Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCV NO. 14, June 30 2020

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VOL. XCV NO. 14 | HEALTH & WELLNESS AND TRAVEL

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Healthy Haven With so much focus on health and wellness in the age of coronavirus, Atlantans are likely going stir-crazy from shelter in place restrictions. In this issue we pair health and wellness with travel options, whether that be RV camping in the mountains or taking an online “bus tour” of Israel. You will find many alternatives to traditional summer vacations within these pages to help you get away from it all physically, mentally and/or virtually.

We also share plenty of news and views on the coronavirus from the doctors on the front lines and those dealing with the aftereffects. The AJT asks medical specialists how COVID-19 has impacted their practices and talks recovery with Piedmont Atlanta Hospital’s chief medical officer about resuming surgeries. There are stories about relationship conflicts that affect sex lives during lockdown, the mood enhancement achieved through art therapy, and how Chabad Intown is bringing a Jewish perspective to The Twelve Steps of alcohol and drug abuse recovery.

Plus, we talk with a doctor who spe-

THIS WEEK

cializes in fainting, while others who study disease share their expertise as it relates to the current health crisis.

In addition to the themed articles in this issue, we also cover breaking news.

Last week, Georgia joined the ranks of states with hate crimes legislation, an effort 16 years in the making. We report the reaction of one Atlanta woman to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier this month that the 1964 Civil Rights Act protects gay, lesbian and transgender employees from discrimination based on sex. The AJT also follows an online discussion about reforming or defunding the police in response to recent civil rights protests. Plus, we update you on how Israel and the United Arab Emirates have become closer in light of debate over Israel’s plans to annex part of the West Bank.

Talking about getting an education, our next issue will help you prepare for back to school, whether that’s K-12 or college, online or in the classroom. Time to start stocking up on paper, pencils and notebooks. While you’re at it, don’t forget your masks and hand sanitizer. ì

Cover Photo: Even a virtual tour of the tranquil beaches of Tel Aviv can foster hope for future in-person visits. The AJT recently participated in the Jewish National Fund’s paid “Life is a Grand Virtual Tour of Israel.”

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 5

NEWS Jewish Ethics Has Much to Say About Pandemics

Despite the teachings of Jewish law, large crowds such as this one in Brooklyn have gathered for funerals.

By Bob Bahr Before there was the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, before there was a U.S. Public Health Service in America and before there was the World Health Organization, Jews had the Torah and the Talmud to guide them through health crises.

That was the message that was discussed recently in an online program by Jonathan Crane, a Reform rabbi and nationally known scholar of medical ethics and Jewish thought at Emory University.

Crane, who is the founder and co-editor of The Journal of Jewish Ethics, believes that the centuries-old evolution of Jewish law has played an important role in how Jewish communities have responded to serious threats to health.

Among the most important of these ideas is the principle of b’tselem elohim, the notion that all mankind was created in the image of G-d. The principle expressed in the opening verses of the Book of Genesis had considerable influence in how Jews viewed

health care during critical times.

“All this comes down to the notion that we have equal merit before G-d,” Crane said.

“And this should also be a driving principle when making those heartrending decisions of triage and deciding who should get access to critical life sustaining materials in a clinical setting.”

In times of widespread illness, such as the bubonic plague that ravaged much of Europe for nearly 400 years between the 14th and 18th centuries, Jews looked to religious scholars to give them guidance based on sound ethical principles. According to Crane, decisions must be based on the facts of a particular situation.

“When we go about making your decisions, Judaism certainly champions factual thinking. And when we start thinking about vectors, about how did the disease arise in the first place, it is far better for us to start thinking about prevention. How do we prevent pandemics from arising in the first place?”

Judaism, when human lives are at stake, puts little credence in miracles. The

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miraculous doesn’t find much acceptance demic has been a complicated issue.

“There are some Jewish communiin the writings of the great medieval Jewish philosopher and physician Maimonides or ties that defer to rabbinic leaders as their the guidance offered in Rabbi Joseph Caro’s authority figures and oftentimes, by deguide to everyday Jewish living, the Shul- fault, on a variety of bioethics issues. Unfortunately, some of those rabbinic figures chan Aruch. are undereducated As Crane points when it comes to out, how be behave medicine.” is what really makes Nonetheless the a difference. “It’s far coronavirus panbetter to pay attendemic during the tion to the actual belast several months haviors of what will has produced a widesave lives, like takspread interest in ing care of the dead Jewish law and Jewbodies and getting ish legal arguments. them quickly buried It’s been an so that they don’t exciting time for continue to infect authorities such as the community. It is Jonathan Crane is a Reform rabbi and David Berger, a hisfar better, according a prominent member of the Center torian and dean of to these texts, not to for Ethics at Emory University the graduate school believe in magical thinking, but to engage in factual thinking of Jewish Studies at Yeshiva University, acin order to ground and inform the decisions cording to a recent article by the Jewish Telethat you need to make when facing a pan- graphic Agency.

“I don’t think there’s ever been anydemic.” thing like this because of the proliferation of Despite the explicit precautions of Jewquestions and because of the extraordinary ish religious law, knowledgeable observers means of communications,” Berger told JTA. have expressed disappointment with the Just last month the Conservative movebehavior of some ultra-Orthodox commument overwhelmingly approved a decision nities who have grown up with a thorough written by Atlanta Rabbi Joshua Heller of grounding in Talmudic principles.

In places such as Bnei Brak outside Tel Congregation B’nai Torah that legalized the Aviv, which has a large observant popula- use of electronic devices for worship serviction, the police and the Israeli army had to es on Shabbat.

Rabbi Elliot Dorff, who co-chairs the be called out in April to enforce a quaranConservative movement’s committee on tine and restrictions on travel.

Jewish law, said of the acceptance of change That same month there were news reduring the pandemic, “it’s like night and ports of 2,500 mourners attending a funeral day.” in Brooklyn of a revered Chasidic rabbi. The He said, “Once this is all over, this is gocrowd assembled in defiance of New York ing to be a really interesting case study of City health regulations. According to Crane, how halachah evolves quickly when it needs the adherence to Jewish law by some relito.” ì giously observant communities in this pan-

NEWS

Kemp Signs Georgia Hate Crimes Bill Into Law

By Dave Schechter The new Georgia hate crimes law “does not fix every problem or right every wrong,” but is a step forward for “a state too great to hate,” Governor Brian Kemp said June 26 as he signed the bill during a ceremony at the state capitol.

The bill designated as HB (House Bill) 426 was overwhelmingly approved June 23, first by the state Senate (47-6) and then by the House (127-38). The sentence given for a conviction on a misdemeanor or felony could be increased if the defendant is found to have acted with bias because of the victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, mental disability, or physical disability.

Up to 12 months imprisonment and a fine of up to $5,000 could be added to the sentence for a misdemeanor conviction and up to two years imprisonment to the sentence for a felony conviction.

Jewish organizations were among those celebrating passage of the legislation.

The effort to get the bill passed dates back to 2004, when the state Supreme Court threw out a Georgia law passed in 2000 as “unconstitutionally vague” because it did not specify protected groups.

Kemp signing the bill capped years of efforts by the Hate Free Georgia Coalition, a group of 35 nonprofits assembled by the Anti-Defamation League, which has crafted model legislation on which most states’ statutes are based.

When the Georgia measure takes effect July 1, three states – Arkansas, South Carolina and Wyoming – will remain without some sort of hate crimes statute. (Indiana has a law that the ADL and others consider too weak to be effective.)

“Governor Kemp’s signing of HB 426 sends the resounding message that all Georgians’ identities are a valuable part of our state. It recognizes that Georgia will not tolerate crimes that terrorize and alienate entire communities,” said Allison PadillaGoodman, vice president of the ADL’s Southern Division.

After the Georgia bill cleared both chambers of the General Assembly, PadillaGoodman said in a statement, “ADL applauds and thanks the House, Senate and their leadership for working across party lines to enact HB 426. Georgians need protections against hate crimes, which target victims simply for who they are and terrorize entire communities.

Speaking to the AJT, Padilla-Goodman cited in particular Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality, and James “Major” Woodall, president of the Georgia NAACP (National Association for the Ad-

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signs Hate Crimes Bill into Law on June 26.

vancement of Colored People), for their efforts.

On its way to passage, the bill survived the addition and then the removal of elements that might have doomed its chances.

The original version of HB 426 sponsored by Rep. Chuck Efstration, a Republican from Dacula, had narrowly cleared the House in March 2019 and languished in the Senate until near the end of the General Assembly’s special session. This being the second year of the legislature’s two-year cycle, failure to pass the measure this year would have meant starting over when the General Assembly reconvenes in January 2021.

Senate Republicans had added police and first responders as a protected class under the legislation but agreed to move that provision to another bill. The revised version of HB 426 added a mandate to gather data on hate crime incidents, to be managed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Impetus to pass the bill was gained when video surfaced in early May showing 25-year-old Ahmaud Arbery being killed in late February by a shotgun blast after the African American man was pursued by two armed white men in a pickup truck while he was jogging near Brunswick, Ga. PadillaGoodman acknowledged that “the horrific murder of Ahmaud Arbery” provided added momentum to the legislation.

The new statute will not apply to Travis McMichael and his father, Greg McMichael, should they be convicted on the charges of murder and aggravated assault that they face, because that crime would have taken place before the measure became law.

At the bill-signing ceremony, the Republican House Speaker David Ralston referenced the “awful, sickening, disgusting

video” of Arbery being shot to death. “We in Georgia are better than that,” Ralston said, adding regrets that Arbery’s mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, was unable to attend.

After the bill had passed both chambers, but before being signed into law, Harold Kirtz, president of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta, praised the ADL’s leadership.

He told the AJT, “The Jewish community as well as many other communities will benefit from this legislation in several ways. One is through the backing of the state in fighting hate crimes, including those crimes that result from antiSemitism, racism, homophobia, and antiimmigrant feelings. We now have the state working to protect communities that have traditionally been targeted for who they are, including Jews.”

Dov Wilker, regional director of the American Jewish Committee office in Atlanta, said “The passage of a hate crimes bill in Georgia is essential to protecting the rights of all minorities in our state. The reporting element of the bill will enable government and law enforcement to better support our diverse community. By passing in both the Georgia Senate and House, the state of Georgia is demonstrating the seriousness with which it takes this issue.” ì

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NEWS

Rothschild Helped Lay Path for Today’s Activist Rabbis posed creation of the modern state of Israel.

Rothschild wore tallit and rabbinic robes, reintroduced Hebrew in services and Sun“We see more and farther than our preday school, encouraged adherence to didecessors, not because we have keener vision or etary laws, and actively supported the Ziongreater height, but because we are lifted up and ist enterprise in Israel. borne aloft on their gigantic stature” Beyond the synagogue on Peachtree — Bernard of Chartres, a 12th century Street, Rothschild became known for his voC.E. French philosopher and scholar. cal support of the civil rights movement. He and his wife Janice maintained a personal Atlanta rabbis marching in the streets, friendship with the Rev. Martin Luther King speaking at rallies, and using the bimah as a Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King. bully pulpit are commonplace today.

Sugarman, a native Atlantan who grew Indeed, a recent issue of the Atlanta Photo courtesy of Bill Rothschild and the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum // Martin Luther up at The Temple, said that when Rothschild Jewish Times carried photographs of three King Jr. and Coretta Scott King with Rabbi Jacob Rothschild and Janice Rothschild at the arrived, racial divisions in Atlanta were rabbis marching in support of the African January 1965 dinner in Atlanta honoring King’s receiving the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize. stark and pronounced. “In that context, American community’s struggle for equalSugarman, who became senior rabbi spired me for the 14 years that I have been a he came out and started giving these civil ity under the law and an op-ed written by a rights and integration sermons. He worked when Rothschild died in 1973 and is now rabbi in Atlanta. fourth.

“Admittedly, when I came to Atlanta, behind the scenes with Christian clergy on Rabbis who frequent the public square rabbi emeritus, said, “If I ever stood one anyconsider such efforts an integral part of body’s shoulders it was Jack Rothschild’s. my own understanding of civil rights and the Ministers’ Manifesto that came out betheir work as spiritual leaders. In that re- These rabbis, the ones who have the guts racial inequity was rather pedestrian,” Lev- fore integration was a reality,” Sugarman gard, they acknowledge the role played by to speak out now, they’re standing on his enberg said. “But Rabbi Rothschild’s work said. Though he did not sign the document paved the very roads on which I traverse to- because of its Christian language, RothsRabbi Jacob Rothschild of The Temple and shoulders.”

Rothschild’s predecessor Rabbi David day, and his legacy is one that I and so many child helped craft the 1957 statement by 80 how his forceful sermons on civil rights helped lay the foundation for the path they Marx, who held the pulpit from 1895-1946, of my colleagues strive to uphold. He em- members of the Atlanta Christian Council, had built bridges to other faith communi- braced the work in a way that enabled each calling for inter-racial negotiation, obediwalk today. ence to the law, and a ties that contributed to of us to contribute to his “Rabbi Rothschild peaceful resolution of the founding in 1919 of legacy. And, to take it one taught generations of disputes. the Commission on In- step further, his legacy rabbis how to be proNot everyone in the terracial Cooperation, continues to propel me phetic,” said Rabbi Peter Jewish community was which opposed lynching and so many colleagues Berg, senior rabbi of The cheered by the words of and sought to improve to strive to do more, to Temple since 2008. “We the Pittsburgh native. take one more step and race relations. learned from him how As depicted by the play“Jack Rothschild to not tire of the work of to speak truth to power, wright Alfred Uhry in stood on that bridge and fighting for racial equity that the status quo is un“Last Night at Ballyhoo,” proclaimed with a pro- and social justice.” Levacceptable. And that a many Southern Jews phetic voice the end of enberg wrote in the AJT rabbi must teach the valhad worked hard to assegregation in the South,” about his participation in ues of Torah, even when similate into the white, Sugarman said. “At my demonstrations that folit is not comfortable or gentile community, while installation, I said, ‘I’m lowed the May 25 death convenient,” said Berg, Photo courtesy of the William Breman downplaying outward Rabbi Brad Levenberg, standing on the bridge of an African American who has been active on Jewish Heritage Museum // Rabbi flanked by Beth Schafer and displays of their Jewish next to Rabbi Rothschild, man under the knee of issues of criminal justice Jacob Rothschild, whose outspoken Andre Parker, wrote in the identity. but I’m crossing that a Minneapolis police ofreform and gun control. support of the civil rights movement AJT about his participation Rothschild saw the ficer. bridge, and I want you, “When Rabbi Rothsis seen as the reason why The in recent demonstrations.

Rabbi Joshua Lesser Temple was bombed in October 1958. discrimination against the congregation, to take child spoke out on issues blacks “and starts to rock of Congregation Bet of integration and racial justice he often my hand and walk with me.’”

Janice Rothschild Blumberg replied, Haverim, a Reconstructionist congregation, the boat,” said Jeremy Katz, archivist of The faced dissent from within the community and the congregation. To me, his strength in “absolutely,” when asked whether today’s may be the Atlanta rabbi most visible in the Breman Museum, during a June 12 program upholding the tenets of Torah during a time rabbis stand on the figurative shoulders of public square on a myriad of issues that in- on Rothschild’s life. “He made people nerof such division is not only remarkable, it is her late husband. “But don’t forget to credit clude immigration, race relations, LGBTQ vous,” especially those who remembered Alvin with keeping it going and building on rights and criminal justice reform. “What I the August 1915 lynching in a Marietta also prophetic,” Berg continued.

“We all know the expression ‘standing it when it was still precedent-breaking to love about Rabbi Rothschild is that I believe woods of Leo Frank, a Jewish businessman on the shoulders of giants.’ This is a senti- some extent. I thought he did a fabulous job he represents someone who embraced a and member of The Temple.

Rothschild’s outspokenness is considment that animates our Atlanta rabbinic of following in Jack’s path but with his own moderate path. But at some point, he was moved to act with moral courage and take ered the reason that white supremacists community each day. None of us could be footsteps.” targeted The Temple with a bomb made of That indebtedness to Rothschild ex- greater risks,” Lesser said. the rabbis we are today were it not for our In his time, Rothschild moved the pen- 50 sticks of dynamite that exploded in the tends beyond The Temple, Atlanta’s oldest predecessors. They paved the path.

“At The Temple, Rabbi [Alvin] Sugar- Jewish congregation, founded in 1867 as the dulum within The Temple, where Marx had early hours of Oct. 12, 1958, causing wideeschewed the use of Hebrew, preferred to be spread damage but no injuries, just hours man built on Rabbi Rothschild’s legacy, and Hebrew Benevolent Congregation.

Rabbi Brad Levenberg, of Temple Sinai, addressed as “doctor” rather than “rabbi,” before children would have been present I build on Rabbi Sugarman’s. We are rooted in the past, even as we grow towards the fu- a Reform congregation founded 101 years wore a suit rather than rabbinic robes, did for Sunday school.

In his sermon the following Friday tilater, said that Rothschild’s legacy “has in- not enforce kosher dietary laws, and opture.”

By Dave Schechter

8 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

NEWS

“These rabbis, the ones who have the guts to speak out now, they’re standing on his [Rothschild’s] shoulders,” said Rabbi Alvin Sugarman, rabbi emeritus at The Temple.

Janice Rothschild Blumberg speaking at The Temple in May 2017.

“None of us could be the rabbis we are today were it not for our predecessors. They paved the path,” said Rabbi Peter Berg, who has been outspoken in his support of criminal justice reform and gun control.

Rothschild “embraced a moderate path,” Rabbi Joshua Lesser said, “But at some point, he was moved to act with moral courage and take greater risks,” Lesser said.

tled “And None Shall Be Afraid,” Rothschild said that the bomb intended “to strike terror in the hearts of men,” had instead instilled “a new courage and a new hope” within the Jewish community and other segments of Atlanta. The support from outside the Jewish community led Rothschild Blumberg to call the explosion “the bomb that healed,” lancing psychic wounds left by the anti-Semitism surrounding the lynching of Frank.

When King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, Rothschild was part of the committee that planned what became Atlanta’s first publicly integrated dinner.

But for all of his vocal support, Rothschild did not, could not march with King.

“And here’s why,” Rothschild Blumberg said. “Assuming that Jack had by that time gained enough followers to keep his job, how do you suppose he could have continued his influence — invitations to speak, write op-eds, etc. — outside the congregation once his presence on a march was publicized? It broke his heart that he couldn’t go to Selma,” she said.

“He made airport runs, picking up friends from the north, going home from the march, gleaning every bit he could from their reports and being all the more de-

pressed when they left.

“It was a very exciting time and I can understand how sincere outrage triggered by the excitement to participate brought so many, especially on the freedom rides, but I learned then that each of us can do something and should stick to what we can do that’s really helpful, hopefully keeping that separate from the exciting experience factor. I’ve had that thought constantly this week,” she said in early June as protests engulfed Atlanta and the nation.

Sugarman could do what Rothschild could not. “I did my shoe leather,” an example of which was taking part in the January

1987 civil rights march in Forsyth County, he said. When The Temple opened its doors to demonstrators who needed a place to sleep, Sugarman told the Atlanta Jewish Times in 1987, “We share a history of oppression with blacks. It’s in different forms and to different degrees, but we know what it means to be in an underclass, to be oppressed solely by virtue of birth –- we as Jews, they as blacks.”

Sugarman lamented, “If you knew how it breaks my heart” not being able to march in today’s demonstrations. But between his age (82) and health issues, he cannot. Otherwise, “Would I be marching? You’re damned straight.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 9

NEWS

Supreme Court Ruling 30 Years Later on Civil Rights Act to Protect LGBTQ

By Jan Jaben-Eilon

Rabbi Josh Lesser agrees with Shahar.

“This has a sweeping impact on fundamenRobin Shahar said she was “blindsid- tal basic rights,” said the rabbi of Congreed” by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling last gation Bet Haverim. Its mission statement week that the 1964 Civil still reads that its purpose Rights Act protects gay, is to serve the LGBT comlesbian and transgender munity. “Not all people employees from discrimiwill marry, but everyone nation based on sex. will work. I’ve known so “I expected to lose the many people who have case, so I had put it out of been closeted over the my mind,” said the retired years because they were Atlanta attorney who had afraid to lose their jobs.” lost her own case decades Unlike Shahar, Lesser ago when she sued the told the AJT that he had Georgia attorney general been watching for the for rescinding a job offer court decision. “At best, we to her after learning that Robin Shahar lost her court case were hoping for a mixed against the Georgia attorney she was going to have a response, so we were general after he rescinded Jewish wedding ceremony thoroughly surprised by a job offer to her in 1991 with her lesbian partner. the decision” and by the because she was a lesbian.

“I was floored. It took split in the justices’ decime half a day to realize that the attorney sion. He added that he was relieved that general can’t fire someone because they the court hadn’t defined the term “sex” are gay,” Shahar told the AJT. “It is continu- narrowly. The ruling “could have protected ing to sink in. It is that monumental.” just gay and lesbians and not transgenders In a 6-3 split decision June 15, with or the other way around. The justices didn’t Justice Neil Gorsuch writing the majority make that distinction.” opinion, the court decided against three To Shahar, the court’s decision was a employers in three different cases. One of “clear message on what is acceptable and the cases involved a child what isn’t acceptable. Our welfare coordinator for jobs are where we spend Clayton County in Geormost of our days. With gia, who was fired after he this decision, people don’t joined a gay recreational have to choose between softball league. “It is imliving honestly who they possible to discriminate are and to have a job.” against a person for being It was Shahar’s honhomosexual or transgenesty and openness back der without discriminatin 1991 that resulted in her ing … based on sex,” Gorlosing her job. In 1990, she such wrote. served as a law clerk in The surprise decision, the office of Georgia Ataccording to Shahar, has torney General Michael J. “I thought of all the incredibly wider and deeper ramifiBowers while completing brave women in the 1950s and 1960s who came out of cations than even the 2015 her studies at the Emory the closet,” said Fran Shahar, U.S. Supreme Court’s marUniversity School of Law, after hearing of the latest riage equality ruling that from which she eventuSupreme Court decision. same-sex couples have a ally graduated in the top “This is their vindication.” fundamental right to marof her class. Bowers ofry under the Due Process Clause and the fered her a full-time position, which was to Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amend- start in the fall of 1991. That summer, howment to the U.S. Constitution. That ruling ever, he learned that she was a lesbian who required all 50 states and the District of planned to have a Jewish wedding ceremoColumbia to perform and recognize mar- ny with her partner. After he withdrew the riages of same-sex couples under the same job offer, Shahar sued him. terms as marriages of opposite-sex couples.

In 1993, a district court ruled in BowThe latest Supreme Court ruling, Sha- ers’ favor, upholding the job termination, har said, affects “every single person. It’s but two years later, a three-judge panel not just about who we love.” reversed the district court decision, rul10 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ing that the termination violated Shahar’s before retiring. Her specialty was the First constitutional rights. In 1997, the 11th Cir- Amendment and constitutional law. “The cuit Court of Appeals reviewed the case First Amendment is near and dear to my and ruled for Bowers, after which Shahar heart. It’s what makes the United States the petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court. It ulti- United States. I loved working for the City of Atlanta.” mately declined to review the case.

Fran Shahar became a clinical psyThe latest Supreme Court ruling is a belated vindication for Shahar. But it chologist and is the clinical director of doesn’t erase the “devastation” she felt mental health at the Pulaski State Prison in Hawkinsville. The two, at the time. Her thenhowever, divorced in 2009 partner, Fran Shahar, reand Robin remarried in called that the couple “had 2016. Both are still memalready received death bers of Bet Haverim. threats before the lawsuit” When she heard the was filed. She remembers recent Supreme Court driving down her street, ruling, Fran Shahar’s reapproaching their house action was that it was and wondering if a swas“about time. I thought of tika would be painted on all the incredibly brave it, or their dogs poisoned. women in the 1950s and “Neither of us knew 1960s who came out of the whether we’d even get a closet. This is their vindijob again. It’s hard to conRabbi Josh Lesser said he’s cation,” she said. vey how horrible it was.” known “so many people who have been closeted over the Lesser points out how The couple was maryears because they were his congregation is “woried under a chuppah by afraid to lose their jobs." ven into the national deReconstructionist Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum. “We weren’t only cision” and history because of the Shahar fighting as lesbians,” said Fran Shahar. case against the Georgia attorney general.

“We were fighting as Jews. Bowers argued “Both Robin and Fran and the congregathat our wedding with an ordained rabbi tion can now unabashedly celebrate” the wasn’t protected by the First Amendment ruling, he said. Lesser told the AJT that he received death threats the first three years because it wasn’t really Jewish!”

At the time, most of the Jewish com- of his leadership at the congregation.

But, noting the several weeks of street munity agreed with Bowers and weren’t protests across the country in support of supportive of the couple, she added.

Eventually, both women found em- African Americans, Lesser added, “Until we ployment. Robin Shahar worked as an at- recognize the full rights of all people, this is torney for the City of Atlanta for 26 years not a full victory.” ì

NEWS

Defunding the Police Is Topic of World Affairs Council

By Bob Bahr

the Columbian drug cartel, is that American law enforcement has no national During a week of protest, marches structure and no national standards.

Although there have and demonstrations been frequent calls to against police miscondecimate police forces duct, the World Affairs and eliminate funding, Council of Atlanta the effort, he believes, explored how law enwould end in chaos. forcement and policing “We have 18,000 might be reformed. different police forces, Leading the online a hodgepodge of metrodiscussion entitled “Depolitan police, county funding Police: Political police, sheriffs, constaMistake” was Charles bles, state police. And Shapiro, president of that makes it very, very the World Affairs Coundifficult. You can’t decil of Georgia State Unifund the police because versity and a former you would have 18,000 American career diplodifferent defundings. mat. He completed his You need a rebooting of career as the U.S. AmCharles Shapiro, president of the the police, a restarting bassador to Venezuela.

World Affairs Council, moderated of the police.”

Shapiro discussed the discussion on policing.

When asked about the issue of policing in America with Luis Moreno, also a veteran the president’s action in a follow up inU.S. diplomat. During much of his 34 years terview, Moreno said it was a start, but of service Moreno worked at retraining much more needs to be done. He said and reorganizing police forces in the Ca- something is needed “like the Marshall ribbean and Latin America. Moreno, who Plan that put Europe back on its feet after retired as U.S. ambassador to Jamaica in World War II, but for law enforcement.”

“I think we really need national re2017, believes there’s no way to minimize form. I think we need the seriousness of the sweeping legislation. problem.

I think we need to be “I think that it’s obreally serious about vious from the recent this. An executive order events how endemic touched on some things police brutality can be, that needed to be done. how there are injusBut I think you’re going tices, how there’s a systo need a lot more than tematic problem that executive orders.” has to be addressed. If I Also discussing the was a foreign diplomat issue with Shapiro was stationed in the U.S., Thaddeus Johnson, an I’d say that the U.S. poAfrican American and lice departments have for 11 years a ranking a pattern of discrimimember of the Memnatory human rights phis Police Department. abuses.”

He is now a doctorThe discussion on Thaddeus Johnson spent 10 al candidate in crimiJune 11 preceded the years at the Memphis Police Department before beginning nology at GSU. Johnson signing by President his academic career believes that the comDonald Trump of an executive order June 16 aimed at partially plete defunding of police departments is a non-starter, but that law enforcement reforming law enforcement in America.

The executive order would help to must make a much greater effort to be strengthen a national database of police a part of the community and that may officers who were accused of misconduct. mean redistributing part of the funding It would also provide new financial in- that goes to law enforcement to be directcentives at the federal level for additional ed to social service programs that more directly serve the community. training for police in the use of force.

“We need to get back to the idea of Part of the problem, according to Moreno, who, as an American diplomat the police officer as part of the commuled the $1.3 billion U.S. campaign against nity. Police officers are our neighbors.

Street demonstrations across the country express calls to “Defund the Police.”

They’re our fathers, our sisters, our from the experience of the Israelis, which brothers, our mothers, they’re part of the have a national force under the control of the Ministry of Pubcommunity.” lic Security.

In an interview Although he following the presidoesn’t favor a nadent’s executive order, tional police force in Johnson emphasized this country, he does the need to evaluate admire the coordinatand reward police ofed law enforcement fices more than just on response, the national the basis of how many training standards and people they arrest. the professional disci“If you don’t pline that the Israeli change the reward system offers. structures, if you don’t “I know, when you change the purpose have existential issue and philosophy behind like you do in Israel, the policing, then the presicooperation between dent’s executive order is really just a signature Ambassador Luis Moreno spent 34 the national police, the Shin Bet, which is the on a piece of paper.” years in the U.S. Foreign Service, much of the time working on internal security serAmbassador Moreno, who also served restructuring foreign police forces. vice, the border police as deputy chief of mission at the U.S. and the Israel Defense Forces, is really Embassy in Israel from 2007 to 2010, something to be hold. It’s really impresbelieves that America has a lot to learn sive.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 11

Atlanta Jewish Groups Secure Over $17.7 Million in Legacy Pledges To support the Atlanta Jewish community, 274 local donors have made more than $17.7 million in legacy commitments.

The pledges are part of a collaborative endowment building effort that includes 12 Jewish organizations and congregations, Atlanta Jewish Foundation and the Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s LIFE & LEGACY initiative, the goal of which is to provide future financial stability.

“LIFE & LEGACY reaffirms the importance of legacy giving at a time when we have been so reminded that you never know what the future will hold,” said Christy Eckoff, chief foundation officer and managing director of the Atlanta Jewish Foundation.

“Having this program in our Atlanta community is vital to Jewish continuity and for the future of our children and their children.”

In less than eight years, LIFE & LEGACY has motivated more than 17,000 donors in 63 communities across North America, including in Atlanta, to commit more than $1 billion in current and after-lifetime assets to the Jewish organizations that shaped their lives, according to a press release. In challenging times like these, endowments provide organizations with the financial stability to meet evolving needs. Legacy commitments ensure that organizations that are providing impactful programs and services during both calm and turbulent times have the necessary resources to adapt, the release stated.

“The cooperation and collaboration fostered by LIFE & LEGACY as local organizations work to a shared goal of endowment building is especially criti-

12 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

cal now,” said Arlene D. Schiff, national director, LIFE & LEGACY. “Even in the midst of so much disruption and uncertainty, we continue to empower many generous and committed individuals and families to give back to the Jewish organizations that have played and are playing an important role in their lives.”

The commitments made by Atlanta’s legacy donors are just the beginning of a communitywide effort to ensure a bright Jewish future, the statement continued. Currently 12 organizations are halfway through the four-year LIFE & LEGACY program. Participating are: Alfred

& Adele Davis Academy, Atlanta Jewish Academy, Congregation Bet Haverim, Congregation B’nai Torah, Congregation Shearith Israel, Jewish Family & Career Services, Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Jewish HomeLife, Jewish Women’s Fund of Atlanta, Temple Emanu-El, The Epstein School and Torah Day School of Atlanta.

“Providing Jewish organizations with a strategy to help secure their long-term financial goals is absolutely vital, especially now in the middle of an economic crisis,” said Harold Grinspoon, founder of HGF. “Supporting our Jewish insti-

tutions is critical to ensuring future generations are able to enjoy our rich culture and heritage. I am thrilled that LIFE & LEGACY is motivating donors to make legacy commitments that will sustain vibrant Jewish communities for years to come.”

The Atlanta Jewish Foundation stewards over $325 million in philanthropic assets for individuals and organizations in the Atlanta community. The Foundation also ensures that legacy gifts and endowments are invested and used for the purposes intended by the donor, to help create the richer future they envisioned. The Foundation works with individuals and their professional advisors to create the most beneficial charitable plans and engagement, empowering people to give in a way that is more meaningful to them, their families, the Jewish community and the world.

LIFE & LEGACY is an initiative of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that assists communities across North America, through partnerships with Jewish federations and foundations, to promote after-lifetime giving to build endowments that will sustain valued organizations and vibrant Jewish communities for the next generation and beyond. Through training, support, and monetary incentives, LIFE & LEGACY motivates Jewish organizations to secure legacy gifts, steward donors, and integrate legacy giving into the philanthropic culture of the Jewish community.

To learn how you can be part of securing Atlanta’s Jewish future, contact Rachel Rosner at rrsoner@jewishatlanta.org, 404870-1879. ì

ISRAEL PRIDE

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME

Professor Colin Price, right, with doctoral student Judi Lax.

Tel Aviv Researchers Create Power from Lightning Israeli scientists may be able to create power from humidity. The research is based on the knowledge that electricity is generated by the interaction of water molecules and metal surfaces. It was led by professor Colin Price, professor Hadas Saaroni and doctoral student Judi Lax, all of Tel Aviv University’s Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences.

“We sought to capitalize on a naturally occurring phenomenon — electricity from water,” Price explained. “Electricity in thunderstorms is generated only by water in its different phases — water vapor, water droplets, and ice. Twenty minutes of cloud development is how we get from water droplets to huge electric discharges — lightning — some half a

Today in Israeli History June 30, 1937: German, Polish and Russian Jews establish Kibbutz Tirat Zvi in the Beit She’an Valley as one of the first religious kibbutzim during the “Tower and Stockade” effort to expand the borders of a future state.

July 1, 1244: Frederick II, the Duke of Austria since 1230, issues a charter extending rights to Jews as a way to boost Austria’s economy. It remains in effect until Austria expels its Jews in 1420.

mile in length.”

The researchers exposed two different metals to different levels of humidity, while one was grounded.

“We found that there was no voltage between them when the air was dry,” Price said. “But once the relative humidity rose above 60 percent, a voltage began to develop between the two isolated metal surfaces. When we lowered the humidity level to below 60 percent, the voltage disappeared. When we carried out the experiment outside in natural conditions, we saw the same results.”

The researchers showed that humid air may be a source of charging surfaces to levels of around one volt. “If an AA battery is 1.5V, there may be a practical application in the future: to develop batteries that can be charged from water vapor in the air,” Price said.

“The results may be particularly important as a renewable source of energy in developing countries, where many communities still do not have access to electricity, but the humidity is constantly about 60 percent.”

Fossils Show Early Humans Adapted During Ice Age

Yoli Schwartz, Israel Antiquities Authority //IAA archaeologist Dr. Lior Weisbrod with tiny fossils of rodents from the excavation.

According to a new study published in the Journal of Human Evolution, tiny rodent fossils found in a cave on Israel’s Mount Carmel could shift our understanding of human evolution, according to The Times of Israel. The researchers found the rodent fossils were only adapted to cold environments.

The fossils were found in the same archaeological assemblage as the earliest known record of Homo sapiens outside of Africa, proving that those early modern humans arrived during an Ice Age. The study’s authors say the analysis contradicts the popular theory that the Ice Age delayed human migration between continents.

“People who evolved in Africa — in a completely different environment —

took this step, which you don’t see any other species in world history with the ability to do — to step out of their original cradle into a different environment and be able to survive,” said Israel Antiquities Authority archaeologist Lior Weisbrod, the co-author of the study. “That’s what eventually allowed humans to reach every corner of the world.”

The article, “Early modern human dispersal into southwest Asia occurred in variable climates: a reply to Frumkin and Comay (2019),” was published June 21 by Weisbrod and University of Haifa professor Mina Weinstein-Evron.

The study is based on analysis of artifacts that were discovered in Weinstein-Evron’s 2002 excavation of prehistoric Misliya Cave, where a 170,000- to 200,000-year-old jawbone was discovered that reset the clock on human migration.

“If the climate wasn’t the factor that initially delayed our ancient ancestors, researchers will have to examine other explanations, including those related to population demographics, interactions with other human species, or the late emergence of technological innovations,” said Weinstein-Evron in an IAA press release.

July 3, 1982: The First International Conference and Festival of Jewish Theater, a five-day gathering, opens in Tel Aviv even though many Israeli participants have been called up for military duty in the Lebanon War.

July 11, 1920: Rebecca Sieff, Vera Weizmann and Edith Eder found the Women’s International Zionist Organization in London. WIZO aims to provide child care, housing, schooling, home economics education and other services.

July 4, 1976: Some 200 Israeli commandos land at the airport in Entebbe, Uganda, to rescue 106 hostages held by the terrorists who hijacked an Air France flight from Tel Aviv to Paris on June 27.

July 12, 1938: Chaim Weizmann writes to Malcolm MacDonald, a British Cabinet member, to complain about the government’s shift from supporting Zionism to promoting a pro-Arab policy.

July 5, 1950: The Knesset passes the Law of Return on the Jewish anniversary of the death of Theodor Herzl. The law offers an open immigration door to all Jews, formalizing a policy in place since May 1948.

Tzipi Livni, then Israel’s foreign minister, speaks with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad at the World Economic Forum in 2008.

July 8, 1958: Politician Tzipi Livni is born in Tel Aviv to two veterans of the Irgun. She is first elected to the Knesset in 1999 with Likud. She leads Kadima in the 2009 election and forms Hatnua in 2012.

July 13, 1978: Seven months after visiting Jerusalem, Egyptian President Anwar Sadat invites Israeli Foreign Minister Ezer Weizman to Austria to emphasize the importance of a bilateral peace agreement.

Yossi Benayoun plays for Chelsea during the 2010-11 season.

July 6, 1989: Palestinian Islamic Jihad member Abed al-Hadi Ghanem seizes control of the No. 405 bus as it passes a ravine outside Jerusalem and steers it over a cliff. Sixteen people are killed; Ghanem survives.

July 9, 1967: Leonard Bernstein conducts the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra at a concert on Mount Scopus to celebrate the cultural unification of Jerusalem after the June 1967 war.

July 14, 1555: Pope Paul IV issues an anti-Jewish decree, Cum Nimis Absurdum, under which Jews living under papal rule in Italy are subject to humiliations and restrictions. The Jews of Rome are forced into a ghetto.

July 2, 2010: Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun leaves Liverpool for fellow English Premier League club Chelsea, owned by Russian-Israeli billionaire Roman Abramovich. He returns to the Israeli league in 2014.

July 7, 1957: Eliezer Siegfried Hoofien, who provided the pre-state Jewish community in Palestine and then the state of Israel with a half-century of financial expertise and leadership, dies at age 76.

July 10, 1895: Nahum Goldmann, a founder of the World Jewish Congress and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, is born in Visznevo, Lithuania.

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

14 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ISRAEL NEWS Israel and UAE Grow Closer in Changing World

By Bob Bahr

countries, over many years, and I don’t think it has really led to what we want in One of Israel’s leading experts on the terms of bringing stability to the region.”

In an interview with the Atlanta JewArab world believes that closer ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates are ish Times, professor Teitelbaum maintained likely to survive even if Israel annexes parts that the UAE and Saudi Arabia are more concerned about the growing of the West Bank. power of neighboring Iran Dr. Joshua Teitelthan they are about the baum, who was born in plight of the Palestinians. the U.S., received his un“Iran is an existential dergraduate education at threat to them. And they UCLA and made aliyah 38 seek allies against Iran. years ago, said that if IsraAnd Israel is the main ally el’s coalition government for them against Iran, as it goes forward with annexhas been for many years, ing parts of the West Bank, Joshua Teitelbaum, who even before the present adit will not fundamentally teaches at Bar-Ilan University, is a leading authority in Israel ministration in the United alter the ties that have about the Arab world.

States.” been developing over the The Emirati foreign minister followed past several years.

“While annexation is troubling to the up the next day when he told an online auGulf States, they do not see it as a deal-break- dience of the Middle East Institute in Washington that annexation could endanger er for relations with Israel.”

Teitelbaum teaches modern Middle the promise of a two-state solution to the Eastern history and is a senior research as- standoff between Israel and the Palestinian sociate at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strate- Authority. This is a solution, many believe, gic Studies at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat that could end the identity of Israel as a JewGan. He has been a visiting professor at ish state.

Gargash said “ultimately, I personally Stanford, Cornell, the Hoover Institution and The Washington Institute for Near East believe that if we are going where we are going today, and we lose the possibility of Policy. really implementing a twoOn June 25, Israel and state solution, we will rethe UAE indicated that they ally be talking about equal will work together to derights and one state.” velop medical initiatives to Despite the apparent confront the coronavirus thaw in relations with the pandemic. The historic iniUAE and to a certain extent tiative is expected to involve with the Saudis, professor private companies from the Teitelbaum was cautiously two nations rather than optimistic about whether direct government-to-govThe UAE Minister of State for ernment cooperation. The Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash further diplomatic progtwo countries do not have spoke optimistically about Israel ress might be extended to and the Arab world before the more traditional, hard-line diplomatic relations.

American Jewish Committee.

Arab countries. The naA week earlier, June 16, UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Af- tions of the Arabian Peninsula, he pointed fairs Dr. Anwar Gargash, in a first-ever ap- out, are different.

“Arab nationalism is a late-comer for pearance before a major American Jewish organization, said he wanted more coopera- these countries. These countries are run by tion with Israel, particularly in areas such as families. They are family businesses. So the concerns of these countries tend to be more technology and health.

“Can I have a political disagreement narrow and less committed to the causes of with Israel but at the same time try and the Arab world and in particular the Palesbridge other areas of the relationship? I tinian cause.”

He emphasized that Israel has develthink I can. I think that is fundamentally oped close ties with the leadership of the where we are.”

The comments by the UAE leader came UAE, where the Jewish community there during a 45-minute interview for the Ameri- has emerged from the shadows and officialcan Jewish Committee’s Virtual Global Fo- ly announced itself on Twitter.

Last year in Dubai, which is part of the rum. Gargash said, in effect, that attempts by the Arab world to isolate Israel over the UAE, a kosher caterer opened for business.

There was to have been an official Israeli past 72 years haven’t worked.

“We have tried that, as a group of Arab presence at the now-postponed Dubai Expo

and Israel maintains offices in Dubai for a U.N. organization to which it belongs.

Part of the newfound closeness between Israel and its new friend in the Arab world, Teitelbaum believes, is the result of a vacuum created by recent American actions to disengage in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.

“These countries that have befriended Israel are concerned that the United States is no longer leading the fight against Iran and they are seeking out regional allies. So that brings them close to Israel. They can’t count on the United States like they once did.”

Nonetheless, the Palestinians maintain their hostility toward any attempt to normalize relations with Israel before a comprehensive peace settlement.

In an effort to boost Palestinian efforts to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, the UAE has sent two cargo planes filled with medical supplies to Israel’s Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, most recently on June 10. The air cargo shipments were the first ever between the two nations. The Palestinians refused the shipments, which total 100 tons of badly needed medical supplies, because of what they symbolize.

First-ever cargo flight between UAE and Israel brought medical supplies for Palestinians.

For now, Teitelbaum maintains, everyone is just waiting and watching to see when and how, and even if, Israel goes through with annexation.

“I think annexation will complicate relations with the UAE and with Saudi Arabia and Israel because although these countries are not deeply committed to the Palestinian cause, they don’t want to be associated or seem to be associated with an Israel that is preventing a peace process.

They don’t want to seem to be eliminating options for a peace process or be seen to be operating unilaterally.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 15

BUSINESS Buckhead Coalition Names Massell Successor The Buckhead Coalition announced June 24 that Jim Durrett will succeed Sam Massell, who is retiring after serving as president for over 30 years.

Massell said of his successor, “Jim Durrett, the new president, does have his heart in the right place and you have to start there. I think he loves this community as I do.”

Durrett directs the Buckhead Community Improvement District and is on the board of MARTA, among other community leadership roles.

Formerly mayor of Atlanta from 1970 to 1974, Massell told the AJT the Buckhead Coalition has grown to become an umbrella for community issues and interests under his watch. The Coalition represents 100 local CEOS and advocates for a wide range of issues.

Massell said he started the Buckhead Coalition in 1988 “completely from scratch, meaning I was given the challenge to rent office space, to hire staff, to write the bylaws, to plan a budget and build an organization.”

The purpose “has been to nurture the quality

of life of those who live, visit, work and play in Buckhead.”

In addition to its public information line, Massell said that one of the Coalition’s achievements was publishing the Buckhead Guidebook. Some of the revenue from advertising goes to local charities, and the goal of the guidebook is to disseminate information about Buckhead and answer questions people may have, Massell said. Other projects included putting around 60 dog sanitation stations throughout the community, controlling the noise level as the township grew, and placing defibrillators in public areas. “We were the first institute in the U.S. that placed external defibrillators where people were,” Massell said. With heavy traffic in urban areas preventing ambulances from moving quickly, he said defibrillators in churches, shopping centers, and other public spaces help to save lives.

When he was in government, Massell said he oversaw the peaceful transition of leadership positions from an all-white power structure to a predominantly Black city gov-

The Buckhead Coalition announced Jim Durrett as its new executive director.

Sam Massell is retiring from leading the Buckhead Coalition for over 30 years.

ernment. “We moved forward in a positive way, and although we have a long way to go, we head with good leadership,” he said of Atlanta.

Massell said the Buckhead Coalition saw a similar emphasis on diverse leadership. “I was pleased that we have initiated several Jewish members since I started, as well as women of whatever faith, and African Americans. The idea that I learned from good government is you try to represent everybody you can and give all a voice.

“Bringing in people with different viewpoints who can make a contribution by sup-

porting the cause and giving us their wisdom was important to the organization,” he said.

Massell is currently quarantining with his wife but is continuing to work with the Buckhead Coalition as they bring materials to his home. He said the organization will see a completely different formation when he retires, but he thinks the new leadership will be strong and show great guidance for the coalition.

“I can brag about this group. These fine guys and gals have allowed me to operate this and manage it for 32 years,” he said. I’ve had a good gig and I wish all of them the best.” ì

Doug Hertz to Receive Four Top Female Lawyer in Georgia Pillar Award The Council for Quality Growth will honor Doug Hertz, president and CEO of United Distributors, with its 31st annual Four Pillar Award. The prestigious tribute recognizes an outstanding individual in the region who demonstrates the ‘four pillars’ of leadership – quality, responsibility, vision and integrity – and exemplifies the Council’s mission of promoting balanced and responsible growth.

Frequently listed as one of Atlanta’s and Georgia’s 100 most influential individuals, Hertz is a native Atlantan who attended Westminster high school and then Tulane University, earning his Bachelor of Arts in history and Master of Business Administration in accounting and finance.

Hertz has led United Distributors in his current position since 1984. He also serves on the boards of countless organizations and businesses.

The Council’s president and CEO Michael Paris said of Hertz, “His philanthropic focus on healthcare, education, the arts and the community is unmatched.”

Paul Corley, the Council’s 2020 chairman and regional president at Empire Communities, added, “Doug embodies the Four Pillars of Leadership in such a way that his contributions benefit individuals throughout the entire state of Georgia.”

16 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Photo by Duane Stork // Doug Hertz is to receive an award for contributions to the city, region and state.

The theme of this year’s tribute is “Patience and Perseverance” and an esteemed group of tribute chairs have assembled to pay tribute to Hertz, including honorary cochairs Arthur M. Blank and Bernie Marcus.

Tribute chairs include Steve Selig, president and chairman of the board of Selig Enterprises, Inc., who won the award in 2014. Another Jewish leader, former Atlanta mayor Sam Massell, was recognized in 2012.

The Council is still assessing when and how the Four Pillar Tribute will be presented. The award and tribute offer the opportunity for the metro Atlanta region and the state of Georgia to celebrate the recipient’s significant contributions to quality of life, community leadership and economic development. ì

Amy L. Kaye was recently recognized as one of the top 50 female attorneys in Georgia in 2020. The designation

by Super Lawyers is part of Thomson Reuters, a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

The selection process included independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations. Kaye was also named a Super Lawyer for the 11th consecutive year.

She received a Bachelor of Arts cum laude in economics from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree cum Amy Kaye is one of the top 50 female lawyers in Georgia in 2020. laude from The UniverRep. Mitchell Kaye and they have three sity of Georgia College of Law. She is a partner in the law firm children and two grandchildren. In her Ellis Funk, PC, specializing in family law. spare time, Amy can often be found on Kaye is married to former state the golf course or tennis court. ì

Never Again the Canary in the Coal Mine!

Don’t wait to fight antisemitism till it’s too late

ADVERTISEMENT - Paid for by the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation.

By Adam Milstein An Israeli-American philantropreneur

Facing ever growing antisemitism in the decades following the Holocaust, the Diaspora Jewish community’s common response has been to declare “Never Again”, describe ourselves as the “canary in the coal mine” and warn everyone else that the hate that begins with the Jews never ends with the Jews.

While these ideas are echoed by millions, they are no longer making any difference. Racial tensions are intensifying in America, Jews are being increasingly targeted, and Jewish leaders fail to realize that action is required to prevent this violent hatred from becoming “Again and Again”. We cannot continue to be helpless, expendable canaries any longer.

Rabbi Hillel said: “Im ein ani li mi li? If I am not for myself, then who will be for me? And if I am just for myself, then what am I? And if not now, when?” (Pirkei Avot 1:14).

century Nazi Germany, Jews were the scapegoat for all problems. Similarly, the COVID-19 crisis and some rioters, following George Floyd’s unjust murder, have amplified global antisemitic campaigns by falsely accusing Israel and the Jewish people of spreading diseases, orchestrating economic turmoil, and supporting racial inequality.

In an age of rampant conspiracy theories and polarized politics, the new antisemitism, fueled by the terror-linked Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, It is upon us to act, NOW! promotes Jew-hatred and violence globally, harboring the support of Antisemitism is on the rise, and other radical movements in Amerit is likely to get much worse. A ica: the far-right, the far-left, and perfect storm of circumstances is the radical Muslims. significantly increasing the danger.

Jew-haters are taking advantage The spread and prevalence of this of the cracks in our society. They hatred today threatens to destroy amplify their hateful rhetoric on our American religious freedom, mainstream and social media and and our rights to liberty, prosperincite violence toward our com- ity, and security. We must do evmunities in frightening ways with- erything in our power to stop this out suffering any consequences. enormous storm before it swallows America whole.

From medieval Europe to 20th

Now is the time to protect our loved ones and our communities and safeguard American values.

We need to change our approach from defense to offense, get personally involved, and deploy outof-the-box strategies.

networks and promptly alerting authorities, media, and the public about these threats.

Financial resources are needed to support and expand existing projects and platforms that fight back and put Jew-haters on defense. Additional resources must be invested in research and technology that enable us to combat antisemitism by exposing antisemites and their illegal activities, violent plans, and

Join Adam and Gila Milstein and support their out-of-the box efforts to combat antisemitism. Contact the Milstein Family Foundation at contact@milsteinff.org.

Though a perfect storm of antisemitism is looming, we should not be seeking shelter. When it comes to Jew-hatred, we can’t afford to be passive and risk-averse any longer.

Join me to make sure that “Never Again” is in fact never again and that we are no longer helpless, expendable canaries in the coal mine.

We, as a community, must adopt several principles to win this critical battle. First, embrace and support the State of Israel without any pre-conditions. Second, harness our community’s leadership, financial resources, and influence to protect ourselves. Third, build a broad coali- Let’s think outside-of-the-box and tion with our allies to fight antisemi- use our resources to secure the future of America and the future of tism and other forms of bigotry.

Jews in America. Let’s make a difAntisemitism is not only a Jewish ference together. For us, our famproblem; it’s an American prob- ily, and our loved ones. lem that we must fight together.

Follow us on Twitter @AdamMilstein and on Facebook www.facebook.com/ AdamMilsteinCP.

Paid Content by the Adam and Gila Milstein Family Foundation.

OPINION Atlanta Jews Find Power in Single Voice

Dave Schechter From Where I Sit

Five years ago in this space, I asked: Who speaks for the Jews? “For that matter, does anyone have the authority, even implicit, to speak for the entirety of the Jewish

people?”

Those questions were prompted by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying, “I went to Paris not just as the prime minister of Israel but as a representative of the entire Jewish people.”

After considering the matter, I concluded: “A prime minister of Israel does not speak for me. The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations does not speak for me. My rabbi does not speak for me. As it pertains to my Jewish identity and all that it encompasses (including Israel), I speak for me. The same should be true for all of us.”

Now I ask: Who speaks for Atlanta’s Jews?

Recent events have compelled individuals, companies and organizations to consider what they are willing to do — and say — in support of their values.

Such was the case when five Jewish organizations in Atlanta issued a statement in response to the death of an African American man under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer and the protests that followed.

The signatories were the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Atlanta, the Anti-Defamation League Southeast region, the American Jewish Committee regional office in Atlanta, and the Atlanta Rabbinical Association.

Emails sent by a couple of rabbis who objected to the tone and content of the statement found their way to my inbox and into a story in the AJT. The ARA’s president, Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal of Ahavath Achim Synagogue, said that the statement carried a message “that the authors identified and believed we needed to be articulated clearly at this difficult time.”

I understand the desire to issue a statement. Silence might have been interpreted as indifference, or a desire to display neutrality, or, even worse, as tacit approval.

An experienced hand in helping organizations and companies find their voice 18 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

told me that issuing a statement “gives people permission to say something and to know that even if they don’t say it perfectly, it probably was good to be on the side of saying something.”

I have seen individual organizations tie themselves into knots composing a public statement, so you have to appreciate the challenge of drafting language agreeable to five organizations, each with a distinct mission.

“There is a reason why communal statements don’t take place often,” said Dov Wilker, director of the Atlanta AJC. “The issue needs to be appropriate. The timing is important. We need to take into account diverse viewpoints to ensure a message that can be supported by the community.”

No single organization, nor five, can speak for Atlanta’s Jewish community, given its diversity of religious belief and practices, of races and ethnicities, and of political viewpoints and cultural practices.

Eric Robbins, president and CEO of the Federation, said that the purpose of the statement was to “demonstrate, at the very least, the importance of leaning in to the issue as a Jewish community and engaging in the dialogue, especially with those who may see it differently than you, to move things forward. These statements should be start of a constructive conversation, not an end.

The questions and dialogue that follow are more important than the statement, just like studying Talmud.”

One model for dialogue is the “small conversations” underway between members of the Atlanta Black-Jewish Coalition, “to educate, to talk about what’s going on, … for the Jewish community to hear what people in the black community are doing,” said Wilker, whose predecessors were instrumental in creating the project in 1982.

For all of the peaks and valleys in BlackJewish relations in Atlanta, this is a time to be “on the side of saying something,” even if the wording may not be perfect.

In recent weeks, an impressive number of individual Jewish Atlantans — demonstrating the community’s diversity — have felt moved to heed the biblical admonition “Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor” (Leviticus 19:16), which also was the opening line of the statement issued by the five organizations.

From where I sit, the voices of individuals, whether as part of a larger chorus during a protest march downtown or by middle school students holding homemade signs on a suburban corner, are as crucial as any statement issued in their names. ì

OPINION

Publisher's Note The majority of Americans probably don’t think police departments around the country should be defunded or more specifiMichael A. Morris cally, disbandPublisher ed. Unfortunately, recent events have resulted in intense scrutinty of this question.

I am defending the overwhelming majority of police officers who do their jobs well and with respect and integrity. I am not defending the small number of officers who abuse their power and stature, commit crimes or even make mistakes. I am defending the concept that the police protect us from a host of crimes that are perpetrated against law-abiding citizens.

With heightened awareness that bias may be involved, we do, however, have to take into consideration that an error, not an abuse, but a blunder, is also possible, because we are all human.

Disbanding (the result of defunding) the police around the country would significantly affect our daily lives and put our pursuit of life, liberty and happiness; as well as religious freedoms at risk. Dismissing traffic enforcement, here are some numbers to keep in mind.

In the U.S. over 16,000 homicides were reported in 2018, the latest figures available from the FBI, down 6 percent from 2017 as a result of the police. On a yearly basis, over 1 million violent crimes are reported (rape, armed robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and other incidents).

Police also respond daily to domestic violence, human trafficking, hate crimes, kidnapping, vandalism and an array of theft. Disbanding, creating a new norm, handicapping the police from doing their job, will have an absolutely devasting affect on our personal security at home, at work, at play, shopping or in just about doing anything we do every day.

Nonetheless, in light of recent crimes perpetrated by police officers, it is time to reevaluate what can be done to make innocent civilians less likely to be harmed when confronting a police officer.

Two thoughts immediately come to mind. This will cost more money, not less; and, it is not just a police issue. We as law abiding citizens do not have the right to get into an officer’s face, refuse to comply or fight back and expect zero ramifications. We cannot in good con-

science expect our police to protect us, at all costs, without the awareness that they will protect themselves.

We are asking the police to protect us and that comes with certain expectations, rights and responsibilities. While I am no expert, I think there is a host of duties that police departments can uphold, considering recent activity, that makes common sense, and will keep us all safer.

Nothing, however, will prevent all mistakes and accidents. Nothing will ensure every officer is committed to high ideals and has perfect integrity. Bad people will infiltrate our police, our armed forces, our healthcare providers, our clergy and every profession we can consider.

• More training is low-hanging fruit. More rigor can come in the form of longer basic training, diversity training, psychological training, continuing educational/training requirements, and enhanced specific training on when and how to consider the use of lethal force.

• Better use of psychological evaluation for officers. This could be instituted during the hiring process or during initial/basic training. Equally as important, this can be considered an ongoing approach like continuing education or after stressful time periods (a serious incident).

• Instituting review boards is already occurring in several jurisdictions around the country. This offers a uniquely American approach whereby civilians have the ultimate decisionmaking authority within an armed services department.

• I believe our police need and deserve more opportunities to de-stress from their jobs. This can come in the form of more vacation time, a change in the hourly/weekly scheduling (to allow for three days off at a time), sabbaticals or more creative constructs.

• Finally, a better database that tracks police officers’ behavior. Superiors need to know who in their forces are not living up to the high standards that must be met. In addition, if an officer is not making the right decisions in one force, they should not be able to move to a different agency without that agency knowing their history.

There are 628 law enforcement agencies in Georgia alone (police, sheriff, marshal, parks, ports, universities and correctional facilities). That is a lot of people working to protect us.

I appreciate, thank and have full faith in my local law enforcement during this time of rapidly increasing crime, violence and homicides. ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 19

OPINION SIMCHA SPOTLIGHT

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20 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Black Live Matters vs. All Lives Matter? #BLACK LIVES MATTER has hit the entire world with a heavy force for all of us to reckon with.

“What does it mean?

Do not Asian Kaylene Ladinsky lives matManaging Publisher ter too; what & Editor about white ones?” my son asked me. He then shared with me that his classmates are calling themselves “white privileged,” which makes him feel like he should be ashamed somehow. I am not going to lie, this had me defensive for a moment. I do not want my son to feel ashamed that we are of a mediumto-high income household and live in a beautiful neighborhood that has minimal crime rates. I work 50 plus hours every week; my husband works a full-time job, and we have three college degrees between us.

I began to respond with, “We have what we have because we have worked hard, very hard. I worked hard throughout school and I had to pay all my own school loans myself. I have never received a handout.”

But then, I had to counter my defense and explain to my son that Black Lives Matter doesn’t mean that only Black Lives Matter and that I don’t feel that he or I can really comment on what “white privilege” feels like unless we are Black, Asian, Hispanic or another ethnicity of color. Honestly, it is not about how we feel at all. It is about acknowledging and understanding something that we may not ever experience. I will never know what if feels like to be a Black woman. I have never had to experience racism because of my color, but I have experienced it for being a Jewish woman.

My son is fortunate to have never faced real anti-Semitism. As editor of the Atlanta Jewish Times, I publish stories about anti-Semitism in schools all the time. Yet I was still faced with trying to teach my son, and even myself, a little more understanding of what white privilege is verses racism.

In my effort, I came to understand that white privilege is not suggesting that white people have never struggled.

And white privilege is not the assumption that everything a white person has accomplished is unearned; most white people who have reached a high level of success worked extremely hard to get there. Instead, white privilege should be viewed as an advantage, separate from one’s level of income or effort in life to accomplish their goals.

On one hand, we are privileged because we are white and on the other, we are singled out because we are Jewish. I am not sure if it was really getting through to my son, so I just leveled with him and said, Black Lives Matter because Black Lives Matter, not because any other life does not matter. You can agree that Black Lives Matter and still believe that All Lives Matter, because they do.

Recently our society has witnessed the loss of Black life in the state of Minnesota and two lives in Georgia. It is important to grieve, regardless of color, and attempt to understand someone else’s loss, pain and feelings. We are white privileged because we do not know what it is like to be discriminated against because of our color.

As Jewish communities around the world suffer a great deal of discrimination and hate because they are Jewish, we should be aware of the feelings of others, always acknowledging their pain, and being supportive of their efforts to ensure their voices are heard.

All Lives Matter and that means that Black Lives Matter. ì

OPINION Letter to the editor,

Letter to the editor,

Regarding: Supreme Court Decision - Reproductive Health/Justice We applaud the Supreme Court decision today upholding settled precedent and defending our rights, striking down a Louisiana law designed to impose medically unnecessary requirements on providers and to block patients from obtaining timesensitive essential health care. Once again, the court upheld our constitutionally protected right to bodily autonomy, ensuring that the state’s three clinics can remain open and continue to serve the nearly 10,000 Louisianans seeking safe and legal abortions every year.

NCJW has been fighting for reproductive health, rights and justice for a century.

From our founding of Mothers Health Clinics in the 1920s, to our powerful advocacy against the wave of abortion restrictions and bans being enacted across the country today, we will not stop now. We will continue to fight to ensure that all can access the full range of reproductive health care services, including abortion, no matter who they are, where they live, or how much money they make.

Sherry Frank, president, NCJW Atlanta Section, and Lisa Rovinsky, NCJW Atlanta advocacy chair

Regarding: Hate Crimes Bill I watched Friday as Republicans on the Georgia Senate Judiciary Committee made a mockery of the effort to pass a hate crimes bill by adding first responders as a protected class. I listened to Sen. Bill Cowsert talk longer about the “riots” in Atlanta, the burning of the Wendy’s, and people throwing water bottles at police than he did about the lynching and terrorizing of brown and black people in Georgia, the desecration of Jewish synagogues and schools, and the beatings suffered by gay and transgender people.

No one is born a police officer. No one can never not be a police officer, and Georgia does not have a long history of oppressing police officers. But Georgia does have a long history of its law enforcement officers helping private citizens lynch black, brown and Jewish people, engage in ethnic cleansing (running black people out of Forsyth County and stealing their property), and arresting them for minor offenses. In other words, metaphorically keeping their knees on the necks of those the hate crimes bill was meant to protect. Further, law enforcement officers are already protected by other laws. All this does is give prosecutors a vehicle for going after protestors.

This effort, led by Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, and aided and abetted by at least Sens.

Cowsert, Strickland, and Kennedy (I could not tell who else was at the hearing), is a cynical slap at the face of all those who have suffered from hate crimes, not the least of whom is Ahmaud Arbery, whose case would have been buried by two state actors (district attorneys) but for the release of a video.

Libby Gozansky, Atlanta

Letter to the editor, Regarding: Hamas - Israeli Annexation Would Be Declaration of War Hamas is certainly consistent. After Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, Hamas won an election, drove the opposition party (Fatah) out of the area, and proceeded to fire thousands of missiles at Israeli population centers, dig tunnels under Israel to facilitate the abduction and murder of Israelis, and encourage Gazans to try to breach the security fence so they could break into Israeli communities and murder Jews. What else could be expected as Israel considers extending civil law to Jewish communities on land designated for Israel in the 1993 Oslo Accords, on the assumption that Final Status Talks would be completed by the year 2000? Clearly, Israel has no right to act without negotiations, even if the Palestinians refuse to negotiate.

Let’s face it, Israel’s enemies don’t hate her for what she does, but for what she is: The nation-state of the Jews in an area where Islamists believe only Muslims are entitled to sovereignty.

Toby F. Block, Atlanta

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

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 21

TRAVEL Locals Unable to Visit Family in Israel

By Jan Jaben-Eilon For the past three months, families have been kept apart by social distancing due to the coronavirus pandemic. As hard as it is for those separated by a few miles, or across several states, it is excruciating for Atlanta Jews who have family members in Israel. They not only cannot get into a car and eventually stand an acceptable distance from their loved ones, there are few flights to Israel, and once there, unless they have Israeli citizenship, they are not allowed into the country.

As of mid-June, even those holding Israeli passports must quarantine themselves for two weeks upon entering the country.

Steve and Gita Berman had been planning to fly this month to Israel as one of their daughters is about to give birth to her third child. “Gita and I are very troubled that we may not be able to get there to celebrate the birth of our fifth grandchild,” Steve Berman said.

“While we are resolved to likely not be there for the birth of our grandchild, we do want to be able to get over there as quickly as possible just in case anything goes wrong with the delivery. The really unsettling thought for me is that something could happen (related to the birth or otherwise) and we couldn’t get there to help.”

Many Atlanta parents and grandparents are accustomed to flying to Israel twice a year to see their families. “The last time we were in Israel was for a [granddaughter’s] bat mitzvah in November,” said Bernie Wolfberg, speaking for himself and his wife, Laura. “We thought we would go again for Sukkot, but we don’t know what’s going to happen. We Skype once a week, but it’s not the same.”

Eve and David Adler had planned to visit their son Jonathan and his family for Pesach, but that trip was canceled due to the pandemic. “We’ve never gone this long without seeing the kids,” Eve Adler said, referring to Jonathan, his wife and three children. “We’re looking at going for Sukkot.”

But, for now, that’s all up in the air.”

Of course, Atlanta individuals and families are not the only ones unable to travel to Israel right now. For years, synagogues and agencies such as the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta have sponsored group travel to Israel. All of those trips are now on hold as well. When non-Israelis are allowed into the country again, Yael Golan, director of the Southern region of the Israel Ministry of Tourism told the AJT, the group missions “will look different.”

22 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Yael Golan, director of the Southern region of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, predicted that tourism to the Jewish state might restart in September.

Steve Berman and his wife had hoped to be in Israel for the birth of their fifth grandchild.

Golan explained that once those mis- might be nationalized.

Golan said travel to and from Israel is sions restart, the groups will be smaller.

“But unless there’s a second and third wave an “ongoing changing situation.” In an early [of the pandemic], we will eventually go June webinar, she noted that Israel was one of the first countries to respond to the back to normal,” Golan predicts.

Normal is still a long way off. While outbreak of the pandemic, requiring quarantine for all arrivUnited Airlines ing travelers as of continued to fly March 10. On March from Newark, N.J., 18, foreigners were to Israel during the no longer allowed pandemic, it will to enter the country, only restart flights with the exception from San Franof those immigratcisco July 10. After ing there, and those cutting all service attending long-term to Israel from the study programs. The United States in government started mid-March, Delta requiring sheltering Air Lines restarted The last time Bernie and Laura Wolfberg in place for all its its flights from were in Israel was in November. citizens inside Israel New York’s JFK International Airport June 3. Those flights March 19, and only began to relax those regoperate on Saturday nights, Sundays, Mon- ulations a month later.

Since the loosening of those restricdays and Thursdays.

“Delta continues to evaluate its sum- tions, including reopening the schools, mer schedule and is adjusting as needed, Israel has experienced a marked increase based on customer demand, government in COVID-19 cases. Prime Minister Benjatravel directives and CDC guidelines,” said min Netanyahu blamed the citizens for not Delta spokesman Drake Castañeda. Pas- wearing masks in public nor social distancsengers are required to wear masks and ing properly, and as of June 18, refused to only 50 to 60 percent of the seats are ex- reopen any more of the economy.

Still, because Israel has overall kept pected to be sold, to ensure proper spacing its case numbers down, it is one of a few during the flights, Delta stated.

El Al, Israel’s national airlines, halted low-infection countries that are negotiatall its regular commercial flights since late ing about opening up two-way tourism.

March because of the coronavirus. This Among those countries is Cyprus, where month it announced that it has canceled on June 9, its first tourist flight to arrive all flights through July. Already struggling in nearly three months came from Israel. financially, the airlines is now in nego- That day the island country also welcomed tiations with the Israeli government and tourists from Greece and Bulgaria. Other

“We’ve never gone this long without seeing the kids,” Eve Adler said.

countries considering tourism – which Golan refers to as “green,” as in “go” – are Austria, Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Montenegro, New Zealand and Singapore.

After a spike in cases in Israel in June, however, at least one of those countries – Montenegro – has removed Israelis from the foreigners allowed into the country.

For now, the United States is a “red” country, for “stop,” Golan said, because of the still rising number of COVID-19 cases in this country. Perhaps trying to provide a more optimistic outlook, Golan said tourism from the United States is expected to return as of Sept. 1. In any case, she recommends that Atlantans go to the Ministry of Tourism’s website for updates, www.Israel. travel/.

Berman pointed out that his “kids” in Israel had planned an August trip to the United States before the pandemic outbreak. “That won’t be happening at this point,” he said. “This whole thing has lots of sad and somewhat depressing stories and they all pale compared to the person who has lost a loved one to COVID or who has lost their job. But the inability to celebrate these special moments together are also heartbreaking and sad. We will survive this.

I just hope it isn’t too far out when travel becomes less dangerous. I really am looking forward to meeting our [new] grandchild.”

Even when international travel opens up, another possible obstacle for many will be the much higher costs for travel insurance. “All the tourism boards are talking about this,” Golan said. “Prices will go up,” and many insurance companies, she added, won’t cover COVID-19. ì

TRAVEL

Luxury on Wheels

The Levin family enjoyed their stay at Cloudland Canyon State Park.

By Chana Shapiro

Noa, 12, scopes out the lake

relax in their two hammocks, and set up for outdoor dining, reading and chatting, while Yifat Aviner Levin and her three chil- taking advantage of the seclusion and amedren, 8, 12 and 15, are experienced campers. nities of the RV. One issue remained for Levin. “DrivThey look forward to spending several days in the great outdoors a few times each year, ing a full-size RV was a concern. I wanted the trip to and from Cloudland Canyon usually in the fall and summer.

“Camping is what we like to do for our to be pleasant and stress-free, and I knew vacations, and we prefer state parks,” Levin that I wouldn’t be comfortable operating such a large vehicle.” From said. “Our favorite, Cades the website RVshare.com, Cove Campgrounds, is in she selected Camp Like a the Smoky Mountains, and Champ RV Rentals, which we had such a great time in delivered a sanitized, fully the Okefenokee state park equipped RV to the campin southern Georgia last site, allowing the family to Thanksgiving holiday that drive in their own car and we immediately decided meet the RV there. “It added to reserve a site in another to the cost,” Levin noted, state park for our summer “but was well worth it.” trip.”

“The RV was immacuThe family made late,” Levin said. “Camp Like its summer plans many Yifat Aviner Levin researched a Champ is managed by a months ago. Reviewing the options to fulfill her family who owns and rents Georgia state parks facilities family’s vacation plans. out five RVs. They came to rental information online, they chose Cloudland Canyon State Park, our campsite just a few minutes before we located on the Georgia border near Chatta- did, and the whole process was seamless.

We keep kosher, so, even though we brought nooga about two hours from Atlanta.

“Our family has gone camping for everything with us, the kitchen made food years, and we’re good at setting up our own storage and prep easy. In addition to the site. We have all the requisite gear, but we electricity and water hookups, Cloudland didn’t get to use it this summer because CO- Canyon has internet access. I cannot claim VID-19 changed our plans,” Levin explained. that my children remained fully unplugged “With the virus so widespread, we weren’t this trip,” Levin laughed, “but we definitely comfortable with casual camaraderie spent most of our time enjoying the trails, among other campers, sleeping in tents and lake and waterfall, and [8-year-old] Aidyn using public facilities. We had to do it differ- and I had fun painting from kits we brought with us. I prefer sleeping close to the ently this time.”

Because she didn’t want to give up a ground, but my children definitely apprecifamily vacation tradition, and as they had ated sleeping in comfort. The RV worked already booked their destination, Levin out beautifully.”

Campsite rental fees depend on the found an alternative. An obstetrics field care manager for WellCare Health Plans, site size, and Levin reserved a premium site, Inc., Levin researched rental options for a large enough to accommodate their full-size recreational vehicle. The large RV offers its RV and provide ample space for outdoor acown sleeping, kitchen and bathroom facili- tivities they enjoy, while controlling incidenties. The family could still build a fire for hot tal close contact with other campers. When dogs, veggie burgers, potatoes and s’mores, asked about camp occupancy, Levin noted,

Noa relaxes in one of the family’s hammocks.

Doran Levin, 15, tends the campfire in front of the rented RV.

“All designated spots of every size at Cloudland were full; however, in other years wherever we’ve been, almost all campers were in tents, like our family. This time, we saw only two tents in our area; everyone else was in an RV. Of course, we happily met and greeted other park visitors, but at a safe distance.”

The COVID-19 camp rules were prominently posted at the virtual check-in area, encouraging social distancing of at least 6 feet and stating that, to reduce the spread of the virus, the visitor center would provide

assistance solely by phone and web-based resources, rather than in-person. Daily passes were available at self-serve kiosks, humorously known as “Iron Rangers.”

Levin summed up the family’s novel camping experience, “The weather was perfect, and while we met other people walking around, we were happy to keep mainly to ourselves. The RV drop-off [and pickup] was right for us and allowed us to get a taste of another state park. Hopefully, we’ll do that in our own tents next time.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 23

TRAVEL

Touring Israel From My Couch

By Amy Seidner After four exhausting months in quarantine, wouldn’t it be nice to drop everything and be transported to another world in a time B.C. (before Covid-19)?

What if today you could travel and explore Israel, make new friends, share stories and discover (or rediscover) that special place?

I did that during my recent weeklong virtual trip to Israel sponsored by Jewish National Fund. I and 24 other “tour bus” passengers, during a one-hour session a day, saw innovative technological advances Israel is making in water desalination and recycling alongside history dating back 6,000 years. We saw the country from the Golan Heights to Eilat, all without leaving the house.

“When the pandemic hit, JNF had the insight to realize that if there is no vaccine, the very notion of travel safety will be nonexistent,” according to Ido Aharoni, a New York University international relations professor and veteran of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I spoke with Aharoni to learn more about the Israel travel industry and how the country’s tourist industry has been affected by the pandemic.

“What JNF is doing is very pioneering. Technology is allowing you to experience Israel,” Aharoni told me.

My tour with JNF Atlanta began in the Coastal Plain and the North, where we saw Zichron Yaakov, one of the first “modern” settlements in Israel just south of Haifa, founded in 1882.

Baron Rothschild visited the settlement and saw the potential the slopes of Mount Carmel offered for winemaking.

The town, named in memory of Rothschild’s father, is home to the original Carmel Winery founded by Rothschild. Because of his foresight, winemaking is now a huge industry in Israel with wineries throughout the country, from the Golan Heights to deep in the Negev.

Wine tours are a trendy way to experience the country.

The volcanic hills are home to stunning views of the coast along with restored historical buildings, a distinct pedestrian zone and The First Aliyah Museum, which retells how the brave settlers from Europe started the town.

Our next stop was the Hula Valley just to the north in the Upper Galilee.

What was once malaria-ridden swampland became a breathtaking nature reserve. The Hula Valley is a stopover point for more than 500 million migrating 24 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

The Western Wall, the holiest site of the Jewish people, was built as a Western support wall of the Temple Mount in 20 B.C.E.

Eilat is a Southern resort town known for its clear waters, coral reefs and nature reserve parks.

birds, representing over 400 species. It is one of the world’s top birdwatching sites.

We briefly visited Lotem, a community for people with special needs, to experience nature, hiking trails and other activities before traveling to Haifa and the Bahai Gardens, the holy site of the Bahai faith and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The gardens and Shrine of the Bab are built on another slope of Mount Carmel. There are waterfalls, gardens, and a staircase of 19 terraces with multiple paths that offer distinct views of the Galilean hills, Haifa, the port and other locations.

There was no need to be awakened at the crack of dawn on day two. We left the North and made our way to the center of the country to an excursion of the Machon Ayalon (Bullet Factory).

The Bullet Factory reconstructed the site where 45 young Haganah (precursor of the Israel Defense Forces) created an underground factory within a kibbutz that produced more than 2 million bullets from 1945 to 1948 under the noses of the British Army.

Another interesting experience was learning how Israel was revolutionizing the water industry at the Eshkol Water Filtration Plant and Shafdam Wastewater Treatment Plant. Israel is leading the world in recycling water as well as pulling water out of the air and enabling countries in extreme drought to have access to clean water.

Beit She’an is one of the oldest cities in Israel with one of the largest archaeological sites. The archaeological park houses Roman ruins dating back 6,000 years. The ancient city, public baths, Roman temple, workshops and other struc-

tures are very well-preserved. There is a that is one of the largest in the world, Roman amphitheater that is still in use at almost 46 feet long and weighing 570 tons. Our group wondered how that today for events and concerts. stone got there After spendwithout modern ing a night in Eitools and equiplat, we began our ment. third day explorWe also exing the beauty plored cisterns of the Red Sea and an old enand the coral trance to the reefs. Our nowTemple called bonded group Warren’s Gate. then “climbed” An ancient pasto a spot where sage was disyou can see Iscovered there rael, Jordan, This is the view from the Galilean that led to the Egypt and Saudi hills near Mount Carmel.

Temple Mount, a Arabia.

Even through our screens, we realized how walled-in area significant to the three reclose these countries are when news re- ligions. Warren’s Gate is the closest point to pray almost directly under the Dome ports make them seem so far apart.

Possibly the most inspiring destina- of the Rock Islamic shrine.

Closing our virtual tour was Shabtion of the day was S’derot, a village next to the Gaza strip where people under mis- bat, to which we were welcomed in tradisile fire only have a 15-second warning to tional Israeli style with prayer, song and seek shelter. While there’s high tension dance. between Arabs and Israelis, they also join Connecting Israel to Tourists in peace here.

This virtual travel experience Our fourth and final day was Jerusalem, home to three faiths: Judaism. Islam brought me back to the Israel I’ve conand Christianity. We visited Ammunition nected with since spending summers Hill, where the victorious battle in the there in high school. My last visit was Six Day War led to the reunification of Je- three years ago.

As Aharoni suggested, virtual travel rusalem. From there, we visited the bustling Machane Yehudah Market with its strengthens the bond between Israel colors, sounds and art. This was followed and the visitor. Several members of the by a tour of the narrow winding streets group, myself included, planned to sign of the Old City, The Western Wall and an up for a different virtual tour.

Beth Gluck, executive director of JNF exploration of the Kotel Tunnel Tour.

Once you enter the tunnels from the of Greater Atlanta, told our group these Western Wall Plaza, you follow along the tours started as a way to supplement Western Wall passing by a single stone income for tour guides since COVID-19

TRAVEL

The Mahane Yehuda Market, the largest in Jerusalem, is a must-see spot for spices, food and other goods, in addition to being a major center for nightlife and music.

decimated tourism. The trips have grown quite popular, consistently selling out, with more tours added regularly.

Each “Life is Grand Virtual Tour of Israel” has a maximum of 25 people including the tour guide.

Gluck led our group along with two lay leader chairs from JNF, Barbara Lincoln and Gary Rosenshein. Official preparation for the tour included regular emails and updates along with the itinerary, just as you would get on a live trip. Though we would never leave our homes, we were reminded not to forget our sunscreen and hats, along with other fun references echoing an actual trip to Israel. Our itinerary for the week encompassed the entire country, like a typical trip such as Birthright Israel.

Before we “left” for Israel, I asked Matt Frazier, chair of a previous virtual tour, if he had any advice. “Block out everything at home, put away the cell phone and immerse [yourself] in the experience.” Frazier said his virtual trip was far better than he had expected. He claims he’s been to Israel 3 ½ times, as opposed to the three times he’d been before his JNF virtual tour.

Frazer helped allay my skepticism about how a tour guide in Israel could make a virtual experience with participants from across the globe compelling. Our Israeli guide, Baruch Felberman, admitted the task was a bit daunting, as these are interactive tours, not passive lectures.

We were even encouraged to bond and build relationships with members of our group after short breaks when the tours were over.

One of my fellow travelers, Jackie Goldstein, professed, “I’ve gotten to revisit some of my favorite places in Israel, have gone to places that I’ve wanted to go, but never had the time, and places I’ve never even known about. It’s giving me a chance to escape to Israel every day when we can’t get there ourselves.” It was, indeed, a perfect escape from the everyday, she said.

Israel is a country filled with geographical and historical treasures and we got to experience them, the usual attractions as well as sights not typically seen by tourists. ì JNF helps Israel through projects involving green spaces and heritage site preservation, trees, water and education. To register for a future virtual tour visit https://www.jnf.org/travel-pages/jnf-virtual-toursto-israel. Registration is $50 per Zoom spot or $36 for JNFuture tours, for ages 22-40.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 25

TRAVEL

Style Expert Charms With New Book

By Marcia Caller-Jaffe For half of the year, cookbook author and entertaining expert Annette Joseph lives in Italy and welcomes guests for creative workshops and retreats.

That leaves the other half of the year for entertaining expert, stylist and cookbook author Joseph to call Atlanta home.

Since most are not currently traveling abroad, reading “Italy is My Boyfriend” is a spirited (now armchair) look at one of the most desirous bucket list items as seen through Joseph’s eyes. With rollicking chapters such as “Considering a Monastery” and “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places,” it’s easy to see why she has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Living and The Huffington Post.

Inhale the countryside with Annette’s unabashed admiration and immersion in the fifth most visited country in the world.

AJT: At what point in your life did you develop a fascination for Italy?

Joseph: It started when I was about 19.

My first trip alone to Italy sold me on its beauty, food, light and culture. It was love at first sight.

AJT: How does this book compare to your previous ones?

Joseph: This is a memoir, my last two books were cookbooks, although “Cocktail Italiano: The Definitive Guide to Aperitivo: Drinks, Nibbles, and Tales of the Italian Riviera” has a few anecdotal stories of our life on the Riviera, but it is really a lifestyle cookbook.

“Italy is My Boyfriend” is a memoir, the story of how we [she and husband Dr. Frank Joseph] ended up living in Italy part of the year, and how we found our dream home, La Fortezza in northern Tuscany. It’s

26 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Joseph is poised to author yet another cookbook this summer in Italy.

Annette Joseph lives half the year in her renovated Tuscan “fortress,” where she conducts workshops.

a funny romp over 25 years, adventures, heartbreak and ultimately true love.

countryside and the people we interact with are very giving, and helpful. We feel very fortunate.

AJT: What are some fun highlights you can share about the renovation of your villa? What went right? What went wrong?

Joseph: Renovating in Italy is always a challenge. But we hired the right people, so the process, although sometimes painful, was worthwhile.

AJT: What are some qualities you cherish in the Italian people?

Joseph: I adore so many things, but top of my list would be their love of life, family and friends, the deep connection to their country and the land. We live in the

AJT: As an author, how do you relate the analogy of a “boyfriend” to a country?

Joseph: People always asked me “Why Italy?” and I always answered jokingly that Italy was like a boyfriend. It’s a great way to think about a place. Frances Mayes, who wrote “Under the Tuscan Sun,” asked me why I did not name it “Italy is my Lover,” which I thought was funny; she gets it.

AJT: What’s next for you to accomplish?

Joseph: I am currently working on my

next cookbook, “La Fortezza Cookbook.” It will feature all the recipes from the region we live in, the Lunigiana, (northern Tuscany). It is a unique place flanked by Emilia Romagna (Italy’s breadbasket) and Liguria, where we lived for 12 years, the Italian Riviera, and it is influenced by Tuscany as well.

We live in an area where we eat “local,” and all of our purveyors are around the corner: the dairy makes homemade yogurt and ricotta, our butcher, bread maker, the flour mill, and olive oil mill. We own a vineyard, so I have many things to cover in this next cookbook. I go in August to start photographing. I am excited to work with “genius” photographer David Loftus, who also shoots for Jamie Oliver [famous British chef, author and restaurateur]. We have an Italian crew working with us. I am excited to work with Rizzoli again, as they published my first cookbook “Picture Perfect Parties.”

We are also busy preparing to welcome guests to our creative workshops and retreats at La Fortezza. We welcome small groups to study styling and photography, painting and slow food culture in our region, www.annettejosephstyleworkshops. squarespace.com/ AJT: Fill in the blank, “My ideal Italian meal would be …”

Joseph: Tortellini in brood [broth], from my favorite trattoria in Modena.

Modena is one of my favorite towns in Italy, the best of everything food, style and balsamic vinegar.

AJT: How has COVID-19 affected your life?

Joseph: I am an optimist; I think this will pass. Italy handled it very well. ì “Italy is my Boyfriend” is available on Amazon.

TRAVEL

One Square and COVID

THE SONENSHINE TEAM

Atlanta’s Favorite Real Estate Team

DEBBIE SONENSHINE Top 1% of Coldwell Banker Internationally, Certified Negotiator, Luxury, New Homes and Corporate Relocation Specialist Voted Favorite Jewish Realtor in AJT, Best of Jewish Atlanta

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#1 Coldwell Banker Team in State

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In Cuba in 2002, public restrooms charged for a square of toilet paper.

In 2002, the social action committee of the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta was formed.

Our mission: to help fill the Shaindle needs of Jewish Schmuckler communities who require assistance; and complete mitzvot where there is a need in our own community.

The social action committee recruited hundreds of volunteers for a myriad of opportunities toward fulfilling our mitzvot goals. All our projects required dedication and commitment to doing our part to help repair the world, one mitzvah at a time.

One of the more significant endeavors was our humanitarian missions to Jewish Cuba, led by the most wonderful volunteer, who was born in Cuba. Miriam Saul’s vision of bringing aid to Jewish Cuba and the story of her arrival in the United States was my inspiration, and the inspiration for our volunteers, all of whom donated and schlepped millions of dollars in aid to the Jewish people of Cuba.

Some of the aid requested included Judaic articles such as kippot, mezuzot, prayer books, seder plates, Chanukiot, siddurim to help celebrate Jewish holidays, Shabbat candles and candlesticks, coloring books, and so much more. We were able to get over-the-counter medications, such as Tylenol or cough medicine, and many others, donated.

The president of the Cuban com-

munity was one of the few at that time who had internet availability. She would give us a list of the most critically needed items; our volunteers worked diligently to fill these requests.

The process was grueling, between the paperwork, applications, fees, accommodations, more fees, licensing, more fees, and fees for the fees.

There were many rules and restrictions. Some seemed totally crazy and all felt quite inconvenient.

For example: toilet paper. This was and is a precious commodity in Cuba.

In public restrooms, an aide oversaw the toilet paper. Your small payment, yes indeed this is not a typographical error, I did say small payment, permitted the restroom aide to bless you with one square.

Hence the heading of this little missive.

So, when COVID-19 dared to invade our country, our minds, our rush to prepare for the unpreparable, toilet paper became a hot commodity. Shelves were naked where thousands of rolls of toilet paper used to sit. Folks panicked, going from store to store to stock up on precious toilet paper.

And all I could think about was, “oh my G-d, here in the U.S. of A. we are hoarding toilet paper of all things.” Taking the lead from Cuba, I began to tout the use of one square per bathroom visit.

Can you picture this? Too much of a visual for you? Think about this: we don’t have to pay for each square. Let’s hear a resounding “halleluyah”!

So, as we fight this new intruder into our lives, consider each square of toilet paper as precious, perhaps even more precious than a diamond.

Now everyone, dance and sing out there, and play Four Square – the game! ì

NOW IS THE TIME TO SELL! Give Us a Call! direct 404.290.0814 | office 404.252.4908 Follow Us On Facebook

Debbie@SonenshineTeam.com | www.SonenshineTeam.com ©2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Operated By a Subsidiary of NRT LLC.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 27

HEALTH & WELLNESS Piedmont Hospital Gets Back to Business

By Bob Bahr Initially struggling to cope with a rapid influx of coronavirus patients beginning in March, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, like so many other health care facilities, is beginning to see patients in need of surgical procedures that can be scheduled in advance.

Not only are the surgeries medically necessary, they’re an important part of the financial foundation of hospital care.

The American Hospital Association estimates that hospitals in America are losing more than $50 billion a month because of cutbacks in elective non-emergency procedures.

We spoke with Dr. Mark Cohen, chief medical officer at Piedmont, a 643-bed facility, including the recently expanded capacity of 100 new beds. He discussed challenges of balancing the need to do more elective surgery while remaining alert to the dangers of the pandemic.

AJT: Where are we now in terms of caring for those patients who need to be hospitalized for COVID-19 infections?

Cohen: So the peak here at Piedmont

The new Marcus Tower at Piedmont Hospital is gradually being opened. It has added 100 new beds to the hospital’s capacity.

was in late April and the numbers have gone down. We’re down now maybe to 20 percent of where we were at the peak, which has enabled us to open up for our usual patient care. So we’re back to full operations, and doing all procedures and all admissions. But we’re monitoring the COVID census very carefully and prepared to start to cut back on the patient care we are doing now, again, if we need to.

One of the big questions is not know-

Hospitals like Piedmont are under pressure to make up the financial losses that have been created by cutbacks in surgery.

ing how far to go in doing elective and other surgeries. You don’t want to get yourself in a situation where you don’t have the capacity to deal with a sharp uptick in COVID cases and that sort of thing. Is that a difficult question for us? Yes, it’s a concern.

But I think now, because of what we know about COVID, rather than unknowns as it was several moths ago, it’s a much less difficult question.

risk situations. People felt the conflict of their usual mission, which is to take care of patients. But that sometimes conflicts with taking care of myself. So I’m going in to see a patient. Am I putting myself at risk and by extension, my family?

Those things were very much in conflict. So early on, people were scared. Some were angry. Some blamed us for not being better prepared than we were. And by now, three months out, people are pretty accepting. I think it’s almost at the point now where this is just part of our lives.

AJT: So if this crisis were to suddenly take off again, how would Piedmont react?

Cohen: When the epidemic first hit, all we knew AJT: What has this crisis was China, Italy and New York taught you about how you reCity. And those three were late to your patients? just totally overrun. Horrible Cohen: Emotionally, for scenes on television of New me personally, probably the York City hospitals renting reDr. Mark Cohen is the chief medical hardest thing has been our frigerated trailers to put bodofficer of Piedmont no visitor policy. We’ve had to ies in, staff with no personal Atlanta Hospital. restrict the number of people protective equipment and no hope for getting it. So that was our model in the building for safety and we have not allowed visitors. And I’m the one who grants and we prepared for that.

What we’ve learned since is that if the the exceptions. And it got to the point for me, volume of COVID cases increases, if opening a couple of weeks ago, where I went to other in Georgia was too soon and social distanc- members of my executive team and said, ing fails, it’s not going to hit us as a crisis “I’ve had it, I need a break. I just can’t keep from one day to the next. It’ll be one week hearing the stories of the sadness of the pato the next. And that’s enough of a lead time tients and families that want to be been able for us to cut back on non-emergency surger- to be together and having to tell them “no.”

So we’re social organisms. We need to ies and begin to create capacity again. be together. I haven’t hugged anyone other AJT: What do you think has been the than my wife in three months. I haven’t impact of all of this on your staff, and par- shaken hands with anybody. I mean, I never ticularly your physicians and those on the knew how important that was.

Note: Piedmont Hospital updated its front lines of this?

Cohen: In the beginning we were visitor policy June 15. While COVID-19 pascared. We were scared for ourselves and tients are still not permitted visitors, most scared for our mission. We did not have other patients are allowed one visitor durenough protective gear to allow people to ing each 24-hour period, but only from 9 use N95 masks from the time they would a.m. to 6 p.m. Full details are available at come to work until the time they left. We www.piedmont.org/locations/piedmonthad to restrict it just to exposure to high- atlanta/pah-visitors. ì 28 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Love in the Lockdown

By Bob Bahr

to have sex when we’re barely talking to one another?’”

Dr. Stephen Snyder, whose New York Susan Levy has been counseling coumedical practice concenples and individuals since trates on sex and relation1982, but what she is hearships, believes “we’re wired ing from some of her clients to have sex when we’re feelduring the coronavirus ing good about the world. pandemic surprises even But that’s not happening this experienced therapist. now. People just aren’t feel“I feel like a referee, at ing sexy.” times. The abuse, the nega“Sex really does contive talk, the name calling. nect to people’s strongest It’s awful,” she says. and deepest feelings about Months in a partial themselves and the world. lockdown, as well as anxiPeople aren’t feeling a sense ety over career and finanof confidence in the future. cial issues, the stress in Sex is all about hope.” some cases of constantly Dr. Snyder, who has caring for small children, Dr. Snyder’s book emphasizes written extensively about and the fear of illness, are a mindful approach to your sex therapy, teaches psychitaking their toll on psyche own sexual happiness. atry at the School of Mediand relationships. Not to cine at Mount Sinai in New York City. He’s mention sex lives.

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug the author of the critically acclaimed book, Administration reported that increased de- “Love Worth Making: How To have Ridicumand for anxiety and depression drugs had lously Great Sex in a Long-Lasting Relationship,” which was published in caused shortages of the popu2018. The book was inspired, lar antidepressant Zoloft and in part, by his return to a more its generic equivalent. observant life when he marA survey by researchers ried in his mid-30s. at Johns Hopkins University Although he was raised showed a sixfold increase in in a conventional Reform psychological distress this family, he intensified his comyear over a similar survey just mitment to Judaism when he two years ago. Levy believes married the daughter of a the pandemic has made an rabbi from New York’s chaimportant difference in how sidic community. people relate to one another.

Dr. Stephen Snyder’s Just as Judaism teaches “I think there’s such a approach to counseling to bring a sense of holiness level of grief in in the world, has been strongly such a level of rage. It’s like influenced by his observant to everyday life, so Dr. Snyder Jewish practice. believes that if we are seekwhen you’re filling up a trash can and all it needs is one more piece of ing to improve the nature of our sexual retrash and then the whole thing overflows. lationships, we should “sanctify the erotic I find that’s what’s happening with people. moment by paying attention to it in all its Something that they wouldn’t ordinarily get variety.”

His medical practice, as he described it upset about really throws them completely.” in a recent interview, has as The Buckhead counselmuch to do with his spiritual or finds this to be particularly practice as an observant Jew. the case among couples that “I would say a Jewish are already having difficulattitude towards sex is that ties with their sexual relayou’re looking for inspiration tionship. What she says is an and opening yourself up to increase in the “level of meaninspiration wherever it may ness that comes up” between happen. And rather than two people during the corolooking for extraordinary exnavirus lockdown has made periences, you’re sanctifying bad relationships worse.

Susan Levy has seen ordinary experiences.”

“The male partner of tensions rise, particularly Levy agrees. She believes one couple I am working between those who were we learn best when we pay with complained that he and already having problems attention to carefully observhis wife hadn’t had sex in with their relationships. ing ourselves and the other three months. She said, ‘Well, we don’t talk very much. How do you expect person with whom we have a relationship.

Sustaining romantic relationships during the coronavirus pandemic has proven to be stressful.

“I ask people to try to stay really curious about the other person, because although you can think that you know them, no matter how many years you’ve been together, people continually unfold.”

Being more mindful of our sexual life is also an important theme for Snyder, who believes that while it may not be easy, being alert to your own sexual feelings creates important dividends. It will pay off, as he writes in his book, with a greater connection to those with whom you share an inti-

mate moment.

“Pay attention to this moment. It won’t come again. Moments like these have their mission, which is to inspire you to love. Love each other deeply and well. Be patient and kind to each other. In the place where you came together just now, you were as honest as small children, and just as vulnerable.

The small children of your inner hearts will show you the way to heaven, if you let them.

Let them run all the way up to heaven together, holding hands.” ì

What’s behind your mask?

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 29

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Doctors Weigh in on COVID’s New Normal

Dr. Frank Joseph had to make the difficult decision to leave Italy at the start of the COVID outbreak.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Operating procedures have changed for every business. The practice of medicine is no exception. We asked various specialists to examine the last four months to assess their progression. All describe plexiglass barriers, sanitization, abandoned waiting rooms and limited

30 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Dr. Eva Arkin is still evaluating elective surgery in her gynecology practice.

procedures.

Nicole Ellerine states that her pediatric practice never closed. Brett Mendel laments the cumbersome use of PPE layers. Eva Arkin uses patients’ exposed eyes as an assessment tool.

Start off with Frank Joseph’s unique experience of being “trapped” abroad as the nascence of fear and media swirled.

Dr. Ben Strauss uses extra layers of separating devices on his ophthalmic equipment for additional safety.

Dr. Nicole Ellerine says that telemedicine is not as effective in pediatrics as in some other medical specialties.

each patient takes time and scheduling Dr. Frank Joseph, Hand Specialist My wife and I were in Italy in Febru- has to accommodate spacing. Each paary, the beginning of what would become tient is immediately whisked into a room the pandemic. We were in a remote vil- after vital signs. Most of the discussion, lage in northern Tuscany; there were no exam and check out are done in that one active cases. It was clear that the news room.

Our office visits have declined; so suggested that the situation was getting have our procedures. The hospital iniworse in and around Milan.

We struggled whether to cut our stay tially put a ban on elective surgery. Each short. I headed home, and she left three surgery was scrutinized for “necessary emergency.” Now more elective surgery days later. is being done; the The situation reasons are still reminded me of evaluated. when my family During this had to decide when state of transition, and if to leave prewe are figuring out World War II Gerthe safest method many. When do to return to a “new you stay, when do norm.” Slowly and you leave? They ulcorrectly we will timately decided to get back to more leave and went to regular volumes England. Unfortuand look forward nately, some of our to actually seeing family members smiles! Everyone decided to stay. wears masks. PeoCOVID-19 ple’s eyes now tell has made risky Dr. Brett Mendel notes the loss of their whole story. chaperones/relatives/friends who decisions a part drive patients home after anesthesia of everyday life. in his gastroenterology practice.

Dr. Ben Strauss, Meanwhile, three months later, I am back full time treating Ophthalmologist We are starting to ramp back up and operating on orthopedic upper extremity problems, with extensive COVID seeing patients in the office for routine precautions. It’s a new and challenging exams, and restarted surgery (the majority of which is cataract) May 4. We are world. requiring all patients to wear a mask.

Staff is wearing masks with the doctors Dr. Eva Arkin, Gynecologist Initially we closed our offices with wearing N95 or greater. All patients and only one doctor a day in the office doing staff have temperatures checked at the emergencies. The rest of us were doing door. All equipment is thoroughly sanitelemedicine. Many annual exams got re- tized and allowed to dry after every pascheduled; some with higher health risks tient leaves an exam room. We have put up plastic or plexiglass barriers on our will be later this summer.

The cleaning process in between microscopes and equipment to get extra

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Dr. Warren Berne has a banner in front of his dental office explaining the change in waiting room procedure.

separation between the patient and doctor for both of our protections. COVID-19 has been very disruptive to our practice, but my hat is off to the folks who are truly fighting this head on!

es to healthcare. Some, like telehealth, should stick. Others will be temporary.

My office is ramping up our procedure facilities with policies in place to protect patients and staff, like waiting rooms with chairs positioned for social distancing. Temperature check and COVID screening are done on arrival. The biggest change would be that chaperones (who drive patients home after anesthesia) are no longer allowed in. While doing procedures in cumbersome PPE is not comfortable, these policies have allowed us to safely resume elective and diagnostic procedures.

Dr. Nicole Ellerine, Pediatrician This has been a very trying time.

There are many unknowns and so few real experts to rely on for sound advice.

Few have lived through pandemics of this nature. Our biggest challenge has been keeping patients current with immunizations and helping parents navigate.

We conduct well health checks Dr. Warren Berne, and identify teens Dentist with anxiety/deWe were pression during closed for seven these trying times. weeks, but it defiWhile keeping nitely was not a patients healthy, vacation while we’ve learned the Dr. Warren Berne had weeks of extra staff researching and nuances of runwebinars and training before opening his watching webining a small busidental office under new COVID restrictions. nars. Upon reopenness. Our practice has remained open throughout. We’ve ing, we screen for symptoms on the divided into “well” visits in the morning phone and have patients stay in cars and “sick” in the afternoon. A patient is until called. Our outdoor banner states not allowed to schedule a sick appoint- that there is no waiting room. We have ment without speaking to nurses. One stepped up sterilization, PPE, jackets, observation is that while schools and N95 face shields, hair nets. No clothes daycares have been closed, we are see- are taken home. Since we perform mosting significantly fewer sick patients. Sick ly dentures and implants, we have less patients enter through the back door. We aerosol spray versus general dentistry. have implemented telemedicine but are We take payment at the chair versus quickly learning there is a limited role in front desk. Plexiglass shield are going up. pediatric use.

Ultimately, we help people eat, which is important in keeping them healthy. Our Brett Mendel, Gastroenterologist COVID-19 has brought many chang- patients were excited to come back! ì

Dr Barry Cohen has been a respected orthodontist since 1988 and is a Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. In mid-2017, Dr Matt Cohen joined the practice to make a strong father/son team. At Cohen Orthodontics, we provide interceptive treatment, comprehensive adolescent as well as adult orthodontic treatment with traditional appliances, metal and clear braces and Invisalign for all ages. Our goal is to work with you every step of the way to ensure your treatment is as relaxed, convenient and rewarding as possible.

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 31

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Blass Keeps Finger on the Pulse

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

of several different variables.

Infectious disease Dr. Mitchell Blass has updated Atlanta Jewish Times readers throughout the pandemic. His social media is lit up with questions of how to interpret data or just how frightened we should be with the climbing number of cases predominantly in the Sun Belt, which includes Georgia.

Blass weighs in:

AJT: The variables being young people socializing?

Blass: There are many reasons for the recent increase in reported cases of COVID. These include, but are not limited to, increased testing availability, the relaxation of infection prevention measures, lack of adherence to guidelines, as well as individuals who initially tested positive and have returned for follow-up testing. It takes time to sort out the data in this context. Therefore, without the support of epidemiologists, the raw number of positive tests must be interpreted with caution.

Testing availability has increased such that across the metro Atlanta area there are dozens of locations where an individual (after a brief screening questionnaire) can have a PCR test, and results are generally available within less than an hour.

AJT: Are we back to square one?

Blass: I believe there are several differences between the current increase in positive COVID tests being reported throughout the United States, and the original rise of pandemic coronavirus we experienced in February, March and April of this year. While the current number of cases being reported have risen substantially since my last report for the Atlanta Jewish Times (June 26), this rise has not been the exponential growth we saw previously. During the early part of this year, the number of cases reported doubled every five to 10 days. What we are seeing today, I believe, is an expected consequence

AJT: There are numbers of cases, then there is mortality.

Blass: We have also learned a great

Frequent AJT medical source Dr. Mitchell Blass is counseling parents of young men who were infected with COVID-19 as a fraternity.

deal about COVID-associated mortality over the past few months. Death from pandemic coronavirus is highly associated with advanced age, and the presence of comorbidities such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes and other preexisting conditions. While an otherwise young and healthy individual is highly unlikely to die from COVID, they may unknowingly expose their grandparent.

New treatments continue to be investigated. Vaccine trials are ongoing and hopefully a safe and efficacious vaccination will be available before 2021.

AJT: Should we still be cleaning grocery boxes?

Blass: Person-to-person transmission remains the predominant mode of infection. I have received several questions from parents regarding a group of fraternity brothers who got together and subsequently many individuals were exposed and became infected. While the majority were asymptomatic, they still have the potential to infect others. I be-

32 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

lieve it is important that when clusters are identified that the county health department be notified in order that we understand more about how this occurred and allow contact tracing efforts to begin.

AJT: Your son is enrolled in sleepaway summer camp.

Blass: Joshua was enrolled and excited about going to overnight camp; however this has been canceled for this season.

AJT: Closing thoughts?

Blass: We must find a reasonable means of protecting our communities and continuing our lives in a manner with purpose. Infection prevention measures and adherence to guidelines remain of paramount importance in preventing the spread of contagious diseases.

“Fear does not stop death. It stops life. Worrying does not take away tomorrow’s troubles. It takes away today’s peace.” – Vi Keeland. ì

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Coronavirus and Our Immune System

By Martine Tartour Complying with health guidelines reduces the spread of virus. But how else can the public protect themselves while waiting for treatments and a vaccine for COVID-19?

Dr. Bruce G. Weniger was an Epidemic Intelligence Service officer of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in parasitic diseases and then became a career medical officer involved in epidemic investigation and training, HIV/AIDS research in Asia, and needle-free vaccination technology. He retired in 2010.

Here he shares his expertise about the virus and offers advice to prevent it.

surance my immune system was suitably awakened.

Tartour: Are food supplements effective to strengthen and protect us against the COVID-19 epidemic?

Weniger: In a word, “no.” As a scientist I laugh when I see advertisements for all sorts of nutritional supplements making claims for better “immune health” or “brain function.” If you can read the fine print on a big screen TV before it disappears, ads will state that its claims have not been evaluated by the FDA, and the product “is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.” Such claims would violate FDA law.

No rigorous clinical trials could ever be conducted Tartour: Since Deto FDA standards to cember, some died, some prove these products are survived, some had mild any better than a sugarsymptoms, and some Dr. Bruce Weniger retired pill placebo. A few have none at all. Are we unfrom the CDC in 2010. had harmful ingredients. equally facing the coroMany are the snake oils and toad slime of navirus?

Weniger: Our knowledge about this centuries past in modern form!

Everyone’s immune system works by new disease keeps growing remarkably since its appearance. And I am sure that itself, to the best of its ability, without human what we think we know now about the intervention, to ward off germs, most harmvirus and its effects is far less than what less, that enter us in food, drink or breath. remains to be learned (and “unlearned”) in Severe malnutrition and some drugs, such as steroids and cancer treatments, can the months and years ahead.

For example, as with some other dis- weaken the immune system. But there exist eases, there may be subtle genetic differ- no drugs proven to strengthen the immune ences between people that result in differ- system in general. There do exist vitamin ing degrees of susceptibility to becoming deficiencies detectable by lab tests that may infected, or if infected, for how severe the be treated by pills recommended by doctors. disease will be. Obviously, this is not some- But one’s diet must be extremely deficient to have such diseases of malnutrition such as thing even modern medicine can change.

More likely is that getting infected, scurvy (vitamin C deficiency), pellagra (B3, and how severely, may depend on how niacin), rickets (D), kwashiorkor (protein), much virus is breathed in or introduced by among others. A diverse diet with protein, one’s fingers to mouth or nose. The more fruits and vegetables obviates most any virus breathed in, the more severe or more need for vitamin supplements. prolonged may be the illness. This is anothTartour: What about exercise, good er good reason that a mask, even a homemade one, helps, I believe, both the wearer sleep, avoiding stress?

Weniger: Both common sense and and others around.

Quite certain is that severe COVID-19 some scientific evidence suggest that exerillness and death are more likely, statisti- cise, a good night’s sleep and less stress are cally, with higher age and its infirmities. El- good things for one’s general well-being. derly immune systems are less robust than Stress, of course, is hard to avoid in some in the young. This is why the CDC recom- important occupations, and in unfortumends those age 65 or older receive a “high- nate family situations. dose” influenza vaccine (Fluzone HD®), or one “adjuvanted” to make it stronger Tartour: What about managing stress (FLUAD®), than regular flu vaccines for by medication, journaling, yoga? the younger population. I want my arm Weniger: Such activities seem to help to be a bit sore after any vaccine, as reas- some people and are quite benign.

Dr. Bruce Weniger believes it is our global responsibility to show loving-kindness to others by wearing a mask and washing hands regularly, among other health measures.

Tartour: This virus is shaking up beliefs in our personal safety, economic security, personal relationships, and our survival itself. What does this global phenomenon teach us?

Weniger: First of all, our world is a global village, and borders and walls cannot protect us. A new or existing disease occurring most anywhere can fly silently within

travelers to most everywhere on the planet within a day or two. Another lesson is our civic responsibility to others, as much as to ourselves. Thus, wearing a mask, washing hands regularly, covering nose and mouth when sneezing, maintaining distance from others, and so on are signs of loving-kindness for fellow citizens of the human race, chesed (‫ )דֶסֶח‬in Judaic teaching. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 33

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Doctor Studies Mysterious Disorders

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

The first step, usually before patients get to Snapper, is a cardiology workup with stress test, echo carThere’s an old shtick of a Jewish woman pretending diogram and heart monitor to rule out heart disease. to swoon “oy, I’m fainting” as a call for attention or pro- “I want to be sure and not miss anything that could be test. dangerous,” he said.

Some people find no joke in their experience with Snapper, who was originally an interventional carautonomic disease resulting in a diologist, got formally involved in sudden drop of blood pressure, diz2010 in this subspecialty. For years ziness and loss of consciousness, a he studied journals and cuttingresponse that ultimately ends in edge research to understand the complete recovery. Note that this is relationship of autonomic presennot analogous to a seizure, coma or tations in cardiology. shock.

He sees the full gamut of ages Dr. Howard Snapper specialfrom 16 to 100 with physiologically izes in autonomic diseases from complicated abnormalities of vasothe cardiologic perspective. “Many vagal syncope (fainting) not necesfunctions, like digestion, blood sarily known to modern science. pressure, temperature, heart rate, “This traces back to the Bible breathing, sleeping, bladder control and has different activating triggers and erectile dysfunction are part of like anxiety, pain or some stranger the body’s autonomic system. ones like smelling something nox“When a patient presents to a ious; perfume can cause fainting to cardiologist with chest pain, shortsome. Fortunately, it happens standDr. Howard Snapper specializes ness of breath, palpitations, dizziing up and not while sitting or drivin autonomic conditions in his ness or fainting, it is the job of the ing. Some can anticipate an episode WellStar cardiology practice. cardiologist to rule out heart dysby sudden light-headedness, nausea function as the underlying cause. Frequently, the evalu- or heart pounding.” ation is normal, and the patients are dismissed from the He recommends different sets of therapies dependcardiologist without an answer.” ing on the severity. There are some medications (off la-

34 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

There’s an old Yiddish joke about the woman who pretends to swoon in protest or as a call for attention.

bel like a beta blocker) that can be used as needed. Often staying hydrated can be the key. Some more serious cases have daily episodes. This can also run in families.

Older patients may faint because their nervous system does not adjust blood pressure upon standing.

Snapper also has to associate or rule out more serious underlying conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, or previous radiation to the neck or face. Urologic, chronic constipation or erectile dysfunction in men can factor in. “Taking Viagra can cause a blood pressure drop and fainting episode. Taking Flomax [for enlarged prostate] can make it even worse.”

There is an emotional component that Snapper has to evaluate. “I look at psychiatric factors differently. Does this patient have chronic fear or worry out of proportion to a normal response? Concern over paying rent or coronavirus fear is not that. Some minds ‘worry, worry worry’ as a clinical diagnosis of anxiety.

“Think about delineating if a rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest wall muscles, or light headedness manifests as mental or physical problems. A second group might experience different symptoms like migraines or irritable bowel syndrome. Then there are those I refer to a psychiatrist. Ultimately the final pathway to the disorder is a high adrenaline rush.”

As a dizzy aside, there is a fascinating association with myotonic goats that faint when they become startled with a “fight or flight” response. These goats were first discovered in Tennessee in 1880 with a gene also found in mice and humans. Known for being teachable and trainable, they faint for 10 to 15 seconds with an adrenalin rush. Male bucks, for example, might faint preparing for sex. Snapper concurs that may be a similar autonomic response to what he sees in humans.

Here’s Snapper’s advice to maintain good heart health: Control your blood pressure, don’t smoke, manage cholesterol, and test/treat diabetes. Based at Wellstar Kennestone Hospital, Snapper has two children at The Epstein School, enjoys piloting private planes and playing piano. He hails from Boston and trained at University of Massachusetts, Tufts, and Northwestern universities.

He established the first cardiac screening program for student athletes in Cobb County using echocardiography. ì

Jeff’s Place Offers Hope, Recovery, Healing

Dr. Terry Segal spoke about “Ten Keys to Nourish Mind, Body & Soul.”

Two of those keys are journaling and a connection to nature.

honors the memory of Jeffrey (Moishe)

By Dr. Terry Segal Kraus, an active member of the Chabad

Jeff’s Place, created by Rabbi Eliya- community who lost his life to addiction.

“Jeff had a thirst for hu Schusterman and Judaism, a great sense Chabad Intown, hosts of easy humor, and a an addiction recovery sense of peace in his group that’s in its secjourney of connection ond year. Focused on to G-d, Torah and comoutreach, Schustermunity,” the rabbi said. man addresses a need No one knew that in the Jewish commuKraus, a Georgia State nity with Jeff’s Place, University English and promoting the meshistory student, was sage of hope and rean addict in recovery covery and the concept when he showed up that people suffering to Chabad in 2017. He from addiction don’t went from a limited have to struggle alone.

Jewish background to Currently, meetRabbi Eliyahu Schusterman embracing Judaism, ings, classes, and and Chabad Intown host an became shomer Shabevents take place addiction recovery group. bos, keeping kosher, through the Zoom video conferencing app. With support and was a regular at services and young from the Clinton Foundation, Schuster- adult events. His secret wasn’t revealed man, along with other rabbis and inter- until November 2018 when he didn’t show up to a Shabbat faith leaders, address service. He was later the opioid crisis in the found lifeless in his community. apartment, having rePrior to COVID-19, lapsed and died from a training was also ofdrug overdose. fered so loved ones of Schusterman addicts could learn to learned from Kraus’ administer Narcan, the family that he had nasal mist medication struggled with addicthat rapidly reverses tion for 14 years, comheroin or opioid overing to Atlanta for treatdose, restoring normal ment and to complete respiration to people college. One of the whose breathing has program requirements slowed or stopped. was to attend a house Schusterman Jeff’s Place is named after of worship weekly. shared the heartbreakformer Chabad member “Jeff found his reing yet hope-filled stoJeffrey (Moishe) Kraus. ligious and spiritual ry about Jeff’s Place. It

home at Chabad, but kept his recovery community in a different world,” Schusterman said. Chabad was moving into a new building and, with support from Kraus’ parents, Jon and Veronica, Jeff’s Place became a space focused on recovery and a place for weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

AA was founded in 1935 by Bill Wilson and his physician, Dr. Bob Smith.

The philosophy and methods became known as The Twelve Steps of recovery.

Offshoots of the program developed. The concept of G-d was through a Christian lens. For those who had negative associations with G-d, “Higher Power,” was used to reference an external force greater than the self.

This was the preferred term I was trained to use in providing counseling and facilitating addiction groups at Tarzana Treatment Center in California.

Since then, some groups using the word, “G-d,” have chosen not to use a genderspecific pronoun and simply refer to G-d as G-d, rather than He or She. The intention of Jeff’s Place is to offer Jews struggling with addiction a place for recovery and community in a Jewish setting. Schusterman said, “There’s liberation in stating, ‘I’m an addict,’ whether to drugs, alcohol, sex, … It’s a place to process embracing G-d as G-d.” Non-Jews are also welcome.

Trying to fully understand the experience as a non-addict, Schusterman studies “The Big Book,” a nickname for “Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism.”

Schusterman explained, “There are parallels in Chabad’s book of Tanya, which is the primary book on the journey I grew up with.” The original self-help book, “Lessons in Tanya,” was written by Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi in the Russian Empire and includes Torah, Talmud, and kabbalah in an intellectual approach to spiritual transformation.

Schusterman also teaches a weekly Torah class in which the focus is on one of The Twelve Steps. “There’s a profound spiritual yearning that addicted people have. They don’t find peace in the substances they seek. It’s in surrender to the Higher Power and is the key to being at peace with oneself.”

I attended the class on step 6, regarding G-d removing shortcomings.

It offered a profound universal lesson on being in partnership with G-d as we struggle with our imperfect selves.

In addition, I had the opportunity to

HEALTH & WELLNESS

present “10 Keys to Nourish Mind, Body & Soul” at the weekly Lunch and Learn.

When I asked the group what fire-breathing dragons were chasing them, their answers included: isolation, loneliness, fear of the future, anxiety, financial concerns and exhaustion. These challenge people’s sobriety. ì Dr. Terry Segal is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a doctorate in energy medicine. She is the author of “The Enchanted Journey: Finding the Key That Unlocks You.”

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol — that our lives had become unmanageable.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, (drug addicts/compulsive overeaters/compulsive gamblers, etc.) and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 35

HEALTH & WELLNESS

How Art Can Bring About Good Health and Wellness

Photo by Ling Olaes // Simple shapes get colored in along with a positive message.

Photo by Flora Rosefsky // Tracing around lids and overlapping them creates an original design.

Photo by Flora Rosefsky // Using crayons to fill in an original design is an art activity for all ages.

By Flora Rosefsky

ing, sewing, collage and sculpting to create a personalized experience that addresses The pandemic’s “new normal” is my client’s needs and desires while helping known as a time of uncertainty, which can them stay mindful in the present.” cause stress and anxiety. Living during the Working with an art therapist offers pandemic has revealed changes from life the benefits of having a trained profesprior to March 2020, before sional guide, to witness and the phrase “social distanchelp you process feelings ing” was part of the world that arise during and after vocabulary. artmaking. But there are In addition to today’s do-it-yourself art activities daily activities such as to craft at home using accescooking, baking, working sible art supplies or materifrom home and managing als. Children, teens, adults children’s needs around and seniors of all ages and the clock, setting aside time skill levels can use art as a for art activities can bring tool to uplift their spirits and about better emotional and to channel their energy into mental health for all ages. something positive. Olaes Ling Olaes is a board- Photo by Ling Olaes // Drawing emphasized that an art acan image with one word certified art therapist, yoga tivity “is about the process, is one part of Ling Olaes’ instructor and licensed pronot the product.” emotional coaster. fessional counselor at Jewish Family & Career Services. Art therapy, Olaes shared some helpful tips for art she believes, “is a symbolic form of com- therapy at home. munication that can help with depression, anger, anxiety, grief and trauma, as well as Positive outlook personal exploration and growth in a time Paint your windows. Decorate your of stability or transition.” driveway with sidewalk chalk. Paint a rock Olaes told the AJT, “I use a variety of and/or make a prayer flag and display it mediums such as drawing, painting, color- proudly in your neighborhood.

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36 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Connect to humanity Write a letter, decorate a blank postcard or create artwork for a friend or someone you know who needs a friend in this time of isolation. “Doing kind, good things for others actually makes us feel better,” Olaes said.

Express yourself This time of uncertainty can be an emotional roller coaster, she said.

“Journal with images, words or found objects that you gather in walks that keep you healthy and in touch with the world.”

Photo by Ling Olaes // This mixed media uses watercolor, collage and drawing to express feelings.

physically work out anger, or “we might use clay to celebrate life by building something beautiful like a bowl or vase.”

Additional art activities that Olaes has used in her JF&CS art therapy sessions that others may enjoy include creating emotional coasters, zines or intention beads.

Emotional coasters Olaes made up the emotional coasters as a word play on the emotional roller coaster. As one example, she decorated the front of a coaster with something that she felt, such as “guarded.” On the coaster’s back, Photo by Ling Olaes // Ling Olaes divulges her thoughts she drew a window cracked Bring color to life with a few words on the open, which she said was “Drawing, painting or back of a coaster. “my window of tolerance.” coloring a picture you create or an existing image from a coloring book She explained, “You could do this for many can help you relax and stay present, which difficult feelings as a reminder of what can is a great way to start and end your day and help, for when these things occur. I like the metaphor of coasters that give things time handle life bumps,” Olaes said. to cool down ... just like our emotions can take time to subside.”

Find a repurpose Locate materials already in your house Zines are mini stories or booklets foldsuch as old clothes, wood scraps, jars, ribbons or boxes to embellish ordinary items ed without staples to hold important stories, tips, directions or inspirations for life. such as a picture frame or a special doll.

“I often have people create their own Intention beads are positive statepicture to color just using rulers or tracing a ments you write in first person and roll up shape over and over, like a lid,” she said. on pretty or decorated paper to stand alone or be formed into jewelry, a keychain, bookDocument your gratitude Consider making a paper bag tree or mark or another item. meditation bowl to hold thankful thoughts.

Creating art is a way to help get “Don’t forget to reference these things when through this time, and perhaps it can also you’re feeling down or negative.”

Olaes’ personal favorite material to become a continued activity to enjoy in work with is clay. She told the AJT it’s an the future. ì “amazing metaphor for centering. As a tacFor more information about art therapy, tile, highly sensory medium, it is a great way to literally work through difficult thoughts visit www.arttherapy.org or www.jfcs.org. and feelings. You smooth, pound, build and Flora Rosefsky is a collage and mixedshape things into what you want them to be, which is empowering.” Clay can be used to media artist, www.florarosefsky.com.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Breast Cancer Basics: First in a Series Do I Really Need That Mammogram?

ADVERTISEMENT - Paid for by Surgical Oncology of North Georgia, Inc.

By Dr. Barry Roseman

Now that it is safer to venture out of our homes, you are probably wondering whether to go out and get that yearly mammogram that may be due or perhaps overdue. You may be wondering: Is it really necessary? And every year? Oy! And by the way, is that the only test I need, to stay out of trouble?

As it turns out, breast cancer screening with mammography is a really good idea. Besides being free (for most) it is extremely effective at finding early breast cancers. The premise goes like this: breast cancer is a progressive disease, so earlier detection will result in a lower stage of breast cancer at the time of diagnosis.

Identifying breast cancer at an earlier, rather than later stage, is the main benefit of screening. The early detection/better outcome premise has held up through multiple clinical trials; in other words, there is a lot of science to back it up.

For screening purposes, we can define advanced stage cancers as those that are stage II or greater at diagnosis. With modern treatment, there is no difference in survival between early stage breast cancers (stage 0-I) and the population without breast cancer. Mortality starts to increase at stage II. In other words, if we are able to identify breast cancer before it reaches stage II, III, or IV, survival rates increase markedly. Mammograms help us do that.

Survival, of course, is not the only endpoint. Cost is important as well. To the extent that treatment is simpler, economic costs are less with early stage tumors.

But more importantly, the earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the less suffering.

Women with advanced breast cancers experience terrible pain and suffering from extensive surgery, cytotoxic chemotherapy, and post-surgical radiation. All of this is usually unnecessary in women with early breast cancers.

Like many, you might be concerned about the possible harms of X-rays, and whether those harms balance the benefits of mammography. FYI, people in the U.S. are typically exposed to about 10 times as much radiation as that from a mammogram every year, just from being outside in the sun. Thus, a mammogram is relatively risk-free when it comes to radiation exposure.

The benefits of screening are seen in ev-

ery age group. From age 40 until at least age 75, breast cancer screening saves lives. Some age groups benefit more than others, but everybody benefits. There is remarkable unanimity of opinion as to the benefits of screening and its low risk.

And what about COVID-19? Is it possible to be exposed during the visit and exam?

I can only speak from my own experience, but our clinic and all of the hospital mammography units I have visited since Georgia “reopened” are being extremely careful with regard to screening, patient distancing and hygiene. Of course you should wear a face mask throughout the visit, and insist that all of the staff and other patients are wearing masks!

So the answer to the first questions is: YES! You really need that mammogram, if you want to find a breast cancer early enough that it is simple to treat with minimal pain and morbidity and will not likely affect your lifespan.

Is that all I have to worry about? Is a yearly mammogram enough?

For those at average or below average risk of developing breast cancer during your life, as long as you keep getting your annual mammograms you should be fine. If there is an abnormality that turns out to be cancer, it will likely be a small, easily treatable tumor.

But what if you are higher risk for developing breast cancer or have been told you have “dense breasts”? You may need to be watched more closely and more frequently, and you might benefit from other types of imaging.

How would you know if you are at higher than normal risk?

Your risk of breast cancer increases with age, but there are other factors – mostly out of your control – that may increase your risk. While this is somewhat of an oversimplification, here are some examples of various risk categories:

Extremely high risk: Hereditary breast cancer syndrome (BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation) High risk: Mother, sister or daughter with breast cancer, or atypical cells on a breast biopsy Above average risk: Other relatives with breast cancer, increased breast density

(see below) Average risk: Women without any family history or other known factors Below average risk: Not everyone can be average or above average!

What is breast density?

On a mammogram, density is simply the degree of active breast tissue seen, and it is graded by the radiologist as A, B, C or D. Women with category C or D density (heterogeneously dense or extremely dense) are considered “dense.”

I equate breast density with overly active or “busy” breast tissue, probably your breasts’ natural response to your own estrogen since puberty. Interestingly, increased breast density tends to be inherited.

Dr. Roseman

developing breast cancer.

For women with dense breasts (category C or D) we often recommend additional imaging, since the mammogram is harder to read and subtle changes could be missed. In fact, all women with D density (extremely dense breasts) need suppleSo why is breast density a problem? mental imaging because the mammogram is nearly impossible to read as “normal” There are two reasons: First, breast density makes breast cancers – since it is so hard to see through all of the tissue! harder to find during screening.

Second, patients with increased breast It also turns out that women with dense density actually have an increased risk of breasts are more likely to develop “missed” or “interval” breast cancers, those which pop up as symptomatic cancers between annual mammograms. As such, they are usually more advanced stage cancers with a worse prognosis.

What if I need additional screening?

This breast cancer is easy to see

If you are higher than average risk, or have dense breasts, we generally recommend additional screening beyond your yearly mammogram. Since mammograms are not perfect, instead of simply doing more frequent mammograms it makes sense to use other breast imaging modalities, especially those that can find breast cancers that mammograms cannot see.

This breast cancer is not easy to see

Dr. Barry Roseman is a Breast Surgeon who owns Advanced Breast Care/ Surgical Oncology of North Georgia, Inc., www.advanced-breastcare.com. He can be reached at barry.roseman@gmail.com or 404-841-6262.

This is the first of a series of short articles about breast cancer that I hope is informative. I will discuss how we approach additional imaging for screening and diagnosis in my next article. If you have questions or wish to contact me, please call or email me, and I will be happy to respond.

Paid Content by Surgical Oncology of North Georgia, Inc. ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 37

ART COVID, Climate and Art

Vanishing Landscape

By Susanne Katz While the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum isn’t presently open to the public, it is moving ahead with virtual exhibitions and educational workshops and looking forward to its future reopening.

In the online exhibition Terra inFirma, artists confront today’s environmental issues and they call for action to help save the planet.

The exhibition was scheduled to be featured at The Breman Museum this year. It had been on exhibition at the Dr. Bernard Heller Museum at Hebrew Union CollegeJewish Institute of Religion in New York from 2018-19. To maintain social distancing, The Breman Museum will present the exhibition as a virtual display next month.

As the world deals with the COVID-19 pandemic and global warming, I reached out to three artists in this exhibition to hear their response to today’s issues. I asked how their artwork was impacted by the coronavirus, Jewish life and values, climate change and global warming.

It opened up discussions about contemporary social activism and what is inspiring future generations to help the planet.

Larry Frankel Vanishing Landscape, 2018

Photography 20-by-24 inches My piece represents the illusion of a depiction of landscape. As the viewer approaches the image, the overall landscape begins to pixelate. The scene disappears into a series of large pixels, thus creating the actual image of a landscape as an illusion.

COVID-19 has connected me to human-

38 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Wind, Power, Hope: The Front Line

My work is, at its heart, about reconity in a worrisome way. It has limited my ability to explore and move about my out- necting to the multilayered beauty and comside environment freely. It has caused me plexity of nature. For me, one of the most to concentrate on looking within the inner critical things we need to reclaim in order environment of my home and has forced to shift our relation to the natural world and me to analyze the reasons for my collecting save the planet is restoring our sense of deep the objects of memorabilia that I own. I have respect and reverence for nature. Some of now begun to create images based upon my work appears abstract, not because of a distancing from what is, these possessions, and but because I am trying what they represent to to look deeply into what me.

I see so that the name For me, there of it falls away, and the exists a relationship conditions of impermabetween today’s fragnence and mystery can ile Jewish life and the shine through. frailty of our view and Of all the things treatment of our enwe need to do to save vironment. They are this world, restoring both very precious and reverence is at the founneed commitment and dation. Without it, all tender loving care to Sea Stars solutions are weakened ensure their futures. and incomplete.

Unless we as a soI have not changed my approach to art ciety recognize and work at reversing the effects of global warming, the results will making, but I have begun putting a paintchange the way in which we exist within ing or sculpture/assemblage outside my our environment. I feel these changes will house daily during “sheltering in place,” and be debilitating to the planet we live on and will continue doing so. Much of the work is older and some is recent. The neighbors are will have a negative effect on humanity.

The pandemic of COVID-19 has caused social and political activists and appreciate global social action. I hope that the adverse the boost they can get from art and music.

(I team up with Carl Banner, my mueffects global warming will cause the same social awareness and we will respond sician husband, to present open door conthe same. Our positive response to global certs that pair music and art.)

I see creating and sharing/spreading warming, I feel and hope, will pay it forward to future generations in preserving deep meaning and beauty as a way of “fixing the world.” It is not the only way, but it is the planet we live on. my way and maintains my integrity.

In addition, much of the work that Marilyn Banner I have been putting in front of our house Sea Stars, 2014 daily has Jewish content – Hebrew letters

imbedded, images of ancestors, etc.

Encaustic (pigmented beeswax) on wood I post my work (Instagram, Facebook) 16-by-16-inch unframed and my way of seeing – i.e. images of my 18-by-18-inch framed

artwork and images of what inspires me in nature – most recently lichen, stone and tree bark. I find responses to my Instagram posts from young artists saying that the work moves them deeply. I feel I am reaching out to the future.

Cali Gorevic Wind, Power, Hope: The Front Line, 2014 Photography 13-by-19-inch unframed 21-by-28-inch framed Many people are opposed to windmills, some for aesthetic reasons, others for environment concerns such as bird safety.

Neither of these objections are to be disregarded, but Jews, perhaps more than most, understand the need to make survival a priority.

I live in a rustic area. We have wood telephone poles with wires carrying electricity, telephone and Wi-Fi signals from house to house. These poles may not be beautiful, and they may have impacted animal habitats, but none of us want to live without the services these poles provide.

Anything can be beautiful if you’re looking at it from the right angle. If we are to survive, and if we are to do without Arab oil, alternative forms of energy are necessary.

Future generations will thank us. Windmills can be beautiful.

Visit TheBreman.org for four Friday workshops, 11 a.m. July 10-31. Teaching artists in their studios will create workshops with global warming themes. Sign up and get your supply list so you can participate with your family. ì Susanne Katz is director of exhibitions for the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum.

Duane Stork Photography // The gal power team of Stephanie Jacobs, interior designer and

professional stager, and Keri Greenwald, homeowner and Realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s, enjoy the Greenwald’s Sandy Springs spa, pool and gardens.

Chai Style Home

Family room: Far left “Avant Apres Ski” by Millie Sims from Trinity School art fair. Photography “Pool” by Merrell Thompson. Right, Stephanie Jacob’s “A Little Bit of Everything.” Couch and swivel chair by Mitchell Gold.

Gal Power Team Polishes Sophisticated Family Renovation Keri Greenwald and Stephanie Jacobs put their heads Greenwald: From her professional staging projects, together to reboot a meticulous renovation and craft a com- I knew that Stephanie is a pleasure to work with and has pelling family oasis. Greenwald said, “We undertook a six- great taste. She is equally right- and left-brained, meaning week project that went off without a hitch! We remodeled she has a creative flair for color, fabrics and space, has great and opened the space into a transitional wonderland in time-management skills, and comes in on budget. which to raise our family.”

Enter interior designer Jacobs. “It’s a huge Jaffe: How did you transition the home compliment that Keri, a top-producing resistarting last July? dential real estate agent, chose me to consult Greenwald: The house was originally deon her own home. After working together signed 18 years ago by architects Spitzmiller & on several staging projects, we aligned to creNorris and was featured in Traditional Home ate her special space in Sandy Springs.” Bold, and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazines. modern, and prioritizing comfort, the GreenWe have 6,200 square feet on the two levels, exwald “team” set about updating the home to a cluding the basement. Approaching the tran2020 lifestyle. sition, we knew the house had great “bones,” Greenwald said, “Keith (husband) and I and just needed some modern cohesiveness knew that the existing layout, where rooms Marcia and finishing touches. wrap around a main level pool plus an in-law Caller Jaffe Jacobs: We upgraded all of the lighting, apartment, was exactly what we desired. The which was instrumental in the alteration. short renovation was about opening the home up and striv- A major structural change was taking out the wall, which ing for entertaining ease.” opened the kitchen to the family room. We wanted to see out to the pool and not block views.

The previous floor was a shiny darker brown and we Learn how these two creative women cast their design magic. used a warm classic gray stain. We redid the fireplace by removing the traditional molding and adding grey stones.

Jaffe: How did you two work together wearing multiple Painting the banisters a darker Sherwin-Williams Peppercorn semigloss got a nice punch. hats?

Jaffe: What makes this a family home?

Greenwald: With children 15, 13 and 6, we took into account wear and tear with Sunbrella fabrics and scrubbable carpet. In my office, we added a conference table for client meetings and children’s work. New built-ins in the office and the back hall hide a busy working family’s “stuff.”

One of three secret doors in the house, the playroom always delights. Upstairs, “Narnia” comes alive behind a real “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe” cabinet.

There is room for mini labradoodle Prince who always has a tennis ball to fetch. Blue herons, koi, and two mating ducks are in the backyard. Our youngest likes to climb the trees in the front yard and race remote control cars around the cul-de-sac.

Multigenerationally, my parents visit frequently from Minnesota, thus the entire in-law apartment. We want them to be comfortable with accommodations like a mini kitchen, TV area, desk and make-up vanity.

Also they collect modern art and here we have their whimsical piece “Pop Warp” by Jonathan Fenske and a modern abstract by Walter Redondo in our foyer.

Jaffe: What is special about your kitchen?

Greenwald: Matthew Quinn of Atlanta-based Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio was the master designer in 2012. The only change we made was large modern pendants and bold Roman valances. An abundance of food preparaATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 39

CHAI STYLE In the living room is Peter Lik’s “Mystical Forest.” Keri wanted an architectural statement with swivel chairs from Mitchell Gold enhancing the view outside.

The Greenwalds used window treatments and globe lighting to modernize the kitchen. The custom hood is copper. Matthew Quinn’s Design Galleria Kitchen and Bath Studio was the original designer.

tion goes on here: Shabbas, nightly family dinners and entertaining. Keith is the master chef.

Jaffe: What rooms are total “glam?”

Jacobs: We had fun and went “all the way” with the guest powder room. We used matte black hardware, new sconces and a warm grey/green vanity. The funky wallpaper is York.

The black and white photograph is from a Barcelona street market (1997).

The “glam” office has charcoal blue walls, a Sputnik brushed gold chandelier, and a painted fireplace.

Jaffe: What are some unique art and furnishings?

Greenwald: We like Peter Lik photography (“Moon” and “Mystical Forest’) linked to our love of the outdoors.

Other pieces we bought at the IFF [Ian’s Friends Foundation] auction, “Aspen Trees” by Winston Wyatt, and at the Trinity School’s Spotlight on Art, ”Avant Apres Ski” by Millie Sims.

We treasure the original Marc Chagall lithograph “The Anemones” (1974).

In my office is an antique singing birdcage from Marjorie Weinstein (Keith’s late grandmother, owner of Ellman’s and Citizens Jewelry).

We mix things up. The sculpture wall art “Cowgirl Ro-

The study had a dramatic renovation with painted fireplace, tons of built-ins and cabinets painted a charcoal blue.

Greenwald likes that her desk faces the street to watch the kids play. “Face” far right- Greenwald selected as fun pop art.

The mustard-stained Asian chest is from Marjorie Weinstein, Keith’s late grandmother’s collection.

The painting is by Mia Stone (2008).

40 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHAI STYLE The unusual estate chess set is pewter and gold plated.

Keri and Keith Greenwald wanted the art to be the outdoor landscaping. The bed is Mitchell Gold. The nightstands are Frontgate.

deo” was originally a British officer’s shaving mirror from India from an artist in Santa Fe. “Musicians” in the living room is from the Li Brothers Gallery (2003).

We just commissioned a new Israeli themed piece for the family room by Aleksandra Rozenvain with her signature umbrella street scenes.

Furniture-wise we used Arteriors Home and Mitchell Gold (couch and swivel chairs in family room and architectural chairs in living room) to modernize. The marble table (in Keri’s office) is from West Elm, the oval kitchen table from Room & Board, and the onyx and pewter Italian chess set is from an estate sale.

Jaffe: Comment on your staging “hat.”

Jacobs: Homes that are staged sell at 73 percent higher sales prices, and 98 percent of buyers are looking at photos before stepping foot into a potential home. It’s similar to internet dating. You don’t want potential buyers to swipe to the next photo. You want them to “heart it” and tell their agent they want to see it with a real connection. We strive for a neutral palette and remove the emotion. It makes a world of difference. ì Jacobs will become the 2021 president of the Atlanta chapter for the Real Estate Staging Association. Greenwald is a Realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty.

The children’s playroom is one of the three hidden areas in the home. The walls and ceiling were painted with clouds, stars and birds.

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” cabinet with Harry Potter costumes completely hides the entrance to the playroom.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 41

JUNE 30-JULY 22

CALENDAR Virtual Classes and Events: TUESDAY, JUNE 30 Virtual Job Search Workshop – From 10 to 11 a.m. Join JF&CS for an hourlong workshop that will explore strategies to conduct a successful job search that will help you secure employment more effectively. To register, www.bit.ly/2Y4agvp.

Brain Health Boot Camp – From 1 to 2 pm – Join JF&CS to combat memory loss. This program is designed to provide memory enhancement techniques through cognitive stimulation, physical exercise, education and socialization. To register, contact Georgia Gunter at ggunter@jfcsatl.org.

Vanderbilt University Info Session – From 5 to 6 p.m. Join JumpSpark for a formal session led by college admissions directors and representatives, Hillel on-campus reps, and student leaders. To register, www. bit.ly/2ZWKXxN. Infertility for Intended Grandparents – At 7:30 p.m. Join Jewish Fertility Foundation and Jewish Grandparents Network for this free live webinar. To register, emily@jewishfertilityfoundation.org.

Virtual Support Group - Moms of Donor-Conceived Children – From 8 to 9:15 p.m. Join Jewish Fertility Foundation virtually for private support group. To register, www.bit. ly/3fLVrot..

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 Torah Studies – Live – From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Intown Jewish Academy for an indepth analysis of the Torah portion.This program brings you the tradition of classical Jewish learning in a series of inspiring and 42 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

engaging weekly classes. The lessons probe the depths of contemporary Torah thought, with a special focus on issues surrounding spirituality, the human psyche, love and relationships. Every experience offers meaningful and timely lessons, from the most timeless of texts. You will walk away surprised, inspired and knowing more about who you are and who you can be. To join with Zoom, www.bit.ly/2VkBLjZ.

THURSDAY, JULY 2 Significant Others of Addicts Support Group – From 1 to 2 p.m. Free weekly support group from JF&CS. This group is for spouses, partners and/or significant others of those struggling with addiction. To register and for more information, sanderson@jfcsatl.org.

High School Seniors Missed Moments Group – From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. A free weekly support group from JF&CS for high school seniors.

A safe place to share how COVID-19 has changed and challenged you.

Learn self-care strategies, discuss next steps after high school and more. To register for more information, uzusman@jfcsatl.org.

Teen Girls Supportive Group Chat – From 4 to 5 p.m. From JF&CS, join Ina Enoch Ph.D., and Rebecca Brown, LCSW, for a weekly free support group. This will be a safe space for teen girls to talk about how they are dealing with difficult issues during these unprecedented times.

To register and for more information, ienoch@jfcsatl.org.

Spiritual Study Group – 12 Steps – From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jeff’s Place presents a Spiritual Study Group: 12 Weeks, 12 Virtual Meetings – 12 Steps. A weekly look at the steps through the lens of Jewish thought.

Each week explore one of the steps and draw on Jewish resources. Explore recent Torah portions and other spiritual ideas. For more information and to register, Rabbi@ Chabadintown.org.

meditation before Shabbat begins each Friday afternoon. The entire community is welcome to check it out on Etz Chaim’s Facebook page, www.bit.ly/3cszQj2.

SUNDAY, JULY 5

Think Different – From 8 to 9 p.m.

Join Intown Jewish Academy for a weekly group to study the single most transformative Jewish spiritual text written in the last three centuries with master Tanya teacher Rabbi Ari Sollish. To register, www.bit.ly/3eNGmCi.

FRIDAY, JULY 3 Family Caregiver Support Group – From 1 to 2 p.m. This JF&CS weekly group will provide a safe space to share your thoughts and feelings and help you to develop a network of support related to being a family caregiver. For more information, call Debbie at 770-677-9338.

Yoga for Shabbat Lives Livestream – From 4 to 5 p.m. Join Etz Chaim congregant and yoga instructor Paula Coplon for a relaxing livestream yoga/

Kabbalah & Coffee – From 9:30 to 11 a.m. Discuss, explore and journey with Intown Jewish Academy.

Learn about the world of Jewish mystical teaching and how to apply these profound teachings to your daily life. No prior kabbalistic experience required. To register, www. bit.ly/2XYKXul.

MONDAY, JULY 6 DREAM WORQER CAMP: 5 DAYS OF M.A.G.I.C. & GOOD STUFF – From 9 to 3 p.m. Vanda House presents a 5-day camp program where your child will creatively thrive with African drumming, creative arts, meditation and more. To register, www.bit.ly/3d4vn68.

Parenting Preschoolers in a Pandemic Support Group – From 1 to 2 p.m. A weekly free support group for parents dealing with difficult issues during this unprecedented time. For more information, rbrown@jfcsatl.org.

TUESDAY, JULY 7 Jewish Fertility Foundation Instagram Live with JScreen – From 8 to 9 p.m. Join JFF and JScreen for an Ins-

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

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

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

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES Chukat-Balak Friday, July 3, 2020, light candles at 8:34 p.m.

Saturday, July 4, 2020, Shabbat ends at 9:35 p.m.

Pinchas Friday, July 10, 2020, light candles at 8:33 p.m.

Saturday, July 11, 2020, Shabbat ends at 9:33 p.m.

tagram Live event. To join, @jewishfertilityfoundation.

SUNDAY, JULY 12 From Sinai to Seinfeld - A History of Jewish Humor – At 10 a.m. Join Rabbi Dan Dorsch for this intriguing online course. To register, www.bit. ly/2Z14J90

THURSDAY, JULY 15 Fertility Options With Adoption & Surrogacy Attorneys – From 8 to 9 p.m. Join Jewish Fertility Foundation for a live Instagram discussion and Q&A on fertility options with adoption and surrogacy attorneys.

To join, @jewishfertilityfoundation.

Ongoing: Chabad.org Presents Jewish Kids Activities Online – Jewish art projects, videos, games, activities and more.

For more information, www.bit. ly/2UgUFId. In the City Camps Presents - Virtual Camp – Every weekday afternoon from 3:30 to 4 p.m. In an effort to keep the community connected, they are giving their campers opportunities to see one another.

To watch and join, www.bit. ly/2xhGR71.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 22 Virtual Support Group – Moms After Infertility – From 8 to 9:15 p.m. Join Jewish Fertility Foundation virtually for a private support group for moms after infertility. To register, www.bit.ly/3e7ZFpC.

MJCCA BBYO – Tune in to BBYO On Demand, a new virtual experience for teens worldwide. Enjoy amazing programming and global events. Some of the sessions will even be led by our very own Greater Atlanta Region BBYO members.

For more information, www.bit. ly/2QFlCD2.

MJCCA Blonder Department for Special Needs – Please stay tuned to the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs Facebook group for daily activities, chats, workouts and more. For more information, www.bit.ly/2Jmpl4x.

MJCCA Aquatics – A few things that you can work on at home to keep your swimming abilities top notch.

Please see our swim skills guide that describes exercises for your child’s ability along with a picture.

For more information, www.bit. ly/3bmmlRC.

meetups and online gatherings that bring you together with Jewish and Jew-ish students from around the world in real-time! For more information, www.bit.ly/3af7wjA. Please send Virtual Classes & Events to amy@atljewishtimes.com.

Community Services: Anti Defamation League – The Coronavirus Surfaces Fear, Stereotypes and Scapegoating: A blog post from ADL to help provide accurate information, explore emotions, and, most importantly, play a role in reducing stereotyping and scapegoating. To read more, www.bit. ly/3dp5a3t.

Jewish Spirituality & Mysticism – Join Rabbi Hirshy for a weekly class on Jewish spirituality, mysticism and how to apply them to your personal growth in a meaningful way.

For more information, www.bit. ly/2wmSBFp.

PJ Library is Going Virtual Virtual!! – Mondays at 9:30 a.m., Tuesdays through Fridays at 9 a.m., and every afternoon at 2 p.m. PJ Library is bringing fun, crafts, stories, Q&As, scavenger hunts, food demos and so much more. To join and for more information, www.bit.ly/2WzFFqh.

TUESDAY, JULY 21 Uncoupling: a Divorced and Separated Support Group – From 5 to 6 p.m.

Join JF&CS for a weekly group providing support and resources and a safe place to process and share experiences related to divorce and separation. Open to men and women of mixed ages. Issues explored are trust, rejection, custody, holidays, in-laws, infidelity, finances, communication, letting go, and what is brought up. To register, call Helen at 404-210-9571.

Room Live – Click to view MJCCA’s upcoming Book Festival virtual events, www.bit.ly/3bk1mi7.

MJCCA Day Camps – Weekdays, 9 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Check in for weekday live activity sessions on their Facebook page. To participate and for more information, www. bit.ly/2wvLOcn. MJCCA Fitness – MJCCA is posting daily workouts and conducting live workouts on the Fitness Facebook page. They also have a free option to help keep you active and working out at home. For more information, www.bit.ly/2WHcSQz. MJCCA Book Festival In Your Living

Repair the World – Repair the World welcomes you to sign up for its programming. Join them from the comfort of your home for a discussion on compassionate care for ourselves and our community.

For more information, www.bit. ly/2xhUsv5.

Virtual Hillel Connections – If you’re looking for community, connection and meaningful learning opportunities, or if you’re just bored and need a distraction during coronavirus cancellations, then you’ve come to the right place. Hillel has virtual

Atlanta Community Food Bank Text for Help SMS Function – The Atlanta Community Food Bank’s mission to provide nutritious food to the people who need it has reached a major milestone toward access to food for all. The Text for Help SMS function recognizes two keywords – ‘findfood’ (no space) in English or ‘comida’ in Spanish. Each keyword will activate automated responses in the relevant language. When a person texts either keyword to 888976-2232 (ACFB), they’ll be prompted for their zip code or address to enable location services for food pantries closest to them. Responses will include a list of three different nearby pantries and their contact information. If no pantries are located within a 10-mile radius from the zip code entered, the program provides information on the nearATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 43

est food pantries in neighboring zip codes. For more information, www. acfb.org.

Atlanta Jewish Music Festival Updates – Music is a powerful force. It heals. It can bring people together.

In the wake of the recent tragic events, the AJMF has reached out to its community seeking “healing music.” To listen, www.spoti. fi/2Uuq7BB. For information about the AJMF, www.atlantajmf.org.

Israeli American Council – IAC @ Home brings you the most innovative content online while helping to build a national community with Israel at heart. With activities for kids, teens, young professionals and adults, you can stay connected to Hebrew, Israeli and Jewish heritage, online activism and to one another. IAC @Home lets you enjoy a coast-to-coast community right from your own home. For more information, www.israeliamerican. org/home.

provide resources, care plans, and support for you and your family.

Call AgeWell at 1-866-AGE-WELL (1866-243-9355) to find out how they can help. For more information, www.bit.ly/2wo5qzj.

Congregation Beth Shalom’s Virtual Services – Erev Shabbat, Fridays at 6:30 p.m., Shabbat service, Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., Zoom minyan Sunday at 9:30 a.m. For more information, www.bit.ly/3gY0mUK.

Jewish Federation of Great Atlanta COVID-19 Resources – The unsettling, fast-moving and unpredictable world of life with COVID-19 is upon us. As we’re all discovering, a worldwide pandemic disrupts everyone on an unprecedented scale.

For updates and more information, www.bit.ly/3ahrNVM. Marcus JCC Updates – Please visit www.atlantajcc.org/reopen to learn about all the details and procedures – including hours of operations – for engaging with the JCC during our reopening. For more information, www.bit.ly/2QEAuRX. My Jewish Learning – Jewish learning resources to get you through these difficult days. For more information, www.bit.ly/3bms5dQ. Please send Community Service Opportunities to amy@atljewishtimes.com.

JF&CS - Emergency Financial Assistance – JF&CS is here to provide emergency aid for individuals and families. Please call 770-677-9389 for assistance. For more information, www.bit.ly/2wo5qzj.

JF&CS - Telehealth Counseling Services – Now offering telehealth options via phone or video conference for current and new clients to help our community during this crisis.

For more information about our therapy services or to make a telehealth appointment, email therapy@jfcsatl.org or call 770-677-9474.

JF&CS - Telehealth Older Adult Services – Aviv older adult staff help 44 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Ahavath Achim Synagogue – Participate in services live from your computer. Ahavath Achim’s services are broadcasted from the main sanctuary and Ellman Chapel.

Open to members and the community. To watch and for more information, www.bit.ly/33EJfAU.

Synagogue Livestreaming Services:

Congregation Etz Chaim’s Virtual Morning Minyan and Shabbat Services – Sunday through Friday at 8:30 a.m. Join Rabbi Daniel Dorsch for livestreaming daily morning minyan and Shabbat evening and morning services. To join, www. bit.ly/3gWL02s.

Congregation ongregation Shearith Israel – Zoom Service – Daily and Shabbat services will continue at regular times in a virtual manner. They are counting participants in these live Zoom services as part of a minyan, or prayer quorum, allowing members to recite full prayer services including Mourner’s Kaddish. To participate via phone, dial 929-205-6099 and then enter the meeting code 404 873 1743. To be a part of services, visit the Zoom link www.bit.ly/2wnFWlD. Temple Emanu-El Livestreaming Services – Erev Shabbat Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Shabbat service. Saturdays at 10 a.m. Join on Facebook, www.facebook.com/TEAtlanta/.

Temple Beth Tikvah Lives Livestreaming Services – Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays at 10 a.m. To join, www.bit. ly/2ZlCvrr.

Temple Kol Emeth Services – Shabbat services on Fridays at 8 p.m.

View our services on www.kolemeth.net. Join us on www.facebook.com/TempleKolEmethMariettaGa. Temple Sinai Lives Livestream Services – Temple Sinai has live Shabbat services on Friday night and Saturday morning. For more information and to view services, www.bit. ly/2YJf0rU. The Temple Lives Livestreaming Services – Find livestreaming services at www.the-temple.org.

Please send Synagogue and Temple Streaming Services to amy@ atljewishtimes.com.

Volunteer Opportunities: Creating Connected Communities: www.bit.ly/3bekKNI Ways to Help Through CCC: www.bit. ly/2vAXqdN Become a Virtual Tutor: www.mindbubble.org Donate for Emergency Groceries: www.pawkids.org Provide a Meal to Homeless Women: www.rebeccastent.org.

Package and Deliver Meals Through Open Hand Atlanta: www.openhandatlanta.org/volunteer Package and deliver meals through Concrete Jungle: www.concretejungle.org/ JFCS Kosher Food Pantry: www.jfcsatl.org.

Repair The World Resource: A onepage resource for caring for the sick in times of crisis. For more information, www.bit.ly/2JamMlQ. Cards & Care Packages for Jewish HomeLife Staff: www. bit.ly/2WDncsY & www.bit. ly/2WDncsY Second Helpings Volunteer Opportunities: www.bit.ly/2UpkxQE Help with COVID-19 – A list of additional volunteer opportunities: www.helpwithcovid.com Please send Community Service Opportunities to amy@atljewishtimes.com.

Check the Atlanta Jewish Connector for updates: www.atlantajewishconnector.com.

Connector Chatter Directory Spotlight

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

Intown Jewish Academy In conversation with Rabbi Ari Solish How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

The Intown Jewish Academy has been active in the Atlanta community for 13 years. We have come from humble beginnings – starting off small, with just a handful of programs – to become a leader in adult Jewish learning. We host and facilitate hundreds of Jewish learning experiences each year, ranging from language and culture workshops to text-based kabbalah study to events with Holocaust survivors.

Thousands of participants join us annually, both from our local Atlanta community and from around the world via online and on-demand learning.

How does your organization help the community?

To this end, we partner with many organizations. Local synagogues and organizations, including Federation, JF&CS, The Breman, companies big and small, and many others have worked with us in our educational efforts. And we have seen tremendous fruits born of these partnerships.

Thank G-d I have been fortunate to see the Intown Jewish Academy’s personal impact on a daily basis. People are consistently sharing with me how what they’ve learned has helped them through a personal challenge, or given them a fresh perspective on life, or introduced them to a like-minded community of adult learners, or reignited a joy and appreciation for their heritage.

How do you cater to younger people?

Our educational programming is geared to adults of all ages, and we enjoy a very vibrant and robust learning community. We also recognize the value in developing a passion for Jewish learning in younger adults, and we make sure to create our programming catering to this demographic. Our recent courses “Jews & Food” and “Worrier to Warrior,” as well as our pre-COVID event with acclaimed Israeli-American behavioral economist Dan Ariely, effectively stirred the interest of many young adults.

Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia

Tradition Kitchens

In conversation with Julia Levy In conversation with Peggy Mosinger Freedman How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

The Jewish Genealogical Society of Georgia began in 1991 when a group of researchers met to share our passion for family history How does your organization help the community?

We have quarterly meetings on topics of interest to people researching their Jewish ancestry, keep a library at The Breman Museum, offer beginner classes, and provide individual mentoring. Genealogy helps people know their past, and that provides context and understanding for the present.

How do you cater to younger people?

Many schools require a family history project. We can help these researchers.

Many people take a DNA test, then have questions about what they learn. We can help these seekers. Many people want a book to preserve the memories of past generations. We can help these aspiring authors.

How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

We’ve been in Atlanta for a little over a year.

How does your organization help the community?

We strive to connect different generations and cultures to bring people together through a common connector of food. With online classes, we are showcasing the cooking and stories of local leaders.

How do you cater to young members?

We host classes that are friendly for all ages. You can attend on your own, with a friend who is your age or with your great aunt! We offer fun food themes that will interest kids to learn a new skill, college students to learn a family tradition, or young families to learn a family recipe. But it’s important to us that we honor the wisdom and experiences of all generations in our classes and the community we are creating.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 45

COMMUNITY Book Fest Proceeds with Notable Authors

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

with other Jewish community centers, including those in Miami, Dallas, Baltimore, Rochester, Indianapolis, St. Louis We advanced from Zoom being the first part of a peppy and Seattle. Along with Morton, they realized that there Passover song. Now the online video was power in partnerships with the conferencing app enables important publishing world. Instead of doing cultural and informative lectures to inmultiple Zoom events, authors are able volve audiences with options and viewto concurrently broadcast programs er numbers never thought possible. to hundreds of people throughout the Pam Morton, director of author country. These partners make group events for the Book Festival of the MJCdecisions on many of the authors, asCA, touts how events have continued sist with the production, and consult despite the global pandemic. And she on best practices. promotes two upcoming high-profile At the start of the quarantine, for presentations: filmmaker Barry Sonreasons of consistency, Atlanta enlisted nenfeld and author Daniel Silva. Newly Holly Firfer, a local media personality, Pam Morton, director of author events announced early autumn top name au- for the Book Festival of the MJCCA, lays to host most of the programs as a volthors include Casey Cep, Harlan Coben out the exciting upcoming author events. unteer. Morton bragged, “She is a truly and Steven Madden. outstanding moderator. Her enthusiasm and professionalMorton said, “Not unlike the rest of the world, there ism have been appreciated. As we move into summer prowas anxiety when we moved to this new format because of gramming, we are starting to work with some of our longchallenges involving the unknown: new technology, work- time festival moderators. Bill Nigut, executive producer of ing from our homes, and finding new ways to work with our ‘Political Rewind’ on Georgia Public Broadcasting, recently partner bookstore, A Cappella Books – just to name a few. In shared his many talents during an interview with our prothe beginning, every day felt like the first day of a new job! gram featuring FOX News anchor Chris Wallace and his There has been a whole new vocabulary to learn: audiences new book ‘Countdown 1945.’ have become ‘viewers’ and ‘attendees;’ event producers are “Most of our past MJCC virtual book festival program‘hosts;’ authors and interviewers are ‘panelists;’ programs ming has been free.” Morton said that it has been very imporare ‘Zooms’ or ‘live streams;’ and past events are ‘recordings.’” tant to be there for the community during these challengThe Atlanta festival has found support in partnerships ing times. The Book Festival has held a few ticketed events,

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which include a copy of the book, often with a signed bookplate from the author and shipping. “Viewers have found a great deal of solace in the continuity of an iconic community program – even if virtual.”

In terms of the MJCCA’s gradual reopening, the future is a big question mark.

When the quarantine began, the Book Festival operated one day at Media personality Holly Firfer has hosted most of the Book Festival programs. a time, Morton said. Today, as the MJCCA and the world revives, the Book Festival is looking ahead a few weeks at a time.

“There just isn’t any way to predict what the fall will look like, so our plan is to continue offering our programs virtually until it is safe to return to in-person programs.

The safety and health of our community are paramount to any programming we do. We are continuing with our virtual programming and have many programs that are still in the planning stages. We recently confirmed The New York Times best-selling author Daniel Silva, who is a huge fan favorite in our community, and we rescheduled our program with Hollywood blockbuster director Barry Sonnenfeld.

Early fall authors were originally scheduled to be in-person, so we are just taking a ‘wait and see’ approach to how these events will roll out.”

Book festival co-chairs Dr. Artie Gumer and Deena Profis, an integral part of fall festival planning, have recently reassembled their core Author Selection Committee to reimagine what the fall festival might look like.

Morton is frequently asked how to get one’s book engaged in the Festival.

She always has an extensive list of authors to consider for year-round and festival events and updates it frequently as new books are published. They include submissions via their online form, recommendations from community members or their own committee, and requests from publishers. Their requirement continues to be books published in the current or last calendar year. For now, books must be from 2019 and 2020. In this format, they focus more on newer titles to keep programming fresh. ì Register for book festival events at atlantajcc.org/bookfestival.

Here are the latest events from the Book Festival of the MJCCA in Your Living Room: July 9 Barry Sonnenfeld, “Call Your Mother,” a laugh-outloud memoir about coming of age.

July 15 Daniel Silva, “The Order,” featuring the continuing adventures of the legendary art restorer and spy Gabriel Allon.

This is a ticketed event.

COMMUNITY

Sonnenfeld Set to Charm Book Fest

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Barry Sonnenfeld, a comedic, quirky and anxious filmmaker and producer, will share tales of his dysfunctional Jewish family and how he got a start shooting pornography in Atlanta, of all places. He has plenty of “cred” from his alliances with the Coen brothers, “The Addams Family” movies, producers Steven Spielberg and Jon Peters, and actor Will Smith.

He describes his own late mother as “a lovely woman to others, who cared deeply about all people. Her heroes were Eleanor Roosevelt and Adlai Stevenson. Her problem was a deadly combination of narcissism and insecurity, which led to her being profoundly overprotective of her only child. She told me if I went away to sleep away school [others call it college] she would commit suicide.”

16mm camera [this is before the days of video cameras] and declared myself a cameraman. I never worked my way up the ladder, becoming a film loader, second assistant, first assistant. I was a cameraman! I met Joel Coen at a party, who told me he and his brother were going to film a trailer to raise money for their first feature “Blood Simple.” I told him I owned a camera. He hired me to film the trailer on the spot, and we eventually went on to film three movies.

Jaffe: What’s left on your bucket list?

Sonnenfeld: I would like to become happier and more relaxed. That would be a good bucket list hope.

Photo by Sasha Erwitt // Barry Sonnenfeld was scheduled

to appear in Atlanta before the pandemic.

Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, Austin, MiJaffe: You were originally sched- ami and Atlanta – all cancelled. Bookstores closed. This uled to appear in Atlanta. How has devastated sales, in spite of great reviews in The Wall Street Journal and New York Times. the pandemic changed your time?

My day-to-day life: Get up, take out the dog, breakfast, Sonnenfeld: The pandemic has been devastating for everyone. I don’t take out the dog, read, take out the dog, lunch, take out the Laugh on as Sonnenfeld shares a want to sound like I’m suffering more dog, nap and read, take out the dog, make dinner, take out preview with the Atlanta Jewish Times. Sonnenfeld’s book “Call Your Mother” than others. As it relates to the book, the dog, stream “Billions,” “Succession” and “Unorthodox,” will be featured in the virtual Book Sweetie [wife] and I got out of New take out the dog, go to sleep, and repeat next morning.

Festival of the MJCCA July 9.

Jaffe: You have history here.

York, the first stop on my book tour, Sonnenfeld: I have been in Atlanta once in my life to and back home on March 12, just when things started to Jaffe: If you could say one thing now to your mother. shoot a short documentary about a prostitute. I was the look bad. The rest of my tour – upstate New York, Toronto, Sonnefeld: Leave me alone. I’ll be fine. ì cameraman. Our subject and I fell in love and became boyfriend/girlfriend for about a year, before we realized that we lived too far apart. I love to watch the Atlanta-based Weather Channel. If I wasn’t a writer/producer/director, COSMETIC, IMPLANT & GENERAL I’d want to be a weatherman, hanging out with Jim CanDENTISTRY FOR THE FAMILY. tore. cosmetic &

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Jaffe: Does your comedy come from a place of pain?

Sonnenfeld: I have a quirky surreal attitude towards comedy. I was very drawn to the dark visual humor of Charles Addams, as revealed in his drawings for The New Yorker. His comedy forced the viewer to find the joke, which is how I like to direct my comedies. I was lonely and depressed through my teens, but I wouldn’t call my life full of pain.

Jaffe: How did you happen to have your bar mitzvah in a church?

Sonnenfeld: I was born on April Fools’. Temple Beth Shalom sold their building to an Orthodox sect, and their new temple wasn’t going to be available until April 9. The rabbi asked the nearest church if we could borrow their facility for my bar mitzvah and Saturday services. The rabbi and cantor spent Friday night covering the crosses and crucifixes with burlap bags.

Jaffe: How do you inspire folks who’ve had a rough beginning?

Sonnenfeld: My father told me, which seemed to work, “Decide what you want to do that will bring you joy and do it. You’ll figure out a way how to make money at it.”

What I would add is, decide what you want to be and declare yourself that thing. I got out of graduate film school, decided I would enjoy being a cameraman, bought a used

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 47

COMMUNITY

A Breath of Fresh Air

DuPont State Recreational Forest led us on a four-mile hike to the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls.

Upstream Way Luxury Vacation Homes are designed to house large parties for family and friend getaways, corporate retreats, wedding events and other special occasion escapes.

Mela, an Indian restaurant in downtown Asheville, uses only hormone-free meats and seafood, with local and organic ingredients whenever possible.

It was a long two months of sheltering in place.

After the cancellations of all our beloved festivals, concerts and events, we were left with Jen Evans & few options Michal Bonell to write about On the Town and enjoy. We wondered if we should tell you about our FaceTime happy hours and Netflix binges, but what’s exciting about that? Although, since we are on the topic, if you haven’t checked out “Workin’ Moms” and “Dead to Me” on Netflix, you’re missing out.

We were invited to review Upstream Way Luxury Vacation Homes in Asheville, N.C., and have had to keep pushing the date due to the COVID-19 shutdown. At last some leeway was given, and we felt that it was time to venture out to the great outdoors of North Carolina, while maintaining social distancing of course.

Three hours away from Atlanta we pulled up to three ultra-modern vacation homes, each with rooftop views, porches and easy access to downtown Asheville and the nearby mountains. All three properties are perched above the French Broad River, across from the Biltmore Estate. The properties overlook a chain of parks all linked together by the Greenway bike path leading into downtown Asheville.

You can also get into town by launching a kayak or inner tube from a new boat ramp, situated directly across from the properties. And to top it off, the owner provides tubes and kayaks for your pleasure!

The properties are purposely designed wild Atlantic salmon, and uses local and orto house large parties for family and friend ganic ingredients whenever possible. Their getaways, corporate retreats, bachelor(ette) yogurt, chutneys, sauces and pickles are all and wedding parties and other special occa- made from scratch in-house.

Mela’s bread dough is handmade and sion escapes. We were lucky enough to stay in their Penthouse property, which included prepared in a genuine tandoor oven, which five bathrooms, six bedrooms, a dining room, cooks the food in ceramic walls to intensify kitchen, living room, and playroom boasting the heat. They are very conscious about their a bar, pingpong table, and a gas fireplace, cooking and have something for everyone – vegans, vegetarians leading to the priand those who canvate rooftop hot tub. not eat gluten. With No expense a reputation like was spared! The that, it was tough to house was immacudecide what to orlate, comfortable der, so we chose an and attractively array of food. designed and decoWhile we waitrated. The kitchen ed for our dinner, features upscale we walked around stainless steel appliMela’s bread dough is handmade and downtown, windowances with beautiprepared in a genuine tandoor oven. shopped, danced ful cabinetry, which house all the kitchenware you need. Each through the streets and admired the outdoor bathroom includes granite sinks and coun- art. We made it back to Mela, where our food ters. The wooden floors gleam, the artwork, was hot and ready to go, and then headed furniture and rugs are colorful, vibrant and back to our party pad to enjoy the feast.

We started with the Vegetable Samosa, unique and the beds are all large and comfortable. There are four floors in the Pent- handmade pastry triangles stuffed with house. To make move in and out convenient, mildly spiced potatoes and green peas and the architect was clever enough to include served with tamarind and mint chutney; the an electric dumbwaiter to lift and lower your Saag Paneer, made with homemade cheese luggage and groceries. Need something or cubes with spinach and ground spices; and have a question? No problem! The owner the Samosa Chat, a deconstructed samosa and builder, Jay, is just moments away and topped with masala chickpeas, mint and is reachable and responsive by phone call or red pepper chutneys, garnished with onions and cilantro. text.

For our next course, we had the MaWe unpacked our bags, had cocktails on the deck and then headed downtown dras fresh vegetables cooked in a mild coin search of a restaurant that was offering conut and curry leaf gravy; Chicken Tikka takeout. We found a cute Indian restaurant, Masala, marinated boneless chicken breast Mela, in the heart of downtown Asheville pieces simmered in a thick, spicy sauce on Lexington Avenue. Mela offers only hor- made with onions, tomatoes, ginger, garlic mone-free, all-natural chicken, lamb and and spice; Chicken Korma which was bone-

less chicken cut in to cubes and cooked in a rich almond and cashew sauce and topped with nuts and raisins; and the decadent and spicy Chicken Vindaloo, a classic dish from Goa made with shrimp simmered in a very spicy and tangy curry sauce. All Mela’s entrees are served with basmati rice and papadum, a thin, crispy flat bread. Svādistṭa! (Delicious, in Hindu.)

To accompany all of these delicious dishes, we had Naan, a light bread baked in the tandoor oven; Garlic Naan, a multilayered bread flavored with garlic and cilantro and the Chutney Platter, a mint-cilantro sauce, tamarind and tomato chutney.

After dinner we drank an array of cocktails, sang karaoke, played Cards Against Humanity and hung out in the hot tub gazing at the stars. The next morning, after a homemade breakfast, we hopped back in the car and headed to DuPont State Recreational Forest for a four-mile hike roundtrip to Bridal Veil Falls. We needed some exercise after all the eating and drinking the night before! DuPont Forest is located halfway between Brevard and Hendersonville, N.C. and was a film location for “The Hunger Games.” The forest is free to visitors. Bridal Veil Falls is a beautiful 120-foot waterfall with a lovely flat area at the bottom, perfect for photos and picnics.

Even though restaurants in Asheville and most of the tourist attractions were closed, we still had great fun with great friends in the great outdoors! ì

48 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

For more information about Mela, visit www.melaasheville.com and for Upstream Way, www.upstreamway.com/.

To have us review your event or restaurant, contact us at 404-883-2130 or Jen@atljewishtimes.com / michal@atljewishtimes.com.

NEW MOON MEDITATIONS Tempers Flare in the Fiery Month of Tammuz Rosh Chodesh Tammuz was June 22-23.

This month, devoid of holidays, includes the fast on the 17th day, beginning the three weeks of mourning ending on the 9th of Dr. Terry Segal Av. During this New Moon Meditations time, no weddings take place, new clothes aren’t worn, there’s no shaving or haircuts, no enjoyment of music, and no celebratory firsts.

We’re reminded of our historical events in Jerusalem during the destruction of the first and second temples, the worship of the golden calf and Moses’ tablet-smashing rage.

Our ancestors faced challenges in each month as we do today and we can’t ignore that many of the themes are similar. The Kabbalists observed the planets as they related to each sephira, the 10 attributes through which the Ein Sof, or Infinite One, is revealed, such as kindness,

wisdom, understanding, discipline, etc.

The inverted triangles of the Star of David correspond to the middle section of the Tree that connects top to bottom, heaven to earth, and left to right, the male and female qualities.

So what do we do with that? We observe the patterns inherent in the planets each month, match them against the issues that are present in our current world, and choose behaviors that are G-d-like.

The Kabbalists consider Tammuz to be one of three dangerous months because of its extreme energies. Av and Tevet are the other two. Tammuz, the first of the summer months, is filled with heat and explosive anger.

Add to this eclipse season and it ups the ante on heated emotions. Year 2020 has six eclipses, two solar and four lunar.

This annual solar eclipse, visible in northern India, occurred June 21. The south and north nodes, referred to as the Nodes of Fate, symbolize fated experiences from our past that can affect our future. They’re viewed as actions we’ve taken, individually or collectively, returned to us as opportunities for correction.

The task for Tammuz is to temper our burning urges to express the yetzer hara, or inclination to evil. Currently, we can see these patterns waking us up to racial injustice along with the non-peaceful protests highlighting the yetzer hara. This awareness is for all of us, as we’re all reflections of The One. Tammuz was a false prophet who died at the hands of a king. A story was told about his death, making him a tragic hero. Emotions were manipulated to make people weep. An idol was constructed near the Holy Temple. Its eyes were made of lead so when heated, they would cry tears that streamed down its face. This evoked compassion and an identification with the tragic story.

The zodiac sign is cancer, the crab.

Those born under this water sign are sensitive homebodies who may develop a hard outer shell to protect their soft insides. COVID-19 has made us homebodies, inside of our shells. Some have become crabby. In these times, many people feel as if they’re moving sideways, like the crab, rather than in forward motion. Attitudes can be polarized.

The Hebrew letter of Tammuz is chet, which appears as a hut. The ruling planet is the moon. Each of the months is ruled by one of 10 planets, with Tammuz and Av ruled by the moon and sun, respectively.

The Shekinah, the Divine Feminine, moon energy brings watery emotions and feminine qualities of insight and intuition.

Think of the effect the moon has on the tides.

The tribe is Reuben, from the root, “too see.” The sense is sight and we’re charged with adjusting our vision. We must look beyond behaviors and understand the primal emotions underneath, in both ourselves and others. We can be blinded by our passions and rage and so need to practice expression of Hashem’s Divine qualities.

The controlling limb is the right hand. On it is the index finger which, like the yad, keeps our place and points our direction, rather than pointing in judgment at another human being.

Meditation focus: See where your passions or anger are engaged and use that to serve G-d and our world. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 49

OBITUARIES

Jules Joseph Aaronson

Nathan Goldstein

On the evening of June 15, 2020, Jules Joseph Aaronson passed away after a short illness in Atlanta, Ga., surrounded by family members. J.J. had just turned 92 in May. Jules was born in the Flatbush area of Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1928, and attended Erasmus Hall High School followed by Cornell University, where he obtained an undergraduate degree in arts and sciences (1949) and Master of Business Administration (1950).

He served his country during the Korean conflict, rising to the grade of captain in the Army. After his military service, he moved with his new wife Joan Phyllis Brodsky from Brooklyn to Milwaukee, Wisc., where they raised their three sons. Late in his business career he and Joan moved to Atlanta and eventually retired, first to West Palm Beach, Fla., before moving back together to Atlanta.

Jules personified the character in one of singer Frank Sinatra’s most famous songs – “My Way.” There was little during his 92 years that was not done as he thought it should be.

He was both larger than life and privately caring to all of his family, friends and business associates. Jules is survived by three sons Glenn, Richard and Andrew, along with their wives Suzanne, Tara and Julie, 10 grandchildren and his longtime devoted caregiver Rayone.

Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Nathan Goldstein died peacefully June 14, 2020. He was born June 2, 1939, and grew up in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. He was the son of Herman and Hilda Goldstein and had a sister, Joan Pearlman. He had his bar mitzvah at the Congregation Sons of Israel. He attended Lafayette High School and graduated from New York University in business in 1961.

Nathan was drafted into the U.S. Army Signal Corps, serving at Fort Monmouth, N.J. followed by service in Germany as an intelligence analyst until 1964. He returned to Greensboro, N.C., to work in the family garment business and moved to Atlanta in 1969. Nathan met Sybil Solin Goldstein and was married in 1972. He worked for Kemper Insurance for 12 years followed by serving as an examiner for the Internal Revenue Service until his retirement in 2005.

He was active at Congregation Beth Shalom, where he served on the board in finance.

A fervent baseball fan, Nathan grew up with the New York Giants and later supported the Atlanta Braves. He had a keen interest in history, astronomy and meteorology throughout his life.

Nathan’s greatest love was his family and he was an incredibly generous, warm, devoted father and grandfather who was frequently involved in little league baseball, birthdays and The Weinstein School preschool events.

He is survived by his son Jason Goldstein; daughter-in-law Emily Levins Goldstein; grandchildren Samuel and Jacob Goldstein; and nephews Joseph and William Pearlman.

A graveside service was held at Crest Lawn Memorial Park June 16. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Weinstein School or Wesley Woods Towers. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

92, Atlanta

Valerie Chill 76, Atlanta

Valerie Chill, 76, a long-time resident of Chattanooga, Tenn., then Atlanta, Ga., passed away peacefully June 23, 2020. She was a very successful businesswoman born in South Africa. She was a devoted and loving wife of the late Leslie Saxe and the late Leonard Chill; mother of Wayne (Darla) Saxe, David Chill, Susan (Jim) Whipple, Ben (Lynn) Chill, and the late Lawrence Saxe; grandmother of Bradley (Melissa), David, Leila, Sam (Tara), Anna, Gabrielle and Angela; and great-grandmother of Lowery and Lennox.

A graveside service was held June 24. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Weinstein Hospice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999. Visit www.dresslerjewishfunerals.com to sign the online guestbook.

Adrienne Frischer 84, Atlanta

Adrienne Frischer, 84, of Atlanta, Ga., died June 15, 2020. Survivors include her son Mitchell Netherton; daughter Melanie White; grandchildren Sari Benamy, Joshua Netherton, Noah Netherton, Nick White, Sami Netherton; great-grandson, Michael Benamy; and sister, Deanna Neuman.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

50 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

81, Atlanta

Robert Saul Hochdorf 70, Atlanta

Robert Saul Hochdorf, 70, of Atlanta, Ga., lost his fight with acute myeloid leukemia Friday, June 5, 2020.

He is survived by his wife Sharon; children Meryl and Joel Miller, and Shoshana and Adam Nathan; grandchildren Naomi and Tali Miller; sister Therese and Joshua Yarmush; mother-in-law Helene Polin; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Martin and Carol Polin.

Robert was born is Tucson, Ariz., to Martin and Jane Hochdorf. At 2 years old, Robert’s family moved to Chattanooga, Tenn., where he and his sister were raised. He received a bachelor’s degree and juris doctor degree from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Shortly after, he met and married Sharon Polin in Knoxville. In 1986, they moved to Roswell, Ga., where they raised their two daughters together. In his father’s footsteps, Robert worked at the Tennessee Valley Authority, where he managed the records in the office of the general counsel.

Later in his career, Robert co-owned and operated Button It Up until retiring in 2017.

Robert supported his local synagogue, Congregation B’nai Torah, going to minyan five days per week until he fell ill. He was an avid runner and cyclist and had begun writing a musical in his retirement.

Above all he was a dedicated husband, brother, father and grandfather. In addition to his daughters, granddaughters and the Jewish community, one of Robert’s greatest passions was rooting for the Tennessee Volunteers. Through thick and thin, Robert wore Tennessee orange as a proud fan.

Donations in Robert’s memory can be made to Be the Match and Congregation B’nai Torah. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

OBITUARIES

Robert Steven (Bobby) Horowitz 71, Atlanta

Robert Steven (Bobby) Horowitz, 71, an Atlanta native and resident of Nevada who lived part-time in California, died in a riptide accident in Sarasota, Fla., June 9, 2020.

An internationally recognized leader in the food industry, he revolutionized new food products and introduced novel ways to produce and market them. As a committed philanthropist he also practiced the Golden Rule in his business management and personal lives.

He graduated in 1970 from University of Georgia School of Business and earned a law degree from Emory University in 1973. He practiced law briefly in Decatur, then joined his father, Maurice Horowitz, at M.K. Horowitz Co., a pioneering frozen food brokerage founded in 1948. He helped build the company into a regional powerhouse prior to its sale in the mid1980s.

Subsequently he established the Atlanta-based East Coast Sales Co., which his father ran when Bobby left after several years to join Lamb Weston, a division of ConAgra Foods. As that company’s vice president of international sales, he and his wife Becky lived for two years in Brussels, Belgium, where he worked to open global markets and develop potato processing plants and farms in Eastern and Western Europe.

On returning to the U.S., he was named president of Lamb Weston, leading that company to become the then most profitable division of ConAgra before he retired. Finding retirement didn’t suit him, he accepted an offer to become CEO of CTI Foods, a national food service processing company, which he grew for its investors.

Since leaving CTI Foods several years ago, he provided consulting services to other national food industry corporations and investors.

Throughout his life Bobby was focused on helping others and quietly providing funding wherever it was needed. One of his great pleasures was working with the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, bringing musical instruments to impoverished students at inner city schools who then became proficient in band and orchestra. He and Becky faithfully attended many school concerts. He also served on the boards of the national nonprofit Feeding America in San Diego, and Three Square Food Bank in Las Vegas.

He was dedicated to the African Wildlife Foundation to help save rhinos, elephants and other wildlife in Africa. He was very involved and a member of several synagogues in multiple states, funding student trips to Israel and to national Jewish advocacy meetings. Believing the best giving was anonymous, he generously took care of many people and too many other causes to be mentioned here. He also was deeply devoted to his friends and family, encouraging the next generations, especially his great-nieces and nephew to follow their dreams.

He leaves his beloved wife Becky Dreistadt Horowitz; sister Jane Horowitz Bick of Atlanta; niece Natalie (Bick) Webb and her husband Scott of Sharpsburg, Ga.; great-nieces Caroline and Jenna Webb; nephew Patrick Dreistadt of Orlando, Fla.; and his irrepressible cat Bernard.

Due to the COVID virus, funeral services were held privately for the family June 10 with livestreaming on Zoom. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, the African Wildlife Foundation, Feeding America, or a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Jacqueline Yocheved Henriques Koplowitz 72, Atlanta

Jacqueline Yocheved Henriques Koplowitz passed away peacefully at home June 11, 2020. Arguably the world’s most stubborn, compassionate and practical woman, she left the world on her own terms, shortly after being read final viduy (last rites). Her final instructions to her family were to support one another and to find joy in life going forward.

Her life was devoted to helping others: providing a voice for those in want of an advocate, finding justice for those who did not have it, giving aid to those who needed it. Through her career with the Jewish Federation, AMCHA, The Retreat from violence, JF&CS, and more, she worked tirelessly to leave the world a better place than she found it – and she succeeded.

To all who were in her sphere, whether family, friends or acquaintances, she was an inspiration. She was well known for being reliable, efficient, classy, imperious, warm, caring, pragmatic, and (sigh) usually right.

She was predeceased by daughter Batsheva Koplowitz and survived by husband Gil Frank; twin sister and brother-in-law, Jennifer Phillips (Fred); brothers and sisters-in-law, Brian Motta (Mary) and Ainsley Henriques (Marjorie); daughter and son-in-law, Nechama Koplowitz (Michael Huey); and granddaughter Gavriella Koplowitz..

In lieu of flowers (which she never much enjoyed anyway) the family requests that dona-

tions be made to Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta or to Congregation B’nai Torah.

Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Herman Lischkoff 92, Atlanta

Herman Lischkoff died peacefully June 8, 2020 in the comfort of his home with his wife and caregivers by his side. Herman was born in Birmingham, Ala., Feb. 10, 1928, to Rebecca and Israel Lischkoff.

Herman was a kind and humble person. He gave his time and energy to many community and Jewish causes, including Jewish Vocational Services, JF&CS, the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, AA Synagogue, the Atlanta Jewish Academy, the MJCCA and the William Breman Jewish Home, where he was the leader of Sabbath services at the campus on Howell Mill Road. On those Saturdays, he also led the Schmooze and Sing program with nursing home residents for many years.

Herman graduated from Boys High School and Emory University, followed by his service in the U.S. Army. Herman loved real estate and started a successful brokerage and management business that he operated for over 55 years until he retired in 2018. Herman enjoyed life’s simple pleasures. He loved fishing and once caught an 86.5-pound king salmon on a sixpound test line. He loved reading and especially enjoyed National Geographic, which he read cover to cover every month since the 1950s.

However, most of his love was for his children, Mindy and Jody, his grandchildren, Austin and Ryan and his two great-granddaughters. After 16 years of courtship, Herman married Dottie, and at his death, they had been married for over 30 years. Herman and Dottie enjoyed traveling, entertaining friends in their home and just being happy together.

Herman lived a great life and he enjoyed many accomplishments over 92 years. He will be missed by many.

Herman is survived by his wife Dottie; children Jody Goldfine and Mindy Jones (Bill); stepchildren Linda Udinsky (Gary) and Bob Shell (Heather); grandchildren Ryan Goldfine (Shaynah) and Austin Goldfine; step-grandchildren Sarah Docar (Brody), Benjamin Myers, Zachary Shell (Sarah), and Lindsey Shell; four great-grandchildren; loving sister Jean Aptak; and niece Dana Olstein (Philip).

Many thanks to his wonderful caregivers Iffy, Cristabel and hospice nurse Irina, and a special thank you to caregiver and friend Lisa Barrios, who cared for Herman like he was her father.

The funeral service for Herman Lischkoff was held graveside at Arlington Cemetery June 10 with Rabbi Mark Zimmerman officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to Jewish HomeLife Communities (the Breman Jewish Home) or a Jewish charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Jacob Baer Mazer 87, Birmingham, Ala.

Jacob Baer Mazer passed away peacefully in his sleep June 12, 2020. He was born Dec. 20, 1932, in Birmingham, Ala., the youngest of three boys.

As the owner of Mazer Lumber Company and Mazer Discount Home Centers, JB was known for his business acumen and personal integrity. Over the course of three generations, Mazer’s successful family business grew, establishing deep roots in the Birmingham community. A prolific storyteller, he reveled in telling a good joke. He was a former president of Temple Beth-El in Birmingham and an integral member of numerous regional, national and international Jewish organizations.

Known for his generosity, JB supported a wide range of charitable causes and was always willing to lend a hand to those in need. He strongly believed that a person’s level of giving should match their level of living.

JB was predeceased in death by his wife of 65 years Lynette; parents Eva and Ben Mazer; brother Joe; and daughter Robyn. He is survived by his brother Eph (Frieda); sister-in-law Jane Mazer; son Michael Mazer (Carole); daughter Nancy Lutz (Dennis); grandchildren Adam Mazer, Tara Mazer, Cori Mazer, Benjamin Lutz, and Jeremy Lutz; as well as a large extended family of in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Donations may be sent to Camp Ramah Darom, 6400 Powers Ferry Road NW, Suite 215, Atlanta, GA 30339, 404-503-2129.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 51

OBITUARIES

Dr. Morris Miehl 88, Atlanta

Dr. Morris Miehl passed away peacefully June 2, 2020, in the home of his son Brad Miehl and daughter-in-law, Karin Fields-Miehl. Throughout his journey he was surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren. Morris passed away just shy of his 89th birthday.

Born in Louisville, Ky., he graduated from the University of Oklahoma and then medical school from the University of Louisville. He met and married his wife of 56 years Sara Marian Miehl at the University of Oklahoma.

Morris practiced anesthesiology in San Antonio, Texas, for 25 years. He was a leader in the medical community serving and assuming leadership roles on multiple boards. He retired to Rancho Mirage, Calif., in 1987. Morris’ friendships were deep and lasting, many of which lasted for over 70 years.

In the early 90s, he and Sara Marian moved to Atlanta to be closer to their children.

They moved into Sunrise at Huntcliff Summit independent living center, where Morris took meticulous care of his wife for 12 years. Once she passed, he remained at Huntcliff, where he was affectionately referred to as the mayor of Huntcliff. He was a friend to all and spent his time trying to make the lives of others better and easier. He was deeply respected and is dearly missed.

Morris was known for his quick wit, engaging conversations, honesty and wisdom. He was an authentic friend and always available to those who sought his guidance. He treasured Judaism, and honored Temple Kol Emeth in every way possible.

He was deeply philanthropic and had a keen sense of social responsibility to help those not as fortunate as himself. Understanding not all are able to care for their loved ones, or able to afford home health care professionals, he established the Dr. Morris and Marian Miehl Family Fund for Older Adult Care Coordination, which is managed through the Jewish Family & Career Services Atlanta. The purpose of this fund is to assist those in need of home health care assistance and are financially unable to afford such assistance without financial help.

Morris Miehl was a devoted father and husband. He is survived by daughter Helene Miehl-Siegel (Ricky); sons Brad Miehl (Karin Fields-Miehl) and Philip Jeffery Miehl (Judi Thorton-Miehl); grandchildren Matt Miehl (Lauren) and Sami Miehl; step grandchildren Jocelyn Thorton, Chris Siegel and Sam Siegel (Becca); and step-great-grandchildren Yoshi and Ben Siegel.

Morris was laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery June 3 in a private family ceremony.

Donations in his honor can be made to the Dr. Morris and Marian Miehl Family Fund for Older Adult Care Coordination via the JF&CS website, https://jfcsatl.org/. On the donate page, click “Make a Tribute Link.”

Marcia Rice 90, Atlanta

Marcia Rice, 90, of Atlanta, died June 25, 2020. Marcia was born and raised in West Point, Ga., and lived in Atlanta for the last 67 years. She earned a bachelor’s degree with honors in interior design from the University of Georgia and later owned and operated Rice’s Casual Shop for more than 30 years.

In her early years of retirement, she taught watercolor at Emory University’s senior education program. She had a keen eye for detail in modern art and mid-century furniture.

She was a member of The Temple and High Museum.

Marcia is survived by her son Michael Rice of Atlanta; daughter Donna Vega; and grandchildren Heather Rice and Hannah Vega.

Graveside services were held June 29 at Crest Lawn Memorial Park with Rabbi Peter Berg officiating. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Zaban Paradies Center.

Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

‫זיכרונה לברכה‬ 52 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

OBITUARIES

Dr. Irving Kagan: World War II Hero, Renowned Scientist Dr. Irving G. Kagan, 100, died of cardiac arrest April 26, 2020. He was born in the Bronx on June 1, 1919, during the Spanish Flu pandemic, and died during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020. His beloved wife of 74 years, Mildred, died in 2014. She was the first social worker to establish a psychotherapy practice in Georgia. Together they were a dynamic loving force.

Dr. Kagan was a highly decorated World War II hero. He was a first lieutenant navigator of B-29s and flew 38 missions over Japan. As a result of his navigational skills, which kept his plane at the lead of many bombing missions over Japan and facilitated a heralded rescue of his crew from the Pacific, he was awarded a Purple Heart, a Distinguished Flying Cross, and an Air Medal with five oak clusters.

Dr. Kagan received his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College. After the war, he obtained a doctorate in zoology from the University of Michigan and did post-doctorate work at the University of Chicago. He was an Adjunct Professor of Zoology at the University of Pennsyl-

vania for five years.

In 1957, he moved with his family to Atlanta to join the Centers for Disease Control, where he was appointed director of the parasitology division.

Dr. Kagan will be remembered as a world-renowned scientist, whose groundbreaking research led to the development of diagnostic and immunologic tests for malaria, schistosomiasis, and other parasitic diseases. In his 26-year tenure at the CDC, Dr. Kagan conducted extensive research and, together with a team of scientists and medical doctors working under him, published over 400 papers on parasitic diseases. He traveled widely as an ambassador of CDC and a consultant to the World Health Organization.

In 1975, he was a member of one of the earliest presidential scientific delegations from the CDC to China. Dr. Kagan also served on the faculty of the Emory University Medical School for 10 years.

His pioneering work in serologic immunology impacted the lives of millions of people around the globe. He received the American Society of Parasitologists’ Henry Baldwin Medal in 1976 and the CSL Behring award for his work on schistosomiasis in Egypt in 1977. He was vice president of the World Federation of Parasitologists (1976-1980) and president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine (1975-1977).

He was also appointed as a charter member of the Senior Executive Service in 1979

by President Jimmy Carter.

In 1982, Dr. Kagan retired from the CDC and established his own laboratory, where he continued his scientific research, including on the newly emerging AIDS epidemic, and offered serologic testing to the medical community for malaria and other parasitic diseases. Dr. Kagan retired from his lifelong pursuit in 2017, at age 97.

He was both a humanitarian and a mentor of many young scientists in the epidemiology field. His interests were much broader than his chosen profession. He was a self-taught archaeologist with a specialty in Egyptology and an avid chess and tennis player. He was deeply interested in gardening, theology, astronomy, and Darwinism. He was a dedicated civil rights advocate and supporter of Jewish causes. His optimism and life force burned incandescent.

Dr. Kagan is survived by his family: Mila and Jule Kagan, Daniel Rosenbaum, and Arieh, Barbara, Alyssia and Liam Shands/Rosenbaum.

Contributions in Dr. Kagan’s memory may be made to the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 53

OY VEY

JEWISH JOKE

OY VEY! HAVE I GOT A PROBLEM... ma. I Hi, Rachel, heart-wrenching dilem G-d), I am faced with a nths mo few a Thanks to COVID-19 (or til living home. Un living in a local assisted cle un cle old Un r ty. yea cri 95ala a e at hav visits with gre d Uncle Joe anticipated my an rly, the ula get reg you ited e vis I sur ago his siblings. I am en. He has also outlived myself Joe never had any childr ver I popped in, either by ene Very, very alone. Wh ne. alo is Joe black a cle in Un e. sed tur poi pic a gold moon ldren, Uncle Joe lit up like chi or and e us, wif vir my h the h wit or world crashed wit hout any warning, our wit n, the d An . sky vet vel ever. n more vulnerable than naging. elderly people became eve cle Joe seemed to be ma Un ne, eks of quaranti stays he d an e During the first few we etit t have much app ressed. He says he doesn’ dep s nd long w sou he Ho , ely do? lat to t Bu is there for him time. Because what else of s iod per g lon for bed in vision screen? be can a person stare at a tele versation. “Oh, you can d me during a recent con tol he s ion dit con the “I’m a prisoner,” d, . The food is goo in an upper-class prison ed fin ns con ctio era I’m t int tha ial e sur d there are no soc I can’t go anywhere an bird in a are sanitary. But when you ever read about the Did arceration is real. inc of se p that sen lum the the oy, r enj ove to d to swallow a long-suffering sigh. I trie t ou let t not He jus e?” is fe cag “Li . den gol he finally begged . “Can’t you come, Ben?” oat thr my r ove en tak had to worth living this way.” gut. What am I supposed d like a sharp knife in my , ent rtm apa his His pained words twiste ide I step foot ins is killing him. And yet, if ion lat th. iso e dea Th his l? ut che abo Ra do, us and bringing exposing him to the vir I may be responsible for with that.

There is no way I can live HELP! Signed, A Helpless Nephew

The Checkup Hyman recently had a full medical checkup. When he returned three weeks later after the exhaustive lab tests were complete, his doctor said he was doing “fairly well” for his age.

Hyman was obviously a little concerned about that comment and so asked his doctor “Do you think I’ll live to be 80, doctor?”

He replied, “Well, do you smoke or drink beer?”

“Oh no,” Hyman replied, “I’ve never done either.”

Then the doctor asked, “Do you eat grilled steaks or barbequed ribs?”

Hyman replied, “No, I’ve heard that red meat is very unhealthy.”

“Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf?” asked the doctor.

Dear Ben, I really feel for you and for Uncle Joe, and for all the people in similar circumstances.

You are a caring nephew who wants to bring joy to a lonely uncle. But, of course, you don’t want to consider risking his health.

This is a matter of life and death. Since I am not a doctor, I am unable to determine the right course of action for you to take. But I do have a few suggestions.

Can you consult with Uncle Joe’s physician and get him or her to weigh in? Perhaps they will feel that depression may pose a danger for your uncle equivalent to the physical threat posed by the virus? Additionally, why not check the rules of the assisted living home?

If they allow outsiders to come in and the doctor gives a stamp of approval, perhaps you and Uncle Joe can visit together outside?

With G-d’s help, this pandemic will be swept away, and we will all be able to resume normal social interactions with our loved ones. Until that happens, there is not much we can do other than pray and try to keep the germs at bay by adhering to medical guidelines.

I hope you and Uncle Joe will enjoy some good visits in the near future. Assuming you get the green light, take advantage of mornings and evenings while they’re cooler and more comfortable and set up some chairs in the shade. And, kudos to you for being a loving nephew!

Wishing everyone peace of mind and good health in these challenging times, Rachel

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

54 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

“No, I don’t,” Hyman replied.

Then the doctor asked, “Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or mess with women?”

“No,” said Hyman, “I’ve done none of those things.”

The doctor looked at Hyman and asked, “Then why do you want to live to be 80?”

Joke provided by David Minkoff www.awordinyoureye.com

YIDDISH WORD OF THE MONTH Shpilkes

‫שּפילקעס‬ Nervous energy; to be feeling "antsy", to be "sitting on pins and needles". Cf. Polish szpilka, "pin"

Summer Blockbusters By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com Difficulty Level: Easy 1

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51. El Al alternative ACROSS 55. Trump spends a lot of time 1. Speaks scratchily on it 6. The IDF, for one 58. "Sketchy" NBC show?

10. Amts. in recipes 59. ___-ray disc 14. "Shake off your dust, ___!"

60. Hindi word for "queen" (Isaiah, 52:2) 61. 1998 summer blockbuster 15. "'Arrivederci'" about the end of days?

16. Jewish dance 64. Israel's Tel 17. 1997 summer blockbuster 65. Read Torah about the garb of many kollel 66. Believe in students?

67. Rose or Sampras 19. Starting point?

68. Problem with a fishing line 20. Lee who directed "Hulk" 69. 1992 Australian, French, and 21. Money mentioned in "Les Miz" U.S. Open winner Monica 22. Give a new form, as Play-Doh 24. Hightail 26. Kind of dot DOWN 27. Out of sight 1. Big name in Jewish camp 29. Akin, on Mom's side 2. Basketball game setting 33. Get lighter, as jeans 3. Belts out 36. "You've Got Mail!" co.

4. Trident-shaped Greek letter 37. Makes a smooth transition 5. Mr. Miyagi, to Daniel 38. Military branch up high, briefly 6. Bill of Rights advocates, for 39. 1990 summer blockbuster short about Samuel's return from the 7. Bayou dead?

8. Current President of France 41. Chances 9. Cletus the Slack-Jawed ___ 42. River that Vienna and Buda("The Simpsons" character) pest are on 10. 2009 summer blockbuster 44. Race car driver Fabi about the day after Purim?

45. AMEX alternative 11. Coke, e.g.

46. "Creed II" sympathetic villain 12. School like Eton or Harrow 47. Chewbacca, e.g.

13. Not meshuggah 49. Omar of concern, to some

18. Moses freed the Israelites from it 23. Arcade game, ___-ball 25. 1993 summer blockbuster about Elijah's time on the run from Jezebel and Ahab?

26. Fitness company that soared in popularity this spring 28. Cry from Homer 30. Car from Germany 31. Cruz and Koppel 32. She, to Luigi 33. Last name in wabbit hunting 34. Israeli teen?

35. Comedian Carvey 37. Tending, as a fire 40. One of its letters stands for "optimization" 43. Ultrafast Usain 47. Elizabeth who ran for President 48. Florida Keys, e.g.

50. Gets better, as a wound 52. Paula who had a Bat Mitzvah 53. Words of defeat 54. They're the littlest in their litters 55. "It's a ___!" (noted "Star Wars" line) 56. Ballpark crowd antic 57. "What's ___ for me?"

58. Made like 52-Down, at times 62. "Mamma ___!"

63. Notable Dr. who does not have a PhD

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over rituals to their celebration, Bet Haverim created the gay pride seder about eight years ago. ì The bar mitzvah of Nicole Megan Solomon took place Saturday, June 10, at Congregation Etz Chaim. Nicole is the daughter of Fran and Stu Solomon. She is the granddaughter of Celia Goldstein of Scottsdale, Ariz., the late Leo Benjamin Malin, and the late Seymour and Evelyn Solomon.

Remember When

15 Years Ago //June 24, 2005 ì Atlantan Mark Scheinfeld co-founded with his family Soccer4Peace, which had its first fundraiser June 25. The organization was created to address the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, to raise awareness and to send soccer equipment to Darfur. Scheinfeld, the child of Holocaust survivors, started Soccer4Peace to honor his father. “My father once said to me, ‘They made it against the law to be me.’ I can’t imagine people doing this to someone else and then being able to live with themselves.” ì Avraham Schwartz, a Torah Day School of Atlanta rising fifthgrader, was named the top Georgia student in his grade level at the recent Reader’s Digest National Word Power Challenge state championship.

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50 years Ago // June 26, 1970 ì Mr. and Mrs. Gary M. Leff of Atlanta announced the birth of their son Ricky Phillip on June 4. The bris was performed by Cantor Pincus Aloof with Rabbi Mayer Wiener officiating. His grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Moses Leff of Atlanta and Mrs. Jack Entin of Mobile. ì Hemshech organization of survivors from nazism members celebrated their 25th year of liberation with a dinner dance at Congregation Beth Jacob. Marking the anniversary of their liberation, members of Hemshech reaffirmed their support of Jewish causes. Their main speaker of the evening was Larry Frank, vice chairman of the Federation Pace Setter’s division. ì

Congregation Bet Haverim’s annual Pride Seder commemorates the anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, and recognizes progress toward civil rights for the LGBTQ community.

25 Years Ago //June 30, 1995 ì Congregation Bet Haverim celebrated gay liberation at a pride seder commemorating the Stonewall uprising in conjunction with Atlanta’s Gay Pride weekend. Adapting Pass-

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES JUNE 30, 2020 | 55

CLOSING THOUGHTS What Did You Do Sheltering at Home?

I’ve been home with my wife since the shutdown began and we have been staying busy. Here’s what we have been doing: My wife is an excelAllen H. Lipis lent cook, so we The Bottom Line are eating well.

She is a serious knitter, now working on an afghan for one of our grandchildren, and she just finished a sweater for our granddaughter.

My wife ordered some vegetable plants from Pike Nurseries. We planted tomatoes, grape tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, peppers, and some herbs. It is becoming a nice garden.

We both have been working on jigsaw puzzles. We bought a box of 12 different puzzles, and we finished 11 of them. The last one is a duplicate of one of the ones we finished, which made me sad. We wanted to finish the entire box, so my daughter brought over a few new ones, and we are at it again.

We are in touch with family via Zoom, since they live in Austin, Texas, and Berlin, Germany. I called a friend this morning and asked what she was doing. She said she was trying to save their business, cooking in the kitchen for her kids who are always hungry, and her husband is putting up family pictures late at night when the children are in bed. Their grandfather bought a trampoline and a basketball hoop so her children could play outdoors.

My daughter says she is taking a parshah [Torah portion] class on Zoom, arranged to take an exercise class through her club, and is enjoying the cooking she does. I spoke with a friend, who lives alone, and she was upset because her internet was not working, and she was waiting on AT&T to come today to fix it. She had no internet, no TV and no music. She can’t wait to fix her loneliness.

My sister, who lives in Manhattan, says she takes a walk around the park just outside her apartment and buys food at takeout restaurants nearby. My brother-in-law can sit in the park for an hour or more and enjoys hearing the birds chirp and watching the squirrels.

A friend in Israel wrote us requesting a list of good books to read. We are going to send her quite a few that we recommend.

The ones we read recently that are all excellent are: “Night” by Elie Wiesel; “Personal History” by Katharine Graham; 56 | JUNE 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

“48 Ways to Wisdom” by Rabbi Noach Weinberg “My Own Words” by Ruth Bader Ginsburg “My Cousin Rachel” by Daphne Du Maurier “Kosher Movies” by Rabbi Herbert Cohen.

One of my friends suggested that I join him to play Texas Hold ’Em. To do that, you go online, open a free account at www. pokerstars.net, click on the home tab and join the group. I did that.

I spoke with a neighbor who had the COVID-19 virus and she said it was awful for a couple of days. The pain in her chest was like a locomotive sitting on it. She is well now.

Since we live on a dead-end street, we see lots of people taking walks when it’s not raining. We actually have met more neighbors now than before the virus.

My older grandchildren all are busy with online courses. One wrote a college term paper; another is taking classes on Zoom from his college professors; and a third in high school studied on his own.

I have a daughter busy putting the finishing touches on her new home so she can move in. The workmen are not available, so she is cleaning the sawdust and other dirt out of the rooms and making the last few repairs. She is doing the work by herself and enjoying the effort, so the house will look exactly the way she wants it to look.

I speak often with my younger grandchildren ages 8, 11 and 13. The youngest is learning to solve a 3-by-3 Rubik’s Cube; the older can do a 5-by-5 Rubik’s Cube; and the middle child can solve a pyramid Rubik’s Cube. I found a bunch of riddles for them.

Here are six of them from Reader’s Digest: 1. What is easy to get into but hard to get out of?

2. What can you hear, but not see or touch, even though you control it?

3. What has lots of eyes but cannot see?

4. What has hands but can’t clap?

5. What can you break, even if you never pick it up or touch it?

6. Which month of the year has 28 days?

The bottom line: Sheltering at home can be fun, useful and good for learning.

You just have to work at it.

Riddle answers: 1. Trouble. 2. Your voice.

3. A potato. 4. A clock. 5. A promise. 6. All 12 of them, www.rd.com/culture/best-riddles-forkids ì

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