Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. 100 NO. 21,November 30, 2025

Happy Chanukah

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CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE

BOB BAHR

DAVE SCHECHTER

DAVID OSTROWSKY

DEBBIE DIAMOND

GIL ZOHAR

KEN KAPLAN

MARCIA CALLER JAFFEZ

RABBI RICHARD BAROFF DD

ROBYN SPIZMAN GERSON

STAN GARNET

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Chanukah Art

Cover Photo: Jackie Miron, Bradley Young, and Delilah Cohen combined to host a meaningful event for Israel Bonds. // photo by Bruce Miron

Local Delegation Attends Global Conference for Israel

A delegation from Atlanta was among the nearly 3,000 attendees who united for Israel’s future in Hollywood, Fla., from Oct. 23 to Oct. 26, at Jewish National Fund-USA’s Global Conference for Israel. This four-day event celebrated resilience, Zionist pride, and the enduring connection between the Jewish community and the land and people of Israel.

The sold-out conference — one of the largest Zionist events of its kind in the world — brought together local community members, as well as philanthropists, college students, young professionals, rabbis, mayors from Israel’s north and south, social media influencers, and global allies of the people of Israel for a gathering of inspiration, education, and impact.

“At a time when Israel and the Jewish people face unprecedented challenges, our voices rose together in solidarity, purpose, and hope,” said Jewish National Fund-USA CEO Russell F. Robinson. “This was not just a conference — it was a movement. Together, we are building Israel’s future, from the Negev and Galilee to every corner of the Jewish world.”

“Attending my first Jewish National Fund-USA conference was an inspiring experience — the panels, speakers, and incredible people I met left me feeling deeply moved and grateful to be part of such a warm community,” added Atlanta delegation member Joel Libowsky.

The conference’s main-stage sessions featured emotional and thoughtprovoking moments. There was also a fireside conversation with journalist and New York Times bestselling author Douglas Murray, along with addresses from international broadcaster Erin Molan and messages of support from the President

from the Global Conference for Israel’s “Wonder Women” session included international broadcaster and advocate Erin Molan (moderator); former Knesset member Shirly Pinto Kadosh; mother of released hostage Omer Shem Tov, Shelly Shem Tov; Nova Music Festival survivor Ofri Reiner; and Eshkol Region Mayor Michal Uziyahu.

of Israel, Isaac Herzog, and Rep. Ritchie Torres.

“I am incredibly grateful to have at-

tended Jewish National Fund-USA’s Global Conference for Israel,” said Atlanta attendee Natalie Fisch. “The sessions and

Released Hamas hostage Omer Shem Tov addressed nearly 3,000 people at the 2025 Global Conference for Israel opening plenary, saying, “My name is Omer Shem Tov and I am a free man!”

speakers offered an invaluable source of information, inspiration, and strategic intention. Beyond the incredible content,

A delegation from Atlanta attended the 2025 Global Conference for Israel in Hollywood, Fla. Miss Israel was a featured speaker at Jewish National Fund-USA’s 2025 Global Conference for Israel in South Florida.

Jewish National Fund-USA affiliates from Israel, Israeli mayors from Israel’s north and south, and conference speakers, including the JNF-USA-supported Special in Uniform Band, gathered on stage at the closing session to celebrate the event’s success.

the true value lies in the opportunity to come together, meet new people, and share our collective commitment to Israel. Sharing Shabbat dinner with over 2,500 Zionists was a truly remarkable experience.”

Other highlights included:

“The Shem Tov Story,” featuring Omer Shem Tov, who endured an unimaginable 505 days in captivity. For 450 of those days, he was held in complete isolation within Gaza’s suffocating tunnels. His parents transformed their anguish into action, founding the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.

“Wonder Women,” featuring Omer’s mother, Shelly Shem Tov, former Knesset member Shirly Pinto Kadosh, Eshkol Mayor Michal Uziyahu, and Nova Music Festival survivor Ofri Reiner, moderated by Erin Molan.

“The Winning Formula: Turning the Tide Against Campus Antisemitism,” where students and professors beyond the Jewish faith discussed how Jewish National Fund-USA’s programs like Caravan for Democracy and Faculty Fellowship are empowering Jews and allies to push back against hate on college campuses.

“Israel’s Reimagined North,” showcasing Jewish National Fund-USA’s efforts to revitalize Israel’s Galilee region through economic development, job creation, and tourism.

Throughout the weekend, attendees experienced the World’s Largest Zionist EXPO, featuring more than 100 interactive exhibits, Israeli innovators, and small businesses. Village Talks — short, powerful “TED-style” sessions — also filled the halls with stories of courage,

creativity, and community.

Emotional performances by the Jewish National Fund-USA-supported Special in Uniform Band, the musical arm of Israel’s pioneering military inclusion program, left few dry eyes in the audience.

The event closed with the “Dreams for Tomorrow” main-stage session, where Robinson urged the crowd to keep building, giving, and leading: “Our story is not one of survival — it’s one of revival. Every person in this room is part of Israel’s tomorrow.”

“The Jewish National Fund-USA Global Conference for Israel in Hollywood, Fla., was an incredibly powerful and meaningful experience, especially with the presence of released hostage Omer Shem Tov,” added Atlanta delegation member Robin Feldman. This was my third conference with 2,700 proud Zionists and the conferences just keep getting better.”

Next year’s Global Conference for Israel will take place Nov. 12-15, 2026, at the Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, Calif., and is expected to draw even larger crowds. To learn more about Jewish National FundUSA’s historic mission and to register for the 2026 Global Conference for Israel (early bird rate still available), visit jnf. org/gc2026.

Jewish National Fund-USA thanks the generous sponsors of the 2025 Global Conference for Israel, including Creations VC, EPIC Insurance Brokers, Greenspoon Marder LLP, IZZY TV, and EL Al Airlines. ì

Featured Speaker Warns Politics is Killing Community

By Bob Bahr

One of America’s most prominent public observers of contemporary Jewish life says it’s time to call a truce between Jews on the left and Jews on the right in this country. Yehuda Kurtzer has been a firm advocate in recent years of lowering the temperature of public discussion about a subject that animates many public discussions among Jews, the rise of antisemitism in the world.

He told the annual meeting of J Street Georgia, the local branch of the liberal Zionist lobby in Washington, that the American Jewish community has succumbed to what he described as America’s “culture of polarization.”

But, unlike previous eras when Americans were divided politically, there is little opportunity for Jews to unite around a higher ideal. In the 1930s, Jews could rally around the cause of opposition to fascism. In the 1950s, it was in opposition to the tactics of McCarthyism and the political leaders of the “Red Scare.”

But today, Kurtzer believes that Jews are unable to come together around a common cause because we often see each

other not as allies, but as enemies. Issues of common concern, like antisemitism, are often seen merely as an opportunity

to score points in partisan political battles.

“Jews who vote Democrat are in-

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Yehuda Kurtzer warns that politics is dividing the Jewish community.

Actual residents of Canterbury Court.

clined to focus on the antisemitism of the right. Jews who vote for the Republican party are inclined to focus exclusively on the antisemitism that they see on the left,” Kurtzer says. “And what that means is we as Americans are not really fighting antisemitism as a collective concern. We’re trying to win elections.”

While he notes that, in the short term, that may lead to a few converts to one side or the other, in the end the result is the erosion of a common collective stand for the good of all Jews.

“We just can’t allow that difference to erode some notion of a collective consciousness. We should think more about what’s in our collective shared interest than we think of what is in our shortterm partisan interests.”

For Kurtzer, who is co-president of the Shalom Hartman Institute in Israel and in North America, the idea of developing a more productive dialogue among American Jews is not new. Taking the high road is an important goal of the Institute he heads, which promotes study and learning across the denominational divide. Its Atlanta programs are offered through the Marcus Jewish Community Center.

The Institute has among its goals, “to enrich and elevate the conversation in Jewish life around Jewish ideas, learning, and text beyond the crises we talk about all the time and the politics of the institutions we inhabit.”

Kurtzer wrote in an op-ed in The Times of Israel four years ago that “Jewish support for Israel depends on some notion of Jewish community. Without it, we are vulnerable on both sides of the political spectrum: the narrower your sub-community, the less effective it will be in the long run at mobilizing wider support for

its position, and the more dependent it becomes on building unwieldy coalitions.”

Much the same idea is echoed in a book that was written by his co-president at the Institute, Rabbi Donniel Hartman. That work, which was published two years ago, less than a month after the events of Oct. 7, asks the question in its title, “Who Are The Jews and Who Can We Become?”

It was a finalist in 2023 for a National Jewish Book Award. Hartman inquires into how we can speak better to one another to address so many of the issues that divide us.

“When I claim that Jewish people can have a shared story,” Rabbi Hartman says, “it is founded on the belief that all those differences do not undermine the shared story. And like a big family, there are times when some members of that big Jewish family are going to aggravate you, but you don’t walk away from them.”

For Kurtzer, the failure of American Jews to come together does not bode well for the future. He believes that the continued attacks by Jews on each other could endanger our continued safety as a community. As a community, he believes, we are moving from a place where we feel threatened not just by those outside.

We must not, he cautions, allow ourselves to undermine our sense of community by seeing other Jews as mortal enemies because they don’t believe as you do. We must not let our partisan difference erode our moral responsibility for each other.

“What we need to do as leaders and as communities,” Kurtzer advises, “is to try to refocus conversations across differences back to the moral commitments that we try to hold in common. That’s what we have to try to do.” ì

At the annual meeting of J Street Georgia, Yehuda Kurtzer stressed the importance of the Jewish community remaining united.

Rothschild Lecture Tells of Black Jewish Social Climbers

The book upon which this year’s Rothschild lecture is based is the book, “Once We Were Slaves.”

By Bob Bahr

The fascinating and mysterious world of the Jews of the Caribbean of 200 years ago forms the backdrop for

this year’s Rothschild lecture, which each year brings a distinguished scholar to the Tam Institute for Jewish Studies at Emory University.

This year’s guest lecturer was Laura

Arnold Leibman who has written a fascinating study of two 19th-century Jews who began their lives on the Caribbean island of Barbados as the poor, Christian children of slaves.

How they became wealthy and Jewish in the years following the American revolution is the subject of her study of Jewish life, “Once We Were Slaves - The Extraordinary Journey of a Multi-Racial

Laura Leibman’s Rothschild lecture traces the lives of Sara Brandon Moses and her brother, Isaac Lopez Brandon

Jewish Family.”

The book had its roots in an encounter with a wealthy New York Jewish grandee who was surprised to learn of the tangled tale of sex, slavery, immigration and Judaism that gave rise to her fabled family tree.

Laura Leibman’s book is the story of how Sarah Brandon Moses and her brother, Isaac Lopez Brandon, were born enslaved on the tropical island in the late 18th century. They were the children of a Black Christian concubine of a wealthy Portuguese Sephardic Jew, Abraham Rodrigues Brandon. By the time he died, he had become the wealthiest Jew on the island of Barbados. Unlike many men of the time, rather than passing on his fortune to nieces and nephews, he saw to it that his multiracial children were provided for when he died.

Leibman spent 10 years piecing together the story of how they converted to Judaism, passed as white and made their way from the Caribbean and South America to London, Philadelphia, and eventually, through marriage and good fortune, came into great wealth in postcolonial New York City.

Leibman told her Emory audience that the story of the brother and sister, Sarah and Isaac, as they make their way up the social ladder from Barbados to the lofty status of privileged Jews in the New World, is a “story of how race functioned in the early Atlantic world” of the time “and particularly for Jews in the early Atlantic world.”

“They had gone over the course of their lives from being considered people of color to being considered white,” Leibman pointed out. “They did so in a way that is really different than how most people have talked about racial transitions during this time period.”

What made this possible, Leibman emphasizes, had much to do with how race was understood and recognized. And they were also fortunate to have had a slave-owning Jewish father who treated them much differently than most such

children were treated at the time.

When they were able, the brother and sister moved to Suriname in South America, which was at the time, one of the wealthiest communities in the New World. It was also a place where the two could convert, without much difficulty to Judaism and be considered a part of the Jews of Portuguese descent. Her book and the lecture describes in some detail the Jewish societies of these pioneering Jews. They owed much to the immigration of their forefathers from the Iberian Peninsula in the 15th century to Amsterdam and the colonial ambitions of the Dutch.

These Portuguese would be particularly important for Sarah who would eventually make her way to London, where she would gain a proper education for a young woman that would lead to her successful marriage.

Leibman also feels it’s important to stress that despite all the advantages the two had they are not isolated examples of how multiracial Jews made their lives in the Americas of old.

“For a lot of historians, people have talked about multiracial Jews as something that’s been a fairly recent phenomenon, something that’s happened maybe after the 1970s. The Brandons are part of a much larger history in the Americas. There are many people in the communities they lived in who also had similar paths and also had African ancestry or other ethnic ancestry.”

She also pointed out that there are many people like the ones she encountered who were not particular noted, but they led really interesting lives. They provide good models, she believes, for people who are interested in doing the history of their family.

Liebman’s success as a scholar and a writer with a writing style that draws you into her tales has earned her four National Jewish Book Awards. She has also served as president of the Association for Jewish Studies; and she is the Leonard O. Milberg professor of Jewish studies at Princeton University. ì

Slavery was an early import to the British colonial island of Barbados.

American Jewish Committee Honors John Haupert

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

The American Jewish Committee (AJC) 2025 National Human Relations Award Dinner held up its annual Hotel St Regis tradition on Nov. 13 to honor John

Haupert, president and CEO of the Grady Hospital System.

Majestic ruby red rose centerpieces reigned high above the tables to help express the upbeat tempo of AJC Regional Director Dov Wilker’s optimism, who

stated, “We have come out of some excruciating years … hostage taking … constant fear on different levels with tears of sadness … giving way to joy and positive stories, saluting those who stand with us. It is not lost on us that people, college stu-

dents, elected officials, diplomats, some even driving from Athens to all show up here … to show a belief in the future and that antisemitism won’t be tolerated.”

AJC President Mindy Selig Shoulberg welcomed the crowd and intro-

Mindy Selig Shoulberg, AJC president, reported that $825,000 was raised // All photos by Jacob Ross Photography

AJC Regional Director Dov Wilker (left) pictured with Keith White and Tomer Zvulun

Last year’s award winner, Donna Hyland (right), congratulated this year’s recipient, John Haupert.

duced two college students, Stella Gegax and Kitty Lubin, who participated in the AJC’s Black Jewish Teen Initiative and AJC’s Leaders for Tomorrow. Gegax spoke of attending a Black church for the first time as “much different than the shul I grew up in … in Morningside.”

Note they had just returned from a Civil Rights trip to Alabama and met Sen. Raphael Warnock. Lubin related the discomfort she felt when wearing an FIDF sweatshirt to school and being called into the principal’s office.

Shoulberg then shared that $825,000 was raised for that evening’s event, touting AJC’s ability to make a difference, while she met with Pope Leo, visited Israel and Gaza, met with the Ambassador to Ukraine in Washington, D.C., all while furthering advocacy and building bridges. The invocation was given by Dr. Tony Sundermeir, senior pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, who wished for peace in Jerusalem and praised Haupert’s and Grady’s devotion to leadership that “helps those left out or left behind.”

Wilker conducted a panel with Keith White, director of multi-cultural affairs at the Holy Innocents School, and Tomer Zvulun, artistic director of the Atlanta Opera. Zvulun, who served as a combat medic in the IDF, spoke of feeling like a burdened Tevya from “Fiddler on the Roof,” while acknowledging that hate crimes were at a record high in 2022. “Yet, today is even worse.”

White spoke of AJC’s support in school for staff and faculty. Wilker then gave an impassioned speech about Jews and peoplehood, creating a community.

Larry Gellerstedt III, partner at Sweetwater Holdings, praised Haupert’s

resilience at Grady dealing with broken pipes and COVID with his moral compass and values. “Just think, Wellstar closed two facilities in South Fulton … while no patients are turned away at Grady. Most hospitals operate at a 10 to 12 percent margin. Grady’s is 2 percent on the edge; while 40 percent of patients do not pay.”

Jonathan Lewin, MD, emeritus EVP for health affairs and CEO of Emory University Healthcare, labeled Haupert a “true mensch.” Last year’s award recipient, Donna Hyland, president and CEO of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, stated, “John makes it possible for us to sleep. Grady is there if we need it … and many of our better trained doctors were trained at Grady. If I’m ever having a bad day, I think ‘hmm, what kind of worse day is John having?’”

Haupert accepted the award, thanked his husband, Brian, and related how his family contained a plethora of doctors and how his feisty grandmother tried to get into Harvard Medical School in 1917. Then, when she labeled him as “superintendent” (realizing that he was not going to be a physician), she said, “That will do,” pleasing Haupert. He shared that his training was at Parkland and Methodist hospitals in Texas and explained that we should be “outward, not inward looking, as Grady is a reflection of our humanity."

Wilker concluded, “Health care, like justice, must not depend on privilege. Our shared humanity is stronger than anything that separates us. We are stewards of each other’s wellbeing.”

In the pre-function hour, Steve Selig told the AJT, “This is a wonderful crowd to salute a wonderful man.” ì

There’s Encouraging News for Pain Sufferers

By Bob Bahr

The recent news that a final settlement would finally put Purdue Pharma, the makers of the pain medication OxyContin, out of business and settle a case that began over two decades ago comes as welcome news to many. Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against the company and its owners, the Sackler family, over the aggressive way the painkiller was marketed and the promotion of the drug as largely nonaddictive.

Under the terms of the agreement, the Sackler family, which grew very wealthy over sales of the medication, will pay as much as $7 billion over the next 15 years to settle the case. It’s believed to be the largest settlement ever with a single pharmaceutical company.

Th settlement with the company is expected to result in an immediate $900 billion to cities and states, schools, and hospitals, and almost 150,000 personal injury victims, mostly from families who are raising children suffering from conditions related to opioid withdrawal.

Pain is big business in this country.

Journavx is the first breakthrough in pain relief medication in nearly 20 years.

It’s estimated that as many as 50 million Americans suffer from chronic pain.

Many of them take Percocet and Vicodin,

which, like OxyContin, are habit-forming opioids. More than two million people in this country are estimated to have an addiction to opioids and, in 2024, more than 50,000 died from overdoses.

There are also many who would like to have some relief from the pain that they suffer by not relying solely on medication. The closing author at this year’s Book Festival at the Marcus Jewish Community Center, Sanjay Gupta, has a new best seller, “It Doesn’t Have To Hurt: Your Smart Guide To A Pain Free Life.”

In his book, Gupta, a practicing neurosurgeon in Atlanta and a medical commentator for CNN, encourages pain sufferers to take charge of their pain. Since pain is largely a condition in which perception is an important component,

managing our perceptions of pain may help to manage pain without drugs.

He advises patients to explore the full range of non-pharmacological alternatives to pain management. Therapies that rely on meditation, acupuncture or yoga may make a difference, particularly for those who are motivated to explore these treatments with patience and selfdiscipline. He advises the use of non-opioid analgesics combined with medical interventions that have been shown to be effective. For example, a technique that restores vertebrae, called kyphoplasty, has been shown to work.

Finally, he emphasizes the importance of caregivers who, when properly trained, can support those with chronic pain.

The development of new drugs that are effective against chronic pain and are not addictive has been one of the most elusive goals of medical science. It’s been 20 years since the last new drug for pain was approved. During the past several decades there has been renewed interest in how the body perceives pain organically and how those signals are communicated to the brain. It’s this research that resulted in the latest breakthrough in pain medication.

In January of this year a new drug, suzitrigine, sold under the name Journavx, was approved. The drug, which is made by US Vertex Pharmaceuticals, blocks pain signals that travel through nerves before those signals reach the brain. It stays outside the brain and is non-addictive.

It’s expensive; the average dose of two pills per day costs $31. That’s in sharp contrast to a common prescription medication like acetaminophen (Tylenol) plus hydrocodone, which costs just a few cents per pill. But for some, the high cost

may be worth paying for. In addition to being non-addictive, the drug, unlike opioids, has no side effects, such as nausea and drowsiness.

Suzitrigine works by blocking the electrical signals nerve cells send to in the brain. Those signals are sent through a pair of what are called sodium channels that are active outside the brain.

The drug took years to determine how to target the nerve channels and block them from firing. It is said to be particularly effective against those nerves that cause constant pain like when there is peripheral neuropathic pain. That can cause pain in the hands and feet or cause them to go numb. It can help those with diabetes, or the four million people with sciatica, or pinched spinal nerves.

Although the drug has had only limited success with some of these conditions, US Vertex Pharmaceuticals decided to go ahead with its marketing plans because of the encouraging research results. ì

Sanjay Gupta, the Atlanta neurosurgeon and CNN medical commentator, encourages those with pain to take charge of the condition.

National Center Receives $58M Expansion and Facelift

By Bob Bahr

The National Center for Civil and Human Rights reopened earlier this month, with a series of exhibits that refocus and reinforce the center’s role in dramatizing America’s struggle for social and political equality. The newly expanded and redesigned museum, located next to the Georgia Aquarium, has been under construction for most of this year. It has doubled in size and features a lighter and brighter look than when it first opened in 2013.

At the heart of the new building is an exhibit of the writings of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., which are on loan from his archives at Morehouse College. Highlighted on one wall are the words of his wife, Coretta Scott King, which seems to sum up the message that is reinforced in the new structure.

“Freedom is never really won. You earn it and win it in every generation.”

The guest curator of the room filled with the King documents is his daughter, the Rev. Dr. Bernice King, who is the CEO of The King Center in Atlanta. She spoke forcefully at the building’s dedication ceremonies of the impact of her father’s words in today’s world.

“They speak urgently to our time,” King said, “a time of rising authoritarianism, fractured democracy and communities under siege. My father’s words always remind us that we are caught in an inescapable net of mutuality tied to a single garment of destiny.”

There are five new exhibits in the $58 million expansion, with a fifth exhibit opening next month about the legacy of racial injustice in the years following the end of the Civil War. A sixth exhibit, which opens in April of next year, is an interactive gallery for children under 12 that focuses on how they can bring about change in society.

The new children’s exhibit will open in the west wing of the building, known as the Arthur M. Blank Inspiration Hall, in honor of the Atlanta philanthropist and co-founder of The Home Depot. His remarks in opening the new building called particular attention to the effort to make the exhibits more attractive to children.

“Kids are a third of our population,” Blank said, “and 100 percent of our future. So, the ability for the children to come into this space and understand the importance of the history and the learnings of civil rights and human rights is

never more important than it is today.”

Blank’s $25 million contribution was the key to the building out of the structure, which has been on hold during the fundraising campaign.

His commitment, though, was only part of the effort to complete the structure. Much of the credit for the successful capital campaign over the years goes to A.J. Robinson. He helped lead the Board of the Center from its beginnings. The work that he’s done, he believes, is an extension of the Jewish values that have been such an important part of his life.

“Human rights, civil rights, it’s part of Jewish history,” Robinson observes.

“It’s what you learn at an early age in Jewish education. And the message of this center is to go out and repair the world,

which is, as we know, tikkun olam. We want to teach people here how to do that and be inspired to go do that.”

That planning for the expansion began not long after Jill Savitt, who serves as the center’s president and CEO, came to Atlanta in 2019 from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. She has a deep appreciation for the relationship between the civil rights campaign in America and the fight for human rights elsewhere in the world.

“I’ve been in the human rights field for 30 years, and what I’ve seen, especially in this moment, is how quickly gains you thought were won can be erased.” Savitt said, ‘Telling the history, the truth of history, a more complete history, and linking it to our lives today is something

that we all could benefit from hearing.”

For Arthur Blank the ceremonies opening the new building came just hours before he was scheduled to fly to Berlin, where the Atlanta Falcons were scheduled to play against the Indianapolis Colts. He couldn’t help but acknowledge in his remarks to the Atlanta Jewish Times the irony that marked the occasion.

“We’ll spend a lot of time in Berlin, visiting a lot of sites that are sorrowfully important to not only people of the Jewish faith, but humanity. And so, it’s just another reminder that we really are brothers and sisters, and that we have to find what’s connecting us and not what separates us, and that’s a stress today in our country. We have to do better than we’re currently doing.” ì

Arthur Blank cuts the ribbon on a new wing bearing his name at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights.

The new $58 million museum expansion has refocused and redesigned the center.

The new building has emphasized the participation of young people in civil and human rights.

Young Tech Wiz Instills Kindness in Robots

By Debbie Diamond

If Benjamin Graham Goodhart –known as Graham – has his way, kindness would permeate society – even with the humanoid robots that he expects will live alongside human beings in the world of the future.

Goodhart has been on a steady path to study how small acts of kindness impact people and society at large. Beginning with a freak accident at a park where he almost lost an eye at age 7, Goodhart was inspired by a paramedic’s act of kindness when he arrived on the scene to help him.

“I was a little kid, terrified, and in that moment, the paramedic told me a joke that instantly changed my mood and, I believe, affected the outcome. I will never forget how his kindness was able to cut through the chaos and shift the entire situation,” said Goodhart.

Motivated in part by Carl Sagan’s Golden Record, two discs created to carry the sights and sounds of humanity into the cosmos for possible retrieval by other

civilizations, Goodhart has focused his work on what some may call the world’s future: the emerging field of humanoid

robotics, dedicated to instilling more than a measure of human kindness into their code.

“We will soon live side by side with humanoid robots, and it is imperative that they reflect our best values,” said Goodhart. “At the end of the day, there is a lot riding on getting our interactions with robots to work,” he added.

hart’s work “very impressive” after she reviewed the phase one findings in her lab.

Currently a senior at The Weber School in Sandy Springs, Goodhart traveled earlier this year to Massachusetts where he was invited to give a TEDx talk on the neuroscience of kindness, specifically on how to scale kindness at a societal level. He spoke alongside Harvard physicians who were duly impressed by both the topic and his skill as a speaker. His talk gained traction, and Goodhart went on to garner quite a bit of praise from researchers and professors at Yale, Stanford, MIT, and Cornell universities. As a result, Goodhart was recently invited by the TED organization to host his own TEDx series.

Not content to rest on his laurels, Goodhart has completed phases one and two of a study looking at robotic acts of kindness. For phase one, he completed one of the few and largest datasets in existence of humans ranking “robot acts of kindness.” He has authored and published a study examining the findings and implications, in fact.

Wendy A. Rogers, the Shahid and Ann Carlson Khan professor of applied health sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, called Good-

Phase two involved a second study that involved looking at 10,000 preferences – 1,000 people each providing 10 responses – regarding the types of kind acts performed – for example, whether people prefer a robot carrying groceries or holding the door for them. This study’s aim was to understand if individuals actually have a categorical preference for robotic acts of kindness and which specific actions people most appreciate in robots. The ultimate goal is to use this data and the further research to train the humanoid robots.

Hannah Chapple, PhD, the dean of studies at The Weber School, who knows Goodhart’s work well and was also his teacher for AP Seminar, is as impressed by his kindness as she is by his intellectual curiosity.

“Kindness is personally important to Graham. He is a student who doesn’t have to be asked for help. I have noticed his interactions with others. In addition, what’s unique about him is his intellectual curiosity. He looks at the world around him and not only asks why, but what’s next. His work is very forward-looking,” she said.

As Goodhart embarks on his next chapter – the upcoming TEDx series, more research and college attendance –his colleagues, family, and friends await his next set of findings that will help direct the behavior of the robots of the future. ì

Goodhart during his TEDx talk in Massachusetts.

Israel Bonds Event Features Consulate Update

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Neither cancelled flights nor the chill of winter deterred the Monday, Nov. 10, Israel Bonds lunch featuring Israeli combat soldier/artist Albert Levi’s moving story, “From the Battlefield to the Studio.”

Levi, who was scheduled to make a live appearance, was delayed in a New York airport for 14 hours waiting to hop to Atlanta, whose airport was also a hot spot for cancelled flights. Israel Bonds’ Registered Representative Jacqueline Miron said, “He was then trying to rent a car, but couldn’t get his luggage and supplies out of checked baggage in time.”

Nonetheless, his talk was on time and on point by Zoom for the luncheon at the home of Delilah Cohen. The program kicked off with an in-person update from Eitan Weiss, Israel’s Consul General to the Southeast.

Miron welcomed the group emphasizing this particularly crucial time in Israel’s needs.

“Now is the time to be committed … think about Bonds for Chanukah gifts or donate to your favorite cause. We compare favorably to fixed income investments.”

Counsel General Weiss began by stating that Israel Bonds is the only community organization outside of Israel that he can support. Then posed, “What will be the next phase of the Gaza War? They must never pose a threat to Israel because they pose a threat to the entire world … their ideology … who knows what they are promoting, all out of laziness.”

He noted the significant recent resignation of the CEO of BBC News who purposefully ran false reports.

Up next was audience questions: What about the new Syrian president’s visit to the White House? Weiss replied, “It was a shock that Syria toppled. The new man has an Islamic mentality. Who knows? I’ll be optimistic. If they can keep out Iran and co-exist with Israel, I’m fine with it.”

Does he think Netanyahu will hold onto power?

‘“No matter who’s elected, Israelis (Jews) will kvetch and complain. I have faith in Israelis voting the right way.”

Getting more resolute about public image, Weiss said, “Our enemies don’t have our same values. They lie, steal, and cheat, feeling that the end justifies the means. They know what makes Americans tick … supporting the underdog, not checking facts. Call the media ‘Polly-

wood,’ whose mission is making money, promoting their own narratives.”

Weiss declined to comment on the recent New York mayoral election.

Levi via Zoom started by saying, “I owe Atlanta an in-person event.”

In segmented chronological parts of his life, Levi revealed his younger life of recklessness, coming from a big household with a Moroccan father and Russian mother, he observed a friend donning his IDF uniform, and clung to the inspiration to enlist, where he vigorously trained. He also found some old paintings and discovered that his own art could influence generations.

After Oct. 7 happened, “I felt I had to drop everything and go. Everywhere was not safe … in a military tent, I found myself crafting art in my mind. War was not like what you see on TV with constant action. It was complicated inside Gaza,” he said.

Recently, Levi donated a piece to an Arizona charity which went for $30,000. He described his art as progressing through color, freedom, optimism, movement, balance, and using animals.

Prior to the program, Weiss’ wife, Dena, whose hometown is a kibbutz in central Israel, shared with the AJT her fondness for Atlanta, “This is our fourth move, and we found the city to be beautiful and the people most warm.”

Cohen concluded, “Hosting an Israel Bonds event is important in showing our support for Israel and its continued eco-

nomic strength, especially in times like these. If we don’t take responsibility for

ourselves, who will? This is our moment to stand together!” ì

Jon Barry, Bradley Young, Bonnie Berk, and Chuck Berk greet Eitan Weiss

Jackie Miron, Bradley Young, and Delilah Cohen combined to host a meaningful event // All photos by Bruce Miron

Consulate Partners with Rome Film Festival

The Israeli Consulate hosted a delegation from Sapir College in southern

Today in Israeli History

Nov. 30, 1947: The U.N. partition vote the previous day not only sparks violence between Jews and Arabs in Palestine — the first phase of Israel’s War of Independence — but also leads to riots against Jews across the Middle East.

Dec. 1, 1932: The Palestinian Post, the precursor of The Jerusalem Post, prints 1,200 copies of its first, eight-page edition, designed to meet the demand for an English-language newspaper in Mandatory Palestine.

Dec. 2, 2010: Israel’s deadliest forest fire begins in the Carmel Mountains near Haifa when a teen discards a piece of charcoal outside the Druze village of Usfiyye. The fire consumes more than 8,000 acres and kills 44 people.

Dec. 3, 1995: Matityahu Shmulevitz, a member of Lehi (the Stern Gang) and the director-general of the Prime Minister’s Office under Menachem Begin, dies at 75 one day after collapsing during a chess game in Tel Aviv.

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME ISRAEL PRIDE

Israel as part of the ongoing partnership with Rome International Film Festival of Georgia.

The delegation included Ronen Balzam, head of production and professor at Sapir, former graduate Yoni Handlesman, who screened his professional film, “Anna+Maxim,” which was nominated for best narrative short; and recent graduate Noa Elisha, who screened her graduate student film, “30 and Trying,” and won the Sylvia Award for best student film, beating out incredible films from around the world including top film schools in the United States.

Noa even got to meet Jered and Jersusha Hess, the creators behind the “Napoleon Dynamite” and “Minecraft” movies.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Dec. 4, 2004: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dismisses five Shinui lawmakers from his Cabinet because the secular party opposes his proposed budget. Shinui leader Tommy Lapid says the budget fails to cover basic needs.

Dec. 5, 1949: Prime Minister David BenGurion declares in a Knesset speech that “Jewish Jerusalem is an organic, inseparable part of the State of Israel” and that Israel will not give up sovereignty over its “eternal capital.”

A group of 30 volunteers from Argentina helped rebuild homes and restore hope in northern Israel.

Argentinian Volunteers Rebuild Northern Israel

In a powerful display of solidarity, a group of 30 volunteers from Argentina, participating through Volunteer in Israel (operated by Tlalim Group), joined Livnot

U’Lehibanot to help rebuild homes and restore hope in northern Israel.

The group traveled to Moshav Avivim, near the Lebanese border, to assist Shlomo Peretz, an elderly resident whose home was destroyed by Hezbollah rocket fire. For Shlomo, who lives alone, it was the first time in two years that anyone had come to help him.

Livnot U’Lehibanot (“To Build and Be Built”) is an Israel-based nonprofit that combines hands-on volunteer work with Jewish learning, community building, and personal growth. Since the outbreak of the war, Livnot has led more than 350 rebuilding projects across Israel’s south and north — including homes, kindergartens, and community centers — while connecting Jews from around the world through meaningful service.

Compiled by

Dec. 6, 2007: An Israeli excavation discovers the remains of a 2,000-year-old mansion in the Old City of Jerusalem that is believed to have belonged to Queen Helene of Adiabene, who died in Jerusalem around 55 C.E.

Dec. 7, 1953: Israel’s founding prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, announces his first resignation and his plan to retire to Sde Boker in the Negev. He is succeeded by fellow Mapai member Moshe Sharett, the foreign minister.

Dec. 8, 1885: Joseph Sprinzak, the first speaker of the Knesset and an interim president, is born in Moscow. He helps establish many institutions at the foundation of the state, such as the Histadrut labor federation.

Dec. 9, 1987: Riots erupt in the Gaza Strip and West Bank in response to a fatal army truck crash the previous day, marking the start of the First Intifada. The violence kills 900 Palestinians and 100 Israelis by the end of 1991.

Dec. 10, 2000: Prime Minister Ehud Barak submits his surprise resignation and calls for a special election for prime minister. He hopes for a national vote of confidence but loses badly to Likud leader Ariel Sharon in February.

Dec. 11, 1947: Arthur Creech Jones, the British colonial secretary, reveals in the House of Commons that the British Mandate for Palestine will end May 15, 1948, and that all British troops will be withdrawn by Aug. 1. Dec. 12, 1920: The General Federation of Jewish Labor, known as the Histadrut, is founded in Haifa to serve as an independent trade union for Jewish workers in Palestine. David Ben-Gurion is elected secretary-general in 1921.

Dec. 13, 1949: Reuven Shiloah, a Foreign Ministry special operations officer, is assigned the task of launching and leading the Institute for Collating and Coordinating Intelligence Operations, commonly known as the Mossad.

Dec. 14, 1981: The Knesset votes 63-21 in favor of surprise legislation to annex the Golan Heights — captured in 1967 — and apply Israeli law there in place of military administration. The Labor Party boycotts the vote.

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

AJT Staff

The Israeli Consulate hosted a delegation from Sapir College in southern Israel as part of the ongoing partnership with Rome International Film Festival of Georgia.

A hot easterly wind stokes the Carmel forest fire in December 2010. // Israel Police via Wikimedia Commons

Helene’s Palace is believed to be the mansion of a royal convert to Judaism who died around 55 C.E. // U.S. Library of Congress

Joseph Sprinzak represented Mapai in the Knesset for a decade. // By Teddy Brauner, National Photo Collection of Israel, CC BY-SA 3.0

British Colonial Secretary Arthur Creech Jones (left) speaks with Moshe Sharett, the Jewish Agency’s representative to the United Nations, in March 1948.

Israel Faces a Complex Security Situation

By Gil Zohar

More than 25 months after Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre and the consequent multi-front Middle East war, Israel today faces a complex security scenario.

In the north, the IDF is engaged in continuous covert and overt operations to prevent Hezbollah from rearming and regrouping. The Shi’ite terrorist militia was dealt a double whammy by the Mossad’s twin attacks on Sept. 1718, 2024, nicknamed Operation Grim Beeper, in which thousands of hand-held pagers and hundreds of walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives exploded across Lebanon and Syria. A second blow fell on Sept. 27 when the Shi’ite group’s secretary general, Hassan Nasrallah, was assassinated in his Beirut bunker.

Though bloodied, Hezbollah is not a spent force according to Michael Rubin –a senior fellow at the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute who specializes in Iran, Turkey, and the broader Middle East. Writing in the National Security Journal, Rubin notes that notwithstanding the targeting of its senior leadership, Hezbollah’s financing – diaspora-linked laundering from Europe, Africa and South America and new backing from Turkey – remains resilient.

He cautions that unless Lebanon’s toothless President Joseph Aoun cuts off the money supply and disarms Hezbollah by the year’s end, the country will slide into a renewed insurgency. Trained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in guerilla tactics and bomb-making, Hezbollah will resume its terror campaign attacking Lebanese Armed Forces’ vehicles with IEDs.

But Israel cannot rely on Lebanon’s central government to assert control in the border area south of the Litani River. The Jewish State has made a huge investment to literally alter the landscape of its 75-mile-long frontier into a formidable physical barrier, and to blow up cross-border tunnels. Similarly, during the Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon from 1985 to 2000, several strategic mountain peaks were literally bulldozed to no longer loom over the Upper Galilee. However, the fiasco of Oct. 7 has shown that static positions provide limited deterrence against lightning strikes by welltrained guerillas.

In the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, Hamas – an Arabic acronym for “Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamia” (the Islamic Resistance Movement) – also refuses to disarm. There, too, the situation remains

unclear, complicated by Israel’s assassination of the terrorist group’s leaders Yahya Sinwar, his brother, Muhammad, Muhammad Deif, Marwan Issa, and Ismail Haniyeh. The latter was killed in a brazen bombing in Tehran on July 31, 2024.

In October, Israel released nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees as part of the first phase of a U.S.brokered ceasefire and hostage deal with Hamas. In exchange, Hamas released 20 living Israeli hostages. The Jerusalembased Middle East Media Research Institute reported that in Athens on Oct. 22 the terrorist-linked group Samidoun hosted the newly-released top Hamas operative Abdel Nasser Issa. Known as a student of Hamas’s notorious chief bombmaker, Yayha Ayyash, a.k.a. “The Engineer,” Issa was serving two life sentences for his involvement in two suicide bombings in 1995 that killed 20 Israeli civilians and wounded more than 100.

Earlier this month, a flight of 153 Gazans landed in Johannesburg after departing from Ramon Airport near Eilat. Shimi Zuaretz, spokesman for COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) – the Israeli body that runs civil affairs in the West Bank, confirmed that the Palestinians transited through Israel “after COGAT received approval from a third country to receive them.” That third country was South Africa.

Some 200,000 Gazans are currently living in limbo in Cairo, unable to either find a final destination to settle or return to their destroyed homes. Together with the estimated tens of thousands of combatants and civilians killed in the Gaza war, these numbers indicate the ongoing depopulation of the destroyed coastal enclave.

With an election on the horizon in the first half of 2026, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s shaky coalition faces a mounting campaign to reestablish Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip. Daniella Weiss, the influential head of Nachala Movement Israel, whose stated aim is to settle further into Judea and Samaria, has declared her goal is to begin Jewish settlement in Gaza within “months.” According to Weiss, over 600 families had already registered for an initiative to settle in new beach towns.

Many Israelis fault Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s unilateral withdrawal of 9,000 settlers from Gush Qatif in 2005 as the catalyst which allowed Hamas to seize power from the PA two years later. That violent coup in turn laid the way for

Hamas terrorists guard an area where they are searching for the bodies of hostages with the help of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Gaza City on Nov. 3, 2025 // Photo Credit: Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP

the catastrophic Oct. 7, 2023, attack on cities and kibbutzim bordering Gaza.

The Gaza Strip’s 365 square kilometers are today uneasily divided into Hamas- and Israeli-controlled sectors.

U.S. President Donald Trump envisions a $500-million military base just inside Israel to assist in Gaza’s future governance and patrol the territory. But Israel will not allow Türkiye or Qatar to send troops to monitor the shaky ceasefire. Nor are any other countries keen to send boots on the ground.

Clan and Bedouin tribal groups in Gaza are engaged in a bloody internecine struggle with Hamas. But without more weapons, they may prove too weak to prevail against the seasoned guerillas.

The London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported on Nov. 15 that IDF commandos on motorcycles are targeting Palestinians who participated in the abduction and holding of Israelis during the Oct. 7 attack. Among the Mujahideen Brigades terrorists gunned down in Khan Yunis was Mohammad Abu Mustafa, who kidnapped Shiri Bibas and her

children, Kfir and Ariel, from Kibbutz Nirim during that rampage. Also recently eliminated was Muhammad Abu Shaar, who broke into Adi Vital-Kaploun’s residence at Kibbutz Holit and murdered the Canadian-Israeli woman in front of her 4-year-old son, Negev, and 4-month-old toddler, Eshel. Shaar then recorded himself holding her babies in the same safe room where she was murdered.

Environmental issues also impact the complex scenario. Last week’s winter rain flooded Gaza’s refugee encampments and turned them into a cesspool of despair. In Iran, a severe drought has depleted the reservoirs that provide the capital Teheran with drinking water.

Symbolizing the Ayatollah regime’s crumbling control, on Nov. 12, protestors garbed in air force uniforms of the Shah’s regime recently unfurled the pre1979 lion and sun Pahlavi national flag in a Tehran metro station. The spark to ignite the next revolution may come imminently when the taps run dry.

Gil Zohar is a journalist and tour guide based in Jerusalem. ì

IS ELI HOSTAGE T CKER

The following is an index of Israeli hostages with the most current information available as of press deadline.

Atlanta Jewish Times will update this hostage tracker with current news of the next round of hostage transfers. Bring Them Home.

Israeli hostages remaining: three hostages are either believed to be dead or their deaths have been confirmed:

Ran Gvili, 24 (murdered in captivity) Dror Or, 48 (murdered in captivity) Sudthisak Rinthalak (murdered in captivity)

Atlanta Awarded Women’s Pro Soccer Franchise

David Ostrowsky

The past decade has witnessed Atlanta emerging as one of America’s true soccer hubs. The city with a Major League Soccer club (Atlanta United), an MLS Next Pro team (Atlanta United 2), and the soon-to-be-operating Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center and headquarters has also hosted the 2018 MLS Cup and 2018 MLS All-Star Game, the 2024 Copa America kickoff game showcasing Argentina and Lionel Messi, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Of course, soccer’s crown jewel event, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, will splash down in Atlanta next summer as Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the host venue for eight games, including a semifinal match on July 15.

Last week, Atlanta further cemented its legacy as a vibrant soccer community when it was announced that the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) awarded an expansion franchise to the Arthur M. Blank-owned AMB Sports and Entertainment (AMBSE) for a league record expansion fee of $165 million. The reported acquisition price is more than 50 percent higher than the $110 million expansion fee paid for Denver Summit FC last January.

Atlanta’s NWSL club, slated to begin play in 2028, will be the league’s 17th team following the inclusion of Boston and Denver in the most-recent series of expansion. The NWSL is widely regarded as the world’s marquee women’s professional soccer league.

The Atlanta franchise, which will reveal its name and brand identity at a later date, will play its home matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the current home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United. Though the venue seats 71,000 for NFL games and can expand to 75,000, MBS will leverage its modification techniques to accommodate an expected capacity crowd of approximately 28,000 for the incoming NSWL team.

“We are thrilled to bring a National Women’s Soccer League franchise to Atlanta and Georgia and the passionate soccer fans here,” Blank said in his press release statement. “We look forward to working with the NWSL and other club owners to continue building the best women’s soccer league in the world and are committed to creating a world-class

In spring 2028, Atlanta will be home to yet another professional sports team, courtesy of the National Women’s Soccer League’s latest expansion franchise // Photo Credit: AMB Sports and Entertainment

organization on and off the pitch. Our clear goal is to compete for championships beginning in 2028 and serve as a source of pride for fans in Atlanta, Georgia, and the league for decades to come. Our city and state have a deep passion for the game of soccer, and I know our fans will embrace this club as they have Atlanta United.”

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens is similarly enthused about the upcoming launch of Atlanta’s NWSL team, particularly because of the development’s enormous potential to inspire women to pursue sports. Coincidentally, the U.S. is expected to be one of the host countries for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup with Atlanta being a viable candidate for one of the core sites.

“The arrival of women’s professional soccer is about creating opportunity for players, staffers, and fans,” stated Dickens. “And on a personal note, it makes me so happy to know that a generation of our daughters will now get to watch female athletes chase their dreams on the pitch. Progress has always been a part of Atlanta’s DNA. Whether it has been equity in opportunity, innovation in design, or unity through community, Atlanta is

proud to show the world how inclusion can fuel growth.”

NWSL-exclusive training facilities have become a focus area for NWSL ownership groups; the expansion Atlanta franchise will follow suit with the expected development of a shiny new training center solely for the NWSL players and staff members. Additionally, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation will supply seed funding to initiate the NWSL Foundation, focused on advancing research and innovation in women’s sports, particularly as it relates to female athlete health and performance. Meanwhile, Blank and other AMBSE executives have already begun the search for leadership to spearhead daily operations for the expansion club.

“Arthur has been a consistent and passionate supporter of soccer at every level, and his investment to bring an expansion team here reinforces the unmistakable rising potential of women’s soccer,” shared U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone, herself a former Atlanta Beat player and two-time Olympic gold medalist. (The Atlanta Beat were part of the two previous women’s soccer leagues in the U.S.: Women’s United Soccer Asso-

ciation and Women’s Professional Soccer.) “With world-class facilities, passionate fans, and a community that believes in the power of the game to unite and inspire, Atlanta will set a new standard for what’s possible in professional women’s soccer.”

An “Empower Her, Inspire All” event at The Interlock served as the backdrop to the official announcement of the NWSL coming to Atlanta. There, NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman told a fired-up crowd that Atlanta’s bid checked every box for an expansion franchise: leadership, fan base, and facilities.

“You have some of the best ownership in professional sports in the Blank family. You have an incredible sports market that knows how to show up week in and week out for your teams. And you have top-notch facilities in MercedesBenz Stadium.”

Added Blank, “It is my hope that this club will ignite something powerful in everyone who watches, especially young people, and light a spark that says if they can do it, so can I,” he said. “Our NWSL players will be role models who embody excellence, determination, and unshakable belief that anything is possible.” ì

Sports Books by Jewish Authors Make Great Gifts

By David Ostrowsky

Are you shopping this Chanukah season for a sports fan in your family? If so, these three books would make ideal gifts:

Moses Malone: The Life of a Basketball Prophet

by Paul Knepper

Before Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James made the quantum leap from high school to pro basketball stardom, there was Moses Malone, the eventual three-time NBA MVP who’s widely hailed as the all-time greatest offensive rebounder. And yet, Malone, a one-time Atlanta Hawk who tragically died a decade ago at 60, never had his remarkable life story chronicled in a comprehensive, dynamic biography — until earlier this month when author Paul Knepper’s latest work, “Moses Malone: The Life of a Basketball Prophet,” hit bookshelves.

Readers should find that the wait was worth it as Knepper, a former NBA columnist for Bleacher Report who also authored a book on the Patrick Ewing Knicks, expertly chronicles the life and times of one of the most towering, enigmatic, and criminally overlooked figures in basketball history. Malone’s on-court resume (which included a brief stint in the long-defunct ABA) is hands-down Hall of Fame-worthy: the 12-time NBA All-Star and 1983 NBA Finals MVP is one of only nine players to be named league MVP at least three times. But no personal or team awards can do justice to Malone’s work ethic. Writes Knepper, “fans don’t fantasize about being a ‘blue-collar superstar,’ though Malone’s unparalleled work ethic and searing intensity were more relatable than gravity-defying dunks. There’s something heroic about the humble warrior who loves to compete with no regard for fame.”

But Malone’s off-court legacy is not-so straightforward. As Knepper so vividly illustrates, Malone, whose road to basketball immortality began in impoverished and segregated 1950s Petersburg, Va., was a humble superstar in a league of Texas-sized egos and an unflaggingly loyal friend whose lifelong generosity knew no bounds. While Malone may have been perceived as a gentle giant on the hardwood — despite his aggressive style, the big man played a record 1,212 games without a single disqualification — he apparently had his fair share of personal demons when the stadium lights went out. After Malone’s wife, Alfreda, decided she could no longer tolerate her husband’s infidelity and filed for divorce in September 1991, the ensuing petition included horrific allegations of Moses being physically and verbally abusive. This impartial account of Malone’s private life reminds readers once again that some sports heroes aren’t always so heroic when the cheering stops. Ultimately, the many insightful anecdotes — some of which wade into uncomfortable areas — grounded in copious primary resources bring to life an often-overshadowed NBA legend, making Moses Malone a vital contribution to the canon of basketball literature.

A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers by Yaron Weitzman

At this hour, the future of LeBron James remains shrouded in mystery as there’s no telling when the Los Angeles Lakers megastar and NBA’s all-time leading scorer, currently saddled with sciatica, will return to action. Regardless, James’ legacy among the pantheon of Laker greats is unquestioned — but as basketball author Yaron Weitzman (“Tanking to the Top”) compellingly demonstrates in his new NBA tome, “A Hollywood Ending: The Dreams and Drama of the LeBron Lakers” — LeBron’s final act has had plenty of, well, drama.

With his conversational and entertaining writing style, Weitzman makes it abundantly clear that LeBron’s Hollywood ending, which began in summer 2018 just after propelling the Cleveland Cavaliers to four straight NBA Finals appearances, shouldn’t be confused with a storybook

ending. Take for instance the first pandemic season: James has been in the league since 2003, but no season has been more draining and tumultuous than the 2019-20 campaign, which coincided with Kobe Bryant’s tragic death and a bizarre mid-summer shift to the NBA bubble where Los Angeles won its record-tying 17th NBA title in a vacant arena with faux crowd noise. More recently, with the exception of becoming the first NBA player to take the court with his son (Bronny) on opening night of the 2024-25 season, LeBron’s last several seasons have been downright disappointing.

In delineating the highs and lows of James’ career as a Laker, Weitzman provides a fascinating and impartial character study of arguably the greatest player since Michael Jordan. James, as Weitzman reveals, has often used his social media platform to weigh in on many political issues during his Lakers tenure, whereas Jordan, coincidentally, often remained tight-lipped when it came to politics.

Similarly, James (often in conjunction with his talent management agency) has also been outspoken about the Lakers’ front office decisions — a dynamic that Weitzman doesn’t shy away from chronicling. Nevertheless, the Lakers were in utter disarray in the late 2010s post-Kobe era and Lebron’s arrival single-handedly revived the iconic franchise. Weitzman concludes his book by writing, “he’d saved the Lakers, giving everything he had to them and the league, and, in doing so, achieved more than he ever could have dreamed. LeBron James had come to Hollywood, won in Hollywood, and become part of Hollywood. All that remained was a ride off into the sunset.”

As one of the most famous people of the 21st century, LeBron James continues to be chronicled in an endless stream of books. But “A Hollywood Ending,” rooted in more than 250 interviews conducted over three years of research, provides such a gripping account of the surefire Hall of Famer’s final NBA seasons that it promises to be the definitive account of the Los Angeles years.

American Coach: The Triumph and Tragedy of Notre Dame Legend Frank Leahy by Ivan Maisel

Notre Dame football is enjoying a resurgence this decade. The Fighting Irish played in last year’s national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and are poised to make a deep run in this year’s College Football Playoff. So, the timing is very apropos for a fresh look at the late, great Frank Leahy, the trailblazing celebrity head coach who pioneered Notre Dame to six immaculate seasons and four national titles in just over a decade. Indeed, in “American Coach: The Triumph and Tragedy of Notre Dame Legend Frank Leahy,” prominent Jewish sportswriter Ivan Maisel reminds — or perhaps in some cases, educates — readers as to why Leahy stands as one of the most intriguing figures in football history who rightfully deserves his long-awaited spot in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Leahy’s legacy, per the book’s subtitle, is nonetheless one of a tragic figure: for everything football gave him — gracing the cover of Time magazine and palling around with U.S. presidents and movie stars were just a couple perks of helming one of the most storied college football programs following his playing days in South Bend — the sport also turned him into a workaholic often separated from his wife, Florence, and eight children. Even when Leahy retired from coaching in the wake of a frightening pancreatic attack in the locker room during halftime of a 1953 game against Georgia Tech, his family’s internal dynamics were fraught with serious trouble.

Maisel offers, “all the Leahy kids wanted was to be what every teenager wants to be — like everyone else. But they had a famous dad. That brought unwanted attention. And they might come home from school to a mother who hadn’t waited for happy hour to open a bottle.”

Less than two decades later, Leahy valiantly fought a five-year battle with leukemia before passing away at 64.

Though “American Coach” was written posthumously, Maisel’s exhaustive research, based on a treasure trove of historical documents and unfettered access to Leahy’s descendants, yields a riveting account of one of the 20th century’s most underappreciated sports figures. ì

Atlanta Plays Powerful Part in ParaSport Center

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

On the night of Nov. 5, the theme of enabling ability rang true at The Sinclair in Sandy Springs where a spirited crowd came to learn and support the life changing programs that are blooming in Israel’s ParaSport Center, where disabled Israelis come for comprehensive care, rehabilitation and fun in Ramat Gan.

Glamorous multi-talented guest speaker Montana Tucker was all smiles as she posed for photos with guests, sang the “Hatikvah,” told of her bold stance in risking her career in defense of Israel in “today’s not so popular atmosphere,” and ended by taking questions from the audience.

Montana is a singer, songwriter, actress, and social media content creator. She is perhaps most well-known for using her millions of followers not just for entertainment, but also for education and advocacy on behalf of Israel.

Dana Bernath and Nancy Miller, event co-chairs, introduced the program. Jennifer Fink, national executive director of the center was up next, followed by Ayelet Avraham and Adam Zborovsky, who related their remarkable journeys of recovery in the center, rounded off by fellow event co-chairs Alex Kaminsky and Eric Bernath. The later stunned the crowd sharing his own trauma in which a heavy metal structure fell on his desk while working. Though his incredible rehab was done locally at the Shepherd Spinal Center, it was a personal glimpse of our universal vulnerability “out of literally nowhere” where life can change in an instant. Due to his determination and treatment, he defied 90 percent odds that he might not walk again as he stood mightily at the podium.

Two videos were shown driving home the power of mentoring and the variety of sports available at the center, from swimming to tennis, ping pong, running, and no less important, the healing of the spirit through holistic programs and counseling. Zborovsky, who joined the center at age 6, said, “I tried about every sport from bocce ball, rugby, and table tennis. I’m most grateful to my mentor, Caroline, who ranks third in the world in table tennis.”

Much was made of Atlanta’s special relationship with the center like Mike Leven’s, the event’s main sponsor, donation of $1.5 million for the swimming pool. During the pre-event reception, supporter Vanessa Frank told the AJT, “I visited the center and saw how all ages

and stages of clients’ needs along with their families were thriving.”

Craig Lefkoff, who also visited the center, said, “We should be proud that Atlantans have donated so much and are big partners. The pool is labeled, “Atlanta Community Pool.” Sadly, the pool was due for a major overhaul on Oct. 8 and was put on hold (as prices doubled) until recently when a New York family added a $2 million gift. Volunteer Marta Jo Katz remarked, “The center is the most amazing organization. It’s an honor to be a part of this event knowing that our support

brings healing and happiness to so many.”

As keynote speaker, Tucker explained how she is choosing healing over fear.  “Inclusivity is essential, not special, at the center as Muslims and Druze are also treated there.”

She is using her platform to tell personal stories that she has witnessed visiting Israel and befriending Nova survivors, those recovering from PTSD, and dancing with vulnerable children.

“There is justice and hope where the world wants us to forget,” noting that her own Zaydie was a Holocaust survivor.

Kaminsky told the AJT, “This evening demonstrated the remarkable power of community unity. Adam’s story touched me deeply — his unwavering determination and infectious smile left a lasting impression. Montana complemented the event beautifully with her intelligence, thoughtfulness, and ability to inspire others. Witnessing 280-plus attendees come together to raise more than $350,000 for the Center was both humbling and profoundly moving. My co-chairs and I are truly honored to be part of making this happen.” ì

Weber High School student Einav Malka sings the national anthem.

(From left) Event co-chairs Alex Kaminsky, Nancy B. Miller, Dana Bernath, and Eric Bernath // All photos by Steven R. Dewberry

The Atlanta community’s Shinshinim pose with Adam Zborovsky, an athlete from the Israel ParaSport Center, and award-winning performer and Israel advocate, Montana Tucker

Adam Zborovsky, an athlete from the Israel ParaSport Center, takes the stage to speak about his journey of hope and resilience.

Michelle Sims, Michelle Leven, Florie Glusman, and Michelle Simon

Montana Tucker spoke to the sold-out room of new and long-time supporters of the Israel ParaSport Center.

Bronfman Fellowship Announces Second Cohort

The Bronfman Fellowship’s second cohort for its Campus Commons program features 35 college students with diverse Jewish backgrounds, hailing from 30 campuses across 14 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada // Photo Credit: The Bronfman Fellowship

The Bronfman Fellowship has selected its second cohort of outstanding Jewish college students for Campus Commons: Building Bridges with Jewish Wisdom, which empowers students to use Jewish wisdom to cut through polarization on their campuses and beyond.

This cohort of 35 college students with diverse Jewish backgrounds come from 30 campuses across 14 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Among them are: a participant in three humanitarian aid trips to wartime Ukraine, the leader of five film festivals, the co-founder of their university’s Interfaith Initiative, and the creator of a podcast that aims to foster thoughtful conversations around complex topics. The cohort began their semester-long program with a multi-day immersive, in-person seminar on Nov. 13.

Designed by leading Jewish educators at The Bronfman Fellowship, Campus Commons is a powerful response to

the rise in polarization, social instability, and isolation on college campuses, particularly for Jewish students. According to a 2022 study by Heterodox Academy, more than 60 percent of college students report that the climate on their campus prevents people from saying things they believe because others might find them offensive. At the same time, 88 percent believe that colleges should encourage students to be open to learning from people whose beliefs differ from their own.

Campus Commons helps participants cultivate their own agency and gain real-world, actionable skills to foster environments where people can build relationships across differences. Participants explore core Jewish ideas and texts related to pluralism, as well as the latest research in social psychology, communication, and conflict management.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Bermans Among Those Honored at Aquarium

By Robert Garber

More than 900 attendees gathered for the 43rd annual National Philanthropy Day at the Georgia Aquarium, honoring Atlantans who make a difference in their community.

The event kicked off with a video message from Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. Among those honored this year were Steve and Candy Berman, who won the Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Award.

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“Candy and Steve Berman bring energy, vision, and leadership that turns ideas into impact,” said Shan Cooper, one of the night’s hosts. “I’ve known Candy for over a decade, and her creativity never ceases to amaze me. She pours her heart into every project, creating moments that are truly memorable, and she does it all with grace, warmth, and joy.”

Nominated by Jewish HomeLife, the Bermans raised $15.25 million for their capital campaign, exceeding the goal by $2 million. Various community members applauded their work in a video tribute to the couple.

“Candy has really become the premier name in events in this town,” said Ann Curry, founder and owner of Coxe Curry. “She does them with a flair that few others can manage.”

“They are people who show up, not

just to their philanthropy causes, but to causes left and right throughout the community,” said Rabbi Brad Levenberg of Temple Sinai, president of the Atlanta Rabbinical Association. “It’s their support of Leadership Atlanta - people emerge from that program with resources to be able to greater impact the community. They are so beloved. To be able to tell their story is a great privilege. They have helped shape who I am.”

After the video, the Bermans were invited up to receive the award, joking that they had no idea who all those people were talking about.

“Thank you for this incredible honor. We are humbled,” said Steve Berman.

“We are proud to be associated with the other honorees. Erwin [Zaban] once told me, he said, ‘Steve, as an accountant, you take a lot out of this community. It’s your obligation to put something back.’”

Also honored were Teen Volunteer of the Year Hadil Adams, Philanthropic Leader of the Year David Jernigan – former president and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta who stepped down this year following a diagnosis of ALS, and Philanthropist of the Year Billye Aaron (widow of Hank Aaron), who was presented the award by members of the Atlanta Braves.

Steve and Candy Berman, recipients of the 2025 Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year Award for National Philanthropy Day.

Jewish Future Promise Unites 150K Signees

Or VeShalom Hanukkah Bazaar set

for Dec. 7

The Jewish Future Promise (JFP) announced that more than 150,000 people worldwide have pledged $5.9 billion to secure the future of Jewish life, philanthropy, and the State of Israel. The milestone comes amid a global rise in antisemitism and follows the second anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks, underscoring the growing urgency to preserve Jewish identity and values for generations to come.

“Reaching 150,000 promisers is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when the Jewish people unite around a shared purpose,” said JFP Founder Mike Leven. “You don’t learn how to give unless you’re exposed to givers. My philanthropic foundation was my grandfather. Every Friday, he would drop a dime or a dollar into the Jewish National Fund box at our door; whatever he had, he gave to help others. That lesson stuck with me. Years later, mentors like Bernie Marcus and Sheldon Adelson broadened that sense of responsibility and helped spark the Jewish Future Promise. Each promise represents a commitment not only to the future of Jewish life, but to the moral and spiritual legacy that binds us as a people. Whether it’s a dime in a JNF box or $10 million from a donor-advised fund, contributing to others is a privilege, and our goal remains to inspire millions to make this promise and secure a vibrant Jewish future.”

“This is more than a milestone; it’s a reflection of what happens when the Jewish people come together around a shared purpose,” said Hadara Ishak, president of Jewish Future Promise. “Each promise represents not only a commitment to the future of Jewish life, but to the legacy of giving that connects generations. From the small acts of kindness we witness growing up to the larger commitments we make as adults, each is part of the same sacred thread of responsibility and care. Our focus is on deepening engagement, strengthening our global

community, and inspiring new generations to give with purpose, pride, and an enduring connection to the Jewish people and Israel.”

The funds promised through JFP are earmarked to support a wide range of Jewish causes, including educational initiatives, community development, social services, and cultural preservation, both in local communities and the State of Israel. Notable foundations, such as the Charles & Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the Marcus Foundation, and the deToledo Family Fund, have contributed significantly to this historic achievement.

JFP is a powerful response to a 2017 study that found a mere 11 percent of donations from key Jewish benefactors were invested in Jewish causes. JFP is a catalyst for change, and through its efforts, JFP has created an alliance of philanthropic family foundations, individuals, and families to secure billions in future commitments for various Jewish causes.

The Jewish Future Promise does not receive any of the pledged funds directly. Instead, it serves as a catalyst for meaningful intergenerational dialogue, inspiring families to reflect on their values, discuss their legacies, and ensure that a significant portion of their estate or planned giving supports the Jewish community and the State of Israel. Beyond the financial commitments, JFP’s true impact lies in the conversations it sparks between generations, as parents, children, and grandchildren share their stories, beliefs, and hopes for the Jewish people. Through these exchanges, JFP strengthens the continuity of Jewish giving, identity, and purpose for generations to come.

For more information, please visit, www.jewishfuturepromise.org and www. jewishyouthpromise.org.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Congregation Or VeShalom celebrates its 111th anniversary and hosts its 49th annual Hanukkah Bazaar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Guests can enjoy authentic Sephardic/Mediterranean cuisine and handmade delicacies and pastries for dine in or takeout. Come browse and shop at booths featuring local art, jewelry, crafts and much, much more. Children can enjoy art projects, games, face painting, and other fun activities.

Admission is only $5 at the door. Congregation Or VeShalom is located at 1681 N. Druid Hills Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.

Congregation Or VeShalom, which

means “Light and Peace,” is a Sephardic synagogue founded by immigrants from the former Ottoman Empire. Located in Brookhaven, it is known as one of the warmest and friendliest synagogues in Atlanta. With 350 family members, many of whom are fourth- and fifth-generation members, Or VeShalom remains dedicated to community, spiritual and educational growth, and is a center for family programs as well as a house of study and prayer.

For more information, please contact Ezra Cohen at ezracoatl@gmail.com or visit orveshalom.org.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Jewish Future Promise has netted its 150,000th signee and has also secured $5.9 billion for the future of Jewish life and Israel.

Congregation Or VeShalom will host its 49th annual Hanukkah Bazaar on Dec. 7.

Hunger Should not be Palatable

Dave Schechter

From Where I Sit

By the time many of you read this column, you will have pushed away from the table, perhaps wishing that you had consumed less food with family and friends on Thanksgiving.

There is a joke about people who prepare a Shabbat meal every week having little sympathy for those who stress about a once-a-year Thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving, like many holidays, religious and secular, is based on a measure of myth. What is less of a myth is the penchant of columnists at this time of year to succumb and take the path of least resistance by writing a Thanksgiving-based column.

Which is where you find me, after I realized that the deadline to file this column was a week earlier than I thought.

In the spirit of the holiday, one of the things that I am thankful for is the reception I have received when invited to talk about “A Life of the Party,” my first book, most recently to the book club at Congregation Or Hadash.

In this work of historical fiction, I created a scene, set on the upper west side of Manhattan in the first

decade of the 20th century, in which a young Jewish girl commits a remarkable act of tzedekah, giving her winter coat to a woman begging on a bitterly cold and windy December day in New York City.

The girl, Amy, was scurrying home after being dispatched by her mother to a bakery to purchase treats for their Shabbat dinner, when she “noticed the figure of a woman huddled beside the stone stairs of a church attempting to shield herself from the wind.”

The woman “had one gloved hand outstretched, seeking charity, but kept her head bowed so that neither donor nor recipient would have to look directly at each other; nor would those averting their eyes as they scurried past see her face and feel guilt for ignoring her plight. ‘Please,’ the woman called out in a halting voice, ‘please, for my children. We need help to pay our rent.’”

In a previous professional lifetime, I researched stories about food banks and food pantries.

One thing I heard over and over from people who operated food pantries, and from some of their clients, was that many recipients cast their eyes downward, as if that would lessen the shame they felt for needing such assistance.

Pantry operators told me how they could see in the eyes of recipients the struggle to accept help being, in this case, a bag or box of foodstuffs.

Thanksgiving is the time of year when the public

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seems to pay the greatest attention to the issue of hunger. This also is when food banks and food pantries often make their largest public appeal for financial donations.

Hunger — or food insecurity, a more palatable term — has been in the news lately even more than usual, because of the suspension of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits during the recent 43-day federal government shutdown.

According to the Pew Research Center, between October 2024 and May 2025, an average 42.4 million people in 22.7 million households nationally received SNAP benefits.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that, based on county data, as of June, 1.3 million Georgians, in 705,000 households — about 12 percent of the state’s population — received SNAP benefits. In May, the average recipient household in Georgia received $384, slightly more than the national average of $350 per household.

According to 2024 data from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, 69 percent of SNAP recipients in Georgia were families with children and 28 percent were families that included an older adult or someone disabled, while 37 percent were families with a working adult.

There are numerous efforts, religious and secular, throughout Atlanta that address this problem.

In the Jewish community, one center of such work is Jewish Family & Career Services of Atlanta. In fiscal year 2025 (July 2024 to June 2025), the Kosher Food Pantry distributed 33,000 pounds of food to 591 households.

As you box up those Thanksgiving leftovers or check your refrigerator to see what leftovers are available for a snack, take a moment to consider your good fortune and remember that not everyone in the community shares in this bounty.

JF&CS’s list of its most needed non-perishable items includes soups, breakfast foods (cereal, oatmeal, grits), canned meats (tuna, chicken, sardines), canned fruit or fruit cups, and white rice. To that, add spices and seasonings and healthy snacks.

Chanukah begins at sunset on Dec. 14. If you give gifts to mark the holiday, think about donating money, a grocery gift card, or non-perishable food items to the JF&CS pantry. If you have questions, email foodpantry@jfcsatl.org or call JF&CS at 770-677-9300. ì

If you give gifts to mark the holiday, think about donating money, a grocery gift card, or nonperishable food items to the JF&CS

Cheers to 100 Years

In recognition of the Atlanta Jewish Times celebrating its 100th year from its first edition in 1925, the AJT will re-publish articles from the Southern Israelite from editions dating as far back as 1929, the earliest edition available through the Digital Library of Georgia. All of the Southern Israelite editions, from 1929-1986, can be viewed at gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn78003973/

Please enjoy this retrospective of Jewish journalism in Atlanta and across Georgia, and thank you for supporting the Atlanta Jewish Times for the last 100 years.

CHANUKAH GIFT GUIDE

Brighten the Lives of Others this Chanukah Season

Robyn Spizman

Gerson

Chanukah is around the corner and if your head is spinning like a dreidel, the following gift ideas will hit the spot. There are many ways to brighten each other’s lives as we light the menorah. Add family togetherness and keep the traditions going and smiles glowing. Wishing you a bright and meaningful Chanukah!

Little Sleepies - Bring warmth to your Chanukah celebrations with dreidel and menorah-themed Little Sleepies, a limited-edition pajama collection. A family favorite, they are the softest, cutest, most comfortable PJs for babies, kids and even adults. Each pair is crafted from buttery soft, fabric that ensures quality and perfect for cozy nights. www.littlesleepies.com

Sensational Baskets - Light up the Festival of Lights with a stunning gourmet gift from Sensational Baskets, Atlanta’s own women-owned gift company known for beautiful presentation and premium treats. Each Sensational Basket is thoughtfully curated with delicious goodies, elegant packaging, and a festive flair. www.sensationalbaskets.com

For “His” and “Her” Fashion - Shop Square Thread, an exquisite “His” and “Her” boutique, located in historic Marietta Square providing exceptional quality and style. Women will flip over a wide array of stunning clothing, including the sought after ultimate travel “Candy Pants” by Rossellini Rossi that are irresistible. You’ll find casual, chic travel, to daily and special event wear, sportswear, elevated denim plus-sized Men's made to measure tailored clothing. Marietta Square restaurants, shops and galleries make this a fun outing. Follow Square Threads on Instagram @squarethreads. www.squarethreadsmarietta.com/

Love Learning Express – Learning Express, located in Buckhead, rocks when it comes to making kids happy. Labubu tops the list from Pop Mart and check out these hottest selling surprise style monsters trending as one of the most popular toys. Ask toy experts at Learning Express about age-appropriate toys to gift your children or grandchildren including crafts, building sets, educational items and more. Supervise play and don’t miss a moment of togetherness and fun. www.learningexpress.com

Mercato di Bellina – Mercato di Bellina offers a curated selection of authentic Italian specialty foods, gifts, recipes, and more. Shop small-batch pantry staples – from olive oil and pasta to sauces and sweets – available for nationwide shipping at Amazon.com and Ponce City Market. Gift a voucher for lessons in Italian cooking, shop or send a beautifully packaged gift box.  www.mercatodibellina.com

Gift A Memory Bear – Give a gift certificate to TammyBears, specializing in customizable handmade heirloom teddy bears beautifully crafted from your sentimental clothing, wedding dress, clothing, jean, or jacket. TammyBears are personalized keepsake teddy bears treasured forever and will become heartfelt heirlooms. www.tammybears.com

CHANUKAH GIFT GUIDE

Heidi’s Heavenly Cookies – Since 2002, this family-owned bakery has been baking pure joy with delicious handmade premium ingredients. Treat yourself to beautiful packaging or platters filled with gourmet cookie creations, bars, indulgent English toffee candy, wholesome granola, and show-stopping cookies. Nationwide shipping means deliciousness arrives fresh at your door! www.heidisheavenlycookies.com

Gift A “We Love You” Coupon Book – It’s free and fabulous and the kids can get in on the gift. Create a book of homemade coupons good for a dozen deeds, errands, or help including iPhone or computer support, freezer pleasers, a baking lesson, weekly facetime greetings or anything your gift recipient will appreciate and value. Your time and presence will be the best gift of all! ì

Utopia Foot and Shoulder Massage - Relax and gift cards and experiences at Utopia, with two Zen-style locations near The Battery in Smyrna (2700 Cobb Parkway) and Grant Park. Utopia brings affordable relaxation with same-day appointments, monthly memberships, and a curated gift shop. Foot, back and shoulder massages. Book online at www.utopiaatlanta.com

About Base – A mix of fashion and a facial bar, Base is a unique combination of skincare for your face and wardrobe essentials from accessories, designer pieces to soft T-shirts and denim galore. Their studio combines expert skincare, targeted treatments provided by certified estheticians, and elevated wardrobe essentials –all in one beautifully curated open space designed to simplify your routine and elevate your everyday.  www.coveryourbase.com

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Chabad Intown Presents Jewish Biz Network Speakers

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Chabad Intown’s Jewish Business Network (JBN) Lunch & Learn Series kicked off on Nov. 12 with Rafi Kohen –storyteller, author, and journalist, who came out charging with practical and motivational advice on how to manage stress to arrive at a higher level of productivity and goal achievement.

Chabad Intown Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman introduced the lunch by explaining how Kohen’s tenants combine with his own philosophy of living life to the fullest by getting a window into recognizing how we communicate in any given framework and avoid being reactive. His D’Var Torah Parshat Sarah (Genesis 23-25) delved into Eliezar, a non-Jew, who is trusted to find a wife for Isaac after Sarah dies. He said, “Eliezar finds a good fit for Isaac with Rivkeh, who has kindness qualities like offering water to others (and camels).” He elaborated twice, “I left and arrived today. This is more than a miracle as it shows that Eliezar, an aver-

age guy, has a place, a more business-like space, vs. just those [worshipping and learning] in synagogues, thus bringing

the greatness of Abraham into a more common space.” Kohen began by illustrating the five

principles of mental toughness. Many of his analogies were told through the challenges of athletes who suffer a variety of

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setbacks yet perform well under stress. He said, “No one wants to be a choker.”

His first book, “Trash Talk,” explored those under adversity, then psychologically stabbing at opponents (think of Muhammed Ali needling his opponents before a fight). “From the ball field to the board room, respond in the right way to what’s happening.”

He shared that athlete Kevin Garnett “messes with other players by barking like a dog and calculating the easy-going player to target.”

He explained how there are individual zones of optimal functioning … on the edge or with more self-awareness as a foundation for mental toughness.

“The challenge state vs. stress state is more useful, like before a presentation, you might have a flight or fight (the body’s automatic built-in response to danger that prepares either a fight combating the stress or running away) or freeze response which will work against you.”

He showed a quote from Lisa Feldman Barnett, “Get your butterflies in formation, lined up like fighter pilots in formation: embrace stress and challenge, not as threats.”

Leaving the athletic field, Kohen jumped to a military story from Fort Bragg where an entire troop was per-

forming an underwater exercise when their lines got tangled. In the dark with no air, no one knew what was happening. With military training, there was no chaos and panic. They controlled their fear, and inch by inch, and in rhythmic counting, untangled the line to get air flowing.

“Fear lives in the future, regret lives in the past. Focus on the now, have the next play in mind,” he said,

Kohen’s control levers are preparation, attitude, effort, and attention. “It’s not about what happened, but how you choose to respond. Press on, build daily habits of resilience. We don’t rise to the level of our expectations. We fall to the level of our training.”

In addition to “Trash Talk,” Kohen more recently published, “The Arena,” which goes inside the ticket scalping, mascot racing, dubiously funded, and possibly haunted monuments of American sport.

The remaining JBN Wednesday schedule is:

Dec. 10: George Kushner, CEO and founder of H2cryptO

Jan. 14: Brian Steele, high-profile Atlanta defense attorney

Feb. 11: Julia Immerman, owner of Daily Chew

March 11: Leslie Zinn, CEO of Arden’s Garden ì

Rabbi Eliyahu Schusterman’s message is for Jews to stick together and encourage the creative and business communities.

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Selig’s Culinary-Driven Hotel Stuns in Midtown

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Selig Enterprises is to Midtown like cats to cream … recognized for its 1105 West Peachtree 80-acre, mixed use project, including the Southeast headquarters for Google, 40 West 12th luxury residences, sizable law firm Smith Gambrell & Russell, all adjacent to Atlanta’s first Epicurean Hotel, a 178-key, full service, culinary-driven hotel concept operating under the Marriott Autograph Collection.

Steve Selig was the overarching developer and is a partner in the hotel. In addition to business meeting spaces and ballrooms for mitzvahs, this writer ventured out for an overnight to experience just what an immersive, culinary-forward experience Epicurean could offer.

The Epicurean brand is a collaboration between Mainsail Lodging & Development and the legendary Bern’s Steak House in Tampa, founded in 1956 by Jewish husband-and-wife restaurateurs Bern and Gert Laxer. Bern’s Steak House is world-renowned for its food, and extensive wine cellar featuring 500,000 bottles.

Epicurean Atlanta has more than 11,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor adaptable function space, accommodating from 10 to 140 attendees. Hotel amenities include the Sky Terrace with sweeping ninth-floor views and events lawn, and the innovative Epicurean Theatre where guests can watch and learn from a lineup of chefs, winemakers, mixologists, and artists.

To earn its moniker, Epicurean Atlanta features three restaurants and bars: 1: Reverence is named for its respect

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for the beauty and flavor of nature’s ingredients. It’s located in the hotel lobby, exposing a show kitchen which is all the rage -- displaying the culinary team at work. With a street-side outdoor patio, Reverence serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, with weekly specials like Wine Down Wednesday. What we sampled:

Beet It! Salad ($13) beet gel, roasted beets, frisee, baby kale, Chioggia (heirloom candy cane-striped beet), herb soil (a modern whimsical touch using edible

ingredients to mimic the look of soil)

Romanseco Steak ($20) white bean puree, red chimichurri, harissa roasted carrots, beet gastrique (our night subbed broccoli)

Brussel Sprouts ($14) sweet chili, crispy rice paper, crispy shallot.

Small plate

Calabrian Striped Bass ($24) not small - but enough for a meal; Calabrian tomato bisque, parsnip puree, parsnip chips, pickled mushrooms lent a zingy

The Epicurean Hotel offers a culinarydriven hospitality experience.

Food takes center stage when staying at The Epicurean.

On each floor across from the elevator is a “cork” wall named after a variety of wine // Photo Credit: The Epicurean Hotel

touch. Calabria is the boot region in Italy bordered by the Ionian Sea.

Large Plate

Farro Rissotto ($38) trout, Swiss chard, herb oil, smoked trout roe, Espelette pepper (mild heat from the Basque area of France).

2: Closed during our autumn visit, Aerial Kitchen & Bar, which has an urban garden with poolside and skyline views, is atop the ninth-level Sky Terrace. Alfresco dining with Latin Americaninfluenced food and drinks is open seasonally with private poolside cabana service.

3: The Office Bar is for collaborative lunches, happy hour cocktails, casual business meetings, and dinner dates. The setting transitions from midweek business professionals to upscale sports bar for weekend fans. The menu has shareable small plates, handhelds, and fresh salads, inventive cocktails, local craft beers, a monthly zeroproof cocktail, and a large whiskey list.

To further develop its theme, on each floor across from the elevator is a “cork” wall named after a variety of wine. This writer’s room overlooked the resort-style, zero-edge entry pool with luxury cabanas surrounded by lush greenery with partial views of the skyline.

A unique amenity is the Epicurean Theatre, 1,780-square-foot theatre equipped with a state-ofthe-art kitchen providing the ultimate platform for culinary discovery. The immersive space features multiple 86” LED TVs with space to accommodate 45. The cutting-edge venue also acts as a customizable event space offering teleconferencing, hybrid meeting capabilities, and hands-on classes for up to 20 where food, wine, and art are the stars.

This writer attended a Hillel event which began outdoors in the garden and segued into the ballroom with full A/V support. Grand Cru Ballroom has 3,096 square feet (divisible by two) and would suit a mitzvah event.

The hotel also features six indoor meeting rooms, four of which can be transformed into hospitality suites. All hotel outlets and venues are available for private events.

Think back to George Bernard Shaw’s adage, “There is no love more sincere than the love of food.”

For more information, please call 470-2832000 or visit EpicureanHotelAtlanta.com. ì

WAVES BE MERRY AND BRIGHT

The Epicurean offers 178 rooms with full service and exquisite dining options // Photo Credit: The Epicurean Hotel

Locals Launch Charter Service in Virgin Islands

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Ginger (Balser) Judge wears two hats. While she’s The Epstein Middle School counselor by day, her evenings are spent managing charter boats in the British and U.S. Virgin Islands.

Riding the wave of the adventurous and luxury leisure market, Ginger and her husband, J.C. Judge, operate their boats “for hire”, with a captain included. Currently, they run day charters out of St. Thomas on Judges’ Chambers.

Judges’ Chambers (a 45-foot, four-bed, four-bath catamaran) can also be combined with “Kelea” for larger parties (up to 16 people) for a week span. Kelea is a 65-foot yacht that can accommodate up to 10 people. She has a king ensuite master bedroom, four ensuite queen bedrooms, and two forward crew cabins with heads. Rates vary, from $23,000 to $28,000 per week, depending on the season and whether a chef is desired.

smaller than Kelea.”

Along with their partners, Jim and Lyn LaValle, the couple operate as Kestrel Sailing, LLC.

Kelea and Judges’ Chambers can run out of the BVI or USVI. They can extend trips beyond a week if booked in advance. The trip is 100 percent tailored to clients’ needs. They offer several island-hopping adventures,

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including, but not limited to, St. John, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost, Norman, and Peter Islands. The boat can be provisioned with food and drinks prior to the client’s arrival, or they can shop with the boat manager upon arrival.

Ginger extolled, “There are a lot of fantastic places to dine out. We always have way more food on the boat than we need because we end up eating out a lot, but that is up to the customer.”

Kelea is definitely not a roughing experience. There are TVs in every cabin, and in the main living area (salon). There is a fully stocked bar and kitchen. Kelea also has a 70-horsepower dinghy that can pull a tube and/ or water skis, both of which are on the yacht. The boat also has kayaks, paddleboards, snorkel, and Scuba gear, and fishing poles. They offer scuba diving packages for an extra fee.

Ginger concluded, “This is an all-inclusive sailing adventure. We have a team of experienced and licensed captains, co-captains, and chefs with whom we have worked over the last eight years.”

In terms of sea sickness, J.C. stated, “The boat rides very smoothly, and we rarely stray far from land. The beauty of Kelea is that she is known as one of the smoothest sailing vessels in the world. If the client has a propensity for sea sickness, there’s an herbal patch that clients often rave about. Staying hydrated is key, and staying up top where you can see land is also very helpful. Itineraries are custom built and can be modified during the trip if a customer needs more land time.”

Delta has nonstop flights from Atlanta to St. Thomas. Kelea can be ready for travelers in St. Thomas, or they can take a private speedboat to Tortola as a departure option. J.C. also runs Downwind Construction, a residential construction company in Atlanta and Athens. He exclaimed, “One day we hope to make running charters a full-time reality. And we will figure out how our three ‘fur babies’ will fit into the equation when the time comes.”

For more information, please email keleasailingcharters@gmail.com, and prepare for the adventure of a lifetime! ì

Friends Find Common Ancestral Ground

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

One day, Nick Hoffman was living his life as a non-Jew. The next day, he was not so sure.

Andre Schnabl and his wife, Denny Marcus, had been close friends with Nick and Lisa Hoffman for nearly 40 years. Nick, Schnabl’s financial advisor, was unaware that he was Jewish because his parents fled the Holocaust, settled in England, and denied their Jewish roots.

Now, in amazement, the newly discovered cousins marvel at a serendipity that brought them together -- how a single word, “Frisia,” sparked the revelation.

“Would you like to join us for a cup of Frisian tea?”

This simple question, asked by friends of Schnabl as he stepped into Nick Hoffman’s office for a meeting, set events in motion that none of them could have foreseen. The mention of the words “Frisian tea” opened a door that they had never suspected existed.

When Andre heard the word, “Frisia,” he was struck by coincidence. He explained, “That’s funny, because I am just doing some genealogical research on my family, and on my father’s side, his mother came from Frisia, and she was a Hoffmann!”

This sparked recognition in Nick, who replied, “That’s funny because my family came from Aurich, Ost Frisland, in the northwest corner of Germany near the Dutch border. ‘Hoffmann’ is a common name in Germany, but regardless … ”

Andre sent Nick an extract from his family tree to discern if there was anything noteworthy. That night, as Nick examined it, it was as if he had been struck by lightning. He found himself looking at an entire branch of his own family, all from Aurich. Nick spread out his entire collection of family photos, letters, and books about Aurich for Andre and Denny to explore. The connection was confirmed: Andre’s great-grandfather, Jacob Hoffmann, and Nick’s great-grandfather, Joseph Hoffmann, were brothers. Andre’s branch of the family, which had been living in Hannover, fled Germany before the war for South Africa. Nick’s family, who had been living in Braunschweig, also fled, ultimately settling in England. Here decades later, they were reunited in Atlanta — almost a century after their families had separated.

To make a formal gesture, Andre and Denny, and Nick and Lisa embarked on a historic trip to their shared hometown of Aurich in October. There, they visited the

After fleeing the Holocaust, one side of the Schnabl-Hoffman family fled to Great Britain while the other side moved to South Africa. Years later, the two bloodlines reconnected in Atlanta.

old Jewish cemetery and paid homage to their ancestors. During their visit, they were hosted by Gerd Seele, a longtime close friend of Nick’s family. Through a twist of fate, Gerd had been instrumental in helping the Hoffmans piece together their family history, researching both the roots in Aurich and the fates of family members lost in the concentration camps.

Gerd has established a research department dedicated to collecting and analyzing historical documents, with the goal of reconstructing the stories of these families and sharing his own experiences as they relate to the broader narrative of displaced families finding their way back to Aurich. Aurich, once the capital of Ost Frisland, had one of the highest concentrations of Jewish residents in Germany prior to 1933. Tragically, it also became one of the first towns in Germany to declare itself “Judenfrei” after Hitler rose to power.

L’dor v’ dor, Anna Imperial, the daughter of Nick and Lisa, embarked on a profound personal journey before the birth of her first child. In a heartfelt decision, Anna chose to convert to Judaism and join The Temple, to revitalize this connection to Judaism.

She said, “Growing up, I had so many Jewish friends and felt very comfortable with the Jewish faith and traditions. It was as if it were always deep inside me. The history of our family resonated, and I felt a deep desire to rekindle that heritage and embrace what has been a part of our family for so many centuries.”

This significant step not only honored her family’s history but also en-

sured that the legacy of their faith would be passed down to future generations.

Despite the challenges and tragedies of the past, fate, serendipity, and the miracle of life have led to an extraordinary

family reunion. The adventure of the Schnabl-Hoffman family, rediscovering their roots and forging new connections, has only just begun.

A cup of tea, the great connector.

Nick Hoffman and Andre Schnabl, who recently learned they were cousins, visited the cemetery in Germany where their ancestors rest.

The Schnabl and Hoffman families traveled back to their families’ roots in Germany to underscore their bloodline connection.

Why Every Atlanta Home Needs a Regular Check-Up

By Stan Garnet

Much like visiting your doctor for an annual physical, your home deserves a regular “check-up” to ensure it is healthy, safe, and performing as it should. In Atlanta’s demanding climate, where heat, humidity, and storms put constant pressure on our homes, a professional home inspection every two years can save homeowners thousands of dollars and prevent serious issues before they develop.

Homes are Living Systems

They expand and contract with temperature changes, breathe through their ventilation systems, and age as materials wear down. Just as our bodies show signs of fatigue over time, so do our homes. Catching small problems early, before they turn into expensive repairs, is the key to maintaining a safe and comfortable living environment.

A biannual inspection by a certified home inspector provides a detailed assessment of your home’s vital systems, including the structure, roof, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more. This process identifies developing issues such as moisture intrusion,

electrical hazards, or foundation movement, long before they become emergencies.

Atlanta’s mix of humid summers, heavy rains, and occasional freezing temperatures make our homes work overtime. Moisture is the biggest culprit in hidden damage. Humidity can cause wood rot, encourage mold growth, and compromise insulation efficiency. Seasonal storms test roofs, gutters, and grading systems, while

hot summers push HVAC systems to their limits.

A house in Atlanta that is not inspected regularly may face premature wear to siding, roofing materials, and window seals. Over time, these small failures lead to major repair costs, many of which can be avoided with preventive care.

Key

Systems and Components

Here are some of the key systems and components that should be evaluated during a professional “house physical”:

Roof and Gutters: Check for missing shingles, flashing gaps, clogged gutters, and downspout extensions to ensure proper drainage.

Exterior Siding and Trim: Look for cracks, rot, peeling paint, or gaps that can allow moisture or pests to enter.

detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers are functional and properly placed.

Catch it Sooner Rather than Later

It is easy to underestimate the toll, time, and weather take on a home. A small roof leak or minor foundation crack can develop unnoticed until it leads to thousands of dollars in damage. Routine inspections every two years are a small investment compared to emergency repairs or system replacements.

Foundation and Grading: Inspect for cracks, settlement, or grading that slopes toward the home, which can cause water intrusion.

Electrical System: Test GFCIs, outlets, and panel connections; ensure circuits are properly labeled and free of corrosion or overheating.

Plumbing System: Inspect for leaks, corrosion, or slow drainage, and ensure water heaters are functioning properly and safely.

HVAC: Clean or replace filters, check for duct leaks, and confirm that cooling and heating systems are properly serviced and ventilated.

Windows and Doors: Examine seals, caulking, and operation to prevent drafts and water entry.

Attic and Insulation: Check insulation levels, ventilation, and signs of moisture or pest activity.

Decks and Porches: Evaluate the structure for rot, loose fasteners, or guardrail deficiencies, especially important for Atlanta’s outdoor living spaces.

Safety Equipment: Verify that smoke

The best times to schedule a home inspection in Atlanta are typically spring and fall, when weather conditions are mild. This allows you to address repairs before the extremes of summer or winter. Homeowners planning major renovations or additions should also schedule an inspection beforehand to ensure existing systems can support the upgrades.

Rely on the Professionals

Look for a qualified inspector with experience in Atlanta’s building codes and environmental conditions. Certifications such as ASHI (American Society of Home Inspectors) and familiarity with the International Residential Code (IRC) indicate a professional who understands both construction standards and long-term maintenance best practices.

Your home is one of your most valuable investments, and just like your health, it needs initiative-taking care to stay strong. Scheduling a “house physical” every two years helps you stay ahead of costly repairs, ensures safety for your family, and preserves the integrity of your property for years to come.

Do not wait for symptoms of a problem to appear. Just as you trust your doctor for a yearly check-up, trust a qualified home inspector to keep your house healthy, efficient, and ready for whatever Atlanta’s climate throws its way. ì

Tips for Cleaning Your House for the Holidays

By Ken Kaplan

For discerning homeowners, maintaining the look, feel, and longevity of fine carpets, rugs, and upholstery is essential to preserving the beauty and comfort of a well-appointed home. These textiles not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your living spaces but also represent a significant investment — one that deserves expert care and thoughtful maintenance.

The Power of Professional Deep Cleaning

Even with meticulous daily care, nothing rejuvenates carpets and upholstery quite like an annual professional steam cleaning. The most effective results come from using a truck-mounted steam cleaning system, which provides the strongest vacuum suction and the highest water pressure available. This combination delivers a deeper clean than portable units or any other system including all “dry” methods, removing deeply embedded dirt, allergens, and residues that regular vacuuming simply can’t reach. An annual or semi-annual cleaning not only restores vibrancy and softness but also significantly extends the lifespan of your textiles.

Everyday Practices that Protect Your Investment

Routine maintenance between professional cleanings plays a major role in keeping your interiors pristine.

Vacuum frequently — especially in high-traffic areas — to prevent fine dust and grit from abrading fibers.

Institute a no-shoe policy. This simple rule drastically reduces dirt, oils, and outdoor contaminants tracked onto your floors and fabrics.

Use mats and runners in entryways to catch debris before it reaches your luxury rugs.

These habits are small efforts with big payoffs, ensuring your textiles maintain their texture and color for years.

Smart Stain Solutions

Accidents happen — but knowing how to respond can make the difference between a temporary blemish and permanent damage. Always begin by identifying the type of stain before treating it.

Organic stains (such as coffee, urine, bile, turmeric, chocolate, spaghetti sauce, wine, or other food and drink spills) respond best to hydrogen peroxide. Test a small, inconspicuous area first

For discerning homeowners, maintaining the look, feel, and longevity of fine carpets, rugs, and upholstery is essential to preserving the beauty and comfort of a well-appointed home.

to ensure no unwanted brightening or discoloration occurs. For a stronger effect, you can use a higher concentrated peroxide available at hardware or home improvement stores.

General dirt or soil can often be handled with a simple water-based cleaner, like a gentle mixture of white vinegar and water.

Oil-based or greasy stains, including cosmetics or salad dressing spills, should be treated with rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol. Most fabrics can be safely sprayed with off-the-shelf rubbing alcohol and wiped down with clean towels — no rinsing required.

Avoid harsh commercial cleaners unless you are certain they’re compatible with your material. The wrong product can set a stain permanently or damage delicate fibers. This holds true, especially for wool. Make sure when you use “wool safe” products.

Finishing Touches for a Fresh, Inviting Home

A clean home should also smell as elegant as it looks. For natural odor control, try activated charcoal bags, which absorb unwanted smells without chemicals. Alternatively, a light mist of essential oils mixed with water sprayed on carpet can create a subtle, welcoming aroma — perfect before hosting guests or holiday gatherings.

While some professionals may promote synthetic deodorizers or fabric protectors, their results are often temporary and, in many cases, not worth the high cost.

With consistent care, the right products, and periodic professional truck-

mounted steam cleaning, your carpets, rugs, and upholstery will remain as beautiful and luxurious as the day they were installed — reflecting the elegance and refinement that define your home.

For the best rate and best results, call Ken, owner of Dirt Blasters for a free consultation: 404-403-0045 or email info@ dirtblasters.com.  For additional information go to www.dirtblasters.com.  ì

Atlanta’s Award-Winning Remodeling Firm

Annual Real Estate Roundup for 2025

By Sasha Heller

The AJT asked a panel of local realtors to discuss the current state of the metro Atlanta real estate market. Topics included key challenges in the current residential market, emerging trends, and advice for both buyers and sellers. Read on to find out about Atlanta’s current real estate market.

Robin Blass

Realtor, The Robin Blass Group, Harry Norman Perimeter

What are some key challenges in the current residential real estate market?

One of the biggest challenges right now is low inventory. Many homeowners are hesitant to sell due to higher interest rates compared to what they locked in years ago. This creates a competitive environment for buyers, especially in desirable neighborhoods. Additionally, pricing homes accurately has become more nuanced — balancing market demand with buyer affordability is key.

Are there any emerging trends in today’s market?

Yes, we’re seeing a shift toward more strategic pricing and creative financing options. Buyers are exploring rate buydowns and adjustable-rate mortgages to manage monthly costs. On the seller side, homes that are move-in ready and well-staged continue to attract strong interest. There’s also a growing emphasis on digital marketing and virtual tours, which help listings stand out in a crowded online space.

Can you give any specific advice to potential homeowners looking to buy this year?

Be prepared and act quickly. Get pre-approved, know your budget, and work with an experienced agent who understands the nuances of the local market. In a competitive environment, having a strong offer — sometimes with fewer contingencies — can make all the difference. Also, don’t be discouraged by interest rates; focus on finding the right home and consider refinancing later if rates drop.

Conversely, any advice for those looking to sell?

Presentation is everything. Homes that are clean, decluttered, and professionally staged tend to sell faster and for more money. Pricing is also critical — overpricing can lead to longer days on market and price reductions. Work with a trusted agent who can guide you through market trends, buyer expectations, and marketing strategies that maximize exposure and results.

A panel of real estate experts share their insights into current Metro Atlanta market conditions.

Jon Shapiro

Associate Broker, RE/MAX Around Atlanta

What are some key challenges in the current residential real estate market?

The key challenges are we are currently navigating through a market day by day that we have not experienced before, and sellers’ and buyers’ mindsets can be very different. Sellers can be in the “I want to duplicate or beat the record-breaking sale that was possible for my neighbor last year even if not what current market conditions are showing.” Buyers are more sidelined as they are in a wait and see mode to see if prices and interest rates adjust down. It is our job as professionals through education to the consumers to bring the deals together in any market and successfully close. Your exact neighborhood is your market, so it is important to look specifically at what is possible for you and not get caught up in generalizations about the market. There are still many listings going over list price in the higher demand areas.

Are there any emerging trends in today’s market?

I see a more cost-conscious buyer than ever before. We have to acknowledge that the first-time homebuyer is now 40 years old, and this is up from 33, five years ago and 38 last year. Home ownership is becoming unaffordable for many. We are seeing the tipping point of affordability between higher interest rates, higher home prices, and higher home running costs like insurance, property taxes and utilities. Interest rates coming down about 1 percent over the past year is helping but in certain market segments we are seeing price adjustments to attract more buyers. There is no lack of interest in owning a home. It comes down to consumer confidence and affordability.

Can you give any specific advice to potential homeowners looking to buy this year?

Make sure you work with a lender ahead of looking and see what is comfortably affordable for you and get preapproved. The hottest homes go quickly, and you still might have to compete with multiple offers so, if needing a loan, have everything in order so the lender is ready to go. I would also carefully think through buying before you sell as the days on market are higher than in previous years and you need to be prepared to carry two homes for an unspecified period of time. Buying before you sell has many benefits as you get what you want before you give up what you have but consult with your realtor to make sure expectations are in line. Also, when buying, always look at what you are buying as a potential resale down the road. Many consumers in general in the frenzy of the past few years overpaid and maybe bought that “pink elephant” as the rate was good, but now in a more balanced market, even leaning toward a buyer’s market, that “pink elephant” is not faring well; there is even potential for selling for less than paid. This is why it is critical to work with an experienced sgent who can help you navigate your best purchase options.

Conversely, any advice for those looking to sell?

The buyers are watching home improvement shows and they are looking for the refreshed home that is well taken care of. I would go the extra mile in today’s market and have the home sparkle. It will pay off with a quicker sale at the best possible price. I also believe in having homes appraised by a bank-certified appraiser as there are many value algorithms that consumers look at today that can be rather inaccurate and can set a false expectation. The appraisal is the only thing a bank will look at to determine value, and I think it is important for us as listing agents to have this tool to better control the narrative with facts as needed.

Amy Barocas

Realtor, The Barocas & Feldman Team, Harry Norman Perimeter

What are some key challenges in the current residential real estate market?

One of the biggest challenges in the current residential real estate market north of Atlanta is its rapid and uneven pace of change. Market conditions can shift weekly and vary significantly from one neighborhood to the next. For example, while areas like Alpharetta may experience fierce competition and multiple-offer scenarios, nearby communities such as Sandy Springs or Dunwoody might offer buyers more negotiating power. This hyper-local variability means that a one-size-fits-all strategy simply doesn’t work. Success hinges on understanding these micro-markets and staying ahead of trends so clients can make confident, well-informed decisions — whether they’re buying or selling.

Are there any emerging trends in today’s market?

As the North Atlanta housing market continues to evolve, new trends are reshaping how buyers approach homeownership. One notable shift is the growing appeal of homes that offer potential for customization. While turnkey properties that are fully updated and “move-in ready” still attract multiple offers, homes requiring cosmetic updates are lingering longer on the market — presenting a unique opportunity for buyers with vision and a willingness to invest in renovations.

There’s a real chance for savvy buyers to find value in homes that need a little TLC, these properties often come at a more accessible price point and allow buyers to personalize their space.

Another significant trend is the increasing emphasis on lifestyle features. Since 2020, buyers have been prioritizing elements like outdoor living areas, flexible spaces for remote work, and walkability to local amenities such as restaurants and schools. It’s no longer just about square footage. People are looking for homes that support the way they live, work, and connect with their communities

Can you give any specific advice to potential homeowners looking to buy this year?

Despite fluctuating interest rates and mixed media narratives, real estate experts urge buyers not to let uncertainty derail their homeownership goals. For those considering a purchase in North Atlanta, preparation and perspective are key.

Focus on what you can control, know your budget, identify your ideal location, and clarify your must-have features. When the right home comes along, being preapproved and ready to act quickly can make all the difference — especially since wellpriced homes are still moving fast.

We encourage buyers to think long-term. You can always renovate a home or refinance a mortgage down the road, but you can’t change the neighborhood or the lot. That’s why it’s so important to work with a realtor who understands the nuances of each community. They can help you uncover hidden value and negotiate with confidence.

Conversely, any advice for those looking to sell?

For homeowners preparing to sell in North Atlanta, presentation is more important than ever. With buyers increasingly drawn to homes that are move-in ready, even modest updates can make a significant impact on marketability and final sale price.

First impressions matter, homes that are clean, fresh, and well-maintained consistently attract stronger offers and tend to sell faster. Simple upgrades — like new light fixtures, fresh paint, updated cabinet hardware, or improved landscaping — can dramatically enhance a property’s appeal.

In today’s competitive environment, professional staging and high-quality marketing are essential. Our team understands buyer psychology. We help sellers showcase their homes in a way that resonates with today’s market, minimizing buyer objections and maximizing perceived value. It’s all about creating a space that buyers can instantly envision as their own.

Leigh & Michael Schiff

Real Estate Advisors, Ansley Real Estate Christie’s International

The single most important thing when choosing a realtor in today’s competitive market? Strategic competence. Not charm. Not fancy signs. Not who sold your neighbor’s house. You need someone who can read the market like a chessboard and execute like a sniper — pricing, positioning, and negotiation have to be surgically precise.

That means your agent should:

Understand real-time data (not just comps from three months ago).

Market with intent — blending emotion, exposure, and timing to create leverage.

Negotiate with discipline, not desperation.

And above all, protect your money and your timeline as fiercely as if it were their own.

In short: don’t hire the friendliest face — hire the strategist who can outthink, outmarket, and outperform the competition.

What are some key challenges in the current residential real estate market?

The current Atlanta real estate market is grappling with several distinct challenges.

For first-time buyers, high interest rates and affordability remain primary hurdles, as escalating home prices continue to outpace local wage growth. This is further complicated by a critical lack of entry-level inventory, largely due to current homeowners being reluctant to sell and give up their low mortgage interest rates.

Meanwhile, sellers face shifting market dynamics. Buyers increasingly expect “turnkey” properties, necessitating pre-listing investment in home improvements. Setting realistic expectations for sellers is also key; as the market cools, we are seeing fewer multiple-offer scenarios and greater buyer leverage leading to increased price negotiability.

Lastly, the rate of contract terminations is notable. Currently, one in five contracts falls apart during the due diligence period. The main reasons cited for these terminations are home inspection/repair issues, financing contingencies, increased buyer leverage, and buyers simply changing their minds

Are there any emerging trends in today’s market?

The market is now transitioning toward a more balanced environment, effectively leveling the playing field for buyers after years of favoring sellers. A key indicator of this shift is the growing supply of active listings, which provides buyers with more options and has reduced the prevalence of intense bidding wars. While homes in excellent condition and priced correctly still attract multiple offers, the overall increase in inventory is leading to longer Days on Market (DOM), which, in turn, is giving buyers significantly more negotiating power.

The impact of rising DOM is highly localized. Comparing September 2024 to September 2025, the increase was most dramatic in central luxury areas: Midtown saw a jump of 47 days and Buckhead increased by 28 days. In contrast, suburbs like Johns Creek (+2 days), Alpharetta (+2 days), Roswell (+3 days), and East Cobb (+7 days) experienced much smaller increases, while Sandy Springs saw no change in DOM. Conversely, sellers retain an advantage in certain high-demand, walkable neighborhoods; DOM actually reduced by 21 days in Virginia Highlands and by 6 days in Morningside.

Furthermore, the condo and townhome market is experiencing a notable slowdown, with year-over-year statistics indicating significant declines: an increase of 23 days on market, a 2.5 percent decrease in median sales price, and an 8.5 percent decrease in sales volume.

Can you give any specific advice to potential homeowners looking to buy this year?

Regardless of market conditions, savvy buyers who are financing can gain a competitive edge. Buyers should aim to be pre-approved, not just pre-qualified. To truly stand out when presenting an offer, aim for full loan approval. This means your loan has been entirely underwritten by the lender, which allows you to remove the financing contingency, making your bid much stronger.

Buyers should leverage inventory now and not wait for interest rates to drop, as a subsequent rate drop will flood the market with more buyers and increase competition. It is more beneficial to secure a favorable price now and then plan to refinance if and when rates drop dramatically.

Lastly, if you find yourself in a non-competitive negotiation, consider asking the seller for a credit toward your closing costs. A buyer can then strategically use these sellerpaid closing costs to buy down their interest rate. Consult with your lender to determine the cost of a rate buy-down, and your realtor can skillfully negotiate this crucial seller concession on your behalf.

Conversely, any advice for those looking to sell?

No matter the market conditions, we always believe that our clients need to win the “price war” and win the “beauty contest.” For sellers, this means getting your house in the best condition before listing, so potential buyers do not have any immediate concerns when they are touring your home, and having your home priced to sell strategically from day one. When interviewing realtors to list your home, it is important to ask what their average days on market is, their average sales price to list price ratio, and what they do to help you get your home ready before hitting the market. Sellers also need to know the current market conditions for the area they live in; as mentioned above, not all markets of Atlanta are equal, so ask your realtor to provide you with the current local market statistics. Remember, you only get one time to list your home for the correct price — you can never underprice a home, you can only overprice it. ì

“Eydie took care of us as though we were her own children. We had a horrible experience with another agent, and Eydie not only found our dream home but made the entire process feel seamless and hassle-free. Eydie is thorough, informative, savvy and effective. Anything we needed, Eydie was able to assist immediately. We never thought buying a home could be so smooth.”

- RECENT HOMEBUYERS

Pailey Nooromid & Eydie Koonin

THE PAILEY AND EYDIE GROUP

pn. 214.662.0999 • paileynooromid@atlantafinehomes.com

ek. 404.697.8215 • eydiekoonin@atlantafinehomes.com

o. 404.237.5000 • atlantafinehomes.com

“Pailey was the ideal person to work with! She made every part of the process smooth and stress-free and went out of her way to find the right place for us. I would recommend Pailey to anyone looking for a place to live that wants A+ customer service.”

- RECENT HOMEBUYERS

DINING Brooklyn Bagel Opens in Sandy Springs

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Brooklyn Bagel & Deli is growing like … well … flagel dough. With locations in Ansley Mall, Johns Creek, Brookhaven, and most recently, Sandy Springs, Trehan native Alan Ahlzadeh knows what it takes to run a hands-on family business. For starters, he sleeps during the late afternoon, to be able to be alert and manage starting at 2 a.m.

He explained, “In 2010, I purchased Brooklyn Bagel Bakery in Johns Creek. From that location with much hard work and tinkering, Brooklyn Bagel and Deli was born; and today, we have just opened our fourth location. After 40 years in the restaurant business, I still love it and believe it or not, I am excited to start my day at 1:30 a.m.!”

His wife, Merrill, is trusted backup and lends support by running around to deliver items that may be left behind. On the day this writer visited the new Sandy Springs location just outside I-285, in a strip center on Roswell Road, the couple was on hand keeping the “nova and

corned beef ship” running as smoothly as a side spread.

Son, Avi, runs the Ansley Mall location. They have between 15 to 20 em-

ployees at each location, and the family claims to be open to all/more locations and is looking at franchise options.

Ahlzadeh's sweet spot is quality and speed as cash and carry, while there are plenty of roomy tables to sit down and nosh. A plethora of Jewish appetites were enjoying the Sandy Springs location at noon on a Friday, which has a very deep corridor for sitting down to kibbitz. Seating ranges from 40 to 130 indoors with groupings of outdoor seating. All locations are designed for fast casual ambiance and practicality for grab and go service.

Brooklyn Bagel & Deli bagels are made fresh every morning with simple quality ingredients and pride as each bagel is hand rolled, boiled, then baked to achieve a perfect shiny crust and chewy inside. All bagels are made from scratch and hand rolled in the commissary. They are then transported to the different locations daily where they are then boiled and baked on site. Alan’s favorite nova, along with whitefish and sable, are shipped from New York City; and the corned beef and pastrami come from gold standard Carnegie Deli. All the bagel dough, tuna, chicken, egg salad, potato salads, coleslaw, Israeli salad, all the cream cheeses and desserts, are prepared in the commissary.

To complement his Persian heritage, Ahlzadeh also spent formidable years in Israel. As the son of a kosher butcher, he began working at age 8, for his father and four older brothers where he delivered chicken and meat to homes on his bicycle. He moved to the United States

at 12 and started school anew. After living with different family members in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Long Island, he settled in Paramus, N.J., on Route 17.

He recalled, “After some very cold years, I moved to Dunwoody where I still reside now with my wife and children.”

Alan attended Georgia State University where he majored in accounting, a practical boon for a restaurateur. Shortly after college, along with his brothers, he purchased a Shipfeifer Gyro Wrap franchise in the 1980s. The first location was in Lenox Mall before expanding to other malls and concepts.

At Brooklyn Bagel & Deli, a baker’s dozen sells for $19.99. The most popular flavors are Everything, Sesame and Plain. Ahlzadeh stated that the most popular sandwiches include The Classic (sliced nova with cream cheese, tomato, onion and capers), Tuna Melt, Reuben, and My Cousin Vinny. Other clever monikers are Empire State, Central Park, Brooklyn Way, Prospect Park, and Kipper the Salmon.

Brooklyn Bagel & Deli has a catering division for mitzvahs and parties; EzCater for offices; take out and Door Dash account for 30 percent of the sales volume.

Alan concluded, “The hardest thing about running a deli is early morning, keeping consistent food quality, and making sure all 15 to 20 employees show up and work smoothly as a team and do so every day. We pride ourselves on authenticity, speed, consistency in a fastpaced environment with high energy; concurrently being known as a community hang out for socialization.”  ì

Many deli meats at Brooklyn Bagel & Deli are shipped from the Carnegie Deli in New York.

Alan and Merrill make quite an efficient team, especially at 2 a.m.

Chai Style Home

Family Utopia in Space and Light

Janet and Joel Greenhill didn’t want to look out over the trees, they wanted to be in them. That’s why they took three years to construct a one-of-a-kind bespoke home in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a connection to its space and a foothold for extended family.

Retired endodontist Joel remarked, “The best luxury is nature, so we selected everything based on that, and art from world travels. It’s about how all these materials came together.”

The extraordinary house features a family model of multi-generational living with daughter, Shannon, a massage therapist, and wife, Paula Burks, a physical therapist, who met Shannon through competitive cycling.

Shannon added, “Many cultures combine generations for sociability and practicality. We align shared values and elevate small town living by entertaining

friends and each other.”

The matriarch of order and art, Janet Lazarus Greenhill, an avid gardener, added, “Being able to rely on each other gives us a huge sense of comfort and wellbeing.”

Experience the spirit of place and preservation and snuggle up to some very cozy canines.

Marcia: Why is life better in Blue Ridge than in the big city?

Janet: It isn’t for everyone, but it works for us. Raising a family in Atlanta, we traveled to locations based on nature, culture, and adventure. We found the small mountain town of Blue Ridge in 1999. We bought a lot backing up to national forest. Once the house was built, we started spending more time here. In 2023, Shannon and Paula restored an old medical building, now a wellness campus, that offers community holisticbased approaches to physical and mental health and skin care; and I teach Pilates.

Shannon: Living in the mountains forces us to be one with nature and the challenges of being isolated from most modern amenities. We can get stuck for days after a winter storm and learned to

assimilate and enjoy. We breathe clean air, drink pure well water, and move through the steep and rugged terrain. We practice what we preach -- a life in functional movement. And taking care of one another.

Marcia: Share this concept of multigenerational living.

Janet: We are at a time of our lives where two generations can help each thrive. The house and the property take a lot of maintenance. It keeps us all active and busy, but we enjoy having our girls here. We cook together, talk about the day, and enjoy being adults together.

Joel: We don’t like to talk about getting older; but it’s a reality. We aren’t a stone’s throw from Northside Hospital. We have helicopter insurance in case of emergency to Chattanooga in minutes.

Marcia: Why all the dogs?

Shannon: They are an extension of our family. Five golden retrievers, two beagles, and a goldendoodle. Mornings we head into the forest to hike. Sister, Jaclyn (RN from Chattanooga), comes often with her dog, adding another canine. The way our house is built there is little

need to be inside. While it sounds like a lot of dogs, they spend most of their time in nature.

Marcia: How did the construction evolve?

Janet: We bought the property because it was adjacent to a hiking trail. We had no idea that our trail led to another, all the way to the Appalachians. We started a couple of years later. At times, only one builder was working. Everything stopped during hunting season back then! The design of our house was a joint venture.

Joel: I found unique wood and materials to achieve a rustic, yet elegant log home. The heart pine floors came from the Carnegie Hotel in Tennessee. Some of the walls are pecky cypress from waterlogged fallen dead trees where fungus had carved holes. Century-old lumber from rustic Pennsylvania barns was also used. Decorating was Janet’s forte. She wanted the look of the Cartwright’s home on “Bonanza!”

Marcia: And the decor?

Janet: It’s a reflection of the countries in which we’ve traveled, and of

Marcia

Caller Jaffe

Joel, Janet, Shannon, and Paula are rooted in family, community, and living healthy lifestyles // All photos by Howard Mendel

The Greenhills wanted the mountain house to resemble the Cartwright’s home from the TV show, “Bonanza.”

pieces bartered by Atlanta artists that couldn’t afford Joel’s root canals. Then some from my mom. One favorite is Gayle Foster.

The tapestries are from Africa and Peru. Also, we have work by the late Dee Venzer, whose work is shown at the Booth Museum. Paula’s favorite is a conceptualized dog painting from Croatia.

Joel: Being all wood, the house is muted. Natural lighting comes in from large windows and French doors. We have recessed lighting in the rafters and kitchen, but much of it comes from table lamps and fixtures. Our porches were designed to be like separate rooms.

Jaffe: Last word …

Shannon: Pup feeding time can get a little crazy, but we have our methods! ì

Above: Paula and Shannon head to the forest each morning with eight dogs enjoying nature.

Right: The high ceilings capture natural light. One look provides a 360-degree view. The dogs also enjoy “just chilling” in the great room.

Below: The Greenhill kitchen paves the way for lively family meals.

Top Left:  The upstairs hall loft has Indian rugs, oars from Thailand, and masks from Ecuador. The charcoal “Dancers” is by Barry Gross.

Top Right: The master bedroom features Joel’s favorite painting by Patty Bannister. The painting over the bed belonged to Janet’s mother, Ruth Lazarus Arnovitz.

Below: This moose watercolor was claimed at an auction, and resides in the lower level with Paula and Shannon.

Left: The front foyer welcomes guests with a chandelier Joel found at City Electric in Jasper.

CALENDAR

Monday, December 1

The 36th Annual Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture – 5 to 10 p.m. The 36th Annual Fran Eizenstat and Eizenstat Family Memorial Lecture Series present a discussion led by Ambassador Stuart Eizenstat featuring David H. Patraeus, former director of the Central Intelligence Agency. This event is brought to you by the Marilyn Ginsberg Eckstein Cultural Arts Program Fund. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/2n6u87vh.

Tuesday, December 2

2025 – Mitzvah Kitchen Volunteering

– Giving Tuesday – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Cook, bake, pack, and deliver a delicious Shabbat package for someone who may enjoy a little love with the Mitzvah House. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/24wvwdck.

JELF’s Year End Celebration – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join us for the 2025 JELF End of Year Celebration at The Distillery of Modern Art. Join in recognizing the profound impact of our collective efforts! RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ye2649ae.

Connecting the Expecting: Mamas Knead Challah – 7:30 to 9 p.m. What’s better than fresh challah for Shabbat? Nothing! Join JBaby’s Connecting the Expecting and Atlanta Jewish Xperience’s Rookie Shapiro for a special challah-making event just for moms-to-be. We’ll mix up delicious dough together, ready to freeze and bake later — so once baby arrives, you can enjoy the sweet smell (and taste!) of fresh challah for Shabbat with zero stress. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3m2wndbf.

Wednesday, December 3

JBaby Dunwoody Neighborhood Small Group- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A fiveweek small group series for local families to bond over music, education, support, and playtime. Designed for babies ages 0–12 months and their parent(s). In this warm, welcoming space, neighborhood families come together for playful learning and meaningful support. You’ll connect with other parents, learn from developmental experts, and share new experiences with your little one—building friendships and a deeper connection to your community along the way. Sign up at https://tinyurl. com/355wk9td.

Gateway to Belonging: MACoM’s 10th Anniversary – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Join us in celebrating MACoM’s 10th anniversary. Ten years of sacred, transformative immersions and community connection. Featuring special guest Lindy Radow, the first person to convert at MACoM, who will share her inspiring story. Don’t miss this powerful evening honoring the past, present, and future of our community mikvah. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2jx2w8he.

Light & Delight: Candle Workshop + Hanukkah Market – 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nes Gadol Haya (that’s Hebrew for “a great miracle happened”)…When the babysitter showed up. Join PJ Library for a festive evening designed just for adults! Learn the art of candle making in a hands-on workshop where you’ll craft your own custom candle, perfect for the holiday season or gifting. Alongside the workshop, browse our mini-Chanukah market featuring local Jewish makers and small businesses. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will be donated to support our partnership region in Israel, helping communities where assistance is needed most. Come for the creativity, stay for the community, and leave with something meaningful this Hanukkah. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/ mpnb8jn9.

DECEMBER 1-14

Thursday, December 4

Stand Up, Speak Up, Show Up – 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join other NCJW, Atlanta Section advocates at our first legislative preview supporting our advocacy initiative: Stand Up, Speak Up, Show Up. Aim for Change: A Legislative Preview on Gun Violence Prevention: Led by Dr. Michael Greenwald and Representative Michelle Au, attendees will gain expert insights and advocacy strategies for the upcoming Georgia legislative session. RSVP at https:// tinyurl.com/2pr64hhb.

Navigating Antisemitism on Campus –

7 p.m. Over the past two years, antisemitic incidents on college campuses in the U.S. and Canada have reached alarmingly high rates — the highest in history. There is some good news to share, however: Violent antisemitic incidents on campus — vandalism and physical assaults — are down significantly. As high school students and their families are in the college search process, we want to ensure you have the information you need about what antisemitism and Jewish life on campus are like right now and all the ways Hillel is supporting students navigate the changing environment. Get the Zoom Link at https://tinyurl. com/23ypbdp9.

Counterculture and Catalyst: Judaism’s Dual Role in Shaping Civilization with Rabbi Elie Kaunfer – 7 to 8:30 p.m. Join the Dupree for an illuminating conversation with Rabbi Elie Kaunfer, president and CEO of the Hadar Institute, as we explore how Judaism has served both as a counterculture and a catalyst — challenging prevailing norms while inspiring the world’s moral and spiritual imagination. As we approach Chanukah, this timely discussion will also consider how Judaism has drawn from and reinterpreted surrounding cultures, enriching Jewish life while influencing civilizations throughout history. Through vivid examples from Jewish thought and tradition, Rabbi Kaunfer will guide us in reflecting on how this dynamic interplay — of standing apart and engaging deeply — shapes our values today and what it teaches us about living meaningfully and courageously in the modern world. Register at https://tinyurl. com/cda5v8p2.

Friday, December 5

JWC Atlanta Weekend Retreat - Join JWC Atlanta for a weekend of learning, relaxation and delicious kosher food. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2w2azkcm.

Music and Play – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Let’s spark joy and curiosity through the magic of music and play! Jumpstart your morning with an upbeat, interactive music and movement class led by Here We Grow, where little ones can dance, wiggle, and sing their hearts out. Afterward, Nurture invites children into a world of themed sensory play and hands-on adventures — perfect for curious minds and messy fingers. Come ready to move, create, and make memories together! Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/mr2ezpwp.

Kabbalat Panim Shabbat Service - 5:45 to 8 p.m. Once a month at Congregation Dor Tamid will gather for a Kabbalat Panim, an Oneg Shabbat before services at 5:45 p.m. We will then move to the sanctuary to welcome in Shabbat together at 6:15 p.m. Find out more at https://tinyurl. com/47rs4bt3.

Saturday, December 6

Civil Rights Road Trip - Sojourn will take a one-day round-trip tour from Atlanta to Montgomery, Ala., led by Billy Planer of Etgar 36. This educational and communitybuilding trip will give us the opportunity to learn from our joined LGBTQIA+, Jewish, and Black communities and discuss the impact of what happens when a group of human beings are declared “other.” We will learn the tools and strategies used by the Civil Rights movement to help create change and see how they can be employed today. This is an intergenerational program open to families, youth in middle school and older, and every age group. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/5n7ec99y.

JWC Atlanta Weekend Retreat - Join JWC Atlanta for a weekend of learning, relaxation and delicious kosher food. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2w2azkcm.

Shake It Up Shabbat at Etz Chaim – 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join us at Etz Chaim for our monthly Shabbat morning service geared toward students in kindergarten through seventh grades and their families. The goal of this service is for everyone to become more comfortable in the Radow Sanctuary, where our classes will lead parts of the service. After services, we invite you to join us for our kiddush lunch. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/29d2bcw7.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Torah Reading: Vayishlach

Friday, December 5 Light Shabbat Candles: 5:10 PM

Saturday, December 6 Shabbat Ends: 6:09 PM

Torah Reading: Vayeishev

Friday, December 12 Light Shabbat Candles: 5:11 PM

Saturday, December 13 Shabbat Ends: 6:10 PM

Sing-along Shabbat at Etz Chaim – 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Congregation Etz Chaim and the Etz Chaim Preschool invite you and your family to join us for Sing-along Shabbat geared for families with young children. Find out more at https://tinyurl. com/yc7ez6ts.

ORT Comedy Night – 7:15 to 10 p.m. Join us for an unforgettable evening of laughter at ORT Atlanta’s 2025 Comedy Night Fundraiser! All proceeds from the comedy event will benefit ORT’s students in Israel and Ukraine. Seriously funny comedians Lily Maslia and headliner Amanda Goldstein Marks will join us for an evening of big laughs and great company in support of ORT’s mission. Wine, cocktails, and dessert will be served. Space is limited, purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/ ym4yyf5k.

Spotlight on Talent

Art Show and Sale

–7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Temple Sinai announces “Spotlight on Talent” an art show and sale. The event will feature approximately 40 artists, many of whom are Temple Sinai members, as well as a number of local artists spanning a variety of media. The artwork showcased includes paper craft, pottery, painting, photography, wood working, sculpture, glass, jewelry and more. Join together for opening night of the art show for wine, light appetizers and a first look at all of the artwork. This event is free but pre-registration is requested at https://tinyurl.com/4jkvwb6d.

Sunday, December 7

JWC Atlanta Weekend Retreat - Join JWC Atlanta for a weekend of learning, relaxation and delicious kosher food. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2w2azkcm.

Play Tamid - 9:15 to 11 a.m. Play Tamid is led by Rabbi Jordan and is open to the public (members and non-members of Congregation Dor Tamid). Enjoy crafts, songs, fun activities, and more for children under 4 (parent/guardian must attend). RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/3farjzrc.

2025 – Kids Chanukah Workshop – 10 to 11:30 a.m. Kids join the Mitzvah House to create and decorate their own menorahs to take home. Sign up at https://tinyurl. com/5d6vr6ur.

Spotlight on Talent Art Show and Sale

– 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Temple Sinai invites the community to join us for our third annual Spotlight on Talent Art Show & Sale! This exciting event will showcase a diverse range of art, including home and garden decor, jewelry, glass, pottery, sculpture, painting, photography, mixed media, and more. It’s a perfect opportunity to discover new artists, meet some of the creators and take home a unique piece for your home, office, or as a thoughtful gift. Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/4jkvwb6d.

Hanukkah Bazaar & Food Festival – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join Congregation Or Ve Shalom for the annual Hanukkah Bazaar & Food Festival. Eat delicious Mediterranean cuisine and buy delicacies and pastries to take home. Don’t miss exclusive treats like baklava – made only once a year for Bazaar. Play games, do activities and enjoy live entertainment for kids of all ages. Shop for holiday gifts from local vendors including everything from jewelry to gifts to Judaica and enter to win our premium liquor and gift basket raffles. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/3uu46246.

Hanukkah in the Park – 3 to 4:30 p.m. Bring your family and join us for a joyful afternoon celebrating the Festival of Lights! We’ll be decorating delicious donuts and cookies, sharing Hanukkah stories, and spreading light and laughter in the park. Perfect for families with kids ages 2–5 — siblings welcome! So, bundle up, grab your menorah spirit, and come make sweet memories with our community. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/4eumsvv3.

Hanukkah with PJ Library and The Epstein School – 3 to 4:30 p.m. Get ready for some STEAM fun with a Hanukkah twist! Families with children in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to join us for a hands-on afternoon of STEAM projects and Hanukkah stories. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/287wz3x9.

JBaby Brookhaven Neighborhood Small Group – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. A fiveweek small group series for local families to bond over music, education, support, and playtime. Designed for babies ages 0–12 months and their parent(s). In this warm, welcoming space, neighborhood families come together for playful learning and meaningful support. You’ll connect with other parents, learn from developmental experts, and share new experiences with your little one—building friendships and a deeper connection to your community along the way. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2sc8dtwz.

STEAM

Shalom Siporim: Pop-up Hebrew Storytime – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Join Nurture for a joyful Hebrew-English story time popup for toddlers and their grown-ups! Enjoy playful stories, songs, and movement while exploring Hebrew words and Jewish culture. No Hebrew experience needed. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5dxmcu3f.

Monday, December 8

FIDF Atlanta Legends & Heroes of the IDF – 6:30 to 9 p.m. This donor appreciation event is reserved for those FIDF members/households who have generously donated or will donate a minimum of $1,000 toward the 2025 FIDF annual campaign. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/e4h5ccfx.

Tuesday, December 9

JFF-ATL In-Person Perinatal Loss Support Group – 7 to 8:15 p.m. These in-person support groups are free and open to anyone (all genders, individuals, or couples) in the Atlanta community who has experienced a perinatal loss. The location of the support group will be shared with all registrants the week of the group. Register at least 12 hours ahead at https://tinyurl. com/mr57r775.

Wednesday, December 10

JBaby Dunwoody Neighborhood Small Group- 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A 5 week small group series for local families to bond over music, education, support, and playtime. Designed for babies ages 0–12 months and their parent(s). In this warm, welcoming space, neighborhood families come together for playful learning and meaningful support. You’ll connect with other parents, learn from developmental experts, and share new experiences with your little one—building friendships and a deeper connection to your community along the way. Sign up at https://tinyurl. com/355wk9td.

Jokers and Flowers; Planting the Seeds for Tomorrow – 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Get ready to shuffle, stack, and play for a cause that truly matters! Join the Jewish Fertility Foundation for an exciting evening of mahjong, community, and giving back — all to help make more Jewish babies. Every hand you play helps fund fertility grants for families dreaming of parenthood. Visit the Jewish Fertility Foundation to register at https://tinyurl. com/3xru5nhe.

Thursday, December 11

Chabad at The Dupree – 12 to 1 p.m. Join us for Chabad at the Dupree, a monthly lunch and learn series offering meaningful Torah study, good food, and community connection. Open to men and women, each session features a different Chabad rabbi from across Georgia, sharing Torah insights and inspiration. Classes are held at the Dupree, a beautiful and exciting new hub for Jewish life and activity. There is no cost to join Chabad at the Dupree. A delicious catered lunch will be served. Please RSVP in advance at https://tinyurl. com/3zjp7nrb to indicate your attendance.

Bourbon Tasting and Cornhole – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Join Congregation Dor Tamid Men’s Club as their resident Bourbon expert; Gregg Fox enlightens your Bourbon knowledge. Register at https://tinyurl. com/55vs625f.

Friday, December 12

Music and Play – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Let’s spark joy and curiosity through the magic of music and play! Jumpstart your morning with an upbeat, interactive music and movement class led by Here We Grow, where little ones can dance, wiggle, and sing their hearts out. Afterward, Nurture invites children into a world of themed sensory play and hands-on adventures—perfect for curious minds and messy fingers. Come ready to move, create, and make memories together! Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/mr2ezpwp.

Young Family MM Shabbat, Dinner and Chanukah PJ Party– 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend Congregation Etz Chaim’s family-friendly Shabbat dinner and Chanukah Pajama Party. There will be children’s activities as well as schmoozing and adult beverages. Register at https://tinyurl.com/bdfzyyvj.

Sunday, December 14

Birthday of the World: A Storytelling Experience – 10:15 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join us for a magical morning for grandparents and grandchildren, parents welcome too. Experience a 30-minute immersive performance of “A Story About How the World Was Born and How It Needs Your Help to Be Filled with Light Again,” created by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman and inspired by the “Birthday of the World” book by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen. Through gentle storytelling, visual wonder, and sensory play, this show invites families to discover how we can each help repair the world — one spark at a time. After the show, enjoy crafts, snacks, and time to explore. Let’s celebrate connection, creativity, and Jewish values across generations! Space is limited for this special performance, so reserve your spot today at https://tinyurl. com/yv22yk2y.

Glow Strong: A Family Hanukkah Celebration – 12 to 4 p.m. Join MJCCA for a high-energy, hands-on Chanukah experience where families will explore the power of resilience through active play, creative crafts, and beloved holiday traditions. Just as the Chanukah lights burned longer than expected, our inner strength carries us further than we realize! This event is designed to engage all ages with interactive stations that celebrate perseverance, determination, and the light we bring to the world. Find out more at https://tinyurl. com/bdzhptyw.

JBaby Brookhaven Neighborhood Small Group – 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. A fiveweek small group series for local families to bond over music, education, support, and playtime. Designed for babies ages 0–12 months and their parent(s). In this warm, welcoming space, neighborhood families come together for playful learning and meaningful support. You’ll connect with other parents, learn from developmental experts, and share new experiences with your little one—building friendships and a deeper connection to your community along the way. Register at https://tinyurl.com/2sc8dtwz.

Music & Joy: An Intergenerational Celebration - 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. It’s music time for our tiniest friends! Families with babies and toddlers (0–2) are invited to sing, play, and enjoy Here We Grow Music with residents of the William Breman Jewish Home — celebrating songs that span generations. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/ v5zvkcyd.

2025 – Frozen Chanukah – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Second annual frozen event with the Mitzvah House! Family-friendly menorah lighting, holiday music, and winter wonderland activities. Learn more at https:// tinyurl.com/bdftxdms.

Addictive Peanut Butter Oreo

Popcorn

Ingredients

12 cups popcorn

6 ounces white baking chocolate

1/4 cup Gefen Peanut Butter

12 Oreo cookies, crushed

3 ounces Geneve Baking Chocolate, melted

Directions

1. Melt the white chocolate and combine it with the peanut butter, mixing until both are fully melted and blended together.

2. Pour over the popcorn, ensuring that it coats the popcorn well.

3. Add the crushed Oreos and stir again to combine.

4. Transfer the popcorn mixture onto a lined cookie sheet and let it cool until it hardens.

5. Drizzle melted baking chocolate over the popcorn and allow it to dry until it becomes hard.

The Cold

Moshe went to see his doctor because he was suffering from a miserable cold that wouldn’t clear up.

His doctor prescribed him some pills, but they didn’t help. On his next visit, the doctor gave Moshe an injection, but that didn’t do any good either.

On his third visit, the doctor told Moshe to go home and take a hot bath. Then, as soon as he got out of the bath, he must open all the windows and stand in the draft.

“But doctor,” protested Moshe, “I’ll get pneumonia.”

“I know,” the doctor said, “I can cure pneumonia.”

YIDDISH WORD

Blankenshpiel

n. A political speech or statement that is so vague it neither offends nor informs anyone.

“Her stump speech manages to be both for and against raising taxes on the middle class. It’s a regular blankenshpiel.”

From the Yiddish “shpiel,” meaning, “sales pitch.”

Recipe by Leah Klein Kosher.com

BRAIN FOOD

Financial Options

By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com

Difficulty Level: Medium

Gatehouse Grill, serves up lunch.

ACROSS

1. Prevent

4. Notable king with four legs

10. Kindergarten starting trio

13. Palindromic Dutch municipality

14. “Foundation” author Isaac

15. Word with “diem”

16. Gibeah, for the kingdom of Israel?

18. Org. for pitchers and drivers

19. Mossad worker

20. Give it a go

21. A Trump

22. Suffix with “Earth” or “duck”

23. Pursue a parnassah?

25. Engine additive

27. Home of Acadia National Park

28. Like many an NBA player

29. One helping with the dishes

30. Spray-can product

33. Settle up with a chavrusah?

35. Places with IVs

36. Noses around

38. Homer’s earnings, briefly?

40. Allen’s “Hall”

41. Playful marine mammal

45. A gemach?

47. “Don’t let it be true!”

48. He’s worth more than some countries

49. Alt. spelling, in crossword clues

50. Sorority members, in old lingo

51. Bond payout, briefly

52. Where Howard Wolowitz or Andrea Zuckerman keep their money?

54. “Fi” front

55. Fitting measurement

56. Fannie chaser, in financial lingo

57. Sam Spade, e.g., for short

58. Howard and Isaac

59. Train station abbr.

DOWN

1. “Don’t panic”

2. Slowly, in music

3. Show contrition

4. Chapman or Olson of MLB

5. One of the WWII Allies

6. In a dirty way

7. Having no principles

8. Some TVs

9. Brooklyn’s Y, I or D, for short

This week, 100 years ago

Red Mogen David is proposed to be the Jewish unit of Red Cross at summit in Geneva – this would eventually become MDA.

This week, 75 years ago

Judge Matthew Levy, formerly of Savannah, is elected to a 14-year term on the NY Supreme Court.

Tadeus Reichstein, Jewish professor of organic chemistry at Basle University, donates all Nobel Prize winnings to the university for further research.

Alpha Aeta Pi Fraternity dedicates new fraternity house at Emory University.

Rabbi Alexander Feinsilver, former director of Hillel at

UGA, is appointed the director of Hillel at Purdue University.

This week, 50 years ago

Police probe the firebombing of two synagogues in NY, Chasdei Chernobil and Congregation Machzike Adas.

A special interfaith bicentennial service uniting Jews, Catholics, and Protestants in celebration of Thanksgiving is held at First Presbyterian Church.

Rabbi Elbert Sapinsley leaves The Temple to accept the pulpit of Ahavath Shalom in West Virginia.

Dr. Sion Krantz, Atlanta radiotherapist, receives the Veterans Administration’s prestigious Distinguished Career Citation and Medal.

Mrs. Sylvia Franco marries Mr. Norman Hoffman in a ceremony at Or VeShalom Synagogue.

This week, 25 years ago

Marist High School and Philips Arena donate their

10. Assess

11. Like a 13-year-old Torah reader

12. Goldfish, e.g.

17. Heavy metal bar, maybe

21. “Israel Through My Eyes” author

23. Some come from fountains

24. He memorably played Coach

Gordon (Bombay)

26. Made like Nissim

29. Moroccan city

30. David, most notably

31. Call a game

32. Like the Essenes

34. Reserve in advance

37. Sound more likely from Peppa Pig than Miss Piggy

39. Norm Peterson’s perch

41. Far from abundant

42. Friend of Louise, in a film

43. Inspire affection

44. Play list?

46. High jump or discus, e.g.

50. Quarterbacks Newton and Ward

52. USD counterpart in the Middle East

53. Opposite of hale

venues for use in the JCC Maccabi Games.

Congregation Beth Jacob unveils brand new mikvah.

The AJT profiles Jeff Greenstein, executive producer on “Will & Grace,” and actress Debra Messing, who plays one of the title roles.

The bar mitzvah of Brad Oppenheimer, son of Steve and Carolyn Oppenheimer, is held at Ahavath Achim.

Rabbi Alexander Snyder, longtime leader of the Reform movement, dies at the age of 75.

Mimi Leder, daughter of a Holocaust survivor, directs “Pay it Forward.”

Emory University’s new Kosher pitstop, the Gatehouse Grill, opens.

Issues of the AJT (then Southern Israelite) from 1929-1986 can be found for free online at https://gahistoricnewspapers. galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn78003973/

Josef Aminov, chef at Emory’s newly-opened

OBITUARIES

Mark Raphael Funk

78, Atlanta

Mark Raphael Funk, MD, passed away surrounded by love on Nov. 7, 2025. Mark was born on Aug. 7, 1947, to Samuel and Anne Funk. He grew up in Chicago, Ill.

Mark moved to Atlanta, Ga., after graduating from the University of Florida to attend Emory University Medical School. Mark married Barbara Rose Wollner from Atlanta, Georgia in 1972. They moved to Oberlin Park, Kan., for Mark’s residency where he was chief medicine resident at Kansas City General Hospital.

After residency, he joined the Public Health Service and served in Dawsonville, Ga. Afterward, he joined an internal medicine practice in Columbus, Ga., where he was a physician for 38 years.

Mark was active in leadership roles in the community serving as president of B’nai Brith Men’s Group, medical staff for the 1996 Olympics, and chairman of the board at St. Francis Hospital.

Above all, Mark’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara Funk, son, Michael (Elisheva) Funk, daughter, Amy (Brent) Wolkin, and daughter, Mandy Funk; grandchildren, Ilana, Shira, and Benjamin Funk; Ethan and Shai Wolkin; brother- and sister in-law, Herbert and Leora Wollner and nieces and nephews.   Graveside services were held on Sunday, Nov. 9, at 3 p.m. at North Atlanta Memorial with Rabbi Glusman. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be directed to Camp Judaea, the Shepherd Center, or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

William Joseph Sonenshine 89,

Sandy Springs

William “Bill” Joseph Sonenshine, age 89, passed away peacefully on Nov. 13, 2025, in Sandy Springs, Ga. A lifelong learner, gifted storyteller, and beloved patriarch, Bill touched countless lives with his warmth, humor, and genuine interest in every person he met.

Born on July 1, 1936, in Greenwood County, S.C., Bill was the son of Rose and Julius Sonenshine. After growing up in the South surrounded by close family — including many beloved cousins — he pursued higher education with characteristic dedication and curiosity. He earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University and later completed a master’s degree at the University of Georgia. Bill spent his professional career serving the State of Georgia Division of Rehabilitation Services, where he worked tirelessly to support and empower individuals in need until his retirement.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Rose Sonenshine of Ware Shoals, S.C., and by his beloved wife of 44 years, Marilyn Sonenshine, to whom he was a devoted husband and caregiver until her untimely passing in 2004.

He is survived by his loving children, Steven Sonenshine (Lisa) of Marietta; Marty Sonenshine (Randi) of Cartersville; and Julie Porter (Gregg) of Dunwoody; and by his four adoring grandsons—Jake and Ethan Sonenshine of Cartersville, Max Porter of Dunwoody, and Harris Sonenshine of Marietta. Bill is also survived by his cherished and devoted companion, Marcia Ivers, whom he adored and with whom he shared many meaningful years.

A man of many talents, Bill excelled in both the literary and performing arts. He worked as a speech coach, was an avid writer, and contributed columns to several local publications. His passions were wide-ranging and joyfully pursued: fishing, reading, playing piano, performing in musicals, and engaging in spirited conversations with friends and strangers alike. Bill never met a stranger — his natural warmth made everyone feel welcome, and his gift for connection brought people together wherever he went.

Bill was deeply involved in his Jewish community, participating in men’s clubs and serving as an active member of his synagogue and local Jewish organizations. Throughout his life, he embraced opportunities to learn and to lead. In his final year, while living at Sunrise Assisted Living, he continued to build community with energy and purpose. He organized and led a well-attended monthly book club and created a beloved live interview series, hosting talk-show-style conversations with fellow residents. Never tired of learning, he pursued new interests at the nearby Dorothy Benson Senior Center, where he studied transcendental meditation.

Bill also found daily joy in the natural world outside his forest-facing window. He delighted in watching deer, birds, and an occasional pair of raccoons — but his most faithful visitor was Rocky the squirrel, who stopped by each day for a cameo and brought Bill endless amusement.

Above all, Bill will be remembered for his generosity of spirit, his love of people, and his commitment to bringing others together. He was warm, caring, endlessly curious, and fiercely devoted to his family. His legacy lives on in the communities he built, the stories he told, and the many lives he brightened.

A graveside service was held at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, Ga. The service was officiated by Rabbi Spike Anderson of Atlanta’s Temple Emanu-El and livestreamed through Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care. A shiva gathering took place at 7 p.m. that evening at the home of Julie and Gregg Porter.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of William Sonenshine to Rabbi Spike’s Discretionary Fund at Temple Emanu-El, 1580 Spalding Drive, Atlanta, GA 30350.

May his memory be a blessing. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

OBITUARIES

Dorothy Rose Simmons Stock 93,

Savannah

Dorothy Rose Simmons Stock passed away peacefully on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 2, 2025, at her home at The Marshes of Skidaway Island in Savannah, Ga.

Born in Macon, Ga., on Feb. 3, 1932, she was the daughter of Moses Isaac Simmons and Aline Jane Friedman Simmons.

Dorothy attended the University of Georgia in Athens where she was a member of the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. While there, she met her future husband, Joseph David Stock. Joe was a member of the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity. They were married on Nov. 11, 1951, and were married for 40 years before his passing in 1991.

Dot was active in the Walker County Historic Preservation Society and helped preserve the Marsh House in LaFayette. Another enduring legacy in LaFayette was the creation of Joe Stock Park.

Dot was an active member of the LaFayette Women’s Club, serving as president and chairing many of its committees over the years. She was civic-minded and involved with numerous other community services as well.

In 2003, she was recognized by the LaFayette Rotary Club with the Jean Harris Award, an award presented to a non-Rotarian who exemplifies service above self-volunteerism in the community. In 2005, even though she was not a member, she received an Award for Excellence in Community Service from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

She embraced her Jewish faith and its values with pride and was a former member of B’nai Zion Synagogue in Chattanooga, Jewish Community Center in Chattanooga, Jewish Women of the Landings in Savannah, and was a current member of Congregation Agudath Achim in Savannah.

Dorothy is survived by her loving daughters, Marla Geffen (Morris), Margaret “Missy” Wise (Steve), and Karen Rosenberg (Mark); her devoted grandchildren, Rachel Geffen Henderson (Spence), Matthew Wise (Miho), Bryan Firestone (Melissa), Phillip Geffen, and Joanna Firestone; and three cherished great-grandchildren — Mark Wise, Sasha Wise, and Perry Henderson.

Burial took place in Rome, Ga., on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Savannah or to a favorite charity.

Protect What You’re Thankful For

Robert M Goldberg & Associates

Joined the Firm 2009; West Highland Terrier; Specialist in Strategic Napping Lobby Security and Midday Snack Negotiations

This Thanksgiving, Henry, the Chief Love Officer, want s to remind you:

�� Toys may break, turkeys may dry out, and leftovers may vanish but a wellprepared estate plan last s a lifetime

At Robert M Goldberg & Associates, we believe estate planning is about more than papers and signatures; it’s about protecting the people (and pet s!) you ’ re most thankful for

�� Secure Wills ensuring your loved ones are cared for

�� Trust s preser ving family traditions for generations �� Plans giving you peace of mind, so you can enjoy the pie without worry

Because gratitude isn’t just a feeling it’s making sure your family is safe, secure, and supported for years to come

CLOSING THOUGHTS Dialogue is Key for Peace in Middle East

Rabbi Richard Baroff DD

At this moment of hopefulness for Israel, Gaza and the wider Middle East, we yearn for connection, for meaningful dialogue within Israeli society, with the Palestinians, with the broader Arab and Muslim world, and with the Western nations of Europe and the English-speaking world.

Assuming G-d willing that the war is over, that the wars are over for Israel and her enemies, maybe there is an opening for a better world? If so, honest and persistent dialogue will be a key feature for getting there. This dialogue refers to diplomacy yes, but not just the work of the diplomats. It will require open, vulnerable, and at times painful conversations, encounters with the “other” -- individuals and groups with which there is profound

and sometime violent disagreement.

If we think back before the Hamas pogrom on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel was riven by the issue of judicial reform as perhaps it had never been divided before. After the shock of the massive and deadly attack, Israel was largely united, at least by comparison, but none of the older animosities of life before the massacre of Simchat Torah two years ago have been truly addressed. They will have to be, even as Israel meets the challenges of Gaza, and Judea-Samaria, after the two-year war.  At the same time, there are bridges to be built with the wider world - -Arab, Muslim, Western and non-Western as well.

Sixty years ago, Israel’s greatest philosopher, Martin Buber, passed away. A refugee of Nazi Germany, Buber had spent decades looking at ways that humble individuals with open minds and hearts found deep connections with other people, and mostly through these encounters with others, found G-d.

Central to Buber’s mystic vision is the I/Thou relationship. When we interact with someone honestly, sympatheti-

cally, and deeply, we recognize that they and we both were made b’tzelem Elohim -- in the image of the Divine. That recognition changes everything. Buber also posited an I/It relationship, which is transactional. You use the relationship to achieve some end: like using the cashier to check out at the supermarket. Both I/ Thou and I/It modes of dialogue are necessary for a civilization to flourish.

Buber fled from Nazi Germany in 1938. For the next 27 years in first Mandatory Palestine, and then in the State of Israel, he strove for peace and understanding with the Arabs, especially with those who came to be known increasingly as Palestinians. His ideas, despite his celebrity as an Israeli intellectual, were never popular. Buber seemed to be drawn to the idea of a polity where two nations (Israel and Palestine) would exist side by side, but within some larger state.

But Martin Buber was a committed Zionist. He wanted what most Israelis wanted then and want now, to live in peace with the Arabs in the region. The political construct in which this takes

place is important, but what is in peoples’ souls is more crucial; if Arabs and Jews see the presence of G-d in the other, ultimately that will be the road to a real peace. A powerful military is necessary for the State of Israel certainly, but it is not enough to achieve a lasting peace.

Martin Buber died in 1965. Much has changed in the last six decades since his death. But what remains, then and now, more than anything is the need for dialogue. May we all be rodfei shalom -- pursuers of peace, peace through meeting the other, through encountering the other, even if that meeting is awkward, unfamiliar, risky. It is through such meetings that we find G-d’s blessings, which are not always evident, and are often surprising. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem. ì