JGA SEPT-OCT 2013.E$S ///JGA NOV/DEC 07
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Volume 25, Number 6 Atlanta, Georgia September-October 2013 FREE Rabbi Emanual Feldman Shanah Tovah Rabbi Emeritus Congregation Beth Jacob (Photo: Cuba Family Archives for Southern Jewish History Collection at The Breman Museum) More Than Historic Space, Enduring Thanks The Jews of Anniston Resettling Refugees A Trip to Huntsville Marking Time New Face Its Jewish community has In retirement, Irwin grown smaller, but Atlanta’s Dale Schwartz is A vibrant Jewish communi- The Jewish calendars that Rabbi Rachael Bregman is Lowenstein continues to Anniston, Alabama, boasts the new national chair of ty is an essential part of the guide our lives are also fas- the new rabbi of acknowledge the people a financially stable congre- the Hebrew Immigrant Aid thriving city of Huntsville, cinating historical artifacts. Brunswick’s Temple Beth who made his career so gation that recently cele- Society. Alabama. Tefilloh. gratifying. brated its 125th anniversary. By Janice Rothschild By David Geffen By Mason Stewart By Rubin Stanley By Dr. Stuart Rockoff By Carolyn Gold Blumberg Page 25 Page 7 Page 4 Page 8 Page 21 Page 38 Page 2 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2013 September-October 2013 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 3 Page 4 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2013 the Jewish community. In some towns, Understanding, compassion, and civility this fund covered bad checks given to are non-factors; resolution of problems is Update your GPS non-Jewish merchants and business estab- not a motivating force; imposing one’s lishments. position takes precedence. It is an accepted fact that an automo- Thank goodness things have changed In our life cycle, this is the period bile owner needs to have the vehicle tuned substantially, although we still have more when Judaism reminds us that it is time to and serviced at regular intervals to opti- work to do. And now, we do not hear as reassess our values, actions, and souls. mize its performance and longevity. Tires BY Marvin often the challenge “Is it good for the Constant vigilance in our duties and are rotated and balanced; the front end is Jews?” as the overriding value by which responsibilities should be a daily task, but aligned; fluids are changed and checked; Botnick we should judge events, laws, and actions: during the Days of Awe we are supposed the timing of the electronic impulses is Rather, the mantra has evolved into “Is it to remove ourselves from our usual rou- checked and tuned; and today, the com- uncommon to hear them and the few other good for humanity?” tines and dedicate our very being to spend puter brain of the automobile is tested. Jewish families in the town comment on The scope of the field of applicability introspective time in evaluating our Proper maintenance and use of all items events with the question, “Is it good for has broadened both in numbers of people actions and motivations. will extend their useful lives. Most vehi- the Jews?” and the geographical application. Human As decision makers in everyday life, cles today have reminder systems built in While the atmosphere was much more needs and different cultures will influence very often we are impacted by financial them to remind us of this need. open and welcoming than the Russian the choices to be considered, and the inter- rewards and personal recognition. These We humans are no different. Our shtetls in which they had lived, there still action between different cultures and eco- certainly are important factors, but too internal systems need to be operating remained limitation to equality resulting nomic consideration needs to be factored often they become the overriding consid- properly in order to generate the required from the anti-Semitism of the day. I still into the evaluation. But the overriding erations. Should not the question, “Is it power and energy. We need to have our remember some of the public ranting of influence should not be whether it is good good for humanity?” be the basal determi- fluids and vital signs checked; we need to Theodore Bilbo, one of the U.S. Senators for you if it is not good for humanity. nant? check on the timing of the electronic from Mississippi, who would not hesitate Bernard Lewis in The Atlantic of May This is a time-out period when we can impulses; we need to feed our system with to fan the fire of bigotry with his diatribe. 1, 2003, penned an article entitled “I’m take the mental chalkboard and reassess the proper diet to allow it to operate effi- His invectives were directed primarily Right, You’re Wrong, Go To Hell.” While the objective of life. Is our destination still ciently; and we need to constantly update toward the blacks, but he was not ashamed the piece dealt with the conflict between proper and appropriate, and is the route our GPS to assure ourselves that we have every once in a while to let fly a few the modern Western world and Islam, the we have taken likely to get us there? In not wandered off course and are heading “kike” comments. heading properly could be used in other general, we know the destination that we in the right direction. There was a schnorrer fund that exist- situations to focus on the totality of per- should seek, but sometimes our GPS As a child of the 30s who grew up in ed in the towns to cover the cost of sonal, national, and political relationships. needs to have its software updated to a small Southern town and whose parents addressing an action by a Jew, resident or In too many cases, such a mindset is often make sure that our course is still correct. were European, I remember it was not not, that would be an embarrassment to evident in issues of all differing situations. Now is that time. JewishTHE Georgian Enjoy well-earned retirement: remember those who made it possible The Jewish Georgian is published bimonthly by Eisenbot, Ltd. It is By Rubin Stanley cess of Rhodes, and how appreciative he They were not there to advance their posi- written for Atlantans and Georgians by Atlantans and Georgians. is of all that they did. tion; they were there as friends to partici- Publisher Marvin Botnick Age appears to be best in four things - old The date of July 13 of this year was pate in a show of genuine appreciation of Co-Publisher Sam Appel wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old picked for the event, which was to be held what it had meant to be part of the culture Editor Marvin Botnick friends to trust, and old authors to read. in Atlanta. To show this gratitude, Irwin they found at Rhodes. Managing Editor Marsha C. LaBeaume —Alonso of Aragon decided that he would personally pay for Assignment Editor Carolyn Gold the cost of the event itself. He was excit- Consulting Editor Gene Asher Associate Editor Barbara Schreiber In these, his retirement years, Irwin ed about the camaraderie of such an event Copy Editor Ray Tapley Lowenstein has often reflected on his ear- and the chance to visit with all of them to Makeup Editor Terri Christian lier life and the good fortune that has find out how their lives had progressed Production Coordinator Terri Christian come to him in the way of family, friends, since the Rhodes days. To him, the value Designer David Gaudio and business. He has come to realize that he would receive from such a gathering Photographic Staff Allan Scher, Jonathan Paz in all of these categories, it is the relation- would far exceed any cost. Graphic Art Consultant Karen Paz Columnist Gene Asher, Jonathan Barach, ship and the mutual support that have Janice Rothschild Blumberg, been so critical in what developed. Marvin Botnick, David Geffen, Carolyn Gold, Jonathan Goldstein, As we all know, financial stability is R.M. Grossblatt, Marice Katz, one of the key ingredients in the recipe for Irwin Lowenstein (center) with Balfoura Friend Levine, a meaningful and enjoyable retirement. James Welch, former Rhodes sen- Marsha Liebowitz, Bubba Meisa, Erin O’Shinsky, Reg Regenstein, Lowenstein has never forgotten the deep ior vice president (left), and Joel Susan Robinson, Stuart Rockoff, debt of gratitude that he owes to his for- Lanham, former Rhodes president Roberta Scher, Jerry Schwartz, Leon Socol, Rabbi Reuven Stein, Ruben Stanley mer associates at Rhodes Furniture, (right) Cecile Waronker which he headed up for over 20 years, for Special Assignments Lyons Joel their commitment and support. As he Lowenstein said this was the first but Advertising Ruby Grossblatt says, “Without these wonderful, talented certainly not the last of such gatherings. Micael Pelot people, my efforts would have been As long as he is able, he intends to repeat Editorial Advisory Board Members worthless.” Joel and Irwin Lowenstein at the these gatherings in the years to come. Sam Appel Rabbi Alvin Sugarman Sam Massell Jane Axelrod Albert Maslia William Rothschild Now, as the years go by, notices of “Rhodes Family” gathering While it had been over 10 years since they Gil Bachman Michael H. Mescon Marilyn Shubin the death of members of his team seem to had worked together, he had not forgotten Asher Benator Paul Muldawer Doug Teper be coming more often. While we know Obviously, the warmth between what these people had meant to him, and that this eventually comes to us all, Lowenstein and his former field and cor- he said this was the least he could do. 8495 Dunwoody Place, Suite 100 Lowenstein decided that he was not going porate management team and their spous- The following quotation from the Atlanta, GA 30350 to let any more time go by without gath- es was validated by the turnout of approx- famous Canadian dancer Karen Kain (404) 236-8911 • FAX (404) 236-8913 ering the gang together to again spend imately 75 people who came from summed it all up: “Surround yourself with [email protected] time with them and tell them how often he Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, South people who provide you with support and www.jewishgeorgian.com thinks of them.