Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCVII NO. 21, November 15, 2021

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VOL. XCVII NO. 21

NOVEMBER 15, 2021 | 11 KISLEV 5782

Health & Wellness, Gift Guide and Holiday Flavors

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CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE BOB BAHR JAN JABEN-EILON ROBYN SPIZMAN GERSON MARCIA CALLER JAFFE BEN LADINSKY DAVID OSTROWSKY NATHAN POSNER FLORA ROSEFSKY I.J. ROSENBERG DAVE SCHECHTER CHANA SHAPIRO

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Play Ball!

When the umpire shouts “play ball” the AJT gets busy, and we have a homerun for you. On first base, we bring you David Ostrowsky, a new member to the team, who dives into if the 2021 World Series is “The Most Jewish World Series Ever?” Another all-star contributor, I.J. Rosenberg, who spent years covering the Braves and baseball, shares the similarities and differences between the 1995 and 2021 championships.

On third, a local Jewish couple who had the honor of throwing out the first pitch at Game 3. And Nathan Posner slides into home base with an exclusive interview with Gold Glovewinner Max Fried, and plenty of close-ups of the team.

In other news, Deborah Lipstadt’s nomination to be the U.S. envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism has been stalled in the Senate. The AJT brings you the story on the local Perimeter college teacher accused of anti-Semitic postings, as well as the discussions that have ensued with Cobb County schools.

On a healthy note, Daniel Elkind heads down to a rural Georgia farm where a Yeshiva Atlanta grad is working hard to cultivate her crops and protect her animals (“Let Me People Grow”). What about the growing trend of being vegan? The growth in the number of Americans who consider

THIS WEEK themselves either vegan or vegetarian has spiked recently, prompting us to ask if it’s due to wellness concerns or: “Is it [just] Cool to Be Vegan?” The Braves winning the World Series is big, but did you know that the National Community Pharmacists Association recently announced that Atlanta has the best independent pharmacist of the year? Read on to find out who.

Since I brought up secrets, what about “The Not-So Secret Jewish History of the Jelly Doughnut”? What’s with those fried and fruit-filled rounds? Well, the AJT covers these recipes and much more, including a variety of tasty latkes from around the world. Don’t forgot about the secret gifts you’ll want to buy for your loved ones during this holiday.

We have prepared a gift guide that has something for everyone, from “Turn Tea Time Into ‘Me’ Time!” to “The Zebra from Zion.”

That’s right, it’s that time of year already, even though we are getting ready to stock the racks again with our quarterly STYLE magazine, full of how-to’s and celebrations, coming Nov. 20. Look out for our next issue, the annual keepsake, which everyone looks forward to — Chanukah! ì Correction and Clarification: The story “Name That Couple’s Secret to Wedded Bliss” in the Oct. 31 issue mistakenly swapped the photos of Miriam and Danny Saul with those of Sandra and Clive Bank.

We regret the error.

Cover image: Gold Glove winner and Braves phenom, Max Fried, pitched his way to a World Series championship for Atlanta. Was it the most Jewish World Series ever?

CONTENTS NEWS ���������������������������������������������� 6 BUSINESS ������������������������������������28 ISRAEL �����������������������������������������30 OPINION ��������������������������������������32 HEALTH & WELLNESS ��������������� 34 GIFT GUIDE ��������������������������������� 44 HOLIDAY FLAVORS ������������������� 48 CALENDAR ���������������������������������� 54 COMMUNITY �������������������������������� 58 THE LOWDOWN �������������������������� 61 KEEPING IT KOSHER ����������������� 62 BRAIN FOOD �������������������������������� 63 OBITUARIES �������������������������������� 64 CLOSING THOUGHTS ���������������� 68 MARKETPLACE �������������������������� 69

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 5

NEWS The Most Jewish World Series Ever?

After struggling in Game 2 of the World Series, Max Fried paid homage to his childhood idol Sandy Koufax by throwing a six-hit gem in Game 6.

By David Ostrowsky Heading into Game 6 of the World Series, it mattered little to Max Fried that he had been one of baseball’s elite hurlers since the All-Star break, winning his last seven decisions while posting a microscopic 1.55 ERA over his final fourteen starts. Or that he had been lights-out against the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 2 of the NLDS and very effective against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener of the NLCS. The slender 27-year-old southpaw was only focused on redeeming himself from his last two postseason clunkers, during which he yielded 11 runs and 15 hits over 9 2/3 frames.

Boy, did he ever.

Behind six innings of stud pitching from Fried, the Braves dusted off the heavily-maligned Houston Astros, 7-0, in the Game 6 clincher to capture the 117th edition of the Fall Classic and bring the championship-starved city of Atlanta its first World Series title since 1995. With a healthy balance of fastballs, sliders, and change-ups, Fried only allowed four insignificant hits without issuing a single walk to become the first Jewish pitcher to win a World Series game since Ken Holtzman’s six-hit gem in Game 4 of the ’74 Series.

“I just told myself that I was going to 6 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

go out there and be 100 percent me and just try to pitch and try to win a ballgame,” Fried said after the most important night of his professional life. “Just kind of the same mentality that I had in the second half: just go out there and keep guys off-balance, just kind of pitch unorthodox and pitch with my eyes.”

On his 74th and final pitch of the evening, Fried, who grew up idolizing legendary Jewish pitcher Sandy Koufax and has drawn comparisons to a young Tom Glavine, fanned Houston shortstop Carlos Correa to end the sixth inning. In a postseason in which “bullpen games” and “openers” have remained fashionable, Fried’s 74-pitch effort (the longest by a Braves pitcher in the playoffs) was an anomaly. Houston had already trotted out four pitchers by the time Fried’s evening was finished.

Fried’s ability to shut down the Houston lineup — one that had paced the majors in runs, hits, and batting average — was, quite simply, a Koufaxian performance that sparked comparisons to Glavine’s World Series Game 6 masterpiece 26 years earlier.

“If Max has a bad one, he’s more driven and really wants to get it done the next time out,” Atlanta’s indomitable closer Will Smith said afterwards. “He had this look on his face all day. He was nice and

relaxed when he first got in the clubhouse today, but he was motivated, he was driven.

He looked like a different Max, honestly.”

The night didn’t start well for the laidback, unfailingly polite kid from Santa Monica. While trying to cover first on a dribbler hit to the right side by Houston’s Michael Brantley, Fried soon found his right ankle crunched by Brantley’s right — thank goodness, rubber — cleat. But more importantly, his failure to cover the bag resulted in an error and runners on first and second with no Joc Pederson was one of four Jewish players one out. featured in the World Series.

This could have been a déjà vu of a nightmare scenario for Atlanta, which moment of his promising young career, lost its Game 1 starting pitcher, Charlie Fried retired Houston’s vaunted 3-4-5 hitMorton, to a broken leg. But Fried would ters — Correa, Yordan Alvarez, Yuli Gurnot be deterred from giving the Braves six riel — to escape the jam unscathed. After strong frames. In perhaps the signature freezing the AL batting champ Gurriel on

NEWS a 98-mph heater (his fastest pitch of the season) for the final out of the first, the typically nondescript Fried flashed a rare burst of emotion, pumping his left fist and screaming on his way to the dugout.

“It hurt at first, but I got up and I knew I was good to keep going,” Fried said.

“When that [collision with Brantley] happened, I think he just locked in,” said Atlanta pitching coach Rick Kranitz following the clincher.

Fried coasted for the rest of the evening, inducing one weak grounder and lazy fly ball after another. While he wasn’t overly dominant (six strikeouts), Houston’s lineup hardly posed a threat.

When the AL champs led off the third and fourth innings with singles, Fried methodically induced Brantley and Alvarez, respectively, to hit into rally-killing double plays. Over his final two innings of work, Fried was at his best, allowing only a Brantley infield single before punching-out the soon-to-be free agent Correa for the second time.

Fried wasn’t Atlanta’s only star in the final game of a season that beautifully honored the legacies of franchise icons Hank Aaron and Phil Niekro. The Braves put up a crooked number early courtesy

Atlanta Braves run to the mddle of the field to embrace each other after winning the 2021 Worl;d Series.

of moonshot homers from series MVP Jorge Soler and local boy Dansby Swanson, and later got an insurance solo homer from hit machine Freddie Freeman, playing in perhaps his final game for Atlanta. But the night belonged to Fried, who was able to exorcise his recent

postseason demons (5.40 ERA in October) with a legacy-making performance that, at least for one evening, made Atlantans forget about Super Bowl LI, the Thrashers leaving town after a decade, and the Hawks’ half-century-long struggle to remain relevant.

Max Fried is #54 and a starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves.

For good measure, it seemed only fitting that the winning pitcher of the decisive game of a World Series that featured four Jewish players was one who grew up “fairly observant,” attending synagogue on the High Holy Days and celebrating a bar mitzvah. ì

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NEWS

Max Fried Exclusive: Celebrating World Series Victory

The Parade came to a close at The Battery at Truist Park.

Fans holding a WWE championship belt attend the cermony at Truist Park on Nov. 5.

By Nathan Posner On Nov. 5 Braves fans surrounded streets in downtown Atlanta and Cobb County, during a parade honoring the World Series champions in their hometown before ending at Truist Park with a ceremony to acknowledge this monumental occasion. Many metro Atlanta counties closed schools, and some government offices shut down for the parade.

Atlanta Police estimated that over 300,000 fans participated in the parade that began at Peachtree St. and Marietta St. NW and went up Peachtree to 10th St. The parade sped through many parts of downtown, causing many people to take to social media, some unsurprised by the vast participation given the rarity of an Atlanta sports victory Max Fried shares his victory speech parade. According to fans waiting by at Truist Park on Nov. 5. the Fox Theatre, they had spent hours in the cold morning weather, waiting dium.

Elye Robinovitz, a junior at for the parade to only pass them for few minutes, but that didn’t stop any- Brandeis University and an Atlanta native, flew down one from enjoying for the parade and the celebration. ceremony at TruBefore arriving ist Park. His famat Truist Park, the ily started waiting parade resumed in outside at 8:30 a.m., Cobb County, near and he felt it was the new home of the worth the wait, tellBraves, mostly taking the AJT, “thanking place on Cobb fully, they weren’t Parkway before engoing that fast by tering The Battery World Series MVP Jorge Soler us at The Battery.” and making a grand holding his trophy, accompanied by He did feel bad for entrance as they his wife Leydis Serrano and their some people downapproached the stason Jorley and daughter Leysa.

8 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

2021 MLB World Series Championship trophy.

Joc Pederson, #22, of the Atlanta Braves.

town, stating, “That was kind of sad ment, as Braves player and Marietta for some people who were waiting for native Dansby Swanson said in an inso long just to have like a 30-second terview during the parade, “I know how much this means to glimpse.” For many the city, to see evfans, including erybody out, it’s so Robinovitz, this cerbeautiful. This city emony was decades has been wanting a in the making, as championship for he said, “I’ve waited a long time now, … all 21 years of my This moment, it is life to have this mosecond to none.” ment, ... I thought While the vicoverall, the city and tory meant a lot the state did a really American rapper and Atlanta native to the city which good job.” It wasn’t Ludacris performs at The Battery on Nov. 5. has waited decades fans alone who for such a victory, shared that senti-

NEWS

The city of Atlanta and Cobb County celebrate the Braves World Series victory on Nov. 5.

the scene. There were a lot of ups and downs, a lot of injuries, but we fought through it. To not only have the support of everyone behind me, but everyone in the stadium and on the parade route, I am speechless, it’s unbelievable. Thank you for all your support this year, and let’s run it back next year.” Joc Pederson, known for wearing pearls, gave slightly more crude remarks, which received an approving uproar from the crowd.

Fried spoke with the AJT directly after the ceremony, and upon asking his thoughts on the Jewish representation in this World Series, Fried said, “I

mean it’s awesome. There are a lot of really good Jewish players out there. To be able to be on the biggest stage and you have a good number of them represented it’s really awesome and it’s really cool.”

On the World Series victory, Fried added, “It’s something that I’ve always dreamed about since being a kid, and being able to enjoy with these fans here, and my teammates, it is awesome and amazing.” As one of the best Jewish players in the league, many younger Jewish baseball fans have begun to look up to Fried, with him giving this advice to younger players: “Just keep working hard, and at the end of the day, I am like

anyone else. Be in the right place at the right time. If you put in the work, you’re able to kind of get over the next obstacle, one after the other.” ì

Mayor Bottoms shares her pride in the Atlanta Braves during ceremony on Nov. 5.

the World Series itself brought special meaning to the Jewish community. In what was believed to be one of the most Jewish World Series championships ever, the Braves’ two Jewish players, Joc Pederson and Max Fried, helped the team to victory, with Fried throwing six innings in the final game, only allowing four hits. Along the parade route, both could be seen smoking cigars, with Pederson catching beers thrown by fans and spraying the bottles on fans as he passed. Pederson said during the parade, “The turnout is amazing, I didn’t expect anything less. Atlanta has been supporting us the whole year. This is really special for us and the city.”

Both players spoke during the ceremony held at Truist Park, Fried stated, “I couldn’t be more proud of every guy on this stage, and everyone behind ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 9

NEWS

Celebrating the World Series with I.J. Rosenberg

I.J. Rosenberg co-hosted the CBS46 News coverage.

YouTube screenshot of I.J. Rosenberg co-hosting the CBS46 News coverage of the World Series parade and closing ceremony, while sharing covers of the Atlanta Journal Constitutions World Series covers from 1995.

By I.J. Rosenberg The World Series was over, Atlanta had its second world championship title and the parade for the Braves was set for Nov. 5.

Then a call hit my cellphone.

On the other line was Deborah Collura, the station manager for the local CBS (Channel 46) affiliate. Collura and I had developed a nice relationship as we struck a high school football TV deal on her sister station PeachtreeTV for the Corky Kell Classic and a Friday night high school game. New to Atlanta in the middle of COVID, Collura was looking for local content and I was looking to extend our high school brand.

But this call wasn’t about our deal. It was a call I never thought I would get.

With the Braves parade a day away, Collura needed someone to bring context to the championship, wanting to know if I could scrape off the mothballs of a newspaper career that had ended more than 22 years ago. I had texted her and her news director the week before that during Game 3 of the World Series we were going to dress our Friday night TV talent in game-worn Braves jerseys that I had collected during my time on the Braves’ beat in the 1990’s for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

While our game at Mill Creek High School would be on at the same time as the Braves, I wanted to let the sports fans that were watching us know where our hearts were that evening. We updated the Braves game continuously throughout our telecast and the win came before we went off the air.

Somehow, this all led to spending five hours on the air Friday on CBS46’s 10 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

I.J. Rosenberg, wife Beth Rosenberg, daughter Ashley Carey, son Chase Rosenberg behind Ashley, and his son-in-law Alex Carey and his father Dr. Charles Rosenberg are dressed and ready for the Braves to win the World Series, Game 5.

wall-to-wall parade coverage, providing nuggets about Braves teams and parades from the 90’s as well as behind the scenes stories on the current club.

For me, it completed a circle that began in 1991 when I was handed the beat at the AJC. While I chronicled the first world title in ’95 for Atlanta during a time when the newspaper was this city’s media giant, I also covered three World Series that they lost; to Minnesota in seven games in ’91, to Toronto in six games in ’92 and to the New York Yankees in ’96 in my final season on the beat.

For me, it never felt whole.

This team, however, reminded me of 1991, a mishmash of players young

and old, who turned the baseball world upside down. This team was supposed to be a title contender until it lost its best player, Ronald Acuna at midseason and had a losing record at the All-Star Break.

But with some incredible front office work by its general manager and in a division that was still winnable, the run began and ended in total domination in Game 6 in Houston.

Someday, someone will write a great book about all that led to this remarkable story and what transpired in that clubhouse from July through the fifth day of November is quite remarkable. But that book is for someone else to write.

For me, I will remember all three

of my children and their two spouses getting the chance to see a World Series game and a wife getting another chance to relive the Braves of the 1990s.

I also enjoyed those parade hours on the air at CBS46, feeling relevant again when it came to the hometown baseball team that was the highlight of my career in journalism.

But what I will remember the most is getting to take my 83-year-old father to Game 5. Back in 1995, I was in the pressbox and he was sitting in the section under me at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium when the Braves clinched the title against the Cleveland Indians.

This time we were in the handicap section and watched the first inning grand slam by Adam Duval together and then a few innings later took a picture with two of his grandchildren that were at the game.

The Braves would eventually lose, and I didn’t get my father home until 1 a.m., but he was as wide-eyed as when I picked him up 10 hours earlier.

The next morning another call came into my cellphone and this time it was my father. He had remembered the night before and thanked me for taking him to the game.

But the real thanks go to the Braves, who created a once-in-a-lifetime memory for so many and reminded this old baseball writer of a game that still means so much to so many. ì I.J. Rosenberg, 58, spent 13 years at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and six of them (1991-96) covering the Atlanta Braves, including the world title club in 1996. Today, he is the president of sports marketing company Score Atlanta.

NEWS

World Series Game 3 First Pitch by Local Jewish Couple

Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz throw out the Sponsorship ceremonial first pitch prior to Game 3 of the 2021 World Series between the Houston Astros and the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Friday, October 29, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. // Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images

Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz were selected to throw the first pitch at Game 3 of the World Series.

By Robyn Spizman Gerson Baseball fans who tuned in to Game 3 of the World Series may have noticed some familiar faces on the mound. Ken and Jeannette Flores-Katz, the owners of restaurant La Bodega in Atlanta, threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

The couple won a $10,000 prize in Mastercard’s Home Team Advantage Contest after figuring out a way to freeze their famous pupusas and ship them directly to customers. The Katzes and two other small business owners won the chance to throw out the first pitch thanks to the latest partnership between MLB and Mastercard.

Ken Katz came to Atlanta 35 years ago from New York City to study economics at Emory University. He met Jeanette while furthering his interests and food service skills in San Francisco, where Jeannette also lived at the time. Originally from San Salvador, she and Ken bonded over their love of Salvadorean food, teaming up to create La Bodega, a restaurant located in Adair Park at the historic MET in southwest Atlanta.

“We applied for a program run by Mastercard and were chosen as finalists,” Ken said. “Originally it was for us to go to a game wherever it was and then at the event we’d throw out the first pitch. In our application, we showcased our pupusa, which is a delicious gluten-free corn tortilla, with plans to take it online and sell them throughout the country. DoorDash delivers it locally, and we sell them at local farmers markets as far north as the Peachtree Farmers Market. Our pitch included our goal to make the pupusa popular, so we were thrilled to be selected.”

Ken is something of a pupusa evangelist. “The pupusa has a cheese pull like

La Bodega Atlanta is located at The MET in Adair Park, minutes from Mercedes Benz Stadium.

Pupusas are a stuffed handheld tortilla.

pizza … We will be debuting them on QVC next year and demonstrating it as a gluten-free option as well as a vegan and meat-friendly option. That pitch won the contest, and the ball will be pitched by my wife Jeannette on behalf of small businesses and La Bodega.”

According to Cheryl Guerin of Mastercard, the couple was “selected in honor of small businesses across America who have adapted and overcome the challenges of the pandemic. While small businesses had to contend with extreme challenges throughout the pandemic, they demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination in the process. Each small business owner was selected as their city’s winner in the Mastercard Home Team Advantage Small Business Contest, which was launched during this year’s All-Star Game to help businesses grow and thrive. Each winner received a grand prize of $10,000, one-on-one mentorship from Mastercard small business experts and a Mastercard Digital Doors toolkit, plus other prizes such as hosting opportunities and customized stadium signage in each business’s local market thanks to the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.”

The Katzes celebrate their respective cultures. Last winter, they teamed up for a podcast they call “Kosher Guacamole.” Ken

elaborated, “We are Jewish and Latin and there was a synergy of something that’s recognizable to Latins and Jews. La Bodega is doing pretty well and the last two years, we have pivoted to create this pupusa-focused project, which is what we built our pitch to Mastercard around. Pupusas are a handheld tortilla that we stuff, and we can cook one at a time or a batch. It’s great for parents at home who are cooking quick meals but want healthy ones as well and it’s also a vegetarian choice. Vegans love it and our first location was near Georgia

State University, then at Adair Park in The MET, just four minutes south of Mercedes Benz Stadium.”

“Jeannette had the honor of throwing the ball out, and we’re lucky and excited that we got to do this at home,” Ken said.

“Mastercard has been terrific and we’re getting access to Digital Doors to help to get the product online. We’ll be ready for the larger launch of our product with their help. Jeannette is excited and the weekend has been crazy. We’re feeling celebrity-like and wearing our branded t-shirts and a Mastercard jacket as well. We wanted a win since it’s a tough fight over the weekend with the pitchers getting hurt.”

La Bodega Market and the Pupuseria are already a big hit, bringing zesty flavors to Atlanta. Hungry locals can bite into savory Salvadorian inspired pupusas, Mexican-style tacos, pizza with New York and Latin influences, and more served daily.

Visit their website, LaBodegaAtl.com or follow them on Instagram at Labodegaatl. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 11

NEWS

Atlanta Rabbis World Series' Wagers Pay-Off

By Jan Jaben-Eilon Judaism, apparently, doesn’t specifically forbid gambling. That’s a good thing for several Atlanta rabbis who recently won bets from colleagues in Houston after the Atlanta Braves clinched the World Series.

“Large wagers are frowned upon” in Judaism, states Rabbi Adam Starr of Congregation Ohr HaTorah. “And if a person is a professional gambler, he or she is not allowed to become a witness.” But Starr believes the wager he made with Rabbi Barry Gelman of the Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center of Houston doesn’t fall into that category.

“Obviously, this isn’t about the betting or the wager,” Starr said of the agreement he made with Gelman, in which the losing side gifts a “Jewish book of interest” to the winner. “This is what rabbis want to promote. Even if one loses, he feels good,” he noted, although the exact book he will receive from Gelman had not yet been discussed.

Starr reached out to Gelman in a text the afternoon before Game 1 of the World Series, which the Braves won in

12 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

A “beautiful relationship” was created between Jews in Atlanta and in Houston, said Temple Kol Emeth Rabbi Larry Sernovitz.

Congregation Ohr HaTorah Rabbi Adam Starr organized mincha/maariv services outside Truist Park.

.A former Houstonian, Temple Sinai Rabbi Ron Segal made his wager with a longtime colleague and friend in Houston.

six games. And he was not the only Atlanta rabbi to reap the benefits of the world championship.

“When the Astros and the Braves

made it into the World Series, I reached out to Rabbi Steve Gross of the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism,” said Rabbi Larry Sernovitz of Temple Kol Emeth. The two agreed on three parts to the wager. The loser would send treats from their city to the winner, would make a donation to an Atlanta area charity, and the loser would wear a jersey from the winning team at a Shabbat service.

“That was what scared me the most,” Sernovitz said of the wager’s third clause.

Fortunately for Sernovitz, he won’t need to find an Astros jersey. For Gross, finding a Braves jersey may present more of a challenge since they are in high demand.

“I ordered him a Freddie Freeman jersey but it won’t be ready until January,” said Sernovitz, referring to the Braves slugger.

For Gross, an Atlanta World Series t-shirt will suffice for now.

Temple Kol Emeth, meanwhile, is expecting well-known Houston delicacies of barbecue brisket and pecan pie from Gelman.

Similarly, Temple Sinai Rabbi Ron Segal requested Texas barbecue food or sauces, as well as bagels and baked goods from specific shops in Houston. In a fiveminute video posted on Temple Sinai’s website, Segal wrapped up the terms of the wager he had made with long-time friend Rabbi Oren Hayon of Houston’s Congregation Emanu El. Segal was able to be specific about what he wanted to come in the basket of Houston treats because both he, the Temple’s associate executive director and its communications director are former

Houstonians.

The second part of the wager between Segal and Hayon focused on “tzedakah.” In the video, Segal said he wanted Hayon’s contribution to go to the Community Assistance Center in Sandy Springs, which provides emergency financial assistance for both Sandy Springs and Dunwoody residents who need help paying bills. Segal pointed out that the Center has a “tremendous food pantry,” a thrift shop and language classes for job training. The Center was started by faith institutions, including Temple Sinai.

“We are disappointed” in the outcome of the World Series, said Hayon, “but we’re happy to send your winnings.”

Sernovitz pointed out that both the Braves and Astros have Jewish players on their rosters. The wagers, he added, resulted in a “beautiful relationship between Jews in Houston and Jews in Atlanta.”

The games also brought together a small group of Jews for prayer at the Atlanta Braves Truist Park. Before the Oct. 31 game, Starr said members of his congregation, congregants from Beth Jacob and some Jews from out of town gathered for mincha/maariv services outside the stadium.

The services enabled one participant to say kaddish, he said, noting that the minyan only focused on the regular prayers. “I personally don’t believe in praying for a team,” he said.

Fortunately, the Braves didn’t need it. ì

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NEWS

Rabbi Lapidus Pens Tribute to Legendary Hank Aaron

By Robyn Spizman Gerson Rabbi Micah Lapidus, director of Jewish and Hebrew Studies at The Davis Academy, is a beloved educator. If you know him, you’re also aware of his love of music and making a difference.

Featured this week on the CBS Atlanta evening news, Lapidus has created quite a buzz with his new musical tribute to an Atlanta baseball legend.

Rabbi Micah Lapidus at home plate ready Hank Aaron’s quote inspired Lapidus Aaron and his family were honored at Truist Park ahead of Lapidus arrived in Atfor the Braves in the World Series. to write a tribute to #44.

Game 3 of the World Series. // Credit: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images lanta fresh out of seminary 14 years ago, having just and “I am also a musician and sports fan,” sportsmanship graduated from Hebrew Union College.

While he grew up cheering for the Dodg- Lapidus said. “I love sports because, at their the wholesomeness ers, he now roots for our hometown Braves best, they honor something profound in that abides in sports and refers to Atlanta as the city where his our shared humanity: teamwork, disci- should spell a message children were born, and he and his wife pline, and passion. I’m a musician because of resilience. In other Rabbi Loren Lapidus happily reside. With I know that music has the power to break words, a win-win for Braves fever at an all-time high amid the down barriers, open hearts, and unlock humanity.”

Ahead of Game 3 frenzy surrounding the World Series, Lapi- the deepest parts of our hearts and souls. dus was inspired to raise his voice, setting In my dream world, perhaps too big or too of the World Series, Atout to honor the legacy of Braves legend small, every Little League or seventh inning lanta’s Truist Park welstretch that brings people together with comed Aaron’s widow, Hank Aaron, number 44.

Billye Aaron, grandson Raynal Aaron, and three of Aaron’s children, including his son, Hank Aaron Jr., Score of “Keep Swinging” by Rabbi Micah Lapidus. who threw out the first pitch. The outfield displayed an enormous was the only person who could provide the piano part that I hoped and dreamed of. I #44 in tribute to the slugger.

Lapidus was inspired. He said, “When certainly hope the Braves win the World SeHank Aaron died earlier this year, I found ries, rewarding the devotion of millions of myself wanting to understand his life fans and the hard work of this year’s team.”

The rabbi has high hopes for his new and legacy better. The more I learned, the more I came to see quite clearly that he is tune. “My hope for ‘Keep Swinging’ is that a true American hero. Yes, a record-setting it will earn a place in the Great American athlete, but even more so, someone who Songbook, which has a surprising lack of pursued his craft with grace and poise, baseball-themed songs,” he said. “I would lifting up not only his own accomplish- love for this song to be part of the repertoire ments but his team, and through his later of every ballpark organist and for the lyrics philanthropic efforts, so many others. and melody to be known to all fans of our When I read the following quote from Great American Pastime. Just as ‘Take Me Hank Aaron, the song instantly revealed Out to the Ballgame’ was written from a Jewish point of view, so too is ‘Keep Swingitself to me, title and all: “My motto was always to keep swing- ing.’ Its message is really for everyone.”

While Will Robertson sang, played guiing. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the tar and bass, and recorded and produced the song, Alterman played the three-minute, only thing to do was keep swinging.”

After Aaron, Atlanta native Joe Alter- 20-second tune on the piano.

“When Rabbi Micah invited me to play man was the second to come to mind for the rabbi. “We can all learn important les- piano on ‘Keep Swinging’ I was excited besons from Hank Aaron’s life and legacy,” cause I immediately fell in love with both the Lapidus said. “He is a role model for us all. song and its message,” he said. “I could feel Joe Alterman is a kindred spirit. Our con- that it would be an instant classic that would nection has its roots in our shared musi- truly honor the great Hank Aaron and bring cianship but has flourished from there. a lot of joy to music lovers near and far. AarWhen I wrote the song, I knew that he on’s life and legacy is a gift to us all.” ì 14 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 15

NEWS

Anti-Semitic Dialogue Continues With Cobb Schools

By Jan Jaben-Eilon Sometimes something good can result from something bad, suggested a couple of Cobb County rabbis. They were referring to some of the consequences following the unsettling incidents of antiSemitic graffiti found in Cobb County schools during the High Holy Days.

Rabbi Larry Sernovitz of Temple Kol Emeth pointed to the old saying, “when it’s bad for the Jews, it’s good for the Jews.” Congregation Etz Chaim Rabbi Daniel Dorsch said he believes the subsequent ongoing, compassionate communication the Jewish community has had with school district leaders is a positive upshot of the attacks that provoked outrage and fear among students, parents and teachers.

A meeting held at Etz Chaim on Nov. 2 that enabled dialogue between Cobb teachers and school district leaders was “really terrific” Dorsch said. “Members of the school district are supportive of the Jewish community. Everyone felt heard.”

About two dozen teachers attended the short program scheduled to be held again on Nov. 8 at Temple Kol Emeth, which is

16 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

also in Cobb County.

Sernovitz called it a “shehecheyanu moment,” emphasizing that it is a first.

“From a faith perspective, there is a lot of divine intervention,” he said. “Now we can actually have conversations we have needed to have for decades.”

According to Dorsch, the major issue is the need for educators to be sensitive to both Jewish students and faculty.

It was an apparently insensitive reaction to the graffiti on the part of the Cobb County Board of Education that particularly riled the Jewish community. Initially, the school board, as well as several principals, refrained from identifying the anti-Semitic significance of the graffiti, which included swastikas, calling it “hate speech.”

When the school board later passed a resolution that called out anti-Semitism, many in the community were unsatisfied, basically saying that the resolution contained empty words.

The resolution stated: “It is resolved that the Cobb County School Board, the Superintendent and all employees of the Cobb County School District hereby stand steadfast with all citizens of Cobb County

Temple Kol Emeth Rabbi Larry Sernovitz called the meetings a “shehecheyanu moment.”

Congregation Etz Chaim Rabbi Daniel Dorsch said the teacher holiday absence policy in Cobb County schools is under discussion

against antisemitism, racism and hatred in all its forms and continues our commitment to stand up for justice, inclusivity, and support civil rights for all. To maintain welcoming and inclusive school communities, the Board reaffirms its continued commitment to take proactive steps to address antisemitism, racism and all other forms of hate in Cobb County School District.”

The Southeast office of the Anti-Defamation League reacted by stating that “the Cobb County Schools Board of Education’s resolution in response to recent antisemitic incidents is a good first step, but unless followed by specific actions, it’s an empty gesture. Hate in all forms must be responded to with action and education, not empty value statements. … We can’t support this as an adequate response without a commitment to a specific plan to use education to combat antisemitism and prevent future acts of hate in Cobb County schools. We look forward to seeing the county’s action plan.”

Dorsch said that he was “happy” with the resolution, although he wished it had been passed unanimously. “The fact that they passed it, considering how polarized they are,” was significant. He also pointed out that school board meetings all over the country have become a target for community in-fighting.

Dorsch said that the public response to the resolution, juxtaposed with the “wonderful meetings behind the scenes,” was part of a “two-pronged approach to this diplomacy.”

In the more private meetings held between Cobb rabbis, Jewish community leaders and Cobb school district members, one of the hottest issues was the teacher holiday absence policy. “We were challenged to find out if other school districts in Georgia had a policy” that allows Jewish teachers to be absent during Jewish holi-

days without using their personal days, said Dorsch.

What Jewish leaders discovered is that Gwinnett County, one of the fastest growing counties in the country, has had such a policy for 25 years. That policy states: “Leave for religious holidays may be granted to employees in Boardapproved positions. Leave for religious holidays may not exceed three days per fiscal year. The leave should be made up by the employee at a time mutually agreed upon by the employee and the principal or program manager. Requests for religious leave must be submitted 20 days prior to the requested leave date. There are times when religious observances occur close to the beginning of the school year, making it impossible for employees to give 20 days notice. Whenever this situation exists, less than 20 days notice is acceptable. Notice should be provided at the beginning of the school year.”

Dorsch sees particular progress in the two sides’ understanding of each other. The Jewish community has learned that “75 percent of the school principals in Cobb County have been on the job for under five years. A lot of these people just don’t know” about the Jewish holidays.

That has led to teachers scheduling tests or extra homework on or right after holidays, not understanding that a student who has fasted for Yom Kippur might not be prepared to take a test the next day.

“Teachers would make students feel bad,” he said. “Now they are being provided with more empathetic language. The only appropriate response to a student is, ‘we will miss you and will catch you up upon your return.’”

Looking at the bright side, Dorsch said the Jewish community and the school district have now “started the conversation with how to move the needle forward.” ì

NEWS

Local College Teacher Accused of Anti-Semitic Postings

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

caust denial that brought him to the ADL’s attention when Pitcavage was head of the In the wake of an article posted on organization’s investigation research dethe Southern Poverty Law Center’s blog, partment. Independently, Pitcavage – who Hatewatch, a Perimeter College math in- has a PhD in military history – bought a structor accused of anti-Semitic online book on World War II that Coty was sellpostings “is not teaching the two online ing online and was subsequently added to courses that were assigned to him this se- Coty’s email list. “I discovered other things he was selling. In 2006, mester.” a friend who was also a An official stateWorld War II enthusiment by the Univerast had the same expesity System of Georgia rience with a book. He (USG) added that “the alerted me about Coty.” extreme views attribPitcavage said he uted to this instructor only has two old emails do not align with the from Coty — one from university’s core vallate October 2005, in ues. The instructor’s which Coty refers to courses have been rewell-known Holocaust assigned to lessen disdenier Ernst Zundel as ruption for students.” a pacifist and accuses A USG spokeswoman Germany of attackfurther pointed out ing him. Coty’s email that the teacher, Larry stated that Zundel had Coty, is “a part-time Perimeter College math instructor been charged with a instructor and that Larry Coty has been accused criminal offense in contracts are renewed of posting anti-Semitic and Holocaust denial content online.

Germany for doubting each semester.”

Coty, who has been teaching at Pe- the Holocaust and noted that Zundel was rimeter College for more than 20 years attempting to “clear his native country and previously taught at Decatur High and its people of the false charge of indusSchool, was also an academic manager for trial genocide in German concentration USATestprep, an Atlanta company that camps.” The email requested contribudevelops curricula for teachers to prepare tions to help with Zundel’s defense.

Zundel, who died in 2017, was the austudents for exams.

The Montgomery, Ala.-based South- thor of the book “The Hitler We Loved and ern Poverty Law Center was founded in Why.” His publishing company started 1971 to “ensure that the promise of the civ- distributing Holocaust denial propaganda il rights movement became a reality.” Its in the 1980s, including a pamphlet, “Did 6 Hatewatch blog monitors and exposes the Million Really Die?” At some point, Coty “fell off my radar activities of the American radical right.

According to its article late last month, it screen for years. The ADL didn’t know I launched its investigation into Coty after had a personal relationship” with him. “He a tip from a former student. The SPLC stopped sending me stuff. I only bought the found that Coty had posted “neo-Nazi one book,” said Pitcavage, who owns “thoupropaganda on the Russian social media sands of books on World War II.” When the site VK, on Facebook and in comment sec- Atlanta office of the ADL contacted him about Coty in response to the Hatewatch tions of reactionary far-right websites.”

Contacted by the AJT about Coty, the article, Pitcavage said he was surprised.

Anti-Defamation League’s Southern Divi- “I hadn’t thought of him in years.” After sion reported that “we’re in communica- Coty’s name resurfaced, Pitcavage said he tion with the school,” referring to Perim- did a search and found an email address eter College. “They are investigating the with Coty’s initials and “1889.” He said he matter,” said Max Flugrath, director of could only guess that it was a reference to communications strategy at the ADL in the year Hitler was born.

Pitcavage’s research also disclosed Atlanta. Although he didn’t comment further, other than to say that the ADL would that Coty had organized an event for noted talk to the school again, others at the ADL Holocaust denier David Irving in October 1999. “In the early 2000s, he signed an onreported a long history with Coty.

Coty is “not new to us,” acknowledged line petition to support Zundel,” Pitcavage Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow at said, adding that Coty’s website was linked the ADL’s Center on Extremism. “We iden- to several Holocaust denial websites.

In the past, Pitcavage said, the ADL tified him as problematic back in 2005.”

It was Coty’s connections to Holo- had dealt with academics who espoused

far-right or anti-Semitic opinions, “but they were tenured professors so we couldn’t do anything without evidence.”

In Coty’s case, there is no indication that the math teacher shared his extremist positions inside the classroom.

Still, according to the Hatewatch article, Coty’s online activity “appears to violate the faculty handbook of the University System of Georgia,” which includes Perimeter College. The article said faculty are expected to avoid publishing controversial content without a clear disclaimer that “the views expressed by the author are the author’s alone.” Hatewatch said that Coty’s Facebook posting, in which “his former student found him liking debunked racist propaganda and extremist content, does not include such a disclaimer.”

The article alleged that Coty posted extremist content to his social media accounts from 2013 to the fall of 2021. When Hatewatch first contacted him, Coty denied the postings, deleted them, then ad-

Some of the books available from Larry Coty’s eBay bookstore.

mitted to posting them and reactivated the postings two days later.

A spokeswoman for USATestprep confirmed that Coty no longer works for her company. “He resigned after he was contacted by SPLC and we accepted his resignation. His personal views as expressed on social media go against our company’s values. We do not support content or ideologies that align with hate, discrimination or anti-Semitism.”

Attempts by the AJT to reach Coty for comment were unsuccessful. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 17

NEWS

Atlantan Named Vice Chair of Birthright Israel Foundation

By Jan Jaben-Eilon When Massachusetts-born Douglas M. Ross was 20 years old, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill student felt like there was something missing from his life. After his bar mitzvah, he had drifted away from his Reform Jewish background, feeling more like a cultural, rather than religious, Jew. But six words from his father changed his life: “Why don’t you go to Israel?”

Now, after 40 years in Atlanta, Ross has been elected vice chair of the Birthright Israel Foundation – the U.S. funding arm of Birthright Israel. He said, “I didn’t even know Israel was a country! No one in my family had gone to modern Israel.”

But in 1976, Ross took a leave of absence from his university and lived on Kibbutz Erez, near the Gaza Strip, for seven weeks as a volunteer. “When the plane landed, it knocked me over. I felt something come alive in me. It blew me away,” he told the AJT. After his kibbutz stint, he returned to college and wrote his honors thesis on the Israeli-Arab conflict. A world-renowned political science professor who was a

Lebanese Christian took the young student under his wing, serving as his thesis advisor. After graduating, Ross returned to Israel for a year, studying Hebrew and living on a kibbutz.

Fast-forward several years. In 2018, Ross retired from his professional career as a financial advisor at Morgan Stanley.

In the meantime, family friend Harry Maziar had enticed Ross to work with Birthright Israel Foundation. Ross has served as its Atlanta chair since 2012 and joined the organization’s national board of directors in 2015, serving in several capacities, including treasurer and finance cabinet chair.

Although today Ross easily spouts statistics about Birthright, noting that more than 9,500 young Atlantans have participated in Birthright since 2000, when he first started working with the organization, he knew little about it. His younger son had gone on the free 10-day trip to Israel in 2010, but he said he’s been on a learning curve for the last near-decade.

“I spent the first year asking a lot of questions,” he said.

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nization that sponsors the trips to Israel for young adults of Jewish heritage, aged 18 to 32, was launched in an effort to connect young people with Israel and their Judaism. Since its inception, 750,000 youth from 70 countries have participated.

Pre-pandemic, about 45,000 young people went on Birthright every year.

The two main seasons for Birthright trips are winter and summer.

In summer 2020, however, no trips were allowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Ross, 30,000 Recently named vice chair of the Birthright Israel participants had registered Foundation, Douglas Ross didn’t even know for that summer and didn’t Israel was a country when he was a youth. get to go. In May of 2021, Birthright was the first group allowed into is to “strengthen lay leadership in our Israel from anywhere in the world, but 12 cities. We’re a very lean organization.

There are only 46 employees in the entire then the war with Hamas broke out.

“I just spoke with the CEO of Birth- country.” He takes on his new role as vice right and we’re expecting anywhere from chair on the first of the year. “My role as vice chair will be to continue working 6,000 to 10,000 this winter,” said Ross.

The trip costs an estimated $4,500 with professionals and lay leaders to open per person, with prices up due to the people’s hearts and minds to Birthright.”

He contends that Jewish organizapandemic. The State of Israel contributes about one-third of the Birthright budget, tions around the country benefit from with the remainder raised by the Birth- Birthright Israel. “Their up-and-coming right Israel Foundation and its 40,000 leadership is coming from Birthright donors, and through Jewish community alumni,” he said.

As for Ross, he ultimately discovered groups. Youth are asked to pay a $250 refundable deposit, which they can choose that his connection to Israel dated back much farther than he ever imagined. Two to leave with the organization.

“We raise $45 to $50 million a year,” of his great-grandfathers, originally from said Ross, noting that the organization’s Lithuania, were buried in Israel more than a century ago. He eventually found board is “very active.”

As the national cabinet chair of the their graves — “miraculously” — on the Birthright Israel Foundation, Ross’s job Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. ì

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NEWS

‘Fiddler on the Roof’ Is Back at The Fox

By Bob Bahr “Fiddler on the Roof,” the beloved musical about the trials and tribulations of Tevye the Milkman and his daughters in the (fictional) Russian shtetl of Anatevka around the turn of the century, returns to the Fox Theatre for eight performances, beginning Nov. 9.

The show, which first opened in 1964, is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1971 movie adaptation. Like the motion picture production, which starred the Israeli actor Chaim Topol, this relatively new, critically acclaimed staging also features an Israeli, Yehezkel Lazarov, in the role of Tevya.

The 47-year-old Lazarov, who lives in Tel Aviv, is the grandson of religiously observant Russian immigrants who fled the Soviet Union in 1930, twelve years after the Czar was overthrown. Yet it was not until he began performing as Tevya three years ago in the road company of the musical that Lazarov began to appreciate the parallels between his own life and the character he plays.

“As a kid, I used to walk with my

Critics have called the production imaginative and moving.

grandfather and listen to his stories about the way they left Russia because of the problems, just like in ‘Fiddler on the Roof,’” he said. “Like Tevya, I have three daughters and I’m dealing with a lot of the same issues as he did. These coincidences are quite amazing. They’ve helped me to feel that I belong to the role and helps me feel that, in a way, I own it.”

Over the years, the starring role in

The Fox Theatre production originally premiered on Broadway in 2015. // Photo Credit Broadway Across America

the musical has evolved considerably.

There have been six revivals on Broadway during the almost six decades since the musical first opened with Zero Mostel, the great comic actor, as Tevya. He played the role, more broadly, with a strong nod to its emotional foundations.

But as the 2019 documentary, “Fiddler: A Miracle of Miracles” relates, Mostel was dropped from the film role

in favor of Topol — the star of the London production — because the director, Norman Jewison, wanted an actor more representative of the tough fighters the world saw in the Israeli War of 1967. He wanted, in short, a man who could order a Russian government official to “get off my land” before being expelled, along with the other Jews, from Anatevka. The documentary was a 2019 select screening

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The Israeli actor Yehezkel Lazarov stars in the latest production.

by the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

Likewise, Lazarov has approached the role in a way that is more representative of the times. In addition to being an actor and stage director in Israel, he is also the founder of a high school with a modern approach to education for the arts. He sees his role in a context that is more universal.

“I am part of a new generation that tries to think about a world without borders, without titles. Even though I am observant, and I observe kashrut and put on tefillin each morning, I don’t just identify myself as a Jew or an Israeli. I feel very related to Tevya’s sense of caring about everything.

He cares about his relationship with God, he cares about his wife, he cares about the world. He’s always caring.”

This relatively new production, directed

by Tony Award-winning director, Bartlett Sher, opened on Broadway in 2015 to generally good reviews, and ran for a full year. Lazarov was tapped for the role in 2018 and now has more than 500 performances under his belt, but despite the touring and the new audiences he encounters on the road, he never tires of attempting to reinvent the character of Tevya each night.

“You have to bring yourself into a new place each time. Every moment is for me something I’m discovering about the character or myself. I really mean that because you cannot survive 500 shows otherwise. You have to look for something that reflects a little of yourself and bring that to the audience. Your performance has to earn you a place on stage.”

Critics have called the production imaginative and moving, as well as a fine description of Tevye’s conflicts and the suffering of Jews under Czarist rule.

The original choreography, by the legendary Jewish American dance director Jerome Robbins, has been freshened up by Hofesh Shechter, who like Lazarov, is Israeli.

A new film version of the stage show is apparently also in the works. MGM has hired Thomas Kail, the Tony Award-winning director of “Hamilton” and “In the Heights,” to direct and co-produce the motion picture. Steven Levinson, who wrote the successful Broadway musical “Dear Evan Hansen,” has been selected to pen the script. ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES OCTOBER 31, 2021 | 21

NEWS

Buckhead’s Future: To-Be-Determined

By Dave Schechter Several years ago, the Buckhead Heritage Society dug into how that section of Atlanta got its name. As best they could determine, a man named Whitley shot a deer and mounted its head on a post in the vicinity of a general store owned by a man named Irby near the modern-day intersection of Peachtree, Roswell, and West Paces Ferry roads.

Henry Irby had purchased 202.5 acres in 1838 for $650 and, as Wikipedia will tell you, the area became known as Irbyville.

He apparently sold alcohol at the store, which explains references to an Irby’s Tavern. The Heritage Society found the first official record of the name Buckhead in an 1840 act by the legislature designating Irby’s house as a voting district.

The current uncertainty is whether Buckhead will remain part of the city that annexed it in 1952 or secede and become Buckhead City. (There already is a town named Buckhead in Morgan County and an unincorporated, yet census-designated Buckhead in Bryan County.)

“Leave” advocates accuse the “stay”

22 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Buckhead area of Atlanta

side of hyping doom-and-gloom projections, while the latter contends that the former downplay the damage that secession

would cause.

Creating that new city would require the Georgia General Assembly and the governor to approve legislation that would put a referendum on the Nov. 8, 2022, ballot.

Only residents within the proposed Buckhead City borders would vote. Legislative action may come when the General Assembly convenes in January. Bills to start the process have been introduced by Rep. Todd Jones, a Republican from Cumming, and Sen. Brandon Beach, a Republican from Alpharetta. The measure is backed by Republican legislators who live outside of Atlanta, while the Democrats who represent Buckhead oppose secession.

Buckhead covers approximately 18 percent of Atlanta’s land area. From its southern end, roughly where Interstates 85 and 75 form a “V,” the new city would be bordered by the Chattahoochee River to the west, Sandy Springs to the north, and Brookhaven and DeKalb County to the east.

Jewish institutions within those borders include the Ahavath Achim Synagogue, which opened its doors on Peachtree Battle Avenue NW in 1958; Jewish HomeLife, operator of senior residences and care facilities, and Atlanta Jewish Academy. None has taken a position on the matter.

The estimated 87,000 residents of Buckhead make up about 20 percent of Atlanta’s population. More than half (51 percent) of Atlanta households earning more than $100,000 reside there. Buckhead is 77 percent white, 11 percent Black, six percent Asian, three percent “other,” and 2.2 per-

cent two or more races.

Crime is the motivating issue most frequently cited by secession proponents.

Buckhead is part of Atlanta Police Department Zone 2, which includes West Midtown, Lenox Park, and Piedmont Heights.

Compared with the same period in 2020, homicides in Zone 2 were up 83 percent, rapes were up 93 percent, robberies down 2 percent, aggravated assaults up 33 percent, and burglaries down 40 percent. In September, Lenox Mall instituted a curfew, requiring that anyone under age 18 be accompanied by a parent or adult after 3 p.m., in response to crime in Buckhead and shootings on mall property.

Bill White, CEO of the Buckhead City Committee, says that a planned 250-officer police force will be three times the size of APD’s Zone 2 deployment. The Committee’s website declares that “A larger police presence that is allowed to do their job will decrease crime dramatically and quickly.”

Taxes are another sore point. Based on Fulton County tax records, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Buckhead accounts for 40 percent of Atlanta’s assessed property — tax revenues that would be lost to the city. According to buckhead.com, Buckhead residents pay a lower county tax rate on $1 million homes than residents in Brookhaven, Sandy Springs, or Vinings, but their city tax rate is substantially greater.

These issues are acknowledged by those who, nonetheless, favor remaining part of Atlanta, among them Jim Durrett, president of the Buckhead Coalition and executive director of the Buckhead Com-

NEWS munity Improvement District. In April, Durrett wrote in the Saporta Report: “The distress of violent crime in Buckhead and around the city is real and seems unending. The taxes that the residents of Buckhead pay to the City of Atlanta, as well as to Atlanta Public Schools, are significant, while the deterioration of city services, such as trash collection and road paving, as well as zoning ordinances that would appear to harm our neighborhoods, are unacceptable.”

Sam Massell — Atlanta’s first Jewish mayor, who served from 1970-74 — calls secession an “ill-advised proposal.” In an August op-ed in the AJC, he wrote: “I don’t want to see our city cut into several slices, believing that — in the long range — it would degrade the quality of life of the new creations and the remaining citizens. … It would destroy the community brand, which would require decades to rebuild.”

A legally-required feasibility study conducted by the Valdosta State University Center for South Georgia Regional Impact — and funded by supporters of Buckhead City — declared the proposed city to be fiscally viable. Buckhead City would manage its own police, fire department, emergency medical services, public works, parks, mu-

nicipal courts, and zoning, while maintaining current services for water, sewer, trash collection, and Fulton County Library.

An analysis prepared for the antisecession Committee for a United Atlanta (CUA) said: “Over-all, if the Buckhead area of the City of Atlanta de-annexed from the city, both entities, as well as APS [Atlanta Public Schools], would stand to lose financially, economically, and socially.” The report calculated that the city and schools would take a hit, even after factoring in savings from services they no longer would provide in Buckhead City. There remain questions about whether students would continue to attend APS’s five elementary, one middle, and one high school in Buckhead.

White’s statement in response called the CUA report “classic doomsday drivel from the usual suspects.” The Buckhead City Committee’s website suggests that Atlanta will benefit by being a smaller, “easier to manage” city.

Fourth-generation Atlantan Reg Regenstein, who has lived in Buckhead since 1957, told the AJT: “I just do not see any advantage in staying in Atlanta and being ruled by people who want to change our residential zoning and ruin our property

Bill White called an antisecession study “classic doomsday drivel.”

Sam Massell — Atlanta’s first Jewish mayor — has called secession an “illadvised proposal.”

values while forcing us to pay ever increasing and exorbitant property taxes.”

Regenstein offered “a possible solution that MIGHT work and please both sides, or at least be acceptable.” If the legislation passes and polls suggest that cityhood might win a referendum, “this could allow us to negotiate with Atlanta leaders, who generally do not like us, from a position of strength, on such issues as crime, taxes, and protection of our tree cover,” he

Reg Regenstein suggests Buckhead City might benefit from an alliance with its potential northern neighbors.

said.

On the other hand, “if secession does actually take place, an alliance/partnership, a sort-of Northern Alliance, with our neighbors in Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Alpharetta, Vinings, Dunwoody, etc., might be feasible, which could ameliorate some of the problems that would arise, like schools and police. We have plenty of money we could bring to the table,” Regenstein said. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 23

NEWS

Anne Frank Exhibit May Have Found Its Home

By Dave Schechter The “Anne Frank in the World” exhibit and the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust (GCH) are a step closer to a permanent home in Sandy Springs.

The City Council voted 5-1 on Nov. 2 to approve relocation of the exhibit and GCH offices to the city-owned Heritage Sandy Springs Museum near downtown. The dissenting voice vote was cast by Council member Jody Reichel.

Still to be determined is whether the existing building at 6110 Blue Stone Road will be renovated or replaced.

An agreement with GCH over lease and use of the site also would require negotiation. The construction and financial arrangements will require City Council review.

City Manager Andrea Surratt told the Council that $2.46 million remains in the city’s capital budget for possible use in connection with this project. Council members made clear that their vote did not commit the city to expenditure of public funds.

Construction and lease expenditures on behalf of GCH would be backed by funds raised by the “Friends of the Georgia Holocaust Commission,” which was registered in 2018 by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3 non-profit.

The Council action came three years after GCH began efforts to relocate the Anne Frank exhibit and after several months of public debate, in which two other sites were proposed and then dropped.

“But with all this procrastination, we are in jeopardy of losing. We’ve raised almost $4 million for this project. We’ve stopped collecting right now,” GCH Chairman Chuck Berk

Relocation of the exhibit was approved on Nov. 2 to Heritage Sandy Springs Museum near downtown. told the Council. “Sally Levine [GCH executive director] and I just had to talk a half a million-dollar donor back on track because they didn’t think the council was ever going to get to the point where they were making a decision.”

Before closing its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Anne Frank exhibit, formerly located above a restaurant at the Parkside Shops, on Roswell Road, attracted some 7,000 visitors annually. The existing exhibit is archived at the University of South Carolina and GCH relocated temporarily to the Heritage Museum building.

Featuring seven “world class” exhibits, the enhanced Anne Frank display will be “a wonderful addition to Sandy Springs,” Berk told the Council. “This will help to position Sandy Springs as a community that stands up against hate, against racism, against anti-Semitism and for diversity and tolerance.”

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“I urge you to please don’t put this off any longer.

It’s time to make a decision,” Berk said. “Support your previous mayor, support the memory of Eva [Galambos] and let’s get this thing done and support the community.”

Mayor Rusty Paul has said on more than one occasion that it was the dying Chuck Berk told the Sandy wish of Galambos, the city’s Springs City Council, “I urge you to please don’t founding mayor, that the put this off any longer. It’s Anne Frank exhibit be relotime to make a decision.” cated near City Springs.

The Heritage site was one of four locations considered by the city for the Anne Frank exhibit and GCH offices.

In May, the city encountered resistance from within the Council and in the public, to the proposed construction of a “cultural center” on the green at the City Springs campus.

That plan called for the city to expend an estimated $2.9 million to $3.3 million to erect an 8,300-square-foot structure across from the entrance to the performing arts center at City Springs. The Holocaust commission would have leased about 7,000 square feet and made annual payments of $150,000 for 20 years, with an option for an additional 20 years.

In recent weeks, public opposition also was triggered when Mayor Paul proposed that the Anne Frank exhibit relocate to the Abernathy Arts Center, a property ceded to the city by Fulton County.

The other potential location was the site of a former automobile repair shop at Hildebrand Drive and Blue Stone Road, adjacent to the Heritage Sandy Springs site. The city already has spent $2 million on architectural design work and $1.8 million to purchase the auto repair site, which now may be used for construction of townhomes.

The Holocaust commission was created in 1986 by Gov. Joe Frank Harris and re-established by Gov. Zell Miller in 1991. The General Assembly made GCH a permanent agency in 1998. According to its website, GCH annually provides Holocaust education training to more than 250 teachers, sponsors speaker programs that reach more than 20,000 Georgians, sends traveling exhibitions throughout the state, and records the testimonies of Holocaust survivors and concentration camp liberators. ì Note: Atlanta Jewish Times owner-publisher Michael Morris is a member of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust board and the “Friends of the GHC” fundraising committee.

Morris was not involved in the reporting of this story.

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NEWS

Atlanta Mayoral Runoff in the Offing

By Dave Schechter The 61st mayor of Atlanta will be decided by a Nov. 30 runoff between City Council President Felicia Moore and City Councilman Andre Dickens, the top two finishers in the Nov. 2 election.

Moore, who was elected to the Council in 1997 and as its president in 2017, led the field of 14 candidates with nearly 41 percent of the ballots cast. Dickens finished second with 23 percent, narrowly eclipsing former (2010-18) Mayor Kasim Reed, who received slightly more than 22 percent. Reed issued a concession statement on Thursday afternoon.

Moore told supporters late on election night, “These people have put their heart and soul and time and money and prayers toward a new Atlanta — an Atlanta where everyone is going to feel safe, an Atlanta where when you spend your money for taxes and services, you’re going to get an Atlanta that’s accountable, it’s going to be ethical and it’s going to be the most transparent in this country.”

Dickens, who was elected to the Council in 2013 as the At-Large Post 3 representa-

26 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

tive, led Reed by a margin of slightly more than 600 votes.

Reed narrowly topped Dickens in Fulton County, but in DeKalb County, which makes up about 10 percent of the city, Dickens led Reed by a substantial margin.

Addressing supporters early Wednesday, Dickens said, “They said our campaign was over. They said my council career was dead. But you know what we did? We fought every single day for [this] city . . . So be careful. Be very careful of counting us out again.”

Reed had been considered a front-runner throughout the campaign.

Atlanta City council president Felicia Moore “Although my campaign was unsuccessful, I still believe our city’s future is brightest as one ensure that our city could restore its reputhat is united,” he said. “Like many others, tation as the economic and cultural engine I witnessed the tapestry of diverse commu- of the Southeast, where opportunity thrives nities that make up our city be torn apart and everyone has a shot at realizing their by surging levels of violent crime. I ran to dreams.”

As of this writing, election results remained unofficial and absentee ballots had not been counted. Voter turnout was about 21 percent in Fulton County, 13.3 percent in DeKalb County, and 9.5 percent in Cobb County.

The race for Atlanta City Council president also is headed for a runoff. Doug Shipman led with 30.9 percent, followed by Natalyn Mosby Archibong with 27.9 percent, and Courtney English with 25.1 percent.

Archibong’s strength in the DeKalb County portion of the city overcame a deficit to English in Fulton County.

In the race for Atlanta City Council AtLarge Post 1, Brandon Cory Goldberg, who is Jewish, was running second among five candidates, with 15.8 percent of the vote, while incumbent Michael Julian Bond held 59.3 percent.

In Johns Creek, John Bradberry led Brian Weaver, 59.8 percent to 40.2 percent, in a contest to succeed Mike Bodker, who has been mayor since the city incorporated in 2006. Bodker, who is Jewish, had announced in 2018 that he would not seek re-election.

Mayors winning re-election included Rusty Paul in Sandy Springs, Steve Tumlin in Marietta, and Frank Auman in Tucker.

Measures to extend sales taxes to support education were ahead by comfortable margins in Cobb, Fulton, and DeKalb counties.

The Atlanta mayoral race opened up when Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced in May that she would not seek a

City Councilman Andre Dickens

second term.

A poll conducted Oct. 6-20 by the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs — commissioned by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution — asked respondents to identify “the most pressing issue currently facing the City of Atlanta.”

Crime led with 47.9 percent, followed by affordable housing, 26.2 percent; income inequality, 8.6 percent; coronavirus, 4.2 percent; corruption, 3.7 percent, and traffic congestion, 3.7 percent. Nearly 70 percent said that the city was headed in the wrong direction in its handling of crime, and more than 60 percent said the same about affordable housing.

As of Oct. 9, homicides in the city were up 15 percent compared with the same period in 2020 and up 63 percent compared with 2019. The city also has recorded increases in shootings and aggravated assaults. Public attention was heightened by the stabbing death of a woman walking her dog at night in Piedmont Park and a bartender abducted and shot to death as she returned home from a late shift. Additionally, spikes in some form of crime in Buckhead have been at the center of the movement to secede from Atlanta and create a new Buckhead City.

This was the most significant election conducted since the Republican-controlled General Assembly passed and Republican Gov. Brian Kemp signed into law Senate Bill 202, Georgia’s controversial voting law.

Local media reported that voting Tuesday mostly went smoothly. Difficulties in Fulton County, which could see a state takeover of its election board under the new law, were observed by a state-appointed performance review panel. ì

NEWS

Deborah Lipstadt Nomination Stalled in Senate

By Dave Schechter The nomination of Deborah Lipstadt to be the U.S. envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism has stalled in the Foreign Relations Committee.

Despite being nominated by Biden on July 30, the Emory University professor, renowned for her scholarship on the Holocaust and anti-Semitism, has yet to receive a confirmation hearing before the committee.

The ranking Republican member on the committee has expressed concerns about Lipstadt’s posts on Twitter. A number of diplomatic nominations have been slowed by Republicans who acknowledge seeking concessions from the Biden administration.

An individual familiar with the situation told the AJT: “Republicans have not let her go through despite her being eminently qualified and experienced in combatting antiSemitism.”

The story was first reported on Nov. 3 by the news site Jewish Insider. The AJT has reached out to Lipstadt for comment.

On Nov. 4, the Anti-Defamation League, Jewish Federations of North America, and Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America wrote to New Jersey Sen. Bob Menendez and Idaho Republican James Risch, the chair and ranking minority member of the Foreign Relations Committee, “to urge you to immediately hold a hearing” on Lipstadt’s nomination.

The letter went on to say: “Congress acted courageously and wisely when it created the post of the Special Envoy in 2004 and did so again in 2020 when it elevated the post to ambassadorial rank. There is no question that Prof. Lipstadt has the credentials to deserve a proper hearing before the Committee on Foreign Relations — and that hearing is now overdue.”

Nominees generally are discouraged from speaking to news media during the confirmation process, but on Nov. 4 Lipstadt posted on Twitter, “Very grateful for this show of support.”

During a Nov. 3 business session of the Foreign Relations Committee, Menendez said: “And then there is [the] nominee to be the special envoy for anti-Semitism. The minority has refused to grant her a hearing, apparently because there is some concern about her tweets calling out the use of anti-Semitic tropes. Let’s think about that [for] a minute. We don’t want the person nominated to advance our global efforts against anti-Semitism to call out antiSemitism? I sincerely hope that’s not the position of the minority and that we can move these nominees forward expeditiously.”

Menendez asked Risch to agree to hold hearings for several nominees, including Lipstadt, the week of Nov. 15.

Risch said that Republicans were working “in good faith” on the nominations put before the committee.

Risch told Jewish Insider on Nov. 3: “She has said enough things on Twitter that it needs to be reviewed carefully — particularly about members of the committee, which is always quite sensitive. So we’ll get through that …

You’re going to see them all, I suspect, before it’s over with.”

The AJT has sought comment from Risch as well as Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, who was identified

by Jewish Insider as holding up several nominations. Other Republican senators identified by JI as using their senatorial privilege to slow the confirmation process included

Deborah Lipstadt has been nominated to be the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism.

Ted Cruz of Texas and Marco Rubio of Florida.

During the Nov. 3 committee meeting, Maryland Democrat Ben Cardin, who is Jewish, said of Lipstadt: “She is so well thought of in the general community, as well as the Jewish community, in her long-standing efforts to stop the scourge of anti-Semitism. … Leaving them [ambassadorial positions] vacant is not in our national security interest … I certainly hope that Deborah Lipstadt is on the next hearing list so that we can move forward on our commitment to fight anti-Semitism.”

Previous anti-Semitism envoys did

Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Bob Menendez has urged his Republican colleagues to act on Lipstadt’s nomination.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s ranking member, Republican James Risch, says that he has concerns about Lipstadt’s Twitter posts.

not require Senate confirmation, but the position was elevated in January to ambassadorial status.

The nomination of Thomas Nides to be the U.S. Ambassador to Israel had been stalled, but was approved on a voice vote by the full Senate on Nov. 3.

Atlantan Michèle Taylor was nominated Oct. 21 by President Joe Biden to serve as the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Her nomination, made nearly three months after Lipstadt’s, also awaits the scheduling of a confirmation hearing. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 27

BUSINESS

Lyons Heyman Sells 7 Hills Transport, Inc. Operation Isaiah Fights Hunger in Atlanta

By Robyn Spizman Gerson With over 40 successful years in the trucking business, Lyons Heyman has officially sold his trucking company 7 Hills Transport, Inc. headquartered in Carterville, Ga. Heyman started the business in 1981 and built it into a well-respected trucking provider.

The company utilized a network of warehouse terminals serving the Southeast and Texas with services including Less than Truckload (LTL), truckload, warehousing, and expediated services. The company has over 100 employees with a fleet of company-owned 18 wheelers and company-employed professional drivers. The company was purchased by XGS (Xpress Global Systems), a national trucking Lyons Heyman, married to Gail company, with similar expertise in in carpet and Goldstein Heyman, sold his trucking floor covering logistics company – 7 Hills Transport, Inc. 7 Hills Transport began operations in Rome, Ga. and was created to embrace the opportunities by the 1980 partial deregulation of the trucking industry. The company’s name refers to the seven hills of Rome, Georgia.

According to Lyons Heyman, “The company’s first office was in my home, but we soon outgrew the space and in 1986, we built an office/terminal/shop in Cartersville, strategically located halfway between Atlanta and Dalton – the Carpet Capital of the World. We are proud to have provided services to some of the largest floor coverings companies in the world including Mohawk, Shaw, Engineered Floors and many large floor coverings distributions in Texas and Louisiana. In recent years, the company diversified into transporting of general commodities such as food products and plastics.”

The company’s success rested on a family “style” of business with sincere interest in employees, customers, and vendors. Using technology, Heyman streamlined operations over the years. He adds, “The trucking industry was not an easy industry, but a very gratifying one. We focused on “length of haul” to maximize drivers’ home versus time and income, while staying within ever tightening government regulations. Additionally, we focused on “no touch” freight: Our drivers do not have to load or unload freight and could dedicate the hours of service to time on the road.

While Heyman is now retired, he and his business partner maintain ownership in warehouses in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas. Heyman lives in Marietta, is married for 47 years to Gail Goldstein Heyman of Atlanta, and is the proud father to Jared (43), Scott (41) and Carly (36).

28 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Ahavath Achim Synagogue 28 years ago started Operation Isaiah’s core mission to address the issue of hunger.

Inspired by scripture from the prophet Isaiah, “to share your food with the hungry”, Atlanta’s Jewish Community holds their metro-wide food drive in the fall of each year during the High Holy Days, known as Operation Isaiah, to benefit the Atlanta Community Food Bank. During this year’s virtual fundraiser, more than $37,000 was raised to help the food insecure in the greater Atlanta community which equates to over 148,000 meals. The project spanned over the 2021 Jewish High Holidays and was supported by the generous contributions of eight local synagogues.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support and dedication of all the participating synagogues and their congregants,” said Kyle Waide, president & CEO of Atlanta Community Food Bank. “In years past, participants of Operation Isaiah would rally to bring in hundreds of bags of food to support our cause. We applaud their fluidity as we shifted to a virtual event due to the pandemic. This partnership is very important to us, and we look forward to this connection for years to come.”

The eight teams that participated in this year’s Operation Isaiah included Ahavath Achim, B’nai Torah, Congregation Bet Haverim, Congregation Beth Shalom, Congregation Shearith Israel, Temple Beth David, Temple Beth Tikvah, and Nancy Weiner.

It has been over 30 years since this initiative started, and in that time, over 1 million pounds of food was provided throughout the Atlanta community. The High Holy Days is all about making amends, giving back and resolving to do better in the future, which is exactly what Operation Isaiah stands for.

Compiled by the AJT

BUSINESS Emory’s Center to Study of Law and Religion Receives Gift The Center for the Study of Law and Religion (CSLR) has received a sevenfigure gift from The MirYam Institute to fund a new program called The MirYam Project in International Ethics & Leadership: Law, Religion, Health & Security.

This four-year undertaking will be led by Dr. Ira Bedzow, in collaboration with the Jewish Legal Studies Program at CSLR, directed by Emory Law professor Michael J. Broyde. The project will develop future leaders in public service, government, industry, health care, and community by providing students with exceptional curricular and extra-curricular programming, mentoring, and international travel to Israel. Students will interact with top academics and industry/social leaders from the United States, the State of Israel, and throughout the globe.

The focus of the curriculum is values-driven leadership, informed by the best practices of the United States and of Israel across a range of sectors. Students will study strategic and critical thinking, medical and legal diplomacy and practice, and implementation strategies in order to become leaders on national and international issues, implementing ethi-

cal and socially conscious innovation.

The gift comes at an important time for Emory Law, as the law school seeks to enhance interdisciplinary connections within its growing health law program.

“This bold new project, generously funded by The MirYam Institute, will provide pathbreaking new scholarship and campus-wide leadership on fundamental questions of law, religion ethics, health care, security, and the human condition,” says John Witte, CSLR director. “Our center is delighted to host this project and to welcome Ira Bedzow as project leader.

He brings rare intellectual gifts, proven leadership skills, and an elegant pen.”

Broyde adds, “The relationship between leadership and ethics has yet to be fully explored and we hope to do so in this project with a focus on law, religion, health, and security. Dr. Bedzow’s expertise in ethics and values-driven leadership will provide important perspectives for faculty and students.”

“Dr. Bedzow brings a unique interdisciplinary lens to his work,” Benjamin Anthony and Rozita Pnini note. “His deep knowledge of ethics is matched by his broad interests in the various fields that impact how leaders make and carry out

The MirYam on international ethics and leadership project led by Ira Bedzow (left), with Emory law professor Michael J. Broyde.

decisions. His expertise makes him the ideal bridge between the Emory faculty, teaching experts at The MirYam Institute, and the graduate student body at Emory.

His academic and personal example is the right combination to mentor a rising generation of American and international leaders. The MirYam Institute is delighted to bring forth the possibility to establish this innovative approach to cultivating ethical leadership.”

“Working with the interdisciplinary faculty at Emory and with the experts and leaders within The MirYam Institute network creates a deep bench to produce a robust program in ethical leadership training. The students who go through this program will change the world for the better," says Bedzow.

Bedzow will be director, The Mir-

Yam Institute Project in International Ethics and Leadership at CSLR and head of the Unit of the International Chair in Bioethics (World Medical Association Cooperation Centre). He is a contributor at The MirYam Institute, a senior scholar of the Aspen Center for Social Values, co-director of the Maimonides Institute for Medicine, Ethics and the Holocaust (MIMEH), and a regular contributor in Forbes for their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion section. He is also an Orthodox rabbi (yoreh yoreh ve-yadin yadin). He received his PhD in religion from Emory University in 2014, an M.A. in humanities from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in political science with foci in political theory and political economy from Princeton University.

Compiled by the AJT

New Audiologist Joins Peachtree Hearing Peachtree Hearing has announced the appointment of their newest audiologist, Katie Hylton Au.D. Dr. Hylton will be working alongside Dr. Melissa Wikoff in every capacity, from cerumen management to fitting hearing aids. “We are so excited to have Dr. Hylton joining our team,” said Dr. Wikoff. “We carefully chose Dr. Hylton based on her excellent education and thorough experience. We know she will be a huge asset to our practice and moreover to the patients we help every day.”

“I am so excited to be a part of the Peachtree Hearing team and work alongside Dr. Wikoff. I know that Peachtree Hearing offers the highest standard of care, which is a big part of what attracted me to this position. I truly feel fortunate to be joining this clinic for the opportunity to make an impact on its patients and the greater community,” said Dr. Hylton.

Hylton received her Doctor of Au-

Katie Hylton Au.D. received her degree (Au.D.) from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine’s program in audiology and communication sciences and will see patients at Peachtree Hearing.

Auditory exams are important and can be done in a very short period of time..

diology degree (Au.D.) from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine’s program in audiology and commu-

nication sciences. While completing her doctorate, she completed an externship at University of Colorado Hospital in

Denver. Prior to earning her doctorate, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from the University of Georgia. Hylton originally grew up in Cartersville, Ga. and enjoys hiking, traveling, concerts, and trying new recipes in her free time.

Hylton is licensed to practice audiology in the state of Georgia. She currently has her Clinical Certificate of Competence from the American Speech Language and Hearing Association (ASHA CCC-A), is a fellow of the American Academy of Audiology and a member of the Georgia Academy of Audiology. She says she looks forward to helping her patients stay connected with their friends and family by having their hearing needs met.

For more information about Peachtree Hearing, please visit www.peachtreehearing.com or call us at 470-485-4327.

Compiled by the AJT ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 29

ISRAEL PRIDE

TODAY IN ISRAELI HISTORY ish unity triumphed thanks to their heroic work. It gives us all hope for the future,” said South African Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein, the founder and director of The Shabbat Project.

The Shabbat Project drew record-high participation despite many partners being Shabbat Project Karmiel // Photo credit: United Hatzalah unable to take part due to COVID-19 restrictions in their countries and cities.

Shabbat Project Roars Back Israel alone had over 200 events. In After more subdued celebrations in Eilat, open-invitation Shabbat dinners took 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the in- place at four central locations, while in Tel ternational Shabbat Project roared back to Aviv, a citywide Shabbat dinner organized life last weekend with record-setting partici- by White City Shabbat was held on the pation in the initiative’s ninth year, holding beachfront.

The U.S., too, was highly active. In Phoe1,166 citywide “unity events” in addition to thousands of private events across 1,511 cit- nix, an artisanal challah bake and chavruta (partner) learning program drew 300 womies worldwide.

Participants returned in droves to mass en, while 40 local families signed up for a Shabbat dinners and lunches, Shabbatons, “12-week Shabbat challenge.” challah bakes, Havdalah concerts, and other in-person events.

Celebration of Ethiopian Jewish “I am moved by the resilience and boldness of our thousands of partners and Sigd Festival volunteers around the world whose efforts President Isaac Herzog addressed the led to record participation amidst the headmain prayer service celebrating the Ethiopiwinds of the aftermath of the pandemic. an Jewish festival of Sigd, on the Armon HanThe joy of Shabbat and the power of Jew-

Today in Israeli History

A military DC-4 is repainted as the first El Al commercial aircraft to transport Chaim Weizmann from Geneva to Israel in 1948.

Nov. 15, 1948: El Al, whose name comes from a Hosea phrase meaning “to the skies,” is formally established as Israel’s national airline. The first regular commercial service begins in July 1949 between Lod and Paris.

Nov. 16, 1947: The Kadima, carrying 781 refugees trying to reach the Land of Israel despite a British ban, arrives in Haifa under escort by a British destroyer after being intercepted en route from Palestrina, an island near Venice.

Nov. 17, 2008: Yaakov Alperon, an organized-crime leader and suspected killer who has survived multiple assassination attempts and is known as “Don Alperon,” dies at 53 when his car is destroyed by a bomb in Tel Aviv.

Nov. 18, 1951: Yoni Rechter, considered one of Israel’s greatest musicians, is born in Tel Aviv. His band Kaveret competes in Euro30 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

vision in 1974, and his career takes off with his first solo album, “Intending,” in 1979.

Nov. 19, 1977: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat arrives to a 21-gun salute at Ben Gurion Airport and is driven to Jerusalem for a historic 36-hour visit that launches the process leading to a peace treaty in March 1979.

Nov. 20, 1944: Haviva Reik and two other paratroopers from Mandatory Palestine are among 40 Jewish fighters executed by the Nazis in Slovakia. Reik arrived in September to support an uprising and relief activities.

Ethiopian Jews arrive in Israel during Operation Moses.

Nov. 21, 1984: Working with the CIA and Sudanese State Security, the Mossad launches Operation Moses to bring Ethiopian Jews to Israel. Almost 8,000 Ethiopians are flown from refugee camps in Sudan in less than seven weeks.

Nov. 22, 1967: The U.N. Security Council adopts Resolution 242, which calls for Israel to withdraw from “territories occupied in the recent conflict,” but not “the territories,” creating ambiguity about what Israel should give up for peace.

President Isaac Herzog speaks at the mass prayer service celebrating the Ethiopian Jewish festival of Sigd2 // Photo credit: Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO)

atziv Promenade in Jerusalem. The president thanked the dignitaries of the Ethiopian Jewish community for the invitation to open the ceremony.

“As we mark the decades since the State of Israel mobilized to bring over the Jews of Ethiopia, who were on their way to the Land of Israel, this is also an opportunity to underline an important fact: the story of the aliyah of Ethiopian Jewry is not a passive story but a story of bravery and active efforts,” he said.

President Herzog wished everyone a happy holiday, saying: “The festival of Sigd, which we are celebrating today, is in my view a holiday of victory. A national holiday that renews the covenant of the return to Zion

Rafi Eitan is sworn in as a member of the Knesset on May 4, 2006.

Nov. 23, 1926: Rafi Eitan, whose intelligence career ranges from the high of leading the capture of Adolf Eichmann in Argentina to the low of handling U.S. Navy analyst Jonathan Pollard as a spy, is born on a kibbutz at Ein Harod.

Nov. 24, 1938: During the Arab Revolt, the House of Commons debates the future of Palestine. Colonial Secretary Malcolm MacDonald says Palestine cannot accommodate more than a fraction of the Jews who might try to escape Nazism.

Nov. 25, 1940: The Haganah sets off a bomb aboard the SS Patria in Haifa’s harbor to prevent British officials from shipping more than 1,700 Jews seeking refuge in Mandatory Palestine to the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius Nov. 26, 2013: An aortic aneurysm kills beloved singer/songwriter Arik Einstein at age 74 in Tel Aviv. Einstein blended folk and rock music across about 50 albums and was a driving force in the development of Israeli rock.

and expresses, in large part, the realization of a great dream.”

He concluded by saying: “The longings of the past are in large part the foundation of this holy day, but it is important that we not neglect for a moment longings for the future. The Jewish People and Israeli society all have much to learn from the richness and deep-rooted connectedness that the wave of immigration from Ethiopia brought, much to learn in the spirit of ‘study leads to action’ [Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 40b].

And this responsibility rests on all of us, as a people and as a state. We must never for an instant forget our roots; we must be proud of them and always take care to grow new, blessed fruits.”

The Central Relief Committee and the American Jewish Relief Committee agree to combine their efforts Nov. 27, 1914.

Nov. 27, 1914: The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is founded as the Central Relief Committee and the American Jewish Relief Committee merge in response to the distress of Jewish communities during World War I. Nov. 28, 1961: After a two-year ban on Jewish emigration from Morocco, Israel launches Operation Yachin to help Moroccans make aliyah via France or Italy. By the operation’s end in 1964, more than 97,000 Jews leave Morocco.

Nov. 29, 1928: Shulamit Aloni, a civil rights activist and politician who starts the left-wing Meretz party, is born in Tel Aviv (some sources say she is born in December 1927 or 1928). She dies in January 2014.

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

ISRAEL NEWS

U.S. Senate Approves New Ambassador to Israel

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

bassador to Israel Martin Indyk, “because he has two key ingredients. He has access to The nomination of Thomas Nides was the White House and with the president, and finally approved by the Senate Nov. 3, after he has the personality. He will immediately 10 months in which the U.S. didn’t have a full- charm” Israelis. “He’s very engaging.”

Indyk knows Nides “quite well,” he said time ambassador in Israel. His nomination was the exception to the rule in which Re- from when they were both colleagues in the publican Senators have been refusing to even State Department. Nides had “worked closely with Secretary of State Hillary vote on President Joe Biden’s amClinton,” Indyk told the AJT. bassadorial nominations. Biden Nides follows David Friedhad nominated Nides in July. man as ambassador. Friedman, He is expected to arrive in Israel who had served as former Presishortly. dent Donald Trump’s bankUntil his nomination, Nides ruptcy attorney, took office in served as the managing director March 2017 and left office after and vice chairman of Morgan Thomas Nides is Trump lost re-election. FriedStanley. From 2010 to 2013, he expected to arrive man’s nomination had been served as the U.S. State Departin Israel for his very controversial, with several ment’s deputy secretary of state new job shortly.

American Jewish organizations for management and resources.

Prior to that service, he was Morgan Stanley’s coming out against his nomination, along chief administrative officer, chief operating with four Jewish representatives in Congress. officer and secretary of the board, the presi- In addition, five former U.S. ambassadors to dent and CEO of Burson-Marsteller in New Israel – Thomas Pikering, William Harrop, York and the chief administrative officer of Edward Walker Jr., Daniel Kurtzer and James Credit Suisse First Boston in Washington, D.C. Cunningham – signed a letter declaring FriedHe also served as the senior vice president of man unqualified.

In contrast, Nides’ nomination received Fannie Mae in Washington from 1998 to 2001.

“He will do a great job,” said former Am- wide support from Jewish organizations, as

well as from Congress with which he was fa- tion to reestablish a relationship with the Palmiliar. He had served as chief of staff to U.S. estinians that had been severed under Trump.

Trade Representative Micky Kantor, as well There had been a U.S. consulate in Jerusalem as a senior advisor to Speaker of the House since before the State of Israel was declared.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Thomas S. Foley and senior advisor to House Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid have Majority Whip Tony Coelho.

The Nides nomination had been among argued against the reopening of the consulseveral State Department positions Republi- ate. They contend that a consulate dealing with Palestinian affairs in Jerucan senators had blocked from salem would contradict the ara swift confirmation through gument that Jerusalem is solely holds. Without the holds, nomithe capital of Israel. nees can be confirmed through As deputy secretary of a voice vote, a process that generstate, Nides played a key role in ally takes only minutes as long the Obama Administration’s apas no senator objects. Once the proval of an extension on loan hold on Nides’ nomination was “He will do a great guarantees for Israel worth bilremoved, it passed overwhelmjob,” said former lions of dollars, according to the ingly in a voice vote on Nov. 4. ambassador to Israel Times of Israel. He also supportWhen he arrives in Israel, Martin Indyk, of the ed Obama’s efforts against conhe will immediately step into a new ambassador. gressional attempts to limit U.S. whirlwind created during his predecessor’s service. Under Trump and support for the U.N. agency for Palestinian Friedman, the U.S. moved its embassy from refugees and the United Nations Educational, Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and closed its Jerusalem Scientific and Cultural Organization.

A Minnesota native, Nides served as forconsulate which had dealt with Palestinian issues. The Biden Administration has pledged mer Senator Joseph Lieberman’s campaign to reopen that consulate, either on Agron manager when he ran for vice president in Street in West Jerusalem or the previous site 2000. He was also a recipient of the secretary in East Jerusalem to enable the administra- of state’s Distinguished Service Award. ì

Let’s stand together against hate.

Visit LutinforCongress.org to learn about the campaign, to sign up for our newsletter and to sign up for virtual town hall on November 23rd, 2021 at 7 PM. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 31

OPINION Acknowledging the Future While Planting in the Present Signing a will is an acknowledgement of your life’s finality.

Planting trees recognizes that life will continue beyond your own.

Dave Schechter ExistenFrom Where I Sit tial terrors that lurk in the subconscious come to the fore as you put pen to paper on a will and advance directive. An unemotional demeanor helps to tamp down thoughts swirling within.

You know this needs to be done. You just don’t want to do it.

It may be a factor of age, but in recent months I have noticed more posts in the Facebook groups I follow about the deaths of people with whom I attended high school or college, or with whom I worked at some point in my career. Some of them come easily to mind. Others I do not remember or have only a scant recollection.

Likewise, I read with increasing frequency about the death of athletes whose

32 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

exploits I once followed and public figures whom I have encountered or interviewed.

Leaving the lawyer’s office after signing those papers, I thought: Okay, I’ve taken care of this. I can stop thinking about this, at least for a while.

Back at home, my outdoor diversions now include tending to two recently planted trees.

A friend brought over a plum tree in memory of my wife’s father, whose funeral I wrote about in this space a few weeks ago.

After accounting for the tree’s need for several hours of direct sunlight daily, we chose a spot in the backyard, several feet from the garden box.

On the gray, wet, cold days that we experience this time of year, that sapling looks forlorn, standing unprotected against whatever nature brings. In sunshine, it looks sturdier and more able to withstand the elements.

When we moved into this house, we removed a number of trees, several of which were leaning precariously in the direction of the roof. Depressions remain in the front yard where trees once stood. We chose one of those places to plant a persimmon tree

that my wife brought home from a farm stand plant sale.

We already have a fig tree that has yet to yield figs, probably because I planted it where it does not receive sufficient sunlight.

We must wait a few years to see if our latest additions produce plums and persimmons.

Given life’s vagaries I cannot say with certainty that we will be the ones to pick that fruit. If someone else is living here, I hope that they appreciate that these trees were planted.

In that regard, we are following a portion of the advice attributed to the Chinese philosopher Guan Zhong, who lived from 720-645 BCE (pre-dating Confucius, to whom this sentiment is often credited): “The best investment for one year is to grow grains; the best investment for ten years is to grow trees; the best investment for a lifetime is to educate people.”

Until writing this column, I was unfamiliar with the story of Honi the Circle Maker, based on a midrash from the Talmud.

Walking along a road, Honi asked a man he saw planting a carob tree: “How long will it take to bear fruit?” The man replied: “Seventy years.” Honi then asked: “Do you think

you will live another seventy years and eat the fruit of this tree?” The man answered: “Perhaps not. However, when I was born into this world, I found many carob trees planted by my father and grandfather. Just as they planted trees for me, I am planting trees for my children and grandchildren so they will be able to eat the fruit of these trees.”

As I looked at my signature on the aforementioned documents, one thing that came to mind was a passage in the “Gates of Prayer” siddur used by the Reform movement. I discovered these words years ago, while thumbing through the prayer book, instead of paying attention to whatever service was in progress. Their existential nature appealed to me, and I looked them up more than once.

That text reads: “Mortality is the tax we pay for the privilege of love, thought, creative work — the toll on the bridge of being from which clods of earth and snowpeaked mountain summits are exempt. Just because we are humans, we are prisoners of the years. Yet that very prison is the room of discipline in which we, driven by the urgency of time, create.” ì

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

Letter to the editor, After 26 years, the city of Atlanta can finally say these words: “World Series Champions.” Braves’ pitcher Max Fried, who is Jewish, led the team to their first World Series victory in more than 2 decades. With 4 Jewish players in the entire game, this is said to be the most Jewish game in the entire history of baseball. Astros’ 3rd baseman Alex Bregman stepped up to the field and completely busted Fried’s pitch to right field, where it was caught by Braves outfielder Joc Peterson, who is also Jewish, easily for out number two. Fried also overcame a potentially serious injury to strike out six, all without surrendering a run or walk.

To most fans, this play had no significance. But to Jewish fans, this meant so much more.

To see three Jewish players coexisting from opposing teams on the baseball’s biggest stage truly shows that the Jewish people are all one community worldwide.

For Pederson, this was his second consecutive World Series championship. Last year, Pederson played for the 2020 World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The fourth player to appear in the World Series lineup was Astros’ backup catcher Garrett Stubs. He only entered the game as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning, and he did not bat.

Fried’s success came to a scary start during the first inning. As the Astros’ Michael Brantley was approaching down on base, he proceeded to step on Fried’s ankle instead of the base. Replays showed Fried’s ankle was almost flattened under Brantley’s cleat.

Fried manage to get back up and pitch to clinch.

“I just told myself that I was going to go out there and be 100% me, just try to win a ballgame," Fried said after the win.

Despite the shining moment for Fried, the Jewish players in the game had a cold series. Pederson had just one hit in 15 at-bats, while Bregman knocked two of them, one being a double, in 21 at bats. Bregman also struck out seven times, while Pederson only struck out four.

The Jewish sports world is never a new phenomenon, but this special night was truly historic. Fried and Pederson truly represented not just Atlanta, but Atlanta’s Jewish community. Fried and Pederson will forever be icons of Atlanta’s Jewish sports world. They brought back a victory both to our city and our Jewish community, and thus shall be hailed as heroes to us.

Perri Schwartz, Age 18, Atlanta

Letter to the editor, Iran boasts that it has six armies surrounding Israel which it hopes will bring Israel to an end. While a few Arab countries have made peace with Israel, the others loathe the Jewish state. Add this to EU countries where government officials justify violence against Israel, and you have a serious security problem for Israel that it can only manage by maintaining a powerful and very expensive military. It maintains its military strength thanks to the U.S. that provides it loans and aid that Israel is obliged to use in the U.S. arms marketplace. Every dollar the U.S. provides Israel generates American jobs.

Those who question American aid to Israel are not concerned with the cost or Israel’s economic strength, but because they would like to see a weaker more vulnerable Israel.

Larry Shapiro, Alberta Canada

Letter to the editor,

OPINION

Dave Schechter has a short memory; “Rethinking U.S. Aid To Israel.” In 1948 Israel defended itself primarily with weapons from Czechoslovakia. There was a United States boycott promoted by an antisemitic State Department. In June 1967 – when Egypt, Syria and Jordan came together to “drive the Jews into the sea,” the Israeli Air Force defended the Jews with French Mirages. Still the effects of the United States boycott. Times change, … for the Jews allies and alliances change. Those who appear to be friends of the Jews suddenly decide to embrace antisemitism. When it comes to Jewish self-defense – a foundational message of the Jewish Bible (there is no commandment against killing, only a commandment against murder) – one takes what one can get for as long as one can. History has proven that for the Jews there is no guarantee about tomorrow’s allies and tomorrow’s alliances.

Richard Sherman, Margate, Fla.

Letter to the editor, Thinking U.S. Aid to Israel Atlanta Jewish Times October 31, 2021 Yes, Israel is “militarily and economically strong,” but there are thousands of missiles aimed at Israeli population centers. Israel’s enemies are working on schemes for defeating Iron Dome, and the Biden administration has eased sanctions on Iran, allowing Iran to send more money to its proxies, so that they can continue attacking Israel.

The Biden Administration is also considering to resume aid to the Palestinians, so this is not the best time for Israel to tell the U.S., “We don’t need you.” Yet the points made by Michael Oren, Yehudah Klein HaLevi, and Donniel Hartman do have some validity. American aid to Israel benefits the U.S. as well as Israel and receipt of American aid should not be seen as granting the U.S. veto power over decisions concerning sovereignty in Jerusalem, construction in Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria, or tactics used in Israeli response to attacks from Gaza.

A recent article by Morton Klein, President of the Zionist Organization of America, pointed to the “Biden Doctrine,” enunciated by then Senator Biden in 2001.

In a speech to the ZOA, Biden said that the U.S. should not publicly criticize its friend and ally, Israel, because such criticism emboldens those who “harbor elimination of Israel as their sacred goal.” It is time for Israel to seek a change in its relationship with the U.S. from one of “client and sponsor” to one of two democracies, united in efforts to fight terrorism and racism (including antisemitism).

Toby F. Block, Atlanta

Letter to the editor, TOMAHAWK CHOP or TOMAHAWK CHUMP? “Everything Trump Touches Dies” is a book written by Republican Rick Wilson in 2018.The GOP committed suicide making Trump king. Now their mad king just killed “The Braves.” Atlanta will need a new baseball team name because Trump just did the Tomahawk Chop.That World Series visual is too racist and controversial to stop!

Giving evidence of their bigotry for eternity. The Tomahawk Chop is one 90-degree turn away from being a “Sieg Heil” salute, y’all. Atlanta will lose their MLB name The Braves. Native Americans are not your mascots, GA. Don’t like change? So, you’re a coward too? Crybaby conservative deep southern dolts are long-gone members of the Trump Cult. For that reason alone, “The Braves” are over!

Making Trump the face of the Atlanta MLB franchise will force Major League Baseball to react. “The Braves “will need to go away for good now. Why not go out while on top as the final act? Atlanta is too classy now for racist nonsense. Mocking Native Americans is way too dense. Change your baseball team’s name now! Who cares if Trump’s Republicans have a cow?

But seeing former President Donald Trump do the Tomahawk Chop may finally explain what’s up with his hair. You thought it was plugs and a combover? Nope, Trump was Tomahawk Chopped up there!

[Insert Atlanta’s annoying, mocking crowd chant here imitating a native war song…]

Jake Pickering, Arcata, Calif.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 33

HEALTH & WELLNESS Let My People Grow

Shana Frankel started Ma Rabu Farm when the pandemic threw a wrench into her postgraduation plans.

Ma Rabu farm sits on one picturesque acre near the Alabama-Georgia border.

Ma Rabu Farm sits on approximately one picturesque acre in Franklin, near the Alabama-Georgia border. It took me about an hour and a Daniel Elkind half on some backroads when I drove down from Atlanta in August to see how Shana Frankel’s first summer as a farmer was shaping up. Somewhere between Grantville and Corinth the radio signal broke down, hissing static until I settled on a Tricia Yearwood song.

I finally pulled off the dirt road and into a circular drive, past a small, wooden greenhouse where Frankel germinates her seeds, some sheep, ducks, and two donkeys named Emmylou (Harris) and Joni (Mitchell). There were lambs and chickens, too, but they’d been killed by predators. Of the lambs, only Willow and Aster were left, now inseparable. The chickens were taken, Frankel thinks, by a hawk that lives nearby. “He hangs out by the lawnmower and waits,” she said ominously.

There was nothing growing here but weeds when the Yeshiva Atlanta (AJA) grad arrived last winter, fresh out of the social work program at the University of Michigan. Now, peppers, okra, zinnias, and a variety of squashes and cucumbers — long, prickly suyo twisted into strange shapes and small, round lemon cucumbers that we ate right off the vine — including loofah gourds (the sponge you use in the shower) were flourishing on a quarter-acre drip-irrigated plot in the fierce Georgia heat.

Her first solo farming season began in April, with kale, Swiss chard, lettuce, green onions, radishes, basil, dill, cilantro, green beans, peppers, eggplant, and tomatoes. Her flowers have been popular, and Frankel plans to put in nasturtiums next season. Right now, though, the future is one big question mark looming large on the horizon.

Though she’s had some help getting the operation off the ground, Frankel is a one-woman show, singlehandedly planting, cultivating, harvesting, and transporting her produce to farmer’s markets and the homes of customers in Atlanta who sign up to her Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) box subscription program. Spare time doesn’t really exist when you’re the sole farmer, but when she’s not working or getting equipment fixed, Frankel forages in the nearby woods for wild additions to her boxes and ingredients for her apothecary line. She told me that she takes pride in introducing the families she feeds to products they might not readily have picked up on their own.

On the day I visited, we found two types of chanterelles and a variety of edible plants. By the lake, we spotted some common wild oats growing in a clump along the shore.

“I love these!” Frankel called out.

She credits her growing knowledge of the land with stimulating her physical health and general well-being. “Arguably one of the greatest blessings of getting into farming for me has been the introduction to using different types of plants, both foraged and cultivated, to help nourish my physical and mental health,” she said. “For example, every summer around late July in Georgia I know different spots where I gather ripe

34 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Lambs, Willow and Aster sharing a meal together.

Frankel singlehandedly plants, cultivates, harvests, and transports her own produce.

Peppers of all colors, shapes and sizes.

elderberry fruits, which I then take home and process into vegetable glycerin, and by the time winter rolls around, an infusion is ready for me to take every day to help boost my immune system. My love for making these types of things, as well as a love for making and drinking loose-leaf tea, has led me to also have a small business that I call the Ma Rabu Apothecary.”

For Frankel, growing food is about nourishing both the body and the soul of the community. Growing up in the suburbs, though, she was far from the realities of rural farming life. The dream of one day having a productive plot of land had always been on her mind; but for a long time, Ma Rabu was just a note on her phone, inspired by the lines from Psalm 104 that are said as part of the morning prayers: “Ma rabu ma’asecha … (How many are the things You have made, O Lord).”

The name came to Frankel while lis-

tening to a version of the psalm sung by the Maccabeats. And the fantasy arguably never would have come to fruition without the COVID-19 pandemic, which threw a wrench into her post-graduation plans. She realized that a farm like Ma Rabu could help her do the kind of social work and community development she had always intended to do.

“I grew up in a tight-knit community,” she says of her childhood in Sandy Springs, where her family attended Congregation Beth Tefillah. Frankel’s parents have been very supportive, and interest from the community has helped her client base continue to grow.

When I visited, she was deep into theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel’s treatise on the meaning of Shabbat. “My relationship with Judaism is intrinsically tied to my farming practices,” she told me, and Heschel’s book “added many new layers of meaning to this relationship. Being in the

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Harvested green onions.

first year of running my own food growing operation, it has proven to be very hard to ever shut my mind off from the endless task list of farm chores that need to get done, and these constant stressors were spilling over from weekday into Shabbat.”

I had Heschel’s book at home, but I hadn’t opened it in several years. I remembered it as slim but powerful, though I won-

A pumpkin is ready to sprout at any time.

dered if it would have the same effect on me now as it did back then. I asked Frankel what she had learned, if anything, from the late rabbi’s meditations on the day of rest.

Did his insights have any relevance to her experience on the farm?

“While I grew up in a Modern Orthodox home and the observance of the Sabbath was always at the core of our practice,

it has looked different for me in the last several years,” she said.

“When I got this opportunity to start Ma Rabu Farm, I knew I wanted to be mindful about the chores I do on Shabbat. Just like humans need rest, so does the land, and so do the animals and the plants. One of my biggest takeaways from reading Heschel’s book was when he said that ‘man is not a

Flowers have been especially popular this year.

beast of burden, and the Sabbath is not for enhancing the efficiency of his work.’ This is a continuous reminder that I do not take off time on Saturday to restore strength to make my farm work better, but rather to rest for the sake of resting, and to restore a spiritual connection that can often seem dormant through the mundane chaos of the work week.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 35

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Is it Cool to Be Vegan?

Ben Ladinsky Veganism has come a long way from the margins of American food culture to the mainstream, especially among younger millennials and Gen Z. What used to be a joke or rarity has become a full-fledged lifestyle Statista.com completed a survey April 2021 to gauge who Here shows a chicken farm where chickens are given no considers themselves vegan or vegetarian. space to move and minimal natural light. Forcing chicken for people from a wide to be this close to each other results in chickens living range of backgrounds. next to sick or dead chickens for long periods of time.

No longer just a food movement, it encompasses concerns with animal rights, social and economic justice, environ- and then breaking their personal and/ mately 1,847 gallons of water to produce ing all the generations, has become promentalism, mindfulness, and health and or world records. Apparently, these ath- one pound of beef. Water is required to foundly disconnected from the natural wellness in general. Between 2014 and letes are running faster, jumping higher, grow the feed for the cow, to hydrate the world. With the rise of technology and 2017, according to GlobalData, the num- and lifting more than they ever did on cow, and irrigate the land that the cow is automation, we’ve become numb to how ber of Americans who identified as vegan diets that included animal products. This grazing on. Simply eliminating red meat our lives affect the environment we rely grew from 1 percent to 6 percent, driven documentary, among others, has been from your diet can save thousands and upon. We are so busy sharing pictures of by the rise of social media, environmen- credited with converting a lot of people thousands of gallons of water and aid in our morning latte on social media that we do not think about other environmental tal issues, and the availability of plant- to veganism. stealing milk from a The internet has also given consum- issues. Cows require based options. cow that was intended Broadly speaking, veganism as a ers access to never-before-seen footage of a lot of land, which for its calf, just so we way of living that attempts to exclude all how large-scale factories function, how causes deforestation can flavor our coffee. forms of animal exploitation and cruelty corporations (mis)treat their employees, and habitat loss for Our rushed and busy — whether in the production of food, and all the horrific things that happen in other species. Cows lives require fast food, clothing, or any other industry. With the the meat and dairy industries. In school, also produce a lot of and fast food requires rise of social media, veganism has gotten we are often taught that we must eat methane through gasfactory farming. If we release, more exposure than ever before, with animals in order to get protein. As kids, tronomical all take the opportuinfluencers and startup brands endors- we see chicken nuggets that come in fun which increases connity to slow down and ing the trend. And, as many Americans shapes and colorful packaging that fea- centrations of harmful think about where we have grown more conscious of their tures smiling faces. With this advertising, greenhouse gases in are getting our food health and habits, plant-based diets have chicken has words like fun and healthy the atmosphere.

Each year the ocean is polluted more from, it will shine a Other casualties increasingly become an essential part associated with it, but as more footage than the previous and the pollution huge spotlight on the of wellness, alongside practices such as and information is released about ani- of animal farming inis killing off the fish supply. inhumane practices yoga and meditation. Influencers include mal factory farming, the positive asso- clude marine life and tennis player Venus Williams, who cred- ciations are going away. The cruel living oceans. The seafood industry contributes that sustain this cycle.

As a member of Gen Z, I believe that its a vegan diet with changing her life fol- conditions these animals live in for our to overfishing and bycatch, leading to lowing a Sjogren’s Syndrome diagnosis, benefit are now being exposed. Images dangerous imbalances in delicate ecosys- it is our job to heal the environment. The and Atlanta Falcon Matt Ryan, who in of animals being abused and raised in- tems and dwindling populations of fish environment is in an almost irreversible 2019 said he had eliminated all meat and humanely are turning people away from and crustaceans. Bycatch occurs when decline, so there is a huge sense of urgensupporting the corporations that profit species other than the target species — cy to do anything we can to help. The endairy products from his diet.

Information about vegan diets circu- from factory farming. In addition to ter- such as sharks, whales, and dolphins — vironment is the single most important lates prominently on the internet, most rible conditions for the animals, work- are caught in fishing nets. This results thing that we need to worry about right notably through documentaries. One ers in meat plants and chicken farms in the extinction of some species and now. Politics, the economy, conservatives of the most popular is the Netflix docu- — many of them immigrants — are also the overpopulation of others. The effects vs. liberals — none of these issues matter mentary “Game Changers,” which makes forced to work in unsafe environments aren’t limited to the ocean; they have if there is no earth to live on. As a genvery bold claims about how a plant-based for little pay, resulting in thousands of consequences for those who live on land, eration that is growing up and one day too, since the ocean plays a huge role in hopes to raise families, we are desperate diet can help your body perform to the injuries each year. to keep our planet alive.

The environmental impact is pro- cooling the earth. best of its ability. It features examples of Switching to a plant-based diet, let I believe that our society, includathletes switching to a plant-based diet found. For example, it takes approxi36 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

HEALTH & WELLNESS alone lifestyle, can be a daunting task. If you are someone that loves the taste of meat, or have been eating it your whole life, you may be uninterested in trying to change, and this is completely understandable. If you are still interested in helping or supporting veganism, though, here are some ways to support it.

Meatless Mondays: Eliminating meat from your table just one day a week can have a huge positive effect on the environment and can also help you transition to a plant-based diet.

Shop Smart: If you still want to eat meat, you can choose to shop more sustainably. Shopping local and supporting small businesses that humanely raise and kill animals is much better than buying factory-farmed meat from a corporation.

Ask Questions: If a friend or family member is transitioning to a plant-based diet, feel free to ask as many questions as you want. As a vegan, I have no problem answering any questions that someone has about my diet and lifestyle.

Benjamin Ladinsky is a political science major completing his senior year at Kennesaw State University.

Vegan Potato Latkes If you are interested in trying a plant-based recipe this holiday season, here is a delicious latke recipe that I use every year for Chanukah.

2 cups packed, grated, and drained potato 1/3 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 3 tbsp sliced green onion 3 tbsp unsweetened nondairy milk 1 tbsp cornstarch 1 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 tsp baking powder black pepper, to taste vegetable oil, for frying (canola, olive, or coconut all work well) optional: 2 tbsp fresh, chopped dill optional: 1/4 cup vegan cheese shreds Grate potatoes and squeeze out as much moisture as you can using paper towel.

Combine 2 cups grated potato, flour, green onion, almond milk, cornstarch, salt, baking powder, and black pepper (optional: add dill and vegan cheese.) Mix well to develop the gluten in the flour (which helps with binding.)

In a frying pan, preheat a generous amount of vegetable oil over medium heat.

Spoon 1/4-1/3 cup of potato mixture into the pan. Use a spatula or pancake flipper to flatten the patty to about 1/4” thick. Fry until golden brown, flip, and fry the other side. Drain excess oil on paper towel if necessary.

Serve with your favorite toppings (we used sliced green onion, tzatziki, and black pepper.) ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 37

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Ira Katz Wins Independent Pharmacist of Year Award For Ira Katz, owner of the Little Five Points Pharmacy, it’s all about community. That’s why being the 2021 recipient of the National Fran Putney Community Pharmacists Association’s (NCPA) highest honor, the Willard B. Simmons Independent Pharmacist of the Year Award, means so much to him.

“I was really shocked by it. It’s the highest, most coveted award from colleagues at a national level,” said Katz. “I was really bowled over.”

Raised in the Bronx, Katz, 67, attended Emory University as an undergraduate, returned to New York to earn his pharmacy degree at St. John’s University, and came back to Atlanta with his wife, Dr. Mindy Wertheimer, to begin his career. He first worked with the Reed drugstore chain at several stores; but all along, Katz said, he knew he wanted to open his own phar-

38 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

macy.

He and Mindy would drive around various suburban areas in search of a location. Nothing seemed right until about two years later, in 1980, when he connected with Kelly Jordan, who, along with his business partner, was redeveloping a retail center on Moreland Avenue as part of the Little Five Points revitalization plan. According to Jordan, local pharmacies were part of the neighborhood’s history since the 1920s. “We knew if the neighborhood was to be revitalized, we needed an independent pharmacy,” Jordan said. He and Katz met in the back room of the old L5P Pub and discussed plans.

Little Five Points is a small business district known for its bars and pubs, small theaters, music venues, tattoo parlors, and other offbeat establishments. It’s surrounded by historic intown neighborhoods like Candler Park, Inman Park, Druid Hills and Edgewood, whose demographics range from students to families.

Katz says his upbringing in the Bronx gave him a real appreciation of the value of community and that he immediately saw a fit with the neighborhood. “When

Pharmacist Ira Katz holds a box of Narcan (naloxone), a nasal spray that reverses opioid overdose.

I got home, I said to my wife, ‘I think I found what I want to do.’ I knew that this is a community and a neighborhood unlike anything else I was looking at.”

Now 42 years later, the busy pharmacy employs a staff of eight, including some

who have been with Katz for more than 20 years.

“I love the diversity and have pretty much seen everything,” said Katz, who made headlines in June 2018 after he used Narcan to revive a man overdosing in the

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Katz received the coveted Independent Pharmacist of the Year award in Charlotte last month.

parking lot. (Narcan is a popular brand of man’s life in the parking lot. In a show of naloxone, a medicine used to quickly re- affection from the community in 2013, verse opioid overdose.) Since then, Katz has Katz was asked to be the Grand Marshal of rescued others and become a champion of the Inman Park Festival parade, that year combatting opioid abuse. He works with riding in front of his friend, Congressman Atlanta Harm Reduction to train people to John Lewis.

Katz and Wertheimer live in East administer Narcan and gives it out free of Cobb, where they raised their two nowcharge in hopes of saving more lives. adult daughters, both of whom attended As a community pharmacist, Katz Jewish day schools.

Wertheimer is a past says interacting directly with his clients president of JF&CS and and doing advocacy recently retired after 30 is gratifying. In keepdistinguished years on ing with the changes the faculty of the Georof his profession, Katz gia State University administers immuniSchool of Social Work. zations, works with For his part, Katz, who patients on medication is also an adjunct protherapy management, fessor at Mercer Uniand attends classes so versity, often speaks to he can counsel his clilocal media, and serves ents on health and wellin leadership roles in ness issues such as diet professional organizaand nutrition. tions, says he has no “We really love and Katz made headlines in June plans to retire. appreciate him,” said 2018 after he saved a young “I love my profesKelly Stocks, president man from a drug overdose. sion,” says Katz, an acof the Little Five Points Business Association. “Ira is a great asset tive member of Congregation B’nai Torah. to our neighborhood. The pharmacy is one “Not too many people can say that. Every of those legacy businesses we have in Little day I make a difference. That’s what sets Five Points that we cherish that other neigh- independent pharmacies apart.”

Katz received the award at the NCPA’s borhoods don’t have.”

As an essential business, Katz man- annual convention in Charlotte, N.C. on Oct. aged to keep the pharmacy open during 11. “Ira’s leadership, dedication and committhe worst of the COVID-19 pandemic. For ment to community make him a deserv14 months, staff would allow one person in ing recipient of this year’s Willard B. Simthe store at a time or bring medicine and mons Independent Pharmacist of the Year orders to customers outside. Now the phar- Award,” said NCPA CEO B. Douglas Hoey.

“Ira’s service to his community has macy is fully open again, although masks saved lives and is unwavering. He is a are mandatory in the store.

Among his many honors and awards, prime example of the importance of comKatz was recognized with a resolution at munity pharmacies to people in cities and the Georgia Senate after he saved the young towns across America.” ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 39

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Headache Triggers and Treatments

By Robyn Spizman Gerson Headaches come in many forms and intensities, with causes that can range from genetics, anxiety, stress, a lack of sleep, excess sleep, what you eat, breathe, feel, and the list goes on. The one thing any headache sufferer will agree on is that chronic headaches are painful and can interfere with life in a significant way.

First and foremost, a complete medical checkup is an important preliminary step for all headache sufferers. Gavin Brown, M.D., a general neurologist at the Laureate Medical Group and director of neurology at Northside Hospital System, said, “The COVID pandemic has brought a host of new stressors. The isolation, employment concerns, and upended work and school schedules can all exacerbate headaches.”

He added, “The two most common types of headaches that I see are migraines and tension headaches. It is an exciting time for migraine therapeutics.

Over the past four years, several new classes of medications have emerged which seem as effective and much bet-

Atlanta neurologist Dr. Gavin Brown shares promising news about headaches and migraines.

Cheryl Orlansky weighs in on the common culprits that can contribute to headaches.

ter tolerated than the older drugs. Two examples are CGRP inhibitors (monthly shots for the prevention of migraine) and gepants (pills to take acutely when a migraine is coming on in order to ‘abort’ the headache). Within each of these classes, there are several unique new medications.”

When it comes to headache triggers, Brown lists “certain foods, stress, and disrupted sleep patterns,” and suggests that those who experience headaches keep a detailed diary to narrow down the potential causes. “Trigger avoidance is an important non-pharmacological measure to reduce the impact of migraines,” he says.

If you live with someone who suffers from migraines, Brown advises that you try “to be kind and sympathetic when your loved one is in pain. Ask what you can do to help.” Above all, don’t give up.

“The migraine treatment toolbox has grown considerably in recent years,” Brown says. “Seek out a neurologist who will engage with you to design the right treatment program.”

Diets play a big role, as well. Cheryl Orlansky, a registered dietitian nutritionist at the Laureate Medical Group, says, “Diet may or may not impact headaches.

There are multiple reasons that people get migraines or headaches including genetics, environment, lifestyle, and diet. The following three are potential headache instigators: stress, lack of sleep and certain food triggers.” There are also three compounds often found in food that can lead to headaches in some people: histamine, tyramine and MSG. Orlansky breaks these down further: Histamine is a bioactive chemical that our body uses as a neurotransmitter.

It is released when our immune system is activated in response to an inflammatory process. Histamine intolerance is not an allergy; sometimes the symptoms occur hours after a food is eaten (unlike an allergy, which is an immediate response).

A small amount of histamine may not cause a response, but a larger amount can. Histamine is found in aged or fer-

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mented foods: cheese, alcohol, vinegar, sauerkraut, soy sauce, processed meats like salami, pepperoni and hot dogs. It may occur in ripening fruits and vegetables. Preservatives such as benzoates or sulfites or food dyes such as tartrazine may also lead to a histamine response.

Having one of these foods may not cause a response, but if you had a meal of pizza with pepperoni, cheese and tomatoes with two glasses of wine, the response could be immediate.

Tyramine is created in our body from the amino acid tyrosine. Tyramine acts as another central nervous system neurotransmitter. Similar to histamine, tyramine is found in foods that are fermented and in foods that are starting to spoil or are contaminated with microbes.

Tyramine is found in aged cheeses, fermented meats and sausages, chicken liver, yeast extract, wine (especially red wine), beer, soy sauce, vinegar and pickles, raspberries, avocado, figs, eggplants and tomatoes.

MSG, or monosodium glutamate, is a flavor enhancer. Some people report symptoms such as flushing, nausea and vomiting, headaches and rapid heart rate. Research is mixed when it comes to evidence of MSG sensitivities. MSG is listed on the “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) list and food manufacturers are not required to list it on the label.

Alcohol increases the rate of absorption of MSG so drinking while eating food with MSG may increase symptom severity. Popular flavor enhancers such as Accent-brand seasoning, hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP), flavorings or kombu extract may include MSG. Prepared foods such as canned meat, canned soup, gravy mixes, croutons, bottled or canned sauces, and frozen food or prepared snacks and salad dressings may have MSG. Orlansky adds, “Everyone has their own level of intolerance. Food intolerances can be dose related. The higher the dose of food/intolerance, the more severe the symptoms. If you struggle with headaches, examine your lifestyle habits. Are you getting enough sleep or exercise, how are you managing stress? Learning how to cope with stress by using meditation or yoga can be helpful. Finding a routine or pattern of eating and sleeping may also prevent headaches. Look to your diet to be diverse in fruit, vegetables, whole grains, beans and lean protein. Aim to eat seasonally, which will also help diversify your diet.”

Visit www.eatright.org for more information. ì

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Robotic Surgery May Revolutionize Medical Care

Bob Bahr

Atlanta is rapidly becoming the center of what some consider to be one of the more important advances in medical technology today: the use of robots in sur-

gery.

These multi-million-dollar machines bring together computers and imaging and sensing technology to guide tiny instruments. The small surgical tools are inserted through incisions, which in many cases are less than a half-inch in length.

If you are facing a surgical procedure involving the spine and hips, the colon, the head and neck, the heart, the male urological tract or the female reproductive system, there is a good chance that your doctor could be working with a robot.

Because the machines never tire and the mechanical arms are rock-steady, robots are able to perform procedures that have not been possible in the past. Last year, about 900,000 procedures were performed this way in American hospitals equipped with about 5,000 robotic platforms.

One of the local pioneers in the field is Dr. Jeffrey Cohen, who practices at Atlanta Colon and Rectal Surgery, which is part of the Northside Hospital network.

For patients with inflammatory bowel conditions that do not respond well to medication, surgery is often the next step.

That includes some sufferers of colitis and Crohn’s disease, which often afflicts Ashkenazi Jews.

According to Cohen, 35 percent of all colorectal surgery in the Atlanta area is done robotically. He maintains that robotic surgery offers some distinct advantages over what has been done in the past.

“Operations that we used to do through a big incision or with smaller instruments, laparoscopically, we can now do robotically,” he said. “So, by doing Crohn’s surgery or ulcerative colitis surgery robotically, and many other procedures, I can be more precise. I have a three-dimensional visualization system that sees inside someone’s abdomen. It’s less traumatic. There’s less blood loss, there are less complications and there are shorter hospital stays.”

In the next decade, the use of robotics is predicted to accelerate dramatically. By 2030, it’s thought that about a third of all surgical procedures will be assisted by robotic devices, which translates to about 3.5 million medical operations.

The market for robotic surgical platforms is expected to quadruple in hospitals over the next decade.

Robotic brain surgery may be one of the new frontiers for the emerging technology.

Based on data from recent pilot projects, some of that growth could come from using newly deployed 5G telecommunication networks. In the last couple of years, procedures have been performed in which the patient and the surgeon were as far as 1,500 miles apart.

By 2030, industry analysts predict that the market for surgical robots could quadruple from about $4 billion today to about $17 billion ten years from now.

That’s the kind of growth that motivated the company Intuitive Surgical, the dominant player in robotic surgery, to announce in August a dramatic expansion of its manufacturing and engineering facility in Gwinnett County’s Peachtree Corners community.

Over the next three years, the company, which now employs about 180 here, will add 1,200 new jobs and expand the site to 750,000 square feet. It expects to spend over $500 million on the project.

Although Intuitive is headquartered in California’s Silicon Valley, the CEO of the company, Gary Guthart, was impressed with the potential that the county’s metropolitan area has to offer, as well as the 2,000 other life science companies based in Georgia.

“Intuitive needs a highly educated,

Dr. Jeffrey Cohen has been a local pioneer in the use of robotic surgery.

committed and diverse workforce; quality infrastructure; and the right geography to meet the rising demand for minimally invasive surgical technologies,” he said.

Dr. Cohen trains colorectal surgeons at the local Intuitive complex. Surgeons come from around the country to learn basic and advanced techniques at the 20 robotic surgical suites the company has built in Peachtree Corners. He believes that the industry leader in robotics is getting ready to usher in a new era in surgery.

“I am told that the center here is going to be expanding exponentially. And I am told that they are going to be doing robotic production, actually, here in Peachtree Corners; that they’re going to be making Intuitive’s da Vinci robots here. We’re absolutely going to become a national and international center for robotic surgery.”

Israel has also been a leader in developing robotic medical technology. In 2019, surgeons at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem performed the world’s first robotic procedure using two robots that were, in effect, communicating with each other.

One of the robots was manufactured by an Israeli company, Mazor, which

Moshe Shoham, of Israel’s Technion, is developing robotics that can remove brain tumors and blood clots.

makes robotic guidance systems for spine and brain surgeries and was acquired two years ago by Medtronic, a major American medical technology company, for $1.64 billion.

Mazor’s founder, Moshe Shoham, is a researcher at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. Earlier this year, Dr. Shoham described his work in developing one of the first robotic surgical tools for work in the brain. It could give doctors a precise way to remove tumors and blood clots without affecting the delicate, surrounding tissue.

The advances come at a time when robotic surgery is starting to benefit from a wide array of technology and advances in artificial intelligence. The devices might one day be able to allow surgeons to venture deep into the brain using the advanced imaging techniques that Professor Shoham has developed to guide the robotic tools.

“We hope we will be able to let people suffering from the conditions get back to their lives,” he told The Times of Israel. “We believe that our robotic system can do this better than a surgeon’s free hand.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 41

HEALTH & WELLNESS

David Frank Joins Emory’s Winship Cancer Institute

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

many different kinds of cancers (including non- hematologic cancers such as breast David Frank, MD, is board certified in cancer, ovarian cancer, and others), we are hopeful that this approach medical oncology and cares will have a broad impact on for patients with hematologic cancer therapy.” malignancies, specializing in Frank recently joined leukemia. A renowned phythe Winship Cancer Instisician-scientist, Dr. Frank’s tute, though he said he was research has developed in“very happy at the Dananovative ways to target STAT Farber Cancer Institute” and transcription factors for the “thought that I would likely treatment of cancer. He is finish my career there.” When the director of the Division of presented with the opportuHematology and Medical Oncology at Emory University Dr. David Frank leads the nity to lead the hematology Hematology Division at the division at Winship, Frank School of Medicine.

Winship Cancer Institute says he “was very intrigued.”

A native of Brooklyn, and Emory University He clarified that “alFrank went to college at MIT, School of Medicine. though my specialty is blood before completing an MDPhD program and internal medicine train- cancers, the hematology division evaluates ing at Yale. He then went to the Dana-Farber and treats other blood disorders as well.

Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical This includes red blood cell disorders such School in Boston for his oncology training. as anemias, and bleeding and clotting disFrank joined the faculty there and lived in orders. We also care for one of the biggest populations of patients with sickle cell disthe Northeast for more than 20 years.

“My professional career has focused ease in the country. The blood clotting syson taking care of patients with hematologic tem is one of the body’s beautiful, complex (blood) cancers, such as various forms of systems that has to be balanced very careleukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myelo- fully. If there is not enough clotting activity, ma,” Frank says. “At the same time, I have then a person is at risk for potentially serirun a laboratory that has been focused on ous bleeding. On the other hand, too much understanding the molecular abnormalities clotting activity can put a person at risk in cancer cells and using this knowledge to for blood clots and emboli, which can be develop new targeted therapies to treat pa- equally serious. It is a privilege to have such tients. We have advanced several drugs we wonderful hematologists in our division have identified from the laboratory to clini- who are world experts in dealing with these cal trials for our patients. Since the proteins complex conditions.”

Frank is passionate about his field and that we study, which regulate the activity of genes, are activated inappropriately in eloquent about its intricacies. Like clotting,

the production of blood cells, he said, “is under a similar beautiful control mechanism.

If we donate blood, our body will rapidly make more red blood cells to replace what was donated. If we get an infection, the white blood cells that fight off that particular kind of infection will increase in number, but will then return to their baseline levels after the infection has cleared. Blood cancers, like leukemias, occur when individual blood cells start proliferating in an uncontrolled way or survive too long when they should be dying off. Understanding how blood cells regulate themselves under normal circumstances, and how this system goes awry in cancer, has always been fascinating to me. Our ability now to use this knowledge to help people with all kinds of cancer is what drives our laboratory’s work.

Many new therapies have recently become available, and more are on the horizon. I am very optimistic that we will be able to significantly lift the burden of cancer from society in the years ahead, and I believe Emory and Winship will play a significant role in this effort. This is very meaningful to me given all the suffering I have seen from cancer over the years, including the death of my own mother from cancer last year.”

When it comes to the Jewish community, Frank says that “although blood cancers and other blood disorders do not generally occur more frequently in the Jewish population, they are very common, complex, and often life-threatening conditions.”

He believes that Emory will move into the spotlight, becoming “more of a destination nationally for people seeking outstanding medical care for cancer and blood disor-

Dec. 3rd-Dec. 19

ders.”

Frank met his wife Shelia in graduate school at Yale, while they were doing research in the same laboratory. Shelia is now the chief scientific officer for a biotechnology company, and they have two children, Rachel and Michael.

“We have no family in the Atlanta area, and knew only a handful of people here,” Frank said. “However, when I told my colleagues in Boston that I was accepting this position at Emory, many of them immediately connected me with family members in the Atlanta area. The warmth of all of these people was amazing to me. Shelia and I just moved into our home in the Morningside neighborhood of Atlanta. Once we get settled, I look forward to reaching out to these people to start to establish a new network in Atlanta. I started at Emory on September 1, only a few days before the Jewish holidays.

At that time, I was staying in a short-term rental home while we were still house hunting. Since I did not have a connection to any particular neighborhood at that time, I attended services at Emory Hillel. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and the spirit and warmth of that congregation was very special.” ì

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Frank and his wife Shelia with their children, Rachel and Michael.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

Hair That Touches Hearts Jennifer Green is a legend in both the Orthodox and medical communities. A trained cosmetologist, she is known as an expert Marcia consultant to two imporCaller Jaffe tant circles of wig-wearers. A graduate of the Greenfield Hebrew Academy, Green works with women facing medical challenges, as well as religious women who cover their natural hair for purposes of modesty.

The legendary Jewish hairdresser Vidal Sassoon once said, “Working with hair is architecture with a human element.”

Green offers her clients multiple options consisting of synthetic, real, or blends.

More importantly, she wants every client to end up with what’s prefect for them.

Green’s client Tzippy Teller said, “When I was a teen, I went with my mom to get her wigs. She is patient and detail-oriented and wants you to be comfortable with what you buy, which is a rarity. She will do whatever it takes to make it perfect. I have bought from others, even out of state, who cannot match her level of service.”

Green, who originally apprenticed at a local salon that turned into a partnership, “No More Bad Hair Days,” fielded phone calls from churches and other sources to help women who were going through chemotherapy and other health challenges.

Then she was recruited by Piedmont Hospital’s oncology department, where she opened a rent-free space as an official insurance provider to supply wigs for medical patients.

Green said, “Giving women with challenges their beauty back at affordable costs made me feel like I could save the world one relationship at a time.” After two years, she now operates “Hair with Care/DBA Jennifer’s Wigs,” out of her home and office, which focuses on both medical issues and sheitels for married women who choose to cover their hair.

Many modern Orthodox Jewish women practice the tradition of covering their hair after marriage, which comes from the Jewish laws of modesty. They are not only signaling modesty to others but also providing a constant reminder to themselves. Today, many wigs used by Jewish women come with a hechsher (kosher certification) in order to ensure that the hair is not sourced from rituals deemed to be idolatrous. This latest ruling comes after it was revealed in 2004 that the hair

Jennifer Green is wellknown for her expertise in the wig industry.

Green says that the modern lace cap is the least detectable type of wig.

Leah Gerendash poses with one of Green’s beautiful wigs.

adjustments at no charge.

Green also washes and sets wigs for around $40-$50. Synthetic wigs run from $300 to $750, blends from $800 to $1,400, and human hair comes in at around $1,600.

Green notes that there are extra charges for natural red or “virgin” blonde shades.

Currently, Green’s business is more heavily slanted toward medical clients. In

Green poses with her daughter Leah (both in wigs) and granddaughter Maya.

A chemo patient sports a new wig.

addition to chemotherapy, auto immune disorders, alopecia and children’s conditions can cause hair loss. Green, who also sells all types of accessories like scarves, hats, baseball caps with hair, halos, berets, beanies, and sleep caps, says, “The new craze now is a lace base which makes the wig almost undetectable. Women just want to feel good looking like themselves!” ì

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Green offers clients a variety of wigs: synthetic, real hair and various blends.

from a number of wigs came from Hindu women whose heads were shaved during a religious purification ceremony.

Green even makes time for clients on Sundays and evenings, and takes courses over Zoom to keep up with trends like advanced cutting techniques specific to wigs.

She said, “There are so many choices: heat resistant, mixes of synthetic and real hair.

Women need customization. Once in a while someone can walk in and find something perfect in stock in one appointment.

Most of the time it takes 2-5 days after the consultation to get the wig I may need to cut and size. Human hair takes longer to arrive.” For up to 3 months, she will make

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GIFT GUIDE Chanukah Gift Guide 2021

Robyn Spizman Gerson

As Chanukah 2021 approaches, it’s time to brush off our gift-giving skills and focus on spreading smiles. Surprise your friends, family and loved ones with useful gifts they will appreciate and enjoy. With delivery delays expected, some items could take longer to arrive, so it’s important to order or purchase today.

This year, our Chanukah Gift Guide focuses on creative gifts that are delicious, fun and universal in appeal. From purposeful service-focused gift cards to delicious treats that will tempt even the hard to please, here’s wishing you and yours a Happy Chanukah. Let your festival of lights celebration be miraculous and memorable. And let the shopping begin!

The Spicy Peach — Looking to spice up your holiday gift-giving? The Spicy Peach can help you with a selection of holiday gift baskets filled with unique and delicious goodies. They can create something custom from gelt to gummy dreidels, Chanukah cookies or pasta and other treats in-store, as well as candy wheels, chocolate trays and dried fruit platters. Call 404-334-7200 and give 24hr notice for a custom basket. Local delivery available for a fee, and they can pack and ship for you, too. www.thespicypeach.com

Chanukah PJ’s — A Great Baby has the cutest selection of personalized gifts, from blankets to onesies to comfy pajamas and more.

Your kids will love these super soft Chanukah pj’s with blue and gold rainbows surrounding their name. Made from stretchy, lightweight, buttery-soft 100% polyester fabric, they’ll be a hit at Chanukah time. Personalized with your child’s name, with free shipping included, a purchase from this company makes you a partner in kindness, donating gifts to those in need. www. agreatbaby.com

44 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Family Activities at PJ Library — Need creative ways to celebrate Chanukah with your kids or grandkids? Families raising kids may sign up each of their offspring for a free-of-charge subscription for books monthly, from PJ Library. PJ Library’s children’s literature experts curate the booklist to provide the very best story books that convey Jewish values, traditions, and themes for a broad spectrum of families raising Jewish children. PJ Library’s parenting experts have also updated their Chanukah Hub, offering child-friendly versions of the Chanukah story, along with craft ideas, recipes, and lots of educational and fun printables. www.pjlibrary.org/home

Oh! Nuts — Oh! Nuts has a large selection of beautifully crafted kosher gift baskets and trays that feature an assortment of chocolate, candy, dried fruit, and nuts.

Whether you’re looking for a delectable dried fruit dish for your home or a delicious chocolate platter gift for a friend, Oh! Nuts is a wonderful edible gift resource for your holiday needs. www.ohnuts.com

Orchids To Your Door — Balloons Over Atlanta, a femaleowned local business, has specialized in smiles and gifts for over 40 years, delivering a selection of beautiful orchids and flowers to your door. You can also choose from a box of chocolates, truffles, personalized gifts, balloons and more. Delivery included in Buckhead and Sandy Springs; a small delivery fee is added for surrounding areas. www.balloonsover.com

GIFT GUIDE Unique Gifts — Uncommon Goods is one of the most creative online gift resources, filled with just-right gifts for moms, dads, teens, inlaws, besties, your one-and-only and more.

With a selection of clever gifts that simply cannot be found anywhere else, discover a mostly handmade assortment brought to you by independent makers and artists, plus an array of customizable gifts. Check out their Happy Chanukah Paint-By-Numbers Kit, the Color Changing Cinema Lightbox, creative cutlery and dinnerware and the personalized Alphabet Piggy Bank for a few of their can’t-miss gifts. www.uncommongoods.com

The Zebra from Zion — Celebrate the Chanukah season with the Mensch-on-a-Bench family of products and add more Funukah to your Chanukah! The Zebra from Zion is an adorable plush “menorah-striped” zebra that includes a hardcover storybook. As seen on ABC’s Shark Tank, the Mensch on a Bench is a Chanukah tradition designed to bring families together. Whether you’re shopping for children or your Bubbe, there’s a member of the Mensch mishpocha for everyone. https://themenschonabench.com Toys Wonderful Toys — At Learning Express, you can give the gift of creativity.

With endless possibilities, your kid’s imagination can run wild at this beloved outlet for toys and beyond. This Buckhead store awaits you with complimentary gift wrap and personalization. Grandkids in another city?

Talk to their gift concierge and match ageappropriate gifts in a flash. Remote-control trucks, pop-up books, sensory play kits and everything fun awaits your gift-giving needs.

Check out Learning Express for curbside pickup and a great selection of crafts, gifts and activity-oriented toys that can’t miss. https:// learningexpress.com/buckhead

Tassels Has You Covered — When it comes to beautiful gifts, gems and jewels, you’ll love the season of stacking on the style at Tassels. Their stunning, stackable bracelets are a gift your loved ones will never want to take off. Customize your stack and build gifts for each occasion.

Visit their jewel-box of a store in Buckhead, or shop the shine online. Call Tassels at 404-364-9434 or email Tassels@ tasselsjewelery.com.

A Chic Boutique — Veronica’s Attic is a treasure trove of gifts — from cozy pajamas, beautiful bubble bath gels and salts, inspirational books and candles, to funky jewelry, statement handbags and sentimental keepsakes. They can outfit your gift recipient from head to toe and guide you in selecting that perfect gift.

Your gifts will be wrapped, and you can shop in-store Monday through Saturday 10:30-5:30 p.m., or visit their website at www.VeronicasAttic.Myshopify.com.

Turn Tea Time Into “Me” Time! — New York Times bestselling author Missy Chase Lapine, of Sneaky Chef fame, has a new book titled “While Waiting for Water to Boil.” This inspiring, practical gift book shares 50 simple, life-changing ideas you can complete in just five minutes. Some ideas are productive (toss five things from a junk drawer), some are fun (dance around the kitchen), and some help us to connect with loved ones. All are creative and meaningful. Order at www.amazon. com/dp/0578913712?ref=myi_title_dp

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 45

GIFT GUIDE Kid Proofed — Harperandjameskids. com was launched by two moms who were on a mission to create a trendy kid’s tabletop.

The line includes an assortment of tie dye silicone plates, bowls and spoons. Each product is available in a variety of fun colors that babies, toddlers, kids and adults will love. All their products are made from high-grade silicone and feature a suction-cup bottom to prevent unnecessary spills. www.harperandjameskids.com

For Everyday Luxury — Put a contemporary twist on a beautiful gift from Steelz.com. You’ll love Jonathan Adler’s Giuliette Small Urn, a flowerfriendly vessel featuring a lightly scalloped rim, which is perfect for a bundle of blooms or as a stand-alone modern piece. Memorable, glamorous, and original, Adler’s Peacock Menorah is also a fabulous pick for the festival of lights. Sleek and modern, these high-fired porcelain menorahs with gold accents look gorgeous all season long. www.steelz.com

Judaica Corner — This beautiful store has proudly served the Atlanta community for over 30 years and is dedicated to providing a wide selection of the finest Judaica from around the world. They carry beautiful mezuzahs, Shabbat candles, menorahs, tallitot, art, and more. Covering all ceremonial items for bar/bat mitzvahs, Jewish weddings, and birth, you’ll find a thoughtful, personalized gift for every Jewish occasion at Judaica Corner. Visit 2185 Briarcliff Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329 or check out their Facebook page and Instagram for daily new arrivals.

Judaic Art at MACoM — Check out these colorful art pieces that joyfully celebrate Jewish traditions and rituals to make Chanukah memorable. These artful gifts are available for purchase at MACoM, Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah. The unframed or framed prints — along with original work — are part of MACoM’s current exhibition, “Reflections by Flora Rosefsky.” Take the online tour and visit https://www.reflectionsbyflora.com.

Prints start at $36 each. A portion of the proceeds will benefit MACoM. Contact info@atlantamikvah. org or visit https://www.macomatlanta.com/ events-1. MACoM, 700A Mount Vernon Hwy NE, Atlanta, GA 30328 on the grounds of Congregation B’nai Torah, by appointment only.

Personalized Playmats — Want a wow? Try a gift card for a customized kid’s playmat. Personalized Playmats is a female-founded company creating luxury, custom playmats that are non-toxic, wipe clean and recyclable. The letters and shapes are completely laser-cut (no printing or ink) and secured so they don’t pop out. Personalized Playmats makes amazing gifts that are stunning and functional, and each playmat is professionally gift-wrapped with custom cards. All playmats and gift cards can be purchased at www. personalizedplaymats.com or by email info@personalizedplaymats.com, or follow on Instagram @personalizedplaymats.

Contemporary Judaica Gifts — Tradition meets design in Apeloig’s Laser-Cut Challah Cover. This contemporary cover is inspired by a modern take on the Star of David. This pattern is gracefully placed on top of translucent tulle to ensure the challah bread remains covered. Also check out the selection of gifts certain to make a stunning statement. www.apeloigcollection.com 46 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

GIFT GUIDE Jewish Candles — Oy vey! Elegant Elijah candles are handcrafted by the Jewish community for the Jewish community.

The limited-edition candles are available for purchase at JewishCandles.com and are 100% Kosher. The soy wax vessels are hand-poured in Charlotte, N.C. and come in limited edition and handcrafted designs. Visit www.

JewishCandles.com.

Kosher Gifts — For a kosher selection of creative indulgences from ice cream to Jacques Torres’s famous chocolate chip cookies, check out this mailorder company dedicated to delicious sweets and treats. www.goldbelly.com

Foxy Lady – Visit Fox’s for a selection of stylish women’s clothing and accessories, plus gift cards for all occasions. You’ll discover a world of savings and wonderful choices at Fox’s in Sandy Springs for all the women on your gift list. www.foxs.com

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RE/MAX AROUND ATLANTA JON SHAPIRO jonshapirorealtor@gmail.com 404-252-7500 404-735-3855 www.jonshapiro.com ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 47

HOLIDAY FLAVORS The Not-So Secret Jewish History of the Jelly Doughnut

New Yorkers flocked to Levitt’s Mayflower Doughnut shop in Times Square to watch the machine churn out sweet treats.

W h a t would Chanukah be without jelly doughnuts?

Called sufganiyot in Hebrew, this confection is a Chanukah treat throughout the Chana Shapiro Jewish world.

Deep-fried jelly doughnuts recall the oil that burned miraculously for eight days in the second-century BCE Temple in Jerusalem.

The word sufgania comes from sfog, meaning “sponge,” which refers to the process by which the oil soaks into the dough.

According to Israeli writer Carol Green Ungar, the earliest reference to fried Chanukah pastry is found in the writings of Rabbi

Maimon ben Yosef, the father of Rabbi Moses Maimonides, who lived during the 12th century. “One must not make light of the custom of eating sofganim [fried fritters] on Chanukah,” he wrote. “It is a custom of the Kadmonim [the ancient ones].” The fritters he mentions were likely a sweet, syrup-coated pancake.

Today’s plump, jelly-filled doughnut is a modern Western innovation. Gil Marks, in his “Encyclopedia of Jewish Food,” dates the first modern sufganiya to 1485, when a recipe for gefullte krapfen (filled doughnuts) appeared in “Kuckenmeisterei (Mastery in the Kitchen),” possibly the first published cookbook, printed on Gutenberg’s original printing press.

The popular Christmas treat was made from two rounds of yeast bread, with jam between them, fried in lard. Jews substituted

on Chanukah.

Food historian Emelyn Rude describes sfeni, small, deep-fried balls of yeast dough that were eaten on Chanukah by Jews in North Africa and brought to Europe by Jewish merchants. These doughnuts were usually drenched in sugar syrup. Today, many Sephardim prepare Chanukah bimuelos, fried yeast doughnuts steeped in a sugar syrup, and often flavored with lemon, rose or orange-blossom water.

Egyptian Jews call these sticky sweets zalabia; Iraqi Jews call them zengoula.

Marks explains Contemporary doughnuts, like these from that sufganiyot beIsrael, come in all flavors and varieties. came Chanukah’s kosher chicken or goose fat and served their culinary symbol in Israel because of the own version on Chanukah. Eventually, the Histradut, Israel’s national labor federafleishig doughnut traveled to Poland, where tion. Founded in 1920 during the British it was renamed ponchik. Marks writes that Mandate of Palestine, the Histadrut orgathe first filled-and-fried pastries in Europe nized economic opportunities for Jewish contained savory fillings such as meat or workers, and in the late 1920s, promoted mushrooms. Fruits imported in the 16th cen- manufacturing jelly doughnuts to create tury from European colonies in the Carib- jobs. Anyone with a grater and frying pan bean enabled bakers to use fruit preserves could make latkes at home, but sufganiyot as fillings, and Polish Jewish immigrants to preparation was very labor-intensive. The Palestine in the early 20th century served dough had to be kneaded, rolled and cut by f ru it-f illed doughnuts hand, then fried in small batches on a kerosene heater known as a primus. The manufacture of sufganiyot for Chanukah created jobs for trained Jewish workers.

The Histadrut’s plan succeeded. According to a 2018 Chabad report, nearly 20 million Israeli sufganiyot are consumed around Chanukah — about three doughnuts per citizen. A recent Jewish Action story claimed that more Israelis eat sufganiyot than fast on Yom Kippur.

Israeli news sources confirm that the Israeli Defense Forces purchase more than 50,000 sufganiyot for its troops on each day of Chanukah. In addition to strawberry

William Rosenberg, founder of Dunkin’ Donuts, started out with a food truck whose sides opened up to display doughnuts on stainless steel shelves.

48 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

HOLIDAY FLAVORS

Jewish immigrants like refugee Adolph Levitt — who invented the first automated doughnut machine — greatly influenced American doughnut culture.

filling, bakeries now include cappuccino, Bavarian cream, cheesecake, Bamba, and even alcohol. In the 1980s, Argentinian Jewish immigrants introduced caramel filling.

For health-conscious Israelis, “minis” are half the size of the traditional 3.5-ounce jelly doughnut.

Rude mentions that Jewish doughnut businesses flourished following the coffee craze that swept through Europe. The first European coffeehouses, established in the city of Livorno in 1632, were owned by Jews.

The first English coffeehouse was opened in Oxford in 1650 by a Jewish immigrant from Lebanon named “Jacob the Jew.” Jews owned cafes in France, Germany, and the Netherlands, and as coffee grew in popularity, so did doughnuts.

Jewish immigrants also strongly influenced American doughnut culture. Jewish refugee Adolph Levitt invented the first automated doughnut machine in 1920, the “Wonderful Almost Human Automatic Donut Machine,” which speedily produced uniform doughnuts. Doughnuts were the featured food at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1934, hyped as a symbol of American mechanization. In 1925, Levitt manufactured a doughnut mix for bakers to use with his machines, guaranteeing consistent quality. By the 1950s, Levitt’s Doughnut Corporation of America was selling over $25-million-worth of doughnut-making equipment annually, and doughnuts became America’s favorite pastry. When Levitt opened a doughnut establishment in Times Square, people stopped to watch his new invention, often blocking traffic.

William Rosenberg, of Dorchester, Mass., launched the largest doughnut shop chain in the world, Dunkin’ Donuts. Nearly

Sufganiyot, a Chanukah treat with a long history.

half of his catering business, delivered in food trucks whose sides opened up to display food on stainless steel shelves, consisted of coffee and doughnuts; consequently, he opened a doughnut shop with 52 varieties, where customers could sample a new flavor each week of the year. In 1950, Rosenberg changed the name of his chain from the original Open Kettle to Dunkin’ Donuts, and in 1955, franchised the business to other stores. By the time of Rosenberg’s death in 2002, there were more than 12,000 Dunkin’ Donuts locations in nearly 45 countries, including 40 outlets under kosher supervision.

What about Krispy Kreme? According to the brand’s website, “Our plant in Winston-Salem, N.C., where the mix is made is certified Kosher. In addition, some of our stores, [including Atlanta] … have been certified Kosher.” The North Carolina Museum of History’s website credits baker Vernon Rudolph, who worked at his uncle’s doughnut shop and used a yeast-dough recipe, with the company’s origins. In 1937, Rudolph rented a building in Winston-Salem and made doughnuts for local grocery stores, gaining fans by cutting a hole in the wall of his store and installing a window.

In the 1940s, Rudolph opened his own mix plant and manufactured doughnut-making equipment, eventually offering franchises and creating the Krispy Kreme Corporation in 1947.

A 2019 story reported by CNN Business offered an ironic twist on the sale of Krispy Kreme to the JAB Holding Company. The billionaire Reimann family of Germany, which owns a controlling stake in JAB, admitted that their Nazi forebears were major supporters of the Third Reich as early as 1931,

used slave labor and were responsible for sexual abuse in their factories and villas during World War II. The family announced that they would donate $11.3 million to charity to atone for their Nazi past.

Today, Chanukah celebrations around the world feature both manufactured and homemade jelly doughnuts — delicious tributes to Jewish ingenuity and the single cruse of oil that lasted eight days. ì

H Cha appy nuk ah

Shabbat and Holiday Take-Out Challahs Holiday Food Gifts Gift Baskets

Plasticware Table Settings Israeli Foods Soup/Salad/Panini Bar Sushi Bar

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 49

HOLIDAY FLAVORS

Not Your Everyday Potato Latke Growing up in a Middle Eastern-Mexican home in Mexico City, Margot Alfie, a local chef who moved to the Atlanta area in 1990 and now lives in East Cobb, “cultivated a very unique culinary taste.” While living in Mexico, she said, “sometimes we had a Syrian meal, sometimes a Mexican one, but sometimes we had an absolutely delicious fusion of the two!” Alfie ate sufganiyot — traditional fried Chanukah doughnuts — at school in Mexico, but never potato latkes. When she came to the United States, she says, it was a culture shock seeing people, including

By Flora Rosefsky her own children, eating those latkes with applesauce and sour cream.

Alfie admits that she likes to experiment with spices and ingredients. She shared many of her successful cooking tips, recipes and international food choices that incorporate oil — making them appropriate for Chanukah, a time to recall how the oil lamp in the Temple miraculously stayed lit for eight days.

As a member of Congregation Or VeShalom, Alfie suggested making a wide variety of international latkes for a synagogue Shabbat dinner back in 2019. Now we are sharing some of her best holiday recipes with you.

A jalapeno pepper and cilantro are added when making Mexican latkes.

Mexican Latkes

Makes 12 4” latkes Ingredients: 1½ lbs. baking potatoes (3 or 4) ½ medium white onion, peeled and quartered 1 large egg 1 jalapeno pepper (seeded, if you don’t like it to be too spicy) ½ cup packed cilantro leaves, then finely chopped 2 tbsp matzah meal or plain breadcrumbs 1 tsp Kosher salt 1 cup canola oil Green salsa, red salsa or pico de gallo, table cream or sour cream when serving.

Latke steps:

Prep: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven, heat to 300°F. Prep a baking sheet with a wire cooling rack, so latkes can stay warm and crisp. Prepare a paper towel-lined baking pan ready to receive latkes for draining.

Grate: Scrub the potatoes well, but do not peel. Cut each potato in half crosswise. Use the large shredding blade on your food processor to grate the potatoes, onions, and jalapeno peppers.

Squeeze: To get crispy latkes, the potato and onion mixture needs to be dry. Alfie likes to put a large triple-layer cheesecloth over a large bowl and twist Chef Margot Alfie, from East Cobb, likes to and squeeze the potato and onion mixexperiment with spices and ingredients. ture as hard as she can through the cloth’s top. She continues until no more liquid comes out of the shredded potato and onion. In the large bowl, with the cheesecloth now removed, leave the liquid a few minutes to allow the potato starch to settle on the bottom of the bowl, and then pour off and discard the liquid, but leave the potato starch.

Mix: Use your fingers to mix the ingredients, not forgetting to add the potato starch, making sure the starch is evenly distributed with the mix. Set aside for 10 minutes.

Form: Use a ¼ measuring cup, a fish spatula, your fingers and a fork to form a flat 4” patty.

Fry: In a large skillet (10”), heat the oil until latkes sizzle immediately on contact. Fry until each side is dark golden-brown, about four minutes a side, making sure your latkes are not overcrowded.

Drain: Remove hot, crisp latkes from the oil and drain on paper towels. Serve or keep warm in the oven at 300°F. Serve: Enjoy them with your favorite Mexican topping, like a good red or green salsa.

Alfie said those of us who are of Mexican descent “would use a dollop of table cream by Nestle, but I know in America sour cream is the way to go!”

Here are some of Alfie’s recipes for other international latkes, using the basic Mexican latke recipe’s ingredients. You’ll find the process is basically the same once you do the grating and mixing.

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Chinese latkes are made with sweet potatoes and carrots.

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Chinese Latkes Makes 10 latkes Ingredients: 2 medium sweet potatoes 2 carrots ½ onion 2 eggs ⅓ cup coconut flour Chinese five spice

HOLIDAY FLAVORS

Garbanzo flour is used when making Indian latkes.

Indian Latkes

Makes about 20 latkes 2 medium potatoes 3 red onions ½ cup packed cilantro and fresh mint combined ½ cup rice flour 1 cup garbanzo flour chili peppers (quantity depends on one’s taste for spicy food) 1 tbsp turmeric 1 tbsp cumin 1 tbsp salt 1 tbsp Chaat Masala (Indian spice) Serve with tamarind sauce or yogurt (can be bought at an international market).

Japanese Latkes

Makes about 12 latkes Ingredients: 1 lb. potatoes 10 oz. persimmon or Asian pear 2 eggs 1 small garlic clove Pinch of salt 2 tbsp mochi flour Serve with crème fraiche and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar (available at grocery stores).

Since her grandparents immigrated to Mexico from Syria in the early 1900s, Alfie’s Chanukah menu might also include dishes like kibbeh, which she now makes ready to be fried or air-fried for takeout orders, sold by the dozen. These consist of torpedo-shaped cracked wheat dough stuffed with meat, then fried and served with tahini and salads.

Japanese latkes are served with crème In Mexico, guacamole and salsa were added. fraiche and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar.

Or perhaps she would suggest a Middle Eastern-inspired dessert called atayef, a Syrian dessert of fried pancakes stuffed with nuts and then soaked in orange blossom simple syrup. Alfie said, “these are perfect for Chanukah!”

Her veggie latkes are also popular, not only during Chanukah but year-round.

She encourages cooks to be creative, advising they “use whatever you have in your fridge to grate to make veggie latkes. But remember to squeeze the liquid out of the mixture, especially if using squash.” Another Middle Eastern treat is ijeh, skillet-sized latkes made with ground beef or ground turkey instead of grated potatoes, adding fresh chopped cilantro, mint, and parsley to the mix. And although not latkes, Alfie suggests fried plantains, a Spanish omelet, or any veggie frittata to serve during Chanukah.

Starting to cook at a very young age (10 years old), Alfie credits her mother and grandmother as her teachers. She considers her youth in Mexico an “important part of my growth.” She still loves to cook and to connect with people through her food: “I enjoy sharing what I know and love it when people try new flavors and recipes.” During the upcoming winter months, for those who want to sample Alfie’s cooking, her driveway dining for small groups will be moving to the dining room inside her home. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 51

HOLIDAY FLAVORS

Chanukah Apple Fritters

By Flora Rosefsky When you think of what to prepare this Chanukah, add this to your menu of foods fried in oil. This sweet treat that somewhat resembles a doughnut came from my Binghamton, N.Y. Hadassah cookbook, “In Good Taste,” circa 1985, where the apple fritters were first served at a Temple Israel Sisterhood meeting. Friends Louise Sheiman and Sandy Zalbowitz Gladstone contributed the original recipe. The cookbook editors wrote, “We just had to include it in our cookbook!” I used gluten-free flour and Honeycrisp apples. Trying to watch my calories, I have to admit that it took discipline to eat only four fritters. They were most delicious when served warm. At least the apples were healthy!

Apple Fritters 4 medium apples, cored, peeled and sliced ½ tsp. cinnamon 3 tbsp. sugar 1 cup flour 1 tsp. baking powder ¼ tsp. salt 2 eggs, separated 3 tbsp. oil 6 oz. beer

52 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Whip egg whites till stiff and set aside. In another bowl, combine the cinnamon with the sugar. Coat prepared apples with cinnamon-sugar combination and set out on a plate.

(Beat egg yolks in a small bowl that you can use to make scrambled eggs later.)

Combine the flour, baking powder and salt in a larger bowl. Add the oil to the flour combination. Slowly pour in the beer. Mix well till the batter becomes “snow white.” Then gently fold in the egg whites. Dip the cinnamon-sugar coated apple slices into the prepared batter. Using a fork, put the apple slices in the frying pan with enough oil to cover the pan. Turn the apples carefully with a fork when the underside is a medium brown color and continue the frying until done. Drain on brown paper.

Serve warm.

This recipe makes 14 fritters using four medium apples. The batter in the recipe could have covered more apple slices, but I would have needed more of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. I put the uneaten fried fritters in a well-sealed container and refrigerated them for another day. But they also can be frozen and last

Photo credit: Flora Rosefsky

a good few months. When cold, reheat the fritters on a cookie sheet at 375 degrees for 5 minutes. The fritters can be made ahead of time and served later, unless it’s too tempting to eat them fresh. Isn’t that just like potato latkes, how we love to eat them right out of the frying pan? ì

CALENDAR ALL OF NOVEMBER

Hadassah Super South TURKEY TROT 2021 — Support Hadassah’s pace-setting efforts in heart disease research and treatment, focusing on its effects on women. Make your plan to walk, run, trot or wobble — with your chapter, with a team or solo — anytime, anywhere, in November. There’s no limit to how you can participate! Sign up at https://bit.ly/3EjshJm.

NOVEMBER 16- NOVEMBER 30 Caring for the Caregivers — 12 to 1 p.m. In recognition of National Caregivers Month, we revisit the issue of caring for the caregivers. Prior to the pandemic, our 2020 Needs Assessment identified the serious need for additional support for women serving in caregiving roles. Covid-19 continues to complicate this issue and amplify the challenges associated with caregiving, particularly for women who often bear the brunt of that responsibility. Hear from women in the trenches and learn more about how JWFA, JF&CS and MACoM have partnered to address this ongoing struggle.

Learn more at https://bit.ly/2Zn1exx.

interesting, why did it change? In this class we will explore the history of the Maccabean Revolt against the Greek Syrian regime; how the Hasmoneans/Maccabees came to power; what the results of that power grab were; and how and why the rabbis of later generations changed the emphasis of the holiday. Congregation Etz Chaim will explore the text of the Book of the Maccabees and have a simulated conference of different groups that had a hand in the making of the Holiday of Light.

Register for free at https://bit.ly/3G1hlBI.

singer Gilda Solve presents a live performance of songs that evoke the spirit of French music. Whether by Jacques Brel, Claude Nougaro, or Michel Legrand, each has its unique sound and style. And “Oh La La,” they are SO French! Purchase tickets through the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) at https://bit. ly/3o3lnRX.

Ivan Maisel, Author of “I Keep Trying to Catch His Eye” — 7:30 p.m. An exploYoung Adult Bureka Making — 6 to

Dino Safari, A Walk Thru Adventure - Select Days. Grab a prehistoric passport and join over 30 giant moving dinosaurs in our walk-thru safari on a globetrotting expedition at Dino Safari, a dino adventure for the whole family. Visit https://bit. ly/3qaVkek to purchase tickets.

8 p.m. Are you a young adult interested in making burekas but can’t make it on Tuesday mornings? No problem! If you’ve made burekas before, come and help teach your friends. Never made them before? Congregation Or VeShalom has you covered; they will show you how these Sephardic hot pockets are created. You will even make some Biscochos, too. Visit https://bit.ly/3nscIsd to register.

Nick Davis, Author of “Competing with Idiots” – 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. A fascinating,

Unknown History of Chanukah with Miriam Rosenbaum — 7 to 8 p.m. So,

Outsmarting Anti-Semitism – 8 to 9

complex dual biography of Hollywood’s most dazzling — and famous — brothers, and a dark, riveting portrait of competition, love, and enmity that ultimately undid them both. Find out more information at the MJCCA Book Fest at https://bit. ly/3BjSEgE.

ration of the father and son relationship, of how our tendency to overlook men’s mental health can have devastating consequences, and how ultimately letting those who grieve do so openly and freely can lead to greater healing. Find out more information at the MJCCA Book Fest at https://bit.ly/3vIGoot.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16 Tot Time — 10 to 11 a.m. Temple Beth Tikvah provides a safe, warm environment for you to interact with your young child. We will have outside play (weather permitting) and inside play. It is a great way for you to meet other moms, dads, grandparents and caregivers while your child interacts with others. RSVP at https://bit.ly/3Fd5Nem.

what is the real story behind Chanukah?

Is it a military victory holiday or a miracle holiday? How did the holiday change from the time of its beginnings, and even more

Find more events and submit items for our online and print calendars at:

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

p.m. We cannot let anti-Semitism define our Judaism, but we cannot ignore it either. As direct memory of the Holocaust fades, Jews around the world are wondering whether the patterns of past centuries are returning, in both the Old and New Worlds, where Jews experience more hate crimes than any other group. Join Intown Jewish Academy and register at https://bit. ly/39Lh8nw.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Calendar sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Connector, an initiative of the AJT. In order to be considered for the print edition, please submit events three to four weeks in advance. Contact community relations director Diana Cole for more information at Diana@atljewishtimes.com.

Songs & Stories: Cabaret Francis — 4 to 5 p.m. Throughout the centuries, the music of France has had “a sound of its own.”

Take a front-row seat as jazz and cabaret

Menorahs and Martinis! — 7:30 p.m.

Join Young Jewish Professionals and enjoy a fun night out creating a stunning and unique granite menorah while relaxing with community and friends and a good drink! Visit https://bit.ly/3CNYubo to purchase tickets.

Gary Shteyngart, author of “Our Country Friends: A Novel” — 8 to 9 p.m. A group of friends and friends-of-friends gathers in a country house to wait out the pandemic. Over the next six months, new friendships and romances will take hold, while old betrayals will emerge, forcing each character to reevaluate whom they love and what matters most. Find out more information at the MJCCA Book Fest at https://bit.ly/3jCpTWd.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19 CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES Torah Reading: Vayishlach Friday, NOVEMBER 19, 2021, light candles at 5:14 p.m.

Saturday, NOVEMBER 20, 2021 Shabbat ends at 6:11 p.m.

giving? Join MJCCA for the Turbo Turkey Workout! This fun bootcamp-style workout will be held outside in the main parking lot. Free and open to the community.

Bring your friends and family, ages 16+!

Visit https://bit.ly/3GKswzc to register.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 27

Torah Reading: Vayeishev

Cub Club: Li’l Shabbat from the Garden (virtual) — 9:30 to 9:50 a.m. Celebrating Shabbat has never been so much fun!

Join Rabbi Micah and The Davis Academy for a special singalong as we get ready to welcome Shabbat. Young children and their families will be introduced to interactive songs and dances to bring in the ruach (spirit) of Shabbat. Visit https://bit. ly/3eMHwAd to RSVP.

Friday, NOVEMBER 26, 2021, light candles at 5:11 p.m.

Saturday, NOVEMBER 27, 2021 Shabbat ends at 6:09 p.m.

and dine under our huge open-air outdoor tent. Information can be found at https:// bit.ly/3CdFKSl.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 20

Jewish legal expert Rabbi Mendel Adelman to discover how ancient Jewish wisdom can powerfully inform our modern world. Register at https://bit.ly/3ihwF3b.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 23 Books for Breakfast — 10:30 to 11:30

Wayne Federman and Annabelle Gurwitch — 7:30 p.m. “The History of Story Time with Rabbi Jordan – 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. Join Rabbi Jordan from Congregation Dor Tamid for Story Time on Facebook. Visit https://bit.ly/3xfpywO to get the link.

Stand-Up” chronicles the evolution of this American art form from its earliest pre-vaudeville practitioners like Artemus Ward and Mark Twain to present-day comedians of HBO and Netflix. Drawing on his acclaimed “History of Stand-Up” podcast and popular university lectures, veteran comedian and adjunct USC professor Wayne Federman guides us on this fascinating journey. Find more information at the MJCCA Book Fest at https://bit. ly/3GkLDzL.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22 Tot Shabbat —10:45 to 11: 45 a.m. Celebrate Shabbat on Saturday mornings with other families with young children at Congregation Etz Chaim. There will be songs, Torah stories, crafts, and challah. Visit https://bit. ly/3zP0UEk for more information.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21 Sisterhood Bazaar with a Twist — 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join Congregation Or Ve Shalom’s Sisterhood for a taste of traditional Mediterranean cuisine, handmade delicacies and pastries. Pre-order online and drive-thru pick up to take home or stay

Hot Topics — 8 to 9 p.m. Explore the most complex and controversial topics through the brilliant lens of Jewish law and ethics.

This new course from Intown Jewish Academy takes on bleeding edge issues related to technology, medicine, gender, and the environment. Join Talmudic scholar and

a.m. A JCC sponsored event. MJCCA Active Mature Adults Book Club. Books for Breakfast meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month. We would love to have new members! Get information at https://bit. ly/3u5n7Lw.

Tot Shabbat — 11 a.m. Filled with music, laughter, spirituality, and soul, join us one Saturday a month for Tot Shabbat. Rabbi Rachael and Rabbi Max from Temple Emanu-El have crafted a program to bring together those little ones from birth to age 5 to feel the rhythm of Jewish music and Jewish time. Visit https://bit.ly/3qaZLG7 for more information.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 24

Re-Discovering the Land of Israel with the Atlanta Israel Coalition — 9 to

Biblical Hebrew Class — 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Join Ahavath Achim Synagogue for Biblical Hebrew Class, led by Hebrew instructor Jim Dricker. In this class, we will cover all aspects of grammar and a well-rounded basic vocabulary. Students set the pace of the program, and we will proceed as fast or as slow as the majority of the class requests. We might take two years to complete — maybe more — perhaps less! The only prerequisite is the ability to sound out Hebrew words. Learn more at https://bit. ly/3xJqCty.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Turbo Turkey — 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Want to burn some extra calories around Thanks-

10:30 a.m. A virtual tour of Israel with tour guide David Sussman. Built over 2,000 years ago by King Herod, this was the firstever man-built port. Built to compete with Athens, it could fit over a hundred ships at a time. It made Caesarea one of the most important cities along the Mediterranean shore during the Roman period. Let’s discover the magic of Caesarea. Visit https:// bit.ly/2XS4XTG to register.

Huge Chanukah Celebration — 4 p.m.

Join Chabad Israeli Center Atlanta for a menorah lighting with Regev Hod full performance for the whole family. Food, sweets, sufganiyot, and kid’s activity. Register at https://bit.ly/3CT83WR.

menorah lighting, latkes, donuts, music, and a good time! Get more information at https://bit.ly/3nqR4oe.

Milton Menorah Lighting — 5 p.m. Join Virginia-Highland Menorah Lighting Celebration — 4 to 6:30 p.m. Enjoy music, live entertainment, pre-packaged Chanukah treats, dreidels, music and more with the wider VaHi community at Chabad Intown’s annual Virginia Highlands Menorah Lighting! Learn more at https://bit.ly/2ZnARbs.

Chabad of North Fulton for the Milton Menorah Lighting. There will be a Grand Menorah Lighting, snacks, music, and fun!

Visit https://bit.ly/2ZMu7Uc for more information.

Menorah Lighting in Lawrenceville City Hall — 7 p.m. Join Chabad of Gwinnett for a menorah lighting, Chanukah gifts, and joyous Chanukah songs. Visit https://bit.ly/3BPIMvh for more information.

East Cobb/Roswell Community Chanukah Party — 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Free and open to the community! Join Temple Beth Tikvah for Chanukah music, sufganiyot, crafts, dinner and candle lighting. Bring your own menorah. Please bring gently used coats for the coat drive. Visit https:// bit.ly/3bsdiAk for more information.

Menorah Lighting in Suwanee City Hall — 7 p.m. Join Chabad of Gwinnett for a menorah lighting, Chanukah gifts, and joyous Chanukah songs. Learn more at https://bit.ly/2YmDny4.

Menorah Lighting at Avalon — 5 to 6 p.m. Help the Avalon light up the night!

Guests are invited to the Boulevard to kick off the first night of Chanukah with a traditional menorah lighting ceremony.

Our friends at Chabad of North Fulton will help us light our menorah and have special goodies for guests! View https://bit. ly/3BF5LJ7 for more information.

Chanukah with 8th Day — 5 p.m. Join Congregation Beth Tefillah for an outdoor concert at Heritage Sandy Springs. Purchase tickets at https://bit.ly/3CI1c24.

56 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Home brings you the most innovative content online while helping build a national community with Israel at heart.

With activities for kids, teens, young professionals and adults, you can stay connected to Hebrew, Israeli and Jewish heritage, online activism and to one another. IAC@Home lets you enjoy a coast-to-coast community right from your own home. For more information, www.israeliamerican.org/home.

JF&CS – Emergency Financial Assistance – JF&CS is here to provide emer-

tions via phone or videoconference for current and new clients to help our community during this crisis. For more information about our therapy services or to make a telehealth appointment, email us at therapy@jfcsatl.org or call 770-677-9474.

Book Fest and experience “a powerfully evocative story of resilience and the triumph of the human spirit.” Learn more at https://bit.ly/3EcDnzV.

JF&CS - Telehealth Older Adult Services – Aviv Older Adult staff are there

5:30 p.m. Join Chabad of Toco Hills and the Spicy Peach for a Chanukah spectacular!

Enjoy crafts, donut decorating, face painting, menorah building, Chanukah foods and the GREAT GELT DROP! Visit https:// bit.ly/3o0O5mu for more information.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Israeli American Council – IAC@

JF&CS – Telehealth Counseling Services – Now offering telehealth op-

Jodi Picoult, “Wish You Were Here: A Novel” — 8 to 9 p.m. Join the MJCCA

Community Chanukah Celebration —

Gesher L’Torah for the first night of Chanukah candle lighting ceremony, hot chocolate, doughnuts, and music! Visit https:// bit.ly/315FHKT for more information.

mission to provide nutritious food to the people who need it has reached a major milestone toward access to food for all. The Text for Help is ‘findfood’ (no space). Responses will include a list of three different nearby pantries and their contact information. For more information, www.acfb.org.

gency aid for individuals and families.

Please call 770-677-9389 to get assistance. For more information, www.bit. ly/2wo5qzj.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30

GLT Community Candle Lighting Kickoff — 6 to 6:30 p.m. Join Congregation

Atlanta Community Food Bank Text for Help SMS Function – The ACFB’s

to help provide resources, care plans and support for you and your family. Call AgeWell at 1-866-AGE-WELL (1866-243-9355) to find out how they can help. For more information, www.bit. ly/2wo5qzj.

Glow-in-the-Dark Chanukah at Halcyon — 5 to 7 p.m. Chabad of Forsyth invites the entire community to light up Forsyth at our Halcyon Chanukah Celebration.

This year, we’re incorporating a glowin-the-dark theme with games and giveaways. Meet in the Village Green to light the menorah, sing and enjoy complimentary refreshments. Get more information at https://bit.ly/30TkSC6.

Chabad Intown and Atlantic Stations Annual Menorah Lighting! — 6 to 8:30 p.m. Join us on Atlantic Green for a festive

Community Services: Anti-Defamation League – The Coronavirus Surfaces Fear, Stereotypes and Scapegoating: A blog post from ADL to help provide accurate information, explore emotions and, most importantly, play a role in reducing stereotyping and scapegoating. To read more, www.bit. ly/3dp5a3t.

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Resources – The unsettling, fast-moving and unpredictable world of life with COVID-19 is upon us. As we’re all discovering, a worldwide pandemic disrupts everyone on an unprecedented scale. For updates and more information, www.bit. ly/3ahrNVM. ì Please send Community Service Opportunities to diana@atljewishtimes. com.

CONNECTOR CHATTER Directory Spotlight www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Center for Israel Education

In conversation with Dr. Kenneth W. Stein, founding president.

How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

Since its founding as an independent nonprofit organization in 2008.

Alluring Cosmetic Dentistry David M. Mastro DDS, PC 's Roswell Practice.

In conversation with David Mastro, dentist and owner.

How do you cater to the younger members of the community?

Youth, young adults, and the public across the world are the primary users of CIE-sponsored programs and materials. CIE particularly engages youth and teens from North and South America. We operate Teen Israel Leadership Institutes several times a year for high school students and engage with college students on campus and provide research internships under the mentorship of CIE professionals. We touch youth through Jewish professionals in our day school engagements, which include customized assistance to build Israel learning capacity in Jewish schools. In the public-school sector, CIE provides programs and guidance to individual teachers, school systems, and the Georgia Council for the Social Studies.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

We would like our current website to reach 7 to 10 million users a year, up from 1.2 million this year; assist major Jewish leaders and educators in learning Israel as fluently as they remember Passover’s Four Questions; support a staff of 30 to 50 educators and curriculum designers; be self-sustaining with an endowment of $16 million; and reach 75% of Jewish youth in the world with sustainable and impactful knowledge of Israel, its people, its society, and its integral relationship with the Jewish Diaspora.

How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

We have been seeing patients since 1976, so a very long time.

Though we are located in Roswell, the practice sees patients from all over the globe who fly in for cosmetic dentistry with our practice.

How do you cater to the younger members of the community?

We have always been a practice that invites seniors in high school or college students to do internships with us and get some exposure to dentistry and healthcare in our community. We recently had a senior from Milton serving in our front office in a work-study program during her senior year and then had a college student interested in becoming a dentist shadowing for a week. We also seek to make routine dental visits for our younger dental family members as comfortable as possible by being friendly, having a goodie basket giveaway and letting them see the dental office isn’t a scary place. It is important to teach them the value of caring for teeth by brushing, flossing and rinsing with a good oral antibacterial/antiviral product for overall good health.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

The practice is currently 1/3 of the building and has plans to expand into the remaining 2/3 of the space in 2022. The goal is to be not only a practice of excellence as we have always strived to be, but also to offer more comprehensive dental services for the entire family.

Fujiyama Wealth Management

In conversation with Junko Rivka Horvath, CFP, CeFT, and CEO. How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

I established my own firm in 2007 and we’ve been in Atlanta for 14 years, although I have been in the financial services industry since 1998. Earlier this year, we opened another office in Brooklyn, N.Y. How do you cater to the younger members of the community?

The children of our clients from 15-20 years ago are now in their 20s and 30s. When parents ask us to meet their children to build their wealth, we provide guidance for them. It’s very important for me to serve and educate the public. While we serve high-net-worth clients, we also believe that their children need to know how to manage their inheritance without blowing through it when their parents (our clients) pass. When I speak at meetings of various industries, I talk about the importance of starting to save early to take advantage of the power of compound interest. When I show how much money grows if you start saving at 20 vs. 50, people are absolutely blown away with the difference.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

We currently have two offices, one in Atlanta and one in N.Y. Since the pandemic, we have started implementing virtual environments to serve our clients, and I have learned that we can gain and serve new clients without having in-person meetings. Our goal is to help as many people as possible who are in financial transition such as retiring, inheritance, divorce, becoming widowed, selling their successful business, and winning the lottery. Additionally, in 10 years, the baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1964) will be receiving inheritance from their parents, and they could be passing it to their children. We will be busy with legacy planning for many families who want to effectively transfer their wealth to their children and grandchildren.

Securities offered through Registered Representatives of Cambridge Investment Research, Inc., a broker-dealer member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services through Cambridge Investment Research Advisors, Inc., a Registered Investment Adviser. Cambridge and Fujiyama Wealth Management are not affiliated.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 57

COMMUNITY Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel — Made It Out of Clay

Dreidel collector Wendy Solon with Frank Meisler’s “Jerusalem Sphere,” her favorite dreidel.

By Chana Shapiro Wendy Solon’s collection of dreidels began with a gift she received as a preteen.

It all started in the 1980s, after a trip her parents, Betty and Malcolm Minsk, took to Israel. In a shop, they spotted the novel letters on Israeli dreidels, which differed by one letter from those at home. The Minsks selected a large, handmade wooden example to bring back for their daughter.

What was the difference that the Minsks noticed? Each of a dreidel’s four sides is marked with a different Hebrew letter. In the diaspora, the letters on the dreidel are nun, gimmel, hay and shin, which are the first letters of a Hebrew phrase that can be read as “a great miracle happened there.” The word “there” refers to the land of Israel. But in Israel proper, the letter peh, standing for the Hebrew word “po,” or “here,” replaces the letter shin, thus spelling out “a great miracle happened here.” “Here” is, of course, Israel.

The Israeli dreidel from Solon’s parents eventually sparked a large and diverse collection, including many dreidels that feature the Israeli phrase. Solon’s trove spans various countries and time periods, and all are examples of fine craftsmanship and unusual materials. Although Solon personally purchased a few select dreidels, she treasures the gifts brought by family and friends, whose dreidels are pieces of art, ingenuity, and — sometimes — great value.

On another trip to Israel, Solon’s parents came upon a companion to their first purchase; on other travels they found more interesting handmade dreidels. Occasionally, Solon’s Aunt Alice contributed intri58 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Porcelain Limoges dreidel.

Kinetic dreidel sculpture

by Gary Rosenthal.

to a contemporary Lucite dreidel on a black Lucite base. An exuberantly decorated polymer dreidel is an example of a common material transformed into a configuration of pure creativity, and a tiered ceramic dreidel Israeli dreidels from Solon’s parents Silver dreidels from Aunt Three ceramic dreidels composed of multiple with the letter “peh” instead of “shin.”

Alice; the modern one in front

by Danny Azoulay. shows the word “sham.” glazed components is another piece of eyecandy in its fitted Lucite easel.

Also on display are a delicate and elaborate gilt and hand-painted ceramic dreidel in the style of Marc Chagall, as well as a red, lacquered Ceramic dreidel in the Dreidel and matching Frank Meisler pomegranate- Exuberant polymer dreidel. wooden dreidel that features multicolored, style of Marc Chagall. stand by Yair Emanuel. shaped silver dreidel. low-relief lettered side panels, and a goldcate filigree silver spinning tops to the bud- vorite and most meaningful dreidel,” she ex- rimmed Limoges dreidel — an example of ding collection; most of them are antique plains. Now, both the Jerusalem Sphere and the brand’s classic lidded holiday specialties. The majority of the dreidels are spindreidels, created by Sephardi silversmiths. the dreidel are displayed in Solon’s home.

Many of the dreidels in Solon’s collec- nable, and most of them rest securely on One tiny modern dreidel has the Hebrew tion showcase the work of well-known Is- stands designed to optimally showcase their words fully cut out as part of its design.

Solon’s favorite dreidel has a two-part raeli artists. An entertaining tabletop sculp- designs.

When asked which of the dreidels her history. In 1990, she spent a semester of ture features a kinetic, rotating dreidel of her junior year in college at Hebrew Uni- copper and other colorfully enameled met- family and friends prefer, Solon laughs as versity in Jerusalem. “I came upon a large als crafted by Gary Rosenthal, a renowned she takes out a bag of the mass-produced multi-metal sculpture, named ‘The Jerusa- sculptor with an illustrious 40-year career. plastic dreidels found in most Jewish homes. lem Sphere,’ by the noted silversmith Frank Three charming, meticulously painted ce- “We all like to play dreidel, and we use these!”

The Chanukah story takes place durMeisler,” she says, “and I fell in love with his ramic dreidels by the multi-talented Israeli work. My parents bought it and told me, artist Danny Azoulay flirt with potential ing the time of the Maccabees, when Jewish ‘We’ll keep it in our house, and when you spinners. A painted, blue-hued Yair Emanu- children were barred from studying Torah have a home of your own, it will be yours.’” el wooden dreidel poses on its own match- by the Seleucid Greeks who ruled Jerusalem.

They studied in secret, and when Greek offiIn 1999, Solon’s fiancée, aware of her affin- ing display stand.

There’s also a crystal-clear glass cials came, the children hid their books and ity for Meisler’s work, bought her one of the artist’s large, lavishly decorated and jew- dreidel by the German-born sculptor Hans took out their spinning tops, claiming they eled, pomegranate-shaped silver dreidels as Godo Fräbel, straight from his Atlanta were just playing games. And that’s why we an engagement gift. “It is esthetically my fa- studio, which gleams in close proximity play dreidel today! ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 59

COMMUNITY

A Mayor and A Mench

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Mike Bodker, 56, is the first and only mayor of Johns Creek in North Fulton County. With a population of 90,000, Johns Creek is Georgia’s 9th largest city.

Bodker, an accountant by trade, gained experience running tech startups and an accounting software firm. He took inspiration from former Sandy Springs Mayor Eva Galambos — who was also Jewish — for going after and succeeding in establishing cityhood for Sandy Springs, against formidable odds decades ago.

Bodker grew up in Atlanta, attended Congregation Beth Jacob, Lakeside High School and the University of Georgia. When Bodker was 5, the family relocated for his dad’s job, managing the Richway store in North Druid Hills. Now attending Chabad North Fulton, Bodker tapped Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz to do the opening invocation for his own inauguration and plans to have the rabbi do the same upon his formal exit. After four terms in office, Bodker will step aside for a new mayor at year’s end.

Bodker’s dogged success with the Johns Creek cityhood movement reads like an intricate spy novel — with twists, turns and pitfalls that he overcame using his yiddishe kop. Bodker recalled how Galambos took decades to get Sandy Springs established as its own city. He said, “For 28 years the legislature was controlled by Democrats with some crazy ‘one mile rule’ disallowing cityhood. When the legislature flipped to Republican, they

Mayor Bodker reading to school children.

Bodker serving lunch to school students.

allowed the movement to go forward in 2005. Eva’s argument rings true. Twenty-one million dollars of their tax revenue was being exported to South Fulton. The same with our taxes, as ‘unincorporated’ would be three or four times more [in taxes], getting next to nothing back [in services].”

Bodker approached Mark Burkhalter, who runs Burkhalter International in Johns Creek and the United Kingdom, who introduced him to the mayors of Roswell

and Alpharetta. Bodker recalled, “Both of them kicked me out. It all became political, and they drew maps showing what part of Johns Creek they wanted annexed for themselves. I had UGA gather the data to show that Johns Creek on its own could be viable. And we became ‘the one that got away’ with them, trying to pick off our geography.”

Bodker had to face off against the formidable Roswell mayor, trial lawyer Jerry Wood, who was known for his debating skills. Bodker said, “I debated him at every church and school, like David and Goliath. Although I’m a Republican, I took advice from Bill Clinton, who said to never answer a question directly. ‘Pivot and set your own agenda.’ So I wrote out my own five themes for the next debate at Mt Pisgah Church. Wood poked at me, ‘When are you going to actually answer a question?’

The people understood what they needed to know, and I won their support.”

In 2006, a rousing 80% voted with Bodker. The following week, he was heading to Florida for a family vacation when he got the call, “Aren’t you going to run for mayor after all your hard work? You have until Monday to qualify.” His brother applied for him in absentia, and he made the news as the first mayor of Johns Creek. A single Bodker, who is now co-parenting three children — 19-year-old twins, now at KSU, and a 5-year-old — said, “I’ve had enough after four terms. Sadly, politics is negative and toxic these days.”

Given this background, we asked Bodker for his thoughts on the hot topic of Buckhead cityhood.

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For more information, contact: Helen Scherrer-Diamond (770) 289-8964 helenscherrerdiamond@gmail.com 60 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

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Jaffe: What do you think about Buckhead’s cityhood movement?

Bodker: “It would decimate the city of Atlanta to separate. That being said, crime is the main issue. I, myself, do not feel safe in parts of Buckhead and the city of Atlanta. I think the mayoral race will determine how the crime issue is approached.”

Jaffe: How would you outline reversing crime?

Bodker: “It first takes recognition that there is a problem, then commitment to solving it, and enough well-skilled police officers. It’s now very difficult to hire ‘the best and brightest.’ There’s been too much talk and not enough action.” ì

The Lowdown I Bet You Didn’t Know …

Mike Bodker

Mike Bodker was born in Suffern, N.Y. and moved to the Atlanta area when he was five. He graduated from Lakeside High School and the University of Georgia, where he earned a BBA in accounting. Bodker was elected the first mayor of the newly-independent city of Johns Creek in 2007. In January 2018, he was sworn in for his fourth and final term.

Shortly after moving to the North Fulton area in 1998, he became involved in community affairs, as president of his homeowner’s association and as board member of the Johns Creek Community Association. Through his work there, he was appointed chair of the Northeast Fulton Study Committee and subsequently served as chairman of the Committee for Johns Creek. Those organizations studied the cityhood issue and eventually promoted the referendum vote.

Since his election as mayor, Bodker has spearheaded the formation of the North Fulton Municipal Association, which includes the mayors of Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Mountain Park, Roswell and Sandy Springs. He served as the NFMA inaugural chairman and is currently in his second year as chair. He also served as the chairman of the Metro Atlanta Mayors Association and on the Atlanta Regional Commission’s board of directors.

He was selected the 83rd president of the Georgia Municipal Association in 2015 and continues to serve on the board of GMA. Prior to his presidency, he served as the organization’s first vice president and past chair of the Revenue and Finance Committee, Federal Policy Council, and Legislative Policy Council. He was inducted into the Georgia Municipal Hall of Fame and serves the U.S. Conference of Mayors as vice chair of the Tourism, Arts, Parks, and Entertainment & Sports Standing Committee, as well as being a member of the boards of the Greater North Fulton and Johns Creek Chambers of Commerce.

Bodker is the father of twins, Jake and Keri, and a 4-year-old daughter, Emma Kate.

He is currently a partner in nexDimension Technology Solutions and attends Chabad of North Fulton. Read on to learn more about Bodker, including how Mr. Mayor served pizza in a costume.

The best advice my dad gave me …

Your reputation is worth more than gold. You can build it for years, then lose it in an instant.

My foray into stardom was …

Making a video with Jeff Foxworthy.

My favorite cocktail is …

Tropicali beer.

If I have talent, it would be that I’m …

Good at delivering information while making people laugh.

One fun thing people don’t know about me is …

I was the costume character Billy Bob the Bear at Show Biz Pizza.

I’m reading …

News on the internet. Actually, I am very tactile and running around all the time versus reading books.

My kids say I’m too …

Serious.

What keeps you up at night?

Worrying about our country.

My most exotic vacation was …

Italy — seeing antiquities and eating my way through.

My last fashion disaster was …

I’m not winning any fashion awards; everything I wear is a disaster.

What will you be doing ten years from now?

Enjoying a life not in politics.

Reported by Marcia Caller Jaffe ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 61

KEEPING IT KOSHER

Vegan Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars These peanut butter cookie bars are one of my all-time favorite treats. They have a delicious peanut butter chocolate chip layer with a rich cacao-date layer on top.

Recipe type: Dessert, snack; Diet: Vegan, Kosher. Serves: 25

Ingredients: Cookie Layer ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter* ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon maple syrup* 2 teaspoons vanilla extract* Heaping ½ teaspoon sea salt 2½ cups almond flour* 2½ tablespoons maca powder* 1 cup chocolate chips* Cacao Layer 1½ cups walnuts 2 tablespoons cacao powder* ¼ teaspoon sea salt 10 soft medjool dates* 2 tablespoons water Flaky sea salt for sprinkling on top, optional

JEWISH JOKE

Oy – It Hurts!

When Dr. Levine opened a medical office in Chelm, his first patient was the town’s great sage Yitzy Yankel.

“Doctor, I hurt all over.”

“That’s not medically possible.”

“But it’s true! When I touch my leg – Oy! – It hurts. When I touch my arm – Oy! – it hurts. When I touch my head – Oy! – it hurts. When I touch my chest – Oy! – It really hurts.”

“Yitzy Yankel, I know for a fact that your body is fine.”

“How could you possibly know such a thing?”

“Because your finger is broken.”

YIDDISH WORD

Instructions: Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, stir together the peanut butter, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt until combined. Add the almond flour and maca and stir to combine (the mixture will be thick). Fold in the chocolate chips and press into the pan. Place in the freezer so that it firms up a bit while making the next layer.

In a small food processor, pulse the walnuts, cacao powder, and sea salt until the walnuts are well chopped. Add the dates and pulse to combine, adding 2 tablespoons water if the blade gets stuck. Process until smooth, then spread onto the cookie layer.

Sprinkle with sea salt if desired. Freeze for 30 minutes (this will help them firm up, making them easier to cut). Remove and slice into bars. Store remaining bars in the fridge.

Finished bars can also be frozen. Let each bar thaw for about 15 minutes at room temperature.

Note: Look for creamy peanut butter with a smooth consistency to make this recipe, not the dry kind. If you store your peanut butter in the fridge, allow it to sit at room temperature for an hour before making this recipe. *This recipe was created in partnership with Thrive Market. Certified kosher and vegan ingredients marked with an asterisk can be found at https://thrivemarket.com/.

Source: www.loveandlemons.com Recipe by Jeanine Donofrio 62 | NOVEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Farpitzed Dolled up, dressed to the nines.

“We used to get all farpitzed just to walk through the mall.”

Often used to indicate that someone is overdressed.

That’s Not What That Means By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Easy 1

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BRAIN FOOD ACROSS

1. Kathmandu is its capital 6. Makes like a baby 11. “Jeopardy!” ques., actually 14. Simple skirt style 15. From this day on 16. Tree fluid 17. “Used TNT on a dreidle” 19. “General” of Chinese food 20. “Buona ___” (Italian phrase) 21. Lo Green of music 22. Upper body 24. “The schach on that Sukkah needs to be higher” 28. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” airer, once 31. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem dir.

32. Like a great meal 33. ___ problem (finds fault) 35. Be in a play 36. “Welcome Back, Kotter” star Kaplan 39. “So excited to start sefirat ha’omer!”

43. Four, in Israel 44. “That’s hilarious!”, for short 45. Chekhov who wrote “Uncle Vanya” 46. Alternative to Times New Roman 48. Dosage units: Abbr.

50. Metro stop: Abbr.

51. “Let me know how many l’chaims there are”

55. Gather 56. Newton who was a Panther 57. Ethiopian of Italian opera 61. Harry Potter’s best friend Weasley 62. “Sorry, no more pita bread” 66. “Star Trek” captain Jean___ Picard 67. Hanging sunlight blocker 68. Shooting sport 69. Mother lode’s load 70. Participates in a seder 71. Highly unlikely name for a Jewish man

23. Home of Crater Lake National Park 25. Israeli singer Avidan 26. Kind of support for a PC user 27. More than dislike 28. Beef-grading govt. agcy.

29. Baal ___ (ancient form of idolatry) 30. Puma competitor 34. Lip-curling faces 35. 2021 NL Champions 37. Jewish daughters 38. Vesuvius’s Sicilian counterpart 40. Kind of korban 41. Part in a play DOWN 42. People in a play 1. Steals 47. “Strange...”

2. Palindromic magazine 48. Makes sore from friction 3. Place to fish or dock 4. Sadat assassinated for mak- 49. Give free tickets to 51. Monte ___ (Monaco prining peace with Israel cipality) 5. Writer Tolstoy 52. Subject of Pepe Le Pew’s 6. It’s often consumed on quest Shavuot 53. Mouthwash brand 7. Watch again 54. 21st century Torah giant 8. Pick on the field, for short 58. Swedish furniture retailer 9. Nature prefix 59.

Consider to be 10. Band of seven 11. Jessica Meir, and now Wil- 60. “ ___ boy!”

63. “Mentalist” Geller liam Shatner, e.g.

64. Get some sun 12. The longest parsha 65. Disney’s “Special Agent” 13. Many a Mel Brooks film bear 18. CBS military law series

“Halloween” SOLUTION 1

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65 68 71

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES NOVEMBER 15, 2021| 63

OBITUARIES

Andrew Louis Alterman

Karel Kwass Copenhaver

Andrew “Andy” Louis Alterman, 50, of Austell, Ga., passed away on Nov. 3.

Andy was active with his local community as a member of the Marietta Enrichment Center and was a constant presence at Special Needs Cobb, participating in numerous social and work activities. He also participated with both bocce ball and swimming in the Special Olympics. Andy was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves, Falcons and Hawks. He enjoyed scary movies and Marvel movies, the Harry Potter fandom, theme parks, roller coasters, going to the mall, and talking on the phone, but his first love was coffee from Racetrac. Andy was bar mitzva’d on Sept. 12, 1987, at Temple Shir Ami in Newtown, Penn. Andy is predeceased by his father, Paul Alterman. He is survived by his mother, Pam Alterman; his biological mother, Carole (Larry) Crystal; siblings: Michael (Melissa) Alterman and their children Jacob and Hannah, Katie (Sammy) Rosenberg and their son Max, Jon Alterman and his children Masao, Josi and Amy Alterman-Paradiso (Grace); and his favorite dogs: Lucy, Stella Blue, Gracie, and Samson.

Memorial donations may be made to Prader Willi Syndrome Association USA, 8588 Potter Park Drive, Suite 500, Sarasota, Fla. 34238; www.pwsausa.org. A graveside funeral was held on Sunday, Nov. 7 at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner officiating. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.dresslerjewishfunerals.com. Arrangements by Dressler’s, 770-451-4999.

Karel Kwass Copenhaver, 82, died peacefully, surrounded by her children and loved ones, on Oct. 30, in Augusta, Ga. after a courageous battle with cancer.

Karel was born on May 23, 1939, in Bluefield, W. Va. She was one of three children of Sidney and Edna Kwass. Karel attended Agnes Scott College, and subsequently married and settled in Augusta.

Karel became a staple of the community over the last 60 years. She remained an active member of the Augusta community until her final days. Karel served on multiple boards over the years, including the new Augusta Jewish Museum, Medical Association of Georgia, Augusta Symphony Guild, United Way and Easter Seals.

She was a fixture of the CCI Temple Sisterhood and in 1983 was chosen as “Woman of the Year.” Karel was a Lifetime Member of Hadassah and active within her local chapter. She loved attending Sabbath services and most recently played an integral part in the fundraising efforts for the new Augusta Jewish Museum. She led by example, both in Augusta and her “summer camp” in Highlands, N. C. Karel was passionate about her family and extended family. She is survived by her 3 children: Eve Turner, Brian Estroff (Heidi Estroff), Eric (Dianne) Estroff; 7 grandchildren: Rachel (Andrew) Orenberg, Josh (Melanie) Turner, Jake Estroff, Ben Estroff, Shelby Estroff, Noah Estroff, Sydney Estroff; 2 great grandchildren: Maya Orenberg and Micah Turner; her brother, Robert Kwass; her sister, Kathy (Charles) Gross; and many children and grandchildren by marriage.

The memorial service can be viewed via the following link: www.youtu. be/3MFGvhzYBPk To express condolences, please visit www.thomaspoteet.com/obituaries/KarelCopenhaver/ The family would like to acknowledge the fantastic support of the Augusta University medical staff, especially Dr. Sharad Ghamande and Katie Dorr for their incredible dedication over the last few years. Donations in Karel’s honor can be made to the Augusta Jewish Museum, American Cancer Society (Gynecological Division), or Highlands Performing Arts Center.

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Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Editor and Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments.

Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

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OBITUARIES

Michelle Kravtin Gary 66, Atlanta

Michelle Kravtin Gary, 66, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Nov. 2, due to complications from chronic illness. She was born Oct. 12, 1955, in Columbus, Ga. to Maurice and Ruth Kravtin. She met the love of her life, Marc Gary, during her freshman year at Northwestern University. They married in 1977.

A 1980 graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Michelle gave up a promising career as a corporate lawyer to selflessly devote herself to raising her two children, Philip and Tammy. Dissatisfied with the opportunities for her children to pursue a Jewish day school education in the District of Columbia, Michelle, together with Marc, was one of the founders of the Jewish Primary Day School of DC (now the Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School of the Nation’s Capital). One of Michelle’s first tasks upon the opening of the school was leading the school lunch program — making her the most overqualified lunch lady in Washington history. Michelle’s strong dedication to American Jewry surpassed solely starting a school: later in life she was an active board member of Ramah Darom in Clayton, Ga., the Jewish Women’s Archive of Brookline, Mass., and her local chapters of the American Jewish Committee in Atlanta, Boston, and New York. Michelle was truly a “woman of valor” (Proverbs 31:10).

Michelle is survived by her husband, Marc, her son and daughter-in-law, Philip and Amanda Resnikoff Gary, and her daughter and son-in-law, Tammy and Mark Friedman. She also leaves behind her mother, Ruth, her sisters, Patricia and Karen, and their husbands: Jon Horowitz and Dana Shadrick. Michelle lived to see — and to adore — two grandchildren: Abigail and Miles. She will be missed by her nephews, nieces and cousins, as well as friends she made during her years in Washington, Boston, New York, and Atlanta. She loved, and was loved, fiercely.

Graveside services were held on Thursday, Nov. 4 at Arlington Memorial Park, 201 Mount Vernon Highway, in Sandy Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Jewish Committee at https://www.ajc.org/ and the Jewish Women’s Archive at www.jwa.org. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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OBITUARIES

Sheila Shane Herman 90, Atlanta

Sheila Shane Herman passed away on Saturday morning, Oct. 30, at the age of 90. She was born in New York on October 2, 1931, to Shirley and Murray Shane. She grew up in New York, where she met and married her true love, Al Herman, of blessed memory, after only 3 dates.

Her career was originally in advertising in New York City until she met Al and moved to Greensboro, N. C., where she worked with Al, raised a loving family, and had many friends. She was an avid mahjong player and in her younger years she devoted many volunteer hours to Beth David Synagogue Sisterhood. Sheila was a true fashionista who had a great eye for fashion, especially shoes. In 2016, Sheila moved to Atlanta, Ga., where she made new friends and a new life that she loved.

She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Andrew and Erica Herman of Greensboro, N. C., and her daughter and son-in-law Cathy and Ronny Miller of Atlanta, her brother Steve and Nancy Shane of Eagle, Colo., and her sister Lenore Laxer of New York, NY. She is also survived by her grandchildren Stuart (Deena) Miller, Amanda (Ryan) Enoch both of Atlanta, and Eliana Herman of Greensboro, N. C. Additionally, she is survived by many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Graveside services were held in Greensboro, N. C., where she was laid to rest next to her beloved “Al”.

The family is especially grateful for all the wonderful, caring staff at Berman Commons, where she was treated with kindness and loving support. A special thank you to Tomika (“T”), and Weinstein Hospice for the incredible care she always received.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to JELF (Jewish Educational Loan Fund) or Weinstein Hospice.

Samuel Milton Sturman 90, Atlanta

Samuel Milton Sturman, 90, died Sept. 17. Milton was born to Bessie and Sidney Sturman on October 16, 1930, in Atlanta. He was a graduate of Boys High, where he played baseball. He also competed in golf and bowling for many years. Milton worked for the Southern Motor Carriers Rate Conference, Inc. as well as Post Properties. He is survived by his sister Natalie Ellis; nieces Susan Berkowitz, Tzivia (Helen) Silverstein; nephews Mark Ellis, Howard Ellis MD, Steven Berkowitz (Michele), and Ira Sturman; seven great-nieces and -nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Robert Sturman, brother-in-law Seymour Ellis, sister Sylvia Berkowitz, brother-in-law Sam Berkowitz, and dear friend Dell Asher. Per his wishes, he has been cremated. The family will have a memorial service at Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105. Dressler’s, 770-451-4999.

Naomi Saye Wolfe

OBITUARIES

89, Alpharetta

Naomi Saye Wolfe of Alpharetta, Ga. passed away on Oct. 13 at the age of 89. Naomi was born in Athens, Ga., but lived most of her life in California, New England and eventually settled back in Alpharetta in 1981.

Naomi is survived by her beloved husband, of 71 years, Martin W. Wolfe; their three children: Rhonda Wolfe Nachamkin (Jeffrey), L. David Wolfe (Patterson) and Mark R. Wolfe (Rosalie); seven grandchildren: Eli W. Nachamkin (Kim) Saree Nachamkin Naggiar; Jeremy L. Wolfe, Eeid M. Wolfe (Jamie), Clark P. Wolfe, Garity M. Wolfe and Barrett H. Wolfe; and five great-grandchildren.

Naomi owned her own business with her late sister-in-law, Helma Wolfe Tauber, however, her true passions were her family and her artwork. She was an accomplished artist, graduating from Silvermine School of Art in Stamford, Conn. and studying under the tutelage of Rayma Spaulding — Painting Stamford, Conn. and Ivan Biro — sculpture New York, N. Y. Naomi was a founding member of the Stamford Art Association; her work was recognized in many juried art shows in Connecticut and Georgia while her paintings hung in the Governor of Connecticut’s office.

Naomi was inducted as a member of the National League of American Pen Women, Inc. (Atlanta Pen Women), a sisterhood of talented women who dedicated to their craft and to sharing their passion for the arts.

Her other passion was her husband Marty, from whom she was inseparable, be it traveling the world or grocery shopping. Naomi truly believed, as did those who knew her, that her marriage was a match made in heaven. Naomi doted on her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, never missing a religious ceremony, school play, graduation, grandparents’ day or sporting event. ln lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Naomi’s memory to: Dementia Spotlight, 7303 Citadel Drive, N.E., Atlanta, Ga. 30324. www.paypal.com/ donate/?hosted_button_id=BXGP4PKXGZH9E.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS When Dessert Dictates Dinner My husband Zvi and I once participated in a fundraiser for a school in Israel. Our contribution to the campaign was to host ChanuChana Shapiro kah dinner for eight to ten guests at our home, for which the school would receive a donation of $50 per person. Each host family was responsible for raising $400-$500, the goal being to generate funds for the school’s nascent STEM program.

Zvi and I had a surprisingly easy time putting together eight friends who would join us for the fundraiser. I decided to prepare a dairy meal, based on the fact that Chanukah is the season for jelly doughnuts, and at that time all kosher jelly doughnuts in Atlanta were dairy.

That’s right. I planned to serve a milchig meal for which eight individuals had made generous donations to a school their own children did not attend, all because I wanted to serve dairy jelly dough-

nuts for dessert.

Because Chanukah commemorates the miracle of the oil, it seemed fitting to get thematically creative with that ingredient. One might think that informed people rarely make self-destructive food choices consciously, yet these same people also know that unhealthy foods are usually quite tasty. Following this line of reasoning, a meal of fried-in-oil components would be a definite crowd-pleaser.

Zvi agreed that a fun dinner of fried comfort food would be just the thing. Starting with sweet liqueurs and fattening hors d’oeuvres (including southern fried okra), we and our guests would dine on fried potato latkes with sour cream, buttermilkbreaded fried fish fillets, French-fried potatoes and onion rings, and we’d magnanimously include a healthful salad for the faint of digestion.

Our grandchildren, who would not be present at the Chanukah fête, upon learning that the meal would be dairy, suggested adding pizza or macaroni and cheese to the menu. Admittedly, their ideas had merit; but too much of a good thing often turns into a bad thing. Anyway, I wanted our guests to save room for ice cream and the kosher,

dairy Krispy Kreme jelly doughnuts.

A week or so before Chanukah, I bumped into Leah, another fundraiser host, who told me about the splendid meal she planned to serve. She described her ordeal of ordering kosher duck for her main dish, duck à l’Orange. I smiled benignly at her heroic tale. I knew that none of the host families would serve milk and meat in the same meal.

“So you can’t have jelly doughnuts for dessert,” I noted.

Leah looked at me with shock or disdain (often difficult to tell apart). “Why,” she asked, “would I serve jelly doughnuts to people who each paid $50 for a nice Chanukah meal?”

My idea of a nice Chanukah meal is one in which jelly doughnuts are on the menu, but why argue? I knew I was right.

I bumped into another fundraiser host, Ruthie, at the neighborhood QT gas station, and asked what she was planning. “I haven’t decided everything,” she answered. “I want to make it special, so I’m definitely including lamb chops.” There wouldn’t be jelly doughnuts for dessert at that house.

I admit that my confidence was slipsliding away, but I wasn’t ready to abandon my culinary plan. I had to survey our in-

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vited guests.

I started with our most brutally honest pals. The husband had this to say: “It sounds great, but you left out my favorite fried dairy thing. Blintzes.” To tell the truth, blintzes hadn’t crossed my mind. On the spot, I decided to drop the fried okra and serve miniblintzes as the appetizer. I continued to ask the other invitees their opinion. Some liked the latkes, fish and salad, but questioned the fries and onion rings. Others couldn’t wait for those sides. No one objected to the jelly doughnuts, so, armed with universal dessert approval, all systems were go.

When our guests arrived, they said our home smelled like their mothers’ and grandmothers’ houses did, which they assured me was good. Our little band of latter-day Maccabees lit menorahs, recited the blessings, sang songs, sipped liqueurs, nibbled mini-blintzes, and feasted on an oily dairy dinner. We ate a lot and took a brief restorative break to make room for dessert, because everyone knew what was coming. Finally, when the ice cream and jelly doughnuts were brought to the table, our appetites returned in full force, and the dessert was consumed with gusto. Zvi and I knew we’d done the right thing. ì

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