OPINION Letter to the editor,
On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I am writing to extend condolences to the family, colleagues and many friends of Richard M. Shafritz of Shafritz & Dean LLC in Atlanta on his very untimely passing on July 31. As a Georgia State University College of Law classmate of Richard’s, I count myself among those personal friends. A Sandy Springs resident who was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 2001, Richard practiced real estate law throughout metro Atlanta and earned a well-deserved reputation as an attorney with exceptional intellect, unshakable ethics, a larger-than-life personality and a legacy of excellent professional service to his clients. Richard Shafritz will be missed and fondly remembered by his fellow members of the legal community. We appreciate his dedication and the many contributions he made during his career through his exemplary service to the public and justice system. Dawn M. Jones, president, State Bar of Georgia
Letter to the editor,
A discussion of Black Lives Matter with your son should start with a history lesson: African Americans fought, sacrificed and died for the democracy which Jews immigrated to their country, America, to enjoy. Though they fought and died for our democracy, African Americans have encountered oppression and bigotry in all forms for over 400 years. African Americans have fought for equality and inclusiveness long before Jews immigrated to their country. Racism, like anti-Semitism, tends to take the path of least resistance down to the ground! The virulent racist assault on America’s most patriotic citizens of color, Tamika Mallory, Rashida Tlaib, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Angela Davis, Linda Sarsour and others by insidious Jewish ingrates is unAmerican, unacceptable and obscene! Many Jews have virulently assaulted “Black Lives Matter.” Mort Klein ZOA, an immigrant, tweeted, “BlackLivesMatter is an antisemitic, Israel hating Soros funded racist extremist Israelophobic hate group.” And “BLM is a Jew hating, White hating, Israel hating, conservative Black hating, violence promoting dangerous Sores funded extremist group of haters.” A man (later identified as Abraham Knopfler) demanded that a New York City coffee shop take down a “BLACK LIVES MATTER” sign. He was refused service because he was not wearing a mask! Mr. Knopfier stated, “They have mattered pretty much. Black lives only matter when they’re killed by whites and not when they’re killed by blacks.” Caroline Glick, JNS (6-28-20) “The silent American Jews:” “So for BLM, anti-Semitism isn’t a bug. It is a feature. Hatred of Israel and the Jews is part of its DNA.” Americans are paying for Holocaust museums, for care for elderly Holocaust victims who placed their assets in foreign banks to avoided paying tax in America and so many more causes for Jews and Israel. Congress just passed a bill to give Israel a minimum of $38 billion over the next 10 years, despite current devastation to the U.S. economy. The bill passed by a voice vote without any discussion or debate of the largest such package in U.S. history, and without identifying the title. This looting of American tax dollars will constitute $7,000 per minute for the dysfunctional/terrorist/welfare state of Israel. Our tax dollars should be used for the people who earned those tax dollars, the American people, especially African Americans who are suffering the consequence of COVID-19 more than most and need our tax dollars far more than Israel. I notice that Jews are using the term “white privileged” more and more! There is an interesting article in atlantajewishtimes 12-19-16, “Are Jews White? It’s Complicated” by Dave Schechter. M. D. Block, La Jolla, Calif.
Letter to the editor,
I want to applaud Dave Schechter for his powerful article about addressing anti-Semitism: July 28, “Perdue Campaign Removes Ad Ossoff called ‘Anti-Semitic’” The article’s title speaks for itself about what this story will be focused on. I believe that Dave’s writing about addressing anti-Semitism is supposed to get readers acknowledging racism in politics today. With the 2020 election day only three months away, Georgia has become a battleground for the Senate. As a part of Generation Z, I am motivated more than ever to battle racial injustice and racism that is still alive in America. Politicians have used assumptions and stereotypes to make others feel inferior because of being taught it. Jon Ossoff, a Jewish candidate having his nose “manipulated to enlarge” it, will serve as a reputation of what his opponent’s party has become. When I was reading this article, I realized that a political party is just a basis of what a candidate runs on but running for office goes deeper than that. For example, I believe that 12 | AUGUST 31, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES
voters should not vote solely based on a political party, but on integrity, leadership, character and empathy. Those are the qualities I look for in a candidate. In June 2017, I created an iMovie for the Jon Ossoff campaign for U.S. Congress and it was able to exceed over 1,100 views on Facebook. My intention for creating the iMovie was to convince potential voters to elect Jon because of his plans to help affordable healthcare and Georgian families in need. I campaigned for him by drawing posters May 26, 2017, at Jon Ossoff outdoor rally and making posters for his campaign. and attending his rallies. Being a Jon supporter, it I was 14 and I remember asking him was disconcerting to see his beautiful Jewish culif he saw my iMovie. His response ture being used against him. was “yes” and that he enjoyed it. This article was a reminder to pay closer attention to candidates’ character and to never forget the “why” when running for office. Jon Ossoff knows his cause and it is to challenge corruption in Washington, D.C. I remember being 14, enthusiastically telling Jon my aspirations for running for Senate in the future and he thought that was amazing. He inspires me every day. Jon has always been a politician I look up to because of his character, morals and him as a person. Thank you, Dave, for shedding more light on anti-Semitism and the different forms it comes in. This article enlightened me to continue striving to achieve my dreams of being a U.S. Senator who will protect human rights from discrimination regardless of gender, race, LGBTQ+ and religion. Hopefully, your article inspires many to take action against hate towards certain communities. Ashleigh Ewald, Georgia
Letter to the editor,
The date is March 13, 2020. Everyone around the country is preparing for distance learning, thinking that it will last a few weeks. Little did I think that it would be the last time I would see my teachers and my friends for my junior year. The Class of 2020 got their proms and graduation parties taken away. I have several friends in the Class of 2020, and I know that they did not deserve what they got taken away from them. As a member of the Class of 2021, I ask myself “Will I even get to have a graduation?” I hope I do. “Will I get to have a graduation party?” I hope I do. My school year was already delayed by a week. I was happy about having an extra week of summer, but also disappointed that my senior year already got off to a rocky beginning. My school is doing a blended learning option, but I will be doing the in-person choice for now. I do feel hesitant going in person because I don’t know what could happen. I am disappointed that my senior year will not be as normal as other senior years prior to COVID-19. My senior year will be a historic one for many reasons, but what I will do is make my senior year the best that it will be. My school has implemented rules such as having lunch outside, requiring masks, and enforcing social distancing as much as possible. They also are requiring every student to bring their own water bottle instead of using the water fountains in the hallway. Luckily, I go to a private school with less than 300 kids. But seeing pictures of a crowded hallway at North Paulding High School in Dallas, Ga., and the senior girls’ picture at Etowah High School in Woodstock, Ga., made me feel glad I don’t go to a public school. The smaller the environment, the safer I feel, but I still take precautions seriously. What I am most upset about is that I will have to leave my friends in a year. I grew up with a lot of them, and we had so many memories together. Will I even get to say goodbye? I’m praying that I do. Being a Jewish high school student during coronavirus is also going to be difficult in terms of observing Yom Kippur and being a part of the world’s largest Jewish youth group, BBYO. I have observed Yom Kippur every year since fourth grade, but last year was the first time I actually went to synagogue for Yom Kippur. Now, I have to do Zoom services. In other news, my youth group, BBYO, is having almost everything online at the moment. Virtual conventions, programs, etc. Our biggest gathering of the year is the international convention with more than 5,000 teens usually in attendance. It was scheduled to take place in Philadelphia over President’s Day weekend, but Philadelphia is now prohibiting all major gatherings until the end of February 2021. I am keeping my hopes high for everything that a senior should have, but ultimately, we will have to see what happens. Perry Schwartz, Atlanta
