• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

ppy Passov Ha er A JewishTHE Georgian Volume 24, Number 3 Atlanta, Georgia MARCH/APRIL 2012 FREE A rabbi’s obsession yields a marvelous collection By David Geffen “My fascination with the Haggadah began at Seder in my childhood when, for a brief moment, adults listened to me shakily sing the four questions.” That was the special beginning for Rabbi Stuart Geller, a 70-year-old resident of Jerusalem born in Denver. “I have attended many a Seder since those early days. But it was only when my teacher, Rabbi Eugene Mihaly, of Hebrew Union College, showed us that the Haggadah was a giant lesson plan that I realized the story it contained could have many spir- itual and educational components. I believe that it was then, also, that I decided to collect Haggadot of all types and use them to tell the Passover tale.” When Rabbi Stuart Geller was the spiritual leader of The Temple, in Cleveland, in the early ‘70s, he acquired his first Haggadah. A native of Denver, he had participated in sedarim with his grandparents, using the Haggadot from Bloch Publishers. He wanted more fascinat- ing volumes for his table and for him, his wife, and their children. The Four Sons and The Family at the Seder, The Szyk Haggadah, Author Szyk. Reproduced with the cooperation of Historicana, publisher of the new edition See HAGGADAH, page 11 of The Szyk Haggadah, www.szykhaggadah.com. Composite by Jonathan Paz Dig out the family heirlooms Atlanta’s very own Jewish Antiques Appraisal by The Amit Program, is a community celebration hon- Show, featuring Jonathan Greenstein, the nation’s pre- oring Helen Hackworth, of Sandy Springs, Brenda eminent Judaica dealer, is coming to town on Sunday, Benamy Lewis, of Dunwoody, and Sylvia Schwartz, of Kiddush Cup, March 25. Jonathan Greenstein began collecting Judaica Sandy Springs, for their contributions to special educa- circa 1860, at the age of 14, while work- tion in the Atlanta Jewish community. Each of these engraved in ing part time at an antique women has played an important role in educating gener- Hebrew: “in store in Brooklyn. He even- ations of children who learn differently, paralleling the honor of the tually turned his lifelong pas- mission of The Amit Program. Holy Sabbath.” sion into a business dealing Since 2001, Amit has been the central resource in Includes the with collecting and selling the Jewish community for special education. Offering a former ownerʼs Judaica. He is often called wide range of educational services and family support, name Shalom upon by museum curators, Amit strives to ensure that students with special needs Joseph large auction houses, and can reach their individual potential while learning in a Scheinber major collectors to authenti- Jewish environment and can be integrated into the com- cate items. munity. The Jewish Antiques Jonathan Greenstein Appraisal Show, presented See HEIRLOOMS, page 7 Road Trip! Remembering Seeking Kids Helping Old China A Boy, a Dog, Breman Museum staffers recently visited commu- the Rescuers Higher Ground Kids Hands and The New nities in Alabama, col- This year on Yom In a time of divisive rhet- Local teens are conduct- Ex-pats come together York Times lecting remarkable stories HaShoah, Atlanta’s oric, longtime Atlanta ing soccer clinics for and reminisce about Jewish community will religious leaders of dif- children with high-func- everyday life in their for- Melissa Faye Greene’s feature and artifacts along the in The New York Times way. honor those who risked ferent faiths have come tioning autism and mer home. their lives to save others. together to blog about the Asperger’s syndrome. Magazine brings national things we share. attention to Iyal Winokur and By Ron Feinberg By Carolyn Gold By Balfoura Friend Levine his service dog, Chancer. Page 45 Page 18 Page 17 Page 20 Page 9 Page 19 What’s InsideWhat’s Page 2 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN March-April 2012 March-April 2012 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 3 Page 4 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN March-April 2012 The obligation to give does not translate into the right to receive The appreciation of freedom from comes the responsibility to take advan- bility, opportunity, and challenges that go Egyptian bondage that we celebrate at tage of this status to provide for our- hand-in-hand with this freedom. We are this time of the year is both a thanksgiv- selves. The bird that is unleashed from its responsible for providing for the widow, ing for the removal of the shackles of BY Marvin cage flies out into the world free to go and the orphan, and the needy, but the able- bondage and a memorial to the benefi- do what it wants; however, implicit in this body person is required to seek employ- cence bestowed upon the Jewish people Botnick is its need for it to provide for sustenance ment, regardless of the level or type of by God. and shelter. work to be performed. There is no entitle- From the concepts and laws of our to be a constant reminder to future gener- During the centuries that the ment to a person who is able to find and secular state, our human philosophy, and ations of the need to resist the human Israelites lived in Egypt, they had become perform work; there is only an obligation the overriding canopy of our understand- frailty of suppression of others. While we dependent on the system to provide for on the part of a giver for tzedakah. ing of humanity as instilled by our are lesser creatures than God, our them. In Exodus we read that during the This year, when you open the door Judaism, we are raised with the under- acknowledgment of what was done for us initial wilderness wanderings, there was a for Elijah, think about what doors of standing of the need for the just treatment is to be as a reminder of our obligation to grumbling against Moses and Aaron opportunities have been opened to us and of others. To us, forced subjugation, in strive to serve others with the same devo- when the community said to them, “If our responsibility to walk through these whatever form it may take, is an abhor- tion. only we had died by the hand of the Lord doors to provide for our families and the rent concept. So as the Jews around the world ful- in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the needy. We, too, have been freed of many Those who live under affliction uni- fill the biblical injunction to recall in rev- fleshpots, when we ate our fill of bread!” of the societal and economic impedi- laterally imposed upon them have no erence and celebration the wondrous acts And now that they were no longer ments that had been placed in the way of need to be reminded of pain, suffering, performed by God to free us from enslaved and were responsible for their our ancestors, and, as we rejoice in what and degradation resulting from such a Pharaonic enslavement, let us also own fate, they forgot the suffering that God did for us in Egypt, remember to state of existence. Fortunately, most of us remember our total obligations. To bor- they had endured while in bondage. rejoice in the continuing opportunities have not lived in such a society, so it is row a phrase from Paul Harvey, the Freedom from bondage is a release that have befallen us during our lifetime. important to be reminded whence we famous radio broadcaster for ABC Radio, from forced servitude; however, it is only Freedom is the gift that has been came and to whom we owe thanks, and we need to remember “The Rest of the a portion of the lifestyle change that went given to us; what we do with this freedom this we do each year during Passover. Story.” along with the change in status. In cele- is the responsibility and challenge that The holiday is focused on the partic- Unlocking the subjugating bindings brating this epoch event in the lives of our goes with this gift. ulars of deliverance from forced repres- grants freedom, but with this freedom forebears, let us remember the responsi- sion and servitude, but the full purpose is THE Weber launches first endowment drive, Jewish Georgian honors two women leaders The Jewish Georgian is published bimonthly by Eisenbot, Ltd. It is written for Atlantans and Georgians by Atlantans and Georgians. Publisher Marvin Botnick Over 250 guests attended a January address the continuing economic chal- stalwart supporters of Weber, true believ- Co-Publisher Sam Appel 18 special event at The Doris and Alex lenges of paying private school tuition. ers in the value of Jewish education, gen- Editor Marvin Botnick Weber Jewish Community High School, The two endowment funds will at first erous with their time and their talents. Managing Editor Marsha C. LaBeaume honoring Felicia Weber and Carol Nemo, generate modest returns, but over time will Felicia Weber is one of Weber’s co- Assignment Editor Carolyn Gold as the school launched its first endowment spin off a more significant stream of fund- founders and past board presidents who Consulting Editor Gene Asher Associate Editor Barbara Schreiber drive. Now 15 years old and with a grow- ing to accomplish these objectives. played a pivotal role in the school’s ability Copy Editor Ray Tapley ing enrollment, Weber will center its Weber’s goal is to raise at least $1 to move to its permanent campus. Carol Assistant Copy Editor Arnold Friedman endowment fundraising efforts on The million in private support to fund the two Nemo, an early advocate and supporter Makeup Editor Terri Christian Carol Nemo Endowed Tuition Assistance endowments this year.

Load more

  48

Copy Link