HATEFUL CRIME
Gesher L’Torah finds community support after receiving a cruel anti-Semitic phone call. Page 8
SHE’S NO. 1
YIDDISH LIFE
Michelle Krebs Levy is top of the world after winning an international BBG adviser award. Page 14
Embodying Sholom Aleichem, Theodore Bikel provides a fitting close to the Jewish film fest. Page 27
Atlanta VOL. XC NO. 7
WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM
It’s the Silly Season
FEBRUARY 27, 2015 | 8 ADAR 5775
Ariel Youth: 1 Day, $33K By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com
T
From the Toco Hills parade to Purim off Ponce, with stops in a lost Jewish town in the Carpathians and hamantashen creation in Sandy Springs, prepare for Purim. Pages 17 to 20 Photo by Seth Lynn
THE DEFENDERS
Emory law students align with the Louis D. Brandeis Center in a national effort to fight anti-Semitism and bigotry. Page 5
THE INTERIOR
Take a guided tour through one of Jewish Atlanta’s artistically, elegantly decorated homes with owner Joan Brown. Page 24
Calendar 2
INSIDE
Business 21
Candle Lighting 3
Travel 22
Simchas 4
Home 24
Local News 5
Arts 26
Israel 9
Obituaries 29
Opinion 10
Crossword 30
he youth program at Congregation Ariel has an extra $33,635 to spend. Congregation Ariel Youth was one of 19 organizations in the Association for Jewish Outreach Professionals’ online #MillionforOutreach campaign from noon Feb. 17 to noon Feb. 18. Each organization had to line up three matching donors to quadruple contributions. Each had to set a firm goal. And each had to hit its fundraising goal, ranging from $20,000 to $180,000, or none would collect a dime. Gila Decker, Ariel’s fundraising vice president, wanted an online fundraiser, and Rabbi Binyomin Friedman discovered the AJOP campaign. The congregation board, Jeff and Carrla Goldstein, and Dan and Kim Cohen and the Ariel Chai Foundation agreed to be the matchers. Ariel’s youth director, Rabbi Mordechai Birnbaum, said it took only a few hours to hit Ariel’s goal of $25,000. Then the nervous waiting began. Three groups were short in the final half-hour, and the last organization hit its goal with only nine minutes to spare. Altogether, $1.37 million was raised. During the 24 hours Ariel received nearly 140 donations totaling $30,135. Additional gifts after the official campaign raised the amount to $33,635. “We’re grateful to everyone who participated and especially to the matchers, who really committed to donating above and beyond,” Rabbi Birnbaum said. He said the money will probably finance more Shabbatons and an expansion of learning programs. “We’ll be sure to use it well.” ■