Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. 100 NO. 5, March 31, 2025

Ready to Explore Jewish Summer Camp?

At Jewish overnight camp, kids discover who they are and who they want to become while racing across ziplines, jumping into lakes, singing around campfires, meeting their best friends and learning important life skills.

Thanks to the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and One Happy Camper, you might be eligible for up to $1500 off your camper’s first summer at one of these incredible overnight camps.

For more information, email jewishcamp@jewishatlanta.org or reach out directly to the camp of your choice.

locations including: Cong. Gesher L’Torah, Alpharetta Cong. Beth Shalom Dunwoody

Buckhead, Brookhaven, Chamblee, East Atlanta, East Cobb, Decatur, Gwinnett, Johns Creek, , Tucker, Vinings, and Woodstock

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CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE

ALLEN LIPIS

BOB BAHR

CHERYL DORCHINSKY

DAVE SCHECHTER

DAVID OSTROWSKY

DEBBIE DIAMOND JD KREBS

LAUREN MENIS

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cans for Fairness in Education, and the ing Fulton County School District failed

to prevent an “eruption” of antisemitism in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

An official with the embattled school district sent the following statement to ANF, “Fulton County Schools is deeply committed to fostering a safe and respectful learning environment for all students. We take any allegations of discrimination or harassment seriously and investigate all reported incidents thoroughly and we remain steadfast in our responsibility to uphold the rights and protections of every student. Our focus will always be on ensuring a school community where all students feel valued and supported.”

Fulton County is not the only local school district that has dealt with displays of antisemitism by students. In February 2022, a Jewish student report-

MAR 29–MAY 4

Hertz Stage

By JAKE BRASCH Directed by SHELLEY BUTLER

In Partnership with Denver Center for the Performing Arts & Geffen Playhouse

ed that classmates at East Cobb Middle School were photographed wearing an armband with a swastika and demonstrated the Nazi salute. The photographs were posted on social media.

During the 2021 Jewish High Holy Days, graffiti including swastikas and “Hail Hitler” were scrawled above urinals in school bathrooms in Pope and Lassiter High Schools. The Cobb County School District was strongly criticized for not addressing the antisemitic aspect of the graffiti, only calling it “hate speech.”

And antisemitism has also manifested on local college campuses over the last few years, including Emory University and Kennesaw State University, which saw prolonged pro-Palestine demonstrations after the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas. ì

Chattahoochee High School is one of eight Fulton County schools under investigation for not preventing an “eruption” of antisemitism in the wake of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The U.S. Department of Education is investigating multiple Fulton County Schools, including Alpharetta High School.

Federation Leads Young Professionals Trip to Israel

By Allen Lipis

Over the past Chanukah and New Year, a group of young leadership professionals left Atlanta for Israel to offer their volunteer services. The objective of the trip was to provide services that were needed for the Jews who were displaced because of the war with Hamas in Gaza.

This trip was organized by the Young Leadership Division at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, and it offered invitations to local young adults, but some people could or would not go because of the hostilities that still were going on. It resulted in 19 people going to Israel to volunteer in its time of need. The group volunteered around Israel, with special attention on Kibbutz Nachal Oz, a new partnership community for the Federation, that was attacked in the South on Oct. 7. After the attack on Nachal Oz, families temporarily relocated to Mishmar Haemek and Netivot, two kibbutzim in the Federation’s partnership region of Yokneam and Megiddo.

While the Federation offered a slight

Participants pose during the furniture sorting

stipend, the volunteers paid for most of their travel, which turned out to be complicated because the only airline traveling to Israel was El Al. Volunteer Bari Beilinson said it took her 24 hours to get

to Tel Aviv when it usually takes 16 hours. Once in Israel, the group’s home base was in Tel Aviv.

The volunteers came to Israel to work, and they did. They volunteered to work on various kibbutzim -- on the farms, picking tomatoes in a giant greenhouse near Gaza, and mulching and planting. They worked at several public health facilities planting and weeding, and dealt with a huge truckload of mulch used around the facility and for planting lemon trees. They also volunteered to work with small organizations not associated with the government that support mental health facilities. They volunteered at a furniture depot that provides furniture to the families who were displaced by the war. The donated furniture was stored in a giant warehouse 40 minutes from Tel Aviv where furniture and kitchen equipment could be dropped off by those donating and picked up by the families in need.

The volunteers felt that they were doing meaningful work. In fact, several Israelis told the group that they were helping to fill major gaps in society, since most Israelis were pulled away from their jobs to serve in the reserves. Because farming is an essential activity for Israel, the work is necessary and, so, the volunteers heard again and again from Israelis their gratitude for Americans taking time off, flying halfway around the world to a war zone to physically serve them in their time of need.

On one of the days, the group was driven to kibbutz Nachal Oz which was raided by the terrorists near the edge of Gaza. Five people from the kibbutz were

still hostages and two had been returned. The kibbutz was not open to the public because it was close to the Gaza border, and it was still considered an active military location. Beilinson said that the kibbutz was not very big, containing 415 kibbutz members, yet since the war, no one is currently living there. Most of the houses were still standing. However, you could see the scattered bullet holes in the homes and the destruction in the houses. There were pictures of the hostages posted everywhere, as well as the photos of those who were killed. And everywhere there were signs that said, “Bring them home.”

Beilinson told the story of one of the homes that was attacked. Apparently, the grandfather, Shlomo Ron, sat in a chair in his home, and he was killed by the terrorists while the rest of the family was in the safe room somewhere in the home. While the door in the safe room can be locked, bullets can penetrate the door. Safe rooms were designed to prevent against missiles, but not against bullets, so the IDF is now beginning to consider how to prevent bullets from entering a safe room. In one home, the daughter and her father stood at the door to protect against entry, and the daughter was killed by terrorist bullets coming through the door. She died in the arms of her father, and the father was taken as a hostage. The rest of the family survived. Wherever there was a death in one of the homes, the IDF spray painted a black circle on that home to indicate that the family lost a loved one.

The volunteers had the opportunity to see how Israel was cleaning up the destruction that occurred, fixing the bul-

Participants posed with Federation’s Partnership Region Director, Eliad Eliyahu Ben Shushan, and Nahal Oz resident, Nadav Tzabari. Photos of two hostages from Nahal Oz who are still in captivity are projected behind the group.

volunteering.

let holes and painting the homes to be used again. For one home, the volunteers cleaned up the house putting away dishes and straightening the house. According to Beilinson, it gave a very eerie feeling to know that people were killed there. She and the other volunteers were told not to take pictures of what was going on to protect the privacy of the families.

While at Nachal Oz, a speaker who was involved in the terrorist attack shared his story. He was a volunteer security guard in the kibbutz. He said when sirens go off, they have 90 seconds to get to a safe room in Tel Aviv, but only three seconds at the kibbutz. Even if the Iron Dome is capable of destroying the missiles, there is a need to go to a safe room to prevent the chance that you can be hurt or killed by the debris that falls back to the ground. The speaker said he was told during the terrorist raid that the terrorists were coming at them like ants, and some of his neighbors were murdered by Hamas. He said the Israelis didn’t know what was happening and the IDF arrived 12 hours late. When they did arrive, the people in safe houses couldn’t tell if they

were talking to a terrorist or the IDF.

The volunteers also went to the Nova Music Festival, which is now a memorial site. The area is very close to Gaza, and nothing is there but a series of fields, but on various poles and homes there are pictures of the people who were killed, and the words, “Am Yisrael Chai.” Some families put up a billboard to tell the story of their children who had been murdered. Poppy flowers have been planted as memorials. The festival is right near the main road, Route 232, and the terrorists blocked that route going north during the attack.

While the group was at the kibbutz near Gaza, a large boom sounded caused by the IDF. Even so, the enormous sound caused a young girl to scream. Although the area was quite safe, the sound of the boom indicated that there still was a war going on. Even with the scariest boom sounding, people continued singing “Am Israel Chai” and celebrated life.

When asked why she felt the need to serve Israel, Beilinson said she felt a strong urge to do something for Israel, while being proud to be an American. ì

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On their last night, the group visited the Namal in Tel Aviv, watching sunset and proudly holding “Atlanta Stands with Israel” posters.

On a farm, located in the South of Israel, the group picked tomatoes to help bridge the gaps in food production.

It’s a Mitzvah! Rabbi Adler Receives Kidney Transplant

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

The Atlanta Jewish Times has featured Rabbi Jonathon Adler twice: once on June 12, 2024, welcoming him to his position as assistant rabbi at Congregation Etz Chaim; then again on Jan. 15, 2025, where he made an urgent plea to the community for a kidney donor/ transplant to remedy his deteriorating chronic condition.

Maybe it was related, maybe not, but in a “few hours flat,” Adler received a call that an altruistic donor designated him as a recipient. He recalled, “On Friday, Jan. 17, sitting at my sister’s breakfast table in Washington, D.C., I noticed a text and a missed call from Piedmont Hospital, so I immediately called back. I was told that they had a kidney which looked like it would be a match. I cancelled all plans and hopped the next flight to Atlanta.”

Time was running out. Adler was weakening in end stage renal disease and spending several hours per week in dialysis. Being on transplant lists, he was told the wait could be two years.

Arriving in Atlanta, he tended to his cats, packed a suitcase, and headed to Piedmont arriving at 10 p.m. He checked into a room on the transplant floor. At 6 a.m., he was transported to a massive

pre-op area, with only one small section open since it was the weekend. He had more tests done and an IV placed. He met the surgeon and anesthesiologist, who sedated him before leaving the pre-op area.

The surgery began at 8 a.m., and he woke up in his room 4 ½ hours later.

That evening, using a walker, he mozied around the unit before being discharged on Wednesday, Jan. 22. He used

Rabbi Jonathon Adler received a kidney and is well on the way to “his new lease on life.”

Photo by Andy Henderson

the walker for a week, then graduated to a cane. After a few weeks, he was able to walk unassisted thanks to the rigors of physical therapy.

Now two-plus months post-transplant, he reported, “I’m still feeling tired from time to time; but at this point, it’s minimal compared to how exhausted I constantly felt before the transplant! While I definitely still have some pain, it’s nowhere near what it was in the first week or so after the surgery. My overall health is so much better and watching my lab values improve over the course of these two months has been wonderful. I’m so fortunate that my health has become this good, and I’m so glad to no longer be on dialysis!”

Transplants require a major regimen of anti-rejection medications, antivirals, and vitamins, some which will remain for his life’s duration. He currently takes 17 of those pills daily plus a few others. Adler finds that the more activity he does, the more energy he has.

With this experience happening to a rabbi, there are many layers. He explained, “In the Asher Yatzar blessing (traditionally recited after using the bathroom), we thank G-d for connecting all of our body parts correctly. We recognize in these words that if any of the connections were blocked or broken, we would cease to exist and be no longer able to

praise G-d. For me, now, this means that not only do I thank G-d for the miracle that is this kidney, but also for the blessing of, G-d-willing, so many more years to praise the Divine. And, I hope, to serve the incredible community at Etz Chaim.”

Rabbi Adler wants to emphasize the mitzvah of organ donation, which falls into two categories: Tzedakah and Pikuach Nefesh. This ultimate act of generosity can make a huge difference to so many. Pikuach Nefesh, our commitment to prolonging life, means that the donor is giving, literally, the gift of life to the recipient.

The Etz Chaim community was supportive with many congregants participating in a meal train organized by the Chesed Committee. For over a month after the surgery, Rabbi Adler was unable to drive; but thanks to the generosity of congregants, he never missed an appointment.

He concluded, “My fridge was always full.”

The identity of the donor remains sealed. Adler wrote a “thank you” letter to the family, which Piedmont welcomes.

The AJT covers a wide variety of topics and events … maybe some life altering ones also. Baruch She’ Kavanti … blessed is the one that connects us.

To get tested to donate, please call 404-605-4605. ì

Thanks to an anonymous donor, Congregation Etz Chaim Rabbi Jonathon Adler has received a new kidney.

MACoM Celebrates Multiple Milestones

By Robert Garber

This month, the Metro Atlanta Community Mikvah (MACoM) celebrated two incredible milestones – their 1,000th conversion, as well as 3,000 total immersions. Barton Day, who was that 1,000th conversion, described the feelings of that day.

“Before I got there, I was nervous – not of actually converting itself, just going through the process,” he said. “I found that MACoM was very pleasant. It was very relaxing; it was a very spiritual experience. It was the best part, I think, of my conversion.”

Barton Day’s wife, Michelle Day, is the current executive director of MACoM.

“We’re really honored to be one of seven or eight mikvaot in central Atlanta,” she said. “However, we’re the only one that is not directly affiliated with or associated with the Orthodox community. We open our doors to a lot of people from different Jewish backgrounds, and different entries to Judaism. So, if somebody is converting through a Reform congrega-

tion, they can come to MACoM. We are the mikvah for all the surrounding states as well. We have working relationships with synagogues in Alabama, Tennessee, some in South Carolina – they all come to MACoM to utilize the mikvah mostly for conversions, but also just for lifecycle events.”

MACoM, which is on the Congrega-

tion B’nai Torah campus, but is not affiliated with any specific congregation, was founded in 2015 through a community funding effort. Rabbi Joshua Heller, who was MACoM’s first president, and who gave up two of his office windows for the mikvah to be built, often expresses his thankfulness for the mikvah.

“I’m really proud of the work that we

put in, creating MACoM. It’s about much more than conversions,” said Heller. “There are people using it for spirituality, for different phases of the life cycle, for other traditional uses, and that’s great. I love that people can join the Jewish people just a few feet from my office. I’m also proud that it’s a place that’s open to a lot of different approaches.”

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Rabbi Natan Trief (far left) and the Day family (from left) Michelle Day’s brother Chuck Fox, Michelle Day, Barton Day, and their daughters; Barton’s mother, Diana, and her husband, Mike, at MACoM.

The Day family at Temple Sinai, prior to heading to MACoM for the immersion.

Rabbi Lydia Medwin

Dr. Amanda Cohn Kate Kratovil

Sheri Labovitz

Lindy Radow, who had the first ever conversion at MACoM and will be speaking at an event celebrating MACoM’s tenth anniversary this coming November, described how important this was to her.

“It was probably one of two of the greatest days of my life. It was very spiritual, very emotional,” she said. “It means everything that we have a place where all of the community, regardless of Conservative, Reform, Orthodox, can convert.”

Notably, conversions make up about a third of immersions at the mikvah – but are far from the only reason people immerse.

“A misconception that a lot of people in Atlanta have about mikvah is that it’s only for conversions, or for women that are going for their monthly cycle,” said Beth Tieman-Feldstein, who has been involved with MACoM since its inception, and has been training mikvah guides since that time. “To me, that third category of personal/ contemporary immersions [is something] we should always mention so that people know this is a place that’s accessible for everyone.”

“About a third of our immersions are conversions, the other ones are for a million different reasons,” said Michelle Day, as she listed off a few of them. “Gender affirmations, adult bar and bat mitzvahs, my kids immersed when I first started working there to celebrate going into the second and third grades.”

“Also, children who have been born, who have not technically converted yet, because one parent wasn’t Jewish – a place for babies, children, adults to convert, as well as a community vessel to use the mikvah for life events,” said Radow, listing more, “for father-son bar mitzvahs, for motherdaughter bat mitzvahs, someone’s finished a cancer treatment, they want to feel like a rebirth. We kind of saw this place as being used for many occasions.”

“The idea of contemporary uses of mikvah are new to Judaism and also to a lot of people that might not have heard that they can immerse for holidays and to celebrate special occasions, or during difficult times of illness – things like that that really broadens the scope of what mikvah can be used for,” said Tieman-Feldstein. “And some of those things have been in our traditions for thousands of years but might have not been continuous until more recently.”

Barton Day, who also mentioned he expected he may immerse again in the future – before his daughters’ bat mitzvahs, or in honor of family that has been lost – suspects the mikvah may be under-utilized.

“It certainly seems like something that if people knew about it more, or if it were discussed more, it would be leveraged a lot more,” he said.

Michelle Day reaffirmed this view.

“Honestly, I think that the most important thing is [that] this isn’t just an ‘oh, it’s nice to have’type of thing. This is an imperative part of our Jewish community, so much so that people come from the surrounding state. It’s not a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have.” ì

ENJOY THE UNEXPECTED, EVERY VISIT

Chabad of Cobb Gala Honors New Preschool

By Debbie Diamond

At the Chabad of Cobb Champions Gala, held on March 6, the new Cobb Jewish Preschool at Chabad of Cobb was the star of the show. Selected as this year’s honoree for the East Cobb synagogue’s annual celebration and fundraiser, the new preschool launched this school year.

More than 150 members and supporters gathered in grand style to recognize the accomplishments of the new preschool and celebrate the synagogue’s educational leaders, including Chani Silverman, programming, education and Camp Gan Izzy director; Mushkie Shemtov, preschool director; Musy Wolf, youth director; and Rabbi Avremel Zaltzman, rabbi of Chabad of Smyrna-Vinings and director of CTeen. Debbie Sassoon and Liz Helgesen were also recognized for their volunteer work supporting youth and seniors in the community.

Rabbi Zaltzman served as the night’s emcee, energizing the crowd of well-wishers through humor and a moving rendition of “A Soldier’s Prayer.” He spoke of

the congregation’s solidarity with Israel and continued support through the country’s difficult times since Oct. 7.

Rabbi Ephraim Silverman, rabbi of the synagogue, reflected on the impact the new Jewish preschool has had on the

shul and community. “The classrooms are brimming with Jewish joy. There is no louder, more emphatic rebuttal to what

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Rabbi Ephraim Silverman speaks to crowd of well-wishers.

Rabbi Avremel Zaltzman served as emcee for the evening.

Chani and Rabbi Silverman lead the East Cobb synagogue.

happened on Oct. 7 than having these Jewish children sing their prayers and songs each day,” he said.

Raquel and Jason Saltzman, parents of children at the preschool, spoke to the crowd about the “warm energy” of the school and emphasized the love their children experience each day from all the teachers and staff at the school.

The social hall was adorned in a majestic dusty rose and black color scheme for the evening. Avenue K catered the event, and guests strolled through separate Mexican, Italian and meat carving stations that offered a plethora of dishes, including a variety of salads, brisket, pasta, chicken, turkey and corned beef. Both a silent and Chinese auction were held, offering a variety of items, ranging from paintings to vacations. In the highest bid of the night, one lucky congregant received a special coin from Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the late Lubavitcher Rebbe, along with a painting of a rabbi.

For the second year in a row, Roni Wolk and Carol Salzberg served as cochairs for the gala, supported by a committee of volunteers from the synagogue.

Planning began in October 2024.

“It was an honor to co-chair this Chabad of Cobb Champions Gala, celebrating the new preschool. The evening truly reflected Chabad’s values of education, kindness and building connections,” said Salzberg.

Echoing her sentiments, Wolk added, “We love getting everyone together for a celebration. Of course, there’s lots of work to be done each year, and we do it in hopes of bringing our community together and raising funds for Chabad of Cobb. We want the shul to continue the important work, impacting all the important areas, including the preschool and the Smiles for Seniors program.”

And perhaps Wolk’s husband, Alan, a community leader and supporter of the shul, captured the sentiments of the event attendees, when he spoke to the crowd during the event. “Chabad of Cobb is a place of hope and prayer. While the last 500-plus days have been dark, Rabbi Silverman’s spiritual leadership and positive energy inspires us and helps us turn that darkness into light. He empowers our Jewish community to stand together as one,” he shared. ì

Kennesaw students (from left) Ryan Lips and Evan Pollack at the “Wheel of Fortune,” assisted with the evening’s festivities.

Jewish Gwinnett Teens Celebrate Purim

By Fran M. Putney

Gwinnett is a geographically large and multi-culturally diverse county well known for its Latino and Asian populations. In many cases, a Jewish teen may be the only, or one of just a few Jews in their high school. But more and more Jewish teens who live in Gwinnett County are finding each other as well as a Jewish spiritual home via the CTeen program at Chabad of Gwinnett.

Recently, the teens celebrated Purim by using their weekly Monday evening meeting times to bake traditional Purim hamantaschen cookies and engage in an act of kindness for the greater Jewish community by assembling Purim gift bags (Mishloach Manot) filled with an assortment of treats.

Spearheaded by teen leaders Nava Evans and Mika Kelman, about a dozen teens and their parents finished assembling 450 gift bags containing jars of candy, hamantaschen and a Purim greeting note. The final production party took place on Monday, March 10, at the

Corners home of Rabbi Mendel Lerman and Rebbetzin Chana Lerman.

“It was such a bright energetic event, and everyone came with their families. Usually [the Monday gatherings] are just the kids, so now all of our parents were meeting each other, and they could see the experience we have every week. Ev-

eryone was having so much fun,” said Evans, a ninth grader at Brightmont Academy (in Smyrna).

Evans, who runs the Gwinnett CTeen’s social media efforts, joined the CTeen group last year and deepened her involvement after spending a summer working at the Chabad North Fulton

Asummer camp. “It was the most amazing summer of my life. I got closer to HaShem, and it really made me feel good about what I was doing.” She has since also become involved in a Chabad initiative called the Friendship Circle, a nonprofit for Jewish kids with disabilities.

Evans works closely with Mika Kel-

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Parents and teens enjoyed working together to bake hamantaschen and assemble Purim gift bags.

Guy Oren, Mika Kelman and Nava Evans sort candy for the Purim gift bags.

The Chabad of Gwinnett CTeens participated in a mitzvah to make 450 Purim gift bags that were distributed to Jewish families throughout Gwinnett County.

man, a junior at Chattahoochee High School, who has been a CTeen leader for three years.

“I love doing it because I love coming up with games and activities,” said Kelman. “It’s really fun to have a group of teens to do it with. We meet with the rabbi every two weeks and plan. I love those meetings and love working with Nava, too. It’s really fun to have a say in what we do each week and decide what experiences we’re going to give people.”

Giving back is a big focus for the Gwinnett Chabad CTeen group, explained Rabbi Lerman, whose parents Rabbi Yossi and Esther Lerman founded Chabad of Gwinnett in 2001. Rabbi Mendel Lerman and his wife, Chana, joined the team in 2022 with their emphasis on community development, especially growing involvement of Jewish youth, young adults, families, and young professionals.

Making 450 gift bags – a new record for the annual Purim project – was not only a good time for the teens but was a

way to show the greater Gwinnett Jewish community that someone is caring about them, explained Lerman. The bags were delivered by a team of volunteers to Jewish families all around the county.

Recognizing that, living farther away from Jewish population centers like Toco Hills or Dunwoody/Sandy Springs, the recipients probably have less Jewish involvement generally, Lerman said, “We wanted Jews in Gwinnett to know there are more of them, and they are part of something bigger. Mika and Nava spearheaded this amazing project to gather their friends and other Jewish teens in Gwinnett to go on the offense to share such warmth and friendship and do something so beautiful as giving someone a Purim package with candy and hamantaschen.”

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Lerman thinks the Oct. 7 terror attack in Israel has affected Jewish teens. “Teens today are reacting in one of two ways,” he said. “One is to get more reserved, like a turtle to go deeper into their own shell, not want to stick out and just hope you’re not the next target of some antisemitic slur or something else. Yet others are actually getting more Jewish and proud about their identity. It’s pushing them to be more curious and have more Jewish experiences.”

For her part, Nava Evans feels the Chabad in Gwinnett provides purpose and comfort for Jewish teens: “Our Purim event from last week was such a small part of what we do with CTeen in that so many kids are feeling discriminated at school because they’re Jewish, or kids that have special needs [who] don’t feel like they have people who love them. We bring a home to them, so they feel included no matter what. Making the gift bags last week was a small example of the things we can do to give back to our community.” ì

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Baked Yellow Squash Casserole

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Whole Seder Plate

Emory’s Tenenbaum Lecture Focuses on Holocaust

By Bob Bahr

The memory of the Holocaust and its growing importance in Israel’s existence and its daily life was the theme of this year’s Tenenbaum Lecture at Emory University.

Israel’s emphasis on the Holocaust as one of the keys to its modern history was slow in coming, according to this year’s guest lecturer, Avinoam Patt, who teaches at New York University.

It was not until Israel’s right-ward turn in 1977 that the use of the Holocaust in the country’s life accelerated. Under the leadership of Menachem Begin, who became the first prime minister from the Likud party, the Holocaust, as Patt described it, “solidified the memory of [it] as a central cornerstone of Israel political life and foreign policy.”

Begin, who lost his brother and both parents in the Holocaust and who was imprisoned in a forced labor camp in the Soviet Union, emigrated to Palestine in 1942.

Under his leadership, Holocaust education became a required part of the educational system, and the March of the Living brought thousands of Israeli

For those political leaders, like Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid, who were born into families of Holocaust survivors, and are opponents of the present Israel administration, the Holocaust, according to the Emory lecturer, “is central to their own identities,” as well as “the frame of reference and primary association for most segments of Israeli society.”

“The memory of the Shoah holds a central place in Israeli collective national identity,” Patt said. “And it increasingly becomes the prism through which Israelis understand both their past and the nature of their present relationship with their Arab neighbors and the wider world. Immediately after Oct. 7, many Israelis began to talk about their traumatic experiences of Oct. 7 through Holocaust references.”

teenagers for visits to the concentration camps of Eastern Europe.

But it fell to his successor in the Likud party, Benjamin Netanyahu, who has served longer than any previous prime minister, to solidify the importance of Holocaust memory as a political initiative.

“Under Benjamin Netanyahu,” Patt said, “Israelis have internalized a much closer relationship to the Shoah, and references to the extermination of European Jews have become commonplace in the political sphere.”

Today, particularly, after the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, the memory of the Holocaust has quickly become political shorthand for the threat that Israel faces.

“We see the Holocaust serving as a reference point that is constantly invoked,” Patt emphasized. “Indeed, the memory of the Holocaust has come to be used as a rhetorical tool that assumes great familiarity with the symbols of Jewish weakness during the Holocaust, warning of the dangers of one government policy or another.”

The Israeli holiday of Yom HaShoah, which commemorates the more than six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust by Nazi Germany and its allies, has similarly grown in influence over the years. The observance, which is commemorated on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Nisan or April 24th this year, has also grown in importance as the number of living survivors of the wartime tragedy have dwindled.

Patt, who last year was appointed as a professor of Holocaust studies at NYU’s Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, believes that Holocaust memory and the events of Oct. 7 have created a new consciousness for Jews.

“It’s clear that in the aftermath of this catastrophic day and the war that followed, Israel will never be the same. The notion that Israel exists to protect the lives of Jews from murderous violence has been shaken as the state seems to have failed in its mission, and yet it seems clear that for Israelis and many Jews and non-Jews alike around the world, the memory of the Holocaust serves as the strongest reminder for why Israel must exist and defend its citizens.”

Dr. Patt, who is also the inaugural director of NYU’s Center for the Study of Antisemitism, was also a participant in a three-day conference on “Holocaust Memory in the 21st Century” at Emory. It was co- sponsored by the Holocaust Education Foundation of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.

The Tenenbaum Lecture series, which is now in its 28th year, was founded in memory of Meyer Tenenbaum, a 1932 Emory Law School graduate, who started the Chatham Steel Corporation in Savannah. According to Hazel Gold, interim chair of Emory’s Tam Institute for Jewish Studies, which hosts the annual series, the lecture and the conference are particularly important events this year.

“Unfortunately, because there is much misinformation and Holocaust denial circulating on places like social media, it is important that the academic study of the Holocaust continue in a robust form.” ì

Avinoam Patt, the Tenenbaum Series lecturer for 2025, is introduced by Hazel Gold, interim chair of the Tam Institute for Jewish Studies at Emory.

Comic Pinsky Offends No One … and Everyone

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

It was standing room only at The Punchline on March 13 when Daryl Pinsky charmed the audience with his relatable humor and lively guitar antics.

If Roswell Road was the Borscht Belt, Pinsky would be the Alan King of Buckhead. Never has one man “worked a room” for a full hour covering so many topics without coming up for air. A diamond wholesaler by day, Pinsky has been performing for as long as he can remember. Sister Dana Joffe, who came up from South Florida for the show, said, “Daryl was always funny. Sometimes after mom would yell at him, she realized how funny it was, and would have Daryl imitate her. No one stayed mad for long.”

Pinsky, who has appeared with stars like Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jeff Foxworthy, opened concerts for Joan Jett, Billy Ocean, and Pat Benatar. Now with his fresh, politically topical act, he is an “equal opportunity offender,” deriding Trump’s tariffs alongside Kamala’s “word salad,” and then there’s Joe Biden.

The “thing” about Pinsky is he eschews foul language; and his humor is not cruel or biting; but he does take accurate aim with his bow by addressing Jewish topics.

He said, “Looking at colleges? UJH (University of Jew Haters), Harvard, MIT. Christopher Columbus was Jewish. When the Indians said ‘How,’ he added, ‘much?’ … My son-in-law is not Jewish. He asked if the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) was the good or bad cholesterol.”

Pinsky explained his overall hypersensitivity, when Latinos say, “What Jew (you) been up to?”

Even checking out at the farmers market, he misinterpreted a German accent, “Let me see your papers (peppers); would he then ask me to get on a train?”

Bouncing from a German accent, he took on men with lilting British accents. “The new president of Mexico is Jewish. She’s changing the country’s trout symbol to ‘gefilte.’”

Pinsky’s facility with transitioning topics is easy to follow. He goes from The Beatles with British accents, to using Alexa, then Sean “Diddy” Combs, in a blink. Then, in the next sentence, he confuses Vladimir Zelensky (getting a “seal” of approval in the Oval Office) with Monica Lewinsky (getting the “kneel” of approval).

Another funny bit was the interaction with his Israeli wife, Ronit, who was in the audience and took it all in good stride. Three women in the audience

raised their hands when Pinsky asked for Ronit to identify herself.

“I had to fight for a pronounceable name for our newborn children … You know how Israelis have that harsh heechkk sound? Cats could speak Hebrew … it’s like having a hairball in your throat.”

One of Pinsky’s biggest laughs was, “I grew up tough in a Miami gang. We didn’t sell drugs cause our dads were doctors and could prescribe anything.”

Then, there’s the second act when Pinsky pulled out his guitar. Audience member Marshall Goldberg told the AJT, “I was blown away by his guitar segment and how he covered so many topics.”

Elissa Kingsland echoed, “His music made the act so much fun.” Comic and friend Elaine Silver summed it up, “Daryl is so relatable. Adding the music makes it much more than just jokes. He’s very creative.”

Akin to classic impersonator Rich Little, Pinsky performed more than a dozen ditties and parodies, not just in rhyme, but also in the style of the original star. Some selections included:

* The Rolling Stones’ “Under my Thumb,” but as, “Under my Gums”

* “The Girl from Ipanema” was “The Girl from Slovenia” … “I feel so sorry for Melania”

* Neil Young’s famous falsetto singing, “Searching for Rehab” … mocking “Heart of Gold”

* A raspy Bob Dylan doing, “Itsy Bitsy Spider”

* To the tune of David Bowie’s “Major Tom” … “Birth Control to Elon Musk” (now with 14 children)

* And to the tune of Pink Floyd, “We don’t need no vaccinations”

“We should have a Woodstock 2025. It could be in The Villages,” referring to

the outsized senior living community in Florida.

Comic Andy Gunnin served as the emcee and opening act; and Jamie Bendall, aka “Jamie the Lawyer,” rounded out the evening as the second performer.

Pinsky left the audience with the song, “Natural Woman,” channeling

Aretha Franklin. “You make me feel like an LGBTQ polyamorous, transexual, cisgender, non-binary, pansexual … I just want to pee in my own bathroom.”

Capturing Pinsky’s act is like capturing a moon beam in your hand. He’s all over the place. Just glad that he’s in our place. ì

Daryl Pinsky performed for a solid hour covering a variety of topics and accents without dirty language // Photo by Lilli Jennison

Jamie Bendall, aka “Jamie the Lawyer,” kept the crowd laughing with a steady stream of schtick. // Photo by Sasha Heller

The Burger that Conquered Dunwoody Looks North

By Bob Bahr

When Billy Kramer first opened his compact burger restaurant in Dunwoody five years ago, he sold only three orders. But by the end of the week the word was out. He sold a hundred. He was off and running.

His NFA operation, run out of one half of a small Chevron station just north of Mt. Vernon Road, was a quick success. In his 100-square-foot kitchen, he crafted a smash burger that has conquered Dunwoody. His classic, made with two sizzling Angus beef patties, Mt. Olive pickles, French’s mustard, melted American cheese slices and what he calls his Sassy Sauce on a Martin’s potato bun has topped at least a half-dozen best burger lists. Now, he’s getting ready to take a bigger bite out of North Atlanta. By early May, he expects to open in Avalon, a busy outdoor suburban mall, spread across 86 acres off Georgia 400 in Milton. But he’s not tampering with success. Although the new operation is

a 3,000-square-foot space, the menu will be largely the same. Success, he believes, is built on basics and keeping his customers happy.

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“We’re going to try a few new things,” Kramer says. “If it works, we’re going to keep it. If it doesn’t work, we’ll pivot and move forward. The No. 1 goal, though, is to always provide the most excellent burger we can and the best service that we can. Those things should always be the same from day one.

Although Kramer’s been selling burgers in Dunwoody since early December of 2019, he spent five years developing what he considers the perfect burger experience. Traveling the country in a corporate job, he sampled grilled ground beef wherever he went and then went on Instagram to describe in detail what he found.

When he stepped in to take over a small, failed food operation in the gas station, he fixed his mind on creating the perfect grilled beef patty. He smashes it flat on a hot grill, so it quickly develops a lacy edged crisp crust. He sauces it to give it some complexity in flavor, tops it with melting cheese and slides it onto a soft, slightly sweet, bun.

In Avalon, he’s adding alcohol to his drink menu and there will be some basic milkshake flavors, but you’ll still be able to get tater tots, crispy fries finished in the beef tallow that he prefers, as well as hot dogs, Polish sausages and sweet Belgian waffles. What he’s leaving behind at the Chevron station are his wife’s homemade rugalach, which he’s named Schmoops by Jules. The sweet treats are too labor intensive.

Instead of sitting outside, near the gas pumps in front of the Dunwoody operation, there will be seating for between 70 and 80 people inside the Avalon res-

taurant and a couple of dozen outside. He’s kept the basic layout of the space he’s moving into, a relatively new remodeling of what had been a Goldberg’s. Most recently, it was the northern outpost for Rina, an operation with an emphasis on casual Israeli dining.

Not having to spend heavily on decor means Kramer can keep his prices reasonable. He wants plenty of return customers.

“Our new space is mostly built out and we haven’t made many changes,” Kramer emphasizes. “When you’re moving into any location the amount of money it takes to convert a space gets passed on to the customer. So, the ability to open this, that space as efficiently as possible, certainly played a part in going there.”

Along with the Avalon location, Kramer is opening a smaller place at Outfield Market, a new food hall at Truist Park that will have seven other tenants. For those who are snacking rather than having a meal, Kramer will offer a mini burger as well as his usual fare. The park is home to the Atlanta Braves.

With two new operations just about ready to open, Kramer is enjoying new opportunities. The three letters in his logo, NFA, stand for “Not Fooling Around.” He’s not fooling when he says he’s looking forward to life beyond the gas station.

“I’m not some kind of restaurant wizard, but I everything I do, I do with intention. When I started NFA, I didn’t think much more than, how am I going to pay my home mortgage that month? Now I have more of a long-term strategy.” ì

Photo by Kim Kenney

The new restaurant, pictured near the center of this rendering. will have 10 times the floor space of his current restaurant in the Dunwoody Village Chevron.

Billy Kramer started his NFA burger restaurant in one half of a small Chevron station in Dunwoody.

NFA’s award-winning burger consists of two crisp smashed patties on a soft potato bun.

SoupFest Records Third Straight Sellout

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Soupaholics lined up to slurp some of the city’s most delish and creative ample samples at Souper Jenny’s annual Soupfest. Restaurateur, author, actress and uber adventurer, Jenny Levison, told the AJT, “This is our third event, and we sold out at 300. Twenty soups, two bands. Most importantly, we raised $10,000 for our Zadie Project,” in memory of dad Jarvis Levison.

The event was held outdoors at noon on Sunday, Feb. 23, where local actress and voice coach Courtenay Collins, who helped orchestrate the raffle, said, “I don’t know how she does it, but Jenny always manages to have good weather for outdoor events!” Last year, the event was held the second week in March.

A super cadre of friends pitched in to greet and serve. Missi Harnell Wolf, who ladled for Souper Jenny’s three soup offerings -- Spanish Lentil, West African Peanut, and Dad’s Turkey Chili -- explained, “I’m here doing whatever Jenny tells me to … note that Jenny’s own soups are not competing in the Best Soup/Golden Ladle contest.”

Live music blasted in the background with line dance classes on the parking lot and spacious rows of gardens at Souper Jenny’s Westside on Huff Road. In addition to soup, beer, and bread, desserts were also on the menu. Admission was $35 per ticket with proceeds benefitting The Zadie Project.

First-time participant Julia Kesler Imerman of Daily Chew, an all-day café and catering company specializing in Jewish South African cuisine, served a brilliant scarlet vegan beet borscht.

She said, “We brought 24 quarts, about six gallons of soup. This recipe is made from local beets which makes it very special.”

Her husband, Nicholas Imerman, and dad, Steve Kesler, were on hand to assist and greet. Another popular soup table was Chef Sean, whose regular gig is food consultant and head of Atlanta Guy’s Dinner Group, which supports nonprofits including the Zadie Project, who served vegan Pumpkin Coconut soup served with lime juice, cilantro, and spiced cashews. The Israeli Brisket soup was also a popular table.

Jews are particularly vocal and talented when it comes to evaluating food. Dyan Duff, who came from Henry County, said, “My favorites today were the Sweet Potato Chowder, the Pazolli and the Daily Chew’s Beet Borscht. I’m a huge

fan of Jenny, her cookbooks, salads and especially the location in the Atlanta History Center.”

Randi Stillman lives in Avondale and frequents the Souper Jenny Decatur location. Quentin Kromirs preferred the Vietnamese Beef soup, while Michelle Teyf voted for the thick Pumpkin Coconut.

Roswell native Jason Shippell, an aeronautical safety executive, performed guitar in the band Non Prophets, then mingled in the crowd. He said, “This is a fun event, and this is the first time I knew about it.”

On the senior side, Arthur Katz, who is the state tennis champion for the 80plus singles division, chose the Italian

Wedding Soup and the Israeli Brisket while his wife only sampled vegetarian soups.

Robin Jacobs’ Spicy Black Bean soup won the first place Golden Ladle Award. Calvin Rouse (Vietnamese Beef soup) came in second, and returning champ, Sean Palani, came in third for his Thai Coconut Pumpkin.

Keith Yaeger, director of Souper Jenny Operations, summarized, “This is our third SoupFest, and I had more meaningful, caring conversations about food insecurity issues and the positives that The Zadie Project is doing than ever before. This made me happy and proud. My big takeaway for this year is that we

raised enough money to provide 5,000 fresh healthy meals for children, families and senior citizens facing food insecurity issues in our community.”

The Zadie Project (Zadie is Yiddish for “grandfather”) is a nonprofit that feeds the hungry --so named for Jenny’s late father who motivated her to cook and give back to the community. His original Turkey Chili recipe was among the favorites that day and also at the Souper Jenny locations. Changing to her thespian hat, Jenny Levison will star in, “Love Letters,” along with Mitchell Anderson under the direction of Courtenay Collins, opening the first week in April at the Synchronicity Theatre. ì

(Right) Robin Jacobs’ Spicy Black Bean soup won the Golden Ladle Award // Photo by Phil Mistry

Missi Harnell Wolf helped serve Jenny’s (right) three soups.

Jason Shippell performed in the band, then loaded up on soup.

Arthur Katz chose the Italian Wedding soup and the Israeli Brisket while his wife only sampled vegetarian soups.

Quentin Kromirs and Michelle Teyf had differing opinions on the best soups.

Lapidus & Myles are Enjoying the Spotlight

By Lauren Menis

The Atlanta musical duo Lapidus & Myles is having a moment. Fresh from a sold-out performance at Eddie’s Attic, a well-known Decatur music venue where they shared the bill with Atlanta singer Ariela Freedman, the self-described “Black Christian guy and white Jewish rabbi” are starting to see a shift to a more secular audience.

Rabbi Micah Lapidus, also known for his roles as rabbi and educator at The Davis Academy and composer-inresidence at The Temple, is also a prolific songwriter, composer and guitarist. Melvin Myles, a talented gospel singer who turns those lyrics into heartfelt ballads, is a vocalist at the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where he travels each week from Atlanta. He also still performs at the famed Ebenezer Baptist Church, where he sang full-time for more than a decade.

The music they make together, which they call “music for people of conscience,” is powerful. It can still a room

and also bring people to their feet. Myles’ precise instrument of a voice gives poignancy to Lapidus’ soulful lyrics. And whether heard with a full chorus and

band backup or with just Myles singing and Lapidus on guitar, their songs resonate not just in the ears but in the soul.

Both are religious people, but their music is for everyone. “Our music is interested in many of the things that good religion is interested in,” says Lapidus. “Truth, beauty, purpose, human dignity, ethics, morality, respect,” which is something both secular and non-secular crowds alike can relate to. Their goal, he adds, “is to reach as many people as possible. We’re trying to make room for everyone.”

Myles agrees. “We have different lives, different lifestyles, we come from different cultures, but we come together for a common cause. That’s something that the world could use.” Their music, he says, is “coming from a good place, a wholesome place and … I think it could change hearts and minds. And that’s the mission for me.”

Whether performing together or just in each other’s company, their optimism and joy in each other and the music they make is contagious. And it is obvious there is true admiration, friendship and love between them.

“Coming into relationship with Micah has been a gift and a learning experience for me,” Myles says. “I knew nothing about the Jewish culture, Jewish life … and so, getting to know Micah and his family … everybody is just so welcoming and I’m a part of the family and they’re part of my family.”

“People can tell that we enjoy being together, that we trust one another and that we support one another and that we

have deep and abiding respect for one another,” adds Lapidus.

While they are a popular act in Atlanta’s Jewish community, Lapidus and Myles also tour all over the country. They’ve played shows from coast to coast, at the invitation of many temples, Jewish and interfaith communities and non-religious organizations as well.

They first met in 2015 at The Temple’s annual Martin Luther King Shabbat, a joint service featuring clergy and chorus members from Ebenezer Baptist Church. Myles was tasked with singing one of Lapidus’ original songs, “Praying With Our Feet,” an homage to the civil rights movement.

“When I heard Melvin sing, I was very, very inspired and excited to get to know him better as a person. I just felt that he really had such a deep understanding of music and just made the song so meaningful,” says Lapidus. The two spent time together at rehearsals and, a few years later, a partnership was born.

Now, after launching two new singles, “I Am,” and “To This Darkness” (both of which can be found on Spotify), with a repertoire of around 80 songs and new songs being written all the time, they are ready for whatever comes next.

“Music has its own agenda, so we are really at its mercy. We’re along for the ride,” says Lapidus, adding, “the best is yet to come and … whatever it is, we are ready.”

To find out where Lapidus & Myles are performing next, follow them on Facebook at Lapidus&Myles or on Instagram @lapidusmyles. ì

Lapidus & Myles are pictured performing at Congregation Bet Haverim’s recent Shabbat Shirah concert.

Rabbi Micah Lapidus and Melvin Myles, aka Lapidus & Myles, produce “music for people of conscience” // Photo courtesy of Cristy Milrud

Heller Designs Menorah for Jewish Federation

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, in partnership with Atlanta-based glass artist Paul Heller, recently unveiled a new and colorful menorah after almost a year of collaboration. The project embodies two core objectives: bringing Federation’s vision of a thriving, connected Jewish Atlanta to life, and illuminating the profound message of being “Better Together.”

Heller, who has crafted unique art for Temple Kol Emeth and Piedmont Cancer Institute, has shown that art can serve as a powerful force to unify communities, spark dialogue, and preserve cultural identity. He said, “Artists tell stories visually that sometimes are more powerful than words.”

This partnership took root in September 2024, coinciding with the launch of Federation’s annual fundraising campaign. The campaign underscores Federation’s unwavering commitment to strengthening Jewish life in Atlanta, Israel, and beyond. Inspired by the campaign’s theme, Heller turned to his longtime friend, Rabbi Steve Lebow, rabbi emeritus of Temple Kol Emeth, to help conceptualize an artistic representation of Federation’s mission.

Heller shared, “Steve came up with a truly amazing concept of using the iconic seven-branch menorah to illustrate Federation’s concept of ‘Better Together.’”

Rabbi Lebow explained, “While the nine-branched candelabra (the Hannukiah) may be more familiar, it’s the seven-branched menorah that is the oldest Jewish symbol that we know. The seven-branches signify that a connection is made with G-d, and that a divine mandate has been fulfilled.”

Historically, the original sevenbranched menorah played a central role in Jewish communal life. It was the first shared project of the Israelite people, constructed as part of the Temple in Jerusalem through the collective contributions of the community. That same spirit of shared purpose and responsibility is mirrored in Federation’s dedication to fostering a strong, inclusive Jewish Atlanta. The menorah’s enduring presence symbolizes the core Jewish values of Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) and Tzedakah (charitable giving) — guiding Federation’s mission to build a brighter, more sustainable future through collaboration.

Heller explained, “This menorah project typifies my passionate approach to custom art projects that include great

collaboration and brainstorming, being mesmerized by the challenges of a totally new application and letting my imagination churn.

Heller and creative partner, interior designer Brian Helder, enriched the “Better Together” theme by incorporating three sets of handshakes within the menorah’s design. These interwoven hands represent the essential support that Federation provides to the community, reinforcing the idea that Jewish Atlanta thrives when it stands united.

The final artwork is a unique sculpture, currently housed at the Selig Center. Towering at eight feet, the illuminated glass menorah is a testament to Heller’s artistic ingenuity and a visual representation of Federation’s enduring dedication to the Jewish community. Designed with cutting-edge electronic technology, each of the seven flames can be lit individually via a handheld remote symbolizing the evolving needs of the community and Federation’s ability to respond dynamically to its highest priorities.

Federation CEO Renee Kutner expressed appreciation, “We are so grateful for our partnership with Paul. His art form is very intriguing as it combines carpentry, glass selection, cutting and mounting, and electronics. We know that this incredible work of art will have a lasting impact on Federation and the larger community we serve.”

Heller’s artistry can be seen at locations across Atlanta. He created a hope-themed mural at Piedmont Cancer Institute, “When You Choose Hope, Anything’s Possible,” which features two butterflies flying towards a daisy and bud to symbolize hope and rebirth. At Temple Kol Emeth, a 10-foot shofar radiates in the main lobby celebrating the congregation’s 40th anniversary. Each installation

reflects his talent for blending symbolism with artistic mastery, ensuring his work resonates with its audience. In Nashville, at Jon Bon Jovi’s new upscale honky tonk on Broadway Street, JBJ’s, Heller created the centerpiece sculpture of Bon Jovi’s iconic Winged Heart and Dagger logo at a gigantic 8-feet tall. And The Local in Hendersonville, outside Nashville, has an

oversized hollow body guitar and piano by Heller.

Heller is inspired (as a volunteer) to guide elementary school children and teenagers to create hands-on mosaic and glass projects. He was featured in the Atlanta Jewish Times “Chai Style Art” column on Sept. 28, 2018. For more info, please visit www.PaulHellerArt.com. ì

Concept creator and Temple Kol Emeth

Rabbi Steve Lebow (right) and artist Paul Heller pose in front of Heller’s glass menorah.

Paul Heller’s menorah illuminates the Selig Center’s meeting room foyer area.

El Al Rival Airline Launches US Flights

Israir is gearing up to become the

Today in Israeli History

March 31, 1979: Israel wins the Eurovision Song Contest for the second consecutive year as Gali Atari and Milk & Honey take the title with “Hallelujah.” The contest is in Jerusalem because Israel won in 1978 with “A-Bani-bi.”

April 1, 1925.

April 1, 1925: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem opens on Mount Scopus, fulfilling a dream first expressed in a letter from Heidelberg University professor Herman Schapira to the Hebrew newspaper HaMelitz in 1882.

April 2, 1947: The British government notifies the United Nations that it plans to bring Palestine’s future before the next U.N. General Assembly session and that it wants a special commission to make recommendations.

April 3, 1970: Avigdor Hameiri, Israel’s first poet laureate, dies at age 79. Born in Hungary, he was studying to be a rabbi when he turned to socialism and Zionism. He also wrote novels, children’s books and memoirs.

ISRAEL PRIDE

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME

third Israeli airline to offer nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and New York, bringing more competition into the mix against flagship carrier El Al, and triggering a reduction in airfares seen as exorbitant.

Israir confirmed that it has filed a request for a foreign air carrier permit with the U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) to operate the long-haul service to the U.S. The move comes after local rival Arkia debuted flights to New York last month, breaking an effective monopoly held by flagship carrier El Al. U.S. carriers have been shunning Israel due to the 16-month war with the Hamas terror group and the unstable security situation.

Israir seeks to launch as many as six weekly nonstop roundtrip flights between Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport and New York as early as this summer. However, the smaller Israeli carrier has not yet specified any details about the plans.

Compiled by AJT Staff

April 4, 1968: Moshe Levinger and several other Israeli Jews pretending to be Swiss tourists check into a Hebron hotel to establish the first permanent Jewish presence in the city since the 1929 massacre of 67 Jews.

M-Systems’ USB flash drive revolutionized portable data storage.

April 5, 1999: Kfar Saba-based M-Systems applies for a patent for the USB flash drive, which can store 8 megabytes, five times the memory of most floppy disks. IBM begins selling the drives after the patent is granted.

April 6, 1923: Shoshana Netanyahu, Benjamin Netanyahu’s aunt, who in 1981 becomes the second woman to serve on Israel’s Supreme Court, is born in Danzig (now Gdansk, Poland). Her family makes aliyah when she’s 1.

April 7, 1977: Maccabi Tel Aviv wins its first European basketball championship by defeating the two-time defending champions, Mobilgirgi Varese of Italy, after upsetting the Soviet team CSKA Moscow in the semifinals.

April 8, 1960: U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold for the first time publicly criticizes Egypt for confiscating Israeli cargo on ships using the Suez Canal. Israel conditioned its 1956 withdrawal from the Sinai on the freedom of navigation.

Rare Queen Esther Scroll Stars in Purim Exhibition

A new exhibition at the National Museum of Italian Judaism and the Shoah (MEIS) in Ferrara, Italy, focuses on the Jewish festival of Purim and its heroine, Queen Esther.

“Beautiful Esther. Purim, A Timeless Story,” explores the Biblical figure of Queen Esther through Renaissance art,

April 9, 1921: Yitzhak Navon, elected Israel’s fifth president in 1978, is born in Jerusalem to a family that has lived there for three centuries. He fights with the Irgun and Haganah and serves in the Knesset. He dies in 2015.

As shown by the wreckage of an Egged bus blown up Dec. 2, 2001, the blast April 10, 2002, was not the first suicide bombing on a bus in Haifa during the Second Intifada. The April 2002 attack killed eight Israelis: Keren Franco, Noa Shlomo, Shlomi Ben-Haim, Nir Danieli, Ze’ev Hanik, Michael Weissmann, Shimshon Stelkol and Avinoam Alfia. // By Moshe Milner, Israeli Government Press Office, CC BY-SA 3.0

April 10, 2002: Eight passengers on a commuter bus in Haifa, including the 18-year-old niece of Israel’s ambassador to the United Nations, are killed in a Second Intifada suicide bombing claimed by both Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

April 11, 2002: In Madrid, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell calls for an immediate Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire, then flies to the Middle East to meet individually with the leaders of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

precious parchments, historical artifacts, and interactive installations. The outstanding selection of illuminated megillot — scrolls of the Book of Esther — includes an extremely rare 17th century parchment scroll made in Ferrara by Moshe Ben Avraham Pescarol on loan from the National Library of Israel — meaning that the scroll will temporarily be returning to its place of creation.

Compiled by AJT Staff

April 12, 1971: Eyal Golan, a 17-year pro soccer player who becomes one of Israel’s most successful Mizrahi singers, is born in Rehovot. He releases his first album, “Whisper in the Night,” during his playing career in 1995.

April 13, 2004: Hapoel Jerusalem defeats Real Madrid, 83-72, to win Europe’s No. 2 club basketball championship, the EuroCup. Combined with Maccabi Tel Aviv’s EuroLeague championship, Israel holds both of Europe’s major basketball titles.

April 14, 1871: Germany is established as an empire under Prussia’s Wilhelm I, expanding the civil and political rights granted to Jews in some German states in 1869. But emancipation inspires more virulent antisemitism.

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

An Israir flight takes off from Ben Gurion International Airport, outside of Tel Aviv, Aug. 25, 2024 // Photo Credit: Yossi Aloni/Flash90/Times of Israel

“Beautiful Esther. Purim, A Timeless Story,” explores the Biblical figure of Queen Esther through Renaissance art, precious parchments, historical artifacts, and interactive installations // Photo Credit: Ardon Bar-Hama

Opening festivities are held at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem on

// Central Zionist Archives

Singer Eyal Golan is seen in 2002, during the long overlap between his soccer and music careers. // By Rafael Mansour via Wikimedia Commons

Educators Gather in Chicago for Birthright

IS ELI HOSTAGE T CKER

Israeli hostages set to be released in phase two:

Fifty-nine more hostages are held in Gaza by Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists and are supposed to be released as part of a successful negotiation of the phase two portion of the deal. The hostages are:

Nattapong Pinta, 36

Rom Braslavski, 21

Yosef-Chaim Ohana, 24

Nimrod Cohen, 20

Matan Angrest, 22

Ziv Berman, 27

Gali Berman, 27

Jewish leaders and educators from the United States, Canada, and Israel recently gathered in the suburbs of Chicago amid a new landscape for Israel education and travel. Birthright Israel Fellows, a program offered by Birthright Israel and run in partnership with The iCenter, equips experienced and soonto-be-first-time madrichim (overseas trip staff) and Israeli tour educators with the tools to help young Jewish adults traveling on Birthright Israel programs to develop deep and meaningful connections with their personal Jewish identity and the land and people of Israel.

“This cohort is especially important as our trip staff are navigating a post-Oct. 7 world,” said Gia Arnstein, VP Education at Birthright Israel. “They need the knowledge, the confidence, and the skills to connect with young people of different backgrounds and perspectives — and to help them build a meaningful and personal connection with Israel.”

Among the 82 participants in Cohort 13, a majority are Birthright Israel Classic 10-Day, Birthright Israel Onward, and/ or Birthright Israel Volunteer alumni, which includes a good percentage of Jewish professionals who work at local campus Hillels and Chabads, federations, and synagogues across the United States and Canada. The conference explored topics like relationship building, conscious listening, ritualizing time and space, the spirit of Birthright Israel, exploring Zionism(s) then and now, and highlighted Birthright Israel’s new “greening” and sustainability goals as well as

its volunteering efforts which are helping to rebuild the communities of Israel impacted by the events of Oct. 7 and the subsequent wars.

“I’m excited to help young Jewish adults experience Israel in a way that inspires them, deepens their connection to Israel and the Jewish people, and even in ways that challenges them,” said Sami Herbert, IACT Coordinator, Rutgers Hillel. “My cohort understands the opportunity and responsibility that we have been given. And now we feel empowered to encounter our trip participants with a greater sense of intentionality and purpose.”

Birthright Israel Fellows commit to staffing at least three Birthright Israel trips over the three years following the training program, with the first trips taking place within the immediate 12 months after the training seminar. The program is part of a larger framework of madrichim training programs that Taglit Birthright Israel models across the globe. Similar programs occur with local partners in Russia, Ukraine, Germany, France, Argentina, and Brazil. To ensure that all models of training are similar, Birthright Israel has adopted a “shared language” and core set of principles that is to be introduced and understood by all staff and educators.

In 2024, Birthright Israel brought nearly 20,000 participants to Israel through its various programs and is expecting to bring 30,000 people in 2025 from around the world. ì

Compiled by AJT Staff

Maxim Herkin, 36

Segev Kalfon, 27

Bipin Joshi, 24

Elkana Bohbut, 35

Alon Ohel, 24

Ariel Cunio, 27

Bar Kupershtien, 23

Guy Gilboa-Dalal, 23

Eitan Horn, 38

Tamir Nimrodi, 20

Matan Zangauker, 25

Avinatan Or, 31

Omri Miran, 47

Eitan Mor, 24

Edan Alexander, 21

David Cunio, 34

Eyvatar David, 24

The following hostages have reportedly been murdered and are expected to be returned in phase two:

Amiram Cooper, 84 (murdered in captivity)

Inbar Hayman, 27 (murdered in captivity)

Asaf Hamami, 41 (murdered in captivity)

Eliyahu Margalit, 75 (murdered in captivity)

Uriel Baruch, 35 (murdered in captivity)

Tal Haimi, 41 (murdered in captivity)

Oz Daniel, 19 (murdered in captivity)

Tamir Adar, 38 (murdered in captivity)

Eitan Levy, 52 (murdered in captivity)

Ran Gvili, 24 (murdered in captivity)

Yonatan Samerano, 21 (murdered in captivity)

Yair Yaakov, 59 (murdered in captivity)

Ronen Engel, 54  (murdered in captivity)

Sahar Baruch, 35  (murdered in captivity)

Itay Chen, 19 (murdered in captivity)

Aviv Atzili, 49 (murdered in captivity)

Dror Or, 48 (murdered in captivity)

Muhammad Al-Atrash, 39  (murdered in captivity)

Gad Haggai, 72 (murdered in captivity)

Joshua Loitu Mollel, 21  (murdered in captivity)

Idan Shitvi, 28 (murdered in captivity)

Yossi Sharabi, 53 (murdered in captivity)

Arie Zalmanovich, 85  (murdered in captivity)

Daniel Peretz, 22  (murdered in captivity)

Guy Illouz, 26 (murdered in captivity)

Ofra Keidar, 70 (murdered in captivity)

Lior Rudaeff, 61 (murdered in captivity)

Judi Weinstein-Haggai, 70  (murdered in captivity)

Meny Godard, 73 (murdered in captivity)

Shay Levinson, 19 (murdered in captivity)

Ilan Weiss, 56 (murdered in captivity)

Hadar Goldin, 23 (murdered in 2014)

Omer Neutra, 21 (murdered in captivity)

Sonthaya Oakkharasri  (murdered in captivity)

Sudthisak Rinthalak (murdered in captivity)

In 2024, Birthright Israel brought nearly 20,000 participants to Israel through its various programs and is expecting to bring 30,000 people in 2025 from around the world.

Jewish Coaches Lead Top-Ranked College Teams

All winter, Auburn, Duke, and Florida — led by Jewish head coaches Bruce Pearl, Jon Scheyer, and Todd Golden, respectively — were largely considered to be the elite programs in Men’s Division I College Basketball, indisputably the teams to beat come March. And what unfolded this past weekend during the first two rounds of March Madness did nothing to dispel that narrative as all three No.1 seeded teams advanced in rather convincing fashion to the Sweet 16.

Scheyer, a former member of Maccabi Tel Aviv and later protégé of and successor to legendary Duke hoops coach Mike Krzyzewski, guided Duke to an opening-round runaway win over Mount St. Mary’s (93-49) highlighted by a combined 33 points from his two standout players, Tyrese Proctor and freshman forward Cooper Flagg, who in all likelihood will be the No. 1 overall NBA draft pick come June.

“I thought we were good. I thought we were solid,” Scheyer said after the blowout win in the tourney opener during which Duke displayed remarkable discipline, committing but a pair of turnovers. “Especially for our first game in the tournament, it feels different. It just does. To experience that and to give really good effort and to have that killer instinct to come out, I think that’s the biggest thing I took away.”

A couple days later, the Blue Devils continued to look very much like a team with legitimate aspirations of cutting down the nets next month at the Final Four in San Antonio when they dismantled No.9 seeded Baylor, 89-66, by shooting at a blistering 64.4 percent clip from the field — a program record for a tournament game — draining 12 3-pointers, and only turning the ball over a halfdozen times.

“For us, to win by this margin, I think speaks to the level of killer instinct that our guys have, competitiveness, and the connectivity,” offered Scheyer in his Round 2 postgame presser as his team was on its way to the Sweet 16 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. “Really proud of this win. Sweet 16 sounds great.”

Over in the Southeastern Conference, the Auburn Tigers, the No.1 seed in

the Southern Region, steamrolled their way to the Sweet 16 for the first time since their lone Final Four appearance, which came in 2019 also under Pearl. Though Auburn easily knocked off Alabama State, 83-63, in their opening game, the Tigers’ head coach wasn’t particularly pleased with his team’s compete level from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Especially after Auburn was upset by Yale in the first round of last year’s NCAA tournament, it was hard to watch his guys once again take their foot off the gas against an underdog opponent.

“That’s the biggest difference right now between the way we were playing earlier in the season and the way we’re playing right now,” noted Pearl, the founder of the Jewish Coaches Association and an outspoken supporter of Israel, in his postgame remarks. “You can do that against a team that you’re better than, but you can’t do that — we won’t be able to do that from this point forward.

“We won’t beat Creighton if we play like we did tonight. We know we can play better. We know we can tighten things up.”

A couple nights later in the second round, the Tigers did indeed answer the call by cruising past Creighton, 82-70,

in a far more inspired, high-octane performance that was befitting of a team viewed by many college hoops experts as the odds-on favorite to win the national title. Though Auburn didn’t shoot lightsout from the field, Pearl’s team played suffocating defense, forcing the Bluejays into committing 11 turnovers while snagging a 37-27 rebounding advantage.

“We played like the No. 1 team in the country,” a far more content Pearl said afterwards. “We acted like the No. 1 team in the country. We prepared like the No. 1 team in the country.”

In what stands as a very intriguing matchup for the Jewish sports community, the Pearl-coached Tigers take on Michigan and star Israeli American big man, Danny Wolf, in a third-round matchup this Friday evening. Coincidentally, the game will be one of two played on March 28 at State Farm Arena.

While Pearl has coached at the NCAA level going back to the early 1980s when he was an assistant at Stanford, the 65-year-old Boston native was also the head coach for the 2009 Maccabi USA gold medal-winning men’s basketball team, co-captained by Golden. Now in his third year in charge of the Florida program, Golden also has the Gators four

wins from a national title after his team obliterated Norfolk State, 95-69, in the opener before squeaking by two-time defending national champ UConn, 77-75.

“Florida basketball is back where it belongs,” Golden remarked after his team dethroned the mighty Huskies. “Being in the Sweet 16 is a great step in the right direction. I’m incredibly proud of our players. It wasn’t necessarily pretty for the majority of the game for us . . . these guys, our players delivered today.”

Though he’s the head coach of one of the hottest teams in the nation, Golden has been the subject of great controversy all season. Earlier this year, Golden, the one-time member of Maccabi Haifa who would later embark on a coaching career beginning at Columbia, faced a Title IX investigation after multiple women accused him of sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and stalking. The charges were dropped when the office found Golden had not committed misconduct “within a university program or activity.” Though Golden is a finalist for Naismith Coach of the Year and could very well pilot Florida to a third national title, this unfortunate narrative has already started to gain traction amidst Florida’s surge to the Sweet 16. ì

David Ostrowsky

Auburn, a school traditionally viewed as a football powerhouse, has cultivated a well-deserved reputation for having an elite basketball program ever since Bruce Pearl took over as head coach // Photo credit: Auburn men’s basketball social media

In only his third year as head coach of Duke men’s basketball, Jon Scheyer has the Blue Devils poised to make a serious run at a national title // Photo credit: Duke men’s basketball social media

Wiesblatt Gets His Shot with Nashville

By David Ostrowsky

When Ozzy Wiesblatt skated over to his mother to flip her a puck minutes before making his NHL debut for the Nashville Predators on the evening of Jan. 3 — an exchange that was caught on camera and soon zapped around social media channels — hardly anyone understood the significance behind the 22-year-old Canadian right winger’s gesture.

As any hockey parent can attest, the sport requires a tremendous investment of time and financial resources, but for Kim White, who is deaf and had to juggle multiple jobs while raising Ozzy, his three hockey-crazed brothers, and her daughter largely by herself in a Jewish household in Western Canada, seeing her child reach the sport’s pinnacle was nothing short of life-changing. And for Ozzy, the puck toss was a silent act that perfectly embodied the indescribable amount of appreciation he had for his mother, who sacrificed so much for him to realize his dream.

Accompanying the clip of Wiesblatt and his mother making the social media rounds was another video, one in which Ozzy officially introduced himself, that was featured prominently across Nashville’s outlets. This one was different in that it was staged and scripted — but it was similar in that it also lacked spoken words.

“My name’s Ozzy, people call me ‘Oz,’” Wiesblatt, who had just been called up from the Predators’ minorleague affiliate in Milwaukee, conveyed in American Sign Language. “I learned sign language from my mom — my first language, you could say — all my brothers know it and my little sister. I’m very excited to be here. Excited for my family and everything.”

On paper, Wiesblatt’s road to the NHL may appear to be fairly typical. He was drafted 31st overall by the San Jose Sharks in the first round of the 2020 draft and spent the next few seasons playing in developmental leagues before getting dealt to the Nashville Predators organization last summer. He flashed signs of NHL readiness during training camp but was eventually sent back down to the minors where he kept putting in his dues and was finally rewarded with a promotion.

But no box score, stat sheet, or game log can tell the sacrifices that Wiesblatt’s mother made to be a supportive hockey mom, even more so starting in 2013, when the Wiesblatt family moved from Kelowna back to Calgary and she soon

split from her husband, Art Wiesblatt, who is also deaf — or how she and her sons were at times ridiculed by opposing coaches and players in rinks across Western Canada for communicating in a nonverbal manner.

For Kim, this was incredibly heartbreaking because back when their kids were in elementary school, she and Art had initially encouraged sports as a means of improving verbal communication with their peers and now Ozzy and his three brothers (Ocean, Orca and Oasiz) would occasionally skate off the ice with tears of humiliation — even though they were, in many cases, the best players on either team.

But a few months ago, when Nashville general manager Scott Nichol called to deliver the good news on New Year’s Eve, Ozzy Wiesblatt bolted from a small party, this time with tears of ecstasy. Two days later, speaking to reporters after his first NHL practice, the Calgary native remarked, “It’s crazy. It’s something you dream about as a kid, and for it to finally happen, it’s crazy. So many emotions going through. I’m really grateful to be here, very excited.

“You get here, you go into a beautiful hotel and now you come here and you’re in an NHL rink. It’s crazy, even seeing the

guys that are in this dressing room, guys you grew up watching on TV, and you’re playing video games with these guys and a couple years later, you’re on their team. It’s a dream come true. That’s the only way you can really explain it.”

Back in the fall, Wiesblatt, a selfdescribed “hard-nosed player that’s not afraid of bigger guys and scrums” was tantalizingly close to cracking the Predators’ roster before management ultimately thought he could benefit from a little more seasoning in the minors. Over 27 games in the American Hockey League (AHL), the mild-mannered, mustachioed forward potted seven goals and dished out seven assists, numbers that warranted the dreamy call-up.

“I was super happy with how I had my camp, but it’s always a battle to get back here. You always have to stay hungry,” he added the day before his first NHL appearance, a 3-0 blanking of the Vancouver Canucks, in which he logged nine minutes and 42 seconds of ice time and laid two hits.

Wiesblatt did not stay up in Nashville very long. He stayed with the Predators as they traveled to his hometown of Calgary for the following evening’s tilt against the Flames, but didn’t take the ice again until Feb. 8 for what was his

home debut against the Buffalo Sabres. And then it was back to the minors for a month. By early March, though, Wiesblatt ranked third on the Milwaukee Admirals in points with 32 (14 goals, 18 assists), numbers that warranted a return to Nashville. Though this time it was a one-game NHL stint, he made it count, registering his first-ever assist (and point) against the Seattle Kraken.

While Wiesblatt is currently back in the minors, another NHL call-up may be in the offing this spring as Nashville has an aging core of players (most notably left winger Filip Forsberg and center Steven Stamkos) and the team is nestled at the bottom of the Central Division standings, well outside of playoff contention. Even if Wiesblatt doesn’t get another shot of proving his NHL mettle in the waning days of this regular season, next year’s training camp is less than a halfyear away. Meanwhile, for his mother, it remains a distinct possibility that she could one day watch another one of her sons suit up for an NHL team: the youngest Wiesblatt brother, Oasiz, is currently captaining the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) after spending NHL training camp with the Washington Capitals as a free-agent invitee. ì

Ozzy Wiesblatt’s NHL debut this winter stands as one of the most improbable and inspiring stories in sports thus far in 2025 // Photo credit: Nashville Predators social media

GA Small Community Camp Fund Announced

AEPi Reaches Jewish Pledge Milestone

Undergraduate members of Alpha Epsilon Pi International Fraternity (AEPi), the world’s leading Jewish college fraternity, are committing to the fraternity’s mission to develop the future leaders of the Jewish community by signing the Jewish Youth Promise (JYP). The fraternity reached a major milestone when the 10,000th AEPi undergraduate member signed the promise to being active and contributing members of the Jewish communities throughout their lives.

today and our alumni who are active in Jewish communities around the world. While this has always been important, it has never been more important on our campuses and in our communities than it is today,” said Rob Derdiger, AEPi’s CEO. “We’re proud to reach this milestone and look forward to continuing these efforts. We’re also proud that our fraternity brother, Mike Leven, is the catalyst behind this very important effort.”

Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) is excited to launch a new Georgia Small Community Camp Fund. Georgia families living 50 miles or more outside Atlanta are now eligible for new need-blind grants and need-based scholarships toward Jewish overnight camp. Expanding financial aid to smaller Jewish communities will help more young Jews in the Peach State experience the magic of Jewish camp.

“We want every family who would like to send their child to Jewish summer camp to have the means to do so,” said Jamie Simon, interim CEO of Foundation for Jewish Camp. “I grew up as the only Jewish kid in my class. Jewish camp helped me connect to other young Jews — and the community as a whole. I’m thrilled that this initiative will offer the same opportunity to kids from smaller Jewish communities.”

Jewish summer camp strengthens identity, fosters friendships, and helps kids grow as leaders in a fun, supportive environment. Financial support often plays a crucial role in enabling kids to attend camp. After the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta began offering grants and scholarship assistance to families in

2014, Atlanta rose to become one of the top U.S. Jewish communities in terms of summer camp enrollment.

Building on FJC’s successful Small Communities Incentive program, FJC is expanding its outreach in this region.

Thanks to a gift from the Riesenberger family — which is originally from Columbus, Ga., and experienced the profound impact of Jewish camp — FJC will support both need-blind grants of up to $1,500 through the foundation’s signature One Happy Camper program and scholarship support for first- and secondtime campers that demonstrate financial need. The Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta will administer and process applications.

“Without support from the Riesenbergers and [Federation], FJC would simply not have been in a position to provide these scholarships to Georgia families outside of Atlanta,” said FJC Southeast Director Bobby Harris.

Applications for grants are open now and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. To learn more and apply, families can visit https://www.jewishcamp.org/ga

Compiled by AJT Staff

Concurrently, The Jewish Youth Promise announced that it has surpassed its 30,000th youth signer, marking a significant milestone in its mission to engage and inspire the next generation of Jewish leaders. A first-of-its-kind global initiative for teens and young adults (ages 13-24), JYP encourages Jewish youth worldwide to commit to being active, contributing members of their communities.

Founded by philanthropist and AEPi Brother Mike Leven, JYP is an initiative of The Jewish Future Promise designed to strengthen ties between Jewish youth organizations and their alums. By offering a free platform for alum engagement, JYP creates lasting connections through meaningful shared experiences, including self-reflective letters stored in a time capsule. This innovative approach has captured hearts and minds, reinforcing JYP’s vital role in preserving Jewish identity and ensuring a vibrant future for future generations.

“Having so many of our brothers sign this pledge which commits them to maintaining their Jewish identity and being proud of their Jewish heritage, is indicative of both the men in our chapters

“Reaching this milestone of 10,000 Alpha Epsilon Pi brothers signing the Jewish Youth Promise is a testament to the strength and dedication of young Jewish leaders committed to ensuring a vibrant Jewish future. As an AEPi brother, I know firsthand the values this fraternity instills — leadership, responsibility, and a deep connection to Jewish identity. I am incredibly proud of these young men for making this promise and stepping up to be the future of our people,” said Leven, AEPi brother and founder of the Jewish Youth Promise.

“Seeing 10,000 AEPi brothers and surpassing 30,000 total signers is inspiring and powerful. This milestone reflects the deep commitment of young Jewish leaders to their identity, community, and future. AEPi has always been about strengthening Jewish pride and leadership, and this promise ensures that our impact will continue for generations to come. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we stand together and take action to preserve and strengthen the Jewish future,” said Josh Schalk, AEPi brother and Executive Director of Jewish Future Promise.

Foundation for Jewish Camp has launched a fund to help send Jewish children living in small communities 50 miles or more outside of Atlanta to summer camp.

University of Maryland's Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi pictured before the Stand Against Antisemitism rally.

Sarah Menis Receives Yellow Rose Award

On Thursday, March 13, the Georgia Women’s Legislative Caucus presented Sarah Menis, an 18-year-old high school senior from Dunwoody High, with the esteemed Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award in recognition of her outstanding dedication to community service. State Sen. Sally Harrell nominated Menis for her leadership in founding and expanding Front Porch Food Drive, a nonprofit initiative dedicated to addressing food insecurity in the Dunwoody and Sandy Springs communities.

“I was so impressed and inspired by Sarah’s Front Porch Food Drive initiative. It’s such an important service to the community. When it was time to nominate this year’s Servant Leader award, I immediately thought of Sarah,” said Harrell.

Each year during Women’s History Month, female Georgia senators and representatives select remarkable women from their districts to receive this distinguished award. The Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award honors women who have made a meaningful impact in their communities through service and leadership. The award is named after Honorable Nikki T. Randall, the first Black woman elected to the Georgia Assembly from Middle Georgia, and a dedicated advocate for women, families, and communities.

Menis, the youngest person to accept the award this year, began her journey in community service in 2023 when, while volunteering at a local food pantry, she was deeply moved by the sight of empty

State Sen. Sally Harrell presents Dunwoody High senior Lauren Menis with the Yellow Rose Nikki T. Randall Servant Leadership Award for community service.

shelves. Determined to take action, she launched Front Porch Food Drive, a grassroots, door-to-door initiative to combat food insecurity in her community.

Through her partnership with the Community Assistance Center (CAC), Menis has mobilized a growing network of volunteers to run their own food drives, collecting more than 3,000 pounds of food to support local families in need.

Compiled

by

AJT Staff

Feeney’s 5K Fun Run set for April 13

The Feeney Legacy Project (FLP) is hosting the second annual Feeney’s 5K Fun Run at Decatur Legacy Park at 9:30 a.m., April 13. Legacy Park is a growing park in Decatur with an easy trail course for runners and walkers, shady and all in nature! If you cannot make it on April 13, join the Virtual Run anytime, from anyplace between March 17 to April 13.

The 2024 Feeney’s 5K was a gorgeous, sunny day with walkers, runners and watchers enjoying the shady trail run while exploring the growth of Legacy Park.

Kathy Feeney Armistead, the founder, said, “The first Run gave FLP much more traction for its first anniversary. We had a fun and flawless day at the park and the Virtual Around the World with the support of our sponsors LifeLink Foundation, Mad Italian, James Realty and more, Elite Timing, participants and volunteers.”

Maggie Feeney Eckard, vice president, will again be leading this year’s lining of the course with a hack saw and chalk so all are safe to keep heads up while moving.

Patti Feeney Mathews, treasurer, is hoping for a successful turnout for FLP billboards. The Run is benefiting FLP’s Fall Billboard Blitz. The 2025 Billboard Blitz will save lives and be someone’s second chance — a great reason to join in the fun. Armistead founded the 501(c)(3) non-profit in memory of her son, Feeney, whose death could have been avoided had 9-1-1 been called immediately. On April 13, 2022, Feeney went into cardiac

Why Purim is so Special to Hadassah

At the beginning of both the month of March and the Hebrew month of Adar, Hadassah members begin to think of Purim. Hadassah has always had a special connection to Purim, given that Hadassah was established at the time of Purim in 1912 and the fact that the organization took the name, Hadassah, from the heroine of the Purim story. Queen Esther’s Hebrew name is Hadassah.

The Book of Esther, which recounts how a Jewish woman named Esther, who became Queen of Persia, bravely revealed her Jewish identity to the king to

thwart a plot by the evil Haman to annihilate all the Jews, ultimately saving the Jewish people from destruction.

Terry Nordin, president of Hadassah Greater Atlanta, states, “I would also like to point out that there may be another strong woman in the Purim story. Queen Vashti also showed considerable courage in refusing to appear before King Achashverosh when he demanded that she appear at his banquet. Queen Vasti’s refusal shows us that it is OK to stand up against something you think is wrong!”

Young Hadassah Life members prepare for Purim. Children think Purim is a fun holiday with costumes, dancing, games and hamantaschen!!

arrest and, tragically, the friend he was with did not call 9-1-1. The Feeney Legacy Project educates kids and adults, ages 1345, that when with someone in medical crisis call 9-1-1 immediately and know the caller has legal protection provided by The Good Samaritan Law and the Georgia 9-1-1 Medical Amnesty Law.

Join the fun at Legacy Park or virtually from anywhere and know you are saving lives.

FeeneyLegacyProject.org will lead you to sign up!

Compiled by AJT Staff

Upon hearing the reading of the story of Esther, all listeners are encouraged to respond noisily to drown out the name of the evil Haman with our voices or noisemakers.

Simone Wilker, advocacy chair for Southeastern Region of Hadassah, suggests, “This action, of drowning out Haman’s name on Purim, is a reminder to all of us, of the importance of raising our voice to combat evil and bring about change.”

Compiled by AJT Staff

The second annual Feeney’s 5K Run is set for 9:30 a.m., April 13, at Decatur Legacy Park.

WHAT IGNITES YOUR CREATIVE SPARK?

and an array of

and clubs to

If the dance of life has a hub, this is it. Schedule a tour and find your spark at the center of everything.

THE PIEDMONT

OPINION

Another Seder, Another Empty Chair

Dave Schechter From Where I Sit

As I prepare the Haggadah for this year’s Seder — an annual cutand-paste project that covers the basics while introducing new pages and dropping others — I’m considering Passovers past.

The headline on my column a year ago read, “Leave an Empty Chair at Your Seder Table.” Below that was a sub-head that said: “Passover will not be a ‘chag sameach,’ a happy holiday, for the families of those killed on Oct. 7 and those still held hostage.”

Throughout that column was a count, from 1 to 198, then the number of days since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led terrorists attacked kibbutzim, towns, and a music festival in the “Gaza envelope” of southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and kidnapping 250.

“As you plan your Seder menu and seating arrangements, I want to make a suggestion. Set an extra place at the table and leave an empty chair,” I wrote.

The empty chair at our table was for Tal Shoham, a 39-year-old husband and father, kidnapped from his in-laws’ home at Kibbutz Be’eri, along with his wife, their two children, his mother-in-law, an aunt of his wife and her daughter. They are leaves on branches on the other side of my family tree. The women and children were released after 50 days, during an exchange of hostages for Palestinians jailed in Israel. They returned to learn that three family members were murdered on Oct. 7.

Tal, now 40 years old, will be at his family’s Seder table this year. He was released on Feb. 22, after 505 days in captivity.

As of this writing, 59 hostages remain in Gaza — 24 of whom are believed alive. When Passover begins at sunset on April 12, it will be day No. 554 for those still captive.

I would like to be optimistic about the prospects for their return, but I am not. In the absence of progress toward a negotiated ceasefire and a deal to free the hostages, Israel (with the tacit support of the White House) has resumed the war against Hamas in Gaza. At the same time, the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is gripped by turmoil over his attempts to remove the chief of the internal security service and the attorney general. Protests over these actions have merged with the ongoing demonstrations, most

notably in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, demanding that return of the hostages be the top priority.

Now think back five years to what made Seder in 2020 different from all other nights.

Passover began that year on April 8, just about a month after the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Jewish Atlanta, closing the doors at day schools, synagogues, and communal organizations, and bringing down the curtain on performances of “Indecent,” a play with Jewish themes, which had opened to positive reviews a week earlier at Theatrical Outfit in downtown Atlanta.

My first article in the AJT about COVID-19 — headlined, “Being Jewish in the Time of Coronavirus” — appeared March 11, followed within days by others. “The entire world — Jewish and otherwise — is turned upside down,” Rabbi Steve Lebow, then nearing retirement from Temple Kol Emeth, said at the time.

“Passover seders often are cherished family memories,” I wrote on March 23, 2020. “But this will be remembered as the year when a public health crisis prevented generations of family from gathering together; when those who did take seats did their best to keep a safe distance from others; when those who did not travel watched on a computer screen as the story of the exodus from Egypt was retold; when perhaps paper and plastic were favored over china, glass and metal; when communal plates of ritual foods were eschewed in favor of individual servings; and when the scramble to find the afikomen might have been a bit less rambunctious.”

In 2020, the Coronavirus was referred to as an 11th plague — added to the 10 that, as the story is told, were visited upon the Egyptians to persuade a recalcitrant pharaoh to release the Israelites from their servitude. Our table was immediate family only, with a few others present the next year. By Passover 2022, most of us had returned to in-person seders.

I have heard more than one person say that, with everything going on in the world, 2020 feels further in the past than just five years.

With Passover barely two weeks away, I repeat last year’s suggestion: Set an extra place at your Seder table with an empty chair — for the 59 remaining hostages and the families whose loved ones were murdered on Oct. 7 or died as hostages in Gaza. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a Haggadah to stitch together. ì

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.

Atlanta Teens Explore Their Heritage

By JD Krebs

Taylor Michel-Wolf is working on a scrapbook. The pictures lay strewn across the table, each one capturing a moment across four memorable months on The Weber School student’s semesterabroad program in Israel.

“I’m remembering things as I put out all the pictures, and looking at them at once, it’s amazing,” she said. “What kind of program and school lets you do so many incredible things?”

The institution Michel-Wolf refers to is the Alexander Muss High School in Israel (Muss), Jewish National Fund-USA’s college-prep, semester abroad experience. Blending traditionally accredited classroom studies with a unique experiential Israel studies curriculum that uses the land and people of Israel as a living classroom, Muss creates lasting connections between Jewish teens and their homeland while providing deep academic enrichment.

“The context of everything discussed during the semester was so well done,”

said Michel-Wolf. “It really helped with the experience and enhanced the learning, because you understood the culture and the history better.”

Isaac Katz, another Atlanta student, felt the same way.

“My experience was amazing,” he said. “I learned so much about Israel

and being able to actually visit what you learn is an amazing experience. It’s crazy, and I’m very thankful that I got that.”

High school junior Lauren Nelson

Muss students right before embarking on the storied Yam L’Yam hike.

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heard about Muss from, of all things, Instagram. “Mutual friends posted about their experiences, and it looked like they were having the time of their lives,” she said. “The combination of adventure, education, and connection to Israel was something I knew I had to experience for myself.”

When she did, it was everything she hoped it would be and more. “It was absolutely life-changing,” Nelson said. “There simply is no substitute for visiting and experiencing Israel. Beyond the amazing friendships and unforgettable adventures, Muss taught me to step out of my comfort zone and helped prepare me for independence in college.”

Known for its educational tiyulim (trips), Muss took students across the country, learning about Israel’s history as they traveled. The trips are diverse in nature, so each student’s favorite can differ.

“I really loved the Bar Kochba caves,” said Michel-Wolf. “We got to go army crawling through the tunnels. Eventually, we got to this room, turned off all of our flashlights, and we sang ‘Hatikvah.’ It was so inspiring, and so Jewish in the best way possible.”

“Tzfat was definitely one of the most memorable tiyulim,” said Nelson, who took an interest in the capital of Israeli mysticism. “I didn’t really understand much about Kabbalah before going, but seeing Tzfat put life into it. No other place in the world has such a mix of history, art, and spirituality combined. It is truly one of the strangest, yet most magical places I have ever been.”

Katz recalled a particularly memorable holiday in Jerusalem’s Old City. “We had Simchat Torah in Jerusalem, and we had the opportunity for a morning sunrise prayer,” he said. “A few kids and I went and got a chance to read from the Torah, which was an amazing experience.”

While Michel-Wolf spent some of her childhood in Israel and knew the cultural differences, the other students learned just as much from Israelis on the streets of Hod Hasharon as they did in the classroom.

“Israelis have this incredible hustle, drive, and directness that I came to admire,” said Nelson. “They live unapologetically with so much passion and purpose. It gave me a whole new perspective on what it means to live with intention and resilience.”

These experiences had a significant impact on the students’ Jewish identities, making them feel closer to their heritage and homeland.

“Before the semester, I didn’t really have a perspective or opinion about Juda ism; it was just a fact,” said Michel-Wolf. “But when I went to Muss, and I saw ev eryone doing services and engaging, it got me thinking about what I wanted my Judaism to look like, and the program re ally helped develop that.”

“Muss definitely impacted how I feel about my Israeli identity,” added Katz. “I know I want to go back.”

Now back in America, all three stu dents are singing the program’s praises to anyone who will listen to their Atlanta peers. “Absolutely, without question, I would recommend Muss to anyone,” said Nelson. “Muss is so much more than a trip; it’s an opportunity to grow, learn, and connect to yourself on a deeper level. You will come home with more confi dence, knowledge, and inspiration than anything at home could give you.”

And once you arrive?

“You’re in Israel,” said Katz. “Take advantage of that opportunity and have the best time possible.”

To learn more about Alexander Muss High School in Israel’s semester and summer programs, please visit amhsi.org. ì

Muss students in Jerusalem for Shabbat.

AJA Students Learn About Philanthropy & Tzedakah

Compiled by AJT Staff

A bar or bat mitzvah is more than just a milestone — it’s a pivotal moment when young Jewish teens take on responsibility for their faith, their community, and the world around them. At Atlanta Jewish Academy (AJA), parent volunteer Elena Frank wanted to make sure that her boys — and their classmates — don’t take their bar mitzvahs for granted and truly understand that becoming an adult comes with a responsibility to give back.

That’s why, with the help of fellow sixth-grade parent volunteers, Frank modified Yad B’Yad, a long-standing, volunteer-led initiative at AJA, to teach the students about tzedakah in a hands-on, meaningful way. The 36 sixth-grade families each contributed $150 to a collective Yad B’Yad fund, and through interactive learning, guest speakers, and thoughtful discussion, the students are now in the process of deciding how to allocate those collective funds to organizations that align with their values.

A key focus of the program is understanding tzedakah as a core Jewish value.

Students explored Maimonides’ (Rambam’s) Eight Levels of Tzedakah, which rank different ways of giving based on

how helpful and dignified they are for the recipient. This helped the students think critically about how to create long-

term, sustainable impact — not just immediate relief.

To deepen their understanding of

Atlanta Jewish Academy sixth graders prioritize their charitable values using M&Ms.

David Zalik, of the Zalik Foundation, spoke about launching his first business at 14, how his foundation developed its values, and how nonprofits are evaluated for funding.

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the philanthropic world, students had the opportunity to learn from top leaders in the field. Kaylin Berinhout, philanthropic officer at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, shared insights into the impact of giving and how foundations allocate funds. David Zalik, of the Zalik Foundation, spoke about launching his first business at age 14, how his foundation developed its values, and how nonprofits are evaluated for funding. Philanthropist Michele Hirsch and Vice President of Philanthropy Gabby Spatt from The Hirsch Legacy Fund, joined the conversation to share insights into their philanthropic decision-making process. They even provided the rubric they personally use, allowing the students to apply it in their own giving decisions.

These discussions helped the students realize that tzedakah isn’t just about giving money — it’s about thoughtful decision-making, values, and creating meaningful change.

To determine where their collective funds should go, students engaged in a structured decision-making process, learning to advocate for causes they care about. They identified 16 potential focus areas, including Ukraine, animal welfare, foster care, and the environment.

After thoughtful debate and consensusbuilding, including 30-second pitches to their peers, making a case for why their cause deserved support–they narrowed it down to these final areas: Israel, health, and homelessness.

As the sixth graders prepare to allocate their collective funds, AJA is looking for organizations doing great work in Israel around the areas of health and homelessness to present to the class. Ideally, school leaders would love to find an organization that supports both health and the unhoused in Israel. If you know of an organization that would be a good fit, please complete this form: https:// forms.gle/kuDxx2WuWdfhapuVA by April 6, 2025.

Through Yad B’Yad, AJA’s students aren’t just learning about giving — they’re becoming young changemakers and leaders in their community. By integrating Jewish values, real-world experiences, and collective decision-making, this program is ensuring that the next generation understands that giving is not just a responsibility — it’s an essential part of Jewish life.

Elana Frank, parent volunteer at Atlanta Jewish Academy, contributed to this report. ì

Philanthropist Michele Hirsch and the Vice President of Philanthropy, Gabby Spatt, from The Hirsch Legacy Fund, joined the conversation to share insights into their philanthropic decision-making process. They even provided the rubric they personally use, allowing the students to apply it in their own giving decisions.

Westminster Stars Feel the Beat

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Adam Koplan, director of performing arts at the Westminster School, noted that their band’s “percussionist section is one-third Jewish, three members out of nine, at a school that is five to six percent Jewish. So, I guess the Westminster Jews are feeling that groovy beat!”

Note also that Koplan’s daughter, Nina, is part of the 33 percent. Koplan himself was featured in the Atlanta Jewish Times “Chai Style Art” column on June 28, 2023, “Koplan is King of the Arts.”

Westminster star Eve Gordon is part of the band and has been the focus of publicity, making her solo debut with the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra where she will perform the third movement of “Concerto for Marimba and Orchestra” by Emmanuel Séjourné.

Percussion instruments produce sound through striking, shaking, or scraping rather than blowing or plucking. Percussion instruments are crucial for establishing rhythm, accents and texture. Imagine a full range of bells, rattles,

cymbals, xylophones, maracas and tambourines to the more traditional vibrating stretched membranes like drums.

Gordon started studying percus-

sion at age 8. After playing piano for several years, she came to percussion by chance passing time after school and in a friend’s band. At 9, Victor Pons, a noted

soloist and performer, became Gordon’s private instructor. He recognized her natural talent. Pons described Eve as “the most exceptional student musician

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Eve Gordon has been selected by the DeKalb Symphony Orchestra as the winner of their 2025 Concerto Competition.

Eve enjoys practicing the snare drums.

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I have encountered in many years of teaching at high school and university levels. She maintains impeccable rhythmic precision while remaining flexible enough to breathe with an ensemble, a rare combination in young performers.”

Gordon studied piano for five years alongside percussion with Judy Cole, recently retired member of the Kennesaw State University music faculty.  For the last three years, Gordon has focused exclusively on percussion. Between Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Westminster Band, and private instruction, Gordon estimates she spends around 15 hours per week on music. She participates in a dozen concerts during the school year, and more during summer.

Gordon related that, in addition to her ensemble playing, it’s especially fun for her to play modern percussion ensemble pieces, like Giovanni Sollima’s “Millenium Bug” (1999), because of the complex rhythms and intricate nonverbal communication that the players must master to perform successfully. In the future, Gordon would like to attend an academically challenging university with a strong music program and an excellent symphony orchestra. Currently, she is considering a double major in music and science. Gordon said that because she wants to be well-rounded, she has her sights set on universities rather than conservatories. She noted that even if she opts not to pursue music as a career, she is sure that music will be a lifelong pursuit.

Regarding the solo debut, Séjourné’s composition has become a staple of marimba concerto repertoire and is frequently performed worldwide. The piece includes virtuosic playing for the marimba with fast intricate passages and slower expressive ones.

Séjourné, a French composer and percussionist, is currently on the faculty at the Conservatoire de Strasbourg. Gordon said that when she posted the piano reduction of her performance of Séjourné’s concerto on YouTube, Gordon was surprised to receive comments from Séjourné, who praised her performance and was “not shy” about offering notes.

For the last four summers, Gordon has attended Interlochen Arts Camp. This summer, she will attend the six-week highly selective program at Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass. She anticipates the opportunities that Tanglewood offers because of its connection to the Boston Symphony Orchestra and outstanding faculty.

Westminster’s band director, Dr. McKinley Stinson, percussionist and musician, is Gordon’s percussion teacher. He remarked, “Although Eve’s talent is quickly recognizable, her tenacity, courage, and willingness to embrace challenges garner great respect from peers, musicians, and educators … we can always count on Eve to bring her best each time. We’re grateful to be a small part of her musical journey.”

Nina Koplan, classmate, said, “It’s an honor to get to play with Eve. She’s incredibly talented; and I’m so glad I got to know her through band.”

Mom, Rachel Lipson, noted, “Eve’s roots with Judaism have always been intertwined with music. Since her bat mitzvah was during COVID, we ended up having an outdoor service at the Dunwoody Nature Center, followed by a jazz luncheon -much more Eve’s style than an evening party!” ì

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Emory Jewish Med Students Host Mentorship Dinner

Compiled by AJT Staff

On Feb. 23, the Jewish Medical Student Association (JMSA) of Emory University hosted its second annual “JMed” mentorship dinner at Emory Chabad, bringing together nearly 40 medical students and physicians from all stages of training. The evening was filled with meaningful conversations, professional networking, and a strong sense of community, reinforcing the importance of mentorship in the medical field.

The JMed mentorship program was established last year in the wake of the tragic events of Oct. 7, 2023, when many Jewish students and physicians found themselves feeling isolated and in need of support. Recognizing this gap, JMSA launched the initiative to foster a sense of solidarity and provide Jewish medical students with guidance from experienced physicians in their fields of interest. Since its inception, the program has successfully matched over two dozen Jewish medical students with physicians, helping them navigate their careers while also strengthening their cultural connections.

One of the most inspiring aspects of the program has been its ability to extend beyond professional mentorship. Students have found new avenues for research, career guidance, and even social engagement through their mentors. Some shared stories of going to the surgery director’s home for lunch after their

final exam in the surgery course, while others spoke about being welcomed into a local pediatrician’s home for Shabbat dinners. These experiences have not only enriched students’ academic and profes-

sional journeys but have also deepened their sense of community.

One student recounted how their mentor helped them discover a research opportunity in a specialty they had not

previously considered, while another was introduced to a new elective course through their mentor’s guidance. These connections have proven invaluable in providing students with a clearer direc-

(From left) Dr. Daniel Dressler, MD, Chelsea Deitelzweig class of 2027, Natalie David class of 2026, Joseph Abergel class of 2028

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tion for their medical training and career paths. President of JMSA, first-year medical student Joseph Abergel reflected, “The event reinforced how collaborative and supportive the Jewish medical community is with each other … everyone is invested in each other’s success.”

Beyond individual mentorship, the JMed program has also played a crucial role in fostering a broader sense of solidarity among Jewish medical students. In a field that can often feel isolating, especially for those from underrepresented backgrounds, the opportunity to engage with mentors who share similar cultural and religious experiences has provided students with a unique source of support and encouragement.

Community is more important than ever, especially in light of the rise of antisemitism, particularly on college campuses. Both students and physicians alike have been struggling with this hatred, and focusing on the light and love of their peers has been helpful. The JMed program has served as a reminder of the strength found in unity and the importance of uplifting one another in the face of adversity. Dr. David Greenky, MD, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, noted, “It’s great to be part of this group

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athletic and artistic opportunities in the

which brings together Jewish students and faculty during challenging times for Jews on campus and in general.”

As JMSA looks to the future, the success of this year’s dinner reinforces the importance of continuing to grow and strengthen the JMed program. Plans are already underway to expand mentorship opportunities, increase community engagement, and create additional professional development events for Jewish medical students at Emory.

This year’s mentorship dinner was a testament to the program’s impact. Students and physicians gathered to discuss, not only medical careers, but also the shared experiences of being Jewish in the field of medicine. The second annual JMed mentorship dinner was more than just a networking event — it was a celebration of community, resilience, and the power of mentorship. Through initiatives like these, the Jewish Medical Student Association is ensuring that Jewish medical students have the support and guidance they need to thrive in both their professional and personal lives.

Natalie David, Joseph Abergel, Jake Rubin, Evan Mustin, David Kulp, Chelsea Deitelzweig, Daniella Farchi, and Mendy Leibowitz contributed to this report. ì

(From left) Dr. David Greenky, MD, Dr. Joshua Winer, MD, David Kulp class of 2026

What’s New for 2025 at Day Camps?

Compiled by AJT Staff

It’s never too early to start planning for summer vacation, especially when those plans involve summer camps. Below you’ll find a compilation of updates from your favorite summer day camps. From upgraded facilities to expanded staff resources for mental health, this is shaping up to be a summer to remember!

Atlanta Ballet

Summer is the ideal time to introduce your child to the world of dance through Atlanta Ballet’s Summer Dance Programs. We offer a variety of programs designed for all ages and skill levels. We provide both week-long and multi-week options from June through July at two convenient studio locations in Buckhead and Virginia-Highland, no audition is necessary.

For little ones, ages 2 to 6, our Summer Creative Movement classes are ideal. Over seven weeks, these 45-minute classes help develop rhythm, flexibility, coordination, and confidence in a fun and safe environment.

Children ages 5 to 7 can join Dance for Joy, where they’ll dive into various dance genres like ballet, tap and jazz while engaging in creative arts and crafts activities, all set within captivating story ballet themes.

Our Young Dancer Summer Experience caters to students ages 8 to 10 with a week-long program focused on establishing a strong foundation in classical ballet technique. In addition to ballet, students explore genres such as hip-hop, jazz, tap, and participate in stretching and strengthening exercises. Multi-week options are available, including the chance to perform at the end of the program.

For those ages 10 to 17, the Summer Junior Intensive is a week-long opportunity that enhances strength and technique for advanced training. Dancers will experience focused daily ballet technique classes, stretching and strengthening classes, along with genres such as musical theater, hip-hop, jazz, modern, tap, contemporary and even dance history. Multi-week options are also offered, culminating in an end-ofprogram performance. Visit centre.atlantaballet.com/summer-programs for more information and to book your spot.

Atlanta International School

Welcome to another great year of Atlanta International School Summer Camps! We are excited to offer an enriching summer full of fun, friendships, and adventures for students from Grades 3-10 at our Sandy Springs Campus. Campers can participate in a range of around 90 camps such as Athletics, Design, Robotics, and many more unique options - like Engineering Camp, Costume Design, and Model UN.

Exciting offerings for 2025 include: expanded Language Camps; Filmmaking Camps; Chess Camp; Bulls & Bears Investment Camp; Improv and Cosplay Camps; Digital Creators Academy; and Art Meets Science Camp.

The summer programs run from June 9 to July 18. Transport options are available between the two campuses. If you are a new AIS camp family, we use School Care Works as our summer camp management system which will be used for camp registration. If you are a returning family, please use your login information to access School Care Works to register for Summer 2025 camps. For more details, visit AIS Summer Camps.

Camp Galloway

Camp Galloway offers an exciting summer experience for our rising pre-K 3 through Grade 4 campers, filled with adventure, creativity, and plenty of fun — including lots of water play! This year’s camp themes include Animal Safari, Galloway Spy Kids, Adventures on the High Seas: Pirates & Mermaids, Internal Adventures, World of Colors: Farm Fun, and Waterworks. Each theme is thoughtfully designed and led by Galloway teachers; Galloway alumni and Middle Learning students work alongside the teachers as camp counselors and counselors-in-training. This summer, campers will enjoy a field trip each week, carefully selected to complement the week’s theme.

For middle schoolers, the Middle Learning Summer Institute (MLSI) offers a mix of full-day and half-day camps, allowing rising fifth through eighth graders to explore multiple interests throughout the day. New offerings this year include social media video creation, technology time travel, crocheting and knitting, robotics, fashion design, and sports management. Many of these camps are designed and led by Galloway teachers, while others are taught by esteemed partners such as Code REV and Spark Business Academy. Additionally, we offer specialty camps like Staycation and Selfie Bus Treks, Minecraft, and a two-week Summer Showtime Camp led by our drama instructors.

For high school students, the Upper Learning Summer Institute (ULSI) features specialized math camps designed to sharpen and strengthen key skills for high school coursework.

Explore all our summer offerings at gallowayschool.org/summer.

Camp Gan Israel North Fulton

For 2025, Camp Gan Izzy is introducing several new and engaging activities that will keep kids active, creative, and inspired. Our popular sports activities are being enhanced with new games and challenges designed to encourage teamwork, skillbuilding, and fun. Kids will have the chance to try new sports alongside traditional favorites like soccer and basketball.

In addition, we’ve added themed craft workshops where children can explore different artistic styles, from painting to woodwork. These sessions will let their creativity shine as they produce unique, handmade projects that they can take home.

Our famous and fun field trips will take the children to new and exciting destinations where they will get to spend the day having fun in ways they don’t usually get to.

Each week at camp, we will have a new theme that will shape the camp’s adventures! The crafts, activities and learning sessions will all surround a Jewish value or theme that will tie into everything they do and will make each week feel like a brandnew adventure.

With a low counselor-to-camper ratio, your child will receive the attention and guidance they deserve, making this summer truly special.

From exciting new activities to improved facilities and unique weekly themes, there’s so much to look forward to at Camp Gan Israel this summer. Don’t miss out— sign up today for an unforgettable adventure! For more information, call 770-4109000 or go to cginf.com.

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Camp H2O

Dive into an exciting new summer of wonder with Georgia Aquarium’s Camp H2O! From unique opportunities to speak with experts at Georgia Aquarium to engaging experiments, demonstrations, games and activities, Camp H2O is sure to make a splash with your camper! Campers will explore all of the Aquarium’s galleries, including the newest addition: Explorers Cove, a marsh-themed wetland gallery complete with two separate touch pools.

During the month of June, we will once again offer our STEAM-focused camps full of exciting hands-on activities for your budding scientist. In July, we will offer three brand-new camp themes, On Ocean Time, Myth-Busters, and Ocean Odyssey. On Ocean Time, for our 5–7-year age group, focuses on how animals are impacted by seasons, weather, and time, from sea turtle migrations to nocturnal animals and speedy sharks. Our 8-10-year age group campers are invited to explore the myths inspired by our oceans. From sea serpents and mermaids to the alien-like creatures found in our deep oceans, come break through the mystery and learn about what’s really in our oceans in Myth-Busters! For our 11-13-year age group, Ocean Odyssey dives into the stories of our oceans as we learn from the past and invent for the future, discovering the secrets of our planet’s most mysterious frontier. Every day at Georgia Aquarium offers something new and unique, so dive into summer camp at Camp H2O and register today!

Camp Invention

Camp Invention is coming back to Atlanta with an all-new program, Discover! In partnership with the National Inventors Hall of Fame, Atlanta is excited to offer the nationally acclaimed Camp Invention program once again to children entering kindergarten through sixth grade. Children who join this inspiring, weeklong summer experience will engage in open-ended, handson exploration of science, technology, engineering and more! Taking on a variety of exhilarating activities each day, campers have fun collaborat ing with friends, thinking creatively and inventing their own solutions to real-world challenges.

The all-new 2025 program will spark the imagination of both new and returning campers with an adventure full of inspiration, innovation and unforgettable discover ies!  This year’s exciting new program inspires curiosity and helps kids build essential STEM skills through collaboration with friends and one-of-a-kind creative problemsolving experiences. This year’s program will have campers creating a customized claw machine with an arcade-style claw, embarking on an eco-expedition with penguin launch, and assembling a custom control panel complete with transmitter and receiver. Early registration discounts are available! Register using MYCAMP25 to save $25 off the registration fee. Availability is limited, so visit invent.org/local or call 800968-4332 to secure your child’s spot today! Payment plans are available.

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Critter Camp

Critter Camp is back for its 11th year, and we’re thrilled to invite kids aged 6-14 to a summer of wild adventures and hands-on learning about reptiles and amphibians! This year, our camp is packed with engaging activities designed to bring the fascinating world of critters to life.

At Critter Camp, you’ll get up close with our friendly critter ambassadors during our animal handling sessions, where you’ll learn how to safely interact with a variety of reptiles and amphibians. You’ll also enjoy animal care and observation time, where you’ll care for our classroom animals by feeding them and learning what keeps them happy and healthy all while making keen observations about their behaviors and natural adaptations. Our animal lessons offer a deep dive into (most of) the major groups of reptiles and amphibians: the salamanders, frogs, turtles, lizards, and snakes. You’ll discover what

makes each group unique, explore their life cycles, habitats, reproduction methods, and defense strategies, and marvel at their incredible diversity.

Every day at camp features a new activity that takes you into the world of reptiles and amphibians, whether you’re discovering why amphibian skin is so unique, experiencing the challenges of being a turtle, or learning how keystone species hold entire ecosystems together.

And don’t forget Creek Time – everyone’s favorite part of the day! Here, you’ll put your new knowledge to work by exploring our creeks and woods, flipping logs and rocks, and even cooling off in the water. You’ll learn safe techniques to search for critters and how to recognize native species in their natural habitats. Join us this summer at Critter Camp for an unforgettable experience that combines fun, hands-on education, and a whole lot of wild wonder. We can’t wait to see you there!

Epstein Summer Camp

As summer approaches, ESA Camp (open to 2-year-olds to rising sixth graders) is gearing up for another incredible season filled with creativity, learning, and adventure. Running for four weeks in June in Sandy Springs, this beloved camp offers something for everyone, from budding artists to young athletes, future scientists to aspiring performers. This year, ESA Camp is introducing exciting new programs while bringing back returning favorites that keep campers coming back year after year.

One of the most anticipated additions for 2025 is Chess and Strategy Games with Shavi Bash Chess. Designed for both beginners and experienced players, this program teaches critical thinking and problem-solving skills through engaging lessons, tournaments, and fun strategy games.

For rising kindergarteners, ESA’s READY SET K program has been reimagined, providing an even better transition into school. This play-based learning experience now includes an optional ESA Jr. extended afternoon, allowing campers to continue the fun with enrichment activities beyond the morning session.

Other offerings include: Ukulele Camp; Lights! Camera! Action! Kids TV Movie Camp; Circus and Aerial Camps; Art Camp; Science Camp; Spy Camp; and Cooking Camp.

Also making a return is Challenge Island, an exciting STEM-based adventure where kids work in teams to solve creative engineering and problem-solving challenges inspired by real-world scenarios. With teamwork, innovation, and hands-on fun, Challenge Island continues to be a camp favorite!

Families interested in signing up are encouraged to register soon, as spots fill quickly. For more information and to register, visit www.esacamp.org. Don’t miss out on the chance to make this summer the best one yet.

Forefront Arts Theatre Camps & Shows

Calling all budding performers and kids and teens who love the spotlight! Oneweek Theatre and Creative Camps including Moana 2, Lion King, Defying Gravity (Mean Girls), Beetlejuice, Descendants, Harry Potter, Spy Camp, Taylor Swift, Percy Jackson, Improv, Bluey, and more!

Teens will love the Beetlejuice advanced camp, or our Counselors In-Training and Assistant Director leadership programs! Each week culminates in a big Friday performance! June through August. 13+ locations. Half-Day and Full-Day options for ages 3-16. Extended care available 8 am to 5:30 pm.

What’s New at Forefront this summer: Preschool Half-Day Creative Dramatics Camps for Early Learners, Musical Theatre camps, Top Secret! Spy Camp, CIT (Counselor in Training) Youth Leadership Program, Assistant Director Internship Program and more.

Save $30 with special code: AJTApril (expires 4/30/25)

Need some concierge assistance with planning your summer schedule? Send any and all questions to Summer@ForefrontArts.com and we’ll help you out! For more info, please visit www.ForefrontArts.com | 770-864-3316

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High Meadows

What’s new at Camp High Meadows?

• New Animals in the Barnyard – Mint and Maple

Mint and Maple are the newest additions to our barnyard! They are Katahdin lambs who moved on campus in January 2025. Mint was six weeks old when we ad opted him, and Maple was five weeks old.

• The Guild (for rising fifth through ninth graders)

Campers experience and learn about the lore and lifestyles of people during the Middle Ages and early Renaissance. Activities may include Medieval cooking, armor, heraldry, weapons, crafts, and traditional skills.

• Odyssey (for rising fifth through ninth graders)

Campers participate in fun team building activities and challenges that test their mental, physical, and social strengths and improve their ability to communicate, co operate, engage, and problem solve.

In the City Camps

At In the City Camps (ITC), we believe summer should be more than just fun—it should be an opportunity for children to grow, explore, and belong in a safe, supportive, and joyful Jewish community. Every year, we introduce exciting new experiences to enhance our programs, and ITC Camp 2025 is shaping up to be our best summer yet!

• Expanded Choice-Based Activities

One of the hallmarks of ITC is our choice-based model, which allows campers to customize their day by selecting from over 20 different activities. This year, we’re adding even more options to encourage creativity, independence, and skill-building: STEM Explorers; Creative Arts & Expression; Sports & Fitness Training; and Cooking & Culinary Arts.

• Leadership & Growth Opportunities

For our older campers, we’ve redesigned our Tween Academy (rising sixth to eighth grade) and CIT Leadership Program (rising ninth grade) to provide deeper leadership experiences.

Skill-building workshops in teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. Mentorship opportunities, where CITs assist younger campers and gain hands-on leadership experience.

Volunteer hours for real-world skill development.

• Exciting Weekly Theme Days & Events

Every week, campers can look forward to new surprises, epic challenges, and exciting theme days that make ITC one of a kind: Maccabiah Games (Color War); Water Wars & Splash Days; Superhero & Fantasy Adventure Day; and enhanced Shabbat celebrations.

Registration is now open! With new specialty tracks, leadership opportunities, and expanded activities, ITC Camp 2025 is shaping up to be our most exciting season yet!

Camp Dates: June 16 – July 25, 2025 | Location: Atlanta Jewish Academy, 5200 Northland Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA. Register now – secure your child’s spot today! Join us for a summer of friendships, fun, and Jewish values—we can’t wait to welcome your camper!

CAMP DATES: JUNE 3–27, 2025

Adventure Camp (K–6th)

• Circus, Aerial, Challenge Island, Sports, Cheer, STEAM, Cooking, Art, Drama, Ready.Set.K, & More!

Preschool Camp (2s–PK: must be two by June 1)

• Weekly Themes and Special Visits (including Puppet Show and Horses!)

Registration now open at epsteinatlanta.org/esa

For more information esa@epsteinatlanta.org

CAMP

Camp Kingfisher

Camp Kingfisher at Chattahoochee Nature Center is excited to showcase its Leadership in Training (LIT) program—a dynamic, month-long leadership development experience for rising 10th and 11th-grade students. With two sessions available (June and July), this program is designed for teens who are passionate about working with kids, developing real-world leadership skills, and building lifelong connections.

Acceptance into the LIT program is selective, with an application process that includes gathering references and completing an interview. The program focuses on building confidence, fostering teamwork, and preparing participants to take on leadership roles. Participants also gain approximately 150 volunteer hours—an impressive addition to college applications.

The LIT program consists of three core components: canoeing assistance; leadership development, and hands-on group experience.

Do you know a teen who loves the outdoors, enjoys working with children, or is eager to strengthen their leadership skills? Explore the LIT program at Camp Kingfisher High School Leadership Training in Roswell, GA, at Chattahoochee Nature Center, and help them take the next step on their leadership journey!

Morah Carol’s Place

Morah Carol’s Place is expanding and adding more classrooms. Summer camp runs from June 4 to Aug. 1 for infants six weeks through upcoming first graders.

Our hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. Weekly options are available. Check out our website at morahcarolsplace. com and then call 470-659-5484 to schedule a tour.

Museum of Design Atlanta

This summer, MODA is giving kids and teens across Atlanta the opportunity to become citizen designers — problem-solvers who use creativity to make the world a better place. Through its immersive Design Camp, held at Georgia Tech, the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) is equipping young minds with the tools to shape their communities.

Campers ages 6 to 18 will tackle hands-on projects that encourage innovation and teamwork. Whether they’re building with LEGO, imagining futuristic cities, or transforming Atlanta’s neighborhoods, participants will gain real-world design skills in a fun and collaborative environment.

New for this year, MODA is introducing two Art Adventure Camps for ages 6–9, exploring how public art enhances communities. These camps will encourage young learners to think like designers by experimenting with color, shape, and space to create artworks that reflect the places they live.

With spots filling quickly, families interested in fostering their child’s creativity and problem-solving skills can learn more and register at museumofdesign.org/ designcamp.

CAMP

MJCCA Day Camps

Summer is a magical experience at MJCCA Day Camps with each action-packed day bringing camp ers the opportunity to try new activities, make lifelong friends, and have the best summer ever. Where else can campers spend the day splashing in three pools, sailing down a zip line, tackling a climbing wall, din king on the pickleball court, dancing and singing to their favorite songs, excelling on the sports fields, and so much more?

Camp Isidore Alterman is all exciting outdoor ad ventures. Campers swim daily in our three pools, take aim on the archery range, climb to the top of the rock wall, fly on the exhilarating high-ropes course, and canoe on our lake or zip line across it.

At MJCCA Performing Arts Camps, it’s lights, camera, action. In The Lynne & Howard Halpern Drama Camp, campers experience acting, movement, music, and choreography while rehearsing for a major musical production. New for summer 2025, MJCCA Day Camps partnered with The Weber School, offering Drama Camp and Set & Lighting Design Camp at their Tzadik Performing Arts Center. In Theme Camps, campers embark on adventures of every imaginable interest; Sherry and Harry Maziar Sports Camps offer campers athletic adventures to develop skills, practice sportsmanship, and form team bonds; and Barbara & Sanford Orkin Teen Camps engage the older campers with improv, kitchen sabotage, fashion design, and more travel camps than ever before to enable teens to have fun while continuing to create friendships and memories.

Committed to raising the next generation of Jewish leaders, rising ninth graders can experience our hands-on Staff-In-Training program. At MJCCA Day Camps, mornings start with Boker Tov, weeks conclude with Shabbat celebrations, and Jewish values are woven into each day. MJCCA Day Camps is where special moments become meaningful memories. Register now at mjccadaycamps.org.

For camp scholarships, "Camp Billi Marcus has a resoundingly positive impact on its campers. Every year, nearly 100 children participate in our impressive creative and nurturing programming. I’ve witnessed families in our community who are essential workers who are only able to return to work because we are providing this critical in-person childcare. I am proud to be associated with a camp bearing the name of Billi Marcus."

As a comprehensive dental office that goes above and beyond our specialty in Cosmetic Dentistry, our patients believe Dr. David Mastro is the right choice for all your family dentistry needs!

When

it comes

to your smile and oral health,

Dr. Mastro has a proven 30 year track record of providing quality cosmetic and family dental care for families in our local community and around the world.

Implants and same-day, multiple unit crowns, veneers and bridges are available!

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CAMP

Peach Pit Camp

What’s new at The Peach Pit Camp this year?

• New studio opening in Brookhaven (2697 Apple Valley Road NE) offering camps all summer long in a brand new, state-of-the-art facility

• For families traveling this summer, our St. Simons Island location is offering camps and competitive training services for athletes that need to get training hours in while on vacation. These services are open to any competitive athlete, they do not have to be an athlete at The Peach Pit.

• All of our Atlanta locations are offering gymnastics camps all summer long and we are doing it bigger and better than ever! Rotations through all gymnastics events (bars, beam, floor, vault, and trampoline), games and group activities, arts and crafts, outside play time, dance class, and specialty vendors for full day campers.

• Our Collier Road location is also offering cheer and ninja camps this year! These specialty camps will target specific skill development cheer camps include stunts, dance, jumps, tumbling, and teamwork lessons and the week will end with a routine performance! Ninja camps target strength, speed, stillness, and stealth as they work through various obstacle courses. Learn to flip out with The Peach Pit!

The Best STEM Camps!

Temple Sinai

Are you ready to spend the summer at Sinai? We will have eight fun-filled weeks for your young camper to splash through summer, soak up the sun, and discover a love of play and adventure! Temple Sinai Preschool offers a variety of programs for campers that are eight weeks - rising kindergarteners to fit your family’s schedule and the flexibility to choose the weeks that work for your summer plans. Visit templesinaipreschool.org for more information!

The Walker School

The Walker School summer programs, located two miles from Marietta Square in Cobb County, are like no other camps in the Atlanta area! With almost 80 camp offerings throughout June and July, Walker plays host to a wide range of opportunities for children in our community to try new things, visit new places and make new friends!

The Primary School All-Day Camp for students in pre-K(3)-kindergarten has weekly themes, such as Ocean Adventures and Space Is the Place. We also have visitors from the Petting Zoo and Puppet Show.

For students in grades 1-5, we offer a myriad of experiences both on campus and off, starting with our half- and all-day Summer Explorers camp, which travels off campus every day to local entertainment spots loved by the children. New camps this year include two Taylor Swift camps, Future Stars Singing Camp, Rainforest Camp and Mrs. Carter’s Book Club. You can also select from our all-time favorites like Fun ’N Games Camp, one of our Wolverines Sports Camps, Kid Cuisine, Robotics with Legos or Tech It Up!

For rising middle schoolers in grades 6-8, grab your rod and join us for Fishing at the Farm, or select one of our Wolverines Sports Camps, led by our varsity coaching staff, including basketball, soccer, lacrosse, cross country, softball or football. Or perfect your card game with Crazy for Cards or your kitchen skills with Baking Bonanza. We offer families the opportunity to select one camp for the morning session and a different themed camp for the afternoon to achieve a fun, full-day experience!

Early Bird/After Care Experience: We offer extended camp times that run from 7:30 a.m. until camp starts at 9 a.m. and then again after camp from 4 to 6 p.m.

All of The Walker School summer programs camps are available for all children, not just Walker students. We invite you to visit The Walker School and experience for yourselves what makes our community so unique and special. We look forward to having you this summer! Please visit our website (www.thewalkerschool.org/summer) to register or email Walker Summer Programs (summerprograms@thewalkerschool.org).

We

ARTS & CULTURE

‘Defending Destiny’ Delves into History of Antisemitism

By Cheryl Dorchinsky

Unpacking thousands of years of antisemitism into a compelling and accessible narrative is no easy feat, yet James Demmin-De Lise accomplishes this with remarkable skill in his thought-provoking book, “Defending Destiny.”

In an abridged format of less than 250 pages, Demmin-De Lise deftly navigates the complex landscape of this insidious hatred, touching on all its major components with clarity and insight.

Published by Emet Editions, “Defending Destiny” takes readers on an enlightening journey from Biblical times to the present day. Demmin-De Lise examines the multifaceted nature of antisemitism — exploring its religious, racial, and political dimensions. He delves into the historical realities faced by Jews, beginning with their earliest exile from the land of Israel, and addresses the implications of land ownership on contemporary Israeli affairs.

The author skillfully guides us through the ages, from ancient Biblical

James Demmin-De Lise’s new book, “Defending Destiny,” covers the history of antisemitism, from Biblical times to the present day.

leaders to the lesser-known figures now relegated to history books. He pays homage to the resilience of the Jewish people who have endured countless hardships across millennia and continents. Demmin-De Lise emphasizes the vital role of

“Defending Destiny,” by James Demmin-De Lise examines the historical roots of antisemitism and frames it in a modern context.

the modern state of Israel in ensuring their survival and continuity.

Demmin-De Lise boldly confronts sensitive topics of our time, including the troubling trend of antisemitism masquerading as anti-Zionism. He explores the internal struggles within the Jewish community, such as the dynamics between Ashkenazi and Sephardic backgrounds, and how these issues shape current realities. In addition to addressing major historical events like the Holocaust, he offers intriguing insights into seemingly minor topics, such as his preference for the spelling of “antisemitism” over “anti-Semitism,” and its significance.

The organization of the book is both thoughtful and insightful, breaking down complex subjects into manageable sections. One standout example is his examination of human rights activist

Natan Sharansky’s “3D Test,” which provides a framework for understanding the nuances of antisemitism. Demmin-De Lise succinctly addresses ancient stereotypes that persist today, tracing their origins and the motivations behind them, including the infamous blood libels and the myth of the Wandering Jew.

For readers already knowledgeable about antisemitism, “Defending Destiny” is a valuable addition to the library. For those new to the topic, it serves as an excellent introduction to this challenging yet critically important subject. DemminDe Lise has crafted a powerful narrative that not only educates but also inspires reflection on the enduring impact of antisemitism in today’s world today. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in this essential work!

For more information, please visit DefendingDestiny.com. ì

Chai Style Home

Artist Duo in Sunny Yellow

One of Jerry Gardner and Adonis Ampatzis’ favorite pastimes is watching performances in Athens at The Herodion, one of the most ancient theaters in the world. Decorating and owning houses internationally, retired dentist Gardner said, “We prefer our summers warm and our winters warmer,” as their manses have been featured in Town and Country, Architectural Digest, and Conde Nast, which awarded their pool as one of the five sexiest pools in the world.

When not in Mykonos, Jerry and Adonis chill in their Midtown condo with skyscrapers on one side and a lemon-yellow extravaganza inside. As if collecting and decorating aren’t enough, both men are artists. And it’s nothing but spiritual to pair a Jewish kid from Walterboro, S.C., with a man from Crete whose family was in the underground resistance.

Jerry explained, “During the ’96 Olympics, I took a 21-day vacation at age 40, starting in Israel and ending in Myko-

nos where I met Adonis. The start of a new decade and the start of living my life in color! My pickup line was, “Doooooo youuuuu speakkkk Englisssss?”

Enter their world of “his/him” in colorful icons.

Marcia: Describe your Midtown condo.

Jerry: It took us five to six months to renovate. We mainly reconfigured the Master closet and added French doors. We resanded, repaneled and repitched so everything would be on one level in a straight line. Our Atlanta home is colorful and comfortable, playful and energetic! Shag white carpet, colors and casual chic feel. Our most unusual item is a collection of religious icons from the beginning of last century made out of tin.

Adonis: Our treasures range from Bali to India and the Paris Flea Market. We like things that pop, like the Beetle diptych in the foyer. It took five minutes for us to decide to buy them. We have Jerry’s grandmother’s burl walnut buffet by his “Life Flight” with an angel flying towards heaven.

Jerry: My brother, Alan, a fine photographer, gave us this 5’ x 5’ mega photo of an abandoned subway station by Central Park as the focal point in the dining

room. We have an Erte sculpture in contrast to a very unique piece, “The Nest,” by local artist Annette Josephs. A slice of cultures are the pillows on the couch from Bali, the Jim Thompson House in Bangkock, India, Greece, Tunisia.

Marcia: How do your two artistic styles differ?

Jerry: I’m self-taught and had a gallery show in Greece thanks to Adonis secretly submitting my work to the Mykonos Cultural Committee. While my art is more spiritual, Adonis’ is figurative. He’s had gallery showings in Atlanta, Mykonos, Las Vegas, New York, and San Francisco. We enjoy minimalism and maximalism, brutalism and any style according to location and project. We never have a problem with coming up with unique ideas. My style is influenced by the Woodstock Era where Adonis is informed by classic Greek artists and Latin America painters.

Adonis: My mixed media compositions are very complex. The one in the bedroom is shellac over paper, with mirrors for the eyes with a Greek dictionary as base. Then, 200 nails drenched into “I Nailed It” with subtext of finding it hard to be accepted as gay. On others, I use plywood or even lead. I only create about 10

a year that start at $5,000.

Marcia: How does your real estate work?

Jerry: Fifteen years ago, we started investing and developing our own projects from scratch or renovating older ones, designing and decorating. We either sell or rent short-term in tourist areas or long-term in bigger cities and tourist spots. We expanded to Athens and Phuket. Each place has a mezuzah and is decorated uniquely to its location.

Adonis: When we wake up, we can get confused since every three months we are in a different place.

Marcia: You have very different backgrounds.

Jerry: My father’s parents came from Latvia to escape the Russian Army. My mother’s family came from Warsaw. It took 15 years to get the family of nine children to the U.S. via Ellis Island and settled in South Carolina. My grandfather moved to Walterboro, S.C., between Charleston and Savannah, to start his general store. The best experience I ever received was working at his clothing store at age 8. This gave me the confidence to meet strangers, understand customer service, and an understanding of

Marcia Caller Jaffe

Jerry and Adonis relax amid their collection of international pillows. Skyscrapers provide the background view south // All photos by Howard Mendel

money for my dental practice. I graduated public school as valedictorian, and then Tulane. I took classes in Guatemala and became fluent in Spanish, now speak Greek and Thai. After Emory Dental School, I saw HIV patients while others declined. I was named, “Dentist of the Stars,’’ and mentioned on the 96.6 radio morning show, as “Doc G.” Also, I was the dental expert for CNN’s, “Movie and a Makeover,’’ which is still on YouTube.

Adonis: I was born in Rethymno, Crete, and studied economics and sociology at the University of Athens. I started as a banker in Mykonos and became a local celeb quickly by running Pierro’s Upstairs, the “Studio 54’’ of Europe.

Marcia: Bottom Line.

Jerry: We had two official weddings -- 1996 and 2016 -- in our small synagogue, where my grandfather was a founding father, with 13 people on Valentines Day. Then, Adonis wanted his Fat Greek Wedding with 250 in Mykonos with DJ’s, crazy entertainers, lots of food and love. The best of both worlds, exactly like our life. Fairy tales do come true.

Adonis: Yes, our life is looking through rosecolored glasses … at the yellow, a color of passion and happiness. ì

Above: The couple chose a happy, intense, and passionate yellow for the main living area.

Right: This setting in the foyer has three works by Ampatzis: (left) “Inner Space,” “Bird in Hand,” recalling nature, and “A Queen with No King.”

Below: The primary bedroom: (far right) “Cutting the Ties That Bind You,” by Adonis. The lamps are from the Paris Flea Market.

Above: The dining room focus is a museum quality photograph of a New York City subway station taken by Dr. Alan Gardner. Jerry’s mother gave it to the couple as a gift.

Below: Retired dentist Gardner stands in front of this own work … in the spiritual realm and conscious of the passing of time as, “Life Flight.”

Left: This Beetles diptych is a startling close look at nature.

CALENDAR

Daily Until April

13

2nd Annual Feeney’s 5K Fun Run and Virtual Fun Run - The Feeney Legacy Project is hosting the 2nd Annual Feeney’s 5K Fun Run. Register at https://tinyurl. com/yt2fd79a.

Tuesday, April 1

Pesach Trivia and Tasting! – 6 to 8 p.m. Get ready for Pesach with an evening of learning, fun Pesach trivia, fine wine, and awesome company! Join Rabbi Schusterman for an interactive Passover class and …. Who’s ready for an epic night of trivia all about our Exodus from Egypt? Get ready to test your knowledge and have a blast with friends! Light dinner & refreshments will keep you energized! RSVP at https:// tinyurl.com/jn5dsffx.

Wednesday, April 2

Spring Impact Forum – 12 to 1:30 p.m. JWFA’s Spring Impact Forum luncheon features a keynote speaker and the latest updates on JWFA grantees. This program is open to all JWFA trustees, Associatelevel donors and members of the current ACT cohort. Learn more at https://tinyurl. com/4ym9vs2x.

Young Professionals Happy Hour – 6 to 7:30 p.m. Join us for a fun evening of networking, learning about JF&CS, and getting involved in your community! Connect with fellow young professionals, hear firsthand stories from JF&CS YP volunteers, and discover the exciting volunteer opportunities available! Whether you’re looking to give back or expand your network, this is a great chance to make a difference. Plus, get the inside scoop on the Havinagala Committee for 2026 and how you can get involved! Register at https:// tinyurl.com/799nye2u.

Rosh Chodesh TACHLES - 8 to 9 p.m. Gvanim alumni? You are at the heart of our community activity and philanthropy. To support you in these endeavors, IsraeliAmerican Council (IAC) would like to invite you to a unique talk series. Each talk will feature an expert, thought leader, or entrepreneur who will guide us in building community initiatives, expose us to innovative leadership tools, and delve into critical community topics. Join Gvanim enthusiasts from coast to coast. Visit https:// tinyurl.com/3uvp9rm4 to register and get the Zoom link.

Friday, April 4

APRIL 1-13

After School Kids Challah Bake and Give Back! – 3 to 4 p.m. Join us for a fun and meaningful challah baking experience designed especially for kids and their grown-ups! Together, we’ll roll up our sleeves, braid delicious challah, and spread kindness while we wait for it to bake. Let’s bake, learn, and make the world a little sweeter—one challah at a time. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3p8jruwz.

Kabbalat Panim Shabbat Service - 5:45 to 8 p.m. Once a month at Congregation Dor Tamid we 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. Learn more at https://bit.ly/4caRiaZ.

Saturday, April 5

Family and Kesher Shabbat Experience - 9:20 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join Ahavath Achim Synagogue one Saturday a month for our new Family and Kesher Shabbat Experience! We will offer a genuine synagogue and community experience with special opportunities for our children to authentically experience Shabbat with their community, gain comfort in sanctuary space, rituals, and prayer, and prepare for his/her b’nai mitzvah. Parents, grandparents, and special friends will have the opportunity to engage in these meaningful Jewish experiences with their children, grandchildren, and special friends. Learn more at https:// tinyurl.com/k8vy6xwb.

Sunday, April 6

Connections and Confections A Passover Chocolate Seder – 1 to 4 p.m. Hadassah Greater Atlanta’s PRIMEtime events  engaging women in their 50s & 60s to partake and delight in our Chocolate Seder. Make this a very sweet Passover with new friends and old. Registration is limited at https://tinyurl.com/5h6etm7d.

An Afternoon of Jewish Jazz: Sam Skelton Septet – 3 p.m. Come enjoy an afternoon of jazz from Jewish composers Irving Berlin, Richards Rodgers, George Gershwin and more, performed by some of the top jazz performers in the Southeast U.S.! The Sam Skelton Septet will be joined by the Temple’s own Judy Cole, Roee Harran and Cantor Tracey Scher to perform musical styles from klezmer to swing and big band standards we all know and love. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/mrynhsjp.

Monday, April 7

Authentically Me: Celebrate Individuality and Acceptance – 5 to 7 p.m. A supportive and inspiring group for fifthto eighth-grade girls to embrace their uniqueness, build confidence, and foster self-acceptance! Find out more at https:// tinyurl.com/4hykk2e6.

Tuesday, April 8

NCJW/ATL Mitzvah in Motion – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join NJCW at the office for a mitzvah project. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/duknre2y.

Thursday, April 10

JBusiness State of the Economy Event – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. You’re invited to Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta’s JBusiness (Previously Business and Professionals) State of the Economy Event! Join us for an evening of insight, networking, and connection. Enjoy a cocktail reception and engaging discussion as Stephanie Lang, Chief Investment Officer at Homrich Berg (a registered investment advisor managing over $18 billion in assets), moderates a panel of industry experts. Representatives from accounting, commercial real estate, and small business sectors will share their perspectives and predictions on the 2025 economy. Register at https:// tinyurl.com/y492c964.

Friday, April 11

Imani Winds and Boston Brass – 8 to 10 p.m. The dynamic and adventurous Imani Winds rejoin forces with longtime friends Boston Brass in a brand-new collaboration. The artists’ Schwartz Center debut features each group separately and collaboratively, with works by Khachaturian and Bach, modern masters D’Rivera and Simon, and culminating with a performance of a newly commissioned work by musical icon Arturo Sandoval. Find out more at https://tinyurl.com/bd9svs39.

Saturday, April 12

Garden Faire 2025 – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your garden to life with a wide selection of plants from Master Gardeners, the Alpharetta Community Agriculture Program, Georgia Native Plant Society-North Metro Atlanta Chapter, and local gardening vendors. Learn more at https://tinyurl. com/bf7hvbb2.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Torah Reading: Terumah Vayikra

Friday, April 4 Light Shabbat Candles at: 7:43 PM

Saturday, April 5 Shabbat Ends: 8:39 PM

Torah Reading: Tzav

Friday, April 11 Light Shabbat Candles at: 7:48 PM Passover

Saturday, April12

Sunday, April 13

Monday, April 14 Holiday Ends at 8:47 p.m.

Shabbat Together - 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Join Congregation Or Ve Shalom for a Kavanah Minyan and Children’s Services followed by Kiddush Lunch. Learn more at https:// tinyurl.com/3jnazd5e.

L’Dor V’Drum – 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Join Ahavath Achim once a month for a lively Shabbat drum circle! This event is designed for families with children in grades K–6, but all are welcome to come together and create a meaningful, intergenerational experience that fosters connection and builds relationships across generations. This event is free, but registration is required at https://tinyurl.com/5xkan7h9.

Passover Community Seder – 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Join Chabad Intown for an enchanting Community Passover Seder. Experience the liberation and freedom of Passover. Relive the Exodus, discover the eternal meaning of the Haggadah, and enjoy a community Seder complete with hand-baked matzah, wine, and a wonderful dinner spiced with unique traditional customs. Explore the Kabbalistic insight on the number four: Four cups of wine, four sons, four questions and four types of freedom. RSVP at https://tinyurl. com/2j4pumdr.

Sunday, April 13

2nd Annual Feeney’s 5K Fun Run and Virtual Fun Run - 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The Feeney Legacy Project is hosting the 2nd Annual Feeney’s 5K Fun Run at Decatur Legacy Park. Legacy Park is a growing park inside the city with an easy trail course for trail runners, walkers, walk & run, shady and all in nature! This is family fun, so special pricing for ages 6-12 is $15. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yt2fd79a.

Second Night Community Passover Seder – 6 p.m. Join Rabbi Jonathon Adler from Congregation Etz Chaim in the Hammer-Tritt Social Hall for a meaningful Passover seder and meal. Sign up at https://tinyurl.com/2j77jnfw.

Young Adults Seder – 7 to 9 p.m. Join the young adults of AA for a fun and meaningful second-night Passover Seder! We’ll have an exciting journey through the story of the Exodus while sharing a fantastic meal and good times. RSVP at https://tinyurl. com/3bamnf47.

KEEPING IT KOSHER

Pistachio Crusted Sea Bass with Lemon Wine Sauce

An easy and delicious way to prepare fish for any of your Yom Tov meals This recipe, which uses very basic ingredients, is a Passover winner.

Ingredients

Sea Bass

4 (approximately 6-ounce) sea bass fillets salt, for sprinkling pepper, for sprinkling

1 tablespoon Gefen Olive Oil

6 ounces shelled pistachio nuts, crushed to coarse crumbs

Sauce

4–6 lemon slices (see note)

2 tablespoons Gefen Olive Oil

1 cup Baron Herzog Chenin Blanc or other dry white wine

Directions

Prepare the Sea Bass

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Season fish liberally with salt and pepper. Brush with olive oil.

3. Place crushed pistachios on a plate. Coat each fillet in the pistachio crumbs. Place fillets in a baking pan. Bake seven to eight minutes until golden brown.

Prepare the Sauce

1. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a small saucepan. Add lemon and white wine. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, to thicken slightly.

2. Drizzle sauce over fish before serving.

Recipe by Elky Friedman Kosher.com

The Challah Thief

Did you see the recent story about the theft of egg-enriched dough from a New Jersey warehouse?

Unfortunately, the theft happened just before Shabbos, and it forced many local bakeries to bake their challahs with plain, white flour.

A leading rabbi was quoted as saying, “I’m appalled by the rise in white-challah crimes.”

YIDDISH WORD

Ivy-fashtupn

v. Pushing one’s child to get into an Ivy League college.

“All Abby thinks about is getting her little Ezra into Yale, so it’s ivyfashtupn time from dawn ‘til dusk.”

Directly from the Yiddish “fashtupn,” meaning “to push or shove.”

The Emmys

By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com

Difficulty Level: Easy

ACROSS

1. Evil fictional lion

5. Blood sucker

10. Comp. option

13. Huge piece of land

14. Prevent, as a disaster

15. Gardner of “Show Boat”

16. 2005 Idan Raichel hit 18. Jew

19. Haifa to Damascus dir.

20. Friend of Kramer

22. They’re elevated in synagogues

25. “All Things Considered” carrier

27. Shmutz

28. ___ and Jaron (singers)

29. 28-Across, e.g.

30. Bit of time?

31. ___-CREF

32. Capital of Japan, once

33. HBO’s Bill, who openly supports Israel

36. Owns

37. Popular candies...or an alternative title to this puzzle

39. “Helping doctors help patients” org.

40. Cutting, as a remark

42. George Lucas FX house

43. Word before “hara”

44. “Good Will Hunting” campus, briefly

45. Hawaii’s highest peak, Mauna

46. Merry melody

47. Goes (for)

49. “Arizona” letters

50. Fruit used in garnishes

51. Relax, as regulations

53. Sheep’s call

54. Hebrew name that means “bear”, but sounds like a bird

55. Yocheved, e.g.

61. Jewish leader before Samuel

62. Not the “moops”!

63. A long, long time

64. Dream acronym

65. Karenina and Kendrick

66. Not overlooked

DOWN

1. What you might call someone named Shlomo Shimshon

2. Show with regional spinoffs

3. Archer’s asset

4. “American” city in Israel

5. Kind of excuse

6. Peron of Argentina

7. “It’s a mouse!”

8. Old town newsbearer

9. Page layout code

10. Living waters (Var.)

11. ___ Malkeinu

12. Future cop

17. It comes first on “Jeopardy!”: abbr.

21. On the ocean

22. Hebrew letters after alephs

23. Certain upgrade from tap

24. Good deeds

25. They’re annoying

26. Curly-haired dogs

29. “Breaking Bad” law org.

30. Texting format, for short

34. Brother rat in “Ratatouille”

35. Goes on and on

37. Soto, for one

38. Combat sport, for short

41. Disrespect, in slang

43. Con men often use them

47. Like Aaron, to Moses

48. Wizards’ star Jordan

49. Confederacy foe

50. Fast escape

52. 1816 Austen novel

53. Four-string instrument

56. DeSantis of note

57. It might get a 4.0 A.P.R.

58. He serves Homer beer

59. Washington bill

60. ___BC

OBITUARIES

Arlene Berchanko

91, Atlanta

We are sad to announce the passing of Arlene Berchanko on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the age of 91. Arlene was born in the Bronx, N.Y., to Irving and Eva Wolf (née Canter) on Feb. 13, 1934. She was known to many as the most stylish and elegant woman they had ever met.

In the mid-1950s, while attending the University of Georgia, Arlene met her first husband, David Kaplan (z”l). Together, they built a beautiful life and had three daughters: Michelle (z”l), Nina, and Beth. Arlene is survived by her daughters, Nina Altman and Beth Findling; her son-in-law, Drew Findling; her sisters, Marilyn Cohen and Sandra Singer, and brother-in-law, Richard Singer; her grandchildren, Deena, Zachary, Samantha, Matthew, Madison, and Noah; and her great-grandchildren, Jacob, Max, Maizy, and Asher.

After losing her beloved Dave, Arlene carried her vivaciousness and grace through nearly 50 more years. She found love again with her husband, Kenneth Kopelman (z”l) and, together, they built a thriving business. Kenneth’s untimely death left Arlene owning and operating The Monogram Shop for over 35 years on her own. Her zest for life allowed her to find love once again marrying Harry Berchanko.

She loved to play mah jonng, bridge and spending time with her many friends. She was a successful and dedicated businesswoman, finally closing her store at the remarkable age of 87. She loved creating a joyful and welcoming space for her employees, customers and her family.

Arlene’s elegance, passion for life, and deep love for her family were truly infectious. She inspired everyone around her, and her legacy will live on in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She will be profoundly missed by all who knew and loved her.

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

Bernice Helen Bickwit 100, Dunwoody

Celebrating a century of life, Bernice Helen Bickwit (nee Resnick), who graced this world with her presence for an entire century, passed away in Dunwoody on Feb. 19, 2025, at the age of 100. Born on Sept. 22, 1924, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Bernice was the daughter of the late Nathan and Martha Resnick and the wife of the late Bernard (Bernie) Bickwit. A 1942 graduate of Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn, Bernice was employed in New York’s diamond district during the Second World War. In support of the war effort, Bernice went to school to learn the organizational logistics of onboarding cargo onto ships destined for the European and Pacific theatres of war as well as wrapping bandages and dancing with soldiers at the USO’s Stage Door Canteen in Manhattan.

Following the end of the war, Bernice met Bernie at his niece’s engagement party in December 1945. After a whirlwind courtship, Bernice and Bernie were married on June 22, 1946, and continued to reside in Brooklyn where their three children were born. After moving to Woodmere, Long Island, N.Y., in 1966, Bernice was employed with the accounting departments of both Times Square Stores and Woodlyn Industries.

In 1982, Bernice and Bernie retired to Atlanta (where their three children had, and would, eventually settle) and remained there for the rest of their lives. Both took on part-time jobs, with Bernice working for American Greetings based at the Social Expressions stores in Perimeter and Gwinnett Place Malls. In her spare time, Bernice played the piano as well as the accordion (“Mama had a squeeze box …”) and was a passionate mah jonng player who anxiously awaited the annual release of the official mah jonng card from the National Mah Jonng League. Bernice was also an amateur matchmaker, introducing her son to his future wife. For years, Bernice and Bernie served as the original bagel purveyors on the carpool line on Sunday school mornings at Temple Beth Tikvah in Roswell. Her homemade mandelbrot (mandel bread) was much sought after and held legendary status in the family circle.

Bernice was predeceased by her husband and parents as well as her siblings, Ernest Resnick and Irma Klein (and their spouses, Lucy and Arthur, respectively). She is survived by her children and their spouses, Ellen (David) Herold of Dunwoody, Susie (Tom) Williams of Chamblee, and Andy (Carrie) Bickwit of Johns Creek; her grandchildren and spouses, Seth (Meg) Herold of Johns Creek, Devi (Daniel) Knapp of Dunwoody, Jarred (Olivia) Williams of Athens, Trevor (Miriam) Williams of Brooklyn, N.Y., Grant Bickwit of Atlanta, and Kyle (Cecile) Bickwit of Athens; her great-grandchildren, Taylor Herold, Kady Herold, Sophie Knapp, Lily Knapp, Bruce Williams, Charli Williams, Jack Williams, and Emily Williams; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to Quovadis (“Q”) Shack, Andrea Darling, Jimiya Darling, and the staff at Berman Commons for the love and care provided to Bernice in her final few months. Graveside services for Bernice were held at 2:30 pm, Thursday, Feb. 20, at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with Rabbi Brad Levenberg presiding. Bernice Helen Bickwit will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but her spirit will continue to inspire and comfort all who knew her. Funeral arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Miles Shugerman Denson

67, Marietta

Miles Shugerman Denson, 67, of Marietta, Ga., passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Gadsden, Ala., Miles was the beloved son of Jeanne and Allan Denson.

Miles met his wife, Rita, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and together they moved to Baltimore, Md., where they welcomed their two sons, Jared and Brandon. In 1999, Miles and his family relocated to Atlanta, Ga., where he built a thriving life filled with lasting friendships and cherished memories.

A graduate and lifelong fan of the University of Alabama, Miles enjoyed a successful career as a technology and defense sales executive. His unmatched networking skills and charismatic personality allowed him to form deep connections wherever he went. Miles’ nickname was “Smilin’ Miles,” as he was known for his genuine warmth, quick wit, and playful humor. His generosity was boundless and his willingness to lend a helping hand knew no limits. Miles never met a stranger, and to him, everyone was just a quick phone call away.

Miles confronted life’s challenges head on, managing his lifelong battle with Type 1 Diabetes with remarkable strength and resilience. He enjoyed his growing family and grandchildren and recently fulfilled one of his greatest joys by traveling to Hawaii and Saigon, Vietnam, to celebrate the wedding of his son, Jared, and daughter-in-law, Van.

Miles loved to share his favorite joke with friends and strangers alike: “You know Bear Bryant, the famous Alabama football coach? Well, he would say, ‘If you want to walk through the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the password.’ Do you know what the password is? Roll Tide Roll.”

He is survived by his devoted wife, Rita; sons, Jared and Brandon; daughters-inlaw, Van and Jordanna; grandsons, Solomon, Jeremy, and Rafael; and his siblings, Scott (Judith), Bill (LeNae), Jim (Barbara), Arthur, Kathryn Cox (Rusty), and Susan Newman (Randy), along with many loving nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at North Atlanta Memorial Park (5188 Winters Chapel Rd., Dunwoody, GA 30360). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association or Friends of the IDF in Miles’s memory.

Miles Shugerman Denson will be remembered forever for his boundless energy, compassionate heart, infectious humor, and unwavering love for family and friends. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Ariel Eisenberg

37, Atlanta

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved Ariel, who left this world far too soon on March 12, 2025, at the age of 37. She passed in her sleep, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, love, and generosity.

Born on June 9,1987, in Atlanta, Ariel was a deeply compassionate person, always ready to lend a helping hand, share a warm smile, or offer comfort to those in need. She found her calling in caring for animals at her work, where she brought love and patience to every pet she cared for.

She was a devoted daughter, sister, and friend.

She is survived by her loving parents, Scott and Sugar, her sister, Cara (Erin), and a community of family and friends who adored her. She brought so much joy to those around her, and her presence will be profoundly missed.

One of the happiest times of her life was this past December, when she joined her family in Mexico for her sister’s wedding. She laughed, danced, and celebrated with the biggest heart — exactly how we will remember her.

A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 16, at Arlington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ariel’s memory may be made to The Humane Society or ASPCA.

Her life was a blessing, and though our hearts are heavy with loss, we take comfort in the love she gave so freely.

May the deep love you feel from an Ariel hug stay with us all forever. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

OBITUARIES

Harry R. Kuniansky

90, Atlanta

Dad had such a distinctive laugh that it could be recognized across a theater. Loud, joyful, and fullthroated -- you knew he was there when you heard that laugh. And he loved jokes, the cornier the better -- he was as silly as he was smart. The “Three Stooges” routines always cracked him up, no matter how many times he watched them. Of course, his wife, Marcia, was around for most of those corny jokes -- 58 years of ‘em. She rolled her eyes a lot. But they laughed a lot, too -- even the past few years when she served as his primary caretaker while he battled kidney disease. She’s been a rock, and he loved her dearly.

And although he went deaf the last few years and couldn’t listen to his beloved classical music (which he played throughout family trips much to the frustration of his kids, Jody and Eric), he still watched every Braves game. He loved the analytics of baseball. For years, his birthday present was an easy choice -- we just bought him that year’s “Baseball Encyclopedia,” which he would delightedly pour over.

He got his undergraduate degree from Emory University and his doctorate from Georgia State University and became a professor of economics and finance, most of his career spent in Augusta, Ga. Both of his kids went into the family business so to speak, Jody becoming a teacher and Eric a banker. We also both picked up his love of gardening and neither one of us can walk past a bush without plucking off a brown leaf. A teacher to the end, he will be donating his body to the medical college.

Other than marrying Marcia, his best decision was taking a study break from Georgia State in the mid-1960s with two of his best friends and heading over to Augusta to see what this new golf competition was all about -- they asked if he wanted to be on the list to get tickets every year and he said, “Sure, why not?” He loved walking the course but loved even more sitting under a magnolia tree on Hole No. 8 eating an egg salad sandwich in the shade.

He enjoyed spending time with his son-in-law, David, and his daughter-in-law, Erica, his kids and grandkids; many of those moments involved ice cream -- butter pecan being a particular favorite. He loved watching Ryan and Sydney in their various Atlanta-area sports games, and he kept tabs on Ethan and Noa even though they were living in New Jersey.

Dad was predeceased by his father, Jake, his mother, Esther, his sisters, Jean, Elaine and Sarah, all so dear to him.

He was a gentle man, a quiet man, a throwback to a different time -- he still carried a pocket handkerchief and never turned on a computer. But he was kind and funny and helpful and caring. He was a beloved husband and father. He was loved and will be dearly missed.

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

Richard Needle

87, Atlanta

Richard “Dick” J. Needle, 87, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2025. Dick was born in Tampa, Fla., to Mitchell and Josephine Needle. Dick graduated from Emory University and had a PhD in nutrition from Clayton College of Natural Health.

Dick married the love of his life, Jacqueline, “Jackie,” in 1997. Dick is survived by his son, Charles Needle (Melissa), and stepchildren, Russell Goldman (Karen), Lori Cantey (Charles), Tracy Diamond, and Brian Goldman (Melanie), as well as eight step-grandchildren. Dick is survived by his brothers, Jack and Bill Needle.

Over the years, Dick owned several businesses in Atlanta. He was affectionately known as the “Juice Man.” Dick loved the outdoors and he was always proud of his rose and vegetable gardens. He was an avid hiker and tennis player.

The funeral service was held on Wednesday, March 26, at 2 p.m., graveside at Arlington Cemetery. The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to please donate to Temple Emanu-El.  Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Caryn Jacobi Silverman 66,

Atlanta

Caryn Jacobi Silverman, age 66, died on March 18, 2025, at her home in Atlanta, Ga. She was surrounded by her beloved family and was making jokes and sharing meals until the end. Caryn was born on July 9, 1958, in Atlanta to Sharlene and Ed Jacobi. She grew up in Atlanta and Charlotte and attended journalism school at the University of South Carolina. She married her first husband, Michael Warshauer, in 1980, and they had three beautiful children: Sarah Beth, Noah, and Claire. She became a teacher in 1995 and was one of the greats. She was a reading specialist for many years, and taught hundreds of children to read. Her relationships with her students were one of the great prides of her life.

She met her second husband, Larry Silverman, in 2000, and together they shared a beautiful life for nearly 25 years. She was a loving stepmother to Larry’s son, Alex. Along with enjoying her family, she loved the Carolina Gamecocks, traveling to beloved places including the beach, Chicago, and New York; James Taylor and Bruce Springsteen; and cooking too much delicious food for her family. She is survived by her husband, Larry Silverman; children, Sarah Beth (Adam) Brown, Noah (Hether) Warshauer, Claire (Erik) Andersson, and Alex Silverman; grandchildren, Alice and Joseph Brown; and her brother, Paul (Karen Brown) Jacobi, and sister, Tracey (Kevin) Brabant. Her warmth and humor will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved her. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Philip Michael Teplitzky

90, Atlanta

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Philip Michael Teplitzky, age 90, on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Philip was born in Philadelphia, Penn., to Celie Survis Teplitzky and Morris Isaac Teplitzky, both of whom have predeceased him.

Philip’s life was a testament to love, service, and community. In 1983, he married the love of his life, Judy Carolyn Keene, and together they shared more than 40 years of joy, laughter, and adventure. Together, they raised four children: daughters, Dori Ginsburg (David), Vicky Kingkiner (Lisa), Rebecca Goldstien (Keith), and son, Edward Morrell (Marie). He was a proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

Affectionately known as “Grumpy” by his grandchildren — Abby Stevenson (Morgan), Michael Goldstien (Brittany), Janie Goldstien, Katie Rosichan, Steven Goldstien (Casey), Lily Rosichan, Jordan Morrell, Courtney Morrell, Lee Morrell, and Hunter Morrell — Philip’s love and warmth touched all who knew him. He was also the proud Grumpy to eight great-grandchildren, whose lives he enriched with his wisdom and laughter.

Philip spent much of his life in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was a familiar face and pillar in the community. He was known to many as “Mr. T” and became a fixture in local business, having owned and operated several stores before retiring from Paragon Steel Company, where he worked in sales. Philip also played an important role in rebuilding the congregation of Temple Israel, lending his time, heart, and efforts to ensure the community thrived. He was a man of deep faith, embodying the values of kindness, generosity, and integrity that the Torah teaches.

In 1999, Philip and Judy moved to Atlanta, Ga., to retire, where they embraced the slower pace of life but remained deeply committed to family and friends. Philip never met a stranger, and his ability to connect with others left a lasting impact on everyone he encountered. His warm spirit and caring nature will be missed by all who knew him.

A service in Philip’s honor was held, followed by a celebration of his life in true Philip fashion at 4 p.m. at Il Giallo Osteria & Bar, 5920 Roswell Rd B-118, Sandy Springs, GA 30328.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The American Kidney Foundation or a charity of your choice in Philip’s memory. May his memory be a blessing. Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Lynda Weissman Walker 82, Atlanta

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lynda Weissman Walker, a beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, who left us peacefully on March 12, 2025, at the age of 82 after 10 years of battling cancer.

Lynda was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Aug. 17,1942, to Molly and Maurice Shein. She attended Ohio State University and University of Miami before moving to Atlanta with her first husband, Jerry Weissman, in 1964. Her children, Pam and Mindy, were born and raised in Atlanta. In 1981, she married the late Richard Walker, sharing a passion for travel, charitable causes, and love for family. She relished every moment as “Grammy” to her grandchildren, Evan and Julia Rosenthal, enjoying Wonderful Wednesdays, trips together as children and adults, and many meaningful meals and conversations.

She was known for her ability to lift others up in times of need, offering a listening ear, a comforting presence, and advice rooted in wisdom. Her legacy is one of deep affection for her family and friends, and her unwavering dedication to Atlanta’s Jewish community. She served on many boards and served in a leadership capacity for numerous organizations including Women’s American ORT, Atlanta Scholars Kollel, Temple Sinai, Temima High School, Davis Academy, Ramah Darom, and Birthright Israel among others.

Lynda is survived by her daughters, Pam (Mark) Rosenthal and Mindy Weissman, her grandchildren, Evan and Julia Rosenthal, brother, Barry (Cari) Shein, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Molly and Maurice Shein. She will be missed by countless loving, lifelong friends including her mah jonng group, study buddies, canasta friends, and the lunch bunch.

Graveside funeral services were held on Friday, March 14, at 2 p.m., at Arlington Cemetery. Donations can be made to Atlanta Scholars Kollel or Temple Sinai.

Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. She was a woman of strength, love, and resilience, and she will be deeply missed by all. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Editor and Managing Publisher Kaylene Ladinsky at kaylene@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 100, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to editor@atljewishtimes.com.

Dr. Ronald Wand 81, Atlanta

Dr. Ronald Wand, 81, died on March 19, 2025, in Atlanta, Ga., leaving a hole in the hearts of the family, friends and patients who knew and loved him.

The world is less bright and kind after the loss of Ron, a dedicated dentist, husband, brother, father, grandfather and friend. He was deeply connected to his family, unconditionally loving and a larger-than-life light to everyone who knew him.

Ron was born on March 3, 1944, in Milwaukee, Wisc., to Gustav and Rose Wand. He earned his undergraduate degree from Washington University and went on to complete dental school at Marquette. Ron proudly served as a dentist in the United States Army before establishing his dental practice and dedicating his time to helping others through volunteer dental work.

The world was a better place with Ron in it. He captured our hearts through his ability to connect with everyone and he captured the world through his photography, a hobby and passion he loved deeply. He was an avid baseball fan, following the Braves from Milwaukee to Atlanta, rarely missing a game. Above all, his family was everything to him.

Ron’s legacy is shaped by his loving wife Linda, who he married on Nov. 3, 1990, and spent more than 34 wonderful years with.

Along with his wife, Linda, Ron is survived by his sister, Paulette, his children, Jennifer, Jeff (Elena), Josh (Alyssa), Debra (Mark), and David (Monica), and his grandchildren, Ali (Xan), Micah (Taylor), Jaren, Simon, Levi, Jaeden, Hudson, Asher, Hannah and Jared.

A funeral service was held on March 20, 2025, at 12 p.m., at Arlington Cemetery. Shiva was held at the Wands’ home, 870 Waddington Court, on March 20 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., and on Friday, March 21, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Wand family home.

It may be quite simple, but now that it’s done, I hope you don’t mind that I put down in words how wonderful life was while you were in the world.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Delving Inside the Remarkable Jewish Calendar

Rabbi Richard Baroff DD

The Jewish calendar is wonderfully complex. There is to it a meaningful inner architecture. Think of the 10-day period that connects Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: the “aseret ymai teshuvah” - the Ten Days of Repentance. Then there is the 50-day period - the “sepherat ha-omer”the Counting of the (barley) sheaf, which connects Passover and Shavuoth, and thus Redemption and Revelation in Moses’ time. Within the sabbatical month (Tishre), the seventh month for the counting of the festivals, we observe Rosh Hashanah, Shabbat Shuva (Sabbath of Repentance), Yom Kippur, Sukkoth, Shemini Atzeret (eighth day of Solemn As-

sembly) and Simchat Torah. In this way, just as the seventh day – Shabbat - is set apart for G-d’s service, even so is Tishre, the seventh month.

There are many other examples of calendrical intricacy. One which is often overlooked is the period between Purim and Passover - which is exactly one month. Purim takes place in the middle of Adar (14th), Passover/Pesach begins the middle of Nisan (15th). Both Purim and Pesach are Biblical holy days whose leitmotif is redemption. Both occur in the Spring, the season of new life and hope. Both commemorate the salvation of the Children of Israel from destruction.

There are many differences of course: Passover is one of the three pilgrimage festivals, along with Shavuoth and Sukkoth, commanded in the Torah and connected to the Temple worship in Jerusalem. We learn of Purim in the Book of Esther later in the Hebrew Bible - in the Ketuvim (Writings). The story takes place in the far-off capital of the Persian

Empire about seven centuries after the time of Moses and the Exodus. Passover is clearly the more important of the two holidays, with G-d playing the central role in the Exodus story. In the scroll of Esther, the Purim narrative, the Redeemer of Israel is only hinted at.

There are six special Sabbaths which occur in this Spring period, which refers not only to the four-week period connecting Purim and Passover, but also the few weeks before Purim: Shabbat Shekalim, Shabbat Zakhor, Shabbat Parah, Shabbat Hachodesh, and Shabbat Hagadol. The first four are called the Four Special Sabbaths. There are four corresponding special Torah readings.

1) Shabbat Shekalim takes place right before the beginning of Adar or on the first day of Adar (or Adar II in a leap year). The Israelites are obliged to contribute a half-shekel as a tax to support the sacrificial system commanded by G-d in the Torah. This system took place first in the Mishkan (Sanctuary) in the wilderness during the 40 years of wandering in the Torah, and later, and for about a thousand years, in both Temples in Jerusalem.

2) Shabbat Zakhor is the Sabbath right before Purim. On this Shabbat, we remember the terrible things the Amalekites did to the Israelites in the Torah and later in the Bible. We recall, too, that the villain of the Purim story, the genocidal vizier of Persia named Haman, was himself an Amalekite.

3) Shabbat Parah is the Sabbath immediately after Purim, when we read the mysterious rules relating to the “parah adumah,” the red heifer, which we must accept on faith.

4) Shabbat HaChodesh refers to the Sabbath right before Nisan, the month of Passover. This month, the month of Spring (Aviv in later biblical times), is in fact the first month for the counting of the festivals (chagim).

5) Shabbat Hagadol is the Great Sabbath, which falls directly before Pesach. It was during the Exodus that the various 12 tribes of Israel were forged into a single people, dedicated to Divine Service and changing history’s course. Malachi, the late prophet, called for the coming of Elijah, the harbinger of the Messiah and the great and fearful Day of Adonai. This is the prophetical reading for the day (haftarah).

Two of these special Sabbaths fall before Purim, and three before Passover. Shabbat Zakhor (remembering Haman the Amalekite) is directly related to Purim, Shabbat HaChodesh (Spring-when we begin to count the festivals) and Shabbat Hagadol (future redemption in messianic times) prepare us spiritually and thematically for Passover.

The religious issues prominent in Shabbat Shekalim (devotion to duty) and Shabbat Parah (the mystery of faith) are not so obviously connected to either Purim or Pesach as the other special Spring Sabbaths. Nonetheless they help to elevate this entire period, beginning right before Adar and continuing through the 15th of Nisan, as a time of spiritual preparation. This period, connecting Purim and Passover, should not be overlooked as yet another example of the religious genius of our Sages as they crafted sacred time as exemplified in our Luach (the Jewish calendar).  ì

THURSDAY, MAY 1