Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. 99 NO. 19, October 15, 2024

Rep. Deborah Silcox Stands With the Jewish Community and Against Antisemitism

• Deborah personally introduced, and passed, legislation to fund $1,550,000 for the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust and raise the budget to $629,000

• Passed legislation to define antisemitism (HB 30), adding additional criminal penalties for crimes motivated by anti-Jewish bias

• Passed an important resolution denouncing pro-Hamas hate speech

Recipient of the prestigious White Rose Society Award

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Complimentary “Lunch and Learn” November 6th I December 3rd, 12–2 p.m. RSVP to 678.944.8930.

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DAVE SCHECHTER

DAVID OSTROWSKY

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MARCIA CALLER JAFFE

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Oct. 7 Massacre Hostages’ Human Rights Violated Everyday

The entire world marks a full year since Hamas’ brutal terrorist attacks, gathering for solemn memorial services in major cities and at the sites of some of the atrocities to honor those killed and demand the release of those still held captive in Gaza. “We are in a just and difficult war, but unlike 80 years ago, the Jews have the ability to defend themselves by themselves, and while fighting against seven different enemies, we will prevail,” Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant told CBS News’ Elizabeth Palmer.

Among the abducted, more than 240 people were brutally abducted from their homes and from a music festival in the south of Israel. They were abducted babies, many children, women, men, the elderly and young people with chronic illnesses on daily medications, as well as those who have been severely wounded during the massacre.

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375

Days of War and Terror.

Moreover, the hostages who have been released report- ed having been held under extremely abusive conditions for more than two months, consistent with a severe violation of fundamental human rights. These violations have included extreme psychological and physical violence, including bru- tal sexual assault and mutilation, torture, starvation, and forced dehydration. All, and on top of this, compounded by the lack of medical treatment and the denial of access to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) protection delegates and medical staff. This report focuses on the health implications, the high risk of irreversible physical and psy- chological damage, and ultimately, death risk for the remaining

hostages and the grave violation of their basic human rights, by those who kidnapped them, the Hamas terrorist organization.

The events of Oct. 7 will undoubtedly leave many of the hostages traumatized. They have all endured pain and humiliation and had their liberty deprived. Furthermoresome have witnessed the murder, inflicted on their beloved family members, friends, and community members, and some may not know their fate to this day. The hostages are suffering unimaginable conditions.

Several of those captured from Hamas terrorists, clearly reveal that extreme sexual violence and abuse were not a random byproduct, but a systematic and planned element of this terror attack. These include aggravated rape, mutilation of body parts but especially breasts and genitals (both male and female), disfiguration of faces, and beheadings.

The released hostages provided testimonies revealing that both men and women endured violent sexual assaults in captivity.

At its core, sexual violence, when used as an instrument of power in warfare, is designed primarily to humiliate, subjugate, and subdue the civilian population and sow destruction and chaos. There is growing awareness that such sexual violence during conflict is often a deliberate, organized strategy known as “rape as a weapon of war.”

What is being done? Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu released a statement congratulating the Israeli military and intelligence services Aug. 27 “on another successful liberation operation,” adding that his administration would continue working “tirelessly to return all of our abductees.”

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent months trying to negotiate an agreement in which the remaining hostages would be freed in exchange for a lasting ceasefire. The latest round of those talks, over the weekend of Aug. 17 in Cairo, appeared to have made little headway, but Israel said it remained committed to the dialogue.

Netanyahu has faced intense criticism from families of the hostages and much of the Israeli public for not yet reaching a deal with Hamas to bring them home.

For more information on how to get involved to service these captors and “bring them home,” reach out to Hostages and Missing Families forum, https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/

Resources and photo credit: Hostages and Missing Families forum.

Tamir Adar 38 Taken from Nir-Oz Muhammad Al-Atarash 39 Taken from Gaza Envelope

Taken from Holit

Ariel Bibas 4 5 Taken from Nir-Oz

Ohad Ben Ami 54 55 Taken from Be'eri

Karina Ariev 19 20 Taken from Nahal-Oz

Yosel AlZayadni 53 Taken from Holit

Kfir Bibas 0.9 1.5 Taken from Nir-Oz

Agam Berger 19 20 Taken from Nahal-Oz

Aviv Atzili 49 Taken from Nir-Oz

Liri Albag 18 19 Taken from Nahal-Oz

Shiri Bibas 32 33 Taken from Nir-Oz

Gali Berman 26 27 Taken from Kfar-Aza

Sahar Baruch 24 Taken from Be'eri

Edan Alexander 19 20 Taken from Gaza

Yarden Bibas 33 35 Taken from Nir-Oz

Ziv Berman 26 27 Taken from Kfar-Aza

Uriel Baruch 35 Taken from Nova Festival

Matan Angrest 20 21 Taken from Nahal-Oz

19 20

19 20

22 23

Daniella Gilboa 19 20 Taken from Nahal-Oz

David Cunio 33 34 Taken from Nir-Oz

Eliya Cohen 26 27 Taken from Nova Festival

Elkana Bohbot 34 35 Taken from Nova Festival

Guy Gilboa-Dalal 22 23 Taken from Nova Frstival

Evyatar David

Taken from Nova Festival

Nimrod Cohen

Taken from Gaza Envelope

Rom Braslavski

Taken from Nova Festival

Meny Godard 73 Taken from Be'eri

Itzhak Elgarat 68 69 Taken from Nir-Oz

Amiram Cooper 85 Taken from Nir-Oz

Itay Chen 19 Taken from Nahal-Oz

Hadar Goldin 23

Taken From South Gaza

Ronen Engel 54 Taken from Nir-Oz

Ariel Cunio 26 27 Taken from Nir-Oz

Sagui Dekel Chen 35 36 Taken from Nir-Oz

Ofer Kalderon 52 53

Taken from Nir-Oz

Iair Horn 45 46 Taken from Nir-Oz

Tal Haimi 41 Taken from Nir-Yitzhak

Romi Gonen 23 24 Taken from Nova Festival

Segev Kalfon 26 Taken from Nova Festival

Tsachi Idan 49 50 Taken from Nahal-Oz

Inbar Hayman 27 Taken from Nova Festival

Ran Gvili 24 Taken from an unknown location

Ofra Keidar 70 Taken from Be'eri

Guy Illouz 26 Taken from Nova Festival

Maxim Herkin 35 36 Taken from Nova Festival

Gad Haggai 73 Taken from Nir-Oz

Bar Abraham Kupershtein 22 23 Taken from Nova Festival

Bipin Joshi 22 23 Taken from Alumim

Eitan Horn 37 38 Taken from Nir-Oz

Judi Weinstein Haggai 70 Taken from Nir-Oz

Omer Neutra 21 23 Taken from Gaza Envelope

Omri Miran 46 47 Taken from Nahal-Oz

Oded Lifshitz 83 84 Taken from Nir-Oz

Eitan Levi 53 Taken from Road 232

Tamir Nimrodi 18 19 Taken from Erez Crossing

Joshua Loitu Mollel 21 Taken from Nahal-Oz

Shlomo Mantzur 85 86 Taken from Kisufim

Shay Levinson 19 Taken from Gaza Envelope

Yosef-Chaim Ohana 23 24 Taken from Nova Festival

Eitan Abraham Mor 23 24 Taken from Nova Festival

Eliyahu Margalit 75 Taken from Nir-Oz

Naama Levy 19 20 Taken from Nahal-Oz

Alon Ohel 22 23 Taken from Nova Festival

Gadi Moshe Mozes 79 80 Taken from Nir-Oz

Avera Mengisto 28 38 Taken From North Gaza

Or Levy 33 34 Taken from Nova Festival

Keith Samuel Siegel 64 65 Taken from Kfar-Aza

Oron Shaul 20 Taken From South Gaza

Lior Rudaeff 61 Taken from Nir-Yitzhak

Avinatan Or 30 31 Taken from Nova Festival

Doron Steinbrecher 30 31 Taken from Kfar-Aza

Omer Shem Tov 20 21 Taken from Nova Festival

Yonatan Samerano 21 22 Taken from Nova Festival

Dror Or 48 Taken from Be'eri

Itay Svirsky 38 Taken from Be'eri

Tal Shoham 38 39 Taken from Be'eri

Eli Sharabi 51 52 Taken from Be'eri

Daniel Oz 19 Taken from Kisufim

Alexandre Sasha Troufanov 27 28 Taken from Nir-Oz

Idan Shtivi 28 Taken from Nova Festival

Yossi Sharabi 53 Taken from Be'eri

Daniel Peretz 22 Taken from Gaza Envelope

Ilan Weiss 56 Taken from Be'eri

Arbel Yehoud 28 29 Taken from Nir-Oz

Omer Wenkert 22 23 Taken from Nova Festival

Arie Zalmanowicz 85 Taken from Nir-Oz

Yair Yaakov 59 Taken from Nir-Oz

Matan Zangauker 23 24 Taken from Nir-Oz

Ohad Yahalomi 49 50 Taken from Nir-Oz

NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Wishing for a year of endless opportunities, blessings, growth & peace

ZIONIST EDUCATION

Building a stronger Israel for today and tomorrow.

Jewish Atlanta Gathers to Memorialize Oct. 7 Attacks

By Dave Schechter

Almost every seat in the 1,100seat, three-tier Byers Theatre in Sandy Springs was occupied Oct. 7 as the Jewish community remembered the 1,200 men, women, and children massacred in Israel one year earlier and called for the return of those kidnapped and still held hostage in Gaza.

Similar to the turnout for an Oct. 10, 2023, rally in the same venue three days after the Hamas-led terror attacks as a few thousand people again gathered on the lawn outside to watch the proceedings inside on video screens.

As the audience inside took their seats, amid the din of their conversations, on two screens mounted on opposite sides of the stage silently scrolled the names and ages of those killed on Oct. 7 and listed where they were killed when terrorists attacked kibbutzim, moshavim, towns, and an outdoor music festival in Israel’s “Gaza envelope.”

Scattered throughout the auditorium, a couple of dozen people who lost

family members on Oct. 7 stood and then were joined by all in attendance as Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple recited the Yizkor memorial prayer.

Ofri Avigdor Betser, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, where 64 civilians and 22 soldiers were killed, and 19 people taken hostage, told her harrowing story of survival that day.

The 31-year-old wife and mother of two was eight months pregnant with her second child when the kibbutz was attacked. She huddled in the safe room of their home with her husband and eldest child as terrorists fired countless rounds at the door, before an Israeli missile aimed elsewhere at the house ended the attack.

On Nov. 12, Betser gave birth to a daughter, “the most cheerful and joyful child,” who “made me realize how powerful life is.”

With their home destroyed, the family now lives at a nearby kibbutz. Betser has been speaking to Jewish groups around the United States, as a voice for those killed and kidnapped on

The lobby of the Byers Theatre featured several displays of images of those murdered during the attacks by Hamas.

Ofri Avigdor Betser, a resident of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, shares her harrowing story of how she survived the attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 // All photos by Sasha Heller/AJT

Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple recites the Yizkor memorial prayer.

Thousands of community members, many draping themselves in Israeli flags, gathered on the lawn at City Springs and watched the ceremony on big screen TVs.

Oct.7. “There is nothing more important than our hostages, who are suffering every day,” she said. The Atlanta audience stood to applaud and then did so again when Betser declared, “We must do everything to bring them home, now, bring my friends home.”

Of 251 men, women, and children kidnapped that day, 97 remain hostages (of whom the government believes that at least one-third are dead), along with two soldiers kidnapped in 2014 and the bodies of two soldiers killed that year.

Six members of Georgia’s congressional delegation spoke at the event.

“If democracy and liberty are to prevail . . . Israel must win and we must make sure Israel has the resources to defend herself,” said 10th district Republican Rep. Mike Collins.

Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde, who represents the ninth district, said, “It is our responsibility to never forget this day.”

Clyde criticized the Biden administration for what he said were delays in delivery of small arms weapons that Israel had on order from U.S. manufacturers. The White House said in June that the only weapons delayed were 500-pound and 2,000-pound bombs, over concerns about their potential use in densely populated areas of Gaza.

There was a smattering of audible heckling of Clyde for speaking in charged political language at an event designed to demonstrate non-partisan support for Israel.

In that vein, Democratic Rep. Nikema Williams, who represents the fifth district and is co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Black-Jewish Relations, said, “I continue to stand in solidarity with the Jewish community around the

world” and repeated the caucus’ call for the release of the hostages, including seven who also hold U.S. citizenship.

Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who is Jewish, paid tribute to Hersh GoldbergPolin, a 23-year-old American Israeli killed in the attack on the Nova Music Festival, noting the Goldberg-Polin family’s ties in the Atlanta area.

Ossoff also spoke about Rose Lubin, who made Aliyah to Israel after graduating from Dunwoody High School and joined the Israel Defense Forces. On Oct. 7, Lubin participated in the defense of Kibbutz Sa’ad, but on Nov. 6 was killed in a stabbing attack as she served in the Old City of Jerusalem.

“Tonight, all Georgians pause to mourn and to honor those who suffered such unspeakable horror one year ago,” Ossoff said.

Israel’s Consul General to the Southeast, Amb. Anat Sultan-Dadon spoke of Israel’s resilience throughout history when attacked. “They may seek to destroy us. We will not be destroyed,” she said. “What defines us is not the hits that we have taken, but our determination to get back up and fight.”

While Israel “has been very clear in seeking peace with our neighbors . . . our yearning for peace does not mean that we will sit back and be slaughtered over and over again. Our survival and ensuring that there is a future for our children comes first,” she said, decrying the “too many voices of shameful criticism pointed at Israel.”

The evening’s final speaker was actress Patricia Heaton (“Everybody Loves Raymond” and “The Middle”), who has become an outspoken Christian voice in support of Israel and founded an organization called the October 7 Coalition. ì

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Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta interim CEO David Fisher listens as Ofri Avigdor Betser shares her story of survival.

KSU Students Handle Protest During Oct. 7 Memorial

By Debbie Diamond

If the Jewish students at Kennesaw State University (KSU) are any indication of the current state of Jewish identity and pride at college campuses in Georgia, communities throughout the state can breathe a collective sigh of relief. Despite a loud anti-Israel protest steps away from the Hillel table on Oct. 7, 2024, the students’ cool heads, intelligence, maturity, thoughtfulness and courage were evident and noticed by other students, faculty, administrators and visitors at the campus.

As students affiliated with Hillel and Chabad of Kennesaw planned to commemorate the anniversary of the Israel massacre, the worst slaughter of the Jewish people since the Holocaust, the Party for Socialism & Liberation announced their own plan for a “Walkout for Palestine” the same day. Not only that, but the pro-Hamas and –Hezbollah group reserved space adjacent to the Hillel group. On Oct. 7, both gathered in the middle of the day on The Green in the center of the KSU campus.

Shortly before the Palestinian group assembled, Dave Clark, wearing an American flag on his back and a Mogen David around his neck, said, “That the Party for Socialism & Liberation chose this day to protest feels antagonistic to me.” Dave is a junior majoring in history and a regular Hillel participant.

Shouting “Down, down with occupation; up, up with liberation,” among other chants, and referring to Israelis as “colonizers,” the participants from the Party for Socialism & Liberation used a bullhorn to amplify their voices and held a variety of signs, including ones with a “No War on Iran” slogan interspersed with many Palestinian flags throughout the crowd. Their voices were loud and angry.

When asked why the group chose Oct. 7 for the walkout, a leader from the Party for Socialism & Liberation responded that Oct. 7 marked a horrible beginning for the residents of Gaza. When asked if she could understand the Jewish students’ pain due to the rapes, murders and hostages still left in Gaza, she asked if Netanyahu asks these questions about the people in Gaza. She declined to be identified.

Sarina Amar is the Student Board president of Hillel and spent most of her time speaking with students – both Jewish and non-Jewish -- who visited the Hillel table to find out more information

and ask questions. “We are here in peace and to create an open dialogue,” she said. “We know it’s even difficult for many Palestinians right now with Hamas. It’s difficult to see the group next to us cheering on Hamas and Hezbollah.” Amar spoke of visiting family in Kiryat Shmona in 2006 and again this summer as missiles flew overhead from the Lebanese border.

Close to 100 people gathered or stopped by the Hillel table where hostage dog tag necklaces and yellow ribbon pins were offered to visitors. Educational pamphlets about Oct. 7 and the current state of Israeli affairs were offered as well. Postcards depicting pieces of art commemorating the tragic incidents of Oct. 7 were also distributed. On the back of each postcard, information about the artist’s work and inspiration was shared.

At an impromptu table set up behind Hillel’s main table, three young men sat in chairs taking questions and discussing issues raised by several of the students who had drifted over from the protest next to them. They remained calm even as some of the protesters grew angry. Freshman Liam Kazula, who is interested in Israel and politics, was engaged in conversations with several anti-Israel protesters who came over to the table, which was draped in a cloth of the American and Israeli flags. “I’m glad I was able to teach many of the protesters some points about the current conflict. Many of them had incorrect information that they shared with me. When you are able to share correct numbers and facts, there is little to dispute. Some of them were more knowledgeable than others. I had an excellent conversation with one student in particular who seemed genuinely

interested in learning more about our point of view,” said Kazula.

At the nearby Chabad table, Rabbi Zalman Charytan encouraged greater Jewish pride and belonging among the Jewish students he welcomed to the table. Many students were able to wrap tefillin and receive Shabbat candles. All students – whether Jewish or non-Jewish -- were given a bright yellow piggy bank shaped like an ark to collect funds to donate to their favorite charity. Rabbi Charytan explained that “ARK” is the acronym for “acts of random kindness,” and he would be giving them out to all students throughout the day at KSU.

“We are out on The Green every week and offer KSU students a chance to do mitzvot. We give them mezuzot and candles, and we wrap tefillin. Instead of focusing on the negative messages of the outside groups, we focus on bringing in more light. Our goal is to create a sense of Jewish belonging and pride, as well as to bring more goodness and kindness to all in our community,” said Charytan.

Norman Radow, a KSU benefactor for whom the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences is named, was in attendance to support the students gathered at the Hillel table. “The Party for Socialism & Liberation conducted an aggressive three-week promotional campaign to get people to attend the walkout. Even with all their work and social media posts, they could only muster about 40 people to attend -with virtually no one else looking on or participating,” said Radow. “Their message is one of anger. Look around at the Hillel group and you’ll see young people with the American flag on their shoul-

ders. Ours is a message of love, especially for Western values, and one of goodness,” he added.

When asked why he thought the university allowed the walkout to happen, Radow cited a recent decision by a district court judge who ruled that a Students for Justice in Palestine rally could proceed on Oct. 7 at the University of Maryland, despite the president of the school initially banning any student protests that day. In the ruling, first amendment rights were cited as paramount in reaching the decision.

Tammy DeMel, assistant vice president, strategic communication, responded to an inquiry about the university’s decision to approve the walkout with the following written statement: "In response to your inquiry, as a public university, KSU follows established procedures and guidelines for all on-campus events, which will be enforced as they are for all activities. These protocols ensure the safety of our campus community members and the smooth operation of events, and KSU remains committed to upholding these standards.”

Both Sarah Foster, the campus director for KSU Hillel and Rabbi Charytan mentioned that the KSU administration has been supportive. “Thankfully there have been no incidents to date,” said Foster. “The KSU police have been very helpful, even when events come up at the last minute,” she stressed. Foster mentioned that even for a large urban campus, the anti-Israel protests have been low-key compared to what many college campuses around the country are experiencing.

Rachel Adams, busy at the Hillel table, is the vice president of the Tzedek

Hillel students adorn themselves in American and Israeli flags prior to the commemoration.

Sarah Foster, campus director of KSU Hillel, and Sarina Amar, student board president of Hillel, greeted visitors and answered questions during the Oct. 7 commemoration.

In this painting, the artist depicted the many girls and boys murdered at the festival when all they wanted to do was dance and be joyful.

social action committee. She stressed, “We decided to stay strong even when we heard the group protesting would be next to us. We reserved this space and will not let them scare us away.”

And strong, confident, and calm they stood. Even as the chanting and screams became louder, the Hillel and Chabad groups maintained their composure. Interacting with students from many backgrounds and religions, they likely made a difference that day, making new allies and friends in the process and educating other students. In the middle of the afternoon, a young man ran into the Hillel area shouting, “Go Israel.” One of the adults stated, “Wow, we need that level of enthusiasm.” Interestingly, the young man was not Jewish but explained he had stopped by to show his support for Israel and the Jewish students’ efforts.

A global moment of silence was held in the middle of the event to commemorate the lives lost in Israel one year ago, on Oct. 7. In reflecting on that day, Avi Lyons, the Springboard Fellow at Hillel, told several students, “We are out here because one year ago today more than 1,200 people were murdered in their homes and at a music festival. We are here to reverently commemorate lives lost."

So, despite anti-Israel chants nearby and the preparations that had been made for potential security risks, the students, as well as Chabad and Hillel leadership, were able to appropriately and safely commemorate the day, acknowledging the senseless killing of other Jews one year ago as they danced, slept and prepared to start a new day. And that’s quite an accomplishment for a group of young adults destined to be the Jewish community’s future leaders.

Hillel at KSU offers several leadership development programs, ongoing community outreach, learning sessions, socials, Shabbat meals and experiences, as well as holiday observances and meals. Chabad of Kennesaw offers educational programs, socials, holiday and Shabbat meals and services, celebrations and Israel programs. ì

Rabbi Zalman Charytan wraps tefillin with Ilya Shmuylovich and Ben Krebs.

GILEE Honors Fallen Graduate Killed in Hamas Attack

Marking one year after the atrocious terrorist attack by Hamas, Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE) members held a special memorial service at The Temple for Col. Jear Davidov of the Israel Police who was killed on Oct. 7, 2023. Col. Davidov was a member of the Israel Police delegation to Georgia in 2022 and hosted the Georgia delegation in Israel in 2023. Rabbi Peter Berg officiated.

Anat Sultan-Dadon, Israel’s Consul General to the Southeast, Mike Register, director of public safety, Cobb County, Col. Brent Cummings and Dr. Robbie Friedmann paid tribute. Each spoke about the impact Col. Davidov made on them in his life of service. Several police agencies were present to include the chief of the

Atlanta Police and members of his command staff.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Col. Davidov was killed with three of his officers in a battle with Palestinian terrorists who breached the border from Gaza to Israel. He and a few of his police officers fell in the line of duty protecting the citizens they were sworn to serve. Col. Davidov was the chief of the Rahat Police (a Bedouin city in the Negev desert) and he hosted many U.S. law enforcement leaders at his city to share lessons on community policing. He had a warm, friendly personality and amazing sense of humor with everyone he had the opportunity to meet. ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

Rabbi Peter Berg speaks during a memorial ceremony on Oct. 7 for fallen GILEE graduate and Israeli police officer Col. Jear Davidov.

GILEE members memorialized fellow program graduate, Col. Jear Davidov, who was killed by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023.

Anat Sultan-Dadon, Israel’s Consul General to the Southeast, is pictured during a memorial for Col. Jear Davidov, who was killed during the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023.

NEWS

Temple Beth Tikvah

Honors Victims of Oct. 7 Attacks

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The calanit, or red anemone, Israel’s national flower, blooms each winter, symbolizing life and resilience as it carpets the Southern landscape in brilliant red. This flower also inspires the annual Darom Adom (Red South) Festival, a celebration of nature’s beauty and perseverance.

In the wake of the tragic events of Oct. 7, 2023, and the war that followed, a group of parents from Temple Beth Tikvah Preschool approached Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, seeking to mark their collective grief in a meaningful way. During a visit to Israel in January, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner learned about a global initiative by Israeli ceramic artists to create 100,000 clay calaniot in memory of the victims of Oct. 7.

Moved by the power of this project and responding to the Preschool families’ expressed need for action, the synagogue community took part in this effort. With guidance from Temple Beth Tikvah Preschool Director Linda Siegel and local artist Robin Singer, a garden of ceramic calaniot was crafted, each flower a handmade tribute to resilience. This garden is displayed in front of the synagogue, serving as a lasting visual testament to unity, remembrance, and strength in the face of loss.

Those who helped create the garden gathered outside Temple Beth Tikvah on the anniversary of Oct. 7 to light a yahrzeit candle and pay tribute to the victims. ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

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Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner is pictured next to the Temple Beth Tikvah memorial garden.

A group of parents from the Temple Beth Tikvah Preschool craft memorial flowers, or “calanit.” The flowers were red anemone -- Israel’s national flower.

Robbins Receives Rose Lubin Jewish Pride Award

NEWS By Sasha Heller

We all want to change the world. We all want to say we’ve made a difference with our lives. Rose Ida Lubin went and did just that, and she will forever be remembered for her sacrifice.

Lubin, a Dunwoody native, left a legacy of commitment after being killed in action while serving as a Lone Soldier near the Gaza border.

To memorialize Rose, The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life established the Rose Lubin Jewish Pride Award and recently announced that it will honor Ana Robbins, founder and CEO of the Atlanta-based nonprofit Jewish Kids Groups (JKG), with its inaugural award.

Founded in 2012, Jewish Kids Groups provides children ranging from kindergarten to tenth grade with camp-style Jewish learning and companionship throughout the school year. Jewish Kids Groups’ flagship program, JKG Afternoon Community, features Jewish enrichment courses and weekday afternoon childcare.

Steinhardt Foundation President

Rabbi David Gedzelman discussed the importance of providing Jewish children with beneficial resources and curriculum, so they are raised with the full con-

ZooATL-Boo-AJT-halfpage-2024.pdf 1 9/17/2024 10:07:12 AM

text of their Jewish identities.

“Jewish after school provides an additional option to the typical Sunday and Hebrew school model, inspiring families to immerse their children in a Jewish

social and programmatic context every day instead of just one or two days a week,” said Rabbi Gedzelman. “Now, the kids’ primary social group is Jewish so, for them, belonging to the Jewish people

Sgt. Rose Ida Lubin, originally from Dunwoody, was stabbed to death while on patrol with Israeli Border Police. Lubin is pictured during the Friends of Israel Defense Forces annual gala in 2023.

Congregation Ariel Rabbi Binyomin Friedman posed with Rose Lubin at the FIDF gala event honoring her.

Ana Robbins, recipient of the inaugural Rose Lubin Jewish Pride Award.

This map depicts the expansion of Jewish after school programs nationally through the Jewish After School Accelerator.

becomes part of their core identity, not an occasional experience. This is lifechanging for individuals and families and represents a potential cultural shift for American Jews.”

Robbins expressed her gratitude in receiving the honor and shared about the many ways the award and recognition will help JKG further its efforts.

“I am deeply honored that The Steinhardt Foundation has chosen to recognize me and Jewish Kids Groups with the Rose Lubin Jewish Pride Award,” said Robbins. “The funds JKG receives from this award will enable Jewish children across the country to explore their heritage, forge lasting Jewish friendships, build a meaningful relationship with Israel, and ultimately ensure the strength of the Jewish community for generations to come.”

The Rose Lubin Jewish Pride Award totals $100,000 — a portion of which will be allocated to supporting the work of Jewish Kids Groups — and recognizes an individual whose work exemplifies leadership, innovation, and creativity through an initiative that champions the Pillars of Jewish Pride described in Michael Steinhardt’s 2022 book, “Jewish Pride.”

“Rose Lubin is the epitome of Jewish pride,” said Allison Boaz, representing The Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life. “By honoring individuals, organizations, and programs that exemplify the pillars of Jewish pride – peoplehood, excellence, and joy – this award has the broader purpose of inspiring their adoption as central goals and aspirations

throughout the Jewish world and of encouraging new initiatives based on the principles.”

Lubin fulfilled her dream of making Aliyah as a combat-trained IDF soldier, specializing in fighting terrorism. Lubin, who was 20 at the time, had been deployed with the Israeli Border Police and was off duty on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists attacked her host kibbutz and neighboring communities. Lubin bravely stepped up to help injured victims to safety near the Gaza border. Several weeks later, Lubin was killed during a terrorist attack in Jerusalem.

“Strengthening Jewish pride and supporting a positive sense of belonging to the Jewish people is of critical importance for the future of this generation. We can think of no one who exemplifies Jewish pride more than Rose Lubin. Ana Robbins’ work in leading Jewish Kids Groups fosters this ideal in a realistic and replicable program that can scale nationally,” said Sara Bloom, vice chair of The Steinhardt Foundation.

Through JKG’s Jewish After School Accelerator, 11 U.S. synagogues including congregations in Plano, Texas; Livingston, N.J.; Cincinnati, Ohio; Brookline, Mass.; San Leandro and Oakland, Calif.; and across South Florida, are now running their own Jewish after-school programs.

For more information, please visit jewishafterschools.com. For more information about The Steinhardt Foundation, please visit www.steinhardtfoundation.org. ì

OCTOBER 25 & 26 | 6-10PM OCTOBER 27 | 5-9PM

Embrace the spirit of the season and join CNC for flexible hikes, a bar, food truck, and good old-fashioned family fun! In addition to our traditional non-scary hike, visitors can now experience The Haunted Quest scavenger hunt.

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One Good Deed Celebrates 18th Anniversary

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

One Good Deed, a division of the Jewish Family and Children’s Services Aviv Older Adults Services program, saluted founders and volunteers celebrating 18 years of growth and success on Sept. 19 at Temple Sinai. The One Good Deed program matches independent older adults with volunteers for companionship thereby reducing loneliness and isolation by providing meaningful social connection.

In her opening comments, JF&CS CEO Terri Bonoff, stated, “These 18 years, ‘chai,’ celebrate the importance of life … our volunteers bringing connection and joy. Note that One Good Deed joined JF&CS in 2016, and so many lives have been touched.”

Bonoff praised Vivienne Kurland, One Good Deed program manager, and Laura Marcus, program coordinator, for helping connect 500 matches where lifelong bonds are formed, and even navigating during COVID to still stay in touch with clients.

Bonoff pointed to an empty chair representing the hole left for the release of hostages and recited the Prayer for the State of Israel. Bonoff then shared the

program’s history dating back to 2005 where Honorees Marty and Lisa Halpern, based on observations from a similar program in Israel, returned to Atlanta to jump start the original program. Honor-

Aee Sharon Spiegleman was recognized as the founding director. Bonoff concluded, “We were founded by human capital, volunteers.”

Kurland introduced a video featur-

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JF&CS CEO Terri Bonoff paid tribute to Sharon Spiegleman, One Good Deed’s founding director.

A client poses with Vivienne Kurland and Laura Marcus

Client Elaine Schwartz chats with longtime volunteer Lynn Podber, host committee member.

ing genuine and emotional praise about the program where volunteers and clients claimed that each got the most out of the relationships. Some adult children mentioned that their parent didn’t want to be matched, yet when the volunteer came, it was “love at first sight, like a blind date.”

Many spoke of an instant connection, “matches made in heaven,” “a gift from G-d.” Longtime volunteer Lynn Podber said, “The minute I met Syd, we took a selfie with our [coincidental] glamorous sunglasses. I hope to make a difference in people’s lives.” Syd echoed, “She is like another daughter to me.”

A daughter shared that when her father moved into the Cohen Home, she asked for a volunteer match which “clicked,” and sadly noted that he held her [volunteer’s] picture before he died. Rabbi Claudio, a client, explained the difference between being alone and loneliness, the latter “associated with abandonment and lack of connection,” which he counteracted with his volunteer. Not all volunteers are Jewish, as an African American man was featured with his client while providing valuable relief to the family.

Later in the program, Bonoff introduced Marty Halpern as “full of ideas, being humble and creative. He was the man with an idea and a plan.”

Halpern referred to the older woman who had survived the Holocaust and was unable to bear children having suffered from experiments under Dr. Mengele. He said, “She was childless, and inspiring as she explained her long-lasting relationship with a volunteer Israeli visitation program.” Marty offered a “water toast”

to the One Good Deed program being set up for success.

Kurland recognized Spiegelman who came to the stage in a wheelchair, and was touched by the full room, humbled and grateful for the opportunity to operate the early program as “chief matchmaker.”

She said, “Most of my friends are 80 and older, and I’m so happy to see so many young people here.” She ended by asking more folks to sign up for volunteering. Marcus concluded that each day she meets wonderful people with the reward of hearing about happy seniors and volunteers.

Before the luncheon, volunteers chatted with the AJT. Melissa Vojita said, “I’ve always loved seniors and feel that society needs to step up with care and respect.”

Susan Amsler sat next to client Ellie Wolfe, who shares mutual interests with Amsler. Joan Benamy, 88, who lives in the Ritz Residences, spoke of her wonderful volunteer. Nancy X., who recently moved into Hammond Glen, stated that the volunteer she had for two years, “followed her there.”

Podber summed it up best, “The relationships are win-win. I really get more out of it than I give.”

Caterer Alex served the 200 attendees spinach salad with dried fruit, fresh strawberries, mandarin oranges, and marinated smoked salmon filets with dill topping and cucumber salsa, veggies atop quinoa, and mini potato piroshkis. Desserts were key lime pie and chocolate mousse.

Good deeds permeated the large room. ì

Ellie Wolfe enjoys her relationship with Susan Amsler, as they are both “artsy.”

Shearith Israel Section at Crestlawn Renovated

By Debbie Diamond

Scott Pearlann and Michelle Horowitz are no strangers to leading and funding projects benefiting the Atlanta Jewish community. Their latest initiative, the complete renovation of the entrance to the Congregation Shearith Israel section of Crestlawn Cemetery, is an effort to benefit one of Atlanta’s time-honored synagogue communities. And many might say the makeover is a son’s homage to his beloved and philanthropic father.

When family and friends gathered for Gerald (Jerry) Horowitz’s funeral a little more than two years ago and at the unveiling last year, they could not help but notice the “archaic, old fence” that surrounded the congregation’s section at Crestlawn, according to son, Scott. In fact, the backside of the first row of headstones at the section’s entrance could not be seen because the fence was so close. The fence had been erected in the 1960s, along with the first 100 plots. Since that time, the number of gravesites had

grown significantly and currently stands at 1,250 plots.

“I wanted to create a gateway that would be uplifting and welcoming to

family members and visitors. One of our family’s dearest friends, Bob London, recommended Rick Anderson, a landscape architect who agreed to design a new

entryway and replace the existing landscaping. Over the past year, I have been committed to putting all the pieces in place to make this transformation hap-

Fernbank Museum Showcases 500 Million Years of Armor Evolution

This fall, Fernbank Museum is suiting up for its newest exhibit, Armored Animals, which explores 500 million years of armor evolution through a collection of models, dioramas, objects and other displays.

Protection versus predation is a continuing competition that has driven evolution for millions of years. From fish and insects to reptiles and mammals, defensive necessity has resulted in the evolution of armor in almost all groups of animals.

Armored Animals brings together a fascinating, eclectic mix of creatures all bound by their similar use of armor. The rise of armor in the animal kingdom is illustrated by dozens of pieces, including fantastic casts from recent dinosaur discoveries, giant insect sculptures and bizarre ice age mammals. From primitive ocean dwellers to armor adaptation by ancient humans, the exhibit brings the story of armor full circle.

Visitors can investigate a skull from the legendary “super croc” Sarcosuchus and a full-scale skeletal replica of the gi-

ant crocodilian, Deinosuchus. The exhibit also features one of the largest collections of Ankylosaur skulls and skeletal casts ever assembled, an ice age tortoise, glyptodonts and the armored animals’ fearsome predators, including tyrannosaurs and the Utahraptor, a large, predatory dinosaur known for its formidable toe claws.

Armored Animals also demonstrates how nature’s innovations continue to influence humans, revealing how they have adopted the same defensive techniques as animals, from helmets to armored suits.

“Guests will be surprised by the ingenuity of the natural world and the inspiration that humans have drawn from its biodiversity,” said Miranda Shealy,

the Armored Animals content expert for Fernbank Museum. “This new exhibit brings together an exciting collection of some of nature’s most impressive forms of armor that have evolved throughout time and in animals of all shapes and sizes.”

Armored Animals is on view through Jan. 5, 2025. In addition to being available during daytime admission, the exhibit will also be featured on select evenings during WildWoods: AGLOW.

WildWoods: AGLOW, which opens Nov. 8, is an immersive, multi-sensory experience that uses dramatically artistic, glowing scenes and original music compositions to immerse guests into a nighttime wonderland of biodiversity. For more information about everything Fernbank has to offer, including giant screen movies and events, visit fernbankmuseum.org

Before and after photos of the Shearith Israel entry at Crestlawn Cemetery.

pen,” said Scott.

Once the landscape design plan was ready, Scott reached out to both the Shearith Israel cemetery committee and Crestlawn Cemetery to gather feedback and gain approval to move forward. Work officially began in March 2024.

“Scott came to our committee with architectural blueprints and sketches showing how the project would move the fence forward so the headstones could be seen. There would also be a new archway and landscaping for the front of our section,” said Harold Koslow, chairman of the seven-person Shearith Israel cemetery committee. “Since the project’s completion, the feedback from our members has been overwhelmingly positive. The greatly improved appearance has been a huge win for the congregation. This is not the first time the Horowitz family has funded important projects for our synagogue,” he added.

On Sunday, Oct. 6, the Shearith Israel community gathered for the dedication ceremony. Pearlann, Scott and Michelle Horowitz, sat on the front row at the cemetery, listening as Rabbi Ari Kaiman spoke about the event being an opportunity for congregational gathering and joy.

“The new gate and entry allows us to remember this is a place of eternity and remembrance,” said Rabbi Kaiman. “This is a blessing and a story. The Horowitz and Gulden families have a long, devoted history at Shearith Israel, and both grandfathers were presidents at the synagogue,” he added.

Scott also spoke about sharing his father’s passion for involvement in the community and the importance of giving back. He characterized his father, Jerry, as a “do-er” who encouraged him and others to make a difference.

In characterizing her son and the work he had done, mother Pearlann mentioned her husband’s nickname, “The Lion King,” with Scott being dubbed the “Young Lion” many years ago. Now, she believes Scott has taken on the leadership mantle and will continue to contribute to the Atlanta Jewish community, just as his father did for many decades.

In closing the ceremony, Rabbi Kaiman spoke of buying stones with singleword blessings in Tel Aviv on the day Jerry Horowitz passed away. “It was much earlier in the day, and I did not yet know that Jerry had died. The stones have the Hebrew words for eternity, love and hope written on them. Today I will leave them here at a place that will be beautiful and filled with love and hope for eternity.”

Congregation Shearith Israel was founded in 1904 by a minyan of Eastern European immigrants, who named their community Shearith Israel, “Remnant of Israel,” to acknowledge their status as pioneers in the American South, and of their dedication to the tradition from which they had come. Today, the Conservative synagogue serves more than 420 families. Shearith Israel offers daily minyan in morning and evening, weekly Shabbat services, children’s education, Sisterhood, adult and family programming and education. ì

(From left) Rabbi Ari Kaiman, Harold Koslow, Scott, Michelle and Pearlann Horowitz at the dedication ceremony on Oct. 6.

Blank Commits Big Dollar Amounts to Healthcare

By Bob Bahr

Arthur Blank celebrated his birthday in grand style by dedicating the new $1.5 billion children’s hospital in Atlanta that was named in his honor. Blank, whose name is spaced out vertically across six stories of the building, contributed $200 million to its construction. According to Margaret Connelly, managing director of Founder Initiatives at the Arthur Blank Family Foundation, the naming of the facility speaks to Blank’s commitment to what the hospital represents.

“Arthur was really compelled by, you know, the vision for this new hospital. We haven’t seen a lot of Arthur attachment in terms of his name, until recently. But this one was a really easy decision for him to make because of the compelling vision behind the plans for this hospital and its impact.”

The 19 story, two million squarefoot facility is set on a 20-acre campus that dominates its location near I-85 and North Druid Hills Road. The 446-bed hospital replaces the 170-bed Egleston Chil-

dren’s Hospital located on the campus of Emory University. Donna Hyland, chief executive officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, which operates the building, credited Blank with providing the key to a community fundraising campaign that

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made the new building a reality.

“We needed a pediatric healthcare campus that could give every child in Georgia access to the care they deserve. It wasn’t easy, and the asks were big. But this community, led by Arthur Blank and our Board of Trustees, didn’t shy away.”

Two days after the official ribbon cutting, in a complex 12-hour operation the hospital moved the 202 patients from the old facility to the new one. The move required the participation of 15 state and

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Donna Hyland (left), CEO of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, credits Arthur Blank with providing the crucial support that was needed to build the new hospital.

Alana Shepherd (left), a founder of the Shepherd Center, and Arthur Blank earlier this year as they inspected the building site of the Blank Family Residences at the Center.

local agencies, including the Georgia State Patrol and four police departments. Helping in the move, which is believed to be one of the largest single-day patient transfers of a children’s hospital, were 65 ambulances and 1,000 support staff volunteers.

In addition to more than doubling the capacity of the old building, the new facility provides larger, private rooms so parents can comfortably stay with their children during their hospitalization. There are family lounges, washers and dryers and kitchenettes on each floor.

The ribbon cutting at the children’s hospital follows a similar event in August at the Shepherd Center on Peachtree Road. There, the Blank Foundation made a $50 million capital grant to fund a new 16-story housing tower that will allow families to stay in donated housing while their loved ones are in rehabilitation care. The 165 units, which will receive their first guests this month, will double the housing that is now available next to the Center.

According to Connolly, this gift will be an important part of the healing process the Shepherd Center delivers for patients of all ages.

“Those being treated are supported by their family and have a network of people there to provide care to them,” Connelly said. “And it’s another example of how relationships are really key to how we do our grant making.”

Just as with the children’s hospital, the Marcus Foundation is also a part of the new buildings here. It has donated $80 million for an Advanced Rehabilita-

tion Center which will open next spring.

Both Blank and Marcus have profited in recent years by the valuation of their Home Depot stock, which could be had for as little as $10 a share 25 years ago. It’s now worth more than $400 a share.

The Blank fortune has also benefited from the success of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium which his company manages. The value of the naming rights alone was said to have been worth over $300 million. Then there’s the remarkable rise in the value of the two professional sports franchises he owns.

The Atlanta United professional soccer team, which was founded on an investment of $75 million in 2017, is now said to be worth over $1 billion. The Atlanta Falcons football team, which Blank bought over 20 years ago for $545 million, is, according to Forbes Magazine, now worth over $4 billion. But Blank has repeatedly pledged to devote almost all his accumulated wealth to philanthropy.

This has all helped to broaden financial support of healthcare by the Blank Foundation in recent years. It is now among the five core values of its philanthropy.

In the past two years, the foundation added a multi-million-dollar mental health and well-being program, and according to Fay Twersky, the Foundation president, there’s more to come.

“We care about the well-being of individuals, families and our collective society,” Twersky emphasized, “and we feel that everyone deserves a life where they can flourish and thrive.” ì

The new Arthur M. Blank Children’s Hospital is a 446-bed facility set on a 20-acre campus.

Warsaw’s Musical Feast Dazzles at Ahavath Achim

By Chana Shapiro

Benjamin Warsaw’s piano concert at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, on Sunday, Sept. 22, was a musical tapestry, presenting a masterful, wide-ranging, occasionally surprising program. Warsaw, a classical pianist, composer, teacher, accompanist, and ensemble participant, is a professor in the Gretsch School of Music in the College of Arts and Humanities on the Armstrong campus of Georgia Southern University in Savannah. He teaches students piano and theory and is the Artistic Director of Piano in the Arts, a concert series.

Warsaw crafted the Ahavath Achim program, in his words, to be “a feast of sound,” employing the piano to transport listeners into a space of awe and pleasure via each piece of beautiful and occasionally unexpected music, which included a few of Warsaw’s original compositions and adaptations. He succeeded: listeners were immersed in the music.

Members of the audience crowded around Warsaw during the concert in-

termission and following the concert, to express their admiration of his virtuoso playing and thanking him for playing that affected them emotionally. Some of his admirers wanted to share musicrelated anecdotes. They found that Warsaw was easy to engage. It was clear that he enjoyed these moments of interaction with other music lovers. Many of

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them remarked about his original composition, the concert opener, “In-er-tia,” which showcased Warsaw’s creativity and brilliance; his emotive arrangement of “Yerushalayim Shel Zahav;” and his mastery of a complex and thrilling Chopin waltz.

Throughout the concert, Warsaw’s charismatic personality flourished when

he briefly introduced each piece in the program, alerting the rapt audience to the “pitch, dynamism and rhythm” of selections. He likened the progression of the program to a meal, moving from finger food and an appetizer to the main course, followed by a palate cleanser, and finally, he announced, “I’ll now give you Prokofiev as dessert!” After a stand-

Benjamin Warsaw with Ivan Millender Warsaw playing Chopin. Warsaw explains elements of pieces to the audience.

ing ovation, the audience was treated to an encore, the popular “Oseh Shalom,” to which everyone clapped in rhythm and joyfully sang along. It was generally agreed that they had never heard such a spirited original arrangement of the song.

Warsaw has an interesting weekly side job: for the last two years, he has been playing piano (not organ) for two Methodist churches on Sunday mornings, one where he plays contemporary Christian music, the other where he plays traditional hymns. Many of the congregants regularly attend his concerts, and he calls them his “church family.” Clearly, Warsaw’s affable personality and piano expertise are widely appreciated.

This was Warsaw’s fourth appearance at Ahavath Achim. He has a strong following in Atlanta, where folks know that they will be treated to an inspiring, energizing and elucidating musical experience. The sizeable audience on Sept. 22 included family members, old acquaintances, and even his first- and second-grade teachers from his Hebrew Academy days. At the reception following the concert, the room bubbled with reunions, and Warsaw was frequently approached about scheduling future concerts throughout the South.

Warsaw, a native Atlantan, attended the Hebrew Academy (now Atlanta Jewish Academy). He went on to graduate from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., where he received a Bachelor of Music (BM) and Master of Music (MM), followed by a Doctor of Music (DMA) in piano performance in 2011. His debut recording in 2015, “Warsaw Plays Warsaw,” features 24 original Preludes for a piano solo, and during the program the audience got a delicious taste of these. He has been on the faculty of Georgia Southern University for 12 years, and the Warsaws belong to Orthodox B’nai Brith Jacob synagogue in Savannah. “My wife and I are both ba’alei teshuva and didn’t grow up in Orthodox homes; however, when we met, we both wanted to maintain a traditional home.”

When asked what he likes to do when he’s not teaching or performing, Warsaw, a happily devoted family man, laughs, “I’m mostly raising kids right now.” He tries to practice piano every day and says his best friends are other musicians. The family likes to travel and spend time outdoors, and Warsaw loves to listen to a wide range of music, noting, “I do have a good vinyl collection!”

Although he won’t be pinned down

to name his favorite composers, Warsaw says he enjoys practicing and performing Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, Chopin and Mozart along with newer composers, like Edwin Schulhoff who died in the Holocaust, and adds that he loves to listen to Bach. He states, “I try to practice for pleasure every day; it’s a necessity for me, like eating a good meal.”

Warsaw started taking piano lessons when he was eight years old and loved it. “No one had to make me practice!” he asserts. Although he allowed his piano practice to pause during his teen years, he eventually realized the meaning of piano in his life and returned to daily practice. Warsaw explains, “I took a few years off as a teen, then came back to my piano with great passion.”

Warsaw’s parents, who now reside in Sandy Springs and are members of Congregation Beth Tefillah, moved their family to Israel late in 1983, and lived there for two years. Although he was only a toddler at the time, Warsaw’s bond with Israel remains strong and deep.

He affirms, “After the horrors of Oct. 7, I wanted to do something meaningful in response. I am a musician, and I realized that I could use my skill. I created a 20-minute program of music by contemporary Jewish composers like Gershwin and Leonard Cohen, along with traditional Hebrew melodies, and I’ve been offering the program to Jewish schools and shuls, free of charge. The idea was to share with other Jews a way to connect to Israel through music.”

Warsaw continues to bring his unique program to Jewish groups. He can be contacted at b.warsaw@georgiasouthern.edu.

The Ahavath Achim Cultural Arts Series was founded in 1980 by a small group of congregants and was administered by Harriet and the late Sam Draluck for 24 years. The series was substantially funded in its second year by the late Al Davis in honor of Rabbi Harry H. Epstein’s retirement. In 2004, Ivan Millender assumed responsibility for the music series’ organization and administration. The concerts, which are open to the community, do not charge admission fees, but rely upon voluntary donations by those in attendance and other generous donors. In 2022, synagogue member Marilyn Eckstein made a substantial donation to the synagogue in trust, for support of cultural arts at the synagogue, of which the music series is a major recipient. The trust, along with continued donor support, insures its continued operation. ì

Israeli Cultural Arts

Featuring the Jerusalem Quartet and Art Show by Ori Gabrieli

November 11

Tickets: $36/adults; $25/students

Includes concert plus gallery experience with a drink and dessert bites. Catering by Sabaraba’s available for purchase. www.the-temple.org/quartet

Presenting Sponsor: Diane & Kent Alexander. In partnership with: Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, AJC-Atlanta, The Breman, Israel Bonds, Consulate of Israel, and Neranenah.

Atlanta Scholars Kollel ‘Books’ Hotel King Diener

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Who else but Mike Leven, former COO of Holiday Inn Worldwide, should introduce Atlanta Scholars Kollel’s featured speaker at its annual dinner, Bob Diener, who founded hotels.com and flew in from Miami to headline this event. On Tuesday, Sept. 24, a crowd of 300 came to City Springs to network and be inspired, not coincidentally just before the High Holiday season.

Kollel Head Rabbi David Silverman led the team of rabbis with a skit about booking (though hotels.com) from his headset for a seemingly complicated observant event requesting separate pools (mikveh), an all-night study session (vs. staying in the room), using old fashioned metal keys, fashioning an erev “to carry,” but not guns. All the while Silverman repeated, “Go to the website for answers.”

Despite all the fun confusion, Diener took to the stage and explained how he arrived from the University of Florida, then Cornell Law School, to revolutionize the hotel reservation business.

Leven’s introduction included his own “dinosaur” logistics from 1961 where 50 percent of reservations were made via letters; then some years later, 1-800 numbers evolved. He said, “Bob changed the whole industry.” Leven noted that his own charitable initiative, The Jewish Future Promise, started with 432 participants and now counts 74,500.

Diener opened with a question, “In starting and running a business, how do you know what to do?” The answers are found in his book, “Biblical Secrets to Business Success,” featuring the tagline, “Six days you will labor, and do all your work,” which is a nod to his mother for sending him to Jewish day school.

He spoke extensively about using Jewish values to run a customer serviceoriented business. “We didn’t need expensive consultants to come up with complex suggestions. It’s simple, put yourself in the customer’s shoes. Be fair and reasonable. When it comes to dealing with modern employees, who want more -- more vacation time, don’t make enough money, make sure they get paid on time. That’s a Jewish standard value.” Hotels.com also has a diverse workforce. Diener said, “We look like the United Nations, and by being fair, we get loyalty in return. Another Jewish value is honesty. Don’t put stumbling blocks in front of the blind,” translating to not having hidden costs and unexplained changes. “By being honest also with our affili-

ates, they trust us and give referrals.”

Diener is also a proponent of a balanced life, one not so focused on money.

He then discussed how to define success in the eyes of the Heavenly Court: (1) honest business dealings; (2) taking time off to study and learn; (3) empowering others; (4) tikkun olam

Diener’s path was anything but direct. He went public in 2000 under the name HRN, managing websites for others until he got into the direct reservation business. In terms of hospitality trends, Diener sees “destination activities and the search for experiences, diet, yoga, health, horseback riding, creating family memories. Also, the full service,

top-end market is growing.”

Diener shocked the audience by stating that his company has been using artificial intelligence for a decade. He remarked, “We look at your data and history, we anticipate occupancy rates to adjust prices … if a venue is getting filled, the price goes up.”

Diener, who has five children, seeks their input and perspective on investments and charitable works in their foundation. “Some [kids] intern at the company; we learn from each other.”

Earlier in the program, Adrian Grant was recognized for orchestrating the ASK program and networking to get participation. In the pre-function hour, Dr. Gene

Hirsh and Helene Jacoby mentioned how, with their spouses, they have been studying for six years with Kollel Rabbi Goldberg. Especially enthusiastic about Kollel were several Emory University students who learn on campus with Rabbi Fleshel.

After the speaker, several breakout groups huddled to provide guidance. The pre-law group met with high profile attorney Randall Kessler.

Former Georgia Tech basketball coach Josh Pastner, now a media personality on NBC, ESPN, CBS Sports and Turner, told the AJT, “Grant really delivers by getting great speakers and networking. He has a good heart and love of Judaism.” ì

Rabbi David Silverman, Head of Kollel, delivers an upbeat annual program.

Sports media personality and former Georgia Tech men’s basketball coach Josh Pastner (left) complimented Adrian and Eileen Grant on their Atlanta Scholars Kollel efforts.

Emory Univeristy “J” Biz students learn on campus with Rabbi Fleshel.

Guest speaker Bob Diener poses with Mike Leven, seen holding Diener’s book.

Eitan Force Complex Dedication Honors Namesake

By Robbie Garber

On Sunday, Sept. 29, the second yahrzeit of Eitan Force, in front of a crowd of hundreds of people gathered in person, and hundreds more online, the Weber School's new Eitan Force Athletic Complex was dedicated in his name.

The complex, which follows the Tzadik Performing Arts Center as the latest expansion/renovation provided largely by grants from the Marcus and Zalik Foundations, has been open to students since the beginning of the school year. It’s been a major convenience for students, who in prior years, and especially during renovations, would have to use external facilities.

“We’d have to practice at different churches,” said sophomore Zaden Cohen, “so I’d be getting home at 8:00 every night just because we had to ride a 30-minute bus ride just to get to a gym. But this year it’s different - I get home at like 6:00.”

“It’s so nice, everything’s in this one area now,” said junior Danya Naturman. “You just go through a door and you’re at the new gym. So, it’s very accessible, everything’s so easy.”

Prior to the renovations, the student weight room was in an area they called “the annex” – a space smaller than a classroom. The new weight room is more than five times that size, with a total of eight weightlifting racks.

”Years ago, we told teams ‘Come dressed already, we don’t have a locker room for you.’ Because of that we weren’t able to host any events, host any tournaments, games, or stuff like that. And since we’ve gotten all these things, we’ve hosted multiple tryout matches for our volleyball teams,” said Coach Anthony Baker, “We had nine games going on

campus at the same time. It’s just crazy. We’ve never had the facilities, let alone the logistics and the people to do that –it’s just a testament to what this facility’s given us the opportunity to do.”

In addition to the new, regulationsize gym, weight room, lockers, and renovated auxiliary gym (which, prior, was the campus’s only gym), several outside facilities were renovated. A new student area, The Breezeway, was added between the main building and the new complex, and the track and fields were completely redone.

“I wish I was a freshman this year, because then I would have four more years at this amazing school, especially with the complex, the breezeway, the new

theater, all of that,” said junior Daryn Mand, a member of the varsity volleyball team. Mand and her family were also very close to Eitan Force.

“Even walking in that first time, I got excited and also sad and upset because I know that, if he was here, he would have been beyond wowed, and he would have climbed the stairs, he would have done amazing out here,” said Mand. “I think the legacy that he left with the school very much translated to the complex, and I think they did a great job with how they built it and what they did with it.”

Mand was among the hundreds celebrating Eitan’s memory at the dedication, with Coach Baker discussing Force’s performance as a football player before his jersey was officially retired – as two of his friends, Ryan Lips and Isadora Watcher, revealed his banner.

“As the practices continued, Eitan’s fearlessness and tenacity began to shine,” said Baker. “Despite being smaller than most of his opponents, he quickly earned a reputation as the freshman corner you didn’t want to face. I remember one practice when he locked down our best receiver, I shouted ‘Y’all better stay away from Eitan Island!’”

“Eitan clearly understood what it means to be a leader, to value relationships and be involved,” said Jay Kaiman, president of the Marcus Foundation, on behalf of Bernie Marcus, “It is our hope that on the bleachers and stairs of this new facility, the students of the Felicia

Penzell Weber School will make their own pacts with each other, live in the example set by Eitan, and together be the leaders for our future.”

David and Helen Zalik also commented on the dedication ceremony and their impact on Weber’s sports facilities.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to invest in Weber’s continued growth because of Rabbi Harwitz and the board’s commitment to excellence and his team’s ability to deliver. Excellence at Weber means all aspects of student life: academic, Jewish studies, athletics, STEM, leadership development, and arts. Weber is clearly committed to delivering world class facilities and teachers that produce the most admirable young Jewish leaders.”

The school’s rabbi, Edward Harwitz, was the last to speak.

“When you work hard, and you collaborate as a team with the goal to compete and to win, and to do so with the highest levels of sportsmanship, you exemplify the values of Eitan Force in his name,” said Harwitz. “You ensure that our new athletic center will be more than a building. You will ensure that the Eitan Force athletic center will consistently reflect those values, and enable Eitan’s values to influence and inspire us and future generations, and in turn strengthen our community here at Weber, and our broader Jewish and general community writ large – now, and for years to come.” ì

An aerial shot of the Weber Schol's new Eitan Force Athletic Complex. On the wall is a quote from Maimonides: “When keeping the body in health and vigor, one walks in the way of G-d.”

Weber School students wear Eitan Force’s No. 8 jersey during the Red Out game honoring his memory on Sept. 19.

It’s Official: Pickleball Heaven at JCC Opens

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

The formal dedication and opening ceremony of the Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta took place on a perfect sunny day in Dunwoody on the morning of Sept. 22.

Charles Lipman, widower of Eva, told the AJT, “This is one of the greatest honors of my life.”

Brunch was served from Cadranel’s Corner (Café) along with specialty cocktails. Eva’s sister and mega entrepreneur, Anita Zucker, traveled from South Carolina for the event, and stated, “Eva was very athletic in her own way, and this would be so thrilling for her. I so wish that she was here to see it.”

MJCCA past president Sammy Grant greeted the group and spoke of the pride associated with the facility’s growth. MJCCA Executive Director Jarod Powers thanked Dunwoody City Council members and Jewish mayor Lynn Deutsch, before extolling the JCC’s role in rekindling old friendships and creating new ones “as a second home and safe haven.” He recalled that three years ago, he presented to Charles Lipman, a former attorney and businessman, the plan to realize this vision which has come to fruition in Eva’s memory.

Son, Andy Lipman, read Charles’ statement and spoke emotionally about his own battle with cystic fibrosis and the loss of his sibling, Wendy, to that disease. He described his mother as “wickedly smart, knowing ‘everyone’s business’ and using her ability to raise money. “Mother would get on the phone to solicit for money for Wish for Wendy and raise millions; and this included her ability to motivate others using her Jewish mother’s guilt. She is watching over us now, proud of this facility as a one-destination community. And yes, mom, I’m wearing sun block even if I’m indoors.”

Donor Steve Cadranel thanked the entire crew to dream so bold as to arrive at this “Zaban Resort” now vs. heralding back to his youth, when he came to the JCC as just when it wasn’t much more than a BBQ grill and pool, to “Now where we cater to all of Atlanta. These things don’t happen by accident.”

He spoke emotionally about his late son, Adam, and how he enjoyed the neon sign that stands in front of Cadranel’s Corner. The café’s non-meat menu includes light bites, bigger bites, sweets, drinks and liquor. Greek and house salads start at $10 with a tuna scoop for $3

additional, salmon wrap at $13, bagels with cream cheese $5, plus $4 for lox, such a deal! The menu also includes margaritas starting at $10.

Before the brunch, donor Todd Starr explained that he is a frequent JCC pickleball player along with his daughter, Zoe. He said, “Go look at our Court No. 8. That’s where we play. Others can reserve it also.”

Sports enthusiast and octogenarian, Arthur Katz, 82, who just won the state’s Golden Olympics singles tennis tournament, stated that he was delighted to have the JCC facility for his children and grandchildren. He laughed, “I play only singles and am saving doubles for when I get old.”

As a sport in the U.S., pickleball has surpassed golf and tennis. Only cycling and running are more popular. In 2021, 55-plus was the largest age segment. Now players are skewing younger: 18-34 constitutes 29 percent of players; men (60.1 percent) still play more than women (39.5 percent), though female players are growing at a faster rate; 36 million (14 percent) of the adult U.S. population played last year. Another source claims that the U.S. has 43 million players. Approximately 130 new pickleball locations open across the country per month. Atlanta has the fourth most pickleball locations in America, according to Pickleball Dinks Newsletter.

The new MJCCA complex boasts 12 pickleball courts, eight of which are enclosed, all with individual fencing. The MJCCA offers a wide range of programming for different skills levels, tourna-

ments, leagues, open play sessions, ladder nights, and mixers. The complex is available for rent for private events and parties. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mon-

day to Thursday. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday to Sunday. The Eva G. Lipman Pickleball Complex is adjacent to the Zaban Family Sports Pavilion. ì

A sculpture depicts a thoughtful Eva G. Lipman, the namesake for the MJCCA’s new pickleball facility.

The new indoor and outdoor pickleball facilities make for all weather play.

Zoe Starr and Karl Altman chat with Todd Starr about their pickleball prowess and donating Court No. 8.

‘We Will Dance Again’ Revisits October 7th Tragedy

By Bob Bahr

Hundreds of young people were still dancing when the sun came up over the Nova Music Festival on the morning of Oct. 7 of last year.

If you were young and looking for a good time at the tail end of the Jewish holiday season, this was a way to celebrate life and love and beauty. But starting at 6:29 that morning for the 3,500 that were celebrating just a few miles from the border with Gaza, everything changed.

The new documentary, “We will Dance Again,” is an hour-by-hour recreation of the horror those thousands of young people faced as they woke up to the possibility that they would not live through the day.

The distinguished Israeli filmmaker, Yariv Mozer, has pieced together the reaction of these young people as they faced death. From dramatic cell phone videos that many of them created, sometimes as their final act, Mozer takes us on the open roads where many of them died and to the hiding places in bomb shelters,

trash dumpsters and darkened refrigerators where they struggled to live. Before the day came to an end, 405 were dead, another 45 were dragged off as hostages in Gaza.

Some of his own footage, taken at

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the music festival site just a few days after the attack, is also included. There’s a twisted and dusty boot here, a pair of broken eyeglasses there, mute testimony to the carnage that had descended when the music stopped and the killing began.

As Mozer stood talking to the AJT in the lobby of the Tara Theatre, which hosted the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival screening, he reflected on the past 10 months he had spent in the editing room creating these moments of life in the balance.

“I always ask myself if I’m as emotionally attached as I watched it for the first times. I want those who watch this film to be emotionally attached to the survivors and their stories and to understand emotionally what happened there. I want them to feel what it was like to be there.”

And for an hour and a half, as the images flit by, sometimes badly askew or out of focus, we are drawn in. In a few unbearable moments we try to avert our eyes as a Hamas terrorist with a Go Pro camera on his forehead pulls the trigger, then runs forward excitedly to finish off a pair of young persons at point blank range.

eight of them back before the ninth ended his life. Halley, then, took his place.

“I remember a grenade flying in, just landing right in front of me, and you could see the flame coming out of the top of the grenade, and it was a few inches, and I remember it getting smaller and smaller, and I just picked up the grenade and threw it out.”

He lived but with haunting memories.

“I’m never going to be the person I was before the seventh of October, and I’m trying to figure out who I’m going to be now.”

This finely honed meditation on brutality and survival is likely to cause us to ask some of those same questions of ourselves as we face the future. If there is an answer to be found it may be in some of the brighter moments in this searing film. Despite his pain, Eitan Halley speaks of a better day tomorrow.

“I close my eyes for a moment, and I picture my friends that aren’t with us anymore and hoping that wherever they are, they’re partying like crazy, and that one day we will, too.”

While the horrific scenes in this film are likely to stir in our memory for some time, it is Yariv Mozer’s belief that the music will stir us again, as it did these young people on that early October morning last year.

The names and faces of those who survive come up on the screen, sitting on a plain wooden stool, set against a softly lit background, then fade away into more scenes of the carnage. Perhaps the most moving of the survivors is 28-year-old Eitan Halley. In a remarkably calm, but deeply emotional voice, he recounts how he survived in a migunit, a concrete bomb shelter just across from Kibbutz Be’eri, while Hamas killers tossed grenades inside. His friend, Aner Shapira, tossed

“And I think that is something very unique to the Jewish people in general,” Mazer said. “It’s something very, I think Jewish, that we will dance again, we will be able to dance again.”

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Participants in the Nova Music Festival had no idea what Oct. 7 would bring.

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival hosted a discussion after the film with Audrey Galax of Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters (left) and the director, Yorav Mozer

Yohay Sponder Wraps Tour with Atlanta Show

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Social media sensation Yohay Sponder appeared before a doubledecked, packed house at the Atlanta Jewish Academy on Saturday night, Sept. 28. Combining his loyal Israeli fans with newer Americans, Sponder started the program almost 30 minutes late and stated that Atlanta was the last stop of his month-long tour … but “maybe Philly was his favorite show.”

First off, security was on high alert. A huge dog guarded the front entrance as men with earpieces and walkie-talkie devices watched with eagle eyes. An hour before show time, the lobby was open for ticket holders to mingle. Several fans came from neighboring states like Florida, Alabama, and North Carolina in anticipation of who might sit too close to the stage and get “picked on” by the comedian. Later in the show, Sponder pointed out the non-Jews and queried, “How does it feel to be a minority -- the goyim of the show?” with his traditional “You Jew You?”

Although warm and natural, some of Sponder’s routines and subtleties were not so well understood by the Southern audience. Other bits about the superiority of Jews landed well. He said, “It’s hard to figure out, you hate us … we keep inventing better medicine to save your life so you can live longer to hate us more … Why do they hate us … what did we do? G-d chose us. We believe that G-d believes we are better than you.”

Hard to follow, but we get the gist. His most motivational moment was in explaining the importance of staying alive, “so we can win to tell the story … even if for one more day.”

A new scene featured some dark humor about the recent death of Sponder’s father and how he was asked to identify the body. In a genuine moment, he admitted that many might not find the topic funny, but that’s how he deals with dark things. He also noted that his beard was related to still being in mourning.

Another funny scene involved Yohay recovering in a military hospital with his also wounded (non-Jewish) Druze compatriot, who was nodding in and out of consciousness, as a rabbi came in and laid tefillin regularly. When the Druze soldier wakes up, he asks where the guy was who comes to check his blood pressure (think wrapped black straps). Sponder also said he had a PhD in PTSD or somehow blended the two. Mumbling is part of the fun

and part of the problem missing some language.

Some routines with the “f” word, tales of passing gas, penis jokes, and some sexually explicit ways to describe the “sex” act when determining the gender of the child were blush-able moments, and a little passé.

One hysterical scene with more physical comedy was when Sponder explained colonization … “How such a small country like Israel could even be accused of that, with British folks acting so ‘uppity’ about needing slaves to make cotton for their seat cushions, and sugar cubes for their tea. All the while he is vigorously

rowing a boat across oceans to colonize.”

Sponder ponders, “If we are the colonizers, why does everyone speak English and not Hebrew? Either it’s about being indigenous or colonizers, pick one. We got both.”

Winding down, Yohay took questions from the audience. What did he think of VP Harris? “Kamila sounds like an Arab name. She hates Jews? She married one.”

Another language bit was about Israeli claims of overlapping Hebrew/English words … “banana,” “pajamas,” then something about “kangaroos” being a nest for pockets.

Earlier in the pre-function hour, fan David Blaker, who drove in from Charlotte, was excited about hearing Sponder’s bemoaning, “Never again, Hamas isn’t the first to want to destroy us, look at the Germans, how many never again’s?”

Sam Kaufman, Key West vice mayor and city commissioner, reasoned, “Sponder helps us understand contemporary realities, by making them funny, and feeling OK about the current situation.”

Trevor Horwitz got to know Sponder on Instagram, “I think his improv is hysterical and I just like seeing him run with it.” ì

Sam Kaufman (front row) and wife, Julia, who came in from Key West, met local friends, Alan and Karen Dobkin (back row).

Yohay Sponder is known for his audience interaction and talked about his large Star of David necklace // Photo Credit: Cheryl Dorchinsky

Trevor and Stacey Horwitz admire Sponder’s ability to do improv.

Jonathan and Sue Schare and Abe and Gail Schuster came from Birmingham to have some laughs.

Ethiopian Beta Israel Holy Books Made Available

National Library of Israel (NLI), the Ethiopian Jewry Heritage Center, and the Orit Guardians program at Tel Aviv University, are proud to announce a new digitization project to scan and make available

Today in Israeli History

Oct. 15, 1894: Moshe Sharett, a signer of the Israeli Declaration of Independence, the country’s first foreign minister and its second prime minister, is born in Ukraine. He becomes the Jewish Agency’s political director in 1933.

Batya Arad, the mother of captured Israeli flyer Ron Arad, speaks at the opening of the World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem on Dec. 23, 1997. // By Avi Ohayon, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0

Oct. 16, 1986: Ron Arad, 28, an F-4 Phantom II navigator, is captured by Shia Amal terrorists after bailing out over Lebanon. He is never seen in Israel again. He is believed to have been killed in 1988 or 1992.

Oct. 17, 1880: Ze’ev Vladimir Jabotinsky, the father of Revisionist Zionism, is born in Ukraine. Pogroms in 1903 inspire his activism for Jewish self-defense and Zionism. He develops the intellectual foundation for what becomes Likud.

Oct. 18, 1988: Israel’s Supreme Court upholds the rejection of the Kach party’s bid to participate in the election for the 12th Knesset. Founded by Meir Kahane in 1971, Kach is barred for inciting or engaging in racism.

ISRAEL PRIDE

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME

the rare holy books and manuscripts of the Beta Israel community. Until now, most of these items were held by the community’s Kesim (clergy) in private homes, or in Beta Israel synagogues, but were not accessible to the public at large.

A recent gathering at the Library with Beta Israel leaders has resulted in an agreement under which high-resolution digital scans of these items will be generated and made available to the public via the NLI website, while the original items remain with the communities.

The manuscripts are written in the sacred language of Ge’ez and include the Octateuch known as the Orit (the Torah of Beta Israel comprising the Pentateuch-- the five books of the Torah -- and the books of Joshua, Judges and Ruth), the Jewish apocryphal texts of Jubilees and Enoch, prayerbooks such as the Book of Psalms, and more. These are considered “living books” used in ongoing religious activities. In addition, there are holy books held by descendants of Kesim.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Oct. 19, 1948: The warships Haganah, Wedgewood and Noga attack an Egyptian troop carrier near Ashkelon in the first major battle for the Israeli navy. The Egyptian ship suffers enough damage to require towing home.

Oct. 20, 2013: Haredi men hurl rocks at and slash the tires of buses bearing ads promoting female worship at the Western Wall. The ads, depicting women with prayer shawls and Torahs, come from Women of the Wall.

Benjamin Netanyahu is Israel’s longestserving prime minister. // By Amos Ben Gershom, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0

Oct. 21, 1949: Benjamin Netanyahu, the ninth and longest-serving prime minister of Israel, is born in Tel Aviv. He spends much of his childhood in Philadelphia. He is first elected to the Knesset on the Likud list in 1988.

Oct. 22, 1952: Eliahu Elath, who was Israel’s first ambassador to the United States, presents his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II as he is elevated after two years from minister to become Israel’s first ambassador to the United Kingdom.

Hebrew Translation of Testimony Archive is now Accessible

The USC Shoah Foundation’s Archive, featuring 59,000 video testimo-

Oct. 23, 1998: Benjamin Netanyahu, Yasser Arafat and Bill Clinton sign a memorandum recommitting to the Oslo II agreement of September 1995 after nine days of negotiations at the Wye River Plantation in Maryland.

Sir Henry McMahon was the British high commissioner in Cairo during World War I.

Oct. 24, 1915: Sir Henry McMahon, the British high commissioner in Cairo, and Hussein Ibn Ali, the sharif of Mecca, begin an exchange of letters in which the British promise to back Hussein’s bid to lead a restored Arab caliphate.

Oct. 25, 1895: Levi Eshkol, Israel’s prime minister during the Six-Day War, is born near Kyiv. He becomes involved with Zionist youth groups in high school and makes aliyah in 1914. He serves as finance and defense minister.

Oct. 26, 1994: More than 4,500 people, including President Bill Clinton, witness Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Jordanian King Hussein sign a peace treaty at the Wadi Araba border crossing between Eilat and Aqaba.

nies of survivors of the Holocaust, the Oct. 7 attacks and other historical events of persecution, is now accessible in Hebrew worldwide through a partnership with the National Library of Israel (NLI). The USC Shoah Foundation archive now features Hebrew translations of the platform’s navigation, interface, and closedcaption testimonies of 275 select Holocaust survivors who live in Israel.

In March, the USC Shoah Foundation and NLI teamed up to provide Israelis with the first nationwide access to this extensive library of audiovisual testimonies, including hundreds of testimonies from survivors and witnesses of the Oct. 7 terror attacks. Israelis can now access the USC Shoah Foundation’s testimonies in their native language at https://vha. usc.edu/he/home/israel.

Users worldwide can also access the archive in either English or Hebrew by clicking the globe icon on the USC Shoah Foundation’s main archive page at https://vha.usc.edu/he/home.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Oct. 27, 1978: Forty-one days after signing the Camp David Accords, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat are declared winners of the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize, handed out Dec. 10.

Oct. 28, 1910: The Hadera Commune arrives at Umm Juni along the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) and forms the first kibbutz, or collective agricultural community, Degania Alef (based on dagan, “grain”), on leased JNF land. Oct. 29, 1956: Israeli troops kill 48 Israeli Arabs returning from their fields at dusk in Kfar Kassem, where an IDF colonel has illegally made the curfew earlier without warning in response to the start of the Sinai war that day.

Oct. 30, 1991: The Soviet Union and the United States convene a three-day Middle East peace conference in Madrid that includes all Arab states contiguous to Israel, the Gulf Cooperation Council, and Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza.

Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.

The Orit held by Liqa Kahenat Chief Kes Berko Tegegne with (from left) Naftali Avraham, Dr. Chaim Neria, Dr. Raquel Ukeles, Dr. Dalit Rom-Shiloni // Photo Credit: Michael Zekri

Members of the Hadera Commune are shown in 1910 before settling Degania Alef.

The Visual History Archive Interface and 275 survivor testimonies is now available in Hebrew.

‘Voluntourism’ is a Growing Part of Life in Israel

By Bob Bahr

It is called “voluntourism,” the movement to bring individuals to Israel to help the country weather the food crisis and other issues of daily life that have accelerated during the recent military campaign in Gaza and along the Lebanese border.

Volunteers of all ages have journeyed to Israel for a few weeks or a few days to help out on farms in need of day laborers. Prior to Oct. 7, 2023, much of this work was done by foreign workers, but many of them have left. The labor shortage has been exacerbated as well by military manpower needs.

That why Leket Israel, the country’s leading food bank, decided to step up its volunteer program sending near a dozen busloads of volunteers to work on the farms of Southern Israel and help farmers there continue production.

According to Joseph Gitler, who visited Atlanta recently, the organization has welcomed over 100,000 volunteers since Oct. 7 of last year. They are either working in the field or in a network of distribution centers around the country. One of Gitler’s stops while he was here was at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta where he told the organization’s leaders of the need for expanding the role of volunteers in Israel.

“When Federation has trips, the men’s mission, the big community mission, the birthright trips we want to make to ensure that they are working with us,” Gitler said. “We hope to develop this relationship more strategically and more deeply.”

To help strengthen the ties the organization is developing in the Southeast, Leket Israel has just appointed a liaison based in Israel who plans to visit this part of the America to encourage volunteerism and to boost financial support. The new liaison, Sally Poola, who made Aliyah four years ago, visited Atlanta and then included a swing through some of the smaller communities in the Southeast like Greenville and Aiken, S.C.

One of the issues that has not gotten much media attention is the impact that the strike by Hamas had on agriculture, particularly in the Negev, where agriculture is a major industry.

One of the recent visitors to Israel was Dan Glickman, the first Jewish Secretary of Agriculture who worked in the Clinton administration from 1995 to 2001, who visited the Western Negev,

where it is estimated that 70 percent of the country’s vegetables and 20 percent of its fruit is grown. On Oct. 7, in addition to the human losses that day, greenhouses and crops were burned, irrigation systems were destroyed, and farm animals were killed.

“Israel was founded on the kibbutz movement,” Glickman told the Jewish Insider. “Hamas was pretty clear that it not only wanted to kill people but also impact Israeli agriculture.”

Israel is also using volunteers to harvest food that might ordinarily go to waste if not redistributed to those who are in need. Each week Gitler says his organization helps to feed 330,000 Israelis through a network of several hundred non-profit agencies. He says that his organization has distributed about three million cooked meals, aided again by the

work of volunteers.

“Mostly, the meals are going to homeless shelters and battered women’s shelters and after school clubs for kids and that frees up their time to focus on their work.”

Birthright Israel has also announced that it’s expanding its volunteer program that began shortly after the Oct. 7 attacks.

The president and CEO of the Birthright Israel Foundation, Elias Saratovsky, told the eJP news site that the expansion is the result of a greater than expected response. This year, the program is expected to bring 8,000 participants to the Jewish state.

“We brought twice as many volunteers as we thought would come this year, and we expanded our budget to accommodate them because we understand the needs in Israel are great, and the desire

among young people to volunteer is great as well,” Saratovsky said. “We continue to see dozens of new applicants every single day; hundreds of new volunteers come.”

The program, which is run in partnership with Mosaic Israel in the country’s Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, is expected to grow by 50 percent in 2025, from its current $18 million budget to $24 million as donors to the Birthright Foundation have stepped up their support.

“We started this as an experiment,” Saratovsky continued. “We saw a massive demand from Diaspora Jews and we saw a massive need in Israel. None of those have dissipated since we launched the project. We are constantly adding new partners in Israel that require volunteers. We believe this will happen for years to come, as the needs in Israel will continue to exist.” ì

Leket Israel, the nation’s largest food bank, has welcomed more than 100,000 volunteers to help in the harvesting of food and its distribution.

Dan Glickman, the former Agriculture Secretary in the Clinton administration, has studied the needs of Israel for more volunteers. Birthright Israel is expanding its subsidized volunteer program by 50 percent in the next year.

Bader Looks to Lead Mets to World Series Title

David Ostrowsky

Back in February, during his first spring training with the New York Mets, centerfielder Harrison Bader was gifted the “Bring Them Home” dog tag necklace that advocates for the return of Israeli hostages held in Hamas captivity by a Jewish fan. Bader, whose father, Louis, is Jewish, was slated to play for Team Israel during the 2023 World Baseball Classic before ultimately opting out following an injury-plagued 2022 MLB season, and graciously accepted the present. Throughout this past regular season, the 30-yearold Bronxville, N.Y., native took the field with the necklace draped around his neck – and a Jewish Star of David embroidered into his waistband.

But it wasn’t until earlier this month, amidst the Mets’ stunning and most improbable postseason run, which happened

to coincide with the one-year anniversary of Oct. 7, that Bader’s sartorial support of Israel really garnered widespread recognition among sports fans outside of the TriState Area. It was, in fact, on Oct. 6, during Bader’s press conference at Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park before Game 2 of the National League Division Series, that he was asked if he had taken time to reflect on his show of support for Israel, what it has meant to Jewish fans, and interactions he’s had with them throughout the season.

Bader, before going into his lengthy, thoughtful answer, told the reporter, “Yeah, I appreciate you mentioning that, for sure.” Then, the veteran outfielder, who was a postseason hero for the crosstown Yankees in autumn 2022 with his barrage of clutch homers before getting dealt to the Cincinnati Reds the following season, provided some further insight.

“I’ve done my best just to play baseball, keep to myself. Anything related to my beliefs, if you will, off the field, I’ve just shown up every day with one intention, that’s playing baseball.

“But, you know, I think it is just im-

portant regardless of whatever might be going on as it relates to Israel and Jewish families and everybody involved in the situation, I mean, it’s just important to just be grateful for every single day as it does come, regardless of your religious beliefs or anything off the field as it is for me. I’m just thankful for the opportunity.

“I’ve definitely welcomed a lot more love and gratitude into my life as a result of just listening to countless stories and experiences. That goes for both sides involved here.”

The former Gold Glove winner and impending free agent inked a $10.5 million deal with the Mets in January. In 143 regular season games, he slammed 12 homers and drove in 51 runs while playing his traditional stellar defense. In the Mets’ magical postseason journey, which continues this week against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Championship Series, he’s contributed mostly in a reserve capacity, whether it be coming off the bench in the late innings to serve as a defensive replacement or entering as a pinch-runner, as he did in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies when he scored a pair of runs. But for the Mets, a franchise with such a far-reaching and passionate Jewish fanbase (not to mention, a principal owner who is Jewish, Steve Cohen), a Jewish player’s outward support of Israel has really resonated deeply.

“I really do want to keep it just related to baseball, but again, I will just say I think it’s important to just be grateful for every opportunity,” Bader, who attended Horace Mann High School in The Bronx before starring for the University of Florida Gators, reiterated during his Game 2 presser. “This has been an abso-

lute blessing to be a part of this game. To be given an opportunity as a free agent this offseason, I never imagined I would have as much fun as I have this year.

“Again, I just think it’s important to again just be grateful and just take things as they come, because you just never know how they might change up.”

On the field this month, Bader’s contributions to the surging Mets have been relatively limited – at least compared to his breakout performance during the Yankees’ march to the ALCS two years ago. After not getting any at-bats in the Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers, Bader went 1-6 with three runs and a pair of stolen bases against the Phils in the next round. But the MLB postseason can be rather fickle, chock-full of heroics from unexpected contributors, and there’s no telling if Bader – whether it be as a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch-hitter against a flamethrowing lefty reliever -- could make his mark again for another one of his hometown teams.

“I think there’s a lot of power in being free,” added Bader. “The postseason presents players with the opportunity to do just that, which is to be free, to play for something bigger than themselves. To celebrate everything as it comes with respect and within reason. But when you really do feel like you’re helping a bigger entity, if you will, it builds you up and anything is possible.”

Should the Mets advance to the World Series – a seemingly impossible outcome merely several months ago –their widely expected opponent in the Fall Classic would be none other than the team Bader grew up so feverishly rooting for, the New York Yankees. ì

Two years after making postseason headlines for the New York Yankees, Jewish outfielder Harrison Bader, who has worn a Star of David on his belt all season, cracked the New York Mets’ playoff roster // Photo Credit: New York Mets

Saltzman Named New Atlanta Hawks CCO

By David Ostrowsky

For Andrew Saltzman, growing up in Manhattan in the early 1970s naturally meant being a diehard fan of the Joe Namath-quarterbacked Jets and the great Knicks teams headlined by Bill Bradley and Walt Frazier. He loved all sports, particularly basketball, and grew even more enamored of the game when he was a freshman at Georgetown University in 1984 and the Hoyas won a national title. But Saltzman, who’s now lived in Atlanta for 27 years, never expected to be making a career out of sports, a great irony considering just last month he was promoted to president of Business Enterprise & chief commercial officer for the Atlanta Hawks & State Farm Arena.

“I never set out to be in the world of sports as a business. I really didn’t,” explained Saltzman, who since 2015 has been the Hawks’ executive vice president & chief revenue officer. “I knew that I wanted to be in sales and that I wanted to drive revenue. I don’t think back then you thought of sports as an industry that you could get into. Nowadays, every other call I get, it seems like is a friend or a partner or a colleague or someone I know saying, ‘Hey, can you meet with my son or daughter?’ They love sports. They want to be in the business.”

Indeed, Saltzman’s path to a nowdecades-long career in pro sports was a circuitous one. His first job out of Georgetown was loading and driving a UPS package truck in Nantucket, Mass. Shortly thereafter he moved over 3,000 miles away to San Francisco where he got a job selling airtime at a rock ‘n roll radio station – a gig that, by his estimation, enabled him to attend dozens of Grateful Dead concerts. But sports remained his undying passion and by the mid-'90s, sports radio was starting to become all the rage for a certain demographic of listeners. So, in 1997 Saltzman and his wife settled in Atlanta, where he co-founded and became president of Atlanta’s first sports radio station, 790/The Zone, before ultimately getting hired by the Hawks nine years ago.

Which meant instead of chronicling the Hawks, he was now waist-deep in the franchise’s ticketing, sponsorship, and hospitality lines of business.

“I didn’t realize how complex a business it really is, being on the team side,” acknowledged Saltzman.

As the Hawks have made great strides in becoming more ingrained in

the fabric of the Atlanta community over the past decade, Saltzman came to another realization.

“I really didn’t fully comprehend how much a sports team can impact a community in such a positive way,” added Saltzman, who takes great pride in the fact that State Farm Arena was transformed into a polling precinct during the national election cycle in 2020 (55,000 voters streamed through the arena in 20 minutes during the heart of the pandemic) and that the Million Meal Pack has emerged as an annual event having such a profound impact on the Atlanta community by addressing food insecurity.

In his new post, Saltzman will be chiefly responsible for capitalizing on new commercial opportunities via new strategic integrations and partnerships, many of which involve the Centennial Yards downtown district, slated to launch next year.

“We believe in downtown,” Saltzman proudly stated. “It’s exciting to look out our window and see these five or six cranes.

“You look at what sports and entertainment venues have become and we like to say we think they’ve become the new anchor tenants of malls. Back in the

day, you went to a mall, and you had a Macy’s or a Bloomingdale’s that would drive in the traffic for all the other retailers. Well now, sports and entertainment venues have really become that. What the Braves have done with The Battery is truly beyond impressive.”

As the development process comes to fruition in the ensuing months – the mixeduse district will have, among other features, a 300-key hotel and 300-person apartment building – the primary focus becomes find-

ing the optimal means to leverage State Farm Arena’s prime location toward driving forward new business ventures around the slew of mega events (2024 College Football National Championship Game, World Cup Games in summer 2026, Men’s Final Four in 2031, a potential Super Bowl) that will be descending on downtown.

“This is a really, really exciting opportunity,” Saltzman added.

Of course, Saltzman never would have been so intricately involved in the transformative process – and its enticing potential -- had he not made the cross-country trip to Atlanta just after the 1996 Summer Olympics and decided to stay put down south. For that, he is quick to credit how welcoming the Jewish community was when he arrived late last century. In fact, one of the very first people he met when he moved to Atlanta was Steve Selig, who at the time was president of the Atlanta Jewish Federation and graciously hosted Saltzman for Jewish holidays during his first year in town. While Saltzman refers to Selig as “the trunk of my Jewish tree here,” he has also grown very close with Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple, where his two sons would celebrate their bar mitzvahs.

“I just have incredible respect for Rabbi Peter Berg,” said Saltzman. “He’s become a friend and confidant at times.”

Though Saltzman will never forget his New York roots – and, in particular his old stomping grounds of Madison Square Garden – he fully considers himself an adopted son of Atlanta, the city where he has now lived longer than anywhere else.

“Anybody who will listen, I will tell them what an amazing city this is,” raved Saltzman. “Specifically, the Jewish community has been so incredible for me and my family.” ì

SPORTS Schulman & Romeu ‘Strike’ it Big with Bowling League

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Bowling originated in ancient civilizations. The modern form of bowling dates back to the late 19th century and is particularly popular in North America and Europe.

Now tying Atlanta Jews to bowling means interactivity, with friendly competition and, of course, food. Alex Schulman, head of Atlanta’s Jewish Bowling League, has been “king pin” for the last nine years. He stated, “I’ve been bowling with the league for 12 years with the last nine years as president. What I’ve been able to find out is that the league started in 1956. A great friend of mine, Joe Bernstein, got me involved. He’s since moved away to Detroit, but we still call on a weekly basis and exchange bowling stories.”

Growing up in New Orleans, Schulman never bowled on a consistent basis. Now he oversees the league of 30 every Sunday night at Bowlero Norcross for around three hours where social networking and potluck food is shared.

The fall schedule is 13 weeks running from September through end of December; then the winter schedule picks up from January through May. Schulman, who works at Northside Hospital as a data analyst, states that the group members’ ages range from mid-20s to late 60s.

With a personal best score of 182, Schulman said, “Bowling is an activity that anyone can enjoy, and it’s a fantastic way to have fun with friends and family.”

His best bowling tips are: get a good coach; get your own shoes; practice, practice, practice.

When asked if bowling, like golf,

is both a mental and physical game, he replied, “It’s more a knowledge-based game, understanding how the oiling of the lanes will affect how your ball travels down the lane, regardless of how strong you are. It’s knowing that you need to do the same thing, the same way, every single time to hopefully get the same results. And, like every other sports game, dealing with the pressure. It’s a combina-

tion of the two to be successful.”

Accomplished bowler and league member since 2021, Meryl Romeu met her husband while bowling and attending the University of Miami. She described why she likes the league: “I get the pure social experience I need at this stage. The people are the best. I live about 20 minutes away from Bowlero.”

By this league’s standards, Romeu is a very competitive and an accomplished bowler and has represented the U.S. as a bowler in the World Maccabi Games in Israel three times. Locally, she now ranks in the top 30 to 40 percentiles. She’s been bowling since the age of 12, where her father taught the whole family the game.

She stated, “I don’t bowl as competitively as I used to, but I currently average about 185 and my highest game is 288.”

To keep her game in its “primo” stage, she watches the pros to absorb more and to pick up tips. Her husband coaches her, and she tries to deal with physical issues as they happen. “There’s always something new to learn.”

In terms of Jewish bowling, Romeu said, “I know firsthand that the Jewish bowling community is a small one; and

I’m so happy to have so many Jewish friends to bowl with. The Maccabi bowlers from around the world are like a big family. And I like that aspect of it.”

Romeu prefers co-ed leagues and tournaments to “women only,” but says that “men can be thought of as more high scoring” than the gals.

Romeu has always maintained her own equipment, balls, shoes, and accessories. She was born in New York and grew up in the suburbs of Montreal. She moved to Florida for graduate school, and then Atlanta for work.

She concluded, “I started bowling as a kid, and never stopped!”

Bowling is known to sharpen focus and concentration as players must calculate angles. Many traditional bowling alleys also include entertainment options like arcades, laser tag, and sports bars. The city of Atlanta is home to some boutique bowling experiences like the Painted Pin and the Painted Duck for duck pin bowling with craft cocktails and gourmet food. And there’s always bumper bowling for beginners.

To join the Jewish Bowling League, email Alexfromuno@gmail.com.

Andy Bikwit gives a thumbs up after his strike.

Meryl Romeu represented the U.S. in bowling in the World Maccabi Games in Israel.

Heather Rosenheck walks away after a successful roll.

Alex Schulman has served as bowling league president for nine years.

With the New Year Comes Chance for Clarity

Michael A. Morris Publisher

I spent the High Holidays at Chabad of North Fulton with Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz. He leads a very engaging service and his sermons and discussions are always inspiring. Not surprising, much of his talks revolved around Israel and Oct. 7. One of his stories struck very close to home with me and I thought I would share.

One of the themes that Rabbi Minkowicz discussed was that of Israeli resolve and moral clarity. He spoke about an IDF soldier, Dvir Ressler (51st Battalion of the Golani Brigade) who died on Oct. 7. He fell on a grenade in order to save six other soldier’s lives. During shiva, Dvir’s mom heard that the six members of his platoon were going to come to support

her and pay their respects to the man who saved their lives. As bereaved as she was, she invited neighbors over to her house on that shiva day to plan a sort of welcome “party” for these men who were still actively fighting to protect Israel, so that the day, for them, would not be filled with mourning. Who does this? Who has the moral clarity and fortitude to accomplish this task at hand?

Why did this story have such a profound effect on me? Earlier that day, I had received an email from Aharon Klein with well wishes for a sweet, healthy and peaceful new year. An email that I treasure each year. Aharon and I met briefly 14 years ago, and he still sends my family well wishes every year at Rosh Hashanah. We met when I invited him to speak at the first Atlanta Friends of the IDF gala dinner in 2010. I invited him to speak because his son, a major in the IDF, is a legend and hero. Major Roi Klein z”l died in 2006 in the Lebanon war when his platoon was ambushed in the garden behind a home. The garden was sealed and when the en-

tire platoon entered, the terrorist lobbed a grenade into the garden and Roi dove on it to save the men of his platoon. I don’t think it was mere coincidence that Roi came up in my life, twice in one day, to remind me of the resolve, tenacity, heroism and moral clarity of my brothers and sisters in Israel. But the story does not end there.

After services, I spent a few minutes talking with Rabbi Minkowicz. Right at that moment, I couldn’t remember Roi’s name, but I told my rabbi that his speech reverberated with me because I had just received an email from Aharon Klein, that day, whose son was put in the same position and reacted exactly the same. Rabbi Minkowicz immediately responded, “You mean Roi Klein z”l.” I was surprised at his response, “How did you know him?” He said that he was going to tell another story to augment his first but ran out of time. A story about Mayan Abergil z”l. He, too, lost his life on Oct. 7 when he threw himself on a grenade to save six other soldiers. This story adds that one of Mayan’s teachers

told his parents that his hero was Roi and if he were in the same situation, he would, and did, do what Roi did. Again, I ask, how does a society raise their children in such adverse conditions with such moral fortitude?

So, what was my job in all this? Clearly to take a moment to share these indescribable acts of courage and valor with an unwavering moral compass to others. It is a decision that none of our children should ever have to makeno one’s child on any side of a conflict should ever be put in that predicament. Two children on the same day (that we know of), both of whom knew and revered their hero, Roi Klein z”l. What can we do? Thank them for the lives they saved, let them live through our memory of their heroism, and continue to pay respects to their family. Shosh and Aharon Klein, thank you for staying in my life all these years so that I can have the honor of being included in keeping your son Roi Klein z”l alive.

Now, let’s welcome the New Year. ì

Hot Off the Press, Get Your News for Free

Age old words: the only thing constant is change, so here we grow again. The mission of the Atlanta Jewish Times is to “Keep Jewish Atlanta Connected” and informed. The most effective way to accomplish this mission is to continue to distribute the newspaper free of charge in both its physical form and online.

As owner of the paper, I will continue to do so; however, I need a little assistance from YOU. Subscribing is crucial and we need to hear from you. The concept is to do away with paid subscriptions completely, offer everyone FREE home delivery and ask you to consider making a charitable, tax-deductible gift that supports communitywide distribution.

You have been receiving the paper in the mail at home since COVID, or you have been a valued subscriber. I trust you have enjoyed the ease as well as staying informed.

Over the next few months, at-home delivery will cease unless you go to www. AtlantaJewishTimes.com/subscribe-to-home-delivery/ or www.AtlantaJewishLifeFoundation.com and request delivery.

This is being done for two reasons. First, to ensure you still want home delivery; and second, you will consider a charitable donation of any amount to secure the communitywide distribution of the AJT. We will then remind you each year, by email, to consider sustained distribution for another year.

All donations are made to the Atlanta Jewish Life Foundation for your charitable tax benefit. The AJLF is a 501c (3) nonprofit entity which supports many of the AJT’s activities.

Please keep in mind that I personally draw no compensation from the AJT or AJLF; and in fact, make up for the loss every year that I have owned the AJT. Given the rising cost of printing, paper stock and distribution, it is virtually impossible to create a quality newspaper on advertising revenues alone.

This is not unique to the AJT. Most Jewish newspapers around the country are supported by individuals, foundations or the local Federation.

I hope you will join in supporting America’s best Jewish newspaper as well as the journalists and editors that spend countless hours researching and writing its content.

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Letters to the Editor

The AJT welcomes your letters. If you would like your letter to be published, please write 200 words or less, include your name, phone number and email, and send it to kaylene@atljewishtimes.com.

Letter to the editor,

Letter of Concern about Georgia State House District 53

As someone who has been deeply involved in Atlanta’s Jewish community for over 50 years, I pride myself on being a bridge-builder who values the importance of maintaining integrity in politics. While I have become accustomed to polarizing and hateful politics on the federal level, I have not found this to be the case in local elections. Sadly, recent inaccurate and inflammatory communication from one of the candidates in the State House District 53 race has deteriorated to a new low. This is a highly competitive race between two talented candidates: Community Activist Susie Greenberg and Representative Deborah Silcox.

I appreciate Representative Silcox‘s support of HB30, (the bill defining antisemitism) and her long-time membership on the board of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust; however, I believe the large campaign postcard that was recently mailed on behalf of Representative Silcox stating “No legislator is more effective than Representative Deborah Silcox for Georgia’s Jewish community” is disingenuous and a step too far in pandering to the Jewish community.

Fortunately, there are many members of the Georgia Legislature who are supportive of Jewish issues. We are most proud of the leadership of Representative Esther Panitch, the lone Jewish representative in the State House. She worked tirelessly to see HB30 to the finish line.

Like Esther, Susie Greenberg has a track record of standing up against antisemitism and injustice. She is a past board member of Temple Sinai, chair of its Civil Rights and Human Rights Committee, legislative advocacy coordinator for the Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon and was honored with the 2023 Sheroes Award by the National Council of Jewish Women for her outstanding service to the Jewish community in Atlanta.

Susie Greenberg is more than just a candidate—she is a leader with a vision for our future. She stands up for policies that reflect Jewish values of justice, fairness, and inclusion, and she will be a steadfast voice for our community. I proudly support Susie Greenberg because she is the right choice for my district and for the future of Georgia. Our state deserves more leaders like her in the legislature, and I look forward to the day when we have more than one Jewish member in our State House.

When this highly charged election is over, I hope we can all support the winning candidate and avoid any antisemitism resulting from this race.

Sherry Frank, Atlanta

Disclamer to our readers:

This section of the newspaper is a forum for our community to share thoughts, concerns and opinions as open letters to the community or directly to the newspaper. As a letter to the editor, we proof for spelling and grammatical errors only. We do not edit nor vet the information the letter contains. The individual signing the letter is accountable for what they share.

Letter to the editor,

It was wonderful to read about the strength of the Jewish students at Kennesaw who didn’t let an anti-Israel group keep them from commemorating the horrors of October 7, as they stood their ground and proudly represented their support for Israel and America. It seems that Kennesaw’s administration has made it clear to all students that university policies governing demonstrations must be followed and that, too, is commendable.

I have a message for the anonymous supporter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation who asked if Netanyahu had any sympathy for the sufferings of the people in Gaza. The atrocities committed on October 7, 2023, and the fact that Gazans cheered Hamas’ promise to inflict a thousand such days on Israelis have convinced Israel’s leaders that Israel must win a decisive victory over Hamas, to be followed by the demilitarization of Gaza and the deradicalization of the Palestinians. Yet, the IDF has worked very hard to avoid killing civilians in Gaza and has been commended by Major John Spencer, head of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point’s Modern Warfare Institute, for achieving the lowest ratio of civilian deaths to combatant deaths ever seen for fighting in a densely populated area like Gaza. While ratios as high as 9:1 have been recorded, the ratio in Gaza is closer to 1.5:1. This is especially remarkable because Hamas’ having embedded its extensive network of terror tunnels among the Gaza populace has essentially wiped out any distinction between civilian areas and combat zones.

https://mwi.westpoint.edu/gazas-underground-hamass-entire-politico-militarystrategy-rests-on-its-tunnels/

Toby F. Block, Atlanta

Letter to the editor,

The Kennesaw State University Jews who were confronted by the “pro-Hamas” Party for Socialism and Justice were more than courageous. (“KSU Students Handle Protest During Oct 7 Memorial”)

To be “pro-Hamas” is to embrace the Hamas Charter which in its unrevoked Article 7 requires every supporter of Hamas to murder every Jew on earth. Neither Israel nor “the occupation” is mentioned in Article 7.

Obviously the “pro-Hamas” Party for Socialism and Justice presents a clear and present danger to every Jew near them. Courage is an understatement for the resolve of the Kennesaw State University Jews.

Richard Sherman, Margate, Fla.

AJT Promotes Heller to Managing Editor

The Atlanta Jewish Times this week announced that Sasha Heller has been promoted to Managing Editor.

Heller’s role inside the AJT newsroom continues to expand after joining the paper in February 2022. Heller was initially hired as an Online Content Coordinator, and later, assumed the duties of Copy Editor after the previous editor’s departure. Heller was also promoted last fall from Online Content Coordinator to Web Editor, and later from Copy Editor to Associate Editor.

“I am excited to take on this new position with the Jewish Times and look forward to continuing our successful run as the best Jewish newspaper and website in the country,” Heller said. “I am so pleased to be with this paper and help keep Jew-

ish Atlanta connected and thriving.”

As Managing Editor, Heller’s role involves editing the copy that makes it to print, including promotional materials, and coordinating assignments with the writing staff. Heller also oversees the AJT’s website and social media, including uploading the printed content to the paper’s website, sharing the links on the AJT’s social media platforms, and creating the AJT newsletters.

Over his career, Heller has managed weekly and daily newsrooms in the Mississippi Delta, Texas Panhandle, Port Isabel, Texas, and Denver, and led a national design team in Austin with GateHouse Media’s Center for News & Design.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Anti-Defamation League Southeast Honors Womack

The Anti-Defamation League Southeast Region (ADL Southeast) is pleased to announce that Chairman, President and CEO Chris Womack and Southern Company received the 2024 Torch of Liberty Award on Sept. 12. ADL Southeast’s Torch of Liberty Award Celebration is an annual event that brings together hundreds of Atlanta’s business and community leaders to honor an individual and/ or company exemplifying ADL’s mission and values.

“Chris Womack represents the best in corporate, professional and community leadership and performance,” said Frank McCloskey, a longtime ADL Southeast board member who served as the Vice President for Diversity at Southern Company. “He has an unwavering

commitment to intentional inclusion in the workforce, social justice and equity. These are representative of the same values of ADL. Chris, Southern Company and ADL will continue to partner and work together in building a stronger and better society for generations to come.”

Southern Company is renowned not only for its commitment to supporting and improving the communities it serves but also for conducting business with honesty, integrity and fairness. Womack’s visionary leadership at the company and in the community has helped create a more just, equitable and prosperous region for all.

“Chris Womack has galvanized the business community through the Metro Atlanta Chamber to foster a culture of collaboration in addressing the city’s greatest challenges,” said Eytan Davidson, ADL Southeast Regional Director. His efforts have earned accolades from the likes of Arthur M. Blank, Chairman, Blank Family Businesses. “I’m thrilled to see my friend, who is a true leader and community champion, receive this recognition,” Blank said. “Georgia Power and Southern Company are dedicated partners of Mercedes-Benz Stadium; Chris truly understands that good companies are also good neighbors. Congratulations to Chris and Southern Company on this well-deserved honor.”

The Torch of Liberty Award Celebration is ADL Southeast’s signature fundraiser supporting the ADL’s efforts to expose extremism, deliver anti-bias education, and fight hate and antisemitism across the region.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Atlanta Jewish Times Managing Editor Sasha Heller

ADL Southeast recognized Southern Company and CEO Chris Womack with its Torch of Liberty Award.

Bronfman Fellowship Launches Campus Commons

Myrtle Wreath Award Recipients Announced

Myrtle Wreath Award honorees: (from left, back row) Esther Feuer Panitch, Phyllis M. Cohen, Bill Loventhal, Rita Loventhal; (seated) event chairs, Dr. Rachel Schonbberger and Shirley Michalove

The Myrtle Wreath Award, a symbol of righteousness and compassion, is Hadassah’s highest honor awarded by a local chapter. It is an award given by Hadassah to those who have made significant contributions to their community.

Hadassah Greater Atlanta is proud to announce the following honorees: Phyllis Mayson Cohen, Myrtle Wreath for Leadership; Rita and Bill Loventhal, Myrtle Wreath for Philanthropy; and Esther Feuer Panitch, Myrtle Wreath for Advocacy.

On Sunday, Feb. 2, Hadassah Greater Atlanta will

celebrate its honorees with a festive brunch, The Miracle of Hadassah, that will be attended by special guest, Carol Ann Schwartz, National President of Hadassah. The event co-chairs are Shirley Michalove and Dr. Rachel Schonberger. More details about the event will be forthcoming.

Funds raised by the event will help support the completion of the Gandel Rehabilitation Center at Hadassah Hospital, Mt. Scopus, as well as Hadassah’s other worthy projects. When Hamas terrorists launched their attack on Oct. 7, 2023, Hadassah moved swiftly to open a 120-bed emergency hospital in a designated area of the yet-unopened Gandel Rehabilitation Center –– within just 14 days. In January 2024, with hundreds of soldiers and civilians requiring specialized inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation for severe physical injuries as well as mental health support, Hadassah was able to greatly accelerate the opening of the first three clinical floors of the Gandel Rehabilitation Center, accommodating an initial 72 patients. At full capacity, the Gandel Rehabilitation Center will be able to treat nearly 400 patients on any given day, including 140 in-patient beds and an outpatient clinic able to serve 250 patients.

If you would like to volunteer for the Myrtle Wreath Awards ceremony or for further information, please call the Hadassah office at (678) 443-2961.

Compiled by AJT Staff

The Bronfman Fellowship is launching a yearlong pilot for a diverse group of Jewish college students called Campus Commons: Building Bridges with Jewish Wisdom. Drawing on the Fellowship’s 38 years of ex perience cultivating the pluralistic leadership of Jew ish teenagers and young adults, this free program will empower students to use Jewish values and wisdom to enhance social cohesion on their campuses and beyond. Participants will explore core Jewish ideas and texts re lated to pluralism, as well as the latest research in social psychology, communication, and conflict management.

Fifty participants will be selected for the first cohort of Campus Commons. This program is open to full-time college students who identify as Jewish and who have completed at least one year of college. Early preference will be given to students who are from New York and/ or who attend a New York college. The deadline to apply is Oct. 21, 2024, and admission is rolling. Students can learn more and apply at campuscommons.bronfman. org.

The program will include a three-day, in-person, monthly Zoom sessions for learning and reflection on experiences on campus; and mentorship to assist par ticipants in the design of their own on-campus initia tives. Upon completion of the program, participants will receive a Certificate in Relationship Building Across Difference.

Fifty Jewish college students will learn together in a dynamic program designed to enhance social cohesion and cultivate pluralistic leadership on college campuses as part of The Bronfman Fellowship’s new program Campus Commons.

Love of Israel Woven into Fabric at Hadassah Fashion Show

What better way for Hadassah Greater Atlanta (HGA) members to celebrate Israel than to hold a Fashionably Fall Fashion Show, Luncheon and Silent Auction on Sept. 15 just as the New Year holidays are set to begin! This multigenerational event was such fun for 100-plus members and guests. The models were often from the same families. Thanks go to Fox’s for their beautiful clothes in the latest fabrics, colors and styles for women of all ages. More than 90 donors and sponsors contributed items to the silent auction which raised funds for Hadassah’s entire mission. Thanks also go to Berman Commons for providing their beautiful venue.

Love of Israel is woven into the fabric of Hadassah. Israel has become an international center of fashion and design. Tel Aviv has been called the “next hot destination” for fashion. Israeli designers show their collections at leading fashion shows, including New York Fashion Week.

Today Hadassah’s programs promote a deeper understanding and connection to Israel, while Hadassah’s advocacy ef-

Hadassah Greater Atlanta’s multi-generational fashion models recognize that our love of Israel is woven into the fabric of Hadassah: (from left) Phyllis M. Cohen, Connie Mintz, Abby Shartilow, Judy Bracker, Rosalie Agrow, Nailah Mazer, Randi Mazer, Mindy Cohen, and Nancy Schwartz.

forts support Israel’s security, a future of peace in the Middle East and stronger U.S.-Israel relations. Hadassah laid the groundwork for Israel’s health care system, and Hadassah has always taken on the challenge — and the joy — of connecting generations of young Jews to Israel. Hadassah also advocates for the rights of Jewish people around the world and fosters partnerships between Israel, Hadas-

sah and the American Jewish community.

Terry Nordin and Rosalie Agrow, presidents of HGA’s Metulla and Ketura groups, who chaired the event, explain, “Our goal is to educate, inspire, and motivate our members through events such as our fashion show to support Hadassah’s hospitals in Israel and our advocacy programs for women.”

“As Zionists, Hadassah puts Jewish

values into action to create community and ensure an enduring Israel. We cultivate these values in future generations and work passionately to create a strong Israel for all of us,” says Simone Wilker, HGA Advocacy Chair.

For information about Hadassah go to: https://www.hadassah.org/chapter/ greater-atlanta

Compiled by AJT Staff

Hadassah Greater Atlanta Ketura Group’s Past President, Leora Wollner, joins Lara Rush, the fashion show’s mistress of ceremonies, to celebrate Hadassah’s love of Israel through fabric and fashion.

OCT. 5, 2024 - JAN. 5, 2025

ARMORED AND FABULOUS

Get ready to discover how spikes, shells, scales, plates and exoskeletons defend against the hard-knock environment of animals.

Highlights include:

• The giant croc, Deinosuchus

• The ultimate predator, T. rex, and its prey, Anklosaurus

• Human adaptations of animal armor

• And more!

Armored Animals is designed and developed by Gaston Design. Sponsored locally in part by the Frances Wood Wilson Foundation.

The Spicy Peach Hosts Jewish Holiday Market

By Chana Shapiro

On Sept. 29, The Spicy Peach, the popular kosher specialty grocery in the Toco Hills Shopping Center, hosted its second annual High Holiday Market on the wide walkway in front of their store. The sunny, temperate weather was perfect for the outdoor High Holiday Market, and families out for a casual Sunday stroll shared the busy walkway with a steady bustle of focused shoppers who came to visit the vendors and then continue their mission of Yom Tov shopping in the store.

The Sunday before major Jewish holidays is always a busy day. The Spicy Peach is a go-to destination for Yom Tov groceries and dry goods that are features of the Jewish Atlanta’s Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur Break-Fast, and Sukkot tables.

Many shoppers found a seat at the store’s outdoor tables and chairs where they took a break to enjoy a variety of hot foods being served from a large, portable catering station. Resounding wishes of “Shana Tovah!” and Happy New Year!’ filled the air, as people ran into neighbors, members of their own family, and old friends who hadn’t seen one another since before the years of COVID isolation.

The Spicy Peach Holiday Market looked like the place to be. Everyone seemed to enjoy sharing recipes, catching up on the latest news, meeting the outdoor vendors, finding special holiday items, and—together—looking forward to a good new year.

Spicy Peach store owners Jodi Wittenberg, Tzippy Teller, and Lydia Schloss organized their first Holiday Market last year, and the event’s popularity con-

vinced them to offer the Jewish community an opportunity again this year to shop both inside their physical store and to peruse and purchase the wares of Jewish groups and creative individuals who sell holiday-related items.

The scene was convivial, colorful, and lots of fun. Jewish vendors from all sectors of the city stood at their display tables to greet a constant stream of shop-

pers. Inside the store, The Spicy Peach displayed a trove of traditional and exotic foods on overflowing shelves, at a sushi station, and in long walls of refrigerated cases. As people filled their carts, Wittenberg and Teller were busy unloading delivery trucks, making sure that shoppers, through the High Holidays, would have access to last-minute necessities, table enhancements, and specially wrapped

hostess gifts.

Holiday Market vendors included Temima High School girls selling large, laminated posters to decorate home sukkahs; an Atlanta Jewish Academy fundraising display of wrapped honey cakes that were baked by Ali’s Cookies; Benjamin Price, a member of Jewish Boy Scout troop 1818, selling their fundraiser of wrapped bags of popcorn; Ami’s Bees,

Jodi Wittenberg and Tzippy Teller at the High Holiday Market

Nava Teller holds an Atlanta Jewish Academy fundraiser honey cake.

Simone Sobel is pictured with her handmade pottery.

Ami Weismark is a teen apiarist who makes his own honey.

Temima High School students sold large, laminated posters for Sukkot.

containers.

selling homemade honey (Ami Weismark is an Atlanta teen apiarist who raises bees and makes his own honey); Simone Sobel, selling handmade custom glazed pottery; Purim and Poppy Florals; Israel Rosh, caterer of Kosher Kreations, serving on-site, hot Moroccan-style “soul food” from large chafing pans (which filled the area with alluring wafting aromas); Elyah Sadeh, selling customizable honey containers; and Ada Sapir, selling framed paper quilling artwork.

Taking into account the pre-Rosh Hashana rush, The Spicy Peach is still well-stocked with High Holiday specialties, including four different flavors of round challahs, challah rolls, uniquely flavored honeys, honey jars, imported products from Israel, Yom Tov specialty snacks, and chocolates. There is an entic-

Keeping in Touch

YOM KIPPUR

ing selection of items that make perfect Yom Tov and Shabbat hostess gifts. Owners Wittenberg and Teller (third partner, Lydia Schloss, was in Israel) who have considerable knowledge of what’s new and desirable in the ever-expanding niche of kosher holiday food, assured shoppers that their store will remain well-stocked with Yom Tov specialties for Break-the-Fast gatherings and Sukkot.

During the work week, The Spicy Peach offers fresh soups, sandwiches, salads, cheeses, dry goods, and an excellent selection of global products. They advertise frequent specials, including prepared dishes for Shabbat meals, make their own sushi, and cater for simchas and Shabbat Kiddush at synagogues. The store is closed on Shabbat and Jewish Holidays. ì

The following vendors at the Holiday Market may be reached at:

Ada Studio Designs: info@adastudiodesigns.com (954)281-2168

Ami’s Bees: (770) 312-6723

Kosher Kreations: kosherkreationsga@gmail.com (770) 885-2064

Posters for Sukkot: contact Temima High School (404) 315-0507

Prim and Poppy Florals: primandpoppyflorals@gmail.com (438) 923-6318

Stickit Custom Containers: stickitgift@gmail.com (786) 858-1886

Siman Tov Pottery: (404) 964-9260

Temple Sinai

Israel Rosh, caterer of Kosher Kreations, prepared Mediterranean-style soul food.

Stickit Gifts sold customizable honey

Prim and Poppy Florals attached live flowers to business cards.

Benjamin Price sold popcorn for his Boy Scout Pack 1818.

How Sweet it is with Break the Fast Favorites

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

As we break the fast, sweetening the New Year is deliciously done with a lineup of break the fast desserts. Fast forward to some irresistible options from some of Atlanta’s go-to-experts. While baking is a favorite pastime for many family members and deservingly appreciated, when there’s little time to bake or you are an expert at picking-it-up, here are some of our community’s go-to gurus for delicious delicacies and out of this world desserts. You’ll have a field day with these mouth-watering options filled with sweetness at your break the fast.

Annette Marcus Catering

Ask anyone who has enjoyed Annette Marcus’ catering for decades and you’ll discover her home-baked-style sweets are bite-sized super stars. Annette’s delicious, lovingly baked treats are classified as divine desserts. Handmade and homemade with love, Annette’s comfort-catering and beautifully baked sweets are worthy.

Annette grew up with a family catering legacy, baking with her grandmother and continuing to learn from the family’s talented mother, Charlene Sacks, a wellknown caterer for over 50 years in Indianapolis who relocated in Atlanta to be closer to family. Annette’s desserts seem to appear like magic as she says, “order up!” Her effervescent boundless energy is certainly reflected in her baking talents as well as in her full-service special events and catering company.

Annette’s sweet trays are stunning - and her rugelach is a memory mak-

er. The lemon squares are delicately cut into mouth-watering bite size delectables. Gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, toffee topped brownies and pecan coated sweets topped with assorted jellies top it off. Don’t miss her traditional wedding cookies coated with powdered sugar and oh, those layered brownies. Annette’s detail to each cookie, sweet and edible eye-candy, is testimonial enough. www.annettemarcuscatering.com

Goldbergs Fine Foods

Goldbergs, Atlanta’s beloved delicatessen and restaurant with full-catering services, specializes in deli to dairy with a special menu for the holidays and break the fast with convenient locations from Dunwoody to Buckhead, The Battery to East Cobb, and Toco Hills to West Paces. Since 1992, Goldbergs has created timeless delicacies with a highly attentive leadership, staff and is a sure-fire solid resource with traditional favorites for every occasion year-round. Goldbergs’ culinary team is devoted to sweetening the holidays and makes it effortless with their ready in a flash catering service.

Goldbergs fans appreciate co-owner Howard Aaron who manages the catering and a host of responsibilities for the entire operation. Customers are well taken care of with great attention and concern for the entire family with nourishing choices. Along with business partner, Wayne Saxe, Goldbergs defines hospitality. Pop in for last minute items and for larger orders, be certain to order online or at the stores.

Popular desserts range from a chocolate or cinnamon babka, a popular break the fast delicacy. You’ll also discover their rugelach, as well as assorted cookies including

their black and whites, brownies, muffins, cheese Danishes, pound cakes and more. Well known for their pastry trays, Goldbergs is prepared to help you break the fast with spreads, salads, bagels of all descriptions and flavors plus more. A great place to also get a plain or raisin round challah, Goldbergs is a year-round, delivery available and last-minute destination resource calling ahead for family style platters. For those traveling and welcome a taste from home, you’ll find two Goldbergs (Concourse A and Concourse T) at the Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport. www.goldbergsfinefoods.com

Alon’s Bakery and Market

Alon’s Bakery, an award-winning bakery and market, presents artisan baked goods, and an array of beautiful desserts. Each dessert is tested and prepared by Alon Balshan’s skilled team of pastry experts. In May 1992, Alon opened his bakery and has been a popular resource in Atlanta ever since. Celebrating 27 years the bustling Virginia-Highland/Morningside neighborhoods, Alon's bakery also recently opened in Phipps Plaza.

You’ll discover a relaxed casual café meets gourmet foods at both of Alon’s locations. Dsserts are prepared at his commissary, created by his long-time dedicated pastry teamed with a European influence. Growing up in Israel, Alon developed a passion for baking at a young age. With a culinary degree and love of baking, cases of delicious desserts are ready to go or pre-ordered. Alon’s popular Midnight Cake has a combination of moist cake with white chocolate mousse, and for a non-dairy choice, the

Apple Sponge Cake presents Granny Smith apples baked in an almond sponge cake and this 10-inch cake serves six to eight people. Another crowd-pleaser is Alon’s French Almond Macarons which are traditional French almond macarons that are light and moist, and made with real fruit, nuts and delicious dairy creams, fruit confections or ganache. He has a new addition -- the pomegranate orange blossom macaron and comes in an assorted box of 12. Also check out the coconut macaroons (great for freezing ahead of time), which are generous-sized coconut kisses, with a perfectly browned and crisp exterior and a dozen macaroons to a bag. If you love the mix of chocolate and coffee, his holiday addition is a Yirgacheffe (a coffee-influenced chocolate choice). www.alons.com

Breadwinner Café & Bakery

Founded in 2005 by Geoff and Katie Melkonian, along with sister Wendy, today Breadwinner has grown with popular locations in both Sandy Springs and Dunwoody. The Melkonian’s family-kitchen style atmosphere is a popular dine in, take out and catering resource with a dedicated lunch crowd which is ever present. You’ll be greeted with a line-up of homemade breads (outstanding), soups, salads and sandwiches, staples with a mix of handed-down recipes, and shelves of beautifully presented catering and dependable delicacies. Dishes are marked so food-sensitive eaters can determine their matches.

Breadwinner’s dessert-brunch-break the fast homemade breads are moist, cakelike and divine. These iconic breads featured

Goldbergs Chocolate or Cinnamon Babka is perfect for Break the Fast.

Alon’s Bakery & Market is ready for the holidays with fabulous desserts // Photo Courtesy of Alon Balshan

The popular Midnight Cake from Alon’s Bakery & Market is irresistible // Photo Courtesy of Alon Balshan

on national media and across the country, put them on the map, and their baked goods include delicious (generously sized) chocolate lovers brownies, great big cookies and sweet-themed moist breads are fan favorites. Breadwinner’s loaves of sweetness, ranging from Shafar So Good, Apple Honey Bread and Papa Don’t Peach, Mocha Chocolate Chip and more, are both the perfect gift to platter up or bring as a hospitality gift; their loaves of lusciousness are time-tested and delicious. Ideal if you are heading to a break the fast ready to grab and go tied up

in a bow.

If you’re a freezer fan, one of Atlanta’s lunch and catering options presents some guaranteed freezer pleasers to keep on hand. During the holidays, thaw a day before and these dessert-like goodies are ready to be devoured. www.breadwinnercafe.com

Nadia Deljou’s Delle Dining ATL

Chef Nadia Deljou of Delle Dining ATL curates multi-course private dining experi-

ences exploring the rich landscape of Middle Eastern culture and cuisine. She loves to bake sweets that incorporates Persian flavors and enjoys baking yogurt-based cakes, blondies, and flourless chocolate cakes flavored with cinnamon and cardamom for a warming note. Nadia’s cooking revolves around the use of fresh herbs, warm spices and bright citrus. She offers other various services including meal prep, and pastry orders for sweets like Earl Grey tea cakes, cardamom cookies, or chai brown butter blondies.

A favorite dessert is her Cardamom Roulette which is a very light and airy sponge cake that’s rolled around a rose water cream and topped with roasted pistachios and strawberries. Nadia shared that this is a great breaking fast dessert due to its light and pleasant floral notes and pairs super well with coffee or Earl Grey tea and is a nice palate cleanser. As a master of flavor, she uses a lot of ground Persian Earl Grey in her batters, and bakes with lots of freshly ground cardamom, orange blossom and rose water. www.delledining.com ì

As the only Jewish member of Georgia’s General Assembly, Esther Panitch has worked tirelessly to protect the Jewish community in our current climate.

▶ Serves as Co-Chair of the Georgia-Israel Caucus to promote a strong Georgia-Israel relationship

▶ Co-sponsored and passed HB30, the Antisemitism Definition Bill to defend against antisemitic attacks

▶ Placed the first Hanukkah menorah in over two decades on display at the State Capitol

by Friends of Esther Panitch, Inc

Breadwinner Café & Bakery’s brownies are a Break the Fast chocolate winner

Annette Marcus Catering presents mouthwatering sweets for Break the Fast

Mocha Chocolate Chip Brea at Breadwinner makes a great gift and dessert

Nadia Deljou of Delle Dining presents a divine delicacy for Break the Fast.

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oter Guide 2024

It’s Georgia, Again, in 2024

By Dave Schechter

Editor’s Note: Legal challenges to new rules from State Board of Elections, in progress when this article was published, may change elements of this story.

Buckle up, folks. We’re in for another bumpy ride.

The outcome of the 2020 presidential election hinged on Georgia and a few other states. So may the 2024 election.

But first, a reminder of how we got here.

Four years ago, Georgia’s 16 Electoral College votes went to Joe Biden — the first time since 1992 that a Democrat won the state — helping the former vice president into the White House and thwarting the reelection bid of incumbent Republican President Donald Trump.

Biden’s margin over Trump was 11,779 votes, a number that became infamous during a Jan. 2, 2021, 67-minute conference call, when Trump pleaded with Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger: “There’s nothing wrong with saying, you know, um, that you’ve recalculated . . . I just

want to find 11,780 votes.”

Raffensperger said no, and after three forms of recount, rejected legal challenges, and an unsuccessful attempt by Trump supporters to substitute Georgia’s Electoral College delegation, the results stood.

Nonetheless, Trump has continued to

Values Matter

claim, without evidence, that he won Georgia. [The Fulton County case against Trump and several co-defendants, stemming from alleged attempts to interfere with the 2020 results, is on pause, as the Georgia Court of Appeals considers whether misconduct allegations should disqualify District Attorney Fani Willis.]

This time around, the margin in Georgia between Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris might be smaller than between Trump and Biden in 2020. The contest is rated as a toss-up by political data crunchers.

Trump and Harris will have company on Georgia’s ballot, Libertarian Chase Oliver and the Green Party’s Jill Stein. After some legal back and forth, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that votes cast for Socialist Claudia De la Cruz and independent Cornell West will not count — though their names may remain on ballots already printed.

The biggest cliche in electoral politics also is true: It all comes down to turnout.

Nearly 5 million votes were cast in Georgia in 2024. Biden’s winning margin was .23 percent.

lots, the highest turnout since 1992 and up from 61.4 percent in 2016. In Georgia, turnout in 2020 was 66.2 percent. That means that roughly one of every three registered voters, nationally and in Georgia, did not vote.

Sterling told the JCRC call that the number of votes cast in Georgia this year might not reach 2020 levels, when nearly 5.5 million ballots were cast.

Edward Lindsey, a former majority whip for Republicans in the state House and, until recently, a member of the state election board, told an audience at The Temple that 65 percent of votes likely will be cast before Election Day, with 60 percent being cast early in-person and 5 percent by mail. The remaining 35 percent will be in-person votes cast on Nov. 5.

We thank Rep. Deborah Silcox (HD 53) for her steadfast support of the Jewish community. Rep. Silcox sponsored both the 2020 Hate Crimes Law and the 2024 Antisemitisan Law. A visionary leader, she shepherded the largest investment by the state in The Georgia Commission for the Holocaust since its inception. Toda Raba, Rep Silcox.

As of Oct. 2, there were 8,187,332 registered voters in Georgia, 86.7 percent of whom were considered active voters by the Secretary of State’s office.

Gabriel Sterling, chief operating officer of the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, told a Sept. 24 call hosted by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta that in 2020, some 98 percent of those eligible to vote were registered. This year, with two weeks remaining until the Oct. 7 voter registration deadline, he estimated that the figure was 92 percent or better.

In the 2020 general election, 66.8 percent of registered voters nationally cast bal-

In related news, U.S. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy (a Republican fundraiser and Trump donor appointed during his presidency by the U.S. Postal Service board of governors) sent state election officials nationwide a letter promising cooperation with timely delivery of absentee ballots to voters and their return to state election offices in time to be counted. “As demonstrated consistently in previous elections, election mail routinely outperforms our regular service performance due to our long-standing processes and procedures,” DeJoy wrote. Beyond the added attention accorded a “battleground state,” the recommendation for seat belts also stems from changes in how ballots will be handled and counted, pushed through the State Election Board just weeks before Election Day by three avowed Trump supporters, who form a majority on the five-member appointed board. There are 2,400 precincts in Georgia’s 159 counties (only Texas has more counties).

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump

Precincts report vote totals to the counties and the counties have a Nov. 12 deadline to certify their counts and the secretary of state’s office faces a similar Nov. 22 deadline.

There is concern that the new rules issued by the State Election Board could complicate matters. Unless blocked by the courts, the changes take effect Oct. 14, the day before early voting begins. “A lot of these rules are being challenged in court, but at the end of the day, what they’re doing is entering a lot of confusion and last-minute angst into the process,” Sterling told the JCRC call.

A rule issued in August would permit county election officials to refuse or delay certifying vote totals, while allowing for a period of “reasonable inquiry,” though that term is not defined nor is the length of such an inquiry. Following a hearing, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney, as of Oct. 2, had yet to pass judgment on this rule, though he reiterated the certification deadlines.

At its Sept. 20 meeting, the state election board voted to require precinct level hand counts of all ballots and a match with machine counts before results can be certified, which prompted concerns about increasing the number of people handling

ballots and delays in reporting vote totals that could raise public suspicion.

A letter from the Attorney General’s office said, “these proposed rules are not tethered to any statute.”

Raffensperger’s office issued a statement in August calling the state board “unelected bureaucrats who have never run an election” and “seem to reject advice” from those with experience.

Trump hailed the board’s Republican trio as “pit bulls fighting for honesty, transparency and victory.”

The post-2020 legislation that created this iteration of the election board also removed the secretary of state, in this case Raffensperger, as its chairman.

The non-partisan Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Election Officials sent a letter Sept. 17 to the state election board pleading for relief: “Ballots have been designed, procured, and are presently being issued to military and overseas voters. Election officials are training thousands of poll workers daily across the state and are already working to educate the public on what to expect throughout the voting process and beyond. We respectfully ask that these proposed rules, and any other petitions for rulemaking, be tabled until 2025.”

Democratic state Rep. Saira Draper, an election lawyer from DeKalb County, told the JCRC call: “I hate to use strong words, but the arrogance, you know, from the board is, frankly, quite stunning.”

The presidential race has been a boon for companies that sell advertising. Adimpact, which tracks political advertising, reported that between July 22 (the day after Biden dropped out) and Oct. 1, the Harris campaign and allied groups had spent $67 million in Georgia, compared with $65 million for the Trump campaign and allies.

With Election Day on Nov. 5, Georgians already tired of the campaign ads on broadcast television, cable channels, and streaming services, need to know: Adimpact reported that between Sept. 13 and Election Day on Nov. 5, nearly $70 million of advertising time was reserved in Georgia for the presidential race. The breakdown was $39 million in support of Harris and $29.9 million on behalf of Trump.

Democrats hope that the enthusiasm built on Harris replacing Biden as the party’s nominee will benefit the party’s candidates further down the ballot.

Republicans hold a 9-5 advantage in the Georgia’s congressional delegation. None of the state’s U.S. House races is among the na-

tion’s most competitive.

In the most recent General Assembly session, Republicans occupied 102 of 180 House seats and 33 out of 56 seats in the Senate. There are six Jewish candidates for the state House: one incumbent (Democratic Rep. Esther Panitch) and five newcomers (Democrats Susie Greenberg, Debra Shigley, Eric Castater, and Randye Dugan, and Republican Barry Zisholtz).

Meanwhile, constitutional amendments may be the very definition of a down ballot issue, but at least one on the 2024 ballot could be of great interest.

A proposed amendment to Georgia’s constitution would slow the rate of property tax increases, which tend to accompany rising home values. The amendment, if approved, would cap home property assessment increases at the previous year’s inflation rate. This would, in turn, tamp down property tax increases. The amendment does allow counties to opt-out in 2025. The measure also allows local governments to use proceeds from a 1 percent sales tax to lower property taxes, something that some cities and counties already do. Property taxes are a major funding source for public school districts, which have expressed concern about the measure. ì

Politics

Election Lessons and Memories

By Dave Schechter

In my first previous professional lifetime, as a mild-mannered reporter for a mid-sized Midwest newspaper, I made small wagers on election results with a local city manager.

I won some. He won more. I learned not to bet on elections.

So, when I am asked, as happens the closer we get to Election Day, who will win the presidential vote, nationally and in Georgia, I answer: I don’t know.

That’s not a dodge. I do not know.

vote and whether they are inclined toward a particular candidate. Not having access to the family car, I did this by bicycle.

One day, I performed this campaign grunt work in a neighborhood with a fairsized Jewish population. I wore a red T-shirt with the candidate’s last name emblazoned in large, white letters.

At one home, the door was answered by a woman who fit the category of senior citizen. I gave her my spiel. Clearly, something did not translate.

“You want to sell me a mikvah?” she asked.

Now I was confused. My Jewish education had not included explanation of a mikvah. So, the humor in the woman’s question — “You want to sell me a mikvah?” — was lost on me.

Back at home, I told my mother what happened and asked, “What is a mikvah?” She got a chuckle out of that.

Fifty-two years later, this story still gets a laugh from Jewish audiences.

Back to the subject at hand: Who will win the presidential vote, nationally and in Georgia?

Honest, I don’t know.

• Founding member of the Georgia-Israel Legislative Caucus

• Longtime House liaison to the Georgia Holocaust Commission

• Co-sponsor of House Bill 1275 designed to define and fight discrimination against Jewish citizens in Georgia and HB30 further defined antisemitism for consideration in law enforcement and penalties

• Past recipient of the Cobb Community Service Award from the Chabad of Cobb for her tireless efforts to improve life in East Cobb

Surveys of Jewish voters suggest that roughly 70 percent nationally identify as or lean toward the Democratic Party. A decade writing about Atlanta’s Jewish community leads me to think that locally the figure is 60 to 65 percent Democratic.

I do not answer when asked who I will vote for. I do my level best to put that subject in a mental lock box and leave it there until I vote. Short of not voting at all, it’s the only way I can be as fair as possible to candidates I write about.

I stopped voting in party primaries some years ago. General elections are where the rubber that is my journalism ethics meets the road that is civic responsibility. I may have skipped one or two, but usually I vote.

I do not sign petitions. I do not donate to political campaigns. When a friend said that she did not know my political opinions, I took that as a compliment.

I first reported election results in 1972, on a high school radio station. That also was the last year I engaged in partisan politics. I tell a story from that experience because I find it amusing.

I was canvassing in a suburb north of Chicago on behalf of a Jewish congressional candidate, Abner Mikva, a Democrat.

For those who are unfamiliar with canvassing, you go door-to-door, carrying a clipboard, asking people if they are registered to

I know this: The nation will be no less divided the day after the election than the day before.

Edward Lindsey is a Republican and former Georgia House majority whip, who served for two-and a-half years on the state election board. He spoke more philosophically than politically during a “non-partisan election update” sponsored by The Temple’s Rothschild Social Justice Institute.

“The process is more important than temporary outcomes,” he said. “When the process becomes suspect . . . that’s when a society truly starts to decay.”

One hallmark of the process is that when the votes are counted, the losing candidate accepts defeat and the nation moves on — contrary to the circus that followed the 2020 election, and the riot intended to prevent Congress from certifying the Electoral College vote on Jan. 6, 2021.

The country has hard slog ahead, if it wants a greater sense of unity.

“It begins with all of us,” Lindsey said. “We don’t spend enough time moving outside of our comfort zone.” In those words, I heard echoes from 2016, when stunned supporters of the losing candidate huddled in their silos, head in their hands, unable to comprehend how the other candidate won.

“You’ve got to get used to talking to people you don’t agree with,” Lindsey said. “Go back to those friends you’ve written off.” Election Day is Nov. 5. Maybe that work can begin on Nov. 6. ì

Rep. Deborah Silcox Stands With the Jewish Community and Against Antisemitism

• Deborah personally introduced, and passed, legislation to fund $1,550,000 for the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust and raise the budget to $629,000

• Passed legislation to define antisemitism (HB 30), adding additional criminal penalties for crimes motivated by anti-Jewish bias

• Passed an important resolution denouncing pro-Hamas hate speech

Recipient of the prestigious White Rose Society Award

Why Jewish Voters Should Support Harris

By Michael Rosenzweig

We are approaching a binary election in which all voters, including Jewish voters, must choose between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. For Jewish voters, that choice should be informed by the values of our tradition and what those values require of us. Judaism obliges us, as part of our covenant with G-d, to help repair an imperfect world. At its core, that covenant means respecting and displaying love and kindness for other human beings, recognizing the central teaching of Judaism that all human beings have intrinsic dignity and are in the image of G-d. For that reason, one simply cannot be a serious Jew without caring about those who are downtrodden—the stranger, the orphan, the widow, the poor.

If we take the values of Judaism seriously, Jewish voters should support Kamala Harris for the same reasons all Americans should support her: Harris is a decent, compassionate woman who understands and shares our values, while Donald Trump plainly does not. Trump’s embrace of bigotry, racebaiting, xenophobia, corruption and cruelty jarringly clash with those values. We have been observing Trump as a candidate and as president for nearly a decade, and from what we’ve seen it is simply impossible to conclude that Trump recognizes the intrinsic dignity of all human beings. Does anyone seriously believe that Donald Trump cares at all about the downtrodden or, for that matter, anyone but himself?

Trump has also demonstrated over and over that he poses a genuine threat to American Jews. Antisemites, white nationalists and neo-Nazis are drawn to him, and he welcomes and encourages their support. He is constantly trafficking in dangerous antisemitic tropes and anti-Jewish stereotypes, reg-

ularly accusing Jews who don’t support him of “dual loyalty.” Lately, he has effectively put a target on the backs of Jews by proclaiming that we will be to blame if he loses the election. We know from Jan. 6 that his supporters take him seriously and literally, even when he rallies them to violence on his behalf. Imagine their reaction if Trump loses and they believe his blatantly antisemitic assignment of blame to Jews. Contrast Trump’s embrace and encouragement of antisemitism with Harris’s leadership in fashioning and implementing the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, mobilizing over two dozen federal agencies to take over 100 specific, actionable steps to end Jew hatred and prevent antisemitic attacks.

How then can one explain the support Trump appears to enjoy among even a minority of Jews, especially Orthodox Jews? The explanation one hears most often is that Trump is strongly pro-Israel, better and more reliably for Israel than Harris. But putting aside whether that alone, if true, would justify Jewish support for Trump, that explanation is fatuous to the point of absurdity. Let’s look at the facts.

Kamala Harris’s support for Israel has been steadfast and unwavering. She was

critical in providing more than $14 billion in security assistance to Israel after Oct. 7, and the Biden-Harris administration recently announced an additional $5.2 billion in military sales to Israel.

The Harris-Walz website, much like the Democratic Party platform, could not be clearer in summarizing Harris’s support for Israel: “Vice President Harris will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself and she will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself.”

Donald Trump, on the other hand, mocked Israel and praised terrorists after the horrific Oct. 7 attack, and he wants to transform U.S. foreign aid, including aid to Israel, into loans. And the “accomplishments” he achieved for Israel during his presidency? They are long on symbolism, short on substance, and did not make Israel safer or more secure. Israel’s security does not depend on where our embassy is or what we say about the Golan Heights. Moreover, Trump is notoriously unreliable and inconsistent in the “policy positions” he takes. Just consider what his own national security advisor, John Bolton, says about Trump’s support for Israel: “Trump’s support for Israel during his first term is not guaranteed in [a] second term,

because Trump’s positions are made on the basis of what’s good for Trump, not on some coherent theory of national security.”

Kamala Harris shares our values and embraces policies that reflect those values. Donald Trump does not. The choice confronting us could not be more compelling. That’s why I’m working hard to put Harris in the White House, and that’s why I believe she’s the right choice for Jewish voters, and all Americans. ì

Michael Rosenzweig is a Jewish community activist and board member of Democratic Majority For Israel.

Why Jewish Voters Should Back Trump

By Chuck Berk

In 40-plus years in business, I ran into many great talkers who delivered nothing productive, or in my terms were “empty suits.” Most politicians fit that description: promise a lot and deliver little. This election is unique. We can evaluate candidates based not on their campaign “promises” but on their actual record in office to predict how they’ll address our community’s priorities.

You may not like his New York, direct, in your face style, but there’s a strong argument that Donald Trump was the best friend Israel has had in the White House since its 1948 founding.

* Over the years, many Presidents had promised to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, but Trump was the one to do it and moved the American Embassy to Jerusalem.

* He recognized Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

* Moreover, Trump’s policies implicitly called on the Arab world to recognize Israel’s legitimacy and permanency. This not only strengthened the US-Israel alliance but made possible the incredible diplomatic successes of the Abraham Accords with the UAE, Bahrain and others. Real, concrete peace between Israel and Arab states, building social, political and economic ties with Israel for the first time in 25 years. That is truly historic. Trump did that.

* How about the UN? Ambassador Nikki Haley backed by Trump said, “no more” to the UN status quo of the U.S. paying a disproportionate share of the budget while most member nations pursued an antisemitic vendetta against Israel. Trump cut our overall UN contribution, withdrew from the ludicrous Human Rights Council and completely defunded UNRWA, which has been proven to be a front organization

for Hamas.

* Trump also signed the Taylor Force Act to stop the Palestinian Authority from taking American development assistance while paying terrorists.

* Trump recognized the terrorism threat from Iran and their proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis and he understood the threat of a nuclear Iran. He and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo implemented “maximum pressure” economic sanctions which practically bankrupted Iran, reducing their foreign reserves to $6 billion, not enough to fund their proxies and their nuclear ambitions. The Mideast was quiet during Trump’s term.

* As he did when he was in office, Trump will tell university presidents that “they must end the antisemitic propaganda, or they will lose their federal support.” In contrast, the Biden/Harris administration has been weak on Israel, returning to a policy of appeasement.

* From day one, Biden/Haris ignored the Abraham Accords. They started putting undue pressure on Saudi Arabia, which had been close to normalizing relations with Israel. Little wonder that no additional counties have signed Abraham Accord Agreements under their watch.

* Biden/Harris rejoined the UN Human Rights Council without securing meaningful assurances that the permanent anti-Israel campaign would end.

* They schemed to bypass the Taylor

Force Act as the PA’s pay-for-slay payouts continued uninterrupted.

* Where Trump had starved Iran’s coffers, Biden/Harris’s lack of sanctions enforcement and issuance of waivers enriched the regime to the tune of $100 billion which is being used to fund their terrorism.

* After Oct. 7, Biden/Harris initially provided strong support for Israel but as the war has dragged on and the November election has drawn nearer, they have been increasingly at odds with Israel’s war policy. Rather than allowing Israel to do “whatever it takes” to win, Biden/Harris have pushed for a ceasefire, basically forcing Israel back to the tragically failed “mowing the lawn” approach to Hamas and pressuring Israel to give up control of the Philadelphi corridor with Egypt through which Hamas restocks its war machinery.

* Claiming she’d “seen the maps,” Harris spoke out vehemently against Israel’s planned operations in Rafah which proved to be very successful. She dissed Prime Minister Netanyahu by refusing to be present when he spoke to Congress.

* Of course, personnel is policy. Harris named Ilan Goldenberg, an anti-Israel activist, to serve as her Middle East Advisor and “liaison” to the Jewish community. Goldenberg previously advocated for a Gaza deal in which “Hamas would retain some of its military capabilities” and argued that “half the root causes are Israeli actions.”

Under Kamala Harris, the Middle East is engulfed in chaos and war. Under President Trump there were historic levels of peace and security. The contrast could not be starker.

Regardless of what she says on the campaign trail, I find no reason to trust Kamala Harris to support Israel. She has shown little comprehension of the complexities of Middle East diplomacy and little understanding of the dire situation in which Israel finds itself. She doesn’t have the strength and determination to stand up against and deal with Iran (and China and Russia). To survive, Israel desperately needs capable U.S. leadership and support. ì

Chuck Berk is co-chair of the Atlanta chapter of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Why Jewish Women Should Vote for Harris

By Valerie Habif

In 2012, I co-founded Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon to give voice to the values that Jewish women hold most sacred—healthcare, safety, the wellbeing of our families. Twelve years later, and here we are: those same values are on the ballot.

It starts with Israel. With the country on the brink of a regional war, Vice President Kamala Harris is the candidate we can trust to stand up for Israel—and continue to stand with them amid rising threats from Iran and its allies.

Today, Vice President Harris is one of America’s strongest voices condemning Hamas and the sexual violence they perpetrated on Oct. 7. While others in Congress are calling to stop sending weapons to Israel, Harris has remained unwavering in her commitment to the Jewish people and to ensuring Israel’s right to defend itself.

Compare that to Trump, who has called Hezbollah “very smart,” and whose own national security advisor said not to trust him on Israel, because, as is always the case, Trump only cares about himself. Trump has no enduring principles and is highly manipulable. He will abandon Israel, just as he has abandoned foreign policy positions in the past, the moment it becomes politically expedient to do so.

Here at home, Jewish women also care deeply about the safety of our community —and we fear the escalation of antisemitism in our country.

After Nazis marched in Charlottesville, Trump claimed there were “very fine people on both sides.” He has dined with vile and unabashed antisemites, like the Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes,

and he continues to associate with conspiracy theorists, like Laura Loomer.

In Harris, we have a true leader in the fight against antisemitism. She and second gentleman Douglas Emhoff created the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism, which contains over 100 concrete and specific actions to protect our community. For the first time, the Vice President’s residence has a mezuzah.

As Jewish women, we also want our kids to get the best education possible— and to keep them safe in their schools. Trump and his friends at the Heritage Foundation want to destroy the Department of Education, ban books, and censor what our children learn. After a school shooting in Iowa, Trump horrifyingly told his supporters, “We have to get over it.” On Sept. 4, 2024, two Georgia students and two teachers were murdered in their classrooms. We will never get over it.

Vice President Harris and her running mate, Gov. Tim Walz, want to strengthen our schools and pay teachers a living wage. And, as gun owners themselves, they want to pass common-sense gun safety laws that reduce mass shootings.

As Jewish women, we see voting as an

investment in our democracy. Trump has baselessly cast doubt on election integrity in Georgia, threatened Georgia Republicans to “find” him votes, and cheered on members of Georgia’s unelected State Election Board who are making it harder to vote. Vice President Harris will protect our democracy by passing a new voting rights act, named after our beloved John Lewis.

As Jewish women, we believe women have the right to make decisions about our own bodies—while Trump, who was found liable of raping a woman in court, wants to make those decisions for us.

As Jewish women, we believe our daughters and granddaughters should have the same rights we grew up with— not fewer. Weeks ago, due to the bans that Trump’s appointed judges made possible, Amber Thurman died because she could not access abortion care in Georgia. She waited 20 hours for doctors to finally operate on her, and when they did, it was too late. She leaves behind a 6-year-old son.

Now, with the holiest of Jewish weeks just behind us, Jewish women must look at our choices - and then look inward.

Our Torah teaches that time and time again, Jewish women have stood up

to protect what is right and stand against hate and injustice. This November, Jewish women are being called upon to do that again.

And so, I urge you to listen not just to me, but to your own conscience. I urge you to adhere to the values that our mothers instilled in us and that we strive to instill in our children and grandchildren. I urge you to cast your vote on the right side of history—to cast it proudly in defense of future generations of Jewish women who cannot vote in this election, who are depending on us now, and who may one day ask you: What did you do?

Early voting starts Oct. 15.

Valerie Habif is co-founder of the Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon, Atlanta (JDWS) ì

Why Jewish Women Should Vote for Trump

By Betsy Shaw Kramer

As Jewish women consider the upcoming presidential election, choosing the candidate who aligns with our values and priorities is essential. America requires a candidate who can articulate their policies without creating a word salad that you have no clue what they just said. Donald Trump’s track record shows his commitment to issues that are deeply significant for many Jewish women, including the United States-Israel alliance, their children’s safety in schools, economic prosperity, national security, women’s reproductive health, and border security, to name but a few issues.

Donald Trump has been an unprecedented ally of Israel, strengthening the United States-Israel relationship more than any other modern president. His administration’s bold move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and relocate the United States embassy was a historic moment that resonated deeply within the Jewish community. Far from being symbolic, it reaffirmed America’s commitment to Israel’s security and right to self-determination. Moreover, Trump’s administration facilitated peace agreements between Israel and Arab nations resulting in the Abraham Accords, stabilizing the region. For Jewish women prioritizing Israel’s safety, Trump’s policies offer unmatched support.

The economy is another critical concern in raising families, running businesses, or advancing our careers. Under Trump, the United States saw robust economic growth before the pandemic, with record-low unemployment rates, especially among women and minorities. His tax

reforms relieved middle-class families, and his deregulation efforts aimed to create an environment where businesses could thrive. As inflation has risen under the current administration, Trump’s economic policies offer a return pathway to fiscal discipline, growth, and prosperity – key for seeking financial security and upward mobility.

Jewish history has long been intertwined with immigration, as many Jewish families have experienced displacement or sought refuge in the United States. However, the current border crisis highlights the need for secure, orderly immigration. Trump’s approach to border security emphasizes protecting American citizens, ensuring that those entering the country do so legally and with respect for the rule of law and our moral values. For communities affected by crime and instability from uncontrolled immigration, there’s a stake in policies prioritizing safety and the nation’s borders.

The safety of children in schools is a top concern for Jewish women, and under Donald Trump, he undertook significant steps to improve school security. His administration allocated funds for security infrastructure and supported local measures to address violence and bullying. Recognizing the vulnerability of Jewish communities, Trump’s policies ensured schools could invest in protections, providing parents peace of mind. For Jewish wom-

en, Trump’s approach to securing schools aligns with broader concerns for family safety and future generations’ well-being.

While Trump is often viewed conservatively regarding reproductive rights, it’s essential to recognize diverse perspectives. Orthodox Jewish values may align with Trump’s more traditional stance on the sanctity of life, while other Jewish women may prioritize religious freedom and individual choice. Our great republic emphasizes state control and rights over reproductive health policies, leaving room for Jewish women to advocate based on their values within state and local politics. Trump’s straightforward communication style resonates with those seeking clear policy positions. He has repeatedly stated he would not sign a country-wide abortion bill, he supports IVF and does not want to limit birth control or the ability to get birth control or other women’s health policies.

An alarming rise in antisemitic incidents is another issue for Jewish women. Trump has taken a firm stand against antisemitism, signing an executive order that defines Jewish people as a protected group under civil rights law. His administration has also condemned antisemitic rhetoric and actions, whether in the United States or abroad. In contrast, Jewish women may feel uncertain about leaders who haven’t acted decisively against antisemitic figures and movements. Trump’s firm stance on this issue provides Jewish women with

confidence that their safety and dignity will remain a priority.

In closing, Jewish women have much to consider in this election. Donald Trump’s record on Israel, the economy, national security, and broader issues affecting women makes a compelling case for their vote this November. The American dream will once again be alive and well with the re-election of Donald J. Trump, which has disappeared over the last 3.5-plus years. His policies and leadership also reflect a commitment to preserving Jewish heritage, ensuring economic stability, and enhancing national security in ways that resonate with the values of many in the Jewish community. Voting for Donald Trump is a vote for continued strength in these critical areas that impact the lives and well-being of Jewish women across America.

Betsy Shaw Kramer is a Jewish Republican activist, a 2024 presidential elector, and was an at-large delegate to the 2024 Republican National Convention. ì

ESTHER PANITCH & SUSIE GREENBERG

State Representative Esther Panitch (HD-51) and Susie Greenberg, candidate for HD-53, are dedicated to serving as our strong Jewish voices in the State House. Together, they are committed to launching a Jewish Caucus that will address key issues affecting Georgia’s Jewish community and advance our shared values on education, health care, women’s reproductive freedom, and community safety. With a proven track record of advocating for Jewish causes and fighting against antisemitism, Esther and Susie will continue to lead with purpose and compassion for all.

Thank you for electing me as Georgia State Rep of HD80.

I’m asking for your support again to continue the fight against Antisemitism and Asian hate.

A Moderate Voice for East Cobb

For you, for us, Forsyth. Proven Leadership for the Progress we Deserve

Politics

Six Jewish Candidates Seek State House Seats

By Dave Schechter

Democratic Rep. Esther Panitch was the lone Jewish member in the 2023 and 2024 sessions of the Georgia General Assembly.

She is hoping for company when the state legislature reconvenes in January 2025.

As Panitch seeks re-election to a second two-year term from House district 51, five other Jewish newcomers are seeking seats in the House. They are Democrats Susie Greenberg, Debra Shigley, Eric Castater, and Randye Dugan, and Republican Barry Zisholtz.

Speaking optimistically of her electoral prospects and success by at least one other Jewish candidate on Nov. 5, Panitch told the Jewish Women’s Democratic Salon, “I am really grateful that I’m going to have some company this session.”

A single Jewish legislator accounts for 0.04 percent of the General Assembly. An estimated 1.3 percent of the state’s population is Jewish.

Republicans currently hold a trifecta under the Gold Dome, with majorities in the House and Senate and Gov. Brian Kemp as the state’s chief executive.

In the last session, Republicans occupied 102 of 180 House seats and 33 out of 56 seats in the Senate. Republicans are expected to maintain majorities in both chambers, though Democrats hope to whittle away at their deficits, particularly in the House.

State representatives and senators are paid $17,342 plus per diem annually for their part-time jobs. State Senate districts average 191,000 residents and state House districts 59,500.

The priority for Jewish Atlanta’s major communal organizations in the past two legislative sessions was inclusion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism to the state’s legal code, which was achieved in March.

When action resumes under the Gold Dome in January, discussion of such perennial issues as health care, transportation, and education can be expected. The mass shooting at Apalachee High School in Barrow County in September may prompt debate over gun violence, though the Republican majority has not shown interest in firearms regulation.

Other issues that may be raised include creation of a state version of the federal Non-Profit Security Grant program and funding for the mental health legislation passed a couple of years ago.

Esther Panitch

Antisemitism brought Panitch the sort of national attention rare for any state legislator, never mind a first-term member. Shortly after she took office in January 2022, her Fulton County driveway and others in metro Atlanta were leafleted with anti-Jewish cards by the Goyim Defense League. A year later, she was a leader in efforts to put a definition of antisemitism into the state code.

In her bid for re-election from the Fulton County district, she is being challenged by Republican Keith Gettmann.

Panitch has used her role as the only Jewish member of the General Assembly to acquaint legislators with the Jewish community. As examples, she points to Shabbat meals and services that the past two years welcomed legislators and other public officials to Congregation B’nai Torah (where she is a member) and Temple Emanu-El. “Most of my colleagues had never been to anything in a synagogue and had never experienced Shabbat . . . They need to know why we come to certain conclusions and policies.”

As important as the successful effort on legislation defining antisemitism, Panitch said “defensive work” is needed to oppose such measures as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which passed the Senate in 2024 but failed to emerge from the House, and proposed license plates that would declare “America First,” a term reminiscent of pro-German groups before World War II.

Susie Greenberg

The race in House district 53 offers a Jewish Democrat challenging an incumbent Republican who is not Jewish but has established ties in the community.

District 53 includes Roswell, Sandy Springs, and the Buckhead community in the city of Atlanta.

Susie Greenberg is the newcomer challenging incumbent Republican Deborah Silcox. Silcox represented district 52 from 2016 to 2020. After losing in the 2020 election, she came back in 2022 to win the seat from district 53.

Greenberg, an attorney and cofounder of the Campus Concierge Services, has served on the board of Temple Sinai and is co-vice president for advocacy of the National Council of Jewish Women chapter in Atlanta.

“I will stand, speak up, and show up for our Jewish values,” Greenberg told the Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon forum.

She labeled the state’s abortion law “a primary focus of this candidacy, to restore women’s rights in Georgia.” Georgia law prohibits the procedure after six weeks, a time before a woman may not know that she is pregnant.

Greenberg said that, working with the National Council of Jewish Women, she was “laser focused to get a hate crimes bill passed.” That measure spurred but the February 2020 murder of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old African American, near Brunswick, Ga., was signed into law four months later by Gov. Brian Kemp.

Speaking to a local meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Silcox touted her role as an original co-sponsor of that legislation, the Georgia Enhanced Penalties for Hate Crimes Act. The law allows for enhanced penalties if a criminal defendant is found to have selected a victim based on their “race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, mental disability or physical disability.”

Silcox, who was appointed in 2023 by Kemp to serve on the Georgia Holocaust Commission, also has been honored in March by The White Rose Society, which recognizes non-Jewish individuals who have supported the local Jewish community.

Debra Shigley

Debra Shigley, a member of The Temple, won the Democratic primary in House district 47 and is seeking to unseat incumbent Rep. Jan Jones, the secondranking Republican in the House.

District 47 in northwest Fulton County includes Milton, Mountain Park and portions of Roswell and Alpharetta, and southeast Cherokee County. Jones, who is seeking a 12th term, has won reelection comfortably when challenged, and several times did not face a general election opponent.

Shigley’s campaign says that she is the first African American Jewish woman to seek a seat in the General Assembly. Her mother is Jewish and her father Jamaican. "I feel so personally energized,” Shigley told a Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon forum in August. “I feel a lot of connection to Kamala Harris," whose father was Jamaican and her mother Indian.

She told the JDWS forum that “the

voting rights issue is part of what got me off the sidelines.”

Shigley is an employment attorney and co-founder of a company called Colour, a technology-based hair care service for women of color.

After the May primary she said, “As a Jewish woman my faith guides me to advocate for my neighbors and that means fighting for reproductive freedom, gun safety, and strong public schools.” In September, Shigley joined a press conference at the capital calling for action on firearms violence after the mass shooting at Apalachee High School. “This is not about gun control. School children are being murdered by terrorists while learning algebra. That is not freedom,” she posted on Facebook.

“The more Jewish representation we have in the state House, the more opportunity we have to build bridges,” she said. “Our families deserve representation. I will stand up, speak up, and show up when it’s not easy . . . because being a Jew sometimes is not easy.”

Jones has promoted her support for Israel. Just days after the Oct. 7 terror attacks, she posted on Facebook: “I’m thinking of and praying for the people of Israel and the families of those who have lost their lives or taken hostage. The bond between Israel and the United States is unwavering. We will continue to stand firm with our ally as it defends itself against these heinous terrorist attacks. #StandWithIsrael”

Barry Zisholtz

Barry Zisholtz admits that, until several days before the deadline for candidates to file, he could not name his state representative.

He was unaware that a portion of the heavily Jewish Toco Hills neighborhood had been moved into district 86, a majority African American district with a history of electing Democrats to the

state legislature.

He learned that incumbent Democratic Rep. Imani Barnes had abstained from voting on a resolution condemning Hamas after the Oct. 7 terror attacks and also voted against the inclusion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism in the state code.

Zisholtz, an Orthodox Jew and a member of Congregation Beth Jacob, had attended a class at Chabad where an admonition of the late Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Schneerson was discussed: «If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that G-d has left for you to complete.”

So, the retired urologist became the Republican candidate in district 86.

Zisholtz, a native New Yorker, says that he has knocked on 9,000 doors campaigning in the district. His campaign’s Facebook page is replete with pictures of him campaigning in the Black community. Zisholtz said that, with a practice based in Riverdale and East Point, some 80 percent of his patients were Black.

“It’s about trust,” he told a September meeting of the local chapter of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Zisholtz puts antisemitism at the top of his list of priority issues, drawing a connection before stepping up to protest on behalf of Soviet Jewry years ago to protecting Jewish students who feel embattled on university campuses, including at his alma mater, the University of Michigan.

“If there’s something antisemitic going on we have to stand up,” he told the AJT.

While his professional background explains his priority interest in health care, he diverges from Gov. Brian Kemp by supporting expansion of the federal Medicaid program in Georgia. He has seen two hospitals (South Fulton and Georgia Baptist) where he worked fold because they could not afford to treat the numbers of uninsured and poorly insured patients coming in the doors. “The first bill I would introduce would be to provide health insurance to all citizens of the state of Georgia,” Zisholtz wrote on a Ballotpedia survey.

He also named public safety and affordable housing as issues high on his list.

Eric Castater

Democrat Eric Castater makes clear at the top of his campaign website his primary reason for seeking the House seat

from district 45: “Political extremism - on the left and the right - is out of control in our country and state. There is too much demonization and dehumanization, and not enough listening, learning, or compromise.”

Castater, a member of Congregation Etz Chaim, is challenging Republican Rep. Sharon Cooper, who has served in the House since January 2007.

As required by state law, while he runs for office Castater is on leave from his position as an assistant professor of political science at Kennesaw State University.

Castater told the Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon that he is running to “bring some moderation and decency and sanity to our politics."

He warned that if the Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris appears to be winning as election results are counted, “The Republican election deniers are going to rush to the county election boards and start to claim fraud immediately . . . . They’ve had four years to prepare this time.”

Castater told the JWDS forum that, while antisemitism is a worse problem on the right, citing neo-Nazis who marched in front of a Cobb County synagogue, “Not enough Democrats of reason and conscience are standing up to the far left of our party,” elements of which he said are anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, and proHamas.

Randye Dugan

Democrat Randye Dugan is challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Carter Barrett, who is seeking a second term from House district 24 in Forsyth County.

“If you know about Forsyth County, to flip it with a Jew would be amazing,” she told a Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon forum in August.

“I spend most of my time knocking doors, as I think most of us do. Where my campaign is different is I work to win over Republican voters, and with every conversation, I do,” she told the AJT.

A career educator, Dugan teaches physics for the Fulton (County) Academy of Virtual Excellence, a county-wide online program.

Dugan, who attends Chabad North Fulton, cited her 6-year-old daughter as a motivation for her campaign. “I could not in good conscience leave what was going on for my daughter,” she told a Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon forum in August.

Dugan listed her priority issues as reproductive rights (abortion, contraception, and in-vitro fertilization) and education, saying that “Public money belongs in public education.”

“We need further representation everywhere,” she told the Jewish Democratic Women’s Salon, “in the legislature but also on school and library boards, to prevent efforts to ban and restrict books.”

Republican Rep. Todd Jones, who does not identify solely as Jewish (his mother is Jewish), is seeking re-election from House district 25 against Democratic challenger Elaine Padgett. Jones, who took office in 2017, was a major proponent of the mental health care legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp in April 2022. His other major issue interests have been economic development, education, and transportation. ì

Jewish Republicans Turn Out for Kemp & Graham

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

It was standing room only in City Springs on Sept. 30 when greeters handed out red suede Trump kippahs to close to 200 mostly seniors who came to hear Sen. Lindsay Graham and Gov. Brian Kemp head the Republican Jewish Coalition topic, “Israel at the Crossroads.” The two were in conversation with former Minnesota senator and Minneapolis Mayor Norm Coleman.

A video was shown that labeled the Democratic ticket as “soft on crime” and allowing campus protests to fuel.”

Local RJC Chair Chuck Berk kicked off the event by praising Kemp for being an outstanding governor, meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and helping pass the Hate Crimes Bill, and more locally, establishing the new Anne Frank Center in Sandy Springs. In addressing Graham, Berk said, “No one in D.C. understands the Middle East more to provide clarity.”

Kemp drew applause when he spoke of his low tolerance for property destruction at the police training center and college campuses. Kemp stated that he wrote a letter to Sen. Chuck Schumer putting pressure on him for allowing antisemitism to flourish.

Graham echoed, “This is a tough time to be Jewish. [They] don’t have the right to ruin someone else’s college experience. It seems the better you play football, the stronger you are for Israel.”

The most encouraging and proactive conversation was Graham’s efforts to form an alliance between Saudi Arabia and Israel as partners for peace. He revealed that he had visited there seven times since Oct. 7 and was scheduled to return soon for the eighth trip. He stated, “The prince has trillions and wants to be the A.I. center of the world. Normalization with Israel would be good for business, along with the Abraham Accords. Now antisemitism has pulled the bandage back. Don’t tell me Israel wants war. The Arabs are moving towards the light.”

He wants the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris administration to quit asking Israel to appease. “Israel will keep fighting until the last person is standing.”

He fervently believes that the way to sustaining peace is re-educating the young Muslims to stop being taught hate. “Palestinian youth need choices for a better life. The IDF cannot occupy Gaza and change their school systems … I’m not going to Saudi Arabia for my health. I’m

meeting with MBS and MBZ where we have the best chance of closing a deal.”

Kemp spoke of his family trip to Israel confirming Israel’s importance to the world by bringing technology like cybersecurity. Graham recalled his hard scrabble background raised by parents who owned a pool hall. He said, “If someone wants to cut your throat, you don’t buy them a knife … It’s insane … [Dems] gave Iran billions. Harris’ ideas are bat s**t … Iran needs to be put back into the box.  Blow up their oil refineries and hope that Iranians have a better life. Trump will have Israel’s back.”

Kemp commented on the “insanity” of having such high interest payments on the national debt. “Money we should be spending on ships and airplanes and how can Biden take credit for lowering inflation that he caused?”

Graham intimated that he advised Trump to talk about policy and not himself. “Trump is smart, but unpredictable. I’d rather have Trump in a rowboat pitted against Obama and Biden and the whole U.S. Army.”

Kemp had the last word. “You may

not like Trump personally, but big policy decisions matter … who will be the U.S. Attorney General and stop people trying to burn down college campuses, who will be in the cabinet, who’s going to cut the EPA/Energy Department red tape?”

The audience roared with applause with the mention of Kemp’s potential run for the U.S. Senate.

Daniel Regenstein, chief of staff, Georgia Department of Administrative Services, told the AJT, “As Gov. Kemp said, when the anti-Israel protesters came to Georgia campuses, he ordered authorities to ‘lock their a***s up.’ We need more leaders like him … It was great to see so many in the Jewish community turn out to support Gov. Kemp and the Republican ticket. I think more Jewish voters are starting to realize that it’s the Republicans who are supporting Israel, fighting antisemitism, and defending the Jewish community, against our enemies, both foreign and domestic.”

Before the event, local supporter Dr. Zane Pollard, holding a Trump sign in Hebrew, said, “Republicans are for Israel,

and Israel is the most important thing.”  Harry Bloch noted, “I came to hear Graham talk about doing the right thing and getting rid of terrorism. It reminds me of the movie, ‘A Few Good Men.’”

Melvin Everson, a former Georgia State Representative, stated, “I believe in the Biblical word of Israel belonging to the Jews, and that’s what my pastor preaches.”

Dr. Karol Gildiner related, “As an American citizen, I want us to support Israel to do what any self-respecting nation would have the courage to do.”

Retired Air Force member Ted Bachman concluded, “I love America and am 100 percent Zionistic. Today, we will see our strength. If the current regime stays in place ‘Goodbye, Israel.’” ì

Drs. Haviva Goldhagen and Karol Gildiner pose with Republican friends Renee and Harry Bloch

Gov. Brian Kemp and Sen. Lindsay Graham appeared at City Springs in conversation with Norm Coleman.

Dr Zane Pollard displayed a Trump sign in Hebrew letters.

Retired military member Ted Bachman loves America and wants an administration that is stronger and more Zionistic.

Melvin Everson believes that the land described in the Bible belongs to the Hebrews.

Torres Speaks to Jewish Voters at Harris-Walz Event

On Tuesday, Oct. 8, Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) spoke to a room of 170 voters as part of the Jewish Voters for Harris-Walz outreach event in Atlanta. Rep. Torres was joined by Ilan Goldenberg, Harris-Walz National Jewish Outreach Director and Policy Advisor. Additional remarks were given by: Emory University students Risa Lippe and Maya Rezak, State Rep. Esther Panitch, and Marc Gary.  Panitch introduced the speakers at the standing room only event. “People really wanted to know, they wanted to feel comfortable — or know if they could feel comfortable — voting for Harris related

to Israel and Jewish issues,” Panitch told the Jewish Insider. “And the rousing applause at the end made it seem that the message was conveyed that she is the best for Israel … and for Jewish issues in the United States.”

Torres’ campaign staff noted that Atlanta Jewish community members had repeatedly requested an outreach event with Torres as the New York congressman has been outspoken in his support of Israel defending itself against proxy terrorist groups. Both Torres and Goldenberg spoke about the ongoing hostage crisis and expressed the need for a resolution to be

reached and the hostages returned.

“[Goldenberg] relayed just how much [Harris] cared for the hostages and for the hostage families, and how prepared she wanted to be for meeting with the families — that it matters to her,” Panitch told the Jewish Insider. “We Jews can feel safer knowing that she really has our backs.”

According to Panitch, Goldenberg and Torres consider Vice President Kamala Harris more than capable of handling herself in regards to foreign policy. ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

Congressman Ritchie Torres is pictured with Emory University students Risa Lippe and Maya Rezak // Photo Credit: Eric Burkard

Emory University students Risa Lippe and Maya Rezak speak during a Harris-Walz outreach event on Oct. 8 // Photo Credit: Eric Burkard

Congressman Ritchie Torres (left) is pictured with Ilan Goldenberg, Harris-Walz National Jewish Outreach Director and Policy Advisor // Photo Credit: Eric Burkard

Israel is a Talking Point in White House Race

By Dave Schechter

There has been plenty of talk about Jewish interests during this unusual presidential campaign, a seemingly outsized amount for a 2.4 percent segment of the U.S. population.

Some of this stems from the misimpression that Jewish Americans are single-issue voters and Israel is that issue, despite repeated surveys that show other issues ranking higher for non-Orthodox Jews, while Orthodox Jews make Israel a greater priority.

The conventional wisdom, based on recent election cycles, is that the Democratic candidate will draw roughly 70 percent or better of the Jewish vote (estimated at 68 percent when challenger Joe Biden defeated incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in 2020).

This year, that comes with a caveat: The Hamas-led terror attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, and antisemitism linked to anti-Israel protests on university campuses and in public spaces. It remains to be seen how these events will impact the contest between Trump and Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

Before Biden dropped out of the race on July 21 and Harris became the Democratic Party’s nominee, he and Trump jousted for the backing of Jewish Americans.

The 45th president touted his recognition of Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights and of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, moving the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, pulling out of the Iran nuclear deal, and the Abraham Accords that led to Israel establishing diplomatic relations with Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, and later Morocco.

The 46th president boasted of ties dating back to his meeting then-Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir (while passing over a reported rebuke years later from then-Prime Minister Menachem Begin). Biden endeared himself to many Israelis by visiting within two weeks after the Oct. 7 terror attacks and, during the June 27 debate in Atlanta, cited his role in forming an international coalition to protect Israel when Iran launched missiles in April.

Harris — whose husband, Doug Emhoff, is Jewish — lacks such links. She has said that her policies would mirror Biden’s, starting with efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of the remaining 101 hostages (one-third of whom are believed to be dead). On a key issue, Harris’ campaign has repeated her opposition to an arms embargo against Israel.

Harris tried to thread a needle in her speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. “I will always stand up for Israel’s right to defend itself, and I will always ensure Israel has the ability to defend itself, because the people of Israel must never again face the horror that a terrorist organization called Hamas caused on Oct. 7, including unspeakable sexual violence and the massacre of young people at a music festival,” she said.

“At the same time, what has happened in Gaza over the past 10 months is devastating. So many innocent lives lost. Desperate, hungry people fleeing for safety, over and over again. The scale of suffering is heartbreaking,” she continued.

“President Biden and I are working to end this war, such that Israel is secure, the hostages are released, the suffering in Gaza ends and the Palestinian people

can realize their right to dignity, security, freedom and self-determination,” Harris said.

During the June 27 debate Trump asserted that, had he been in the White House, Russian President Vladimir Putin “never would have invaded Ukraine . . . Just like Israel would have never been invaded in a million years by Hamas. You know why? Because Iran was broke with me. I wouldn’t let anybody do business with them. They ran out of money. They were broke. They had no money for Hamas. They had no money for anything, no money for terror.”

During the Sept. 10 debate, Trump said of Harris: “She hates Israel. If she’s president, I believe that Israel will not exist within two years from now.” He followed that up in a Sept. 19 speech, telling the Israel American Council: “If I don’t win, I believe Israel will be eradicated.”

Throughout the campaign, Trump has ridiculed Jews who vote Democratic. Those comments have included:

“Any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion.”

“I think any Jewish people that vote for a Democrat, I think it shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty.”

“If anybody I know is Jewish and they would vote for Kamala over me, they should have their head examined.”

In mid-September, Trump told the Israel American Council, “If I don’t win this election - and the Jewish people would really have a lot to do with that . . .” The American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League were among Jewish groups that labeled Trump’s statement as antisemitic and warned that it could provoke anti-Jewish acts if Trump loses the election.

At various times, Trump has suggested that he would win 40 or 50 percent of the Jewish vote. The largest estimated percentage of the Jewish vote garnered by a Republican candidate in the past century was 40 percent in 1956 by thenincumbent Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower, followed by 39 percent for Ronald Reagan in 1976. Trump received an estimated 24 percent when he was elected in 2016 and 30 percent in his unsuccessful 2020 re-election bid.

The Jewish Democratic Council of America published a survey of 800 selfidentified Jewish registered voters, conducted Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, that claimed 72 percent supporting Harris and 25 percent Trump. An April survey conducted for the Jewish Electorate Institute reported that 67 percent of Jewish voters would back Biden.

An example of all that talk about Jewish interests came in August, when the political news cycle briefly was consumed by talk about who Harris did not pick as her running mate. Republicans suggested that religion influenced Harris’ choice of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz rather than Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro.

“Everyone thought it was going to be Shapiro, it turned out not to be Shapiro,” Trump told Fox News. “I have very little doubt that it was not for the reason we’re talking about. It was because of the fact that he’s Jewish.”

Shapiro sought to put the kibosh on this idea, telling the Democratic National Convention: “Donald Trump is the least credible person to listen to when it comes to hate and bigotry and certainly antisemitism. He’s trying to use me. He’s trying to use other Jews to divide Americans further.” ì

Jewish Americans, particularly non-Orthodox, rank issues other than Israel’s security as higher priorities when voting.

Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, Aug. 20, 2024.

Right: Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump, Aug. 21, 2024 // Photo Credits: AP/Jacquelyn Martin and AP/Chuck Burton

Susie Greenberg for Georgia State House

We need a reliable, strong voice in the Georgia State House—someone who will not only stand up for Jewish values but also fight against hatred, injustice, and the erosion of our rights. That’s why we proudly endorse Susie Greenberg for Georgia State House.

The only Jewish candidate in this race, Susie’s dedication to Tikkun Olam —repairing the world—drives her years of transformative leadership and service to:

Restore and protect women’s reproductive freedom in Georgia

Stand up for democracy, recognizing the legitimate outcome of elections

Stand against antisemitism and champion protection of civil rights for everyone

Join us in supporting Susie Greenberg for House District 53.

TOGETHER, LET’S MAKE HISTORY!

Kevin Abel

Sandy Abrams

Lauren & Cort Adair

Lauren Antonino

Amy Arno

Amy & Robert Arogeti

Joel Arogeti

Linda & Mark Bachman

Temme Barkin-Leeds

Karen & Roy Baron

Mary & Michael Baron

Marcy Bass & Scott Fisher

Aviva Berman

Candy Berman

Gita & Steve Berman

Mara Berman

Staci & Matt Brill

Shirley & Gary Bernes

Natalie & Matthew Bernstein

Joyce Bihary

Warren Binderman

Susan & Stephen Blank

Amanda & Mark Brandenburg

Joseph Brickman

Jane & Scott Butler

Janet & Steven Cadranel

Rita Chaiken

Allie & Andrew Chinsky

Lisa & Sherman Cohen

Elaine Goldberg DeSimone

Jill Diamond

Carolyn & Steve Dinberg

Rachel Dinerman

Alison Doerfler

Linda Davis

Cydnee Dubrof

Jane & Mitch Durham

Betsy Edelman & Jay Strongwater

Lori & Todd Edlin

Ilene Engel

Elise Eplan & Bob Marcovitch

Jana Eplan

Preston Epstein

Stacey Hader Epstein

Elisa & Bobby Ezor

Iris Feinberg

Allison Feldman

Brian Feldman

Jan & Jay Fisher

Robert Franco

Sherry Frank

Lisa & Steve Freedman

Ruth & Gregg Freishtat

Abby Friedman & Harry Heiman

Dina Fuchs-Beresin

Roz Fuchs

Marc Gary

Heidi & David Geller

Cathy Goldstein

Libby & Nat Gozansky

Karen and Jimmy Grinzaid

Nikki Gugliotta Novotny

Ally Habif

Valerie Habif & Neil Wasser

Stacey Hader Epstein

Lynne & Jack Halpern

Debora Hartzell

Susan Heidt

Lila Hertz

Judy & Stanley Fineman

Michal & Jack Hillman

Renee & Maurice Hoelting

Judy Horowitz

Deborah & Lou Jacobs

Michael Jacobson

Andrea Jaron & Larry Bircoll

Walter Jospin

Lori Kagan Schwarz & Herman Schwarz

Sharla & Brian Kahn

Susan & Bobby Kahn

Jennifer Kahnweiler

Linda Kaplan

Abby Karsch

Sheila Katz Cohen

Ann Kay

Natalie & Jeff Kirsh

Susan Kupferberg

Jeanney Kutner

Sheri & Steve Labovitz

Faith & Howard Levy

Steve Leeds

Shilvi & Yoel Leinwand

Shannen & Zac Levin

Nancy & Marshall Levine

Jennifer & Gary Lieberman

Molly Light

Steve Linowes

Livvy Kazer Lipson

Cheryl & Michael Lipton

Marcy Louza

Debbie & Glenn Maron

Amy Sue Maziar

Patty Maziar

Beth Paradies

Lynn Redd

Dana & David Meline

Rebecca Meline

Lindy Miller

Richard Mitchell

Andrea & Ned Montag

Andi Morse

Debbie Neese

Kathleen Neitzel

Carol Nemo

Susan & Randy Newman

Steve Oppenheimer

Lori & Allan Peljovich

Helen Perkel

Robin & David Perlis

Helene & Mark Popowski

Judy Port

Norma Postnieks

Nancy Prager

Rachel Rauscher

Penina Richards

Judy & Shai Robkin

Phyllis & Sidney Rodbell

Pam Rosenthal

Michael Rosenzweig

Shelli Bank

Fran & Howard Rottenberg

Susan Sandler

Mindi & Michael Sard

Barbie & Kevin Schaffer

Linda Schear

Kelly Schiffer

David Schoenberg

Ellen & Sandy Schwartz

Marcia & Michael Schwarz

Jill Segal

Tonia Sellers & Seth Weissman

Fred Shaftman

Miranda Shapiro

Steve Sheinbaum

Joanie & Lewis Shubin

Marianne & Lenny Shutzberg

Gayle & Harris Siegel

Lori & Robert Silverman

Suzanne Simkin

Ellen & Danny Softness

Debbie Sonenshine

Beth & Edward Sugarman

Pam Sugarman & Tom Rosenberg

Robyn Tanenbaum

Judith Tolkan

Cathy Toren

Ronnie Van Gelder

Jen Wand

Cathy Weil

Sherri & Rob Wildstein

Susan Wittenstein

Ellen & Joseph Zarge

Mimi Zieman

Melanie & Scott Zucker

Leah Zucker

Julie Zweig

...and more.

Politics

The Jewish Vote by the Numbers

By Dave Schechter

The as-yet unpublished 2024 edition of the American Jewish Year Book will estimate that 132,000 Jews live in metro Atlanta and 148,500 throughout Georgia.

The Jewish community thus would comprise about 1.33 percent of the state’s population, which the Census Bureau in 2023 listed as 11,029,227.

The Jewish population estimates were provided to the AJT by Prof. Ira Sheskin of the University of Miami, editor of the Jewish American Year Book.

Sheskin said the 2024 figures include Israelis living in Georgia. No precise figure is available, but anecdotal estimates to the AJT suggest that 10,000 or more Israelis live in metro Atlanta.

Based on Census Bureau’s breakdown of Georgia’s population, 77 percent of those 148,500 likely are of voting age.

Researchers say that Jews vote in presidential elections in the range of 80 percent, one of the highest rates of any

religious or ethnic group.

For argument’s sake, if all Jewish

adults in Georgia of voting age were registered and if 80 percent voted, that would yield nearly 91,500 potential Jew-

percent reported having no denomination.

Using an approximation, based on recent elections, that 70 percent of the Jewish vote nationally goes to the Democratic presidential candidate, in Georgia that could yield about 64,000 potential Democratic votes and about 27,400 Republican.

Democrat Joe Biden defeated incumbent Republican President Donald Trump in Georgia in 2020 by 11,779 votes. The potential number of Jewish voters suggests that, in a close election, Jewish turnout could play a role in deciding which candidate claims the state’s 16 Electoral College votes.

In a Jewish Electorate Institute survey of 800 self-identified Jewish American registered voters, conducted April 16-21, 47 percent described their political ideology as liberal, 35 percent moderate, and 16 percent conservative.

In terms of party identification, 57 percent were firmly leaning Democratic with another 12 percent leaning in that direction, while 14 percent were firmly Republican with 10 percent leaning in that direction.

By affiliation, 37 percent of the respondents were Reform, 17 percent Conservative, nine percent Orthodox, and 31

Respondents to the JEI survey were asked to identify the two issues most important to them when voting in November.

Overall, “The future of democracy” topped the list at 46 percent; followed by abortion, 30 percent; inflation/economy, 26 percent; Israel, 25 percent; immigration, 18 percent; national security/foreign policy, 16 percent; climate change, 14 percent; health care, 10 percent; guns, eight percent; Social Security/Medicare, six percent; and other, two percent.

Broken down by denomination, Reform Jews were most concerned about democracy (55 percent), followed by abortion (34 percent). Democracy (36 percent) and abortion (32 percent) were priorities identified by those in the Conservative movement. Orthodox Jews focused on inflation/economy (54 percent) and Israel (52 percent). For those with no formal affiliation, democracy (45 percent) and abortion (26 percent) were the top issue concerns.

In the survey, 52 percent of those ages 18-34 agreed that antisemitism is a serious problem, a response that increased with age; 66 percent of those ages 35-49, 69 percent of those ages 5064, and 70 percent of those age 75 and older. ì

Jewish turnout could play a role in deciding which candidate claims Georgia’s 16 Electoral College votes.

Inside the Numbers

By Dave Schechter

By racial self-identification, Georgia’s electorate (active and inactive): White, 50.7 percent; Black, 30.1 percent; Hispanic, 4.4 percent; Asian or Pacific, 2.9 percent; American Indian (the term used by the Secretary of State’s office), .8 percent; and other, 10.8 percent.

Georgia’s electorate, by age: 18-29: 20.5 percent; 30-39: 18.7 percent; 40-49: 15.9 percent; 50-59: 16 percent; 60-69: 14.6 percent; 70-79: 9.6 percent; 80-89: 3.6 percent; 90+: 0.7 percent.

The state’s electorate, by gender: 53.2 percent female, 46.6 percent male, and 0.2 percent other.

Source: Georgia Secretary of State website

In the 2020 general election, 66.8 percent of registered voters nationally cast ballots, the highest turnout since 1992 and up from 61.4 percent in 2016.

In Georgia, turnout in 2020 was 66.2 percent. Roughly one of every three registered voters, nationally and in Georgia, did not vote.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

In a Jewish Electoral Institute survey of 800 self-identified Jewish American registered voters, conducted April 16-21, 47 percent described their political ideology as liberal, 35 percent as moderate, and 16 percent conservative.

In terms of party identification, 57

percent were firmly Democratic with another 12 percent leaning in that party, while 14 percent were firmly Republican with 10 percent leaning toward the GOP.

Source: Jewish Electoral Institute

Georgia’s Jewish population in 2024 is an estimated 148,500, with 132,000 in metro Atlanta, according to the upcom-

MORE THAN A DOZEN DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICANS LEADERS ARE ENDORSING

SHERIFF CRAIG OWENS

ing edition of the American Jewish Year Book. The Jewish community makes up 1.33 percent of the state’s population, estimated by the Census Bureau in 2023 to be 11,029,227. ì

Sources: Professor Ira M. Sheskin, University of Miami, and editor, American Jewish Year Book; U.S. Census Bureau.

Former State Rep. Alisha Thomas Searcy

Nikema Williams is a voice & vote in Congress PRO-ISRAEL

If re-elected, she’ll continue to:

Support Israel's right to defend itself and eliminate Hamas

Demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages

Support fully funding security assistance for Israel without additional conditions

Work to expand the historic Abraham Accords

Ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon

VOTE FOR NIKEMA WILLIAMS

House Incumbents Rarely Ousted

By Dave Schechter

Few jobs offer the security enjoyed by members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

In 2022, 94.5 percent of incumbents nationally won re-election. In 30 elections since 1964, the rate of re-election for House members has dipped below 90 percent just seven times and never below 85 percent.

Being a member of the U.S. Senate is only slightly less secure, but even there, the re-election rate hovers around 90 percent. Neither of Georgia’s two senators — Democrats Jon Ossoff, who is Jewish, and Raphael Warnock — are on the ballot this year.

Republicans hold a 9 to 5 advantage in Georgia’s U.S. House delegation. None of Georgia’s 14 congressional races is considered to be among the most competitive nationally.

Republicans currently hold a 220 to 211 majority in the U.S. House, with four seats vacant.

Redistricting after the 2020 Census reflected a shift in the state’s population toward the Atlanta area and away from middle and south Georgia. Each representative in the 435-member U.S. House represents about 775,000 residents.

After a federal judge required the Republican-controlled state legislature to redraw the post-redistricting maps, the 6th congressional district became more favorable for Democrats and the 7th more favorable for Republicans. This prompted current representatives, Democrat Lucy McBath and Republican Rich McCormick, to change their plans.

In metro Atlanta races for U.S. House seats:

4th district: Incumbent Democrat Hank Johnson, seeking a 10th term, is being challenged by Republican Eugene Yu and Independent Ansell Postell.

5th district: Incumbent Democrat Nikema Williams, seeking a third term, faces Republican challenger John Salvesen.

6th district: McBath is seeking a fourth term and is being challenged by Republican Jeff Criswell and Democratic write-in candidate Elfreda Desvignes. (McBath won election from the 6th district in 2018 and 2020, and from a redrawn 7th in 2022. The most recent map change prompted her move to the redrawn 6th district.)

7th district: Incumbent Republican Rich McCormick is seeking a second term and faces challenges by Democrat Bob

Several districts will be up for grabs in this year’s election // Photo Credit: Ohaiyoan124 - Own work,

Christian and independent Charles King. (McCormick lost a general election bid in 2020 from the 7th district, then won election from a redrawn 6th district in 2022.

(The most recent map change and McBath’s move to the 6th district prompted McCormick to seek election from the 7th district.)

9th district: Incumbent Republican

Andrew Clyde, seeking a third term, faces Democratic challenger Tambrei Cash. 11th district: Incumbent Republican Barry Loudermilk, seeking a sixth term, is being challenged by Katy Stamper, who won the Democratic primary but espouses conservative positions more in line with the Republican Party. The state Democratic Party is urging a write-in vote for Tracey

Verhoeven. 13th district: Incumbent Democrat David Scott seeking a ninth term and is being challenged by Republican Jonathan Chavez.

14th district: Incumbent Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene is seeking a third term and is being challenged by Democrat Shawn Harris. ì

KAMALA HARRIS: A PROVEN PRO-ISRAEL CHAMPION

Vice President Harris has helped lead the most pro-Israel Administration in American history

For the first time in history Harris and Biden ordered U.S. military assets be used to directly defend Israel. And they did so twice, when Iran fired missiles at Israel

Harris and Biden sent more military aid to Israel than any president and vice president, ever

Harris has worked to expand the historic Abraham Accords to include Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries

Harris fought against Israel’s delegitimization at the UN, cosponsoring a Senate resolution that essentially rebuked the Obama Administration for giving in to the UN’s anti-Israel bias

Harris has vowed to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon

Go to or scan the QR code to read more about Vice President Harris’ 20-year record of pro-Israel statements and actions. link.demmajorityforisrael.org/Harris

Important Dates & Deadlines for Georgia Voters

By Dave Schechter

The deadline to register to vote was Oct. 7.

Early voting began Oct. 15.

Oct. 19: State-mandated Saturday advance voting day for general election.

Oct. 20: Optional Sunday advance voting day for general election (where permitted).

Oct. 25: Deadline to request an absentee ballot.

Oct. 26: State-mandated Saturday advance voting day for general election.

Oct. 27: Optional Sunday advance voting day for general election (where permitted).

Nov. 1: Early voting ends.

Nov. 5: Deadline to return absentee or mail-in ballot.

Nov. 5: Election Day for in-person voting.

Nov. 8: Overseas and military ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 5 and received within three days of Election Day to be counted.

Nov. 8: Last day to “cure” timely submitted absentee ballots if voter failed to sign the oath or information does not match.

Nov. 12: Deadline for counties to certify election results.

Nov. 14: Deadline to request a recount of general election results. (Where counties, as permitted by law, certify before the Nov. 12 deadline, requests must be filed within two business days after certification.)

Nov. 14-15: Secretary of State’s office conducts risk-limiting audit on one, randomly selected federal or statewide contest.

Nov. 22: Last day for Secretary of State to certify the votes cast for federal and statewide contests.

Nov. 22: Deadline to request absentee ballot for Dec. 3 runoff elections (where necessary).

Nov. 25: Deadline to begin advance voting for Dec. 3 runoff (though it may begin earlier).

Nov. 27: Last day of advance voting for Dec. 3 runoff.

Dec. 3: General election runoff elections (where necessary).

Dec. 27: Deadline for State Elections Division to certify votes cast for federal and statewide contests.

Source: https://sos.ga.gov/sites/default/files/2024-01/2024%20Comp-Cal_State.01.02.24.Rev_..pdf

Lucy McBath is a voice & vote in Congress PRO-ISRAEL

If re-elected, she’ll continue to:

Support Israel's right to defend itself and eliminate Hamas

Demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages

Support fully funding security assistance for Israel without additional conditions

Work to expand the historic Abraham Accords

Ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon

VOTE FOR LUCY MCBATH

Selections Missing from This Year’s Book Festival

By Bob Bahr

Poetry is a particularly appropriate literary form for the days of reflection on the past year after the dark day of Oct. 7, 2023. To help us along, Rachel Korazim, who teaches at the Shawm Hartman Institute in Jerusalem has given us “Shiva - Poems of October 7,” and its meaning in our lives.

In this anthology, Korazim presents lines of deeply held verse by a number of poets in 59 poems in Hebrew and English on facing pages. It is an appropriate reminder that Israel and indeed, all of us, are looking for answers during this troubling time and a good start may be found in the powerful imagery that is present in poetic verse. The translations are by Michael Bohnen, Heather Silverman and Korazim.

“Why The Bible Began - An Alternative History of Scripture and Its Origins” -- It’s puzzling how this brilliant and original book by an Emory University faculty members didn’t make it into

the book festival this year, The author, Jacob L. Wright, teaches the Hebrew Bible at the Emory School of Theology and is on the faculty of the Tam Institute of

Jewish Studies. His book, which has been praised for its originality and clarity, tackles the issue of how Jewish scribes of the seventh and eighth centuries BCE

reinvigorate Jewish tradition after the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel. Its message both reflects political and intellectual activism in an earlier time as well

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as points the way toward a path forward in this difficult time of present-day Jewish life.

“The Joy of Connection: 100 Ways to Beat Loneliness and Live a Happier and More Meaningful Life” -- This is the last book by Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the irrepressible dynamo and sex therapist who died at the age of 96 this summer.

It was written out of a series of conversations with the Emmy Award-winning journalist, Allison Gilbert, and her longtime collaborator, Pierre Lehu. Her message before leaving us is that we have only ourselves to blame when we complain about being lonely. This diminutive survivor of the Holocaust found meaning in her long life by aggressively making friends and acquaintances. In this, the last of the 46 books she wrote or co-wrote, she offers her hundred suggestions for getting and keeping our relationships going. She starts with the words she uttered to everyone when they were about to go on their way, “When will I see you again?”

“Olive Days” -- This novel by Jessica Elisheva Emerson is a sexy read about a young Modern Orthodox wife and mother living in the Jewish community in Los Angeles. She’s encouraged by her equally Orthodox husband to engage in a night of sexual swinging. The experience transforms her life and leads to an emotional awakening that takes her beyond the confines of her tradition-bounded

community. Some she left behind in the olive groves she encountered when she was young. It’s an unexpectedly engaging story of passion and adventure that challenges the obligations and beliefs of her traditional life.

“Tablets Shattered - The End of an American Jewish Century and the Future of Jewish Life” Quite a mouthful from the young 30-year-old doctoral student, Joshua Leifer. His challenging thesis explores Jewish life from the perspective of a millennial who is a politically active, spiritually committed, left-wing Jew. This book offers a timely critique of why young Jews with an active mind are forsaking some treasured beliefs as liberalism and Zionism in contemporary American Jewish life. “The once vast suburban architecture of liberal Jewish life,” he writes, “is becoming a mausoleum to a religious civilization that has now passed.”

“Dust” -- a quirky, nonfiction memoir by one-time Georgia resident Summer Brenner of how she escaped from her wealthy Jewish family in Atlanta and settled into the tumultuous decade of the 1960s. After the death of her mother, she becomes the caretaker of her brother, David, whom she takes west to live with her in a life that is more beatnik than debutante. With surprising insights, this now octogenarian has transformed her own life and her view of family and its obligations. ì

Giffin to Present on Nov. 2 at Festival

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

College friends. Those of us who have them, treasure them, and hold tight to those individuals we met along the way. While college years are precious, the friends we make often remain in our lives forever. With that in mind, leave it to Emily Giffin, whose newest novel portrays a group of college friends who are bonded in time through a promise. In Giffin’s truest tradition and relevant talents, she delivers a difficult topic of extreme significance.

One You’re With,” “Heart of the Matter,” “Where We Belong,” “The One & Only,” “First Comes Love,” “All We Ever Wanted,” “The Lies That Bind,” and “Meant to Be.” Every title gives you a clue into her subject matter, revealing the depth of her characters, their connections and often complicated relationships.

Test Your Own Standard of Forgiveness

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

“Seinfeld” fans will cotton to this autobiography. Actually, despite his zany Cosmo Kramer character and politically incorrect language in a standup routine, Michael Richards is a sensitive, interesting man who writes about his loopy journey connecting with Billy Crystal, Larry David, and Jerry Seinfeld, in the first person. “I sign up, I like.”

As an Atlanta-based New York Times bestselling author with a huge following, Giffin is an authentic storyteller who knows how to captivate her readers. Giffin will appear on opening night at the MJCCA’s 33rd edition of the Book Festival on Nov. 2, in conversation with Alison Greenberg, bestselling author and screenwriter. Giffin’s newest book, “The Summer Pact,” deals with a sensitively portrayed theme as she takes us on an emotional journey. Readers who follow Giffin’s books will find her latest one to be a gripping story about friendship, serious challenges and the loves, losses and lives of women.

As a time-tested author of 11 internationally bestselling novels, Giffin is the author of a long list of popular books including “Something Borrowed, Something Blue,” “Baby Proof,” “Love the

In Giffin’s newest novel, “The Summer Pact,” she shares a story about a group of friends who are thrown together as freshmen in college. Their friendship grows over time, and they make a pact in the wake of a tragedy. The book shares each woman’s inner thoughts and fragile personalities as these freshmen are woven together from very different worlds. Her characters are unforgettable, and you’ll instantly meet Lainey, Tyson, Summer, and Hannah. When a tragedy occurs, shocked and heartbroken, they make an unbreakable promise and no matter how separated they may become in time or distance, that promise guides the rest.

What happens next is revealed inside the pages of the book, as Giffin always does, inviting readers into her character’s lives and worlds, one insightful and truthful page at a time.

Emily Giffin will appear at the 33rd edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA at 8 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2. For more information, please visit www.Atlantajcc.org

“My mother takes” is a clever device to bring in the reader. Despite his wild hairdo and zany antics on “Seinfeld,” Richards paid his dues early on, even as a bus driver, then trained in his serious acting craft with Stella Adler.

But then, the proverbial s--t hit the fan, while performing his standup act at the Comedy Factory in 2006. When heckled by the audience, he let his anger get the best of him and lashed out with expletives and the “N” word. This all went viral, and Richards was culturally cancelled. He spent years analyzing and apologizing. As a spiritual soul, he often quotes Rumi’s poetry. By comparison, after his on-air conflict with Dan Rather about the Iran Contra scandal, George H. Bush said, “How would you like it if I judged your career by those seven minutes when you walked off the set in New York?”

Read the book to evaluate if Richards, now 75 and a prostate cancer survivor, has sufficiently apologized to move forward after almost two decades of selfimposed exile, as a changed person who has done his Teshuva, the right time of the

‘My Life In Recipes’ by Joan Nathan

By Bob Bahr

Joan Nathan makes it an even dozen of some of the most literate and mouthwatering books about food and it’s meaning in Jewish life with a new book about her own Jewish life. It is appropriately subtitled, “Food, Family, and Memories” from a title, “My Life in Recipes.”

The handsomely produced volume on heavy, slickly coated paper is part scrapbook and part recipe file -- all that she has culled from a lifetime of traveling the world in search of another story and another recipe.

Now in her 80th year, Nathan has been described as the “Grand Dame of

Jewish Cooking” by the New Yorker which gave this book a glowing review earlier this year. She grew up with home cooking, as did much of the women of her generation, starting with a black and white photo in her book of 4-year-old Joan putting the finishing touches on a chocolate birthday cake.

Over the years, her six books on Jewish food and two books on Israel’s cuisine have become standards, with the stated goal of keeping Jewish food traditions alive.

Six years ago, the International Association of Cooking Professionals deservedly named her “Jewish Cooking in America,” a culinary classic. The book had earlier been the basis for a PBS series with the same name. In 2000, the series won a prestigious

James Beard Award for best television food show.

If there is a favorite chapter among the 35 in this book it is the one on Passover, her favorite holiday. She calls the holiday meal she prepares, “the hardest thing I do each year.” It is, as she quotes her mother’s words, “a ganze production.” She prepares as few as three and as many as five different recipes for harosets from around the world. The recipe that opens the Passover section of the book is a garosa as the dish is termed on the Dutch Caribbean is-

year for that.

He stated, “I had to go deeper into what I was apologizing for, to really know what was the basis for my anger … I had to come apart over this is order to put together a better person.”

The book concludes with a touching moment with his mother at 101 suffering from dementia, when he explains that “the sun is in his heart” … feeling the light is a good thing.

Make no mistake, despite his Jewishy Cosmo Kramer role, Richards is a Catholic.

land of Curacao. It’s made with dates, prunes, raisins, tamarinds, peanuts and cashews. There is also a molded halibut gefilte fish that looks like a tasty alternative to the jellied fish dumplings that are often nestled on green lettuce leaves.

For dessert, try the yummy Passover pecan lemon torte with a parve lemon curd filing. And finally, in an attempt to free America from machine-made matzo found on most tables, there are instructions for the home baker.

‘One Year in Uvalde: A Story of Hope and Resilience’

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

“One Year in Uvalde: A Story of Hope and Resilience” is a timely new book by the ABC News investigative team and veteran award-winning reporters

John Quiñones and María Elena Salinas. The authors chronicle the year-long reporting of ABC News in the Uvalde, Texas, community that following the school massacre left the world feeling heartbroken and helpless. Their poignant book sheds light on how one community discovered the hope and resilience needed to pull through a massacre and make a difference.

was instantly put on the map due to these traumatic incidences on that fateful day in time. ABC News swiftly responded and opened a local satellite news bureau in Uvalde with a rotating crew of writers, producers, correspondents and technical staff. Reporting in the field and getting to know the families and community, Quiñones and Salinas opened their hearts and minds as they had the difficult job of reporting on this heart-breaking story. Together, they found a way to also share the inspiring stories of courage, strength and resilience that followed in this book.

Modern Jerusalem Cuisine Blends History & Lore

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Middle Eastern cookbooks are a shekel a dozen, but this one has heft.

“The Eucalyptus Cookbook,” by Moshe Basson, is 241 pages of glossy photos of “eat off the page” recipes based on his decades of running a restaurant in the Artists Colony at the foot of the Old City walls in Jerusalem, so named because of the eucalyptus tree growing right through it.

The seasoned professionals and their book will be featured at the 33rd Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 10. While the massacre made national news, the entire world watched closely as the aftermath of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School unfolded. The book’s mission intimately shares the reporter’s hearts and deep concern for the entire community. The authors share with respect and dignity the stories from the families and Uvalde community who suffered, which are told with sensitivity and grace. The book presents a powerful year of how one community came together, made a bold difference and the profound lessons learned.

Uvalde, Texas, a small community,

“One Year in Uvalde” tells the story of a community’s year-long journey as the events of that unspeakable day began to take shape. The book is a relevant narrative that traces the community's journey through unspeakable grief. It also highlights the activism that took place next, and the bravery that emerged from a community that held onto hope while commemorating and grieving the precious lives lost.

The course of events detailed in the book also documents the lives of the victims' families who were affected and their advocacy for change and keeping children safe. The authors take the reader inside the community events and follows the gatherings of Uvalde’s city council and school board meetings.

With Jewish Iraqi roots, Basson strives for harmony where he employs Muslims, Christians and Jews to cook and serve. A jolly looking fellow with a tightly woven hair braid, Basson blends dishes from the Jewish diaspora with his spices and earthy ideas like cooking eggs on embers interwoven with his childhood memories and Biblical texts.

Some recipes are recognizable like tabbouleh, fried cauliflower, grilled wild mushrooms, white bean soup, hummus and focaccia, that are fine-tuned by the chef who does not taste food while cooking to discern flavors; instead, he leans on the brain, by relaying, “Odor molecules … have pathways to the emotional ground control of the brain … modern life has deprived society of the need, and subse-

quent trust, of using our senses.”

Most importantly, prepare the senses for an epicurean ride though dishes like: fatayer, Hamin macaroni, Asados Gyris, Tokyo Jerusalem gyoza, and Ingria - sweet and sour beef and eggplant stew, fish felafel, tanned quince, Oriental ceviche and a lotta lamb. Basson’s aunt’s recipe for baklava includes orange blossom water, cardamom, and lemon juice. But macarons with liver pate?

After deriguer chapters on vegetables, soups (favorite tomato mint), grains and beans, meat and chicken, fish, sweets, and cocktails -- ever heard of eucalyptus moonshine? He concludes with condiments and basics, explaining the Babylonian Talmud’s debate over what blessing should be used for specific oil blends … mishcha tchina, mishcha kvisaha … dating back to the third to sixth centuries. He stated, “We use our oil blends to enhance experience like “the bright green parsley oil intensifying the experience.”

Chef Basson will appear at the Book Festival of the MJCCA at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, in a dessert reception featuring recipes from the cookbook. Admission is $22 for community members and $18 for MJCCA members.

‘The Art of Diplomacy’ by Stuart E. Eizenstat

By Bob Bahr

“The Art of Diplomacy,” subtitled, “How American Negotiators Reached Historic Agreements that Changed the World,” is both a memoir and the considered observation of Stuart Eizenstat. The Atlantaborn lawyer who has endowed the popular annual lecture series at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, has produced a history of how American diplomats reshaped the world over the past 50 years.

The book announces itself with eight pages of praise from a virtual who’s who of American and foreign diplomacy. Everyone from Tony Blair, the former UK prime

minister, and Bill and Hillary Clinton to Yossi Beilan of Israel to John Bolton, President Trump’s National Security adviser. That’s followed by a brief forward by Henry Kissinger, his last public writing before his death last year, and James Baker, the former Secretary of State. All of it seems a testament to the breadth and depth of Eizenstat’s long service as a longtime diplomat, himself -- most notably as an ambassador to the European Union and as a negotiator of important agreements to

compensate Holocaust victims of Nazi Germany.

In four heavily foot-noted and closely-spaced pages, he recounts such diplomatic successes as the Camp David accords of his close friend, President Jimmy Carter, and the Abrahamic Accords of President Donald Trump. There’s much to write about and to praise that has made the world a more stable place over the years.

But there’s also much concern as war rages between Ukraine and Russia and Is-

rael and Iran and its proxies on Israel’s borders, among many other places that seem on the verge of catastrophe. In recent years, the world has suffered as much from the impotence of diplomacy as it has gained from its robust use. For all of his strenuous efforts, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has largely come up empty handed in the Middle East and failed states, with little or no organized governments abound in the region. Whom do you talk to when you land at the airport in Yemen, Libya, or Somalia or the Southern Sudan, among other places? Maybe we need a book about the artlessness of diplomacy and the dangers that are posed by failed states today.

CALENDAR

All Month

Naturally Artistic - Visit CNC and enjoy Naturally Artistic, a homegrown exhibit that celebrates the connection between art and nature. You’ll enjoy creations from local artists, participate in making art, and be encouraged to see the world around you with a fresh set of eyes. This year we present 5 areas where you can get inspired and get your art on! Included with general admission and free to CNC Members. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/24bbhy9v.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15

NCJW/ATL Banned Book Club – 12 to 1 p.m. Join NCJW Atlanta’s Banned Book Club for its next meeting at the NCJW office when we’ll be discussing the children’s book “A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo” by Jill Twiss and the YA book “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” by Stephen Chbosky. Find out more at https://tinyurl. com/525s7bjh.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16

BYO Sukkot Dinner – 6 to 8 p.m. Join Ma’a lot for a special evening as we kick off the first night of Sukkot with a BYO Sukkot dinner picnic! Gather under the stars in our beautifully decorated sukkah, BYO Sukkot dinner, and enjoy the festive atmosphere with friends and family as we immerse ourselves in the spirit of this harvest festival. Enjoy meaningful conversations and the joy of community as we embrace the traditions of Sukkot together. All are welcome to share in this memorable experience! RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ ms246cu9.

Congregation Dor Tamid – Erev Sukkot – 6 to 8 p.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid for Dinner and Erev Sukkot Celebration. Get more information at https://tinyurl. com/2wxaecx6.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17

Men’s Club Steak and Scotch in the Sukkah – 6:30 to 9 p.m. Join the Or Hadash Men’s Club for our annual Steak and Scotch event in the Or Hadash Sukkah. Enjoy special single malt scotch and sizzling steaks. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ yncxp4bc.

OCTOBER 15-30

Nigun Collective in the Sukkah - 7:15 to 9 p.m. Join us to sing nigunim — soulful, wordless melodies from new and old Jewish tradition — in the Ma’alot Sukkah! No matter your experience singing, you are welcome. Each nigun is sung many times as we build up through our voices and rest in moments of silence. Together we derive spiritual meaning from our song and enjoy the beautiful sound of our voices weaving together. Find out more at https:// tinyurl.com/mv75eznm.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18

Dining Under the Stars: A Sukkot Sustainability Shabbat for 20s and 30s – 7 to 9 p.m. Dining under the Stars: A Sukkot Sustainability Shabbat - Dine with friends and learn about Sukkot’s connection to sustainability and earth-based Judaism in a community Sukkah. There is no cost to attend! Please note this dinner is outdoors and the terrain is kinda hilly. This event is geared towards 20s and 30s. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5d9vtue9.

Zee Zee, Piano – 8 to 10 p.m. The imaginative and electrifying pianist Zee Zee takes audiences on a musical journey in her debut at the Schwartz Center. Built around selections from Années de pèlerinage (Years of pilgrimage) by Franz Liszt, the concert also features works by Wagner, Schönberg, and Ravel. Purchase Tickets at https://tinyurl.com/2s3ddx2p.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19

Shabbat Morning in the Sukkah – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join Ma’alot for a joyful Shabbat morning in the Ma’alot Sukkah filled with song, a beautiful garden, and community. We’ll sing together, shake the lulav and etrog, and connect with each other on Sukkot! A bagel brunch will be served and JKG will lead a breakaway kids program. Register at https://tinyurl.com/mryyvz2y.

Movie Night in the Sukkah - 7 to 9 p.m. Join Congregation Or Hadash for their 4th annual Movie in the Sukkah. They will be screening "The Levys of Monticello." Come at 7 p.m. for a light nosh and Havdalah. The movie starts at 8:15 p.m. Free to attend. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ymachp5t.

Havdalah Song Circle with The Mamalehs – 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Join The Mamalehs — an Atlanta-based vocal trio bringing Jewish music to life — at the Ma’alot Sukkah for an evening of song amidst the garden at twilight. As dusk descends, The Mamalehs will offer their ethereal sound as they lead us through organic harmonies, wordless melodies, and Havdalah, Shabbat’s closing ritual. RSVP at tinyurl. com/5enmf3h8

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20

Jewish War Veterans Post #112 – 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Membership meeting & Bagel & Lox Brunch w/all the trimmings, juice, coffee, & hot tea. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/ycxkzfdj.

Sukkot STEAM Storytime - 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Families are invited to join Nurture and The Davis Academy for a morning of science, technology, engineering, art, and math (S.T.E.A.M.). Ignite your imagination and curiosity at hands-on discovery stations that bring your favorite Sukkot books to life through STEAM!. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2s3ruus5.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

SUKKOT

Torah Reading: Vezot Hab’rachah

Wednesday, October 16 Light Holiday Candles at: 6:44 PM

Thursday, October 17 Holiday Candles after: 7:38 PM from a pre-existing flame.

Friday, October 18 Light Shabbat Candles at: 6:41 PM from a pre-existing flame.

Saturday, October 19 Shabbat Ends: 7:35 PM

SHEMINI ATZERET

Wednesday, October 23 Light Holiday Candles at: 6:35 PM

Thursday, October 24 Light Holiday Candles after: 7:30 PM from a pre-existing flame.

Torah Reading: Bereishit

Friday, October 25 Light Shabbat Candles at: 6:33 PM from a pre-existing flame.

Saturday, October 26 Shabbat Ends: 7:28 PM

Sukkot Family Fun! - 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Calling all families with kids, ages preschool through elementary school. Come spend the morning in the sukkah and join in fun, creative crafts.  RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/78dfrrsb.

PJ Intown

Sukkot and Stories - 3 to 4:30 p.m. Join PJ Library Intown with our partners Adamah, Oakleaf School, and SOJOURN for Sukkot & Stories! Come fulfill the mitzvah of eating in the Sukkah while enjoying crafts, story time, and togetherness. We encourage you to bring picnic blankets and food. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yc4prxxp.

Keshet - North Fulton - 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Join IAC for a true Israeli experience! We will meet for fun, learning, and of course community! We would like to open a few groups. Please register at https://bit. ly/3Rlcxi0 if you would like your child to be part of the Keshet family. Please indicate your child’s age.

Open Queer Circle / Queerhillah in the Sukkah – 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Come honor your Queer ancestors (or re-connect with one) at our October Open Queer Circle! Light nosh will be provided. We will gather at the Ma’alot Sukkah for a powerful experience, blending ritual, reflection, and creative expression that will be facilitated by McKenzie Wren of SOJOURN and Danni Dezell of Ma’alot. This event is designed for queer individuals age 13 and up. This is a queer inclusive space for all gender identities and expressions. RSVP at https:// tinyurl.com/j7wzznms.

AJC’s Atlanta Black/Jewish Teen Initiative 2024-2025 - 5 to 8 p.m. The Black/ Jewish Teen Initiative offers a unique experience to student leaders, allowing them to effect positive change within their communities and build relationships with peers. Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to experience the rich history of the Black and Jewish communities, learn with where they intersect, and interact with others working for a better tomorrow. Register at https:// tinyurl.com/5n6szz2b

MONDAY, OCTOBER 21

Mahjong Night off Infertility – 6:30 to 9 p.m. Join JFF-ATL for Mahjong with Let’s Rack and Roll! This will be a fun night off infertility to learn the beautiful game of mahjong while meeting others currently on a fertility journey. Refreshments will be provided. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ etrvvnju.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22

Grab a Coffee with PJ Library East Cobb! – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Grab a coffee with and mingle with other parents with littles in your neighborhood! RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/3zazcrez.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23

Congregation Dor Tamid - Erev Simchat Torah / Consecration – 6:30 p.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid for an Erev Simchat Torah/Consecration Service with celebratory oneg after services and klezmer band. Find out more at https:// tinyurl.com/5b52dttm.

Simchat Torah/Hakafot – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Come dance with the book that the Congregation Or Hadash rabbis say has no beginning and no end. Nosh provided before the service. Great for all ages and stages! Learn more at https://tinyurl. com/2nhve3xt.

Nisukh HaMayim - Water Libation Ceremony -7 to 9 p.m. Inspired by folk rites from ancient Israel, join us for a reimagined water libation ceremony, Nisukh HaMayim. In this intentionally feminine space, we will connect the ways water moves through the Earth, our bodies, and water’s significance to living beings. This event centers individuals who have lived experience as a girl, woman, and/or femininity. Trans, non-binary, and cis individuals are welcome. Register at https:// tinyurl.com/32amh8cr.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24

Congregation Dor Tamid - Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Festival – 9 a.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid for Sh’mini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Festival. There will be Morning Services and Yizkor. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/ mr2t55z8.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25

Drawing from the Well - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. SOJOURN invites you to join their virtual meetup for LGBTQ+ Jews and allies to further community and connection. During our time together, we will bring resources from Torah Queeries, mussar, and offer space for connection and conversation. Get the Zoom link at https://tinyurl.com/ m4t58p5d.

Simchat Torah with Dor Hadash Band and CBH! - 6:15 to 8 p.m. Join us for a CBH and Ma’alot Simchat Torah, surrounded by music, dancing, and heartfelt celebration - As the Torah reading cycle comes to an end and begins anew, we'll come together to celebrate the wisdom and teachings of our sacred text. This program is an opportunity to celebrate new beginnings with the CBH and Ma’alot community, and mark the significance of being together on the anniversary of the Simchat Torah Massacre. We will share in the beauty of our traditions and enjoy the fabulous music of the CBH Band. All ages are welcome to partake in this special evening. Let’s embrace the joy of Simchat Torah together! RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/2ru9jfr7.

SUNDAY,

OCTOBER 27

All Aboard the Ark!: Family Storytelling Workshop - 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. 33rd Edition of the Book Festival of the MJCCA and MJCCA Experiential Jewish Education Present All Aboard the Ark!: Family Storytelling Workshop. Featuring award-winning Jewish Educator Jonathan S. Chapman, author of "Let There Be Play," Children aged 3 to 6 and their grownups. Free with advance registration at https:// tinyurl.com/5ycc72e5.

Rack’em Up for Sharsheret - 1 to 5 p.m.

Rack’em Up for Sharsheret is a fantastic opportunity to unite the Atlanta Jewish community together for an afternoon filled with Mah Jongg, exciting prizes, breast and ovarian cancer awareness and education, fundraising, shopping, snacks and solidarity. RSVP at https://tinyurl. com/mptnhxj.

One Year Commemoration of the October 7 Massacre in Israel - 2 to 5 p.m. Israel remains a focal point in our work and community efforts. In light of recent events, and the ongoing captivity of hostages, we are committed to supporting those affected alongside our overseas partners. As we continue these vital efforts, it is also essential for us to look forward and consider how we, as a community, will come together to mark the tragic events of October 7th. The Israeli government established an annual national day of remembrance on the Hebrew date of the 24th of Tishri. For the first anniversary of this tragedy, an additional ceremony will be held on the Gregorian date of October 7th. Here in Atlanta, we are organizing two significant community events to observe these dates: October 7th and the Hebrew anniversary, October 27th. All Jewish Atlanta organizations are collaborating to bring you meaningful and inclusive events. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yfepvz2h.

Keshet - North Fulton - 4 to 5:30 p.m. Join IAC for a true Israeli experience! We will meet for fun, learning, and of course community! We would like to open a few groups. Please register at https://bit. ly/3Rlcxi0 if you would like your child to be part of the Keshet family. Please indicate your child’s age.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29

J-TECH Fall Event- 5:30 to 7 p.m. J-TECH is an affinity group for those working in the technology sector that aims to help professionals network, hear from leaders in the industry, and learn about the impact of the Federation in Atlanta and beyond. This group is also a fantastic resource for anyone who provides services for those in tech (such as attorneys, accountants, etc.), investors in tech companies, or those who work in tech departments in other industries. Events are held twice a year. J-TECH is for new and seasoned professionals alike. Learn more at https://tinyurl. com/4hctekjk.

Emory University’s Rothschild Memorial Lecture - 7 to 8:30 p.m. “Campus Speech About Jews After October 7.” Since October 7th the rhetoric about Israel, Jews, Zionism and antisemitism has escalated and intensified. This talk considers the continuity of this rhetoric with past claims about Zionism and Judaism, and the shifts represented by recent protests and boycott efforts. Professor Ben-Porath outlines possible boundaries, and the consequences of setting and enforcing them. Find more information at https://tinyurl. com/7xdjk4hx.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30

NCJW/ATL Section Lunch ‘n Learn–12 to 1:30 p.m. Join NCJW ATL for a lively conversation with the Honorable Susan Edlein, Fulton County State Court Judge, as she enlightens us on the inner workings of how our local courts operate. Feel free to join us beforehand at 11:00 am to visit the exhibits at The Breman, including the new exhibit, “JerusaLENS: The World Photographs Jerusalem.” Register at https:// tinyurl.com/2t59jdtw.

KEEPING IT KOSHER

Mini Cheese Kugels

Ingredients

Cheese Kugel

16 ounces Gefen Wide Noodles

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup cottage cheese

1 cup whipped cream cheese

2 teaspoons Gefen Vanilla Extract

4 eggs

1 and 1/2 cups milk

1 cup sour cream

Toppings

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon Gefen Cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

3. Mix the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. Fold in the noodles until coated.

Pour into (one-cup) mini pans or into a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

4. Brush melted butter over the top of the kugel. Combine sugar and cinnamon, then lightly sprinkle over butter.

5. Bake the individuals for 40 minutes or the large baking dish for one hour.

6. Let cool. Individuals can be removed at this point and stored in freezer bags.

Notes: If making in advance and freezing, defrost in the refrigerator overnight or put on the counter for several hours. preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and heat for 15 minutes.

Recipe Source: Kosher.com

Recipe by: Dorit Teichman

Photography and Styling: Heather Winters

The Doctor

Hetty and Hannah hadn’t seen each other for some time when they bumped into each other at the mall.

“So, Hetty, how is your grandson, the proctologist?”

“My grandson is no longer a proctologist, Hannah. He decided to become a dentist instead.”

“A dentist! Why the change in career?”

“Business is business, Hannah,” replied Hetty. “Let’s face it, everyone starts off with 32 teeth, but have you ever heard of anybody with more than one toches?”

YIDDISH WORD

Kibbitzoporific

Adj. The tendency to induce sleep with one’s endless, mindless chatter.

“You know what’s better than Ambien? Sitting down with Barney when he’s in a particularly loquacious mood. The man is downright kibbitzoporific.”

From the Yiddish “kibbitz,” meaning “the act of interminable yakking,” and “soporific,” meaning “sedative.”

After Yom Kippur

By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com

ACROSS

1. Bud

4.Tot’s chest protector?

7. Classical music grp. In Steelers land

10. HS tests that might shorten time at college

13. Part of many Arabic names

14. Goes out, as a fishing line

16. Battleship piece

17. Famous Big treif item

18. Candy robe to break the fast on?

19. One way to stand

20. High Priest fruit brand to break the fast on?

23. American Revolution hero Salomon

25. Kind of list

26. Prayer point in America?

29. The Great and Little Bear, collectively

31. Abbr. for Salk or Scholl

32. Carpentry item

33. Act parts

35. Cornell’s home

36. Dairy prayer to break the fast on?

40. Suffix with lemon or orange

41. Absolutely resolute

42. ___ella De Vil

44. Commie name Archie called Meathead on “All in the Family”

46. Former i of note

FOLLOW

47. Polished

49. “Relax”

51. Pudding cousin

52. Refreshing reparation to break the fast on?

56. Azazel would get one on Yom Kippur

59. Heroic tales

60. It “springs eternal”

64. Parsha Ki ___ 65. Football, e.g.

66. Subject in “Blackfish”

67. Comics gadol Lee

68. Exam part, perhaps

69. There often isn’t much time for it on Yom Kippur day

DOWN

1. Popular cooking spray

2. Legal org.

3. Popular slots name

4. He had “low energy”, according to Trump

5. Signed 6. Pickled, in a way

7. Flower features

8. Dogs pull some 9. Norse capital

10. Actions speak louder than them

11. Stew vegetable

12. Cpl.’s superior

15. Israeli writer Keret

21. Muscat man

22. Zionist militant group, once 23. Bohemian religious reformer

Jan…who wasn’t on first 24. Los Angeles suburb on Route 66

27. Bolts down

28. El Al competitor, once

30. Mail, as invitations

32. Big name in cowboy hats

34. Eugene who wrote “The Wandering Jew”

35. D-Day commander, popularly

37. Where Israel is outlined

38. ___ Crown Jewish Academy

39. Dangerous hallucinogen

40. King Kong, e.g.

43. HI instrument

45. Buster or Michael

48. Major DC villain

50. Sheriff’s chevra

51. Hazy

53. Shabbat inactivities

54. Athletes often have large ones

55. Giants owner

56. Fast, two-door autos

57. Kind of bran

58. Director DuVernay of “A Wrinkle In Time”

61. Settlers of Catan resource

62. Acers, for short

63. What Jews can’t wait to do after Yom Kippur

OBITUARIES

Lola Israela Ajlen

98, Atlanta

Lola Israela Ajlen, age 98 ½, of Atlanta, Ga. (born in Poland), died on Oct 12, 2024, surrounded by her family. She is survived by four children: six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Her hobbies were: reading, puzzles, travel/cruises, TV game shows, visiting casinos and spending time with family and friends.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday, Oct 15, 2024, at 2 p.m., Crest Lawn Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Ilan Feldman. Sign online guest book at www. jewishfuneralcare.com. In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to: Beth Jacob Synagogue and or Temima High School for girls. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Home, 770-451-4999.

Daniel R. Alterman 70, Atlanta

Emily

Amelia Piha Birnbaum 96, Cartersville

Emily Amelia Piha Birnbaum, 96, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Sept. 11, 2024, in her Cartersville, Ga., home surrounded by family and loved ones.

Emily was born on June 21, 1928, in Atlanta, Ga. She was born to Albert and Rachel Almeleh Piha and was the youngest of six children. Her parents and siblings; Katie Wice (Jerry), Beulah Cohen (Moreno), Dora Lieberman (Gene), Mary Ruback (Norman), and David Piha all preceded her in death.

Emily was married to Stanley Birnbaum on March 6, 1955, and they shared 54 years of marriage together before Stanley passed away in 2009. She was preceded in death by Stanley’s parents, Sarah & Meyer Birnbaum, as well as William and Phyllis Birnbaum, her family by marriage. Emily was very close with her nephew, Barry Ruback, who has passed away, and also nephew, Morris Cohen. She is survived by David’s wife, Susan Piha and Marty & Joyce Birnbaum.

Daniel R. Alterman, age 70, died Oct. 12, 2024. Survivors include his wife, Susan; daughter, Samantha (fiancé Brian Munevar); son, AJ Levine (Dahlia); daughter, Alexis Dworkin (Eric), and his five grandchildren, Jace, Olivia, Liam, Aida and Teddy and sister, Laura Alterman. He is predeceased by his parents, Sam and Sara Alterman, and big brother, Paul. Sign online guest book at www.jewishfuneralcare.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. A graveside service was held Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta 770-451-4999.

Emily was the center of a large and loving family, which was her pride and joy. Emily is survived by her children: Michael and Rita Birnbaum Lusk, Larry and Lynne Birnbaum, Meyer Birnbaum and Carolyn Wills, and Steven and Ashley Birnbaum. She is also survived by grandchildren, Chris (Leighanne) and Casey Lusk (Rita and Michael), Stephanie and Matthew Birnbaum (Larry and Lynne), and Ariel and Jake Birnbaum (Steven and Ashley); special family Sue & Mark, Matt, John and Maddie, great-grandchildren, Meredith, Isabelle, Scarlett and Caden as well as many nieces and nephews. Emily would not want to leave out the dogs in her family which she absolutely adored: Gracie, Lady Bird, Link, and many more that preceded her in death.

Emily was fondly known as “B” by all those close to her. She never met a stranger and made lifelong friends everywhere she went. She was always active in her community and in her faith. She was a passionate Atlanta Braves fan, an avid reader, and loved word puzzles, especially Wordscapes.

Emily will be dearly missed by all, but her legacy of love and kindness will live on. Thank you to Dr. Roger Hiser, Amedysis Hospice, friends and caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, hug someone. Memorial gifts may be made to Beth Jacob Atlanta www.bethjacobatlanta.org, Tranquility House, Cartersville, GA, www.tranquilityhouse.org, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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

Lucy Carson 93, Atlanta

Ever since her birth in Antwerp, Belgium, in July 1931, Lucy experienced life’s many contrasts -- adversities and tragedies mixed with adventures, family, and love. From those experiences, she drew a rich connection to her faith and cherished her family and many friends.

Her story begins in May 1940, the time World War II began for her and her family. At 8 years old, her father, her then-pregnant mother, and she left Antwerp with a few meager belongings. After a long journey, Lucy and her extended family arrived in Vicq, a small French village where the local pastor and community donated furniture so that the family could live comfortably, at first, in a vacant house, and later, in an abandoned railroad station at the outskirts of town. While in hiding, food was always terribly scarce and the fear of being caught was always present.

The next several years were a nightmare. Safety, food and even self-identity were precious commodities. Soon after Vicq, her father was forced to leave, her mother was taken by the Gestapo, and her sister was hidden separately. Both parents later perished in concentration camps. She owed her life to the courageous famers, homeowners, and clergy as well as a dedicated organization known as Œuvre de secours aux enfants (OSE). During the war, this organization saved more than 6,000 children.

The OSE hid her at several locations, including an orphanage in central France, an aux pair in a small village, and then a convent in Grenoble. With no connection to any of her remaining family and after several months of waiting for correspondence from the OSE, she assumed she had been forgotten by the world. Finally, though, the OSE arrived. Although she was thrilled that they came to get her, her future was far from certain. Her next stop was in the cold mountains between France and Switzerland at an orphanage called La Chaumiere. La Chaumiere housed many orphans from around France and in fact, at age 12, Lucy became one of the older leaders. Those leaders kept the younger children occupied with many games. One was to play “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” Lucy was assigned the name, “Joyeux”, which is French for “Happy.” She had earned that nickname at even this young age and during the most challenging of times.

In May 1945, World War II ended. To her joy, her 5-year-old sister, Betty, finally joined her at La Chaumiere. Later, the OSE brought Lucy and her sister back to Antwerp where an aunt, who herself had lost so much of her family, housed the remaining survivors of our family in the family home that was still there. Her parents and all the men in the family had perished.

After the war, she and her sister came to Atlanta to live with a relative. In 1952, she married the love of her life, Sam Carson. They were the first marriage performed by Rabbi Emanual Feldman at Congregation Beth Jacob.

Her war-time experiences and deep sense of faith drove her passion to be involved in supporting and preserving a Jewish culture and way of life. Through the years, Lucy served as the synagogue bookkeeper, managed the giftshop as well as many other volunteer activities. She enjoyed learning and she developed many lifelong friends at Congregation Beth Jacob. She was quite proud when she was awarded the “Woman of Valor” in 2010. She remained active in Hadassah, Café Europa (Holocaust Survivors), and the Beth Jacob Kiddush committee for many years.

Together, Sam and Lucy had three children. Those first few years were some of the happiest of her life. Unfortunately, tragedy was upon her once again. Both her first and third sons were born with a hereditary disease. Bennett passed away at an early age and Danny lived to the age of 37. Lucy dealt with these challenges by her strong determination, her positive support and her advocacy for her children.

While raising and caring for her children, Sam and Lucy enjoyed a wonderful life in Atlanta. They soon became members of the business community. Sam and Lucy started a successful printing company in downtown Atlanta that catered to prestigious law firms and financial services businesses in downtown Atlanta until they sold it in the 1980s. Tower Printing became the only printer of record that was permitted to print briefs for the 11th Circuit Court.

Lucy was the loving wife of Sam Carson for 58 years before he passed away in 2012. Since then, she has been supported by her family as she aged in assisted living and memory care. Lucy will be remembered for her love of family, her infectious smile and her determination to live life to its fullest.

She is survived by her son, Joe Carson, and his wife, Kathryn, her two grandsons,

Jared (Ashley) Carson and Josh (Hannah) Carson, and her step-granddaughter, Chelsea Karp. She was blessed with a great-granddaughter, Eliza Rose Carson. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Alan Blass, her brother-in-law, Victor Levy, and several close cousins, Suzy Tibor, Herbert Rose and Fred (Gayle) Rose. She has many more cousins, nieces and nephews, including Jack and Sharon White, and Debbie and Bill Hatherley with whom she was especially close. Lucy always said, “Family means everything to me.”

A graveside service was held at Crest Lawn Cemetery on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m,, officiated by Rabbi Ilan Feldman. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Congregation Beth Jacob, 404-633-0551. www.bethjacobatlanta.org. Arrangements made by Dressler’s Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Vicki Flink

71, Atlanta

Vicki Flink, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend passed away peacefully Oct. 7. Vicki is survived by her loving husband, Barry Flink, son, David (Laura) Flink, brother, David (Diane) Sotto, sister, Rachelle Sotto Levi and grandchildren, Emma and Eli Flink.

Vicki was born into a legacy of resilience, the daughter of Holocaust survivors, Eli and Lucy Sotto. She carried their values of perseverance and joy, always finding beauty in the world despite its challenges. For 51 years, Vicki was married to her loyal husband, Barry, with whom she shared countless adventures, from living in Seattle and Phoenix to finally moving back to Atlanta to be near their families. Together, they nurtured a love that centered on joy, community, and family.

A dedicated educator, Vicki devoted over 50 years of her life to teaching, 40 of which was at the Atlanta Jewish Academy. She left a profound impact on generations of students. Her warmth and wisdom extended beyond the classroom, and she was often stopped by former students, many of whom credited her with shaping their lives. She was a humble celebrity in her own right, mentoring not just students but also fellow teachers, many of whom had once been her pupils. Her friendships were deep and enduring, much like the roots of an aspen tree, and she built a vast, interconnected community of loved ones. From lunches and walks with friends to hosting family gatherings, Vicki’s generosity of spirit was unmatched.

Vicki’s strength, both physical and emotional, was extraordinary. Even in the face of her incurable cancer diagnosis, she remained resilient, refusing to let it diminish her joy for life. She inspired everyone with her courage, always finding reasons to celebrate life. Her family and extended community will forever miss her gentle guidance and love. Vicki’s legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched. Her unwavering belief in the goodness of people and her ability to see the best in everyone leaves a lasting imprint on all who knew her. A saying of her father was, “Our family lived on miracles.” She was taken far too soon, but as her mother would always say, “No one knows G-d’s secrets.” Vicki was, and always will be, our miracle.

The funeral took place graveside on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at Greenwood Cemetery, 1173 Cascade Cir SW, Atlanta, GA 30311. Shiva was observed at Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 N Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta, GA 30319. Honoring her deep commitment to Judaism and education the family asks that donations in her memory be directed to Or VeShalom https://www.orveshalom.org/payment.php or The Neurodiversity Alliance: https://thendalliance.org/support/. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

OBITUARIES

Marc Ray Friedman 76, Atlanta

Marc Ray Friedman, age 76, died peacefully on Sept. 23, 2024, in Atlanta. A proud graduate of Briarcliff High School and the University of Georgia, Marc served his country in the Army during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart for his bravery before receiving an honorable discharge. A respected jeweler for more than 30 years, he dedicated the majority of his career to the family business, Factory’s Inc.

Marc was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Regina Friedman, and his beloved sister, Sandra Friedman Ormand. He is survived by his nieces, Jill Ormand and Gina Ormand Cherwin, as well as cherished cousins, Debbie Namer and her husband, Bill, and Harvey Berkowitz and his wife, Carolyn. Marc will receive a veteran’s burial at Georgia National Cemetery in honor of his service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Shirley Seligson Massie 97, Sandy Springs

Shirley Seligson Massie, 97 of Sandy Springs, Ga., passed away peacefully on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. She was born in the city of Chicago, Ill., to the late Harry and Freida Seligson.

Shirley was a loving wife to Harold Massie for 34 years, who preceded her in death in 1985. Her loving daughter, Cindy Beth Alberhasky, preceded Shirley’s death in 2018.

Shirley is survived by her daughters, Lori Berdo Kessler, husband, Todd Kessler, and daughter, Dawn M Zachariah, son-in-law, Mark Alberhasky, and wife, Laura Alberhasky.

Shirley was blessed with four grandsons, Brandon Alberhasky, wife, Sarah, Evan Alberhasky, wife, Marina Alberhasky, Ben Zachariah, wife, Rachel, and Adam Berdo.

Shirley was blessed with two loving step-grandchildren, Mia and Aaron Kessler and a step-granddaughter, Izzy Dufauchard. Affectionately known as “Nana,” she was blessed with two great-grandchildren, Kate Elizabeth Alberhasky, and Daniel Cameron Zachariah.

Shirley was loved by all who knew her. She was the life of the party and had a knack for finding humor which always made us laugh. Her strength of character was undeniable, and she was fiercely determined. Shirley will be missed dearly, and may her memory be a blessing.

The family expresses sincere gratitude for Inspire Hospice and Palliative Care and Integrity Homecare and Nursing Service Agency.

In lieu of flowers consider donating in her memory to https://broadwaycares.org/

Marlene

Scherer

Riba 78, Atlanta

Marlene Scherer Riba died peacefully after an extended illness at her home on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024. Marlene was born in Miami, Fla., on May 20, 1946. She was a graduate of Coral Gables High School 1964, having been active in the Zakkai BBG (B’Nai Brith Girls). She went on to Miami-Dade Community College and then to the University of Florida where she received her undergraduate and master’s degree in reading and learning disabilities. She taught elementary school for the Miami-Dade Public School System. She also taught elementary school as a learning disabilities and resource teacher in the Cobb County School System at Rocky Mount Elementary. As a teacher, she brought a positive attitude, her smile, as well as her sweaters to every class.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Abby and Jeffrey Rittberg; her daughter and son-in-law, Adrienne and Jeffrey Scheck; her son and daughter-in-law, Russ and Elaine Riba; sister, Coralie Wilensky and sister and brother-in-law, Wendy and Harold Asher; her grandchildren, Arielle Rittberg, Brennen Rittberg, Zachary, Faryn, Shelby and Amanda Scheck, Daviano Riba and Lazaro Riba, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews and extended family.

Funeral services were held graveside at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in the Star of David section of Greenlawn Cemetery, 950 Mansell Road, Roswell, GA 30076. Shiva (prayer and light refreshments) followed the funeral and took place in the Social Hall at Temple Kehillat Chaim, 1145 Green Street, Roswell, GA 30075.

The family requests donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, American Diabetes Association, or to the American Cancer Society. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to https://www.jewishfuneralcare.com/obituary/Marlene-Riba Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999,

Cheryl Aronstam Whitt 76, Atlanta

Cheryl Aronstam Whitt, 76, Atlanta, Ga., passed peacefully on Sept. 25, 2024. Cheryl was born in Atlanta, Ga., and grew up in the Morningside neighborhood surrounded by immediate and extended family. She attended the University of Georgia, joined DPhiE, and graduated with a degree in education. Cheryl was a very gifted educator and artist, whose primary hobbies were being a dedicated mother and bubey and playing Jewish geography at every opportunity.

Cheryl is predeceased by her parents, Annette Moldow Aronstam and Hyman Joseph Aronstam, both of Atlanta.  She is survived by her dedicated and loving husband, Carl Whitt, sons, Jeremy Shedrow (Marissa) and Brian Shedrow (Emily), grandchildren, Jacob, Hannah, Maya and Noa, her brother, Neil Aronstam (Vicki) and a large family of nieces, nephews and cousins who were all very important to her.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in her honor.  The funeral was held at 12 p.m., Sept. 27, 2024, Greenwood Cemetery, 1173 Cascade Circle, SW, Atlanta, GA 30311 with Rabbi Brad Levenberg officiating. Arrangements made by Dressler’s Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

CLOSING THOUGHTS A ‘Bad Kid’ I Taught

Chana Shapiro

Arsenio Flores, a ninthgrade student of mine in New York, came from a family of con artists, petty thieves, and creative hustlers. His two older brothers helped their family with the earnings they had made from monetary settlements received after being hit by automobiles. Neighborhood lore touted the will and guts of these brothers for running across a busy street and -- on purpose -- being hit by a surprised driver.

These young men were able to judge the exact moment and precise angle to be hit by a car traveling at the perfect speed to cause just the right amount of litigable bodily harm; however, a hit never caused a Flores teen to need a hospital stay and rarely necessitated a cast. Some teachers told me that, a few years earlier, Arsenio’s oldest brother, Cesar, came to school for several weeks sporting a white cast that was signed graffiti-style by his class-

mates. I’m not sure, but I’m guessing Cesar charged the signers for the honor.

Arsenio himself was more of a scammer than his daring male siblings. He was a pro at shell games and riding the public bus for free. I personally witnessed Arsenio chasing the Broadway bus fast enough to facilitate an onbus student tossing a legal school bus pass to him through an open window. With the same pass that the student at the window had just used, Arsenio got on the bus at the next stop.

He was famous for subway turnstile jumping or entering through the turnstile while riding on the shoulders of a friend who had a legal token. Sometimes a student’s lunch voucher went missing. Arsenio knew that the school cafeteria workers never checked users’ names as they doled out mac ‘n’ cheese and sloppy joes. To his credit, the likely suspect (Arsenio) was a philanthropic thief, generously sharing with comrades the food he hadn’t paid for.

It was Arsenio who darted out of my classroom one stormy afternoon and returned before the bell rang to present me with a brand new umbrella. I didn’t bother to pointlessly question him; I simply returned the umbrella to the grateful cashier at the

drug store down the block. I never let the class know when my back or throat hurt because I was afraid that Arsenio would disappear and come back with a purloined bottle of aspirin or cough drops. It was Arsenio who spearheaded the class’s holiday gift for me of a hamster. I wonder where he got that hamster.

I knew that Arsenio was intelligent, and he knew that I knew. He loved learning about mythology and wrote the short essays I assigned. It’s probable that his younger sister, Rosa, wrote his homework compositions, but at least the ones he wrote in class were verifiable. Arsenio knew that I was rooting for him to re-direct the way he used his inventive brain, but evading society’s rules was simply more fun. Arsenio was a master at having fun.

The next year, when Arsenio went on to high school, I lost contact with him. Or so I thought.

My colleague, Hope, and I directed an annual production featuring the many ethnic groups in our school. Students from many countries formed a pick-up jug band, played guitars and bongos, sang, and presented short funny skits, and the entire community showed up to see them. The production was a success, and Hope, who was running the curtain, and I, who was managing rest-

less students backstage, were about to come out to take a bow with all the performers. There was a heavy, old grand piano pushed to the side, which Hope and I hadn’t bothered to move offstage because it didn’t interfere with any of that year’s acts. Suddenly, the lid of the piano lifted, and Arsenio slowly arose from its innards. The audience apparently thought this was a perfect ending for the show, and they clapped, whistled, and cheered. The performers, Hope, and I were shocked and embarrassed, but I reckoned it was hopeless to try to grab Arsenio and drag him away to strangle him. Ever the showman, Arsenio grasped Hope’s and my hand and, standing between us, took a dramatic bow. The crowd roared its approval, but Mrs. Adelstein, the principal, glared at us from the front row, until Arsenio jumped down and with exaggerated gallantry ‘escorted’ her onto the stage. This nervy act elicited more wild cheering.

Arsenio’s father came over to me, and I expected some kind of emotional apology. Simultaneously, students were high-fiving Arsenio for his remarkable stunt. “He really surprised you, right?” Mr. Flores exclaimed, proudly. “My boy wanted to do something big for you, so that you’d always remember him.” I have to admit that I was touched. Yes, indeed, I remember him. ì

Vice President Harris and Governor Walz Will Deliver for Jewish Voters and Always Stand by Their Side

Vice President Harris’ New Way Forward will lower taxes and costs for families and ensure everyone has an opportunity to not just get by, but get ahead.

Vice President Harris led the fight against antisemitism in the Senate and her first legislative accomplishment as a U.S. Senator was passing a bipartisan resolution to combat antisemitism.

Vice President Harris consistently voted to support Israel in the Senate and has been a critical partner alongside President Biden defending Israel, including by working relentlessly to bring all of the hostages home.

Donald Trump’s extreme Project 2025 agenda will increase costs for typical middle-class families by nearly $4,000 a year while cutting taxes for his billionaire donors.

Trump legitimized white supremacists by praising some of the neo-Nazi marchers in Charlottesville who chanted “Jews will not replace us” as “very fine people.”

Trump opposed a bill to provide security assistance to Israel and mocked them after October 7, saying they were unprepared while complementing Hezbollah for being “very smart.”