Atlanta Jewish Times No. 42, October 25, 2013 by Atlanta Jewish Times

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community

Q&A with Taste of Atlanta Founder, Dale DeSena THE FORCE BEHIND ATLANTA’S MOST DELICIOUS FESTIVAL Associate Editor

I work with, to help coordinator different aspects of the festival.

efore Dale DeSena, Taste of Atlanta wasn’t much more than a forgotten relic of festivals-past; dormant since 2001. Today, it’s barely recognizable. DeSena has revived the idea to create one of the most notable events in Atlanta’s calendar year.

[Afterwards] we go through an evaluation period. We are very open to continuing to make this Atlanta’s festival for food. In order to continue to be the premier food festival, we have to make sure we are all-inclusive and listening.

Her foray into the festival business began when Alex Cooley and Peter Conlon of Concerts/Southern Promotions approached her about marketing for a festival by the name of Music Midtown.

AJT: What would you say are the biggest differences between Taste of Atlanta when you first started as compared to now?

BY ELIZABETH FRIEDLY

From there, DeSena went on to work with such high profile clients as the Atlanta’s Jazz Festival, the Atlanta Opera, and the Atlanta Dogwood Festival, until she decided to start a festival of her own. And thus Taste of Atlanta was reborn.

DD: Wow, well we used to be a festival under one giant, 30,000 square foot air conditioned tent. And now, we’re eight city blocks. Dale DeSena Photos by CatMax Photography AJT: There’s obviously a ton of variety at the festival. Would you say that Taste of Atlanta offers something for all the different dietary restrictions? DD: Absolutely, yes. We offer all types of tastes, from gluten-free to vegetarian to great seafood to great burgers; even the whole global culinary scene with international flavors. AJT: Favorite part of the job and toughest part of the job?

AJT: Pretty there!

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

DeSena spoke with the Atlanta Jewish Times to offer her behind-thescenes insight into the world of festivals and food, as well as the work that goes into running Taste of Atlanta.

Atlanta Jewish Times: Alright, so just how much work does it take to bring together such a large festival every year? Dale DeSena: Taste of Atlanta is a full time job, 365 days out of the year. It takes a year to do a festival for three days. I have an amazing team; lot’s of managers, lots of small business that

significant

difference

DD: You know, when talking to people, Atlanta is such an outdoor festival town that we really felt that each of the restaurants or sponsors needed their own tented real estate. I always say, the real mission of our festival is turning tasters into diners. “Tasters to diners” is our goal, our mission, our mantra. AJT: Are there any additions to this year’s festival that you’re particularly excited about? DD: Well, we have moved our amazing, Friday night opening night party called Taste Revival to the 5th Street to make it more of a block party. It’s

the most incredible culinary party of the year or that Atlanta has ever seen Also, we’re adding a music stage/ lounge this year called Sound Bites Music Stage in association with PleaseRock and JCP Bar. It’s all gonna be Atlanta musicians, and that’s brand new this year. AJT: As someone who is so involved in the Atlanta foodie scene, have you noticed any trends in restaurants or food for 2013? DD: I think one of the trends is that a lot of chefs are really becoming more and more entrepreneurial. I think the whole chef-driven restaurant is booming. I think, too, that they’re really concentrating on local, seasonal fare.

DD: Let’s see, my favorite part is… when the gates open and I see people smiling and eating and drinking and enjoying the food offerings; just enjoying Atlanta. The toughest? The toughest is the weather. That’s the only thing I just can’t control! AJT: Finally, what is your go-to comfort food? DD: Well, I’m from Savannah and I grew up in a Jewish home. My nana – I was the lucky one that, when she passed away, I got her recipe box. It was the greatest gift. [I would say] sweet and sour cabbage, cabbage and meat balls. For fall, most of our family meals, that’s my go-to item. Also, my grandmother had the best Mandelbread.

AJT

israel

Israeli Pride

GOOD NEWS MADE IN THE JEWISH STATE THIS PAST WEEK

GIVING DIABETICS FREEDOM. Israel’s company Insuline has developed the new InsuPad – a device that warms the body after diabetic injections. The pad helps insulin absorb much quicker and reduces hypoglycemic incidents. J&J Lifescan has just signed an agreement to market the InsuPad in Germany. HEALTHY, EDUCATED, AND ABLE. According to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) first ever Human Capital Index, Israel was ranked first in the world for joint water, sanitation and hygiene. They also ranked fourth in the world for capacity for innovation, third for life expectancy and second for tertiary education attainment. MOBILE SOLAR ENERGY. Israel’s Nova Lumos has devised a pay-asyou-go solar energy program that produces clean electricity for less than it costs to purchase kerosene – and it’s completely mobile. In addition, Nova Lumos just won The Pitch contest for new start-ups. FACEBOOK DISCOVERS ISRAEL. Facebook, the social media giant, has acquired Israel’s Onavo for at least $100 million. Onavo has developed some unique marketing and data compression applications as well as operating a successful mobile security business. Onavo is to become Facebook’s Israeli office. GOLD MEDAL BEER. The Alexander boutique brewery, located in Emek Hefer in central Israel, has won a gold medal in the 2013 European Beer Star competition for its Alexan-

der Black English-style porter beer. The competition included some 1,500 beers from across 40 different countries. STUDY FOR A LAW DEGREE IN ISRAEL IN ENGLISH. The IDC (Interdisciplinary Center) in Herzliya is now offering the very first Israel-based law course for English speakers. It costs $10,950 pa or 15 percent of U.S. law school fees. It prepares students for the Israeli BAR exam; for students returning to the U.S., there is a separate 5-week-long U.S. course. TECHNION BUILDS A WINNING RACING CAR. Buckle your seat-belt and watch a team of 25 Israel Technion Institute students build a Formula SAE racecar to compete with in Italy. This week, the team won first place worldwide out of all newcomer teams.

Israel’s Celeno to enable iiNet to stream data and HD video directly from iiNet products in the future. BIO-FUELS CONFERENCE. Senior representatives of the international bio-fuel industry are flocking to Israel by the dozens this week for the first international biological fuels conference, the Agro-Energy Nexus Summit, located in Herzlyia. Israeli companies are already leading this growing market in several areas. SAY GOODBYE TO GROCERY LISTS. Israeli start-up company Smartli has developed an automatic grocery shopping system that uses sensors to track the items that are missing from your fridge. It then generates a shopping list and ensures that these items are delivered directly to your door at your preferred time.

SIGNING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM. This year, the volunteer IDF soldiers with disabilities – who just performed in the closing ceremony for their special basic training – used the deaf sign language to accompany the Israeli National Anthem “Hatikvah,” as trained by sign-language instructor Yahala Lachmish. GENE MUTATION DISCOVERY. Sheba Medical Center, Weizmann Institute and Duke University researchers have identified genes responsible for two serious neurological disorders in children. The discovery will identify carriers and prevent such severe genetic diseases from being passed down.

ISRAEL TIES WITH PORTUGAL. We may have missed out on qualification for soccer’s World Cup, but Israel performed admirably in their penultimate match in Portugal. INVESTING IN SURGICAL ROBOTS. OurCrowd—Israel’s Crowdfunding investment company has added Medical Surgery Technologies into its portfolio. Its FDA-approved robotic vision system will replace the medical assistant who (formerly) handled the video camera during keyhole surgeries. No more shaky hands! DOCTORS REMOVE HATPIN FROM GIRL’S THROAT. al-Gharbiya, a 16-year-old from Baka, was adjusting her headscarf when she put the 3.5cm hatpin in her mouth to hold. But in that short moment, something made her laugh and she swallowed the pin. Doctors at Hadera hospital successfully pulled the pin out of her vocal cords and saved her. ISRAELI CHIPS FOR AUSTRALIA. iiNet, Australia’s second largest DSL broadband provider, has picked the high performance Wi-Fi chip from

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

FIRST VISIT FOR TWO PRIME MINISTERS. Joseph Muscat, the Prime Minister of Malta and Peter O’Neill, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea are the first sitting prime ministers of their respective countries to ever visit Israel. Both came with large delegations and cooperation plans.

AJT

ISRAEL

Taking Advantage of the Bronfman Youth Fellowship STUDENTS CAN NOW APPLY FOR DISTINGUISHED JEWISH FELLOWSHIP SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

alling all outstanding high school students! The Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel (BYFI) is excited to announce that applications for the 28th year of this program are officially open. This prestigious fellowship selects 26 outstanding North American teenagers for a rigorous, academic year of seminars including a free, five-week trip to Israel between the summer of Fellows’ junior and senior years of high school. The program, generously funded by Edgar M. Bronfman, educates and inspires exceptional young Jews from diverse backgrounds to grow into leaders grounded in their Jewish identity and committed to social change. The Fellows participate in study and dialogue with diverse faculty members, made up of Rabbis and educators, associated with different movements and perspectives within Judaism. Faculty members have an intimate knowledge of Judaism in North America and Israel and have extensive experience. During the program’s seminars, Fellows meet with leading intellectuals, religious and political leaders as well as educators. Fellows also spend two weeks with a group of Israeli peers who have been chosen through a parallel selection process as part of the Israeli Youth Fellowship: Amitei Bronfman.

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

Upon returning home from the summer in Israel, Bronfman Fellows are asked to devise and lead local Jewish or social action projects. In explaining the purpose of The Bronfman Fellowships, Edgar Bronfman says, “The Fellowships educate an outstanding cadre of young Jews to see their commitments to Judaism and the Jewish people through a lens broader than their own perspective. Commitments must be based on knowledge. For this reason, the program is grounded in Torah study and discussion.”

“The Fellowship is an opportunity for dynamic personal and intellectual growth in a group of carefully chosen peers,” says Becky Voorwinde, Co-Director and Director of Strategy 4 and Community Engagement. “The

conversations Fellows begin during their Fellowship year continue for a lifetime.” Rabbi Mishael Zion, program CoDirector and Director of Education, adds, “We seek to increase communication between young people across the Jewish spectrum including fostering bonds between Jews in North America and Israel. This program serves as a creative force that has inspired some of our best Jewish young adults to become creative leaders in their communities.” There are now over 1,000 Bronfman Fellowship alumni across the U.S. and Israel, the majority of whom still take part in alumni activities and projects. Bronfman Fellowship alumni include eight Rhodes Scholars, four former Supreme Court clerks, 12 Fulbright Scholars, 27 Wexner Fellows, and 24 Dorot Fellows. Leaders of note among Fellowship alumni include: Daniel Handler, a.k.a. Lemony Snicket, author of the successful “Series of Unfortunate Events” children’s books; Jonathan Safran Foer, author of “Everything is Illuminated,” “Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud,” “Eating Animals” and editor of New American Haggadah (featuring commentary from Lemony Snicket, among others). Also included is alumni Angela Warnick Buchdahl, America’s first Asian-American Cantor and Rabbi at The Central Synagogue in New York City. The list goes on: Igor Timofeyev, former Supreme Court clerk and former special advisor for refugee and asylum affairs at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Dara Horn, author of “In the Image, The World to Come” and “All Other Nights”; and Anya Kamenetz, the youngest person ever nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for her Village Voice series “Generation Debt: The New Economics of Being Young.” Fellows have found that participation in BYFI has helped them in their college application process. In the guide, “What It Really Takes to Get Into Ivy League and Other Highly Selective Colleges,” Chuck Hughes lists the Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel first in discussing, “the top scholarship programs particularly noted for produc-

ing winners who, year after year, are among the strongest candidates for admissions to highly selective institutions.” Applications for the 2014 Fellowship are available online at www. bronfman.org and must be submitted online by Jan. 6, 2014. High school students in the United States and Canada who self-identify as Jewish and who will be in the 12th grade in the fall of 2014 are eligible and encouraged to apply.

BYFI is a pluralistic program for Jews of all backgrounds; prior Jewish education is not required. Students are chosen not on the basis of financial need but on merit alone. Editor’s note: Edgar M. Bronfman’s philanthropy focuses on projects dedicated to fostering a Jewish renaissance including Hillel: The Foundation for Campus Jewish Life, The Bronfman Youth Fellowships in Israel, and MyJewishLearning, Inc.

U.S.’s Top 10 Anti-Israel or Anti-Zionist Groups ADL REVEALS NAMES OF ORGANIZATIONS SPECIAL FOR THE AJT The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has recently come out with a list detailing the Top 10 most influential and active anti-Israel or anti-Zionist groups in the United States. To ensure accuracy, in compiling the list, the ADL considered a lot of criteria, including but not limited to the groups’ organizational skills, recent activity levels, and the success of their lobbying efforts. With all the research at hand, the ADL declared these organizations as “fixated with delegitimizing Israel.” The list is as follows: • ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) • American Muslims for Palestine • CODEPINK • Friends of Sabeel-North America • If Americans Knew/Council for the National Interest • Jewish Voice for Peace • Muslim Public Affairs Council • Neturei Karta • Students for Justice in Palestine • U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation They have all had some connection to Anti-Israel BDS campaigns (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) whether organizing, sponsoring or endorsing; they have sponsored rallies or conferences with definitive anti-Israel agendas. Offensive parallels to the Holocaust by comparing Israeli leaders to Nazis or describing Gaza as the “new Auschwitz” have unfortunately not been amiss. They are known to employ rhetoric specifically designed to draw attention to America’s relationship with Israel in as hostile a manner as possible. Allegations that Israel or Jews control the U.S. government or the media, meant to make Americans feel unsafe and threatened by the “Jewish agenda,” are rampant among the anti-Israel rhetoric. The ADL also found these groups guilty of, “Expressions of support for terrorist groups that seek Israel’s destruction [have been made].” Fighting politics with violence – with terrorism – just shows what kind of peace these groups have been looking for. Now, with the ADL publicly declaring them Anti-Israel, hopefully they will meet the appropriate resistance they deserve.

AJT

community

Partners Card Helps Twin Lakes Hit a Homerun CAMP OFFERS SHOPPING AND DINING TO HELP SUPPORT KIDS Photography by Krista Turner

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

“G

o Chris go!” a counselor yelled to a camper as he slid into home base. Usually the player that runs the homerun is the player that hit the ball, but this homerun was different. The ball was hit by Tyrell, a camper at Camp Twin Lakes. Tyrell was a child around the age of 9, who needed a liver transplant. In order to get around camp, he had to sit in a wagon. Today was a special day because he wanted to play baseball and his program leader helped him to the plate. Chris ran the homerun for Tyrell, because Tyrell was not strong enough to run himself.

helped Tyrell hit his first homerun! To help fund the subsidy, Camp Twin Lakes invites Atlanta shoppers to shop, dine, and save for 10 days! Camp Twin Lakes’ Partners Card is a 10-day shopping and dining program held in the metro Atlanta area.

Chris, an outgoing camper who befriended everyone, volunteered to run for him. At the plate, Tyrell swung at the ball and missed. He tried again. He could not hold the bat up for long because his arms were not strong enough. He tried to hit and he missed for a second time. He swung at the ball for a third time. This time, Tyrell hit the ball. From that point on, it did not matter how far the ball went because Chris ran and did not stop running until he made it to home base. Tyrell had hit a homerun! Tyrell is just one of 9,000 children and teens served by Camp Twin Lakes (CTL) annually through the year-round, medically-supportive camp programs for children facing serious illnesses, disabilities, and other life challenges. In collaboration with nearly 60 nonprofit community partners, Camp Twin Lakes provides life-changing experiences at its state-of-the-art, fully-accessible campsites in Rutledge, Winder, and Warm Springs, Georgia; at children’s hospitals across the state; and at various day

camps in Atlanta. In addition, Camp Twin Lakes provides an 80 percent subsidy for every camper served which translates to $800 per child for one week of camp.

quickly return to camp programming. The sense of confidence gained from a camp experience is transformative and campers return home with a new sense of pride.

CTL’s campsites are medicallyequipped in order to meet the extensive range of campers’ needs. Relatively serious procedures that would otherwise require a hospital visit during their camp stay are handled on site.

Camp helps campers build camaraderie and friendships, and equally important, supports systems that will see them through their hard times back home, which often entail doctor’s appointments, hospital visits and ongoing treatments.

For example, campers requiring chemotherapy or dialysis can receive treatment in our medical lodge and

Camp Twin Lakes provides a place for kids to try new things that they never thought possible. Camp

From Fri., Oct. 25 through Sun., Nov. 3, individuals who purchase a $60 Partners Card will receive 20 percent off at more than 400 retailers and restaurants. All of the proceeds from the sale of each $60 Partners Card directly benefits Camp Twin Lakes thanks to generous sponsors. In 2012, Camp Twin Lakes was able to raise more than $319,000 through Partners Card sending nearly 400 campers to Camp Twin Lakes. Partners Card and its supporters make it possible for Tyrell to accomplish more than a homerun his first time up at bat, he was allowed to be a 9-year-old boy who scored a point for his team.

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

Tyrell looked as if he was five years old. He was smaller because he needed a liver transplant and his body was not able to develop fully. With the help of his nurse, he was convinced to try baseball.

Editor’s note: visit www.partnerscard.com to purchase your own partners card and save, shop, and dine for a great cause. 5

AJT

CHANA’s CORNER

A Cause for Concern?

WORLD FILLING UP WITH RUDE, INSENSITIVE, SELFISH YOUNGSTERS By Chana Shapiro

AJT CONTRIBUTOR

had two interesting experiences recently, both which left me unsettled and angry. I’m worried, folks, really worried.

First, in a neighborhood restaurant, a preteen girl sat unhappily with her family. My friend and I couldn’t avoid her piercing voice that would have put Demosthenes to shame. Her broadcasted complaints: the table was too far from her seat, the seats were slippery, she wanted a different sandwich bread, the French fries were too crunchy, the ketchup was sticky, the room was stuffy, and – my personal favorite – the waitresses were too tattooed. This girl’s behavior was mimicked by her little brother, who had his own series of grievances, plaintively announced for the world to hear in what proved to be the family screech.

His sandwich had too many tomatoes, he didn’t like the drink he’d ordered, the napkins were scratchy, the pickles were too “pickly,” his sister was taking up too much room.

mediately.

The parents of these two had clearly heard it all before, because they sat passively while their offspring entertained the whole room with their ear-shattering critiques. One would have understood the parents’ obliviousness if they’d been too busy rounding up their other two children who were running madly around the room in their stocking feet.

“Oh, it’s OK,” the mother responded. “Don’t pay attention to all the noise. Our kids just love to come here; it’s their favorite restaurant.”

But, no, as the older ones griped and the younger ones cleaned the floor with their socks, the parents ate silently and impassively. My companion and I tried to figure out how to stop the madness, but could only come up with violent solutions. As an alternative to physical force, I considered offering to pay for the children’s despised meals if they would leave im-

My companion had a bolder idea. She went to the family’s table and asked if she could be of any help in stilling the storm.

Their favorite restaurant?

All sorts of clever, pithy responses occurred to us; however, my friend chose action. She located the restaurant owner and had a few words with him. He explained that the family were steady customers, and none of the other diners seemed to mind (only their tips would tell). He did nothing. We cancelled our orders and left. A couple of weeks later a friend and I visited the Fernbank Museum, to catch the fabulous Marco Polo exhibit. We were thrilled to see lots of high schoolers in the lobby, because this installation was definitely not to be missed. What normal young person, with even a passing interest in history, wouldn’t be fascinated by the adventures of the Polo mishpacha, the Khans (Genghis and Kubla), the yurt-dwellers of yore and the whole Silk Road saga?

Or so one would assume.

That’s why we were totally unprepared for the teenagers’ interaction with the excellent show. I should say, lack of interaction, because the exhibit soon became a teen party site. Among the artifacts, artwork, maps, videos, sculptures and installations, members of the class made themselves more than comfortable shouting, running, shoving, shadow-boxing and necking.

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

You are probably asking, “Where were the teachers?”

I think two of the laughing, joking women trailing at the tail end of the group may have been the teachers, but I’m not sure. They weren’t paying any attention to the exhibit either. Other Marco Polo visitors, who had been moving along slowly and steadily, cleverly took cover in the shadows and hid wherever they could during the onslaught, but my friend and I held our ground. Accurately assessing the situation, we realized that the teens were so uninterested in the display that they’d quickly move on, and we were right. The teens descended upon the exhibit and fled from it in one quick swoop,

much like the blinding swarm of locusts with which the Egyptians contended in Moses’ time. Soon, the other viewers moved back into the open, emitted a collective sigh of relief and resumed enjoying themselves.

But pleasure was short-lived.

No sooner had the teens departed, than in walked two mothers with one toddler and one infant each. At first, the kids seemed harmless, but once they became aware of the lay of the land, the toddlers had a grand time dodging in and out of the exhibit configuration, dropping cheerios and other bits of food in their wake, and applying greasy fingerprints to the walls and display cases. The mothers strolled casually through the rooms, regularly plying their offspring with more and more crumb-producing snacks, at the same time managing to disregard the wailing of their unhappy babies in the carriages they pushed. “Why do people bring noisy little kids and babies to grown-up exhibits?” my friend wondered. It was an excellent question, but neither of us was in the mood to ask the mothers to answer it. In vain, we looked around to see if the other visitors were bothered by the kids: perhaps we could all join forces to send them to other areas of the museum more suitable to the exercise of limbs and lungs. No, the teens, toddlers and babies had managed to empty the exhibit of everyone but us. I’m proud to report that we stayed. With Marco Polo all to ourselves, we ended up having a swell time. Am I hopelessly “out of it” and fatally old fashioned? Must I learn to accept the insensitivity, rudeness, selfishness and sense of entitlement of the inhabitants of our current world? Or is it okay to be worried? Are you worried, too? Worriers of the world, unite! A footnote Chana Shapiro is not a misanthrope; however, it’s just a matter of time. She’s on her knees begging all parents, grandparents and teachers: please, please, please, get your acts together before it’s too late. A society is a terrible thing to waste.

atlanta

PUBLISHER CLIFF WEISS

cmweiss@atljewishtimes.com

BUSINESS OFFICE

AJT

letter to the editor

Kudos to Bruce Weinstein

Prologue BRAD MELTZER 10.24

ben stiller’s latest cameo

Business Manager

Kaylene rudy

krudy@atljewishtimes.com Customer Service

elizabeth friedly efriedly@atljewishtimes.com

ADVERTISING SALES Senior Account Manager

MICHAL BONELL

mbonell@atljewishtimes.com Senior Account Manager

STACY G. FIALKOW sfialkow@atljewishtimes.com Senior Account Manager

jay bischoff

PAGE 27

To the Editor:

he article authored by Bruce Weinstein about the little known but highly notable Jewish roots in Major League Baseball was both enlightening and gratifying. I thoroughly enjoyed the way Bruce told the story and appreciated his natural gift for

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Weber high school c0-founder remembered PAGE 36

Richard Jaffe Atlanta

SCOTT TUROW 11.2 CLARK HOWARD 11.6 LILY KOPPEL 11.7 JEFFREY TOOBIN 11.7 ELIN HILDERBRAND 11.9 CHRIS MATTHEWS 11.10 ALAN DERSHOWITZ 11.16 PAT CONROY 11.17

october 11, 2013 – october 17, 2013

7 cheshvan – 13 cheshvan 5774 vol. lXXXviii no. 40

WWW.atlantajeWishtimes.com

sharing stories of the heart. I felt both proud and at the same time a part of such an interesting piece of our heritage.

Featuring

...and 30+ more!

PRESENTING SPONSORS: Barbara and Ed Mendel, Greenberg Traurig, PNC Bank • SPONSORS: The George Stern Family, Atlanta neWspaper Gastroenterology Associates, Marriott Perimeter Center, PJ Library, A Caring Approach, Bessemer the Weekly uniting Trust, L. community Halpern, Northside Hospital, Georgia Humanities Council, Publix Super Markets Charities, Target, the David jeWish for over 85 years The Zaban Foundation • IN-KIND SPONSORS: Atlanta Magazine, Atlantajewishnews.com, Atlanta Jewish Times, Classic Tents and Events, Creative Loafing, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, WABE 90.1 FM, Neighbor Newspapers, Jewish Georgian, Reporter Newspapers, Scoutmob, Ali's Cookies, Goodfriend's Grill PARTNERS: ABO Global Ground Transportation, A Cappella Books, Canterbury Press. (As of press time)

Parmat Family Celebrates at Camp Barney congregation or hadash honors rabbis pages 20-21

second annual kosher bbQ

page 16

simchas!! pages 12-13

special section pages 14-24

jbischoff@atljewishtimes.com

EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief

CLIFF WEISS

cmweiss@atljewishtimes.com Web Editor

RON FEINBERG

rfeinberg@atljewishtimes.com Associate Editor

elizabeth friedly efriedly@atljewishtimes.com Assistant Editor

DANA SPECTOR dspector.kc@gmail.com Contributing Writers

ARLENE APPELROUTH BRAM BESSOFF Eden Farber Rachel LaVictoire marcia jaffe Al Shams CHANA SHAPIRO JEFF ZELL CREATIVE SERVICES Creative Design

Rico Figliolini ez2BSocial Photographer

GABRIEL WEISS CONTACT INFORMATION general office 404.883.2130 KRUDY@atljewishtimes.com The Atlanta Jewish Times is printed in Georgia and is an equal opportunity employer. The opinions expressed in the Atlanta Jewish Times do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.

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AJT

Jaffe’s Jewish Jive

A Blueprint for Victory

REASONS FOR HOPE AS GOP LOOKS TO THE FUTURE BY MARCIA JAFFE

AJT Contributor

ri Fleischer, CNN Correspondent and former Press Secretary to George W. Bush, addressed a group of 175 at the Sandy Springs Heritage Center late last month. Along with Matt Brooks, Executive Director of the National RJC, who flew in from Washington, D.C., strengths and challenges were outlined, focusing on the theme: “Can we convince voters that a more Conservative path is also a caring one”? We were asked to raise our hands if we wear a wrist watch. Rolexes, Seiko’s, and rubber jogging watches flapped in the air, driving home the implication that we might be “out of touch” with younger views and technology. I’m guilty. How you not have a watch! But the questions linger: How to overcome the staid, stereotypical view that Republicans are evangelical, monolithic, and uncompassionate? Get into a discussion with a Liberal, and barbs fly: “You want wacky Sarah Palin as President?” How to overcome the base fear of appearing racist because you didn’t vote for Obama; or you want to take undeserving people off disability benefits? Can you advocate for a more balanced budget without being accused of ripping Social Security out of the pockets of seniors?

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

Chuck Berk, along with his wife Bonnie, co-chair of the local RJC, feels that Republicans must do a better job of explaining how a Conservative platform can be founded in social justice, treatment of seniors, and Tikkun Olam.

Chuck stated that “it’s much simpler to explain the Democratic platform consisting of ‘we’re gonna give you what you need’ versus a complex view of why lower taxes help businesses expand, which in turn helps people get out of poverty.” Further he reminded us, “People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.” Fleischer, known for his poise under pressure (considering he served during 9/11 and the presidential re-

and Jimmy Carter are out of the picture”. The audience cheered. He also felt that we have far too many Presidential debates. “21 are too high, and 8 are about right,” he said.

count vote), honesty and clear thinking, was very warm and “middle of the roadish” on some important issues. He grew up with liberal Hungarian immigrant parents and was drawn to Ronald Regan’s ideals of “peace through strength.” Fleisher felt that, “Romney went off track with such political gaffs as suggesting Hispanics should self deport, implying a lack of caring. This is in contrast to Reagan who had a comfort level with himself and connected to people of all classes – an enduring lesson that Republicans need to learn.” Ari noted that the trends in politics are:

I get more than a little squeamish with Fleisher’s statistics on the solidity of America’s relationship with Israel. If “push came to shove”, Republicans, by a large percentage say they would pressure Palestine over Israel; Independents favor Israel also; but Liberals flip the ratio: 34 percent would pressure Palestine versus 38 percent who would pressure Israel. Top: Marcia Jaffe and Ari Fleischer Middle Left: Chuck and Bonnie Berk Middle Right: Cory Ruth Bottom: Orit Sklar

• Race … especially the unique circumstances and emotionalism of the last election

Cory Ruth, a former candidate for the U.S. Congress, felt that Republicans would “benefit from a more focused message, robust fundraising effort, and growth strategy to increase the African-American vote.”

• Marital status … Republicans skew “married” • Religion … 42 percent of Republicans attend religious services on a weekly basis versus Dems at 17 percent

“It’s important that our allies respect us, and that our enemies fear us. Let both sides drain each other, as long as it does not spillover. All bad choices,” he

• Hispanic voters … 44 percent of Latinos selected Bush versus 27 percent for Romney. Latinos also in theory align closely to Republican values: strong families, religious, industrious. “Their everyday life is Republican in value orientation,” said Fleischer. Let’s get down to brass tacks. Jews are trending away from liberalism. “What,” you say? A review of the last few Presidential Elections shows the percentage of Jews who voted Republican: Clinton, 11 percent; McCain, 22 percent; Romney, 32 percent. On Syria, Fleischer said he supported Obama’s response to chemical warfare given that the “red line” was announced.

He felt that grassroots Democrats following Obama’s lead would “deep down prefer just to be neutral” in place of continuing this “special relationship.”

muses. Fleischer did not support the government shutdown or “the Republican’s behavior in that regard.” Being in Georgia, he said, “No tears are shed because Cynthia McKinney

“Ari Fleisher, who is always insightful and measured, celebrated the consistent electoral gains Republicans have made among Jewish voters,” he said. “I believe there is room for similar gains among African-American voters as more black Republicans, who are preeminently qualified, are elected and appointed. Our governor, Nathan Deal, has established an outstanding record of promoting diversity and working across the aisle.” Ruth is an independent IT Mergers and Acquisitions expert who, coincidentally, had just returned from Israel. WHAT’S THE FUTURE Hope for the Republicans? Yes, according to Bernie Marcus. He wasn’t at this meeting, but at the last forum he attended Marcus was indeed hopeful that Jewish voters would continue to come over in greater numbers.

Hope is also among the younger generation.

mute the arrogance and not get mired in quicksand over social issues.

Just prior to this meeting, Orit Sklar, chairperson of the Young Jewish Republicans, hosted her own group who met privately with Brooks and Fleischer.

“Whoever the presidential candidate is, he/she better not be a patrician,” he said. Weinstein warned to “watch out for a wild card, like Gov. (Chris) Christy switching over to the Dems and bumping Hillary Clinton off the ticket.”

Sklar, a Georgia Tech graduate, is a political blogger and guest panelist on Fox 5’s Georgia Gang, as well as a provider of election analysis for the CNN Newsroom. She is Developmental Director for the Faith and Freedom Coalition, a grassroots public policy organization, and a nationwide spokesperson for the advancement of First Amendment Rights and academic freedom on campus, especially on issues relating to culture, Israelis, and millennials (people born after 1980). “We will continue to provide opportunities like this, she said, “in order to provide young Jewish professionals the opportunity to discuss civic leadership, public policy, and politics with their peers and leading figures from business, politics and media.” Among Americans in general there seems to be a preference for the middle ground. Thirty-five percent identify themselves as “right of center”, only 25 percent as liberal. Voters over 40 and, especially, seniors, are a fast growing Republican demographic.” Fifty-seven percent of Orthodox Jews are now or “lean towards” Republican issues. “It was great to be in a room with so many like-minded Jewish people,” said newcomer Fred katz. “The energy was palpable. Ari Fleischer’s insights were ‘right on.’ This was my first RJC event; but it will not be my last.” I was disappointed that no one addressed the social issues that alienate many potential conservative (and female) voters: Abortion and same sex marriage. Really, if Republicans backed off this extreme ideology, where would the far right go? Would they just not vote and hand it over to the Democrats on a platter; or would they suck it up and get behind common sense revisions for the good of the party? Dr. Alan Weinstein was happy to see the event so well attended. “We couldn’t get a minyan (a decade ago),” he said. He feels that Republicans need to modernize; reach the youth by better use of social media;

ORGANIZATION NOW ACCEPTING LETTERS OF INQUIRY FOR GRANTS SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

he Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta (JWFA) expands opportunities in the lives of Jewish women and girls via effective grant-making, advocacy, and education through a gender lens. JWFA has issued its 2014 Grant Application and is now accepting Letters of Inquiry from organizations or programs that further its Mission and Core Values. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)3 status and must address the goals outlined in the application. The full Grant Application can be found at www.jewishatlanta.org/jwfagrants. Letters of Inquiry are due on or before Dec. 31 and should be submitted to rwasserman@jfga.org. The Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta is an independent fund for social change sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and is committed to engaging women of all ages in the Jewish community both here and in Israel.

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AJT

From The Editor

Life Now Filled with the Blessing of a Baby FIRST GRANDCHILD, BAILEY REBECCA, USHERS IN A SEASON OF JOY

BY RON FEINBERG AJT WEB EDITOR

I was stumbling through childhood myself and then I blinked. The college years were mostly fun and filled with friends and new experiences and then I blinked again.

y son-in-law Josh came sauntering out of a longish hallway at Northside Hospital, a slight and weary smile spreading across his face. His next few words changed my life.

I married, started a new job here in Atlanta, then started a family. I blinked yet again – well, actually, several times – and found myself looking back wistfully at four decades of work and trying to figure out, as Cher once asked Alfie, “what’s it all about?”

“Want to meet your granddaughter,” he asked me and the other three grandparents-in-waiting nearby; all of us tired, anxious and thrilled and more than ready to leave the waiting room where we had been keeping watch for a dozen hours or so earlier this month.

Spending a moment with Bailey, my first grandchild, and the cyclical nature of life is finally starting to make a little sense. At least for today, I think Solomon got it about right when he – or, more likely, a number of scholars over a number of years – explored the nature of life and the seasons that fill our days.

We huddled outside the labor and delivery room – an expansive space that had the feel of a comfy hotel suite that just happened to be filled with hightech medical gizmos and monitors – took a deep breath and walked gently into the future.

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

My daughter Lauren, the rigors of childbirth now a fading memory, looked remarkably calm, cradling the little girl who had just made her grand appearance into this world. And, at least for an instance, my mind was filled with the melancholy image of my parents, no longer of this world, and a jumbled blur of clichés: L’dor vador, the Circle of Life, peeka-boo-I-see-you!

It would seem that my mind had turned to mush after hours of pacing, fiddling with high-tech smart phones, iPads and e-readers; lowtech newspapers, magazines and paperback books; chowing down on the very best that McDonald’s and nearby vending machines had to offer and trying to find the sweet spot on the lumpy chairs and sofas spread about the hospital’s Women’s Center. But the pristine beauty of my grandchild, the life and energy that

Bailey R

ebecca

Levetan with her mom, La a source u of joy for the entire ren, and dad, Jos h; family.

filled the delivery room when I, my wife and machatunim – that would be Janice and Steve – finally got a chance to take a peek at the center of our new universe, brought about a bit of clarity and had me thinking of the Book of Ecclesiastes and, well, the 1965 hit by the Byrds, “Turn, Turn, Turn”. Those of you of a certain generation, hum along if you like! To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A Time to be born, and a time to die … A time to weep, and a time to

laugh … A time to mourn, and a time to dance … A time to love and a time to hate. On this special morning, when the sun had yet to brush the horizon, the darkness was filled with the light and soft, sweet smell of a baby, Bailey Rebecca, not quite an hour old. And, at least for the moment, my family’s season was blessed and clearly a time to be born and laugh and dance and love.

A very short six decades ago and

It turns out that living really is about weeping and laughing, mourning and dancing, loving and hating. Fortunately – and I think I speak for many bubbes, grannies and grandmas; zaides, grandpas and pops – life is constantly changing and the horizon continues to expand and shift, especially if there’s a baby resting comfortably in the near distance. The really good news is that having the privilege to be part of the first moments of a new life – for me, Bailey’s – opens up a fresh new door. I think Solomon would have called it the Season of Joy.

AJT

COMMUNITY

Concert Raises Thousands for Atlanta Hunger Relief PERFORMANCE GIVES BACK, CELEBRATES THE BIRTHDAY OF DAN APPLEROUTH

ore than 300 people sat waiting for the show to begin. A three-piece band, consisting of a keyboard, clarinetist and percussionist, was on stage playing while Dan Appelrouth – decked out in a tuxedo and top hat – strolled from the back of the room, carrying a black cane and singing “This Joint in Jumping.” The upbeat Broadway tune set the tone for the almost two-hour concert which raised more than $6,000 for the Atlanta Hunger Relief fund, and also commemorated Appelrouth’s 70th birthday. Vocalist Dan Appelrouth has been giving recitals since he began taking voice lessons in 1966, the year he entered medical school. The Key West native moved to Atlanta in 1977, and established a successful rheumatology practice in Atlanta’s Northside Hospital area. Family, friends, former colleagues and patients were at the October 13th performance which took place in Heritage Hall at Congregation Beth Jacob. Now retired, the “singing doctor,” frequently performs in nursing homes and other Atlanta venues, as a way to share his passion for singing and use his trained baritone voice to raise money to feed Atlanta’s hungry. “I wouldn’t have missed this for anything,” said Rebbetzen Estelle Feldman from Jerusalem. “Today’s concert was uplifting and just plain fun. Dan has a great presence, and a great voice. The songs he picked were witty, filled with meaning and so nostalgic.”

a real pleasure,” commented Appelrouth’s oldest son Jed. One audience member commented what a great surprise it was to see how playful the father and son singers were, “It made me feel warm and joyous to be part of this family celebration,” she said. Appelrouth himself had many positive comments about the afternoon: “I was happy with the attendance, satisfied with my singing and thought the band was superb,” he said. Many people complimented him on his selection of songs. He gave credit to his voice teacher and band leader, Judy Cole, an assistant professor of music at Kennesaw State University. Appelrouth has been studying with her for than five years. Appelrouth was especially glad his older brother Mitch flew in from Richmond, Virginia for the occasion. He also expressed gratitude that Michelle Seltzer, his daughter who lives in Silver Springs, Maryland was able to join the celebration. Another member of the family who attended the performance was his mother-in-law, Mary Caplan, from Pembroke Pines, Florida.“I couldn’t stop smiling,” she said. “It was such a pleasure to see the happiness of everyone in the Appelrouth family. At one point I was crying because I was so happy.” Near the end of the concert, Dan surprised his mother-in-law by announcing she would soon be celebrating her 90th birthday on October 20. The entire audience proceeded to sing the Happy Birthday to her.

Mrs. Feldman is the wife of Rabbi Emanuel Feldman, the founding rabbi of Congregation Beth Jacob.

“I’m not sure I’m happy everyone knows my age,” she said. But she was smiling.

The program consisted of 21 songs, all well-known to the audience who joined in on several songs. Jed Appelrouth, 37, and Rabbi David Appelrouth, 35, joined their father onstage to sing “The Sunny Side of the Street.”

Then someone from the audience came to the stage and said something was missing.

Watching a father perform with his two sons brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience. It was one of the many highlights for Dan, who had never performed with both of his boys before. The Appelrouth men obviously enjoyed singing, harmonizing and hamming it up on stage. “It was great fun,

“We all need to sing Happy Birthday to Dan,” he announced. Everyone got to their feet and sang Happy Birthday to the one who had been entertaining them with songs all afternoon.

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OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

mark your calendar

NOVEMBER 2013 SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

OCTOBER 24 6:45 PM

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

8:15 pm Scott Turow, Identical

NEW TIME

Brad Meltzer, History Decoded: 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time

Opening Night

Prologue 4

1:00 pm Naomi Ragen, The Sisters Weiss

12:00 pm Allison Amend, A Nearly Perfect Copy Jeff Stepakoff, The Melody of Secrets

4:30 pm Larry Tye, Superman 7:30 pm Rebecca Rosen, Awaken the Spirit

7:30 pm A. Scott Berg, Wilson Gregory J. Wallance, America’s Soul in the Balance

12:30 pm Thomas Harding, Hanns and Rudolf

10:30 am Cliff Graubart, Curious Vision of Sammy Levitt…

12:00 pm Letty Cottin Pogrebin, How to be a Friend to a Friend Who’s Sick

7:00 pm Kristallnacht Commemoration 7:30 pm Esther G. Levine Community Read;

Harry Rosenfeld, From Kristallnacht to Watergate

Wendy Wax, While We Were Watching Downton Abbey

7:30 pm Jeffrey Toobin, The Oath

12:00 pm Phyllis Chesler, An American Bride in Kabul

12:00 pm Jane Weitzman, Art & Sole

10:30 am Jeff Clemmons, Rich’s: A Southern Institution

12:00 pm Andrea P. Lustig, How to Look Expensive

4:30 pm TK Thorne, Last Chance for Justice Jim T. Barfield, Boxcars Lee Katz, How Not to Hire a Guy Like Me

7:30 pm Sheri Fink, Five Days at Memorial

7:30 pm Matthew Levitt, Hezbollah @ The Temple

12:00 pm Dara Horn, A Guide for the Perplexed Austin Ratner, In the Land of the Living

8:00 pm The Eva Stern Lecture; Alan Dershowitz, Taking the Stand: My Life in the Law

Book Club Pick

Alternate Location

7:30 pm Chris Matthews, Tip and the Gipper 17

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

8:15 pm Clark Howard Clark Howard’s Living Large for the Long Haul

12:30 pm Lily Koppel, The Astronaut Wives Club: A True Story

8:00 pm Elin Hilderbrand, Beautiful Day

10:00 am Family Reading Festival

1:00 pm Lynn Povich, The Good Girls Revolt! Lori Rotskoff, When We Were Free to Be

prologue OCT 24

4:30 pm Robert Weintraub, The Victory Season Larry Ruttman, American Jews and America’s Game John Rosengren, Hank Greenberg 7:30 pm Pat Conroy, The Death of Santini

Closing Night 12

Election Day

7:30 pm Allen Salkin From Scratch: Inside the Food Network

Brad Meltzer

7:30 pm Ben Urwand, The Collaboration: Hollywood's Pact With Hitler

12:30 pm Ronald Balson, Once We Were Brothers 8:00 pm Fred Stoller, Maybe We’ll Have You Back Marion Grodin, Standing Up @ The Punchline

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! PRESENTING SPONSORS: Barbara and Ed Mendel, Greenberg Traurig, PNC Bank • SPONSORS: The George Stern Family, Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates, Marriott Perimeter Center, PJ Library, A Caring Approach, Bessemer Trust, David L. Halpern, Northside Hospital, Georgia Humanities Council, Publix Super Markets Charities, Target, The Zaban Foundation • IN-KIND SPONSORS: Atlanta Magazine, Atlantajewishnews.com, Atlanta Jewish Times, Classic Tents and Events, Creative Loafing, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, WABE 90.1 FM, Neighbor Newspapers, Jewish Georgian, Reporter Newspapers, Scoutmob, Ali's Cookies, Goodfriend's Grill • PARTNERS: ABO Global Ground Transportation, A Cappella Books, Canterbury Press. (As of press time)

atlantajcc.org/bookfestival

5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody GA 30338

TICKETS: 678.812.4005 OR ATLANTAJCC.ORG/BOOKFESTIVAL INFORMATION: 678.812.3981

PLEASE NOTE: DATES AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE; PLEASE CHECK ATLANTAJCC.ORG/BOOKFESTIVAL FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION.

AJT

MJCC Book Festival

A Cappella Bookstore

ATLANTA FIXTURE PERFECT PLACE TO REST, RELAX – AND READ

BY DANA SPECTOR

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Cappella Books has been a fixture in Atlanta since the late ’80s, buying and selling new, used, rare and out-ofprint titles. The store is filled with a wide array of popular options: mysteries, biographies, travel essays and histories. The store also offers books for people interested in more esoteric topics; everything from the “beat generation” to progressive politics and, as its name suggests, music. As a reader with pretty picky tastes, I’ve always been happily surprised at what turns up on the A Capella shelves. I’ve found out of print and autographed books for completely reasonable (and sometimes cheaper than reasonable) prices. Though the selection depends on what is ordered used, the store has a much more tasteful array of products than its competitors.

A Cappella is the ultimate wonderland for casual readers to bibliophiles. They also have a small side room where live readings and musical performances. The range of authors and musicians they bring in is an eclectic mix of talent. The place is exactly what a bookstore should feel like. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable and the store is conveniently located near the Vortex in Little Five Points. Authors and musicians are often around for book signings and performances. Just recently, A Cappella was promoting Brad Meltzer’s “History Decoded” in conjunction with the annual book festival held each year at the MJCCA. A Cappella will also be hosting an on-site bookstore at the center during the upcoming festival. A Cappella Bookstore, 208 Haralson Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30307; (404) 681-5128, www.acapellabooks.com.

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

There’s a good mix of titles for just about every taste.

AJT

MJCCA BOOK FESTIVAL

Were Filmmakers Collaborators? BOOKS EXPLORE BIZARRE LINK BETWEEN HOLLYWOOD AND NAZI GERMANY

BY DANA SPECTOR

ASSISTANT EDITOR

here does flash, extravagance, censorship, controversy, intrigue, Nazism fit into the developing Golden Age of Hollywood? Some appear obvious, inherent even. The families of Hollywood moguls and many historians want to preserve and honor their legacies. Yet, new discoveries attempt to tarnish their good names. Ben Urwand and Thomas Doherty recently authored books dealing with the relationship between Hollywood and Nazi Germany. The two men, one a fellow at Harvard, the other a Brandeis professor – are well-respected researchers and writers. Their books explore the same topic but offer up different conclusions. Urwand, a Junior Fellow of the Society of Fellows at Harvard University, has written “The Collaboration: Hollywood’s Pact with Hitler”. After searching through archives and doing extensive research, he claims to have found evidence of Hollywood collaborating with Nazi Germany during the 1930s. He suggests that Hitler critiqued films coming out of Hollywood – every scene, actor, director, producer and low-level employee. Urwand’s premise makes sense to anyone who understands how German officials in the ’30s 1930s interpreted national interests and national pride.

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

However, he goes a step further than most historians or Hollywood critics. He reports that studio moguls submitted to Nazi censorship after being warned that any films clashing with Nazi ideology wouldn’t be screened in Germany.

An early piece of Nazi legislation, commonly referred to as Article 15, outlines Nazi censorship of foreign films. When enforced, Article 15 would prohibit any questionable firm from accessing German markets. Under the draconian measure, German officials would screen films, looking for offensive material. Eventually, these measures were expand-

ed to exclude any material linked to Jews.

ued to do business as usual. Others with less to lose moved their operations out of Berlin but continued dealing with Germany from abroad.

Urwand describes in detail the implications of Article 15 and other censorship efforts and ends up suggesting that Hollywood titan ended up collaborating with Hitler. He makes the case that the major American movie studios went to extraordinary lengths to cooperate with the Nazis to protect access to the German market.

You can imagine that the Nazis weren’t the only force that could benefit from a relationship with Hollywood. Urwand doesn’t address efforts on the part of the U.S. government to use Hollywood in its efforts to demonize the Nazis and support the war effort. Long before Hitler gained power, the United States offered to help Hollywood in their efforts after World War I to re-enter European markets. Congress passed a series of acts exempting various associations from antitrust regulations on the condition that Hollywood would promote American culture.

Doherty, a professor of film studies at Brandeis University, follows somewhat the same path in his book, “Hollywood and Hitler: 1933-1939”. One difference is he focuses on a history that seems to suggest Hollywood kept their eyes firmly closed during the Nazis rise to power. In his book, Doherty details how many American studios never dealt with the ominous political developments in Germany from the moment Hitler came to power. Many historians today agree that film production companies in Hollywood were under great pressure to portray Nazi Germany in a benign fashion. That said, many reviewers, including myself, initially had an exaggerated view of Germany’s impact on Hollywood. Yet there is disagreement by historians on the various interpretations of historical review. Urwand and Doherty fall at opposite ends of the spectrum. “Urwand’s charges are slanderous and ahistorical,” Doherty charges, “slanderous because they smear an industry that struggled to alert America to the menace brewing in Germany and ahistorical because they read the past through the eyes of the present.” Alicia Mayer, grandniece of Louis B. Mayer, would like to remind us of the context and scrutiny Hollywood

Interestingly, Urwand and Doherty are Jewish; me, too. Our worldview, at least in part, is informed by our Judaism. moguls faced. Sure they might not have been perfect mensches, but their collaboration saved lives. When it comes to Hollywood, historians can agree on a few points. First, they acknowledge that the movers and shakers in Hollywood were mostly Jewish immigrants who came to American to escape antiSemitism. Next, there is the indisputable piece of Nazi legislation, which prohibited Jews from participating in German movies. Urwand argues that Hollywood executives knew exactly what was happening in Germany, “not only because they had been forced to fire their own Jewish salesmen but also because the persecution of Jews was common knowledge at the time.” Scholars point out that Hollywood’s response to forced “aryanization” was, at best, halfhearted. Studios that had heavily invested in German distribution offices contin-

We know that many of the moguls in Hollywood lived on the same street, and that they probably didn’t record every conversation held at every meeting. Let’s face it, no one can walk a mile in a Hollywood mogul’s shoes to set the record straight. That said, we can celebrate Hollywood’s successes and strengths. We can appreciate their perseverance and dedication to their craft. We can take the good with the bad, and delve into gray unknowns. Come see this debate unfold, live at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 13, when Emory Professor Matthew Bernstein asks Ben Urwand the tough questions! Tickets for the evening program are $13 for members and $18 for community members and can be purchased online at atlantajcc.org/bookfestival or by calling (618) 812-4005.

AJT

MJCCA BOOK FESTIVAL

Book Fest Takes on Special Project JOY OF LITERACY, HOLIDAY CHEER FOCUS OF ‘AMY’S HOLIDAY PARTY’ BY DANA SPECTOR

ASSISTANT EDITOR

Books of Special Interest FESTIVAL PICKS LINKED TO SPECIAL OFFERS FOR AREA BOOK CLUBS BY DANA SPECTOR

ASSISTANT EDITOR

ver want to find that perfect book without the hassle of bookstores and pouring over reviews? Does your Book Club need new material? Now you can be a Book Club Insider! Each year, the MJCCA Book Club Committee sifts through their lineup of authors and selects books they feel will be of special interest to area book clubs. This year, they have selected seven outstanding books. Your club is invited to read the book club selections and then meet the author at this year’s festival for a private meet ‘n greet and book signing. To participate, all you or your book club need do is purchase five books from the MJCCA. For every book purchased, the buyer will receive a complimentary ticket to the corresponding event. Participants will also enjoy a 10 percent discount on all MJCCA Book Club books when your club registers and orders online at atlantajcc.org/bookfestival. Additionally, program participants will receive preferred seating at book club events and special recognition of your book club at the author meet ‘n greet. BOOK CLUB PICKS ✶ Naomi Ragen, “The Sisters Weiss”, 1 p.m., Nov. 3 ✶ Allison Amend, “A Nearly Perfect Copy”, noon, Nov. 4 ✶ Jeff Stepakoff, “The Melody of Secrets”, noon, Nov. 4 ✶ Lily Koppel, “The Astronaut Wives Club”, 10 a.m., Nov. 7 ✶ Phyllis Chesler, “An American Bride in Kabul”, noon, Nov. 11 ✶ Dara Horn, “A Guide to the Perplexed”, noon, Nov. 13 ✶ Austin Ratner, “In the Land of the Living”, noon, Nov. 13

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very year the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) promotes literacy in the Jewish community through its book festival. This year, the festival’s social action project that promotes literacy is partnering with “Amy’s Holiday Party” to extend the joy of literacy and holiday cheer outside of the Jewish community. Nearly two decades ago tragedy struck a homeless shelter in Atlanta just before its annual holiday party. The shelter’s children were left with nothing – no presents, party or holiday cheer. Then Amy Sacks Zeide jumped into action. She was only 12 at the time, but Amy was determined to help the youngsters and make sure they would have a chance to celebrate and to be celebrated. The following year, in 1995, Amy donated her time and the money she received from her bat mitzvah to throw a holiday party for the children at one local shelter. What began with 25 children, help from close family and friends, and a budget of a few hundred dollars, has blossomed into an annual community event for over 750 children and their families from homeless shelters, foster care systems, and refugee centers. In preparation for the annual event, Amy’s Holiday Party has partnered with the MJCCA to host a Toy Drive at the center. Both groups are asking that new, unwrapped toys be dropped off at the MJCCA’s front desk through Mon., Nov.18. Officials suggest donations of dolls, sporting goods, games, makeup kits, trucks, and cars that cost somewhere between $10 and $14. Battery-operated gifts and toy weapons are not accepted. Editor’s Note: If you’d like to donate your time, Amy’s Holiday Party needs volunteers. For additional information, go to www.cccprojects.org or call (678) 812-3984.

AJT

MJCCA BOOK FESTIVAL

Need a Good Laugh? TWO COMICS WALK INTO A CLUB...

BY DANA SPECTOR

ASSISTANT EDITOR

eed a laugh with a literary twist? Then you might want to visit The Punchline, Atlanta’s top comedy club since 1982. The club will be featuring two Jewish comics – no, not all comedians are Jewish. Marion Grodin and Fred Stoller will be telling jokes and talking about their new books and lives at a special performance on Thurs., Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. Grodin, author of “Standing Up: A Memoir of a Funny (Not Always) Life” and daughter of comedian Charles Grodin, understands the value of laughter first hand. She’s well known for working with Chelsea Handler of “Chelsea Lately” and E! Entertainment Television. She had a few ups and downs, and now she’s ready to share her story with all of us.

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

Stoller, author of “Maybe We’ll Have you Back: The Life of a Perennial TV Guest Star”, has been part of many delightful and culturally-en-

lightening programs, including “The Drew Carey Show”, “Friends”, “Dharma & Greg”, “Scrubs”, and “Hannah Montana”.

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He has written episodes of Seinfeld and loaned his vocal talents to Fred the Squirrel in the television series “The Penguins of Madagascar”. His latest book, “Maybe We’ll Have you Back: The Life of a Perennial TV Guest Star”, follows his journey from comedy nightclubs in the early 1980s, to television appearances, screen writing, voiceovers and, now, travelling author. Everyone can relate to searching for a dream job, the next big break or ways to avoid life’s curveballs. Sometimes laughter, even among strangers, can mend broken smiles. So get out to The Punchline!

Long-time patrons suggest sitting near the stage. Audience members often catch the attention of at least one of the comedians and end up being involved in a joke or two. Editor’s NOte: Ticket info can be found at www. punchline.com or by calling The Punchline at (404) 252-LAFF. For additional information, contact Kayce Pearce at (678) 812-4147 or kayce. pearce@atlantajcc.org.

AJT

MJCCA BOOK FESTIVAL

Family Reading Festival FUN, CREATIVE WAY TO SHARE THE JOY OF BOOKS WITH YOUR YOUNGSTER BY DANA SPECTOR

ASSISTANT EDITOR

wise old man once told me “reading is the key to unlocking the world.”

I must have been fiveyears-old at the time, and yet this sentence is the only phrase I ever heard my grandfather say that has stayed in my memory. Why? Simple, his advice changed my life. Reading with my grandfather unlocked countless adventures for my cousins and me. Not only did we learn efficient techniques to capture the geckos in his yard, and swim in his backyard pool, but we also developed our own code language. Over time, our basic reading skills grew into the blueprints used to explore opportunities and adventures in mathematics, medicine and music, eventually defining our career paths. Reading helps children and adults of all ages learn, explore, imagine, and challenge themselves in exponential ways. If you or someone you

know would like to share the immeasurable joys of reading with a child, ages six months to six years, please join the Atlanta Jewish Times group at the MJCCA Family Reading Festival, on Sun., Nov.10 at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

dren; parents and children under the age of six months are free. Also, the PJ Library will be giving away the book, “Welcome Song for Baby”, while supplies last.

of the 22nd Annual MJCCA Book Festival, is sponsored by a group of organizations and businesses, including The Atlanta Jewish Times, MJCCA and PJ Library.

The Family Reading Festival, part

Together we’ll cheer with the Atlanta Hawks Cheerleaders, sing with Rabbi Brian Glusman and the Shabbat Dinosaur, dance with Miss Erin, flip out with the Little Sparks Gymnastics Exhibition Team and jump in the inflatables in the Blank Gym. Families can relax and enjoy story time led by Kidzone staff in the Peace Room Kidzone. Off the main stage, you can enjoy Shalom Baby Presents Chanukah for Little Hands, a memory-making pottery-painting program, where the first piece of pottery is free.

Tickets

as low as

Other book programs will cycle a few times throughout the Reading Festival, so you and the little readers can get the most out of the experience. Tickets are $7 for each member child and $10 for community chil-

$20

Wednesday November 6 at 8PM

Online: $8 At Door: $10

(Russian Gypsy Music)

October 28 & November 4

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Family Series on the Alliance Stage

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

SPECIAL!! Debauche

A fairy tale mash-up of knights on bicycles, princesses with By Scott Warren in collaboration with braces, bullies, metro Atlanta middle school students jocks and more. Directed by Rosemary Newcott

AJT

MJCCA Book FESTIVAL

Right in Our Own Backyard LOCAL FLAIR AT THE BOOK FESTIVAL

BY DANA SPECTOR

ASSISTANT EDITOR

his year’s book festival is all about the lucky number seven. Seven local authors will present their seven respective books at the MJCCA’s Book Festival Nov. 2 - Nov. 17. First, see Jeffrey Stepakoff at noon Nov. 4 discussing his new book, “The Melody of Secrets.” Stepakoff, an Atlanta native, received a BA in Journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “The Melody of Secrets” invites readers to meet young Maria and James Cooper as they grow together through time and navigate the challenges of evolving relationship. Presently, he speaks around the country, teaches dramatic writing at Kennesaw State University, and is

hard at work on his fourth novel for St. Martin’s Press. Second, Clark Howard, popular consumer expert and host of the nationally syndicated Clark Howard Show will join the Book Festival at 8:15 p.m., Nov. 6. He is well known for advising consumers on ways to save more, spend less, and prepare their finances for the future. In that same vein, he has authored several books on consumer tips and bargains. His financial advice books have made top 15 on the New York Times Best Seller lists. Now he will speak directly to us about his most recent book “Living Large for the Long Haul.”

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ta’s literary mogul and author of “The Curious Vision of Sammy Levitt and Other Stories” will grace us with his presence on Thurs., Nov. 7 at 10:30 a.m. His efforts developed Atlanta’s literary culture, a bibliophile’s dream. Fourth, meet Wendy Wax author of “While We Were Watching Downtown Abbey,” Sat., Nov. 9 at 9 p.m. Wax’s stories are a must-read for Downtown Abbey fans. You should meet the woman herself! Fifth, is lawyer Jim Barfield. In addition to practicing law out of the oldest commercial building in Fulton County, Barfield has a great passion for music. He is a published folksinger and songwriter who occasionally performs at bar functions, seminars, conventions and private gatherings. He will present his latest book “Boxcars” Sun., Nov. 10 at 4:30 p.m. as part of the Southern Writer’s Showcase. Also in the showcase is Lee N. Katz. His first book, “How Not to Hire A Guy Like ME: Lessons Learned from CEOs’ Mistakes,” is filled with poignant wisdom, hilarious stories and business advice from a guy who’s seen it all.

Finally don’t miss Decatur native Robert Weintraub’s “The Victory Season: World War II, the Homecoming, and the Birth of Baseball’s Golden Age.” Weintraub brings the littleknown tales of ballplayers at war to light. See him and other authors in The Big Leagues series Sun., Nov. 17 at 4:30 p.m. All these authors and more next month at the MJCCA’s Book Festival! See you there!

AJT

community

Part of its Core Mission FEDERATION LAUNCHES INITIATIVE AIMED AT CONNECTING KIDS WITH CAMP

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

The launch of OHC in Atlanta is part of a larger Jewish camping initiative that includes needs-based scholarships and community awareness programming. For the past year, Federation has been focusing on Jewish camping in the community by forming a task force to collect data and determine how to promote Jewish overnight camping. The task force discovered that less than 8 percent of age-eligible children in metro Atlanta attend Jewish overnight camp, compared to a national average of 10-15 percent. Jewish camping is important to Federation because it helps to fulfill the Federation’s mission of ensuring a Jewish future. In fact, attending a Jewish overnight camp is one of the top three indicators of lasting Jewish identity; Jewish day school and going to Israel are the other two. Jewish camps create and enhance Jewish education in a fun and informal setting, making Judaism a cornerstone in the development of life-

long friendships and self-esteem. Many families are unaware of such long-term effects of camp and view it as an unnecessary added expense. But it’s the Federation’s hope that launching OHC will help families make the initial investment in Jewish Overnight Camp. The up to $1,000 grants are awarded to first-time campers who attend a nonprofit Jewish overnight summer camp for at least 19 consecutive days (exceptions apply for URJ 6 Points and Adamah Adventures). Eligible campers must be entering grades 1-12 (after camp) and be attending one of the 150 or so non-profit, Jewish, overnight summer camps listed on the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s website (www.jewishcamp. org). Day school students are not eligible for the program. Editor’s Note. Parents with questions about OHC and other camping initiatives should call Meredith Lefkoff, Federation’s Community Impact Associate, at (404) 870-7693 or email her at mlefkoff@jfga.org. Photos provided by Camp Colman

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

he Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta has partnered with the Foundation for Jewish Camp to launch an innovative program, One Happy Camper, which provides grants to encourage children and teens to attend overnight Jewish camp for the first time.

AJT

simcha

Bar Mitzvah Helps End School Bullying LOCAL JOSH PERLING HOLDS PROGRAM FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

osh Perling, a student at Sandy Springs Middle School, decided to mark the occasion of his Bar Mitzvah by hosting a school-wide Anti-Bully

Share your Celebrations with Your Atlanta Jewish Community for Free • • • • •

Birth Announcements Weddings Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Celebrations of all types Anniversaries

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

send your story, announcements and celebrations with pictures today to Kaylene rudy, krudy@atljewishtimes.com or call 404-883-2130 x100.

Prevention Seminar. The school, like most, has been dealing with rising incidents of bullying. According to the Olweus Bully Prevention Program, 17 percent of students in grades six through

10 have been bullied “sometimes” or more often during the school term and 8 percent had been bullied at least once a week. Nineteen percent had bullied others “sometimes” or more often during the term, and 9 percent had bullied other students at least once in a week. Josh Perling, the Bar Mitzvah boy, is a 2nd Degree Black belt at Karate Atlanta. He has been training at Karate Atlanta for several years, and he decided to bring his talents to his school. “He is very active in our school. He is on our demo team and helps to mentor some of our younger students,” says his instructor, Mr. Josiah Hunt, “He’s an incredible young man!”

and various skits involving bully prevention techniques and the psychology of bullying behavior.

Perling was inspired to organize the seminar while reading an article about The Agent G. Project in ATA World Magazine. Created by a partnership between the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) and the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, the Agent G. Project takes many of the basic principles taught in ATA martial arts, such as confidence, self-control, and leadership skills, and presents them in childfriendly scenarios.

“I want to bring Karate Atlanta’s anti-bullying program to school because I have seen people at school be bullied and I have always wanted to help them,” said Perling preceding the program, “This anti-bullying program will help people learn to stand up for themselves and be brave.”

Karate Atlanta is a local affiliate of the ATA, and with the help of Perling’s instructor, Mr. Hunt, he enlisted other fellow students from Sandy Springs Middle School who also practice martial arts at Karate Atlanta to perform during the bullying prevention seminar. The event took place on Oct. 23, wherein Perling and his team performed six 20-minute sessions, including martial arts demonstration

Over 800 students participated and learned techniques on how to handle many different forms of bullying.

This special honoring of a Bar Mitzvah was truly inspirational. Backed by leading martial arts companies as ATA, Karate Atlanta, and the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, Perling was able use his Bar Mitzvah to make a huge impact on other people’s lives. With such a serious epidemic of bullying in Perling’s school – and schools all over America – it cannot be taken for granted what one session can accomplish.

AJT

education

Epstein School Alumnus Lands Emory University as First Client

ENTREPRENEUR LEVY TURNS SCHOOL PROJECT INTO SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS

ir Levy, an Epstein School alumnus (Class of 2005) is an entrepreneur who recently began a business called Campus Bubble. His first customer is none other than Emory University, from which he graduated with a BBA from Emory’s Goizueta Business School in Venture Finance. Levy is now developing an academic community network website (a social network for academic purposes) called “Emory Bubble.” Emory is contracting Campus Bubble, operated by Levy and his business partners – Giovanni Hobbins, Spencer Barkoff, and Pat Shea. The website is powering the next generation of University collaboration. What’s extraordinary is that this academic networking website is actually a contemporary re-incarnation of Nir’s eighth grade project that he had made for the 2005 NAJS Technology Fair while at The Epstein School. Then, the academic social network was called Talk School, and the project garnered him and his project partners a first place award for the Fair. When asked how The Epstein School helped prepare him for the rigorous academics of Emory University, he states: “The Epstein School’s focus on teaching me how to reflect on my identity (especially in Middle

School Principal Myrna Rubel’s class), helped me to develop the leadership skills that are necessary to succeed in today’s world. Also, Epstein’s investment in technology and focus on student-led projects (i.e. Epstein’s weekly student produced TV show) enabled me as a student to see that I could work with administration and create change. This is important as it sparks motivation, interest and helps develop critical thinking skills.” Additionally, Levy has found that the Hebrew language skills he developed from studying at Epstein have come very much in handy at an educational institution such as Emory, which attracts the best and brightest from around the globe. He and his classmates from Israel sometimes found themselves speaking to each other in Hebrew. Levy says, “I believe that my educational foundations at The Epstein School played a vital role in preparing and motivating me to succeed at the level that I do. The culture of Epstein shaped my personality and instilled me with a great work ethic. We were all very close; teachers and students all worked together for a common goal, attaining knowledge and life skills.”

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

special for the ajt

AJT

Education

Beautiful Setting for Perfect Weekend GREENFIELD HEBREW ACADEMY HOLDS SHABBATON AT RAMAH DAROM BY BARBARA LEWIS

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

he 8th grade at Greenfield Hebrew Academy recently spent Shabbat at the beautiful campus of Ramah Darom. It was an experience that brought our grade together through services, textual learning, activities, and games.

We began our exciting weekend by touring the camp and getting ready for Shabbat. The women and girls welcomed in Shabbat with candle lighting. We had services, and we learned about the Parshat, Hashavua.

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

IN E

YEARS AL

I TA L I A N

Leah Bader

‘First Annual Celebration of Educational Theatre’ GREENFIELD HEBREW ACADEMY TO HOST ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL

staged themselves.

he Greenfield Hebrew Academy in Sandy Springs will host a one-act play festival from noon to 6 p.m. on Sun.,

The Christian Magby Company is a group of talented teens that have written their own play, entitled “Out of the Box,” that addresses the social pressures of conformity.

“The First Annual Celebration of Educational Theatre” will feature performances by several local theatre groups, as well as master class workshops taught by industry professionals.

The Atlanta Shakespeare Company will be performing “Shakespeare, the Language That Shaped a World,” bringing the full power of the Bard of Avon to a younger audience.

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

Nov. 17.

Performers from all over Atlanta will present one-act plays at the festival. In addition to the middle-school GHA Players, performers include the Christian Magby Company, comprised of young performers; Rathskellar, Emory University’s Improvisation Troupe; and the Atlanta Shakespeare Company’s intern group. Master class workshops will be presented in Stage Combat, Movement for the Actor, and Musical Theatre Performance, with an opportunity for the latter group to perform onstage as well.

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1989 Cheshire Bridge Rd. Altanta GA 30324

404-876-1380 E S TA B L I S H E D 1 9 7 4

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We all had a great time! INOVER

The weekend was a blast and brought the teachers, the B’not Sherut, and our whole grade much closer.

REG

In the afternoon, we had time to wander around the camp and enjoy

We returned to the center of the camp for more davening and Talmud study. Then more food, glorious food! Shabbat came to an end with a Havdallah service under the stars. We started the new week and ended the Shabbaton by watching the movie “Pay It Forward”, which related to our earlier activities about making ethical decisions.

A NT

We completed our tefillah and at Kiddush, we enjoyed some more . . . food!

the facilities, including relaxing on the giant “Spider Web” hammock. This was followed by a Shabbat walk to the beautiful waterfall inside the camp.

The next morning, we slept in and enjoyed the beautiful North Georgia mountain views and a sweet breakfast. We davened the shacharit prayers and read from the Torah. We divided into groups, and each group was assigned an aliyah and asked to imagine how they would “tweet” about it in 14 words or less. #fun!

Devorah Chasen

SE R V

Our new B’not Sherut, Sarah, Linoy, Maayan, and Sara, taught us songs and cheers to bring the spirit of Shabbat into our souls. We ate an enormous camp-cooked meal together, which filled us up both physically and spiritually, because we know that true Judaism is based on Torah, mitzvoth, and food!

Liana Slomka

alfre d o s a t l a n t a . c o m

The GHA Players, a group of actors between 10 and 14-years-old, will present “Children of the Wire Fence,” a one act play that they adapted and

Rathskellar, the improvisational theatre troupe from Emory University, will lead the audience in a “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” performance. Editor’s Note: For more information, contact Taryn Bryant, theatre@ ghacademy.org. The event will take place on Sun., Nov. 17 from noon to 6 p.m., at the Greenfield Hebrew Academy’s GHA Auditorium, 5200 Northland Drive, Sandy Springs. Preregistered tickets will be available at showtix4u.com or (866) 967-8167; tickets will also be available at the door.

AJT

in the moment

Bashert – It Was Meant to Be

LIFE’S PATH FILLED WITH MUSIC, SOUL MATE, FAMILY AND JUDAISM AJT COLUMNIST

ow did I get here? I’m sitting at a Holiday Inn Express desk in Lubbock, Texas. asking myself this

question.

Not more than a few hours ago I was telling my life story to my new found friend and colleague, Wade McNutt, a fellow live music producer-intraining who teaches at the Creative Arts School of South Plains College. I’m now an advisory board member of the school and about to present a talk to 250 aspiring musicians on how to make it in the music industry. So is this bashert? Damn straight. No one really knows where their life will end up. It’s funny how one life event that feels like the end-allto-be-all only leads you to the next, even bigger event. My younger self would tell you the only way I’d be in Lubbock right now was on a national tour still playing with Soup. Bashert, the Yiddish word for destiny, is most commonly used to describe a soul mate; to me it means a lot more: “it was meant to be.” This is the mantra of my life and the focus of my wedding. I did marry my soul mate, it was bashert. We first crossed paths when I was playing a show in the east village on Sullivan street in Manhattan, just the slightest passing of two people in a crowded bar right after I got off stage. Not two months later and I was in Charlotte, N.C. playing at the Original Amos’ when it happens again.

The same girl is there.

ter (Jennifer Nettles way before Sugarland) and a mess of other regional touring acts. We played rooms like Stella Blue, The Orange Peel and this time Barley’s: the finest menu venue in the Carolinas and Tennessee. The best part of playing Barley’s was that the soundman had this killer cabin up on Black Mountain that was inaccessible by car. So we would hike up after the show with instruments in hand and hang all night playing music under the stars in this handmade palatial cabin – some of my best times on the road – and this time my bashert was with me. In fact, it was the first time we spent the night together. There was no hooking up … yet. We were just two people getting to know each other much better. This went on for months, hundreds of minutes burnt on the telephone in a time way before unlimited calling and we paid for every second – the record was 254 minutes on the phone. We could have eaten at Ruth’s Chris for the price of that call. All night phone convos turned into weekends back and forth that bled into missing days of work, and then I flew her out to Colorado to do some skiing with my brother. For some unknown reason, my biggest life events revolve around traveling out to see him. It was on this trip that I proclaimed my love and she got mad – we barely spoke for the rest of the trip. Of course, everything smoothed out and it wasn’t long that I moved her down to Atlanta.

We quickly begin talking and I learn she just moved down from Jersey with her family, although she no longer lives at home. We started a very long, drawn-out distance relationship.

We dated for three years. During this period my brother went to live in Beijing. So when it was time for the family to take another of our world famous trips, it was off to China and Anne was invited.

The next time we met was in Asheville, a lovely mountain town known for its bluegrass and hippie scene.

I had already decided I was going to marry this girl; I proposed to her at The Great Wall. The strange thing was we were scheduled to visit the wall on the first day in China which, for me, was too soon to pop the question.

It’s a place we played often with the likes of Jump Little Children, Cravin Melon, Soul Miner’s Daugh-

So we changed the itinerary at the last minute and I wound up taking a knee on the most distant part of the wall, at the highest point possible, using my mother’s ring on the same day my parents got engaged – that’s bashert. Anne wasn’t Jewish by birthright, but her father was a token Jew. His favorite memories were working food service for the Hebrew Home in Rochester, N.Y. and he always said “If I wasn’t Greek, I’d be Jewish.” Naturally she converted of her own free will; it was meant to be. Everything for me comes late in life, so holding onto this mantra is the only thing to keep me going when it feels like everyone else’s ship has come in and I am still struggling to find my way. Which is how being here in Lubbock is also bashert. When I first started playing in Soup I believed we were going all the way. But it truly was only meant for me to find my soul mate. Once we started a Jewish family and I got back into attending synagogue and sending our kids to the JCC’s Sunshine School, I started Shabbat Rocks; that that led me to

working with the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival and, ultimately, to becoming a contributing AJT writer for you. Being involved in the music industry as a “non-performer” post-Soup brought me to Indiehitmaker, which should have been my entrepreneurial coup d’etat (still in the works six years later), It has ultimately led me to shift my career to becoming a live music producer, bringing me to the heart of Texas. At 42, I know this is what I want to do for the rest of my life: help artists create amazing live shows. But if I look back on my history, will this be my final play? I’ll leave that one up to destiny. Nothing happens by coincidence, so pay attention to events when they occur and follow your life’s path whichever way it may take you – it’s bashert. Editor’s Note: Follow Bram’s experiences on, off and backstage @bram_ rocks. Interact with him at #InItForTheMoment and share thoughts, comments and ideas about this column.

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OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

BY BRAM BESSOFF

AJT

Arts & Life

JEWS MAKING NEWS COMPILED BY ELIZABETH FRIEDLY

Elizabeth Banks Honored at ‘Power of Women’ Event

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

ctress Elizabeth Banks was honored at the fifth annual Variety Power of Women luncheon for her philanthropic work. The event, presented by Lifetime Television, recognizes women in the entertainment industry and contributions they make to better the world. Banks works with the American Heart Association to encourage women to monitor their cholesterol. The event also acknowledged the charitable work done by Amy Poehler, Charlize Theron, Amy Pascal, Kerry Washington and Nicole Kidman. Banks, meanwhile, is readying for the release of the next “Hunger Games” installment, “Catching Fire” out this November. She plays Effie Trinket in the series. In 2003, Banks converted to Judaism when she married sports writer Max Handelman. The couple has two sons, Felix and Magnus.

Jerry Bruckheimer to Receive American Cinematheque Award

ilm and TV producer Jerry Bruckheimer will receive the 27th American Cinematheque award later this year for his prolific career in film and television. Steven Spielberg, Ron Howard and Martin Scorsese among others - have been presented the award in recent years. Bruckheimer, a long-time producer of big budget films, is perhaps best known for such blockbusters as “Top Gun,” “CSI,” and Disney’s “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. His involvement in “Pirates” made headlines when it was announced that his nearly 20-year business relationship with Disney would be ending in 2014. Of particular interest in Georgia, Bruckheimer and his wife, Linda, have donated a portion of Bruckheimer’s Disney paycheck to the Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home Foundation, based in Savannah. Bruckheimer, a native of Detroit, is the son of German Jewish immigrants and has had an avid interest in film since childhood. He got his start producing television commercials before moving on to films and TV series.

AJT

MATZAH BALL SOUP FOR THE SOUL

Of Rings and Bracelets

THE SECRET TO FORMING LASTING CONNECTIONS WITH OTHERS

AJT CONTRIBUTOR

elationships are difficult: starting them, building them, and even maintaining them. But when you get it right, it’s really right. You end up with that friend who knows your whole past, or that partner you can build a future with. But that’s not always the case. Even though some people find it easier than others, the fact of the matter is, connecting with another person is hard. We all have our little traits that define us, a handicap of sorts that makes these interactions as confusing as they are. Here are two main “types” that you may encounter, or even be: The shy one. Usually characterized by a quiet voice and a perceived love of anonymity, this type of person struggles with the most vital part of forming a relationship: the introduction. For whatever reason, be it low self-esteem or a fear of the unknown, this person has decided that the safety of quietude is far more desirable than the benefits of a possiblyembarrassing social interaction. The distant one. Like the shy one, the distant one may also be sitting alone in the school library, but be careful not to confuse them. Unlike the shy one, the distant one has a mysterious story. Maybe he’s been hurt before, or maybe he’s just seen it happen, but regardless, he’s sure to keep everyone at an arm’s length. The distant one will have no problem saying a quick hello and sharing mundane facts about himself. But try to form a close relationship with him and he’ll shut down. There’s plenty of others, of course. There’s the clingy one, the one-up-er, and the oh-so-famous one who’s always busy. We are these people, we deal with these people, and somehow, we may even be best of friends with these people. And that is the ultimate question: How? People talk quite a bit about how easy it was to befriend strangers as a kid. It was as simple as, “Oh you like the monkeybars? I like the monkeybars. Let’s play on the monkeybars together.”

You were friends immediately and it didn’t matter whether your new friend was a boy or a girl, pretty or ugly, sociable or not. We envy those bygone interactions because of their simplicity. There were no real first impressions or prejudices, and there were certainly no social “games” being played. In this week’s Torah portion, Chayei Sarah, a relationship is born in what seems to be an equally simple way. Abraham was growing old, and therefore sought out a wife for his son, Isaac. Abraham summoned his servant and told him, “You shall go to my land and to my birthplace, and you shall take a wife for my son, for Isaac” (Genesis 24:4). The servant did as he was told. He took 10 camels to Abraham’s birthplace, Aram Naharaim (the city of Nahor) and he stood by the well of water where all the women would come to draw water. The servant said a prayer to G-d while he waited at the well: “Oh Lord, the G-d of my master Abraham, please cause to happen to me today, and perform loving kindness with my master, Abraham. … It will be, that the maiden to whom I will say, ‘Lower your pitcher and I will drink,’ and she will say, ‘Drink, and I will also water your camels,’ her have You designated for Your servant, for Isaac, and through her may I know that You have performed loving kindness with my master” (Genesis 24:12-14). Before the servant could finish speaking, Rebecca came to the well. When the servant asked her for a drink, she gave it. Then, without a word from the servant, Rebecca offered to draw water for his camels. Days later, Rebecca and Isaac were married. If only, we might think, it could be that easy to find someone to spend the rest of your life with, be it a marriage partner or best friend. But it may not have been so simple. Back at the well, when the camels finished drinking, “the [servant] took a golden nose ring, weighting half a shekel, and two bracelets for her hands, weighing ten gold shekels” (Genesis 24:22).

Keep in mind that these gifts

came from Abraham, a man blessed with wealth. Why, then, would the ring be only half a shekel, and the bracelets 10 each? Throughout the Torah, mitzvot often require that things be tammim, whole: women must be pure, sacrifices must be free of blemishes, and loaves of bread are blessed – not slices. It’s surprising, then, that the servant would offer a ring weighing half a shekel. However, it’s important to note its complement: the bracelets. The bracelets weigh 10 shekels, and 10 is a number that refers to things that are perfect and whole: the Ten Commandments, and G-d’s ten sefirot (divine utterances). When we look again at these gifts, the ring and the bracelets, along with their new backgrounds, we see what the servant is truly giving to Rebec-

ca: the incomplete and the complete. He’s giving her Isaac: the son of Abraham, a wealthy and righteous mean, and the future leader of the Israelite people. The servant is also giving Rebecca Isaac: the unmarried man who was once put up as a sacrifice to G-d. When forming relationships, we have to do the same – to give our whole selves, the parts of us that we feel are matured and admirable, as well as our incomplete selves, those parts of us that bring us embarrassment or shame. It won’t be as immediate as the servant’s gift to Rebecca, but in due time, we all have to give up a ring and two bracelets.

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AJT

D’var Torah

In Search of Partners in a Changing World ABRAHAM’S MESSAGE OF OPENESS, HOSPSITALITY REMAINS RELEVANT TODAY

before they carry on with their journey.

BY RABBI FRED GREENE SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

his week’s parashah called Vayera.

The title comes from the first words of the portion – Vayera eilav Adonai b’eilonei Mamre – the Eternal appeared to Abraham in the place where he made his camp, called Elonei Mamre. We read that G-d appeared to Abraham, but when Abraham looks up from the door of his tent, he sees three men who are clearly G-d’s messengers. Thinking that they are mere wanderers, Abraham offers them a morsel of bread, but prepares a feast. He washes the dust off their feet and makes sure they are comfortable

In our day, we don’t think much about hospitality. If we go to someone else’s house, maybe we will bring flowers, chocolates, or some small gift. In Abraham’s day, the hospitality of a host could save your life. Have we become more lax about it because we don’t need hospitality in the same way as our ancestors? We tend to own cars, cell phones, and subscribe to emergency road services; but a journey through the Judean wilderness posed great risk and a host provided safety. The rabbis saw an important lesson in this chapter. We recall Abraham and Sarah’s graciousness and hospitality at every

Jewish wedding ceremony when we raise the chuppah (the wedding canopy) over the bride and groom, hoping that they will welcome and be kind to guests and strangers along their journeys in life. How much more so should we keep our synagogue doors open to those seeking ways to connect with Judaism, the Jewish community, and G-d? Many are fortunate to be part of a synagogue community that strives to be there for those who walk through our doors and enter our tents. Our hospitality can also save us from the unknown in the wilderness. Our congregations can provide sanctuary from a complicated, often chaotic world. But let’s be honest: Have synagogues always done our best?

Certainly not.

Have we grown in countless ways?

I believe we have.

The last few decades have brought enormous change and growth. But of course, there is more to do. In a recently released Pew Study, entitled “A Portrait of Jewish Americans”, we learn a number of things (actually, rabbis already knew its findings; it just confirmed what we knew with statistics).

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

American Jews overwhelmingly say they are proud to be Jewish and have a strong Jewish identity. But the study tells us that one-in-five Jews (22 percent) describe themselves as having no religion.

It’s something that other faith communities are encountering throughout our country. Americans, not just Jews, are shrinking away from having any formal religious connection. Forty-five percent of “nones” (those who say they have no religion) believe in G-d, so it’s not that they want no religion; they simply are wary of religious institutions.

So what do we do?

We should welcome the stranger in our midst – but this time, the

strangers are other Jews! We must make sure they are cared for. We need to think differently as leaders and mean it when we say that all are welcome. We need to be more responsive to the needs of the disenfranchised, disillusioned, and uninspired. Then, those who have written off the one institution that sustains Judaism and the Jewish People, need to take another look. They will need to let go of the notion of being served as consumers and replace it with a perspective of being engaged through relationships. Those who want to perpetuate a Judaism that is compelling need to be willing to be met and grow together with others in community. I don’t work in a store. I have nothing to sell. As a rabbi, my colleagues and I extend our hands to all who want a meaningful connection. We seek to be a part of communities that are vibrant, innovative, and serious. But that also means we need partners. I believe in these “institutions” – these synagogues; these are our safe places. It is where we learn and teach. It is where we struggle to find G-d, and even at times challenge G-d. We search for answers, but more often we search for questions. Our synagogues are like the tent of Abraham and Sarah. We seek to be open, safe, and hospitable. Do we miss the mark sometimes? Sure, we are human, too, and we don’t have Disney’s budget. We have good people who want to make a difference in the Jewish journeys of others.

All are welcome in our tents.

Rabbi Fred Greene is the spiritual leader of Temple Beth Tikvah of Roswell. He currently services as Treasurer/Secretary of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association.

whats happening

Fri., Oct. 25

Jewish National Fund 2013 Conference, national event bringing together hundreds of committed Jewish leaders from across the country. Fri., Oct 25 - 28. Grand Hyatt of Denver, Colo. Register at jnf.org.

Thurs., Oct. 31

Youth Basketball Registration, the MJCCA’s Youth Basketball League presented by the Atlanta Hawks for children of all ages. Girls and boys, Pre-K to ninth grade. Open until Mon., Oct. 28. Info, (678) 812-4174.

Edgewise Speaker: David G. Maples, join the MJCCA as David G. Maples, a 26-year veteran of the FBI, shares his years as a special GBI agent. He has investigated bank frauds, served on a SWAT team and supervised major case squads. Thurs., Oct. 31, 10:30 a.m. Free to members. $5/community. Info, lilly.mahana@atlantajcc.org or (678) 812-4064.

Sun., Oct. 27

Sat., Nov. 2

Jewish Zoo-ish Scavenger Hunt, join other young families at Zoo Atlanta for a zoo-wide scavenger hunt, songs with Rabbi Ingber, crafts and animal encounters with a Zoo educator. Sun., Oct. 27, 1 p.m. $17.99/adults, $12.99/ages 3 to 11. Free for ages 2 and under. Info, rabbi.ingerber@atlantajcc.org. Meals for Two Made Easy, a handson class with caterer and food blogger, Lynda Mahana, presented by the MJCCA. Advance registration required. Sun., Oct. 27, 4 p.m. $15/ members, $25/community. Zaban Park. Info, lilly.mahana@atlantajcc. org or (678) 812-4064. Piano Concert with Joe Alterman, two jazz concerts with renowned pianist Joe Alterman to kick off the MJCCA’s new 2013-14 “Jazz at the JCC” series. In association with the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. Sun., Oct. 27, 5 p.m. $17-$22/person. Morris and Rae Frank Theater. Young Professionals Apple Picking, The Atlanta Jewish Young Professional Group invites women and men, ages 20 to 39 to enjoy apple picking and socializing. Join meetup. com for all the details. Sun., Oct. 27. Mercier Orchards.

Mon., Oct. 28

Social Media Workshop, come learn the ins-and-outs of social media, using websites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. A one and a half hour workshop. Mon., Oct. 28, 6 p.m. $5/members, $10/community. MJCCA Zaban Park. Info, lilly.mahana@ atlantajcc.org or (678) 812-4064.

Wed., Oct. 30

“Life in the Balance: Jewish Perspectives on Everyday Medical Dilemmas,” a six week JLI course. An exposure to little discussed aspects of Judaism, action or inaction as prescribed by the Torah to prepare you for the choices that you or your loved one may be called on to make. Wed., Oct. 30. $89/person, $160/couples.

MJCCA Book Festival Kick Off, a 15day event and one of the South’s premier literary events, the Book Festival of the MJCCA features works from more than 40 of the year’s most sought-after and talked-about authors, celebrities, and influencers. Sat., Nov. 2. MJCCA. Tickets, www. atlantajcc.org/bookfestival Decatur’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q and Smith’s Olde Bar invite football fans to the third annual event hosted by Big Text Decatur for the UGA vs. University of Florida game. Includes food, football on the big screen, live music and a costume contest. Sat., Nov. 2, 12 p.m. Big Tex Decatur. Info, www.bigtexdecatur.com.

Sun., Nov. 3

Holiday Gift Fair, purchase gifts for family and friends from over 35 vendors. Including jewelry, handbags, art, books, Judaica, skin care and children’s clothing. Sun., Nov. 3, 8:30 a.m. Temple Kol Emeth. Info, vendorfair@kolemeth.net. Atlanta Jewish Male Choir 10th Anniversary, audiences are treated to a milestone performance inspired by musical references in the Torah, primarily sung a capella. Proceeds will benefit the GHA Jewish day school. Sun., Nov. 3, 4:30 p.m. $20/ person. Greenfield Hebrew Academy. Tickets, showtix4u.com or (866) 9678167.

Tues., Nov. 5

Live Cooking Demonstration, by the editor of the leading kosher magazine, Joy of Kosher. Learn how to create incredible dishes, brought to you by Chabad Women’s Circle. Tues., Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. $14/person. Chabad of Cobb. Reserve, www. chabadofcobb.com

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

AJT

may their memories be a blessing

Salvador Barrocas 86, Johns Creek

Salvador Barrocas of Johns Creek, Georgia, passed away on October 14 at the age of 86. He passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Havana, Cuba on July 11, 1927, Mr. Barrocas came to Atlanta on July 4, 1947 at the age of 19. He was a long-standing member of Congregation Or VeShalom in Atlanta. Mr. Barrocas was a devoted employee of Lockheed Georgia, where he retired after 40 years of dedication. He was a member of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers, Scottish Rite, and Fulton Masonic Lodge #216. He was recently honored by the Yaarab Shriner as one of the First 100 members. Affectionately called “Witu,” “Papa,” “Papi,” and “Sal,” he enjoyed singing, dancing, listening to music, and tasting various types of appetizing foods. He also cherished his multi-cultural background and frequently shared his stories of coming from Cuba to America with anyone willing to listen. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his kindness to all, his giving nature, and his dedication to family and traditions. Salvador is preceded in death by his sister, Esther B. Notrica. He is survived by his wife, Esther Behar Barrocas; sister, Rebecca Selber; brother and sister-inlaw, Albert and Maxine Barrocas; brother and sister–in–law, Isidoro and Ines Palatchi; daughters, Luna Cygielman and her husband Paul, and Estrella Hessing and her husband Michael; grandchildren: Michelle Esther Cygielman, Leah Felice Cygielman, Jonathan Evan Hessing, and Scott Benjamin Hessing. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m., Wed., Oct. 16 at Greenwood Cemetery with Rabbi Hayyim Kassorla officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Or VeShalom, 1681 N Druid Hills Rd, Atlanta, GA 30319 or Children’s HealthCare of Atlanta at Scottish Rite, 1001 Johnson Ferry Rd, Atlanta, GA 30342. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, (770) 451-4999.

Roslyn Cohen

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

80, Alpharetta

Roslyn Cohen, 80, of Alpharetta, died peacefully on Sunday, October 20, following a brief illness. She was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1933 to Abraham and Mollie Bogen, of blessed memory. After moving to Atlanta in 1975, she worked at Rich’s downtown and the Merchandise Mart. Roz will be remembered for her devotion to her family and her love for her friends and grandchildren. She was a passionate and outspoken person who loved life and devoted herself to others. She will always be in the hearts of those who loved her. She was a member of Temple Kol Emeth. Roz was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, Robert; her brother, Jack; and her sister, Pearl Rabinowitz. She is survived by her daughter, Sandi Cohen-Goldberg

(Jack); her sons, Mitch, and Howie (Debbie); her grandchildren: Dr. Zachary Cohen (Alexis Dalmat), Dr. Jordan Cohen-Felsberg (Danielle Tomeck-Felsberg), and Eric, Rachel and Lainey Cohen; and numerous nieces and nephews. An online guestbook is available at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may by made to The Cohen Home, 10485 Jones Bridge Rd., Johns Creek, GA 30022, www.cohenhome.org. Graveside services were held 11 a.m. Tues., Oct. 22 at Crestlawn Memorial Park, with Rabbi Steven Lebow officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, (770) 451-4999.

Kathryn (Kay) Kraselsky 92, Tampa

Kathryn Webber Kraselsky, 92 years young, of Tampa, Fla. passed away Saturday morning, October 12. Mrs. Kraselsky was born on Nov. 19, 1920 in Elkart, Indiana. She was the wife of the late Aaron Kraselsky. She is survived by her brother, Harry Webber, of Detroit, Mich., and her five children: Robert and Marsha Kraselsky of Panama City , Fla.; Paul Kraselsky and Gary Ide of Hartford, Conn.; Barbara and Dr. Richard Levine of Tampa, Fla.; Gayle Stern of Indio, Calif.; and Karen and Steve Goldstein of Dunwoody, Ga.. Her nine grandchildren and their families are: Nancy Kraselsky of Roswell, Ga.; Amy and Adam Weaver of Raleigh, N.C.; Ginny and Tim Dewey of Cummings, Ga.; Ericka and Jeremy Whetzel of Hartford, Conn.; Stacey and James Graves of Atlanta; Cary and Elizabeth Levine of Tequesta, Fla.; Darby and Artin Sedighan of Agoura Hills, Calif.; Lisa Goldstein of Atlanta; and Robert Goldstein of Atlanta. Kay also has 12 great grandchildren: Anne and Ross Weaver; Laurel, Abby, and Jake Dewey; Arianna Whetzel; Rachel, Lindsay, and Zachary Graves; Marley and Dara Levine; and Siena Sedighan. Mrs. Kraselsky was an active Life Member of Hadassah in Dothan, Ala.., Albany, Ga. and Tampa, Fla. Kay was past president of Temple Emanuel Sisterhood in Dothan, Ala. and past president of Temple B’nai Israel in Albany, where she resided for 32 years along with her husband Aaron Kraselsky. Kay and Aaron retired and moved to Tampa, Fla. in 1992. The graveside service was at Gan Shalom Cemetery, Lutz, Fla. on Tues., Oct. 15 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hadassah and/or the Alzheimer Association.

Jody Levenstiem 53, Johns Creek

Jody Bear Levenstiem, age 53, of Johns Creek died peacefully on Wednesday, October 16 following a brief illness. She was a registered nurse, accomplished healthcare professional, and most recently, a Practice Manager at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She was born

in Mobile, Alabama in 1959. She graduated from Benjamin Franklin High School in New Orleans and received her Associate of Science Degree from Louisiana State University Medical Center and her Bachelor’s Degree from Louisiana State University. During her career, she worked in various roles for Ochsner Health System in New Orleans and Carolinas Healthcare System in Charlotte. After moving to Atlanta in 1992, she started as a Staff Nurse with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Jody will be remembered for her devotion to her family, her work as a nurse in urgent care at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and her love for her many friends and extended family. She loved baking, scrap-booking, LSU football, travelling and attending arts festivals. She was an energetic, determined, and vibrant person who loved life and devoted herself to others. She will always be in the hearts of those who loved her. She was a member of Congregation Dor Tamid. Jody is survived by her husband of 21 years, Marty; her daughter Rachel, a freshman at LSU; and her son Jason, a junior at Northview High School. She is also survived by her father, Albert Bear, mother, Carol Bear, sister, Lilli Bear, all of New Orleans, and brother, Neal Bear (Lesley) of Simi Valley, California. Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held, October 17 at Arlington Memorial Park with Rabbi Michael Weinstein officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Congregation Dor Tamid or Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, (770) 451-4999.

Barry Kamelgarn 94, Marietta

Barry Kamelgarn, 94, of Marietta passed away peacefully on Friday, October 18. Born to Fradl and Alter Kamelgarn, of blessed memory, in Pabianice, Poland, he was a Holocaust survivor who moved to New Jersey in 1954. A stamp and coin collector, Barry also enjoyed art and oil painting. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 39 years, Magda; and is survived by his daughters, Esther Harrison (Charlie), and Viola Loewith (David); and his grandchildren: Matt, Drew, Andrew, and Morgan. An online guestbook is available at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to USY Eastern Europe or Poland Pilgrimage, Attn: Judith Sucher, 820 Second Ave., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017-4504. Chapel services were held 11 a.m., Sun., Oct. 21 at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Fairview, N.J., with Rabbi Paul Kerbel officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, (770) 451-4999.

Arthur Levie Arthur Jerome Levie, 89, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday, October 15. Born and raised in Indianapolis, Ind., he initially studied pharmacology, then served in the Medic Corp of the U.S. Army during WWII, and subsequently owned and operated several bars and taverns. Arthur was preceded in death by his loving wife of 51 years, Adelle Halpern Levie, in 2005. He is survived by his daughters: Jan Levie (Ulrich Sprick) of Atlanta, Lori Levie, and Gayle Gibson (Paul) of Belfast, N. Ireland; and his grandchildren: Max and Ana Levie-Sprick, and Leon and Maxwell Gibson. Arthur was a devoted grandfather and was greatly loved for his warm, generous nature and his great story telling. He will be sorely missed. A memorial service will be held mid-November, for details contact Congregation Bet Haverim. An online guestbook is available at www. edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Congregation Bet Haverim, PO Box 29548, Atlanta, GA 30359; the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta’s Weinstein Center for Adult Day Care, 5342 TIlly Mill Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30338; the Chrysalis Experiential Academy, 10 Mansell Ct. E #500, Roswell, GA 30076; or The Good People Fund, www.goodpeoplefund.org. May his memory be for a blessing. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, (770) 451-4999.

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

JEWISH PUZZLER by David Benkof

Across 1. Theologian Fackenheim 5. Opens the toothpaste tube 11. Dramatist Stoppard 14. Word that starts the name of three Talmudic tractates 15. “Yes ___, Bob!” 16. ___ Lanka 17. He played a “Star Trek” android 19. “It’s my work, ___ say, and I do it for pay” (Dylan lyric) 20. “___ Fuehrer’s Face” (1942 Disney short) 21. Mountain, to some 23. ___ Wolf (“Fiddler on the Roof” role) 26. Yiddish letter after ches 27. Early settlers of Iceland 28. “___ of the Will,” 1935 film 30. Leah, to Rachel 31. “Can’t help loving ___ man of mine” (Oscar Hammerstein II lyric) 32. Book-smart 35. First prime minister born in Israel after the establishment of the state 40. Middle Ages philosopher Abraham 41. “I ___ Rock” (Simon & Garfunkel hit) 43. “The Jerusalem Report,” e.g. 46. Last step of the seder 49. Garlic-egg-oil sauce 50. ___ mask (Gulf War necessity) 52. Rivers and Nathan 53. Wacko

55. Tina who co-anchored “Weekend Update” with Seth Meyers 56. Technology Spielberg often uses 57. He’s known as “The man who broke the Bank of England” 62. Chick magnet? 63. Captivated 64. “Les Misérables” award, 1987 65. Unit of energy 66. Matisyahu’s style 67. Latin love

18. Part of the school year 22. Prophet whose name means “salvation” 23. Brit’s “Inc.” 24. ___ Legion (Jerusalem attackers of May 15, 1948) 25. Baked Italian dish 26. Minimum necessary for a “zimun” 29. ___ Pingleton (“Hairspray” character) 30. Camp David Accords subject

47. Some liberal teachers 48. Nissan rival 50. Mathematician Cantor 51. “What ___” (“Ho-hum”) 54. Actor Wilder who played Willy Wonka 55. Shindig 58. Honor roll stat 59. It stores data permanently 60. Kiryat ___ (city near Tel Aviv) 61. One of Isr.’s neighbors

33. “There was a man from the land of ___...” (Job 1:1) 34. Engages in rent-fixing? 36. Israeli wheat snack 37. 1978 Nobel Prizewinner 38. Yemenite singer Ofra 39. Rosh Hashana pilgrimage site 42. Responses to a masseur 43. Totally tacky 44. Stay a while 45. Showing awe, perhaps

Last week’s answers

Down 1. “Chicago” lyricist Fred 2. Purim mo. 3. “ ___ Got Five Dollars” (Rodgers and Hart Song) 4. “Ed Wood” Oscar winner Martin 5. Frequent David Remnick topic 6. Pinch 7. “___ is naught but misdirected energy”: Emma Goldman 8. Mayer and Nadel 9. Banana covering 10. 12-stepper’s prayer request 11. “My parents went to Israel and all I got was this lousy ___” 12. Blackmailer’s words 13. “The Rose” star Bette

Evil Imps, Real or Imaginary? WOES OF THE WORLD THE WORK OF ‘DYBBUKS’ BY TED ROBERTS

HALLOWEEN SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

OCTOBER 25 ▪ 2013

t’s that time of year when all well-informed Jews think about dybbuks, right?

For the uninformed, it’s an evil imp, a ghost, a soul stealer. They take many forms. Remember last week when you dropped the grocery bag, spilling five pounds of sugar, two dozen eggs, and two pounds of flour, creating the world’s first raw and sweet omelet? A dybbuk! They thrive on miseries ranging from embarrassment to premature death.

The reason I’m so knowledgeable about these evil creatures is my Bubbe, who studied them like you study the Standard and Poor listing. “You know why Zayde didn’t work for 30 years?” A lazy dybbuk possessed him. I thought it was just because he liked to sit around and eat Bubbe’s cooking. Guess who she blamed when it was so salty it killed the kitchen cockroaches? Those in the know are aware of a hidden arm of the CIA. It’s called the DMA – the Dybbuk Monitoring Agency. They keep up with clandestine activity of these creatures, though experts say their chairman is the great grandson of the devil who took over

the body of Al Capone. Remember him? A nice Chicago boy possessed, they say, by multiple dybbuks. And the Mossad is firmly convinced that the current ruler of Iran has long been taken over and they – the dybbuks – are at work making deviltry. I, myself, had a firsthand experience with these creatures once. They’re always after me since they know I’m a dybbuk hunter. It’s supper. Smilingly, we sit at the table. Marital skies are sunny. Marital breezes are soft and refreshing. I eat a heaping forkful of kugel. No raisins, which I love, but I say not a word.

It’s them. They’re trying to break up my marriage. Instead, I smile. “What lovely kugel,” comes out of my mouth, although my eyes are popping out of my head. But I’m in control. I didn’t run the DMA for nothing. “What lovely kugel,” I repeat.

“Liar,” she shouts back.

Instead of replying, I reach in my coat and extract a $10 ring, which I carry for such occasions. “A small token of appreciation for a great kugel,” I say to my wife with a courtly bow. A lessor man would have impaled himself with the silverware.

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