JewishTHE Georgian Volume 27, Number 5 Atlanta, Georgia July-August 2015 FREE WHAT’S INSIDE 88 is the new 13 At Congregation Dor Tamid, Bob May proves that it’s never to late for a bar mitzvah. By Rabbi Lauren S. Cohn Page 38 A New Rabbi for Congregation TBT Roswell congregation Temple Beth Tikvah welcomes its new senior rabbi, Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, this month. Page 26 The Man Behind the Statue The University of Virginia’s statue of Thomas Jefferson was the creation of artist Moses Jacob Ezekiel, the first Jewish cadet at Virginia Military Institute. By Stan M. Lefco Page 5 From Silicon Valley to the Pulpit Rabbi Spike Anderson, a former tech entrepreneur, is the new senior rabbi at Temple Emanu-El of Greater Atlanta. Page 7 On the Wing Honor Flight, a network of volunteer pilots, takes war veterans on unforgettable trips to Washington, D.C. By Leon Socol Page 30 A New Season MJCCA Arts & Culture opens its 2015- 2016 season, on August 16, with the beloved musical Mary Poppins. Page 16 Page 2 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN July-August 2015 Let the Bell ring and the horn sound of Independence. The seed of this of the Freedom of their Consciences, under the Civil Government, shall be document, all that went before its as to their Religious Profession and in any Case molested or prejudiced, in creation and all that has developed since Worship: And Almighty God being the his or their Person or Estate, because of its adoption, has grown and flourished in only Lord of Conscience, Father of his or their conscientious Persuasion of BY Marvin the fertile soil of our Practice, nor be compelled to frequent country to produce the The Liberty Bell or maintain any religious Worship, Botnick bounties of a crop of Place or Ministry, contrary to his or opportunities, medical their Mind, or to do or suffer any Act advancements, or Thing, contrary to their religious intellectual Persuasion. For me, July has always been a advancements, The casting of the Liberty highlight calendar month. In particular, human achievements, Bell was commissioned by the the fourth day of this month has special beneficent Pennsylvania Assembly to celebrate meaning for two reasons. contributions, and the 50th anniversary of the drafting and First, but certainly not the most human dignity. publishing of this remarkable document. important reason, is that this is the While not utopian, Knowing this, the significance of the day that we were told we could start our resulting nation bell, what it represents in its totality, and eating watermelon. Growing up in south has reached heights the importance as part of the narrative of Mississippi, watermelon and summer previously unknown, the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this were synonymous, but we were told that which has afforded us wonderful land, takes on even greater if we ate this delicacy before July 4 we a greater chance for meaning and relevance. would get sick. The reasoning given for achievement and comfort than had been Lights and Spirits; and the Author as The Fourth of July is a happy, fun this was that the first melons to market known. well as Object of all divine Knowledge, day with family gatherings, picnics, got the best price, and that the farmers The day also focuses on Philadelphia, Faith and Worship, who only doth and community celebrations. But sometimes over-fertilized them to get the city in which the Declaration was enlighten the Minds, and persuade more importantly, it is a ceremonial this higher price. drafted and signed. When we visualize and convince the Understandings of acknowledgment and reminder of the But more important and significant the acts involved with the breaking away People, I do hereby grant and declare, bounties we, United States residents, is the annual national recognition from Great Britain, the iconic symbol of That no Person of Persons, inhabiting have had bestowed on us. It is not just and celebration on the Fourth of the bell in Philadelphia, which is now in the Province or Territories, who a day off from work. It is, and should July of the United States Declaration known as the Liberty Bell, is the one shall confess and acknowledge One be, a reminder to each generation of the that most commonly comes to mind. It is almighty God, the Creator, Upholder creation of this remarkable republic; a uncertain if the bell actually was rung on day to reflect on THE that July 4th, but its name came from the our good fortune Jewish Georgian inscription on the bell from Leviticus: to live in this “Proclaim liberty throughout the land S.S. Haverford land that offers TThe Jewish Georgian is published bimonthly by Eisenbolt, Ltd. It is written for Atlantans and Georgians by Atlantans and Georgians. unto all the inhabitants thereof.” opportunity. Lost in the narrative of the bell is the For me, there Publisher Marvin Botnick story of why it was cast. In 1701, William is an additional Co-Publisher Sam Appel Penn, “Proprietary and Governor of the attachment to Editor Marvin Botnick Province of Pennsylvania and Territories the significance Managing Editor Marsha C. LaBeaume Assignment Editor Carolyn Gold thereunto belonging,” published the of this holiday— Consulting Editor Gene Asher “Charter of Rights and Privileges,” Philadelphia Associate Editor Barbara Schreiber setting forth what rights and privileges itself. In 1906, Copy Editor Ray Tapley he had granted to “all the Freemen, the American Makeup Editor Terri Christian Planters and Adventurers therein.” Line ship S.S. Production Coordinator Terri Christian The first provision of this amazing Haverford sailed Designer David Gaudio Photographic Staff Allan Scher, Jonathan Paz document states the following: out of the port Graphic Art Consultant Karen Paz Because no People can be truly of Liverpool, Columnist Gene Asher, Jonathan Barach, happy, though under the greatest and Ruler of the World; and profess him England, to Philadelphia bringing Janice Rothschild Blumberg, Enjoyment of Civil Liberties, if abridged or themselves obliged to live quietly roughly 20,000 immigrants to this Marvin Botnick, David Geffen, Carolyn Gold, Jonathan Goldstein, country. On one of those crossings the R.M. Grossblatt, George S. Jordan, passenger manifest lists my grandmother Marice Katz, Balfoura Friend Levine, Marsha Liebowitz, Bubba Meisa, and seven of her children, including my Erin O’Shinsky, Reg Regenstein, mother. Despite what must have been a Stuart Rockoff, Roberta Scher, THE trying, difficult journey that started in Jerry Schwartz, Leon Socol, On The Cover Rabbi Reuven Stein, Ruben Stanley Belarus, for me and my family, what a Cecile Waronker Jewish Georgian Volume 27, Number 5 Atlanta, Georgia July-August 2015 FREE glorious landing did Philadelphia offer WHAT’S INSIDE SIX GENERATIONS OF JEWISH as they disembarked from that magic Advertising Ruby Grossblatt 88 is the new 13 At Congregation Dor Tamid, Bob May Michael Pelot proves that it’s never to late for a bar CAMPING — 1930 to 1980. Photos carpet that lifted them up from the fear mitzvah. By Rabbi Lauren S. Cohn Page 33 A New Rabbi for of Jewish Georgian campers and degradation to a future of hope, Congregation TBT Roswell congregation Temple Beth from Camp Barney Medintz, freedom, and liberty. Tikvah welcomes its new senior rabbi, Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, this month. Editorial Advisory Board Members Page 26 Camp Fendig, and Camp Daniel So when I hear in my mind’s eye Sam Appel Rabbi Alvin Sugarman Sam Massell The Man Behind the Statue Jane Axelrod William Rothschild Gil Bachman The University of Virginia’s statue of Morgan. These and hundred of the ringing of the Liberty Bell on the Thomas Jefferson was the creation of artist Moses Jacob Ezekiel, the first Jewish cadet at Virginia Military Michael H. Mescon Marilyn Shubin Paul Muldawer Institute. By Stan M. Lefco other images of Jewish Georgian Fourth of July, I also hear the sound of Doug Teper Page 5 From Silicon Valley campers can be found at the Cuba to the Pulpit the horn on the S.S. Haverford signaling Rabbi Spike Anderson, a former tech entrepreneur, is the new senior rabbi at Temple Emanu-El of Greater Atlanta. Family Archives for Southern the end of that crossing and the gift of 8495 Dunwoody Place, Suite 200 Page 7 Atlanta, GA 30350 On the Wing Jewish History at the Breman citizenship in this wonderful country—a Honor Flight, a network of volunteer pilots, takes war veterans on unforgettable trips to Washington, D.C. By Leon Socol (404) 236-8911 • FAX (404) 236-8913 Page 30 Museum and can be searched at gift of opportunity, responsibility, A New Season MJCCA Arts & Culture opens its 2015- [email protected] 2016 season, on August 16, with the thebreman.org/Research. Cover education, equality, and freedom. We beloved musical Mary Poppins. www.jewishgeorgian.com Page 16 art by David Schendowich. have been given this largesse: it is up to The Jewish Georgian ©2015 us to use it for the good of all. July-August 2015 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 3 in commercial real estate. You can see part game. of the PSA and some of her other work at The guys enjoyed telling old frat tales http://youtu.be/CLE3HAa7x78. and catching up with each other, and a good Wanda certainly has the looks to be time was had by all. a film star, but acting is just part of what What’s she does for the film industry. Georgia has MARILYN PEARLMAN’S BUSINESS become a prime location for producing GOES TO THE DOGS. PR whiz Marilyn movies, TV shows, and videos, and some of Pearlman has branched out to include one of these were produced with the invaluable help the great loves of her life, taking care of pet of Wanda, who is CEO of FilmFriendlyGA, dogs—whether their owners are out of town a firm that helps the industry find locations or just wanna give their best friends a treat.