Atlanta Jewish Times No. 11 March 27, 2015

With Molly, a Nash Metropolitan, outside, imagine the wonders inside the Gerson home. Page 26

Hillels of Georgia prepares to pick the state’s next singing idol at Campus SuperStar. Page 18

Rabbi Adam Starr and Young Israel of Toco Hills win big at the interfaith energy awards. Page 4

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Looks Generation to Generation JCC Intown, To

North Metro

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

T Photo by Michael Jacobs

Rabbi Ephraim Silverman’s daughters Sara (left) and Mimi keep a close watch as the Chabad of Cobb leader, with the help of sofer Rabbi Moshe Klein, helps complete the congregation’s new Torah on Sunday, March 22. More photos, Page 6

Epstein’s Head Seeks World-Changers

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

T

he journey that brought David Abusch-Magder to the Epstein School began outside a day care center in northern New Jersey.

He had just dropped off his son, Oren, and daughter, Aliza, and was on his way to work at Bell Labs. He couldn’t get any FM stations on the radio, so he switched to AM and heard the news: The

FREEDOM FIGHT

Speaking outside the Capitol, B’nai Torah Rabbi Joshua Heller adds his voice to the opposition to Georgia’s religious liberty legislation. Page 11

World Trade Center towers were on fire.

It was Sept. 11, 2001. A classmate of his daughter’s died at Ground Zero. His mother died of cancer four days later.

Sometimes “life kind of grabs you by the lapels and says now is the time to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, and for me that was such a moment,” said Abusch-Magder, who will take over as Epstein’s head of school July 1.

The Boston native said he loved his work as a physicist researching nanotechnology and wireless networks. But

when he asked himself whether he was making the world better, he said no.

“The work that I wanted to be doing, the change that I wanted to be creating, had to do with working with kids, making a difference in terms of their confidence, their capacities, their neshama, their values and then how they could help change the world,” he said.

“I wanted to make a difference in the world in those areas that I’m most passionate about,” Abusch-Magder said.

Learn more about him on Page 23. ■

NO CARRYING

The Sandy Springs eruv is down, and the effort not only to restore it, but also to expand it won’t be completed any time soon.

Page 14

Calendar

INSIDE 2 Arts

24

Candle Lighting

3 Home

26

Local News

4 Sports

28

Israel

8 Obituaries

29

Opinion

10 Crossword

30

Education

16 Marketplace

31

he Marcus Jewish Community Center came close to adding a VirginiaHighland location but backed off a deal to avoid debt.

Marcus JCC President Douglas Kuniansky, due to transition March 24 at the center’s annual meeting to chairman of its newly unified board of directors, said the JCC spent a lot of time and effort on due diligence on property in the VaHi/Emory area before deciding to walk away from high-priced real estate.

“We decided we’re not going to go into debt to establish a JCC facility wherever we go,” said Kuniansky, who has led the center’s advisory board for a year.

The Marcus JCC operates programs inside and outside the Perimeter, including Camp Barney Medintz in Cleveland.

But since selling Shirley Blumenthal Park in East Cobb last year, the center owns only Zaban Park in Dunwoody as a year-round facility.

Kuniansky said the intown area on the east side of Atlanta and the North Metro area of Roswell and Alpharetta are appealing for a permanent JCC presence. That might be a lease rather than a purchase, he said; meanwhile, the center is trying to establish more partnerships like it has with Emory University to take its programs where they are needed.

The anti-debt attitude perhaps reflects the fiscal realism that allowed the Marcus JCC to streamline its governance at its annual meeting, which occurred after the AJT went to press.

For more, see Page 15. ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CALENDAR THURSDAY, MARCH 26

wooden box for matzah. Free.

Music improv. Open Jam ’N Jews starts at 7:30 p.m. at Vision Studio 402, Listening Beyond Productions, 3875 Green Industrial Way, Chamblee.

Contribution is $5; RSVP to listeningbeyond@gmail.com or 404-200-5955.

Making matzah. Congregation Beth Tefillah and Home Depot, 2525 Piedmont Road, Buckhead, present a model matzah bakery at 5:30 p.m. so you can make your own matzah and build a

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

Spring concert. Congregation Bet Haverim holds its annual spring music concert and fundraiser at 8 p.m. at Oakhurst Baptist Church, 222 East Lake Drive, Decatur. Tickets are $25 in advance, $30 at the door; congregationbethaverim.org.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

Daffodil Dash. A 1-mile (at 9:15 a.m.)

and 5K (9 a.m.) run and walk in memory of the 1.5 million Jewish children who died in the Holocaust raise awareness and money for Am Yisrael Chai, a nonprofit Holocaust education organization, and for Kids for Kids, Raising South Sudan and Agahozo Shalom. The start is at Georgia Perimeter College at Tilly Mill and Womack roads in Dunwoody; the finish is at the Abe Besser Holocaust Memorial at the Marcus Jewish Community Center.

Registration is $25 until March 27 and

Atlanta Jewish Academy’s Jerry Siegel Legacy Golf Tournament Honoring

Michael and Andy Siegel Monday, May 4, 2015 Dunwoody Country Club Jerry Siegel, z”l

$30 on race day or $12 for children 10 and under; daffodildash.org.

Matzah & Magic. The Marcus Jewish Community Center’s free familyfriendly Passover celebration features songs with Rabbi Brian Glusman, crafts, activities, a matzah topping bar and magic from Howie the Great from 10 a.m. to noon at Zaban Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody; brian.glusman@atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4161.

Wild cutouts. Artist Flora Rosefsky helps children ages 10 to 16 tell stories through paper cutouts in a workshop inspired by the “Where the Wild Things Are” exhibit at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown.

Participation is capped at 25 people.

The cost is $18 for Breman members and $25 for nonmembers; thebreman. org/Events/3-29-15-Workshop-Registration or 678-222-3700.

Reducing teen traffic deaths. “It Won’t Happen to Me,” a free presentation for teens and their parents to prevent teen deaths in car crashes, takes place at Congregation Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway, East Cobb, at 2:30 p.m.

RSVP to perry@etzchaim.net.

Sephardic legacy. Devin Naar, who chairs the Sephardic studies program at the University of Washington in Seattle, speaks about why Sephardic Jews left the Mediterranean for America and the communities they established here at 7 p.m. at Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 North Druid Hills Road, Brookhaven. Free; RSVP to office@ orveshalom.org or 404-633-1737.

MONDAY, MARCH 30

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AJT 2

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CALENDAR CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Parsha Tzav Friday, March 27, light candles at 7:36 p.m.

Saturday, March 28, Shabbat ends at 8:32 p.m.

Passover Friday, March 27, light candles at 7:42 p.m.

Saturday, March 28, Shabbat and first day of Passover end at 8:38 p.m.

Sunday, March 29, second day of Passover ends at 8:39 p.m.

Entertainment meet-up. Jewish filmmakers, TV and radio producers, music sound engineers and composers, writers, and directors are invited to converse and collaborate at 7:30 p.m. at Vision Studio 402, Listening Beyond Productions, 3875 Green Industrial Way, Chamblee. Contribution is $5; RSVP to Laya Shaikun at listeningbeyond@gmail.com or 404-200-5955.

TUESDAY, MARCH 31

Final day. Ethiopian-Israeli artist Hirut Yosef presents “Chalom Yashan — A Journey Back Home” at the Marcus JCC’s Katz Family Mainstreet Gallery, 5324 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody.

Admission is free; www.atlantajcc.org or 678-812-4071.

Be a star. Hillels of Georgia is holding its annual Campus SuperStar benefit and talent competition at the Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Buckhead, starting with cocktails and dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $125 ($75 for those 40 and younger); www. hillelsofgeorgia.org/campussuperstar.

A limited number of tickets are being given away to see the show only; 404963-2548, ext. 107.

Kosher for Passover. Rabbi Isser New is available at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Beth Tefillah, 5065 High Point Road, Sandy Springs, to kasher items for the holiday at a cost of $18 for three or fewer items or $36 for more items. Make an appointment by March 26 at 404-843-2464, ext. 104, or admin@bethtefillah.org.

Chabad of Cobb, 4450 Lower Roswell Road, East Cobb. Tickets are $56 for adults, $33 ages 10 to 12, and $24 ages 4 to 9; www.chabadofcobb.com. Reserve

by March 27.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Community seder. Dave Savage leads an English-language seder for people of all backgrounds at 6:30 p.m. at City of Light, 1379 Tullie Road, Atlanta, with setup at 5:30. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for ages 6 to 12 (free for those who want to chant any of the Four Questions in Hebrew), plus a potluck dish to share. Send checks to Dave Savage c/o City of Light Seder Service, 980 St. Charles Ave., Atlanta, GA 30306, or pay at the door.

Potluck seder. Congregation Ner Tamid holds a seder at 6 p.m. in its new home, 1349 Old Highway 41, Suite 220, Marietta. Free for all. Bring matzah and grape juice, plus a Passover dish to share. RSVP by March 31 to ritual@ mynertamid.org or 678-264-8575.

Second seder. The Sixth Point holds its No-Hater, Never-Greater 2nd Seder for young professionals and their families and friends at Huntcliff River Club, 9072 River Run, Sandy Springs, at 6 p.m. It’s $25 per adult and $15 per child until March 27, then $30 and $20 until April 1; www.freshtix.com/events/nohater-never-greater-2nd-seder.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9

Special seder. The annual Hunger Seder to bring attention to the hungry and learn ways to help moves to the seventh night of the holiday and starts at 6:30 p.m. at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead. Tickets are $36; www.concretejungle.org/HungerSederATL.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

Mystical seder. Rabbi Ephraim Silverman leads the first seder at 7:30 p.m. at

Send items for the calendar to submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

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The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Disabilities Task Force would like to thank our community partners for their participation in National Jewish Disability Awareness Month:

JewishAbilities.org Ahavath Achim Synagogue The Davis Academy Atlanta Jewish Academy and The Epstein School The Matthew Blumenthal M’silot Program Friendship Circle of Atlanta Atlanta Scholars Kollel Jewish Early Childhood Council Camp Coleman of Atlanta (JECCA) Camp Judaea Jewish Family & Career Services Camp Living Wonders Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta Camp Ramah Darom Temple Beth Tikvah Congregation Beth Jacob Temple Emanu-El Congregation Beth Shalom Temple Kehillat Chaim Congregation B’nai Torah Temple Kol Emeth Congregation Etz Chaim Temple Sinai Congregation Or Hadash The Temple Congregation Shearith Israel

Corrections & Clarifications • In the article “A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Prayers” in the Feb. 13 issue, the posters created to serve as Dalia Cheskes’ siddur were misattributed. Atlanta Jewish Academy students Daniella Sokol and Abby Stein drew the artwork.

• In the article “Dawgs Pound Home Support for Israel” in the March 6 issue, the students in the photo were misidentified. They were Students Supporting Israel board members Sara Diamond and David Feldman.

Jewish Disability Awareness Month From Awareness to Inclusion February 2015

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

recent Emory doctorate recipients at 7:30 p.m. at the Woodruff Library, 540 Asbury Circle, on the Emory campus.

Free; RSVP by March 25 through www. js.emory.edu/events/index.html.

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LOCAL NEWS

Young Israel Rules Gippys

Toco Hills shul wins top interfaith energy award

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

AJT 4

from the standard (motion sensors to turn lights on and off automatically) to the increasingly common (charging Young Israel of Toco Hills was the stations in the parking lot for electric star of the show March 19 at Georgia vehicles) to the rare (a vice president Interfaith Power & Light’s ninth an- for environmental sustainability and nual Gippy Awards. building operations on the board).

Not only did the Orthodox con“It’s fantastic to have that in a congregation host a crowd of roughly 75 gregation,” Mosley said about the post. people for the J e r e m y ceremony in Sarnat fills that its new, Earthposition. Rabbi Craft-certified Adam Starr building on La­ singled out the Vista Road, but Emory assistant it also received professor of en­ the night’s top vironmental award, Congreand occupation­ gation of the al health for Year, for the driving the combeing the first mitment to susOrthodox containability. gregation in the “He really world to build deserves all the a shul from the credit,” Rabbi ground up according to Starr said. He also cited environmentally susPresident Davi Kutner tainable standards. and Executive Director “Every square foot Eliana Leader. of this building was inRabbi Starr said tentionally planned to Young Israel decided be sustainable as well that the building should as to reflect the Jewish be not only a physical value of environmenspace, but also a sacred tal stewardship,” GIPL reflection of the congreExecutive Director Kate gation and its values.

McGregor Mosley said “One of those values Photos by Michael Jacobs in presenting the award, was the value of sustainrecognizing a faith comability of the glorious Top: Young Israel Rabbi Adam munity that has done Starr and Southface’s Bill world that God created Abballe discuss the green exception things in susthat we are stewards of.” initiatives at the core of the tainability and environYoung Israel comcongregation’s new building. mental stewardship. mitted to judicious use She said Young Isof natural resources and Bottom: Kate McGregor rael’s dedication to a Mosley heads Georgia earned EarthCraft gold Interfaith Power & Light. culture of sustainabilcertification through ity began with an interfeatures such as a highnal conversation about ly efficient heating, venwhat it wanted in its new home. “They tilation and air-conditioning system, dreamed big dreams together and a roof modified to accommodate solar sought the wise counsel of Southface.” panels in the future, and the use of loBill Abballe, the EarthCraft light cally sourced building materials. commercial program manager for Rabbi Starr said he’s most proud green consultant firm Southface, said of the number of parking spaces on Young Israel’s whole team was on the property. Because the congregation board with the focus on sustainability wanted to maximize its green space and embraced the vision of the build- and, being Orthodox, doesn’t have ing as one big system. He said the sys- people driving to services, Young Israel tem will evolve as Young Israel invests wanted DeKalb County’s permission to its energy savings into new environ- build fewer spaces than required by the ment-friendly opportunities. county code.

Mosley cited a range of sustainTo get approval, Rabbi Starr went able elements in the new building, across the street to Intown Community

Church and proposed that the two congregations share parking: “Our parking is your parking, and your parking is our parking.”

That example of interfaith dialogue and shared commitment to sustainability won the day.

Rabbi Starr acknowledged that Young Israel still has a lot to learn and do on its path to sustainability, but

the commitment is crucial to ensure that future generations “will inherit the beautiful world we have benefited from.”

Mosley praised Young Israel for making all decisions through the lens of sustainability and said she’s looking forward to watching Young Israel grow into its identity as a sustainable congregation. ■

GIPL Celebrates Those Who Say Yes

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

curiosity about the lack of action on the issue in the faith community, drove her to start college at the age of 45, then Young Israel of Toco Hills was one enter a seminary, push her diocese to of four award winners at Georgia In- launch an ecological ministry, split terfaith Power & Light’s ninth annual from her wealthy husband, achieve orGippys. dination in 1997, and launch a project The other awards: to emphasize the con• Central Presbytenection between ecology rian Church of Atlanta and faith. won the Power Award for “How could we let its work to retrofit enerG-d’s creation be degy-efficient features into stroyed?” she asked. its 19th-century building What she started across the street from became a national movethe state Capitol. ment that now works • St. Philip AME with 18,000 congregaChurch of Atlanta retions in 40 states. Bingceived the Light Award ham said the ministry for educational and outhas been taken over and Photo by Michael Jacobs reach efforts such as an The Rev. Sally Bingham says propelled forward by annual recycling event. ecological ministry needs people people like those at the • Canterbury Court’s who are willing to say yes.

Gippys who say yes to Recycling Committee G-d even when they don’t took the Trailblazer know what they’re getAward back to the senior living com- ting into. She said every person in the plex on Peachtree Street near the room could be a leader in the environBuckhead-Brookhaven border for in- mental faith movement. stituting a recycling program that has “We’re all in this together,” she diverted 47.9 tons of material from said. “We must work together to solve landfills. the problem.”

All of the awards celebrated conThat work in Georgia is led by gregations that said yes, according GIPL’s 10 board members, two of whom to GIPL Executive Director Kate Mc- are Jewish: Noah Levine of CongregaGregor Mosley, picking up on a theme tion Etz Chaim and Ruth Menter of The of the keynote address by the Rev. Sally Temple.

Bingham.

Togetherness was also a theme of a Bingham is an Episcopalian canon recorded message from the Rev. Woody from San Francisco who launched the Bartlett, who founded GIPL with his national Interfaith Power & Light cam- wife, Carol. The Bartletts were in Calipaign in 2000. She explained that her fornia for a wedding. life was driven by her willingness to “We belong to G-d, and we can’t say yes from the time she agreed to join ever forget that,” he said, adding that the national board of the Environmen- we also belong to the earth but that it’s tal Defense Fund in the mid-1980s. an all-too-common blasphemy to think Saying yes, along with her grow- that the earth and even G-d belong to ing knowledge of climate change and us instead. ■

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LOCAL NEWS Atlanta

activities during a scavenger hunt in mid-February. The TEP house closed March 9, which marks the first time in 70 years that TEP does not have a presence at Emory.

Remember When PUBLISHER

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EDITORIAL

10 Years Ago March 25, 2005

■ Monica and Steven Katz of Atlanta announce the birth of daughter Marissa Rachelle on Feb. 12.

■ Greenfield Hebrew Academy’s seven-month search for a new head of school came to an end March 16 with the board’s unanimous vote to hire Matthew Lieberman, the 37-year-old son of Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman. Lieberman, after a year’s sabbatical in New Orleans, will take over for Elizabeth Cohen on July 1.

■ The bat mitzvah ceremony of Jordyn Leah Kroll, daughter of Scott and Sharon Kroll of Marietta, was held Saturday, Dec. 4, 2004, at Congregation B’nai Torah.

25 Years Ago March 23, 1990 ■ The Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity at Emory University has been suspended from campus until August 1991 because of numerous violations of university policy and likely illegal

50 Years Ago March 26, 1965 ■ Atlanta Post 112 of the Jewish War Veterans issued a statement condemning Alabama’s denial of voting rights and brutal police tactics against the marchers from Selma to Montgomery. The statement reads in part: “This was precisely the type of tyranny we fought to eliminate. We urge all citizens who cherish freedom and democracy to support the American concept of full citizenship for all men, regardless of race or creed.”

■ Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sam Rosenberg of Atlanta announce the engagement of their daughter, Elaine Phyllis, to Daniel Ellis Liebfeld, son of Mrs. Morris Liebfeld and the late Mr. Liebfeld of Baltimore.

Editor

MICHAEL JACOBS

mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com Associate Editor

DAVID R. COHEN

david@atljewishtimes.com

Contributors This Week APRIL BASLER DAVID BENKOF SUZI BROZMAN JON GARGIS AARON GORDON JORDAN GORFINKEL RABBI JOSHUA HELLER LEAH HARRISON MARCIA JAFFE JENNIFER JONES EYTAN PALTE DAVE SCHECHTER SHAINDLE SCHMUCKLER CADY SCHULMAN ANNA STREETMAN

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AJT 5

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LOCAL NEWS

New Torah Blessed By The Rain

C

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

habad of Cobb didn’t let a little rain spoil the joyous mood Sunday, March 22, as the congregation welcomed its third Torah. “The Jewish people have been through a lot worse than rain,” Chabad Rabbi Ephraim Silverman said in welcoming congregants and supporters to Dickerson Middle School for the completion of the scroll, written in Israel.

Representatives of the community took turns joining sofer (scribe) Rabbi Moshe Klein onstage to add letters to the Torah and complete the final two lines. Rabbi Klein said he arose at 3:30 a.m. to prepare himself for the completion ceremony, including a visit to the mikvah.

Attorney General Sam Olens was among the people who wrote letters, and the fourth-, third- and second-tolast letters were auctioned off for a total of 750 chai ($18), or $13,500.

Mayer Smith, who donated the Torah in memory of his wife, Ruth Greenspon Smith, and daughter, Carol Smith Holley, had the honor of writing the last of the Torah’s 304,805 letters, a lamed at the end of the word Yisrael.

Each of those letters represents a member of the Jewish community, and just as the scroll isn’t a Torah without every single letter, Rabbi Silverman said, so every single Jewish person is critical to the community as a whole. “We need each other.”

After the Torah was lifted, rolled, tied, covered and crowned, it was placed in a plastic covering for protection from the rain and paraded threequarters of a mile under a chuppah to the synagogue. There the community danced with and blessed the Torah before holding a celebratory meal. ■

AJT 6

A

C B

D

E

G

H

F

Photos by Michael Jacobs

I

A: The skilled hands of Rabbi Moshe Klein work on the final words of the Torah. B: Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens adds a letter to the Torah with Rabbi Moshe Klein. C: The crowd parades with the Torah from Dickerson Middle School to Chabad of Cobb. D: Having bid 250 chai ($4,500), Aviva and Ayal Postelnik and grandson Etan help Rabbi Moshe Klein add the shin in the final word of the Torah, Yisrael. E: At the festive lunch after the Torah ceremony, Mayer Smith watches some of the children. F: Rabbi Ephraim Silverman addresses the crowd at Dickerson Middle School.

G: The 10th letter of the morning is added to the Torah. H: Ellie, Hollee and Steve Parker have a few laughs with Rabbi Moshe Klein while adding a letter to the Torah. I: Torah benefactor Mayer Smith prepares to add the last of the 304,805 letters in the Torah, a lamed.

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LOCAL LOCAL NEWS NEWS

Local Briefs

Ovarian Cycle Raises $140,000 The 12th annual Ovarian Cycle in Atlanta raised more than $140,000 through 143 participants in the six-hour, 100-mile ride on indoor stationary bicycles March 7.

Almost $12,000 of that came from the Little Debbies team, named for the woman whose death of ovarian cancer in December 2003 at age 43 inspired the event, Jewish community member Debbie Green Flamm.

Stacey Flamm leads the Little Debbies team to honor her mother’s memory. This was her sixth year riding in the wellness fundraiser held every spring at the Midtown Athletic Club on Windy Hill

Road in East Cobb.

Several cousins have joined her in recent years. This year cousin Ashley Popkin was part of the team, along with Tom Kilberg.

Ovarian Cycle has raised more than $1.5 million since its start in Atlanta in 2004. It has reached 13 other cities: Birmingham; Tampa; Chicago; Newport, R.I.; Los Angeles; New York; Austin, Texas; Cleveland; Washington; Spokane, Wash.; Boston; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Pittsburgh.

“I launched this wellness fundraiser to improve fitness and call attention to this silent killer. I never dreamed we would have events coast to coast,”

founder Bethany Diamond said. “Debbie would have been so proud; she was a runner in the annual Peachtree Road Race.”

The organization’s purpose is to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and fund research that could save lives. Symptoms of ovarian cancer are vague, and most women are not diagnosed until the cancer reaches Stage 3 or 4.

“Researchers are working to develop a reliable test so we don’t lose more Debbies,” Diamond said.

Contribute or get more information at ovariancycle.kintera.org/atlanta2015.

Mikvah Director Wanted As plans are moving ahead for the Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah at Congregation B’nai Torah in Sandy Springs, the new organization is ready to hire its first executive director.

According to the job description at www.atlantamikvah.org, in addition to communication, fundraising, marketing and nonprofit management experience, MACoM’s organizers would prefer an executive director who has led a startup Jewish organization.

The projected salary is $50,000 to $70,000. Send résumés to hiring@atlantamikvah.org.

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MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

3 Jewish Nonprofits Among Best Workplaces The Marcus Jewish Community Center, Jewish Home Life Communities and the Davis Academy earned spots among the 150 best places to work in metro Atlanta, according to The Atlanta JournalConstitution.

The AJC published its annual lists of the top 25 large (500 or more employees), midsize (150 to 499 employees) and small (fewer than 150 employees) workplaces March 22. The lists are based on anonymous employee surveys conducted by Workplace Dynamics.

The Marcus JCC was rated the 24thbest midsize workplace.

Jewish Home Life Communities, the parent of the William Breman Jewish Home, the Cohen Home and the new Berman Commons, among other senior facilities and services, finished 34th among the midsize workplaces.

It was Jewish Home Life’s second consecutive year on the list, CEO and President Harley Tabak noted. “Creating a positive work environment has made it possible for us to attract and keep the high caliber of caregivers, nurses and professional staff that our families have come to expect from our organization.”

The Davis Academy was the last employer on the list, earning the No. 75 rating among small workplaces.

“These results and this special honor are a proud validation that the Davis Academy is a great place to work for our employees and that our teachers and staff are passionate about their work,” Davis Head of School Amy Shafron said.

“It is these very satisfied employees who in turn ensure that the Davis Academy is a warm and inspiring learning environment for our children.”

You can read more about the top workplaces at www.topworkplaces.com/ frontend.php/regional-list/list/ajc.

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ISRAEL

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Scholar: Shifting 2-State Stance Threatens Israel Election itself doesn’t change much, professor tells Etz Chaim

By Jon Gargis

“Nevertheless, they did something that Jews don’t do very often: ess than a week after leadThey got together and ing Likud to victory in the they united.”

Israeli election, Benjamin As a result, three Netanyahu passed the support Arab parties splitting threshold he needed March 23 11 seats in the current to take on the job of forming Knesset will be one para governing coalition for his ty with 13 seats in the fourth term as prime minister. new Knesset.

A day earlier, Netanyahu’s An Israeli citizen, “unusual election practices” Cohen said he has been during the campaign drew the a Zionist since the 1960s attention of Steven M. Cohen, a and made his first trip professor at Hebrew Union Colto Israel in 1970. His lege-Jewish Institute of Religion, weekend appearance during his discussion of Israel’s as Etz Chaim’s scholar postelection future over brunch in residence came after at Congregation Etz Chaim in he returned from Israel East Cobb. to cast his ballot in the One of the practices Cohen national election. addressed was the prime min“I actually voted. I ister’s shifting stance on a twoflew over for two days state solution between Israel to cast my ballot. When and the Palestinians. life circumstances Netanyahu for years had pulled me out of Israel said he was committed to purPhoto by Jon Gargis as a permanent resisuing a two-state solution, but Steven M. Cohen, just back from voting in the Israeli election, takes a question during a brunch discussion of Israel’s dent, I made a personal in the final days of the campaign postelection future March 22. Cohen, a professor at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, served as vow that, as long as I “Bibi let out the announcement Congregation Etz Chaim’s scholar in residence in a program presented by the Ramie A. Tritt Family Foundation. could, I was going to vote of ‘There will never be a Palestinevery election,” he said. ian state while I’m prime minisCohen said Netanyahu and his United States wouldn’t even be able to ter,’ and that was one payment to his support us. That really is dangerous for supporters were propelled in the elec- “It’s been a little bit of an expensive constituency,” Cohen said in his initial Israel, so the security people in Israel tion by a “brilliant political move” in vow.”

He urged the audience at the Conremarks. really think Bibi and his policy are sim- which the prime minister in news show He later said that a rejection of ply dangerous. I can’t see why we don’t appearances and private meetings with servative synagogue to try to visit Isa Palestinian state alongside Israel support a two-state solution. It makes settlers said that failing to support him rael during the next election, which he would add to the dangers to the Jew- no sense to me whatsoever.” in the polls would lead to Likud finish- said will probably be in two years. “It’s ish state, such as increased isolation, Netanyahu did reverse himself ing second to the Zionist Union. That a wonderful season to be in Israel, to military insecurity, and mobilization and proclaim his support for a two- result would have given Isaac Herzog meet people on the streets, meet people of Palestinians and their supporters state solution, but President Barack the first chance to form the next gov- in hotels or wherever, and talk about the elections.” against Israelis.

Obama has said the United States will ernment.

The Sunday brunch discussion “The security people believe that have to reassess its relationship with Although the final pre-election we have to pursue a two-state solu- Israel because of the prime minister’s polls predicted a Zionist Union victory was the final event of Cohen’s stint as tion,” Cohen said, even though they’re campaign comments. and exit polls suggested Likud and the Etz Chaim’s scholar-in-residence. The not sure such a solution is best for IsCohen also addressed the prime Zionist Union would be even at 28 seats weekend, presented by the synagogue rael’s security. “Is a two-state solution minister’s “unusual election practice” each, Likud captured 30 of 120 Knesset and the Ramie A. Tritt Family Foundapossible? I sure as hell don’t know. But that saw his campaign posting on Face- seats. The Zionist Union, combining tion, also focused on topics such as genthat’s different from ‘Should we pursue book and issuing robocalls to warn the Labor Party and Tzipi Livni’s Hat- erational shifts in Jewish identity and the effort to ensure a Jewish future. a two-state solution with integrity and that “the Arabs are coming to the polls nua, was second with 24 seats.

Rabbi Paul Kerbel sent brunch athonesty and sincerity?’ That we really in droves” and accusing Europeans and Ultimately, Cohen said, little tendees home with a concluding messhould look like we want to have. leftists of funding the opposition Zion- changed as a result of the election.

“We want to have a Palestinian ist Union to drive up the Arab and Tel “The blocs did not change from sage tied to the political nature of Sunstate if only we can be sure it doesn’t Aviv votes. the last election,” Cohen said, although day’s topic and the issues addressed attack and kill us. That’s what we want.

“Two Jewish guys paid for that get- new unity among the Arab parties led earlier in the weekend.

“Do everything you can, with We should look like we want that.” out-the-vote drive,” Cohen said, refer- to them gaining seats.

Cohen said Israel should not have ring to Slimfast founder S. Daniel AbraArabs “have as many differences whatever organization you want, to a government leader saying that all of ham and KIND Healthy Snacks’ Daniel among them as we do, but they have support Israel,” said Rabbi Kerbel, who the land conquered in 1967 should be Lubetzky. “We all know who they were, a smaller population, and for them to recently returned from his own trip Israel’s. “We don’t want that. It’s bad for and somehow Bibi thought it was inap- get seats from any one of these parties there. “Stand up, vote, speak to our conIsrael, it’s bad for our relationship, and propriate to mention these two Jewish was very, very difficult,” the professor gressmen, write to the president, all of told his audience of about 75 people. those things, now.” ■ 8 words like that, the president of the entrepreneurs.”

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ISRAEL

Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home Electronic lenses that help you see straight. Petah Tikva-based startup DeepOptics has developed electronic multifocal lenses. Using sensors, the lenses detect what the eye is focusing on and the viewing distance and adjust the power of your spectacles to ensure that whatever you look at comes into focus, near or far.

Safe robotic syringe. The robotic dispensing system from Haifa-based RescueDose makes the preparation and administration of liquid medication safer by adding accurate doses automatically and minimizing human contact. RescueDose is used to dispense radiation treatments for cancer patients.

Sound analysis of sleep disorder. The term “sound asleep” is appropriate to the discovery by Ben-Gurion University of the Negev researchers of a simple, cheap way to evaluate sleep disorders.

Using an innovative breath sound analysis (BSA) algorithm, medical staff can easily analyze patients with sleep quality, snoring and sleep apnea problems.

Restoring Be’er Sheva’s river. Untreated wastewater from Arab towns has polluted the Besor-Hebron-Be’er Sheva River for decades, thanks to international water laws. Now a three-year project has been agreed among Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the Bedouin community to clean up the river.

Jewish National Fund efforts supported by donors in the Southeast have largely restored the river within Be’er Sheva.

Weeding with technology. Rehovotbased biotech company Evogene is using its PointHit platform to analyze molecules and identify key plant macro-molecules responsible for essential biological processes in weeds. By targeting those processes, new herbicides will be more effective in killing weeds.

Israel exports salt to Russia. Atlitbased Salt of the Earth has reported significant sales growth in the Russian salt market in 2014. The company expects to double salt exports to Russia in 2015. Salt of the Earth supplies highquality sea salt to plants that process tuna and salmon in the Vladivostok

and Korsakov regions.

Disrupted Copenhagen simcha shifts to Israel. Hannah Bentow had a second bat mitzvah celebration in Jerusalem exactly a month after her bat mitzvah party was cut short by a terrorist attack that killed a Jewish guard outside

a Copenhagen synagogue early Feb. 15.

Hannah’s mother said, “Here in Israel we had a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Hannah’s bat mitzvah in a different environment.”

Compiled courtesy of verygoodnewsisrael. blogspot.com and other news sources.

JNF Photo of the Week

Building Israel’s Bandwagon

Caravan for Democracy is a program of Jewish National Fund (www. jnf.org) and Media Watch International whose goal is to facilitate positive dialogue about Israel and the Middle East on college campuses across America. By bringing speakers and sending students to Israel, Caravan for Democracy addresses Israel’s unique contributions to the world, its vibrant democracy and its commitment to peace in the region.

The project aims to connect non-Jewish students to Israel and increase support for Israel on campus.

Link between weaning and diabetes.

Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that the pancreatic cells of some young mice fail to produce insulin in response to glucose during the transition from mother’s milk to calcium-enriched food. That finding may explain why some children develop Type 1 diabetes.

Altair extends battery life on 4G devices. Altair Semiconductor, based in Hod Hasharon, has developed a chipset that will help the LTE batteries that power 4G devices run with one-tenth the power and half the cost of using current LTE technology. Current 4G devices include smart meters and alarms, and many more are in development.

Israeli technology for Norwegian desalination. Norwegian company EnviroNor is recruiting Israeli expertise to provide the water-processing technology necessary for its project to convert secondhand oil barges into floating desalination and wastewater treatment plants.

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

Alibaba makes Israeli investment.

Chinese Internet giant Alibaba is investing tens of millions of dollars into Jerusalem-based venture capital firm JVP, whose holdings include a cyber incubator in Be’er Sheva, Israeli business newspaper Globes reports.

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www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

Our View

March Madness

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MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

very election is portrayed as the most important in history, so it’s natural to search for deep meaning in the Likud victory March 17.

Israelis must have sent a clear message in their rejection of the Zionist Union in favor of a fourth term for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right?

It was a powerful endorsement of Netanyahu’s leadership. Or it was a rejection of any leftward shift in economic policy.

It was a desire to slam the brakes on such social changes as increased state support for non-Orthodox streams of Judaism, mandatory national service for the Haredi or even the end of the Orthodox rabbinate’s control of marriage. Or it was a call for an expansion of West Bank settlements and a rejection of the peace process.

Maybe it was an expression of fear or dislike of President Barack Obama. He was part of the “anyone but Bibi” crowd and again showed his animosity toward Netanyahu by delaying his congratulatory call.

All of those elements are in the results, but we see a lot less.

Yes, Likud will have 30 of the 120 seats in the 20th Knesset instead of its current 20, but half of those new seats are at the expense of its partner in the 2013 elections, Yisrael Beitenu.

Three of Likud’s other expected coalition partners, Jewish Home (down four seats), Shas (down four) and United Torah Judaism (down one), will have less voting strength. So although the religious Shas and UTJ parties will benefit from being part of the government, their fortune hardly represents a social shift, and the prime minister won’t have to make many concessions to get them into his coalition.

The losses on the religious right were paralleled by the weakening of the Zionist left as Meretz shrank by a seat to five, the smallest party in the Knesset.

Moshe Kahlon’s new Kulanu gained almost all of its 10 seats at the expense of the philosophically similar, centrist Yesh Atid, which fell from 19 seats to 11.

Meanwhile, Labor and Hatnua’s combined 21 seats will rise to 24, and the Arab parties’ representation will increase by two seats, thanks to the new Joint List and increased Arab voter turnout.

We wish Netanyahu had not resorted to scaremongering over the Arab turnout. Those voters make up one-fifth of the nation he leads, and rising Arab turnout is a sign of Israel’s success. It was a shameful moment for Netanyahu and a sign that he learned American politics all too well as ambassador here.

But overall we don’t see a big story in the numbers. We think the Israeli center is strengthening as the smaller, narrower-interest parties on the left and the right weaken — a promising sign of a maturing democracy in which government policies reflect voters’ decisions instead of backroom coalition deals.

For now Israelis voted for the status quo. While hoping for incremental social changes to continue, they voted based on their fears for survival — the natural response to existential threats from Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah and Islamic State amid possibly wavering U.S. support. Whether it would have been madness to change course at such a time or is madness to keep 10 doing the same thing, only time will tell. ■

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Reassessing Unfortunate Events

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dure when U.N. groups such as the Human Rights he world has produced some strange, often Commission single out Israel as the source of all evil. alarming news of late.

Still, the latest U.N. attack on Israel is a doozy.

Mindless anti-Semitism flared up in The U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, London early March 22 when a bunch of drunk Brits which includes such exemplars of human rights and decided to attack a synagogue. Rabbi Maurice Davis respect for women as Iran played down the attack and Sudan, wrapped up a as “more antisocial than two-week meeting March anti-Semitic,” according Editor’s Notebook 20 at which it adopted to the BBC, but police are a target date of 2030 to investigating the incident

By Michael Jacobs achieve gender equality. Beas anti-Semitic because of mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com fore adjourning, it turned the comments of one of six its attention to Israel. men they arrested. Chants You know, the Israel of “We will kill you” came that has maintained legal equality of the sexes for from the attackers. more than 60 years and that just elected a record 28 A couple of days earlier, U.S. Secretary of State women, or 23.3 percent of the membership, to the John Kerry talked about progress in the negotiations Knesset. By comparison, women make up 20 percent over Iran’s nuclear program, and Iran’s supreme of the U.S. Senate and 19.3 percent of U.S. House. leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded March 21 Israel, which doesn’t require or ban certain by calling for “death to America.” clothing for women, isn’t the site of frequent honor Director of National Intelligence James Clapper killings, doesn’t subject adolescent girls to circumcipresented his annual “Worldwide Threat Assesssion, encourages education for all, and has female ment” to the Senate Armed Services Committee on jet pilots while its neighbors ban female drivers, was Feb. 26 and somehow decided that Iran and Hezbolthe only nation to draw the commission’s attention. lah weren’t worthy of attention this year. In fact, if On a 27-2 vote with only the United States and you believe the Clapper report, only Sunni organizaIsrael voting no, according to The Times of Israel, the tions pose an Islamic terrorist threat to the United commission passed a resolution sponsored by the States; Shia terrorists didn’t make the report.

Palestinians and South Africa. It blames “the Israeli Maybe Clapper’s report and Kerry’s unrequited occupation” for blocking Palestinian women from positivity are signs of the Obama administration’s advancement, self-reliance and social integration. carrot-and-no-stick approach to Iran. It would be The resolution carries no sanctions but reveals nice if this administration were as generous in givagain how few friends Israel has. That’s the scary ing Israel the benefit of the doubt. thing about President Barack Obama’s reassessI could say the same about the United Nations, ing the U.S.-Israeli relationship. Israel has to make but of course the world body never gives Israel the Obama happy, or the bad news will keep coming. ■ benefit of anything. It’s standard operating proce-

OPINION

Not in Our Name study. However, in a society where faith is the litmus test used to decide who may live among us as neighbors and work at or patronize our places of business, all are at risk — not just gays and lesbians, but Jews and Christians alike.

And to that I must say no.

Guest Column

By Rabbi Joshua Heller rabbi@bnaitorah.org

Not in my name, not in our name, not in G-d’s name.

I have heard the argument made that this bill will protect against autopsy, which is a practice opposed by traditional Jewish practice except under rare circumstance. I would like to prevent autopsies when possible, but there are easier, more subtle legal ways to accomplish that goal and others that are of importance to our community.

More important, Judaism also says we uphold the dignity of the dead but not at the expense of the life and dignity of the living.

Not in my name, not in our name, not in G-d’s name.

As Jews we do not have the hubris to impose our faith traditions on the larger society. We do not demand that the larger society conform to the strictures of Jewish law. We have never demanded that the Georgia Bulldogs not handle a pigskin on the Sabbath.

To the contrary, there is the principle of dina d’malchuta dina — that we respect the just practices and fair laws of the society in which we live, which must protect Jew and gentile, gay and straight alike.

And so I ask that our community reject this law, which claims to be for our protection but would provide cover for hatred and discrimination under a false flag of faith. People who are committed to Judaism should oppose this bill, not despite that commitment, but because of it, and say: Not in my name. Not in our name.

Not in G-d’s name. ■ Rabbi Joshua Heller is the spiritual leader of Congregation B’nai Torah in Sandy Springs. He presented a version of these thoughts outside the state Capitol on March 17.

Studio portrait of three Polish Jewish friends playing stringed instruments in an ensemble.Yehuda Bielski, far right, 1937, later led partisan fighters. Credit: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of Yehuda and Lola Bell; Collection Leslie Bell.

Kennesaw State University School of Music presents

Music of Resistance and Survival: A Holocaust Remembrance Concert (Final Concert of the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival)

Thank you for a fabulous concert.

We couldn’t have done it without our donors, supporters, and patrons.

Sandy Cohn in honor of Ruth Gershon Adrian and Ilene Grant David L. Halpern The Hyman Foundation Sherri Parman Panton Capital Holdings (PCH)

musicKSU.com

Beverly and Paul Radow Endowment Norman Radow and Lindy Shallcross Richard and Elizabeth Siegel Robert Strauss

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here is a wrong being contemplated in the name of G-d, in the name of people of faith, and I cannot be silent and let that wrong come to pass.

Not in my name, not in our name, not in G-d’s name.

This month I was asked if I would take a stand on a current issue, a bill before the legislature (S.B. 129) that is framed in terms of religious freedom but could provide religious cover for hateful behavior against many, including Jews, but particularly gays and lesbians.

It would have been simpler for me to defer. My first response was “Why ask me?” I have many colleagues who have been active and articulate in advocacy in that area, whereas I have stayed on the sidelines. Indeed, over the years I have wrestled with the conflicting traditional and contemporary Jewish voices on those issues.

I realized that that is precisely why I needed to speak. I value, respect and live a personal commitment to Jewish observance. And yet I feel strongly that one can, and must, live that commitment without being cruel or unkind to those who may not believe or practice in the same way or seeking to impose it upon others.

There are voices in our Jewish tradition and our community that debate, sometimes stridently, questions of gender, sexuality and marriage, questions that begin in Leviticus 18 and 20.

I respect those whose understanding leads them to a strict interpretation of those verses in their own lives and congregations.

But G-d also wrote Leviticus 19:18 — “V’ahavta l’re’akha camocha,” love your neighbor as yourself — and Leviticus 25:17 — “Lo tonu ish et amito,” do not oppress your neighbor. I would hope we could be equally fervent in application of those verses.

And so when I see someone citing Judaism and our Torah to exclude people from our larger society and denigrate human beings trying to live in dignity, I must say: Not in my name, not in our name, not in G-d’s name.

Religious people may, and indeed must, decide how to observe in their own homes, even whom to include and exclude in their own houses of worship, their own places of religious

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OPINION

Letters to the Editor Don’t Forget Muslim Hostility

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

It was interesting to read Michael Jacobs’ discussion of the reaction of some local Jews and Muslims to the documentary series “Jews and Muslims: Intimate Strangers” (“Bound

by Our Lost Roots,” March 13). Unfortunately, the series underplays the history of Muslim hostility to Jews and largely shifts blame for that hostility onto European colonialism as well as the creation of Israel.

There were brief periods of enlightenment for Jews under some 1,400 years of Muslim rule, but the dominant experience was one of crushing oppression. The pattern for that was set when Mohammed, the founding prophet of Islam, massacred the Jews of Medina after they refused to convert, while subsequently all Jews were driven from what is now Saudi Arabia.

Periodic pogroms and restrictions that make apartheid look tame are well documented in books such as Sir Martin Gilbert’s “In Ishmael’s House.” No less a figure than Moses Maimonides had to flee Spain because of Muslim, not Christian, persecution.

Undoubtedly blood libels imported from Europe did not help, but there were plenty of other pretexts that were used to marginalize Middle Eastern Jewry.

Nor is the record of Muslim colonialism better than that of Europe.

Interfaith dialogue is important, but it should not be at the expense of Israel. Rather than apologies for Israel’s existence, the fact that roughly half of all Israelis are descendants of Jewish refugees from Arab countries should be placed front and center, as should their history. Otherwise, there is the invariable slippage into the false trope that Jews and Muslims lived in harmony before Israel and the consequent delegitimization of Israel.

Doron Lubinsky, Sandy Springs

Israeli Voters Face Reality

I woke up the day after the Israeli election to news that Islamic terrorists had attacked a museum in Tunis, killing 18 tourists, and it dawned on me why the Israelis have given up on peace with the Arabs. They have seen 12 this movie over and over again. After

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they made a dozen offers of a two-state solution and had them all refused, it is apparent there are no concessions big enough to placate the Arabs.

When Israel signed the Oslo Accords, it was paid back with genocidal suicide terror campaigns against restaurants, synagogues and buses, killing 2,000 civilians, with the enthusiastic support of Palestinian media, the political establishment and clergy. The security barrier is the only thing keeping the peace between the West Bank and Israel.

When Israel gave up Gaza, the first thing the Palestinians did was overwhelmingly vote in Hamas, which ran on a platform of war to the death with Israel — a promise Hamas is keeping. When Israel withdrew from southern Lebanon, it got two wars, and Hezbollah is positioning for another.

The Israelis watch Palestinian television and listen to their media incessantly railing against Jews, Christians and the West. Most Palestinian schools are named after suicide terrorists.

Now Israel is watching Islamic State execute non-Muslims by the thousands and sees the 225,000 dead in Syria, much of Iraq in ruins and an implosion in Libya. Israeli media have reported the pronouncements promising to destroy the Zionist entity by the mullahs of Iran, and they take the threat seriously.

The Israelis desperately want peace with their neighbors, but they can’t let their guard down now. That upsets The New York Times, the Obama administration, the academic and political left on either coast of the United States and in Western Europe, and the secular Jewish left. These constituencies never learn the lessons of history and do not face the daily threat of annihilation.

So Israel will continue to have elections, but regardless of whether the government is from the center, left

or right, the implacable demands of the Palestinians will remain the same: give up Jerusalem, have no security at the Jordan River, allow 4.5 million hostile Arab “refugees” into pre-1967 Israel, among other demands. I am sad to say I don’t see peace in my lifetime, but if Israelis ever concede their ability to defend themselves, we will see the end of their country.

Jerry Levy, Smyrna

Elections Turned Out Right

March 17 was truly a great day. I celebrated my birthday knowing that the Israeli people spoke decisively about the leadership they want going forward. Facing a myriad of problems domestically and internationally, Israelis decided what is needed is a strong, coherent, inclusive government that is effective.

I am glad that Benjamin Netan-

yahu faced formidable and credible challenges. He was too negligent about the economy and housing shortages and about tensions within the society.

I hope he has been chastened and will pick competent people for his coalition Cabinet who can gain the respect and support of the greater population, including Israeli Arab citizens.

But while it is true that politics is local and Netanyahu was too negligent in this arena, the focus must remain on matters of security. He is a hard-nosed, clear-headed realist.

While the strong ties between Israel and the United States need to be repaired because of his personal friction with President Obama, I firmly support the brilliant speech Netanyahu gave to Congress. He alerted the American people to the weaknesses of the deal being negotiated with Iran.

Iran will take note that the Israelis are determined to prevent them from obtaining nuclear weapons. They voted to stand up to this threat.

In the past I have advocated for a twostate solution, but given that past Israeli unilateral withdrawals strengthened Iranian proxies Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, now is not the time to leave the West Bank. Backed by Iran, Hamas would soon take over. They are the strong horse.

Israel and neighboring Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia must work to contain Iran’s quest for regional dominance. The United States is wrong to capitulate to this threat. When, not if, Iran goes nuclear, so will the Sunni Arabs, and war will be upon us. Israel is leading the effort to prevent this. That is why the election turned out as it did.

Economic and social issues cannot trump national security. Now is the time to face reality and to be united and strong. Our survival depends on it.

Gail K. Ripans, Sandy Springs

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

It’s Beginning to Sound a Lot Like …

One of my favorite seders was a large gathering nearly 30 years ago outside the Old City in the home of an Israeli professor and his museum curator wife. “Next year in Jerusalem” sounded different that night.

That phrase may resonate this year in France and other countries where anti-Semitism (often masked as anti-Zionism) has spiked. I recommend “Is It Time for the Jews to Leave

Europe?” by Jeffrey Goldberg in the April edition of The Atlantic.

Aliyah to Israel reached a 10-year high in 2014 with 26,500 olim, one-third more than in 2013. For the first time, France led the list with 7,500 emigrants, more than double the year before.

As we ponder the relevance of the ancient Passover story to our Ameri-

By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com

can lives, let us think about the European Jews who worry that a modern exodus may become a necessity. ■ Dave Schechter is a veteran journalist whose career includes reporting from Israel and the Middle East.

It’s not manna from heaven, but this Passover, provide something just as crucial to the survival of the Israeli people.

In a country where terrorism and sporadic rocket barrages are an all-too-frequent occurrence, your gift to Magen David Adom ensures Israel’s national paramedic organization has the medical supplies it needs to save lives. So this year, while you recount the story of the Jews’ redemption from slavery, your gift will help modern-day Israelis survive the threats they face today.

Thank you for making a gift today. And we wish you and your family a Pesach kasher v’sameach.

AFMDA Southeast Region 3300 PGA Blvd., Suite 970 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 561.835.0510 southeast@afmda.org www.afmda.org l

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aybe it was seeing the monstrous packages of matzah at the grocery, but recently I caught myself humming “Adir Hu.” Growing up, I thought my father was singing “Albany” rather than “Ehl binei.” Well, Mom and Dad did briefly live in Albany (New York). The tune reminds me of seders when I sat at the side, not at the head, of a table.

Dad’s Haggadah was filled with years of pencil markings and erasures, its reading assignments updated annually based on the company at the table.

Seder ran on his timetable. We sang all of the traditional songs. His sleight of hand with the afikomen rarely failed.

The admonition to finish before midnight was met, but some of the chairs were empty by the end.

He made “The Ballad of the Four Sons” — set to the tune of “Clementine” and written by an uncle of my sister-in-law the cantor, who is married to my brother the rabbi — a regular feature of the seder, a tradition that his children continue today.

We have hosted a seder for most of the 22 years that we have lived in our current Atlanta home.

Some have been small, with one or two other families. Some have been large, such as the one that required fitting three tables into our living room and using the couch (talk about reclining on this night).

Some have been unique, such as the Jewish-Muslim seder a couple of years ago. Our rabbi sat next to a local imam. Some women wore kippot and others hijabs, and Jews and Muslims alike took turns reading and discussing the Exodus story.

Passover, of course, is a night of questions: • “When Do We Eat?” (The 2005 movie by that name is a good laugh.)

• “Why don’t we eat charoset yearround?” (Good question.)

• “Why does Sephardic charoset taste better?” (Try it, you’ll understand.)

• “Clear or jellied broth?” (If you don’t understand, you don’t want any.)

• “Why do they call matzah the bread of affliction?” (Get back to me in a few days. Sorry.)

• “When is the next cup of wine?”

(Usually from a preteen who thinks he’s getting away with something.)

• “Why is there an orange on the seder plate?” (This one requires a willingness to stretch beyond tradition.)

• “When will this be over?” (By midnight, trust me.)

From Where I Sit

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LOCAL NEWS

The Voice of Service

Liz Helgesen makes regular stops at Chabad part of her life’s journey

By Cady Schulman cschulman@atljewishtimes.com For Liz Helgesen, volunteering several days a week at Chabad of Cobb is just one way she can give back to the synagogue she says has helped her grow as a Jewish woman.

“I just feel completely blessed to be given the opportunity to grow and shine brighter and brighter,” Helgesen said.

To honor Helgesen for her hours of service, synagogue officials selected her as this year’s recipient of the Chabad of Cobb Service Award.

“I consider it a wonderful opportunity to spread the word and spread the message,” Helgesen said. “It’s less about the award itself and more furthering my journey of helping others grow and making the world a better place. I feel privileged to hang out with some incredible people. I see it all filled with a purpose to change the world, one tiny stamp at a time. My hope is that it will serve to inspire others to volunteer.

Just go out and do good.”

Helgesen performs a myriad of

Photo by Jon Marks Photography

Liz Helgesen accepts the Chabad of Cobb Service Award on Feb. 7.

tasks at the synagogue, from stuffing envelopes and licking stamps to making meals, cleaning and shining the shofars.

Teddy Sable, the synagogue’s director of operations, said the countless hours Helgesen has put in the past 10 years have been a tremendous help to the synagogue’s small staff.

“It helps a million,” Sable said. “I don’t know how to describe it in other words, but we’re small and work hard

and love this place, and we’re all very passionate about what we do, and Liz is just part of the team. She comes in with her spirit and her energy. She’s just a great person.”

In addition to cooking and cleaning, Helgesen helps with such office tasks as making spreadsheets and bank deposits, registering children for summer camp, setting up for Shabbat, and making posters for display in the lobby.

“She has a beautiful soul,” Sable said. “Liz would do just anything. She’s very unique. There aren’t a lot of people like that. That’s why we wanted to recognize her in a very special way.”

Sherry Kornheiser, who has been the synagogue’s administrator the past 15 years, calls Helgesen an angel.

“Liz is an amazing volunteer,” Korn­heiser said.

“Everything she does, she does with tremendous love. She has an almost spiritual aspect about everything.

She hopes that every letter will bring goodness in some way. No matter what you ask her to do, she’s happy to do it.

She’ll make something in the kitchen.

She’ll run errands. … She’s just an angel. I can’t say enough good things about her. She has an inner goodness that is just incredible.”

Helgesen also works full time as a voice talent. As the owner of Passion Fruit Voiceovers, Helgesen spends her days voicing commercials and corporate narrations, as well as making recordings for automated phone systems, navigation systems and tutorials.

She also is the voice of the MARTA system: Passengers hear her announcing each stop.

Despite her full-time career, Helgesen said it’s not hard to find the time to help at Chabad of Cobb.

“I consider it all my life,” Helgesen said.

“I work it into my career. It’s part of what I do. It’s as important to me and meaningful to me that I consider it all a part of my corporate responsibility. It’s very important to me for my own growth and development. It has helped me get outside of myself and illuminated the most precious and beautiful part of me that took me years to recognize.”■

Sandy Springs Eruv Down No timeline yet for repairs

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

The eruv in Sandy Springs is out of commission, putting temporary limits on the activities of observant Jews.

Recent construction along Glenridge Road on the eruv’s northern border and Windsor Parkway on the southeastern edge ruined the doorways that form the core of the eruv’s virtual walls, said Rabbi Karmi David Ingber, the spiritual leader of The Kehilla.

“We are in great need of this,” Rabbi Ingber said. “We’re trying to work as fast as we can.”

An eruv is a virtual enclosure that turns a public space into a private space, allowing items ranging from a prayer book to a tallit to a house key to be carried and baby carriages to be pushed without violating Shabbat observance.

The Kehilla and Congregation Beth Tefillah, led by Chabad of Georgia head Rabbi Yossi New, fall within the 14 Sandy Springs eruv. Their congregants

AJT

who live within the eruv thus may carry things to and from shul and to neighbors’ homes.

Rabbi Ingber sent an urgent email March 12 to warn Kehilla members that the eruv was in disrepair.

He explained in an interview that the high-tension wires running along utility poles may serve as the crossbeams on the virtual doorways that make up the eruv, but the poles themselves usually may not be considered kosher doorposts because the wires run alongside the poles instead of atop them.

The Sandy Springs eruv uses poles with caps along the sides that sit underneath the wires and thus create kosher posts, but the new construction installed poles without those caps and broke the eruv, the rabbi said.

That level of technical detail complicates the repairs to the eruv and the plans to expand it to accommodate the growing observant community in Sandy Springs inside the Perimeter and west of Ga. 400.

After a week of research into the specifics of the Sandy Springs situa-

Google Map via Congregation Beth Tefillah This map shows the current borders of the Sandy Springs eruv.

tion, the exact nature of the fixes and the time required were still not clear, Rabbi Ingber said. But he expects the eruv to be down for at least a month.

Rabbi Yaakov Greenblatt of Memphis, an expert on eruvim, is overseeing the repair work.

Until the work is done, observant Jews in Sandy Springs have limited options.

“You have to have a lot of forethought going into Shabbos,” Rabbi Ingber said.

You can bring a prayer book to shul before Shabbat. You can bring a tallit early as well or wear it to synagogue because you are allowed to wear anything, Rabbi Ingber said. Some Kehilla members have made key belts so that they can wear their house keys as part of their clothes.

But the prohibition on carrying will remain as long as the eruv is down.

“We want this up as soon as possible,” Rabbi Ingber said. “Sometimes it’s not so easy.”■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

LOCAL NEWS

Kuniansky: Marcus JCC Is Rolling

T

he Marcus Jewish Community Center is ready for a streamlined governance structure after running a financially sound operation the past five years, new board Chairman Douglas Kuniansky says.

“We’re really on a roll,” he said, allowing some of the senior lay leaders to pass control to up-and-comers.

Kuniansky spoke the day before the Marcus JCC’s annual meeting March 24. That meeting occurred after the Atlanta Jewish Times went to press, but the center planned to return to a single board of directors. The JCC has operated with a governance board for finance and an advisory board for programming since a special debt-reduction campaign eight years ago.

Kuniansky served as the president of the center’s advisory board the past year after more than a decade of board service to the JCC, including two years on the governance board. He said he has watched the center evolve “into a place that is really well run” by some of the most competent, dedicated staffers he has worked with.

He said the turnaround in the center’s finances, including the completion of a $7 million capital campaign last year, has enabled the move back to one board, with the related decrease in meetings and reports and increase in efficiency. He noted that the strategic plan the center adopted two years ago called for revisiting the governance system.

“This new board structure allows us to follow best practices in nonprofit governance for the most efficient board organization and will, without a doubt, invigorate our current committee configuration,” JCC CEO Gail Luxenberg said in a news release about the change.

The new 18-member board of directors will combine the operations of a corporate board and a nonprofit organization’s mission-focused board.

Kuniansky said the structure of the board will be crucial. A strong finance committee working with the chief financial officer will keep everything in check just as the governance board did, and a program council will function in a similar way to the former advisory board.

The other officers are Joel Arogeti as vice chairman, Ron Brill as treasurer and Howard Hyman as secretary. The board also includes such past JCC presi-

dents as Steven Cadranel, Sherie Gumer and Garrett Van de Grift.

“We’ll be able to continue to fulfill the mission of the JCC in a fiscally sustainable way as the governance board has accomplished for the last eight years,” Kuniansky said.

Thanks to an offer of summer memberships that hooked people on the JCC, he said, the center has added 175 annual members, its first membership increase since 2010. Kuniansky said that growth is an example of the center’s passionate volunteers providing valuable new ideas.

Meanwhile, the preschool at Zaban Park, the Weinstein School, has

200 children, classrooms, a record enrollment of more gym and meeting space. It than 300 children, he said. could host BBYO, speakers, Such success, however, Book Festival events, afterhas created facility probschool care and adult edulems. The JCC has to repurcation. It would not have a pose Zaban buildings to acfitness center, tennis courts commodate programs and is or a swimming pool but constantly struggling with would offer fitness classes. parking, Kuniansky said.

Kuniansky only has “It’s a great problem to have.

Douglas Kuniansky a year as chairman before We’re serving more Atlanta those ideas become someJews than ever before.”

The JCC is looking for partnerships one else’s responsibility, but he plans to and facilities, by lease or purchase, in- follow the example of such JCC leaders town and in the Roswell-Alpharetta as Howard Hyman, Ron Brill and Hararea, the chairman said. He’d like to see ry Maziar by serving as a mentor and an intown center with a preschool for staying involved. “I’m a lifer.” ■

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AJT 15

EDUCATION

Emory Ph.D. Fellowship Honors Brickman, Levin

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s Emory University prepares to celebrate 40 years of Jewish studies programs next year, the Laney Graduate School and the Tam Institute for Jewish Studies are inaugurating the Brickman-Levin Fellowships to support doctorate-level work.

Named for dentist Perry Brickman and the late Arthur Levin, the fellowships will help attract talented graduate students to Emory for work related to Jewish studies, enhancing Emory’s stellar reputation in this field.

To celebrate the founding of the fund, the Laney Graduate School and Tam Institute are holding the Brickman-Levin Symposium on Monday, March 30, at 7:30 p.m. in the Jones Room of the Robert W. Woodruff Library, 540 Asbury Circle. Three recent Laney alumni will speak: Miriam Broida, Michael Karlin and Craig Perry. A dessert reception will follow.

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Brickman and Levin are united by their efforts decades apart to expose anti-Semitism at the Emory Dental School under Dean John Buhler from 1948 to 1961.

The ADL office under Levin publicized the mistreatment of Jewish students and published statistics to document the high rate at which Jews failed or were kicked out of the program.

Brickman spent years quietly investigating what happened until he went public with a documentary in October 2012. That video compelled Emory administrators to correct the historical wrong and finance a remake of the documentary by a professional.

Eric Goldstein, the Judith London Evans director of Jewish studies, said the endowment enables Emory to compete for the best students and to create a permanent fund to commemorate the efforts of Brickman and Levin and by extension all the men discriminated against in the dental school.

“Money donated to the BrickmanLevin Fund will guarantee that learning about Jews and Judaism will always be part of the graduate curriculum at Emory,” Goldstein said. He emphasized that the endowment is a wonderful response to past discrimination: to see that Emory has an ongoing role in training teachers, researchers and writers in all aspects of Jewish studies.

Brickman agreed. “What better way to acknowledge and recognize the past than to set up this ongoing program?”

Emory President James Wagner said the move fits Emory’s strong commitment to teaching about religion and religious groups in a diverse way.

“In addition to strong leadership from our chaplains, rabbis and campus ministers who nurture religious practice, we are blessed to have strong academic departments that pursue the study of religions with what our bylaws call ‘freedom of thought as liberal as the limitations of truth.’ Since the appointment of David Blumenthal as the first professor of Jewish studies in 1976, the field has grown from strength to strength,” Wagner said. “Among the departments and centers of activity for religious study at Emory, the Tam Institute is particularly remarkable for the quality of its programs, the impact of its work with students and the reach of its engagement in our broader Atlanta community.” ■

EDUCATION

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Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael 3rd In Model Jewish Court

F

ive students from Toco Hills’ Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael finished third out of eight teams March 15 in the second annual Beis Medrash L’TalmudLander College for Men Model Beis Din competition in New York.

The Torah Academy of Bergen County in Teaneck, N.J., won the competition at Touro College, and Yeshivat Shaare Torah of Brooklyn was second.

The 15 competing students from the three winning schools were awarded plaques and sforim (books). LCM Dean Moshe Sokol also said that any member of those three teams who is accepted and matriculates at LCM will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

All 40 participants received Rabbi Yonasan Sacks’ commentary on the Haggadah and an LCM duffel bag.

The other schools participating were Rambam Mesivta and Mesivta Ateres Yaakov of Lawrence, N.Y., Hebrew Academy of Nassau County in Plainview, N.Y., Ma’or Yeshiva High School in Long Branch, N.J., and the Cooper Yeshiva High School of Memphis, Tenn.

The students had to wrestle with a complex halachic problem based on a real event: A pilot in the Israeli air force was sent on a mission to destroy an enemy platoon. While he was en route, the air force learned that the intelligence was flawed and that the target was an area populated by civilians, but the pilot was beyond communication.

According to Jewish law, was the

air force permitted or even obligated to shoot down its plane and kill the pilot to save the civilians on the ground?

The participating high schools received the details of the scenario and a packet of relevant halachic sources in January. A rabbinic faculty member at each school advised the team; at Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael, Rosh Yeshiva Mayer Neuberger filled that role.

The first round of the competition used a debate format. Each team was assigned to argue against another school either for or against shooting down the plane in front of five judges from the Beis Medrash L’Talmud: Rabbi Dovid Mirsky, Rabbi Chaim Kirschenbaum, Rabbi Ephraim Tanenbaum, Rabbi Shmuel Marcus and Rabbi Sacks.

Each team then faced a different opponent and argued the opposite side.

In the second round each team presented arguments to the judges for what it believed to be the correct decision and answered questions about how the team members reached that conclusion.

There was no right answer. After all, this is Judaism, in which leading scholars can disagree about matters of halacha great and small.

The winners were chosen based on the quality of the presentations, the students’ mastery of the different opinions and Talmudic sources related to the case, and the students’ success at supporting their findings. ■

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The Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael team that placed third in the second annual Beis Medrash L’Talmud-Lander College for Men Model Beis Din competition in New York poses with LCM leaders after the competition March 15. Shown (from left) are Rabbi Josh Sturm, the LCM coordinator of admissions; LCM Dean Moshe Sokol; Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, LCM magid shiur; student Yisrael Levy; student Daniel Filreis; student Avrumi Lewis; Rabbi Ephraim Tanenbaum, LCM magid shiur; student Simon Schoen; Rabbi Mayer Neuberger, the YOY rosh yeshiva and the team’s adviser; student Chagai Perez; Rabbi Chaim Kirschenbaum, LCM magid shiur; and Rabbi Yonasan Sacks, the LCM rosh yeshiva.

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Students Take Stage For Fun and Nonprofit

Campus SuperStar has raised more than $2 million for Hillels of Georgia

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

A

college talent competition in the style of “American Idol” is coming back to Buckhead.

Campus SuperStar offers a $5,000 prize to the winning singer, but the big victor is Hillels of Georgia, which has raised more than $2,077,000 from the competition since launching it in 2004.

Auditions for the 12th annual show began in November. More than 150 students tried out, and eight made the cut for the finale March 31 at the Buckhead Theatre: Keyera Grant, Taralyn Griffin and Laura Valentine of the University of Georgia; Amy Hebel of Kennesaw State; Arrion Jackson of Georgia Tech; Christian Noble of the Savannah College of Art and Design; David Porter of Georgia State; and Shawn Skolky of Emory.

“We’re not just trying to focus on one group,” Hillels of Georgia Executive Director Rabbi Russ Shulkes said.

“We want to bring everyone together.

When we choose students to sing, we don’t differentiate between Jew and non-Jew. The eight finalists are chosen by their straight-up ability to sing awesomely.”

The competition drew students from 26 universities in Georgia. Judges chose the finalists from open auditions at Emory and UGA. Students of all backgrounds and religions were welcome.

Each of the eight finalists will sing one song March 31, and they will perform a 20-minute group number together. The judges will pick the winner

of the $5,000 prize and two runners-up, who will receive $500 each.

Rabbi Shulkes said the event is an opportunity to show that Hillels of Georgia is welcoming to all and knows how to have a good time. “The most important thing about this event is that it’s fun,” he said. “This is a fundraiser that helps people become aware of what Hillels of Georgia does. It’s our job as an organization to create an environment that’s fun, engaging and different.”

Campus SuperStar started as the brainchild of Linda Selig and Rita Levine in 2004. “American Idol” was one of the highest-rated shows on television, and Hillels of Georgia wanted to launch a yearly fundraising event that resonated with college students. More than $2 million later, the idea is a clear success.

In addition to the singing competition, Campus SuperStar honors members of the Atlanta Jewish community who give back. This year’s honorees are Billy Bauman and Staci Brill.

Admission to the show at 7 p.m. is free for college students. For others, tickets start at $75 for attendees age 40 and younger and $125 for those older; the tickets include cocktails and a light dinner at 6 p.m. ■ What: Campus SuperStar Where: Buckhead Theatre, 3110 Roswell Road, Buckhead When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 31 Tickets: www.hillelsofgeorgia.org/ campussuperstar/event/ticket-purchase. html

EDUCATION

Billy Bauman and Staci Brill

Campus SuperStar Honors Bauman and Brill Two generations of leaders urge others to get involved

H

illels of Georgia’s Campus SuperStar event is about more than celebrating musical talent. The fundraiser also celebrates the talent of giving back.

Campus SuperStar will recognize Billy Bauman and Staci Brill for their years of volunteer service to the Atlanta Jewish community. Bauman and Brill will host the March 31 event, which is offering a $5,000 prize to the winner of an “American Idol”-style competition.

Through the choice of Bauman and Brill, Hillels of Georgia aims to highlight a longtime community leader and a younger community member meant to represent a new generation of leadership.

Bauman has lived in Atlanta since 1973 and has held many leadership positions in the community, including service on The Temple’s board of trustees and a recent tenure as president. He has also served on the board of trustees for the American Jewish Committee.

“Through my 40 years in Atlanta,” Bauman said, “the names that were honored were of a guard even older than me. Many of us in my generation are concerned that the next generation needs to be involved. The way to get those people involved is to recognize and honor them for their contributions. Their contributions may not be as great simply because of their age, but they are equally as meaningful if not more meaningful because they are our future.”

Stacey Brill, 36, may be part of the younger generation, but she has a long list of accomplishments.

Brill calls herself a professional fundraiser, and she has helped numerous Jewish and secular nonprofit organizations in Atlanta reach their development goals, including the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, the American Jewish Committee, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and the Marcus Jewish Community Center, for which she recently helped complete a two-year, $7 million capital campaign.

Brill is a member of Temple Sinai and was named Atlanta Jewish Life magazine’s Rising Star in 2004. She was profiled in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 Under 40” in 2013 and in the Atlanta Jewish Times’ “40 Under 40” in 2014.

“I think that there is a concerted effort in a number of different agencies that are focused on cultivating the next generation of leaders,” Brill said. “If we miss the opportunity to sit at the same table of the established leadership like Billy and his peers, then we are going to restrict the community in the future.

It’s time to come to the table.”

Both Bauman and Brill have come to the table to give back to the Atlanta Jewish community. While the eight student finalists are competing in Campus SuperStar, Brill and Bauman will be sending their message to the crowd: Get involved.

“Find something that you believe in,” Brill said, “something that welcomes your ideas and your involvement, and dig in because everybody needs you.” ■

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AJT 19

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EDUCATION

New Leader for KSU Hillel

Kolesar aims to add more Judaism to Kennesaw State chapter

By April Basler abasler@atljewishtimes.com

really isn’t one currently,” Kolesar said.

“The potential for Hillel to be a driving force in the Jewish community here is ennesaw State University pretty big. We just have to make sure student Charlotte Kolesar re- that we point it in the right direction.” cently accepted the position of KSU Hillel saw a sharp rise in KSU Hillel engagement coordinator membership the past year, something through Hillels of Georgia.

Kolesar credits to Nibley’s Kolesar, a Woodstock hard work. A typical Hilresident, succeeded Lianne lel event will draw 15 to 25 Nibley, who suddenly had students, compared with to move to Israel, as Hillel’s five to eight last year. head on the Kennesaw camKSU Hillel’s social pus. She did not go through events include bowling, a formal application process rock climbing and, later but instead was asked to this semester, WhirlyBall. take over and accepted.

Kolesar hopes to conHaving been active in tinue growing memberHillel at Kennesaw State, ship and making Hillel Kolesar became close with what the students want Nibley, talking to her reguit to be. And that means Charlotte Kolesar larly at events and by teleJewish tradition. “This is phone. Kolesar believes that she was a really great opportunity, and I hope chosen for the job because of her ex- to do it justice,” she said. “It’s an imcitement for Judaism and Israel and portant role, and I feel very blessed to the hope to grow the campus Hillel in be given this opportunity to hopefully those directions. make this difference in people’s lives.”

Kolesar sees potential for KSU HilKolesar studies business managelel to evolve into a true Jewish student ment with an emphasis in entrepreorganization using Jewish tradition. neurship. In addition to her part-time “It’s not currently a Jewish organi- job with Hillel, she is a full-time stuzation at Kennesaw. It is at Emory and dent. She also works full-time at ChilGeorgia Tech. It’s a social organization dren’s Healthcare of Atlanta as a nightright now,” she said. “I hope at the end shift secretary in the emergency room of one year to see it grown as a Jewish at Scottish Rite in Sandy Springs. She social outlet. is busy but finds the time to do it all, Social is great. usually spending long nights studying.

It’s important, Kolesar is part of a new program but the whole at KSU called Coles Scholars, essenpoint is for stu- tially an honors program within the dents to be so- business school. It gives members imcially Jewish.” portant hands-on business experience.

K o l e s a r She is on track to graduate in May 2016. was told that Kolesar’s husband, Erik, is also a the students student at Kennesaw. They have been wanted Hil- married over five years and a couple lel to be only for 12. While not members of Temple a social group. Kol Emeth, they attend services when But she talked they can and enjoy Rabbi Steven Lebwith many ow’s Wednesday morning Torah study. of them and (Top 5% in the Atlanta Board of Realtors) After graduation the Kolesars are discovered a considering business ownership and strong desire starting an outdoor store for activities for Jewish such as hiking, biking and kayaking. e x p e r i e n c e s They also are thinking about internathrough Hillel. tional work or study.

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EDUCATION

Chabad House: Home Away From Home Kennesaw State students find Jewish experiences, friends “We feel that it is important to have a sense of Jewish identity and abbi Zalman Charytan and his pride while at college,” Rabbi Charytan wife, Nechami, are providing said of the mezuzah project. “We want Jewish experiences for students to do whatever we can to help a Jewish at Kennesaw State University through student feel at home.”

His wife, the master chef behind the Chabad house.

The Charytans, who serve as the the dinners, hosts a kosher cooking directors of the Chabad house, regular- club every Thursday. The club aims to ly conduct special events for students teach students how to cook delicious with the mission to provide “a home kosher meals for themselves and their away from home and an authentic Jew- families.

Chabad provides an opportunity ish experience for students while at for students to travel to New York for college.”

The Chabad house hosts home- a Shabbaton weekend, subsidized by made dinners each Shabbat, combin- Chabad on Campus International, for $36 plus the cost of airfare.

More than 1,000 students from a c r o s s N o r t h America and a few colleges in Europe usually attend the Shabbaton weekend.

Kennesaw State students join Nechami Charytan “The to show off their Chabad T-shirts. way we are able to do ing eating with learning and discus- what we do is largely due to the gension. The dinners often have themes, erosity of Jewish philanthropists who such as Italian or the Super Bowl. care about our cause,” Rabbi Charytan Current events are often discussed; af- said. “They are the lifeblood of our orter the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris, ganization, and we are beyond thankChabad hosted a French-themed Shab- ful for them.”

Students who participate in Shabbat dinner and had an open discussion baton get to visit sites such as the Jewabout what happened.

Themed or not, the dinners pro- ish Children’s Museum and the Chabad vide engaging conversation and a headquarters and to take a walking tour of the Jewish parts of Brooklyn. friendly, open atmosphere.

A few students from Kennesaw “We want to provide an authentic Jewish experience to Jewish student so also participated in Israel Trac, through they can see how a Jewish family lives,” which they visited the Israeli Consulate Rabbi Charytan said. “We also want and met with staff from Israel’s misthem to have a place where they feel sion to the United Nations. Those meetlike they can go to be around other Jew- ings inspire students to become active advocates for Israel. ish students and feel comfortable.”

The highlight of the New York trip The Chabad house provides a mezuzah to any student who wants one for many students is the Shabbat celfor a dorm room. The mezuzot are ebration itself, which culminates with provided free to students under a loan a Havdalah concert.

“When I think of Chabad, I think of program.

After the school year, a student a warm, welcoming Jewish atmosphere may purchase the mezuzah for $18, a where we all feel at home,” said Jake Lipsiner, a student at Kennesaw State. discount from the usual $50 cost.

The Chabad house received seven “Chabad was my first place where I felt at home meeting Jewish students from of the mezuzot free through sponsors.

R

all over the state of Georgia during my sophomore year. Chabad has enriched my Jewish pride and makes me proud to call myself a member of the tribe.”

Nechami Charytan often speaks of how rewarding her involvement with the Kennesaw State Chabad house is.

“One of our students wrote to us and told them how Zalman and I are like a

home away from home for them,” she said. “I’m so happy to be making an impact in the lives of students at KSU. We want students to know that they can come to us for anything they need, whether spiritually or emotionally.”

For more information on Chabad at Kennesaw State, call the rabbi at 770-870-4447, or visit chabadksu.org. ■

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

By Anna Streetman

AJT 21

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

An Alternative to Israel Apartheid Week

A

thens for Justice in Palestine hosted its annual Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW) from March 16 to 21. This week of activism “seeks to raise awareness about Israel’s apartheid policies towards the Palestinians and to build support for the growing Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) campaign,” according to apartheidweek.org.

These movements claim to work toward justice and peace, but their perspective of these ideals is often counterproductive. They would be better served highlighting their own accomplishments and successes than fabricating claims that do nothing to work towards reconciliation.

First, it is important to highlight the stark differences between apartheid South Africa and the democratic state of Israel. In South Africa, black voters were disenfranchised by a constitutional amendment in 1960 and “coloured” voters were temporarily disenfranchised from 1968 until 1984.

Only in 1984 did Indian citizens get the right to vote, and blacks were denied suffrage and representation until the end of apartheid.

In Israel, every citizen has the right to vote: Jews, Christians and Muslims, people of Russian, American and Arab descent. All of Israel’s citizens

Guest Column

By Eytan Palte

are represented in the Knesset, where they are free to express their political views and engage in lively debate. One notable member of the Knesset who takes advantage of this freedom is Haneen Zoabi of the Balad party. Zoabi advocates against the notion of Israel as a Jewish state, describes Israeli political leaders across the spectrum as fascists, and rejects Hatikvah (“The Hope”) as Israel’s national anthem,

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AJT 22

Contact Steven W. Cook, PhD swc@collegebridge.net or 404.983.4573

yet she has served in two consecutive Knessets. Somehow, those who label Israel an apartheid state forget about this minority representation.

I have been to Israel three times with three organizations. I have seen road signs in Hebrew, Arabic and English. On the streets, I have seen Jewish and Arab merchants side by side vying for customers. Walking along the Tel Aviv beach promenade, I have never seen a sign labeling the path for “Jews only.” Never in any city have I seen benches designated especially for Arabs or water fountains for only Jews.

To end the faux-partheid, these activists support boycotting, divesting from and sanctioning Israel, Israeli companies and Israeli academic institutions. If they are truly committed to this cause, most of them will not be able to read this article because the processors for the Intel chips in most of their computers come from Israel.

They should all put down their Macs, iPhones and iPads because Apple has just opened a factory in Israel.

The founder of the BDS movement, Omar Barghouti, is an academic pursuing his doctorate at Tel Aviv University — in Israel, funded by the Israeli government, employing Israeli professors.

Perhaps most important, this movement claims to pursue peace, but the Palestinian Academic Call to Boycott Israel (PACBI) urges its members to “refrain from participation in any form of academic and cultural cooperation, collaboration or joint projects with Israeli institutions.” A sustainable peace, however, can only be achieved through reconciliation, negotiation, dialogue and understanding between Israelis and Palestinians. A lasting peace will be the result of complicated talks and difficult decisions. It will require both sides to make sacrifices and actively promote adherence by its government and its people.

By refusing to collaborate with any Israeli institutions, the BDS movement and its proponents are shutting themselves out from this dialogue and mutual understanding. Not only are they shutting out the Israeli point of view that must be considered for peace to become a reality; they are missing out on a seminal opportunity to present their side of the story to another side that would be willing to listen.

This boycott is counterproductive and destructive to peace prospects.

When the inflammatory language

of Israel Apartheid Week and its purported goal of peace are compared, the disconnect is clear. Rather than focus on slandering their only potential peace partner, the Palestinians should focus on their own achievements and accomplishments as indicators of their readiness for a state. Instead of pushing for a boycott of Israeli institutions, why not highlight the partnership between al-Quds University in Beit Haninah and Bard College in upstate New York? Rather than refuse to condemn Hamas, why not celebrate the work of Ali Abu Awwad, who travels to the houses of Israelis living in the West Bank to preach nonviolence, dialogue and understanding. In lieu of walking out on Israeli soldiers, a manifestation of their refusal to listen, pro-Palestinian activists should ask sincere questions about the perception of Palestinians in the military in an attempt to create understanding.

Activists have compared Israel to ISIS and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Adolf Hitler. Regardless of where one lies along the political spectrum, such comments are nothing but inflammatory and hateful. These demonstrations should be replaced with those highlighting Palestinian literature, dance and other aspects of culture to show that there is more to these people than the promoted image of perpetual victimhood.

In my years of Israel advocacy and leadership in high school and college, I have learned that being pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian are not mutually exclusive. One can support Israel’s right to exist, right to defense, and right to peace and security while simultaneously supporting the right of the Palestinians to a state.

Also as an Israel advocate, I have never hosted, participated in or heard of a series of events specifically aimed at slandering the Palestinians rather than touting Israel’s accomplishments in various fields. This clear division of ideology and approach reveals the true focus of Israel Apartheid Week: demonizing a nation necessary for a bilateral peace agreement. Its endorsers would best serve themselves and their cause by celebrating their own achievements instead of ignoring facts on the ground and the political realities of precursors to peace. ■ Eytan Palte is co-president of the University of Georgia chapter of Students Supporting Israel.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

Scientific Method to His Madness for Epstein

Abusch-Magder plans to listen, learn, analyze and share willingness to fail

H

ave no fear, Epstein School parents: David Abusch-Magder isn’t some mad scientist coming to experiment on your children.

Sure, he has been programming computers since he was in middle school. Yes, he has a doctorate from MIT, spent eight years researching nanotechnology and wireless networks at Bell Labs, and has his name on a couple of patents. But Epstein’s incoming head of school doesn’t see students as lab rats.

“I’m not coming in there and saying, ‘Oh, I come from an experimental background. Let’s try some experiments on kids.’ That’s not how we work,” Abusch-Magder, known as Dr. D, said in a phone interview from San Francisco, where he is the head of the middle school and assistant head of campus at the Brandeis Hillel Day School.

Still, his scientific approach will come into play when he starts July 1 at the Conservative day school in Sandy Springs.

Sometimes he will be hands-on as a scientist in the classroom, where he said he loves to spend time. In his six years at Brandeis Hillel, he has filled in as a substitute, and he teaches an elective called “What’s Inside Your Device,” in which he and 10 students rip apart iPads and computers to explore their makeup.

But the analytical approach isn’t limited to science class.

“The habits of mind that come with being a scientist, particularly with doing it at the level of a Ph.D., I think comes in all the time. There’s an analytical thinking. There’s a passion to learn and to be comfortable going into a new field where you don’t actually know what the questions even are,” AbuschMagder said.

He said it’s vital to help students build habits of inquiry and communication that enable them to think through problems in any field and to risk failure. “Sometimes you need to fail to succeed. You have to fail forward and try something that doesn’t work and keep going, and I think that’s characteristic of the type of work our students are likely to do, whatever field they’re in. … When 10 percent of my experiments worked, that was a pretty high success rate.”

David Abusch-Magder

As an administrator and a leader, Abusch-Magder uses those habits.

“My natural leadership stance is to come in listening, learning, building relationships and learning the strengths,” he said. “This isn’t about coming in and creating some turnaround. This is about going from strength to strength.”

The approach he plans to use at Epstein is the same he used as principal at Solomon Schechter of Chicago when he arrived in August 2007 and at Brandeis Hillel two years later. He’ll spend months holding open-agenda meetings with faculty and other members of the Epstein community to listen and learn.

“You tell me about what you’re so excited about. Why did you get into the teaching profession? What does a special day look like for you at Epstein?” he said. He expects the answers to provide guidance and pay dividends for years.

He said Epstein has justified confidence in itself. “The opportunity at Epstein is a standout opportunity nationally. It’s one of a very few schools of its caliber in the country,” AbuschMagder said. “It’s an exceptional Jewish day school. It’s also a really damn fine independent school.”

He said Epstein is a leader in many areas he’s passionate about. He cited the fundamental connection with the students; the partnership among parents, kids, teachers and staff; the commitment to 21st-century and blended learning; and the nationally renowned immersive Hebrew program.

Abusch-Magder said he and his wife, Reform Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder, chose to speak Hebrew at home when they had children because “that was one of the greatest gifts we could imagine giving them.”

Epstein’s deep connection to Conservative Judaism also was an advan-

tage. Abusch-Magder attended a Schechter school in Boston and sent his children to a Schechter school in New Jersey before becoming principal of a Schechter school.

“It’s not the name or the movement per se; it’s what’s underneath that hood,” he said. “It’s the commitment to having the tradition be something that infuses your daily life, that is woven into the fabric of the school in a meaningful way and that gives you access to that wisdom.”

If all that hadn’t been enough for the Abusch-Magders to move across the country to a city where they have never lived and know few people, the civility and hospitality they found in Atlanta sealed the deal.

He said he has tried to live his life with similar politeness and has raised

his children, Oren, 17, and Aliza, 14, to be people who say please and thank you. “That seems to be woven into the fabric of Atlanta in a way that is more so than I’ve seen in other cities.”

He sees Atlanta as a rich, diverse city with a real identity that is evolving, and having lived in New York, Boston and Chicago, he’s not concerned about moving to a smaller city with a smaller Jewish community.

“It’s not about the size, but the quality and the people and the type of engagements that are happening, and in that regard I’d have to say Atlanta is second to none,” Abusch-Magder said.

“I know I don’t know, but what I’m seeing, the good work that’s being done is being done at a level that’s competitive nationally.”

For the opportunity to make a difference and do good work, “I would say it’s among the leading cities in the Jewish communities of the United States, and to me that makes it a destination.”

One where no mad science is required. ■

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AJT 23

ARTS

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

International Talent on Display

AJMF Main Event features Yael Deckelbaum, Diwan Saz The Atlanta Jewish Music Festival’s Main Event at the Variety Playhouse in Little Five Points highlighted two unique international acts. Diwan Saz is a multicultural Jewish, Christian and Muslim group of nine musicians who promote peace and understanding through ancient music. Yael Deckelbaum is an awardwinning Israeli singer-songwriter. Both performed for a lively crowd at the sixth annual festival March 21.

Photos by Monique Davidson Photography

Top left: Yael Deckelbaum closes out the AJMF Main Event.

Top center: AJMF Director Russell Gottschalk addresses the crowd to kick off the night.

Top right: Diwan Saz percussionist Eyal Luman.

Bottom right: Diwan Saz 9-year-old Bedouin singer Muhammad Gadir.

Bottom left: Diwan Saz kanun master Mumin Sesler.

J-Serve Combines Teens, Service, Fun

I

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

am part of a truly amazing and enriching experience at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. I serve on the Teen JAM leadership committee, a task force for J-Serve, the International Day of Jewish Community Service for teens, which is Sunday, April 19, from 1 to 6:30 p.m.

Our 18-member group has coordinated a fun and meaningful day of giving back to the Atlanta community for teens in sixth to 12th grades.

Our Teen JAM meetings began in October to give us plenty of time to plan this exciting day.

J-Serve Atlanta is one of more than 200 international projects in which teens will participate as they explore the Jewish values of gemilut chasidim (acts of lovingkindness); 24 tzedakah (just and charitable giving);

AJT

and tikkun olam (the responsibility to repair the world).

This year marks the 10th year that Jewish youths from around the world will turn out in force for J-Serve to encourage community building

Guest Column

By Aaron Gordon

and connections across religious and societal lines.

Throughout our Teen JAM sessions we have contacted organizations throughout the Atlanta area to plan a meaningful day for all Jewish teens.

Moreover, we have partnered with youth groups, synagogues, schools and different Jewish organizations to en-

sure great attendance from the entire community.

My experience in the program has taught me a lot about teamwork, planning and the importance of helping others. There is no better feeling than to give back to my community and make a difference in the lives of others.

This year for J-Serve, teen volunteers will choose the projects and causes that most interest them, such as working with individuals with special needs at enAble of Georgia and the Marcus JCC Inclusion program, helping plant and clean up the environment at the Dunwoody and Chattahoochee nature centers, packing backpacks with food for needy children at Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, and helping provide hygiene kits for the homeless at the Gateway Center.

A complete list of projects can be

found at www.atlantajcc.org/jserve.

When the teens return to the Marcus JCC after volunteering, they will join the rest of the community at a closing concert at 5 p.m. featuring the Maccabeats. The cost is only $12 per participant, including all transportation to the projects, snacks, T-shirts and the Maccabeats concert.

I chose to participate on this task force this year because I wanted to learn about and help organizations that do so much for people in our community. There is no better feeling than helping others and making a difference through tikkun olam.

I have enjoyed this process thoroughly; I have learned a lot of important skills and met great friends.

I hope you will consider joining me at J-Serve this year. ■ Aaron Gordon is a ninth-grader at Atlanta Jewish Academy.

ARTS

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

He Hopes You’ll Dance

Northeasterner Libman leads fundraising for Atlanta Ballet

By Cady Schulman cschulman@atljewishtimes.com

S

teven Libman has always loved the arts and has centered his career on them, working for organizations like the Pittsburgh Ballet and the La Jolla Playhouse.

Last year Libman left his native Northeast to become the chief advancement officer of the Atlanta Ballet.

“It’s been wonderful,” Libman said of his first seven months in Atlanta.

“The staff is incredible. The board of directors is incredibly dedicated to the organization. Artistically, it’s been a wonderful dream to return to ballet.

I haven’t worked full time for a ballet company in a long time. It’s wonderful to be back in an art form that I love.”

As chief advancement officer, Libman is in charge of fundraising and building relationships with current and potential donors.

“As a fundraiser, I’m creating opportunities for the whole community to see this phenomenal, world-class ballet company,” the Jewish community member said. “What gives me the greatest pride is raising the money that allows the organization to succeed.”

In addition to enjoying various arts performances and museums in At-

lanta, Libman attendtion and hard work.” ed this year’s Atlanta The hosts also talk Jewish Film Festival, a lot about the STEM which he said was to STEAM movement, amazing. incorporating the arts “It was absoluteinto science, technolly extraordinary,” he ogy, engineering and said. “I did not expect mathematics curricula. that I would encoun“We feel that ter something like whether you’re a scienthat. When I lived in tist or an engineer or a San Diego, there was physicist, you need to a Jewish film festival, be creative in how you and it was nowhere think,” Libman said.

Steven Libman is the chief near this one.”

“I think in some ways advancement officer for In addition to his our government gets it. the Atlanta Ballet. work for the ballet, They’re vastly expandLibman hosts a weekly arts education ing opportunities in film here.” radio show with Jeffrey Swensson, a The Voice of the Performing Arts retired educator. The show, called “The airs Saturdays at 10 a.m. and streams Voice of the Performing Arts,” focuses at thevoiceoftheperformingarts.com. on the value of arts education as op- Libman also owns the Libman Group, posed to talking about upcoming per- an arts management and leadership formances. consulting company.

“We talk to philanthropists, artThe Atlanta Ballet just held the ists, members of Congress — they all world premiere of “Camino Real,” talk about why the arts are important based on the Tennessee Williams play, to society, who their mentor was,” Lib- on March 20. It is finishing its 2014-15 man said. “Some of these stories are season with two more shows: “Modern fascinating. We interviewed an at- Choreographic Voices,” set for April 17 torney who said his high school band to 19, and “MAYhem” from May 15 to 17. teacher had the most influence on him Libman said every performance because he taught him about collabora- this season has been a highlight for

him. “I love ‘The Nutcracker’ and watching ‘The Nutcracker’ choreographed,” he said. “Having the pleasure of watching ‘Romeo and Juliet’ was extraordinary. It was an incredible ballet.

It’s a minimalist version of ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ but I absolutely loved it. That was just breathtaking.”

The local company also is creating its own ballet that ballet artistic directors from across the country, including Boston and Washington, are coming to see. “I think it’s very important that arts organizations breathe life into repertoires,” Libman said. “The ballet contains original choreography, music, sets, costumes, lighting. It’s very exciting.”

The ballet reflects its belief in the importance of arts education by offering summer camps to disadvantaged students — a program it hopes to expand — and providing hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in scholarships to help young dancers take classes at the Atlanta Ballet.

“We like to think we are creating these transformational moments for people,” Libman said. “We know most of the students will never go on to a career in ballet, but hopefully we’ve turned them into lifelong fans of ballet.” ■

Camp to a Different Beat

Judaic Mosaic helps teens write, perform music

J

ewish Atlanta has no shortage of musically talented teens but does lack in-school Jewish music programs and ensembles.

Nick Edelstein saw an opportunity.

Last summer Edelstein spearheaded Atlanta’s first dedicated Jewish songwriting and recording summer camp.

Judaic Mosaic is entering its second year and welcomes Jewish teens of all affiliations to come together to create, learn and record music.

“I wanted to contribute to the community,” said Edelstein, the camp’s director. “My two strengths are teaching music and recording music, so I figured what if I taught kids how to write and record music? The program is designed so that every student can contribute to each process of the songwriting and the recording.”

Judaic Mosaic will run three five-

day camp sessions for risdifferent understanding of what ing eighth- to 12th-graders Jewish music is really about.” between June 1 and July 17.

Judaic Mosaic is unique. It Three days of each session provides a forum for Jewish teens will be spent writing and who otherwise might not meet rehearsing music, and the to learn about Jewish music and last two days will consist of interact musically and socially. recording in professional From Jewish private schools with studios. limited musical offerings to pubJewish teens from lic schools with limited religious across metro Atlanta are inNick Edelstein, shown with teens at last summer’s Judaic Mosaic offerings, the camp meets a need vited to audition for a spot. camp, combines songwriting and recording in each five-day session. in Atlanta. ■ In 2014, Judaic Mosaic’s first summer, expenses were his own band, Nick and the Grooves crowdsourced and sponsored by At- (atlgrooves.com). Growing up, he went lanta organizations including Barefoot to services every Saturday and was set Pedals, the Atlanta Jewish Music Festi- on a path of Jewish musical discovery What: Judaic Mosaic summer camp val, Wizkid Sound and the Tabernacle. from an early age.

When: June 1-5, June 15-19 and July 13-17 For 2015 the cost is $252 per teen.

“Jewish music doesn’t necessarily Ages: Eighth- to 12th-graders For Edelstein, who grew up in At- have to be about a prayer,” Edelstein lanta and attended Congregation B’nai said. “It can be about a whole world of Cost: $252 Torah in Sandy Springs, music has things. Part of our job at Judaic Mosaic Auditions: Schedule through campjmo@ been a way of life. is to expose our students to all the Jewgmail.com He is a classically trained musician ish music that is out there. By the time Information: www.judaicmusic.com 25 who teaches guitar lessons and leads the camp is over, they will have a totally MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

AJT

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

HOME

Glamour Blends Artful Setting, Museum Magic

A

warm welcome emanates from Robyn Spizman Gerson and Dr. Edwin Gerson, a creative couple who crafted an oasis in the middle of Sandy Springs. “We merged our lives and created a home to embrace the things we love that define us,” Robyn said.

An accomplished author and publicist, she knows what she likes, where to acquire it and how to share it. The challenge was to blend Ed’s love of history and the origin of things he collects with her appreciation of sleek modern lines.

Robyn said with a laugh: “It’s the 21st century meets 1890. While we love our collections, a home is not only about things, but about people. We love to entertain and have our family and friends here often.”

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

Jaffe: You had quite a team in creating this house. What did they do for you?

Spizman Gerson: We were wowed by Bryan Kirkman’s interior design at the Decorator’s Show House. I loved his energy, vibrant use of color and lush fabrics. We needed someone to do a seamless job of pulling everything together; he buttoned it up and made it feel calm.

The walls are gray tones, a backdrop that allows the art to shine. William Baker, author of “Great American Homes,” was our architect and a master at interpreting our vision.

AJT 26

dramatic, blue-eyed brunettes.

Jaffe: Yes, just like the lady of the house. I was fortunate enough to be a guest here for an intimate New Year’s Eve party, and it was evident that this is designed for entertaining.

Spizman Gerson: We wanted open areas for entertaining and more

CHAI-STYLE INTERIORS

By Marcia Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

highly collectible. “Chocolate Emulsion” is a suite of six photographs by Joyce Tenneson, a legendary female photographer. We adore the photography of Keiko Guest, who was a former dancer in Atlanta. Another level of photography is the “blooming flower heads” throughout the house. It’s collaborative photography I designed with artist Thomas Gibson.

Jaffe: Your kitchen surfaces are so unusual and striking. Can you elaborate what your goal was in here?

Spizman Gerson: We started with the tigerwood cabinetry, rich vertical grains of brown and black providing

Jaffe: I am getting a retro feel with your fixtures.

Spizman Gerson: We wanted to mix modern with a retro vibe. The dining room chandelier is circa 1950. Its ribbon effect is similar to the Murano glass sconces in the guest powder room we hand-carried back from our honeymoon in Santa Margarita, Italy, wrapped up delicately to survive the journey. The Greek Apollo head in the powder room is one of my favorites … an estate photo [1968] from the cover of Robert Mapplethorpe’s catalog.

Jaffe: Your collection of mercury glass is breathtaking.

A

Jaffe: When we enter the foyer, the curved staircase is a knockout.

Spizman Gerson: We wanted the first impressions to be that of an open penthouse. We wanted guests to walk in and immediately be able to see the expanse of the outdoors glowing from the rear windows with a backdrop of trees.

By the door we have a cubist-style Kimo Minton sculpture from Santa Fe. Then the huge head clay sculptures [Polly Cook] are placed throughout the house. They are half-black, half-white,

intimate areas in which to live. We like built-ins: places to write and work and enjoy the mirrored entertainment center. We want our home to tell a story around every corner. The huge photograph above the bar is a castle in Cuba [Michael Eastman]. There is a second master upstairs so visitors can be comfortable. We have a media room upstairs with space for grandchildren and toys.

Jaffe: Yes, dramatic photography shows so well with your other art.

Spizman Gerson: I research photographers I deeply admire who are

Spizman Gerson: In times past, it was considered to be illegal because of the mercury content. It is very rare, fragile, and took years to collect.

a modern feel against all the white. I wanted the kitchen to flow with light, bright and clean lines, so we blew open walls. This counter surface is not granite but HanStone, a man-made, indestructible stone.

Note the silver flecks within.

B

Jaffe: The curved wall in the dining room is an architectural feat.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

HOME Spizman Gerson: It was Ed’s idea to display glass in front of the natural light and to curve the wall to add interest. The Totem Pole [Richard Jolley], Chihuly and Maslach’s “Hand of the Artist” boldly take their places here.

Jaffe: Your master suite is truly Hollywood.

Spizman Gerson: Entering you see the Schneiderman mixed-media painting titled, “Expectant Mother.”

Over the bed is “Perfectionist” by Sarah Hobbs [featured in the High Museum Collection]. We re-covered the vintage-1950 barrel chairs in irresistible velvet. We sought a spalike feel in the bathroom with his/her sides.

White Carrara marble is the backdrop.

The mirror tile panels over the tub create a reflective look.

C

She said they go to the Scott Antique Markets monthly. “It’s our tradition to walk the aisles, something I did with my mother for many decades. Ed and I learn from each other and love every minute of treasure hunting.”

The Gerson home is a masterpiece of passion, history and art. In what other house could you find a 1948 Atlanta phone book on display?

Don’t forget Molly, Ed’s coral classic 1956 Nash Metropolitan. Beep when you see them riding around.

Photos by Duane Stork A: Keiko Guest, herself a former dancer in Atlanta, is the photographer responsible for the ballerina at the focal point of the living room.

B: A curved wall helps highlight the glass pieces in the wall behind the dining room, lighted by a retro chandelier.

C: The kitchen features striking tigerwood cabinetry and counters that are man-made HanStone. The six photographs on the wall are Joyce Tenneson’s “Chocolate Emulsion” suite.

D: The striking bar features a large Michael Eastman photograph of a castle in Cuba.

E: An iPhone is not at home among Edwin Gerson’s antique telephones.

F: Some of the blooming flower heads featured throughout the house overlook the dining room table, while a clay head sculpture from Polly Cook stares back in the living space.

G: It took Robyn Spizman Gerson and Edwin Gerson years to create their collection of rare, fragile mercury glass.

H: This cubist-style sculpture by Kimo Minton sets the mood when guests enter the Gerson home.

D

E

G

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

Jaffe: Your downstairs is really whimsical!

Spizman Gerson (laughing): We call it Ed’s World. We agreed that I would decorate the main floors, and he would take over the lower level. It was my job to organize Ed’s massive antique telephone collection into a museumlike display. Add his merrygo-round horse, a cash register from his father’s clothing store and phones galore!

F

H

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www.atlantajewishtimes.com

SPORTS

Israel Takes Soccer Shot 2 upcoming games crucial to Euro ’16

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

T

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

wo of the biggest soccer games in Israel’s history will be played before the end of March, and the results will go a long way toward determining whether Israel qualifies for the European Championships for the first time.

After the first three of the 10 games it will play in qualifying, Israel finds itself in an unaccustomed position: first place in Group B. Ahead of Belgium, which is fourth in the FIFA world rankings and figures to be one of the favorites to win the European Championships in 2016.

Ahead of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which played in the World Cup in Brazil last summer.

Ahead of Wales, whose roster includes one of the most expensive players in the world, Gareth Bale.

Israel has a perfect record after winning 2-1 at Cyprus and 4-1 at Andorra in October, then taking its home opener against Bosnia, 3-0, in mid-No-

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vember at Sami Ofer Stadium in Haifa.

When qualifying started, Israel was buried in the FIFA rankings, well outside the top 100. Three games in, Israel has leapt to 26th, second-best in Group B. The United States, by comparison, is 32nd.

Those three wins give Israel nine points in Group B. Wales, with eight points, sits second, followed by Cyprus, Belgium, Bosnia and Andorra.

Belgium, like Israel, has played only three games, while the others have played four. That’s because Israel’s game against Belgium in August was postponed for the Gaza war. The makeup is set for Tuesday, March 31, at Teddy Stadium in Jerusalem.

That game offers Israel a chance to establish itself as a team capable of playing with the best in the world, and

even a draw, worth one point, would be more than Israel figured to get when qualifying started.

The more important game for the goal of qualifying for Euro ’16, however, is three days earlier when Wales visits Sami Ofer Stadium on a Saturday night.

The top two teams from the group qualify for Euro ’16, to be held in France. The third-place team advances to a home-andhome playoff against the third-place team from another qualifying group for a spot in the championships.

Belgium, the team that eliminated the United States from the World Cup last year, figures to claim one of the top two spots in Group B. Its roster has more world-class talent than the other five teams combined.

Andorra is hopeless. Bosnia was expected to be the second-best team in the group but has struggled to two draws and two losses so far, and its coach resigned after the beating Israel administered in November.

So Israel is competing with Cyprus, which it defeated on the road, and Wales for that second spot and automatic qualification. A win March 28 would give Israel at least a four-point edge on Wales (pending the Belgium game) halfway through qualifying. Cyprus is playing at Belgium that night and is a big underdog.

Even a loss at home to Belgium shouldn’t hurt Israel too much if it follows a victory over Wales.

A home draw against Wales would keep Israel in the lead and would look even better alongside a draw with Belgium. A loss to Wales, on the other hand, would be a crushing result, likely dropping Israel into third place after the game against Belgium.

The Wales game is at 1 p.m. Atlanta time, so it will be over long before Shabbat ends and isn’t on local television. But the Belgium game will be on Fox Sports 1 live at 2:45 p.m. March 31.

Qualifying continues in June with one game, then two in September and two in October, magically dancing around the High Holidays. With any luck, Israel will travel to Belgium for the finale Oct. 13 with a spot in France already secured. ■

Photo by Danny Karnik for Georgia Tech

Tech’s Gold Gives Up First Runs As Starter

G

eorgia Tech pitcher Brandon Gold’s perfect start to his career as a college starter came to an end Saturday, March 21, but the Yellow Jackets’ bats bailed him out.

Gold, a right hander who is the son of Barry and Kathy Gold, had not given up a run in his first 23 innings as a starting pitcher for Tech, but North Carolina broke through for a run in the second inning and added an Alex Raburn grand slam on a 3-1 pitch with two outs in the fourth for a 5-0 lead in Game 2 of a three-game series.

Gold, an Alpharetta sophomore from Johns Creek High and Davis Academy, pitched a hitless fifth inning to finish his day. He allowed five hits and five earned runs, walked two, and struck out five. His earned run average for the season, including two relief appearances, jumped from 0.61 to 1.83.

But Gold’s record remained 3-0 as Tech scored three runs in the sixth and two in the eighth and walked off with the win on an RBI single from Thomas Smith in the bottom of the ninth.

Starting with Gold’s last inning of work, North Carolina did not have a hit in the final five innings. The game is in the ESPN3 archive at espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/id/2350944.

The weather disrupted Gold’s routine against the 18th-ranked Tar Heels.

His first three starts came on Sundays, and he was scheduled to pitch on Sunday again. But the rainy forecast for March 22 led the 21st-ranked Yellow Jackets to play a doubleheader Saturday, and Gold pitched Game 2 instead of Game 3.

Weather permitting, Gold’s next start should be 1 p.m. Sunday, March 29, at Louisville. The game will be shown live online at ESPN3.com. ■

SIMCHAS

OBITUARIES

Irwin Marks 94, Atlanta

Irwin Marks, age 94, of Atlanta died Friday, March 20, 2015.

He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years, Ethel Marks of Atlanta; son Steven Marks of Atlanta; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Tanya Marks of Lawrenceville; brother and sister-in-law Herbert and Madeline Marks of California; grandchildren Wendy and Amy; and great-grandchildren Shaun and Chance.

Irwin was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. He served in the U.S. Air Force, was a traveling salesman of boys’ shirtings for almost 40 years, and worked for Green’s Beverage in Atlanta for 10 years.

Graveside services were held March 22 at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770451-4999.

Death Notices

Birth Elizabeth Mae Gaby

L

aurie and Jonathan Gaby of Atlanta announce the birth of their daughter, Elizabeth Mae Gaby, on February 27, 2015. She weighed 6 pounds, 1 ounce and was 19¼ inches long. Her grandparents are Judy Cone of Atlanta, Eva and Bob Krugman of Atlanta, and Leonard and Debbie Gaby of Paradise Valley, Ariz. Elizabeth Mae’s English and Hebrew names are in honor of her grandfather Edward Cone and her great-grandmothers Mildred Turetzky, Frieda Bochner and Mary Gaby.

Our obituaries come to us from funeral homes and are paid for by the families. For families who decline this option, the Atlanta Jewish Times runs a list of other recent deaths.

We invite synagogues to send their condolence announcements to editor@atljewishtimes.com for inclusion here.

Joseph Henry Barton, 79, of Atlanta, father of Steven Barton, Sharon Kirsch and Stuart Barton, on March 17.

Isabelle Feintuch, 101, of Atlanta, a member of Congregation Ariel and mother of Dr. Theodore Feintuch and Marcia Feinberg, on March 17.

Kenneth Gold, 82, of Miami, father of Temple Kol Emeth member Paula Wilson, on March 21.

Joy Smithart Slepin, 77, of Clearwater, Fla., stepmother of Temple Sinai member Lauren Antonino, Robert Slepin and Jeff Slepin, on March 17.

Alan Marvin Venzer, 87, of Atlanta, a member of Temple Sinai and husband of Dolores Moltak Venzer, on March 17.

F

riends and family will gather to celebrate the nuptials of Atlanta natives Erin Greer and Scott Miller on Sunday, May 17, at Spring Lake in Rockmart.

Rabbi Elana Perry of Temple Sinai will officiate.

The couple met for their first date at Joystick Gamebar in Atlanta in 2012; Scott proposed to Erin at the same location in 2014. Joining Scott and Erin at the chuppah will be David and Nancy Miller, Steve and Tana Greer, and Rodger and Sheryl McKenzie. The wedding party includes bridesmaids Shelly Oliver, Cason Parks and Jenny Hammock and groomsmen Lane Miller, Andy Mills and Michael Kraus.

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

Engagement Greer-Miller

AJT 29

CLOSING THOUGHTS OBITUARIES – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

One Wood-Planked Stage CROSSWORD Deserves Another

“More Precious than Rubies”

By Harvey Estes Editor: DavidBenkof@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Challenging

MARCH 27 ▪ 2015

“S

AJT 30

he loves to visit.” A recurring observation on all my report cards.

I also loved to be in all the little performances produced by my teachers for school assemblies. I almost never played the lead. I always wanted it; on occasion I even auditioned for it. But I was always on the precipice of shy (I know it’s hard to believe) or afraid I would look silly.

So I would accept whatever role I was assigned. I loved the stage. I would take any role; after all, I was preparing for my dream of becoming an actress. I filled many scrapbooks with information, photos and articles about the woman I hoped would design my clothes, Edith Head, and the studio that would be my home, Universal.

I remember in second grade being chosen to play the role of a flower.

My aunt Jeanette (z”l) made me a yellow-and-white-flower headdress.

My teacher created the leaves and the stem. Tada! I’m a flower. I was so proud. My flower was chosen to grow front stage left, or was it stage right?

Hollywood, here I come.

At home I would create little skits for my sisters. Sometimes I included my cousins. We had a piano, so many times music accompanied the action.

The lobby of our apartment building was the greatest stage of all time with fabulous granite flooring. I had no idea what granite was, but I knew we could slide all over that floor and pretend we were ice skaters or famous gymnasts or ballet dancers. We had a long, shiny staircase on either side of the lobby that worked as a perfect dramatic entrance for a bride, princess, witch or cowgirl.

In the summertime, up at the bungalow colony where we went to escape the city heat, I would create little skits for my sisters and the other children. I took on the grave responsibility of the director. After all, it was my idea!

I would gather all the kids to the space in back of the bungalow my family occupied. We sat in a semicircle on the grass, and I would dictate their responsibilities, including who would hand out the little tickets we created for entry. Could this have been what led to my becoming a camp director?

One summer when I was 8 or 9,

my dad (z”l) built me a wood-planked stage, including the two steps leading to the stage. He installed poles so the shower curtains we used for stage drapes could be opened for a performance and pulled shut when needed.

Shower curtains? Yes, of course, they

Shaindle’s Shpiel

By Shaindle Schmuckler shaindle@atljewishtimes.com

did not get messy in the rain.

I loved that stage. The fact that my dad took the time to build it for me made it a special gift indeed.

My dad was pretty creative when it came to building and repairing. He spent many hours teaching me some of the tricks of the trade. Fix a lawn mower? Check. Install a light fixture?

Check. Fix a plumbing leak? Check.

Paint a room? Check.

Not only could I identify any tool in the toolbox, but I also knew how to use them. I was happy to play the role of the son my dad always wanted.

I knew I would need to perfect, or at least become respectfully familiar with, a myriad of talents to attain my goals. I went about the business of constructing my repertoire. Ballet, toe, tap, jazz, piano, baton twirling, sports and, of course, stage building.

Now let’s move time forward.

From the time my grandbaby No. 9 was born, my daughter No. 2 has insisted this girl is a reincarnation of her savta (grandmom) — me. It always felt as if her spirit and mine were one. We need each other’s touch; we see and respond to so much with the same intensity. There is the way she wears her clothes, plus the activities she needs to feed all her energy: piano, gymnastics, ballet, sports. The “visiting” during school. Let us not forget the glasses she thought would look good (mine were baby blue), the braces she thinks are cool (mine were rubber bands and gum wrappers), or the skits she creates. And finally, the two steps leading to the wood-planked stage her dad is building at the back of her home.

Indeed, one great wood-planked stage deserves another.

But wait. She’s only 8.

So many more stages, woodplanked or not, for us climb. ■

ACROSS 1 Yiddish newspaper, with “Die” 5 Letter that starts “korban” 9 ___ Chayil (Poem that calls women “more precious than rubies,” which is this puzzle’s theme) 14 Second person pronoun 15 Artist Stern of South Africa 16 Movie about pianist David Helfgott 17 Like a Hasmonean dynasty coin 18 One of a “friendly, loyal people who will not abandon their neighbors,” according to a Yad Vashem researcher 19 Rabbi, for example 20 Comic of the “Great Schlep” campaign to convince Jewish grandparents to vote for Obama 23 Container for scrolls 24 Nonkosher swimmer 25 Siddur ___ Ratzon 26 Dara Torres won three for swimming in the 2000 Sydney Olympics 32 Jud. or Budd.

33 Many 14th century Jews came here from France 34 Gleanings for Ruth 37 Nevi’im bk.

39 Device for watching “Schindler’s List” 41 Village People hit sung in Yiddish?

43 Israeli brand of chocolate milk 46 “My son, ___ the discipline of your father” (Proverbs 1:8) 49 Night of Joseph Brodsky, who served as U.S. Poet Laureate 50 Former name of Israelís fourth Prime Minister 53 Bars from Steimatzky?

56 Ball position for Amy Alcott 57 Rock style Andy Greenwald writes about 58 Marilyn Monroeís signature look 64 Cuts (down) the length of davening

65 Jewish social services provider in London 66 Needs bikkur cholim 68 Son of Seth 69 The Rabbinic Period and others 70 Wife of Jacob 71 D in the Septuagint 72 Andrew well-known on 5th Avenue 73 Singer Fisher DOWN 1 Yom Kippur, e.g.

2 Ben Gurion guesses 3 Character in Pasternak’s “Doctor Zhivago” 4 14th-century Talmudist 5 It takes guts to cook them 6 Output from Solomon’s copper mines 7 Casspi of Kings 8 Like many a tale from the Dubno Maggid 9 “Golden Girl” Getty 10 Hava Nagila, for one 11 Declaration at Sheldon Adelson’s Venetian 12 Chinese leader with Zionist views 13 Some 41-Across members 21 Pro-Israel group in the US 22 Meat that is kosher but controversial 26 Groucho to Harpo 27 Laymen at a Civil War reenactment?

28 Female immigrant to Israel 29 Part of Sumner Redstone’s media conglomerate 30 Book chanted on Tisha B’Av 31 Name suffix 35 True to the Yiddish

language?

36 Cubs GM Epstein 38 “Better to be a living ___ than a dead lion!” (Ecc. 9:4) 40 Shlofn stage 42 Landers of letters 44 Avoidance of female singing 45 Lena who played an Auschwitz survivor in “The Reader” 47 Like Samson among the Philistines 48 Arrival in Infected Mushroom’s inbox 51 Larry Cohen’s twos 52 World Jewish Congress President Lauder 53 Raised, as an ante to Barry Shulman 54 Vehicle at Ovda International Airport 55 Comedienne Leifer 59 Schechter ordeal 60 New name for Naomi 61 B’nai ___ (city mentioned in the Haggadah) 62 Anouk Aimee’s God 63 Religious municipality of Israel 67 Shortened female name related to “shalom”

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Diamant To Help Launch Community Mikvah

By Suzi Brozman om sbrozman@atljewishtimes.c known as the nita Diamant, best Tent,” is comauthor of “The Red two public ing to Atlanta to make appearances this month.

Boston Girl,” Her latest book, “The Feb. 23 to the visit her will be the focus of ity Center. But Commun Jewish Marcus will help local orgathe night before she a new project, an allnizers plunge into at Congregation denominations mikvah Springs.

B’nai Torah in Sandy n of reimaginDiamant’s discussio age will be free ing ritual for the modern The Temple in at and open to the public the Metro Atlanta Midtown to launch (MACoM) into the Community Mikvah Atlanta. consciousness of Jewish ent nonprofit MACoM is an independ construction of the that plans to start in May and finish community mikvah . The project will before the High Holidays faciliexisting the of involve a renovation has the support of ties at B’nai Torah and synagogues and other more than a dozen organizations. supdiverse reflects MACoM’s board rabbis and repreport, including three Conservative and sentatives of Reform, Judaism.

Orthodox streams of model the establish Diamant helped al community for a nondenomination 10 years at Boston’s Education 27 mikvah the past Waters).

Mayyim Hayyim (Living Obituaries 28 to the idea of a “People responded ng and beautiful, Simchas 29 place that was welcomi to s and sad, a way for happy occasion Sports 29 ” Diamant said. mark life’s changes, thoughts on the Crossword 30 See more about her Page 6. ■ modern mikvah on Marketplace 31

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