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NEWS Judaism Inspired Schwartz’s Pursuit of Justice

By Dave Schechter “It is not your duty to complete the work.

Nor are you free to desist from it.” (Pirke Avot) Dale Marvin Schwartz did his duty and left a legacy for those who continue the work.

The attorney praised for his advocacy on behalf of immigrants, in support of civil rights, and to clear the name of Leo Frank, died Aug. 27, one week after his 79th birthday.

Schwartz was “a giant in the Atlanta Jewish community,” said Temple Kol Emeth Rabbi Emeritus Steve Lebow, who worked with him on the Frank case. Schwartz’s communal credits included leadership roles on the boards of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta, the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, and the Anti-Defamation League.

Judaism was integral to his life and work.

“Dale lived and breathed tikkun olam daily. Countless immigrants, law students, legal colleagues, and victims of prejudice and bigotry benefited from Dale’s generosity

Dale Schwartz as a college student in the 1960s.

of wisdom and relentless pursuit of justice.

Underneath his easy-going, gregarious exterior was a man who worked incredibly long hours. He had a positive impact on more lives daily than others accomplish in a lifetime,” said Lauren Levin, a former ADL colleague who credits Schwartz with inspiring her to become an immigration attorney.

Schwartz’s father operated a clothing store in Winder, Ga., where, despite threats,

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Attorney Dale Schwartz, 1942-2021.

Lauren Levin credits Schwartz with inspiring her to become an immigration attorney.

he hired and served African Americans as customers. “I think that is prescient and symbolic and emblematic of where Dale came from and what he did with his own life,” Lebow said.

Schwartz eventually received bachelors and law degrees from the University of Georgia, but in February 1960 he was a Vanderbilt University freshman and a pledge for the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. Responding to a telephoned request from an African American student at Fisk University, Rabbi Steve Lebow at the memorial marker Schwartz and other AEPi members near where Leo Frank was lynched in 1915. turned out to support students from Black colleges who were holding later, when Schwartz’s law firm purchased a sit-ins to desegregate the Woolworth store table at a birthday party and fundraiser for lunch counter in downtown Nashville.

Congressman John Lewis at a downtown AtIn a 2020 article for the AEPi maga- lanta hotel. A video of Lewis’ life was shown. zine, Schwartz recounted: “The waitresses “They found an old black and white film clip were prepared and put up a CLOSED sign from one of the networks, and there I was, on the lunch counter. One of the waitresses for all of two seconds on the screen, being poured a vanilla milkshake over the head beaten up. My wife let out a scream when of one of the students, turned around, and she saw me, and John Lewis, who was sitting left. A few minutes later the Nashville police a few tables away from us, came right over to arrived. They mocked me and my Brothers ask my wife what was wrong. When she told and called us ‘N****r Lovers.’ … One short, fat him, he asked us to stay after dinner ended,” white man walked up to the back of one of Schwartz wrote. the young women sitting at the counter and Lewis asked the video technician to reput his lighted cigar into her back.” play the video “and stop on the frame when “We jumped that man and beat him my face appeared, replete with my pompaup,” Schwartz wrote. “But the Klan types dour and big, black Buddy Holly glasses. turned their full attention to beating us kids. John hugged me and remarked that we had I got hurt so badly that I was taken to Vander- known each other for more than 30 years, bilt Hospital’s ER for treatment. The local but never realized we were together at that policemen stood by, doing nothing to stop lunch counter in Nashville,” Schwartz rethe beatings, and just laughed at us. Luck- called. ily, nothing on me was broken. My mother “John looked at me and my wife and and father got to see me being beaten on the said, ‘Every Black politician in America national network news that evening, as pho- claims he was at that lunch counter in Nashtographed by the local TV stations, which ar- ville, but I’m the only one with a white witrived shortly after the rednecks. The univer- ness.’ I will never forget that moment,” he sity threatened to kick us AEPi Brothers out recalled. of school for ‘inciting a riot.’ We dared them When President Barack Obama mento do that, and they backed down.” tioned the Nashville sit-in during his July That incident came full circle 30 years 2020 eulogy for Lewis, “It made me remem-

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ber this story and reminisce how, when John and I were together over the years, he mentioned to me that he would never forget how we Jews, and especially Jewish kids (and AEPi men), were the only ones they could turn to for support and help in those early days. I am proud that my AEPi Brothers joined me that day. None of us will ever forget that day, or the reasons we were there,” Schwartz wrote.

Schwartz served as lead counsel in the effort to seek a pardon for Frank, the Jewish manager of a pencil factory in downtown Atlanta, who was convicted in 1913 of murder in the death of a 13-year-old employee, Mary Phagan. After Gov. John Slaton commuted his death sentence to life in prison, a group of Cobb County men, including prominent figures in Marietta — Phagan’s hometown — plotted and kidnapped Frank from the penitentiary in Milledgeville. They drove Frank to a Marietta woods, near what today is Frey’s Gin Road, and before dawn on Aug. 17, 1915, lynched him.

Schwartz described the pardon effort as being “like Sisyphus pushing that rock up a hill.” That rock included Atlanta’s own Jewish community. Schwartz recalled a meeting of 300-400 people at the Jewish Community Center at which the ADL, American Jewish Committee and the Jewish Federation of Atlanta — the organizations behind the appeal — were urged to leave the past alone. “People begged us not to do it,” he said in an inter-

Y

HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield.

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Temple Sinai Rabbi Ron Segal said that Schwartz made “an enduring difference in the world.”

view several years ago.

In 1983, the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles rejected a pardon application filed after 85-year-old Alonzo Mann told The Tennessean newspaper what he had witnessed while working at the factory on April 26, 1913, the day Phagan was murdered. Schwartz said Mann told him about anti-Jewish epithets shouted outside the courthouse during the 1913 trial. The state board determined that “it is impossible to decide conclusively the guilt or innocence of Frank.”

Three years later, Schwartz and his colleagues made, in his words, “not a legal argument so much as a political or emotional plea.” In granting that application, the board said it acted “without attempting to address the question of guilt or innocence and in recognition of the state’s failure to protect the person of Leo M. Frank and thereby preserve his opportunity for continued legal appeal of his conviction, and in recognition of the state’s failure to bring his killers to justice.”

Before the 30th anniversary of the pardon, Schwartz told the AJT, “I remember the great joy I felt when I got news of the pardon’s having been granted! We had worked on this case for over five years. I remember thinking that the Anti-Defamation League could finally close its case No. 001 after over 70 years. … I recalled the opening words of the brief written by Charles Wittenstein and me: Justice, Justice, Shalt You Pursue.”

Lebow said that in recent days he, Schwartz, and former Gov. Roy Barnes “were still working on a strategy to get Leo Frank exonerated.”

For his birthday this year, Schwartz sought donations to HIAS. When elected its board chair in 2013, Schwartz said, “HIAS is in my blood, part of my DNA. Not just because HIAS brought to America three of my grandparents and helped them establish new lives here, but because of the millions of other people – Jews and non-Jews – whom HIAS has rescued or resettled. To be a part of that effort – even in a small way – is both an honor and a precious gift from above.”

In a eulogy delivered at the funeral, HIAS President and CEO Mark Hetfield quoted Schwartz’s response to critics of the organization’s mission, which extends beyond the Jewish world: “We don’t help individuals in need because they are Jews. We help people in need because WE are Jews.”

Speaking of his long-time congregant, Temple Sinai Rabbi Ron Segal told the AJT: “Throughout his entire life, both professionally as well as through his active volunteerism, Dale tirelessly and boldly worked to establish laws ensuring the just and equitable treatment of every individual. He made an impression upon everyone he met, as well as an enduring difference in the world he left behind, and he will be dearly missed.” ì

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NEWS

No Mask, No Class for UGA Professor

By Dave Schechter At this point in his life, Professor Irwin S. Bernstein did not need to be standing in front of a classroom of University of Georgia psychology students. After a distinguished career, the 88-year-old expert in primate behavior was a “retiree-rehire,” who had returned to teach two classes.

Bernstein became national news by suddenly re-retiring during a class on Aug. 24 — after a student refused to wear a mask, despite his explaining why it was critical for his health.

In keeping with the policy directives of Gov. Brian Kemp, the University System of Georgia mandates neither vaccination nor masks. USG instead “urges all students, faculty, staff and visitors to get vaccinated” and “everyone is encouraged to wear a mask or face covering while inside campus facilities.”

On the first day of the upper-level, 25-student class, “I had put a notice on the whiteboard — ‘No mask, no class’ — and afterwards, was told that I could not do that and took it down,” Bernstein told the AJT by email.

“I had explained to the class that my age and co-morbidities would make COVID life threatening for me,” because of such underlying conditions as Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and age-related issues, Bernstein wrote.

“All had agreed to cooperate on the first day.

The student who refused was absent on the first day and when she came to class, I explained my situation. She had no mask, but another student gave her a spare. She started to put it on but said it was uncomfortable and removed it.”

That was the last straw for Bernstein, who already was concerned about the COVID-19 situation on campus. UGA’s student newspaper, The Red & Black, reported that

Irwin S. Bernstein, “re-retired” University of Georgia professor.

University of Georgia in Athens has 29,848 students enrolled for the 2021 school year.

Bernstein was aware that two students absent the first day of class had tested positive for COVID-19. “At that point I said that whereas I had risked my life to defend my country while in the Air Force, I was not willing to risk my life to teach a class with an unmasked student during this pandemic,” he told the newspaper. “I then resigned my retiree-rehire position.”

Fourth-year psychology student Hannah Huff told The Red & Black: “Professor Bernstein said, ‘That’s it. I’m retired,’ and we watched him pack all of his papers into his bag and walk out of the classroom.”

Bernstein told the AJT, “I have been told that she later said that she could not breathe (I had seen no indication of that, and she never said anything about it directly to me).

Another student also reported that when I left, the first student had laughed and told the class that she had just done them a favor.”

According to the Georgia Department

of Public Health, as of Sept. 9 the state had tem have resigned in the new academic year recorded more than 1.14 million confirmed because of COVID-19 concerns. cases of COVID-19 and more than 20,400 “I have, literally, been receiving comconfirmed COVID-related deaths. The Atlan- ments from all over the English-speaking ta-based Centers for Disease Control and Pre- world and from colleagues, friends and vention reported that 42 percent of eligible former students whose first language is not Georgians were fully vaccinated, better than English. One positive outcome has been that only five other states and equal to four oth- I am once again in contact with many people ers. that I had lost contact with,” Bernstein said.

“After resigning and talking to the de- “I have also heard from colleagues who are partment head, I have had no communica- less fortunate than I in that their institution tion from UGA or the University system,” has mandated in person classes and forbidBernstein said. “The communications that den them to teach online. Whereas they need I have received from colleagues, both from to work to support themselves and their my department and from elsewhere, have families, I was in a position where I could just been supportive. None of the students have walk away.” contacted me. Former students who saw the Bernstein, who described himself as a reports, have been supportive. My family “Jew by culture and ethnicity,” also addressed has been supportive. I have received some the broader controversy over COVID-19 vacnegative responses from people that I do not cines. “No one objects to the fact that we do know but who saw the media reports. Some require DPT [diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus] are very vigorous and measles vaccina(laced with profanitions to go to school, ties) in denouncing but somehow COVID me for depriving the is different,” he told student of her ‘freethe AJT. “Some of the dom.’” negative responses UGA spokesperthat I received said son Rod Guajardo that since some vactold the AJT: “All stucinated people have dents affected by the contracted COVID resignation of this inthat vaccinations are UGA’s Director for Integrated Media structor were moved useless.

Moreover, Communications, Rod Guajardo. to a new section of since some people their courses and have had bad reactions on being vaccinated, will continue in their studies as expected.” that the vaccinations are dangerous and to Guajardo said that while “USG does not allow be avoided. That since masking will not proits institutions to enact mask or vaccine man- vide 100% protection, it is useless. That since dates,” UGA has offered incentives, including only a small percent of people contracting cash prizes, to boost vaccination rates.

COVID die, that COVID is nothing more than The AJT has sought, but at this writing something like a cold. These are clearly (to not received, comment from USG. At least me) flawed arguments and seem to be used three faculty members in the 26-school sys- as such knowingly.” ì

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Mayim Bialik: From JF&CS to ‘Jeopardy!’

By Bob Bahr Mayim Bialik, the popular sitcom star and outspoken supporter of Israel, is the first guest host of “Jeopardy!,” the syndicated television blockbuster that returned for its 38th season on Sep. 13.

For three weeks, Bialik will replace Alex Trebek, who died in 2020. She was also named the host of a series of “Jeopardy!” specials on ABC. Bialik said she was thrilled about the opportunity: “What started out with my 15-year-old repeating a rumor from Instagram that I should guest host the show,” she said at the time, “has turned into one of the most exciting and surreal opportunities of my life!”

For fans like Mike Levine, a retired Atlanta pediatrician, Bialik is a classy choice for a program he considers something more than just another quiz show.

Levine has watched almost every one of the 7,000 “Jeopardy!” episodes aired since the show began in 1984. “I think it’s on a higher level than so many of the game shows. I mean, I don’t watch any other game show. And I think that it’s just on a different level.”

Levine’s wife, Esther, who prior to the pandemic hosted visiting authors on national book tours, remembers how intelligent and charming Trebek was on a visit to Atlanta in 1990. “I remember that, as I was taking him around the city, he was soaking up information. He was very down-to-earth, and he related really well to people.”

Bialik also has a strong appetite for learning. Although she played fictional neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler in the CBS hit “The Big Bang Theory,” in real life Bialik has a PhD in neuroscience from UCLA. She hosts a podcast on mental health and is also interested in a variety of public issues. Her comments about children’s health issues have stirred controversy, and she’s endured hate mail for being a committed Zionist. Bialik’s grandparents were Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe.

Several years ago, she helped drum up support for the Jewish state by recounting that she has visited Israel regularly. Numerous members of her family live there. “I’ve been there at least a dozen times and plan to go at least a dozen times more and then some. I love the state of Israel. I love what it stands for. I love what it can be,” she said.

Last fall, she was a popular headliner for Jewish Family and Career Ser-

sewer.”

Part of Bialik’s job during the three weeks that she is set to guest host the daily program, may be to restore some of the prestige the Mayim Bialik was the featured speaker at show has last year’s JF&CS annual fundraiser. lost in the last month, while avoiding any major Mayim Bialik is the first guest host on “Jeopardy!” this month. hits to her own reputation. Depending on writing for the well-respected Poynter how she does, she could become the proInstitute for Media Studies, called Rich- gram’s permanent host. ards’ resignation a major dilemma for It’s a considerable responsibility, acthe popular program. cording to Mike Levine, who has spent all “The question now is how ‘Jeopardy!’ these years as a “Jeopardy!” fan. gets its credibility back,” as Jones put it.

“It’s about more than the future of “For nearly four decades, it was one of the game show. This has been a test of the the classiest and most respected shows morality of the entire television industry. on TV. In a matter of a few weeks, be- It’s about keeping the reputation of at cause of the whole Richards shenanigan, least one television program on a high The choice of “Jeopardy!” Executive Producer the show’s reputation has gone down the plane.” ì Mike Richards to succeed Alex Trebek as permanent host created controversy.

vices’ annual fundraising event, which attracted a virtual crowd of 700. Allison Holmes, who manages JF&CS’s special events, was grateful for her support.

“Mayim Bialik had so much to offer us through her advocacy of mental health support, especially during the trying times of 2020, when so many of us came to the realization that we need some extra help dealing with anxiety, depression, and stress.”

But Bialik is facing a considerable amount of stress herself, as she takes up her new job on “Jeopardy!”

In August, Mike Richards, the person chosen to host the daily “Jeopardy!” program, was accused of making disparaging comments about women and Jews.

The ADL called for an investigation into his background.

Richards, who was also the executive producer of the show, in addition to longtime game show success “Wheel of Fortune,” resigned after a storm of bad publicity.

It was an unexpected blow to a program that, over the years, has won 39 Daytime Emmy Awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It also received a prestigious Peabody Award in 2012 from the University of Georgia for “encouraging, celebrating and rewarding knowledge.”

Entertainment critics like Tom Jones,

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NEWS

Blank Family Pledges $1M to Assist Hurricane Victims

By Jan Jaben-Eilon In the wake of the pummeling of Hurricane Ida, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation pledged to give $1 million to the American Red Cross and the Greater New Orleans Foundation.

The two equal donations are meant to assist the victims of the devastating Category 4 storm and its aftermath.

Even after it was downgraded from a hurricane, the storm cut a path up to the Northeast, flooding parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Dozens of people were killed, and hundreds of homes were shattered by the historic storm. The Blank Family Foundation financial commitments were made after Ida hit the Southeast and even before it struck the Northeast. A spokeswoman said the foundation didn’t plan to make additional donations to the Northeast, “but the grant to the Red Cross is flexible to be used in the geographies where it’s needed the most.”

Foundation President Fay Twersky attributed the donations to Arthur

Resident looking at the remains of his collapsed home after Hurricane Ida struck New Orleans, La. on Aug. 30. // Michael DeMocker via Reuters

Arthur Blank has amassed a powerful lineup of business and philanthropic successes.

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Blank’s Jewish values.

“Arthur’s mother, Molly Blank, taught him the importance of tzedakah, of giving to those in need,” she said. “This donation for hurricane relief, and everything Arthur and his family do through the foundation, reflects their core value to give back to their community and support their neighbors.”

In a statement released by the Foundation, Blank noted that “this storm’s impact on many people and communities will be felt for some time and that includes many of our family, friends and associates across our portfolio of businesses and Foundation President Fay Twersky said Blank was foundation who have pertaught the importance of tzedakah by his mother. sonal connections to the Gulf Coast.” He noted that the Louisiana area was already impact- added. “At times like these, I hope we ed by the Covid-19 pandemic which also can set aside the things that divide us in has overwhelmed first responders. a spirit of unity to help others suffering “We are in a time of crisis, and we’re through a crisis simply because it’s the so grateful for the first responders, right thing to do.” health care workers and other public The Blank Family Foundation was servants who are already going above established in 1995. Blank, chairman of and beyond. We hope to play a small the foundation, co-founded The Home part in helping those communities re- Depot home improvement retailer in cover by supporting two organizations 1978. Through the foundation and his providing relief on the ground. We en- family’s personal giving, Blank has courage others to join the effort to lift granted more than $800 million to varithose impacted by this storm,” Blank ous charitable organizations. ì

NEWS

JPost Names Three Atlantans to List of ‘Top 50’ Influencers

By Jan Jaben-Eilon Three Jewish women with Atlanta ties have been named to the Jerusalem Post’s ranking of the 50 most influential Jews in the world. The annual list includes Olympic gold medalists, philanthropists, and leaders in art, medicine, literature, politics and technology.

As usual, it is headed by male politicians, this year Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, who share the number one position. Second on the list is U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Third on the list is director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Rochelle P. Walensky, who reportedly commutes between Atlanta and her Massachusetts home. She became the 19th director of the CDC in January 2021. Internationally recognized, Walensky served as chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Another internationally recognized Jewish woman on the list is more familiar to Atlantans. Ranking number 27 on the list is Deborah Lipstadt, the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University’s Tam Institute for Jewish Studies and religion department.

U.S. President Joe Biden recently nominated her to be the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism.

The Senate needs to confirm her appointment which would give her responsibility for anti-Semitism anywhere in the world, except in the United States.

The third Atlanta woman ranked on Jerusalem Post’s list is less well known.

Shari Dollinger is the co-executive director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI).

She shares that position with the wife of CUFI founder Pastor John Hagee.

The Kansas City native has helped lead the 10 million-member CUFI for more than three years. Prior to that, Dollinger was associate director for more than 11 years. But all roads seemed to lead her to CUFI. A graduate of a Jewish day school, she attended Brandeis University. She spent part of her junior year at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and part in Washington, D.C. It was her internship with former Kansas Senator Sam Brownback which “opened up a whole new world to me. I was mesmerized by his support of Israel,” she told the AJT. “I had lived in a Jewish bubble. I wondered whether he,

Emory academic Deborah Lipstadt has been nominated to be the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat AntiSemitism by President Biden.

Ranked third on the Jerusalem Post list is Rochelle P. Walensky, director of Atlanta-based CDC.

Shari Dollinger, CUFI co-executive director, was “blown away” by being named to the list.

as a Christian, was an anomaly or not.”

That led her to write her senior thesis on Christian Zionists’ Impact on U.S. Foreign Policy.

She learned that congressional members of the Christian coalition were affected by their Biblical convictions, or the convictions of their constituents, to support Israel. After college, she served as officer for Inter-Religious Affairs at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. and as a foreign policy research associate at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).

Then, in February 2006, she attended CUFI’s first meeting attended by only 400 people. She became CUFI’s third employee in 2007. Today, there are 50 staff members across the country, most working virtually even before the pandemic.

“I’ve played most of the roles that I now supervise,” she said. “Most of my time focuses on our team.”

She visits CUFI’s headquarters in San Antonio, Texas, about once a month.

CUFI held a smaller-than-usual annual in-person meeting in Dallas this July, but next year, Dollinger said, it will return to its typical location in Washington.

“Being on the Jerusalem Post list means more visibility on the relationship” between Jews and Christians, Dollinger believes. She shares her 36th ranking with Yael Eckstein, the CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, an organization founded by her late father. “There’s a lot of diversity in the pro-Israel community,” said Dollinger.

Asked about her reaction to being named a leading Jewish influencer by the well-known English-language news-

paper, Dollinger said she was “honored, thrilled and amazed to be on the list. I was blown away the first time I heard about it.”

She attributes the listing to the “leg-

islative victories CUFI has had, including moving the U.S. embassy” from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Pastor Hagee gave the benediction at the ceremony at the embassy in Jerusalem in 2018. ì

Shana Tova!

WISHING EVERYONE A GOOD AND SWEET YEAR

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 11

NEWS

LimmudFest 2021

By Arlene Caplan Appelrouth LimmudFest 2021 offered attendants a welcome respite from COVID-19, providing learning opportunities on topics ranging from Jewish culture and sacred texts to Israeli politics and environmentalism. Family-friendly Shabbat services were on offer during the last weekend in August, as close to 200 people traveled to the retreat at Camp Ramah Darom in Clayton, Ga. to take part in recreational and social activities, canoeing and kayaking on the lake, cooling off in the swimming pool, or exploring the beautiful campus on guided hikes.

Limmud Atlanta and Southeast is one of sixteen Limmud communities in the United States and Canada. Dedicated to bringing Jews from diverse backgrounds together, the all-volunteer organization presents programs intended to “break down barriers and build a more animated and vibrant Jewish future,” according to the comprehensive program booklet each participant received when they checked in for the weekend.

Atlanta resident Elaine Blumenthal, a long time Limmudnik, remembers participating in the retreats when they took place at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. She spoke with great enthusiasm about her Limmud experiences: “I think it’s one of the best things in our community. I participate year after year because I get a chance to see the whole Jewish community coming together.

I like to see what a rich, warm, wonderful community we are.”

A member of the Limmud board, Blumenthal has enjoyed the great variety of things she has been able to do during the retreats.

“You can study all kinds of things from cooking to jewelry making,” the lifelong learner explained. “I still have a bracelet I

L to R: Beth Baker from West Palm Beach, Cynthia Berger (Dunwoody), Francine Weaver (Colorado), Arlene Appelrouth (Toco Hills), and Bobbi Perlstein (Dunwoody).

made years ago.”

In addition to being long-time Limmudniks, Blumenthal and her husband, Dr. Jerry Blumenthal, are active members in the Atlanta Jewish community. Members of Conservative congregations Or Hadash and Ahavath Achim, and associate members of Reform congregation Temple Sinai, the Blumenthals are known for their advocacy on behalf of Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

What was their highlight for this year’s Limmud? I wondered.

“The traditional Shabbat services. I loved sitting outside listening to Howie Slomka talk about the week’s parsha. It was about blessings and curses, and how often curses create blessings. Howie said when COVID struck and we were all separated, it felt like a curse. But then something called Zoom came along, which was a blessing because it provided a way for us all to be together,” Blumenthal said.

Slomka, who led the traditional Shab-

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Children played at Ramah Darom.

LimmudFest 2021 Chair and Southeast Board President Howie Slomka blows the shofar.

bat services, chaired this year’s event. He is president of Limmud Atlanta and Southeast, and in addition to leading services on Sunday afternoon, Slomka also blew the shofar, which is traditional during the Hebrew month of Elul. Parents brought their young children to the retreat to witness the sounds and sights of the High Holy Days.

One attendee, visiting from Dunwoody, commented how much she enjoyed being around people of all ages. “All the social distancing because of COVID has been isolating. I’ve missed being around people, especially children,” she said.

Parents enrolled their kids in camp for the weekend, which gave them the freedom to participate in sessions geared toward adults.

The diversity of the attendees was obvious, with a wide spectrum of religious and political beliefs. One session that drew a lot of participation was called “Arguments for the Sake of Heaven.”

Facilitated by Leslie Anderson, whose background is in psychology, it provided an opportunity to use Jewish texts and the long tradition of differing opinions and disagreements as a source of healing.

Referring to the polarization of Ameri-

When sessions ended Sunday, Robyn Dudley and John Kauth handed out information about the Jewish museum in Augusta, their hometown.

Adina Rudisch gives directions for the afternoon’s program.

Participants discussed the sessions they had attended during meals in the Chadar Ochel (dining hall).

cans today, Anderson emphasized how important it is to be able to communicate with people without getting angry.

“Although we have different ways we worship, or disagree with someone’s politics, we are all made in the image of God,” she said. “When we disagree with someone, it’s important to keep that in mind.”

But Limmud doesn’t proselytize. Instead, its philosophy is aimed at creating a learning space for Jews to explore their connection to Jewish ideas and craft their own Jewish experience.

Oh, and the food’s not bad, either. ì

NEWS

Temple Sinai Branches Out with New Glass Windows

By Marcia Caller Jaffe The Jacobs family has donated a pair of stained glass windows to Temple Sinai to honor the memory of Warren Jacobs, a beloved member of the congregation — just in time for the High Holy Days. Featuring a tree motif, the windows were originally a gift to Warren on his 60th birthday in 2003 in recognition of his deep devotion to trees. A doctor and healer by profession, Warren was a storyteller and composer who shared his kindness and spirituality through music, poetry and reverence for trees, understanding their significance — spiritually, physically and symbolically.

His wife, Judie Jacobs, is an accomplished multimedia artist and art teacher who also co-chairs the Temple Sinai Fine Arts Committee. She reflected, “Warren's journey through life was blessed with family and friends who enriched his search for spirituality. He was open to all sources of inspiration: study of Torah, music, art, family, friends and his professional life as a therapist. It is hoped that the windows’ new home at Temple Sinai will enrich the spiritual journey for those who view them.”

The window design incorporates Warren’s love of Marc Chagall’s stained glass Judaica. They were designed and created by Nancy Spanagel, a stained glass artist who previously owned Opus One Gallery at the Tula Art Center. The windows measure approximately 6’ x 7’, with a palette consisting primarily of shades of blue: royal, turquoise, with accents of mauve and green, and touches of sunny yellow and tangerine. The sturdy tree trunk and branches have been rendered in a rich mahogany brown. And the windows honoring Dr. Jacobs have now been installed on a wall by the side-door entrance to the building.

Judie recalled, “From the time I met Warren in the early 1970s, I learned of his appreciation and respect for trees. He gleaned from one of his favorite books, ‘The Alchemist,’ to follow his heart, pay attention and look for important signs along the way. Trees offered a sense of peace, and he felt a connection to a global community through sharing his experience with them.”

Judie remembered that Warren took strength from visiting his favorite tree in Tennessee, which was tragically struck by lightning: “There was nothing left but a huge stump. After getting over the shock of losing it, he thought if he had a story about this tree, surely others must have tales about theirs. So he proceeded to gather

The newly installed windows at Temple Sinai were designed by Nancy Spanagel, a stained glass artist, and previously displayed at the Jacobs home.

our Temple Sinai family who is still dearly missed.

I learned about the beautiful stainedglass windows that flanked the Jacobs’ front door when I visited Warren and Judie at home. Knowing the windows were designed to reflect his love of trees, their presence at Sinai is even more special. I pass by the windows frequently, taking in their beauty and often pausing to recall the many ways Warren made an enduring impression. How truly fortunate our community is that these windows will endure as a source of inspiration for years to come.”

Jacobs’ daughter, Rebecca Jacobs Feldstein, concluded, “My dad taught me that when people think of you, you want them to smile, a trait I pass on to my children.

These windows welcomed everybody into our home, and the light came through them at such a beautiful angle, it brought a wonderful warmth to the entry way. I’m thankful to see them up for all to enjoy at a place he loved so much, Temple Sinai. Now, more than ever, I feel his presence as warm light will continue to shine through, and people will smile and think of him as they walk past the windows.” ì

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stories from all over the world about other special trees, edited the stories down to a manageable number, and published his beloved book as ‘Tree Stories.’”

Rabbi Ron Segal, the senior rabbi at Temple Sinai, shared fond memories: “Warren Jacobs, z”l, possessed a truly beautiful and unique neshama. He exuded a sense of grounded-ness and a spiritual essence which tended to elicit the best qualities from anyone and everyone with whom he davened, learned, sang, or simply conversed. Warren was a treasured member of

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NEWS

Relevant Social Justice Action with a Shmita Plan

By Flora Rosefsky As we enter 5782, Jews all over the world will be welcoming the Shmita year, which arrives every seven years. In metro Atlanta, congregation Ahavath Achim will embark on an ambitious plan to integrate the broad lessons of this biblical tradition into some of its programming, starting after the High Holy Days. Spearheading the synagogue’s initiative are AA members Myrtle Lewin and Mark Papier.

“Shmita is known as a ‘Sabbatical Year’ or year of ‘Release’ or ‘letting go,’ rooted in the land of Israel, in which land is left fallow, debts are forgiven, and other agricultural and economic adjustments are made to ensure an equitable, just and healthy society,” said Lewin and Papier in a compiled email response to the AJT. “We believe that Shmita provides us with an opportunity – and an imperative – to rethink some of our default behaviors, to embark on some innovative programming that takes the climate crisis seriously, to set long term goals with well-defined accountability points, and to educate our community, all while building better and longer lasting relationships.”

They developed what they call a “Shmita 7 Plan,” which will encourage AA to develop programming for the next seven years while embracing seven categories of action. The plan will capture the deep principles of justice, sustainability, and spirituality that permeate many of the Torah references to Shmita. The plan is driven by scientific and agricultural

Mark Papier and son enjoy Anderson Family Farm in Cummings.

best practices, with endorsement from the AA rabbis and lay leadership. “And we have work to do!” said Lewin and Papier.

The plan’s seven categories of action include how we care for our land and repair and protect our tree canopy. It also encompasses food as an action category: what kinds of food we choose to purchase, how food is packaged, where it comes from, and how we dispose of waste thoughtfully. Education will include sermons from the bimah and discussions and workshops on social justice issues like hunger and debt relief, along with learning how to protect water and energy resources.

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Myrtle Lewin is an active AA Greening Group member.

“Shmita’s reach is wide,” said Lewin and Papier.

“Action plans will hopefully include programming by other committees under AA’s Social Action umbrella, such as our Refugee Initiative.”

The impetus for the plan came out of conversations that Papier, Lewin and other AA congregants Associate Rabbi Sam Blustin had when sharjoined AA in 2020. ing ideas in JCANGeorgia (Jewish Climate Action Network) meetings over the past several months.

There is a growing community, with JCAN-GA at its hub, that is working on sustainability and climate crisis issues at different synagogues. “Even though the AA Synagogue’s Greening Group has been around for nearly a decade, this partnership with JCAN-GA has been a real stimulus for our Greening Group’s recent focus,” said Lewin.

Lewin and Papier encourage groups in other synagogues and Jewish communities to take Shmita as an opportunity to challenge us all – and to share successes and frustrations by participating in JCAN-GA conversations. AA hopes to use the Shmita year to establish action points, which will generate programming and action over several years, and plan to reassess their efficacy in 2028 (5789), when the next Shmita year begins.

AA’s Associate Rabbi Sam Blustin reminds us that the work of repairing our world is both critical and at the core of who we are as Jews. He points to a midrash in which an old man, planting a fig tree that he may never get to see bear fruit, still has the obligation to provide for the generations to come.

However, Blustin says, “Unfortunately, this isn’t about delicious fruit or beautiful flowers anymore. It’s about saving this world and making it inhabitable for my generation, and those to come. We have to plant those seeds now or they will never grow in time. It’s our obligation, and we hope the Atlanta community will join us in doing our part of the repair.” ì

Re-Elect Michael Julian Bond Post One, At-Large Atlanta City Council

ADVERTISEMENT- Paid for by Committee to Elect Michael Julian Bond

It is my highest honor to represent the citizens of our great city as the Post One, At-Large Member on the Atlanta City Council. As your representative, I have championed progressive policies and equitable programs, and have delivered responsive and accountable public service.

My vision for the city of Atlanta is one of a caring community characterized by balanced, smart-growth; a strong and inclusive economy; affordable housing for working and middle class residents; and diverse transportation options that are equitable and sustainable.

Community & Economic Development: I have a solid history of working toward this vision: I doubled the Community Development Block Grants investment totaling $25 million for affordable housing initiatives in underserved areas. To fulfill the City’s 30-year promise to rebuild the historic Washington Park Natatorium—the first public swimming pool open to minority residents—I developed the successful strategy to fund park construction at no additional costs to Atlanta taxpayers.

(I have never voted for a property tax increase.) I also sponsored legislation to bring $130 million for the creation of the Westside Village on Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive—the largest single investment in an Atlanta community at that time—and created the tax allocation district that made Atlantic Station possible.

I have also spearheaded efforts for affordable housing and community development initiatives including the Summerhill Community Trust Fund (capitalized at $5 million), Affordable Housing Impact Statement, $50 million Homeless Opportunity Project, Westside Tax Abatement for legacy residents—a 20 year property tax abatement program—and passage of legislation that caps the annually adjusted value of homesteaded residential properties at 3% over the lowest base

year value.

To incentivize the development of affordable housing, I passed legislation authorizing the sale of surplus real estate for $1 to pre-qualified developers (targeting non-profits) to create affordable housing, eliminating a key barrier for such development—land costs.

Sustainable Infrastructure — Greenspaces: To maintain Atlanta’s environmental-friendly title as the “City Among the Trees,” I have worked to preserve and plant trees and to create

more greenspaces. I am the sponsor of the citizens’ version of the proposed new Tree Ordinance for the city. Two of my largest greenspace efforts are: Bellwood Quarry - Westside Park (Opened Summer 2021): I was able to significantly expand Atlanta’s greenspace by passing a resolution that set the stage for Bellwood Quarry to be transformed into a park and recreational amenity for residents and a 30-day water reserve. To relieve some of the burden on Piedmont Park, I also passed legislation to explore the feasibility of building an amphitheater for community events on the sprawling land that is three times the size of Piedmont Park.

Rodney Mims Cook, Sr. Peace Park (Opened Summer 2021): Atlanta is known for its advocacy of civil and human rights, diversity and inclusion.

As a lifelong Atlantan, I am a proud and ardent supporter of initiatives to ensure that Atlanta is a welcoming city for all people. To that end, I was delighted to co-sponsor legislation to create a living legacy of peace that is planned to be the future North American home of

the Nobel Peace Prize.

Thanks to the National Monuments Foundation, the 16-acre park is already home to a magnificent statue of our beloved, late Congressman John Lewis—enabled by legislation that I authored.

Transportation: I have consistently advocated for the development of smart transportation options and rebuilding our infrastructure. I led a massive restoration of streets, sidewalks, and infrastructure— the first in 40 years in many areas.

Integrated transportation/transit systems improve the livability in communities. I advocated for geographically-equitable TSPLOST projects and sponsored the $1 million Downtown Traffic Operations Program-Atlanta Downtown Improvement District Traffic Operations project. To aid balanced development of the Atlanta Beltline, I am reintroducing legislation to create housing and commercial enterprise zones to help property owners from being priced out of their communities.

Since MARTA has assumed governance and operations, I look forward to the Streetcar connecting to the Atlanta Beltline.

Recently, I secured $6 million from GDOT to make safety improvements to Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway—where more than 20 pedestrians have been killed in the past decade.

On a personal note, I was heartened to co-sponsor the City’s taskforce that called for the naming of “John Lewis Freedom Parkway.”

Public Safety: As a former public safety officer, I have fought for a safe city and been a stalwart supporter of pay equity and competitive salaries for our police, fire and corrections officers. I created a Public Safety Compensation Commission that recommends equitable salaries

for officers through biennial marketbased analyses.

I was pleased to provide legislation for the City to accept federal funding for public safety and justice reform initiatives including: • $1 million for a Second Chance Act - Adult Reentry Demonstration Planning and Implementation Grant to reduce jail recidivism among the homeless population • $425,000.00 for a Smart Prosecution Initiative to be developed and implemented by the City Solicitor’s Office to divert persons committing certain types of offenses to appropriate social service providers • $600,000.00 to develop and implement a Second Chance Reentry Program for adults with co-occurring substance abuse and mental disorders incorporating wraparound services by communitybased treatment partners To deter illegal street-racing, I passed legislation requiring persons arrested for street-racing to be arraigned—thereby necessitating a judicial review of their charges before they can be released.

Thank you for your confidence, support and prayers as I seek to faithfully serve our fair city.

It is my hope that your family will have peace, safety and a meaningful fast during Yom Kippur.

Election Day: November 2, 2021 Paid for by the Committee to Elect Michael Julian Bond www.BondForATL.com Paid Content by Committee to Elect Michael Julian Bond

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 15

ISRAEL

ISRAEL PRIDE

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME

The Jewish Agency to Distribute Care Packages to Vulnerable Israelis for Rosh Hashanah

paign this week and will deliver 750,000 NIS ($233,000) worth of packages to its dozens of complexes nationwide, thanks to donations raised by The Jewish Agency for Israel, Keren Hayesod, the Jewish Federations of North

Since the onset of the pandemic, Amigour has distributed thousands of care packages to elderly residents in nursing homes to coincide with the Jewish holidays.

Care packages were sent during Passover and Shavuot, for example, and those who needed to be in isolation received challahs for Shabbat.

Brain Rehab Helps Wounded IDF Soldier

Yaakov Hagoel (far right) and Deputy Mayor of Kfar Saba Oren Cohen giving a care package to Holocaust survivors Juliette and Natan Goldman. (Photo credit: Amigour)

(L to R) Deputy Mayor of Kfar Saba Oren Cohen, Yaakov Hagoel, Senior Vice President of Amigour Erez Shani with the Rosh Hashanah care packages.

On the eve of the Jewish New Year, The Jewish Agency for Israel’s affordable housing subsidiary, Amigour, will provide comprehensive food care packages to the elderly and Holocaust survivors so they do not have to risk exposure when buying these essential supplies for Rosh Hashanah.

Amigour began the distribution cam-

America (JFNA) and The Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

Each food package, worth some 120 NIS ($37), includes wine, honey, honey cake, jam and other goods like pasta, rice, tuna, ptitim (Israeli couscous) and oil so that those in need can kick off the new year with a smile.

Today in Israeli History

ing to go to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin and soon makes aliyah.

September 15, 1891 — Journalist-novelist Moshe Yaacov Ben-Gavriel is born in Vienna, Austria. An Austrian soldier in Jerusalem in 1917, he fights for the British in World War II, then shifts from newspapers to novels and short stories.

September 19, 2014 — Filmmaker Avraham Heffner dies at 79 in Tel Aviv. He made his acting debut in 1964’s “Hole in the Moon.”

He wrote and directed “But Where Is Daniel Wax?” — considered Israel’s greatest movie by some scholars.

September 16, 1949 — Israel becomes a member of the Paris-based U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Israel withdraws from UNESCO in 2018 amid allegations back and forth about betraying history and culture.

September 20, 1931 — Actress Haya Harareet, best known as Judah Ben-Hur’s love interest Esther in the 1959 remake of “Ben-Hur,” is born in Haifa. She appears in Israeli, Italian, U.S. and British films from 1955 to 1964.

September 17, 1948 — Count Folke Bernadotte, a Swedish mediator who negotiated a one-month ArabIsraeli cease-fire in June, is assassinated in Jerusalem by members of Lehi (the Stern Gang) over his plan for permanent peace.

September 18, 1918 — Champion swimmer Judith Deutsch is born in Vienna, Austria. She joins fellow Austrian swimmers Ruth Langer and Lucie Goldner in refus-

Judith Deutsch (left) and teammates Hedy Bienenfeld, Fritzi Loewy and Lucie Goldner pose with Zsigo Wertheimer, their coach at the Jewish swim club Hakoah Vienna, in the mid-1930s.

Most Austrian clubs didn’t admit Jewish swimmers.

16 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

September 21, 2010 — Diplomat and legal scholar Shabtai Rosenne, a Bar-Ilan University professor, dies of a heart attack at 92. He contributed to the law of treaties and law of the sea and formulated Israel’s 1949 armistice agreements.

September 22, 1943 — Singer-songwriter Ariel Zilber is born in Tel Aviv. In the 1970s and 1980s he establishes an eclectic sound and leads multiple rock bands, then has a successful solo ca-

In 2018, 24-year-old Netanel Felber was shot in the head by a terrorist. Minimally conscious for several months, he is now making slow but steady recovery progress, against all odds, at Sheba Medical Center’s Brain Injury Rehabilitation Unit.

Felber was serving in an IDF combat unit in the Binyamin region, north of Jerusalem, when he was shot in the head by a Palestinian terrorist as he and two comrades guarded a bus stop at the Givat Assaf junction.

He and the other patients have an integrated multi-disciplinary team of dedicated professionals working with them, including rehab doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, psychologists and social workers. Another program promotes

Dr. Adi Gidali, a New York-trained physical therapy supervisor at the Outpatient Brain Injury Unit at Sheba Medical Center, with 24-year-old recovering patient Netanel Felber. (Credit: Sheba Medical Center)

motor function with the help of a physiotherapy dog named Sheba. Felber started with just petting Sheba and getting sensory input from his fur. Now he can do so much more.

“Netanel is a rock star!” says Dr. Adi Gidali, a New York-trained physical therapy supervisor at the Outpatient Brain Injury Unit at Sheba Medical Center. “He is so determined and works hard every day. We’ve been excited to see how wonderfully he has progressed.

We look forward to—and expect to see and be part of—the incredible strides he will continue to make. Netanel is an inspiration to everyone who comes in contact with him.”

deaths.

September 26, 1955 — Oil is discovered in Heletz, a moshav founded by Yemeni immigrants in southern Israel that becomes the site of the state’s first successful oil well. The field contains an estimated 94.4 million barrels of oil.

By Moshe Miller, Israeli Government Press Office //

President Shimon Peres joins Rabbi Ovadia Yosef at a celebration at Yosef’s home in Jerusalem in February 2011.

reer. His music spans rock, pop and hip-hop.

September 23, 1920 — Ovadia Yosef, a rabbi and community leader, is born in Baghdad. He moves to Jerusalem at age 4. He is Israel’s chief Sephardi rabbi from 1973 to 1983, then serves as the spiritual leader of political party Shas.

September 24, 1996 — A northern exit from the Western Wall Tunnel to the Via Dolorosa opens to the public, leading to three days of Palestinian riots. The project is seen as an expression of Israeli sovereignty over all of Jerusalem.

September 25, 1982 — Some 400,000 protesters in Tel Aviv answer the massacre Sept. 16 to 18 in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps in Lebanon with a demand for an investigation into Israel’s role in the Palestinian

September 27, 1955 — Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser says Czechoslovakia will supply his nation heavy Soviet weaponry, including tanks, MiG-15 fighters and heavy bombers. The deal influences Israel’s decision to attack in 1956.

September 28, 1970 — Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser dies of a heart attack at 52 shortly after brokering a cease-fire between Jordan’s King Hussein and PLO leader Yasser Arafat. He recently expressed openness to peace with Israel.

September 29, 1947 — The Arab Higher Committee for Palestine formally rejects the U.N. Special Committee on Palestine’s partition plan, which calls for separate Jewish and Arab states and an international zone around Jerusalem.

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

ISRAEL NEWS

5782 Starts the Sabbatical Year

By Jan Jaben-Eilon The Jewish year 5782, which began on Sept. 7, is not an ordinary year in the Jewish calendar. It is known as a sabbatical year, or Shmita, as mentioned in the Book of Exodus.

While most of the Atlanta Jewish community will probably not take much note, for Jews in Israel – particularly Orthodox Jews – the Shmita, has everyday significance.

In Hebrew, shnat shmita literally means “a year let go” or “released” — a year in which the Land of Israel is left to rest. According to the Torah, the land may not be worked, nor its produce bought and sold. While the “land” in question applies only to agriculture in Israel, there are also implications for Jews in the Diaspora.

According to Chabad, produce imported from Israel must have rabbinical certification and is subject to some laws and restrictions due to its sanctity. Also, the aspect of Shmita that applies to debt absolution affects Jews around the world. The Torah states that all private debts are forgiven, while public debts are exempt during the sabbatical year.

Again, in Israel, this facet of Shmita is more apparent. According to former Atlantan David Arnovitz, “For the absolution of debts, there is a legal practice called prozbul that allows debts to be carried over the Shmita year that every bank and business uses. In Israel, you can see the certificate in the bank.”

An Atlanta native who attended the Hebrew Academy – now the Atlanta Jewish Academy – and Briarcliff High School, Arnovitz made aliyah with his wife Andi and their five children in July 1999. He is currently the editor in chief of the “Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel,” a series put out by Koren Publishers that tries to put the Bible in its ancient Near Eastern context.

Aside from seeing certificates in local banks, Arnovitz explains that his family observes Shmita in their own garden, doing only maintenance and improvement during the year. “We buy produce at the grocery store that holds according to one of the Shmita policies: either imported, heter mechira [selling land or transferring ownership to avoid the prohibition] (most stores, restaurants and food manufacturers do this, but it is not deemed strict enough by more observant people), or otzar beit din (more strict people do this).”

The nuances, Arnovitz said, are hard to explain, but essentially “you can eat whatever grows from your garden, but you can’t plant new things.”

Another former Atlantan, Rabbi Adam Frank, told the AJT that “unless a person directly engages in the growing or selling of produce, practically speaking, the Shmita

Rabbi Adam Frank (with daughter Tamar last year for her bat mitzvah) said observance of Shmita varies among Jews.

“You can eat whatever grows from your garden, but you can’t plant new things,” said David Arnovitz.

David and Andi Arnovitz’s Jerusalem garden.

the year is also expressed in the observance of Shmita.”

Arnovitz’s rabbi, Shai Finkelstein of Kehilat Nitzanim in Jerusalem, recently sent out practical instructions for observing Shmita to his congregants. According to Rabbi Finkelstein, flowers can be planted until the 26th of Elul, which coincides with Sept. 3. He also addressed the question of whether people can plant household plants, noting that there

are disputes depending on whether a “closed” or “unperforated” pot is used. Perhaps more importantly, Finkelstein said mowing one’s lawn is allowed, but weeding is prohibited during Shmita.

Again, those rules apply to property in Israel. Diaspora Jews may be impacted, however, by the fact that the Jewish National Fund will also stop planting trees for the next year. ì

A Sukkah at the home of the Arnovitzes, who emigrated from Atlanta in 1999.

year will not be an imposition or mean any change of behavior for Israelis. The Israeli rabbanut [religious authorities] utilizes dispensation methods to allow for the necessary provision of produce for the country’s population. The one area that may complicate matters for the Israeli on the street is in the area of planting one’s private garden. Many observant Jews will make arrangements to avoid any new planting in the property under their jurisdiction.”

Frank, who is currently involved in social activism aimed at breaking the Israeli rabbanut’s monopoly on religious authority, said the level of observance of Shmita varies among Jews worldwide.

“All observant Jews, whether Orthodox or otherwise, are aware of the matter [of Shmita] and are happy to rely on the state rabbinic authorities to make proper arrangements for the provision of produce,” said Frank. “Like the greater Jewish population, people’s private practices vary and there are both Orthodox and non-Orthodox Jews who are less stringent on matters of avoiding planting on personal property. Without a doubt, the level of fervency that one expresses for Jewish ritual during the rest of ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 17

OPINION How a Memory Becomes a Blessing

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Dave Schechter From Where I Sit

An abiding memory of my father-inlaw’s funeral will be our sons shoveling damp, clay soil until their grandfather’s grave was level with the surrounding

grass.

The older one did not feel right leaving that task to someone outside the family.

So, after other mourners had drifted away, he and his brother picked up the shovels.

The day was hot, 90 degrees-plus, with few clouds in the sky and little breeze. The lone cemetery worker said that in more than 25 years he had seen only one other family finish filling a grave. His backhoe remained in the parking lot.

It was, our older son said afterward, a way to honor their grandfather.

The obituary I wrote for the family began with these words: “Years after he had retired and moved away from Rock Island, Martin H. ‘Marty’ Galex remained partial to his hometown community.” He was buried Aug. 26 in the Hebrew Cemetery in Rock Island, Illinois.

Such occasions beget poignant moments: Marty’s 11 grandchildren carrying his casket from the hearse; his eldest child, my wife Audrey, telling those children how much their grandfather loved them; the grandchildren sitting silently in the tent after the service.

There were also joyful scenes: the grandchildren piled onto couches at the hotel, chattering away as the closest of cousins; eating at Marty’s favorite restaurants (with barely a green vegetable in sight); and a tour of the mattress manufacturing business that Wilbur and Rose Galex built in Rock Island and that Marty, their only child, owned for many years.

Audrey, her two sisters and their brother understand how the success of that enterprise set them on their way. For the grandchildren, who range in age from 14- to 30-years-old, this was the factory they have heard about since childhood, though some may not yet appreciate its significance.

The funeral was a trip back in time for me. When I met the family, I was in my early 20s and in my first full-time job, reporting for a newspaper that served readers

on the Illinois and Iowa sides of the Mississippi River. This is where I began my career and met my wife, and I retain an affection for this place and that time. Driving once familiar streets, I remembered stories that I wrote and thought of others I wish I had.

Four decades ago, the Jewish community in the Quad-Cities, as the area is known, numbered a couple of thousand.

There was a Conservative congregation in Rock Island and a Reform congregation in Davenport, Iowa. Each now has fewer than 100 households. The week before the High Holy Days, both moved into a new home in Davenport, where they share a sanctuary, office space, and a rabbi.

Three generations of my wife’s family were active at the Tri-City Jewish Center in Rock Island. The “old,” circa 1936, red brick building with white columns now houses a church. The “new” building, which opened in 1981, has been sold and will be repurposed as a YMCA and public library.

The family last gathered at the Hebrew Cemetery on a chilly day in January 1998 for the funeral of Marty’s mother, Rose, who is buried a row in front of her husband. Elsewhere in the cemetery is the grave of an infant who lived only days, my wife’s other brother. Stones were placed on their markers.

Audrey and her siblings talked about how Rose (excuse me, “Sugie”) would have delighted in her great-grandchildren, several of whom she never knew. They laughed, knowing how Marty would have enjoyed the gathering, especially the meals. And they regretted that her condition prevented their mother Roberta (excuse me, “Bobbie”), Marty’s wife of 64 years, from being present.

In her eulogy Audrey said that her father’s life brought to mind a prism, in which what you see is dependent on which facet you examine. That surely applies to all of us. My father-in-law died during Elul, the month of introspection before the High Holy Days. His telephone calls and conversations in the days before he died were in keeping with that theme.

In better health, Marty was happiest when his children and grandchildren visited, when he would cook latkes or bake a chocolate cake. We will make his memory a blessing by gathering when we can, enjoying meals together, and sharing anew the history that connects generations of this family.ì

OPINION

RBG’s Legacy Is a Call to Pursue Justice “Y’simeich Elohim k’Sarah, Rivkah, Rachel, Leah v’Rut. May God make you like Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Leah and Ruth.”

It has Mimi Zieman been a family tradition to bless our children every Friday night after we light candles, even now that they are grown and flown. Last year, after the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG), someone suggested adding Ruth’s name to the names of our foremothers in the blessing. Now, my husband and I start the blessing as usual, then shout Ruth’s name, during each other to remember it.

Smiling when we say “Ruth,” and the inspiration she provides, connects seamlessly with savoring the sweet challah.

The one-year anniversary of RBG’s passing is a time to reflect on her legacy.

The first Jewish woman appointed to the Supreme Court, she famously hung a plaque

with the Hebrew words “Tzedek tzedek tirdof” on her office wall, which translates as “Justice, justice shall you pursue.” On her yahrzeit, I ask what can we do in honor of RBG’s mission?

As a Jewish woman, mother, and OB/ GYN, I urge you to honor RBG by standing up for a woman’s right to self-determination, equality, bodily autonomy, and safe, legal access to abortion.

The Atlanta Jewish Times covered the Jewish opinions on abortion when Georgia passed a six-week abortion ban, in June 2019 (since blocked). Recently, over forty Georgia rabbis and Jewish leaders signed a pledge sponsored by the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) supporting reproductive freedom as a Jewish value. We must stand together to oppose secular laws based on religious beliefs.

A recently enacted Texas law blocks access to abortion, and the Supreme Court has agreed to revisit Roe v. Wade, by hearing arguments on a Mississippi ban this fall.

There is no medical or scientific basis to ban abortions. In places where abortion is illegal or restricted, maternal mortality rates are significantly higher, and restrictions dispro-

portionately affect people of color and those who are low income. The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rates among developed countries, and Georgia has one of the highest rates among all the states.

Forcing a woman to carry a pregnancy to term increases her risk of death over twenty-fold compared with legal abortion, and increases her risk of morbidities such as diabetes, preeclampsia, blood clots, stroke, hypertension, hemorrhage, infection, and preterm labor.

Major medical societies including the American Medical Association, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine oppose these laws that either intrude on the practice of medicine or use fetal “personhood” language to infringe on women’s bodily autonomy. In fact, these laws contradict the five ethical principles guiding the practice of medicine: justice, autonomy, beneficence, fidelity, and nonmaleficence. Forcing women to carry a pregnancy and risk higher morbidity and mortality is, in my opinion maleficent.

When RBG received the Genesis Life-

time Achievement Award in 2018, she said, “I am a judge born, raised, and proud of being a Jew. The demand for justice runs through the entirety of the Jewish tradition.

I hope, in my years on the bench of the Supreme Court of the United States, I will have the strength and the courage to remain constant in the service of that demand.”

I invite you to join me – with strength and courage like RBG – to fight for the right of women to access the safest healthcare, free from the intrusion of lawmakers who don’t prioritize women’s health, or right to self-determination.

The NCJW Atlanta Section will be holding an event at 7:00pm on November 9th with representatives from the ACLU and Planned Parenthood. I hope you’ll join us to learn more about these issues, and what you can do to pursue justice for women.

For details on this event, please visit www. ncjwatlanta.org.

Mimi Zieman, M.D. is a board-certified OB/GYN, author of the medical guide Managing Contraception, and the chair of the NCJW Reproductive Health, Rights and Justice committee, Atlanta. ì

OPERATION ISAIAH

FOOD DRIVE A partnership between Jewish Family & Career Services and Solidarity Sandy Springs

Your donations during the High Holidays will be shared by our two pantries to serve those in need.

Donated food does NOT have to be Kosher. No glass containers, please!

MOST NEEDED ITEMS

PROTEINS FRUITS & VEGGIES

Help us feed the hungry. jfcsatl.org/food-drive

WHOLE GRAINS

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 19

OPINION

Why We Need to be Vaccinated Recently, I wrote an opinion piece published in the Atlanta Jewish Times identifying the reasons people give for not being vaccinated. I apologize if my “tongue-in-cheek” expression left the wrong impression or confused anyone. My reason for writing the article was Allen H. Lipis that from my limited observation, I’m concerned about what our community is doing to contain the virus. I was at a Jewish day school where none of the faculty and students were wearing a mask, and social distancing was not followed. I attended a crowded indoor bar mitzvah where almost no one wore a mask. I avoided an indoor wedding because the crowd was too big.

Three 4th grade students at a local Jewish day school tested positive for COVID-19 and the parents in that grade are not being told about it, so they can quarantine their family. My synagogue does not require you to wear a mask indoors, and vaccination is not required.

As a result, even though I am fully vaccinated and wear a mask indoors, I will not daven in my synagogue.

The arguments for getting vaccinated are quite simple. Our immune systems are often deficient to

novel threats. Vaccines prompt the immune system to respond to these new threats. Vaccines provide an advantage to humans over “destructive forces of nature” by strengthening their otherwise deficient immune system to handle these threats.

A dangerous virus often requires targeted protection, such as vaccines.

Fighting COVID-19 with a vaccine is just another set of preventions similar to what humans have done to contain smallpox, polio, measles, chicken pox and hundreds of other diseases that attack the human body.

To reject a vaccine that can protect you is irrational.

The New York Times article on Aug. 10 compared the unvaccinated population to the vaccinated population and found that unvaccinated people in Georgia are 161 times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID than vaccinated residents, and 87 times more likely to die if unvaccinated when contracting the virus. Similar results exist for other states.

Does getting vaccinated reduce your freedom?

Wouldn’t it be better to live by protecting yourself? It is a moral obligation to protect your community. If you

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think you can handle getting sick from COVID-19, look at the favorable odds you have if you are vaccinated.

The risks of protecting yourself are significantly better being vaccinated.

If you have a medical issue, take your concerns to your doctor. For most medical issues you might have, being vaccinated will certainly improve your chance of recovery if you do get virus. Get vaccinated and wear a mask, it’s the responsible thing to do. If not for yourself, then for your community. ì

5782

HIGH HOLY DAYS Begins on Monday, September 6!

MULTI WAYS TO ACCESS!

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OPINION

Editor’s Note Happy New Year, Jewish Atlanta. I know that most of the individuals I have spoken to said that this holiday was somewhat of a hybrid of both in-person and virtual family connections. Mine was no different. I spent Rosh Hashanah in Boca Raton with my family, whom I Kaylene Ladinsky haven’t seen in almost two Editor & Managing years. It was so amazing to Publisher hug my loved ones, eat apple cake, brisket, and my favorite, sweet baked chicken with mandarin oranges and bananas – amazing!

Then, almost the second the sun went down on Wednesday, Sept. 8, my holiday came to a screeching halt. For those of you who may not have read about the unfortunate incident, I will try to give you some context on what happened, and for those of you who are aware, I believe that I owe some clarification.

The AJT has a new associate editor who started about a week prior to us publishing the Rosh Hashanah issue, the biggest of the year. He is amazing and doing a fantastic job. We also have a new administrative coordinator, and having a new staff brings several challenges when it comes to such a big issue.

You should have seen us, frantically coming together to get 120 pages of Rosh Hashanah community bliss to the printer by deadline. Lo and behold, we did it, but not without “me” making a few mistakes along the way.

The AJT’s policy has always been to publish political figures who are running for office only if we have pieces by everyone on the ticket running sideby-side, and we publish opinion pieces on political topics only if we run counterpoints side-by-side. We do this to avoid taking a political stance on anything.

This allows us to focus on reporting the news and facts from all sides. We are a bi-partisan news source and the last thing I want to do is get in the middle of politics and take sides. Well, I found out firsthand how important it is to adhere strictly to that policy.

We had received almost 100 community holiday essays, including one from Rep. Vernon Jones. There was a 300-word limit on the essays and Rep. Jones’s was over 600 words, so I would have to run his separately, in our opinion section. It is my responsibility to vet the essay and make sure that there is nothing political or controversial about the content or about the writer. But I read the essay and I thought it was a lovely story about how Rep. Jones came to appreciate the Jewish community and the State of Israel.

Unfortunately, I neglected to google and learn more about him; had I done so, I would have learned that he was in the process of running for office. Running for governor falls under “controversial” for the AJT, which means that I should not have run the essay until I had at least given everyone else on the ticket an opportunity to submit one, too.

It wasn’t until Labor Day morning, after a prescheduled eblast that included Rep. Jones’s essay, that I learned that he was running for office. I re-

ceived a couple of emails asking if the AJT was endorsing his campaign. I also received emails from other politically minded members of the community asking if our policy had changed. I knew that the essay would have to come down in order to be fair to all the others that I hadn’t run over the years, and to attempt to get back in line with our policy.

By this time, I was traveling, and the Holy Day was falling upon us. I was with my family for the first time in a couple of years. I planned to remove the essay after the sun went down on Wednesday, and in the meantime, I turned my phone off and focused on Rosh Hashanah and my family.

On Wednesday evening, when I turned my cell phone back on, I unpublished the essay and began reading my emails. That is when I came across an email from CBS 46 news anchor Rick Folbaum at 8:00 p.m.: "Kaylene, hello and happy new year. I’m writing regarding the essay you recently published, written by GA gubernatorial candidate, Vernon Jones.

As you know, Mr. Jones is a controversial figure here in town, having left the Democratic party to team up with former President Trump and help him push the utterly false narrative that the 2020 election was stolen from him. Rep. Jones has taken part in many pro-Trump rallies, including the one that preceded the deadly Jan 6th riots at the US Capitol. He has also come out in favor of Georgia’s new election laws, which many believe rolls back many of the voting rights the Jewish community helped fight for back in the 1960’s. Here’s a tweet posted tonight by Stacey Abrams’s staffer, Marisa Pyle. https://twitter.com/ marisapk" Literally during the Days of Awe, @AtlJewishTimes is platforming a far-right extremist who held multiple rallies *LAST YEAR* with antisemites Alex Jones and holocaust denier Nick Fuentes, along with the head of the Proud Boys and other white supremacists. Disgusting.

This is a *choice*. Consciously allowing an ally of white supremacists and extremists to cleanse his public image through a prominent Jewish outlet during the High Holidays is really despicable behavior and enables far-right antisemitism. Profoundly harmful.

"What is your reaction to Marisa’s tweet? Did your publication enable Jones to “cleanse his public image?” Was there any internal discussion over Rep. Jones’ controversial past and how it might not be a good idea to print his essay, or print it without a note from the editors?"

I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Instead of just ignoring it, like I know I should have, I responded. I was so upset, I couldn’t believe that anyone would start bashing the newspaper on a High Holy Day. My first reaction was to use the same words that Marisa Pyle used back at her – disgusting, despicable

behavior. I responded to Folbaum, and he immediately posted it on Twitter, and all it caused was more insults; it was gas on a fire.

I knew that I needed to revise my statement. I did not want to start the New Year throwing insults: "Rick, I would like to retract my initial statement. I was upset that Stacey Abrams’ team would come after us on a Holy Day, and it was a knee jerk reaction.

Your email was the first I had heard about the post.

This is all I would like to say about the post.

Rep. Jones’ essay was published by mistake. It is our policy not to publish politically driven opinion pieces such as this one, especially from anyone this controversial. As of 7:05 p.m. the article has been taken down from our site. It would have been done sooner, but we had to wait until the Holy Day was complete. The AJT is a bi-partisan news source and we do not support white supremacists, nor extremists.

Thank you and Happy New Year.

Kaylene Ladinsky" Well, I can tell you that since then I have been insulted and received more negative press and attention than I ever have in my life. I even published a public apology to Pyle for responding to her and using the same words at her as she used against the AJT. More than anything, I think one thing needs clarification: in my statement, it comes across as if I am concurring with Pyle’s accusations against Rep. Jones; that is the furthest thing from the truth. I do not know anything about Rep. Jones, and based on my own experience of “press bashing” on social media, I do not want to participate in such name calling. It’s awful to be in the middle of such hatred, and I do not want anyone to think that I was attempting to label Rep. Jones. I was only stating that the AJT does not support anti-Semites, white supremacists, or extremists in general.

In closing, I am so sorry for any misunderstanding or confusion that I may have caused to our community, our readers, and advertisers. I have worked very hard for the last ten-plus years at “Keeping Jewish Atlanta Connected” and will continue to work even harder for the next ten more.

L’ Shana Tova!

bash·ing /'baSHiNG/ noun INFORMAL

1.

2.

violent physical assault. "nine incidents of gay bashing were reported to the police" severe criticism. "press or media bashing"

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 21

OPINION

Letters to the Editor

The AJT welcomes your letters. We want our readers to have an opportunity to engage with our community in constructive dialogue. 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, Responding to “The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: How to Move Forward” Blog dated Aug. 23.

Israelis, on more than one occasion, have offered Palestinians everything they wanted, only to be violently rebuffed. So why go out once again and try to shower them with love?

Moreover, Arabs across the Mideast have shown themselves congenitally incapable of nurturing and growing strong, vibrant democratic politics.

Indeed, Islam itself seems inherently unsuited to Western values, given that apart from Israel, there's never been one strong democracy anywhere else in the Arab/Islamic world. Never. And Lebanon, the Arab state that might charitably be viewed as democratic, albeit democratic lite, now hovers on the brink of economic collapse.

Then, too, the recent attempt to implant democracy in Afghanistan has ended in complete and utter failure, despite 20 years of hard, unremitting work, not to mention billions and billions of dollars in foreign aid, most of it courtesy of the Ameri-

tion of that surah is “O believers! Take neither Jews nor Christians as guardians—they will only guard each other.” There is a world of difference between the incorrect version written about in the June 18th article and the correct translation. Having grown up in New Jersey, I was taught by my friends and teachers about how anti-Semitic writings twist the words of Talmud and Torah. Reading the article by Mr. Schlicht reminded me of the anti-Semitic book “The Talmud Unmasked,” which misquoted Talmudic texts to vilify Jews.

When I read the internet tags for the article, I can see that it is under the tag “Israel.” While I understand the importance of Zionism and the need for the Jews to have a safe homeland, the article written by Mr. Schlicht is borderline Islamophobic. The destinies of American Jews and Muslims are intertwined. If the purpose of the Atlanta Jewish Times is to inform the Jewish Community about Muslims, it is my opinion that the article Mr. Schlicht wrote is not consistent with Tikkun Olam. Muslim and Jewish Americans have to work together to create a safe and harmonious environment for our children. Israel is a divisive issue. It is one thing to debate the merits of the need for Jews to have a safe homeland. However, it is very poisonous to American communities to spread beliefs that Muslim Americans don’t think Jewish Americans (or even Israelis) can be their friends.

Hasan Memon, M.D., Princeton, NJ

can taxpayer.

So, for G-d’s sake. Give it a rest. For at least 24 hours.

Phil Fine Arad, Israel, former editor of “Investor’s Digest of Canada” (Toronto) Letter to the editor, Responding to “Anti-Jewish Attitudes in Early Islam” by Alfred Schlicht.

Growing up in New Jersey, I was taught that Muslim and Jews have their destiny intertwined. Jews and Muslims in the United States are both minorities that must support each other. Having grown up with many Jewish friends, I was taught that a main driving force in Judaism is Tikkun Olam. As a Muslim American, I have also been taught that it is my duty to protect fellow Jewish Americans because if their rights are trampled upon then mine will be next.

Having grown up with my background, I was pained to read the article by Alfred Schlicht in the Atlanta Jewish Times.

Mr. Schlicht wrote an incorrect translation of the Quran, stating that Surah 5, Verse 51 means “O you Believers, don’t take Jews and Christians as friends!” The actual transla-

NOVEMBER 9-14 • THE FOX THEATRE FoxTheatre.org/Fiddler

TH

22 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Letter to the editor, Responding to Allen Lipis’ Op-ed in the Aug. 15 edition.

Mr. Lipis wrote about why people don’t want to be vaccinated. I wanted to respond as to why people should be vaccinated.

I have read the new Delta version of the virus transmits at a rampant rate, 100 times faster than the original COVID-19.

Children aged 0-12 are filling our hospitals.

UK reports 12,000 children with long-term health issues.

Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. and around the world have died from this virus. What can I do, as a Jew who cares about mankind, to stop the spread of this horrible disease? I can get an approved shot from Pfizer. If I am leery of the new technology, I can get a Johnson and Johnson shot.

Can you imagine what it would have been like in the 1950s if people refused to get the polio vaccine because it was new, and the long-term effects were unknown? Did schools in the 1950s have the right and obligation to require students to be vaccinated

against polio?

If you are healthy, do you care about not spreading this virus to your family, friends and co-workers?

I am OK if someone chooses not to be vaccinated. But I am also OK with employers and schools requiring vaccination. If one chooses not to be vaccinated, that may be their right. But they should not endanger the rest of society. They should remain quarantined so as to not contribute to the spread of this nasty virus.

Norman Plotkin, Sandy Springs Letter to the editor, I am writing to express my profound dismay at your publication’s removal of an essay by Congressman Vernon Jones, a Georgia gubernatorial candidate, because of a left-wing activist who just happens to work for a former Georgia gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams. I’m sure her opinion and the smears and ad hominem attacks I have since seen, are completely “impartial” (sarcasm).

From the description of the pulled article, Rep. Jones was reminiscing about a Jewish family that inspired him. Is that “disgusting”? Then maybe my definition of disgusting needs to be reevaluated. Half of the U.S. voters, no doubt some Jewish, supported President Trump. Does that offend you? I thought he was a friend of Israel, and yes, I can see where “jobs, jobs, jobs” might offend a partisan hack, but as a member of a minority myself, I thought that a twoparty system and voting according to one’s conscience is a bedrock of our free political system.

I understand the dilemma. It grieved me to learn that the person who reportedly complained about the article was a former aide to Stacey Abrams and a self-described Rapid Response Activist, per her LinkedIn page. So, suppression is also a political act.

I look forward to seeing the side-by-side coverage in the future.

Marie Travis, Houston, TX

Disclamer to our readers: This section of the newspaper is a forum for our community to share thoughts, concerns and opinions as open letters to the community or directly to the newspaper.

As a letter to the editor, we proof for spelling and grammatical errors only. We do not edit nor vet the information the letter contains. The individual signing the letter is accountable for what they share.

The Lowdown I Bet You Didn’t Know …

Ed Mendel

What makes Ed Mendel tick?

Ed Mendel is the co-founder of the Ned Davis Research Group, an institutional investment research firm he began in 1980 and sold in 2011 to the UK-based company Euromoney.

Prior to starting NDR, Mendel worked with many of the philanthropic leaders in the Atlanta community when he was a stockbroker at J.C. Bradford. He has served on the boards of many leading civic organizations and nonprofits in the Atlanta area, including B’nai B’rith Youth Organization (BBYO). He is currently a Life Trustee at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta and Pace Academy, and has been philanthropically involved in other Atlanta charities such as The William Breman Jewish Home, Jewish Family & Career Services, and the Marcus Jewish Community Center.

Mendel is a minority owner of the Atlanta Falcons and serves on its board. He has been married to Barbara Mendel for 47 years, has three children, and five grandchildren.

What was your biggest financial mistake?

In 1974, I shorted Walmart. In 1992, I shorted Berkshire Hathaway. I learned the hard way — never short a cult stock. If you do, always have a stop-loss, so a little mistake never becomes a disastrous mistake.

Advice you would give a 21-year-old Eddie?

Don’t give money away to make people happy. Give money to people who are in real need.

Growing up in Arkansas made me …

Appreciate my Jewish heritage and community.

If I had one more talent …

I wish I could’ve been a professional football player, but being short, slow, and having bricks for hands and a Jewish mother was a detriment to my career.

I’m currently reading …

“Everybody Lies: Big Data, New Data, and What the Internet can Tell Us About Who We Really Are” by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz.

My children would say I’m too …

I made the mistake of asking my children. When I get out of therapy, I will try to answer.

How would you describe your political views?

Apolitical. Neither party has a grown-up in the room. The definition of an honest politician is one who stays bought.

My guilty pleasure is …

Chips Ahoy! The most perfect junk food.

My biggest anxiety is …

The state of the nation. Budget and trade deficits are out of control, which usually leads to a much weaker dollar. Inflation is soaring, which usually leads to higher interest rates. Neither one of these things are happening yet. In a world where everything is being manipulated by central banks, this will lead to a tipping point and a very unhappy ending in a couple of years.

Reported by Marcia Caller Jaffe

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 23 Ed Mendel (Photo by Diane Crow)

YOM KIPPUR Traditions Continue at Break-the-Fast Break-thefast and breakfast have a lot in common. If you ask what most of us will serve at our break-thefast meal, it’s dairy and some mish of breakRobyn Spizman fast and brunch.

Gerson While large gatherings of “Break-the-Fast” are a thing of the not-too-long-ago past, Atlanta’s Jewish families recall cherished family gatherings. This year scaled down versions continue, but memories of break-the-fast traditions live on.

As a little girl, I recall waiting for my father, Jack, and grandfather, Morris Freedman, to walk across the street following services at AA Synagogue. The tray of glasses of orange juice and Grandma’s platter of home-baked sweets, including her apricot strudel, lovingly awaited fasters. A kosher dairy dinner followed, of which I faintly recall the tuna fish and a colorful cutlery tray.

24 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Annette Marcus Catering prepares for Yom Kippur’s Breakthe-Fast and enjoys her family’s yearly traditions.

Added Touch Caterers share the Lox In A Box for individual Break-the-Fast enjoyment.

Now decades later, we still stick to dairy, however, choices vary from boxed dinners to individually portioned delicacies.

Esther Levine recalled, “During and after World War Two, soldiers stationed at Fort Benning and attending synagogue were invited to our break-the-fast dinner.

Our daddy went around the Conservative Shearith Israel synagogue in Columbus, and if he saw someone he did not know, especially those in uniform, he invited them to come to our break-the-fast.

The milchig meal included herring, blintzes, salmon, bagels, and lox we got from Atlanta, plus a memorable multicolored, layered Jell-O mold.

Mother loved to cook and entertain and all she needed was an excuse. I also recalled the yearly cheesecake she made that had crushed pineapple and a graham cracker crust. The coffee and the tray of OJ was always present along with a schnapps for daddy.”

Lori Halpern shared, “During the holidays, I always make my Grandma Hattie’s apple cake, and I usually bring my chocolate chip coconut macaroons when I go to a break-the-fast.” Lori’s

Talented Lori Halpern’s delicious Chocolate Chip Macaroons are a yearly staple when breaking the fast.

Grandma Annie Freedman’s irresistible strudel is a recipe lovingly passed down through the generations.

YOM KIPPUR

VILLA PA L A Z Z O SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY

Added Touch’s individual break-the-fast boxes are assembled and ready.

husband, Kirk Halpern, and son Ben see the holidays from a close-up perspective at Farmers & Fishermen, with an outpouring of orders and deliveries for an array of delicacies for the holidays.

Erin Lis, vice president of sales & marketing for Added Touch Catering said, “For Yom Kippur we are seeing people going small again – although for Rosh Hashanah we offered our full-size menu, for Yom Kippur we have kept smaller-sized portions on our to-go menu. For the second year now, we are also offering our ‘break-the-fast in a box’ – which comes with a 1-2 person serving of lox, cream cheese, tuna, egg salad, white fish salad, fruit salad, and all the toppings including tomatoes, onions, capers, lemons, and bagel chips. This has really appealed to people who are still trying to avoid gatherings but still want to taste and feel the traditions of break-the-fast. For a small family gathering we are seeing that people want things easy and turn-key, but don’t want to compromise on style. That is where the ‘Lox in a Box’ concept came from – a beautiful lox platter with cream cheese and all of the toppings. Since all of our to-go orders go out

during the day before Yom Kippur, we avoid the day-old bagel situation by offering our homemade bagel chips, which are delicious for days.”

Annette Marcus of Annette Marcus Catering added, “Around our table, we enjoy the same break-the-fast meal year after year. It’s part of the tradition that keeps us bound together. We look forward to the spinach and mushroom quiche, maple pecan French toast and hum with delight as the chocolate streusel crumb babka finishes us off. We have embraced a day of introspection and at the end of the evening we embrace those we love most. For me and my family, the table is where our lives converge, making memories over lovingly prepared food, bringing spiritual, emotional and lasting sustenance.”

On a final note, or I should say bite, Marcus’s culinary poetry seems to sum it up best.

“This holiday season will be different no doubt.

But delighting your family is what it’s about.” ì

Happy New Year!

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YOM KIPPUR

Break-fast Reflections A dining room table that sat 16, plus an extra table at the end of the large dining room to seat another four, easily acBy Flora Rosefsky commodated the 40 family guests who came to our home in Binghamton, New York to break the fast. Just as many metro Atlanta families I’ve met since moving here in 1995, who have a large local mishpocha, the Rosefsky extended family created a very big circle of in-laws, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

However, because our extended family’s synagogue affiliations were not the same, we ate in shifts. Temple Concord members, whose Reform services ended earliest, arrived first to start eating the dairy breakfast foods set out on the long buffet. Just as they were finishing their bagels, noodle kugel, blintzes, baked casserole or cheese soufflé, plus the sour cream coffee cakes with coffee, they’d need to get up from their chairs to let those who belonged to our Conservative synagogue, Temple Israel, take over their seats.

My husband Bernie, who never missed the Neilah ending service, arrived with that group. Those who fasted all day first drank orange juice, followed by eating a hardboiled egg. As people finished eating, they went off to sit around the living room or our family room to visit.

As the evening wore on, close to 8 p.m.,

A traditional break-fast dairy menu includes lox and bagels with orange juice and hard-boiled eggs.

After returning from Neilah in 2009, Bernie Rosefsky blows the shofar as brother-in-law Allan Slovin looks on.

the Orthodox contingent from Beth David synagogue walked in, the last group to break their fast. Sometimes we had friends of our college-aged children join us, especially Ellen’s friends, who attended Cornell only an hour away.

Mollie Rosefsky Spaugh decorates the porch for Sukkot after break-fast in 2008.

When we were married in the early 1960s, the original break-fasts for our Binghamton family actually took place at Bernie’s Bubby’s small home, always eating in shifts. Somehow, everyone fit themselves into the space to enjoy Bubby’s

break-fast menu and her famous homemade sponge cake. When Bubby Bluma died, I offered to take over the break-fast tradition, thinking the younger generation would do it on a rotating basis. But every year, it always took place at our home. Since moving to Atlanta, the menu has remained the same, but with much smaller quantities and fewer guests.

And now, with the pandemic and us getting older, we will put out the bagels and lox, and one hot casserole with a coffee cake, inviting our two daughters here in metro Atlanta with their families. And instead of Bernie going to our synagogue for Neilah and arriving home late, we will partake of the closing service livestreamed online.

Although not food-related, another family Yom Kippur tradition was to invite our break-fast guests to help decorate our sukkah after completing the meal. Even here in Atlanta, when living on our second-floor apartment, we extended a roof on the covered porch using tension rods, adding plastic grapes with lights, and colorful silkscreened artistic banners. We don’t do this any longer, since moving to the first floor a few years ago, but will fulfill the commandment to dwell in one by going to AA or another sukkah in our Toco Hills neighborhood to sit in one.

Another thing we used to do was to pass around the shofar for anyone who wanted to try to blow it, as the last long sound to end the old year, and to begin anew. Yet, we still enjoy having a dairy menu while being surrounded by some family members for Yom Kippur’s breakfast tradition. ì

The Break-fast Spread at My Grandparents’ House T h i s memorable break-fast took place during Yom Kippur 1963 in St. Louis, Missouri, at the home of my paternal Chana Shapiro grandparents, Louis and Raizel Shatzman. It was at this meal that we met Dr. Cylvia Sorkin, the new fiancé of my Uncle Harry, a handsome bachelor World War II hero.

Cylvia’s children, Harlan and Lianne, were there, too, the same ages as 26 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

my younger brother and sister, Aaron and Nancy. Notably, my soon-to-be Aunt Cylvia had the foresight (and the cash) to hire a photographer to record this significant gathering, with all the St. Louis Shatzman relatives present and accounted for. Our group, now including Cylvia and her kids, came to a total of 18 (chai) Jewish souls, an obviously auspicious number.

I was beginning my last year of college, already engaged to Zvi, who was in Chicago, but that was old news. The theme of the evening was Uncle Harry’s engagement to a semi-celebrity professor, and my grandmother pulled out all the stops.

YOM KIPPUR My European grandmother never left the house, so it wasn’t a big deal that she hadn’t gone with my grandfather and us to the Neilah service. It’s also worth mentioning that no one ever brought food to my grandparents’ house, not because of dietary or kashrut restrictions, but because there was no point in adding to perfection. No one could cook and bake like Grandma, and no one even tried. Grandma always had a few jars of home-rendered schmaltz (chicken or goose fat) at the ready in her fridge, an essential ingredient in most of her fleishig specialties.

Break-fast was a dairy meal, so schmaltz wasn’t on the menu. On the table that night (I can’t remember everything) were homemade potato salad, egg salad, whitefish salad, whole smoked whitefish (with head attached), salmon croquettes, deviled eggs, cheese soufflé, noodle kugel, various pickled items (tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.), bagels, breads, fruit compote, and quite a few cakes.

The repast did not include a green salad.

We weren’t a spirits-drinking clan, but each family group had its favorite beverage. Seltzer (“greps vasser” in Yiddish) was king, Pepsi Cola and Ginger Ale tied for second place, with orange juice coming in third. Water? We could go into the

kitchen and turn on the faucet.

The big table was set with Grandma’s hand-embroidered tablecloth with fancy crocheted edging and her Russel Wright dairy dishes. There was so much food and drink (main dishes, drinks, and desserts were out together; eat-whatyo u -wa n t -wh e n you-want-it was the house rule) that there was no space left on the table for our own plates, so we squeezed chairs into the living room and used our Plaid was in style when this picture was taken at the 1963 break-fast: (L to R) laps. Between gonew cousin Lianne, cousin Rhoda, sister Nancy and Chana. ing back and forth for more food, we chatted with Cylvia, a natural-born memorable break-fast of 1963 was the asked what Grandma was going to do “people person,” and we all had a won- last one I attended with the whole when she got out.

“I’m going into the kitchen to start Shatzman family. My sister told me that derful time. cooking!” she answered. ì in later years, when she visited my very Zvi and I were married that sumsick grandmother in the hospital, she mer and moved to New York, so the

L’shanah Tovah from the Bringing together Atlanta's Rabbis to strengthen the community The Atlanta Rabbinic Association is a community-wide organization which strengthens collegial connections across the denominational spectrum and promotes a stronger collective rabbinic community.

On behalf of over 60 member rabbis in the Atlanta Metro Area President: Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, Temple Beth Tikvah Vice President: Rabbi Joshua Lesser, Congregation Bet Havarim Secretary: Rabbi Daniel Dorsch, Congregation Etz Chaim Treasurer: Rabbi Ari Leubitz, Atlanta Jewish Academy Member-at-Large: Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magdar, Be’chol Lashon Member-at-Large: Rabbi Hillel Konigsburg, Congregation B'nai Torah ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 27

YOM KIPPUR

During Yom Kippur Afghanistan’s Jews Are Only a Memory The last Jew has left Afghanistan.

In a country that once hosted a thriving community of 40,000 members, Zebulon Bob Bahr Simontov, a 62-year-old former restaurant owner and carpet dealer, is said to have made his way overland and out of the country. His wife and two daughters immigrated to Israel in 1998, but he stayed on as the caretaker of Kabul’s one remaining synagogue.

For the last 16 years, Simontov has been the Kabul synagogue’s sole resident, marking each holiday with a stubborn insistence on remaining in the country of his birth.

As he told Foreign Policy two years ago, he is “a man with no fear. I will never leave Afghanistan because of the Taliban or anyone else.”

Now, just before the High Holy Days, and with the urging of his friendly neighbors along Flower Street in Afghanistan’s capital, he accepted the help of IsraeliAmerican businessman Moti Kahana to escape. Along with dozens of non-Jewish women and children, Simontov undertook a perilous five-day journey out of the country. Portions of the journey were broadcast on KAN, the state-owned Israeli television channel.

For hundreds, some say thousands of years, the Jews of Afghanistan survived repeated invasions, wars, riots, and religious persecution to create their distinctive Jewish communities along the Silk Road.

In recent years there has been a concerted effort to save the record of this people that, as tradition has it, descends from the ten lost tribes who vanished after the Assyrian invasion of Israel in 721 BCE. A look at some of this history can be found in the pages of a rare volume, “Afghanistan: The Synagogue and the Jewish Home,” issued in an individually numbered edition of 500 copies by the Hebrew University in Jerusalem in 1991.

A copy of the book in Hebrew and English, numbered 177, is now in a private collection in Atlanta. It offers a glimpse of how Jewish life in such significant communities as Herat, near the Persian border, and Balkh, in the north of the country near Tajikistan in Central Asia, differed from the Ashkenazic or 28 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Sephardic world in Europe and America.

On the eve of Yom Kippur, as the catalog’s authors, Zohar Hanegbi and Bracha Yaniv describe it, Jews in the East and West differed dramatically in their customs.

While the Jews in Europe and America acknowledged their sins in the “Al The city of Herat was a center of Jewish life in the early 20th century.

Chet” prayer by gently tapping their chest, Jews in Afghanistan accounted for their mistakes by preparing for a ritual flogging.

After the evening service, each male over bar mitzvah age was required to receive 39 strokes on their back with a soft leather flogger while Psalm 78 was read. After that, the rabbi would issue a Zebulon Simontov, who has just left Afghanistan, pardon for the indiwas said to be the last Jew in the country. vidual’s sins.

While Jews handwritten and illustrated notebooks in the West lit a pair of holiday tapers that taken from Talmud study during the 1940s. might, at best, burn for an hour or two, AfThe book displays beautifully handghan Jews would light enormous candles crafted ten-sided wooden Torah cases, they had created for each of their synabound with silk velvet, and crowns made gogues. up of three sets of metal finials. A malbush These candles were over six feet tall or scarf of hand-woven fabric is draped beand often held in place by a copper or clay tween the Torah’s ornaments. candle holder, or sham’dan.

Starting in the early 1950s, Jews began The creation of the candles involved the to leave Afghanistan in large numbers for entire community, which worked for more Israel and America. By the time the Soviet than a month under the supervision of loUnion invaded the country in 1979, they cal rabbis. High-quality wax was melted and were almost all gone. gradually dripped around a braided cotton But they brought many of their ritual wick, made of six strands of cotton — one objects with them or had them shipped for each man to be called to the reading of abroad. Elijah’s Chair, used during circumthe Torah on Yom Kippur. cision ceremonies, ended up in an Afghan It burned in the synagogue from the synagogue in Bnei Brak in Israel. A pair eve of Yom Kippur until prayers ended with of 19th century Torah scrolls found a new the Ne’ilah service the following evening. home in Queens in New York City.

Drops of the wax were said to be able to help A rare collection of religious docucure the sick. In addition, the remains of the ments, over a thousand years old, from an candle were used to make Havdalah candles Afghani genizah, or synagogue depository, for use in the synagogue and for Simchat Tomade their way to the National Library of rah, when they lit the sanctuary for a night Israel. of dancing and song.

In Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, New York, LonThe catalogue contains almost 120 don, and many other places, Afghani Jews pages of photographs, including ornate marmade new homes out of old memories. riage contracts from the 19th century, and Now the last of Afghanistan’s Jews,

Elijah’s Chair, used in circumcision ceremonies from Herat.

A wooden Torah case from Afghanistan with metal ornaments and malbush scarf.

Zebulon Simontov, has joined this community’s diaspora. The lights in his old synagogue home have been extinguished one final time. ì

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 29

YOM KIPPUR

Eating Disorders During the High Holy Days

By Sarah Bateman Eating three balanced meals a day plus snacks can be hard enough for anyone to manage, but for those with an eating disorder or in recovery from an eating disorder, it may be especially challenging. Even for people doing well in their recovery, there are decisions, conflicting or negative thoughts, planning, scheduling and financial strains.

And if every regular day has the potential for that much stress, it can be that much harder to manage when there is an additional change from the usual routine.

Nothing changes routines quite like holidays. When it comes to the celebration of the Jewish holidays, it is incredibly important to be aware of how those struggling with eating disorders may be triggered. Schedules and timing and priorities are completely altered during the holidays, and especially during the time of the high holidays with so many changes in a row. Yom Kippur can one of the biggest challenges we have, because it is the day of fast. (Note: anyone with an eating disorder should speak to a rabbi and therapist before considering fasting.)

Additionally, Jewish rituals and observances often focus on meals and food and bring added stress for those who are struggling with food, eating, or their bodies. The high holidays can be a very triggering time for anyone with an eating disorder. For Rosh Hashanah, not only do we have complete changes in routine, but we have challah with honey, honey cake, and two days straight of holiday meals for lunch and dinner with countless other holiday treats. Ten days later Yom Kippur, then we have Sukkot and the continuation of holiday feasts for eight more days. This can be a lot for anyone, but especially for people with eating disorders.

Eating disorders are a serious mental illness that can affect anyone, regardless of religion, gender, race, age, or socioeconomic status. Eating disorders have at their root a complex combination of biological, psychological, and cultural factors that are unique to each individual. However, in many close-knit ethnic communities, there is an emphasis on food. That is certainly true within the Jewish culture, where there are rules about what can and cannot be eaten, and every holiday has its ritual foods to eat.

For many people, this can be fine (and even fun), but for others it can create an environment that triggers weight or food anxiety.

30 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

tendencies ■ Has a distorted body-image — feels fat even when thin

Bulimia Nervosa ■ Has a cycle of bingeing and purging ■ Reacts to stress by overeating ■ Feels like eating is often out

of control ■ May purge using laxatives,

over-exercise or vomiting

Sarah Bateman is Jewish Community Liaison for The Renfrew Center, a national network of eating disorder treatment facilities.

The break in routine and constant social gatherings revolving around shared meals may feel overwhelming. It may require a level of flexibility an individual struggling with disorder eating may not be used to, perhaps presenting foods that are not otherwise typically eaten.

Flexibility with both food and time may be a challenge. Some people struggle with too much free time and others have a hard time juggling extra responsibilities in their already busy days. The rigidity of an eating disorder can turn these schedule changes into significant stressors.

The High Holy Days may also be a trigger for those having too much time with family, or for others, not having enough family or support. Feelings of stress or loneliness can be particularly difficult when an individual has developed unhealthy coping methods. There may also be added pressure from relatives to consume more food or sit at the table longer than one is comfortable with.

The stress of an eating disorder may cause a person to dread the holidays, and the anticipation alone may become a trigger. Negative associations can compound existing issues and prevent any enjoyment of the holidays altogether, let alone potentially exacerbate eating disorder symptoms.

Some of the common warning signs for the different categories of eating disorders are listed below. Someone may have symptoms of more than one diag-

The Renfrew Center of Atlanta is located at 50 Glenlake Parkway and offers a comprehensive range of in-person and virtual options including day treatment, intensive outpatient and outpatient services.

Jewish rituals and observances often focus on meals and food and bring added stress for those who are struggling with food, eating, or their bodies.

nosis or may not fully meet the specific criteria for one of these diagnoses but may still need help. In addition, most individuals are secretive about their behaviors and may go to great lengths not to be found out. No matter the situation, it is critical that individuals seek professional help for an assessment even if they deny that they have a problem.

Anorexia Nervosa ■ Is thin and continues to get thinner ■ Never reaches a weight that

is satisfactory ■ Displays perfectionistic

Binge Eating Disorder ■ Eats large amounts of food to the

point of feeling uncomfortably full ■ Eats when not physically hungry ■ Turns to food as a way of coping

with feelings ■ Feels disgusted, guilty or embar rassed after binge eating In addition to knowing the signs and symptoms, education is another important factor in preventing and treating eating disorders. There’s so much emphasis on food within Jewish culture at large.

However, it’s vital to not place blame on the individual or the families or the culture. It is critical to understand that eating disorders do not go away on their own, they are not just a way to get attention; they are serious mental illnesses.

Positive change can come from working to understand what each person finds difficult and focusing on finding ways to manage those challenges while learning how to tolerate their feelings.

For a long time, there was a stigma around getting help for eating disorders in the Jewish community. Increasingly, though, there has been a willingness to get help. There is more awareness and less fear of getting treatment in the Jewish community than there used to be.

More communities and schools are openly speaking about eating disorders, and willing to be open about the challenges we see. With reduced stigma and targeted treatment to meet their needs, everyone can have the chance to enjoy the holidays and other important traditions without the added stressors of an eating disorder.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you can reach out to The Renfrew Center (1800-RENFREW) to relate to a professional who can help.

Sarah Bateman, LCSW, is the Jewish community liaison for The Renfrew Center in Atlanta. ì

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BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS COVID-19: The Needle and the Law

By Dave Schechter When COVID-19 vaccines became available in January, Jewish HomeLife gave its approximately 625 employees until June 1 to be fully vaccinated.

When only 60 percent were vaccinated at the beginning of May, the deadline was put off “until we had a chance to educate, to alleviate fears, help everyone get on board with it,” said Shari Bayer, chief marketing and communications officer for JHL, which operates senior residences and provides home health services.

In mid-August, with 91 percent of its staff vaccinated, Jewish HomeLife reset the deadline for Oct. 4. JHL lost employees who chose not to be vaccinated and candidates for important nursing positions withdrew when informed of the requirement, Bayer said.

Having suffered outbreaks of COVID-19 in 2020 at the Berman Commons assisted living residence and The William Breman Jewish Home, a skilled care facility, JHL was determined to get ahead of

the curve in mandating vaccinations, she said. The policy covers staff and also nursing students, independent caregivers, and volunteers. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden has announced that his administration will make staff vaccinations a condition for nursing homes that receive federal Medicare and Medicaid funding.

Federal agencies have given legal and regulatory support to such mandates. For example, the “General Duty Clause” in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 requires employers to provide an environment “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”

Attorney Clifford Weiss, who specializes in employment law, told the AJT, “COVID-19 risks meet the definition of a direct threat to the health and safety of employees in the workplace, and because it’s a direct threat, employers are allowed to establish tougher and weighted safety measures in the workplace.”

That allowance comes with excep-

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32 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

tions based on religious practice and medical/disability issues, and an obligation to seek a “reasonable accommodation” for workers. Attorney Ken Winkler, another specialist in the field, said, “It seems pretty clear across industries that employers have a right to mandate vaccinations, provided that they recognize the two exemptions.”

Attorneys contacted for this story said: ■ Yes, employers may require that employees be vaccinated.

■ Yes, employers may ask employees if they have been vaccinated.

■ Yes, employers may ask to see proof of vaccination.

■ No, the emergency use status of vaccines is not a shield against vaccination. (Note: On Aug. 23, the Food and Drug Administration gave full approval to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. As of this writing, the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines remain under emergency use authorization.)

■ No, employees cannot cite HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) as a reason not to answer.

“So many people have this misconception that HIPAA has this privacy law and employers can’t ask about my medical conditions. This is absolutely false,” Weiss said, explaining that HIPAA applies to the transmission of confidential medical information between, for example, a doctor’s office and an insurance company.

A Justice Department memo issued July 6 said that while the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires that employees be given an “option to accept

or refuse administration” of a vaccine, it “does not prohibit public or private entities from imposing vaccination requirements for a vaccine that is subject to an emergency use authorization.”

In Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp’s May 25 executive order bars state agencies, service providers, and state properties from requiring proof of vaccination, socalled “vaccine passports,” or establishing work rules that differentiate between the vaccinated and unvaccinated.

Legal scholars point to Jacobson v.

Massachusetts, a 1905 case in which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the authority of the Cambridge Board of Health to require vaccination during a smallpox epidemic.

During the 2009 H1N1 (“swine flu”) outbreak, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued an opinion letter that backed the ability of employers to mandate influenza vaccinations.

In June of this year, a federal judge in Houston dismissed a lawsuit filed by employees of Houston Methodist Hospital, who were suspended for failing to comply with a requirement that they be vaccinated against COVID-19. “The public’s interest in having a hospital capable of caring for patients during a pandemic far outweighs protecting the vaccination preferences of 116 employees,” District Judge Lynn Hughes wrote. “The plaintiffs are not just jeopardizing their own health; they are jeopardizing the health of doctors, nurses, support staff, patients and their families.”

On May 27, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which enforces workplace anti-discrimination

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS

Attorney Clifford Weiss said the COVID-19 threat allows employers “to establish tougher and weighted safety measures in the workplace.”

Attorney Ken Winkler said that “employers have the right to mandate vaccinations, provided that they recognize the two exemptions.”

Edward Queen, of the Emory University Center for Ethics, said that “mandates are acceptable” and “I would be inclined to argue that they are obligatory.”

Rabbi and law professor Michael Broyde said that Jewish law “supports the mandating of vaccination in all situations in which it is medically needed.”

laws, issued guidance that “federal EEO laws do not prevent an employer from requiring all employees physically entering the workplace to be vaccinated for COVID-19.”

The EEOC said that employers must provide “reasonable accommodation” for employees who are exempt from immunization under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and other federal laws. Accommodations could include requiring the wearing of face masks, social distancing, regular COVID-19 testing, or reassignment.

During COVID-19, working from home has been an accommodation, but that is not possible in many jobs. Employment attorneys told the AJT that if an accommodation is not possible, and there is no other way for an employee to perform a job’s essential functions, the loss of that job remains possible.

The EEOC also said that an accommodation may be sought based on “sincerely held religious beliefs, observances, or practices if an accommodation will not impose an undue hardship on the conduct of the business.”

Compared with other religions, Jewish Americans were the most likely to be “vaccine accepters,” according to a survey published June 21 by the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), a nonprofit that conducts polls on religion-related issues. Weighted for their 2.4 percent of the population, the Jewish sample numbered 142 out of more than 5,850 respondents.

The 85 percent of Jewish Americans were “vaccine accepters” in June, and the same proportion was found in a March survey. Only 28 percent reported “at least moderate concerns about COVID-19 vaccines.”

PRRI reported that 71 percent of Jews — and 56 percent of its total survey — supported requiring proof of vaccination to participate in such activities as travel, work, or school. Fewer than half (46 percent) supported religiously-based refusals, while just 29 percent agreed that unvaccinated children should be able to attend public schools on religious grounds.

“Ethically, I not only think mandates are acceptable, I would be inclined to argue that they are obligatory,” said Edward Queen, director of the Ethics and Servant Leadership Program and coordinator of Undergraduate Studies at Emory University’s Center for Ethics. “Given the magnitude and consequences of the pandemic, the health of the public and society takes precedence over an individual’s desire, particularly when the consequences to the individual are minimal and those for the society are immense.

“From a Jewish perspective, kol Yisrael arevim zeh bazeh (‘All Jews are responsible for each other’). This requirement is not only to avoid placing others in danger, but also to act in a positive manner to protect them. This fact has been recognized by the leadership throughout Judaism’s denominational spectrum, including a leading posek of the religious Zionist movement, who ruled that those refusing to be vaccinated ‘must not be allowed into synagogues, to participate in a minyan, or be called to the Torah.’ You cannot get a more explicit mandate than that,” Queen said.

Rabbi Michael Broyde, an expert on Jewish law and a professor at the Emory University School of Law, said, “Halacha [Jewish law] does make saving a human life a huge priority and thus halacha

supports the mandating of vaccination in all situations in which it is medically needed.”

Jewish law also “requires obeying the laws in the land in which we live,” Broyde said. However, he also noted a distinction: “If the government said, ‘All people must be vaccinated,’ then Jewish

law would say, ‘all people should obey that law,’” but “If the government said, ‘private employers may require vaccinations as a condition of employment,’ Jewish law does not say, ‘and thus all employees must be vaccinated’ as that is not a law.” ì

Est. 1997

G'mar chatima tova May you be sealed in the Book of Life

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BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS

Businesses Close Doors During Pandemic

Roni Robbins

The ubiquitous business closure signs around Jewish Atlanta – online and on storefronts – are a clear indication of the economic fallout from a global pan-

demic.

In compiling its annual “Guide to Jewish Atlanta” recently, the AJT found a number of caterers and restaurants, among others, that have folded in the past year since the last guide was published.

Temporarily closed or permanently closed signs are posted on their online listings or websites. Dialing their phone numbers results in a recorded message: “We are no longer in service.”

In March 2020, 56 percent of all restaurants in the state closed either permanently or temporarily, with the same ratio of workers being let go as a result

Andy N. Siegel CPCU, CIC, AAI Sheldon Berch

Jodie Sturgeon at an Atlanta Party Connection expo prior to the pandemic.

of the pandemic, according to Karen Bremer, CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA). At this point, 21 percent of the state’s restaurants have permanently closed, she told the AJT. The Georgia figure is higher than the national average of 13 percent, Bremer noted. “That’s pretty significant. People

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took out second mortgages and sold their three months was extended, a lot of lives homes to fund their restaurants that no were changed,” Sturgeon said. Catering longer exist.” GRA represents all food ser- clients began canceling six months out vice providers for whom the sale of food and the writing was on the wall: “For caamounts to more than half of their sales, terers like myself it was only a matter of including caterers. time.”

One of the casualties of the pandemAs events fell through, she helped ic was Jodie Sturgeon’s kosher catering Griller’s Pride with their Passover orbusiness, For All Occasions and More. ders. Then, after she decided to close her Her LinkedIn introduction recounts business, she learned that the kosher the business’ struggle: “Was the only butcher was looking for additional help non-Jew owner of in their kitchen and a kosher establishstepped in. ment for 13 years.

Griller’s Pride We ‘temporarily’ owner Peter Swerdclosed on March 11, low said his busi2020 (due to Covid). ness fared better The same day was than most during informed we were the pandemic bevoted by the comcause it doesn’t munity as [AJT’s] rely on a walk-in Best Kosher Caterer storefront, but is of 2020. Officially based on phone-in closed on Septemand website orders, ber 30, 2020, when with contactless all events that were customer pickups booked through and home delivery July 2021 were canin Atlanta and the celed.”

South, and shipSturgeon is ments nationwide.

Rabbi Reuven Stein is director of the Atlanta Kashruth Commission. now an executive “When delivchef at Griller’s ering to homes in Pride, which delivers kosher meat, poul- metro Atlanta, our customers appreciate try and prepared dishes. It has main- us calling them when we arrive at their tained its business throughout the pan- homes to ask where we should leave their demic and may have even boosted sales order so that they can bring it in after we a little. have departed, and that way, even our Sturgeon’s catering business hasn’t home deliveries are completely contactbeen as lucky. less,” Swerdlow said.

Before the pandemic hit, she had With respect to the pandemic, he booked catering gigs over a year in ad- concluded: “We did not lose any business vance. “So we waited. We thought it and indeed, actually gained some.” would be two to three months. … Once the In terms of her career change, Sturpossibility that it would only last two or geon accepts that “in life, you’ve got to go

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS

Georgia Restaurant Association CEO Karen Bremer was named one of Georgia Trend’s 100 Most Influential Georgians in 2019.

with the flow. You see a different opportunity that works, go for it. That’s what I did, what’s best for me and my family.

COVID affected so many people. It’s sad.”

She said she’s particularly saddened that the Jewish community now has fewer ko-

Bruce Bogartz, owner of Bogartz Food Artz, said his restaurant ran out of money during the pandemic.

sher catering options.

Rabbi Reuven Stein, director of the Atlanta Kashruth Commission (AKC), also saw the difficult time event caterers had during the pandemic and doesn’t believe they have fully recovered yet. “It

Terri and Bruce Bogartz, pictured at a Sandy Springs food event.

was almost impossible. Events fully disappeared. Some converted to takeout; it kept a few going. I think they’ll come back eventually, but we are not there yet.”

And with the Delta variant, events are being canceled again, he added.

The AKC personally lost 20 percent of its business, which involves monitoring laws of kashrut in events, restaurants and factory food production. “We used to do 50 to 60 events a year; now we do not do any.”

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 35

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS The commission didn’t have to cut jobs, though, just their paychecks a bit, Stein said. “It was a challenge in the community, no question. Catering businesses went out of business. They did what they could. People have gone to other avenues.”

Some caterers and other businesses in the Jewish community closed but have since reopened, he said.

There is a percentage of people, including seniors, who will never return to big catered events, Stein predicted.

Fundraising may never involve big dinners again as organizers found they were more successful through virtual campaigns and saved money by not providing meals, he surmised.

“Even restaurants finally reopened their dining facilities. Thank G-d restaurants are seeing diners come in. Almost all of them would not seat people” indoors, he said. And at one point during the pandemic, many only provided outdoor dining.

Bremer shared similar sentiments: “Many restaurants had to pivot and retrofit their business model.” Some changed from dine-in to delivery and carry out and are still not comfortable changing back because of concerns

cols that have been put in place will continue.

“It created new ways to do business for restaurants.”

In recent months, restaurants have also had to decide whether to require mask mandates, Bremer noted. She has seen restaurants streamline their menus to serve only the most popular dishes.

Bogartz Food Artz restaurant in Sandy Springs closed in August 2020 simply because it Jodie Sturgeon recently standing in a kitchen ran out of money, said about COVID-19’s impact on their workformer chef-owner Bruce Bogartz. “We ers and guests, she said. had gotten successful and started to be About 30 percent of the state’s resprofitable when business dropped off” taurant business “is take-away, with a with the pandemic, he recalled. “We higher percentage during the height of spent everything we had allotted and the pandemic.” there was not enough.”

A new trend among quick-service Bogartz said his brother, a co-owner restaurants is providing double drive- who provided financing and handled opthru lanes with touchless menus and erations for the family business, “got expayment systems, and an increased so- asperated by the whole experience,” and cial media presence, Bremer added. She was unwilling to continue fighting the believes that many of the safety proto- new challenges the pandemic brought.

The main issue was that the twoyear-old restaurant didn’t have a functional outdoor eating structure, only a few umbrella tables. Building what the shopping center required would have been too expensive, Bogartz said.

“It was already late in the game. We were overwhelmed and overwrought. … It seemed like it rained on nights you would think would be a good night. We ended up losing money pretty steadily.

My brother felt there were better uses for his money.”

In October, Bogartz and his wife, Terri, moved to Chattanooga, where he is an executive chef with a private country club and she is a pastry chef. Terri returns periodically to Atlanta, where she has a condo and they have family, to delivery her trademark chopped liver to those who order it.

“We continue to look for something we can operate together,” Bruce said.

“The playing field has changed drastically. We had to re-shift and refocus” to find other opportunities.

“We started a new life here and we hope we will be able to stay, but we are not beyond looking for opportunities in Atlanta still.” ì

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BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS

How to Deal with Re-Entry Anxiety

By Robyn Spizman Gerson We blink and life changes, so it’s no surprise that anxiety is on the rise now that many of us are getting back to doing the things we did before the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news is there are ways to manage and reduce the worry.

Susan Fishman, a nationally certified counselor and therapist with Jewish Family & Career Services, works primarily with college students through “Be Well with Hillel,” a program funded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Partnering with Hillels of Georgia, the program offers free counseling services to Jewish college students across the state. Re-entry anxiety, Fishman says, affects people of all ages and backgrounds.

“We all got a taste of re-entry as vaccines ramped up and restrictions were lifted, and now with the Delta variant, many are feeling the anxiety and uncertainty crop up again; while for some, it never left.

The level and intensity of feelings are different for everyone, based on their own personal experiences.”

According to Fishman, there’s no right or wrong way to handle re-entry; some of us may need more time to adjust than others. But how do we get back out there without stressing over it? She has some suggestions.

Frame your mindset. The first thing is to give yourself permission to feel anxious.

A certain amount of anxiety is good, as it helps us stay motivated and do the things we need to do to keep ourselves protected.

It’s also important to remember that our brains are not used to the social isolation we’ve experienced, and acknowledge that it will take time to get back to where we were.

Communicate your needs. Decide what boundaries you want to have and what you’re comfortable with, and communicate that to others. It’s hard not to fall into the comparison trap, but don’t be embarrassed to tell folks that you’re more comfortable wearing a mask, or that you’re not quite ready for a large gathering. We all have different thresholds, and that’s ok.

Go at your own pace, and ease your way back in. Find the balance between what feels safe and what pushes you past the more irrational fears. Use techniques to relax. When you’re feeling stressed, mindfulness and relaxation techniques like visualization, deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation can help by bringing us into the present moment. Meditation apps like Headspace and Insight Timer can also be useful tools for learning these skills.

Susan Fishman, a therapist with the Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta, shares proactive tips for reentry anxiety.

Create stress-free rituals. In a time of uncertainty, rituals create a feeling of control, a feeling that something’s been done. For families, this could be weekly family dinners where everyone turns off their electronics and shares something good about their day. Muting the news, especially, can help bring down your stress levels. Do simple things to build positive moments. Organize your spice drawer.

Wash the dog. Get out into nature. Whatever brings a sense of accomplishment and adds joy to your day.

Psychologist Rick Blue suggests that “regarding anxiety, all of us are unique in our personalities. A person needs to ask what do I need to do to bring joy into my life? What will help me deal with stress … read a book, go for a walk … whereas my self-talk is that today was a good day. I solved a puzzle, I enjoyed a movie, I called a friend. One person’s stressor is another person’s outlet. It’s all how you look at it.

Ask: what do you need to do to make yourself feel positive?”

For those who feel stressed at work, Blue said, “Taking a break from work helps, but it only helps if the break is short and you are working on the specific reasons why you got stressed out. Self-esteem and confidence only come from being on the playing field of life. The longer the break, the more you lose your confidence and self-esteem. I found that many people, once they pass a certain point, they don’t want to go back. During the break, take time out for you, but you still have to face those issues sooner or later.”

Remember also that “everyone sees the world through their own filter,” says Blue. “Empathetic assertiveness is important, but delivery with tact and diplomacy are, too. If you’re a conflict avoider, it’s difficult; and if you are stressed over time, you break easier.”

Beth M. Seidel, a psychologist at the Behavioral Institute of Atlanta, encourages pacing yourself.

According to Beth M. Seidel, a psychologist at the Behavioral Institute of Atlanta, “Refine what your expectations are — it will be different than before and that is ok. Limit how much time you are actually interacting with people. Start off with a minimal amount and work your way up to what you are comfortable with. And,

Psychologist Rick Blue offers insights into stress.

perhaps, join people if they invite you (for example, for lunch), but meet them there and tell them you can’t stay very long. Tell your friends or family that you want to spend time with them and you enjoy their company, but you feel overwhelmed from time to time and just need to spend time together in smaller doses.” ì

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BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS

The Hollywood of The South Is Booming

By Bob Barr Atlanta’s film production community, already one of the largest in the nation, is set to embark on plans that could help to reshape the metropolitan real estate market.

In March of this year, Gray Television, based in Brookhaven, announced that it was purchasing 128 acres of what had once been the General Motors Assembly plant along the northern perimeter of I-285 in Doraville.

In announcing the purchase, Gray, which is one of the largest operators of local television stations in the country, said it planned to build a media complex and residential site called Studio City.

According to Jay Gipson of the Gipson Company, the developers of the project, the company plans to build 500,000 sq. ft. of studio space across ten buildings. When it’s fully built out, over the next five years, the development is expected to also have apartments, townhomes, retailing and offices.

It was yet another indication that film production in Georgia is headed for what could be another great year. In 2020, the state's film industry brought in a record $4 billion in direct spending. All this has made Atlanta one of the busiest film production centers in the world.

According to Lee Thomas, who heads the state’s Film Office, the production business is back to where it was before the pandemic hit in early 2020.

“It’s come back stronger than ever, and I’m surprised at the speed that it happened. We’re scrambling to find enough crews and equipment and especially stage space because of all the shows that want to come in here.”

Gray Television, an Atlanta company that is the third-largest owner of local television stations in the country, plans to build 10 sound stages on the former GM property. It also recently purchased Third Rail Studios, which opened five years ago on the former auto assembly site. Its three sound stages, totaling more than 80,000 sq. ft., have been leased to Netflix and the Disney+ streaming service.

With production industries in New York and Los Angeles still slow to recover from the health crisis, demand for production facilities is up sharply.

In South Atlanta, at Tyler Perry Studios, which helped to put Atlanta on the entertainment map 15 years ago, business is also booming.

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“Black Adam,” starring Dwayne Johnson, was shot in Atlanta this summer.

“Family Feud,” hosted by Steve Harvey, is a long-running series that is taped in Atlanta.

Headquarters of the 330-acre Tyler Perry Studios in South Atlanta is named The Dream Building.

Gray Television is developing a 128-acre site that will include production studios, retail, and residential space at the old GM plant in Doraville.

mer site of the Fort McPherson army base.

The studio sits on a location that Steven Mensch, the president and general manager of studio operations, says dwarfs the present Hollywood studios.

“You could fit Disney, Warner, Paramount, Sony, Fox, all of those studios in L.A. inside our fence and still have a lot of room. Mr. Perry’s has the only major motion picture studio on the East Coast anchored by a 330-acre physical real estate studio property.”

In June, Perry announced that he had purchased another 37 acres adjacent to his studios, which, like the GM development, would add retail, restaurants, and entertainment to the production center.

Mensch, who chaired the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival this year, credits the success of the production business, in part, to a Georgia state tax credit of up to 30% for qualifying productions. But that’s only one leg of what he calls a “three-legged stool” that the industry in Georgia rests on.

“We’ve got studio infrastructure, like our 12 purpose-built sound stages, that can be up to almost 39,000 square feet each.

We’ve got a trained, established crew base

The new Bryan Cranston film “Jerry and Marge Go Large” was shot in Atlanta this summer.

under strong union leadership, and we’ve got support from government legislation.

Without any one of those three, this level of work would be untenable.”

There were 366 productions last year that qualified for the tax incentives, of which 221 were television productions, 45 were independent film projects, and 21 were films by major studios.

Wrapping up production this sum-

mer were a new DC Comics blockbuster, “Black Adam,” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, and a new Bryan Cranston film, “Jerry and Marge Go Large,” which costars Annette Bening.

Long-running series like “Divorce Court” and “Family Feud,” starring Steve Harvey, also call Atlanta home.

For next year, pre-production planning has already begun on a widely anticipated new Disney film adaptation of the Broadway hit “Wicked,” which will be shot in Atlanta.

Georgia has come a long way in the dozen-or-so years since the state legislature made a strong pitch for the state to become home to the Hollywood of the South.

According to the head of Georgia’s film office, Lee Thomas, there’s more economic development in the works.

“We had 45,000 square feet of stage space back in 2010 and now we have 2.1 million square feet of purpose-built and 3.2 million square feet of retrofitted or dedicated stage space. And we have a lot more on the way. By this time next year, there will be another million square feet in the works. It’s pretty amazing.” ì

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS

Medical Workers Frustrated by Unvaccinated Patients

By Alla Umanskiy As the second COVID-19 wave grips the country, many medical professionals are grappling with the fact that hospital beds are once again full, medical supplies are running low, and the general demeanor of healthcare workers is that of despair.

Similar to a year and a half ago, some medical facilities are experiencing shortages of ventilators and enough personal protective equipment needed to treat COVID patients.

That, coupled with the fact that many current patients have not been vaccinated, brings frustration and fatigue to the medical staff taking care of those that have fallen ill.

Dr. Rachel Shulman, a perinatologist in Atlanta, encourages all her pregnant patients to get vaccinated. “The rates of vaccination for my patients differ depending on which office I am in, and there are clearly demographic variations,” she explains.

“Some offices have over 75% of the patients vaccinated, while others are 0%. The national average is 23.9% for pregnant individuals as of Aug. 21, and I would guess my patient population falls around that number as

Dr. Rachel Shulman, a perinatologist in Atlanta, encourages vaccinations.

Dr. Svetlana Kats, a radiation oncologist in Atlanta, confirms being exasperated and feeling frustrated.

Vita Lemberg, a registered nurse in the labor and delivery wing of Emory Hospital.

well. When speaking of only patients admitted in the hospital or critically ill, the vast majority, (over 90%) are unvaccinated.”

When asked about treatment protocols for COVID patients, Shulman goes on to say that medical professionals have learned a lot about the virus over the past year and a half and have changed their approach to inpatient care. For example, “our approach to steroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has changed. We also are more aggressive regarding anticoagulation (medicine to prevent blood clots),” she elaborates.

As healthcare centers are pushed to capacity by a rush of patients, many health-

care workers struggle with their own mental health and frustration. Hospital workers say they’re tired and dismayed by this summer’s revival of the virus they thought would fade with the arrival of vaccines. Vita Lemberg, a registered nurse in the labor and delivery wing of Emory Hospital, shares that it’s disheartening to see patients test positive for COVID-19 and admit that they have not been vaccinated. “Any patient who comes to the hospital and tests positive is immediately isolated,” she shares. The newly delivered babies of positive patients are also put into isolation. “It is very difficult to watch patients suffer from COVID, put on

oxygen and be separated from their newborns,” said Lemberg.

Dr. Svetlana Kats, a radiation oncologist, confirms the common theme of “being exasperated and feeling frustrated because the majority of severe COVID cases are among the unvaccinated population and could have been prevented with getting the vaccine and wearing a mask.”

As the virus continues to ravage the country, it’s clear the medical workers need to protect themselves and their own mental wellbeing to be able to take care of patients effectively. ì

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BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS

Knopf Flies High in Delta Corporate Law

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Matthew Knopf joined Delta Air Lines in 2015 from the international law firm of Dorsey & Whitney in Minneapolis, where he led their Mergers and Acquisitions practice. He currently serves as the senior vice president and deputy general counsel at Delta, where he is responsible (along with the chief legal officer) for leading the law department and overseeing corporate transactions, M&A, strategic alliances and equity investments, SEC reporting and corporate governance, aircraft transactions, corporate real estate, and airport infrastructure projects. His wife, Terri Bonoff, is CEO of Jewish Family and Career Services.

Knopf received his undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University in New York, and his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.

Jaffe: Who got the job here first, you or Terri?

Knopf: When I was recruited to join Delta, I hadn’t thought about leaving pri-

officer. This past year we added a rigorous training program for all of the members of the law department, the Delta Academy, which I lead.

Jaffe: Elaborate on your own talent.

Matthew Knopf takes pride in finding common ground, treating all sides with respect, and prevailing on points that really matter.

vate practice, which I loved. The chance to join a unique company like Delta in a leadership role was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The decision was even more complicated since Terri, at that time, was a sitting Minnesota state senator in the western suburbs of Minneapolis.

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Spouse Terri Bonoff, who heads the Atlanta JF&CS, balances the “power couple.”

We have four grown children scattered across the U.S. and decided as a family to make this move knowing it would be easier to fly and visit our children working for an airline.

Jaffe: Has Southern life been different?

Knopf: I grew up in New York City but had been in the Midwest starting with law school, then moving to Minneapolis, where Terri grew up. We felt right away that Atlanta was a great cosmopolitan city, but it took a while to feel at home.

Atlanta is a very welcoming community to newcomers, more than the Twin Cities, which can be a little bit of a “if you’re not from here, you’re not from here” kind of place. Delta is like a big family, which helped, and the larger community has been warm in including Terri, in her role at JF&CS. There are some expressions, like “bless your heart,” which it took me a while to understand is not always a positive statement.

Jaffe: Describe Delta’s legal group.

Knopf: Our law department is relatively small for a company of Delta’s size and complexity. We have about 65 lawyers and paralegals, some focusing on corporate matters, divided into teams, each of which has an associate GC leader, who then reports to me. Others are in our closely related international, federal and state & local government affairs groups.

Most of our attorneys are Atlanta-based, with some regulatory lawyers and government affairs folks in D.C. I report to the executive vice president & chief legal

Knopf: Being successful as an attorney starts with combining legal expertise with a deep understanding of the businesses you represent, then coupled with being highly responsive, collaborative and solution-oriented. Now as a Delta leader, everything I do starts with business perspectives with our legal objectives and risks in mind. I pride myself on being a negotiator, finding common ground to get deals done, treating all sides with respect, and generally prevailing on the points that really matter. A significant part of my time is now spent managing, leading and developing people, which I enjoy.

Jaffe: You came to Delta before COVID-19. What issues remain?

Knopf: COVID presented the airlines with a once-in-a-lifetime, unexpected set of challenges. The law department played a critical role in all aspects of Delta’s business to help ensure its survival and thriving again as we came out of the pandemic. During that first COVID year, I focused on liquidity initiatives, including securing CARES Act funding, so that Delta could manage through the crisis with stability and without layoffs. I spend time supporting our strategic alliance partners, including LATAM, Aeroméxico and Virgin Atlantic, who are working through restructuring. These partners were less fortunate than us, in that their governments didn’t lend much support.

Our front-line employees have soldiered through this pandemic with incredible bravery and spirit. They continued to fly before the vaccines, and they deal with people who don’t want to wear masks, or wear them improperly, or take them off when they eat, and don’t want to put them back on. It continues to be very challenging, especially with the uncertainties and new variants.

Jaffe: When you aren’t working …

Knopf: We raised four children. I didn’t have much time for hobbies. I was always either working or participating in the kids’ activities, plays and choirs. They’re now grown up and have great careers.

We spend most of our family time, traveling — Italy, France and the UK. We joined The Temple here, which is a wonderful congregation. ì

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONALS

What is a Rabba?

By Chana Shapiro Women with years of Torah scholarship and rabbinic certification under their belts have emerging roles in the Orthodox Jewish world. Meet Atlanta’s Rabba, Darshanit, and Yoetzet Halacha.

Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez is an ordained Rabba in Atlanta.

Rabba Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez Rabba Melissa Scholten-Gutierrez received rabbinic semikhah (ordination) in 2018. She did not intend to become a pulpit rabbi, though, and she does not call herself a rabbi. “A rabbi is a man,” she explains, “and I am a woman, a rabba.” She embarked on an in-depth curriculum of Jewish studies at Yeshivat Maharat, which grants rabbinic ordination to women through an intensive education in Jewish law and pastoral counseling.

According to its website, “Maharat is the first yeshiva to ordain women as Orthodox clergy ... to serve as spiritual and halachic guides. By expanding leadership to include women, we seek to enliven the community at large with a wider array of voices, thoughts and perceptions.”

Scholten-Gutierrez is the director of family education and engagement at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and the clergy advisory chair for MACoM (Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah). She is on the executive committee for the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta, and was among the first cohort of women in their Agents of Change Training fellowship.

“My grandfather was my religious inspiration. I knew there was more out there for me, and I kept searching until I found it,” Scholten-Gutierrez explains. “I entered Maharat in 2014, the only program giving women a full rabbinic education. My soul was pulled in that direction; you could say that my soul needed semicha (ordination), not in order to change Orthodoxy, but to empower women to embrace Orthodoxy for what it is and can offer.” Rabbinic semicha is conferred by one rabbi upon another, and Maharat, in order to prevent favoritism

between its teachers and their students, arranges for an outside rabbinic authority to give prospective rabbis a comprehensive oral examination. Rabbi Daniel Ferber came from Israel to test Scholten-Gutierrez at the end of her fourth year at Maharat.

Scholten-Gutierrez does not seek a rabbinic role, yet because of her high visibility and interaction with women in Atlanta, her halachic knowledge allows her to address many sensitive subjects. “I was a social worker before I entered the Jewish professional landscape, and I bring this caring background with me. When a woman comes to me, it may be about female medical or baby-nursing problems, phone necessity on Shabbat, mental health, isolation, eating disorders, and fasting, and I may offer information about help hotlines geared for religious people. At the same time, many halachic questions should be answered by one’s rabbi in the context of a woman’s own Orthodox community.”

“Having full rabbinic ordination and the education which preceded it, has opened personal and professional doors, both in ways I completely expected and never could have imagined,” Scholten-Gutierrez says. “I want to help our Jewish communal organizations to be more intentionally Jewish, more intentionally diverse, more intentionally equitable. I have a passion for Jews being welcomed and embraced in our full diversity, for families to find their place in the Jewish communal landscape, and for Jewish communal professionals to have access to the resources and education they need to support their work. I’m blessed to be able to do these things in my work at the Atlanta Jewish Federation.”

Miriam Udel is a Darshanit.

Darshanit Miriam Udel Miriam Udel, associate professor of German Studies and Jewish Studies at Emory University, completed the Kollel Executive Ordination Track at Yeshivat Maharat in 2019. Its goal is to bring qualified midcareer women into the Orthodox rabbinate.

At a young age, Udel chose to attend

an Orthodox synagogue, which soon led to a conflict between her feminist, progressive values and men’s and women’s distinct roles in Orthodox services. “I understood that if I wanted to properly grapple with these questions,” she explains, “I needed to know what was in our sacred texts. And for that I would need to be able to read them in the original.”

As an undergraduate student, Udel helped coordinate the women’s prayer group, part of Harvard Hillel’s Orthodox minyan, and before starting graduate school, she studied for two years at seminaries for Orthodox women in Jerusalem.

More recently, while maintaining her commitments at Emory and participating in Atlanta advanced Jewish learning, Udel deepened her studies of Talmud and Jewish law in 2016 when she entered Yeshivat Maharat’s mid-career ordination track.

Upon completing the program in 2019 Udel chose the title of Darshanit, the female form of darshan, meaning expounder of scripture. Udel selected the title to honor Rivke Bas Meir Tiktiner, a preacher in late 16th century Prague and the first woman to write a book in Yiddish. The introduction to her guide to Jewish law, which was posthumously published in 1609, describes Tiktiner as a darshanit v’rabanit, a female interpreter of scripture and female rabbi.

Tiktiner’s book is a Torah commentary for women with chapters organized according to interpersonal relationships, including spouse, mother-in-law, and children.

The title Darshanit, interpreter of scripture, appealed to Udel because she does not see her role as simply doing what male rabbis have always aspired to do. “The deep dream of feminism is to remake the shape of our aspirations altogether: to admit new strivings from our experiences as women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and others who have been shut out by traditional power structures. To give that project wings,” Udel writes, “we need new language, and to give it roots, we need very old language, and the title Darshanit offers both.” At Emory University and beyond, Udel interacts with many young women for whom she models Orthodox female scholarship and social activism.

Tova Warburg-Sinensky, Yoetzet Halachah Nearly five years ago, Rabbi Adam Starr, of Modern Orthodox Congregation Ohr HaTorah, contacted Nishmat, a prestigious center for women’s scholarship and leadership. Nishmat created the new religious role of Yoetzet Halachah, a female halachic (Jewish law) adviser, focused on

Tova Warburg-Sinensky is the Yoetzet Halachah for Congregation Ohr HaTorah members and other Orthodox women in Atlanta.

Orthodox women’s specific needs. Nishmat offers an accredited course of study in which women are immersed in strenuous Torah scholarship and become active in religious leadership. “It was the next step in our synagogue’s growth,” Starr explains.

“In communication with our membership, I learned that the Atlanta Orthodox community would benefit by engaging a Yoetzet Halachah.” Yoetzet Halachah literally means Adviser in Jewish Law. The Nishmat curriculum includes in-depth study of Hilchot Niddah (specific female-related laws), under the mentorship of outstanding scholars and “poskim” (who determine cases of law where previous authorities are inconclusive or where no clear legal precedent exists), as well as supplementary studies in women’s medicine. Applicants to the Nishmat certification program are selected on the basis of Talmudic scholarship, religious commitment, and demonstrated leadership potential.

Congregation Ohr HaTorah selected Tova Warburg-Sinensky to fill that role; she visits Ohr HaTorah several times a year and can be reached remotely all year round. Rabbi Starr explains, “Our Yoetzet Halachah is the only one in Atlanta; however, although we sponsor her, she responds to questions and concerns of women throughout our diverse Orthodox community.” Women’s issues may include fertility decisions, medical and biological questions, psychological and family purity issues (mikveh laws and observance), and other matters concerning a woman’s body.

Warburg-Sinensky provides halachic guidance under the supervision of Rabbi Starr. “Our Yoetzet Halachah gives community lectures, is on the advisory board of the Jewish Fertility Foundation, and answers hundreds of questions from Orthodox women,” Starr states. “It’s important for Torah-observant women to know and be inspired by women who are Torah scholars and with whom they feel comfortable discussing sensitive personal concerns.” ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 41

REAL ESTATE Residential Real Estate Market Skyrockets

By Robyn Spizman Gerson Something is happening in the Atlanta housing market. With homes selling before they’re even on the market, historically low inventory, and bidding wars and home values soaring, the AJT spoke to a group of seasoned real estate agents to find out what both buyers and sellers need to know.

Robin Blass, of the Robin Blass Group at Harry Norman Realtors, has been in the business for 40 years, the past 10 years in partnership with daughter Lauren Blass Solomon. “There are two different perspectives when it comes to representing the buyer,” she said, “and it’s not only about increasing the price if there are multiple offers, but the entire package has to be considered. There are a lot of approaches to make your offer look more advantageous. If they have the cash to prove they can pay, that’s the route to go. It shows that my buyer has the funds and is stronger.”

As far as changes in the market go, Blass adds, “I’m excited that we’ve already sold and closed 83 houses this year. … It’s

probably not the best time to renovate, as it’s hard to get supplies if you’re in a time crunch. Invest in your home and don’t let things get out of hand. It’s easier to take

L'Shanah Tovah Happy New Year!

from, THE SONENSHINE TEAM Atlanta’s Favorite Real Estate Team

cell 404.290.0814 | office 404.252.4908 Follow Us On Facebook Debbie@SonenshineTeam.com | www.SonenshineTeam.com ©2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Operated By a Subsidiary of NRT LLC.

42 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

one room at a time and get it updated.”

Lauren Solomon, who became a real estate agent while she was still a sophomore in college, representing a younger demographic — buyers and sellers in their late twenties and thirties — says, “Everyone wants updated, renovated, newer interior, and they all have budgets that don’t match the current markets. Features include an open-concept kitchen that opens onto the family room, painted white brick, outdoor living space, master mostly up where the kids are, and location, location, location. More are moving to the suburbs, including Sandy Springs, Chamblee, Brookhaven and Dunwoody.”

Leigh Schiff, who runs Schiff Real Estate Team and Ansley Real Estate with her husband Michael, added, “It continues to be a market with record low inventory levels, rising demand, and historically low interest rates, resulting in a bullish seller’s market. While it is a wonderful time to sell, it remains a challenge for homeowners to find properties to purchase. It has never been more important to have a skilled representative who can strategically position both seller and buyer for success in this market. There also seem to be less instances of multiple offers, compared to the first half of the year.”

She added, “When correctly positioned, we are still seeing multiple offers resulting in above-full-price offers with little or no contingencies. We have been negotiating occupancy after closing for all our sellers that need it at no addition-

Neal Heery and George Heery, founding partners of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty.

al cost to them, and up to 59 days. This gives them the opportunity to identify a new home to purchase if they have not yet been able to do so.”

Regarding renovations, Schiff said that good contractors may be hard to find. “Right now, contractors are extremely busy with long lead times (6-12 months) and the cost of raw materials are at an all-time high, with many delays in the supply chain. This is one reason that we are seeing people paying top dollar for homes that are completely turnkey, and not even making offers on properties that need updated kitchens, bathrooms or outdoor living spaces.”

It’s not all data points and business, though. Eydie Koonin, of Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty, says the process can be intimate, as well.

“Selling someone’s home is personal to me and I hope I always remain in someone’s life after the transaction is completed. That’s the beginning of the story. The rest of the story is being in the business for over 13 years and earlier clients are repeat clients, and I am a generational real estate agent. I’m moving parents, grandparents, children and grandchildren, folks relocating to Atlanta, and real estate is about investing in a relationship.

You are better off working with someone whose values you know because they’ll have your back. When you buy a home, you are buying a lifestyle. Understand that you are not only buying the home,

REAL ESTATE

Debbie Sonenshine of Coldwell Banker Realty.

Eydie Koonin of Atlanta Fine Home Sotheby's International Realty with clients.

coming to Georgia. Right before Atlanta issued a shelter-in-place warning, we had a client call and say they wanted to buy a new construction home, all cash, up to a million dollars — and close in two weeks.

They were in route with all their personal belongings and ended up closing two weeks later, after looking for three days, sunrise to sunset. It’s been like a perfect storm with low interest rates, an undersupply of homes, relocation in high numbers, increased lumber costs, little stand-

Randolph Kallenberg of Keller Knapp Realty.

ing inventory in new construction, and people seeking a new normal lifestyle while working from home. The demands have changed and become more flexible.”

Jon Shapiro has been in the business for 30 years. He says that versatile spaces are especially in demand right now.

“What sellers need to know is that the market continues to move very rapidly, and home values have exploded over the past year. First, get your home in top condition. Then call in an independent bank

Leigh and Michael Schiff, Schiff Real Estate Team.

Work with a trusted advisor.

Over

26 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE Lauren Blass Solomon and her mother, Robin Blass, of the Robin Blass Group at Harry Norman Realtors.

but also the neighborhood, the schools, and surroundings. Drive around the entire area and make sure your grocery store and the amenities are close enough to your daily life.”

George Heery agrees. “The most rewarding deal I ever did was when I was brand new in the business,” he said. “My clients were Ben and Hilda Weissman (of blessed memory), who had a ranch house in the Margaret Mitchell neighborhood for several decades and made a home there. They then purchased a condo that they were proud to call home. This jour-

ney and relationship brought a deep appreciation for the ‘business’ of being a residential realtor. Ben and Hilda always wanted to know what was happening in my life, because we helped them feel at home.”

Amy Barocas, of the Barocas & Feldman Team at Harry Norman Realtors, works with her mother Peggy Feldman and daughter-in-law Kelsey. She said, “As real estate agents, we are experiencing a market that Atlanta has never seen before. Beginning last year, we began to see a mass exodus of buyers from other states

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 43

REAL ESTATE

Promising Forecasts for Atlanta Commercial Real Estate

By Robyn Spizman Gerson As the landscape of real estate continues to shift, the future of the Atlanta commercial market has been the subject of much debate. The AJT spoke to four well-known commercial real estate experts to get their thoughts, forecasts, and reflections on the industry.

Steve Selig, president and chairman of the board of Selig Enterprises, a pillar of the commercial real estate community said, “My grandfather Ben Massell started the family-owned company in 1918 and we are now over a hundred years old. My sister Cathy Selig Kuranoff, her son Greg Lewis, and my daughter Mindy work together in our family business. My son Scott was an integral part of our company until his untimely death almost four years ago. Atlanta is such a great city to be in and an excellent place for real estate today.

The thing that is driving a lot of companies to our city is diversity. Businesses want to go where the talent is and Atlanta is not only diverse, but it also has other important advantages. Atlanta offers a lower cost of living, great weather, a highly educated workforce, and a business-friendly climate. Our transportation network is appealing, with three interstates and parallel runways at the Atlanta airport. There’s a lot of energy here.”

When it comes to new office space, Selig says his

company is focusing on Midtown.

“Our assessment is that companies are putting their offices where they have the best advantage to recruit and retain Atlanta’s top employees, who want to live in a place that is eclectic, active and has a community feel.

We are completing a 700,000-sq.ft. office building in the heart of Midtown, which is fully leased to two companies, prominent law firm Smith, Gambrell & Russell and tech giant Google. Midtown makes up only 15% of the greater Atlanta office market, but, in the last five years, has realized over 50% of the Atlanta region’s absorption. In addition to being bullish on Midtown’s core market, we are equally optimistic on West Midtown, where we are developing ‘The Works,’ which was my son Scott’s vision, and includes a beautiful park named in his memory. It will be an 80-acre adaptive re-use development in the heart of Atlanta’s Upper Westside, and include retail, dining, office space, residential, and greenspace.”

The Standard located in Midtown

Steve Selig, president and chairman of the board of Selig Enterprises.

Younger generations have different priorities around work-life balance, and that’s driving new trends. “Young people used to find the job and then look for a place to live,” Selig reflected. “Now they choose where they wish to live and then find a job.

Atlanta has racial diversity and particularly, because of the Atlanta University Systems, it has one of the highest concentrations of educated, diverse talent in the country. High tech companies looking to diversify their workforce realize there isn’t a better city in which to do so. We also own a lot of retail, and that sector has been robust particularly in Buckhead. Although regional malls have become quite vulnerable, the neighborhood centers we focus on all around the city are doing very well. As the pandemic is drawing to an end, we have observed a robust increase in demand for these lifestyle centers.”

Relationships with the community are also important. Selig says he wants to see more individual stores that serve the community and build trust over time.

“We are aware that we are dealing with someone who lives in the neighborhood, which impacts our decisionmaking,” he said. “I continue to be very excited about 44 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

REAL ESTATE

Jack Halpern, chairman and CEO of Halpern Enterprises.

Matt Shulman is CEO of The Ardent Companies, a dynamic asset management firm.

Scott Horowitz has been active in Atlanta commercial real estate brokerage since 1992.

the commercial real estate scene here, as Atlanta has such a vibrancy about it. Yes, we have issues that must be solved, and I think they will be, but I’m clearly bullish on Atlanta. We’re developing quality projects and have a very strong team of employees. Our portfolio is diversified and includes office, retail, industrial and residential, and Selig Enterprises is proud to live, work and be headquartered in Atlanta.”

Jack Halpern, chairman and CEO of Halpern Enterprises, said: “There is a lot of money bidding up the price of real estate these days, because there are not too many attractive alternative places to invest. That has been partly because of the pandemic, but also a result of the slowdown in new housing construction that has occurred in recent years. Demand has exceeded the supply, so the price of real estate has increased.”

There have also been fundamental shifts in consumer shopping and buying habits, Halpern said, partially due to COVID-19, but also due to the convenience of shopping online.

“The internet has made it easy to shop from home, which has certainly had a big impact on retail stores — particularly those located in enclosed malls. People no longer look at shopping as a fun recreational activity and are more interested in getting what they want or need as quickly as possible. That cultural shift, along with the consolidation that has taken place among retailers and the ‘category killing’ impact of big box stores, means that there are fewer opportunities out there for mom-and-pop retailers to find a niche and be successful.”

Halpern added, “To those of us in the real estate business, the biggest impact of these changes has been how our mix of tenants has evolved over time. Grocery stores are doing more business than ever because of the shift to eating at home, which was also a reaction to COVID. In addition, there are certain things that can’t be purchased over the internet. We have seen an increase in demand for space from service-related businesses, like physical therapists, nail salons, and hair salons. Restaurants had a tough time last year, and a lot of them did go out of business, but people are cautiously going out to eat again. Those who became efficient at filling take-out orders and offering outdoor seating have tended to survive and are now doing well.”

But there are always winners and losers, and last year was particularly challenging for many retailers, he said. “Our goal as a landlord was to keep as many of

our tenants in business as possible, and for the most part we were successful. We were willing to be flexible and defer some rent payments, on a case-by-case basis, and that helped a number of our tenants to make it through the difficult times. As a result, our occupancy today is actually better than it was before the pandemic.”

Scott Horowitz has been active in the Atlanta commercial real estate industry since 1992, with some 450 lease or purchase transactions totaling more than $400 million under his belt. His strength is representing companies looking to lease or purchase warehouse space to store and distribute goods. He said, “The market was strong prior to COVID-19, but the pandemic accelerated the expansion of e-commerce based on the consumer learning the efficiency of online ordering. Companies like Amazon, Home Depot, Lowe’s and Wal-Mart continue to need smaller distribution centers close to the perimeter to deliver goods more efficiently to the customer. Atlanta has grown to be a top 10 industrial market in the country, based on our demographics and interstate system. Industrial developers continue to acquire land to keep up with tenant demand and have developed more than 20 million sq. ft. in the past several years.”

He thinks Atlanta’s low business costs, abundance of labor, and access to ports make it a national distribution hub, “which is the impetus behind our current bull market.”

Matt Shulman, CEO of The Ardent Companies, a dynamic asset management firm, said, “Our team of nearly 50 professionals manages over $1.5 billion on behalf of our investors. With headquarters in Buckhead’s Piedmont Center, and additional offices in Charlotte, New York City, and London, our presence allows for us to not only have a local or regional lens on the pandemic’s impact on the real estate market, but also a global one.”

The pandemic has been driving people to explore intimate locations, he said. “It has advanced the trends in office and retail to an experience driven by quality amenities, spaces, health and wellness, and of course, food. People no longer want to feel part of the masses.

Instead, they want to have a connection to the outside world, while, interestingly enough, they are not willing to sacrifice convenience. Employers and retailers have to compete with Zoom and Amazon to get people out of their homes. This not only adds pressure to real estate

companies, but also to an individual company’s ability to bring its employees back to the office. Offering an option to work remote or in the office, Ardent have enjoyed seeing the great majority of our employees returning to the office for a few months now, but frankly the bar has been lifted with flexibility and remote working now competing with the benefits of collaboration and face-to-face encounters. This dynamic is creating a friction that we believe is not only healthy but will also allow for landlords willing to work with their tenants to be at an advantage in a changing world.”

Shulman noted that “on the housing front, money continues to pour into single family homes, both for sale and for rent, as shelter continues to be an essential focus. After years of undersupply, developers are actively pursuing new projects to meet the demand.”

“Atlanta will continue to see tremendous migration due to job growth,” he predicted, impacting “both the housing and office markets. We are thrilled to share that after five years of work and four separate closings, the Piedmont Center campus is now under one ownership. Sole ownership of the 45-acre, 2.2-million-sq.-ft. office assemblage on Piedmont Road, between Lenox Road and Roswell Road, allows us to transform a once sleepy run-of-the-mill office park into a top-quality office experience with a full scope of amenities that are unparalleled in Buckhead or other parts of Atlanta.

The initial phase of repositioning focuses on continued improvement of common areas and green space, as well as the creation of best-in-class conference areas.

Conference facilities along with flexible spaces and terms are at the top of many tenants’ priorities, and we aim to meet these tenant needs. Healthy living and a safe environment are also top priorities, and therefore we are doubling down on the property’s green spaces, access to the outdoors, 1.2-mile walking trail, connection to Path 400, and various workout facilities.”

Shulman predicts that demand for space will only increase, as Atlanta continues to grow as a dining destination, home to talented chefs with innovative ideas.

“We are excited to be sharing our visions with them to meet their creative goals,” he said. “To be a real estate investor, one has to be an optimist with a very cautious lens. There will be lingering headwinds caused by the pandemic in office and retail, but we believe that a quality local economy and talented investors are up to the challenge.” ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 45

REAL ESTATE appraiser to appraise your home in order to ensure that top dollar is being pursued in the exact market you are selling in.

Many sellers underestimate the value of their home. I think a trend that will continue is the desire for flexible space in the home for exercise, a home office, play area, and outdoor space of any kind. As restaurants hold on to the outdoor space they built during the pandemic, I think homeowners will want to also continue to create great outdoor spaces for themselves and entertaining guests.”

Debbie Sonenshine, a 40-year veteran of the residential real estate business, thinks the seller’s market may be swelling some heads. “While it is clearly a seller’s market, sellers need to be realistic,” she said. “Homes that are updated, in perfect move-in condition, located in a great school district and properly priced, are selling immediately at high prices.

When evaluating offers it is important to consider all the terms, not just price.

We are seeing buyers jump and make a high offer after seeing a home for just a few minutes and then having buyer’s remorse. Sellers should work with their realtor to develop a strategy before listing the house for sale.”

She added, “Buyers should be ready

to act quickly. Just in the last couple of weeks, the market has changed. The frenzy has slowed a bit and the number of homes on the market is increasing. The end of the summer often brings a slower pace to sales, as school is about to start and people are taking their last vacations of the summer. I am seeing many people (grandparents, couples with young children, and even young singles) relocate to be closer to family. I think the focus on family and a healthier lifestyle is very positive. The basics of real estate are always the same, but there is something new every day, which is why I love it!”

Randolph Kallenberg, of Keller Knapp Realty, specializes in commercial, small multi-family and residential.

Regarding issues that consumers should know about, he said, “A lot of people like new construction and want a new spec build, but it’s hard to find in-town. The problem is people get caught up in the moment and they want that property and sometimes don’t think about the builder or the details. That house is probably going to be taken quickly and they’ll pay the premium. The problem with that is that buyers don’t do due diligence and that’s what a real estate agent should do.”

Kallenberg said that buyers might

not be aware of all the issues, including flooding. Before making an offer, he suggests, “look at the drainage situation and statute of limitations so you are protected. Drainage is a huge problem in Atlanta, since it’s hilly, or if a house is built at the bottom of a hill, you could have flooding. No one wants a flooded basement, so buyer beware, and work with an agent who will educate you about what you need to know.”

Christiane Schendowich, a 35-year Phoenix Award Recipient and realtor at Harry Norman Realtors said, “For sellers it’s the best time to sell your house, due to low inventory and high demand. Due to COVID, everything has changed. Because of the pandemic, sellers didn’t want to put their houses on the market and now people are ready. Specific zip codes and price ranges are in high demand. Most people are moving from the city to the suburbs because they want to work from home, which they got used to, and now people want larger homes.”

A personal letter that shares why you want the house is another key idea that Schendowich believes can help. “It is an old-fashioned way to work, but if you really love the house, you say what you feel, that you love the layout, the kitchen

and put it in writing. An example is: ‘As soon as I entered your house, I could see our family living here. We appreciate the details you put into the interior.’ Share what you observe to the seller and how beautiful their home is. In my experience, the seller does not always pick the highest price. They can see when a new buyer is a perfect fit for the home they’ve loved and they will envision their family traditions continuing. A homeowner has an emotional attachment to their home, so a letter that you share can sometimes make the difference.”

“Today, a house that is pristine sells for around 30% more,” she added, “but right now we have a seller’s market, so it’s not as important to have a move-inready house. In a balanced market, by the end of the year and next year, it’s important that the property is decluttered and super clean. Prepare, plan and sell.”

Knowing when to walk away can be just as important. “If you think you are paying too much money, say goodbye,” she suggests. “Know how far you’ll go and try not to be emotionally attached and stick to your principles.” ì

MEET YOUR HELPERS The Barocas & Feldman Team is here to help. Whether it is finding you the right neighborhood or just answering your questions about the “New Normal” in Real Estate.

“We Make It Easy For You!” 46 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AMY BAROCAS Amy.Barocas@HarryNorman.com • 404-790-0913 Cell

PEGGY FELDMAN Peggy.Feldman@HarryNorman.com • 404-310-0895 Cell

KELSEY BAROCAS

Kelsey.Barocas@HarryNorman.com • 678-852-3169 Cell

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REAL ESTATE

Producer’s Ambitious Vision for Pullman Yard

By Marcia Caller Jaffe The immersive Van Gogh experience put Pullman Yard on the radar. Or maybe vice versa, Pullman Yard put Van Gogh on the map. Either way, it was all part of the master plan initiated by producer-visionary Adam Rosenfelt, head of Atomic Entertainment.

Now a Candler Park resident, Rosenfelt is turning the 27-acre site in Kirkwood into a city within a city. “I want Pullman Yard to be the Red Rocks [Park and Amphitheater near Denver] here in an urban industrial platform with world class art and entertainment,” he said. Recall that Kirkwood was once an 1870s streetcar neighborhood known now for its diverse population and historical architecture, and sprinkled with colorful graffiti.

Rosenfelt grew up in New York City, graduated Cornell University, and headed for Los Angeles at 22. As a producer, he has made movies with the likes of Matt Damon, Kevin Costner, and Ryan Reynolds. He and his wife Maureen Meulen, also a film producer, researched several states from Texas to Florida to land just the right “prized” location.

He noted, “We were inspired by Atlanta as the best possible place because of its history with civil rights and as a train yard. The tax advantages were also terrific, as Governor Deal granted us the right to purchase. When we first opened the site, COVID-19 hit. Pre-COVID, we examined the Pullman site as historical and ideal for movie and TV production, perhaps the best in the world.” Note that Atomic paid $8 million in 2017, beating out four other bidders, the latter all local.

The site was originally farmland when the Pratt Engineering Company purchased it in 1904 to manufacture sul-

furic acid and gasses used in soda drinks.

During World War I, it produced munitions. When the Pullman Passenger Rail Company took over in 1926, it used the space to repair railroad sleeper cars, eventually leaving behind construction shipping containers, welder prototypes, and agricultural tools that today provide multiple options for rotating dining pop-ups, chef’s market, food trucks, restaurants (The Abby Singer, known for its “Juicy Lucy” burger), and a moving alcohol bar on a retrofitted dolly.

Rosenfelt anticipates that residential and office space is on the way, in addition to film production stages. Alliance

Adam Rosenfelt and Maureen Meulen are both producers at work and at their Candler Park home with their two children.

Pullman Yard takes advantage of the oddly shaped buildings, Compassionate and ResponsiVe bricks, and tools left behind by previous occupants.

Family law RepResentation sinCe 1991.

Residential, for example, is planning 355 cess. Rosenfelt

apartment units to enhance the “live work play.” Note that Georgia purchased the property in the 1990s and allowed it to sit vacant for decades.

Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which draws about 3,000 unique visitors in a single day, will expire at year’s end. A monthly Pullman Pops outdoor symphony event has also been a wild suc-

Compassionate and RESPONSIVE Family Law Representation Since 1991.

Pullman Yard has been hosting world-renowned pop symphony events outdoors.

enthused, “I was blown away by our sellout concert — with a 45-piece orchestra and world-class conductor. Because of our unique flexibility, we were able to execute a ‘rain plan’ in an adjacent building as a second venue in 24 hours. It turned out we had clear weather and it wasn’t needed; but we showed we could do it!” Tickets started at $49 and went up to $890 for a group of 10.

Rosenfelt described his own strengths as “identifying talent, vision in selecting property, and execution.” Now, he relates, “I’m an older ‘hands on’ parent at 51, with roots planted here in Atlanta and juggling all the fun parts. Whether you are in intellectual property or just property, both disciplines have applicable skills. You could say, ‘I can find talent and just plain execute!’” ì

Happy Rosh Hashanah Compassionate and RESPONSIVE Family Law Representation Attorneys pictured Since 1991.left to right: Rachel Shockley, Louis Tesser, Sara McCormack, Dennis Collard, Marvin Solomiany, Randall Kessler, Thad Woody, David Sarif, Sean Ditzel, Rob Miller, Lindsey Dodson Offices in Buckhead toweR and Centennial Downtown Atlanta 101 maRietta st., suite 3500 atlanta, GeoRGia 30303 404.688.8810 404.688.8810 www.ksFamilylaw.Com www.ksfamilylaw.com mail@ksfamilylaw.com

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REAL ESTATE

Mortgage Lending During the Pandemic

By Robyn Spizman Gerson While some buyers are putting down all-cash offers, loans are still a vital part of the process. The AJT spoke to professional mortgage lenders to find out what you can do to improve your odds and transform your transaction.

According to Marc Garfinkel, a consultant at Prosperity Home Mortgage, “a real estate agent is your coach, guiding you through the purchasing process of a home, while a mortgage lender is your quarterback, helping you secure your financing.”

“Navigating the mortgage lending market can be challenging,” Garfinkel said. “My goal is to give buyers the confidence to purchase their dream home and sellers the reassurance that buyers will be able to close. Since most pre-approval letters can be easily obtained online, there is more to the process that needs to be considered in order to secure a mortgage. An authentic approval can only come from an underwriter who will review the loan application and subsequent documents to ensure that it meets the investor re-

quirements. In doing this, the agent can position the buyer to make the strongest offer.”

Especially in today’s cutthroat market, buyers need to stand out from the crowd. “There are so many things to con-

sider during due diligence,” says Garfinkel. “A loan officer’s job is to reduce risk. It is still a tremendous opportunity for anyone to secure a mortgage with historically low rates or to refinance, as well. Homeowners or first-time buyers should take

Marc Garfinkel, mortgage consultant at Prosperity Home Mortgage.

advantage because no one knows what the market will bring tomorrow.”

Reece Cohen, of Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, agrees. “The number one thing buyers should be aware of in this

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REAL ESTATE

Reece Cohen of the Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group.

Seth Einstein is senior vice president of a large Atlanta financial Institution.

current market is the need to be approved prior to making an offer on a home. The market is so competitive that a pre-qualification will not be sufficient, as most contracts will have little or no financing contingency days. A borrower needs to work with a lender who will get them approved by underwriting up front before making an offer on a home.”

Time is of the essence, so Cohen suggests being prepared. “I see most homes for sale getting dozens of offers, including many in cash,” he said. “If a buyer wants to have a legitimate shot at winning a bidding war, they need to be able to proceed with short contingency periods to compete with cash offers.”

Seth Einstein is the senior vice president of a large Atlanta financial institution that provides real estate financing to developers and investors focused on non-owner-occupied, income-producing commercial real estate. He said that “from the investment side, clients are looking to obtain debt financing to acquire, develop and construct commercial real estate such as apartments, retail shopping centers, hotels, and office buildings. A big con-

tributor to the success of an investment property is the ability to obtain favorable repayment terms, like the mortgage interest rate and amortization schedule. Investors have been able to borrow at such low rates basically since the great recession, a mechanism used by the Federal Reserve to stimulate growth during periods of economic decline and uncertainty.”

Interest rates had already been rising when COVID-19 hit. As Einstein sees it, “The concern moving forward is inflation due to the trillions of dollars pumped into the system. Inflation typically raises interest rates, and when interest rates are high, it becomes more expensive to borrow money from a bank. And, unlike getting a residential loan, inflation also means high construction cost and labor, all of which could derail an investment project. At the end of the day, mortgage interest rates are a key component to the success of an investment property and are strongly tied to the current economic environment. It will be interesting to watch if or when interest rates do start to rise in the not-so-distant future and the impact it could or will have on our economy.” ì

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CALENDAR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15

SEPTEMBER 15 – SEPTEMBER 30 on Sept. 16th at 8:19 p.m. Visit https:// bit.ly/3AWcsGY for more information.

Kol Nidre Service – 8 p.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid for the Kol Nidre Service. Visit https://bit.ly/3z7aKlp for more information.

Kol Nidre Bet Service – 8:45 p.m. Temple Emanu-El will be streaming High Holy Days Services. Only for the Fully Vaccinated in person. Visit https://bit. ly/3D5v8FV to get the Zoom links.

High Holidays in Marietta/West Cobb – 8 p.m. Congregation Ner Tamid of Marietta/West Cobb invites you to join us for the High Holy Days. Find Times at https://bit.ly/3rIN9EI. Yom Kippur with Chabad Intown – 6 p.m. The High Holiday Season is upon us! Come to Chabad to be reJEWvinated and empowered to greet the new year – for free! Visit https://bit. ly/3sAPX7r for more information.

Kol Nidre Alef Service – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Temple Emanu-El will be streaming High Holiday Services. Only for the Fully Vaccinated in person. Visit https://bit.ly/2XzSSlm to get the zoom links.

Young Jewish Professionals Yom Kippur Services – 7:25 p.m. We are excited to be hosting an exclusive Young Jewish Professional Kol Nidrei and Neilah service, replete with insightful commentary and at a pace in which all can follow no matter your background. For nearly 26 hours we abstain from food and drink, do not wash or anoint our bodies, don’t wear leather footwear, and abstain from marital relations.

We spend the day in prayer, getting as close to Gd as we can. The fast begins on Sept. 15th at 7:25 p.m. and finishes

Yom Kippur with Chabad Intown – 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. The High Holy Days Season is upon us! Come to Chabad to be reJEWvinated and empowered to greet the new year – for free! Visit https://bit. ly/3sAPX7r for more information.

Young Children’s Services – 9:45 to 10:15 a.m. Temple Emanu-El will uniquely offer Young Children’s Services, free and open to the community (Ages 0-8) at Brook Run Amphitheater on the mornings of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur from 9:45a.m. –10:15 a.m. led by Rabbis Rachael and Max Miller. Visit https://bit.ly/2WntNtN to learn more.

Yom Kippur Morning Service – 10 a.m.

Yom Kippur Morning Service with Congregation Dor Tamid. Find information at https://bit.ly/3zi133N.

Sisterhood September Food Drive – All day until Sept. 30. Visit Congregation Beth Shalom and donate to Rebecca’s Tent. Visit https://bit.ly/3jVbu81 to see list of items to donate.

Sisterhood Donation Drive for Rebecca’s Tent (Spiegel Women’s Shelter at Shearith Israel) – All day until Sept.

30. Visit Congregation Beth Shalom and Stock the Jewish Food Pantry.

Visit https://bit.ly/3jVbu81 to see list of items to donate.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16 Yom Kippur Alef Service – 8 to 9:15 a.m.

Only for the Fully Vaccinated in person. Temple Emanu-El will be streaming High Holy Days Services both on Facebook and YouTube. Visit https:// bit.ly/3ymuGjn to get the links.

High Holy Days in Marietta/West Cobb – 10 a.m. Congregation Ner Tamid of Marietta/West Cobb invites you to join us for the High Holy Days. Find times at https://bit.ly/3rIN9EI. High Holidays in Marietta/West Cobb – 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Congregation Ner Tamid of Marietta/West Cobb invites you to join us for the High Holy Days.

Find times at https://bit.ly/3rIN9EI. Yom Kippur Gimel Service – 12:15 p.m.

Only for the Fully Vaccinated in person. Temple Emanu-El will be streaming High Holy Days Services both on Facebook and YouTube. Visit https:// bit.ly/3yeBq2C to get the links.

Yom Kippur Young Family Service -2:30 p.m. Congregation Dor Tamid’s Yom Kippur Young Family Service.

Visit https://bit.ly/3kbJL1O to find information.

ing Shabbat has never been so much fun! Join Rabbi Micah and the Davis Academy for a special sing-along 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. SOJOURN’s Drawing from the Well – 12 to 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome to experience the magic of inclusive community during Drawing from the Well. ⁠Drawing from the Well is SOJOURN’s inclusive weekly meetup for LGBTQ+ Jews and allies. Participants gather in community to discuss and connect around resources from Torah Queeries, Mussar teachings, holidays and happenings in the world. Visit https:// bit.ly/34YpvJS to get the Zoom Link.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 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.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19 Teen Israel Leadership Institute – 12 to 3 p.m. Teens in 10th to 12th grades will gather online from across the Americas and Europe, for the Center for Israel Education’s fall 2021 Teen Israel Leadership Institute, which enhances Israel knowledge by providing presentations that help teens appreciate and belong to Israel’s role in defining Jewish identity. Register at https://bit. ly/3DloVps.

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

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 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.

52 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Cub Club: Li’l Shabbat from the Garden (virtual) – 9:30 to 9:50 a.m. Celebrat-

Fall 2021 Gardening Lecture Series – ABCs of Fall Gardening – 2 to 3:15 p.m.

North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc., is continuing to provide horticultural education to the North Fulton community and beyond through virtual gardening education programming.

This series of classes will be available

through live Zoom webinars and Facebook Live. Each class emphasizes practical gardening activities at the time of year that is best suited for that activity.

Please register in advance at https:// bit.ly/3sJNk3m to ensure your place.

Atlanta Jewish Bowling League – 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. All Adults are Welcome! We meet every Sunday at 6:45 p.m. and bowl three (3) games per night. Visit https://bit.ly/3yYlEZU to get more information.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES Yom Kippur Wednesday, September 15, 2021, light holiday candles at 7:25 p.m.

Thursday, September 16, 2021, holiday ends at 8:19 p.m.

Ha’azinu Friday, September 17, 2021, light candles at 7:22 p.m.

Saturday, September 18, 2021, Shabbat ends at 8:16 p.m.

Sukkot Friday, September 24, 2021, light candles at 7:13 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 mAAc Meets – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join Ahavath Achim Synagogue every Tuesday, as one of our rabbis will begin the class with a one-hour discussion. The second hour of the class will be led by another member of the group. Visit https://bit.ly/2TOx0kp to get link.

Saturday, September 25, 2021, Shabbat ends at 8:06 p.m.

Monday, September 20, 2021, light holiday candles at 7:18 p.m.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021, light holiday candles at 8:12 p.m. from a pre-existing flame.

Wednesday, September 22, 2021, holiday ends at 8:10 p.m.

Shemini Atzeret Monday, September 27, 2021, light holiday candles at 7:08 p.m.

Tuesday, September 28, 2021, light holiday candles at 8:02 p.m. from a pre-existing flame.

Wednesday, September 29, 2021, holiday ends at 8:01 p.m.

in American history. Visit https://bit. ly/3mAHVuv to register.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Conversations on Zionism – 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Jewish National Fund-USA for a series of human interactions, short films, interviews, panel discussions and more – all meant to facilitate a dialogue and expose the beautiful and diverse facets of modern Zionism and its positive impact on many aspects of our lives, no matter where we are in the world. Visit https://bit. ly/3jnnHB5 for more information.

experiences featuring tastings from participating restaurants, wine, beer, and cocktail tastings, and live music.

Visit https://bit.ly/3DlSfMz to get dates and times.

Cub Club: Shabbat Shabloom – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Celebrate Shabbat with other Cub Club families during a morning of music, singing, and stories led by Rabbi Micah. After the program, little ones will have fun exploring during a mini scavenger hunt. Visit https://bit. ly/3gzQbqP to learn more.

Food That Rocks – 7 to 10 p.m. A tasting event celebrating the vibrant and expanding dining scene in Sandy Springs, returns to City Springs this Sept. 23, 24 and 25! New for 2021, Food That Rocks is expanding to three nights and adding a Saturday afternoon session, creating smaller, more intimate

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Play Tamid – 9:30 to 11 a.m. Play Tamid is led by Rabbi Jordan. Enjoy crafts, songs, fun activities, and more. Play Tamid is for kids under 4 years old with their parents/guardians. Visit https:// bit.ly/3BfP8nH for more information.

Fall 2021 Gardening Lecture Series – Landscaping Lessons Learned! – 2 to 3:15 p.m. North Fulton Master Gardeners, Inc., is continuing to provide horticultural education to the North Fulton community and beyond through virtual gardening education programming.

This series of classes will be available through live Zoom webinars and Facebook Live. Each class emphasizes practical gardening activities at the time of year that is best suited for that activity.

Please register in advance at https:// bit.ly/3zkgwjV. Atlanta Jewish Bowling League – 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. All Adults are Welcome! We meet every Sunday at 6:45 p.m. and bowl three (3) games per night. Visit https://bit.ly/3yYlEZU to get more information.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 mAAc Meets – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join Ahavath Achim Synagogue every Tuesday, as one of our rabbis will begin the class with a one-hour discussion. The second hour of the class will be led by another member of the group. Visit https://bit.ly/2TOx0kp to get link.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 #EndJewishHatred – 6 p.m. Join Cheryl Dorchinsky, Elliot Friedland, and Alicia Post on Clubhouse to discuss advocacy, anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, and more. This is a place to learn strategies and more. Visit https://bit.ly/3fmEpyw to get link.

Sukkot Farm Day – 6 to 9 p.m. Middle Schoolers (6-8th grade) join The Temple, Temple Beth Tikvah, Temple Sinai, Temple Kol Emeth, Temple Kehillat Chaim, Congregation Dor Tamid, and Temple Emanuel for a day at Uncle Shucks for a Corn Maze, Hayride, and Bonfire. Visit https://bit.ly/3jXxyz1to register.

Chris Wallace, Author of Countdown bin Laden – Virtual – 8 p.m. MJCCA Book Fest in Your Living Room presents Chris Wallace, “Countdown bin Laden: The Untold Story of the 247Day Hunt to Bring the Mastermind of 9/11 to Justice.” Published on the 20th anniversary of 9/11, “Countdown bin Laden” is a historical thriller filled with intrigue, cinematic action, and fresh reporting about the race to apprehend and bring to justice the mastermind of the most consequential terrorist attack

Tot Shabbat – 11 to 11:30 a.m. Filled with music, laughter, spirituality, and soul.

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. Meet other parents with children of the same age and be a part of a loving and engaged group. Open to the community for tots and their loved ones. Visit https://bit.ly/3jVoVov to RSVP.

Conversations on Zionism – 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Jewish National Fund-USA for a series of human interactions, short films, interviews, panel discussions and more – all meant to facilitate a dialogue and expose the beautiful and diverse facets of modern Zionism and its positive impact on many aspects of our lives, no matter where we are in the world. Visit https://bit. ly/3jnnHB5 for more information.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 53

CALENDAR

SUKKOT 2021

Sukkot & Simchat Torah

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

and how we can balance caution and connection as we re-engage in person.

Visit https://bit.ly/3zZha6M to get the Zoom link.

Men’s Club Steak and Scotch Dinner in the Sukkah – 6:30 p.m. Everyone (men and women) is invited for a festive night in the Sukkah at Congregation Beth Shalom for steak, great scotch, camaraderie, and ruach. RSVP by Sept.

14, for the early bird rate by visiting https://bit.ly/2X6s4c5.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 Celebrate Simchat Torah with Us! – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Join Congregation Etz Chaim for a Family Experience, followed by dinner, a Simchat Torah Celebration and an ice cream sundae bar!

Please RSVP for dinner at https://bit. ly/3sSZh70.

SukkahFest: Etz Chaim’s Fall Music Festival – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s SukkahFest will take place in the Sisterhood Outdoor Sanctuary, Sukkah and Back Parking Lot. Rain or Shine. If it rains, this will take place inside. Visit https://bit.ly/38iw0ZC to learn more.

High Holiday Boot Camp – 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. The High Holy Days are approaching, and we have just what you need to get in spiritual shape! These sessions delve deep inside Jewish tradition and practice to prepare you to make the most of your Jewish holiday experience. RSVP to Intown Jewish Academy by visiting https://bit.ly/3hZ2HAY.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Zman Simchateinu – 6:30 p.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid and the Israel American Council (IAC) for “Zman Simchateinu,” a time of our great joy as we welcome in the holiday of Sukkot! Come together on the CDT patio as we shake the lulav and etrog, listen to some fabulous Israeli music (in English and Hebrew), and have a delicious falafel dinner together, followed by a Kona Ice dessert! Visit https://bit. ly/3ngsM1J for more information.

54 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ly/3BVHNdh by Thursday, Sept. 23. The address will be provided by email on Sept. 23.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Pasta in the Hut – 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. Come and support KUSY by having dinner with your Beth Shalom family in the Sukkah following services. Dinner includes pasta, salad, and a dessert. RSVP at https://bit.ly/3nfqDDh.

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 Scotch & Sangria in the Sukkah – 8:15 to 10 p.m. Join us as young adult members and friends of Congregation Or VeShalom to celebrate Sukkot with Scotch and Sangria in the Sukkah at the home of Rabbi and Carrie Hearshen. RSVPs are requested at https://bit.

Family Farm Day – 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Celebrate Sukkot with The Jewish Fertility Foundation and other community partners, including PJ Library Atlanta, Jewish Kids Group, and Repair the World! The event will take place at the barn at the MJCCA. There will be a petting zoo, outdoor concert, treats and more! Registration is required at https://bit.ly/3zmCTFt. Sisterhood under the Sukkah: Mental Health, the Pandemic, and Re-Entry – 2 to 4 p.m. Join Congregation Beth Shalom’s sisterhood on Zoom or in-person for a discussion of the pandemic’s impact on mental health and how to manage re-entry anxiety. Come hear Andrew Gothard, PsyD. discuss the steps we can take to protect our mental health in these challenging times

Simchat Torah Dinner & Celebration – 6 to 9:30 p.m. Join Congregation Beth Shalom for a complimentary dairy dinner followed by singing and dancing with friends as we celebrate Simchat Torah and the end of the High Holy Days season. Visit https://bit. ly/38R117o to RSVP.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 Simchat Torah Chatan – 9:30 a.m. Join Congregation Etz Chaim on the day of Simchat Torah as we honor Shari and Ron Judenberg, our Kallat Beresheit and Chatan Torah, for their service to Etz Chaim. Kiddush lunch to follow.

Visit https://bit.ly/3yXxvaJ to learn more.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3 Simchat Torah Rewind for Preschool Age Children – 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

There will be signing, snacks, dancing, and crafts at Congregation Beth Shalom. Visit https://bit.ly/3nw6old to learn more. ì

CONNECTOR CHATTER Directory Spotlight www.atlantajewishconnector.com

The Epstein School

In conversation with Lani Ashner, director of strategic marketing and communications.

How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

In 1973, Rabbi Harry H. Epstein and the visionary leaders of congregation Ahavath Achim dreamed of a Conservative Jewish day school that would embrace the core values of Judaism in a nurturing, compassionate, and stimulating environment. In 1987, Epstein moved to a new location in Sandy Springs.

The campus has since expanded and serves over 450 students, from infants through eighth grade, annually.

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

The Epstein School offers integrated, dual-language learning that cultivates lifelong skills, inspires Jewish identity, and nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity, led by specialized STEAM and Hebrew language programs.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

Building on the school’s rich history of innovation and responsiveness, Epstein is poised to seamlessly pivot and meet the evolving demands of education today and in the decade ahead. Celebrating these milestones and those of the school’s accomplished alumni are among the most treasured moments at Epstein.

How does your organization help the community?

Epstein prepares students to become confident, engaged learners, and knowledgeable, committed leaders in their community. Guided by the principles and values of Judaism, Epstein embraces partnerships between family, home, and school while instilling a strong sense of identity and preparedness for higher education.

Chabad of Toco Hills (CTH)

In conversation with Seth Fleishman, president.

How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

Chabad of Toco Hills was founded in the Toco Hills neighborhood of Atlanta in 2017.

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

Our youngest members are our children! As children are the continuation of a thriving Jewish nation, they are cherished and encouraged to partake in everything we do as a community. We do this through a range of programs, including Mommy & Me, Shabbos Kids Programs (ages 3-11), Diamond Daveners (ages 7-13), To Be a Jew (ages 10-14), and Bar/Bat Mitzvah Classes (ages 11-13).

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

Thank G-d, we have been blessed with phenomenal growth these last four years, which we endeavor to continue. We have a beautiful center to give us more space for our vibrant congregation, as we bring the joy of Judaism, especially the positivity of Chassidic thought, to the wider community.

How does your organization help the community?

CTH is a synagogue for all. We don’t have memberships and we don’t sell tickets. What we offer is a warm, caring shul without borders, for all to pray. We offer financial assistance for the major holidays. We organize meal trains for life’s milestones, both good and bad — from a new baby to the loss of a loved one. We create a supportive, inclusive community through holiday services and programs, Shabbos meals, social events, and simply calling to check in. All our efforts are driven by the Chabad philosophy that every single Jew is valuable, cherished by G-d, and can make a difference in this world.

Israeli American Council (IAC) Atlanta In conversation with Shaked Angel, regional director.

How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

The IAC has programing with multiple touchpoints. We serve all ages with a variety of programming from young kids (Keshet, ages 4-7) through Eitanim (Middle School and High School), Gvanim (adult leadership), and outreach programs such as IAC Care, our social responsibility program — and much more.

How does your organization help the community?

We have many programs that help the community be more engaged in Israel and Judaism, but I would like to highlight two programs: our Activism program, which helps train students to be better educated about Israel and fight anti-Semitism by reinforcing Jewish identity and pride. The second program is our Care program, Where do you see your organization in 10 years? in which IAC volunteers and lay leaders help the community both through donaI see the IAC as a major organization for the metro Atlanta area and the Southeast, tions and actions. providing meaningful connection to Israel and Judaism.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 55

COMMUNITY A Clutch of Vintage Purses in Roswell

Go Nodar and daughter Susan Saul, sit beneath one of Go’s paintings.

Display case of 21 vintage purses.

Gold metal mesh bag with accordion opening and removable cap.

By Chana Shapiro Go Nodar grew up in a family that appreciated art and fine crafts, and who were artists themselves. Her father was a furnituremaker, a wood-turner and a sculptor, and her mother was an accomplished artist. It’s natural that Nodar, who at one time taught art, has a fondness for handmade objects. This affinity for well-crafted items led her to build collections that are both beautiful and rare.

Nodar, who wears spectacular earrings and bright green nail polish, lives in a California-style home with light pouring in from all sides, illuminating works by her father, her daughters, and her own paintings. As she enthusiastically takes visitors from room to room, one tours a personal museum that the owner loves to share. There are hand-turned wooden vessels made by Nodar’s father and stained glass, monoprints, and large mixed media wall art made by her daughters. A long wall of cabinets houses a king’s ransom of rare pre-WWII Noritake porcelain.

A visitor stops at a large glass key case displaying 21 vintage purses. Each purse is hand-made, and all are more than 100 years old. The group represents styles and materials used in bespoke purses from the turn of the 20th century, including tiny bags of silver mesh, intricate embroidery, elaborate beadwork, and tooled silver. Nodar demonstrates how cleverly the silk linings were designed, with fitted compartments that once held a woman’s necessities, which might have small spaces for face powder and puff, a mirror, and a dainty handkerchief. The purses are an enticing prelude to the 80 handbags in Nodar’s extensive collection.

Nodar explains how it all began. “Our family spent a lot of time in museums, and 56 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Mesh purse with fitted silk compartments and mirror.

there were loads of art books in the house. Our three daughters had all kinds of art supNodar carried this beauty with plies at home, and beaded fringe for a while we even built a known Atlanta jewelry designer large workroom and goldsmith who now works for them, so there at Aimée Jewelry and Fine Art was plenty of creGallery, joins her mother as they ativity going on. show the delicate purses to their Around 1967, my visitor. “It’s wonderful to see these 10-year-old daughElaborately beaded purse with purses after a long time,” Nodar ter Susan and I unusual design and beaded fobs. says, expressing admiration for were shopping tocomplex beadwork and clever degether for unususigns, “and I love the purses with al, colorful beads. detailed internal compartments.” She takes During our excursions, we noticed antique out a slim “Miser’s Purse” with a hidden slit purses and we both fell in love with them. opening, and a bag with a motif seemingly After that, we began to scour shops and flea made from random beads. “They’ll all belong markets, and we started buying inexpensive to Susan some day and become part of her old purses together. We both became colleccollection,” Nodar asserts. tors, and as the years went by, Susan and I Her daughter adds, “Some of these added to each other’s collections.” purses were made from kits that could be Nodar doesn’t know the current value purchased for a few dollars. The most popuof her trove. “I paid from $6 to $12 for most lar maker of these kits was Whiting and Daof my purses. I assume they are worth much vis, and they’re still in business.” The average more than that, but condition is important cost of a kit, which would include thousands and time is the enemy,” she notes. Except for of tiny glass or silver beads, a silk or suede the purses in the display cabinet, Nodar’s collining, decorative or jeweled clasp and finlection is carefully stored in closed containishing materials, was $3, not a small sum in ers to protect the purses from deterioration. those days. And a great deal of handwork Nodar’s daughter, Susan Saul, a wellwas required to complete the purse. Whiting

This tiny, beaded bag with beaded handle was homemade in design and execution.

and Davis sells vintage-style or authentic vintage bags, but Nodar’s are much older. The special-occasion purses in her collection date from the late 1800s to the early 1900s.

Her vintage purses bring back recollections for Nodar. “My favorite memory is of buying a lovely, petite, silver mesh purse from a very senior lady who told me she carried it to her high school prom, which was probably in the early 1900s. She demonstrated how and for what purpose the clever interior was designed. A second favorite memory is from after the earth-shattering 1994 Northridge earthquake, when I lived in California. My contractor repaired our house, and then he presented me with an antique purse, saying he admired my collection. I was traumatized by the earthquake, and very touched by his thoughtfulness.”

Nodar no longer adds to her collection, but she’s never idle. In addition to game nights with youthful friends, this greatgrandmother bowls with her two siblings and is doing a lot of writing, intended for her family, including an autobiography: “My Life on Planet Earth, So Far.” ì

The Hebrew Order of David presents

2021 Atlanta Kosher BBQ Festival ~ Open to the entire community ~

SUNDAY OCT 17, 2021 11am–3pm

Team & Vendor Registration

OPEN NOW

770-580-3897

pitboss@theatlantakosherbbq.com Teams.AKBF@gmail.com

free admission featuring

Kids' Zone Community Expo

Live Music Silent Auction

BROOK RUN PARK 4770 North Peachtree Road Dunwoody GA 30338 www.TheAtlantaKosherBBQ.com

NOW ACCEPTING DONATIONS FOR OUR SILENT AUCTION. Advertise your business with a gift card or products. Artwork and craft donations also welcome. Pitboss@TheAtlantaKosherBBQ.com ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 57

KEEPING IT KOSHER Traditional “Break-Fast” Fish

JEWISH JOKE

Prep Time: 20 Cook Time: 50 Total Time: 70 minutes Category: Fish Method: Baking Cuisine: Gluten Free Diet: Kosher Description Flavorful, melt-in-your mouth fish covered with rich sauce and aromatic sautéed vegetables. Even the picky eaters in the family couldn’t resist Bubbie & Zaide’s fish. It can make the conclusion of fasting somehow better for all of us.

Ingredients 2 large onions, diced (around 3–4 cups) 3 large stalks celery, thinly sliced (around 2 cups) 3 large carrots, diced (around 2 to 2 1⁄2 cups) 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 1⁄2 lbs. white mushrooms, sliced 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 2 lbs. fish, sole, flounder, whiting or pollack, de-boned and skinless 1⁄2 cup breadcrumbs (can be Gluten Free) 3 Tbsp. margarine nonstick vegetable spray 1 jar (24 to 26 oz.) pasta sauce with mushrooms Instructions: In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onions, celery, carrots and garlic. Sauté until vegetables are soft and the onions are slightly caramelized. Add the mushrooms and sauté until most of the liquid is evaporated and the mushrooms are soft. Set aside.

Spray a large baking sheet with nonstick spray. Place fish in a single layer on the baking sheet. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the fish. Dot the margarine over the fish. Broil on medium heat for 5 minutes until the margarine is melted and the breadcrumbs are slightly browned.

Change the temperature of the oven to 350˚.

Spoon the pasta sauce over the broiled fish. Evenly top with the sautéed vegetables. Bake for 30 minutes. Serve hot.

Source: Sharon Matten (Yetta Saltzberg) – KosherEveryday.com

Army of G-d Max Goldberg was heading out of the synagogue one Yom Kippur when the rabbi – who was standing at the door shaking hands of the congregation as they were leaving – pulled him aside and whispered urgently: “Max, you need to join the Army of G d!”

To which Max replied: “But rabbi, I am already in the Army of God!” “Oh really?” challenged the rabbi… “In that case, why is it that I hardly ever see you here – except maybe on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?”

To which Max whispered back: “Shhh, Rabbi! …I’m in the secret service!”

Source: Chabad Naples Jewish Community Center

YIDDISH WORD OF THE MONTH Greps-Vaser n. seltzer (lit. “burp water”) “All these new hipster seltzers can’t hold a candle to grandpa’s greps-vaser.”

So called because seltzer’s carbonation aids digestion. The word seltzer comes from the name of a German town, Niederselters, and its naturally gassy spring water.

From the German Belchwasser, which has a similar meaning.

58 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

BRAIN FOOD

“Slicin’ and Dicin’”

ACROSS

By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Challenging 1

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1. Saturday slice that might be diced 9. His head was sliced off by Samuel 14. It's not fiction or fantasy 15. New Mexico athletes or animals 16. Distribute 17. Establish, as a scholarship 18. Israel 19. ___ Grossman, Tom Cruise's "Tropic Thunder" character 21. Japanese Beatle backer?

22. Shabbat activity 23. Ills 25. Arab bigwig 26. Hi- follower 27. Techies, stereotypically 28. Water, for one 29. Salad green 30. Some rolls 32. Take short cuts...Or a hint to solving this puzzle 34. Venus de Milo, basically 35. Word on the "Ghostbusters" license plate 36. "...all the inhabitants of Canaan shall ___ away" (Ex. 15:15) 37. Speaker of the previous clue 39. Some gas stations 42. End of many L. Frank Baum titles 43. They defeated of Saruman the White

44. Site of Goliath's last stand 45. That dude 46. Alphabet string 47. Arabian Peninsula capital 48. Notable Gad 50. U.S. Cabinet department 54. Daughter of "The Greatest", with 49- Down 55. "Now hear this!"

56. It should be unsliced for a nazir 57. Jew known for his slicing and some dicing

20. Flavoring extracts 23. Said "Bruchim Habaim!"

24. Crossword's favorite cookie 25. Start of the Spanish year 27. Recent World Series winners 29. Brando's "Apocalypse Now" role 31. Lab doctors?

32. Its capital is Bogota 33. Keep the Sabbath 34. Partner of "teshuva u'tzedakah" 36. Jew known for his slicing, but definitely not dicing 38. Fictional reporter April and actual DOWN reporter Roger 1. Possible instrument for 57-Across 39. Magician who was once entombed and 36-Down in a block of ice for 63 hours 2. Canadian singer Dion 40. Bear fruit 3. Angelic headwear 41. What the instruments of 57-Across 4. In accompaniment and 36-Down must be 5. Cousin of Inc. 44. Shemonah ___ 6. Female name that's an anagram 46. Certain autocrat for Ali 49. See 54-Across 7. End of a ship 51. Fauci's org.

8. Followed, like a dog 52. General associated with 9. Drinks in Jerusalem and Palestine? many orders?

10. Ending with penta or deca 53. Catchall abbr.

11. Breadbaskets, so to speak 12. Mikey Walsh, Chunk Cohen, and Data Wang, to name a few 13. David used Goliath's to do some slicing and dicing

(Another) Interesting Rosh Hashana SOLUTION 1

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 59

OBITUARIES Sonia Balakirsky

Shirley Mirvis Borenstein

Sonia Balakirsky of Sandy Springs, Georgia passed away on Sept. 2. She was born in Brooklyn, New York on May 29, 1931, to Yetta and Samuel Kaplan. Sonia had two siblings, Shirley and Selma. She leaves behind her husband of 62 years, Jack, and sons Jay (Melanie) and Stephen (Tally), five grandchildren, Samantha, Amanda, Talia, Gita, and Avi, and two step-grandchildren, Spencer and Carly. She met Jack while ice skating at the old Madison Square Garden in Manhattan.

When sons Jay and Stephen were young, Sonia enjoyed doing arts and crafts projects, singing songs, and going on single day adventures with them. She was an active member of Congregation Har Shalom and its sisterhood in Potomac, Maryland.

Sonia worked as a policy writer for Royal Globe Insurance in New York, and later for Travelers Insurance in Hartford, Conn. After moving to Maryland, Sonia worked as a secretary and statistical typist for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Rockville. Her last assignment before retiring was working with Dr. C. Everett Koop, Surgeon General, on his program to help people stop smoking.

Sonia was an avid reader of fiction and non-fiction. She enjoyed collecting Royal Doulton ceramic flowers and Waterford Crystal clocks and displayed them prominently in her home. She loved to travel, taking trips throughout the U.S., England, France, Israel, and Canada. Cruises included the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, and the east coast to Canada. Sonia enjoyed dancing and her favorite dance was the rumba.

In closing, Sonia had a wonderful life. She always had a positive attitude, took pride in what she was doing, and had a great sense of humor. She expressed love, loved with all of her heart, and enjoyed joking with her sons when they called and visited.

Shirley Minna Blonstein Mirvis Borenstein died peacefully in her sleep at 101 on Aug. 30. She lived a full life, marked by professional and civic accomplishments and children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Shirley was an eternal optimist who always claimed to have been born under a lucky star and who saw the world through rose-colored glasses. Even the deaths of two husbands, and the fact that she was born in a pandemic and died in a pandemic, could not deter her positive outlook.

Born on Apr. 25, 1920, in Bayonne, New Jersey, Shirley’s family moved to Jacksonville, Fla. and then to Atlanta, where she attended Girls High. She attended the University of Georgia and graduated from Temple University, where she was a pioneer in the emerging field of Medical Technology. In her early career, she did medical research at Columbia University Hospital in New York and at Fort McPherson during World War II. Once her three sons were all in school, she went to work for Dr. Nanette Wenger, doing cardiac research at Grady Hospital. She loved that job for 25 years, and she and Nanette remained best friends for life.

In the 1980s, Emory University had a mandatory retirement age of 65. Shirley would have loved to keep working but couldn’t. Instead, when two of her grandchildren were diagnosed with Type I Diabetes, she launched herself into diabetes research and activities with the Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

JDRF stayed her number one passion until her death. For her birthdays, the only gift she ever requested was a contribution to JDRF. For her 100th birthday, JDRF gave her an award at their annual gala for “over 35 years of exceptional service.” In her 90s, Atlanta Magazine recognized Shirley in their “Women Making a Mark” issue for her tireless work with JDRF. In 1945, Shirley married Stanley Mirvis, originally from Baltimore and New York, before becoming an Atlantan. Together, they raised three sons, Bruce, Kenny, and Joe. She loved her role as a mother, including being a den mother and class mother for her boys’ classes at Morningside Elementary. She also loved being the wife of an Atlanta businessman, as Mirvis and Fox, a textile wholesaler, thrived. She and Stan loved opera, symphony, baseball, travel, and their beloved investment club, a group of best friends who met monthly for over 50 years. Her heart broke when Stan died at the young age of 63 in 1979.

In 1982, Shirley remarried Herman Borenstein, who had emigrated from Germany and lived in Atlanta for most of his adult life. Their lives were filled with classical music, bridge, and of course, the beloved investment club. Before becoming a widower, Herman had three children, Pepi, Linda, and David. From the moment Shirley married Herman, she no longer had three children; she had six. She never used the terms “in-law” or “step.” All of the children and their spouses were her children, and the grandchildren were her grandchildren. She amassed a family of 11 children, 24 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren. She loved every one of them with her full heart.

She also loved her almost 80 years as an active member of The Temple community.

Shirley is survived by Bruce and Whitney Mirvis of Columbus, Ohio, Kenneth Mirvis and Rebecca Rowley of Grand Isle, Vermont, Joseph Mirvis of Florence, Oregon, Pepi and Alan Wolkin of Atlanta, Linda and Kerry Landis of Atlanta, and David and Julie Borenstein of Atlanta.

A funeral service was held at Crestlawn Cemetery on Friday, Sept. 3. In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial contribution in Shirley’s name to the Georgia Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. ì

90, Sandy Springs

101, Atlanta

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.

60 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

OBITUARIES

Harriet Dworetz

Barbara Ann “Bobbie” Leff

Harriet Dworetz, age 96 (Atlanta, Georgia; formerly of Westport, Conn.; Westbury, New York; Pompano Beach, Fla.), beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on Aug. 29, of natural causes, at Huntcliff Summit in Sandy Springs. Valedictorian of Staples High School Class of 1943, Westport, Conn.; graduate of Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School. She was a housewife, community volunteer for NCJW, Hadassah, PTA, Israel Tennis Center, and Northridge Medical Center. She was an avid bridge player until her early 90s, played tennis well into her early 80s, and enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, pinochle and mahjong as well.

She was a warm and loving person who loved unconditionally — her family, friends, those less fortunate, and every child she ever came into contact with.

Harriet is predeceased by husband Philip Dworetz (formerly of Brooklyn, New York; Westbury, New York; Pompano Beach, Fla.); parents Jack & Ethel Breslow and older brother Seymour (Sy) Breslow. She is survived by younger sister Shirley Bernson (San Francisco, Calif.); her 3 children, Marcia D. Gamboa (Roswell, Georgia), Gary Dworetz (Smithtown, New York) and Jeff Dworetz (Johns Creek, Georgia); and her 5 grandchildren: Maestra Tamara Dworetz (Atlanta, Georgia), Trevor Dworetz (Brooklyn, New York), Dr. Alex Dworetz (Atlanta, Georgia), Lindsay D. Keller (Forest Hills, New York) and Rachel Dworetz (Centereach, New York).

Memorial donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association to fight both Alzheimer’s and dementia or to the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society. The funeral service will be held on Friday, Sept. 10, at 10:30 a.m. at Arlington Memorial Park, Sunrise Chapel, 201 Mt. Vernon Hwy, Sandy Springs, Georgia. Attendees are asked to wear masks and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Barbara Ann “Bobbie” Leff lost her battle with cancer on Aug. 27. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, the youngest daughter of Joe and Irene Tabackman. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia, where she was a sister in Sigma Delta Tau sorority. She moved from Athens to Atlanta after college, where she met the love of her life, Michael, the son of Nathan and Jennie Leff. She received her master’s degree in art education from Georgia State University. Never one to sit still, she started her own business, painting murals for friends, which quickly evolved into a full-time designer faux-finisher painting career.

For five decades, her business flourished, and her clients fell in love with her and all she created. Bobbie was the epitome of what it means to live life fully. She was a mother, wife, sister, friend, chef, gardener, and collector of experiences. However, arguably her favorite role was being a devoted grandmother to her four grandchildren. For more than ten years she volunteered weekly in the art rooms and on-set at her grandchildren’s schools and rarely, if ever, missed a sporting event or performance in which one of her grandchildren participated. She was the heart of the family, the one to host dinners, birthday parties, special events and holidays — the “doer” of any and all projects. If there was ever a “need,” she was always the one to fill it.

She was deeply committed to her community, friends and family, whose love for her is endless. Her legacy will be a fifty-one-year marriage of love and friendship, her adoring sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, a home filled with beautiful memories, joy and love, and in her own words, “a lifetime of wonderful adventures.”

She is survived by her devoted husband Michael, children Kevin (Jennifer) and Barry (Amy), grandchildren Jordan, Nina, Alex and Evan, sister Debbie (Joel) and sister-in-law Brenda, and all of her adoring nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Donations may be made in Bobbie’s honor to The Epstein School, where she was a beloved volunteer in the art room for more than ten years. She will live forever in our memories and in our hearts. The Epstein School, 335 Colewood Way, NW, Sandy Springs, GA 30328, 404-250-5636, ronette.throne@epsteinatlanta.org.

96, Atlanta

Ross Justin Feingold 46, Atlanta

Ross Justin Feingold, age 46, of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away on Aug. 28. A graduate of Dunwoody High School and the University of Georgia, Ross was the owner and proprietor of Busdio Labs, Inc. a digital strategy and analytics company. He loved and was active in the music industry in which he worked. Ross is predeceased by his father, Stephen Feingold.

He is survived by his mother, Deborah Feingold, his brother Jason Kay, his sister Beth Morris (and brother-in-law Ty Morris), his brother Adam Feingold, and nieces and nephews, Sarah Morris, Will Morris, Mason Feingold and Vivian Feingold, and his beloved dog, Mink. Memorial donations may be made to www.backline.com or the Morris Scholarship for Criminal Justice Studies at UGA. The funeral was held on Sept.

2 at Arlington Memorial Park Cemetery with Rabbi Heller officiating. Arrangements

by Dressler’s, 770-451-4999.

73, Atlanta

‫זיכרונה‬ ‫לברכה‬ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 61

OBITUARIES

Dale Marvin Schwartz Atlanta Born ~ Atlanta Owned ~ Atlanta Managed

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6649 Roswell Rd, Suite A Sandy Springs, GA 30328 678-967-4700 62 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

79, Sandy Springs

Immigration attorney, champion for the underdog, and dedicated family man Dale Marvin Schwartz, 79, of Sandy Springs, died suddenly and peacefully on Aug. 27.

Born to parents Florence and Sanford Schwartz on Aug. 20, 1942, in Columbus, Georgia, Dale graduated from Winder Barrow High School, entered college at age 17, and ultimately received a bachelor’s and law degree from the University of Georgia. He was married for 56 years to his college sweetheart, Susan Ellis Schwartz, and adored his three daughters, Lori (Allan) Peljovich, Leslye Schwartz, and Laine (Greg) Posel, his nine grandchildren, and his sweet puppy, Ruthie.

Dale was a force to be reckoned with. In his early years, he worked with Alex Cooley to promote rock concerts at Lake Spivey and interned for Senator Richard Russell in Washington, D.C., before being recruited by Governor Carl Sanders to Troutman Sanders, where he became a partner and head of the immigration group.

In 1995 he opened his own specialty immigration law practice, in which he remained active until his death. He was an adjunct professor of law at Emory for many years.

Dale was a tireless advocate for immigrants, refugees, and those without a voice.

He joined John Lewis at the lunch counter sit-ins in Nashville, worked tirelessly to acquire a pardon for Leo Frank, represented the Mariel Cubans in the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, and started the Secret Santa program for children in the Fulton County DFCS system. Dale lent his heart, voice and leadership skills to a plethora of organizations: He served as president of JF&CS Atlanta, National Board Chair of HIAS, Atlanta Board Chair and National Commissioner at the ADL, president of American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), co-founder of the American Immigration Council nonprofit, and founder of the Young Democrats chapter at UGA. Dale’s passing leaves a great hole in the hearts of many. He had friends throughout the world because of his numerous hobbies, including photography, HAM radio, and model train collecting. He will be remembered most for his larger-than-life personality, wit, storytelling, travel adventures, and his not-for-primetime jokes. He was a leader, advocate, mentor, teacher, colleague, friend. But most importantly, he was a son, brother, husband, father, and proud grandfather.

Dale was preceded in death by his father, Sandy. He is survived by his mother, Florence and brother Ronnie (Andree Kosak) Schwartz of Athens, Georgia; his wife, “Suzi,” whom he adored and with whom he traveled the world; three daughters and nine grandchildren, as well as his sisters-in-law Helene Schwartz and Barbara Kalmanson, and a number of nieces and nephews who loved their Uncle Dale. May his memory be for a blessing.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Dale’s name to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society or to the Jewish Family and Career Services of Atlanta, Georgia.

Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. ì

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 15, 2021| 63

CLOSING THOUGHTS Curb Appeal A woman in a paisley jumper and matching snood came up to me at Publix. We were both wearing masks, and I didn’t recognize her voice. I had Chana Shapiro no idea who she was.

“Are you the owner of that Little Free Library?” she asked.

I nodded.

“I have some questions,” she said.

“Did you drop off or pick up books today?” I asked.

“Just the opposite,” she answered. “I don’t understand why you have so many mysteries. A lot of people don’t like mysteries. What about us?”

I had never viewed my Little Free Library as a barometer of my taste. Except for removing books bearing mold or smut, I wanted the marketplace to regulate itself.

Was there a mystery-averse cohort of the reading public feeling shunned when they passed our house?

64 | SEPTEMBER 15, 2021ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

“And there are too many kids’ books,” Paisley added, heading to the cashier. We bumped into each other again in the parking lot, and as she passed, Paisley surprised me. “I guess it’s not your fault,” she shrugged, leniently.

“That’s OK. You didn’t hurt my feelings,” I lied. On my way home, I wondered if my book-sharing laissez-faire attitude really was inequitable. I was saving boxes of treasured classic novels and short story collections in our basement. Would my grandchildren ever read them? I chose a few and brought them outside to diversify my curbside stock.

Last year, when the public libraries were closed, my Little Free Library had a banner year. Books arrived and left non-stop.

A woman once drove up with a carton of books, couldn’t fit everything in, and left dozens of Curious George and Dr. Seuss stories on the curb. By the next morning, they were gone. Another time, three pristine Moosewood cookbooks were donated. Those disappeared before nightfall and didn’t come back. But here’s the truth: mysteries were really popular. Sometimes volumes by favorite mystery writers were recycled until they fell apart.

But it wasn’t only my Little Free Library

at the curb that was on my mind.

Returning home from shopping, I was disappointed to see that the worktable my husband and I had managed to bring down to the street was still there. It had been lying in state for a few weeks, waiting for a new home.

During the pandemic, I had planned to use my unfortunate incarceration for fun projects that involve sawing, hammering, plaster, glue, dye, and paint. I needed a large, sturdy work surface that could take a beating and have no other use than messy projects that leave permanent stains. Real worktables were expensive, and no one I knew had anything that would suit my purpose.

Sadly, in order to spend the COVID months productively, I would be forced to shift gears and spend my time bringing all the books up from the basement, an unwelcome purge I had successfully avoided for years.

One day I was driving through Midtown, when I spotted a big, discarded wood table in front of a store under renovation. I pulled up and paid two workers to hoist it into one of their trucks and drive it to our house. “Who would have imagined that I could find a worktable at the very moment I needed it most?” I felt like singing.

There was no room indoors for the massive piece, so we settled it in the carport.

Squeezing between our outdoor freezer and storage cabinets to work on projects wasn’t nearly as much fun as I had imagined. Additionally, maneuvering around the table to get into our cars or to move the garbage cans was increasingly unpleasant. The worktable had to go, but I wanted to find it a good home.

We spread the word and contacted several handymen and crafty friends, with no takers. We decided to leave it on the street, hoping that someone who needed it would take it. A neighbor wanted to break it up for firewood. Someone else suggested disassembling it and throwing the pieces into a dumpster. Our county periodically collects large items, which end up in a landfill. I hated these options.

This morning I went to the curb to get our mail and check the Little Free Library.

Great news! One of my novels was gone, and so was the worktable! I hope that both items will bring joy to their new owners, and for now, I’m grateful that I’m no longer a person of the table, but that I am still a person of the books. A variety of books. ì

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