STYLE Magazine: Atlanta Jewish Times Present Winter 2022

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Editor’s Letter

Don’t Stop These Lovin’ Feelings

To start this issue out with a bang, we feature our very own first non-COVID shin dig. AJT writer, Marcia Caller Jaffe, cooks up an appreciation reception for those she interviews and writes about in her artsy featured content. Then, we take you to a fashion and film premiere featuring the Jewish fashion designer, Madame Gres, where you will get a peek into her newest fashion collection.

Next, we get to light the candles at “The Shabbat Block Party: A Gala Kiddush,” in Toco Hills with hundreds of others living it up on the Holiest days of the week. If that is not far enough, let’s take a cruise on the Celebrity BEYOND, where an Italian Riviera Cruise awaits you on the high seas.

It wouldn’t be a STYLE Magazine without a beautiful wedding and this issue features two of them. Media star Laurie Segall takes her wedding vows to Colorado to proclaim her devotion from the highest mountain. Talk about a match made in medicine, Jessica Senft and Aaron Retterbush met as they were being educated in physician assistant school in Atlanta during 2018. It only took a spoonful of “sugar” to get their medicine down. As we wind up this issue with Jacob’s ‘Smooth Skiing’ Bar Mitzvah we could all use a cold one, and this special event is serving Mexican Mule shots in mini copper mugs. Sound good?

This Davis Academy student is going to have to wait a few years before he gets a Mexican Mule shot, leaving more for us.

To close, we have several simcha announcements for you to enjoy and you better take your time and look closely at every page in this issue as it may just be your last.

STYLE Magazine has been a favorite publication for the staff at the AJT. We have enjoyed the opportunity to share our com munity’s lifecycles, fashion, art, travel and just a bit of what Jewish style is all about in magazine format and published on glossy paper.

This beautiful publication has made the special moments that our community have shared even more special.

It is with great dissatisfaction that I inform our readers that, due to the increased cost of our glossy paper from the printing companies, this will be our last STYLE Magazine.

We are hopeful that someday our economy will balance out and we’ll have the honor to print your life cycles on premium paper again soon.

Until then, we will continue our special issues quarterly, featuring simcha-themed stories and how-to content. Lilli Jennison, our creative director, is even going to make this section of our newspaper unique from our other special feature sec tions.

See you next season for our special Spring quarterly of simcha favorites.

Sincerely, Kaylene

Kaylene Ladinsky Editor & Managing Publisher

Atlanta Jewish Times Shares Appreciation for Art

By Kaylene Ladinsky

On Nov. 13, Atlanta Jewish Times welcomed guests at the Bill Lowe Gallery for an appre ciation reception for those that have a special interest in art and have shared their lives with AJT readers as subjects in ar ticles by writer Marcia Jaffe, be it the secret to long marriages, special recipes, artists, interior designers, or a combination of all “making a really good story.”

The gallery is featuring an exhibition of new works by New York artist Michael David titled “The Mirror Stage.” Da vid is a Jewish world-renowned artist who was born in Reno, Nev., and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., where his family relocated

when he was young. He attend ed SUNY Fredonia for one year and, in 1976, received a B.F.A. from Parson’s School of Design.

David is classified as an ab stract painter, best known for his use of the encaustic tech nique, which incorporates pig ment with heated beeswax. He is also known for his works in mixed-media figure painting, photography, and environmen tal sculpture. His work is in cluded in the permanent public collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Guggen heim Museum, the Jewish Mu seum in New York, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, among others.

The gallery’s director, Donovan Johnson, told the AJT that he wasn’t sure how he met Jaffe, although he was grateful for her efforts to arrange and hold the reception there. “I do not remember honestly. She has, of course, known the gal lery for quite some time and I have always known about the AJT. We both cultivate commu nity in our jobs and that is what attracted me to her.”

Johnson said that the gal lery displayed a total of 33 piec es of David’s art. When John son was asked about how many pieces were sold, he said, “Sev eral – I cannot say how many. The selling prices were between $25k to $100k.”

Jaffe gave a history of the

Chai Style column and what a commitment of “real estate” is made in the three-page spread the AJT has featured over the years. She noted that no other Jewish newspaper in the coun try has a similar feature. She spoke of home interior copy coming of age with the begin ning of Architectural Digest in 1920 when readership caught on with, “Someday I will have the house I want.”

To which she elaborated, “Some do, some don’t achieve that, but they are still curious to look inside your home. The homes we have featured have all been interesting, from Buddhist temple living rooms to exotic roaming cockatiel birds.”

She then jokingly spoke of

Marcia Jaffe and Donovan Johnson worked as a team to execute the Nov. 13 event at the Bill Lowe Gallery art space. // Photos by Heidi Mor ton Photography

Featured artist Michael David poses with Bill Lowe Gallery director Donovan Johnson.

houses that were not chosen for coverage in jest as fodder for a book.

In conclusion, Jaffe praised the Atlanta community for hav ing the best Jewish newspaper in the country, recently award ed by the Jewish National Press Association, and the fact that, “We have been around for 98 years, looking forward to plenty more years ahead.”

AJT Editor and Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky then thanked the audience for letting the AJT share their homes and their personal stories.

Jaffe sat adjacent to art ist Michael David and asked questions about why he chose a dangerous material like glass for production, what the physi cal production was like in his studio, and how he related to Jewish themes.

Of his work, Michael Da vid said, “Mirrors are never the

same way twice. My paintings are alive and shifting. All great spirituality comes together when you realize that you are part of something bigger than yourself, then you connect.”

He related the physicality of smashing with mallets and using tar as a backdrop. In one instance, a huge painting split in half with which he flowed. He also elaborated on the story of the evils of the Golem and his work around that.

The last question was: “How do you view Atlanta and the South...being from New York City. Do you see us as hicks or yokels?”

Rankled, David expressed, “I don’t even know where to be gin on that. I have been coming to Atlanta for 12 years, teach ing at Savannah College of Art & Design, etc. I have witnessed Atlanta’s vibrancy as having a large gay and African American

population and the confluence of great cultures.”

He then took questions from the audience about the role pain plays in his artistry, and how he goes about naming his work.

The bottom line, David said, “At the end of life, what counts is whether you loved and were loved.”

David Schendowich, di rector of marketing and com munications for the William Breman Jewish Heritage & Ho locaust Museum, said, “Today’s meetup at the Bill Lowe Galley with artist Michael David was great. Lots of engaging people and friends enjoyed a delicious assortment of food in the pres ence of art that made us all re flect. The art by Michael David is made of large and small wallhanging installations comprised of shattered mirrors immersed in a tar medium. The artist re

layed stories of his inspirations behind the constructs and his process for breaking mirrors. I am looking forward to the next AJT Chai Style Art meetup.”

Attendee and art doyenne Fay Gold recalled that her son, architect Jason Gold, designed the original Lowe Gallery space when it opened and operated un der her name from 2000-2009 in the full 8,000-square-feet space with stark concrete floor ing that so well contrasts the art.

In describing Michael Da vid’s work, Gold said, “His abstract work resonates on a profound level. The use of lay ers of beeswax, encaustic and crushed mirrors create a spiri tual and gestural experience. It takes us ‘out of our minds’ for the moment and helps define ourselves.”

A few examples of the art work displayed in the gallery are:

(From left) Featured artist Michael David, Marcia Jaffe and Bill Lowe Gallery director Donovan Johnson

“A Day in The Life,” 96 inches by 96 inches, made of tar resin oil and mirror on birch plywood.

“Pink Moon” (For Astrid), 43 inches by 32.25 inches, made of mirror and oil on birch plywood.

“Enter The Dragon” (For Bruce Lee), 99 inches by 84 inches, made of tar resin oil and mirror on birch plywood.

“Star Man” (For David Bowie) 69 inches by 69 inches, made of mirror and oil on wood.

“The Mirror Has Two Faces,” 61 inches by 65 inches, made of tar resin oil on birch plywood.

If you are interested in seeing David’s display contact Donovan Johnson with the Bill Lowe Gallery, www.lowegallery.com. ì

Marcia Caller Jaffe contributed to this article.

Art photos provided by Bill Lowe Gallery.

Haute Couture Resurfaces with Jewish Madame Grès

On Nov. 10, Savannah Col lege of Art & Design (SCAD) FASH Museum of Fashion + Film premiered the work of Madame Grès (b. Germaine Émilie Krebs in Paris, France) in the first retro spective of her work in the U.S. in 15 years.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Beginning her career using the alias, Alix, in the 1930s, Ger maine Émilie Krebs was a leading French couturier, costumer design er, and founder of the esteemed fashion house, Grès. Evoking the

style of ancient Greece, her gowns were aesthetic and constructional feats that relied on layered and folded precision. Her fashions were worn by Grace Kelly, Paloma Picasso, Greta Garbo, Wallis Simp son, and Jacqueline Kennedy. The “Jewish back story” unfolds with her defiance of the Nazis.

Madame Grès originally as pired to become a sculptor. Find ing solace in her atelier, she be came the greatest sculptor of the designers of her era. A contempo

rary of Madeleine Vionnet, Coco Chanel, and Elsa Schiaparelli, Ma dame Grès was revered for her ex pert use of draping and innovative construction in garments evoking the sensual style of ancient Greece. Her creations have inspired many illustrious designers including Cristóbal Balenciaga, Ralph Rucci, Issey Miyake, and Isabel Toledo.

Grès was born into a middleclass Jewish family. Not much is known about her personal life which she strove to keep secret.

SCAD fundraising execs drove from Savannah to admire Gres’ designs in red tones.

What is known is that she was a perfectionist who originally studied sculpture and hat making, which pivoted well into her fashion line. She married Russian painter Serge Czerfkov and had one daughter, Ann, who was equally mysterious by keeping her mother’s death a secret for one year.

Grès was not known for easy working conditions. She was said to have made apprentices work in silence, akin to a convent, without natural light, and sit on certain stools versus chairs, based on ex perience, perhaps after 10 years. She used live mannequins and took up to 300 hours to construct one dress. She was also known for her perfume, Cabochard, or “stub born.”

Her ferocity was demonsrat ed during the German occupation of France in World War II, when she defied orders from the occu pation government to design bare, utilitarian clothing for the wives of German officers, yet continued to design luxurious gowns in the col ors of the French tricolor flag.

Stubborn Grès designed gowns that had Stars of David sewn inside. Eventually, she was shut down on the pretense that she was using too much fabric during wartime. She resurfaced as Madame Grès, eventually lost everything, and was supported by top designers Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Cardin in her last years.

The word “gres” is an ana gram of her husband’s name, Serge. The company was eventu ally sold to a Japanese firm.

SCAD FASH worked with the Fondation Azzedine Alaïa, Paris, to bring this representative selection of her work to the U.S., approximately 65-70 garments. The Fondation houses a collection of garments personally collected by the Tunisian designer Azzedine Alaïa and is an important resource for fashion historians and students.

The Art of Draping exhi bition offers a detailed study of Madame Grès’ evening and day gowns, tailored ensembles, and cocktail dresses, cleverly staged as if in an intimate theater, re vealing the meticulous skill of her draping and timeless nature of her creations. The exhibition also features a selection of never before-seen vintage prints on loan from Fondation Azzedine Alaïa and rare images of Ma dame Grès, taken by the iconic photographer, Horst P. Horst, an artist of her era whose career was intertwined with her own, presented courtesy of the Horst Estate. An exhibition of comple mentary historical significance, Horst P. Horst: Essence of the Times, is also on view in SCAD FASH’s adjacent display area. The exhibit continues until June 2023. SCAD is located at 1600 Peachtree St., across from The Temple. ì

1Madame Grès used live mannequins to construct meticulous pleats and draping.

2Fashion forward philanthropist and entrepreneur Lauren Amos, who operates a boutique, came to enjoy the history and work of Madame Grès.

3 Shading and light reveal the detail in Madame Grès gowns in an intimate setting.

The Shabbat Block Party: A Gala Kiddush

By Allen Lipis and Sarah Faygie Berkowitz

On Nov. 12, after Shabbat morning services, a massive out door kiddush was held for more than 1,000 Jews from all over the Toco Hills neighborhood and beyond. The event was held in Congregation Beth Jacob’s front parking lot, with six outsized buffets of international cuisines to celebrate diversity. The dis play of food was nothing short

of amazing.

This Shabbat Block Party in Toco Hills was part of a global program that included syna gogues from around the world. The Shabbat Project is an inter national grassroots movement designed to bring together Jews from all walks of life and all lev els of observance to keep one Shabbat, celebrated in a spirit of global Jewish unity. On that one specific day, the various worldwide events included: 10

Community members prepare for the festivities of the annual Shabbat Block Party in Toco Hills.

languages; 97 partner countries; 1,416 partner cities; and more than one million participants.

The concept is simple: Jews from across the spectrum, reli gious, secular, and traditional, young, and old, from all corners of the world, unite to experi ence one full Shabbat together. It is about creating a new Jew ish future based on Jewish unity, pride, and values. It transcends the barriers that seem to sepa rate us. It is our opportunity to

rejuvenate family and communi ty life, restore Jewish pride and identity, and strengthen Jewish unity across the globe.

“Toco Hills is a special place renowned for its tight knit communal feel,” says Rabbi Yitz Tendler, executive director at Beth Jacob. “Even as our com munity grows, events of this kind make it possible to stay connected in meaningful ways.”

The Toco Hills Gala Kiddu sh Block Party had buffet tables

Community members of all ages, young and old, contributed to the festivi ties at the Shabbat Block Party at Congregation Beth Jacob on Nov. 12.

marked for particular regions of the world, with curated foods from countries in that area. Kid dush tables featuring gallons of grape juice enabled people to re cite kiddush whenever they ar rived, and drink tables kept the crowds hydrated. Five different shuls participated in the cho lent competition, but the cholent pots were scraped clean before the judges could have a taste… clearly, they were all winners!

Some of the international foods served at the Gala Kiddu sh were: brigadeiros, or Brazil ian truffles; empanadas; plantain and yucca chips with Venezuelan salsa; kajool, or Afghani biscuits; khoresh, or Persian vegetarian stew; apple pie pastries; ghriba, or Moroccan walnut cookies; baklava; and many popular Is raeli foods. The food was ar ranged according to region: South America, Israel, Europe, Asia, America, and the Middle East.

The super-sized kiddush was planned in just a two-week time span, a challenge that start ed in 2015 when Sybil Goldstein worked for Congregation Beth Jacob and was asked to co ordinate the first Shabbat Project Block Party at the last minute.

Event chairs Sarah Faygie Berkowitz and Lydia Schloss hammered out the concept, and within days fly ers were up, lawn signs out, and emails were sent to hundreds of synagogue members throughout Toco Hills. Cholent chefs were needed to represent each shul, volunteers for prep on Thurs day, Friday, and Shabbat morn ing, and many errands to run. Thursday’s prep was done by the dedicated team of kiddush ladies who have been coordinating the Beth Jacob kiddush for decades: Betsy Cenker, Doreen Witten berg, Sheila Bleich, Judy Cohen, Judy Kessler, Carole Feinberg,

Suzi Tibor, Regine Rosenfeld, Doreen Wittenberg, Sharon Harris, Regine Rosenfeld, Robin Halpern, Barbara Fisher, Lynn Koffsky, Gillian Rosenberg, He lene Shleifer, and Donna Lund sliced hundreds of vegetables, plated pounds and pounds of cookies, and arranged chips, dips, and candies.

Beautiful floral arrange ments were handled by Regine Rosenfeld and Barbara Fisher, with the help of Wendy Saul and Rozi Varon. Volunteers Rach elle Freedman and Donna Lund picked up dozens of buckets of flowers from several Trader Joe’s locations as part of the store’s Flower Share giveaway program.

Tova Eidex, a baker extraor dinaire known for her creative custom cakes, prepared the ap ple pie pastries and brigadeiros, and middle school bakers Rena Pollock and Daniella Hachimoff whipped up hundreds of chewy chocolate chip cookie sticks for the crowds.

Shoppers included Yiskah Getty, Leah Pollock, Laura Bog art, Sheila Elkon, Michele Gold feder, Leah Rod bell and Temima Perton hauling hundreds of boxes of food and drink for the event.

Many of the foods on the Middle Eastern table were pre pared by Yael Perez and Ode lia Khalili, and Shoshana Rad ford recruited an Afghani friend to bake khajool. Shevy Paley made four industrial-sized pots of cholent representing Beth Ja cob, Bijan Afrah made vegetarian khoresh on behalf of Netzach Is rael, Micha Katz was Ohr HaTo rah’s chef, Shalom Teller repre sented the Chevrah, and Roman Khalili made Ner Hamizrach’s pot of fragrant cholent.

Shabbos morning saw a new group of volunteers, includ ing half a dozen preteens who gloved up and got to work doing

It was all hands on deck while preparing for the lavish, outsized gather ing in Toco Hills at Congregation Beth Jacob as part of the Shabbat Block Party: A Gala Kiddush.

what needed to be done. Lydia Schloss managed the kitchen, and outside set up was done by Naomi Cohen, Mindy Caplan, Julia Singer, Devorah Berkowitz, Hineni Clementi, Lauren Cas triota, Arielle Knapfo, Yael Perez, Odelia Khalili, Marcy Hachamoff, and Sheila Elkon, representatives of several shuls in Toco Hills.

At 11:30 a.m., a hush fell over the crowd and Rabbi Avra ham Mordechai Cohen belted out kiddush in a booming voice, with a resounding and unified “Amen” from the crowd. And then, every one dug in to enjoy the various tastes and treats offered. An hour later, at half past noon, the crowd was still thick with hundreds of people shmoozing and enjoying the fare, meeting new friends and old and lingering as long as they could to enjoy the unique cama raderie.

The organizers kept looking up and praying the dark clouds would hold off, and indeed, the ominous rain clouds passed, and the weather remained perfect throughout the event with nary a raindrop hitting the gathered

guests. Several hours later when the last stray plate floated down Lavista Road and you could just make out a whiff of linger ing cholent aromas, the weather finally turned cold, dark, and misty.

Some speculate it was the energy created by so many dif ferent folks coming together that kept it warm at the Gala Kiddu sh Block Party. Either way, the feelings generated by the unity kiddush left everyone who at tended wanting more.

“Several people came over to me to say we should do this more often,” said Berkowitz, who spearheaded the event. “But it takes a tremendous amount of resources, so the plan for now is to leave it as an annual event on the week of the Shabbat Project.”

The team is already taking notes and planning for the 2023 Shabbat Project Toco Hills Gala Kiddush Block Party. If you’d like to be a part of the fun next year, reach out to Congregation Beth Jacob, the event host, to find out more at info@bethjacobatlanta. org, or 404.633.0551. ì

Chief Rabbi Goldstein Atlanta, US, Shabbat Project 2022

Sailing Beyond: An Italian Riviera Cruise Awaits You on The High Seas

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

Ready to set sail? Celebrity Cruises awaits you and stays on the edge of innovation as they strive to creatively go be yond travelers’ expectations. In a recent cruise from Barcelona along the ports of the Italian Riviera and France, Celebrity Beyond, which is part of the Edge series of ships, presented entertaining, indulgent dining and open-air, sea-loving travel.

The goal of these new ships was to break from traditional ship design and offer travelers an ultimate experience with a front-row view and sea-faring backdrop. Celebrity Beyond, the newest of ships, is a stunning craft that launched in April of 2022. It encompasses 32 food and beverage experiences to sa vor, with a 14,000-square foot spa, live theater, shopping, and

casino.

Accommodations include choices reflected by an A-team of talent featuring award-win ning designers Nate Berkus, Kelly Hoppen, and Tom Wright, who designed a variety of spaces. The 1,073-foot ship named Kate McCue to captain the cruise ship, the first Ameri can woman to hold the posi tion. The largest and most luxu

The Celebrity Beyond ship, presented by Celebrity Cruises // Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises

rious ship, it embraces elevated outdoor living, with dining ter races, sundecks and outdoor spaces from the rooftop garden and retreat sundeck to outdoor terraces. Entertainment in the theatre includes a 110-foot LED wall and extraordinary tal ent like pianist Roy Tan, who delighted guests, plus evening shows by the ship’s line-up of lively music, dancing, special ef fects, and choreography.

For art lovers, seasoned art expert Lloyd Flay from Park West Gallery, gave insightful presentations on artists from Picasso to Chagall, sharing their fascinating history. These semi nars added an informative ele ment along with lively auctions for art-buying collectors.

What makes the Italian Riviera such a special cruise destination is the natural beauty of the sea, sky, and surrounding views. From one village to the next and port to another, it’s an experience for the senses. The smell of fresh pizza permeates the streets along with limoncel lo to the pastries that line street food markets, and there’s some thing around every cobblestone corner.

For travelers of historic Jewish interest, there’s often a meaningful opportunity to in vestigate. With a little research online, you’ll find tour compa nies near the ports you visit, that can be pre-arranged with privately. From synagogues that are historical landmarks to

Top: The Sunset Bar on Celebrity Cruises, reimagined and designed by Nate Berkus. // Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises

Right: Synagogue de Cavaillon, the second oldest synagogue in France.

ghettos where Jews once lived, do your homework. One tour worth noting, features examples of Jewish history dating back to the 13th century. Visitors can tour the Synagogue de Cavail lon (second oldest in France), which was home to one of four large Jewish communities, in the Comtat-Venaissin region, and built between 1772 to 1774.

Ports on this cruise, which departed from Barcelona, Spain, began with Provence, (Marseille) France, then Ville franche-sur-Mer, which is the gateway to the French Riv iera and is also called the Cote

d’Azur (Blue Coast). Marseille is one of France’s oldest cit ies; next was Santa Margherita, Italy, located in the middle of the Italian Riviera which is a palm-lined harbor, overlooking a cozy beach area. A quick ferry ride to Portofino was a must see and a popular destination. Walk the café and boutique lined streets, enjoy a glass of wine, and take the ferry back to Santa Margherita for a great day’s ex cursion.

La Spezia, Italy, is another port of interest as you can day travel to Pisa, Genoa, and Flor ence. Bucket lists include the famous trail of villages that line

the seaside called Cinque Terra, a popular line-up of five small villages. You’ll benefit from hav ing a pre-planned excursion or private tour guide to assist you with the trains or ferry. From beautiful beaches to ancient ruins, and medieval towns, terraced mountain sides pres ent a watercolor palette of vil las, cafes, narrow streets, and the well-known neighbors of Nice, Cannes and Monte Carlo, which is buzzing with luxury cars, the famed casino, and a lot of bling.

Finally, add Corsica, Rome, and Naples for further visits along the coast with excursions

available to the spot of your travel dreams. An Italian Riv iera cruise opens up possibili ties, which makes it a versatile and picturesque travel journey.

And last but not least, the gelaterias, sprinkled throughout the Italian Riviera are small ir resistible ice cream shops. Like the pizza and pasta that scream delicious, the ice creameries demand equal attention for a quick indulgence.

The Italian Riviera is as special as it sounds. Arrive derci! For more information visit www.celebritycruises. com/cruise-ships/celebritybeyond. ì

The ship’s Grand Plaza spans across three decks and features nearby venues such as Le Grand Bistro, Café al Bacio, The Martini Bar, Craft Social, Fine Cut Steakhouse, Raw on Five, and Le Voyage // Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises

Above: The Resort Deck, designed by Kelly Hoppen, features the iconic sculpture “L’origine” by Fabien Mérelle. // Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises

Below: The Martini Bar is located at the heart of the ship in the Grand Plaza. // Photo Credit: Celebrity Cruises

Media Star Segall Marries in Telluride

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Alpacas greeted guests at the Oct. 2 wedding of Laurie Se gall and Jon Jones, in Telluride, Co. As Mother Nature cooper ated, the couple married at their

cabin below the San Juan Moun tains.

One hundred guests looked on with parents, Toni and Dave Jones, of Scranton, Pa., Susanne Segall and Dr. Nathan Segall. Guests received invitations from

a local stationary shop, Bespoke, where the cabin was featured as a watercolor in an envelope with a map of Telluride.

Jones proposed on Segall’s birthday, Aug. 18, at Seaside, Fla., as the Segalls spent vacays.

Jones said, “Then it was the first place we traveled together as a couple, so it was incredibly spe cial.”

New York Rabbi Andy Bachman, who serves as the se nior rabbi at Congregation Beth

Jones and Segall enjoy the local alpacas. // Photos by Abie Livesay Photography

Elohim in Brooklyn, officiated the event. Segall said, “One of the reasons we loved working with him is his openness and political activism.”

Wedding planner Wendy Hampton helped navigate the event, which was catered by Tel luride local favorite, 221 South Oak, run by award-winning chef and Top Chef contestant, Eliza Gavin. The menu included canapés and mains from elk and gooseberry, squash, and filet a la Béarnaise.

Kelly Walker designed the multi-tiered Kentucky butter cake, glazed in a brown butter sauce in brown sugar butter cream.

For gown selection, Segall declared, “I needed a dress that

could compete with the moun tains, so the bigger the better! I wore an Oscar de la Renta ball gown with a fitted bodice and layered tulle with a removable overlay for dancing. I paired the gown with white lace Manolo Blahnik shoes. Jon wore a black Armani tuxedo, patent leather Santoni shoes, and a pocket square embroidered with the phrase we love, “It’s Us.”

Flowers were by New Leaf Design. The aspens surrounding the cabin were at peak fall foliage as the floral arrangements were a brilliant complement to the golden and blush colors. Music was a hybrid of a DJ and two live musicians, including a drummer and saxophonist.

Segall and Jones danced to

1 The weather opened into a lovely sky just in time aligned with snow capped mountains.

2 Jones touchingly smiles back at Segall.

3 Segall’s bouquet was in gold and blush to complement autumn hues in Colorado.

Florence and the Machine’s ver sion of the classic, “Stand By Me,” with genres from classic 1950s swooners to contemporary pop. The band got everyone jiving on the dance floor with a rendition of “Turn On Your Love Light” by Bobby “Blue” Bland.

The ceremony and outdoor cocktail hour featured music by the cellist “Eyeglasses,” who gained notoriety for playing ar rangements of both classic and contemporary music for New York City subway commuters. Friend Benj Pasek, one of the composers behind the Broadway hit, “Dear Evan Hansen,” sang “Still I Will Love” by Shaina Taub during the ceremony, a song about couples during life’s evolu tion and the imperfect moments.

Why Colorado? Laurie an swered, “We have a cabin there and wanted the wedding to feel intimate. It’s a trek to get to, but it’s absolutely beautiful, so we asked 100 of our favorite people to join us. On the night before the wedding, our guests rode the gondola up to Allreds, a beautiful restaurant overlook ing the mountains. We brought New York to the mix by bring ing in a piano player who played showtunes as an homage to one of my favorite places there: Ma rie’s Crisis.

The bride had a charm sewn into her dress that belonged to her late aunt, Sharon. When dad, Nathan, walked Laurie down the aisle, they felt her presence. Jones’s surprise wedding gift to Segall was a locket that belonged to Sharon with both her and his pictures to represent two people in her life who brought peace during tough moments.

The two were fixed up in 2012, but ended up staying friends until 2020, when the pandemic allowed them to slow

4

down and see what was in front of them. Segall and Jones took a “mini-moon” to Moab, Utah, and are planning an official honey moon soon.

Segall concluded, “Our guests described the wedding as ‘Camelot’ or ‘Seasons of Love,’ given all the weather we expe rienced during the weekend: rain, sleet, snow. On the morn ing of the wedding, it rained and snowed, but just as our guests arrived, the sky cleared up and a double rainbow framed the cab in. We also had two alpacas greet guests!”

Later that evening, as guests danced under a large tent, they had a hailstorm – five inches of hail in 15 minutes, followed by “thunder snow.” Guests were evacuated and ended the evening in the cabin, where they turned up the music, adorned cow boy hats, cut the cake, finished toasts, and left before they were informed the mudslides were be ginning.

“We had every season, but it was filled with love,” Segall said.

Segall is the founder of Dot Dot Dot Media, a media compa ny focusing on the intersection of technology and humanity. She is the author of “Special Characters: My Adventures with Tech’s Ti tans and Misfits.” Previously, she was CNN’s senior technology correspondent and a correspon dent for “60 Minutes.”

Jones began his career in politics working as digital di rector for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey’s 2006 campaign and then moved on as former President Barack Obama’s first digital strategist in his historic 2008 presidential campaign. After several years in advertising and consulting high profile clients, Jones started a social impact media and creative shop, Relation Agency. ì

5 Segall and Jones pumped up the spirit with a lively dance.

Father of the bride, local physician Nathan Segall, (right) posed with father of the groom, Dave Jones.

A Match Made in Medicine

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Jessica Senft and Aaron Ret terbush met in physician assis tant school in Atlanta in 2018. She recalled, “We were instant friends, but grew into some thing so much more within a few months. We were lucky to be able to rely on each other during the rigorous schedule of PA school. We graduated in May 2020 and have since found jobs.” After almost 3 1/2 years of dating, Retterbush proposed on the beautiful beaches of Riviera

Maya.

The wedding was on Aug. 27 at the InterContinental Buck head Atlanta with 200 guests. Laura Maddox, of Magnolia Celebrates, started planning in September 2021. The bride and groom’s parents are Craig and Karen Senft, and David and De nise Retterbush.

Senft said, “While, ultimate ly, my mother and I made the de cisions, Laura was able to help us narrow our focus to two or three options in an overwhelming and saturated market. We had many

meetings with Laura in which she helped us bring our ideas to life! I wanted Aaron to be more involved in the decision making, but he enjoyed taking a back seat. His main concerns were the food tasting and the band which seems very typical of a groom.”

Maddox echoed, “Jessica was really focused on everyone hav ing a great time. We worked to ward that end hiring a band that would keep people on the dance floor and working with Edge Design & Décor to configure the room to create an intimate atmo

sphere conducive to dancing and spending time together.”

With a late summer wed ding, the couple wanted to highlight bright seasonal colors. Senft’s inspiration came from fruit-flavored sorbet with soft pinks, peach tones, and light yellows mixed with traditional white flowers and greenery.

Edge Design & Décor created her bouquet of peach and coral ranunculus, roses, pink tulips, blush peonies, and pale-yellow accents. Senft’s gown was from Winnie Couture.

Jessica Senft and Aaron Retterbush cut the wedding cake. // Photos By Ali Darvish Photography

She elaborated, “While dress shopping, I realized that lace didn’t fit my personality and was fortunate to find a beautiful figure-forming satin mermaid gown with an organza and tulle layered skirt. I added crystal em broidered straps for a hint of sparkle.” Retterbush wore a clas sic black tuxedo.

Bridesmaids wore match ing floor length ivory Amsale dresses and carried petite bou quets. Retterbush wore a blush ranunculus boutonniere, and his groomsmen wore white ranun culus boutonnieres.

The menu was a duet of grouper and New York strip steak plated alongside summer vegetables. The wedding cake was layers of yellow and choco late cake with white and dark chocolate mousse garnished with raspberry coulis and fresh raspberries.

The officiant was The Tem ple’s Rabbi Peter Berg, who con ducted a ceremony that inspired both their Jewish and Catholic families. They used Retterbush’s tallis during the ceremony and a Kiddush cup that was a wedding gift.

1 Jessica Senft and Aaron Retterbush pose in the InterContinental Buck head Atlanta lobby

2 The bride and groom with their parents, David and Denise Retterbush (left) and Karen and Craig Senft (right).

3 Mother of the bride, Karen Senft, after helping Jessica Senft, into her sleek mermaid gown

Senft said, “With limited Jewish wedding experience, Aar on was most blown away by the ketubah signing which brought just our close family and friends together for an intimate ceremo ny prior to the wedding.”

Senft and Retterbush re ceived compliments about the band, Big Night Dynamite. They had full creative liberty to play to the crowd and created a mix of the couple’s favorite oldies and the more contemporary hits. Their first dance was to Leon Bridges’ “Beyond,” which was a favorite song of Retterbush’s.

In terms of venue selection, the couple wanted to stay in the Atlanta area and, originally, enjoy the option of an outdoor ceremony and indoor reception. With a few weeks left, they de cided to keep everything inside

due to unpredictable weather.

Senft said, “I’ve always loved the idea of a hotel wedding because of the ease and conve nience. Our guests were able to stay at the venue and didn’t need organized transportation.”

Maddox added, “It could not have been a more beautiful day! However, I was so grateful they opted for an inside cer emony as a pop-up rain shower started almost immediately after the ceremony started!”

Senft and Retterbush took a “mini-moon” to Old Edwards’ Inn in Highlands, N.C. They are planning a spring European honeymoon.

Senft concluded, “Aaron truly is my better half and best friend, except for one day of the year, Florida-Georgia foot ball.” ì

4 Moments before Aaron’s “first look” 5 The ketubah signing with Rabbi Peter Berg 6 First kiss as husband and wife

7 Aaron Retterbush and Jessica Senft on the dance floor

Above: Champagne toast with Jessica Senft (center, front row) and her bridesmaids Below: Aaron Retterbush (center, front row) pictured with his groomsmen

Jacob’s ‘Smooth Skiing’ Bar Mitzvah

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

The Viente family pulled in an extensive team to execute a creative theme to represent Jacob’s “skiing” into Jewish manhood.

Temple Sinai, on Oct. 8, 2022, became Alpine, as a posse of planners, vendors and very creative parents glided Ja

cob Viente through a meaning ful and well executed bar mitz vah festivity. Jacob, a Davis Academy student, loves snow skiing and sports. Dad, Adam, mom, Lyndsie, and big sister, Allyssa, started Jacob on the slopes when he was just four.

The family skis together every winter break as well as occasional father/son getaways,

thus the choice of themes. Bring in Added Touch Cater ing and a plethora of designers, and technicians, and the ski theme swooshed and moguled with a Saturday night party for 75 adults and 75 kids.

Starting with the all-mean ingful Saturday ceremony, Ja cob’s parsha was “Haazinu.” Rabbi Brad Levenberg encour

aged Jacob to remain true to himself in tandem with Jacob’s own comments.

“This is a poem in which Moses, speaking as God’s voice, commands the Jewish people to remain true to God. He tells them to learn from history and to trust in God. He warns them that the consequences of going against God’s will, will be dire

The Viente family celebrate Jacob’s entrance to manhood. // Photography by Hy Paul Studio, Pennsylvania

and reminds them that they are the chosen people.” Adam Viente added, “Jacob is incred ibly kind-hearted, passionate, especially about sports, and a loving son. We reminded him that yesterday is history, to morrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. We encourage Jacob to keep living each day with drive and passion, and he will con

tinue to do great things.”

For his Mitzvah Project, because Jacob loves dogs and skiing, he sold bracelets to raise money for Wasatch Backcoun try Rescue, which provides training for the rescue dogs in the Wasatch Mountains. Jacob hopes to never need assistance while on the mountain but knows that every contribution

1 A fun ski display was placed by the sushi with Jacob’s initials.

2 A skiing sign on stand added to the theme.

3 Jacob enjoying the floor wrap.

helps another puppy make it through the intense training and onto a chair lift.

At night, the social hall turned into a ski resort by RKN Designs and branding in lime green, and black accents, an ice bar, logos, gobo lighted logos on the walls and beauti ful tables. Lyndsie started with sage advice, “Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and use some out-of-town vendors. They aren’t necessarily more expensive and can bring in something different than other Atlanta mitzvahs might have.”

She continued, “Great lo gos make great décor! RKN Designs are the best! They say, ‘you cannot plan until you brand!’ They created amazing swag that both kids and adults wore throughout the night and post party. Swag you want to take away, not give away.”

It consisted of T-shirts, muscle and crop shirts, truck er and beanie hats, slides and socks which were thrown throughout the night. All kids received a swag bag with sweat shirts. Sweatpants and puffer vests were given to adults.

Melissa Miller, of MMEventsatlanta, was the planner/coordinator. Vendors were Jenny’s Paper, Ink. Invita tions, Entertainment Company Hip Parties LLC, (New York/ Philly) packed the dance floor. Bold Décor created the vision. Atlanta Dance Floor provided the floor wrap. Magnum was on audio and visual equipment.

Whitelight Photography (New York) did the cavernous entrance tunnel, photo booth, DJ booth, back bar wall and to-go store. The tunnel created a perfect entry into the venue, and the to-go store provided a lasting impression as guests left.

Toni Jade Photography (South Florida) provided “swooshing” ski photo decor.

Video Productions By De Witt Smith; sign-in board by Stacie Francombe.

Lyndsie and Allyssa did a girl’s trip to New York and to have dresses made by Blue By Christina.

Jacob summed it up, “I had so much fun celebrating and am so lucky that all my camp friends came in town to cel ebrate with me.” ì

Specialty cocktail

Mexican Mule

Alpine Appetizers

Classic Lamb Chop Lollipops

Chicken n’ waffles with mini shots of beer

Baked Moroccan cigars in vintage cigar boxes “smoking” with dry ice

Mini fish tacos

Asian Appetizers

Hand-rolled sushi station

Spicy tuna and salmon rolls

Pan seared pot stickers – three ways

Fondue displayed in different heights

Small plate stations

Argentinean Appetizers

Tomahawk steaks

Peking duck on Korean bun

Ahi tuna tower

Bangkok street noodles

Mediterranean

Moroccan chicken kebabs, pomegranate molasses salmon, jeweled Persian rice, roasted vegetable platter

Deconstructed Rows on a Wooden Board

Roasted eggplant slices, crisped chickpeas, and pomegranate seeds

Added Touch Catering’s Meredith O’Brien, known for her culinary creativity, executed world class food and themed presentations like supplying bright green and black chop sticks. An edited outline follows:

shots in mini copper mugs

The Viente family ready for the Saturday ceremony.

4 Amazing table décor carried through the ski theme on a mirror base. 5 What fun! Dorito designs! 6 The family enjoys the green and “snowy” décor. 7 The ski ice sculpture was a huge “chilin” hit.

Simcha Announcements

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Births, B’nai Mitzvah, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Special Birthdays and more ... Share it with your community with free AJT simcha announcements. Send info to submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

Birth Announcement Beckett Lewis Barocas

Harrison & Kelsey Barocas are thrilled to announce the birth of their son, Beckett Lewis Barocas, who was born on Sunday September 25, 2022.

The proud grandparents are Samuel Isaac Barocas and Amy Feldman Barocas of Atlanta, and John and Michelle Crouch of Flowery Branch. The great grandparents are Arthur and Peggy Feldman, and Maxine Barocas, all from Atlanta.

Beckett’s middle name honors his great-great grandfather (Harrison’s great grandfather and Peggy’s father), Lewis Harris.

Noah Shea Greenberg

Courtney and David Greenberg of Atlanta are overjoyed to announce the birth of their son, Noah Shea Greenberg, born on Nov. 2, 2022. The proud grandparents are Brenda Gelfand of Atlanta, Ross Gelfand of Tampa, Fla. and Marcia and Alan Greenberg of Bellmore, N.Y.

Noah is fortunate to have great -grandparents Isabell and Elihu Greenberg of Boynton Beach, Fla., Shirley Gelfand of Tampa, Fla., Joyce Salzberg of Virginia Beach, Va. and the late Leon Salzberg.

Noah is honored to be named after his paternal great-grandparents, Naomi and Norman Forman, and his maternal great-grandfather, Sidney Gelfand

Mom and dad are doing great and loving life with little Noah Shea!

Engagements

Eliza Duberstein and Peter Danis

Jodi and Ken Danis are happy to announce the engagement of their son, Peter Danis, to Eliza Duberstein

Eliza is the daughter of Nancy Talbot and Paul Duberstein, of Princeton, N.J., and the granddaughter of the late Rena and Ross Tal bot, and the late Edith and Herman Duberstein. Eliza graduated from Emory University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and currently attends Fordham University School of Law in New York City.

Peter is the grandson of Lillian Lewis, the late Malcolm Lewis, and Lois Danis and the late Alan Danis. Peter graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fire protection engineering from the University of Maryland and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business ad ministration at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. He will be working for Deloitte in New York City after graduation next spring.

The wedding will take place October 2023 in New Jersey.

Weinstein - Carlos

Elizabeth Austen and Douglas Weinstein are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Sabrina Rose Weinstein, to Chris Michael Carlos, son of Thalia and Michael Carlos, of blessed memory. Sabrina and Chris will reside in Atlanta and Miami.

Bar Mitzvah Noah Ross

Jodi and Jason Loar announce with pride, the bar mitzvah of their son, Noah Ross, on Oct. 8, 2022, at Temple Emanu-El. Noah is a seventh grader at The Epstein School. An avid golfer, Noah and his guests enjoyed a fabulous party following his service at Top Golf, where the theme was Noah’s other love, Coca-Cola!

Noah’s bar mitzvah was rich with tradition; he wore the kippah and tallis of his great grandfathers, Marvin Silver, and Edwin Berger, z”l, and read from the Torah that was donated to his mother’s synagogue, Etz Chaim, at her bat mitzvah, 30 years ago.

Last year, Noah did a school project on the dangers of smog. Incredibly concerned about what this could mean for our world and for future generations, Noah decided to do something about it. For Noah’s mitzvah project, he created and purchased signs for his school’s car pool line, reminding parents not to idle.

“This is a small step, but hopefully it will educate people about the dangers of carbon emissions, and they’ll educate someone else and so on and so forth!” said Noah.

In addition to golfing, Noah plays baseball and participates in the yearly musical at Epstein.

During Noah’s mitzvah, his parents spoke of his quiet kindness, and how those around them who have met Noah, stop `to remark on the way Noah goes out of his way to make everyone feel included. His grandparents, Iris and Jerry Silver and Gloria and Robert Loar, also beamed as they spoke of Noah’s kindness and compassion.

Noah’s future plans include one day being president of his school, so he can continue helping make positive change. ì

ROBIN BLASS, REALTOR® (C) 404-403-6561

Robin.Blass@HarryNorman.com

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Lauren.Blass@HarryNorman.com

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