Atlanta Jewish Times, No. 19, May 22, 2015

DOING GOOD

With a whistleblower windfall, Meredith Rothman­McCoyd is giving back to her DeKalb community. Page 4

SELF-STYLED

Suzanne Hanein and Joel Eisenberg show the fruits of building their own Sandy Springs mansion. Page 26

DADDY EQUALITY

CNN’s Josh Levs talks about his new book, “All In,” and his struggle with Time Warner for full parental rights. Page 28

Atlanta VOL. XC NO. 19

MAY 22, 2015 | 4 SIVAN, 5775

WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM

Water, Dirt Help Launch New Mikvah

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

T

Post-Weber World Commences

Photo by Michael Jacobs

Miriam Goodfriend, Rachel Colonomos and Jennifer Freedman sing for their fellow members of the Weber School Class of 2015 at graduation Sunday, May 17, at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center. Graduation coverage, Page 18

FUN FOR KIDS

Learn all about Shavuot with a word search, crossword, blessings and more in the debut of our weekly kids page. Page 16

PLASTIC BEACH

Bram Industries, an Israeli manufacturer of plastic storage bins and food containers, is putting its first U.S. plant in Savannah. Page 24

Calendar

INSIDE

2 Education

18

Candle Lighting

2 Business

24

Local News

4 Arts

28

Israel

7 Obituaries

29

Opinion

10 Crossword

30

Youth

16 Marketplace

31

he living waters of a rainstorm enhanced the groundbreaking Sunday, May 17, for a place where anyone in the community can be immersed in the living waters of a mikvah.

About 50 people attended the ceremony at Congregation B’nai Torah, where the Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah, or MACoM, will be built this summer.

The acronym plays on the Hebrew word for place, B’nai Torah Rabbi Josh Heller said, because the mikvah will be a place for Jewish Atlanta to come together.

The mikvah will be the rare transdenominational sacred space, a place available to any Jew for any purpose, Alice Wertheim, the incoming MACoM board president, said during a mikvah learning session before the groundbreaking.

“I think this mikvah generates a feeling of community for all Jews,” MACoM financial backer Mike Leven said.

Matching the seven immersions of a mikvah visit, seven groups shoveled dirt: Rabbis Alvin Sugarman, Erin Boxt, Elana Perry, Judith Beiner, Brad Levenberg, Loren Filson Lapidus and Heller; Leven and his son Rob; construction lender Atlanta Capital Bank; Congregation Etz Chaim; a mikvah education and outreach group; B’nai Torah; and the MACoM board.

MACoM is replacing B’nai Torah’s mikvah, a transition Rabbi Heller said for him must be like becoming a grandparent: all the nachas of parenthood without the headaches. ■ Photos, Page 6

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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.

FRIDAY, MAY 22

Musical art. Savannah College of Art

and Design student Jose Gallo presents his senior thesis exhibition of Gallo Guitars at 7 p.m. at Rhytma Studios, 555 Whitehall St., Atlanta. Free; www. josegallo.com.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Parshah Bamidbar Friday, May 22, light candles at 8:19 p.m.

Saturday, May 23, light Shavuot candles at 9:20 p.m.

Sunday, May 24, light Shavuot candles at 9:20 p.m.

Monday, May 25, holiday ends at 9:21 p.m.

Parshah Naso Friday, May 29, light candles at 8:23 p.m.

Saturday, May 30, Shabbat ends at 9:25 p.m.

THURSDAY, MAY 28

Eagle Star Awards. The 14th annual Conexx gala begins at 6 p.m. at Georgia Power, 241 Ralph McGill Blvd., downtown. Tickets are $125; www.eaglestargala.com.

FRIDAY, MAY 29

Shabbat 150. Young Jewish Professionals Midtown’s semiannual gathering to meet, mingle and celebrate Shabbat starts with happy hour at 6:30 p.m. at Callanwolde Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta. Tickets are $25 for early birds, $30 standard and free for new college graduates; yjpmidtown@gmail. com or www.yjpmidtownatlanta.com.

SATURDAY, MAY 30

Free dental care. Dr. Brett Silverman of Advanced Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, 4205 North Point Parkway, Building D, Alpharetta, provides free dental care to at least the first 50 adults who register at 8:30 a.m. in a Dentistry From the Heart event; www. acfdga.com or 678-245-6816.

SUNDAY, MAY 31

Car show. The second annual Kosher Kar Show at Congregation Or Hadash, 7460 Trowbridge Road, Sandy Springs, runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free to view, $18 to enter a car; www.or-hadash.org.

Help for women. Greater Atlanta Hadassah presents “Women in Crisis,” a program featuring Wendy Lipshutz of the JF&CS Shalom Bayit program, Helen Kotler of the JF&CS Starting Over program and Laura Kahn of Jewish Interest Free Loan of Atlanta to highlight the urgent services available for women in Atlanta, at 1:30 p.m. at Berman Commons, 2026 Womack Road, Dunwoody. Free; RSVP by May 20 to gahprogramming@gmail.com.

Hunger concert. Dr. Dan Appelrouth and a full backup band perform

Atlanta History Center

Broadway music to raise money for hunger relief at 3 p.m. at Young Israel of Toco Hills, 2056 LaVista Road. Suggested donation of $10 for admission; danappelrouth.org/broadwaybenefit.

Community of learning. The annual event of the Atlanta Scholars Kollel features Georgia Aquarium CEO Mike Leven and Bernie Marcus discussing the future of the Jewish people at 7 p.m. at the aquarium, 225 Baker St., downtown. A $54 ticket covers a family of four; www.atlantakollel.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.

filming

John Ford Samuel Fuller George Stevens

from Hollywood to Nuremberg

Through 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.

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

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

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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

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.

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.

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

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CALENDAR

Among the traditional pleasures of Shavuot, which starts Saturday night, May 23, and ends Monday night, May 25, are eating cheesecake and other dairy delights and staying up all night to study. The following are some of the options for studying. Everything is free unless otherwise noted.

Congregation Beth Jacob: Allnight Torah study, featuring scholar in residence Rabbi Elimelech Goldberg, starts at midnight Saturday and runs until dancing at dawn at 5:45 a.m. Sunday, with refreshments available all night. Learning sessions begin again at 5:30 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Monday. www.bethjacobatlanta.org/shavuos New Toco Shul: Rabbi Michael Broyde begins the learning at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday by addressing when Shavuot starts. All-night learning starts at midnight. On Track 1, Rabbi Shlomo Pill leads in-depth study on “Ashkenaz and Sefard: Different Approaches to Limud Torah and Halacha.” Track 2 offers five hour-long sessions — Rabbi Eric Levy on “Thoughts on the Meaning of Kedusha, Inspired by a Friday Night Drasha by Rav Aharon Lichtenstein” at midnight, Rabbi Michael Berger on “Rav Aharon Lichtenstein on the Relationship of Holidays and Their Mitzvot” at 1:15, Rabbi Broyde on “Abortion in Halacha & in the Thought of Rav Aharon Lichtenstein” at 2:30, Rabbi Jake Czuper on “How to Celebrate Shavuot in Space” at 3:45 and Rabbi Chaim Lindenblatt on “The Oneness of God: Prevalent Misconceptions” at 5. Rabbi Yehuda Boroosan leads the study of Tanach, Mishnah and halachah all night. newtocoshul.com Young Israel of Toco Hills: Yeshiva University’s Ari Mermelstein serves as the scholar in residence, starting with a shiur after a dairy dinner at 9:30 Saturday night (dinner is $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers). Tables throughout the shul offer chavruta learning all night. One-hour learning sessions start at 11:15 p.m. with Mermelstein on “Was the Greek Translation of the Torah a Good Thing? It Depends Whom You Ask,” followed by Rabbi Reuven Travis on “Ten Commandments or Ten Utterances? Why We Must Be Wary of Relying on Translations” at 12:30 a.m., Rabbi Jake Czuper on “How to Celebrate Shavuot in Space” at 1:30, Rabbi Asher Yablok on “Field of Dreams: The Use of Prophecy and Dreams to Answer Life’s Questions” at 2:30, Rabbi Eric Levy on “The Satan in Tanach and in Rabbinic Literature” at 3:30, and Rabbi Adam Starr on “Bruster’s on Shavuot?

A Halachic Case Study of Ma’arit Ayin and Yom Tov Transactions” at 4:30.

Mermelstein discusses the divine drama in the Book of Ruth after Sunday morning services. www.yith.org Congregation Ariel: All-night study features five rabbis on why they believe — Rabbi Daniel Freitag on “Quantum Mechnanics, AI and the Search for G-d” at midnight, Rabbi Netanel Friedman on “G-d as Seen in My Daily Life” at 1:15, Rabbi Mordechai Pollock on “The Nobility of Man” at 2:30, Rabbi Michoel Friedman on “The Exquisite Beauty of the Language of the Torah” at 3:45, and Rabbi Binyomin Friedman on “The Rabbis and Their Fabulous Fences” at 4:45. congariel.org The Kehilla: An all-night learning extravaganza starts with dinner at 10 p.m. www.thekehilla.org Congregation B’nai Torah: “All’s Fair in Love and War” is the theme of Erev Shavuot study. After fruit and cheesecake at 8 p.m. Saturday, Rabbi Jessica Shaffrin leads “Warring With Human Nature” at 8:15. Rabbi Judith Beiner heads “Women Warriors: Devorah, Yael and Yehudit” at 9:30. After the ice cream bar opens at 10:30, Dr. Lynne Heller closes the program with “The Battle of the Sexes Redefined: Leviticus vs. Song of Songs” at 10:45. www.bnaitorah.org Congregation Beth Shalom: All-night study, organized by Rabbi Lou Feldstein, starts at 8:15 p.m. at the home of Rabbi Mark and Linda Zimmerman, 5195 Marston Road, Dunwoody. Each session lasts 30 minutes. bethshalomatlanta.org/shavuot-5775 Congregation Etz Chaim: Tikkun Leil Shavuot runs from 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday. After Havdalah, study sessions are led by Rabbi Shalom Lewis, Miriam Rosenbaum and a member of the Weber School Moot Beit Din team. etzchaim.net/tikkunleil-shavuot-5775 Congregation Gesher L’Torah: Campfire Torah combines study, stories, s’mores and sleeping bags under the stars outside the synagogue, starting at 8:30 p.m. www.gltorah.org Congregation Beth Tefillah: The late-night learn-a-thon begins at 11:30 p.m. Saturday with talks every 10 minutes — Rabbi Isser New on “Carrying a Gun on Shabbos for Protection” at 11:30, Jeff Goldstein on “Charity, the Gift That Keeps Giving” at 11:40, Dr. Ann Stark on “Intersex Babies: Ethical and Jewish Issues” at 11:50, Sam Silver on “Bris: Debunking the Controversy” at midnight, Anita Stein on “Demystifying the Tahara Process and Chevra

Kadisha” at 12:20, Maj. Nitzan Tzubery on “Israel Through the Eyes of an IDF Major” at 12:30, Ian Ratner on “My Ethical and Torah Dilemmas in Business” at 12:40, and Rabbi Sender Lustig on “The Sandy Springs Eruv, What It Actually Looks Like” at 12:50. Teen sessions also start at 11:30. bethtefillah.org Chabad Intown: All-night learning, with lectures, group study and one-on-one sessions, starts at 10:30 p.m. Saturday. www.chabadintown.org Chabad of Cobb: All-night Torah

study begins at 10:30 p.m. Saturday with a session on the ethics of privacy — “Are Drones Kosher?” — and continues with “Wacky and Weird Jewish Facts: Exploring the Myths and Mysteries of Judaism” at 11:30. Beginning at 12:30 a.m., study until you drop, with coffee and light refreshments to fortify you. www.chabadofcobb.com Temple Beth Tikvah: Rabbi Fred Greene leads a Shavuot discussion at 8 p.m. Saturday on the Book of Ruth. www.bethtikvah­.com

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LOCAL NEWS

Whistleblower Uses Drugmaker’s Ills for Good

By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

Her ex-employer wound up settling the lawsuit in 2012 for a 10-figure payment of criminal and civil penalties, a fraction of which McCoyd and other whistleblowers shared. Now a woman of 47 with a meaningful bank account, McCoyd chooses ways to give back to her DeKalb community.

She “has long been an advocate of psychiatric care in the public sector,” said Dr. Joseph Bona, the chief medical officer of the DeKalb Community Service Board. “She serves on the board of directors of the agency and has been a tireless proponent of quality service for all. Her passion and commitment to young people exceeds her financial generosity, and we are proud that she works with us. The citizens of DeKalb County owe her a debt of gratitude.”

B

lue-eyed Meredith Rothman McCoyd, who attended nursery school at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center and Sunday school at Ahavath Achim Synagogue, found herself in Virginia in 2007 filing a multibillion-dollar lawsuit against her employer, a pharmaceutical company.

McCoyd as a child had been on a medication that she later sold as a pharmaceutical rep. The problem was that the epilepsy drug, Depakote, had not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the uses for which she was instructed to sell it.

Working from home, she had reams of emails proving the case.

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She gave the Atlanta Jewish Times illnesses out there. I am glad that my her first interview since the settlement. mother convinced me to volunteer.

Jaffe: Is it serendipitous that you Writing checks is important, but so is hands-on involvement. were selling a drug that you actually took as a Jaffe: At the risk of child? overexposure, it is relMcCoyd: It’s not. evant to mention some When I was 10 and sufreal numbers here. Is fering from epilepsy, it correct that you gave I had been on some the largest single gift of medications that were $500,000 to the Decatur not working or had side Education Foundation, effects. My parents took alongside $100,000 to me to the best doctors, the City Schools of Dewho put me on Depacatur and $20,000 to kote. The very next the DeKalb Community morning when I woke Service Board, when up, I was a new person you began the initiaand felt normal again.

Meredith Rothman McCoyd tive?

Thus I wanted to work McCoyd: That’s with that specific drug. about right. Plus, at the end of the year, Jaffe: So when you were selling it, I review what specific principals and teachers have accomplished and award what led to the suit?

McCoyd: We were marketing it that separately. to clinicians for agitation associated Jaffe: How do you arrive at a budwith dementia. That was not an FDAapproved use, and I knew it. Many reps get for giving?

McCoyd: I work backwards with were doing the same, but I was the first whistleblower to file, then three others. my tax CPAs to determine a formula.

Jaffe: So how was it settled?

McCoyd: I had a very high-powered Jewish attorney, Reuben Guttman.

In five years, the case was settled. It was published in The New York Times.

Guttman called the facts leading to the case “a train wreck.”

Jaffe: Why would a drug company take such a chance?

McCoyd: It’s viewed as a cost of doing business. There is mega-money in pharmaceuticals; settling for a couple of billion here and there is de rigueur for them.

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Jaffe: So you quit work and decided to do what with your life?

McCoyd: As a single mom, my No. 1 priority is my wonderful son, who is in the Decatur public school system. I want to seek out meaningful ways to elevate the lives of others — sounds trite, but make a real difference.

Jaffe: So how does one choose?

McCoyd: As a teen I volunteered at DeKalb Community Services and witnessed the suffering firsthand, mainly among underinsured people with mental illness. Literally, my heart was bleeding for the developmentally delayed and those with substance abuse issues. There are so many devastating

Jaffe: What advice would you give to others when they consider donating money?

McCoyd: Excellent question. I learned some of this the hard way. Here are some guidelines: • For any donation $10,000-plus, require a steward who will communicate with you on progress along the way and specifics on how the money is distributed.

• Earmark monies for specific projects. For example, my DeKalb Community Service Board funds are set aside for a program — a holistic approach to the identification and early intervention of “at-risk for psychosis” in young people — in order to improve the course of the illness by utilizing a social media platform. The City Schools of Decatur funds are earmarked to ensure that every child gets an iPad. The Decatur Education Foundation funds are set aside for the profoundly disabled.

Jaffe: What’s next? I sniff a book and movie deal.

McCoyd: Could be.

Jaffe: So what’s the lesson here?

McCoyd: I volunteered before I had money. Everyone can help. Happiness comes from being able to change people’s lives. ■

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LOCAL NEWS

Remember When

Atlanta

PUBLISHER MICHAEL A. MORRIS

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EDITORIAL Editor

MICHAEL JACOBS

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DAVID R. COHEN

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Contributors This Week APRIL BASLER DAVID BENKOF JORDAN GORFINKEL LEAH R. HARRISON ZACH ITZKOVITZ MARCIA CALLER JAFFE MITCHELL KAYE RABBI PAUL KERBEL ZIV KOREN LEN LYONS DAVE SCHECHTER EUGEN SCHOENFELD TERRY SEGAL AL SHAMS SID STEIN

10 Years Ago May 20, 2005

flowing into the country. According to the plan, 70,000 apartments will be built in the coming year, more than enough to accommodate the 150,000 people now expected to arrive in 1990.

■ Samuel Fordis will be honored at a benefit at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. In addition to being a synagogue member, Fordis is the concertmaster of the Georgia Philharmonic Orchestra, which will perform in the synagogue’s sanctuary.

■ Henry and Sarah Cornely of Atlanta announce the birth of a son, Joseph Baillie, on March 12.

50 Years Ago May 21, 1965

■ Leonard and Barbara Greenstein of Atlanta announce the engagement of their son, Keith, and Helen Linardakis, daughter of Maria Linardakis of Fort Myers, Fla., and the late Peter Linardakis. The future groom is also the son of the late Linda Greenstein.

■ An estimated 500 former inmates of Nazi concentration camps participated in a “Thank You, U.S.A.” demonstration in Washington in appreciation for their liberation by the U.S. Army. They were received by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, who told them they were an inspiration to free men everywhere.

25 Years Ago May 18, 1990 ■ The Israeli government adopted a comprehensive program for housing the tidal wave of Russian immigrants

■ The engagement of Miss Beth Arony Odess of Savannah to Ronald Richard Fagin of New York City is announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Odess.

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LOCAL NEWS

Community Digs In Photos by Michael Jacobs

Food and Music

Hundreds of people crowded into Brook Run Park in Dunwoody on Thursday, May 14, for a Food Truck Thursday hosted by the Marcus Jewish Community Center and featuring entertainment by students from the Weber School. Kosher food trucks, including Goodfriend’s Grill, Keith’s Corner Bar-B-Que and Rita’s Italian Ice, mixed with a few decidedly unkosher options, such as a Maine truck with a lobster painted on the side.

A: Despite occasionally threatening skies, the rain stays away, and a large crowd gets to have fun at Brook Run Park for Food Truck Thursday.

B: One of the main attractions for the kids is the Atlanta Braves’ portable hitting machine.

C: Clown Ron Anglin mixes thrills with laughs by juggling knives.

D: It’s hopscotch with a Jewish touch.

E: The preschool/elementary school crowd has its own dance party.

F: Humans aren’t the only ones enjoying the beautiful evening at Brook Run Park.

A

B

C

D

E

F

Water and Earth

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

Atlanta Jewish community members and representatives of organizations including the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Marcus Jewish Community Center, Jewish Family & Career Services, Temple Kol Emeth, Temple Sinai, The Temple, Congregation Etz Chaim and Congregation B’nai Torah gathered under gray skies and intermittent rain Sunday, May 17, for the groundbreaking of the Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah.

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A: Rabbi Alvin Sugarman has been a driving force behind the formation of a transdenominational community mikvah.

B: Representing Congregation B’nai Torah and the mikvah principle of inclusion are President Elissa Fladell and Executive A B C D Director Natalie Sarnat.

C: Alice Wertheim, the incoming board president of MACoM, holds water and earth from Israel while Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus talks about their importance. The samples will play a part in the opening of the mikvah in the fall.

D: Members of the MACoM board handle the seventh and final groundE F G breaking shoveling of the day.

E: Rabbis Josh Heller of Congregation B’nai Torah, Elana Perry of Temple Sinai and Loren Filson Lapidus of The Temple represent three of the congregations participating in the Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah.

F: Mike Leven says he got behind the MACoM project because it will contribute to the survival of the Jewish people.

Loren Filson Lapidus talks about their importance. Those samples will play a part in the opening of the mikvah in the fall.

G: Mike Leven watches while his son Rob handles the shoveling for the second dip into the dirt pile.

H: Rabbis Alvin Sugarman, Judith Beiner, Elana Perry, Erin Boxt, Brad Levenberg, Loren Filson Lapidus and Josh Heller get the groundbreaking started.

H

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ISRAEL

Turbulent Territory

Ken Stein speaks on Iran and the perils of taking democracy on the road will destabilize the region, Stein said.

Israel is strong, he said, “and it betran’s leaders got what they wanted ter be strong if it’s going to be in the without giving up anything when Middle East.”

The region has seen turmoil the the Obama administration took regime change off the table, Emory Uni- past five years, but still “the population versity professor Ken Stein told about is underserved, underrepresented and underemployed.”

60 people gathered at the When a regime is Weber School on May 5. overthrown, the struc“When you tell the tures are lacking for new Iranian government types of governance to you’re no longer interemerge, Stein said, and it ested in a regime change, is unrealistic to think that we’re saying we are not Jeffersonian democracy interested in changing can be transplanted into your ability to rule your the Middle East. country,” said Stein, the “George Bush asked president of the Center for regime change, but for Israel Education. He was he sure what he was spoke at a forum co-sponPhoto by Leah R. Harrison asking for?” Stein said. sored by his CIE and the It’s a good thing Israel is “Did Cheney and Bush Jewish Community Relastrong, Ken Stein says. understand that by … gettions Council of Atlanta ting rid of Saddam Husseon “Shifting Regional Landscapes: Israel and the U.S. in a Tur- in … they would be popping the top on all of these ethnic, religious and confesbulent Middle East.”

By threatening action to topple sional differences inside Iraq that had the regime, the United States was the been contained for 50 years, 100 years, only country capable of denying a nuclear capacity to Iran, Stein said. But he showed President Barack Obama’s shift from refusing to accept a nuclear Iran in 2012 to allowing nuclear capacity but trying to contain development.

Iran now can act without fear of restrictions. “That is a terrific victory for the Iranians without conceding anything. … We gave away regime change and got nothing in return,” Stein said. “We should have taken regime change off the table, but only in return for a 20-year moratorium on a nuclear weapon.”

Stein is not optimistic about the announced framework of an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program or about the unknown details of the final deal, due June 30. Negotiation usually involves give and take, Stein said, “and that’s what the Iranians are now doing.

They are negotiating in order to have us give, and they take. And by the way, in doing so, they don’t believe that they necessarily have to observe whatever agreements they reach.”

The sanctions preventing the free flow of Iranian oil are effective, and the Iranian economy is suffering. When the sanctions are relieved under a nuclear deal, Stein said, Iran will again sell oil and bring in money and be an aggressor in the Middle East.

An empowered, unlimited Iran

I

some would say even 1,000 years?”

He added, “When you advocate for democracy and you ask for elections, be careful what you wish for.”

An example is Gaza, where Hamas won elections in 2006. So Israel was rewarded for its Gaza withdrawal with rockets, a governing party that refuses to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, and no hope of negotiation ever, Stein said.

Those elections haven’t worked out for the Palestinians either. For example, the international community pledged $5.4 billion last fall to rebuild postwar Gaza. But Stein said less than 5 percent of that aid has been delivered because of the lack of faith in Hamas.

Stein expects the Middle East to remain turbulent, and he said the next U.S. president must have a full understanding of the political cultures. ■

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MAY 22 ▪ 2015

By Leah R. Harrison

AJT 7

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ISRAEL

Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home Blood test detects early colon cancer.

The lives of millions of people could be saved because of a new noninvasive test for colon cancer. Hemoglobin tests on 100,000 patients of Israel’s Maccabi Health Services have led Kfar Malalbased MedialCS to develop an algorithm that has successfully identified symptoms of early-stage colon cancer in 25 percent of those tested.

chief scientist, Avi Hasson, has announced that the government has authorized the creation of a nationwide genetic database. The plans are still being developed, but the database likely will launch with volunteers who have a special interest in genetic research, such as patients with rare genetic diseases. The intention is to expand the database to cover all Israelis.

National genetic database. Israel’s

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Coming Home

The partnership between Jewish National Fund (www.jnf.org) and Nefesh B’Nefesh satisfies NBN’s mission of promoting aliyah while fulfilling JNF’s vision to develop the southern and northern regions of Israel through Blueprint Negev and Go North. These initiatives in the Negev and Galilee are being marketed to pioneering olim (new immigrants) who will settle in these areas. Joint programs will strengthen new communities, solve Israel’s physician shortage, and assist Lone Soldiers as they transition into life in the Israel Defense Forces.

ment developed at Schneider Children’s Medical Center in Petah Tikva has helped children in the bottom 10th percentile for height and weight grow taller and gain weight. Studies showed that children on the Up-Pro supplement grew half an inch to an inch taller than the group given placebos.

Upsee harness in 2014, British manufacturer Leckey has sold more than 6,000 of the devices in over 120 countries. That means more than 6,000 kids can walk with their parents for the first time. The harness can even normalize the child’s hip joint and improve head control.

App can diagnose ADHD. Israel’s GlassesOff has published results from a study into attention deficit hyperactivity disorder showing that its noninvasive, game-type technology can provide an early indication of whether a child has ADHD and to what degree. It can also monitor treatment of the disorder.

Gaza girl can walk again. Israeli doctors saved the life of a 4-year-old girl from Gaza after Hamas finally gave permission for her to be treated in Israel. In Gaza, Yara had been run over by a truck. Gaza doctors amputated Yara’s leg but allowed necrosis to set in.

Israeli doctors treated the injury and fitted her for a prosthetic leg.

Chinese tourism up 35 percent. Israel has become a popular destination for Chinese visitors. Israeli Ministry of Tourism figures show that over 35,000 Chinese tourists visited Israel last year, 35 percent higher than the figure for 2013. The ministry has opened Chinese language classes for Israeli tour guides.

Disabled kids now walk tall. Since Israel’s Debby Einatan invented the

BizTEC has launched 122 startups.

Israel’s Technion is running its 10th annual BizTEC competition. In that decade, it has produced 122 startup companies that have raised more than $100 million. The winning ideas include a liquid biological bandage, a keyhole surgery system and digital mapping of shipping.

India to adopt Israeli agriculture grafting. India’s Natural Organic Farmers’ Association is working with Israeli companies to import Israeli grafting technology to improve crop yields while reducing the use of water and fertilizers.

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AJT 8

Israeli apps already ticking on Apple Watch. Glide, JoyTunes, 24me, TL;DR and Vonage are among the made-inIsrael applications already available on Apple’s new wearable device.

The next-generation digital pen. OTM Technologies in Herzliya has developed the Phree, a digital pen that lets you write or draw on any surface and Award see the image on the screen of your smartphone. It uses 3-D motion-tracking lasers and doubles as a Bluetooth headset. Phree has exceeded its Kickstarter funding goal of $100,000 by almost $200,000.

Tesla Motors selects Israeli solar power. Israel’s SolarEdge Technologies is to integrate its photovoltaic invertors with Tesla Motors’ Powerwall home battery solution. The system will enable homeowners to store surplus energy at the generation site for later use.

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ISRAEL

Understanding Protests Of Ethiopian Israelis endemic to the Ethiopian community.

Discrimination (specifically racism) may look like the problem, but it is the consequence of the problem, not its root cause. So what is the root cause?

The Ethiopian Jews came from an Amharic-speaking, Third World, agrarian society, impoverished and

Tuesday, June 9, 7-9 PM Skyland Trail

Guest Column

By Len Lyons

without formal education. They were fast-forwarded into a Hebrew-speaking, high-tech society in which nearly everyone is educated.

Some Ethiopians have been in Israel for almost 40 years, and one-third were born there. But tens of thousands have arrived only within 10 to 15 years.

These groups have different needs.

There has not been enough time for an immigrant group so radically different from its host society to catch up.

Their portrayal in news media ensures that Ethiopian Israelis are known for problems rather than accomplishments. Negative and prejudicial stereotypes influence the behavior of potential employers or police on the beat when they interact with Ethiopian Israelis unless they are well-enough informed to overcome the stereotypes.

The accomplishments of this community are impressive, with thousands of university graduates, dozens of lawyers, high-ranking military officers, five Ethiopian Israeli members of the Knesset the past 10 years, and countless contributions to popular music (not to overlook the 2013 Miss Israel). Another asset is their instinct for helping one another. Ethiopian Israelis probably have the most self-help nonprofits per capita in the world.

Israel must confront, punish and root out discrimination, especially among police. But it also must comprehend and admit the challenge: Full integration of the Ethiopian Israelis will take a lot of time. Balanced reporting of the community’s accomplishments and contributions, as well as its problems, will speed up the process. ■ Len Lyons is the author of “The Ethiopian Jews of Israel: Personal Stories of Life in the Promised Land.”

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he violent protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem by thousands of Ethiopian Israelis that began April 30 led to widespread and dramatic news coverage.

A video gone viral of police beating an Ethiopian Israeli soldier in uniform, 21-year-old Damas Pakada, opened the floodgates of a reservoir of resentment.

This incident is the most recent in a long and well-documented list of injustices Ethiopians have suffered at the hands of the police.

Discrimination toward Jews of Ethiopian origin conjures up charges of racism by Israel’s enemies and worries about the state’s democratic character among its friends, especially American Jews distressed by the treatment of Arab citizens and by the outsized influence of ultra-Orthodox groups.

American Jews are especially sensitive to the status of the Ethiopian Jews because we have been such strong advocates for their immigration. There are 135,000 Ethiopian Israelis today.

Police brutality is only the proximate cause. What motivated thousands to take to the streets is a long history of broken dreams. Ethiopian Israelis suffer high rates of unemployment. More than half live below the poverty line. Elementary schools in some cities have quotas on Ethiopian children. There is a disproportionately high Ethiopian prison population.

President Reuven Rivlin likened the pain in the Ethiopian community to an “open wound” and said that the government needs to be a better listener. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the community “requires more resources, more attention.”

But Israel has done more to assist this immigrant population than any other country has done for its immigrants. It provides residence and instruction in an absorption center to acclimate new immigrants for a year or more. It subsidizes the purchase of a first apartment up to 80 percent. It provides free university tuition.

The support, however, is not sufficient to remedy the discrimination Ethiopians face in employment, housing and education. And no amount of money changes people’s attitudes.

We tend to look for villains. The real villain in this story is not the government, nor is there any flaw

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OPINION

Our View

Innovation Here

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

L

AJT 10

ast year, with the aid of your nominations, we named 40 Jewish leaders under age 40 who had made important contributions to the greater Atlanta community.

It’s nomination time at the Atlanta Jewish Times, and we need your help again. But, despite the occasional phone call or email asking about 40 Under 40, we’re not repeating that list this year.

Instead, our July 3 issue will be dedicated to the world of nonprofit organizations and 25 people who are bringing innovation to that world.

We are looking to honor not the nonprofit groups themselves, but the people within them. We want to celebrate those people in Jewish Atlanta who operate so far outside the box that they would need to fly Delta Air Lines to get within sight of the box.

We’re hoping to highlight some of our community’s unsung and unknown heroes, so don’t nominate Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta CEO Michael Horowitz or Marcus Jewish Community Center CEO Gail Luxenberg. They get enough attention. But perhaps someone working with Federation or the JCC whose name never appears in our pages has found a better way to deliver services or raise money or allocate resources; that’s someone we want to celebrate.

We also want to recognize the person who has created her own nonprofit organization to fill an unmet need in the community or to do a better job of providing an existing service. Maybe you know someone who has joined an existing nonprofit group in decline and has reinvigorated it with fresh ideas and new approaches; tell us about that person.

If this all sounds a bit vague, that’s intentional.

We don’t want you to think, “Sally does amazing work at XYZ Services Inc., but she doesn’t fit the AJT’s idea of a Jewish nonprofit innovator.” If you think Sally is effecting positive change, nominate her.

The worst thing that can happen is we don’t add your nominee to the final list of 25, but maybe we’ll write about your nominee some other time because you’ve brought that person to our attention.

The ideal candidate for our list will be a Jewish person working for a Jewish nonprofit group. But a non-Jew working for a Jewish agency or a Jew at a secular or interfaith organization doing work of interest to the Jewish community, such as a school or a hospital, could make our list. Nominate them.

If you see yourself as a Jewish nonprofit innovator, nominate yourself. No one knows your vision or your work better than you do.

All nominations will remain private. We won’t publish anything about who nominated our honorees, and we’ll even accept anonymous nominations.

Our interest is in finding the right people; we’re not concerned with how we find them.

Send your nominees — as many people as you like — to Editor Michael Jacobs at mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com or Atlanta Jewish Times, 270 Carpenter Drive, Suite 320, Atlanta, GA 30328. Provide as much information as you can about your nominees and why they’re innovators. If you can provide specific achievements, so much the better.

The deadline is June 5, so don’t wait. Overwhelm us with all the great ways people are doing good. ■

Our Office Is Your Office

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West Bank; had assignments with Israel’s air force, ome visit. Your Atlanta Jewish Times offices navy and Frogs (equivalent to the U.S. Navy SEALs); are open to you. and traveled to Haiti and most recently Nepal, where You can pick up a couple of copies of a he is today. back issue (maybe there was a picture of a family His studies include member). If you are writthe Israeli-Arab conflict, ing for us, feel free to come the plight of the Palestinin, grab a desk and log into Publisher’s Letter ians, poverty in Israel, and our WiFi. Maybe you are Christian, Jewish and Musdoing some research and

By Michael A. Morris lim religions in action, to want to see an actual pamichael@atljewishtimes.com name a sampling. In addiper; our physical archives tion, he has been commisgo back to 1954. Or maybe sioned to take the portraits you just want to talk with of many of Israel’s leading citizens and politicians. your editor or me (just not on Tuesday when we go You may have seen his pictures in a book titled to press).

Our door is always open. We have hot coffee and “Brotherhood,” published in conjunction with the Friends of the a decent InIDF. His most ternet connecfamous book, tion, and there which became is always news the subject of to discuss. a documentaIn addiry of the same tion, we have name, is called 15 photographs “More Than from the Ziv 1000 Words.”

Koren colZiv Kolection that ren’s work is are not to be inspirational, missed. educational Ziv Koren and emotionis a photojourally impactful. nalist who Photos by Ziv Koren Now you has followed You can find inspiration in have a variety the activities photos like these throughout of reasons to of the IDF the AJT offices. come and visit for over 20 your Atlanta years. He has Jewish Times documented offices at 270 Carpenter Drive in Sandy training activiSprings. ties; accompanied troops going into Gaza, withdrawI look forward to meeting you. ■ ing from Lebanon, and conducting missions into the

OPINION

A Brave Man and The Choice Against Aliyah An estimated 3,470 Americans immigrated to Israel in 2014, 7 percent more than the year before. As of a couple of years ago, more than 103,000 Americans had moved to Israel since 1948.

I suspect that most American Jews feel fulfilled in the Judaism they practice in the United States. Some

From Where I Sit

By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com

may feel discomfited about moving to a country where the government empowers one movement of Judaism to look down its nose at those who do not follow every dictate laid down by forebears centuries, if not millennia, earlier.

American Jews should not feel guilty nor be guilt-tripped because, for whatever reason, they choose not to make aliyah. Many of us know family, friends or acquaintances who have made aliyah. We admire and support them, but that does not mean that all American Jews must join them.

This is part of a complicated dynamic by which Israel and American Jews need each other in varying degrees — a column for another day.

There is room for living a Jewish life — however you define it — in the United States. American Jews are not “partial Jews,” as an Israeli author said several years ago, though he later explained that he meant that the fullest Jewish experience was possible only in Israel. It may be a different Jewish life than living in Israel, but no one should feel that it is any less valid. ■

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MAY 22 ▪ 2015

A man stood at a microphone in the ballroom of a Jerusalem hotel and pleaded, “Please do not castigate those of us who, for reasons of family or business or simply because we like where we’re living, choose not to move to Israel.”

The event was a forum on Israel and the Jewish diaspora, sponsored by an American organization.

The rabbi at the podium was an American who had made aliyah, founded an academic institute and become a favorite of correspondents for American newspapers.

If the man on the floor hoped for understanding from the rabbi, none would be forthcoming.

The rabbi, his voice rising and his face reddening, pointed a finger in the direction of the man and said, “We will make it hotter for you until you do come to Israel.”

Some in the audience applauded, while others were taken aback by the tone of the rebuke. The brave man on the floor retreated to his seat.

I recalled this incident (the quotes from nearly three decades ago are paraphrased) while reading a recent opinion article titled “The Real Boycott of Israel,” published in The Times of Israel, an online newspaper of Israeli, Middle Eastern and Jewish affairs.

“One doesn’t raise the subject of aliyah in polite conversation,” wrote David Chinitz, a professor of health policy and management at the Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine at Hebrew UniversityHadassah.

“Israel is treated, by both American Jewish leaders and their Israeli counterparts, as a Holocaust museum, the world vanguard against Islamic extremism, the refuge for Jews on the run from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and, lately, France, but not as a place one would choose to live,” wrote Chinitz, himself an émigré from America.

“To all of these ‘lovers of Israel,’ I say, take two Diasporans and call me in the morning. Boycotting Israel is bad, but not as bad as boycotting part of your own truth,” he said. “Aliya from North America in sufficient numbers, say half a million, is the necessary, and perhaps even sufficient condition to save both Israel and the Jewish people.”

...it’s all about you, the patient.

AJT 11

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

What Have We Learned?

Saturday night, May 23, through Monday, May 25, we have a Jewish perfect storm as Memorial Day weekend and Shavuot converge. Images of beaches and barbecues give way to blintzes and hours in shul, Tikkun Leil Shavuot, and the recitation of Yizkor in memory of our loved ones.

On Simhat Torah, we celebrate the completion and the beginning of our Torah reading cycle.

On Shavuot, we celebrate the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz cites Rabbi Menachem Mendel of Kotsk as asking why we call the events at Sinai the giving of the Torah and not the receiving of the Torah. He responded, “The Torah was given once, but we receive it anew every single day.”

We celebrate the Torah, but we have a problem. Fifty-two weeks a year, we read 54 Torah portions. Over the years we have gotten to know the Torah.

We know the differences between Genesis and Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. We have read the Ten Commandments and know the Ten Plagues. Each Shabbat we have the opportunity to listen, to learn, to read a comment, to hear a d’var Torah or sermon. We can go online and read commentaries, go to a class, listen to lessons on a PC. You get the idea: We can discern

the ebb and flow of the story lines of the Torah.

Here is the problem: we study the Torah consecutively, but the Torah makes up only five out of 36 books of the Hebrew Bible. OK, we read the Book of Jonah if we come back for Mincha (the afternoon service) on Yom Kippur, and we read the Book of Esther on Purim. But what about the

Guest Column

By Rabbi Paul David Kerbel

other books?

When we think of Judaism or the word “Jew,” we evoke images of books or Torah scrolls or sacred texts. At the core of Judaism is our encounter with sacred texts: the Torah, the prayer book, the hagaddah.

We are the people of the book — but sadly, we don’t know the book. If we were to offer a quiz to every Jew on the main ideas and themes, names, and historical events in the Bible, we wouldn’t do so well.

Guess what? At the yeshivas dotting the landscapes of New York and Baltimore, Gush Etzion and Bnei Brak, they also do not emphasize the study of the Bible. For the yeshiva world, the Talmud and codes of Jewish law take

precedence over the teaching of the Bible.

I wish our ancestors had given us a way to study the Bible the way we read the Torah. I had a teacher at the Jewish Theological Seminary named Dr. Hayim Tawil. He began every class by urging us to read a chapter of the Bible every night. Every week he repeated that message. I did not always follow his advice, but I have never forgotten his message.

Here is my question for all of us to think about as we finish counting the Omer and prepare to celebrate Shavuot: What have we learned cumulatively from our years of reading the Torah, and what major ideas can we glean from our study of Torah?

I will share five ideas as a starting point for our own readings, study and discovery. For me, the following is the essence of the Torah: • There is one G-d, and that G-d is with us and has played a tremendous role in human history and Jewish destiny.

• In the Torah, we move forward and rise in holiness from the patriarchs to the 12 tribes to peoplehood, from Abraham to b’nai Yisrael (the children of Israel). We are a people in covenant with G-d, and Shavuot celebrates our marriage, our partnership with G-d.

• G-d gave us the Torah to lead lives that would model how G-d wants human beings to behave in this world.

• G-d gave us a land, and we are entitled to keep this land if we observe the commandments and maintain our covenant with G-d.

• Judaism is a religion that teaches us to lead meaningful lives through commandments and rituals, customs and special holy moments.

The commandments are not meant to be a check-off list but rather to be tools to help us learn to live holy, ethical and moral lives through observance.

I will conclude with the words of the chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary Dr. Arnie Eisen: “We either teach Torah or something else at every moment. … If we do not teach Torah enough of the time, the opposite of Torah will prevail in the world.”

What have we learned from this weekly project called kriat hatorah, the reading of the Torah? What could we gain if we studied the Torah and the entire Bible a little more?

I am hoping it will lead us to ask: Are we leading the kinds of lives that G-d wants from us? Are we where G-d wants us to be?

Some thoughts for us to think about over ice cream and cheesecake. ■ Rabbi Paul Kerbel serves as one of Congregation Etz Chaim’s rabbis and serves on the board of trustees of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and the Masorti Foundation for Conservative Judaism in Israel.

God Through Love and Song

S

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

pring comes late in the foothills of the Carpathian Mountains. By Shavuot, however, all is green, and the warm, balmy winds of spring make us forget the cold rains of Purim and even Pesach. Time has come for us to open the double doors and the double windows that kept us comfortable during the cold days and let the clean, fresh air scented by the walnut tree near the house enter our abode and give the whole house a new life with its fresh, perfumed air.

During the weekdays there wasn’t time to enjoy the joyful weather. After all, first and foremost my father had to earn a prnosoh, and I had to spend all my days in study. But Shabbat was 12 quite different. On that day, leisure

AJT

reigned, we stayed a little longer in bed, and the midday seudah was consumed slowly and with gusto.

Morning services, since they began at 7, were over shortly after 11, and it was my task on the way home from the synagogue to stop at the bakery and collect our pot of potato kugel or the cholent, a one-pot meal of beans,

One Man’s Opinion

By Eugen Schoenfeld

barley and meat that was served as part of Shabbat noon meal.

With chopped eggs and onions, gefilte fish, soup, and chicken supple-

mented by kugel or cholent, our traditional Shabbat lunch was more than a meal: it was a seudah, a banquet.

There was a common saying in our town: He who eats cholent for Shabbat will not be hungry the rest of the week. I am not sure of the origin of this saying; perhaps the meal was so heavy that it required an Alka-Seltzer as a post-meal medication.

During such glorious spring and summer months the windows were always open, and on Shabbat we sat longer at our dining room table, enjoying not only the meal, but also the gentle, warm crosswinds. The fresh white linen tablecloth and the special dishes gave the room a festive décor, even if that room served as our day room and the bedroom for me, my brother and my sister. But on Shabbat noon with its Persian rug, it was festive.

Per custom, the courses were served slowly, giving my father and me time to sing the zmiroth, the Shabbat songs we chanted at the table. There was but one slight trouble: Neither my father nor I had an adequate voice.

We did our best. We started with Yom Zeh Mechubad, using my grandfather’s melody, and each one of us tried to out-sing the other. All our efforts were in vain, and we knew it.

But then from across the street came the sounds of beautiful, harmonious voices: The cobbler and his five sons began to sing their zmiroth. They were poor in income but not in spirit, and I am sure those voices found no obstacles reaching the divine presence.

The cobbler and his family (whose name I forgot) lived in a small house behind the wealthy Guttmans’ big house. But on Shabbat, I firmly believe,

OPINION still exists the spark implanted by Reb Avrohom, my Chasidic grandfather.

Of course I love music. I derive great pleasure from any arias in “Tosca” or “The Merry Widow,” and in spite of my bad knee, I am always ready to dance to the sounds of Benny’s clarinet.

But listening to any of Yosseleh Rosenblat’s prayers provokes another feeling. No other music or philosophical book will make me close my eyes and feel united with my people. The music of these noted cantors strengthens my historical bond and forges another and stronger link in that golden chain that ties me to our past.

This effect is not limited to the old masters of the liturgical music. The first time, for instance, I heard Barbra Streisand sing Avinu Malkeynu, I immediately felt united with the historic Jewish collective. The song and her singing reinforced my ties to a people who refused to shed their identity.

Music, especially liturgical music, has a far greater force and elicits in us a greater desire of being reunited with our people than the unending recitation of words. It is indeed a great tragedy that we do not use this great force, the force of music.

Years ago I attended Friday night services in a temple in Baton Rouge.

With the aid of two guitars, all of us chanted the service. There was pure joy in the temple. No one was coughing, nor did anyone shuffle his feet in impatience or look at his watch.

But I did notice their faces; there was a shine and a smile on each one of them. Their faces reminded me of the biblical description of Moses’ face after he received the tablets. Here was a congregation in which everyone’s face shone, reflecting what in Hebrew is referred to as ziv haschinah, the glow of divine presence. If that could be achieved by all synagogues, none would ever be empty. ■

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the cobbler and his family were wealthier and more content than their rich landlord. As the glorious sounds of the cobbler’s songs filtered through the open windows, we stopped singing.

Why should we sing when we could sit back and enjoy the almost professional-quality singing of our neighbor?

We hurriedly said the required song, then sat and enjoyed their voices.

The Bronsteins in the next courtyard, known as the “sour water Bronsteins” because they sold bottled water from a natural spring they owned, producing a drink that resembled today’s mild lemon-lime soda, had a gramophone. It was one that had to be cranked up and a new needle placed in its arm before it could be played. Late during the weekday afternoons, after finishing the usual light supper, Mr. Bronstein would bring the gramophone into the courtyard and play the prayers sung by noted cantors.

The courtyard slowly filled up with Jews. Some were bearded with peyes (earlocks), and others were cleanshaven. All stood soundlessly and intently listening to the songs sung by the famous chazzan Yosseleh Rosenblat. Yosseleh was famous in our town.

I was told that many years before I was born, for a short time, Yosseleh was the chazzan in the Beth Hamidrash Hagadol, my synagogue.

I still love to listen to the singing of the great cantors. For the past few years and especially for the past nine months since my wife passed away, I have difficulties sleeping, but I found a wonderful antidote. I turn to YouTube and listen to the liturgical music sung by the great chazzans of the past.

My soul seems to yearn to hear these great singers. Their melodies seem to transport me into another world. They calm my anxieties and dissolve my weldschmertzen, and I find peace for my soul just as David’s music provided King Saul. Perhaps inside me

AJT 13

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

Evangelicals, Jews Join Together The following column originally ran in the Atlanta Jewish Times on Oct. 14, 2005. The writer, a former state legislator, asked that it be rerun after seeing the reprint of Steve Berman’s opposing view on Christian Zionists in our April 24 issue. We do not plan to reprint additional columns. any Jews and leading Jewish organizations do not understand the underlying reason why many evangelical Christians have unconditional support for Jews and Israel. As with any lack of knowledge, suspicion and stereotyping result.

Having just returned from a two-day Stand for Israel conference in our nation’s capital, sponsored by the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, I feel confident in having learned the definitive answer.

It is not related to end-of-time scenarios or proselytizing. It’s not related to Israel’s shared democratic values with the United States or effort in the battle against radical Islamic terror. And it’s not related to a history of persecution or the Holocaust.

For Bible-believing Christians, it can be summed up from Parshat Lech Lecha, when G-d said to Abraham: “I will bless those who bless you and him who curses you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3). Period. End of story.

As tzedakah is a mitzvah for Jews, support for Jews and Israel is an obligation for many Christians who take the Bible literally. And they don’t want anything in return. They (and we) believe that G-d always keeps His promises. They know that He will bless those who bless us, and their reward will come from above.

For over 20 years, the IFCJ has worked to promote cooperation and understanding between the religions and to translate this love into political and financial support for Israel and Jews who are in need. Founded by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, former AntiDefamation League staffer and son of the former chief rabbi of Canada, the IFCJ has received $250 million from 400,000 evangelical donors in the past eight years alone. Such money is for humanitarian purposes, like providing food and clothing to Jews in the former Soviet Union and in Israel. It helps with aliyah, including providing funding for halachic conversions (for

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

M

AJT 14

example, the B’nei Menashe of India).

It mobilizes Christian support in the United States for Israel. In Israel, the IFCJ became the second-largest charitable foundation, supporting more than 250 causes in more than 90

Guest Column

By Mitchell Kaye

communities.

Post-disengagement, the IFCJ quickly funded 50 trauma unit hospital beds in Sderot in response to the barrage of Kassam rockets and a $1 million bus security system in Be’er Sheva as a result of last month’s central bus station bombing.

Attendance at the conference was approximately 70 percent gentile and 30 percent Jewish. There was a bipartisan cast of U.S. senators and congressmen and clergy and leaders of major Jewish and gentile organizations who spoke. Israel’s ambassador to the United States, Danny Ayalon, made stirring remarks, as did Friend of Israel award recipients Sen. Joseph Lieberman and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.

Dr. Richard Land, the president of the Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, shared recent Pew Research polling data showing white evangelicals exhibiting higher relative support for Israel vis-à-vis the Palestinians than any other Christian group by a ratio of almost 8-to-1. Religious belief was the No. 1 reason for this support, with secular Christians favoring Israel by only a 3-to-2 ratio. With evangelicals representing the largest voting bloc of any group in the last election, coupled with their continued strong growth, even just for politics it was obvious that it would be beneficial for Jews to dialogue and work with such a powerful group.

Howard Kohr, the executive director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, agreed on the need to start talking and working with evangelicals, who many didn’t realize were our natural allies. He shared AIPAC’s successful program of reaching and training pro-Israel advocates on campus that now targets Christian

Bible colleges, including Bob Jones University.

The Rev. Glenn Plummer, the chairman of National Religious Broadcasters, told of his new mission to rebuild the strong relationship between black America and Israel through the churches that had been hijacked in recent years by Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and their ilk. He pointed out that most Jews don’t know that we helped found the NAACP and the National Urban League. Many don’t remember that we marched, were jailed and died along with blacks during the civil rights struggle, a religious-based struggle. Who today knows that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. was accused of being a Zionist?

The Stand for Israel project was founded by Eckstein and Ralph Reed to leverage Christian support for Israel, including fighting anti-Semitism and anti-Israel divestment. Years ago Eckstein was shunned by the Jewish community, but today Lieberman proclaims Eckstein has been vindicated.

Eckstein was recently appointed by the state of Israel as goodwill ambas-

sador.

Throughout the educational, eyeopening and stirring conference, the Christian community was challenged to continue to mobilize its members to advocate for Israel — through their churches, media and elected officials — to continue buying Israeli products and visiting the Holy Land, in addition to strong financial support.

The challenge to the Jewish community was quite different: start talking with evangelicals, build a dialogue and bridges, seek common ground, and work together. Although every evangelical may not be as supportive, as Lieberman highlighted: “There are a lot more Christian Zionists than Jewish Zionists.”

In Jewish and evangelical relationships, Eckstein and the IFCJ are guided by principles: “Cooperate whenever possible, oppose when necessary, and teach and sensitize at all times.”

For our Jewish brethren and Israel, we would do well to heed such advice and work to build bridges with our numerous and powerful evangelical friends. ■

Decade of Growing Support

Evangelical support for Israel for the right reasons has grown since I wrote this article almost 10 years ago. John Hagee’s Christians United for Israel, Earl Cox’s Israel Always and other such groups play a big and growing role in political and material support for the state of Israel. They send money for bomb shelters and soup kitchens, assist with aliyah, visit bereaved families and victims of terror, and take large groups to visit for emotional and economic support, in addition to lobbying members of Congress in every district in the country.

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was a pioneer; many have followed. The ten Boom family from the Netherlands, who lost many family members saving Jews during the Holocaust, opened up the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. Israeli leaders across the spectrum welcome their genuine support, as do many American Jews.

The tragedy is that many in our community paint all Christians with the same brush, failing to recognize that the diversity in their community is larger than ours. Religious ignorance and intolerance may be the reason they ignore the 50 million to 60 million Christians out of 250 million in the United States who truly and actively support Israel for the right reasons.

It has been over a decade since Abe Foxman, the head of the Anti-Defamation League, issued a call for the Jewish community to embrace evangelical support for Israel, writing, “Fortunately evangelical support is overwhelming, consistent and unconditional.”

As more and more of our brothers and sisters assimilate and intermarry, their bond to Israel can only decline. Throw in J Street and the BDS movement, and many of our co-religionists have become outright hostile to Israel.

In every generation as enemies have risen against us, righteous Gentiles, often at great personal risk, have worked to save Jewish lives. While many of our brethren still cling to old stereotypes and canards, we must protect and strengthen our own community while gratefully acknowledging those who work to advance our cause. ■ — Mitchell Kaye

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

LOCAL NEWS Jacobs Joins Judiciary Georgia has gained a Jewish state judge at the cost of a Jewish state lawmaker.

Rep. Mike Jacobs, R-Brookhaven, was appointed to the State Court in DeKalb County on Tuesday, May 12,

by Gov. Nathan Deal. The appointment takes effect when Jacobs is sworn in.

Jacobs, who has his own law practice in Sandy Springs, fills a vacancy that was created when Judge Eleanor Ross was named to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. A special election will be held this summer to fill Jacobs’ 80th District seat in the House.

Deal chose Jacobs and Jean-Paul Boulee, named a Superior Court judge in Stone Mountain, from a list of eight finalists the Judicial Nominating Commission created in January from 72 nominees.

Jacobs was in his sixth term in the state House, having first taken office in January 2005 as a Democrat. He was instrumental in Brookhaven’s incorporation as a city in 2012 and made headlines late in this year’s session of the General Assembly when he introduced a nondiscrimination amendment to the controversial religious liberty legislation in the House Judiciary Committee. That amendment effectively killed Senate Bill 129 and led to a vicious attack on Jacobs

by Red State founder Erick Erickson, who made a point of criticizing Jacobs’ potential judicial appointment.

“With the ethics, auditing, procurement, tax and traffic court reforms we passed with broad bipartisan support among DeKalb legislators, it would have been difficult to surpass this year’s session of the General Assembly,” Jacobs told the Daily Report. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of DeKalb County in this new role.”

It is believed that his judicial appointment leaves only one Jewish member of the state House of Representatives, the 86th District’s Michele Henson, D-Stone Mountain, although a Jewish candidate could be elected to replace him.

Jacobs will have to run for election in 2016 to keep his judgeship.

Speaking of S.B. 129 …

Whoever represents the 80th District in the next session should be prepared to take a position on the religious liberty legislation Mike Jacobs helped stop.

Delegates to the Georgia Republican Convention on May 16 endorsed a version that matches S.B. 129 before Jacobs’ anti-discrimination amendment.

The voice vote without a floor debate came despite Republican Gov. Nathan Deal’s advice to include an anti-discrim-

ination clause like the one Jacobs introduced. That clause said that the legislation did not protect people who claimed a religious reason for violating federal, state or local nondiscrimination laws.

Jewish community leaders, including the Anti-Defamation League and rabbis across the denominational spectrum, spoke against S.B. 129 during this year’s legislative session, arguing that the measure was not necessary to protect religious freedom and would facilitate discrimination against the LGBT community.

Green for Green at Marcus JCC The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta’s Grants to Green initiative has awarded the Marcus Jewish Community Center a matching grant of

$370,074 to upgrade such systems as interior lighting; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning equipment and controls; and kitchen ventilation at Zaban Park.

Grants to Green helps nonprofits renovate or build healthier workplaces to reduce their environmental impact and save money for use elsewhere.

“These funds will enable us to address the greening of our campus and reduce our energy costs,” Marcus JCC CEO Gail Luxenberg said. “This grant also illustrates our commitment to shomrai adamah (guardians of the earth), an important Judaic value we have pursued.”

Through its annual facilities plan, the Marcus JCC began greening the campus at the start of 2015 in line with the grant’s requirements.

LaVista Hills Claims Surplus A fiscal analysis by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute has concluded that LaVista Hills could provide enhanced services without raising taxes and run a budget surplus of $1.7 million in the first year, cityhood advocacy group LaVista Hills YES announced May 15.

The Carl Vinson Institute redid its analysis because of the change in the proposed city’s borders before it passed the General Assembly in early April. Gov. Nathan Deal has signed the legislation authorizing a referendum in November on whether to create the city.

The city would include the heavily Orthodox neighborhood of Toco Hills, which surveys have shown to be largely in favor of the cityhood plan.

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Local Briefs

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AJT

16

To check your answers, visit atlantajewishtimes.com/2015/05/super-shavuot-sheet-answers.

MAY 22 â–Ş 2015

YOUTH www.atlantajewishtimes.com

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

YOUTH

Youth Movements Expand Cooperation

By April Basler abasler@atljewishtimes.com

L

ocal NFTY and BBYO chapters are building on the spirit of cooperation displayed at the youth movements’ overlapping international conventions in Atlanta in mid-February.

In April, teens from Temple Beth Tikvah’s NFTY chapter in Roswell, HOTTY, attended Atlanta Council BBYO’s leadership workshop, and BBYO teens attended HOTTY’s leadership workshop, which included Temple Kol Emeth’s KEFTY from East Cobb.

Those workshops are examples of how Jewish teens in Atlanta aspire to work together, learn from one another and engage more teens in Jewish life — goals that were on display when the Reform NFTY and nondenominational BBYO shared programming at their conventions. Those goals were also part of the pre-convention Coalition of Jewish Teens, which brought together leaders from NFTY, BBYO, the Conservative USY, the Orthodox NCSY and the nondenominational Young Judaea.

Every fall, BBYO’s Atlanta Council holds a leadership workshop for high school freshmen, and the teens said they wanted more programming like it.

More BBYO leadership workshops then were planned for the spring.

HOTTY also was planning a leadership workshop for teens.

Adam Griff, co-adviser for the Temple Beth Tikvah group and director of Adamah Adventures at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, said: “The teen president of HOTTY, Aaron Schwartz, had a vision to try to do some leadership training in the month leading up to elections — in part to prepare for elections, but in part to improve the leadership skills of the youth group.”

David Hoffman, the BBYO director at the Marcus JCC, said: “When I brought up this program to Adam, he said, ‘That’s something that my teens want to do too.’ We both got really excited. It’s rare that something comes up from the teens that we think would fit for both of us. The challenge that we face is that BBYO and NFTY have different organizational structures.”

Hoffman said the youth directors didn’t know whether programming would be relevant for both groups.

“What we decided to do before we planned full-out leadership programs for both organizations was to do a test run where a couple of the HOTTY

teens came to our program and a couple of the BBYO teens went to his program and got to learn from each other,” he said.

The teens learned about the other movement’s or­gan­ izational structure. They also talked about During the HOTTY leadership workshop, KEFTY President David Ostrow (left) talks about what it takes to be a programming teen empower- vice president. Temple Beth Tikvah Youth Director Adam Griff (right) teaches teens about facilitating group discussions. ment. working together, although shared “We did take time to find the con- Marcus JCC coordinates locally. events can be hard to schedule.

The youth movements’ professionnections between what is similar be“We would all like to see more proal staffers have collaborated for some tween our two organizations,” Hoffgrams together and more diversity to time.

After all, Griff and Hoffman, everman said. reach more Jewish teens and show that present at the conventions, both work According to Hoffman and Griff, there is more that unites than sepawith youth through the Marcus JCC. the leadership workshops were sucrates us,” Hoffman said.

“I think the future is more for cessful, and the teens enjoyed learning Griff would like to see the NFTYadults working together to share reabout another youth movement.

BBYO unity expand throughout Atlansources for the adult leadership,” Griff Emily Restler, 17, HOTTY’s comta and perhaps beyond.

He distributed said.

“There’s a lot of value for the kids munications vice president and incoming president, attended the BBYO to have their youth group identities HOTTY’s workshop materials to other chapters in NFTY’s Southern Area Reworkshop. “We think that we do differ- and to have the chapters.” gion and is hopeful that other cities BBYO and NFTY teens and youth ent things than BBYO, but a lot of them will follow Atlanta’s example. ■ directors in Atlanta plan to continue are very similar,” Emily said. “It was really interesting to hear their perspective on how they do things.”

Marni Rein, 16, is BBYO’s Atlanta Council vice president of membership, and she attended the HOTTY/KEFTY workshop. She said it is important for the youth movements to work together.

“We have so much to benefit and to learn from each other that I really think that the more we work together, the stronger that we can be,” she said.

Griff said this cooperation between the movements probably would have happened without the weekend of BBYO-NFTY unity during their international conventions, but those gatherulates our y congrat m e d a ings helped set the stage. c uates!

A h hool Grad c S anta Jewis l e t l A d id M Local collaboration also preceded r School & 2015 Uppe the conventions.

For the past four years, Atlantaarea members of NFTY, BBYO and USY have worshipped together at a teen Shabbat in October at Congregation Etz Chaim in East Cobb. That service is designed and implemented by a group of teen leaders from each movement with the support of the youth directors and includes a social program.

The teens also attend citywide proThe Light of God is the Soul of Man grams that cut across the youth movements, such as J-Serve, an internationwww.atljewishacademy.org Critical Minds • Compassionate Hearts • Committed Leaders al teen community service day that the

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

Leadership workshops bring NFTY, BBYO together in Atlanta

AJT 17

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

EDUCATION

First at Ferst

60 Weber School grads kick off graduation season

A

B

C

D

E

G F

Photos by Michael Jacobs

A: Valedictorian Ilan Palte B: Susan Vann, who is leaving her position as Weber’s social studies chair after 15 years at the high school, delivers her address to the Class of 2015. Amid historical and cultural references that culminated in Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man,” the history teacher got her former students to thank their parents and teachers.

C: Tav Cohen leads her classmates and the audience in the Prayer for the State of Israel.

D: Zoey Weissman introduces the faculty speaker, Susan Vann.

E: Valedictorian Bonnie Simonoff F: Members of the Weber School Class of 2015 enter the Ferst Center auditorium at the start of graduation Sunday, May 17.

H

I

G: Science teacher Nicole Brite, who played a key role in organizing the ceremony, watches as Head of School Rabbi Ed Harwitz and Principal Shlaina Van Dyke finish the last part of graduation before the presentation of diplomas.

H: Members of the Weber Class of 2015 fling their mortarboards into the air after being declared graduates Sunday, May 17, at Georgia Tech’s Ferst Center.

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

I: Hillel Brenner accompanies the singing of “Hatikvah” on his guitar.

AJT 18

J: Salutatorian Samantha Leff delivers her charge to the Class of 2015 to make a mark in the world.

K: Associate Head of School Paul Ginburg announces the graduates as they receive their diplomas.

J

K

The Weber School Class of 2015 Amanda Meryl Abes, daughter of Julie and David Abes Joeli Lauren Alpern, daughter of Amy and Howard Alpern Eden Nicole Axler, daughter of Louise Short and Joel Axler Jacob Harry Banov, son of Lisa Mislow Banov and Michael David Banov Whitney Hayden Barnard, daughter of Laura Frank Barnard and John Barnard Michael Ruben Bay, son of Marina and Scot Bay Asher Samuel Benator, son of Elizabeth and David Goff and Ann Snyder and Sam Benator Arielle Rachel Berlinsky, daughter of Dawn and Douglas Berlinsky Hillel Zachariah Brenner, son of Emily Sherwinter Brenner and Joel Brenner Tav Rachel Cohen, daughter of Elizabeth and Tal Cohen Rachel Kate Colonomos, daughter of Robin and Ben Colonomos Jordan Howard Epstein, son of Sharon Epstein and Kyle Epstein Dani Boucchechter Fabian, son of Shari Boucchechter-Fabian and Zur Fabian Robyn Hannah Fox, daughter of Vicki and Spencer Fox Max Sheldon Franco, son of Leslie and Paul Franco Ariel Deborah Frankel, daughter of Jody and David Frankel Caroline Morgan Frankel, daughter of Sue and Roger Frankel Jennifer Rose Freedman, daughter of Nancy and Wayne Freedman Miriam Rose Goodfriend, daughter of Kim and Enoch Goodfriend Alan Pesach Ilyayev, son of Juliette and Vladimir Ilyayev Rachel Solomon Stack Jones, daughter of Robin Sandler Jenna Rachel Kahn, daughter of Fredericka and Philip Kahn Alexis Nicole Katz, daughter of Wendy and Jonathan Pakula and Steven Katz Talia Gabrielle Katz, daughter of Kerri and Erez Katz Samantha Rose Krantz, daughter of Camille Holubar and Andrew Krantz Matthew Corey Kurzweil, son of Deborah and David Kurzweil Benjamin Scott Lechter, son of Diane Renert Lechter and Andrew Lechter Samantha Michelle Leff, daughter of Karen and Steven Leff Tennessee May Lieberman, daughter of April Lieberman and Matthew Lieberman Jaren Samuel Mendel, son of Eva and Steve Mendel

Sara Nicole Murphy, daughter of Ronnie and Frank Murphy Rebecca Leigh Nadolne, daughter of Marnie and Brian Nadolne Sydney Carson Oakes, daughter of Debbie Nelkin Oakes and Carter Oakes (z’’l) Zachary Newton Olstein, son of Linda Rawlings and Leigh and Mark Olstein Marissa Leah Oves, daughter of Lynn and Mario Oves Ilan Chase Palte, son of Gail and Stephen Palte Brooke Shelby Pardue, daughter of Jodi and Kirk Pardue Emma Miriam Popowski, daughter of Helene and Mark Popowski Rourke Rabinowitz, son of Tracey and Danny Rabinowitz Aviv Shafir Rau, daughter of Michal Ilai and Julie Glasson and Julie and Rabbi Steven Rau Zachary Steven Ribner, son of Gillian and Aaron Ribner Zachary Aaron Rich, son of Marla Rich and Scot Rich Benjamin Nash Saban, son of Hillary and Scott Saban Abigail Beatrice Seidel, daughter of Beth and Jonathan Seidel Joni Nicole Seligson, daughter of Janet and Michael Seligson Jeremy Nathan Shapiro, son of Nadine Becker and Daniel Shapiro Julia Coplan Silverman, daughter of Lori and Robert Silverman Bonnie Alena Simonoff, daughter of Cheryl and Paul Simonoff Rachel Charlotte Skinner, daughter of Dina Liss and Sam Skinner Sindy Lauren Snyder, daughter of Felice and Stephen Snyder Sarah Jo Spielberger, daughter of Jill Spielberger and Lee Spielberger Ruth Madison Tanenbaum, daughter of Robyn and Martin Tanenbaum Zachary Logan Vandegrift, son of Renee and Rich Capriola and Rachel and Garrett Vandegrift Jacob Sidney Weiser, son of Julie and David Weiser Zoey Elizabeth Weissman, daughter of Tonia Sellers and Seth Weissman Maxwell Harris Wildstein, son of Angela and Daniel Wildstein Joshua Morgan Williams, son of Pam and Jack Williams Savannah Nicole Williams, daughter of Randi and Mitchell Williams Jonathan Andrew Yair, son of Caryn and Naftali Yair Hannah Ilana Young, daughter of Beckye and Joseph Young

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EDUCATION

AJT 19

EDUCATION

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Hadassah Honors 20 Atlanta Students

G

reater Atlanta Hadassah presented the Marian F. Perling Hadassah Chesed Student Awards to 20 Atlanta-area Jewish teens Sunday, May 3, at Congregation Beth Shalom.

Hadassah has handed out the Chesed Awards annually since 1992 to one seventh- to 12th-grader from each of the local Jewish day schools and synagogue religious schools.

Each school chooses its own recipient. The criteria are love for Israel;

concern for Jews and Jewish culture and heritage; concern for fellow humans as exemplified through manner and deed; and good academic standing.

The 24th-annual winners: • Isadore “Izzy” Jackson, Ahavath Achim Synagogue.

• Shani Kadosh, Atlanta Jewish Academy Middle School.

• Tova Asher, AJA Upper School.

• Tal Nechmad, Congregation Beth Shalom.

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• Sam Latzsch, Congregation Dor Tamid.

• Hannah Wittenstein, Congregation Etz Chaim.

• Justin Rubin, Congregation Gesher L’Torah.

• Deanna Lalo, Congregation Or Hadash.

• Jared Ladden, Congregation Or VeShalom.

• Kira Lewitt, Congregation Shearith Israel.

• Leah Faupel, Temple Beth Tikvah.

• Olivia Lesnick, Temple Emanu-El. • Jacob Best, Temple Kehillat Chaim.

• David Ostrow, Temple Kol Emeth.

• Rachel Morochnik, Temple Sinai.

• Jacob Rubin, Davis Academy.

• Syd Pargman, Epstein School.

• Mark “Elliott” Williams, The Temple Breman Religious School.

• Jenna Rubin, Weber School.

• Yosef Spotts, Torah Day School. ■

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The Weber team of (from right) Rosasharn Brown, Zavi Feldstein, Hillel Brenner and Ilan Palte, advised by Marc Leventhal, won the Cardozo Division in late April.

Weber Wins at Beit Din The Weber School team of Hillel Brenner, Rosasharn Brown, Zavi Feldstein and Ilan Palte finished first in its division at the national RAVSAK Moot Bein Din competition last month in Los Angeles.

It was the sixth title in seven years and fourth in a row for Weber.

More than 100 Jewish high school students from 26 schools across North America competed in the annual competition.

Moot beit din (a Jewish religious law court) challenges Jewish high school students to examine the ethical and moral dimensions of Jewish law in contemporary situations.

Each team prepared a written decision and presented an oral argument before a panel of rabbis, scholars and lawyers in response to a case involving social media, Internet privacy and communication ethics.

Examining Jewish legal perspectives on privacy and lashon harah (derogatory speech), each team responded to this question: Does a school administrator have the right to suspend a

student based on information acquired from the app SnapChat?

Students and their team advisers spent Shabbat together as a pluralistic community, participating in text study, prayer and team building. Marc Leventhal was the Weber team’s adviser.

“Moot Beit Din is a jewel-in-thecrown program for RAVSAK, one that educates and engages students while deepening their Jewish literacy and strengthening their Jewish identity,” said Marc Kramer, the executive director of RAVSAK, the Jewish Community Day School Network. “It was a joy to watch the students discussing and debating 21st-century realities though the lens of Talmudic and rabbinic thinking.”

Palte, who graduated May 17 as the co-valedictorian of the Class of 2015, said: “My three years as a member of Weber’s moot beit din team have transformed the way I think, both Judaically and contemporarily. This activity has refined my critical thinking and taught me to observe and analyze with a previously unfamiliar lens.” ■

EDUCATION

Epstein School’s Class of 2015

T

he Epstein School has a graduating class of 49 eighth-graders ready for high school in the fall. Epstein’s graduation ceremony is Thursday, May 28.

The following are the members of the Epstein Class of 2015: • Natalie Abramova.

• May Abravanel.

• Jacob Alayof.

• Ariel Arbiv.

• Julia Bardack.

• Isabel Berlin.

• Evan Blum.

• Samuel Bronfman.

• Kyle Cohen.

• Samuel Dankberg.

• William Gamson.

• Lindsey Gelernter.

• Daniel Ginzberg.

• Rebecca Glusman.

• Brooke Goldberg.

• Graci Goldstein.

• Gabriela Goodman.

• Hannah Granot.

• Sam Greenblatt.

• Asher Jacobs.

• Justin Kaplin.

• Ryan Kaplin.

• Daniel Lewis.

• Gabrielle Lewis.

• Sean Lewis.

• Abigail Meyerowitz.

• Jade Nowitz.

• Sari Olim.

• Benjamin Panit.

• Sydney Pargma.

• Hannah Pearl.

• Sarah Pearl.

• Jared Rakusin.

• Lucy Reish.

• Zachary Reisman.

• Ellerin Robins.

• Hayden Rubin.

• Leo Sachs.

• Sophie Schneider.

• Matthew Sidewater.

• Benjamin Sokolik.

• Jack Spandor.

• Daniel Ster.

• Aaron Taratoot.

• William Tovey.

• David Weinberg.

• Joshua Weinberg.

• Carla Wohlberg.

• Charles Woodman.

■

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MAY 22 ▪ 2015

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AJT 21

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EDUCATION

AJA Graduating 27 Seniors, 29 Eighth-Graders

T

he Atlanta Jewish Academy Upper School was set to graduate 27 students at its commencement Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at the Northland Drive campus in Sandy Springs.

The valedictorian is Eliott Dosetareh, a star athlete and a musician as well as a top student.

Salutatorian Dafna Kadosh has been the president of the school’s Israel Advocacy Club.

Here are the graduates and their plans: • Tova Asher, attending the University of Georgia.

• Michel Azan, attending Nishmat in Israel, then Barnard College in New York.

• Daniel Nathan Bashary, spending a gap year in Israel, then attending Georgia State University.

• Kelly Raquel Biran, attending Kennesaw State University.

• Ariela Hannah Bland, attending Midreshet Moriah in Jerusalem next year, then the University of Maryland.

• Isaiah Samuel Blanks, spending a year in Israel, then studying engineering in the United States.

• Samantha Hope Cohen, attending Midreshet Moriah next year, then studying sports medicine at Stern College in New York.

• Eliott Moshe Chiem Dosetareh, attending Yeshivat Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion next year, then Yeshiva University.

• Zev Yitzchak Frankel, studying at Yeshivat Lev HaTorah in Israel next

year, then Muhlenberg College or Yeshiva University.

• Shoshana Sara Ginsburg, attending Midreshet Moriah next year, then entering the Honors Program at the

year, then perhaps the University of Maryland.

• Samuel Jacob Kalnitz, attending Yeshivat Sha’arei Mevaseret Zion next year and was accepted to Yeshiva

Left: The Atlanta Jewish Academy Upper School Class of 2015 Right: The Atlanta Jewish Academy Greenfield Middle School Class of 2015

University of Maryland.

• Talya Rachel Gordon, attending Midreshet Lindenbaum in Jerusalem, then the University of Maryland’s Honors Program.

• Shimon Raphael Horwitz, spending a gap year interning, volunteering, learning, traveling and experiencing life in Israel, the United Kingdom and Australia.

• Elazar Jacov Joseph Huisman, attending Yeshivat Derech Etz Chaim in Israel next year and has been accepted to Georgia State University and Yeshiva University.

• Dafna Tamar Kadosh, attending Midreshet Lindenbaum next

University and the University of Maryland.

• Raphael Khandadash, attending Kennesaw State University.

• Niv Korezki, planning to serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

• Shira Ruth Lubinsky, attending Georgia State University.

• Benjamin Charles Massey, attending Yeshivat Lev HaTorah in Israel.

• Zoe Ogden, attending Migdal Oz in Gush Etzion, then Barnard College in New York the next year.

• Dalya Panbehchi, attending Midreshet Moriah, then Binghamton University.

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• Yarely Perez, planning to major in environmental science.

• Ariella Michal Shapiro, spending a gap year at Midreshet Emunah V’Omanut in Israel, then either the University of Maryland or Binghamton University.

• Rayut Shmuel, attending Midreshet Yeud in Jerusalem, then the University of Georgia.

• Devorah Sirull, spending a gap year at Machon Ma’ayan in Israel.

• Kevin Ryan Warren, attending DePaul University in Chicago.

• Shoshana Leah Weinmann, attending Midreshet Harova in Israel, then either the University of Maryland or Bar-Ilan University to study forensic science.

Atlanta Jewish Academy’s Greenfield Middle School will hold its eighth-grade graduation Wednesday, May 27, at 6:30 p.m. at the Northland Drive campus. In keeping with tradition, students will perform a short presentation based on the theme “The Light of G-d Is the Soul of Man.” AJA Head of School Rabbi Pinchos Hecht, Associate Head Leah Summers, and Howard Feinsand, the chairman of the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, will address the graduates.

The 29 graduates: • Danielle Ouriel Brog.

• Adam Cohen.

• Ben Cohen.

• Samuel Paul David.

• Datiel Leron Dayani.

• Evan James Esworthy.

• Bradley Ian Flory.

• Micah Frankel.

• Esther Malka Freitag.

• Gabriel Green.

• Nathan Grodzinsky.

• Breanna Alyssa Grover.

• Annie Rose Intro.

• Shani Rebecca Kadosh.

• David Sandor Lebowitz.

• Gideon Ariel Levy.

• Jacob Lieberman.

• Nathan Aaron Posner.

• Elye Benjamin Robinovitz.

• Nathaniel Adam Robinson.

• Jacob T. Saltzman.

• Daniel Ottolenghi Sanders.

• Sophia Meryl Scher.

• Zoe Simone Sokol.

• Abraham Louis Spector.

• Maayan Tamar Starr.

• Ruth Leah Stolovitz.

• Judith Claire Terushkin.

• Erez Wainstock.

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EDUCATION

Torah Day Celebrates Main Event

T

orah Day School of Atlanta’s annual Main Event on Sunday, May 10, incorporated all of the elements of a stunning evening: delicious food, entertaining company and a worthy mission to honor people who have made a significant difference in the Toco Hills day school’s 29-year history.

Dr. Raphael and Martine Gershon were honored for having given of themselves in a multitude of ways for many years.

Raphael served on the TDSA board of trustees in a variety of positions and on numerous committees, and Martine lent her professional expertise to many TDSA dinners and auctions, guaranteeing that everything not only looked gorgeous, but also ran without a hitch.

They have been longtime parents and supporters and will graduate the last of their five children from TDSA in June.

Sara Robbins, a dedicated member of the TDSA board of trustees and the incoming board president, was presented the Sadell Sloan Volunteer Award, which was instituted last year.

This award is in memory of Dr. Sadell Sloan, who reflected the values and mission of TDSA as a parent, supporter and board member.

Although Robbins has no children in the school, she has made TDSA a focal point of her life despite her many professional and personal activities.

She views the school as a vital part of the Atlanta Jewish community.

Dr. Ramie Tritt, who presented

greetings on behalf of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, said TDSA has a proven record of Jewish continuity because almost 100 percent of its graduates attend Jewish high school.

For the third year in a row, TDSA presented the Distinguished Educator Award to a teacher.

This year’s honoree is Rhoda Gleicher. She has given 25 years of love,

dedication and education to Torah Day School.

Gleicher began at TDSA as a kindergarten teacher and is now the middle school social studies teacher. ■

Top left: Sara Robbins has no children at Torah Day School but is so dedicated to the school that she is the incoming president of the board of trustees. Top middle: Torah Day School students celebrate Lab B’Omer with a sing-along, as well a cookout and athletic field day.

Top right: Sara Robbins (left), the winner of the Sadell Sloan Volunteer Award, and Martine Gershon are two of the Main Event honorees.

Bottom: Torah Day School faculty, staff and students celebrate Rhoda Gleicher’s receipt of the Distinguished Educator Award.

Guest Column

By Sid Stein y story began in Mount Pleasant, a small town in Middle Tennessee. This is where my two older brothers, my sister, my younger brother and myself were born and raised.

In 1942, when I was only 5 years old, my two older brothers, Morris and Hyman Stein, went off to war, never to return, as they were killed in action.

They were both in the infantry.

Morris, who was born in 1919, was a first lieutenant and was leading his fellow soldiers through the jungles in the Philippines when he was fatally shot by a Japanese sniper in May 1945.

Letters from his friends said he was a natural-born leader. He had military training in high school at

M

Columbia Military Academy in Columbia, Tenn. Definitely the Army would have been his career.

Hyman, who was born in 1921, participated in the Normandy invasion and was killed in France in August 1944. Before joining the Army, he ran the shoe department in my dad’s store. If he had survived, he would have possibly taken over the department store after my dad retired.

Upon hearing of my brothers’ deaths, my parents were grief-stricken, and they never got over these devastating losses. In fact, they gave all their possessions to a relative, who died in 2010 at the age of 91.

His wife found my brothers’ Purple Hearts, which were stored away in a closet for 65 years, and returned them to my younger brother, who in

turn gave them to me.

I was overwhelmed with emotion and would tell my story every chance I got to friends, family and anyone who would listen. I got in touch with a journalist from the Atlanta JournalConstitution, Rick Baddie, and he wrote an article in November 2010 about my brothers.

Right after the article, I started my speaking career. In a PowerPoint presentation, I started talking about my brothers and the Purple Hearts.

My speech includes many interesting pictures and memorabilia from World War II. Over the past five years I have made more than 50 speeches to many organizations, including the retired FBI organization, schools, and civic, church and veteran groups.

After the first few speeches, I

expanded and talked about other war heroes, such as my brother-in-law, Maj. Ralph Coplan, a Marine bomber pilot in the Pacific in World War II who flew 65 missions off a carrier. He was awarded 16 battle awards, including three Distinguished Flying Crosses.

Another hero I talk about is Louis Zamperini of “Unbroken.” I had the pleasure of meeting him and had my picture taken with him.

I end my speeches on a patriotic note with the words of country singer Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.”: “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died who gave that right to me.”

If any groups are interested in hearing me speak, please contact me at 770-232-4887. ■

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

A Memorial Day Tribute

AJT 23

BUSINESS

Fragile Moves Within Sandy Springs

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

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ragile Gifts has been open for more than 27 years in Sandy Springs, but anyone visiting the store’s original location the past two months has found it empty.

The gift and Judaica store has moved from Sandy Springs Circle to the intersection of Johnson Ferry Road and Mount Vernon Highway. The grand reopening of the store, which will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, is scheduled for Friday, May 22.

The owner of Fragile, Bob Bourman, said he decided to make the short move up Roswell Road after a decline in storefronts at the Centre Court Shopping Center, Fragile’s home for nearly three decades.

“When we first moved into the old location, it was fairly vibrant,” Bourman said. “Over the years it got worse and worse, to where we were really the only destination besides the yoga studio. So we have been trying to get into this new shopping center for several

years, and finally a space came open. It seems like a good move for us.”

Fragile specializes in gift and wedding registries as well Judaica. Such Jewish items as Shabbat candleholders, Kiddush cups, menorahs, seder plates, mezuzot and tzedakah boxes make up about 10 percent of the inventory.

The shop has been open for two months in the new location at the Sandy Springs North Shopping Center, whose tenants include Trader Joe’s and Roasters. The grand reopening celebration from May 20 to 30 will include giveaways and gifts with purchases from Fragile vendors.

Bourman said he hopes the new location will increase exposure to new customers in Sandy Springs.

“We’ve been doing this for almost 28 years now, so we have our loyal customers,” he said. “But it’s nice to have new customers and new faces. It’s just amazing that after 27 years in business, there are people who live in Sandy Springs that never knew we existed. I guess it’s important to have better visibility.” ■

Israeli Plastics Company To Open Savannah Plant

By Zach Itzkovitz

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

B

AJT 24

ram Industries, an Israeli manufacturer of plastics based in Sderot, announced a $3 million investment in a manufacturing plant in Savannah at a Savannah Economic Development Authority board meeting May 12.

The plant will be the company’s first manufacturing site in the United States, where Bram has done business for nearly a decade. In addition to its Israeli plants, the company also has an international manufacturing plant in France.

Conexx Chief Operating Officer Guy Tessler said Bram Industries showed interest in the logistical advantages of Savannah’s port location.

“They reached out to Georgia, knowing that they wanted to raise a location in this region,” said Tessler, whose nonprofit group helps Israeli companies make connections in the Southeast. “They went through some kind of selection process where they visited various sites, and the site they liked the most, based on location, price, access to workforce and access to incentives, was this specific location.”

That location is 300 Telfair Road in the Georgia Commerce Center. The plant will employ 60 workers and begin production in the third quarter of this year.

According to Business in Savannah, the plant will first produce plastic storage bins and will expand to accommodate more of Bram’s products.

The company’s American division is Bramli USA Inc. — named for company founder and CEO Eli Bramli — and its customers include Walmart, Target, Dollar General, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. According to www.bramli.com, Bramli’s consumer products include Goldilocks, Kadabra, Frooshlii and Frooshlii Kids food storage containers, as well as Bio-chic biodegradable, reusable plastic bags.

Bram joins more than 50 other Israeli companies with facilities in Georgia.

“The companies in the Savannah area are mostly manufacturing,” Tessler said. “There are programs in Georgia, such as Quick Start, that help companies train their workforce to their needs, thus creating jobs in Georgia.” ■

BUSINESS

THE SONENSHINE TEAM

Time Hasn’t Come For Target Date Funds

DEBBIE SONENSHINE STAR NEWMAN KATIE GALLOW

The D-Day invasion of Normandy was carefully planned, but when the first shots were fired, those plans were obsolete. Courage, innovation and flexibility saved the day.

This is a crucial point: Target date funds might work, but in my view they

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require tremendous discipline. I believe that few could emotionally deal with years of underperformance.

• The investment world is dynamic; capital flows in and out of situations quickly. The target date approach is a fixed, static strategy in a highly dynamic world. No football team would run the same play time after time; the opponent would quickly adjust and destroy the team with the static approach.

• The United States has its lowest interest rates in 80 years. Western Europe has its lowest rates in the last 400 years. Having lived through the late 1970s and early 1980s, when 30-year U.S. government bond rates topped 13 percent, I can’t see much opportunity today in long-term bonds.

I believe we are at the end of a 34year bull market in bonds. If interest rates return to the levels of 15 years ago, bonds likely will incur big market value losses. Hence, you should seriously reconsider any significant allocation toward long-term bonds.

• In classic investment analysis, investments should be selected based on what offers the best current intrinsic value, not on some fixed formula.

• An Investment News article April 13 disclosed that of 57 target date funds analyzed by Morningstar, 32 managers of those funds did not have even $100 of their own money in the fund.

• Target date funds do not incorporate insight, flexibility or creativity into the process. I believe these are crucial items to consider.

In my opinion, the disadvantages outweigh the perceived advantages. ■ Al Shams is a Sandy Springs resident, a former CPA and an investment professional with more than 35 years’ industry experience.

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MAY 22 ▪ 2015

T

arget date funds have emerged the past 10 years and hold hundreds of billions of dollars in investor assets. During 2014, more than $50 billion flowed into these entities.

Many readers may hold these securities but be unclear how they operate.

Target date mutual funds are open-end mutual funds that automatically reallocate an investor’s retirement funds based on his age or retirement date. The monies are typically allocated into stocks, bonds or cash. Like any market-based investment, these values will fluctuate, and returns are not guaranteed.

A worker planning to retire in 2050 would select a target date 2050 fund, while a worker with a 2025 retirement would select a 2025 fund.

Because of the longer investment periods, the 2050 fund would be weighted toward stocks. The 2025 fund would hold higher allocations of bonds and cash than the 2050 fund.

These allocations are based on the generalized analysis that long-term investments in stocks outperform bonds or cash. Independent Ibbotson research supports this analysis.

The key point supporting this allocation process is that historical data show that over very long periods, stocks outperform bonds, bonds outperform cash, and inflation outperforms cash.

The advantages of target date funds are that they are an automatic, hands-free, low-cost way to allocate capital and that, if followed strictly, they should reduce emotional reactions to the markets and the economy.

But I believe that the disadvantages far outweigh the perceived benefits.

The biggest faults I see: • The allocation process is based on 30-to-60-year analysis of returns by various investment alternatives.

• This process requires tremendous patience and discipline in case it underperforms for many years.

In my 40-plus years in the investment market, few investors have patience. If something doesn’t work for a few years, “sell it and let’s move on” is the cry. Many times, good operating progress for a company is not reflected in the share price in the short run.

Mike Tyson has a saying: “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.”

Atlanta’s Favorite Real Estate Team

AJT 25

3/12/15 10:25 AM

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HOME

Chef Couple Builds Majestic, Rustic Lodge

S

uzanne Hanein and Joel Eisenberg are a confident, industrious couple who knew what they wanted and were willing to be their own contractors to supervise the construction of their 10,000-squarefoot home. Their love of antique furnishings, cooking and entertaining led them to undertake the task of building, including waiting a year to secure a building permit from the newly formed city of Sandy Springs.

Suzanne mused: “When we were designing the house, we wanted something more casual than our current Tudor house. We envisioned stone, beams and expansive windows, as we love Colorado and the West, plus lots of natural light. We really weren’t seeking big and grandiose, but our architect convinced us to upsize.

Ultimately, we strove for function, flow and openness.”

than regular insulation, it is extremely energy-efficient.

Jaffe: You are both chefs. Describe the special touches in your kitchen.

Hanein: It was designed to accommodate all levels of entertaining.

We both have large families, so we

Chai-Style Homes

By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

island (9 by 5 feet). Above is a bronze chandelier from Argentina (Art Deco, 1940s). It’s so heavy that it took three electricians to install, and the beams had to be rebolstered. There are three stone surfaces: marble for baking and rolling out dough, textured granite for easier cleanup, and polished granite.

Jaffe: What are your gourmet specialties? I recall a party here where you both spent days preparing.

Hanein: Mine is ethnic cuisines.

Middle Eastern (Sephardic) dishes, which I learned from my mom, plus Italian, French, Indian and Thai. I

cake and Oreo cheesecake. I’m very detail-oriented, so baking agrees with me because it is so precise. I also like to make homemade pasta dishes such as artichoke-pecorino ravioli.

Jaffe: How does all this translate into entertaining?

Eisenberg: The butler’s pantry is set up as a buffet to flow into the dining room with cooled wine storage and ice machine. Because of the openness, we can accommodate 100-plus people. One special area that I designed for Suzanne is the platter room. She used to complain about

Jaffe: Exactly what does being your own builder entail?

Eisenberg: One of the keys is a good architect. But the most critical thing is to have reliable and competent contractors and subcontractors. Developing relationships with contractors takes years. Suzanne and I bought our first investment property 20 years ago with government-subsidized Section 8 homes. Over the years, we upgraded neighborhoods, and instead of renovations, we now build new homes in the 3,500-square-foot range.

Jaffe: This front entrance is very dramatic. How high are these ceilings?

Eisenberg: The ceilings are 22 feet high. The front door is custom-made from solid mahogany and wrought iron. The first thing you see when you walk into the foyer is a 150-year-old Persian silk Heriz Serapi rug and a baby grand piano nestled between two bronze sconces. The front hallway stretches 70 feet from end to end and showcases a stained-glass floral window purchased at an auction.

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

Jaffe: Maybe we can jog laps in this hallway. I’d be curious to see your power bills.

Eisenberg: On the contrary, during construction we sprayed closed-cell foam insulation on all exterior walls and open cells in all of 26 the ceilings. Although it costs more

AJT

A

B entertain and host events. The main kitchen has four ovens plus a warming drawer. We also have a Five Star commercial stove with six burners and a griddle/grill. To accommodate easy cleanup, we installed two dishwashers and sinks. In the middle is a large

C

D

really like trying new, interesting recipes. I also collect cookbooks. Right off the kitchen is an alcove holding my collection … probably close to a 100 cookbooks.

Eisenberg: I love to bake. My favorite preparations are tres leches

E how platters would chip when stored on top of each other in cabinet drawers. We created this room with vertical spaces for large shapes and numerous sets of dishes.

Jaffe: The dining/living area

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HOME

reminds me of a Colorado mountain lodge gone post-Victorian.

Hanein: Over the years we went to many auctions. The piece in the dining room is one of Joel’s favorite antique finds. He sat at Red Baron for an entire weekend to make sure he won the bid. It’s from the early American Renaissance Revival period and is made of walnut and hickory — almost 12 feet long by 8 feet high. We had to literally reconfigure the architectural plans so that it would fit into a winged wall. On top of that breakfront are two brass candelabras from an old Italian church.

Jaffe: What is this Louis XV setting?

Eisenberg: The French bombe commode chest is from the 1870s. I think it fits in nicely in our great room, even with all of the beams and stone.

Jaffe: Your art is an eclectic mix.

What are some of your favorites?

Hanein: I like the Henri Matisse (lithograph “Themes et Variations,” 1943). Joel is most proud of this signed Keith Haring poster. We met him in 1985 at a SoHo gallery. He is one of the most famous graffiti artists and claimed subway stations as his canvas.

He tragically died of AIDS at 31. His larger bronze pieces are in museums.

We also treasure the “Fiddler on the Roof” watercolor (Movshin Shon) from Safed, Israel, and this scarlet chalk (of our young family) done by local portrait artist Mitzi Rothman.

Jaffe: What are you enjoying most about your master suite?

Hanein: Having my own makeup area in the bathroom. Joel would say that he likes having separate closets because he thinks I’m too messy.

F

G Photos by Duane Stork

A: Suzanne Hanein and Joel Eisenberg have three kinds of stone surfaces in their gourmet kitchen.

B: This “Fiddler on the Roof” watercolor is from Safed artist Movshin Shon.

C: A chalk portrait on scarlet of the young Eisenberg family is the work of local artist Mitzi Rothman.

D: Henri Matisse’s “Themes et Variations” lithograph from 1943 is one of the standout art pieces in the house.

E: Joel Eisenberg’s favorite piece is a poster artist Keith Haring signed just before his death.

F: A baby grand piano and a Persian silk Heriz Serapi rug greet visitors in the front entrance.

G: The dining room features an elongated American Renaissance Revival breakfront.

H: The etched-glass window in the master bathroom is a custom design.

I: The inviting master bedroom features Lewis & Sheron Textiles fabrics.

J: The front guest powder room makes visitors feel at luxurious home.

H

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

Jaffe: So what’s next?

Hanein: I have a terrible fear that Joel will wake up I one day and want to sell this house — just so we can be creative and start all over! ■ J

AJT 27

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

ARTS

Levs Goes All In for Parental Leave

By Zach Itzkovitz

J

osh Levs’ personal battle for paternal equality has led to this month’s release of his book on work-life balance for fathers, “All In: How Our Work-First Culture Fails Dads, Families, and Businesses — And How We Can Fix It Together.”

Levs is an Atlanta-based columnist and occasional on-air correspondent at CNN. He has received six Peabody Awards and two Murrow Awards and been named the Atlanta Press Club’s Journalist of the Year. He and journalist wife Melanie have three children.

The third of those children set him on a collision course with his employer.

In August 2013, Levs requested additional paid leave from Time Warner, CNN’s parent, knowing he would need more time at home after the birth of his daughter. The company offered 10 weeks of paid leave to all parents of new children except biological fathers.

When the company refused his request, Levs filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, demanding a change to Time Warner’s policy. CNN eventually amended its policy to allow six weeks of paid leave to any parent.

“All In,” which had an Atlanta launch party May 13, expresses Levs’ frustration with the parental leave policies of businesses and the U.S. government.

“These policies are so backward,” Levs said.

“They are a big part of the reason that we have this work/life conflict, and that affects our minds. It affects our mental health.”

Gender roles have shifted the past half-century, he said. “What I’m doing is just like what a lot of dads are doing. We are able to be emotionally connected to our kids and put values first and put time with them ahead of money and ahead of competing at work. The challenge is for everyone to understand that this is how fatherhood has changed; this is how manhood has changed.”

“All In” is the culmination of years of research, private discussions with fathers around the country, and personal experience. The result is a description of and response to cultural forces that separate men from women and how these forces diminish our economy.

“We have laws, policies and stig-

Photo by Jim Gilson

Josh Levs

mas that are stuck in the past,” Levs said. “Why are we the only developed economy with no paid maternity leave? The reason we don’t have paternity leave, it’s because we have these policies that are based on the presumption that the woman will stay at home and the man will go to work.”

“All In” suggests a family leave system similar to 401(k) accounts. “Workers would be allowed to set aside some portion of their pay tax free, perhaps 5 percent, up to a legal cap,” Levs writes.

“It would go into a fund they could access when they have a qualifying situation not covered by their employer’s disability plan (or by a paid leave plan if the employer has one).”

Levs spoke with leaders of multiple religions about achieving spiritual and mental health. The similarity of each prescription astounded him.

“There are voices of people in Christianity, Judaism, Islam and Hinduism,” Levs said. “What I found is that there’s this incredible commonality and unity among religions when it comes to the most important thing: how to live. And that is something we don’t hear enough about.”

Levs’ path took him from Albany, N.Y., to Yale University in New Haven, Conn., and finally to Atlanta. He said kashrut has a central role in his life.

“I grew up Conservative,” Levs said.

“I was like Mr. USY in high school. On the Israel pilgrimage, I was the leader in USY. I continued to do Jewish stuff at Yale, and I keep kosher. I actually gave a sermon at Emory Hillel a few years ago about how keeping kosher makes me a better person.” ■

“All In”

By Josh Levs $25.99, HarperOne, out now

Tasters Revel in New Venue

T

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

hursday night, May 14, trumpeted The Tasting, the annual display of food and wine and a silent auction to benefit Jewish Family & Career Services’ ZimmermanHorowitz Independent Living Program.

Why was this night different from all other nights?

According to Brenda Fiske, the chief marketing officer of JFCS: “This year’s Tasting was recordbreaking in that we had 22 participating gourmet suppliers, 40 percent of whom were new this year.

The event was a raging success, with 600 tickets sold and the largest silent auction proceeds in our history.

“We also salute the vendors, who showed appreciation by giving back to the community.”

In other words, everything was donated.

This was the first time in 15 years that the event was held in a venue other than the Grand Hyatt. The new 28 Mason Fine Art location was off

AJT

the beaten path, even for many GPS devices, and our Priuses and Porsches were scouring Ottley Drive, where the gallery used to be.

It was a small thing to forgive after arriving to see 20 handsome, charcoal-clad valets lined up to hustle cars.

Jaffe’s Jewish Jive

By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

More important, the event, chaired by Mindi Sard and Lani Preis, drew a “hip, younger crowd” alongside the more traditional diners tand thus added value to what the program represents.

“Our son runs a developmentally challenged program, and we believe in what they do — help people who may be not able to totally take care of themselves,” Dr. Charles Rosenberg said.

Angie Weiland said: “We have

a child who is severely impaired and will one day need help in a program like this.

And remember, this serves the entire community.”

Dr. David Zelby, who recently stepped down as chief of staff at the JF&CS Ben Massell DenPhotos by Marcia Caller Jaffe tal Clinic after 15 Attending with Zoe Zelby, Dr. David Zelby (left) is newly independent of years, said: “This day-to-day responsibilities at the Ben Massell Dental Clinic. Gary Miller, is among our with Michelle Horowitz, attends his last Tasting as the CEO of JF&CS. community’s best resources for fol“This is totally nonsectarian,” lowing the Jewish tradition of tikkun Pearlann said. “It encourages indepenolam.” dence according to the specific need Alan Lubel said, “This is a trefor adults to be able to function even mendous service umbrella that gives without family present.” others the opportunity to experience And who could resist seared tuna the life we all want for ourselves.” on field peas and Red Bliss potatoes Pearlann and Jerry Horowitz’s 1999 endowment of $500,000 (the larg- stuffed with caviar, followed by pistachio gelato with a chaser of chamest gift at that time in the history of pagne? ■ JF&CS) kick-started the program.

OBITUARIES - MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING

George Gustave Altman 96, Atlanta

George Gustave Altman, 96, passed away peacefully Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, surrounded by his family.

George was born Oct. 11, 1918, to Dr. Gustave and Estelle Altman of Helena, Ark. After an idyllic childhood in Helena, George moved with his family to Louisville, Ky., where George joined the Boy Scouts and enjoyed camping and canoeing adventures along the Ohio River on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. He was confirmed at Adath Israel Temple in Louisville in 1933. George graduated from the University of Louisville and attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. He served as an officer in the Army Air Corps during World War II, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He was always proud of the recognition he received from senior military commanders for significantly improving the efficiency of retrofitting aircraft for combat at six air bases in the United States.

In 1945, while stationed at Hunter Air Field in Savannah, he met and married a young volunteer nurse’s aide, Frances Karp. They founded and operated Altman Realty Co. in Savannah for many years until George was offered a senior position with the Federal Aviation Administration in Atlanta as director of airport operations from the Panama Canal Zone to Virginia. George was subsequently recruited by Raytheon Corp., and, after several years, retired again.

George is remembered by all who knew him as a man of the highest moral standards, a dry wit and a great intellect. He never had a harsh word for anyone and upheld the highest traditions of Judaism. He instilled in his children and his grandchildren a deep appreciation of learning and the joy of observing the world and its people. He took great pride in the accomplishments of his grandchildren and remains an inspiration to them.

George is survived by Frances, his wife of 69 years; their three children, Gary, Bonnie and Craig; a daughter-in-law, Judy Rich Altman; five grandchildren, David Altman and his wife, Leigh Braslow Altman, Jonathan Altman and his wife, Xiaofei Altman, Allison Savage and her husband, Michael Savage, Erin Altman, and Andrea Auerbach; and six great-grandsons, Ely Gustave Altman, Gil Braslow Altman, Samuel Braslow Altman, Alexander Savage, Thomas Savage and Luke Altman. Graveside services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Nov. 30, at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by H.M. Patterson & Son-Arlington Chapel.

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feld; her son, Nathan Scheinfeld; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Louise and Alan Weintraub, Amy Paulin and Ira Schuman, Shari and Fred Thomson, and Gail and Carl Fazio; her uncle, Abe Besser; and her loving birth mother, Alice Paulin.

Jane, or Janie to many, was president of B’nai B’rith Women from 1975 to 1977 and a life member thereafter. She was also an active member of Deborah BBG during her teen years, Hadassah and Ahavath Achim Sisterhood. After becoming an avid Buckeye, she earned a master’s degree in special education from Georgia State University. Those who knew her can attest to both her passion and compassion, making her a beloved teacher and colleague for 35 years. Jane was outgoing, caring, honest and loving to those in her life, as she showed through her texts, emails with that coupon you were looking for, shopping trips, and that greeting card with just the right words. She cherished her extensive family, including her grandpuppies, and valued her heritage, her culture, and the city she lived in and experienced as fully as she could. She taught us what it means to be Jewish, Southern, strong and a mother. Despite her schedules for Disney World and after-school activities, she showed her family how to live life and to laugh, loudly and unapologetically. Maybe most important, she exemplified what it means to be good.

Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Graveside services were held Wednesday, May 13, at Arlington Memorial Park with Rabbi Neil Sandler officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Jane’s honor to Thinking About Tomorrow, an organization dedicated to ensuring that at-risk youths receive the best education they can. Please visit www.ThinkingaboutTomorrow. org and click on “How to Help.” Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Death Notices

Send condolence announcements to editor@atljewishtimes.com for inclusion here.

Irwin “Buck” Freedman, 91, of Atlanta, Temple member, husband of Pat Levy Freedman, and father of Chuck, Stan, D. Jay and Bruce Freedman, on May 13.

Mariya Lapushin, 88, of Tucker, mother of Semyon Lapushin, on May 14.

Morris Bellman 84, Atlanta

Jane Morris Scheinfeld 66, Atlanta

Jane Morris Scheinfeld, age 66, of Atlanta died Sunday, May 10, 2015, after her strong battle with ovarian cancer.

Jane was preceded in death by her perfect, as she would tell you, parents, Rae and Ralph Morris. She is survived by her husband of 45 years and best friend since their first date 50 years ago, Harry Scheinfeld; her daughter, Emily Schein-

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

Morris Bellman, 84, of Atlanta passed away Friday, May 15, 2015.

Morris was the beloved husband of Rae Bellman and the stepfather of Rabbi Barry Klein of Jerusalem and Mrs. Lisa Klein Fuchs of Wesley Hills, N.Y. He was the Step-grandfather of A.J., Donny and Ari Fuchs and Yehuda, Tehilla Malka, Chaya Sara, Nechama Laya, Rifka, Hadassah, Shoshana, Ellie Sheva Tova and Ahuva Klein.

Morris was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. He was the son of Julius and Ida Bellman and the youngest brother of Leon, Leonard and Harold Bellman. Morris graduated from Yeshiva Toras Chaim, then located in Brooklyn. His undergraduate degree was from FIU (Florida International University). He received his J.D. and L.L.M. law degrees from Atlanta Law School. Morris worked for the federal government in several capacities and retired after 30 years of service. Morris enjoyed saltwater fishing and photography.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Beth Jacob Rabbi’s Tzedakah Fund, Weinstein Hospice, Temple Sinai Religious School or Chabad Intown.

Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. A graveside service was held Sunday, May 17, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Yechezkel Freundlich officiating. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS OBITUARIES – MAY THEIR MEMORIES BE A BLESSING

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Direction, Reflection CROSSWORD And Connection in Sivan

“A Living Legend”

By Yoni Glatt Editor: DavidBenkof@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Challenging

R

MAY 22 ▪ 2015

osh Chodesh Sivan began Tuesday, May 19. This is the month that we receive the Torah. We’ve been preparing ourselves to walk in balance so that we can carry its wisdom forward with steady steps.

The subtleties to uncover this month involve joining our humanness with the transcendent light of the Creator to bring G-d’s essence into our daily lives.

According to the Sefer Yetzirah (Book of Formation), Sivan’s Hebrew letter is zayin, Zodiac sign is Gemini, tribe is Zebulun, sense is walking, and controlling limb is the left foot.

On Rosh Chodesh Sivan, we had been counting the Omer for six weeks and three days since the second night of Passover. This count ends the night before Shavuot, when we hit the 49day mark on the 6th of Sivan. G-d prepares to give us the Torah, and we’ve been preparing ourselves to receive it.

Many people muddle through the middle ground of daily life, consumed with their own needs and desires. The sanctity of the divine is above us, and the impurity of life disconnected from G-d is beneath us. We must seek G-d and bring the divine wisdom to the middle ground through our actions.

As we yearn for peace in the world, we recognize that it will require a connection to a shared home base that is impenetrable. G-d is the rock and the mountain that is greater than we are as individuals. The challenge is, how can we bring ourselves to G-d to receive the wisdom available to all of us? When we unite with G-d, we unite with others who unite with G-d.

Sivan’s Hebrew letter, zayin, is created with a vav that has a crown. It is said that every Jewish soul receives a crown at the giving of the Torah.

Twins represent the Zodiac sign of Gemini, so we look for twins this month. Within us, we have the warring, archetypal twins of Jacob and Esau. We also have the twin tablets, the Ten Commandments.

The first five, like Esau and the yetzer tov (inclination to good), unite us with G-d and others, instructing us to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” The second five are likened to Jacob and the yetzer hara (inclination to evil) and are concerned with “shall nots.”

The Torah commands us to “love 30 G-d with all of your heart,” mean-

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ing the integration of both energies.

Herein lies the power of two becoming one, as in heaven and earth and the upper and lower worlds.

Mercury is the ruling planet. In Greek mythology, Mercury is the messenger who gives and receives. The ele-

New Moon Meditations Dr. Terry Segal tsegal@atljewishtimes.com

ment of air supports the transformation of dense energy into thin wisps at this time, which allows us to receive and integrate thoughts quickly.

The tribe is Zebulun, which shares a mother (Leah) with and follows Issachar, as Sivan follows Nisan. Issachar contains the scholars, and Zebulun has the merchants and seafarers.

Those born under Gemini are good communicators and often go into sales as merchants. They can change perspectives and see things through two sets of eyes. They value information more than material possessions and, at a soul level, are on a quest for deeper connection and fulfillment as they maneuver through their relationship with the opposing twins of the material and spiritual worlds.

The sense is walking, which connects to the controlling limb of Sivan, the left foot. The left side of the body is physical; the right is spiritual. If we were to walk using only the left foot, we would not get far. Sometimes we get stuck and run in circles, as if we have one foot tacked to the floor. We need the balance of the right and left to move forward in a grounded way.

Sivan is about bringing G-d into our daily lives, walking in balance between two worlds, integrating opposing forces and elevating ourselves mindfully in all of our relationships.

Meditation Focus What has kept you from deepening your relationship with G-d? How can you bring G-d’s presence into your most mundane tasks? ■ Terry Segal is a licensed marriage and family therapist and a hypnotherapist, holds a doctorate in energy medicine, and wrote “The Enchanted Journey: Finding the Key That Unlocks You.”

ACROSS 1 Like films by Eli Roth 6 For Moses’s wife, it was a widow’s peak 10 Irene who sang the title song to Bruckheimer’s “Flashdance” 14 Banks who played with Ken Holtzman 15 Cholent might have a strong (and pleasant) one 16 King after Manasseh 17 1971 classic by 58-Across set between 1939-1941, with “The” 19 Rabbi Moses Isserles 20 Birds where they light Chanukah candles in summer 21 Shekels in Romania 22 Like a young Esau 23 Portman’s “V for Vendetta” co-star 24 1951 maritime classic by 58-Across, with “The” 27 Dip alternative to hummus 29 Trevor Smith’s NHL team, on the scoreboard 30 Moses to Korach, in slang 31 The ends of cities Ashkelon and Ramat Gan? 33 Basic hydroxyl compound that chemists like Chaim Weizmann study 34 Bklyn. J with many Jewish businesses 35 See 58-Across 38 Location of by-gone Kosher chat rooms 40 Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken to Obama, e.g.

41 Early career letters for Samberg and Sandler 42 Busy Jew in April, stereotypically 43 Moses to Aaron, in slang 44 Makes a parnassah 48 1959 work by 58-Across subtitled “The Jewish Way of Life” 53 “Eizeh Yofi” 54 Brother who found the nation that would destroy the Bet Hamikdash

55 Boating need for the Kinneret 56 A chip for Erik Seidel 57 One way to get to Tel Aviv 58 Pulitzer Prize winner whose date of becoming a 35-Across is May 27, 2015 61 There’s often more than one in a kosher kitchen 62 “Up and ___!” (“Boker Tov!”) 63 Become accustomed (to), like a new Oleh with Hebrew 64 Tests srs. in Israel don’t take 65 Lech follower 66 Purim heroine, to Fritz DOWN 1 Warsaw escape routes, for some 2 Peninsula that was once proposed as becoming a Jewish state 3 Like Rosh Hashanah 4 Clears (of), as chametz 5 Ken of Israel?

6 ___ Aviv (Bet Shemesh neighborhood) 7 Einstein contemporary Hubble 8 “Torch Song Trilogy” costume part 9 Pilot in Heller’s “Catch- 22” 10 Artscroll proof mark 11 Steve Stone, Steven Spielberg or Rabbi Alysa Stanton, e.g.

12 Last name of Jewish oppressor Alexander III 13 Make like Freud 18 End of a big schnozz 22 Like a fancy shtreimel 24 Rav Moshe Feinstein forbade its use 25 Volcano

that’s more than 4000 km from Jerusalem 26 They called Jews “dhimmi” 28 Go on a shidduch date (or two) 32 Prevents tzimmes from sticking to the pot 33 Haifa to Tzfat dir.

35 One bringing a case to Bet Din 36 Biblical kingdom 37 ___ mode, milchig dessert option 38 Jamie Lee Curtis, e.g.

39 Jamie Lee Curtis role in “Trading Places” 45 Needed to buy more farfel 46 Mother rival to God 47 Not emes 49 Acts like a Bar Mitzvah boy who just wants to get it over with 50 ___ deah 51 Radiation in much of Stan Lee’s work 52 Light name?

56 Barley beards, pre-cholent 58 Kubrick’s computer 59 Like Seinfeld’s “yada yada”: Abbr 60 “___ Wieder!” (German for “Never Again!”)

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WE START OUR SUMMER VACATIONS HERE.

SUMMER THEME NIGHTS & GIVEAWAYS THIS WEEKEND

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