Atlanta VOL. XCI NO. 46
WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM NOVEMBER 25, 2016 | 24 CHESHVAN 5777
Wildfire Battle Relies on Ramah Darom By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com
Forward Finds ATL
It took a global health crisis and a portrayal by an Oscar-winning actress for the Forward finally to find room on its annual Forward 50 for a pair of Atlanta residents. It’s rare for the New York-based national Jewish newspaper to notice anyone south of Washington and north of Miami on its annual list of “Jews who have impacted American life,” so we’ll overlook that both of the Atlantans happen to be transplants from New York who work along a short stretch of Clifton Road: • Emory University history professor Deborah Lipstadt, who has been a multimedia star this fall while promoting “Denial,” Hollywood’s version of her court fight against Holocaust denier David Irving, complete with English actress Rachel Weisz doing her best to match Lipstadt’s Queens accent. • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Thomas Frieden, who bounced back from criticism of his handling of the 2014-15 Ebola outbreak with a forceful response to Zika, including arguing for Congress to approve President Barack Obama’s request for $1.9 billion in emergency funding to fight the mosquito-borne virus. As a Dixie bonus, Harry Swimmer, who at 86 runs a therapeutic horseback riding center outside Charlotte, also made the 50. ■
BREMAN AT 20
The Breman Museum is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a sold-out gala honoring Jarvin Levison on Dec. 3 and an exhibit peeking into Jewish Atlanta’s private art collections. Pages 16-18
Firefighters from across the nation have converged on Camp Ramah Darom in Rabun County as their base to battle the wildfires scorching North Georgia. Ramah is giving about 200 wildland firefighters food and lodging while they battle the Rough Ridge and Rock Mountain wildfires north and west of the camp. Opening bunks to the firefighting crews was just the right thing to do, Ramah Darom CEO Fred Levick said. “We just thought, ‘Hey, there’s a fire here and people coming out who need a place to stay,’ ” Levick told the AJT. “Where are people going to find a place to stay in Rabun County? We’ve got a place that has 700 beds and a kitchen and a full-time chef. It’s something we can do to help instead of just sitting there with our hands behind our backs.” The Rock Mountain fire began Nov. 9 along Tallulah River Road several miles north of the camp and has spread to more than 12,000 acres, mostly by burning fallen leaves. The fire is believed to be intentional, and the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office is searching for the culprit. As of Monday, Nov. 21, 434 people, 23 fire engines and five helicopters were fighting the fire. Two bulldozers and a tractor plow were clearing fire breaks. The fire doesn’t pose an imminent threat to Ramah, but Levick said the situation could change at any time. On Nov. 18 the Rabun County Office of Emergency Management issued a pre-evacuation notice for areas directly north of the camp, including the road Ramah sits on, Patterson Gap. Part of Patterson Gap Road northeast of Ramah was closed Nov. 22.
SO THANKFUL
With our favorite secular holiday, Thanksgiving, upon us, we take time to get to know and give thanks for a couple of the people who make Jewish Atlanta such a special place. Pages 22-24
A helicopter at Ramah Darom is one of five fighting the fires in North Georgia.
To fight the fires, the U.S. Forest Service set up a center for operations at Clayton City Hall on Nov. 14. Wildland firefighters traveled from as far away as Denver and Oregon. Many had planned to sleep in tents or cars. So Levick asked Ramah Darom General Manager Anthony Franklin to reach out to Mike Mazarky, the director of the Rabun County Office of Emergency Management, and to offer food and lodging to firefighters. “They had no expectations of having a bed to sleep in or showers,” Levick said. “Some of them came down from fighting a fire in North Carolina, and they’ve been sleeping in tents. It feels good for us that we’re able to do something constructive to really take care of these heroic people, and it helps keep our minds off the fire.” For Amanda Grubb, the base camp manager handling logistics at the Ramah site, the Rock Mountain wildfire is her fifth of the year. She said fire season typically runs from May to September, so fires this late are unusual. Grubb, who is from Denver, said this is the first time the firefighters have set up at a summer camp.
“Everybody has been so friendly and so caring,” she said. “People are usually nice, but it is different here. The camp and the whole community has been so welcoming, loving and supportive.” Clayton’s appreciation for the firefighters has included paying for all their meals in town, Grubb said. Volunteers from Clayton and a few from the Atlanta area made their way to Ramah the weekend of Nov. 18 to help cook and serve food. Jewish women attending a retreat that ended Nov. 15 pitched in to help feed the firefighters. The Forest Service and Ramah said more volunteers are not needed now. In an email to Ramah Darom families, staff and alumni Nov. 16, Levick asked for prayers for the safety of those in the Clayton area and for rain. By Nov. 21, Rabun had not seen rain for 45 days, and it had been 101 days since the area received more than half an inch of rain. “Right now we just know there’s a fire out there, and it’s a concern,” Levick said. “We’ve done everything we can to try and protect ourselves in case the fire starts to encroach on our property. Hopefully it won’t.” ■
INSIDE Calendar �����������������������������������4 Candle Lighting ����������������������4 Israel News ������������������������������6 Local News �������������������������������7 Opinion ���������������������������������� 10 Health & Wellness ��������������� 14
Business ���������������������������������25 Sports ��������������������������������������26 Obituaries ������������������������������27 Marketplace ��������������������������28 Arts ������������������������������������������29 Crossword ������������������������������ 31