Atlanta Jewish TImes, No. 21, June 5, 2015

CRISIS PLAN

Women in need or being abused can find social and financial services within the community. Page 4

CONNECTED

GROWN-UP

Over 200 people help Conexx celebrate the highlights of the year in U.S.-Israel business deals. Page 8

Dor Tamid member Bob May is a bar mitzvah with a difference — 75 years of extra experience. Page 24

Atlanta VOL. XC NO. 21

JUNE 5, 2015 | 18 SIVAN, 5775

WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM

Kollel Hands Out First Marcus Prize

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

T

Fond Farewell

Photo by Eric Bern

Ambassador Opher Aviran, the Israeli consul general to the Southeast, and his wife, Talyah, are going home to Israel in August.

The Atlanta Jewish Times and some of our community leaders this week thank them for their five years here and wish them continued success. Page 16

WAR OF WORDS

Nelson DeMille’s latest thriller focuses on a resurgent Russia, but the author and Vietnam vet has plenty to say about reallife threats. Page 22

THE GRADUATES

Eighth-graders from Atlanta Jewish Academy, Epstein School and Davis Academy celebrate commencement with high school ahead.

Pages 25-27

INSIDE

Candle Lighting

2 Sports/Arts

21

Local News

3 Simchas 23

Business

8 Education 25

Opinion

10 Obituaries

28

Youth

15 Crossword

30

Israel

16 Marketplace

31

he Atlanta Scholars Kollel did more than present its Tribute to Jewish Learning Award to Bernie Marcus at the annual ASK celebration Sunday night, May 31. The kollel also created an award in Marcus’ honor.

The annual Bernie Marcus Scholar Award will go to a student devoted to increasing Torah knowledge, love of Israel and compassion for others.

The first winner is Abbey Meller of Norcross, a new University of Georgia graduate and product of the kollel’s Maimonides Jewish Leaders Fellowship, through which she said Rabbi Shlomo and Batsheva Gelbtuch have shaped her.

She heads to Israel in August for at least a one-year internship.

Meller said her paternal grandmother, a Bergen-Belsen survivor, was bound for Palestine in 1945 but married and came to America instead. Her parents met on a plane to Israel in 1984.

“You have given me the chance to complete the circle and potentially make aliyah,” Meller told the crowd of 650 kollel supporters at the Georgia Aquarium.

Her award fit the mood of the night.

“You have done more in our community than anybody else has ever done for the Jewish community of Atlanta and the Jewish community of the world,” Lynda Walker told Marcus and his wife, Billi.

“I thank G-d every day that He gave me the ability to do the things that Billi and I do together,” Marcus said. ■ Marcus fears for Jews, Page 6

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CALENDAR ONGOING

Hollywood in the camps. “Filming the Camps — John Ford, Samuel Fuller, George Stevens: From Hollywood to Nuremberg” runs through Nov. 20 at the Atlanta History Center, 130 W. Paces Ferry Road, Buckhead. Admission to the museum is $16.50 for adults, $13 for students and seniors, $11 for children 4 to 12, and free for members and younger children; www.atlantahistorycenter.com or 404-814-4000.

History of Jewish Atlanta. The Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown, presents “Eighteen Artifacts,” an exploration of Atlanta’s Jewish history, through Dec. 31. Admission to the museum is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and educators, $4 for children 3 to 6, and free for members and younger children; thebreman.org or 678-222-3700.

Mixed media. Chastain Arts Center and Gallery drawing instructor Ben Smith exhibits 14 works in mixed media with pencil, ink, watercolors, acrylic and spray paint at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs.

Free; www.templesinaiatlanta.org.

THURSDAY, JUNE 4

Author talk. Nelson DeMille discusses

his latest thriller, “Radiant Angel,” with Dana Barrett at 7:30 p.m. at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Tickets to the Page From the Book Festival event are $8 for center members and $13 for others; www.atlantajcc.org/ bookfestival or 678-812-4002.

SUNDAY, JUNE 7

Kitchen tour. Mount Scopus Hadassah holds the Taste of Toco Hills tour of eight kitchens at 10 a.m. at the home of Barbara and Mark Fisher, 1229 Arborvista Drive. Tickets are $20 in advance (mails checks payable to Hadassah to Melanie Doctor, 3825 LaVista Road, J-1, Tucker, GA 30084) or $25 at the door; bladinfisher@gmail.com.

Empowering students. Perry Brickman, who exposed the anti-Semitic history of the Emory Dental School, will speak about that effort and rising campus anti-Semitism at 10 a.m. at Atlanta Jewish Academy, 5200 Northland Drive, Sandy Springs. Free; www. atlantajewishacademy.org.

Mystical journey. Over brunch, “G-d of Our Understanding” author Rabbi Shais Taub presents a six-step program for self-discovery at 10 a.m. at Chabad’s Intown Jewish Academy, 928

We’re celebrating Simchas June 26.

You can too.

Advertising deadline is June 18.

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

TO ADVERTISE CALL THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

AJT 2

404-883-2130 WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Parshah Behalotecha Friday, June 5, light candles at 8:27 p.m.

Saturday, June 6, Shabbat ends at 9:29 p.m.

Parshah Shelach Friday, June 12, light candles at 8:31 p.m.

Saturday, June 13, Shabbat ends at 9:33 p.m.

Ponce de Leon Ave., Atlanta. Admission is $10 in advance or $15 at the door; www.chabadintown.org.

Color war. The Sixth Point holds a young-adult BYOB fun day with a decades theme (yellow for the ’70s, blue for the ’80s, red for the ’90s) at 2 p.m. at Brook Run Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road, Dunwoody. Free; thesixthpoint. org/event/color-war.

MONDAY, JUNE 8

Postelection discussion. New Israel Fund holds a discussion among NIF Vice President for Strategy Libby Lenkinski, Shai Robkin and Steve Berman on “Israel’s Elections Postscript: Where Do Progressive American Jews Go From Here?” at 7:30 p.m. at Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta. Free; register at bit.ly/1BzcI9w. Information from atlanta@nif.org or 212-613-4426.

Spiritual discovery. “G-d of Our Understanding” author Rabbi Shais Taub presents six steps to transform the way you look at yourself and the world at 7:30 p.m. at Chabad of North Fulton, 10180 Jones Bridge Road, Alpharetta.

Free; www.chabadnf.org or 770-4109000.

TUESDAY, JUNE 9

Annual meeting. The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta holds its annual meeting and elects its board for 2015-16 (see the slate at www. jewishatlanta.org/board-of-trusteesfy16) at 5:30 p.m. at the Selig Center, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Free; RSVP at www.jewishatlanta.org.

Business networking. The Sinai Business Alliance holds after-work networking for all from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Hearth Pizza Tavern, 5992 Roswell Road, Sandy Springs. Admission is $15 in advance or $20 at the door; templesinaiatlanta.org or 404-252-3073.

Classical music and mental illness.

Psychiatrist Richard Kogan, a Julliardtrained concert pianist, performs music by German composer Robert Schumann and discusses how mental illness affects the creative process of composers at 7 p.m. at Skyland Trail, 1903 North Druid Hills Road,

Brookhaven. Free but registration required; www.skylandtrail.org/DCFLecture2015.

THURSDAY, JUNE 11

Aging with spirituality. Social worker Nancy Kriseman, author of “The Mindful Caregiver,” presents a workshop on “Understanding the Importance of Spirituality and Religion in the Lives of Elders” at 6 p.m. at Arbor Terrace of East Cobb, 886 Johnson Ferry Road.

Free; 770-977-4420.

SUNDAY, JUNE 14

Recipe demo. Real estate agent Joan Kaplan demonstrates recipes from her charitable cookbook, “Heartfelt Fare,” from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Vista Yoga, 2836 LaVista Road, Decatur. Donations, benefiting several local nonprofits, are rewarded with copies of the cookbook; thekaplanfamilyfoundation.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 7

Class on faith and fame. Bob Bahr teaches a six-week class, “The American Idol — Faith and Fame in the Twentieth Century,” focusing on showbusiness icons Charlie Chaplin, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand and Oprah Winfrey. Temple Sinai, Holy Innocents’ Episcopal Church, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Emory University, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and Interfaith Community Initiatives/ World Pilgrims are sponsoring the class. Sessions July 7, 14 and 21 meet at Holy Innocents’, 805 Mount Vernon Highway, Sandy Springs; sessions July 28, Aug. 4 and Aug. 11 meet at Temple Sinai, 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs. Registration is $49; www.olli. emory.edu.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 8

Spy games. Daniel Silva, author of the Gabriel Allon series of spy novels, speaks about the latest entry, “The English Spy,” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Tickets are $24 for center members and $29 for nonmembers, including a signed first edition of the book; www.atlantajcc. org or 678-812-3981.

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

LOCAL NEWS

Pareve Frozen Fruit Treats Arrive in Atlanta

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

C

hloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Pops, a pareve frozen treat from New York, are coming to the Atlanta market.

The all-natural, low-calorie snack is available at select Kroger locations in metro Atlanta as part of a nationwide launch at more than 2,000 supermarkets.

“We came to Atlanta for the beautiful weather and the people who are conscious about what’s in their food,” said Chloe Epstein, co-founder and president of Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit Co. Epstein started Chloe’s Soft Serve Fruit (www.chloesfruit.com) with partner Michael Sloan in 2010. The original shop in New York sold soft-serve frozen fruit with the goal of being more health-conscious than traditional frozen yogurt and ice cream.

The treat evolved from the cup to the pop, and Epstein, who spent her elementary and middle school years at yeshiva in New York, has been selling the dairy-, fat- and gluten-free pops to the masses ever since.

Each pop has 60 calories. The pops are available in dark chocolate, mango, pineapple, raspberry and strawberry, and they have arrived just in time for summer. Check with your Kroger for availability.

“The idea for Chloe’s was rooted in simplicity,” Epstein said. “We just wanted to create something clean to satiate the all-familiar frozen treat craving. A simple combination of just fruit, water and a touch of organic cane sugar allows people of all ages and most food sensitivities to be able to indulge. We wanted to be as inclusive as possible, and being kosher pareve allows us to be more accessible to more people. It was a no-brainer.” ■

Shearith Salutes Norry

M

ore than 200 people attended Congregation Shearith Israel’s farewell event for Rabbi Hillel Norry on Saturday night, May 30. Rabbi Norry chose to pursue other interests instead of seeking a new contract at the Conservative intown synagogue after 13 years.

While searching for a permanent replacement for Rabbi Norry, the congregation is hoping to hire an interim rabbi for the next year. ■

Summer Reading Fun! Bring your child’s summer reading list and we’ll get

him/her started on a summer of reading fun!

Join the Summer Reading Program and earn free books!

FREE BOOKS FOR YOUR

SCHOOL LIBRARY

Top: The Norrys receive more congregational thank-yous for their 13 years at Shearith Israel. Bottom Left: Congregation Shearith Israel President Josh D’Agostino thanks Rabbi Hillel Norry and his wife, Johanna. Bottom right: Rabbi Hillel Norry and Johanna Norry thank the congregation for the good times and good memories.

Corrections & Clarifications In an article on the Judaic Mosaic music camp in the March 27 issue, the website address was incorrect. The proper URL is www.judaicmosaic.org.

www.andthoushaltread.com | www.oytoys.com

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

WHEN YOU PURCHASE 10 BOOKS IN YOUR SCHOOL’S NAME

AJT 3

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

LOCAL NEWS

Social, Financial Services Available to Women

By Zach Itzkovitz

W

omen who face abuse or financial crisis can find help in the Jewish community, according to a panel of three women Hadassah gathered Sunday, May 31, at Berman Commons to address domestic abuse and available services.

The panel consisted of Wendy Lipshutz, the program director of Jewish Family & Career Services’ Shalom Bayit program; Helen Kotler, facilitator of the JF&CS Starting Over program; and Laura Kahn Travis, the president of Jewish Interest Free Loan of Atlanta.

Domestic abuse against women is more common than many realize, Lipshutz said. “A woman is abused every nine seconds in this country,” she said. “One out of four women will be abused at least once in her lifetime.”

Lipshutz shared personal stories of abuse given to her by other women.

In one such story, she told of a woman with an alcoholic father who emotionally abused her mother and threatened her with violence.

There is a fine line between disrespect and abuse, Lipshutz said.

“Abuse is about power and control,” she said. “If you or someone you

know is being abused or has been abused, know that you’re not alone, that abuse is never the fault of the person being abused, and that you deserve to live free from violence.”

JIFLA (jifla.org) can help women in crisis escape violence. Since opening in March 2010, JIFLA has given out over $200,000 in interest-free loans. It helps people with low credit scores and is not the place for people who can get a loan anywhere, Kahn said.

She gave several examples of JIFLA helping people in need.

A mother of three had a brokendown car but couldn’t afford the repair, Photo by Zach Itzkovitz

Refine, Restore, Revitalize Ramie A. Tritt, MD, President of Atlanta ENTis pleased to introduce our exceptional medical team at Aesthetic & Plastic Center of Atlanta ENT. Thomas J. Walker, M.D., Facial Plastic Surgeon and Alison O’Neil, Medical Skin Care & Aesthetic Specialist Through a customized approach we create natural results with a refreshed appearance.

NON-SURGICAL OPTIONS

SURGICAL OPTIONS • Nose Surgery (Rhinoplasty) • Eyelid Surgery (Blepharoplasty) • Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) • Brow Lift / Forehead Lift • Face and Neck Lift • Chin Implant • Lip Implant • Neck Liposuction / Fat Transfer

• Facial Fillers (Juvéderm®, Voluma®, Restylane®) • Botox® and Dysport®, • Lip lift / Enhancement • Liquid Facelift • Acne Scar Treatment • Chemical Peels / Skin Resurfacing Skin Care • Latisse® / Eyelash Enhancement • Laser Hair Removal

Call today for your FREE cosmetic consultation Gift Certificates Available

404.256.7520 Visit our website

AestheticAtlanta.com

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

We are located at: 5555 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 135

AJT 4

Atlanta, Georgia 30342 Mention this ad to receive any non-surgical procedure and /or product purchased in the months of February and March

30% OFF

A panel convened by Greater Atlanta Hadassah explains services available to women in crisis.

and she needed a vehicle to get to work.

JIFLA lent her $3,500 so she could fix the car and keep her job.

Kahn also introduced Wanda, another mother of three and a medical student. She struggled to pay her school debt and support her family even with a husband who had a good job.

“We made a $5,000 loan to Wanda to allow her to stay in medical school,” Kahn said. “We structured the loan so that her monthly payments were very low for the first 10 months until she started her residency, after which her repayments will go up as her income goes up.”

Private donors and grants from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, the Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta and other organizations finance JIFLA, which is not a charity and does not give handouts.

A potential borrower must be Jewish and present a path to repayment, Kahn said. “You do have to have a cash flow.”

A JIFLA borrower also must have a guarantor, but Kahn said JIFLA has a high rate of repayment.

“We’ve only had to go to two guarantors, and the guarantors have paid the loans,” she said. “I think we had one tiny default of about $1,000 or $1,500.

So when you do give money, you can feel very secure knowing that we take our responsibility very seriously.”

In the future JIFLA, located at the corner of New Peachtree and Clairmont roads in Chamblee, will work with JF&CS (yourtoolsforliving.org) to conduct financial literacy seminars.

JIFLA also is seeking volunteers, who must apply for positions. ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

LOCAL NEWS Atlanta

of the Living with 3,000 other teens and 1,000 adults. Both described the contrast between cold and rainy Poland, where Piha said she could smell death, and warm and sunny Israel, where Londe said the air was sweet.

Remember When PUBLISHER

MICHAEL A. MORRIS

michael@atljewishtimes.com

BUSINESS OFFICE Business Manager

KAYLENE RUDY-LADINSKY kaylene@atljewishtimes.com

ADVERTISING SALES Senior Account Manager

JULIE BENVENISTE julie@atljewishtimes.com Senior Account Manager

STACY LAVICTOIRE stacy@atljewishtimes.com Account Manager

SYLVIA WAHLBERG

sylvia@atljewishtimes.com

EDITORIAL Editor

MICHAEL JACOBS

mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com Associate Editor

DAVID R. COHEN

david@atljewishtimes.com

Contributors This Week DAVID BENKOF SUZI BROZMAN JORDAN GORFINKEL LEAH R. HARRISON ZACH ITZKOVITZ MARCIA CALLER JAFFE RUTHE LEVY KEVIN MADIGAN RUSSELL MOSKOWITZ TIFFANY PARKS DAVE SCHECHTER SHAINDLE SCHMUCKLER HAROLD SCHROEDER AL SHAMS

10 Years Ago June 3, 2005

■ Eighteen teenagers from The Temple are counting the days until June 5, when they will leave on what may be the first Israel trip exclusively for teenagers from an Atlanta synagogue. Rabbi Steven Rau, who is organizing the trip, says he hopes the two-week trip leads to more Atlanta teens visiting Israel. Federation scholarships helped ensure that all 18 teens could make the trip.

■ The bar mitzvah ceremony of Justin Alexander Steinfeld of Atlanta, son of Bruce and Shayna Steinfeld, was held Saturday, May 28, 2005, at The Temple.

■ Laurie and David Ginburg of Marietta announce the birth of a daughter, Joanna Pearl, on Feb. 18.

50 Years Ago June 4, 1965 ■ Dr. William Wexler of Savannah was elected president of B’nai B’rith at the close of the order’s five-day triennial convention in Tel Aviv. Wexler, who heads the Jewish Community Council and Israel Bonds in Savannah, had served as international vice president to Label Katz of New Orleans since 1956. Wexler is known as a supporter of the civil rights movement.

25 Years Ago June 1, 1990

■ Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fierman of Atlanta announce the engagement of daughter Dorothy to Mr. Ira Stephen Antopol■ Two Atlanta-area teenagers, Paula Londe and Debbie Piha, sky, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Harry Antopolsky of Augusta are back from Poland after participating in the second March and the late Mrs. Mary Antopolsky.

Let Amazon Cleaning make your life easier!

%

5 2 OFF

ITIAL YOUR LINEANING) DEEPne cCoupon offer per job (valid o

Same 2 person team for each visit All chemicals and equipment, included at no extra cost, including green cleaning Guaranteed Computerized Scheduling Fully HEPA filtered vacuums to prevent cross contamination from house to house All crews fully bonded, licensed, insured and background checked Only top 2% of Angieslist Companies receive super service award year after year, Amazon has won the award the past consecutive 5 years running Specializing in repeat cleaning service but also offers one time deep and turn key cleaning service

CREATIVE SERVICES Creative Design

RICO FIGLIOLINI EZ2BSOCIAL CONTACT INFORMATION GENERAL OFFICE 404.883.2130 KAYLENE@ATLJEWISHTIMES.COM

No long term contracts required, we earn the right to continue with dependable service Ability to customize rooms and time intervals

i.e. weekly, every 2 weeks, every 4 weeks 8 weeks or seasonal

770-906-4001

The Atlanta Jewish Times is printed in Georgia and is an equal opportunity employer. The opinions expressed in the Atlanta Jewish Times do not necessarily reflect those of the newspaper.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta, Ga.

Servicing most of Metro Atlanta

THE ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES (ISSN# 0892-33451) IS PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY SOUTHERN ISRAELITE, LLC 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, ATLANTA, GA 30328

PET FRIE DL CREN WS Y

© 2015 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES Printed by Gannett Publishing Services MEMBER Conexx: America Israel Business Connector American Jewish Press Association Sandy Springs/Perimeter Chamber of Commerce Please send all photos, stories and editorial content to: submissions@atljewishtimes.com

www.amazoncleaning.net

24 hour Service Guarantee

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

POSTMASTER send address changes to The Atlanta Jewish Times 270 Carpenter Drive Suite 320, Atlanta Ga 30328.

Established 1925 as The Southern Israelite Phone: (404) 883-2130 www.atlantajewishtimes.com

AJT 5

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

LOCAL NEWS

Marcus Bewildered by Anti-Israel Jews

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

F

amously sunny Bernie Marcus, who helped build Home Depot and gave us the Georgia Aquarium, has one issue where his optimism runs out: the Jewish people’s future.

“On this issue I’m a downer,” Marcus said early during a discussion in the aquarium’s ballroom Sunday, May 31. His conversation with Mike Leven, the aquarium’s CEO, was the centerpiece of the Atlanta Scholars Kollel’s annual Tribute to Jewish Learning.

Marcus said that when he and Leven moved to Atlanta, the first task was to find a synagogue. But joining a synagogue was not a priority for the next generation and is an afterthought for their grandchildren’s generation.

“The assimilation numbers are shocking,” Marcus said.

He talked about another Jewish

A

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

E

AJT 6

Marcus did not claim that all criticism of Israeli policies or actions is antiIsrael. He said he opposes many Israeli policies, just as he opposes many government elements in the United States — including the Internal Revenue Service, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the burdensome regulations that have kept Home Depot from opening a store in a lower-income area of New York City for 12 years.

But the important thing about Israel, Marcus said, is that even the crooks, bureaucrats and other negative influences are fellow Jews.

“Why Jews are anti-Israel is just beyond me,” he said. “I don’t get it.”

A few other tidbits from the LevenMarcus conversation: • Both said anyone you come in contact with can be an influence, and it’s important not to become dependent on a single person to guide you.

• Marcus said he learns something

event in the same ballroom, the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces gala May 19. He said the pro-Palestinian disturbance in the ballroom was nothing, but he was upset by a girl outside the aquarium who held a sign that read, “I’m Jewish, and I don’t support Israel.”

“I don’t remember anything like that in my lifetime,” said Marcus, who complained that too few people are taking action against such attitudes.

He said Jews, despite making up about 1.25 percent of the U.S. population, are responsible for 15 percent to 20 percent of the philanthropic giving. But instead of using those numbers to exert some positive influence, Jews are contributing to universities full of anti-Israel faculty, staff and students.

“We are supporting the people who are our enemies,” Marcus said.

He included the left-leaning lobbying group J Street on the enemies list, calling it “totally anti-Israel.”

B

C

F

G

every day, which reminds him how dumb he was the day before.

• Marcus picked Leven to be the aquarium’s CEO the first time because the position called for someone who was a leader and a listener.

• The aquarium is Atlanta’s biggest tourist attraction, drawing more than 2 million visitors a year and more than 22 million since it opened in 2005, and the money from ticket sales supports research and conservation worldwide.

• Leven said Marcus not only supported his decision to leave the aquarium in 2009 to become president of Las Vegas Sands under Sheldon Adelson, but also negotiated his deal. Marcus knew he would have to work harder without Leven, but he thought Leven could aid Israel and the United States by helping Adelson make lots of money for donations. Under Leven, the casino company’s stock price rose more than 50-fold in five years. ■

D

H

I

Top Row: The Atlanta Scholars Kollel rabbis transform in the Beach Beards for a single song, to the tune of the Beach Boys’ “Sloop John B,” praising Bernie Marcus and celebrating their educational efforts. A: Photo by Harold Alan Photographers Bernie Marcus explains his concerns about the Jewish future. He also took a minute to call on everyone to spend $65 a year to subscribe to the Atlanta Jewish Times, published by his son, Michael Morris, because the newspaper is an important tool to strengthen the Jewish community.

B: Photo by Michael Jacobs Georgia Aquarium CEO Mike Leven asks the questions during the kollel discussion. C: Photo by Harold Alan Photographers Bernie Marcus Scholar Award winner Abbey Meller gets a hug from Billi Marcus and a smile from Bernie Marcus while David Krischer and Lynda Walker watch. D: Photo by Harold Alan Photographers Adam Blatt, who does a spot-on impersonation of kollel head Rabbi David Silverman, and wife Jessica host a regular kollel class for young professionals at their Brookhaven home. E: Photo by Michael Jacobs The Atlanta Scholars Kollel’s dean, Rabbi David Silverman, addresses the crowd of more than 650 people in the Georgia Aquarium ballroom. F: Photo by Michael Jacobs Billi and Bernie Marcus are joined onstage by Rabbis David Silverman and Doniel Pransky. G: Photo by Harold Alan Photographers The friendship between Mike Leven and Bernie Marcus is on display during the kollel event. H: Photo by Harold Alan Photographers Abbey Meller thanks the Atlanta Scholars Kollel and the crowd of 650 people for helping her pursue the longtime family dream of living in Israel. I: Photo by Harold Alan Photographers Bernie Marcus Scholar Award winner Abbey Meller is all smiles with (from left) Lynda Walker, Billi Marcus and Bernie Marcus.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Federation CFO Finalist The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s chief financial officer, Sheila Katz Cohen, was a finalist for Atlanta Business Chronicle’s CFO of the Year Award in the category of nonprofit organization.

As Federation CFO, Cohen processes charitable funds of $45 million per year from thousands of donors. She also oversees Federation’s investment portfolio of more than $200 million through thirdparty managers while distributing money to more than 60 primary organizations through allocations and hundreds of groups through donor-advised funds.

“Since joining Federation five years ago, Sheila has significantly improved the early preparation of complex budgets and ultimately the validity and integrity of those budgets,” Federation CEO Michael Horowitz said.

Cohen said she “feels fortunate to work every day to care for Jews in need and ensure a Jewish future for my children and generations to come.”

She lives in Dunwoody with her family and belongs to Congregation Or Hadash.

Mark Sutton of United Way of Greater Atlanta won the award, handed out Thursday, May 28.

Women’s Fund Grants Go to 15 The Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta (www.jewishatlanta.org/jwfa) has allocated $100,000 in 2015 grants to 15 programs that serve Jewish women and girls in Atlanta and Israel and share the fund’s mission to promote social change through the lens of gender.

The allocation process involved 82 women from the Atlanta area. The grants: • Legal Education and Outreach for Civil Action Against Get Refusal, Center for Women’s Justice, $10,000 to make damage lawsuits for get refusal available to all Jewish women in Israel.

• Securing Israel’s Future Through Employment, IT Works, $10,000 to lift up low-income and unemployed women in Yokneam with technological and softskills training. • Alma Pre-Army Academy for Women, Jewish Agency for Israel, $10,000 to offer young Israeli women from social and economically disadvantaged areas tools, skills and strategies for upward social and financial mobility.

• Interest-Free Loans for Secondary Education, Jewish Educational Loan Fund, $5,000 to provide Jewish women in Atlanta last-dollar loans to get the degrees they need.

• Shalom Bayit Teen Domestic Violence Prevention Initiative, Jewish Family & Career Services, $7,500 to increase awareness of teen dating violence in the Jewish community and empower girls and young women in Atlanta to make healthy relationship choices.

• Women in Crisis Fund, Jewish Inter-

est Free Loan of Atlanta, $7,500 to help single Jewish women in temporary financial crisis in Atlanta keep their independence and give them loans and budgeting skills to fulfill their potential.

• Education on Dating Abuse and Sexual Assault, Jewish Women International, $7,500 to engage and empower Jewish students at the University of Georgia through workshops, a public awareness campaign, faith-based resources, and a partnership with Hillel and the Jewish Greek organizations.

• Cracking the Glass Ceiling, Kol Israel Haverim, $6,500 to help young women from poor areas in Israel achieve scholastic excellence, especially in science, math and technology.

• Resetting Jewish Women’s Body & Self Images, Limmud Atlanta + Southeast, $3,000 to explore historical, cul-

tural and psychological challenges facing modern Jewish women and girls as they develop a healthy and realistic body image through facilitated, intergenerational, cross-denominational and mixedgender discussions.

• Ehete Center, New Israel Fund, $2,600 to foster economic independence for poor Ethiopian-Israeli women by providing a cooperative to sell traditional handcrafts, develop their skills, and improve their financial literacy.

• Supporting and Empowering Adolescent Girls at Risk, Orr Shalom, $4,000 to provide adolescent girls who have suffered extreme abuse, violence or neglect a safe and loving home to help them recover and fulfill their potential.

• Finding Occupations, Careers, Universities, Success (FOCUS), Temima, The Richard and Jean Katz High School

for Girls, $6,500 to provide Jewish high school girls with guidance in choosing careers and post-secondary options suited to their interests, skills and abilities through workshops, testing and counseling.

• Women’s Leadership Development in the Galilee, WEPOWER, $5,000 to nurture, expand and promote social activism and social change through a gender lens.

• Girls Lead: A Theater-Making Workshop, William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, $5,900 to provide Jewish girls in the Atlanta area with tools to become authentic, assertive and self-aware leaders.

• Crossing the Street, Women’s Spirit, $9,000 to provide tools to Israeli women who are victims of violence so they can become financially independent and integrate into the job market.

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

LOCAL NEWS

AJT 7

BUSINESS

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Conexx Celebrates Night of Innovation

By Al Shams

T

hree companies, the city of Atlanta and its airport, and an Emory University medical researcher were honored by Conexx at the 14th annual Eagle Star Awards on Thursday, May 28, at Georgia Power.

The awards gala highlights the achievements of the business connector and its members the past year.

Conexx’s strength is its experience in networking among members.

Dale Russell, who has spent his entire 30-year journalism career in Atlanta and is Fox 5’s senior investigative reporter, was the master of ceremonies.

Mike Anderson, a senior vice pres-

A

B

E

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

ident for Georgia Power, welcomed the crowd of more than 200 people to the company’s headquarters. He described his company’s industry-leading efforts in solar energy, often in collaboration with Israeli companies, after he began his remarks with a safety briefing in keeping with company policy.

Miguel Southwell, the general manager of Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, appreciated that airline-common touch when he accepted the Community Partner Award.

Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran, attending his last Eagle Star Awards before his term ends, discussed the close relationship between Israel and the United States, their shared values, and the growth in bilateral trade.

Aviran said he will be sad to leave Atlanta and his many friends here.

8 Conexx Chairman Joel Neuman,

AJT

in such Southeastern ports as Norfolk, Savannah and Mobile.

Marking its 70th birthday this year, ZIM has emerged from what Bogatch-Genossar called seven years of crisis by converting $1.3 billion of debt into new company stock last year.

The Deal of the Year went to Rock Hill, S.C.-based 3D Systems, the creator of 3D printing, which engineers and manufactures printers for many applications for such companies as Boeing, GE, Honeywell, Sony and Toyota. The company invested nearly a quarter of a billion dollars in two Israeli companies: Simbionix, a leader in 3D medical imaging, and Cimatron, which provides 3D software to design and manu-

whose term ends July 1, Chief Operating Officer Guy Tessler, and event chairman Mark Spiegel reviewed the organization’s accomplishments this past year, including its first golf tournament last fall, a new website launching in June, and a cybersecurity mission that took Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed to Israel in March.

Reed missed the gala because bad weather stranded him in Chicago, but Southwell spoke on behalf of the city and the airport as the Community Partner honorees, recognized for their support for and work with Israel in knowledge exchange, missions to Israel and use of Israeli technology in city works.

The city has explored Israeli in-

C

F novation in water technology, cybersecurity and alternative energy. The airport’s leadership has visited Israel twice in recent years.

Alpharetta’s EndoChoice, preparing for an initial public stock offering after acquiring Israel’s Peer Medical, was named the U.S. Company of the Year. The company is an innovator in gastrointestinal endoscopy whose signature product, FUSE, provides a wider view than conventional endoscopy, which is estimated to miss 25 percent to 40 percent of colon polyps. Vice President George Pratt accepted the award.

Lea Bogatch-Genossar, the American president for Haifa-based ZIM Integrated Shipping, accepted the award for Israeli Company of the Year. ZIM, which serves over 100 countries as one of the 20 largest container shipping companies in the world, is active

cluding HIV treatments and the first cure for the hepatitis C virus.

In 2010 with the help of Conexx, he led a 12-person life sciences mission to Israel. The trip helped Israeli companies make connections to use Atlanta as a gateway to the U.S. market.

Schinazi has also been a major contributor to the Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem.

The award recipients were impressive, and Glaser offered an insightful comment. He noted that Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, said that to be a realist living in Israel, you must believe in miracles. The Eagle Star gala helped confirm that Israel is the miracle of our age. ■

D

G

H facture molds and tools.

The global 3D printing market is expected to grow to $22 billion in worldwide revenue by 2020.

The night’s final presentation was the Tom Glaser Leadership Award, named for the man who led the business connector for more than 20 years.

Glaser presented the award to Dr. Raymond Schinazi, a professor of pediatrics and chemistry at Emory and the director of the Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology.

Schinazi recounted his journey from a childhood in Alexandria, Egypt, to an Italian refugee camp and an English boarding school. After getting his degrees in England, he came to America for postdoctoral work at Yale University, then moved to Emory, where he has been a leader in developing and commercializing anti-viral drugs, in-

Photos by Michael Jacobs

A: Vice President Ziad Abou accepts the Deal of the Year Award on behalf of 3D Systems.

B: Airport General Manager Miguel Southwell praises the connections between Atlanta and Israel.

C: EndoChoice Vice President George Pratt acknowledges saying more than he should have about the company’s bright prospects as it prepares to go public.

D: Georgia Power Senior Vice President Mike Anderson is also the president and CEO of the Georgia Power Foundation.

E: Ben Fink will become Conexx’s chairman July 1.

F: Conexx Chairman Joel Neuman jokes that he’s counting the days until his term ends.

G: Dr. Raymond Schinazi estimates that the drugs he has helped bring to market have saved more than 3 million lives.

H: Lea Bogatch-Genossar, the president of ZIM’s American operations, says the Israeli Company of the Year could have won Deal of the Year Award for its success at climbing out of debt.

Ducking Retirement

CONGRATULATIONS!

A

to Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s

Moskowitz joins AFLAC board

AFLAC has made Fortune magazine’s t 61, Joey Moskowitz retired “Best 100 Places to Work” list; 67 after 27 years at Primerica, percent of the workforce is female. To where he served as valuation your question directly, the two most and chief actuary. Around that time, notable Jewish board members were he was on Rabbi Shalom Lewis’ trip to Jack Schiffman, 1970 to 1994, and Israel from Congregation Etz Chaim.

Henry Schwob, 1965 to 2002, both

Noting that Rabbi Lewis had anfrom Columbus. nounced his change to rabbi emeritus in 2017, the two mused about how they would spend their future leisure time — hanging out at LA Jaffe’s Jewish Jive Fitness, doing charity work,

By Marcia Caller Jaffe reading more. mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

But Moskowitz was elected to one of the most prestigious U.S. boards of Jaffe: So are you hobnobbing with the directors: AFLAC, based in Columbus, business elite? his hometown.

Jaffe: How did you get to be considered Moskowitz: I did get to go quail hunting with the CEO, Dan Amos, for a board of directors? in Harris County. As a JewIs there an application ish boy, I had never fired a process? gun. So out of 25 shots, I got Moskowitz: Being sentisix birds that are still in my mental about my retirefreezer. Is that good odds? ment, I sent three letters to I flew on the corporate jet those who had mentored and attended analysts meetme. … I had no motivation ings in New York. I will also other than the expression travel to Japan this summer; of pure appreciation. One Joey Moskowitz 75 percent of AFLAC’s busiof those [now CFO and ness is there. president of AFLAC], with whom I had worked 30 years ago, Jaffe: How many people serve on the called the next day and said, “AFLAC board, and what will you do? has just been thinking about adding Moskowitz: Thirteen. I am on the an actuary to our board.” I had to go audit committee [with four others]. through interviews with the CEO, CFO We review and monitor all financial and other board members, all impresdisclosures, audits, risk management sive business people, but ultimately programs and internal controls. the shareholders voted the approval.

Jaffe: In the old days, being on a board was a plum job, granted as a favor.

Moskowitz: Well, that has changed a lot. Let me tell you that being on a board today has tremendous responsibility and liability. It’s not like a full-time job, but there are quarterly meetings, conference calls, travel and other time commitments. In today’s corporate world post-Enron, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has redefined the rules of what is known as corporate governance. Best practices in corporate governance call for certain skill sets, and AFLAC wanted an actuary. I was basically at the right place at the right time with the right skill set.

Jaffe: What is AFLAC’s history with Jewish board members?

Moskowitz: AFLAC is proudly a very diverse company. For the past 17 years,

Jaffe: So you have ties to Columbus, wrapping a bow around the package.

Moskowitz: Yes, growing up in Columbus, I won a math award at Hardaway High School, foreshadowing my career. AFLAC was well known to me.

My family respected the company. My father, Lou, who would have been 100 next month, is beaming down with pride about this for sure. My parents are buried in Columbus less than a mile from AFLAC headquarters. It’s a great company, and I am blessed to have this opportunity to serve.

Jaffe: How does your wife feel?

Moskowitz: She is thrilled that I am being rewarded for years of hard work. But she does tease me that I am a walking calculator.

Quack! Quack! ■

Chief Financial Officer

SHEILA KATZ COHEN

finalist in the CFO of the Year Award, Nonprofits from the Atlanta Business Chronicle

At Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, we know the value of a dollar. 90% of all dollars contributed go back into the community to care for Jews in need today and build a strong Jewish community for tomorrow. And thanks to our volunteers, lay leaders, and professionals - especially our CFO, Sheila Katz Cohen - we’ve earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, which means we are an exceptional charity that exceeds industry standards.

Donate.

Volunteer.

Make a difference.

THE STRENGTH OF A PEOPLE. THE POWER OF A COMMUNITY.

1440 Spring Street | Atlanta, GA 30309 | 404.873.1661 | JewishAtlanta.org

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

BUSINESS

AJT 9

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

Our View

No Red Card

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

W

AJT 10

e who support Israel know all about the hypocrisy that surrounds verbal attacks on the country, including recent examples in which international agencies decided that only Israel, among all the nations in the world, was worthy of criticism over women’s rights and health care.

But the Palestinians realized they went too far when they dragged diplomacy into the soccer world.

Much ink and angst were expended throughout May over the prospect of soccer’s global governing body, FIFA, taking the “Israel is an apartheid nation” nonsense to its illogical conclusion and treating Israel just as it did South Africa in the 1980s.

The Palestinian Football Association proposed ousting the Israeli Football Association from FIFA. That would have meant no Israeli participation in international competitions, such as qualifying for the World Cup, and could have led Israeli players to disavow their citizenship to play in such competitions or even to win spots in the top professional leagues.

The theory behind such a soccer boycott — that the resulting distress would drive the Israeli public to demand an immediate withdrawal to the Green Line and sue for peace on any terms sought by Palestinian President-for-Life Mahmoud Abbas — is as far from reality as Jimmy Carter’s declaration that Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal is a man of peace.

But it would have been a bitter pill to swallow with Israel still alive for its first-ever qualification for the European Championships in 2016 (a big game at Bosnia-Herzegovina is coming June 12), not to mention the delicious if unlikely prospect of Israel’s earning a spot in the 2022 World Cup in front of the Hamas-funding sheiks of Qatar (think Jesse Owens humiliating Adolf Hitler at the 1936 Olympics).

Given the recent success of anti-Israel resolutions everywhere, Israel’s ouster was a real possibility May 29 — until the United States indicted 14 FIFA officials on corruption charges two days earlier.

That indictment and the spreading international investigation into FIFA ruined the Palestinian plans.

People who a week earlier would have guessed that FIFA was just a common name for French poodles suddenly were paying close attention to the soccer federation’s operations and its presidential election between Switzerland’s Sepp Blatter, seeking a fifth term, and Jordan’s Prince Ali Bin al-Hussein.

The prince never had a chance to unseat Blatter, who remarkably claims no responsibility for the corruption that is rife throughout his organization.

Still, his inevitable re-election exposed to casual observers what committed soccer fans already knew: FIFA is as dirty as water is wet. And that revelation undermined the Palestinians.

When the U.N. Human Rights Council, World Health Organization or World Food Program singles out Israel, the headlines have propaganda value for Israel’s foes. As biased as those organizations might be, they have clout and trustworthy names.

FIFA, since May 27 at least, is an international joke. To neutral observers, any negative FIFA action would have made Israel look good.

So the PFA dropped the ouster bid, and Israel escaped with only a yellow-card warning. ■

Jewish Owner Lets His Pharoah Go

T

after American Pharoah won a close Kentucky horoughbred horse racing hasn’t seen a Triple Derby on May 2 and breezed to victory in the PreakCrown winner in 37 years, but a horse with ness Stakes on May 16, the Zayats are only 1½ miles, a misspelled name owned by an Egyptian roughly 2½ minutes, from lifting the third trophy of Orthodox Jew who made his fortune selling booze the Triple Crown. (A fan suggested the horse’s name, to Muslims has a chance to break the losing streak and the family failed to notice the misspelling of Saturday, June 6. pharaoh before making the name official.)

If American Pharoah crosses the line first in the The Zayats’ ride to Belmont Stakes, you can bet racing’s promised land studios will race to film the hasn’t been smooth. life story of owner Ahmed Editor’s Notebook Three times, starting Zayat. Not only didn’t his

By Michael Jacobs with American Pharoah’s Zayat Stables exist when mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com sire, Pioneerof the Nile, Affirmed won the last Triple in 2009, a Zayat horse Crown in 1978, but Zayat ran second in the Derby. hadn’t graduated from high In 2012, Zayat pulled off school or come to America.

Zayat, 52, grew up in an affluent family in Egypt, the Triple Crown of heartbreak by finishing second in all three races — Bodemeister in the Derby and one of the few who stayed under Nasser, and he Preakness and Paynter in the Belmont. came to the United States for college in the 1980s.

Despite its success on the track, the stable went Armed with degrees from Yeshiva and Boston universities, he went back to Egypt in 1995 and made his through Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2010.

Zayat faces a lawsuit alleging that he failed fortune running a beer company, Al-Ahram. to pay millions of dollars in gambling debts with Zayat used some of that money to get into horse a sports book based in Costa Rica, and New York racing in 2005, and he moved back to the United media outlets such as the Post, the Times and the States for good in 2007. He and his wife, Joanne, live Observer have run articles since the Preakness that in the Orthodox community of Teaneck, N.J., and have questioned his character. have four post-b’nai-mitzvah children.

But none of that negativity will matter when the It has to be awkward for the Zayats that the Zayats walk into Belmont Park. biggest days in their business occur on Shabbat, but One of the highlights of my newspaper career Joanne Zayat told the New Jersey Jewish Standard was the day I covered the 1992 Belmont for a newsthat “there is no conflict.” paper in New Jersey. The winner was A.P. Indy, sired The family stays within walking distance of the by 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, to whom racetrack, either in a hotel (as in Louisville for the American Pharoah is often compared.

Derby) or in a luxury trailer (used in Baltimore for That and a miserable couple of nights on racethe Preakness and Elmont, N.Y., for the Belmont), riot watch in Teaneck in 1992 are as close as I get to and has catered kosher meals. a connection to American Pharoah, but I’m cheering I’ll leave it to rabbis to say whether Ahmed for him and Zayat to make history this Shabbat. ■ Zayat ought to lift race trophies on Saturdays. But

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

Hawks’ Hard Work Makes Home a Happy Roost

T

he Atlanta Hawks closed their season as winners. Making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals is no small feat, especially given the tumultuous year and the previous season’s record.

I personally want to thank Mike Budenholzer and Steve Koonin for preparing the team, as well as Atlanta, for a winning year. Many people were hoping we would beat the Cavaliers, including me. We didn’t, but do not let that stand in the way of thanking the Atlanta Hawks for a phenomenal winning season.

Let me share a few statistics.

The Hawks won a franchiserecord 60 games, captured the division championship for the first time in 21 years, and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in Atlanta history.

Four of our players were named to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team — a Hawks record — and Mike Budenholzer was named NBA Coach of the Year.

To the fans’ credit, the Hawks played in a sold-out Philips Arena in 32 of their last 35 games.

One way to look at it: The Hawks hit the ball out of the park this season.

Publisher’s Letter

As a testimony to this kind of play, when you are in the arena and looking around at the fans, you don’t see jerseys representing just two or three

By Michael A. Morris michael@atljewishtimes.com

One could also say, “Rise up, Atlanta; great job.” Both are accurate, but in Hawks-speak, we witnessed “true to Atlanta.”

One of the reasons that the Hawks are so fun to watch is the tangible team spirit that Coach Budenholzer has instilled. From what I have heard, the team spirit is real on and off the court.

The collaborative nature of the offense means there are seven or eight stars, the ball is constantly moving, and there are always several people on the court for whom you are rooting.

Not all the highlights this season happened while the players were on the court. Jewish Heritage Night in December featured a packed arena and a Chabad menorah lighting.

players, but you see many people wearing jerseys for Teague, Horford, Millsap, Korver, Carroll, Bazemore and Schröder — that is half the team, not just the starting lineup. Scott, Antić, Jenkins and Brand have strong followings as well.

In short, the entire team plays hard, and the fans have responded.

This summer, we should have an opportunity to be introduced to the

new owners, led by Tony Ressler, learn about their vision for the Hawks, and hear about their commitment to keeping the Atlanta Hawks an Atlanta icon.

The Hawks could not have given their new owners a better platform to launch.

Congratulations, Atlanta Hawks, on a fantastic season. Thank you, Atlanta fans, for your spirit. I hope to see you at the opening game next year. ■

M

and P were partners for 31 years before they married. B and M were together 18 years before they wed. L and M waited nine years.

Because same-sex marriage is banned in Georgia, all three couples traveled out of state to jurisdictions where it is legal. Each later held a ceremony officiated by the rabbi of the congregation where they are longtime members.

(Full disclosure: I belong to that congregation and attended those ceremonies, outing myself as delighted by their happiness. The choice to use their initials rather than names was mine.)

June is the month most associated with weddings, and advocates of samesex marriage hope that the Supreme Court of the United States will throw the bouquet.

SCOTUS soon will issue its ruling on whether the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which deals with equal protection and due process under the law, requires states to issue

marriage licenses to same-sex couples and to recognize such marriages performed legally out of state.

If the high court rules against

From Where I Sit

By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com

laws such as Georgia’s prohibition, “the press release from my office is going to be ‘The Supreme Court has spoken, and Georgia’s going to follow the law,’ ” Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens recently told the Atlanta Press Club.

Three of the nine justices deciding these issues — Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan — are Jewish and are expected to vote in support of same-sex marriage.

Jews support same-sex marriage at significantly higher percentages than the nation at large, second only to Buddhists and equal to the religiously unaffiliated, according to

“American Values Atlas,” released in April by the Public Religion Research Institute. Of 724 Jews surveyed (out of more than 40,500 interviews), 47 percent “strongly favor” same-sex marriage, 30 percent “favor,” and 9 percent each “oppose” and “strongly oppose.”

When my career began in the 1970s, the media paid little attention to issues affecting the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

In the 1980s, the HIV/AIDS epidemic brought into view other LGBT issues, including those now before SCOTUS. The congregation my wife and I joined was founded by gay and lesbian Jews and welcomed heterosexuals. Our children grew up knowing same-sex couples, with and without children — and it was no big deal to them.

What is a big deal is that the absence of a legal right to marry and have that marriage recognized left same-sex couples without legal and economic benefits and protections that married heterosexuals take for granted.

Marriage is a status regulated by government, and across a nation so vast and with such great movement of

its people, the law on same-sex marriage should be uniform from coast to coast.

Congressional action perhaps might have been preferable, but now we wait on the Supreme Court.

From where I sit, this is not a religious issue. What makes a Jewish marriage Jewish is the degree to which Judaism plays a role in the conduct of that marriage, not the sex of the two people exchanging vows. Same-sex couples willing to make that commitment should not be denied that opportunity and responsibility based on religious text.

If two men or two women want to stand together beneath a chuppah before a rabbi and be legally bound in marriage, they should have that right — regardless of their home address.

“By the power invested in me by the state …” intertwines a civil ceremony and a religious rite, with the latter providing support for the former. ■ Dave Schechter is a veteran journalist whose career includes writing and producing reports from Israel and elsewhere in the Middle East.

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

Will the Supreme Court Throw the Bouquet?

AJT 11

LOCAL NEWS

Adult Care at Home ■ Flexible hourly programs ■ Provides relief to family members ■ Weekly and Weekend Programs ■ 24-Hour on Call Supervisor ■ Live-in Program Additional Services include: Meal Preparations Housekeeping Laundry Vital Signs Meication Assistance Bathing/Dressing Grooming/Exercise

Incontenence Care Alzheimer’s/Dementia Transportation Medical Appointments Grocery Shopping Errands Attend Activities Escort/Outings

Counties Served Fulton ■ Henry Clayton ■ Rockdale DeKalb ■ Newton Fayette ■ Douglas

404-839-3683 www.brendasjbhomecare.com

Ladies apparel ■ accents ■ accessories a boutique specializing in sizes 2 to 14

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

Celebrating 29 Years Since 1986

AJT 12

Join us to celebrate our 29th year in business Thursday, May 28 at 6 pm Lite refreshments 404 276-8958

5325 Roswell road, sanding springs, next to rocky mt sports

404-276-8958

NIF Seeks Liberal Path For Israel, Supporters

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

Lenkinski said it’s important for people to be open to hearing different points of view and not to classify all he re-election of Israeli Prime criticism of policies or actions as deleMinister Benjamin Netanyahu gitimization of Israel’s existence. and his resulting coalition pres“I think that will only last so long” ent opportunities as well as challenges before people who believe in the thrivfor American Jews who have a progres- ing liberal democracy envisioned by sive vision for Israel.

Israel’s founders find That’s the view common ground, she of Libby Lenkinski, said. the New Israel Fund NIF opposes the vice president of boycott, divestment strategy, coming to and sanctions moveAtlanta on June 8. ment, which does The return of ulseek to delegitimize tra-Orthodox parties Israel, and Lenkinto the government ski said her organizathreatens religious tion doesn’t support pluralism and efforts going to any internato reduce the power tional justice organiof the Orthodox rabzation to address isLibby Lenkinski is NIF’s vice binate. Netanyahu’s president for strategy. sues within Israel. vow before the elecShe also said it’s tion not to reach a two-state solution important to remember that NIF’s misand his warning on Election Day that sion is to improve Israeli society and Israeli Arabs were voting in droves doesn’t include Palestinian groups. alarm those who support equal rights “We’re very clear about the full in Israel, Lenkinski said. spectrum of what we support,” she She noted that those Arabs make said. “If you don’t believe in basic huup 20 percent of the nation Netanyahu man rights, you’re probably not going leads, so his statement “was of deep to be a supporter of the New Israel concern to supporters of NIF and the Fund.” organizations we work with on the Lenkinski will engage in a converground. … Those are the kinds of things sation June 8 about the postelection that are disappointing.” path for progressive Jews with AtlanBut Lenkinski said the governing tans Steve Berman and Shai Robkin. coalition offers honesty and clarity Robkin, the chairman of NIF’s and the possibility of partnership on Atlanta Regional Council, said the orsome social and economic issues with ganization hopes to expand its local groups that might oppose NIF on other presence to help progressive, pro-Israel policies. She said the ultra-Orthodox Jews support like-minded Israelis. parties are good on NIF’s social and “The need to support those in Israeconomic issues, and Moshe Kahlon’s el who advocate for democratic values, centrist Kulanu party ran on the shared pluralism and human rights is perhaps issue of affordable housing. greater than ever before,” Robkin said She emphasized that while the in an email message. governing coalition turned to the right, At a time when many young Jews Israeli voters did not. That’s part of the are feeling disconnected from Israel reason Netanyahu’s coalition has only and others are turning to anti-Israel 61 of 120 Knesset seats. efforts such as the BDS movement, he NIF also is working outside the af- said NIF can serve as a positive outfluent center of Israel to get people off let for frustrated American Jews who their couches to engage on core issues. want to see Israel live up to its ideals. ■ “There are research institutions that are drafting policies on what a libWhat: New Israel Fund discussion on eral policy looks like on issues of equalprogressive strategies in Israel ity, on housing, on national security,” Where: Congregation Shearith Israel, Lenkinski said. “That’s just one of the 1180 University Drive, Atlanta sort of building blocks of that piece of When: 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 8 connecting grass roots to more power and influence and traction by sort of Cost: Free; atlanta@nif.org or 212-6134426 creating infrastructure.”

T

LOCAL NEWS

B’nai Torah Overhaul, One Year Later

Schumann: MUSIC, MOOD SWINGS, & MADNESS

By Al Shams

T

and high-energy windows were installed, and the lighting and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems were improved.

Tuesday, June 9, 7-9 PM Skyland Trail 1903 North Druid Hills RD NE Atlanta, GA 30319

Join us for a unique evening of classical performance and conversation with psychiatrist and Julliard-trained pianist Dr. Richard Kogan. Learn how mental illness affected great composers.

Free. Registration required.

www.skylandtrail.org/DCFLecture2015

The Experts in Visual Communication

TRANSFERRING MEMORIES SINCE 1985

Convert this...

Into this...

WE TRANSFER MEMORIES TO CD, DVD, OR COMPUTER FILES

Additional Services: - Photo Slideshow/Montage - Video Editing - DVD/CD Duplication - Audio Editing

videoimpact.com (404) 256-4108 5975 Roswell Rd NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328 - Video Tapes - Film Reels

AJT contributor Al Shams is a Sandy Springs resident and member of Congregation B’nai Torah.

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

he Atlanta Jewish Times in May 2014 outlined Congregation B’nai Torah’s plans to renovate its facilities and provide for future growth. It’s time for an update.

The administrative wing of the Sandy Springs synagogue is blocked off for the construction work, which featured plumbing work at the end of May, and the education wing was recently demolished.

The term “renovate” is an understatement.

The physical structure and the interior The overhaul at Congregation B’nai Torah has upgraded are being dramatithe sanctuary, including chairs in place of pews, a cally changed as the recentered bimah and a computerized yahrzeit board. synagogue plans for growth the next 20 The following renovations are in years.

B’nai Torah moved to the cur- progress: • Preschool — Renovate, upgrade rent location in the spring of 1985 after holding services in schools and and expand to increase the capacity churches for four years. In 1982, several from 70 to 100 children.

• Rabbinical and administrative members purchased a parcel of Sandy Springs land that wound up being sold staff offices — Double the size because for a significant profit. Those proceeds the current facilities were designed for were applied toward the construction a congregation with 400 families, but membership is now 700 families. of the current building.

• Education wing — Install an enThe following major renovations hanced security system, modernize the have been completed: • The social hall was doubled in bathrooms, and increase the number size with movable partitions installed of usable classrooms from eight to 12.

• Parking lot — Repave the lot, enand room for seven extra classrooms hance the security lighting and make with new bathrooms nearby.

• In the sanctuary, the pews were access easier for people with disabilireplaced with individual seating. The ties.

B’nai Torah has postponed plans bimah was recentered. Floors, walls and ceilings were upgraded, and a com- to redesign the kitchen to serve larger functions and ease food preparation. puterized yahrzeit board was added.

An undertaking of this magnitude • The chapel beit midrash was doubled in size with new seating and a new represents great hope and confidence ark to serve as a facility for prayer and for the future. Without hope, without confidence in the future, without a study.

• For the common areas, a new sense of community and commitment, roof, security and telephone systems, we would lead shallow lives. ■

AJT 13

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

LOCAL NEWS

Bridging the Muslim-Jewish Divide

Clarkston finale of ‘Intimate Strangers’ shows signs of hope

By Tiffany Parks

M

any people believe that Jewish-Muslim conflicts are too tense and complex to solve.

But a group of Jews and Muslims gathered at the Clarkston Community Center in Clarkston on May 17 to tackle the conflict in an innovative way. The focus of the gathering, which was hosted by the American Jewish Committee (www.ajcatlanta.org) and its MuslimJewish Dialogue, was the fourth and final installment of the French-made documentary series “Jews and Muslims: Intimate Strangers.”

“The documentary was well made.

The rare archival footage of the 1948 transitional period to the Israeli state was impressive,” Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry said.

“As art gets more sophisticated, the way people express themselves evolves, and our human understanding of each other evolves as well.”

What the film did well was dredge up and expose raw feelings about culture, power and history among the participants.

“I realized watching the film that the notion of disgrace kept coming up on the Muslim side. I don’t think Jews had that mind-set after the Holocaust or when they were expelled from Muslim countries. That’s why they were able to move forward. I think it’s ego that’s holding back the peace process,” said Rick May, a Jewish member of the

Muslim-Jewish steering committee.

Soumaya Khalifa, a Muslim member of the steering committee, responded by explaining to May the concept of saving face in the Muslim community.

“When a parent tells a child he will have a homeland and that homeland is never realized, it is considered a terrible shame in the Muslim community because pride of the community is important.”

Sheila Adelman, a retired retailer, said she had an epiphany about both groups as she watched the film. “I learned how painful it must have been in 1948 for the Arabs to be displaced, and then Jews were displaced all around Europe at the same time. Both have had similar painful experiences, but they haven’t collectively shared these experiences in large numbers.”

What was obvious to Lesley Dixon, one of the group facilitators, as he mingled with the participants, was that Jews and Muslims in America are poised to be dynamic leaders of the peace process.

“All around the room, Jews, Muslims and other denominations were debating and sharing their passions and personal experiences to connect with each other on a much higher, interpersonal level,” Dixon said.

The interfaith connection among the participants was the desired outcome for the AJC organizers.

AJC Regional Director Dov Wilker said, “is the only entity having this bi-

lateral conversation in Atlanta.”

“When we gather people from these faith communities for dinner, discussion and a movie about our shared history, good feelings are the order of the day,” said Sandra Cuttler, co-chair of the steering committee.

More than 400 Jews and Muslims attended at least one of the four segments of “Intimate Strangers.”

“Clarkston does not really have a high Jewish population. It has a higher Muslim population,” Terry said. The fact that so many Jews came from elsewhere in metro Atlanta to participate in the dialogue proves how dedicated they are to such interfaith relationships.

A symbol of the potential for progress between Jews and Muslims in America was the location of the event in a formerly segregated high school.

“The Clarkson Community Center was once a white segregated high school. It opened in 1924 and closed in 1966. It was never desegregated,” Cuttler said. “By having this event, it’s like making things right. It’ll take a few more decades of hosting positive events to bring things full circle from the beginning of its opening to the closing.”

Wilker said the AJC wanted to host the event in a neutral space that also had a history. People are more relaxed in secular locations.

This first local effort at MuslimJewish conversations was not flawless.

Est. 1989

VOTED TOP TEN SALONS IN ATLANTA! High Five to our # 5; the new Sandy Springs location 1st time clients get a FREE HAIRCUT, BLOW DRY & SKIN ANALYSIS

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

Call and book your experience today!

AJT 14

(770) 993-0058 www.josephandfriends.com Sandy Springs Plaza, 6309 Roswell Rd, Suite 1-C, Ga. 30328.

At each of the four sessions, even one held at the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam mosque, Jews far outnumbered Muslims among the participants, few of whom were young adults.

But Cuttler said: “The tangible results of these initiatives are indicated by the ability of Jews and Muslims in the group to have meaningful conversations about contentious issues such as ISIS, Iran, state-sponsored terrorism, and relations between states, ethnic groups and religious communities in and around the Holy Land. This is no small accomplishment when one considers that the AJC is an officially Zionist organization that supports the state of Israel, and many Muslim participants are active supporters of the Palestinian cause.”

One sign that the event was fertile ground for interfaith collaboration and connectivity occurred at the end when Adelman introduced her husband, David, to Soumaya Khalifa.

She loves jewelry, and he owns a jewelry store. They exchanged numbers.

The AJC hopes to look back one day and proclaim that it was on the forefront of something big, just as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and the Council of Federated Organizations were to blacks and whites during the civil rights movement in the 1960s.

“The next project that the AJC is planning is a service project in the garden of the Clarkston Community Center, to be followed that day by a joint discussion of the Jewish teaching of tzedakah and the Muslim teaching of sadagah,” Cuttler said. “The AJC is also planning for a future educational program of five to six sessions using the book ‘Sharing the Well: A Resource Guide for JewishMuslim Engagement.’ The book is the result of an interfaith project with contributions from the Jewish Theological Seminary, Hartford Seminary and the Islamic Society of North America.”

“There will be ups and downs for the AJC, but the longterm goal has to remain there,” Terry said. “You don’t do the work they are doing to win medals. You do it because it is the right thing to do.” ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

JUNE 5 â–Ş 2015

LOCAL NEWS

To check your answers, visit atlantajewishtimes.com/2015/06/super-shabbat-sheet-solution-behaalotcha.

AJT 15

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

ISRAEL

‘A Fantastic Five Years’

Opher Aviran reflects on his time as consul general

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com Even if Ambassador Opher Aviran couldn’t wait to get home to Israel this August at the end of his five-year term as consul general to the Southeast, he would have good reason to hesitate.

Housing costs are high in Israel, and even with his oldest daughter, Reut, living with her husband in the Netherlands and his middle daughter, Adi, staying in Georgia to pursue an acting career, Aviran and wife Talyah might need a second home just for all the memorabilia they’re taking back.

It’s not just the football signed by Alabama football coach Nick Saban or the basketball items from the University of North Carolina’s Roy Williams and the Memphis Grizzlies or the countless signed and framed photos that fill the walls of his office Midtown.

It’s the haul of awards, plaques and other recognitions being presented to Aviran everywhere he goes in his fi-

nal months in the Southeast.

He received a new award named for him, the We Stand With Israel Opher Aviran Award, from Hillels of Georgia in late March. He was an honoree of the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust in April. He and Talyah shared the honor from the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in mid-May. And he closed out May by taking home a memento from Conexx.

That’s a sampling of the hardware Aviran has received just this spring and only in Georgia. He has been active throughout his tenure in the other five states under his consulate as well — North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi — sometimes spending entire weeks hopscotching from state to state to work with governors, attorneys general, legislators and business leaders to protect Israel’s interests.

Gifts, awards, photos and tchotchkes spread through his Midtown office are evidence of the miles he

Talyah and Opher Aviran enjoy the Atlanta Jazz Festival at Piedmont Park in May 2014.

has traveled since August 2010 — and the work he has ahead of him just to pack up by the end of July. Perhaps it was convenient that container shipping company ZIM, Conexx’s Israeli

Company of the Year, was just a few tables away at the Eagle Star Awards gala May 28.

“It’s been a fantastic five years. It’s a bittersweet feeling to go back home,”

Praise for the Ambassador

The Atlanta Jewish Times invited Jewish community leaders in Atlanta to offer comments about Israeli Consul General Opher Aviran and his wife, Talyah, and their five years here. The responses are on this and following pages.

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

Opher’s fluent articulation of JNF’s vision demonstrates his understanding and appreciation for our mission.

During one of his short visits back to Israel, he took precious time away from his family for a JNF tour so he could even better represent the organization. Talyah and his warm style opened doors and hearts for Israel throughout the Southeast. We will miss their friendship and support but know that they will prepare their successor to build on their success.

— Beth Gluck, Jewish National Fund

AJT 16

Opher Aviran has become one of my closest friends and confidants. We have had a wonderful relationship since his arrival in Atlanta. Opher is the perfect combination of compassionate soul, creative talent and visionary leader. He has been an ever-present source of strength for me personally, for The Temple, and for all of us in the Southeast. We have

been honored to have Opher address our congregation each year on Yom Kippur and also to teach our community on numerous occasions. It has been our honor to partner with him on important milestones like Yom HaAtzmaut. And we have worked together with political, civic and communal leaders of every background to strengthen the American-Israel relationship. I particularly admire the extraordinary outreach Opher has done with the Christian community.

He has built bridges in Atlanta better than anyone in his short time with us.

We will miss Opher and Talyah very much but feel that they will always be a part of our family.

— Rabbi Peter Berg, The Temple Here is what I wrote to Opher when I replied that I would be unable to attend the Consulate’s annual Yom HaAtzmaut celebration this year: “In addition to your diplomatic expertise, you have brought warmth to your interactions with people that immediately endears you to them. It’s a wonderful quality. I will be among the many here who will miss you!”

Consul General Aviran has carried out his duties on behalf of the state of

Israel with sensitivity and expertise.

He deeply cares about the welfare of the state of Israel and its people, and it shows in all that he does. But what sets Opher apart is what I wrote to him in that reply above. Opher is a warm, loving and (literally) embracing person. He has endeared himself to many people in our community and throughout the Southeast Region.

Those personal qualities reinforce individuals’ desire to support the state of Israel and on its behalf.

We have come to understand that basic human relationship and connection is often the foundation of successful work on anything. Consul General Opher Aviran has exemplified that knowledge and utilized it in support of our beloved state of Israel in many fine ways. I shall miss him and his wife, Talyah, who supported the consulate’s work through her warm efforts.

— Rabbi Neil Sandler, Ahavath Achim Synagogue

seen them in action in places like Hungary, Albania, France, Germany, Africa and the Far East, not to mention the various postings in the United States from Washington, D.C., to Los Angeles.

While all those I’ve met and worked with on behalf of Israel’s foreign diplomacy serve with honor and distinction, few have ever left the impression on me that Opher Aviran and his wife have. Opher is a true diplomat in every sense of the word, always putting his country’s interests ahead of his own.

Opher works tirelessly to build relationships that don’t serve to benefit him personally, but rather the state of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. His warmth and love of people are surpassed only by his dedication and love for Israel. He has carried out his duties in a way that would make every citizen of Israel proud. While we in Atlanta are sad to see Opher and Talyah leave, we are heartened by the fact that Israel is getting one of its jewels to return home.

— George Birnbaum, Atlanta Jewish Academy board member and former chief of staff to Benjamin Netanyahu

Praise for the Through my work in Israel with both the Prime Minister’s Office and the Foreign Minister’s Office for almost two decades, I have come to know many of Israel’s top diplomats serving in posts throughout the world. I have

Your commitment to the soldiers, especially the Lone Soldiers, is a testa-

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Aviran said. “I love Atlanta. I love the Southeast. I love the people here. We have many, many good friends,” more than in any previous posting.

The cycle of consuls general coming and going in the Southeast is nothing new. Aviran’s immediate predecessor, Reda Mansour, used the training he got in part from Aviran as he navigated a couple of wars (Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2006, Hamas in Gaza in 2008), became the dean of Atlanta’s consular corps, and departed well-liked and appreciated.

Aviran also has faced two wars during his time in the Southeast — Operations Pillar of Defense and Protective Edge against Hamas in Gaza in 2012 and 2014 — and claimed statelevel legislative successes in the diplomatic battle against Iran’s aggressions.

But as seen in the praise from community leaders accompanying this article, there’s a sense he has made a deeper impression.

“I’m a relatively easygoing person.

I’m a warm person,” Aviran said in trying to explain why he and the Southeast have meshed. He said he’s a lousy joke teller but has a good, dry sense of

humor, and that personality just fits here.

He said Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant is such a good friend that they exchange personal email messages and call each other on personal cellphones just to talk.

His and Talyah’s friendship with Nathan and Sandra Deal began before

ment to your legacy as parents, since I’ve watched you treat these brave men and women as if they were your own children. Your warmth and smile bring comfort to all of us that have been fortunate to spend time with you.

It is an honor to be able to refer to you as a friend.

— Seth Baron, executive director, Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Southeast

been helpful and supportive of our Birthright programs and supportive of the Federation’s efforts in Israel and in our partnership region of Yokneam and Meggido. I have gotten to know Ambassador Aviran, his wife, Tali, and his children and know how much Atlanta will miss them. We wish them well and safe travels as they enjoy the opportunity to be with their family in Israel.

— Michael Horowitz, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta

From the outset, Opher embraced his role and became an active member of the Atlanta Jewish community. He was always gracious, supportive and eager to infuse Israeli culture into programs at the MJCCA and throughout metro Atlanta. His presence will be greatly missed.

— Gail Luxenberg, CEO, Marcus Jewish Community Center I have known Ambassador Aviran since I first came to Atlanta. Even before arriving, he reached out to me to make sure I knew how much he valued the Federation’s partnership and in turn confirmed my personal commitment to the people and state of Israel. His passion for Israel and the Jewish people is contagious and so appreciated. Ambassador Aviran has always been supportive of Federation’s mission and has participated in our communitywide events, has

Deal took office as Georgia governor.

In December 2010, when Deal was governor-elect and the Avirans were marking their first Chanukah in Atlanta, Seth Cohen asked whether they would like to have the Deals join them to light the candles.

Sure enough, one night the Deals arrived right on time — which, Aviran

The Avirans have become close friends with Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and first lady Sandra Deal and with The Temple’s senior rabbi, Peter Berg.

We have been blessed beyond words by having Talyah and Opher Aviran in our lives these past several years.

They have magnificently represented Israel in their professional capacities by strengthening the vast network of regional diplomatic, interfaith, crosscultural, civic and business ties. That being said, their true legacy will be the hundreds of heartfelt friendships they have formed across the entire Southeastern United States. We will dearly miss their warmth, humor, creativity and generosity of spirit.

— Robyn and Doug Ross

student involvement were created, bringing Israel closer to our students, faculty and parents. Mr. Aviran recognizes the importance of teaching Hebrew and supported the professional growth of our Hebrew teachers in a citywide initiative which focused on improving the teaching of Hebrew as a second language. The ties that he formed will continue to grow and reflect the unbreakable bond between Israel, the Epstein School and the greater Atlanta Jewish community. The Epstein community wishes him the very best in his future endeavors.

— The Epstein School On behalf of AJC Atlanta’s board of trustees, we are so grateful for the incredible relationship we have had with Ambassador Opher Aviran throughout his tenure in Atlanta.

Opher made such an incredible impact on the Southeast that his presence will surely be missed. He is a true diplomat, advocating on Israel’s behalf during some of her most difficult times and always being available to meet with AJC Atlanta and ACCESS leadership.

We will miss working with our friend Opher and wish him much success in the future.

— Greg Averbuch, AJC Atlanta president; Lauren Grien, AJC Atlanta president 2013-2015; Lenny Silverstein, AJC Atlanta president 2011-2013; Dov

acknowledged, is earlier than any Israeli would have turned up — and a close friendship developed.

One result was that the Deals offered a special video greeting to the Avirans when Georgia’s first couple couldn’t make the FIDF dinner May 19. The first lady focused on Talyah’s unsung diplomatic role, saying, “You have been a true ambassador for the state of Israel.”

Talyah that night noted that her husband’s role in the IDF decades ago was tank commander, and she said he still applies the lessons he learned in organizing a team of four to charge ahead while meeting larger objectives.

Aviran said those lessons boil down to teamwork. He said that while some tank commanders would leave their teams to clean up after exercises, he never left until the whole team was done.

“If I demand a lot of myself, I can expect a lot from others,” he said.

He also makes a point of using “we” when talking about successes but saying “I” when anything goes wrong.

He said that approach of taking blame continued on Page 18

Wilker, regional director Diplomats serve the interests of their country, and their key mission is to build relations and friendships. Atlanta and the Southeast were the home of two groundbreaking initiatives that were launched a few years prior to the 1996 Olympic Games: the American Israel Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange (GILEE). Like diplomats, these two initiatives focused on building international professional ties between the business communities and the law enforcement communities, respectively. Diplomatic tenures range between a year to five years, and since the early 1990s there were many consuls general over the years. Some of them were very good.

No one has been as energetic, forceful, full of ideas, ever-present, pushing initiatives and working tirelessly to bring the Southeast and Israel together as Opher Aviran. GILEE would not have been able to carry out its mission as effectively without the strong support of the Consulate General of Israel in Atlanta. Ambassador Aviran provided an excellent role model of a thoughtful, proud, resourceful and friendly representative of the state of Israel, and he has undoubtedly left his mark here. He will be missed, but his legacy

Ambassador Over the past five years, Opher Aviran has strengthened the personal and educational relationship between the Epstein School community and the consulate office. Under his inspiring leadership, new opportunities for

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

ISRAEL

AJT

continued on Page 18 17

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

ISRAEL but sharing credit encourages the startup nation mentality of taking risks and being willing to fail.

It helps, Aviran said, that he has had such a strong team in Atlanta, including the two deputy consul generals who have served with him: Sharon Kabalo and Ron Brummer.

“It’s all about people,” he said.

Among the top successes during his time in Atlanta are progress in connections with the black community, including a friendship with Ebenezer Baptist Church Senior Pastor Raphael Warnock, and the growth in the annual Yom HaZikaron (Israel Memorial Day) program, with more participation from the Israeli community and roles for the day schools.

“I don’t believe really in the word ‘problem.’ There are problems, but every problem you can see as a challenge,” Aviran said. “You cannot an-

swer every challenge in life, obviously, in private life as well as public life. But you identify the opportunities and the obstacles to address your challenges, and you identify your partners. It’s all about partnerships. It’s all about building coalitions.”

He said he always asks state legislators to seek Democratic and Republican sponsors for legislation because Israel should not be a partisan issue.

That approach has been crucial to the signature legislative effort of his term: isolation of Iran through divestment.

Georgia passed Iran divestment legislation when Mansour was consul general, and Aviran was determined to bring the legislation to other states in the region.

Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens gave that effort a boost when he invited Aviran to join him at the

national convention of state attorneys general in 2011 so the consul general could meet with the AGs from the other five Southeastern states. Instead, Aviran was invited to address the full convention, giving a boost to divestfrom-Iran efforts across the nation.

With help from state Attorney General Alan Wilson, advice from United Against Nuclear Iran and a bit of his own personal touch, the legislation was enacted in South Carolina.

Aviran said the South Carolina law is the best in the nation because of UANI’s input, and it has served as a model for other states.

Mississippi also has enacted divestment legislation, and a bill in North Carolina has cleared the Senate and is pending in the House. Aviran is hopeful that Tennessee will act next year.

Only Alabama has rejected Iran legislation; Aviran said he hopes his

successor tries again there.

Aviran is still taken aback by the scope of the Southeastern post and the distances involved in appearing anywhere from southwestern Mississippi to northeastern North Carolina.

During our interview in his office May 20, he noted that his driver, Eric, drove him some 450 miles at night to get home May 18 from an appearance in North Carolina so he could be ready for the FIDF gala the next day. It occurred to him that it’s only 475 miles from Metula on Israel’s Lebanese border to the southern Red Sea port of Eilat. In effect, his driver took him the length of Israel on a quick trip back from North Carolina.

Aviran noted that the GDP of the six states the consulate covers is equal to such nations as Sweden, Switzerland, Chile and Vietnam.

His 86-year-old mother, who was

Praise for the Ambassador

will be the elevation of relationship between the Southeast and Israel to levels unheard of before in scope, numbers, content and quality. We wish Opher, Talyah and their daughters all the best in their future endeavors.

— Dr. Robbie Friedmann, GILEE founding director Opher has been a tireless advocate and friend to Conexx. His wisdom and support of the American-Israel business relationship has been invaluable, and it is obvious to see throughout the Southeast. We will miss Opher and Talyah and wish them luck in their new posting.

— Guy Tessler, COO, Conexx Hillels of Georgia takes great pride in promoting a pro-Israel environment on all its campuses. Indeed, Israel advocacy and education is one of

our fundamental core values. But the groups that we choose to partner with change annually. However, one mainstay throughout our existence has been the Consulate General of Israel to the Southeast.

When local Atlantans hear that Hillels of Georgia regularly partners with the consulate, they are generally surprised and ask how that relationship plays out. The answer is: It all starts at the top. Ambassador Opher Aviran has been revolutionary in engaging and maintaining a strong relationship with the Jewish and non-Jewish students throughout Georgia. When anti-Semitic issues popped up on our campuses, he would be one of the first to call to offer assistance and wisdom and, more importantly, would repeatedly follow up to ensure that Hillels of Georgia had all the resources to execute our plan. When a nonprofit

came to town that could assist Jewish students on campuses, he would make sure to make that connection by inviting the Hillels of Georgia staff to the consulate’s building to meet with the other organization. He has helped sponsor and promote pro-Israel programming at all of our campuses and has made sure that we have the consulate’s ear whenever necessary.

Hillels of Georgia holds biannual Israel leadership meetings, inviting all the Israel student leaders throughout the state for training and orientations.

The consulate offered to host the second one of the year at Ambassador Aviran’s home. At this dinner, Hillels of Georgia bestowed upon the ambassador its first annual Israel award and named it after him because of his impact and continued support for the student community. The award is the Opher Aviran Stand With Israel

Award. We could not have hoped for a better ambassador and wish him and his family luck in their future assignments.

— Michael Coles, president, and Rabbi Russ Shulkes, executive director, Hillels of Georgia Consul General Opher Aviran shared the women of Greater Atlanta Hadassah’s passion for Hadassah Medical Organization and what it represents to the people of Israel. His sense of humor, along with his natural charm, allowed Israel to always be represented in a positive light, which won us many supporters. He leaves Atlanta with many friends who will miss him and his family. We wish him the greater good fortune with all his future endeavors.

— Paula Zucker, president, Greater Atlanta Hadassah

FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

SALUTES CONSUL GENERAL OF ISRAEL TO THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, AMBASSADOR OPHER AVIRAN AND HIS WIFE, TALYAH.

AJT 18

WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR DEDICATED SUPPORT OF ISRAEL’S SOLDIERS. Their job is to look after Israel.

Ours is to look after them.

GEORGIA INTERNATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT EXCHANGE AT GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY’S ANDREW YOUNG SCHOOL OF POLICY STUDIES

Recognizes with great appreciation the professional, dedicated and effective Service of

Ambassador Opher Aviran and his energetic efforts to promote public safety and homeland security cooperation between Israel and the Southeastern United States

ISRAEL his career will take in Israel. He might continue to work with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or he might try to use his contacts in the Southeast to build more connections between the region and Israel in academic or business areas.

“We’ll see. I feel confident,” he said.

His diplomatic career has included stops in Myanmar, the Netherlands and Australia, but he told the FIDF crowd that Atlanta has been his favorite post.

He knows he’ll be back in Georgia to visit Adi as she pursues an acting career with the B.F.A. she earned at Columbus State. Youngest daughter Noa is bound for military service in Israel.

“It’s been an amazing time,” Aviran said.

Sandra Deal returned the warm feelings toward the Avirans at the FIDF gala with a sentiment shared by many: “Georgia will always welcome you with open arms.” ■

An Ambassador for Israel And Our Community

By Kaylene Rudy-Ladinsky krudy@atljewishtimes.com As president and founder of Americans United With Israel and business manager of the Atlanta Jewish Times, I have had many opportunities to work with Ambassador Opher Aviran. I have witnessed him not only working to benefit the land of Israel, but also supporting our Jewish community as a whole. He has always been so welcoming when joining hands in local events that go above and beyond the call of duty for a consul general.

My relationship with Ambassador Aviran began almost four years ago in 2011. We worked together while organizing several pro-Israel events, including the United We Stand rally at the Georgia World Congress Center, the Jerusalem Festival at Emory University, and most recently the AUWI and Friends of the Israel Defense Forces rally during the Gaza conflict this past August, as well as many other community events.

One of his greatest strengths is his ability to bring diverse people together.

I have witnessed the richness of support grow among our local politicians and the evangelical community not only for Israel, but also for the entire Jewish community.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Ambassador

Aviran during his tenure as consul general of Israel to the Southeast, as he has inspired me to be an advocate for Israel and a better member of this community in many ways. He always encourages me to make a difference while reaching wider and farther when speaking up for Israel.

He has touched thousands of lives and made an impact throughout the Southeast that will never be forgotten.

I am sad that his time in Atlanta is coming to a close but also feel fortunate that he had this time here. ■ Dear Ambassador Aviran, I want to thank you personally for believing in me when I came to you with a plan to “stand united with Israel.” You encouraged me to believe that a single person can make a significant difference. Americans United With Israel was nothing more than a dream in 2011 and now has over 3 million members and raised almost $1 million in 2014, sent directly to Israel. You have touched my life, and by extension the ripple has touched a million more.

How blessed we all are to have had this chance to know and experience your professional and personal gifts. I can only wish you the greatest blessings and most prosperous future to come. You deserve the very best.

Thank you so much for all you have done and all that you are doing. ■

Talyah and Opher, you have brought so many throughout the Southeast a new or deeper understanding of and affection for Israel, thanks to your tireless efforts and your warm and welcoming personalities. To us, you have brought the timeless and invaluable gift of friendship, one we hope to keep alive and well for many years to come, no matter where we call home.

Best of luck with your upcoming transitions and know you will be sorely missed by us and many others.

With love, Linda and Abe Schear.

Mazel Tov on your incredible impact on the Southeast in defense of the State of Israel.

AJC Atlanta’s Board of Trustees

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

born in Corsica but came to Palestine by the time she was 6 months old, called from Israel during the interview to wish him a happy anniversary, which served as a reminder of how long a five-year foreign posting is.

“Soon I’m going to be seeing her a lot more,” he said. She’s healthy but has been a widow for more than eight years. Aviran said he regrets that his father, who came from Poland as a boy with his whole village in 1929, didn’t live to see many of his achievements, including receiving a promotion to the rank of ambassador in October after 31 years in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It’s a career that started on a whim.

“I never dreamed of being a diplomat,” Aviran said. He just went along with a friend who was taking the diplomatic corps exam, and he made it through the selection process.

Now he’s not sure what direction

AJT 19

ISRAEL

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home Twins for cancer survivor. An Israeli woman has given birth to twins five years after cancer treatment made her infertile. Before the treatment, doctors froze some of her ovarian tissue, which was later transplanted back into her.

It is only the second time in the world that this procedure has succeeded.

Accessible learning. The Kibbutzim College of Education in Ramat Aviv is opening the Center for Accessible Learning to promote education, training and employment for people with disabilities. It will not only help students acquire a profession, but will also improve thier skills through tailored training programs.

Flying high. Israir Airlines and Tourism is buying a new Airbus A-320 for $45 million, expanding its fleet to five planes. The airline also is in talks to merge with El Al’s Sun D’Or charter service to form a low-cost Israeli airline.

Hear him. For National Hearing Day, Shlomi Bracha of the Israeli rock band Mashina performed a unique version of Eifo Hayeled’s “Someone Hears Me” with children suffering from hearing disabilities.

Jordanian with an Israeli Ph.D. Amer Sweity recently became the first Jordanian citizen to earn a doctorate from an Israeli university. He studied desalination at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and wants to bring peace through water.

Record-breaking printer. Israel’s DipTech has been awarded the Guinness world record for the largest digital flatbed printer. At 58½ feet long, it can print on a single pane of glass with an area of 690 square feet. It is reported that the printer is being used on the curved-glass “spaceship” project for Apple’s new California headquarters. $125,000 desalination prize. The U.S. Agency for International Development

Israel Photo of the Week

Transformative High School Education

Jewish National Fund (www.jnf.org) partners with Alexander Muss High School in Israel, an accredited, college preparatory study-abroad program offering the most sought-after, transformative educational experience to high school students going to Israel. With more than 24,000 alumni, AMHSI is the first program of its kind, engineered to connect modern high school students to the land of Israel and the Jewish people through an intense, interactive immersion formula. The results, combining high-quality education with experience and peer bonding, have created lifelong positive effects on students.

(USAID) awarded the $125,000 Desal Prize to a joint research project of the Technion in Haifa and the University of North Texas in Denton as part of the Securing Water for Food Grand Challenge. The project uses wind and solar energy to power desalination.

Keep watch. The new FLIR FX home security camera comes with Recap software from Modi’in-based BriefCam so you can easily see what’s going on with your property or loved ones.

filming from Hollywood to Nuremberg

May 6 - November 20, 2015 Hollywood directors John Ford, George Stevens, and Samuel Fuller created American cinema classics, but their most important contribution to history was their work in the U.S. Armed Forces and Secret Services.

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

An exhibition by the Mémorial de la Shoah, Paris, France.

AJT 20

AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Filming

George Stevens and his crew, France, 1944 © Courtesy of the Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA

Atlanta History Center John Ford Samuel Fuller George Stevens

Saving money at the pump. Israeli app Fulltank gives you the locations of the gas stations nearest to you. While the app works worldwide, in Israel it also provides up-to-date prices from over 1,200 gas stations.

Unemployment hits historic low. The Central Bureau of Statistics reported that Israel’s unemployment rate fell from 5.2 percent in March to a record low of 4.9 percent in April. The number of employed Israelis rose 1.3 percent to 3,636,000.

Why Israel’s energy matters to the EU. According to the Greek Energy Forum, Israel’s potential supply of liquefied natural gas from its fields in the eastern Mediterranean would provide major economic benefits to the European Union. But a former president of Royal Dutch Shell, John Hofmeister, tells Globes that Israel should keep most of the natural gas for itself for security.

Record French Birthright tour. A record 1,500 young French Jews are visiting Israel this summer on the TaglitBirthright Israel program to learn about the Jewish state and their Jewish heritage. Only 83 French Jews took the free Birthright trip in 2013 and 940 in 2014.

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

SPORTS/ARTS

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Synagogue Softball Summer Reading Bag League Results, Schedule May 31 Results Etz Chaim 12, Beth Shalom 11 Emanu-El 15, Dor Tamid 2 5 Beth Tikvah 1 6, Gesher L’Torah 5 Sinai 2 12, Temple 2 7 Sinai 2 8, Beth Jacob 7 B’nai Torah 13, Chabad 6 Ahavath Achim 7, Beth Tefillah 6 Or Hadash 8, Beth Tikvah 2 2 Ariel 8, Young Israel 3 Dor Tamid 1 8, Temple Sinai 1 0 Or VeShalom, Temple 1, rainout Bet Haverim, Kol Emeth, rainout Beth Tikvah 2, Kol Emeth, rainout

Standings A Division

Wins

Losses

Ahavath Achim

1

0

Dor Tamid 1

1

0

B’nai Torah

1

0

Chabad

0

1

Beth Tefillah

0

1

Sinai 1

0

1

Temple 1

0

0

Or Veshalom

0

B Division

0 Wins

Losses

Ariel

1

0

Emanu-El

1

0

Etz Chaim

1

0

Beth Tikvah

1

0

9 a.m.: Or Hadash vs. Beth Jacob Gesher L’Torah vs. Dor Tamid 2

Beth Shalom

0

1

Young Israel

0

1

10:15 a.m.: Sinai 2 vs. Or Hadash Etz Chaim vs. Beth Tikvah 1

Gesher L’Torah

0

1

Dor Tamid 2

0

11:30 a.m.: Beth Tikvah 2 vs. Kol Emeth Bet Haverim vs. Temple 2

C Division Sinai 2

2

0

12:45 p.m.: Young Israel vs. Emanu-El Ariel vs. Beth Shalom

Or Hadash

1

0

Beth Tikvah 2

0

1

East Roswell Park

Beth Jacob

0

1

3:15 p.m.: Chabad vs. Ahavath Achim Sinai 1 vs. Or VeShalom

Temple 2

0

1

Kol Emeth

0

0

Bet Haverim

0

0

June 7 Games Ocee Park

4:30 p.m.: Chabad vs. Or VeShalom Sinai 1 vs. Ahavath Achim 5:45 p.m.: Beth Tefillah vs. Temple 1 Dor Tamid 1 vs. B’nai Torah 7 p.m.: Dor Tamid 1 vs. Temple 1 Beth Tefillah vs. B’nai Torah

1 Wins

Losses

For more information about the Atlanta Men’s Synagogue Softball League, visit http://amssl.amssl.apps4rent.info.

Hibbard Closes JCC Jazz

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

G

rammy Award-winning saxophonist and composer Mace Hibbard is coming to the Marcus Jewish Community Center with his jazz quintet Sunday, June 14, at 7 p.m.

Hibbard, a multi-instrumentalist who also plays the flute, piano and clarinet, will bring his own brand of jazz to the Dunwoody center’s Morris & Rae Frank Theatre to close out the second season of Jazz at the JCC. Hibbard’s career spans more than two decades.

“To bring our second season of Jazz at the JCC to a close, Mace brings his topnotch local skills to the JCC stage,” said Brian Kimmel, the Marcus JCC’s director of arts and culture. “As a top-notch educator and musician, Mace fits in to our mission to bring intown arts to a Dunwoody audience.”

The Mace Hibbard Quintet is based in Atlanta and currently features Hibbard, Melvin Jones on trumpet, Marc Miller on bass, Louis Heriveaux on piano and Marlon Patton on drums. The group has performed twice at the Atlanta Jazz Festival.

“It’s always a pleasure to get to play, and we’re looking forward to playing at the JCC,” Hibbard said.

Tickets are $10 to $15 and are available at www.atlantajcc.org/boxoffice. ■

W

herever you go this summer, put something Jewcy in your reading bag. Here are some great books by age group.

Babes → “3 Falafels in My Pita” is a new count-through-Israel book that introduces young ones to the sights of Israel. → “That’s a Mitzvah” introduces a variety of mitzvot through familiar nursery rhymes. Charming!

Young Children → “Hare and Tortoise Race Across Israel” creates summer fun with a new twist on an old story. → In “Sadie, Ori, and Nuggles Go to Camp,” Ori wants to go to camp, but he wants to take Nuggles with him. → In “The Zoo Box,” the kids find a mysterious box that says, “Do not open.” Surprise! → “On a Beam of Light” presents Albert Einstein as speech-delayed and ADD but with a fabulous imagination.

People with challenges can achieve great things. For ages 6 and up. → “Who’s That Sleeping on My Sofa­bed?” is by Jewish Atlanta community member Ruby Grossblatt. Yoni’s parents just bought a comfortable sofa bed, but every night a different guest is sleeping in it. For ages 4 to 7. → In “The Mystery of the Overturned Inkwell,” a rabbi uses a little trick to show the king a better understanding of creation. For ages 6 to 10. → In “Cam Jansen and the Summer Camp Mysteries,” Cam and Eric are spending three weeks at Camp Eagle Lake doing the usual: crafts, sports and mystery solving. For ages 7 to 10.

Tweens → “Secrets at Camp Nokomis” is an American Girl mystery. When camp pranks get out of hand, Rebecca finds out what is happening. For ages 8 to 10. → In “Friends Forever,” Hannah is suddenly transported across time.

She and Abigail have fun, but how will Hannah get back? For ages 8 to 14. → “Screaming at the Ump” has Casey living with Dad and Grandpa at Umpire Camp, making him the youngest ump ever. For ages 10 to 14. → “The Mysterious Shoebox” is a collection of stories for all the holidays.

For ages 9 to 12. → “Twerp” shows Julian, a good kid, in trouble. His deal with his English teacher is to write about the incident.

He keeps a journal, but he can’t bring

himself to tell the story. For ages 9 to 12.

Teen Scene → “The Zig Zag Kid” turns Nonny’s bar mitzvah year trip into an amazing adventure in a witty and humorous story. For teenagers and adults. → In “The Man Who Flies With Birds,” when Israeli planes collide with birds, ornithologist Yossi Leshem finds a way to save the pilots, the planes and the birds. For ages 10 and up. → “The Bomb” tells a spy thriller of the plotting, risk taking, deceit and genius that led to the creation of the atomic bomb. For ages 10 to 14. → “How to Ruin a Summer Vacation” shows that sometimes Israel isn’t the ideal trip. Going there with her estranged father is not exactly Amy’s idea of a summer vacation. Goodbye, American comforts, and hello, goats.

For ages 12 and up. → “My Family for the War” takes 10-year-old Franziska from her family when she is sent to strangers on the Kindertransport. What happens when they are reunited? For ages 12 and up. → “Better Than a Lemonade Stand!” offers 55 small-business ideas and howtos for the summer. For ages 10 and up.

Adults → “Superman: The High-Flying History of America’s Most Enduring Hero” tells the story of Superman’s creation.

It’s a tale full of action and adventure, heroes and villains. → “Victory Season” covers the pivotal year of 1946, when we were welcoming soldiers back to baseball and making way for social change. → “Karski: How One Man Tried to Stop the Holocaust” is a spy thriller and a story of moral courage. → “Sacred Treasure: The Cairo Genizah” teaches about Rabbi Solomon Schechter’s discovery of the largest treasure of damaged Jewish manuscripts in history. → “Women of Valor: Polish Resisters to the Third Reich” highlights four women who took risks to fight Nazis. → “Ben & Jerry’s: The Inside Scoop” explores how two real guys built a business with social conscience and humor.

What’s summer without ice cream?

Find these summer treats and others at your friendly Jewish bookstore in Roswell, And Thou Shalt Read, or visit www.AndThouShaltRead.com. ■

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

By RuthE Levy

AJT

RuthE Levy is the owner of And Thou Shalt Read.

21

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

ARTS

A Cold War of Words

DeMille’s fictional ‘Angel’ warns of Russia’s real rising ambitions

By Suzi Brozman sbrozman@atljewishtimes.com

W

as “Radiant Angel” ripped from the headlines?

Not quite. But Nelson DeMille, set to speak at the Marcus Jewish Community Center on Thursday, June 4, has that rare combination of a prescient mind and a facility for storytelling and language to keep your eyes glued to the pages of his novels.

He’s back with hero John Corey, focusing this time on Russians out to revive the Cold War. Read the book and pray he’s writing fiction, not prognosticating our future with Vladimir Putin.

DeMille was a Navy brat who grew up to enlist in the Army and fight in Vietnam in the late 1960s. “I was looking for adventure. I was young and naive and joined the Army to join the infantry. My dad was Navy and patriotic.

It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

The greeting he received on his homecoming was bad. “People kept asking me, ‘Why did you go?’ I spent some time being angry, but eventually

The

I put it behind me. The would people do in this military is held in higher situation?’ ” regard today.”

He finds it easy to He wrote “Work of create characters. “I Honor” in 1986 as his war watch people all the time novel. “People came back and pick up on their lanand wanted to write the guage, their regional acwar novel. Those written cents, how their occupaafter World War II did tion is reflected in their well, but after Vietnam, word usage. You have nobody wanted to read to have a good ear for them. There was lots of dialogue, to understand anti-war feeling, but by the differences between the ’80s, when I wrote Photo by Sandy DeMille sexes, people, regions.”

Nelson DeMille adjusts his about the war’s afterDeMille said feelstory to fit a market with a math, it was a big seller. ings such as passion, short attention span.

I’m glad I waited. It gave jealousy and hate affect me perspective.” the plot.

How does he write his brand of “When I think of excellent writfiction? “It’s the ability to tell a story. ing, I always think of Stephen King,” There used to be storytellers, but not so he said. “He’s a natural-born storyteller many today in our age dominated by and an expert on the English language. electronics. Some people can’t tell a sto- Years ago we had Agatha Christie and ry. Lots of books today are best sellers Dorothy Sayers. You wanted to read written by people not that comfortable them and follow the story. But we’re with the English language but good sto- getting away from that. We watch too ries anyway. I love language, and I can much TV.” tell stories. I sit back and think, ‘What DeMille misses the days when people read because there was nothing else to do. “Last summer I read Somerset Maugham. His works were long and complex. People don’t have the attention span anymore.”

In response, he cut “Radiant Angel” to a tight 320 pages with a linear

Family Business

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

Since 1991

AJT 22

Your GO TO Specialists for all YOUR REAL ESTATE Needs

RE/MAX AROUND ATLANTA David Shapiro Jon Shapiro DShapiro@remax.net JonShapiro@mindspring.com 404-252-7500 404-845-3065 404-845-3050 www.jonshapiro.com

plot to see the effect on sales.

“It’s a Cold War return, the resurgence of Russia,” DeMille said. “This is a topic that needs to be addressed in fiction form. John Corey usually gets involved with Islam. Here he’s left the FBI and is following a Russian diplomat who, like all his bad guys, is up to no good.”

Next up is a book about Cuba; DeMille plans to visit after Labor Day. He follows the headlines, but with the lag time from coming up with an idea, writing in longhand and having assistants type, the world changes, so he has to focus on big-picture issues.

He tries to stay out of politics, but he said two books, Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shrugged” and George Orwell’s “1984,” altered his outlook. “I’m a Libertarian, anti-dictatorship but socially liberal.

We have to have a strong country.” ■ Who: Nelson DeMille in conversation with Dana Barrett Where: Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody When: 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 4 Tickets: $8 for members, $13 for others; www.atlantajcc.org/ bookfestival or 678-812-4002

100th Birthday Lena Sisselman

Lena Melnick Sisselman celebrated her 100th birthday May 28.

She was born at home in Atlanta to Isaac and Sadie Melnick on May 28, 1915. Her father bought the first brick to build Ahavath Achim Synagogue’s Washington Street location and was one of the first presidents of Congregation Shearith Left: Centenarian Lena Sisselman is flanked by two of her greatIsrael. Lena gradugrandsons, Harry (left) and Lee Haber. Right: Lena Sisselman ated from Girls celebrates with great-granddaughter Samantha Haber Steininger.

High and married Sydney Sisselman in February 1936. In 1952 they founded Globe Chemical Co., a family-run business that is still thriving today in Avondale Estates.

Lena’s children, Rosalind and Phillip Haber, Ivan and Jill Sisselman, and Debbie and Alan Fialkow; her eight grandchildren; and her 19 great-grandchildren want to wish her a very happy 100th birthday. ■

Marriage Wolf-Warsett

Karen (Wolf) Kleiman and Andrew Wolf announce the marriage of their daughter Rachel Wolf to Ross Warsett on May 16, 2015, in Hollywood, Fla. The newlyweds were married at Temple Solel by Rabbi Robert Frazin, a longtime family friend of the bride’s parents and grandparents Elliot (Myra) Kleiman of Cooper City, Fla., and the late Judith Solloway Kleiman. Rachel is also the granddaughter of Morton Wolf of Lansdale, Pa., and the late Mickey Wolf.

Rachel’s sister, Alexandra Wolf, was the maid of honor.

The bride is a native of Atlanta who graduated from the Davis Academy in 2004 and the University of Florida in 2012 and received her master’s in mental health counseling from Georgia State University in 2014. She is practicing as a mental health counselor at Anxiety Stress Management Institute in Marietta.

The groom is the son of Gwenn (Stan) Silverman and Duane Warsett and brother of bridesmaids Lori and Julie Warsett. Ross is the grandson of Elliott and Helene Penziner of Sunrise, Fla., and the late Ruth and Paul Warsett. Ross graduated from the University of Florida in 2011 and from Emory Law School in 2014.

Ross is a practicing attorney with the law firm of Robert J. Semrad and Associates in Atlanta.

“The real Ross and Rachel” met at the University of Florida in 2009, where Ross was AEPi president and Rachel was a board member of AEPhi. The couple will reside in Buckhead. ■

THE SONENSHINE TEAM

Atlanta’s Favorite Real Estate Team DEBBIE SONENSHINE STAR NEWMAN KATIE GALLOW Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Internationally Certified Negotiator, Luxury, New Homes and Corporate Relocation Specialist #1 Sales Associate in Sandy Springs Office Voted Favorite Jewish Realtor in AJT, Best of Jewish Atlanta

#1 Team Coldwell Banker Atlanta Northside Hospital Area List Price $539,900

Fantastic Home in Close-in Byrnwyck Neighborhood!

UNDER CONTRACT IN 1 DAY!

• Beautiful Renovation Throughout • King-Size Master with Sitting Area, Wood Floors & Updated Bath with Double • Quiet Cul-de-Sac Lot Headed Shower • Study, Sunroom & Big Family Room- Soothing • Finished Terrace Level with 2 Bedrooms, Neutral Gray Decor 1 Full Bath, Kitchen, Office & Rec Room • Gorgeous Kitchen with Granite and Stainless • Friendly Swim/Tennis Club with Playground Steel Appliances & Natural Trails • 6 Bedrooms/ 3 Full Baths / 1 Half Bath

direct 404.250.5311 office 404.252.4908

Debbie@SonenshineTeam.com | www.SonenshineTeam.com ©2014 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.

APPLIANCE REPAIR

ALL Major appliances & brands washer, dryers & refrigerators

ALL WORK GUARANTEED

ovens, stoves & dishwashers Garbage disposals 30 Years Experience

FREE

SERVICE CALL WITH REPAIR OR $25 SERVICE CHARGE

Call Kevin 24/7

770.885.9210

appliancerepair.kevin@gmail.com

Servicing All of Metro Atlanta

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

SIMCHAS

AJT 23

A Taste of Persia

1814 Peachtree St Atlanta, GA 30309

Shabbat - Holiday - Special Event Lunch - Dinner - Banquet

Come and enjoy Sufi’s platters!

It is a great way to share and taste a variety of our delicious kabobs and rice dishes.

SIMCHAS

Bar Mitzvah for the Ages Bob May becomes a man at age 88

By Zach Itzkovitz

A

bar mitzvah ceremony usually is a young man’s opportunity to look to the future. Rarely is it a time for extended retrospection.

But when Bob May stands before friends and family on the bimah as a bar mitzvah, his eyes will have a different kind of twinkle.

thing. He picked us up and went to California.”

Rabbi Lauren Cohn has worked with May twice a week since March.

She discussed his Torah portion, Shelach-Lecha, which introduces the 12 spies Moses sent to Canaan to evaluate the land’s potential for settlement.

“Ten come back and say it’s too scary, too many people,” Rabbi Cohn

Delivery Available Through

For Larger catering orders call: 404.888.9699 www.SufisAtlanta.com

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

Bob May prepares for his bar mitzvah celebration with Rabbi Lauren Cohn at Congregation Dor Tamid.

AJT 24

The 88-year-old father and grandfather will become a bar mitzvah Saturday afternoon, June 6, at Congregation Dor Tamid in Johns Creek.

“When I first called in, I said, ‘I want to talk to somebody about a bar mitzvah,’ ” May said, “and whoever answered the phone said, ‘How old is the child?’ I said, ‘It’s for me.’ ” May found inspiration in 2008 when his daughter, Laura, became a bat mitzvah as an adult. An older man became a bar mitzvah the same day, mobilizing May’s desire.

He was born Feb. 10, 1927, more than 2½ years before the stock market crash that ushered in the Great Depression. When he turned 13 in 1940, it was still a difficult time to have a bar mitzvah.

“We were moving from California to Florida,” May said, “and I guess, with the economics and everything, it didn’t happen.”

In his d’var Torah, May will reflect on his father’s work ethic and determination in the worst economy in American history.

“He lost everything,” May said. “He had a Pabst Blue Ribbon distributorship and apartments in Chicago — he was retired at 26 — and we lost every-

said. “Two come back and say it’s a beautiful land. The difference between the two sets of spies was perspective.”

A teacher learning from a student may be a cliché by now, but when an 88-year-old is taught anything, his teacher inevitably learns from him as well.

Asked what she learned from May, Rabbi Cohn said: “A lot of dirty jokes.”

May’s wry sense of humor does not distract him from his Torah studies, which he takes seriously, according to Rabbi Cohn.

“He’s a really hard worker,” she said. “This is so important to him.”

Many congregations include a l’dor va’dor (from generation to generation) segment, in which grandparents pass the Torah to their children and on to the grandchild becoming an adult.

In May’s ceremony, his grandchildren will pass the Torah to their parents and then to him.

May finds himself much further down the timeline than most who undergo the coming-of-age ceremony.

Maybe he will see the past when he looks out to a congregation of children and grandchildren. Maybe he’ll see the future. Maybe the difference between the two will disappear. ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

AJA 8th-Grade Grads Light the Way

T

wenty-nine eighth-graders became the first graduates of the Atlanta Jewish Academy Middle School on Wednesday, May 27, continuing a tradition from the Greenfield Hebrew Academy.

The students, some of whom had attended GHA since pre-kindergarten, didn’t lose the chance for caps and gowns when GHA merged with Yeshiva Atlanta High School last year to form AJA. And Ian Ratner, the president of the AJA board, assured the crowd of faculty and families that eighthgrade graduation will remain a part of AJA next year.

“This will be the fulfillment of a dream,” Ratner said of AJA’s development as an integrated kindergarten-to- B 12th-grade Jewish day school.

Emphasizing the theme of the ceremony, “The Light of G-d Is the Soul of Man,” Associate Head of School Leah Summers said each graduate has the divine spark and has shined in a special way.

“G-d made room for us that we can join him in partnership in making this world a better place,” Summers adE

H vised the graduates. She said a single person can make a difference in the world by lighting the way for others.

“I want you each to have the courage and foresight to start a new path and leave a new trail, and if you do that, others will follow,” Summers said.

In words that could be directed to any day school graduates, she concluded: “May the light of your soul illuminate the way for yourself and all those who follow you, and I wish you mazel tov.”

The graduation came five days after an awards ceremony for the eighth-

graders.

The Keter Shem Tov (Crown of a Good Name) Award, for students who through their deeds and actions display resourcefulness, modesty, honesty, uprightness and menshlichkeit, went to Datiel Dayani and Brad Flory.

The Hadassah Chesed Award, handed out at a Greater Atlanta Hadassah ceremony May 3 to a student

A

C

D

F

I who embodies care for other people and love of Israel, was won by Shani Kadosh.

The Head of School Award went to Micah Frankel and Zoe Sokol.

The Ephraim Frankel Award for scholarship, leadership and the trait of being a mensch was given to Nathaniel Robinson and Ruthie Stolovitz.

AJA also gave out the Linda Gross Award, which goes to a rising eighthgrade girl who embodies kindness, compassion, hard work and integrity and displays the Jewish values of Linda Gross. The winner was Aden Dori. ■

G

J

K

A: Members of Atlanta Jewish Academy’s eighth-grade Class of 2015 prepare to flip their tassels to show they have graduated Wednesday, May 27. B: Keter Shem Tov (Crown of a Good Name) Award winner Brad Flory, recognized for brightening a room upon entering and extending his general good humor and positive school attitude to those around him, celebrates the award with his mother, Julie. C: Keter Shem Tov (Crown of a Good Name) Award winner Datiel Dayani, who captured teachers’ attention by quietly involving himself in school activities while building a strong academic foundation, poses with his mother, Lona.

D: Ruthie Stolovitz is the winner of the Ephraim Frankel Award, which recognizes scholarship, leadership and the trait of being a mensch.

E: AJA Associate Head of School Leah Summers presents a diploma to the 29th and final member of the graduating eighth-grade class, Erez Wainstock. F: Ian Ratner, the president of the AJA board, congratulates eighth-grade graduate Breanna Alyssa Grover.

G: AJA eighth-grade graduates toss their mortarboards into the auditorium air to celebrate.

H: Ben Cohen (left), Datiel Dayani and Danielle Brog sit onstage after collecting their diplomas.

I: Chairman Howard Feinsand brings greetings from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

J: Before the formal diploma-presentation ceremony, AJA eighth-grade graduates perform highlights from their day school years. K: AJA board President Ian Ratner promises that there will be an eighth-grade graduation next year.

Graduation photos by Michael Jacobs

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

AJT 25

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

Epstein’s Graduates Take Their Final Bows

T

he Epstein School celebrated the graduation of 49 eighth-graders at a ceremony at the Sandy Springs campus Thursday, May 28. Unlike other Jewish day schools in the area, Epstein skipped the caps and gowns, but the school and the graduates still shared the joy.

A: Fresh Epstein graduates (from left, back row) Sam Bronfman, Daniel Stern, Sam Greenblatt, Evan Blum, Hayden Rubin, Leo Sachs, Justin Kaplin, Ben Panitch and Josh Weinberg and (front row) David Weinberg and Asher Jacobs playfully ponder their futures after the ceremony May 28.

B: Graci Goldstein accepts her Epstein diploma from class adviser Shannon Lutes.

A

C: Abigail Myerowitz performs at her eighth-grade graduation from the Epstein School.

B

D: Epstein alumnae Julia Stern (right) and Arielle Stern (third from left) and fellow sibling of a graduate Lindsey Lewis (left) visit with new graduates (from left) Daniel Lewis, Syd Pargman and Daniel Stern after graduation.

E: Graduates Sam Greenblatt, Graci Goldstein and Daniel Lewis are determined to remain friends.

C

F: (From left) Lucy Reish, Brooke Goldberg, Sarah Pearl and Hannah Pearl share a moment at their Epstein graduation.

D

G: Epstein girls, including (front) Abigail Meyerowitz and Carly Wohlberg, perform an Israeli dance at their graduation.

H: Gabriella Lewis prepares to let her voice be heard at her Epstein graduation.

E

I: Epstein alumnus and musician Jack Schneider gives his newly graduated sister, Sophie Schneider, a hug. Jack recently learned he was accepted to the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

F

J: (From left) Sarah Pearl, Lindsey Gelernter, Hannah Pearl, Rebecca Glusman and Sari Olim gather for a final photo in front of the Epstein School sign after their graduation.

H

I

JUNE 5 â–Ş 2015

G

AJT 26

J

K

K: The beginning of graduation May 28 is the occasion for a good-luck hug among outgoing Epstein eighth-graders (from left, back row) Gabriella Goodman, Isabel Berlin, Hannah Granot, Gabriella Lewis and Sophie Schneider and (front row) May Abravanel, Ariel Arbiv, Abigail Meyerowitz, Ellerin Robins and Julia Bardack.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

Intensity of Journey Home Surprises Davis Students

Sam Mahle On our trip I learned that the Israeli people seem to live life with more ruach (spirit) than most Americans.

The Israeli people are high intensity and full throttle. Israeli drivers exemplify this aggressive approach to life.

Even though this bold attitude can be frightening at first, I learned that most Israelis are truly nice people and have an unbounded love of life and freedom.

I saw many of these characteristics in the students from the Nili School in Zichron Ya’akov, who were our pen pals at Davis throughout the year.

While we were visiting an Israel Defense Forces memorial site in Latrun, it occurred to me that mandatory service in the IDF requires such an approach to life. I realized that in addition to protecting the holy state, the IDF brings all Israelis closer and creates a community of support when tragedy happens. The IDF also teaches discipline, and most important, I believe, the IDF teaches soldiers to cherish life and live every day as if it is your last. Understanding that death could happen at any moment makes life more intense.

While in Israel, I discovered that Judaism is not just reciting prayers or studying Torah; it is also being part of a special kehillah (community). The Torah brought Jews together, but the Jewish community is so special because only one out of every 516 people on Earth is Jewish. I believe the rareness of Jews creates an automatic bond when Jews come together. I experienced this at the Kotel when my classmates and I joined in prayer and danced with

Jews from all over the world and even with IDF soldiers. Even though we had never met before, I felt the safest and most comfortable I have during my life around them and the rest of my Jewish kehillah.

Sarah London On May 7, 2015, I landed in Israel and heard the words “Welcome home!”

In my life, I have already developed two homelands. For 14 years, my homeland has been Atlanta, and recently I discovered a second homeland in Israel.

Throughout my years at the Davis Academy, I thought I had learned everything there was to know about Israel.

Finally, about three weeks ago, it was time to experience Israel.

While boarding the plane, I was not sure what to expect and was actually quite nervous. But the moment I arrived in Tel Aviv, I immediately felt as if I was home.

My classmates and I had been dreaming about what Israel would be like for many years, and we had been counting down the days to departure for the entire school year. About three days into the trip, I had already fallen in love with Israel. Everything about Israel was different from home: the smells, the food, the people and even the cats.

However, I was surprised by how much I had in common with people I met in Israel. I finally met my pen pal from the Nili School and discovered that she was just like me, even though

she goes to synagogue every Shabbat and speaks a different language. Everything was so different but yet so familiar, all at the same time. Although it was a place I had never Top right: The Davis Academy Class of 2015 visits the Israeli visited before, Israel Armored Corps’ Yad Lashiryon Memorial at Latrun. felt like home. ■ Middle left: Davis students take some quiet time in Tzfat (Safed).

Middle right: Students visit the Nili School in Zichron Ya’akov.

Bottom: The Jordan River offers some relaxing rafting.

71 Graduate From Davis

In an evening filled with celebration and congratulations, the Davis Academy Class of 2015 graduated Thursday, May 28. Of the 71 eighthgrade graduates, 49 of them now become a part of the Davis Academy Emet Society, meaning that they attended Davis for their entire lower and middle school education — either nine years (kindergarten to eighth grade) or 10 years (if they started in the Mechina class). This was Davis Academy’s 16th graduating class, and Davis graduates now number more than 800.

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

S

hortly before graduation, the Davis Academy eighth-grade class returned from two weeks in Israel of exploring not only historic and cultural sites and the country’s natural beauty, but also their own connection to and impressions about our Jewish homeland.

The trip “comes at the end of the Davis journey,” Rabbi Micah Lapidus wrote on his blog (davisacademymenschlichkeit.blogspot.com). “That means that the chaperones and all the teachers at Davis don’t always get to see the long-term effect of the trip and of The Davis Academy experience more generally. And we’re okay with that because we have participated in the tilling of the field, the planting of the seeds, and the watering of the garden.”

Two new Davis graduates share their thoughts about the Israel trip.

AJT 27

NATIONAL NEWS

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

World War I Hero Awarded Medal of Honor

N

early a century after displaying extreme heroism and leadership over three days of battle and more than 40 years after dying, a Jewish veteran of World War I was awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday, June 2.

Sgt. William Shemin is the latest example of a Jewish war hero receiving belated military honors amid suspicions that anti-Semitism prevented proper contemporary recognition.

(The Atlanta Jewish Times presented the more blatant case of Korean War hero Cpl. Tibor Rubin in a review of the biography “Single-Handed” in the May 29 issue. An anti-Semitic senior sergeant twice refused an officer’s order to submit paperwork recommending Rubin for the Medal of Honor, and his subsequent service as a POW contributed to his earning the medal half a century after the war.)

Shemin’s oldest daughter, Elsie Shemin-Roth, 86, who lives near St. Louis, accepted the nation’s highest military honor from President Barack Obama in front of more than 60 relatives at a White House ceremony that marked the end of her 13-year quest to win her father his due. Obama also awarded a black World War I veteran, Pvt. William Henry Johnson, the Medal of Honor on June 2.

In both cases, discrimination was

gun fire across 150 blamed for the solyards of open space diers not receiving to rescue wounded their deserved comsoldiers. He also mendations a centook command tury ago. of his platoon beShemin-Roth cause the officers summed up her and noncommisfather’s case in 11 sioned officers words at a news above him were all conference May 21: wounded.

“Discrimination Shemin sufhurts. A wrong has fered shrapnel been made right. wounds but fought All is forgiven.” until a machine She declared gun bullet hit him the president a in the head near mensch after he his ear and left him called to tell her unconscious.

He about the medal, an Photo courtesy of the Shemin family was found the next upgrade from the The Army provided this undated portrait Distinguished Service of Sgt. William Shemin from his family. day and hospitalized for the rest of the war, Cross awarded to Shwhich ended three months later, then emin in late 1919.

The native of Bayonne, N.J., was served in the occupation force in Gerfighting with the 4th Infantry Divi- many and Belgium.

Legally, a Medal of Honor must be sion’s 47th Infantry Regiment during the Aisne-Marne Offensive along the awarded within five years of the action Vesle River near Bazoches, France, being recognized.

Shemin went on with his life after when he displayed conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of his discharge from the Army in 1919, duty from Aug. 7 to 9, 1918, according although his daughter said some of the shrapnel remained in his body and to the U.S. Army.

Three times during that battle, Sh- he suffered post-traumatic stress and emin left the relative safety of a trench deafness. He played football and lato run through heavy German machine crosse at Syracuse University, got a for-

OBITUARIES - MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

28

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Robyn Facher Berger

Meyer Garber

Robyn Facher Berger, 72, of Atlanta passed away Monday, June 1, 2015, in her home of 49 years. She was born April 4, 1943, the daughter of Helene and Bernard Facher, may his memory be a blessing.

In addition to her mother, Robyn is survived by her beloved husband of over 50 years, Martin; her daughters, Lisa and Lori, and her son, Eric. She was the loving mother-in-law for Chip Boardman, David Bryan and Melissa Lerman and an enthusiastic, involved and proud “Nana” for Ross and Allison Boardman and Benjamin and Ella Berger. Robyn will be missed greatly by her close-knit family and friends. She was always the go-to person for all in need, whether it be for hospitality, health care or a simple favor. Robyn was an inspiration to her community.

She helped transform attitudes toward and care of people with developmental disabilities in the greater Atlanta area. Although she received every possible award for her services, only improvement in the lives of others mattered to her.

Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 3, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Peter Berg officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to All About Developmental Disabilities, 125 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, www.aadd.org; or Jewish Family & Career Services’ Zimmerman-Horowitz Independent Living Program, 4549 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Atlanta, GA 30338, www.jfcs-atlanta.org. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-4514999.

Meyer Garber passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at the home he shared with Claudette, his wife and friend of 56 years, in Sandy Springs. He was 83 years old.

Meyer was born and raised on the south side of Atlanta, attended Adair Elementary School, and graduated from Brown High School. He was a standout high school basketball player who also played with Atlanta’s own Devoted Sons of Israel, the 1948 national championship Young Judaea basketball team. He was recruited on a basketball scholarship to Duke University and played on the freshman team in 1950-51. Meyer was an Air Force ROTC cadet while at Duke and completed a 27½-year career in the U.S. Air Force, including a combat tour in Vietnam and Laos, retiring as a colonel in 1985. Much of his Air Force career was in training and education, and he assumed a Jewish lay leader role in almost all of his assignments. Upon retiring to Melbourne, Fla., he operated a very successful real estate business with Claudette and was active in the Jewish community there, serving for three years as president of Temple Beth Sholom, a large Conservative synagogue. Meyer and Claudette recently moved to Atlanta to be closer to family.

Meyer was a loving husband, a devoted father, a terrific listener, a trusted adviser, a complete mensch, and a true-blue Duke basketball fan who rejoiced this year in the men’s team’s success. He was always a very humble man, in spite of his accomplishments, and was infinitely approachable, with a sympathetic ear and words of encouragement for everyone he met. He faced all of his many medical challenges with spirit, often telling his doctors, “If you find it, you fix it.”

Meyer Garber was preceded in death by his parents, Yetta and Morris Garber,

72, Atlanta

AJT

estry degree, married and raised three children, ran a landscaping business, and died in New York in 1973 at age 77.

“My father was fully satisfied with having received our nation’s secondhighest military honor,” Shemin-Roth said, but she knew he deserved more.

With the encouragement of the Jewish War Veterans and the support of her congressman, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, she launched her campaign in 2002.

Luetkemeyer introduced the William Shemin Jewish World War I Veterans Act in 2010 to allow a review of the cases of Shemin and other Jewish veterans who might have been the victims of discrimination in awards. The bill failed to pass but was incorporated into the 2012 National Defense Act, and after a review, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel agreed in 2013 that Shemin deserved the Medal of Honor.

A waiver enacted with the 2015 National Defense Act allowed the belated award to Shemin, and Obama notified Shemin-Roth in April.

“I felt an enormous sense of pride as an American Jew and for him and for our family and for the entire Jewish community,” she said. She added that she was accepting the medal in her father’s name but also on behalf of all those who fought valiantly but didn’t have the paperwork to prove they deserved a similar honor. ■

83, Sandy Springs

OBITUARIES - MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING and his brothers, Karl, David and Sam Garber, of blessed memory. He is survived by his wife, Claudette Garber; his children, Mitchell (Michele) Garber and Yvonne (Steve) Katz; and his grandchildren, Robbie, Samantha and Evan Garber and Joey and Shayna Katz.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held Thursday, May 28, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Joshua Heller officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Meyer’s memory to the B’nai Torah Capital Campaign, www.bnaitorah.org/support-us/capitalcampaign. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Theodore Johnathan Kopkin 90, Sandy Springs

Theodore Johnathan Kopkin passed away peacefully Saturday, May 30, 2015.

He was surrounded by his loving wife, Ethel, and his children, Marian and Mark.

Ted enjoyed a wonderful life for 90 years. He was born to Sol and Chana Malka Kopkin, of blessed memory, Aug. 6, 1924, in Chattanooga, Tenn. After graduating from Chattanooga High School, Ted enlisted in the Army during World War II. He served in the military as a sergeant in Burma and China for 4½ years. Ted received his B.A. from the University of Chattanooga and his master’s degree from Emory University. Ted was a sweet, intelligent and gentle man who loved life and his family. He always looked for the best in people and loved to laugh. Ted had a great sense of humor and an avid interest in history, literature and what makes the cosmos tick. He was a writer, a poet and a philosopher. He drew people to him who felt his compassion for life. He taught at Atlanta and Emory universities. Everyone loved to be around him and listen to his stories. He loved classical music and the opera and was an avid reader. Above all, he was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. He leaves a tremendous hole in our lives.

Ted was preceded in death by his brothers, Dave and Jackie, and his sister, Lena. In addition to his wife and children, Ted is survived by grandchildren Matthew, Sam, Bryan and Sarah, and Bruce and Lenora Kopkin and Marcie and Robbie Mott. Ted will be laid to rest at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 2, at Arlington Memorial Park with Rabbis Phil Kranz and Brad Levenberg officiating. Please sign the guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ted’s memory may be made to Temple Sinai or Davis Academy. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

her family, as well as working in the Senior Adult Program at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta for more than 15 years.

Contributions may be made to the Homeless Pets Foundation (homelesspets. com). Interment will take place in Chicago. Sign the guestbook at www.edressler. com. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Jane Betty Zion Yudelson 88, Atlanta

Jane Betty Zion Yudelson, beloved wife, loving mother and dear friend to many, passed away surrounded by loving family Friday, May 29, 2015.

She was born Aug. 15, 1926, in Atlantic City, N.J., to Lillian and Bernie Zion, both of blessed memory. She grew up in Philadelphia and moved to Atlanta when she married Harold in 1948. Jane received a B.F.A. in painting from the University of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. She met Harold at Penn in an art history class. Harold told the professor he got more out of the class than any other course he ever took — he got a bride. Jane not only helped Harold pass the class, but she also was the love of his life and his help mate throughout their long, fruitful marriage. Jane was an accomplished artist whose paintings were seen in juried shows and her Buckhead gallery.

She is survived by her adoring husband of almost 67 years, Harold Yudelson; her sister, Helen Thatcher; her three daughters, Robin Rosenberg (Fred), Terry Stetzner (Bill) and Karen Sandler (Joe); six grandchildren, Jason Taylor (Kirsten) and Ted Taylor (Tami), Ben Rosenberg (Annie) and Pete Rosenberg (Debi), and Nora and Eli Sandler; and seven great-grandchildren.

Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hadassah or the charity of one’s choice. Graveside services were held Monday, June 1, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Gilbert Paul Sherr 59, Atlanta

Gilbert Paul Sherr, age 59, died suddenly Tuesday, May 26, 2015.

He was an avid gardener, hiker and outdoors enthusiast. Gilbert was a respected professional speaker with expertise in memory improvement. An active member of the New Toco Shul, he was especially beloved by young children, with whom he had a unique connection. A world traveler and adventurer, he made several journeys to the Far East and throughout all 50 states.

As a child of Holocaust survivors, he was a frequent volunteer speaker at the Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, where he emphasized the importance of justice and speaking up in the face of injustice. A trained social worker, Gilbert directed a homeless shelter and served as the interim director of Servas, an international peace organization.

Survivors include his life partner, Judi Ayal; two brothers, Laurence and Joseph (Esther); and a nephew, Ephraim. Donations may be made to the New Toco Shul or Congregation Beth Jacob. A graveside service was held Thursday, May 28, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Chaim Lindenblatt officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

89, Atlanta

Irma Slaiman, age 89, of Atlanta died peacefully Friday, May 29, 2015.

She was a loving mother and grandmother who was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Herbert. Irma is survived by her children, Mark Slaiman, Bonnie and Larry Epstein, and Edlyn and Michael Meringolo; a brother, Sheldon Goldberg; and grandchildren Heather Wilson (Chris) and Nicole Epstein (Rob Panunti). Irma enjoyed playing mah-jongg and canasta and spending time with

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

Irma Slaiman AJT 29

CLOSING THOUGHTS OBITUARIES – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING

Taking Parade Rest From Camp History

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

C

AJT 30

amp Kinderring was my own special haven, the place where I spent a lifetime of summers, the place where I learned to be proud of me, of Israel, of my Jewish heritage.

The place that informed the girl I was and the woman I am today.

Every Friday morning after breakfast, our allotted time for bunk/cabin cleanup was extended. Upon completion of cleanup, all campers and counselors congregated on our bunk’s porch for the inevitable visit by our unit head, who would grade our efforts. She would announce our grade for Friday and the cumulative grade for the previous week.

We were all vying for the big weekly prize. At lunch, our camp director would announce, to great fanfare, the Clean Bunk Award of the Week.

The winners would jump up and down, scream with glee, bang on tables, and show other assorted ways of rubbing our big win in everyone’s face. Not good sportsmanship.

The coveted prize for an outstanding week of cleanups was leading a march, Rondo, to Shabbat dinner.

Friday activities were shortened by one period, allowing us plenty of time to return to our bunks, shower, dress in our whites, and prepare to march, dance and sing our way to the dining hall, where we ushered in and welcomed Shabbat.

The boys bunk and the girls bunk that attained greatness by winning the Rondo prize would meet near the flagpoles and head for the youngest campers first. The Rondo march encompassed the entire camp — all campers, counselors and staff. Hundreds of children and adults, in our best whites, many with flags of Israel, sang Yiddish and Hebrew songs as we headed to the dining hall.

This weekly tradition, a mere moment in time, was very powerful for me. I felt I was part of a community. I felt we all were important to Judaism.

We entered a transformed dining hall.

Each week a group was chosen to decorate the dining hall for Shabbat.

After all, true royalty, the Shabbat Queen, would be dinning with us. In the midst of Friday night prayers we would turn, in unison, to welcome the Shabbat Queen, who would always arrive at the same moment each week.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CROSSWORD “Waters of Babylon”

By David Benkof Editor: DavidBenkof@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Easy

It was extraordinary. I felt a comforting sense of belonging, an intense sense of pride, as my very soul was being fed.

As the years flew by, the Rondo memory stayed with me. It was one of my loveliest and happiest go-to

Shaindle’s Shpiel

By Shaindle Schmuckler shaindle@atljewishtimes.com

memories.

One glorious day I was given the privilege of directing a large camp, Camp AJECOMCE — a day camp of the Atlanta Jewish Community Center, now known as Camp Alterman.

I could not wait to introduce Rondo. I could picture the scene in my head and in my heart. Hundreds of campers and staff, dressed in white and blue, marching and singing on their way to our oneg Shabbat.

Our Rondo was introduced with great fanfare yet was a dismal failure.

It seemed like a simple parade when I was a camper, but we could not get it right. Trust me when I say that organizing 500 campers and staff is not an easy task.

Every summer we invited shlichim (Israeli teens who came to American summer camps directly from their two-year army tour). Finally, one summer the shlichim agreed to help. With their help and the help of our senior staff, we organized the Rondo.

Unlike most of the staff, I was thrilled to be part of this tradition once again. I hoped it would affect others as it had affected me. I hoped it would become a new camp tradition.

Nope, not so fast.

It took forever to get everyone organized. We were up against the stifling heat of the day. We were all dragging along so slowly that we marched our way right through the 40 minutes allotted for oneg Shabbat. The Rondo idea died on the vine that day.

No worries: My Rondo memories are solidly intact. The fact that I, along with my entire bunk of 13 counselors in training (CITs), was sent home from camp the year I was 13 — no need for a tell-all; it’s a story for another time — did not diminish my love of camp or the Rondo. ■

ACROSS 1 160 meters, for Jerusalem’s Bridge of Strings 5 Huevos haminados is the term for a Sephardi way of preparing them 9 Kosher fork of a kind 13 Lashon ___ (gossip) 14 Oregon capital whose name is related to a Hebrew greeting 16 2003 Woody Allen film “Anything ___” 17 Italian Mexican Jew Garcetti (L.A.’s current mayor) 18 Feature of Israel’s Luna Gal water park 19 “___ should kiss him who gives a right answer” (Proverbs 24:26) 20 Director of the blockbuster “Transformers” series 22 “___ in Show” (2000 movie starring the Christopher Guest troupe) 23 Mila Kunis’ baby daddy Kutcher 24 Great Plains st. with seven synagogues 26 Her children included Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah 29 What some residents of Crown Heights did in 1991 33 1993 book: “Adult Children of Jewish Parents: The Last Recovery Program You’ll ___ Need” 37 Transport pulled by dogs on the “Burning Bush Adventures” Jewish trip to Maine 39 Danish pianist and comedian Victor 40 Kind of Isracard 42 Daniel Day-Lewis’ country: Abbr.

43 “L’chaim” alternative 44 Birkat Hamazon is the one after meals 45 Corey Pavin plays it on greens 47 “Auld Lang ___” (song for New Year’s Erev?)

48 Ron Blomberg was one when he became baseball’s first designated hitter 50 One could be kosher, another could be vegan 52 Some kibbutzim have them for guests 54 Medina location 59 “Let’s Make a ___” (Monty Hall game show) 62 Originator of the catchphrase “Can we talk?”

65 With 35-Down, one of Israel’s most storied orators

66 Last name of the twins who starred alongside Bob Saget in TV’s “Full House” 67 On May 22, 2015, Barack Obama told a Jewish audience that a nuclear agreement with it would be good for Israel 68 Place to hang your tallit in shul 69 Site where a recent search for “Jew” brought back more than 13 million hits 70 Prefix before -diluvian indicating a time before Noah’s flood 71 Financial inst. on which Muriel Siebert was the first woman to own a seat 72 Israelis include their arnona tax when they pay it every month 73 ___-do-well (schmendrick) DOWN 1 ___ Yisrael (Jewish credo) 2 French city where JeanMarie Lustiger was cardinal for more than 20 years 3 “If I Were ___ Man” 4 “Die ___ zu begraben” (German title of the Holocaust book “Night”) 5 They formed a Dead Sea sect 6 Chutzpah 7 What Tom Cruise called Matt Lauer in a 2005 interview 8 One way to Ben Gurion Airport 9 Director of “Young Frankenstein” and “Blazing Saddles” 10 Nobelist Wiesel 11 Pharaoh symbols in hieroglyphics 12 Check if someone has the Tay-Sachs gene 15 Mobster Lansky 21 Judd Apatow still uses it for E-mail 25 Funny ones say things like “I lost it at my bris” and “Mommy’s little matzah ball” 27 Alternative persona for Borat and Bruno 28 ___ the Great (leader who built Masada and expanded the Second Temple) 30 Gentile actor Gentile (“The Goldbergs”)

31 Susan who originated the role of Belle in the Ashman/ Menken musical “Beauty and the Beast” 32 Mark from a Jerusalem Post editor 33 Like Sarah Silverman’s humor 34 Fashion designer Wang who married Arthur Becker in a Baptist-Jewish ceremony 35 See 65-Across 36 Talk show hostess who played a rabbi in 2009’s TV movie “Loving Leah” 38 Place for a good nosh 41 Bar mitzvah boy, for one 46 Biblical words of reassurance 49 Savor, as a knish 51 ___-state area (part of North America with the most Jews) 53 Alternative to the Hebrew calendar type 55 Kind of animals the Torah says to shoo from a nest 56 Swiss capital where Chaim Weizmann studied before World War I 57 Filled with righteous indignation 58 Ed of “Up” 59 “Oy gevalt!”

60 Site for buying everything from Bibles to bagel-slicers 61 Aleph-bet alternative 63 Arthur ___ Stadium (location of a 20,000-strong Hasidic rally denouncing the Internet) 64 It’s a sign?

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

MARKETPLACE

COMPUTER SERVICES

COMPUTER SERVICES

HOME IMPROVEMENT

COMPU ER

HOUSE CALLS

Voted #1 by Atlanta Jewish Community - Since 1987!

Only pay if we fix your problem! www.HealthyComputer.com As low as $49

• PC, MAC, iPhone/iPad Service • Home & Commercial Service • Virus/Malware Removale • Laptop Screen Repair • Data Recovery/Forensics • Wireless Corporate Networks • Website Design/Management • We beat competitor pricing!

As Seen On

Because technology should simplify.™

770-751-5706

I T S O LU T I O N S

HOME IMPROVEMENT

IT

IT SOLUTIONS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

877.256.4426

www.dontsweatitsolutions.com

fakakta computer?

I’ll drive to you!

Generator Sales & Service, Inc. www.perkinselectric.com

770-251-9765

24/7 Power Protection Hands Free Operation | Professional Installation

GENERATORS 24/7 POWER PROTECTION

→ Desktop & Laptop Repair → Home/Business Networking → Performance Upgrades → Apple Device Support → Virus/Spyware Removal Fast Appointment Scheduling Reasonable Rates All Services Guaranteed

404-954-1004 damon.carp@gmail.com

RESTAURANT EMPLOYMENT WANTED

Ninth Series Jubilee Bonds ($25,000 minimum) for 10 Years

3.58

%

Ninth Series Maccabee Bonds ($5,000 minimum) for 10 Years

3.43

%

BURIAL PLOTS 3 Burial Plots for Sale Arlington Memorial Park Shalom Lot 61D, Space 2, 3 & 4, No Synagogue Affiliation necessary Valued at $6,000 each. Priced at $4,000 each. Contact Betty: 678-714-0418 or bettymarian@bellsouth.net

Sixth Series Mazel Tov Bonds ($100 minimum) for 5 Years

2.75

%

Sixth Series eMitzvah Bonds ($36 minimum) for 5 Years

2.75

%

(404) 817-3500 Atlanta@Israelbonds.com Development Corp. for Israel, Member FINRA Effective through June 14, 2015

JUNE 5 ▪ 2015

Private Chef seeking full time position.

25 years exp. Italian, Mediteranean, French, Vegeterian and Grainless Cuisines.

Call Joan 917-565-7121 references available.

AJT 31

Celebrate at Atlanta's Most Historic & Memorable Venue

JUNE 5 â–Ş 2015

Three Distinct Environments All Inclusive Event Planning & Catering State of the Art Sound & Lighting Unique Entertainment Options Conveniently Located in Midtown Atlanta

AJT 32

For booking contact events@atlantaeventcenter.com or call 404.874.3006 x 120

www.atlantaeventcenter.com 1150 Crescent Avenue Atlanta, GA 30309