Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCVIII NO. 17, September 15, 2022

HONORING ANDREA & MIKE

2022 MOSHE RASHKES HEROES OF LIFE HONOREES

The American Friends of Israel Sport Center for the Disabled is excited to honor our heroes, Andrea and Mike Leven, for their extraordinary commitment to the athletes at the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled. Their generosity and kindness make them heroes to the many children and adults in Israel living with physical disabilities who come to The Center for creative rehabilitation through sports and recreation.

ABOUT THE ISRAEL SPORT CENTER FOR THE DISABLED

The Israel Sport Center for the Disabled was founded in Ramat Gan, Israel by the late Moshe Rashkes in 1960, with a unique, innovative approach to physical and emotional rehabilitation. He dedicated his life to empowering people with disabilities and was instrumental in establishing Israel as the world leader in transforming lives and unlocking potential through competitive

The Center welcomes people of all ages without

based on gender, religion, race, nationality, or ethnicity. We show everyone that through the power of sports, we can level the playing field for those the world leaves behind.

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Shana Tova

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Rosh Hashanah

Tova" by: Wendy Meyer

Jewish Atlanta Opens Arms to Ukraine Refugees

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

More than 1,000 Ukrainian refugees have fled their war-torn country in the last six months and landed in Atlanta, accord ing to a local refugee re settlement agency. But the impact on Atlanta’s Jewish community has been in calculable. Struggling to describe their emotional experiences assisting Ukrainian families, mem bers of various synagogues used words like “powerful” and “overwhelming” in their comments to the AJT. Atlanta Jews of all ages have jumped at the opportunity to help these families — some of them extended — settle in a new country with a different culture and a new language. The way the volunteers and lay leaders have, nearly at a moment’s notice, launched into action spurred Susan Baker at Congre gation Shearith Israel to compare it to a

“loaded spring” that had been excessively tightened over the last couple of years of the COVID pandemic.

For the Ukrainian refugees, it all start ed on Feb. 24, when Russia invaded their country. Fleeing westward toward Lviv, then into Poland, they spread out across Europe and beyond, never knowing whether they were leaving for a week, several months or forever. Several of the fam ilies now in Atlanta came up north through Mexico.

In March, Jewish Family & Career Services (JF&CS) launched a new program called Atlanta Ukrainian Evacuee Re lief Assistance, or AURA.

Headed by Zane Blechner, its program man ager, AURA manages resettlement cases and is partnering with several synagogues and other organizations to help these refu gees begin a new life. “We decided to work with volunteer circles, with Zane leading

the process,” said Chantal Spector, senior manager of communications. “We reached out to our donor base and volunteers.” At the end of July, JF&CS also hired Rachel Barnhard, whose background is in health and public safety, as a case manager.

Atlanta’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed around the country. This summer, the Jewish Fed eration of Greater Atlanta was one of 10 Federations across the U.S. to receive a grant from the Jewish Fed erations of North America as part of a $1 million na tional initiative to resettle and support Ukrainians seeking shelter here. The local Federation was awarded $73,000 in the first round of funding.

“We didn’t apply [for the grant],” said Federation President Eric M. Robbins. “They saw what we were doing. We were one of the few communities helping to resettle Ukrainian refu gees.” The Federation had already raised thousands of dollars for the effort. Robbins had seen the need with his own eyes when he traveled to Europe in late March.

“It was surreal to me how people can get on with their lives, some con tinuing to live there in the middle of an active war,” he said.

still wants to help. It shows the fact that our community cares about all people.”

Indeed, individuals, whole neighbor hoods, congregations — sometimes in partnership with each other — have all been prompted to do nate time or money to help those fleeing the war in Ukraine. The motivations vary, but the determina tion is widespread.

Congregation Or Ve Shalom is one of the few Jewish groups that has actually been matched with a Jewish family, al though “it didn’t matter to us whether they were Jew ish or not,” said Executive Director Adam Kofinas. Fundraising for the Federation Relief Fund began already in March, and a dinner was held during which Rob bins discussed his recent mission to the PolishUkrainian border.

“I know what it’s like to walk into a school and not know any English,” said Marita Anderson of Temple EmanuEl, who immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine years ago.

Robbins noted that he has not been surprised at the outpouring of support from the Jewish community. “Most of the people aren’t Jewish, but the Jewish community

Kofinas also recalls a talk by American Jewish Committee Atlanta Re gional Director Dov Wilk er. “He held up a Kroger plastic bag as a visual and said this is what they left with. It was a sobering mo ment and I thought, how can I help?”

Or VeShalom’s Ann Benator, who is co-chair of the Ukrainian Relief Com mittee along with Morris Maslia, said that she heard her mother’s voice in her head, telling her that she needed to be involved. Benator’s mother had helped resettle Soviet refugees during the 1970s. “This is what we needed to be doing in our

“We know how to navigate the system,” said Paedia Mixon, CEO of New American Pathways, which is working with JF&CS.

“This is a great example of us at our best. I am hopeful that it inspires other faith communities,” said Eric M. Robbins, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

Ukrainian refugees at the railway station.

generation,” she said.

The situation became more real to Benator, who is the mother of a six-year-old daughter, when she heard that one of the young Ukrainian boys was having a birth day. The congregation threw a huge birth day party for the glowing child.

Other Atlanta congregations have also been spurred into action. Shearith Israel had helped resettle refugees from Er itrea with the help of New American Pathways, an Atlanta nonprofit refugee resettlement agency. “We had done this before and we needed to do it now,” recalled Susan Baker, who chairs the refugee resettle ment efforts at her con gregation. “As soon as we heard of people fleeing,” she said, Rabbi Ari Kaiman approached her and JF&CS called.

“The rules of engage ment are different” when it comes to work ing with Ukrainians and JF&CS, “but setting up an apartment is the same,” said Baker. She knew someone who had an apartment and was willing to provide it. “We geared up pretty fast.”

Jeff Kirsh, a Shearith Israel board member who serves as liaison for the con gregation’s social action efforts under its “Shearith Israel for Good” program, ex plained that the volunteers did some repairs on the apartment and sent out a call to the congregation for help with furniture and furnishings. Within a week or so, they had an “avalanche of help.”

Robin Deutsch Ed wards, a member of “SI For Good,” remembers that the “conversation started with how to repeat what we did with the Eritrean family.” Then it just snow balled, involving more and more congregants. “Every one had a reason to come forward and help out. It brought out all ages,” said Kirsh.

At Congregation Or Hadash, the efforts actu ally started as a b’nai mitz vah project. Jessica Lotner’s children, Bella and Jacob, had learned about the plight of the Ukrainian refugees from reading the newspaper and decided they wanted to help. The congregation was assigned a fam ily of 21 people and JF&CS helped to find a house to rent in Sugar Hill. Renee Videlef sky, who chairs the congregation’s Tikkun Olam committee, said they were given just a few days to get the house ready for the new

occupants.

Congregants enlisted their friends and neighbors. Videlefsky found bed linens at the National Council of Jewish Women/ Atlanta section. An Amazon wish list was created. Bella Lotner designed a chart that spelled out what was needed and who pro vided the help. “One congregant donated tools to one of the refugees who is a mechanic,” Jessica Lotner said. On move-in day, the house was full of Amazon boxes containing items that had been do nated by dozens of people.

“On that first day, the family was in shock. We made their beds, made them food and got them as comfortable as pos sible,” said Lotner, whose profession includes set ting up hotels before they open. Even after the fam ily’s initial needs were met, however, her daughter announced, “we’re not done. These people trust us. We are their connection.” She and her brother started a GoFundMe campaign to cover additional costs, raising more than $5,000. According to their mother, the en deavor has had a huge impact on her house hold. “My kids have gained a family. I can’t imagine having Thanksgiving without this family,” she said.

Although the family isn’t Jewish, when they learned that a Jewish congregation was helping them, something clicked. One of the daughters and sons-in-law had honey mooned in Israel and started singing Oseh Shalom. Videlefsky suggested the musical family perform at a Shab bat service at Or Hadash in August. “Someone donated a trumpet for a son-in-law. A daughter is a concert violinist. They all came. People were crying in the audience. They were so joyful and showed us their gratitude.”

Likewise, The Temple will hold a special Shab bat service and oneg on Oct. 7 to welcome the Ukrainian family that its congregation, along with Temple Emanu-El, has been assisting. Cindy Zeldin, who leads The Temple’s immigra tion outreach program, said she contacted JF&CS and explained that a congregant had a house to donate to Ukrainian refugees. “Within four or five days, we had a family moved in. This is the luckiest family in the world.”

The congregation held a birthday par ty for the family at which Rabbi Peter Berg

was asked to bless the little girl, specifically in Hebrew. “They understood the power of Hebrew,” he said. “They wanted it to feel authentic. The father gave a speech saying how grateful he was to The Temple.” Berg said he not only felt genuinely moved, but his 14-year-old twins “talked about it all day.” Everything was translated from Hebrew to English to Russian.

It doesn’t hurt that The Temple’s partnering congregation is Temple Emanu-El. Marita Ander son, the wife of Emanu-El’s Rabbi Spike Anderson and a former hospital chaplain, was herself an immigrant from Ukraine and speaks Russian. Synagogues that sign up to help resettle Ukrainians don’t just help furnish a new home. They take families to doc tors’ appointments, take them food shopping, help them get drivers’ licenses and register children for school. Anderson remembers when she was about to help her congregation’s family get the children ready for a new school.

[another] 350 people.

“This year has involved more complexi ties than most for us,” she acknowledged, “but we’re well equipped to help. And we’ve seen so much collaboration with the Jewish community this year.”

The goal is for the refugees to become self-sufficient. That means learning English, if necessary, applying for work visas, signing up for Medicaid. The men, par ticularly, are eager to be come self-sufficient, noted Janie Fishman, one of two co-chairs of the Circle for Immigrant & Refugee Jus tice at Temple Sinai. “They need work permits, but Zane said they couldn’t get them for 10 months.”

Cindy Zeldin, who leads The Temple’s immigration outreach program, said she contacted JF&CS and explained that a congregant had a house to donate for Ukrainian refugees. Pictured with her dog, Lily.

However, one of the men Temple Sinai is assist ing is an electrician. “We got him a computer and he knew just what to do [with it],” said Fishman.

“Zane was trying to prepare me,” she said. “I literally was the same age. I know what it’s like to walk into a school and not know any English.”

Unlike previous waves of refugees, Ukrainians fleeing the war are not entering the U.S. through traditional refugee chan nels. They have been granted humanitarian parole status in order to get them into the country faster. But it has been challenging to figure out what exactly that status entails when it comes to govern mental support in the form of food stamps and work visas.

JF&CS has worked closely with New Ameri can Pathways (NAP) to handle the resettlement process in Atlanta. “We are helping JF&CS help the families get the documents they need,” said NAP CEO Paedia Mixon. “We know how to navigate the sys tem.”

Many of the refugees arrived in Atlanta without private sponsors and need ed immediate help, which is what JF&CS has provided, matching refugee families with synagogues. Mixon believes the assis tance her organization provides to agencies like JF&CS will increase due to a grant that NAP has just received. “We are hiring staff and will have a full Ukrainian program,” she said. “This grant will enable us to help

Her co-chair, Leslie Walden, pointed out that before the war erupted, Temple Sinai had helped Afghan refugees who arrived in Atlanta. “We made 100 welcome baskets,” she said. But Fish man admitted that helping the Ukrainians was a new challenge. “It was overwhelming when Zane contacted us and we had to get ready for the family as soon as possible.”

JF&CS continues to reach out to other Jewish organizations to help the influx of refugees. “Every partner is different on what they can contribute,” said Barnhard. “Every one has a different ability to assist.”

Partnering synagogues don’t com mit to a specific amount of time for assisting the refugees they have been assigned. But, as Or Ve Shalom’s Benator stated, “I don’t feel a time frame. How do you put a life-time cap on a friendship?”

At a birthday party for a young refugee, The Temple’s Rabbi Peter Berg blessed the girl in Hebrew. “They understood the power of Hebrew,” he said. “They wanted it to feel authentic.

“I give JF&CS a lot of credit for making this hap pen,” said Shearith Israel’s Susan Baker. “There’s a lot of potential for the com munity to do more.”

“I think it’s a very easy thing for all houses of wor ship to do — and so mean ingful,” said Rabbi Berg. “I encourage others to do it. It can be done rather quickly and the impact is so immedi ate.”

“This effort shows the connectiv ity across the community between syna gogues,” Robbins added. “This is a great ex ample of us at our best. I am hopeful that it inspires other faith communities.” ì

Jessica Lotner’s children, Bella and Jacob, had learned about the plight of the Ukrainian refugees from reading the newspaper and decided their b’nai mitzvah project would be to help them.

Shearith Israel held a volunteer day to help their Ukrainian family move in.

Hadassah Hosts Tri-Region Conference in Atlanta

By Debbie Diamond

Hadassah members from throughout the Southeast will converge on Atlanta as the city plays host to this year’s Tri-Region Hadassah Conference at the Hilton Atlan ta Airport Hotel. This will be the first time Hadassah Super South regional members have gotten together for an in-person con ference since the pandemic.

More than 100 participants from Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Alabama, Loui siana, Kentucky and Tennessee will par ticipate in a weekend filled with educa tion, advocacy and socializing, organized around the theme “Hadassah OUT LOUD, Raising Our Voices TOGETHER.” Linda Hakerem, Jill Weinstein and Diane Bis gaier are this year’s co-chairs for the con ference, which begins Friday, Sept. 9, and runs through Sunday, Sept., 11. National and regional leaders from the Southern, Southeastern and Southern Seaboard Regions will be in attendance and lead ses sions on a myriad of topics, including women’s health equity, leadership and advo cacy strategies.

“With members in ev ery Congressional district in the country, Hadassah can educate its members and utilize their advocacy skills to reach out to policymak ers at the local, state and na tional level on critical issues affecting Israel, women’s health, antisemitism and more,” said Marci Abrams-Feinstein, pres ident of Hadassah Greater Atlanta, the chapter host for this year’s conference. “It is an impor tant responsibility, and we in Atlanta are proud to be the host chapter for this timely conference. We will be raising our voices with passion, pride and purpose.”

At the top of the agenda for the weekend is the fight for the right of women to make their own healthcare choices. In light of the re cent Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, 27th Nation al President Rhoda Smolow will lead a panel discussion with medical experts on the unique health needs of women. National Grass roots Advocacy Director Lauren Katz will

also conduct a separate, in-depth session on successful advocacy skills.

“Hadassah is commit ted to full and complete ac cess to reproductive health services and a woman’s right to make decisions for herself based on her own religious, moral and ethical values,” said Smolow. “At ‘Hadassah OUT LOUD,’ we will raise the voices of Ha dassah members from nine southern and southeastern states as we affirm our sup port for reproductive choice and the role it plays in wom en’s empowerment, eco nomic equity and security.”

Award-winning author Melissa Fay Greene, who wrote “The Temple Bomb ing,” will discuss the alarm ing rise of antisemitism across the nation and of fer her perspective on the permeating phenomena of hate in both the era of 1958 Atlanta and today. Atlantans Alana Frank, founder of the Jewish Fertility Founda tion, and Karen Grinzaid of JScreen will be on hand with Hadassah’s Lauren Katz and others to discuss the orga nization’s mission to raise awareness about infertility and their fight for access to quality, affordable diagnosis and treatment.

“With members in every Congressional district in the country, Hadassah can educate its members and utilize their advocacy skills to reach out to policymakers” said Marci Abrams-Feinstein, president of Hadassah Greater Atlanta.

“One in eight couples in the United States report infertility issues — and rates are even

higher in the Jewish community, with as many as one in six couples affected. Ha dassah is at the forefront of the conversation pushing for Congressional action to raise awareness about infer tility and the need for qual ity, affordable diagnosis and treatment,” Katz said.

Additional sessions will continue throughout Satur day and Sunday, focusing on topics of particular interest to members — from build ing bridges with community organizations to support of Israel. A panel discussion with members of other faithbased groups will focus on how to advance common goals by develop ing intercommunity relationships. Atlanta Jewish leaders Lois Frank and Judy Marx will join Sucheta Kamath, founder and CEO of ExQ, and the Rev erend Natosha Reid Rice of All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Habitat for Humanity International, during this in formative session.

“Evolving Zionism” will feature Valerie Chambers, campus director of Ken nesaw State University Hil lel; Jenn Handel, director of Israel Engagement at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and Julie Katz, asso ciate director of the Ameri can Jewish Committee At lanta. The session will be moderated by Samantha von Ende, director of academic

affairs, Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast U.S. The panel will explore what Israel means to the next generation of Jewish women during a time of challenging conversations around Zion ism. Anat Sultan-Dadon, consul general of Israel to the Southeastern U.S., will help close out the weekend and will be followed by a moment of prayer and re flection on Sunday, Sept. 11, to commemorate those lost on 9/11.

Hadassah, The Wom en’s Zionist Organization of America, is a 109-yearold organization with more than 270,000 members across the coun try, including 15,000 in the 12 Southern states represented by the Super South region.

Hadassah members are dedicated to supporting medical research, treatment and awareness at Hadas sah Medical Organization hospitals and medical cam puses in Jerusalem, as well as advocating for women’s health equity, reproductive rights, access to affordable fertilization treatment, U.S.Israel medical partnerships and combatting antisemi tism in the U.S. Since its inception, the organization has promoted leadership skills that prepare women to take on important roles in their chapters and communities. ì

Reverend Natosha Reid Rice of All Saints’ Episcopal Church and Habitat for Humanity will join a panel discussing how to advance common goals by developing intercommunity relationships.

More than 100 participants from Southern states will participate in the Hadassah Tri-Region Conference, organized around the theme “Hadassah OUT LOUD, Raising Our Voices TOGETHER.”

National President Rhoda Smolow will lead a panel discussion with medical experts on the unique health needs of women.

Award-winning author Melissa Fay Greene will discuss the alarming rise of antisemitism across the nation.

AJFF Relaunches Screenings with ‘Bernstein’s Wall’

By Bob Bahr

The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, which, because of the pandemic, has been forced into a largely virtual format over the last two-and-a-half years, is com ing back to the big screen. On Wednesday, Sept. 21, close to the start of the Jewish High Holy Days, the festival will return to its recent home, the Byers Theater of the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.

The centerpiece for the evening is “Bernstein’s Wall,” a fascinating bio

graphical documentary about renowned conductor and composer Leonard Bern stein. Also on the program is a personal appearance by the director of the film and music by student musicians from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program.

In some respects, the evening is aimed at bringing back some of the mov ie-going excitement that has been largely missing from an event strongly impacted by the COVID-19 virus. Kenny Blank, the executive director of the festival, readily

acknowledged the need to reconstitute its audience.

“We really had to give people a com pelling reason, again, to get off the couch and get out of the house, to be out in the community doing something together in person,” Blank told the AJT. “So I think this is true for any film festival. It’s not just enough anymore to simply project a film up on a screen.”

In February of this year, the festi val was forced to tear up its plans for an event that relied heavily on theatri cal showings, when its medical advisory committee suggested that it was too risky. In less than two weeks, with pro gram books already in the mail, the AJFF went virtual. According to Blank, the pro gram on Sept. 21 is a way of conveying to its audience that the festival — one of the city’s most important cultural institu tions — is back.

“We’ve missed connecting with each other, with the community and with our audience,” Blank said. “I believe there is a great desire for being back in the theaters and recreating what people loved about the magic of a live event. And so that is the real intent behind this program.”

If recent critical notices are any in dication, the delay in premiering “Bern stein’s Wall” here will be worth the wait. Director Doug Tirola has created an ex traordinary portrait of Bernstein, who, during the latter half of the 20th century, came to symbolize so much of the energy and excitement of American music — on Broadway and in the concert hall.

Tirola has assembled the soundtrack for his documentary from Bernstein’s own comments in interviews, chosen from a rich assortment of recorded con versations with close friends, television appearances and documentary movie footage. Although next month marks the 30th year of Bernstein’s death, Tirola brings the maestro back to life. In a re cent interview, the director indicated that his goal, in effect, was to make view

ers feel like they were eavesdropping on a conversation with an old friend.

“I was trying to capture his essence so that you felt like you were as close as you could get to who he was, whether you were sitting next to him and having a drink or watching him perform, or how he thought about his family and his in timate relationships. I was trying to get that essence of him,” Tirola said.

While the film doesn’t spend much time dwelling on Bernstein’s often tor tured personal life, particularly in his later years, and his yearning to be fully recognized as a serious composer, it does make a gallant and focused attempt to sketch his commitment to social change and the artist’s role in that process. Much of the film is devoted to how Bernstein at tacks the many walls he found in society, which according to Tirola were both real and metaphorical.

“The way that I chose to tell his story was to follow his journey, using his desire for social change and his interest or pas sion in politics,” the director says. “His goal, I believe, of bringing people togeth er and bringing down these many walls became a sort of rudder for my story as opposed to telling his story through his musical accomplishments or his mar riage.” ì

Author Tom Wolfe skewered Bernstein and his wife, Felicia, for what he called their “Radical Chic” advocacy on behalf of the Black Panther Party.

With “Bernstein’s Wall,” a documentary about acclaimed conductor Leonard Bernstein, the AJFF hopes to rebuild its audience for in-person theatrical screenings.

The film concludes with Bernstein’s 1989 concert in Berlin, after the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Susan S.

Messinger Challenges & Inspires Women in Atlanta

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

Ruth Messinger is arguably best known for being president and CEO of American Jewish World Service between 1998 and 2016. But, as she told a large group of women attending the Fall Im pact Forum of the Jewish Women’s Fund

of Atlanta on Sept. 7, she landed at the in ternational development agency simply because she needed a job.

It was 1997 and Messinger had just lost her campaign to remove incumbent Mayor Rudy Giuliani in New York City.

In a Q&A with Lois Frank, Messinger amused, educated and encouraged her

socially conscious audience to get even more involved. “I was raised in the Con servative movement,” she noted as she sat in Congregation Or Hadash, which is associated with the movement. “But when I am asked what denomination I am in, I say, social justice. Occasionally this term is disparaged, but its work is of immense importance.”

She acknowledged that social activ ism doesn’t always lead to justice. “There is a difference between service and ad vocacy. Too many organizations do ser vice but are not moving the arc of the universe to justice,” said Messinger. She emphasized that helping individuals is one thing, but what is needed is systemic change.

“We have the power to change sys tems. Every woman in this room has sig nificant power to create more justice in the world,” said Messinger. People can’t provide enough peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and chicken soup for the world, for example, but they can solve food insecurity.

on the New York City Council from 1978 to 1989, representing the Upper West Side of Manhattan, argued that there is “a lot more work to do.”

The American Jewish World Service, Messinger said, is motivated by Jewish values, listing several areas the organi zation has worked in around the world. The group has focused on the poorest countries and the most marginalized populations, she said, and “many of our most important programs have been run by women. I am biased toward women and people who step out to make a differ ence.” Messinger also added that in nonOrthodox seminaries in the U.S. women constitute the majority of the students.

Frank addressed the fraught politi cal divides in the U.S. and asked how peo ple can “bring the vitriol down.”

“It’s really hard, but it’s critical,” said Messinger who placed some of the blame on social media, which “reinforces these tendencies.” She also complained that there are not many people in public life with moral courage.

Your go to place for anything Jewish in North Fulton

When asked by Frank where the world is currently positioned on the arc of justice, Messinger said she has seen immense changes over her lifetime, but the change is “much too slow.” Claiming that “we are losing America,” Messinger said we shouldn’t focus on voting rights, but rather on voting responsibility. She challenged her audience to think of three young people between the ages of 18 and 25 who they can follow up with, making sure they register and actually vote in the upcoming November elections.

“I have never missed an election in my life,” she said. But too many people have. She pointed out that the recent New York City primary saw only an eight percent turnout. Messinger, who served

While naming her mother as her earliest influence, Messinger identified two other heroes of hers, including lead ing Jewish theologian Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel and Atlanta’s own, late Congressman John Lewis — a friend to many in her audience.

She concluded her remarks with several inspirational quotes. “Despair is not a strategy,” which Messinger said is her own. Then she paraphrased a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt to the effect that “every day is a day you can do something that you think you cannot do.”

Her mantra, as she called it, howev er, comes from Rabbi Heschel. “In a free society, when terrible wrong exists, all are responsible.”

Rabbi Hirshy & Devora Leah Minkowicz Rabbi Gedalya & Ruthy Hertz

“Despair is not a strategy,” said Messinger, who spoke on Sept. 7 at Congregation Or Hadash.

Lois Frank addressed questions to Ruth Messinger, former CEO of American Jewish World Service, at the Fall Impact Forum of the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta.

Dozens of women were in the audience for the JWFA program.

Second Helpings Honors Sheri Labovitz and Liz Blake

On Monday, Aug. 29, Mercedes-Benz Stadium played host to Full Plates, Full Hearts, a benefit dinner for Second Help ings Atlanta (SHA). The evening honored Sheri Labovitz and Liz Blake, two vital champions of SHA’s mission, and raised critical funding to further the organiza tion’s mission to drive out hunger in Met

ro Atlanta. The food rescue organization’s first-ever gala exceeded expectations by raising more than $600,000 to feed foodinsecure families in Atlanta.

“Sheri’s and Liz’s deep commitment to the organization helped us amplify our mission to a highly influential audi ence who may not have otherwise known

about our good work,” said Andrea Jaron, executive director of SHA. “Without the support of these pivotal players and all of our hard-working staff, volunteers, do nors and board of directors, we couldn’t do what we do to drive out hunger.”

Full Plates, Full Hearts celebrated the impact of the city’s only nonprofit dedi cated to moving fresh, surplus food from grocers, corporate kitchens and sports arenas, such as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, to hunger relief agencies, while also keep ing it out of landfills.

The event also provided a meaning ful reflection on the organization’s growth over the last 18 years and highlighted the continuing need to support food-insecure neighbors.

What was once a congregant-led volun teer effort at Temple Sinai is today its own 501c3 organization with a full staff, offices and hundreds of volunteers. Since its incep tion, SHA has rescued more than 18 million pounds of food and driven it to hundreds of partner agencies that feed the hungry.

To put that in perspective, if you cov ered the Mercedes-Benz Stadium football field with all the food SHA has rescued, it would stand some 1,462 feet high or 146 stories tall. That’s more than four Mer cedes-Benz Stadiums stacked on top of each other.

Yet the challenge remains staggering. A reported 25 percent of Atlantans don’t live within a half-mile of fresh food. Food insecurity is unacceptable by any mea sure, and it has been made worse by the pandemic. As the numbers go up, so does SHA’s enduring commitment to driving out hunger.

“No family should ever have to choose between paying a bill or feeding their fam ily,” said Jaron. “We rescue food from the community and feed the hungry within that same community.”

This full-circle approach is made evi dent in SHA’s partnership with MercedesBenz Stadium. In line with the stadium’s commitment to support the Westside communities that surround it, SHA drives the fresh, surplus food from the stadium’s suites to agencies right in its own back yard. In fact, on the morning after the event, SHA volunteers picked up all the surplus food from Full Plates, Full Hearts and delivered it to neighboring agencies.

The stadium’s chief executive of ficer, Steve Cannon, and his wife, Ann, co-chaired the event along with Jack and Lynne Halpern. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dick ens was among the attendants, which also included Councilpersons Matt Westmore land, Alex Wan and Liliana Bakhtiari; Jill Savitt, the CEO of the National Center for Civil & Human Rights; Dorian Denburg, who chaired the host committee; Jewish Film Festival founder and executive direc tor Kenny Blank and many more.

Top sponsors included the Blakes, the Labovitzes, The Marcus Foundation, Ar thur Blank Family of Businesses, World50, Delta Air Lines, the Halperns, Bernard and Anne Howell Gray and Children’s Health care of Atlanta Foundation.

SHA is gearing up to mark the 500,000th meal packed and delivered as part of Meals with Meaning, an initiative launched during the height of the pan demic, in partnership with HelloFresh and Pratt Industries.

Each week, dozens of volunteers con vene at SHA’s warehouse to pack 2,000 fresh, nutritious meal kits, which the city drives to those who need it the most. With fresh ingredients provided by HelloFresh, including a step-by-step recipe card, the kits have all the produce and proteins needed to make hearty meals. ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

Mayor Andre Dickens, Faye Twersky, Jill Blair

Co-Chairs Steve Cannon, Lynne Halpern, Jack Halpern

Jason Belknap, Julie Belknap, Cathy Schiff, Stephen Opler

Liz Blake, Sheri Labovitz

Best LimmudFest Yet!

By Adina Rudisch

Perched on a rope swing, you look out at a misty lake surrounded by green North Georgia forest and gurgling wa terfalls. Atop a hill, children join Israeli counselors in a game of gaga, a yoga session begins with a deep breath, and laughter erupts from the audience at a Jewish comedy show. The smell of freshly baked Sephardi bread wafts up to you as you catch the sound to “Blowin’ in the Wind,” from the singers and guitar ists on the porch below. To your right is a spirited discussion about the Abraham Accords, and to your left is a conversa tion about Elul and the meaning of for giveness. This was the atmosphere of this years’ LimmudFest.

Limmud began in England during 1980 as a way for diverse Jews to join and study together: everyone was a learner, and everyone was a teacher. It blossomed into an international movement with about 100 festivals across the world. Limmud ar rived in Atlanta 15 years ago, founded by Jodi Mansbach and the current executive director for Jewish Federation of Greater

Atlanta, Eric Robbins. Both remain active participants. For the past 13 years, camp Ramah Darom has hosted the only North American residential LimmudFest.

“Learning, Lounging, and Laughing,” was the theme for LimmudFest 2022. Over Labor Day weekend, LimmudFest offered all that the gorgeous campus and retreat center at Ramah Darom in Clay ton, Ga. offered. The festival drew people from all the southern states and even states as far as California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Maryland, Oregon, and

the land of Israel.

The annual event is unique, styl ing itself after Abraham’s tent – open on all four sides –welcoming attendees of all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and interests.This year there were 300 par ticipants including: children and teens (26%), 20s and 30s (28%), 40s and 50s (25%), and 60s+ (21%). Not only were attendees di verse in age and geography, but they also represented di verse beliefs identi fying as everything from: modern orthodox, conservative and reconstructionist, to just Jewish, in terfaith, and post denominational.

The numbers don’t tell the whole story. People came to Limmud for a sense of Jewish community and connection. The organization facilitates this by pro viding a variety of religious and spiritual services from: daily mechitza minyans, to meditative hikes, while including cer tified kosher food in a Shabbat observant atmosphere.

Providing inclusivity for the LQT GB2 participants' name tags included preferred pronoun, and gender-neutral bathrooms were conveniently located. Two certified American Sign Language interpreters as sisted presenters and attendees to facilitate learning for everyone. The annual gala con cert was headlined by Charlie Kramer, a musician and teacher who is also legally blind and led a panel on Di versity, Equity and Inclusion. Kramer’s interactive and blindfolded presentation “Singing in the Dark,” was among the most popular sessions.

Those who arrived as strangers left as friends, and a sense of warmth and camaraderie infused the festival. Over half the attendees said, “It was the best LimmudFest yet!” Planning for 2023 is already under way. ì

Adina Rudisch is the program man ager for Limmud Atlanta & Southeast.

with

will

for a shul to call your

Shamayim is perfect for

Shinshinim and Limmud Atlanta come together for festival fun.

Learning in session at LimmudFest 2022. Shinshinim engage with the campers.

Two certified interpreters providing American Sign Language service during the gala.

Israeli Study Finds No Link Between COVID-19 and Bats

Two years after the COVID-19 out break, experts are still divided on the ex act origin of the virus. But a new Tel Aviv University study rejects the correlation between the outbreak and bats. Accord ing to the study, bats have a highly effec tive immune system that enables them to deal relatively easily with viruses consid ered lethal for other mammals.

The study was led by Dr. Maya Weinberg from the laboratory of Prof. Yossi Yovel, head of the Sagol School of Neuroscience and faculty member of the School of Zoology & Steinhardt Museum of Natural History at TAU. The research team reviewed dozens of leading articles and studies in this field, and their con clusions were published in writing in iScience Journal.

The researchers explain that the in famous reputation of the bats is so well known among both the scientific com munity and the public at large, that they are often accused of being reservoirs of viruses, including COVID-19, thus posing a threat to public health. In the present study, Weinberg sought to disprove this

erroneous theory and show that bats play an important role in exterminating insects, replanting deforested areas and pollinating a number of crops.

“In general, bats are mistakenly conceived of as reservoirs of many con tagious diseases, only due to their being serologically positive; in other words, in possession of antibodies, which means that bats have survived the disease and developed an immune response,” Wein berg explained. “After that they overcame the virus altogether and disengaged from

it; hence, they are no longer its carri ers. Nevertheless, in many cases, a virus similar to a human pathogen is liable to be found in bats; however, it is not patho genic to humans, and is not sufficient to use bats as a reservoir.

The mere isolation of a virus is not enough to see an animal as a reservoir, since a minimum number of index cases is required in which the virus is isolated in order to be considered a reservoir animal, as well as the existence of an es tablished path of transmission. Further

more, the very detection of a particular virus in bats does not necessarily ensure further infection, and other biological, ecological and anthropogenic conditions must exist in order for such an event to occur.”

According to the researchers, evi dence actually suggests that bats are ca pable of coping with different viruses, in cluding lethal ones, better than humans and most other mammals. After over 100 years of focus on viruses carried by bats, it appears that their immune system is characterized by a restrained response during inflammatory processes.

“As we see it, bats have developed an excellent balance between resistance and tolerance: an increased defense response of the host, and immune tolerance through a number of different mecha nisms,” they wrote. “Moderate inflam matory pathways contribute to immune tolerance with bats, and a well-balanced response that prevents the virus from de veloping.” ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

Fruit bat at night. // Credit: Yossi Yovel

Cycling Through the Negev to Save the Earth

day along points of historical and Biblical interest in the Negev (Sde Boker, the Wilderness of Paran, the Planes of Moab, Shitiim) where educational sessions are provided by Israel touring experts.

One of the beneficiaries of the ride is The Arava In stitute for Environmental Studies, formed as part of the Oslo Accords of 1996, whose purpose is to use environ mental study as a framework for bringing Israeli Jews and Arabs, Palestinians, Jordanians and other students from around the world together to study and discuss issues of local and regional importance, including the environment, water resources, the Middle East and its conflicts, both politically and religiously.

Morris Maslia cycling with the Tzofim group at the Jewish National Fund (JNF) Nir Am Reservoir along the Israel-Gaza border, during the November 2016 Israel Ride.

Robert Port cycling with the Chalutzim group on the Egyptian border, near Kadesh Barnea, during the May 2007 Israel Ride.

On Nov. 1, nearly 200 cyclists from around the world will meet up in Jerusalem to begin a five-day bike ride from Jerusalem to Eilat, covering between 175-350 miles.

This year will mark Israel Ride’s 20th year since its inception in 2003 (2020 and 2021 were virtual bike rides due to the pandemic). The bike ride is a fundraising event benefiting the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and Hazon; this year’s goal is to raise $1 million for those organizations.

The youngest and newest member of the JNF-Atlanta Team, Aria Marilyn Maslia, eagerly anticipating the 2040 Israel Ride and supporting her “Poppi” (Morris Maslia) for the 2022 Israel Ride.

For the previous 18 years, the Jewish National Fund USA (JNF-USA) has sponsored the ride as a partnership between JNF-USA and the Arava Institute; in 2007, JNF started an official JNF-Atlanta team, led by the first At lantan to do the ride a year earlier, Robert Port.

The week-long ride includes orientation, five cy cling days and a day off for Shabbat. Many of the trip’s bike-riding alumni claim there is nothing more aweinspiring than cycling through the Negev.

As part of the Israel Ride, stops are made during the

A substantial portion of the funds raised go to scholarships for students from the Middle East who could not otherwise have this life-changing educational experience. It is the only environmental institute of its kind in the Middle East. Through its activities, the Arava Institute encourages, fosters and supports the advance ment of environmental cooperation between Israel and its neighbors in the Middle East.

The other beneficiary of the ride, Hazon, is the larg est faith-based environmental organization in the U.S., and is dedicated to building a movement that strength ens Jewish life and contributes to a more environmen tally sustainable world for all. As the Jewish lab for sus tainability, Hazon effects change through immersive experiences and inspires individuals and communities to make specific commitments to change, with a par ticular focus on food systems.

For this year’s Israel Ride, Team JNF-Atlanta in cludes Jonathan Arogeti (new to the ride), Andy Deutsch (who joins his father Bob Deutsch from North Carolina on the ride), Morris Maslia (Team Captain, participat ing in his third Israel Ride) and Robert Port (past Team Captain, participating in his seventh Israel Ride). Riders under the age of 35 commit to raising a minimum of $3,100 and riders over the age of 35 commit to raising a minimum of $4,200 each. To date, Team JNF-Atlanta has raised nearly $13,000.

Each day of the ride has three route options depend ing on the cyclists’ abilities and skill levels. Shomrim, the beginner group, cycles an average of 30 miles each day, stopping for lunch and touring in the afternoon. Tzofim, for intermediate riders and usually the largest group, cycle about 50–60 miles per day. Chalutzim, the most advanced group, average 75 miles per day, with ad ditional mileage and hill climbing.

Shabbat is spent at the breathtaking Mitzpe Ramon, which overlooks the Paran Wilderness at an altitude of 2,800 feet above sea level. There are optional Shabbat prayer services for different religious observances, as well as discussions, hiking, yoga and simple relaxation.

If riding a bicycle from Jerusalem through the Negev and concluding with a spectacular seven-mile downhill from the Eilat Mountains (at 2,800 feet to sea level) into Eilat at 35-50 miles per hour on a hard leather seat is not your idea of an exciting activity, then you can partici pate in the 2022 Israel Ride without leaving your home. You can support the JNF-Atlanta Team riders by going to https://israelride.org/2022-riders/ and selecting one or more of the riders from the JNF-Atlanta Team. ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

Israeli Prime Minister Holds Meeting on Violence against Women

On Aug. 24, Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Welfare and Social Affairs Minister Meir Cohen and Social Equality Minister Merav Cohen held a special discussion on fighting violence against women. The meeting, which took place in Jerusalem, included 20 repre sentatives from civic organizations such as Women’s Lobby, the Association of Rape Cri sis Centers, the Rackman Center, Na’mat, the Michal Sela Forum, Bat Melech and Wom en’s Spirit, among others.

The prime minister emphasized that it

Today in Israeli History

Richard Gladstone acknowledged in 2011 that his 2009 report on the Gaza conflict was flawed.

Sept. 15, 2009: Judge Richard Goldstone presents his U.N.-sponsored report criticiz ing Israel and Hamas for their actions in the 2008-09 Gaza war. In April 2011 he recants suggestions that Israel intentionally killed civilians.

Sept. 16, 1949: Israel joins the Parisbased U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cul tural Organization. Israel quits UNESCO in 2018 after repeated accusations back and forth regarding abuses of history.

Sept. 17, 1978: Egyptian President An war Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Men achem Begin sign the Camp David Accords, brokered by President Jimmy Carter. The ac cords lead to the March 1979 peace treaty.

Sept. 18, 1918: Champion swimmer Ju dith Deutsch is born in Vienna, Austria. She joins fellow Austrian swimmers Ruth Langer and Lucie Goldner in refusing to go to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and later makes aliyah.

ISRAEL

NEWS FROM OUR

is the obligation of Israeli society and its gov ernment to do everything possible to root out the phenomenon of violence against women. He also instructed his team to continue the dialogue with representatives of the assem bled organizations.

“Gathered in this room is a large group of women who represent more than half of the population, and tens and hundreds of thousands of victims,” Lapid said. “You said this was an unusual discussion; it should not be. It should be the standard. The Israeli government is obligated to address half of Is rael’s population and the hardships it faces.”

The prime minister pledged to meet with the relevant ministries “in order to pro duce a single address that it will be possible to contact regarding different problems and sectors.”

Merav Cohen, the social equality minis ter, added, “We have done more than a little in the past year: Our government budgeted approximately NIS 50 million for mental health to deal with the victims of sexual violence. We added acute care rooms, estab lished designated protection centers for com plainants and did much more. But, of course, it is not enough and considerable work is yet before us. I promise that I will neither cease nor desist until my and all of our daughters can feel safe walking the streets, until they make the same as the men working with them and until they can dare to dream big.”

Sept. 19, 1988: Israel becomes the ninth country with a space capability, launching the 340-pound Ofek 1 satellite from an un disclosed location near the Mediterranean Sea. Named for the Hebrew word for hori zon, Ofek 1 completes an Earth orbit every 90 minutes.

Researchers Have Identified Antibodies that May Make Coronavirus Vaccines Unneces

sary

A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University has demonstrated that antibodies isolated from the immune system of recov ered COVID-19 patients are effective in neu tralizing all known strains of the virus, in cluding the Delta and the Omicron variants. According to the researchers, this discovery may eliminate the need for repeated booster vaccinations and strengthen the immune system of populations at risk.

The research was led by Dr. Natalia Freund and doctoral students Michael Mor

Sept. 23, 1920: Rabbi Ovadia Yosef is born in Baghdad. He moves to Jerusalem at age 4. He is Israel’s chief Sephardi rabbi from 1973 to 1983, then serves as the spiritual lead er of Orthodox Sephardi political party Shas.

and Ruofan Lee of the Department of Clini cal Microbiology and Immunology at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine. The study was conducted in collaboration with Dr. Ben Croker of the University of California San Diego. Prof. Ye Xiang of Tsinghua University in Beijing and Prof. Meital Gal-Tanamy and Dr. Moshe Dessau of Bar-Ilan University also took part in the study.

“In the previous study, we showed that the various antibodies that are formed in re sponse to infection with the original virus are directed against different sites of the virus,” Dr. Freund said. “The most effective antibod ies were those that bound to the virus’s ‘spike’ protein, in the same place where the spike binds the cellular receptor ACE2. Of course, we were not the only ones to isolate these an tibodies, and the global health system made extensive use of them until the arrival of the different variants of the coronavirus, which in fact rendered most of those antibodies use less.

“In the current study, we proved that two other antibodies, TAU-1109 and TAU2310, which bind the viral spike protein in a different area from the region where most of the antibodies were concentrated until now (and were therefore less effective in neutral izing the original strain) are actually very effective in neutralizing the Delta and Omi cron variants.”

According to Dr. Freund, the effective ness of these antibodies might be related to the evolution of the virus.

Sept. 27, 1955: Gamal Abdel Nasser says Czechoslovakia will supply Soviet weaponry, including tanks, MiG-15 fighters and heavy bombers, to Egypt. The deal influences Isra el’s decision to attack in 1956.

Actress Haya Harareet, shown in an MGM publicity photo, died Feb. 3, 2021, in England.

Sept. 20, 1931: Actress Haya Harareet, best known as Judah Ben-Hur’s love interest Esther in 1959’s “Ben-Hur” remake, is born in Haifa. She appears in Israeli, Italian, U.S. and British films from 1955 to 1964.

Sept. 21, 2008: Facing corruption charg es on which he later is convicted, Prime Min ister Ehud Olmert resigns. A Knesset election in February 2009 results in Benjamin Netan yahu’s return to the prime minister’s office.

Sept. 22, 1943: Singer-songwriter Ariel Zilber is born in Tel Aviv. In the 1970s and 1980s he establishes an eclectic sound, leads multiple rock bands, then has a solo career. He spans rock, pop and hip-hop. He moves toward the Orthodox right in the early 2000s.

Yemeni Jews make the flight to Israel during Operation Magic Carpet in October 1949.

// By Teddy Brauner, National Photo Collection of Israel

Sept. 24, 1950: Two planes carrying 177 Jews to Israel from Aden mark the end of Operation Magic Carpet, the airlift of nearly 50,000 Jews from their ancient community in Yemen over 15 months.

Sept. 25, 1982: Some 400,000 protesters in Tel Aviv respond to the massacre conduct ed by the Christian Phalangist militia in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Lebanon with a demand for an investigation into Is rael’s role in the Palestinian deaths.

Sept. 26, 2002: Rabbi Zerach Warhaftig, a founder of the National Religious Party and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, dies at 96 in Jerusalem. A native of Belarus, he made aliyah in 1947.

Sept. 28, 1995: Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yas ser Arafat sign the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement, known as Oslo II. It establishes the elected Palestinian Authority.

The U.N. partition plan called for an international zone around Jerusalem and a smaller Jewish state than emerged after the War of Independence.

Sept. 29, 1947: The Arab Higher Com mittee for Palestine rejects the U.N. Special Committee on Palestine’s partition plan, which calls for separate Jewish and Arab states and an international zone around Je rusalem.

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

In Jerusalem, Prime Minister Yair Lapid, Welfare and Social Affairs Minister Meir Cohen and Social Equality Minister Merav Cohen held a special discussion on fighting violence against women.

// Credit: Koby Gideon (GPO)

A team of researchers from Tel Aviv University has demonstrated that antibodies isolated from the immune system of recovered COVID-19 patients are effective in neutralizing all known strains of the virus.

Rep. Kaye Leads Nine Georgia Legislators' Visit to Israel

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

When Mitchell Kaye decided to run for the Georgia General Assembly last spring — to fill the role of Republican Matt Dollar, who resigned from his post as district 45 representative — he knew he would only be in office for a few months, until the Assembly convened in January 2023. He also knew what he wanted to ac complish in those few months.

“My idea was, if I got elected, I would do something for our community,” Kaye said. Among those ideas was to put to gether a trip to Israel for fellow Georgia legislators. That week-long trip for a total of 17 people concluded on Aug. 23. Three Democratic state legislators and six Re publican state legislators were among the group which included family mem bers, as well as Kaye’s wife.

“It was important to me that it be a nonpartisan and non-political trip,” said Kaye. Each legislator paid their own way, with no subsidies provided. “One gentle man had been to Israel 25 years ago,” Kaye said, but most had never visited the country. “The rest were on the religious Christian side.”

Among those traveling with Kaye were State Representatives Debra Baze more (D-South Fulton), Micah Gravley (R-Douglasville), Debbie Buckner (D-Junc tion City), Karen Bennett (D-Stone Moun tain), Barry Fleming (R-Harlem), Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) and State Senator Kay Kirkpatrick (R-Marietta). Bazemore is the co-chair of the Georgia-Israel Leg islative Caucus.

Kaye said he put the trip together with just six-weeks’ notice. Among the places they visited were Jerusalem, the Golan, the Palestinian city of Ramallah and the Jordan River. The Christian mem bers of the trip also visited Bethlehem on Shabbat. “The Israeli consulate was very

helpful” in putting together the visit and arranging meetings with a “smorgas bord” of officials dealing with the mili tary, the economy and foreign affairs.

Among the officials they met with was Minister of Diaspora Affairs Nach man Shai, who had taught at Emory Uni versity a few years ago. The group also met with Bahrain’s first ambassador to Israel, Khaled Yousif Al-Jalahma, mem ber of the Knesset Ruth Lande and Major General (ret.) Alon Levavi to learn more about the Georgia International Law En forcement Exchange (GILEE) program, from the Israeli perspective.

“I plan on working with the consul ate to have at least annual trips, start ing as early as next spring,” said Kaye. “I don’t have to be officially in office to help arrange the trips.”

The representative anticipates again working with Anat Sultan-Dadon, con sul general of Israel to the Southeastern United States. “There are many opportu nities for Georgia and Israel to further partner and collaborate, and this visit will enhance our relations,” Sultan-Da don said ahead of the August trip. These opportunities will only grow as Delta Air Lines begins to offer direct flights from Atlanta to Tel Aviv in March 2023.

Asked about any reunions among the legislators who traveled to Israel to gether, Kaye noted that he had recently met at the “consul general’s personal residence in honor of the legislative trip.”

Anticipating the next trip to Israel, Kaye said that he would first invite the leadership of the Georgia House and Sen ate “on both sides of the aisle.”

Prior to the August trip, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp issued a commendation to recognize the legislative trip to Israel. In that commendation, Kemp highlighted the economic and cultural benefits of the relationship between Georgia and Israel,

including the fact that the state exported more than $280 million worth of goods to Israel and imported $652 million worth of goods from Israel just last year.

Planning and encouraging visits to Israel are not the only focus of Kaye’s short tenure this time around in the Geor gia legislature. Kaye had represented House District 37 from 1993 to 2003. Point

ing to the fact that he was elected to fill a position after the prior representative re signed, Kaye said he would “like to see the seat be appointed rather than elected.”

He also said that it cost $45,000 to hold the election and that there was very low turnout “for a seat in which the leg islator will not be in the Capitol for one legislative day.” ì

Former Emory University professor and current Minister of Diaspora Affairs Nachman Shai (left) met with Rep. Mitchell Kaye and Rep. Debra Bazemore.

Nine Georgia legislators visited Israel in August, meeting with Bahrain’s first ambassador to Israel, Khaled Yousif Al-Jalahma.

The Georgia delegation posed in front of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Atlanta 14U Soccer Triumphs at JCC Maccabi Games

Last month in San Diego, the JCC Maccabi Games — the biggest Jewish teen sports event in North America — celebrated its 40th anniver sary. Since its inception in 1982, the Maccabi Games have engaged over a half million Jewish teens in Olympic-style competition across a wide spectrum of sports, including soccer, tennis, golf, baseball, basketball, flag football, vol leyball, swimming and ice hockey. Hosted by JCC Association of North America, the 2022 Games involved over 1,500 teens from 20 states, four Canadian territories, as well as from South America and Europe.

Looking back now, it seems safe to say that Atlanta was well-represented.

Two Atlanta-based teams, 16U Boys Flag Football and 14U Boys Soccer, took home gold, with the latter squad reeling off an immaculate 6-0 run en route to the top

prize. After breezing through the prelimi nary rounds and a bronze medal game, At lanta blanked Los Angeles 2-0 in the champi onship match at San Diego Jewish Academy behind some dominant goaltending from Lawson Sher and captain Ari Elkounovitch, along with a pair of goals courtesy of Lucas Federico and Elkounovitch.

Atlanta’s head coach, Glenn Frank, a native of Cape Town, South Africa, whose son, Brandon, is on the team, was very fa miliar with several of these players, some

of whom he had been coaching since they were five-year-olds. Coaching this 14U team, one largely comprised of incoming high school freshmen, however, marks the first time that Frank has been reunited with the athletes in several years.

“It was just a cool culmination, that team from when they were little boys to go ing out and representing Atlanta in the Mac cabi Games,” says Frank, who is no stranger to the JCC Maccabi Games, both as a player and coach, having patrolled the sidelines during the 2019 Games in Atlanta. “All of the kids will have the ability, in my opinion, to play [in] high school. There’s no doubt about that.”

When they weren’t steamrolling teams from Southern California, Dallas and Mi ami, the Atlanta boys were soaking up San Diego’s postcard weather, visiting SeaWorld, catching a Padres game, or stopping by one of the region’s stunning beaches. Of course, it was a bonus to be able to enjoy such idyl lic experiences alongside fellow members of the Jewish community, whether they hailed from Cleveland or Bulgaria.

“It was a great experience because everybody there was Jewish,” says Dun woody’s Keith Peck, a co-owner and manag ing partner of Prime Tower Development, whose Weber-bound son, Ethan, held down the Atlanta attack. “I’d walk around differ ent games and just start talking to some of the other parents, and we’d play that Jewish geography thing. I didn’t really know what to expect, but it was a great feeling to be around all these other people.”

While the opening and closing ceremo nies were sprinkled with elements of Judaic culture, the overwhelming focus of the Mac cabi Games was on just that — the games themselves.

Ethan Peck registered five goals and as sisted on several others during the weeklong tourney. Like many of his Maccabi team mates, he’s been playing academy and club soccer for the better part of his life. But this was his first time on the international stage,

which was no easy task, given that the Atlan ta roster was put together at the last minute.

“It [the Maccabi Games] was pretty much the main event of my summer,” said Ethan, whose first glimpse of Maccabi ac tion was during the ’19 Games in Atlanta — the last time the event had been held. “I got to meet people from different cities. Overall, it was pretty good. There weren’t really that many bad moments. I do know them all [teammates] pretty well after Maccabi.”

An alum of The Davis Academy, Peck looks forward to cracking Weber’s varsity soccer roster this spring, even though it will mean skipping out on his second favorite sport, tennis. But with his sights set on re turning to the Maccabi Games next sum mer — slated for Fort Lauderdale — and perhaps even playing in college one day, for going tennis is a worthwhile sacrifice.

“I’m definitely going to see how far I can get with soccer,” says Peck, who, ac cording to longtime coach Glenn Frank, has become a more aggressive and vocal player over the years. “So, if I can play college soc cer, it’s something I would love to do.”

Some members of Atlanta’s 14U Boys Soccer team will surely play in college. May be a few have even loftier ambitions. But, regardless of where their individual soccer journeys take them, summer 2022 will al ways go down as a special one. It wasn’t just a week of breakaway goals, timely saves, and textbook passing that translated to a perfect 6-0 record. It was participating in a decadeslong tradition, one that has showcased Olym pic gold medalists Mark Spitz and Mitch Gay lord, NBA players Ernie Grunfeld and Danny Schayes — as well as tennis legends Brad Gilbert and Dick Savitt — and still continues to galvanize young Jewish athletes from all corners of America, if not the world.

“The first day everyone comes in on flights,” recalls Frank. “You go in and check in and everyone’s eyeing each other up. By the end of it, everyone’s giving each other hugs. It really does bring these kids from all over the place together.” ì

Atlanta’s

Soccer Team made the city proud by taking home gold in this summer’s JCC Maccabi Games in San Diego. Top row,

Ethan Peck

Samuel Kessler

Ryan Katz (Captain),

Traub

Matthew Grant

Dean Katz

Glenn

Bottom row, L-R: Brandon

Elkounovitch

Lawson Sher (GK), Lucas Federico

Ari Elkounovitch (V-Captain) (GK).

David Ostrowsky

Atlanta’s Ethan Peck (center) celebrated with his teammates after knocking off Los Angeles in the gold medal match.

Brad Ausmus Returns to Baseball

By David Ostrowsky

Many Braves fans remember Brad Ausmus as the veteran catcher who tied Game 4 of the 2005 NLDS with a solo shot in the bottom of the ninth. Atlanta had just captured an unprecedented four teenth-consecutive NL East title and was up 6-5 with one out away from forcing a winner-take-all Game 5 when the Dart mouth alum lofted a fly ball over Andruw Jones’ outstretched mitt in center to force extras. Houston won the 18-inning mara thon 7-6 (lasting 5 hours and 50 minutes, it was the longest game in baseball post season history at the time), effectively ending the Braves’ reign of dominance in the National League. Meanwhile, Ausmus and the Astros would ultimately win the NL pennant before falling to the Chicago White Sox in the World Series.

Since the ’05 pennant-winning sea son, Ausmus, who broke into the big leagues with the San Diego Padres in 1993, went on to play five more seasons (three for Houston, two for the Los Ange les Dodgers) before managing the Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels. Unfortu nately, a solid and lengthy MLB career be hind the plate (Ausmus was a three-time Gold Glove Award-winner who repre sented Detroit in the 1999 All-Star Game) didn’t translate into managerial success, and he skippered the Tigers to a pair of last-place finishes in 2015 and 2017 before enduring a brutal 72-90 2019 season with the Angels that ended with his firing. Af ter getting passed over in favor of Dusty Baker for the Houston managerial post in January 2020, Ausmus entered the pan demic unsure of whether he would ever step foot on another big-league diamond.

“With COVID hitting, it turned out to be a fortunate year to have off,” says Ausmus. “I did the same the following year; COVID was still in the mix. It wasn’t until probably late last year that I started making a couple calls about getting back involved in baseball.”

One call was to his good friend Mark Kotsay, who had recently been hired as manager of the Oakland Athletics. This past January — nearly two years to the day that Houston declined to offer him a job — Ausmus agreed to become Oak land’s next bench coach.

“It was my first time off since high school,” said Ausmus, whose maternal grandfather was a rabbi. “I signed out of high school, and I have been in profes sional baseball with a team every sum

After an 18-year career playing in the MLB and two managerial stints, Brad Ausmus wasn’t ready to call it quits just yet. The grandson of a rabbi has accepted Oakland’s invitation to be next bench coach of the Athletics. // Credit: Michael Zagaris

mer until the last two years, when the pandemic hit and I was not involved. It was kind of nice. But at the end of last summer, I was ready to get back in volved.”

It’s been a tough summer for Aus mus (Gabe Kapler, proud member of the Jewish baseball community, manages the local rival San Francisco Giants), as his A’s have been in the cellar of the Ameri can League West while the franchise awaits news on its next home. Would he ever consider moving on from baseball now that he’s had the chance to get back in uniform?

“At this point, I’m probably too old to change careers,” says the 53-year-old. “I can’t say I’ve actually thought about do ing that. If I had an alter ego, I think that ego might try medicine. I’ve always had an interest in medicine and surgery.”

How about a return to managing Team Israel during the World Baseball Classic (WBC)? Ian Kinsler will lead the Israeli squad this spring, but Ausmus held the post during the 2013 edition of the WBC. Would he ever consider taking on the role should the opportunity pres ent itself?

“I stay in touch with some of the people that started that whole program there in the WBC,” he adds. “Peter Kurz [Team Israel General Manager] is some one who’s been involved in baseball in Is rael for decades now, and we still stay in touch and have ever since my experience there. It was actually a blast to do — the inaugural Team Israel, WBC team.

“I’d never say never. Yeah, I might. I kept track of them after I was no longer involved. I watched the WBC teams from Israel that followed. I wouldn’t say that would never happen. It might.” ì

This High Holiday season, as we seek spiritual and physical renewal for ourselves and our loved ones, let us also remember those in Israel who nurture and renew life every day.

Whether it’s treating civilians wounded in terror attacks or responding to any number of at-home medical emergencies, no organization in Israel saves more lives than Magen David Adom.

No gift will help Israel more this coming year.

Support Magen David Adom by donating today at afmda.org/support or call 866.632.2763.

Shanah tovah.

afmda.org/support

“To save one life is to save the world entire.” — The Talmud

OneTable Release New Feature for Guests & Hosts JELF Forgives $312,000 in Educational Loans

OneTable, a national nonprofit that empowers people (21-39ish) to find, share and enjoy Shabbat dinners, announced two new features on Aug. 16 that will al low both guests and hosts to elevate their experiences. The “guests +1” feature and “open your dinner, unlock $300 nourish ment” options will be available immedi ately through OneTable (onetable.org).

“We are excited to help more peo ple come together to recharge and find meaning at Shabbat dinner tables this year,” said Tirtzah Bassel, OneTable’s vice president of Jewish Learning and Partner ships. “We are all enjoying the chance to reconnect in person at our own comfort levels. OneTable is listening and giving our hosts and guests new options to sa vor a Friday meal, unplug from the week and build meaningful communities.”

During the pandemic, OneTable turned off the option to add a +1 when a guest RSVP’d to a dinner. Now, it has reactivated that option and will give hosts the ability to set certain safety parame ters, including requiring vaccination for guests, if they choose.

According to the organization, these features will help guests bring their

friends to the Shabbat dinner table, while helping hosts open their table to more participants, elevating OneTable’s core value of hospitality.

Hosts are also eligible to receive up to $300 per Shabbat dinner in nourish ment support (up from $100 per dinner), which amounts to $10 per person for up to 30 people at a table. Hosts who choose an open dinner for up to 30 guests can receive more nourishment support than ever before, allowing them to elevate their Friday nights with groceries, pre pared meals or delivery and home decor items from hundreds of businesses.

“This year alone, more than 24,000 people have participated in 13,000+ One Table Shabbat dinners, bringing good conversation and meaningful connec tions to Shabbat dinner tables,” said Eva Laporte, OneTable’s director of market ing and communications. “We are excit ed for these new features to elevate hos pitality and allow more people to create unique and meaningful Shabbat dinners throughout the country.”

Compiled by AJT Staff

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

Last Rosh Hashanah marked the start of the Shmita year, a special sevenyear sabbatical cycle dating back to the Old Testament. Translating to “release,” Shmita is often observed through vari ous mitzvahs. For JELF, which provides 0 percent-interest loans to Jewish college and graduate students in need, it was the mitzvah calling on Jews to forgive the debt of fellow Jews that caught the atten tion of key leaders.

“The intersection of the Shmita year, JELF’s mission and the growing student loan debt crisis presented the ideal op portunity to bring relief to JELF borrow ers facing difficult financial challenges,” explained former JELF loan recipient and current board chair Rob Rickles, who conceptualized the project. “Along the way, we were thrilled to introduce do nors, volunteers and others to an ancient tradition that many were not previously familiar with.”

Fundraising for JELF’s Shmita Loan Forgiveness Program got a boost when the Zalik Foundation Fund and an anon ymous donor committed a combined $150,000 in matching funds. Over the course of a few months, the Shmita proj ect generated a “quiet buzz” in the com munity, helping JELF to bring in a total of $312,000 earmarked specifically for this initiative.

To ensure that funds served all eligible borrowers, 500 current JELF epayers in good standing were invited to

apply online. To qualify, applicants were asked to demonstrate their need, which was based on criteria that included their debt-to-income ratio, current earnings and future career prospects, mental and physical health challenges and more.

With just over 100 applications sub mitted for consideration, a group of dedi cated volunteers and members of the JELF staff reviewed each application in depth. When the process was complete, the loans of 28 borrowers were forgiven in full and 49 borrowers benefited from partial loan forgiveness, with amounts ranging from $600 to $12,500.

JELF CEO Jenna Shulman, along with longtime JELF team members Jeni fer Lieberbaum and COO Cathy Miller, had the pleasure of delivering the good news to selected borrowers.

“In many cases, these individuals were facing extreme financial challenges due to health issues, pandemic-related job loss and many other heartbreaking circum stances,” Shulman recounted. “Witnessing their expressions of relief and gratitude made all the hard work worth it.”

As the Shmita year comes to an end, JELF’s initiative is complete — for now. However, many have been inspired by the idea of doing something to relieve the crushing student loan debt burden. For now, JELF — which has a consistent 99 percent student repayment rate — will continue to do its part by fulfilling its mission to provide interest-free loans to Jewish students in need. For more infor mation, visit jelf.org.

OneTable, a national nonprofit that empowers young people to find, share and enjoy Shabbat dinners, announced two new features that will allow both guests and hosts to elevate their experiences.

CEO Jenna Shulman led the way in helping students, many of whom “were facing extreme financial challenges due to health issues, pandemic-related job loss,” and other circumstances.

Current Board Chair Rob Rickles is devoted to making a difference with JELF’s initiatives.

ORT America Welcomes New Director of Southeast Region

ORT America has announced that Ariel Frechtman will join the or ganization as its new director of the Southeast Region, covering Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, North and South Carolina and Alabama.

Frechtman, who grew up in New Jersey and graduated from Montclair State University with a degree in crim inal justice, has served Jewish non profits for the past seven years, most recently as a campaign executive at the Jewish National Fund-USA. After successfully expanding the young phi lanthropy campaigns in both regions, she was promoted to associate direc tor.

Previously, Frechtman served as young leadership director at the Jew ish Federation of Jacksonville, where she launched the community’s first young leadership campaign. At the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, she led community engagement and managed relationships with local partners. She also curated the com munity’s inaugural 40 Under 40 Mis

Weinberg Named Among Best Lawyers in America

sion to Israel, which took current and emerging Jewish and non-Jewish lead

ers on a week-long trip to experience the overseas work of Federation.

Frechtman participated in the first cohort of JFNA’s Next Gen Fellow ship led by M2: The Institute for Expe riential Jewish Education and the Cen ter for Creative Leadership. As a lay leader in Atlanta’s Jewish community, she was a member of the Young Lead ership Board for Conexx, America’s Is rael Business Connector; chaired ORT NextGen’s My School service event; and was a mentor for Career Up Now, where young professionals learn to ad vance their careers while incorporat ing Jewish values into their lives.

Now in its 100th year, ORT Ameri ca is a non-profit organization consist ing of thousands of people throughout the United States who share a com mon, binding interest in supporting ORT, Israel and the Jewish people. Based in New York City, the organiza tion has a presence in eight regions across the country.

Weinberg Elder Law, LLC announced Aug. 23 that founder Diane Weinberg has been selected for inclusion in the 2023 edi tion of The Best Lawyers in America for her legal expertise in Litigation – Trust and Estates. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has been regarded as the de finitive guide to legal excellence.

“Protecting the rights of vulnerable persons has become my passion,” said Weinberg. “Over the years, I have seen how vulnerable seniors and individuals with disability can be to unscrupulous family members and third-parties. I had no idea that I had been nominated for this recognition, which makes this award

all the more special. I am proud to be rec ognized by my peers for my proficiency in this important area of law.”

In addition to being recognized by Best Lawyers, Weinberg is a MartindaleHubbell AV Preeminent-rated attorney, has an AVVO rating of 10/10 and has been lauded as a Georgia Super Lawyer since 2020. She focuses her practice on elder law related litigation, including guard ianship and conservatorship litigation.

Best Lawyers has published its list of outstanding attorneys for more than three decades, earning the respect of the profession, the media and the public. Lawyers do not pay a fee to be listed.

Ariel Frechtman will join ORT America as its new director of the Southeast Region.

D. Geller & Son Pendants Benefit CURE Childhood Cancer

Atlanta jeweler D. Geller & Son has created three new beautiful diamond pendants to honor and benefit CURE Childhood Cancer. September is Nation al Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and D. Geller & Son will donate 50 per cent of proceeds from the pendant sales to CURE.

Using the stylized drop shape of the “R” in the CURE logo as inspiration, the jeweler’s artisans custom created tear drop-shaped pendants. The three selec tions for the pendants include:

* Sterling silver with a single .05 car at diamond (retail price: $120)

* 14-karat yellow gold with single .05 carat diamond (retail price: $310)

* 14-karat white gold with diamond trim and single center diamond totaling .2 carats (retail price: $570)

“One of the pillars of D. Geller and Son’s culture since my grandfather start ed the company in 1939 has been giving back to the community,” said Jonathan Geller, managing director for D. Geller & Son. “Supporting a cause like CURE that

will impact generations is a perfect way for us to continue that tradition and sup port families faced with childhood can

cer diagnosis.”

CURE CEO Kristin Connor said, “We are so grateful for this wonderful part

nership with D. Geller & Son and their commitment to fighting childhood can cer. With the generous donation from sale proceeds, these striking D. Geller & Son pendants will enable CURE to con tinue to urgently advance research and provide critical support to families fight ing childhood cancer.”

Founded in 1975, the Atlanta, Ga.based CURE Childhood Cancer is dedi cated to conquering childhood cancer through funding targeted research while supporting patients and their families. With cancer as the second leading cause of death in children, CURE dedicates more than $4.7 million in funding to spe cific research projects aimed at curing cancers that affect children. Through in novative programming, CURE Childhood Cancer also provides crisis-oriented sup port to patients and their families, ad dressing their most critical and urgent needs. For more information, visit www. curechildhoodcancer.org.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Thad Woody Named Chair of ABA Family Law Section

Thad Woody, an executive partner at Kessler & Solomiany, LLC, has been named the chair of the American Bar As sociation’s Family Law Section.

Woody moved to Atlanta in 2003 af ter law school and spent two years clerk ing for the Chief Justice of the North Caro lina Supreme Court. He came to work at a larger corporate firm, then sought a posi tion in family law to better connect with clients and to assist families in crisis.

“I had a good friend that worked at KS Family Law and I knew the firm was well-regarded and the people there would

make good colleagues,” Woody recalled. Now, nearly 15 years later, he manages a case list of high-profile wealthy execu tives and well-known celebrities who are navigating their own family crises.

The announcement comes as no surprise to partners Randy Kessler and Marvin Solomiany. “This is a great honor for our firm and for Georgia to have the Chair of the Family Law Section,” said Kessler.

“Thad is a true mensch. He is a fierce advocate for his clients and for our firm and I am lucky to call him my friend.”

Atlanta jeweler D. Geller & Son has created three new diamond pendants to honor and benefit CURE Childhood Cancer: a sterling silver pendant, a 14-karat yellow gold pendant and a 14-karat white gold pendant with diamond trim.

Thad Woody, an executive partner at Kessler & Solomiany, LLC, has been named the chair of the American Bar Association’s Family Law Section.

Repair the World's New City Director

Repair the World Atlanta, an affiliate of the na tional Repair the World organization, which is devoted to engaging Jewish young adults and their communi ties in service, is thrilled to welcome Samantha Berin sky as its new city director. Berinsky will lead local ser vice efforts and partnerships that engage young adults throughout the community.

“Samantha has a deep connection to Atlanta and brings such a strong commitment to creating positive social change and thriving Jewish life,” said Janu Men del, Repair’s Southeast regional director. “We’re excited to have her lead our Atlanta team in engaging young adults in meaningful Jewish experiences. Along with our incredible organizational partners on the ground, we know they’ll have a deep impact in the community.”

Repair the World’s partnerships with Jewish en gagement organizations and local nonprofits equip them to catalyze their communities in meaningful service and Jewish learning through training, consul tation and shared programming,

A key partner is the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Eric M. Robbins, Federation president and CEO, said, “We are very excited about Samantha and what she will bring to Repair the World, which has be come an integral part of our Atlanta Jewish ecosystem. In one of her first actions in her new role, Samantha brought the Repair the World fellows to meet with our community planning and impact team and we are al ready building meaningful collaborations together.”

“Atlanta Repair is such a powerful force for social action and making our community a more equal and just place for all,” added Berinsky. “I’m ready to grow our efforts even more and enable more young adults to tap into their Jewish values and serve to address urgent social needs. Together, Repair and all of our incredible partners can do great things in the community.”

Compiled by AJT Staff

Samantha Berinsky is the new city director for Repair the World’s local affiliate.

OPINION

Outtakes from Holocaust Coverage Research

Dave Schechter From Where I Sit

In my youth, I would descend the metal stairs in our town’s public library into the cool of the shelf-lined basement, where I would lose myself in history, read

ing back issues of news magazines, mostly from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s.

Today, my fingers do the walking on line. The internet may offer access to an as tonishing range of publications, but I miss the feel of paper between my fingers and slowly turning the pages.

The earliest issues of the Southern Israelite available online date to 1929, the year the then-monthly publication moved to Atlanta from Augusta, where it had been founded in 1925 as a temple bulletin. Weekly editions began in October 1934. The name changed to the Atlanta Jewish Times in 1987.

Five years ago, I wrote a set of articles based on the Southern Israelite’s cover age, from Israel and in Atlanta, of the 1967 Six-Day War. More recently, I reviewed ev ery page of every edition from 1933-45, to report on the newspaper’s coverage of the Holocaust. Here are outtakes from the lat ter project.

I already was familiar with Ralph Mc Gill, who left the sports desk and became a syndicated columnist and executive edi tor of the Atlanta Constitution. I have read, more than once, the Pulitzer Prize-winning column he wrote the day after white su premacists bombed The Temple in October 1958. But it was through a March 1938 edi torial in the Southern Israelite that I found the dispatches that McGill filed for the Con stitution during his travels in Denmark, Sweden, Britain, Germany and Austria. Mc Gill saw the growing threat of Nazi fascism and his observations proved prescient.

Throughout World War II, the South ern Israelite reported on honors accorded Jewish members of the U.S. armed forces, regardless of their hometown. A three-para graph item in the Aug. 3, 1945, edition, under the heading “The Honor Roll,” reported that 43-year-old Col. David Marcus, of Brooklyn, had received the Army’s Distinguished Ser vice Medal, “for his role in negotiating the surrender of Italy and Germany.” Some thing clicked and my hunch was confirmed. This Col. Marcus was indeed “Mickey” Mar

cus, the American who became the first “aluf” (general) in Israel’s nascent army. The 1966 film “Cast a Giant Shadow” starred Kirk Douglas as Marcus and featured Yul Brynner, Angie Dickinson, John Wayne and Frank Sinatra, among others.

An item with significance that could not have been known at the time was a single paragraph on the May 4, 1945, front page, about a typhus epidemic “raging” in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. From previous research I knew that two of the otherwise anonymous victims were Annelies Marie Frank, 15, and Margot Frank, 19. The sisters are believed to have died that February, two months before the camp was liberated. Their names would be come known worldwide a couple of years later with the publication of the diary Anne kept while in hiding with her family in Amsterdam.

I often learn one thing while looking for something else. The Southern Israelite reported on “an eloquent speech … that left few listeners dry-eyed” by Rabbi H. Fried man of Congregation Shearith Israel at an April 19, 1944, memorial service marking the one-year anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising. While seeking informa tion about Friedman, I came across the text of the 1935 rabbinic opinion by which Rabbi Tobias Geffen deemed Coca-Cola to be kosher.

Geffen, for 60 years Shearith Israel’s spiritual leader, was allowed access to the secret formula (which he did not divulge) and persuaded the hometown company to alter the source of two ingredients. “It is now possible for the most stringent Hala chist to enjoy Coca Cola throughout the year and on Passover,” he wrote. A 1984 change from sucrose to corn syrup ren dered Coca-Cola problematic for Passover, but for the holiday the company also pro duces a version with sucrose, sold in bot tles with yellow caps.

Then there is the full-page advertise ment from Palmer Properties, a commer cial real estate company, that appeared in magazine-format issues in 1939 and 1940. The ad featured an aerial photograph of downtown Atlanta, with three Palmer buildings circled. The headline reads: “How Atlanta Would Look to a Nazi bomber.” The ad’s text boasts: “And what good targets Palmer Properties would make, for they’re right in the midst of everything down town.” Someone thought that hyping a po tential Nazi air raid on Atlanta would help business. By 1941 the ad’s text had changed. Someone had come to their senses. ì

Letters to the Editor

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

Letter to the editor,

Thank you for putting out the beautiful and informative “2022 Guide to Jew ish Atlanta”! While reviewing the guide, I noticed some points regarding the Atlanta Kashruth Commission certification that I wanted to clarify. The following places were listed as being AKC kosher certified, although they are not under AKC certification:

• Yogli Mogli

• Liquid X Cream

• Catering offered at Congregation Beth Itzhak

In addition, some places listed in the guide without an AKC symbol are AKC certi fied. We encourage the public to visit kosheratlanta.org for more information about AKC certified vendors.

Thank you, Atlanta Jewish Times, for your incredible support of the Atlanta Jew ish community!

The Atlanta Kashruth Commission

Disclamer to our readers: This section of the newspaper is a forum for our community to share thoughts, concerns and opinions as open letters to the community or directly to the newspaper.

As a letter to the editor, we proof for spelling and grammatical errors only. We do not edit nor vet the information the letter contains. The individual signing the letter is accountable for what they share.

Letter to the editor,

Lisa Potash, whose letter to the edited was published in the Aug. 31 issue, is correct that Jew hatred must be fought. However, her attempt to promote Fidel Castro’s Cuba as a bastion of tolerance is myopic and ahistorical. There was no, “protection of Jews from the beginning” or ever was under Castro. Not only did Castro ethnically cleanse Cuba’s substantial Jewish middle class from Cuba shortly after taking power; he seized all their property, as Stalinists do, and were left penniless when they were forced to leave. His actions were identical to the many Muslim governments beginning in 1945 that ethnically cleansed 850,000 Mizrahi Jews from their homes with just the shirts on their backs.

Also, Ms. Potash should read the one great book written by a Cuban in 1959, “Against All Hope: The Prison Memoirs of Armando Valladares.” You will learn how Castro and his Stalinist sycophants made Cuba the Auschwitz of the Caribbean. The East Germans taught Castro torture and murder techniques that the Nazis could only dream of.

There has been no more tolerance in Cuba since 1959 than there was tolerance in Germany between 1933 – 1945. After twenty-two years of barely surviving in several of Castro’s concentration camps and watching hundreds of his fellow, “political prison ers” tortured, murdered and starved to death, world opinion forced his release. The release was because of international prisoners’ rights groups learning of his eloquent writings. He is living in Miami. Ms. Potash could talk to him about his life in the “Aus chwitz” of the Caribbean.

To quote and paraphrase Vladimir Il’ich Lenin, there will always be “useful idiots” who romanticize the terror of Stalinism – whether in Russia or in Cuba.

Richard Sherman, Margate, Fla.

The Importance of Holocaust Education

ing began in 1979.

Rabbi Joseph Prass Guest Contributor

The upcoming critically-ac claimed docu mentary “The U.S. and the Holocaust,” ed ucates a wide audience on the role of the United States in this hu manitarian tragedy. The PBS film series by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein deepens the conversation about what happens when antisemitism and hatred run unchecked. It asks essential questions about the role of society and how that response affects the nation as a whole.

Still a problem today, discrimination of one group gives permission to target other groups. In the United States there has been a dangerous rise in acts of an tisemitism. In 2021, the Anti-Defamation League tabulated the highest number of antisemitic incidents (2,717) since track

Currently in America, there is a dis turbing lack of knowledge regarding the Holocaust, the systematic genocide of six million Jews in Europe. This is evidenced by a Claims Conference study (2020) that found that one in ten respondents did not remember ever hearing the word “Holocaust.” In Georgia, specifically, there is also a clear lack of awareness of key historical facts. In the same survey, 62 percent of all respondents said they did not know that six million Jews were murdered and 36 percent thought that “two million or fewer Jews” were killed during the Holocaust.

The response to this alarming igno rance is simple and accessible: quality education.

Education does not just speak of the Holocaust as a historical event from more than 80 years ago. Rather, it uses this tragedy to teach the appalling fail ure of humanity and to actively combat hatred wherever and whenever it occurs. Education helps us understand that this hatred of Jews occurs in obvious and

subtle ways, in public and in secret, in blatant forms and through denial and distortion. It creeps into the public dis course through inappropriate references to the Holocaust, Israel and the Jewish people.

Learning about the Holocaust in cludes visiting Holocaust museums and attending programs; hearing from sur vivor speakers; reading eyewitness tes timony of liberators and being aware of the marginalization or targeting of any group. “The U.S. and the Holocaust” docu mentary is an excellent addition to these other teaching tools.

At the Breman Museum’s Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education, we teach the events of the Holocaust so that a new generation will fulfill the legacy of “Nev er Again!” and will challenge modern an tisemitism, bigotry, racism and hatred in all forms.

Education will be the cure to this cancer affecting our world. Education guides our response to dispelling igno rance and myth. Education leads us to accept the differences in all humanity

without fear.

Intolerance and antisemitism are poisons that impact all of society. As a nation, we must be educated on the hard truths of how this issue persists today and what we need to do to ensure a bet ter tomorrow. ì

Rabbi Joseph Prass is the director of the Weinberg Center for Holocaust Education at The Breman Museum

Ahavath

Synagogue

Reflecting on the Past Year in Israel and the Southeast

Shalom!

as well as from Israel to the U.S.

As we ap proach Rosh Hashanah, we have the op portunity to once again reflect on the past year. These High Holy Days, in cluding Yom Kippur, are in many ways the essence of our faith, of our traditions, of our Jewish values. In dividually, we conduct “Cheshbon HaNe fesh,” the accounting of the soul, when we reflect on all that we have done over the past year. But it is also an opportunity for a broader reflection. In many ways, that is what Judaism is about: constantly examining our actions and our interac tions, our direction, constantly demand ing a high level of awareness. Because we can always do better.

Ambassador Anat Sultan-Dadon Guest Contributor

We also had the first delegation stemming from the newly launched Georgia-Israel legislative caucus, a bi cameral and bipartisan delegation that has just recently returned from Israel. This caucus is testimony to the strong bi partisan support for Israel and our bilat eral relations, and we hope to be able to work with our many friends in the other Southeastern states in order to see simi lar caucuses established elsewhere. The close relations and warmth which we en joy here in the Southeast are a reflection of the strength of our bilateral relations, well reflected also in President Biden’s successful recent official visit to Israel.

Reflecting on the past year in Israel and here at the Consulate General of Isra el to the Southeastern United States, I feel that we have many blessings to count, and that we have much more to do.

With COVID-19 no longer dictating our lives as much as it had previously, we have been able to gradually resume in-person meetings, events and delega tions both from and to Israel. Delega tions from both sides are crucial, because they are one of the best ways for learning about one another, understanding one another and exploring together how we can further strengthen our relations. The importance of the direct contact and con nections in all fields are what have made it so important for us to see the resuming of direct flights between Atlanta and Tel Aviv. Delta Air Lines’ recent decision to finally (re)launch direct flights is a true blessing, which will allow us all to do more in strengthening our relations.

I am writing these words from Jerusa lem, as I have just arrived in Israel in order to accompany a first-of-its-kind delegation of Black women state legislators. This is a beautiful example of the blessings to be grateful for — the forging of friendships, partnerships and collaborations with im portant communities in the U.S., learning about them, while also educating and shar ing with them what Israel and the Jewish people are about. We hope that this will be the first of many more such delegations, and we hope to be able to bring many more communities and representatives to Israel,

Later this month, we will be marking two years of another remarkable achieve ment: the signing of the monumental Abra ham Accords, which are paving the way for a new future in the Middle East — one of friendship, hope and prosperity, rather than the hate and destruction which the extrem ists in our region (such as Iran and its proxy terror organizations) seek to promote.

This coming April, we will be cel ebrating the 75th anniversary of the modern State of Israel, the realization of a 2,000-year-old dream of the Jewish peo ple to return to their ancestral homeland and regain sovereignty and control of their destiny. For three-quarters of a cen tury, we have built a strong, vibrant de mocracy, a robust economy and a diverse society, with so much to be proud of.

Israel’s strength comes not only from within, but also from outside. Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora are an important part of this strength. We may differ in location, in views or in af filiations, but our Jewish identity as a people unites us. It is on all of us to do all that we can in order to ensure that our unity as a people stands strong above any differences, and remains strong for gen erations to come.

As we approach the year 5783, we have so much to be grateful for. We also have areas to improve on, because we can always do better and strive for more. May the coming year be a year of unity and Arvut Hadadit — mutual responsi bility — and may we know many more celebrations of peace.

Shana Tova U’Metuka to each and every one of you! ì

Anat Sultan-Dadon is the consul gen eral of Israel to the Southeastern United States.

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Publisher's Note

Michael A. Morris Publisher

As our New Year ap proaches, I am quick to give thanks for the health of my parents and my children. For our com munity, how ever, there is so much more.

As the Covid-19 pandemic begins its journey into the an nals of history, each one of us begins to resume more normal daily activity. I for one am elated. After two and a half years of sheltered living, I am happy to spend time and celebrate with my children, my parents, my co-workers, my friends, and even strangers. I know we are not out of the woods yet, but every journey has a beginning and an end, and we are seeing beginnings and ends.

There are so many facets to a full and open life: Simchas, life-cycle events and celebrations that nourish the soul;

the ability to go back to work, create something, be productive and provide for yourself and your family; praying togeth er, vacationing, experiencing, eating and learning with family and friends. But one facet stands out to me – sending our chil dren back to school. I do want to make a disclaimer that I believe it is the right of every family to decide when this is appro priate, but as a community, getting back to in-person education is paramount. I am not suggesting that the last two years has been a total sabbatical. I also recog nize that online education has come a long way in two years. As the dust settles, it appears fairly clear that online educa tion cannot accomplish all the critical goals that we have assigned to education in this country.

First, in-person school allows for the full breadth of two income earners that so many households rely upon. Ob viously, this doesn’t directly affect the student, but it does affect the wellbeing of the entire family. Socialization is also a key element that we as a community have placed upon our educational insti

tutions. An element that, unfortunately, many teachers are seeing the lack there of as in-person gets underway. The good news is that this is an area where being late is better than never. The bad news is that there is a two-year gap. Of course, learning itself has been relegated to a slower pace and I suspect the ramifica tions will not be evident for several years. I know this is an extreme example, but

I do not think any one of us wants our next surgeon to have aced all his tests but hasn’t met a patient yet.

The bottom-line is that we are rounding the corner and have a lot to look forward to next year. Travel, family gatherings, school, entertainment and many more things will be opening back up. I am looking forward to seeing you there! ì

Jewish Atlanta Shares Why they are Grateful for the 5783 New Year

by Rabbi Spike Anderson

What Do You Have When You Are ‘Just Passing Through?’

As the famous Jewish story goes, in Belarus there lived a simple peddler. Like his entire Jewish village, he was poor. Yet his joys came through his Jewish pride in tikkun olam/ changing the world for the better, and in his deep Jewish connections through his com munity. As a peddler, most of his work came from being on the road, going from one hamlet to the next, exchanging goods and news. These long stretches of road were hard for him, in part because he worried about his wife and children. Knowing that their commu nity would be there for them was the only thing that allowed him to sleep at night.

The mid-1800s were a time of great Jewish learn ing in the Pale of Settlement, and word reached the peddler that Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan, known as the Chofetz Chaim, would receive students with questions. Rabbi Kagan was widely acknowledged as ‘the great sage’ of his generation, and the peddler loved Jewish learning. The only problem was that the Chofetz Chaim resided in Dzyat lava, which was far away from anything.

However, the opportunity was enticing, and so the peddler traveled many weeks outside of his normal route in order to see the sage. When he arrived, he was shown to the boarding house where the Chofetz Chaim lived. The innkeeper showed him to Rabbi Kagan’s room, where he would also receive his visitors. With some trepidation, the peddler knocked on the door, and was warmly welcomed inside by the Chofetz Chaim himself! The peddler was a bit out of sorts because he had so many questions that he wanted to ask and did not know how much time he was going to have with Rabbi Kagan. But as his eyes adjusted to the dim light of the Chofetz Chaim’s room, he couldn’t help but notice that it was almost bare. Strikingly so. Just a mat on the floor to sleep. A small table with a wash bin. A few books. That was it. And so, despite having so many questions prepared, the peddler could not help himself. “Rabbi, you are known far and wide as a great teacher of Torah. And yet, you have almost nothing. Rabbi, I have to ask … where are all your things?”

To which the Chofetz Chaim answered, in that typically Jewish way, with a ques tion of his own and a slow smile on his face. “Well, Sir, where are all your things …?”

“Me?” said the peddler, “well, I am just passing through.”

“So am I,” answered the great sage. “So am I.”

This story has been told and retold countless times. It’s profundity rests in its simplicity. In this tale we share with one another our ‘truths’ about what is most im portant in life. Not the ‘things’ that we might accumulate but, rather, the intangibles: knowledge, making a difference and sacred Jewish connections through family and community. In fact, our Judaism reminds us of this throughout every holiday and lifecycle event, through every mitzvah and worship service.

Now that we have named it, you will see it through Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kip pur, and it is raised up even higher during Sukkot.

We Jews have brought, and continue to bring, so much to the world. In the Jewish world, the synagogue is both the hub and the engine for us to recognize and create those incredible intangibles that make life worth living.

Whether it is through Jewish study or social justice, spirituality, connection with Israel and the Jewish people, or that wonderful penchant that Southern Jews have to just ‘hang out’ with other Jews. … It is in the synagogue that we find a measure of what we really want and what (if we are honest with ourselves) we really need.

May this new year, and the year to come, be one of health and blessings, growth and profound connection for you, for your family and for the entire Jewish commu nity.

L’Shanah Tova!

Spike Anderson is the senior rabbi at Temple Emanu-El.

For our annual Rosh Hashanah issue, we asked members of the Jewish community to share why they value being back to in-person social, business and fam ily affairs. Several commented on the ongoing pandem ic, and how it has caused them to change and become more flexible. Many commented on the importance of community engagement and their relationships with family members, business partners and friends.

By Arlene Appelrouth

I went to shabbat services at Beth Israel, in Cum ming, a week ago. It was the last Shabbos service that would take place in its temporary home, where the synagogue has been growing for six years. I had received five or six emails from Rabbi Levi Mentz inviting and encouraging me to participate in this milestone shab bat service for the Chabad shul. During the pandemic I had missed attending services and was glad to drive half an hour from where I live in Chamblee.

It amazes me that there’s a thriving syn agogue in Forsyth County. It wasn’t that long ago when few Jews lived there, and the county had a reputation for not welcoming Jews or blacks.

It was the first time in almost three years that I had attended shabbat services and I was glad to be there, praying and singing with the lively congregants.

One of the things I love about living in Atlanta is its variety and diversity of syna gogues. I’ve been a member of two Reform temples, a modern Orthodox shul and an Orthodox shul. I value the opportunity to choose and always feel welcome at every synagogue. The synagogues in this town offer Southern hospitality.

I’ve begun going to plays, eating in restaurants and traveling to see my out-oftown family. When I was at the Alliance Theatre on Sunday, I was happy to see “Every body,” which was different from what’s usually on the Coca-Cola stage.

Living in Atlanta offers many choices for theater. I’m excited that once again there are many plays to choose from. I look forward to many more cultural experi ences.

Atlanta is a wonderful place to live. Although I don’t like the traffic, I’ve seen in credible growth and development during the twenty-five years that I’ve called Atlanta home. Atlanta offers business opportunities to people with good ideas who are willing to work hard. My entrepreneurial son founded and grew a successful tutoring busi ness in this city. I’m grateful that he has chosen to live here and that I can see him and his family without getting on a plane.

Given that Rosh Hashanah is almost here, I’m looking forward to the invitation for introspection and reflection. I’m also grateful that in this new year I will give up pandemic inertia and become more active in taking advantage of all that Atlanta has to offer.

Arlene Appelrouth is a contributor to the Atlanta Jewish Times.

By Chuck and Bonnie Berk

As Bonnie and I look ahead to the New Year, we are encouraged by some recent events.

It was my honor to help lead in May a phenomenal Israel Bonds Footsteps of the Abraham Ac cords delegation to the UAE, Bah rain and Israel. Twelve Atlantans were part of this unforgettable journey, and together, we wit nessed history and experienced memories that will last a lifetime. Having been there and talked with high-level government officials and prominent local businesspeople, we can enthusiastically say that these accords are changing the architecture of the Middle East. It’s way more than tolerance … it’s enthusiasm to build the political, social and economic relationship with Israel. The spirit of cooperation, warmth and sincerity we experi enced was almost unbelievable. Just three years ago, it would have been impossible to fathom a delegation from Israel Bonds being warmly welcomed in these locations.

Looking ahead, we are also encouraged for the New Year by a recent local event. The Sandy Springs City Council approved plans for a terrific Anne Frank Exhibit and Holocaust Education Center to be housed in a new building constructed in “down town” Sandy Springs, close to City Springs, funded by private donations.

We are inspired and feel fortunate to be living at a time when the Abraham Ac cords have brought new hope for peace for Israel in the New Year and that Georgians are willing to stand up against hate, racism and antisemitism by supporting the Anne Frank Exhibit and Holocaust Education Center.

Chuck Berk is local co-chair of the Republican Jewish Coalition with his wife Bonnie.

By Rabbi Michael Bernstein

No time puts the spotlight on synagogue atten dance like the High Holy Days. Famously, these days see many more people coming to be with community than other occasions throughout the year. We know that Judaism is not a num bers game, and the power of faith must first and foremost be individual. Yet, perhaps surprisingly, Jewish traditions also point to the value of coming together to worship with significant numbers on these days. The number we may be most familiar with is one that is relevant on any day, regular weekday, or The Day of Atonement: a minyan of ten. In order to say all of the prayers includ ing the call to prayer and Kaddish, there must be ten Jewish people (of any gender) old enough to count and be counted on for b’nei mitzvah. On the Days of Awe, however, another principle comes into play: “the Sovereign’s Glory is found in the magnitude of the assembly.” On Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, when so much of the focus is on recognizing G*d as Sovereign, the power of gathering together becomes that much more pronounced. When it comes down to it, the most important elements of prayer are found in each one of us: our own heart, our own soul, our own self. No assembly is needed, let alone a large crowd. Being with each other, though, drawing the energy and the intention of each other as we gather to mark a New Year, helps renew our appreciation and connection to each other, ourselves and the One Who Spoke the World into Being.

Michael Bernstein is the rabbi of Congregation Gesher L’Torah.

By Terri Bonoff

I am approaching “being in person” again with passion and gusto! I have seized the opportunity to see my fami ly far and wide, welcome new grandbabies in person, celebrate my oldest son’s upcoming wedding and assume caregiver roles for my aging parents.

The holidays are a time of reflection and renewal. We turn inward to examine where we are, where we have missed the mark, where we find ourselves with room to change and grow and then we must turn outward with new pur pose.

I am reimagining what “togetherness” means to those I work with, those we serve and our community partners. This writing prompt asks for us to share personally. In this case, personal is profes sional. Leading the agency during the pandemic was like guiding through fog, listening for the cries for help and the out stretched offers of partnership. It took an unprecedented need for reinventing what it means to work, to serve, to listen and to act. Now, as the fog has cleared, we stand in an open field. We have grabbed this opportunity to commit ourselves newly to being the strongest community partner possible. We have created new staff positions dedicated to the mission of strengthen ing lives and empowering our community through outreach and partnership. We are open, accessible, and hungry to hear from you. Life is not always easy, and the obstacles can appear insurmountable. Yet- if we link arms, share hearts, listen with love, laughter, and curiosity we can harness the strength of togetherness to make rainbows where there were storms and pathways where there were none.

I pledge myself anew to lead and live with curiosity, empathy, compassion, a commit ment to serving with excellence, and the courage to fail and begin anew. I am grateful to be on this journey with you, in friendship and fellowship.

Terri Bonoff is the chief executive officer of Jewish Family and Career Services.

By Debbie Diamond

As we mark the beginning of the Jewish new year, many of my contemporaries and I enter a new decade of life. Perhaps I’m feeling sentimental — or maybe it’s simply this time of the year. I remember my mother telling me that for her and many others, a feeling of “the blues” of ten accompanies the lead-up to the Jewish holidays. Perhaps we remember our loved ones who are no longer with us and were once an integral part of our lives and holi day observance. In addition, the enormity of standing before G-d and asking for for giveness is no small task and can be incredibly moving, even intimidating, for many.

But since we do not have the luxury of going backwards, may we look forward. In a sense, we are given a gift as we have a few days to pray and reflect in the synagogue during the High Holy Days. We pray along with our fellow congregants and have the time to individually reflect on the past year — what we wish we had done better and how we could have said something differently. Many thoughts go through our minds.

This year let us pledge to strengthen our relationships with family and friends, be receptive to new people we meet along the way and open our hearts and minds to those who experience the world differently than we do. Being thoughtful and com passionate does not take a special skill set. Showing empathy to others is as simple as thinking about how you would feel if presented with a similar situation. G-d is reflected in each of us, and we can do our small part in repairing the world and sanc tifying Hashem’s name each time we choose kindness and goodness as we navigate this situation we call life.

Debbie Diamond is a contributing writer at the Atlanta Jewish Times.

By Cheryl Dorchinsky

With the end of our Jewish year fast approach ing, I find it a great time for reflection, along with thoughts for the future. For me, this past year re inforced the importance of family and friends. Laughing, learning, growing and sharing good times with those close to me — in the same physical space — has been critical for my own wellbeing, and I’m so grateful that I was able to bring those joys back into my life. Sure, Zoom and Facetime helped bridge the divide, but for me, there’s nothing like a real hug!

Our world, and lives, are always full of “knocks” — and this year was no different. In ternal and external struggles, whether they are economic, social, political, etc., they were always pres ent — and those struggles rear their ugly heads often. With so much being thrown at us, it’s sometimes a struggle to “drive on.” We make mistakes — and sometimes we think of ourselves as failures. At the same time, I am reminded of what Victor Frankl famously wrote: “The last of human freedoms is to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” This year, I will certainly take those words to heart, and remind myself that it’s my responsibility to be the best I can be.

In this coming New Year, I pray that we may live up to the commission of the Peo ple of Israel, which is to be a light unto the nations. May it be a year where we will pass on goodness, peace and reconciliation to whomever we will meet. May we each find that spark, which, when unleashed on the world, brings hope and happiness to others.

And may it be one of health and happiness, and sweet moments for you and your families. Shana Tova!

Cheryl Dorchinsky is founding executive director of Atlanta Israel Coalition and direc tor of community engagement for #EndJewHatred movement.

Shana Tovah

The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta wishes you and your family a happy and healthy new year.

By Rabbi Daniel Dorsch

There’s an oft quoted Talmudic expression: chevruta omituta (Taanit 23a). It means: “give me companionship or give me death.” In Jewish learning communities today, this expression has become synonymous with the idiom “sink or swim.” If you try to learn Talmud on your own, without a chevruta part ner, you’ll sink.

This line, however, is not the original con text of the expression. Instead, it comes as the punchline at the end of a Jewish Rip van Winkle story about a man named Choni. Choni wakes up after a long, seventy-year sleep to see children eating from a carob tree. A man had promised Choni seventy years earlier that the tree would bear fruit for his grandchildren. It’s a beautiful moment, and usually where we end the children’s version of the story. Unfortunately, the Talmud goes on to tell us that seventy years later, no one would believe that he was Choni! Choni walks in and out of the academy, impressing everyone with his Torah. Yet his brilliance does nothing to cure his social isolation.

Chevruta o-mituta is the Talmudic epithet to Choni’s sad, end-of-life experience.

Fast-forward to the year 5783. We, too, should no longer tolerate the phrase “social dis tancing” because of what it’s done to us. During all of the COVID moments when we should have been physically separating, we made the mistake of distancing ourselves from the social bonds that gave our lives purpose. For some of us, the absence of these meaningful connec tions felt nearly as bad as the disease itself.

None of us can live without companionship in our lives. Chevruta o-mituta. I, for one, will take this year to appreciate and reconnect with old friends long missed and taken for granted. You should too.

By Elana Frank

Though it might sound cliche, I’m so excited for the opportunities that 5783 bring for re-centering myself around the things that matter in life. I love my work and my family, and sometimes I get lost in the dayto-day shuffle, balancing my priorities and trying to remember to cherish the moments I have with loved ones. On an in-person business trip last weekend, I met a woman who shared that, through her 10-year fertility journey, she was so focused on having a baby that she couldn’t see or embrace all of the blessings she had around her. Now that she’s had her child, she reflects on those years and the times she couldn’t be present for the great things happening to and around her. As someone who experienced years of infertility myself, I understand and identify with the feelings of loneliness and desperation accompanying the longing for a child. And yet, this woman’s strength and reflection inspired me to realize that though life may not always play out as I envisioned, I can always remain thankful to Hashem for my blessings.

With my blessings, I hope to give back to the people and causes that inspire me. As we enter the new year, I am dedicated to creating change to better the world around me. Remem bering what that woman taught me, I know that I can look beyond myself to recognize the needs of others and utilize all of the tools at my disposal to make the world a better place for all, and particularly those struggling with infertility. I am grateful that my work is my passion and look forward to all to come in 5783.

Shana Tova.

Elana Frank is the CEO and founder of the Jewish Fertility Foundation.

By Sherry Frank

How wonderful to be back in person with hopes and dreams for the year ahead. Students and facul ty are back in schools, praying for well-being in their classrooms — both mentally and physi cally — and hoping to catch up scholastically from the challenges of the COVID years. Hopefully, the piercing sounds of the Shofar will stir us to new insights and ac tivism as we struggle with the complexities of our personal and communal lives. Jewish texts can guide us to face our challenges in this polarized political climate and divisive election season.

We are called to Tikkun Olam, Repair the World. In Judaism, we’re taught that our well-be ing is connected to the well-being of our communi ties. There is no better way to achieve that well-being than through our right to vote. We must exercise that right and not be silent, for our vote is our voice. Let’s make sure we’re registered to vote; that we, our kids, and grandkids who are away at school get absentee ballots; and let’s make sure our senior citizens get their absentee ballots and rides to the polls.

One of the most divisive issues before us is abortion access. Here our Jewish texts guide us with wisdom and clarity. In Jewish law, life does not begin at conception, and a fetus is not considered a person. The first breath of oxygen allows the soul to enter the body, and so begins life. Our Jewish values compel us to support safe and legal ac cess to abortion care as basic health care.

In 2023, we will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the State of Israel. Throughout its struggles to be “a true light unto the nations,” Israel has faced continuous security threats, relentless condemnation from international organizations, antisemitism, and bias in communities and on colleges campuses. All the while, it achieves historic accomplishments in science and technology and welcomes thousands of Jewish and non-Jewish refugees seeking safe harbor from wars and brutality.

May we all be blessed in the year ahead to celebrate Israel and to make our world a kinder, more just one.

Daniel Dorsch is the senior rabbi at Congregation Etz Chaim.

Sherry Frank is co-president of NCJW Atlanta Section and author of A Passion to

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

What’s Grand About This New Year

Along with good health, all parents want our children to be happy. As the holidays arrive, so many of my happiest memories involve being together with family, and my beloved par ents and Grandparents, of blessed memory. In life, we ultimately take turns being the matriarch and patriarch. Now, it’s our turn.

As the holidays arrive, I make Grand ma Freedman’s strudel and lovingly recall the holidays. As a grandchild, I looked for ward to weekly visits with my grandparents who I adored. In my eyes, they were perfect, and in their eyes, I could do no wrong. That com bination made for a lifetime of unconditional love shared out loud.

Our Grandchildren brighten our lives with their smiles. Their hugs and happy faces when they see us, melt our hearts. While some of our parents or grandparents have passed, many of us didn’t know ours. We keep their memories alive and close to our hearts by their good deeds and holiday traditions.

Our families are built on love, devotion and caring. As the Jewish holidays arrive, hopefully in person this year, grandparenting and loving family, friends who feel like family and those no longer here, continues to be a blessing to honor and cherish.

Who benefits the most? We all do. Here’s to a sweet year — to your family from ours. Make it grand!

Robyn Spizman Gerson is an award-winning New York Times Bestselling media per sonality and author of Loving Out Loud: The Power of a Kind Word.

By Rabbi Brian Glusman

A mom was relaxing on the couch, trying to read a magazine when her five-year-old daughter wanted attention. The daughter wanted to play; she was bored. So, the mother ripped out a page from the magazine which happened to be a map of the world and tore it into 25 pieces. She gave the pieces to her daughter and asked her to put the pieces back together and come back when the project was complete. Assuming it would take a long time, she was amazed when the daughter returned after a few min utes with a perfect map of the world.

“You have never even seen a map of the world! How could you have finished it so quick ly?”

“It was easy,” answered the daughter. “I did not know how to piece the world together, but on the other side of the page was a picture of a person. Once I put the person together, the whole world fell into place!”

To create a better world, we must focus on people and relationships. Positive relationships make us happier, reduce stress, provide purpose, and help us live longer. Our relationships give meaning and purpose to our lives, which in turn make our world a better place.

Shana Tovah! May all be blessed with a healthy, happy, sweet and meaningful New Year!

Brian Glusman serves the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta and is the visit ing rabbi at Shearith Israel Synagogue in Columbus, Ga.

By Rabbi Arnold M. Goodman

HINDSIGHT IS 20/20

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference. (Robert Frost)

Life is a challenge of an endless series of crossroads, and the decisions made impact upon the quality and harmony of our lives. The high school senior has acceptances to two won derful universities; the professional who has two amazing offers; the young man or woman choosing between two promising dates; and the list is seemingly endless. As often as not after we have made our choice, we tend to refocus on our deci sion, frequently bemoaning the road not taken.

The High Holidays are the time of the year our tradition poses the challenge to review our lives, to celebrate accomplishments, to confront failures, but also to reflect upon our many decisions and their consequences.

Hopefully as we celebrate our successes, we will take stock of the consequences of the roads not taken. We have had a strained relationship with a friend, a colleague or a loved one, and resisted making that phone call that could have cleared the air; we have made a promise that we have failed to honor; we are engaged in idle gossip that inadvertently had negative consequences upon another, and the list is seemingly endless. The refusal to take the initiative is choosing the path upon which we will trod.

During the coming year may we blessed with the peace of mind and with few regrets about roads not taken.

From the holy city of Jerusalem my best wishes for a shana tovah u’metukaah.

Rabbi Arnold M. Goodman was the Senior Rabbi of Ahavath Achim Synagogoue (1982-2002). He now resides in Jerusalem.

By Jeffrey A. Gopen

Anyone touched by the senior care industry these last two years--families and residents—is constantly reminded that although we have gained back so much, life is still not the same. And for my family, being together is something we took for granted, until this summer.

Twenty years ago, my parents began a family tradition of taking a trip with their children every summer. Two days before our long-scheduled trip, my mom, my rock, came down with covid and it hit her hard. Fully vacci nated and boosted, she was still incredibly sick. Despite it all, she demanded that her children go on the trip together. She insisted she would be ok and though hard on everyone, as her kids always did, we listened.

Thankfully, Mom recovered but the trip was far from nor mal, reminding me and my siblings that life is fleeting and changes in a moment’s notice. If there is any silver lining, Covid taught us to value each other and the everyday experiences we missed so much—and even those we didn’t. Getting back to in-person working, eating out at restaurants even when the service isn’t what it once was in “The Before Times.” Cher ish it all. It might take longer to get served or get to work, but we only get one journey.

On a personal note, having shut our doors to the outside world for so long and living under the strictest regulations of any business in our country, I am thrilled to see the com munity back in our hallways as we rebuild in this new reality. For those families who paid the ultimate sacrifice by having to kiss loved one’s goodbye for the last time, we mourn with you. May their memory be a blessing and may all of us have a sweet new year.

Jeffrey A. Gopen is president and CEO of Jewish HomeLife.

ROSH HASHANAH

By Leslie Gordon

Over the past few years, we have all endured so much, it has made us stronger and more resilient and very different from who we were before the pandemic. Instead of thicker skin, you might say we have each grown a layer of chutzpah.

Like a lot of words used in Jewish house holds, chutzpah can carry positive or nega tive implications, depending on the context and inflection of the speaker. In this case, we define it as an attitude that empowers us to thrive and push through tough times so we can appreciate – and, in some cases, physical ly reembrace for the first time in too long -- our family, friends and community.

Here at the Breman Museum, we are gearing up for a busy Jewish New Year, with live performances, talks, exhibitions (including the continuing “History with Chutzpah”) and more. As a museum and, increasingly, a presenter of performing arts and Jewish cultural programs, it’s in keeping with our mission to push forward from the pandemic and resume our institution’s edifying and unifying work.

But beyond that, my personal feeling is, and I say it often and did so even before Co vid changed the world, that live performances and smart conversations create a shared experience like no other. We humans were not built to be quarantined. We are social be ings who draw strength and wisdom from shared experiences. While it remains essen tial to stay safe, we are citizens of the world, not meant to be isolated from one another.

When we sit in a darkened theater with others -- whether watching a witness to the Holocaust, hearing an expert on Jewish history or listening to a music performance -- we have a broadened and more beautiful view: We have rejoined our community.

Leslie Gordon is the executive director of Atlanta’s Breman Museum, where Jewish arts, culture and history thrive.

By Rabbi Josh Hearshen

The end of September and beginning of October 2019 was the last time our communities have gathered to gether in the numbers we’ve been used to for years. We all recall Rosh Hashana 2020 and the disap pointment of 2021 where many of us felt unable to return to our pre-pandemic behaviors. We have arrived at the 2022 High Holidays and as such many of us are feeling safer, with the vac cines working in our bodies, and for a much greater percentage of our population, combined with less severe symptoms for so many around us from COVID. This year, we’re so excited to do what Jews are meant to do – gather. We all miss the days of togetherness.

Judaism is a religion of togetherness. One of my favorite verses from the Torah is Exodus 25:8, “And let them make me a sanctuary/holy place, and I will dwell in them.”

The singular word for the sanctuary disagrees with the plural of the word for within them. The action of a community working together for something outside of themselves, … the act of the community coming together and celebrating, … the act of being together brings God into the world. Now that we’re pulling closer together, we can now return to our collective “bringing God into the world.”

Over the time period of COVID we have each found new ways to feel a sense of “together ness.” I think it’s critical that we each continue to utilize those avenues to connect. At the same time, it’s also crucial to return to our old ways. We need to gather to pray. We need to gather to learn. We need to gather to connect. We need to gather to feel each other and the Divine.

Shana Tova.

Josh Hearshen is the rabbi at Congregation Or VeShalom.

By Rabbi Joshua Heller

This year, the eve of Rosh Hashanah has a special meaning. Deuteronomy 15 teaches that at the end of every seventh year, all debts among Jews are to be forgiven. Of course, in Biblical times, most Israel ites were farmers. If someone borrowed money, it was really a form of charity. Their crops had failed, and they needed money to buy seeds to plant and get back on their feet. If someone had not managed to repay within a few years, they were not likely to be able to do so. On the eve of Rosh Hashanah, everyone started over with a clean slate.

In later eras, Jewish society evolved from an agricultural one to a commercial one, as Jews en gaged in long-term building projects, and trade across the Mediterranean. Many loans were for business, not charity. The great sage Hillel enacted a legal process called “Proz bul” whereby commercial loans could be sustained despite the Biblical command.

On Rosh Hashanah, the day after financial debts is (arguably) dissolved, we ask for a different type of forgiveness. We each end the year in spiritual debt. We may owe others recompense for the wrongs that we have done them. We may also have overdrawn our ac count with God in not living our best lives. Perhaps we have received gifts from God which we may not have repaid with gratitude?

During this season, we tabulate our debts, to God and to others, so that we may repay the wrongs that we can and pray that the others be forgiven. Forgiveness is more likely to be granted if it is universal. If we forgive the penances we demand of others, then perhaps our own debits will also turn to credits, and we will know the freedom of living one day truly debt-free.

Joshua Heller is the senior rabbi at Congregation B’nai Torah.

By Rabbi Lauren Henderson

I moved here and started working at Or Hadash in the summer of 2020 — a great time to move to a new place and meet people, right? Oy.

As much as I value the accessibility of Zoom from around the globe, I longed for the multi-sensory experience of being in a room with other bodies —the sounds, the smells, the laughter. I longed for the hugs. There is so much nonverbal conversation happen ing between our bodies at every moment that we miss behind our screens. I remem ber the first time I met with my team without masks on — all of their faces were glowing with radiance, just like when Moses came down from Mt. Sinai with the tablets in his arms.

One of my favorite stories comes from Martha Beck — she was working in a college cafeteria, and she de cided to try an experiment one day where she would look at each student as they walked through the buffet line without preconceptions, without judgment, and ob serve what she saw. She writes, ”Of course, this is nearly impossible, but I did make an effort — for a few minutes. After that, I had to stop, because I was so overcome by the beauty of every person in that dining hall that my eyes kept filling with tears. I think maybe that’s one reason we screen out so much loveliness. If we saw people as they really are, the beauty would overwhelm us.”

I hope I never forget what that radiance feels like.

Lauren Henderson is the spiritual leader of Congregation Or Hadash in Sandy Springs.

By Meliss Jakubovic

Being able to see people and spend time together face to face after so much time away has created a sense of calm within.

As much as I personally enjoyed the alone time, it wasn’t until I started gathering in groups again that I realized how much I needed everyone else’s energy.

Our Israeli folk dance session resumed after 2.5 years away. We had been dancing together weekly for about 50 years and the dancers have become my family. It wasn’t until we came together again that I realized how much a piece of me was missing.

Now, more people than ever have been joining us and our session size has increased tre mendously (Feel free to join us at B’nai Torah Tuesday nights). That’s more music, more culture, more dancing, and of course, more connections with those we love.

As the holiday approaches, search for the connections that you have lost or al lowed to fizzle away. Connect on a deep level, remembering that we are not here for ever. Try to make the most of every interaction and don’t take a single moment for granted.

Chag Sameach to the entire community. May you make this year the most mean ingful yet filled with love, deep connection with everyone around you, and an open ness to learn from others and make new friendships along the way.

Meliss Jakubovic is an online marketing strategist to coaches and healers and Atlanta’s Israeli folk dance instructor.

By Rabbi Ari Kaiman

God is not in equal measures, in all places, at all times. Where does God dwell? The Kotzker Rebbe would say, “Wherever you let God in.” Remote worship is not a new question for the Jewish people. It was also far more convenient for our ancestors to offer their sacrifices to God close to their homes. But God commanded the Jewish people to travel long distances at least three times a year to gather in joy and celebration. God may be wherever you let God in, but it’s the presence of a community that invites God to knock on the door to be let in. At least for me, when I hear the sound of a community, singing with all their souls in har mony, my heart bursts open for God to enter. May we be blessed to bring God’s presence to our lives with voices singing in harmony, with warm handshakes and em braces, and above all, good health and safety.

Ari Kaiman is senior Rabbi of Congregational Shearith Israel.

By Susanne Katz Karlick

A Gracious Lady

Our dog is a puggle named Mazel. We walk Mazel around the neighborhood each morning and each evening. We said hello to neighbors and their dogs as we walked and stayed a comfortable distance away during the pan demic years. No shaking hands. No hugs. No entering a neighbor’s home. Just a greeting from the street. “Hope you are hav ing a good day!”

But then came a scary night of sirens and emergency vehicles and an event that changed life in one of the households. That tragic night brought a memory and a relation ship with a beautiful neighbor that we connect with now.

Having lost a daughter and a husband, taking care of a son with medical needs, our neighbor, with strong shoulders, cherishes the good times and loving relationships in each day. We admire her strength and respect and cherish her.

Feelings and personal attachment enrich our lives and support each other. We so missed that personal touch and visits when they were forbidden. But now, we look forward to our visits, even while we are just sitting on the front steps. We look for ward to our visits, to her stories and to her loving attention for Mazel. Our neighbor is truly a gracious lady.

Susanne Katz Karlick is a contributor to the Atlanta Jewish Times.

By Rep. Mitchell Kaye

Building on progress of the new Georgia Israel Legislative Caucus and my election as State Repre sentative after a 19-year hiatus, this past August I led a bi-partisan group of Georgia legislators to Israel. Special thanks to Israeli Consulate officials Anat Sultan-Dadon, Alex Gandler and Karen Isenberg Jones along with Rob bie Friedmann of the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange, and Gover nor Brian Kemp’s assistance in arranging special venues and meetings. My wife and I were the only Jews in our 17-person delega tion; only one other previously visited Israel (25-years ago).

Space here does not permit discussion of the business, political, government, security and cultural meetings and events attended, however messages for the holidays presented itself.

One Friday we visited Yad Vashem, Israel’s official memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. No matter how many times one visits, there is always something new to learn and absorb. Afterwards we visited Ramallah, capital of the Palestinian Au thority and were briefed by Fatah’s official spokesman, a member of the PLO central committee. The dichotomy of seeing the unspeakable atrocities committed against the Jews 80 years ago back-to-back with a passionate official who wants to push the Jews “from the river to the sea” was emotionally difficult. It was important to hear all narratives and fortunately, the many lies and distortions were obvious.

The message was crystalized by my Rabbi, Ephraim Silverman’s father, Rabbi Ian Silverman who we unexpectedly met while leaving the Kotel after Shabbat prayers. Palestinians portray themselves as victims, perpetually blaming others. Such mental ity prevents building a better society, resulting in continued dependency on others. Survivors of the Holocaust on the other hand, never wanted to kill Germans or seek revenge but rather re-build lives that were shattered. Thousands were married in DP camps, hoping to build a family and a better life. Many chose to educate about the un speakable horrors; others could not bear to relive those painful memories. We must never forget, and we must never ever let it happen again! However, our reason for living and being Jews is not about suffering and being victims but living Jewish lives with hope for a better tomorrow. The Israeli national anthem, HaTikvah or The Hope, is a 19th century poem and was reportedly sung by many entering the gas chambers in Auchwitz-Berkenau. Hope!

Our Iron Dome visit near Gaza included a briefing on technical aspects for pro tecting the populace. Iron Dome in Hebrew is "Kupat Barzel," sharing a root with Kip pah, that goes on mens’ heads. The message is obvious: the “dome” can protect us both physically and spiritually from those who seek our harm. An answer to anti-semitism is not to withdraw and hide being Jewish but to be proud and live it. Just as the Iron Dome protects us physically, learning, growing and striving to live more Jewishly pro tects us spiritually.

Warm wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Sweet New Year, L’Shana Tova U’Metukah!”

Mitchell Kaye has

lives in east Cobb with his wife Amy.

By Rabbi Micah Lapidus

Covid was and is many things. Among those many things, Covid is a teacher. Teaching us a curricu lum we never asked for, and often at too great a price to bear, those of us who have “made it through” have hopefully grown in wis dom. Wiser now, we see the importance of being fully present in all aspects of our lives. Wiser now, we see that joy, love, and celebration require no excuse and should not be delayed. Wiser now, we understand that our fates are intertwined and that the only way forward, whether in person or not, is together. Wiser now, we understand our strength, our spirit, and the necessity of doing the work that needs to be done in order to ensure that our making it through has not been in vain.

By Mike Leven

Well, another year has passed and as it does, we first should be thankful to begin another. This year has been a difficult one, because as you age you lose more friends and family. Those you know have experienced illness and stress. So, what should this year’s message be?

Promise to renew your relationships; call, email and don’t forget a birthday. For me Rosh Hashanah is filled with memories of family and friends at home, at the syna gogue, or just looking at all pictures.

Memories that have been the treasure of my days. Make a promise to reconnect with what being Jewish means to you and yours. Think about what you do to fulfill your respon sibility to make your world a better place and lastly have gratitude. That will ensure the coming year will give you and those important to your peace.

Micah Lapidus, Ed.D. is the director of Jewish and Hebrew Studies at The Davis Academy.

Mike Leven is founder of Jewish Future Pledge.

By Rabbi Shalom Lewis

As we enter another year, we ponder what chang es we might make or will we simply continue down the same path as before. We daven with sincer ity, thump with contrition and fast with pas sion. We are High Holy Day loyalists but as Elul fades, typically we make no changes and backslide into the familiar. We calculate that increased commitment is disruptive, intrusive and so we rely on Rosh Hasha nah and Yom Kippur to carry us through the year. I get it but permit me to share a thought that might linger in our souls as the Ten Days recede into sacred memory.

There’s a wonderful tale of a deaf man who wanders into a village. As he passes a large hall he peers through a window and sees people waving their arms, jumping up and down. What he doesn’t see is a band playing on a stage. The musicians are not visible to him from his vantage of the window. Perplexed, he stares and stares at the those within who are leaping all about. Shaking their bodies this way and that. The deaf man reasons that this must be an asylum, that the gyrating crowd he observes are mad. Why does he not realize that these folks are dancing? The tale concludes. He believes these people are insane because he does not hear the music.

A life of faith is seen by many as crazy by those on the outside looking in. They do not understand how one chooses to live a life of restriction. Of limitation. A life packed with laws and demands. A life that denies the individual the opportunity to suck the marrow out of every moment. YOLO, they opine. We live but one life. How dare a system deprive us of the freedom to explore and experience all that is arrayed before us? For one to sit on a rocking chair in wrinkly dotage wallowing in the re gret of could haves and should haves, is cruel. As dusk falls, cry out these critics of faith, such spiritual victims might very well lament not breaking the shackles of their youth. How sad this cynical, bitter assessment. How unfortunate and shallow is their silent view through the window. They who do not hear the music.

A life of faith for those who hear the music, the sacred symphony, is not one of sacrifice nor deprivation but a wonderous journey that fills the neshama with God’s holiness. Kashrut doesn’t restrict, it humanizes. Tzedakka doesn’t deplete, it fills. Shabbos doesn’t imprison, it liberates. Mikve doesn’t limit, it purifies. Festivals don’t intrude, they elevate. Prayer doesn’t routinize, it eternalizes. Rituals don’t burden, they beautify. All that we do in obeisance to a divine system transforms all we experi ence into acts and deeds of sanctity. Nothing escapes the sparkle of heaven. We dwell in transcendence. Missing nothing. Envying no one.

There are many who are deaf, look through the window unaware of the musi cians, seeing and presuming lunacy. But for those who hear the music it is not mad ness rather it is a glorious dance of rapture.

Shannah Tova to All.

Shalom Lewis is rabbi emeritus at Congregation Etz Chaim having served the congre gation since 1977.

By Allen H. Lipis

Living in the Present

I write as I just returned from a funeral of a friend, and it reminds me how precious every day of our lives is. So, for the New Year focus on enjoying each and every day by focusing on the present. When you look at the past, you often focus on suffering from unpleas ant experiences. Do not focus on regret for what might have been. What is past, is already gone and there is no value in com plaining about it.

If you focus on the future, you will never be happy. Mishle says, “Do not boast about to morrow for you do not know what a day might bring.” You cannot be happy if you are preoccu pied with the future. You will be concerned over what lies ahead, yet you know you cannot guarantee your own future’s course in your life. At best, your vision is limited and when the future occurs, it almost always is different from what you expected.

The answer is to live in the present. To do that, you must give up regretting the past and stop worrying about the future. If you can really feel joy in the present, it will go beyond worrying about the future. You will avoid needless emotional pain and not miss anything. Think every day that you are crossing a stream on a narrow board, and the thought of falling might cause you to actually fall. What will you be focused on at that very moment? Stay focused in the present.

Every moment of time is too precious to waste. Once your life is over, you can not plead for another chance. After you die, you cannot ask for more time. It is your royal duty to be ready for whatever occurs. If you reflect that, your entire lifetime is a continuous travel toward the ultimate judgment you will not sin.

Rabbi Yechezkail Abramsky suggests that you, “View each day as a page in your autobiography.” Only in the present do you have the opportunity to author a master piece of your life.

May this coming year be your best year ever!

Allen H. Lipis is a contributor to the Atlanta Jewish Times.

By Rabbi Rachael Klein Miller

When the New Moon Rises

During the month of Elul the moon is like that post-it note you leave around the house remind ing you not to forget that important thing you’re supposed to do. On the first of Elul, I challenged our congregants to take a few moments each evening to look at the moon.

The moon is our reminder to dive into deep reflection, to engage in cheshbon hanefesh, an accounting of our soul. We take extra time for this deep reflection, even at the expense of studying more Torah! Such reflection helps us enter the new year with an openness toward growth and teshuva, a return to the right path.

It’s now September 15th. Rosh HaShanah is just 10 days away. The moon is waning, telling us that Rosh Ha Shanah is almost here. The first of Tishrei is just around the corner. If you haven’t noticed the moon in recent days, take notice tonight and each night leading up to Rosh HaShanah.

As you gaze toward the heavens, reflecting on the vastness of the universe, decide how you will work toward being your best self in the year ahead. May you recognize the miraculous-ness of your existence within the cosmos, and may you feel empow ered to bring more goodness to our world.

Rabbi Rachael is an associate rabbi at Temple Emanu-El in Sandy Springs.

By Rabbi Hillel Norry

Of the many things I have missed these past two years, near the top of the list is getting together and seeing people face to face. I like faces. So much of our communication is done without words, only with our expression. Our face shows who we are, our experiences, and our divin ity. Of all the billions of faces in the world, past and present, no two people look ex actly alike. No two people have the same face. Each of us contains an entirely unique spark, meant to be shared with others. I un derstand the role of masks in public health, but K95 masks all look the same. Masks have hidden our faces, and Zoom has digitized them. Still, there is no substitute for real world, wholeself presence. We NEED to be together. To SEE each other. Anew. In person. Face to face.

Hillel Norry is the rabbi at Temple Beth David in Snellville.

By David Ostrowsky

Shanah Tovah.

For the past (almost) year, I have been extreme ly privileged to write sports articles for the Atlan ta Jewish Times. In short, it has been one of the most rewarding professional experiences of my life. I have been able to chronicle a wide array of stories involving not just Jewish sports figures from all corners of America, but also individuals and organizations that have had a profound impact on the Greater Atlanta area – outside of Judaic culture. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the staff at the AJT for providing me with this truly special opportunity, as well as to my read ership for consuming my content.

From a Jewish sports perspective, I am very ex cited about what the new year will bring. Surely, there will be many Jewish athletes, coaches, and sports executives; both in the Atlanta re gion and beyond, whose feats will need to be chronicled. I look forward to hopefully enlightening readers about new developments so that they, too, can be proud of their faith from an athletic perspective.

In the year ahead, I embrace the challenge of contributing an even broader spec trum of sports stories, bringing to light the triumphs, challenges, and milestones expe rienced by Jewish sports figures of different ages, genders, and backgrounds.

On a different note, I believe that the next 12 months of sports events will be even more enjoyable with the pandemic receding. After all, it was only last winter, when the Omicron variant was sweeping across the nation, that sports fans were once again hesitant to enter packed arenas. For a moment, it felt as though we were taking a step backwards before normalcy eventually resumed.

Hopefully, in the coming months, even with the arrival of colder weather, the variants will be kept at bay and fans throughout Georgia and the rest of the U.S. will continue enjoying attending sporting events.

Above all else, I wish every one of you a most joyful and healthy Rosh Hashanah and for only good things in the year ahead.

By Jody Pollack

Thankfully life is returning to "normal." I am hold ing off on burning my last facemask just in case a venue hasn’t gotten the latest version of the memo. To be able to see the smile of a child, a dear friend and a restaurant server is won derful. Plus, now I can see if someone is re ally laughing at one of my quips or if I need to ready a quick apology.

My wife had been hospitalized in 2020 and at that time I could only see her if I stood in the grass outside her window. We could only wave and communicate by phone. This June, my wife unfortunately fell and broke her hip. Definitely not a fun time. Fortunately, the restrictions have been relaxed and I was able to be with her at the hospital and then at rehab. Is there a way to truly measure the value here?

My youngest daughter got married, a cousin had a Bar Mitzvah, cousins came in from Israel and were able to be with relatives that we had not seen in years. We can go to the movies and BBQ Festivals with little to no fear of the pandemic. Yes, some of us still got caught by the Wuhan Virus, but it was to a far lesser extent than the initial wave.

The aspects of life that we took for granted, are, for the moment, prized. We hope that this upcoming New Year, 5783, will be smoother than last year. We will still prize our “normalcy,” smile across the room at others and enjoy the re-learned value of friends and family coming together for simchas, seders and BBQ Festivals. The value? Immeasurable.

L’shana Tovah Tika Teyvu!

Jody Pollack is executive director of the Hebrew Order of David and Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival.

By Fran M. Putney

By Tiffany Parks

I pray that everyone has a Happy Rosh Hasha nah!

In our increasingly unstable world, we must savor every laugh with a friend, every hug from a family member, and every time we get to gather and worship God.

Tiffany Parks is an English instructor at Gwinnett Technical College

Thanks to Covid, it had been two years since we had seen Maddie when we finally got together again last summer. Maddie (they/them/their) is our old est (born our son Matthew, now gender-fluid). After they moved to Oregon seven years ago after college, I had to accept that our in-per son visits would be far between, but we had been getting together once a year – often with us parents going to Portland. Like so many who had to make the same sacrifice during the pandemic, I found that two years was crazy long without the pleasure of a hug, seeing up close the things that matter to a person by being in their house, hanging out with their partner and friends and simply doing things together for a few days. You share a lot during long hikes up Mt. Hood or Mt. St. Helens!

This year I am thankful that Maddie will be coming home to Atlanta this Rosh Hashanah. It will be a quick visit, mostly to see grandparents they haven’t seen in many years, people who played a big part in Matthew’s childhood and have missed him dearly. We’ll see if Maddie likes what I’ve done with their former bedroom, and of course I will ask that they go through some things I haven’t yet gotten rid of. I hope we’ll have some laughs because no one cracks me up like Maddie. It will be short, but what greater holiday gift could I ask for?

Wishing you and yours a Shanah Tova and many warm hugs from your loved ones!

Fran Putney is a writer, editor, Atlanta Jewish Times proofreader and communications manager for the GA Commission on the Holocaust.

David Ostrowsky is a regular contributor to the sports section of the Atlanta Jewish Times.

By Eric Robbins

It’s the start of a new year, 5783, and I find myself asking, “Where do we go next?”

A new year offers a blank slate, a chance to make one’s mark. After the tumult of the last two years, the unknown can be intimidating.

But when I think of how Atlanta’s Jewish community has handled recent challenges, I feel ready to face the new year and what ever it brings.

Last year, we faced many challenges that still aren’t resolved. The war in Ukraine isn’t over—everyday thousands of more peo ple are forced to leave their homes or to won der where their next meal will come from. COV

ID isn’t over—new variants continue to put people at risk, and the pandemic has changed our world in many ways that we cannot yet define. But I also know that our commitment to each other has not ended.

Over the last two years, I’ve seen priorities shift for individuals and organiza tions. Many of the things we used to want are no longer relevant, and our focus has shifted. In times of crisis, we see what’s most important: safety, security, and health. The Atlanta Jewish community has stepped-up in a monumental way to care for one another, as well as people in need all over the world.

So where do we go next? I hope we continue to put each other first. I believe in working towards an aligned community that pursues common goals. At Federation, we speak of “meeting the moment” being ready when a crisis emerges. The moments we have faced in the last two years are bigger than Federation, or any one organiza tion. And I have been so moved by the power of Jewish Atlanta when these moments occurred.

5783 holds many unknowns, but we will meet them together. That is the power of community.

L’shana tovah, Eric Robbins is the CEO and president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

By Flora Rosefsky

My father-in-law, Harry Rosefsky of blessed mem ory, used to say how “time had wings,” especially on his birthdays. He was blessed to live a good, long life of 98 years. His words bring together the fragility of life itself with the unknown, punc tuating the circle of life itself. After writing articles for the AJT over the last few years, I felt fortunate to interview so many thought ful men and women who included area cler gy, physicians, artists, writers, community leaders, colleagues, friends, and younger members of our community too, who shared their philosophies with me. Some of what I learned from them impacted my own life, to bet ter understand how to cope with whatever chang es may come my way. The liturgy during the Ten Days of Awe includes that prayer about who shall die, who shall live, who shall be sick, who shall be well and so forth. Judaism doesn’t guarantee 100% perfection in one’s life or our health, but it does give us some road map for strength to deal with whatever new challenges we face. I wish the community a good year, filled with sweet blessings to live as fully as possible in each moment every day, with grati tude. And may G-d shelter you with everlasting love.

Flora Rosefsky is an artist, grandmother, mother, wife and previous contributor to the Atlanta Jewish Times.

Shana Tova!

By Sheri Rosenblum

Rosh Hashanah

L’shanah Tovah! Have a good year, y’all!

Rosh Hashanah, the first day of Tishrei, is celebrat ed in the fall.

Beginning of the 10 Days of Awe, ending with Yom Kippur, All its prayers and Torah readings appear in a book called Machzor.

The Jewish New Year commemorates the world, at its creation, It is a period of repentance and introspec tion.

Jews, from all over the world, go to Shul, on this holiday, Most of the service is different than on Shabbat Saturdays.

Our Father, Our King - Avinu Malkeinu, A very powerful prayer, for all Jews.

“Avinu Malkeinu: we have sinned before you!

Avinu Malkeinu: inscribe us in the Book of Good Life!

Avinu Malkeinu: open the gates of heaven to our prayer!”

The Torah reading, for the first day, was from Genesis. Isaac’s birth to Abraham and Sarah, in their old age, was miraculous! The second day was how Isaac was sacrificed to G-d, by Abraham. G-d commanded, at the last minute, to substitute a ram!

Hearing the shofar blown, dates to biblical times, is a mitzvah.

The ram’s horn blasts these sounds: t’kiah, sh’varim, t’kiah g’dolah. Let the sounds of the shofar wash over you, arouse your soul to come closer to G-d. Let all hear!

It is such a dramatic moment, of the New Year!

There is a Tashlich ceremony, on the first afternoon of Rosh Hashanah. The custom dates to the 13th Century. Passages are read from the Prophet Micah. To symbolically “cast off” your sins, from the previous year. Torn bread is thrown into any moving body of water, including off a pier.

On Rosh Hashanah it is customary to eat foods with symbolic importance, It helps focus the agenda of the day: prayer, resolution to do good and repen tance.

(Rabbi Menachem Meiri, 1249-1310)

“Eating these foods is not so much a prayer, As an expression of our faith, that we be inscribed for a good, sweet year.”

(Rabbi Shlomo Kruger, 1783-1869)

A round challah represents the cycle of life and the crown with which we coro nate G-d every year.

Challah is tasty by itself, but great with honey to schmear. Several strands of dough, for a braided challah, represents unity. For the round challah, one strand — wound around, is symbolic to our personal responsibility.

The Talmud relates why were the Jewish people likened to an apple tree?

Like an apple, which buds before its leaves, Our ancestors obeyed G-d without knowing what he would demand or conceive. Pleasant appearance, taste and fragrance are qualities of an apple, It relates to blessing, we pray to G-d to grant us: children, good health and a livelihood that is ample.

A bee is not kosher, but its honey is, for sure, On Rosh Hashanah, we pray that although we ourselves may be unworthy and

impure, G-d should still accept the prayers, that come from our lips, as pure.

Apple and honey prayer – “we praise G-d, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the tree.”

The apple is then dipped into the honey, for a New Year that is sweet.

The pomegranate’s symbolism lies in the fruit itself, the abundant juicy seeds. We express our wish for a year filled with as many merits as pomegranate seeds. Israel is full of mitzvot like the pomegranate is full of seeds.

Rich Hebrew texts and chants, Torah readings with meaning, and the blowing of the shofar, Rosh Hashanah prayer services are a spiritual lifter. Coupled with delicious meals, with foods that are symbolic, May this New Year be happy, healthy and sweet! Void of the pandemic!

Tishrei 1-2, 5783

By Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal

With all the introspection encouraged over the High Holidays, I feel the communal aspects of these sacred days may become lost. My favorite com munal aspect is the enthroning of God as sov ereign of the world. As Americans this feels a bit foreign, and our Jewish identity often is at odds with our American one. Many of us consider ourselves to be MOT – Members of the Tribe - while we also celebrate our sovereign self. It’s hard to be both a part of the group and an individual who is separate and independent. Due to this, I feel we may not really understand why we are gathering with community on the holidays. If it’s just to pray and talk with God, most of us can do that wherever we are. In fact, we might find it more easily done in a quiet and solitary space. However, this is where the communal aspect of the High Holiday experience speaks to us so loudly. The High Holidays are about installing God on the throne of justice and mercy. Our prayer book says it best: HaMelekh, yoshev al keysay ram v’Nisah – The Sovereign, sitting upon the high and exalted chair. God is being coronated and our job is to sing as members of the coronation choir.

Over the past few years, singing together has been difficult. As our communities gather again, this is one of many aspects that I value about being live and in person. To hear the voices come together in a cacophony of noise is an important part of the High Holiday experience for me, and I am looking forward to raising up my voice with my spiritual family this year.

Laurence Rosenthal is a rabbi at Ahavath Achim Synagogue.

By Ray Alyssa Rothman

Rosh Hashanah Greeting 2022

For me, Rosh Hashanah is always a time of reflection and remembrance, particularly be cause of the way that the Jewish calendar and the secular calendar coincide at this special time of year, even though the Jewish New Year always seems to be moving around. In deed, although the modern Gregorian and Julian calendars celebrate January 1st as the start of the secular year, the weeks follow ing Labor Day mark the real beginning for many. With the fading of summer and the movement into autumn, we renew ourselves as the familiar cycles of life start anew, with the resumption of school, a renewed commitment to work, and the recognition and reaffirmation of the other important patterns that mark the cycles of our lives.

It is a time of year when we count our blessings. I am blessed by the presence of my children and the opportunity to have watched them grow and mature over the past year as they become more sentient, conscious, and aware, with one in her last year of middle school, another in high school, and a third starting college.

It is also a time of year to remember and appreciate those who came before us. In particular, I grieve the loss of my dear mother who departed our world this past year. Yet I also celebrate the years that I had with her and my closeness to her both in life and in death.

The Jewish new year also reaffirms my pride in celebrating my 40th year as an active member of our Atlanta Jewish community!

May your new year be sweet and full of abundance!

Ray Alyssa Rothman is a commercial real estate veteran who also helps raise equity for investments. Her side business is Kibbitz & Konnect, a premier in-person social network for Atlanta’s Jewish singles community (kibbitzkonnect.org).

By Gayle and Brian Rubenstein

To our amazing Community in Atlanta,

Here we are again and it’s Rosh Hashanah! This marks the start of not only a new year but of Hashem’s creation of the world. We find inspiration from our Rabbis, our faith, and the sweetness of these wonderful days when we are together again, the sound of the shofar will bring us closer together.

As we prepare wonderful meals and apples and honey, we pray for world peace, love among us, kindness, forgiveness, health, humility, and compassion. Avinu Malkeinu, inscribe us in the book of life, give strength to our fellow Jews in Israel, Ukraine and everywhere around the world, and give strength to all those who are suffering as we begin the new year.

By Rabbi Neil Sandler

On the second day of Rosh Hashana, we will read the Akedah story (the Binding of Isaac). Isaac’s fa ther, Abraham, is about to carry out the divine instruction to sacrifice his favored child when an angel calls out, “Abraham! Abraham!” Abraham’s response is resolute, “Hineni” –“Here I am. Right here. Right now.”

That Torah Reading will not be the only time we hear the word “Hineni” on the High Holidays. As the Musaf portion of the ser vices begins, the Cantor stands at the back of the sanctuary and chants the words of the “Hineni” prayer. The pageantry and tune cre ate a spiritual awareness unique to the High Holidays.

What is the Cantor saying as she/he intones the words of the “Hineni” prayer? “Hineni” – “Here I am…” Al though the Cantor goes on to say that he/she is unworthy to represent the people before the Holy One, the Cantor asserts “Hineni” - I am here. Right now. Fully present on behalf of my community.”

Our Rosh Hashana second day Torah Reading and the “Hineni” prayer remind us of the potential and power of the present moment.

We can do nothing about the past. We can regret something we did or did not do, but we can do nothing to change it. Even the process of teshuva (repentance) cannot change past wrongdoing. It can only enable us to atone for it. Likewise, we can plan for the future, but we cannot control it.

The only moment that really matters is the present one. Like Abraham and the Cantor, we can say, “Hineni” – “Here I am.” I am attuned to this moment. Here I am with the Holy One. Here I am with my loved ones. Here I am with my friends. Here I am with my community. Here I am with myself. I am fully present, and I am ready to act in life – affirming and caring ways.

Hineni – I hope the High Holidays will encourage you to be fully present in the moment and to the good things that may flow from that awareness. I wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy year throughout 5783.

By Shaindle Schmuckler

May the New Year 5783 bring you a new and deeper connection to Judaism, bringing you joy fulness, nourishment for your Jewish souls and boundless great joys. Praying the challenges of 5783 are manageable, offering you new in sights.

Shaindle Schmuckler is a contributor to the Atlanta Jewish Times, and the proud savta of 10 beautiful, smart, insightful grandchil dren.

Gayle Rubenstein is owner of Balloons Over Atlanta and Event Visions, wife, mom, grandma.

Rabbi Neil Sandler is rabbi emeritus of Ahavath Achim Synagogue in Buckhead.

TOVAH!

ROSH

By Dena Schusterman

I feel seen.

It’s a throwaway line on social media comments, even if it is to poke fun; feeling seen feels good.

The Instagram account @dudewithsign and the Jewish version @yidwithsign hold up raggedy square shaped brown box sides with one-liners like:

Inflation, Read the Room.

We don’t need a meeting to plan for the meeting.

No one asked for your first day of school photo.

We get it you like Shtisel Vicchulai, Vichulai And somehow, these tiny pieces of shared hu mor are weirdly validating.

Sure, feeling genuinely secure comes from within my self. Yet confirmation from others is also part of my human expe rience. This relating is enriching---it’s how we humans connect and bond and how we are wired.

I remember learning in an early childhood course that the reason toddlers say, “Watch me! Look at me!” --think the pool, where you have your eyeballs peeled, and still, they shriek a bazil lion times over and over. This is because young children need their caregivers’ attention to feel their existence.

Literally.

Today, we understand that being understood and validated as a child is a mark of how you will attach and feel security as an adult.

I get it.

I want to feel seen; you want to feel seen, kids need to feel seen, but oddly enough, you know who wants and needs it the most? GOD.

It is strange but true, and may I posit that this is what Rosh Hashana is all about. Instead of thinking about the High Holidays with dread and heaviness, try thinking about it as the mystics do:

God does not reign as our sovereign unless we crown Him king. He relies on us. As it says, ‘There is no King without a people.’ We are His people. He needs us. The profound paradox is that on Rosh Hashana we hold all of the power in giving God His.

Yes, He exists with or without us, but somehow and for some reason, he chose to create the world with humans he wants as subjects and wants us to do that crowning.

Why would an infinite God need or want our validation? We don’t know, and the reason is beyond our comprehension.

What we do know is that Rosh Hashana is a pivotal moment for God and us:

Will we choose Him?

Will we notice Him despite His being hidden?

Will we establish this as the foundation for our relationship?

Will we invest ourselves in trying our best to do His bidding?

Will we seek Him out when we feel lost?

This is the gist of it.

This is the enormous privilege of being a Jew on Rosh Hashana, where we have agency in creating this reality.

I cannot think of a time in history when freedom is understood as it is today. Imagine telling slaves that they can choose.

Imagine telling peasants in pre-revolutionary times that they have options.

Imagine telling women before the 1900s that they have a vote.

No one would understand. Today we all understand. Today we know that every single Jew ish act we do is our choice.

Every person who shows up for shofar blowing in 2022 is making a choice, even if it is a subconscious one.

Perhaps you think that giving people a choice is taking too much of a chance. Can I trust my child, spouse, and employee to make the choice that I so desperately want to happen?

Maybe I can, perhaps I can’t, but one thing is for sure; in His infinite wisdom and with a lot more to lose, God trusts us--- and there is not one single year that we have let Him down.

Hashem Melech, Hashem Malach, Hashem Yimloch L’olam Va’ed.

(Thank you, Alisa, my sister for this idea, Rabbi YYJ and Shterna Ginsburg for teaching me Chasidus)”

Dena Schusterman is a founder of Chabad Intown, the Intown Jewish Preschool and the Intown Hebrew School, she writes about parenting and applied Torah and chassidic thought, teaches women’s classes, and is currently working on writing her first book. Dena and her husband, Rabbi Eliyahu Schus terman, are native Californians living in Atlanta together with their children.

By Rabbi Beth Schwartz

As we come together to observe the High Holy Days, whether we are “regulars” or High Holy Daysonly Jews, our communal presence reminds us of the spiritual strength of the Jewish People. It’s an extended family reunion that has endured across time and space, and a symbol of our resilience. It’s the renewal of our ongoing conversation and covenant with the Holy One. May we build upon these bonds in the coming year, and share the blessings of our sacred heritage, our family ties, and our faith in God and ourselves.

Beth Schwartz is rabbi emerita of Temple Is rael of Columbus, Georgia.

By Rabbi Larry Sernovitz

One of my favorite teachings for this time of year, and frankly for the whole year, is one from Rav Simcha Bunim of Peshischa, a Chasidic Master who lived in Poland during the late 17th-early 18th century. He was the son of a GermanJewish rabbi/merchant and a mother who descended from generations of rabbis going all the way back to Rashi. He not only had a strong Jewish education but also pursued secular studies in Leipzig, Germany. Rav Simcha strongly believed in showing the beauty of Judaism to secular Jews. In fact, he could be found in theaters on Jewish holidays in the hopes of bringing Jews to synagogue. He believed that every Jew had value, no matter their religious practice.

He once taught, “Everyone must have two pockets, with a note in each pocket, so that he or she can reach into the one or the other, de pending on the need. When feeling lowly and depressed, discouraged, or disconsolate, one should reach into the right pocket, and there, find the words: ‘For my sake was the world created.’ But when feeling high and mighty one should reach into the left pocket and find the words: ‘I am but dust and ashes.’”

By Dr. Terry Segal

Another challenging year has passed. We’ve come through it, touched in varying degrees, by joy and grief. The Jewish New Year provides opportunity for deep reflection, release, renewal, and recon nection.

If there’s anything these past few years have taught us, it’s discernment. Issues of health and safety require us to assess each moment as if our lives depend on it. Be cause they do.

This summer we removed carpeting and installed the healthier choice of hard woods. It required us to handle every item stored for the past 25 years and make decisions about it, including our children’s “treasures” and the inherited items from my mother, father, and grandparents.

I’m a sentimental fool and saved every paper with artistic brushstrokes made by our three children. Determined to only put back things that spark joy or serve a purpose, I called a family meeting and, with permission, downsized to one bin for my parents/grandparents’ keepsakes and one per child. I kept all of their precious notes to me, some art, and cards with the handwriting of departed loved ones. Prom cor sages, more brown than pink, were discarded and I released the rest, having laughed and cried, while cherishing the memories. I never imagined my perceptions would change. That was the unpolished gem in this scrutiny that extends beyond bins, to all choices regarding who I’ve become. It also fits who I’m becoming.

None of us is who we were last year. Life can be simpler if we stop comparing it to how it used to be. The more we can be present, and mindfully release anything that weighs us down, the lighter we’ll feel.

May we walk gently into this New Year with more space inside and around us, that allows us to see G-d’s light on our path forward.

Dr. Terry Segal is a licensed psychotherapist, Ph.D. in Energy Medicine, author, and mixed-media artist.

In our world today, self-care and believing in our innate ability to impact the world is waning. Each person truly has value due to the heaviness of the world, many of us are struggling to get by. Rav Simcha encouraged people to find joy and meaning in life, hence his name “Simcha,” meaning joy. But he also saw many in society who grew to be arrogant and believed in finding that critical balance.

During this High Holy Day season, let Rav Simcha’s words penetrate our souls, guiding us to do God’s work while maintaining our humility in the process. If we al low ourselves to walk in God’s ways, 5783 will be a year we all can look back upon, seeing a resurgence of goodness, kindness, and peace in our world. May the new year be sweet, kind, and bestow much good blessing upon you and your loved ones.

Larry Sernovitz is the senior rabbi at Temple Kol Emeth.

By Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner

Pivoting is a Jewish value. Our people have histori cally navigated life’s challenges by finding innova tive ways to practice Judaism when disruptive events threatened our existence. Some two thousand years ago, Rabbinic Judaism was born out of the ashes from the destruction of the Great Temple.

As we prepare for Rosh Hashana 5783, we find ourselves heading into the 3rd Holy Day season since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, another year of doing things a bit differently while trying to maintain the integrity of the tradition.

As we move back to more familiar in-per son territory, many ask if we will go back to the way, it all was “before”? That’s THE question, should we go back to the way things were B.P. (before pandemic) or do we take the lessons learned and continue to experiment and innovate?

As we have all learned, disruption is scary and going back to what is familiar feels safe. That is why we must remember that the pivot is a Jewish response to surviv ing the capricious nature of the world.

The Book of Exodus is filled with folks who were redeemed from Egyptian bond age yet kept wanting to go back to Mitzrayim because it was familiar. The uncertain ty of what lay beyond the wilderness was frightening. But just imagine how things might have turned out if Moses had given up and made a U-turn with the Israelites? And where would we be today if the rabbis of 70 C.E. had only lamented what was lost instead of creating new and visionary ways of living Jewishly in diaspora?

So, my message coming into this new year, is that while it is not always easy to strike a balance between tradition and innovation, we must continue to embrace the journey forward, seeking all possible ways to fall in love with BEing Jewish. As we en ter 5783 let us dream and explore what our synagogues, our agencies and our Atlanta Jewish community can do even better if we collaborate, build new partnerships, and try bold new ways to explore the many paths to prayer and the cultivation of the soul. There will be failures for sure, but if we give up trying only to go back to the way we’ve always done things, then we will surely miss out on the sparks of holiness that lay deeply hidden just waiting to be released.

Shanah Tovah!

Rabbi Shuval-Weiner is the senior rabbi at Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell and pres ently serving as president of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association.

By Rabbi Albert I. Slomovitz

The Angels Among Us

It is so fascinating that the Torah readings for both days of Rosh Hashanah give vivid accounts of angels from God interacting with our ancestors, freely communicating with them. These holy messen gers gave guidance to our Biblical leaders by helping them in their life situations. I firmly be lieve that we have the potential to be like these angels having major positive impacts with the people in our own lives. Allow me to share an example that I would describe as being in the “angel” category.

A few months ago, I was visiting Israel. I had arranged to meet a few relatives in Tel Aviv to spend Shabbat and Shavuot which was the next day. We ar rived in Tel Aviv, Friday afternoon, luggage in hand and entered the hotel I had booked weeks before on a travel website. Unfortunately, they had lost or never received the reservation! They had no rooms available. So, my grandson and I began walking through downtown Tel Aviv trying to find hotel rooms on one of the busiest weekends in Israel. Hotel after hotel gave us the same response, “ain ma kom,” “no room." After each turn away, I was getting more desperate as Shabbat and Shavuot were coming and we had found no accommodations.

It was when we entered the Best Western in Tel Aviv, that we met our angels. The two women working the front desk at the hotel promptly gave us the same Hebrew response, “ain makom.” Then, however, they did something extraordinary. They began calling other hotels in the area to get us accommodations. All the while, greeting and checking out other guests and dealing with a host of other tasks. Some of the available hotels were out of our price range. They never got discouraged and kept on trying to help. Finally, after 40 minutes, they found us a hotel that met our locale and financial needs.

Our Shabbat and Shavuot holiday were saved by these two angels. I was never sure why they did what they did. They, like all the others, would have been perfectly correct to tell us that they had no rooms and wished us luck. These two, Hilary and Ora, didn’t do that. Their actions changed the trajectory of our whole weekend and overall visit to Israel. At the conclu sion of my time with them, they learned that I was a rabbi. They asked me to pray for them. I told them I would, and I have. However, it is the two of them that brought kindness and peace of mind into my life.

We too, in the ordinary activities of our daily lives, can be like Hilary and Ora. We never know when it’s our turn to be the angel for someone. A relative or friend who really needs someone to listen to them, a co-worker who wants to share something with us, or a neighbor that needs a kind word. Instead of “ain makom,” there’s “no room,” let’s say “yeash makom”, “there is room,” in my heart and soul for you.

To all the angels reading this, have a happy, healthy and sweet New Year.

Rabbi Albert Slomovitz is the rabbi at large for Congregation Etz Chaim. The Founder of the Jewish Christian Discovery Center and an Assistant Professor of American History at KSU.

By Rabbi Adam Starr

Before we blast the shofar on Rosh Hashana, we re cite Psalm 47, SEVEN times. This reminds us of the book of Joshua, Chapter 6, when we read how the Israelites encircled Jericho for SEVEN straight days, blasting shofarot. This culminated on the SEVENTH day with the encircling of the city SEVEN times until with one final blast of the shofar the walls of Jericho came tum bling down.

Perhaps this is a model for the power of the Shofar to cause walls to collapse. How ever, the walls that we need to fall during this time of year are of a different type. These are the invisible walls that distance us from one another and from God. As we blast the shofar dur ing the month of Elul and on Rosh Hashana, let us allow the piercing sound of the shofar to inspire us to tear down the walls that divide us from one another and from God.

We have been distanced in various ways from one another the past couple of years. As we are blessed to be back in person returning to normalcy, let us make sure that we are not only physically closer but also more deeply connected to one another through Jewish community, connection to Israel, and our sacred Torah.

Shana Tova from my family to yours!

Rodeph Sholom Congregation

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by Rabbi Steve Lebow and for Yom Kippur

led by Rabbi Richard Baroff. With the addition of Rabbi Judith Beiner, we hold Shabbat

torah study throughout the year. Visit us to see and experience the advantages of a small, welcoming community.

For more information, Website: www.rodephsholomrome.org telephone: 706.291.6315 (leave message)

By Dr. Ken Stein

In Mexico City last May, I completed a third round of teacher workshops about Israel for several dozen Jewish day school educators. This was my third trip there over the last decade where dedicated teachers again eagerly absorbed more Zionist content for their students. Our most dynamic session focused on an open-ended question, “Where has Zionism succeeded?” The ques tion was prompted by the context of Israel about to turn 75 in May 2023.

The teachers’ answers were positive, complex, and nuanced. Yes, the Jewish state created Israeli sovereignty, but even with a Jew ish majority, it did not generate full Jewish securi ty. Yes, Israel did, to some degree, normalize Jewish physical conditions world - wide, but it did not eradi cate anti-Semitism. Yes, Israel’s existence did persuade some Jews to immigrate there, but Zionism/Israel did not fulfill the objective of ‘in-gathering’ all the Jews from exile. Yes, Israel has earned a measure of peace with some of its neigh bors, but with others, it remains at detested levels of hostilities. Yes, Israel grew from its limited socialist origins to build a dynamic and diversified capitalist economy, but the country stands unequal in how wealth is distributed or shared. Yes, Israel chose to be a majority Jewish state, but still has major societal ruptures in deciding which religious and gender rules apply. All the teachers agreed that Israel is a haven for Jewish living; it is a beacon for Jewish culture and a vital magnet for diaspora Jewry.

One Sunday morning while there, I spoke to 2,100 enthusiastic Evangelical Chris tians. Their understanding about Israel’s history was far less nuanced and more abso lute. Two talks were delivered in English with simultaneous Spanish translation: one on the status of Arab-Israeli conflict and the other on the evolution of the modern State of Israel, or how Jews built the state.

After years of college teaching and presentations at all sorts of venues, I had never experienced total attentiveness to any talk I had ever given previously, and, throughout this presentation a large Israeli flag was waved constantly from the sanctuary’s balcony. When I left the stage, the pastor put his arm on my shoulder and said in his halting Eng lish, “Israel was not created because six million Jews died at the hands of Nazis. Jews suc ceeded because of their belief in maintaining faith; they needed to make modern Israel.”

As we roll toward Israel@75 and the new year, lets remember that Israel has its working attributes and contradictions; overall, it possesses deep uncontestable value. It remains unfinished. There is virtue, pride, and need for a place where Jews are a “free people in their own land.”

Shanah Tovah.

Ken Stein is professor emeritus at Emory University and president of the Center for Israel Education.

Adam Starr is the rabbi of Congregation Ohr HaTorah in Toco Hills.

ROSH HASHANAH

By Rabbi Donald A. Tam

I am relieved that we can, once more, share thoughts face-to-face in the flesh, because the face in per son, is the way to the heart.

My granduncle Chaim, like all my moth er’s aunts and uncles, was a Yid dish speaker, steeped in the atmosphere of a Jewish Eastern Europe, now gone. He hailed from a little town in Rumania, in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains, called “Fo cshan.” He was a free thinker an “Apikores,” in the words of the rabbis an atheist.

Whenever we visited Toronto, I would go with him, to what we called the “Rumainishe Shul.” Uncle Chaim always attended Shabbat services. Finally, I asked him, “Uncle Chaim, you say you are a free thinker, but you go to Shul every Shabbos? “Ah, Du vid,” he answered, “Where else should a Jew be on Shabbos, but in Shul.” If God Himself could not hold him, apparently the covenant of Israel with God, still did?

In the Torah portion read the week before Rosh Hashanah, the Israelites are poised ready to enter the land of Israel. “That you should enter into the cov enant of the Lord your God, and into His oath, which the Lord your God makes with you this day,” Deut. 29:11.

What need is there for “another” covenant just before our people entered the land of Israel? The first Lubavitcher Rebbe wrote, “When two friends make a covenant, it is not for the present, but for the future, because sometimes, as time passes, their feeling of closeness dissolves. Thus, the covenant is meant to have them maintain their closeness, even after those factors which brought it about no longer exist.” Even though there would be times when all would be dark, and we would be tossed about the world, we as Jews would still maintain the love of God within ourselves.

Remember us for good, Holy One of Israel. Even during those times when you remain so distant, we hold to the covenant we made with You. We do not forget You. We do not break our covenant with You. We hold onto it, out of love, hope and dream. Do not forget us, Holy One, as my uncle Chaim, no matter what he said to others, did not forget You.

Rabbi Donald Tam is rabbi emeritus of Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell.

The Temple Clergy

The Rambam says that “congregational prayer is al ways heard [by the Almighty].” While acknowledging that it’s not always possible to be together in person (as has been the case over the past few years), the Rambam knows that there are major benefits to joining as a community in prayer. God hears our prayers more clearly, and perhaps we hear one another’s prayers better too. We are thrilled to be able to return this High Holy Day season in larger numbers, to sing together, hold each oth er, and do teshuva, repentance, as a community.

There will be those who are excited to reunite with friends and family during the holidays. Oth ers will look forward to the special melodies that the holidays offer, and to hearing the shofar as it pierces our hearts. Still others will be happy to have a place to be, a home away from home, structured time to move through the holidays, and to allow the holidays to move through us.

As we hear each other better this year, we can also see the impact of the holidays on our commitments for the year to come. Our better hearing can lead to better responding. The At lanta Rabbinic Association recently learned this text with Rabbi Shai Held of Hadar: “When a person receives a benefit from his fellow, a seed of hesed [loving connection] is planted in his world. If the nature of hesed is functioning healthily and properly, this seed cannot but give rise to additional hesed.” When we are together, we have the opportunity to sow this seed –with the smile we share with a stranger, the food we share with those in need on Yom Kippur, the commitments we share to continue to bring light and justice into the world. Within the context of community, our acts of hesed have even greater ripple effects than if we do them alone – they, in turn, plant new seeds of kindness. Inspiring each other with moving prayer, we can engage acts of hesed that blossom and grow and taken together as a community, have the power to transform our world for the better.

With wishes for a meaningful holiday season.

By Alla Umanskiy

By Rachel Wasserman

During the High Holidays, the sound of the shofar echoes throughout the walls of our synagogues and temples, reminding us to wake up, to take an ac count of our actions, and to commit to being bet ter in the year ahead. For us as individuals, this might mean being more patient with our chil dren or being more generous with our philan thropy. For us as a greater Jewish community, there is also much for us to wake up to, to take an account of, and to commit to improving.

We must wake up to the fact that white women working full-time in Georgia earn, on average, 80 cents for every dollar men earn. The gender wage gap is even wider for women of color. As a community of organizational and busi ness leaders, we must take an account of our own insti tutions and commit to eliminating the gender wage gap by compensating equal work with equal pay.

We must wake up to the fact that many of Atlanta’s Jewish institutions are still not offering sufficient paid family leave, thereby limiting the economic and career possibili ties of their employees. We must commit to investing in the people who run our congrega tions, teach our children, and plan our programs by providing supportive work environ ments where they can care for new babies, elderly parents, sick spouses, or travel out of state for an abortion without having to take unpaid time off.

We must wake up to the high cost of Jewish living and understand how that impacts single mothers, Jewish communal employees, and other people who want to participate actively in the community but cannot afford to do so.

I could go on and on. We have a lot of work to do.

In order to address these issues, as well as the myriad of issues affecting Jewish wom en and girls, we must talk about these problems in our community and acknowledge that they exist. Then, we must commit to eliminating them by working together. At Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta, we work collaboratively to effect change in the areas of eco nomic empowerment, mental health, gender-based violence prevention, leadership devel opment, and other areas in which gender inequality negatively affects women and girls in our community. In our first ten years, we have allocated nearly $2 million to almost 60 organizations. No other organization is exclusively and passionately dedicated to the advancement of Jewish women and girls in Atlanta and around the world.

This Rosh Hashanah, as the shofar reminds us to wake up, take an account, and com mit to change, please join Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta by investing in our commu nity’s girls and women.

L’shana tova u’metukah.

Rachel Wasserman is the CEO of Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta.

For a long time, I’ve wanted to write about mental health. And for a long time, I didn’t do it. Why? Because writing about a mental health struggle is taboo in my community. Because we’re supposed to know how to solve our own problems. Because I’ve been told by people who truly love me – smart, kind people! - that mental health challenges are due to lack of actual problems. Because mental health issues are viewed as “first world problems,” not worthy of true concern. Other people have serious issues – cancer, divorce, unemployment. Mental health, for me, has always been swept under the rug of, “you need to get over it.”

Well, it’s a new year and hopefully a new start! In this new year, I choose to accept and acknowledge that just like physical health, mental health is imperative. I do not want to minimize it, but to accept mental health apprehensions as real and valid.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or any other host of mental health issues, please speak to a medical professional. Know that those illnesses are as real as any physical ailment and know that you’re not alone. Don’t let anyone marginalize your mental health or make it seem insignificant. Understand that people who make light of those issues, are simply not educated on this subject, or perhaps grew up at a time when mental health was never discussed. Please know that we now live in a different time and remember that help is available. You don’t have to suffer by yourself.

I wish you a healthy and peaceful New Year.

Alla Umanskiy is a crazy mom, decent wife, passionate writer, and lover of sweets who’s living, working, raising a family and binging TV shows in her little corner of Johns Creek, Ga.

Rabbis Peter Berg, Rabbi Loren Lapidus, Rabbi Lydia Medwin, Rabbi Steven Rau, Cantor Trac ey Scher Rabbi Emeritus Alvin Sugarman, Cantor Emerita Deborah Hartman are all clergy of The Temple.

By Renee Werbin

Fall is around the corner and the countryside will soon be aglow in a cavalcade of colors as the leaves turn from green to a dazzling array of glorious red, yellow and orange and purple. The beauty of the changing leaves is as breathtaking as the spiritual wake-up call of Rosh Hashanah, our Jewish New Year. In the past few years many of us have been home due to COVID; what a blessing it will be to gather in our synagogues and pray together for a year of peace, prosperity, good health and blessings.

Rosh Hashanah’s happiness and sweet prayers echo a sense of rejuvenation and the long-awaited melody of the blowing of the Shofar reverberate sounds that reach into the depths of our heart.

As we return to a sense of normalcy, may each of us be enriched and enhanced by our rabbis, our cherished families and our dear friends. May our nurturing traditions of apples dipped in honey, round scrumptious challahs and sweet, delicious tzimmes encourage and enrich our children and grandchildren. May our beautiful traditions pass from generation to generation – L’dor V’dor – and bring our families even closer together. May 5783 herald a year of peace, tranquility, personal fulfillment, and good health. May your apples and your life always be dipped in honey.

Shana Tova.

Renee Werbin is CEO of SRI Travel and publisher of Travel Girl magazine.

By Melissa Wikoff

We are back to in-person social, business and fam ily affairs and I value it so much because in-person human connection brings joy to our lives. Over the past three years, I’ve been to zoom funerals, zoom shivas, zoom weddings, zoom bar mitz vahs and zoom baby namings. I’ve shared in both virtual happiness and sorrow with my friends and family, too many times to count. No one looks forward to a shiva, but when the pandemic cheated me out of two, it made me truly understand how this Jew ish custom brings comfort through human connection to mourners. What a thrill it was this past Shabbat to dance the hora at my friend Laura’s daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. I radiated in gen uine shared happiness with a crowd of many danc ing in circles around the room. Together, holding hands with my friends, locking arms, and swinging around the room. I held back tears of pride for my beautiful friend and of gratitude to be included in a celebration we could all share together. The first hora after years of computer screens. The first hora of many more in our lives ahead.

My job has always been full of joy, but to be back in-person celebrating musicians is the cherry on top of it all. A few weeks ago, I was finally able to work backstage again and experience live music, with a crowd, in person. To feel the beat of the bass live, to see the audience experience the show together, and to dance to the real thing, and not just the sound of my headphones, was nothing short of epic. I am filled with gratitude and hope for the future. The delight of returning to proper travel, and to run with my children on the beach, and watch them make friends. The comfort of actu ally meeting their teachers, and the excitement to be signed up to volunteer in their classrooms. I’m wishing each and every one that reads this, a very healthy, happy and sweet new year. A year we spend together.

L’ Shanah Tova!

Melissa Wikoff is the founder and director of Audiology at Peachtree Hearing.

By Dov Wilker

This year, we will be celebrating two incredible mile stones – 125th anniversary of the founding of mod ern Zionism and 75 years of Israel’s existence. Both are miracles and should be seen as such.

As we look at our own Jewish history, in Israel and in the diaspora, we have overcome so many obstacles. Some we are familiar with, and others are lost in our history.

The forgotten Exodus of Jews in the Middle East and North Africa is currently taking center stage. As individuals, they have contributed to the diversity of Israeli society, as well as North America. As a collec tive, they continue to help us see our own diver sity and the opportunities that exist as a result. My hope for the coming year is that we will learn more about the diversity of Zionism, diversity of our Jewish history and share it with our peer groups and beyond.

Am Israel Chai!

By Rabbi Mark Zimmerman

Without a doubt, the most important theme of the High Holidays is teshuvah, or return. Our souls have strayed under the weight and pressure of the world around us. And so, these 10 days of teshuvah call out to us with the opportunity to reflect, to re-engage with our neshama, and to spiritually come back home.

After 2 1/2 years of Covid many of us have indeed strayed from another and lost touch in so many ways. As the pandemic restrictions have eased, this Rosh Hasha nah I look forward to a year of actual, physi cal teshuvah, when we are all back together in person.

During the depths of the pandemic, what I missed most was not hearing the voices of our fel low congregants joined together in song. The beautiful melodies and the joy being part of a kehillah.

I am reminded of a recent cookout we had with our kids and grandkids. A load of laundry was in the washing machine when it started sounding the familiar Sam sung tune letting us know that the cycle had completed. Our daughter Miryam an nounced: “Hey Abba, your washing machine is singing the song of its people again”. I giggled. But I also loved the notion that this machine was “singing the song of its people”.

I wondered that if our people also have their own song, what exactly would that song be? Or to put it another way, what are the melodies from the Jewish ‘songbook’ that penetrate down to our very kishkas?

Maybe “Hatikvah.” I think of the many Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebrations, the som ber Yom Ha’Zikaron ceremonies where I felt the power of that melody sung in a room filled with our people. And if you’ve been to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem, you saw the video of a group of recently liberated survivors singing Hatik vah at a DP camp anxiously hoping, praying to make it to Israel. That video touches the soul and tears at your kishkas, especially as you contemplate the many Jews who didn’t get the chance to make that journey.

With the High Holidays approaching, I think of the many melodies that we will soon sing together in shul; melodies that also touch our souls like Avinu Malkeinu, B’Rosh Hashanah and Kol Nidre.

When Rosh Hashanah arrives, and we again get to sing these beautiful, holy melodies TOGETHER – that’s when the spiritual power of the holidays will begin to take hold.

The Holidays are here. It is time to come home.

Mark Zimmerman is the senior rabbi at Congregation Beth Shalom in Dunwoody where he has served for 34 years.

Dov Wilker is the SE regional director for the American Jewish Committee.

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Atlanta Jewish Times Staff Wishes Our Community Shana Tova

From Our AJT Family to Yours

By Kaylene Ladinsky

We Survived and I Have Never Felt More Alive, L’chaim!

Can you believe that we are finally at a stage of beginning to face each other in-person again on a regular basis? There were times when I thought that we had entered, not just a science fiction movie, but a new way of life, where social distancing and masks might be here to stay.

Yet, we found a way. Mankind is always evolving, adapting, and will forever overcome the challenges that come before our paths. Think about it: the entire world was affected at the same time, with the same crisis. According to worldometer.com, there are cur rently 7.97 billion lives on planet Earth, and 6,518,571 people have died so far from the COVID-19 outbreak as of Sept. 13, 2022.

Billions of us survived. I guess what overwhelms me the most is the magnitude of what we all just faced. I am amazed at how billions of people were able to come together and face COVID together as a race of human beings. I know that there are still some areas that are hurting, and I know that the impact of lives lost will remain a burden that we all take into our future. It’s truly almost inconceivable, but we are testament that it really happened. 'Wow' is the word that comes to my mind.

Now most masks are off and at first, we were like turtles coming out of our shells, but little-by-little we are letting our guards down. I am so happy to be able to see everyone’s faces. I think that is what I missed the most. Your smiles.

I realize that it seems crazy to be grateful to have experienced COVID, so I won’t go there. But I will say that I am grateful to a part of a WORLD of humans who were able to communicate information, and share data and medical supplies across billions in need. I am grateful to be a part of a WORLD that was able to evolve and adapt within days, weeks and months to a new way of survival, while continuing business, family affairs and social engagements in a new way. I am truly grateful for every one of YOU!

As this new year 5783 approaches, we have so much opportunity ahead of us. We have proven that together we can accomplish most anything.

L ‘Shana Tova!

Kaylene Ladinsky is the editor and managing publisher of the Atlanta Jewish Times.

By Lilli Jennison

Although we are back in person, back on trips, back to business, back to school, back to events … some things will never go back to normal. Has anyone realized how gross some things we used to do were? Shaking hands … when did the other person wash with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds? Touching gas pumps … have they ever been cleaned? I have a new perspective on germs since COVID.

In my opinion, we are about 90 per cent back to “normal.” The CDC is relaxing its guidelines. COVID is just something we will live with like the common cold. Although, having personally had COVID for the first time back in July … it is not just a common cold … at all. I was out for almost 2 weeks and still have a couple lin gering symptoms. I caught COVID on my vacation to Vegas in July. BH it was mild and my long COVID is managed.

This past year my focus was on self-care. I have been learning new skills, taking care of myself and doing things I enjoy. I am glad we are back in person. I have enjoyed going to events with YJP and other young adult organizations around Atlanta. I am loving teaching Noar Sunday school at Temple Sinai. On the first day, one of the kids hugged me when she told her mom I am her teacher. It was such a sweet moment. In 2020, I would have been terrified of that hug. But last week, it was my favorite part of the day. My goal for the day was to make the kids feel welcome to my second-grade classroom, and I feel that I accomplished it!

My last big event before COVID was my 25th birthday party. My family and friends were there to help me celebrate. We have not had a get-together in almost three years. My sister and I are hosting a birthday party for our mom and aunt in a few weeks and can’t be more excited to bring our family and friends together again for a nice party!

Shana Tova!

Lilli Jennison is creative director at the Atlanta Jewish Times.

By Jodi Danis

Cruising to Normalcy

This past July, my husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary by taking a week-long cruise from New York City to Ber muda. While that would hardly be cause for concern in a pre-COVID world, contemplat ing such a trip in today’s world felt like we were engaging in “risky” behavior. It re quired navigating busy airports; crowded plane flights; close-quarter taxi and Uber rides; lines to get onboard the ship and, yes, thousands of fellow passengers mingling with us in restaurants, elevators, nightclubs and activities for an entire week. Hardly a mask was in sight, aside from the ship’s crew and staff wearing them.

Despite the jitters beforehand, we quickly adapted to vacation mode and the “don’t worry, be happy” mantra of cruising. We enjoyed a wonderful, much-needed getaway — not just for the relaxation and beautiful sights, but also for the utter normalcy of being around people again. The sheer joy of that normalcy felt more contagious at times than COVID. People seemed more than ready to forget the past two years (and the masks) and savor the here-and-now. We saw large groups trav eling together and lots of dancing, eating, drinking and celebrating. It was blissful to simply enjoy the moment and feel normal again. No one seemed concerned about catching anything, other than some good fortune in the casino.

After we returned home, healthy and suntanned, we counted our blessings. I con sidered it a minor miracle that we managed to dodge the COVID bullet. Of course, life’s occasional irony isn’t lost on me: as I sit here, reflecting on the joys of feeling normal again post-COVID, my husband is sick in bed with a raging fever from COVID. He probably caught the virus doing something mundane like going to the store or running an errand; certainly nothing as exotic or risky as being on a crowded cruise to Bermuda.

This recent health hiccup certainly won’t stop us from planning future trips, nor stop the ever-growing number of others who have resumed their traveling and activi ties as they get back to “normal,” or something resembling normalcy, anyway.

This new year, I look forward to the simple joy of being together with friends and family again. As you celebrate the holidays and navigate your own new normal, I wish you a sweet year ahead filled with good health, time with loved ones, and much happiness. L’shanah tovah!

Jodi Danis is the business manager for the Atlanta Jewish Times

By Michal Bonell

Have you seen this beautiful poem recited online?

It’s about a boy who asks his father to read him his favorite bedtime story, “The Great Realization.”

It’s a beautiful poem romanticizing the after effects of the COVID-19 lockdown. Although there is much work that needs to be done to live up to this poem’s “reality,” it is on some level relatable, quite beautiful and encour aging. I hope you enjoy it!

The Great Realization

“Tell me the one about the virus again, then I’ll go to bed.”

“But, my boy, you’re growing weary, sleepy thoughts about your head.”

“That one’s my favorite. Please, I promise, just once more.”

“Okay, snuggle down, my boy, but I know you all too well.

This story starts before then in a world I once would dwell.

It was a world of waste and wonder, of poverty and plenty, Back before we understood why hindsight’s 2020

You see, the people came up with companies to trade across all lands But they swelled and got much bigger than we ever could have planned We always had our wants, but now, it got so quick

You could have anything you dreamed of, in a day and with a click We noticed families had stopped talking, that’s not to say they never spoke But the meaning must have melted and the work life balance broke And the children’s eyes grew squarer and every toddler had a phone They filtered out the imperfections, but amidst the noise, they felt alone. And every day the skies grew thicker, ‘till you couldn’t see the stars, So, we flew in planes to find them, while down below we filled our cars. We drove around all day in circles, we’d forgotten how to run We swopped the grass for tarmac, shrunk the parks ‘till there were none We filled the sea with plastic because our waste was never capped Until, each day when you went fishing, you’d pull them out already wrapped And while we drank and smoked and gambled, our leaders taught us why It’s best to not upset the lobbies, more convenient to die But then in 2020, a new virus came our way, The governments reacted and told us all to hide away But while we were all hidden, amidst the fear and all the while, The people dusted off their instincts, they remembered how to smile They started clapping to say thank you and calling up their mums And while the car keys gathered dust, they would look forward to their runs And with the skies less full of voyagers, the earth began to breathe And the beaches bore new wildlife that scuttled off into the seas Some people started dancing, some were singing, some were baking We’d grown so used to bad news, but some good news was in the making And so when we found the cure and were allowed to go outside We all preferred the world we found to the one we’d left behind Old habits became extinct and they made way for the new And every simple act of kindness was now given its due”

“But why did it take us so long to bring the people back together?”

“Well, sometimes you’ve got to get sick, my boy, before you start feeling better Now, lie down and dream of tomorrow and all the things that we can do And who knows, if you dream hard enough, maybe some of them will come true We now call it The Great Realization and yes, since then, there have been many But that’s the story of how it started and why hindsight’s 2020”

Michal Bonell is senior account manager and team supervisor at the AJT.

By Brenda Gelfand

We are back to in-person social, business and fam ily affairs and I value it so much because as a senior account manager for the Atlanta Jewish Times, being able to visit and have a personal relationship with my clients is so much more rewarding than just an email or phone relationship. It makes you appreciate how important it is when you can’t have it.

On that note, I want to thank all my clients and the Atlanta Jewish Times for allowing me the opportunity to help your business grow and the paper to be voted 2022 Best Jewish Newspaper in the country. After 7 years as a Senior Account Manager, I have decided it is time for me to retire from ad sales and start a new chapter in my life. I will “greatly” miss my clients and my AJT co-workers and friends.

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year and the opportu nity to be face to face again!

Brenda Gelfand recently retired as senior account manager for the Atlanta Jewish Times.

By Sasha Heller

As a journalist, I have spent the entirety of my professional career working in various team set tings, whether it be in a traditional newsroom or national design hub.

By nature, I am communicative, outgo ing and (occasionally) altruistic and am most comfortable working in an atmosphere that promotes interactivity and cooperation.

OK, this is starting to sound like a re sume, so let me get back to the point.

I value working physically in a news room because I enjoy the in-person interac tions I have with my co-workers. Sometimes I throw a mini football halfway across the room into Daniel’s office just to mess with him. That would be challenging to accomplish if we were still working remotely.

And it’s not easy tossing out room-crushing, sarcastic quips on a Zoom call. The timing of the jokes is always a bit off. And forget about private chats. It’s like trying to gauge the tone of a text message with no emoji. Good luck.

And with that, I wish everyone in the Atlanta community a safe and healthy Rosh Hashanah.

Sasha Heller is the online content coordinator for the Atlanta Jewish Times.

By Diana Cole

In my opinion, as humans, we are supposed to be social. To be cooped up with my husband and chil dren during the pandemic was amazing, yet sti fling. I yearned for outside, in-person commu nication and touch. I never knew how much I needed to be hugged. I remember my first hug after the quarantine was lifted. It was euphoric.

I kept telling my children and their friends, “this is not how it is supposed to be.” I saw what the pandemic did to the classes of 2020 and 2021. I hoped so badly that my son and daughters would have the ed ucational experience that they were supposed to. My older two had Homecoming (altered a bit to reflect the times) and Prom. My son got his gradua tion and class trips. My older daughter had her cheerleading (sidelined due to a concussion). Unfortunately, my youngest did not get her class trip (she’s still bitter). My son had his entry into college, just like it was supposed to be.

I also never knew how much I missed going to shul. To hear the familiar verses of the Torah being read in person made me feel at peace and provided a calmness. Thank you, Rabbi Jordan, and Cantor Mike.

I value being able to go out and experience the world. I love being near people. I am not meant to be locked up in my room watching Netflix. One of my favorite things to do is just watch people. I learn so much by observing the differences in people.

I am a very touchy-feely person and need to experience people in-person. I, for one, am elated to be back in life again.

Diana Cole is the Atlanta Jewish Connector coordinator for the Atlanta Jewish Times

Sephardic Jews Start Rosh Hashanah with A Seder

For Sep hardic Jewish communities around the world, Rosh Hashanah is a time for in corporating a seder into the observance of the holiday.

Like its more well-known counterpart at Passover, the Rosh Hashanah seder in corporates a seder plate with up to nine foods called in Hebrew, simanim, or signs that anticipate the hopes and wishes for the New Year.

Traditionally, it is held just before the important meal on Rosh Hashanah eve, and it incorporates not only a bless ing over the familiar apples dipped in honey but also such lesser known species as leeks, beans, and squash. Much like the Southern tradition of eating black eyed peas to accompany a wish for pros perity on the secular New Year, each of the foods carries a yeti ratzon that begins each blessing and elaborates on a specific

idea for the year to come.

At Congregation Or Ve Shalom in At lanta, which was founded by Jews from the Greek island of Rhodes over a hun dred years ago, the seder ritual at Rosh Hashanah is seen as a way to make cer

tain the New Year begins right. The syna gogue’s rabbi, Josh Hearshen, even notes that tradition calls for two truly unusual items.

“There’s a tradition to add a sheep’s head which reminds us of the binding of

Isaac in the biblical story or a fish head. My family generally doesn’t do either. So we just add a piece of salmon to our seder plate,” he said.

Fish are said to have a long tradition of being associated with mystical powers

NCJW Atlanta: We Were Made for This Moment in Time

Since its humble beginnings in 1895— when a group of community-minded women organized themselves at The Temple’s original location at Garnett and Forsyth Streets—Na tional Council of Jewish Women, Atlanta Sec tion has advocated for the welfare of women, children, and families. Those dedicated women worked on behalf of newly arrived refugees looking to make our community their home; of women and children for improved health care, nutrition, and education; and of disenfran chised citizens looking for their right to vote. And now, over 100 years later, the accomplish ments made to advance the lives of so many appear to be sliding back in time.

NCJW was made for this moment. Helping those searching for better lives in our country is part of who we are. From meeting im migrants at Ellis Island to resettling refugees from war-torn countries to welcoming Soviet Jews, service to new Americans is a hallmark of NCJW. Through the decades, we’ve provided citizenship programs, English classes, housing assistance and more.

Over the past year, NCJW Atlanta as sisted refugees who arrived with only the clothes on their backs. We helped Ukraini an families settle into their new surround ings with clothing, furniture, and other ne cessities. We provided welcome bags and

household items to Afghan refugees and held a Baby Shower for expectant and new mothers among them.

NCJW was made for this moment. Safeguarding the lives of women, children, and families have always been a part of who we are. In the early years, members assisted with free kindergarten, Sabbath School for immigrant children, and free hygiene and dental programs. Through the decades, we’ve actively supported the Equal Rights Amendment, childcare, medi cal and family leave, victims of domestic vio lence and more.

Today, we continue educating chil dren through our Atlanta Jewish Coalition

for Literacy program and provide back packs and supplies to schools and com munity agencies. In the past year, we’ve co-sponsored legislative events on behalf of maternal and child healthcare and pro vided much-needed supplies to mothersto-be and underserved young mothers.

NCJW was made for this moment. Making sure women have the reproductive health care they are entitled to is part of who we are. For more than half a century, NCJW Atlanta advo cates worked tirelessly for the rights of women to control their own reproductive freedom, re joicing in the passage of Roe v. Wade in 1973. And now, nearly 50 years later, that critical healthcare women have come to expect is prac tically eliminated in our state.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, our legislative outreach, education efforts, and our work with abortion access coalitions have in creased exponentially. We promote local and national support for abortion access funding. We’re proud that over 40 Atlanta area clergy have signed on to NCJW’s Rabbis for Repro initiative, a group of several hundred clergy na tionwide who use their voices to teach the Jew ish value of reproductive freedom. We observe Repro Shabbat throughout Atlanta when we study the Torah portion regarding the Jewish position on abortion.

NCJW was made for this moment, too. Making sure all citizens have unfettered access to vote is also a part of who we are. In 1920, af ter robust activism from our early courageous women, we celebrated the passage of the 19th amendment, giving women the right to vote. Yet, here in 2022, the right to vote is in peril for so many, particularly in our underserved communities. In a threat to democracy, re cent Georgia law has created challenges and obstacles to providing everyone with fair and safe voting access. During this election season, through our Election Action committee, we’re providing non-partisan information—in both English and Spanish—throughout the commu nity. We will continue registering, educating, and mobilizing voters as well as assisting people with absentee ballots and volunteering at polls.

NCJW Atlanta is comprised of energetic member advocates from all over Atlanta who are devoted to making a difference in our community. Visit our Facebook page at www. facebook.com/ncjwatlanta or email us at ncjw@ ncjwatlanta.org, and become part of our mo ment, too!

Bob Bahr

Paid Content by NCJW

for by NCJW

Stacey Hader Epstein & Sherry Frank

NCJW Atlanta Section Co-presidents

Nine different foods are incorporated into the Rosh Hashanah seder.

The Rosh Hashanah Seder cookbook was written by Sara Gardner during a one year visit to Spain.

such as creation, fertility and prosper ity. In Ashkenazic tradition a fish course, such as gefilte fish, is usually served dur ing the holiday. The fish head, according to the rabbi is to remind us that we need to lead the way in the year ahead and not just follow along like a fish’s tail.

The yeti ratzon in this case reads: “May it be your will, G-d and G-d of our ancestors that we be a head and not a tail.”

The origin of the Rosh Hashanah seder practice is said to originate over 1500 years ago to a short passage in the Babylonian Talmud. In the tractate Horayot, 12A, Rabbi Abaye spoke of such foods as squash, fenugreek, leeks and chard as foods that should always be seen on the holiday because they grow quickly and so should serve “as positive omens during the coming year.”

In some Sephardi homes the bless ings over the foods are followed by a pi yyut or religious verse composed by poets in medieval Spain. The Sephardic writer, Rahel Musleah, who grew up in Calcutta, India remembers, at his seder the poem by the 13th century Spanish author Abra ham Hazzan Girondi which contains a chorus after each verse that says, in He brew “Tikhleh shanah ve-killeloteha! Let the year end with all its curses!” The poem concludes with “Let the New Year begin with all its blessings!”

The idea of incorporating a seder into New Year rituals is increasingly being picked up by others, outside tra ditional Sephardic practice. In Atlanta,

Rabbi Malka Packer-Monroe, who leads the 18 Doors program for interfaith Jew ish couples and individuals, created a virtual Rosh Hashanah seder for the na tionwide organization two years ago.

Just before the pandemic in 2019, the Reform Jewish community in Madrid, Spain published “The Rosh Hashanah Seder Cookbook.” The cookbook, in Eng lish, was written by Sara Gardner, who works at Hebrew College, a rabbinic sem inary in Massachusetts. She was on a Ful bright graduate grant in Spain when she researched the book. The seder she out lines has recipes that cover the nine com mon items on the seder plate, so that the Rosh Hashanah seder can become more than just a symbolic observance but the basis for the meal. We have included her pomegranate gazpacho below.

Rabbi Hearshen believes the grow ing acceptance of the Rosh Hashanah seder is, in part, due to a desire to add more ritual to the holiday occasion. “Rosh Hashanah dinner is simple, right?

But it’s a special night, and the seder adds a little ritual flavor to it. I think it really resonates with us. It makes it feel a little bit more like Passover, which is the other major meal of the year.”

And it may add a little bit of fun too. The rabbi remembers that when he was studying in the seminary, one of his classmates brought a piece of celery to the seder and piled it with raisins. The wish behind it, which was not unusual for a student rabbi, was that the new year would bring a raise in salary. ì

Spanish Pomegranate Gazpacho (serves 8-10)

2 medium English cucumbers

A green pepper, cored and chunked

A red onion, cut into wedges

2-3 cups pomegranate juice

A large slice of day-old bread

4 tablespoons olive oil

Teaspoon salt

Juice of a lime

Pomegranate seed and sliced scallions for garnish

Process chopped onion, pepper and cucumbers finely in a food processor. Add bread and process.

Add olive oil and pomegranate juice to the desired consistency, then add lime juice and process. Chill. Serve with pomegranate seeds, scallions and a drizzle of olive oil.

1st

Andy N. Siegel CPCU,

Siegel

Berch

Pomegranate juice can be the basis for a Rosh Hashanah seder gazpacho soup.

2022 Rosh Hashanah Art Contest

Mazel tov to our first annual Rosh Hashanah Art Contest winners! Coby Ebrams won first place in the child (under 15) category, and Wendy Meyer was our first place winner in the adult category. We received many

submissions from applicants as young as five, all the way up to eighty-one years old. The editor’s

Twenty are featured below. Check online to see all submissions.

Anastasia Varenberg

Parent: Brooke Rosenthal

Heading Towards the

Parents: Rachel and Tomer Dagmi

Shana

David Dagmi

Ma'ayan Rosenthal

Parents: Megan and David WeismanAge: 9

Hopeful Rosh Hashana Honey Bear

Of G-d

Jeff Mesquita

Benny Ender

Parents: Sonja Ender Age: 6

New Year

Livana Kaziyev

Parent: Rachel Kaziyev Age: 9 My Colored Rosh Hashanah

Zoey Sachs Age: 7 Cezanne-inspired Rosh Hashanah Apples

Parent: Nannette Herlands Age: 9 Rosh HaShanah

Aaron Berkowitz

Erica Mikhli-Berkowitz

Maya Cohen

Avital and Michael Cohen

Sigfrido Duarte

Gabriella Cohen

Avital and Michael Cohen

for Rosh Hashana

The Southern Israelite and the Holocaust

By Dave Schechter

A ban ner headline — “The Nazi Terror In Full Swing” — topped the front page of the Aug. 2, 1935, edition of the Southern Israelite.

Robert Brown, a “special correspon dent,” reported on “pogroms spreading to hundreds of German cities and towns … passions fanned by the Nazi press,” Jews barred from municipal bathing estab lishments, resorts giving Jews 24 hours to clear out and summer camps sending home Jewish children.

A page-four headline declared: “Elimination of Jewish Race Is Aim of Reich.” A smaller headline read: “Plan Legislation to Expel Jews or Segregate Them in Ghettos.” Two years into Adolf

Hitler’s rule as Nazi Germany’s “Fuhrer,” readers of Atlanta’s Jewish newspaper had been forewarned.

Atlanta’s roughly 10,000 Jews sup ported five synagogues and a variety of communal organizations. The Southern Israelite, founded in 1925 as a temple bul letin by an Augusta, Ga., rabbi, proved popular enough to publish monthly. New owners moved the publication to Atlanta in 1929. The weekly edition debuted on Oct. 19, 1934. An annual subscription cost $2. (The newspaper’s name changed to the Atlanta Jewish Times in 1987.)

A review of every page of every edi tion from 1933 to 1945 found countless — perhaps a few thousand — articles on the oppression and brutality suffered by European Jewry and the response by the U.S. government and public. Most came from the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA), Worldwide News Service (WNS) and Jewish Press Service (JPS), supple mented by pieces written for or shared with the Southern Israelite. The same sources reported on Palestine and the

Zionist movement. Coverage of Jewish affairs centered on Atlanta but stretched across the South.

Within two months of Hitler being named chancellor of Germany on Jan. 30, 1933, the Southern Israelite published “The German Situation,” which quoted a New York Times editorial: “Sensible Ger mans must see that their rulers are pro posing to make an enlightened people lurch back into the Dark Ages.”

A proposal that Jewish organizations raise “a large sum of money for a mass exodus of German Jewry” was labeled an economic impossibility by Rabbi David Marx of The Temple. “You cannot take 200,000 people out of Germany with the world in its present economic distress and settle them,” he told his weekly fo rum on Jan. 12, 1936, the newspaper re ported. Marx warned that Germany like ly would use such money to finance its military, adding that “the world will face war sooner than it thinks if Germany is allowed to do this thing.”

In the fall of 1936, Atlantan Harry

Lahman returned from a trip to France, Poland, Germany and Russia. “The trag edy of the Jew in Poland is not hidden from the tourist as it is in Germany,” the Warsaw native told the Southern Israel ite. “All about me in the villages I saw evi dence of the grim plight of Polish Jewry.”

Lahman visited Mińsk Mazowiecki, the site of a June pogrom that killed five and injured more than 100, prompting half of the town’s 10,000 Jews to flee to Warsaw. Left in its wake, WNS reported, were “Broken windows, shattered doors, merchandise strewn over the streets, buildings in ruin, the synagogue in flames, Jewish houses and shops barri caded and shuttered.”

He also visited Przytyk, site of an other pogrom. “In each town, the leaders of the Jewish communities could scarcely speak of the disaster, so profound was their grief,” Lahman reported.

But not everyone seemed willing to consider worst-case scenarios.

“I recognize that the situation of the Jew in Poland is grievous and try

Dave Schechter

Aug. 2, 1935/The Nazi Terror in Full Swing headline

Nov. 24, 1944/I Was At Maidenak headline

ing,” Samuel C. Lamport, chairman of the American Jewish Institute for the Ad vancement of Polish Commerce and In dustry, wrote in the June 25, 1937, edition. Nonetheless, “Our duty in this situation is clear. We cannot take the Jews out of Poland. We must help them to live in Po land. The more trying and difficult their circumstances, the more imperative our duty to help them.”

Belief in America as a safe haven persisted. “The tradition of the United States in giving asylum to men persecut ed because of religious or political beliefs remains unbroken,” the Southern Isra elite editorialized on April 1, 1938. That tradition already was crumbling, under pressure from Congress and the public not to relax immigration quotas. The newspaper reported the failure to meet existing quotas, even as waiting lists for visas grew to the tens and hundreds of thousands.

The Southern Israelite praised re porting in the Atlanta Constitution by Ralph McGill, who took a leave as sports editor for a Rosenwald Fellowship that funded his travels in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Britain, Germany and Austria. A March 6, 1938, editorial said that Mc Gill “pours out his astonishment, his bewilderment over the hate instinct in children who are being reared by the monster of Fascism.” The Jewish news paper cited McGill’s observation in the Constitution that the Nazis “are bringing up their children entirely devoid of any of the qualities which differentiate man from the beast.”

That hate was on display Nov. 9-10, 1938, during Kristallnacht, “the night of broken glass,” when coordinated attacks on Jews, Jewish institutions and Jewish businesses were perpetrated across Ger many.

Robert Arden wrote in a Nov. 18 front page article that “a whole world stood by, breathlessly shocked and at a momentary loss of understanding how to cope with such unexpected onslaughts upon its civilization, culture and tradi tions,” before finding sufficient voice to denounce the Nazis.

In April 1939, as nations under Nazi control revoked the citizenship of Jew ish inhabitants, WNS reported that U.S. consulates in Berlin and Paris had sus pended, at least until July, issuing visas to refugees from Germany and other na tions. Paris had a backlog of 30,000 appli cations and new applicants could expect to wait six years to be processed. That consulate was limited to issuing just 15 visas per month for Polish refugees.

Across the expanding Nazi Reich, Jewish citizens were losing their homes, livelihoods and, in increasing numbers, their lives. The Southern Israelite ac knowledged a change in perspective.

“Many of our people have suc cumbed to a mood of utter despair and hopelessness. ... We must steel ourselves against such despondent conclusions,” the paper editorialized on Dec. 1, 1939.

“Prior to 1933 we were too optimistic … confident that ‘the great cultured’ Ger man nation would not elevate the excorporal demagogue Adolph Hitler to the

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Ralph McGill, editor of the Atlanta Constitution (second from left), receives an award in July 1947 from the Georgia Department of the Jewish War Veterans for his “untiring efforts in combating the forces of bigotry.” // Provided by The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

position of supreme dictator and that the Jews in Germany were safely entrenched in their position. Today we are erring in the opposite direction. We tend to be to [sic] pessimistic. Some in their despair are ready to concede that the Jewish loss es are irreparable.”

No degradation was too small, as De vere Allen, editor of the No Frontier News Service, reported on the Feb. 16, 1940, front page. His source, coming “Straight from tormented Warsaw” was a “Jewish professional woman, highly educated in the analysis of social problems.” Allen wrote: “In some towns, Jewish women have adopted the custom of carrying dry scrub-rags in their handbags, for they know that they may be called upon at any moment to scrub the floor of some apartment they are passing by, and if they can’t provide a rag, they may have to use their coats.”

The last Jewish ghetto in Europe, in Rome, had been abolished in 1870. The Nazis decreed the establishment of new ghettos.

A JTA dispatch published Oct. 18, 1940, credited Alvin J. Steinkopf of the Associated Press, “the first and only non-German correspondent permitted

to make an exhaustive inspection” of German-controlled cities in Poland. In side the Warsaw ghetto, 500,000 Jews were hemmed inside an area of 100-or-so square blocks, surrounded by an 8-foot concrete wall that Steinkopf described as being “so tight a cat couldn’t get through

it.” JTA reported in August 1941 that 2,000 Jews were dying monthly within those walls, as cholera and typhus spread due to unsanitary conditions.

The situation in Europe was an agenda item at the end of January 1941, when Atlanta hosted the General Assem

bly of the Jewish Federations and Welfare Funds, a gathering of delegates from 230 organizations in 167 U.S. and Canadian cities.

Vera Micheles Dean of the Foreign Policy Association told a dinner meeting on “Our Responsibilities in a War-Torn World”: “The problem of tomorrow in Europe and throughout the world is not restoration, but reconstruction. We need not merely an effort to save democracy, that is defensive tactics, an ideological Maginot Line. What we need are efforts to improve and strengthen democracy — in other words, we need an ideological of fensive against Nazism. The democratic countries have within them the great la tency vitality. If we have sufficient cour age to realize our view of the new order, we may find that it is democracy, not Nazism, that represents the wave of the future,” the Southern Israelite reported.

But in the early months of 1941, the readers learned that 15,000 Jews a month were being deported from Vienna to a “reservation” in Poland, 60,000 German Jews were starving in French camps and Nazi advances were threatening the wel fare of 75,000 Yugoslav Jews and 65,000 in Greece.

Rabbi David Marx of The Temple.

// Provided by The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

Rabbi Joseph I. Cohen of Congregation Or VeShalom. // Provided by The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum

“Where are they?” the Southern Isra elite asked in the headline to an April 25, 1941, editorial that began: “Somewhere on the suffering continent of Europe are our relatives — kinsman near and distant — and as the Nazi steam-roller continues its invincible course, crushing underneath lives and spirit, we wonder about our family.”

JTA reported in August that thou sands of Hungarian Jews had been rounded up for deportation to Poland; in October that thousands of machinegunned Jewish corpses were seen floating in Ukraine’s Dniester River; and in Feb ruary 1942 that, since the previous July, 30,000 Jews in Vilna (Vilnius), Lithuania, had “disappeared without any trace.”

Germany’s killing machine encoun tered an infrastructure problem. Depor tations to Poland from Germany and the Baltic states stopped “because of the in ability of the Nazi authorities to secure sufficient transportation facilities,” JTA reported on April 3, 1942.

Deportations resumed several weeks later, with JTA reporting on May 21 that “the Jews were being jammed into cattle trains” bound for ghettos in Warsaw, Riga and Vilna. There would be more reports of Jews herded into locked rail cars, with barbed wire covering ventilation holes.

Rabbi Joseph I. Cohen led congre gants at Atlanta’s Congregation Or Ve Shalom in “a special mourning service” on Dec. 6, 1942, “in tribute to the memory of the countless Jews who have lost their lives as a result of Nazi persecution and terrorism,” the Southern Israelite report ed. Cohen called for fasting in addition to religious devotion and, in response to his asking worshippers “to show in concrete form their feeling of sympathy,” $74 was contributed to the Atlanta Jewish Welfare Fund.

Some sought a silver lining within the dark clouds. The United Jewish Ap peal, in a “special to the Southern Israel ite,” declared in February 1943 that “more than 1 million Jews were saved from de struction” thanks to the Joint Distribu tion Committee, United Palestine Appeal and National Refugee Service. More than 200,000 reached the U.S.

A full-page fundraising appeal for the Atlanta Jewish Welfare Board ap peared on May 7, 1943, under the head line “Remember the dead ... RESCUE THE LIVING!”

The reality, however, was that im migration to the United States was at an 80-year low. JTA reported that, of 23,735 “immigrant aliens” admitted in the year ending June 30, 1943, the largest group,

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numbering 4,705, were Jews mostly “in flight from Nazi persecution.” That was barely 10 percent of the number of Jews admitted in 1939 and fewer than half the number admitted in 1942.

“President [Franklin D.] Roosevelt, at his press conference this week, indi cated that the U.S. Government definitely is interested in the fate of the Jews in occupied Europe,” JTA reported on Nov. 12. “The problems of rescuing them and sending them immediate relief are mere ly questions of ways and means,” he said.

The Jewish death toll reached into the seven digits.

Samuel Zygelboim, a Jewish member of the Polish National Council, estimated that of 3.5 million Jews living in pre-war Poland, only 1 million to 1.25 million re mained, JTA reported on Dec. 11, 1942.

Below the headline “Europe’s Jewry Faces Darkest Year,” JTA correspondent Otto Schick reported on Jan. 8, 1943, that half of the 4 million civilians killed by the Nazis were Jewish.

WNS reported in February 1943 that Warsaw and Vienna were “Judenrein” (free of Jews), and that more than half of the 650,000 Jews remaining in Poland

were in ghettos.

A community-wide memorial ser vice at Congregation Beth Jacob on April 19, 1944, marked the first anniversary of the Warsaw ghetto uprising, which be gan on that date in 1943 and was crushed a month later by German troops. The Southern Israelite reported that the ark was draped in black and that the service began with the chanting of the Kaddish.

Nathan Katz, of the Russian War Relief, told the assembled that the ghet to fighters “gave the Nazis a taste of the fighting Jewish tradition, of the Macca bees, of Bar Kochba, and of the Jewish fighters in every generation,” the news paper reported. “Rabbi H. Friedman of the Shearith Israel Congregation, in an eloquent speech that left few listeners dry-eyed, pledged that we would not for get the great struggle for freedom enact ed in Poland, and urged unity of all Jews in the fight to annihilate Nazism and anti-Semitism.”

Grisly stories were emerging from Nazi death camps in Poland.

Soviet troops captured Majdanek in July 1944. Arriving in September, JTA cor respondent Raymond Davies reported

that two-thirds of the 1.5 million men, women and children killed there were Jewish. The Southern Israelite reported that a list of survivors was available at its office.

Davies’ dispatch from Majdanek appeared in the New York newspaper PM and was republished Nov. 24 by the Southern Israelite. Near barracks, report ers saw fields of cabbage and tomatoes “covered with a greyish dust,” while near by was “a huge mound of what looked like fertilizer,” he reported. “The Soviet official told us the pile consisted of hu man ash and manure mixed.”

Further on were chimneys and brick furnaces. “The furnaces were full of ash. Most of it was powdery stuff, unidentifi able. But I saw some larger pieces read ily identifiable as human bones,” Davies wrote.

Chilling accounts came from Birke nau and Auschwitz, camps established by the Nazis on the outskirts of the Pol ish city of Oświęcim. (The Nazis gave the name Konzentrationslager Auschwitz to the complex of 40 concentration and death camps, which included Birkenau.)

Information originating with two

international Christian relief agencies — about the Nazis using gas chambers as killing centers — was confirmed by the Czechoslovakian government-in-exile and reported by Frederick Kuh, London correspondent of the Chicago Sun. A JPS account appeared July 16 in the Southern Israelite.

“According to careful calculation, between April 1942, and April 1944, from 1,500,000 to 1,750,000 Jews were put to death by gas or other means. Half were Poles. … Twice weekly the camp doctor selects those to be gassed,” the Czechs reported. That figure did not include 400,000 Hungarian Jews, half of that country’s Jewish population, who were also sent to death camps.

JPS, citing cables from New York Times correspondent Daniel T. Brigham, also reported that “the death chambers … consist of fake bathing establishments into which cyanide gas is released the moment all the victims, stripped, have been shut in.”

A JTA report from Bucharest, pub lished on March 16, 1945, said: “The Jew ish survivors from Oswiecim who ar rived here all told the same gruesome

stories of how hundreds of thousands of Jews were burned alive in the ovens at the camp” and how 3,000 children trans ported from Polish towns and the Tere sienstadt camp in Czechoslovakia died in the gas chambers.

In late November 1944, the War Ref ugee Board, which Roosevelt established by executive order, released a 60-page report. Milton Brown’s review, published on the Southern Israelite editorial page, included the presence of “prominent guests” from Berlin in March 1943 when the crematoria at Birkenau began opera tion, with the gassing of 8,000 Jews from Cracow [Kraków]. “The guests, both offi cers and civilians, used special peepholes to see the victims done to death and were lavish in their praise of this newly erect ed installation,” he wrote.

Brown also reported that the Rescue Department of the World Jewish Con gress now estimated the number of Jew ish dead in Germany and German-occu pied territories at 5.5 million.

Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. Hitler had committed suicide. The Southern Israelite marked V-E (Victory in Europe) Day with a banner headline on May 11: “End of Nazism Hailed Throughout The World.”

A supplement published on behalf of the Atlanta Jewish Welfare Fund de clared: “1 Million Liberated Jews Look To You For Help.” The text described them as

“More than 1 million starving, destitute souls, released from Nazi concentration camps, from hiding in caves and holes and homeless in devastated Europe.”

The Southern Israelite reported less about the war in the Pacific. Once the U.S. entered the war — the day after the Dec. 7, 1941, Japanese attack on the Pearl Harbor naval base — the newspaper listed Jewish events to support military personnel in the Atlanta area. The paper published reports of heroism and honors received by Jewish military personnel, no matter their hometown, and notices of Jewish troops killed in action.

After the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Naga saki, Japan’s emperor announced his na tion’s surrender on Aug. 15, 1945. A frontpage editorial two days later argued that “... although the war was fought with the most murderous weapons ever invented — it was, fundamentally, a war of ideas and ideals, and that we had on our side the conviction within ourselves to be fighting for a righteous cause.”

Another headline declared: “Con ference Demands Jewish State Now.”

Two-thirds of European Jewry had been murdered. In the months and years to come, the plight of approximately 3 mil lion Holocaust survivors would share the front page with efforts to create a Jewish nation in Palestine. ì

Public Television Examines ‘The U.S. and the Holocaust’

By Dave Schechter

Eighty years after two-thirds of Eu rope’s Jewish population was murdered in the Nazis’ “Final Solution,” the ques tions persist.

What did the United States govern ment — and the American public — know and when did it know it? Why did the U.S. not do more to save Jewish lives? What more could or should have been done?

“The U.S. and the Holocaust,” a threepart documentary airing Sept. 18-20 on PBS stations, considers these issues as it explores the attempted extermination of a people because they were Jewish — kill ing on a scale so vast that a new word was created to define it: genocide.

The program was co-directed and co-produced by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein, filmmakers known for work that is rich in detail and expan sive in perspective. Peter Coyote’s famil iar voice narrates Geoffrey C. Ward’s me ticulous script.

Though “The U.S. and the Holocaust”

marks Botstein’s directorial debut, she has produced numerous documentaries with Burns and Novick. “We try to make our films for a general audience,” Bot stein told the AJT, adding that “a lot of people who think they know a lot about this subject may be surprised at the things they learn.”

“I come to this subject very person ally,” Botstein said. Her father immigrat ed to the United States in 1949 with help from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.

“I’m a first generation American on my dad’s side. Many relatives perished in the war, in the ghettos [Warsaw and Lodz], in the Holocaust. I grew up very mindful of the Holocaust and, yet, I knew very little.”

Asked what surprised her, Novick re sponded: “I came into this with an overly simplistic idea, that the reason why America did not do more to help refu gees and try to save people was because we didn’t know, and the record will show that Americans knew quite a lot.”

Novick, who was raised by Jewish parents “in a completely secular environ ment,” said that she maintains “a very

“The U.S. and the Holocaust,” a three-part documentary airing Sept. 1820 on PBS stations, is the latest to be co-directed and co-produced by Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein. // Credit: PBS.org

strong Jewish identity and a very strong sense of a connection to the culture and to the history.”

The project grew out of conversa tions with the U.S. Holocaust Memo

rial Museum about a documentary that would dovetail with its “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibit, which includes a look at what U.S. newspapers reported during that time period.

“I come to this subject very personally,” said Sarah Botstein, whose father emigrated to the U.S. in 1949 with help from the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.

“I’m a first generation American on my dad’s side. Many relatives perished in the war, in the ghettos [Warsaw and Lodz], in the Holocaust. I grew up very mindful of the Holocaust and, yet, I knew very little.” // Credit: PBS.org

district for 50 years and argued for the admission of Jewish refugees. One fold in those skirts was the Johnson-Reed Act of

1924, an immigration law that set nation al quotas and, in turn, reduced opportu nities for those fleeing Nazi terror.

The project grew out of conversations with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum about a documentary that would dovetail with its “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibit, which includes a look at what U.S. newspapers reported during that time period.

The documentary draws from ar chival film, photographs and documents, using camera techniques sometimes re ferred to as the “Ken Burns Effect.”

Historian interviews provide con text and, as with Deborah Lipstadt, blunt assessments. “There is much we can be proud of, of this country, but the episode of America in the Holocaust is not one that redounds to our credit,” she says in the documentary.

Since her interview, Lipstadt has be come the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism and is on leave from Emory University.

The documentary also features Jewish Americans who discuss with undisguised emotion how the Holo caust impacted their families. Daniel Mendelsohn, the author of “The Lost: A Search for 6 Million,” chokes up as he talks about the letter his grandfather received after the war, informing him of family who had perished, a multi-genera tional trauma.

Credit: PBS.org

Off-camera voices read from letters, speeches and the diary of perhaps the only Holocaust victim whose name is known globally, Anne Frank.

The saga of the Frank family — Otto and Edith, and their daughters, Annelies Marie and older sister Margot — inter sects with that of the Geiringer family, who lived near the Franks in Amsterdam and, likewise, were in hiding when cap tured by the Gestapo and sent to concen tration camps. Eva Geiringer (Schloss), now 93, gives a graphic account of sur viving Auschwitz. She describes the Anne Frank she knew and how shared grief linked the two families.

The tone and language of today’s im migration debate resounds from a centu ry earlier. “The United States was draw ing her skirts about her in fear, lest she be contaminated by the alien. The temper of the Congress, I discovered, is the temper of the people,” says an off-camera voice, quoting the late Emanuel Celler, who rep resented a New York City congressional

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Yes, the U.S. admitted some 225,000 refugees, more than any other nation. “But during the years when escape was still possible, the American people and their government proved unwilling to welcome more than a fraction of the hun dreds of thousands of desperate people seeking refuge,” the narration explains.

The history lesson covers lingering post-World War I resentments that al lowed an undistinguished corporal to seize power in what was considered one of the most cultured nations in Europe. Adolf Hitler was aware of U.S. immigra tion laws and how Native American and Black citizens were treated in this country. Nazi Germany found pockets of sympathy and support in America, most notably from the celebrated flyer Charles Lindbergh.

“Americans cannot grasp the scope and the scale of the crime,” historian Daniel Greene says. Indeed, the numbers can be overwhelming — how many Jews were killed where, when and by what means; the numbers of refugees; the numbers forced into ghettos; the num bers who received visas and the numbers who did not; the number of Jews in Eu rope prior to the Holocaust, and the frac tion that remained after.

“I came into this with an overly simplistic idea, that the reason why America did not do more to help refugees and try to save people was because we didn’t know,” said Lynn Novick, “and the record will show that Americans knew quite a lot.” // Credit: PBS.org

The obvious villains are Hitler and the Nazi henchmen who planned the “Final Solution” to the so-called Jewish Question and the troops and local col laborators who carried out the arrests, deportations and killings.

Among the historians interviewed is Emory University’s Deborah Lipstadt, who has since become the U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.

“There is much we can be proud of, of this country, but the episode of America in the Holocaust is not one that redounds to our credit,” she says in the documentary.

The heroes, who would have rejected that label, were diplomats and consular officers who struggled with obstruction and antisemitism from the State Depart ment, private individuals and non-gov ernmental organizations that succeeded in saving lives and the Jews and non-Jews who risked their lives to smuggle out in formation to a disbelieving world.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is portrayed as neither villain nor hero. Sympathetic as he might have been, Roo sevelt needed the support of powerful southern Democrats to advance his New Deal agenda — politicians who opposed relaxing immigration quotas. A Depres sion-weary populace had little appetite for increased immigration, fearing the loss of jobs and, after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, fearing infiltration by spies from the Axis nations.

“We’re committed to punishing the perpetrators,” Greene says. “We do rally as a nation to defeat fascism. We just don’t rally as a nation to rescue the vic tims of fascism.”

Roosevelt could not afford to be seen as taking actions directly benefiting Jews, particularly the diversion of military resources. Debate continues today over whether rail lines that led to the concen tration camps should have been bombed.

“I think they should have,” Lipstadt says. “Not because it would have rescued a major portion of the 6 million, but as a statement, as a message to the Germans: ‘We know what you are doing. We cannot abide what you are doing. This is our re sponse to what you are doing.’ Yes, they could have done that.”

Historian Rebecca Erbelding says:

“I don’t think there’s a right answer, be cause I don’t think there’s a way in which we look back and think that we did the right thing. … No matter what we did, I think we look back and wonder what would have happened had we done the other thing.”

The documentary also addresses di visions within the Jewish community, be tween communal leaders who favored a low-key effort to influence Roosevelt and others who favored a louder, more public approach.

The documentary was in production when the Anne Frank House in Amster dam and the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum determined that Otto Frank’s visa application had not been denied but, rather, had fallen victim to “bureaucracy, war and time.” This news was worked into the story.

Anne and Margot Frank died of ty phus at Bergen-Belsen in February 1945, a couple of months before that camp was liberated. After the war, Anne’s diary was returned to her father, who had survived Auschwitz, and became a worldwide sen sation when published in 1947. Lipstadt sees the theater and film adaptations as presenting a tale of triumph, not tragedy.

“It’s a wonderful story. … But it’s not the story of the Holocaust, not the story of the Shoah, not the story of the genocide,” she says.

The diary’s most quoted passage — “I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart” — was written on July 15, 1944, just 20 days before the family’s capture. Geiringer says of Anne Frank: “If she would have survived, she would not have said that, I think.”

Raphael Lemkin was a Jewish refu gee from Poland, who lost 49 members of his family. The legal scholar combined “genos,” an ancient Greek word for race or tribe, and “cide,” from the Latin word for killing, to form “genocide,” for the first time putting a name to the Nazi murders of an estimated 6 million Jews and 5 million others.

Benjamin Ferenz, now 102-years-old, explains in the documentary why he de liberately included this new word in his arguments as a prosecutor in one of the postwar trials of Nazi leaders.

“Ken says, ‘History rhymes or you find echoes or you see patterns or you see things that were important about the past and inform how you view the pres ent,’” Botstein said, channeling Burns.

“The U.S. and the Holocaust” con siders how the past informs the present, allowing viewers to determine for them selves whether aspects of the years 193345 remain with us eight decades later. ì

KSU Photography Exhibit Examines Berlin’s Jewish Past

By Bob Bahr

A new photographic exhibit at Ken nesaw State University features images of modern-day Berlin in an attempt to come to terms with the events of its Nazi past. In a series of often stark and some times haunting images, photographer Jason Langer attempts to examine not only the city’s history but his own inner conflict as a Jewish American artist who continually finds himself confronting the tragedy that took place there.

For Langer, the black-and-white im ages that constitute his exhibit, “Berlin: A Jewish Ode to the Metropolis,” are as much an exorcism of the evils that took place in the city as it is a meditation on what remains. That process, he noted in a recent interview, began in 1973, when his mother moved the family from the Unit ed States to kibbutz Mishmar HaEmek, a 30-minute drive from Haifa in northwest Israel.

It was there, he remembers, that he first encountered the iconic photo taken in 1943 of a terror-stricken boy in the

Warsaw ghetto. In the photo, the boy’s hands are raised in surrender before armed Nazi soldiers. It was an image,

Langer admits, that he was not able to get out of his mind.

“That picture haunted me when I was little,” Langer says. “I was only seven years old. But I really felt it and internal ized it as a kid. A few years ago, when someone asked me to photograph Berlin, I was instantly brought back to those feelings about not only Germany and German people but thinking of Berlin as the seat of the Third Reich.”

The exhibit and a soon-to-be pub lished book of his photographs serve as Langer’s attempts to come to terms with the fear he imagined the young boy was experiencing. Langer believes that in looking at such deeply moving images from the past, some of the trauma that the original victims of the Holocaust must have felt as they faced their death is transmitted.

“I think one of the main themes of the book is this idea of trans-generation al trauma. Meaning, if you’re Jewish, you grow up with the knowledge of the Ho locaust. And even though you may not have any family members who were di rectly touched by the Holocaust, still, it may be even written into our DNA. We Jewish people have a kind of response that we know we are always potentially in danger. And so that level of fear that I experienced when I was seven years old is probably very common.”

For five years, on frequent trips to Germany’s capital city, Langer criss crossed the vast metropolis, with its nearly 4 million inhabitants spread out over 344 square miles, looking for reveal

ing insights. Among the most striking im ages are those of the remaining entrance ways of a Berlin synagogue that survived the destruction of many of Germany’s Jewish houses of worship in November 1938, during the infamous Kristallnacht, which spelled the beginning of the end for German Jewry in Nazi Germany.

Adorned with its now-weather-beat en religious symbols, it stands in sharp and defiant contrast to the large portrait in the KSU exhibit of an elegant mansion on Berlin’s outskirts. In that imposing residence, in 1942, Nazi leaders met for a secret discussion to map out the “Final Solution” that would lead to the mass murder of six million Jews in Europe. Af ter several hours, according to the official report, the Nazi bureaucrats enjoyed a lavish breakfast. It is that sense of history that Langer feels dominates his exhibit.

“My vision has a kind of surreal still ness. I think that that style is also espe cially pronounced because it views the city coming from a kind of caution. I am very, very aware that 80 years ago, people like me were being arrested and sent to Auschwitz.”

It is that awareness of the past that motivated writer Shelly Kupferberg to reflect on the “ghosts” that she imag ines still inhabit the city. Kupferberg, who was born in Israel and grew up in Germany, had great-grandparents who were raised in pre-war Berlin and died in the Holocaust. The essay she contrib uted to the book upon which the exhibit is based is titled “Berlin: A Scarred City.” Like Langer, she finds herself challenged

Jason Langer at KSU’s Museum of History and Holocaust Education.

trying to reconcile the city and its in famous past. For Kupferberg, the glitter ing facades of

and the other physical symbols of Germany’s econom ic and political resurgence cannot ob scure the memories that are still present in the city.

today is seen as a silent wit ness,” she writes, “gets its ferocity mainly from knowing what happened here. Only

the moment of

can the

the extent of it be sensed. Not under stood,

Langer’s book, to be published in November 2022 by Kerber Verlag, is available through www.jasonlanger.com.

A Jewish Ode to The Metropolis” is on view at Kennesaw State University’s Museum of History and Holocaust Edu cation.

Jason Langer’s exhibit of photographs of Berlin at Kennesaw State University, “Berlin: A Jewish Ode to The Metropolis,” is based on his new book.

Berlin’s Wannsee mansion,

Among the

striking images

the exhibition are those of the remaining entranceways of a Berlin synagogue that survived the destruction of many of Germany’s Jewish houses of worship in November 1938.

It was this photo of a young boy in the Warsaw ghetto that haunted photographer Jason Langer.

A Generational Bond Between Liberator and Liberated

When for mer radio host and grand mother Gail Cohn went to an appoint ment with her orthopedist, Reuben Sloan, she told him that her fa ther, a judge in Columbus, Ga., had recently died. Since Sloan had completed his Sports Medicine Fellowship at the Hughston Clinic in Columbus, the two had a connection. “I asked about her dad, Judge Aaron Cohn,” Sloan recalled. “I knew him peripherally while I was prac ticing in Columbus in the mid-late-’90s.”

Marcia Caller Jaffe

Cohn told Sloan that she was return ing to Columbus to speak at the National Infantry Museum (NIM), adjacent to Ft. Benning. “She told me they were dedicat ing the Holocaust exhibit in the World War II section to her father,” Sloan says. “Puzzled, I asked, ‘Because he was a prominent Jewish figure in Columbus?’ And she replied, ‘No, he served in Gener al Patton’s 3rd army, and liberated a sub camp of Mauthausen, called Ebensee.’”

Stunned by the reply, Sloan revealed that his father was a Holocaust survivor; the only one in his family. He had been a prisoner in Mauthausen and was liber ated by American soldiers. “Your father liberated my father!” he exclaimed. “We were both in tears in my exam room after realizing our profound connection.”

In April, Cohn and Sloan were given the opportunity to tell their stories at the Hughston Society Meeting, held at the NIM, on the theme “Corresponding An gles.” (The keynote presentation is typi cally about the speaker’s life experiences rather than medicine.)

“After writing and blending each of our father’s stories, Gail and I knew we had something truly extraordinary,” Sloan recalled. “I flew my family in from Los Angeles so they could be present. My wife, Debbie, and Gail’s husband, Harvey Danits, were also there.”

For his part of the presentation, Sloan cataloged the life of a young Polish Jewish boy, Icek Slodowski, from birth through the horrors of hard labor and the Holocaust — without disclosing that he was Sloan’s father (he changed his sur name to Sloan in 1954, five years after im migrating to the U.S.).

Sloan went on to explain his connec tion to Cohn and how getting to know

one’s patients can lead to incredible dis coveries. “Needless to say, there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience,” he said. “Ran domly, we delivered the presentation on the last day of Pesach, 22nd of Nissan, my father’s yahrzeit — begging the question, was it random or bashert? My father rarely if ever talked about that horribly dark time in his life. So, sadly there is so much I don’t know.”

Cohn took the podium to complete the story. “At the time of the liberation of the camp in Ebensee, Austria, my father was a major and the combat operations officer of the 3rd Calvary Regiment, part of General George Patton’s 3rd armored division. He fought in four major European campaigns. I often speak about his life and the lessons of the Holocaust,” she said.

Judge Cohn’s bio is extensive. His ex

periences in World War II are set down largely in his book, “Memoirs of a First Generation American.” On book tours stops at churches and civic organiza tions, Gail Cohn would serve as her fa ther’s interviewer.

“After his death, I knew it was my re sponsibility to continue to tell his story,” Cohn added. “I embrace this responsibil ity. I am my father’s daughter; I am his legacy, and now I am his voice. When the liberated victims learned that Aaron Cohn was Jewish, they tried to lift him on their weak and frail shoulders. It was an experience that shaped much of his life. Cohn was haunted by the death of 1,500,000 Jewish children who never had a chance at life.”

That unspeakable tragedy was the impetus for Cohn to become the longest-

serving and oldest sitting Juvenile Court judge in America, sitting on the bench for 46 years and retiring at 95.

“Obviously the atrocities that he saw and Reuben’s father endured for ever changed their lives,” Cohn said.

“The manner in which my father took action against bigotry and hatred has in fluenced my life. … Telling his story and remembering history is a mandate for ‘Never Again!’”

The two plan to continue their emo tional speaking journey, telling both sides of a tragically common Jewish story — Cohn as the daughter of a liberator and Sloan as the son of one who was lib erated. ì

Link for digital version: https://youtu. be/6sAKVIdYbjE

Dr. Reuben Sloan speaks about his father, who survived Ebensee concentration camp.

Gail Cohn and her orthopedist, Dr. Reuben Sloan, learned that the former’s father had liberated the latter’s father from Ebensee concentration camp. The two spoke about their intertwined histories at the National Infantry Museum (NIM) in April.

Following his war service, Judge Cohn was a juvenile court judge, known as a man with a moral compass.

Major Aaron Cohn in uniform at 29.

A plaque dedicated to Cohn’s father, Judge Aaron Cohn. The portrait in uniform was painted by a survivor in Ebensee concentration camp in May 1944.

New Film Depicts Steven Spielberg’s Early Years

By Bob Bahr

Fabelmans,”

to be Steven Spielberg’s most personal film and perhaps his most intimate examination of American Jewish life,

at the Toronto International Film Festival Saturday, Sept. 10. The film is based on Spiel berg’s own childhood in suburban Arizona in the 1950s.

young Canadian-born actor, Gabriel LaBelle, plays Sammy Fabelman, who, much like the young Spielberg him self, aspires to be a Hollywood director. His father is portrayed by Paul Dano and his mother, with whom, in real life, he had an exceptionally close relationship, is played by four-time Academy Award-nominee Michelle Williams. Rounding out the cast is Seth Rogan as one of his father’s co-workers and Judd Hirsch as a favored Uncle Boris.

coming-of-age drama, which was not only directed and produced by Spielberg, but was also co-written by him, follows the young filmmaker’s early infatuation with the world of moviemaking. Eventually, it leads to his first film, a production he enlists the neighborhood in backing. Along the way he experiences the bumps and upsets in family life that give the film its texture and emotional heart.

In the film’s setting — the suburbs of the American West — and in its main character, a young Jewish boy who does not quite fit in, Spielberg’s latest production may echo his 1982 success, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.”

Spielberg is quoted as calling it “a broad-based story about an ugly duckling, someone who didn’t belong. Some one who wasn’t like anyone else. And because ET wasn’t like

anyone else, he was picked apart and almost died. I always felt ET was a minority story … that stands for every minor ity in this country.” Including, presumably, the Jewish minor ity with which Spielberg has so strongly identified during so much of his adult life.

As Joseph McBride, Spielberg’s biographer put it, “as a pencil-necked geek with a huge head, big eyes and nose, and protruding ears, the younger Spielberg could have passed as a human cousin to E.T., whom he described as ‘a creature only a mother could love.’”

In reality, Arizona, where Spielberg lived between the ages of nine and sixteen, was among the most challenging experiences of his young life. As the eminent film critic Molly Haskell relates in her book for the Jewish Lives book series from Yale University Press, Spielberg was a consummate outsider. Newly arrived from New Jersey, “he felt more like

an outsider than ever, ‘a wimp in a world of jocks.’ … Bullies called him ‘Spielbug.’”

But Arizona also became a place where the future director found himself, par ticularly when his fa ther gave him his first Kodak Brownie still camera and, later, an 8 mm movie camera that had been a gift from a friend. Almost from the start, he be came a filmmaker with a knack for tell ing simple stories, al most intuitively, with an emphasis on action and excitement.

It became a convenient distraction for his lack of accep tance at school and for the tension that existed between his feuding parents at home. Eventually it would lead to his first film, “Gunfight,” a nine-minute Western that he made for his Boy Scout photography merit badge. It would eventually be followed by “Fighter Squad,” a film that he spent three years making, and which debuted to much local acclaim when he was 16. As Haskell relates, “shot with six cameras, incorporat ing stock footage and using the actual plane that Arnold (his father) had somehow managed to obtain, the movie was a dazzling action display.”

The new poster for “The Fabelmans,” which was re leased just before the film’s premier in Toronto, hints at some of this backstory. It features the silhouette of a child walking down a cobblestone street, with a large sign reading Stage 25 hanging overhead. Arrayed in the background are scenes from “The Fabelmans,” featuring the main character and the young Sammy with a camera in his hands.

The production is not the only film with a Jewish theme that Amblin, Spielberg’s production company, has under de velopment. Last month, Marlee Matlin, the Jewish American actress and Academy Award-winner, announced that she was partnering with Amblin TV to develop a new limited se ries, “Signs of Survival: A Memoir of the Holocaust.”

Spielberg’s production company and Universal are put ting a considerable promotion budget behind “The Fabel mans.” It is expected to be a popular offering during the yearend movie-going season. The film will make its American debut as the closing night presentation at the American Film Institute’s AFI Fest 2022 on Nov. 6. It is scheduled to arrive in American theaters on Nov. 23, just in time for Thanksgiving. ì

“The Fabelmans” is due for a theatrical release just before Thanksgiving.

The film stars Gabriel LaBelle, right, as the young Steven Spielberg, left.

Spielberg’s film, which tells the story of his early infatuation with the movies, also stars Paul Dano

Just Shut Up & Play Inspired by Reading “Artist Under Fire”

I had a basic understanding on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions. I know that the BDS movement is a global campaign calling for the complete cul tural boycott of Israel, until Palestinians are granted the right of return and Isra el’s West Bank barrier is dismantled, and that the movement began in 2005.

Melman’s book provides great his torical context on the origins of BDS and the land of Israel. The focus is on how BDS impacts artists in the entertainment industry, whether they are musicians, movie stars or another type of celebrity. It emphasizes the pressure that BDS puts on celebrities when they announce plans to either: play in Israel, visit Israel or sup port a business in Israel. The movement will attempt to put a stigma on these artists, whether through letter writing or social media pushing them to cancel their plans. Their intent is to cast a dark shadow over the entire entertainment community, bullying anyone that sup ports Israel. Even when the artists can cel visits or performances for logistical, financial or other reasons, BDS activists use propaganda and claim a victory on stopping the artist from coming to Israel.

If you have limited knowledge on the ideological position Roger Waters has on Israel, this book will clear that up. Mr. Waters' voice carries a lot of weight supporting BDS, which is why he is men tioned so frequently in the book. Accord ing to the book, it wasn’t until 2011 when Roger Waters formally announced he was joining the BDS movement. The orig inal seeds of hate were planted in 2006 when Waters performed in concert in Is rael and met with BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti. The AJT asked Ms. Melman if someone has enjoyed the Pink Floyd band from the '60s, '70s and '80s, would they still be able to enjoy their music, knowing one of the founding members is a strong advocate of BDS? She stated, “Personally, I still sing along when I hear a cut from "Dark Side of the Moon" on the radio. As soon as the song is over, how ever, I give whoever is with me an earful about Mr. Waters. I draw the line at at

tending one of his concerts, buying his new music, or seeing his documentaries unless it’s for research purposes, but I don’t tell anyone else what to do.”

After reading the book, you will be surprised that so many artists, other than Roger Waters, support this rhetoric against Israel. At the same time, you’ll read about all the artists that have fought back against this movement, nor did they succumb to the pressures to not perform in Israel from Roger Waters or the BDS.

Some of the more seasoned artists: Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bon Jovi and Radiohead have stood their ground and were not swayed by the bullying of the movement.

Melman’s book also contains art ists who intended to appear in Israel but ultimately submitted to pressure, like Lorde and Lana Del Rey. In an interview Melman was asked how people feel when they find out their favorite artist sup ports BDS. “People are often saddened to learn that a favorite entertainer supports BDS. I try to hold a space for them when they tell me that because I sense that it’s a real loss. However, they are also uplifted

to learn that the vast majority of musi cians, filmmakers, authors and other tal ented artists don’t accept BDS’s bigoted messaging and refuse to be intimidated by the boycott campaign.” Melman add ed, “As Alan Parsons noted in a celebrity panel I produced, 'BDS is an appeal for a boycott, not a boycott.' As long as it is an appeal, it can be rejected.”

The book is an essential read and eye-opener, especially for folks who re ally want to understand what BDS is all about, what it stands for and its impact on the cultural arts. It is well laid out and clearly refutes all the lies about Israel and the BDS movement. It offered excel lent rebuttals to all the accusations that the movement says about Israel.

Each chapter ends with “next step” suggestions to combat BDS and Jew ha tred in general. Melman writes that the BDS rhetoric reeks of classic antisemitic tropes, demonizes Israel, and is stirring up Jew-hatred worldwide. When asking Melman what kind of impact the book was making on her audience, and how she was continuing to promote it, she said, “I think that when people finish my

book or leave one of my speaking events, they feel energized. Common responses have been, 'I learned so much from read ing it, and now I want to do something.' … Artists Under Fire is making waves all over the place. I have news media, organizations, synagogues, and schools reaching out to me for interviews, we binars, and in-person book events from countries such as South Africa, England, Germany, Hungary, Canada, the US, and, of course, Israel. I think that is because Jews everywhere are worried about ris ing Jew-hatred and my book explains what’s happening and provides a way to combat one of the most dangerous forces behind – the cultural boycott campaign against Israel.”

There have been recent protests in Atlanta and New York when Roger Wa ters was in town to play a concert. Groups were out in force educating the concert goers about Mr. Waters' BDS advocacy and hatred of Jews and Israel. Melman said, “You know he’s got to hate that. And I’ll be at a rally when he performs in Los Angeles at the end of the month to edu cate concert goers there.” ì

Lou Ladinsky

Before reading Lana Melman’s book, “Artists Under Fire: The BDS War against Celeb rities, Jews, and Israel,”

"Artists Under Fire: The BDS War against Celebrities, Jews, and Israel” is the first book by Lana Melman.

Lana Melman is a leading expert fighting the cultural boycott campaign against Israel since 2011.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

Daily Shofar at the JCC — 11 to 11:30 a.m. every day from Aug. 29 through Sept. 23. All are invited to listen as the shofar is sounded in the lobby of Main Street at 11 a.m. and in the Brill Family Fit ness Center at 11:10 a.m. The blowing of the shofar, a ram’s horn, is an im portant part of the Jewish High Holy Days season. This special tradition of blowing the shofar in the days leading up to Rosh Hashanah is to remind us to “wake up,” reflect on the past year and begin the spiritual preparation. Visit https://bit.ly/3cWBIWO for more information.

Sisterhood Book Club — 8 p.m. Con gregation Or VeShalom presents the September book selection, “Meant to Be Mine,” by Hannah Orenstein. Join on Zoom for a discussion led by Rubi sa Carrie Hearshen. Visit https://bit. ly/3Quoj6M for the Zoom link.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

SOJOURN’s Drawing from the Well — 12 to 1 p.m. An inclusive weekly meetup for LGBTQ+ Jews and allies. For more information, visit https://bit. ly/3gxpDWP.

Avalon Nights Live — 6 to 8 p.m. Kick back and groove to the tunes all sea son long. Unwind after a long week with live music in The Plaza every Friday. Visit https://bit.ly/3ap0u0Y for details.

Nurture at the Sandy Springs Farmers Market — 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Spend a morning with a unique selection of vendors and an open-air opportunity to purchase fresh produce and artisan foods. Visit https://bit.ly/3SDCpVh for more details.

Acoustic Shabbat Café at Alon’s Bakery in Dunwoody — 6 to 7 p.m. Join Rabbi Glusman, Drew Cohen and other local musicians for a soulful evening of mu sic, prayer and words of inspiration in celebration of Shabbat. Food and wine available for purchase at Alon’s Bak ery and Market. Arrive early to order food and reserve your table. The event takes place outside, in the covered pa tio area. Visit https://bit.ly/3oa5YQo for details.

Temple Beth Tikvah Friday Night Ser vices — 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Join services online or in person. Visit https://bit. ly/35XKJeJ for more information.

Tot Shabbat and Kiddush Lunch — 11 a.m. Join an interactive Tot Shabbat and sing, play and engage in fun activ ities, followed by a wonderful Shabbat Kiddush lunch together. https://bit. ly/3rBWd03.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17

Alpharetta Farmers Market — 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. At the Downtown Alpharetta Farmers Market, you will find farm ers with fruits, vegetables and natural meats, gardeners with fresh flowers and herbs and makers of all sorts of edible home goods from yummy des serts and breads to local raw honey and homemade sauces jellies and soaps. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/3D31jq8.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Kabbalah & Coffee — 9:30 to 11 a.m. A weekly study series with Rabbi Ari Sollish. Discuss, explore and journey through the world of Jewish mystical teaching and learn how to apply these profound teachings to your daily life. For more information, visit https://bit. ly/3LP4o11.

Learn to Read Hebrew — Every week from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Union for Reform Judaism (URJ) will host this new online course for adults with a warm and supportive educator to guide the class. Recognize and un derstand common Hebrew words and phrases that are often heard in Reform congregations and in Jewish prayer. This course assumes no prior Hebrew experience. $225. For more in formation, visit https://bit.ly/3P6TK6i.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Torah Reading: Ki Tavo Friday, Sept. 16 (Elul 20, 5782) Light candles at 7:25 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 (Elul 21, 5782) Shabbat ends 8:18 p.m.

Torah Reading: Nitzavim Friday, Sept. 23 (Elul 27, 5782) Light candles at 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 (Elul 28, 5782) Shabbat ends at 8:08 p.m.

Rosh Hashanah

Sunday, Sept. 25 (Elul 29, 5782) Light holiday candles at 7:12 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 26 (Tishrei 1, 5783) Light holiday candles after 8:06 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 27 (Tishrei 2, 5783) Holiday ends at 8:04 p.m.

Significant Others of Addicts Support Group — 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Join Sally Anderson, MS, LPC for a weekly free support group for spouses, partners and/or significant others of those struggling with addiction. Visit https:// bit.ly/3B5bABf for more information.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Knit and Crochet Group — 1 to 3 p.m. Join Dor Tamid on Zoom to social ize and crochet and knit beanies for premature babies from home. For more information, visit https://bit. ly/34Ru9wp.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

In Your Time — 12 to 1:30 p.m. This is an open-ended process group for femaleidentified singles in their late-twenties to mid-thirties to work on developing an acceptance practice and how to em brace where we are in life. Cost is $35 a session. See https://bit.ly/3b95YwV for more information.

Uncoupling: Divorce Support Group in Atlanta — 5:30 to 7 p.m. A bi-monthly group providing support and resourc es and a safe place to process and share experiences related to divorce and separation. Open to men and women of mixed ages. $35 per session. For more information, visit https://bit. ly/3y96TH9.

AJFF Presents “Bernstein’s Wall,” A Spe cial Screening — A galvanizing pro file of composer-conductor Leonard Bernstein. Join AJFF at Sandy Springs Performing Art Center to celebrate the famed maestro’s musical gifts and cultural impact. Visit https://bit. ly/3Sy9FgO for more information.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Shabbat, Me & Rabbi G at the JCC — 5 to 5:30 p.m. on select Fridays. Bring your children to the JCC for a Shabbat cele bration featuring fun songs and bless ings with Rabbi G! Challah and grape juice are served. Free and open to all! Visit https://bit.ly/3zYiysV for details.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Brain Health Bootcamp — 1 to 3 p.m. Virtual Brain Health Bootcamp every Tuesday will combine gentle physi cal exercise, including yoga and exer cises to help reduce stress and anxiety, along with a full hour of brain exercis es done in a non-stress and engaging way of learning. For more informa tion, visit https://bit.ly/3sr94RP.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Torah Study — 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join Rabbi Jordan each Wednesday either on Zoom or in-person at Congrega tion Dor Tamid and continue an indepth look at the Book of Leviticus. For more information, visit https://bit. ly/3srZsGj.

Jewish Women’s Torah and Tea — 7:45 to 8:45 p.m. Join the Jewish Women’s Circle of Decatur for a weekly discus sion on the parsha and contempo rary Jewish issues. Visit https://bit. ly/3RhGZbf for more information.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Temple Beth Tikvah Saturday Ser vices — 10 to 11:30 a.m. Join services online or in person. Visit https://bit. ly/3BbaS5n for more information.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28

Jewish Genealogy Discussion Group — 1 to 2 p.m. A weekly discussion group of the seminars offered at the Inter national Jewish Genealogy Confer ence held at the Lisa F. Brill Institute in the Kuniansky Family Center at the MJCCA. Registration at the Inter national Conference is required for participation in the discussion group. For more information, see https://bit.

the

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Chabad Intown Inspiration High Holy Days Services: Rosh Hashanah Starting at 9:30 a.m. services and programs will be throughout the day. Visit https://bit.ly/3bGd1xG for the full schedule.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29

Jewish Spirituality and Mysticism — 8 p.m. A weekly class on Jewish spiritu ality, mysticism and how to apply it to your personal growth in a meaning ful way, taught by Rabby Hirshy. Visit https://bit.ly/3suZDkg for more infor mation.

Calendar sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Connector, an initiative of the AJT. In order to

considered for the print edition, please submit events three to four weeks in advance.

Diana Cole for more information at Diana@atljewishtimes.com.

What's Jewish About... The Art World

A monumental painting by Kehinde Wiley, “Alios Itzhak” (The World Stage: Israel, 2011). Wiley, an African American artist, created many portraits of young Israeli men of diverse backgrounds: Ethiopian Israeli Jews, native-born Israeli Jews and Arab Israelis. // Credit: Jason Mandella

The Jewish Museum in New York City was founded in 1904 in the library of the Jewish Theological Seminary and has been housed in the landmark Warburg Mansion on Fifth Avenue and 92nd Street since 1947. Claudia Gould became the museum’s Helen Goldsmith Menschel Director in November 2011. In her decades as a museum and arts professional, she has been noted for her commitment to outstand ing original programming and an expansive interdisciplinary approach to exhibitions, education and public outreach.

The AJT spoke to Gould about the impact of Jewish artists, how art can lead to a better understanding of others and about the museum’s current exhibition, New York: 1962-1964, on view through Jan. 8, 2023.

What is the purpose of the Jewish Museum?

The Jewish Museum in New York City is an art museum dedicated to illuminating the vibrancy and variety of Jewish culture and history for a global audience. Through distinctive art exhibitions and programs that present the work of diverse artists and thinkers, the Jewish Museum shares ideas, provokes dialogue and promotes under standing among people of all ages and backgrounds. It was the first institution of its kind in the United States and is one of the oldest Jewish museums in the world.

The Jewish Museum’s unique collection comprises nearly 30,000 works of art, ceremonial objects, and media reflecting the worldwide Jewish experience over more than 4,000 years. The Museum aims to deepen access to and understanding of diversity within Jewish culture itself, including the transformative role of artists, collectors, think ers and educators.

How can art help to explore and illuminate the Jewish experience in the world?

In Scenes from the Collection — our exhibition featuring over 450 works from antiquities to contemporary art — art and Jewish ceremonial objects are shown together, affirming universal values that are shared among people of all faiths and cultural backgrounds. A section of Scenes from the Collection exemplifies the diversity of objects and perspectives presented at the Museum. On one wall is a monumental painting by Kehinde Wiley titled Alios Itzhak (The World Stage: Israel, 2011). Wiley, an African American artist, created many portraits of young Israeli men of diverse backgrounds: Ethiopian-Israeli Jews, native-born Israeli Jews and Arab-Israelis. For his Israeli works, Wiley embedded each contemporary portrait in a background inspired by traditional Jewish ceremonial papercuts. A 19th-century mizrah has been exhibited next to the painting along with an 1899 Torah ark.

How can art effect a better understanding of Jewish culture and a better understanding of people from different backgrounds?

Through talks and performances, both virtual and in-person, attendees can enjoy insightful discussions, engaging conversations and diverse performances inspired by the Museum’s exhibitions, culture at large and current events. Educator-led virtual tours can be customized and are available for adult, school and family groups. Our new digital guide on Bloomberg Connects, the free arts and culture app available for download, makes the Jewish Museum accessible for either onsite or offsite visits through photo, audio and video. It features insights into the Museum’s exhibitions, programs and collection.

Tell us about your current exhibition, “New York: 1962-1964.”

In the exhibition New York: 1962-1964, on view through Jan. 8, 2023, visitors can explore how artists living and working in New York City responded to epoch-changing events as such as the Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (1963) and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy (1963). Installed across two floors, this immersive exhibition presents more than 180 artworks — all made or seen in New York City between 1962 and 1964 — including painting, sculpture, photography and film, alongside fashion, design, dance, poetry and ephemera. Artists featured include Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg, among many others.

Tell us what you mean by the term “The New Art” and how it impacted life in the art world.

Alan Solomon, the Museum’s director from 1962 to 1964, organized a series of exhibitions dedicated to what he called “The New Art” — work by artists who lived in New York and engaged with the city in new ways. In 1964, Solomon was invited to curate the 32nd Venice Biennale. One of the artists he championed, Robert Rauschenberg, won the International Grand Prize in Painting, and that victory cemented New York’s position as the center of the art world. During Solomon’s tenure, the Jewish Museum provided a home for Jewish gallerists and collectors. Many of Solomon’s partners and colleagues would go on to become art-world influencers, assembling comprehensive collections of post-war American art and joining museum boards.

Which Jewish artists are best known or featured in your current exhibition?

Among the exceptional artists included in the exhibition, many were or are Jewish, including Diane Arbus, Louis Bernstein, Rosalyn Drexler, Martha Edelheit, Audrey Flack, Leonard Freed, Lee Friedlander, Nancy Grossman, Boris Lurie, Louise Nevelson, Larry Rivers, Miriam Schapiro, Carolee Schneemann, Paul Schutzer and George Segal, as well as fashion designer Rudi Gernreich and dancer/choreographers Judith Dunn and Yvonne Rainer.

For more, visit www.thejewishmuseum.org.

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

Paintings by Louise Nevelson and Mel Bochner are part of the Jewish Museum’s exhibit Scenes from the Collection. // Credit: Roz Akin

The OY/YO sculpture by artist Deborah Kass is part of Scenes from the Collection, the Jewish Museum’s exhibition of over 450 works from antiquities to contemporary art. // Credit: Kris Graves

Installation view of New York: 19621964 at the Jewish Museum, NY, which runs July 22 to Jan. 8, 2023. // Photo: Frederick Charles, fcharles.com

85-Year-Old Honors Family with New Hebrew Library

One Dunwoody resident has helped the Chabad Israeli Center build a new He brew library while honoring his family.

The center, which has been in Brookhaven since 2016, serves as a com munity center for Hebrew speakers and

those who have relocated to the area from Israel. On Sunday, Aug. 28, it held a grand opening for the new Hebrew Li brary, which will feature books for read ers of all ages, all in the Hebrew language.

“We really want it to be a place

where the community can come read in their language. We want it to be a place for Hebrew education, classes and con ferences,” said Rabbi Menachem Gurary, founder of the Chabad Israeli Center. “A place where people can come to learn about and feel connected to Judaism and the Land of Israel.”

Rabbi Gurary said that previously, the center had a makeshift area that served as a library. Now, it hopes to hire a librarian and have an official library system, all thanks to donors Michael and Eti Alon.

“It has been a dream of ours to build this Hebrew Library, and we are grateful to the Alon family and all those who have helped make it a reality,” Rabbi Gurary said.

“He’s been a member of the commu nity since we’ve been in Brookhaven, he is very active in the synagogue and really wanted to give back in a nice, permanent way.”

Alon said he decided to support the library in honor of his family, particularly his eldest brother, Rabbi Yerachmiel Carmi, and his mother, Faige Tziporah Chorowsky. He said it was their idea for him to move from Israel to the United States.

“I always think of my brother and my mother,” said Alon, regarding where he finds himself today. “I’m almost 85, and I’m very lucky.”

Alon, who is the youngest of seven and the last alive among his siblings, grew up in a poor neighborhood in Is rael, he said. His father left when he was young, and his mother worked hard to provide for him and his brothers and sis ters.

“My mother worked as a maid,” he said. “In those days, there were no vacuum cleaners, washing machines, or many other assistants to help you clean the house. It was really difficult, hard la bor work.”

After joining the Israeli Army for about 2.5 years at the age of 17, Alon decided to leave Israel. He said that his brother was living in New Brunswick, Canada, at the time, and helped arrange for Alon to get a visa to join him.

After multiple plane trips, Alon ar rived in New Brunswick in 1959. He did not know how to read, speak, or write in English, and by his own account, had very few applicable skills.

Several weeks later, Alon’s brother drove him to New York and helped him enroll in school. Later, Alon was able to graduate with a license to teach Hebrew. Years later, after he met his now-wife, Etti Alon, back home in Israel, his brother married the two in a ceremony in the U.S.

“If not for my brother, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” Alon said of his jour ney to America all those years ago. “I had no skills, no training, I don’t know what would have happened to me.”

Alon attributes all of his success to his brother, who passed away a few years ago. Alon said that when he died, he wanted to do something to honor his brother. When he heard about the new library, he thought that sounded like the perfect opportunity.

“It’s a very important part of the community,” Alon said of the library. “That’s exactly what I want to do.” ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

“If not for my brother, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” said Michael Alon, who honored his family by helping the Chabad Israeli Center build a new Hebrew library in Brookhaven.

“It has been a dream of ours to build this Hebrew Library, and we are grateful to the Alon family and all those who have helped make it a reality,” Rabbi Gurary said.

The Lowdown

I Bet You Didn’t Know … Kent Alexander

Atlanta is chock-full of interesting “movers and shakers” — some bent on creativity, empire-building, activism and/ or just plain having fun and living the good life. Lean in to hear some of the “off-the-cuff” remarks as to what makes our spotlight, Kent Alexander, tick.

Kent Alexander has charted a varied career as an attorney and author. An Atlanta native, he graduated from Briarcliff High School, then went on to Tufts University and the University of Virginia School of Law. He and his wife, Diane, a plastic surgeon, have two adult daughters, Nicki and Kayla.

In May, Alexander completed his two-year term as president of The Temple. He has also served as president of AJC’s Atlanta chapter and was co-founder of Hands On Atlanta. Currently, he is the board vice chair of The Task Force for Global Health, which channels roughly $1-2 billion abroad annually in donated medica tions.

During his legal career, Alexander served as a presidentially-appointed U.S. Attorney in Atlanta, se nior vice president and general counsel for Emory University, general counsel for CARE and a King & Spalding partner. He also spent a year as chief of staff for Michelle Nunn’s U.S. Senate campaign. While U.S. Attorney, Alexander wrote and hand-delivered Olympic bombing suspect Richard Jewell’s clearance letter.

As author, he and Kevin Salwen co-wrote “The Suspect” about Jewell and domestic terrorist Eric Ru dolph. Clint Eastwood’s movie, “Richard Jewell,” is based on their book and a Vanity Fair feature story.

Find out why this man of exceptional talent has special memories of his Six Flags over Georgia outfit.

What are you busy writing now?

A magazine article on an intriguing castle in Costa Rica and a book about the harrow ing, though mostly forgotten, 1987 Atlanta Federal Pen riot and takeover.

What is one thing most folks don’t know about you?

I’m a closet nerd, as my family will attest. I’ve dragged them on countless tours of museums, historic sites, marshes … you name it.

What are you streaming?

“Servant of the People,” starring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. And soon, season 3 of “Ted Lasso.”

What was your most unusual job?

Managing the Skee-Ball prize redemption center at Six Flags Over Georgia, decked out in a park-issued red, white and blue uniform and straw boater hat.

Your guilty pleasure?

Spending hours pruning and shaping our bonsai trees. It’s very zen. That, plus drinking single-malt scotches.

My last fashion disaster …

Pretty much any night I go out with my very fashionable wife. By comparison, I’m a sartorial disaster.

What was your most exotic vacation?

Backpacking for a month in the wilds of Alaska after law school. Lots of bears, caribou, bald eagles, otters and more bears.

Being president of The Temple taught me … That our clergy rock, both on the pulpit and behind closed doors.

The last time I cried …

During the funeral for Joel Reish, who grew up in our idyllic Judith Way neighborhood. When my brother, David, and friend David Cooper eulogized him, I lost it.

Last time I laughed out loud …

I laugh out loud every day. Life can be so weighty, I try to find humor in almost every situation, some times even appropriately!

Reported by Marcia Caller Jaffe

Cranberry-Glazed French Roast

Cooking and Prep: 4.5 hours

10 Servings

Contains: Gluten, Wheat, Soy and Egg

Preference: Meat

Difficulty: Easy

Occasion: Rosh Hashanah, Sukkot

Category: Mains

This recipe is my go-to crowd-pleaser, and the Salad Mate BBQ Sauce added a great kick! It’s great to make it in the sous-vide machine, but we provide directions for preparing it in the oven too. Enjoy!

Ingredients (15)

Meat

4- to 5 lbs. French roast

1 teaspoon Gefen Garlic Powder

1 teaspoon Gefen Onion Powder

1 teaspoon Gefen Paprika

Add salt, to taste

Add pepper, to taste Sauce

1 tablespoon avocado or coconut oil

1 onion, diced

1/4 cup sugar-free cranberry jam (Example: Fiordifrutta Cranberry Fruit Spread)

2 tablespoons coconut aminos

2 tablespoons Alfasi Cabernet Sauvignon or other dry red wine

1 tablespoon Salad Mate BBQ Sauce

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

Start Cooking

Make the Roast:

Combine garlic power, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Rub mixture over the meat.

In a large pot, sear the meat on both sides until browned.

Make the Sauce:

Heat avocado or coconut oil. Sauté onion until translucent, then combine with remaining sauce ingredients.

Transfer the sauce and meat to a sous vide bag. Cook on 136.4 degrees Fahr enheit for four hours (for a medium roast). Remove meat from the bag and reserve sauce. Allow the meat to rest for 10 mins. before slicing. Serve with the reserved sauce drizzled over the meat.

Tip: I recommend getting a proper vacuum-sealable bag for roasts, as they are heavy.

Variation: To prepare in the oven: Season roast and allow to marinate overnight in the fridge. Follow directions for sauce above. Pour the sauce over the roast and cover tightly. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour. Uncover and bake an ad ditional 20 mins. or until browned. Allow to cool completely before slicing.

Recipe by Rorie Weisberg

Source: Family Table by Mishpacha Magazine, Food Fight

Birthday Party

It was Benny’s third birthday party and he was having a lovely time. Soon it was time to open his presents.

One was from his grandma Freda and in it he discovered a water pistol. He jumped up and down with delight and then ran to the nearest sink to fill it up.

But his mother was not so pleased. She turned to Freda and said, “I’m surprised at you, Mom. Don’t you remember how we used to drive you crazy with water pistols when we were young?”

Grandma Freda smiled and then replied, “I remember. Of course I remember.”

YIDDISH WORD

Ganifocrat

n. A politician who is a thief or conman. Hard to imagine, but apparently such people exist.

“The personal library of the chair of the library trustees has expanded incredibly. Methinks she’s a ganifocrat.”

From the Yiddish ganif, meaning a thief or cook.

Talmudic

Magazine stuffer

“___ Eisley cantina” (sci-fi locale)

path

Ming

Tolkien trilogy, briefly

Portion of butter

Self- centeredness

Warhol style

month

Mexican Mrs.: Abbr.

Pollen holders

Israeli newspaper of note

Observing Yom Kippur, essen tially

crowd

Venmo no.

daydreaming

peninsula

Hawk who is not the

Hawk?

property

anti-Israel member of Knesset Haneen

of some stories

action at Vegas

previews

wts.

button

It might be challenged after

Day

Chaverim, in Panama

Words before “directed”

electric buttons

no hardship

Pete Alonso has a lot of them

Keepah accessory

Israeli name or secular wedding

who goes to every Hapoel Holon game, e.g.

Lillian Goodman

97, Atlanta

Lillian Goodman, 97, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 6, surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Born in New York City, N.Y., and raised in the Bronx, Lillian met her husband, Bernard Goodman, and the two moved to Atlanta, Ga. in 1954. Shortly after arriving in Atlanta, Lillian, Bernard, and their three children – Jeff, Bonnie, and Michelle – moved to Mobile, Ala., where she became involved in the Ahavas Chesed Synagogue and be came the secretary of the rabbi. While in Mobile, Lillian discovered her love of theater and became a frequent patron of the arts in her community.

Lillian and her family returned to Atlanta in 1962, at which time she became an ac tive member of Shearith Israel and her community. Although much of her focus was on her family, Lillian took on various jobs throughout her life, always keen to bring along her friends to work with her. Lillian and Bernard loved to travel together and made sure to squeeze in as many trips as possible before his untimely passing in 1995. A constant face from the tennis club to the mahjong and canasta table, Lillian was a beacon of fun and compassion to everyone she met.

With an infectious smile and unending positivity, Lillian brightened every room she entered. Despite hardships she faced, she carried with her a sense of inner strength and grace which inspired all those who knew her. Her family was the most precious thing in her life, and she did all she could to spend as much time with them as possible.

Lillian was predeceased by her husband, Bernard Goodman, her daughter, Su zanne Robin, and is survived by her son, Jeff Goodman; daughters, Bonnie Ferguson and Michelle Sapir; ten grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, as well as many more beloved friends and family. A graveside service was held at Crest Lawn Memorial Park on Thursday, Sep. 8, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shearith Israel, The American Heart Association, or a charity of your choice.

Kalman Held 86, Atlanta

Kalman Held, 86, of Atlanta, Ga., died on Sept. 1, after a years-long battle with can cer. Kal was born on Sept. 23, 1935, in Czernovitz, Romania, in the Bukovina province, to Eleonora Eckstein and Gustav Held. He was six years old when his father was taken away by the Russians in 1941 (at the outset of World War II). The family’s home, lifestyle, and liberties were taken next, with the German occupation of Romania. Kal had a deep and unwavering love of Israel, borne of the safety its very harbors provided him after he and his mother landed on its shores in 1944. His connection to the land and his Juda ism would never falter. Perhaps the only thing he treasured more was his family, espe cially his wife Lois (Neiman), whom he met in 1961 thanks to a crafty setup by Eleonora. He was determined to celebrate the pair’s 60th anniversary this past July 8th, which the couple did quietly, as was their way. While Kal traveled extensively throughout his career in the hotel/hospitality industry, he and Lois settled in Atlanta in 1970. They grew deep roots and have been members of the Beth Jacob community for 52 years. He worked hard to ensure that each of his three children received a Jewish education. Kal was a proud and modest man with a strong work ethic. He worked until he was 83 years old. He devoured books on history, he studied Torah multiple times a week for many years, up until weeks before his death. He had a rare sense of honesty and integrity. He adored his wife and cherished each and every member of his family. Survivors include wife Lois, and their three children, Gary (Jeanne McKinney), Deborah, and David (Beth Stadtmauer); and four grandchildren, Beck Maslia, and Eliezer, Yaakov, and Shira Held. Kal was a beloved brother to Dany and Naava Ben-David, Ariella and Tony Williams, and to the late Alan and Sandy Ben-David (of blessed memory). He was a truly beloved uncle to many nieces and nephews, and a friend to all who’ve known him. Contribu tions may be made to Eternal Life-Hemshech, the Holocaust survivors’ organization where he was an active member. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770451-4999.

Carol Isaacson

born in New York City in 1934 to Louis

Miriam Pinto

moving to Cincinnati,

married

Isaacson in 1957. Carol and Larry were mar ried for 65 years and were blessed with three sons who all married wonderful spousesDavid and Stacey Isaacson, Jimmy, and Amy (deceased) Isaacson, and Richard and Lisa Isaacson. Carol’s greatest joy in her life was her seven grandchildren - Diane Isaacson Charles (Adam), Rebecca Isaacson Myles (Joshua), Joshua Isaacson (Christine), Ilene Isaacson Berch (Louis), Louis Isaacson (Taylor), Lauren Isaacson, and Julie Isaacson; and her seven great-grandchildren - Naomi, Emma, Charlotte, Nora, Benjamin, Remi Jo, and Ariella. She is also survived by her brother, Samuel Freiberg, and numerous nieces and nephews. Carol attended Hughes High School in Cincinnati and graduated college from Michigan State University. In Cincinnati, she worked for a short time at Shillito’s Department Store as an assistant buyer before meeting Larry and starting a family. The family moved to Atlanta in 1967 where she happily spent the rest of her life. Carol enjoyed her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, playing bridge, canasta and mahjong, and bowling (where she met many of her dearest friends). She loved hosting big family events like Thanksgiving and Break-the-fast. Carol was a member of The Temple, serv ing on the board for two years. With her three sons attending Pace Academy, Carol be came very active in school activities, and she and her husband served as the presidents of the Pace Academy Booster Club and then the Parents’ Association.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, at Crest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Temple Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund, The Shep herd Center Foundation, Camp Twin Lakes, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care Atlanta, 770-451-4999.

Helen Scherrer-Diamond

Aaron Robert Maran

98, Atlanta

Aaron Robert “Bob” Maran of Atlanta, Ga., died on Sept. 12. He was born on March 4, 1924, in Waterbury, Conn. to Russian immigrants, Samuel and Mathilda (Selikoff) Maran. At age 18, he joined his two brothers to serve in World War II. He was a Staff Sergeant and served in Europe, including at the Battle of the Bulge. He was also deployed to the Pacific but landed just as the war ended. He stayed to help with the occupation and reconstruction of Japan.

After the war, Bob attended New York University, where he served as President of the School of Commerce Student Council. He went on to have a long career as a manufacturers’ representative in the women’s clothing industry. He traveled the country, had close relation ships with his fellow salesmen, and served as President of the Southeastern Travelers Associa tion.

He met the love of his life, his “beautiful bride” Suzanne Goodman in 1957 on Miami Beach. After nine consecutive dates he proposed, and they married four months later. To gether, they built their life in Atlanta, enjoying wonderful friendships and shaping Atlanta’s Jewish community. He served in many local organizations including Congregation Beth Jacob as President.

Later in life, Bob became very active with the Atlanta Chapter of the Jewish War Veter ans. On every Memorial and Veterans Day, he could be seen selling poppies at a neighbor hood Kroger raising funds for the VA Hospital. He personally raised tens of thousands of dol lars and, along with Sue, they volunteered at the VA on an almost weekly basis.

Bob was predeceased by his beloved parents and nine siblings. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Suzanne Goodman Maran; children, Mindy (David) Ellin, Scott (Vicki) Maran, and Jeff Maran; five grandchildren, Caryn Monat, Jonathan Ellin, Marissa (John) Kiser, Cory (Mal lory) Maran, and Bradley Maran. He also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, with whom he shared many cherished relationships and was also considered a family patriarch.

The funeral was held at 2:30 pm at Crest Lawn Memorial Park on Tuesday, Sep. 13, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Congregation Beth Jacob, 1855 LaVista Road, Atlanta, GA 30329; Jewish War Veterans Post 112, P.O. Box 1566, Roswell, GA 30077; or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Stanley Mesh

91, Atlanta

Stanley Mesh, age 91, passed away peacefully on Aug. 25. Born in Chicago, Ill., he moved with his family to Miami, Fla. when he was 10 years old. A graduate of the Uni versity of Miami, he collected many U of M mementos throughout the years. Stanley met his wife, Ruth, in New York City at a USO dance while stationed in Staten Island with the U.S. Army. They were married for 67 years. He became a C.P.A., practicing ac counting for many years. Stanley and Ruth relocated to Atlanta 4.5 years ago from Flor ida to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Stanley is survived by wife Ruth, daughter Cheryl (Joel) Rosenfield, and granddaughters Lisa and Allison. Graveside ser vice was held at Georgia National Cemetery on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Gilda Gart Rodwin

85, Dunwoody

Gilda Gart Rodwin, 85, of Dunwoody, Ga. died on Sunday, Sept. 11. Gilda was born Aug. 9, 1937, in Brooklyn, N.Y. She was the daughter of Esther and Abraham Gart. Gilda was preceded in death by Morty, her husband of 60 years. Survivors include daughter Alysa Martin and son-in-law Ken Martin; son Scott Rodwin; daughter Carey Rodwin Duffy and son-in-law John Duffy; granddaughter, Jamie Martin Noble, her husband Jeff and their children Henry, Madelyn and Eloise; granddaughter Evan Martin and her daughter Riley; grandson Jared Martin; brother Ben Gart and his wife Sandy; brothers-in-law and sisters-inlaw Donald and Shawn Rodwin, Arthur and Linda Tenenbaum, Roberta Meshel; Steve Rodwin; her cousin Carol and many nieces, nephews. Gilda was loved dearly and will be greatly missed. Funeral service took place on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at Arlington Memo rial Park. Arrangements by Dresser’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Editor and Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

THOUGHTS

What’s So High and Holy about the High Holidays?

Once upon a time, not all that long ago, a young girl was dressed up in her finest and prettiest clothes. Each and every Rosh Hasha nah/Yom Kip pur (always spoken of in a more reverent tone than all other Jew ish holidays, and always spoken of to gether, making the two holidays sound like one), she was treated to her beloved, brand-spanking-new black patent leath er Mary Janes and white socks with a generous double layer of lace fringe.

Shaindle Schmuckler Shaindle’s Shpiel

The little girl’s dresses were almost ex clusively in a velvet fabric, flared with a sweet, white lacey collar. Her sisters and her mom and dad were, of course, also farputzed (all decked out) in their finest of fine clothing ensembles.

Her cousins, as well as her aunts and uncles, were dressed in their spiffi est attire. On the mornings of the High Holy Days, they would leave their re spective apartments, riding down their respective elevators and together em bark on the few city blocks leading to their synagogue. In synagogue, they felt blessed and humbled to begin their prayers, asking for forgiveness, health and more time to ensure a longer life shared with their precious family and their dear friends, praying to live and share in holy prayer the following year.

This little girl was drawn to the col lection of “holy” tickets, while listening and absorbing the beautiful sounds of a congregation in prayer.

One Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur, our synagogue required holiday tickets be shown to the off-duty policeman, who was instructed to collect said tick ets from each family member. Any tick ets accidentally or deliberately dropped were fair game to this little girl and her friends. These tickets revealed the High Holy Days dates and the section — up

stairs in balcony seating for the ladies and their female children, and down stairs for the men and male children. Yes, it was a congregation of observant Jews. (She had never heard of the con cept of Modern Orthodox.)

Right smack in the middle of the shul was a large raised square bimah. This bimah boasted an extraordinary mixture of velvet and ornate gold thrones for the Senior Rabbi and his as sociates. An exquisitely carved wooden Aron Kodesh, and its beautifully hand made curtain, were a precious addition to the container in which the holy Torah was nestled.

The podium, also covered with a beautifully hand-crafted cloth, was slightly slanted for easier reading of the Torah. Not to be outdone, the coverings for each individual Torah, and each in dividual Torah crown, were handmade and fabulous.

Is this, you may ask, what makes the High Holy Days so high and holy?

In a sweet way, these trappings did indeed shout “High Holy Days,” since

when else was she permitted to dress in her finest? Oh, I nearly forgot, she could wear these beautiful and precious clothes on Pesach, assuming she did not grow out of them and require new velvet ensembles.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, she shared these precious holy days with all the family who would influence her for her lifetime. They were her first influencers. ì

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Sweeten your new year.