PROFESSIONALS

New Generation Retailer Soars at Lenox Square

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

When mainstream media refers to the retail sector’s reaction to the pandemic as an “apocalypse,” millennial Lizzy Pure counters, “The retail fashion industry as a whole is doing OK. New retailers have started during the pandemic; it’s only certain groups of merchants that are experiencing problems.”

Smartly located adjacent to Neiman Marcus in Lenox Square mall, her eponymous store Pure rivals a Kim Kardashian and Kayne West closet with pricey brands including Hugo Boss, Balmain , Versace, Fendi Kids, Dsquared, Giuseppe Zanotti, Alexander McQueen, Moschino, Diesel, and Karl Lagerfeld; and who has heard of IH Nom Un Nit? Categories range from denim, eyewear, outerwear, shirts and tops, fur to home accessories, men, women and kids.

Pure owns similar stores in Miami (Aventura), Houston (Galleria), and Charlotte (South Park Mall) in addition to Lenox Square. “Pure is redefining luxury boutique retail and the relationship consumers have with luxury fashion,” Liz

said. “While the designer assortment is exclusive, Pure’s culture is inclusive. Our team represents almost every gender, race, sexual orientation and age group. We have a celebrity wall with over 4,000 images of tastemakers shopping at Pure: superstars like Lil Nas X, Tyrese Gybson, French Montana and sports superstars like Cam Newton, Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. High-profile celebrities travel the world, see the best and choose to shop at Pure. That is the greatest compliment. Our strong relationships with celebrities lead to unique, amazing events at Pure Atlanta like private concerts and celebrity fashion shows.”

Growing up in Davie, Fla., Liz graduated Florida State University and got her Master of Business Administration at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Her career started as a 16-year-old sales associate. She knew immediately that retail was her calling and worked her way up through retail positions while in school. Then she left the safety of corporate retail to start Pure and never looked back.

A few short months ago, she moved with her commercial real estate husband

to Sandy Springs and enrolled their two ers want a meaningful experience and children in The Epstein School. Between to feel brand energy, and want to conthe stores and the various fashion weeks, nect. The retail experience is different prior to COVID, she was averaging six from the past; now you need authentic flights a month. In terms of keeping all engagement with clients.” the balls in the air, she said, “The chil- A smart marketer during the pandren come first. I balance my life by be- demic, she designed a line of Swarovskiing present. If I’m encrusted face at the dinner table masks, averagwith my kids, I’m ing $79 each. not reading work Fashion+Mask = emails; I’m com- “Fask” with 2 ½ pletely engaged filters. Some are with them.” being resold on

Pure has been eBay for $500in Lenox for 10 plus! years. “Atlanta is Liz predicts the epicenter of that trends for the Pure culture as 2021 will show a progressive city, optimism. “This often adopting season we saw trends early. Each a lot of lounge Pure store is dif- wear. Spring/ ferent and reflects Summer 21 looks the culture of that Liz’s clientele includes music and sports more refined, sigcity. Pure was un- superstars. She has a wall of 4,000 nifying a return affected by the pandemic. I am tastemakers displayed in the store. She hopes to star in a reality show that had traction before the pandemic. to normal life. I am head buyer disturbed when and while I have the media discusses a ‘retail apocalypse.’ curated a strong assortment of estabThis is a market correction problematic lished designers, I am very passionate for retailers that are disconnected from about identifying unknown talent.” their markets. The pandemic will push In terms of the future, she expounds, a store that’s teetering on the edge, but “I get offers from malls monthly, with it will not close powerful market lead- several deals on the table right now; we ers. The current climate requires most just have to pick. I’m also working on sellto be specialists in their niche. The old ing a reality show about Pure.” concept of ‘big blanket all category re- She advises young people who want tailers’ doesn’t really resonate to big a retail career, “Always follow your spenders anymore; consumers are look- dream, and never give yourself a limit. ing for special items and specialty retail- This is America and Pure is proof of the ers. Retailers that have a strong focus American dream!” with excellent customer service and Not to mention that the “rag trade is brand messaging will flourish. Consum- part of our Jewish DNA.” ì

Psychiatrist Details Hike in Anxiety

By Martine Tartour Cooper: Concerning women, it is not necessarily relat-

In a recent study by the Centers treated for anxiety or depression. But for Disease Control and Prevention, young people are in a bad way. First, the Atlanta-based health organiza- because friends, parties and outings tion found that about a third of the are an important part of their social respondents reported symptoms development and they are deprived of anxiety or depression, nearly as of them. What’s more, they are ofmany trauma or stress, and 13 per- ten blamed for their risky behavior. cent started or increased drug abuse I don’t agree with the notion that associated with COVID. they are selfish. Young people don’t

The study conducted in late have the same sense of fear that older June assessed mental health, sub- people have. … stance abuse and suicidal intentions Concerning elderly people, of with almost 5,500 adults responding. course, they are at risk. But, the irony

Nearly 11 percent of the respon- of the situation is that we are considdents said they had seriously consid- ered high risk beginning between ered suicide in the preceding 30 days, the ages of 60 and 65! And therefore more than twice the rate reported in vulnerable. But we have created a soa 2018 survey, according to the CDC’s ciety which promotes anti-aging. We Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Re- have to be in shape, have cosmetic port issued Aug. 14. Dr. Annie Cooper specializes in surgery, look younger. With COVID,

Dr. Annie Cooper, who special- anxiety and depressive illnesses. we are now confronted with our fraizes in anxiety and depressive ill- gility, with our REAL age. nesses, is not surprised by the data. She has been seeing a significant increase in anxiety, depression and stress in her AJT: Do you see excess behavior or irrational fears? patients since the pandemic began. Cooper: I know people who haven’t left their homes

The AJT posed questions to the doctor via Zoom. Here since mid-March. It’s an overreaction, but you can’t force are her responses: them to do things that make them feel uncomfortable. The

AJT: What makes this situation exceptional?

Cooper: There has not been, in modern times, a pandemic of such magnitude and one that has caused such high rates of mortality, except perhaps during the Spanish flu [1918-19]. We are living in a state of exception with exceptional measures that hinder individual freedom. When this all started in March, people thought that within three months we would have answers and a path out of this situation. But we don’t see the end of the tunnel; our way of life is on hold until further notice. … In this situation, we don’t know, and this uncertainty contributes to the anxiety.

AJT: What sources of anxiety, specifically related to COVID, do you notice in your patients?

Cooper: Isolation is very difficult to endure. Everything that used to be a part of our lives is turned upside down. Even becoming a hermit in a monastery requires a preparation that lasts for years. You train yourself for isolation. Here, we were plunged into this state from one day to the next. We live in an abnormal situation and we were unprepared for it. The difficulty for the psychiatrist is that the solutions that are normally recommended to combat anxiety are no longer available. Seeing people, playing sports, using support groups, doing volunteer work (at church or synagogue) are now forbidden.

Also, there are very realistic and legitimate fears at the source of anxiety. For some people, the fear of losing their job. ... I hear a lot of fear about insecurity and a very real fear of social crisis.

AJT: According to the cited CDC report, these symptoms varied significantly depending on whether a woman, a young person, or an elderly person? ed to the situation; women are generally more likely to get

Japanese identified this phenomenon; they call it hikikomori. It mainly concerned teenagers who stayed in their rooms for months or even years, connected only to a virtual world. On a lesser level, it is an irony of fate that hikikomori, this pathological state, is what we are now asking our children to do: stay in their room in front of their computer! …

For healthy people, when it is safe to go outside, they will return to a normal social life. But for those who have latent symptoms of social anxiety (a form of fear of others) or avoidant disorder personality (when one does not want to be with others) one must identify one’s symptoms, even if they are minimal, in order to fight them now. It is essential to differentiate between the fear of going out because you are a person at risk as opposed to the fear of going out because you don’t want to go out anymore. ì

PROFESSIONALS

Levison Heads West to Be Kind

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Actress and food entrepreneur Jenny Levison has been observing the country’s divisiveness, feelings of loss, uncertainty and worry about illness. So she decided to do something. “I felt a call to action; that it was my time to give back. The world is in a tough place right now on all fronts. When I thought about what I could do to contribute, being kind was my number one thought. It’s the theme for our restaurants this year (and always!) I decided that I wanted to travel around the country, just being kind!”

So on Oct. 15 she took a six-week sabbatical from her restaurant business, Souper Jenny, with five Atlanta locations, to head west in a rented RV to serve free food to those in need. Accompanying Levison on what is being called a Kindness Tour is Meg Gillentine Morris, her travel buddy, local actress and artist. The plan is to travel for 42 days, posting on Facebook and Instagram so they can be followed. She is researching two cities at a time.

First, she will find a local farm to buy produce to turn into her celebrated soups. “We will find people in need or just lucky

Jenny Levison has supplied Atlanta with many of her talents, including acting and cookbook authoring in addition to restaurant entrepreneur.

strangers! We will make a 20-quart pot at a time and bring a second pot just in case.”

On the menu will be her Dad’s favorite turkey chili, a hearty vegetable, or curry chicken, among others that are classified as hearty and autumn-themed.

Of her travel companion, Levison explained, “Meg’s husband and son will be in their own RV behind us. We plan to shop at as many farms as possible and supplement with stops at groceries. Our plan is to sup-

Jenny Levison poses with Meg Gillentine Morris, who will accompany her on the tour, and Courtenay Collins Eckardt, Broadway actress and local music teacher, who came to Stone Mountain to lend moral support.

port the cities we visit as much as possible.” Levison is also selling “kindness” Tshirts for $25 in all sizes at all the Souper Jenny locations. Each shirt purchase represents 20 quarts of a hearty soup to feed 40 people. All proceeds go directly to soup prep. Recently they took the RV to Stone Mountain for a dress rehearsal passing out free soup. Morris said, “There we learned the ins and outs of the RV and laughed our heads off. It was a big sign that we are ex-

The T-shirts sell for $25 at all five locations with profits paying for tour soup prep.

actly where we are supposed to be in this adventure, … experiencing loads of joy and unexpected moments of delicious humanity.”

Levison leaves readers with this charge: “I challenge others to perform random acts of kindness now.” ì

To support the Kindness Tour through T-shirt sales, visit Souper Jenny locations in Roswell, Brookhaven, Buckhead, Decatur and the Westside.

PROFESSIONALS

Habif at 91 Makes Most of Real Estate

When he’s not walking or working out, Morris Habif can be found on the lake on his luxury boat.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Morris Habif, 91, was born and raised in Atlanta where he attended Commercial High School. He served in the armed forces and went on to school on the GI Bill. He is believed the seventh-oldest member of the Georgia Bar.

Habif credits much of his success for taking the long view. For years all he did was pay mortgages and not take any money out. Then he began selling things that made sense “piecemeal,” Habif Properties, one deal at a time.

He eschews investing in the suburbs and residential properties, stating, “Timing is key. When you buy real estate that’s cheap enough, you hold on until things turn around. I look for ‘ugly duckling opportunities.’ In 60-plus years I have never lost money on a single property. Another key is using federal law 1031 when we sell, then roll over, reinvesting and postponing taxes. Selling is rare.”

As background, Habif founded APD Transmission Parts in 1959. After relocating his wholesale business to downtown Atlanta, he noticed that many of the surrounding garment district buildings were vacated as tenants moved to more modern facilities near the Fulton Industrial district. He purchased these vacant properties, renting them for unique niches such as community theater and light manufacturing.

Habif was a pioneer in converting vacant warehouse space into reasonably priced lofts for artists and small businesses. One of the first was the purchase by Habif and his partners of the Southern Cross Mattress Factory, where he oversaw their conversion into individual studio spaces. The Mattress Factory Lofts helped pave the way for a new generation of developers who unlocked the potential of downtown’s older buildings.

He recounts that one of his business models is to buy shopping centers that are not cash-flowing, perhaps poorly managed, stabilize, and turn them around. “So far, we have not been hard hit by the pandemic,

The extended Habif family includes five children, 15 grandchildren and six great- grandchildren. He describes his late wife Susie as being “gracious and caring and Cuban.”

actually doing amazingly well; BUT a big recession could be around the corner. I worry that some of these overbuilt high rises will go into foreclosure.” He’s referring to the property of others.

Versatility is Habif’s middle name. Some of his alternate strategies of clever land use are renting out cell towers (AT&T and Verizon are customers), parking lots, many downtown: by the Georgia Aquarium, Garnett Street by Municipal Court of Atlanta, and Marietta Street.

One can imagine his headspace figuring calculations when he speaks of a truck lease lot parking facility he owns in Lithonia. “Think about it. Atlanta has many truckers who own their own rigs, two to five days in and out, paying $150 a month per truck, 300 trucks...”

Credited with being prescient about his wildly popular Beltline properties around Inman Park and Grant Park, Habif is somewhat leery about the highly touted “up and coming” Bellwood Quarry area. “I feel it’s premature, still depressed and too close to areas with crime.”

Out on his 40-foot-plus boat, Habif put his buddy Bobby Rinzler on the phone. “Morris is the finest, most giving partner. He calls every evening, does all the work and gives me half the money – for the past 50 years!” Some of the successful ventures he has done with Habif are 1776 Peachtree Road, four-year turnover; and the Fountains of Olde Towne turned over after 10 years.

As the penultimate family man, Habif, a widower, said, “My secret weapon is son Michael, who is also a lawyer and has been by my side for 37 years. We have a very unusual father-son relationship. He’s smarter, but I have more experience.”

A mutual admiration society, son Michael responded, “On days when he is not walking, he’s working out in his home gym. Every Sunday, I get a call from him while he’s at our office catching up on the week’s action. He really does still work full time (he says ‘part time’ because he only works 12 hours per day). He defies belief!” ì

DINING

Israeli Opens Multi-Cultural Hot Chick-Peas

By Marcia Caller Jaffe food bloggers find us unique and funky,” he said.

Gotta love the double entendre “I grew up making fresh pita, tweakname! Although ing Italian dishes you might not en- with my siblings counter hot chicks and cooking on Presidential with my father’s Parkway, we did influence from find authentic, Casablanca.” The fresh Mediterra- father of four, he nean street food. served as a medic Israeli born Mark in the Israel DeBen-Yoar came fense Forces foloff a 20-year ca- lowed by tourreer in cyber se- guiding back curity-electrical home in Israel. engineering with The other part of AT&T to fulfill his this partner-mandream of return- agement team is ing to his Israeli- friend and chef Moroccan culi- Saeed Hamana nary roots. and his sister Lu-

“We are now Ben-Yoar poses by his “Shalom” bina, both Chrisrounding out our plaque and shofar. tian Arabs from first year in business; but imagine chang- Nazareth. ing course with eight months of the CO- The location of Hot Chick-Peas is VID situation. We are finding our way as certainly off the beaten path, near I-85

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The falafel platter is a popular entrée shown here with fresh-from-scratch hummus and baba ghanoush. Note the creative garnish detail.

and I-285 in an eclectic industrial area roasted cauliflower, tahini, purple cab“PREP Cook|Create|Connect, known as bage slaw, roasted potatoes, hand cut a commercial kitchen and culinary ac- fries, lamb kibbe, 12 pieces for $30, fresh celerator. PREP is a compendia of 200 stuffed grape leaves, $8. A wonderful food-related businesses: catering, food melt-in-your-mouth surprise was the iced truck home bases, gourmet dog foods, ar- apple cake dessert (enough for two) and tisans, bakers, food kit prep companies, pistachio baklava, a crunchy, less-sweet manufacturing, and private spaces 24/7, version versus the gooey Greek variety. including a handful of retail dining with Sometimes they serve knaffe, a cheesy outdoor table op- orange-flavored tions. Israeli dessert.

Noting this Ben-Yoar teased, area of Atlanta “The only comis rich in ethnic plaint we have is variety, Ben- that the portions Yoar added, “We are too big!” speak Arabic, We were imSpanish and He- pressed with the brew. Here we artistic presendon’t do politics. tation and lively We talk about The herb-crusted salmon came with action in the food, peace and fragrant rice, red cabbage and tabouli. open kitchen. love. We even have Syrian and Iraqi cus- The black olives with pits were authentic tomers in addition to Israelis who also and the salad dressing had a Greek vinuse our catering division. This year we egary bite. This perfect vinegar taste was rolled out our high holiday menu, which detectible in the red cabbage and tabouli. was very successful and had traditional The rice was Persian-like with a licorice food like brisket and salmon. Also a few fragrance. The roasted cauliflower was weekends ago here, we had an outside scorched and browned in shards of parsstreet event for 350.” ley, top-shelf olive oil and not too much

The food delivers on its promise. salt. A unique twist on the falafel was a Chef Saeed notes, “Everything is made ridge on the sides of the balls which may fresh daily with love and patience from be a result of a mini muffin-like scooper. scratch. We boil and grind our own beans The herb crusted salmon ($15.99) was to make the hummus and smoke the egg- enough for two meals and came with rice plant for baba ghanoush. And a bounty and side. of herbs and flavors: parsley, za’atar, ser- Hot Chick-Peas is open 11 a.m. to rano peppers, some Indian spices in our 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday, til 7 signature dish, hot chickpeas. Here you p.m. on Friday, and closed Sunday. There will find nothing frozen!” are some tables outside and 25 could be

Popular dishes are shawarma, $12.99, seated inside pre-COVID. “We are still with rice or in platters with one side. experimenting and may add more hours. Falafel platter, $10.99, chicken schnitzel, Remember, because of COVID, we only kabobs, tabouli (cracked wheat salad) $5, got all our equipment in here in May.” ì

Local Chef Delights with Elaborate Cake

The rose water cardamom cake delights tables year-round, though the Deljous served it for the high holidays. Nadia Deljou specializes in online classes and her own patio space for individually designed dinners for up to 10 guests.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Sandy Springs native Nadia Deljou graduated from The Weber School, Georgia State University, the International Culinary Center in New York, and then her real training ground in Manhattan, where she worked at renown Michelin- starred top shelf restaurants. Operating in Atlanta as Delle Dining, she has shifted during COVID-19 to include a virtual focus and community events.

Delle is now offering private dinners on its patio space in Sandy Springs. Deljou books dinners for up to 10 guests and takes them through a multi-course menu paired with wine and music. This outdoor venue is reminiscent of a sukkah in far off Marrakech, Morocco, or Tuscany, Italy.

She is also doing corporate online cooking classes, one recently on Moroccan cuisine for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, NextGen, and then OneTable a few weeks ago. She has also been doing a pastry pop-up on weekends and special-order cakes, most recently a fantastical wedding cake in Alpharetta. Otherwise, she has shifted her community online, allowing access to cooking tips, live video demos, original recipes and music reviews. It’s a membership-based online resource center called The Delle Community that elevates members’ relationship to cuisine music and culture, https://thedellecommunity.mn.co/.

Here Deljou shares an irresistible and decorative gateaux Persian Roulette recipe.

“This is a traditional dessert from Iran that’s very nostalgic. The cardamom and rose water flavors make it what it is and ties it into Persian cuisine,” Deljou said. “For our family, we like to serve it for special occasions because it’s decadent and feeds 10 to 12. We just served it at Rosh Hashanah. It takes 12 minutes to bake, and all together, I’d say, takes an hour start to finish. There are multiple steps. You need either a hand mixer or stand mixer.”

Persian Cardamom Roulette

Servings: 8 to 10

Nonstick cooking spray or butter, for greasing the pan 7 eggs, room temperature ¾ cup + 3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided 3 teaspoons vanilla, divided ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons sifted all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon ground cardamom 1 ½ pints (6 cups) heavy cream 2 tablespoons powdered sugar ½ cup pistachios, ground or finely chopped, for topping 1 ½ cups strawberries, thinly sliced, for topping

Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly spray or butter a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and line the bottom with parchment. Set aside. Prepare a second sheet of parchment (or kitchen towel) about the same size as the one in the baking sheet and set aside.

You will need a stand mixer. If using a handheld mixer, you will need a large mixing bowl and a chilled large metal or glass mixing bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat the eggs and ¾ cup + 2 tablespoons of sugar on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla, and beat on the highest speed for 4 more minutes, until it has thickened and the color is a light yellow. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the flour and ground cardamom until just mixed.

Pour the batter into the baking sheet, making sure to spread it evenly with an offset spatula.

Bake until the cake springs back when touched in the middle and it has started to pull away from the sides, about 14 minutes.

Let cool for 2 minutes. Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar over the remaining piece of parchment or towel, then invert the cake onto it. Gently peel off the top parchment and roll the cake, starting at the long end. Let cool on a wire rack for 30 minutes. This helps to train the cake into the roulade form.

While the cake cools, prepare the filling. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment add the heavy cream and mix on high until it has reached soft peak stage, about 2 ½ minutes. Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla and the powdered sugar and mix until it has reached stiff peaks, 30 seconds more. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Filling

On a clean work surface or large cutting board, unroll the cake, and use an offset spatula to evenly cover with 2 to 3 cups of whipped cream. Re-roll the cake and refrigerate for 4 hours. Keep the remaining whipped cream tightly covered in the refrigerator for the decoration.

Decoration

Once completely cooled, take the cake out of the refrigerator and transfer to a cutting board. Completely cover the cake with the remaining whipped cream. Next, sprinkle with ground pistachio and top with a line of sliced strawberries along the top.

Slice into 1 ½ pieces and serve, with a few extra sprinkles of pistachio if you like. ì

For more information about Nadia Deljou, visit www.delledining.com.

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BOOK FESTIVAL

Fame, Family and Redemption

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

From one of Hollywood’s most famous families arrives a book by Cameron Douglas, son of Michael Douglas and grandson of Kirk Douglas. Now on a positive and productive path, Cameron has penned a bold and often shocking book titled “Long Way Home.”

His tell-all life story reveals his drug abuse, broken promises and prison sentence from 2009 to 2016. Chronicling his addiction, self-destruction and a rebirth from what he calls psychological warfare, he spares no detail. His repeated dance with death includes a triumphant journey prevailing against all odds. By the age of 30, Douglas had become a drug addict, a thief and— after a DEA drug bust — a convicted drug dealer. “I wanted to write a book that I felt good about, and the only way to connect with people is to be brutally honest. People can see through you if not and I bore my soul,” he shared with the AJT. “I didn’t write the book to share a lesson. I wrote the book to gain some understanding about myself, my own life and all the years invested in reckless behavior that landed me in prison. Plus, the relationships that I damaged, to try and gain some understanding. Also, hoping to help other families that are struggling with addiction, to give them insights.”

Douglas continued, “In the throes of addiction, it comes to a point when it does not matter what anyone does, the person must get to the place where they are willing to

Cameron Douglas is the son of Hollywood royalty.

make some changes. For some, it never happens. And for some, like me, you go through long days down the unfortunate road of drug addiction and alcohol. You hope and pray they come to that understanding sooner rather than later,” he said. “While in prison each week, I waited for the book cart, which became a security blanket. If I had a stack of books in my cell, I knew I’d be OK. Books allowed me to take some

"Long Way Home" is Cameron Douglas' memoir about addiction.

of my freedom back, educate myself and grow. Stephen Crane’s book of short stories included ‘The Red Badge of Courage,’ which was life changing and gave me strength.”

Now Douglas hones disciplines and characteristics working towards fulfilling a better life. “I am rebuilding relationships. That takes consistency and showing up. Walking the talk, not just talking the talk.”

Regarding his family’s Jewish connection: “A fond memory is when my grandfather (Kirk) turned 70 and he had a bar mitzvah. He was a devout Jew all the way through the rest of his life. We all rallied around him and two of my younger brothers and sisters had a bar and bat mitzvah, which brought my grandfather a lot of happiness.”

Every Sunday, and to this day, we gather as a family for a Jewish breakfast at his house. We talk about our lives with Grandpa’s wife. I have a few career things cooking I just finished such as an independent film and doing a lot of writing. My book is being turned into a fictionalized television series,” he said.

“I am always learning things. My little daughter Lua (which means moon in Portuguese) is called ‘Izzy,’ named after the nickname of my Grandfather Kirk. She is my greatest teacher. We must become the energy we want to attract. It’s in a struggle where we grow.”

The memoir “Long Way Home” is a powerful story of Cameron’s descent into the depths of addiction and selfdestruction, and his renewal of family ties that had become almost irreparably frayed. “Now I’m forced to make great decisions, dealing with entertainment lawyers instead of criminal lawyers, and these are the kind of decisions I want to be making. I feel very grateful for that.” ì

“Long Way Home” will be featured at the Book Festival of the MJCCA 8 p�m� Nov� 11�

‘Never Alone’ is Political Testament

By Bob Bahr

Natan Sharansky’s new book “Never Alone: Prison, Politics, and My People” sums up what he learned from nine years of imprisonment in a Soviet Gulag during the 1970s and 80s, his political life following his release and his nine years as head of The Jewish Agency for Israel, which ended last year. He co-authored the book with the prominent American-born historian Gil Troy, who also lives in Israel.

We asked them recently about their book, to be featured in the Book Festival of the MJCCA Nov. 8.

AJT: You’ve written about the importance of identity. How concerned are you about Jewish identity in the world today? Or are we moving toward a better acceptance of our identity?

Sharansky: Well, we write a lot about this problem. The connection between liberalism and identity is the central theme, in a way, of this book. There is a movement in the world by those who want to restore national pride by destroying liberalism and we Jews are trying to keep these two things together. We want to be a Jewish people and we want to live in a liberal society, and we have to keep these things together.

Troy: Part of the motivation for writing this book, frankly, is it’s almost like a Valentine. It’s a love story about our connection and especially Natan’s connection with the Jewish people. It’s knowing that we’re never alone when we’re part of this amazing network. The real audience is the next generation. It’s a challenge also to the parents and the grandparents saying to them: “Tell the story, tell how American Jews helped save the Soviet Jews. Tell how we’ve passed on the torch from generation to generation.” But it’s also a challenge to them and an invitation to the next generation to say: “Find your identity. You can find your way of doing tikkun olam, helping the world, contributing to the world, being a good person through this amazing framework that we Jews have created.” We say let’s continue the conversation. Let’s learn who we are, who we can be and who we’ve been.

AJT: One of the major changes that has occurred since you wrote this book is the agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. You were very critical about the Oslo Accords and the withdrawal from Gaza. What is your view of these new agreements?

Sharansky: My criticism, over the Oslo Accords, was because I felt they were trying to find a dictator like Yasser Arafat who will rule Palestinians for us and will bring us peace by controlling Palestinians. What happened in Bahrain, of course, and Abu Dhabi is very different. The people there are standing in lines to have businesses with Israel, to visit Israel, to learn Hebrew. I think this normalization can be a turning point.

I hope that this new cooperation will also include Palestinian businessmen and Palestinian culture exchanges. And as a result, there will be more ground for a real civil society, a real civil dialog between Israel and the Arabs.

AJT: At a time when many feel isolated because of the pandemic, the title of your book, “Never Alone,” seems ironic. What advice would you give us at this challenging time?

Sharansky: I would advise Jews to never forget that you are part of a great

“Never Alone” is the result of a three-year writing partnership between Natan Sharansky and the American historian Gil Troy, who lives in Israel.

people who have sometimes felt very separate, and in very lonely places, but who have always felt themselves connected.

We had our own network long before we had the internet and that has been a great force. And that’s exactly what this book is about. It’s what helps us to be optimistic, in spite of all our challenges. ì

Natan Sharansky and Gil Troy will discuss “Never Alone: Prison, Politics, and My People” at the Book Festival of the MJCCA at 1 p.m. Nov. 8.

BOOK FESTIVAL

One Tough Woman

By Marcia Caller Jaffe and the Elderly. Along the way, she plugs in the true, but absolute worst legal

Nancy Grace, a tough high-profile cases to substantiate the risks. What if broadcast com- dreaded household mentator-prose- names such as Jaycutor, compiled cee Dugard, who 350 pages of jam- was kidnapped ming and jammed and held captive in information for 18 years, had that might do two taken the precauthings: 1- Cause tions described in extreme anxiety this book? in digesting all the Back pedal to real-world dangers Grace’s original lurking around ev- motivation for getery corner. 2-Save ting so involved in heartache and ul- this pursuit when, timately lives by at 19, her fiancé getting the mind was murdered. in defensive gear Some of Grace’s with proactive advice may be strategies. common sense.

“Don’t be a VicGrace’s book is a pragmatic guide Then there are all tim: Fighting Back with precautionary tips on how the newer or evolvAgainst America’s to stay safe in current times. ing life changes/ Crime Wave” is “in your face” isbroken into five parts: Protecting Chil- sues like phishing, internet dating, usdren, Yourself, Travel, Cyber Crimes, ing Uber, parties gone wild, using child care, protecting yourself while jogging, shopping at a mall, camping or attending a concert. Speaking of malls, a friend hid in the Bloomingdale’s dressing room for hours during a shootout in the food court at Lenox Square.

If you have a child going off to college or into the working world, this would be an eye-opening exercise. Think about checking a teenager’s text message codes: 303=mom; 53X=sex, CD9=parents are around; LMIRL = Let’s meet in real life, just to name a few. The Travel chapter is enlightening. Staying above the seventh floor decreases chances of fire, and try calling yourself at the hotel to see if the desk clerk gives out your room number. Riding an elevator could be another platform for assault. If you have a parent entering a senior facility, this is a valuable guide.

Question her courage? She was a contestant (squished into a sequined costume) on “Dancing with the Stars.” Dr. Phil McGraw in his book “Life Code” said “There are no victims, only volunteers.”

Grace, a Macon native, concludes, “Keep the faith, fight the good fight, stay

strong to the finish.” It’s a cruel and crazy world just walking down the street. Bottom line: forewarned is forearmed. ì

Nancy Grace presented “Don’t Be a Victim” Oct. 27 as part of the fall lineup for the Book Festival of the MJCCA.

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BOOK FESTIVAL

Son of a Sports Icon

By Robyn Spizman Gerson his dad. Dale’s journey, one of success mixed with addiction,

It ain’t over till it’s over. is an inspiring triumph of When you come to a fork in the family and the power of love. road, take it. If you don’t know His memoir “My Dad, Yogi” is where you are going, you’ll end a must-read for baseball fans up someplace else. and fathers and sons everywhere.

Everyone knows Yogi In a phone conversation Berra, the beloved American with Dale, he shared with the icon and Baseball Hall of Fam- AJT, “There’s been a million er, whose words of wisdom, stories and books about my called Yogi-isms, are national dad. He is a national icon, but treasures. no one had heard from a fam-

In “My Dad, Yogi: A Mem- ily perspective and what kind oir of Family and Baseball,” of father and person he was Dale Berra describes his book away from the ballpark.” and tribute to his late father Yogi was a first-generawho passed in 2015 as painful, tion American, born in 1925 joyous and a celebration of the to Italian immigrant parents. lasting love of an extraordi- With an 8th grade education, nary dad. he went to work to help his

Growing up in Montclair, family and in 1943 joined the N.J., Dale and his two older Navy and ended up at D-Day brothers, Larry and Tim, all became professional athletes. Dale was a key member of an Dale Berra, son of iconic baseball star Yogi Berra, describes life at home in New Jersey with his inspirational Dad. storming the beaches of Normandy. A 15-time All-Star, three-time American League exceptional Pittsburgh Pirates MVP Award winner and a 10team, playing shortstop for several years before he was time World Series champion, he played in 14 worlds series traded to the New York Yankees and briefly united with and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972. Awarded the

“My Dad, Yogi” is Dale Berra’s tribute to his late father.

Presidential Medal of Freedom, Yogi Berra was beloved both on and off the field.

In “My Dad, Yogi,” Dale honestly discusses his drug use and lightning-bolt intervention from his father that turned it all around 30 years ago. Starting in the Majors, Dale was 22 years old with a bright career ahead of him. When he began using drugs, it was cut short. Cocaine took Dale’s promising career away, and it could have taken his life too if it wasn’t for his father’s love. Dale tells the riveting story of how Yogi inspired his complete sobriety. “From that moment on, I have never done another drug and that was 30 years ago. I chose family,” the junior Berra relayed.

When Yogi Berra wasn’t playing or coaching, he was home in the New Jersey suburbs, spending time with his beloved wife Carmen and three sons. “We grew up not feeling privileged, with Dad’s friends dropping by for a game of catch and dinner, like Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris.” The gloves, signed balls and other items his Dad brought home were used and enjoyed, rather than saved for their value one day.

When I asked how he got the name Yogi, Dale responded, “When Dad was a kid and his entire life, he folded his arms and legs sitting like a yogi from India, meditating. Someone called him on it and said he looked like an Indian yogi, and the name stuck.”

Yogi’s days of retirement were spent greeting visitors daily at the Yogi Berra Museum. He died in 2015 at a welllived 90 years of age. Dale leaves us with this about his famous father: “Dad taught us all about life with his Yogiisms: ‘If the world was perfect, it wouldn’t be.’” ì

Dale Berra presents his memoir Nov. 10 at the Book Festival of the MJCCA.

Duane Stork // Abstract expressionist artist Gayle Printz relaxes with two of her paintings in the background. “Pond,” left, and “Friend.” “Pond” was one of the two works selected for the Paris museum display along with “First.”

Chai Style Art

Steven’s favorite work of Gayle’s is “Bird,” an intricate mixed media on canvas offered at $9,900.

Artist Emerges from COVID to Paris Exhibit

Fresh from her international debut, attorney Gayle able that it all came so naturally to her. Every time I look Printz paints in a style compared to abstract expressionists at her paintings, I notice something I hadn’t seen before. Joan Mitchell, Hans Hofmann, Helen Frankenthaler, Lee She knows how to combine beauty with a deeper meanKrasner and Jackson Pollock, known for their use of color, ing, which is left to the viewer to assign based on their own layering and “dripping.” imagination and experiences. She doesn’t tell you what you

Inspired to bring beauty back into her world, Printz should be thinking.” began painting during the COVID-19 crisis. In Printz often paints outside by her idyllic July, she submitted two paintings, “Pond” and pool, reminiscent of a European villa, with her “First,” to Musée de Peinture de Saint-Frajou in golden retriever, Harley, nearby. Paris for entry in the juried International Art Take the tour. Resilience Exhibition.

The museum stated the exhibition’s pur- Jaffe: Share your technique. pose and selection of artwork was “to present Printz: I use color, three-dimensionality works characterizing the rigor in a search for and distinct brushwork, rather than tangible artistic quality, creativity and technical mas- structures, as tools of expression. While invittery.” Both paintings Printz submitted were ac- ing the spectator to establish an intimate concepted and were exhibited for a month in Sa- Marcia nection with my work, I try to challenge them lon 6 of the museum. The online presentation Caller Jaffe to search for personal meaning through a subremains in the museum’s permanent archives. conscious journey.

Printz, formerly with Powell, Goldstein, Frazer & Mur- Using acrylic on canvas, I layer colors and textures, phy, said, “Painting brought me back to life during isolation. including sand, gels, tar, glass beads, metallics, glazes, and It never even occurred to me to paint before May. When crackling. From different angles, viewers will see different something calls to me, I tend to answer with determination. things in the same painting: faces, animals, landscapes and Even I was surprised when, three months later, I had two even unclothed bodies. I leave it to them to decide and, bepaintings on display in Paris.” cause of that, I tend to keep my titles nondescript: "Totem,"

Interior designer Bridgette Boylan also expressed "Bird," "Iridescence," "Control," "Blur," "Picnic," "Metallic," amazement. “When Gayle began painting, it was unbeliev- "Second," for example. Prices range from $700 to $19,900.

Jaffe: How did you discover the international exhibition?

Printz: While investigating how to archive my collection, I noticed a “call for artists” requesting applications to enter the juried International Art Resilience Exhibition in Paris. Thinking the exhibition was about resilience during COVID, I sent two photographs of my work. The next day, I was informed both pieces were accepted and would be on exhibit for a month at the museum and online.

As it turned out, the exhibition was not related to COVID at all. Art Resilience is an established international art movement, representing mastery of the synchronicity between beauty and universal meaning. Worldwide, only 69 artists, including eight American painters, were selected to present their work. So, for me, this whole experience can only be described as “serendipitous.”

Jaffe: Have you continued the relationship?

Printz: Yes. I currently work with Ksenia Milicevic, founder of Musée de Peinture de Saint-Frajou and co-founder of the international Art Resilience movement. Ksenia, a world-famous artist, took me under her wing and has become my mentor. Though our styles differ, I send her photographs of works-in-progress, and Ksenia gives me detailed technical direction. The time she has spent critiquing my work has already taught me how to invite the viewer into the painting and keep them there. She’s incredibly attentive;

Printz’s side-by-side vertical tablets “Control” and “Totem” are displayed above the great room’s stacked-stone fireplace.

The north side of the living room is adorned by two of Printz’s acrylics on canvas: 36-by-48 inch “Blue Dog,” right, and 30-by-40 inch “Lake,” left, both layered in the style of Jackson Pollock.

we communicate several times a day. Her instruction has been invaluable.

Jaffe: Who are some artists you collect?

Printz: Much of our original artwork is by Jewish immigrants:

Peter Max (née Finkelstein), famous for 1960s “Yellow Submarine,” “American flag” and “Statue of Liberty” paintings. Raphael Soyer, Russian born son of a Hebrew scholar, paints American scenes; Anatole Krasnyansky, whose family fled Kiev, paints abstracts and cityscapes; Itzchak Tarkay, a modern Israeli figurative painter, famous for his “Parlor Ladies;” and Emile Dekel, who created “The Congregation,” a three-dimensional Judaic rendering in lucite.

We also have “Dance Suite: I, II, III & IV” by Jurgen Gorg and a collection of Hanna-Barbera hand-drawn cartoon cels: the Flintstones, Jetsons, Yogi Bear and Huckleberry Hound.

Jaffe: What is your husband Steven’s role?

Printz: Steven, an attorney and CEO of ColorChem International, is also a fantastic photographer. He’s been kind enough to photograph my work with his Nikon Z7. We have a wall filled with his photographs of our travels. He was particularly taken with the animals in Africa and everything

Steven Printz poses by the couple’s handmade, wrought iron menorah in front of Gayle’s painting “Metallic.” Steven’s own photography is showcased at home and on Gayle’s website.

Printz’s vertical “Yellow” is 60 inches high by 20 inches wide and leaves much to the viewer’s imagination.

Printz concentrates on perfecting the lines of “Shimmer.”

Printz often paints en plein air alongside their pool and private view of the Chattahoochee River national park.

about Antarctica.

Jaffe: You plan to work with Jewish organizations?

Printz: Steven and I are committed supporters of Israel Bonds, an organization, we believe, secures our future. We are charter members of the U.S. Holocaust Museum and strongly support many major Jewish charities. As for my artwork, Chabad of Atlanta offered to do a solo exhibition, but I’m holding off because of COVID. I do hope to donate paintings to Jewish organizations here and abroad.

Jaffe: What’s next?

Printz: I will continue painting and hope to share the beauty. I have over 30 paintings here. Since mid-August, I sold several other pieces privately to collectors and another eight through my website at www.GaylePrintz.com.

Though I have also been answering emails from museums, including Atlanta’s High Museum and D.C.’s National Gallery of Art, which have requested photographs to consider for their permanent exhibits, in reality, I paint all the time when I’m home. And, since May, I’ve been home an awful lot! ì

Access the Paris museum’s online exhibition at www.artresilience.com/6-salon-international-art-r%C3%A9silience/

The living room has natural light to reflect the luminous colors that change at different angles of Printz’s 48 by 60.5-inch painting “Iridescence.”

Printz’s “Walk,” an abstract expressionist multilayered work, dons a wall in the front foyer above a green serpentine African art sculpture “The One and Only Son” by David Gopito of the Chapungu Sculpture Park in Zimbabwe.