Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. XCV NO. 20, September 30, 2020

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VOL. XCV NO. 20

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 12 TISHREI 5781

Yom Kippur G'mar Chatima Tova

Ruth Bader Ginsburg 1933–2020

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THIS WEEK May You Be Inscribed The Day of Atonement has arrived, and the AJT makes sure you are prepared with articles to fill your mind, and even your stomach, before the fast begins and after we break it.

We started by asking three rabbis representing the three major denominations to advise what we should focus on during Yom Kippur, considering so many will be distanced from the traditional experience this pandemic year. Three community leaders, including two rabbis, are also consulted about how the holiest day of the Jewish year is different from all others.

To help you learn more about the holiday, we offer alternative ways to observe and delve into the meaning behind the Yizkor mourning period and the final curtain call, Neilah.

Sukkot is around the corner, so we explore that outdoor celebration with ideas for art to decorate your festive hut. Columnist Chana Shapiro shares her delight at being invited to a high-class Sukkot celebration in Brooklyn.

Setting a new standard are those who give of themselves to the community, including the volunteers we spotlight this issue. You will also read about a few celebrities who stand out in the crowd, including the families of our presidential candidates

campaigning in Georgia recently: Jill Biden, Eric Trump and Donald Trump, Jr. Then there’s our update on the latest appeal by Hemy Neuman, convicted of murdering his mistress’ husband in 2010.

An Atlantan activist recounts how she was invited to the historic signing of a peace agreement between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

We discuss how a local attorney had the foresight to craft a pandemic plan for the courts 14 years ago, and we pay tribute to U.S. Supreme Court Justice and equal rights champion Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who died erev Rosh Hashanah.

Plus we delve into Rabbi Mark Zimmerman’s long family rabbinic lineage.

There’s the piece about how Atlantans have been exploring new passions during the lockdown, and our Roving Reporter interviews those who thrive on risks and deathdefying challenges.

Because Yom Kippur is only one day, we also bring you cooking and dining options. Plenty to satisfy your every taste; and while you’re concentrating on starting the year on the right foot, get ready for the upcoming election in our special voter’s guide up next with another education issue. Because we, as Jews, are always trying to better ourselves. ì

Cover photo: The AJT honors U.S. Supreme Court Justice and equal rights champion Ruth Bader Ginsburg who died on Sept. 18.

CONTENTS NEWS ������������������������������������������������� 6 POLITICS ���������������������������������������� 12 ISRAEL NEWS ������������������������������� 14 OPINION ����������������������������������������� 16 YOM KIPPUR ��������������������������������� 20 VOLUNTEERS �������������������������������� 28 ART ��������������������������������������������������� 32 TRAVEL ������������������������������������������� 34 DINING �������������������������������������������� 36 CHAI STYLE ����������������������������������� 39 CALENDAR ������������������������������������� 42 COMMUNITY ��������������������������������� 46 OY VEY �������������������������������������������� 52 BRAIN FOOD ���������������������������������� 53 OBITUARIES ���������������������������������� 54 NEW MOON MEDITATIONS ����� 58 CLOSING THOUGHTS ����������������� 60

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 5

NEWS Atlanta Jewish Lawyers Remember Ginsburg

Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a model for Elizabeth Appley’s legal career after she studied under Ginsburg at Columbia Law School.

By Jan Jaben-Eilon A number of Atlanta’s Jewish lawyers reacted dramatically when they learned that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died on erev Rosh Hashanah last week.

6 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

People place candles and flowers at a makeshift memorial honoring the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the Georgia Supreme Court building. // Nathan Posner

“Everyone will remember where they were when they heard the news,” said Michael Rosenzweig. He was eating dinner when his wife, Dr. Shelli Bank, received a text and announced, “This is horrible news.”

Rosenzweig first knew of Ginsburg

when he was a student at Columbia Law School where she taught. He later met her when he was the founding CEO of the National Museum of American Jewish History.

Although Rosenzweig never had Ginsburg for a teacher, the years 1973 to 1976 when he was a student at Colum-

Michael Rosenzweig said passing of Ginsburg is “a personal loss and a huge, huge loss for the country.”

bia, overlapped with the years Ginsburg argued six major gender discrimination cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, winning five of them. It was in 1973 that she founded the Women’s Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union.

Ginsburg “was the one who crafted

NEWS

A mourner holds a cutout angel with the late Justice Ginsburg pictured inside, with a sign honoring the late justice visible in the background at a candlelight vigil in the late justice’s honor. // Nathan Posner

the strategy in those cases,” said Rosenzweig, who noted that even then she was known as a “rock star,” changing important laws. “Everyone at Columbia knew what she was doing. You felt like you were witnessing historical developments.”

That was probably most true for her students at the time, one of whom was Atlanta attorney Elizabeth Appley. “It was just a few years after she got tenure and a short time before she went to the bench in Washing-

ton, D.C.,” said Appley, a sole practitioner who was a law student between 1975 and 1978. “She was a great teacher and a brilliant person. She spoke slowly, softly and kindly. Nothing about her was rough. The students hung on every word.”

She didn’t use the Socratic method of teaching, unlike how movies often portray law professors, Appley said.

One of the classes Appley took of Ginsburg’s was a seminar on gender dis-

A woman holds a candle in memory of the late Justice Ginsburg at a candlelight vigil in her memory. // Nathan Posner

crimination and “she’d written the book on gender discrimination,” Appley said.

After Ginsburg led the legal battles that established the foundation for the current legal prohibitions against sex discrimination and helped lay the groundwork for women’s rights advocacy, she was appointed in 1981 by President Jimmy Carter to the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. She was nominated for the U.S. Supreme Court in 1993 by President Bill Clinton, becoming only the second woman to be appointed a justice of the Supreme Court. The Senate confirmed her nomination to the Supreme Court 96 to 3.

According to Appley, it was the method that Ginsburg used to incrementally change the laws that allowed sexual discrimination that became “a model for me and my career and how I’ve advocated” for clients. “I came to Atlanta to practice law to pursue changes in the law to make the world a better place,” Appley told the AJT. Rosenzweig never intended to become a litigator – rather, choosing transactional, corporate law – so he wasn’t as impacted by Ginsburg as was Appley. However, while he was the CEO of the National Museum of American Jewish History on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, he recounted meeting Ginsburg.

When the museum opened, it

showcased 18 Jewish Americans who had made remarkable achievements. One of those was Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis, who served on the court from 1916 to 1939. “We did a short film on each of the 18, and we wanted to interview people in the same discipline. Ginsburg knew Brandeis, so I went to her chamber for the filmmaking and we talked a little.”

Rosenzeig recalls Ginsburg pointing out that Brandeis was known for his dissenting opinions, opinions that could ultimately become law when his side was on the majority in the court. “That made her hopeful,” he said, also remembering how during the interview for the film she was clutching a copy of the constitution.

Like many in the Atlanta Jewish community, Rosenzweig said he is “absolutely bereft at her passing. It’s a personal loss and a huge, huge loss for the country.

I am profoundly concerned about the political ramifications.”

Similarly, Appley said that the “best outcome that we can hope for is that the person elected president on Nov. 3 would be allowed to choose her successor.” Appley pointed to several important cases coming up before the Supreme Court, including hearing arguments on a case centered on the Affordable Care Act on Nov. 10.

Appley suggested that perhaps Ginsburg’s death could finally help motivate the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment. “It’s long past due for the constitution to recognize that women and men are equal before the law.”

Ultimately, Appley emphasized, Ginsburg was a “trailblazer, but she was also a moderate. She was an incrementalist in a lot of ways. She clearly made a substantive difference as a lawyer and a judge in advocating for women, men, the LGBQT community” and all minorities. “She wanted to protect the rights of individuals that are contained in the Bill of Rights.” ì To mark the passing of a national icon, a candlelight vigil was held Sept 20 at the Supreme Court of Georgia building in downtown Atlanta. NCJW is planning a march Oct. 2, the end of the shiva period for the Jewish leader.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 7

NEWS

Atlanta Lawyer Created Early Pandemic Plan

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Criminal defense attorney Seth Kirschenbaum was recognized for his prescient thoughts and execution in creating a roadmap for Georgia’s court systems to be able to function in the event of a pandemic. Fourteen years ago, Kirschenbaum envisioned how a pandemic might impact the court system and set about consulting experts, creating a seminar and helping create a 177page playbook- manual to help judges deal with a public health emergency like a pandemic, according to a front page article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution earlier this month.

“I knew this topic was provocative and scary,” he told the Atlanta Jewish Times. “After a friend put on a luncheon in Asheville at which a possible pandemic was discussed, I looked into avian flu pandemics and put together the seminar. Trying to imagine what a pandemic would look like in the abstract was lot different than the experience we are all

Notably, in 2001 to 2002, he was the going through. Zoom wasn’t on the radar. Still, we addressed the basic ques- first Jewish president of the 6,000-attorney Atlanta Bar Astion: How do we keep sociation in its then the courts and society 120-year history. He functioning and not currently serves on sacrifice health?” the State Bar of GeorKirschenbaum gia Board of Goverhails from Glen Falls, nors.

N.Y., in the AdironFor his pandemic dacks. After graduseminar, Kirschenating Emory Law baum brought toSchool, he chose to gether representatives remain in Atlanta. He from the Centers for recalled, “I was optiDisease Control and mistic about the New Prevention, and the South as a place for a Federal Emergency young person to seek Seth Kirschenbaum is credited with Management Agency. out a great future.” urging officials to create a pandemic Other participants inAfter stints at a large plan for Georgia courts 14 years ago. cluded an emergency law firm, Kilpatrick, Cody, Rogers, McClatchey & Regenstein, room doctor; a legal expert in disaster and the U.S. Department of Justice, he planning, Joe Whitley, former general embarked in 1985 on his current crimi- counsel for the George W. Bush adminnal defense practice with Davis, Zipper- istration’s Department of Homeland Seman, Kirschenbaum & Lotito, LLP, on curity; and Leah Ward Sears, then chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court.

Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Not incidentally, Sears chose then Associate Justice Harold Melton to head the Supreme Court’s initiative on the manual for the judiciary. Melton is currently the chief justice and, Kirschenbaum notes, doing a great job leading the Georgia judicial system.

After the seminar, a group in attendance formed the Disaster Response Committee of the Atlanta Bar Association. The committee met regularly for several years, delving into disaster response strategies. “We knew that a pandemic could cause serious issues with potentially catastrophic disrup-

tions. We created two subcommittees.

One worked with the courts. The other crafted a PowerPoint presentation for community groups.” On a lighter note, Kirschenbaum noted that, “I presented the PowerPoint to 80 retired Jews at the MJCC who looked at me like I had two heads.” The 177-page Georgia Pandemic Bench Guide was sent to all judges and addressed many of the issues our courts face today.

About current events, he said, “We are all suffering from pandemic fatigue and pressure to return to normalcy. But there is no magic that will make this thing go away until we each get a shot in our arms. The world is praying for a safe, effective vaccine.”

He ponders the current backlog in our court system. “Consider all the factors: How will lawyers and their clients be positioned? How will a jury be seated? How will the rights of the accused be protected?”

Speaking of present and future, he concluded, “After the six-month delay, next month grand juries will begin anew.

There will be a tidal wave of 10,000-plus indictments. Then, the November plan is to roll out jury trials. Think about that.

How do we even deal with protecting jurors?”

Kirschenbaum, focusing on white collar criminal defense, has been selected as a Super Lawyer every year since 2004, and in 2013 was named by Super Lawyers as one of Georgia’s top 10 attorneys. And speaking of creative uses of Zoom, Kirschenbaum’s wife Karla teaches private Suzuki violin lessons online. ì

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NEWS

Attorney on the Cutting Edge with Hot Topics

By Marcia Caller Jaffe No stranger to controversy, David Schoen weighs in on police misconduct, representing Roger Stone and having some fun acting in a Jeffrey Epstein docudrama. He often appears on Fox News to discuss high-profile criminal defense work.

Schoen has worked with accused rapists, capital murderers and international narcotics dealers. “I represented all sorts of reputed mobster figures: alleged head of Russian mafia in this country, Israeli mafia and two Italian bosses, as well a guy the government claimed was the biggest mafioso in the world.”

On a current hot topic, Schoen said, “I think the so-called ‘defund the police movement’ is misguided, and the violence attending the protests is way out of control and inexcusable.”

Here he takes on current topics: Jaffe: After an investigation by former special counsel Robert Mueller, political consultant and lobbyist Roger Stone’s 40-month sentence for witness tampering and obstruction was commuted by President Donald Trump in July.

What was your relationship?

Schoen: He approached me shortly before trial to take over as lead trial counsel. I asked his lawyers to move for a 30-day continuance to be fully prepared.

They refused. As with many lawyers in similar situations, they were put off by Roger’s decision and didn’t think they needed help.

I found that Stone was very bright, full of personality and flair. I was retained prior to his sentencing in February so that I could give some input into the sentencing approach, but I was

Beth Jacob member David Schoen speaks out on police misconduct, the mafia, representing Roger Stone, and his own role on the Discovery Channel Epstein expose.

Roger Stone was a political consultant and lobbyist convicted in November on seven counts. President Donald J. Trump commuted this 40-month sentence for witness tampering and obstruction on July 10.

Jeffrey Epstein is believed the longeststanding child trafficking case in history.

formally retained just to handle the appeal. I thought he had some great appellate issues. While I fully understand that his public persona does not engender a great deal of empathy, objectively the case against him was very unfair and politicized. The Mueller team’s agenda was to bring a process crime charge against him to force him to tell them what they wanted to hear about Trump, even if untrue. Then the outrageous juror misconduct and the judge’s reaction to it finally made clear that [Stone] could never get fair consideration; thus he dropped challenges to his conviction. He couldn’t put himself through that again.

townhouse, and filmed there. No lines to learn. They just asked me questions.

It aired as a three-hour special on Investigation Discovery channel. I did some interviews to promote it on Fox, Good Day New York, and (UK) Daily Mail. There is an upcoming HBO special I’ve been asked to appear in, but I’ve had enough. Takes too much time away from legal work. Three different agents have called.

ing ones in which the misconduct is crystal clear. The vast majority of law enforcement officers are trying to do their jobs in the best possible way and believe in protecting and serving. My father was an FBI agent, and our law enforcement officers and fire fighters are true heroes.

I understand the frustration of seeing bad cops get away with horrible brutality; that happens far more than is reported. The answer is not violence or stripping of resources. It is very difficult for a police officer to report misconduct by a colleague. The men and women on the job know who the bad apples are and need to do a better job of calling out misconduct.

Jaffe: You trained as an actor. How did you execute your role on the Discovery Channel show on Jeffrey Epstein, believed the longest-standing child trafficking case in history.

Schoen: I studied at The Actors Studio and Herbert Berghof Studio.

The producer approached me while in D.C. on the Stone case. They sent a production team from New York, rented a

Jaffe: A big area of your practice is police misconduct.

Schoen: I represented a guy who had his head held under the tire of a car with the engine on and another beaten nearly to death to get confessions; had a client killed in cold blood by cops lying in wait (only got the truth by making a deal with one of the shooters). I’ve represented a guy who hired two New York cops to kill for the mob, and family members of victims killed by a corrupt FBI agent working with an underboss.

Seen lots of police misconduct. I turn down most of these cases only tak-

Jaffe: Last word on Jeffrey Epstein.

Schoen: I still think he was murdered.

An active member of Congregation Beth Jacob, Schoen has offices based primarily in Alabama and New York and is not a member of the State Bar of Georgia. ì

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NEWS

Atlantan Witnesses Historic Israel-UAE Pact Signing

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

war. It occurred to me this historic step could lead to the first generation of IsA sea of kippot was the bird’s eye raeli children to not know war, that no view community leader Renee Evans Israeli parent would have to suffer the feeling of loss, as did had Sept. 15 as she Netanyahu and his witnessed President parents.”

Donald Trump sign On that historic the diplomatic pact day, Evans awoke with Israel and two early and headed to Arab nations. The the White House to bilateral agreements her assigned gate. formalized the Jew“Security was very ish state’s relations tight, checking in. with the United The Secret Service Arab Emirates and and police were at Bahrain. the entrance, and “Tuesday was I had to show my one of the most passport. Security amazing days of from Israel, UAE, my life, one I never and Bahrain were thought I’d see. As also there. Guards I sat on the White were on the rooftops House lawn, I Evans poses with Brig. Gen. Yehudah Fox, defense attaché, in Washington and other spots incouldn’t help but after the White House ceremony. side and out of the tear up multiple times. The prime minister’s speech was White House. Security personnel were moving as he described what peace armed, and there was personal security means to him and the horrible results of from each nation and private security

10 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

As Evans looked on, she felt the historic enormity of the day and was filed with emotion as onlookers from many nations elbow-bumped in shared victory.

for some of the guests. There was a small representative stood, waving amid the reception before (that’s all I am allowed applause. People from all the nations to say). I didn’t see protesters until I left, cried, cheered, bumped elbows and celand there were not many people partici- ebrated. You could feel the enormity of this historical moment in the air. It was pating.”

Some newscasters criticized the about the power and foresight of the gathering as “non-COVID compliant.” American presidency and the AmericanEvans said, “I felt there was no problem international dream of peace and proswith social distancing, inside or outside perity for all. It was about American teof the White House. They handed out nacity to "get it done" when everything masks, and there was plenty of room. seemed impossible in breaking through barriers. It was about They were serious trust and cooperaabout keeping everytion for the benefit of one, including staff, each country. It was safe. Most people had about compromise, their own masks, inlogic and overcomcluding me.” ing diversity and As the ceremony conflict. It was about began Evans recalled blind faith. Yesterthat the UAE spoke day was nothing less about the new possithan momentous in bilities and advanceAmerican and world ment for its people. history!”

Bahrain extolled Evans conbenefits for the Arab cluded, “As I left people, and hopes the White House, I and well wishes from stopped to take in their king. They all the enormity of this spoke about economRenee Evans was delighted to historical event. It’s ic promise, educareceive this personal invitation. been 24 years since tional advancements, something like this happened. I felt honcollaboration and cooperation.

“I felt excited and inspired by the ored to be there and grateful to Presiopportunities already in motion and the dent Trump for keeping his promise, great achievements ahead. Most of all, I supporting Israel and making this hapwas grateful to each nation for recogniz- pen. I was proud to be a Jewish Ameriing the achievements of President Trump can woman. I felt Israel was moving to and his team. As the speeches ended, and a safer place, and I thanked Hashem for the three men descended the stairs, I every moment!” saw Trump make a gesture, and they all Evans serves on the boards of Jewish stopped partially on the way down. Then, as a sign of unity, they all got on the same Federations of North America, Friends of the Israel Defense Force, Jewish National Fund, step and continued down as one.

“After the signing, the look of all Hadassah, The Hadassah Foundation, the leaders and representatives was Nefesh B’Nefesh and as part of the Presinothing less than pure triumph. Each dent’s Faith Leaders. ì

NEWS

Hemy Neuman's Latest Appeal is Heard in Court

Hemy Neuman is again appealing his murder conviction of Rusty Sneiderman, who was shot in Dunwoody in 2010.

By Jan Jaben-Eilon Hemy Neuman appears to believe in the old adage: If first you don’t succeed, try, try again. On Sept. 16, a public defender representing Neuman, convicted of shooting and killing his lover’s husband, claimed that his client deserves a new trial. This hearing had been scheduled for April but had been delayed because of COVID-19.

Neuman was convicted after his first trial in 2012, found guilty but mentally ill. Three years later, Georgia’s Supreme Court – where the latest hearing occurred – reversed that conviction because they said evidence that violated his attorney-client privilege should not have been admitted into evidence.

In 2016, Neuman was retried and again found guilty and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

“Appealing a life sentence is normal as he has nothing better to do and it costs him nothing,” said attorney Esther Panitch, who represented Neuman’s ex-wife. “I am hopeful nothing will come of this appeal and the Supreme Court judges didn’t seem persuaded by his lawyer’s argument,” she told the AJT after virtually observing the hearing. “But he won a new trial last time, so I don’t make predictions.”

Panitch added that “this is likely the end of his appellate remedies if he loses.”

While appealing a life sentence may be normal, this case has had an atypical impact on the Atlanta Jewish community for the last decade, partly but not entirely, because most of the main actors are Jewish.

There’s no argument that Neuman killed businessman Rusty Sneiderman in 2010 after the latter dropped off his young child at a daycare center in Dunwoody. There’s also no disagreement that Neuman worked together with Sneiderman’s wife at GE Energy. The relationship between Neuman and Andrea Sneiderman, however, has been bitterly argued both in the courtroom and among the Atlanta Jewish community for years.

Once accused of helping Neuman kill her husband, Andrea Sneiderman eventually served 10 months of a five-year sentence after being found guilty of perjury and obstructing the apprehension of a killer. Murder charges against her were dropped. That hasn’t stopped the ongoing controversy and speculative conversation about the sensational case.

As the AJT reported in July 2019: “Long-term friend- ment in the Atlanta Jewish community for years after the ships were broken as members of the Jewish community murder. “First of all, it was a Jewish man murdering anwere called to testify both for the prosecution and the de- other Jewish man in front of his kid’s daycare. Then sides fense in the 2012 trial. Threats and hate mail were sent to were quickly taken” once details of the affair became pubone of the attorneys involved. Now unhealed wounds are lic knowledge.

Another prominent Atlanta Jewish being ripped open once again with the leader at the time, who did not want to latest legal maneuvers.” be named, told the AJT last year that “it Panitch told the AJT a day after the was a very painful episode in the history latest hearing that she’s not surprised of the Jewish community in Atlanta that that this case is still getting attention. “I broke long-term friendships. It divided still get asked questions by people who the whole community.” knew I was involved, even after all these Panitch recounted last year how years. I think it’s likely because people beshe and her family were targeted by Anlieve, including myself, that Andrea got drea Sneiderman’s friends. “I was the away with murder and still lives amongst only voice out there calling attention to the community as if nothing has hapAndrea’s involvement. I was the target pened.” of hate,” she said. Community members All the actors in this drama had been “This is likely the end of sent a letter to The Epstein School, where well-established members of the Atlanta his appellate remedies if her children were enrolled, asking that Jewish community, including Israelihe loses,” attorney Esther the school remove her from the “educaborn Neuman and his now ex-wife Ariela Panitch said hopefully. tional community. I was brought into the – who reverted to her maiden name Barkoni. Ariela had been a teacher at The Epstein School. The principal’s office and told not to talk about the case. Once Andrea’s involvement came out, I received an apology” Sneidermans were members of Congregation Or Hadash.

Panitch, of Panitch Law Group, who generally han- from the school.

Neuman is now incarcerated at the Augusta State dles domestic violence and murder cases, not only represented Neuman’s ex-wife in her divorce from Neuman. She Medical Prison. Efforts to reach his attorney, Michael Taralso represented the family of the deceased in a wrongful leton, were unsuccessful. Tarleton is a criminal appeals atdeath case against Andrea Sneiderman, who has also since torney with the Georgia Public Defender Standards Counchanged her name. Panitch recalls the painful environ- cil Appellate Division. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 11

POLITICS Biden and Trump Family Members Visit Peach State

Jill Biden participates in a virtual town hall with the families of Georgia veterans, talking about military issues.

By Nathan Posner Over the past few years since Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams fought over the governorship, Georgia has

gone from looking solid red to a lot more purple. As the November election gets closer, the Biden and Trump presidential campaigns have been dedicating serious resources, and some of their biggest names, into securing

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the state's 16 electoral votes.

Last week, the family members of both candidates crisscrossed the state, both virtually and in person, in an attempt to swing voters to their candidates. The state's electoral votes aren’t the only prize for the campaigns in November; the peach state is the only place where two Senate seats are up for grabs. With two competitive Senate races, a number of competitive congressional races, and 16 electoral college seats at stake, it’s no wonder the state is beginning to see real pushes from some of the biggest names in politics. Polls currently show a dead heat between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, with FiveThirtyEight’s polling average showing Trump with a 1.4 percent lead in the state he won by over 5 points four years ago.

Last week’s visits began Sept. 14, when Jill Biden virtually traveled to Georgia for an event focused on military veterans. The mother of a veteran, she spoke about the need to protect our troops in a roundtable with families of military members, citing her husband’s plans for veterans and their families. She spoke about the responsibilities our country has towards military veterans and their families, but also about the importance of the upcoming election, saying, “The stakes in this election couldn’t be higher.”

The Trump campaign has taken a different approach to campaigning in the state, as both Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. host in-person campaign events.

Eric Trump hosted two events Sept. 15, beginning the day with an Evangelicals For Trump event that included such guests as the president’s spiritual advisor, Paula White, as well as Governor Kemp, who made an unexpected appearance. At the Praise, Prayer and Patriotism event, the governor highlighted a bill he signed in May that bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy, and stated that “since taking office, I have literally worked around the clock to protect the born and the unborn.”

POLITICS

Eric Trump speaks to supporters at a rally held at the Renaissance Concourse Atlanta Airport Hotel while on the campaign trail for his father, President Donald Trump.

tral to the messages of the Georgia visit by Trump’s sons.

Eric Trump also touched on everything from Bill Clinton and child trafficking to how “Joe Biden finally came out of his basement.” The visits from Trump’s sons and

Jill Biden showcase what the next few months hold for Georgia, virtual and in-person rallies across the state as the campaigns compete for the numerous prizes the states November elections hold. ì

Eric Trump takes a selfie at a rally in support of his father near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Eric Trump joked about maybe moving out of New York to Georgia, speaking about the state’s openness to business and denigrating New York’s Democratic leadership. The event featured a variety of Evangelical parts, including prayer, singing, and calls for God to protect the president and help to ensure his re-election against “Satan’s … fiery and fiercest darts [fired] at Donald J .

Trump.”

Later in the day, Eric Trump traveled to a hotel at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where he held a rally that had a more traditional campaign tone: attacking Joe Biden as a vehicle for the far left, attacking the media for their coverage of his father over the past few years, praising his father’s accomplishments, and talking about how Democrats are trying to steal this election. After the event, attended by about 150 people, the younger Trump waded into the crowd to sign hats and take selfies with supporters of his father.

With the last major visit from the campaigns last week, Donald Trump Jr. headlined a rally in Savannah.

There he attacked Joe Biden’s mental acuity, the media and the former vice president’s record in his decades in office. A large focus of his speech, as well as Eric Trump’s, was that Biden, who has been in Washington for over 50 years, has little to show for his time and that he is complaining about things he had time to work on. While the reality of Biden’s record isn’t as empty as the Trump campaign likes to put it, the talking point of Biden being a Washington stooge, who has never accomplished anything significant in his decades in politics, was cenATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 13

ISRAEL PRIDE

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME cars globally with its software starting next year.

Tactile Mobility develops software that uses an autonomous vehicle’s built-in non-visual sensors, analyzing input such as wheel speed, wheel angle, revolutions per minute and gear position, to help it “feel” the vehicle-road dynamic. It senses the intersection between the road and the vehicle and the conditions of the road beneath its tires — like human drivers do.

The collaboration with BMW will equip the German luxury car maker’s vehicles with the ability to analyze the road surface attributes under their tires, to better understand road conditions and better manage the dynamics of the vehicle, Tactile Mobility said. The deal marks one of the first commercial collaborations signed by the startup for the integration of the firm’s tactile sensing technology.

“We are thrilled to partner with the BMW Group to equip their smart and future automated vehicles with the sense of ‘touch’ and show the commercial viability of tactile sensing technology,” said Boaz Mizrachi, Tactile Mobility’s co-founder and chief tech-

nology officer.

The long-term cooperation between the BMW Group and Tactile Mobility began through the BMW Startup Garage, the venture unit of the BMW Group.

The Tactile Mobility team has been working for years to get to the point where the software can be commercially integrated into vehicles, said Rani Plaut, executive board member of Tactile Mobility. The results of this effort will now be implemented in BMW Group’s fleet of vehicles, he said.

In 2019, Tactile announced an investment from Porsche and Union Tech Ventures, the technology investment arm of the Union Group, to help it develop its tactile virtual sensing technology. In May, Tactile announced a collaboration with German sports car manufacturer Porsche to equip its cars with the company’s software and have the technology tested.

Tactile Mobility was co-founded in 2012

by Mizrachi, Yossi Shiri and Alex Ackerman.

The company is already working with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), road authorities, and municipalities and has offices in Europe, the U.S. and Asia.

Today in Israeli History

months through the desert to Sudan.

Sept. 30, 1986: Mordechai Vanunu, a nuclear technician, who in 1985 leaked details about Israel’s nuclear program in Dimona, is brought back to Israel to face trial on espionage charges, of which he is convicted in 1988.

Oct. 9, 1994: Hamas terrorists abduct soldier Nachshon Wachsman in central Israel by offering him a ride while wearing kippot, playing Hasidic music and carrying a prayer book. He is killed during a rescue attempt.

bers of an extreme Christian cult. The approach of the year 2000 raises fears in Israel about doomsday cults.

Israelis Learn How ‘Spike Proteins’ Spread Coronavirus A research team at Israel’s Weizmann Institute of Science is believed the first to map the proteins that enable the coronavirus to spread through the human body. It’s a key breakthrough needed in developing treatments for the killer disease.

Led by geneticist Dr. Noam Stern-Ginossar, the team used advanced biological tools to successfully identify 23 new types of proteins used by the virus as it spreads through the body, especially into the lungs.

RNA in the virus was already known to be the source for producing 29 different proteins, including the “spike protein” that helps the virus infect other cells. Proteins created by the coronavirus are formed in the lungs and finding out how those proteins are created would be crucial to developing drug treatments to help coronavirus sufferers, scientists say.

Now that they know there are many more proteins, the door has opened for further research to determine if treatments for

Oct. 1, 1947: Biochemist Aaron Ciechanover is born in Haifa. He becomes one of Israel’s first Nobel laureates in 2004 when he shares the chemistry prize with fellow Israeli Avram Hershko and American Irwin Rose.

Oct. 2, 1947: David Ben-Gurion, the chairman of the Executive of the Jewish Agency, formally accepts the two-state partition plan proposed by the U.N. Special Committee on Palestine. Arab leaders reject partition.

Oct. 3, 2018: German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives in Jerusalem for the first time in more than four years to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu amid growing U.S.-Europe tensions over Iran.

Oct. 4, 2003: A female suicide bomber kills 18 Jews and three Arabs and injures 60 others at Maxim restaurant in Haifa.

The beachfront restaurant, co-owned by Jews and Arabs, is known as a symbol of coexistence.

14 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

coronavirus could be developed by targeting these 23 new proteins with new medicines and vaccines.

It is still unknown what role the previously unknown proteins play in the spread of the virus in the body, but Stern-Ginossar is optimistic that they will open the door to new developments in defeating the pandemic.

A BMW logo over a Berlin showroom.

BMW to Equip Smart Cars with Israeli Tech

Tactile Mobility, a Haifa-based startup that gives smart cars the ability to “feel the road,” announced Sept. 15 it signed a deal to provide BMW Group’s next generation of

Dan Hadani Collection, National Library of Israel // Nachum Gutman won prizes

for art and for children’s literature.

Oct. 5, 1898: Painter Nachum Gutman is born in what is now Moldova. He paves the way for a generation of Israeli artists, writers, painters and sculptors with a style that moves away from European influences.

Oct. 6, 1973: More than 70,000 Egyptians infantrymen and 1,000 tanks cross the Suez Canal on bridges erected overnight while Syria attacks Israeli positions in the Golan Heights, starting the Yom Kippur War. Oct. 7, 2009: Crystallographer Ada Yonath, part of the chemistry faculty at the Weizmann Institute, becomes the first woman in the Middle East to win a science Nobel Prize when she shares the chemistry award.

Oct. 8, 1989: Singer Hagit Yaso, a winner of Israel’s version of “American Idol,” is born in Sderot to parents who escaped an Ethiopian village by walking four

Oct. 10, 1961: Moshe Hess, interred in Cologne in 1875, is reburied at Kibbutz Kinneret beside other fathers of socialist Zionism. His “Rome and Jerusalem: The Last National Question” may have inspired Theodor Herzl’s “The Jewish State.”

Photo by Ehud Banai via Wikimedia Commons // Filmmaker Amos Gitai

is known for his documentaries.

Oct. 11, 1950: Filmmaker Amos Gitai, known for documentaries and features on the Middle East, the Israeli-Arab conflict and Holocaust memory in Europe, is born in Haifa.

Oct. 12, 1999: Israel refuses to let 26 Irish and Romanian tourists enter through the port of Haifa for being mem-

Photo by Moshe Milner, Israeli Government Press Office // Deputy Prime Minister Yigal

Allon, seeing off Prime Minister Golda Meir for her visit to the United States in September 1969, proposed home rule for West Bank Arabs the next month.

Oct. 13, 1969: Deputy Prime Minister Yigal Allon, a retired general, reveals his plan for home rule for the 650,000 Arabs living in the West Bank, but his proposal gains no traction.

Oct. 14, 1989: Intellectual and onetime Knesset member Dov Sadan dies at the age of 87. He was a Hebrew University professor and led the Yiddish studies department from 1952 until 1970.

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

Israel Enters Three-Week Lockdown

ISRAEL NEWS

By Jan Jaben-Eilon On Dec. 31 of each year, Americans wish each other a Happy New Year.

Worldwide, Jews at Rosh Hashanah wish each other Shana Tova, or Good Year.

This year they may be wishing each other Shana Yotair Tova, or a Better Year.

As Israelis entered the Rosh Hashanah weekend, they certainly were happy to say goodbye to the last year. At least initially, however, they weren’t pleased with how the new year was starting. Israel became the first advanced country to enter a second national lockdown in an effort to control the COVID-19 virus that has resulted in the country having one of the highest infection rates in the world.

The three-week lockdown – although not as severe as the one earlier this year because of several exceptions in the restrictions – was met with nearly across-the-board complaints and threats of civil disobedience. Within the first 48 hours, police reported that nearly 3,000 fines were handed out to individuals and businesses.

According to The Times of Israel, most of the fines were given to people who went more than one kilometer or 0.62 miles from their homes without traveling for an essential reason. Hundreds of fines were presented for failure to wear masks, a few dozen to those who broke quarantine restrictions, and more than 30 were given to businesses who opened against the rules.

One Tel Aviv café “that opened in contravention of restrictions and was catering to some 50 customers was shut down by policemen, and its owner was given” a 5,000-shekel or $1,460 fine. Individual fines had been set at $145.

The lockdown was put into effect at 2 p.m. on Friday, hours before the onset of Rosh Hashanah, and is expected to last at least three weeks. More than 7,000 policemen and soldiers were placed on duty to enforce the travel restrictions that included not traveling outside one’s city.

The highly controversial lockdown was necessitated, the government said, by skyrocketing numbers of COVID-19 cases last week. Four thousand or more new cases were reported in every day last week, including one day of 6,000 new cases, according to the Israeli government. Prior to September, the number rarely reached 2,000 new cases a day. The Israel Ministry of Health said the lockdown rules could be eased if the

“Our situation is very grave,” reported Israel’s coronavirus czar Ronni Gamzu at the end of Rosh Hashanah.

daily rate dropped to 1,000 cases. Otherwise, the government said the lockdown could be extended beyond three weeks.

There is a long list of exceptions on the 1-kilometer rule, including purchasing food or other essential supplies, going to work, aiding the elderly, going for a doctor’s appointment, donating blood, attending a protest, funeral or circumcision, or participating in legal proceedings.

Crucially, during this high holiday season, Israelis are restricted to that distance to attend synagogue services.

However, the total number of worshippers permitted inside a synagogue is dependent on the size of the synagogue and the local rate of infection. No more than 20 worshippers may attend outdoor services.

Surprisingly, the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem on King George Street decided to close for the high holidays because of the coronavirus pandemic. This is the first time, according to The Jerusalem Post, the landmark synagogue will be closed for services since prayers began there in 1958.

Unlike in the spring lockdown, parks and playgrounds are open to those who live nearby, but the beaches – normally swamped on Yom Kippur – are closed. Hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, swimming pools, gyms and hairdressers are all off limits during this lockdown.

After many in the ultra-religious community complained about the restrictions on attendance at services while the government had not imposed regulations on protesters, some restrictions were finally announced.

Demonstrators against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the coronavirus and his remaining in office as he is facing several corruption indictments have protested weekly outside the official prime minister’s residence

Yonatan Sindel/Flash90 // Israeli police at the entrance to the Jerusalem neighborhood of Ramot enforce a nightly curfew aimed at containing the coronavirus, September 13, 2020.

as well as his personal home in Caesarea for months. Right before the lockdown started, police said protesters had to divide into groups of 20 while social distancing from each other.

Israeli newspapers reported that several thousand protesters attended the anti-Netanyahu demonstrations in Jerusalem on Sunday, although the numbers were smaller than in previous weeks.

Also Sunday, Israel’s coronavirus

czar Ronni Gamzu told an Israeli television station that, fearing mounting virus cases, he decided to order hospitals to add new virus wards. “Our situation is very grave,” he told Channel 12 news.

Gamzu said the country could face 600 deaths a month – nearly half of the national toll since the start of the pandemic – and the number of COVID-19 patients in serious condition could reach 800 by the end of the week. ì

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OPINION AJC Atlanta’s Experiences in the Gulf

The AJC delegation at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Dubai.

By Dov Wilker For more than 25 years, American Jewish Committee has been traveling to the Persian Gulf region under the leadership of Jason Isaacson, AJC’s chief policy and political affairs officer. Through these visits, AJC has established significant relationships with the local Jewish communities, along with government officials, who have supported the creation of the historic Abraham Accords, Israel’s peace treaties with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.

Here are three anecdotes from their visits: 2014: Melanie and Allan Nelkin - Bahrain When we landed in the Manama airport, the first person to welcome us was Houda Nonoo, the Bahraini ambassador to the U.S. between 2008 and 2013.

Meeting a Jewish diplomat in Bahrain was both shocking and exhilarating. She and her husband welcomed our AJC entourage into their home for dinner where we were met by other members of the diplomatic and tiny Jewish community.

Houda’s husband expressed his frustra-

tion about the illegality of travel between Bahrain and Israel, where he was disconnected with so many relatives.

The first diplomatic meeting of our trip was with Bahrain’s foreign minister – also our most memorable. One could feel a sense of tension among our group while awaiting his arrival. The foreign minister finally arrived exclaiming “Jason, it’s so wonderful to see you again!” as he delivered a welcoming hug to Jason Isaacson, …

The room’s tension immediately morphed into a feeling of warmth and familiarity.

Having been advised our meeting was “off the record,” it was a shock to find our group photo with the foreign minister on the front page of the local newspaper with the caption: “American Jewish Committee Delegation Visits Bahrain.”

Before we left the United States, we were forewarned not to use the word “Israel” in meetings, let alone in public. In Dubai, we were secreted away to a hotel room to light Shabbat candles and recite prayers with a few dozen Jewish expats living there.

2017: Sheri and Steve Labovitz – United Arab Emirates In the fall of 2017, we traveled to

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The AJC delegation at a meeting with a United Arab Emirates company.

Oman, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and Dubai as part of AJC’s annual diplomatic mission to the Gulf. We were so fortunate to see amazing sights and learn about the rich cultures of the region. We were also a little part of history. Whether meeting with high-ranking leaders of these countries, conversing with business executives about growing (but behind the scenes) trade with Israel, witnessing the exchange of technology in the model city of Masdar, or sharing Shabbat with the fledgling but growing Jewish “community” of the Emirates, it was quite apparent that while there might have been a public perception of very cool relations between these countries and Israel, there were warming winds in the air.

Also apparent was the important role that AJC, and specifically our mission leader, played in these blossoming relationships. They have worked tirelessly over the years to cultivate sophisticated, yet warm relationships, with political and business leaders in these countries.

Visiting a U.S. military base in Bahrain and the U.S. embassy in Dubai, we could see the important work of our diplomats and military leaders, an intricate dance between Israel and the United States, or United States and the UAE and Bahrain.

Without being overly optimistic or naïve about the monumental nature of the recent events, it is clear that patience and nuanced diplomacy works, and although history moves slowly, it was thrilling to witness a bit of it.

2018: Murray and Marcia (z”l) Goldman – Shabbat in Dubai When we arrived in Dubai, it was Shabbat and Sheik Abdullah bin Bayyah, one of UAE’s most preeminent imams, was having his annual interfaith conference in Abu Dhabi. From this conference, a contingent of 20 rabbis (from Israel, the EU and U.S.) joined us in Dubai to celebrate Shabbat along with the local

Melanie and Allan Nelkin at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Dubai.

Jewish community, including Rabbi David Rosen, AJC’s Jerusalem-based international director of interreligious affairs.

The Shabbat service (a rousing Ashkenazi/Sephardic Orthodox service) and delicious kosher dinner took place in “The Shul,” a condominium unit in a residential neighborhood. The only way that attendees knew it was the location of the services was a certain truck was parked outside the building. One of the expats at dinner was a teacher from North Carolina. Turns out, she knew some of my wife Marcia’s relatives and friends. Our Jewish prayers were blended with the Muslim call for prayer from the minarets.

It just happened that I had Kaddish for my father that night. In the Sephardic traditions, the individual saying Kaddish comes to the bimah and leads the prayers. Being a conservative Ashkenazic Jew, that was new to me, especially since the tunes were different! It was probably the most surreal Jewish experience I have ever had.

Even in 2018, one could see how the attitudes of the UAE leadership towards Israel and Judaism were changing towards cooperation instead of conflict.

Dov Wilker is the regional director of AJC Atlanta. ì

OPINION

Diving Deeper, Getting into the Weeds

Dave Schechter From Where I Sit

In a previous professional lifetime, at the end of every shift, I walked across a bridge from the news network’s downtown Atlanta headquarters to my car in the

parking lot.

Having spent the previous eight, 10, maybe 12 hours in the newsroom that we likened to a terrarium, I would eye the cars passing below and think: Those people don’t have a clue what’s going on in the world – an admittedly arrogant thought.

Then I would wonder: Are they happier for not having their heads crammed full of the minutiae from events across the country and around the world? Particularly when that day or night had been mentally exhausting, I assumed that the answer was yes.

In those years, I described my job as keeping 200 balls in the air at once, constantly reordering them in priority so that none hit the floor. I went through fistfuls of pencils; details changed too quickly to use ink on my legal pads.

Today I have my Twitter feed set up to provide a constant stream of news, Jews and soccer.

At its worst, Twitter can resemble the scrawling on a bathroom wall. On occasion, it prompts interesting discussion.

For example, TIME magazine national reporter Charlotte Alter recently posted that “the most pervasive bias in political coverage is not left vs. right it’s ‘follows politics’ vs. ‘doesn’t follow politics.’”

Among the responses: “Most people follow politics in the way that I follow Olympic Track and Field. Every 4 years, we get into it, watch the heats, get to know the people, stake our bets on the finals, celebrate/commiserate. Then, when it’s over, we pack it all back in a box until next time.”

If there is a “follows politics” (in and out of season) bubble, that is where I reside.

Politics is a food group in the diet of news that I consume as a matter of habit.

I do understand that most people choose not to live this way.

I’ve never known a time when I didn’t follow the news, politics included.

I learned to write by tracing newspaper headlines. My first byline appeared in a mimeographed junior high school paper.

Two-thirds of my life has been spent in the

profession.

I read articles all the way through before reposting them. If it links to a study or document, I likely will read into that, too. That is part of what is referred to as “taking a deep dive” or “getting into the weeds.”

As for op-eds, I share what I find interesting.

On a recent Saturday I posted an op-ed published in The Times of Israel in which Abe Foxman, the former national director of the Anti-Defamation League, endorsed former vice president Joe Biden for president.

On the Sunday, I posted another oped from TOI, a rebuttal in which Norm Coleman, the former Minnesota senator and chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition, explained why President Donald Trump deserves Jewish support.

Then there are polls, which proliferate like weeds before elections.

The more interesting numbers are found not in the highlights, but in the crosstabs, where data is broken down by party affiliation, age, gender, race, religion, and other categories. I recently read through a poll on voter priorities conducted Aug. 30 to Sept. 3 by the Kaiser Family Foundation. The methodology appeared sound, so I share the following.

Overall, the highest priority issue was the economy, at 32 percent, followed by the coronavirus, 20 percent; policing, 16 percent; race relations, 14 percent; health care (in general), 10 percent, and immigration, 4 percent.

In the crosstabs was evidence of a noteworthy divide.

Among Democrats, the coronavirus led with 36 percent, followed by race relations, 27 percent; health care and the economy, each with 14 percent; criminal justice, 6 percent; and immigration, 1 percent.

For Republicans, 53 percent rated the economy as most important, followed by criminal justice and policing, 23 percent; immigration, 7 percent; health care and coronavirus, each with 4 percent; and race relations 2 percent.

The results were more closely bunched for self-identified independents, with the economy, at 29 percent; criminal justice and policing, 20 percent; coronavirus, 19 percent; race relations, 13 percent; health care, 10 percent; and immigration, 4 percent.

Even if you’re not the “follows politics” type, there’s a lot you can learn by diving deeper and getting further into the weeds. ì

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OPINION Letter to the editor,

Rosh Hashana Poem/Prayer ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, accountable for the many ways in which we have failed You, our families, our neighborhoods, our communities, our country. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, broken by social unrest, a paralyzing pandemic, natural disaster and indefatigable fires. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, crippled by religious intolerance, racial injustice and political gamesmanship. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, depleted, beseeching You to arouse our tired spirit. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, eclipsed by falsehood and propaganda. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, fractious in our positions, at our collective expense. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, grief-stricken at the loss of loved ones. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, handcuffed by disunity, injured by insurgence. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, jaundiced, colored by corruption and the absence of shame. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, knavish, willing to use positions of power to deceive. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, lawbreakers and malcontents, usurping just causes. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, nonplussed by unrelenting waves of antisemitism and xenophobia. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, occluded, our advancement stymied by inherent and learned bias. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, prideful, bitterness growing where forgiveness might live. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, quiescent, our minds revisiting promises not kept. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, remorseful, conscious of our shortcomings, vice and evildoing. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, somber and trembling, praying for your forbearance. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, undeserving and vulnerable, humbly seeking Your grace. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, wrathful, quick to condemn others, while seeking Your clemency. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, of xenial capacity, yearning to be good and kind humans. ‫ּאבינּו מלכנו‬ We stand before You, zealous in our appeal for Your compassion and absolution.

Rachel A. Elovitz, Atlanta

Letter to the editor,

As Socialist Workers Party candidate for U.S. Senate from Georgia, I extend my solidarity to the East Cobb Jewish community in the face of anti-Semitic graffiti painted on fences in a residential neighborhood there last month. I appreciate the initiative of Temple Kol Emeth to organize a multi-faith gathering to say “no” to this expression of Jew-hatred. No anti-Jewish incident can go unanswered, regardless of whether it comes from the anti-Israel “left” or from ultra-rightists.

There is an increase in acts of anti-Jewish hatred as capitalism’s crises deepen, although surveys in recent decades show a marked decline in anti-Jewish attitudes among working people. Unlike any other form of racism or discrimination, anti-Jewish hatred is a unique form of scapegoating that aims to take working people’s eyes off the capitalist system as the source of worsening housing, medical care, education, low wages, joblessness, and the erosion of safety on the job (all exacerbated by COVID-19) and blame the Jews instead. Anti-Semitism is a mortal threat to the working class.

We stand ready to join with synagogues, churches, mosques, unions, civil rights groups and community organizations to speak out against Jew-hatred whenever it rears its head.

Sincerely, Rachele Fruit, Atlanta ì 18 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

OPINION

Atlanta Jewish Times High Holiday Appeal L’Shana Tova. My wish is a happy and healthy new year from my family to yours. I will not take up much of your time during Michael A. Morris the holidays, Publisher but I do want to ask you for a small amount of consideration.

The Atlanta Jewish Times/Southern Israelite is in its 95th year of publication. We all remember the Vida Goldgar years; many of us still remember the Adolph Rosenberg years. Those publishers take us all the way back to the 1940s.

Through the decades, your newspaper has relied on both advertising and subscriptions to survive. At its peak, the Atlanta Jewish Times had over 20 employees. Today, the AJT has eight full-time employees and a couple of part-time ones; we are lean and efficient. At its peak, payroll was the largest expense.

Today, printing, paper and distribution are our largest expenses. To keep things in perspective, today our revenue is considerably less than 50 percent of what it was at our peak, yet our mission is no less important, and the number of readers has more than doubled.

The AJT needs your consideration.

I hope you will think about keeping the paper going for this upcoming year, even for the next generation. You may be picking the paper up for free at your local bagel shop or synagogue; you may be reading the paper for free online; you may be receiving a free copy of the paper direct to your mailbox. Your free paper is not free. Our freelance writers and photojournalists are not free. Our few employees are not volunteers (only me). Printing, distribution, uploading to the internet and hosting are not free commodities.

If you can afford a subscription at $65 a year, please take the time to do so.

If only 1,000 more of our regular readers pay for a subscription, that will cover approximately 5 percent of our yearly budget, and the paper will be that much

closer to break-even. The AJT will not survive into the next generation without its readers making their contribution and becoming stakeholders. For our mission of keeping Jewish Atlanta connected and disseminating important

Subscribe!

news to and for the Jewish community of Atlanta, you can make a meaningful difference with $65. Please consider making a meaningful difference.

I hope for you and your family, an easy fast and G’mar Tov. ì

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ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 19

YOM KIPPUR 3 Priorities for the New Year

By Roni Robbins During this high holiday season, many Atlanta Jews are unable to connect with the traditions of Yom Kippur because they are homebound or otherwise unable to be in the sanctuary during the global pandemic.

So we asked three Atlanta rabbis – one from each of the main denominations – to guide us to the top three thoughts, beliefs, feelings, concepts and focal points we should ponder to observe the holiest day of the Jewish year and make it personally meaningful.

Several of the rabbis focused on what we’ve learned from the pandemic, stressing our ability to change and improve while striving toward a better self and world.

Two rabbis focused on how fear can be used in a positive way Rabbi Josh Hearshen, the new Conservative rabbi of Congregation Or VeShalom in Brookhaven, refers to it as anxiety and fear being used to grow. “I do not believe in the philosophy that things happen for a reason. Nor do I see God’s hand in these struggles and disasters,” Rabbi Hearshen said.

“God wants us to work to overcome adversity but does not cause the actual strug-

20 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Rabbi Jesse Charyn believes we should count our blessings, reciting 100 every day. Among his are three daughters, including 3-year-old Rayna.

gle. But we would be wrong to not learn and grow from our pain and adversity. I do not think we are dealing with this to learn, but we might as well learn and grow from it. So it is natural that we are anxious and that we are scared. It is natural that we are questioning. Now we need to see how we come out on the other side stronger and more able to live lives of meaning and value.”

Rabbi Isser New, a spiritual leader of

the Congregation Beth Tefillah in Sandy Springs, quoted a well-worn phrase from Franklin D. Roosevelt. “There is nothing to fear but fear itself,” New said.

“In a pandemic, it is human nature to be fearful. In Judaism we believe that everything exists by divine providence and for a reason. If we can truly appreciate that we can grow within this pandemic to act within caution absent fear,” he said.

“Fear is debilitating; caution is sensible and constructive. We cannot single-handedly conquer a pandemic, but we can conquer our own fear. If we can shed our fear, we can continue to be productive even with caution.”

Rabbi New is among those interviewed for this article who stress our ability to change and improve.

“We must always be willing to make changes and do teshuva with Joy,” said New, who is also associate director of Chabad of Georgia. “G-d wants us to serve him with joy.

Even when we look in the mirror on Yom Kippur and know that we need to make changes, that too must be done with joy. Joy breaks barriers while sadness creates them.”

The Chabad rabbi advises us to prioritize returning to our true nature.

“What does repentance mean? Where are we returning to? True change begins with knowing that one is returning to their true nature. In baseball, one scores when he/she returns to home plate. So too with teshuva. One truly returns to Hashem when they understand that good is their true nature,” he said. “That light, spirituality and goodness are our home field advantage. We are not physical beings that sometimes engage in a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings that come to this earth to bring that spirituality to a physical experience.”

Rabbi Jesse Charyn, spiritual leader of Temple Beth David in Snellville, asks us to concentrate on self-renewal or chidush-

atzmi.

“God desires for us to learn, to grow, to improve. The concept of self-renewal is strongly associated with Yom Kippur and we are meant to continue reflecting on our actions and our relationship with God throughout the year, all the days of our lives,” the Reform rabbi said.

“According to Judaism, the decisions we made in the past do not define us for all eternity. Built into our daily worship after we recite the ‘Bar’chu,’ our call to prayer, we utter the words, ‘uvtuvo m’chadesh b’chol yom tamid ma’aseh v’reishit,’ with goodness God renews the work of creation each day. As human beings we are the creations of God and have this potential for continual renewal,” Rabbi Charyn said.

“Our capacity for self-renewal is deeply rooted in our Jewish faith and we are encouraged and supported to follow a more righteous path at any moment of our lives.

Yom Kippur is an intensive 25-hour experience of this essential component to Judaism.”

He also urged us to strive toward wholeness (Shleimut) “This year may present the appearance of being incomplete; our lives may feel like we are being deprived of what makes us feel whole. It is at this time that we find comfort and solace in our Jewish traditions.

The Hebrew letters - shin, lamed, and mem – make up the shoresh, the root, of the words shleimut (wholeness) and shalom (peace). In order for us to achieve harmony and tranquility within ourselves and our world, we must possess a mindset of fullness,” Rabbi Charyn said. “Our lives may feel fractured due to the physical distancing necessitated by this terrible coronavirus pandemic plaguing our world. While we may logically understand we are not meeting in person this year to mitigate the spread and power of this virus, emotionally it is another matter entirely. This pandemic does not deny us of wholeness. Judaism is a very resilient faith and we must approach this Yom Kippur just as all the Yom HaKippurim that came before it, …wholeheartedly. As we tune into services this year remotely, we designate an area in our home as our mikdash me’at, our small sanctuary, with our mindset to strive toward wholeness, to strive toward peace.”

Two of Rabbi Hearshen’s priorities revolve around coming together as a community.

“I have the lyrics of a John Lennon song in my head: ‘You don’t know what you got until you lose it. Oh, baby, baby, baby, give me one more chance…’ As modern-day Jews we have lost some of our commitments to and affinity for our communities. This is in

YOM KIPPUR

“We must always be willing to make changes and do teshuva with Joy,” said Rabbi Isser New.

large part because of our addiction to the American religion of individualism,” said Hearshen, the rabbi of the traditionally Sephardic synagogue.

“Now that we are all without our communities in person, we are seeing just how real our loss is. We are seeing just how much we need it. So I think first this year we need to be thinking about what community means to us and how we need it desperately in our lives,” he said. “In Bereshit, God says ‘it is not good for man to be alone.’ God was right then and is right now. Now we can better appreciate the Talmudic dictum of al tifrosh min hatzibur, do not separate from the community.”

Hearshen believes we can find unity in our disagreement. “Our country is heading in the wrong direction when it comes to how we talk to each other and how we deal with our problems. That is not a political statement. It is a statement of fact that we need to do better, and we need to be willing to work with people who we disagree with,” Rabbi Hearshen said.

“We have these days to think and reflect. Normally we are bogged down with pomp and circumstance. This year we have the chance in our solitude to truly reflect.

Are we a part of the problem or a part of the solution? If we are solely committed to ideological orthodoxy then we are part of the

Rabbi Josh Hearshen does not believe “things happen for a reason.

Nor do I see God’s hand in these struggles and disasters.”

problem, … but if we are open to a heterogeneous ideology then we can truly become a part of the solution and help move our society and world forward.”

We end with Rabbi Charyn’s suggestion that we take time to express gratitude (Hakarat Ha’Tov).

“Judaism is a faith of thanksgiving. Our Jewish tradition teaches us that we should recite 100 blessings each day. I imagine that at least some of you reading this have some wearable technology that tells you how many steps you have taken, how many minutes of exercise you have achieved, how many calories you have burned, etc.,” he said.

“If only we had a tool that also informed us of how many times each day we took stock of the beautiful and life-enhancing things around us. This is the point of this practice to recite 100 blessings each day.

If we do not take the time to articulate the good we encounter, we miss out on so much and we can become bitter, sad and disconnected,” Rabbi Charyn continued.

“Living with gratitude is a recipe for a life of intention. Yom Kippur is our annual reminder to reflect upon how we are living our lives. Judaism requires us to engage in the world around us, make meaningful contributions, and bring more light into our communities.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 21

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Community Leaders Confront Different Yom Kippur tion for the high holidays. And one canAJT: What is different about this not help but do that right now. I think the year’s holiday? whole country is doing that. I feel very Lesser: What I would say is different spiritual in a way that I haven’t for years. about this year is that if you didn’t believe Beiner: I feel very connected to peothat Yom Kippur had the potential to be ple even though we all might be literally life changing, you might think that now. I sitting in different rooms. But in some think that what we’ve been experiencing sense, we are all connected by our wordrives home the Yom Kippur messages of ries and feel a lot of angst about the same mortality and the fragility of life so powDuring the pandemic Rabbi Judith Beiner, things. erfully that it’s almost as if Yom Kippur community rabbi at JF&CS, has had to eliminate her Some people whom I’ve spoken to as was designed for this particular moment. personal meetings with the seniors she helps. the community rabbi say they have been Wright: It is hard not to believe in out of work for a longer period of time God right now. And for me, I feel a spiriBy Bob Bahr tual presence very much in force. I don’t Rabbi Joshua Lesser has a strong than they ever have been in their adult commitment this year to develop For three important Atlanta community leaders, this know if it’s in control. I do know that it’s an active practice of building hope. life. They’re worried about how they’re going to make it. year’s holiday of Yom Kippur is being experienced like none there. During this Yom Kippur I see a kind I speak to people who have normal life’s losses, you of a divine light in the world and that despite all of that awin recent memory.

Rabbi Joshua Lesser, the senior rabbi of Congregation ful yuck out there, there are these sparks of the divine to be know, losing spouses or parents, people going through divorce, people dealing with what, in normal times, are difBet Haverim, has had to cope with all the challenges of a seen as well.

Beiner: And those words: Who shall live and who shall ficult situations. But something about a divorce or a death synagogue beset by all the challenges posed by social disdie become extraordinarily powerful. The way I read it, we now is made all-the-more difficult. Because of that, people tancing and sheltering at home.

At Jewish Family & Career Services, Rabbi Judith Beiner don’t have control over so much of our lives right now, and feel the need to talk. More than ever, they need to talk about has connected mostly through the telephone or teleconfer- yet as the prayer says: with teshuvah, a return to more spiri- what they are going through. ences with those in need of religious counseling and spiri- tual life, tefillah, prayer, and tzedakah, charity, you do have AJT: How do you see the future? control. We do have control over our daily activities. tual help.

Lesser: I have a course that I want to set for myself this While professor Jacob Wright, a leading scholar of the AJT: What are you doing and feeling that’s different year. It is about strengthening my heart with courage and Hebrew Bible at Emory University, has had to try to incorunderstanding. I want to make hope a practice, not as a feelporate the contemporary lessons of the pandemic into his this Yom Kippur?

Wright: I am much more aware of what we call “ches- ing. virtual classroom. We asked each of them to reflect on how There’s a text from Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who esbon nefesh,” a reckoning of the soul that we do in preparathis Yom Kippur was unique. sentially says if you believe that you can destroy, then you must believe that you can repair.

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YOM KIPPUR

The Multi-Faceted Yizkor Service

By Chana Shapiro We are all familiar with the mad rush to synagogue by many on Yom Kippur to be at services in time for the recitation of Yizkor. The name of the service comes from the Hebrew word zachor, to remember. As such, Yizkor is the memorial prayer for members of one’s immediate family and others who are no longer living.

I consulted a few books by rabbinic authorities I have in my possession to learn more about the service.

For many modern Jews, some who do not attend synagogue at other times, the most meaningful aspect of Yom Kippur is the Yizkor service, the purpose of which is described by Rabbi Chaim Binyamin Goldberg in “Mourning in Halachah” as “the elevation of the souls of the departed.” Some congregations include prayers for those who don’t have any descendants, fallen Israeli soldiers and martyrs. Yizkor is followed by “El Malei Rachamim” (merciful Father) prayer.

According to Rabbi Goldberg, those with both living parents have no obligation to recite Yizkor, and these non-mourners usually leave the The Maccabees in the second century B.C.E., wanted to memorialize sanctuary during fallen comrades, but their the Yizkor serattempt did not gain support. vice. Rabbi Alfred J. Kolach in “The Jewish Book of Why” suggests that some people believe it would “tempt fate” to prematurely recite or be present during the Yizkor service. Some synagogues wish to eliminate distraction or pain (even jealousy) for grieving mourners from praying amid people who are not mourners.

Yizkor was not part of the original Yom Kippur service. In “The Jewish Book of Why,” Kolach notes that in ancient times the Maccabees attempted to establish a prayer for their fallen companions, but that practice did not catch on. Later, Rabbi Simcha ben Samuel of Vitry, a pupil of the French Medieval commentator Rashi, included a Yizkor service in his 11th century holy day prayer book.

It is likely that Yizkor became a formal part of the Yom Kippur service during the bloody Christian Crusades of the 11th century, Rabbi Kolach explains. Thousands of Jews were slaughtered as the Crusaders made their way through the “Holy Land,” and communities throughout the region responded to the enormous tragedy by creating the memorial prayer, expressing the hope that the deceased would intervene with the Almighty to bring an end to Jewish suffering, Kolach said.

At first, Yizkor was only recited on Yom Kippur, but over time it was also included in the synagogue services of the Jewish festivals of Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot.

Historically, there has been scholarly opposition to including Yizkor in the Yom Kippur and festival services, specifically against praying for the dead on Jewish holy days, Rabbi Kolach wrote. In addition, the idea of divine intervention by the deceased to positively affect the lives of the living was challenged. The donation of charity in memory of one’s relatives for this purpose (rather than relying on one’s own good deeds) was contested, he said. Yet, the Yizkor service spread, with charity as an integral part of the observance.

Sephardic Jews do not include the communal Ashkenazi Yizkor prayer in their holy day services, according to Rabbi Yehuda Boroosan of Congregation Netzach Israel in Atlanta. It is their custom for individuals to recite “Hashkabah,” a memorial prayer during the first year of mourning and on the Shabbat closest to the deceased’s date of death. The 16th century Sephardic author of the Shulchan Aruch (the Code of Jewish Law) Joseph Caro espoused giving charity for the dead. In many Sephardic synagogues a “Hashkabah” for a long list of deceased members is read in conjunction with the Kol Nidre evening service, Rabbi Boroosan said. Some Sepharadim also have the custom of lighting a candle.

Ashkenazic Jews traditionally light a 24-hour Yizkor memorial candle at home, in the evening just before the onset of Yom Kippur. A single candle may honor more than one person. However, many people light a candle for each parent and other members of their family, Rabbi Kolach stated. A candle with a flame, representing the relationship between body and soul, is preferable to an

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Jewish communities in the “Holy Land” memorialized the thousands of Jews who were slaughtered in the Christian Crusades with a Yizkor service.

electric one A public physical aspect of remembrance is the Yizkor tablet, a plaque of remembrance displayed in Jewish places of worship, as noted in “Understanding Judaism: The Basic of Deed and Creed,” by Rabbi Benjamin Blech. These plaques bear the names of people who have passed away, with the dates of their birth and death. The lights beside all of the names are illuminated on days when Yizkor is recited, uniting all mourners as they join together in prayer. ì

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Yom Kippur’s ‘Final Call’

Rabbi Jesse Charyn said Neilah is “often understood as the ‘final call’ of Yom Kippur

By Flora Rosefsky The vision of gates soon locking during Neilah, the final moments of Yom Kippur, is “one of the most exhilarating services of the High Holiday experience,” according to Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal of Congregation Ahavath Achim.

He said that image “creates not only an urgency to get our final prayers in, but also a feeling of euphoria that the end is near and we, as a community, were able to find redemption and return.”

Towards the end of the high holidays, beginning with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur, the figurative “Book of Life” inscribes and seals our fate for the year ahead.

Rabbi Jesse Charyn of Temple Beth David in Snellville said the Neilah closing service is “often understood as the ‘final call’ of Yom Kippur – thought to be the ultimate judgment.” According to Charyn, Neilah’s “imposing liturgy

24 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal describes the closing gates of Neilah as creating urgency and a feeling of euphoria.

puts life in perspective and shines the spotlight on what matters most.” The message especially rings true this year in the midst of the global pandemic, Charyn explained. When the shofar is sounded at the conclusion of the Neilah service, it is no longer a wake-up call.

The shofar’s sounds during Neilah are “meant to reverberate throughout the year as a reminder that returning to G-d is always possible,” Charyn said.

Rabbi Yossi New of Chabad’s Congregation Beth Tefillah, compares the high holidays 10-day period to scenes from a courtroom in which the presiding judge is G-d. “We are the defendants. Two teams of angels serve as the prosecutors and defense.” At Neilah, he said, the shofar recalls a trumpet’s triumphant sound, as if it were a proclamation of a victory. “There is an expression of confidence that we will be signed and be sealed for the year ahead.” When asked to explain the significance of the metaphor of gates closing after the Neilah service, New said

“NEILAH,” part of AJT contributor and artist Flora Rosefsky’s ritual series, is on view virtually at MaCOM, www.reflectionsbyflora.com.

the gates are more accessible now dur- our fate isn’t inscribed as permanently ing the high holidays “with easy and as we might think.”

Many synagogues have a longdirect access to G-d. The rest of the year Heaven is like a heavily guarded build- standing tradition of inviting anyone ing with strong security. Access and who brings a shofar to Neilah to blow entry is possible but more difficult.” it at the service conclusion as the final He added, “this is a propitious time for tekiah gedolah blast. With COVID this Teshuvah – to return to our true selves year, where most synagogues will limit attendance, this kind of a group shofar – the good self!”

Rosenthal shared his thoughts blowing will not be observed. Still, the service only held about how to enon the final evevision both gates ning of Yom Kipbeing closed and pur is expected to how the “book” is end with traditionsealed at the end al prayers and the of Yom Kippur shofar blast. during the Neilah “There is a colservice. “I think lective power to they mean two difour prayers,” New ferent things. The Rabbi Yossi New compares the high said. While they gates are the gates holidays to a courtroom in which may not be physiof repentance the presiding judge is G-d. cally present in and prayer which G-d holds open during this special the synagogue because of the pandemtime.” The Books of Life and Death are ic, “a person is still obligated to pray as opened, and G-d inscribes our fate for an individual and can pray at home if the coming year, he said. Tradition tells needed,” he said.

Rosenthal summed up the impact us that the gates of prayer and repentance remain open for another 10 days of the pandemic year on the service.

“Although it (Neilah) is going to be very until Hoshannah Rabbah.

“It makes me think that ‘the book’ different, it will be very meaningful – is also cracked open a bit and maybe definitely one for the record books.” ì

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Alternative Ways to Observe

By Terry Segal Instead of focusing on what we won’t be doing this Yom Kippur, let’s generate excitement about co-creating our unique observance this year.

Here’s the traditional order: Maariv (evening service), Shacharit (morning prayers), Torah service, Musaf (poems and stories), Minchah (afternoon service), Yizkor (remembrance of the departed) and Neilah (closing).

In advance: Inquire if your synagogue is loaning prayer books for home use. Gather family, in person or online, and invite reflection on what brings meaning to Yom Kippur to be shared on the Day of Atonement. Is it the family meal, confessional, Yizkor, closing of the gates, or the shofar blast?

Of course being together tops the list but, for many, that’s not an option this year. Acknowledge the losses that feel raw and personal.

Each member can bring something to the experience.

Select poetry or art that stirs your soul. Research rituals from other countries. Those with musical ability can find sheet music for a simple version of Kol Nidre, meaning “all vows.” It’s the heart-wrenching melody that called all Jews back to prayer, including those who had converted under duress. Try shofar blowing. Share the recipes so on erev Yom Kippur you can eat the same meal. Gather family heirlooms, such as an embroidered tablecloth or Kiddush cup, along with generational family photos to tell the stories. Recall actions for which you’re sorry and make amends.

On erev Yom Kippur: Dress nicely, as if going to synagogue. Our Torah and clergy dress in white for spiritual purity, without accessories of vanity. White is the color of the shroud, in death, reminding us of our own mortality and urgency to repent. Avoid wearing leather, representing dominion over the animals and because it was a luxury of the wealthy. We’re all equal at this time.

If using technology, eat “together,” virtually, before beginning the fast. After the meal, put on your tallit, the only time we wear it at night. Maariv, the evening prayers, include the “Shema” and “Amidah,” and are recited standing, facing Jerusalem. Listen to the live or recorded version of Kol Nidre.

Fasting may be more difficult this year because you’re at home. Prepare sandwiches and snacks for the younger ones before bed to avoid food preparation when you’re hungry the next day and the refrigerator is in close range. Little ones can eat nutritious foods but “fast” from treats.

On Yom Kippur: Shacharit, and the liturgy of the day, focuses on forgiveness and teshuvah, repentance and turning from misguided ways. We seek forgiveness from G-d for our personal shortcomings, but for transgressions against others, we must ask forgiveness directly.

The “Viddui” is our list of transgressions. Print copies and let each person pick one to discuss. Example: What does it mean to be stiff-necked or have xenophobia? Avoid political opinions and focus on the meaning.

During Musaf, share your offerings of discovery, art, poetry and stories, and what makes the day more meaningful. Meditate on or discuss themes of scapegoating or mindful prayer that leads to acts of righteousness, charity and morality. Read the story of Jonah and the whale, and for younger ones, other stories related to Yom Kippur.

After, or in place of Minchah, you might go to the woods or a park to find a quiet spot and immerse yourself in the sensory experience of G-d’s beauty. Commune with G-d.

This is a photograph of my maternal grandparents, Celia and Alexander Hirsch. My grandmother did beautiful needlework. Pictured is her embroidery and tatting that make up the lace edges.

Connecting your body to the earth is grounding as you elevate your soul.

Remember your departed loved ones for Yizkor, and include thoughts of what you wish you could hear from or say to them. Stay aware of your body regarding lightheadedness or dehydration.

Some synagogues that are livestreaming, will leave the ark open for contemplative time.

You can plan a silent hike that culminates during Neilah, when the gates of heaven close and G-d’s judgment is sealed. Following the final tekiah gedolah blast of the sho-

far, the stars appear, and you can break the fast with picnic foods you’ve packed into a cooler to complete your observance.

G’mar Hatima Tova. May you be sealed in the Book of Life.

Dr. Terry Segal is a licensed marriage and family therapist with a doctorate in Energy Medicine, and is author of “The Enchanted Journey: Finding the Key that Unlocks You.” ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 25

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A Brooklyn Sukkah Tale

By Chana Shapiro Many years ago, we were denied permission to construct a sukkah on the roof of our Brooklyn apartment building.

As a result, we brought our own food to join other apartment-dwellers for meals in our synagogue sukkah. We enjoyed the camaraderie and informality and appreciated accompaniment when we walked home at night.

Our friends, Suri and Shlomo Baron, lived in our building. They had four children in their three-bedroom apartment, but when their fifth child was on the way, they decided to find a larger space where they could house their family as it grew.

With the help of their parents, the Barons purchased a four-family residence on a slowly gentrifying street just over a mile from us. Suri’s oldest sister had two married daughters who lived in two units of the building, and Suri and Shlomo took the other two. A bonus of owning a multi-family residence in impossible-to-find-a-parking-space Brooklyn is the extra-wide side driveway that comes with it, leading to a backyard two-

car garage. The Baron’s driveway abutted another wide driveway, belonging to the multiple-family home next door, where the Aronins lived. The result was a shared four-lane-wide paved, flat surface.

Who could ask for a better spot in which to build a great big sukkah!

The year the Barons moved away, Suri called, urging us to join them for dinner on the first night of Sukkot. We had to consider the following variables: Our synagogue was a short, unimpeded walk from our apartment; the Barons lived more than a mile away, and Zvi and I don’t drive on the first and last days of Sukkot.

Dinner would start after evening services, and because the Barons were known for lots of spirited after-dinner singing (which we didn’t want to miss) we would likely head home in the middle of the night.

We wouldn’t go to the Barons emptyhanded, so we would bring dessert. Suri told me she was inviting around 20 guests.

If I made dessert for Zvi and myself to eat in the shul sukkah, it would be a small banana loaf cake. If we went to the Barons’

Chana Shapiro was impressed by the crystal chandeliers that hung from an elegant Brooklyn sukkah.

gathering, we’d bring three more elaborate confections. Yes, and fruit.

The weather had already turned unseasonably cold, so we would eat outside wearing coats. Dinner in the shul sukkah would be short and sweet. In the musically enriched sukkah, the meal plus songs could run to four hours or more.

It isn’t every day one gets invited to a five-hour meal to which you walk a mile and in which you wear a winter coat.

Without a moment’s hesitation, we accepted Suri’s invitation.

On the given Sukkot night we headed to the Barons. In a cart, we carried three cakes and several bunches of grapes. To navigate the nighttime trek, we wore reflective vests and sturdy sneakers, and we dressed for warmth, rather than style.

Readiness, as I learned when I was a Brownie, is everything.

Yet, there was no way we could have prepared for what we saw.

As we neared the Barons', bright light shone through the darkness, emanating from their mammoth sukkah. The brilliance came from three crystal chandeliers hanging from decorated bamboo rafters. Five long tables, covered in em26 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

broidered white tablecloths, stood upon a (maybe real, maybe imitation) Persian carpet. The sukkah walls were draped in maroon faux velvet, intermittently tied back with wide silver ribbons. The tables were set with china, cloth napkins and etched glass drinking vessels.

A charming group of people of all ages, dressed in holiday clothes, greeted us. Shlomo made the introductions. Suri’s older children were cheerful servers, and we dined like royalty. The evening in that magnificent sukkah, with special food and interesting people, presented a Sukkot celebration we had never experienced. I’m happy to report that Zvi and I were good guests, the kind that honor the hostess by eating non-stop and honor the host by singing along to songs we didn’t know. We had so much fun, we were happy to stay to help clean up.

It was almost 2 a.m. when we got home, with a big bag of leftovers Suri insisted putting into our cart. We loved sharing the bounty with the apartment-dwellers in the shul sukkah the following evening. ì Chana Shapiro is a regular columnist for the Atlanta Jewish Times

YOM KIPPUR

The Artistic Sukkah

By Flora Rosefsky Painted murals, Sukkot-themed banners, laminated prints, posters, children’s creations or recycled Jewish greeting cards brings art inside the sukkah’s temporary structure. Creativity extends from its walls to the schach (pronounced skah–ach) the prescribed sukkah roof.

Rabbi Mark Zimmerman of Congregation Beth Shalom explained, “It’s not only permitted, but it is praiseworthy to make your sukkah beautiful or ornate.”

Atlanta artist Miriam Karp has a heirNorth Carolina artist Galia Goodman created The Sukkah Project’s matriarchs loom sukkah, the walls of which her parents and patriarchs banners that Flora asked her to paint in 2002 to show the seven Rosefsky uses in her sukkah. male ushpizim (guests). Instead, Karp painted a mural with portraits of 23 relatives, whom kah may already have some applied decorashe said “included both dearly beloved de- tions, Fisher intends to hang up some of her ceased and current male and female family gigantic pinecones once found in the state of members.” Clothed in biblical dress and rep- Washington and use some of the many interresenting the traditional ushpizim, as well esting artifacts she made years ago. as other figures from the Torah, they’re seen Her grandchildren, who live nearby, conversing with each other while sharing a will not be coming over because of COmeal. Karp pointed out that their table is set VID-19, but promised to send Mama and with family heirlooms: Kiddush cups and Papa some of their own drawings to be candlesticks brought from Eastern Europe hung in the tiny 6-foot sukkah. “Sukkos has when her famalways been one ily immigrated of my favorto the United ite holidays,” States. Everyone Fisher said. “In at the table has a way, it is like a piece of homehaving Thanksmade challah giving for a honoring Miriwhole week. am’s mother, HaWe wear our zel, who baked nicest clothes it every week. and eat lots of After her pargreat food. Addents moved into ing beauty and Miriam Karp’s heirloom sukkah depicts family assisted living a splendor to a members she painted as honored guests. few years ago, simple tent is the heirloom sukkah was moved to Karp’s considered a great mitzvah and as an artist, home to be used each year. it is what I love to do.”

Zimmerman told the AJT how incorEric Miller’s sukkah, made from a kit, porating art in a sukkah fulfills the concept is filled with art from a tapestry cloth to covof hiddur mitzvah, the Jewish principle of er his 8-foot table to the profusion of about enhancing or making the observance of a 40 ornaments hanging from the schach mitzvah more beautiful. “Where one fulfills roof made of bamboo branches that had the commandment to ‘dwell,’ to sit and eat fallen at nearby Piedmont Park. With the in the sukkah, and in addition, to make it help of Judy Marx, each year they decorate more beautiful by adding art, a mitzvah in the schach using artificial fruits and vegetaitself, then one is doing an ‘extra mitzvah.’” bles handed down from Miller’s childhood In his own family sukkah, the poster art dis- years, miniature chandeliers, and a wide vaplayed is often based on a ushpizim theme, riety of artful decorations. Miller said, “My the honored guests who may be the biblical favorite pieces are the fruits from my famvisitors of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, ily’s old sukkah; each one is a treasure.”

Moses, Aaron and David.

About 30 candles in candleholders of Judaic artist Barbara Ladin Fisher said different shapes and heights illuminate the her daughter Yosepha (Joanne) Krohn or- sukkah’s decor. When guests come to Milldered an easy-to-assemble sukkah kit, simi- er’s sukkah asking what they can bring, his lar to a pop-up tent construction, using a response is: “We have all the food we need. straw mat for the schach. It’s to be shipped to But if you’d like, bring something to hang in Fisher’s home in Toco Hills. Because the suk- the sukkah.”

Friends and family enjoyed Shabbat dinner in Eric Miller’s sukkah last year.

Some of Eric Miller’s favorite fruit ornaments will decorate his sukkah’s schach.

The ornament collection keeps growing, with the sukkah roof large enough for more. Miller and Marx say creating an artistic sukkah together with their friends and family makes the space even more sacred. “Every ornament comes into our sukkah with love and a great story,” Miller said.

“Isn’t that what Sukkot is all about?”

Inexpensive and easily accessible ephemera or found papers provide another way to dress up a sukkah. Recycled Jewish

New Year and other Judaic-themed greeting cards or pages of outdated Jewish calendar art can be inserted into plastic storage bags or laminated. Craft stores carry items such as artificial flowers, small pumpkins, gourds, corn husks, plastic apples or fruits to add to your schach with wire or string.

Surrounding yourself with art while “dwelling” in a sukkah may increase the enjoyment of Sukkot. Chag Sameach Sukkot! ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 27

VOLUNTEERS Attorney Volunteers, Prepares for Foster Parenting

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

before being hired as an assistant United States attorney in the Northern District of Dunwoody native Alex Joseph knew Georgia. early on at the Woodward Academy that After leaving the U.S. Attorney’s Ofshe would fulfill her role in tikkun olam. She fice last year, Joseph was motivated to use won the Ray Kroc (Mcher years of experience Donald’s founder) Youth working in the crimiAchievement Award for nal justice system “for volunteerism; was presigood.” She said, “One dent of the Key Club, a in 13 people in Georgia service organization; are under some sort of and coordinated bringsupervision: in jail or ing a portion of the AIDS prison or under probaMemorial Quilt to Atlantion or parole supervita to raise AIDS and HIV sions. Think about how awareness. Fast forward large the criminal justo her current career as tice system is and how an attorney at the Gray, many people it impacts.

Alex Joseph is a practicing attorney Rust, St. Amand, Moffett And yet we just don’t who makes the time to set high personal & Brieske law firm and talk about it. It’s like it’s goals as a volunteer on several fronts. making time to voluninvisible.” teer to effect change.

To kickstart a conversation about the After attending Wellesley College, she criminal justice system and to educate the returned south to put down personal and public about important criminal justice isprofessional roots. She attended the Uni- sues, Joseph founded Informed Georgians versity of Georgia law school and married for Justice, aimed at educating Georgia votDavid Martin, the “nicest guy in the class.” ers about sheriff and district attorney state Alex then served as a state-level prosecutor elections. She explained, “Sheriff and dis-

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trict attorney elections are hugely important. They hold much power and influence.

Yet these races simply don’t get enough attention.”

Informed Georgians for Justice now has over 20 volunteers who update the organization’s website and social media accounts, and cold-call state sheriff and district attorney candidates, asking them to respond to questions outlining their positions on criminal justice issues. Candidates’ responses to these questionnaires are posted on Informed Georgians for Justice’s website, https://www.informedgeorgiansforjustice.com/.

“Our first goal is just to convince the public that criminal justice issues matter.

Then we work to educate voters about elections. We want every voter to know where their local sheriff and district attorney candidates stand on the issues.”

Working within the criminal justice system impacted Joseph. “When I was a state-level prosecutor, I handled many cases involving children victims. I got to know these kids and be their champion, and it was the most satisfying part of my work.”

She knew from that point onward that she wanted to continue advocating for abused and neglected children. So Joseph asked her husband on a whim if he would consider becoming a foster parent, and to her surprise, he agreed without hesitation. They are now enrolled in foster parenting certification classes through DeKalb County. They hope to open their home to foster children by the end of the year.

There are thousands of children in Georgia’s foster care system but only 15 percent are eligible for adoption, Joseph said.

The goal of the foster care system is family reunification. Most children (typically older teens) are reunited with their families or adopted by family members, she said.

Alex Joseph and David Martin are taking a 10week course to prepare for foster parenting.

“When I tell people that we are becoming foster parents, most exclaim, ‘That’s brave’ or ‘good for you.’ I look at foster parenting as just another way to parent. I wish more people would consider it. You can tell the Division of Family & Children Services exactly what type of placements you can or cannot accept, and your caseworker strives to find appropriate placements. The entire system is set up for success because they want you to continue being a foster parent for as long as possible. By becoming foster parents, we create a safe home for a child in need, and there’s really no greater gift that one can give the world!”

Joseph is an avid runner and volunteers with Back on My Feet, which assists homeless people in gaining independence, life skills and connects them with community resources leading to employment and stable housing.

She concludes, “It’s our responsibility as Jews to volunteer and improve the world.

I encourage everyone to follow their passion and use their expertise to give back in any way they can.” ì

On Yom Kippur, may you find meaning, forgiveness, and inclusion in the Book of Life... and may the holiday bring you and your family all that is good and pleasant.

Steve and I wish you an easy fast.

Yom Tov.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 29

VOLUNTEERS

Young Dancers Perform for COVID Relief

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Seventeen-year-old Rebecca Lewyn read about the struggle of communities hard hit economically, physically and emotionally by COVID-19. She learned that the virus has disproportionately impacted African American communities and wanted to help. Because her mom Bev Lewyn is in the high-risk group for COVID-19, Rebecca knew she couldn’t risk spending much time in public. She pondered how could she, just a high schooler, raise money to help while staying close to home.

The light bulb went on — dance!

Rebecca is a competitive dancer who typically spends 10 to 15 hours a week in dance training and rehearsal. Mom Bev said, “Dancers have felt disconnected, trying to keep training over Zoom during the pandemic. Last year’s competitive dance season went ‘up in smoke.’ To be sure, a first-world problem, but one which Rebecca realized she could harness to do some good.”

Rebecca decided to connect choreographers, professional dancers and

30 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Seventeen-year-old Rebecca Lewyn is shown introducing the dance show.

competitive dancers to work towards the goal of helping others. Together, they could safely use their artistry in their own homes, garages and backyards, sell tickets to raise money, and entertain others via a professional level dance show, all on Zoom. Rebecca named the show “Dancers for COVID-19 Relief.”

She spent dozens of hours over the summer reaching out to nationally known choreographers, professional

Lewyn performed her segment on a tennis court.

Molly Fisher attends The Weber School.

dancers and fellow senior competitive be part of this and am very proud of Redancers. She researched songs and gave becca. Dancers at all levels were able to each dancer 30 seconds of music. Rebec- pre-record themselves dancing solo. We ca instructed them to share their artistry were all told to dress in black contempoin any way they wanted. She then man- rary clothing.”

Dancers for COVID-19 Relief raised aged the operation, gathered the videos, over $2,000 for the BET-United Way edited them and looped it together.

Rebecca did the advertising on Insta- Saving Our Selves fund. The fund aids gram, Facebook, and TikTok, headed the families in Atlanta, Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago, and ticket sales, and New York. Recajoled dancers becca explains, into meeting their “I researched COdeadlines.

She VID-19 funds. I then orchestrated read through the the show, all in website, and it the safety of her explained United basement. The adWay’s presence vertising worked, throughout the and the TikTok years. I looked up video alone got success stories 3,000 views. with the fund so The show’s far, and I felt comdancers ranged fortable the peofrom a Radio City ple that needed it Rockette, a Los the most would Angeles profesget the money. I sional dancer, sevwould have been eral Atlanta chohappy raising reographers, and Eden Vainer, dancing in her garage, $300, so I was desenior competiperformed to “Hide and Seek.” lighted to be able tive dancers from to raise so much more.” multiple studio teams around Georgia.

Rebecca continued, “It was so inIn addition to herself, there were five Jewish Atlanta dancers: Eden Vainer, spiring to see the dance community join Molly Fisher, Lily Stoumen, Halli Fried- together to use their artistry in the best man and Sarah Traub. The majority of way possible. We used our skill and crethem dance on Rebecca’s competitive ativity for good, all while keeping safe. team at Elite Studios in Sandy Springs. Everyone filmed their pieces in the safety Rebecca, Eden and Molly attend The We- of their homes, garages and backyards.”

The 40-minute recorded show is ber School. Before Weber, Rebecca and Eden attended AJA and Molly went to available for purchase for $10. All proThe Epstein School. Lily, Halli and Sarah ceeds go to the Saving Our Selves fund.

To buy a recording of the show, visit were students at Epstein and The Davis Academy before attending Riverwood https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dancersfor- covid-19-relief-tickets-118455400291, and North Springs high schools.

Eden performed to the song “Hide www.instagram.com/dancersforcovidreand Seek.” She said, “I was very happy to lief/ ì

VOLUNTEERS

Catering Exec Aids Second Helpings, Corporate Kitchens

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

country, has been an ongoing problem for years, and the pandemic has only The coronavirus pandemic has left made it worse,” Kukler said. “Community corporate kitchens dramatically under- is ingrained in our company culture and utilized, while growing unemployment we are honored to join forces with Sechas driven the city’s food insecurity ond Helpings Atlanta and the Atlanta numbers to unprecedented levels. Feed- Community Food Bank to do our part in ing America and the Atlanta Commu- giving back to those in need.” nity Food Bank estimated that 16 perFounded 20 years ago by Fifth Group cent of people in the Restaurants, Bold Ca29-county service area tering & Design pivoted of the food bank would during the pandemic, be food insecure. With going back to its roots, many out of school, 26 with a mission to feed percent of children, people. The company one in four, might go takes as much pride hungry. in joining other local To address the businesses to fight food staggering divide, Secinsecurity as it does ond Helpings Atlanta for catering a millionand the ACFB joined dollar corporate event.

Andrea Jaron is the executive forces to launch the director of Second Helpings Atlanta.

Andrea Jaron, Atlanta Community executive director of Kitchen Project, which connects hunger Second Helpings Atlanta, expanded on relief agencies and commercial kitchens the need for help. “We saw a huge spike with the goal of providing hundreds of in demand, and the prepared meal prothousands of meals to Atlanta families in grams using under-utilized commercial need. kitchens helped address many of our In the spirit of tikkun olam, Bold Ca- community’s challenges in an innovative tering & Design partner Robby Kukler way.” Prior to that position, Jaron held joined to fire up his own corporate kitch- development positions with The Weber en to work closely with Second Helpings School and the Anti-Defamation League.

Atlanta and the ACFB to prepare more “As the city’s leading nonprofit resthan 40,000 meals for food insecure cuing surplus food and distributing it to people around metro Atlanta. A long-time those in need, Second Helpings Atlanta advocate of the ACFB, where he was past was uniquely positioned to carry the chairman of the board, he is also a board load. With a deep understanding of the member of the Food Well Alliance, a local inner workings of both the corporate and organization supporting urban agricul- large event venue kitchens and the benture and local farmers. Kukler was also efiting agencies, they quickly mobilized honored as one of the Atlanta Business to make change,” she continued.

Chronicle’s “Most Admired CEOs” of 2018.

The agency began as a social action “We know all too well that food in- project in 2004 at Temple Sinai Atlanta, security in our area, and throughout the and in 2012 it became an independent

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nonprofit, incorporated as Second Help- to distribute to their clients. This effort ings Atlanta, Inc. Today, it is believed to not only provides food to the hungry, it be Atlanta’s only nonprofit food rescue puts out-of-work service staff at commerlogistics organization dedicated to re- cial kitchens impacted by the crisis back ducing hunger and food waste in the to work. An example of a new agency metro Atlanta area by rescuing healthy added for service is the Boys & Girls Clubs.

The Atlanta Community Kitchen surplus food and distributing it to those in need. Its network of over 120 food do- Project was funded in large part by the nors and partner agencies allows the or- city’s top corporate leaders such as the Rotary Club of Atlanta. ganization to reduce In addition to Bold Cafood waste and food tering, supporters ininsecurity at the same clude Chick-fil-A, the time.

Atlanta Falcons and Since the COMercedes-Benz StadiVID-19 pandemic beum, the Atlanta Hawks gan, Second Helpings and State Farm Arena, Atlanta ramped up its Proof of The Pudding, distribution, moving Sysco Foods and NCR. hundreds of thousands of pounds of fresh food For more informaand now also coordiRobby Kukler pivoted during the tion, SecondHelpingsnating the logistics for pandemic to fulfill Bold Catering’s mission to fight food insecurity.

Atlanta.org. Corporate meal delivery throughout the metro region. From end to end, kitchens interested in participating in the they collect meals from corporate kitch- kitchen project should contact Andrea Jaens and deliver to hunger relief agencies ron andreajaron@secondhelpings.info ì

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ART ‘The Jazz Singer’ Celebrates Yom Kippur

By Bob Bahr Just after the end of the Yom Kippur holiday in 1927, Warner Bros. launched what would become the most famous Hollywood film to feature the Day of Atonement.

The film “The Jazz Singer,” which premiered almost 93 years ago on October 6, starred Al Jolson as Jakie Rabinowitz, the son of a cantor in New York who forsakes the religious life for a career in show business as the jazz singer Jack Robin.

In the film, the Yom Kippur holiday neatly brackets the 20-year history that the story covers. First, when the young teenager Jakie is found performing in a local tavern on Yom Kippur Eve and rebukes his father.

“You’re of the old world! If you were born here, you’d feel the same as I do … tradition is all right but this is another day. I’ll live my life as I see fit.”

Later near the end of the film, when Jack Robin returns home on the eve of the holiday as a successful performer to visit his terminally ill father, his attitude soft-

32 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Although the famous Cantor Yossele Rosenblatt appears in the film, he refused to perform the “Kol Nidre” prayer and Al Jolson sang the words.

ens. At the climax to the drama he agrees to return to the synagogue to perform the “Kol Nidre” prayer.

While the film effectively tells a familiar story of the conflict between obedience to traditional religious life and the lure of the modern world, “The Jazz

Singer” would have been forgotten long ago if not for the fact that it features the first spoken dialogue ever heard in a featured film.

Three quarters of the film is silent.

But in one of the most famous scenes in film history, Jolson, as a rising star on the Broadway stage, visits his mother to speak on the screen loudly and clearly of his success and the new show he is rehearsing.

The dialogue was said by some to have been made up on the spot, with the words just tumbling from an exuberant Jolson as they occurred to him. But for an audience that had been accustomed to silence on the screen, Jolson's spoken monologue was electrifying.

“Mama, darlin’, if I’m a success in this show, well, we’re gonna move from here. Oh yes, we’re gonna move up in the Bronx.

“A lot of nice green grass up there and a whole lot of people you know. There’s the Ginsbergs, the Guttenbergs, and the Goldbergs. Oh, a whole lotta Bergs, I don’t know ’em all.

“And I’m gonna buy you a nice black silk dress, Mama. You see Mrs. Friedman, the butcher’s wife, she’ll be jealous of you … Yes, she will. You see if she isn’t. And I’m gonna get you a nice pink dress that’ll go with your brown eyes …”

With Jolson rattling on about “a whole lotta Bergs,” Jolson was giving voice to not only a new era of sound on the screen, but to some of the dilemmas that American Jews were beginning to face as immigrants in America. They were, in 1927, beginning to see the results that hard work and the drive to succeed were starting to have.

The film is a rare examination by early Hollywood’s Jewish moguls of the

Al Jolson’s monologue to his mother in “The Jazz Singer “introduced the sound of the human voice to feature motion pictures.

conflict that this brought.

The story of “The Jazz Singer” largely parallels Jolson’s own life as an immigrant from Lithuania, who turns his back on his father, a cantor, and achieves success as one of the greatest stars of his era.

The year after “The Jazz Singer” opened, Jolson married another prominent performer, Ruby Keeler, who was not Jewish. He was said to return to the synagogue only on his mother’s yahrzeit, the anniversary of her death.

In the film he comes home on Yom Kippur eve just before his new show is set to open on Broadway. His father is too ill to perform his cantorial responsibilities and Jack is asked to take his place. The dilemma is clear and dramatic, if he chooses the “Kol Nidre” over the Broadway opening, his career could be over.

But the thought of disappointing a father on his deathbed wins him over and Jolson, in the traditional white robes, sings the Hebrew words of the traditional prayer flanked by a pair of the congregation’s Torah scrolls.

The film was a smash hit and audiences in towns and cities across America who had never seen a Jew or had ever been inside a synagogue suddenly were introduced to both. Warner Bros. even produced a small booklet for audiences with a vocabulary of Yiddish words and their meanings that were used in the film.

The success of the film ushered in an entirely new era in entertainment.

Within two years of its premiere in 1927, nearly every theater in America had been wired for sound. But rarely have the words of Hebrew prayer been heard with such impact as they were over 90 years ago. ì

TRAVEL An American in Paris

Synagogue in Le Marias, Paris, designed by Gustave Eiffel

By Amy Seidner When Karen Rudel first got to Paris, she was the typical American enjoying her post-graduation trip and then realized she couldn’t stay away.

Born and raised in Johnstown, Pa., Rudel is the youngest of five children. Her brother Mark lives in Atlanta. Through the years, Rudel has taken many from Atlanta on her Sight Seeker’s Delight tours through Paris.

Rudel attended Temple University in Philadelphia, majoring in theater. Using her theater and music experience, she made a life in Paris, playing in bands, including reggae. In her spare time, she taught English and babysat.

During her parent’s first visit, as Rudel was showing them around Montmartre, her mother suggested her daughter would make a great tour guide. That was Rudel’s “aha moment.” Now, for over 20 years, Rudel has been leading tours throughout Paris.

She started with guiding backpackers in hostels and now owns one of the leading walking tour companies in Paris.

What makes Rudel different is her comedic shtick, the insider stories she tells, her knowledge of Judaism in France, the French Resistance and the Holocaust.

She blends her in-depth knowledge of all things Paris with her experience in theater.

Pre-pandemic, Rudel and her guides (all actors) offered about 16 different types of walking tours from Versailles to foodie excursions. Due to COVID-19, with no tourists to entertain and educate, Rudel came up with a new take on virtual tours. With her in-depth and close-up itinerary, which she bases on her in-reallife visits, she has found a way to virtually take tours to the public, including 34 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

groups who would never be able to travel.

She has guided excursions for groups in senior living facilities, religious school groups, synagogues, book clubs, families, and groups who were planning their trips this summer but canceled due to the pandemic.

Rudel, who is married to a Frenchman, with whom she shares a 10-year-old son, prepared for her business by diving deep into history and the arts of Paris.

She read over 700 books. She explored the locations, visited with the local shopkeepers and restaurants, spoke to the people in charge, including rabbis and historians, survivors and even Righteous Gentiles who risked their lives to hide and save Jews during the Holocaust.

A trained performer, Rudel views her tours as a movie set, with each stop oozing secrets to be shared and tidbits to be learned. Rudel took the AJT on two tours: Jewish Paris and the French Resistance. She emphasized that these were not tours about “being Jewish,” they were a trip back to explore Jewish history and culture in France.

Historical Significance Jewish history in Paris, particularly in the Jewish Quarter known as Le Marais, dates back 2,000 years. Rudel shared stories of the history of French Jews and how the mercy of their lives and livelihood depended on the benevolence of kings. Despite persecution and anti-Semitism, Jews contributed and thrived in all aspects of French life. Jews excelled in the arts, medicine, business and finance. Having been forced to work in only certain types of commerce, they prospered in those areas until a king decided to change those fields because the Jews were becoming too successful. Still, the Jews excelled. The Jewish people in

In 1789, Napoleon guaranteed religious freedom, freeing the Jews of France and then appointing a chief rabbi.

France were sub-citizens until Napoleon emancipated the Jews in 1789. But antiJewish laws and restrictions were passed in the early 1800s as Jews became more successful and involved in arts, politics and banking.

About 75 percent of French Jews are Sephardic. Up until World War II, Jews in Paris were well assimilated and predominantly non-traditional. Most were from Eastern European, Ashkenazi backgrounds. By the end of World War II, about half of the French Jews had perished. For the most part, those who survived became less affiliated or connected to their Judaism due to the atrocities they experienced in the Holocaust. Decades later, more and more Sephardic, Frenchspeaking Jews, immigrated from Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Today, France has the largest Jewish population in Europe.

Among the more famous French Jewish leaders, such as Prime Minister Léon Blum, I was shocked to learn that Nostradamus, as well as the founders of the famous Galeries Lafayette department stores and Citroën cars, were all Jewish. Other Jewish leaders who left their marks on Paris include artists, actors, writers and Nobel Prize winners.

The tour covers the history and stories of so many of these iconic figures, many of whom did not publicly disclose their Jewish identities for fear of anti-Semitism.

Hidden in Plain Sight The tour began in the historic district of Le Marais, once the major Jewish Quarter. Although the area today still houses kosher restaurants, synagogues, gift and Judaica shops, it is also a beautiful, trendy area with clubs, galleries, shopping and a thriving LGBTQ community. We toured the Place des Vosges, explored hôtels particuliers (grand private homes, many

from the 18th century). At the Place des Vosges, we saw the Synagogue des Tournelles, which was designed by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). Rudel stopped at places that memorialize the deportation of children, yeshivot as well as several synagogues, many of which are entirely unmarked. Because Rudel works closely with so many in Le Marais, synagogues that are undisclosed and do not allow regular tourists to visit are typical stops on her Jewish History of Le Marais tour. The synagogues look like simple apartments or generic buildings, but some unleash tales of hundreds of Jewish children that were hidden and saved by brave citizens, both Jewish and Gentile. As for the Torah scrolls, only in Paris could you find a Torah wrapped in a fabulous scarf. Another famous Synagogue we visited is the Art Nouveau Synagogue designed by Hector Guimard, famous for his Paris Metro stations. The tour stops at Chez Jo Goldenberg restaurant where, in August 1982, an infamous anti-Semitic bombing and shooting attack took place. Six people, including two Americans, were killed and 22 injured. This attack marked the first anti-Semitic attack post World War II in Paris.

Noted French Jews Part of Rudel’s itinerary spotlights the history and stories of famous French Jewish dignitaries. Artistic and historical figures who are Jewish include actress Sarah Bernhardt, Isaac and Daniel Carasso, founders of Danone (Dannon yogurt), and Camille Pissarro, the late 1800s painter considered the “father of Impressionism.”

Rudel spoke about Alfred Dreyfus, the illustrious military officer who was tried and convicted of treason for allegedly passing French military secrets to the

TRAVEL

Living Your Best Life At

Famous French Resistance fighters Georges Loinger and Frida Wattenberg with Karen Rudel

Germans. L’Affaire, or The Dreyfus Affair as it is also known, was a major political scandal of appalling anti-Semitism. Several years after Dreyfus was convicted, writer Émile Zola submitted a letter to the newspapers entitled J’Accuse…! which eventually led to a new trial, followed by Dreyfus’ exoneration.

Rudel also discussed how Zionism began with Theodor Herzl in Paris. Herzl was the Paris correspondent for an Austrian newspaper following the Dreyfus Affair. He witnessed the Dreyfus antiSemitic rallies, and thus became a more active Zionist. In the late 1890s, he published “The Jewish State,” which documented the need for a Jewish homeland.

Marcel Marceau and the French Resistance The tour also incorporates accounts of Marcel Marceau, the famous French actor (Jewish) who studied performance in Paris during World War II. Marceau was recruited to the French Resistance by his cousin Georges Loinger, a leader in the Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants. This Jewish relief group smuggled children out of occupied France. Loinger, who saved about 350 children, died at 108 in 2018.

At times, Loinger needed to keep the children quiet while they were being smuggled from Paris to the safety of the Swiss border. His secret weapon was Marceau, who used his training as a mime to help the children feel safe, keep them quiet, and save their lives. Marceau, who lost his father in Auschwitz, used his experiences to create and develop his legendary pantomime characters during the war.

In her tour, Rudel talks of meeting Loinger and Frida Wattenberg, another hero of the Resistance. Wattenberg died this April at the age of 95, from COVID-19.

She grew up in Le Marais and joined the Resistance at age 16. She is renowned for her talents in creating and procur-

ing false papers enabling Jews to escape France. She also rescued many groups of children through the Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants.

The French police captured Wattenberg’s mother in the infamous roundup of the Vélodrome d’Hiver, the most massive arrest of Jews in Paris by the French police. July 16 and 17, 1942, 13,152 Jews (4,000 of them children) were arrested and held at the Vélodrome, an indoor stadium, without food, water, restrooms or other sanitary facilities. From there, the Jews were sent to Auschwitz. Wattenberg somehow was able to rescue her mother from the Vélodrome by procuring false papers that ‘proved’ her mother worked in a factory making clothing for the German army.

Our tour ended at the Shoah Memorial, honoring those deported from France to concentration camps and died during World War II, and the Righteous Resistance Fighters (Jews and Gentiles) who fought and saved Jews from the Holocaust. More Jews in France survived the war than in neighboring countries, partly due to the Jewish Resistance heroes and the assistance of non-Jewish French. The French Shoah Memorial includes a wall of over 3,300 names of those who saved Jews called the Allée des Justes (Alley of the Righteous).

These and other historic sites come to life on Rudel’s virtual tours. Before you ‘leave’ for a Sight Seeker’s Delight trip, she sends a list of books to read and movies to watch to help you get in the esprit Français (French spirit). She also sends the recipes for a complete French meal.

The tours are about 90 minutes long, followed by a question and answer session.

As Rudel claims, “Your feet won’t hurt after we are finished, but you should be mentally inspired and thirsty for more fabulous stories all about Paris.”

For more information, visit www. sightseekersdelight.com. ì

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UV Lighting throughout all common areas Negative Ion Emission Full Building Water Filtration System Balconies and Porches for Fresh Air and Sunlight Fresh Farm to Table Food Full Service Spa, including Salt Water Pool HydroWorx pool used for rehab injuries and reduces inflammation Large campus to walk Indoors and Outdoor The Healthy Climate UV light emits ultraviolet energy that has been proven effective in reducing microbial life form (viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds) in the air. The Negative Ion Emissions lifts mood and kills mold, bacteria and viruses as well as reducing allergens in the air. Some metropolitan water systems have been tested with up to 50+ micro drug residues in the water. That is why we install a full building water filtration system to deliver the best water possible.

Schedule Your Tour Now! 404-496-6794 1882 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 www.holbrooklife.com ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 35

DINING Buena Vida Tapas: Miami Meets Southern Spain

Partners Adam Berlin and Juan Calle met at North Springs High School

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Atlantan Adam Berlin has been in food service long before his graduation from North Springs High School, where he met his business partner Juan Calle from Bogota, Colombia. Berlin said, “I have been cooking since I was walking.

Being in the family business [like Uncle Scott Rittenbaum’s Huey’s on Peachtree], I was bussing tables and working 'the line.'”

Calle was bartending at Tijuana

Pan Con Tomate – Ciabatta loaded with fresh garlic, fresh tomatoes, olive oil and Maldon salt was mucho delicious.

Market Fish red snapper is a work of art and sharable.

A trio of appetizers are complimented by imported ceramic plates.

Joe’s. After graduating the University of Georgia in business and marketing, Berlin was well on his way to success, owning and operating Moonshine Bar and Silver Dollar in Athens. Fast forward to 2016 where they started Buckhead’s Big Sky on Cains Hill Place.

Last year, Berlin opened Buena Vida Tapas & Sol in the Old Fourth Ward. Here is a sprawling yet intimate, uniquely decorated indoor-outdoor venue. “We wanted a different vibe of tapas with lighter options, not all heavy and fried. Our

menu is one-half vegetarian and about one-third vegan for the "vegan curious.’”

Not traveling during the pandemic?

Buena Vida Tapas seats up to 100 indoors (socially distanced with plastic dividers) and 100 outdoors, as well as on a sensational autumnal patio. Interior designer Meredith Perry did a spectacular job creating the feeling of being swept away to Southern Spain and its islands with the Bohemian chic of Ibiza. All points inside show different settings that required a good deal of thought: avante garde décor with polished concrete floors and ceramic tile, and art by Angie Jerez, Laura Esposito and Chris Veal, highlighted with commercial colorized photos of Ibiza.

Customers are greeted by a neon wall “Te Quiero Mucho,” expressing love and the legacy left by Juan’s late sister Laura Calle, a local activist who died of kidney disease.The wall mural sets the mood with pastels of ocean blue and pink skies.

Pan Con Tomate- ($5) – Ciabatta bread loaded with fresh garlic, fresh tomatoes, olive oil and Maldon salt. As good as leftovers the next day as it was on the spot.

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Beyondigas ($10) – Plant-based “meatballs” in a flavorful tomato-based sauce with green onions, carrot shavings and vegan cheese.

Confit Mushrooms las Croquetas ($9.50) – Looks like falafel from the outside but quite a different story inside.

A rich dark blend of shitake, oyster and cremini mushrooms blended with panko over celeriac puree (the celery flavor really comes through!) with porcini dust and an agava truffle oil sweet touch. Savor every morsel.

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Brussels sprouts find themselves on a full spectrum of Atlanta menus. Buena Vida Tapas has mastered the dish over green olive tapenade topped with micro greens and vegan aioli, for which Berlin supplied the mystery ingredients: blended tofu, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, water and salt.

Eggplant Montadito ($6.50) – Crispy flatbread, smoked eggplant, thin candied almonds, arugula, cilantro, sesame brittle and vegan aioli. The black sesame was the kicker.

Artichoke Ensalada ($8.50) – Warm artichokes over “just right” firm asparagus spears, olive oil, lemon, local egg and frisée. The latter was heavily salted; otherwise a perfect dish.

Market Fish of the Day (might be pompano or seasonal), but our sample day was super-fresh red snapper. The whole fish was a work of art surrounded by a roasted artichoke stem and blistered cherry tomatoes, fried garlic and mojo verde coulis. Shareable by many.

Must try next visit: Warm beet salad with baby kale, fennel, almonds, Valdeon cheese, truffle mushroom vinaigrette and topped with fried quinoa.

Many items are gluten free.

The menu is extensive with brunch, raciones (large plates), charcuterie and sexy colorful cocktails.

Berlin said, “We considered many details and design elements like importing the handmade Fray Angelica artisan ceramics from Columbia. Come in to try our Canary Island Wrinkly Potatoes, that’s one of my favorites.”

Buena Vida Tapas & Sol is located at 385 N. Angier Ave., a stone’s throw from the east back side of Ponce City Market. Closed Mondays, the hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. ì

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 37

DINING

Tip Top Renovation Comes with New Menu

Tuesday’s special shakshuka came with two eggs atop a hearty peppered tomato sauce.

Tip Top went through a major renovation, repositioning the seating area and market shelves with an open floor plan.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe Cabin fever from not making a transcontinental trip to Israel? Find the tastes, smells and shelves at Shallowford Road off I-285 where you will find Israeli products, Hebrew TV chatter and the authentic atmosphere of a side street Tel Aviv vibe. Listed on the Atlanta Kosher Commission website, Tip Top is not a newcomer, but has reopened with improved design and a revised menu.

Owner-operator Sapir Lior Malka, originally from Kiryat Shmonah, HaZafon, runs her “sabra show” by saying, “We changed the whole look into one open space with a seating area of 24 seats, indoor and out. You can find in our store area a lot of Israeli products, kosher products, rows of Bamba (peanut butter snacks), homemade cakes, fresh challah every Thursday, refrigerated items, burekas, puff pastry, Zion and Tnuva brands, kreplach, Shabbat candles and yummy babkas. One dessert favorite in the market is gluten-free chocolate wafers."

There is also a separate area for diary eaters who might select an item from the market separate from the meat items on the menu.

Malka explains her passion for cuisine. “I grew up in a culture that is all about food, food and food again. We always ate amazing delicious food, especially Moroccan. I know how to cook by looking and smelling. Our love is food and mostly feeding, pampering and having people say, ‘We enjoyed your food!’”

Tuesdays are especially delicious at Tip Top. At 11:30 a.m., they announce that day’s special. Examples are cous38 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Tip Top owners have renovated the restaurant’s interior and added authentic Israeli menu items.

Sapir Malka said that the sausage panini sandwich is the customer favorite.

cous with vegetable soup with chicken and semolina, and Cuban beetroot soup with semolina cubes stuffed with meat, fish patties and chicken – all priced at $14.99.

“On Tuesday we serve homemade and hot food that runs out until the last dish lasts, usually into the afternoon.

The special is posted on our social media.”

During the pandemic, Tip Top is holding its own with outside tables, the grocery and tons of pickup and takeout.

“At first there was a serious panic and people wanted deliveries and a lot of pickup, and we prepared for it accordingly; we got through it successfully. Nowa-

days people enter the store with masks, and we make sure to clean surfaces and carts. We believe in Hashem, that nothing will hurt us, and indeed it is like that.

We see a variety of customers, Israelis and Americans, as well as from different states like Alabama, Louisiana. We also ship deliveries within the U.S.” Tip Top’s meat is purchased from New York. The most popular menu items are the paninis. Americans have to adjust expectations for their “sausage” label versus the traditional vision of ground meat products with spices, fillers and extenders, often processed, stuffed in a casing. Here the “sausage” sandwiches are the equivalent of crafted

The Tunisian tuna sandwich has warm crusty bread and spicy red sauce.

ripples of deli meat.

Sausage panini turkey is $10.99, sausage panini mix, $11.99 and sausage panini meat, $14.99.

The best part is the fresh crusty French baguette or Israeli bun in which the layers of deli meat are intertwined with Tip Top’s magic pesto sauce. There are other sauce choices: garlic aioli, sweet chili ketchup, spicy schug, barbecue, honey mustard, chipotle and spicy mayo. Sides of authentic Mediterranean black olives, pickles, tangy pickled banana peppers and caramelized onions add a kick. There is a kid’s menu with French fries, hot dogs or sandwiches.

Adults can have a hot dog too!

Other items we sampled were the Tunisian tuna sandwich and sabich, an Israeli pita generously stuffed with hard boiled eggs, eggplant, parsley, lemon juice and tahina.

Malka was most proud of the hearty vegetarian shakshuka (that Tuesday’s special) sometimes served in Israel as a breakfast item all day. Two eggs were nicely poached atop a spicy, wellseasoned crushed tomato sauce with green peppers accompanied by chopped Israeli cucumber tomato salad, warmed pita and tahina.

Tip Top certainly has heart and aims to please.

Tip Top is located at 2211 Savoy Drive.

Store hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Restaurant hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday. Tip Top is closed for Shabbat. ì

Photos by Duane Stork // Sabrina and Sean Belnick enjoy entertaining in their dining

room. The floating globe cluster lighting was custom-designed and installed. The outside view is to a glorious courtyard of bonsai and Japanese maples.

Chai Style Home

The full-size Belnick bowling alley is on the lower level.

Millennials Take Team Approach to Buckhead Estate

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Marcia: What happened during construction?

Sean: I was totally involved in the process starting at Sean Belnick’s story is the stuff of legends. While at- once-a-week inspections escalating to three times a week, tending Pope High School, the 14-year-old entrepreneur de- checking the new studs, electrical wiring, seeing the spaces veloped a web-based office furniture distribution business transformed until the end process.

Sabrina: We knocked down the entire old house here that grew to a national footprint with four facilities totaling in 2017. The construction took 2 1/2 years 1.9 million square feet selling chairs to churchonce we got the permits. Every tile, piece of es, schools and medical facilities. hardware, speaker, integrated lighting down In 2017 he sold BizChair and now serves to the electrical outlets, were considered. I got on its board. In between, he was featured in ideas from Pinterest and just driving around.

U.S. News and World Report, Inc. magazine’s We knew we wanted a modern farmhouse 30 Under 30, CNN’s Young & Rich and as an style, white with a barn roofline, as much wine Emory alum, “From Pokeman Play to Millioncountry as farmhouse. We sat down with our aire CEO.” team and worked seamlessly. Linda MacArTo wife Sabrina, two young sons, corgi thur was the architect and Michael Ladisic Sam and rescue cat Scarlet, he’s just a fun dad. was the builder. Kelly Anthony, Wolf Design Sabrina, who taught health education at Marcia Group, was the interior decorator. Matthew Kennesaw State University, co-piloted the con- Caller Jaffe Quinn, Design Galleria, did the bathrooms, struction of the Belnick’s new family home in the land of a “happy ever after” fairytale. Her closet would closets, kitchen, bars and scullery. Many of the fixtures were custom-made by Jonathan Browning, Avrett, Urban Electric, make a Kardashian envious.

“I wanted a neutral palette throughout yet strove to and John Pomp through R. Hughes at ADAC. The installamake each room unique with different textures and fabrics,” tion was an engineering project in itself to accommodate Sabrina said. “My vision was for a Napa-style farmhouse, so the special proportions and sizes needed in here. you see the details of expansive black iron windows, white Marcia: What are the special touches and decor that shiplap walls and the handcrafted ceiling details.” you wanted in the finished home?

Tour one of Atlanta’s most majestic family homes.

Sean: We worked with the team on every level of detail from floor to ceiling, magnificent windows, lighting and doors. The essence was in having the right natural light, so we don’t need to always have the lights on. We knew what we wanted for function and design. What would the view be looking down the hall, out to the loggia, or from the master bedroom to the outdoor space? The master is a three-sided “glass box” looking out onto the backyard.

I actually like a very simple sentimental space: the hall outside the master where we feature 36 family photos showing the happy faces of our growing family.

Sabrina: We don’t “collect” art. It’s what we see and love. My favorite is the 3D butterfly installation “Infinity Butterflies” outside the master, which has the stunning effect of mirrors in the style of Yayoi Kusama, formerly exploding at the Atlanta High Museum. Each real butterfly wing is stained in a lustrous range of beige to copper. The artist is Jocelyn Mara, Coup Studio.

Sabrina: As a young family, we wanted a house that we could grow with, tailored to our lifestyle, like a small playroom off the kitchen and lots of storage for toys. In our old house, we had toys everywhere (laughing). Upstairs we have the main playroom with the children’s rooms and now the new nursery.

The house is symmetrical as you enter, a mirror image on both wings. We each have our own study on each side of the home. The ombre-shadowed staircases are a unique ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 39

CHAI STYLE The little boy’s room has a sense of “monkey“ frivolity.

The media room, bar area and recreational arcade are adjacent to the wine cellar.

feature and balance the house.

Sean: The lower level has an entirely different look with an industrial style recreational game area with the Belnick Bowling Alley, pingpong, expansive retro bar, media room and arcade games. Sixteen TVs keep us “cartoon savvy”!

Marcia: Do you do a lot of entertaining? The long dining room table seats 14!

Sabrina: We care mostly about family occasions – Thanksgiving and the holidays. The 14 plus another 30 with

some folding tables in the loggia allow us all to be together.

The outdoor space is also great for entertaining. At night it is very peaceful out there, and just think of how close we are to the city.

Marcia: Elaborate on the outdoor space.

Sean: The year-round heated Pebble Tec pool has a Lautner edge so it looks flush with the surrounding stone.

The giant bonsai tree is unique, and we are awaiting a copper tree sculpture fountain. The landscape architect Rich-

The Belnick kitchen (left) opens to the expansive great room. Sabrina is fond of handcrafted ceiling detail.

Sean’s office mirrors a softer version of Sabrina’s office on the opposite side of the house.

The inviting playground is by CedarWorks.

40 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

CHAI STYLE The cabana reflects on the heated Pebble Tec pool with a Lautner edge flush with the surrounding stone.

Sean describes the master bedroom as a three-sided glass box. Sabrina refers to the chandelier as cloud-like.

ard Anderson placed the mature Japanese maple as a perfect focal point.

The playground is by CedarWorks and the pool cabana has a full kitchenette and bathroom.

Sabrina: We wanted the covered porch and outdoor space to flow. It’s livable and feels comfortable for small children.

They love to pick produce from the garden: watermelon, green beans, strawberries, squash. Right now they are

observing caterpillars’ metamorphosis in a handmade box.

Marcia: What advice would you give to young couples building a new home?

Sabrina: Live in another home first before you build your dream home. I had no clue what I wanted until I lived somewhere else.

Sean: It will take more time and cost than you anticipate. No such thing is a budget! ì

Sabrina’s master closet was designed by Matthew Quinn. The lighting and compartmentalization rivals any Hollywood home.

The infinity butterfly installation lines the hallway leading to the master bedroom. Each wing is stained in a lustrous range of beige to copper.

The artist is Jocelyn Mara, Coup Studio.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 41

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER 22-OCTOBER 7

Virtual Classes and Events:

for more information, sanderson@ jfcsatl.org.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 Brain Health Boot Camp – From 1 to 2 p.m. 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.

NCJW Atlanta Section’s National Voter Registration Panel Discussion – From noon to 1 p.m. Zoom panel discussion. Panelists include Mary Carole Cooney, chair, Fulton County Board of Registrations and Elections; Melita Easters, founder and executive director of the Georgia WIN List; Tia Mitchell, political reporter, AJC; and moderated by Lindy Miller.

To register, www.bit.ly/2ZSdO5A.

“Seeing Whiteness for Anti-Racist Action” Study Series – From 7 to 8:30 p.m. NCJW members and friends are invited to the second installment of the series “Seeing Whiteness for Anti-Racist Action.” To register, www. bit.ly/2Z7Nm7q.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 Next Course and Necessities - Food and Supply Distribution – From noon to 6 p.m. Connecting local farms and community to benefit both by providing a bag of seasonal freshly-picked produce. The Tzedakah Project will be filing in the gaps and providing a variety of cleaning products, personal hygiene, pet food and pantry goods. Please note that specific items cannot be requested and some may be available on a firstcome, first-served basis. For more information, go to www.bit.ly/3iJS6Ib. 42 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Torah Studies, Live – From 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join Intown Jewish Academy for an in-depth analysis of the Torah portion.This program brings you the tradition of classical Jewish learning in a series of inspiring and 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.

Resilience | Inaugural Art Exhibition – From 3 to 8 p.m. Humankind and the physical world face challenges that can darken our days; yet artists continue to see the beauty and light and share that vision as a reminder that we are a resilient people.

Chabad Intown invites you to experience “Resilience,” an art exhibition by three local artists: Adrienne Zinn, Shelton Cochran and Alice Levenson Rogers. To reserve a spot, visit https://bit.ly/2FSO7L6.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 High Holidays on The BeltLine – From 7:15 to 8:15 p.m. Join Chabad Intown for high holiday services at ther facility on the BeltLine. Enjoy an inspiring synthesis of delight for body and soul. The atmosphere is as physically comfortable as it is spiritually warm and inviting. Due to coronavirus, safety guidelines will be in place. To register, www. bit.ly/3gXrvWA. High Holidays Virtual Services – 8 p.m. Join Congregation Ner Tamid for high holidays services, which will be streamed live via Zoom Webinar and delayed/recorded via YouTube. The text of all prayers will be presented on screen. For details and the registration link, go to www.bit. ly/2FEQ7qg.

Kol Nidrei with Temple Beth Tikvah – From 8 to 10 p.m. Please visit the website to view our high holiday services. For more information, go to www.bethtikvah.com.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 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, SEPTEMBER 25 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24 Frankly Speaking with Sherry Frank – From noon to 1:15 p.m. NCJW Atlanta is excited to continue our women’s discussion group for our members and friends. Moderated by noted Atlanta advocate Sherry Frank, this monthly lunchtime meeting focuses on current events through a Jewish lens. Due to the pandemic, the meetings are held on Zoom. To register, contact christineh@ncjwatlanta. org.

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

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.

Ben-Gurion, Epilogue Documentary: Virtual Screening – From noon to 2 p.m. It is 1968, and he is 82 years old, five years before his death. Join BenGurion University of the Negev for this award-winning documentary that brings to life David Ben-Gurion’s introspective soul-searching that provides a prescient vision for today’s crucial decisions and the future of Israel. To register, www.bit. ly/2ZOHOze. ACT Orientation – From 7 to 9 p.m.

Join JWFA for the first official meeting of the newest class of the acclaimed Agents of Change training program. For more information, www.jwfatlanta.org.

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, Amy Seidner, for more information at amy@atljewishtimes.com.

Racist Action.” To register, www.bit. ly/2Z7Nm7q.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES Ha'azinu Friday, September 25, 2020, light candles at 7:11 p.m.

Saturday, September 26, 2020, Shabbat ends at 8:05 p.m.

Yom Kippur Sunday, September 27, 2020, light holiday candles at 7:09 p.m.

Monday, September 28, 2020, holiday ends at 8:02 p.m.

Sukkot Friday, October 2, 2020, light Shabbat/holiday candles at 7:02 p.m.

Saturday, October 3, 2020, light holiday candles after 7:55 p.m. from a pre-existing flame Sunday, October 4, 2020, holiday ends at 7:54 p.m.

Shemini Atzeret Friday, October 9, 2020, light Shabbat/holiday candles at 6:53 p.m.

Saturday, October 10, 2020, light holiday candles after 7:46 p.m. from a pre-existing flame Sunday, October 11, 2020, holiday ends at 7:45 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 A Jazz Memoir: Herb Snitzer Zoom Art Talk – From 11 a.m. to noon. Join William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum and meet Herb Snitzer as he and exhibition curator Tony Casadonte discuss jazz, photography and much more. The new exhibition, “A Jazz Memoir: Photography

by Herb Snitzer,” features images documenting America’s jazz scene, focusing on 1957 to 1964 of his over 50-year career. Images of Louis Armstrong, Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Ellington and many others are showcased. Additional works reveal his desire to use photography to effect social change and his belief that “Injustice for one is injustice for all.” To register, www. bit.ly/2FIjZSx. Jewish Fertility Foundation Infertility Support Group – From 7 to 8:15 p.m. Join Jewish Fertility Foundation for a free support group open to any woman currently experiencing medical infertility! To register, www. bit.ly/3e7ZFpC.

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

MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 Israel Bonds Presents: AFMDA Virtual Marcus Center Tour – From 3 to 4 p.m. Join Israel Bonds for a virtual tour of the Marcus National Blood Services Center. See the progress being made on Magen David Adom’s state-of-the-art underground blood center. Featured speakers include Dagan Mochly, lead architect; professor Eilat Shinar, director, MDA’s Blood Services Division; and Moshe Noyovich, AFMDA project engineer. There will be special greetings from Bernie Marcus and Michael Bloomberg. To register, http://bit.ly/ IBAFMDA. Monday Night Parsha – From 7 to 8 p.m. Join Chabad of North Fulton for this virtual class by Rabbi Gedalya Hertz on the weekly parsha.To join, www.bit.ly/2zpsgIl.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6 SUNDAY, OCTOBER 4 Kabbalah & Coffee – From 9:30 to 11 a.m. Discuss, explore and journey

“Seeing Whiteness for Anti-Racist Action” Study Series – From 7 to 8:30 p.m. NCJW members and friends are invited to an introduction to the series “Seeing Whiteness for Anti-

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7 YOGA GIRL! by Hadassah Greater Atlanta – From 7 to 8:15 p.m. Join Hadassah of Greater Atlanta for this yoga series led by Tzipporah GersonMiller. Proceeds benefit raising ART (awareness, research and treatment) of breast and ovarian cancers. To register today for this virtual event, go to www.bit.ly/35iLwoo.

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

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

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 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:

MJCCA Fitness – MJCCA is open; continue to work out virtually or in person! See the group exercise classes at www.atlantajcc.org/reopen.

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.

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

BBYO – Tune in to BBYO On Demand, a brand-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.

PJ Library – PJ Library is bringing fun, crafts, stories, Q&As, scavenger hunts, food demos and so much more. To join in and for more information, www.bit.ly/2WzFFqh. Repair the World – Repair the World

Atlanta Community Food Bank Text for Help SMS Function –The ACFB’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 is ‘findfood’ (no space). An automated response will be activated. When a person texts 888-976-2232 (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. For more information, www.acfb.org.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 43

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

In the wake of recent 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.

Israel American Council – IAC @ Home brings you the most innovative content online while helping 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 coastto-coast community right from your own home. For more information, www.israeliamerican.org/home.

JF&CS - Emergency Financial Assistance – JF&CS is here to provide emergency aid for individuals and families. Please call 770-677-9389 to get 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 us at therapy@ jfcsatl.org or call 770-677-9474.

JF&CS - Telehealth Older Adult Services – Aviv older adult staff are there to help provide resources, care plans and support for you and your family. Call AgeWell at 1-866-AGEWELL (1-866-243-9355) to find out how they can help. For more information, www.bit.ly/2wo5qzj.

Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta COVID-19 Resources – The unsettling, fast-moving and unpredictable 44 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

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.

vices and discover for yourself why Rabbi Dorsch calls Etz Chaim “The Shul with the Neshama (soul) of the South.” To join, www.bit.ly/3gWL02s.

Congregation Or Hadash – Shabbat services Friday at 6:30 p.m. Saturday services at 9:15 a.m. Minyan Sunday and Tuesday mornings. To participate and get Zoom link, go to www. or-hadash.org.

Temple Sinai Livestream Services – Temple Sinai has live Shabbat services on Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 10 a.m.. For more information and to view services, www. bit.ly/2BXRfTF. The Temple Livestreaming Services – Find live streaming services here, www.the-temple.org.

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

Please send Community Service Opportunities to amy@atljewishtimes.com.

Synagogue Livestreaming Services: Ahavath Achim Synagogue – Shabbat evening services at 6:30 p.m. Shabbat services at 9:30 a.m. To watch and for more information, www.bit. ly/38dS4Ed.

Congregation Shearith Israel – Daily and Shabbat services will continue at regular times through Zoom.

They are counting participants in these Zoom services as part of a minyan, 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 at www. facebook.com/TEAtlanta/.

Volunteer Opportunities: Creating Connected Communities: www.bit.ly/3bekKNI Ways to Help Through CCC: www.bit. ly/2vAXqdN Provide a Meal to Homeless Women: www.rebeccastent.org.

Package and Deliver Meals Through Open Hand Atlanta: www.openhandatlanta.org/volunteer JF&CS Kosher Food Pantry: www.jfcsatl.org.

Repair The World Resource: A onepage resource for caring for the sick in the time of crisis. For more information, www.bit.ly/2JamMlQ.

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.

Cards & Care Packages for Jewish HomeLife Staff: www.bit. ly/2WDncsY and www.bit. ly/2WDncsY. Second Helpings Volunteer Opportunities: www.bit.ly/2UpkxQE. Temple Beth Tikvah Livestreaming Services – Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Saturdays at 10 a.m. To join on Facebook, www.facebook.com/TempleBethTikvah/ or www.bit.ly/2ZlCvrr.

Congregation Etz Chaim – Erev Shabbat Musical, Fridays at 6:30 p.m.

Shabbat services at 9:30 a.m. Join for weekly livestream Shabbat ser-

Temple Kol Emeth Services – Shabbat services on Fridays at 8 p.m. View our services on www.kolemeth.net or www.facebook.com/Temple Kol Emeth-Marietta, GA.

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 Griller’s Pride

Corso Atlanta

In conversation with Peter Swerdlow

How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

Griller’s Pride opened for business in Atlanta almost 18 years ago, producing only our now well-known South African sausages (affectionately known as KosherBoeries), using the facilities of local kosher companies. Eighteen months later, we opened our own premises in Doraville (Northeast Atlanta) and immediately began producing and offering an everincreasing range of glatt kosher beef, lamb, veal and poultry cuts to the community. For the past four years, since building out our state-of-the-art commercial kitchen, we also offer high-quality prepared dishes too. For many years now, we have also been shipping to customers throughout the United States in specially insulated containers and on dry ice.

How do you cater to younger members of the community?

Recognizing that the younger generation has limited time to actually cook meals, especially during the week, we have developed a wide range of delicious and wholesome fully-cooked dishes that simply need to be heated and served. These are NOT the commodity supermarket-quality lookalikes, in that we only use high quality ingredients, and each one of these dishes is individually prepared. Also, being fully aware of the fact that younger customers are typically more adventurous than middle-aged to older customers, we also offer numerous unique items such as our aged filet mignon medallions, ribeye caps, marinated chicken, gourmet burger patties, etc. For younger members of the community and, in fact, for all our customers, we are always happy to offer advice and guidance as to portion quantities, cooking suggestions and explanation of the different cuts to encourage customers to discover those often-hidden culinary talents.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

Our vision for the future is to solidify and grow our business throughout the U.S. and to continuously enhance our product range. We are always striving to find ways to even further enhance our level of customer service.

Please visit our website at www.grillerspride.com, and/or call us at 770-454-8108 or email peter@grillerspride.com.

In conversation with Kim Weindorf

www.atlantajewishconnector.com

In conversation with Tim Gary How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

Corso Atlanta’s parent company, Galerie Living, was founded in Atlanta in 1996. Over the last 20-plus years, we have been grateful to serve Georgia’s seniors with award-winning community concepts, expert management, and most uniquely, through creating unexpected happiness. To date, Galerie Living has designed, developed, owned and operated four brands and 10-plus senior living communities. Building upon the success of our suburban concept, Village Park Senior Living, we launched our new, intown concept, Corso Atlanta, in 2017. Corso Atlanta is located in Atlanta’s West Paces neighborhood, next to the William Breman Jewish Home and Aviv Rehabilitation Center.

The community is now pre-leasing city homes, independent living, assisted living and memory care homes, and is expected to open in late spring 2021.

We’re really excited to share the Galerie concept of senior living with the West Paces neighborhood.

How do you cater to young members?

Consisting of nearly 500,000 square feet of residential and common space, Corso Atlanta’s vibrant campus creates a welcoming atmosphere for people of all ages. Every amenity is intentionally designed to be enjoyed by residents and their guests — seniors and grandkids alike. Families are invited to join their loved one for manicures at the spa, a private dinner in the tea house, or a concert at the theater. The community is especially excited for the ice cream and crepe parlor, which is sure to be a popular destination for afternoons spent with grandkids.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

Galerie Living and Corso Atlanta are continuously seeking new opportunities to elevate the senior living experience. Constructed with concrete and top-quality materials, Corso is built to stand the test of time while adapting to local needs and preferences. Building on Galerie Living’s two decades of operational excellence, Corso Atlanta looks forward to serving Atlanta’s families for years to come.

Temple Beth Tikvah

How long has your organization been in Atlanta?

Temple Beth Tikvah was founded in 1987 and has served the community of Roswell as a congregation that sits at the nexus between Reform and Conservative Jewish practice. We do not see ourselves as halachically bound; we hold a deep appreciation for Jewish tradition and strive to provide opportunities for exploring Jewish rituals and practices in an authentic yet personal manner.

How do you cater to younger members of the community?

From our early childhood education programs to the wildly popular Temple Youth Group NFTY/HOTTY, to our College Connection committee, TBT strives to connect with the growing souls in our congregational family. As more young adults and newly-married are starting to reconsider life OTP, we are actively developing ways to make TBT more accessible to these 30-somethings, many of whom are cultivating what is meaningful to them in their practices of 21st century Judaism.

Where do you see your organization in 10 years?

We hope to see ourselves as a vibrant cultural and religious center in Roswell for Jews and their partners thriving through every age and stage on their life’s journey.

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 45

COMMUNITY A Yearning for Learning

By Robyn Spizman Gerson With more time on our hands, some of us are busier than ever. How is that possible you ask? Perhaps you are one of the virtual learners who is cooking more, learning online and listening to “TED Talks” as they increase by the minute, in search of purposeful ways to spend time.

The pandemic gives new meaning to learning. Distractions make time fly and take our mind off our challenges, even if only for a little while. It’s a shared spirit that has inspired us to become a better version of ourselves. Whether you’ve cleaned every drawer or closet in your home, tackled the oasis of things in your basement, online learning is not just a craze. The Home Edit authors of the get-organized craze (www. homeedit.com) are ready to instruct you online, in books and even on their Netflix series. Add our own Atlanta Jewish Connector and check out all of the virtual events, including Cooking Chatter celebrating the thrill of the grill with Kirk Halpern, Blaiss Nowak and Matt Brill.

Getting smart is suitable for all ages.

Stacey Kaye, job search skills coach for

college students and recent graduates, launched her website during the pandemic (www.CampusToCareer.com) and has run several webinars entitled, “6 Things College Students Should Do NOW to Land a Job LATER.” She added, “When a future employer asks, ‘So, how did you spend your free time during the pandemic?’ students will need to have a compelling answer to demonstrate ingenuity and resilience.”

Matthew Fishman and son Austin, along with Nola, pose for a photo.

Dani Spizman is proud of the garden her father Justin researched and planted.

Green Thumb On a personal note, I try to learn new things weekly. I am efficient at things I never dreamed about doing. Hosting friends online with experts via Zoom, playing virtual mahjong and even cutting my husband’s hair. My son Justin Spizman (a criminal

L'Shanah Tovah Happy New Year!

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46 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

defense attorney) researched and planted a backyard raised boxed garden with 7-yearold daughter Dani growing herbs and vegetables. Their pride and joy were the red peppers that sprouted and they recently ate for dinner. An accomplished ghostwriter in his spare time, he has editorially supported many who have written memoirs.

Esther Levine Zooms with members of the Gerson family tree.

Family History Project With regard to this yearning for learning, my sister-in-law Esther Levine, founder of the Atlanta Jewish Book Festival, shared, “I have worked on several family trees during the past few months that have grown to 669 Gersons and their spouses in our family tree. The family is originally from Poland but also the countries of England, Israel, France and the United States. I had started family trees in the 1990s for my father’s father and my mother’s mother and they were hopelessly outdated," Levine said.

“I partnered with cousins and engaged the help of someone knowledgeable about research and have found a wealth of information that wasn’t available when I started in the 1990s.This project has been rewarding and fun. We have connected with cousins all over the U.S. in London, France and Israel. An added attraction is thanks to Zoom, we met these cousins and face-toface,” she said. “I recommend having your DNA tested and used ancestry.com and connected with more cousins. Go to the Jewish Genealogy [Society of Georgia] website and the jewishgen.org website for courses and resources about researching your family.

And utilize Tracing the Tribe-Jewish Genealogy on Facebook for help with translating inscriptions on the back of old photographs.

I am giving my children, grandchildren and future generations information about our family that they wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Dog Training Even the family pet is getting in on the learning act. A little puppy love goes a long way as social distancing has affected pets and their owners. Pet bonding and puppy training essentials have become a family obsession. Everyone knows someone with a new puppy, and with that comes a learning opportunity.

Native Atlantan Matthew Fishman, coowner of Barking Hound Village, quickly discovered that his premier dog daycare could offer a fabulous outdoor, safe service teaching dog owners how to train and teach their pets at home or at his stores. Fishman teamed up with Michael Litzky to build a premier dog-training program as Litzky holds the highest dog-training industry certifications. With one-on-one private training, board-and-train programs, and group classes, they have a training option for the entire family to get involved. www.barkinghoundvillage.com Coin Collecting And last but not least, Lee Izen, offers his two cents, which could be quite valuable for everyone. Owner of the Atlanta coin company The Dusty Coin, Lee is enjoying his treasure hunts for rare coins.

“Learning about coins is a wonderful way to learn and possibly earn during the pandemic and helps teach kids the real value of money. Recently I was evaluating and purchasing a collection from a local family.

While combing through their mounds of silver dollars, I discovered the elusive 1893S Morgan silver dollar. This key date coin is worth around $11,000,” Izen said.

“An elderly couple in the Emory area needed a new roof. The husband contacted me about his coin collection. Hiding among hundreds of his coins were five, rare uncirculated 1909-S VDB Lincoln pennies. [After cashing in] $17,000 later, the couple had their new roof.

“Like any treasure hunt, you must do a lot of digging and learning before you discover a treasure. The hundred-year-old 1920 Buffalo nickel may not only fetch a buck, and the 1917 Wheat penny not even a quarter, but any good treasure hunt is an adventure into the unknown and a fun activity for kids and families with time on their hands. Oh, and be sure to wash your hands before and after, and let the fun of the hunt begin.” ì Robyn Spizman is a New York Times award-winning author, media personality and how-to lifestyle expert, www.robynspizman.com

COMMUNITY

Nurturing Your Soul for the Holy Days

By Terry Segal Part 3 of a 3-part series The Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur during COVID-19 require creativity in our observance.

photo credit: Terry Segal // Walking in nature offers a multitude of benefits.

Movement: Our movements, whether large or small, help us to heal. The subtle action accompanying the vidui confessional, hand-over-heart beating our chests, releases our private and collective sins. Yoga, in Sanskrit meaning “union,” invites us to align with Hashem’s creation through sun salutations and stretching as the animals do, to let go of tension and stagnation from the holy vessel of the body. Tree and mountain poses mirror Mother Nature.

The practice of ahimsa, Sanskrit for non-violence, is a mindful part of yogic practice used both on and off the mat. It involves “refraining from the intention of causing physical and psychological pain to any living being, and the conscious integration of compassion into every aspect of daily life.” On the mat, you become aware of what might stretch or injure you. Off the mat, it’s practiced as restraint from lashing out to others when you’re at your limit of tolerance.

There are various forms of yoga. Vinyasa flow is faster-paced, creating internal heat, while Hatha slows and stretches the body. Yin yoga holds postures longer on the mat, focusing on surrender in the discomfort of a pose. Praying with kavanah, or intention, on Yom Kippur, fosters connection to G-d, while transcending the physical discomforts of thirst and hunger.

Various movements dissipate tension, increase circulation and flexibility. Endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers, interact with brain receptors during exercise, resulting in improved mood.

How to practice movement: Walk, dance, stomp, twirl, drum hands on the ground, stretch upward, open arms and heart, expanding space and embracing the unknown as you invite Hashem to join you.

photo credit: Terry Segal // I painted “Butterfly

which are airborne chemicals with antibacterial and antifungal qualities to help them fight disease and protect them from environmental threats. When we breathe them in, our bodies increase the number and activity of natural killer cells, (NK) a type of white blood cell that destroys tumor and virus-infected cells in our bodies.

According to the Department of Environmental Conservation, visiting a forest has real, quantifiable mental and physical health benefits. Even five minutes around trees or in green spaces may improve health, the DEC reports. “Exposure to forests and trees boosts the immune system lowers blood pressure, reduces stress, improves mood, increases ability to focus, even in children with ADHD, accelerates recovery from surgery or illness, increases energy levels, and improves sleep.”

photo credit: Terry Segal // Can’t go to your

Woman” as a whimsical tribute to freedom, in the style of Tamara Laporte.

favorite beach spot just now? Look at photos of meditative scenes and immerse yourself in the visual experience.

Art: We most often think of art as expressions of beauty. However, powerful emotions such as rage and grief can be unleashed from the body on to the blank page.

Once expressed, the images can be kept as a reminder of what was set free, burned or shredded, symbolic of new beginnings.

Internal critical dragons may breathe fire on you at the thought of creating art.

Trick them by painting or coloring using your non-dominant hand. There’s no intention of creating a masterpiece, only expression. If it results in beautiful images that make you happy, place them where you’ll see them often. If the images are dark and ugly, feel good that you released them from imprisonment inside of you.

How to practice art: Choose to use your dominant or non-dominant hand and invite your soul to play. Run your fingers over the crayons, colored pencils or paints and let your heart pick which colors to use, without rules or expectations. Doodle, make marks, smear paint, or collage images and words cut from magazines. Have fun and tap into the joy of creating that nourishes your inner child, who is a spark of G-d.

melody, often with repetitive sounds like “Bim-Bim-Bam,” or “Lai-Lai-Lai,” instead of lyrics. Free flowing writing is a form of meditation, as is art.

Meditations can either allow unstructured thought or an intention set to direct exploration toward a specific topic. For example: “I open myself to answers regarding how I’m going to handle…” (fill in the blank.)

Then release conscious thought about it and walk, sit, sway, etc. while allowing impressions or inspiration to be received. Immersing yourself in prayer is meditation. It’s said that prayer is talking to G-d and meditation is listening for the answers.

How to practice meditation: Let your breathing and heart rate slow, the tension drop from your muscles and nerves; invite a calming image, either real or imagined, and enter it. Experience the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures of the imagery.

Breathe in purity and hope, exhale regret and loss.

Each of the 10 Keys to Nourish Body, Mind & Soul can be selected as part of a daily practice of self-care, introspection and vision of the world, transformed. ì

Nature: Get outside! Feel the wind whip through your hair, the rain on your face, and the sun shining on your back. Walk with reverence in nature for Hashem’s creation, observing, while being mindful not to disturb it. Photograph a bird’s nest as opposed to taking it home. Gather the vibrant fallen leaves instead of plucking them from the branches. Delight in the contrasting energies of night/day, moon/sun, and the changing seasons.

Hug trees. They give off phytoncides,

photo credit: Fred Segal // Hug a tree and reap

the rewards of breathing in phytoncides.

How to practice nature: Walk in the woods or sit among the trees in your yard or at a park. Find your pocket of green space.

Additionally, ground yourself by direct contact with the earth, unobstructed by rubbersoled shoes. Slip your shoes off and press your feet or palms to the earth or touch the trunk of a tree. Take several deep and cleansing breaths and release tension. Can’t get out due to weather conditions? Position yourself at a window and spend several minutes observing nature. There are benefits in that.

Experience the Holy Days outside this year.

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” To read the previous parts in this series, visit:

Meditation: This doesn’t have to be complicated. Wherever you are, no matter the position, pause to find stillness. Meditations can take place in motion, while walking, dancing or chanting a nigun, a religious

www.atlantajewishtimes.timesofisrael. com/four-keys-in-survival-kit-for-future/ www.atlantajewishtimes.timesofisrael. com/keys-to-mindfulness-and-altered-perceptions/ ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 47

COMMUNITY

Rabbinic Family Tradition for Almost 300 Years

Rabbi Mark Zimmerman has spent almost his entire career as the religious leader of Dunwoody’s Congregation Beth Shalom.

By Bob Bahr When Rabbi Mark Zimmerman’s grandfather left the Soviet Union in 1930, he was just one step ahead of the secret police. Zimmerman, who is the long-serving spiritual leader of Congregation Beth Shalom, said Stalin’s police had arrested his grandfather in the little

48 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

shtetl where he was the rabbi. To help him escape, his grandfather’s congregants pooled what little money they had and bribed the jailers.

“The Soviet authorities were ready to execute him the next morning,” Rabbi Zimmerman said. “But the people in the shtetl smuggled him out and managed to arrange for him to get on a freighter bound for Canada.”

Eventually he made his way to Toronto, where he became a respected Talmudic scholar and a prominent member of the Jewish community. The story of his grandfather's narrow escape has become for Zimmerman just another milestone in his family’s long rabbinic history. In fact, the rabbi of the Conservative Dunwoody synagogue traces his long heritage of religious leadership back to 18th-century Rabbi Pinchas Shapiro of Koretz who was known as “The Great Rabbi Pinchas.”

He was among the most brilliant early disciples of Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov, the founder of Hasidism, the revolutionary movement that transformed the religious life of many poor Jews in Eastern Europe.

The 300-year rabbinic history of the Zimmerman family dates back to the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe.

The history of Rabbi Zimmerman’s family can be traced back to one of the early followers of the founder of Hasidism, the Baal Shem Tov.

According to Zimmerman, Rabbi Shapiro has received considerable attention in the modern era.

“He’s known as a very humble rabbi who was very quiet and kept to himself, but Elie Wiesel has written about him in his book on Hasidism called ‘Souls on Fire.’ I am directly descended from that rabbi, and it goes back somewhere between 12 and 13 generations, maybe a little more, because we’ve lost some of the history in the middle there.”

There is said to be little reliable biographic material about Zimmerman’s illustrious ancestor, but he was described as a righteous man “who was from the earth and grew up in the heavens.”

Although the congregational leader of Beth Shalom had a father as well as a grandfather who were well known rabbis, they discouraged Zimmerman from following in their footsteps.

“I was always on the bimah with my dad. And I kind of always thought that I might become a rabbi. But my dad also spent much of his life saying, ‘Mark, be a synagogue president, drive the rabbi crazy. You don’t need this world; be a doctor, be a lawyer or be a pharmacist.

Why in the blazes would you want to be a rabbi? It’s a hard life.’”

In fact, Zimmerman was well along in his studies in computer science when he finally made a decision that “computers were not for me. I didn’t want to spend my life with math and coding.”

He came to Atlanta in 1988 at the age of 29, not long after graduation from the Jewish Theological Seminary.

Although he has spent nearly his entire career as Beth Shalom’s rabbi, his first love is Jewish religious music.

He said he “grew up really steeped in this cantorial tradition” that is said to reach its highest expression during the

worship services of the high holidays.

“I was trained as a chazzan, a cantor, by my dad. I’ve sung with our synagogue choir. My dad went to The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, and one of his classmates was the great Metropolitan Opera star Richard Tucker, who also trained as a cantor.”

But just like his father and his grandfather, Rabbi Zimmerman has not encouraged his children to join him in the rabbinate. His son, instead, has followed his father’s early interests in computer science and works in Israel. Zimmerman said his two daughters have their own career interests.

“I said to my kids, you don’t want to go into the rabbinate just because you think it’s the natural thing to do. You want to explore other things and do whatever.

You have to love this job to be in this job.”

And besides, the rabbi maintains, Judaism has gone through a series of momentous changes in recent years that would have made the religion almost unrecognizable to the many generations of rabbis in Zimmerman’s family, particularly those who were brought up in the religious traditions of the Eastern Europe’s shtetls and the old, traditional world of Hasidism.

“Today Jews have a lot of multiple identities. I mean, there are people for whom Judaism is about their connection to Israel. There are those who see Judaism as the connection to tikkun olam, repairing the world through social action. There are those whose Judaism is connected to ritual behaviorism, much more than traditional orthodoxy. I am seeing today, within my community, basically all kinds. I mean, the American Jewish experience or experiments, if you will, is going in directions that nobody could have imagined.” ì

COMMUNITY

Retired Dentist Makes Hearty French Dish

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Lippman had the patience and determination to take on a traditional French Mitch Lippman credits his passion cassoulet, a long-simmering stew from for cooking and specialty cuisine to his the southwest of France.

Some say each town has its own New York childhood. “Like many other Jewish boys, I worked, or rather slaved, variation of this comfort food. Serious as a waiter at Borsht Belt hotels in the Eats’ the Food Lab in April oozed, “CasCatskills during the summer. Waiting soulets are large bubbling vats of beans on 36 hungry guests at a time for three and meats covered in a dark crust{that is} overwhelmmeals a day servingly simple, ing a la carte, I the main flavor took in over $400 being just that a week in tips. of cured meats, "It was a a good stock, marvel to work and beans.” In in the hotel kitchLippman’s reciens and witness pe, one will need how the chefs, both a 6- and sous chefs, salad 8-quart pot. chefs and 'in Traditionalhouse' bakers ly, cassoulets conwere able to come tain duck, lamb, up with different white beans, and delicious kotomatoes, breadsher style meals crumbs and vegon a daily basis. etables, often inThe standing joke terchangeable. A by comics who far stretch comperformed at the parison would be hotels was that cholent, a nextthe guests had to day overnight tip well because Shabbat dish their waiters Retired dentist Mitch Lippman took days with many variawere their future to perfect his French cassoulet recipe tions of beans doctors and densubstituting for kosher ingredients. and meat. Gourtists.”

Fast forward, Mitch and wife Sher- met chefs find cassoulets rich, comlyn have traveled the world assessing all plex and satisfying, best served with types of food, French cuisine being one salad, crusty bread and fruit tart, and, of their favorites since they befriended of course, a nice wine. Lighter versions several families in France 30 years ago substitute chicken for meat ingrediand have attended European family ents. Mitch recommends a French red occasions. Mitch claims that Sherlyn, table wine from the Cahors region. Or also an avid cook, after 52 years of mar- a hearty red like malbec. Some suggest riage, has never made the same meal a hearty oaked chardonnay. Cassoulet twice. He reminisced, “We have visited leftovers can be frozen and reheated.

When Mitch, an age-defying ocIndia twice, Mongolia last year, where we slept in the Gobi Desert in ger camps togenarian, is not cooking, he can be (Mongolian yurts) for a week. Add the found snow skiing or waterskiing at beautiful Norwegian coast by Hurti- his Blue Ridge lake house, doting on his gruten voyages two times, Antarctica, grandchildren and preparing another where we kayaked among humpback of his specialty dishes, like Peking duck.

Mitch was active in the Jewish Famwhales, Machu Pichu, Israel, Egypt, Russia, and Angkor Wat, sampling local ily & Career Services PAL program and one of the few grandfathers to have a cuisine along the way.”

As autumn temperatures drop pal. Retiring after 43 years in dentistry, alongside the pandemic fascination he said, “Next year we’re off to Montewith hearth and home meal prepara- video where we sail to Cape Verdes off tion, Mitch took this “stay at home” the coast of Africa. We spent our honopportunity to further his cuisine rep- eymoon in Spain and Portugal during ertoire. With terms like soaking, roast- Franco’s and Salazar’s dictatorships ing, crushing, crumbling, mincing, and haven’t stopped traveling since. marinating, herb sachet, and mashing, Stay tuned for more exotic recipes.”

Cassoulet Serves: 6 to 8 1 pound Great Northern beans ½ of a 6-pound roasted duck, sliced 1 pound chuck, cut into 2-inch cubes 1 pound lamb shoulder or from lamb chops, cut into 2-inch squares 2 Hebrew National knockwursts, ¼-inch slices ¼ cup vegetable oil (for chuck) and ¼ inch of vegetable oil (for lamb) 2 cups dry white wine 1 can beef bouillon 4 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring 2 mashed garlic cloves 2 bay leaves 4 tablespoons tomato puree 1 teaspoon thyme 1 cup sliced onions 1 cup minced onions Salt and pepper, to taste Cheesecloth herb bouquet 2 cloves 2 unpeeled garlic clothes 2 bay leaves 4 sprigs of fresh parsley Chuck marinate 2 tablespoons olive oil ½ teaspoon ground or crushed sage 1 crumpled bay leaf 1 clove mashed garlic 1 cup white wine Salt and pepper 1. Marinate the chuck overnight in a bowl with the marinate ingredients.

Roast the duck at 325 F for 3 hours in an oven on a wire rack over a large pan covered with aluminum foil to catch and collect the fat runoff. When done, slice half the duck in thin pieces. The beef and duck are used in the next day’s recipe.

2. Start by adding beans to 5 quarts of boiling water, bringing back to a boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let beans soak for one hour.

While beans are soaking, brown chuck pieces in a saucepan with the 1/4 cup vegetable oil, being careful not to let the meat or oil burn. Set aside the cooked chuck with its juices.

In a separate large saucepan, brown several pieces of lamb at a time (that has been dried with paper towels) in the ¼ inch of vegetable oil, being careful not to burn oil and meat. Lower heat and brown onions in same pan.

In a very large saucepan place the cooked lamb, beef and their juices, along

Lippman’s beans simmer with their herb sachet.

with the mashed garlic, wine, half the thyme, tomato puree, bay leaves, beef bouillon and one cup water. Bring to simmer on stove top, season with salt and pepper, to taste, and cook for 1½ hours.

Remove beef and lamb and set aside to be incorporated in final baking.

Discard the bay leaves and save the cooking sauce.

3. In an 8-quart pot filled with 5 quarts of water, add the soaked beans, herb sachet, sliced onions, sliced knockwurst. Add liquid smoke. Bring to a simmer, slowly uncovered and cook for 1 ½ hours. Adding boiling water to keep beans covered. Drain, remove knockwurst and reserve cooking liquid.

4. For the final assembly, use a 6-quart ovenproof enamel casserole. First add layer of beans on the bottom, then a layer of meat (beef, duck and lamb) and repeat with all of the beans and meat.

Then add the liquid from cooking the lamb and reserved bean cooking liquid if needed to fill casserole.

Place in refrigerator for next day baking.

5. Cover the top with a thick layer of breadcrumbs and drizzle about ½ cup duck fat on top, cover casserole and simmer on stove top for 20 minutes. Take from stove and place in 375 F oven for 20 minutes, then lower temperature to 350 F and mash down crusted top layer and cook for one more hour checking periodically to make sure top of beans are covered adding some reserved bean cooking liquid if necessary. ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 49

COMMUNITY SIMCHA SPOTLIGHT

Engagement Announcements Clein-Cohen

Dr. Paul (formerly of Atlanta) and Michelle Clein of Memphis, Tenn., and Dr. Gary and Mindy Cohen of Birmingham, Ala. (formerly of Atlanta) announce the engagement of their children Stephanie Rachel Clein of Memphis and Jared Evan Cohen of Birmingham.

Clein’s grandparents are Charlotte and the late Morris Straitman of Memphis, Tenn., Bob and Irene Clein of Atlanta, and Dian and the late Earl Wilson of The Villages, Fla. Cohen’s grandparents are Dr. Jerry and Nancy Schwartz of Atlanta, and Morty and Debbie Cohen of Dix Hills, N.Y. Clein has a bachelor’s in psychology from the University of Memphis and a master’s in speech-language pathology from Auburn University. She is a speech-language pathologist in the Birmingham City Schools. Cohen has a bachelor’s in finance and economics from the University of Alabama and is a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual.

A wedding is planned for May 2021.

50 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

Habif-Gelfond Sharon and Lenny Habif are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Miriam Habif to Avi Gelfond, son of Alicia Gelfond-Holtz and Lou Holtz, and the late William “Wolf” Gelfond.

Habif is a native Atlantan and is the director of outreach and engagement at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. Gelfond, also a native Atlantan, graduated from Georgia State University and is in graphic design and video playback in the booming film industry in Atlanta as well as surrounding cities and states.

Habif is the granddaughter of Sherry and the late Ike Habif, and the late Sylvia and Earnest Rapp.

Gelfond is the grandson of Millie and Lenny Gelfond, and the late Shirley and Irving Kay. The couple plan to marry post-COVID in Atlanta.

Have something to celebrate?

Births, B’nai Mitzvah, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Special Birthdays and more ...

Share it with your community with free AJT simcha announcements Send info to submissions@atljewishtimes.com submissions@atljewishtimes.com..

COMMUNITY

Are You a Risk-taker?

By Chana Shapiro

lives for centuries, we HAD to have a sense of humor.” The other bathers reacted with resounding applause, while the hapless inquisitor and his unfortunate wife exited. I never saw them again, and I believe they jumped off the ship and still wander in the misty fjords.

antenna for a cable television station. I am a beekeeper. And as Santa, I allow anyone to sit on my knee and tell me anything they want, even if they might be sick or need a bathroom.

At the age of 68, I’m still attracted to taking chances, but I have family and friends I truly love and want to grow old with. I may take financial risks, but not life-threatening ones because life is precious, and I am not invincible.

Saul Sloman boldly countered a stranger’s antagonism.

Netania Cortell’s family modeled courage for their children.

Rick Rosenthal has thrived on unusual and extreme challenges.

Rick Rosenthal Santa Rick Intrepid risk-taker There’s a difference between risk-taker and entrepreneur; I am both. I have never been afraid to try something new. I was the national sales distributor for Taser when it was introduced, and for nearly 20 years I owned the largest window cleaning company in the Southeast. I often joined workers on scaffolding and occasionally rappelled off the skyscrapers. I now own the secondlargest Santa school in the U.S. and internationally, and I also own an agency for Santas, Mrs. Clauses, elves and live reindeer.

I risked personal danger while preventing someone from committing suicide. I helped create and physically build the original Neighborhood Playhouse, which is now in Decatur. I went snow skiing on black diamond trails in very high mountains, where I tried an advanced run and was miraculously saved by a protective net as I went over the cliff. I faced a shark in 93 feet of water while scuba diving. I scaled an aluminum ladder on top of The Westin Peachtree Plaza hotel during a lightning storm to work on the

Netania Cortell Executive assistant Youthful risk-taker My daring parents moved from Daytona Beach, Fla., to Atlanta when I was 1 year old, so their children could receive an Orthodox Jewish education. They knew no one here, but they weren’t frightened, and they encouraged my siblings and me to be bold.

As a teen, my friends and I often went on crazy road trips and had fun jumping into water from random bridges. In my early 20s, I blithely left home and moved to New York without a job. I made my way among unknown people and risky places, entirely on my own.

I have always taken chances, some good, some not so good. I spent 12 exciting years as an executive assistant in the film industry, where I had to fearlessly solve sudden problems and make immediate decisions every day, even hour-by-hour. These included handling impromptu travel, unexpected visits by film bigwigs, and addressing unpredictable needs and emergencies of industry personalities and their families.

I recently returned to Atlanta to change gears toward a more meaningful and purposeful life. I am instinctively a person on the move. Now, with COVID-19 I’m in a challenge I didn’t seek, learning to enjoy stillness, appreciating the God-given life I am grateful to have, and clarifying what is important: meeting a Jewish gentleman to share my life.

Saul Sloman Sales representative Situation-based risk-taker My parents, Holocaust survivors, came to Atlanta in 1951, and my two brothers and I grew up in the “Golden Ghetto,” in a 90 percent Jewish Peachtree Battle area.

We lived in Netanya, Israel for five years, starting in March 1973. I had to learn a new culture and a language I hardly knew after many miserable years of Hebrew School.

Now I speak Hebrew fluently.

Risks were real during the Yom Kippur War, and we did our best for the war effort.

We “Anglos” erected a kiosk on the Haifa-Tel Aviv expressway, serving coffee, sandwiches and cake to soldiers catching buses or hitching rides at the Netanya interchange. Many soldiers were on short leave and Dad, of blessed memory, often drove them home.

They called my mother, “Hadoda me Netanya,” which means “the aunt from Netanya.”

At the first air raid sound, our building rushed to the miklat (bomb shelter). At the all-clear, everyone gathered in the lobby. We were shell-shocked. Mom suddenly hugged me with an anguish I’d never experienced. I asked her what was wrong (aside from the obvious). She cried that she was my age when the Germans came to Lithuania.

I occasionally perform stand-up comedy, where I take calculated risks. I call my act Neo-Borscht Belt Humor. Like Jewish history, my act is typically bittersweet.

Years ago, in a jacuzzi on a cruise, a snide fellow, spotting my Magen David, brashly asked, “Where’d you get that necklace?” I answered, “In Israel.” He said, “I didn’t know this boat goes to Israel.” I explained that it was from another trip. He persisted, “You Jewish?” Everyone around was listening. He then said, “You know what I’ve never understood about the Jews?” I replied, “Pray tell.”

He smirked, “Why are the Jews such funny people? The best comedians and comedic actors are Jewish. Why do you suppose that is?”

With dead silence in the jacuzzi, (except for the bubbles), I countered, “Because miserable characters like you have embittered our

Roza Burmenko’s chancy coin-flip brought her family to Atlanta.

Roza Burmenko Structural engineer Consistent risk-taker I believe that only optimists can take a real risk. That’s because risk doesn’t frighten us; we optimists really believe that everything will work out all right in the end.

When I was 5 years old, my 16-yearold brother and his friends risked my life by trying to perform acrobatic stunts with me. I was scared, but I got away. From that I learned that I could prevail in risky situations with bravery and determination.

My next major risk was when I met my future husband. I trusted my instincts, and after a month of dating, we applied for a marriage license, and in another month, we were married. Ten months later, we had our son Alex, all this in one year. I know that my late husband was the best husband in the world.

And I’m sure I have the best son.

In 1978, when I decided to leave the USSR in hopes of a better life for my family, I didn’t know much outside of the Iron Curtain. While we were in Italy waiting for a visa, we applied to two countries for an interview: the USA and Denmark (where we had relatives). Two visas opened for us on the same day, Copenhagen and Atlanta. We had to make a decision, but how? We resolved it by flipping a coin, and we arrived in Atlanta in 1979.

In Atlanta I had a good job, but office politics are NOT my type of game. I opened my own business to provide design and drafting services for structural engineers. And, at the same time, I opened a computer school to train students in AutoCAD, photoshop, and 3D Studio Max. Taking a risk is a normal way of life for me. I’m a confirmed optimist, definitely still not afraid to take risks. ì ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 51

OY VEY

JEWISH JOKE

OY VEY! HAVE I GOT A PROBLEM...

I would love to attend his Dear Rachel, rried in New York. How ma g tin get is ool hew nep In one month, my uld go. You see, I am a sch ut whether or not I sho abo ted flic so is con re I’m the ly, my office when wedding! Unfortunate How can I possibly leave r! yea al usu w un Ne an in g h suc ivin addition, after arr principal, and this is COVID regulations? In the all of e ing aus end ext bec of nificantly much to stay on top ore the wedding date, sig ntine for two weeks bef York, I will have to quara be limitations to what can the length of my trip.

But obviously, there are lly. tua vir rk wo of lot a If I go, I can do on ldren who are counting done long distance.

I still have school-aged chi re, mo n eve ey, rio Th na m? sce the To complicate the ponsible to leave school journeys. Is it res n ow ir the ut. of inp top my on on y nitely depend me to help them sta VID limitations and defi CO ge an str ls ny boi ma it en the h wh my job (which, too, are struggling wit own children and then my tize ori hpri nep to My me e. ise the pictur Before you adv here is one more facet of to prioritizing my family) this wedding carries So, . ago rs down to it, also equates yea passed away two ry, mo me d sse g my ble of r, l like I would be helpin ew’s father, my brothe ce at the wedding, I fee sen pre my th Wi s. on a tidal wave of emoti can no longer meet out. e and son the support he brother by giving his wif I go? Stay home?

What do you think? Do ns and input, I welcome your suggestio Principal Diane Dear Principal Diane, When there are valid supports for both sides of a dilemma, how can a person choose the right course of action?

You can choose the old-school, but still effective method of writing down a list of pros and cons and weigh in from that perspective. But your issue appears to be much more than a practical dilemma. To me, it seems like your heart is heavily invested.

As a conscientious principal, you want to do what is best for your students and staff by guiding them in our new COVID-centered world. As a devoted mother, you want to be on hand to help your children. As a loving aunt, you want to be present for your nephew and support him as he begins married life without the tangible warmth of his loving father.

And as a caring sister-in-law, you want to be available if she wants to lean on your shoulder.

Perhaps we can take an imaginary trip and whisk you into the future. Which picture will engender the strongest regrets? Missing the wedding? Or being absent for your children and students during this incredibly challenging year?

Now let’s use some visualization and flip it to the positive side. Imagine the wedding and being together with your nephew and sister-in-law. Picture every detail and how you think it will play out. Can you see the preparations before the ceremony, the actual wedding with all its poignancy, and the aftermath?

Once you have carefully assessed your feelings about each situation, I think you will be in a better place to make a decision that is right for you in every aspect.

One word of caution, Diane. Once you make up your mind, please don’t torture yourself with continued indecision and guilt feelings. You can only be in one place at a time, and you are trying to put your best foot forward.

Mazel Tov on the wedding! And I wish you a successful, healthy school year, for your family, staff, and all of your students.

All the best, 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!

Who’s Right?

Morris and Miriam, both a bit stubborn, were involved in a petty argument, both of them unwilling to admit they might be in error.

“I’ll admit I’m wrong,” Miriam told her husband in a conciliatory attempt, “if you’ll admit I’m right.”

Morris agreed and, like a gentleman, insisted she go first.

“I’m wrong,” Miriam said.

With a twinkle in his eye, Morris responded, “You’re right!”

Chabad Naples Jewish Community Center, chabadnaples.com

YIDDISH WORD OF THE MONTH SHNOOK A "sad sack," somebody who's an unfortunate "patsy," (but still likable).

Pronounced to rhyme with book "I wouldn't go into business with him; he's just an unlucky shnook."

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BRAIN FOOD

Jew/Non-Jew

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1. Motel rollout 4. Flower holder 8. Like citrus fruits 14. Aladdin's buddy 15. Apple device 16. Docking spot 17. Edward G/ Jackie 19. More bananas?

20. "...from the ___ even to the greatest" (Jer. 42:8) 21. Make fun of 23. "Before," in old poetry 24. Professor Henry Jones Jr., to friends 26. Doris/ Julia 28. Arthur/ Reggie 31. Think likewise 32. "As far ___ know..."

33. Drugstore Duane 35. Larry/ Stephen 39. Stan/ Bruce 40. Gene/ Russell 43. Alon/ Charlie 44. Primo/ Zachary 46. Fictional nation in "The Hunger Games" 47. It can be split in a fight 48. "Beyond the Sea" Bobby 51. Joan/ Doc 53. Dustin/ Philip Seymour

56. Merry king of rhyme 57. Santa___, California.

58. Seal or signet 60. Owner of Rubber Ducky 64. Parts of Fiji 66. Bill/ Whoopie 68. Apartment dweller 69. Top draft choice?

70. Work at romancing 71. Violates the Eighth Commandment 72. Observes the Sabbath 73. It became Spike TV in 2003

DOWN

1. Track legend Lewis 2. Slender instrument 3. Not so slender instrument 4. Winemakers 5. H.S. courses for coll. credit 6. Like a neglected chimney 7. Bart's teacher Krabappel 8. "Fur Elise" key 9. "Inconceivable!!"

10. Roth acct.

11. Restaurant that probably doesn't serve cholent 12. Like krypton and some other gases 13. Gives a hoot 18. What Obama called ISIS

22. Cheer for 25. Eins + zwei 27. "Oh my! A mouse!"

28. Malcha or American Dream 29. "Got it" 30. Schreiber in "Spotlight" 31. Male Madison Ave. employee 34. Energizing, with "up" 36. Sitting around doing nothing 37. Neet rival 38. Cons 41. Emperor that converted to Judaism, according to the Talmud 42. Welcomed with a grin 45. Holy Land protector, for short 49. Popular brew from Holland 50. Staff rewards 52. Action word 53. Makes like the seventh plague, minus the fire 54. Start 55. Kind of prophet 56. Exact copy 59. Marty, in "Young Frankenstein" 61. Pond amphibian 62. One might be used before getting dressed for synagogue 63. A Ghostbuster 65. "___ Einai" 67. The, to Rashi's neighbors

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10,000 visitors came to this year’s Atlanta Jewish Festival, sponsored by the Atlanta Jewish Times and the Atlanta Jewish Community Center. ì In March, some 400 Atlantans crammed into the California Pizza Kitchen in Marietta to raise $16,700 for the Jewish Family Ser15 Years Ago // September 23, 2005 vice’s PAL program. It pairs children from one-parent families with ì When the Shabbat candles flicker and go out Friday, Sept. 30, adults willing to be their “big brother” or “big sister.”

Jews who did not sit down to a Shabbat meal will have missed their 50 Years Ago // September 18, 1970 last chance of the year 5765 to welcome the Sabbath. One Atlanta conì Mr. and Mrs, Irving Weinberg of Atlanta announce the engregation hopes to give everyone in the local Jewish community and gagement of their daughter Sybil Jane to Stephen Allan Sloan, son beyond the chance to share in the last Shabbat of the year. Congregaof Mr. and Mrs. Louis Sloan of Atlanta. The bride-elect attended the tion Ariel members will open their shul and their homes Sept. 30 and Congregation Ariel University of Georgia and Massey Business College and is employed members will open their Oct. 1 in the hope of making the last Shabbat the best of the year.

by Monsanto Company. Mr. Sloan attends Georgia State University synagogue and homes to ì The bat mitzvah ceremony of Regina Maurie Broda of and is employed by Fulton National Bank. make the last Shabbat of Dunwoody was held June 4, 2005, at Temple Emanu-El. Regina is the the year memorable. ì The Mr. and Mrs. Club of the Ahavath Achim Synagogue will daughter of John and Mindy Broda. open the 1970 season with a dinner dance on Sept. 20 in the Srochi Auditorium. Mr. and Mrs. Morton Karlan, presidents, announced that music for din25 Years Ago // September 22, 1995 ner and dancing will be provided by the Modernaires. ì The skies finally cleared up, but it kept pouring - people that is. An estimated

Remember When

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 53

OBITUARIES

Ruth Reicher Alhadeff 95, Atlanta

Ruth Reicher Alhadeff, 95, of Atlanta, passed away Sept. 19, 2020, of natural causes.

She was born in Baltimore, Md., to Harry and Ida Reicher, of blessed memory. Ruth was an amazing wife of 72 years to Abraham Alhadeff, of blessed memory. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to the family she cherished.

Ruth was a well-known and loved salesperson for over 35 years in the women’s sportswear departments at Rich’s in Lenox Square and Saks Fifth Avenue. The joys of her life, besides her husband and family, were shopping, travel and more shopping. She lived a happy and fulfilling life, rich with the family she so deeply loved. Everyone will remember Ruth’s sparkling blue eyes, sweet demeanor, beautiful smile and childlike enthusiasm for life.

Ruth is survived by her four sons Barry, Irvin, Stevie, David, and their wives. She had 11 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren who brought her constant joy. Donations in blessed memory of Ruth may be sent to Congregation Or VeShalom or Weinstein Hospice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, DresslerJewishFunerals.com, 770-451-4999.

Steve Barry Goldberg 74, Fort Worth, Texas

Steven Barry Goldberg passed away Sept. 14, 2020. He was 74.

Born in Atlanta on April 12, 1946, Steve was the son of Abe and Rose Cohen Goldberg. He graduated from Henry Grady High School in 1964 before attending and graduating from the University of Georgia. Steve served in the United States Air Force for 16 years. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for the IRS in Fort Worth for over 25 years. He cheered for the University of Georgia football team and the Atlanta Falcons, and loved to tease the Dallas Cowboy fans.

Steve is survived by his brother Ron Goldberg of Madison, Ala.; sisters Gloria Goldberg of Clayton, Ga., and Marcia Goldberg of Silver Spring, Md.; nieces Amanda Goldberg (Paul) Coleman and Melissa Goldberg Lesley and grandnephews Price and Joey, all of South Carolina.

Steve’s family entrusted his care and services to E. C. “Trey” Harper III and Robertson, Mueller & Harper Funerals and Cremation Services (and life celebrations). A service at the grave was held Sept. 17 in the Beth-El Congregation section of Greenwood Memorial Park in Fort Worth.

54 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 | 55

OBITUARIES

Ira Hefter

Sybil Shier

Ira Hefter of Atlanta and Cape Neddick, Maine, died peacefully Sept. 12, 2020, in his home in Maine. He was 78 years old.

day.

78, Atlanta and Cape Neddick, Maine

Ira was born March 23, 1942, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Ida and Sol Hefter. He graduated with a degree in accounting from New York University. Ira started his career at the accounting firm of Touche Ross, ultimately becoming a partner in the tax practice. In 1983, he was appointed the managing partner of the Atlanta office of Touche Ross. While in Atlanta, he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was part of the delegation to represent Atlanta on a mission to Russia. He was chairman of the Peach Bowl in 1986. In 1991, he went back to New York as the national director of tax. He retired from Deloitte in 1993, after which he focused on other business ventures.

He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 57 years Barbara; son and daughter-in-law Michael and Ellen Hefter of Purchase, N.Y.; and daughter and son-in-law Jennifer and Greg Fink of Marietta, Ga. Ira is also survived by his six grandchildren Steven, Robert, Spencer, Jimmy, Alexandra and Peter; brother Sheldon; and sister Francine.

A private funeral was held Sept. 15. In light of COVID-19, the family will schedule a memorial service in the future to celebrate Ira’s life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Massachusetts General Hospital in support of EGFR lung cancer research, https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate or Keith Erickson, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, Mass. 02114 (in memory of Ira Hefter). Arrangements by J. Verne Wood Funeral Home - Buckminster Chapel, Portsmouth, N.H. For online condolences, visit www. jvwoodfuneralhome.com.

56 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

83, Atlanta

Sybil Shier died peacefully at her home Sept. 10, 2020, one day after her 83rd birthSybil was born in Miami, Fla., and grew up in Macon, Ga., where she graduated from A.L. Miller High School in 1955. Her parents were Rae Shier and Isadore Shier.

Sybil retired from the State of Georgia as one of the first computer programmers for the state. She was a wonderful tennis player. After her retirement, she took up jogging and ran in the Peachtree Road Race from 1993 through 2010. She loved PBS, watching old classic movies and was a season ticket holder at The Atlanta Opera.

She was the beloved aunt of Lynn Hassett, Robyn Shier (who predeceased her) and Scott Shier, of Atlanta. She was the sister of Sidney Shier of New York City and sisterin-law of Jackie Kanfer of Atlanta. She will be remembered and missed by her many cousins and friends who cherished her good-natured sweetness.

In her memory, please consider making a donation to PBS, The Atlanta Opera or a charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Editor and 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

NEW MOON MEDITATIONS Tishrei: G-d Has Not Forsaken Us Rosh Chodesh Tishrei always begins on Rosh Hashanah, which was Sept. 19. Not only have we been paying attention to purifying our Dr. Terry Segal own souls and New Moon Meditations clearing our slates, but this year, we’re aware of the global transformation required of the inhabitants of the whole world. We can never go back to the way it was, with the “old” normal.

That’s why the month of Tishrei is so important as a new beginning. And what a busy time it is with the adjustments to the ever-changing structures of school, shifts in households with students off to college, or in families that have suffered the loss of loved ones. Tishrei hosts the Ten Days of Repentance, Shabbat Shuvah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, and Shabbat Bereshit.

One of Sukkot’s themes stands out as we assess our vulnerabilities. After our

58 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

people were freed from slavery in Egypt, we endured many years of travel through uncertainty on the way to the Promised Land.

Sukkot celebrates the protection that Hashem offered us in the extreme conditions of the desert. We need to believe that Hashem’s protection continues through these times of COVID, political dissonance and unrest.

The ritual of building a sukkah is a meticulous task. It’s built to spec, decorated, and then lived in as a temporary dwelling, for only a week. The task of building the world must be as specific, without mistakes of the past, decorated with the highest vibration of love and a wash of peace. It, too, will be temporary as the world and those in it continue to evolve.

This year of COVID has left all of us feeling vulnerable in some way. The pregnant women who attend doctor’s appointments alone; the babies born into communities from which they’re isolated; the bar or bat mitzvah; and the couples who postponed their weddings, wondering when they can gather with loved ones to dance, sing and celebrate their simchas, are vulnerable.

There are the children who can’t socialize normally with friends and classmates, the

elderly, those compromised by additional illnesses, and all people who are alone, separated from their families. Many have lost their homes, their businesses, their livelihood. With violence rampant and a rise in anti-Semitism, we are all vulnerable.

However, the sukkah provides a comforting boundary around us and invites us to look upward toward the expansive sky as we breathe in the crisp air, deeply. Hashem has never forsaken us. It is we who forget to connect ourselves to this Divine energy.

Our task, especially for this Tishrei, is to shore up our strength and renew our faith in G-d to balance our frailties and fears.

The zodiac air sign is Libra, represented by the scales of justice. Those born under the sign are consumed with symmetry and equilibrium. Everyone has the same challenge to find balance this month. The ruling planet is Venus. Governed by love, beauty and money, Libras adore high art, intellectualism and connoisseurship, as well as being outdoors. They abhor violence, injustice and confrontation. The strengths of the sign are practicality, level-headedness, diplomacy and logic. The weaknesses are grudge-holding, self-pity and the near-inability to be in

solitude. It’s a difficult time to be without the company of others and witnessing violence and injustice. We strive to move into the new year as our best selves.

The Hebrew letter, Lamed, rises above the others. It’s time to take the higher road as we move toward the end of this secular year.

Ephraim, the tribe, means “procreation.” Global change requires rebirthing and renewing ourselves as individuals in order for the whole to transform.

Touch is the sense we’d normally use to foster connection. Currently, touch is greatly restricted and associated with fears of contamination. Instead of physical touch, think about how we can touch others with our words or acts of kindness.

The controlling organ is the gallbladder, which helps to expel poisons and cleanse our toxicity. Metaphorically, we must stop ingesting the poisons of contaminated information and toxic emotions. ì Meditation Focus: It has been a tough year. Consider your vulnerabilities and assess your toxicity. Invite G-d in to renew your strength and purify your soul.

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CLOSING THOUGHTS What is a Good Life?

This summer both of my parents turned 80. Then the mother of a close friend died. In all three cases, we gathered on Zoom. These Rabbi Ruth events, while similar to many others I have attended, were different because of the intimacy of the connections and what I had presumed to know about the people we were celebrating and remembering. And I came away with new insights about leading a good life.

This year, more than most, we are all grappling with the words of the “N’taneh Tokef,” the prayer that is one of the cornerstones of the Yom Kippur prayer: who by fire, who by famine, … Given the scourge of COVID-19, forest fires, racial injustice, and swarms of locust in the Middle East and Africa, these do not feel like random abstract possibilities.

Yom Kippur is meant to help us face

60 | SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 ATLANTA JEWISH TIMES

our own mortality and spur us to live with intentionality. This prayer is meant to remind us that we may not live out this coming year. And if we take this charge seriously, then we must contemplate what constitutes living well.

From the time we are young we are asked: What do you want to be when you grow up? My father began attending medical school as a teenager and loves his work. To this day, he continues to work full time seeing patients. But because my father is a psychiatrist, I have to take it on faith that he has made a difference in the lives of those he seeks to help.

During my father’s party, I was reminded there is another element to work.

Over and over, other doctors spoke of his value to them in their own work and as a colleague. To live well, it is not enough to focus on outcomes but the way in which we achieve, the process of engaging with the others with whom we work and how we connect are their own value.

By contrast, work has never been at the center of my mother’s life. Yet the intensity with which she lives matches my father’s. While I knew most of the

people who gathered at her celebration, there were a significant number of faces that I did not know at all. My mother is a lifelong learner, constantly diving into new passion projects and making new friends, even in the eighth decade of her life. There were members of the Israeli press with whom my mother has grown close. Even though she lives in Canada, she is a regular participant in the radio community, often calling in and connecting with programing. There were Austrians with whom she has connected as she has delved into family history and engaged with Holocaust remembrance. In the last dozen years, she has shared her story around the world. These projects and friendships are vibrant and engaging. If we are living well, there is no end to growth.

At the shiva for the mother of good friends, I had a chance to learn about a woman who I met only in her declining years. I was particularly taken by the number of her children’s friends who spoke about what she had meant to them. Teens often eschew adults, but her home was always open with food and

a smile. But above all, acceptance and care were her hallmark. No matter how awkward or popular they had been, she always managed to truly see each and every person who came through her doors and value the good in them. In a time where the world was more often cruel than kind to gays and lesbians, she was accepting. She made each of her three daughters feel like they were the one that mattered most. And so each night of shiva, the many people she had invested in seeing as fully human, came and paid tribute and thanks, and to remember the extraordinary power of this simple but rare act.

These are not easy times. As we face uncertainty it is tempting to give into fear. Our liturgy reminds us that while we cannot control how long we live, we can choose how to live. It is certainly easier to turn a blind eye to others and to possibilities for change. But at Yom Kippur we need to choose the harder path, to live fully, in connection with others and by creating potential.

May we all be inscribed in the book of long life. ì

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