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CONEXX GALA PREVIEW, PAGES 16-20 FIRST AT LAST WHO’S DRIVING? HIGHFLIER
The 17th Conexx Gala is the first chaired by someone born in Israel. Page 16
Honorees at Clemson and Mobileye design our automotive future. Pages 18-19
Gulfstream leads the world of business jets with the help of Israeli technology. Page 20
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VOL. XCIII NO. 10
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Celebrating Simchas, Pages 21-38
Read about special simchas in recent months (a cruise ship b’nai mitzvah, Page 22; a marriage mixing the military and cosplay with JSwipe, Page 26), the business behind celebrations (a mitzvah expo-wedding extravaganza merger, Page 21; the 30th anniversary of Veronica’s Attic, Page 28), fundraising educational honors (Hillels of Georgia, Page 30; Atlanta Scholars Kollel, Page 34) and much more (a last-minute simcha checklist, Page 24; Such a Catch, Page 29; the rebbetzins of AA, Page 36; announcements, Page 38).
Photo by Harold Alan Photographers
The Ultimate Chanukah Present Young helpers make sure Mina New gets to her wedding ceremony Dec. 19 without getting her dress dirty. Some 700 guests helped celebrate the marriage of the youngest daughter of Rabbi Yossi and Dassie New, a strictly Orthodox, purely joyful event arranged in only six weeks. Story and more photos, Page 32
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MARCH 9, 2018 | 22 ADAR 5778
Hate-Crimes Bill Misses Ga. Cutoff
Legislation to recognize, track and punish hate crimes in Georgia failed to pass the House by the Crossover Day deadline Wednesday, Feb. 28, but advocates aren’t giving up this session. House Bill 660, endorsed by the AntiDefamation League and the Coalition for a Hate-Free Georgia, never got out of committee. It had a hearing Feb. 13 before a subcommittee chairman who took the view that the measure was unnecessary because all crimes are hate crimes. “I had more hopes before the hearing,” said Shelley Rose, the ADL Southeast deputy regional director. Georgia is one of five states without any hate-crimes law. H.B. 660, based on a federal law, would have increased the penalties for crimes motivated by bias based on the victim’s actual or perceived “race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, mental disability or physical disability.” “It’s a different level of crime,” Rose said, because an entire group feels targeted, not just the victim. The failed legislation also would have mandated reporting on hate crimes and training for law enforcement on how to handle such crimes. Law enforcement leaders backed the bill. It was a priority of Capitol lobbying Feb. 22 led by Tzedek Georgia and joined by the ADL and others. Rose and Tzedek Georgia’s Jeff Willard were encouraged by lawmakers’ response to the lobbying. While H.B. 660 is dead, the push for a hate-crimes law is not. Advocates hope to amend another bill to include at least the law enforcement aspects. “We haven’t given up,” Rose said. “I’m cautiously optimistic.” ■ • Lawyers see need for ADL, Page 14