ZIONIST TALK
Rabbi Peter Berg sees victories for Progessive Judaism at the World Zionist Congress. Page 14
MATH GUY
GIVING BACK
A 10-minute calculus video almost earned a junior at Atlanta Jewish Academy a $250,000 scholarship. Page 21
To learn more and request an at-home screening kit, visit JScreen.org
Al Shams delves into the business and life lessons of Home Depot co-founder Bernie Marcus. Page 22
Atlanta WWW.ATLANTAJEWISHTIMES.COM
VOL. XC NO. 41
OCTOBER 30, 2015 | 17 CHESHVAN 5776
Hawks Set To Rekindle Menorah
T
A Soulful Shabbat
Photo by Russell Gottschalk, Atlanta Jewish Music Festival
New York Hasidic soul band Zusha — percussionist Elisha Mendl Mlotek, singer Shlomo Ari Gaisin and guitar player Zachariah “Juke” Goldshmiedt — helps close Atlanta’s communitywide participation in the global Shabbat Project with a Havdalah concert at Atlanta Jewish Academy on Saturday night, Oct. 24. The annual Shabbat Project kicked off with 600 people making challah together at the Marcus Jewish Community Center and included a block-party Saturday Kiddush outside Congregation Beth Jacob.
More, Pages 16-17
REFORM CROWD
Dozens of local Reform Jews are among 5,000 heading to Orlando for the URJ Biennial, North America’s largest religious gathering of Jews. Page 15
TOCO VOTE
After all the debates, the dueling legislative proposals and the shifting borders, Nov. 3 will finally bring the referendum on LaVista Hills cityhood. Page 19
Calendar
INSIDE 2
Education 20
Candle Lighting
3
Business
22
Israel
4
Arts
24
Remember When 5
Cartoon 27
Opinion
Obituaries
Rachel Stein
9 12
28
Crossword 30
he Atlanta Hawks have only one home game during Chanukah, so it’s good the NBA team’s third annual Jewish Heritage Night requires only one of the holiday’s eight nights. The Chabad of Georgia-organized community event will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, the seventh night of Chanukah, when the Hawks host the San Antonio Spurs at Philips Arena. The 8 p.m. tipoff is less than two hours after Shabbat, and the menorah lighting at half court will take place before the game instead of at halftime. “It isn’t the best night for us. There’s not much we can do pregame,” said Rabbi Isser New, who worked with Rabbi Levi Mentz on the arrangements. Still, “we’re looking forward to great fun.” The night won’t repeat last year’s day school basketball doubleheader or the Chanukah family fun zone before the game, but Rabbi New said the kosher concession stand should be back. Early ticket buyers will have the chance to join the funnel of fans the players run through to the court, stand with the players during the national anthem, rebound for the pre-game warmups and sit on the bench before the tipoff. “These are some really fun experiences,” said Emily Hanover, who worked with Eric Platte on the Hawks’ side. Get tickets, priced at $39, $61 and $115, at www.atlantajewishheritage.com. The menorah lighting is scheduled for 7:27 p.m. “The menorah is the symbol in Jewish tradition of the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. That’s why we light it at night,” Rabbi New said. ■