Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCIV NO. 33, August 23, 2019

NEXT WEEK: ARTS & CULTURE

VOL. XCIV NO. 33 | SYNAGOGUES

Find Your Home for the Holidays.

LIVE STREAMING DO MODERN DAY SERVICES INCLUDE ONLINE ATTENDANCE?

RABBI RUACH RABBI BORTZ IS HIGHLIGHTED IN OUR NEW QUARTERLY, 'I BET YOU DIDN'T KNOW' COLUMN.

ARNOVITZ LA KIER MEET THE NEW CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER AT JF&CS.

AUGUST 23, 2019 | 22 AV 5779

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 3

4 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

PUBLISHER

MICHAEL A. MORRIS michael@atljewishtimes.com

MANAGING PUBLISHER & EDITOR KAYLENE LADINSKY

kaylene@atljewishtimes.com Executive Assistant

JODI DANIS

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EDITORIAL Associate Editor

RONI ROBBINS roni@atljewishtimes.com Sr. Staff Writer & Web Editor

EDDIE SAMUELS

eddie@atljewishtimes.com Contributor & Proofreader

LEAH R. HARRISON leah@atljewishtimes.com

Contributors This Week ALLEN H. LIPIS BOB BAHR DAVE SCHECHTER FLORA ROSEFSKY HAROLD KIRTZ JAN JABEN-EILON JON BARRY MARCIA CALLER JAFFE RABBI JOAB EICHENBERG-EILON RABBI STEVEN LEBOW RACHEL STEIN

Faithful Followers Like the holy ark that moved through the desert, nowadays the synagogue and its community no longer need be confined to a physical structure. Many Atlanta synagogues are using video streaming to bring their message or service to those who can’t make it to the sanctuary for Shabbat, simchas, high holidays or other occasions.

In our synagogue issue, we explore how modern technology is bringing Judaism to computer and TV screens. Our stories span Torah to rabbis and topics in between, such as the variety of groups offered at area synagogues and a bluegrass festival giving a new twist to traditional Shabbat services.

There are articles about Torah scrolls and the aron kodesh, holy ark.

Chabad of Cobb is completing a scroll at sacred locations in Israel, a woodworker refinished and installed ancient Spanish doors on the ark at Congregation Shaarei Shamayim, and a Reform synagogue in North Carolina donated its ark to a Modern Orthodox synagogue in Skokie, Ill. Also transitioning is Ahavath Achim Synagogue. We interview the new Senior Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal about the evolu-

tion of his position and the relationships he’s built in the historic Buckhead congregation.

In this issue we introduce you to our new Rabbi Ruach column, a spinoff from our Lowdown, Bet You Didn’t Know pieces with movers and shakers in Jewish Atlanta. Our first Rabbi Ruach is with Rabbi Analia Bortz, who 16 years ago cofounded Congregation Or Hadash with her rabbi-husband Mario Karpuj.

You’ll also find our synagogue directory within these pages, with all the basics about area congregations, to help you find your home for the holidays.

Aside from synagogues, we have a few stories on advances in the community, including the hiring of a new chief development officer at Jewish Family & Career Services and her fundraising strategy.

In political news, you can read the latest on the decision by Israel to keep out two U.S. Congresswomen who have been known to voice anti-Semitic rhetoric and opposition to the Jewish state’s right to exist.

From weighty and spiritual topics, we bring you the lighter side of Jewish life next week with our Arts & Culture issue.

Prepare to be dazzled and inspired. ■

THIS WEEK

COVER PHOTO: A screenshot of a Shabbat morning live stream service at Congregation Or Hadash on Aug. 10, 2019.

CONTENTS LOCAL NEWS ���������������������������������� 6 ISRAEL NEWS ��������������������������������� 8 OPINION ����������������������������������������� 10 SYNAGOGUES ������������������������������� 16 CALENDAR ������������������������������������� 32 COMMUNITY ��������������������������������� 34 BRAIN FOOD ���������������������������������� 37 OBITUARIES ���������������������������������� 38 CLOSING THOUGHTS ����������������� 41

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LOCAL NEWS New Development Officer Has Deep Jewish Roots

By Roni Robbins Before she became the new chief development officer for Jewish Family & Career Services, Amanda Arnovitz La Kier was a decades-long volunteer and donor with the social services organization. She also attended its events, such as Havinagala, The Tasting and Community of Caring lunch.

That background will come in handy in her new role overseeing the agency’s development efforts in such areas as grants, fundraising events and volunteer activities.

La Kier brings to JF&CS 25 years of experience in fundraising and development, most recently as vice president of individual giving, donor relations and grants for WABE/ATL PBA. The role is similar to her new position at JF&CS, where she will be working with a new CEO, as she did at WABE. She will also supervise the development team that includes the new JF&CS development director, Jessica Katz Yonatan, who started in April, and parttime major gifts officer, Stacy Fialkow,

Amanda Arnovitz La Kier is the new chief development officer.

Lisa Bronstein was promoted to chief human resources officer.

who served as a development consultant until La Kier was hired.

Although La Kier had a basic understanding of the agency’s work before she began, she said she’s already gained a better view of her new “dedicated, hard-working colleagues and the amazing stories of how they touch people’s lives. … Now I see the scope of it, the things they do to help in so many different ways,” she said.

“This organization has a number of

programs that serve the community. It is the heart and soul of the community,” La Kier said. “They are there when people need them and are an importance resource.”

She listed the agency’s career services, emergency assistance, food pantry, intellectual and developmental disability programs, in addition to its counseling.

Such programs should make it easy to raise money for JF&CS, she said. “There are so many stories and ways to invest in the organization. This becomes very personal for the donor. They really see the impact of their dollars. It’s easy to show people the importance of their investment.”

La Kier revealed her goal for the agency as “diversifying and looking for new revenue streams.” That means seeking new ways to attract people and support for JF&CS and building “connections to community organizations, partnerships, and individuals.”

At WABE, La Kier helped boost annual revenues by 22 percent to more than $8.3 million and managed a budget

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of more than $1 million. JF&CS’s annual operating budget is $14.5 million, according to JF&CS CEO Terri Bonoff.

Among her previous positions, La Kier was regional director of development for the American Jewish Committee for two years and nationwide director of corporate initiatives at the American Cancer Society for three years.

Born in Atlanta, La Kier has strong family rootshere, but she grew up in Memphis. There she was involved in BBYO and attended a Jewish overnight camp.

Today La Kier is a board member of the AJC and her synagogue, Congregation B’nai Torah. She’s also a member of JWC Atlanta, a women’s organization.

Bonoff referred to the JF&CS hiring of La Kier as a “home run” for the agency, considering there are now three staffers handling its development efforts. La Kier will oversee the agency’s strategy and how to ensure sustainable giving for the future, Bonoff said.

“We are grateful to have someone with Amanda’s experience in this critical role for our agency. Her knowledge and development expertise will enable JF&CS to generate the resources needed to support our mission and our continued growth and impact.”

JF&CS also promoted Lisa Bronstein from director of human resources, a position she’s held since 2011, to chief human resources officer.

“Lisa has been a huge asset to the agency over the past eight years and her promotion is a well-deserved reflection of her important contribution,” Bonoff said. Bronstein previously worked in corporate human resources positions for more than 25 years in New York, New Jersey and Atlanta. ■

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LOCAL NEWS

Temple Donates Aron Kodesh to Orthodox Synagogue

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

Nationwide, JCLP has worked with more than 40 communities, most of which In the next couple of weeks, an aron are still active. Through their legacy plans, kodesh or holy ark, will be transferred these congregations have established enfrom a Reform temple in North Carolina to dowments for perpetual care of their cema Modern Orthodox synagogue in Skokie, eteries, Holocaust education and scholIll. The ark that graced the pulpit of Temple arships for young people. As some small Beth El in Rocky Mount, N.C., for 70 years congregations around the country have will continue to house Torah scrolls and closed their doors, JCLP has assisted them will serve the 61-year-old recently relocated in finding homes for their religious items.

Skokie Central Congregation. The transfer That’s what it did in this case.

The last time Temple Beth El held is thanks to Atlanta-based Jewish Commuhigh holiday services was nity Legacy Project. in 2016. In the 17 years that “JCLP was happy to introBarry Chesis has lived in the duce the Skokie congregation small town and been a memto the Rocky Mount, N.C. conber of the synagogue, only gregation in order to ensure rabbinic students have served the transfer of the holy ark,” the congregation, which has Noah Levine, JCLP’s senior now dwindled to just him vice president, told the AJT. and one other member. With “The spirit of Temple Beth El will live on in the sacred halls Ira Kahn wants Skokie the synagogue’s closing came of the Skokie Central Congre- Central Synagogue to decisions about everything incarry on the legacy side the building, which was gation.” of Temple Beth El. erected in 1949.

JCLP was launched a few “Even though we were a small conyears ago to assist small Jewish communities in preparing for whatever future gregation, we were a symbolic represenawaits them, and to ensure that their tation of Judaism in Rocky Mount,” Chelegacies reflect the aspects of Jewish life sis said. “It was important for me to carry on the legacy of those folks who started that were important to them.

Temple Beth El’s aron kodesh will move to Skokie Central Synagogue in early September.

this congregation.”

About 1 ½ years ago, JCLP’s Levine met with Chesis and Gail Stafford in Rocky Mount to help them discuss their plans for Temple Beth El. In May, Levine put Chesis in touch with Ira Kahn, the gabbai at Skokie Central Congregation in that Chicago suburb. Skokie Central had just moved to a new location and needed an aron kodesh to house its six Torah scrolls.

The ark is expected to be installed in Skokie Central by Rosh Hashanah. Moving such a large piece isn’t easy. In fact, it had to be taken apart to be transported.

“My fear was that it would be too big for movers,” Chesis said. “It’s a beautiful traditional ark. It was important to me that we got people who had respect for the ark and understood the importance of

the structure. We found people who were able to do that.”

According to Kahn, “working with the people in North Carolina has been a wonderful experience. I wanted to help them carry on their legacy and help my shul. What I particularly liked about Barry is that he is motivated by the spirituality of the ark and wants it to continue its legacy. He wants to make sure the cabinet that has housed Sefer Torahs is not just a museum piece but continues to be used.”

At its largest, Skokie Central had more than 500 member-families, many of whom included Holocaust survivors, Rabbi Michael Gottesman told the AJT. With aging members and changing demographics in its neighborhood, the synagogue’s membership declined to about 45 families, encouraging the congregation to move into a more Jewish area six months ago.

Kahn said he has invited Chesis – who has a brother in the Chicago area – to address Skokie Central “and memorialize the history of the ark.” For his part, Chesis said he wants “to see our link in the chain continue and grow in the vibrancy of Judaism.” ■

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ISRAEL PRIDE

News From Our Jewish Home

Yoni Kelberman // Docu.Text festival goers at an

outdoor event on the National Library Plaza.

Four Documentaries Premier at Docu.Text

The fifth annual Docu.Text Documentary Film Festival at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem kicked off Aug. 18 featuring four highly acclaimed documentary films and experiences making their debut on the Israeli big screen.

Two of these films feature virtual or augmented reality as part of the experience, according to The Times of Israel.

The four big premiers are: • “Moynihan,” a portrait of Daniel Patrick Moynihan, the New York senator and intellectual diplomat.

• “Zikr: A Sufi Revival,” a VR experience that takes participants into the world of Tunisian ritual, music and dance.

• “East of the Rockies,” an AR experience that addresses relocation of Japa-

Today in Israeli History Aug. 23, 1903: The Sixth Zionist Congress, the last presided over by Theodor Herzl, convenes in Basel, Switzerland.

It is the largest Zionist Congress so far, with approximately 600 delegates, and explores a proposal for a Jewish homeland in Uganda. On a 295-178 vote with 98 abstentions, the congress decides to send a commission to East Africa to investigate setting up a Jewish home there as an interim step toward the Land of Israel, but the Seventh Zionist Congress in 1905 rejects the idea.

Photo by Fritz Cohen, Israeli Government Press Office // The first governor of the Bank of

Israel, David Horowitz (right), welcomes to his office David Rockefeller, the president of Chase Manhattan Bank, in March 1971.

Aug. 24, 1954: The Knesset passes the Bank of Israel Law on a 55-0 vote with 14 abstentions. The law, which goes into ef8 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

nese-Canadians during World War II. • “Paul Auster – What If,” discusses 70 years of American history through the author’s unique point of view.

While those four are among the most noteworthy events at Docu.Text, there are dozens of indoor and outdoor screenings, and a concert featuring Israeli Dudu Tassa, playing music inspired by his grandfather’s Iraqi legacy.

Mount Zion Archaeological Expedition //

An earring found during an excavation at Mount Zion is cited as evidence of Babylonian conquest of the city in 586 BCE.

New Archeological Finds Are Evidence of Babylonian Siege

Historical finds at Mount Zion, next to Jerusalem’s Old City, lend credence to the 586 BCE Babylonian conquest of the city. Among those finds were arrowheads, a piece of gold jewelry, lamps and pottery shards, according to The Times of Israel.

Those artifacts were found embedfect Dec. 1, 1954, sets up the Bank of Israel as the central financial authority for the country. The bank is allocated 10 million pounds as its initial capital. The bank, whose first governor is David Horowitz, has the authority to “administer, regulate and direct the currency system and to regulate and direct the credit and banking system in Israel.”

Aug. 25, 1918: Leonard Bernstein, one of the most prolific composers and conductors in American history, is born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, to UkrainianJewish parents. His music is deeply influenced by his Boston synagogue, where he is introduced to Zionism. He makes the first of several trips to Israel to conduct what becomes the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra in 1947. His appearances include the famous Mount Scopus concert after the June 1967 war. The philharmonic names him conductor laureate in 1988.

Aug. 26, 1903: “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” the most widely distributed anti-Semitic publication in history, is first published in Znamya, a Russian newspaper. Plagiarizing the dialogue from an 1864 French political satire by

ded in ash — likely resulting from the conflict — and were announced Aug. 11 by researchers from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The date marked Tisha B’Av, which commemorates the 586/587 destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem by Babylon.

“It’s the kind of jumble that you would expect to find in a ruined household following a raid or battle,” said UNC-Charlotte history professor Shimon Gibson, who co-directs the Mount Zion Archaeological Project. “Household objects, lamps, broken bits from pottery which had been overturned and shattered, … arrowheads, and a piece of jewelry which might have been lost and buried in the destruction.”

He added that while ash could signify many things, including remnants from ovens or burned trash, the arrowheads make it especially likely that the devastation occurred in the violence.

“Nobody abandons golden jewelry and nobody has arrowheads in their domestic refuse,” he summarized.

Omri Casspi Rebounding in Israel

Israeli forward Omri Casspi is returning to play basketball in his home nation, joining the powerhouse Maccabi Maurice Joly, “Dialogue in Hell Between Machiavelli and Montesquieu,” the pamphlet most likely was written in the late 19th century in Paris. It gains attention and is widely distributed after World War I. The Times of London proves it is a fraud in 1921.

Aug. 27, 1892: The first passenger train arrives in Jerusalem from Jaffa as part of the first railroad project in the Ottoman-controlled Levant, the JaffaJerusalem railway line. The 53-mile rail route reduces travel time from the port to Jerusalem from two days to four hours, contributing to economic and social development in Palestine. The difficult construction relies on Belgian rails and English coal.

Aug. 28, 1898: The Second Zionist Congress convenes in Basel, Switzerland, with 400 delegates, nearly double the size of the First Zionist Congress a year earlier. The new participants include Theodor Herzl’s father, Jakob, and Chaim Weizmann, the future first president of Israel.

Herzl speaks out against religious Jewish opposition to Zionism, and the congress lays the foundation for the Jewish Colo-

Maccabi Tel Aviv // Omri Caspi announcing his return to Israeli basketball after 10 years in the NBA.

Tel Aviv team. Announced Aug. 13, his return follows a decade-long NBA career in which he played for seven teams.

Casspi, 31, was the first Israeli to play in the NBA, marking Israel’s first-ever ascent to the highest levels of competition in the sport.

He was on the 2018 Golden State Warriors team that captured an NBA title, albeit, without him.

“The truth is that I am very excited.

I did not believe I would be this excited,” Casspi told Maccabi’s official website. “I am returning home, returning to Maccabi Tel Aviv. I got here for the first time when I was 13 years old. I am proud and excited to be wearing the Maccabi jersey with the Star of David on the back. This is a very big privilege.”

Casspi’s contract is reported to be $3.2 million over a three-year period, making between $1.2 million and $1.3 million in the first year, and he has already been named the team’s captain. ■ nial Trust, the main financial institution for the development of Palestine.

National leaders attend the Arab League Summit in Khartoum, Sudan, in August 1967.

Aug. 29, 1967: The Fourth Arab League Summit convenes in Khartoum, Sudan, and runs until Sept. 1, mostly under the leadership of Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Participants agree that all measures should be taken to regain lands controlled by Israel after the Six-Day War and that the oil-rich countries will finance an increased Arab military presence in the region. The summit ends with the famous three nos: no peace, no recognition and no negotiations with Israel. ■ Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details.

Israel Denies Entry to Reps. Omar, Tlaib In an unprecedented move, Israel announced Aug. 15 that it would not permit two members of the U.S. Congress, Reps. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), entry into the nation. Israel conceded a day later to allow Tlaib to visit her grandmother, but she declined the offer.

Meanwhile, a number of Jewish advocacy organizations voiced opposition to Israel’s decision.

The proposed visit by the pair was controversial as a result of their support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, Omar's record of controversial comments about Israel and Tlaib’s Palestinian heritage. Israel initially announced that the pair would be allowed to visit, which would have taken place this past weekend.

Israeli’s interior minister announced the revised decision and was swiftly backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman said that the U.S. government supported Israel’s decision.

“The state of Israel respects the U.S. Congress as part of the close alliance between the two countries. But it is inconceivable that Israel would be expected to let into the country those who wish to hurt it, including by means of the visit itself,” the interior ministry’s statement said.

The announcement followed a tweet from U.S. President Donald Trump in which he said letting the pair enter Israel would “show great weakness.”

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Trump and Netanyahu had repeated contact in the days leading up to the decision to deny entry.

After rejecting Israel’s offer to enter, Tlaib, who still has family in the West Bank, tweeted: “Silencing me & treating me like a criminal is not what she wants for me. It would kill a piece of me. I have decided that visiting my grandmother under these oppressive conditions stands against everything I believe in — fighting against racism, oppression & injustice.”

Omar also issued a statement in response.

“It is an affront that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, under pressure from President Trump, would deny entry to representatives of the U.S. government. Trump’s Muslim ban is what Israel is implementing, this time against two duly elected Members of Congress,” she said, referring to attempts from Trump to block immigration from several majority-Muslim countries.

ISRAEL NEWS

Israel denied U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib entry to the country.

Netanyahu defended the action, saying that Israel wouldn’t permit those who work to boycott the country to enter.

“Several days ago, we received [Omar and Tlaib’s] trip itinerary,” Netanyahu’s statement continued, “which clarified that they planned a visit whose sole purpose was to support boycotts and deny Israel’s legitimacy. For example, they called their destination ‘Palestine’ and not ‘Israel,’ and, … did not seek any meeting with any Israeli official, whether government or opposition.”

Since the decision, both U.S. and Israeli lawmakers, as well as advocacy organizations, have harshly criticized the action.

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee spoke up in a rare criticism of Israeli government policy, tweeting: “We disagree with Reps. Omar and Tlaib’s support for the anti-Israel and anti-peace BDS movement, along with Rep. Tlaib’s calls for a one-state solution. We also believe every member of Congress should be able to visit and experience our democratic ally Israel firsthand.”

J Street, the left-wing Israel advocacy group, offered a similar rebuke.

“This reported decision by Prime Minister Netanyahu is dangerous, unacceptable and wrong,” said Jeremy BenAmi, the organization’s president. “As sitting members of Congress representing hundreds of thousands of Americans in their districts, Reps. Omar and Tlaib have the same right as every one of their colleagues to visit Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory.”

The American Jewish Committee also noted that while the itinerary was

not balanced and devoid of meetings with Israeli lawmakers, “AJC believes that, out of two less-than-ideal options, neither of which was risk-free, Israel did not choose wisely by reversing its origi-

nal decision,” a statement read.

Others in the Jewish community suggested the action could, in fact, harm Israel and empower the BDS movement, by politicizing and creating a partisan divide in support for the nation.

“This reversal is counterproductive to say the least and gives a victory to the BDS movement,” said Aaron Keyak, the former head of the National Jewish Democratic Council. “This action also sets a dangerous precedent for the many other countries — many led by dictators and ruthless thugs —that U.S. elected officials visit. A painful moment for those of us who care about a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and fight for the cause of peace.”

The congresswomen held a joint press conference Monday in which Omar said, “we cannot allow Trump and Netanyahu to succeed in hiding the cruel reality of the occupation from us.”

Tlaib noted that “all Americans should be disturbed,” by Israel’s decision not to let them enter. ■ Compiled by AJT staff

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 9

OPINION Congress Must Be Allowed to Visit Israel Life moves fast under Donald Trump.

Concerned only with his own well-being and electability, he cares little for how his rhetoric and behavior impact others.

Trump has now created a controversy over Israel that did not need to happen. And his encouragement of Netanyahu to act against Israel’s interest, and Netanyahu’s falling into the Trump trap, is mind-blowing!

The controversy over whether Congresswomen Omar and Tlaib should be Harold allowed to go to Israel is unfortunate. The Kirtz answer should always be “Go.” As a Jewish community, we should encourage the congresswomen to go many times. The more that they experience Israel, the greater the likelihood that they will at least appreciate Israel’s position, even if they do not agree with it.

More knowledge about Israel is better for Israel and for the Jewish people. Even if the congresswomen did not want to partake of all of the guided trip; even if they wanted to see more of the West Bank than was on the original schedule, they should still be encouraged to go.

I have even called on the congresswomen to meet with the Palestinian leadership and encourage the Palestinians to engage forthrightly with the Israeli leadership on the issue of peace. They should be the ones to push for a two-state solution that would permit both Israel and a Palestinian state to live side-by-side, each respecting the other and living in a state of peaceful coexistence.

The longer the Palestinians hold out for a single state between the Jordan and the Mediterranean, the harder it will be to create two states. The Palestinians may still desire to have the entire land. But if people like the congresswomen can see that Israel is strong and permanent, but also is willing to work with the Palestinians, the more likely they will put pressure on them to come to an accommodation and not insist on their maximalist position. That should be the hope of every American.

Back to the blunder of Trump and Netanyahu. Earlier in August, Congress passed a resolution against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement by an over 300-vote margin, soundly defeating any effort to give sanction to the movement. If Trump and Netanyahu wanted to minimize any support for the BDS movement, they have done just the opposite. They have given more fuel to the movement.

This spotlight on Israel is not a good one.

As a democratic state, and especially as a Jewish one, it should never prevent or even hinder the visit of any member of Congress.

To be crass, the United States gives Israel over $3 billion a year in assistance. Israeli companies are coming to the United States in droves, including here in Atlanta. The connections between the U.S. and Israel are vital to Israel – and to the Jewish community. What Netanyahu has done is throw a monkey wrench into the relationship.

Netanyahu must now apologize and announce that the congresswomen, and any congressperson or congressional staff, is very welcome to come to Israel. Even if they desire to see more of the Palestinian side, Israel must be very flexible, yet show them the side of Israel that so many of us have seen and know about. Netanyahu must also stop being so dependent on Trump and following his every lead. It is dangerous for Israel.

Finally, Republicans must insist to Trump that he stop the politicization of the relationship with Israel.

Israel must remain a nonpartisan ally. Eventually, the Democrats will be back in power, for at least a while.

Israel must retain a welcoming approach to both parties.

Trump is using Israel as a political wedge; he must not be allowed to get away with that. It is not good for the United States; it is not good for Israel; it is not good for the Jews. ■

U.S. Congressional Delegation to Palestine August 18th-22nd, 2019

Tentative Agenda Saturday 17th August 12:40PM Depart Washington D.C. to Tel Aviv - DL5443/DL466 Sunday 18th August- Jerusalem Day 9:45AM 2 Arrive in Tel Aviv 11:00

Check-In Location: American Colony Hotel, 1 Louis Vincent Street, Jerusalem www.americancolony.com

15:00 - 16:00

Welcome and working lunch with U.S. embassy Country Team Objective: Congresspersons understand the country political dynamics and security situation.

Location: TBC

16:30 - 17:30

Meeting with representatives from ANERA, Mercy Corp & and UNRWA to discuss the impact of funding cuts on humanitarian relief and development projects.

Objective: Congresspersons to understand impact of congressional and State Department aid cuts on humanitarian assistance and development projects.

Location: Shiekh Jarah: UNRWA Headquarters www.anera.org www.mercycorp.org www.unrwa.org

18:00 - 19:00

Tour of youth center and meeting with young people from Jerusalem and Gaza (via video conference) to discuss academic and employment related challenges.

Objective: Congresspersons to understand the economic environment and how U.S. assistance may be targeted to facilitate youth employment in the future.

Location: Yabous Cultural Center, 10 E-Zahra Street, Jerusalem http://yabous.org/en/

Harold Kirtz is president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta.

19:00 - 20:00

Down time

20:00 - 22:00

Working dinner with American expat community to discuss living and investing in the West Bank and Gaza.

Objective: Congresspersons to understand American citizen and private sector challenges to assisting development of Palestinian economy.

Monday 19th August- Jerusalem 7:30 - 8:45 10 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Breakfast at the Hotel

9:00 - 12:30

Tour of Jerusalem to understand the significance of the city in final status negotiations with Palestinian and Israeli guides.

Discussions will be centered on claims by Israelis and Palestinians to different areas.

Objective: Congresspersons to understand the impact of the U.S. embassy relocation to Jerusalem on final status negotiations.

Location: Bus and walking tour of city will include Al-Aqsa mosque, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Western Wall and other historic sites

13:00 - 14:00

Working Lunch & meeting with representatives of the Afro-Palestinian community in Jerusalem, to discuss the specific challenges faced by AfroPalestinians and their relationship to the majority Arab-Palestinian community and Israel.

Objective: Congresspersons to understand the challenges of minorities within Palestinian society and share experiences and lessons learned about the U.S. experience with integration of minorities.

Location: Afro-Palestinian Community Center

15:00 - 16:30

Briefing with Fatina Hodali on settlements around Jerusalem and impact on final status negotiations. Briefing will include Bedouin communities.

Objective: Congresspersons to learn about the impact of settlements on the Bedouin communities around Jerusalem.

Location: Khan al Ahmar

17:00 - 18:00

Down time

18:30 - 19:30

Working dinner meeting with Dr. Walid Nammour + Dr. Bassam Abu Libdeh to discuss challenges facing East Jerusalem Hospitals following funding cuts; discussion of impact of movement and access restrictions on patient care.

Objective: Congresspersons to learn how congressional funding cuts impacted Jerusalem Hospital Network.

Location: Augusta Victoria Hospital

20:00 - 21:00

21:00 -

Meeting with interfaith leaders to discuss religious freedom and worship Objective: Congresspersons to learn about religious freedom in the Holy Land in furtherance of State Department policy priority to advance religious freedom.

Location: Imperial Hotel Conference Room Internal Meeting Discussion/ Evaluation of the day

OPINION

Israel Has the Right to Uphold Its Law Last week, on the heels of the largest bipartisan congressional trip to Israel, including 71 mostly-freshmen Democrats and Republicans representing almost onefifth of the House of Representatives, a political crisis erupted. Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, choosing not to accompany their colleagues, were denied entry by the State of Israel for a separate trip they had planned. Why didn’t these two representatives join their colleagues the week before? Jon What was the agenda for their separate Barry trip? Does a sovereign nation have the right to deny certain individuals entry based on known associations and the stated goals of these individuals?

Prior to my first visit to Israel several years ago a friend remarked, “No matter what you hear, there are two things in life that are not overrated: having grandchildren and visiting Israel!”

Hosted by the nonprofit American Israel Education Foundation, as with all first-time visitors, congressional leaders experienced: historic and religious sites, the cultural crossroads of the Old City, gleaming new cities, technology at work, in short, the “Startup Nation.” Leaders also met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and members of the Knesset and learned why continued U.S. financial support for Israel is vital both to Israeli and American interests.

AIEF trips are not about showing one side. They are about showing the diversity and complexity of the region.

Conversely, Miftah, which would have led the trip for Representatives Omar and Tlaib, is an organization with different motives. This organization supports BDS and has historically expressed anti-Semitic beliefs ranging from the retelling of “blood libel” myths to offering sympathy for suicide bombers.

In 2012, Ilhan Omar said: “Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.” In February 2019 she tweeted: “It’s about the Benjamins, baby,” suggesting that politicians accept money for their support of Israel. In May of this year, while explaining her support for a one-state solution, Rashida Tlaib stated that: “There’s kind of a calming feeling I always tell folks when I think of the Holocaust. … And so, when I think about one-state, I think

about the fact that, why couldn’t we do it in a better way.” The description of their trip as a “mission to Palestine” denies the very existence of Israel. Their itinerary included meeting with not one Israeli representative.

Imagine if, instead of far-left Democrats advocating the destruction of Israel through the more subtle language of BDS, we had a pair of far-right Republicans suggesting a neo-Nazi uprising against Jews and Israel. Would there be any argument that Israel, with the encouragement of U.S. leadership, should deny these evil individuals the right to enter Israel? Alas, as someone said: “If not for double standards, we would have no standards at all.”

On March 6, 2017, Amendment No. 28 to the Entry into Israel Law was passed by the Knesset by a 46-28 vote. This law prohibits entry into Israel of any foreigner who makes a “public call for boycotting Israel” or “any area under its control.”

The news media attention and likely protests and violence that would have erupted as Omar and Tlaib toured “Palestine” would have dwarfed the coverage given to the 71 less radical representatives from the U.S. In fact, the coverage of their not visiting Israel has already overwhelmed the bipartisan progress just achieved by their congressional colleagues.

We should be willing to look squarely at the ultimate intent of BDS and by extension, the purpose of the visit by Omar and Tlaib. Especially since the pivotal election of 2016, it has been often said: “Words matter.”

As Prime Minister Netanyahu said: “Their itinerary reveals that the sole purpose of their visit is to harm Israel and increase incitement against it.” Israel had every right to deny their entry.

The words we would rather have heard from Omar and Tlaib, which would have rendered this entire episode moot, are: “We acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, to defend itself and to live in peace.” ■ Jon Barry is a veteran of commercial real estate in Atlanta and supports numerous local and national organizations that benefit the Jewish people and Israel.

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 11

OPINION

Letter to the editor:

Letter to the editor:

A week ago, Israel welcomed Democratic and Republican members of Congress, which recently voted 398 to 17 to pass H. Res. 246 “Opposing efforts to delegitimize the State of Israel and the global Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement targeting Israel.” These congresspersons came to Israel on a good-faith visit, to observe Israel’s democracy, complexities and range of views.

Congresswomen Tlaib and Omar, however, chose not to join that group. They listed the destination of their tentative trip as Palestine.

Both Omar and Tlaib seem unconcerned by the human rights abuses against those who call themselves Palestinians, perpetrated by their so-called leaders. For example, the last Palestinian “presidential election” took place in 2005. Voters elected PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas to a four-year term as president of the Palestinian Authority, so Mr. Abbas is currently in the 15th year of his four-year term. Neither congresswoman has expressed support for sanctions against this undemocratic disenfranchisement.

Here’s another example of human rights abuses of those who call themselves Palestinians perpetrated by their so-called leaders. According to a 2018 survey by the Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms, journalists from the Gaza Strip and West Bank responded (76 percent) that media laws in Palestine don’t promote freedom of the press and 73 percent said these laws don’t guarantee protection for journalists. Ninety percent of journalists also said they practice self-censorship due to fear of interrogation by security agencies in Palestine. Where are the calls from Congresswomen Tlaib and Omar for sanctions against this utterly undemocratic repression of a basic civil liberty?

Unlike all other Democratic and Republican members of Congress who have visited Israel, Congresswomen Omar and Tlaib did not request a meeting with any Israeli officials, either from the government or the opposition. Might this suggest that their visit was designed to serve an agenda hostile to Israel? Might their “Palestine itinerary” have had as a goal an increase in incitement against Israel?

Israel’s decision will be criticized, whatever it is, so given the above facts, the decision not to admit Tlaib and Omar is wise, or at the very least, easily justifiable.

Julia Lutch, Davis CA

Regarding: “Jeffrey Epstein Consulted Atlanta Attorney Days Before Death.”

“In this case, to the greatest extent I’ve ever seen, the presumption of innocence was dismissed in the media and the judicial system.” As a fellow attorney, friend and neighbor, I have great respect for David Schoen and the incredible civil rights work he does, but I cannot believe that THIS is the case to beat all cases. What about Walter McMillian (Just Mercy) or any of the Central Park Five or Sandra Bland? Schoen laments that Epstein “never got his day in court.” Unlike McMillian, who spent six years on death row for a crime he did not commit, in 2008 Epstein avoided a trial altogether and worked a deal in which he chose not to be prosecuted, essentially not to “have his day in court.” That is not a choice for most defendants, especially those of color.

And to suggest that a man convicted of sex trafficking a minor merely “has peculiar tastes in women” is a gross distortion. This tragedy (because any death, whether by suicide or murder, is a tragedy), at the very least has prompted a national discussion about human trafficking in our society, and the high rates of prison suicide and inmate deaths in our system of mass incarceration. I do agree with Schoen, “we all lose when the presumption of innocence becomes illusory.” There must be justice for all.

Alisa Haber, Atlanta

Letter to the editor: I don’t know if you care about my opinion, … but I am disgusted by your recent cover photo on the Aug. 16 issue of the AJT. How could you possibly think that we want to see Jeffrey Epstein’s face covering the front page?

Don’t you think he’s an embarrassment to society and especially to the Jewish religion? Knowing what Epstein did (yes, I read the article, and David Schoen certainly has a right to his professional and personal opinion), I am sickened by the fact that the Atlanta Jewish Times has disrespected me and others by exploiting Epstein on the cover of a paper that happens to be scattered in public places all over our city and beyond.

Again, I don’t know if you care about my opinion, but I decided I couldn’t stay silent.

Carla S. Wertheimer, Atlanta Dear Carla S. Wertheimer, First and foremost, thank you for taking the time to send your feedback on our Aug. 16, 2019, issue.

There is nothing more important to me than publishing a relevant, interesting, engaging and timely newspaper each week. Everyone at the AJT strives very hard to reach a broad audience while accomplishing our mission of “Keeping Jewish Atlanta Connected”, and our Atlanta Jewish audience has a very broad variety of interests.

The Epstein article, as disturbing and embarrassing as anyone may find it, is news. It has been the biggest news across our country for the last week, and as a result of our coverage of it, the distribution and online audience of this very story and issue has surpassed many others. Most of the locations where the AJT is distributed were out of copies by Saturday morning.

As a very small local niche newspaper, the AJT broke this story as national news and it is the kind of story that would naturally go on the cover. The distribution and online audience of this issue and specific story prove that whether you or I feel “disrespected by exploiting Epstein,” more readers picked up our newspaper to find out what is in it, because that is what they wanted to read.

On the bright side, we may have reached more unaffiliated Jewish community members last week because of the timely and relevant cover, no matter how disturbing it may have been. Hopefully, these new readers will continue to learn more about Jewish Atlanta and, just maybe, show up for a service, community event or even a chavurah one day because of it.

Please accept my apology for making you feel uncomfortable. That was never our intent. Your opinion does matter to me and thank you again for sharing it.

Sincerely, Kaylene Ladinsky, Managing Publisher & Editor

The AJT welcomes your letters. We want our readers to have an opportunity to engage with our community in constructive dialogue. If you would like your letter to be published, please write 200 words or less, include your name, phone number and email, and send it to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

12 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2019

Please respond by September 6th by visiting adm.ua.edu/register/atlanta-jewish-reception For more information, call us at 205-348-2914

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 13

OPINION

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red, pink, and yellow fade to darkness.

What truly make this place special are the memories created over four generations, beginning more than 80 years ago with my Late in the afternoon, paternal grandmother and I sat on the front porch of great-aunt. the cabin with coffee in It was they who were hand and the lake behind invited by friends to escape me, as my youngest son, Dave New York’s summer swelthe student filmmaker, in- Schechter From Where I Sit ter and found this place in terviewed me about what the 1930s, first renting and makes this place special.

The answer certainly isn’t the struc- then buying the property. “There, by the shore, they sat each day, reading The New ture itself.

“Rustic” is a generous description of York Times, knitting, and rowing a heavy this cabin, built in the 1920s as a fisher- wooden boat across the lake for Sabbath man’s camp. Behind its exterior of green services and to purchase kosher meat at shingles and white window frames is a the first Jewish American educational wall of uninsulated wooden planks, neces- summer camp,” my brother messaged sitating the use of wool blankets on mid- me when I checked with him about the summer nights. The bedrooms, more like history.

Our father treasured his vacations cubicles, are separated by walls that stop well short of the ceiling, with curtains in- in the woods and the summer weeks he stead of doors. The floors slope in places. spent there after retiring. Then – and Many of the window frames and kitchen now – the essence of a good day is getcabinets date to the original construction. ting out on the lake. “Put the wood in the I’ve slapped my share of green paint water” was his way of telling me to work on that cabin, and white paint on its harder when I sat in the bow of the canoe smaller cousin and a woodshed that now as he steered from the stern.

I first came as a boy with my parholds paddles and life jackets. While my brother, the rabbi (and current owner of ents, and then three (and later four) sibCamp Schechter) fights a never-ending lings, a three-day drive from Chicago in a battle to seal the cabins from the ele- station wagon. I cannot fathom how they ments, particularly the ravages of winter kept us entertained or how much time in Maine and the occasional critter seek- my mother spent in the laundromat in ing shelter, my annual contribution is the nearby town.

As a teenager, I begrudged spending chopping the brush that grows a few feet parts of my summer in the woods, but taller every year.

The cabins, surrounded by fir and once I began my working life, I came to white birch trees, sit feet from the wa- value the opportunity more.

Various combinations of myself, ter’s edge. The “pond,” as the locals call this body of water, extends from our my wife and our three children have cove into one of an inland chain of lakes. visited in all but a few of the past 30I like to kayak in the early morning, be- plus years. (There was an incident with fore fishermen or pleasure boaters roil a bat that soured our daughter’s attithe water with their motors, and again tude for a while.) We have our routines, before sunset, when the water calms. involving kayaking and swimming, Paddling close to a loon, whose call is the consuming mollusks and ice cream, visiting local stores, diners and the lake’s soundtrack, is an added treat.

In recent years, my brother, who has nearby college campus, and day trips to mechanical skills I lack, has installed a the coast.

“By luck and labor, our family has a larger water heater and swapped out a rusting metal shower with a fiberglass physical sabbath to which we can return, shell. (It beats taking a bar of soap into summer after summer, to restore our the lake, as our father did.) The cast-iron, souls, connect to our past and share what wood-fired, pot-belly stove has been re- counts with our kids,” my brother said.

Indeed, what makes this place special placed with an electric range. Modern windows have been added on the back is the time spent with children, siblings, side of the cabin where, at sunset, we parents and grandparents, memories that watch as shades of blue, green, orange, grow in value as the years pass. ■

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SYNAGOGUES Modern Day Services In-Person or Online

By Dave Schechter “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” - Genesis 2:2-3 “To set apart one day a week for freedom, . . . a day on which we stopped worshiping the idols of technological civilization . . . is there any institution that holds out a greater hope for man’s progress than the Sabbath?” - Rabbi Abraham Joseph Heschel, “The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man” (1951) Some years ago, Rabbi Brad Levenberg received a call from a young man whose wedding day at Temple Sinai in Sandy Springs was approaching.

“Rabbi, I know our wedding is this weekend, but I wanted to let you know that we are in Tennessee at the bedside of my father. He is dying and we do not know if he will live a few more hours,

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much less a few more days,” Levenberg recounted the groom saying.

The couple decided to go ahead with the wedding as planned. Because of the technology, “Two days before his death, video streaming enabled Temple Sinai to provide a dying father with a beautiful gift at the end of his life: the ability to watch his son be married,” Levenberg said.

The live streaming of worship services, made possible by those “idols of technological civilization” to which Heschel referred, is no longer a novelty but a relatively common practice at non-Orthodox congregations, including at several in Atlanta.

As with much in Judaism, the permissibility of live streaming of worship depends on whether you apply interpretations of religious law handed down through the ages to modern circumstances that could not have been foreseen when those judgments were made.

Orthodox Judaism eschews live streaming, viewing it as a violation of the Sabbath.

“The reason for this is because live streaming would involve violating Shab-

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Screen shot of The Temple's May 3, 2019, live-streamed service.

bat prohibitions to do so, said Rabbi Adam Starr of Young Israel of Toco Hills, which is changing its name to Ohr Hatorah of Toco Hills. “Halacha (Jewish law) dictates that we do not actively make use of electricity on Shabbat. Therefore, both operating a camera to film the service and a person using a computer to watch the service would entail prohibited activities on Shabbat.”

The Talmud specifies 39 forms of labor that are prohibited on Shabbat. Some rabbis link the use of electricity to the prohibition in kindling a fire, as written in Exodus 35:3,“You shall not light a fire at home on the Sabbath day,” while others cite a prohibition on altering an existing substance or creating a new entity, Starr said.

To view an Orthodox service, one must attend an Orthodox service. “Beyond the technical prohibitions, the power of communal prayer is being physically present as part of the community.

It’s one of the few vestiges left in our lives that we are blessed to experience without a screen,” Starr said.

No one interviewed for this article discounted the power of communal prayer, but for the infirm or the elderly unable to travel, or the student living away from the congregation of their youth, or family members unable to attend a simcha, live streaming makes it possible to feel present, albeit virtually.

The Conservative movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards several years ago ratified a paper that said, “Refraining from operating lights and other permitted electrical appliances is a pious behavior,” but not one deemed mandatory.

The paper further stated: “Recording text, sound, images or other data with an electronic device is forbidden as toledat koteiv, a derivative form of writing. Sabbath and Yom Tov operation of any electronic recording device, camera, computer, tablet, or cellular phone is forbidden

by this standard.”

In the same paragraph, however, the document added that “Automation may be employed prior to Shabbat to set some such processes in motion, but even here one must be cautious about the temptation to make adjustments to such devices, as well as their capacity to undermine the distinct atmosphere of Shabbat.”

Rabbi Analia Bortz of Congregation Or Hadash, a Conservative synagogue in Sandy Springs, said it live streams services.

“The recording is pre-set before Shabbat and turns off after Shabbat. No Halachic conflict. Live streaming services allows home-bound people and long-distance relatives that are not being able to be present at a simcha to participate in some way.”

Or Hadash will be “moving home” for High Holy Day services this year, from its previous use of the Marcus JCC, allowing for the option of live streaming for worshippers to “participate in absence,” though Bortz said a decision had not yet been made whether to live stream during the High Holy Days.

Congregation Etz Chaim in Marietta does not live stream services. But as its sanctuary is renovated, “We are looking into this as a real possibility for the not too distant future,” said Rabbi Daniel Dorsch.

“Seeing the positive ways in which live streaming affects the lives of those with mobility issues, we are now in the research phase of finding services and cameras with timers that may be automated and Shabbat-friendly, in keeping with the Conservative movement’s guidance.”

Ahavath Achim Synagogue has live streamed services for several years, including High Holy Days. “We have had a lot of feedback from people who are unable to attend services due to illness or similar, as well as people who wish to participate in events and simchas from out of state and out of the country. They are extremely appreciative and grateful,” said Barry Herman, executive director at the

SYNAGOGUES “During High Holy Days we have Conservative congregation in Buckhead.

Temple Sinai has live streamed ser- had as many as 200 people watching at vices for a dozen years. The Reform con- one time. The numbers constantly flucgregation offers Friday evening and Sat- tuate as people log on and off. That said, urday morning worship, as well as b’nai we have well over 1,000 views as people mitzvah, lifecycle events, and High Holy watch the archive to view at a time conDay services. “Our first streamed service venient for them and/or wish to review certain parts of the sercoincided with a masvice,” said Mark Jacobsive ice storm in Atlanta, son, The Temple’s execuso we actually left an tive director. “We have away message encouragwonderful feedback ing folks to stay home ranging from members instead of braving the who are out of town, ill treacherous roads and and unable to attend,” as to tune in online,” said well as “college students Rabbi Levenberg. who send screenshots to “We have the most their parents during the viewers on the High High Holy Days letting Holy Days and folks them know that they are tune in from all across Rabbi Adam Starr participating.” the country. Other highof Congregation Ohr Temple Emanu-El er-viewed services are Hatorah, formerly Young Israel of Toco Hills. in Sandy Springs live lifecycles, due in large part to family geography, lack of mo- streams its Friday night services and most bility, or, in cases of funerals, the rapid Saturday mornings, and will do so on Rosh nature that these events get planned, Hashanah and Yom Kippur. “People enjoy which cause many to be unable to at- having the opportunity to stream services. tend,” said Shelly Dresdner, Temple Si- It allows them to stay connected spiritually nai’s associate executive director. “The even if they are not physically in the buildfeedback we receive is very positive and ing. I think that most people want to be in we are constantly updating the video the building for services. I find people that quality and sound to ensure a positive are live streaming services usually cannot experience. For the [High] Holy Days, we attend because they are out of town or have lend prayer books to those unable to at- a physical ailment,” said Stephen Blick, tend in person so they can follow along.” Emanu-El’s executive director.

Rabbi Steve Lebow On one hand, there recalled that the first is the argument that the time Temple Kol Emeth in ability to watch online Marietta live streamed a might discourage people bar mitzvah service “was from attending services. because the uncle of the The counter-argument is bar mitzvah was in Zaire that online access might doing Ebola response and attract the sought-after could not leave Zaire. So millennial and Gen Y he got to watch his nephgenerations to brick-andew’s service online!” mortar synagogues.

Josh and Fern Loory “Regarding the fear were the 30th memberof disincentivizing attenRabbi Steve Lebow of family when they joined dance, … if we have the caTemple Kol Emeth.

Kol Emeth in 1987. When pacity to reach and serve more members of our community, we ab- they moved to Orlando in 1991, the consolutely want to try and do so,” Levenberg gregation counted 300 families.

“Being members of TKE was truly a said. “And if members of the larger Jewish community who have not yet found once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Josh Loory their way to a synagogue – whether due said. “For the first time in my life, I wanted to geography, finances, lack of mobility, to go to services every Friday night. Leaving or interest – are also able to enjoy and our friends in Atlanta and our TKE family benefit from our live streaming services, was extremely hard” and the Loorys never all the better. This is just one way we can settled into synagogue life in Orlando.

“When I found out that TKE was actualize the dictum ‘Kol Yisrael aravim zeh b’zeh’ – all of Israel is responsible one streaming services, I logged on. Over the years I have invited Orlando friends to for the other.’”

The Temple in Midtown has live join us for a high holidays dinner and TKE streamed services since 2014, both Friday watch party.” Today the Loorys can watch night and Saturday morning Shabbat on a 55-inch ‘smart’ television. “It’s almost services, as well as Rosh Hashanah and like being there, but I don’t have to wear a suit and tie,” Josh Loory said. ■ Yom Kippur services.

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SYNAGOGUES

Chabad of Cobb Creates One-of-a-Kind Torah

Torah writing on the first day of the Israel trip in Kfar Chabad. Pictured are the scribe, Rabbi Alpren, left, and Eyal Postelnik, right.

By Eddie Samuels When it comes to innovation, Torah scrolls are probably among the last places one might look. But that didn’t stop Chabad of Cobb’s Rabbi Ephraim Silverman and Eyal Postelnik from creating a completely new take on how to write one.

“It’s a story that kind of evolved, a mission to write a Torah in a way that has never been done before,” Silverman said. “This is a first, historic Torah. The underlying concept was to write a Torah in a way that would highlight the eternal relationship between the Jewish people and the land of Israel.”

Unlike a mezuzah or tefillin, Silverman explained that there was no require-

18 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ment that a Torah be written in order, so while much of it was written ahead of time, dozens of selected passaged were left blank to be completed in sacred locations.

“With a scribe, a photographer and a videographer and a group of people, we went on a historic journey around the land of Israel to historic and holy sites and wrote the words that spoke about those locations and the events that happened there,” Silverman said. “We weren’t just standing there; we were connecting with the story through the quill.”

Postelnik had the desire to create a distinct Torah for the community for about two years before the trip took place, and through brainstorming and seeing other Torah scrolls written in Isra-

Rabbi Ephraim Silverman, left, with Postelnik.

el — many of which were scribed in one than another, one that stood out to both location — the duo came up with their was Shiloh. own way to make it meaningful.

“Standing where we believe that the “Obviously, I’m an Israeli. Even if I Holy of Holies stood as the sun was setwished to hide it, I could not,” Postelnik ting with Jerusalem in the distance, and said. “As we thought about it, we saw the writing the words related to the taberuniqueness and the importance of this nacle, was very special,” Silverman said. specific Torah. … Israel is small, but very The pair included as many people as big, and every piece of it is unique and possible in writing the scroll. A number has its own story.” of organizations were partners, includThe Israel trip itself took place in ing Jewish National Fund, World ZionMay and includist Organization, ed stops at such Birthright Israel historic sites as and more, as well Rachel’s Tomb, as passersby who Abraham’s Well were intrigued. in Beersheba and “Soldiers Ari Synagogue in that just passed Tzfat. by who wanted “We wanted to write a letter to touch upon as in the Torah were many of the gengiven the opporeral holy sites as tunity,” Postelnik possible,” Silversaid. “It’s not our man said, “but Torah, not our obviously we synagogue’s Tocouldn’t do everyrah, not our famithing. … For sites lies’ Torah, it’s the that didn’t have Jewish nation’s a direct location Torah.” connection beThe scroll is cause they were making its way Taking turns, friends and guests alike write a later parts of Jewback to the conletter at a time. Here, at the Western Wall. ish history, we gregation slowly, found a more symbolic connection.” but first, a verse will be written at the While it was hard to pinpoint any resting place of Rabbi Menachem Menspecific location as more or less special del Schneerson in New York. Schneer-

SYNAGOGUES

A preliminary design of a cover for the unusual Torah.

A Torah portion written on the second day of the journey through Israel.

son, often known as simply “the Rebbe,” is known for his work transforming the Chabad-Lubavitch movement into one of the world’s most influential Jewish organizations.

“We chose the verse upon which he based his final teaching before he passed on from this world.

It’s a message of unity, of common heritage and the land of Israel,” Silverman said.

The New York ceremony takes place on Sept.

18 and will involve as many as 250 people in the process of writing the verse and celebrating the Rebbe’s life.

While an exact date for the Torah’s return to Atlanta is uncertain, Postelnik and Silverman said that they’re aiming for around March to bring it back to Chabad of Cobb. A documentary is in production that will tell of the scroll's journey.

“We’re hoping to get the word out and have a very large ceremony and celebration here where people from all around can come and participate,” Silverman said. “We have also been in touch with some national organizations and there is talk of it being made available to communities around the world as a source of inspiration that can draw people together.” ■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 19

SYNAGOGUES

Rabbi Transitions the Warm, Caring Way

By Eddie Samuels

nity and from his family have been vital throughout the process.

A synagogue in transition can be a “I have the greatest wife of all time. challenge for many congregants to navi- My wife Brooke is the source of my gate and feuding between clergy can only strength,” he said. “I am who I am beadd to confusion. Fortunately, at Ahavath cause of her, like I wasn’t this person. I Achim Synagogue, relationships between was not a senior rabbi person; I was not a rabbis could not be any warmer. leader before I met her.”

Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal has now ofSandler explained that the transition ficially stepped into the role between the two rabbis was of senior rabbi, taking over a “warm and caring one, … from Rabbi Neil Sandler, I had a lot to do with him who has served the congrebecoming the senior rabbi, gation as lead rabbi since and I therefore have a lot 2004. Rosenthal has been at invested in his success.”

AA for more than a decade He also noted that their dyhimself, his first posting out namic isn’t the case for all of rabbinical school. transitions, something to “It really is to the credwhich Rosenthal could also it of Rabbi Sandler,” Rosenattest.

Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal thal said. “He saw that he “I have classmates and I had very different visions for the and friends who’ve gone through nightfuture, … and he said, ‘I think it’s time that mares with other clergy and I’ve been Laurence could take over.’ He started the very blessed that that is not where I am,” conversation about transitioning about Rosenthal said. “We’ve really been able four years ago.” to keep a very special relationship. From Rosenthal was sure to add that this the very beginning he made me a partner journey was not one he was going on in what we do.” alone, and support from the commuWhile he had a long lead time for

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www.thekehilla.org | info@thekehilla.org 20 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

the process, Rosenthal explained that the ships are a particular focus for him.

“That’s been the key to my success choice for him wasn’t a simple one either.

“My wife and I had to do a lot of soul here, when people talk to me — for the searching. That was the first step,” he most part even if they disagree with me said. “I had to consider whether or not I — they feel heard.”

Sandler also noted that Rosenthal’s wanted to stay in Atlanta. Is it the right place for us? … Every community has its penchant for relationship-building has challenges. And so, I had to decide wheth- been a key for him.

“He really got the importance and er I was the right person to tackle those power of relationships,” challenges.”

Sandler said. “If you want Rosenthal explained to focus on congregational that the transition to be life of any real and susa senior rabbi has caused tained meaning, you have him to think more careto develop relationships, fully about how he speaks. and Laurence has always “I’ve been here my gotten that.” whole career, and part of Sandler will be stickmy charm was I was this ing around full time young, naïve-ish rabbi and through September 2020, I’d make jokes at my own Rabbi Neil Sandler and then will step back expense,” he said. “I have to be a bit more guarded, because ulti- to a part-time basis. He explained that mately I have to sit and hold their hands he has been working hard to make the in the hospital. So I’m trying to find the transition as simple as possible for those balance, because I don’t want to become looking to him.

“We’ve got two rabbis in this conan aloof, disconnected rabbi, but I also gregation and I’m number two, one of don’t want to undercut myself.”

With the high holidays approaching, the two rabbis, and so that calls for me this will be Rosenthal’s first big season as to publicly always defer to Laurence,” he senior rabbi, but not his first leading the said. “That hasn’t been as hard for me as I thought maybe it might be.” services from the bimah.

Rosenthal explained that his imme“Last year, I created the service which then I led,” he said. “I made all diate vision for AA is centered around these major changes, so it is less of an music, and then branches out into three abrupt about-face than last year. People core aspects: spiritual life, education and didn’t know what to expect and were leadership development.

“When I talk about music, I’m talkworried it would be very different, but thank G-d we got an incredible response.” ing beyond instruments and beyond AA is a synagogue with a long, rich tone, beyond you know, melodies, I’m and complicated history, something talking about touching people in their Rosenthal isn’t overlooking as he steps soul in a way that music does that oftentimes concepts and words don’t,” he said. into the new role.

“It fills me with a lot of pride. I’m “And those three main areas, if we could only the fourth senior rabbi in almost 90 really get those to be strong, I personally believe that AA’s future will be mapped years. That’s really something,” he said.

He noted that individual relation- out beyond me.” ■

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SYNAGOGUES

A Different Door V’Dor

By Marcia Caller Jaffe One can find Israel Peljovich’s handiwork in many well-appointed Atlanta homes and businesses.

He is the “go to” for master crafted woodwork, tables, chairs, buffets, shelving, cabinets, built-ins, and vanities. Peljovich, a spicy, gregarious grandfather, emigrated from Cuba in 1959 and made a circuitous path to Atlanta to put his stamp on construction and design.

Along with business manager-wife Lidia, they have an inspiring success story operating as Arts-N-Laminates inside Interstate 285 off Peachtree Industrial Drive.

However, things also aligned along the Peljovich’s spiritual path to the aron kodesh (holy ark) at Congregation Shaarei Shamayim with the installation of ancient Spanish doors into their new synagogue home.

The colorful backstory is that at 19, he worked for Fidel Castro designing roads and bridges. He donated his salary to the Revolution. “Then I opened my eyes and supported the Counter Revolution. …

I then left for a kibbutz in the Negev for two years for Latin Americans, then to Beersheva, where I was a translator for Irish people in the yarn business.

“My parents, who were in the shmatah business in Cuba, followed me to Israel.

“I immigrated to New York in 1961.

While there, I ran a fudge and taffy business both in the city and in Cape Cod. Soon after, I married Lidia (Saul) and moved to Atlanta where my hobby became a profession.”

Fast forward to 15 years ago, Peljovich noticed these ancient doors in a container from Spain at one of his suppliers.

They had special markings that included a row of Jewish stars on each door. He asked the supplier what he was going to do with them and was told that, since they were so broken up, they’d be discarded and chopped up for firewood. The artist in Peljovich immediately realized that there was something special about them. He took the doors to his shop with the thought of making an aron kodesh for his new synagogue at the time, Shaarei Shamayim.

According to the congregation’s Rabbi, Mark Kunis, “A year later, Israel and his wife Lidia went to Spain on vacation and saw in Saint Anna’s church in Toledo almost the exact same doors with identical markings. Also, when Israel told me about his idea of making a new aron kodesh from these ancient doors, I did some research and found that they indeed did have markings similar to other medieval synagogues in Spain from before the Inquisi-

Jonathan Alexander helped Israel Peljovich restore the ark doors.

tion of 1492. This would make these doors holy objects over 500 years old!

“Over the next few years Israel worked repairing and restoring the doors in his spare time. It was painstaking work, but an act of love. After he completed the first door, he waited for Shaarei Shamayim to have a permanent home before completing the aron kodesh, which happened two years ago. He got help from a retired plumber in the congregation, Jonathan Alexander, who with his golden hands and Israel’s guidance, was able to restore the second door. This was an especially meaningful task for Jonathan who was fighting a serious illness at the time. Jonathan credits this holy work with helping to save his life, as he is now on the path to a complete recovery.”

Kunis continued, “Today we see the fulfillment of Israel’s dream to create our new aron kodesh from these ancient holy doors. There are no words to describe all the love and effort it took to make this happen. Some thought it may never happen. Baruch Hashem!”

Lidia concurred. “There was no {master} design. Israel created it as he built it. A real labor of love. … We had many people interested in buying the doors, but we always wanted them for Shaarei Shamayim, our gift, to honor and in memory of our loved ones.”

Peljovich has also done design and construction work for congregations B’nai Torah, Or VeShalom and more recently, Ahavath Achim’s meeting rooms.

He also designed and crafted the interior of a church in St. Louis and shipped it to Missouri. Some of his commercial jobs were the Falcons on-air commentary desk and Turner’s pavilion at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. ■ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 21

SYNAGOGUES

Soulful Bluegrass Shabbat Weekend Lands in Buckhead

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Synagogues have gone round a rather pleasant bend, casting a wide net to modernize services with interpretative musical genres. I’ve been to and enjoyed Hispanic flavored Shabbat services, drumming, chanting, and even prayed to Motown, The Beatles, U2, and Simon & Garfunkel recompositions in a Friday night service.

On Sept. 6-7, Ahavath Achim Synagogue will host several bluegrass experiences open to the community at large.

Nefesh Mountain quintet will present familiar prayers and soulful tunes in which American bluegrass connects with Jewish heritage and tradition. Band leaders, genre-pioneers, and husband and wife Eric Lindberg and Doni Zasloff are the heart of this eclectic offering.

They will share their love for each other, American music and their own cultural heritage with Atlanta audiences at AA. Bluegrass Today has called Nefesh Mountain, “a prominent Jewish counterpoint to gospel music” and folk musician/singer/songwriter Michael Johnathan said “Nefesh Mountain [merges] the grand and beautiful cultures of the Hebrew or Jewish tradition and the bluegrass tradition … without preaching.”

The quintet’s newest and most adventurous recording to date, called “Beneath the Open Sky,” was a tour de force for the band. The album’s 11 songs collectively weave together a groundbreaking and beautiful patch-

22 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Married couple Doni Zasloff and Eric Lindberg of Nefesh Mountain to perform bluegrass at Ahavath Achim Sept. 6-7.

work of new American music, called “refreshingly eclectic” by Rolling Stone, and “one of the finest, wholly bluegrass records one will hear in not only 2018 but as a touchstone moving forward” by No Depression magazine.

Currently the Nefesh Mountain touring band/ quintet plays more than 150 dates worldwide, with performances throughout the U.S., Canada, Israel, England and Australia. It’s mission, whether at a concert hall, festival, workshop, school, camp, or synagogue, is to spread the joy and magic of American

roots music and help to champion and reinforce the powerful messages of diversity, wholeness and harmony.

Zasloff told Johnathan on his WoodSongs Old-Time Radio Hour that the group’s sound developed because “we both are huge bluegrass lovers and our background is Jewish. And we’re spiritual people who wanted to express ourselves through bluegrass.”

AA Marketing Director Candace Schilling said, “Synagogue staff members went to a Nefesh Mountain concert at Eddie’s Attic last month, and they’re still talking about the music, the band and their enthusiastic fans. Some audience members came from out of state just for the concert.”

AA Senior Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal added, “Once upon a time opera was the popular music of the day, so our Jewish tradition enveloped our prayers into the operatic melody patterns familiar to those listeners. Today we’re exposed to a huge array of musical styles that affect us in meaningful ways; the vehicular melodies that can drive our sacred words into our hearts are plentiful. By transporting our words through the sounds of bluegrass melodies masterfully played by Nefesh Mountain, some familiar lyrics take a special ride into the deepest part of our hearts and souls.”

Festivities will be 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, beginning with a kosher barbecue dinner and services featuring Nefesh Mountain for families to enjoy sweet bluegrass tunes. The evening will wind down with a musical Shabbat family service followed by a oneg dessert reception. The cost is $18 per adult and $13 per child ($20 and $15, respectively, after Aug. 23), https://form. jotform.com/92165181656158 The next day, Sept. 7, at 12:30 p.m., the Rabbi’s Tish after Shabbat services will be the “The Spirituality of Bluegrass,” with Nefesh Mountain speaking about “What makes music Jewish?”

Havdalah is at 8:07 p.m. followed by a community concert with Nefesh Mountain at 8:30 p.m., at which the group’s music will cover universal themes of love, friendship and freedom. Tickets are $10 per person, via online registration or collected at the door. Sponsor Goza Tequila will provide a special cocktail to ticketed attendees 21 and older. ■ For more information, call AA at 404-355-5222.

SYNAGOGUES

Giving Chaverim New Meaning

Temple Emanu-El’s Chavurah Group at a Sukkah event.

By Flora Rosefsky Just as a diner’s super-sized menu has items to suit everyone’s taste, metro Atlanta synagogues now offer a wide variety of groups and clubs to cater to the interests of their members and make a big community feel smaller.

Synagogues today have become an extended family in addition to being a place to attend services and participate in Torah study sessions, educational programs or events. And with memberships ranging from a few hundred to thousands of dollars, synagogues are becoming more proactive to create small groups, combining fun with friendship and adding another reason to belong to a synagogue community.

In contrast to a committee or traditionally larger organizations such as a Sisterhood or Men’s Club, synagogue groups are more niche.

Temple Emanu-El has a long history of supporting chavurot or friendship groups, for 20-plus years. Rhea Berger, co-chair of the Chavurah Steering Committee, said TE grew from 12 to 23 chavurot since 2016 to include seniors, singles, teens, young couples and people in their 50s and 60s. “Even our 2019 adult b’nai mitzvah class recently formed a chavurah,” Berger said.

Small groups often entice their members to volunteer through the synagogue or attend services.

Allan Slovin, a member of Congregation Dor Tamid in Johns Creek, said CDT Primetimers Group motivated him and his wife to volunteer for other events at the synagogue, and “yes, to attend CDT’s beautiful religious services more often.”

Volunteer coordinator Carol Kovar of the CDT group creates activities such as attending “Fiddler on the Roof” in Cumming. Other groups in this demographic include Ahavath Achim Synagogue’s Mature Active Adult Community, Congregation Gesher L’Torah’s 60+Club, and Congregation Shearith Israel’s L’Chaim Group for adults 55+.

Synagogues are increasingly reach-

Temple Kol Emeth Hiking Group, the TKE Trekkers, along with their dogs. Bottom row: Eli Goodstein, Nikki Goodstein, Tovi, Bo and Nachas. Top row: Michael Dresden, Alison Schlenger, Roger Goodstein, Serena Sacks, Lauren Parker, Jay Bauer, Karyn Parker and Hal Schlenger.

Congregation Shearith Israel’s L’Chaim Group taking a tour at The Breman Museum.

connect more intimately and meaningfully in a larger and diverse synagogue community.”

Margo Gold, past international president of United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, said “groups are a wonderful way to create deeper personal connections, expand interests and explore new areas of involvement in relationship with others.”

Referring to the popularity of chavurot in the 1960s, Rabbi Michael Bernstein of Gesher L’Torah said small groups often “combine a social aspect with learning and prayer.”

When Nikki and Roger Goodstein became empty nesters, they started a hik-

ing group at Temple Kol Emeth called the TKE Trekkers. “We hike locally usually within 30 minutes of TKE. Our hikes are 3 ½ miles, start at 9 and usually end by 11:30 or 12. All ages of adults and dogs are welcome,” Nikki Goodstein said.

Diane Weinberg, a Sunday morning regular at Congregation Beth Shalom’s Knit & Kvetch Group, said “a lot of tikkun olam occurs when items are made for others or for charitable organizations.”

One thing is clear about the synagogue groups around Atlanta: Those with similar interests seem to be finding that they open the doors to new friendships in a warm, welcoming Jewish environment.

Scrabble anyone? ■

ing out to their young adult members.

Melissa Kaplan, co-chair of CSI’s NextGen group, said that while “typically most people join a shul when their kids need Sunday school, our group is made up of young adults and young families with babies and preschool age children.”

In addition, NextGen members regularly attend Friday night services and Tot Shabbat “to build our community on a weekly basis,” said Ellen Rothburd, Kaplan’s co-chair.

Congregation Beth Jacob’s Rabbi Ilan Feldman said, “It’s my firm belief that there is great value in large groups of people of different orientation coming together to mimic the larger klal Yisrael, but it is always important for large groups to allow smaller groups of common interest to take place.” The Orthodox synagogue’s group Wiser Women focuses mostly on senior citizens. BJ also holds periodic meetings for Empty Nesters, couples whose children are no longer living at home.

In 2013, the Union for Reform Judaism formulated a plan of action to more fully engage membership in their 900 affiliated synagogues across North America, “Engaging Congregants: A URJ Resource and Discussion Guide to Move Your Congregation Forward,” with suggestions on how to formulate small groups.

Rabbi Lydia Medwin, director of congregational engagement and outreach at The Temple, co-authored a new book, “The Relational Judaism Handbook: How to Create a Relational Engagement Campaign to Build and Deepen Relationships in Your Community.”

She said small groups like those in Temple Connect Groups at The Temple are “a way to creatively engage with your own Jewish life with greater meaning and relevance.”

Jamie Boettcher, membership and engagement director at Temple Sinai, said Sinai Circles such as Deep Dive Torah Study and Wine Tasters are small groups, ideally between 8 and 15 people, that “offer an ideal way to engage and

Your friendly Jewish address in North Fulton Rabbi Hirshy & Devora Leah Minkowicz Rabbi Gedalya & Ruthy Hertz

www.chabadnf.org ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 23

SYNAGOGUES

Digital Jewish Learning Seen as Complement to Synagogue Life

By Bob Bahr

that “the research team offer compelling evidence that serious Jewish learning indeed happens online. The research also It was as a teenager at Camp Ramah shows ways in which online learning is Darom in the North Georgia mountains distinct from offline learning and ways that Avi Killip first thought about changin which these two domains are compleing the direction of Jewish education. mentary and linked.”

Although she had a Jewish day school For Rabbi Killip and others who run education and was active in synagogue initiatives such as Sefaria, Kveller and youth programs, it was the less formal My Jewish Learning, the goal is not to try education in the mountains that really to supplant the role of the synagogue in shaped her future.

Jewish education, but to supplement and “I was just moved by Judaism in all enhance it. of the ways. I thought as a kid that G-d The work of such websites as Bimlived at camp. I just felt a much more diBam, Sefaria, My Jewish Learning and rect connection.”

Pardes Elmad are aimed at strengthening Over 15 years later, with three chilRabbi Avi Killip heads up Project Zug, Hadar’s online study program. existing educational institutions. dren of her own, Rabbi Killip is trying to “There is really a limit to the amount bring that same connection she felt then to her work on the cutting edge of Jewish Her pathway to Jewish learning and weekslong duration of each class, but the of adult ed classes a synagogue can ofeducation. spiritual connection is Project Zug, an on- real learning comes from the students fer,” Rabbi Killip said. “The variety we Today she’s the vice president of line educational initiative that she runs themselves. Each student is partnered have on Project Zug’s course list allows people to study so strategy and programs at Hadar, the in- for Hadar. For as little as $36 students with a chevruta, anmany subjects with novative Jewish learning center on Man- can choose from more than three dozen other student with a compelling vision hattan’s Upper West Side. And although courses on subjects that range from the whom they discuss of Torah and Jewish she’s far from the mountains of Georgia music of Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen questions from a life that’s spiritushe is trying to bring the same sense of to the laws of kashrut. handout provided. ally meaningful, joy and connection that she first felt Teachers from Hadar and outside orThe system of uncompromisingly there and later as a rabbinic intern at At- ganizations such as Hillel International chavruta, or study honest and socially lanta’s Congregation Shearith Israel. frame the subject matter throughout the partners, goes back responsible,” she to the yeshivas said. of the shtetls and “It’s just someghettos of medieval thing I can do just Eastern Europe. for pure thought In Project Zug, the and open-mindedback and forth The study by the Jim Joseph Foundation ness and inspirais the first to research the impact dialogue is helped of online Jewish education. tion, and where along by short vidI can just focus on wanting to be in the eos of eight to 10 minutes long and video present moment” as one of the anonychat technology. mous Jim Joseph Foundation study par“I really believe that chevruta learning ticipants described her Project Zug expeis magic. It’s so empowering and so meanrience, ‘[with a] mindset of being deep in ingful and so relational. I think it’s such a Membership and attendance in our congregation is completely free and open to all thought and having a study-buddy.’” wonderful way to learn that I anticipate it Our High Holy Day service schedule is: In an age in which synagogues are growing even faster than it has.” undergoing rapid change and technolMore than a thousand students conErev Rosh Hashanah Sunday, September 29 7:30 pm ogy is becoming a part of every interacnected online for the courses last year that Rosh Hashanah Monday, September 30 10:00 am luncheon tion we have with others, online Jewish are supported by a blue-chip collection of Kol Nidre Tuesday, October 8 7:00 pm education is no longer separate from all Jewish philanthropies such the $2.1 milYom Kippur Morning Wednesday, October 9 10:00 am the other learning experiences, both onlion grant that the Jim Joseph Foundation Yom Kippur Afternoon 3:00 pm line and offline. made two years ago to Hadar.

Yiskor 4:45 pm approx.

“We are interacting with these tools The foundation has bet heavily on Ne’ilah 5:15 pm approx. that increasingly blend relationships beHavdalah 6:00 pm approx. web-based Jewish learning, committing Break-the-fast following tween online and offline worlds,” as the more than $10 million to a number of inJim Joseph Foundation put it. “Recogniznovative online initiatives.

Services are held in our beautiful sanctuary at: ing that digital learning environments Earlier this year the foundation re640 Stone House Lane, NW are not divorced from the physical world leased the first major study of the impact Marietta, GA 30064 reframes the phenomenon from one that of web-based learning on the process of Seating is limited. Please call 770-218-8094 to reserve your seat(s) as soon as possible. happens ‘out there’ in cyberspace to one Jewish education entitled, “The Future that is deeply embedded in our everyday of Jewish Learning Is Here: How Digital Please visit Rabbi Feinstein’s web site at www.rabbiatlanta.com and click on the “High lives.”

Media Are Reshaping Jewish Education.”

Holy Day” tab to listen to previous year’s inspiring sermons.

For Rabbi Killip and Hadar’s Project In his introduction to this pioneerZug, the mission is all about connecting ing study of web-based Jewish learning, Contributions are appreciated. Checks should be made payable to Rabbi Jeffery Feinstein. us to Jewish tradition just as we are conDr. Ari Kelman, who teaches at Stanford nected to each other. ■ University, commented in the report

from

No Ticket, No Problem

24 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Rabbi Ruach

I Bet You Didn’t Know …

Rabbi Analia Bortz

Atlanta is chock full of interesting movers and shakers — some bent on creativity, public persona, activism and/or serving a congregation, in this case. Lean in to hear some off the cuff remarks as to what makes Rabbi Analia Bortz, of Congregation Or Hadash, tick.

Find out how she compares life in Atlanta to her native Argentina and about the esoteric subject of her next dissertation.

Rabbi Bortz is an author, doctor and bioethicist dedicated to the holistic treatment of women struggling with infertility. She was believed to be the first Latin American female rabbi. Last year, she was listed among BBC’s 100 most inspiring and inspirational women from around the world. Rabbi Bortz founded Congregation Or Hadash in 2003 with her husband, another rabbi, Mario Karpuj.

Both from Argentina, they have two daughters, ages 24 and 19.

Get to know Rabbi Bortz better right here.

Jaffe: How does life in Atlanta differ from Argentina?

Bortz: Believe it or not, Atlanta has nicer drivers, a slower pace and is more stable.

It’s also easier to find peanut butter here, not that I even like it.

Jaffe: My kids say I’m too …

Bortz: Organized.

Jaffe: With which historical figure do you most identify?

Bortz: Devorah. She was a leader, philosopher and stood on her own two feet. She was the only one who could bring the tribes together.

Jaffe: How do you spend your day off?

Bortz: At the gym. Also, I am writing yet another dissertation … on the poet Yehuda Amichai … Theology and Theocracy.

Jaffe: Biggest regret?

Bortz: Not taking more time to relax.

Jaffe: What are you reading?

Bortz: “The Lost Wife” by Alyson Richman … romance in pre-war Prague. I prefer historical novels and biographies.

Jaffe: Outside of work, where does your talent lie?

Bortz: I paint on silk and do some quilting. Recently I am into the interpretation of Gustav Klimt’s art.

Jaffe: My biggest pet peeve is …

Bortz: People who live behind a mask and are not transparent. I prefer criticism to dishonest talking behind the scenes.

Jaffe: My comfort foods are …

Bortz: Wine and cheese.

Reported by Marcia Caller Jaffe

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 25

SYNAGOGUES

Find Your Place for the Holidays AJT's List of Atlanta Shuls by Denomination

CHABAD Chabad Enrichment Center of Gwinnett 3855 Holcomb Bridge Road, Suite 400 Norcross 30092 678-595-0196 www.chabadofgwinnett.org Serving the Jewish communities of Gwinnett and Hall counties, Chabad Enrichment Center of Gwinnett is committed to providing every Jew of the area the opportunity to celebrate Jewish programs that nurture connection, belonging, cultural fulfillment, and spiritual growth.

Chabad Intown 730 Ponce de Leon Place NE Atlanta 30306 404-898-0434 www.chabadintown.org Chabad Intown provides opportunities to learn about and experience Jewish tradition and heritage through Intown Jewish Preschool, Mommy and Me, Intown Hebrew School, Intown Jewish Academy, and Young Jewish Professionals.

Chabad Israeli Center 4276 Chamblee Dunwoody Road Atlanta 30341 404-252-9508 www.cicatlanta.com Chabad Israeli Center offers summer camp, winter break camp, adult education, ulpan, Judaica and more.

Chabad Lubavitch of Georgia 5065 High Point Road, Atlanta 30342 404-843-2464 www.chabadatlanta.com Chabad of Georgia offers youth services and programming, adult education, Chaya Mushka Children’s Preschool, special needs activities for children and adults and summer and winter camps.

Chabad of Athens-UGA 1491 S. Lumpkin Street, Athens 30605 706-369-1289 www.jewishdawgs.com Serving college students at the University of Georgia and surrounding colleges, Chabad of Athens-UGA is a Jewish student center providing social, educational, recreational, and spiritual programming for students.

26 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Chabad of Cobb 4450 Lower Roswell Road Marietta 30068 770-565-4412 www.chabadofcobb.com Chabad of Cobb is more than just a synagogue. It is a home for any Jew looking for a warm and spiritual place to grow.

At Chabad, everybody is welcome.

Chabad of Downtown Universities 471 10th Street NW, Atlanta 30318 678-304-8672 www.chabaddtu.com Chabad prides itself on creating a home away from home for Jewish students at Georgia Tech and Georgia State. Through diverse and dynamic programming, Chabad offers weekly Shabbat services and dinners, trips, social events, and engaging Jewish educational opportunities.

Chabad of Emory 1526 N. Decatur Road, Atlanta 30307 404-441-3199 www.chabademory.com Chabad Emory is a space where students socialize in a comfortable home-like setting with great friends, superb food, and stimulating discussion.

Chabad of Forsyth 795 Branning Road, Cumming 30041 470-253-7111 www.jewishforsyth.org Chabad of Forsyth is the outreach branch for North Georgia. A warm and inviting community, experience Chabad Forsyth’s events, programs, and services.

Chabad of Kennesaw Center 1480 Shiloh Road NW, Suite 500 Kennesaw 30144 770-400-9255 www.chabadkennesaw.org Chabad of Kennesaw’s presence spans from Kennesaw State University to local education, services, and more.

Chabad of North Fulton 10180 Jones Bridge Road Johns Creek 30022 770-410-9000 www.chabadnf.corg Chabad of North Fulton serves the growing Jewish communities in North Fulton, including Alpharetta, Crabapple, Duluth, Johns Creek, Milton, and Roswell. Satellite offices are in Roswell and Alpharetta.

Chabad of Peachtree City 632 Dogwood Trail, Tyrone 30290 678-595-0199 www.chabadsouthside.com Serving Jewish Atlanta’s south side, Chabad of Peachtree City offers Shabbat services, holiday programs, classes for adults and children, hospital visits, lifecycle events, and one-on-one guidance.

Chabad of Toco Hills 1985 Lavista Road, Atlanta 30329 404-337-6116 www.chabadtoco.com Chabad of Toco Hills is a young and vibrant shul that opened in 2016. CTH is open to people of all backgrounds with a special focus on young families. Join CTH for services, family holiday celebrations, youth classes, and men’s and women’s events.

Congregation Beth Israel 795 Branning Road, Cumming 30041 470-253-7111 www.jewishforsyth.org Preschool, Hebrew school, Shabbat dinners, and adult education are available at Congregation Beth Israel, located together with Chabad of Forsyth.

Congregation Beth Tefillah Chabad of Atlanta 5065 High Point Road, Atlanta 30342 404-843-2464 www.bethtefillah.org Congregation Beth Tefillah is a synagogue and center of learning for Jews of all backgrounds. Affiliated with Chabad of Georgia, CBT’s mission is to engender a feeling of comfort and belonging in all Jews.

SYNAGOGUES

CONSERVATIVE

Ahavath Achim Synagogue 600 Peachtree Battle Avenue Atlanta 30327 404-355-5222 www.aasynagogue.org Celebrating 130 years, Ahavath Achim Synagogue is a historical, egalitarian congregation driven by social action, Jewish continuity, culture, arts and education.

Congregation Beth Shalom 5303 Winters Chapel Road Dunwoody 30360 770-399-5300 www.bethshalom.net Congregation Beth Shalom is an egalitarian inclusive spiritual Jewish community, providing a warm, nurturing environment where we pray, learn, educate and perpetuate Torah and Jewish values, while serving the greater community.

Congregation B’nai Torah 750 Mt. Vernon Highway Sandy Springs 30328 404-257-0537 www.bnaitorah.org Congregation B’nai Torah’s authentic and welcoming community helps you deepen your relationships with others who share your values and with G-d. We are committed to creating modern and meaningful experiences that are based in our rich traditions. Our accredited preschool grows Jewish minds and hearts for the youngest in our community and is open to nonmembers. Join us for services any time. Our Purim, Hanukkah and Simchat Torah celebrations, as well as our High Holiday Essentials services are open to all and free to attend.

Congregation Etz Chaim 1190 Indian Hills Parkway Marietta 30068 770-973-0137 www.etzchaim.net For over 40 years, Etz Chaim has been creating meaningful Jewish experiences in the northern suburbs of Atlanta in East Cobb, Marietta. Our congregation is an inclusive and engaging egalitarian Conservative shul creating multigenerational connections. See why Rabbi Dorsch calls Etz Chaim “The Shul with the Neshama (soul) of the South.”

Ahavath Achim Synagogue Experience Our Days of Awe ~ Bring your children to holiday programming ~ ~ Carve out time for remembrance and reflection ~ ~ Enrich yourself and our community with your presence ~ ~ Open your heart to God ~ ~ March in the Tashlich parade ~ ~ Discover your song ~ ~ Find your roots ~ ~ Reconnect to community ~ ~ Find inspiration ~ ~ Touch tradition ~

Open Your Soul and Sing with Us

Tickets available now! aasynagogue.org/high-holidays ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 27

SYNAGOGUES

Congregation Gesher L’Torah 4320 Kimball Bridge Road Alpharetta 30022 770-777-4009 www.gltorah.org Gesher L’Torah prides itself on catering to members, no matter their personal experience or background: Traditional or not traditional, interfaith families, Jewish by choice, or exploring Jewish life.

Congregation Or Hadash 7460 Trowbridge Road Sandy Springs 30328 404-250-3338 www.or-hadash.org Or Hadash is an egalitarian, Conservative congregation dedicated to providing a warm and welcoming Jewish environment in which to build spiritual and social connections through prayer, learning, music and tikkun olam. We believe that a caring community is a holy community.

Congregation Shearith Israel 1180 University Drive, Atlanta 30306 404-873-1743 www.shearithisrael.com With more than 110 years of history, Congregation Shearith Israel has entered its next chapter. Shearith Israel is an egalitarian, Conservative synagogue devoted to spiritual and religious enrichment, Jewish education and community. Shearith Israel closely follows Jewish tradition while having the insights of modern thought.

Congregation Shema Yisrael The Open Synagogue 6065 Roswell Road, Atlanta 30328 404-998-5410 www.shemaweb.org The Shema Yisrael mission is to be a synagogue embracing all that is Jewish by seeking to nurture an inclusive and caring spiritual community reflecting Klal Yisrael (The Peoplehood of Israel). Shema Yisrael is dedicated to the premise that “we can worship G-d in holiness only as we serve one another in love.”

NONDENOMINATIONAL Congregation Kehillat HaShem 640 Stone House Lane NW Marietta 30339 770-218-8094 www.rabbiatlanta.com Shabbat morning services are at 10:30 a.m. on the 2nd Saturday of each month. A full Kiddush lunch follows services. Please call to confirm attendance. There are no dues or membership requirements.

Guardians of the Torah P.O. Box 767981, Roswell 30076 770-286-3477 www.guardiansofthetorah.com Guardians of the Torah is a congregation without walls that is open to all.

Guardians of the Torah is also an organization that supports police and other public safety officers and first responders in need of spiritual support. We profess our devotion to G-d, our commitment to studying Torah.

ORTHODOX Congregation Anshi S’Fard 1324 N. Highland Avenue NE Atlanta 30306 404-969-6763 www.anshifard.org Anshi includes a wide array of professionals, artisans, and academics, singles, families, Holocaust survivors, grandparents, and retirees.

Congregation Ariel 5237 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody 30338 770-390-9071 www.congariel.org An Orthodox community in beautiful Dunwoody, the Ariel family welcomes Jews of all ages, stages and backgrounds. Join us for daily minyanim, classes with the rabbis, one-on-one learning, events for women, youth groups, tot Shabbat, teen barbecues, father/son learning, a modern sanctuary and social hall, an eruv and a mikvah and fun, learning and growth for all.

WE LCO ME HOM E For more information, contact Leslie Mallard, Office Manager at leslie@ohrhatorahatl.org.

Congregation Ohr HaTorah

Snow Family Judaic Campus

2056 Lavista Road, Atlanta, GA 30329 404.315.1417 • www.ohrhatorahatl.org @yitocohills

@ohrhatorahatl

@RabbiStarrYITH

28 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Looking for a warm, traditional, spiritual, and intellectually stimulating congregation?

We would love to welcome you to our spiritual home, to become part of the Ohr HaTorah family.

Free and open seating at our High Holiday services and classes.

SYNAGOGUES

Congregation Beth Itzhak 6030 Goodwood Boulevard Norcross 30093 678-200-8897 www.facebook.com/BeitItzkhak Congregation Beth Itzhak offers catering for all your needs under AKC supervision.

Congregation Beth Jacob 1855 Lavista Road, Atlanta 30329 404-633-0551 www.bethjacobatlanta.org Beth Jacob Atlanta is truly the Orthodox synagogue for all Jews. Beth Jacob aims to inspire and motivate individuals and families at all levels of observance to strengthen their Jewish connection. The Atlanta Scholars Kollel and Beth Jacob cohost study groups and workshops, presenting timely topics with a Jewish perspective.

Congregation Ner Hamizrach 1858 Lavista Road, Atlanta 30329 404-315-9020 www.nerhamizrach.org Congregation Ner Hamizrach was founded in 1991 to serve the spiritual needs of the growing Sephardic Jewish population in Atlanta. The synagogue is home to a warm and welcoming kehilla, steeped in the Sephardic tradition of nusach Edot Hamizrach. Ner Hamizrach is a strong leader in the Atlanta Orthodox Jewish Community.

Congregation Netzach Israel 1985 Lavista Road, Atlanta 30329 www.netzachisrael.org Email us for more information: office@netzachisrael.org

New Toco Shul 2003 Lavista Road, Atlanta 30329 770-765-7485 www.newtocoshul.com New Toco Shul was founded on the ideas that every individual has unique abilities and perspectives, that we are obligated to share our talents with others, and that our community is strongest when our members contribute to its success and well-being. Rabbinic and lay partners work together to provide a platform for sophisticated and nuanced Torah, reflective and meaningful Tefillah, and supportive and enriching Gemilut Chassadim.

The Kehilla of Sandy Springs 5075 Roswell Road, Atlanta 30342 404-913-6131 www.thekehilla.org Kehilla means community, and that is exactly what it is: a warm and diverse community where everyone is welcomed and accepted for who they are.

Ohr Hatorah of Toco Hills (Formerly Young Israel of Toco Hills) 2056 Lavista Road, Atlanta 30329 404-315-1417 www.yith.org Our mission is to inspire people to make themselves and their lives better through the wisdom of the Torah. Our diverse congregation follows Orthodox traditions.

RECONSTRUCTIONIST Congregation Bet Haverim 2074 Lavista Road, Atlanta 30329 404-315-6446 www.congregationbethaverim.org Congregation Bet Haverim is a Reconstructionist synagogue founded by lesbians and gay men and embracing all Jews and their loved ones. Shabbat services include Erev Shabbat with music from our chorus, tot Shabbat for little ones, a chant service and a monthly Shabbat dinner. We also offer Parent ’n’ Me and Sing ’n’ Play programs for babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Join us at one of our Upcoming Events: Shabbat in the Park Friday, August 23 at 5:45pm Glenlake Park 1121 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30031 Family-friendly, Multi-generational Potluck Dinner with a Shabbat sing-along and socializing for all ages.

Jewish Prayer Series Thursdays, September 5, 12, and 19 at 7:30pm Congregation Shearith Israel is pleased to present a series exploring the meaning, purpose, power and potential of Jewish prayer during the 2019 2020 year, entitled "Jewish Prayer: Getting Our Head Around, Our Hearts In and Our Bodies Engaged".

High Holidays at Shearith Israel Come experience all of the warmth and beauty of Shearith Israel as we welcome 5780. Guest tickets are available for $80 per adult, which includes all services.

For more info on upcoming events, visit www.shearithisrael.com Congregation Shearith Israel is an egalitarian, Conservative synagogue devoted to spiritual and religious enrichment, Jewish education and community. At Shearith Israel, we closely follow Jewish tradition while having the insights of modern thought. For more than 100 years, we have served Atlanta by providing a rich environment for pursuing Jewish spirituality, learning, and friendship.

Our congregation embraces its members and friends, and we look forward to having you join us for Shabbat or an upcoming event.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 29

Temple Beth Tikvah is a family. Be part of our Kehillah Kedosha, our holy community, where members support each other and develop meaningful connections.

• Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, Rabbi • Nancy Kassel, Cantor

9955 Coleman Road • Roswell, GA 30075 www.bethtikvah.com • 770-642-0434

JUDAISM… More than just a bagel

A TASTE OF JUDAISM ® Three FREE weekly classes in Roswell about Jewish spirituality, values and community Sundays, September 8, 15 and 22, 2019 3:00 - 5:00 PM Instructor: Rabbi Jason Holtz

All are welcome, Jewish or not!

Register at: www.kehillatchaim.org/adult-learning

Temple Kehillat Chaim 30 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

1145 Green Street Roswell, Georgia 30075 770-641-8630

SYNAGOGUES REFORM Congregation B’nai Israel 1633 Highway 54E, Jonesboro 30238 678-817-7162 www.bnai-israel.net The mission of Congregation B’nai Israel is to welcome and to engage Jews with open minds and open hearts. We are a warm and caring multi-generational Jewish community for Jews and interfaith families on the southside of Atlanta. If you’re seeking a joyful connection to the southside Atlanta Jewish community, we welcome you.

Congregation Dor Tamid 11165 Parsons Road, Johns Creek 30097 770-623-8860 www.dortamid.org A Reform synagogue serving the Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Greater North Fulton, South Forsyth, and Gwinnett area founded to create meaningful and enduring religious experiences for our members and their families. We actively welcome all families and individuals interested in participating in Jewish life and in the community of the congregation.

Congregation Ner Tamid 1349 Old Highway 41, Suite 220 Marietta 30060 678-264-8575 www.mynertamid.info Congregation Ner Tamid is a growing reform synagogue serving West Cobb, South Cobb, Paulding, Kennesaw, Acworth and surrounding areas. We offer a warm, welcoming environment where we are dedicated to honoring the traditions of our heritage, while creating a Jewish experience that is relevant to today’s society.

Rodeph Sholom Congregation 406 East 1st Street, Rome 30339 706-413-2722 www.garodephsholom.org We strive to help you feel immediately at home and welcomed at Rodeph Sholom in Rome, GA. We have Rabbi-led services and Torah study for the High Holidays and throughout the year for Shabbat. See and feel the warmth of a small Congregation where you will never feel lost in a crowd, and your participation can truly make a difference. Rodeph Sholom, NW Ga’s only synagogue, is located midway between Atlanta and Chattanooga.

Temple Beth David 1885 McGee Road SW, Snellville 30078 770-978-3916 www.templebethdavid.info Temple Beth David began in 1981 as the first formal Jewish presence in Gwinnett County. TBD provides a continuing spirit of worship and service that does not sacrifice the family closeness. TBD offers weekly services, holiday celebrations, lifecycle events and educational programs.

Temple Beth Tikvah 9955 Coleman Road, Marietta 30075 770-642-0434 www.bethtikvah.com Temple Beth Tikvah’s proud history of inclusion, ritual, and support is paving the way to an exciting future. Get to know Temple Beth Tikvah and become a part of the rich experiences available.

Temple Emanu-El 1580 Spalding Drive, Atlanta 30350 770-395-1340 www.templeemanuelatlanta.org Everyone knows that Temple EmanuEl is more than just a Reform congregation. It is a warm, caring neighborhood synagogue focused on transforming the local community. We embody the Jewish values of audacious hospitality and authentic companionship. Together we are building a congregation of thought-leaders, spiritual seekers, and engaged Jewish change makers.

Temple Kehillat Chaim 1145 Green Street, Roswell 30075 770-641-8630 www.kehillatchaim.org Temple Kehillat Chaim, which means Community of Life, is a Jewish Reform congregation located in Historic Roswell.

We seek to meet the spiritual, educational, cultural and social needs of our members.

Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Road, Marietta 30062 770-973-3533 www.kolemeth.net TKE is a Southern Reform congregation in suburban Atlanta. Our demographics provide us with a congregation diverse in age and background. Temple Kol Emeth welcomes Jews by choice and interfaith families. We are a community built on the pursuits of Torah (study), Avodah (worship), Tzedakah (charity) and Maasim Tovim (good deeds).

Temple Sinai 5645 Dupree Drive, Sandy Springs 30327 404-252-3073 www.templesinaiatlanta.org Temple Sinai is a vibrant Reform congregation in Sandy Springs that values lifelong Jewish learning, a warm spirit of community, a sense of inclusivity, and active participation in Jewish life. Our community serves as a center of Jewish life and as an extended, caring family for which we provide a Jewish context for life experiences.

The Temple 1589 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta 30309 404-873-1731 www.the-temple.org The Temple, founded in 1867, blends tradition with innovation to create a vibrant and warm atmosphere that is inviting to all who walk through its famous red doors on Peachtree Street. In addition to upholding The Temple’s deepseated roots within the greater Atlanta community, our clergy and staff have dedicated themselves to engaging with each congregant.

SEPHARDIC Congregation Ner Hamizrach 1858 Lavista Road NE, Atlanta 30329 404-315-9020 www.nerhamizrach.com Congregation Ner Hamizrach was founded in 1991 to serve the spiritual needs of the growing Sephardic Jewish population in Atlanta. The synagogue is home to a warm and welcoming kehilla, steeped in the Sephardic tradition of nusach Edot Hamizrach. Ner Hamizrach is a strong leader in the Atlanta Orthodox Jewish community.

SYNAGOGUES

Congregation Or VeShalom 1681 N. Druid Hills Road NE Atlanta 30319 404-633-1737 www.orveshalom.org Congregation Or VeShalom is a Sephardic synagogue in Brookhaven. At 400 families strong, we are dedicated to the spiritual and intellectual growth of our members. Building on over 100 years of tradition, we embrace our history and envision a strong future with innovative programming. Come and experience the Sephardic warmth, culture and welcoming community.

TRADITIONAL Congregation Shaarei Shamayim 1600 Mt. Mariah Road NE, Atlanta 30329 404-417-0472 www.shaareishamayim.com Congregation Shaarei Shamayim is the boutique intown traditional shul. It’s a place of inspiration, comfort, companionship and healing. In an effort to break down the artificial barriers and labels that separate our people, the principle of Ahavat Yisrael (love of our fellow Jew) takes center stage, and all are welcome. That is why we offer both separate (mechitzah) and mixed seating for men and women.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 31

CALENDAR FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

Shabbat in the Park – East Cobb Park, 3322 Roswell Road, Marietta, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Join Congregation Etz Chaim for its annual outdoor Shabbat in the Park at East Cobb Park. If you are new to the area, we invite you to join us for games, food, fun and a Shabbat service. $7 per person and $28 per family. For more information, www.bit.ly/2XHtHrE.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Eikev Friday, August 23, 2019, light candles at 7:57 p.m.

Saturday, August 24, 2019, Shabbat ends at 8:52 p.m.

Re'eh Friday, August 30, 2019, light candles at 7:48 p.m.

Saturday, August 31, 2019, Shabbat ends at 8:43 p.m.

Shabbat in the Park – Glen Lake Park, 1121 Church St., Decatur, from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m. Shabbat in the Park is a casual, fun and family-friendly Friday evening potluck dinner held monthly in a local park.

Featuring a Shabbat sing-along led by Rabbi Ari Kaiman. Enjoy a vegetarianfriendly meal, and an evening of socializing with Congregation Shearith Israel.

Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/2IaIuGP.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25

Tum Tum Teen LGBTQ + Allies Group – Phillip Rush Center, 1530 Dekalb Ave. NE, Suite A, Atlanta, from 2 to 4 p.m.

Join SOJOURN for Tum Tum, a new teen group for Jewish LGBTQ+ identified teens and allies to share, learn and connect in a safe space. Free. For more information, contact tumtum@ sojournsgd.org or visit facebook.com/ events/469275077179100.

Camp Fed – Jewish Federation’s NextGen

Friday with Family – Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive, Atlanta, from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. For children with their parents and/or grandparents to engage in a fun and interactive Friday night worship experience. Free and open to the community. For more information and to RSVP, www.bit.ly/2KIRovh.

Signature Event – The Foundry at Puritan Mill, 916 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. NW, Atlanta, from 2 to 5 p.m. Each ticket includes one drink, delicious camp snacks such as s’mores and grilled cheese, access to all activities and $2 donation to Federation’s Camp Scholarship Program, helping send hundreds of children to summer camp. $25 in advance and $28 at the door. For tickets and more information, www.bit.ly/2NPJO6P.

A Health Symposium for All – Con-

The Well YPs: Summer Soul Shabbat Goes Bollywood! – The Temple, 1589 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Join Temple Young Professionals for a special Summer Soul Shabbat under the stars celebrating the robust Jewish community of India, and its formative place in shaping Bollywood. About 6,000 Baghdadi and Bene Israel Jews still live in India today, each with very distinct identities and rituals.

Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/2KvoFJU. 32 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

gregation Beth Shalom, 5303 Winters Chapel Road, Dunwoody, from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Atlanta’s finest doctors will participate in a panel discussion dealing with today’s health concerns and best practices that enhance a healthy mind and body. A question and answer session will follow. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2YnZeE9.

Atlanta, from 7 to 8 p.m. Experience Israel with your friends and congregants from May 3-14, guided by Rabbi Neil and Susan Sandler. Whether you imagine swimming in the Mediterranean, touring Tel Aviv and Old Jaffa, or greeting Shabbat at the Western Wall, their trip is designed to enrich, engage and entertain. Walk, pray and feast with AA as they take a deeper look at the land of our heritage. Free. For more information, www.aasynagogue.org.

On The Beltline, 730 Ponce De Leon Place NE, Atlanta, from 3 to 5 p.m. Join Chabad for a screening of the film, “I Am Maris” and receive resources to support your teen struggling with anxiety and depression. Presented in partnership with Chabad Intown, The Blue Dove Foundation, the MJCCA post-2019 Maccabi initiative for teen athletics and wellness, and Be Hot Yoga. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/2Kn3MSx.

Cooking for Kfar Silver – From 4 to 6 p.m. Sample gourmet food and wine as ORT Atlanta raises money to renovate the kitchen in the Kfar Silver Village in Israel. Free. For location and more information, www.bit.ly/2GL8sPS.

Hebrew Reading Crash Course – Congregation Shearith Israel, 1180 University Drive, Atlanta, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

Shearith Israel is pleased to present, in partnership with NJOP (National Jewish Outreach Program), a five-session Hebrew course for community members with little or no Hebrew literacy interested in learning the alef-bet (alphabet).

Free. For more information, www.bit. ly/2yHzpzs.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27

Artists in the Wild – En Plein Air Art – Chattahoochee Nature Center, 9135 Willeo Road, Roswell, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. every Tuesday through August. The CNC partners with the Roswell Fine Arts Alliance to present local painters creating en plein air art focused on spring and summer blooms. Visit with the painters and observe them at work. Artist availability may be dependent on weather, so please call ahead to determine schedule.

Included with general admission to the CNC. $6 per child, $10 per adult, $7 for seniors 65 and up, $7 for students ages 1318, free for CNC members and children 2 and under. For more information, www. bit.ly/2JnQXba.

MONDAY, AUGUST 26

Jewish Women in Judaism – from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Greater Atlanta Hadassah Metulla will meet in Dunwoody for the Jewish Women in Judaism study group with Rabbi Ari Sollish. The topic will be “Deborah.” $5 per person. For more information and location, contact Nancy Schwartz, nshadassah2016@ comcast.net.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28

AJFF Connects: ‘Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes’ – Midtown Prom-

“I am Maris” Film Screening and Wellness Workshop – Chabad Intown

Ahavath Achim Israel Trip Information Meeting – Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave. NW,

enade, 931 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta, from 7 to 10 p.m. Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, in partnership with the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition, is pleased to present a screening of “Blue Note Records: Beyond the Notes.” This inspiring docu-

AUGUST 23-SEPTEMBER 2

Ahavath Achim Synagogue’s

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28

JELF Major Event – Coca-Cola Roxy at The Battery, 800 Battery Ave., SE, Suite 500, Atlanta, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join JELF for its fundraising event featuring entertainment industry expert Jeffrey Stepakoff. With a 30-plus year career in the entertainment industry, Jeffrey Stepakoff is an accomplished producer, screenwriter, novelist and entertainment industry expert. He’s written and produced dozens of television series, including Emmy Award winning “The Wonder Years” and breakout hit “Dawson’s Creek.” $50 per person under 40, $75 per person 40 and over, $450 per table for 10 seats for under 40, $700 per table for 10 seats 40 and over. For more information, www.jelf.org/stepakoff/.

mentary tells the story of two visionaries of the recording industry who together helped usher in an exciting new era of jazz at a time when African-American musicians faced discrimination. After the film, walk next door to Apres Diem for a post-film mix-and-mingle and light bites, set to the jazz stylings of the Dave Frackenphol Trio. $15 per person for the film and $25 for the film screening and post-film appetizers at Apres Diem. For more information, www.bit.ly/2TtvsYG.

together Jews from all different Jewish backgrounds, denominations, ages and lifestyles in the north Georgia mountains. Each person creates their own Jewish experience by participating in workshops, discussions, art, music, food presentations, text-study sessions and more. All of this is made possible by a community of Limmud volunteers. For hours, pricing and more information, www.bit.ly/2OIaB5j.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Rosh Chodesh Service – Congregation

AUGUST 30 – SEPTEMBER 2

LimmudFest– Ramah Darom, 70 Camp Darom, Clayton. LimmudFest brings

Etz Chaim, 1190 Indian Hills Parkway NE, Marietta, from 9:15 to 10 a.m. Join Congregation Etz Chaim for morning minyan each Rosh Chodesh in solidarity with the Women of the Wall. Free. For more information, www.bit.ly/31lbWk4.

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

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

BBQ and Services

Friday, September 6 | 5:30 pm | Ahava Play Yard 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30327

Cost: $18 per adult ($20 after August 23) $13 per child ($15 after August 23) Register: aasyn.org/bluegrass-shabbat-bbq-2019

Community Concert

Saturday, September 7 | 8:30 pm | Srochi Auditorium 600 Peachtree Battle Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30327

Cost: $10 per person Register (or pay at the door): aasyn.org/bluegrass-shabbat-concert-2019

Calendar sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Connector, an initiative of the AJT. In order to be considered for the print edition, please submit events two weeks in advance. Contact community relations director, Jen Evans, for more information at jen@atljewishtimes.com.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 33

COMMUNITY SIMCHA SPOTLIGHT

A Labor Day Tradition Sunday, September 1st | 11am - 5pm Monday, September 2nd | 11am - 4pm Jewish Soul Food Free Admission Arts & Crafts

Bagel Eating Contest

Kid’s Activities

Temple Tours

Live Entertainment

Noshfest.com Temple Kol Emeth 1415 Old Canton Rd. • Marietta, GA 30062

Mazel Tov

Carol Nemo and Candy Berman Jewish Home Life Communities is honoring both Carol Nemo and Candy Berman at its 2019 Auxiliary Gala, presented by The Auxiliary of The William Breman Jewish Home on Nov. 9, 2019.

Have something to celebrate?

Births, B’nai Mitzvah, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Special Birthdays and more ...

Share it with your community with free AJT simcha announcements.

Send info to submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

34 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

My Tribute to Klinger

By Rabbi Steven Lebow Jerry Klinger is my hero. Let’s just start with that and get it out of the way.

A graduate of the University of Maryland and a former senior vice president, he is also the son of Buchenwald survivors.

But that alone is not why he is my hero.

Klinger, the founder and CEO of Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, is a man “drunk” on history.

He can’t get enough of it and he wants to remind you why it is important.

He has personally established memorials, markers and plaques commemorating Jewish (and African-American) history in 37 states, throughout Europe and Israel. Most recently he dedicated plaques in memory of those Americans who fought in Israel’s War of Independence and another marker in memory of those Jews who were expelled from Arab lands from 1947 to 1958.

He has also placed a marker in memory of those American soldiers who liberated Buchenwald.

Jerry is an “amateur” historian in the best use of that word. “Amateur” is a Latin word indicating “a lover of history.”

I first met Jerry many years ago when he approached me to assist getting the official State of Georgia marker at the Leo Frank lynching site.

In the 1990s I was approached by a Marietta native who helped me identify the Frank lynching site. When I affixed the original memorial plaque in 1995, on the yahrzeit, the 80th anniversary of the lynching, it was the first time that a yizkor service for Frank had ever been held in Atlanta.

I returned to the lynching site again in 2005 to observe the 90th anniversary for Frank.

Not long after that, things went sideways with the Frank memorial plaques.

The Georgia Department of Transportation announced that they would build

a highway over the Frank site. It would now be obscured and the plaques taken down.

I was fresh out of ideas when Klinger approached me and offered his assistance and the assistance of the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. Jerry negotiated with the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Historical Society to place a historical marker directly across the street from the lynching site.

(Roswell Road and Frey’s Gin Mill, across from a Waffle House).

This new site on Roswell Road leaves enough space to bring students to see and learn about this terrible crime.

What is new this year is that Jerry added another memorial alongside the Frank marker commemorating the over 500 African Americans who were also lynched. Even for those of us concerned about the Frank case, there can be an acknowledgement that the Black community suffered disproportionally from the “lynch law.” It reads: In respectful memory of the thousands across America, denied justice by lynching: Victims of hatred, prejudice and ignorance.

Between 1880-1946 ~570 Georgians were lynched.

(Signed: ADL, Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation and Rabbi Steven Lebow, Temple Kol Emeth) There is a memorial to lynching victims planned for Fulton County later this year, but this memorial was the first antilynching memorial in all of Georgia.

This month I will return to the Frank site to recite the kaddish. This year, because of the foresight of Jerry Klinger, I will also be able to memorialize the African Americans who were also brutalized by this horror.

Because of this, and so much more, Jerry Klinger is my hero. ■

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 35

COMMUNITY OY VEY! HAVE I GOT A PROBLEM... e! e your incisive advic Dear Rachel, mns and appreciat lu co ur g home, is in yo g rs in nu ad a I really enjoy re nt Gail lives in Au t ea gr y M a. my dilemm lanta to be close And now, here’s She moved to At . tia en m de s ha int, she was still unfortunately n-law. At that po r-i te 91 years old, and sis d an r he her older sister, der sister, brot after she moved, ar to her widowed ol ye a ly, te na onia. Within a herent. Unfortu ich led to pneum wh , functional and co flu e th of se longer among wn with a bad ca nt Shirley was no Au t Shirley, came do ea Gr l, ita sp flits in and out of ission to the ho ssed, and she now re week of her adm og pr d ha tia nt and recogniz, Gail’s demen ems fully cogniza se e the living. By then sh es tim At her something, understanding. minutes of telling in reality and clear ith w t Bu . ds , including frien own world. es her loved ones retreats into her e sh d an r, Marty and Aunt ea pp tween me, Uncle be it will totally disa ed ch un la s debate wa And so, a great s d sister-in-law). an Marty insisted, hi r t Shirley!” Uncle Cindy (her brothe ou ab r he ll te T ould NO “Of course, you sh ling. ist ppy,” Aunt Cindy br e , content and ha rs white moustach he of le bb bu that little “Let her stay in r to her husband. se lding the news of clo nt Cindy. Withho agreed, drawing Au d an ty ar M at Uncle at their intention Aghast, I stared e. I understand th m to l ue cr ed Why should she, m Gail seem Gail to feel pain. nt Shirley’s death fro wa t n’ do ey elf in Gail’s place heartedness. Th t when I put mys Bu stems from kind ? ay yw an it ve I would want e’ll just forget her shoes), I belie in they reason, if sh be R VE NE to ht to know what all my heart r, and it is her rig te (and I hope with sis d ve lo t be r he told “she went ou . Shirley was for Shirley. To be to know the truth ng ki as nen wo be s ill Gail w tion, Gail ha il anguish. Surely happened. In addi me level, cause Ga so on anymore. … , ill sit w vi to tly an es e never com sh of town” incess y wh , ye -b od d up causing Gail never said go I believe, will win der why Shirley d an r, de un flo e excuse will At some point, th . owing the reality kn more pain than , Rachel?

What’s your take Signed, Voting For Honesty

Dear V.F.H., Thank you so much for your kind words about my column.

Whoah! This is a heavy one! I’m so sorry to hear of Shirley’s passing, and I am equally sorry about Gail’s progressive dementia. It is so difficult to see a loved one fade before our eyes, to have her and not have her at the same time.

As a mere layman and not a qualified expert, I will share my feelings. I believe the right thing to do is to inform Gail of Shirley’s passing. As you so aptly expressed, it is her right, and if G-d forbid any of us faced similar circumstances, of course we would want the courtesy and dignity of knowing the truth.

My recommendation is to tell Gail the news in steps so as not to shock her suddenly. One day I would explain that Shirley is sick, after a day or so, that she is very ill, and perhaps by the next conversation, I would reveal the unvarnished truth. The ideal would have been to do this as it happened, but unfortunately, it’s too late for that.

One other thing is to follow Gail’s lead during these conversations. Depending how she reacts, that’s how you should respond. If she is pained by your revelation, give her the support she craves. If she changes the topic and seems unaffected moments later, go with that flow. I would also make sure to encircle Gail with a great deal of love and empathy during these conversations, including hugs and hand holding.

Last, before venturing to speak to Gail, I advise consulting with a geriatric psychologist, just to make sure that we are on the right track and that this is the best way of dealing with an elderly person with her specific level of mental cognizance.

Wishing you the best in this emotionally laden circumstance, Rachel

Atlanta Jewish Times Advice Column Got a problem? Email Rachel Stein at oyvey@atljewishtimes. com, describing your problem in 250 words or less. We want to hear from you and get helpful suggestions for your situation at the same time!

Jewish Joke of the Week

Yiddish Word of the Week

Núdnik – ‫ – נודניק‬a boring pest

Núdnik – ‫ – נודניק‬a bore, a pest, someone who is habitually annoying, boring and/or tedious: reportedly originating in an old German verb but given the use of the Slavic agential suffix -nik, more probably stemming from the Polish núda (boredom) or Russian núdnyi (tedious, boring). Used in Hebrew and (since the mid-1940s) English vernacular or slang in the same sense.

Example: “Hon, can we have the Jones’s for dinner sometime?”

“We’d better invite other people with them. She’s OK but he’s such a núdnik!”

The Desert Island A Jewish man is shipwrecked on a desert island. He’s stuck for years. Using materials from around the island, he builds a house, a store and a synagogue.

Eventually, he’s created a whole neighborhood.

One day, he’s rescued by a passing ship. The sailors help him collect his few possessions and get ready to leave the island forever. Just before they leave, one of the sailors says, “Hey! Why’d you build two synagogues?”

The man rolls his eyes. “This,” he says, pointing at one building, “is my synagogue.”

“And that,” he says, pointing at the other, “is the one I would never set foot in!”

Rabbi Joab Eichenberg-Eilon, PhD, teaches Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic at the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies, eTeacher Group Ltd. 36 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Joke provided by David Minkoff www.awordinyoureye.com

Yiddish Nicknames By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Manageable 1

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1. Seder foursome 5. Caribbean cruise stop 10. Garbage barge 14. What some sporting events end in 15. Notable crater in Israel 16. Bit 17. Zuckerberg who's strong in his religious lifestyle?

19. Häagen-Dazs alternative 20. That lady 21. Common PC connection 22. Sukkah, essentially 24. Former star running back Foster 26. "... all that were strong and ___ for war" (2 Kings 24:16) 28. Tevye portrayer 31. Slobbish Hirsch?

34. "___ Rabbi walks in to a bar..."

35. Org. in "The Red Sea Diving Resort" 36. On-base pct., e.g.

37. It's uncommon to give a waiter one in 42-Across 40. "Free" gym gear: Abbr.

42. State E. of South Australia 44. Text, briefly 45. Fisher of "Now You See Me" 47. Beehive State college basketballer 49. Words before "a rock" or "the

11. Pilots' perches 12. Wagering venue, for short 13. Path 18. Get near the bottom of the barrel 23. Consumed 25. "I get it" sounds 27. A JPEG is one 29. Hebrew universe 30. " ___ go Mets!"

32. "Dig in!"

33. It can correct your vision 37. Involuntary movements 38. "Who ___ kidding?"

39. Removing (eyelashes) 41. Levels of achievement 43. Last name of a brother who started a film studio 46. Doesn't cut 48. Suffix with stamp 50. Unaccounted-for G.I. 52. A Gabor, when doubled 53. Deep violet blue 54. Hot peppers 55. Seder part 59. "The Parent Trap" actress 61. "Boyz ___ Hood" 63. In ___ (befuddled) 65. Star receiver now on Cle. 66. Narc org.

68. Demonstrate one's humanity?

69. Words with "distance" or "discount"

walrus" 51. Moranis with some nerve?

56. Divisions 57. Tribes that went missing 58. Yehudia or Haredi 60. He voiced Duke (Caboom) in "Toy Story 4" 62. "Lost" actor Daniel ___ Kim 64. Former U.N. agcy.

65. Adoptive dad of Loki 67. Fiennes known for eating nonkosher?

70. Give 71. "Let ___!" ("Unhand that lady!"

72. CREF's partner 73. Jacksonville team, to fans 74. Citron, in Israel 75. The "A" in P.T.A.: Abbr.

DOWN

1. Obama daughter 2. "Do unto" follower 3. Acid used in fertilizers and explosives 4. Source of some salt 5. Torah containers 6. Big name in rabbinic Judaism 7. Thurman of movies 8. Alex of "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" 9. Egyptian cross with a loop 10. "Seinfeld" and "Rhoda"

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION 1

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15 Years Ago// August 20, 2004 ■ Atlanta synagogues turn to Torah drives as fundraising tools. To make the mitzvah accessible to everyone, levels of giving were offered, from a single letter to a complete book. Congregation Beth Shalom’s teen USY chapter raised $5,000 to sponsor an entire book through activities such as car washes and babysitting.

■ Seven synagogues welcomed new religious school directors. The list included Hamutal Deckel at Congregation Or VeShalom, Janet Goldin at Temple Beth David, Gloria Lapin at Temple Emanu-El, Rachel Lazarus at Bet Haverim, Yael Pritzker at Shearith Israel, Catherine Rosing at Temple Kehillat Chaim and Larry Weiner at Tempe Sinai.

25 Years Ago// August 19, 1994 ■ Atlanta Men’s ORT played charity golf at a Roswell country club. The golfers were divided into 24 threesomes and four-

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somes. A total of $15,000 was raised from admission and a silent auction and was donated to ORT’s scholarship fund, which aided people worldwide in professional retraining.

■ Hurrah for Epstein! The Epstein School recently celebrated the closing of the purchase of its Sandy Springs building from the Fulton County Board of Education.

Jewish books were sent to Singapore after David Marshall made a pitch to the Brotherhood Synagogue of New York.

50 Years Ago// August 22, 1969 ■ A collection of 100 books were shipped to Singapore by the Brotherhood Synagogue of New York after hearing David Marshall, delegate from Singapore to the United Nations Human Rights Commission, make an appeal at the synagogue the previous December. The books sent were mostly scholarly, including sets of the Jerusalem Talmud and the Soncino Old Testament.

■ Officials of Albany’s Temple Israel planned an extension of Holocaust commemoration within the synagogue’s religious classes as an effort to persuade Jewish residents to gather in synagogues rather than attend work or school on Holocaust Remembrance Day. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 37

OBITUARIES

Joe Benkiel 79, Atlanta

Joe Benkiel, 79, of Atlanta, died Aug. 14, 2019. Joe was the center of attention, the man who got things done, was loved by all and was a stranger to none. He devoted most of his work life, in his own words, to being a “detailer, draftsman, designer, estimator, fabricator and erector of miscellaneous and structural steel.” Joe attended Chicago Technical College.

He and his beloved wife Carmen spent many years working for and leading the Pinch Hitters, a group of Jewish volunteers who took the place of nonmedical hospital staffers during Christmas.

He loved to play cards, collect coins, watch sports, gamble at casinos, and of course, spend time with family and friends. His Jewish faith was very important to him and was the guidepost of his life. There will be no one like him ever again.

Joe is preceded in death by his wife, Carmen. He is survived by his son Harry Benkiel; daughters and sons-in-law Michelle and Bob Marks and Suzette and Jeff Shekell; grandchildren T.J., Lauren, Megan and Madison; brother Henri Benkiel; and sisters Renee Weingard and Sarah Speizer.

Graveside services were held at Aug. 16 at Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Frances B. Bunzl 99, Atlanta

Frances B. Bunzl of Atlanta passed away peacefully at the age of 99 Aug. 15, 2019. She was born in Wiesbaden, Germany, March 22, 1920. Frances Hamburger and Walter Bunzl were engaged Dec. 7, 1941 and married Dec. 25, 1941.

She was preceded in death by her husband Walter; son Richard; and brother Carl Hamburger. She is survived by her daughter Suzanne (Suzy) Bunzl Wilner; granddaughter, Anna Wilner; daughter-in-law Patricia (Tricia) Huey Bunzl; and sister-inlaw Rosemary Rhyne Hamburger.

In Frankfurt, Germany, from 1937 to 1939, she worked in the Jewish Hospital.

During Kristallnacht she hid a doctor in the infectious disease ward because the Nazis would not go into that ward. She fled to England in 1939 and arrived in New York January 1940. In 1941, she moved to Atlanta, following her brother Carl to Georgia.

While raising her daughter Suzy, she was a Girl Scouts leader for 10 years. Frances and Walter were among the founding members of Temple Sinai in 1968.

She was chancellor of the Austrian consulate in Atlanta from 1972 to 1987 and president of the Atlanta chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women from 1963 to 1967. During her tenure, the national convention was held in Atlanta, with Hubert Humphrey as the main speaker.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals of Atlanta honored her as the 2008 Philanthropist of the Year. Organizations she supported included The Bascomb museum in Highlands, N.C., Yemin Orde in Israel, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Jewish Family and Career Services, and many others.

In 1988 she set up the timpani chair at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in memory of her late husband Walter, who died earlier that year. At the High Museum of Art, she funded the curator of European art. She also supported several major exhibitions, and in 2007 the 38 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

OBITUARIES Frances B. Bunzl Administrative Building at the High Museum was named after her.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Frances’ memory be made to the charity of your choice. A funeral service was held Aug. 18 at Ahavath Achim Synagogue with a burial immediately following at Crest Lawn Memorial Park. Shiva was held Aug. 18.

Arrangements made by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. Please sign the online guestbook at dresslersjewishfunerals.com.

Lyonel Marvin Joffre 85, Atlanta

Lyonel Marvin Joffre passed away Aug. 14, 2019, at his home surrounded by his immediate family. Lyonel was born July 6, 1934, in Atlanta, to Sidney and Jane Joffre, who immigrated to Atlanta from Russia in 1921. He grew up in Atlanta, attending Smiley Grammar School and later graduating Grady High School. He then went on to attend the University of Alabama (where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu), Georgia Tech and graduated from Georgia State University with a degree in accounting.

Shortly after high school, Lyonel married the love of his life and his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Rachelson. Following their wedding in Atlanta, he was deployed by the U.S. Army to Europe, where he and Phyllis stayed for two years. After returning to Atlanta, they started a family and Lyonel pursued a career in accounting.

Professionally, he worked as a CPA at Young Garber, later becoming a partner at Touche Ross and Company, and then owning Georgian Art Lighting Design and Boulevard Lighting.

Lyonel loved to travel with his family and he was fortunate to have traveled the world. His greatest love in life was family and his grandchildren, as he was an avid participant in their lives, from driving carpool to watching them play sports and experiencing milestones together.

Lyonel had a keen sense of humor, did not know a stranger, and made those around him feel important. His kindness was bigger than life and he gave from the heart until the end. He was known for his beautiful curly hair, piercing blue eyes, and a smile that was second to none.

Lyonel was active in many organizations, including being past president of the Atlanta Lodge of B’nai B’rith, a member of the education committee of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Margaret Mitchell Association and a member of Leadership Atlanta class of 1977.

Throughout the years, he was known to many as Coach Joffre as he coached basketball teams throughout the years at the Atlanta Jewish Community Center.

Lyonel is predeceased in death by his parents Sidney and Jane Joffre and his sister Patsy Weinman. In addition to Phyllis (his wife of 65 years), he will be dearly missed by his children Robyn (Wes) Gaillard, Steven (Nancy) Joffre and Julie (Mark) Benveniste and grandchildren Rebecca and Sam Gaillard, Sydney and Haley Joffre, and Ali, Micah, Maci and Eli Benveniste.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Chabad of Gwinnett, The Epstein School, The Davis Academy, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

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‫זיכרונה לברכה‬ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 39

OBITUARIES

Herbert B. Mershon

Estelle Flax Strauss

Herbert B. Mershon, 86, died July 17, 2019, at HopeHealth Hulitar Hospice Center.

He was the beloved husband of Irma (Lefkoff) Mershon for 60 years.

Born in Haverhill, Mass., son of the late Ben and Mollie (Elfenbein) Mershon, he had lived in Cumberland, R.I., for 30 years, previously living in Haverhill, Mass. He was the owner and founder of ArtVac Corporation.

Herbert was an Army veteran, serving in stateside. He was a graduate of Tilton Academy and Tufts University. Herbert was on the board of directors of New Hampton School and was actively involved with the Two-Ten Foundation.

He was the devoted father of Jeffrey (Elaine) Mershon of Medway, Mass., Rusty (Susan) Mershon of Lincoln, R.I., and Faith Goldberg of Atlanta; brother of J. Robert (Helene) Mershon of Alpharetta, and the late Solomon and Sylvia Mershon; loving grandfather of Matthew (Jared), Jillian (Stephen), Blaire, Reed, Abby, Ben and Sara; and cherished uncle of several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held at Shalom Memorial Chapel in Cranston, R.I. with burial in Children of Israel Cemetery, Haverhill, Mass.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 41659, Providence, R.I. 02940 or to the charity of your choice. For online condolences, please visit ShalomMemorialChapel.com.

Estelle Flax Strauss, 87, died Aug. 15, 2019, surrounded by her two daughters, Michelle and Sandra. Estelle lived her life with grace, giving unconditional love to her husband; her daughters; her two grandchildren, Brandon and Mitchell; her nephew, Joey; her nieces and nephews; her childhood friends and “bonus” children and grandchildren. Estelle was born in Atlanta and spent her life as a teacher and mentor in the public school system and supporting her beloved husband at Walter’s Clothing. No one graced “the ladder” better than she.

Estelle lived her life with generosity and the belief that everyone should be treated equally with respect and dignity. Estelle will be deeply missed by her family and all who knew and loved her. The family would like to thank all the people who cared for and supported Estelle during this past year.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ahavath Achim Synagogue. A graveside service was held Aug. 18 at Arlington Memorial Park. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. ■

86, Rhode Island

87, Atlanta

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS

Rebbe Gelt I was at kiddush after a Coke bottle. He knew these the synagogue service when a were guaranteed ways for friend approached me about the public to lose money. My the article I wrote, “This Too father said it was rebbe gelt, Will Pass.” He liked it and a small loss that would proit reminded him of his son, vide a big lesson. I can say who lost money on a deal, acthis with certainty. I don’t cepted the loss and moved on. spend my money foolishly He then found a bigger deal at amusement parks, and I that paid off handsomely. To count my money from the respond to the lost deal, the Allen H. bank every time. words, “rebbe gelt,” popped Lipis I heard the expression out of my head. I hadn’t The Bottom Line rebbe gelt once more from thought of that remark for demy father when his wallet cades, so we discussed exactly what rebbe was stolen trying to board a Greyhound gelt meant. It translates to money you give bus in Philadelphia on his way home to to the rabbi, but what it really means is that New York. After coming with my mother it is a small price to pay for a significant to the University of Pennsylvania to see learning experience. The son learned from me teach a class there, and then visithis failure and succeeded the next time. ing with my wife, my mother and father That failure is rebbe gelt. Expressions like were in a tight crowd trying to board the this in Yiddish have meanings way beyond bus home. During the pushing to board their exact translation. the bus, someone picked his pocket and I hadn’t thought about rebbe gelt a few dollars were gone. There were no for decades, but the thought reminded credit cards at the time, so the only thing me where I first heard it. It was from really important in his wallet was the my father when I was in college. I had money and it wasn’t much. He never lost lost some money, I don’t recall exactly his wallet again. how, perhaps trying to win a prize at The best teacher is failure. It focuses the amusement park in Coney Island. the mind, and it is a memorable experiHe had worked there, where you win a ence. We all remember the failures we prize by paying to break a balloon with have had. Fortunately, we learn from our a dart or by throwing a wooden ring on mistakes, and we make many of them.

It reminds me of a story a reporter once told.

A reporter asked a bank president, “Sir, what is the secret of your success?

“Two words.”

“And, sir, what are they?”

“Right decisions.”

“And how do you make the right decisions?”

“One word.”

“And, sir what is that?”

“Experience.”

“And how do you get experience?”

“Two words.”

“And, sir what are they?”

“Wrong decisions.”

I have often reviewed the decisions I made throughout my life to evaluate whether they were correct or not. I went to Iowa State University when I had other choices. My wife and I stayed in Atlanta when I had a significant professional opportunity to return to New

York City. We sent our children to Jewish day schools even with the complaints we heard from our kids. We stayed in the Toco Hills area of town when we could have moved to Buckhead or Norcross or Sandy Springs. I am always reminded of the famous poem by Robert Frost called, “The Road Not Taken.” You never know about that road not taken, and while it is fun to speculate, you will never know.

I am reminded of a remark by Jay Mehaffey, which I was told at a reunion with my staff about a decade ago. He said with respect to life, “No regrets.” Don’t try to second guess yourself. You make the best decisions at the time with the best information you have, and don’t look back. I think we will all be better off if we reviewed our life with no regrets.

It’s a positive way to be. We Jews believe that whatever happens is all for good.

The bottom line: If you’re a pessimist, you’ll never be disappointed. ■

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:

TRAVEL ADVISOR

SKYWAY TRAVEL INC. Serving Atlanta since 1990

COLLECTIBLES

THE DUSTY COIN, LLC “Shekels For Your Collectibles”

• Coins • Bullion • Jewelry • Flatware

404-263-2967

Strict Confidentiality • References Upon Request

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YOUR ADVENTURES BECOME A REALITY WITH THE HELP OF A PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL ADVISOR

TEL AVIV RT FROM $898

River Cruise Specialist Custom Planning by Land & Sea Individual & Group Arrangements Professional, Experienced & Personal Service

+ Taxes

ALSO AVAILABLE AT LOW PRICES: • PARIS • AMSTERDAM • BARCELONA • LONDON • BUDAPEST • GENEVA • LISBON • MILAN • VIENNA • ZURICH • ROME • ATHENS • JOHANNESBURG • MOSCOW RT from Atlanta other destinations available some restrictions apply

Member: ANA, NGC & PCGS

404 -252-2152

Barbara Diener

Land & Cruise Specialist American Express Agency 770-740-9099

bdiener@cruiseplanners.com www.travelsmartdreambig.com

Experienced in all aspects of travel.

My expertise is your ticket to an amazing journey.

Travel Smart, Dream Big!

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 41

MARKETPLACE KEEPING THE JEWISH SOUTHEAST CONNECTED

PAL PROGRAM

COMPUTER

FAKAKTA COMPUTER? BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

I’LL DRIVE TO YOU!

BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

B J AT

DESKTOP & LAPTOP REPAIR HOME/BUSINESS NETWORKING

10% OF PROFITS THR

PERFORMANCE UPGRADES 2019 WILL BE DONATE APPLE DEVICE SUPPORT

JEWISH CHARITIES.

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404.954.1004 DAMON.CARP@GMAIL.COM Same Day Appointments • Reasonable Rates • All Services Guara

You spoke. We listened.

Check out your new Atlanta Jewish Times.

10% OF PROFITS THROUGH 2019 WILL BE DONATED TO JEWISH CHARITIES.

• Same Day Appointments • Reasonable Rates • • All Services Guaranteed •

COLLEGE PREP

COMPUTER

You Are Great.

Together, let’s make sure your dream college knows it!

TUTOR

Stella Tarica Gordon Mauri Artz College Admissions Coach & Test Tutor

I motivate students to write successful college essays. In the process of completing essays, we review essential writing skills for the application journey and beyond.

Mauri@publictutoring.org | 440.668.0870

PARTY RENTALS

Tarica Tutoring Stellagordon835@gmail.com 678-592-3155 call or text • Writing and reading comprehension • Certified in 5-12 grade English curriculum • ACT and SAT prep • College bound and grad school essays • Georgia Milestone preparation 5-8

Partying is our Business.

42 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

770-751-5706 www.HealthyComputer.com

As Seen On BEST OF JEWISH ATLANTA

It’s Time to Call for Help!

MOHEL

PHOTOGRAPHER

Fun and playful photographer specializing in People and events!

New to Atlanta with 30 years as a photographer in Seattle.

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Family Portraits, Corporate events, Parties and Weddings.

Call Debbie Kilgore to receive your Jewish Times 10% Discount www.PeachtreeTents.com | 615-920-0345

Voted #1 by Atlanta Jewish Community

Serving students since 1986

Dani Weiss Photography Peachtree Tents & Events will make your special event the talk of the town. We are experienced event professionals who work with event planners, corporate and social. We offer only the best, unique party rental equipment in the marketplace. And with locations in Atlanta, Nashville, Birmingham, Charleston, Savannah, Myrtle Beach & now Jacksonville... we’ve got the Southeast covered!

COMPUER HOUSE CALLS

206.409.9982 | www.daniweissphotography.com

Rabbi Abi Nadoff Call: 844-MOHEL-ABI (844-664-3522)

SimpleCircumcision.com Development Corp. for Israel | 404-817-3500

Eleventh Series Jubilee Bonds 3.42% Eleventh Series Maccabee Bonds 3.27% Eighth Series Mazel Tov Bonds 3.50% Eighth Series eMitzvah Bonds 3.50% Valid through August 14, 2019

MARKETPLACE HOME We are Insulation Professionals: Depending on application Spray Foam, Fiber Glass, Cellulose

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

HOME

F O R M O R E O F W H AT Y O U N E E D

The Handyman Can

w w w. At l a n ta J e w i s hTi m e s .c o m

CAREGIVER

Our other trades are garage doors, gutters, mantels and fireplaces

Professional, loving and experienced caregiver with great references. Will work MondayFriday. Experience working with Alzheimer's & Parkinson's patients, etc. 404-431-2616

www.aplusinc.net • sales@aplusinc.net • 404•373•plus (7587)

HOME LOANS

HOME CARE

• • • • • • •

Plumbing Electrical Sheetrock • Floors Tile • Framing • Kitchens Painting • Roofwork Concrete • Stained Glass Antique Door Restoration

as well as many other issues...

John Salvesen • 404-453-3438

thehandymancanatlanta@gmail.com HOME SOUND FINANCIAL ADVICE PERSONALIZED FOR YOU. EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE AND COMMUNICATION. PROUDLY SERVING THE COMMUNITY FOR 16 YEARS.

Brian Krebs 404-786-4513

Insulation

11380 Southbridge Pkwy., Suite 227 Alpharetta, GA 30022 NMLS # 62841 NMLS ID #1117369 Georgia Residential Mortgage License 40088

ASK ABOUT OUR EARNEST MONEY GUARANTEE. RESIDENTIAL CLEANING

HOME

INSURANCE

Cleaning Services

Wheelchair Ramps

PROTECT THE THINGS YOU CHERISH THE MOST

Earning Your Trust

YOU CAN RENT YOUR WHEELCHAIR RAMP!

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YES!

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Now Offering Acorn Stairlifts & Portable Showers!

Georgia’s #1 Leading Ramp Company for 10 Years!

FREE In-HOME ESTIMATES dustbgone375@hotmail.com

Mary: 404.454.2063 or 678.886.2718

Stephanie Holtz Your Local Agent

1954 Airport Road Suite 210, Chamblee, GA 30341 sholtz@farmersagent.com • Contact me for a free coverage review • Get the most value for your coverage • Insurance you can tailor to meet your needs

Call 470-246-4509 today!

For Home, Auto, Life and Business.

Owners Mark and Joanne Bradley

470-808-9411 • 404-617-6483 www.amramp.com

Restrictions apply. Discounts may vary. Not available in all states. See your agent for details. Insurance is underwritten

by Farmers Insurance Exchange and other affiliated insurance companies. Visit farmers.com for a complete listing of companies. Not all insurers are authorized to provide insurance in all states. Coverage is not available in all states.

Life Insurance by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3120 139th ave. SE, Ste. 300, Bellevue, WA 98005

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES AUGUST 23, 2019 | 43

Creating opportunities to participate in something bigger than one’s self.

Here, in Israel and throughout the world.

44 | AUGUST 23, 2019 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Explore the possibilites at JewishAtlanta.org