Atlanta Jewish Times, Vol. XCI No. 50, December 23, 2016

Atlanta VOL. XCI NO. 50

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DECEMBER 23, 2016 | 23 KISLEV 5777

Chag Sameach Happy Chanukah

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DECEMBER 23 â–ª 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INSIDE THE AJT NO HITLER

SWEET TREATS

Donald Trump far from the Fuhrer and might be good for Israel, journalist Eldad Beck says. Page 11

Don’t lose your head spinning around in search of sufganiyot; just follow our guide.

Page 46

SHAMEFUL For all the talk of “never again,” we’ve simply watched the slaughter in Syria.

Page 12

LITMUS TEST A local organizer of the #JewishResistance rally says it’s a mistake to reject diverse views on Israel. Page 16

LIBATIONS See what Robbie Medwed recommends to help wash down all that fried food.

Page 51

LAST LIGHT

Shai Robkin was healthy enough, so he was happy to donate a kidney to a woman he didn’t know. Page 20

COMMUNITY SPIRIT Judy Marx is building a new set of bridges as the head of Interfaith Community Initiatives. Page 22

STEADY HAND A non-Jewish director has stabilized Berman Commons — and is getting closer to gefilte fish. Page 24

SATURDAY SHOWS The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival explains its decision to add Shabbat afternoon screenings. Page 26

8TH CRAZY NIGHT When the eighth candle coincides with New Year’s Eve, here’s how to celebrate in style.

Page 28

CHAI-LIGHTS The fifth night of Chanukah marks the fourth year of Jewish Heritage Night with the Hawks. Page 37

President Obama celebrates Elie Wiesel and Shimon Peres at his last White House Chanukah parties. Page 54

NEWLYWEDS Find out what to expect if you’re one of the lucky ones selected for Honeymoon Israel. Page 62 On the cover: Our 2016 AJT Chanukah Art Contest winner, created by Ari Gordon. Meet the artist. Page 38

INDEX Ma Tovu �������������������������������� 4 Calendar ������������������������������� 6 Candle Lighting ������������������ 6 Israel News �������������������������� 8 Opinion ������������������������������ 12 Local News ������������������������� 20 Arts ��������������������������������������26 Chanukah ��������������������������28 Simchas ������������������������������ 56 Education ��������������������������� 58 Home ���������������������������������� 60 Travel ��������������������������������� 62 Sports ���������������������������������� 68 Obituaries ��������������������������� 71 Marketplace ���������������������� 72 Crossword �������������������������� 74

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

GIFT OF LIFE

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MA TOVU

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Basking in the Light Of Many Traditions

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In 1777, the first night of Chanukah fell, as it does this year, on Dec. 24. But American Jews, few in number though they were, were not worrying about Chrismukah. They had bigger things on their minds.

There was war all around them.

The colonists had taken on the British and were battling for survival.

On one particularly cold piece of land in Pennsylvania, there was talk of mutiny among the revolutionary forces. There was barely enough food to eat or materials to clothe and house the ragtag assembly of men.

On Christmas Eve, as Gen. George Washington walked among his troops, he came across a soldier who had two small lights burning. When Washington inquired as to the nature of the flames, the Jewish soldier told him of the few Maccabees, their fight against the mighty Greek empire and the miracle of Chanukah.

Faced with his own bleak military prospects and supplies that might not last until they could be replenished, Washington took comfort in the Chanukah story, seeing in it a sign of hope for all Americans.

Though Chanukah did coincide with Christmas the year that Washington and his forces camped at Valley Forge, which did likely include some Jewish men, there is debate as to whether this encounter took place.

But that does not diminish the larger truth.

This story places American Jews in the central creation narrative of the United States. It fuses the American story with the narrative of the Jewish people: chosen people shedding light onto the nation, bringing hope into dark places.

It reminds us of the universal power of our unique Jewish story.

This is the power of the Jewish experience in America. In this country, which celebrates diversity, we have been able to bring who we are into the collective space and share it to help drive away the darkness.

My son the Army cadet is proud to ask for kosher Army meals; after all, religious freedom is what they are fighting for.

In Billings, Mont., in 1993, the good people of the town gathered together against white supremacists who were

attacking Native Americans, blacks and Jews. They fought back by placing paper menorahs in the windows of businesses, churches and homes. The Jewish custom of publicizing the Chanukah miracle became, as Washington predicted, an American miracle.

Taking Root

By Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder rabbiruth@gmail.com

In ancient times there was debate as to how to light the Chanukah menorah. Rabbi Shammai said to start with eight candles and take one away each day. Rabbi Hillel said to start with one and each day add another.

The 19th century Iraqi Rabbi Yosef Chayim said Shammai’s approach represents bravery. By contrast, Rabbi Chayim said, Hillel’s approach is one of chesed, loving kindness.

Explains Sephardic Torah scholar Tamar Zaken: Shammai implies we must be brave and start with a big blaze. With Hillel, Zaken says, one act of bringing light into the world inspires another and so on, so that what starts out small eventually grows big.

The custom developed according to the view of Hillel. We start with one and every day light one more. Or, as we read in Wisdom of the Ancestors, another ancient Jewish book of wisdom, one good deed begets another.

Every culture, every race, every religion has light to offer. In a world that so often seems dark, we need to find and build light wherever it is. We can find it often in our own traditions, but, as in the story of George Washington, sometimes, in dark moments, inspiration and hope can come from a tradition not our own.

For that to happen, we must recognize the light that emanates from all traditions. When we stay in our own circles of light, we are limited in what we can see and do. When we combine our light, building by one light at a time, we can brighten the darkest places with hope and possibility.

In 2016, as in 1777, Chanukah and Christmas coincide. In the light of our celebrations, within our own holidays, let us also look to the light and inspiration of those who celebrate differently because we are all Americans. ■

MA TOVU

New Year’s Messages lunar, Rosh Hashanah wanders a certain amount over time before and after Sept. 22.

According to the Mishnah, Judaism has four New Year’s Days: the civil new year on Rosh Hashanah; the festival new year, which falls in the spring right before Passover and close to the vernal equinox; the new year for the tithing of cattle, which takes place

Guest Column

By Rabbi Richard Baroff

in the late summer; and the birthday of the trees, Tu B’Shevat, which falls either in January or February (it starts Friday night, Feb. 10, in the coming year).

Based on the Hebrew calendar adopted during the Babylonian exile in the sixth century B.C.E., the Jewish New Year’s Days fall as follows: • Rosh Hashanah takes place in Tishri, which is both the first month (in the civil calendar) and the seventh month (in the religious calendar).

• Nisan is the spring month during which the civil calendar commences.

• The new year for cattle tithing takes place during Elul, the month right before Tishri.

• Tu B’Shevat takes place on the 15th day of the month of Shevat and is also called Chamisha asar bishvat.

None of those Jewish New Year’s Days is a cause for revelry. Rosh Hashanah, being the day of judgment, is a somber day.

But the secular new year is party time (not for me, but for many). Leave it to the Romans — any chance for a party.

The Chinese, of course, would go on to have parades replete with dragon kites and fireworks.

The early Americans would be particularly raucous on New Year’s Day, with lots of drinking and even shooting (into the air, Baruch HaShem).

On Rosh Hashanah, Jews say, “L’shana tova” — for a good year.

But on New Year’s Eve we say in Yiddish, “A glikhlikn nay yor” — literally, happy new year.

So for 2017: A glikhlikn nay yor! ■ Rabbi Richard Baroff is the head of Guardians of the Torah.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Janus was the two-headed god who stood over the doorways of the Romans and of the ancient natives of Italy even before the Romans. The month of January is named for him.

January has become the first month of the year in the West and in most of the world. When did that happen, and why?

January became the first month under the calendar of Julius Caesar. Janus’ two heads seemed to be looking both forward and back in time, towards the past and to the future. It seemed natural for the Romans that January should be the first month.

But the date the new year started was Jan. 14, not Jan. 1.

Jan. 1 became New Year’s Day only when the Gregorian calendar came to be in the late 16th century. For the English-speaking folks in the United Kingdom and in her colonies, the Gregorian calendar was not adopted until the middle of the 18th century, not long before the American Revolution.

Any calendar would logically have to have a day starting the new year, and that being so, many civilizations have felt compelled to celebrate it. They include the Egyptians and the Babylonians, the Persians and the Chinese, the Greeks and the Romans, the Muslims and of course the Jews.

But when the new year should begin is not obvious at all.

Many cultures felt compelled to start the year on the winter or summer solstice. The solstice is that time of the year when the sun is farthest from Earth’s equator. One effect is that on the summer solstice the daylight is longest in the Northern Hemisphere, and on the winter solstice the daylight is shortest.

The winter solstice takes place on or near Dec. 22; the summer solstice is on or close to June 21. During this time the sun appears not to move in the sky.

It is not a coincidence that Christmas occurs close to the winter solstice.

Other cultures commence the year during the autumnal or spring equinox.

On the equinox the daylight is exactly half the 24-hour day. March 22 is the vernal equinox, and Sept. 22 is the fall equinox.

The Jewish New Year’s Day, Rosh Hashanah, may have been situated near the autumnal equinox. But because the Jewish calendar is mostly

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Contributors This Week

RABBI RUTH ABUSCH-MAGDER MARITA ANDERSON • BOB BAHR RABBI RICHARD BAROFF APRIL BASLER • SHELLY DANZ SKYE ESTROFF • YONI GLATT JORDAN GORFINKEL • ELI GRAY R.M. GROSSBLATT • JOSH JACOBS MARCIA CALLER JAFFE MITCHELL KAYE • HAROLD KIRTZ BENJAMIN KWESKIN BONNIE LEVINE • BEVERLY LEVITT

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Magic show. Howie “the Great” Marmer performs for the Edgewise Speaker Series at the Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, at 10:30 a.m., with coffee and treats provided by Huntcliff Summit. Admission is free for JCC members, $5 for others; matureadults@ atlantajcc.org or 678-812-3861.

Vayeishev Friday, Dec. 23, light candles at 5:16 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 24, Shabbat ends at 6:15 p.m.

Miketz Friday, Dec. 30, light candles at 5:20 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 31, Shabbat ends at 6:20 p.m.

Vayigash Friday, Jan. 6, light candles at 5:26 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 7, Shabbat ends at 6:25 p.m.

SATURDAY, DEC. 24

Latkes and Vodkas. City Winery Atlanta, 650 North Avenue, Suite 201, Midtown, gets Chanukah started at 6 p.m. with music by Sammy Rosenbaum, a latke bar and plenty of libations in a benefit for the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival. Tickets are $15; citywinery. com/atlanta.

Chinese dinner. Congregation Shaarei Shamayim, 1600 Mount Mariah Road, Toco Hills, offers a Chinese dinner for the first night of Chanukah at 7 p.m.

RSVP to 404-417-0472 or mkunis@ shaareishamayim.com.

Chinese and Chanukah. The Sixth Point’s Latkes & Lo Mein event offers dinner, drinks and games at 7:30 p.m. at the Ashford Creek Clubhouse, 3600 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Brookhaven.

Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door; thesixthpoint.org.

GozaPalooza. The Goza Tequila-sponsored Christmas Eve young-adult party starts at 9 p.m. at Park Tavern, 500 10th St., Midtown. Tickets are $20 in advance or $35 at the door; www.facebook.com/events/593279310870704.

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DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

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Chanukah celebration. Chabad of Cobb, 4450 Lower Roswell Road, East Cobb, provides a dairy buffet, fried foods, music, a menorah lighting, a grand dreidel game and activities for the kids at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 for adults, $10 for children; www.chabadofcobb.com.

Jamming. Ahavath Achim Synagogue, 600 Peachtree Battle Ave., Buckhead, hosts J-Jam with Tony Levitas & the Levitations at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door; aasynagogue.org or gadler@aasynagogue.org.

J-Link event. J-Link, creating social experiences for Jews in their 30s and 40s, gathers at Cypress Street Pint and Plate, 817 W. Peachtree St., Midtown, at 9 p.m. Free admission; www.facebook. com/events/1047442408700508.

SUNDAY, DEC. 25

Pinch Hitter Program. B’nai B’rith organizes the volunteer program to enable Christians working at medical facilities to have Christmas off. Sign up at

www.pinchhitters.org; call Harry Lutz at 770-392-1175 with questions.

Golf cart parade. Chabad of Peachtree City is holding a menorah golf cart parade at 3:30 p.m. before a grand menorah lighting, hot latkes and doughnuts, face painting, and crafts at City Hall, 151 Willowbend Road, Peachtree City.

Free; www.chabadsouthside.com or shternie@chabadsouthside.com.

Grand menorah lighting. Chabad Intown celebrates with all the trimmings at the corner of Virginia and Highland avenues in Virginia-Highland at 3:30 p.m. Free (children who register in advance get a gift); www.chabadintown. org/chanukah or 404-898-0434.

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

Find more events at atlantajewishtimes.com/events-calendar.

Remember When

10 years ago Dec. 22, 2006 ■ Former President Jimmy Carter released an open letter to American Jews in which he explained but did not apologize for the title and content of his book “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid.” He boasted of signing more than 100,000 books and doing more than 100 media interviews on his book tour, although he has not responded to AJT requests.

■ Dr. Paul and Debbie Barry of Greensboro, N.C., announce the engagement of daughter Lisa Rachel to David Scott Frist, son of Dr. Brian and Eve Frist of Atlanta.

25 Years Ago Dec. 27, 1991 ■ Jews in two metro communities have taken preliminary

steps to create synagogues: a second Reform congregation in Gwinnett County and the first Orthodox shul in Dunwoody.

Organizers of the Dunwoody effort have met more than half a dozen times the past four months.

■ Mary Francell-Sharfstein and Howard Sharfstein of Dunwoody announce the birth of a daughter, Clara Emily, on Oct. 2.

50 Years Ago Dec. 23, 1966 ■ Congregation Beth Jacob and Congregation Shearith Israel were defaced by swastikas this week. One night after a single swastika was painted at Shearith Israel, two smeared swastikas appeared on Beth Jacob.

■ Elizabeth Ann Montjoy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chalmers James Montjoy of Greenwood, S.C., became the bride of Charles Barry Mendelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Israel Mendelson of Surfside, Fla., on Dec. 17 at The Temple.

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CALENDAR Family Fun Day. The Marcus JCC, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody, is open to the community with movies, inflatables and other child-focused activities from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and with athletic facilities open to all from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free; www.atlantajcc.org or 678812-4173 (Jessica Dickson).

MONDAY, DEC. 26

Vacation play. Chabad of North Fulton’s Middle School Club, for fifth to eighth grades, meets at Main Event, 10700 Davis Drive, Alpharetta, from 4 to 7 p.m. Unlimited play is $10.95; admin@chabadnf.org or 770-410-9000.

Grand menorah lighting. Chabad Intown holds a Chanukah celebration with all the trimmings at Decatur Square in downtown Decatur at 6 p.m.

Free (children who register in advance get a gift); www.chabadintown.org/ chanukah or 404-898-0434.

www.chabadintown.org/chanukah or 404-898-0434.

Hawks game. The fourth annual Jewish Heritage Night is against the New York Knicks at Philips Arena, with a menorah lighting at 7 p.m. and tipoff at 7:30. Tickets start at $37; hawks.com/ JewishHeritageNight.

THURSDAY, DEC. 29

Vodka & Latkes. The Marcus JCC’s young-adult Chanukah party is at 7 p.m. at Big Sky Buckhead, 3201 Cains Hill Place. Tickets are $15 for JCC members and $20 for others; www.atlantajcc. org/pldb-live/vodka-latkes-2016-34076.

FRIDAY, DEC. 30

Menorah lighting. Congregation Ner

Tamid holds a Chanukah menorah lighting and service, with music, food and other fun, at 6:30 p.m. in Glover Park at Marietta Square. Free; www. mynertamid.info.

SUNDAY, JAN. 8

Hadassah kickoff. World affairs columnist Frida Ghitis speaks about “Emerging Challenges and the Need for Innovative, Collaborative Strategies” at Hadassah Greater Atlanta’s first event of the year, including the board installation, at 10:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s at Perimeter Mall, 4400 Ashford-Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody. Tickets are $39; RSVP with a check payable to Hadassah by Dec. 28 to Hadassah Hub: Super South, 47 Perimeter Center East, Suite 210, Atlanta, GA 30346. Information at www.

hadassah.org/atlanta.

Bearing Witness. Holocaust survivor Helen Weingarten, from Romania, shares her experiences, including Ausch­witz and slave labor, at 2 p.m. at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown. Free; www.thebreman.org or 678-222-3700.

THROUGH FEB. 26

Art exhibit. The first part of “Atlanta Collects,” showing art from private collections in Jewish Atlanta, is on display at the Breman Museum, 1440 Spring St., Midtown, until Feb. 26. Museum admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and educators, $4 for ages 3 to 6; www.thebreman.org or 678222-3700.

TUESDAY, DEC. 27

Community party. Temple Beth Tikvah, 9955 Coleman Road, Roswell, hosts a family Chanukah party co-sponsored

by Temple Kol Emeth, Temple Kehillat Chaim, Congregation Etz Chaim, Chabad of Cobb, Federation, the Marcus JCC, InterfaithFamily/Atlanta, the Atlanta Jewish Music Festival and the PJ Library at 6:30 p.m. Free; RSVPs appreciated to swyatt@jewishatlanta.org or 404-870-1625.

Grand menorah lighting. Chabad Intown holds a Chanukah celebration on the green at Atlantic Station, Midtown, at a time to be announced. Free (children who register in advance get a gift); www.chabadintown.org/chanukah or 404-898-0434.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 28

Grand menorah lighting. Chabad Intown holds a Chanukah celebration at the city green in Avondale Estates at a time to be announced. Free (children who register in advance get a gift);

An article Dec. 16 on Christoph Rueckel’s appearance at Ahavath Achim Synagogue on Dec. 11 incorrectly described his Atlanta office. Rueckel, a partner in the German law firm Rueckel & Collegen, sometimes works in Atlanta from the offices of BridgehouseLaw, an international alliance of law firms. Also, membership in the organization sponsoring his appearance, Eternal-Life Hemshech (eternallifehemshech.org), is open to anyone, not just Holocaust survivors and their descendants.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Corrections & Clarifications

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ISRAEL NEWS

Israel Pride: Good News From Our Jewish Home New Technion cancer center. Israel has inaugurated the Technion Integrated Cancer Center in Haifa. The center is a first-of-its kind hub for global cancer research and is meant to expedite the discovery of diagnostic tools and treatments through a collaborative “benchto-bedside” approach.

1,000 defibrillators. In what may be the largest purchase of defibrillators ever in Israel, volunteer emergency medical service United Hatzalah recently purchased 1,000 defibrillators — one for each of its volunteers. The goal is for no one in Israel to die from a treatable cardiac arrest.

O, Christmas tree. Jerusalem has continued its tradition of distributing free Christmas trees to the capital’s Christian residents. The municipality was set to pass out 150 trees at the Jaffa Gate Plaza upon presentation of a valid ID card Tuesday, Dec. 20. Christian areas will be decorated and assistance given for fairs and other celebrations.

Christmas tourists. Israel’s Tourism Ministry expects around 120,000 tourists in December, half of whom are Christian. On Dec 24, the ministry will offer a free shuttle for pilgrims traveling between Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Tourists and pilgrims at Rachel’s Crossing will be greeted with a small gift.

Coke bottle that takes a photo of the drinker. The novel device easily attaches to a half-liter Coke bottle. It senses the exact moment the bottle reaches a 70 degree tilt, the ideal angle for taking selfies, before snapping a photo.

Photo of the Week

A Menorah Smokey Bear Would Love

Daniel Ben Hemo, 16, has the honor of lighting the first candle on the rooftop chanukiah at Boys Town Jerusalem after the 11th-grader was one of the youngest firefighters involved in battling the recent outbreak of wildfires in Israel. He has been a volunteer firefighter for two years through Boys Town’s community service program. The school’s rooftop menorah is particularly appealing for a firefighter because it doesn’t use open flames. Instead, it is powered by solar panels on the roof. “It was exciting and exhausting for me to be able to join the first responders, but I’m most grateful that I witnessed a modern-day miracle in that no lives were lost in Israel’s most destructive fire in history,” Daniel said. “Chanukah is especially meaningful for me this year, for sure.”

Nevada’s safe water bet. Nevada’s WaterStart public-private joint venture and Israel’s National Technological Innovation Authority have signed a memorandum of understanding on water-use innovation to pave the way for Israeli water companies to set up facilities in the arid state of Nevada.

Israel is the world leader in water technology and recycling, reusing 87 percent of its waste water for agriculture.

More water for Jordan. Israel’s national water carrier, Mekorot, is planning to build a pipeline from the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) to Jordan. It will provide Jordan more than 26.4 billion gallons of water a year, roughly double the current flow to the kingdom.

A Coke bottle that takes a selfie. CocaCola Israel and Tel Aviv-based creative agency Gefen Team have designed a

Robotic cleaning for India. Herzliyabased Eccopia will install its waterfree, robotic solar panel cleaning system at the 25,000-acre, 2,255-megawatt Bhadla Solar Park, being constructed in Rajasthan, India. Dust storms reduce solar panel efficiency by 40 percent. The Eccopia system will also save over 400 million gallons of water.

Jaffa’s sultan of clock. Tel Aviv has restored the original marble seal of Sultan Abd al-Hamid II on the landmark 1903 Jaffa Clock Tower. The seal was one of four on the structure and the only one that survived 113 years. In 2001, three glass replicas were installed to replace the lost marble plaques.

Jerusalem Monopoly. A Jerusalem version of the board game Monopoly is being launched. Jerusalem Monopoly will be in stores in time for the 50th anniversary of the reunification of the city in the spring, if not in time for Chanukah shopping.

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

Rabbis Are Links for the Connection to Israel

By Rabbi Ellen Nemhauser Center for Israel Education

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

“We experience exile and mediocrity because we do not proclaim the value and wisdom of the land of Israel. … We must tell and proclaim to the entire world the land’s glory and its beauty, its holiness and its honor,” said Rav Abraham Isaac Kook, the Ashkenazi chief rabbi during the British Mandate Palestine.

For rabbis, the task of teaching and telling the story of the Jewish people is an inextricable part of our job.

Rabbinic school includes the study of ancient through modern Jewish history, although sometimes not as much about Israel as we could have learned.

All history is revisionist history, and rabbis, like all of us, must find reliable material to remain current. This is especially true today.

Teaching Zionism (past and present) is challenging, sometimes to the 8 point that rabbis avoid discussing or

teaching Israel. The Center for Israel Education is helping rabbis talk about Israel while avoiding polarization.

Recent experience with rabbis shows that teaching contemporary matters in historical context and through a broad lens deepens their personal knowledge. Through interactive teaching tools, they can impart this deeper knowledge to their constituents.

Seven months ago, CIE launched a rabbinic seminar initiative to offer days of study to rabbis from a variety of religious backgrounds. At these seminars across North America, we unwrap documents and texts most had not seen. Participants tease out concepts and realities that frame such troubling issues as settlements, the territories, land for peace, the absence of negotiations and the U.S.-Israeli relationship.

We pay particular attention to providing content that can match the myriad needs of rabbis: sermons, classrooms, youth encounters, bulletin ar-

ticles or leadership meetings.

Through primary sources, CIE can better illustrate the emergence of varying Zionist ideologies as the modern state was imagined, built and continues to develop. Studying diverse viewpoints about what Zionism is from the 1890s demonstrates that the historical debate is not terribly dissimilar from discussions about what the Zionist state should be today.

We include liturgy, poetry, song, personal letters, diary entries and editorials in our seminars. When rabbis can access Zionist themes and readings, they feel a sense of ownership over a topic. They find these materials and many more on the CIE website (www.israeled.org) even after our day of study concludes. We also connect all our seminar participants through social media for further discussion and support.

Our interactive meetings have exposed the common difficulty rabbis face with teenage students as they pre-

pare for college: How should a rabbinic leader help students and parents approach boycott, divestment and sanctions encounters and other anti-Zionist propaganda?

Can one parse anti-Semitism from either anti-Zionism or anti-Israelism?

Is BDS really about only the territories, or is it about Israel’s existence?

The use of actual case studies revealing incidents students have encountered at colleges opens realistic conversations.

We have traveled to Toronto, San Antonio and Austin, Long Island, Chicago, and Miami and connected with more than 70 rabbis.

The feedback is positive; rabbis are eager to use the resources we provide in person and on the CIE website to find ways they can amplify their engagement with Israel. ■ Rabbi Ellen Nemhauser is the rabbinic fellow at the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org).

ISRAEL NEWS

The famous Jewish National Fund blue boxes existed only because of an impassioned speech by Theodor Herzl on Dec. 29, 1901.

Items provided by the Center for Israel Education (www.israeled.org), where you can find more details.

Dec. 23, 1789: After the French Revolution and the Aug. 26, 1789, Declaration of the Rights of Man, the issue of Jewish rights, including citizenship, is debated in the French National Assembly for three days with no conclusion.

Dec. 24, 1969: Israel smuggles out of Cherbourg, France, five Sa’ar-class missile boats that Israel had commissioned but that France had refused to deliver after the 1967 war. Relying on undercover teams sent to France to work in shipyards and a front shipping company the Mossad established to buy the boats, the tiny armada leaves France and arrives a week later in Haifa.

Dec. 25, 1918: Anwar Sadat is born into a family of 13 children in Mit Abu al-Kum, Egypt. Sadat is a member of the Free Officers movement that overthrows Egypt’s monarchy in 1952, and as Egypt’s president, he signs a historic peace agreement with Israel in 1979.

Dec. 26, 1864: Yehoshua Hankin, one of the most distinguished land purchasers of the Yishuv (Jewish settlements in Palestine), is born in Ukraine in 1864. Hankin makes aliyah to Israel with his father in 1882.

Dec. 27, 2008: After nearly 12,000 rockets are fired from the Gaza Strip into Israeli civilian areas over eight years, Israel responds by launching Operation Cast Lead.

Dec. 28, 1917: British Gen. Edmund Allenby appoints Ronald Storrs the military governor of Jerusalem.

Dec. 29, 1901: At the Fifth Zionist Congress, after the delegates again vote to table the idea of a national fund, Theodor Herzl delivers an impassioned address urging them to act immediately. The motion to create the Jewish National Fund then passes by a vote of 105-82.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Today in Israeli History

9

ISRAEL NEWS

275 Miles, Plenty of Views Morris L. Maslia captained the JNF-Atlanta team in November’s five-day Israel Ride, which raised money for the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and Hazon. Maslia chronicled the ride and some of the preparations at atlantajewishtimes.com (search for his name or Israel Ride). His team in the Tzofim group (the middle of the three difficulty levels) rode about 275 miles from Jerusalem to Eilat.

Here are some of the photos Maslia brought home from the trip. ■

Riders await the start of their bicycle journey.

The Tzofim riders average about 55 miles a day.

Atlantans Morris Maslia and Alan Lubel make a friend on the trip.

Team JNF-Atlanta takes a break.

Morris Maslia visits the tomb of David Ben-Gurion.

Not all the inhabitants along the way are human.

Morris Maslia celebrates the end of the ride in Eilat.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

The Israeli staffers are a crucial element in making the ride a success.

10

In case you had doubts that the Negev is a bit arid.

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

ISRAEL NEWS

Journalist: No Comparison Between Trump, Hitler

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com Comparing Donald Trump to Adolf Hitler has become a popular thing to do.

People have noted, for instance, that just as the president-elect was named Time Magazine’s Person of the Year this month, so Hitler received the same distinction in 1938, less than a year before he invaded Poland and started the Second World War. Intellectuals such as Noam Chomsky have spoken out to make the comparison.

Chomsky equated watching the election results come in on Nov. 8, the night Trump won the presidency, to his feelings after listening to Hitler’s Nuremberg rallies as a boy.

Eldad Beck has been the Berlinbased correspondent of Israeli daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth since 2002.

He has written a book, “Germany, at Odds,” which, among other things, questions whether Germany has truly confronted its past.

Beck was in Atlanta in early De-

Eldad Beck speaks about anti-Semitism in Germany during a visit to Congregation B’nai Torah in January. Beck says Donald Trump will be better for the United States and Israel than Hillary Clinton would have been as president.

cember to speak about his book and stopped by the AJT offices, so we asked the veteran journalist what he thinks of the Trump-Hitler comparison.

“I’ve been confronted with members of Jewish communities in America comparing the situation here now to Germany of the 1930s,” Beck said. “I really can hardly understand what is behind these comparisons.

“There is absolutely no comparison whatsoever between Hitler’s as-

cension to power and the democratic election of Trump. I think once people would start seeing the global context of things it would calm them down.”

Beck, who visited Atlanta and spoke to the AJT before Trump announced bankruptcy lawyer David Friedman as his pick for ambassador to Israel, sees what is happening in America with the election of Trump as part of a larger phenomenon in the Western world. He said the gap between populations and political elites has become “extremely large.”

As a result, the anti-establishment movement that helped elect Trump is not unique to America. And although some see the movement as anti-Jewish, it isn’t, Beck said.

“In America, not so much as in Europe,” he said. “The Jews are very much integrated into the establishment. So I could understand that the anti-establishment movement could be interpreted by some as anti-Jewish.

But the reaction shouldn’t be panic or fantasies of an American holocaust, but trying to understand what’s going on and trying to communicate with changing realities.”

NOW OPEN

The Israeli journalist did say, however, that the campaign Trump ran and his surprise election led to an increase in the flow of radical ideas and opinions.

“It is undeniable that the Trump phenomenon has freed some genies from the bottle,” Beck said. “People that felt unfree to voice their radical opinions before do so very openly now.”

But despite a slight rise in anti-establishment feelings, Beck believes that Trump will be a better American president for Israel and the Middle East than Hillary Clinton would have been.

“Let’s say that Clinton would have been elected,” he said. “I’m not so sure that she would have been able to ignore the growing voices that are extremely anti-Israeli. I’m not saying that she would have had an anti-Israeli policy, but I’m saying that she would not have been able to ignore it.

“One has to hope that Trump would seize the golden opportunity that he was given with the majority in both houses and in the coming years would enable America to change course and improve their stature in the entire Middle East.” ■

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Happy Chanukah 11

OPINION

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

Our View

Syrian Shame

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

History is a dangerous but inevitable guide through the ebb and flow of the Jewish calendar.

Each Passover, we examine the state of IsraeliEgyptian relations, worry about the latest exodus of refugees from war-torn regions and wonder about our contemporaries who are enslaved.

At Purim, we fret about the modern incarnation of the Persian Empire, Iran, and its ambitions.

In the run-up to Tisha B’Av, we ask ourselves whether Jewish disunity is again leading to our doom.

In the Chanukah season, as we recall a brutal Hellenistic Syrian dictator, Antiochus IV, and the brave few who fought for freedom, we can’t help but turn to the Syrian dictator of today, Bashar al-Assad, who is raising the bar for modern anti-rebel brutality.

After more than five years of war, at least half a million Syrians are dead. Millions of others have been wounded, displaced or both.

We can wish that a Syrian version of Judah Maccabee would emerge, Assad has the limitless support of a Russian military that seems determined to create fear and to have forgotten its own lessons from Afghanistan. Besides, the cost of the Maccabees’ battlefield success was the unleashing of Jewish intolerance and religious oppression, a scary precedent for any anti-Assad leader, for whom success could launch the next Islamic State-type regime.

That terrorist possibility has driven President Barack Obama’s Syria policy; as a result, he has led this nation and the Western world into one of history’s most dangerous traps.

If it’s true that those who fail to remember history are doomed to repeat it — a theory that Vladimir Putin’s Russia seems determined to test — it’s also true that those too wary of repeating history are bound to be trapped by their own fears in the destruction of inaction.

Obama was right to be wary of committing warweary Americans to further fighting in the Middle East. Perhaps, as he asserted in his valedictory press conference Friday, Dec. 16, the long-term national security position for the United States will be stronger because he resisted the appeal of a humanitarian mission, regardless of what emerges in Syria (from Russian or Iranian puppet regime to Cambodianstyle killing fields to terrorist superstate).

But our inaction stains us. Obama’s error in bluffing over a meaningless red line — chemical weapons are horrible, but 500,000 people can be slaughtered by conventional bullets and bombs — emboldened Russia and Iran and empowered Assad. We as a nation have compounded that error by operating as if we have only two options: pointless diplomacy or hopeless war.

We as Americans are not the world’s police, but we once carried a moral authority that justified our superpower status in the world. George W. Bush undermined that position with too much aggression; Obama perhaps has destroyed what was left through too much caution.

Regardless, as Jews and Americans, we now carry the shame of declaring “never again,” then standing aside and shrugging while the slaughter of innocents 12 did happen again. ■

Cartoon by Yaakov Kirschen, Dry Bones

2 Years in, We’re Getting There The Chanukah bazaar at Congregation Or Vea hard question in part because I don’t spend much Shalom may be my favorite Atlanta Jewish event. time with the business numbers, from circulation to I took a few minutes at the bazaar Sunday, Dec. ad sales. I have my hands full with editorial opera11, to sit at a table, drink a Coke and take it all in. You tions, and in Michael Morris and Associate Publisher often hear about the excellent Sephardic food at the Kaylene Ladinsky, the AJT has the right people on OVS bazaar, and it the business side. shouldn’t be missed.

How the newspaper is doing But I didn’t eat also is a complicated question in anything this year, this era of shrinking ad revenues, Editor’s Notebook helping me recogfalling trust in the media and

By Michael Jacobs nize that the true key rising intolerance for disagreemjacobs@atljewishtimes.com is the people — the ment. We need some basis of visitors as well as the comparison to judge whether members. we’re doing well, but what?

It was late in the day, so the crowd had thinned.

The print newspaper’s reach and relevance are But familiar faces were all around. feeble compared with the AJT of 25 years ago. But we Steve and Gita Berman were to the right. To the compare favorably with the AJT from a decade ago, left were OVS members Joel Marks, the Federation my first time as editor, and any time after that, and chairman, and Josiah Benator, the eternal Scout I like our paper better than most of the other Jewish master. Marcus JCC board Chair Joel Arogeti greeted weeklies I see. me at the door. I saw at least one vendor from my We’re not growing as fast in number of pages own Temple Kol Emeth, Debbie Antonoff, and others as I had hoped, and we need to implement some who had sold me goods before. new features, improve our calendar and make other Most people were smiling, and no one was arguchanges to avoid plateauing on editorial quality. ing or yelling. It was our Jewish community operatOur biggest weakness as an editorial team ing as a diverse, supportive whole. composed mostly of freelancers is that the two fullIt was fun and vibrant and crowded and positimers, myself and Associate Editor David R. Cohen, tive and hopeful. It’s what Jewish Atlanta always rarely have time to think strategically. We’re always should be. focused on finishing the next story and the next Chanukah created another one of those happy issue. community cross-sections the night before the OVS But all print numbers and the website metrics bazaar when Anshi Rabbi Mayer Freedman and his are just indicators; they’re not the ends. wife, Shani, had the neighborhood (defined very The OVS bazaar is a reminder that the AJT exists broadly) over for a pre-festival celebration. above all to create community, to be a place that inThose positive moments of realized communal forms and challenges and enables mostly respectful potential come to mind as the AJT completes Year 2 debate while serving as a reminder that we are and of Michael Morris’ ownership and my second stint must be one community. as editor. (We won’t have another paper until Jan. 6, How is the AJT doing? No better and no worse but we will keep updating the website.) than the Atlanta Jewish community, and that’s how People ask me how the newspaper is doing. It’s it should be. ■

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OPINION

Trump’s First Steps on Israel, Palestinians President-elect Donald Trump said during the campaign that he would “love” to broker a deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Although he has been advised by many experts that a deal might be impossible, can the “master dealmaker” make one?

More than 2,500 years ago, Chinese philosopher Laozi said, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

President Trump should take these first steps at the United Nations to facilitate a Mideast peace process: • Change the U.N. definition of a Palestinian refugee. Since time immemorial, refugees have been defined as people who were personally displaced outside their countries. The problem is eventually reduced as refugees are either resettled or pass away. This applies to every refugee group except the Palestinians.

The U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) says that every Arab descendant of 1948 refugees is himself a refugee. By this definition, the United Nations has exacerbated the problem. In 1950, there were about 750,000 Palestinian refugees; today the number is 5 million and growing.

By comparison, 850,000

Jews were forced to flee the Arab or Muslim world in 1948, and they have not been dependent on anyone for decades.

• Reform the refugee camps.

Many Palestinians live in squalid camps under the control and jurisdic-

Guest Column

By Mitchell Kaye

tion of their Arab brethren. There are eight such camps in Gaza, 19 in Judaea and Samaria, 13 in Syria, 12 in Lebanon, and 10 in Jordan. These Arab countries and governments deny the Palestinians many basic rights and government services, treating them as hostages and pawns to ferment anti-Israel violence and to perpetuate the false hope that one day they will return to their homes under the “right of return.”

That is a red herring, designed to continue condemnation of Israel and to divert attention from corrupt and dictatorial Arab regimes. Arabs and Muslims living in Israel have more rights and freedoms than in any other country in the Middle East. Their brethren need to give them respect,

dignity, the full rights of citizenship, and a chance for a better life, including an opportunity to resettle elsewhere.

• Insist the U.N.-funded textbooks do not demonize Israel and Jews. By controlling the textbooks, Palestinian leaders are poisoning the minds of future generations, inciting them to violence against Israel and making peace impossible.

Furthermore, no U.N. facility should be used as a staging area for military action or as a haven for terrorists. During the 2014 Gaza conflict, many of the 88 UNRWA schools were turned into military bases and arms depots, giving sanctuary behind the blue flag.

• Acknowledge that the two-state solution ingrained in public consciousness is a misnomer. What two states is it referring to? The West Bank is controlled by the secular Fatah, while Gaza is controlled by Islamic Hamas. They are bitter enemies. Will it be a two-state or a three-state solution?

The West Bank is landlocked with little industry and economic viability, dependent on Israel and Jordan. Under the British Mandate in 1923, Transjordan was partitioned with 75 percent for Palestinians and 25 percent for Jews. Their land was contiguous, unlike Gaza-West Bank geography today.

What Israelis Face as 2016 Winds Down

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

I woke up Thursday, Dec. 8, to find out that Israel had fired missiles at a military airport near Damascus, Syria. The week before, the first Israeli missiles were fired on the same target, with that information being a secret.

Avigdor Liberman, the defense minister, said the strikes were focused on Hezbollah. A veteran Israeli like myself wonders whether a war on our northern border is imminent.

A fascinating revelation was based on the results of a survey taken by the Israel Democracy Institute.

This is a body that is respected and is known to be quite honest in its collection and analysis of data.

The IDI found that 48 percent of Israeli Jews think that leftists are either “not so loyal” or “not loyal at all” to the state. Almost 55 percent of the Israelis polled said they “strongly agree” or “moderately agree” that 14 voicing criticism of the state at times

of tense security situations is “unacceptable.”

Guest Column

By David Geffen

The question of leftist loyalty is quite odd because 65 percent of Israel Defense Forces soldiers are not from the West Bank and not religious. We call them “good Israelis” and value their full commitment to Israeli society.

Participating in the survey were a representative sample of 500 Jews and 100 Arabs.

Also according to the survey, 40 percent of Israelis favor annexing the West Bank.

The most exciting news is that there will be funds from outside the country to assist Reform and Conser-

vative rabbis in this country.

“If the state of Israel won’t pay the salaries of certain denominations, then we will,” said a family from Livingston, N.J., Bill and Amy Lipsey and their daughter, Sarah, who want to provide a living wage to rabbis who are not eligible for state funding — a group that includes the vast majority of Reform and Conservative rabbis and liberal Orthodox rabbis today.

The Lipseys believe that they can help build and nurture alternative religious communities in Israel and thereby “push back against the dominance of Orthodoxy.”

Bill Lipsey established the Honey Foundation several years ago after living in Israel for a year. He learned how nearsighted the population of Israel was: Jewish citizens are Orthodox or are secular.

He has put several million dollars of his own money into the foundation, which already supports 30 Conservative rabbis and eight liberal Orthodox rabbis in Israel.

It didn’t work for East Pakistan and West Pakistan when they split from India in 1955. The Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 made that separation permanent.

Donald Trump understands that successful peace negotiations cannot be imposed from the outside but must be negotiated by the parties themselves.

For too long, the Palestinians have avoided direct contact with Israel, preferring to let the Quartet or United Nations try to squeeze Israel for concessions without having to give up anything in return.

The constant flow of anti-Israel resolutions at the United Nations, including UNESCO efforts to erase Jewish heritage sites, can point to only one conclusion: The United Nations has been a major impediment to peace.

Donald Trump, with the assistance of his U.N. ambassador nominee, Nikki Haley, has an opportunity to drain the swamp of the United Nations. Changing the U.N. mind-set and culture would be a great step toward peace. ■ Mitchell Kaye served five terms in the Georgia House of Representatives and led the local elected officials coalition for the Trump campaign in Georgia.

“Our stipend is meant to support not more than half of their salaries, but ideally we’d like it to be no more than a quarter,” Lipsey said. “This extra cushion is meant to help these rabbis remain fully committed to their congregational work and not have to moonlight to get through the month.”

The Jewish Federations of North America are fighting for Kotel rights for Conservative and Reform Jews and for women.

A foundation like the one created

by Lipsey is a grassroots project helping on the local level. I believe that Federations should give this project their full support. I hope they know about it.

Lastly, Israel has budgeted $36 million of taxpayer money to finance a four-year program for Jewish Israel educational programs in the Diaspora.

Two of the three groups that will do the work are part of the Chabad movement. Some Israelis believe that they can save world Jewry, and the government is letting them do it. ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

Speaking at Emory University a couple of years ago, playwright Alfred Uhry recalled that growing up in Atlanta in the 1940s, he was told, “We’re not white; we’re Jewish.”

At some point, Jews apparently became white.

Maybe it happened after World War II, as city-dwelling Jews joined the migration to the suburbs and assimilated further.

Maybe it happened as Jews were no longer viewed as victims but as the muscular defenders of a nation and then as occupiers.

Maybe it happened as other racial and ethnic groups invigorated self-identification.

Maybe it happened as the civil rights alliance between Jews and African-Americans frayed.

“Are Jews white?” is a hot topic.

Sara Weissman, the editor in chief of New Voices (“news and views of college Jews”), wrote that “the next generation of Jews is asking, ‘Are we white right now? And, if we’re not white in Trump’s America, what does that mean?’ ” Eric Goldstein, an associate professor of history at Emory University who wrote a book on the subject (“The Price of Whiteness”), is a prominent voice in The Atlantic’s treatment. “ ‘White’ is a kind of cultural construct — a way of thinking of yourself and a way that other people think about you,” he said. “Whiteness itself is a very fluid and contested category.”

Are Jewish and white mutually exclusive categories?

Jewish identity in the United States “is inherently paradoxical and contradictory. What you have is a group that was historically considered, and considered itself, an outsider group, a persecuted minority. In the space of two generations, they’ve become one of the most successful, integrated groups in American society — by many accounts, part of the establishment. And there’s a lot of dissonance between those two positions,” Goldstein said.

Beyond Judaism as a religion, are Jews a race? An ethnicity? A nation (small “n”)? A culture? All of these?

We all maintain multiple identities. I am, in no particular order (or, depending on the circumstances), a husband and father; a son, a brother and an uncle; a journalist; and a soccer fan. As well as an American by nationality, a Jew by religion and white

by pigmentation.

My European forebears make me Ashkenazi, “Judaism’s default setting in America,” as Sigal Samuel, the opinion editor of the Forward, called it.

According to the Pew Research Center’s 2013 study of American Jews, 94 percent described themselves as non-Hispanic whites, while 3 percent

From Where I Sit

By Dave Schechter dschechter@atljewishtimes.com

were Hispanic, 2 percent were black, and 2 percent were from other racial and ethnic backgrounds.

“Are Jews white?” means something different for those descended from the Mizrahi (the Jews of the Middle East) and the Sephardim (from the Iberian peninsula), as well as African-American, Asian-American and Latino Jews.

The white nationalists who used the election to tout their ideology certainly don’t regard Jews as their kind of white people.

Leo Frank was lynched in 1915 more for his religion than his skin color. The Temple bombing in 1958 sent a shiver through a community that tried to balance its Jewish identity with a desire for inclusion in white society.

“This is not merely a semantic issue,” Micha Danzig wrote in a column in the Forward. “Jews are not ‘white.’

We are a tribal people from the Levant.

Many of our people were forcibly exiled out of and into other nations, including in Europe, where we were taken in chains and often subjected to brutal and oppressive institutional racism based on our ethnicity, tribal affiliation, culture and faith.”

If Jews are not white, then what about the concept of “white privilege,” which asserts that skin color has bequeathed you privilege and protection, regardless of your family history or how you self-identify?

If Jews are white, what obligation do we have to acknowledge such privilege and take redemptive actions?

So are Jews white?

“There’s really no conclusion except that it’s complicated,” Goldstein said in The Atlantic.

Maybe we should go back to less complicated questions, such as “Who is a Jew?” ■

Dangerous Envoy Pick What? A bankruptcy lawyer?

A denier of a two-state solution? An accuser of Jews as worse than Nazi collaborators? As ambassador to Israel?

Donald Trump has confounded logic, protocol and any other standard you might expect from a new president. Is he blowing up the ship of state? Is he upending precedent just because he can, or does he have a grand playbook he is working from? And if it is a new playbook, what are his ultimate goals?

He is putting Goldman Sachs guys in charge of the economy after criticizing Goldman Sachs and blaming its executives for putting themselves above the rest of the country. He is placing climate deniers in charge of the Environmental Protection Agency and other critical agencies.

He is putting a foe of Obamacare and Medicare in charge of Health and Human Services. He is putting a friend of Putin’s in charge of the State Department and making a conspiracy theory tweeter his national security adviser. He is putting an opponent of public schools in charge of the Department of Education and placing neophytes at Housing and Urban Development and other agencies.

Is he telling them to operate opposite to what they have always believed?

Or are they likely to operate as foxes in charge of the henhouses?

To top it off, he has announced that his personal bankruptcy lawyer, who has never held a diplomatic position and never remotely been in a position to act like a diplomat, will be nominated as the ambassador to Israel.

David Friedman is a pleasant surprise to the far right in Israel because he has supported and raised money for the settler movement.

In a June essay for the pro-settler news site Arutz Sheva, Friedman wrote that liberal Jews such as J Street supporters are “far worse than kapos — Jews who turned in their fellow Jews in the Nazi death camps.”

Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) has cried out that “Mr. Friedman’s appointment is even more disturbing given his hateful rhetoric. … Using Nazi imagery, such as the term kapo — a reference to Jews who cooperated and/or assisted the Nazis during the Holocaust — when referring to Jews or Israel today, no matter the circumstance, is broadly deemed to be anti-Semitic and should be

condemned.” Nadler pointed out that with Friedman’s appointment, “Trump has continued the divisive politics that were regularly on display during his campaign.”

Even more problematically, Friedman is an advocate of a one-state solution. He believes that the two-state solution is a policy of no continuing

Guest Column

By Harold Kirtz

consequence.

With Trump as president and Friedman as ambassador, the Israeli government will be free to expand building within the boundaries of the existing settlements without the U.S. administration limiting its actions.

“We will now see the prime minister building more because he will no longer have the fear of consequences imposed by the United States,” the Zionist Organization of America’s Morton Klein said.

Trump has repeatedly said he is his own best adviser. He has admitted that he reads little. He has failed to follow the advice of those in positions to know. He is not even curious enough to get his daily intelligence briefings, or even weekly briefings.

It is one thing to listen to all the relevant information and advice and then follow a path of his own choosing. But he does not adequately inform himself and appears to offer simplistic solutions without any basis to believe they will work. That is a recipe for many potential disasters.

By selecting his personal bankruptcy attorney, Trump is playing with fire on his pick for Israeli ambassador.

The international community will blame Israel even more than it does now for conditions on the ground.

The principal cause of the IsraeliPalestinian conflict is the intransigence of the Palestinians in not accepting the existence of Israel as a Jewish state in the Middle East. We should work to place the onus on the Palestinians to act in a way that ensures a permanent, peaceful two-state solution to guarantee an Israel for future generations.

The appointment of a one-state advocate as ambassador makes that effort exponentially more difficult. The Senate should reject his nomination. ■ 15 DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

A Complicated Question

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

OPINION

Israel Litmus Test Entrenches Anti-Israel Narrative As one of the organizers for the IfNotNow Day of Jewish Resistance in Atlanta on Nov. 30, I was pleased with the AJT’s coverage of the event, which kept the umbrella organization and its mission in proper perspective.

I also appreciated Michael Jacobs’ column digging a little deeper into IfNotNow and most notably expressing that “every time a would-be #JewishResistance leader talks about Israeli oppression of the Palestinians … that movement loses Jewish support.”

This is a discussion absolutely critical to the Jewish community right now.

I consider myself a proud Zionist.

I once bought multiple copies of Alan Dershowitz’s “The Case for Israel” and gave them to people who started that discussion with me.

I believe that key Palestinian leadership wants to destroy Israel more than to create a Palestinian state and that placing the burden of peace on Israel in the midst of this reality is futile. I believe that the warped antiIsrael mainstream narrative is untrue and unfair, and its widespread nature in the international community and among progressives concerns me.

But recently the pro-Israel narrative is also increasingly warped. Israel seems to be a litmus test for every political issue, a shield to shut down much-needed discussion and a condition behind major donor funding. It is used both to defend abhorrent views and candidates and to distance Jews from important views and candidates with which we would otherwise align.

As Jews, we are expected to “BDS” everyone who supports BDS and may be shamed as traitors or “self-hating Jews” if we do not. Words like “occupation” become triggers of a fight-orflight emotional response. People (including Jews) who question any Israeli policy risk being labeled as anti-Israel or, in extreme cases, anti-Semitic.

This knee-jerk mentality threatens to splinter us and risks losing us a seat

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DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

On behalf of Jewish National Fund and one of our partners in Israel, LOTEM, we want to publicly thank the brothers of the Hebrew Order of David for their dedication to Am Yisrael.

This year HOD supported three organizations serving those with special needs. The Friendship Circle and Camp Living Wonders were the local foci of their fundraising. LOTEM was honored 16 to be their focus in Israel.

Guest Column

By Bonnie Puckett Levine

at the table with key allies. It does Israel the largest disservice of all, allowing the powerful anti-Israel narrative to continue without effective resistance.

Our response to the Movement for Black Lives provides one locally relevant example: The Jewish community remained largely silent on Black Lives Matter until, in a long and comprehensive platform, M4BL included a few sentences on Israel. Suddenly, the Jewish community, which had not been interested enough in the movement to provide input into the platform in the first place, mobilized to criticize it.

Jewish collective umbrage was quick and rampant. The Israel statement was circulated, often in a sensationalist manner without adequate context or perspective. Many Jewish organizations decided to publicly denounce the entire movement, ostensibly without sufficient critical reflection or engagement with constituents.

For example, American Jewish Committee’s Atlanta office put out an unprecedented policy statement on behalf of the Black-Jewish Coalition that concludes: “The decision to denounce Israel requires us to distance ourselves from MBL.” The Black-Jewish Coalition is best known for its Project Understanding retreat, bringing an equal number of black and Jewish young adults together for meaningful discourse, and for its biennial Black-Jewish Seder. What distinguishes the coalition from AJC is the presence of black voices, virtually none of whom was consulted before the statement was put out.

In the wake of the statement, some BJC members — black and Jewish — were shocked and dismayed, both by the presumptuousness of a statement purporting to represent what was in concept an organization as much black as Jewish and by AJC’s lack of transparency in response to questions about it. At least a few black BJC members expressed disaffectedness, wondering whether the organization was worth their continued identification and support.

“What really bothered me was that this statement was a misrepresentation of the coalition mission and essentially speaking on my behalf without notice, consideration or proactive engagement of the coalition,” 2015 Project Understanding alumna Chandra Farley said. “Based on this, I question whether BJC is an organization I want to affiliate with. I want to believe that the AJC values the BJC and wants it to be something great for Jews and blacks, but that isn’t currently being conveyed at all.”

This is merely one example of a pattern whereby well-known Jewish organizations signal a concerning lack of interest in anything that might impinge on uncritical Israel advocacy, alienating would-be coalition partners as well as social-justice-focused Jews.

The result is that those who perceive the incoming administration as a threat to basic human rights are left with few Jewish options.

Donald Trump’s appointment of Steve Bannon concerned many within the Jewish community, but IfNotNow was the only organization offering a local opportunity to come together and stand up against it as Jews. The event we organized had nothing to do with Israel, yet several friends told me or implied that IfNotNow’s Israel platform was the reason for their nonattendance.

I understand and sympathize with that view, but it disappoints me.

The need to walk on eggshells about

Israel creates a perception of collective Jewish indifference about issues on which I believe the Jewish people should speak with conviction.

While I think Jacobs’ column makes a good point about IfNotNow’s scattered focus, I cannot put the onus entirely on progressive organizations to drop critical references to Israel with threats of losing Jewish support — in fact, the threat of losing Jewish support goes both ways.

My passion for urgent progressive causes like Black Lives Matter, as well as my speaking against homophobia, transphobia, Islamophobia and xenophobia, leads me to feel more aligned with “anti-occupation” organizations (both Jewish and non-Jewish) and less welcome within traditional “Jewish establishment” organizations, whose Israel views are closer to mine.

In my experience, the anti-occupation organizations are not threatened by my pro-Israel views because I am not threatened by theirs. If the Jewish establishment continues to project that it is viscerally threatened by a diversity of viewpoints on Israel, it too will lose Jewish support over time.

Jewish institutions can and should defend Israel mightily while proudly linking arms with anti-occupation groups on other issues. By overcoming our skittishness about the Israel litmus test, we can avoid succumbing to moral weakness and ensure that the pro-Israel voice remains relevant to the civil-rights-minded among us and future generations.

For my part, I will do my best to dismantle the presumption that support of events and organizations like the #JewishResistance demonstration constitutes betrayal of Israel — while simultaneously endeavoring to create other opportunities to resist without implicating Israel, as Jacobs suggests.

I want Israel to have a seat at the table of progressive causes. Progressive Zionists, let’s make it happen together. ■

may their mitzvot multiply as they shine their goodness onto others.

— Beth Gluck, executive director, Jewish National Fund, Atlanta, and Alisa Bodner, director of development, LOTEM

The land of Israel is our common heritage and continues to thrive despite internal disagreements and terrorism. We must confront anti-Semitism, the BDS movement and nuclear proliferation.

Our history is one of overcoming adversity and the forces of darkness.

Chanukah provides an opportunity to unite as we kindle our candles. May we continue to be a light onto the nations.

Am Yisrael chai.

— Gail K. Ripans, Sandy Springs

Chanukah Opportunity

As we commemorate Chanukah, let us overcome our political and religious differences and unify as we did at Mount Sinai when we entered into the covenant that binds all of us.

A MITZVAH FOR THE IKVAH Please join us for

M

Georgia Aquarium March 16, 2017 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Dinner

APPEARING: The Weber School Dance Ensemble in collaboration with The AREA Professional Alliance.

JOIN US IN SUPPORT OF MACoM AS WE HONOR

RABBIS ALVIN M. SUGARMAN & JOSHUA HELLER Master of Ceremonies Mike Leven will lead us in an evening honoring these two visionaries. They bridged generations and Jewish movements to unite our community for a sacred purpose.

The Temple: Honoree, Rabbi Alvin M. Sugarman Co-Chair, Janet Lavine Sponsors Co-Chair, Mike Leven Host Committee Co-Chair, Caryn Hanrahan

Congregation B’nai Torah: Honoree, Rabbi Joshua Heller Co-Chair, Michele Garber Sponsors Co-Chair, Adrian Grant Host Committee Co-Chairs, Rob Leven & Nancy Miller

Chair, Community Clergy Supporters: Rabbi Loren Filson Lapidus Chair Evening Program: Evan McElroy MACoM: Executive Director, Barbara LeNoble

Presenting Sponsors $25,000: The Marcus Foundation Gina and Sam Shapiro Sponsors $5,000: Anonymous Siegel Insurance Jeanney Kutner Lindy and Norm Radow Table Hosts $2,000: Lisa Greenberg Wendy and Rabbi Joshua Heller

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Nat and Jeanette Tieman Host Committee $1,000: Ahavath Achim Synagogue Diane and Kent Alexander Beth Shalom Sisterhood Leah and Ted Blum B'nai Torah Sisterhood Ronit and Matt Bronfman Donna and Michael Coles Laraine and Lowell Fine Benjamin Fink

Michele and Mitchell Garber Adele Siegel Glasser and Gary Glasser Julie and Michal Ilai-Glasson Ilene and Adrian Grant Lauren and Jim Grien Mark Kopkin Elizabeth Levine Diane and Martin Maslia Carol B. Nemo Nicole Ellerine and A.J. Robinson Brenda and Bill Rothschild

Carol and Julius Sherwinter Barbara LeNoble and Douglas Sheaffer Caryn Hanrahan and Andy Siegel Lisa and Michael Siegel Mark and Linda Silberman Judy and Gary Stolovitz Halina and Alek Szlam Phyllis and Michael Weiser Alice and Brian Wertheim Ava and Bob Wilensky Janet Lavine and Rick Williams

For More Information Please Contact Allison Feldman: 404-549-9679 mitzvahforthemikvah@gmail.com

DECEMBER 23 â–Ş 2016

SPONSORS as of December 15, 2016

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OPINION

Exploring Abraham the Hebrew

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

In the past few decades the term “Abrahamic religions” has appeared on the horizon. This term is a bit more inclusive than Judeo-Christianity, a previous expression used to enhance religious ecumenism or the tripartite division of American religion into Catholic, Protestant and Jew as proposed by Will Herberg.

This new phrase is an attempt to broaden religious inclusivity and propose that Judaism, Christianity and Islam are interrelated because they share a common denominator: Abraham, the founder of monotheism and a staunch advocate of the invisible G-d, to whom we must submit ourselves and to whom we should direct our prayers and our obedience.

Even President Barack Obama acquiesces to the legitimacy and validity of this view.

Of course, those advocating this view assume that the realization of the common root will, as though by magic, bring peace to religious combatants.

On his recent visit to Israel, Obama proposed that its inhabitants should be able to agree to an interreligious peace — after all, the three religions share a common spiritual ancestor, Abraham.

Hence, Judaism, Christianity and Islam constitute a unity as Abrahamic religions.

But in my view, Christianity and Islam do not accept the teaching of Abraham on his perspective of G-d and interhuman relationships.

I would like to examine my personal view of Abraham Haivri — Abraham the Hebrew.

Who is this man Abraham whom we call our father? Was he a real person? Is he a real, historical figure or an existential legend like Job, who the sages declared should be an exemplar?

The rabbis propose that Job never existed and was not ever created. He merely is a symbolic figure, an ideal type created for heuristic purpose and therefore endowed with the ideal characteristics that we believe are necessary to understand the man-G-d relationship.

Is Abraham our Romulus and Remus, someone whom we designate as our ethnic pater familias?

Whether Abraham was real or merely a legend is immaterial. What is important is that Abraham became the 18 Jewish ideal type.

He personifies the three dimensions that constitute the essence of being a Jew. Jews are an ethnic group and have national and historic identity, in addition to adhering to a belief in a monotheistic G-d in whom we place our trust. We as a people are committed to the moral dimension, founded in the belief of justice that proposes that all people must be given access to a chance for life and be free from

One Man’s Opinion

By Eugen Schoenfeld

human-caused pain.

The commitment to a moral dimension is exemplified in the following midrash.

When the Jews departed Egypt, non-Abraham descendants, who are referred to in the Talmud as a “mixed multitude,” also escaped Egyptian servitude and, it seems, intermingled with the Jews.

Our sages raised the following question: How can we differentiate between those who are the true descendants of Abraham and those from the mixed multitude?

The answer, the sages suggest, is that the true descendants of Abraham are seekers of peace. It seems to me that the most significant dimension of being a Jew is the moral dimension that is not an essential component of the other Abrahamic faiths.

The Ethnic Dimension When the ship that carried Jonah, who tried to escape his duty to prophesize Nineveh’s doom, floundered in a storm, the captain of the vessel investigated the backgrounds of his passengers and crew to determine on whose account the gods caused the storm that threatened their lives.

He approached Jonah and asked who he was. Jonah replied: “I am a Hebrew, and I fear G-d.”

Jonah first responded that he was a Hebrew, then he declared his faith and fear of G-d.

In a similar manner, Abraham’s identity was given to us as being a Hebrew.

When the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were defeated in a battle and the victors looted the city, they also enslaved Lot, Abraham’s nephew,

who dwelled in Sodom. One of the Sodomite survivors, the Bible relates, “told Abram (whose name was later changed to Abraham) the Hebrew.”

Of course, “haivri” (the Hebrew) could have meant that Abraham was considered a stranger who came from across the River Jordan rather than a true ethnic identity. Professor Robert Wolfe, for instance, proposed that the word Hebrew in Abraham’s case comes not from his ethnicity, but from Habiru, a In a scene from Genesis depicted in a 12th century stone sculpture in Spain’s northern Catalunya, Abraham nomadic people entertains three visitors who turn out to be angels. who lived in unquestioned willingness to sacrifice Egypt. his son simply because G-d requested Notwithstanding Wolfe’s contenit. This willingness is taken as evition, I associate the word Hebrew with dence of Abraham’s faith: He did what Abraham’s identity and consider the he assumed was G-d’s command.

Hebrews as an ethnic group and a naIt seems that Christianity and tion descending from Abraham Haivri.

Regardless of why Abraham was called Islam claim attachment to Abraham because he stands as the ideal person a Hebrew, what is significant to us of faith. G-d, according to the story, 21st-century-Jews is that he started demanded that Abraham take his son the golden chain that link by link Isaac to one of the mountains, which rooted us into a nation and provided a according to tradition is Mount Moperspective that gives meaning to our riah, where he was to fulfill G-d’s wish historical experiences. for a sacrifice.

For almost three millennia, we Because of his willingness to sacJews, through the covenant of circumrifice his son on faith alone, Abraham cision, have demonstrated out combecame the ideal of a faithful person. mitment to a moral perspective with Jews have traditionally believed which we govern our relationship with that Abraham’s unquestioned faith other men and with G-d. brought merit not only to him, but Each father attests, when he also to his progeny. On Rosh Hashacircumcises his son, that he is tying his nah in various ways we remind G-d to son to the historical continuity of the be merciful to us because we are his Hebrew identity that Abraham began. children.

Rashi, the 11th century biblical Christianity, which proclaims commentator, tells us that the maintethat the principal road to salvation is nance of their Jewish identity in Egypt faith alone, also sees Abraham as the merited the Hebrew slaves’ redempepitome of the “faithful man” who tion. To wit, they kept their modes earned salvation. of dressing, their language and their Abraham also became an archecustoms, guarding them from assimitype of the true Muslim, not only belation into the Egyptian majority. cause he was the father of Ishmael and thus the father of the Arab people, but The Faith Dimension also because Abraham’s unquestioned Perhaps no other story is as faith led him to submit to G-d’s will, compelling as the Akedah, Abraham’s

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which is the central meaning of Islam.

Similarly, traditional Jews laud Abraham’s merits because of his faith.

cially through the sacrifice of children.

In fact, I accept Isaiah’s view that G-d does not need or want any sacrifice.

What G-d wants of us, Isaiah tells us: Be good not to G-d, but to each other.

Have a dream of creating an idyllic world for your own sake.

What is the meaning of the Akedah? What does the story tell us?

It stands, I believe, for the demand to reject a common practice in Canaan: the worship of Molech, a cruel and unloving god demanding the flesh of children.

The Akedah should be taken as G-d’s message that he does not demand human sacrifice, especially of sons. Salvation and forgiveness result from Austrian artist Adi Holzer’s 1997 etching depicts Abraham’s near-sacrifice of Isaac. our own belief in the transcendent, and it can never After all, hasn’t G-d declared that “bebe achieved through human sacrifice cause you were faithful, I shall make — or holy wars. your descendants as many as the stars in heaven”?

The Moral Dimension I cannot accept this primitive The most important lesson the view of G-d as a deity who needs and Abraham saga teaches is the imdepends on our faith. portance of morality — specifically It is strange that G-d, who is sufficient the moral teaching that we should unto himself, needs to be assured of govern ourselves in our interpersonal his power and needs to test the faithrelationships and the moral duties we fulness of his adherents so that He can have to animals, the natural world and prove to Himself (and sometimes to G-d. others, as in the case of Job) that He is This is part of the covenant that loved and trusted. we undertook at Sinai, but earlier G-d Blind adherence does not enhance tells Abraham that the foundation of G-d’s status; to the contrary, it diminmonotheism lies in morality. The Toishes it. Do we want to believe that, rah relates that G-d, musing to himself, like man, G-d seeks to satisfy his ego? said, “For I have known him (AbraSuch a view reflects an utter blasham) to the end that he may command phemy. his children and his household after G-d is the model we set for him to keep the way of the Lord, to do ourselves. If we believe that we were righteousness and justice.” created in G-d’s image, then G-d’s deIn the end, the future of human mands become the model for our delife is not determined through prayer mands. If He demands total obedience and faith alone, but first and foremost and we acquiesce to this demand, we by our relationships with one another legitimate dictatorship, be it religious and with the world in which we live. or secular.

G-d’s covenant with Abraham Yes, we need faith — not as the was extended to be between a people means of proving anything to G-d, (Israel) and G-d. but as the source of hope in hopeless Contracts and covenants are detimes. We need to have trust that life fined by a reciprocal relationship; that has meaning, especially in times when is, when G-d demands us to be moral, nihilism seems to rule our point of He in turn is assumed to be governed view. We need to have faith in the exisby the same morals. tence of the transcendental force that Abraham’s stories indicate that gives us love and trust in the future, he understood the reciprocal nature of and He gives it freely not for his sake, the covenant and hence had the courbut for our sake. age to challenge G-d’s plans for Sodom.

He questions G-d’s intent: “Shall To me, the Akedah does not reprenot the Judge of all the Earth do sent G-d’s need to test our faith, espe-

justly?”

If we can challenge G-d, surely we can challenge our leaders. (A number of tales describe G-d being brought to a din-Torah.)

Abraham thus set the task that is unique to Jews: The prophets have the right and the duty to challenge those in power on their commitment to the principle of justice. The ancient prophets became the social critics of their time, as when Nathan challenged David’s injustice.

The prophets also challenged whether ruling powers observed the dictum to be their brothers’ keepers or simply acted for their own benefit.

While loving one’s neighbor is desirable, it is secondary to justice.

Our sages told us in one midrash that when G-d created the world, he chose it to be founded on the principles of justice and mercy.

Micah and Isaiah explained that the three qualities G-d wants in individuals and society are to do justice, to love mercy and to show humility. This perspective, I propose, was the way of Abraham, who dared to challenge G-d, asking Him before He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah whether His judgments were based on the principles of justice?

Before we become enamored with this questionable term “Abrahamic religions,” we should consider what it means to be a member of such a religious group. All those who seek to identify themselves with Abraham must first and foremost accept Abraham not as the man of unquestioned faith, but as the proponent of human morality based on justice.

This world cannot survive through either love or faith alone; it depends primarily on action based on justice.

I must apologize for my inadequate attempt to reduce such a complex issue as Abraham to the space of a newspaper article. My intent was not to teach, but to challenge.

When Rabbi Hillel was confronted by people who insisted that he define Judaism briefly, not to exceed the time one can stand on one foot, he quoted the Torah: “Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.”

I wish to end this article with the suggestion made by Hillel after he reduced the essence of the Torah to one sentence: Now go and study. ■ For additional insight on this subject, read Eugen Schoenfeld’s book “Faith and Conflict.”

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

OPINION

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LOCAL NEWS

Robkin Donates Kidney Because He Can

By Logan C. Ritchie

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Why we have two kidneys when you can live quite fully with only one is a medically philosophical question, said Shai Robkin, a recent kidney donor.

According to the National Kidney Foundation, 100,000 people in the United States are awaiting a kidney transplant. Only 16,000 each year receive a donation; 5,500 of those come from living donors.

The week after Thanksgiving, Robkin underwent a procedure to donate one of his kidneys. The Sandy Springs resident did not know the recipient; he knew only that she was in need.

Robkin, an expert on behavioral economics, is inspired by evidence, facts and statistics. A few years ago he attended a class taught by Steven Chervin at the Melton School of Adult Jewish Learning. Chervin’s lecture on Jewish ethics surrounding organ donations motivated Robkin to learn more.

Robkin was inspired by this Talmud lesson: Whoever destroys a soul, it is considered as if he destroyed an entire world. And whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world.

There is a strong consensus in the rabbinic world that if you can donate an organ, you should do it, Robkin said.

Behavioral economics proves that the perception of risk consistently overrates threats and undervalues benefits.

Robkin began to study the phenomenon of exchange of goods without reward, namely money. He read up on 2012 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences winner Alvin Roth, an Ivy League professor and founder of the New England Program for Kidney Exchange.

Robkin felt the clock was ticking on his kidneys. He heard that after age 65 people are not eligible for donation.

When facts started pointing him toward donating a kidney, he contacted two hospitals and began the yearlong testing process.

“If you ever want to get thousands of dollars of free medical tests, donate a kidney,” he said with a laugh. Donors “have to be willing but also able. You will not be accepted without perfect health.”

Robkin has good genes and maintains a healthy lifestyle. He does not smoke and rarely drinks alcohol.

Tests performed at Emory Uni20 versity Hospital included blood, urine,

With his wife, Judy, at his side, Shai Robkin recovers at Emory University Hospital.

heart and lung function, and psychological state.

Robkin then chose the time frame in which he was willing to donate, and a match was made. He opted to meet his kidney recipient after the procedure.

“Nothing I could have learned before the surgery would have made me feel more positive about donating, but I could have learned something negative,” he said, referring to his strong political views.

One day after surgery Robkin met the woman who received his left kidney in an emotional gathering. The Carrollton resident and her daughter, also a donor, are Baptist. When she told Robkin that “G-d has his ways,” he responded that she probably never had so many Jews praying for her.

After two nights at Emory University Hospital, with less pain than he anticipated, Robkin was discharged.

A few friends tried to discourage Robkin from donating, but “if I have one dominant personality trait, it’s persistence.”

Judy, his wife of 40 years, likes to joke that the time between a thought entering his mind and his resulting action is the time it takes a traffic light to turn from red to green.

“One of the things about Shai is that when he says he’s going to do something, I know it will happen.

That’s just the way he is. He’s an activist. He’s passionate about everything he does,” she said.

Robkin said there is only one thing he cannot do because of the donation: He can never again take NSAIDs (pain relievers such as ibuprofen, Aleve and aspirin). He plans to continue going to the gym — his morning routine — and ride his bicycle.

“There’s almost nothing you can’t do with one kidney that you can do with two,” he said. “Why did I do this?

Because I can.” ■

Child-decorated bags at the Packaged Good await their turn to be filled with necessities and delivered by Felix Prinzo.

Davis Academy students say the Packaged Good helps them put into action what they learn at school about mitzvot.

Retiree Handles Packaged Good’s Special Deliveries

By Al Shams Felix Prinzo was seeking a volunteer activity for his granddaughter back in the spring when he noticed a newspaper article about the Packaged Good, a new nonprofit organization in Dunwoody that is dedicated to helping youths give back to the community.

Thinking it would be a great activity for the girl, the 77-year-old Dunwoody retiree joined his granddaughter for her volunteer effort. He could not sit idly by, so he stacked boxes and cleaned.

Sally Mundell, who founded the Packaged Good (www.thepackagedgood.org) as a way for her daughters and others to learn to empower their lives by performing good deeds, soon enlisted Prinzo to make deliveries for the nonprofit organization.

Children at the Packaged Good decorate gift bags, which are filled with donated products needed by people such as the elderly, veterans and shelter residents.

When I visited the Package Good, I saw approximately 50 children deco-

rating and filling bags for the Community Assistance Center.

I talked to four Davis Academy students: Shayna Edelman, Abbi Meyers, Ava Wilensky and Gabbi Swartz.

They are bright, energetic, confident young women who enjoyed the volunteer experience and said the Packaged Good lets them apply values they learn in school.

Other recipients of the bags include Rainbow Village, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Zaban Tower and Hugs for Soldiers. Prinzo’s volunteerism solves the problem of how to get the gift bags to those destinations.

He has delivered more than 6,000 of them.

Prinzo is a Pittsburgh native who earned a college degree in accounting and finance. After working for U.S. Steel in the 1960s, he moved to the Atlanta area in mid-1970s. Since his retirement in 1996, the father of two and grandfather of five has spent much of his free time on charitable activities.

He’s also so humble that while he was willing to talk to the AJT, he refused to have his photo taken. ■

Angels Among Us Many people in our community make special contributions to the common good.

While some of them have high profiles and receive much recognition, others are unsung heroes. This occasion series intends to bring them the notice they deserve.

Send suggestions for Angels Among Us to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

Happy Chanukah

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LOCAL NEWS

‘Community Gal’ Marx Expands Interfaith Efforts

By Marita Anderson

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Judy Marx has a track record of taking ideas that touch people’s hearts and translating them into large-scale programs and events that the Atlanta community rallies behind.

To Marx, the work of community relations is all about finding common ground and nurturing personal relationships, which, in her new role as the executive director of Interfaith Community Initiatives, she hopes will translate into communities standing up to intolerance, division and prejudice.

When ICI had its first Friendship Luncheon on Nov. 2, it was an event attended by 200 leaders of various faiths, including prominent rabbis and other leaders from the Atlanta Jewish community. Many of them came to the ICI event because of an invitation from Marx, who has been a vital figure in the Jewish community most of her career.

Marx spent more than 12 years working at the American Jewish Committee, much of that as the Atlanta director. However, Marx’s most prominent legacy is her work as the founding director of the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, which has grown from a few dozen participants into the second-largest Jewish film festival in the world, with total attendance of more than 36,000 last year.

Marx said the festival started out as a “movie in a box” idea when she and her colleagues realized that people liked going to the movies and talking about their experience.

For her, organizing the first few years of the film festival was a steep learning curve, which included tending not only to the particular creative needs of the filmmakers, but also to the tastes and needs of the moviegoers.

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An Interfaith Community Initiatives delegation, including Judy Marx (back row on the right), visits Washington last year.

What came out of that hard work is a rich tapestry of conversations about topics that are sometimes controversial, other times boundarybreaking and often enlightening.

“I am a community gal,” Marx said about her shift from a central role in the Jewish community into her position as the first executive director of the Interfaith Community Initiatives.

It’s apparent that Marx is coming from a place of love and deep care about the Jewish community, but her passion has shifted to creating conversations that would put our community in the center of a larger dialogue about common concerns across Atlanta.

ICI is engaging in advocacy issues that are vital to the future of our community, such as gun violence, environmental sustainability, LGBTQ rights and rights for people with disabilities.

Marx is working alongside several organizations to promote dialogue about gun violence and recently joined a collaborative effort to screen the documentary “Newtown” in different faith

communities and neighborhoods.

The goal of ICI is to develop constructive relationships among communities and individuals of different religions. It is not a coalition of organizations, as other interfaith initiatives might be, but an organization that invests in individuals and potential change-makers.

ICI focuses on contact and cooperation among people of different backgrounds with the intention of creating understanding, while honoring differences and cultural heritage.

“Let’s not wait for a crisis to come together,” Marx said.

She recounted the traumatic experience of being evacuated from the AJC office during the 1999 day-trading shooting, the worst mass shooting in Atlanta’s history, with 12 people killed and 13 others wounded.

Atlanta came together to mourn in a heartfelt ceremony, but the memorial was a Christian service, even though many of those who were killed were not Christian. Marx said that event was

a pivotal moment for her because “Atlanta could have done a better job representing its diversity.”

Since then, Atlanta has come a long way in responding with a voice that is more reflective of the city’s religious and cultural pluralism, but it has taken a concerted effort and intentional work on the part of faith leaders.

Nurturing those voices is the goal of ICI, which is preparing to take a stand against any proposed Muslim (or any other) registration, as well as a stance of support for immigration reform and a clear, open path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.

ICI’s World Pilgrims traveling program has become one of its most impactful vehicles for interfaith encounters. Its philosophy is that to create bridges between people of different faiths and cultural backgrounds, you have to take them out of their comfort zone and to a neutral ground, offering opportunities for healing, deep learning and exchanges of faith experience.

Last year, the World Pilgrims took their 20th pilgrimage to Washington, where they shared what they had learned through their travels and dialogues with national interfaith leadership.

In 2017, they are planning a pilgrimage exclusively for young professionals to Salt Lake City and the Canyons.

It is not uncommon for headlines to be filled with stories of religious extremism and intolerance because those stories get the attention of the media and public. The actions of communities of faith against prejudice and hatred often remain beneath the radar.

But in the current political atmosphere of fear and anxiety, Marx and other leaders are working against the tide of division. ■

LOCAL NEWS

Democratic former state Sen. Ron Slotin’s path to Congress has gotten a bit muddier.

The Jewish marketing executive in Sandy Springs was the first Democrat to declare his intention to run for the 6th District seat that Tom Price will have to vacate if, as expected, he is confirmed as Donald Trump’s first health and human services secretary.

Slotin’s best chance in a district that has long elected Republicans relies on the nature of the special election. All the qualifying candidates would be on the same ballot, regardless of party, and if no one won a majority, the top two vote-getters would advance to a runoff.

With several prominent Republicans expected to run, a lone Democrat with name recognition would have a good chance of reaching the runoff, at which point, with national attention and money targeting the race, anything could happen.

But another Democratic ex-legislator has announced plans to run: Sally Harrell, who represented a part of DeKalb in the House from 1999 to 2005.

That means her legislative experience is longer and more recent than that of Slotin, who served from 1992 to 1996.

A third Democrat, lawyer Josh McLaurin, also has declared himself a candidate but has no political experience.

On the Republican side, state Sen. Judson Hill of Marietta was the first to announce his candidacy, while Rep. Jan Jones and Sen. John Albers have said they’re out. But several other prominent Republicans are considering campaigns, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, including former Secretary of State Karen Handel, Sen. Brandon Beach, and Rep. Betty Price, Tom Price’s wife.

The Sandy Springs Reporter had the news that a former mayoral candidate in that city, Donnie Bolena, plans to run as an anti-establishment Republican. He appears to be firmly in the Donald Trump wing of the party, based on his comments about gay people, Muslims and liberals, as well as his description of himself as one of the “deplorables” Hillary Clinton cited as making up much of Trump’s support.

The AJT plans to publish an interview with Slotin in our Jan. 6 print issue and on atlantajewishtimes.com before New Year’s Day. ■

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Slotin Faces Another Democrat

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LOCAL NEWS

Director Stabilizes, Strengthens Berman Commons

By R.M. Grossblatt Erin Barbee, who became the executive director at Berman Commons in August, wasn’t looking for a new position. But when a recruiter from Jewish Home Life Communities approached Barbee, the executive director at a Sunrise facility for 11 years, her ears perked up.

“I saw the opportunity to work at a faith-based organization that was also nonprofit … and felt like home,” she said.

Born and raised in Charlotte, Barbee, 32, received a degree in sociology and gerontology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

As a little girl, while she sat on her grandfather’s lap, he would tell her she had an old soul. At 14, her mother pushed her to volunteer at a senior home. “I went there kicking and screaming but came out knowing that I wanted to do this the rest of my life,” Barbee said.

The only other job she tried was a radio DJ working the night shift. When she fell asleep at the microphone, she quit to pursue her passion working

with the elderly.

“Coming into this organization feels like a close-knit family,” Barbee said in her office, where tranquil, soft jazz plays. But she doesn’t stay there long. “I have to walk around … get hugs and listen to the residents’ concerns.”

Barbee was hired to run Berman Commons after the JHLC facility in Dunwoody had some problems in its first 15 months like many new endeavors, “Jewish or not,” Barbee said.

Building on the work of her predecessor, she re-enforces policies and procedures.

She believes in taking action and has made changes at the home. They include adjusting staff to align with residents’ needs, enhancing programming, especially in memory care, and concentrating on prevention, such as precautions to prevent falls.

She encourages every staff person, including nurses, housekeepers and waiters, to be aware of details and changes in the needs of residents. She also believes in close communication with family members.

High on her list of concerns is nutrition, including good kosher food.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Happy Chanukah

24

Photo by R.M. Grossblatt

Erin Barbee likes hugs from residents such as Terry Bassner.

Many of the elderly residents and their families complained about the food initially, and the original chef left within a few months of the opening in the spring of 2015.

While the facility maintains kosher meat and dairy kitchens under the supervision of Fred Glusman, the Atlanta Kosher Commission stopped certifying the food service as kosher in September because of what JHLC officials said was the difficulty of getting an AKC mashgiach for the necessary schedule.

“The residents deserve good nutrition in a healthy, presentable way,” Barbee said.

She said everyone is having fun introducing her to traditional Jewish food. “I’m still working my way up to gefilte fish.”

As the new executive director, Barbee encourages the staff to work together to help the 80 residents physically as well as socially and emotionally. She stressed that it’s important for the residents to stay independent as long as possible and maintain their dignity. “I want to keep them in this beautiful environment without feeling like they lost” their independence.

As part of JHLC, “we have a good model from the Breman Jewish Home, where the standards are excellent,” Barbee said. She and JHLC administrators from the Jewish Home, Zaban Tower, Cohen Home and Weinstein Hospice meet weekly to support one another.

Berman Commons has maintained a waiting list for apartments. A nurse makes assessments for prospective residents and family members inquiring about availability. Sometimes an elderly person can stay at home, Barbee said.

She’s open to advice and has access to many Jewish agencies, including Jewish Family & Career Services.

“I just had to work here,” Barbee said.

“The Jewish community does it right.”

Someone gave Barbee a Jewish

children’s book, “My Jewish Year,” which, during the interview, she picked up and held close. “I cherish this,” she said. It helps her understand the Jewish holidays.

Although a Christian, Barbee said that she shares many of the same beliefs and values as the residents of Berman Commons.

While Barbee had some spiritual opportunities at Sunrise, she said that one of the attractions of Berman Commons is that “they bring in the whole Jewish lifestyle.”

Glusman leads educational classes and “meets the emotional needs” of many residents, Barbee said. In addition, volunteers such as Michael Rosenzweig, who leads a current events class, make a difference.

Residents are involved in programming. Terry Bassner, who moved to Berman four months ago, is the co-organizer for the Ambassador Program, which welcomes new residents. When she gave up her car, Bassner moved to Berman Commons.

“It’s a big adjustment, but I’m learning,” she said. Bassner appreciates the beauty of the place, the kind and helpful staff, including Barbee, and rides to places like the Marcus Jewish Community Center next door, where she works out and takes Zumba classes.

Barbee reaches out to all the residents and feels honored to be in the company of Holocaust survivors. “Until you sit next to someone who experienced it, you don’t get it,” she said. “So if I put a smile on that person’s face, I feel fulfilled.”

After work, Barbee is involved in projects such as Habitat for Humanity.

She’s a movie buff who enjoys romantic comedies that require tissues. “And I love to laugh.”

Barbee, a young woman with an old soul, a passion for excellence in elderly care, a sense of humor and a joy for life, is adding to the beauty at Berman Commons. “I love what I do,” she said. ■

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DECEMBER 23 â–ª 2016

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

ARTS

A Jewish Film Festival for Everyone With the 17th annual Atlanta AJFF believes in inclusivity, usJewish Film Festival just around the corner, we want to take this opportunity to share some changes Guest Column planned for 2017.

By Kenny Blank, Steve Labovitz, Rabbi Brad The upcoming festival, Levenberg, Dov Wilker and Greg Averbuch Jan. 24 to Feb. 15, promises perhaps our finest crop of films ever: 55 feature ing the power of film to break down films and 20 shorts, representing 24 religious, racial and cultural barriers countries and spanning a spectrum of to inspire new levels of understanding. genres from romance, comedy, thriller Thus, the introduction of Saturday and drama to art-house and familyafternoon screenings is consistent friendly fare, as well as documentawith our mission to serve the broader ries. community, Jewish and non-Jewish AJFF is a hot-ticket event, and we alike, regardless of affiliation. are committed to growing the festival A recent Pew research study and ensuring greater access to our shows that Jews increasingly connect amazing movies for everyone, includand identify with their Jewishness ing new audiences of all faiths and through cultural expression. The backgrounds. introduction of Shabbat programming New in 2017, AJFF will offer film aligns with other Jewish institutions, screenings on Saturday afternoons. including the Marcus Jewish CommuThis change is prompted by longtime nity Center and Atlanta Jewish Music requests from festivalgoers to expand Festival, as well as other Jewish film programming to more convenient festivals around the world. times. For many, weekends are the Our commitment to observant only time they can attend the film audiences, of course, remains strong. festival. This change also affords more Films showing on Saturday afternoons options for parents to share AJFF with their families. will also screen at other times during

the festival. AJFF will continue to refrain from programming on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings in an effort not to conflict with traditional Shabbat activities.

There are other steps we’ve taken to improve access. The 2017 AJFF includes more than 200 screenings, with repeat screenings of more in-demand films than ever before. And we’re introducing a favorite new theater location to the mix: Regal Perimeter Pointe Stadium 10.

The film lineup will be officially unveiled Friday, Jan. 6. Tickets become available Wednesday, Jan. 18. We’ve moved these dates closer to the start of the festival, making it easier to pick screenings that best fit your busy schedule.

We hope these changes will encourage a diversity of Atlanta to participate in this Jewish cultural experience.

Together, the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and founder and partner American Jewish Committee have watched with pride as this annual celebration has grown into a treasured community asset. It is a pride we share with you, our loyal and generous audience, volunteers and supporters,

who have fueled this amazing phenomenon.

Thank you as always for your support and commitment to a vibrant Jewish community.

We look forward to seeing you at the movies. ■

Kenny Blank is the AJFF executive director. Steve Labovitz is the AJFF board president. Rabbi Brad Levenberg is on the AJFF board of directors. Dov Wilker is the AJC Atlanta executive director. Greg Averbuch is the AJC Atlanta board president.

Emma Thompson Movie Will Open Festival The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival for the second consecutive year will open with a Nazi-related drama featuring big Hollywood stars.

A year after Atom Egoyan’s “Remember” kicked off the 16th festival with Christopher Plummer and Martin Landau, Oscar winner Emma Thompson and Brendan Gleeson will hit the big screen at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in “Alone in Berlin” on

Rose

opening night Tuesday, Jan. 24.

They play a husband and wife who resist the Nazis by dropping anti-Hitler postcards around the German capital.

Vincent Perez directs the film, based on a novel inspired by a true story.

Closing night Wednesday, Feb. 15, at the Woodruff Arts Center features feminist comedy “The Women’s Balcony.”

Nominated for five Israeli Academy Awards, the film depicts a Jerusa-

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lem Sephardic congregation’s struggles over the proper place of women.

German romantic comedy “Family Commitments,” about a Jewish-Muslim same-sex wedding, is being screened for the ACCESS-sponsored Young Professionals Night on Saturday, Feb. 11.

The full festival lineup will be announced Friday, Jan. 6. Tickets will go on sale Jan. 18. The AJT’s festival preview will be part of our Jan. 13 issue. ■

Brendan Gleeson and Emma Thompson resist the Nazi regime one postcard at a time in “Alone in Berlin.”

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ARTS

‘Jazz Singer’ Sounded the Start of a Revolution

By Bob Bahr

Al Jolson (right), laughing with President Calvin Coolidge on Oct. 17, 1924, was one of America’s top entertainers even before he opened his mouth and was actually heard by the audiences of “The Jazz Singer.”

Jewish author Samson Raphelson that he later turned into a Broadway play, introduced American audiences to a Jewish story and Jewish dramatic characters they could identify with.

The story of a successful, young immigrant in early 20th century America resonated with audiences, who were struggling to adapt to life in the rapidly growing nation. Each son or daughter of immigrant parents was forced to come to terms with the challenges of assimilation into the nation’s melting pot of social and cultural life.

Between 1880 and 1920, 2.5 million Jews came to America, and the experi-

Happy Chanukah

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

When Al Jolson leaned away from the keyboard in “The Jazz Singer” and ad-libbed to his mother the ironic words “You ain’t heard nothing yet,” little did he know what he was starting.

It is hard to imagine today how a modern entertainment experience could take place without the rich dimension that sound brings to our understanding of the world.

Indeed, so much of the richness of the experience at the 2017 Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, which opens Jan. 24, will come through the words, music and creative texture that the marriage of sound and image has made.

It all started with “The Jazz Singer,” which celebrates its 90th anniversary in the coming year. In that film, for the first time in history, an actor in a major role recorded for all time the spark of creation.

The action is mostly silent, but for 18 minutes of the 89-minute film, Jolson sings and speaks his lines into the history books. Altogether, we hear only 350 words of spoken dialogue, but that was enough to drive audiences wild at the 1927 premiere.

The reviewer the next day in The New York Times was less impressed by the film than he was by the way Jolson’s voice and songs brought down the house time after time. It was all Jolson could do, as he thanked the opening night crowd, to hold back the tears in his own eyes.

Jolson plays Jakie Rabinovitch, a cantor’s son who becomes Jack Robins, a jazz singer torn between Broadway stardom and his father’s dying wish to have his son sing at the Kol Nidre service that opens Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year.

In many ways the story resembles Jolson’s own. He was born Asa Yoelson into a family of cantors in Srednick, Lithuania, but by 1927 he had become the richest and most successful entertainer in America.

He got almost a million dollars in today’s money for starring in “The Jazz Singer.”

It was money well spent. Audiences responded enthusiastically, and they snatched up tickets for every seat during the film’s initial six-month run in New York. Until “Gone With the Wind” in 1939, “The Jazz Singer” was the most successful production of the sound film era it pioneered.

The story of the film, which was based on a short story by the American

degree of respect. Jolson’s ence transformed the performance of the Kol way they and their chilNidre prayer in a beautidren related to their comfully composed religious munal and religious life. scene features the voice The souvenir program on of Cantor Yossele Rosenthe film’s opening night, blatt, one of the greatOct. 6, 1927 — arriving est voices of the modern just as the Yom Kippur cantorial tradition. holiday was ending — inThe 1927 premiere cluded an appreciation of of “The Jazz Singer” was the Polish Jewish immia milestone in American grant father of the four national life as much as Warner brothers who it was a revolutionary produced the film. moment in the history But for them, for The moment in “The Jazz Singer” when Jack Robins of entertainment. For Jolson and for many American Jews, “The Jazz (Al Jolson) sings and speaks all its dated melodrama to his mom (Eugenie and eye-rolling theatrics, Singer” was a declaration Besserer) is iconic. it still poses some seriof independence. It put Hollywood’s stamp of approval on the ous and relevant questions of how we decision many of them had made to become modern Americans while rebreak free from the traditions of the maining true to our long religious and cultural heritage. ■ Old World.

In the end, Jolson sings Kol Nidre, Bob Bahr will introduce several then leaves the shul and his cantorial legacy and goes back to Broadway to films at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival.

His class “In Search of Three Jews: Steven sing for his adoring mother.

Nonetheless, “The Jazz Singer” Spielberg, Sidney Lumet and Woody Altreats the religious and cultural tradi- len at the Movies” begins Tuesday, Jan. 10, tions of Judaism with reverence and a at the Marcus Jewish Community Center.

27

CHANUKAH

Celebrate in Style On 8th Crazy Night

By Beverly Levitt

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Pictures at a New Year’s Eve exhibition: the old man with his long white beard trailing scraggily behind him, preparing his departure; the newborn in diapers, floating innocently in space; the shiny silver ball slowly descending on Times Square; the strains of Lawrence Welk and his orchestra warbling “Auld Lang Syne.”

Those are the annual New Year’s Eve events when anticipation and jubilation are palpable. All that, and a few glitzy commercials, are available in our living room simply by pushing Play.

But who wants to be a couch potato when we can welcome in the new year dressed to the nines, surrounded by friends, drinking and dancing. So who has been elected to host the big bash this year?

Oooops!

The good news is you don’t have to fight sleep driving home in the wee hours of the morning. The bad news is that you’ve just run yourself ragged shopping, schlepping and decorating the house for Chanukah, and you’re more than a little burned out.

Lest you forget the tale Grandma used to tell: “Whatever you’re doing the last day of the old year sets a precedent for the new.” So if you’re relaxed but organized, and pull off the party of the year on the 31st, you’ll be basking in that success all year long. And if you don’t …

“Relax, New Year’s Eve can go off like clockwork,” said Colin Cowie, event planner extraordinaire and author of “Entertaining With Colin Cowie.”

Cowie said the simple answer to New Year’s Eve jitters is punctilious planning and having an impeccable checklist with every detail included.

“Since we have the most fun at the parties we give, it’s a joy to host an aweinspiring New Year’s Eve buffet and, as a bonus, be a guest at our own party.”

He added, “Successful entertaining is about creating an atmosphere of gaiety.”

You need great music, spectacular cocktails and incredible food. And because this year New Year’s Eve falls on the eighth night of Chanukah, we have that much more to celebrate.

Set the pace of the party with music; it’s the tool that shapes the energy flow. At first, it should be mellow and welcoming — instrumental, jazzy, bluesy. As energy rises, complement

the mood with something livelier.

While people are eating, they’re more relaxed. Play mellifluous instrumentals so people can talk.

After dessert is served, as it gets closer to midnight, the energy rises again, and so should the music. As the clock strikes 12, turn up “Auld Lang Syne” to honor times gone by and old friends, especially Judah Maccabee.

For a special shout-out to the colors blue, white and silver, serve drinks such as silver champagne cocktails, blue Curacao midnight kisses, blueberry margaritas, blue Curacao martinis, blackberry-basil mojitos — all poured and shimmering on a tray. And the piece de resistance: our aquavit ice mold centerpiece with frozen blue flowers.

You also can serve one of the refreshing nonalcoholic beverages, such as Verjus, which tastes like a refreshing tart apple but is made from unripe green grapes. Other festive drinks without alcohol include a fruit punch of grape and apple sparkling cider, pineapple juice and blueberry sorbet, sparkling grape juice, mineral water with blueberries and lime, and blueberry juice and soda.

“Most importantly, pace yourself evenly. Don’t rush through the evening like you’re galloping on a stallion or, worse, crawl around at a snail’s pace.

Even if you’re running late and people have to pour their own drinks, they’ll be basking in wonderful music and seductive smells flowing out of the kitchen and won’t mind a bit,” Cowie said.

So happy eighth night of Chanukah. Happy 2017. Pace your drinks, make sure every car has a designated driver, and cheers.

Frozen Aquavit in Ice Mold A gorgeous holiday decoration for the table (from Colin Cowie) 1 bottle aquavit or vodka 1 round metal or plastic container 8 inches in diameter and 12 inches deep Fresh flowers (mistletoe or any silver and blue flowers) and foliage Place the bottle of alcohol in the middle of the container. Fill the container with water 3 inches below the neck of the bottle. Add flowers and foliage. Use ice cubes to wedge some of the flowers in place. Place in the freezer and allow to freeze for 8 hours.

Just before guests arrive, remove the ice mold from the freezer. Place the side of the container under hot wa-

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CHANUKAH ter and remove the ice mold by slowly turning the neck of the bottle. Place the ice mold on a tray with a folded napkin underneath to absorb any melting ice. The ice mold will last 4 to 5 hours, but the napkin should be changed frequently. If the bottle is empty, you can simply refill it.

If using vodka, add lemon rind, chili peppers or berries directly into the alcohol to flavor it.

When making the ice mold, instead of flowers, use the same ingredient as flavoring. For lemon vodka, add lemon halves, wedges and foliage to water. They will float and form magnificent patterns in the ice. For berry vodka, add berries. For chili vodka, add dried, whole chili peppers.

Once the mold is set, you can store it in the freezer and refill the container to start another mold.

frigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Drain the brine from the grape leaves and soak them in fresh water until they’re softened, about an hour.

When the cheese log is firm enough, roll each wrapped log back and forth on the counter to shape it into a more perfect log. Unwrap the logs and roll them in the nuts. Again, wrap them tightly and refrigerate for several hours.

To serve, bring the logs to room temperature. Spread the grape leaves on a platter. Place the cheese logs on top. Garnish with additional nuts and dried fruits. Serve with crackers.

Serves 4 to 6.

Gravlax With Dill-Mustard Sauce From Colin Cowie Gravlax will last one week in the

Gravlax With Dill-Mustard Sauce should be prepared four days in advance.

refrigerator. Leftovers make delicious sandwiches.

1 side of salmon (4-5 pounds), boned, with skin intact 1½ tablespoons brown sugar 1½ teaspoons course sea salt 1½ teaspoons freshly ground black pepper ½ cup dry dill weed 1 cup fresh dill weed, chopped 4 tablespoons vegetable oil

Party rye bread Butter Place the salmon on a platter skin side down. Check for any remaining small bones. Using a large fork, prick the salmon every couple of inches to allow the herb mixture to penetrate.

Sprinkle the sugar evenly over the top of the salmon, followed by salt and pepper. In a small bowl, combine the dried and fresh dill. Mix well and spread evenly over the salmon. Place a heavy plate on the salmon to flatten it. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 days.

Remove the salmon from the refrigerator. Scrape the dill away. Slice the fish thinly. Serve on slices of buttered rye or pumpernickel with a dol-

Continued on the next page

Photos by Julie Siegel

Brandied Cheese Roll Adapted from “The New Elegant But Easy Cookbook” by Marian Burros and Lois Levine This should be made a few days ahead to allow the flavors to blend. The grapevine leaves make for a beautiful presentation. Or specialty stores such as Williams-Sonoma carry French paper leaves, which are perfect for placing the cheese. ¾ pound good blue cheese, room temperature 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 1 teaspoon minced shallots ½ teaspoon dried thyme Salt and white pepper to taste 3 tablespoons brandy 2 cups finely chopped toasted walnuts, pecans or pistachios 1 jar brine-packed grape leaves, soaked in water to soften ½ cup dried cranberries, blueberries or currants Using an electric mixer, beat the blue cheese and cream cheese together until creamy. Fold in the shallots, thyme, salt and pepper, and brandy; mix to combine thoroughly.

Divide the mixture in half. Place each half on a sheet of plastic wrap.

Form into 2 roughly shaped logs, 1½ to 2 inches in diameter. Wrap tightly. Re-

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Brandied cheese rolls begin with blue cheese and cream cheese.

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CHANUKAH

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lop of dill mustard sauce on top. Garnish with a sprig of fresh dill. Makes 20 servings.

in a salad bowl. Toss with the dressing.

Top with pine nuts and Gorgonzola.

Makes 12 servings.

Dill-Mustard Sauce From Colin Cowie 12 ounces spicy brown mustard ¼ cup brown sugar, tightly packed 4 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped In a small pan, gently heat the mustard and sugar. When the sugar has dissolved, add the fresh dill. Simmer 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool. Makes 1¼ cups.

Marinated Chinese Green Beans With Shiitake Mushrooms 1½ pounds long Chinese green beans, sliced into 2-inch pieces ½ pound Shiitake mushrooms 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar ½ cup toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon soy sauce ½ teaspoon sugar Kosher salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped ¾ cup walnuts, chopped Steam the green beans and mushrooms until tender. Plunge immediately into an ice bath or run under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Combine the vinegar, oil, soy sauce, sugar, salt and pepper. Pour over the vegetables and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Bring to room temperature. Arrange artfully on a plate. Top with cilantro and walnuts. Makes 6 servings.

Cheese Straws Adapted from “The Silver Palate Cookbook” by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins 1 box frozen puff pastry sheets ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Roll out the puff pastry dough into a 20-by24-inch rectangle. Sprinkle half the Parmesan evenly over the dough and gently press the cheese into the dough with a rolling pin. Fold the dough in half crosswise; roll it out again to 20 by 24 inches. Sprinkle on the remaining cheese. Using a sharp, thin knife, cut the dough into 1/3-inch strips. Take each strip by its ends and twist until it is evenly corkscrewed. Lay the twists of dough on an ungreased baking sheet, arranged so they are just touching to prevent untwisting.

Set the baking sheet in the middle of the oven. Bake until the straws are crisp, puffed and brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Cut apart the straws with a sharp knife. Finish the cooling on a rack. Store the straws in airtight containers. Makes 20 straws, which will stay fresh for a week.

Baby Greens, Apples, Gorgonzola and Pine Nuts With Honey-Mustard Dressing ½ cup olive oil ¼ cup toasted sesame oil ¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 teaspoon soy sauce 2 plump garlic cloves, pressed 1 teaspoon honey 1 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons fresh parsley, minced 1 teaspoon Herbes De Provence Salt and pepper to taste 2 pounds baby greens 1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced thin 1 cup pine nuts, toasted ½ cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled Mix all the ingredients in a jar; shake vigorously. Place the baby greens

Sea Bass en Papillote Adapted from “Two Chefs, One Catch” by Bernard Guillas and Ron Oliver 1 small fennel bulb, fronds trimmed ¼ pound King Oyster mushrooms, stems trimmed, torn into ½-inch pieces ½ cup sliced shallots 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 small zucchini, sliced crosswise, 1/8 inch thick 2 tablespoons lemon juice 1/3 cup sherry wine 2 tablespoons olive oil Kosher salt and ground cracked black pepper to taste Pinch of cayenne pepper 4 6-ounce local sea bass fillets, boneless and skinless (may use halibut, cod or snapper) 6 red teardrop tomatoes, halved lengthwise 6 yellow teardrop tomatoes, halved lengthwise 8 thyme sprigs ¼ cup butter, cut into 4 cubes Canola or olive oil spray as needed Using a vegetable slicer, shave the fennel bulb crosswise into thin slices.

In a large bowl, mix fennel, shallots, garlic, zucchini, lemon juice, sherry wine, olive oil, salt, pepper and cayenne; toss to combine. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 400 degrees.

On 4 parchment paper circles, place half the vegetable mixture equally onto one side of the fold. Season fish fillets with salt and pepper. Place on top of the vegetables. Place the remaining vegetable mixture on top of the

CHANUKAH sea bass. Drizzle juices from the bowl over all. Top with the thyme sprigs, butter cubes, and red and yellow tomato halves. Fold the other half of the parchment over the top of the fish until the edges meet. Seal the edges. Transfer packets to an oiled baking sheet.

Spray thoroughly with canola oil. Bake 15 minutes. The packets will puff and brown as they bake. Transfer to a serving plate. Serve with a sharp knife so diners can slice open their own papillote. Makes 4 servings.

Mary Romano’s Struffoli This classic Italian dessert is often served on New Year’s. It looks like a tree or bush of honey-coated fried dough balls and hazelnuts — perfect for Chanukah.

2 cups flour 5 egg yolks 1 egg white, beaten until stiff 1 envelope dry yeast 1 cup sugar ½ cup Galliano liqueur 2 tablespoons warm milk Vegetable oil for frying

1 cup honey 1 tablespoon candied citron 1 tablespoon orange or tangerine zest 1½ cups hazelnuts ½ cup candied sprinkles ½ cup powdered sugar (optional) Combine the flour, egg yolks, egg white, yeast, sugar, liqueur and milk in a large bowl and let it rise for 1½ hours. Work with the dough; let it rise for another half-hour. Form into a ball and cut into 1-inch-thick pieces and roll them into balls that look like a hazelnut.

Heat the oil in a deep pot. When it’s hot, fry the dough balls quickly until golden brown. Fry only a few at a time so they don’t stick together. Put honey into a pan and heat it through. In a bowl, mix the candied citron, orange or tangerine zest, and hazelnuts. Dip the struffoli first into the honey, then the fruit and nuts. Form pieces into a tree or bush shape, using honey to make it stick together. Top with sprinkles and powdered sugar if desired. Cover with cheese cloth until served. ■

FEB 2/4

Two types of gluten-free latkes are alternatives to the standard potato version.

Boys Town Jerusalem offers two healthier alternatives to traditional potato latkes this Chanukah.

“We’re always looking for menus to be tasty and healthy for all, including students with special dietary needs,” said Tova Rottenberg, Boys Town Jerusalem’s food services director.

Leek latkes are adapted from a Sephardic Rosh Hashanah dish, keftes de Prassa, with the use of Passoverinspired potato starch to avoid gluten.

Beet-carrot latkes also are glutenfree and are baked rather than fried.

Leek Latkes 1½ to 2 pounds leeks, cleaned and trimmed 1 medium potato 1 egg Salt and pepper to taste 3 to 4 tablespoons potato starch Cook the leeks in water until they’re soft. Drain and cool them, then squeeze out the liquid. Cook the potato until soft and mash it. Add the remain-

ing ingredients to the leeks and potato, blend, and form the mixture into patties. Drop the patties into sizzling oil and fry until browned on both sides.

Blot with paper towels to absorb the oil, and serve.

Beet-Carrot Latkes ½ cup shelled walnuts 2 medium beets, peeled 2 carrots, peeled 1 egg 2 garlic cloves Salt and pepper to taste Olive oil Heat the oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, use a metal blade to chop the walnuts until they’re thin.

Add the beets, carrots and garlic, and process until the vegetables are fully chopped. Add the egg and seasoning.

Form the mixture into patties. Place them on a baking pan lined with parchment paper, and drizzle the patties with olive oil. Bake for approximately 15 minutes until the patties are firm.

Serve the latkes with homemade applesauce and sour cream. ■

Rococo Variations Johannes Moser, cello Jun Märkl, conductor Presented by:

Woodruff Arts Center Box Office 404.733.5000

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Gluten-Free Latkes

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CHANUKAH

Light the Menorah With a Party at Home

By Shelly Danz As the chief party officer of Atlanta Party Connection, I usually plan mitzvah celebrations for hundreds of guests, but I also know how to throw more intimate Chanukah celebrations for family and friends. If you’re hosting at home this year, here are some tips for a festive Festival of Lights.

Start Early

Don’t find yourself stressed and scrambling at the last minute. Plan ahead for a smooth event.

Ask for RSVPs to get a headcount, then work out how much of everything you’ll need, including food, drink and dining space. Think about where you’d like everyone to gather, and make sure those areas are ready for guests.

Place candles in your menorah, set tables, and lay out serving pieces and dishes to make meal setup quick and easy on the big day. Prepare any foods in advance that you can so that you won’t be stuck in the kitchen when guests arrive. (Psst: Latkes reheat beautifully in the oven while you schmooze.)

Get Help

Enlisting friends or even a neighborhood teen who’d like to earn some extra cash can reduce your stress and allow you to fully enjoy the party. Ask the helpers to take coats, replenish food platters and drinks or ice, and help clean up afterward.

If friends or family members offer to bring something, let them know what you need. Keep track of what you’ve assigned so that multiple guests don’t bring the same item.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Set the Tone

32

Decorate your home with symbols of Chanukah, string lights, bowls of gelt and other touches you like. Try Pinterest for décor inspiration.

Signal to your guests that the party is in full swing when they arrive by playing Chanukah music (create a holiday playlist) and greeting them with an hors d’oeuvre or beverage.

Time the Fun

Create a guideline for how your celebration will unfold, whether you plan to eat first or play games or exchange gifts. Giving a timeframe for each activity (for example, arrivals and appetizers, 6 to 6:30 p.m.; dinner, 6:30

David Hoffman, Mimi Hall (center) and Leah Fuhr have some dreidel fun at an InterfaithFamily/Atlanta party last year.

to 7 p.m.) and keeping an eye on the time will ensure that you get to all the activities you’ve planned.

Light Candles, Play Dreidel

Lighting candles during the holiday is essential, and it’s a lovely touch to have multiple menorahs so that each family can light one. You could even ask guests to bring their own so that you have plenty to go around.

And what’s a Chanukah party without a game of dreidel? Provide a good selection of dreidels plus gelt (real or chocolate) for the winnings. If you have a small group, everyone can play together. For larger gatherings, consider separate games at different tables.

Have a dreidel-off between the winners of each group.

If you have very young or nonJewish guests, keep the rules handy.

(An easy-to-follow guide is at myjewishlearning.com/article/how-to-playdreidel.)

Gift Everyone

Children often take home their dreidel winnings in a goody bag, but it sends a warm message to gift small party favors to all guests. You could give small Chanukah-themed chocolate treats, plastic or wooden dreidels, special menorah candles, or even a quickly printed photo of your guests from that evening.

Welcoming friends and family into your home is a wonderful way to show you care, at any time of the year.

Relax and have fun, and your guests will too. ■ Shelly Danz is the founder and chief party officer of Atlanta Party Connection (atlantapartyconnection.com), the premier bar and bat mitzvah resource in the metro area, helping thousands of families to create their ideal celebrations. APC connects parents with top vendors, secures exclusive deals and discounts on services, provides party consulting, and produces a twice-yearly Bar & Bat Mitzvah Expo.

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CHANUKAH

No Need to Fear December Dilemma Many years ago, a popular winter topic to discuss from the bimah and at parental-shul gatherings was the December Dilemma.

Outnumbered by our neighbors, classmates and co-workers, how do we survive the tinseled avalanche of the Christmas season? The radio waves’ relentless pounding of “Little Drummer Boy” and “Silent Night.” The malls and Main Street with their jingle-belling Santas, ho-hoing every passer-by.

The scent of fruitcake and eggnog filling our nostrils.

TV specials hauntingly hosted by Perry Como and Andy Williams.

It is a tough time for some Jews who wish to hibernate from Thanksgiving to New Year’s, but I must state that only the weak of spirit and only the religiously insecure need fear this season of peace on Earth and good will to all.

Old and young alike have no reason to flee the beauty of December.

For the confident Jew, there is no dilemma. We admire. We observe.

We share in the joy of our Christian

friends but know that Christmas belongs to them and not to us.

Nativity scenes should not prompt calls to the ACLU. A towering Christmas tree in the village green should not be condemned by strict constitutionalists as an assault on American democracy. Equal Chanukah time should not be demanded nor expected in our thin-skinned, unwar-

Guest Column

By Rabbi Shalom Lewis

ranted indignation.

This is their party. Let them celebrate.

But my thoughts go beyond this frosty time on the calendar.

We focus on December and wonder “How will we get through?” when the question should be asked throughout the year. From January to November there are dilemmas that we must confront.

December is intense and overwhelming in its drama and appeal, but to ignore the rest of the year makes no sense. We have chosen not isolation, but to live in the midst of vibrant, withering seduction.

From dawn’s early light we are invited to join the crowd and hook up with the comfortable. Daily we are challenged to either fit in or step out.

It is not an easy place to be when juggling conscience of faith with Friday night lights and Big Ed’s Pig and Pit. December is in-your-face sexy and enthralling, but we cannot dismiss the ordinary and its power to entice and to test.

As loyal, committed Jews, we confront dilemmas every day of the year. College boards on Shabbos or Sunday? One day of shiva

or a week? School or work on yontif?

An indulgence or tzedakah? Israel or a cruise? Mohel or doctor? Hebrew National or Oscar Mayer?

Such tension in our lives is the stuff and price of freedom and acceptance. But the authentic danger is not the collision of values and the challenge of choice, but when we no longer feel the tug within. When spiritual dilemmas disappear from our lives, when our pintele yid has no vote, when our glorious history is forgotten, that will indeed be a day of sorrow.

In the meanwhile, G-d bless dilemmas.

They stir our soul and keep us tethered to a majestic tradition. ■

From dawn’s early light we are invited to join the crowd and hook up with the comfortable.

Daily we are challenged to either fit in or step out.

Rabbi Shalom Lewis has served Congregation Etz Chaim for more than 40 years.

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CHANUKAH

Chanukah and Christmas: A Study in Similarities The first night of Chanukah falls on Dec. 24, Christmas Eve, so it’s worth paying attention to the many similarities between Chanukah and Christmas: • They both fall in December.

• They both delight the merchant classes.

• They’re both lighthearted holidays that don’t sufficiently emphasize their religious and historical origins.

• They both love light. Jews light candles. Christians light up evergreen

trees.

• They both are followed by a flood of bankruptcy filings by families who have blown the December budget on munificent gifts to kids who will forget their parents’ names, addresses and phone numbers by the time they’re 21. (“Citibank writes monthly about their new credit card, but not a word from Marvin,” says one of my neglected friends.)

Chanukah used to be a skimpy little holiday, more patriotic than reli-

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well as those of their Christian friends. gious. Jewish families feasted on fried They could even tell better shopping potato cakes — latkes — a delightful medley of potato, onion and matzah meal.

Latkes are still de rigueur on Chanukah, Scribbler on the Roof followed by long periods of

By Ted Roberts togetherness as the family holds hands, suffers from heartburn and chews Rolaids together. stories because of the eight-day frenzy The Jewish family laps up potato of exercising their credit cards. cakes while the Christian neighbors I remember the scene when I was dine on a great, golden goose sura youthful Chanukah celebrant. My rounded by festive delicacies. This grandmother, enthroned in the softest menu inequality, and perhaps a dischair in the living room, handed out agreement over the origin and arrival holiday coins to a line of grandkids, date of the Messiah, is all that keeps Christians and Jews from some serious nephews and nieces. There was a protocol, as when you were introduced to cost cutting with a corporate merger.

In Jewish homes, after the prayers, the queen. You held out your hand as candle lighting, latke feast and antacid Grandmother reached into her purse and selected your coin. therapy regimen, a long-winded storyThis was no egalitarian exercise. teller, like the author, tells the tale of The coins ranged from quarters to silChanukah: the campaign of liberation ver dollars.

Both behavior and kinship against Greek-Syrian masters waged went on the scale. A courteous, wellby the Jews of the second cleaned-up cousin with century before the comJews turned clean fingernails could mon era.

In the old days, Chanukah into cop a bigger prize than a grandkid who never kids enjoyed a frugal an eight-day called grandmother.

Chanukah. They usually The ceremony orgy of gifts.

It received a coin each day ended with a long, slow of the eight-day celebrawas a giant step kiss to grandmother’s tion. toward economic cheek. It was an obligaBut sometime around the middle of the assimilation and tion that smart kids realized affected next year’s 20th century, inflamed bridge building disbursement. by their Christian neighMy cousin Arlene, as between the sister bors and their frenzied farsighted as the prophet December generosity, religions.

Elijah, was even smart Jews turned Chanukah enough to help cut up into an eight-day orgy her bubbe’s latkes. And that was Chaof gifts. It was a giant step toward nukah in my day. ■ economic assimilation and bridge building between the sister religions.

Ted Roberts is a writer in Huntsville, Jews were now also broke in Ala. January. Their checks bounced just as

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Happy Chanukah from

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404-CUT-TREE We Save Trees Too!

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CHANUKAH

InterfaithFamily Goes Back to Prom The early Chanukah celebrations continued Saturday night, Dec. 17, with Promukkah at Ponce City Market, an event hosted by InterfaithFamily/Atlanta and thought up as a fun way to celebrate the festival that would not conflict with Christmas. Other sponsors included Moishe House-Inman Park, SOJOURN, the Sixth Point, Limmud Atlanta + Southeast, AAspire, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and Honeymoon Israel. â–

Photos by Erin Brauer Photography

(From left) Rabbi Malka Packer, who came up with the idea for Promukkah, poses with Jessica Heilweil, Nili Larish, Amy Price, Rob Kistenberg and Leah Fuhr.

Promukkah features a latke bar with three varieties of the fried treat and a table with Krispy Kreme doughnuts and sufganiyot from For All Occasions and More catering.

InterfaithFamily/Atlanta Director Rabbi Malka Packer and Mercy Monroe, who got engaged the day after Promukkah, enjoy the festivities.

Guests were encouraged to attend wearing their idea of proper prom attire.

DECEMBER 23 â–Ş 2016

Guests lift a recently married couple on chairs during the Hora.

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Wishing You and Your Family a Happy Chanukah

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CHANUKAH

Take a Holiday Spin With Children’s Books

By R.M. Grossblatt Picture books, usually around 32 pages, bring home the joy of Chanukah for children and adults. Although few new Chanukah books are out this year, Kar-Ben publishing, which can be found at Judaica Corner, 2185 Briarcliff Road, Toco Hills, has several: “Potatoes at Turtle Rock” by Susan Schnur and Anna Schnur-Fishman, illustrated by Alex Steele Morgan; “Hanukkah Delight” by Leslea Newman, illustrated by Amy Husband; and “A Hanukkah With Mazel” by Joel Edward Stein, illustrated by Elisa Vavouri.

“A Hanukkah With Mazel” has an interesting story line and memorable pictures. It’s about Misha, a poor artist who lives alone outside Grodno. One day, close to the Festival of Lights, he finds a cat nestled by his cow, Klara, and names her Mazel.

Misha, who has lots of unsold paintings and little to eat, shares everything with Mazel, including milk from Klara and latkes fried with his last two potatoes. He shows Mazel a menorah that belonged to his grandfather and tells him: “My grandfather made this wonderful menorah. … I have no money for candles, so I don’t know how we will light them, but Hanukkah is a time for hope.”

When a peddler comes to the door and claims that Mazel is his cat, Misha winds up with more mazel than he imagined.

Last year Kar-Ben published its 15th book in the Sammy Spider series: “Sammy Spider’s First Taste of Hanukkah,” a cookbook by Sylvia A. Rouss and Genene Levy Turndorf, illustrated

by Katherine Janus Kahn. The recipes appear under Maccabee Munch, Maccabee Miracle Meals and Maccabee Tasty Treats. They include recipes for Melt in Your Mouth Menorahs, Sweet Potato Gelt and Chocolate “Fun-due.”

At the back of this fun paperback is a section on the blessings when lighting the menorah and suggestions for craft projects.

“Emanuel and the Hanukkah Rescue” by Heidi Smith Hyde, illustrated

by Jamel Akib, takes place in the 18th century in a whaling town in Massachusetts where Jewish merchants sell oilskins, boots and canvas bags to sea captains.

It tells the story of a 9-year-old boy who slips away on a ship to be freer than his father and other Jews in the town who are afraid to display their Jewishness.

The ship is lost in a storm until the crew sees a line of bright lights in the distance.

Besides Kar-Ben books, older Chanukah titles at the store include the following: • “Honeyky Hanukah” by Woody Guthrie, illustrated by Dave Horowitz (Doubleday Books for Young Readers, 2014), which includes a CD of the catchy song written by Guthrie. It’s about a boy and his dog who gather family and friends for a Chanukah celebration at Bubbe’s.

• “Simon and the Bear: A Hanukkah Tale” by Eric A. Kimmel, illustrated

by Mathew Trueman (Disney Hyperion Books, 2014), tells the story of Simon, whose mother sends him to America with food, a menorah, candles and matches. With tears in her eyes, she says, “Wherever you are Simon, don’t forget to celebrate Hanukkah and its miracles. Who knows? You may need a miracle on your long journey.” When his ship strikes an iceberg, he does. It’s an adventure story of kindness, humor and miracles.

• “I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Dreidel” by Caryn Yacowitz, illustrated by David Slonim (Arthur A. Levine Books, 2014), is the tale of a beloved grandmother who swallows a dreidel because she thinks it is a bagel and then, in search of a remedy, swallows other surprising items. It’s more than hilarious. At the end of the book, the illustrator shows how each of his pictures relates to a famous piece of art, such as “Starry Night” by Vincent Van Gogh, “Dance” by Henri Matisse and “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci.

Slonim writes, “I wanted the art parodies to help the book transcend Chanukah, speaking of the universal human experience of family gatherings and celebrations.” ■

CHANUKAH

On 5th Night, Hawks Hope to Light Up Knicks

BERMAN COMMONS A S S I S T E D L I V I N G & M E M O RY C A R E

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

At Jewish Heritage Night in 2015, Menachem Loebenstein lights the menorah while Rabbi Isser New looks on.

and we’re always excited to bring that to the games.”

Principal owner Tony Ressler is Jewish, as are co-owners Jesse Itzler and Sara Blakely and CEO Steve Koonin.

The Hawks had a perfect record on Jewish Heritage Night — beating the Los Angeles Clippers 107-97 in 2013 and 107-104 in 2014 — until they lost to the San Antonio Spurs 103-78 last year.

Tickets, priced at $37, $42, $69 and $125, are available at www.nba.com/ hawks/jewishheritagenight.

The pregame menorah lighting begins promptly at 7 p.m. The game tips off at 7:30. ■

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The Atlanta Hawks and Chabad of Georgia are set to turn Philips Arena into the Chanukah Chai Light factory for the fourth consecutive year.

Jewish Heritage Night is scheduled for the Hawks’ home game against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, Dec. 28. The festivities will include a pregame menorah lighting at midcourt and catering by the Kosher Gourmet.

The event will not include a Chanukahthemed halftime performance.

The Knicks game is the Hawks’ only non-Shabbat home game during Chanukah this year.

“We’re very fortunate to be able to bring this event every year to Philips Arena,” said Rabbi Yale New of Chabad of Georgia. “It’s a great opportunity for the Jewish community, and we have a great relationship with the Hawks.

Chanukah is not a just a message for Jewish people, but a message to the entire world about religious freedom,

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CHANUKAH

Little Things Lead to Art Contest Win

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

It’s all in the details for 10-year-old Ari Gordon, the overall winner of the AJT’s 2016 Chanukah Art Contest.

Using a mix of crayon, Sharpie and pencil, Ari crafted this year’s winning design: a meticulously drawn menorah for the Festival of Lights. It’s all about the process for Ari, who said he spent two hours on the piece and didn’t get up once from his chair until he was done.

“I wanted to do a menorah because I thought it would be the easiest to draw and I like menorahs,” the Sandy Springs resident said.

A panel of AJT judges picked his drawing out of nearly 85 contest entries.

Ari, a fourth-grader at the Atlanta Jewish Academy, said his favorite parts of Chanukah are lighting the menorah, playing dreidel with his family and eat38 ing latkes. His hobbies besides art in-

clude soccer and drama.

He just finished playing the lead role of Roger in AJA’s production of “101 Dalmatians.”

Ari’s parents, Susan and Brian, are proud of him for winning the art contest and especially for his attention to detail and patience while drawing the menorah.

“I think he was able to focus on drawing the menorah for those two hours because he enjoys it so much,” Brian said.

Added Susan, “He’s a perfectionist.”

The chanukiah drawing is complete with shadows, shading, flames and even melted wax on the top of the candles.

Ari is already planning what he’s going to buy with his grand prize: a $50 gift card to Binders Art Supplies in Buckhead. “I’ll probably buy some canvases, paint, and maybe a book that teaches you more about art and artists.” ■

Fourth-grader Ari Gordon, 10, poses with his prize-winning Chanukah drawing.

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DECEMBER 23 â–ª 2016

CHANUKAH

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Our Other Winners

In addition to overall winner Ari Gordon, the Atlanta Jewish Times Chanukah Art Contest recognizes the best artwork submitted in each age group.

This year, we have winners in the 6-and-under, 7-to-9 and 10-to-12 age groups, but because of a lack of entries, we do not have any prizes among 13- to 15-year-olds.

Ages 6 and Under ALEXIS FRIST, 6

DECEMBER 23 â–Ş 2016

Sandy Springs Parents Lisa and David Frist Epstein School

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Ages 7 to 9 LEO SILVER, 9 Sandy Springs Parents Juli and Jonathan Silver Epstein School

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Ages 10 to 12 LILA ROSS, 10 Roswell Parents Amie and Joe Ross Epstein School

DECEMBER 23 â–ª 2016

CHANUKAH

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CHANUKAH

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Runners-Up Art is, of course, subjective, and a different set of judges could have picked any of these age-group runners-up as winners. For that matter, many other excellent entries could have earned a place on this page. To see the full range of artistic talent, please visit our Chanukah Art Contest gallery at atlantajewishtimes.com.

Seamus Cavorley, 3 Parents Sara and Sean Cavorley, East Cobb

Amelia Andrews, 11, Children’s School Brennan Friedman-Andrews and George Andrews, Virginia-Highland

Shalom Dovid Schulgasser, 12, Torah Day School of Atlanta Parents Bracha and Elchanan Schulgasser, Dunwoody

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Micah Weiss, 7, Epstein School Parents Yael Waknine and Edward Weiss, Sandy Springs

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Evie Carmel, 6, Epstein School Parents Rachelle and Brian Carmel, Dunwoody

Yaffa Antopolsky, 7, Chaya Mushka Children’s House Parents Esther and Dovid Antopolsky, Sandy Springs

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CHANUKAH

chanukah fun 5777

spot Which theonedifference is different?

Hint: Chanukah

ANTIOCHUS PUBLICIZE

CHANA

SHEVAT

KISLEV

DEDICATE

CROSSWORD Complete the crossword by translating each Hebrew

word into English. Use the reference from Al Hanisim, said on Chanukah, for help.

1

2 3

ACROSS 2. ‫אתה‬ 5. ‫נסים‬ 6. ‫ימים‬ 8. ‫יד‬

4

5

DOWN 6

7

8

1. ‫דן‬ 3. ‫שם‬ 4. ‫עמד‬ 7. ‫בן‬

WORD FIND

Can you discover the Secret Message? Find and circle the bold, italicized words from the Chanukah summary in the Word Find. Write the unused Word Find letters in the spaces below to spell the Secret Message.

Have fun!

C B H O V

E

R A B N U K

A U H

Y

L

I

A D

O R N

T

H

I

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R H

H N

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A

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F

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F

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A R

I

A N

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V

I

T

V

A A E G

T

T

E

I

L

H

Y

G H

Y O S

T

O

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A

T

N

I

S

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R D

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K O

L

R

H R G E

F

G A A H

A R O N M P

O D

T

F

K

I

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S

L

U

SECRET MESSAGE

Y

Y

E

V

________ __ __ ___ ______ _____ ___ __ ______

gematria

The Haftarah read on Shabbat Chanukah is from :

‫מ‬ ÷‫ח‬

‫ח‬ +‫ב‬

‫ת‬ -‫ר‬

‫ה‬ x‫ד‬

‫מט‬ ÷‫ז‬ ‫ז‬

‫א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט י כ ל מ נ ס ע פ צ ק ר ש ת‬ 400 300 200 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10

9

8

WORD CMRLESAB LINKED S E B T LTA ______ _______ RLAEMICS TIGEH ________ _____ Hint: Hanerot Halalu

weekly chinuch podcast - OVER 150 posted!

Check your answers at: parsha + chinuch < 5 minutes www.thefamousabba.com/podcasts www.thefamousabba.com/chanukah

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

(scramble)

OASNSE ______ I S G H LT ______

Brought to you by:

© 2016 The Famous Abba

www.thefamousabba.com

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

In 167 BCE, Antiochus Epiphanes of the Syrian-Greek Empire tried to force the Jews in his empire to practice his Greek religion. Antiochus desecrated The Bait Hamikdash, set up pagan idols, and gave the Jews the option of practicing Hellenism or facing death. Many Jews converted to Hellenism, but some refused to leave their Jewish faith. Antiochus also banned basic mitzvot such as: kashrut, shabbat, brit milah, and celebrating Rosh Chodesh and holidays. Matityahu the Kohen Gadol together with his sons, the Chashmonaim, fought back and, although greatly outnumbered, managed to miraculously defeat the Syrian-Greek army. The Maccabees did not gain complete freedom, but the Bait HaMikdash was reclaimed and Jews were able to practice their religion again.

Upon entry to the Bait Hamikdash, the Chashmonaim found only one sealed cruse of pure olive oil. This oil, sufficient to burn for one day, miraculously burned for 8 days and nights. Almost a year later, the 2nd Bait Hamikdash was rededicated on the 25th day of Kislev, which is the date the Sages set to begin the celebration of Chanukah. Over the course of the 8 days of Chanukah we read from the Torah about the inauguration of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the midbar and of the mitzvah instructed to Aharon to light the menorah daily. By reading these portions, we connect the rededication of the Mikdash to the bravery of the Maccabees, and the commandment given to their ancestor Aharon to light the menorah and dedicate the Mishkan.

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CHANUKAH

AJT Fiction: The Dance NEW JUDAIC PIECES UNVEILED

“Chai to Life” Original mixed media, Raphael Abecassis

“Wailing Wall” by Richard Russell Embellished Giclee on canvas

“Star of David” Agamagraph, Yaacov Agam

“Angels Take Pity on Jacob” Etching with hand watercolor, Marc Chagall

“Dor l’dor” 3-D lithograph by Mordechai Rubinstein

Great Holiday Gifts

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DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

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By R.M. Grossblatt On the first day of Chanukah at Torah Academy, all the second-graders walked into class with gifts tucked under arms or stuffed into book bags.

All except me. My father was out of work, and we couldn’t afford Chanukah gifts. But nobody at school knew it.

“Where’s your present, Jacob?” asked my friend Avi, showing me a set of walkie-talkies.

I shrugged but said nothing.

“I got a super-duper highway,” said Matt, setting up tracks on the floor.

“Look at my singing dreidel,” said Debbie. On her desk she spun a bright red top that lighted up and played “I Had a Little Dreidel.”

“Did you get the chemistry set you wanted?” Avi asked me.

“No,” I answered. “But I lit a candle in my menorah, and while it was burning, my father grabbed my hand and the hands of my little brother and sister, and we danced around in a circle.”

“Oh,” Avi said. I knew that he wondered why I didn’t get the chemistry set, but I didn’t know how to tell him that my father was out of work.

“Can I try one of your walkie-talkies?” I asked.

“Sure,” Avi said. “Go out and see if you can hear me.”

Just as I reached the door, Mrs. Goldberger walked in. Now the walkietalkies, super-duper highway, singing dreidel and all the other gifts had to be put away.

On the second day of Chanukah, the children came to school with more gifts. All except me.

“What did you get for Chanukah?”

Avi asked, showing me his new, oversized “Captain Calamity” comic book.

“I lit two candles in my menorah,” I said. “And while they were burning, I danced again with my father. Then he told me how during the days of the Temple, King Antiochus tried to stop the Jews from being Jewish.”

“How did he do that?” Avi asked.

“He took away our rights to celebrate Shabbat and holidays and practice Jewish law,” I told him.

“I remember,” said Avi, but I knew that he still wondered why I didn’t get a gift. At lunchtime we took turns reading from the “Captain Calamity” comic book and laughed at the pictures.

On the third day of Chanukah, Matt was searching the reading corner for one of his race cars that got lost flying off the super-duper highway.

Debbie twirled a blue singing dreidel

because her red one broke, and Avi showed me a bag of tiger-eye marbles.

“Did you get your chemistry set yet?” he asked.

“Not yet,” I answered. “But I lit three candles in my menorah. While they were burning, I danced and sang ‘Oh, Chanukah, Oh, Chanukah’ with my father. Then we talked about how a small band of Jews led by Judah Maccabee and his brothers conquered King Antiochus and his huge army of soldiers, who were riding on elephants!”

“Um-hm,” Avi said. “You can have one of my marbles.” He rolled a greenand-yellow tiger-eye across my desk.

“Thanks!” I said. The marble landed on the floor in front of Mrs. Goldberger, who almost stepped on it.

“Time for math,” she said, picking up the tiger-eye. “How much is six tigereye marbles plus three, minus one?”

On the fourth and fifth nights of Chanukah, I lit the candles in my menorah and danced wildly around and around with my father. In school, I didn’t care that Avi asked again about my present. I could hardly wait to dance wildly with my father again.

But on the sixth night of Chanukah, my mother and I had to wait until my father came home from interviewing for a job. He walked into the house with his head down. I knew that he probably didn’t get the job.

When I lit my menorah, Daddy sort of smiled. So I grabbed his hands and the hands of my little brother and sister and started dancing. Then Daddy took just my hands in his and whirled me around and around. When we finished dancing, we both collapsed into chairs. My sister and brother begged Daddy to whirl them around too.

The next day after school, Avi came home with me. I lent him the clay menorah I made in kindergarten. As soon as the stars came out, we each lit seven candles in the window and danced and sang with my father and little brother and sister. With Avi joining us, it was easier to form a circle.

Then we sat down to a meal of my mother’s famous cheese blintzes and sizzling potato latkes. While we dipped the latkes in applesauce, we spoke about how the Jews cleaned up the Temple and found one jar of pure oil — only enough to light the menorah for one day.

“But it lasted for eight days,” I said, “enough time for the Jews to get more pure oil.”

My father smiled. Then my mother brought out dessert: sufganiyot (jelly

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doughnuts), in honor of Chanukah.

“That’s why,” said my father, winking, “we get to eat latkes and doughnuts fried in oil.” I hadn’t seen my father wink in a long time.

When Avi bit into the soft, round doughnut, raspberry jelly squeezed out. “Yum,” he said. Then he whispered, “Maybe we should search your room for your present.”

“I don’t think so,” I whispered back.

On the eighth night of Chanukah, I lit eight candles in my menorah and listened as Daddy told how over 2,000 years ago, when the Chanukah story took place, children learned Torah in caves — all the time pretending to play the game of dreidel.

“It’s a miracle they weren’t discovered,” my mother said.

“A miracle could happen, and Daddy could get a new job,” I said.

“Yes, he could,” said my mother, looking at Daddy. Then my father winked and danced so fast with me and my little sister and brother that our feet hardly touched the floor.

The next morning in school, Avi lined up behind me on the playground as Rabbi Rosenbaum, the principal, announced, “It’s the last day of Chanukah. How about chocolate-chip latkes and ice cream for lunch?”

Everyone cheered.

“Did you get a present?” Avi asked as we walked toward the classroom.

“Yes,” I said.

“You did?” Avi asked, stopping in the middle of the line, which caused two boys behind him to collide.

“First I lit eight candles in my menorah and ran outside to see how they looked in the window,” I told Avi. “The lights in all our menorahs lit up the whole miracle for everyone to see. Then my father and I and my little sister and brother, even my mother, joined hands in a circle and danced and danced and danced. We sang every Chanukah song we knew. Afterward, we fell into our chairs at the kitchen table for our last night of latkes and warmed, leftover sufganiyot.”

“But what about the present?” Avi asked.

“Oh, the present,” I said, and winked. “After dinner, I played dreidel with my little sister and brother and won this.” I held a bag bulging with gold-wrapped coins.

“Chocolate Chanukah gelt?” Avi said. “That’s sort of a present, I guess.”

I knew he didn’t understand why I didn’t get the chemistry set. Still, I couldn’t explain, but at lunch I shared the Chanukah gelt. By the time lunch recess was over, we finished the whole

bag. In the afternoon, we couldn’t go back to class because we had to see Mrs. Marks, the school nurse.

As we trudged to the nurse’s office, holding our stomachs, Avi asked, “Why didn’t you get a real present for Chanukah?”

“Maybe I did,” I told him.

“You mean the chocolate gelt?” Avi asked as Mrs. Marks poured pink medicine into a spoon.

“Besides that,” I said. “I mean the kind of gift you don’t eat up, lose or break.”

“What kind of gift is that?” my friend asked as Mrs. Marks poured the pink potion for me also.

“Maybe the kind I’ll remember forever, like lighting my own menorah in the window and dancing with my father each night of Chanukah.”

“Hmm,” Avi said as we walked back to class. “Don’t you want a chemistry set?”

“Sure. Maybe I’ll get one for my birthday,” I said.

Avi shook his head and sighed.

That’s when I decided to share my secret with my best friend.

“I have to tell you something,” I said quietly. “My father is out of work. That’s why I could only get chocolate gelt.”

“Jacob, why didn’t you tell me?” asked Avi, putting his arm around my shoulder.

I shrugged. I didn’t know why I couldn’t tell Avi, but I was glad I finally did.

As we reached our classroom, we heard lively Chanukah music behind the closed door. Inside, Debbie was spinning her blue dreidel, which

sounded a little like a broken CD, on every desk. Matt was racing a new car down his super-duper highway. And all the other children were playing with their Chanukah gifts.

“Join the party,” Mrs. Goldberger said.

“Can I share my gift?” I asked.

“Of course, Jacob,” she said.

“Everybody make a circle,” I said, grabbing my friends’ hands, “and let’s dance!” So Avi, and I and all the students in second grade joined hands and danced and sang until the bell rang.

Then all the second-graders stuffed their gifts back into their book bags. All except me. I swung my book bag over my shoulder and, humming a Chanukah tune, hurried out the door to dance away the last moments of Chanukah with Daddy. ■

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

CHANUKAH

45

CHANUKAH

Where in Atlanta to Find Israeli-Style Sufganiyot

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com Options abound for trendy doughnuts in Atlanta this Chanukah season, but what if you want an authentic holiday feast? Where can you get your hands on Israeli-style sufganiyot, the fried doughnuts filled with jelly?

Plenty of shops in Atlanta are producing jelly-filled doughnuts, some of which are kosher, but the AJT found only three sources for the Israeli variety known as a Chanukah treat.

The Real Thing Alon’s Bakery & Market Israeli Alon Balshan, the executive chef and owner of Alon’s Bakery & Market, is baking authentic sufganiyot in a variety of flavors, including plain, custard, dulce de leche, Nutella and the traditional raspberry. Get them for $2 to $3 each at both Alon’s locations in Dunwoody (4505 Ashford-Dunwoody Road) and Morningside (1394 N. Highland Ave.). These sufganiyot are not certified as kosher but are available through the end of the year (remember, Chanukah doesn’t end until Jan. 1). Contact the Alon’s catering department at 678-397-1781 for large orders.

The Spicy Peach Talk about straight from the source: The Spicy Peach in Toco Hills (2887 N. Druid Hills Road) is getting a truckload of frozen sufganiyot shipped directly from Israel. They are kosher pareve and available now. The store is selling only 300 to 350. A case of 35 sufganiyot is $44; singles are $1.49. Call 404-334-7200 for more information, or email info@thespicypeach.com.

For All Occasions Jodie Sturgeon’s For All Occasions

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Worth a Mention Krispy Kreme on Ponce The kosher Krispy Kreme location at 295 Ponce de Leon Ave. in Midtown doesn’t make sufganiyot but for special orders will make a raspberry jelly doughnut topped with powdered sugar instead of the usual glaze.

Toco Hills Publix The Publix in the Toco Hills Shopping Center (2969 N. Druid Hills Road) produces kosher dairy sufganiyahstyle jelly doughnuts topped with powdered sugar in a variety of flavors.

Bon Glaze Bon Glaze in Buckhead (3794 Roswell Road) and Brookhaven (3575 Durden Drive) is producing round jelly doughnuts for Chanukah and Star of David doughnuts without filling. Call 678-691-4534 to order.

Sublime Donuts The newly Atlanta Kosher Commission-certified doughnut shop in Toco Hills (2566 Briarcliff Road) is producing kosher, dairy, star-shaped jelly doughnuts for Chanukah. ■

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and More catering is baking koshercertified, pareve, Israeli-influenced sufganiyot. Last year Sturgeon baked about 2,000 sufganiyot for Jewish Atlanta, but she expects to make fewer this year because the holiday is so late that many customers are traveling.

Sturgeon said one of her sufganiyot is about three times the size of a Krispy Kreme jelly doughnut and has twice the filling. Because her sufganiyot are so fresh, she gives customers powdered sugar to add on top when they’re ready to eat them so the sugar isn’t absorbed.

The sufganiyot sell for $19 per dozen or $1.85 each. Call 404-953-8157 or email office@faocatering.com to order.

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CHANUKAH

Refilling the Flavors of Sufganiyot tions for a modern take on sufganiyot include fresh peach and strawberry sliders, Almond Joy nut, Nutella cream puff, and the Revolution cream pie (a take on the Boston cream pie).

• Sublime Doughnuts (www.sub-

Guest Column

By Skye Estroff

The Nutella cream puff more than suffices as a modern take on the sufganiyah.

While all of Bon Glaze’s doughnuts are decadent, stick with such filled options as Nanner and Campfire (back center) for proper substitutions for sufganiyot.

years ago in Brookhaven and has created quite a buzz around the Atlanta community. It opened a second spot in Buckhead this year, and the lines are still out the door for the decadent, handcrafted doughnuts.

Almost two dozen flavors are available each day, but for Chanukah’s sake, we’re focusing on the filled versions. Just as there are eight nights of Chanukah, there are eight flavors of filled doughnuts at Bon Glaze every day. Try lemon meringue pie, peanut butter and berry, or strawberries and crème if you prefer fruit-filled, or order the Nutella with chocolate mousse, espresso crème, orange crème with whipped crème, Nanner (banana) or Campfire (s’mores) if you’d rather taste something outside the box.

• Revolution Doughnuts (revolutiondoughnuts.com) — Hailing from Decatur, Revolution Doughnuts can be a far trek for some. Whatever traffic you battle or inconvenience you face, these doughnuts are well worth it.

Revolution uses organic flour and all high-quality ingredients for its recipes, and the difference is exceptional.

Revolution makes several styles of doughnuts — from yeast to cake, vegan to low gluten. Recommenda-

limedoughnuts.com) — You can find Sublime in Midtown and North Druid Hills (a kosher shop), but its location in Bangkok makes this company internationally recognized and adored.

A white chocolate peach “burger” at Sublime adds ice cream to the fried pleasure of a filled doughnut.

Some of the filled doughnuts are made into shapes, including the orange dream (a star), the A-Town cream (an A) and the raspberry filled with dark chocolate frosting (a heart).

If you want to surprise your kids or sweet-toothed Chanukah guests, order some of the doughnut “burgers” filled with homemade ice cream. From butter pecan caramel to white chocolate peach, Cinnamon Toast Crunch to Oreo, these doughnut ice cream sandwiches are real crowd-pleasers.

• Sarah Donuts (www.facebook. com/SarahDonuts) — Sarah Donuts does not have a website, but it sure does have a loyal fan base. The family that owns Sarah Donuts has been dishing out goodies for over 30 years,

including 10 years in the suburbs.

The signature Sunflower doughnut screams sufganiyot to me. It’s sweet and trendy and brings a light of its own to the Chanukah table. Pick up yours from one of the four locations.

• DaVinci’s Donuts (www.davincisdonuts.com) — DaVinci’s has taken over Dunwoody, Sandy Springs and Alpharetta. The fresh-fried doughnut concoctions are smaller than the traditional size but just as delicious.

Unusual flavors of filled doughnuts for Chanukah include cannoli, tiramisu, and strawberries and cream.

If you’d rather choose your fillings and toppings, DaVinci’s lets you design your own. It’s like Chipotle for doughnuts. Add drizzles, icings and toppings of all varieties for the ultimate sweet treat. Designing your own doughnut is such a blast that it can even double as a gift for the night. ■ Skye Estroff is the marketing and media manager for Atlanta’s largest food festival, Taste of Atlanta (tasteofatlanta. com). She is an Atlanta native, a University of Georgia grad and an expert in Atlanta’s best food.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

There are latke songs and odes to gelt of all different chocolate varieties, but one signature Chanukah food lacks a following: jelly doughnuts.

Sufganiyot are typically yeast doughnuts filled with fruit jelly and topped with powdered sugar. As an adventurous millennial eater, I’ve concluded that this treat needs an update — ASAP. Doughnuts are one of the trendiest foods. I see them all over Instagram.

Doughnut shops are popping up right and left, and the flavor combinations are limitless. So let’s make Chanukah hip again.

• Bon Glaze (www.bonglaze.com) — Bon Glaze opened less than two

47

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The sufganiyot look and smell good in the fryer, but they aren’t round.

That’s a problem, especially when it’s time to fill them.

The Too-Hard Reality Of My First Sufganiyot

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com I’ve never been a big fan of sufganiyot. The ones I’ve tasted have always seemed heavier and less flavorful than a standard American jelly doughnut.

Meanwhile, Krispy Kreme’s raspberry-filled, glazed jelly doughnut is about as close to doughnut perfection as I’ve found, and you can even get it under Atlanta Kosher Commission certification. No powdered concoction rolled out for Chanukah could match it.

For home frying to celebrate the holiday, the savory flavors of latkes and fried chicken are better than anything sweet, and when it’s time for dessert, my wife has found a quick and easy way to deliver great taste: canned biscuit dough tossed into the deep fryer, then into powdered sugar.

But as sufganiyot emerged as a major theme in this year’s Chanukah issue — a report on the options for the real deal in Atlanta (Page 46), some fancy alternatives (Page 47) and an Israeli home baker’s gluten-free efforts (Page 49) — I couldn’t resist looking for a recipe in a new cookbook that arrived in the AJT offices, “Traditional Jewish Baking: Retro Recipes Your Grandma Would Make … If She Had a Mixer” by Carine Goren.

Sure enough, there it is on pages 174 and 175. The sufganiyot in the photo are far too close to perfection to be a reasonable goal, and it’s annoyingly clear from the measurements that Goren is an Israeli who converted the recipe from metric to the English units we Americans use. For example, her 30-sufganiyot recipe requires 3½ ounces of butter when a full stick is 4 ounces.

But the recipe seemed simple enough. I was pleased it called for lemon zest and surprised it included brandy. So why not?

The best reason why not is that I’m not a baker. I used to bake bread, but usually with a bread machine, so there was a low degree of difficulty.

I bake pies at Thanksgiving every year, but there’s a reason for the phrase “easy as pie.” It’s hard to make a great pie, but it’s even harder to make a bad one. You don’t have to worry about yeast activating or dough rising. The chemistry and the time are minimized.

But I’ve watched enough baking competitions on TV to give it a try.

You can see the results on this page. Not surprisingly for someone who is used to the forgiving approximations of making pumpkin pies, I wasn’t precise enough. My sufganiyot were all different sizes and shapes, and the dough never achieved the shiny smoothness Goren told me to expect.

The flavor wasn’t bad, but the density was depressing — although not too far from all those inedible sufganiyot I’ve sampled at synagogue parties and other community events over the years. I look forward to trying sufganiyot this year from professionals I trust to get a proper baseline.

My biggest failure had nothing to do with the chemistry of the dough or the temperature of the oil and everything to do with pumping those pastries full of berry jam. It’s a skill I lack, so the filling either became a topping or the sufganiyah nearly turned into a jelly sandwich.

It may be Chanukah sacrilege, but while it was fun to try sufganiyot once, I think we’ll be back to the instant gratification of fried biscuit dough when the Festival of Lights begins. ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CHANUKAH

Sufganiyot Enter Gluten-Free Era Israeli baker Zehavit KaidarHeafetz is taking sufganiyot in creative directions from her kitchen in Johns Creek, close to the Alpharetta line.

The owner of Baking Smiles (“When you see me, you see a smile usually”), who has lived here with her husband and three school-age sons for 5½ years, launched her home business two years ago at the urging of friends by making the Chanukah doughnuts.

The standard Israeli-style treats were a hot item, but they weren’t enough to satisfy her need to make her customers happy.

“I don’t know if it’s the Jewish gene or being a mom, but I want to save people and want them to be happy,” Kaidar-Heafetz said in a phone interview during a break from the Chanukah rush this month.

She experimented with flavors beyond the traditional “red jelly.” She added caramel and Nutella fillings and an unfilled option, and she lets customers stick with traditional powdered sugar or have their sufganiyot glazed in white or dark chocolate.

She decided to try something more adult, so this year she is offering two signature flavors: Sweet Clouds (a Bailey’s Irish Cream pastry cream, topped with white chocolate and toasted coconut and served with a shot of Irish cream you can inject into the pastry) and Wake Up Call (an espresso pastry cream, a coffee glaze and dark-chocolate-covered cocoa nibs, served with an injectable shot of Kahlua).

As a home baker, her kitchen is not certified by the Atlanta Kosher Commission, but she uses only kosher ingredients on dishes and pans that are exclusively for the business in a kitchen where meat and milk never meet.

Kaidar-Heafetz said her sufganiyot are smaller than what you’ll normally find, but customers last year wanted a bite size for parties. So in the middle of Chanukah she rolled out half-size sufganiyot, which this year are more popular than the full-size versions.

“I really like to listen to my customers and to fix everything that I do to the customer,” she said. Customers can reach her at www.bakingsmiles4u.com or www.facebook.com/BakingSmiles.

Making the bite-size sufganiyot wasn’t too tough; Kaidar-Heafetz simply cut the dough in half.

A bigger challenge arose when a friend asked during Chanukah last

Zehavit Kaidar-Heafetz even sounds as if she’s smiling.

Introducing gluten-free sufganiyot for $4 apiece.

Baking Smiles offers a variety of options with the sufganiyot.

year whether she could make glutenfree sufganiyot. Kaidar-Heafetz said she made some that were delicious, but they were the wrong shape and within three hours were like eating rubber.

“I want to satisfy my customer, but if I can’t satisfy myself, there’s no way I can sell it,” she said.

She decided to try again to develop a gluten-free sufganiyah in time for Chanukah this month.

She mixed and matched recipes, then tried mixing and matching different types of gluten-free flour.

Six times she tried and decided

the result was not acceptable. Only two batches were close enough for her to share her progress on Facebook. One attempt was so bad she wouldn’t even count it.

But she didn’t give up. “That’s what I liked,” Kaidar-Heafetz said. “It takes a lot of guts to try all those and throw away batch after batch.”

Chanukah is a holiday with a happy ending, and, sure enough, the quest for gluten-free sufganiyot also has a happy ending. Kaidar-Heafetz finally matched a consistency she liked with the flavor she needed, and now you can

order gluten-free sufganiyot for pickup at her home or delivery to a meeting spot such as Costco in Sandy Springs through Jan. 1.

Like the signature flavors, the gluten-free sufganiyot are $4 each, compared with $2.50 for a standard sufganiyah and $3 for one with a chocolate glaze.

She sold about 800 sufganiyot last year and suspects sales will be lower this year because the holiday is so late.

But she’s confident she’ll be back next year with an even better gluten-free product: “I’ll try to make them fluffier.” ■

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

By Michael Jacobs mjacobs@atljewishtimes.com

49

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CHANUKAH

Even a Maccabee Needs Some Fortification

By Robbie Medwed

Chanukah and all the December holidays mean there’s a different party almost every day of the week, and if you’re hosting, you’re going to need some tricks up your sleeve.

Even if you’re not hosting anything, you may need a quick drink here and there as the days go by. Amid your office party, school parties and neighborhood parties and actually observing all eight days of Chanukah, you may need to slip away for a quick cocktail.

Here are some of my favorite wintertime cocktails, perfect for Chanukah or any other cold night. Feel free to adapt these to your tastes or what you already have in the house.

For All These Miracles The Greeks were the villains in the Chanukah story, but they also gave the world some pretty incredible food.

Baklava, the layered nut pastry that’s doused in honey, inspired this cocktail, and it’s by far my favorite Greek dessert. The sweetness and nuttiness of the amaretto play nicely with the smoke of the scotch (though feel free to substitute any nonpeated whis-

White, blue or any other color, your Chanukah will be brighter with an Irving Berlin.

Irving Berlin In 1942, a Jewish man named Irving Berlin wrote the score for the movie “Holiday Inn,” featuring the song “White Christmas,” which would go on to become one of the world’s most famous Christmas songs.

In honor of one of America’s greatest composers and the common misconception that Chanukah is just “the Jewish Christmas,” this eggnoginspired cocktail is certain to bring you some holiday cheer.

While eggnog traditionally calls for cream, using just an egg white keeps this drink pareve while making the drink thick and frothy. And just like real eggnog, this packs a punch.

1 ounce bourbon ½ ounce rum ¾ ounce brandy

For All These Miracles celebrates the sweetness the Greeks have added to our lives.

key instead of scotch if you’re not a fan of smoke). The bitters add a complexity and depth you can’t get from the liquors on their own, though you can leave them out if you’d like.

1½ ounces smoky scotch ½ ounce amaretto 1 ounce lemon juice ½ ounce honey syrup 5 drops black walnut/pecan/other nut bitters Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously, then strain into an ice-filled rocks glass. (Honey syrup is equal parts honey and water, blended well.)

1 egg white ¾ ounce honey syrup Fresh nutmeg or cinnamon Add 2 ice cubes and the egg white only into a cocktail shaker and shake vigor- The Paloma has nothing ously for 2 min- to do with the holidays, but is it ever a party utes. Add more without tequila? ice and the rest of the ingredients and shake once more. Strain and pour into a rocks glass with ice. Grate fresh nutmeg or cinnamon on top to garnish.

Paloma The Paloma is Mexico’s most popular tequila cocktail and has nothing to do with Chanukah. But it’s a classic cocktail that has everything to do with winter.

Grapefruit and other citrus are at their peak right now, and this drink takes full advantage. Using fresh grapefruit juice is a must for this cocktail.

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Take the time to juice the grapefruits and limes yourself (or have the kids do it). The flavor is well worth the effort.

Plus, everyone knows it’s not a party until tequila is involved.

2 ounces tequila 1 ounce grapefruit juice ¾ ounce fresh lime juice ½ ounce simple syrup Soda water to top it off Fill a Collins (tall) glass with the tequila, grapefruit juice, lime juice and simple syrup. Stir. Add ice, and top

Pick your favorite liquor to give the Honey-Orange Hot Toddy its kick.

with soda water. Garnish with a grapefruit wedge or lime wheel. Citrus may be juiced up to one day in advance, but for best results, juice the citrus within a few hours of serving. (Simple syrup

is equal parts sugar and water, blended well.)

Honey-Orange Hot Toddy A hot cup of tea on a cold night is one of the few things that make winter bearable, and it’s made better by the addition of honey, orange and rum.

You could serve this at the end of a big dinner party, but you may want to wait until all your guests have gone home and you don’t need to worry about the kids. If you’re not a fan of rum, you can use brandy, cognac or whiskey instead.

1 ounce light rum (not spiced) ¾ ounce honey syrup 1 cinnamon stick 1 orange peel, squeezed 6 ounces hot tea There’s no need to be fancy about this one. Pour the rum and honey syrup into a teacup. Fold the orange peel in half to squeeze its oils into the cup, and drop it into the cup along with the cinnamon stick. Add a tea bag, and fill the cup with hot water. I like to leave the orange peel and the cinnamon stick in the cup, but you can take them out if you prefer. ■ Robbie Medwed writes at koshercocktail.com.

HAPPY CHANUKAH! May your holiday be filled with lights.

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CHANUKAH

51

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CHANUKAH

Avoid the Guilt and Give the Gelt Chanukah is just around the corner, and it is the most wonderful time of the year.

I intentionally borrowed that phrase because I do know how difficult it is to manage both our Jewish festivities and the ubiquitous twinkly lights, trees, tinsel and glitziness of the season. It is so inviting, and our kids want a piece of it.

There was recently a first in my family in which my 5-year-old twin daughters asked us if we could “pleeeease” put up decorations outside our house. They were very specific: “Outdoors like everybody else.”

That request had me googling Chanukah laser lights I thought I had seen at Bed Bath & Beyond.

So far, we have settled for homemade, dreidel-themed pennants hanging in our living room.

As I have experienced in my own parenting, we want to make things just right for our children, but we all draw a line somewhere.

“Mommy, can we get another baby? You think by winter we could have one?” is a plea many can relate to.

This is where most parents become extremely creative in setting the record straight because in our society there is usually a definitive plan between the couple.

Parents’ possible philosophical responses include: • “I wish we could have another baby too” (doesn’t cost much to dream alongside the child).

• “We are not the Joneses.”

• “We do what is best for our fam-

ily.”

There’s also a simple statement: “I am sorry, but that is a negative. No baby by winter.”

Everyone has a line. Whether it

Guest Column

By Dena Schusterman

be health or our cup runneth over, a child’s whims will not change the reality.

We don’t always turn ourselves into pretzels to make our children happy, as when a child desires a pet cat and Dad is allergic, or we cannot afford an attractive cruise. We will stay our ground.

Often in life our kids have to hear no, and truly it is OK. If saying no is against your personal principles, then use yes as often as you can; this too is OK. In the end, we all have a line, so the no will come at its moment.

As I did with indoor Chanukah decor, many will try to appease their children this time of year, working their mommy magic to make Chanukah as exciting as the other holiday.

But let’s face it: It is never going to be as exciting.

Their holiday is on every radio channel, TV show, window display and commercial, marketing to our

children, so we are best off not even trying to pretend.

We just need to work on making Chanukah the best because Chanukah is the best. It is filled with family, food, tradition and gelt (money). What’s better than gelt?

This brings me to my main point: The age-old tradition of Chanukah is to give gelt, the green kind, to our children and their teachers.

Why? Because Chanukah, which means dedication, and chinuch, which means education, have the same etymology. And Chanukah and chinuch are related by more than just their word source.

The Greeks wished to eradicate Jewish culture and Torah study by imposing Hellenism on the Jewish people. This was their cultural answer to Judaism, and unfortunately most Jews bought it at the time.

So just as the Temple needed a rededication, so the Jewish people who had lived under Greek rule needed a re-education.

Hence, the custom to give children money in honor of their Torah study. This practice extended to monetary gifts to the teachers who make the proliferation of Torah study possible, imbuing our children with a lifelong love of all things Jewish and Judaic learning.

But today most children know of Chanukah gelt in the chocolate form, and the vast majority of Jewish parents have resorted to giving presents just like the neighbors.

This evolution of the traditional practice is understandable; it’s almost

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the norm in Jewish communities worldwide.

Personally, we only sometimes do presents. Grandparents, aunts and uncles give our children money. The children give some of that money to charity (we get to add some of the educational value), then we go buy presents — or, more accurately, we order them online — while the kids dole out their crinkly bills to me as I punch in the numbers of my credit card.

So our family gets gelt and presents too. This has worked for us, and I encourage parents to try it on at least one night of Chanukah. I think you will be surprised at how well it is received, especially among children over age 6.

If you intend to try this longstanding tradition of Chanukah gelt on your children at home, I suggest doing it on the fifth night of Chanukah. This too has ancient roots. The fifth night is the only night of Chanukah that can never fall on Shabbat, so it is the night that needs the extra light infused. What better way than to light up smiles on the faces of our children?

Happy Chanukah, and best of luck drawing the line. “This is our holiday; this is how we celebrate it” — imbuing the feeling that we love Chanukah for being itself, not for replacing something else, with the added benefit of our increased dedication to Jewish education. ■ Dena Schusterman is a mother of eight, a wife, the rebbetzin of Chabad Intown and the director of the Intown Jewish Preschool.

CHANUKAH

Essence of Chanukah We have a unique opportunity and challenge this year. Chanukah falls late in the month, so we are on a school break during all eight days.

If we are deliberate in our planning, we can all find new ways to celebrate and share the Chanukah light authentically. It can be volunteering in the community, focusing on community service, practicing tikkun olam, or just sharing a nice family meal and creating Chanukah memories after lighting the menorah together. The focus is to find those special ways to bring the essence of Chanukah to the forefront for ourselves and our children.

It is crucial to remember that Chanukah is more than a military victory or a miracle of lights and oil. It represents something that was as important over 21 centuries ago as it is today.

The Jewish people were victorious in their refusal to assimilate into the Hellenistic culture. We didn’t want to just go with the flow and accept their teachings, celebrations and beliefs.

Today, we face a similar battle.

Although in the United States we are not pushed toward other holidays or religions, we are surrounded by them.

This problem becomes even more apparent this time of year. Everywhere we turn outside our community, we are exposed to the lights, decorations, music and festivities of surrounding cultures. They are beautiful and bright and special, but they are not ours.

It becomes challenging and more imperative to embrace our Judaism. To

show our pride as members of this incredible community. To remember our Jewish values and those we share with our children daily. To remind ourselves and our families about the essence of Chanukah and the focus we have as Jews to stand strong and hold tight

Guest Column

By Rabbi Ari Leubitz

to our community. Notice my word choices here: Embrace and hold tight.

This is an important time to communicate and demonstrate a deep love for our faith and heritage, to encourage our feeling for and attachment to Judaism, and to embrace it.

I have found over the years that the holidays that resonate most with the children — those they will remember into their adulthood — are those that are infused with meaning and purpose (and some of your Nana’s delicious brisket doesn’t hurt).

These memories and meaning will create a connection for your children to the holiday and will help them embrace our beautiful Jewish community long after the Chanukah candles are gone.

Wishing you a beautiful holiday with your friends and family. Chag sameach. ■ Rabbi Ari Leubitz is the head of school at Atlanta Jewish Academy.

Wishing you a Happy Chanukah Andy N. Siegel CPCU, CIC, AAI Adele Siegel Glasser, AAI Sheldon Berch

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Lighting up Forsyth

Only five Jewish families live in the 140-home Vickery Lake subdivision in Cumming, but those numbers didn’t stop resident Bob Goldstein from asking for equal treatment at the community’s holiday display. The Christmas tree that sits in a large gazebo by the entrance to the subdivision will be joined for the second year by a large menorah Goldstein built himself. The menorah has been received well by the neighbors, Goldstein told the AJT, and it is now considered a holiday fixture. “It pleases me,” he said, “that a small gesture of Judaism can glow in Forsyth and Cumming.” ■

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CHANUKAH

Obama’s Farewell to Chanukah Charms

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

“Nes gadol haya po,” President Barack Obama joked to the crowd near the end of his second-to-last White House Chanukah party Wednesday, Dec. 14.

He could have been talking about his mastery of Hebrew phrases such as “A great miracle happened here,” which is what dreidels represent in Israel. But instead he couldn’t resist the urge to draw parallels between his eight years in office and the eight days of Chanukah.

“You know, at the beginning of my presidency, some critics thought it would last for only a year,” Obama said of his presidency. “But, miracle of miracles, it has lasted eight years. It’s lasted eight whole years.”

He was speaking at the first of two Chanukah receptions that day. During the second, his final official Chanukah party as president, he kept the miraculous humor going with first lady Michelle Obama at his side.

“It so happens we’re a little early this year, but Michelle and I are going to be in Hawaii when Chanukah begins, and we agreed that it’s never too soon to enjoy some latkes and jelly doughnuts,” the president said. “This is

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ter of the Chanukah story was written 22 centuries ago, when rulers banned religious rituals and persecuted Jews who dared to observe their faith. Which is why today we are asked not only to light the menorah, but to proudly display it — to publicize the mitzvah. And that’s why we’ve invited all these reporters who are here.”

White House photo by Chuck Kennedy Elijah and Shira Wiesel light a menorah she made The guests at the evein kindergarten as President Barack Obama, first ning Chanukah reception lady Michelle Obama and Rabbi Steven Exler included Judge Merrick watch at a White House reception Dec. 14.

Garland, who never did our second Chanukah party today, but get a hearing for his nomination to the in the spirit of the holiday, the White U.S. Supreme Court to replace Antonin House kitchen has not run out of oil.”

Scalia.

But the president did turn to the The president called Garland “one meaning of Chanukah, focusing on a of the country’s finest jurists” and emmessage of freedom and the power of a phasized that he’ll continue to serve as small, determined group to change the the chief judge for the U.S. Court of Apworld. peals for the D.C. Circuit.

“This is the season that we appreciDespite the setback in his effort to ate the many miracles, large and small, elevate Garland to the Supreme Court, that have graced our lives throughout Obama drew inspiration at least one generations and to recognize that the last time from the Maccabees’ struggle most meaningful among them is our against tyranny. freedom,” Obama said. “The first chap“We teach our children that even

in our darkest moments, a stubborn flame of hope flickers, and miracles are possible,” Obama said.

“That spirit from two millennia ago inspired America’s founders two centuries ago. They proclaimed a new nation where citizens could speak and assemble and worship as they wished.

George Washington himself was said to have been stirred by the lights of Chanukah after seeing a soldier seek the warmth of a menorah in the snows of Valley Forge. And years later, Washington wrote that timeless letter we have on display today in the White House — I hope you saw it when you walked in.”

In that letter to the Jewish community of Newport, R.I., Washington said the new nation he helped launch “gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance.”

“It’s easy sometimes to take these fundamental freedoms for granted.

But they, too, are miraculous. They, too, have to be nurtured and safeguarded,” Obama said.

Because Jews have been oppressed, they fight for freedom and other ideals, the president said. “It’s why Jews marched in Selma, why they mobilized after Stonewall, why synagogues have opened their doors to refugees, why Jewish leaders have spoken out against all forms of hatred.”

The two receptions highlighted two prominent Jewish voices against hatred that were silenced in the past year, Elie Wiesel and Shimon Peres.

Wiesel’s children and grandchildren were guests at the afternoon White House reception, and a menorah granddaughter Shira Wiesel made in kindergarten was used for the lighting ceremony.

Obama said it is the most beautiful menorah he has used “because it was shaped by the hands of a young girl who proves with her presence that the Jewish people survive.”

The menorah used at the evening reception belonged to Rina and Joseph Walden, who smuggled it out of Poland to France and on to Israel as they fled the Nazis. The Waldens’ son, Raphael, married Peres’ only daughter, Zvia.

To honor Shimon Peres, his son, grandson and granddaughter lighted the menorah for Obama.

“We hope all of you draw strength from the divine spark in Shimon Peres, whose miraculous life taught us that ‘faith and moral vision can triumph over all adversity,’ ” Obama said. “I hope it inspires us to rededicate ourselves to upholding the freedoms we hold dear at home and around the world.” ■

www.atlantajewishtimes.com

CHANUKAH

A Light Unto 3 Nations The Indian Consulate in Sandy Springs hosted a Chanukah reception for the second consecutive year, and one thing is clear: It will be tough for Consul General Nagesh Singh to fulfill his pledge to make the celebration an annual event at the building on Glenridge Drive simply because of a lack of space. Almost as many people were outside the reception room (and unable to hear or see what was happening) as were inside during the official proceedings Sunday night, Dec. 11, which included lighting a pair of menorahs and a series of speeches from Indian, American and Israeli luminaries. Solomon, optimism, democracy and friendship were common themes raised by the speakers, who included Singh; his

Event emcee Josh Levs stands to the side, listening to a speech, while the candles help illuminate the room.

Israeli counterpart, Ambassador Judith Varnai Shorer, who declared, “Chanukah is my favorite holiday”; Congressman Rob Woodall, R-Lawrenceville, who said the two standout speeches to Congress this session were made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi; Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols; Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul, who welcomed the crowd to the Sandy Springs portion of the nation of India; American Jewish Committee Atlanta Director Dov Wilker; and AJC Asia Pacific Institute Assistant Director Nissim Reuben, an Indian Jew. India and Israel have been developing closer diplomatic, military and trade ties in recent years. ■

A good time is being had by all, including Indian Consul General Nagesh Singh (left) and AJC Atlanta Director Dov Wilker (right).

Temple Sinai Rabbi Ron Segal, one of several rabbis at the Indian Chanukah party, sits in front of former Congressman John Barrow.

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul speaks to a room packed with people who live or work in his city.

Photos by Michael Jacobs

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

AJC official Nissim Reuben and Israeli Consul General Judith Varnai Shorer face the crowd after leading the singing of “Ma Atzur.”

The audience includes former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell (seated), Federation CEO Eric Robbins and Indian businessman Gangadharan Ganapathy.

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CHANUKAH

My Chanukah As we approach the holiday season and Chanukah, rather than go through the motions of another Jewish holiday, I decided to create my own meaning and connection as a modern Jew. While I remember stories of a miracle and eight days of light, they don’t connect to my soul in a way that I crave today.

Having two little girls of my own, I often think about what I should pass on to them, and I remind myself of the story of the brisket.

The story goes like this: The daughter asks the mother why she cuts the end of the brisket off before it goes into the oven and throws away a perfectly good piece when there is plenty of room in the pan. The mother replies, “Because that’s what my mother did.”

The daughter then goes to the grandmother and asks the same question, and the grandmother replies, “Because this pan is too small for my brisket.”

It’s important that we understand traditions and decide which ones are connected and pass those on to our children with purpose and meaning.

So that brings me back to my

Chanukah and the way I will pass it on to my girls.

The Chanukah story is one of bravery and positivity in the end. In honor of it, I will search within to make sure my own light shines.

I will take a bigger step to help

Guest Column

By Sally Mundell

others and be my best self, and my girls will see their mother giving, caring and loving, and my light will light their own.

I will reflect not on the miracle from centuries ago, but on the miracles that surround me every day.

I will pause to enjoy hugs and kisses from my girls, lazy mornings, a walk in nature, and a beautiful sunset.

As for any “enemies” who disagree with my beliefs, I will get to know them better and try to understand their point of view.

And I hope that my light spreads to others, creating my Chanukah. ■ Sally Mundell is the founder of the nonprofit Packaged Good in Dunwoody.

Community Party Set for the 4th Night

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Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell is playing host to a free community Chanukah party bringing together synagogues and other Jewish organizations working in East Cobb and northwestern Fulton County on the fourth night of the Festival of Lights, Tuesday, Dec. 27.

It’s an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the Jewish community while remembering the strength of the Maccabees.

The festivities, running from 6:30 to 8 p.m., will include stories and crafts for young children, a holiday singalong led by Beth Tikvah Cantor Nancy Kassel, sufganiyot, and the lighting of a large, outdoor chanukiah fueled by oil.

In addition to Beth Tikvah, which is at 9955 Coleman Road, the sponsoring organizations are the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, the Marcus Jewish Community Center, Congregation Etz Chaim, Temple Kehillat Chaim, Temple Kol Emeth, the Atlanta Jewish

Closely watched by Rabbi Erin Boxt and with community assistance, Temple Kol Emeth member Harvey Schneider lights an oil-fueled menorah.

Music Festival, InterfaithFamily/Atlanta and the PJ Library in Atlanta.

To demonstrate the importance of tzedakah at the start of winter, families are asked to bring a gently used coat or jacket to donate to a shelter.

RSVPs aren’t required but are appreciated. To RSVP or get more information, contact Stephanie Wyatt at swyatt@jfga.org or 404-870-1625. ■

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Bar Mitzvah Eli Benveniste

The bar mitzvah ceremony of Eli Joffre Benveniste was held Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Congregation Or Hadash in Sandy Springs.

Eli is the son of Julie and Mark Benveniste. He has two sisters, Ali and Maci, and a brother, Micah. He is the grandson of Phyllis and Lyonel Joffre, the late Morris Benveniste, and Marilyn Marks, all of Atlanta.

For his mitzvah project, he helped coordinate meals and clothing for the homeless. ■

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EDUCATION

Cause for Cooking

Event co-chair Susan Berkowitz, Randy Adler, event co-chair Judy Stanton and ORT Regional Director Jay Tenenbaum attend a fundraising event for ORT at Bloomingdales in Lenox Mall recently. Adler, of Pookie Enterprises and Babs Midtown Restaurant, taught the ORT crowd about “Cooking With Chutzpah” at the cooking demonstration. Proceeds from the event supported ORT America’s efforts to strengthen communities throughout the world by educating people about obstacles.

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The Atlanta Jewish Academy student council has an extra $10,000 to spend on programming after the school won Landmark Automotive’s second annual Safe Teen Driver antidistracted-driving program.

Student representatives received an oversized $10,000 check at a ceremony at the Morrow car dealership Wednesday, Dec. 14. AJA earned the prize by have the most safe-driver pledges among Atlanta-area high schools.

Last year, the academy finished second in the pledge competition and won $1,000, but the students immediately gave the entire prize to the winning school, Kennesaw Mountain High School, whose students said they would use all the money they won to support their Shop With a Mustang program, in which high school students take poor children shopping for holiday presents.

Kennesaw Mountain finished second to AJA this year.

The AJA student council asked families not only to take the safe-driver pledge themselves, but also to provide additional email addresses of people who could take the pledge, school spokeswoman Barrie Cohn said. She said AJA marketed the pledge in its

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Atlanta Jewish Academy student leaders celebrate winning the second annual Landmark Safe Teen Driver contest.

weekly parent emails and on Facebook.

Pledge takers promise never to call, text, tweet or post while driving and always to wear a seat belt, drive defensively and stick with safe speeds, among other good driving practices.

The student council promised to spend some of the prize money on a schoolwide Shabbaton in the spring.

Covenant Board Taps Finkel

Former longtime Epstein School head Cheryl Finkel has a new role in Jewish education: chair of the board of the Covenant Foundation.

The foundation announced her appointment Thursday, Dec. 15, after a board meeting in New York. Finkel has been a member of the Covenant board since 2006 and received the Covenant Award in 1999.

The Covenant Foundation provides grants that support Jewish educational and communityCheryl Finkel building programs.

Finkel has worked in Jewish education for over 30 years. After her 20 years at Epstein, where enrollment grew strongly while she was the head of school, Finkel became a member of the Jewish Day School Leadership Institute at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, where she mentored hundreds of new day school leaders from across the country. Finkel also spent eight years as a senior consultant at the Partnership for Excellence in Jewish Education, where she provided management coaching to over 175 schools.

“We are very pleased to welcome Cheryl as incoming board chair,” said Barbara Goodman Manilow, the president of the Covenant Foundation.

“Cheryl is a luminary in the field who has invested tirelessly in the mentorship and professional development of her teachers and has been committed to sparking the light of Jewish wisdom in the minds and hearts of all the children she has taught. We are confident that Cheryl’s experience will serve our board well.”

Finkel succeeded Eli Evans, who held the position of board chairman for 22 years and who remains on the Board as chair emeritus.

Evans, a former senior executive with the Carnegie Corp. of New York and the first president of the Charles H. Revson Foundation, is a well-known Southern historian and author. Evans helped envision the program of grants and awards that became the backbone of the foundation.

HISTORY

Temple B’nai Israel of Natchez, the home of the oldest Jewish congregation in Mississippi, has received a $100,000 donation to spearhead a campaign (www.templebnaiisraelnatchez.org) to preserve the building after the dwindling Jewish community dies out.

Jerry Krouse, a Natchez businessman and B’nai Israel member, has committed to the $100,000 gift to help turn the building into a conference and cultural center, the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life announced Tuesday, Dec. 6.

The institute is coordinating the $3 million campaign for the building and will operate a museum of Natchez’s Jewish history in part of the space. The congregation dates to 1843, and the current building was constructed in 1905.

The fundraising campaign aims to pay for immediate maintenance needs to preserve the building and to plan for long-term care and use. The building will function as an accessible cultural and meeting facility with an elevator, a 350-seat sanctuary, museum exhibits,

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Temple B’nai Israel’s current building was erected in 1905 after a fire destroyed the previous facility on the same spot in the heart of Natchez, Miss.

and special programming dedicated to the legacy of the Jewish community.

Natchez, once a key city in the cotton trade along the Mississippi River, now relies on tourism, with nearly three-quarters of a million visitors a year to its antebellum homes, landmarks, museums, cemetery and casino.

B’nai Israel can provide a conference facility in a historic venue. It served such a purpose as the host site of the annual Southern Jewish Historical Society conference in early November, when the sanctuary was full on Friday night for the first time in decades. ■

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HOME

Vivid Colors Sizzle on Open Spaces A native Puerto Rican’s affinity for bringing in the outdoors merges with a wife’s South African design heritage in the masterpiece architect Colin Lichtenstein designed for family law attorney Marvin Solomiany and his wife, Kerry, who teaches swim lessons in the palm-tree-lined backyard pool.

Happy orange tones tie the Latin life-size oils to the earthy quartz foyer tower, alabaster walls and balmy islandlike views.

Kerry, who worked with designer Laura Thomas on only two of the rooms, gets credit for scouting gallery back rooms to find just the right pieces for the precise wall spaces.

Master builder Zvi Bekerman and two woodworking geniuses formed a harmonious team to get the right lift, zest and emotion. Art from his parents’ collections (Puerto Rican artist Angel Botello) brightens the kitchen, while the master bedroom alcove highlights a South African nude wood statue from Kerry’s side.

After taking in the breathtaking open foyer featuring a modern painting by Persian Jew Emanuel, look inside at a compelling dose of sunshine.

Jaffe: What mood were you seeking for your home? Were you involved in the design and décor?

Marvin: After a long, hectic day working with people in difficult times, I unwind by relaxing on the patio, looking at the horses and palm trees.

And, yes, I was very involved, invoking my memories of growing up in Guaynabo (Puerto Rico), where we had large, covered living areas. Thus, our house here was built from the back going to the front, with the pool very close and on our main level. We entertain out back or sit and have coffee with guests.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Jaffe: What was it like working with builder Zvi Bekerman?

Marvin: First of all, he is efficient.

After us working well over a year to get the building permit, Zvi built the house in eight months, pretty good for 9,500 square feet with mostly custom specifications.

Kerry: I was dazzled by the circular staircase he designed with the 6-foot round drop light fixture. The staircase is constructed with roughtextured white quartz from Jackson60 ville by Norstone.

Bekerman: I did an extension on the Solomianys’ older home years ago, when they promised to contact me in the future to execute their real dream house. I was delighted to get that call three years later. Initially, there were some hiccups with the local permit folks about relocating a few trees, which we did replace. And, then again, when the interior designer changed midstream and wanted revisions. The technical challenge was in mounting the white quartz stones in the stairwell since they arrived in flat rectangles, and we had to chisel each piece to become circular. It all worked out in the end. The Solomianys were

Chai-Style Homes

By Marcia Caller Jaffe mjaffe@atljewishtimes.com

fabulous clients.

Jaffe: What is distinct about your kitchen and dining room?

Kerry: The kitchen counters are Silestone, and the kitchen table is leathered granite from Newnan. Our dining room has hosted many Shabbat dinners. The table and chairs are from Cantoni, and the orange suede chairs provide a pop of color. The paintings, all of which tie in the tangerine hues, are by local artist Stephanie Jordan and a Peruvian street artist. This pair was actually one painting that our art consultant, Anthony Naturman, split in two.

The copper circle rings I found at Hill Street Warehouse. You have to know where to look. I go into the back rooms to find unique and often inexpensive treasures.

Jaffe: You worked with two very talented wood designers?

Kerry: Denys Umazor customdesigned the kitchen table base and the master bedroom built-ins and end tables in the white glaze that echoed Israel Peljovich’s grand circular table in the entrance. We liked the effect of the treated white maplewood with chocolate brown, which was soaked into the grain, then finished off. Builtins are important to us because we are both militarily precise neat freaks.

Jaffe: What are some of your most artistic personal touches?

A Kerry: Using cork wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries, the cowhide piece in the family room, and Marvin’s blackand-white blow-up photo of Anne Arbor, Mich., as the street looked in 1995, when he was a student there. Recently I acquired this Plexiglas in the dog’s area by Sanford Loakeman that is a collage of exotic culinary objects like floating cucumbers.

Jaffe: The wall behind your master bed is the most unusual I have seen.

Kerry: I was inspired by a design I saw in a Puerto Rican magazine, Modo de Vida, and had Denys re-create it. Its contrasting stained wood panels were constructed like a jigsaw puzzle. The

tones are so rich and warm.

Jaffe: What makes this a family home?

Kerry: We are surrounded by children’s Judaic artwork. We also recently took the children to South Africa and brought back this pointillist foyer painting called “Celebration,” reveling in the day Nelson Mandela was released.

Marvin: For family peace, we have a movie theater with five TVs, so everyone is happy at all times.

Jaffe: Marvin, do you dream in Spanish or English?

Marvin: By now, in English.

Kerry: But he counts in Spanish. ■

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HOME

B

C

G

E

H

F

I

J Photos by Duane Stork

A: Kerry and Marvin Solomiany enjoy their foyer with shih tzu pups Bode and Teddy.

B: The master bedroom features a wood-paneled jigsaw puzzle headboard imagined by Kerry Solomiany from a picture in a Puerto Rican magazine and designed by Denys Umazor.

C: The rear patio overlooks the pool, with a horse farm nearby. Marvin Solomiany wanted the home designed around a covered entertainment area reminiscent of his Puerto Rican roots.

D: In the entrance of the house, a round wood table designed by Israel Peljovich lets the chocolate grain show through the white maple. The contemporary painting is by Emanuel, a Persian Jew. E: In the formal living room, designer Laura Thomas used neutral-colored furnishings and cork wallpaper to help the hot-colored art stand out.

F: Cork wallpaper by Phillip Jeffries complements a South African wood nude statue (a gift from Kerry Solomiany’s parents) in the master bedroom entrance.

G: “Celebration,” a pointillist oil painting commemorating the release of Nelson Mandela from prison, was purchased on a Solomiany family trip to South Africa.

H: The hallway leading to the guest powder room boasts a contemporary painting by Martin Quen.

I: Builder Zvi Bekerman designed this dramatic 12-foot entrance staircase with hand-chiseled quartz and a 6-foot round dropped ceiling light fixture.

J: The dining room combines several perspectives. The furniture is by Cantoni, whose orange chairs add a pop of color. Kerry Solomiany found lively art in the back rooms of Hill Street Warehouse, and art consultant Anthony Naturman had the painting on the left split in two.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

D

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TRAVEL

Honeymoon Israel: 9 Days to Last a Lifetime

By April Basler abasler@atljewishtimes.com

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

I went on a vacation with my husband in May, but it wasn’t an ordinary vacation. It was the trip of a lifetime with an amazing organization, Honeymoon Israel.

Honeymoon Israel provides highly subsidized, immersive trips to Israel for couples with at least one Jewish partner who are early in their committed relationship.

I first heard about Honeymoon Israel from my rabbi on Facebook.

Immediately, I knew that I wanted to experience this trip with my husband, Ryan.

For each trip, HMI selects 20 couples from the same city in North America. To be eligible, couples must be ages 25 to 40 and within the first five years of their marriage or lifelong committed relationship. At least one partner must not have taken an organized trip to Israel as a teen or adult, such as Birthright Israel.

Honeymoon Israel welcomes interfaith and LGBTQ couples.

My husband and I met the requirements and decided to apply. Although I went on Birthright in college, my husband, who isn’t Jewish, had never been to Israel.

Late last year, we attended an information session with HMI’s co-CEOs, Avi Rubel (son of Epstein School Middle School Principal Myrna Rubel) and Mike Wise (the former CEO of the Marcus Jewish Community Center).

Rubel and Wise said they created Honeymoon Israel to help fill the huge gap in Jewish programming for the post-college, pre-kids demographic.

They said they hope the Honeymoon Israel experience will help young couples get needed resources, figure out how to make their Jewish homes and build a local group of friends at the same life stage.

“The Pew report on the American Jewish community of 2013 was a wakeup call,” Rubel said. “The Pew study brought the changing nature of the American Jewish community to the forefront: 58 percent of Jews married since 2000 have a non-Jewish spouse; 32 percent of Jews born after 1980 describe themselves as ‘Jews of no religion.’

“Sobered by Pew’s findings and by the changing nature of the Jewish community more generally, we designed HMI with the goal of how best to reach 62 the increasing number of Jews of no

The ruins of Caesarea are behind Ryan and April Basler.

religion, who are less likely to marry Jews, raise Jewish children and engage with the Jewish community. We created Honeymoon Israel with the goal that it would be a disruptive innovation in the Jewish community.”

We applied for the trip and were invited for an in-person interview. We were not selected for the trip but were put on a waiting list in case a couple canceled.

My husband and I had no hope that we would be selected. Who would turn down the opportunity to go on Honeymoon Israel?

Life went on, and my husband and I were looking for a house to purchase. Our offer was accepted on our dream home, and we went under contract. Three days later, we got an email from Wise saying there was a cancellation and asking whether we wanted the spot on a trip starting in about six weeks.

We would have to leave for Israel the day after closing on our new house, so I thought there was no way we could go. What if something went wrong? All our money was tied up in the house.

Where would we get the money for the trip? (HMI charges each couple $1,800; donors cover the rest of the cost, which is about $10,000 per couple.)

We were lucky enough to have a family member cover the bill and got time off work. Our lender said there was no problem to leave the country the day after the closing, and we decided we could move in after the trip.

So it was settled: We were going to experience Israel together.

We had missed the pre-trip gathering and didn’t get to meet the other couples until the orientation night a few weeks before the trip. We met Congregation Or Hadash Rabbi Mario Karpuj, one of two Atlanta Jewish professionals going on the trip. We felt an instant connection with him.

HMI friends enjoy the night in Jerusalem.

The other staff member on our trip was Andrea Deck from the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, who was not able to attend the information session. We met her at the Atlanta airport the day of the trip. (She now works for Honeymoon Israel in Washington.)

Our nine-day trip was such an incredible experience that I have a hard time putting it into words. The connection you feel and the amazing things you do in Israel are hard to describe.

The couples we met are not just friends; they are now like family to us.

The main areas we visited were Jerusalem, the Sea of Galilee and Tel Aviv, although we visited other cities as well.

We learned an immense amount. We heard from speakers on topics such as Israeli politics and security, and we visited Christian holy sites in addition to Jewish locations. Because of the many interfaith couples on the trip, that inclusion was important.

I could write about what we did and our experiences for days, but there isn’t enough space. So I will share the highlights that meant the most to me.

Getting There Honeymoon Israel involves nine days in Israel, but with the travel we were gone 11 days.

We left on a Thursday afternoon, flying nine hours from Atlanta to Frankfurt, Germany, on Lufthansa Airlines. We finally landed in Israel on Friday afternoon and were greeted at Ben Gurion Airport by Rabbi Karpuj; Koren, our wonderful tour guide for the trip; and Rubel.

We rode a bus to Jerusalem.

Jerusalem My favorite city in Israel by far is Jerusalem. I love the feel and look of the Old City. Every building is required to be made of stone to maintain the vibe.

After we checked into the Inbal

Hotel and freshened up, we met at a spot overlooking the Old City and recited the Shehechiyanu, the traditional Jewish blessing for experiencing something new.

Rabbi Karpuj led us in a brief Shabbat service, and we headed back to the hotel for a welcome dinner with the New York group. The Atlanta and New York groups were the 13th and 14th HMI groups to visit Israel.

Aside from the Western Wall, the highlights of our time in Jerusalem included the Inbal’s breakfast buffet, King David’s Tomb and Hurva Square (the central area of the Jewish Quarter).

We enjoyed eating hummus, pita and falafel in the Arab market, shopping for Judaica at the Cardo, and having pizza at a restaurant called Bardak.

We had a workshop with artist David Moss, who popularized the modern artistic ketubah (Jewish marriage contract). He shared his intricate ketubahs with us and had everyone do a word association project.

We created our own works of art based on one word that described each couple’s marriage. My husband and I chose “harmony” and decorated the piece with birds and music notes.

Western Wall When I went to Israel on Birthright 10 years ago, I was moved by visiting the Western Wall. It was special to me spiritually. But the first time we went to the Kotel with HMI on Shabbat, I didn’t feel the same strong connection.

The second time we went to the wall, which was not on Shabbat, I wrote down a prayer and put it in the wall. This time, I did feel the connection.

My husband and I later talked about our experience at the wall and discovered that we prayed for the same thing, which was special.

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TRAVEL

The Western Wall tunnel tour explored the underground continuation of the wall alongside the Temple Mount. At the beginning of the tour, we learned what the Temple looked like thousands of years ago. The wall today is just a small part of the Temple complex that King Herod rebuilt.

We also learned about the different eras of rule in the land of Israel.

The tunnel was an amazing experience. It was just excavated in the 1990s, and the work continues. New sections open every year.

While walking in tight spaces, we looked at the large stones and learned that the enormous hand-chiseled stone was one large piece. During the tour, we walked on an old street that was 2,000 years old.

Masada and the Dead Sea After an early breakfast at the hotel, we started a three-hour descent to the Dead Sea Basin, driving through the desert to Masada.

Once you go through a tunnel, the landscape changes into desert. It’s like another world.

When I went on Birthright, I hiked up and down Masada. This time we had an option to ride the cable car or hike up the snake path. I chose to ride because of sore feet and some muscle pain.

After everyone made it to the top, we heard about the history of Masada from our tour guide. Built by Herod, it was the site of the Jewish Zealots’ last stand against the Roman legionnaires.

They killed one another so that the Romans couldn’t make them slaves.

The water on Masada is from oncea-year floods that fill the aqueducts.

We then had one of many “Honeymoon Israel conversations.” We discussed Masada’s role as a symbol of Jewish defense and its significance in modern Israel. We saw some F-15Is flying around. Our tour guide said they were training Israeli air force pilots.

Later that day we went to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. The Dead Sea is 33.3 percent salt, compared with about 3 percent for ocean water.

We floated in the salty water and got stuck in some mud sinkholes. The Dead Sea mud did wonders for my skin.

Yad Vashem Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, was somber.

The museum of course deals with sad stories and troublesome exhibits, but some of us, including me, had personal ties to the losses of the Holocaust.

Half our group had a museum

Couples create artwork based on word associations at Kol Ha’Ot Art Gallery in Jerusalem.

tour guide, and our trip guide, Koren, led the other half.

Koren had spent an entire week learning about Yad Vashem for the purpose of leading tours. There is so much to see that you could spend a week there and not see everything. Koren told us how the Holocaust affected his family.

I saw others around me tear up, but I kept my cool — until we got to the section about the period after World War II and the displaced persons camps. I got emotional thinking of my grandparents, who met at such a camp.

My grandfather, at age 40, had

lost his whole family in the Holocaust.

My grandmother, who turned 100 this year, is a Holocaust survivor who was in a work camp.

Luckily, I had my husband there to wipe away my tears.

Tsfat I was impressed by the mystical northern city of Tsfat (Safed), which we visited for a day trip.

Tsfat is the birthplace of Kabbalah.

We visited the studio of David Friedman, whose art is inspired by Kabbal-

Continued on the next page

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

The HMI Atlanta group takes a photo at the Western Wall.

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TRAVEL

The Atlanta group participates in a beach cleanup project with the Zalul environmental organization near Tel Aviv.

Photo by Ryan Basler

The Dead Sea dominates the view from the top of Masada.

ah. He told us about the symbolism in each piece.

When first looking at a piece, you don’t see everything he wants you to. You see more things once they are pointed out to you. You may even see something in his art that he never expected you to see.

Tsfat’s artist colony offers beautiful works of art and Judaica.

We stopped for lunch at a small Yemenite restaurant that served lachuchs, Yemenite pancakes that are fried with vegetables and Yemenite spices and

Ryan and April Basler visit the Western Wall.

herbs. It was so delicious and was probably the best thing we ate the whole trip.

Tel Aviv Tel Aviv was the first modern Jewish city built in Israel, and it differed greatly from the other cities we visited.

It is right by the ocean, but Tel Aviv gives you the feeling of being in a big city. Dance clubs stay open during the day, and the city is well known for its nightlife.

One thing I enjoyed in Tel Aviv was

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Tour guide Koren Eisner speaks to the HMI group in Jerusalem.

walking through the colorful Carmel open-air market. It was crowded and bustling. The market had candy, spices, food, fruits and veggies, souvenirs, clothing, Judaica, and more.

We walked through once in a group, and Rubel told us not to be polite Americans. He said to just move through the crowd, and if you have to bump into people, you do it.

Near the market is the Nachalat Binyamin pedestrian mall, which was having one of its biweekly craft fairs.

At the mall, we ate lunch at a burg-

er place called Agadir Burger. It was the best nonkosher meal we had on the trip. We got the special, which came with a pink bun for Pride Week.

Being in Tel Aviv during Pride Week was quite an experience. Thousands of people came from all over the world for the celebratory period.

Everywhere we went, we saw people dressed in crazy outfits sporting rainbow everything.

The beaches were filled with people showing pride in the LGBTQ community. It was refreshing to see how

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TRAVEL

Koren Eisner teaches the group about Masada after climbing up the Snake Path.

The Atlanta group attends a dinner party and wine tasting at Moshav Yesud HaMa’ala.

After HMI We felt so lucky to be a part of this cool, inspiring trip. Months later, I look back on it all and am in awe about the wonderful experiences we had and the great friends we made.

We keep in contact with many of our friends from the trip, and we are all connected on a Facebook group. Since the trip, many of our HMI friends have gotten married, are expecting children, have undergone conversion, have bought houses or have celebrated other simchas.

Two weeks after the trip, we had our first reunion at Rabbi Karpuj’s house. Most of the group attended.

Since then, we have gotten together with our HMI friends in large groups as well as in smaller settings multiple times.

We invited everyone from the trip into our home for a housewarming party. There are plans for a Chanukah party at one couple’s house and a big reunion retreat in the summer.

Rubel said Honeymoon Israel is changing the world.

“In less than two years of operations, Honeymoon Israel has provided an authentic welcome to the Jewish community and Jewish life, along with a built-in community, to hundreds of couples,” Rubel said. “We have a waiting list already of a few thousand couples, and our hope is to be able to offer this experience to as many as possible

A Dream Trip

The participants have been selected for the next Honeymoon Israel trip for Atlanta couples, taking place in March, but a second 2017 trip is planned for Dec. 7 to 17. Applications will be accepted from April 19 to June 2 through the organization’s website, honeymoonisrael.org.

in the coming years. The reason why our model is successful is that we are welcoming to all couples with at least one Jewish partner. We select and curate every group on a hyperlocal basis to make sure couples will be likely to begin building community. We provide an immersive and in-depth experience in Israel, and there is both planned and organic social networking.”

We hope this is just the beginning of a long friendship with the 19 other couples, who are like family at the same stage of their Jewish journey. ■

HMI friends get relief from the heat at Nahal David, a freshwater spring and waterfall.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

accepting everyone was.

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TRAVEL

Relive Biblical History in LaGrange

By Benjamin Kweskin

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

When I told people that I was traveling to LaGrange to write about the Biblical History Center, most thought I was joking and others imagined a version of the Creation Museum in Kentucky or the Holyland Experience in Orlando.

I didn’t exactly know what I was getting into, but I needed to experience this unique place so close to home.

When you walk into the center, you are greeted by affable staffers who epitomize small-town, southern hospitality.

Before group tours, visitors watch a short video introducing the facility and preparing them for the forthcoming experience. The upbeat video features the founder and CEO of the center, James Fleming, explaining the main themes and displays.

The video asks an interesting question: “What do Paris (Louvre), New York City (Metropolitan Museum of Art) and LaGrange have in common?”

Answer: Each of the three cities houses large quantities of authentic biblical artifacts on loan from the Israel Antiquities Authority.

The LaGrange center is one of seven such museums in the world. It also is the only museum in the Southeast that Israeli authorities have entrusted with a long-term collection of 250 artifacts, including a 5,000-year-old game board and several oil lamps used by early Christians.

After the introductory video, I perused the gift shop, which gave an impression similar to a typical Christian bookstore combined with the famous shuk in the Old City of Jerusalem, replete with wooden engravings, colorful dishes, and religious paraphernalia such as menorahs and shofars.

I passed on the Bamba and Chanukah gelt.

Established in 2005, the center was known as the Explorations in Antiquity Center until last year. It primarily caters to regional church groups and Christian school tours.

Several people at the center said its purpose is to help people understand the Bible (mostly the New Testament) and the ancient world in the proper historical-cultural context by providing exact replicas of ancient life settings along with modern teaching based on current archaeology and biblical scholarship.

Fleming and others often lecture on topics relating to the New Testa66 ment, the Tanakh and secular biblical-

Photos by Benjamin Kweskin

The archaeological replicas around the center include a tomb from the First Temple period.

historical scholarship.

There are clear, albeit inconsistent, attempts at balancing the need to be inclusive religiously with maintaining its core in secular, scientific archaeology.

“Most of our visitors are Christian, yet we do have Jewish visitors as well,” Fleming said. “All of our trained guides and staff use descriptive language and are aware of their audiences. We try to keep it academic yet accessible to everyone.”

So how did a biblical center land in LaGrange, population 30,000?

Fleming said, “We had a center like this in Jerusalem for 40 years, but because of a strong interest in sharing this experience in the United States, the decision was made to relocate.”

He said he wanted to stay in Israel but was forced to close because of a dearth of Christian tourists during the second Palestinian intifada (2000 to 2005).

Amid a worldwide search to relocate, the Calloway Foundation offered matching grants if the center would settle in LaGrange. Fleming and his partners jumped at the offer and have been tirelessly working to improve and expand the facility ever since.

Photography of the artifacts in the gallery is not allowed, but several displays are intriguing, including at least two authentic tombs from the First Temple period; an assortment of pottery and jugs, some from shipwrecks found off the Israeli coast; ossuaries; and oil lamps and other assorted items from Byzantine, Greek, Roman and early Arab periods.

I was given a private tour of the outside replicas by the center’s pro-

The center uses large maps to put biblical history in context, including the land of Israel and an Old City map.

gram director, Hananiah Pinto, a Brazilian-Israeli who has worked closely with Fleming for many years.

He often leads tours in Israel and elsewhere in the Mediterranean. Licensed as an official Israeli tour guide in four languages, Pinto focuses on the Jewish links with the New Testament.

He is particularly proud of the expansive garden, currently growing thyme, olives, almonds, mulberries, grapes, garlic, onions, figs and pomegranates, to name a few.

The interactivity of the impressively built and displayed archaeological replicas provides educational and entertaining opportunities and activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Life in a 2,000-year-old village is portrayed from the viewpoint of an ancient shepherd and farmer as you wander through realistic replicas of an original goat-hair tent purchased from Bedouins on the Iraq-Jordan border, mangers, limestone catacombs, olive trees and an olive press, a stone mill, and a Roman amphitheater, where the center puts on lectures, plays and movies.

As in the Tower of David in Jerusalem, you can climb the steps and get a beautiful lay of the land right by the town gate.

Pinto first showed me the shepherd’s tent, which represents how the biblical patriarchs lived. The intricate tent faces a small but beautiful water-

The four-language welcome sign reflects center founder James Fleming’s ecumenical views of the Holy Land.

fall as visitors are regaled with biblical imagery and stories. Next door, in another tent that’s part of the shepherd area, guides share other biblical stories while showing children how to make pita and tea for the adults.

“The Shepherd’s Bread Experience is very popular,” Pinto told a LaGrange paper. “Participants cook bread on an open fire, and butter is made just like shepherds did thousands of years ago.”

After walking outside and retaining as much information as I could about the replicas and artifacts gallery, I had worked up an appetite. Luckily, it was time for the “Passover meal,” an all-you-can-eat smorgasbord intended to mirror Jesus’ Last Supper (a Passover

What: Biblical History Center Where: 130 Gordon Commercial Drive, LaGrange Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; closed Dec. 26 to Jan. 2 Admission: Fees vary by program, but the archaeological replica tour with the biblical artifacts gallery is $15 for adults and $12 for children ages 6 to 12; biblicalhistorycenter.com or 706-885-0363

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TRAVEL

The Biblical History Center was officially the Explorations in Antiquity Center until last year.

Visitors can walk through a replica of a biblical town square.

Fleming: Archaeology Goes Beyond Politics

The shepherd area of the center offers storytelling and bread making.

seder).

Some of the ingredients for the meal are taken from the garden.

Entering a dimly lit but beautifully decorated room, I was joined by 30 guests from different parts of Alabama. We sat on carpeted benches in a squared semicircle facing Pinto, who shared information about the Last Supper and cultural-historical anecdotes about the food and why Jews recline during the meal.

Beforehand, we said Jewish prayers over the food, which included olives, hummus, ginger lentil soup, marinated chicken skewers and fresh fruit. Tortillas are served instead of matzah, but the charoset is much tastier than expected. ■

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Hopeful for the near future, Fleming discussed the LaGrange center’s plans for expansion. “Next to our current facility, we want to create a huge relief map of the Sea of Galilee area so people can walk around it, and this will include specific points of interest and interactive activities.

We also are going to build a bigger seminar room, entrance area and meal rooms and create more interactive projects for people to enjoy and learn.”

Curious about the state of archaeological affairs in Israel, he said that in Israel “there are roughly 250 major dig sites with varying percentages dug up. Overall, there are approximately 6,000 sites, meaning that many major discoveries have yet to be made. Like anything, the main issue is receiving funding for excavations. Often universities and sometimes businesses support this. Also, many sites are in the West Bank, so there is an added layer of politics involved as well. Recently there have been important digs in Tel Dor (near Zikhron Yaacov), Lachish (near Kiryat Gat) and Shaarayim (near Bet Shemesh), but there are many more.”

Sensitive to the fact that archaeology has become politicized in some respects, he said that although political archaeology is a phenomenon, “we need to respect other people’s traditions, especially when we look at archaeology dealing with the monotheistic faiths. We need to be secure in our own faith tradition. Of course, archaeology can be misused to benefit one’s own faith. Sometimes, especially in politically fraught places, it is difficult to be inclusive and open. At the same time, archaeologists and archaeology can be more objective since we are able to scientifically state when and where a people and their presence have been — and where they’ve not.” ■

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The center’s Roman amphitheater is used for lectures, plays and movies.

James Fleming lived and worked in Israel beginning in the late 1960s and developed courses in historical geography and biblical history, tying those subjects to biblical texts.

Fleming studied archaeology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and has coordinated over a dozen excavations in Israel and neighboring countries. For more than 25 years he has taught Jewish and Arab tour guides about Christianity for the Israel Ministry of Tourism and Palestinian guides in East Jerusalem.

Though fond of LaGrange, he yearns for his adopted homeland. “I miss being around old things. In Atlanta, anything over 80 years old is old.”

Known as “Mr. Archaeology,” Fleming considers himself a Christian Zionist, but he is not some conservative, Bible-thumping proselytizer. For him, it is important to have a balanced view on the Middle East. “I have always had Jewish and Palestinian friends. When I lead tour groups, I alternatively hire Jewish and Arab bus companies.”

He deliberately sets quotas for equal numbers of Jewish, Christian and Muslim students in his Israel government tour guide courses. Fleming’s criteria surpass identity, however, “Before accepting students, I ask them if they were prepared to show the same respect to another religious tradition as they would want shown to their own.”

Having been engaged with Israeli society and political culture for several decades, Fleming’s views are deep and well-reasoned: he would like to see Israel further democratize to ensure full civic rights for more non-Jews.

He has had brushes with bigotry: Haredi yeshiva students made at least two attempts to burn down his Jerusalem Biblical Resources Center out of the fear that he was involved in missionary activities.

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SPORTS

Blanke Walks Away After 602 Softball Wins

By Eli Gray Twice a year, in the fall and spring, the Marcus Jewish Community Center hosts a men’s modified fast-pitch softball league that has existed for more than 50 years. But when the league holds its spring season in 2017, one of its best pitchers won’t take the mound.

Jody Blanke has decided to hang up his cleats after 30 years.

The league is losing one of its most dominant and experienced pitchers.

Blanke kept careful stats over the years and finished his JCC career with a record of 602 wins, 247 losses and four ties.

His teams won 17 regular-season and 12 tournament championships from 1986 to 2016.

Blanke, a professor of computer information systems and law at Mercer University, has played softball as long as he can remember. “Growing up in Hollis, Queens, I played pickup softball around the corner at the school yard on cement and gravel,” he said. “If we were pitching fast, I was probably pitching.”

In his first season in the JCC league in 1986, he played first base on captain and pitcher Carl Oster’s team. When the squad made it to the regular-season championship game, Oster decided to start Blanke against pitcher Jack Aro-

During the 1993 JCC modified fast-pitch softball season, Jody Blanke (right) and Jack Arogeti (left) flank fellow pitcher Gene Benator on the mound at the old Atlanta JCC fields.

geti. Blanke gave up three runs in the first inning and no more the rest of the game, but Arogeti outdueled him in Blanke’s 3-2 loss.

“It was the first of many great games I played against Jack,” Blanke said.

In 1989 he became a manager.

“That fall I captained the first of my 47 teams,” he said. “Throughout the years, I often drafted ‘my guys,’ or at least they became my guys after I drafted them over and over.”

Blanke’s teams played for the regular-season championship 25 times and reached the tournament championship game 20 times.

Not only did he set the bar for pitching, but he also played an active role in shaping the league’s format.

As league commissioner from 1998

After the fall 2016 season’s All-Star Game, retiring pitcher Jody Blanke (left) poses with longtime friends and pitchers Gene Benator (center) and Bruce Beck.

Benator is still pitching after nearly five decades on the mound and shows no signs of slowing down.

to 2002, Blanke focused on making the process of selecting replacement players fairer. In 1998 he changed the player ratings to a relative system that ranked players from 1 to 10, enabling the draft system to be consistent from season to season.

When the fall regular season wrapped up in November, the league held a retirement ceremony for Blanke.

Scott Moscow, a teammate of Blanke’s for 16 seasons, spoke of the pleasure of playing with and for him.

Moscow said that in all the time they played together, he never once saw Blanke get upset at a teammate or even lose his cool.

League Commissioner Josh Tolchin presented Blanke a pitching rubber embossed with a plaque that reads “1986-2016, 602 Wins-247 Losses-4 Ties,

30 years of pitching dominance.” It was signed by everyone in the league.

Though his team didn’t make either of the championship games in his final season, Blanke struck out the last batter he faced and pinch-ran for longtime catcher Sandy Hartman in the last inning. His last act on a softball field was scoring a run.

About retiring after 30 years in the league, Blanke said: “The hardest part of hanging up my cleats will be the end of all the camaraderie and competition involved in going out there every week and playing a game that I have played since I was a little boy.

“I am going to miss the guys and the game and competition very much.

There is nothing like it. I have had a good, long run, and it’s just time to hang them up.” ■

4 JCC Gymnasts Win State Titles

Competing indoors in Georgia for the first time as a Weber School student, senior Becky Arbiv sets a state record Dec. 11.

Becky Arbiv Vaults to Record

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

Weber School senior Becky Arbiv set a Georgia high school indoor pole vaulting record Sunday, Dec. 11, with a jump of 13 feet, 7.5 inches.

It was the highest high school pole vault in the nation this indoor track season.

Arbiv, who recently signed to attend Duke University next year as a member of the track and field team, is only the third Weber student-athlete to sign with an NCAA Division I school.

The meet at which Arbiv set the record was Georgia’s first indoor track meet for high-schoolers since 2001. The Atlanta Track Club and Pole Vault Atlanta host68 ed the competition. ■

Four members of the Perimeter Gymnastics team at the Marcus Jewish Community Center won championships at the recent 2016 USA Gymnastics state competition at the Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville.

Romy Ress finished first on the balance beam and second in the Level 3 allaround competition, and Julia Freedman won the uneven parallel bars at that level.

At Level 2, Abby Cohen and Alexa Maslia shared the title on the beam. Abby also finished second on the bars and in the floor exercise and third in the all-around standings.

Also at Level 2, Sophia Pristach was second on the vault, and Genevieve Geist placed third on beam. At Level 3, Bri Richardson finished third on the beam and all around, while Caroline Hoag and Lauren Nelson tied for third on the beam, and Maddie Yudin was second in the floor exercise.

As a team, Perimeter finPhotos courtesy of the Marcus JCC ished sixth out of 16 teams at (Clockwise from top left) Romy Ress, Julia Level 2 and eighth out of 17 Freedman, Alexa Maslia and Abby Cohen are teams at Level 3. ■ Perimeter Gymnastics’ latest state champions.

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SPORTS

From March Madness to April Angst Veteran broadcaster would restructure college sports

By David R. Cohen david@atljewishtimes.com Texas Western defeated the University of Kentucky for the 1966 NCAA men’s Division I basketball championship, becoming the first all-black lineup to appear in and win an NCAA title game. More than 50 years later, Larry Conley, a guard on that Kentucky team, is still asked about the game regularly.

“People can’t get past the white-vs.black issue of that game,” the 72-yearold said Thursday, Dec. 15, at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, where he was part of the Edgewise speaker series. “There was much more to it than that.”

Conley explained how he got a credit on the 2006 film “Glory Road,” which was based on the historic game.

After agreeing to be a consultant, he received a large check from the production company but never got a call about his experience.

“I wish I could get more jobs like that,” he said.

But Conley spoke about more than

Photo by David R. Cohen

Larry Conley speaks to the Marcus JCC’s Edgewise group Dec. 15.

that landmark game.

In the summer of 1966, Conley’s Kentucky team, led by future Hall of Famers Pat Riley and Louie Dampier and coached by the legendary Adolph Rupp, easily won the International Universities Tournament in Tel Aviv.

On the beach after their victory, Con-

ley and his teammates met three U.S. Marines from Kentucky who were stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv.

“Those Marines threw us one heck of a party,” Conley said. “It was amazing sitting on the roof of that embassy and watching the sun come up over the Mediterranean Sea.” After his playing career, Conley spent 42 years broadcasting sports. As a former college athlete and broadcaster, he shared his views on some of the issues in collegiate sports: • On one-and-done athletes in basketball — “The college player today, if he’s really good, spends one year playing and doesn’t worry about his academics. All he wants to do is make sure he gets drafted. That’s not the way it used to be. What you have to do is go to the NBA and get them to not allow players to be drafted until they have at least three years’ college experience.”

• On the business of sports broadcasting — “The single biggest item on television today is sports. It creates more profit for the cable networks than anything that’s out there. Sports

programming generates about $30 billion a year for TV companies.”

• On the basketball season — “People around the country don’t watch college basketball until the football bowl games are over. They don’t watch in November or December. My solution to that is don’t start the season until after Christmas and play the NCAA championship in April. Yeah, I know all about March Madness and all that. We can call it April Angst instead.”

• On conferences — “Let’s make every college independent and do away with conferences. Conferences are just the lobbying arm between the NCAA and the schools. The NCAA is an association; all the schools belong as a group.

Right now you have about 70 schools at the really high Division I level that make all the money and another 800 schools just clinging by their fingernails. It’s not going to happen, but we’re starting to move in that direction.”

For the final Edgewise event of 2016, magician Howie “the Great” Marmer is scheduled to perform at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 22. ■

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LOCAL NEWS

Volunteers work the phones to encourage donations during Chabad Intown’s online fundraiser Dec. 14 and 15.

Chabad Intown Hits Goal

Chabad Intown’s 24-hour crowdfunding event surpassed its all-or-nothing target of $300,000 raised.

Running from 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, to 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, the online campaign brought in $301,901 on the Charidy platform.

Each donation had three dollarfor-dollar matchers, meaning that a contribution of $100 was worth $400 to Chabad Intown and that the community needed to give $75,000 to meet the $300,000 goal.

The matching donors were Fred and Nancy Marcus; the Pillars of Chabad Intown (Abe Levine, Morris and Sandra Kaplan, Nathan Kaplan, and Jake Aronov); and the Friends of Chabad Intown (Peter and Beverly Katz, Joy Maxey, Jay Berger, Scott Italiaander, Ryan and Jessica Levenson, David and Jill Krischer, Mitchell and Ronnalee Moskowitz, Ari and Maggie Glezer, and David and Terri Frolich).

The money will support Chabad Intown operations and help it expand to launch Chabad of Decatur and Chabad Midtown, co-director Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman said before the fundraiser.

“The campaign was a powerful statement of support from the Atlanta Jewish community,” Rabbi Schusterman wrote in response to the success.

“Dena and I, as well as Rabbi Ari and Leah Sollish, feel personally grateful and empowered to focus forward and continue our efforts in 2017! Thank you, Atlanta!”

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

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Federation Fights Fire Damage

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s Executive Committee decided in mid-December to accept a lower committee’s recommendation to send $10,000 to Megiddo in northern Israel to ameliorate the damage caused by the devastating fires that struck the country in November.

The St. Louis Federation is matching Atlanta’s emergency allocation.

The money will come from surplus cash in a fund in Israel.

“On behalf of myself and Megiddo

Regional Council I would like to thank you and the people of Atlanta for being there to cheer and support us in this difficult time,” Itzik Holavsky, the head of the Megiddo Regional Council, wrote to Federation.

“The fires have impacted our region with big destruction, and only by cooperation of the settlements and the security forces it ended without casualties. The emergency grant you have given us will definitely help repair the more immediate damage,” Holavsky added.

Federation has long supported the Yokneam-Megiddo region.

Torah Rehab on South Side

Congregation B’nai Israel in Fayetteville is raising money to get and attach new rollers to its Holocaust Torah through its Tie One On for CBI event.

B’nai Israel is auctioning off each of the 24 stitches the project will require. The minimum bid is $108, and the two highest bids get the privilege of making the first and last stitches.

Bids in the form of checks with “Tie One On” written on them are due Dec. 31 to B’nai Israel, P.O. Box 142481, Fayetteville, GA 30214.

The Torah stitching is planned for a Havdalah celebration at 7 p.m. Feb. 11.

For more information, contact CBI at cbiadmin@bnai-israel.net or 678817-7162.

Caring With Stuffed Animals Care for Kids, a program of B’nai B’rith in Atlanta, this year collected new and gently used stuffed animals for children and youths served by Innovative Solutions for Disability and Disadvantage (www.isdd-home.org), a support program for grandparents raising children who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, or behavioral or learning difficulties.

The children and their families bowled and had pizza at an ISDD outing, then left with the donated stuffed animals.

B’nai B’rith (www.bnaibrith.org/ southern-communities.html) also is donating grocery gift cards so ISDD families can buy holiday turkeys.

Thanks to B’nai B’rith, donated stuffed animals have found new homes with families who are part of Innovative Solutions for Disability and Disadvantage.

OBITUARIES

Helene Facher 98, Atlanta

Atlanta has lost one of her true matriarchs. Helene Kantor Facher (1918-2016) passed on Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, at her apartment, surrounded by loved ones.

Nonnie, as she was called by so many, lived in Atlanta for 98 years. After sharing the stage with the son of Mayor William Hartsfield at the Fox Theatre as valedictorian of her high school, she traveled to New York City in search of a Depression-era livelihood. She returned to Atlanta with her husband, Bernard Facher, a Czechoslovakian who immigrated in advance of the Holocaust. She supported him as he founded and grew Fasher Painting and Decorating. Together they frequently entertained friends around card tables and became leaders in multiple Jewish organizations.

With her husband, Ms. Facher raised her one daughter, Robyn Berger, of blessed memory, who became a trailblazing leader in the developmental disabilities community. She was always there for her son-in-law, Martin Berger, who took over the family business. She served as a devoted aunt to her sister Harriet’s children, Barry Warshaw (Mary), Barbara Dale and Beverly Keis (John). She was active in helping raise her grandchildren, Lisa and Chip Boardman, Eric Berger and Melissa Lerman, and Lori and David Bryan. And finally, she was able to share the joy of four great-grandchildren, Ross, Allison, Benjamin and Ella, and many great-nieces and -nephews. With her many friends and close-knit family, she loved gardening, preparing speeches and writing poems for all occasions.

She was eager to engage in a political discussion, highlighting her wide-ranging knowledge and intensity. She also loved traveling and sharing her stories of her adventures with whoever would listen.

Mrs. Facher, admired by so many during her life for her accomplishments, regal demeanor and glowing smile, will be sadly missed. The family would like to thank her loving caregivers, Debbie, Suzanne, Dorette, Bisi and Jacki, along with the wonderful staff and aides at Hammond Glen, where she resided for 12 years.

Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Helene’s memory to the Zimmerman-Horowitz Developmental Disabilities Fund at Jewish Family & Career Services, The Temple, and Congregation Shearith Israel. A graveside service was held Sunday, Dec. 18, at Crest Lawn Memorial Park. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Helen Halperin Helen Mintzer Halperin of Atlanta passed away Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016, after a wonderful life of 93 years.

She was born in Romania on Sept. 8, 1923, and moved to Miami with her family as a small child. She graduated from Miami Senior High and the University of Miami. In 1944 she married her beloved Sammie Halperin and, after his tour of duty in the Navy, lived with him and their two children in McRae, Ga. In 1957 they moved to Sarasota, Fla., where they owned a chain of upscale ladies clothing stores called Mademoiselles. In 1989 they retired and moved to Atlanta to be close to their children and grandchildren. Helen loved viewing art, volunteering as a docent at the Ringling Museum of Art, and traveling to Europe.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Sammie. Helen is survived by her daughter Marlene Halperin; her son and daughter-in-law Gary and Cindy Halperin; grandson Craig Halperin; grandson and granddaughter-in-law Jason and Wendy Halperin; great-grandsons Taylor Halperin and Ryan Halperin; and her many nieces and nephews.

Sign the online guestbook at www.edressler.com. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. The funeral was held Sunday, Dec. 18, at Arlington Memorial Park, Sandy Springs. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Death Notices

Betty Greenberg of Marietta on Dec. 5.

Gertrude Gulden, 104, of Atlanta, mother of Pearlann Horowitz, Dan Gulden and Isabel Gulden, on Dec. 13.

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

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ARTS

Curiosity Thrills in Chabon’s Family Fiction

By Josh Jacobs Michael Chabon’s latest book, “Moonglow,” self-identifies as a novel, but I think if my 9-year-old self read it, he would scoff. Told in the first person by a narrator who is a proxy for Chabon himself, “Moonglow” reads like a memoir.

As I read on, I found myself pausing, trying to remember whether this was a memoir and I had misread the cover. Yet there’s a magic in the pages, something transfixing and figurative that doesn’t fit the mold of a memoir.

“Moonglow” follows the narrator as he unravels his enigmatic grandfather’s history, through death-bed investigations and glimmering speculation.

The grandfather began as a troubled boy raised in the Jewish sectors of southern Philadelphia, where as a toddler he dropped a kitten from a three-

story window. When the narrator questions his motives, the grandfather answers, “Curiosity.”

This curiosity, whether manifesting in violent unrest or fierce loyalty, drives the grandfather’s character throughout his life, through college and World War II, to loving a woman and all her demons and to the family he finds himself leading.

There’s an ever-present curiosity in memoir, something separating it from biographical texts, that’s simultaneously pure and sinister. We say we write histories of our loved ones to preserve their memory and honor their personhood, but we’re also searching for ourselves in their stories.

Humanity craves to know why we are the way we are, to understand why our grandfathers spent 22 months in prison and why our mother was never the same after going to live with her

uncle. We project symbolism onto other people to satisfy our own curiosity, even when there’s nothing to be found.

Sometime between 1989, when cancer took his grandfather, and 2016, Chabon discovered how impossible it is to remove one’s self from the narrative of memoir, how entangled artists are with their subjects.

What sets “Moonglow” apart from the rest of Chabon’s oeuvre, and wherein lies the soul of the text, is its generic cross-section of memoir and fiction.

Instead of fighting against the sinister, speculative curiosity that consumes the narrator’s thoughts, he embraces it and allows the creativity to flow. His hybrid experiment manifests the curiosity that drives his grandfather’s soul into an enlightening, gripping history of a patriarch and his legacy.

Chabon has always been one of my favorite authors, and even though

the form of “Moonglow” is a sharp turn from his normal style, his mellifluous prose captivates you and forces you to keep reading. By writing in the first person, he allows his narrator to wonder and wander within his grandfather’s history.

Chabon immerses the reader into the novel, wholly integrating the reader as part of the novel’s conflict, creating one of the most satisfying reads of 2016 with infinite pockets of soul between every word. It’s his most personal novel yet, which is a bold decision that pays off with every turn of the page. ■

Moonglow

By Michael Chabon Harper, 448 pages, $28.99

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CLOSING THOUGHTS

The Little Shop Of Haircut Horrors

DECEMBER 23 ▪ 2016

’Twas the night before Christmas.

Actually, it wasn’t. Just wanted to get your attention.

It all began in the month of March.

I was three months from becoming a typical 11-year-old with long, brown hair and green eyes.

I was counting down the days for school to end and summer camp to begin.

I loved school, but I loved summer camp more.

Every Friday morning at 10, Mom (z”l) visited the beauty parlor directly across the street and around the corner from our apartment building. It was in what we now refer to as a strip mall.

We knew it as the shop between Hoffman’s grocery store and Prylucks’ drugstore on the corner.

We also knew it as the spot where Mrs. Goldberg could spy on us kids from her second-floor window. Reporting back to our parents was her reason for living.

All farputsed (beautified), Mom would come home and finish doing the laundry, making the beds and washing the floors, on which she artfully placed newspapers to ensure that they stayed clean. To this day, I cannot figure this one out, so if you can, let me in on the secret.

It was all part of her gettingready-for-Shabbat weekly routine.

The Shabbat routine continued with Mom cooking brisket or pot roast or chicken and potatoes in her blackwith-white-speckles roasting pot. Yes, Mom used exactly one pot to cook the entire Shabbat meal. Waste not want not, to the extreme.

Back to March and the year I stopped smiling.

Mom decided cutting my hair would make life easier for me. Believe me when I say that she was so wrong.

I cried and carried on until I was too tired to fight.

Besides, where would I live if I ran away from home, which is precisely the empty threat I tried to use, to no avail?

I entered the beauty shop as a normal-looking, maybe even cute, almost-11-year-old and came out looking like the little Dutch boy on the paint cans. I was devastated. For close to a year, I could not smile and was on 74 strike from being in any photos.

My youngest daughter’s birthday is in March. Yes, I did and do notice the coincidence; are there really coincidences? Let’s not go there today.

It was the year Dorothy Hamill invaded our lives. The Dorothy Hamill haircut became all the rage for little and big girls alike.

CROSSWORD

By Shaindle Schmuckler shaindle@atljewishtimes.com

My sweet baby girl had long, beautiful curls down to there. She was also clear about her likes and dislikes.

She still won’t eat meat.

And although I was (and still am) the grown-up, I knew I was on the wrong end of the Dorothy Hamill craze.

Reluctantly, I made the appointment for her with my hairdresser. I knew in my heart I could not do this alone.

Her bestest friend, Sharon, and my bestest friend, Rene, came along as support — for me, not her.

The hairdresser foolishly tried to persuade my sweet baby girl to simply trim her beautiful locks.

Oh, no, she insisted: “I want it up to here,” pointing to her earlobes.

He looked at me for support. Silly man: I was looking to him for the same.

As soon as he began washing her hair, I started sobbing. Rene immediately realized I could not bear to watch; the trauma was too great. Old memories flooded back.

So we walked the halls of the mall.

I was sobbing, almost unable to catch my breath, while poor Rene was trying to console me.

Lord knows what shoppers were thinking.

An hour later, we entered what I knew would turn out to be the little shop of horrors. I was wrong. As much as I missed my baby and her gorgeous curls, the 6-year-old standing in front of me was magnificent. In my humble opinion.

Checking Google Earth, it appears there are still shops on that street.

Unfortunately, our apartment building is gone. No matter: I have a cloud filled with memories, which, by the way, I love sharing with you. ■

“A Very Beatles Chanukah”

By Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Challenging

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ACROSS 1. Possible online referral source for some Einstein students 6. Like a notable star 10. The macarena and twist at b’nai mitzvah, once 14. “On the surface ___ to have everything, except my one true friend” (Anne Frank) 15. Lays out (like cloths in Eilat) 16. Kind of korban 17. Language spoken by some Great Neck Jews 18. Jet, on the Ben-Gurion radar screen 19. Main character on Amy Sherman-Palladino’s “Gilmore Girls” 20. Chanukah, on The Beatles’ calendar?

23. Mentalist Geller 24. When Chanukah rarely falls out: Abbr.

25. Animals the Greeks sacrificed in the Temple from the “White Album”?

29. Like the first Jerusalem Post puzzle of the month, to an end-of-the-month solver 33. Small ox that has one of the daughters of Zelophehad inside it?

34. “___ halaylot” 36. Russo in Donner’s “Lethal Weapon” flicks 37. Place for a girl to learn Torah, for short 38. Sch. with a Chabad at Flagstaff 39. “Am ___?” (Koppel might ask his producer this) 40. What William Goldman wrote some scripts on?

42. Al Rosen’s Indians teammate Paige, for short 44. Half an IDF uniform duo 45. Amitai of socioeconomics 47. Maccabee hit by The Beatles?

49. Total sons of Zilpah 50. Lesser who played “Uncle

Leo” 51. No. 1 Beatles hit about the Greeks capitulating to the Jews?

59. Make like Elijah against Jezebel’s pursuers 60. Those with faith might take one 61. Lenin’s first name, for short 63. YES, of “Shtisel” 64. Holocaust writer Seghers 65. Great soprano Gluck 66. Wilder outputs 67. Ki Va follower 68. Critic Pauline

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as a king 27. Selena challenged by Joan Rivers to spell “Palestinian” 28. Revelation locale for Moses and Elijah 29. Negiah 30. Roman quintet of the Ladino vowels 31. Hair-covering option 32. Busybody 35. Actress Dennings 41. Tower of David, e.g.

42. Be’er Sheva rarely sees it 43. Landing spot at Moshav Betzet 44. He played Ryan Howard on “The Office” DOWN 46. The Wilfs, e.g.

1. Judith, to Esau 48. “You ain’t heard nothin’ 2. Morales in Bochco’s ___” (Al Jolson) “N.Y.P.D. Blue” 51. Don (tzitzit) 3. Last name that makes 52. Nobelist Wiesel Gold or Stein into another last 53. Looking at the bronze name snake of Moses, for some 4. Idiotic 54. Habah or hazeh 5. Composer Shostakovich 55. Janet with the same post known for his Jewish-themed as Edward H. Levi work 56. Bob who created Batman 6. Sali who was Rabbi Israel 57. Lead female role in “The Abuhatzeira Producers” 7. Actress Collins 58. Broken (like Balaam’s 8. “Battle Cry” author donkey, perhaps) 9. Language spoken by El 62. Cuban’s team, on the Ramban scoreboard 10. Like G-d’s existence 11. Ahava ingredient 12. What it’s supposed to be LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION for Chanukah 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 M E T S S P A T C E D A R lighting 14 15 16 O L E H K A R A L E U M I 13. Like a 17 18 19 M A V E R I C K S I N C O G diffident maidel 20 21 22 23 A L A M O D E T S P K R I 21. How many 24 25 26 A I D V E E P S A D Israeli tour 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 N E T guides are paid 34P L O 35 D 36E M I 37 38 39 40 A I R S D A K D R R U T H (with “per”) 41 42 43 44 45 L E T U P N I S S O F I A 22. John who 46 47 48 49 50 M U S S A F N I R Y O N A directed Gina 51 52 53 54 A T E G R E Y S T S Gershon in 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 J A B R U E S S O U “Face/Off” 62 63 64 65 66 67 A B U I D I E T E R N A L 25. Like doing 68 69 70 71 F A L C O C A V A L I E R S the macarena at 72 73 74 A T L I T H E A R A V I A a bat mitzvah 75 76 77 A I N T H E A T R E S T S 26. Zedekiah,

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