The ultimate goal of my films is to get messages across to audiences and to inspire them, and I hope that will keep motivating me throughout the rest of my life, and hopefully that will keep me going,” she said. Although, as the director and producer of her own films, she realizes money will be an important part of continuing to create films, becoming rich and famous does not motivate Danneman. “If you want it to be meaningful to you, you can’t really be in it for the money,” she said. She also has an eye toward the future of filmmaking for other women, particularly Orthodox Jewish women. “I might not be the greatest filmmaker out there and might never win an Academy Award, but hopefully I’m paving the way for another little girl that could someday,” she said. “The Puppeteer” will be screened at the New Media Film Festival in Los Angeles in June. It will not be available to watch online until it is no longer being shown at film festivals. Danneman’s award-winning “Send in the Clowns’ is available to watch on her website, www.georgiapeachproductions.com. ■

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s Carmelle Danneman’s family became more observant when she was growing up, she looked for ways to continue to embrace her love of acting and film — and found writing and directing. “I kind of wanted to do this to prove to everyone that I could do it, that even as an Orthodox Jew I didn’t have to compromise my faith in order to pursue my passion and make a difference in the world,” she said. Danneman, a 21-year-old senior graduating from Yeshiva University’s Stern College for Women in May, is doing just that. She recently premiered her short film “The Puppeteer” at the Cinequest Film Festival in San Jose, Calif. It is the second film Danneman, a graduate of Greenfield Hebrew Academy and Yeshiva Atlanta (now Atlanta Jewish Academy), has submitted to film festivals. In 2015 her film “Send in the Clowns” won the Audience Choice Award at the Fifty-Four Film Fest in Nashville, Tenn. Cinequest is an Oscar-nominating festival, which means films that win their category awards can be nominated for Oscars. In fact a few short films from Cinequest have won Academy Awards in recent years. This year’s festival attracted record audiences topping 105,000. Danneman’s short film screened three times during the festival as part of the “Mindbenders” shorts series. The film is about a 9-year-old boy named Jordan who sees puppet strings up to the sky, attached to everyone. His mom doesn’t see the strings. He and his friend talk about the strings and wonder whether anything is attached to them. At each screening, including one at midnight on a Saturday, the theater was sold out. Danneman had the opportunity to speak with the audiences afterward. “They had really awesome questions, and I got really great feedback,” she said. The festival also gave Danneman the opportunity to meet the other directors. Being a college student was intimidating at first, but Danneman was able to approach the older directors, speak with them and learn from them. “It was great to meet different directors and see what other people are

AJT 43

ARTS

OBITUARIES

Exposing Hitler’s Big Year JCC’s ‘Mayor of Main Street’ Dies at 102 By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

he closer Donald Trump has gotten to the GOP presidential nomination, the more comparisons have been made between the billionaire businessman and Adolf Hitler. From the violence at his rallies to racist and anti-Semitic comments by some of his supporters to those rightarms-raised pledges of personal allegiance, Trump’s critics haven’t been shy about calling him a fascist and likening him to the ultimate evil. One of the people best qualified to address such comparisons is coming to Atlanta to speak at the Carter Presidential Library on Wednesday, March 30: Athens native Peter Ross Range, who will be discussing his new book, “1924: The Year That Made Hitler.” From 1919 to 1923, Hitler was a “wild and crazy revolutionary” who saw no other path to power, Range said. But his Munich putsch in 1923 was a failure, killing 15 of his men and landing him in jail on treason charges. “He had time to reflect on the error of his ways in prison,” Range said. “It was his 40-days-in-the-wilderness experience,” leading to the realization that he had to gain power legally. Range, who studied in Germany while in college and spent the first four years of his journalism career there, found a gap in the English-language scholarship on Hitler regarding 1924, when he was tried for treason, went to prison and wrote “Mein Kampf.” By digging into German archival sources, including the transcripts of Hitler’s five-week treason trial, newspaper coverage of the trial, and the published and unpublished letters of Rudolf Hess, Range said he had an intellectual adventure that led to plenty of surprises. Among them: • The putsch was a close-run thing, at least in Bavaria. Hitler could have triggered a German civil war in 1923. • Hitler almost committed suicide in jail and went on a hunger strike. • He was so successful at turning around his treason trial and making it about the failures of the German government that a five-person judicial panel didn’t want to convict him. Only the prospect of parole after six months of the minimum five-year sentence enabled the court to get a conviction. • Hitler did not dictate “Mein Kampf” to a fellow prisoner. He typed it himself, using a new, New York-made 44 Remington typewriter.

AJT

It’s also a myth that Germany banned sales of “Mein Kampf” until last fall, Range said. The copyright holder simply refused to print it or allow anyone else to do so. Now the book is in the public domain, and Range said the resulting scholarly edition should have been produced 10 or 20 years ago. “It’s no longer Hitler’s book. It’s now a researchers’ book,” Range said, noting that scholars produced 1,200 pages of annotations to the 800-page best seller that made Hitler rich. The new edition shows how Hitler’s mind worked and what a fraud he was, Range added. “It’s a wonderful teaching tool.” Range’s Carter Library appearance is bringing him full circle. When he was articles editor for Playboy in 1976, Range pushed for the magazine to interview Jimmy Carter as the likely Democratic presidential nominee. The magazine interviewed Carter, who famously acknowledged having “lust in my heart.” As for those Hitler-Trump comparisons, Range sees more similarities between Trump and George Wallace, who used voter bigotry and disaffection with the political establishment to run for president in 1968 and 1972 and whose absence in 1976 cleared the way for Carter to sweep the South. Range said Hitler was intellectually deeper than Trump appears to be: Hitler distorted history, but he studied it and understood how he was twisting it. The obvious similarity lies in their promotion of themselves, Range said. “The main thing Hitler sold was Hitler. That’s Trump’s message. The program is Donald Trump.” ■

idney Cojac, affectionately if unofficially known as the Marcus Jewish Community Center’s “Mayor of Main Street,” died Thursday, March 17, 2016, four months after he celebrated his 102nd birthday at Huntcliff Summit, his home in Sandy Springs for the last decade of his life. “Sid Cojac was a beloved member of the MJCCA, and his legacy will live on through the many programs and groups in which he was an active participant,” Marcus JCC Chief Executive Officer Jared Powers said. “Sid embodied what the MJCCA is all about, and his cheerful attitude and positive outlook on life should serve as a testament to us all about aging with grace.” Born in Harlem, N.Y., in November 1913 to Rose and Harry Cojac, he wound up outliving three sisters, three brothers, and two wives, Elaine and Edith, and multiple battles with cancer, but he never lost his zest for life. He considered the JCC his home away from home, and the center honored him with a reserved parking

Sid Cojac celebrates his 102nd birthday in November at Huntcliff Summit.

space for the 1997 Lexus he drove even beyond his 102nd birthday. Cojac’s legacy includes the game pickleball, which he introduced at the Marcus JCC. The game plays like badminton standing atop the table and using a Wiffle ball. Cojac’s survivors include daughter Roni Mintz, son Stuart Cojac and four grandchildren. The funeral was Monday morning, March 21. ■

Celia Gleser 91, Atlanta

Celia Gleser, 91, passed away Friday, March 18, 2016, in Atlanta after complications from pneumonia and Parkinson’s disease. She was born in Lithuania to Julius and Sara Schochat on Jan. 21, 1925. Celia was a Holocaust survivor, and after the Second World War she settled in Germany and met her husband, Iljusha. In the early 1950s they moved to the United States with their first son and settled in Buffalo, N.Y. Celia became a U.S. citizen in 1954, raised both her sons in Buffalo, and relocated to Atlanta in 1978. She had a long and successful career with First Atlanta as a bank teller and later manager of the Emory branch. She was very devoted to her children, her family and her friends and was actively involved with the City of Hope and various Holocaust survivor events through the Jewish Family & Career Services organization in Atlanta. Celia is survived by her son, Ira; her niece, Edith Leff; her daughter-in-law, Flavia; and her grandchildren. Her funeral was held Sunday, March 20, at Arlington Memorial Park with Rabbi Judith Beiner officiating.

Joel Sirower 72, Dunwoody Who: Peter Ross Range What: “1924: The Year That Made Hitler” Where: Carter Presidential Museum Theater, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 30 Admission: Free; 404-865-7109 or www.hitler1924.com

Joel Sirower, 72, of Dunwoody, born May 4, 1943, in Wilmington, N.C., passed away Tuesday, March 15, 2016. He worked for Life of Georgia for 25 years and enjoyed computers, biking and golf. Joel is survived by his aunt, Doris Frank; his sisters, Anna Romano and Sheila Bleich (Allan); nieces and nephews Suzanne Holt (Neil), Anthony Romano (Lisa), Sheryl Jones (Bruce) and Shayna Howard (Morgan); and great-nieces and -nephews Chelsea and Kayla Dunn, Eli and Emma Romano, Noah and Sophie Jones, and Eliza and Jack Howard. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were

OBITUARIES held Wednesday, March 16, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Ilan Feldman officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Howard Vandroff 81, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

Howard Vandroff of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., formerly of Lakeland, Fla., passed away Saturday, March 19, 2016. He was born May 5, 1934, the son of Dorothy and Harry Vandroff. He graduated from Lakeland Senior High School, then went on to the University of Florida, where he was a member of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and received a B.A. degree. He then attended Naval Officer Candidate School and served as a gunnery officer on the U.S.S. Neosho. He retired from the Navy Reserve with the rank of lieutenant commander. Howard was the owner and president of Yarnall Warehouse and Transfer in Lakeland. He sold his business and retired in 1989. In retirement, Howard and his wife, Arlene, moved to Ponte Vedra Beach. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed traveling and spending time with family and friends. Howard is survived by his beloved wife, Arlene Gamce Vandroff, whom he married in May 1966; his son, Mark (Jennifer); his daughter, Debbie (Doug); and his three granddaughters, Brooke, Carly and Vivian. Funeral services were held Monday, March 21, at Ponte Vedra Valley Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Weber School Fund (www.weberschool.org), 6751 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30328, or a charity of the donor’s choice. Please sign the online guestbook at www.pontevedravalley. com. May his name always be for a blessing.

George Wise 85, Atlanta

George Wise, 85, of Atlanta passed away Sunday, March 20, 2016. George grew up in Cincinnati, attended the University of Cincinnati and proudly served his country in the Korean War. After the war, he met and married his beloved wife, Jane, with whom he spent the next 60 years. In that time George worked with his father-in-law in the meatpacking business and later became a manufacturer’s representative for ladies’ apparel. Two of George’s passions were playing basketball and softball at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center, where he made lasting friendships. He brought joy and happiness to those around him by his quick wit and his talent for creative family skits. He is survived by his wife, Jane; children Nancy Miller (Don) of Sugar Land, Texas, Dr. Steve Wise (Missy) of Carmel, Ind., and Amy Fine (Steve) of Marietta; grandchildren Paul and Julie Miller, Matthew and Miho Wise, and Jennifer and Ellen Fine; and great-grandson Mark Wise. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. Graveside services were due to be held Thursday, March 24, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi David Spinrad officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Goldie Andron, 76, of North Miami Beach, Fla., wife of Sandy Andron and mother of Jonathan Andron, Vicki Feldman and Beth Eiglarsh, on March 19. Shirley Jean Katz Bohn, 91, of Atlanta, mother of Barbara Patterson and Bobby Bohn, on March 6. Robyn Consalvo of Marietta on March 15. Sidney Goodman, 95, of Woodstock, husband of Doris Goodman and father of Margery Epstein, Nancy Miller and Rob Goodman, on March 17. Helen Krepistman, 78, of Roswell, wife of Robert Krepistman and mother of Hillary Krepistman and Adam Krepistman, on March 12. Jack Miller, 83, of Canton, husband of Varda Miller and father of Daniel and Barbara, on March 12. Michael Oberfeld, 56, Lawrenceville, husband of Lisa Oberfeld, father of Jared Oberfeld and Kelsey Oberfeld, and son of Marcia Hecht, on March 16. Geraldine Siegel, 95, of Suwanee, mother of Sherry Fages and David Siegel, on March 17.

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

Death Notices

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CLOSING THOUGHTS OBITUARIES – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING

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My Father’s Bar Mitzvah: CROSSWORD “Prime Numbers” A Few Hours Off School

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

MARCH 25 ▪ 2016

t was Monday in a 1928 Midwest winter. More men than usual were gathered around the Torah at the morning minyan in a small shul in the old Jewish neighborhood of St. Louis. It was just after dawn, snow still on the ground, frozen by the bitter weather. Everyone present lived nearby. On weekdays they walked from home to the Shacharit service, davened quickly, then put on their galoshes, wool coats, mufflers, caps and gloves and made their way to the bus or streetcar they took to work. The service and afterservice whiskey on this particular Monday morning would last a bit longer than usual. It was the first time my father, Ben, a 13-year-old seventh-grader, had been to a weekday morning service; however, he was there for a good reason. He was going to be called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah. His father, Eliezer, and grandfather, Michoel, accompanied him to shul, along with one of his brothers, Harry. His other siblings went to school. There was a certain amount of preparation necessary that morning. My father and his father brought food with them in brown paper bags. Their job was to get everything ready so that the men in attendance could join them for a small celebration before they left for work. While Eliezer arranged jars of schmaltz herring (with a glass of toothpicks) and bottles of whiskey (with a group of shot glasses) on a side table, Michoel helped his grandson properly bind his new set of tefillin and arrange a full-size tallit around skinny shoulders. When he was satisfied that Ben now looked like an exact miniature version of the men around him, the service commenced. In his new accouterments, Ben followed the prayers until he was called up to the Torah for an aliyah, after which he read the appropriate blessings. Everyone shouted, “Mazel tov!” Then Eliezer recited the prayer in which he declared that his son would now carry out the mitzvot, relieving his parents of responsibility for him. After his two minutes in the spotlight, Ben returned to his pew for the rest of the service. 46 Then he rolled his tefillin, folded

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his tallit, put everything in velvet bags his mother had embroidered with his Hebrew name, Baruch, and hurried to the food. The herring and whiskey were quickly consumed, and Ben, Eliezer, Michoel, and their closest friends and relatives headed to their apartment.

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By Chana Shapiro cshapiro@atljewishtimes.com

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ACROSS 1. Hebrew’s hee, in Sicily 5. Org. the PFA tried to have Israel suspended from 9. Did a child’s job at a seder 14. Where Samson used a jawbone 15. Many a minor character on Simon’s “The Wire” 16. Do hagbah 17. Part of an El Al plane 18. Rabbi Moshe Isserles (with “The”) 19. Places to wrap tefilltin straps 20. 7 23. Wood for The Ark 24. Uncle of Dan 25. Org. in David Silverman’s “The Simpson Movie” 28. Ultimate power? 29. @@@ 31. Leachman in several Brooks films 33. 2 36. Israel journey of note 39. “How long will it be ___ thou be quiet?” 40. James portrayed in “Cadillac Records” with Adrien Brody 41. 11 46. “___ it can be” (lyrics from a Menken hit) 47. Like a soup made in Genesis 48. Asimov’s “Murder at the ___” 51. Gene Simmons speaks it: Abbr. 52. Chalav option 55. Like the Torah 57. 13 60. Actress Yael 62. Rock for Reed

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Chana’s Corner

Ben’s mother and the other women of the family had prepared a sumptuous “breakfast,” displayed on the dining room table, and everything was homemade from scratch: rugelach, blintzes, gefilte fish, kuchen, strudel, knishes, the works. The feast lasted about an hour, then Ben changed his clothes and walked to school. By 11 o’clock he was doing math with his classmates. That’s how my father became a full-fledged Jewish man. He used his bar mitzvah tefillin his whole life, and only when he got married did he acquire a new tallit. You probably want to know what kind of gifts Ben received. Most of his relatives presented him with a book or clothing. The tefillin and tallit were from his parents and grandfather. “I was a normal 13-year-old,” my father told us when his own son, my brother, Aaron, was becoming a bar mitzvah, “and the best present I received was from my Uncle Nate and Aunt Frances. They gave me a baseball and a bat.” Aaron, who already had several balls and bats, symbolized the next generation. “I want a set of golf clubs,” he said optimistically. My brother became a bar mitzvah on a Shabbat morning in a big synagogue, and he ran most of the service. Our family sponsored a celebratory Kiddush. There was a motzei Shabbat party, too. After the guests had left and the caterer was clearing the hall, my brother, sister and I surveyed the beautifully wrapped gifts. Sure enough, leaning against the table of presents was a set of clubs. Twenty-five years later, Nate and Frances had come through again. ■

63. Land of Laban 64. Western Wall crowd, on many holidays 65. Pharaoh who may have enslaved the Hebrews 66. Moshe or Yirmiyahu 67. David’s oldest 68. Make like frogs, as a plague 69. Stern’s opposite end? DOWN 1. Jenna in “Keeping the Faith” 2. High (kosher) grade 3. End of the new year? 4. It gets the attention of some congressmen 5. Shtreimels 6. “Hivanti” 7. ___ fatale (Delilah, for one) 8. Jericho residents 9. Karpas option 10. Great Baba 11. Tiberias neighbor 12. Einai preceder 13. Wallace in Spielberg’s “E.T.” 21. “Shalom” to Vito 22. Seven of ___ (kosher species on the Ark) 26. He liked killing Nazis in a 2009 film 27. Famous K I D S dog in Edward A M A H G. Robinson’s H A M A A D A M “I Am the L E G A Law” E S 30. Israeli H dough, C G I familiarly O R S O 32. “Six Days M O R D G A S of War” writer A G E 33. Locale in Kubrick’s “The R E L I B R I D Shining” A S S A 34. Be a klutz 1

35. What we do to a shank bone on Passover 36. A midrash might be one 37. Suffix for Zuckerberg and Bloomberg 38. Like Pharaoh during the plagues 42. Mel Gibson, e.g. 43. Bartenura ___ Spumante 44. Weekly noseful 45. Raichel of song 48. Famous resting spot 49. Be good in gan 50. Ma’ale follower 53. Common feeling for Woody Allen 54. Paul Rudd is part of one in “Anchorman” (and its sequel) 56. Blueish shades around the Dead Sea 58. ___-Hittite (language family) 59. “Little Man ___” (film with Debi Mazar) 60. “Sheket!” 61. Actor Arnold

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