JewishTHE Georgian Volume 28, Number 1 Atlanta, Georgia November-December 2015 FREE WHAT’S INSIDE Not Always Easy, But Always Worth It The relationships fostered by PAL, Jewish Family & Career Services’ Big Brother/Big Sister program, benefit all involved. In JF&CS News Page 30 Remembering Morris Abram An Atlantan’s dedication to human rights continues to benefit people worldwide. By Janice Rothschild Blumberg Page 5 History at Your Fingertips Since the late 1970s, sources for the history of Atlanta’s Jews have multiplied and become easier to access. By David Geffen Page 7 Selfless Beyond Measure As a Catholic teenager in Poland, Irene Gut Opdyke took enormous risks to save the lives of Jews. Page 33 A New Home The 18th edition of Southern Jewish History looks at the many facets of Jewish migration and adaptation to the South. Page 32 Learning by Doing Ahavath Achim Synagogue’s Early Learning Center will focus on the Reggio Emilia approach to education. By Carolyn Gold Page 6 Page 2 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN November-December 2015 Coldwell Banker Remembering and fighting against despots #1 TEAM Metro Atlanta “The third is freedom from want— woven into the very fabric of America, and, which, translated into world terms, means as citizens of this wonderful country, we all economic understanding which will secure to rejoice in freedom and equality that we share. BY Marvin every nation a healthy peacetime life for its It is no coincidence nor is it surprising that inhabitants—everywhere in the world. with the establishment of the modern State of Botnick “The fourth is freedom from fear— Israel that it would be a nation of laws based which, translated into world terms, means a on the democratic principles of the rule of and world-wide reduction of armaments to such a by the citizens. It is this commonality with One of the basic elements of democracy is point and in such a thorough fashion that no the U.S. that has been the basis of the mutual freedom. It is a political structure within which nation will be in a position to commit an act respect and historic friendship and support that the human rights of all people are protected, of physical aggression against any neighbor— has and does exist between the two countries. THE SONENSHINE TEAM anywhere in the world.” In a December 14, 2014 article by former Atlanta’s Favorite Real Estate Team! and the rule of law is applied equally. There 404.252.4908 (Office) is not a universal set of standards that all These wonderful precepts have not and are Israeli Ambassador Yoram Ettinger, he writes 404.250.5311 (Direct) democratic countries adopt, but, just as in not universally accepted. Fortunately, however, about the influence of the Maccabean revolt on SonenshineTeam.com the United States, each has some of its own there are a number of nations that base the the soul of America and the present relationship governing of their country on these concepts. between modern Israel and the U.S. He writes, regulations born out its historical evolution. Park’s Arazim Valley, which was dedicated on For we Jews, the battle for these freedoms will “The legacy of Chanukah—faith, patriotism, While there are these variations, the underlying November 12, 2009. precept of freedom is not abridged. once again be in focus when, in December, defiance of extreme odds and tenacity in Symbolic representations of historical On January 6, 1941, President Franklin we will celebrate Chanukah to commemorate the battle of liberty against tyranny—has events serve to recall the importance of what D. Roosevelt, in concluding his State of the the retaking and cleansing of the Temple in underlined the American spirit since the early happened. Both Chaunkah and Israel’s 9/11 Union Address to the Congress, spoke of these Jerusalem in 165 BCE, which had been defiled pilgrims, enhancing the unique foundation of Living Memorial Plaza are such symbols. principles saying, “. we look forward to a by the Greek-Syrian rulers. This 2nd century the U.S.-Israel covenant: shared values.” There is a tradition that the chanukiah with its Having suffered the pain and ravages world founded upon four essential human BCE revolt, which lasted for seven years and burning lights be placed in the window facing of years of terrorists’ suicidal attacks to kill freedoms. resulted in the expulsion of the foreign rulers the street to proclaim the freedom represented and maim innocent civilians, Israel well “The first is freedom of speech and and the establishment of the Hasmonean by this holiday. Israel’s 9/11 Living Memorial understood the aftershock of the September 11, expression—everywhere in the world. dynasty, is described in a June 16, 2007, article Plaza serves as a powerful, visual recognition aish.com 2001 heinous attack on the World Trade Center “The second is freedom of every person in as a “. revolt of the Jews [which] of the inhumanity of the common enemy in New York. Just as the U.S. and Israel have to worship in his own way—everywhere in the sets a precedent in human history. It is the confronting both the U.S. and Israel, and the stood shoulder to shoulder as staunch allies and world. world’s first ideological/religious war.” It was alliance and support that exists between the voices for freedom, one of the first memorials a fight for freedom—not land. two countries. Through the centuries, this ethos has been established outside of the U.S. to this tragic As we light the first taper of Chanukah, let THE passed down to the wider world. The battling event was built by the Jewish National Fund in us take pride in the freedom and privileges that of tyranny, barbarity, and inhumanity has been the Living Memorial monument in Jerusalem we enjoy as Jews and citizens of America. In Jewish Georgian his remarks at the 9/11 Living Memorial Plaza TThe Jewish Georgian is published bimonthly by Eisenbolt, Ltd. It is written for Atlantans and Georgians by Atlantans and Georgians. on September 11, 2013, Russell F. Robinson, CEO of Jewish National Fund, pointed out that, Publisher Marvin Botnick “Jerusalem is the battleground of civilization Co-Publisher Sam Appel but also a place of hope.” Editor Marvin Botnick Managing Editor Marsha C. LaBeaume Assignment Editor Carolyn Gold Consulting Editor Gene Asher Associate Editor Barbara Schreiber On The Cover Copy Editor Ray Tapley Makeup Editor Terri Christian THE Production Coordinator Terri Christian Designer David Gaudio Jewish Georgian Photographic Staff Allan Scher, Jonathan Paz Volume 28, Number 1 Atlanta, Georgia November-December 2015 FREE WHAT’S INSIDE Graphic Art Consultant Karen Paz Not Always Easy, But Always Worth It Columnist Gene Asher, Jonathan Barach, The relationships fostered by PAL, Jewish Family & Career Services’ Big Brother/Big Sister program, benefit all Janice Rothschild Blumberg, involved. In JF&CS News Page 30 Marvin Botnick, David Geffen, Remembering Carolyn Gold, Jonathan Goldstein, Morris Abram An Atlantan’s dedication to human rights continues to benefit people worldwide. R.M. Grossblatt, Marice Katz, By Janice Rothschild Blumberg Page 5 Balfoura Friend Levine, History at Your Fingertips Marsha Liebowitz, Bubba Meisa, Since the late 1970s, sources for the history of Atlanta’s Jews have multiplied and become easier to access. Erin O’Shinsky, Reg Regenstein, By David Geffen Page 7 Stuart Rockoff, Roberta Scher, Selfless Beyond Measure Jerry Schwartz, Leon Socol, As a Catholic teenager in Poland, Irene Gut Opdyke took enormous risks to save the lives of Jews. Rabbi Reuven Stein, Ruben Stanley, Page 33 Cecile Waronker A New Home The 18th edition of Southern Jewish History looks at the many facets of Jewish migration and adaptation to the South. Page 32 Advertising Ruby Grossblatt Learning by Doing Ahavath Achim Synagogue’s Early Michael Pelot Learning Center will focus on the Reggio Emilia approach to education. By Carolyn Gold Page 44 Editorial Advisory Board Members Sam Appel Rabbi Alvin Sugarman Sam Massell Jane Axelrod William Rothschild Gil Bachman Michael H. Mescon Marilyn Shubin Paul Muldawer Cover art, Nine Dreidels by Doug Teper David Schendowich. 8495 Dunwoody Place, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30350 (404) 236-8911 • FAX (404) 236-8913 Happy [email protected] www.jewishgeorgian.com The Jewish Georgian ©2015 Chanukah November-December 2015 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 3 be made easily accessible to loved ones. are experts on family and eldercare law This one source contains most everything and voluntarily authored or compiled the you would expect to need, except a will, documents. The packet emphasizes that which usually has to be personalized since “The greatest gift you can give your loved “there is no ‘one size fits all’ will,” as Sandy ones is to have everything in one place.” What’s puts it. 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