Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. 99 NO. 20, October 31, 2024

Vice President Harris and Governor Walz Will Deliver for Jewish Voters and Always Stand by Their Side

Vice President Harris’ New Way Forward will lower taxes and costs for families and ensure everyone has an opportunity to not just get by, but get ahead.

Vice President Harris led the fight against antisemitism in the Senate and her first legislative accomplishment as a U.S. Senator was passing a bipartisan resolution to combat antisemitism.

Vice President Harris consistently voted to support Israel in the Senate and has been a critical partner alongside President Biden defending Israel, including by working relentlessly to bring all of the hostages home.

Donald Trump’s extreme Project 2025 agenda will increase costs for typical middle-class families by nearly $4,000 a year while cutting taxes for his billionaire donors.

Trump legitimized white supremacists by praising some of the neo-Nazi marchers in Charlottesville who chanted “Jews will not replace us” as “very fine people.”

Trump opposed a bill to provide security assistance to Israel and mocked them after October 7, saying they were unprepared while complementing Hezbollah for being “very smart.”

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CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE

BOB BAHR

CHERYL DORCHINSKY

DAVE SCHECHTER

DAVID OSTROWSKY

DEBBIE DIAMOND

MARCIA CALLER JAFFE

ROBBIE GARBER

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AJT Switches to Donation-Based Business Model

By Sasha Heller

For the last 100 years, the Atlanta Jewish Times has kept Jewish Atlanta connected and informed through vibrant local journalism and community engagement. And that will continue for at least the next 100 years.

However, as the saying goes, “The (Jewish) times … they are a-changing.”

The AJT will no longer utilize a subscription-based model. In its place, the Atlanta Jewish Times will offer its readership free home delivery and ask that readers and supporters consider making a charitable, tax-deductible donation. The donated funds will go toward covering the costs of printing and distribution throughout the community.

The paper’s owner and publisher, Michael Morris, explained the rationale behind the decision to switch business models.

“The newspaper industry, like all printed media, is changing. Online news is commanding a larger share of viewer experience, the cost of paper, printing

and distribution is rising significantly, and advertising dollars cannot quite cover the cost of creating a physical newspaper,” he said. “When I first took the helm

of the AJT 10 years ago, there were over 160 printed and online Jewish media organizations. Today, there are about 110.”

To continue receiving the paper at home for free, readers will need to visit www.AtlantaJewishTimes.com/subscribe-to-home-delivery/ or www.AtlantaJewishLifeFoundation.com and request delivery.

Readers will receive an annual email notification that encourages donating to help support distribution costs. All donations will be made to the Atlanta Jewish Life Foundation, a 501c(3) nonprofit entity that supports a large portion of the AJT’s annual budget.

Morris detailed the connection between the Atlanta Jewish Times and the Atlanta Jewish Life Foundation.

“The Atlanta Jewish Life Foundation (AJLF) is set up to help the Atlanta Jewish Times fulfill its commitments to the Atlanta Jewish community and its mission of ‘Keeping Jewish Atlanta Connected.’

This includes producing the Atlanta Jewish Life Festival, disseminating news and distributing the newspaper, maintaining the Atlanta Jewish Connector (the Jewish community’s calendar), and who knows, possibly keeping the Kosher BBQ Festival going. The AJLF is able to facilitate charitable donations for the benefit of the donor as well as the AJT.”

While local journalism is vital to the community in which it serves, the industry as a whole is not particularly lucrative. As such, most Jewish newspapers in America are subsidized either through the local Federation or generous individual benefactors. However, the AJT will

serve as a pioneer in switching to a donation-based model and could inspire other local Jewish news outlets to follow suit.

“The majority of the outlets lost were newspapers and the reason they folded is that they are not economically ongoing operations. Of the remaining newspapers, the majority are financially assisted by Federations or other grantors and the AJT is no exception,” Morris said. “The bottom line, in order to produce the quality product the community currently enjoys, the AJT needs to raise additional funds to cover the gap between advertising sales and total expenses. The most effective way to entice new donors is to make the donation tax-deductible. Thus far, since I have owned the paper, I have funded this gap personally.”

Morris noted that the AJT’s subscription base is fairly small as compared to the total readership figure and the funds garnered from subscription sales each year did not cover the cost of printing. The annual subscription cost had not increased in the 10 years since Morris bought the publication.

“I felt that as the paper and I went out to the community to ask for support, the paid subscribers should be given the same opportunity to donate without being burdened by the small and ineffective subscription price. Whether or not someone chooses home delivery or picks the paper up at our distribution locations, any donation ensures the distribution to the entire community,” Morris said.

Here’s to another 100 years of local Jewish journalism … with free home delivery. ì

The Atlanta Jewish Times is doing away with subscriptions and instead is switching to a donation-based model via the Atlanta Jewish Life Foundation.

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Jewish Women of Atlanta Connect on Facebook

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Where do more than 6,000 of Atlanta’s Jewish women go for advice on travel, healthcare, or finding a good hair colorist? With all the drama surrounding the ills of social media, Facebook’s Jewish Women of Atlanta group is a platform where support and non-judgmental, sometimes very personal advice, and business boosting happens in seconds.

Julie Joffre Benveniste, a health insurance broker, is the behind-the-scenes referee and administrator, whose task it is to see that members are solid and post legit information. She said, “I modeled JWOA after Jewish Moms of Atlanta as an incredible community resource … but felt that my daughter and peers in their 20s also needed resources … thus JWOA was born … It’s really like throwing a party and wondering if anyone will show up … slowly it began to grow.”

Benveniste schedules the “daily” posts and processes admissions, which is not easy with so many Facebook hacks. Her three questions: Are you Jew-

ish? Where do you live in Georgia? Are you female? She reports that several men have applied. “Of course, we don’t admit them, but it is funny that they try!” Some interesting interchanges per Benveniste, including, “We have had a

More than 6,100 members are part of the Jewish Women of Atlanta group on Facebook.

lot of young women meet each other and support one another -- people looking for roommates or just companionship in our big sprawling city! Older members are looking to be surrogate grandparents. All fundraising has to be approved. Recently, we had a mom who needed help, and this group showed up ‘in spades.’ When several Israeli families came during the war, many came forward to donate items to help out.”

Starting JWOA during the pandemic, she felt it was an especially keen opportunity for those in businesses to survive COVID.

JWOA has been the catalyst in local struggles like the Israeli-owned Ali’s Cookie boycott on the Emory University campus where posts ignited folks from as far as Chattanooga to order cookies to help mend the gap. On the other hand, Benveniste is alert to the potential of quick negative posts of others and potentially online trolls.

The most common dialogues are about doctors (even plastic surgeons and facelifts), contractors, vacations, and restaurants posting Shabbat or holiday menus. Some people post anonymously, and others complained. Benveniste said, “I don’t have a problem with it. We never know the reasons that someone posts anonymously and if it isn’t hurting anyone, then why get upset? I recently removed someone because they were rude. I felt like they wanted to incite an argument, and I wanted no part of that.” She has fellow admins who help keep a watchful eye.

JWOA highlights specific days for categories: Business Monday, Jobs Tuesday (looking for work or hiring), Things

for Sale Wednesday (household items or hobbies, but not for business), Real Estate Thursday (buy, sell rent), and Friday Shabbat Shalom.

Benveniste built a good portion of her own business utilizing Business Monday.

An example of a topic that Benveniste didn’t allow to go forward was whether to circumcise a male child. She remarked, “I immediately felt this was a ‘nonstarter.’ We’re a Jewish group, and for most of us, this is not negotiable. Facebook isn’t a good forum for this type of discussion, and I’m not qualified to be the moderator. We had some push back. People found it thought provoking; but I didn’t feel it would end well nor did I have the bandwidth to moderate this debate!”

She concluded, “We have many different views on life, religion and politics; but at the end of the day, we are all Jewish and need to stick together. This is a powerful group; and we have the ability to make big changes.” She encourages Jewish nonprofits (no GoFundMe’s) to post their events or email julieb@gahealthbrokers.com.

The pendulum swings both ways; and unfortunately, Julie is currently battling colon cancer. A rebbetzin told her that there would be silver linings along her journey. Benveniste said, “People on JWOA, whom I have never met, reached out with support. One survivor sent me a beautiful blanket, Godiva chocolate and a picture of butterflies. We have never met, but I can tell you she made my day in a way that was so incredibly special. Others have sent meals and offered rides and so much more.” ì

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Julie Joffre Benveniste is the Facebook group’s head administrator and encourages people to speak up, share, and post nonprofits to garner support.

Marcus Funds Research to Revolutionize Stroke Care

By Bob Bahr

In what is hoped will be a major step forward in the treatment of strokes, the Marcus Foundation is underwriting research on a new surgical technique that promises to radically improve survival for stroke patients. The new research project will be funded by a $25.9 million grant. It’s believed to be the largest grant ever made to improve the surgical outcomes of the life-threatening condition.

In the deadliest of these strokes, which occur deep within the brain, up to half of patients die within the first year, many within the first few days. Eighty percent of those who survive can expect substantial disability.

But new research, reported in the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this year, promises the possibility that many of those who now die can be saved and returned to productive lives with little or no residual effects of their brush with death.

Today, it’s estimated that care for these survivors costs the nation’s health care system $17 billion each year with an-

The new surgical techniques for treating strokes were made possible by advances in imaging technology and brain mapping.

other $12 billion in lost productivity and additional care. It’s something Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot and head of the Marcus Foundation, is determined to change.

“After witnessing the staggering cost, I knew we had to do more to discover new treatment options,” Marcus said. “Breakthroughs like this new approach for the deadliest form of stroke and others made by the stellar team at the Mar-

cus Stroke and Neuroscience Center will save and change lives around the world for decades.”

The study in the New England Journal of Medicine described a revolutionary way of entering the brain through an opening in the skull about the size of a quarter. A small surgical brain path device then makes its way through brain fibers by pushing them aside. A second tool called a myriad device mechanically is positioned in the brain to break up the blood clot that has occurred to cause the stroke and suction it up.

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For Dr. Gustavo Pradilla, lead researcher for the study and chief of neurosurgery at Grady Health System and a professor of neurosurgery at Emory School of Medicine, the new procedure has already produced dramatic results in incidents of stroke near the brain surface.

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Dr. Gustavo Pradilla has been the lead researcher on recent advances in stroke surgery.

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“First, it removes the pressure immediately on the brain. Second, it allows us to find the source of the bleeding and closes it off completely so there’s no risk of re-bleeding or expansion. That means patients are out of intensive care faster and have a shorter stay in the hospital. And once they were home, their quality of life improved significantly.”

With the new Marcus grant, Pradilla hopes to achieve the same impressive results in hemorrhages deeper in the brain.

The multi-million-dollar award will test whether victims of what is called intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) can be treated for bleeding from ruptured blood vessels directly within brain tissue.

It’s estimated that this year at least five million people will suffer from strokes caused by brain hemorrhages often with catastrophic results. The five-year study of 600 patients, which the Marcus funding will pay for, is being done at 60 hospitals around the country, including at the Marcus Stroke Center at Grady Memorial Hospital. Dr. Pradilla is not only looking at saving lives, but of returning patients to productive lives, even when the stroke occurs deep in the brain -something once thought impossible.

“We’re looking at the safety of the procedure,” Pradilla remarked, “and number 1, to be able to remove as much blood as possible, but number 2 is to improve brain function. We want, at six months after you’ve had the procedure, to have a substantial improvement in brain function.”

Medical researchers emphasize that the progress that has been made in the surgical treatment of strokes would not have been possible with out the recent advances in the mapping of brain function. The Human Connectome Project has been able to construct a picture of how the brain works and how various parts of the brain function and interact with one another.

Prior to the mapping of the brain, neurosurgeons risked permanent damage to their patients when their instruments disrupted brain functioning. Furthermore, the same advances in imaging technology that helped make possible the detailed description of how the brain works made it possible to surgically move through the brain more efficiently.

For Pradilla, whose grandfather died from a stroke, the new techniques and the possibility of future success has been deeply satisfying.

“It brings a tremendous amount of hope for something that, in the past, was essentially a sentence of death or disability.” ì

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The $25.9 grant by Bernie Marcus and his Marcus Foundation is thought to be the largest gift ever for stroke research.

Kutner Lands Top Spot at Federation

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

After a nationwide search to replace Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta CEO Eric Robbins, native Atlantan Renee Kutner, the current COO, has secured the top job, making her the first female to hold that lead executive role in the Federation’s history.

Kutner said, “I am grateful that we had a very dedicated and very considerate search committee and consultant.  They made the process as seamless as possible so that I could continue to focus on my role as COO throughout the several months of the search without things ever being too challenging or awkward.”

Although various media posted headlines about breaking the “gender glass ceiling,” Kutner doesn’t give credence to the thought that the role is gender specific.

She stated, “I’m certainly not the first female leader of Federation, as we’ve been blessed with a number of amazing female board chairs who have helped steer our community to where it is today.

My life experience is deeply rooted in Jewish engagement, education and values, and that is what matters to the job – not my gender.”

As the daughter of an Israeli, and the mother of a soon-to-be Israeli soldier, she is deeply connected to Israel. Seizing this moment in the Jewish world, she finds even more importance in her work at Federation.

She also sees Atlanta through the lens of a city with significant growth potential and still in growth mode, which creates a tableau of opportunity. She remarked, “We are blessed with a community that cares about philanthropy; but we have a significant amount of untapped potential. With Atlanta also being a ‘transplant’ city, many people still need to develop the connections to the community before they will begin their Jewish-giving journey here, and we need to enable those connections.”

Utilizing her three years as the Federation’s COO, Kutner has the bird’s eye view to contrast both that position and the future CEO role which she will as-

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Kutner will assume the role of CEO of Federation effective Dec. 1. she has served as the organization’s COO for the last three years.

sume on Dec. 1. As the former, she focused on strategic direction, leadership development, community planning and impact, internal operations and governance. As CEO, she will focus less on internal dynamics and continue to exercise more of her skills around vision, strategy and philanthropic development.

Currently, the Federation’s team consists of approximately 60 people. She believes that 2025 opportunities lay in philanthropic development, increased Jewish engagement, new education programs, and opportunities to build community through real estate.

She noted, “As well as a lot of basic needs, we must respond to our current environment of increasing antisemitism, rising security costs, and greater needs for care. The biggest focus for 2025 will be actually creating focus within all of these opportunities so that we can continue to have maximum impact in a sustainable way.”

Kutner attended Hebrew Academy from pre-K through eighth grade, attended ninth grade at Yeshiva Atlanta, and graduated from Chamblee High School. She was active at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, and its USY where she served as

president for Hanegev Region. She attended Camp Ramah in New England for seven summers. She graduated from the University of Michigan (active in Hillel), and later earned a master’s in business administration at UCLA.

As a member of the Toco Hills community, Kutner loves to entertain on Shabbat, for which she spends a good amount of time cooking. She also likes reading on Shabbat and getting out for early morning runs. Kutner credits her parents, Clara and Dr. Mark Safra, an ophthalmologist who was one of the most popular mohels in the 1980s), for instilling her Jewish values.

As an inspiration to younger generations, Kutner concluded, “When I was 21, I definitely saw myself more in the traditional corporate world by day, impacting the Jewish world on the side. I’m glad that my path at Federation has enabled me to merge the two so that I can feel incredibly fulfilled in my career while also driving impact in the things I’m most passionate about full-time. I hope more young people will start to recognize this as a viable path – we need more great talent in the field!” ì

Renee

Blank Foundation Adds $4.6M to Westside Investment

By Bob Bahr

As part of its commitment to aid the two communities most directly affected by the development of his Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Arthur Blank through his family foundation has announced $4.6 million in new philanthropic grants.

Two neighborhoods, Vine City and the English Avenue community, which number about 7,000 residents, are just west of the stadium. They will benefit from two grants split between the Atlanta Technical College and Goodwill of North Georgia to train a total of 650 workers from the Westside in trades where job growth is strong.

The Blank Foundation announced it is also helping fund an Atlanta city government program to help young people between the ages of 18 and 30 from the Westside with career development, placement help and on-the-job training. The new grants bring the investment the Foundation has made on the Westside since 2007 to $106 million.

The managing director of the Blank Foundation’s work there, Danny Shoy, Jr emphasized that the Foundation’s efforts are aimed at changing the area’s history.

“We are working to change pathways for residents who, unfortunately, have not had job training support for a long time, which is why you have the challenges that you have in the Westside.”

Shoy points out that at one time the two Westside neighborhoods had a mixed-race population four times what it is today and a history that goes back to the late 19th century. It was the home of Atlanta’s first Black millionaire, Alonzo Herndon, who founded the Atlanta Life Insurance Company. His stately mansion built in the early years of the last century has been preserved there.

But changing patterns of neighborhood development combined with white flight that changed Atlanta’s racial makeup more than a half-century ago led to a steep decline in the communities there. Today many of the homes are owned by absentee landlords, who have shown little interest in maintaining the properties or by speculators who have bet on the future growth of the area.

An investigative series in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution a decade ago showed that one wealthy Atlanta investor owned 150 properties there and had little interest in maintaining them. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail for viola-

is often seen as a

tions of the city’s housing code.

Today, all that is beginning to change. Gentrification and rising property values are having a visible impact on streets once defined by boarded up dwellings and drug dealing. Just to the north, Atlanta’s newest recreation area, Westside Park, with its 35-acre reservoir, opened three years ago.

The Westside BeltLine Trail, a threemile greenway, has started to have a measurable impact on the area, as it has on the Eastside of the city where it is credited with creating 50,000 jobs and $10 billion in economic development.

Blank’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which was build adjacent to Vine City, was recently joined by a new Hilton Hotel with nearly 1,000 rooms, six restaurants, and 100,000 square-feet of meeting and event rooms. The two buildings adjoin the World Congress Center, one of the nation’s largest convention centers,

with nearly four million square-feet of exhibit space.

The concern today is that new interest in these old and once dilapidated neighborhoods will push out residents who have made their home there for decades. The fear is that gentrification will have little to offer those stuck in generations of poverty.

The former head of the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc, Paul Morris, is particularly concerned about affordable housing disappearing around the BeltLine.

“The space with which affordable housing is declining is much faster than anything else happening in our economy.”

Shoy is working to make sure that decline is slowed.

“We also know that a healthy, thriving community is a mixed-income community. It’s a community where people of all socioeconomic backgrounds can live side by side and benefit from each

other. And I truly mean that. I mean people of less means benefit from people of middle income and upper income.”

During the next decade, the Foundation has indicated that it will be working to increase the affordable housing supply for the residents who live there now. It also plans to continue to prioritize workforce development programs, such as those just announced, and to work for what it describes as “additional innovations, like guaranteed income, to help reinforce residents’ income.”

Shoy says the work that the Foundation is doing on the Westside is fundamental to how it sees its philanthropic mission.

“If I take a step back from the Westside for a moment, I think the Foundation’s real motto for all of its work across all of its giving areas is this notion that we really want to support everyone to collectively thrive.” ì

Low-income residents of the Vine City neighborhood receive training in jobs that are in high demand such as electrical utility line repair.

A new 1,000 room Hilton Hotel has joined the Marcedes-Benz Stadium adjacent to the Vine City and English Avenue neighborhoods.

Gentrification

threat to longtime residents of Atlanta communities like Vine City and English Avenue.

Jewish Communities in Poland Come to Life Again

By Bob Bahr

Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin, a former Atlanta rabbi and educator, visited Poland during the High Holidays to conduct services at the Beit Warszawa synagogue, the Reform synagogue in Warsaw. The synagogue, which was established about 25 years ago, has approximately 100 members and is affiliated with the World Union of Progressive Judaism. Many of them are converts to Judaism or have an interest in Jewish life, which Salkin says is flourishing in present-day Poland.

“Everything we dreamed to have been true about outreach has come true in Poland in spades, by which I mean, the overwhelming majority of people with whom I dealt and with whom I prayed and whom I taught over my two weeks were not born Jewish. They are either converts to Judaism or are on their way to converting to Judaism.”

Before World War II, Poland was the home to a Jewish population of 3.5 million Jews. It was among the most important centers of Jewish religious and cultural life, with a history that stretched back a thousand years.

It was estimated that at one time during the 17th century, three-quarters of all the Jews in the world lived within its borders. Salkin describes it as the onetime capital of Ashkenazi Judaism with a history that became so intertwined with Polish life that you cannot tell the country’s history with telling the history of its Jews there.

But during the modern era, Poland has grappled with antisemitism, and during the Holocaust attitudes toward Jews varied widely, from the relatively small number of Poles who risked their lives to save Jews to those Nazi collaborators who hunted them down. Ninety percent of Poland’s Jews were murdered by the Nazis.

The 1943 Warsaw ghetto uprising was the highpoint of Jewish resistance to the Holocaust and the ghetto’s destruction, and according to Salkin has left an indelible imprint of the city.

“The ghetto is ubiquitous, and Warsaw was mostly destroyed.” Salkin said. “As I walked around someone points out to me the mounds upon which apartment buildings are built and said, ‘those building are not built on hills, that’s rubble.’ The rumor is that if you kick the ground hard enough, you’ll find bone fragments. People there live with history, but they also live with ghosts.”

But Salkin describes his encounter

with present-day Jewish life as anything but morose. He describes the intellectual and spiritual interest in Judaism and Jewish life as “uncanny" and “borders on the fetishistic.”

In six cities in Poland, there are plans to extend what are called step-by-step classes, which are introductory courses in Jewish learning that are often a prelude to conversion. In Warsaw, graduates of the program make up the Beit Warsawa congregation and participate in community religious activities. In Gdansk, Lodz, Lublin, Wroclaw, Katowice, and Częstochowa, Jewish communities have become members of a national umbrella organization known as Beit Polska. This summer, for the first time in nearly 100 years, young Jews from progressive communities in Poland and Germany spent two weeks camping together.

Warsaw has a Jewish history museum, which is one of the most extensive in the world. Salkin said it took him four hours to pass through its many exhibit rooms, most of which are devoted to the glories of the Jewish past.

One of the world’s largest Jewish cultural and music festivals is in Krakow, and it attracts tens of thousands each summer, many of them not Jewish.

The interest in all things Jewish was what Salkin described as the biggest surprise of his High Holidays trip. In a recent posting to his Martini Judaism blog for the Religious News Service, the impression that Poland left with him was not death, but life.

“Poland is not a Jewish cemetery. It is a Jewish maternity hospital. There, they give birth to Jews. That has been the greatest take-away from my experi-

ence in Poland over the Days of Awe. In the synagogue in Warsaw, I constantly encountered young Poles who thirst for Jewish wisdom, for Jewish texts, for Jewish ideas, for Jewish spirituality.”

As part of his visit, he lectured at a university just outside Gdansk, the city which once was home to a prosperous and educated community. He spoke to a group of post-graduate students, almost none of whom were Jewish but had a burning interest in learning about Judaism, its ideas and its hope.

It was an idea which echoed Rabbi Salkin’s Rosh Hashanah message to his Polish congregants.

“On Rosh Hashanah,” Salkin said, “I talked about the necessity of hope and that Poland teaches the idea, in so many ways, of the resurrection of what was once considered dead.” ì

The Jewish culture and music festival in Krakow is among the world largest such events.

Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin participates in Havdalah at the close of the Sabbath at Beit Warszawa.

Rabbi Michael Schudrich, Chief Rabbi of Poland, joined Rabbi Jeffrey Salkin (foreground) to light a memorial candle in remembrance of the Oct. 7 massacre in Israel.

The Jewish Museum in Warsaw is one of the world’s largest museums of Jewish life and history.

Ian’s Friends Foundation to Host Annual Symposium

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

Ian’s Friends Foundation is the heroic story of how one family and a world of friends created a worldwide impact against brain cancer. This important nonprofit’s mission is to help treat and cure pediatric brain tumors, the No. 1 cause of death from disease of children. Ian’s Friends Foundation is focused on the immediate need to develop groundbreaking therapeutic methodologies to treat and cure pediatric brain tumors.

For Cheryl and Phil Yagoda, who founded the non-profit began as a highly personal story that inspired them to help other families with children. Cheryl shared, “Our son, Ian, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at age two. Quickly we learned that there needed to be more research in this area as we spoke to and visited doctors around the country. The lack of progress was due to a lack of funding. So rather than wait, we started Ian’s Friends Foundation with hopes of being able to fund and find a cure.”

To date, IFF has been responsible for raising more than $30 million that has gone toward pediatric brain tumor research. As of the end of 2023, it has funded 50 projects at 26 universities/hospitals worldwide. They focus on funding novel, innovative, out-of-the-box ideas and projects and support these projects that because their novel nature would not get the money needed and therefore never come to fruition. Once these funded ideas show promise, additional follow-on funding is given and/or grants are awarded, sometimes even from prestigious institutes like the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Phil Yagoda, co-founder of IFF said, “I implore anyone to receive a call from a parent in need, one searching for an answer and praying for a cure. I have been on both sides of that call … I beg everyone to get behind trying to find a cure for the No. 1 cause of death from disease in children under the age of 20.”

Cheryl added, “IFF funds research and we are often contacted by parents who find us through word of mouth or the Internet. When we meet them, they become part of our family. Having been in their spot searching for help, we try and drop everything to assist them getting to the best and brightest of our contacts immediately. IFF also started its own biorepository which helps to provide tissue and cell lines to doctors to help aid their research. The foundation

is great at overcoming roadblocks and obstacles that affect research outcomes rather than just going around them.”

Additionally, the Yagodas and IFF created a unique yearly symposium, focusing on forcing and funding collaborations between doctors and institutions. On Sept. 20-21, the Foundation sponsored a WhatIFF Symposium. A select group was invited to attend based upon national recognition for their expertise and impressive contributions to the investigation and/or care of childhood brain tumors. This meeting was a two-day “Shark-Tank style” symposium. After spending five minutes presenting ideas, the other attendees had the chance to ask questions and provide feedback. The top three ideas to receive votes received up to $100,000 each from IFF. The doctors and researchers in attendance were so appreciative of this symposium as it allows them to collaborate and work on new ideas to really “move the needle.”

According to Tobey MacDonald, MD, director of pediatric neuron-oncology, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, “Most projects in the laboratory never see the light of day into human clinical trials,

the vast majority, probably 99 percent, it is an amazing, awesome story. It shows the power of support of IFF for how we can get things done from ideas to clinical trials.”

Cheryl added, “Ian’s Friends Foundation’s goal is to cure pediatric brain tumors and cancer now. The current funding mechanisms appear too slow to get us to that goal in real-time. We are hoping to break down research barriers and support ideas and collaborations that otherwise may be considered too risky, to accelerate our objective of finding new treatments and cures for pediatric brain tumors. Additionally, so many individuals have been so key in ensuring the success of IFF. Two, though, who had the foresight and courage to help IFF get to where it is today are Billi and Bernie Marcus. IFF is a foundation, but it’s run like a business. We are very involved and stay involved with our projects trying to ensure their success.”

Although Cheryl runs the foundation, she is also a parent who just wants to ensure they find a cure. IFF has created a team environment between all the researchers involved. This team approach

ensures that any IFF-funded person who needs and seeks the help of another IFF researcher has it. They are indebted to their team of supporters and volunteers, and the foundation goes beyond providing just a check. They do all the contract work, have put together joint ventures between institutions, helped institutions hire researchers, and have been a necessary funding gap to help fund projects.

The 2024 fall events are in Atlanta and Los Angeles with the east coast and west coast represented. The Los Angeles event is on Nov. 2 at the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood - chaired by Sydney and Joey Meller who brought the concept of IFF to L.A. after their daughter, Charley, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2018. From day one though, Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet has been involved trying to ensure kids do not lose time.

The ATL Evening of Inspiration will be held Nov. 23 at the Intercontinental Buckhead. A week before the event, bidders can view the silent auction which will go live, and it promises to be an evening to remember and make a difference. For details of the events and to bid, visit www.iansfriendsfoundation.org ì

WHATIFF winners: (from left) Joey Meller (IFF-Los Angeles); Phil Yagoda; Scott Floyd, MD, PhD, Duke (winner); Dolores Hambardzumyan, PhD, MBA Ichan School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (winner); Rachael Sirianni, PhD, University of Massachusetts (winner); Cheryl Yagoda // Photo Credit: Kimberly Evans

The Yagoda family makes a difference: (from left) Phil, Ian, Sophie, Arly, Cheryl

‘Testimonies Without Boundaries’ Shares Powerful Stories

By Cheryl Dorchinsky

“Testimonies Without Boundaries; Israel: October 7th, 2023,” is a powerful collection of real-life narratives that transcends the limitations of traditional storytelling. Through a rich tapestry of human experiences, author Alon Penzel deftly explores the intersections of faith, resilience, and the profound impact of personal testimonies on both individual lives and communities.

From the very first page, this writer could not stop reading. The voices are haunting and yet there is something comforting about Penzel guiding the reader through these heartbreaking stories. He asks the questions and goes to places one might wonder about but never actually voice. The illustrative language allows the reader to not only hear these testimonies but also to feel the essence of each experience.

What makes this collection truly remarkable is its commitment to unveiling stories that often go unheard, challenging societal norms that tend to sanitize and create safe spaces. In this

writer’s opinion, there were no safe spaces on Oct. 7. Alon has provided the opportunity to bear witness to true and authentic raw testimonies. It’s painful, but necessary to learn them and share the truth so that others are aware of the horrific reality of this evil.

This collective vulnerability creates a sense of solidarity that resonates deeply, reminding all of our shared humanity. The author’s ability to weave these narratives into a cohesive, impactful reading experience is commendable. Penzel does an exceptional job in this book, ensuring that these stories are shared in such an honest way.

He fosters an environment where honest conversations can flourish. This is not just a collection of testimonials; it is a call to action for readers to engage in conversations that matter, to break down walls, and to create spaces for these challenging conversations.

“Testimonies Without Boundaries” is more than just a book; it is a movement toward greater empathy and understanding. It serves as a historical reminder for generations to come. This is

a must-read for anyone seeking insight from a variety of diverse sources who experienced Oct. 7, 2023, firsthand. This

writer highly recommends reading, gifting, and sharing this book with adults of all backgrounds. ì Alon Penzel has published a collection of interviews featuring survivors of the attacks by Hamas last October.

WHERE WILL WONDER LEAD YOU?

Sophie University of Rhode Island

“I’m so grateful that Walker has been so accommodating for activities in and out of school. I’ve been able to pursue multiple passions of mine with so much support from my teachers and coaches!”

“Walker has taught me from a young age how to analyze situations, how to correctly approach them and how to resolve things ” Gavin Texas A&M

“Walker has pushed me to be curious, giving me the resources to always ask why while leaving me with more to wonder about ” Shawn MIT

“Testimonies Without Borders: Israel: October 7th, 2023,” by Alon Penzel

Dramatic Podcast Tells How Jews Helped Found Georgia

By Bob Bahr

Lance Toland was enjoying a casual stroll along Oglethorpe Avenue in the heart of Savannah several years ago when he encountered a large granite monument on the median that divides that avenue near Bull Street. What separated it from the many historical markers that crowd the historic city was the bronze menorah plaque that crowned the granite slab and the words on the large stone.

“Original 1733 burial plot allowed by James Edward Oglethorpe to the Savannah Jewish Community.”

On the reverse side of the monument, he found additional brass plaques with the names of 17 Jews who were buried under that busy intersection, which was once the original Jewish cemetery in the Georgia city.

Toland, who lives on the Georgia coast, was stunned by the discovery. He had long been a part of the Jewish community there and he knew they had played a prominent role in the history of the city, but to discover that Jews had been here since the city’s founding was a revelation.

Today, he believes that stroll and his sudden discovery of the monument were not accidental, that it might have been divinely inspired.

“I still am moved by the thought of seeing that monument for the first time, and of having that nudge, if you will, that little tap on the shoulder from above that set me on a path that has led me to tell the story of those early Jews in Savannah.”

The nudge from above has resulted in a 12-part series of podcasts entitled “Flames of Freedom” that debuted last month with Toland as executive producer. They tell the dramatic story of the crucial role Jewish immigrants played in the first months of Savanah’s history.

The series, which unfolds as a historical drama, with original music and solid production values, is performed by a cast of professional actors. It tells the story of Dr. Samuel Nunez Riberio, who escaped the Portuguese Inquisition in 1726 and came to London with his wife and family.

Seven years later, he joined a voyage to Savannah with 42 other Jews on a rickety old vessel, the William and Sarah, which was almost wrecked several times before arriving in the English colony of Savannah on July 11, 1733. The founder of the colony, James Oglethorpe, who had come just a few months earlier, was battling what is said to have been a yellow

The

of

fever epidemic. Even though he had been warned not to accept Jewish immigrants, he welcomed the Jewish physician and his fellow Jews as critical allies in his battle against a disease that threatened to wipe out the new settlement almost as soon as it began.

Richard Stone, who wrote the scripts for the podcast series and is its creative director, believes that Nunez’ skill as a physician was quickly recognized by Oglethorpe.

“The Jews were welcomed into the community as partners,” Stone says. “And that’s partly why you know that that monument, it turns out, was erected by the Jewish community in Savannah. It was a symbol of their recognition of Oglethorpe as a friend of the Jews.”

Even though Nunez was a Sephardic Jew and his story plays a major role in the story that unfolds during the podcast, it was an Ashkenazic Jew, Benjamin Sheftell, who was instrumental in organizing Savanah’s Mikve Israel in 1735, which survives to this day as a prominent gothic revival structure. It’s America’s third oldest Jewish congregation just behind the ones in Newport, R.I., and Charleston, S.C.

The rabbi who served as the synagogue’s leader from 1972 to 1986 and was active in the Southern Jewish Historical Society, wrote a history of the congregation in 1983. He was an informal adviser to the series.

A museum of important Jewish documents and artifacts has been established at the synagogue that welcomes thousands of visitors each year.

In addition to its dramatized history, “Flames of Freedom” features supplementary conversations with Jewish historical scholars and writers from around the world. They discuss the Jewish search for survival and religious freedom in the centuries leading up to the first voyage

by settlers from Europe to the Georgia colony.

It is a story of prejudice and discrimination that Toland feels should resonate with audiences in America today. He feels it should be a part of every young person’s Jewish education.

“The Jews in Savannah were able to bear arms, be part of the militia,” Toland pointed out. “They were able to own

property. They were assigned a cemetery, they could vote and they could be part of governance. That had never happened for 2,000 years. Basically, our series juxtaposes Oglethorpe and a few dozen guys on a boat. It’s an extraordinary history that no one has really looked at under a microscope.”

“Flames of Freedom” can be heard on all major podcast platforms. ì

“Flames

Freedom” podcast series shares the story of the first Jewish immigrants to Georgia.

This monument at a busy intersection in Savannah marks the first Jewish cemetery in the city.

Lance Toland inspired the podcast series and is its executive producer.

Alterman Launches Jewish Culture Series at The Dupree

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

One of Atlanta’s most talented jazz pianists, Joe Alterman, is rolling out a new concert series where fans can get up close and personal for a four-part concert/education series, “The Sounds of Jewish America,” focusing on different aspects of Jewish involvement in American music. Also exciting is the new choice of venue, The Dupree building in Sandy Springs, located just yards away from Temple Sinai.

Gerry Benjamin, president of the Benjamin Family Charitable Foundation, stated, “We are pleased to join the Zalik Foundation in co-sponsoring the upcoming Neranenah concert series, to be held at The Dupree in Sandy Springs on the second Thursday of each of November, December, January, and February.  The Dupree is already emerging as a hub of Jewish communal activity, and we’re eager to support its endeavors. I can’t think of a better way to introduce The Dupree’s offerings than listening to my dear friend, the uniquely talented Joe Alterman, entertaining and educating our community as to the vast contributions that the Jewish people have made over the past seven decades to American music.”

Alterman concurs in that when he first visited The Dupree, he saw its potential for live music, and said, “David

Zalik was way ahead of me by sharing enthusiasm for that possibility and wanting to infuse the Dupree with music, art and culture, which is totally thrilling! I’m deeply excited to be there to help make that happen. In addition, Gerry Benjamin has been a wonderful friend and one of my favorite people in the world to share and discuss music with, and he had the idea for bringing this specific series to The Dupree. Incredibly thrilling for me because I’m deeply passionate about the intersection of music, especially jazz music, and its intersection with both Jewish artists, songwriters, and entrepreneurs and that intersection with the African American community.”

The performances will feature Joe’s trio (piano/bass/drums) at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month from November through February. Concert dates are as follows:

• Thursday, Nov. 14

• Thursday, Dec. 12

• Thursday, Jan. 9

• Thursday, Feb. 13

Tickets are available at neranenaharts.org.  With only a 75-person capacity, it behooves a quick reservation. There is an option for subscription to all four shows or single tickets with or without drinks.

“The Sounds of Jewish America” show promises to be an “exploration and celebration of the creativity, resil-

ience, and cultural impact Jewish artists, songwriters, and entrepreneurs have had shaping the soundtracks of our lives. From the golden age of songwriting to the Brill Building and beyond, this series promises insights, music and stories that will surprise and inspire. A must-see for music lovers, history buffs, and anyone curious about the deep connections between culture and music.”

The series features the following four parts:

Session 1: From Irving Berlin to Louis Armstrong. Discover the connections between these icons and how Jewish songwriters and Black performers helped shape American music.

Session 2: The Birth of the Music Industry. An expansive look at how Jewish entrepreneurs helped create the foundation of the modern music business.

Session 3: Jazz & Popular Music in Germany During the Holocaust. Explore the resilience of music in the darkest of times.

Session 4: The Brill Building Era & Beyond. How Jewish songwriters shaped the pop sound of an era, and why Bob Dylan could be called the “Lenny Bruce of music.”

In the upcoming months, Alterman will release two new albums (one with tenor saxophone legend Houston Person), and perform in New York City, Washington,

D.C., Northern California, Memphis, Boulder, Buffalo and more - then in Europe next year. Also, he recently acquired Ramsey Lewis’ treasured Steinway piano, which he labels “the thrill and honor of a lifetime.”

Alterman concluded, “I’m super excited about this new series at The Dupree both because The Dupree is a really wonderful and special venue that I’m excited to be a part of and help grow and develop, and also because the program and topic - weaving in stories of the Jewish involvement in music into an evening of live music - is incredibly close to my heart and something I’m proud of and want to share with our community and beyond. I’m excited for this opportunity to share this music at The Dupree in Sandy Springs, where I grew up! ì

Some see The Dupree ultimately evolving into a source of high-quality cultural arts offerings, much like the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan, but with free parking.

Joe Alterman will perform in a fourpart series beginning Nov. 14 in Sandy Springs, his hometown.

Submissions are now open for the second annual Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award

Submissions Open for Shine A Light on Antisemitism Award

The Jewish Education Project invites submissions for the 2024 Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award, recognizing brave individuals nationwide who confront antisemitism. This prestigious award recognizes students, educators, gamers, and influencers who demonstrate exceptional courage in

Today in Israeli History

Oct. 31, 1917: Supported by three British divisions, the Australian 4th Light Horse Brigade surprises the Turkish defenders and captures Beersheba in a single day, breaking the Ottoman defensive line near Gaza.

Moshe Sneh, shown as a member of the Knesset in 1961, was one of four leaders of the Jewish Resistance Movement when he was with the Haganah in 1945. // By Fritz Cohen, National Photo Collection of Israel, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nov. 1, 1945: The Jewish Resistance Movement sets off explosions at more than 150 sites along the railway system of Mandatory Palestine and blows up three British gunboats in the Jaffa and Haifa harbors on the Night of the Trains.

Nov. 2, 1955: Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, regains the post, replacing his successor, Moshe Sharett. Ben-Gurion largely retired in 1953, but he returned to the government as the defense minister Feb. 17, 1955.

Nov. 3, 1840: A coalition of Austrian, British and Ottoman forces commanded by Austrian Archduke Friedrich bombards the port city of Acre and drives out the garrison of Egyptian ruler Muhammad Ali’s last stronghold.

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME ISRAEL PRIDE

combating antisemitism across the United States.

As antisemitism reaches alarming levels nationwide, the need for this award has never been more critical. The Shine A Light Award honors those who take bold action and educate others to combat these dangerous trends.

The award categories include: high school students; college students; elementary school/middle school/high school/university educators; gamers; and influencers.

Two recipients in the eight categories will receive a $2,000 prize and national recognition for their impactful work. Submissions are open to the public until Nov. 25, 2024.

For more information on how to nominate or to learn about past recipients, please visit the official Shine A Light on Antisemitism Civic Courage Award website at ShineaLight.org/Awards.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Nov. 4, 1966: Egypt and Syria sign a mutual defense treaty and create a joint military command amid constant, low-level violence on the Israeli-Syrian border. U.S. intelligence reports suggest that the Soviets are behind the treaty.

Nov. 5, 1933: Judah Magnes, the president of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, opens the academic year by outlining a plan for the university’s expansion, including the hiring of 14 professors ousted in Nazi Germany.

6, 1884,

//

P.

Nov. 6, 1884: Delegates gather in Katowice — now in Poland, then part of Prussia — for the first conference of the rapidly spreading Hovevei Zion (Lovers of Zion) movement, almost 13 years before the First Zionist Congress.

Nov. 7, 1944: Haganah paratrooper and poet Hannah Senesh is killed by a Hungarian firing squad in Budapest five months after being captured on a mission to free prisoners of war and organize Jewish resistance.

Nov. 8, 1923: Yisrael Meir Friedman BenShalom, the future Pashkaner Rebbe, is born in Romania. He joins the Hashomer Hatzair youth movement. He and his wife, Zipporah, smuggle themselves into Palestine in 1946.

A YouTube video screenshot of a panel during Twitch’s conference in which streamers rated fellow streamers based on their affinity to Arabs, September 2024 // Photo used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Streaming Site Twitch Accused of Unchecked Antisemitism

The live-streaming service Twitch has come under fire in recent days as allegations of allowing antisemitic content

Chaim Weizmann, shown in 1949, played an important role in obtaining the Balfour Declaration and became Israel’s first president.

// By Hans Pinn, National Photo Collection of Israel, CC BY-SA 3.0

Nov. 9, 1952: Chaim Weizmann, the first president of Israel, dies at his Rehovot home after a yearlong illness. Born in Poland, he moved to England in 1904 and developed friendships that helped win the Balfour Declaration.

Nov. 10, 2004: The Knesset officially adopts “Hatikvah” (“The Hope”) as Israel’s national anthem. The action has been delayed for decades over concerns that non-Jewish Israelis feel excluded by the Zionist lyrics.

Nov. 11, 1902: Yisrael Amir is born in Vilna in Lithuania. He makes aliyah in 1923 and rises through the Haganah. David BenGurion names him the first Israeli Air Force commander in May 1948 though he has no aviation experience.

and intentionally blocking Israel-based users have piled up.

Members of the streaming community in recent weeks have accused the platform of allowing anti-Israel hate speech, blocking users in Israel and lifting bans on antisemitic streamers, while the annual TwitchCon conference last month reportedly included a panel during which popular livestreamers ranked others on a scale of Arab to Jew.

The platform on Monday addressed some of the allegations for the first time, claiming that it had temporarily limited signups in the region and said it had fixed some issues, but failed to address many of the accusations.

In a statement on X, Twitch acknowledged having “temporarily disabled sign ups with email verification in Israel and Palestine” in order to prevent the posting of “graphic material” related to the Oct. 7 Hamas attack.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Nov. 12, 2009: Eliyahu Speiser, elected to the Knesset three times beginning in 1977, dies at 79. A native of Haifa, Speiser began working for Israel’s dominant Mapai party in 1965 and served as Tel Aviv’s deputy mayor.

Nov. 13, 1893: Acclaimed painter Reuven Rubin is born in Galatz, Romania. He sells his bicycle in 1912 to afford to travel to Jerusalem and enroll in the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts. He also studies in Paris.

Nov. 14, 1956: Six days after Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion announces that Israeli troops will withdraw from the Sinai under a cease-fire with Egypt, the Knesset debates the plan amid calls to force Egypt into peace talks.

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

Hovevei Zion delegates attend their first conference Nov.

in Katowice.

By

Kruse via National Library of Israel

Eliyahu Speiser studied at the University of Paris and served on the embassy staff there before his political career.

// By Ya’acov Sa’ar, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0

ISRAEL Universities Prep for New School Year in Shadow of War

Israel’s major universities are preparing for the new academic year, with most scheduled to begin the semester on Sunday, Nov. 3. The opening marks the second year in a row in which a significant percentage of university students and staff are expected to serve as IDF reservists.

The last academic year was to have begun on Oct. 15, 2023, but was delayed several times due to the Oct. 7 outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. Eventually, learning officially began on Dec. 31, with shortened semesters and a special summer session implemented at most universities.

Due to the large number of student reservists – a full 30 percent of registered students, according to an estimate provided by the Association of University Heads earlier this year – universities during the last academic year provided assistance packages for reservists, which included financial help, private tutors and flexible exam schedules, among other benefits.

These policies, independently decided upon and implemented by individual universities, are expected to continue during the new academic year. The University of Haifa announced students serving in the reserves would be exempt from student housing fees, a continu-

ance of last year’s policy.

Also, Bar-Ilan University announced a “learning assistant” AI program, based around ChatGPT, developed especially to help student-soldiers keep up with their studies while in uniform.

In a message to students this week, Hebrew University rector Prof. Tamir Sheafer said, “Last year we built an exceptional support system — academic, financial, and emotional — to help reservists and their spouses, as well as those displaced from their homes, to successfully complete the academic year.”

Despite immense difficulties, “most students managed to successfully finish the year. We know the challenges have not ended. We will continue to provide support to all students who need it in the coming year as well,” Sheafer said.

The Association of University Heads, in a message to The Times of Israel, said it was “still collating” statistics about student reservists for the new year, but according to data provided by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, some 6,500 students at the university served in the reserves over the last year, out of a student body of 20,000, with 52 percent of these serving over 100 days in total. ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

Students at Reichman University in Herzliya // Photo Courtesy of Times of Israel

Cohen Pleased with Mets’ Postseason Run

David Ostrowsky

The press box at the New York Mets’ home ballpark, Citi Field, is named after Jay Horwitz, the team’s beloved longtime PR director, who now oversees alumni relations. David Stearns is the club’s first-year president of baseball operations. The Mets’ two most prominent media personalities are Howie Rose and Gary Cohen, who have long served as the team’s radio and television playby-play announcers, respectively. Their best defensive outfielder is Harrison Bader, who has sartorially supported Israeli hostages all season. And the principal owner is none other than hedge fund manager Steve Cohen.

Indeed, the Mets, the team that engineered the most improbable of comebacks, shaking off a 24-35 start to come within two wins of the World Series, are also one of the most Jewish teams in baseball, if not all of sports, right now.

The Mets’ historic 2024 turnaround that accounted for the most intriguing baseball story this October was anchored by Cohen, the Long Island native who purchased the Mets in 2020 for $2.4 billion, the largest-ever price for an MLB team, and a year later acquired nowfranchise cornerstone Francisco Lindor. After the Mets trudged through years of mediocre results and off-field mishaps under the Wilpon family’s stewardship, Cohen’s fan-friendly, free-spending approach has been refreshing for a championship-starved fanbase.

“I will say this, I think he’s [Cohen] a true Mets fan and he knows what the fans liked,” said former Mets All-Star second baseman Edgardo Alfonzo before he participated in pregame ceremonies leading up to Game 4 of the National League Championship Series. “And I think he’s been doing a great job with this organization. In terms of bringing people, old timers to let the fans come and see them, whatever the favorite player was, I think is great for the Mets organization, for the fans, for everybody.”

The Mets, who still in many ways take a backseat to the Yankees in New York, are not participating in the muchballyhooed World Series playing out this week as they fell to the star-studded Los Angeles Dodgers, 4-2, in an NLCS that

drew much higher-than-expected TV ratings. That the Mets – who won 89 games to the Dodgers’ 98 and reached their first NLCS since 2015 – couldn’t overcome a shaky bullpen and the Ruthian feats of superstar Shohei Ohtani didn’t diminish the team’s miraculous revival, one enlivened by the McDonald’s character Grimace mascot and “OMG” song, (orchestrated by infielder Jose Iglesias) serving as the official soundtrack.

“They never quit,” Cohen noted about his never-say-die team shortly after it clinched a playoff berth in early October when it split an end-of-season doubleheader against the Braves. “I’ve never seen a more resilient group. They believe in themselves, and a lot of people didn’t.”

Cohen was quick to heap praise on Stearns, the 39-year-old Harvard grad who previously shepherded a smallmarket Milwaukee Brewers team to annual postseason contention, for having the flexibility and foresight to tweak the roster as the roller coaster season went along.

“When you think about the roster at the beginning of the season vs. where we are now, totally different roster,” Cohen said. “That just shows the tenaciousness.”

Just as the Mets were the surprise entry to the playoffs, their third baseman, Mark Vientos, was their unexpected hero come October. After starting his season at Triple-A Syracuse, Vientos earned Stearns’ trust and was subsequently recalled to the big leagues in mid-May; over the course of the Mets’ October run, Vientos was the hottest hitter on baseball’s biggest stage, belting five homers and driving in 14.

“He’s [Stearns] done a great job,” acknowledged Vientos prior to Game 5 of the NLCS, a 12-6 Mets’ win -- their final one of 2024 -- in front of a booming Citi Field crowd that was on its feet for every two-strike pitch as planes from LaGuardia Airport soared overhead. “He’s put together a team his first year that’s made it to the NLCS so far. I mean, kudos to him, he’s done a good job. I’m excited to see what else we can do for this organization, for sure.”

The future of the organization largely hinges on whether Cohen wants to fork over enough money to soon-to-be free agent slugger Pete Alonso, who along with Max Fried and Alex Bregman, headlines an enticing free agent class. For the Mets, another wildly popular, albeit less impactful, impending free agent is, in fact, Bader, who, aside from an NLCS

Game 4 start, played primarily in a reserve role down the stretch for New York. Surely, from a clubhouse chemistry perspective, Bader, a born and raised New Yorker who often sports an Elmhurst Eagles FDNY shirt when he comes out for batting practice, would be missed.

“Bader, he was one of my favorite teammates,” Dodgers shortstop Tommy Edman, who last decade played with Bader in St. Louis, recalled when speaking to the press during the NLCS. “Always has great energy. Always comes to the field ready to work, really hard worker. And just has a ton of fun out there on the field. And is a really talented player. One of the best defensive center fielders I’ve seen. And just he was a joy to play with.”

In many ways, Horwitz, now in his fifth decade with the Mets, is the face of the franchise – more so than any player, executive, or commentator such as Gary Cohen, whose image is plastered across a banner outside Citi Field, or Rose, who was the master of ceremonies for NLCS Game 3 introductions. Having started with the Mets in 1980, Horwitz, the funloving, at times eccentric PR guru has been a fixture in Queens throughout so many iterations of Mets teams – all but one of which (1986) came up short of a World Series title.

“It’s a fun group of guys to watch,” said Horwitz, whose moniker is “Mr. Met” and continues to interact with Mets alums from each decade since the team came into existence in the early 1960s. “A lot of good storylines, the Vientos kid, [Jose] Iglesias, the stars got better. The way they came back, one big hit after another. As a Met fan, 38 years is a long time.”

Ultimately, there was no Hollywood ending for the 2024 Mets as their season ended against the backdrop of Hollywood with a 10-5 loss to the Dodgers (a team with strong Atlanta connections between first baseman Freddie Freeman and executive Stan Kasten) in Game 6 of the NLCS. Afterwards, first-year Mets skipper Carlos Mendoza stayed true to form by maintaining his rosy outlook on the state of his club.

“I’ve been part of really good games with really good people,” acknowledged Mendoza. “And this is right there with some of those teams. The quality of the people.

“It starts with Steve [Cohen] and Alex [Steve’s wife, Alex Cohen] and David [Stearns], and it trickles all the way down. And that’s our goal to be a firstclass organization, on and off the field. I thought we did that.” ì

The New York Mets, a team with many strong ties to the Jewish community, came within a couple games of winning the National League pennant in the fourth year of Steve Cohen’s run as principal owner // Photo Credit: New York Mets

The Only Jewish Player in the NFL

By David Ostrowsky

Unlike last year, when NFL rosters were sprinkled with Jewish players, the 2024 season has thus far seen precious few take the field, the most notable being journeyman placekicker Greg Joseph, currently with the New York Giants.

The 30-year-old Jewish native of Johannesburg, South Africa, whose childhood revolved around soccer – not football – played college football at Florida Atlantic University.

Notably, the Giants represent the third team Joseph has suited up for this year. Shortly after surviving the Green Bay Packers’ 53-man roster cut at the close of training camp, Joseph, a Minnesota Viking for the past three years, was released; a couple weeks later, the Detroit Lions signed Joseph to their practice squad, only to give him the boot the following week. And then, in mid-September, after getting pinballed around the NFC North for the past year, the seven-year NFL veteran cracked the Giants’ gameday roster when the even more seasoned Graham Gano was shelved with a Week 2 hamstring injury.

How long Joseph continues to line up for field goals, extra points, and kickoffs for one of the league’s most storied franchises remains uncertain. Gano’s health looms as a major question mark and Joseph’s performance with the New York Football Giants, currently in the cellar of the NFC East, has been inconsistent. After misfiring on his only field goal attempt during his Giants debut against the Cleveland Browns (one of his several former teams), Joseph went an immaculate eight-for-eight over the next two games, one of which was a nationally televised 20-15 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 26 when Joseph’s booming right foot accounted for all of New York’s points.

“Most important is the team winning, which we didn’t do tonight,” Joseph said after the Cowboys game on Thursday Night Football. “One kick doesn’t define me. It never will. Head up, onto the next one, short memory. I just feel like I have to be Greg Joseph. They’ve done an awesome job letting me know they know who I am, what I stand for and how I work. I’m not going to change that. Process over results.”

Unfortunately for Joseph, the results weren’t as favorable during the Giants’ next primetime matchup at MetLife Stadium – an Oct. 13 Sunday night clash against the Cincinnati Bengals – as he

was wide left on both of his fourth-quarter field goal attempts (47 and 45 yards) in his team’s 17-7 loss. In speaking to the media following the deflating defeat to a then-slumping Bengals team, Joseph came across as a true stand-up guy.

“It felt good [off my foot],” said Joseph, who nailed his only field goal try during the following week’s 28-3 blowout loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. “I have to go look at the film, be hard on myself, reassess, see what I want to fix mechanically and mentally process-wise. And go from there. Every ball I put my foot to, it’s on me. I expect to make every kick.”

And during clutch situations earlier in his career, that has often been the case. Just two years ago, while kicking for Minnesota, Joseph, who broke into the NFL last decade as an undrafted free agent, was in the midst of a historic season during which he drilled an unprecedented five game-winning kicks, including a 61-yarder (ironically, against the Giants) that stands as the longest in Vikings history.

But even more impressive than Jo-

seph’s string of late-game heroics over the course of his solid three-year run with the Vikes is his passion for learning more about his Jewish heritage, specifically as it relates to the Holocaust. Though Joseph and his family emigrated from South Africa to the U.S. in 2001, his familial roots stem from Eastern Europe: his maternal great-grandparents both hailed from Lithuania, from which they fled amidst the growing persecution of Jews in the 1920s. Ever cognizant of the plight of Eastern European Jewry from a century ago, Joseph has made it an off-season priority to travel around the world to visit museums and the actual sites where the horrors of genocide occurred. Before he turned 30, Joseph had already been twice to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.; participated in an NFL goodwill tour of one Naval base and 11 Army bases in Poland; and visited, among other harrowing sites, the Warsaw Ghetto, Auschwitz, Kovno Ghetto and Panevėžys Ghetto.

“Back in the day I knew, ‘Oh, my family’s from Lithuania.’ But I probably

couldn’t even spell Lithuania before I went into this deep dive,” Joseph shared in an interview published on the Vikings’ team website in March 2023.  “I’m me because of the people who came before me ... that knowledge and that closeness to my family is important because I’ll be able to pass it down to my kids someday.

“My dad is half Lithuanian, a quarter German and a quarter Polish, so he’s looked back and seen how his family was affected by the war and possible family members who were tragically lost in the Holocaust. Obviously it’s personal to me because of my religion and my pride in being Jewish … but I think it’s more crucial than ever for people to educate themselves on these horrific events in history – not just the Holocaust – so we can do our best as the human race to be the most humane we can be and stop these tragic events from ever happening again in the future.”

If Joseph remains with New York for the balance of the regular season, Falcons fans can see him in person when the Giants travel to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 22 for a Week 16 matchup. ì

After falling just short of making the opening-day roster of the Green Bay Packers, veteran kicker Greg Joseph (No. 34) is making the most of his mid-season opportunity with the New York Giants // Photo Credit: New York Football Giants

Pastner is Back in Different Kind of Spotlight

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Former Georgia Tech men’s basketball head coach Josh Pastner still gathers a passel of adoring fans, especially while attending local Jewish events. At 47, along with some newly speckled silver hair, Pastner recreated himself as a studio commentator and analyst for Big Ten games on NBC Sports/Peacock Network, ESPN, Turner Sports and CBS Sports Network.

At Tech, starting in 2015, Josh was the 14th head basketball coach in the school’s history. In 2017, he was named Coach of the Year. In 2021, he won the ACC Tournament, first for Tech since 1993. Following two disappointing seasons, Pastner parted ways with the college in March 2023 as the fifth winningest coach in school history. He certainly was the only Jewish one.

A doting father, Pastner shared with the AJT about his post-coaching life. He said, “One of the great blessings of being let go at Georgia Tech was the opportunity to spend much more time with my wife and kids. My little son and I have bonded beyond belief. That has been absolutely awesome! I do think my wife and three daughters are ready for me to get a coaching job since they have said I’m at home way too much.” Pastner’s home was featured in the AJT Chai Style column (Feb 24, 2022).

He describes his on-air job as breaking down the basketball games to add insight and enjoyment for viewers. He relayed, “Tune in most nights to a game and I’ll be on one of these stations.”

To prep for the new job, he studied many different TV analysts to glean their expertise in addition to getting feedback

from producers, being open to criticism to improve, and asking a lot of questions. He noted, “I try to be as prepared as possible just like I was coaching a game. I’ve had to learn quickly and will continue to be open-minded and grow as I enter my second season of announcing.”

He claims to have earned more respect for being on the “other side” and how much preparation is required. “It

JEWELRY & WATCH REPAIRS

takes quickness on your feet to get your thoughts out in a short amount of time with someone talking in your ear and then making sure you have the proper dismount when you need to get that thought expressed to the viewer,” he elaborated.

Transitions for someone operating at a warp speed job may take some unwinding. After coaching ended, he met a spin instructor at Lifetime Fitness who told him “He had a look of stress.”

Since that day in March of 2023, he enjoys that class as well as lifting weights and not eating late, leading to decreased stress. He mused, “The key will be once I get back into coaching, can I maintain this healthy lifestyle and not go back to the internal stress I put myself through every single day due to the desire to win every game for the university and the fans?”

Operative words, “getting back to coaching.” He had opportunities to get back into coaching in March of 2023 and March of 2024. He stated that he was not ready mentally or physically which leads him to conclude, “Now I am fired up to

lead a team again and even more focused and clear of my path to lead my third program to the NCAA tournament. The cycle will open again in March of 2025.”

He is open to moving cities and coaching women. He explained, “Location is not a deterrent. Now my family may differ on that response, however, that is the life of coaching, ready to pack up and go where the job takes you. I think the women’s game is big time! It’s on the rise. I would think it would be a great opportunity to lead a team in the WNBA.”

In terms of Judaism, Pastner summarized, “I am a proud Jew, I love being Jewish, and I try to stay connected to the Jewish community. And teach my children the importance of Judaism as much as I can. I admire Atlanta and the surrounding areas having such a strong Jewish community.”

What would Pastner’s parents boast about raising such an accomplished, focused son? “They would say ‘I never had a sip of alcohol, I never had a sip of soda, I never had a sip of coffee, I never have done a drug, and I don’t use any profanity.’”

Such a mensch! ì

Josh Pastner (right) learned to hone his skills in live commentating.

‘Honor, Mourn, Remember. Together We Will Heal’

On Oct. 6, 2024, Hadassah members, associates, and friends throughout the world remembered the somber anniversary of the massacre on Oct. 7, 2023. Hadassah created a special program commemorating this devastating day and Israel’s response to the resulting war that, sadly, continues to rage on.

At this virtual event, entitled, “Honor. Mourn. Remember. Together We Will Heal,” the Hadassah national leadership and distinguished guests honored those lost since that fateful day. And, at the same time, honored the resilience of a country at war.

Maayan Hoffman, American Israeli journalist and host of the Hadassah On

Call podcast, emceed the event. Presenters included Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz; Michal Herzog, first lady of the State of Israel; and the family of Omer Neutra, a former camper at Young Judaea Sprout Lake who remains a hostage in Gaza.

There was a musical performance by the Hadassah Neurim Youth Aliyah Village choir and a memorial for war victims from the extended Hadassah family. Additionally, Hadassah highlighted the lifesaving work undertaken over the last year by Hadassah’s hospitals and Youth Aliyah villages in Israel, all done with the indispensable help of the entire Hadassah family from around the world.

The next evening, Oct. 7, 2024, Hadassah Greater Atlanta members, along with 4,000 attendees from many Jewish organizations and synagogues in the Atlanta area (all part of a group called Jewish Atlanta), participated in a somber ceremony in Sandy Springs. The program recalled the Hamas attack where 1,200 people who were killed, including 46 U.S. citizens and the 250 hostages taken.

Speakers included Israeli Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon, Ofri Avigdor Bester, who survived the attack by Hamas terrorists, Rabbi Peter Berg of The Temple, and Actress Patricia Heaton, the creator of the October 7 Coalition to combat antisemitism, and author

Alon Penzel. Six members of Congress spoke, along with Governor Brian Kemp (via video) and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, in order to demonstrate bipartisan support for Atlanta’s Jewish community. The program ended with readings and songs from a group called Shinshinim, a group of Israeli teens who have graduated from high school and have delayed their army service to serve as volunteer educators in communities worldwide.

Oct. 7, 2023, will stay in our people’s hearts forever as one of Israel’s darkest days.

Visit the Hadassah website at www. hadassah.org.

Compiled by AJT Staff

18Doors Appoints Marwil to Board of Directors

18Doors, a national organization dedicated to fostering inclusion of interfaith families in Jewish communities across North America, is excited to announce the appointment of Noah Marwil to their Board of Directors.

Marwil brings more than 15 years of experience in healthcare strategy and transformation, having worked globally and domestically. He is currently a principal at Korn Ferry’s global healthcare executive search practice, where he focuses on leadership development in the healthcare sector. His impressive ca-

reer includes roles at PwC in healthcare mergers and acquisitions and serving as VP of Strategy and Execution at Elevance’s health services division. Marwil holds a dual master’s degree in business and health policy and management from Emory University, and he currently resides in Atlanta with his wife and twin daughters.

Marwil’s connection to 18Doors’ mission is deeply personal. As part of an interfaith marriage, he is passionate about fostering inclusivity within Judaism. He shared, “I have always believed

18Doors has appointed Noah Marwil to its Board of Directors.

that inclusivity was the part of Judaism that made us such a strong and resilient people. Now that my kids are five, my wife and I are wrestling with the question of how to provide them with a Jewish identity without isolating my wife who is not Jewish. 18Doors provides us with great resources and a community in which to confront these questions.”

18Doors is thrilled to welcome Noah Marwil and looks forward to his contributions as the organization continues to grow and expand its impact.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Lynn Owens shows support for Hadassah along with the 4,000-plus attendees at the Jewish Atlanta Remembrance of the Massacre in Israel by Hamas.

(From left) Robin Hyman, director, Geographic Area Engagement, Hadassah Super South; State Rep. Esther Panitch, member of the Georgia State House of Representatives and Hadassah Life member, Simone Wilker, Hadassah Advocacy chair, Southeastern Region

Holly Gelfand Kurtz, a Hadassah member, helps with the set up for the Jewish Atlanta’s somber anniversary commemoration of the devastating day of Oct. 7, 2023.

OPINION

Blending History and Fiction

Dave Schechter From Where I Sit

let’s

talk about MENTAL HEALTH

BeWellATL

is a collaboration with our Atlanta community partners dedicated to promoting the well-being of Jewish young people. We are here to provide support and tools to respond to growing mental health concerns, as well as resources for parents, caregivers, and Jewish professionals.

The box arrived earlier this month.

My wife recorded video on her phone as I sliced it open. Inside were the first copies of my book, the culmination of a project that began 25 years ago.

One of my sons said that just writing the manuscript was an achievement. That’s true, but there was a special feeling when I held the 200-page paperback.

Then came the buzz of seeing the book listed for sale online; out in the world, available for purchase, to be read and judged.

This is my first book, self-published because, at a certain point in life, there is only so much rejection that you can take. I wrote it to satisfy myself, rather than with grandiose thoughts about the audience (though my chief adviser thinks the story would make a splendid film).

So, what is this book about? Thank you for asking. [Cue the shameless self-promotion.]

“A Life of the Party” is a work of historical fiction about my great-aunt, Amy, who devoted four decades to the struggles of working men and women, as a card-carrying member of the Communist Party.

Raised in a religious household, she would have been familiar from a young age with the concept of tikkun olam, that the world is a shattered vessel and that each of us must strive to bring the scattered shards back together. Communism became her way to repair the world.

My great-aunt’s work, as a journalist and organizer, took her across the United States, from textile mills and coal fields to shipyards and docks, and to Russia, to a remote Siberian colony and to the center of Soviet communism.

I wrote in the introduction: “History may not be kind to the Communists, to the authoritarian regimes whose cruelty is welldocumented, and to those Americans whose loyalty caused them to turn a blind eye to these horrors.”

That said, in her time “the Communists often were at the forefront in calling attention to economic and social inequities in the United States and in organizing people for change.”

She was among the defendants in a celebrated trial during the 1929 Loray Mill

strike in Gastonia, N.C. She was arrested several times during protests, including in Chattanooga, where a judge threatened her with a charge of public lunacy if she did not leave town.

This project began with a letter to my father from a professor at Emory University, who asked about a man with whom my great-aunt had a relationship that apparently went beyond shared ideological beliefs.

As a good apparatchik, my great-aunt left no diary, journal, or letters. I read numerous articles she wrote for Party and other sympathetic publications. The Federal Bureau of Investigation tracked her activities, and, thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, I was able to access a few hundred pages from those files.

The research revealed a great deal more about her life than what I was told growing up. I was aware throughout of the sensitivity of filling in the gaps with elements of what might have been. Out of respect for my father, I would not have been comfortable publishing this book while he was alive.

Having spent my career in a business where, if you make things up, you lose your job, blending fact and fiction was a challenge.

There were periods of intense activity on the book and longer intervals of dormancy, during the many years that I worked for CNN and the past decade writing freelance, frequently in these pages. A heart attack and bypass surgery provided motivation to pick up the pace.

The first copies are going to people who encouraged me along the way or whose guidance was invaluable during the research, writing, and editing of the book. They and my family are the village that brought this book to life. I am grateful to each for their contribution, while absolving them of any responsibility for my deficiencies.

In my first job, I would go down to the press room late at night, just to grab off the conveyor belt a copy of the next morning’s paper with my byline atop an article on the front page.

I got a similar kick out of cutting open that box and seeing my name on the front cover and spine of a book 25 years in the making.

A Jewish columnist called Amy “one of the few genuinely idealistic Communists; she lives up to ideals in her private life, sharing what she was with others less fortunate.” It may not have been the traditional way to repair the world, the politically popular way, or the socially acceptable way, but it was her way and that’s the story I set out to tell. ì

Mazel Tov 18 Under 18 Winners from

18 UNDER 18 18 UNDER 18

18 UNDER 18 18 Under 18 Winners for 2024

By Robbie Garber

Jewish Atlanta’s 18 Under 18 are a remarkable group of young Jewish leaders, nominated by family and friends, teachers, counselors, and founders of charities. Their achievements range from the academic to the athletic to the humanitarian and beyond. Many have been recognized by awards at the state or even national level. Many of them have founded their own clubs and charities. All of them have deep ties to their local Jewish communities. Their paths, even thus far, have been difficult. Some have overcome disease or loss. All have had the difficulty of making their way through the midst of a pandemic and into the realm of leadership, all in the interest of making a better world.

Prepare to meet the kids who will one day change the world – and who already have.

Jaron Alexander, 17

Jaron engages actively in all aspects of his life, from academics to sports, from charity to his continuing Jewish education. A member of JV teams in soccer, cross country and golf at Woodward Academy and now Riverwood, and an outstanding student at both schools, Jaron also has begun pursuing college-level education at the Wake Forest University Precollege. He volunteers with both Creating Connected Communities and Friendship Circle of Atlanta, where he is a member of the Team Leadership Board and has helped fundraise/create a fundraising website for Experience Camps, a national, no-cost program for grieving children who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or primary caregiver. He’s a counselor in training at his camp, Camp Manitou, which he has attended for almost a decade, and in the realm of Jewish education has attended confirmation classes and a college level course about Israel at Temple Sinai.

Gabe Elkinson, 17

Son of Edie and Ken Elkinson The Paideia School

Awards and Honor Societies

Woodward Academy Golden Eagle High Honor Roll (2023)

Riverwood International Charter School Principal’s List (2024)

National Honor Society (Inducted 2024)

Camp Manitou for Boys College League Achievement Award (2024)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Friendship Circle of Atlanta | Teen Leadership Board Member (2023-Present)

Creating Connected Communities (2022-Present)

Camp Manitou for Boys | Counselor in Training (2024)

Make-a-Wish Club (2024)

Youth Leadership Sandy Springs (2024)

Wake Forest University PreCollege (2024)

Woodward Academy Jewish Student Union (2022-2023)

Woodward Academy JV Soccer (2022-2023)

Woodward Academy JV Cross Country (2022-2023)

Riverwood International Charter School JV Cross Country (2023)

Riverwood International Charter School JV Golf (2024-2025)

Temple Sinai College-Level Course “Israel: It’s History, Culture and People” (2024-2025)

Temple Sinai Confirmation Class (2023-2024)

Moving with his parents and twin sister, Sisi, from Venice, Calif., to Atlanta, Gabe jumped right into his new community. Continuing his charity work against Parkinson’s Disease, he co-founded the Atlanta branch of PingPongParkinson. He joined his school’s Vex Robotics team, of which he is now co-captain, and was selected to join the Atlanta delegation’s soccer team for the Maccabi Games in Israel in 2023. He joined The Paideia Forum, becoming the paper’s Editor-in-Chief this year, and continues to volunteer at Blazesports America, alongside his sister. He’s even begun working remotely on university-level research, as the team lead for designing a WebApp for a clinical trial on Parkinson’s at Manchester University.

Awards and Honor Societies

Doubles Spikeball Gold Medal – JCC Maccabi Games in San Diego (2022)

National Academy Foundation Negotiation Challenge Champion 1st Place (2024)

Patrick J. McGovern Foundation AI for Global Health Competition National Finalist (2024)

VEX Robotics “Think Award” #1 Programming in Georgia (2023)

Museum of Design Atlanta | STEAM Camp Counselor and Educator (2023, 2024)

Georgia Scholastic Press Association Journalism | Superior Ranking (2024), Excellent ranking (2022, 2023)

Activities and Leadership Roles

PingPongParkinson | Atlanta Chapter Co-Founder and International Branch Establishment Leader (2022-Present)

Manchester University Parkinson’s Clinical Trial WebApp Development | Team Lead (2024)

Paideia Jew Crew | Co-Leader (2024-2025)

JCC Maccabi Games Soccer Team (2022, 2023)

Vex Robotics | Co-Captain (2024-2025)

The Paideia Forum | Editor-in-Chief (2024/2025), Managing Editor (2023/2024), Sports Editor (2022/2023), Staff Writer (2021/2022)

“The Courage of Clinical Research” – Short-Term Class | Creator and Co-teacher (2024)

BlazeSports America (2023-Present)

Creating Connected Communities (2022)

Son of Marc Alexander and Tanya Alexander Riverwood International Charter School

Sisi Elkinson, 17

Daughter of Edie and Ken Elkinson

The Paideia School

Moving with her parents and twin brother, Gabe, from Venice, Calif., to Atlanta did nothing to slow down Sisi Elkinson. The All-State cross country and track star, who has finished multiple times in the top 500 for the Peachtree Road Race (the largest 10K in the world) has also been extremely busy at the Paideia School, where she is the captain of varsity teams in both sports, Co-leader of the Paideia Jew Crew (alongside her brother, Gabe), Founder/Co-leader of the recycling club, and a Pi Ambassador. Outside of school, Sisi has transformed her love of making art (which she had already begun to sell through her Etsy shop and as the youngest ever Art-o-Mat contributing artist) into an emotional local impact, founding Crafts for CHOA to distribute art kits to the children’s hospital.

Awards and Honor Societies

All-State Cross Country | 7th individually at the 1A-D1 GHSA State Meet (2023)

All-State 4x800 Track team (2022-2024)

The Slither Paideia Fundraising Road Race | First Place Female (2023)

Positive Athlete Award Atlanta Region Recipient | 2024

Atlanta’s Peachtree Road Race | Top 500 Finisher (2023, 2024)

Temple Akiba Mensch of the Month (October 2016)

Camp Akiba “Biggest Sweetheart” Award (2016)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Varsity Cross Country (2021-2024) | Captain (2023-2024)

Varsity Track and Field (2022-2025) | Captain (2024-2025)

Paideia Jew Crew (2021-2025) | Co-Leader (2023-2025)

Paideia Peer Leadership (2024-2025)

Recycling Club | Founder & Co-leader (2024-2025)

Pi Ambassador | (2023-2024)

Crafts for CHOA (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta) | Founder & Leader (2023-2025)

BlazeSports America (2023-Present)

Connections School of Atlanta | Buddy (2022-2024)

Paideia School Farm | Urban Agriculture Volunteer (2023)

Paideia School Cross-Age Teacher (2021-2023)

Creating Connected Communities | Leadership Development Program (2022)

Art-o-Mat | Contributing Artist (2017-Present)

2TwinsCraftStudio | Etsy Shop Owner (2019 - Present)

Museum of Design Atlanta | Summer Camp Counselor (2023, 2024)

Akiba Resident Camp | Counselor in Training (2022), Junior Staff (2023)

Contact Point Sports Camp | Junior Counselor (Summer of 2022)

Matan Fleishman, 15

Son of Nataly and Seth Fleishman

Atlanta Jewish Academy

For Matan, engagement with his local community and greater Jewish communities is as natural as breathing. As the Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 613, the local Jewish troop of Boy Scouts of America, Matan has worked on a number of conservation projects, volunteered to help on multiple projects at Chabad of Toco Hills, helped raise money for Atlanta Friends of Israel, and organized/packed clothes for Ukraine. Outside of volunteer work, he’s also involved in several sports, from Varsity Soccer and Wrestling to Mixed Martial Arts, in which he is black belt. All of this is despite his strictly controlled Type1 Diabetes, for which he recently volunteered at a clinical study.

Awards and Honor Societies

BSA Order of the Arrow (2024-Present)

Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honors Society | Leader (Inducted 2024)

AJA Wrestling Legacy Esteem Award (2024)

BSA Nova Award (2023)

Messengers of Peace Scouting Award (2023)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Troop 613 | Senior Patrol Leader (2024)

Mixed Martial Arts | Black Belt (2023)

Varsity Wrestling Team (2023-2024)

Varsity Soccer Team (2024)

AJA Palette | Writer (2023)

Volunteer for a Sinocare Diabetic Clinical Study (2024)

Menachem Begin Scholars Program (2024)

American Jewish Committee | Atlanta’s Leaders for Tomorrow (2024)

Chabad of Toco Hills | Weekly Shacharit Service Leader (2021)

Benjamin Ganz, 17

Son of Jodi Ganz and Adam Ganz Pace Academy

Benjamin’s involvement with athletics, on and off the field, is hard to compete with. He’s won numerous athlete awards at Pace Academy, where he’s been a member of the cross country, wrestling, track and field, and lacrosse teams – as well as captain of the first two. His record in wrestling especially is astounding, as he is ranked fifth in the state with more than 70 individual wins. He’s deeply involved in The Christopher League – an organization for children with special needs to get the opportunity to play baseball on Saturday mornings – which he’s been volunteering with since sixth grade. He even started a club at Pace Academy, The Christopher League Community Engagement Club, to help the league’s recruitment and funding. He’s also an active member at The Temple, where he has acted as both a Madrich and a Gesher Leader.

Awards and Honor Societies

Jim and Leslie Wheeler Scholar Athlete Award (2022)

Lance and Shield Sports Award (2023)

Horowitz Athletics Leadership Award (2024)

National Honors Society (Inducted 2023)

AP Scholar (2024)

Most Valuable Wrestler (Team Award)

Activities and Leadership Roles

GHSA Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) (2024-2025)

Gesher Leader at The Temple (2023-2025)

Peer Leader at Pace (2024-2025)

Student Ambassador at Pace (2021-2025)

Pace Academy Jewish Affinity Group | Co-facilitator (2024-2025)

Pace Academy | Cross Country Captain (2022-2024)

Pace Academy | Wrestling Captain (2022-2023)

Northside Youth Organization | Umpire (202 Camp Barney Medintz Counselor (2024)

Christopher League Volunteer and Club Leader (2018-2025)

Trees Atlanta Volunteer (2021-2025)

Madrich at The Temple (2020-2022)

Nina Leff, 17

Daughter of Barry Leff and Amy Leff Riverwood High School

Nina proudly displays her ties with her local Jewish community and Israel. She’s been involved in her local BBYO chapter for years and has risen to the levels of N’siah (President) of her chapter, and Sh’licha (Vice President) of her entire region. Her semester abroad in Israel in 2023 profoundly inspired her to take on leadership roles, and get involved in groups like StandWithUs, with whom she is a member of the teen leadership council. In the same vein, Nina has co-founded the Birthday Project, which aims to turn October 7 from a day of grief into a day of kindness and service, raising money for Yemen Orde, an at-risk youth village in Israel. She’s also very active at Riverwood, where she acts as the advocacy chair for the Ronald McDonald Club and is a member of the IB Mentorship program and JV golf team.

BBYO Chapter Sh’licha of the Year (2024)

BBYO Chapter N’siah of the Year (2023)

Awards and Honor Societies

Activities and Leadership Roles

BBYO Regional Vice President of Jewish Enrichment “Sh’licha” (2024-2025)

BBYO B’yachad BBG #2495 | Chapter President “N’siah” (2023-2024), Chapter Vice President “Sh’licha” (2022)

The Birthday Project | Co-Founder (2023-2024)

StandWithUs Teen Leadership | Council Member (2023-2024)

StandWithUs Kenneth Leventhal High School Intern (2024-2025)

High School Model UN Debater (2023-2025)

Camp Coleman | Counselor in Training (2024)

Co-President Riverwood Flying Club (2022-2023)

Riverwood International Baccalaureate Mentorship Program (2023-2025)

Riverwood Ronald McDonald Club | Advocacy Chair (2023-2025)

Riverwood JV Golf Team (2022)

Hannah Lipman, 16

Daughter of Leslie Lipman and Adam Lipman Johns Creek High School

If you’re at all involved in BBYO, it would be hard NOT to know Hannah Lipman. Following her parents’ example, she dove head first into the organization and over the past two years she’s been active in it, she’s held over 20 different roles. These include co-ordinational leadership on a number of steering and organizational teams, public relations on several social media teams, and administration as the Sh’licha (Vice President) and more recently the N’siah (President) of the Osher BBG Chapter. She carries this same drive in her involvement at Johns Creek High School, where she has served on the student council for several years, has worked as an editor on the yearbook, and currently serves on the Principal’s Student Advisory Council. Her passion for helping others also drove her to work with Creating Connected Communities (the organization best known for Amy’s Holiday Party), whose leadership development program she’s been a part of since 2021.

Awards and Honor Societies

JCHS Honor Roll (2022-2024)

MJCCA Camp Counselor of the Week (2024) Beta Club (Inducted 2023)

BBYO Rising Leader Award (2024)

BBYO Silver Star of Deborah Award (2024)

BBYO Gold Star of Deborah Award (2024)

BBYO Eternal Light Recruitment Award (2024)

BBYO Greater Atlanta Region Sh’licha of the Year (2023-2024)

Activities and Leadership Roles

JCHS Jewish Student Union Ambassador (2023-2024)

JCHS Principal’s Student Advisory Council (2024-2025)

BBYO Osher BBG Chapter | Vice President “Sh’licha” (2023-2024), President “N’siah” (2024-2025)

BBYO International Press Corps - TikTok Team (2023-2025)

BBYO International Convention Shabbat Steering Team (2024)

BBYO Fall Convention | Steering Team (2023), Administrative Assistant (2024)

BBYO Spirit Regional Convention Organizational Administrator (2023)

BBYO Chapter Leadership Training Conference (2023)

BBYO International Convention Press Corps | Social Media Street Team (2024)

BBYO Summer Press Corps (2024)

BBYO International J-Serve Committee (2023-2024)

BBYO Summer Programs Regional Leadership Network (2023-2025)

BBYO Green Team (2023-2025)

BBYO International Leadership Training Conference (2024)

BBYO Global Israel Fellowship (2024-2025)

BBYO Leven Global Leadership Academy (2024-2025)

BBYO International Stand UP Coordinator (2024-2025)

BBYO Improve and Initiate Regional Leadership Network (2024-2025)

BBYO International Convention Saturday Shabbat Admin (2024-2025)

BBYO Rise Up Cohort (2024-2025)

BBYO Chapter Leadership Cohort (2024-2025)

Stand with Us Teen Leadership Council (2024-2025)

BBYO International J-Serve (2024)

Creating Connected Communities | Leadership Development Program (2021-2024)

Girl Scouts of Atlanta (2013-2020)

The Sandwich Project (2021)

Volunteer for Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta (2022)

Daffodil Project (2022)

BBYO Young Atlanta Leadership Lessons (2023-2024)

MJCCA Camp Counselor (2024)

BBYO Explore Israel Club (2023-2025)

JCHS Student Council | Representative (2022-2025), Head of Communications (20232024)

JCHS Yearbook Club | Section Editor (2023-2024), Senior Ads and Team Photos Section Editor (2024-2025)

We are so proud of the person that you are, and can't wait to see what the future holds for you!

JCHS Pickleball Club (2023-2025)

BBYO Greater Atlanta Region Convention Participant (2022-2025)

BBYO International Convention Participant (2024-2025)

Kitty Lubin, 15

Daughter of Cara Lubin and Michael Lubin Pace Academy

An incredibly well-rounded student and active community participant, Kitty has spent much of the past several years volunteering at various charities and organizations through the National Charity League, from the American Heart Association to the Atlanta Botanical Garden to Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters. She held a leadership role there as secretary of the local chapter, a role she also holds on the Pace Academy Student Council. This is in addition to her participation in Yearbook and Varsity Flag Football, and numerous local Jewish organizations, including BBYO, Pace’s Jewish Affinity Group, several programs at Temple Emanu-El, and most notably the AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow.

Awards and Honor Societies

Student Council Award (2024)

Student Citizenship Award for Character (2024)

Isdell Center for Global Leadership Award (2024)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Pace Academy Student Council | Secretary (2023-2024)

American Jewish Committee’s Leaders for Tomorrow (2024)

Isdell Global Leadership | Council Member (2023-2024)

National Charity League Atlanta Chapter (2020-2024) | Secretary (2023)

Piedmont Hospital, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Chastain Horse Park, City of Refuge, Ellis Center, Lutheran Towers, The Sandwich Project, Open Hand Atlanta, Ronald McDonald House Charities Egleston, Alzheimer’s Association, Atlanta Botanical Garden, City of Refuge, Zoo Atlanta, New Horizons, American Heart Association, Operation Gratitude, AGAPE Youth and Family Center, Furkids Animal Rescue and Shelters

Pace Academy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Board Member (2024) Yearbook (2024)

JV (2023) and Varsity Flag Football (2024)

Ellis Center Community Engagement Club Co-leader (2024)

TEDx Video Communications Creator (2024)

Pace Academy Jewish Affinity Group (2023-2024)

BBYO BBG (2023-2024)

BBYO International Conference (2023-2024)

Tearing Down the Walls Conference (2024)

Temple Emanu-El of Atlanta Sunday School (2023-2024)

Mazel Tots (2023)

PreK-3 Sunday School Program (2023-2024)

Pace Summer Camp Counselor (2024)

Congratulations to Abigail Richman

Thank you for leading by example. Keep motivating others to serve!

With Love and appreciation from the Aurora Day Camp teen board and the Sandwich Project

18 UNDER 18

Oliver Mason, 17

Son of Barry Mason and Pamela Mason Atlanta Jewish Academy

The list of Oliver’s academic, extracurricular, and charitable accomplishments is a long one. He’s deeply involved at AJA, where he has won awards in multiple departments as well as the Middot Award – which selects two students who best exemplify “exceptional character as a role model at AJA and demonstrate exceptional personal integrity and show respect for others at all times” – and is also leader of the school’s Beautification Club and Volunteer Initiative Club. He’s worked for four years with Friendship Circle of Atlanta, and is now on their Teen Leadership Board, and founded his own volunteer service, Giving Through Graphics, where he partners his love of graphic design with his love of community involvement to create flyers, logos, cards, and other designs for non-profit organizations. A burgeoning journalist at the same time, Oliver has written for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the school’s newspaper, Palette, at which his reporting earned him the Jewish Scholastic Press’ First Place Award for Ongoing Reporting.

Awards and Honor Societies

Yale Book Award (2024)

AP Scholar with Honor (2024)

National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist (2024)

AJA Tennis Legacy Leadership Award (2024)

Jewish Scholastic Press 1st Place Award for Ongoing Reporting (2023)

Friendship Shining Light Award (2023)

Georgia Math League 10th Grade First Place (2023)

AJA Spirit of Humanities Award (2023)

AJA Spirit of STEM Award (2022)

AJA Judaic Studies Department Award (2022-2023)

AJA Middot Award (2022)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Giving Through Graphics | Founder, Designer (2021-2024)

AJA Palette (2021-2024) | Editor-in-Chief (2024-2025), Photography Director and News

Section Editor (2022-2024)

Friendship Circle of Atlanta (2021-2024) | Teen Leadership Board Member (2023-2024)

Jewish Telegraphic Agency | Teen Fellow & Mentor (2023-2024)

AJA Tennis | Team Captain (2022-2024)

AJA School Beautification Club | Leader (2022-2024)

AJA Volunteer Initiative Club (2021-2024) | Leader (2024)

In the City Camps “Tween Tech Academy” (2024)

Los Niños Primero Summer Educational Program (2022-2023)

G28 Robotics (First Robotics Competition) Member (2023-2024)

Graphic Design Internship in Israel at Harush Graphic Design (2023)

We are so proud of you! Although you've already achieved much, we know this is only the beginning! Keep rising!

With Much Love ... Aba, Eima, Nanny, Shira, Aviv, Yahli, & Luna

JARON, we always knew you would accomplish great things! Your desire and impact to make a difference inspire us all!

Love, Mom, Dad, Maelyn & Oakley

Sarah Menis, 17

Daughter of Lauren Menis and Michael Menis

The Galloway School

Sarah is best known for founding and running the charity Front Porch Food Drive, which delivers bags with requests from local food pantries to local neighborhoods and picks them up when full. Since she founded the charity in 2023, after noticing a great need for food at the Community Assistance Center, they’ve raised more than 2,000 pounds of food for local pantries (more than double what she had collected as of the AJT’s coverage of her charity earlier this year). She’s also a significant leader at The Galloway school, where she is Mock Trial Co-Captain (and has won multiple Best Witness Awards), and founded the Jewish Culture Club. Her impact in the Jewish community is far from just local, either. As a Counselor in Training at Camp Tranquility, a Jewish summer camp in New York which she had attended since she was 7, she worked directly with a group of Ukrainian refugees who the camp had provided scholarships for. An incredible student academically to boot, Sarah has a perfect ACT score (36).

Awards and Honor Societies

National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist (2024)

Georgia Certificate of Merit (2024)

AP Scholar with Honor (2024)

Galloway School Mock Trial | Best Witness (2023, 2024)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Front Porch Food Drive | Founder (2023-Present)

Camp Tranquility | Counselor in Training (2023)

Galloway School Mock Trial (2021-Present) | Co-Captain (Present) Galloway School Jewish Culture Club | Co-Founder (2021-Present)

AP Scholar with Distinction (2024)

Lily Mosbacher, 17

Daughter of Jennifer Mosbacher and Mark Mosbacher Pope High School

Lily’s continued commitment to her local Jewish community is matched only by her interest in journalism and community/ public engagement. In addition to reading a Torah portion every Rosh Hashanah since her bat mitzvah, Lily is a member of the KEFTY (Kol Emeth Federation of Temple Youth) Board – where she has held multiple roles and is currently Vice President, an active member at Pope High School’s Jew Crew, and an early member of JFA’s Jump Spark Prototype Leadership Team. After her experience in the final teenage traveling group of Etgar-36 (an organization dedicated to Civil-Rights road trips), Lily became involved in the Democratic Party of Georgia, acting as their first ever communications intern, and attended Elon University’s Emerging Journalists Program. Her writing has been published on the program’s website, and one piece, “Censoring our reading lists does not protect us. It stunts us,” has been published in a blog by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Lily is also a passionate and life-long ballet dancer, currently performing with the British Academy of Performing Arts’ Academy Dance Company, where she holds senior-level status.

Spanish National Honor Society (Inducted 2024)

Awards and Honor Societies

Social Studies National Honor Society (Inducted 2023)

English National Honor Society (Inducted 2023)

Pope High School Academic Letter Honor Roll (2022-2024)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Mountain View Tutoring Club (2023-2025) | Secretary, Grade 12 (2024-2025)

Temple Kol Emeth Kefty Board (2024-2025) | Grade Level Representative (2022-2023), Membership Vice President (2023-2024), Vice President (2024-2025)

Jewish Federation of Atlanta Jump Spark Prototype Leadership Team (2023-2024)

Make-A-Wish Youth Leadership Council (2023-2024)

Pope Jew Crew (2021-2025)

Camp Jenny | Counselor (2022-2025)

Cobb County Elections and Registration Volunteer (2020-2025)

Abigail, congratulations on this achievement. You do so much for others and make everyone around you happy--a special gift of kindness that you love to share.

Your family is so proud and lucky to call you our own! Love, Mom Dad, Jordan, Your Loving Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins

Of course its easy for your family to say great things, but your Special friend Nick also wanted to congratulate you!

“Abigail

Smith is my best friend. She is my best “best buddy” ever. Abigail helps me with my goals, I love when we go on walks together and talk. Abigail is my HERO.” Nick Nackley

AP Scholar with Distinction (2023-2024)

Zachary Notte, 17

Son of Lesli Greenberg and George Notte

The Weber School

Zachary Notte’s pursuits have been truly life-long. He started playing golf with his father at the age of 2 and has since become something of a prodigy. Earning gold medals at two separate JCC Maccabi games (Atlanta in 2019, San Diego in 2021), qualifying for the Georgia High School Association’s sectional championships in 2022, and winning Dunwoody Country Club’s Junior Club Championship – it should be no surprise he was awarded as Weber’s Most Valuable Player in the sport. He’s also been volunteering to combat food insecurity, most recently working with Solidarity Sandy Springs and Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta. His participation in BBYO, while more recent, is similarly impressive – after several years serving various roles at the Avitz AZA, he founded and became Gadol (President) of the Leo Frank AZA. All of which says nothing of his academic distinction at Weber, where he has a weighted GPA of over 4.6, and has become a member of several national honor societies. He is also, as he likes to tell, an avid Pttsburgh Steelers fan, running a Steelers Instagram Account with over 2,700 followers (@SteelersFan_Nation).

Awards and Honor Societies

National Honor Society (Inducted 2023)

National Spanish Honor Society (Inducted 2023)

National Science Honor Society (Inducted 2023)

Georgia Certificate of Merit (top 10% of class)

Individual Gold Medalist in Golf, JCC Maccabi Games (2019, 2022)

Junior Club Champion, Dunwoody Country Club (2024)

Most Valuable Player, Weber Varsity Golf Team (2023)

Michael Kay Israel Leadership Fellow | Inaugural Fellow (Inducted 2023)

Activities and Leadership Roles

BBYO Leo Frank AZA | Founder & President “Godol” (2024)

BBYO Avitz AZA | Secretary “Mazkir” (2022), Vice President “S’gan” (2022-2023), Vice President, Membership & Recruitment “Moreh” (2023-2024)

Backpack Buddies of Metro Atlanta | Volunteer (2022 – Present)

Solidarity Sandy Springs | Volunteer (2020 –2022)

Congratulations, Hannah!

We are so proud of you and all of your accomplishments. We can't wait to see what the future holds for you. Love, Mom, Dad, Gram, Gramps and Grandma

Mazel Tov, Zach!

We are so proud of you today and every day.

Love you lots and lotsxoxo

Mom & Dad

Abigail Richman, 17

Daughter of Kelly and Craig Richman Pace Academy

The impact of Abigail’s conviction, and her dedication to serving others, can be seen in the time she donates to the causes she cares about, and the way others respond to it. Abigail’s bat mitzvah project was for Aurora Day Camp, which provides children with cancer and their siblings the opportunity to experience summer camp together, in the memory of her grandfather, who died of the disease. She has continued to work and fundraise for them since then, raising more than $20,000 and inspiring others as well. The organization’s Teen Board, of which she is a founding member, and President, raised over $35,000 its first year, with her at the helm. Not content with monetary support to charities, she also began participating in the Sandwich Project during the COVID-19 pandemic, making sandwiches for the homeless and food-insecure. Realizing she needed more hands, she brought the project to her school, founding the Pace Academy Sandwich Project Club and earning high praise from the organization’s founder. Her engagement with the Jewish community is also felt by the children at Temple Emanu-El, where she has worked as a Madricha for almost four years.

Awards and Honor Societies

National Honor Society (Inducted 2024)

President’s Silver Volunteer Service Award (2023-2024)

Policy Debate Top Speaker and Tournament Champion (2022)

Aurora Day Camp Top Teen Board Fundraiser (2024)

The Pace Academy Knight Award (2024)

Georgia Tech Summer Program | First Place Psychology Research Project (2024)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Aurora Day Camp | Teen Board President (2024-2025)

American Jewish Committee Leaders for Tomorrow (2023-2024)

Pace Academy Sandwich Project Club | Founder & President (2023-Present)

Pace Academy Jewish Affinity Group | Student Coordinator (2024-2025)

Pace Academy JV Football | Cheerleading Captain (2022)

Pace Academy Community Engagement Board (2024-2025)

Yehuda Siegelman, 15

Son of Ariel Siegelman and Gabrielle Isaacs, Stepson of Celia Cortes Metro Academic Studies

Yehuda’s history of community service is perhaps only matched by his athletic prowess. Having trained in Martial Arts since the first grade and picking up wrestling to improve his skills and take part in school sports, it should be no surprise that Yehuda has won multiple gold medals in State Jiu-Jitsu as well as second place at the Wittenberg Wrestling Invitational. Though he’s homeschooled, he’s been a competitive member of both the AJA and now Centennial High School wrestling teams, in addition to the bit of Krav Maga he’s learning on the side. His involvement in Boy Scouts of America, including as a founding member of the Jewish Troop 613, has taken him far – as a Life Scout he’s one step away from his lifelong goal of Eagle Scout – and throughout this time he’s been volunteering for his local and global community. He’s raised more than $1,000 to support Israel through the “Standing in Solidarity with Israel” event and was recognized for his work supporting both Ukraine and an orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania.

Awards and Honor Societies

BSA Order of the Arrow (2024)

Wittenberg Wrestling Invitational | Second Place (2024)

State Jiu-Jitsu Tournaments | 9 Gold Medals, 2 Silver Medals, and 1 Bronze Medal (20182019)

BSA Messengers of Peace Award (2023)

BSA NOVA Award (2023)

BSA Mile Swim Award (2022, 2023, 2024)

BSA Founders Bar (2022)

BSA National Outdoor Award for Camping (2024)

BSA National Outdoor Award for Aquatics (2024)

BSA Rank of Life Scout (2024)

Friends of Ukraine | Team Recognized for Outstanding Service (2022)

Global Action Institute | Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to Israel (2024)

Pace Academy Isdell Center for Global Leadership Art & Urban Life Fellow (20222024)

Creating Connected Communities | Leadership Development Program and volunteer events (2020-Present)

Temple Emanu-El | Religious School Madricha (2021-Present)

Pace Academy Student Ambassador (2021-Present)

Pace Academy Student Support Buddy Program (2023-2024)

Faraja Orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania | Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service (2024)

School Spelling Bee Winner (2020, 2023)

Activities and Leadership Roles

BSA Troop 613 | Founding Member (2022-Present)

AJA Wrestling Team (2023-2024)

Centennial High School Wrestling Team (2024)

Chaya Mushka | Baal Koreh (2022-2023)

The Sandwich Project (2022-2023)

Wilderness First Aid Certification (2022)

CPR and First Aid Certification (2023)

Israeli Military Industries Community Security Training Certifications (2021-2024)

Draco Group Community Security Trainings Certifications (2021-2024)

Leo Silver, 17

Son of Juli and Jonathan Silver Riverwood International Charter School

Leo has served in leadership roles in a myriad of different domains. His activity in student government has propelled him not just to the President of his school’s SGA, but also to prominent roles on the Student Government Council, where he served on various subcommittees, attended multiple meetings a month, and presented ideas and feedback directly to the Fulton County Superintendent. His lifelong love of theater has driven him to work on several productions at Riverwood, most recently as the Production Manager for “Leading Ladies.” For his CAS Project (the IB Candidacy Service Project), he founded a Student Mentorship Program at Riverwood, partnering lowerclassmen with upperclassmen to provide guidance. His involvement in the Jewish community is similarly diverse, as part of JSU, BBYO, and leadership in Am Yisrael Chai, where he hopes his work with the Daffodil Project will not just preserve history but foster a future grounded in empathy and understanding.

Awards and Honor Societies

Columbia University Junior Book Award (2024)

University of Georgia Certificate of Merit (2024)

AP Scholar with Honors (2024)

MYP Excellent Personal Project for Fairness & Development: “ABCs of ASL”” (2023) Principal’s List — GPA of 95 or greater (All Semesters)

Drama Award – Rising Stars in Theatre (2022)

National Honor Thespian President’s Scholar (2024)

Servsafe Manager Certification (2024)

National Honor Society (Inducted 2022)

Beta Club (Inducted 2022)

International Thespians Society (Inducted 2023)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Riverwood SGA | Freshman Class Vice President (2021-2022), Sophomore Class President (2022-2023), Junior Class President (2023-2024), Student Body President (2024-2025) Student Governance Council (2023-2024)

Student Mentorship Program | Founder, President (2024-2025)

Riverwood School Ambassador Program| Ambassador (2022-2025)

Theater Productions (Riverwood Performing Arts)

“25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” | Actor - “Leaf Coney Bear” (2022)

“Little Shop of Horrors” | Actor - “Seymour Krelborn” (2023)

“The Wiz” | Production Crew (2024)

“Leading Ladies” | Production Manager (2024)

Riverwood Bee Team (Beekeeping) | Founder, Captain (2023-Present)

Am Yisrael Chai Teen Leadership Committee (2023-2025)

Jewish Student Union (2021-2025) | JSU GO Israel Program (2022)

BBYO Stand Up Ecuador (2023)

BBYO Stand Up Costa Rica | Summer Press Corp (2024)

Young Men’s Service League | Meetings Committee (2021-2022), Historian (2022-2023), VP of Communications (2023-2024), Leadership Chair (2024-2025) Best Buddies | Active Member (2021-2025)

We couldn't be prouder!

"And as my mind begins to spread its wings, There's no stopping curiosity I wanna turn the whole thing upside down, I'll find the things they say just can't be found"

Love, Mom, Dad and Max

“One who flees from honor, honor will pursue him.” —Talmud, Eruvin 13b To Our Dear Oliver,

We are so inspired by your thoughtfulness and humility in all that you do.

Mazel Tov on this well deserved honor.

May you continue to go from strength to strength.

With all our love, Mommy, Daddy, Sophie, Sydney and Mollie

18 UNDER 18

Rachel Slutzky, 17

Daughter of Jennifer and Miles Slutzky

Dunwoody High School

If you ask Rachel, she’ll say her favorite thing ever is her love for Camp Thunderbird, where she’s been going for 12 years and was selected as their best Counselor in Training –but this paints far too small a picture of her achievements. She is a member of multiple honor societies, and deeply involved in both flag football and lacrosse. She is the founder and president of Students Against Antisemitism, a club she founded at Dunwoody High School in the wake of October 7 which now boasts more than 100 members, providing a safe space to discuss concerns about the war and antisemitism with both Jewish and nonJewish peers. She is also a volunteer at numerous charities, including Creating Connected Communities, where she has been on the Leader Development Program since she joined, and is presently their Community Engagement Board Member, speaking at various events to help promote CCC and get others involved.

Awards and Honor Societies

Georgia Certificate of Merit (2024)

AP Scholar Award (2024)

National Honor Society (Inducted 2023)

Beta Club (Inducted 2023)

Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society (Inducted 2023)

Lacrosse Spirit Award (2023)

Camp Thunderbird | CIT Anchor (2023)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Students Against Antisemitism | Founder, President (2023-Present)

Matan Fleishman

Current LFT Student

Kitty Lubin

Current LFT Student

Creating Connected Communities | Leader Development Program (2021-Present), Community Engagement Board Member (2023-Present)

Emily’s Trick or Treat (2022-Present)

Atlanta Lacrosse League | Defensive Player (2021-2025)

Dunwoody High School Varsity Girls Flag Football | Rusher (2021-2025)

YMCA Camp Counselor (2022-2024)

B’nai Torah Youth Leader (2021-Present)

Student Government Association| Class Representative. (2021-2025)

BBYO (2021-2023)

Childhood Cancer Awareness Club (2022-Present)

Jewish Student Union (2021-Present)

Foster Care Awareness Club (2022-Present)

Mazel Tov, Abigail Lauren Richman

We are so proud of you! Continue to follow your passion for helping others and always wanting to make a difference in the world around you! We can’t wait to see what is next!

Love, Grandma Carol, Mimi & Grandpa

Abigail Richman LFT Alum

Abigail Smith, 17

Daughter of Allison Smith and Jason Smith Riverwood International Charter School

Abigail’s deep ties to charity started young, fundraising for Camp Sunshine as her bat mitzvah project after both her mother and grandmother survived cancer. Since then, she’s worked closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, cofounding a club at her school for the organization and raising enough money to fund not one, but two life-changing wishes. She also worked closely with Ian’s Friends Foundation, which raises money to research pediatric brain tumors, and founded the Junior version of the organization. In addition to these and many of the multiple other charities she’s worked with, she acts as the social media manager for Riverwood’s Ronald McDonald Club and a buddy coordinator for the Best Buddies club.

Awards and Honor Societies

National Honor Society (Inducted 2023)

Beta Club (Inducted 2023)

Principal’s List (2022-2023)

Coaches Academic Excellence Award (2023) Honor Roll (2022)

Brady Solomon, 16

Son of Helayne Solomon and Brian Solomon Chamblee High School

As a teenager with Type 1 Diabetes, Brady has become a role model for others with the condition, acting as a Youth Ambassador for Breakthrough T1D and becoming a counselor in Training for Camp Kudzu, a camp for kids with T1D. His essay on the subject for the PTA Reflection Contest, urging others with T1D to strive for positivity and self-advocacy, won first place on both the school and regional levels. As a student-athlete, Brady’s primary love is baseball, which he has played on the Varsity team for Chamblee High School, and the travel team for 25/8 Kings – he’s also won his school’s Bulldog Award for positivity and leadership in the sport. He’s involved in basketball, playing

3v3 several of the past years for Save a Child’s Heart, and volunteering as a youth basketball coach for the All Saints Catholic Church basketball program. He has played on teams in both sports for the Maccabi Games.

Awards and Honor Societies

National Honor Society (Inducted 2024)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Riverwood Make-A-Wish Club | President and Co-Founder (2023-Present)

The Best Buddies Club | Buddy Coordinator (2023-Present)

Riverwood Ronald McDonald Club | Social Media Manager (2024-Present)

Ian’s Friends Foundation (2020-Present)

Ian’s Friends Foundation Junior | Founder, Co-President (2023-Present)

Make-A-Wish Foundation | Young Leadership Committee Board Member (2023-Present)

Creating Connected Communities (2021-Present)

Daffodil Project (2023, 2024)

Save A Child’s Heart (2023)

High School in Israel Roots Service Learning (2023)

Orlando Food Pantry (2024)

BBYO (2021-Present)

MJCCA Summer Day Camp | Special Needs Counselor (2024)

National English Honor Society (Inducted 2023)

Beta Club (Inducted 2023)

Bulldog Award (2023, 2024)

PTA Reflections Contest Winner | 1st Place School and Regional (2023)

Principal’s List and Perfect Attendance Award (2023)

Student of Distinction Award (2023)

Health and PE Award (2023)

Activities and Leadership Roles

Chamblee High JV (2023-2024) and Varsity (2024) Baseball Teams

Jewish Student Union (2022-2024)

Creating Connected Communities | Leadership Development Program (2022-Present)

Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) | Youth Ambassador (2022-Present)

Camp Kudzu | Counselor in Training (2024)

All Saints Basketball Program | Volunteer Youth Basketball Coach (2023-Present)

Save a Child’s Heart (2022-2024)

JCC Maccabi Games | Basketball and Baseball Teams (2022, 2024)

25/8 Kings | Travel Baseball Team (2020-2024)

Colleges are failing to fight anti-Semitism on campus (ADL, April 11, 2024). VP Harris and Gov. Walz give mixed signals on the often massive, intimidating protests. VP Harris praised their human emotion but rejected some of what they are saying (The Nation, July 8, 2024). Gov. Walz says they are speaking out for all the right reasons, but noted Gaza is a humanitarian crisis (WCMU, September 5, 2024). Mixed signals won’t make Jewish students safe. Blinking lights don’t stop traffic!

Thank you for caring. WorriersForIsrael

EDUCATION

How to Reprogram Kids Away from Electronics

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Now that the school year is underway, doctors are concerned about the downside of digital devices. Research has shown that excessive smartphone usage by children – including time spent on social media and gaming apps – can lead to device addiction.

“I’ve been a pediatrician for over 25 years,” says Dr. Philip Spandorfer (known as “Dr. Pip”). “During that time, I’ve helped thousands of families navigate the confusing and sometimes overwhelming world of information we live in. This addiction can lead to a myriad of issues for children and teens including anxiety, depression, insomnia, headaches, and loneliness. Excessive exposure to social media can also lead to your teen to making unhealthy comparisons and developing a negative body image.”

As far back as five years ago, the American Pediatric Academy stated that 87 percent of children had already exceeded usage recommendations, while the National Institutes of Health found that children’s heavy reliance on screen media raises serious public health issues since it might harm their cognitive, linguistic, and social-emotional growth.

Dr. Spandorfer advises parents, “If your child already has a device, it’s important to establish very clear rules about its use in order to make healthy choices. By building healthy digital habits, kids can improve their mental health and well-being,” continues Spandorfer. “But building those healthy habits often requires them to start by spending some time away from their phones.”

In implementing a digital detox, adults might be able to motivate them-

selves to engage in a change of habits, while kids rarely share the same motivation. Dr. Pip urges parents to lead by ex-

ample, and not ask the child to do something that they are not willing to do.

Kids want to use their devices to stay connected to their friends, access entertainment, and play games. Convincing them to detox from digital media can be a challenge.

Spandorfer suggests these tips:

1. Designate regular unplugged times for everyone in the family. Start by having your family unplug during dinner, which is often the only time during the day when everyone sits down together. Unplugging two hours before bedtime is also crucial, as it gives the nervous system time to recover from the ever-present stimuli of screens.

2. Establish screen-free areas of your home. Refrain from allowing your child to have a computer or device in their bedroom. If they need to use a computer, let them use it in a location where you can monitor their activ-

ity. The smart phone should be plugged in somewhere other than the child’s bedroom at night. They don’t need to use their phone as their alarm clock.

3. Plan screen-free family activities. These may include going on a family walk after dinner, playing board games, or spending time outdoors.

4. Help your child find other ways to selfsoothe when they’re feeling unhappy or uncomfortable. They can cultivate healthier calming and self-care routines through simple meditation or breathing practices, drawing or journaling about their feelings, or participating in an offline hobby.

Spandorfer recently opened Focus Pediatrics, a new practice, with Drs. Tracy Barr and Ben Grinzaid, designed to concentrate on the entire child, both physically and mentally. They work with parents to raise resilient children and specialize in addressing ADHD as well as

Dr. Pip suggests ways for children to get healthier using strategies to reduce screen time by playing outdoors and not having the phone before bedtime.

EDUCATION

sfisher@atljewishacademy.org

anxiety and depression.

Dr. Spandorfer received his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Emory University in 1991 and his medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia in 1995. He obtained his pediatric training through the University of Pennsylvania at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, where he also completed a year as chief resident and a fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine.

Spandorfer has been selected by Atlanta Magazine and Castle Connolly as “Top Doc,” and has been recognized in the Atlanta Jewish Times “Best of Jewish Atlanta.” ì

Benefits for Limiting Screen Time:

* More time to spend exercising or outside, which is proven to boost mental health

* Better sleep, which enhances their well-being and overall health

* Improved real-life connections and quality time with family members and friends

* An ability to just talk to someone as opposed to texting

Dr. Pip Spandorfer offers practical tips on how to reduce screen times for children and teens.

EDUCATION

Goldshmidts Aspire to Nourish Youth with CTeen

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Rabbi Dovid Goldshmidt and wife, Talya, founded CTeen of Atlanta in 2022 with the mission to “provide every Jewish teen with a holistic experience which nurtures their mind, body, and soul.”

Their programs include Shabbat meals, holiday celebrations, college accredited “CTeen U” classes, regional events, Shabbatons, programs at schools, CTeen Jr. (for sixth through eighth graders), Bat Mitzvah Club, teen mental health first aid training, and a Teen Leadership Board. The highlight of their year is the CTeen International Shabbaton in New York where 3,000 Jewish teens from around the world gather in Brooklyn, culminating in a Havdalah ceremony and concert in the center of Times Square.

Talya Goldshmidt noted, “Shabbat meals have been highly successful. Teens appreciate a warm, welcoming, nopressure environment where they can unwind, be themselves, feel seen, heard, and valued, connect with friends and make new ones, and walk away inspired and rejuvenated.”

schools, synagogues, or teens’ homes. Most events in the “home lounge” are free of charge.  Scholarships are available for

CTeen is supported mainly by local donors in addition to the Zalik Foundation and the Jewish Federation of Greater

Atlanta. The CTeen Lounge is actually located in the Goldshmidt's home in Sandy Springs. Larger events are held in local

CTeeners enjoy events in the Goldshmidt's home lounge.

Rabbi Dovid Goldshmidt “lays” tefillin with a teen.

EDUCATION

those in need.

CTeen welcomes all Jewish teens, regardless of background or affiliation. CTeeners attend schools including The Weber School, Riverwood High School, Pace Academy, Galloway, Atlanta Jewish Academy, Dunwoody High School, Woodward Academy, St. Francis, Atlanta International School, Fusion Academy, North Atlanta High School, The Epstein School, Davis Academy, Peachtree Middle School, and Ridgeview.

More than 250 teens are enrolled in the CTeen network. Comments from teens include:

“Your Shabbat meals will always be one of my favorite parts about high school,” said Eli B.

“I love connecting with new friends and finding my purpose anew in the Atlanta community,” said Myers T.

“I enjoy being able to freely and happily be Jewish and surrounded by Jews as I am when I am at CTeen,” said Elly E.

When asked if CTeen competes with other existing organizations, Rabbi Goldshmidt explained, “CTeen is not directly affiliated with any synagogue. We strive to coordinate our calendar with other synagogues and youth organizations to avoid any scheduling conflicts for teens. We constantly listen to our teens and parents for valuable feedback to help guide our offerings. Our Teen Leadership Board is instrumental in ensuring we provide programs teens are excited about and enjoy. Teens appreciate when their feedback is translated into action – especially when we allow them to lead the initiative. Many of our teens are involved only in CTeen and many are involved in other Jewish youth organizations. We encourage all of our teens to seek out every

Jewish experience they can.”

CTeen is offering two new initiatives this year: the Solomon Leadership Program: a prestigious fellowship where teens explore the “Eight Pillars of Leadership” through a Jewish lens, featuring mentors and distinguished leaders as guest speakers; and a CTeen Greater Atlanta Israel Solidarity Mission.

Rabbi Goldshmidt was born and raised in Chicago to parents who immigrated from the former Soviet Union (his father was a Refusenik for eight years) with no Jewish education. His parents became observant when he was young, and Dovid grew up attending the local Jewish day school in Chicago. Attending the local Chabad House and Camp Gan Israel sparked in him the excitement for Judaism. Early on, he aspired to be a rabbi and to “influence others to be their best selves.” As a high schooler, he participated in CTeen of Skokie, Ill., served as chapter president, and was elected the first “Leader of the Year” at the CTeen International Shabbaton in 2014. After high school, he joined a Chabad Rabbinical Academy.

Talya was born and raised in Miami. After attending a Chabad summer camp, she was inspired to embrace Judaism and traveled to New York to attend a Chabad school. She met Dovid at a Shabbat dinner hosted by the CTeen rabbi’s brother. After they married in 2021, they lived in Brooklyn and were seeking a community to serve. They connected with Atlanta through the Chabad central office in Brooklyn.

She concluded, “Upon visiting and meeting the Atlanta community, we immediately felt this is the place for us to make an impact.” ì

Sushi in the Sukkah is a popular event.

EDUCATION

Two Teens Take to the Skies to Help Others

By Debbie Diamond

Two Atlanta high school seniors put their passion for aviation to excellent use recently when they flew 250 pounds of relief supplies to help people in the devastated western region of North Carolina that had been hit by Hurricane Helene.

Levi Gordon, a senior at Weber High School, and Nate Skor, a senior at Riverwood High School, have been flying for many years out of Peachtree DeKalb Airport, beginning in middle school. When they learned of a Facebook page created to help the victims of Hurricane Helene, they immediately signed on to pick up and deliver supplies from Atlanta to a private airport west of the Greensboro/ Winston-Salem area. The young men delivered clothing, toiletries, baby supplies, paper goods and food during two separate trips.

“We wanted to give to communities who needed help the most,” said Levi, “and what better way to contribute than to use our skills as pilots.”

And their generosity extends beyond

humans. Levi and Nate have been flying regularly for Pilots N Paws, an organization composed of volunteer pilots who rescue dogs and cats from life-threaten-

ing situations. Most recently, they flew six dogs on a euthanasia list at an animal shelter in Albany, Ga. to a dog rescue group in St. Augustine, Fla.

Shelley Gordon, Levi’s mother, explained that her son’s nursery was “decked out in planes” since birth – and she swears his first word was also “plane.”

(From left) Levi Gordon and Nate Skor deliver supplies to North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

Levi Gordon wraps tefillin with his grandfather, Bob Gordon, at 4,500 feet in the air!

EDUCATION

Frequent trips to Peachtree DeKalb Airport to see planes and the yearly airshow, as well as trips to Virginia Beach, his mother’s hometown, to see fighter jets light up the sky solidified his lifelong fervor for aviation.

Loren Skor, Nate’s mother said, “I still have the plane hanging in Nate’s room from his nursery. At 5 years old, he was obsessed with everything that involved flight. At 13, he used his bar mitzvah money to build a flight simulator from scratch.”

Nate remembered ordering parts online and conducting research for each step in the process of successfully developing his flight simulator. He said, “It was a really fun experience creating what seemed like a big Lego. I did not have any step-by-step instructions, so I was free to put it all together as it made sense to me.”

The aspiring pilots initially met in preschool and found each other again during their early training years at Centennial Aviation Academy, a nationally ranked flight school at Peachtree DeKalb Airport. They shared many common friends, as well as a zest for the skies, and quickly hit it off. They mastered the three-year program, which kept them busy every weekend with ground school on the weekends and monthly flying lessons with instructors. This led to their

first solo flights at 16 and their private pilot’s licenses when they turned 17.

Both young men hope to get their flight instructor certification sometime next year so they may share their enthusiasm for flying with up-and-coming student pilots. Additionally, both Levi and Nate plan for a future career in aviation. Nate’s dream job would be as a pilot with Delta Airlines, and Levi would like to work in business operations and management for a private aviation charter firm.

“Being a pilot combines so many different specialties and professions. To be successful, you have to be a meteorologist to understand weather conditions, a lawyer to understand the regulations, a physicist and a mechanic. It’s challenging, but I love every aspect,” said Levi.

While both boys had the initial financial support of their parents, now they each work hard to support their dreams of flying. Nate juggles several jobs and saves all of his money so he can independently fund his flying. Levi does the same and has been a DJ around Atlanta – known as “The DJ Levi” (recognized by AJT as a “Top DJ”) for five years.

With these two determined young men, their futures looks bright and sunny, much like a perfect flight day. Up, up and away they go as they map out their flights and their futures. ì

Nate Skor and Levi Gordon with their grateful canine passengers arrive in St. Augustine, Fla.

Sukkot in the Community

Torah Day School of Atlanta

Lining the halls of Torah Day School of Atlanta are sukkot of every shape and size. A few weeks ago, TDSA challenged its Lower School students, from kindergarten through fourth grade, to create a sukkah out of supplies from home and their own imaginations. And boy, have they delivered! Since announcing the contest, submissions have been pouring in and are being placed on display along the windows and near the gym. So far, there are sukkot made out of Lego, cardboard, popsicle sticks, shoeboxes, crackers, school supplies and more. Students have also come up with incredibly clever solutions for the schach (covering of the sukkah), from green cupcake holders to actual leaves and branches, and even Perler beads. If you take a peek inside some of the sukkot you can even spy incredibly detailed scenes of families eating in the sukkahs or tables set for a beautiful holiday meal. Tiny decorations festoon both the inside and outside of many of the sukkot on display. There is even a sukkah with a removable roof so that you can see the scene and decorations set inside. On Monday, Oct. 14, secret judges came to TDSA, to choose their favorite sukkot and give out special awards to all of the participants. Activities like this are important to TDSA’s mission because they help students exercise their creativity and use planning and problem-solving skills to gather supplies and construct their sukkot. Students brim with pride seeing their sukkot on display for all to see and it provides a huge boost of confidence. Most importantly, it’s fun and it engenders a festive holiday mood. Students will go home ready to celebrate the holiday of Sukkot with joy and excitement!

The Epstein School

Sukkot is a special holiday at Epstein, one filled with kehillah (community) and spending time together. We have enjoyed classes and lunch in the Sukkah that our eighth-grade class constructed with the help of other students; our Early Childhood Program (ECP) students learned and ate in their sukkah; and we have all celebrated the mitzvot of Sukkot including shaking the lulav and etrog every day. Our students have been in involved in building their own sukkah – our PreK students created their models showcasing their creativity and resourcefulness; our third-grade students designed and 3D-printed their individual sukkah, together forming a unique “Sukkah City.” Each student wrote an essay reflecting the significance of their sukkah, the features they included in their design, and how they depicted the themes of Sukkot: a temporary dwelling, the harvest, and a respite from material things.

The Weber School

As we transition from the reflective spirit of Yom Kippur to the happiness and togetherness that define Sukkot, Weber students have been busy preparing for this joyous holiday. During Enrichment, students and our ShinShinim came together to create beautiful sukkah decorations, including handmade paper lanterns and heartfelt messages of love and hope. At Weber, we celebrate Sukkot through several traditional practices, including the mitzvot (commandments) of “dwelling” in the Sukkah and waving the lulav and etrog. Jewish studies and Hebrew classes will gather in the Sukkah to explore the significance of these rituals, shake the lulav and etrog, and enjoy shared snacks. To add unique flavors—both literally and figuratively—to our Sukkot celebration, we will also recognize Hoshana Rabbah (the sixth day of Sukkot) during lunch, when we’ll bring a taste of the Lower East Side to Weber with the return of our Guss’ Pickles tradition. Guss’ Pickles, famous for their signature half-sour crunch, were a staple for generations of New Yorkers celebrating Sukkot and beyond. Although the original storefront closed in 2009, the pickles remain beloved across the country—and next week, our students, faculty, and staff will enjoy the same kosher pickles that have delighted families for more than 100 years. Until then, we wish everyone a Chag Sameach (happy and healthy Sukkot) and Shabbat Shalom!

Davis Academy

Sukkot was a joyous holiday and a time of great celebration at The Davis Academy. Students in Mechina through eighth grade decorated our two beautiful sukkot on both campuses drawing their inspiration from the tzedek (righteousness/ social action) themes in each grade level’s curriculum. We welcomed families and guests to sing and spend time together as a kehilah. In addition, students enjoyed classes in the sukkah, creating edible sukkot and conducting science labs. While doing all of these activities in the sukkah, we remembered where we had come from and also what truly matters in life—the simple blessings of family, health, and shelter. Focusing on these simple blessings made Sukkot truly live up to its name: the season of our rejoicing.

JEWISH SUMMER CAMP FAIR

EDUCATION

Chaya Mushka

At Chaya Mushka Chabad Academy (CMCA), our second-grade boys have been diving into the beauty of the Chagim, with a spotlight on Sukkos. They’ve been learning all about the Ushpizin—the seven holy guests who visit during Sukkot—and the intriguing rules of building a kosher sukkah. What really captured their attention, though, was discovering that in Chabad tradition, nine Chassidic Rebbes also join us during Sukkos. This insight led them into an inspiring journey through Jewish history, learning about each Rebbe’s impact and legacy.

CMCA’s hands-on approach made the experience unforgettable. Using a step-bystep method, our students learned real-life skills by building their own sukkahs. They started with basic gluing techniques, moved on to constructing sturdy walls, and then learned how to connect everything with brackets. These skills aren’t just for class— they’re for life.

Grade 1 also joined in on the fun with a special Torah-themed LEGO project, creating Sukkos symbols they were proud to share with their classmates.

When Torah learning is this interactive, it sticks with students forever. CMCA is so proud of our first and second graders for their hard work on this Sukkos project, and we can’t wait to see what they’ll build next. Here, learning isn’t just about facts; it’s about experiences that will shape their lives.

JerusaLens Exhibit on Display at Breman Museum ARTS & CULTURE

On Sept. 15, Atlanta philanthropists attended an exclusive showing of Ammunition Hill Heritage Site’s JerusaLENS exhibition, currently on display at The Breman Museum, while learning how Jewish National Fund-USA, a major supporter of Jerusalem’s famous battle site, Ammunition Hill, is aiding resilience and rebuilding efforts in the country’s north and south.

During the exhibit’s reception, gallery attendees heard from Ammunition Hill’s Alon Wald, a former elite Israel Defense Forces officer, who developed the idea for the photography challenge. Wald shared his personal connection to the heritage site – his father, Capt. Rami Wald, fought in the 55th Paratroopers Brigade in Jerusalem during the Six-Day War and was killed in action while leading the Paratroopers into Ammunition Hill – and discussed the success of the exhibit.

In February 2017, to commemorate the 50 years of Jerusalem’s reunification that followed the Six-Day War, Am-

munition Hill launched JerusaLENS as an online photography challenge. The response was overwhelming, with more than 14,500 photos submitted from 84 countries, which was then narrowed

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down by international voters and a curatorial panel.

Now featuring 95 images of the historic Israeli city, JerusaLENS captures the essence and beauty of Jerusalem, a city

of profound historical, religious, and cultural significance, through the lenses of photographers worldwide.

“When we launched the online challenge, I expected and believed it

Alan Turem, Carolyn Harrison, Ivan Skott, Beth Gluck

Head of Ammunition Hill Alon Wald // All photos by Abelman Photography

ARTS & CULTURE

would engage people in a positive way,” said Wald. “Some of the governmental ministries we collaborated with were hesitant in the beginning, yet our appeal surpassed anything we could have imagined.”

Thanks to Jewish National FundUSA, Ammunition Hill has evolved into an international landmark that presents the legacy of the liberation of Jerusalem and a must-see destination. The site now also features the Wall of Honor, with plaques that serve as tributes to the heroism and courage of Jewish soldiers who, throughout our history, have fought in defense of the countries in which they lived. To date, hundreds of Atlantans have honored loved ones with plaques on the Wall, with dozens of vets from the city recognized on this sacred site for their service.

The event also featured remarks from chief administrative officer and consul of the Consulate of Israel in Atlanta, as well as a special acknowledgement honoring Jeff and Mark Kaufman, Karen

Kaufman Senft, and Barbara and Alan Kaplan for their contributions to Jewish National Fund-USA’s Fire & Rescue efforts in Israel.

“Jewish National Fund-USA views Israel as a land of opportunity, hope, peace, and constant growth,” said Jewish National Fund-USA Executive Director, Greater Atlanta, Beth Gluck. “Ammunition Hill is a shining example of Israel’s perseverance and resilience, and through JerusaLENS, we hope as many visitors as possible appreciate Jerusalem’s unique blend of historical importance, modern beauty, and bright future.”

The JerusaLENS exhibit will remain on view through the end of the calendar year. Tickets and further information can be found at thebreman.org. For more information about Jewish National FundUSA or to learn about upcoming events in Atlanta, visit jnf.org or contact Beth Gluck at BGluck@jnf.org or 404-2368990 x851. ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

The 35th Annual Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture

Sunday, November 10 | 4:00 p.m. | Virtual

The 35th Annual Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture Series presents a virtual discussion led by Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat featuring Isaac Herzog, President of Israel. This event is brought to you by the Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program Fund.

This event is free and open to the community, but registration is required at aasyn.org/eizenstat-24

What motivated us in 1996 still motivates us today — to inspire every dancer to be the best they can be. In our noncompetitive, highly nurturing dance environment, everyone is respected, dreams are encouraged, and achievements at all levels are celebrated.

Mark Kaufman, Karen Kaufman Senft, Jeff Kaufman

The JerusaLENS exhibit at The Breman Museum

Photo by Kim Kenney

Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education has been inspiring future dancers for nearly 30 years.

Gennadi Nedvigin Artistic Director Sharon Story Dean

Atlanta Opera to Get New Home and Recital Center

By Bob Bahr

The Atlanta Opera, which for the past decade has demonstrated strong audience growth and an impressive array of corporate support, is making its most impressive move yet.

In the next three years it hopes to develop a fundraising campaign to transform the clubhouse of the Bobby Jones Golf Course on the Westside of Atlanta into a $45 million performing arts center and recital hall.

The opera company’s administrative and artistic director, Tomer Zvulun, who has steadily guided the company to new heights in recent years, is enthusiastic over the plans for the new center.

“This new, permanent home for The Atlanta Opera ensures the right fit for our current and future growth. A stateof-the art facility in this park setting will be a source of creativity for our local and visiting musicians. It is perfectly positioned to help us serve audiences and collaborators in our beautiful city and beyond.”

The new facility will transform the old clubhouse into a 56,000-square-foot facility with administrative offices, a re-

hearsal hall, a film studio and a 200-seat recital hall. Rhyss Wilson, the Opera’s chairman, believes the organization is ready to commit to the move.

“This is the company that safely presented live opera during the pandemic and still presented a balanced budget for the last eight years. The open and welcoming design of this building emphasizes the same values we held during the pandemic and that we will always espouse — of being a skillfully managed organization dedicated to making beautiful music available to everyone, everywhere.”

Two firms, Theater Projects and A’kustiks, LLC., are developing the recital hall as an intimate venue to present classical singers and musicians, jazz ensembles, lectures and spoken word artists. In its seating capacity it will accommodate about the same size audiences that are now welcomed in the performance space used by The Breman Museum at the Federation building on Spring Street.

The main stage productions of the Opera are expected to continue to be produced at the Cobb Energy Centre, which offers spacious public areas and seating for 2,700.

The location of the new Arts Center and recital hall on Wodward Way borders the outdoor BeltLine loop that is being built out on the Westside.

The Atlanta BeltLine has enjoyed

extraordinary success in connecting a number of residential areas of the city to a variety of parks, retail, tourist destinations and attractions. It has revitalized communities to offer new economic growth and increased property values.

The former Bobby Jones clubhouse is a Grecian revival structure built in the early 1900s. According to the opera company, the property was reviewed by the Haynes Manor Foundation for renovation into a community-centric classical recital hall. As plans moved forward, the Atlanta Opera’s search for a new facility was said to have coincided with those of the Foundation.

The Atlanta Opera has worked closely with the Haynes Manor Foundation, the Peachtree Battle Alliance and the Atlanta Memorial Park Conservancy to plan a performance space in a natural setting. Allen Post, managing partner of the Atlanta-based architecture firm, Post Loyal, leads the team engaged in designing the Opera’s new home. Preliminary plans call for restoration of the exterior of the historic clubhouse to blend with the surrounding neighborhood’s traditional residences, which are not far from Ahavath Achim Synagogue on Peachtree Battle. The total site area is set on 4.7 acres, including the center with green space and parking. The project is expected to be completed by the summer of 2027. ì

The facility will feature an indoor recital hall that seats 200.

The new Atlanta Opera headquarters will transform the clubhouse of the Bobby Jones Golf Course.

Atlanta Opera Focuses on Love & Loss at Pullman Yards

By Bob Bahr

Tomer Zvulun, the Israeli born artistic and executive director of the Atlanta Opera, brought the company’s Boheme Project to Pullman Yards recently. The program alternated a modern dress staging of Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme” with the popular Broadway musical “Rent” to the cavernous facility in East Atlanta which once was used to refurbish Pullman rail cars.

It’s rare that a professional opera company would try to pull off two shows, with such different musical styles, during the same week. It is rarer still to try to do it in an improvised setting that offers so many obstacles to staged musical performances. But as Zvulun sees it, in both “La Boheme” and “Rent” the non-traditional setting helps to propel the performances forward.

“In an immerse setting like Pullman Yards, there is a musical flow that moves forward without stopping. Immersive theater is mirroring the music visually and theatrically. Nothing comes between the audience and the performers. So that the flow of the show is literally unstoppable.”

Zvulun and his frequent collaborator, Vita Zykun, who also grew up in Israel, made the best of a difficult space, with a single, sprawling stage set that gave featured performers an energetic workout while moving them frequently among several stage levels.

According to Zvulun, the two works performed consecutively gave his Atlanta Opera audience a new way to approach serious musical theater.

“We want to break the boundaries. In fact, that is the mission of opera -breaking boundaries so that opera can be enjoyed on the highest level everywhere. “Rent” and “La Boheme” are very, very unique in that they eliminate any kind of barriers of storytelling. There’s no dialog and in our staging of both works there are no physical barriers between the performers and the audience.”

What also united the two productions at Pullman Yards with the more traditional production of the Puccini opera last spring at the Cobb Energy Center was that both explore how to live and love while struggling against the crushing burden of terminal illness and economic uncertainty.

In the original “La Boheme,” the life-threatening illness was tuberculosis, which terrified audiences at the end of the 19th century. In “Rent,” almost ex-

actly 100 years later it was AIDS, which claimed so many great theater talents in the prime of life. Those lost to the disease included Michael Bennett, who shook up Broadway with his production of “A Chorus Line,” and Bob Fosse, the brilliant choreographer. At Pullman Yards, the contemporary “La Boheme” staging centers on the deadly COVID-19 that struck down so many before a vaccine could be developed. In a fateful coincidence, the talented young creator of “Rent,” Jonathan Larson, died just 35 hours before his work was to debut.

After a lifetime of struggle that is partially mirrored in the story on stage, Larson succumbed without warning to a fatal, but undiagnosed heart condition. Before he died, he had this to say about his epic work of survival.

“In these dangerous times, where it seems that the world is ripping apart at

the seams, we can all learn how to survive from those who stare death squarely in the face every day and should reach out to each other and bond as a community, rather than hide from the terrors of life at the end of the millennium.”

The acclaim from young audiences helped propel the show to a Pulitzer Prize and four top Emmy awards. It went on to 12 years of performances on Broadway. The production grossed $280 million and was staged abroad in 25 different languages. It featured a diverse cast of newcomers that told the show’s story of young people who had been marginalized by society.

Changing time and place is just one way that Zvulun says he works to make new audiences more comfortable with the material.

“I come from humble beginnings in Israel, from Ashkelon, where opera

is not something we grew up with,” he said. “My family was working class. My passion is to make opera accessible and available. It’s about feeling welcome, and I want to make sure everybody in Atlanta feels welcome.”

In addition to the non-traditional staging and the unconventional choice of material, like “Rent,” the Atlanta Opera staged a performance this year of a onewoman opera in The Temple’s sanctuary Midtown on Holocaust Remembrance Day and has developed a sophisticated video studio during the past several years for online screenings of recorded performances for anyone who cares to view them.

For Zvulun, the company he continues to inspire has as the goal of their performances to make them as socially and personally relevant as they can make them. ì

The Broadway hit, “Rent,” alternated with Puccini’s “La Boheme” on alternate evenings at Pullman Yards.

Puccini’s classic “La Boheme,” in the Atlanta Opera staging at Pullman Yards is set during the recent COVID epidemic.

Atlanta Opera’s performance of “Rent,” like “La Boheme,” focuses on the challenges of life and love in difficult times.

From Davis Decibels to Rave Reviews

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Miller is coming strong onto the music scene with her own spin on pop and rock genres.

She stated, “In the past, it was definitely more pop/country, but my newer music has strayed away from the country side and turned more rock. I would say my sound is a mix of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Avril Lavigne.”

Cara Paige, her “stage” name, at age 24, writes her own songs along with the lyrics and melodies. She has done a few co-writes in the past, but the majority of her material now is all self-written. She has a holiday song coming out in November that was co-written with her producers, Justine Blazer and Corey Lee Barker. Blazer also contributed to one of her songs on her album, ‘I Don’t Date Gemini’s.'

Miller currently has a day job in marketing at FITRADIO, a fitness music app. Before graduating from the University of Georgia, and The Davis Academy in the early years, she started performing at a young age -- dancing at age 3 which continued until she was 18. She participated in school musicals in elementary and middle school where she participated in a vocal group, the Davis Decibels. Throughout middle school, Paige took voice lessons and continues that now with weekly lessons.

In today’s social media world, Miller does live streams on TikTok and performs cover songs. When she does open mics, she sticks to her own originals. Like Swift, Paige also plays the guitar. Paige is currently a solo act but performed in

a show in September with a band called ZYX. She said, “I was super excited to play with them; they’re all really talented. I have previously performed at Boars Head open mic night in Athens and at Eddie’s Attic open mic night in Decatur.” She also performed on Sept. 19 at Park Bench at The Battery.

Paige currently has 25 songs released, including her debut album. All of her music can be found on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Deezer, and YouTube Music. One might ask if Paige’s song list a la Swift is about her own experiences and born out of emotion. She concurred, “These songs are about my own life journeys. I have been working on my album for three years now; and so even though I wasn’t ‘23’ [as titled] for every experience, I think the title sums up a lot of common themes seen throughout the album. It’s a combination of heartbreak and navigating early adulthood and all the emotions that come with that.”

Music City Melodies (May 25, 2024), wrote, “At 24 Cara Paige hits all the right chords … Paige brings a raw authenticity to her music unafraid to delve into personal struggles … The angst filled lyrics resonate with the same kind of rebellious spirit that made Lavigne a household name.”

Grubs and Grooves (May 24, 2024), said, “Paige is an emerging and powerful voice on the pop rock scene … Her bold new track … showcases her knack for blending raw emotions with compelling melodies, solidifying her status as an artist to watch.” ì

Move over Taylor Swift … North Springs High School grad Cara Paige

Paige was dancing and performing as a young child and student at The Davis Academy.

Cara Paige describes her sound as a mix of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Avril Lavigne. Paige’s debut album, “23,” took her three years to compose.

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ARTS & CULTURE

‘Nobody Wants This’ is a Rom Com on the Edge

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Maybe some people want this, a Jewishy rom com about an outspoken agnostic sex podcaster, Kristen Bell as Joanne, and her relationship with progressive rabbi, Adam Brody, as Noah. Because of the “succotash hodgepodge” of so many different intertwining scenarios, it’s a hard to take the whole hullabaloo of 10 short episodes too literally.

Some moments are awkward, some genuinely funny, some “icky,” but most often exaggerated, leaving the ever-present question, “What would someone who is not Jewish take away from this?”

Yes, rabbis can be handsome and sexual, and Jewish mothers can be overbearing, and rabbis can marry non-Jewish women and still be professionally sound, but really, the rabbi running into congregants in a sex shop while he’s in S&M gear for that one second is just a whip too far.

Tovah Feldshuh, a multi-talented actor, is mushed into a fake Yiddish folk accent as the rabbi’s bossy and judgmental mother. She’s based in a fabulous California mansion when she somehow is caught eating prosciutto (pork) out of the trash can. At least her wardrobe is fabulous. Does she have her son, the rabbi’s, best interest at heart? Her husband, the rabbi’s father, who escaped faking the weird accent, is the “truth teller” as he advises Noah, in a normal-esque scene, that he should follow his heart and not be sidetracked by other peoples’ opinions.

The trick to enjoying this series is to suspend disbelief and not internalize the awkwardness literally. Jews (and rabbis) have their frailties and personal struggles with faith. And one can feel for a rabbi who may have to choose between not accepting the head rabbi job if he has to forgo his new blond love interest -- unless he has to suggest that she convert, and quickly.

The repartee can be quick and sharp. Following the sister’s sex podcast, it’s just dropped that Joanne was “a lesbian for a year.” Is that relevant or just going down a rabbit hole? Then her father shows up gay with a lover with his wife in tow. So what? Why is that funny? Vulnerability peeps through in scenes where Joanne admits that her fear is that no one can love her in spite of her strong personality. Even the rabbi’s ex-fiancé, who took it upon herself to find a wedding ring so she could propose for herself, confronts Joanne in a touching moment where she

“Nobody Wants This” is an edgy rom com that doesn’t always show Jews in the best light //

explains the real role of a rabbi’s wife.

The Jewish summer camp scene is sweet enough. The teen girls are swooning over the rabbi and are in on the gig where he is “hiding” Joanne and introducing her as “just a friend.” Some legit humor lands as “truth is found in jest.” Can you ever get over the “ick” factor -- seeing a lover do something awkward and embarrassing? Can you ever un-see it?

Fan Julie Abes said, “It’s a fun rom com with great chemistry between the characters. Nice to see a reform rabbi experiencing the ups and down of the

dating world with his overbearing family. One of those shows where you laugh out loud at some point in each episode.”

Fan Lisa Jassin stated, “I kept thinking Adam Brody was Seth Cohen on ‘OC.’ My favorite scene was when the young campers called him ‘hot rabbi.’”

On social networks, some are begging for a sequel, as the ending was not definitive. “Nobody Wants This” captured the hearts of millennials, xennials and less traditionalists.

After all, in what temple do the men wear tallit on Friday nights? And what

exactly is a “conversion” -- two years of study and wearing a wig? Or a 6-week mini-course?

Best advice? A fabulous and most relatable movie worth seeing is “Keeping the Faith” (2000) starring Jenna Elfman, a non-Jewish woman who gets involved with Ben Stiller, a rabbi as she chooses between him and Edward Norton, a Catholic priest. Now that is a movie worth its “shiska” triangulation. Oftentimes converts make the most appreciative and educated Jews, with or without a romance with the rabbi. ì

Photo Credit: Netflix

Kristen Bell portrays an agnostic non-Jewish woman, who falls for a rabbi, Adam Brody // Photo Credit: Netflix

Blackman’s Vision to Build Community with Halidom Eatery DINING

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Businessman Hal Blackman, who hails from Long Island, explained where his love of food originated. “I didn’t grow up in a religious home, but more of a Jewish cultural one … food was critical -- lots of bagels and lox, herring in cream sauce, gefilte fish, and babka!”

Now his new concept-driven Southeast Atlanta food hall, Halidom Eatery, has 11 cuisines ranging from Japanese hibachi to Brooklyn-style pizza and authentic Indian.

What’s most amazing about Blackman is his ability to recreate himself after not succeeding long-term in a variety of positions ranging from jewelry, gymnastics ownerships, and in the corporate grind, working for Xerox and Marriott.

He explained, “I had enough of getting commission cuts from big companies and started my own facilities management company, IST, with two employees. Today I have 1,800 employees located in 28 cities and Canada.”

The IST headquarters building sits

Creative dining nooks are a good

on eight acres on Moreland Avenue with Halidom Eatery occupying the lower level. When he couldn’t lure restaurants to rent this lower retail space, he dug in and did it himself.

Hal’s long-term plan there is a mixeduse domain to include retail space, gym, and serene two-acre park, “all designed to create a sanctuary amidst the urban rush of Moreland Avenue. ‘Halidom’ echoes

the 12th-century term for ‘sanctuary.’”

The Atlanta Business Chronicle (Sept. 12, 2024) stated that, “The number of food halls has exploded across the country, even through the pandemic … as of October 2023, Atlanta had 15 food halls open and another seven in development.”

Krog Street Market was the first in 2014. A new food hall coming to 1375 Peachtree St. is on the horizon, blending hospitality with an office environment.

The pink neon surrounds outdoor spaces for

outdoor green space for socialization. Outdoor programming like Motivation Monday, is a complimentary yoga and exercise class on the grounds.

Halidom’s décor showcases art deco furnishings in velvet with tropical touches in vibrant colors, plants, artistic shelving, creative seating options and inviting counters. A private meeting area, The Jungle Room, is a unique party space.

Beyond the food stalls, Halidom Eatery features a 30-seat, upscale Bar La Rose (owned by Blackman named for his wife) and includes a sprawling two-acre

Halidom has indoor seating for 320, outdoor seating for 123, with amenities like temperature-controlled food pick up lockers and a concierge service. The night we ventured there was patronized by mostly neighborhood locals. Its ability to draw from points north of I-20 remains to be seen, though Blackman sees visitors from “all over.”

Also, in assessing food court cuisine, some leeway needs to be extended to achieve the overall concept. Prices for entrées for Indian or Japanese entrees range in the high teens to $20. Some items like small tacos start at $5.99. A DJ kept things lively on a Saturday night. Plenty of free, well-lit parking is a plus! ì

Halidom Eatery Dining Hall Offerings

Press Waffle Co.: Customizable waffles are from dough proofed for 24 hours. Toppings include strawberries, Nutella, whipped cream, and seasonal specials.

Luze Mexicano Cocina: Twin siblings renowned for working at Zocalo and Taqueria La Luz bring authentic Mexican street food with indigenous recipes from Mexico City, along with hand-crafted Sangria Swirl Margaritas.

Mad Dads Philly’s: Favorites like blueberry sriracha wings and cheesesteaks.

Mango Indian Grill: Quick and authentic meals and South Indian dishes.

Locale Island Eats: Jerk chicken and oxtail, with Caribbean marinades.

Deallo’s Seafood: Cajun-inspired seafood dishes like lobster mac & cheese and shrimp burgers, gumbo.

Just Dogs ATL: Gourmet hot dogs and “doggie-style” burgers, hot dog flight includes three mini-dogs with toppings.

Wasabi Sushi & Ramen: Customizable bowls, rolls and hibachi.

Luca’s Brooklyn Pizzeria: Brooklyn-style pizzas or pizza-by-the-slice with 72hour fermented dough and calzones.

Grind Time Cafe: Quasi-coffee venture, fueled by Jamaican heritage, with healthy options and comfortable workspace.

Buena Papa Fry Bar: Hand-cut fries with international toppings, Mexicano and Boricua styles, along with bold desserts.

Hal Blackman has launched a new food hall, Halidom Eatery, in Southeast Atlanta.

place to anchor down with food.

socializing.

Chai Style Art

Kauss’ Magical Clay Perfection

Local treasure

Rosanne Kauss is herself molded somewhere between a visionary, sculptor, and engineer. Welcome to “Kauss house,” where almost everything is made out of clay. Rosanne’s elaborate “cakes” look good enough to eat; but not so fast. Those cakes, along with lifelike recreations of her daughter’s boots and Nikon camera, and husband, Andy’s, briefcase, are part of her lifelike clay projects. As special as this home décor is, it would be hard to find a local artist who has also placed more meaningful, largescale commissioned Judaica projects.

Kauss said, “My first formal introduction to clay was in high school in Jacksonville. There I was transfixed by the many ways it could be used to create both functional works and more creative, non functional pieces.” Kauss is a methodically precise artist. She catalogues every moving part “just in case anything has to be replaced.” Her interpretations of shak-

able seeded pomegranates, ceramic Torah scrolls, and an 8’ x 4’ mural at Congregation Or VeShalom are nothing less than masterpieces.

Before teaching art at The Epstein School, Kauss earned a B.A. in art education and a BFA in fine arts from the University of South Florida and the University of Massachusetts.

Enter her world of maquettes and sgraffito.

Jaffe: How do you get your hands dirty?

Kauss: I work exclusively in clay now. I create pieces using different glazes and underglazes. I use different clay bodies -standard stoneware, speckled clay, chocolate clay, and porcelain.

Jaffe: What’s that process like?

Kauss: It begins with paying attention to my environment, looking at objects and vignettes, contemplating, and imagining how they might look in clay. I focus on colors and textures and make extensive drawings and notes about methods and techniques. I also make several glaze test tiles to find precisely the right color and texture.

The Torah scroll pieces at OVS each took four months. The mural in the OVS

Chapel was a 16-month project from conceptualization to installation. Depending on the size of the artwork, I make a “maquette” -- a small clay model of a larger piece which allows visualization and insight. I will often remake a piece multiple times, until I feel it matches my vision.

Jaffe: What are your most unique pieces?

Kauss: “One off sculptures” that I had never attempted, like Andy’s retirement briefcase vignette with a yellow legal pad and paper clips, the Chihuly-style boat in the foyer, and the wall in our powder room, which occupied me during COVID. Lately I have been creating original “flower cakes.”

Jaffe: Share thoughts about your soulful Judaica.

Kauss: For a long time, I made and sold Rabbinic figures fired in Raku fashion and “Shtetl People” named for past relatives. I made also a tryptic based on three essential pillars of Judaism: Torah, tefillah and tzedakah. I created a Raku tile sculpture of the Seven Days of Creation, which is installed at AJA. I have always enjoyed making pomegranates in different sizes and glazes. Each pomegranate contains 18 “seeds” inside that rattle when shaken.

I’m currently creating porcelain Yahrzeit candle holders.

Jaffe: So, at Or VeShalom you have …

Kauss: Three major pieces of my work are installed there. A variation of the Seven Days of Creation (AJA), as an open Torah scroll, was purchased and donated to OVS. This was the first piece of art at the synagogue. A matching Torah scroll of the seven major Jewish holidays was later commissioned for the shul’s 100th birthday.

My largest and most ambitious was a mural for the OVS Chapel commissioned by a congregant as a gift to the synagogue. I met with the congregant, rabbi and executive director multiple times, listening to their thoughts, redrawing the designs and presenting new versions until everyone was satisfied. The final size of the mural is approximately 8’ x 4’, consisting of 46 pieces installed on three separate panels and joined as a single work. I made studio space at my home to accommodate it.

I made several maquettes to determine the proportions of the major pieces. Once the clay was leather hard, I laid out string to determine where to cut the pieces. I constructed drying racks for the work, which was covered in plastic and slowly dried over three weeks. I spritzed daily to

Marcia Caller Jaffe

The elevated Kauss dining table supports her shakable pomegranate sculptures. The floating staircase provides a dramatic background // All photos by Howard Mendel Inset: Rosanne’s lifelike cakes are all clay.

Right: This vignette shows Kauss’ lifelike camera sculpture by her “birthday cake,” under a sculpture by Zach Horn (Temple Beth El Art Show in St. Petersburg). Rosanne’s vessel took multiple glazes and textured slips.

Below: These vertical, brown-toned vessels were a project Kauss did while at the Spruill Center for the Arts with fellow students.

Left: Kauss created this tryptic representing the Three Pillars of Judaism: Torah, tefillah and tzedakah

assure uniform drying and avoid warping. There were multiple kiln firings, glazings, and additional firings. Once the pieces were numbered, wrapped and packed, I met the fabricator at OVS and installed it in five days.

The work incorporates three different clay bodies and six grout colors. The process involved 94 glaze test tiles. Watching the congregant’s first view of the mural installed in the chapel was overwhelmingly gratifying for me.

Jaffe: Do you lean towards certain hues?

Kauss: I prefer jewel tones - purple, blue and green, although I use multiple colors depending on the piece, especially my flower cakes. I also work in sgraffito, usually a black and white process that involves scratching away the surface layer to reveal different colors beneath.

Above: The spacious Kauss living room highlights a 10-foot Steve Penley tryptic of Andy Warhol.

Rosanne’s blue totem pole accents two original paintings, “Genesis,” and “Jacob Wrestling the Angels,” by Mordechai Rosenstein. The large turquoise painting is by Colin Maher and Louisa Velasquez.

CHAI STYLE

Jaffe: Describe your home/studio.

Kauss: The first time I walked into this townhouse, I knew it was the perfect space for us. While its exterior is evocative of an Italian villa, inside it is very contemporary, open and uncluttered. Some of our favorite pieces are a 10’ tryptic of Andy Warhol (Steve Penley) and a pair of Mordechai Rosenstein multi-media original paintings – “Genesis” and “Jacob Wrestling with the Angel.” We enjoy displaying photography, particularly our daughter’s, a professional photographer. For the interior renovation two years ago, Michael Alexander was the contractor and did an amazing job. We extended the cherry and oak flooring throughout the entire main level, installed new cabinetry, and made other changes which enhanced expansive sight lines.

Jaffe: You renovated the kitchen?

Kauss: We totally gutted it to correct and enhance, creating the most functional space for our cooking and entertaining needs. The design hides appliances and allows for additional workspace and new spaces to display my ceramics.

Jaffe: Last word …

Kauss: I have to warn visitors not to try to eat the cake! ì

Above: Kauss used a slab roller to craft this guest bathroom mosaic wall as her COVID project.

Below: Rosanne Kauss took 16 months to create this 46-piece commissioned work at Congregation Or VeShalom.

Above: This wide expanse encompasses three vertical panels of Raku-fired “Red Towers,” alongside two photographs by Sarah Hobbs. The cherry and oak floors provide contrast.

Below: Kauss has fun making “one off” pieces like Andy’s retirement briefcase vignette with yellow legal pad and paper clips.

CALENDAR

All Month

Naturally Artistic - Visit CNC and enjoy Naturally Artistic, a homegrown exhibit that celebrates the connection between art and nature. You’ll enjoy creations from local artists, participate in making art, and be encouraged to see the world around you with a fresh set of eyes. This year we present 5 areas where you can get inspired and get your art on! Included with general admission and free to CNC Members. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/24bbhy9v.

NOVEMBER

5 – NOVEMBER 13

Women’s Philanthropy Pomegranate Journey to Morocco - Join Women’s Philanthropy for an immersive and remarkable journey to discover Morocco through a Jewish lens. Explore its enchanting imperial cities filled with extraordinary marketplaces, traverse magnificently historic Jewish and Muslim sites. Get more information at https://tinyurl.com/4vav33yr.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1

Kabbalat Panim Shabbat Service - 5:45 to 8 p.m. Once a month at Congregation Dor Tamid we'll gather for a Kabbalat Panim, an Oneg Shabbat before services at 5:45 p.m. We will then move to the sanctuary to welcome in Shabbat together at 6:15 p.m. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4caRiaZ.

PUBLIQuartet—Rhythm Nation – 8 p.m. Winner of the 2019 Chamber Music America Visionary Award for outstanding and innovative approaches to contemporary classical, jazz, and world chamber music, PUBLIQuartet celebrates American rhythmic traditions with Rhythm Nation. The concert at the Schwartz Center is anchored by PUBLIQuartet’s 2021 work, MIND | THE | GAP: Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues, which features improvisations on “Black Coffee” by Tina Turner, “They Say I’m Different” by Betty Davis, “ErRa” by Alice Coltrane, and “Wild Women Don’t Have the Blues” by Ida Cox. The concert also includes Vijay Iyer’s 2012 string quartet "Dig the Say" — a four-movement homage to the music of James Brown. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/45nbd3s5.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2

Family and Kesher Shabbat Experience

- 9:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join Ahavath Achim Synagogue one Saturday a month for our new Family and Kesher Shabbat Experience! We will offer a genuine synagogue and community experience with special opportunities for our children to authentically experience Shabbat with their community, gain comfort in sanctuary space, rituals, and prayer, and prepare for his/her B’nai Mitzvah. Parents, grandparents, and special friends will have the opportunity to engage in these meaningful Jewish experiences with their children, grandchildren, and special friends. Learn more at https:// tinyurl.com/k8vy6xwb.

NOVEMBER 1-14

Shabbat in the Park @ Brook Run – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Young children and their families are invited to play, pray and sing familiar Shabbat songs with Rabbi G. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/2s8ftm32.

Dueling Pianos - 7 to 10 p.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid for an evening of Dueling Pianos. RSVP at https://tinyurl. com/5b6dzpn8.

Emily Giffin, The Summer Pact: A Novel - 8 p.m. In the wake of tragedy, a group of friends makes a pact that will cause them to reunite a decade later and embark upon a life-changing adventure together. Emily Giffin is the author of 11 international bestselling novels: "Something Borrowed," "Something Blue," "Baby Proof," "Love the One You’re With," "Heart of the Matter," "Where We Belong," "The One & Only," "First Comes Love," "All We Ever Wanted," "The Lies That Bind," and "Meant to Be." She lives in Atlanta with her family and two dogs. Purchase tickets for the 33rd Annual MJCCA Book Festival at https://tinyurl.com/ddd45ntp.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3

AJC’s Atlanta Black/Jewish Teen Initiative 2024-2025 - The Black/Jewish Teen Initiative offers a unique experience to student leaders, allowing them to effect positive change within their communities and build relationships with peers. Throughout the program, students will have the opportunity to experience the rich history of the Black and Jewish communities, learn where they intersect, and interact with others working for a better tomorrow. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5n6szz2b

Red Cross Blood Drive - 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donating is truly a Mitzvah because the recipient doesn’t know who the donor is and cannot Thank You directly, but you know that every recipient appreciates you for saving their life. Join the Jewish War Veterans and Ahavath Achim Synagogue by registering at https://tinyurl.com/y9mx6vum for this mitzvah.

Play Tamid – 9:15 to 11 a.m. Play Tamid is led by Rabbi Jordan and is open to the public (Members and non-members of Congregation Dor Tamid). Enjoy crafts, songs, fun activities, and more for children under 4 (parent/ guardian must attend). Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/56y37k6e.

Veteran’s Day Flag Placement - 10 to 11 a.m. Flags will be placed by the Jewish War Veterans - Atlanta Chapter at Veteran’s graves at the three Jewish cemeteries in Atlanta. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/ muuw7rjz.

WPTO Hanukkah Bazaar - 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Weinstein PTO (WPTO) will have amazing vendors and Cadranel‘s Corner will be open for food for purchase. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/4jrn699f.

Family Connections: A Parenting Workshop & Playdate - 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join Nurture and The Davis Academy for a special morning designed for parents and their children aged newborn to 5 years old. This event promises a nurturing environment where parents can connect, learn, and engage while their little ones have a blast. The morning will include two breakout sessions facilitated by Taryn Rioseco, Parenting Coach and Founder of Here We Grow and Carly Sonenshine, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in maternal mental health. While parents are engaged in workshops, children ages 2-5 will enjoy age-appropriate activities while children 0-2 are welcome to join the breakout session with their parents. These activities are designed to be fun and engaging, ensuring your child has a great time in a safe environment. Register at https:// tinyurl.com/yxtd46cz.

Mimi Zieman, Tap Dancing on Everest - 1 to 3 p.m. Mimi Zieman, MD writes about medical topics to empower people with information and writes creatively to explore the meaning behind experiences we share. In addition to "Tap Dancing on Everest," she has written a play, "The PostRoe Monologues," and is a co-author of the medical guide, "Managing Contraception." Other writing has appeared in Newsweek, The Sun Magazine, Ms. Magazine, Dorothy Parker’s Ashes, NBC News THINK, The Forward, and other publications. A married mother of three grown children, she lives in Atlanta with her husband and dog. Reserve tickets for the 33rd Annual MJCCA Book Festival at https://tinyurl. com/4zw39nrh.

The Joy of Singing – 3 to 5 p.m. The Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program Fund presents The Joy of Singing featuring Timothy Miller (tenor), Bethany Grace Mamola (soprano), and William Ransom (piano) performing pop solos and duets from the operatic and Broadway repertoire. Visit https://tinyurl.com/463k6a22 for more information.

Keshet - North Fulton - 4 to 5:30 p.m. Join IAC for a true Israeli experience! We will meet for fun, learning, and of course community! We would like to open a few groups. Please register at https://bit. ly/3Rlcxi0 if you would like your child to be part of the Keshet family. Please indicate your child’s age.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Torah Reading: Noach Friday, November 1 Light Candles at: 6:26 PM Saturday, November 2 Shabbat Ends: 7:22 PM

Torah Reading: Lech-Lecha Friday, November 8 Light Candles at: 5:20 PM Saturday, November 9 Shabbat Ends: 6:16 PM

Anthony Fauci, MD, On Call - 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. "On Call" is the memoir by the doctor who became a beacon of hope for millions through the COVID pandemic, and whose six-decade career in high-level public service put him in the room with seven presidents. Anthony Fauci is arguably the most famous – and most revered – doctor in the world today. His role guiding America sanely and calmly through Covid (and through the torrents of Trump) earned him the trust of millions during one of the most terrifying periods in modern American history, but this was only the most recent of the global epidemics in which Dr. Fauci played a major role. His crucial role in researching HIV and bringing AIDS into sympathetic public view and his leadership in navigating the Ebola, SARS, West Nile, and anthrax crises, make him truly an American hero. Get tickets for the 33rd Annual MJCCA Book Festival at https://tinyurl.com/28ja8vjh.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4

Julie Satow, When Women Ran Fifth Avenue – 12 to 2 p.m. In "When Women Ran Fifth Avenue," journalist Julie Satow draws back the curtain on three visionaries who took great risks, forging new paths for the women who followed in their footsteps. This stylish account, rich with personal drama and trade secrets, captures the department store in all its glitz, decadence, and fun, and showcases the women who made that beautifully curated world go round. Purchase tickets for the 33rd Annual MJCCA Book Festival at https://tinyurl.com/92j7myju.

Neil R. Gordon & Mike Petchenik, Trial Watchers – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. "Trial Watchers " is an anthology-style narrative that takes stories from real true crime fans that explains why they embroil themselves in the world of true crime. For some, it’s about justice, solving a puzzle, or fascination with the legal process as a whole. For others, it’s an empathetic act in service of the accused or victimized. Written by trial watchers for trial watchers and other true crime fans,  "Trial Watchers" is a deeplyresonating and interesting read for fans of crime, mystery, true stories, and social psychology. It’s most suitable for adults, given the nature of some cases discussed. "Trial Watchers" tells the real, heartfelt, and compelling stories behind those who put their lives on hold to follow criminal trials in many different ways. Reserve tickets for the 33rd Annual MJCCA Book Festival at https://tinyurl.com/yfjvcnef.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5

School’s Out Playdate - 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Preschools are closed but Nurture is open for a morning of play! Families are invited to join us for a Kindness Celebration with special stories, crafts and activities focused on spreading kindness. Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/bpaj6ttf.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6

Rochelle Weinstein, What You Do to Me: A Novel – 12 to 2 p.m. Rochelle B. Weinstein is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of seven women’s fiction novels, including "When We Let Go," "This Is Not How It Ends," and "Somebody’s Daughter." A former entertainment industry executive, she splits her time between sunny South Florida and the mountains of North Carolina. As Miami’s NBC 6 in the Mix monthly book contributor, Rochelle is on the hunt for the next great read while she teaches publishing workshops at Nova Southeastern University. She loves hiking, beach walks, her two dogs, and finding the world’s best nachos. Purchase tickets for the 33rd Annual MJCCA Book Festival at https://tinyurl.com/yc4n5mkc.

Yaniv Rivlin, Live Like a Startup – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Yaniv Rivlin, a top Israeli startup leader, shares invaluable insights on creating genuine, lasting success in business—and in life. According to Rivlin, who revolutionized the e-scooter and vehiclesharing industries as BIRD’s founding GM, the startup journey begins with us – when we adopt a “startup state of mind.” From his modest upbringing in the Israeli countryside to graduating from Harvard, all the way to a starry-eyed IPO in New York, Rivlin’s inspiring life journey demonstrates the advantages of risk-taking, the power of resilience in the face of failure, a healthy dose of “Chutzpah,” and how even a simple choice like taking the initiative can be a life-changing experience. Reserve tickets for the 33rd Annual MJCCA Book Festival at https://tinyurl.com/5y539zxe.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7

2024-2025 AJC Atlanta Board of Councilors - 12 to 1:30 p.m. In these critical times, it is crucial we speak with a powerful voice to educate the world about the dangers of antisemitism, protect Israel, and safeguard the rights and freedoms of all people. As a valued AJC leader, you will play a pivotal role in helping to advance our mission and defend our values. Our board meetings are an opportunity to gather with one another, learn from experts and guest speakers, and take action. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4eanZqI.

Jewish Education Tax Credit Breakfast Meeting – 8 to 9 a.m. Find out how GA business owners can contribute to the Jewish Education Tax Credit program and play an important role in helping more families access Jewish education in our community. Learn about favorable state and federal tax laws and regulations that enable corporations, trusts, and passthrough businesses to provide tuition assistance scholarships while achieving remarkable tax benefits through this powerful and popular tax credit program. Register at https://tinyurl.com/4wtfae2z.

Susan & David Schwartz, The Joy of Costco – 12 to 2 p.m. Join David and Susan Schwartz on a whirlwind tour of Costco warehouses around the globe. They are two of Costco’s biggest fans yet live in one of NYC’s smallest apartments. Since 2016, they have been to more than 250 of Costco’s 850+ warehouses, plus gotten behind-the-scenes looks at depots, packaging facilities, vendors, meatpacking plants, and even a pre-opening party. Join in the fun with MJCCA at https://tinyurl. com/2pbkmxec.

Chef Moshe Basson, The Eucalyptus Cookbook – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. In "The Eucalyptus Cookbook," Chef Moshe Basson delves into the fascinating world of modern Jerusalem cuisine. Through the eyes of this renowned Jerusalem chef and owner of the Eucalyptus, an innovative restaurant that has been thriving for 36 years, personal stories come to life along with modern and ancient history and folklore. Chef Basson explores the culinary gems of one of the most ancient and diverse cities in the world. Creating this tapestry intertwined with original recipes and beautiful photography of both the dishes and the cityscape of Jerusalem, makes this book a must read; not only for the aspiring home cook and middle eastern cooking connoisseur, but for those who wish to get to know Jerusalem from an enchanting fresh point of view. Find out more at the MJCCA Book Festival by registering at https://tinyurl. com/yjn2cvse.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

Michael Richards, Entrances and Exits – 8 to 10 p.m. In  "Entrances and Exits," Michael opens the door to the evolution of the iconic character who brought the kavorka to Seinfeld and shares the real-life insecurities and successes he experienced creating one of television’s most memorable characters, and the ways the two are forever intertwined on and offscreen. Learn more about Michael Richards at the MJCCA Book Festival by purchasing tickets at https://tinyurl.com/y246986x.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10

Jewish Women’s Getaway - Discover community, express your creativity, enjoy inspiring sessions, and have FUN and the women-only retreat in the North Georgia mountains at Ramah Darom. Register at https://tinyurl.com/55h79zs6.

PJ Bureka Baking – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join PJ Library as we make and bake burekas, a popular baked pastry in Sephardic Jewish cuisine and Israeli cuisine, with Congregation Or VeShalom’s Sisterhood! Bring the whole family—parents, kids, and grandparents! RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ybk9ye65.

Poppy Sale - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join the Atlanta Jewish War Veterans for the Sale of Poppies for Veterans Day and JWV philanthropic activities. Find out more at https:// tinyurl.com/5n78nbss.

PJ Library East Cobb Little Hearts, Big Thanks - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join PJ Library East Cobb and Taryn from Here we Grow as we welcome Thanksgiving with a thankful music circle. We will sing, read stories and have playtime together! Register at https://tinyurl.com/552k5x6p.

Teen Israel Leadership Institute - 12:30 to 4 p.m. The Center for Israel Education continues its series of programs providing high school students the knowledge they need about Israel, Jewish peoplehood, the Middle East and more to prepare them for what they might face on social media and in the future on college campuses. This will be an in-person program for teenagers in the Atlanta area. Learn more at https:// tinyurl.com/2m2bhptn.

Adam Nimoy, The Most Human – 1 to 3 p.m. While the tabloids and fan publications portrayed the Nimoys as a “close family,” to his son Adam, Leonard Nimoy was a total stranger. The actor was as inscrutable as the iconic half-Vulcan science officer he portrayed on Star Trek, even to those close to him. Now, his son’s poignant memoir explores their complicated relationship and how it informed his views on marriage, parenting, and later, sobriety. Despite their differences, both men ventured down parallel paths: marriages leading to divorce, battling addiction, and finding recovery. Most notably, both men struggled to take the ninth step in their AA journey: to make amends with each other. Discover how the son of Spock learned to navigate this tumultuous relationship—from Shabbat dinners to basement AA meetings—and how he was finally able to reconcile with his father—and with himself. Learn more about Adam and Leonard Nimoy at the MJCCA Book Festival by reserving tickets at https://tinyurl.com/32y43dtp.

JBaby Thankful Music Circle - 3 to 4:30 p.m. Join JBaby Intown to celebrate Thanksgiving with your little turkey. Enjoy a music circle with Here We Grow while you connect with other parents of littles. Snacks provided. For families with babies 0-2 years old. Big siblings are welcome to join! This JBaby Music Circle is facilitated and hosted in a private family home by parents who are excited to meet other Jewish families in the area. Location will be shared prior to the event. Register at https://tinyurl.com/24km546e.

Community Kristallnacht Commemoration – 3 to 5 p.m. In partnership with Eternal Life Hemshech, join the Museum of History and Holocaust Education at KSU as we co-host a film screening and speaker commemorating the 86th anniversary of Kristallnacht.  "One Life" is a biographical drama film about Sir Nicholas Winton, a British humanitarian who orchestrated the rescue of 669 Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia after Kristallnacht. The film explores his efforts to save the children during the Holocaust and his struggle with the emotional toll of separating them from their families. It also touches on his later life when, 50 years after his actions, Winton is unexpectedly reunited with some of the survivors he saved. RSVP at https://tinyurl. com/46ctk66e.

Annual Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture - 3 to 7 p.m. The 35th Annual Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture Series presents a discussion led by Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat featuring Isaac Herzog, President of Israel. Reserve tickets at https://tinyurl.com/4r5ez9ye.

Keshet - North Fulton - 4 to 5:30 p.m. Join IAC for a true Israeli experience! We will meet for fun, learning, and of course community! We would like to open a few groups. Please register at https://bit. ly/3Rlcxi0 if you would like your child to be part of the Keshet family. Please indicate your child’s age.

John Quinones & Maria Elena Salinas, One Year in Uvalde – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Uvalde: 365 was a continuing ABC News series led by the network’s Investigative Unit. As part of the initiative, ABC News opened a local satellite news bureau in Uvalde, Texas, in the aftermath of the tragic mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, that hosted a rotating crew of correspondents, producers, writers, and technical staff. Their gripping, vital reporting has been featured across all programs and platforms, from  Good Morning America to World News Tonight with David Muir. Award-winning journalists John Quiñones and María Elena Salinas became immersed in the Uvalde community, as their field reporting brought them ever closer to the people of this Texas city. Purchase Tickets at https://tinyurl. com/24mssktd.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Veterans Day Ceremony at Berman Commons – 11 a.m. Ceremony celebrating and memorializing Veterans. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/58v4e4c8.

Lisa Barr & Talia Carner – 12 to 2 p.m.

From Lisa Barr, the bestselling author of  "Woman on Fire,  " comes  "The Goddess of Warsaw," an enthralling tale of a legendary Hollywood screen goddess with a dark secret about her life in the Warsaw Ghetto. When the famous actress is threatened by someone from her past, she must put her skills into play to protect herself, her illustrious career, and those she loves, then and now. From the acclaimed author, Talia Carner, of "The Third Daughter" comes an epic historical novel of ingenuity and courage, of love and loss, spanning postwar France when Israeli agents roamed the countryside to rescue hidden Jewish orphans—to the 1969 daring escape of the Israeli boats of Cherbourg. Reserve tickets at the MJCCA at https://tinyurl. com/4frk4cu2.

Israeli Cultural Arts Evening – 2 to 9 p.m.

The Jerusalem Quartet — widely considered one of the leading chamber music groups in the world — is extending its U.S. tour this fall to perform at The Temple as their final stop as part of the quartet’s 30th anniversary 2024/25 season. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/46efnp78.

Mitch Albom, The Little Liar: A Novel –

7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Beloved bestselling author Mitch Albom returns to the MJCCA Book Festival with a powerful novel of hope and forgiveness that moves from a coastal Greek city during WWII to America in the golden age of Hollywood, as the intertwined lives of three young survivors are forever changed by the perils of deception and the grace of redemption. Find tickets at https://tinyurl.com/3ysms6ev.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Jonathan Santlofer, The Lost Van Gogh:

A Novel – 12 to 2 p.m. Jonathan Santlofer is an author and artist. He is the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts grants, has been a Visiting Artist at the American Academy In Rome, the Vermont Studio Center, and serves on the board of Yaddo, one of the oldest arts communities in the U.S. Purchase tickets at the MJCCA Book Festival by visiting https://tinyurl. com/mr3cxkzx.

J Street Georgia Annual Event Honoring Beth Sugarman - 6:30 to 9 p.m. Join J Street Georgia for our Marquee Annual Event. The evening will feature an enlightening conversation uniting diverse perspectives, with Dr. Dahlia Scheindlin, a policy expert in Israel, and Dr. Khalil Shikaki, renowned for his work in Palestinian polling and policy. The event will honor Beth Sugarman, celebrating her remarkable contributions to our community. Don’t miss this unique and inspiring event – register now and be part of the change! RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/3nx6jb6j.

Amir Tibon, The Gates of Gaza – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The gripping true story of how leading Israeli journalist Amir Tibon, along with his wife and their two young children, were rescued from Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7, 2023, by Tibon’s own father—an incredible tale of survival that also reveals the deep tensions and systemic failures that led to Hamas’s attacks that day. Reserve tickets with the MJCCA Book Festival at https://tinyurl.com/5n95fh4n.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13

Mary Glickman, Ain’t No Grave: A Novel – 12 to 2 p.m. From Mary Glickman, a National Jewish Book Award finalist: A Jewish man and a Black woman find love against all odds, in this novel set during the Leo Frank trial in the twentieth-century American South. Register for tickets at https://tinyurl.com/2tey2ef2.

A Conversation with Noa Tishby - 7 to 10 p.m. Join us for a night of Teaming with Israel ft: Noa Tishby and special guests from The Israel ParaSport Center. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/bdd5bw3e.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14

Andrew Mellen, Unstuff Your Life! – 12 to 2 p.m. People think they can manage time the way they manage money and other tangible things. But Andrew Mellen, the “Most Organized Man in America,” has discovered that the only way to increase productivity sustainably is to change our relationship with time—our most precious and nonrenewable resource. Find out more information by purchasing tickets at https://tinyurl.com/6xw9ch5j.

The Sounds of Jewish America - 5:30 p.m. Join acclaimed pianist Joe Alterman for a fun and fascinating 4-part series that explores the profound Jewish contributions to music. This isn’t just a history lesson— it’s an exploration and celebration of the creativity, resilience, and cultural impact Jewish artists, songwriters, and entrepreneurs have had shaping the soundtracks of our lives. From the golden age of songwriting to the Brill Building and beyond, this series promises insights, music and stories that will surprise and inspire. A must-see for music lovers, history buffs, and anyone curious about the deep connections between culture and music! Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/2m2mcnbp.

Stuart Eizenstat, The Art of Diplomacy – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Stuart E. Eizenstat has served as U.S. Ambassador to the European Union and Deputy Secretary of both Treasury and State. He is also the author of "President Carter: The White House Years (2018)," "The Future of the Jews: How Global Forces are Impacting the Jewish People, Israel, and Its Relationship with the United States (2012)," and "Imperfect Justice: Looted Assets, Slave Labor, and the Unfinished Business of World War II (2003)." He is an international lawyer in Washington, D.C. Reserve tickets with the MJCCA Book Festival at https://tinyurl.com/2xz6c5ur.

KEEPING IT KOSHER

Flower Linzer Tart

Ingredients

1 and 1/2 sticks margarine

3/4 cup sugar

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon Gefen Vanilla

2 and 1/4 cups Glicks Flour

Tuscanini Strawberry, raspberry, and apricot Premium Italian Preserves Gefen Confectioners’ Sugar

Directions

Prepare the Cookie Dough

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cream the margarine, sugar, egg, and vanilla.

3. Add the flour and mix till combined.

Prepare the Tart

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Press part of the cookie dough into the tart pan. Use a fork to prick the dough.

3. Meanwhile, roll out the remaining cookie dough and cut assorted flower shapes. Use small round cookie cutters to remove some of the centers of the cookies.

4. Bake pie crust for approximately 15 to 20 minutes until it is slightly brown.

5. Bake cookies 12-15 minutes.

6. Allow cookies and pie crust to cool.

7. Fill confectioners’ sugar shaker and sprinkle cookies with confectioners’ sugar.

8. Using a spoon, spread jams into pie crust in your desired pattern.

9. Place cookies on the pie.

Tips:

Arrange the cookies in the pie crust before spreading the jam to figure out your pattern. Remove and fill with jam and then return cookies to the pie.

Sponsored by Tuscanini.

Photography by Chay Berger.

Recipe by Esther Ottensoser

Source: Kosher.com

The Subway

Shlomo is traveling on a New York subway and is sitting opposite a middle-aged Jew wearing a skullcap. Shlomo says, “Shalom. Do you have the time?”

The man ignores him.

“Excuse me,” Shlomo asks again, “what time is it please?”

The man still doesn’t answer him.

“Sir, forgive me for interrupting you again, but I need to know the time. Why won’t you answer me?”

At last, the man speaks. “Son, the next stop is City Hall, the last station on this line. I haven’t seen you before so you must be a stranger. If I answer you now, it’s Jewish tradition that I must invite you to my home. As you’re young and good looking and I have a beautiful daughter at home, you will fall in love with her and will want to get married. So, tell me, why on earth would I want a son-in-law who can’t even afford his own watch?”

YIDDISH WORD

n. Someone who is obsessed with the state of their health 24/7.

“So, today Simon is seeing Dr. Kranitz for a third opinion about his hemorrhoids. He’s a regular gesuntaholic.”

Taken from the Yiddish “gesunt,” meaning “good health.”

Words Within A Word

By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com

Difficulty Level: Medium

ACROSS

1. (Most) famous commentator

6. Their slogan is “Building Israel. One child at a time.”

10. LI school

14. Met highlights

15. Former Bull Kukoc

16. “Looks like trouble!”

17. “___ Pass”, 1988 Uris novel

18. Hang out

19. N.Y.C. gallery

20. Match for 56-Across

21. Kind of system

22. Concrete section

23. Biblical snake/stick, possibly

24. Oil source

26. Boise’s state: Abbr.

27. Having a snack or two

29. Spoon-bender Geller

30. Completed

31. Leaves off

33. Kinneret and others

35. You will find one along each border answer of this puzzle

39. It’s the truth

40. Those in attendance

41. Number of aardvarks on the ark

42. Squeeze (out)

45. Best friend of Dovid

49. Call letters?

50. Gets rid of the condensation on the windshield

52. Ranch ending?

53. “___ the saddest experience...” (Three Dog Night lyric)

55. Lays down a dribbler

56. 1930’s boxing champ Max

57. Per unit

58. “All that ___ bag of chips”

59. Tear open by the seams

60. French film

61. Split

62. Hot spot

63. Camp and org. for those with special needs

64. Rav Ovadia Yosef’s party

65. Major Israel lobbying group

DOWN

1. Exceptional debater and commentator

2. Operatic passage

3. Six pack developers

4. Gateman’s shout

5. Book before Jeremiah: Abbr.

6. Extensively

7. Overall, they treated Jews well a thousand years ago

8. Taking the place (of)

9. Leaning one

10. Bee sounds

11. “Oh, it’s ___ jolly ___ with you, Bert...” (“Mary Poppins” lyric)

12. Way of life for the Jews for forty years

13. Largest house name in Judaism?

21. Coopers, mostly

24. Like some editions

25. Renounces

28. Former Mets manager Art

32. Plate appearance that doesn’t count as an AB

34. Never ___ sentence with a preposition

35. Ideal place for a yid to live?

36. Love and hate, e.g.

37. Funny Billy’s kin

38. Underground network

41. Our most important books

43. Grilled items

44. It’s faith

46. Shred

47. “We ___ Book!”, beloved work by Mo Willems

48. Cousin of 65-Across

51. Mumbai’s land

54. Design detail

56. B’rith preceder

59. It’s a free country

OBITUARIES

Phyllis Levy Doobrow 82, Weston, Fla.

Phyllis Levy Doobrow, 82, passed away on Oct. 6, 2024, in Weston, Fla. She grew up in Augusta, Ga., and lived in Charleston, S.C., until moving to Weston, Fla. Phyllis was a cherished member of her community and a beacon of love and warmth to all who knew her. Phyllis leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion, remembered as a loving daughter, wife, mother, and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Joel of 60 years; sons, Jay (Bonnie) and Ivan (Joella); and grandchildren, Gabrielle, Jake, Alana, and Jenna. A funeral service will be held at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8, at Menorah Gardens in Southwest Ranches, Florida, where family, friends, and loved ones will gather to honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to a charity of your choice.

Nina Block Fishman

95, Atlanta

Nina Bloch Fishman was born on Nov. 15, 1929, in Chicago, Ill., to Janie and David Bloch. Nina grew up in Tulsa, Okla., with her parents and older brother, Ernest Bloch. In her teens she was elected the AZA sweetheart.

Nina graduated from Oklahoma State University. Upon graduation she married Herman Fishman of Atlanta, Ga., and together they enjoyed 70 years of marriage.

Nina and Herman had three children, Dr. Gerald Allen Fishman of Columbia, S.C., Joanne Fishman Brenner of Richmond, Va., and Dr. Michael Lee Fishman of Melbourne, Fla.

Of her many accomplishments, she particularly cherished her 2016 State Mother of Achievement Award which is given by the Washington, D.C.-based American Mothers Inc.

Nina was a lifelong member of the Ahavath Achim Synagogue.

Nina is survived by her sons, Dr. Gerald Allen Fishman (Susan) and Dr. Michael Lee Fishman; daughter, Joanne Fishman Brenner (Theodore); seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Fishman. Graveside services were Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024, at 10 o’clock at Arlington Memorial Park.

Sandra Brawer Koplon 82, Birmingham

Sandra Brawer Koplon passed away peacefully on Oct. 27, 2024. She was 82 years old. Sandy was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in Miami, Fla. She graduated from the University of Alabama where she met her husband, the late Joe A. Koplon. At Alabama, Sandy was president of her sorority, Sigma Delta Tau, and president of the College of Education. She later earned a master’s degree in gifted education from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. Sandy raised her family in Birmingham, Ala., where she lived for over 50 years. She had a long career as a teacher at the NE Miles Jewish Day School, was the founder of the Arthritis Information Center at UAB, worked as the Executive Director of Jewish Family Services, and was the Program Director of the Alabama Head Injury Foundation. She was a member of Leadership Birmingham, Temple Beth El, Hadassah, and National Council of Jewish Women.

Sandy was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Koplon, parents, Pearl and Joe Brawer, and brother, Mark (Carol) Brawer. She is survived by her three beloved children, Mindy (Warren) Binderman of Atlanta, Ga., Michael (Karen) Koplon of Memphis, Tenn., and Julie (Philip) Schanzer of White Plains, N.Y., as well as her eight grandchildren, Josh, Rachel and Mollie Binderman; Sammie Jo and Alyssa Koplon; and Elle, Joe and Sam Schanzer. Sandy always put her family first. She will be remembered for her devotion to family, her meaningful and lasting connections to her friends, her beautiful voice, her perfect penmanship, her lifelong love of learning, and her unbelievable strength.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Temple Beth-El, 2179 Highland Ave, Birmingham, AL 35205. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Temple Beth El in Birmingham, Alabama or the Alabama Head Injury Foundation. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta, 770- 4514999

Irv Laddin 93,

Atlanta

Irv Laddin, age 93, passed away on Oct. 23, 2024, having spent his final day and evening with those he loved so much and who loved him so much – granddaughters, Sara Claire and Maya, daughter-in-law Ellen, and son Darryl Scott. Irv was born on Sept. 22, 1931, in St. Louis, Mo.

Irv truly appreciated the life G-d gave to him. In his own words recently, he recounted “I have no regrets. I’ve lived a great life. I had a great mother and father. I had a great wife of 64 years. I was so fortunate to marry the right person. It’s amazing she didn’t marry someone else first. I had a great son and daughter and daughter-in-law. I had great grandchildren. I played tennis when I was 80. Most people don’t have the good life I had.”

Irv met his lifelong soulmate, Gail, on an airplane from LaGuardia to Chicago on a Friday the 13th in November 1959, they were married on Jan. 16, 1960, and together they shared their lives for 64 years before she passed in February 2024. Their favorite song was “Strangers in the Night,” by Frank Sinatra, and that song so fit their American love story – strangers in the night exchanging glances … something in your smile was so exciting, something in my heart told me I must have you … in love forever, it turned out so right for strangers in the night. Irv truly died of a broken heart.

Irv graduated from the University of Missouri at the age of 20 with a degree in journalism, following in the footsteps of his father, Nat Laddin. He served in Intelligence in the Air Force during the Korean War, getting his commission when he was 20 (and at a time when the requirement was 21). Following service in the Air Force, Irv attended and graduated from Stanford Business School. Irv joined IBM in 1956 and served as a sales manager and branch manager for 30 years, moving his family around the Midwest.

In their journey together, Irv and Gail did an amazing job of raising their children, Darryl and April, instilling values of family, caring for others and hard work, all the while creating an unbreakable bond with their children. Most important, Irv and Gail created the opportunity for their autistic daughter, April, to lead a full, joyful life. Irv, together with Gail also established a lifelong legacy of adventure and a love of water for their family. In a midlife crisis, Irv bought a Honda 350 motorcycle when he turned 40. Irv and Gail rode a motorcycle all over for the next 30 years, including on the busy Chicago expressways and on long trips to see their son, Darryl, at tennis camp in Wisconsin. Irv and Gail loved to travel, whether it was to Wisconsin, for their annual pilgrimage to watch Spring Training baseball in Clearwater, Fla., to the Taj Mahal in India, on an African safari, or on an exotic cruise or a catamaran in the BVI’s. And, Irv especially loved any form of water, handing down his love of boating and water skiing to his son, Darryl, and, ultimately, to his granddaughters, Sara Claire and Maya. Sara Claire and Maya will forever cherish their trips in the BVIs with their Gigi and Grandpa. Irv grew up playing baseball as a kid, and was a lifelong avid St. Louis Cardinal fan, making trips back to St. Louis to watch games in his later years, and hardly ever missing a game he could watch on TV. Irv was also an avid tennis player and instilled the love of tennis (and hard work) in his son, Darryl and, ultimately, the love of tennis in his granddaughter, Maya. Nothing made Irv happier in his later years than watching granddaughter, Maya, play tennis or granddaughter, Sara Claire, compete in gymnastics. Irv truly cherished every moment with Sara Claire and Maya.

Irv is survived by son, Darryl, daughter-in-law, Ellen, granddaughters, Sara Claire and Maya, sister and brother-in-law, Jayne and Bud Schiff, niece, Kara Schiff (Joe Feuerstein) and nephew, Matthew (Nancy) Schiff, and other nieces and nephews and many cousins. He is predeceased by his wife, Gail, his daughter, April, hand is parents Nat and Bert.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Gail’s memory to: Just People, Inc., P.O. Box 930037, Norcross, Georgia 30093, or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A graveside service was held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at Arlington Memorial Park. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Herbert R. Williams 83,

Atlanta

It is with great sadness that the Herbert R. Williams family announce his passing on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, at the age of 83.

Herb will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 57 years, Marsha; children, Jennie (Zoar), Mark (Michelle), Erika (Aaron); grandchildren, Joshua, Zachary, Samuel, Finley, Harper, and Rowan; siblings, Gibbs (Chris); and numerous other family members and friends.

Herb was predeceased by his parents, Nathan and Sylvia.

Memorial donations in Herb’s name may be made to Cure PSP (psp.org) or Friends of the IDF (fidf.org). Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

A Heartfelt Message from Kootz

Shaindle

Schmuckler

Shaindle’s Shpiel

We have a beautiful bouquet of 10 grandchildren: seven boys and three girls. The first to fill our bouquet of babies was a girl. My husband called her Kootz. Kootz wrote this to her Zaidie. My husband, Kootz’s Zaidie, died of Alzheimer’s.

I.  I think I’ve told you this before But have I ever told you about how Coney Island got its name?

No, tell me

Well, my friend told me this. When the Dutch got to New York, the island was covered with ducks

And they called them “coneys”

And they called it Coney Island

II. When the Dutch got to Coney Island— I know I told you this before

Mmm

there were a lot of—ducks or rabbits

Uh huh

I can’t remember— it was ducks or rabbits— and they were coneys and that’s why it’s called Coney Island III. Let me tell you,

Let me just tell you when I grew up in Brooklyn, my school was across from the— from the Jewish mafia— there were bullet holes in the building

IV. When I lived in Brooklyn

Please not again

There.. my mother, she was a smart lady I know this already

Very brilliant lady, but she wasn’t able to… she was a very brilliant lady

You don’t know my family. You never see my family

I see them every year

You see savta’s family but you don’t know my family, but

When I lived in Brooklyn

V.  Oh, I knew Rabbi Hershey when we lived in Brooklyn

He’s 40 years younger than you VI. Did I tell you the horror story? he means at the dog park, when a dog jumped over the fence and ran across the street

Gut yuntiff

VII. Can we go to the dog park?  tomorrow

When are we doing to the dog park?

I’m coming tomorrow morning to take you to the dog park

Who is taking me to the dog park?

I am coming to take you to the dog park

VIII. where are you going?

I’m just going to work no, you need to stay here! Sit here, dad I’m going home I need to go home this is your home, let me help you sit down. You’re home

IX. I want to go home  okay, tomorrow morning I’ll come take you to the dog park

X. hi, zaidie!

Hi cutie

What would I give for him to tell me about Coney Island again?

XI.  And these people, if they don’t have enough information and info to do these things, then you see it yes?

And every so often you may see something on the last … and all these other things …

Oh

So they go right on down. Right on down XII. what are you looking for?

My… n-n-na your glasses?

Yeah

here they are

And the b … brotans … bratansi ... I’m crazy no it’s okay

XII.  It has been years since he called me kootz, but my drawing of Olivia from The Great Mouse Detective is still taped up on his filing cabinet. I can’t find my computer games I played on his computer, in his office chair, but it smells the same. How can you mourn someone who is sitting downstairs?

XIII. I love you. Gut Shabbos ì

OCT. 5, 2024 - JAN. 5, 2025

ARMORED AND FABULOUS

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

Highlights include:

• The giant croc, Deinosuchus

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

• Human adaptations of animal armor

• And more!

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