Color: 4C Built @: 10 Printed @:
DEFUSED
JUBILEE
After a week of uncertainty, Light Up Dunwoody is back where it started, with a menorah nearby. Page 24
Jews and Catholics reflect on the 50th anniversary of the document that rebooted interfaith ties. Page 14
Jewish Atlanta shows support for Israel by rallying outside CNN and praying at Beth Tefillah. Pages 3, 4
Atlanta VOL. XC NO. 40
WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM
Inside: Simchas Pages 34-56
FileName:15AQUA1247_ATLJewishTimesTeaser Live: NA Client: Georgia Aquarium Trim: 2.12” W x 3.18” H Desc.: Atlanta Jewish Times Teaser Bleed: .NA
STANDING UP
where
imaginations go to explore. Georgia Aquarium is a not-for-profit organization, inspiring awareness and conservation of aquatic animals.
OCTOBER 23, 2015 | 10 CHESHVAN 5776
Galilee Gets Local Sister
T
Photo courtesy Kelly Greer, photographer
Torah Binds Island Generations
Under the watch of parents Bob and Dara Brenner and Rabbi Michael Harvey (right), Atlanta bar mitzvah Sam Brenner reads Torah at the St. Thomas Synagogue, which is the second-oldest in the Western Hemisphere and which two of his ancestors led as rabbis for 100 years. Page 40
BRONX TALES
Preparing for the Book Festival, Arlene Alda explains why she includes the bad with the good when telling the story of seven decades in the Bronx. Page 28
BIGGER BOWL
Jenny Levison is moving Souper Jenny across West Paces Ferry Road to the Atlanta History Center, where she’ll serve twice as many seats. Page 31
INSIDE Israel 3
Education 32
Calendar 8
Simchas 34
Candle Lighting
8
Home 58
Opinion 10
Obituaries 60
Books 28
Crossword 61
Business 30
Marketplace 62
he recurring terrorist attacks against Israelis had almost no effect on an official Sandy Springs delegation that just signed a Sister City agreement with the Western Galilee Cluster of 11 municipalities and local authorities. “We felt just as comfortable walking those streets as we would in Sandy Springs,” Mayor Rusty Paul said after he and five others returned from Israel. The trip secured a connection first proposed by former Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran. The delegation wasn’t able to visit Jerusalem on Friday, Oct. 16, because the Israeli hosts were being cautious, even though the six visitors said they weren’t worried. Instead of the Old City, they went to the heavily Arab city of Nazareth, where Paul said they walked around without a police escort. He and City Council member Andy Bauman, who also made the trip, said they were impressed with the tourist opportunities in the multiethnic communities of the western Galilee, and they expressed optimism that the new relationship between Sandy Springs and the region — only the second Sister City agreement for Sandy Springs — will bring benefits to both. The two sides are looking for opportunities in technology, health care, and tourism, including the trips made by day schools. “I just was very proud to be a part of this initiative,” Bauman said. Temple Sinai Rabbi Ron Segal praised the delegation from his congregation’s hometown during the prayer vigil for Israel at Congregation Beth Tefillah, also in Sandy Springs, on Oct. 15. ■
PRESENTING THE WEBER SCHOOL FALL DRAMA PRODUCTION
From Where I Stand: Life Through The Eyes Of Our Youth FEATURING PUBLISHED AND ORIGINAL STUDENT WORK
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2015 7:00 PM MJCCA MORRIS & RAE FRANK THEATRE
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! WWW.WEBERSCHOOL.ORG/TICKETS
AJT 2
After High School, Real Life Begins.
ISRAEL NEWS
Grass-Roots Protest Targets CNN Coverage
Israeli flags are plentiful outside the CNN Center on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18.
By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com
A
bout 150 people gathered in front of the CNN Center in downtown Atlanta on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 18, to show their support for Israel and criticize media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Organizer Aaron Holder said he was fed up with the reporting on Israel, particularly by CNN, and decided to hold the peaceful rally. “I was shocked that only the voices of terrorists were being heard and our voices were being silenced by theirs,” Holder said. “I first tried contacting a couple organizations, asking why there isn’t a rally in public to voice our anguish caused by the lack of accurate news coverage. Instead of waiting for a response, I decided to take action. I made a Facebook event and called on my friends to help get the word out.” The rally came amid a weeks-long wave of deadly individual Arab attacks on Israelis in which headlines often
have focused on the deaths of the Palestinian terrorists instead of their victims. According to Holder, the rally was planned and executed in less than a week. Atlanta police made sure the demonstrators were safe. The protest had a stated goal of being peaceful and respectful. “A successful rally is a safe rally that makes an impact,” said Holder, who attended Bar-Ilan University in Israel. “Even if we affected one individual for the better, we have done a good job. Thankfully, I think we did a spectacular job showing Jewish pride and doing mitzvot. We even had people from Iran, who were protesting across the street against their leadership, come to shake our hands and wave our flags. That was a beautiful moment.” After the rally, Holder and other demonstrators attended an Atlanta Hawks preseason game against the Miami Heat at Phillips Arena with Israeli flags in tow. ■
A
fter completing an undefeated season Tuesday, Oct. 13, Coach David Schoen gathered the Torah Day School middle school boys soccer team to talk about the recent acts of terrorism in Israel and their significance to each of us individually and as part of Klal Yisrael. One of the parents, Rabbi Chaim Lindenblatt, led the boys in reciting several perakim of Tehillim in solidarity with the people of Israel and in recognition of the in-
nocent victims of evil hatred, as well as to stand up to terror with strength. It was a poignant and meaningful way to end the season and reflects the way the Torah Day boys play: They compete hard and well but keep their character and priorities. The school faculty and staff are proud of the seriousness with which the boys approached this opportunity to cap off their season with real meaning. ■
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Torah Day Keeps Soccer in Perspective
AJT 3
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
LOCAL NEWS
1
4
2
5
9
3
6
7
8
Photos by Michael Jacobs 1. Israel Scouts stand with the flag after the vigil. 2. New Toco Shul Rabbi Don Seeman leads the Mi Shebeirach for the victims in Israel. 3. Israeli Consul General Judith Varnai Shorer addresses the wave of terrorism. 4. Chabad Israeli Center Rabbi Mendy Gurary leads the prayer vigil. 5. Congregation Beth Shalom Rabbi Mark Zimmerman wonders about the world’s lack of outrage at the murderous attacks on Jews in Israel. 6. Marcus JCC Rabbi Brian Glusman tells of an emotional Facebook post from an Israeli friend. 7. Rabbi Pinchos Hecht, the Atlanta Jewish Academy head of school, leads the reading of a psalm in Hebrew. 8. Israeli Deputy Consul General Ron Brummer leads a prayer for the IDF. 9. Community members attend the prayer vigil for Israel on Thursday night, Oct. 15, at Congregation Beth Tefillah.
Jewish Atlanta Stands With Israel By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com
S
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
everal hundred Jewish Atlantans sent Israel a message of solidarity from Congregation Beth Tefillah on Thursday night, Oct. 15. “We have gathered here to say, ‘Our brothers and sisters, you are not alone. When you are hurting, we are hurting,’ ” said Young Israel of Toco Hills Rabbi Adam Starr, one of 11 rabbis to address the community prayer vigil organized by Chabad Israeli Center Rabbi Mendy Gurary. “We will always stand with Israel,” Rabbi Gurary said. The vigil was a response to Palestinian violence that flared up just before Rosh Hashanah and exploded into a series of random knifings, shootings and other attacks that killed eight Israeli civilians in the two weeks preceding the event. Rabbi Gurary said his brother in Israel spends an hour each morning and an hour each afternoon escorting his seven children to and from school because they’re scared to ride a bus. He added that men and women as well as 4 children are afraid to walk in public
AJT
places. “The world is quiet. We don’t hear anyone,” said Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer, Israel’s consul general to the Southeast. She said her 87-year-old mother in Israel asks her whether the rest of the world knows what is happening. “We are facing a struggle against bloodthirsty Islamic terrorism,” Shorer said, and no one is safe. She said it’s terrible to sit by the phone and fear a call about another attack every five minutes, but “we will not be bound by these evil forces.” Rabbi Don Seeman of the New Toco Shul, who is Israeli, said one of the beautiful things about Jerusalem is the opportunity to walk everywhere, and that has been lost while people are afraid to leave their homes. “We will find a way to get control of the streets, and Israelis will find a way to live their lives,” Rabbi Seeman said, because that’s why Israel exists: to give Jews a place to lead normal lives. “Israel is not only your homeland. It’s also your home,” he told the crowd. Rabbi Yossi New, the gathering’s host rabbi, looked to the Torah for guidance on how Jews should respond
to Israel’s troubles. He noted that G-d destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah despite Abraham’s pleas, but He listened to Moses and spared the Jewish people after they worshipped the Golden Calf in the Sinai. The difference, Rabbi New said, was that Abraham showed sympathy for Sodom and Gomorrah, but Moses felt empathy for his people and was willing to share their fate. Likewise, G-d may hear our prayers now if Atlanta’s Jews recognize that “their plight is our plight; their destiny is our destiny.” Shorer said she was proud to look over the diverse crowd gathered to pray for Israel. “American Jews are also saying no to terrorism in Israel.” In addition to Beth Tefillah and the Chabad Israeli Center and their parent, Chabad of Georgia, organizations participating in the gathering included Chabad of Cobb, Young Israel of Toco Hills, Congregation Or Hadash, Temple Emanu-El, The Temple, Temple Sinai, the New Toco Shul, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation B’nai Torah, Atlanta Jewish Academy, the Weber School and the Marcus Jewish Community Center. “Sadly, we’ve all been here before,”
Beth Shalom Rabbi Mark Zimmerman said of gatherings to pray for Israel in times of crisis. “We will not stop singing as we have sung tonight,” he said. “We will wear our Judaism proudly, our love of Israel proudly.” “We pray for a time of peace,” Rabbi Starr said. Palestinians have cited fears of changes to the Temple Mount as the cause for the outbreak of anger and violence, but Shorer repeated what the Israeli government has said over and over again: There are no plans to change the status quo, which allows access to all and freedom of worship to Muslims. “The terrorists are drawn by one thing: their hatred of Jews,” Rabbi Zimmerman said. Shorer criticized the lies and incitement by Palestinian political and religious leaders and the use of social media to spread those messages and instruct young Palestinians on how to kill Israelis. “Friends, we demand a real peace,” Shorer said. “Israel demands a real peace.” ■
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
LOCAL NEWS Atlanta
PUBLISHER MICHAEL A. MORRIS
michael@atljewishtimes.com
BUSINESS OFFICE Business Manager
KAYLENE LADINSKY
kaylene@atljewishtimes.com
ADVERTISING
Senior Account Manager
JULIE BENVENISTE julie@atljewishtimes.com Senior Account Manager
BRENDA GELFAND
brenda@atljewishtimes.com Sales Assistant
SARAH SKINNER
sarah@atljewishtimes.com
MARKETING
Marketing & Communications Director
STACY LAVICTOIRE stacy@atljewishtimes.com
EDITORIAL Editor
MICHAEL JACOBS
mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com Associate Editor
DAVID R. COHEN
Remember When
national anthem at President Jimmy Carter’s inauguration and officiated at the first Jewish wedding celebrated in Poland in 45 years, will be honored for his activism with the Anti-Defamation League’s 25th Abe Goldstein Human Relations Award at a dinner Nov. 4.
■ Dick and Hylda Wilson, nearing their 73rd birthdays, have made the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary an occasion to strengthen the Yiddishkeit of Jewish youth. They established the Hylda and Dick Wilson Youth Outreach Fund to enable Jewish children throughout South Georgia to participate in an annual Shabbat retreat. The couple lived in Valdosta for most of their adult lives until moving to Atlanta in 1993.
■ Mark and Diane Lurie of Marietta announce the birth of a son, David Taylor, on Sept. 22.
10 Years Ago Oct. 21, 2005
■ The b’not mitzvah ceremony of Dorrie Lauren Paradies and Katie Dara Paradies of Atlanta was held Oct. 15, 2005, at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. They are the daughters of Gregg and Beth Paradies. 25 Years Ago Oct. 26, 1990 ■ Ahavath Achim Cantor Isaac Goodfriend, who sang the
50 Years Ago Oct. 22, 1965 ■ Pope Paul VI is expected by the end of the month to promulgate the new declaration on Jews, although the reaction to the document is mixed. While some have reacted enthusiastically, others are disappointed that “deicide” was deleted from the text and “deplores” replaced “condemns” with regard to anti-Semitism. The Ecumenical Council approved the declaration on a final vote of 1,763 to 250. ■ Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Weiner invite their relatives and friends to attend the bat mitzvah of their daughter Janet at 8:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at Ahavath Achim Synagogue.
30 Days Unlimited for $30
“Highest user-rated yoga studio in Atlanta don’t take our word for it, read the reviews on Yelp, Facebook, and Google!”
david@atljewishtimes.com
Contributors This Week
KRISTEN ALEXANDER APRIL BASLER • SETH COHEN DAVID S. COVELL • SHELLY DANZ YONI GLATT • JORDAN GORFINKEL KELLY GREER • LORI HALPERN LEAH R. HARRISON DENNIS HUDGINS MARCIA CALLER JAFFE • JASON KAGAN RABBI DAVID KAPENSTEIN KEVIN MADIGAN RUSSELL MOSKOWITZ • AARON PAYES LOGAN RITCHIE 8 TED ROBERTS MINDY RUBENSTEIN • DAVE SCHECHTER SHAINDLE SCHMUCKLER COLE SEIDNER • CHANA SHAPIRO HARRY STERN • ANNA STREETMAN
CREATIVE SERVICES Creative Design
DARA DRAWDY
CIRCULATION
Circulation Coordinator
ELIZABETH FRIEDLY
efriedly@atljewishtimes.com
CONTACT INFORMATION GENERAL OFFICE 404.883.2130 KAYLENE@ATLJEWISHTIMES.COM The Atlanta Jewish Times is printed in Georgia and is an equal opportunity employer. The opinions expressed in the Atlanta Jewish Times do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper. Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta, Ga.
THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES (ISSN# 0892-33451) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY SOUTHERN ISRAELITE, LLC 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 © 2015 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES Printed by Gannett Publishing Services MEMBER Conexx: America Israel Business Connector American Jewish Press Association Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce Please send all photos, stories and editorial content to: submissions@atljewishtimes.com
“Offering a variety of classes from beginners through advanced, restorative and therapy, and even yoga for runners and athletes.” Family Owned, Matt and Becky Shechtman, operating two convenient locations in the heart of Dunwoody and Brookhaven.
Dunwoody 1705 Mt. Vernon Road Dunwoody, GA 30338
404-860-1712 www.InfinityYogaAtlanta.com
Brookhaven 1376 Dresden Drive Atlanta, GA 30319
“Mention this Ad in the Atlanta Jewish Times and receive your first class free!”
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
POSTMASTER send address changes to The Atlanta Jewish Times 270 Carpenter Drive Suite 320, Atlanta Ga 30328. Established 1925 as The Southern Israelite Phone: (404) 883-2130 www.atlantajewishtimes.com
AJT 5
ISRAEL
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home Researching heart mutation. Ronen Durst, a senior cardiologist at the Hadassah Medical Organization and a Hebrew University researcher, is a key member of an international team that has identified a genetic mutation linked to mitral valve prolapse and has published the research in the British journal Nature. “Some 2.4 percent of the population suffers from mitral valve prolapse, where one of the valves that controls blood flow through the heart doesn’t close properly,” Durst said. “This abnormality often causes serious problems in heart rhythm, infections and even sudden death.”
Smoking slows healing. The Hadassah Medical Organization’s orthaopedic surgery team, led by Meir Liebergall, has discovered that smoking a pack of cigarettes a day significantly lowers the concentration of specific cells that are central to healing and regenerating bone.
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Visit by New York mayor. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio visited terror victims at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem on Saturday night, Oct. 17. Joined by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, de Blasio spoke at a press
AJT 6
conference at the hospital about the patients he had met, including a Christian woman who was a foster mother to 20 Arab children through the years but was stabbed in the chest, and an elderly man who was the victim of a knife attack while waiting for a bus. Rapid Internet performance. Israel’s Teridion makes Internet access up to 20 times faster for users of its advanced Global Cloud Network. Teridion has just raised $20 million to expand internationally. Avoid the queue. Israeli startup Tapingo has launched a free app that allows students to order food from their favorite places through their smartphones so that when they arrive, they can just pick up their orders from the counter without waiting in line. An app to help you dress right. The Israeli app Take a Look allows you to send a selfie to the attention of top Israeli fashion designers Liat Ashuri, Doreen Attias and Gadi Elimelech. For a $25 fee, one of the three will critique your outfit. They say they can even give real-time advice while app users are still in the store.
Mellanox merges with EZchip. Israeli information technology giant Mellanox has purchased Israeli microprocessor manufacturer EZchip for about $811 million. The combined businesses have 2,400 employees and generated combined revenue of $668 million for the year that ended in June. Both businesses are located in Yokneam, the partnership region of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Getting in tune. Apple plans to launch its Apple Music streaming service in Israel early in 2016, business newspaper Globes reports. The service will compete with three domestic and two foreign streaming services that provide music by subscription in Israel. Apple’s competitors Google and Microsoft, although they have large research and development operations in Israel, do not offer their content services there.
Barclays launches Tel Aviv accelerator. Global bank Barclays is opening an accelerator in Tel Aviv for startups in financial technology and cybersecurity. Barclays’ Derek White said, “We’re excited about the prospect of tapping into Tel Aviv’s hotbed of innovation,
connecting some of the world’s most active innovators.” Another record for Israel’s reserves. Israel’s foreign currency reserves stood at a record $89.335 billion at the end of September, an increase of $337 million from their level at the end of August. Prayers for rain answered in buckets. Jews in Israel said the prayer for rain on Monday, Oct. 5, at lunchtime during the festival of Shemini Atzeret. The next day, the country received the heaviest October rainfall in six years. Flash floods closed roads and grounded flights. But the rain still brought smiles to most Israelis. The first sukkathon. For the first time, entrepreneurs gathered in a Jerusalem sukkah to develop apps related to temporary content. The developers were hosted by video messaging specialists Glide. In the spirit of the sukkah – a temporary habitation — the apps needed to clear away Internet data when no longer relevant. Compiled courtesy of verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com and hadassah.org
iMAGINE...
Imagine a world without obstacles and only possibilities. A world where all children have food on the table, all people have access to an active Jewish life, all are safe, and all can age gracefully.
THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF A COMMUNITY.
1440 Spring Street | Atlanta, GA 30309 | 404.873.1661 | JewishAtlanta.org
OCTOBER 23 â–Ş 2015
With you, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta harnesses the resources of our community to create this vision. With you, we care for those in need today and build a strong Jewish community for tomorrow. With you, we make the world a better place.
AJT 7
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
CALENDAR THURSDAY, OCT. 22
Lunch and learn. Rabbi Analia Bortz leads a discussion about dysfunctional families in the Book of Genesis at noon at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Bring a dairy lunch or purchase food at the center. Free; www.atlantajcc.org. Baking bread. The Marcus Jewish Community Center and the Shabbat Project hold the Great Big Challah Bake. 7 p.m. at the JCC. Advance registration; atlanta.theshabbosprojectusa.org. Torah talk. YJP (Young Jewish Professionals), Midtown Atlanta, holds a takehome Torah discussion on the crisis in Israel at Chabad Intown, 928 Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. Shmoozing is at 7:30 p.m. and discussion at 8:15; www.yjpmidtownatlanta.com or 404-898-0434.
FRIDAY, OCT. 23
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Havdalah concert. The 2015 Shabbat Project in Atlanta wraps up with Havdalah, including a concert by New York band Zusha, at 9 p.m. at Atlanta Jewish Academy, 5200 Northland Drive, Sandy Springs. Admission is $10; theshabbosproject.org/atlanta or 678-812-4161.
SUNDAY, OCT. 25
VFI potluck picnic. Volunteers for Israel (www.vfi-usa.org) holds a picnic at 1 p.m. at 2276 Fair Oaks Road, Decatur, to share information about volunteering on an Israel Defense Forces base for two to three weeks. Free; contact Stephen Prestwood at 470-331-7241 or vfi_georgia@bellsouth.net.
Relational Judaism. Ron Wolfson kicks off his weekend as scholar in residence at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs, by speaking about “Envisioning the Relational Synagogue of the 21st Century” during Shabbat services at 6:30 p.m., followed by schmoozing over dinner at 7:30. Wolfson also leads Torah study Saturday at 10 a.m. While those events are free, the fee is $18 for members and $25 for nonmembers for his talk about his book, “The Best Boy in the United States of America,” at 6 p.m. Saturday; $18 for members and $25 for nonmembers for a Havdalah discussion about the power of connections at 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and $5 for anyone for a discussion with parents about keeping Judaism relevant in families at 10 a.m. Sunday. Register at www.templesinaiatlanta.org.
MONDAY, OCT. 26
Photography presentation. The Center for Israel Education presents Is8 raeli photographer Adi Nes and his
Shabbat Parshah Lech Lecha Friday, Oct. 23, light candles at 6:36 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Shabbat ends at 7:31 p.m. Parshah Vayera Friday, Oct. 30, light candles at 6:29 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, Shabbat ends at 7:24 p.m.
Sandy Springs. Free; RSVP required at www.israeled.org/adi-nes-rsvp.
Clowning around. Israeli master clown Ofir Nahari plays Dionysus in a workshop of a new Kennesaw State-7 Stages co-production, “The Followers,” from 2 to 4 p.m. at 7 Stages, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta. Free, but donations accepted.
Block party. As part of the Shabbat Project, a block-party Kiddush is held in the front parking lot of Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Toco Hills, at 11:30 a.m. Free and open to all; ytendler@bethjacobatlanta.org or 404633-0551.
CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES
Or Hadash, 7460 Trowbridge Road,
Chabad retreat. Chabad Intown and Chabad of Cobb hold a Shabbat weekend retreat through Sunday at the Kaplan Mitchell Retreat and Conference Center at Camp Ramah Darom in Clayton. Fees start at $195 per adult; www. chabadofcobb.com or 404-931-6449.
SATURDAY, OCT. 24
AJT
work at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation
Women’s financial empowerment. The Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta presents “Take Your Seat at the Table: A Jewish Woman’s Guide to Financial Empowerment and Protection,” featuring lawyer Abbey Flaum, accountant Lisa Haynor and financial adviser Emily Sanders, at 10 a.m. at the Selig Center, 1400 Spring St., Midtown. Free; www.jewishatlanta.org/takeyourseat or 678-222-3716. JELF happy hour. The Jewish Educational Loan Fund invites people to have a drink, meet and hear from a JELFie (an interest-free loan recipient), and make some friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Ribalta Restaurant, 1080 Peachtree St., Suite 9, Midtown. Entrance is $18, which includes one drink; bring two friends for free admission. Information: www.jelf.org or jshulman@jelf.org.
TUESDAY, OCT. 27
Campus anti-Semitism documentary. Jerusalem U brings director Shoshana Palatnik to Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway, East Cobb, at 7:30 p.m. for a screening of the documentary “Crossing the Line 2: The New Face of Anti-Semitism on Campus,” followed by a discussion. Free; ctl.stepupforisrael.com.
WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28
Health summit. The Fulton DeKalb Hospital Authority holds its fourth annual health summit, using the theme “Violence; America’s Challenge,” from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency, 265 Peachtree Center Ave., downtown Atlanta. Free; register at bit.ly/1Mipspo. Food bank reception. The Atlanta Community Food Bank, 732 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd., Atlanta, celebrates 25 years of the Jewish community’s Operation Isaiah High Holiday food drive from 5 to 7 p.m. Free; RSVP by Oct. 23 to beth.warner@acfb.org or 678-933-0910. Nostra Aetate jubilee. The American Jewish Committee’s Atlanta Chapter and the Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta mark the 50th anniversary of the Vatican’s landmark statement condemning anti-Semitism with a celebration hosted by Archbishop Wilton Gregory and Rabbi James Rudin at the Ferst Center, 349 Ferst Drive, Midtown, at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15; arts.gatech. edu/ferstcenter/content/nostra-aetatejubilee. Voting rights discussion. The Nation writer Ari Berman speaks at 7 p.m. at the Carter Presidential Library & Museum, 441 Freedom Parkway, Atlanta, at the Carter Center, about his book “Give Us the Ballot: The Modern Strug-
gle for Voting Rights in America.” Free; www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/events.
ONGOING
Hollywood in the camps. “Filming the Camps — John Ford, Samuel Fuller, George Stevens: From Hollywood to Nuremberg” runs through Nov. 20 at the Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead. Admission to the museum is $16.50 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, $11 for children 4 to 12, and free for members and younger children; www.atlantahistorycenter. com or 404-814-4000. Leo Frank exhibit. The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History, 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw, in cooperation with the Breman Museum, presents “Seeking Justice: The Leo Frank Case Revisited” through Nov. 29. Museum admission is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors, $5.50 for ages 4 to 12, and free for ages 3 and under and for Southern Museum and Breman members; www.southernmuseum.org. History of Jewish Atlanta. The Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown, presents “Eighteen Artifacts,” an exploration of Atlanta’s Jewish history, through Dec. 31. Admission to the museum is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and educators, $4 for children 3 to 6, and free for members.
Conexx Tournament to Honor Neuman
T
he second annual golf tournament benefiting Conexx: America Israel Business Connector will be held Monday, Oct. 26, at the Standard Club in Johns Creek. The tournament, chaired by former Conexx CEO Shai Robkin, will honor Joel Neuman, whose two-year term as Conexx’s chairman ended July 1 after he helped the business organization transition from the professional leadership of Tom Glaser to Robkin to current President Guy Tessler. Registration for the tournament is $275 per player, or $175 for anyone under age 35. The fee includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, lunch, drinks on the course, and a dinner and awards ceremony after the golf. The day begins with registration, lunch and use of the driving range at 11:30 a.m. A shotgun start is at 1 p.m., and the dinner and awards ceremony is at 5:30. Those who can’t make the tournament Oct. 26 can support Conexx by purchasing foursomes for use later. For the registration form and more information, visit conexx.org, email bswartz@conexx.org, or call 404-843-9426. ■ Send items for the calendar to submissions@atljewishtimes.com.
䌀爀攀 愀琀 椀瘀 椀琀 礀 圀椀琀栀 倀愀猀 猀 椀漀渀
䐀甀渀眀漀漀搀礀 愀渀搀 䄀氀瀀栀愀爀攀琀琀愀
倀爀攀洀椀攀爀 䐀椀渀渀椀渀最 䐀攀猀琀椀渀愀琀椀漀渀猀
䈀愀爀 愀渀搀 䈀愀琀 䴀椀琀稀瘀愀栀猀 ⴀ 刀攀栀攀愀爀猀愀氀 䐀椀渀渀攀爀猀
䈀椀爀琀栀搀愀礀 倀愀爀琀椀攀猀
眀 眀眀⸀ 猀愀最攀 眀漀 漀 搀昀 椀 爀攀琀 愀瘀攀爀 渀 ⸀ 挀漀 洀簀 倀攀爀 椀 洀 攀琀攀爀 㜀㜀 㠀 㐀ⴀ㠀㠀㠀 眀 眀眀⸀ 猀瀀 椀挀攀 戀 爀 椀挀 欀 漀瘀攀 渀欀 椀 琀挀 栀攀 渀⸀ 挀漀 洀 簀䄀氀 瀀栀 愀爀攀琀 琀 愀 㜀㜀 㜀㜀㜀ⴀ 㜀㜀㠀 眀 眀眀⸀ 猀 愀 最攀 眀漀 漀 搀 昀 椀 爀攀 琀 愀瘀攀爀 渀⸀ 挀漀 洀 簀 䄀氀 瀀栀 愀 爀攀琀 琀 愀 㜀㜀 㔀㘀㤀ⴀ 㤀㤀㤀
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
䌀栀攀昀 䌀甀爀愀琀攀搀 䴀攀渀甀猀
AJT 9
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
OPINION
Our View
Sisters Doing It
T
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
he news that Sandy Springs has completed a Sister City agreement with the Western Galilee Cluster of 11 municipalities and local authorities would always be good news for Jewish Atlanta. But amid the nearly daily reports of killings and attempted killings of Israeli civilians by terrorists, it’s great news, and our entire community, inside and outside Sandy Springs, should be happy. The agreement is a sign of the respect and trust the Jewish and Israeli communities have earned in Georgia and indicates that Israel can rely on true friends in the Atlanta area. The agreement also is a reminder of the value of having the Israeli Consulate in Atlanta. Mayor Rusty Paul looked to Israel for Sandy Springs’ second Sister City arrangement, and ultimately found the Western Galilee Cluster, because of the efforts of Opher Aviran during his five years as consul general here. Without a helping hand to point the way and make connections, Sandy Springs might be spending its time and energy strengthening its relationship with its only other Sister City, Taicang, China. As City Council member Andy Bauman said, Sandy Springs doesn’t enter these agreements just for show; they need to offer real benefits. The consulate and Conexx: America Israel Business Connector, among other institutions, help realize that value from a potentially symbolic relationship. “It’s an amazing opportunity,” Paul said, noting that a delegation from the Galilee will be making a return visit next year. “I’m looking forward to building a long-term relationship.” That relationship will focus on technology, medical and health care, and tourism. While the Western Galilee Cluster, whose total population is close to Sandy Springs’, isn’t going to bring as many people to Sandy Springs and metro Atlanta as the synagogues, day schools and other residents of this area send to Israel each year, Paul said the relationship will redirect travelers from New York to Atlanta as their gateway to America. That gateway role applies for investment as well as travel. Going the other direction, Bauman said he hopes locals visiting Israel will recognize the beauty and history of the Western Galilee and make a point to stay there rather than just drive through. Now that the doors are open and the relationships have begun, Bauman said surprising connections could emerge. He mentioned a Western Galilee Medical Center doctor who worked in Haiti on a humanitarian mission after the earthquake in 2010, providing a possible avenue to connect with Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, which has an active program for service in Haiti. In general, the richest vein to tap for cooperation could be between the medical establishments. The health care experts of Pill Hill could benefit from Western Galilee knowledge of mass casualties from disasters, whether natural or man-made. “There’s an opportunity to engage and to learn something from each other,” Bauman said. If that learning includes more Americans being exposed to how special and important Israel is, so 10 much the better. ■
AJT
Polishing a Bukharian Gem
S
omewhere in the middle of a Bukharian comloff, found his way to full Torah observance under munity celebration in Norcross, a Jewish rethe teaching of Rabbi Silverman. Speaking last after vival meeting broke out Sunday night, Oct. 18. several hours of speeches spread over two locations, The occasion was the dedication of three core the young rabbi told the story of Rabbi Silverman’s attributes of any successful Jewish community: a influence in transforming a nonkosher pizza cook synagogue, a mikvah and an outlet for lifelong Jewinto the man and scholar he is today. ish learning. A crowd mixing Congregation Beit Yitzchak dozens of rabbis had the ultimate homecoming from Toco Hills Editor’s Notebook and coming-out party at the with the Bukharian same time. families meant we By Michael Jacobs The spectacle at the dingot to hear English, mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com ner in the sanctuary, which Hebrew, Russian and you can see in photos on Page a bit of Yiddish in 52, was wonderful. Two of the one place. foundational rocks of Atlanta Orthodoxy, Ashkenazi One of the delights of the night was seeing the Rabbi Ilan Feldman of Congregation Beth Jacob and humility of two of the most important men in the Sephardic Rabbi Shmuel Khoshkerman of Congreroom, Rabbi Yehoshua and Beit Yitzchak President gation Ner Hamizrach, joined the chief rabbi of the Anatoliy Iskhakov. Rabbi Yehoshua was all smiles as Bukharian communities of the United States and he played translator for “Mr. President,” who sheepCanada, Itzhak Yehoshua. The dean of the Atlanta ishly acknowledged as a professional builder that it Scholars Kollel, Rabbi David Silverman, was there took him two years to complete the construction of with the executive director and rosh kollel of Kollel the mikvah, a job he thought would take two weeks. Ner Hamizrach, Rabbi David Kapenstein and Rabbi Rabbi Cohen laid down the responsibility that Eliezer Cohen. comes with the gifts and opportunities that have All of them have played their parts in nurturing arrived in Norcross. He charged the members of Beit Beit Yitzchak to this point. Yitzchak to embrace Torah observance and Torah Rabbi Khoshkerman, whom Rabbi Cohen said study and to reach out to others to bring them to the runs the Southeast as far as the Torah world is joy of Torah life. concerned, has offered guidance and support for “Anything else is gradual death,” he said, “espetwo decades since the Bukharians made their way to cially in the United States.” Atlanta from Central Asia in the wake of the breakup As Rabbi Phuzayloff soon added: “When it of the Soviet Union. The new Kollel Beit Yitzchak, or comes to Torah study, it’s never too late, it’s never too Kollel BY, meeting on Tuesdays for now but aimlittle, and it’s also never enough.” ing to expand until it’s an all-week operation, is an Our Bukharian brothers and sisters are takoffshoot of Kollel NH, as Rabbi Cohen called it. ing their rightful place as part of the larger Jewish The rabbi taking on the responsibility of leading Atlanta community, and we all should be richer for the community and the learning, Nathan Phuzayembracing them. ■
OPINION
Through Shades of Jewish-Catholic History
Letter to Editor For the Refugees
of Metro Atlanta. The Weber teens recently hosted thier peers for Sukkot. Such interfaith associations might have been unimaginable, if not scandalous, 50 years ago. Catholics outnumber Jews in Georgia by a roughly 10-to-1 margin, but
Do you really love your family?
From Where I Sit By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com
they, too, are a minority and in decades past felt the sting of bigotry, often from majority Protestants who cast aspersions on their fealty to the pope. In May, Temple Emanu-El in Dunwoody hosted nearby All Saints Church for a get-to-know-the-other program. Rabbi Scott Colbert recalled that the Catholics were surprised at the degree of sectionalism in Judaism, and the Jews were surprised at the diversity of religious thought among Catholics. Clearly, there remains much for Jews and Catholics to learn about each other. During several weeks’ research to support an article for the Atlanta Jewish Times about the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, what I learned about the Catholic Church well exceeded what I previously knew, yet barely scratched the surface. Jews have long memories. Nothing is forgotten. In Nostra Aetate the church does not apologize for but acknowledges past wrongs. Whatever its faults — and read in a 2015 context, language that was bold in 1965 today feels mild — Nostra Aetate provided, as Archbishop Gregory said, a “reset button” for relations between Catholics and Jews. ■
I read with great pleasure your Oct. 2 editorial (“The Refugees”). It was fitting that such moving words should appear in the Atlanta Jewish Times because Atlanta’s Jewish community has long been a leader on this issue. The Bible tells us to welcome the stranger, but as far as I can tell, it does not tell us to offer that welcome only to strangers from a particular faith. I have lived in Atlanta for nearly 50 years and I am proud to be from a community that is so responsive to the plight of refugees and other vulnerable people. I am gratified that my community and my local paper have been vocal in their defense of refugees against the growing paranoia regarding refugees from the Middle East. — Dale M. Schwartz, Atlanta Dale Schwartz is the chair of the board of directors of HIAS, the global Jewish organization that protects refugees.
I’ve seen a lot of life in my 91 years. Please listen. If not to me, listen to what your heart tells you. You’re ignoring something important simply because nobody’s pushing you to take action. Your heart tells you: 1. I love my spouse and I love my children. They look to me to protect them to the best of my ability. 2. Part of that protection is to make sure there will always be adequate income to provide for them. 3. If I remain healthy and active, I can protect my family. But, in case fate takes me away from them or causes me to become disabled, I need to have enough life and disability insurance to replace my earnings. Or at least as much as possible. It’s easy to do this. All you have to do is ask me what I think will be appropriate for you. Having been a licensed professional for almost 60 years and one who has taught many other professionals over the years, I’m highly qualified to do that. If you have other quotes and have not taken action, I’m confident that the A+ companies I represent will be equal to or better than what you have. How much more can you ask for? All you have to do is call, text or e-mail
Call, Text or e-mail 404-725-4841 Mayer Smith CLU ChFC LUTCF
smithmayerruthg@bellsouth.net
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
M
el Brooks extracted irreverent (some might say inappropriate) humor from a dark chapter of Jewish-Catholic relations with a musical tribute to the Spanish Inquisition in the 1981 movie “History of the World Part I.” Jewish groups complained that 1972-73 television show “Bridget Loves Bernie” presented a JewishCatholic intermarriage in a “cavalier, cute and condoning fashion.” Despite good ratings, CBS canceled the show after one season. Christian Scriptures maintain that Pilate washed his hands and left Jesus’ fate in the hands of Jews calling for his execution. For this, Jews were labeled “perfidious” and “rejected” by G-d. This name-calling led to far worse than sticks and stones that broke bones, including the twisting of Christian theology to give religious justification to the Nazis’ effort to exterminate the Jews of Europe. The Catholic Church injected a ray of light into this darkness in 1965 with Nostra Aetate, a document that removed the charge of deicide against the Jewish people. The Archdiocese of Atlanta and the American Jewish Committee will jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of that groundbreaking development Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Ferst Center for the Arts. The event will include a choir that blends Jewish students from the Davis Academy and Catholics from the Marist School. Marist students also participate in Peace by Piece with Jewish students from the Weber School and Muslims from the W.D. Mohammed School. This interfaith project began in 2003 under the auspices of the Faith Alliance
MAYER SMITH ASKS
AJT 11
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
OPINION
Being LGBTQ Ally Should Cause Discomfort
I
say I’m an ally. But am I? That was the question running through my mind as I sat among 50 LGBTQ activists at a conference in Salzburg, Austria, this summer. The gathering, part of the Schusterman Family Foundation-sponsored Connection Points initiative, was a summit of Jewish activists from around the world. As the only straight, cisgender male at the conference, I did my best to explain my presence and express my affiliation to the LGBTQ community as a committed ally who shows support through action. But as the conference wore on, I found myself increasingly asking: “Am I? Do I?” As I spoke the words, I had no doubt they were sincere. But in that environment, where my experience was completely different from those around me, I struggled to understand my capability to authentically and empathically support their community. My experience and the questions it prompted have served as a source of reflection for LGBT History Month, a time for us to contemplate where the LGTBQ community has been, how far it has come, and all the heroes who helped get it where it is today. Like so many civil rights struggles throughout history, the LGBTQ rights movement has been, and continues to be, driven by those within the community facing discrimination. But history has also shown us the significant power that is often wielded by that community’s strongest allies.
For example, in 2013, musicians Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released “Same Love,” a song that powerfully tackles issues of LGBTQ equality, and its massive success defied the conventions of Top 40 hip-hop. By confronting LGBTQ equality in a musical genre often known for its pejorative treatment of the gay community, Macklemore stepped far outside his comfort zone. Indeed, the triumph of “Same
Guest Column By Seth Cohen
Love” is a stark example of the benefits of pushing yourself into what many call “productive discomfort,” a constructive shift from what’s easy that can be a powerful catalyst for self-reflection and, ultimately, action. Which poses the question: What does it mean to be an ally? Do allies have a moral imperative to move beyond their comfort zones and embrace productive discomfort? Before this summer’s conference, I was confident in my status as an ally. I was a strong advocate for marriage equality and signed petitions, posted on social media, and supported my friends and colleagues who were personally affected by the issue. I voted for candidates, supported companies and endorsed activists who championed the cause. But marriage equality was in my comfort zone. My efforts, for all that they were productive, were undeniably familiar.
As I have come to learn, being an LGBTQ ally is about more than supporting gay marriage. It’s also about advocating for less widely known but equally essential causes, like those that pertain to transgender equality. Bathroom rights, for example, are not just a matter of principle, but also of personal safety. Ensuring that the transgender community has bathroom access equal to cisgender men and women — and creating legal frameworks that consistently protect transgender individuals from harassment — is a moral imperative. But being an advocate for bathroom access requires more than sharing a Facebook post, an action well within the confines of my comfort zone. It means expressing to business A my own ofowners, managers and even fice landlord that nonbinaryA bathroom access is important to me as a customer and visitor. It means becoming more knowledgeable and outspoken about the issues. It means publicly and practically advocating for laws that protect employees from discrimination. While I wouldn’t classify these actions as uncomfortable, each of them will take me an additional step past my comfort zone. And until these lesserknown issues become as pervasively advocated as marriage equality, I know that my personal advocacy has the potential to push those around me into a space of productive discomfort, allowing them to assess their own capabilities as allies and as stewards of the moral imperative that comes with that responsibility. Being an ally also means listen-
TASTE of TASTE
ing — actively and with intention. There’s great power in being an ally and stepping outside one’s comfort zone, but there’s also great power in listening to, supporting and ensuring that those who are often ignored have a space for their voices to be heard. When it comes to actions and listening, who better than members of the Jewish community to take on the role of steward — to be leaders in pushing past our comfort zones to create positive change? Our experiences and our history have fueled our commitment to fairness, compassion and open-mindedness, values that call on us to fervently denounce injustice. But even more than that, we believe in the importance of action, of tackling this injustice where it lives. The concept of naaseh v’nishmah (do first, understand later) defines Judaism as a tradition of deed rather than intention. It was this tradition that compelled Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel to walk arm in arm with Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma at the height of the civil rights movement. To be sure, the moral imperative to be an ally to the LGTBQ community aligns with the Jewish community and our broader society’s basic appreciation of human dignity, equality and safety. But this truth on its own is not enough to incite the action we need, and it once again prompts the question: though we say we are allies, are we? The answers may push us past our comfort zones and into a place of productive discomfort. That’s a great place to start. ■
GOOD of LIFE GOOD LIFE
Indulge yourself in to our crispy thin dosas or scrumtous curries. We have something to satisfy all tastebuds!
AJT 12
Also check out our other restaurant in Alpharetta ©2015 Mehul Designs
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
MOUTH WATERING INDIAN VEGETARIAN CUISINE
Open 7 days a week • Hours: 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM
Lunch Buffet everyday: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm Take-out lunch buffet available 2179 Lawrenceville Hwy. #A • Decatur, GA 30033
(678) 393 3131 Madras Mantra_Atl Jewish Times Ad 10_15.indd 1
(404) 636 4400
www.MadrasMantra.com • MadrasMantra@gmail.com 10/14/15 4:36 PM
OPINION
Ugly on Campus sassination of dissenters by Hamas, the storming of a school and the slaying of hundreds of defenseless students by the Taliban. It is mystifying that our college campuses respond with profound silence to women who are unempowered, kidnapped and sold into slavery or forced into marriage, who remain forbidden to drive in
Guest Column By Harry Stern
select countries, who are victimized by honor killings and brutalized by gang rapes. Unfortunately, Israel’s current government may be an unwitting contributor to many anti-Zionistic campus demonstrations. That country’s inexorable march to the extreme right on many issues, most notably West Bank settlements, creates easy targets for those intent upon besmirching Israel. When Israel was a new nation, vulnerable and surrounded by a billion neighbors vowing its extinction, it was the darling of the left. The Six-Day War, during which Israel defeated multiple Arab armies poised to annihilate the country, created a dramatic shift in the left intelligentsia’s perception of Israel. Israel then was perceived as a superpower imposing its will on its neighbors. For all of Israel’s extraordinary achievements, often benefitting those vilifying it — desert farming, water purification, solar energy and a high-tech industry second only to Silicon Valley — anti-Semitism regularly bleeds through the veneer of acceptance. The challenge for ameliorating virulent, well-organized campus antiSemitism must be met by a variety of concerted actions, such as the formation of a Jewish Peace Corps vetted, trained and educated to counter the demonic hatred of campus anti-Semitic and anti-Zionistic propaganda. In addition to matching campus demonstrations in size, scope and fervor, the corps should encourage ongoing events by offering an opportunity for dialogue on divergent and equally valid viewpoints regarding the Middle East. No side has the “right” answer. College campuses must become the arena for enlightened, informed and rational dialogue, not one-sided accusations and threats. ■
The future is in your hands. Meet Spencer Brasch, a student at Yeshiva University. On a pre-med track, Spencer is an Honors student pursuing a dual major in biology and music, who also finds time to compete on YU’s NCAA Division I fencing team. His commitment to Torah study is actualized as he delves into shiur with distinguished Roshei Yeshiva in our world class Beit Midrash. Individual attention and career planning are important to him, so Spencer chose Yeshiva University because it enables him to balance his academic goals with his religious commitment. This is the essence of Torah U’Madda and what sets YU apart. Picture yourself at YU. #NowhereButHere
www.yu.edu | 212.960.5277 | yuadmit@yu.edu
www.yu.edu/apply
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
A
number of American college campuses are experiencing well-coordinated anti-Semitic activities that appear to be orchestrated by a nucleus of students augmented by a small contingent of faculty members who espouse similar anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist views. The college experience is a wonderful time to spread one’s wings, expand horizons, and enjoy exposure to new political and philosophical viewpoints. That four-year stint also offers an opportunity to align with a recalcitrant cohort. Students who have every right to advocate political positions as they see fit are too often unaware that many anti-Israel demonstrations have an anti-Semitic agenda as well. During my academic career at Columbia University in the late ’60s and early ’70s, there were endless, tense, sometimes violent campus confrontations. Well-organized supporters of the Black Panthers, extolling virtues of the Red Army Faction of France and other anti-governmental movements, were popular. My student peers and I had no idea what these groups really stood for, nor did we grasp how their revolutionary changes were to be effected. Hearing white, middle-class college students chanting “Allahu Akbar” is not novel. I would guess the great majority of these protesters haven’t visited the Middle East and would benefit from doing so. Firsthand knowledge would add a helpful perspective. My family and I lived in Israel for six years. My wife and I had coffee regularly in Tulkarem and Qalqilya, now hotbeds of West Bank terror activity. When my parents came to visit, I thought nothing of taking them for a picnic outside Gaza. It was never Kumbaya, but there seemed to be hope. Current events in the Middle East have blurred that hope and have contaminated some college campuses with a rabidly anti-Semitic philosophy. Perhaps most unfathomable is the dearth of college demonstrations reviling the depravity that fills so many newspapers. The New York Times, identifying the subhuman abuse of Boko Haram, wrote: “Forced marriage, slavery and imprisonment are vital institutions for the militants and casually meted-out death is common.” Our media constantly report on the barbarism of Islamic State, the as-
AJT 13
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
LOCAL NEWS
Cleared of Christ Killing
Catholic Church, Jewish community celebrate 50 years of improving relations By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com
T
he prejudice, hatred and violence suffered over centuries because of one belief — “the Jews killed Christ” — is incalculable. Perhaps you have heard it stated as a matter of fact, something learned as part of a Christian education or used as a curse — “Christ-killer” — directed at an individual Jew or the Jewish people in general. Not until 50 years ago did the Catholic Church, which accounts for half the world’s Christians, acknowledge and repudiate this aspect of its history and doctrine. On Oct. 28, 1965, Pope Paul VI put into effect a relatively brief document, approved 2,221-88 by bishops participating the Second Vatican Council. In English, it was the “Declaration on the Relation of the Church With NonChristian Religions.” In Latin, it was called Nostra Aetate: “In Our Time.”
By 2015 standards, the language in Nostra Aetate feels mild and understated. What’s not included in its 1,600 words is as noteworthy as what is. A look back is necessary to understand what made Nostra Aetate groundbreaking and why Atlanta’s Jewish and Catholic communities will mark its 50th anniversary together. In 1965, World War II was just 20 years past, and debate continued over whether Pope Pius XII had done all within his power to protect Jews during the Holocaust. Israel, founded in the wake of the Holocaust, was 17 years old and had fought two wars with its Arab neighbors. Five years earlier, the United States had elected a Catholic president for the first time. The civil rights movement was challenging the status quo in America, and within a few years the existing order in nations around the world would be targeted by a younger generation. Nostra Aetate represented change.
The church now allowed that truths could be found in other religions. The Jews as a people no longer were to be blamed for the death of Christ. AntiSemitism was rejected as having any support from church doctrine. Though not directly addressed, efforts to convert Jews eased. These are the basics of what will be celebrated Wednesday, Oct. 28, at the Ferst Center for the Arts in an event co-sponsored by the American Jewish Committee and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta. For Catholic and Jewish clergy and communal leaders, the atmosphere created by Nostra Aetate was as important as its substance. “We have in this event an oppor-
tunity to praise G-d for the reset button that Nostra Aetate was for Jews and Catholics the world over,” Archbishop Wilton Daniel Gregory said during an interview in his office at the Smyrna headquarters of the Archdiocese of Atlanta. “From my perspective, it depends on the part of the world that you’re living in. I am very proud and very encouraged by the level of dialogue, friendship, interaction, collaboration that we in Atlanta have with our Jewish brothers and sisters. It could be strengthened. It should be strengthened. I hope it will be strengthened. But I give great thanks for its intensity and its vibrancy today.” “We are celebrating what we’ve gone through as a community,” said
What: Nostra Aetate celebration Where: Ferst Center for the Arts, 349 Ferst Drive, Midtown, on the Georgia Tech campus When: 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 Tickets: $15 plus $4 in service fees; peotest.ad.gatech.edu/PEO/show.asp
Dr. Seth Yellin
, lASER & AESTHETICS CENTER
Expert. Artisan. Educator.
“My patient’s happiness is what matters most.” Dr. Yellin
→ → → →
Before
After
Over 20 years of cosmetic facial surgery experience Over 10,000 facial cosmetic procedures performed Impeccable safety record Top facial plastic surgeon, Guide to America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumer Research Council (2011-present) → Trained at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. → Former Chief, Facial Plastic Surgery, Emory Healthcare (1999-2011) ... and member of Congregation Or Hadash, accomplished drummer and chef.
Dr. Yellin’s patient on whom he performed complete facial rejuvenation: injectable facial volume, upper eyelid blepharoplasty, lower eyelid tightening, a lower face and neck lift and CO2 laser skin resurfacing.
Call today to schedule a personalized consultation
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
770-425-7575
AJT 14
Marietta Facial Plastic Surgery, Laser & Aesthetics Center
111 Marble Mill Road NW, Marietta, GA 30060 www. MariettaFacialPlastics.com In partnership with Marietta Dermatology Associates Serving Greater Atlanta since 1970
Seth A. Yellin, MD, FACS Founder and Director
$50 OFF Any Service Performed by Dr. Yellin
LOCAL NEWS
Cantor Lauren Furman Adesnik listens while Rabbi Scott Colbert speaks to a gathering of Catholics and Jews held at Temple Emanu-El in May in honor of Nostra Aetate.
Mah Tov.’ The song was recorded on a Davis Academy album, and the recorded version has kids from both schools. The song was inspired by the interfaith partnership and the goals that it aspires to,” said Rabbi Micah Lapidus, Davis’ director of Jewish and Hebrew studies. One of two adult choirs combines singers from the Zimria Festivale Atlanta, Temple Emanu-El, Temple Beth Tikvah, Congregation Beth Shalom and The Temple. This Jewish ensemble, performing a “Hinei Mah Tov” medley and “Hallelujah (Psalm 150),” is organized and conducted by Cantor Lauren Furman Adesnik of Temple Emanu-El and Zimria director and conductor Amy Thropp. The third choir, performing “Ubi Caritas,” features singers from All Saints Catholic Church and the Catholic Shrine of the Immaculate Conception under the direction of Donal P. Noonan and Bernie Sotola. The adult choirs will join to sing “The Lord Is My Light” and “We Are Marching.” Veteran Atlanta theater director Mira Hirsch and actor Chris Moses are directing a theatrical presentation titled “More Than Hope,” in which four actors — Moses, Clayton Landey, Pamela Gold Alexander and Kathleen McManus — will read excerpts from Nostra Aetate along with the words of historical figures and members of the committee planning the event. “We need to know our history as Jews in relation to other religious and cultural communities … to know why the Nostra Aetate was necessary,” said Hirsch, a member of The Temple. “We didn’t always have this collegial Continued Next Page
The future is in your hands. Meet Lee Sahar, a current student at Yeshiva University. Pursuing degrees in Accounting and Finance, this summer Lee interned at the New York accounting firm Cohn-Reznick. A member of YU’s Business Leadership and Finance clubs, Lee also enjoys tutoring fellow students, and participates in a mentorship program through Deloitte. Career preparation is very important to Lee. She chose Yeshiva University because it enables her to balance academic goals with her religious commitment, offering her the dual curriculum in Jewish and General studies. This is the essence of Torah U’Madda and what sets YU apart. Picture yourself at YU. #NowhereButHere
www.yu.edu | 212.960.5277 | yuadmit@yu.edu
www.yu.edu/apply
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Dov Wilker, the Southeast regional director of the AJC. “In 1965, nobody thought this was possible. This was not something people thought would ever happen, that there would be any sort of apology, any sort of condemnation of anti-Semitism, any sort of idea that there would be a positive relationship between the Catholic Church and … while they say other non-Christian religions, for us it’s about the Jewish community. That’s one thing we are celebrating; that’s how far we have been able to come.” Another, Wilker said, is “how we hope things will continue in a positive manner.” The event will feature remarks by Archbishop Gregory and Rabbi James Rudin, the AJC’s senior adviser on interreligious affairs and founder of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at St. Leo University. The program will include performances by the Amazing Grace Dance Company and a dance troupe from the Weber School. “We are proud and honored that the Weber School, represented by our student dance team, will participate in this important event that recognizes the anniversary of Nostra Aetate, a breakthrough in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Jewish community,” said Rabbi Ed Harwitz, Weber’s head of school. Three choirs will participate. One is composed of students from the Davis Academy (Jewish) and the Marist School (Catholic). The schools have an ongoing relationship: Their eighthgraders participate in interfaith dialogue and community service projects. “The song that will be sung at the Nostra event is an original song that I wrote based on the teaching ‘Hinei
AJT 15
LOCAL NEWS I N T R O D U C I N G
3 4 35 K I NG SB ORO ROA D,
N O.
70 4
3 BEDROOMS | 2 BATHROOMS | FMLS 5603134 | OFFERED FOR $399,900 This amazing condo is perfect for anyone, especially if you are downsizing. Enjoy the convenient location to Phipps Plaza, Lenox Square, Target and Publix. This gracious and overly spacious condo boasts three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The kitchen and the spa-like master bathroom have been totally remodeled with unparalleled quality including Siematic cabinets and Hansgrohe fixtures.
DIANNE HARNELL COHEN c. 404.313.7300 o. 404.237.5000 dharnellcohen@atlantafinehomes.com atlantafinehomes.com | sothebysrealty.com
©MMXV Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Atlanta History Center
from Hollywood to Nuremberg
Through November 20, 2015 Hollywood directors John Ford, George Stevens, and Samuel Fuller created American cinema classics, but their most important contribution to history was their work in the U.S. Armed Forces and Secret Services.
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
An exhibition by the Mémorial de la Shoah, Paris, France.
AJT 16
AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Filming
George Stevens and his crew, France, 1944 © Courtesy of the Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA
filming
John Ford Samuel Fuller George Stevens
relationship because of ideas within the church that led to a lot of misunderstanding.” Its anniversary aside, Nostra Aetate is little known or discussed in the Jewish community. “This is a tremendous success that we take for granted,” Wilker said. “My hope is that by educating more people about it, they will be more thoughtful about our relationships with other denominations and other religions and why are we able to have interfaith, interreligious dialogue with all of these groups.” When work began on Nostra Aetate “I am very proud and very encouraged by the level as part of the Second of dialogue, friendship, interaction, collaboration Vatican Council, conthat we in Atlanta have with our Jewish brothers vened in 1962 by Pope and sisters,” Archbishop Wilton Gregory says. John XXIII, it was enmeaning Christians, and “Abraham’s visioned as a document clarifying the stock,” the Jews. church’s position toward the Jewish In the sixth paragraph of this secpeople. tion, the document addresses the core The AJC was involved from the issue: responsibility for the death of outset in discreet conversations with Jesus. church officials. A key participant was “True, the Jewish authorities and the scholar Rabbi Abraham Joshua Hethose who followed their lead pressed schel. for the death of Christ; still, what hapAn early draft was titled “Decree pened in His passion cannot be charged on the Jews,” but by the time the docuagainst all the Jews, without distincment was completed, it had been extion, then alive, nor against the Jews of panded to reference Catholic relations today. Although the Church is the new with Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. The title “In Our Time” was meant people of G-d, the Jews should not be to show that the church wanted to set presented as rejected or accursed by a marker with the document’s prom- G-d, as if this followed from the Holy ulgation and move forward from that Scriptures,” Nostra Aetate declares. Then comes the statement on point, said Cory Labrecque, co-director anti-Semitism: “Furthermore, in her of Catholic studies at Emory Univerrejection of every persecution against sity. any man, the Church, mindful of the “Nostra Aetate reminds that the patrimony she shares with the Jews church of the Second Vatican Council and moved not by political reasons but was reading the signs of the time — by the Gospel’s spiritual love, decries civil rights movements, heightened athatred, persecutions, displays of antitention to injustice and inequality of Semitism, directed against Jews at any many kinds, the resurgence of globaltime and by anyone.” ization in the shadow of World War II, Nostra Aetate “introduced a new etc. — as an indication that there was concept of reconciliation between Jews pressing need for an aggiornamento,” or bringing up to date, said Labrecque, and Christians. We call it in Hebrew an the Raymond F. Schinazi Scholar in opportunity to teshuvah, the opporbioethics and religious thought and the tunity of redemption,” Rabbi Analia director of the master’s program in bio- Bortz of Congregation Or Hadash said when she spoke Aug. 11 to a forum on ethics at the Emory Center for Ethics. In the 600 words of its fourth sec- anti-Semitism held at the United Nation, Nostra Aetate speaks of the ties tions in New York. Rabbi Bortz ticked off a list of antibetween people of the “New Covenant,”
LOCAL NEWS Semitic incidents from history to make her point. “Unfortunately, throughout history, hatred and bigotry have been based on ignorance. Once again, ignorance breeds fear, fear breeds prejudice, prejudice breeds hate, and hate breeds violence.” Groundbreaking as it was, Nostra Aetate includes much with which Jews could find fault: • It contains no mea culpa (“through my fault” in Latin), no apology, for injuries suffered by the Jews over two millennia. • The word “deicide” is not used in removing collective blame for Jesus’ death. • There is no mention of Israel. (The Vatican did not formally recognize Israel until 1993. Pope John Paul II visited Israel in 2000.) • There is no mention of the Holocaust, even though Christian theology was twisted to provide a religious underpinning to the Nazis’ effort to exterminate the Jews of Europe. Nostra Aetate was an acknowledgment of past wrongs and reflected a desire to recast Catholic thinking about the Jews, Labrecque said. “Although this is not an apology for wrongdoing, neglect, passivity, silence or failure by ‘the sons and daughters of the church,’ especially in ‘the hour of darkness,’ that we would see with St. Pope John Paul II’s reflection of the Shoah in 1998, the declaration affirms abhorrence for ‘persecutions … directed against Jews at any time and by anyone,’ actions that are ultimately ‘foreign to the mind of Christ.’ ” Archbishop Gregory recalled a meeting in Rome a few years ago at which he represented the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It was clear that responding to the Holocaust remained a sensitive issue, “especially in the European countries, where the Holocaust took place and where there are still people, elderly people, people who are the family members and survivors
of the Holocaust, where the hurt is still too present.” Archbishop Gregory offered a different perspective on the issue of apologizing for historical wrongs. “I sit here talking to you as a Jew, as a Catholic. But I want to switch hats. I’m now an African-American man, and you’re a Caucasian man,” he said. “My people endured slavery, and so the question is how do we look at our past, acknowledge it, and what constitutes an appropriate mea culpa. … We certainly do have to apologize. … For example, in the Jubilee year of 2000, John Paul II did speak of the sin of antiSemitism that has pervaded Christianity too long.” In Nostra Aetate, anti-Semitism is “decried.” Stronger language came in October 1974, when the Vatican Commission for Religious Relations With the Jews issued guidelines for implementing Nostra Aetate, affirming “that the spiritual bonds and historical links binding the Church to Judaism condemn (as opposed to the very spirit of Christianity) all forms of anti-Semitism and discrimination.” Nostra Aetate neither disavowed nor endorsed efforts to convert Jews to Christianity. The document states that “the Church awaits that day, known to G-d alone, on which all peoples will address the Lord in a single voice and ‘serve him shoulder to shoulder.’ ” Archbishop Gregory acknowledged that conversion remains a touchy subject. “The policy on conversion would be this,” he said. “That we as Catholics respect the religious heritage and faith of our Jewish brothers and sisters. However, as Catholics, we also accept our responsibility, as followers of Jesus Christ, to proclaim that faith and to announce it. So that, while we can talk to each other, we have to talk to each other both from the conviction of our faith in Christ and in respect to Continued Next Page
The future is now. Visit today. Women’s Open House and Israel Fair Sunday, November 15, 2015 Stern College for Women Sy Syms School of Business Beren Campus Men’s Open House and Israel Fair Sunday, November 22, 2015 Yeshiva College Sy Syms School of Business Wilf Campus
www.yu.edu | 212.960.5277 | yuadmit@yu.edu
Rabbi Analia Bortz, who says Nostra Aetate opened a “new concept of reconciliation between Jews and Christians,” speaks at a forum on anti-Semitism held at the United Nations in August.
www.yu.edu/apply
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
RSVP at www.yu.edu/open-house
AJT 17
APPLIANCE REPAIR
ALL Major appliances & brands washer, dryers & refrigerators
ALL WORK GUARANTEED
ovens, stoves & dishwashers Garbage disposals 30 Years Experience
FREE
SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR OR $25 SERVICE CHARGE
Call Kevin 24/7
770.885.9210
appliancerepair.kevin@gmail.com
Servicing All of Metro Atlanta
THE SONENSHINE TEAM Atlanta’s Favorite Real Estate Team
DEBBIE SONENSHINE STAR NEWMAN KATIE GALLOW Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Internationally Certified Negotiator, Luxury, New Homes and Corporate Relocation Specialist #1 Sales Associate in Sandy Springs Office Voted Favorite Jewish Realtor in AJT, Best of Jewish Atlanta
#1 Team Coldwell Banker Atlanta
LOCAL NEWS www.atlantajewishtimes.com the Jewish community that we see as our elder brothers and sisters. … For some Catholics, the issue of respecting the religious heritage and covenantal relationship that Jews have with the Lord, it confuses them. That we can’t speak of Christ? Of course we can speak of Christ. And we must speak of Christ and His salvific role we believe as redeemer, but simultaneously respecting that unique relationship that our Jewish brothers and sisters have with the Lord as his first chosen people.” As chairman of its Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Gregory was a signatory to an Oct. 2, 2009, “Statement of Principles for Catholic-Jewish Dialogue,” issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. It clarified, in response to concerns voiced by Jewish leaders, that “JewishCatholic dialogue, one of the blessed fruits of the Second Vatican Council, has never been and will never be used by the Catholic Church as a means of proselytism — nor is it a disguised invitation to baptism.” Nostra Aetate remains controversial with Catholics who feel it retreated from the tradition of proselytizing to all non-Christians, regardless of their beliefs. The idea that any non-Christian, particularly the Jews (given their role in Jesus’ death), would be exempt rankles conservative Catholics, who claim, most often citing the Gospel of Matthew, that Nostra Aetate violates Scripture holding that Jews are to be rejected by G-d. Also troubling for Jews is the reference to the people of the “New Covenant,” as if it supersedes the “old” covenant of the Jewish people with G-d. Labrecque said this “New Covenant” should not be interpreted to mean the Old Testament is a mere prologue to the New Testament, a case of “out with the old, in with the new.” “It does refer to what St. John Paul II said in a very forceful way, that G-d
does not rescind His covenant. That’s post-Nostra Aetate,” the archbishop said. “What John Paul II said is that G-d is faithful to his covenant. Now, from a Catholic point of view, we look at that and say, yes, that G-d has committed himself to His people, but from our perspective as Catholics, as Christians, we believe that there is a covenant that He established in Christ, which will be completed in time without the violation of the earlier covenant. They will come to a reconciliation that is respectful of the initial promise.” While Nostra Aetate as a statement of policy applies to more than 1.1 billion Catholics worldwide, it does not apply to the 1.1 billion non-Catholic Christians. “Catholicism has a well-developed theological history, as does Judaism. Some of the other Christian traditions, born out of a political, social structure that is not as historically long as Catholicism, may not look at that heritage and look at that reality in the same way. … Not all Catholics have reached that,” Archbishop Gregory said. Wilker credits the church with reach beyond its realm. “Nostra Aetate influenced the other mainline Protestant denominations. By their condemnation of anti-Semitism, it is sort of helping the larger tent of the Christian community.” Even with Nostra Aetate, long-held beliefs can be resistant to change. A survey done in October 2013 by the Anti-Defamation League (1,200 Americans contacted by telephone) found that 26 percent of respondents believed that the Jews were responsible for the death of Christ, down from 31 percent in 2011. Catholics, like Jews, have experienced prejudice in the South. Both were targets of the Ku Klux Klan, reconstituted in 1915 by some of those who took part in the lynching of Leo Frank. “There’s something that we as
Debbie Sells Houses
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Rare One Level Contemporary Ranch on Over 1 Acre with Finished Basement!!
AJT 18
• Custom Built with Steel Beams and Extra Thick Walls, Then Totally Renovated in 2003- Solid Construction! • Enormous Great Room with Cherry Floors and Floor to Ceiling Stone Fireplace • Chef’s Kitchen with SubZero Fridge, Gaggenau Ovens, Granite & Breakfast Room • Screen Porch & Wet Bar on Main • Elevator Allows for Easy Access to Both Floors
Sandy Springs $1,200,000
• Master on Main Suite with Luxurious Bath & Amazing Custom Closet • Terrace Level with In-Law Suite, 2nd Kitchen, Wet Bar, Gym, Sauna, Hot Tub, Rec Room & More! • Stunning Backyard with Garden, Pond, Sitting Area and Level Grassy Area • Energy Efficient, High Tech Security & Lighting and Sep Water Meter for Irrigation • Heards Ferry/ Ridgeview/Riverwood
direct 404.250.5311 office 404.252.4908
Debbie@SonenshineTeam.com | www.SonenshineTeam.com ©2014 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Operated By a Subsidiary of NRT LLC.
“In 1965, nobody thought this was possible,” AJC Atlanta Director Dov Wilker says.
Catholics and Jews in Atlanta share. We’re both minorities in a largely Protestant environment,” Archbishop Gregory said. “We were living in a world where we were clearly a minority presence, and so that kind of drove us together. We were kind of comrades of arms in a number of ways, including living in segregated times.” Monsignor Henry Gracz of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, who this year celebrated his 50th year in the priesthood, told the Georgia Bulletin, an archdiocese newspaper, that the relationship forged during the 1960s between Atlanta’s first archbishop, Paul Hallinan, and Rabbi Jacob Rothschild of The Temple, based on mutual support of the civil rights movement, created a foundation for Jewish-Catholic ties that endures today. On a national basis, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops began informal conversations with the Jewish community in 1966, the year after Nostra Aetate was issued. The connection was formalized in 1977 with the start of biannual meetings with the Synagogue Council of America, which represented the Orthodox, Conservative and Reform movements. A decade later, separate dialogue tracks were created between the bishops and what became the National Council of Synagogues (representing the Conservative, Reform and Reconstructionist movements) and with the Orthodox Union and Rabbinical Council of America (representing Orthodox Judaism). Archbishop Gregory served for a time as the bishop conference’s moderator in dialogue with the National Council of Synagogues. He said his predecessors “have been sitting down at the table of fellowship and friendship for a long time. And it doesn’t mean that every conversation is smooth and without bumps, but it’s like an old friendship. The older the friendship is, the more capable it is of enduring bumps and disagreements. A new friendship is still rather fragile, and so the dialogue partners are kind of eyeing each other up, but after 50 years and more they’ve laid a solid foundation.” According to the most recent numbers from the Pew Research Center for Religion & Public Life, those 1.1 billion Catholics are 16 percent of the total global population. Jews are 0.2 percent. An estimated 50.9 million Catholics make up 20.8 percent of the U.S. population, while 5.7 million Jews are 1.9 percent, according to the 2014 U.S. Religious Landscape Study by the Pew Continued Next Page
PRESENTING SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
Barbara and Ed Mendel
BRONZE SPONSORS
IN-KIND SPONSORS OFFICIAL TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER
+ PN FF
®
GOLD SPONSOR
The Eva & George Stern Family
The Zaban Foundation
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
LOCAL NEWS
AJT 19
Promote your company, your brand and your message with Promotional Products that leave a LASTING IMPRESSION!
Corporate apparel - T-shirts, jackets, hats and more Office Products - Paper Stacks, Letter Openers, Battery Chargers and more Food Gifts - cookie assortments, food baskets, cheese trays and more Coffee Mugs, Cups and Travel Mugs Banners Signs of all types
www.idealimageworks.com John Cohen 678-641-7848 johns.cohen@gmail.com
Nancy Cohen 678-641-7838 nancyhy.cohen@comcast.net
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Steve Joffre 404-421-5226 srjoffre@gmail.com
AJT 20
LOCAL NEWS Research Center. In the state of Georgia, 9 percent of the population is Catholic, and 1 percent is Jewish, compared with evangelical Protestants at 38 percent, mainline white Protestants at 12 percent and historically black Protestants at 17 percent. According to the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s 2006 community study, an estimated 120,000 Jews live in the metropolitan Atlanta area, about 2.5 percent of the 10-county metro population. The archdiocese covers an area of 69 counties, encompassing north and much of central Georgia, while the extended province of the archbishop also includes the dioceses of Charleston, Savannah, Raleigh and Charlotte. There was a time when the Jewish and Catholic populations of the Atlanta area were similar. In 1960, the Jewish population was estimated at 14,500, and a year earlier the number of Catholics was pegged at more than 24,400. By 1980, when the Jewish population had increased to 27,500, there were nearly 100,000 Catholics. A decade later, there were some 160,000 Catholics, compared with a 1992 estimate of 70,000 Jews. The greatest growth in the Catholic population has come in the past decade, from an estimated 368,100 in 2006 to some 1.1 million today, spurred by an influx of immigrants. An estimated 11 percent of Atlanta-area residents now are Catholic. According to the archdiocese, an estimated 45 percent of local Catholics are Hispanic and 36 percent are non-Hispanic and white, with the remaining 19 percent AfricanAmerican, Asian, Pacific Rim and other ethnicities. The 67-year-old Gregory was installed as archbishop of Atlanta in January 2005, his appointment having been announced in December 2004 by Pope John Paul II. His previous pastoral post was as the bishop of Belleville, Ill. He served as the president of the bishop conference for three years, beginning in November 2001, a challenging period that included the burgeoning scandal of sexual abuse of minors by priests. Of Catholic-Jewish relations locally, he said: “From my humble experience, I’d like to say they are good; they’re thriving. I wish they were rich-
er. Because it’s one thing for me as the archbishop to speak with my dialogue partners in the Jewish community. It’s another thing for the local communities, for the local pastor and the local rabbi to know each other and to be friends. So the dialogue exists on that official level of the official authorities and then on the local level of the neighbors and the local pastors.” An example of the latter would be a program held in May when about 150 members of Temple Emanu-El, a Reform congregation in Sandy Springs, hosted clergy and about 100 parishioners of nearby All Saints for a program that was educational and social. “When it came down to answering questions, I think that what confused the Catholic community was the sectionalism in the Jewish community. I made it very clear that this was a Reform congregation,” Rabbi Scott Colbert said. “Likewise, our people were taken aback because they see Catholics in a very monolithic way and came to find that there are both liberal and conservative Catholics and that there is some variation within the church and the practices of the church,” Rabbi Colbert said. “Hopefully, out of this there will be greater cooperation between religious denominations to solve some of the social issues in our communities,” he said. Nostra Aetate was only one part of the changes wrought by the Second Vatican Council. Among the most noteworthy were that priests began celebrating Mass in the languages of the country where they served (rather than in Latin), priests faced their congregations (leading to greater interaction with worshippers), and many nuns exchanged their habits for civilian clothing. At the same time, Catholic clergy in the United States engaged publicly, often risking arrest, in such issues as the rights of African-Americans and workers and against the war in Vietnam. A history written for the AJC of discussions that led to Nostra Aetate explained how the document came to be extended beyond Catholic-Jewish relations to include, in particular, Muslims. “For many Arab leaders, any demonstrative sign of consideration on the part of the Church toward the Jews would be tantamount to an expression
“The way we as Jews view this post-Nostra Aetate world is a little different than our Catholic counterparts.” — Mira Hirsch
LOCAL NEWS
Ultimately, it’s your experience that matters. To be sure, we’re proud of our 27 years of experience in senior living. But, to us, what really matters is your experience at our communities. We do everything with that idea clearly in mind. So, go ahead, enjoy yourself with great social opportunities and amenities. Savor fine dining every day. And feel assured that assisted living services are always available if needed. We invite you to experience The Piedmont for yourself at a complimentary lunch and tour. Please call 404.496.5492 to schedule.
Ask about our Assisted Living services.
Supportive services are available at The Piedmont. See how a little help can give you so much peace of mind.
I n de p e n de n t & A s s i s t e d L i v i ng P r e v iou s ly k now n a s T h e H a l l m a r k
650 Phipps Boulevard NE • Atlanta, GA www.ThePiedmontatBuckhead.com • 404.496.5492 OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
of support for the State of Israel, which tives of the Jewish and Catholic comhad been established only fifteen years munities differ when it comes to Nostra before the launch of Vatican II,” Gary Aetate. Spruch wrote in “Wide Horizons: Abra“It’s more a perspective of how we ham Joshua Heschel, AJC, and the Spirit work within our religions. As a Jewish of Nostra Aetate.” community, we reflect a lot because we “During the course of Vatican II, have a lot to reflect on, and we have the pressure from these groups was had all of our experiences,” Wilker very real, and included the distribution said. “My perception of the Catholic to participants, on a few occasions, of Church is that they, and in Catholicism viciously anti-Semitic literature. In as a whole, it’s more about looking foraddition, the government of Gamal ward, and while there is reflection, it’s Abdul Nasser, then president of Egypt, reflection to look forward, where in the was busy spreading the message that a Jewish community we reflect to under‘world Zionist plot’ had been hatched to stand, to think. That’s a very big differtake advantage of Vatican II.” ence between In the how we view third section of things.” the document, “The way preceding the we as Jews part dealing view this with the Jews, p o s t - No s t r a Nostra Aetate Aetate world declares that is a little dif“over the centuferent than ries many quarour Cathorels and dislic countersensions have parts,” thearisen between ater director Christians and Hirsch said. Muslims. The “While we sacred counall view it as cil now pleads a wonderful with all to forera in the reget the past, lationship,” and urges that the Catholic a sincere efinstitutional fort be made to focus is on achieve mutual the present understanding; and future, for the benDavis Academy Rabbi Micah Lapidus will whereas the efit of all, let direct children from the Davis Academy and Jews cannot them together Marist School in a performance of his version help but look of “Hinei Mah Tov,” which they also sing preserve and together on the Davis CD “A Palace in Time.” back “to unpromote peace, derstand the liberty, social significance of where we are now.” justice and moral values.” One aspect of where we are now A single reference is made to Hinis with Pope Francis, who is known for duism and Buddhism, emphasizing areas of mutuality, as with the Jews and having had warm relations with the Muslims, rather than points of differ- Jewish community in his native Argenence or conflict (such as the Spanish tina. Inquisition or the Crusades). During the pope’s recent trip to Asked to identify one of those the United States, his friend Rabbi “bumps” that remain in the wider Abraham Skorka of Argentina was in Catholic-Jewish relationship, Archbish- Philadelphia for the dedication of a op Gregory pointed to the Middle East. statue, “Synagoga and Ecclesia in Our “I think it would be our evaluation of Time,” at St. Joseph’s University, dethe situation in Israel with the Pales- signed to mark the 50th anniversary of tinians and the Israeli government Nostra Aetate as a repudiation of antibecause many of the Palestinians, or Semitism. some of the Palestinians, are Christian. Pope Francis made an unschedAnd so we’ve got to keep talking to each uled stop at St. Joseph’s to bless the other about how we can respect Israel’s statue. On the pedestal of the statue are right to a national identity as well as his words: “There exists a rich complethe rights of the Palestinian people to a mentarity between the Church and the homeland. That’s a big bump.” Jewish people that allows us to help one Even 50 years later, the perspec- another mine the riches of G-d’s word. ■
AJT 21
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
LOCAL NEWS
Film Helps Spill Black-Jewish Emotions By Cole Seidner
A
n emphasis on having the holy chutzpah to challenge the system ran through an event previewing a documentary about Spill the Honey at The Temple on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Spill the Honey — the organization and the documentary — focuses on the connection between the African-American community and its ex-
perience with slavery and the Jewish community and the Holocaust. The panel discussion that night included Dartmouth College professor Susannah Heschel, whose father, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, famously walked arm in arm with Martin Luther King Jr. in Alabama in 1965. Reports of racism running rampant have blasted on the news and social media since Trayvon Martin was killed in 2012, but little has changed
beyond the chatter at the coffee table. Last year’s Ferguson riots brought the anger to the surface, but policies haven’t been created to bring police brutality to an end. The name of Spill the Honey comes from when founder Shari Rogers went to Israel and met a Holocaust survivor who led her and her group on a tour of Yad Vashem. He told a story of his mother shoving a pot of honey into his arms, telling him to “take it, be sweet and survive” as the Nazis separated them. For Rogers, the honey was most similar to the wine on Shabbat, when the cup is filled until it overflows and spills. The wine is similar to hope and knowledge. If anyone has ever given hope, it was King. He guided the nonviolent civil rights movement and, as Rogers strives to remind everyone, was aided by many Jews. The documentary Spill the Honey is creating, also named “Spill the Honey,” is meant to remind everyone of when Rabbi Heschel and other Jews walked in Selma and the supportive relationship King had with the community. There were some technical difficulties in getting the documentary to play, but it remained inspirational. While it hadn’t been edited or colorcorrected, viewers could see the tears on the interviewees’ faces and the emotion behind the stories. A notable problem is that those
who were in the civil rights movement are dying out, and the new generation is not connected emotionally to their stories. The discussion at The Temple was impassioned, addressing what King wanted for everyone and how the two communities used to be entwined. What may have started as a simple debate over the differences between “black lives matter” and “all lives matter” turned to the communities of Morehouse and Spelman. Heschel discussed ways to help college towns, but a woman in the audience thought it could be offensive to imply that college towns are unable to fix things on their own. “We have both survived slavery, and we are both still here,” said a man in the audience. “They are killing us dead in the street. … This is an indictment to bring us back together.” He added, “If we don’t do something in this room and spill the honey, then everything falls.” The passion in the room was tangible after that small speech, though it might not end up in the documentary because the cameras in the room remained on the panel of the Rev. C.T. Vivian, the Rev. Gerald L. Durley, former American Jewish Committee Southeast Regional Director Sherry Frank, Heschel and Roger. The documentary succeeded in starting the conversation on improving the two communities’ relationship and in reminding attendees that once we were strong together. ■
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Bach Collegium of Japan
AJT 22
BCJ AJT Ad.indd 1
Sunday, November 11, 2015 • 3:00 PM
www.SpiveyHall.org 10/7/2015 1:45:14 PM
Photo by Cole Seidner Susannah Heschel (left) joins Spill the Honey head Shari Rogers at the documentary preview at The Temple on Tuesday, Oct. 13.
LOCAL NEWS
Racism Defies Salvation Est. 1989
By Kevin Madigan kmadigan@atljewishtimes.com
D
artmouth College professor and author Susannah Heschel warned her audience from the start not to expect much from her keynote address Wednesday night, Oct. 14, for an Emory University conference the next day on race and Jewish ethics. “The truth is,” she said, “I think you’re going to be disappointed in this lecture. I’ll tell you why. We come to discussions on racism with hope and a longing for redemption, a longing to be purified of an aspect of ourselves in society that most of us find embarrassing, corrupting, horrifying and certainly unethical. If we didn’t share that longing for redemption from racism, you probably wouldn’t have come to this lecture tonight.” Heschel, whose work at Dartmouth focuses on Jewish-Christian relations in Germany during the 19th and 20th centuries, said that examining racism is not like examining other academic topics. “We seek not only analysis and understanding. We seek change, and that is hard for an academic to accomplish. Moreover, each examination of racism doesn’t bring a solution, a conclusion, but simply leads us to the next step. There’s constantly so much more that we want to recognize, analyze and unpack because racism is so tenacious and also because it’s slippery, elusive. It’s chameleonlike.” The daughter of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, who stood on the front lines of the civil rights movement with Martin Luther King Jr., spoke under the auspices of Emory’s Tam Institute for Jewish Studies and Center for Ethics. She focused on the difficulties of defining racism and why the subject inevitably raises more questions than answers. Americans repudiate racism in society, and many hold the view that they are above it while claiming to have solved the problem, Heschel said. “It’s striking that so many wellmeaning liberals retain a binary view of being either good or being racist because surely the situation is far more complex,” she said. “Despite the debunking of racial theory and the horrors of what was a race war called World War II, racism continues to dominate the globe, and it’s precisely its ability to conceal itself or to seduce onlookers into distract-
ing formulations that is one of the key markers of racism. Another factor in its persistence is the intertwining of racism with many things, including with religion.” Susannah Heschel Heschel cited Vincent Lloyd, an assistant professor of religion at Syracuse University, who argues that racism has become a form of secularized religion. She recommended a book called “Between the World and Me” as indispensable reading on the subject and compared author Ta-Nehisi Coates to James Baldwin. “Coates astutely observes that race is the child of racism, not the father,” Heschel said. “Racism’s disavowal of its own historicity is precisely what’s essential to its power. The Black Panthers were feared and despised in their day but gave us great things. Racism is not a modern invention, just as anti-Semitism did not begin for the first time in 15th-century Spain, as we were taught. We had plenty of racist rhetoric in the Middle Ages and before.” Coates argues that there has been a decriminalization of the image of black people. “A Willie Horton ad would not work right now,” Heschel said, referring to an ad seen as crucial to George H.W. Bush’s victory in the 1988 presidential election against Michael Dukakis. “Thanks largely to President Obama, the blatant racist is an unattractive figure. We no longer pass around postcard photographs of lynching as souvenirs. “Instead we have cellphone videos of police shooting African-Americans in the back. But of course people are racist in other ways. It’s the central topic in the United States today.” So why is racism so tenacious? “We repudiate it, yet it still coils around our minds deeply,” she said. Henry Smith, a psychoanalyst, pondered: “Do our earliest primitive defenses split our objects into the feared and the safe, the loved and the hated, the envied and the denigrated, the rejected and interjected, in endless repetitions?” ■
Voted Top 10 Salons in Atlanta!!
10 Gift Certificate
$
For Services Only
Bring this ad and get a $10 Gift Certificate to use towards services. Services include: cuts, color, waxing and spa services. Book your experience today!! 770.993.0058
www.josephandfriends.com Sandy Springs . Roswell . Johns Creek . Milton . Cumming . valid until Dec.31
PENDING SALE
4 Bedroom & 4.5 Bath Home Nestled in an Exclusive Enclave 4415 Highgrove Pointe | Offered for $779,900
exclusively marketed by
SANDY ABRAMS
When only the best will do! Cell: 404-281-0097 Office: 404-233-4142 sandy.abrams@harrynorman.com
532 East Paces Ferry Road, Suite 200 | Betsy Franks, Senior Vice-President & Managing Broker | www.HarryNorman.com The above information is believed to be accurate but not warranted. Offer subject to changes, errors, and omissions without notice.
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Heschel expresses frustration at evil
AJT 23
LOCAL NEWS www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Light Up Dunwoody Staying at Farmhouse By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com
L
ess than a week after announcing plans to move Light Up Dunwoody in response to a ban on religious symbols, the Dunwoody Homeowners Association has decided that it will keep the annual celebration at the Spruill Farmhouse. Religious symbols are still banned from the event by the Dunwoody
Preservation Trust, which owns the farmhouse, but the DHA will move its 35-foot-tall Christmas tree and 6-foottall menorah across the street from the farmhouse, in front of the Dunwoody Animal Hospital. Santa Claus and reindeer will still be part of the DHA’s programming. The Preservation Trust views those only as cultural symbols. “Santa and reindeer are secular traditions of Christmas and not reli-
gious symbols,” said Kathy Florence, the communications vice president for the trust. “The policy that we have created is that we will not display nonsecular symbols on the lawn of the farmhouse. The fact that Santa Claus and reindeer will be there, that’s completely the program of the Dunwoody Homeowners Association. We are only the venue for the event.” Homeowners Association President Robert Wittenstein said the organization’s board met Sunday, Oct. 18, and reached a decision that rather than find a new location, the event will return to the Spruill Farmhouse, where it has been held since 2009. “The DHA board has decided to accept the DPT invitation to continue to host Light Up Dunwoody at the farmhouse,” he said. “We are glad we could work something out and still be inclusive to everyone, and we appreciate the trust’s willingness to work through this and remain partners.”
Controversy arose this month when the trust refused a Homeowners Association request to add a large menorah to Light Up Dunwoody, which has included a Christmas tree every year since 1996. A small lighted menorah has been placed in an upstairs window of the Spruil farmhouse the past two years. When the trust’s board met to discuss the issue Oct. 13, it decided to ban all religious symbols, including the Christmas tree, rather than just the menorah. In response, the Dunwoody Homeowners Association initially said it would move the event to another location. Festivities at Light Up Dunwoody are planned to include dance troupe performances, a singalong with Christmas and Chanukah songs, and photo opportunities with Santa. The event is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 22. ■
Isaiah’s Good Rebounds
S Enjoy all our fitness amenities and classes for free: -
FitLine Small group classes Group fitness Les Mills Indoor cycling Swimming Running Yoga Zumba
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Questions? Contact 678.812.4060 or membership@atlantajcc.org
AJT 24
The Perfect Ending to Any Party...
• Bar & Bat Mitzvah Specialists
We Do Fundraisers!
• Custom Donut Bags & colors
347-724-6200 • www.SweetDreamsMiniDonuts.com
eptember’s High Holiday season marked the 25th anniversary of Operation Isaiah, the annual food drive benefiting the Atlanta Community Food Bank. Through Operation Isaiah, the Jewish community has donated more than 820,000 pounds of food since the program’s inception. Now some of that food will come back to members of the Jewish community. Under a new partnership, the food bank is transferring kosher food it receives to the Kosher Food Pantry of Jewish Family & Career Services. On Monday, Oct. 5, more than 40 volunteers from the JF&CS staff joined with members of partner synagogues and participants in the Teen Community Service program of the Marcus Jewish Community Center to sort through the Operation Isaiah donations for kosher items. The group packed 7,104 pounds of food to bring to the Kosher Food Pantry. Last year JF&CS served nearly 1,800 people through the pantry and distributed 18,000 pounds of nonperishable kosher food items. “This will have a tremendous impact on the clients we serve,” JF&CS CEO Rick Aranson said. “Usually in the fall our shelves are bare due to the community supporting Operation Isaiah. Now, not only will our kosher pantry be overflowing, but we will have resources to help our clients in so many ways. When they can put food on their tables from the Kosher Food Pantry, it frees up money they can put toward their rent and other bills.” Aranson said the partnership is an example of like-minded organizations working together to deepen their impact on the community. “It’s important to us that we provide foods that are nutritious and meet the specific needs of the community,” said Kyle Waide, the president and CEO of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “This new food sorting opportunity with JF&CS is the perfect example of working with our partners to not only offer the most nutritious foods, but also support their cliVolunteers gather at the Atlanta Community Food ents’ needs and preferencBank to sort out kosher donations for JF&CS. es.” ■
LOCAL NEWS www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Innocence Lost
AA panel examines the sex trade in Georgia
T
he Ahavath Achim Synagogue opened to visitors with a beautiful entryway, the grass still green though it was getting colder. Nothing indicated the dark topic waiting to be discussed in the lecture hall except for a little sign by the door, pointing the way to the panel discussion on the problem of the sexual exploitation of Georgia’s children. Artwork hanging in the front hallway before the event Sunday, Oct. 18, revealed the darkness to come. Local high school students created the art based on the topic of sex slavery. Beyond the haunting artwork were booths for support organizations, including Atlanta’s NightLight, Voice Today, Wellspring Living and 4Sarah. Lisa Cohen of CNN initiated the discussion, introducing the many ways CNN has tried to aid those lost in sex slavery. Because of CNN’s help, the Atlanta hub of sex traffic has been brought to light, easing the connection between those in need and those who
can help. Sen. Renee Unterman (R-Buford) then described the legislation she has managed to usher into Georgia law, including this year’s safe-harbor law, a step forward that allows minors who are forced into the sex trade to be treated as victims in the eyes of the law and not as criminals guilty of prostitution. The children of Georgia have a safety net now to direct them toward rehabilitation after the trauma. The General Assembly passed Senate Resolution 7 this year to create a trust fund for that safety net, with the money coming from fines against sex traffickers and an annual fee on adult entertainment establishments. That measure will go before Georgia voters as a proposed constitutional amendment next year. Vernon Keenan, the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, explained how delicate it is to track down anyone interested in the sex trade. First investigators have to find websites that are involved, all of which use code words to advertise underage
Hadassah Set to Celebrate
G
reater Atlanta Hadassah kicks off its yearlong celebration of the centennial of Hadassah in Atlanta with the opening of an exhibit at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum at 12:30 p.m. Nov. 1. The exhibit showcases Hadassah Atlanta’s community involvement, which continues to empower women through education, advocacy, personal fulfillment and camaraderie. Founded Nov. 2, 1916, with 18 charter members, Hadassah Atlanta now has more than 3,600 members and associates. Artifacts on display include the chapter minutes book from 1916 and hundreds of photographs. Guests can share their own Hadassah memories in a video recording booth, color an original Hadassah coloring book and enjoy all of the Breman exhibits. The exhibit will be on display until March 6. “Hadassah is truly a one-of-a-kind organization that allows women of all backgrounds to contribute through their individual skills and abilities while providing leadership development which can be used in their personal and business lives,” Greater Atlanta Hadassah President Paula Zucker
Exhibition chair Ruthanne Warnick (left) and centennial celebration chair Phyllis Cohen flank Breman Museum Executive Director Aaron Berger.
said. “This has spoken to the women of Atlanta for a century and continues to inspire our members.” Admission tickets are $8 with a reservation or $10 at the door. A $50 patron contribution includes admission. Purchase tickets at www.hadassah.org/ events/breman. Breman members may attend free but are asked to RSVP. After the opening program for the Hadassah exhibit, Joan Adler will discuss her book, “For Sake of the Children: The Letters Between Otto Frank and Nathan Straus Jr.,” and share the connection between the Straus family and Hadassah. ■
sex workers. They then have to track and trick their way to any one person searching for child pornography, and maybe even then it’s the wrong person. Atlanta has a particular problem as the home of the busiest airport in the country. Customers of the sex trade can fly in the morning and leave by night without anyone knowing the crime they committed. Many times the speakers at Ahavath Achim mentioned training to help identify those committing the crimes, as well as those in need of help, but it will take a while for these ideas to come into play and even longer to train security in the airport to be able to recognize the signs. Once more people know and take action, things can go faster. Although Unterman and Keenan are high-profile officials in the fight against sex trafficking, the Ahavath Achim event reached its emotional peak when two survivors spoke. Although neither of them was a trained speaker, the emotion behind every word made them especially moving. ■
Photos by Cole Seidner This drawing by North Atlanta High School student Adonis Fuentes is titled “Freedom.” State Sen. Renee Unterman, the driving force in the Senate behind this year’s safe harbor law, speaks during the program at Ahavath Achim Synagogue.
Bid to Benefit Education!
ORT Atlanta’s ONLINE AUCTION November 2-15, 2015
Over 300 Name-Brand Gift Certificates & Items:
Restaurants, Hotels, Services, Exotic Trips and More!
www.BiddingForGood.com/ORTBuy 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 360 Atlanta, GA 30328
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
By Cole Seidner
ORT is the Jewish organization meeting the world’s educational needs since 1880.
AJT
404.327.5266
25
LOCAL NEWS www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Grillin’ and Chillin’
S
unny skies and temperatures that topped out at 65 provided the perfect seasoning for the third Atlanta Kosher BBQ Competition on Sunday, Oct. 18. Held for the first time at Brook Run Park, the competition drew 25 teams and more than 5,000 attendees. The Hebrew Order of David-organized event raised tens of thousands of dollars for several charities and brought in donations of nonperishable food and winter clothing. The competing teams, representing various Jewish and community organizations, including the Dunwoody Police Department, sold more than 6,500 $1 samples of the food they smoked on Weber grills. People also sampled the food hot off a series of Big Green Eggs and bought food from kosher vendors. Although the park was packed — the Marcus Jewish Community Center’s Blessing of the Pets was going on at the same time — police kept traffic flowing. The biggest problem was how
quickly teams ran out of samples for hungry visitors. Grillin’ Tefillin, representing Congregation B’nai Torah, was the day’s grand champion, topping Shiva Que and the Brisketeers. Grillin’ Tefillin also was No. 1 for its booth, featuring the Kosher Clink, and its team name, while it was third for brisket, sixth for chicken, ninth for beans and 11th for ribs. SOBs: Sons of BBQers had the best brisket and best ribs, according to the judges. The Pit Crew produced the prize-winning chicken thighs, and the Holy Smokers served the judges’ favorite beans. Shimson Smokers took home People’s Choice honors, receiving 30 percent more tickets than any other team. The Atlanta Jewish Times’ Meat the Press team, which fired off a T-shirt cannon throughout the afternoon, brought home a third-place trophy for our booth and finished sixth overall.
F
G
J
H
B A
I
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
C
AJT 26
E
D
K
Photos by Michael Jacobs unless otherwise noted A. The Big Green Egg tent, which later raffled off one of the cookers, is a popular attraction during the barbecue competition. B. Photo by Lou Ladinsky Matt Dickson, one of the Atlanta Kosher BBQ Competition founders, makes announcements from the stage at Brook Run Park. Dickson was part of the grand champions, Grillin’ Tefillin. C. It’s dinner and a show for people dining near the main stage, where the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival organized entertainment. E. Representing Temple Sinai, Not Your Bubbee’s Brisket placed ninth overall. D. The event offers plenty of activities for the kids while the adults get down to the serious business of barbecue. F. Photo by Lou Ladinsky Matt Dickson keeps watch over Grillin’ Tefillin’s Kosher Clink. G. The Shiva Cue team, which finished second overall, brings a bit of Halloween ghoulishness to the festivities. H. Just about everyone is able to find something to enjoy eating during the competition. I. Even when the food runs out, the Hebrew Order of David Brisketeers have their swashbuckling style to offer. The Brisketeers finished third overall. J. A Meat the Press T-shirt no doubt helps one girl soar at the Circus Camp area of the Kids Zone. K. An inflatable slide proves to be a popular place for kids.
LOCAL NEWS www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Shearith Speaks Up
Congregation taps members’ academic expertise for lecture series By Logan C. Ritchie lritchie@atljewishtimes.com
C
Ralph Kurland
Sales Representative 905 Ernest Barrett Pkwy, NW Kennesaw, GA 30144
Longtime Shearith Israel member and Emory psychology professor Marshall Duke is the series’ final scheduled speaker.
University of Georgia School of Law course in business crimes with Larry Thompson, a former U.S. deputy attorney general. Samuel’s well-known cases include the murder trials of Jim Williams, the antiques dealer in Savannah whose case was chronicled in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” and trials involving former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Joshua Levs on Jan. 13 will share the book he released this summer: “All In: How Our Work First Culture Fails Dads, Families, and Businesses and How We Can Fix It Together.” Levs, a journalist and fatherhood columnist, was denied parental leave after his youngest child’s birth and fought CNN and its parent company, Time Warner. He has become a leading advocate for modern families, and “All In” has drawn national attention. The series culminates Feb. 10 with Marshall Duke, a professor of psychology at Emory. He will lecture on “Let Me Tell You a Story: The Remarkable Power of Family Narratives.” He is the author of seven books and countless articles on children and social norms, personality studies, and emotional intelligence. Duke has appeared on national radio programs and morning shows, and his research has been described in major newspapers from The New York Times to The Washington Post. ■ Each lectures is free and begins at 7:30 p.m. For more information, contact ngorod@shearithisrael.com.
cell: 678-665-1024 dealership: 770-419-9800 ext. 312 rkurland@subaruofkennesaw.com www.subaruofkennesaw.com "Forget every negative car buying experience you've ever had. Our afternoon at Subaru of Kennesaw was nothing short of spectacular. From the minute we walked through the front doors, Ralph bent over backwards to find us the exact right car and negotiate the best possible price. We drove home with a great car, a great deal, and a new friend.” Jack Feldman, Executive Director, Temple Sinai
Call me to test drive any of our new or used cars!
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
ongregation Shearith Israel, in the heart of Morningside, is launching its Synagogue Scholars and Author Series on Wednesday, Oct. 28. With talent and expertise in various academic fields, each highlighted synagogue member will give a talk from his field of study. Speakers include Emory University and Georgia State University academics, as well as author and former CNN reporter Joshua Levs. Nancy Gorod, Shearith’s director of congregational learning, said: “The congregation is proud of its intellectual curiosity and love of in-depth learning. We are a congregation with fortunately a wealth of scholars in our community due to the proximity of Emory and Georgia State.” Emory’s Paul Root Wolpe kicks off the series with his lecture on “Jews and Genes: A Troubled History, a Challenging Future” on Oct. 28. Wolpe speaks internationally on the subject of science and ethics. As the first senior bioethicist for NASA, he formulates policy on bioethical issues and on safeguarding research subjects. He is a co-editor of the American Journal of Bioethics. At Emory, Wolpe is a professor of bioethics, the Raymond F. Schinazi distinguished research chair in Jewish education and the director of the Center for Ethics. Next up is lecturer Melvin Konner on “Women After All? Adventures in ‘Natural Superiority’” on Nov. 11. His lecture will include material based on his recent book, “Women After All: Sex, Evolution and the End of Male Superiority.” Konner, a medical doctor and anthropologist and an expert in the suffrage movement, states that women are far superior to men in ways that will be evident in the future. He is the Samuel Candler Dobbs professor of anthropology at Emory. On Dec. 9, Don Samuel will speak on “The Fourth Amendment in an Age of Terrorism: Our Right of Privacy vs. Government Surveillance.” Samuel is a partner at Garland, Samuel and Loeb and an adjunct law professor at Georgia State, where he teaches a course on white-collar criminal defense. In 2016, he is teaching a
AJT 27
BOOK FESTIVAL www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Kids on the Streets
Arlene Alda’s Bronx tales recall borough’s ups and downs By Kevin Madigan kmadigan@atljewishtimes.com
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Arlene Alda’s new book, “Just Kids From the Bronx,” is an oral history of the borough spanning seven decades, narrated by people who grew up there and went on to lead significant lives, such as Carl Reiner, Mary Higgins Clark, Al Pacino and Colin Powell. The author will appear at the Book
AJT 28
Festival of the Marcus Jewish Community Center on Sunday, Nov. 15, accompanied by her husband, actor Alan Alda, himself a former keynote speaker at the festival. She spoke to the AJT by phone. AJT: What did you want to achieve with this book? Alda: My goal was, oddly enough, not one of nostalgia. It was one of recall-
ing memories. Some of them may not have been nostalgic at all. Some are quite painful. It was basically to go through the decades to give a picture of how things changed and what things were like for that particular person who lived in that particular decade. That was the ultimate goal. AJT: You’ve got the dark side of the Bronx in there as well. It’s not all fun and games. Alda: That’s very important because it’s really a book of suppressed stories and of rising from whatever position you found yourself in as a kid and, beyond that, how you got from there to where you are now.
ARLENE AND ALAN Arlene Alda will appear at the Book Festival with her actor husband, Alan.
back again. The shopping was on one main street that ran for four or five blocks. There was a movie theater that every kid I knew went to on Saturday afternoons. For a kid, there was complete freedom.
AJT: The one about incest is very disturbing. Alda: Yes, very disturbing. I know this woman; I never knew that story. In the course of our conAJT: Robert Klein talked versation, she said, “Oh, about having the same didn’t I tell you? There Just Kids From the Bronx baker and the same was incest in my family, By Arlene Alda barber throughout his with my father.” It was Henry Holt and Co., childhood. shocking to me that she 336 pages, $28 Alda: That’s right. I was willing to explore it knew every storekeeper to the extent she did; I by name. They also knew who the kids think she found it liberating. belonged to. AJT: Do you go back much? AJT: Avery Corman said in your book Alda: I go back quite a bit for a numthat things changed when more cars ber of reasons. There are places I just arrived after World War II. love to go. There’s the Bronx Museum Alda: There were a lot of factors. That of the Arts, which is wonderful, right was part of it, the cars. In some places, near Yankee Stadium. There’s the kids played around the cars; they Botanical Garden. There’s Arthur Avenue, which is the Italian restaurant weren’t fazed at all. But playing in the section. I think the fringes have shifted streets became more dangerous. Kids started moving their activities to playto other nationalities, other ethnic groups — Albanians, probably Hispan- grounds or schoolyards. Then you had television coming in. That changed the ics, African-Americans — but the street culture enormously. It meant core of it is still an Italian neighborbeing indoors. Then there was air conhood. There is of course the zoo, and I ditioning. Now kids are at home with always take a look at my old building, their electronic games, and it’s just not the Mayflower. the same. AJT: As a child there, you were part of AJT: Steve Janowitz did not want to be the culture that played in the streets, in a gang anymore after the Beatles right? arrived. Alda: Yes, the best times of childhood Alda: His breaking point was the Beawere out playing with friends. It was tles! Peace and love. … It’s a borough exhilarating. We were not in any way, that went through terrible times and is shape or form wealthy. Nor were we still the poorest one and is still trying poor. Money meant something differto be developed right now. ■ ent back then. But I had roller skates. I had a jump rope. I had a ball. I had my Read more author interviews brother’s bike — these things that to and other information about the me were what life was all about. The Book Festival of the Marcus JCC at neighborhood was like a little town. atlantajewishtimes.com/category/ You had everything you needed. You bookfest2015. walked to school, back for lunch, then
PLATINUM SPONSORS
The Eva & George Stern Family
Barbara and Ed Mendel
BRONZE SPONSORS
IN-KIND SPONSORS OFFICIAL TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER
+ PN FF
®
GOLD SPONSOR
The Zaban Foundation
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
PRESENTING SPONSORS
AJT 29
BUSINESS
Temple Kol Emeth/WRJ
JUDAICA SHOP “BEST LITTLE JUDAICA SHOP IN NORTH ATLANTA”
10% OFF WITH AD EXPIRES -- 2015
1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta, Georgia 30062 770-973-3353 Ext. 223
OPEN 6 DAYS A WEEK
Regular Hours: Friday 7:30 – 8:00 PM Sunday 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM Or See Evy Eckber in the TKE Main Office weekdays between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Start off the New Year Right!
AJT 30
SUBSCRIBE to the Atlanta Jewish Times and stay connected in 5776 with the purchase of a 1-year, home delivery subscription for only $65.
Subscribe to the Atlanta Jewish Times and stay connected in 5776 with the purchase of a 1-year, home delivery subscription for $65. Name:
Address:
State
Cty
Zip
Mail to: Atlanta Jewish Times at 270 Carpenter Dr. NE, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328.
Thank you for subscribing to the AJT Home Delivery Service. Visit online to subscribe: www.atlantajewishtimes.com/subscription
Georgia Meets Hollywood Cameron Alpert creates lifestyle brand By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com
G
eorgia native Cameron Alpert never dreamed of being a fashion icon, but the 26-year-old entrepreneur’s venture into apparel is making waves. In 2012, after graduating from Georgia State University with a degree in film and marketing, Alpert moved to Los Angeles to produce films. As a side project, he started creating urban-inCameron Alpert has created a fashion line amid his efforts to fluenced Judaic apparel to wear around launch a filmmaking career. town, and his Akiva Stripe brand was born. All of the apparel is manufactured at a “I had been doing a lot of creative warehouse in downtown L.A. that Alpprojects in Los Angeles, and I was look- ert also uses as a collective space for ing for a way to express my own indi- other projects. vidual Jewish identity,” Alpert said. “I Akiva Stripe is only a few years started creating clothing that I could old, but it has found a community on wear myself. Friends of mine that were Instagram, where the brand has over Jewish or otherwise really enjoyed it. 10,000 followers. So I decided to start mass-manufacBecause of that online following, turing it and promoting it as a lifestyle Alpert has shelved plans to get the apbrand.” parel into brick-and-mortar stores and Alpert, who grew up in Albany, is continuing to focus on a direct-todidn’t get the chance to fully embrace consumer sales model. his Jewish roots until he attended GeorDespite his accomplishments in gia State. He joined the Alpha Epsilon fashion, Alpert remains committed to Pi fraternity and was active in Hillel. his goal of breaking into the film indusThat enhanced involvement with Juda- try. He is working on securing funding ism brought Alpert closer to Israel, and for a crime thriller titled “Run With the he started drawing up sketches in his Beast,” set in Copenhagen. notebook with a few of the most recog“I see myself branching out into nizable Israeli and Judaic symbols. various ventures,” Alpert said. “Film, After showing his work to a few fashion, technology — anything that friends in L.A. and receiving a positive allows me to be creative. I’m doing response, Alpert began printing his de- things that not only indulge my own signs on T-shirts. creativity, but things that provide new “When I showed friends sketches outlets within the community for exin my notebook and they liked it,” he pression. The most important thing to said, “I realized there was a niche for me is taking on Jewish-inspired projthis in the marketplace. There needed ects. Over the next few years, I want to to be a serious route when it comes to be as involved as possible with the Jewexpressing Jewish iconography. When I ish community.” ■ started drafting more designs, I realized this apparel is something people can really wear every day and not feel novel about it.” Alpert’s designs are available at www. akivastripe.com in T-shirt, hoodie and hat form. His work prominently features the hamsa, the Star of David, and a host of other Judaic-inspired Cameron Alpert dubs his clothing “Tel Avivsymbols and sayings. inspired streetwear fashion.”
BUSINESS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Leadership Souper Jenny Moving to History Center Group Picks B New Leader and introduce a new, more approachable Atlanta History Center with something for everyone. This is the perfect fit for the culture of Souper Jenny.” With ample parking, the new location is close enough to the original site that the restaurant should be able to keep its current customers while adding foot traffic from the History Center. Souper Jenny’s 4,017-square-foot space at the center will double the eatery’s current seating capacity. Whereas Souper Jenny now is open six days a week, the new location will be open seven days a week during the center’s operating hours, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.
Come See For Yourself!
The new location will include a bookstore featuring titles on Atlanta history, Southern studies and cooking. Juicy Jenny, another Levison business two doors down from the original Souper Jenny, might move to Brookhaven. The Souper Jenny restaurants in Brookhaven, Decatur and Westside will remain where they are. The original location is set to close March 26. The opening at the Atlanta History Center is planned for April 2. The History Center, founded in 1926, is in the final stages of an overhaul that includes the acquisition of the Cyclorama, which will reopen in 2017, and the addition of a modern exterior. ■
For more information, or to schedule a tour, contact Bonnie Cook, Director of Admissions bcook@atljewishacademy.org or 404.843.9900 www.atljewishacademy.org
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
L
eadership Sandy Springs has named Jewish community member Pam Rosenthal the chair of its board of trustees as part of a new executive team that will implement a new strategic plan for the organization. The executive committee includes past board Chair Bob Levinson, Chair-elect Chip Swearngan, Secre- Pam Rosenthal tary Andrea Settles and Treasurer Patty Voelz. Two committee chairs, Jason Lina and Trinita Patton, will join that executive group in leading the strategic planning process. Jabian Consulting worked with LSS to develop the strategic plan. The entire board is helping implement the plan’s four focus areas: enhancing class curriculum; alumni programs; focusing on recruitment; and more fully engaging the community. “The city of Sandy Springs is at the cusp of adolescence, and the best is yet to come,” said Rosenthal, who will lead the board for a year. “Leadership Sandy Springs is well-positioned to be the nexus of the community where we can cultivate future leaders to make the city the most vibrant place to live and work.” Part of the LSS Class of 2011, Rosenthal has worked closely with Levinson for two years, so she is familiar with the challenges and goals of her new role. She praised the organization’s fiscal strength, board and staff. “This really is one of the healthiest, most active boards that I’ve ever worked on,” she said. Rosenthal’s community involvement includes past service on the Hillels of Georgia board, the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition Steering Committee and the Friends of North Springs (North Springs Charter High School) committee. She has a decade-old meeting and event planning business, Meeting Street South, and recently earned her certified meeting professional designation. She is married to Mark Rosenthal and is the mother of 19-year old Evan, a sophomore at the University of Georgia, and 16-year-old Julia, a junior at Riverwood International Charter School. ■
uckhead lunch mainstay Souper Jenny has been at its flagship East Andrews Drive location for 16 years, but Jewish restaurateur Jenny Levison is moving the cafe across West Paces Ferry Road to the renovated Atlanta History Center in April. Levison and the History Center made the announcement Oct. 14. “When the Atlanta History Center first approached me about the idea,” Levison said in a press release, “I was skeptical. I had a preconceived notion about what the History Center was and who they attracted and didn’t think our bohemian cafe was a good fit. It is apparent their enthusiastic focus is to turn these old perceptions upside down
AJT 31
AJT
32
2
3 4
1
DOWN 1. Hear (16:11) 2. These (15:1) 3. Portion (14:24) 5. Covenant (17:2)
Check your answers at: www.thefamousabba.com/lechlecha
• Granddaughter of Betuel, mother of Josef, and sister of Leah. • Sister of Asher, granddaughter of Rivka, and great-granddaughter of Sarah.
GENEALOGY
• Avram leaving his house because HaShem said "go". (12:1) • The first World War. (14:1)
Act out these scenes with friends and family:
PARSHA SKIT ideas
6
5
ACROSS 1. Maidservant (16:6) 2. Four (15:13) 4. Valley (14:10) 6. Hand (16:12)
Complete the crossword by translating each English word into Hebrew. Use the parsha reference for help.
CROSSWORD
(Based on the teachings of Rav Joseph B. Soloveitchik)
When HaShem said he was bringing the flood, Noach did not pray for the world to be saved, unlike Moshe who asked HaShem to erase his name from the Torah if the Jewish people were to be destroyed.
TORAH LESSON
Welcoming Guests: Make your guests feel like your home is their home!
E R L A Y O L A
R
W O S K I H S B
R E T S I S
C H E R T R E
A E T D B H S N V K
L S A L M E D E E C
© 2015 The Famous Abba
Brought to you by:
G
A
U
O
H
E
I
F
E
T
W N A E A C H R L
V S N O S S E A I
D
T
A
F
V
R
H
A
A
L
O
F
R
S
E
L
A
M
Y
O
L
A
D
A
D
O
A
E
S
O
www.thefamousabba.com
F
Y
WORD FIND
Find the bold italic words on this sheet. The unused letters spell a secret message!
HaShem commands Avram “go” from his land, relatives and father’s house to the land that He will show him. HaShem said He will bless Avram in many ways. Avram left with his wife Sarai, and nephew, Lot, and went to Canaan and then Eqypt. It became hard for Lot and Avram to travel together, so they went different ways: Lot to Sodom and Avram back to Canaan. HaShem promises the land of Cannan will be given to Avram’s descendants, who will be plentiful. Lot was taken captive and Avram went to battle and saved him. HaShem tells Avram that his descendants will be in a foreign land for 400 years. When Avram was 99 years old, HaShem appeared to him and made a covenant with him. As a sign of the covenant Avram had a circumcision and all the males in his house and future generations would have a circumcision on the 8th day. HaShem changed Avram’s name to Avraham and his wife’s name to Sarah.
S
K
S
T
S
E
U
G
R
D
EMLA
PGSNOFRFI
EONACNTV
RRVEEFO
YAACOV
ESAV
YITZCHAK
YISHMAEL
מט ÷ז
לה + לה
קי ÷ יא
י xג
א
ק – צט
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
weekly chinuch podcast - almost 100 posted! CHINUCH + Parsha < 5 minutes www.thefamousabba.com/podcasts
400 300 200 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10
א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט י כ ל מ נ ס ע פ צ ק ר ש ת
צ + קי
Who was Avraham’s loyal servant?
gematria
• If the eighth day of a boy's life is on Shabbat, do we still have a circumsion for the boy? • What is the blessing fathers give their sons on Shabbat?
shabbAT
GAD
RIVKA
spot the difference
Which one is different? (Hint: Avraham's descendants)
• You saw your teacher walking out of a non-kosher restaurant. • Two of your classmates were wrestling with each other.
Can you judge these situations favorably?
you be the judge
(Hint: The covenant between HaShem and Avraham)
HLSEF
HETIG
(scramble)
11 MARCHESHVAN 5776 PARASHAT LECH LECHA
WORD CMRLESAB
SUPER SHABBat SHEET
good trait OF THE MONTH
CANDLELIGHTING IN JERUSALEM 5:19 P.M.
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
EDUCATION www.atlantajewishtimes.com www.atlantajewishtimes.com
EDUCATION www.atlantajewishtimes.com Hebrew Charter School Sought in Atlanta
Rabbi Joshua Einzig, the head of school at Torah Day School, chips in with phone calls during Federation’s Super Sunday.
Day Schools Play Super Role The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta raised $402,428 during its Super Sunday phonathon Oct. 18, and some of the credit goes to the day school community. The daylong calling session was hosted by the Davis Academy, and day schools were significant suppliers of manpower. Torah Day School, for example, had nearly 50 parents, staff, board members, and seventh- and eighth-graders helping out. Altogether, Federation said more than 200 volunteers contributed more than 600 hours Sunday. The group placed more than 16,000 phone calls and brought in 680 new gifts.
The Hebrew Charter School Center, a national organization that has helped launch nine dual-language public charter schools around the country, is eying Midtown Atlanta for such a Hebrew-English school. “Atlanta’s diverse population, vibrant communities and historical significance in America make it an ideal location for a Hebrew charter school,” Jon Rosenberg, the president and CEO of New York-based HCSC, said in an announcement Tuesday, Oct. 20. The organization wants to open a charter school in the fall of 2017 in the Grady High School cluster, meaning such areas as Ansley Park, Atlantic Station, Virginia-Highland and Morningside. The school would be part of the Atlanta Public Schools. But that goal depends on finding local support for the school. “Our experience in other cities since we began opening schools six years ago has shown us what works well, and that, specifically, is having a strong team of local parents and community leaders working with us to make it happen,” Rosenberg said. “We would like for anyone interested in
www.atlantajewishtimes.com partnering with us to make this school happen to reach out to us.” You can contact HCSC at info@hebrewcharters.org or 212-792-6234. Like all HCSC schools, the Atlanta charter would teach Modern Hebrew, provide a rigorous academic program and emphasize the importance of civic responsibilities as Americans and as global citizens. The organization’s first school, the Hebrew Language Academy in Brooklyn, opened in 2009 and recently tested well against community and peer schools in New York. The second school, Hatikvah International Academy in New Jersey, also tested well against peer schools. Both schools have expanded from elementary school to middle school. HCSC schools use a partial immersion model, spokesman Morris Ardoin explained. Hebrew instruction is scheduled for an hour per day. All classes have general studies and Hebrew studies teachers, and those teaching teams work together to enhance science and social studies with Hebrew. Israel studies anchor the teaching of Modern Hebrew to the country that speaks it. The teaching method is the proficiency approach, which starts with oral language and moves to written.
Hawks Land at Epstein With the Atlanta Hawks’ opening night a week away, coaches took over the PE classes at the Epstein School for two days, Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 19 and 20. The coaches appeared in memory of former Epstein PE teacher Julie Love, who was 27 when she was abducted and murdered after running out of gas
Left: Sixth-grader Emma Cohen works on bounce passes with Hawks assistant coach Sid Catlett. Right: Hawks assistant coach Dedric Willoughby holds up Epstein first-grader Kayla Furie for a dunk while classmates Iian Bachar and Abby Hanna watch.
in Atlanta in 1988. Epstein is the only Jewish day school in Atlanta to be recognized as an Official Atlanta Hawks School and one of only seven schools in the state to hold that title. ■
JCRCA Civility Program Wins National Award and frequently personal in public. Two of the most prominent played out in the pages of this newspaper: Jewish National Fund’s plan to give an award to First Baptist Church Atlanta Pastor Charles Stanley and New Israel Fund’s efforts to establish a presence here. Such incidents have a common denominator: the open rage that develops over differing opinions about how best to support Israel. Jews in America have repeatedly struggled with issues that Atlanta Jews have faced: • Is a supporter of Israel always our ally? Where is the line? • Is it disloyal to criticize Israel? Where is the line? There is no possibility of unanimity on such issues. But the JCRCA is striving to create an atmosphere in which we don’t merely tolerate one another, which is just good manners. We want to be able to learn from one another. The JCRCA hoped that making the discussion’s playing field a safe place at the event Aug. 9 would enable everyone to better understand various issues. The workshop with Rabbi Weintraub brought community leaders together in one room for an entire day. The
Harvey Rickles, the president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta, holds the JCPA Program of Excellence Award. Joining him are (from left) Leah Fuhr, Melanie Nelkin, Lois Frank and Margo Gold.
JCRCA invited the parties to the various public disputes, the leaders of all the major Jewish organizations, some influential rabbis and a select group of opinion leaders. The goal was to create a balance in the areas of political affiliation, age, gender and religious affiliation. Two non-JCRC ringers, Jan Jaben-Eilon and Paul Root Wolpe, were brought in to add their sweat and insights to the organizing committee. Frank made dozens of invitation phone calls while she was on vacation in Israel, and CRCA Vice President Melanie Nelkin made invitation calls from different time zones across the country. The organizing committee also included JCRCA board member Rob Thaler and administrator Noah Appley. “We believe that our workshop was a successful first step towards unify-
ing our community by starting to eliminate the personal attacks,” the JCRCA said in announcing its award. “Perhaps more importantly, we also began the process of humanizing how other devoted Zionists came to arrive at opinions that are diametrically opposed to our own. Now we need to convince our community that their individual opinions will not be vilified, but instead they will be heard, respected, and will help expand our communal knowledge.” With the help of the entire Jewish community, the JCRCA hopes to continue this work. “We believe that by allowing everyone to speak, as well as having everyone listen,” the council said, “we will be able to increase understanding and decrease the acrimony over what 33 is best for Israel.” OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
The Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta received the Jewish Council for Public Affairs’ Program of Excellence Award this month at the JCPA National Town Hall in Washington, D.C. The award cites the JCRCA as having one of the two most outstanding programs by a U.S. Jewish organization in the past year. That program was the “Sacred Disagreements” workshop held at the Selig Center on Aug. 9. The workshop grew out of the JCPA’s 2014 national meeting in Atlanta, which featured a presentation by Rabbi Melissa Weintraub. She spoke of her work to develop civility in disagreements and to improve communication. Her words resounded with the JCRCA’s immediate past president, Elizabeth Appley, and with former JCPA President Lois Frank. These two women, in conversations with friends and associates in the Atlanta Jewish community, began looking for the appropriate occasion to bring Rabbi Weintraub back to Atlanta to work with the community. Jewish Atlanta happened to provide multiple examples this year of disagreements that turned ugly, divisive
AJT
BAR /BAT MITZVAHS PRESENTED BY
www.encoreevents.com
Encore Events & Entertainment is a full service wedding, bar/bat mitzvah party planning company. We provide linen rentals, flowers, DJ, game rentals, themed décor and much more.
EVENT PRODUCTION WEDDINGS | CASINO PARTIES
678-427-0028 Sherry Shelley
Hyatt Atlanta Perimeter at Villa Christina An Oasis in Atlanta!
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Have the Simchas of your dreams!
AJT 34
Extraordinary Events! Contact Julie Bilecky, Director of Catering julie.bilecky@hyatt.com
4000 SUMMIT BOULEVARD ATLANTA, GA 30319 www.atlantaperimetervillachristina.hyatt.com
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
How I Met My Daughter’s Mother-in-Law
T
his is the story of my friendship with Gail Medwed.
Shaindle: Gail, what is your memory of how we met? Gail: It all started on a stormy, summer night in 1988. Butch and I were on a long carpool line, waiting to pick up our twins at Camp AJECOMCE’s late-night program. The rain was torrential, the wind was howling, and the thunder claps shook the car. As we inched closer, we heard voices shouting out carpool numbers. We finally got to the loading spot, and this bedraggled, dripping-wet woman opens the door and urges my boys to get in the car. Recognizing her as Shaindle, the camp director, I attempted an introduction. Circumstances being what they were, this was probably not the appropriate time to chat. On our ride home, I said to Butch, “So that’s the infamous Shaindle” we had heard so much about, mostly from our oldest son, Marc, who worked at camp and just adored her. In fact, many times he said, “You’ve just got to meet her. You’ll love her!” He was right. Shaindle: Aw, shucks! Gail: I was at a point in my life where I could go back to work or apply to law school. At about this time “My Life With Shaindle” began when you offered me a position at camp. Working with you turned out to be an adventure I will never forget. Walking into the camp office in April, when camp starts in June, is kind of like falling down the rabbit hole in Wonderland. All the characters were there, the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit, and Tweedledee and Tweedledum. I was amazed and impressed that everyone actually knew what they were doing. Getting ready for 1,000 campers and 100 staff was a constant swirl of recruiting, creating programs, getting the campgrounds ready, organizing bus routes and carpools, all without the benefit of the technology we all rely on today. Our state-of-the-art tech was two typewriters and a fax machine. Shaindle: I thought we were lucky to have that IBM Selectric. What else stands out in your memory? Gail: We had animals. We had full-
size horses and ponies in our stables. We had a thriving small animal farm fed and cared for by our campers and nature staff. We had sheep, lambs and even a potbellied pig named Pamela. Shaindle: I seem to recall a sheep story and a Pamela story.
Shaindle’s Shpiel By Shaindle Schmuckler shaindle@atljewishtimes.com
Gail: Here’s the sheep story. One night at 2 a.m., we received an emergency call: Our animals escaped. I woke Butch and Marc, and we drove to Zaban Park to find the animals. We walked around the pitch-black, deserted campgrounds, bumping into each other, until Marc had a brilliant idea. Pretending he was a sheep, he cried “baaa, baaa,” and, sure enough, we heard “baaa, baaa” in response. He kept this up until we found the animals. My son the sheep! As long as Marc kept up his “baaa, baaa, baaaing,” they followed us all the way to their pen. Shaindle: Did I ever thank you for not waking me? Gail: Yes, many times. Let me tell you about my first summer with you, which has become legendary in my mind because of the constant rain, every day, all summer long. Running an outdoor summer camp in Hotlanta under the best of circumstances is challenging. Running it in almost constant rain is almost beyond description. Our beautiful campgrounds became swampland. Activity shelters were flooded. The Zaban building was not available to us, except in the case of a threat of tornadoes. Shaindle: Thank G-d, we did not have any of those. Gail: Do you remember the alltime favorite activity that year was mud ball. Our creative staff designed a mud ball field. At the end of the game, everyone was hosed down, dried off, changed into their clothes. Every day we were washing and drying bathing suits and towels to be sent home the next day. Shaindle: Tell me about Pamela Gail: Pamela somehow escaped
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
during one of our rainstorms. Never letting a good crisis go to waste, and realizing the value of a great kids program, they were all dispatched to watch and cheer as our counselors tried to catch a very slippery, fast, wet pig. Pamela was about the size of a basketball. It took all afternoon to catch her. Shaindle: My sides are splitting with laughter at this memory Gail: There’s more! One morning, after a camping overnight, we arrived at camp early to assist staff with breakfast. I was met by a very animated senior counselor who just had to share a dream about being licked by our pig; when she awoke, she was actually being licked by a sheep. We returned to her group’s shelter, and there we found a big fat sheep surrounded by a couple of little lambs. We asked counselors to carry the lambs and lead the mama back to the farm. As soon as she saw her babies being picked up, she took off, heading for the main entrance of Zaban Park with you and me in hot pursuit! By now it’s about 7:30 a.m., the height of rush-hour traffic. Cars and buses are driving by, but luckily mama sheep stayed on the sidewalk. Drivers realized quickly that we were not just out for a morning jog and started honking, rolling down their windows and cheering us on. A busload of commuters slowed to witness this spectacle; I think they were cheering for the sheep. Suddenly, mama sheep takes a sharp right into a subdivision and starts running up a driveway. We thought we had her cornered, but she slipped away and ran into someone’s back yard. Several homeowners, hearing the commotion, came out to see what was going on. We finally stopped mama sheep, and then you and I sat on her to keep her from running. Finally a counselor in his jeep picked us up and headed back to camp. We were triumphant! It was only 8 a.m., a full day ahead. Shaindle: We did have some great times together. We still do; we are so lucky to have found each other. Gail: Every day was a new adventure. I never knew what to expect. It seemed like constant chaos. But within all the chaos, I could see a rhythm. Shaindle: Do you remember peeking out the window of my office and realizing we could be related one day? Gail: You and I started noticing a buzz around our children, Eric and Marla, both of whom were working in camp. We began making plans for our
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
grandchildren, although the mantra my son and your daughter insisted upon sounded like this: “We aren’t dating; we’re just friends.” The mantra continued right up until the time of their engagement. Shaindle: I recall we spent hours watching them “not date.” We were so excited to see them together. We found it almost impossible to practice the old saying: “Mum’s the word.” Gail: Two successful professionals, one home, two cars and three boys later, they are still friends. Shaindle, you and I have been together for nearly 30 years. You are my dearest friend. Yes, it is possible for in-laws to be friends. Everyone should be so lucky. ■
CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS
The three-day 37th World Zionist Congress began in Jerusalem on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Among the Atlantans attending as part of the U.S. delegation are (from left) Congregation Etz Chaim Rabbi Shalom Lewis (Mercaz USA), Shirley Michaelov (ARZA), The Temple Rabbi Peter Berg (ARZA), Ahavath Achim Synagogue member and United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism International President Margo Gold (Mercaz USA), and Peter Savitz (ARZA). ARZA, the Reform movement’s slate, accounts for 56 of the 145 U.S. delegates, while the Conservative movement’s Mercaz has 25. Overall, the Congress has 500 delegates, whose decisions affect policies, leadership and funding allocations for the World Zionist Organization, whose responsibilities include the Jewish Agency for Israel and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael/Jewish National Fund.
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
SIMCHAS
AJT 35
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
WWII Veteran’s Memories Sharp as His Photos By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Y
AJT 36
ou know someone has led a remarkable life when the fact that he celebrated his 94th birthday by becoming a bar mitzvah barely makes his personal Top 10 list. That’s the life of Irving Feinberg, photographer, family man, World War II vet, Cohen Home resident and, for less than two months, a bar mitzvah (aside from the “every boy becomes a bar mitzvah when he turns 13” technicality). Feinberg took the plunge 81 years after his 13th birthday at Temple Kehillat Chaim. But before that special day with his family, he welcomed the AJT into his apartment for a conversation about his war service. He was drafted into the Army at age 20, and like all recruits, he had to take an IQ test. It went well. “They told me I scored 150,” giving him his choice of Army branches. He already was a semiprofessional photographer, so he asked for photography. That meant the Signal Corps, but, in typical military fashion, he had missed the start of a required class. So he was placed in a motor messenger unit. “I was to go out and find the safe route and draw up the map, with descriptions of landmarks.” That 150 IQ kicked in, and he requested a camera to take photos of those landmarks instead of just describing them. That got him a camera, and that set him up to be pulled into the Army Pictorial Service when U.S. troops moved from England to France. He wound up being based in Paris for 2½ of his 3½ years in the Army, Feinberg said. The one catch was that he and his company had to fight their way from Le Havre to the French capital. As an afterthought, without elaboration, he mentioned that he won a Bronze Star during that fighting, then earned a second Bronze Star during the Battle of the Bulge, “which I never really bothered to get. … I was more interested in getting home.” Feinberg said he had lots of interesting assignSince 2013, Irving Feinberg has been a member of the French Legion of Honor for his war service, and he has the certificate and medal to prove it.
ments during the war. He chased Bob Hope around Paris when the entertainer flew in to entertain the troops. “That was fun. That was fun.” It was also a far cry from his time back in England when his unit was living on a sheep farm. To escape the boredom, he would get passes to London whenever possible, and he always stayed in the same place. One night there, a V2 exploded and toppled him and other GIs stacked in double-decker bunks. None of them was badly hurt. “I didn’t get any decoration for that. I wound up going back to bed,” Feinberg said. The scare was enough to make London less appealing, but he still went. “A sheep farm can get pretty monotonous.” R&R also brought some adven-
With an IQ tested at 150 when he was inducted in the Army, Irving Feinberg had his choice of branches.
tures after he was in France. The troops went to Switzerland for a break from the war, and they were required to take condoms with them whenever they left camp. Someone told Feinberg he could get a quarter apiece for condoms in Switzerland, so he and a friend grabbed an entire box of 144 condoms as they headed out for leave so they could cash in and buy Swiss watches. The customs man at the Swiss border saw the box and said, “You’re only going to be in the country for a week.” It didn’t matter: The story about the condom demand was a trick, Feinberg said. “We
wound up selling the whole gross for a drink.” Fo r t u n a t e ly, he also had a raincoat with him. He hadn’t planned to sell it, but someone made him an offer he couldn’t refuse. So he got his Swiss watch after all. There was no such happy ending late in the war when he flew to Frankfurt, then World War II veteran Irving Feinberg talks about his military rode by truck to service shortly before his 94th birthday in August. a camp called Buchenwald. “When we got there, every- didate School before going to Europe, body was dead. The guards knew we no matter how high his IQ. were around the corner, and they shot The officer kept repeating the everybody in the place, then escaped so name, and Feinberg got the message. they wouldn’t be captured.” “After about the third time, I told him He and his fellow soldiers knew where he could shove those papers. He they were going to a concentration could have sent me to prison for it, but camp, but they weren’t prepared for he didn’t.” the reality, which was “sheer horror, When he finally got home from just sheer horror.” Europe in January 1946, he called the His responsibility was to photo- woman who had been his girlfriend for graph piles of corpses and how they eight years. She asked whether he still were buried. He also got a shot of a Ger- loved her enough to marry her. He said man woman — part of group trucked yes, and 20 days later they were marinto the camp on Gen. Dwight Eisenried in a synagogue. hower’s orders to show them what had They went back to France 20 years happened there — stealing clothes off a later, and they sought out a deli he had corpse for a souvenir. visited, against Army regulations, in “The pictures that I took, I came 1944: Goldenberg’s. Back then, Goldenhome with I guess a couple hundred berg had fed him and a Jewish friend 8-by-10s of my experiences,” but they corned-beef sandwiches in the kitchen were lost years later when a friend to avoid being spotted by MPs and had in Philadelphia died after borrowing refused to take payment. them. When Feinberg walked back into Feinberg had another brush with the deli, Goldenberg remembered. “He history when he photographed the signing of the German surrender in came out with a bottle of champagne, Rheims, France. He remembers that and we all had a drink. It’s typical of Eisenhower wouldn’t sit in the same what I found in France.” ■ room with the Nazi officers, led by Adm. Alfred Jodl, and instead sat alone at a desk with a pack of Chesterfield cigarettes on it. Feinberg sees the photo in magazines and other places from time to time, but it has a white spot on the desk. Someone whited-out the smokes. Feinberg said being Jewish wasn’t an issue in the military. “I never experienced anti-Semitism from my Army friends or the officers, never, except for once,” from a company commander in Kansas Phyllis Ullman sits with her father, Irving Feinberg, in his room at the Cohen Home. who was determined that “Feinberg” wouldn’t be moving on to Officer Can-
Specializing in hosting Bar & Bat Mitzvah's for 15 years
50% OFF RENTAL RATES IF YOU MENTION THIS AD
www.atlantaeventcenter.com For booking contact events@atlantaeventcenter.com or 1150 Crescent Avenue call 404.874.3006 x 120 Atlanta, GA 30309
OCTOBER 23 â&#x2013;Ş 2015
Three Distinct Environments All Inclusive Event Planning & Catering State of the Art Sound & Lighting Unique Entertainment Options YOU HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED A MITZVAH UNTIL YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED ONE AT OPERA
AJT 37
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
A Glory Day for 2 Hungry Hearts
I
t was a wedding to remember when Ali Lauren Spizman and Marc Harris Garfinkel said “I do” under a chuppah covered with handmade white paper flowers and dazzling crystals on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014 — 12-1314, a memorable date. The wedding was held at The Estate, a Southern mansion in the heart of Buckhead, led by Rabbi Joshua Heller of Congregation B’nai Torah in front of guests from near and far. With a dream team of wedding experts, every detail was planned to perfection. Wedding planner Lindsay Pitt from TOAST Events led the team, working alongside the award-winning Tony Conway of Legendary Events and his amazingly talented bunch. Pitt and Conway combined to create something spectacular. The creative bride and groom knew they wanted something memorable and fun for their guests, friends and family. With the color inspiration of gold, black and white, the wedding was modern and magical on a beauti-
ful December night that was pictureperfect. Ali and Marc danced the night away and kept the music going with Rhythm Entertainment. It was beshert because this talented musician had just returned from doing a famous rhythm and blues singer’s party in L.A., and more than a decade earlier he had done Ali’s bat mitzvah in Atlanta and Marc’s bar mitzvah two weeks later in Jacksonville, Fla. — without Ali and Marc having ever met. Partnering with Rhythm for the ceremony was famed jazz singer Marilyn Blackburn, who sang “Love Me Tender” by Elvis Presley as Ali walked down the aisle in a tulle and beaded Allure Couture wedding gown. The ceremony music also included “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Ray Charles and “Love on Top” by Beyonce during the recessional. An accompanying pianist played during the cocktail hour while hors d’oeuvres were passed. The option of a
3
7
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
1
AJT 38
2
grilled cheese and tomato soup station surprised guests, along with favorites of the bride and groom. A signature mojito was the drink of choice. The dream team also included award-winning hair and makeup artist Nyssa Green from the Green Room Agency; creative photographer Kristen Alexander, who had captured Marc’s daylong, treasure-hunt-themed proposal based on “Life’s Little Instruction Book”; and videographer Julius Twum of DigiGlobal Media Group, who produced a music video of the wedding. New York Times best-selling author H. Jackson Brown Jr., who wrote the book that inspired Marc’s proposal, attended the wedding. A signed Bruce Springsteen photograph was presented to the couple by a close relative, who secured this surprise because they are huge Springsteen fans. The food was plentiful and delicious. The starter course was butternut squash soup with cornbread on the side. The entree was a choice of
4
Southern fried chicken on a biscuit or horseradish-crusted grouper on a bed of succotash. The five-tier wedding cake created by pastry chef Ami Dand alternated black and white stripes with gold and was made of funfetti cake with a lasercut monogram on the top. The cake was plated on gold-splattered paint with a handmade edible flower. Along with the cake, the late-night snacks included truffle French fries in blackand-white cups, a chocolate chip cookie bar, s’mores milkshakes, and monogrammed petit fours with the couple’s new initials. Ali and Marc’s first dance was to their special song, Springsteen’s “If I Should Fall Behind,” followed by a hora to a mix of Springsteen songs. As the evening continued, guests participated in a confetti explosion and a sparkler exit, which lit up the walkway as guests bid the couple happily ever after. ■
5
6
8
Photos by Kristen Alexander 1. The bride and groom have some fun for the photographer. Long before they met, they had the same musical entertainment for their b’nai mitzvah celebrations two weeks and 350 miles apart. 2. The bride and groom’s rings are displayed. 3. The five-tier wedding cake is the creation of pastry chef Ami Dand. 4. A poster-sized invitation is on display at the venue. 5. Handmade white paper flowers and dazzling crystals decorate the chuppah. 6. Ali Spizman and Marc Garfinkel start married life by dancing to Bruce Springsteen. 7. The wedding party follows a color scheme of gold, black and white. 8. Wedding guests help the couple depart in style with a confetti explosion and sparklers. 9. The bride talks to the flower girl. 10. The Estate in Buckhead awaits the wedding guests. 11. The groom kisses his new bride. 12. The tulle and beaded Allure Couture wedding gown awaits the bride before the ceremony. 13. A server presents fun desserts for guests. 14. The cake is served with an edible flower on a plate splattered with gold paint.
9
10
SIMCHAS
11
12
atlanta 's only event space wi th
ocean vi ews.
YOUR GUESTS WILL NEVER FORGET THE EXTRAORDINARY EXPERIENCE WAITING FOR THEM at Georgia Aquarium. Through two large observation windows in our ballroom, they’ll come face-to-face with fascinating animals from around the globe. Whether you’re hosting a wedding, bar/bat mitzvah or other memorable simchas, our flexible space can be customized to create a unique, personalized setting for your special occasion. Complementing this dramatic scenery, Wolfgang Puck Catering also maintains a kosher kitchen with innovative cuisine to elevate your one-of-a-kind event. Email booking@georgiaaquarium.org or visit us at GeorgiaAquarium.org/book-your-event | 404.581.4126 | WHERE IMAGINATIONS GO TO PLAY. |
Georgia Aquarium is a not-for-profit organization, inspiring awareness and conservation of aquatic animals.
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
13
AJT
14
39
File Name: 15AQUA1405_ATLJewishTimes_Celebration Live: NA Client: Ga Aquarium Trim: 6.667”W x 11.75”H
Color: 4C Process Built @: 100%
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
From Sandy Generation to Generation St. Thomas bar mitzvah secures 150-year family connection By Lori Halpern
A
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
highlight of any bar mitzvah is the passing of the Torah from one generation to the next. On Oct. 10 in the historic synagogue of the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, this tradition took on a significance spanning more than 150 years. Many Jewish tourists to St. Thomas learn the history of this synagogue. It was built in 1803 to serve a Sephardic
AJT 40
community of traders and businessmen. The shul went through a series of fires and rebuilding, but the Torah scrolls and Ner Tamid (Eter- Sam Brenner nal Light) were saved. The present building was dedicated in 1833. It is the oldest synagogue in continuous use under the American flag and the second-oldest synagogue in the West-
ern Hemisphere. In 1864 a charismatic rabbi, David Cardoze, became the spiritual leader of the congregation. He served for 50 years until 1914. Rabbi Cardoze is the great-greatgreat-grandfather of Samuel Brenner of Atlanta. Sam is the son of Dara and Bob Brenner, longtime members of Congregation B’nai Torah. Sam and his younger brother, J.J., attend Atlanta Jewish Academy. Before Rabbi Cardoze died, he persuaded a young congregant, Moses DeCastro Sasso, to take over the rabbinical responsibilities. Rabbi Sasso also served for 50 years until 1964. Rabbi Sasso married the granddaughter of Rabbi Cardoze, and they had a daughter, Joy, Sam Brenner’s grandmother. So Sam’s great-great-great-grandfather and his great-grandfather combined to lead the congregation for a century. At times during that 100-year period, especially in the last 20 years under Rabbi Sasso, the Jewish community struggled to keep the synagogue in use because of the size of the congregation or the finances. But Sam’s forefathers, through determination and creativity, kept the shul open. The small, non-air-conditioned building, a national historic landmark, is different from most synagogues. For one thing, it has sand all over the floor. “Legend tells us that it is symbolic of the desert through which Moses and the children of Israel wandered for 40 years,” the synagogue brochure reads. “The more likely explanation has to do with the fact that during the Spanish Inquisition, when Catholic Spain persecuted all other religions and forcibly converted the Jews to Catholicism, Jews who opted to practice Judaism — an offense punishable by death — had to do
Friends and family pack the sandyfloored sanctuary on St. Thomas.
so in secrecy. They had to do so in cellars of their homes and used sand to muffle the sounds of their prayer.” It was only fitting that when Dara and Bob Brenner asked Sam where he wanted to celebrate becoming a bar mitzvah, he chose the synagogue of his forefathers, where his grandmother Joy
Island Mitzvah The Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas still has challenges for membership and financial resources. You can become a Chai member of the congregation for $36 a year or a Chai Life Time member for $360. To donate or learn more about the synagogue, call 340-774-4312, email info@synagogue.vi, or visit synagogue.vi.
was married. Now she would see her grandson read Torah there. Marilyn Hankin, Sam’s maternal grandmother, who has Parkinson’s disease, was able to join the celebration, as was Sam’s 102-year-old great-grandmother, Sylvia Hankin. (Sam is raising money and awareness for Parkinson’s for his mitzvah project. Visit www.apdageorgia.org to donate or get more information.) Sam still has relatives in St. Thomas, and they were joined by 80 of the Brenners’ friends and family members, who descended on St. Thomas to see the Torah passed to Sam. Sam was flawless when he read Torah. He had a quiet confidence as he smiled and led us through the service. After all, he was playing with a home-field
Bar mitzvah Sam Brenner is joined by parents Dara and Bob and brother J.J.
advantage that goes back 150 years. Sam’s father also read beautifully from the Torah that Shabbat morning. At one point he struggled with a word. Sam turned to his dad and said, “You got this,” and he did. “There were emotions that struck me and stayed with me throughout the bar mitzvah service,” Bob said. “It turns out that not only did my grandfather serve the synagogue for 50 years after taking over from my great-great-grandfather, but it was his commitment to keeping the doors open and keeping the synagogue alive for future generations. “I am told from family that even if no one showed up, or two or three family members had to come for a service, my grandfather made sure services took place. If not for his efforts and sheer determination, we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see Sam, his greatgrandson, lead a service at the very same bimah, reading from the same Torah and standing on the same steps of the ark. … It was one of the most emotional days of my life. L’dor vador was never a more appropriate term than at that moment.” ■
AJT
41
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Caribbean Kosher
St. Thomas simcha to receive royal treatment
The affordable solution for you photography Budget. MOST POPULAR PACKAGE
995
$
BEST OFF ALL YOU GET TO KEEP ALL OF THE PROOF PRINTS AND THE FULL FORMAT JPEGS.
www.affordablephoto.com
770-992-1529
404-953-8157 OFFICE@FAOCATERING.COM
“Kosher Catering at its finest so you can play host and get the more.” WWW.FORALLOCCASIONSANDMORE.COM
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
● BAR & BAT MITZVAHS
AJT 42
● SHABBAT
● KIDDUSH
● ONEG
● BRUNCH
● BRIS & BABY NAMING ● WEDDINGS
Kosher events aren’t chopped liver wife chirped in. anymore. Not even in the Caribbean. It was all about food and wine On a recent trip to the U.S. Virgin and then the question from a man Islands (my fourth in five years), I from Toronto: “What do you do for a finally had the opportunity to visit the living?” second-oldest synagogue in the WestWhen I said I own an upscale ern Hemisphere. I guess on other trips I was too busy sailing, eating, drinking or The Kosher King eating more, but this time we made it. By David S. Covell Meeting at the St. Thomas Synagogue with other American and foreign visitors, along with kosher catering company in Atlanta, the staff and rabbi, was an experience. they were shocked. The man from This historic and amazing place with Maryland laughed and asked whether beach sand on the floor of the sanctuI was a magician. I knew immediately ary is a national historic landmark. what he meant. His idea of kosher was Built in 1833, it is also the oldest shul in continuous use under the American a rubbery slab of overcooked beef and bland desserts. How could that be any flag. The small but vibrant congregagood? tion was founded in 1796 when small He seemed to lose faith in my numbers of Jews arrived to join the friendship as long ago he had lost faith first European settlers. in kosher cuisine. Most of those original CaribI asked him what he does for a livbean congregants were descendants ing. He said he’s a real estate lawyer. I of Spanish Jews who had left Spain asked him if he was good at it. He said rather than be forced to convert to Cayes. So why did he think I would be no tholicism. A number of Spanish Jews good at my trade? also sought refuge in Portugal, where He was confused and apologized. that privilege cost them a significant While I didn’t mean to put him on the sum of money each year. Those Jews defensive, I said it is fair to say Jewish were later forced to convert to Catholipeople are highly cism and had to Island Simcha skilled at their practice Judaism trades and are often secretly, as some of Rabbi Michael Harvey of the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas, who the best in their rethe Spanish Jews was ordained this spring by the spective industries. who had converted Reform movement’s Hebrew Union He agreed. were also doing. College-Jewish Institute of Religion, is But still he The inquisition available to officiate at weddings, b’nai mitzvah, baby namings and other had a problem aimed to find those celebrations. understanding that who took their To accommodate the schedules of kosher events could Christian oaths cruise ships, the congregation allows be as good as or betfalsely, often torturTorah to be read every day of the week ter than nonkosher ing suspected “Judafor b’nai mitzvah ceremonies. events. izers” and burning Weddings may be held any time I broke out my them at the stake in between sunset Saturday and noon iPhone in the back an auto-da-fé when Friday. of the sanctuary convicted. The fee for the use of the synagogue and showed him Where am I gofor a bar or bat mitzvah or a wedding is $2,500, although it rises to $3,600 dozens of pictures ing with this? Well, during high season, according to from different while I was standthe synagogue’s website (synagogue. events. ing in the back of vi), where you can find guidelines, He and his wife the sanctuary and application forms and other were impressed, information. schmoozing, the and he was starting conversation imto see the light. mediately turned He noticed how beautiful the events to, you guessed it, food. were, and I could see that the food Have you tried Sunset Grille, one presentations and smiles from many gentleman from Maryland inquired, of the guests in the photos and videos I or Grand Cru in Charlotte Amalie, his
SIMCHAS
David S. Covell is the CEO of the Saratoga Event Group, which manages multiple event facilities, and is the president of its Avenue K certified glatt-kosher event division. He also has a background as a certified public accountant and certified financial planner and consults to the hospitality industry.
Fun Atmosphere. Outstanding Service. Exquisite Cuisine.
P R I VAT E E V E N T S B Y PA N O W E ST PAC E S F E R RY R OA D • B U C K H E A D
Bar/Bat Mitzvah
103 West is the perfect setting for your teen’s celebration. A proud part of Buckhead Life Restaurant Group
To plan your next event, contact 103 West at 404.233.5993 or one of our event specialists: Jessica Baer (jbaer@buckheadrestaurants.com) or Leslie Bahr (lbahr@buckheadrestaurants.com)
Visit 103west.com for menu highlights, 360° virtual room tours and more. 103 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta, GA 30305
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
showed connected with him. At that point he mentioned his son was having his bar mitzvah celebration in the summer of 2017 and that he was considering hosting the event in the Caribbean. I told him that if he decided to go kosher, I would fly my crew down, along with all food ingredients, plates, kitchen utensils and more, for his family’s simcha. He would pay the normal perperson catering fees, and I would cover the travel and logistical costs, which would be significant. He said, “Wow!” and mentioned that he felt like he hit the jackpot. Immediately after we went our separate ways, I needed a double rum and Coke. Right down the hill from the synagogue was an outside bar that served great drinks that hit the spot on a hot day. I felt good about my offer and hoped he would take me up on it. This is where things get even a little more interesting. After leaving the bar, we were walking along the streets of downtown Charlotte Amalie, and I noticed a man walking a cute little puppy. The man clearly fell on hard times. I approached him, said hello and asked him whether the dog was his. He said yes, and I then asked if he would be willing to sell the dog. Immediately he said yes and asked for a reasonable amount of money. I handed him the money, and he gave me the puppy. We took the puppy back to the Ritz-Carlton and decided we were going to take him back to Atlanta. That day created such a great feeling for me as a kosher caterer that I too felt like I hit the jackpot. So guess what we named the puppy? Jackpot. By the way, the man from Maryland already has set the date in the Caribbean for his son’s bar mitzvah, and we will be doing our first kosher event in St. Thomas in 2017. Don’t be afraid to host a kosher simcha. With such a great selection of Atlanta caterers and hotels, you not only will get great food and service, but also will spiritually feel like you hit the jackpot. ■
AJT 43
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Kosher Certification Sets Standard for Food Industry By Mindy Rubenstein mrubenstein@atljewishtimes.com
K
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
eeping kosher, like many mitzvot, has changed significantly in modern times. Timothy Lytton, a law professor at Georgia State University, spoke Monday night, Oct. 21, at the New Toco Shul about the turbulent history of kosher certification in America. The event at the Toco Hills’ latest synagogue, which opened last year in a yellow house-turned-synagogue on LaVista Road, included a kosher dinner of homemade pizza with faux sausage and pepperoni, as well as dessert. About 30 people attended the event, gathered in two long rows of comfortable blue chairs. “I thought it was very informative, insightful and enjoyable,” said Channah Broyde, a lawyer. “It was also very thought-provoking.” Rabbi Don Seeman, an associate professor of religious studies at Emory University, introduced Lytton and explained how the New Toco Shul regularly brings in speakers who highlight the ways Torah can intersect with
AJT 44
points of secular knowledge. Lytton recently published a book called “Kosher: Private Regulation in the Age of Industrial Food,” in which he examines kosher certification as a model of private regulation in the food industry. His talk included insights from his book and years of research. More than 10,000 companies offer 135,000 kosher products, he said, and in a nation with fewer than 6 million Jews of all denominations, 12 million consumers regularly seek packaged food bearing a hecksher, or kosher symbol. Of those 12 million people, only 8 percent are religiously observant Jews, Lytton said. “Almost everyone is getting kosher certification,” he said. Many people seek kosher food that offers vegan and nondairy attributes, Lytton added. There are more than 300 koshercertifying agencies, though five heckshers are predominant: OU, OK, Star-K, KOF-K and cRc. (The Atlanta Kashruth Commission, which certifies nearly 150 businesses, including most of the local establishments, uses the familiar AKC
inside a peach.) The industry was not always so neatly organized, Lytton explained. While historically most food was prepared at home, with the animals slaughtered by a local shochet, the industrial revolution and the rise of processed food created a need for a different type of oversight and regulation. While kosher meat production in the United States was originally overseen by individual synagogues within a community, the end of congregational leadership in the kosher field led to a rise in fraud, corruption and even violence, he said. “In 1925, 50 percent of all meat sold in New York City as kosher actually wasn’t,” Lytton said. The U.S. government lacked the resources to regulate kosher meat production, and private certification agencies began forming in an effort to meet the need. The kosher meat industry still has some issues, but kosher certification of packaged food — the area Lytton focused on during his presentation — seems to be down to a science. Kosher agencies use sophisticated marketing
efforts to convince manufacturers of the need and benefits of certifying their products, he said. Rabbi Alexander Rosenberg, who worked for the Orthodox Union from 1950 to 1972, is famous for his initial attempt to sell Duncan Hines executives on the benefits of kosher certification of their cake mixes. Rabbi Rosenberg said kosher consumers were a small but highly influential demographic because they were concentrated in major metropolitan markets. By increasing market share in those major metro areas, a company could achieve better product positioning on store shelves, where all customers, not just kosher consumers, would be more likely to see and buy them. A marketing manager at Duncan Hines said Rabbi Rosenberg taught him that “the whole grocery business depends upon shelf space.” As a result of OU certification, sales of Duncan Hines’ cake mix among nonkosher consumers rose 40 percent in two months. In fact, 2 percent to 20 percent of a typical product’s sales are attributable to kosher certification, Lytton said, which can mean millions of dollars for a leading brand. The major certification agencies are often interdependent, with one overseeing certain ingredients that go into products regulated by another agency, he said. Because processed food can contain multiple additives, the agencies typically hire employees who oversee specific aspects of food production. For example, one person will be in charge only of emulsifiers, while another will do flavor enhancers. Lytton explained that the agencies perform an initial inspection of the facilities and equipment, then make regular visits throughout the year for ongoing monitoring. The fees range from $2,000 to $100,000 per year. “I thought it was eye-opening about how complex the kosher supervision has become,” Ilana Gimpelevitch said. She said she enjoys hearing speakers discuss timely and interesting Torah-related topics, as the New Toco Shul frequently offers. The major kosher certification agencies are known for their reliability, Lytton said, and they serve as a model for other industries. Overall, Lytton concluded, those who oversee the kosher food industry are mission-driven. ■
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
JF&CS Helps Supply Mitzvah for Simcha
M
arcy and Nhan Nguyen-Khoa of Orlando, Fla., announce the birth of a son, Miles Sidney, on Aug. 15, 2015. The grandparents are Jill Rosenberg and Chester Rosenberg of Atlanta and An Thi Hoang of Silver Spring, Md., and the late Thinh-Anh Nguyen-Khoa. Miles Sidney was named in loving memory of his great-grandfather Sidney Haskins. ■
Bar mitzvah Andrew Krause and sister Stephanie stock the shelves at the JF&CS Kosher Food Pantry.
Andrew and family have visited the pantry twice to stock the shelves and plan to continue doing so. His grandmother offered to match any amount Andrew raises. “We have already started buying more food to donate,” Michelle Krause said. She enjoyed the chance to learn about kosher food and show her kids how to stretch a dollar. She also was able to see a direct impact. “We knew we were directly helping people in need. We packed bags for clients and had to choose specific foods for their circumstances. If someone is living out of their car, they can’t cook pasta.” For more information about choosing a mitzvah project, contact Sheri Schwartz at shschwartz@jfcsatlanta.org. ■
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Birth Miles Sidney Nguyen-Khoa
Planning a bar or bat mitzvah takes many steps — booking a venue, choosing a theme, deciding on invitations, learning the Torah portion, figuring out the décor and more. Meanwhile, kids are expected to complete mitzvah projects. Jewish Family & Career Services can help b’nai mitzvot find meaningful mitzvah projects. With nearly 40 programs and services, JF&CS has many opportunities for student mitzvot. Sheri Schwartz, the engagement coordinator at JF&CS, gets calls weekly from parents looking for mitzvah projects for their children. Her list ranges from creating birthday and get-well cards for older adults to doing yardwork for JF&CS clients and from singing to Holocaust survivors at Café Europa to collecting toys and games for children in need. Andrew Krause, who recently celebrated his bar mitzvah, chose to help with the JF&CS Kosher Food Pantry for his mitzvah project. “It made me really happy to help out people who are in need,” Andrew said. First, he raised money from family and friends. Then he and his family shopped for needed items. Finally, they stocked the kosher pantry shelves. “Choosing the Kosher Food Pantry as our project was an amazing experience. We were able to get the whole family involved, learn about kosher food and teach our kids the importance of giving back to the community,” said Michelle Krause, Andrew’s mom.
AJT 45
SIMCHAS
Print your own holiday cards SCHEDULE YOUR FAMILY PORTRAIT with Paula M Gould Photography 30 minute session 3 day turnaround one digital image retouched
$150
pmgphoto@mindspring.com www.pmgphoto.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Taking a Swing At Solo Stardom
Songwriter and simcha performer Bob Jeter releases first solo EP By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com
S
inger-songwriter Bob Jeter converted to Judaism in the early 1980s after undertaking a spiritual quest with his wife. After going through the conversion process and rediscovering his love for music, Jeter now performs around town with the Ariel David Band, a Jewish simcha rock outfit. Last month Jeter released his first solo EP with a cast of all-star musicians. “Along for the Ride” is available at www. jeternthejets.com. Jeter visited the AJT offices to chat about his family, conversion and musical influences. AJT: Your new EP, “Along Bob Jeter performs during a visit to the AJT offices. for the Ride,” has some big Watch the song at names attached. How did you www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj-o_HYXuqQ. manage to get that talent? Jeter: I went to Craigslist looking for a piano player, and I ran across this guy named Kenny Kirby who has played with a lot of big acts. You know, once you’re in the club, you know the guys. So he got this group together, and you can look at the résumés. Kenny played with Van Morrison and Sly and the Family Stone. Ric Seymour is in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame with Wet Willie, and Fred Vigdor is a great sax player who has toured with Michael McDonald. AJT: What’s your musical background like? Jeter: When I was young, I used to sing in rhythm and blues bands, so it’s always been a passion for me. I didn’t pick up the guitar till I was 20 years old. When I went to Europe in the 1970s, I started writing songs. As my kids got older, I got back into music and formed a band with them, Jeter and the Jets. AJT: So Jeter and the Jets is a father-son band? Jeter: Yeah, we started playing in the garage, and even though I have one kid in New York and one in Florida, I used that as a band name on occasion.
ATLANTA’S BEST EMCESS, DJ’S, LIVE BANDS, DANCERS & MORE! ● Bar & Bat Mitzvahs ● Weddings ● Corporate & Social Events ● Live Simulcast ● Great Pricing & Personalized Packages BOOK NOW TO HOLD TODAY’S PRICES!
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Mention This Ad for our NEW GALAXIAN LIGHTS!
AJT 46
ATLANT’S HOTTEST BAR/BAT MITZVAH
ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY!
AJT: I understand you also have a third band that plays Jewish simchas? Jeter: I work often with guitarist Gedalya Silverstein and a few other guys in the Jewish community in the Ariel David Band. We play a lot of Jewish weddings and events. I’d say we have a Sephardic kind of feel with a Southern accent. AJT: You’re a member of Congregation Beth Jacob now. What’s your Jewish background like? Jeter: I was born in Richmond, Va., and I converted about 20 years ago. AJT: What was behind the conversion? Jeter: It was a search. My wife is Jewish, and we got married in the late ’70s but were not very religious. We sort of did a spiritual quest together as a couple, and the more I looked into her religion, the more I liked what I saw. AJT: You’re performing next at the Broadway Cafe on Nov. 7. How did you swing that gig? Jeter: Well, it’s in my neighborhood in Toco Hills. The young guy who took it over, Avi Alzadeh, used to play pro baseball, and he saw my name Jeter and asked me if I knew Derek. So that’s when we sort of hit it off. I said to him not only do Jeters play ball, they also do music. He booked us, and it’s nice that it’s in Toco Hills so we can get a lot of people from around there to come. ■
SIMCHAS
Guest Column By Jason Kagan and Aaron Payes
A
ll parents want their children’s b’nai mitzvah celebrations to be unique, once-in-a-lifetime events. How do you make that happen? We have hosted parties for over a decade and have learned dozens of invaluable secrets. The party scene has changed dramatically the past 10 years, and what worked before won’t cut it today. If you want to have an exceptional and memorable event, we can share five secrets to help you get some of the many important things right. First, if you want to have a fresh experience, you need to seek out the right entertainment company. Look for someone who listens to you and responds with unique ideas. Watch out for companies that tend to feed you generic verbiage. You’re going to work closely with your DJ and MC, and you want creative people who will bring the action that will make your party stand out. Search for the group that can execute whatever type of requests you have. A top-notch DJ will have not only bar and bat mitzvah experience, but also nightclub experience. You want someone who can handle any situation. Second, once you think you’ve found the best fit, put the entertainers to the test. Challenge their skills. There are things that happen at nearly every party (e.g., grand entrances, video montages and the hora). Be innovative with how you approach and create these elements. When you introduce them at the party, do something different from just having your MC tell everyone, “It’s happening now.” Work with your vendors and your entertainers to embellish those moments. Ask them, “What can we do to make the montage neater than just a simple slideshow set to music?” After all, they are the experts, right? Third, in an effort to throw a party that is special and unique, let me ask you this question: How is your child special and unique? Does your child have a hobby or a talent? Find that special something and highlight it during the night. Structure a time to showcase the Studio B Photography A crowd-surfing entrance give the thing that makes your child so bar mitzvah a rock star feel. cool. For example, if your daughter is a dancer or your son plays an instrument, allow a few moments for her to show off a dance routine (maybe with some fellow dancers) or stage a rock mini-concert for his grand entrance. We’ve had huge success using these ideas and have witnessed countless children emerge from their shells, gleaming with smiles. Remember, this day is all about the child. Let your kids be the superstars they are. Fourth, if you want to go the extra mile, hire a party planner. They are the experts, and they have their fingers on the pulse of the right people to hire to suit you best. They sit down with you and map out a plan to make sure your weekend is stress-free and delivers the best party of your child’s life. Great party planners and entertainment companies take the time to get to know you and your family. We are genuinely interested in the things you guys like because we want to make sure the party reflects your personality in every way. Fifth and most important, know that your party has a pulse. Everyone at the party, from your vendors to your guests, plays a vital role in whether that pulse rises or falls. When choosing a party planner and entertainment company, make sure they understand the proper flow of the evening. Many parties feel choppy and awkward when they continually start and stop. Each activity should flow seamlessly into the next so that the energy level continues to rise. By the end of the night, you’re going full speed and you have that party that people will be talking about for years. We had our b’nai mitzvah many years ago, and we appreciate the milestone’s importance in Jewish family life. It’s a rite of passage, a fun celebration and a great reason to have your favorite people around you. It’s not about keeping up with the Joneses; it’s just about creating the best feeling that you’ll remember forever. ■ Jason Kagan and Aaron Payes are the directors of Kagan Entertainment
CELEBRATE at MAGGIANO’S LITTLE ITALY
BAR/BAT MITZVAHS SHABBAT DINNERS BRUNCHES REHEARSAL DINNERS CEREMONIES rich, beautiful rooms and table settings full-service bars with an extensive selection of wine, spirits and champagnes authentic, chef-prepared italianamerican dishes served buffet or family style skilled banquet managers experienced in a wide range of social, religious and cultural events
LET US HELP MAKE YOUR SPECIAL DAY ONE TO REMEMBER BUCKHEAD 3368 PEACHTREE ROAD NE ATLANTA, GA 30326 404.816.6257
CUMBERLAND 1601 CUMBERLAND MALL SE, SUITE 200 ATLANTA, GA 30339 770.799.1590
PERIMETER 4400 ASHFORD DUNWOODY ROAD, #3035 DUNWOODY, GA 30346 770.804.8898
MAGGIANOS.COM/BANQUETS
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
5 Keys to Party That Pops
AJT 47
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Chabad Takes Root South of Atlanta
SHERWOOD EVENT HALL Located in Sandy Springs, GA Can accommodate up to 300+ guests
Perfect for Any occAsion! We offer full service event packages that include: Hall Rental, Catering, Decor & More!
678-643-9324 www.sherwoodevent.com ‘Like’ us on Facebook
SMART LADIES Never Pay Full Price! New, sample, and consignment formal dresses, cocktail, and wedding gowns.
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Huge New Shipment Just Arrived
AJT 48
206-B Johnson Ferry Road NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328
404.842.1955 LeDressBoutique.com
Mon-Wed 10 a.m.-6 pm. Thursday CLOSED Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
By Mindy Rubenstein mrubenstein@atljewishtimes.com
C
habad of Peachtree City is bringing enlightenment to the Jewish community with a new center for study and worship south of Atlanta. Rabbi Yossi and Shternie Lew have served the south-side community for several years from their home, offering classes, services and programs for the holidays. They recently purchased a new building and, after not quite being ready to hold High Holiday services there, plan to move within a couple of weeks. Rabbi Lew is the only full-time rabbi in the 100 miles between the southern edge of Atlanta and Macon; nearby Congregation B’nai Israel has a new part-time rabbi, Rick Harkavy. People come to the Chabad center in Fayette County from Clayton County, Coweta County “and many other places where Jews are scattered,” Rabbi Lew said. Community members had purchased materials and, with their own hands, built a custom synagogue in the rabbi’s garage, he said. The new building sits on 2½ acres in Tyrone, which borders Peachtree City about an hour southwest of Atlanta. Peachtree City is a tight-knit community with many rules and regulations, Rabbi Lew said. Operating out of the Lew home was “frowned upon by the homeowners association and the city.” He had met with them to explain his motives and mission. Still, for the long term, Lew realized there was a better option. “I felt that going to Tyrone was the smarter route,” he said. “It’s literally one street over.” People can buy the same house for half the price and live near the shul, he said. At the new location, a small house on a large plot of land, they took down some walls and now can fit more than 100 people for services, events, and Purim and Chanukah parties, plus classrooms for Hebrew school. They have a kitchen and a big back yard for parking. “With G-d’s help this will turn into the main facility down the road,” the rabbi said. He said the goal is to build a Jewish community that welcomes Jews of all backgrounds, and if people observe Shabbat and are looking for an alterna-
Photo by Larry Shapiro
Rabbi Yossi Lew presides over the first Chanukah candle lighting at Peachtree City’s City Hall in 2013.
tive community, “they will have a place to go.” Rabbi Lew drives 40 miles to Toco Hills each morning to bring his children to Torah Day School of Atlanta. The Lews have 10 children ages 26 to 10, as well as grandchildren. Rabbi Lew served as associate rabbi at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Sandy Springs for 19 years under Rabbi Yossi New. “That is a growing area,” said Rabbi New, whose Chabad of Georgia oversees more than a dozen Chabad centers. “Rabbi Yossi and Shternie Lew have a unique combination of experience, warmth and wisdom. It’s a great credit to them that they wanted to share those talents and go out to virgin territory to develop the Jewish presence there,” New said. Lew said he sees a mix of retirees and young families in Peachtree City, as well as a significant number of pilots and other Delta workers based at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. “I don’t know anyone born in Peachtree City. Some are transplants from Atlanta, but most have transplanted from all over,” he said. “It’s a real mix.” The Lews moved to Peachtree City in 2012 just before Rosh Hashanah and held High Holiday services at a hotel the first two years. This year they had about 100 people at their garageturned-synagogue. Yoram Ben-Hanania and his wife, Sandy, who have four children, started at Chabad of North Fulton and moved to Peachtree City in 2014. An airline pilot with Delta, he wanted to be closer to the airport. One day he and his wife were in
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Starbucks and noticed a man with a kippah and a woman pushing a baby stroller. His wife said: “Look, they are Jewish. Maybe they know of a Chabad nearby.” The woman answered in the affirmative and said the rabbi was her father. “It was from above,” Ben-Hanania said. “Since the beginning, they embraced us as part of the community. He has gone above and beyond for us spiritually and physically.” He said he is excited about the new, more spacious facility, and he raves about the area. “It’s a beautiful place to live,” unknown to Atlanta’s intown dwellers, Ben-Hanania said. Susan Schapiro, who lives in Newnan, 11 miles from Peachtree City, is officially retired but works four days a week at the YMCA. She attends services and events at Chabad, as well as the women’s group and classes such as “Kabbalah and Coffee” on Sunday mornings. “I love going there,” she said. When Chabad moves into the new building, she said, she is looking forward to more classes. “There is always something new that you take away,” Schapiro said,
adding about Rabbi Lew, “He’s a wonderful speaker; he really tries to break it down.” She added that Shternie Lew “is an excellent cook. Her kiddushes after services are very imaginative.” Having Chabad nearby “fills the need in my heart,” Schapiro said. Rabbi and Shternie Lew grew up in an atmosphere of Jewish outreach. His parents, Rabbi Shmuel and Hindy Lew, have served as Chabad shluchim (emissaries) in London for 50 years. Her parents, Rabbi Hirsch Leib and Rivkah Begun, have run a Chabad center in Sao Paulo for 55 years. June Winestock of Newnan can’t say enough good things about the Lews. “We love him. We love his family. It was like a godsend that he came down here.” She and her friends used to travel north to Chabad Intown with Rabbis Eliyahu Schusterman and Ari Sollish, but making the drive at night was difficult. “We still love them and see them sometimes,” she said. “They’re incredible.” She refers to Chabad of Peachtree City as her family. “It made a big difference in my life. It is phenomenal,” she said. “The people here are just fabulous.” ■
Schedule your next event at the Newly Renovated Wyndham Atlanta Galleria. → 10 Million Dollar Renovation - Just completed!! → Kosher Menu Available → Three Elegant Ballrooms to choose from → Heated Indoor/Outdoor pool → Complimentary parking & shuttle → Conveniently located just off 285 From a lavish signature affair to smaller, intimate gatherings, we can accommodate every wish for your ceremony. Schedule your tour today with one of our professional event planners!
6345 Powers Ferry Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30339 (770) 955-1700 www.wyndhamatlantahotel.com
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
SIMCHAS
AJT 49
SIMCHAS
JOIN US ON A FAMILY TRIP TO ISRAEL guided by the legendary moshe nov july 5-17, 2016
Hugs and Kisses for Rabbi Feldstein
Congregation B’nai Israel celebrated 13 years of Rabbi Lou Feldstein’s spiritual leadership with Havdalah, dinner, laughs, tears and a few parting gifts at the Jonesboro synagogue Saturday night, Sept. 26. Rabbi Feldstein served the southside Reform congregation on a part-time basis while maintaining a home and, in recent years, building a consultancy on the north side of the metro area. Rabbi Rick Harkavy has moved from Washington state to the south side to lead B’nai Israel on a part-time basis but with a full-time presence in the area.
You’ll enjoy a host of unique visits and tours throughout Israel as well as deluxe accommodations. Float in the Dead Sea, take a Jeep ride in the Galilee and much more. B’nai Mitzvah services available.
land only: $3390 for adults, $2390 per child 12 and under (rooming with 2 adults) Please call SRI Travel @ 770-451-9399 for more information!
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Michael Rosser Photography
AJT 50
770.516.4332 www.MichaelRosserPhotography.com 3905 Remington Way • Marietta, GA 30066 Photos by Dennis Hudgins
SIMCHAS
Kol Emeth Aims to Shine New Light on Bimah
䈀攀愀甀琀椀昀甀氀 圀攀搀搀椀渀最 愀渀搀 䴀椀琀稀瘀愀栀 倀栀漀琀漀最爀愀瀀栀礀
By April Basler abasler@atljewishtimes.com
T
圀攀搀搀椀渀最 愀渀搀 䴀椀琀稀瘀愀栀 倀栀漀琀漀最爀愀瀀栀礀 挀漀洀瀀攀琀椀琀椀瘀氀礀 瀀爀椀挀攀搀 䄀氀氀 瀀爀椀挀椀渀最 瀀氀愀渀猀 愀爀攀 愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀 漀渀 漀甀爀 眀攀戀猀椀琀攀 伀瘀攀爀 ㈀ 礀攀愀琀爀猀 攀砀瀀攀爀椀攀渀挀攀 椀渀 攀瘀攀渀琀 瀀栀漀琀漀最爀愀瀀栀礀 䐀愀琀攀猀 愀爀攀 愀瘀愀椀氀愀戀氀攀 昀漀爀 ㈀ 㔀
䴀攀渀琀椀漀渀 琀栀椀猀 愀搀搀 昀漀爀 愀 ␀㈀ 搀椀猀挀漀甀渀琀 漀渀 愀渀礀 瀀栀漀琀漀最爀愀瀀栀礀 瀀氀愀渀
䌀漀渀琀愀挀琀 甀猀 欀渀漀眀 琀漀 戀漀漀欀 礀漀甀爀 攀瘀攀渀琀℀ 眀眀眀⸀欀椀猀猀攀搀眀椀琀栀氀椀最栀琀⸀挀漀洀 䌀愀氀氀 䨀攀昀昀 䘀爀愀渀欀攀氀 愀琀 㐀 㐀⸀㔀㌀㠀⸀㐀㤀㜀㜀
Your Bar/Bat Mitzvah
Mitzvahs by DoubleTree by Hilton Atlanta/Roswell
With DoubleTree by Hilton the honoree and their family have an array of resources available to help create a special occasion that is simple and stress-free. From a block of guest rooms to creating the ultimate mitzvah celebration, our catering and events teams are dedicated to provide personalized attention and superior service. ■ 12,000 sq. ft. of flexible banquet space for Mitzvahs, Shabbat Dinners and Sunday Brunches ■ Event Specialist on site ■ Picturesque hilltop location ■ Flexibility to meet your budget guidelines
Other Amenities - Close to Historic Roswell, restaurants and parks - Easy access off of GA 400 - Full restaurant and bar onsite - Fitness center
-
Outdoor swimming pool Wireless high speed Internet Access Non-smoking facility Complimentary local area shuttle service Complimentary self parking
1075 Holcomb Bridge Road | Roswell, GA 30076 | 678-352-3118 | AtlantaRoswell.DoubleTree.com
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
emple Kol Emeth in East Cobb has launched an initiative, Project Illuminate, to finish its sanctuary by completing the windows above the bimah. Four of the 10 windows are in place, and a fifth window has been fabricated and is on display in the lobby of the Reform congregation to promote the project. TKE’s sanctuary was designed to include numbers that are meaningful to the Jewish people. The 10 windows above the bimah represent the Ten Commandments. This is the fifth of 10 windows with random The 18 large and colorful color patterns planned for installation stained-glass windows in the sancabove the Temple Kol Emeth bimah. tuary, nine on either side of the bimah, represent chai (life). Installed about 10 years ago, they depict scenes from the Torah and Jewish history until modern times with a ribbon that ties all the panels together. The story windows have a connection with the windows above the bimah. The glass of the faces and the hands of the people depicted in the large panels is the same glass the artist is using in the smaller, abstract windows. There is special meaning behind those 10 windows, recently named the ancestral windows. “It represents all the different people from our past looking down upon the entire congregation,” said Doug Pisik, who co-chairs the Project Illuminate committee with his wife, Ginger. The glass artist, Dale Molnar, has a studio in Marietta and is nationally recognized for his glass work in spiritual places such as churches and synagogues. He saved the glass for over 10 years for Kol Emeth to finish the project. About five years ago TKE was in the process of finding sponsorship for the 10 windows. There were plans to complete all the windows in the sanctuary, but some unforeseen obstacles occurred. “The windows were originally being made and put into place and then, during the economic downturn, that pretty much stalled out as other priorities took their place,” Kol Emeth President Henry Hene said. “We are now at a position where we can restart that program.” Several members of the congregation, including the Pisiks, recently discussed finishing the sanctuary and went to Rabbi Steve Lebow and the board. The result was the Project Illuminate fundraiser. According to Hene, one window had been purchased in memory of longtime member Jill Suchke but had not been fabricated. “I had been approached by several congregants on what we had envisioned on when that window would be made available,” Hene said. “I felt like this was the time to do that in honor of and in memory of Jill Suchke.” The windows above the bimah consist of 81 squares arranged in nine rows and nine columns. The colored squares are purposely arranged randomly so that every window is different but contains similar colors. The Project Illuminate committee consists of TKE congregants from the board, the ritual committee and the Brotherhood, among other members. There will be a recognition program for the sponsors of Project Illuminate. The Pisiks are in the process of designing that plaque, which will be installed in the sanctuary. The Pisiks can be contacted for more information about Project Illuminate and about sponsorships at TKEWindows@Bellsouth.net. Kol Emeth hopes to complete the fundraising for Project Illuminate in four to six months, in time for several major temple events in 2016. There are plans for the project to go forward regardless of how much money is raised. ■
AJT 51
EDUCATION www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Bukharian Community Comes Home
T
he Bukharian Jewish community of Norcross held a triple celebration Sunday, Oct. 18, simultaneously inaugurating the new building for Congregation Beit Yitzchak; the lavish Mikvah USA-sponsored mikvah in the basement of that former home at 6030 Goodwood Blvd.; and the launch of Kollel Beit Yitzchak, a spinoff of Toco Hills’ Kollel Ner Hamizrach. The roughly 100 families who are members of Beit Yitzchak were reinforced for the celebration by scholars from Toco Hills, as well as the chief rabbi of the Bukharian communities of the United States and Canada, Itzhak Yehoshua. After a dinner at the shul that was packed with speeches, recognition for donors and other supporters, and a bit of dancing, the celebration moved a little more than a mile to the congregation’s former home, the King David Community Center on Singleton Road, to welcome more of the community into the festivities. (For more about the celebration, see the Editor’s Notebook, Page 10.)
G
A
C
H
B
D
I
J
K
L
M E
F
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Photos by Michael Jacobs unless otherwise noted A. Photo by Rabbi David Kapenstein
AJT 52
Ner Hamizrach Rabbi Shmuel Khoshkerman addresses the Beit Yitzchak community, which he has nurtured for more than 20 years. B. Simon Barayev serves as the emcee for the Beit Yitzchak dedication dinner. C. Bukharian Chief Rabbi Itzhak Yehoshua welcomes the guests to dinner at the new shul. D. Mikvah Duvid Areyeh is open for use, thanks to the help of Mikvah USA. E. Esteemed rabbis, including Toco Hills leaders Shmuel Khoshkerman (far left) of Congregation Ner Hamizrach and Ilan Feldman (third from left) of Congregation Beth Jacob, gather around Bukharian Chief Rabbi Itzhak Yehoshua. F. The celebration includes many Bukharian generations. G. Photo by Rabbi David Kapenstein At the center of the post-dinner dancing are (from left) Rabbi Israel Zelman, Simon Barayev and Rabbi Sroy Levitansky. H. Rabbi Eliezer Cohen, the rosh kollel of Kollel Ner Hamizrach, tells Beit Yitzchak members that they have no excuse not to devote themselves to Torah study now that they have their own kollel one night a week. I. On the outside, Congregation Beit Yitzchak blends into its residential Norcross neighborhood.
N
O J. Congregation members enjoy a festive meal. K. This depiction of the planned all-wood ark hangs in the new shul’s sanctuary. The actual ark, designed by Mordchai Greenwald and being crafted in Malaysia, should be in place before Passover. L. Rabbi Nathan Phuzayloff tells how he came to become the spiritual leader of Beit Yitzchak. M. All the rabbis and a few nonrabbis gather for a group photograph after dinner at the shul. N. Chief Rabbi Itzhak Yehoshua translates from Russian to English for Beit Yitzchak’s president, Anatoliy Iskhakov. O. Rabbi Yitzchok Bistritzky (right), the founder of Mikvah USA, presents an award recognizing one of the donors behind the Beit Yitzchak’s new mikvah.
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Shawl of Many Colors
Elite Tallit personalizes sacred threads By Anna Streetman
I
t started with a simple question from a friend back in February 2009: “Have you ever thought about making tallit?” Meg Fisher, a talented seamstress who has been sewing since the sixth grade, took the opportunity. She immediately made three tallitot and brought them to popular Jewish gift store Gifts From the Heart. Two of them sold on consignment the next day. She soon started her own website, Elite Tallit (www.elitetallit.com), and began making custom tallitot on request. Today, Elite Tallit is a thriving business. Fisher is always working on at least one tallit during the week; during a recent week when she made time for an interview, the Temple Kol Emeth member was working on five. A tallit takes eight to nine hours to complete, depending on the complexity and special requests. On an average day, Fisher spends five to six hours sewing the prayer shawls. The price for a custom tallit is
around $280, although the cost varies with the choice of fabric. During her career, Fisher has made several unique tallitot. She made one tallit completely out of leather after a client had searched in vain to find one elsewhere. Another tallit was made completely out of the ties from a client’s grandfather. One of Fisher’s favorites is a tallit that was designed to imitate a stainedglass window; she cut holes in the black fabric and placed sheer fabric underneath, which she painted different colors. Fisher said her favorite part of making tallitot is helping her clients decide what they want so that she can fulfill their dreams. “I once made a tallit for a girl’s bat mitzvah after her father died of ALS,” Fisher said. “When he was buried in his tallit, some pieces of it were cut off for the kids. I put a piece of it on the back of the atarah (the embroidered strip in the middle of one long side) over her heart. During the Havdalah service, when they said a prayer for her dad, she smiled at me and rubbed that
Decorate With Mitzvot
R
enterpieces from Jewish Family & Career Services can decorate tabletops and bimahs and add some style to your simcha while raising money for a charitable cause and checking centerpieces off your party planning to-do list. Renterpieces are fun and festive centerpieces that can be used not only at b’nai mitzvah celebrations, but also at weddings, baby showers and corporate events. They are made to order and can be customized to an event’s color scheme or other specifications. Renterpieces come in small, medium and large/bimah sizes, ranging in price from $25 to $80. All the money raised through the centerpiece rentals goes to the JF&CS Kosher Food Pantry and other programs and services for those in need. Started by Betsy Brody more than 20 years ago, the Renterpieces program provides a way to arrange for beautiful centerpieces for an occasion without going to the expense of elaborate floral arrangements. Mindy Sard, a longtime JF&CS volunteer and board member, coordinates the program today. “It’s very inspirational to create
the Renterpieces,” Sard said. “These are life events for these families. It feels very special to be a small part of the process of this special time.” Sard is crafty and loves creating the baskets to suit each client. “One child was allergic to dairy and had ordered the ‘food boxes’ style. We made sure each food box was dairy-free in the Renterpieces.” Because Renterpieces are reused, they are a way to go green while contributing to JF&CS and beautifying any simcha. “With all of the incredible programs at JF&CS helping needy people,” Sard said, it is nice to be able to help with a happy event.” For more information about Renterpieces, visit Renterpieces.org. ■
piece.” In addition to making notable tallitot, Fisher has worked with notable clients, including Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Fisher this year made him a new tallit and kippah from the fabric of his bar mitzvah tallit. Her skills aren’t limited to tallitot. She makes chuppot, kippot, table covers, dresses and more. Fisher also does clothing alterations. She often works with a wedding gown to make a chuppah with the fabric. Fisher even sewed her own wedding dress 26 years ago. A mother of two teenagers, Fisher also works with Jay Givarz, a senior mortgage banker at Fidelity Bank, three days a week. Fisher said Givarz is “very supportive and understanding” of her work at Elite Tallit. “I never knew that when I started sewing in sixth grade,” Fisher said, “it would become my livelihood and my passion.” ■ Top: This bar mitzvah tallit is made from a grandfather’s neckties. Bottom: Custom-dyed fabric helps this tallit meet the needs of a picky bat mitzvah. Left: Each leaf on this Tree of Life tallit is hand-sewn from a fabric that represents a particular family member of a client in Virginia. The leaves attached to the tree represent living relatives; the leaves falling away are for the dead.
Party Connection Atlanta’s Premier Bar & Bat Mitzvah Resource For Parents & Vendors AtlantaPartyConnection.com
WE OFFER
“Your first and last stop for Bar & Bat Mitzvah planning.”
• Vendor referrals & discounts from our extensive online directory • Access to the Bar & Bat Mitzvah Expo Featuring Atlanta’s Top Vendors! • Experienced party consulting services
Renterpieces come in many styles, including some designed to look like floral pieces.
For more info call: Shelly Danz at: 770.744.5750 Or send us an email: shelly@atlantapartyconnection.com
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
SIMCHAS
AJT 53
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
When the Mom Is the Party Planner Guest Column By Shelly Danz
M
itzvahs are my life. Over the past 15 years I’ve helped hundreds of Atlanta families plan bar and bat mitzvah celebrations. But when it came to my kids’ big days, I wore the hats of both the professional planner and the nervous mitzvah mom. I’ve used what I learned in my dual role to help guide clients ever since. Here’s what I tell them: • Dare to be popular. Did you choose the same venue as your best friend? Who cares? Ignore the urge to be different just to be different. Our party was at a popular mitzvah venue with a popular theme, a popular DJ and a popular green screen. It didn’t matter. It was the party we wanted, and we did little things to make it our own and truly memorable. Of course, an unusual theme may dictate more unusual choices, but don’t avoid vendors just because others in your circle used them. (By the way, popular vendors and venues are booked often because they make events successful.)
• Make it personal. Play up aspects of your child’s personality or passions so that attendees feel like they’re connected to the guest of honor. Did they choose a mitzvah project based on something they feel strongly about? Do they love a particular song or dance? Make sure your DJ or décor calls attention to that info. We displayed pictures of my son playing baseball all weekend long, and the DJ made him the center of attention all night. He was even carried around the room, which he loved. • Involve mitzvah kids in planning. The party is really for your mitzvah kid, and he/she needs decision-making power. My son had great opinions about things he cared about, like his green screen backgrounds, the kids’ food and what songs he wanted played. While some kids will have more input than others, make sure the party reflects your child’s preferences and not just yours. • Check out the kids’ space. Tour the kids’ area at some point during the celebration. It’s a great feeling to see your child and all of his or her friends having fun as they celebrate him/her. Whether your child is doing a dance
you’ve never seen before or slow dancing with someone he or she likes, it’s a rare moment to see your kid totally enjoying himself/herself with lots of favorite people. (Store that mental image for a tough teen day in the future.) • Don’t sweat the small stuff. This is my motto all the time, but especially this weekend. Something will go wrong. It even happened to me with a typo on my hospitality letter directing guests to call a wrong number (oops!). There is no do-over on this day, so get past it and enjoy all the good. • Let the pros do their jobs. You hired vendors because you respect their work. Let them deliver for you. If things turn out slightly different than you envisioned, it’s likely because your vendor knew this way would be better. Know that it’s in your vendors’ best interests to do terrific work. One of your guests may want to hire them in the future, or you may decide to hire
Share your Celebrations with Your Atlanta Jewish Community for Free
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
• • • • •
AJT 54
Shelly Danz, the founder and principal of Atlanta Party Connection (www. atlantapartyconnection.com), has been a professional event planner for more than 15 years. She created the Atlanta Bar & Bat Mitzvah EXPO, now in its seventh year.
Top: Ryan Danz is the highflying center of attention at his bar mitzvah celebration.
Birth Announcements Weddings Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Celebrations of all types Anniversaries
Send your story, announcements and celebrations with pictures today to Kaylene Rudy, krudy@atljewishtimes.com or call 404-883-2130 x100.
them again. Show appreciation for vendors (by tipping and sending thank-you notes after the event) who went above and beyond. • Savor the moment. Remember your wedding? Yup, it’s going to go by that fast. Make sure you dance to the music, taste the food and admire the décor. Let your guests know how much you appreciate them being there and enjoy their company. Feel the amount of love surrounding your child and your family. Take it all in. Trust me, your joy will be reflected in the photos. Happy planning. ■
Left: The Danz family — Megan, Shelly, Ryan and Barry — makes sure to enjoy the party.
Ryan Danz’s reaction to a taste of wine gives parents Shelly and Barry Danz a good laugh.
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
“Delightful.” —Per Brevig, conductor and professor at The Juilliard School
Bar/Bat Mitzvah Checklist
NOW
office to determine postage and pur-
chase stamps. □ Secure party location. □ Begin calligraphy or computer print□ Check security arrangements. □ Select entertainment (disk jockey or ing of invitation envelopes. □ Order imprinted accessories or parband). □ Select photographer. ty giveaways. □ Select videographer. □ Plan welcome bags for out-of-town
11 MONTHS BEFORE
□
Review accommodations for out-oftown guests. □ Create a list of out-of-towners. □ Request a block of rooms at the hotel of choice. □ Interview caterers.
10 MONTHS BEFORE
□ Determine Shabbat dinner and Sunday brunch plans. □ Create a guest list with complete addresses.
8 MONTHS BEFORE
□
Send save-the-date cards to out-oftown guests. □ Begin looking at invitations.
7 MONTHS BEFORE
□ Decide on the invitation wording. □ Order invitations. 6 MONTHS BEFORE
□ Order kippot. □ Plan the menus. □ Finalize decorations.
3 MONTHS BEFORE
□
Weigh an invitation at the post
guests.
□ Mail out-of-town invitations. 2 MONTHS BEFORE
□ Mail intown invitations. □ Finalize the catering details
and
floor plan.
3 WEEKS BEFORE
□ Conduct final clothing fittings. □ Assign tables. □ Finalize seating arrangements. WEEKEND BEFORE
□ Provide the photographer with a list of special requests.
MONDAY BEFORE
□ Create seating cards.
THURSDAY BEFORE
□ Deliver welcome bags to the hotel. WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER
□ Send a free announcement to the Atlanta Jewish Times through our website, atlantajew-ishtimes.com, or by email, submissions@atljewishtimes. com, with a high-resolution photo.
You have to hear it to believe it... YOU’VE NEVER HEARD A CONCERT LIKE THIS ONE. Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra brings together the greatest musical traditions of East and West. Original music inspired by ancient China. World-renowned Chinese tenors and sopranos. Celebrated classics from Tchaikovsky, Sarasate, and more. Don’t miss the most uplifting concert experience this year.
“It is beyond anything I can put into words. It’s the most amazing, uplifting, spiritual journey.” —Margaux Brooks, executive film producer
“Somehow it transcends all cultures, all languages … It makes you celebrate humanity.” —Dale Robertson, private equity management consultant
Listen to Shen Yun music at
shenyun.com/symphony
Symphony Hall at
Woodruff Arts Center Tuesday, October 27 | 8PM
ShenYun.com/symphony/atlanta Presenter: 770-285-7786 Woodruff Center Box Office: 404-733-5000
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Here are the steps to take when planning a bar or bat mitzvah for your child in the next year or so.
AJT 55
SIMCHAS
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
We’re Still Here
I
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
love a Jewish wedding. No, I don’t cry like the old ladies, but my heart warms up and expands like a kneidlach in simmering soup. Why? For the simple reason that we’re still here, and there’s every indication there will be more of us. Our historical survival is one of the proofs that a living G-d rules the world. It speaks to me of our continuing Jewish lineage — the futility of those historical Hitlers who tried to obliterate our culture and failed. As the bride circles the groom and the rabbi recites the age-old blessings, which must have worked because we’re still here, I think of the mighty empires that have crumbled when they attacked us. I think of Spain and its inquisition — a country now on the critically ill list. I think of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (Republics? A Scribbler on the Roof blatant lie.) A shadow of its By Ted Roberts former self. te11d@hiwaay.net I think of Nazi Germany — those champion Jew-killers and their heaven-sent (with the aid of the allied air forces) blizzard of destruction from the air. Dresden, Cologne, Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart — heaps of corpses and ashes. Yes, G-d looked away from the Holocaust, but violently He took His revenge on our murderers. And don’t forget Rome, which destroyed our Second Temple and then fell prey to barbarians — the instrument of G-d. For does not the Torah tell us that He will use the sword of nations to impose His punishment? It also tells us that He will curse those who curse us. And bless those who bless us. Witness No. 1, the United States of America. Not only will Judaism continue to wave its flag of morality, but it will serve the world as its conscience — our usual role, which we often pay for in blood. But again, these are somber thoughts. Why think of winter’s desolation in
AJT 56
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
the rejuvenation of spring? Why think of the icy gales of “Uh oh, it’s Ted. He wants to make January when the returning swallows his wedding pitch. Don’t answer it. are bursting into a song of homecomYou’ll get a 40-minute speech on my ing? And spring means weddings! contribution to Jewish survival.” As I said, there’s nothing like a Jewish wedding. I’m even a matchmaker (whose services are free). “Sammy,” I say, talking to an old friend, “you know that Greenberg girl is a real prize.” If he picked up a little Yiddish from his grandparents, I might call her a machayah, which means a cross between a lottery winner and a similar stroke of happiness that falls from the sky. I’ve got good friends who won’t pick up the phone: “Uh, oh, it’s Ted. He wants to make his wedding pitch; me and Zelda are just good friends. Don’t answer it. You’ll get a 40-minute speech on my contribution to Jewish survival.” And I have even more in my bag of tricks when I hear that X and Y are close to legitimizing their dalliance with a formal wedding. I give them both a call. No special topic: “Just thinking about you. You and your wedding. And you shouldn’t forget I love weddings, especially when waiters pass through the crowd with those lamb chop appetizers and champagne.” It rarely fails. Yes, Romans, Spaniards, Russians and Nazis, we’re still rejoicing over our survival and your dust. ■ Ted Roberts is a syndicated writer who lives in Huntsville, Ala.
ART CONTEST Chanukah We’re looking for a festive Chanukah illustration for the cover of the Atlanta Jewish Times’ Dec. 4 issue.
If you’re age 15 or under, send us your Chanukah-themed artwork by Friday, Nov. 20. Size: 9.5 inches wide by 8 inches high Materials: Anything that shows up bold and bright, such as crayons, markers or cut paper. We suggest taping your artwork to cardboard to protect it. Do not fold artwork. Digitally produced art is accepted. Artwork may be submitted as JPEG or PDF file at atlantajewishtimes.com. To enter: All work must be received at the Atlanta Jewish Times office, 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 ATTN: Art Contest, or submitted through the website. (One entry per child, please.) All work must have an entry form attached on the back or filled out online: Deadline is 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 2015. Artwork may be picked up in January at 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 during regular business hours. There are four age categories: 6 and under, 7 to 9, 10 to 12, and 13 to 15.
GRAND PRIZE $50 Gift certificate to Binders. Winner’s art may be the cover of the Dec.4 AJT.
FIRST PRIZES $25 Gift certificate to Binders for each category (total of 4)
Awards: Contest winners will be honored at a reception at Binders Art Supplies. Artwork may be reprinted in the Atlanta Jewish Times, posted online and publicly displayed at Binders.
ALL ENTRANTS $5 Giftcertificate to Binders
Contest Sponsor
3330 Piedmont Rd. 404-237-6331
for each contest participant. Show copy of entry form at store to receive gift.
Entry Form - 2015 Chanukah Art Contest NAME (FIRST AND LAST)
Deadline: Friday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m. PHONE
CITY
STATE
AGE
SCHOOL
PARENT’S NAMES ONE ENTRY PER CHILD, PLEASE 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328 www.atlantajewishtimes.com For additional entry forms call 404-883-2130 or look in future issues of the Jewish Times.
[
ZIP
] CHECK HERE IF DIGITALLY PRODUCED
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
ADDRESS
AJT 57
HOME OBITUARIES – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
Doctors Prescribe Sleek Look for Young Family
A
like how the primary colors bounce off the surrounding light. If I had to pick, I would say my favorite artist is local Craig Alan. He did the piece in the hall depicting Andy Warhol (Populus collection). He also did the acrylic abstract “California Series” in the formal living room. When we bought two of his works, he signed his book for us. Maybe it’s his tradition. Jaffe: Today’s modern kitchens are open yet inclusive for family togetherness. What were your thoughts in here? Jason: We wanted two things in the kitchen: function and comfort. We used Miele appliances and like the convenience of the serving buffet. The blue LED lighting adds the wow. We commissioned this group by Nakisa Seika, “Seika,” alcohol-based inks that are applied on the reverse side of the acrylic glass for a pop of color. Jaffe: The fireplace dances with warmth and is visible from both rooms. Anna: Yes, we wanted it two-sided. We can change the colors into six combinations to set the mood, be it amethyst or chartreuse. Jason: The fireplace was difficult to install because it is in the center of the house and crisscrosses support beams. It was an engineering nightmare but worth it in the end. Building this house turned out well because of Anna’s fine eye for details, but I don’t want to do it ever again. Jaffe: Let’s give Dad the last word. Colin: It is a great joy for an architect to design a new home for his son’s family. The challenge was not the generational attitudes or differences in our design likes and dislikes. The challenge is keeping the peace, shalom bayit, during the long design and construction process. My joy is knowing that despite the vicissitudes of the construction experience that they really love their house, and when I cross the threshold at their front door, that I am always welcome in their home. ■
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
corners are such a nice touch. What other factors nna and Jason Lichtenstein (both doctors) employed a dynamic team to interpret did you use to make this a home for a young family? their vision of welcoming the outdoors into Jason: Since my time at home is limited, I want expanded indoor spaces with high-performing winto be surrounded by open spaces so the family can dows to nourish their young family. The rawness of easily connect. Anna and I have a mirror-image dual the white walls refines the other surfaces, resulting office, or, as we kiddingly call it, dueling offices. in poetic functionality. That’s where all the great meetings take place. Anna, a radiologist, said: “We knew we wanted Anna: For now, we use a second master upstairs big, open spaces with modern features and an aesby the kids; when they mature, we can move to the thetic with a combination of Miami, my hometown, main level with a full additional master suite. Also, and South Africa, Jason’s we used round corners to family origins. Thus you protect the children from see the pale-gray porcelain injury. Chai-Style Homes Italian tile throughout. You can see the way By Marcia Caller Jaffe Atlanta’s traditional archithe pool is safely secured mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com tecture scene didn’t really and accessible for us to appeal to us, so we started see out the level porch from scratch.” and great room. The Jason, an anesthesioloporch window treatments gist who grew up in Atlanta and graduated from operate by remote control. They keep us bug- and Riverwood High School, said: “We have a lot of conpollen-free. trasts here: expansive yet intimate, calm yet robust. We have room left to decorate as we collect art Best of all was having my father, Colin Lichtenstein, and grow. architect, interpret our vision.” Bekerman: This project was a mitzvah for me as I was literally at Jason’s bar mitzvah. It is the Jaffe: In addition to your dad, describe the largest (12,000-plus square feet) single-family home “team.” Two years is a long project. I have constructed in 30 years. The biggest challenge Anna: First we had to negotiate this wonderful was that they wanted no more than one step down Sandy Springs flat-acre lot from an estate sale. Then to access the pool. Thus we had 160 trucks loading Colin led us to builder Zvi Bekerman. The interior fill dirt to level it up. We used the most advanced design was coordinated by Cb Miles, who worked technology for environmental safety and footprint with Yaacov Golan of Lighting Loft. Jeff Mifsud of minimalization: tankless water heaters, solar-heated Interior Classics has led us through the interior pool, automated A/C, lighting and security, all accesdecorating. Israel Peljovich did the cabinets and sible from cellphones. built-ins. Golan did the bubble chandeliers, as well as custom-designing the pendants above the indoor Jaffe: I love the drama of the dining room. Betrock garden. ter keep the crayons away from these white chairs We don’t take ourselves too seriously. The end with only four having the vertical gray belting. tables with the jigsaw puzzle pieces are from Crate Anna: The dining chairs are from Elite Modern. and Barrel. Most of the remaining furniture is custom. We worked with our decorator and Deljou Art Jaffe: Yes, I see this as an oasis in white, deGroup to design this triptych by Henrik Abedian — signed to reduce clutter with built-ins. The curved “Henrik,” mixed-media acrylic with resin finish. I
AJT 58
A
B
C
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
HOME OBITUARIES – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING
D
E
H
G
Photos by Duane Stork A. The formal living room features local artist Craig Alan’s “California Series.” B. Local artist Craig Alan’s “Andy Warhol” is from his Populus collection. C. An overhead view of the family room shows the two-sided fireplace, whose color is adjustable. D. The white dining room showcases Henrik Abedian’s “Henrik,” a triptych in mixed-media acrylic. E. An indoor rock garden uses custom lighting pendants. F. The Lichtensteins achieve function and comfort in the kitchen with Miele appliances and blue LED lighting. G. Yaacov Golan’s bubble chandelier highlights Mia Stone’s crimson acrylic “Garmonia.” H. Cabinetry and built-ins by Israel Peljovich help Drs. Anna and Jason Lichtenstein enjoy their home. I. Specially commissioned alcohol-based inks on acrylic glass by Nakisa Seika provide a pop of color in the kitchen dining area.
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
F
I
AJT 59
OBITUARIES
Philip Simon Levy 76, Atlanta
Philip Simon Levy, 76, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015, after a five-year battle with cancer. He was born Dec. 23, 1938, in Tampa, Fla., to Miriam and Victor Levy, both of blessed memory. Philip worked for over 35 years in the telecommunications industry for AT&T, Western Electric, Bell South and Media One. He was a member of Congregation Shaarei Shamayim and Fulton Lodge F. & A.M. and a Hadassah associate. He was proud of his service in the Navy and often spoke of the “cruise” he took on his Uncle Sam’s yacht. Philip could often be found enjoying his combined hobbies, photographing trains and firefighters in action. He also shared many photos with his Fulton Lodge brothers. Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Anita (Schulman), son, Joel, and daughter, Helane, all of Atlanta; brother and sister-in-law Zvi (Harvey) and Shlomit Schulman of Kfar Blum, Israel; nieces and nephews in Israel and Florida; and cousins in Atlanta and Florida. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hadassah, 47 Perimeter Center East, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30346, or Weinstein Hospice, 3150 Howell Mill Road NW, Atlanta, GA 30327. A graveside service was held Thursday, Oct. 15, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Mark Kunis officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
Jerry Tillem
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
78, Atlanta
AJT 60
Jerry Tillem passed away Thursday morning, Oct. 15, 2015, at his home in Atlanta. Jerry, affectionately called “Jer” or “J.T.” by family and friends, was a kind, compassionate and giving man whose business success masked a humble philanthropy. Born in Atlanta on Aug. 2, 1937, to Ben and Bella (Rubin) Tillem, Jerry had an early devotion to his Jewish faith and attended the Talmudical Academy of Baltimore in Maryland during his youth. He returned to Atlanta and graduated from Grady High School before attending both Georgia State University and Emory University. He met the love of his life and best friend, Yvonne “Buff” Slesinger, and married in 1959. Jerry worked in the jewelry and chemical supply business before in 1961 starting ATCO International, a company specializing in maintenance and chemical products. ATCO would become one of the largest distributors in the United States, Canada and abroad. He also founded Innovative Promotions, a promotional products company, in 1975 and soon began to expand his interests to include real estate development and investment and restaurants, eventually becoming a partner in the Marietta Family Restaurants. Jerry had a passion for his wife and his daughters, Michelle and Wendi, and loved 1950s music, sports, traveling and cooking. He was a devoted Jew, attending services for many years at Ahavath Achim in Atlanta before joining Congregation B’nai Torah in 2009, where he could be found on most Friday nights. He donated anonymously to many Atlanta and national Jewish and non-Jewish organizations, and his selfless support has helped build a future for so many. He is survived by his daughters, Michelle Tillem Sims (Chris) and Wendi Tillem (Lloyd Wynn); his grandchildren, Ethan and Arden Frank of Atlanta; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Bill Hartman of Roswell; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife of 54 years, Yvonne; his parents, Ben and Bella Tillem; and his brothers, Larry Tillem and Melvin P. Tillem. An online guestbook is available at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Congregation B’nai Torah, 700 Mount Vernon Highway, Atlanta, GA 30328. Graveside services were held Sunday, Oct. 18, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Joshua Heller officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.
CLOSING THOUGHTS OBITUARIES – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING
A Conversation With Grandma Rose
CROSSWORD “Put it in Reverse”
Editor: Yoni Glatt (koshercrosswords@gmail.com ) Difficulty Level: Challenging
better now, and I’m concentrating on working, staying strong and enjoying life.” My husband and I spent several hours with another former Atlantan, Yehudah, who moved with his family to a northern Israeli town two years ago. He comes to the States a few times
Chana’s Corner By Chana Shapiro cshapiro@atljewishtimes.com
a year to interact side by side with his team at a hospital and works the rest of the time remotely from his home across the ocean. Yehudah and his wife are expecting their fourth child. They rent a small house with a big garden far from a major city. They appreciate their multinational community with many immigrants, who all live an extremely non-American lifestyle. Yehudah’s family plans to stay there. Their future home will not have polished wood floors or be constructed of brick. It will be made entirely of poured concrete, just like the nearby bomb shelters. Their four children will someday be soldiers. Their oldest son’s class has 33 students with one teacher. The desks in the room, according to Yehudah, look just like the ones his mother had in the ’50s; however, the learning that goes on in his children’s schools is impressive, to say the least. The kids hike, explore, ride bikes and collect geodes from a stream. The neighbors know and help one another. Yehudah’s family, in Israel for a very short time, has “adopted” and accepted responsibility for another family. These new Israelis are members of B’nei Menashe from India, descendants of one of the “lost tribes,” now accepted as Jewish by the Israeli religious establishment. Yehudah’s not alone: 20 other families in town have done the same thing. The last conversation I had with Grandma Rose was in 1967. What would she think of these four confident, intelligent, hardworking Jewish people? ■
ACROSS 1. ___-ran, like Herzog 5. Early priest 10. False god with a quiver 14. “Survivor: Africa” winner Ethan 15. It’s like a blintz 16. Kellerman protagonist Lazarus 17. Wager in the Israeli government? 19. Weapon of concern for Israel: Abbr. 20. Tip on some Yom Kippur footwear 21. Jewish day sch. in Riverdale, N.Y. 22. Mahktesh sound 23. Like some characters in Mel Brooks’ “High Anxiety” 24. High school for kindergartners near Tel Aviv? 27. “We’re ___!” (words before an IDF operation, perhaps) 28. Ability in Cronenberg’s “The Dead Zone” 31. Title for Michael Kadoorie 32. Actress Graynor 33. “___ shall slumber nor sleep,” Isaiah 5:27 35. Trains through Boro Park 37. “___ of Silence” 39. Look through Chagall’s work on a Mac? 42. Israel’s Darking, e.g. 45. One is worth much less than a shekel 46. Many a Bible tale, e.g. 50. Rahab had one 51. Insect for Rudd 53. It could start with 613: abbr. 55. Shavuot need? 56. Odd place for a seder? 59. A forefather, once 61. Moms in Israel (var.) 62. “Too Close” was one for Clare 64. “The Wreck of the Mary ___,” Heston film
produced by Julian Blaustein 65. Where the Jews found 12 wells of water and 70 date palms 66. Coming of age candy? 68. Lisa with a No. 1 hit, once 69. “Eizeh yofi!” 70. Dweller by Eilat’s reefs 71. “___ fatso,” Bunker line from Lear’s “All in the Family” 72. Golam hiding spot 73. Perlman’s occasional “Cheers” co-star DOWN 1. Title prison in a Radcliffe film 2. Biblical times, e.g. 3. Levine’s co-judge on “The Voice” 4. Genesis, e.g. 5. IAF hero 6. Crystal and Diamond are involved in them 7. Pack again, at the makolet 8. Schoenberg works 9. One is useful for work in the Mediterranean 10. Writer Brown 11. What Tevye dreamed of being 12. Agreeable to (Bibi’s policies) 13. Two judges, for short 18. Cause of the bad pun “eye vey” 22. Saul not killing Agag was a big one 25. Pesach months 26. Contraction for Emma Lazarus 29. Altschul of MTV and CBS 30. West Bank gp.
34. Baltic country that lost nearly half its Jewish pop. in the Holocaust 36. See 57-Down 38. College player highly unlikely to be Jewish 40. Shows Joel love at the Garden 41. CEO Moonves 42. Feature on Ben-Gurion, for example 43. Wrap (shwarma in laffa) 44. David and Goliath, e.g. 47. The Garden of Eden story, to some 48. Like Moses, after bringing back the first commandments 49. Billy Wilder used them 52. Basic garb in the Negev 54. Bubkes 57. Iconic character played by 36-Down 58. Occupy a Shabbat table 60. Joy who is often mistaken for being Jewish 63. The Chacham ___ 65. High priest with bad sons 66. Deg. for Bloomberg 67. Midler is one: abbr.i LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
M
y favorite grandparent loved meeting and hearing about “young” Jewish people and talking about contemporary Jewish life. I wish I could tell Grandma Rose, who was born in the late 1890s, about four women and men I spent time with this week. Anne lives near Baltimore. She’s spunky and stylish, runs her own eventplanning business, and has cute hair. She made friends with everyone at the wedding she’d come to Atlanta to attend (and probably initiated a few business deals). She told me she’s not interested in getting married, and under no circumstances will she have children. She hastened to assure me that she has a like-minded steady boyfriend. “I’m the perfect aunt,” she laughed, “and that’s just the way I like it. And please don’t give me that speech. My parents totally support my decision. I have a great life.” Anne’s brother, Todd, a writer who lives in New York, chimed in: “I agree. Most of my friends move around too much and are too busy to do a decent job raising a family. A lot of them are divorced, and their kids have to deal with that. I don’t see any benefit in getting married. I love my apartment, which is just the right size and location for me, and I’m free to do my own thing.” I got a call from Gloria, who was in town for business. She hadn’t been in Atlanta for ages because she’d left a roommate, lifetime friends and meaningful volunteer work in order to care for her mother in Florida. Gloria suffers from a number of chronic ailments herself, even being bedridden from time to time. In Florida she lives alone and has a challenging job. She manages her finances and medical issues well but finds many of her Florida peers to be stressed, debt-ridden and transient. When her mother died, Gloria could have moved back, but she had decent employment and had renovated her condo. “It was hell working, traveling, shopping and monitoring my mother’s health. I had too many decisions to make on my own. I love my independence, but some days I just couldn’t handle it all. I’m
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
AJT 61
www.atlantajewishtimes.com
MARKETPLACE
COMPUTER SERVICES
HOME IMPROVEMENT
COMPUTER SERVICES
fakakta computer?
COMPU ER
HOUSE CALLS
I’ll drive to you!
Voted #1 by Atlanta Jewish Community - Since 1987!
→ Desktop & Laptop Repair → Home/Business Networking → Performance Upgrades → Apple Device Support → Virus/Spyware Removal
Only pay when we fix your problem!
www.HealthyComputer.com • • • • • • • •
PC, MAC, iPhone/iPad Service Home & Commercial Service Virus/Malware Removale Laptop Screen Repair Data Recovery/Forensics Wireless Corporate Networks Website Design/Management We beat competitor pricing!
As Seen On
Fast Appointment Scheduling Reasonable Rates All Services Guaranteed
404-954-1004
770-751-5706
We Make it Easy to Understand Today’s Technology → Solve frustrating digital device problems → Virus removal and security installation to aid recovery → Make the smart laptop/desktop/ smartphone purchase → Personalize newly purchased devices
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
Digital Device Doctor
AJT 62
Gene Rubel Longtime member of Congregation Or Hadash 404.307.8857 generubel@digitaldevicedr.com Like us on Facebook.com/digitaldevicedoctor
FOLLOW THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES ONLINE.
Generator Sales & Service, Inc. www.perkinselectric.com
770-251-9765
damon.carp@gmail.com COMPUTER SERVICES
24/7 Power Protection Hands Free Operation | Professional Installation
GENERATORS 24/7 POWER PROTECTION
FJ’s Home Repair Roofs cleaned, roof leaks repaired, gutters cleaned, cracks top of bathtubs regrouted, carpentry work, floors repaired, sanded and refurbished. Cement work, brick work, yards cleaned, trash hauled away, cars washed at your home, old cars removed, tree limbs on roof trimmed, painting and other repairs also done.
Call 404-751-7838
Because technology should simplify.™
I T S O LU T I O N S
IT
IT SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
877.256.4426
www.dontsweatitsolutions.com
MAID SERVICE Maid Service: Affordable and reliable team with 20 years of experience. We treat each house like our own. References available. Call for free estimate and special weekly offers 404-620-2141 .
BURIAL PLOTS Cemetery Plots (2) • Arlington Memorial Park Section Shalom/Arlington cost $14,000 Asking $10,000 • 954.614.9552
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
AJT Job No 002178
Ad Code —
Client PUBLIX
Ad Size —
Placed Graphics 20121113_CAngeles_Publix_Wedding_249.psd ppi 20121113_CAngeles_Publix_Wedding_038.psd 20121113_CAngeles_Publix_Wedding_089.psd
Mode CMYK
Eff. Res. 240 ppi, 215 ppi, 215
CMYK CMYK
241 ppi, 215 ppi 238 ppi, 212 ppi
Inks
63
Cyan Magenta Yellow Black
10 am–1 pm
MJCCA Family Reading Festival
12:00 pm
Anthony David
An Improbable Friendship
7:30 pm
3:00 pm
Tess Gerritsen
Dan Ephron
Playing With Fire
Killing a King
Mike Kelly
The Bus on Jaffa Road
7:30 pm
Arlene Alda, with Alan Alda
Just Kids from the Bronx
22
10:30 am
Josh Levs
All In
2:30 pm
Laurie Ann Levin Life in Life
Joey Reiman Thumbs Up!
7:30 pm
Ted Koppel
Lights Out!
OCTOBER 23 ▪ 2015
PRESENTING SPONSORS
AJT 64
PLATINUM SPONSORS
The Eva & George Stern Family
Barbara and Ed Mendel
BRONZE SPONSORS
IN-KIND SPONSORS OFFICIAL TRANSPORTATION PROVIDER
+ PN FF
®
GOLD SPONSOR
The Zaban Foundation