No. 19 May 10 The Atlanta Jewish Times

Seven Keys to Israel v.

Syria PAGE 3

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The broyde situation PAGES 8 - 9

MAY 10, 2013 – MAY 16, 2013

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israel

Israeli Pride

GOOD NEWS MADE IN THE JEWISH STATE THIS PAST WEEK ISRAELI HOCKEY TEAM WINS IN TURKEY. The Israeli team gained promotion to IIHF League Division IIA at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships in Turkey. The blueand-whites won four of their five league games to finish atop Division II Group B, ahead of New Zealand, Mexico, China and Turkey.

A WEEK TO FIGHT PNEUMONIA AND ROTAVIRUS. Israel marked “International Week for Encouraging Vaccinations” by announcing that the Prevnar vaccination introduced in 2009 had reduced annual cases of pneumonia by 70 percent. The rotavirus vaccine, added in 2010, has reduced gastrointestinal illness in children by 60 percent.

ISRAELI TECHNOLOGY HELPED CATCH BOSTON BOMBERS. Surveillance cameras alone were not enough to locate the Boston Marathon terrorists, but Israeli hi-tech company BriefCam enabled investigators to summarize an hour of surveillance video footage into only one minute and zoom in on people and objects whose movements changed during the filming.

BUFFET IS GOOD FOR ISRAEL. Seven years after mega-businessman Warren Buffet paid $4 billion for 80 percent of Israeli precision toolmaker Iscar, he has exercised the option to buy the rest for another $2.05 billion. The deal will generate $1 billion of tax revenue to Israel and may remove the need for some planned budget cuts.

GAME-CHANGING CLEAN ENERGY. The Israeli “smart water” network and software management firm Whitewater was named a 2013 Bloomberg New Energy Pioneer at a ceremony in New York. Whitewater was described as one of the “game-changing companies in the field of clean energy technology and innovation.”

SOLAR POWER SENSORS ARE A WINNER. Israeli agro-tech Sol-Chip’s solar-powered sensors monitor the quality of the soil, irrigate automatically and even keep track of cows.

Sol-Chip has just won the Technical Development Award in the 2013 IDTechEx Energy Harvesting & Storage Europe Conference in Berlin.

QATARI PRINCE TO VISIT ISRAEL. Qatar’s Prince Khalifa Al-Thani is to visit Israel this November. This would be the first official visit of a member of the Qatari royal family to Israel, and he has expressed his desire to promote high-tech cooperation between Qatar and Israel.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

BABYLON DEAL TRANSLATES INTO CASH. Israeli translation company Babylon has signed a four-year cooperation agreement with Yahoo Inc. The two companies will share in revenue from internet advertising, which provides Babylon with 94 percent of its revenue.

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This list courtesy Michael Ordman and verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot. com.

AJT

from our readers

Seven Points Following the Israeli Operation in Syria KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM LATEST DEVELOPMENTS The Jewish Journal

I

srael took action to prevent the transport of Iranian weapons to terrorist group Hezbollah in Syria, bombing targets around Damascus on May 3 and 5. For a more complete picture of the situation, consider the following: • There should be no surprise. For 65 years, Israel has claimed that preemption is not an option, but rather a necessity in this region, and the country has claimed and has acted upon it when circumstances have made it feasible.

For a country whose margin of error is relatively small, waiting for a threat to become uncontainable isn’t a good option. A proactive security doctrine is built around the assumption that it is better to have a smaller problem now than a much bigger one later.

Bottom line: Israel will keep operating in Syria and Lebanon to prevent the transfer of weaponry from Iran to Hezbollah – and it will keep operating even if the other side retaliates. • Such air strikes seem grand and impressive, but the much more important part of the operation is having the proper intelligence. Now, could it also be the more impressive part? That’s much harder to assess.

On the one hand, Israel had the intelligence that led to recent attacks, and that’s obviously impressive.

The tricky part with intelligence, though, is that we only get to know what we know and are in the dark on those things we don’t know. In other words: If Israel’s intelligence is good enough to track down every attempt of Iran to transfer arms to Hezbollah – that’s very impressive.

On the other hand, if Israel only tracks down one out of 30 such transfers, it becomes less impressive and more troubling. • This also makes the question of the necessity and justification of

these operations much trickier.

If Israel can only track down and shoot down one out of 30 transfers to Hezbollah, it makes the whole operation almost negligible.

Alas, we – readers, analysts, reporters – don’t know the rate of aborted and accomplished transfers.

In fact, it’s not even clear if the military or intelligence agencies can accurately assess their rate of success in tracking down such transfers.

Hence, it is not very easy to give such assurances (as much as we’d all like to know that this was a necessary and justified operation). • If intelligence agencies don’t know the rate of tracking, the only option is to act on what they do know.

That is, if they have intelligence on a coming transfer, they recommend action.

In other words: for Israeli intelligence agencies and decision makers to decide against action, they’d have to be convinced of one of two things: that the price of operation is higher than the price Israel will pay if it lets the transfer be completed uninterrupted; and if they have a clear indication that the transfer they do know about is only one out of many which they don’t know about and can’t stop.

In such a case, they might decide that the impact of an operation on the larger picture is negligible. • Israel unintentionally embarrassed President Obama by revealing to the world the fact that the Syrians are using chemical weapons. Hence, Obama didn’t quite stick to his “red lineâ€? on this matter.

It is clear at this point that Obama has no intention of acting and that he prefers not to correct one mistake (drawing a red line) by making another one (intervening in Syria, which he believes to be a big mistake). So for Obama, these recent Israeli air strikes have been somewhat of a blessing. Instead of having to take action, repeatedly evading this issue, or dealing with tough questions about it, he can pay his dues by supporting Israeli action.

The strikes, clearly coordinated between Israel and the U.S. (that is, the U.S. is well informed and approves of them), demonstrate to the region that there are no major policy differences between the countries in regards to Syria. • No policy differences means that both the U.S. and Israel would not take a risk to save Syrians from their Syrian countrymen. The butchery is devastating and heartbreaking, but saving Syrian lives is not a core strategic interest of the U.S. or Israel (at least, that’s the way the Obama administration and the Netanyahu government see it).

When it comes to chemical weaponry, the two countries are also in agreement: It is a “red line� only in the sense that the U.S. and Israel are committed to preventing chemical weapons from falling into the wrong hands.

• Last but not least, following the attacks, there’s been a lot of talk about Israel’s so-called message to Iran.

Naturally, every bold Israeli action is a “message to Iran.� But think about it this way: Would Israel let Syria pass missiles to Hezbollah had Iran not been a looming threat?

I don’t think it would. The attack had very specific goals – prevention, Syria, Hezbollah. If it also sends a message to Iran, or to anyone else for that matter, that’s great.

Thinking about “messages,� though, one shouldn’t make the mistake of confusing cause and possible consequence.

Editor’s note: Shmuel Rosner is the Senior Political Editor of The Jewish Journal. He blogs from Israel at jewishjournal.com/rosnersdomain.

Reprinted with permission.

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BY Shmuel Rosner

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AJT

news

The Reality of Feminism

A RESPONSE TO “FEMINISM VS. CHAUVINISM” BY RABBI SHLOMO PINKUS

BY Elizabeth Friedly Assistant Editor

I

would like to respond to Rabbi Shlomo Pinkus’s well-intentioned but misinformed “Feminism vs. Chauvinism” piece [see the May 3 edition of the AJT] with some corrections.

While the piece reflects the author’s personal opinions, they have been published for an audience and therefore should be treated accordingly. There are real consequences to mere “opinions” when voiced loudly enough, especially in the case of misinformation. It’s for this reason that I’ve chosen to provide clarification.

That being said, I hold no ill-will towards the author. In fact, I appreciate his recognition of the need to fight the “glass ceiling” and his assertions of equal worth.

Nevertheless, I think Rabbi Pinkus (as do others) misunderstands what “feminism” and “chauvinism” mean, respectively. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines feminism as “the theory of the political, economic and social equality of the sexes.” Nowhere is “pride” or a sense of superiority over one sex mentioned.

In contrast, chauvinism is defined as “undue partiality or attachment to a group or place to which one belongs or has belonged” – in this case, favoring the male gender over the female.

Feminism and chauvinism are not at all similar, nor is it appropriate to compare them as if they were.

The writer claims both “have also hindered and separated.” Yes, by definition, male chauvinism hinders females in favor males; but feminism, in its purest form, does the exact opposite.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

Next, the author builds on his incorrect definition of feminism by asking:

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“Why is any form of pride in a person’s gender considered a good trait?”

As we’ve just established, feminism isn’t motivated by “pride” but instead the desire for equality. Maybe there is some degree of pride present – in the sense of personal pride, in believing you’re worthy of equal

treatment.

That being said, I personally believe pride in one’s womanhood is a “good trait.” As a segment of society that has been subjected to various forms of oppression throughout history – whether it be the denial of voting rights, discrimination in the workplace or the pervasive threat of sexual assault – pride in our shared history and resilience is not inappropriate or unfounded.

“Feminism is a vital “–ism” and a vital movement, not an “outer layer” to be shed.”

At this stage, it is actually an important tool of empowerment. A sense of pride in the very thing which society has endlessly taught us to be ashamed of (femininity) is integral to counteracting this negativity or disempowerment.

Masculinity is valued over femininity in our society; it’s a well-documented phenomenon. It’s insulting to be called a “girl” – synonymous with weakness and frivolity. But the problem goes much deeper. And yet, many still try to debate the existence of this imbalance by disregarding larger statistics in favor of personal feelings or experiences.

Still, continuing on his line of reasoning, Rabbi Pinkus next asks: “Why take pride in something as empty as a peel?”

This particular wording brings up a separate concern. The term “empty” is used to describe the “peel” of our physical gender. This implies that gender is inconsequential, something often voiced by those for whom their gender has not been used to justify their discrimination or unequal treatment. In reality, gender is

anything but an “empty peel.”

Whether we like it or not, our gender very much affects our daily lives, from legislation targeted at women down to minute personal interactions.

To deny this is both reckless and insensitive.

Yes, ideally we would exist on a purely spiritual plane, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Yes, we are all equal, but society neither views nor treats us as such. Thus the need for feminism.

The author, on the other hand, characterizes it as disposable: “We must shed our outer layers, be they feminist or chauvinist.”

This call to action piques my concern, as the world does not need chauvinism, but it does (in fact, desperately) need feminism. Consider that in Brazil, a woman is assaulted every 15 seconds, and in Pakistan, 14-yearold Malala Yousafzai was shot in the head to stop her from speaking out for women in education.

According to the National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, one in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.

Also consider that women own only 1 percent of the world’s land, that gender-based violence kills 1 in 3 women worldwide, that 2 million girls ages 5 to 15 are forced into the commercial sex market each year, that women make up 70 percent of the world’s poor and that 600 women were raped every day in the U.S. as of 2006.

In the face of these disheartening realities, there is little room for debate. Feminism is a vital “–ism” and a vital movement, not an “outer layer” in need of shedding. However you choose to define it or label it, the fight for women isn’t over.

Rabbi Pinkus makes another poignant mistake in reasoning when he says: “There is no pride in things that we had no choice over.”

First of all, gender can indeed be a choice – but that’s a discussion for another day. It is the troubling line of thinking here that I address.

The writer’s heart might have been in the right place, but that doesn’t make it acceptable. Would the author question why black men and women should have pride in their heritage? Can you imagine a world in which no ethnic group espouses pride in its collective identity?

There is pride; there is undoubtedly something to be proud of in all of this.

We shouldn’t fear an organized movement – or try to write it off as “divisive” – when this great country exists as it does today because of courageous men and women who came together to champion justice and human rights. Efforts towards a more equal world aren’t hindering us, but our misapprehensions are. And the ideology of feminism is not about tearing apart families or wiping men off the planet; just the opposite.

It’s natural to feel strong emotions such as distress, perhaps manifested as mistrust or discomfort, in reaction to the questioning of age-old structures and traditions. It’s strange and sometimes upsetting, but human beings are nothing if not known for our ability to evolve – to embrace unfamiliar ideas with the full brunt of our imaginations.

The feminism movement isn’t going anywhere, and it’s time we accepted the fight for women for what it really is.

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AJT

chana’s corner

Witch Doctor

INEXPLICABLE RESULTS FROM A STRANGE “HEALER”

BY CHANA SHAPIRO AJT Columnist

T

his was the week of our grandchildren’s annual visits to the pediatrician. Their delight at being declared two inches taller and a few teeth lighter was unfortunately offset by the anticipation of booster shots.

When the kids complained about the impending pin-pricks, I reminded them that they are blessed with great doctors and effective treatments. But you and I know that conventional treatment, while usually effective, is occasionally stymied. Sometimes, one must try the unknown.

Or, as my mother would say, “G-d works in strange and mysterious ways.” Let me relate the following unbelievable, but entirely true story.

I grew up in a world where chil-

dren spent more time outdoors than indoors. We cavalierly rode our bikes on gravelly roads, climbed bug-infested trees, dug in mossy mud and scaled splintery fences.

Such behavior had its consequences, as one day, I came home limping. I’d been racing around with my friends when suddenly the bottom of my left foot hurt so much that I fell to the ground in pain.

My mother twisted and turned my foot every which way, which I tolerated. But when she touched the sole of my foot, my yelps convinced her that we needed an expert opinion.

She called my father, who came home from work to assess the situation.

This time, it was he who tried to twist my foot into submission. When

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MAY 10 ▪ 2013

I realized something: Even though his voice was beautiful and rhythmic, I couldn’t understand him.

Dr. Mallory was believed to have seen everything, but he was confounded. He tried but could find nothing wrong with me, so he cheerfully sent us home, assuring my parents that I would be up and about the next day; but instead, the pain intensified.

He had an accent, but it was nothing like that of my grandparents. His skin was smooth and darker than I’d ever seen. We skipped the waiting room – there was none – and went straight to the examining room, small and littered with bottles, pots and pans but none of the paraphernalia of the other doctors I’d visited.

It smelled like flowers, but not sweet ones.

During the following week, my parents took me to other doctors, but none of them could help. I stopped walking – I, a child used to leaping eagerly out of bed in the morning, lay listlessly on the sofa, reading stories about adventurers who climbed mountains and traversed oceans.

On Sunday, when all the relatives congregated at my grandparents’ house, I was the center of attention.

Everyone tried to figure out what was wrong with me. My quiet grandmother, who typically spent the family day preparing and serving food, suddenly surprised us.

Apparently, she’d been working independently on the problem all week and had consulted with my great-uncle Louie, who sold newspapers in the projects. He, in turn, had found out about a strange, miracleworking healer: This mystery person could be found in an old house in a downtown neighborhood that no one in my family was in the habit of visiting.

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his ministrations reached the sole of my foot, I screamed. So he carried me to the car and took me to the doctor.

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But Grandma, trusting Louie, insisted that I be taken there despite my mother’s hand-wringing. My father was determined, and I was desperate to start walking again. Also, I realized that I would see an area of the city my friends would never experience, and thus I begged to go there.

Finally, with no other options, they located the mysterious doctor and arranged to bring me to him. He hailed us as we approached his “office,” probably aware that the unfamiliarity of the area would be problematic.

Inside, he led my father, who carried me up a couple of flights of stairs.

When the doctor spoke directly to me,

The “doctor” didn’t use a stethoscope or take my temperature, and when he asked my father to leave the room, my father – inexplicably – complied. I can assure you, my mother never found out that my father had left me alone with the doctor!

I was instructed to lie down and close my eyes. I’m sure the doctor knew I was peeking, but he didn’t let on. For a while, he walked around me, silently and slowly. Then he suddenly stopped, sat beside me and cupped my left foot in his hands.

It started to itch, then tickle, then nothing. I fell asleep. I slept through the car ride home and slept until the next morning. When I woke up, it was clear that I’d been cured.

Years later, my father and I tried to locate the house where the healing had taken place, but we couldn’t find it.

“What if you hadn’t taken me to that doctor?” I asked.

“But I did take you! I had to!” he replied.

“It’s because of Grandma and great-uncle Louie,” I added. “I wonder why Mom let you do it?”

“Mom always says that G-d is universal and works in strange and mysterious ways,” my father explained.

“What could be more strange and mysterious than what happened?”

Chana Shapiro is an educator, writer, editor and illustrator whose work has appeared in journals, newspapers and magazines.

AJT

new moon meditations

Taking a Step Forward in Sivan REACH OUT TO RECEIVE

BY TERRY SEGAL

AJT CONTRIBUTOR

Hopefully, we have all been trying to attune ourselves to the spirituality that is inherent in each Hebrew month on the calendar. For obvious reasons, Sivan in particular makes a good time to reconnect to Torah and to G-d.

Originally, there was a strong bond in the triangle of Israel, Torah and G-d. Today, however, it’s not uncommon for people who don’t consider themselves religious to connect with G-d only when they want or need something. Often when there is an illness or a loss of some sort, that is when a gateway to hope opens – sometimes it’s a last ditch effort to believe in a Higher Power.

How wonderful if we can already be bonded to G-d and to teachings of the Torah and thus be better prepared for the unfortunate. Many of us have thought that there’s too much to know and too much time lost to begin study now, but I’m always reminding myself – and you – that it’s okay not to know everything.

What’s important is to just jump off from where you are right now. If you’re in need of a jump-start, consider this neat tidbit from the Kabbalistic text of Sefer Yetzirah: Every month offers an association with a Hebrew alphabet letter, a controlling limb of the body, a coordinating Zodiac sign and one of the 12 tribes of Israel.

If anything in that peaks your interest, then use that as a stepping-in point!

And speaking of “stepping in,” the controlling limb during Sivan is the left foot. Remember that in order to walk forward, we need the balance of the right and the left foot to propel us; also, consider that the right side

is represents the spiritual, while the left represents the physical world.

Thus, we need to walk in both.

If we can apply our spiritual and lofty ideals to our daily lives, then we can receive the experience of greater meaning and richness.

“If we can apply our spiritual and lofty ideals to our daily lives, then we can receive the experience of greater meaning and richness.”

Also, if we can perform our mundane chores as if they are elevated acts in service to G-d, imagine how our perceptions might change. For example, the tasks of earning a livelihood, cooking meals, cleaning the house and teaching our children can be viewed as sacred privileges.

friends or just sit by yourself in reflection, consider that it’s not about G-d just continuing to offer us the Torah.

Like walking, it is a synchronized act: We must also reach out to receive it.

Alter your perceptions, release the excuses for why you can’t and take one small step on this “new moon.”

Meditation Focus What can you resolve within yourself to make peace with your internal warring twins? How can you reconnect to yourself in relationship to the Torah and to G-d?

Dr. Terry Segal is a licensed marriage & family therapist, Ph.D. in energy medicine, hypnotherapist and author of “The Enchanted Journey: Finding the Key that Unlocks You.”

Ask anyone out of work if they consider an employed person lucky.

Talk to a homeless person about shelter and meals. Sit with a childless couple that yearns for the honor of becoming parents, and see if the way you view things doesn’t morph into gratitude for what you have. We can build a bridge on this awareness that can take us to deeper and deeper connections to our teachings.

We all have the warring, archetypal Gemini twins of Jacob and Esau inside of us. Sometimes we’re using our legs to run in a direction away from ourselves. At other times, we feel as if our feet are glued to the ground, unable to move; or, it can seem as if each of our legs wants to sprint in opposite directions.

Maybe you are conflicted about time divided between work and family or activity and rest. Perhaps you are torn between what you know to be healthy choices and how you live.

And then there is the deeply abiding peace we experience when we walk ahead on our paths, aligned with G-d.

Traditionally, the night before Shavuot is a night of study. Whether you join a formal group, gather a few

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

T

he Hebrew month of Sivan, best known as the month during which we focus on receiving the Torah, begins on May 10. That date also marks Day 45 of the 49 days of Counting the Omer. The counting continues until the night before Shavuot, when we finally hit the seven-week mark and celebrate G-d’s gift at Mt. Sinai.

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AJT

community

What All the Fuss is About “INTEGRITY” IN THE INTERNET AGE

BY RON FEINBERG WEB EDITOR

B

eing a low-tech guy in a high-tech world, I was a little puzzled when I came across the term “sock puppet” recently in news articles about Michael Broyde.

At first blush, I thought the wellknown Atlanta rabbi and Emory Law School professor had been using a kid’s toy in classroom lectures or on the bimah to make his talks more interesting and entertaining.

It turns out there’s little amusing about the troubles that Rabbi Broyde finds himself in today. It also turns out that sock-puppeting is at the heart of the digital mess he’s stumbled into.

For the last two decades, the rabbi has used a fake identity to publish

letters in a number of scholarly journals and online correspondence, often in defense of positions that he’s authored or publicly endorsed. More troubling, Rabbi Broyde has admitted using a fake name to gain membership in the International Rabbinic Fellowship, an association of liberal Orthodox rabbis that is a rival of the more established Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), a group he’s been associated with for years.

For these and similar issues, the rabbi has been granted “an indefinite leave of absence” from the RCA’s top rabbinical court, the Beth Din of America, and officials at Emory report they are “reviewing the matter” and have launched an inquiry.

Let’s be candid, for most of us in the larger Jewish community – especially those outside of the Ortho-

dox movement – this bit of drama is mostly background noise in a world moving at the speed of light. Ironically, it’s the fast-paced nature of our high-tech world where something like sock-puppeting becomes both possible and problematic.

For those of you, like me, who are woefully uninformed about such high-tech shenanigans, I offer this brief primer: A “sock puppet” is an online identity used for purposes of deception.

The term originally referred to a false identity assumed by a member of an internet community who most often spoke about himself while pretending to be another person, but the term now includes other uses of misleading online identities, such as those created to praise, defend or support a third party or organization.

A significant difference between the use of a pseudonym and the creation of a sock puppet is that the sock puppet poses as an independent third-party unaffiliated with the puppeteer.

If all this sounds officious and somewhat strained, you can blame Wikipedia, my source for all these digital details. Where better, I figured, to find a definition for a techie term than on a web-based encyclopedia?

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

But back to the situation at hand: Rabbi Broyde has apologized in a fashion, but has also downplayed his actions, especially the use of a pseudonym. He noted in one news story that writing under an assumed name has a long history in Jewish discourse.

8

He’s right; truth to tell, pseudonyms and pen names have been used by writers for hundreds of years – if not longer. Meanwhile, sock puppets have been part of the digital world ever since the first cursor blipped onto the screen of a personal computer.

Think about all the various websites that offer reviews – Yelp, Travelocity, Expedia, TripAdvisor – and the thousands of responses from people who offer up five-star ratings for all types of services. It’s a given

that many of these reviews are the work of sock puppets, business owners simply pumping up the value of their companies.

In fact, the problem has become so huge in recent years, that Amazon.com recently pulled thousands of book reviews from its site, knowing that many were written by the reviewed work’s author, their friends or their family. As often as not, the postings were penned under false names – sock puppets – and offered five-star reviews.

Of course, that’s just a few bogus ratings; greater damage comes when someone uses the web to attack their competitors. One infamous example: In 2007, John Mackey, the CEO of Whole Foods – yes, that Whole Foods, the granola-friendly company that wants to both feed and save the world – revved up his use of a sock puppet for fun and profit. Under the name “Rahodeb,” Mackey wrote posts extolling his own company and predicting a dire future for Wild Oat Markets, a rival.

Whole Foods, by the way, was in the process of acquiring the smaller company at the time.

So, given what we know and knowing that more will be revealed in coming weeks, I find myself wondering exactly where Rabbi Broyde is on the digital spectrum of right and wrong. Is what he’s done worse than an author on Amazon using an alias to push his latest book?

Then again, is what he’s done as bad as the toxic notes posted by the CEO of Whole Foods?

I’ve never met Rabbi Broyde. But everything I hear and read about him, both personally and professionally, suggest he’s a brilliant academic with a caring and compassionate soul.

There’s no question he’s stumbled badly. But, even given the sock-puppeting issue, are his recent misdeeds the true and full measure of the man?

Time, I imagine, will tell.

AJT

community

The Facts on Rabbi Michael Broyde THE STORY THUS FAR STAFF REPORT

T

he controversy surrounding Atlanta’s Rabbi Michael Broyde began on April 12, when The Jewish Channel’s Steven I. Weiss published a lengthy exposé detailing the Emory Law professor’s use of false names to deceptive ends.

Weiss reported that the rabbi had posted comments supporting his own opinions and scholarly articles online under various pseudonyms – among them “Rabbi Hershel Goldwasser,” “Kevin Gold,” “David Gold” and “David Weissman” – and also operated under the Goldwasser name to join the International Rabbinic Fellowship (IRF), an organizational rival to the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), with which Broyde had longtime affiliation and served as a dayan (rabbinical court judge) on the Beth Din of America.

Cited as proof for the allegations were IP address cross-checks, which confirmed that while Rabbi Goldwasser was to have lived in Israel, all comments and emails under that name (and several others) were generated from a Comcast account in the Atlanta area and Emory University’s network connection.

Rabbi Broyde at first denied any wrongdoing but confessed within hours of the story breaking. He issued an apology to the IRF and, shortly after that, a public statement admitting to the use of the Goldwasser and other pseudonyms but also explaining that it was both a joint effort – a colleague had also used the name – and well-known to many, including some of those with whom he corresponded as Goldwasser.

After a weekend of speculation, the RCA on April 15 gave Broyde “an indefinite leave of absence,” as RCA President Rabbi Shmuel Goldin called the deceptive actions “extremely disturbing.” Meanwhile, in an interview with Haaretz, Broyde claimed to not “understand the issue” being taken with his writing under various names, but nonetheless apologized once more.

Finally, on April 16, Emory University Law School announced their concern and the beginning of a review process. Since, all fronts have been largely quiet.

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It’s Going to Be “A Tony Evening”!

ENTERTAINMENT BY TV’S KRAKOWSKI STAFF REPORT

“A

Stephanie Blank is chairing the gala, which will feature cocktails, seated dinner, live and silent auctions and exclusive entertainment by actress-singer Jane Krakowski, best known for her role as Jenna Maroney on NBC’s uproarious sitcom “30 Rock.”

As a recognized national leader in theatre for youth and education, the Alliance Education Department nurtures and develops a love for this unique art form for people of all ages. “A Tony Evening” will be held at the Woodruff Arts Center; visit alliancetheatre.org or call (404) 733-4650 for tickets.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

Tony Evening,” an event benefitting the Alliance Theatre’s educational programds for youth and families, will celebrate its five-year anniversary on May 18. This year, the Theatre is pleased to honor Paul Bowers, CEO and President of Georgia Power, for his commitment to early childhood education and Sesame Workshop for their global impact on early childhood education and the arts.

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AJT

community

Kosher Poker Tour Rolls into Atlanta RAISING MONEY FOR JEWISH CAUSES, ONE CHIP AT A TIME

BY DAVID NEISEN For the Atlanta Jewish Times

T

he Kosher Poker Tour (KPT) will make a stop in Atlanta this summer at Congregation Dor Tamid in Johns Creek. The Atlanta regional event, set for July 14, is the second stop on the tour and comes on the heels of a similar event in Houston that raised more than $100,000 for the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston.

The winner of each KPT event – there are more than 25 regional matches – will be eligible to take part in the $100,000 KPT National Championships in Las Vegas (tentative date March 2014), where participants will be playing for the KPT Championship Bracelet, a huge cash prize pool and the opportunity to represent the Jewish community in the World Series of Poker Main Event.

While in Vegas, winners of KPT

Regional Events will enjoy a Poker Fantasy Camp featuring training with some of the biggest stars of the poker world. They’ll also be treated to a special “Play with the Pros” event where participants will have the opportunity to play with poker stars like Phil Hellmuth, Jamie Gold, Eli Elezra, Eric Seidel, Barry Greenstein, Mike Matusow and Card Player Magazine publisher Barry Shulman.

Each individual Tour event features 20 custom poker tables, experienced professional poker dealers and tournament directors. In addition, there will be multiple giant-screen video monitors, custom poker chips and cards.

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GeneƟcs, Treatment, and Research

ChyaƩe Lecture

with Benedict Benigno, MD Wednesday, May 22, 2013 7:30pm |Temple Sinai 5645 Dupree Dr | Sandy Springs | 30327

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

Open to All. No Cost.

RSVP is requested: 404.252.3073 Dr. Benedictt Benigno, B MD, MD, director of gynecologic oncologyy and a research at Northside Hospital Atlanta, a, is i a board cerƟfied gynecologic oncologist and nd the founder and chief execuƟve oĸcer of the Ovarian Cancer InsƟtute.

AŌer the lecture, Dr. Benigno will be adressing your quesƟons and signing his book, “The UlƟmate Guide to Ovarian Cancer: Everything You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Treatment and Research.”

Books will be available for purchase.

Sponsored by the Sam ChyaƩe Memorial Endowment Fund

10

gas-based Aces & Angels, the premier producer of charity and celebrity poker events in the world. Aces & Angels produces the annual Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Super Bowl, as well as events at other highprofile venues.

The KPT’s unique non-gambling structure is approved in all 50 states and Canada. Major stops on the docket include Miami, Washington, D.C., New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Montreal, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Each event will offer local Jewish organizations risk-free fundraising opportunity.

“The Kosher Poker Tour far exceeded our expectations,” said Suzanne Jacobson, senior vice president of development for the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston. “It’s been a real pleasure working with the KPT, and I highly recommend the Kosher Poker Tour for every Jewish community.”

Kosher Poker Tour Executive Vice President Anita Rosenblatt encourages every Jewish organization in Atlanta to participate in this tremendous opportunity to raise funds through the KPT. “Every organization has donors and supporters that are poker players and fans,” Rosenblatt said. “The KPT is an easy way to raise additional funds by simply inviting your donors to participate. It couldn’t be any easier than that.”

The Tour is produced by Las Ve-

“Of all the events that we produce, we are most passionate about the Kosher Poker Tour,” said Michael Eakman, Aces & Angels CEO and executive producer. “It is important to give back to the Jewish community.

The best way that we accomplish that is to help local Jewish organizations raise much-needed funds for their programs.”

The goal of the KPT is to help raise more than $2 million for local Jewish federations, JCCs, day schools, synagogues and other Jewish organizations. In addition, the Tour supports the JNF, B’nai B’rith, Jewish War Veterans and Ramah.

The KPT is the result of two-anda-half-plus years of research and development and is the only tour of its type in the world.

Editor’s note: For information on how your Jewish organization can raise funds through the KPT or for those interested in being a table captain, call (702) 430-9100. Those interested in playing in the event or becoming a sponsor, visit KosherPokerTour.com.

AJT

community

A Crooner and a Crewmate MEET MY BUDDY BRYCE

BY Cliff Mazer

AJT CONTRIBUTOR

But he, the growing boy, beholds the light and whence it flows He sees it in his joy‌ The youth who travels farther from the East Still is nature’s priest.

- William Wordsworth

O

ne of my best friends is an 11-year-old Jewish kid (and former neighbor of mine)
named Bryce.

That’s right: I’m a 59-year-old semi-retired clinical
psychologist with a remodeling addiction, and he’s a skinny kid with a
head full of bushy blond hair and sparkling big brown eyes bursting
with equal parts mischief, innocence and ADHD. I guess that’s
what we have in common, minus the bright eyes and child-like innocence. I am – or was until recently – the slightly crazy but interesting emptynest single
father and next-door neighbor who turned his backyard and basement into a pirate ship,
complete with cannons, poop deck and wheelhouse.

and translate his ricochet thoughts into slowed-down English.

In other words, if ADHD had a 1-to-10 scale, this boychik would have scored a 10, and his fidgety bounceoff-the-walls behavior often matched his pinball wizard mind. Of course, I’m ADHD too, so we were immediately bonded and a perfect match with only a measly half-century age difference standing between us.

I felt that I had somehow stumbled across a child prodigy or, through sheer luck, discovered the Beatles (a group we both share a great love and respect for).

Here’s the thing, though: If you really bothered to listen to what Bryce was saying – took the time to understand and process his wide-ranging observations about life, love, G-d and the universe – they were often startlingly precocious and spiritually deep.

Since that time – less than a year ago – Bryce has been playing piano, composing his own music, and singing in the Atlanta Boys Choir. And on May 3, I had the extreme pleasure of seeing him sing a solo in ABC’s spring program at the Cathedral of St. Philip.

Some of the things he would say in an off-hand, Tom Sawyer-kind-ofway were definitely food for thought, and we would share ideas and mutual insights over juice boxes, soda and an occasional cookie. Sometimes, I would have him go home and swipe us something good out of his mother’s kitchen pantry, as it was a virtual treasure chest full of goodies and after-school treats (easily the best leftovers and cracker collection in the entire neighborhood).

The spring concert, under the direction of Maestro Fletcher Wolfe included a selection of Cantor Charles Davidson’s moving musical piece, “I Never Saw Another Butterfly.� Cantor Davidson set to music some of the beautiful poetry that was written by child survivors of the notorious Theresienstadt concentration camp (of over 150,000 children in the Nazi

We pondered many things together and designed dozens of “inventions� on paper napkins, scraps of newspaper and Bryce Zimmerman blocks of wood. For a performs with the short period of time, Atlanta Boy Choir. he was a little crazy about catapults for some reason, and I Normally, when I did my best to follow am in compulsive building and cre- his Michaelangelo-like lead, unless it ativity mode, I tell people to “heave- sounded downright dangerous. ho and walk the plank,� so to speak.

But all of this is mere character But in Bryce’s case, I always made an development for the dramatic conexception. clusion
and main point. One thing I don’t know what it was about I noticed early on about Bryce was the kid. I could tell that school wasn’t his love
of music, his fearless faleasy for him; making friends (or setto singing voice and a jazz-legendkeeping them) wasn’t a breeze either; like
sense of timing. and he talked so rapidly you needed a And I don’t mean just good or super computer to keep up with him Naturally, Bryce – with his mother’s permission – would wander over to my house with its neverending construction and hammering to ask, “What are you doing Cliff?

And can you make me a sword?�

ahead of his
years type musical aptitude – I mean, like, humanmetronome perfect timing
and toetapping. The kid that couldn’t sit still was a mop-haired pre-pubescent Beethoven!

camp, only 150 survived).

Bryce, my good friend, the cocreator of many catapults and the living embodiment of childhood hope, dreams, innocence and inspiration, stepped forward into the theater lights that night and sing his heart out in perfect pitch. I may be ADHD and sometimes distracted, late or preoccupied, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

In fact, I really think the world and our collective futures as creative and caring human beings fundamentally depends upon special people like Bryce.

Getting to hear Bryce sing Shema Yisrael loud and proud in the beautiful Cathedral of St. Philip? Amazing.

Seeing him dressed as a Pirate in the last act? Priceless.

Cliff Mazer, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist living in Sandy Springs.

He is crazy about pirates and home remodeling.

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MAY 10 â–Ş 2013

Heaven lies above us in our infancy!

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AJT

arts & life

Kosher Movies: Searching for Sugar Man (2012) WHAT MAKES A MAN

BY RABBI HERBERT COHEN AJT CONTRIBUTOR

I

have a friend who is a serious artist and creates beautiful renditions of nature scenes. In fact, he recently had an exhibit at a well-known New York gallery. But with all his talent and success, he often debates within himself whether he should do more to promote his art or whether he should just create and leave the rest to G-d’s intervention.

I thought of him as I watched the inspiring documentary “Searching for Sugar Man,” which chronicles Detroit folksinger Sixto Rodriguez’s disappearance from the public eye to allow fate to determine his destiny.

The story is fascinating and wondrous.

Singing and writing songs in the style of Bob Dylan, Rodriguez and his smooth blend of thoughtful lyrics and catchy melodies won over impresarios – they thought he was the genuine article, someone who would be famous. However, the two albums that he recorded in the 1970s (“Cold Fact” and “Coming from Reality”) each sold only a few copies.

As Rodriguez himself says, the music business is unpredictable, and no one can foretell with accuracy who will succeed and who will not. But a twist of fate was still waiting in the wings.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

Despite not making musical waves in America, the artist’s albums serendipitously reached South

12

Africa, and there, Rodriguez became a musical icon comparable to Elvis Presley. His music became the national anthem of the anti-Apartheid movement, and his lyrics in particular were liberating and inspiring to the Afrikaner protest musicians of the 1980s.

not seek fame; rather, he sought human connection, for fan and artist to symbiotically commune through the language of lyric and song.

Such an attitude hearkens to a message of the Ethics of the Fathers, which tells us that when a man seeks fame and recognition, they will elude him. Rodriguez, by eschewing materialism and living an unadorned life away from the bright lights of celebrity, provides a thoughtful model for us to emulate in this acquisitive age.

Ironically, Rodriguez was totally unaware of this, living the blue-collar life of a construction laborer in Detroit, and he sadly never received any of the royalties for the 500,000 albums he sold across the Atlantic.

Rumors abounded about him in South Africa; some said he committed suicide publicly by lighting himself on fire, and others said he shot himself or died of a drug overdose. No one really knew him. But two of his foreign fans decided to investigate what really happened.

They began looking for clues to his roots in the lyrics of his songs. Eventually, the cities mentioned in his songs led them to find Rodriguez’s origins at Motown Records in Detroit, the birthplace of many successful rock and R&B acts.

The eureka moment arrived when the pair discovered Rodriguez, still alive and living the simple life of a day laborer in Detroit with his daughters.

This revelation led to a concert tour in South Africa in the 1990s, allowing the icon to play to thousands of fans of all ages, many of whom knew

his songs by heart. Reports of his successful shows reached his friends in Detroit, who could not believe that their quiet and unassuming friend was a real rock star with a massive following.

Interestingly, a coda at the end of films informs us that even when Rodriguez made money at his South African performances, he gave it all away to family and friends. For him, it was enough to share his music with his adoring supporters. He did

Our Sages tell us that the truly rich man is the man who is content with what he already has, and “Searching for Sugar Man” reminds us that it is who we are that gives us our identity, not what we possess.

Rabbi Cohen, former principal of Yeshiva Atlanta, now resides in Beit Shemesh, Israel. Visit koshermovies. com for more of his Torah-themed film reviews.

AJT

arts & life

JEWS MAKING NEWS Compiled by Elizabeth Friedly Assistant Editor

Three Questions with: Bram Bessoff LOCAL ROCK STAR

BY Elizabeth Friedly

H

BO has finally wised up and will be giving comedian Sarah Silverman her first ever standup special, coming this fall. Totally uncensored, “Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles” will begin taping later this month in association with Funny or Die. Some might recognize Silverman from her Comedy Central series “The Sarah Silverman Program,” which ran its final season in 2010. She’s been busy in the meantime, though: Back in March, she co-founded the YouTube channel Jash – made up of comedians Michael Cera, Reggie Watts and the duo Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim along with Silverman – as part of the site’s push for original content.

But why stop there? Silverman is also set to be featured in YouTube’s inaugural Comedy Week, starting May 19.

Daughter of Beth Ann and Donald Silverman, Silverman is one of four sisters. Her eldest sister, Rabbi Susan Silverman, lives in Jerusalem, Israel; another, actor Laura Silverman, appeared on “The Sarah Silverman Program” as a fictionalized version of herself.

Directorial Debut for Stewart

F

or roughly three months this summer, “The Daily Show” Senior British Correspondent John Oliver will be taking over for Jon Stewart in the host’s absence. But Stewart isn’t taking just any holiday – he’ll be out of town to direct his first feature film, entitled “Rosewater.”

The New York Times reported that the movie will shoot overseas and tell the story of British journalist Maziar Bahari, who was detained and interrogated in an Iranian prison. Fittingly, Bahari’s captors used an appearance the journalist made on “The Daily Show” as evidence against him.

Stewart will both direct and write the screenplay for “Rosewater,” due for a 2014 release. Born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz, he spent his younger years in New York City with his mother Marian Laskin and father Donald Leibowitz.

The 50-year-old began his stand-up career at The Bitter End in Greenwich Village and chose his stage name “Jon Stewart” in part due to his distant relationship with his father.

F

ormerly of the touring band Soup, drummer-businessman Bram Bessoff was at one point playing more than 150 live shows a year. Although he’s no longer a road-warrior musician, he’s still very much in the scene with his business Indiehitmaker, and he still finds time to play for the occasional Soup reunion.

Atlanta Jewish Times: What is your favorite thing about what you do?

Bram Bessoff: I do it for the moment. To truly love what you do, you want a job or career that keeps providing you life experiences worth talking about when you’re 80. For me, that love is music and, more specifically, live music.

Now that I am no longer a touring musician, I have put that passion into my business [Indiehitmaker], keeping me “all-in” on the live show. We then make sure sales get reported to Soundscan and, when an artist sells enough, they get on the Billboard charts, proving their success to everyone, on their own terms – another favorite part of my job.

AJT: How did you discover the drums?

BB: This is a funny story considering the fact that I grew up in a kosher, Conservative home. In utero, I kicked and banged my whole way through “Jesus Christ Superstar” and have been playing ever since [laughs].

I started on card board boxes, moved up to a toy drum set and, after breaking that, got my first real kit (a CB 700 drum set) when I was in fifth grade.

AJT: If you were going to a desert island and could only bring 5 albums, which would you choose?

BB: This is a hard question. First, I would take Pink Floyd “Animals” with me so I could be certain to listen to David Gilmore’s guitar solo over and over again. For the rock-androller in me, I would need to have some DeLeo brothers on hand, but it wouldn’t be Stone Temple Pilots.

One of my all-time favorite records is by the short-lived super group Army of Anyone; unfortunately, they only came out with one record.

I would definitely need a Jane’s Addiction CD with me, which hands-down would need to be “Ritual de lo Habitual.”

And for those moments when Tom Hanks started talking to a ball, I would have to go for some Mars Volta and truly get lost for a moment with 2003’s “De Loused in the Comatorium.”

That fifth choice is really hard, I might have to decide between “Troubadour,” the third studio album

by Somali-Canadian hip hop artist K’naan, and another A&M/Octone artist that never truly broke, As Fast As, whose debut release “Open Letter to the Damn” has one of my favorite tunes of all time, “This Is Real.”

Hopefully in this day and age, I would be shipwrecked with my iPod and solar battery charger.

Editor’s note: Find Bessoff on Facebook at “bramrocks” or follow him on Twitter (@bram_rocks) to find out when and where he’ll be playing as well as new artists to check out.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

Silverman Gets a Special

Assistant Editor

13

AJT

education

Native Son’s Company Makes Prestigious List NEEDLE SOLUTIONS HONORED AS ONE OF THE “BULLDOG 100”

BY AL SHAMS

AJT CONTRIBUTOR

A

mong this year’s honorees for the “Bulldog 100” – 100 companies recognized by the Alumni Association of the University of Georgia – was Josh Needle, owner and operator of Norcross-based Needle Solutions.

seemed to be where the future was. Thus, he switched majors to management information systems, graduating in 1999 just as the “dot-com bubble” was imploding.

More than 700 nominees submitted applications for this year’s program. Each nominee was ranked in a number of areas, but the focus is on compound annual growth rates.

Other criteria include:

After working several temporary jobs, Needle landed a fulltime position with medical software company Adam.com as an account manager and sales support associate. Then, in 2002, Needle was introduced to Bob Lehman of Imcorp, a large distributor of hardware and services to corporate users of information technology, which he joined, quickly focusing on wireless system design and solutions.

• Being in business for at least five years • Having revenues greater than $100,000 • Being owned or managed by a former UGA student • Being judged on a three-year growth rate A wide assortment of companies are considered for the honor, including businesses dealing with agriculture, aircraft parts, insurance, robotics, healthcare and industrial products. While most companies are based in Georgia, applications were also received from firms in New Jersey, Florida and Utah.

This year’s award ceremony was held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. Pete Correll, a UGA alumni and former chairman of Georgia-Pacific Corp., was the keynote speaker who detailed his thoughts on how the university prepared him for a business career.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

More on Needle Solutions Needle was born in Seattle and, along with his family, moved to Marietta when he was 10. He attended area public schools, including Walton High in East Cobb, and then began studies at UGA in 1995 with the idea of majoring in Journalism.

He quickly realized that the hightech industry – a sector that was 14 growing quickly in the late 1990s –

Four members of the Needle Solutions team – including owner/operator Josh Needle (second from left) – celebrate the company’s recognition.

Over the next six years, Needle designed and oversaw the installation of many complex wireless systems around the country, including:

Later, in 2008, Needle decided to open his own business. In fact, Lehman agreed to refer customers to the new company.

• A vehiclestorage facility, where he helped a new car-warehousing company figure out a way to select a specific car for a specific dealer. The developed system could, for instance, find the exact white Camry to ship to Augusta without lookDeborah Dietzler, executive direcing over a lot tor of UGA’s Division of External with hundreds Affairs, congratulates Josh Needle and hundreds of for his company’s inclusion in the cars.

For the first 18 months, Needle worked from his home. In the early days, being the founder and owner, he had to do virtually everything technical.

Meanwhile, his wife, juggling two young children, handled the company’s books.

Today, the company has permanent facilBulldog 100. ities in Norcross and eight em• A chicken/ ployees and uses sausage plant, the services of a where he installed a wireless data number of subcontractors on a projsystem that tracks, for FDA purpos- ect-by-project basis. The company es, the movements of all products in prides itself on being client-focused the processing plant. The system al- and works with companies in a wide lows the processor to validate when range of industries, including educaspecific lots were handled and under tion, healthcare, hospitality, manuwhat conditions. facturing and distribution.

He’s kept his core philosophies the same throughout, always careful to implement the following strategies: • Coaching. Early in his career, Needle began working with a business coach, and he thinks coaching has played a key role in his success.

• Passion. Needle thinks that a person should not be afraid to make mistakes and should follow what they are passionate about.

• Thanks. After completing a project, Needle sends a box of his mom’s cookies to the client. It’s a sweet way to end a deal.

• Empowerment. As a Sunday school teacher, Needle believes in empowering his students with the tools of technology. For example, his class recently had a Skype session with an Israeli military veteran.

• Staying busy. Needle’s life isn’t just about business. He’s married, has three children and enjoys mountain biking and crew rowing.

Al Shams is a Sandy Springs resident, a former CPA and an investment professional with more than 35 years industry experience.

AJT

education

Davis Turns the Big Two-Oh!

CELEBRATIONS OF ANNIVERSARY IN FULL SWING SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

I

n August 1992, The Alfred & Adele Davis Academy first opened its doors with 20 students – 10 kindergarteners and 10 first-graders. The school had been the dream of many in the community who believed that the time was right for a school of excellence guided by Reform Jewish traditions and values.

Twenty years later, thanks to the dedication of so many generous, committed and talented individuals who grew and shaped the school, Davis has 620 students between its two state-of-the art campuses in Sandy Springs; is recognized both locally and nationally for innovative programs; and has more than 100 faculty and staff who every day are dedicated to guiding each child to reach his or her own potential.

Director of Jewish & Hebrew studies Micah Lapidus and performed by Davis faculty members with Davis receptionist and gospel singer extraordinare Janice Durden.

Then, the 20th Anniversary Bash the following night at The Hangar at Peachtree-DeKalb Airport celebrated Davis Academy’s “journey.”

The fun isn’t over yet, though.

Celebrations still to come include a fantastic first-ever Alumni Reunion on May 30 to celebrate Davis Academy’s more than 600 graduates with an exclusive concert by Grammynominated recording artist Matisyahu and a PTO family carnival for school families on June 2.

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All caregivers are checked using an industry exclusive background screening process.

Needless to say, reaching the 20th anniversary this year has been cause for celebration and thanks for The Davis Academy. Events on April 26 and 27 were part of the culmination of a year-long recognition of all who have supported the school.

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MAY 10 ▪ 2013

First, the entire school – along with families, founders and other community members – came together for a fun and memorable Rock Shabbat that also featured a performance by guest musician Billy Jonas. The service concluded in great spirit with the song “Rise Up!”, written by Davis

Life at Home is the Key to IndependenceSM

PHOTOS/Harold Alan Photographers

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AJT

education

Fun by the Truckload

CBT PRESCHOOL BRINGS IN VEHICLES FOR LEARNING EXPERIENCE SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

C

ongregation B’nai Torah Preschool hosted Truck Day on April 24.

More than a dozen vehicles were brought in for students to explore; the children climbed in, on and around a fire truck, K-9 van, HERO truck, mail truck, Atlanta Gas Light Digger, an Ice Cream Truck and more.

The preschool is located in Sandy Springs and serves children from 12 months through pre-K.

CBT preschoolers stand in front of a Georgia Department of Transportation HERO vehicle.

Opening Eyes with Science CMCH SCIENCE FAIR SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

C

haya Mushka Children’s House’s Science Fair projects resulted in some interesting conclusions. Parents and students enjoyed the atmosphere of learning on May 1.

Among the fascinating findings of the Jewish Montessori elementary-schoolers: Candles burn longer when stored in the freezer; baths use more water than showers; and Duracell Coppertop batteries last longer than Energizer and Kroger-brand batteries.

The kids check out a digger used in construction.

“Candle Burning” science project by student Daniel Bland.

Children pose in front of a fire truck.

“Moldy Challah” science project by student Menachem Gross.

“Capillary Action” science project by CMCH Jewish Montessori Elementary student Sivan Livnat.

When School’s Out, School’s In HOW TO MAKE A SUMMER MATH STUDY PLAN

BY ALLISON BARCHICHAT

For the Atlanta Jewish Times Step 1 is to start early: As soon as school is out, start looking for a list of summer review materials. Some schools even have assigned summer homework.

We would never hand a list of summer reading books to our kids the week before school starts, so we shouldn’t expect them to do all their math work at the beginning of August either. The material will be posted on your school’s website and will vary from school to school.

Step 2 is to go back in time. Summer is the perfect time to catch up on weak skills, so if your child was “getting by” in math class but not excelling, use the next few weeks to practice.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

Maybe those division facts weren’t totally memorized, or the timed-tests weren’t completed fast enough. Make some games out of the problems, have some fun and get to work. Use teacher comments and progress reports to guide your areas of focus.

Step 3 is to tech it up. Resources abound for helping kids with math in places you might not expect. Try YouTube videos to watch teachers explaining complicated problems step-by-step for older kids, or Pinterest for cute math games and crafts for younger ones.

And don’t forget that if your school owns the rights to online study programs like Study Island or USA TestPrep, your child can continue using the websites over the summer. Check with the media specialist or guidance counselor for log-in and password information (before school lets out).

Editor’s note: Allison Barchichat is the mother of three, a certified high school math teacher and owner of East Cobb Tutoring Center.

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AJT

education

Epstein Girls Are MAAC Tennis Yeshiva STAR Student Honored MILLER, RABBI YABLOK RECOGNIZED Team Champions TAKE TOP PRIZE JUST THREE YEARS IN SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

Y

eshiva Atlanta announces that Elan Miller is the school’s 2012 STAR Student. The Student Teacher Achievement Recognition program (STAR) honors Georgia’s outstanding high school seniors and the teachers who have been most instrumental in their academic development.

J

(Front row, L to R) Sarah Peljovich, Sabrina Kaplan, Sari Leven, Arly Yagoda, Sophie Yagoda, Robyn Salzberg, Jade Nowitz, Lilly Blumenthal with (back row) Coach Jason Smith and Athletic Director James Battoglia.

“We all got along very well as a team and encouraged each other to work harder throughout the season; we really wanted to win!” eighth-grader Sari Leven said. “It is so exciting that in my last year at Epstein, we were able to pull off first place in the MAAC Championships!”

Coach Smith is thrilled with how the girls played this year, and is hoping to build the program with a boys team next year.

Epstein Students at the “TIP”-Top 17 RECOGNIZED BY DUKE PROGRAM SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

Duke University’s TIP is the largest program of its kind in the nation, with 6,000 junior high and middle schools participating in its 16-state region.

In addition to being one of YA’s top students, Miller is co-president of the Student Council, has been a valued member of the soccer team for three years and serves as a senior staff writer for the school’s newspaper. He is also a member of the school’s Environmental Club, and, when his daily classes are complete, works as an intern at the CDC. As STAR Student, Miller was asked to name his STAR Teacher, and he selected Rabbi Asher Yablok, who joined the Yeshiva Atlanta team in 2011 as the Dean of Judaic Studies. Rabbi Yablok was Miller’s teacher for Advanced Talmud this past year, and this is the rabbi’s first STAR Teacher award.

“Honey, they’re having fun over there!”

Don’t be shy.

See for yourself.

T

he Epstein School announces that 17 Epstein seventhgraders scored high enough on the ACT to receive State Level recognition and/or be eligible to participate in the Duke Talent Identification Program’s Center for Summer Studies or Academy for Summer Studies. Two students – Gidon Kowalsky and Rachel Greenwald – qualified for Grand Level recognition.

From left to right, Head

To obtain the STAR nomination, high school of School Dr. Paul Oberseniors must have the highest score of their classman, Elan Miller and mates on the three-part SAT taken through the Rabbi Asher Yablok.

November test date of their senior year. They must also be in the top 10 percent (or top 10 students) of their class based on grade point average.

Come on over. Take a look around. Make yourself comfortable. Meet some residents. Join a conversation. Have some lunch (our treat, of course). What you’ll find is that The Renaissance on Peachtree is fun and energized. Or is it energized and fun? Whatever the case may be, it certainly isn’t ordinary. So, don’t be shy, call (404) 237-2323 now to schedule your tour. Next thing you know, you’ll be saying, Epstein students recognized by Duke’s TIP program include (back row, L to R) Lior Granath, Jeffrey Parmet, Josh Izenson, Nick Lalli, Scott Fineberg, Jordan Arbiv, Gidon Kowalsky, (middle row) Adam Sturisky, Mikayla Hertz, Atara Zibitt, Maci Benveniste, Sophia Jaye, (front row) Lily Schneider, Rebecca Greenberg, Liora Dressler, Robyn Salzberg and Rachel Greenwald.

“Honey, we should’ve moved in years ago!”

3755 Peachtree Road NE | Atlanta 404.237.2323 | renaissanceonpeachtree.com RETIRE IN ST YLE. YOUR ST YLE.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

ust three years after its inception, the Epstein School Lady Eagles tennis team has achieved an extraordinary level of performance.

Led by first-year head coach Jason Smith, they took first place and brought home the 2013 Metro Atlanta Athletic Conference Girls Tennis Team Championship title.

SPECIAL FOR THE AJT

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AJT

tell & kvell

BIRTHS

B’NAI MITZVAH

Brooke Alyssa Kosmal

Ilana and Nicholas Bonell

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ill and Lance Kosmal of Sandy Springs announce the birth of their daughter, Brooke Alyssa, on Feb. 10,

2013.

Brooke has an older brother, Blake, and is the granddaughter of Carole and Andy Shovers of Sandy Springs, Elisheva Coff of Sacramento, Calif. and the late Frank Kosmal. She is the greatgranddaughter of Charlotte Adler of Omaha, Neb. and Audrey Abel of Pompano Beach, Fla. Brooke is named for greatgrandmother Charlotte Adler, with whom she shares a birthday, and great-grandfather Arthur Adler.

She was given the Hebrew name Sara Eliana in honor of greatgrandmother Adler and in memory of great-grandfather Fred Abel.

Ezriel Itai Starr

R

abbi Adam Starr and his wife Talya Gorsetman announce the birth of their son, Ezriel Itai, on April 22. The baby weighed 8 pounds, 7 ounces and was 20-and-a-half inches long.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

The brit milah was held April 29 at Young Israel of Toco Hills. Ezriel is named after his mother Talya’s late grandfather and means “G-d is my help.”

Itai is a Hebrew acronym for the verse in Psalms that translates as “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill (Psalms 137:5).”

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M

ichael and Michal Bonell are proud to announce the b’nai mitzvah celebration of their daughter and son, Ilana and Nicholas Bonell, held in Alpharetta on April 20, 2013.

The parents extend their sincere gratitude to friends and family who joined this joyful event and extend their immeasurable love and pride to both Ilana and Nicholas.

Maci Benveniste

T

he bat mitzvah ceremony of Maci Benveniste of Atlanta was held April 20, 2013 at Congregation Or Hadash.

Maci is the daughter of Julie Benveniste and Mark Benveniste and has a sister, Ali, and two brothers, Micah and Eli. She is the granddaughter of Phyllis and Lyonel Joffre and Jackie Benveniste and the late Dr. Morris Benveniste, all of Atlanta; and Marilyn Marks of Orlando, Fla. For her mitzvah project, Maci volunteered her time at the Nicholas house.

She is a seventh-grader at the Epstein School.

Correction

I

n the May 3 issue of the Atlanta Jewish Times, Epstein student Nolan Goldklang’s name was inadvertently misspelled. The AJT apologizes for any confusion.

Atlanta Synagogue Directory

Sponsored by:

CHABAD Chabad Intown

928 Ponce De Leon Avenue Atlanta, GA 30306 www.chabadintown.org 404.898.0434

Congregation Beth Shalom 5303 Winters Chapel Rd. Atlanta, GA 30360 www.bshalom.net 770.399.5300

Guardians of the Torah P.O. Box 767981 Roswell, GA 30076 www.guardiansofthetorah.org 770.286.3477

The Kehilla of Sandy Springs 5075 Roswell Rd. Sandy Springs, GA 30342 www.thekehilla.org 404.913.6131

Temple Beth Tikvah 9955 Coleman Rd. Roswell, GA 30075 www.bethtikvah.com 770.642.0434

Chabad Israel Center 5188 Roswell Rd. Sandy Springs, GA 30324 www.cicatlanta.com 404.252.9508

Congregation B’nai Torah 700 Mount Vernon Hwy. Atlanta, GA 30328 www.bnaitorah.org 404.257.0537

Young Israel of Toco Hills 2074 Lavista Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329 www.yith.org 404.315.1417

Temple Emanu-El 1580 Spalding Dr. Atlanta, GA 30350 www.templeemanuelatlanta.org 770.395.1340

Chabad Jewish Center 4255 Wade Green Rd. Suite 120 Kennesaw, GA 30144 www.jewishwestcobb.com 678.460.7702

Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills Pkwy Marietta, GA 30068 www.etzchaim.net 770.973.0137

Nediv Lev: the Free Synagogue of Atlanta 3791 Mill Creek Ct. Atlanta, GA 30341 My.att.net/p/PWP-NedivLev 770.335.2311 Shalom B’harim 150 Warwick Street Dahlonega, GA 30533 www.shalombharim.org 706.864.0801

Reconstructionist Congregation Bet Haverim 2676 Clairmont Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329 www.congregationbethaverim.org 404.315.6446

Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green St. Roswell, GA 30075 www.kehillatchaim.org 770.641.8630

Orthodox

Reform

Anshi S’Fard Congregation 1324 North Highland Ave. Atlanta, GA 30306 www.anshisfard.com 404.874.4513

Congregation B’nai Israel 1633 Hwy 54 E Jonesboro, GA 30238 www.bnai-israel.net 678.817.7162

Congregation Ariel 5237 Tilly Mill Rd. Dunwoody, GA 30338 www.congariel.org 770.390.9071

Congregation Dor Tamid 11165 Parsons Rd. Johns Creek, GA 30097 www.dortamid.org 770.623.8860

Congregation Beth Jacob 1855 Lavista Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329 www.bethjacobatlanta.org 404.633.0551

Congregation Ner Tamid 176 West Sandtown Rd. Marietta, GA 30064 www.nertamidonline.com 678.264.8575

Congregation Beth Yitzhak 5054 Singleton Rd. Norcross, GA 30093 770.931.4567 Email: anatoliy@bjca.com

Congregation Rodeph Sholom 406 East 1st Street Rome, GA 30161 www.rodephsholomga.org (706) 291-6315

Congregation Ner Hamizrach 1858 Lavista Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329 www.nerhamizrach.org 404.315.9020

Temple Beth David 1885 Mcgee Rd. Snellville, GA 30078 www.gwinnetttemple.com 770.978.3916

Chabad of Gwinnett 3855 Holcomb Bridge Rd. Suite 770 Norcross, GA 30092 www.chabadofgwinnett.org 678.595.0196 Chabad of North Fulton 10180 Jones Bridge Rd. Alpharetta, GA 30022 www.chabadnf.org 770.410.9000 Congregation Beth Tefillah 5065 High Point Rd. Atlanta, GA 30342 www.bethtefillah.org 404.843.2464 Conservative Ahavath Achim Synagogue 600 Peachtree Battle Ave. Atlanta, GA 30327 www.aasynagogue.org 404.355.5222

Congregation Gesher L’Torah 4320 Kimball Bridge Rd. Alpharetta, GA 30022 www.gltorah.org 770.777.4009 Congregation Or Hadash 7460 Trowbridge Rd. Sandy Springs, GA 30328 www.or-hadash.org 404.250.3338 Congregation Shearith Israel 1180 University Dr. Atlanta, GA 30306 www.shearithisrael.com 404.873.1743 Non-denominational Atlanta Chevre Minyan Druid Forest Clubhouse North Crossing Dr. Atlanta, GA 30305 www.atlantachevreminya.org Congregation Kehillat HaShem 315 Cotton Court Johns Creek, GA 30022 rabbiatlanta.com 770.218.8094 Congregation Shema Yisrael 6065 Roswell Rd., #3018 Atlanta, GA 30328 www.shemaweb.org 404.943.1100

Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Rd. Marietta, GA 30062 www.kolemeth.net 770.973.3533 Temple Sinai 5645 Dupree Dr. Sandy Springs, GA 30327 www.templesinatlanta.org 404.252.3073 The Temple 1589 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30309 www.the-temple.org 404.873.1731 SEPHARDIC Congregation Or VeShalom 1681 North Druid Hills Rd. Atlanta, GA 30319 www.orveshalom.org 404.633.1737 Traditional Congregation Shaarei Shamayim 1810 Briarcliff Rd. Atlanta, GA 30329 www.shaareishamayeim.com 404.417.0472

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

Chabad of Cobb 4450 Lower Roswell Rd. Marietta, GA 30068 www.chabadofcobb.com 770.565.4412

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AJT

what’s happening

Sat., May 18

“Famous Jewish Women You’ve Never Heard Of,” with Mt. Scopus Greater Hadassah, partnering with Sisterhood of OVS. welcoming scholar Barbara Rosenblit. Thurs., May 23, 7:30 p.m. Congregation Or VeShalom.

RSVP by May 17 to (404) 636-8582 or suzytib@bellsouth.net

School Girls & Geeks Group Fitness Launch, two-day party for the quarterly LES MILLS programs; dress up in “geeky” costumes or get detention.

Fri., May 10, 8 a.m. Free. MJCCA’s Zaban Park. RSVP to (678) 812-4025 or deanne.jacobson@atlantajcc.org.

OVS Tikkun Leyl Shavuot, all-night learning program focusing on the theme of “The Most Important Mitzva In the Torah: Surprising Suggestions.” Coffee and fish dinner served.

Tues., May 14, 9 p.m. Congregation Or VeShalom. (404) 633-1737.

Sun., May 12

Shavuot For Teens, study with parents and visit the candy buffet or ice cream station. For ages 12 to 17. Tues., May 14, 11 p.m. Chabad of Georgia. (404) 843-2464.

“What Is a Jewish Soul?” Dr. Eugen Schoenfeld discusses the themes of his recent Atlanta Jewish Times article. Sponsored by Shema Yisrael.

Sun., May 19, 11 a.m. Free. JF&CS boardroom. (404) 943-1100.

Shavuot Midnight Munchies, study plus cakes and blintzes; choose from a variety of unique classes. Tues., May 14, 11:30 p.m. Chabad of Georgia. (404) 843-2464.

Etz Aviv Lakeside Picnic, barbeque and good company. Sun., May 19, 12 p.m.

Private residence. 678-521-5999.

Mon., May 13 Mother’s Day Monday, drop in during store hours (7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) to enjoy a cup of coffee, schmooze and shop. Mon., May 13. And Thou Shalt Read/Oy Toys on Grimes Bridge Rd. (770) 993-5432.

Diabetes Seminar, speaker Lisa Graham answers your questions. Mon., May 13, 10 a.m. Free. Zaban Park.

(678) 812-3798 or sandra.bass@atlantajcc.org.

Amazing Legends of the Talmud, Rabbi Friedman will focus on the behindthe-scenes stories of Mt. Sinai. Mon., May 13, 7:30 p.m. Congregation Ariel. (770) 390-9071.

Tues., May 14 Northside Hospital Free Health Screenings, walk-in tests including body composition analysis, cancer risk, sleep quality, blood pressure and more. Tues., May 14, 9 a.m. Free.

MJCCA’s Zaban Park. To reserve a time slot, call (678) 812-4000.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

lily.mahanaa@atlantajcc.org.

Copa de Shabbat, cocktails, hors d’euvres and live music before service; bring friends. Fri., May 10, 6:15 p.m. Free. Congregation Or VeShalom. (404) 633-1737.

Hebrew Story and Art Project, for parents and children ages 3 to 6 in partnership with Sifriyat Pijama B’America; reading “There’s No Such Thing as a Dragon” by Jack Kent.

Sun., May 12, 11:15 a.m. Free. The Epstein School. RSVP to Tben-senior@epsteinatlanta.org.

20

lantajcc.org.

Etz Chaim Tikkun Leil Shavuot, Shavuot services, light dinner and study at home; Rabbis Paul Kerbel, Shalom Lewis and Jewish educator Miriam Rosenbaum will teach. Tues., May 14, 8 p.m. Private residence. RSVP

by May 10 via etzchaim.net/lilmodereg.aspx.

Fri., May 10

CDT Sisterhood Elections & Dinner, annual elections with a twist. Tues., May 14, 6:45 p.m. Dream Dinners in Roswell. RSVP by May 7 to sisterhood@dortamid.com.

Wed., May 15 CBT Sisterhood Dairy Luncheon, observing first day of Shavuot. Wed., May 15, 12:30 p.m. Early Bird Special, $10/adults, $7/ages 4-11; after May 7, $15/adult, $10/ages 4-11.

RSVP for seats via bethtefillah.org or admin@bethtefillah.org.

Shavuot at Chabad of Cobb, including kids’ ice cream parties and study-allnight event. Wed., May 15, various times. Chabad of Cobb. For a full detailed schedule, visit chabadofcobb. com.

Shavuot at Chabad of Georgia, featuring snacks, teen event, study program “The Remarkable Rashi” and more. Wed., May 15, various times.

For a full detailed schedule, visit chabadga.com.

Art in the Park for Adults, ages 55+ canvas painting class, no experience necessary. Sat., May 18, 9:30 a.m. $25/person; advance registration necessary. Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs. (404) 389-9023 or erin.williamson@dignitmemorial. com.

Sun., May 19

Sunday Matinee, viewing of the Academy Award winning short documentary, “One Survivor Remembers.”

Sun., May 19, 1 p.m. Anne Frank in the World exhibit in Sandy Springs.

(770) 226-1558.

Fine Arts Showcase & “Spelling Bee” Performance, young artists’ galleries and poetry readings; followed by the premiere of the spring musical: “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” Sun., May 19, 6 p.m. The Weber School. weberschool.org.

Mon., May 20 Lessons from Our Matriarch Sarah, a special lecture with Rabbi Mordechai Pollock. All proceeds benefit Temima High School. Mon., May 20, 7:30 p.m. $25/suggested donation. Congregation Ariel Social Hall. (770) 390-9071.

Wed., May 22

Shavuot at Chabad Enrichment Center of Gwinnett, featuring an ice cream party and dairy dinner. Wed., May 15, 6 p.m. Chabad Enrichment Center of Gwinnett. (678) 595-0196.

Thurs., May 16 Edgewise Speaker Series: Bob Bahr, celebrated former CBS reporter presents “The Chosen: Hollywood’s Look Back at American Jews.” Thurs., May 16, 10:30 a.m. Free. Zaban Park.

(678) 812-4064 or lily.mahanaa@at-

Ovarian Cancer in the Jewish Community, a Chyatte Lecture with Benedict B. Benigno, M.D. Wed., May 22, 7:30 p.m. Temple Sinai. (404) 683-0990.

Thurs., May 23 Edgewise Speaker Series: Aaron Berger, the director of the Breman Museum speaks on the Museum’s rich history. Thurs., May 23, 10:30 a..m.

Free. Zaban Park. (678) 812-4064 or

Thurs., May 30 Eagle Star Awards Gala, AICCSE honors those who have contributed most to the Southeast-Israel business and economic relationship. Thurs., May 30, 6 p.m. HP Graphic Arts Experience Center. aiccse.org.

Fri., June 1 Dive Into Shabbat, summer series kick-off at the MJCCA pool and splash pad. Bring a picnic or purchase food. Fri., June 1, 5 p.m. Free.

MJCCA’s Zaban Park. brian.glusman@atlantajcc.org.

CBT Graduation Shabbat, honoring 8th graders, high school and college graduates; provide grad’s name and school for recognition. Fri., June 1.

Congregation Beth Tefillah. (404) 843-2464 ext. 104 or chabadga.com.

Sat., June 2 Jewish Genetic Disease Screening, a simple blood test with genetic counseling for 19 preventable genetic diseases. Sat., June 2, 10 a.m. Free.

MJCCA’s Zaban Park. sandra.bass@ atlantajcc.org.

Thurs., June 6 JShark Tank, PortéJ Edition- Atlanta Entrepreneurs Pitch for non-profit ventures to a panel of celebrity “Shark.” Hors d’oeuvers & drinks served. Thurs., June 6, 6:30 p.m. $18/ person. Selig Center. (404) 873-1661.

Sun., June 9 Birnbaum Summer Institute on Teaching the Holocaust, 22nd annual course. Begins Sun., June, 9, 1 p.m.

Apply for education scholarships at institute2013.eventbrite.com.

AJT

may their memories be a blessing

Lottie Margolis Hartnig 92, LONGTIME VALDOSTA RESIDENT Lottie Margolis Hartnig, 92, born June 11, 1920 to Max and Fannie Margolis in Jacksonville, N.C., passed away March 27, 2013 from esophageal cancer.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Sydney, who she met while he was stationed at Camp Lejune in Jacksonville. Lottie was a funloving, spirited individual who had an infectious smile and sharp sense of humor. Growing up, she worked in the family retail business and had a keen eye for fashion. After her husband retired, she went to work for Leon’s Dress Shop in Valdosta, Ga. She took great pride in her family and the families’ traditions, passing them on to her children and grandchildren. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother. She taught her children to be independent thinkers, to volunteer to help others and to stand up for what they believed. Lottie moved to Tallahassee, Fla. in July 2011 and had been living at Allegro Inspired Senior Living. Prior to that, she and Sydney had lived in Valdosta for 38 years. She is survived by her three children, Maxine Small of Loganville, Ga., Lynda Hartnig of Tallahassee and Richard Hartnig (Fern) of John’s Creek, Ga.; two granddaughters, Sarah Hartnig of Coral Gables, Fla. and Alissa Hartnig, Tacoma, Wash.; her sister Bessie Schild of Hollywood, Fla.; her sisters-in-law, Ida Kaplan of New Haven, Conn., and Ellie Margolis of Hollywood, Fla.; and one brother-in-law, Ralph Hartnig of Tamarac, Fla. She is preceded in death by her three brothers, Maurice and Leon Margolis, both of Jacksonville, N.C., and Isaac Margolis of Hollywood, Fla.; and her sonin-law, Thomas Small. Graveside services were held Fri., March 29, 2013 at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta, Ga. with Rabbi Moshe Elbaz officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Temple Israel, 511 Baytree Road, Valdosta, GA 31602; the American Cancer Society; or the Alzheimer’s Project, Inc., 301 East Tharpe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32303. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at mclanecares.com. Arrangements by Carson McLane Funeral Home.

Serving Atlanta ’s Jewish Community with

Sensitivity and Respect Edward Dressler, President

770.451.4999

www.JewishFuneralCare.com David Boring Michael Braswell Allen Guertin Jonathan Miller Licensed Funeral Directors

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

http://atlantajewishtimes.com/subscribe-today/

21

AJT

MATZAH BALL SOUP FOR THE SOUL

It’s a Numbers Game

DIGITS MIGHT BE MORE THAN DETAILS

BY RACHEL LAVICTOIRE AJT Columnist

walls of isolation.

I

t’s 1:06 a.m. on the fifth day of the fifth month of the year, and I’m working in a room with all three light switches on and all four windows cracked open. My backpack and I are occupying two of the four wooden chairs that surround a wooden table, which is covered with three laptops, two empty to-go boxes, four textbooks and one bulk-sized bag of cheddar popcorn.

My two friends and I have been sitting in an 8-by-10 study room on the fourth floor of a 9-year-old dorm building for 3 hours and 30 minutes.

Between the three of us, we have seven exams in the next four days. Nick has 73 more pages to read; his one and only exam is in two days.

And in five days, I’ll load up my Ford’s 14-gallon gas tank and start the 583-mile drive back to Atlanta.

Or, I could tell you this:

Right now, it’s a Saturday night in May, and I’m sitting in a study room with two of my friends. Only, I don’t even know if I can even say I’m with them; the comfort of good company faded to an illusion two hours ago when we jammed headphones in our ears and put up our Apple-stamped

Occasionally, we’ll come back long enough to share an interesting fact with the group – an artist who made a skull out of diamonds, or the optical illusion that made Will Ferrell seem like a really large elf. Mostly we keep our heads down, crunching numbers and scribbling notes, hoping to condense the hundreds of pages of accounting, art history, psychology and other such subjects into a box so small we just might be able to store it in our heads long enough to get through final exams.

Which version sticks with you more?

Both descriptions provide fairly similar details: where I am, who I’m with and what we’re doing. And although it’s safe to say that the approach used in the latter version is probably the more common, I’m not sure that it’s actually the better one.

Why? Because numbers are powerful. They allow for that striking difference between a “really tall” kid in your class and a 6-foot, 7-inch college freshman; or for the specificity that turns a “rare” disease into one that you have a 1 percent chance of getting.

Numbers are powerful in their ob-

Shabbat Candle Lighting Times shabbat blessings Blessing for the Candles Baruch Arah A-do-nai,El-o-hei-nu Melech Haolam Asher Kid-shanu b’mitzvotav V’zivanu l’hadlik ner shel Shabbat Blessed are You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of time and space.

You hallow us with Your mitzvot and command us to kindle the lights of Shabbat.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

Blessing for the Wine Baruch Atah A-do-nai, El-o-hei-nu Meelech Haolam, Borei p’ri hagafen

22

Praise to You, Eternal our God, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

Blessing for the Bread (Challah) Baruch Atah A-do-nai, El-o-hei-nu Melech haolam, Hamotzi Lechem min haaretz.

Our Praise to You Eternal our God, Sovereign of the universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.

Friday, May 10, 2013 Light Candles at: 8:10 pm Shabbat, May 11, 2013 Shabbat Ends: 9:09 pm Friday, May 17, 2013 Light Candles at: 8:15 pm Shabbat, May 18, 2013 Shabbat Ends: 9:15 pm Friday, May 24, 2013 Light Candles at: 8:20 pm Shabbat, May 25, 2013 Shabbat Ends: 9:21 pm

jectivity and relatability – they have no bias and no language barrier. We all speak in numbers.

And maybe that’s why this week, in Bamidbar (the 34th parsha), G-d called for a census. He spoke to Moses, saying: “Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, by families following their fathers’ houses; a head count of every male according to the number of their names. From twenty years old and upwards…you shall count them by their legions you and Aaron (Numbers 1:2-3).”

Moses and Aaron did as they were told and reported back with counts of each tribe: tribe of Reuben, 46,500; tribe of Simeon, 59,300; tribe of Gad, 45,650; tribe of Judah, 74,600: tribe of Issachar, 54,400; tribe of Zebulun, 57,400: tribe of Ephraim, 40,500; tribe of Manasseh, 32,200: tribe of Benjamin, 35,400: tribe of Dan, 62,700; tribe of Asher, 41,500; and the tribe of Naphtali, 53,400.

Note that the Levites are missing from this count because G-d gave specific instructions regarding their tribe, details that might be the focus of a posting down the road. But back to the parsha…

Only after all this number crunching did Moses and Aaron give the total: 603,550 children of Israel, 20 years and older. G-d then asked for the division of the Israelites into four legions: “The children of Israel shall encamp each man by his…some distance from the Tent of Meeting they shall encamp (Numbers 2:2).”

So, Moses and Aaron went and returned once more with new numbers: in the legions of Judah’s camp were 186,400; in the legions of Reuben’s camp were 151,450; in the legions of Ephraim’s camp were 108,100; and in the legions of Dan’s camp were 157,600. And again, it’s said, the total number of the legions of the camps was 603,550.

And this brings about another power of numbers: the property of conservation – regardless of how a number is divided, its value is con-

stant.

The same holds true for the Israelites. After being divided into tribes and brought back together, there were 603,550 children of Israel. After being divided into legions and then brought back together, there they were again, 603,550 children of Israel.

It’s not relative – no one man becomes more or less valuable because of his surroundings. Rather, we are all equal, all counted as one person.

It may be difficult to hear, that regardless of what we accomplish or aspire to accomplish, we’re still each just one person among hundreds of thousands of others. But it’s also an invaluable concept.

Be kind and respectful to others, don’t be afraid to fail, balance work and play; these ideas to live by are all enhanced by the idea that we are only one person.

It’s easy, especially in a whirlwind of stress and craze, to become focused on your own microcosm, full of the subjective experiences that you and your family and friends share every day.

Taking one step back, though, spending “sooo much time” studying “everything” in order to pass the “really important test” is actually just a small fraction of your 24-hour day spent reading a few chapters of a subject, so that you – one of 300 other students in your class – can pass a single 50-question test.

Thus, perhaps numbers give us the perspective, the frame of reference, we need.

Rachel LaVictoire (rlavictoire@wustl. edu) is a graduate of the Davis Academy and Westminster High School, recipient of the prestigious Nemerov Writing and Thomas H. Elliott Merit scholarships at Washington University of St. Louis and an active member of Temple Emanu-El and the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta.

She was recently named to the board of St. Louis Hillel.

JEWISH PUZZLER

by David Benkof

ing convictions 61. ___ Tzur (Chanukah song) 62. His funeral was the largest in the history of the British Mandate 66. JCC alternative 67. Do-well leader 68. One who sees Ethiopia as the promised land 69. “Exodus” author Uris 70. Movie rentals 71. “I thought ___ never leave!”

42. Become bored 45. Talked like a Texan 48. In Isr., the second day of the week 49. Shady nooks 53. “___ Vegas” (James Caan series) 54. Form of nitrite 55. Decidedly uncool

56. Bananas, nuts, or crackers 58. Two tablets, maybe 59. Reform teen org.

60. “It’s only ___ “ 63. Accelerate, with “up” 64. World ___ (organization whose motto is “Educating for Life”) 65. “Hooray!”

Last week’s answers

Down 1. Magician’s start 2. Broadway singer Shoshana 3. Dear ___ 4. Carl’s partner in Watergate journalism 5. A ___ (Jewish fraternity) 6. Adopt 7. Baltimore nine 8. Coll. also known as “Cal” 9. Morning prayer 10. First Jewish Miss America 11. Rascally tots 12. Shylock’s specialty 13. “Major” constellation 18. Davis and Capp 23. ___ Gedi 24. She played Aunt Freida on “The Nanny” 25. Abominable one 27. Prayer with 19 blessings on weekdays

Chess Puzzle of the Week

by Jon Hochberg

Challenge: Black to move: Checkmate in 2 moves

Last puzzle’s solution.

White, Bishop to f6#

Jon Hochberg is a chess instructor who has been teaching in the Atlanta area for the last 6 years. Currently, Jon runs after school chess programs at several Atlanta schools. He always welcomes new students, and enjoys working with children who have no prior chess knowledge.

Jon can be reached at Jonhochberg@gmail.com to schedule private lessons.

MAY 10 ▪ 2013

Across 1. Like ___ in the woods 6. “___ and our good fortune...”

(Lyric from “Fiddler”’s “L’Chaim”) 10. 1882 olim of note 14. Herbie “Mann” Solomon’s musical genre 15. St. Louis landmark 16. Leviticus Torah portion 17. Poor shepard who became one of Judaism’s greatest scholars 19. There are several at the Dead Sea 20. “___ Dream Will Do” (“Joseph” song) 21. Atlanta lynching victim Frank 22. Big name in business planes 24. Disinfectant brand 26. “Til ___” (“The Producers” song) 27. Pool problem 30. Entebbe hero Yoni 35. Is deserving of 37. Moses Montefiore, e.g.

38. Author Amos (“The Pity of it All”) 39. Folly 41. ___ oxide (laughing gas) 43. 503 in old Rome 44. Like a kabbalah string 46. Rosh Hashanah month, always 47. Ben Stiller’s mother 50. Prepare a shankbone 51. Colorful carp 52. Former Senator Specter 54. Bloom and Sherman 57. Org. for heavyweights 58. Barry Scheck’s tool in overturn-

28. Trotsky rival 29. Wheat, e.g.

31. ___ Pan Alley 32. Hello to Hawaii’s new Senator Brian Schatz 33. A doctor keeps them 34. Not gelled 36. Actress Barbra (“The Guilt Trip”) 40. Knesset vote

23

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