Wishing You a Healthy and Sweet 5771 JewishTHE Georgian Volume 22, Number 6 Atlanta, Georgia SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2010 FREE Atlanta Jewish Educational Alliance—a centennial celebration What’s Inside By Marvin Botnick

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Jewish population of Atlanta numbered A High Holy Day something slightly over 1,000, the majority Washington Street buzzed with excite- of whom were recent emigrants. It is diffi- ment on Selichos night in 1948. cult for most of us to understand and appre- By David Geffen ciate what it must have meant to this popu- Page 30 lation to acclimate to a new environment, a new language, an unfamiliar social setting, and a new culture. Thoughts on Iraq While I grew up in Mississippi and not in Atlanta, I am the product of parents who Jewish values can provide a context for would be numbered in the tally of emi- dealing with the stresses of war. grants. I have always been in awe of how By Philip J. Botwinik, my parents and the others who faced this as told to George Jordan task met the challenge and moved them- Page 16 “Those were the days, my friend”: Bobby Paller, Harry Maziar, Barbara Smith, The Vicarious See Centennial Celebration page 5 Sherry Maziar, and Caryl Paller are all smiles. Traveler Globe-trotting granddaughters provide JNF National Conference will insights on other cultures via their travel blogs. draw eyes of world to Georgia By Leon Socol Page 21 By Jill Lerner From October 10-11, Atlanta will host the Jewish National Fund’s 2010 National Georgia’s surging importance to the Conference—the first time in the 109-year- The Power of worldwide Jewish community will be con- history of JNF that the organization’s most firmed in early October, when Atlanta wel- important meeting will be held in Atlanta. Small Things comes Israel’s leading politicians and More than 600 attendees are expected from change agents—including the mayor of throughout the country, including JNF JNF Chairman Ronald Lauder and A tiny prayer book was the constant Jerusalem and several cabinet ministers— Michael B. Oren, Israelʼs ambassador companion of an anonymous soldier dur- for a major conference on Israel. See JNF National Conference page 7 to the United States ing World War II. By Balfoura Friend Levine Page 15 Child Holocaust survivors and families honor Changing with heroic village in the French countryside the Times By Naomi Blass Once a community of merchants, Rome’s thriving Jewish community is now home “I thought they would come back.” My to professionals. mother glances at her hands, referring to her By Dr. Stuart Rockoff parents, my grandparents. She is nearing Page 10 seventy, with gray hair trimmed in a bob similar to the style popular in her childhood of the 1940s. We are at Hearth in Sandy Taking Care of Mom Springs, eating a pizza dinner. With an imp- ish smile, she adds, “I hoped they would Legendary southern storyteller Navigating the healthcare maze is a chal- find me. And bring me a doll in a baby car- Pat Conroy headlines the 19th lenge for caregivers. riage. What did I know? There was a war.” annual Book Festival of the By Ron Feinberg Betty Rose Blass with daughter She waves her hand, dismissing the errant Page 28 Naomi Blass (Photo courtesy of MJCCA. (photo: Steve Leimberg) Naomi Blass) See Survivors page 6 See page 38. Page 2 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 Judaism and the magic mirror Who is not familiar with the story of reminds me that this is the time for healing mouthing the words of repentance, it is the Snow White? I wonder how many people relationships with the land, for reaching actions and corrective deeds that speak for have ever thought about the imagery of the accommodations with my fellow humans, us. We seek a second chance. magic mirror in the story. Was the Brothers BY for arriving at peace with myself, and for It is symbolic that Yom Kippur, the Grimm presentation of this fairy tale just Marvin understanding my responsibility to God. Day of Atonement, is the day on which some mindless fantasy, or is it possible that Botnick Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning: the Moses descended from Mt. Sinai with the its symbolism has practical application? day on which God created man. It marks a second set of tablets containing the Think about it. modified many times since then. It has no start with all the attendant opportunities: the Commandments, the first set of which had For me, this mirror does exist. glitches, confidentiality is assured, and onset of a period to refresh who and what been smashed by Moses when he saw the You cannot see this reflective surface nothing contained or resulting from the pro- we are. people dancing around the golden calf. It into which I gaze, nor can you hear any gram can be construed as spam. My magic mirror always reminds me was only after Moses had returned to Mt. sounds that flow between it and me because Just in case I may have overlooked a that I am responsible for recognizing my Sinai and confessed to the sins of the peo- it is housed in my inner-self. It is an aston- self-evalu- missteps, ple, making supplications on their behalf, ishing creation that is at my beck and call, ating ses- either by that God forgave the transgressions. It was and I can ask it a question and get a mean- sion with Mirror, mirror in my inner soul commission by this act of contrition that the covenant ingful response. my mirror, or omis- between God and the Israelites, the annul- I have had this mirror all of my life, but Judaism Awaken within me renewal of goals. sion, and of ment of which had resulted from their cre- this is the season that I make the most use will not let Make me face my errant ways my duty to ation of the golden calf, was re-established. of it. Unlike the wicked queen in the Snow me hide atone and White tale, I do not use the magic mirror for behind my And guide my actions toward justice, I pray. make Mirror, mirror in my inner soul self-aggrandizement; rather, I rely on it for procrastina- amends for Awaken within me renewal of goals. introspective accountings. tion. Once a my actions Make me face my errant ways You can understand why this is the year I run head-on into the Days of Awe, and return, And guide my actions toward justice, time of the year that I really put the device that ten-day period of time that begins with teshuva, to a life of justice and righteous- I pray. to work. In the modern parlance, you might Rosh Hashanah and runs through Yom ness. We are required to redress any wrongs say that my magic mirror is programmed by Kippur. It is the time when we are remind- we have done to the person harmed and May 5771 be a year of tolerance, my Judaism; is soul-powered; and operates ed to keep focused on the moral imperatives seek from that person forgiveness for our understanding, and peace: and may we all on its own network. The original outline of of our Judaism: a time to review and rein- misdeeds and aversive actions. And we are realize that the difference between right and the basic program was cut into stone some force what has been commanded of us. For commanded to look inwardly to recognize wrong is more than just not getting caught. 3,500 years ago and has been updated and me, it is a time to confer with my mirror. the errors we have made against nature and When I talk with my magic mirror, it God and correct our ways. It is not just JewishTHE Georgian

The Jewish Georgian is published bimonthly by Eisenbot, Ltd. It is written for Atlantans and Georgians by Atlantans and Georgians. Publisher Marvin Botnick Co-Publisher Sam Appel Editor Marvin Botnick Managing Editor Marsha C. LaBeaume Assignment Editor Carolyn Gold Consulting Editor Gene Asher Associate Editor Barbara Schreiber Copy Editor Ray Tapley Assistant Copy Editor Arnold Friedman Makeup Editor Terri Christian Production Coordinator Terri Christian Designer David Gaudio Medical Editor Morris E. Brown, M.D. Photographic Staff Allan Scher, Phil Slotin, Phil Shapiro, Jonathan Paz Graphic Art Consultant Karen Paz Columnist Gene Asher, Susan Asher Jonathan Barach, Janice Rothschild Blumberg, Marvin Botnick, Suzi Brozman, Shirley Friedman, Carolyn Gold, Jonathan Goldstein, George Jordan, Marice Katz, Balfoura Friend Levine, Marsha Liebowitz, Howard Margol, Bubba Meisa, Erin O’Shinsky, Reg Regenstein, Susan Robinson Roberta Scher, Jerry Schwartz, Leon Socol, Bill Sonenshine, Rabbi Reuven Stein, Cecile Waronker, Evie Wolfe Special Assignments Lyons Joel Advertising Eileen Gold Francine Lowe Michael Pelot, VP OP Bill Sonenshine

Editorial Advisory Board Members Sam Appel Rabbi Alvin Sugarman Sam Massell Jane Axelrod Albert Maslia William Rothschild Gil Bachman Michael H. Mescon Marilyn Shubin Asher Benator Paul Muldawer Doug Teper 8495 Dunwoody Place, Suite 100 Atlanta, GA 30350 (404) 236-8911 • FAX (404) 236-8913 [email protected] www.jewishgeorgian.com The Jewish Georgian ©2010 September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 3 father’s footsteps by serving in the Israel caters to law-enforcement officials, recre- Air Force. ational sportsmen, and novices interested in An amazing legacy for the ten-year-old learning how to protect themselves. What’s farm boy named Lavos Lenovitz, who “The Sandy Springs Gun Club and arrived in the United States with a strange Range will be used by the Sandy Springs accent from a small Hungarian village, hav- Police Department—which currently must ing lost 14 family members, who were send its officers out of town for weapons killed at Auschwitz. training—in addition to being open to pri- vate citizens.” HAPPENING MARINE GENERAL LARRY TAYLOR. The range will even feature a “Ladies Coincidentally, Atlantan Larry Taylor sent Night” every Thursday, since women, more Happy Holidays, folks. We hope you us a photo of himself with Lou Lenart at a than anyone else, need protection. enjoy this issue’s column, which may be the beachfront bar in Tel Aviv, with a group The range has a variety of guns you can best one yet: The Atlanta Journal- from the Jewish Institute for National shoot, including legal, licensed machine Constitution’s award-winning cartoonist Security Affairs (www.jinsa.org). A board guns. Sounds like a good way for Howard Mike Luckovich at The Breman; “The Man BY Reg member of JINSA, Larry is a retired major to intimidate his tenants who are late on Who saved Tel Aviv” and his Atlanta pal, Regenstein general in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, their rent. Visit www.sandyspringsshootin- Marine Corps General Larry Taylor; a highly decorated veteran of the wars in grange.com, or call 770-394-GUNS (4867). Ackerman Security’s Burt Kolker, The Real Vietnam and Laos, and recently returned prevent the fledgling state of Israel from Sandy Springs Locksmith; the Workmans’ from a year in Iraq as a program manager being wiped out by attacking Arab armies. new shooting range in Sandy Springs; a for Civilian Police International. After serving heroically with the U.S. great new photo by Bobi Dimond; Darryl As a pilot with Marine Medium Marine Corps in the Pacific in World War Cohen elected head of the group that pro- Helicopter Squadrons in 1964 and ‘65, he II, where he flew a Corsair in missions duces the Emmys; and so much more. Read participated in combat operations in Santo against the Japanese on Okinawa and the on. Domingo during the Dominican crisis of Japanese mainland, Lenart helped smuggle ‘65. By 1967 and ‘68, he was serving in salvaged fighter planes past the British MIKE LUCKOVICH AT THE BREMAN. Laos and Vietnam as a pilot for the CIA-run blockade into Israel to defend the emerging Pulitzer Prize-winning AJC editorial car- Air America, flying the H-34. state from attack by its Arab neighbors. toonist Mike Luckovich’s presentation at Returning to the U.S. in late ‘68, he In May of 1948, he landed in a The Breman Jewish Heritage & Holocaust began his Marine Corps Reserve career fly- makeshift airfield, when the state was just a Museum was a huge success. Many people ing the H-34, the UH-1 Huey, and the AH-1 Sandy Springs Shooting Rangeʼs week old, and a few days later was strafing were surprised to see that the tough-as- Cobra. His decorations include the Robyn Workman Marzullo (left) and attacking Egyptian tanks that were making nails, no-holds-barred cartoonist, whose Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Cara Workman their way up the coast towards Tel Aviv. razor-sharp pen can be lethal, is, in person, Merit, and the Air Medal. Once the most As Tom Tugend, of The Jewish a sweet, humble, witty, pretty nice guy. senior Jewish Marine ever, Larry modestly SANDY SPRINGS LOCKSMITHS. Telegraph Agency, recently reported, Some 175 people turned out for the says, “As the grandson of Russian Jewish Security expert and longtime Ackerman “Some 10,000 Egyptians with tanks and Sunday event. The Breman’s Phyllis immigrants to America, I regard my highest Security exec Burt Kolker is the owner of artillery were 16 miles south of Tel Aviv, Lazarus says, “Mike was terrific. Everyone honor is to hold the title ‘United States an authentic, one-stop local shop for all and, in a desperate move, Israel unleashed loved him.” Fortunately, former President Marine.’” your home or business security needs. He its entire air force: four Czech-made George W. Bush, his favorite target, was not Semper fi, Larry, and thanks for your and his lovely wife, Susan, recently bought planes—a bastardized version of the in the audience. service to our country. The Real Sandy Springs Locksmiths, German Messerschmitt Me-109, whose 20 Mike has won more awards than we where, Burt says, “A locksmith will answer mm. cannons fired through the rotating pro- have room to list. They include two Pulitzer the phone directly, 24/7, no answering serv- peller blades in World War I fashion. Prizes (1995 and 2006) National Headliner, ices or voicemails, and will dispatch “The Egyptian troops, who had been Sigma Delta Chi, Thomas Nast, and trained, professional technicians who are assured that the Israelis had no aircraft, Overseas Press Club awards. He is syndi- employees of long standing, and with a were so surprised and unnerved by the cated in 150 newspapers, appears weekly in small fleet of our own vans.” attack that they halted their advance on Tel the Sunday edition of The New York Times, Burt warns that some unscrupulous Aviv. and is the most frequently reprinted car- operators have cloned his company’s name. “Among the four pilots manning the toonist in Newsweek. If you use online or print directories, you planes, subsequently enshrined as the pio- By the way, if ever you see one of his might get one of these scammers. Play it neer fathers of the Israel Air Force were cartoons you really like, you can buy the safe, and contact him directly at 404-256- Ezer Weizman, later president of the state, original drawing, inscribed by him, through 3780 or [email protected]. and Lenart, the only living survivor among the AJC. Prints are also available. the four.” After the war, Lenart participated in rescuing Iraqi Jews in an airlift to Israel, was a pilot for El Al Airlines, and even pro- duced movies, including Iron Eagle and Iron Eagle II, among others. His daughter, Michal, followed in her

Marine Corps General Larry Taylor

HOME ON THE RANGE. Cara Workman Susan and Burt Kolker Mike Luckovich and Breman and Robyn Workman Marzullo, the daugh- Museum members. Pictured: (from ters of Honey and Howard Workman, all PHOTOGRAPHER BOBI DIMOND. left) Nat Tieman, Ed Feldstein, Mike real estate entrepreneurs, love to do high- When she was in Florence, Italy, renowned Luckovich, Judy Feldstein, and caliber deals, but their latest venture is real- Atlanta photographer Bobi Dimond took a Jeanette Tieman ly high powered. They have opened a shoot- photo of a couple kissing on the famed ing range in Sandy Springs, at 8040 Ponte Vecchio bridge, which she later Roswell Road. entered into an upcoming exhibition enti- THE MAN WHO SAVED TEL AVIV. Original Israeli Air Force: (from left) They tell us that “the state-of-the-art, tled “Crossroads,” at Jill Celeste Gallery. To Eighty-nine-year-old Lou Lenart got that Lou Lenart, Giddy Lichtman, and title from his actions in 1948, fighting to 16-lane indoor shooting club and range Modi Alon with D-107 fighter See HAPPENING, page 4 Page 4 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010

show business exec, and man-about-town Magazine in 2008 and 2009. We suspect Michael Alterman’s HT Group LLC owns Happening Darryl Cohen has just been elected chair- Jay is going to be on the 2010 list when that more than 20 retail properties in the man of the National Academy of Television issue comes out in October. Just a hunch. Southeast, From page 3 Arts & Sciences (NATAS). Based in New including West Bobi’s sur- York, this group of New York and End Mall, prise, the Hollywood celebrities puts on the Emmy which is 97% exhibition awards. leased, even organizers But his greatest achievement is that he though times told her that is sometimes seen around town with the are tough. Their they are beautiful and brilliant, talented and delight- new firm, HT using the ful Anne Titleman, one of our favorite peo- Group LLC black-and- ple, who has movie-star looks and a heart Brokerage white, of gold, especially for animals. Services, will infrared shot provide the best on the exhi- in leasing Photographer bition invita- HT Groupʼs COO expertise to Bobi Dimond tion. “Cross- Michael Alterman smaller roads” is investors, at part of the month-long Atlanta Celebrates great savings in cost. “Being property own- Photography (ACP); Bobi was delighted to ers ourselves, we know how expensive it learn that her image will also be included in can be to engage third-party companies,” the ACP catalogue. says Michael. “We can provide smaller The exhibition opens with a reception, portfolio clients and individual, ‘mom-and- October 1, 7:00-10:00 p.m., and continues pop’ clients with the ability to maximize through October 31. Jill Celeste Gallery, their assets with professional and aggres- 3212 W. Hill Street, off Oakview, shares Jay Starkman on the cover of CPA sive leasing and management practices. HT space with Palate Cafe and Bar, inside the Magazine Group Brokerage Services will offer a Old Scottish Rite Hospital, in Decatur’s refreshing and logical approach to fees, Oakhurst Village. At the Emmys: Jeff Foxworthy and PARADIES HELPS GULF CLEANUP. which will be a nice change from the astro- Ann Titleman. Whereʼs Darryl? The Atlanta-based, family-run airport nomical fees being demanded by most retailing firm, The Paradies Shops, is doing third-party providers today.” JAY STARKMAN ON THE COVER. its part to help clean up the disastrous oil Renowned Atlanta CPA Jay Starkman tells spill damaging the Gulf Coast. Paradies is SAVANNAH CONGREGATION CELE- us exclusively that he is featured on the partnering with the National Fish and BRATES 277TH ANNIVERSARY. cover of the new CPA Magazine, starring in Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to sell a spe- Congratulations to Savannah’s the story, “IRS Representation Vital as cially designed T-shirt in Florida and Congregation Mickve Israel on its 277th Audits Escalate.” We don’t like to brag or Louisiana, bearing the message “Save the anniversary, which it celebrated on say we told you so, but we wrote a year ago Gulf/Save the Earth.” This shirt is available Saturday, July 17. It was in 1733 that a that the accountant you needed if you had for $15, or $5 with a $20 purchase; pro- boatload of Jews fleeing the Portuguese tax problems was Jay, who had just been ceeds will be donated to NFWF cleanup Inquisition landed in the new colony of named one of the nation’s top CPAs to rep- efforts in the Gulf. Savannah. And when one of them, our resent people before the IRS. To order a shirt, call 239-561-8096, or ancestor Dr. Samuel Nunez, saved the Jay was also recently quoted, yet e-mail [email protected]. colony from dying off from a strange fever again, in The Wall Street Journal, describ- (probably malaria), the colonists allowed ing what a minefield it can be to set up REAL ESTATE EXPERTS CREATE NEW the new arrivals to stay. trusts and IRAs for kids. FIRM. It’s in our contract somewhere that A brilliant and skilled tax practitioner, we have to have one of the Altermans in WHERE WAS ELENA KAGAN ON Jay is also the author of a fabulous recent our column. This issue, Michael A. bailed CHRISTMAS DAY? To us, the high point book, The Sex of a Hippopotamus. For us out just in time by joining forces with of Elena Kagan’s confirmation hearings Ponte Vecchio by Bobi Dimond more by and about Jay, visit www.stark- two of Atlanta’s most respected real estate was when the Supreme Court nominee was man.com. families—the Taylors and the Halperns— asked about the Christmas Day bomber and DARRYL COHEN ELECTED HEAD OF Among Jay’s many honors, he was to launch an exciting new commercial real where she was on that day. EMMY’S SPONSOR. Respected enter- named a FIVE STAR Best in Client estate brokerage firm. “Like all Jews,” she responded, “I was tainment and criminal defense attorney, Satisfaction Wealth Manager in Atlanta Chuck Taylor, Marty Halpern, and probably at a Chinese restaurant.” September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 5 Centennial Celebration From page 1 selves and their families into the mainstream of this great country. They did not do this all by themselves; they were aided along the way by communal efforts to make a home for them and their families. This past July, the Atlanta community celebrated the 100th anniversary of such an effort: the Atlanta Jewish Educational Alliance.

Founding publisher of The Jewish Georgian Gene Asher (right), a member of the Alliance boxing program who went on to win the Georgia State Golden Gloves lightweight championship, enjoys memories with Dick Wise.

The Alliance, the predecessor to the Marcus Jewish Community Center, gave the Jewish community of Atlanta a place to meet, socialize, participate in athletic endeavors, learn the language and customs, attend camps, and, in the modern parlance, network. It was the vehicle that allowed its members the place to maintain their roots while giving a structure to its youth.

“Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer, those days of soda and pretzel and beer”: Hymie and Sukey Shemaria, with Archie Merlin, recall what the Alliance meant to them.

Was it important, and did it have meaning to the burgeoning Jewish community? Just ask the approximately 400 celebrants that showed up at the MJCCA celebration of the 100th anniversary. There were no pick-up sporting contests, but there were many stories and much rem- iniscing. Instead of the foreign accents that must have been prevalent 100 years ago, the conversation was flavored with Southern accents. As always, memories of youthful expe- riences were embellished with a little imagination, and smiles and laughter were in abun- dance. It takes an event like this to really appreciate and understand the lasting effect that this endeavor had on the Jewish community. We have all aged and moved, but the lessons that were learned and the friendships that were made so many years ago have not faded. The good old days were really pretty good. Page 6 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010

Survivors documentation of their parents’ deportation downed Allied airmen, working with the Germans, was Vicq’s form of non-violent and murder in Auschwitz to the Yad Vashem Resistance to return them to England. The opposition to Marshal Philippe Pétain, head From page 1 Memorial database. And, like a fairytale, Germans arrested his father, Raymond of the Vichy government. In part, it was answers appeared when they were least Demaegdt, in Paris in 1943, sending him to their religion and insistence on seeing our wishes of a child. “I was seven.” expected. This being real life, the answers Dachau concentration camp. He survived. family members as “people,” rather than as Betty was seven when she arrived in came not from a fairy godmother but in the Francois’ personal connection to the war Jews, that motivated their generous actions. Atlanta in 1947 with her sister, Lucy form of a simple request in the mail. grew into his life’s passion. Some of the farmers were Protestants, Carson, then aged sixteen. Together, they “Dear Madame,” the letter read, “For As president of the Allier department’s descended from Huguenots, who, in the had made the trans-Atlantic crossing from four years, we have been doing research to branch of Amis de la Fondation pour la 1940s, empathized with the Jewish posi- Belgium. My mother, her sister, and a few make out a list of the names of the people Memoire de la Deportation de l’Allier tion. They knew what it was like to be per- of her cousins had miraculously survived who were deported from the Allier depart- (AFMD), Francois explained that the secuted. Their pastors decried the sending the Holocaust. ment, whether they were arrested for politi- AFMD’s purposes are multifaceted. of Jews, and particularly the sending of When they arrived in Atlanta, they cal reasons or persecuted because of their Working with archivists, local historians, Jewish children, to concentration camps as spoke no English. Today, Betty is a special religion..... We intend to have a memorial and survivors, it researches the lives of inhumane. The people of Vicq would do assistant attorney general representing erected with their names carved on it.... We deportees, as well as the role of the govern- what was within their power to help. Cobb County Department of Family and got your current address and e-mail address ment and villagers, widening the French This included an unspoken relationship Children Services. The quirk of fate that she from the Belgian authorities. We know your understanding of the deportation of resis- with nearby Broût-Vernet, a village on spends her days defending children, in light parents had taken refuge in Vicq.... Your tants and Jews to German concentration whose outskirts lies Château des Morelles, of the fact that she was a protected child in father was arrested and sent to a camp for camps. At the conclusion of a research proj- a children’s home where five of the cousins France, is not lost on her. Her sister and foreign workers.... You yourself are a sur- ect, Mr. Demaegdt provides the information were schooled and/or sheltered during por- cousins also moved to Atlanta and did well, vivor. Could you tell us about what hap- at a local conference, furthering the tions of 1942 and 1943. In the 1940s, the becoming successful business people, pened to you? Yours truly and respectfully, AFMD’s goal of education and fighting children’s home was known to the locals of mothers, and doctors. Mr. Francois Demaegdt” anti-Semitism in the next generation. Broût-Vernet as “La Colonie.” What they lacked was information “Francois who?” Aunt Lucy laughed. “Young people are not really interested Château des Morelles was one of four- about their childhood. What happened to “I wasn’t going to answer, at least not right in the deportation of resistants and Jews in teen children’s homes in the Southern their parents after they were arrested? Why away,” she told me over a breakfast of general, but if you explain to them that it Occupied Zone specifically for observant did the people of Vicq, a village in Central scrambled eggs, bagels, and lox. We were happened in their village, in their town, then Jews. It was run by the L’OSE, a Jewish France, near Vichy, protect them? How did sitting at her kitchen table, amid a scattering they become interested. The second part of organization formed in 1912. During World they get into a children’s home and placed of family photographs and coffee. “How did [AFMD’s research is] devoted to the Jewish War II, L’OSE members saved thousands of into the clandestine organization that saved he find me? What if he’s a crazy person? children who were saved thanks to Jewish Jewish children throughout Europe, main- their lives? How would they ever know? Who knows!” She threw her hands in the organizations such as the Œuvre de Secours taining legal operations, as well as in 1943 Like Hansel and Gretel, Lucy left a air. “I needed to find out.” aux Enfants (L’OSE) in Broût-Vernet; creating a clandestine branch, the Garel trail of breadcrumbs behind her. In 1985, A wiry man in his mid-sixties, Mr. Catholic, Protestant, or nonreligious organ- Network, which provided children with she traveled back to Vicq; she sent a flurry Demaegdt is the son of a Normandy farmer, izations; or ordinary people.” false papers, non-Jewish identities, and fos- of paperwork off to government offices in who, during the war, hid and sheltered The Allier region is in Central France, ter homes. Belgium; she went to Israel, submitting roughly a four-hour drive south from Paris. Here, Mr. Demaegdt insisted, it was The soil is dense and black, ideal for fields important to know that the Jewish children of yellow rapeseed that patchwork it come were not hidden, that they were registered spring. But once beyond the pastoral beau- by their given names. It was not until 1943 ty of the place, the realization dawns that that the Jewish children of La Colonie were this idyllic region was the beating heart of entered into the Garel Network and given German-occupied France. false papers, the importance of which can The principal town of Allier is Vichy. If not be understated. Some of the cousins you are Jewish or if you know your history, remember their life-saving, non-Jewish your blood might go a little cold at the names and identities to this day. sound of that name. This was war, and as such, little time The French, though, through organiza- was spared on legal formalities. According tions like AFMD, are uncovering to Dominique Rotermund, L’OSE archivist, Resistance stories throughout the Allier custody was not awarded to the L’OSE or department, pulling stories of hope and gen- the Garel Network via written documenta- erosity out from underneath Vichy’s shad- tion. Rather, transfer of custody would have ow. been by verbal agreement. “As to how your Stories like Vicq’s. family, along with so many others,” Mr. Demaegdt’s research project pro- Rotermund added, “knew of OSE, the only vided an example of local, non-violent plausible answer is to say that there were resistance on the part of the villagers of many offices and medical centers of OSE in Vicq, which was especially dangerous, most of the French cities and that people given their proximity to Vichy. simply learnt about the other side of the For almost two years, Vicq sheltered OSE’s mission from one another, as both our family. The adults worked as farm the danger and OSE’s action grew more and hands, cooks, or tailors—replacement labor more important.” for sons and fathers who were off to war. Unfortunately, the frequent govern- Given the circumstances, all able-bodied ment census of Jews in villages like Vicq hands were necessary. Work permits were and Broût-Vernet provided, as Mr. routinely extended in order to keep the Demaegdt pointed out, a “reservoir of adults in and around Vicq. The children Jews” for the Germans when the roundups were enrolled in school. Although regularly occurred in late 1942 and 1943. documented by the authorities, our family By late 1942, with my Aunt Lucy and lived and worked under their real names her cousins at La Colonie, my grandmother, until nearly the end of 1942. Machla Rosenblith, set about securing the And while it may not seem like active future of her youngest, Beatrice. My moth- resistance to the Vichy government, it was. er, Betty, was two at the time and not old Work, a government-sanctioned means for enough for Château des Morelles. keeping our family out of the hands of the Instead, my grandmother entered Betty September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 7 into the underground. To do so required his understanding from his grandfather a dangerous train trip to Limoges, and father that “we did not see ‘Jew.’ where the exchange occurred on the What is this, ‘Jew’? We only saw peo- train platform, in the mix of those ple.” departing and arriving for travel. As a tribute to the people of Vicq Preparing to re-board the train, my from the families, a park bench with an grandmother was arrested; thankfully, inscription was installed outside the my mother’s delivery in the waiting town hall. The inscription reads: arms of a member of the underground “Offered in gratitude to the inhabitants went unnoticed by the Gestapo. of Vicq by the descendants of Herz Like so many others in our family, Dollmann, David Rosenbaum, Solomon my grandmother was sent to Auschwitz; Rosenbluth, Berl and Machla those who lost their lives to the German Rosenblith. Your heroism and your gen- war machine now have their names erosity ensured the survival of the inscribed on Vicq’s war memorial. descendants of our families during the Resulting from the research efforts Second World War (1939-1945). May 8, of Mr. Demaegdt, sisters Lucy Carson 2010.” and Betty Blass and their four first Although Lucy and Herb had previ- cousins—sisters Regine Rosefelder and ously traveled to Vicq in the mid-‘80s Suzanne Tibor, brothers Dr. Fred Rose and ‘90s, this trip was especially and Dr. Herb Rose—and cousin Frieda poignant. Selowsky, traveled with forty members “This is really for the children. For of their families to Vicq, the small vil- the grandchildren. So that they can Vicq, France, May 8, 2010: The Rose cousins at the memorial for their family lage in central France that in 1940 shel- see,” said Lucy Carson. “And remem- members, joined by Francois Demaegdt. Pictured: (from left) Dr. Fred Rose, Dr. tered them and their parents, for the ber.” Herb Rose, Frieda Selowsky, Betty Blass, Lucy Carson, Regine Rosenfelder, memorial dedication ceremony. Suzan Tibor, and Francois Demaegdt (Photo courtesy of Naomi Blass) The parade joined the community together on the morning of May 8, 2010, where it seemed all were in atten- dance—young and old, flag bearers and local dignitaries filled the road to the cemetery. Among those present was Mrs. Marie-Louise Petard, a child in 1940, who recalled with clarity Regine, Lucy, Herb, and Fred from all those years ago. Additionally, Christophe Giraudet, the grandson of Roger Giraudet, the farmer Close-up of bench plaque (Photo who sheltered Herb, Fred, and their courtesy of Naomi Blass) Close-up of plaque memorializing Raymon Bonnal presenting the mother, Helli, also attended the day’s family members who were deported ceremonies. When asked why his grand- bench outside the town hall. The and sent to Auschwitz (Photo cour- event was attended by Channel 3, father and others in the town helped the tesy of Naomi Blass) Rose family, Christophe replied it was French TV. (Photo courtesy of Naomi Blass)

star in Israel, will lead a rally for the Erdan, Israel’s Georgia and the Southeast to the entire JNF Capital of the Jewish People. minister of Jewish World. JNF Southeast, based in Jewish National Fund is the caretak- Environmental Atlanta, is one of the fastest-growing From page 1 er of the land in Israel, known by its Protection; chapters in the national organization, and chairman Ronald Lauder and CEO iconic “blue boxes,” which collected David Lehrer, Atlanta, home to approximately one per- Russell Robinson. money to purchase land that became part director of the cent of the world’s Jewish population, is During the conference, Nir Barkat, of Israel and for planting more than 240 Arava Institute an increasingly important market for mayor of Jerusalem and a rising political million trees in Israel. forcharitable funds for Israel. Today, JNF—whose Southeast chap- Environmental For more information, or to register ter, based in Atlanta, is one of the fastest- Studies; and for the JNF National Conference, call growing in the entire organization—is Ruvik 404-236-8990, or visit www.jnf.org. focused on the most important issues fac- Danilovich, ing the modern State: water, forestry and Uzi Landau, Israelʼs mayor of ecology, security, education, and minister of National Be’er Sheva. research and development. Infrastructure To win The JNF National Conference is hosting duties, open to the public, and the entire Atlanta bested Southeast Jewish population is encour- a competitive- aged to register and attend the two-day bidding field event at the InterContinental Buckhead, that included as well as the gala dinner at the Georgia Los Angeles, Aquarium. New York, Participants will receive high-level Boston, and briefings on the recent flotilla incident, Chicago, as well such topics as Iran, the water cri- among other sis in the Middle East, the Israeli econo- cities. my, and anti-Israel sentiment on The American college campuses. selection of In addition to Barkat, confirmed Gilad Erdan, Israelʼs min- Atlanta speaks speakers include Uzi Landau, Israel’s ister of Environmental to the growing Mayor of Jerusalem, Nir Barkat minister of National Infrastructure; Gilad Protection importance of Page 8 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 Life’s challenges translate into a lifetime of giving

Debbie Shapiro, the Metro together, Jon was diagnosed with Atlanta Chamber’s 2010 Small colon cancer and, within six months, Business Person of the Year, inte- had to leave the business. Now, in grates giving back into every aspect addition to a sick husband, father, of her life. Adversity has only and mother and a brother addicted to strengthened her long-time commit- drugs, she had to face losing her busi- ment to helping others. ness partner. “Jon was amazing, and I As a teenager, Debbi, her sib- truly miss him,” Debbi said. “I know lings, and cousins participated in he would be thrilled to see what Jill events and open houses at the shelter and I have created and how the busi- where her mental- ness has grown to ly disabled 23 employees.” cousin, Charley, Jill and Debbi worked and became business played. This expe- partners, and giv- rience gave her ing back to all of insights and a the institutions, sense of responsi- associations, and bility that, at that organizations time, were unusu- impacting family al in the Jewish and friends was community where clearly part of she was born and their plan. “I raised, as well as remember how her larger commu- inspiring it was to nity. hear Debbi’s idea College pre- about forming an sented unique vol- outreach commit- unteering oppor- tee within our tunities that Debbi company,” Jill embraced, includ- said. “Debbi and I ing lots of week- took great pleas- ends working with Debbi Shapiro ure in helping children at her each team member synagogue’s identify the chari- Sunday school. ties of their choice and creating a In 1982, Debbi married her col- company matching program to lege sweetheart, Phillip Shapiro. But encourage giving.” In addition, the within the first few years of marriage, company has semi-annual charity Phillip was diagnosed with multiple events, and community projects are sclerosis. Debbi then became important team-building activities. involved with the state chapter of the Such workplace initiatives are just a Multiple Sclerosis Society, promot- few of the reasons Henderson Shapiro ing awareness of MS and raising was named to Working Mother maga- funds. “Being involved helped me zine’s 25 Best Small Companies list. learn more about the illness, as well “By supporting these causes, I am as support the cause.” supporting my family and friends in a Less than a decade later, her close and personal way,” Debbi said. father was diagnosed with prostate “But not all of my projects are spe- cancer, her brother admitted to being cific to my family and friends. For addicted to drugs, and her mother instance, being a founding member of was diagnosed with breast cancer. my synagogue, Gesher L’Torah, is These events further motivated her to sincerely for the greater good of oth- become involved in promotion and ers. And having a Jewish business fundraising for organizations dealing partner allowed me to secure help with the illnesses and issues affecting from Jill, as well as my Henderson her family. To this day, she provides Shapiro team. financial support to both her brother “I hope that being aware of what and organizations that address drug is needed and giving to others is addiction. instilled not just in my child, but in In 1993, Debbi and Jon the children I have regular contact Henderson started Henderson with,” she added. Shapiro, a marketing support firm in Part of the Henderson Shapiro Roswell. The hallmark of their third succession plan includes creating a year in business was bringing on Jill foundation. Debbi and Jill hope it Peck; an associate at the time, she will become part of their legacy not was slated to become a partner. After only to their own children, Sam and only a few years of the trio working Carly, but to others as well. September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 9 This jewelry store owner is a real gem Ivan started Ivan Solomon Limited Wholesale Company in 1982. His two younger brothers, Howard and Anthony, BY came to Atlanta from South Africa in 1988, Cecile and the three of them started Solomon Waronker Brothers Fine Jewelry. They have a won- derful relationship and are still talking after all these years. Shortly after my husband, Billy, died, I Ivan and Rayna have been married for discovered that I had lost the stone from my thirty-three years and have three sons, all of engagement ring. I was devastated—it was whom went to Greenfield Hebrew not the monetary worth of the ring but the Academy. Adon, the oldest, graduated from sentiment involved that really caused the Yeshiva Atlanta and the University of loss to bother me. The insurance company Georgia and received his J.D. and MBA couldn’t have been nicer, but I had to deal degrees from Georgia State University; he with it. is an attorney. He and his wife, Taryn, were I shopped around, but then remem- married in South Africa, which is where she bered one of Billy’s friends from Grady is from, and they live here. Ari, the middle High School knew a diamond person, so I son, graduated from The Weber School and called him. Billy’s friend called Ivan Indiana University and is in the music busi- Solomon from Solomon Brothers, and I Ivan Solomon and his family at Adon and Tarynʼs wedding in South Africa ness; he lives in Los Angeles and works for went to see him. two years ago: (from left) Ari, Rayna, Adon, Taryn, Ivan, and Jaron Creative Artists Agency. Jaron, the What a mensch! I cannot tell you how youngest, also graduated from Weber and is wonderful Ivan was to me. He took care of South Africa. He and his lovely wife, Ivan and Rayna really didn’t like living a junior at the University of Georgia. the situation. The stone was replaced and Rayna, came to the United States in January in New York, so, since Ivan had a large Family, Judaism, and community are the ring looked exactly as it had before. I of 1979. They first came to New York, wholesale customer base in the Southeast, very important to Ivan and Rayna, who was pleased with the transaction. Ivan is so where they lived for four years. they decided to move to Atlanta. The have been members of Congregation Beth unassuming and so nice. You can’t help but Ivan graduated as a certified gemolo- Atlanta airport was a large factor in their Tefillah for twenty-three years. feel confident and assured in his presence. gist from the Gemological Institute of decision, since Ivan’s work required a lot of Ivan is very laid back, honest, and not I was curious to know more about Ivan, America, in New York, and worked for a overseas travel. Ivan and Rayna didn’t overbearing. He is such a modest person. I so I decided to go talk to him. wholesale diamond company on 46th Street know what to expect of Atlanta but have feel so lucky to have gotten to know this Ivan Solomon was born in Cape Town, and 6th Avenue, in the heart of the Diamond truly come to love it here. The only thing true mensch. District. they miss is being close to an ocean. Polio scare brought fear, excitement those of us who were Shirley Temple’s age, solitaire was the only game in town. They still called it infantile paralysis, because it BY was thought to affect only the very young. Shirley However, Franklin Roosevelt was already Friedman president and was the disease’s most famous victim after he reached maturity. At first, we communicated by tele- phone, letters, cards, Girl Scout signal When you’re a tiny baby, your age is codes, telegrams, and notes delivered by measured in weeks. Between that and 20, adults. Then, we became more daring and you recite it in half years. After that, you’re started meeting each other secretly, just two just “in your” ‘30s, ‘40s, and so on. Finally, at a time. But we never crossed town, so you become “elderly.” those who lived on one side of town saw We were 11 1/2—far from the 14 you only their friends who lived on the same had to be in order to escape the polio quar- side. It dawns on me now that I didn’t and antine imposed on our county. School was don’t know what the boys were doing for closed, and all the children under 14 were entertainment, and, as 11 1/2-year-old girls, admonished to remain in their homes and we didn’t care. not congregate elsewhere. (Actually, there We would go over to Mrs. Lord’s front were enough children at our home to consti- yard and swing in her covered, wooden tan- tute a “Kalingregation.”) dem swings. We used to take peanut butter For a day or two, we took it lightly, but sandwiches down to our favorite little we soon realized that downtown was off bridge—named Shirine for Shirley and limits when, one afternoon, a group of us Florine—sit down, hanging our legs over were having our Cokes at the drugstore. Dr. the side, and talk for an hour or so. Burns came in and said, “Aren’t you young We went to school on Saturday morn- ladies under 14?” We giggled that we were, ings and part of the next summer to make up and he told us to hurry along home, which for all the time lost. All of us were thankful we did as soon as our straws scraped bottom that we were spared, but very few people with a screeching noise. remember the fright of the stolen fun times The lucky teenagers were allowed at we had during the dread epidemic that Sunday school and the picture show, but for Indian summer in the ‘30s. Page 10 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 After experiencing highs and lows, Rome’s Jewish community is on the upswing It’s unclear when the first Jews came to Rome, Georgia. According to some local histories, a man named Mordecai Myers lived in Rome in 1833, and O.A. Myers BY owned a newspaper in town in 1850, but Stuart there is no evidence that these men were Rockoff Jewish. By the time of the Civil War, a handful of Jews had settled in Rome, including Joseph J. Cohen, a native of Bremen, who owned a store on Broad Street in the 1850s. Cohen achieved rather quick success, own- ing $4,000 in real estate by 1860. He also had $30,000 in personal property, including six slaves. During the Civil War, Rome Jews like Cohen identified with the Southern cause. Several fought for the Confederacy, includ- ing the Prussian-born Philip Cohen, who was a successful 29-year-old merchant when the war broke out. Jewish women in Rome became active in the local Ladies Aid Society, which made clothes and blankets for the Southern soldiers. Rachel Cohen and Susan Marks were among the Jewish mem- bers of the society, which also nursed sick Congregation Rodeph Sholom exterior (photo: Shelby Deeney) and wounded soldiers. Rome’s Jewish community suffered Isaac May (photo courtesy ISJL) from General William Tecumseh Sherman’s occupation of the city, as several of their businesses were burned by the Northern 1905, settled in Rome, where he opened a army. David Meyerhardt, who owned a dry-goods store. Two brothers, Pressley and storehouse on Broad Street, saw it Joe Esserman, left Russia in 1891; by 1896, destroyed in the fires that engulfed the they settled in Rome and opened downtown district. Esserman’s Store, which remained in busi- Like Rome itself, the city’s Jewish ness for almost a century. After a few years community rose from the ashes after the in business in Rome, the brothers were able war. By 1870, Jacob Cohen, Morris Marks, to bring over the rest of their family, includ- and David Meyerhardt were still flourishing ing their parents, David and Lena merchants in Rome; in fact, the value of Esserman, and four younger brothers, in their real estate holdings had increased sig- 1898. nificantly during the turbulent decade. This wave of Jewish immigrants from After the war, Rome’s Jewish popula- Eastern Europe pushed Rome’s Jewish pop- tion grew. Prussian-born Jacob Kuttner ulation from 104 in 1907 to a peak of 250 in moved to Rome from New York in 1871, 1919. Most were concentrated in retail opening a dry-goods store. Kuttner’s sons, trade, and Jewish-owned businesses lined Max and Sam, took over the business after the streets of Rome’s downtown. The com- he died in 1905. His daughter, Hilda, mar- munity was made up of large families; in ried a young Alsatian immigrant named 1922, almost 60 children were in the Isaac May, who had come to Rome in the Rodeph Sholom religious school. early 1880s from Muncie, Indiana, where David Esserman was a rabbi by train- he had worked as a store clerk. May became ing and became the spiritual leader of Rodeph Sholom until his death, in 1917. He a dry-goods merchant in Rome and a lead- Congregation Rodeph Sholom interior (photo: Shelby Deeney) ing member of the local Jewish community. brought a Torah with him to Rome, which In 1875, the growing number of Jews was used by the congregation. Rodeph Sholom was an Orthodox congregation, left a large bequest to Rodeph Sholom, dedication ceremony, as did the editor of the in Rome, led by David Meyerhardt, organ- which became the foundation of a building local newspaper, who called the synagogue ized a congregation, Rodeph Sholom. Its with services exclusively in Hebrew, although it did not have daily minyan serv- fund. The congregation purchased land on a “splendid contribution to the moral and name, which means “Pursuers of Peace,” East First Street. In March of 1938, they spiritual progress of the city.” was certainly salient in a region still work- ices. A few years after Rabbi Esserman died, dedicated a small, unassuming building on During the 1930s and ‘40s, the congre- ing to recover from the Civil War and the site, which cost $15,600, and could seat gation was slowly moving toward Reform Reconstruction. Soon after, Jacob Cohen despite the small size of the congregation, Rodeph Sholom was able to hire another 200 people in its sanctuary. According to Judaism. In 1931, Rodeph Sholom held its donated land to the congregation on Mount the local newspaper, “It was the generous first confirmation ceremony, with the assis- Aventine for use as a cemetery. Initially, the full-time rabbi, Morris Miller, who stayed in Rome for six years. Although there were support of the many friends…of Jewish, tance of Rabbi Benjamin Parker, from group met in private homes, though, by Protestant, and Catholic faith that made Chattanooga’s Reform congregation. A con- 1890, they were meeting on the second a few years when the congregation did not have a rabbi, Rodeph Sholom was largely possible the erection of the house of wor- gregation sisterhood was founded in 1937 floor of the local Masonic Temple. The tem- ship.” and affiliated with the Reform National ple would remain the home of Rodeph able to maintain a full-time rabbi until 1956. By the 1930s, the congregation began At the dedication, Rabbi Harry Epstein, Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. In 1950, Sholom for the next fifty years. of Atlanta’s Conservative Ahavath Achim the congregation used the Reform Union In the early 20th century, Rome began to discuss building a permanent synagogue, which it had not done in the six decades of Synagogue, led the service and was the Prayer Book, but still held Rosh Hashanah to experience an influx of Jewish immi- keynote speaker. The pastor of the local services for the traditional two days. The grants from the Russian Empire. Jacob its existence. In 1937, member Abe Abramson, a farmer in nearby Adairsville, First Baptist Church also spoke during the Mendelson left Russia in 1896 and, by See Rome’s Jewish Community page 15 September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 11 Page 12 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 Safe and sound in the Sukkah By Susan Robinson lah in the garden. Apparently, a squirrel or other wild animal had grabbed the challah “A place for everything and every- off the table, gnawed off a piece, and then thing in its place,” was the motto of Mrs. abandoned it near the tomato vines and the Huber, 4th-grade teacher extraordinaire. It last of the summer cucumbers. Not to made sense, and I duly sought to comply. I worry, we quickly went to Plan B and kept my papers, crayons, and pencils neat- made HaMotzie on matzoh and rolls. ly stowed away in my desk, all in perfect The evening meal was reserved for formation. family only—a casual supper of pasta, So when the Jewish month of Elul meatballs, Italian bread, and salad. We ate, arrives and the fall holidays are near, I sang, and told stories. The children shared keep this motto in mind. I make lists: gro- D’vrei Torah, some thoughts about Sukkot ceries, menus, cleaning, and guests. When that they had learned at school. After I’m organized, I can rest easy. I’m in con- Birkat HaMazon, it was time for bed. My trol. husband and I went from bedroom to bed- One bright and early Sukkot morning room, saying goodnight to each child. many years ago, I re-checked my Yom Tov Within minutes, we realized that our menu. All the food had been prepared, younger son was missing. The older chil- plated, and covered in the fridge. dren joined us in the search, checking the Ready for our Sukkot supper Vegetable soup was bubbling away in the bathroom and closets. We looked in any crock-pot. The table was set, the children place that seemed logical or even illogi- him inside, and put him to bed. He woke times sleep) in a simple dwelling. dressed in their Yom Tov finery. Before cal—you never know with a four-year-old up the next morning, none the wiser about Sometimes it’s too hot, sometimes too leaving for shul, I finished one last boy. Could he possibly be playing a trick the previous evening’s misadventure. cold. At times, we have to fend off bees, detail—placing the challah on the table in on us? Was he intentionally hiding? We All’s well that ends well. A lot can go mosquitoes, and the occasional squirrel. the Sukkah. Being organized is so impor- looked under the beds, behind the couch, wrong even with all the planning and list And yet, this is not a loss. We have the tant. all the usual hide-and-seek spots. preparing. I had come to find out that I’m security of fulfilling a mitzvah, dwelling Arriving home after shul with our Then we went to the last place we had not as organized as I had thought. I had in a makeshift abode that represents our company, we trooped to the backyard, seen him—the Sukkah, now totally made plans, and the plans had gone awry. total dependence on HaShem. We are not ready for our Sukkot meal. Kiddush was enveloped in darkness. And there he was, I wasn’t in control of the situation after all. in control. Events happen that we cannot set up; we were ready. But where was the curled up and sound asleep under the table. Lost challah and a lost child had proven foresee, yet the presence of HaShem challah? Had I not put it out? We didn’t see With all the chatter earlier in the evening, this to be so. remains our true comfort. it anywhere. We looked throughout the we had never noticed that he had fallen Sukkot teaches us to live without the Chag Samayach—a happy and mean- Sukkah and then searched the kitchen. asleep at the table and slipped off his chair comforts of our homes. We eat (and some- ingful Yom Tov to all! Finally, one of the children found the chal- onto the grass. We lifted him up, carried September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 13 High Holiday memories The year was 1946. I was a freshman at the University of Miami, and I couldn’t wait to see the Miami football team in action. The Miami Hurricanes were new on BY Gene the big-time football scene. The year Asher before, they made it to the Orange Bowl. Although they lost to Auburn, they uncov- struggle, especially during the sermon. ered a super speedster named Al Hudson. The rabbi spoke about attendance—how- Hudson made a more than 50-yard touch- ever, I was thinking not of attendance, but down run. The Hurricanes were so deep in what was going on in the Orange Bowl. talent in ‘46, Hudson couldn’t make the And then, out of the blue, the rabbi starting lineup. said, “The only time of the year when the Those ‘46 Hurricanes were really temple is filled is tonight, the highest holy something. They won their season opener day of the year—and even tonight, some 40-something to nothing and followed of the people who should be here are sit- that up with a 35-7 victory. ting in the Orange Bowl, watching Miami And now the big moment—a home play North Carolina. And those same peo- game against power-laden North Carolina. ple are seeing North Carolina lead, 14-0, It was the year of Charlie (Choo Choo) at the half.” Justice and Art Weiner, two of the biggest I don’t know how he got the score at stars ever to come out of Carolina. the pulpit, but he did. And I was certainly The game was billed as the battle of glad I went to temple and not the Orange the century. I couldn’t wait, but there was Bowl. North Carolina won, 20-7. a big dilemma for me. The game was on Friday night, Yom Kippur Eve. I had never missed a Yom Kippur service—not since I was six years old, when I attended services with my dad. What to do? Do I go to the game, or do I go to temple? As much as I wanted to see the battle of giants, I opted for temple. I was trying to follow the service in the old Union Prayer Book, but it was a Page 14 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 Big Splash 2010 benefits the Marcus Autism Center Big Splash 2010 will take place at Aquarium, is a true joy,” said Paller. the Georgia Aquarium, Saturday, ——— November 13, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The signature fundraiser benefiting Since its founding, Marcus Autism Marcus Autism Center, this year’s black- Center has helped children with autism tie event will have a spectacular feature: make dramatic strides. Five years ago, the private premiere viewing of the Sandy Springs residents Janel and Jason Georgia Aquarium’s new Dolphin Schwartz noticed their 2-year-old daugh- Exhibit. ter, Perri, was having challenges with Big Splash attendees will enjoy pri- language development. With a range of vate access to the entire aquarium, cock- questions and emotions, they took her to It is all about the children - Marcus tails, food by Wolfgang Puck, entertain- Marcus Autism Center, where she was Autism Center Executive Director ment, and a live auction. The Patron diagnosed with autism. Don Mueller (left) and Bernie Marcus Party for Big Splash 2010, sponsored by After her diagnosis, she was enrolled Wilmington Trust and Cooper-Atlanta in early intervention services to improve Marcus Autism Center. Transportation Services, Inc., will be her skills in communication, behavior, Marcus Autism Center treats more held at the home of Arthur and Stephanie and social interaction. With the help of than 3,600 children a year. It receives Blank. Space is limited. the experts at the center, Perri, now 7, is generous philanthropic support from “We could not be more proud and in second grade at the AMIT Community community leaders and funding from excited to bring Atlantans this opportuni- School on the campus of the Alfred and local and state governments, and its staff ty to support families with autism in such Adele Davis Academy in Atlanta. of highly trained pediatric professionals a spectacular way,” said Co-chair Caryl “With the help of the center’s devel- is supported by research grants from the Paller. She and Co-chair London Andes opmental pediatrician, our family has National Institutes of Health and the also co-chaired the extremely successful seen new possibilities in the bright future Centers for Disease Control and Big Splash 2005, which was a pre-open- she has ahead of her,” Janel Schwartz Prevention. ing gala for the Georgia Aquarium. said. “Atlanta is fortunate to have a place Big Splash 2010 Co-chairs Caryl Paller (left) and London Andes at the Big Splash 2010 will honor Billi and that’s truly committed to improving the ——— Bernie Marcus for their commitment to lives of children with autism.” Georgia Aquarium improving lives of children and families Autism is the fastest growing devel- Center relies on community support to For more Big Splash 2010 informa- impacted by autism. “To honor the sig- opmental disability in the United States, provide high-quality care to children tion and tickets, contact Jennifer nificant accomplishments of Billi and affecting one in 100 children national- affected by autism and related disorders. McDonald at 404-785-9486 or Bernie Marcus, who founded both ly—and one in 98 in Georgia. As a not- All proceeds from Big Splash benefit [email protected]. Marcus Autism Center and The Georgia for-profit organization, Marcus Autism September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 15

integration of the city. Jule Levin had come Jews in 1937 to fewer than 100 by the end Rome’s Jewish Community to Rome in 1940 and married Rose of the 1970s. Rodeph Sholom had 46 mem- From page 10 Esserman. He worked at Esserman’s ber families in 1966; by 1979, there were Department Store, which was the first store only 33 members, and the congregation congregation voted to limit Rosh Hashanah in downtown Rome that employed black struggled to meet the expense of a student observance to one day in 1965. salespeople to wait on both white and black rabbi. By the early 1970s, only four chil- In 1955, the congregation officially customers. Levin was president of the dren were in the religious school, and joined the Reform Union of American Rome Chamber of Commerce when black Rodeph Sholom seemed to be a congrega- Hebrew Congregations. Some members activists began holding sit-ins and protest- tion headed for extinction. were upset at the change, and at least one ing segregation at the city’s downtown Despite these challenges, Rodeph quit the congregation. But Rodeph Sholom stores. He worked to convince other busi- Sholom has thrived in recent decades, as an ultimately benefited from the affiliation, as ness owners that integration was in their influx of Jewish professionals has helped it was now able to bring down student rab- best interest, so Rome could avoid the vio- offset the disappearance of the town’s bis from the Reform seminary, Hebrew lence that plagued other Southern cities. Jewish merchants. One of the earliest was Union College. From 1956 to 1995, During a series of lunch counter sit-ins by Murray Stein, a dentist, who came to Rome Rodeph Sholom received regular visits local black students in 1963, Levin helped in 1951 and quickly became a leader of the from HUC rabbinic students. In 1966, to negotiate a peaceful settlement. His local Jewish community. In recent decades, Rodeph Sholom continued its movement wife, Rose, was active in the Georgia increasing numbers of Jewish professionals away from traditional Judaism, when Council on Human Relations, a pro-Civil have come to work at Rome’s growing members voted to stop maintaining a Max Meyerhardt (photo courtesy Rights organization, and fought against medical center or to teach at Berry College. kosher kitchen in the synagogue—though ISJL) public school closings during the struggle This small wave of Jewish profession- they agreed “no hog meat would be over integration. als has bolstered the congregation. In 1995, for education inspired him to found brought into the kitchen.” To honor her parents’ commitment to it began hiring part-time rabbis from Rodeph Sholom’s religious school, which Over the years, Rome Jews have building a more just society, Ann Levin and Atlanta who lead services once a month. In he ran for almost fifty years. During World become important leaders in the larger her husband, Larry Beeferman, created the 2008, the congregation undertook a War I, Meyerhardt led the campaign for community. Isaac May spent several years Rose Esserman Levin and Jule Gordon $350,000 building renovation. While Jewish war relief in Europe, using the on the city council in the 1910s and ‘20s. Levin Fund for Social Justice in 1993. The Rodeph Sholom remains small, with 35 social connections he gained through the Perhaps the most prominent member fund gives an award each year to the high member families, it is a vibrant congrega- Masons to raise money from non-Jews of the Jewish community was Max school senior in Rome whose actions best tion with an active religious school. across the state. Meyerhardt. Born in Prussia in 1855, Max exemplify the ideal of social justice. Around the time of World War II, came to Rome with his parents, David and For much of the twentieth century, Readers can learn more about the his- Rome increasingly attracted industry, Esther, as a young boy. Max became a most Rome Jews engaged in retail trade. tory of Jewish communities in Georgia by including carpet factories and a rayon prominent local lawyer and served as a city Esserman’s Department Store remained a visiting the Encyclopedia of Southern plant. Charles Heyman, who had started as judge from 1879 to 1891. Meyerhardt was fixture on Broad Street; a cousin, Joseph Jewish Communities found at an office boy at the Fox Manufacturing a fierce advocate for public education and Esserman, owned the Lad & Lassie chil- www.isjl.org. The Goldring/Woldenberg Company in Atlanta in 1920, eventually helped to found the Rome public school dren’s clothing store. Isadore Levenson Institute of Southern Jewish Life considers bought the company and moved its opera- system in 1884; he served on the Rome owned The Vogue, a ladies dress store. the encyclopedia to be a work in progress tions to Rome in 1936. The company man- School Board for 25 years. He was also Louis Gavant, who moved to Rome from and invites the public to contact Dr. Stuart ufactured furniture that was sold in stores dedicated to the idea of public libraries and Atlanta in 1939, opened the National Rockoff at [email protected] with addition- around the country. His son Lyons Heyman was a founder of the local Young Men’s Jewelry and Loan Company. But by the al information related to the history of joined the company as one of thirty travel- Library Association. Meyerhardt was also 1980s, many of these businesses had start- Jews in Georgia or other parts of the ing salesmen in 1948 and later became very active in the Masons and spent seven ed to close. Esserman’s store finally closed South. president in 1965. He sold the company in years as the Grand Worshipful Master of around 1990, just short of its 100th 1980. Masonry for the entire state of Georgia. anniversary. Dr. Stuart Rockoff is director of the history During the Civil Rights era, some Max Meyerhardt was also a leader of These trends took their toll on Rome’s department at the Goldring/Woldenberg Rome Jews worked to achieve the peaceful the Rome Jewish community. His passion Jewish community, which shrank from 200 Institute of Southern Jewish Life. A little prayer book has traveled far

In the palm of my hand, I hold a away from home, not knowing if or little book—only 3” x 5”, covered in when he’d ever see his folks again. olive-drab canvas, and yellowed with Perhaps some chaplain, leaning over a age. One of a half million such books BY wounded boy, would read from that printed in 1941, its cover bears this Balfoura Friend same prayer book, from the chapter text: Prayer Book, Abridged for Jews Levine titled “Confession on a Death Bed.” in the Armed Forces of the United I think how good it would have States. National Jewish Welfare or two, through the Red Cross. been then if the troops had computers Board, 220 Fifth Avenue, New York As soon as he could, my father with e-mail or even phones for making City. sent me this prayer book, which was long-distance calls. Occasional letters As we prepare for our High Holy probably given to him by an American from home were all the lonely troops Days of 2010, so far from World War G.I. I think of some young man (since could look forward to during mail call. II and the 1940s, I think of the young most who fought in the war were just I want to thank each and every men and women who might have car- out of high school) opening his prayer person reading this column who ried this little treasure in their uniform book while thinking of his family, who fought for America and its allies, who shirt pockets. were reading the same words, reciting were brave, though scared, and even My father, Jacob Friend, was the Shema, and observing Rosh scarred in that horrible war. To y’all stuck in the Philippines on business Hashana and Yom Kippur in the who served, my appreciation for my during the dreadful years of that seem- warmth and safety of their stateside life in this wonderful country—this ingly endless war. My mother and I homes and synagogues. Goldeneh Medina. were in Japanese-occupied Shanghai I imagine this little book bringing God Bless America. and heard from my father only a time hope and comfort to the lonely boy, far My prayer book Page 16 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 Serving in Iraq offers rare opportunity to explore Jewish values By Philip J. Botwinik, as told to George activation and deployment overseas. I wanted their clients to get fair value for inspiring to know lawyers at every level Jordan know this is counter to the service axiom damaged property. The claims process was were trying to do their part to improve “never volunteer.” I was the officer in important, because it gave people finality. conditions for the Iraqi people. When we As a reservist called to active duty, charge of the JAG section trying to build While paying claims, the paralegals would were walked to the courtroom, there were Major Phil Botwinik of Dunwoody served an 11-person team. I wanted to get up to say, “I speak to you from my head and armed guards everywhere. In the court- in Iraq as a Judge Advocate General speed quickly and fully prepare the section from my heart; I am sorry for your incon- room everyone was Iraqi—the prosecutor, (JAG) from May 2005 to May 2006. Major and myself for the combat tour. For the venience, I am sorry for your loss.” It was criminal defense attorney, judge, and, of Botwinik has served over ten years in the first few months, my job was, in part, help- more than money, it was acknowledging course, interpreters. Everyone was under National Guard. I had the privilege of ing make sure we built up our team. My the loss and treating people honorably. armed guard. The preliminary hearing was interviewing him. Following are some of ADSW was three months, followed by 21 to determine whether these two Iraqis his observations about his experiences months of active. My actual “boots on the INFRASTRUCTURE. Our brigade had should be bound over to the higher crimi- there and his thoughts about military serv- ground” in the Middle East was 12 engineering assets and a civil affairs sec- nal court system in Iraq. They were. The ice. –George Jordan months. tion, so we focused Iraqi judicial system appeared to be In on helping with improving in 2006. Joining the service was important for December infrastructure. As a me. I wanted to honor those who served 2004, as the JAG, I reviewed JUDAISM. Rabbi Julie Schwartz, a former before me, as well as support and defend lead JAG for some of the contracts Navy chaplain now at Temple Emanu-El in the concepts of life, liberty, and the pursuit my 4,000-per- for projects executed Dunwoody, invited me to services during of happiness. I had numerous relatives son unit, I was by the U.S. Army my train-up period. She called me to the who served in the military: great uncles in required to Corps of Engineers. bimah and handed me her original Prayer World War II, relatives in Vietnam, and attend a 7-10 There was great Book for Jewish Personnel in the Armed others who served on active duty. Also, I day pre- emphasis on repairs Forces of the United States. Her copy was wanted to honor my family, and I wanted deployment or improving what probably over 20 years old. After complet- to help make a difference in this world. site survey was not working. I ing the prayer to keep me safe and protect The idea of making a difference was (PDSS) in believe that our my family while I was away, she gave it to impressed upon me early by some out- Kuwait/Iraq. group made tremen- me and said, “This is my prayer book. I am standing mentors. One of these was Judge Our brigade dous strides with giving it to you to take with you to Iraq to Meyer Warshawsky. He was once asked by leaders had a infrastructure use and to keep you safe. And when you a writer, “How are you going to be judged, one-week improvements. come back, you return it to me.” Her ges- since you have spent your lifetime prose- “train up” to For the seven ture and words were very comforting. The cuting and judging others?” He replied, “I learn the things months my unit was prayer book went with me wherever I went am Jewish, and I believe on judgment day, we needed to in the Baghdad area, overseas. My family and I returned it to I will be judged on how I have treated my know before my higher headquar- her after I came home. fellow men.” Judge Warshawsky, a Marine going on the ters was Third When I was at Fort Stewart, Rabbi during WW II, taught me as a lawyer it is PDSS in a Infantry Division, Adam Singer, of Congregation Bnai Brith all right to disagree, but not to be disagree- combat zone. also known as “Rock Jacob, in Savannah, found out that we had able. In Baghdad, I of the Marne.” This two very observant Jewish soldiers from So when I embarked on my legal received on- unit had an outstand- Chicago. He visited the three of us weekly career in Georgia, I began looking for the-job training ing JAG office, run for about five months. He not only invited ways to serve in the military. For me, on how units by a full-bird us to his shul, but welcomed us into his being a lawyer meant helping people, mak- handle claims, colonel. During one home for a holiday dinner before we were ing a difference, and giving folks finality accompanying of our regular meet- deployed. Both Rabbi Schwartz and Rabbi Major Phil Botwinik with their challenges. paralegals from ings, a local lawyer Singer taught me that when service mem- In late 1999, I became a commis- an active duty brigade to observe how they and a judge talked with us about the state bers are out doing their job, they are doing sioned officer with the Georgia Army received, evaluated, and paid claims in of the Iraqi judicial system. We learned G_d’s work. This core belief gave me sol- National Guard as a reservist. I was a Iraq, consistent with their culture. about how the legal process was improv- ace, strength, and courage during my Georgia licensed attorney, but I had to ing, and courthouses were being built deployment’s most difficult challenges. attend a Judge Advocate Officer Basic IRAQI CULTURE. When I went to Iraq, I where needed. We were taught that each When I was at Camp Stryker, near Course for about four weeks in Virginia. knew a little bit of the language. We had JAG, paralegal, and unit was part of some- Baghdad, in June and July of 2005, I had After that, I was qualified to represent sol- general cultural awareness classes, and I thing much more important than each indi- no regular or meaningful connection with diers at boards or hearings. My initial had been given pamphlets with basic vidual. We were helping restore justice, Judaism. The brigade had numerous chap- duties were to support the Army Guard phrases or key words. During my year in peace, and the rule of law in a country that lains, but they were meeting the spiritual with annual legal briefings, provide wills Iraq, I was fortunate to meet and work with had been missing key pieces of a fair, neu- needs of other service members. When I and power of attorney documents, and several Iraqi interpreters. Many were tral, and impartial judicial system. One heard that a group of Jewish service mem- assist with pre-deployment soldier readi- Iraqi-Americans who volunteered to help improvement was that judges no longer bers was meeting weekly at a nearby ness. the U.S. military for patriotic reasons. Iraq feared for their lives. Our work during one camp, I followed up with my chaplains, In June 2000, I did my first annual is a complex society, and cultural under- of the elections was making things better; did some research, and obtained authoriza- training in the field at Fort Stewart, standing was critical. hopefully, Iraq and the region would have tion to attend. These services, followed by Georgia. As a reservist, I am required to On convoys, we would meet smiling, brighter days ahead. a dinner, were at Camp Victory, about a complete 15 days of annual training per happy children. One day, a soldier showed One month before leaving, I was 30-minute Humvee drive from my camp. year and work two days per month. This a young child how to care for her broken asked to take the role of brigade prosecu- These Friday nights were very meaningful training, which often involves basic sol- toe by bandaging it to the healthy ones, tor. I traveled by plane and helicopter to for me. People from all walks of life dier skills, normal JAG functions, and because without shoes or medical treat- the international zone, where I stayed at throughout the U.S. became friends—doc- JAG operational training with a battle ment, it was not healing properly. I think the U.S. Embassy. I assisted two soldiers tors, cooks, analysts, logisticians, regular staff, is done to make sure that when we do we had a very positive impact in Iraq. before they testified against two Iraqi soldiers—we met, talked, and supported go to places like Iraq or Afghanistan, we I had some interaction with English- criminal detainees, who were found with a each other. are able to function in a unit and defend speaking Iraqi lawyers who represented huge cache of weapons. We traveled under There were usually about 12-15 serv- ourselves. claimants for property damage and person- armed guard from the embassy to the Iraqi ice members. Some met on Saturday In September of 2004, I volunteered to al injuries. At a luncheon with about 20 courts. While waiting to be moved into the nights to watch movies or TV. Two indi- go on active duty for special work lawyers in Scania, near Babylon, we had a courtroom, we were coincidentally visited viduals embarked on formal Jewish educa- (ADSW) with the 48th Brigade Combat pleasant discussion about mutual goals, by the U.S. Department of Justice attaché tion to better themselves. Halfway during Team in Macon, Georgia, to prepare for an each party’s role, and how the lawyers to Iraq while he was giving a tour. It was my time overseas, our rabbi sent an e-mail September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 17 telling us that one of our Friday night legal issues. IRAQI ATTITUDES. A rabbi told me him differently. This taught me that no attendees, Sgt. Eric Allen, had been blown about a Jewish company-grade officer who matter where we go, no matter what we do, up in a Humvee. The young man, a cook In both the Clayton and DeKalb was “boots on the ground” in a village for we cannot change certain cultural aspects from Arizona, was married with two young County courthouses, there are memorials a year. Everyone in the village got to know, of a society. kids. He was activated just when his time bearing this inscription: “To those who like, and respect him. When it came time in the U.S. Army Reserve was about to run fight for it, life has a flavor the protected to leave Iraq, he decided he owed it to him- The opinions or conclusions expressed in out. An assigned driver in a military police never know.” Whenever I read about serv- self to tell the villagers that he was Jewish, this article are not those of the Department unit, he told us his missions were danger- ice members who have died or been because for a year he had been their friend of Defense, the U.S. Army, the Army ous. His death was a deep blow for our severely injured, I am honored and hum- and protector. A certain percentage of the National Guard, the Georgia Army minyan. bled by their service to our country. Now people said, “We don’t care that you are National Guard, the Judge Advocate The group gave us a lot of strength that I have served in uniform and in a com- Jewish. You are our friend. You treated us General’s Corps, or any other governmen- and encouragement to get through the bat zone, I feel a fellowship or connection nicely, you treated us fairly.” But another tal or non-governmental agency. week. It helped me be a better person as I with others who have worn a uniform. I percentage withdrew from him. They saw helped others with their problems 10-12 hope that the citizens of America realize hours a day, 6+ days a week, for months on that service members sacrifice so much for end. It deepened my appreciation for being our freedom. Jewish. When we got together, I felt like it was about us as a Jewish group and trying ON PATIENCE. The average American to honor the memory of our friend—that may not fully understand today’s service It’s My Party, Inc. Judaism was about moving forward every men and women. I would ask them for day in a positive direction, regardless of their patience. It takes time and patience to what happened the day before. Even improve situations that are complicated. Full Service Event Planning though my brigade experienced over 30 Please have patience with service members deaths in our one year overseas and there who have served in a combat zone and weddings • bar/bat mitzvah • corporate were injuries, I had to remain focused on those that serve here. my job, helping leaders or soldiers with Sharon Fisher Atlanta Jewish Film Festival set for major expansion 275 Spalding Springs Lane tel. 770.395.1094 In response to audience demand, Atlanta increased access, and an improved festival Atlanta, Georgia 30305 cell 678.637.2030 Jewish Film Festival (AJFF) has announced a experience for our patrons.” dramatic expansion. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is the [email protected] fax 770.396.8844 The 11th Annual AJFF will be held largest film festival in Atlanta and second February 8-27, 2011. This increase from 12 to largest Jewish film festival in the United States. 20 days allows AJFF to reach a larger audience, More than 20,000 moviegoers attended the exhibit additional films, offer more repeat 10th Annual AJFF in January 2010. Another screenings of popular titles, and decompress 1,500 patrons attended the AJFF Gala Concert what is currently a densely packed schedule. commemorating the festival’s 10th anniver- The shift to February sary, a first-of-its-kind and away from the concert by the Atlanta winter holidays also Symphony Orchestra of offers AJFF organiz- film scores from Jewish- ers an extended peri- themed Hollywood clas- od of time in which to sics. plan and promote fes- Atlanta Jewish tival programming Film Festival, a cinemat- for the benefit of ic examination of Jewish attendees. life, culture, and history, Besides extend- is produced by the ing the dates, AJFF is American Jewish adding a major new Committee, the country’s venue: GTC (Georgia oldest human relations Theatre Company) organization, to support Merchants Walk 12 its mission of “building Cinema, in Marietta. bridges of understand- With GTC hosting ing” across community screenings at its East lines. AJFF features an Cobb multiplex, international showcase of AJFF will serve a some 50 narrative and new and emergent documentary films that demographic. The represent a diverse mix East Cobb venue Kenny Blank of genres and subjects. complements the Film screenings are sup- existing AJFF locations: Regal Cinemas plemented by guest speakers to provide a Atlantic Station Stadium 16, Lefont Sandy dynamic forum for audience dialogue with Springs, and Regal Cinemas Medlock Crossing filmmakers, academics, authors, and other Stadium 18. Details regarding the festival expert panelists. Since its founding in 2000, schedule, programming, and ticket sales will be AJFF has achieved robust growth in atten- announced at a future date. dance, audience diversity, community visibili- AJFF Executive Director Kenny Blank ty, quality of programming, and sponsor partic- explained the changes: “After record atten- ipation. The Atlanta Jewish Film Festival is a dance at our 10th anniversary festival, we rec- non-profit event, made possible with the gener- ognized the time had come to scale up AJFF for ous support of corporate, foundation, govern- a new decade. This expansion of dates and ven- ment, and individual sponsors. For more infor- ues will translate to richer programming, mation, visit www.ajff.org. Page 18 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 longer.” He’s written approximately 30 arti- cles for Jewish publications emphasizing Schwartz on Sports the benefits of exercise. And at 90+, Ed Jackel is a wonderful example of that phi- losophy. I got a call from my friend, Eddie Ullman, telling me to reserve July 15 to come hear SPORTS BROADCASTING CAMP. Last Ed Jackel speak at the Marcus Jewish year, our good friend Sandra Hartman told Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA). BY Jerry us about a sports broadcasting camp at Eddie coordinates speakers for Edgewise, a Emory University that her grandson, Ethan, weekly meeting at which prominent Schwartz was attending. This year, our grandson, Atlantans speak on their area of expertise. Seth Cohen, attended the same camp. I’ve attended many of these sessions, Seth is 12 years old, and he is a sports assistant in the late ‘50s, before Moose even spoke at one, and always found them fanatic, not only playing tennis, flag foot- went into the service. Moose brought up the to be interesting and informative. They’ve ball, basketball, and ping-pong, but follow- time the JCC got a new trampoline, and nei- had comedian Jerry Farber, who talked ing the games as a spectator and fan. He is ther he nor Ed had any experience on the about his wrestling career at North Carolina particularly knowledgeable about college trampoline or teaching others. So, it was and told other humorous stories; Mike and professional football, having participat- definitely on-the-job training and “flying by Luckovich, The Atlanta Journal- ed in a number of fantasy football leagues. the seat of your pants.” Seth Cohen getting ready for a day Constitution editorial cartoonist; Jay In fact, with one Internet group, he was the Moose also mentioned Dan Kennerly, of sports broadcasting. Bookman, AJC editorial writer; Fred commissioner. I asked him if the other play- who was the football coach and athletics Broder, motivational speaker; and Rick ers knew how young he was, and he said it director at O’Keefe High School and also Blue, psychologist and author. There have didn’t matter. moonlighted at the JCC and worked with the activities. (It’s a long ride to Emory been other religious, civic, political, sports, So, this camp sounded like a wonderful Ed. Dan served in Italy during World War II from Alpharetta and back.) I learned that and financial leaders and personalities—a opportunity for Seth to learn more about the and was part of a special ski unit that oper- the camp started in 2002 in Philadelphia, wonderful variety. broadcasting side of sports. Seth likes to ated in the mountains. Dan was a quiet guy, and this was its third year at Emory And now, local Jewish sports icon Ed talk sports, is very current, and has a good but you University. Of the 61 campers, 38 were Jackel was sense of humor, so I thought he’d enjoy the could sense from Georgia, and the rest came from all going to camp. I looked over the schedule and saw the strength over the United States. Seth had a great speak. Eddie that it had a full week of interesting activi- and charac- time at camp. He particularly liked meeting said he was ties, including a press conference with ter beneath with the sports announcers and athletes. He calling a Falcons offensive lineman Justin Blalock; his quiet even got to touch the Super Bowl ring of number of opportunities to meet with WSB Sports exterior. ex-Tampa Bay Buc’s player Daniel Wilcox. the guys who Director Zach Klein, NFL player and Sirius Ed So, watch out, Steak Shapiro, Zack knew Ed XM Sports Talk radio host Daniel Wilcox, served dur- Klein, and Matt Chernoff, because in about from his and 680 The Fan talk show host John ing World ten years, Seth Cohen may be going after days at the Kincaid; attend a Braves game, where they War II in your job. Peachtree would do play-by-play announcing from Patton’s I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this edi- JCC. I never the stands; and tour the Georgia Dome. Third tion. Until next time, drive for the bucket had an Since I was the designated carpooler, I Army. He and score. opportunity took along my camera, talked with the Old friends share memories at the Jewish won a to talk with counselor, and talked to Seth daily about Ed at length Community Center. Pictured: (from left) Eddie Silver Star about his Ullman, Ed Jackel, Howie Frushtick, and Jerry Stein and Purple many expe- Heart, riences—including being a champion four- which are proudly displayed in his apart- To be or not to be alone wall handball player and an SEC basketball ment at The Jewish Tower. Ed said that the Silver Star is the one thing of which he is official—so, I looked forward to hearing During my first years in Atlanta, I most proud. He even wrote a book about his him. It was also good to see Howie would quite often go to High Holiday Frushtick, George Wise, Mel Gorwitz, Alan experiences, The Lucky Infantryman, and is services by myself. I did not know that Karp, Donald “Moose” Miller, and Jerry still collecting royalties on it. many people, and, at the time, did not Stein in attendance. Ed’s neighbor at The Jewish Tower, have any family living here. I started BY Marice Ed didn’t disappoint us! Here was a Howie Frushtick, who was Ed’s assistant at thinking about this recently because—can 90+-year-old man, still looking fit and the JCC in the late ‘50s, talked about the Katz healthy, talking about his work experience, time they took a novice woman’s volleyball you believe it?—the holidays are almost Army service in World War II, his champi- team from the JCC to a city tournament and here. send my ticket, plus the extra one they onship four-wall handball play, and officiat- won it. The truth is that I felt very, very had been sending for several years. I ing high school and SEC basketball. He’s Ed had been an assistant basketball lonely during that period of time. Even never knew why they did that until I had quite a varied and interesting lifetime coach at Georgia Tech when Wack Hyder though I often still go to The Temple by called and was told The Temple sends an of experiences. After graduating from New coached there; he talked about some of the myself during the year, it is different now, extra ticket to single people, so that, if York University with bachelor’s and mas- great players like Roger Kaiser. It was some because I know so many people—some- they wish, they will not have to attend ter’s degrees in physical education, Ed coincidence, because I’ve played with times, I go alone by choice. But that is alone. A friend or relative or whoever can came to Atlanta in the late ‘40s as director Roger Kaiser in the National Senior Games another story. use the extra ticket. It really is a good of Camp Rutledge. He went on to become and shared that with Ed. He asked me if Anyway, the point I want to make is feeling to be with friends and family on athletic director at the Jewish Education Roger could still shoot as well, and I said that The Temple is doing something so the holidays. Alliance and the new Jewish Community that Roger hadn’t lost his touch. thoughtful and kind, that I wanted to tell Because the holidays are so early this Ed was an SEC basketball official and Center on Peachtree Street. you about it. I called there recently, year, the weather is sure to be warm. said he first knew of Hal Krafchick when He told the story about the swimming because my nephew is coming here for There will also be a warm spot in my Hal was playing for the Georgia Bulldogs pool at the new AJCC, which wasn’t very the holidays from California, and I want- heart for The Temple’s extra ticket. in the late ‘50s. You didn’t see too many large. Ed thought a larger pool was needed, ed to be sure The Temple was going to A happy and healthy New Year to all. so he talked to Otto Orkin, after whom the Jewish ballplayers at Georgia at that time. pool was named, and persuaded him to pro- Hal later became the athletics director at the vide the funding for a much larger facility, Peachtree JCC. which was one of the nicest at that time in Ed closed out his talk by emphasizing Atlanta. the importance of exercise. He said, “Do Donald “Moose” Miller was Ed’s whatever you can, and you will feel better September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 19 NATIONAL CONFERENCE PROMOTES NEW AT BETH SHALOM. Loli Gross has BUSINESS WITH ISRAEL. Tom Glaser, been named president of the American Israel Chamber BUSINESS BITS executive of Commerce, Southeast Region (AICC), director of coordinated the International Issues Forum Congregation at the annual convention of the American By Marsha Liebowitz Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz’s Georgia Beth Shalom. Chamber of Commerce Executives offices, was This newly Association. This year’s convention, BOARDWALK BURGERS. Michael J. elected chair of created posi- August 4-7, in Milwaukee, was attended by Coles, founder of Great American Cookie the American tion reflects over one thousand chamber of commerce Co. and former chief executive of Caribou Bar the congrega- executives. With over thirty years’ chamber Coffee, has bought into Boardwalk Association’s tion’s commit- of commerce management experience and Investment Group LLC, which owns the (ABA) House ment to growth almost nineteen years since founding and master franchise agreement for Boardwalk of Delegates. and desire to serving as president of the AICC, Glaser Fresh Burgers & Fries restaurants in Her recogni- better serve its was chosen by the convention planning Georgia and plans to build more than 50 tions include congregants committee to assemble a panel highlighting Boardwalk restaurants statewide. Coles, the American Loli Gross and the greater Israel as an international economic devel- who is very active in both the Jewish com- Bar community. opment target. munity in Atlanta and the general commu- Foundation’s Gross is the former director of Member nity, including a major commitment to 2010 Fellows Services for the Marcus Jewish Community BNKJ CONSULTING. Accounting firm Georgia education, is CEO, and Tony Outstanding Linda A. Klein Center of Atlanta. Babush, Neiman, Kornman & Johnson has Ratliff is chief operating officer and presi- State Chair formed BNKJ dent. The first location is now open in Award; COOKIE QUEEN. The Atlanta Journal - Consulting to Sandy Springs, at 5975 Roswell Road. YWCA Academy of Women Achievers Constitution honored Ali’s Cookies as the help compa- Telephone 404-256-4513. (2009); the ABA’s Margaret Brent best cookies in Atlanta in its Best of the Big nies take Achievement Award (2004); Atlanta A competition. Ali’s was selected from a advantage of Magazine’s Georgia Super Lawyer, Top 50 final field of five nominees. Ali’s Cookies economic Women Lawyers in Georgia (annually since has been making gourmet cookies, cookie incentives and 2004); The Best Lawyers in America; Who’s cakes, and cupcakes in Marietta since 1980 minimize indi- Who in America; and Chambers. In June and has seen explosive growth over the past rect state and 1997, she became the State Bar of two years. Ali’s Cookies are certified municipal Georgia’s first and only woman president. kosher and are under the strict supervision taxes. Frank of the Atlanta Kashruth Commission. The Lewandowski NEW CONSUL GENERAL. Opher Aviran recipes have been handed down and per- will lead is the new Israeli consul general to the fected over the past 30 years. Frank Lewandowski BNKJ Southeast. Consul General Aviran’s most Consulting as recent position was head of the bureau for director of tax. The areas of tax he will lead Tony Ratliff (second from left) and personnel training and development at the are business/economic incentives, property Michael Coles (third from left) pres- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in taxes (real and personal), unemployment ent a check for Boardwalkʼs first Jerusalem. He previously served as senior tax, unclaimed property, and sales and use dayʼs receipts to Susannah Kidwell, foreign policy advisor to the IDF and direc- tax. Lewandowski earned his bachelor’s clinical director of Rehabilitation tor of the MFA’s Department of Jordanian, degree in accounting at New York Services at Childrenʼs Healthcare, Syrian, and Lebanese Affairs. He has served University. He is a member of the and Shelton Stevens, senior devel- overseas in the Israeli embassies of Committee on State Taxation, the Institute opment officer with Childrenʼs Australia, the Netherlands, and Burma. for Professionals in Taxation, and the Sports Network at Childrenʼs Aviran will oversee the Consulate General International and Georgia Association of Healthcare. of Israel’s operations throughout the region, Assessing Officers. which includes Alabama, Georgia, KLEIN ELECTED. Linda A. Klein, manag- Mississippi, North Carolina, South ing shareholder of Baker, Donelson, Carolina, and Tennessee. Aliʼs Cookies Delta adding seats on flights to Israel

Delta Air Lines is increasing passen- United States and Israel than any of its craft, we are able to double our cargo ger capacity between Israel and the U.S.-based competitors. offering between Israel and the United United States by nearly 39 percent with “Israel is an important market for States,” said Esty Herskowicz, Delta’s the addition of Boeing 747-400 aircraft Delta, and the additional seats will pro- Israel sales manager. “Our daily New on its nonstop Tel Aviv-New York route. vide our business and leisure customers York flight will provide our customers The 747 replaces a smaller 767-300ER with more options when flying to the with 12 tons of additional cargo and the aircraft and complements daily nonstop United States, as well as boost inbound convenience of being able to ship their 777-200ER service to Atlanta. business and tourism,” said Perry exports to more than 45 connecting desti- Since entering the Tel Aviv market in Cantarutti, Delta’s senior vice presi- nations.” 2006, Delta has carried more than dent–Europe, Middle East, and Africa. Delta will offer glatt kosher meal 870,000 customers between Israel and The upgraded aircraft also will selections to customers flying to and the United States. With the added seats expand cargo opportunities to freight from Israel. Passengers traveling in on the New York route, Delta will offer forwarders and cargo shippers. Delta’s BusinessElite cabin on either the more nonstop capacity between the “By operating the Boeing 747 air- 747 or 777 aircraft will enjoy 60 inches of legroom and a five-course menu creat- ed by celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein. Delta’s nonstop flights between Tel Aviv and New York-JFK and Tel Aviv and Atlanta are available for booking via Perry Cantarutti travel agents or at www.delta.com. Page 20 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 The Blumberg Report This is the time of year when we Jews are called upon to reflect, to assess our lives, past and present, in order to improve them for the future. I see much that needs improv- BY ing in me, as well as in the world at large, Janice Rothschild and sadly wonder how many more Days of Blumberg Atonement will be needed before any improvement takes place. To start with self-improvement, I opened the “old-old” Reform prayer book of public wrongs long ago acknowledged, (Gates of Repentance, 1978) and turned to but prevailing still. With the latest news of the al chet section of the Yom Kippur morn- racial profiling in mind, my thoughts turned ing service, where it leads us to ask forgive- immediately to the sermons of my late hus- ness for our sins, here categorized as failures band, Rabbi Jacob M. Rothschild, who in of truth, failures of justice, and failures of the 1950s and 1960s never let pass an love. In each of these, we repeat the belief opportunity to speak out against racial injus- that we are actually praying to the Almighty tice. Because the Civil Rights Act of 1964 within ourselves—i.e., change will come largely redressed the specific issues of not from a miracle, but from our own deter- which the rabbi spoke, I could not truthfully mined effort. That’s a challenge that one is bend his words on that subject to fit today’s tempted to dodge. deplorable ongoing racial discrimination. I I couldn’t get past failures of truth with- did, however, detect High Holy Day admo- out a painful acknowledgment of relevance nitions against other failures that threaten us both to personal and to national issues as I today. In “A Love Affair With Life,” deliv- see them. The four points in the liturgy that ered on Rosh Hashanah 1964, as many of us impressed me most were: 1) distortion of debated an upcoming national election, he facts to fit our theories; 2) pretending emo- spoke of: “...those who believe that a coali- tions we do not feel; 3) denying responsibil- tion of minorities has stolen this country ity for our own misfortune; and 4) con- from them and has betrayed it to its enemies. demning others for faults we tolerate in our- It offers simple answers to complex prob- selves. On the personal level, the latter two lems... are relatively easy to overcome. Most of us “We face...a challenge to our way of achieve that during the growing-up process. life, to the future of our country, to the prin- It’s called maturity. ciples of American democracy. I am...might- Not so with pretending unfelt emotions. ily concerned with the slow attrition of our Here, we are dealing with hypocrisy, very ideals and the gradual altering of our often mitigated by circumstances that pres- goals....” ent a worse alternative than pretense, such Does it sound familiar? Maybe a little as hurting someone’s feelings or compro- frightening. mising a confidence. In those cases, there And how about this one, spoken on the are no easy answers. Faced with a delicate eve of yet another national election? It was balance, we respond with a “little white lie.” Rosh Hashanah 1968, and he was attacking Supposedly, that’s OK if we use it only hypocrisy, saying that we suffered from when necessary. “psychic schizophrenia,” and that there was Fitting facts to suit our theories res- a huge gulf between what we believed and onates most with me, possibly because it’s a what we did: “We believe in ethics, but its fault that I deal with daily in myself as a his- absence in the business world has become a torian. History is detective work, past tense, national scandal.... We maintain that we’re a and I suppose that the same rules apply to nonviolent people, but advocate the right of both disciplines. Selectivity is a no-no. All every man to own a gun.... We preach sources of evidence must be explored, all morality—but we don’t practice it. There’s results examined and weighed honestly. nothing wrong with our values. The trouble This becomes increasingly difficult along is that we don’t really mean it when we set the way because of our natural tendency to them up as our goals.” form opinions. Objectivity is demanded. On Today, we even celebrate them, as wit- the personal level, that is difficult, but nessed recently in a Broadway theater fea- AMERICA’S doable. turing the musical Enron. Granted, New Informed objectivity is vastly more dif- Yorkers rejected it, and the show closed BEST ficult on public issues. How do we know after a very short run, but there could have CLEANERSTM that we have all the facts necessary to form been many reasons for its failure, other than an educated opinion? Even receiving news conscience nausea. It came to America after from a variety of media doesn’t guarantee great success in London. (Perhaps this has to full or balanced knowledge of it. We can do with national pride, but I don’t think that 4455 Roswell Road only hope that our lawmakers and other offi- our theatergoers would appreciate a similar musical about BP.) Atlanta, Georgia 30342 cials who do have maximum access to the facts refrain from the sin of distorting them These are some of the ongoing prob- 404-255-4312 to fit partisan theories or personal agendas. lems I will ponder this year when I recite the As I write this, I realize that I am al chet. And yes, I will also seek atonement attempting to do exactly that which I identi- for having tweaked the rabbi’s words to fit www.presstine.com fied above as a failure of truth—not exactly my theory. (Some things never change.) distorting facts, but searching for examples Have a good and peaceful New Year. September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 21 Travel blogs chronicle adventures Semester in This year, I have traveled around the It’s a bit ambitious to try to describe world, albeit vicariously. Two of our grand- the immense, overwhelming beauty of the Morocco a daughters have spent or are spending time Sahara Desert, but I hope my blog will give abroad, expanding their educations. Earlier you an idea of why these were five of the this year, our granddaughter Chelsea Socol BY Leon most incredible days of my life. life-changing left her Toronto, Canada, home for Socol I had no idea of how diverse the land- Australia, to earn a teacher’s certificate in scape would be during our three-day drive experience elementary education. She enrolled in the Island, near the Waya Island in the from Marrakech to Merzouga. It had University of Wollongong, located on the snowed in May, only the second time in his- Yasawas. We stayed in a hut, but everything By Robin Socol coast of New South Wales, near Sydney, the was outdoors. The restaurant even had tory. We admired the snow-capped moun- capital. The one-year course includes aca- sand on the ground. We thoroughly tains and green valleys. We visited several demic courses and actual experience in kasbahs along the way, which are fortified explored the island and went to a local vil- Before I embarked on my semester teaching young students. lage, where we were invited for church. It cities where families continue to live today. After several days of travel, the landscape of study in Morocco this past January, was a very interesting experience. my destination was a complete mystery The next week was spent back on the began to flatten and dry out, but we didn’t see a grain of sand until we arrived in to me. Though I researched the various mainland teaching. It was an experience in cultural aspects of the country—food itself. All the children in the world are the Merzouga. When you say desert, you think of being of critical importance, of course, same, but these kids seemed to have such a but also language, demographics, respect for learning. They realized it was a camels. Actually we were paired up with one-humped dromedaries, tethered together economy, and education—I lived in privilege to attend school, and we were great anticipation of acquiring a true proud to teach them. to form a terrifying caravan. I confessed my crippling fear of heights to our guide, sense of Morocco when I finally On the next weekend, we went to arrived. another island in the south of the Khatar, the way you sheepishly tell your doctor an embarrassing symptom. But I’m How would I adjust to Moroccan Manamucas, called Musket Grove. It was a society? How would I relate to my host different setting for our snorkeling, because glad I did, because he gave me beautiful, docile Owen (as I named him), who, by all family? Was this the right decision for we were in the middle of the ocean. We also me? Sitting at my computer in got to visit another village and their school. accounts, had the best head of camel hair of the bunch. Owen and I took a while to find December, I could never have imag- It was shocking, but the island village ined the boundless rewards of my deci- school was nicer than any of the mainland our groove together, but when we did, for those few precious moments, we were in sion to study in Morocco. It is only schools, and the kids spoke better English, now, one month after my return to the too. perfect synchronization. My turban protect- ed me from the sun and sand, though not States, that I can truly begin to explain Chelsea after climbing up Mount from my friend Rachel’s camel, Harold, why traveling to Morocco was the sin- Koscuiszko, the tallest mountain in who sneezed/spat on me three times in suc- gle greatest choice I have made in my Australia cession. This was camel karma, though, life. because Owen did spit on a friend four I want to return to the sense that I Chelsea is a real outdoors girl who will times and try to eat her clothes. mentioned before. For me, in Morocco, brave any adventure. She and her roommate having a sense of my new home meant have traveled throughout Australia, visiting knowing what scents to anticipate dur- cities and shores throughout the vast conti- ing different times of day (alternately nent. At the end of her recent semester, she fish or fresh pancakes near my house) was offered the opportunity to spend sever- or mastering the complicated taxi sys- al weeks teaching in the Fiji Islands. Below tem (grand taxis take six passengers in is her own account of her time there. a standard sedan!), or knowing where to find the best Friday couscous (at a I have been teaching for a week and a restaurant that had neither a name nor a menu). Knowing Morocco meant half and have one more week. I am in a Chelsea with girls from her class Hindi school and have 21 students in class anticipating flagrant traffic violations after making pottery from earth and from crazed drivers of cars, mopeds, 7. The students are 11 and 12 year olds. water They are amazing! The school has no and donkey carts, while still relying on resources, so it’s quite a challenge, but I the kindness of strangers and knowing loved every minute. it would never, ever fail me. And writ- When we first arrived, we spent three Robin with guide Khatar ing this now, six months after I depart- After another week of teaching, ed for my semester abroad, that very days on Bounty Island in the Manamucas, Chelsea and her roommate returned to their team building with 21 other students who sense of Morocco is what keeps me own school and had a three-week break deeply connected to the country, keeps were also invited to the teaching program. before the next term began. They rented a It was beautiful, and I did real hardcore those words and phrases of Moroccan van and made a camping trip to various Arabic peppering my thoughts, and snorkeling for the first time. It was so cool! parts of Australia. Chelsea will finish her I saw reef sharks, starfish, eel, clown fish, keeps me longing to return to such an studies in the fall and then return to Canada incredible time in my life, a time in tons of coral, and many other wonders of to pursue a teaching career. the sea. I took many photos and also saw a which being fearless simply meant crate snake. It’s the world’s most deadly sea opening my heart to wonderful people ————— I met at every turn. snake! CRAZY! In my last article for The Jewish We moved over to the mainland, to But Morocco didn’t change my Georgian, I wrote about the adventures of life because of food, or language, or Lautoka, where we did our teaching and another granddaughter, Robin Socol. She had a sevu sevu, a ceremony welcoming us religion. I think Morocco changed my spent a school term in Morocco, studying life because it gave me the opportunity into society, and drank karva (a beverage Arabic language. When she finished her that’s so intense it numbs the mouth). We Robin wrapped in desert headgear to enter a community as a total outsider school term, she embarked on a journey for protection and observe the very same things that met all our students and taught for a few into the Sahara Desert. Her account of this days. adventure follows: The next weekend, we went to Octopus See Travel Blogs, page 22 See Morocco, page 22 Page 22 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 Operation Isaiah marks its 20th year

Yom Kippur, which begins Friday, cies was up 33% this past fiscal year, and tions in 38 North Georgia counties, to help September 17, is one of the most solemn efforts like this help us meet the continued feed children, elderly citizens, and working periods in the Jewish calendar. This year, increase in demand.” poor families who otherwise might go hun- thousands of Jewish children, adults, and Families and individuals begin their gry. elders from various denominations across Yom Kippur fasts by donating bags of non- This year, Operation Isaiah falls during metro Atlanta will unite to further the call of perishable foods to the ACFB. Collected Hunger Action Month, a national call-to- Isaiah—to share bread with the hungry—by foods are then distributed by the ACFB to action sponsored by more than 200 Feeding donating nonperishable foods to the Atlanta more than 700 partner nonprofit organiza- America food banks across the country, Community Food Bank (ACFB) during the including the ACFB. 20th anniversary Operation Isaiah food ACFB began operating in 1979 in a drive. small space at St. Luke’s Church and now Ahavath Achim Synagogue founded distributes over 20 million pounds of food Operation Isaiah in 1990. Since then, it has and grocery products each year from a evolved to become a citywide annual 129,600-square-foot facility in northwest opportunity for Atlanta’s Jewish residents Atlanta. ACFB leads seven distinct projects to unite and continue a spirit of giving and that reinforce its mission to fight hunger by sacrifice. With almost every Jewish congre- Bill Bolling, executive director of the engaging, educating, and empowering the gation and school in the metro area partici- Atlanta Community Food Bank and community: Atlanta Prosperity Campaign, pating, Operation Isaiah has now grown Rabbi Neil Sandler, Ahavath Achim Atlanta’s Table, Community Gardens, into one of the area’s largest food drives, Hunger 101, Hunger Walk/Run, Kids In bringing in more than 623,000 pounds of “The Operation Isaiah food drive is a Need, and Product Rescue Center. food. Last year’s drive brought in over tremendous gift to our community,” said For information on Operation Isaiah, 43,000 pounds. Bill Bolling, ACFB’s executive director and Ahavath Achim members drop off contact James Johnson at 404-892-9822, founder. “Distribution to our partner agen- their food donations ext. 1227.

The only lights anywhere were fires from experience far and away made it what it Travel Blogs nomad tents or very distant headlights. I was. Our guides, Said and Ali, should From page 21 got so comfortable with Owen that I even probably receive a medal for managing to tucked one leg on top of his saddle, which shuttle me around hairpin mountain turns Our dromedary ride concluded at the was the ultimate statement of trust. without making me sick (much). They largest, pinkest sand dunes I have ever seen. Back at camp, we ate a Saharan accommodated our every need (most of A movie was being shot not more than 200 tagine of beef, eggs, peas, and carrots, and them bladder-related) and showed us feet from us, but I couldn’t even be curious then settled down to watch our guides per- incredible warmth. As for my friends, suf- about that, because I was enraptured by form a Gnawa-style concert. They had so fice to say that I can’t imagine having what was in front of me. After we dismount- much joy, sitting together on the floor with ended the semester in the company of any- ed (Owen was a real gentleman), a few of us their drums, singing at full volume in front one else. embarked on a difficult climb to the very of complete strangers. We danced for some highest dune, from which you could see time and then made our way to a nearby Robin has returned to Tufts University miles and miles of dunes stretching out in Owen, Robinʼs “Ship of the Desert,” dune to take in the stars. And though the to start her senior year. Our family was one direction and the mountains that sepa- proved to be a loving mode of trans- whole day had been cloudy (fortunately for treated to a great time of adventure through rate Morocco from Algeria in the other. Our port. us, out on the dunes), a pocket of clear sky the written accounts of our granddaugh- dromedary guides took us “Berber skiing,” had opened above our camp, and we just ters. It was just as thrilling as having made which is when you get pulled by your feet We rode our dromedaries back to the lay there, enjoying the tranquility until we those trips ourselves. down a steep dune and then have to crawl tent camp just as night was falling, and I fell asleep. back up. I was the first, but not the only, vic- don’t know that I’ve ever seen anything The people with whom I shared this tim. quite as peaceful as the desert at night.

meant shedding my judgments and open- much more I know I can do. And I find of a nomad. Sayeed is trying to save Morocco ing my eyes to the beauty in the Moroccan myself smiling more, all the time, because enough money to move his mother and sis- lifestyle, despite its contradictions to my I know that a small gesture can open the ters to a small house in a village so they From page 21 own social mores. door to an unexpected friendship. can rest comfortably after struggling for so make us all human, only miles and miles Did I love every single thing about I would like to close by telling you long. Sayeed’s generous spirit, warm per- away from my home. Even in today’s glob- Morocco, every moment I spent there? about the last great friend I made in sonality, and unfailing commitment to alized world, and even attending a school Absolutely not. There were plenty of days Morocco, during our five-day tour of the family led me to remember him as the that ranks international relations as its when I went to bed with the sound of chil- Sahara Desert at the end of my trip. Sayeed embodiment of everything I loved about most popular major, sometimes it seems dren still kicking a soccer ball against my was our wonderful guide, a Bedouin from Morocco and its people. And my friend- impossible to sift through the weight of house. After a man followed me for four the Merzouga region in southeastern ship with Sayeed, which I hope will con- conflict in the world that we read about blocks on my walk home, I wished I could Morocco. At age twenty-six, he had never tinue well into the future, symbolizes every day. But Morocco—my Moroccan be back in North Carolina, nestled in the been to school before, but through his job everything I might have missed had I fore- friends and adopted family in particular— safety of my own room, with nothing but in the tourism sector, he came to speak gone the opportunity to study in Morocco. made me feel like this world is a manage- the peaceful chirping of crickets in my ear. excellent English. Former clients intro- Because you can’t feel human warmth able place for anyone who is open-minded I think that’s an important point to make, duced him to the music of his favorite from a textbook, you can’t comprehend the and willing to learn. For me, that meant because it has taken a month of actually artist, Tracy Chapman, yet before we met beauty of the Sahara Desert from a photo- discarding a few preconceived notions I being home to fully process my feelings— and cooked dinner for him, he had never graph, and you can’t understand true hos- wasn’t even aware I had and giving myself both fond and less pleasant—about eaten pasta. Our last night in Ouarzazate, pitality until a shop owner invites you, completely to cultural immersion. Morocco. But because of my time in Sayeed told me that his father passed away after just two minutes of conversation, to And as I learned, cultural immersion Morocco—and experiences both positive when he was only four years old, and, for his home for tea. These are the feelings and doesn’t just mean speaking the language as and negative—my desire to push myself is his entire life, Sayeed’s mother had been memories I know will remain with me for much as possible. Cultural immersion infinitely stronger, because now there is so struggling just to survive the difficult work many years to come. September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 23 Page 24 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 25 Wishing You a Healthy and Sweet 5771 JewishTHE Georgian

‘Against All Odds’ brings together two Not a storybook important shows at The Breman marriage, but a Many people are familiar with Francisco, and “Courage and Compassion: massacre. Secretly, she also made copies for compelling story Margaret Bourke-White, an icon in the The Legacy of the Bielski Brothers,” creat- herself. world of photojournalism, but few have ed by the Florida Holocaust Museum. By Carolyn Gold ever heard of brave Polish photographer “Against All Odds” is timed to fall dur- Faye Schulman. And everyone knows the ing Sukkot, a reminder of the biblical Nine Lives of a Marriage— legend of Robin Hood, but not many know Israelites’ 40 years of living in temporary A Curious Journey about the heroic Tuvia Bielski. In “Against dwellings during the Exodus. Both the holi- By Eva Friedlander, All Odds,” the special exhibition opening at day and the exhibition celebrate the strength ºwith Mickey Goodman The Breman Jewish Heritage and Holocaust of the Jewish spirit, the resilience of the www.ninelivesofamarriage.com Museum on September 19, this “sin of Jewish people, and appreciation of life dur- omission” in the collective consciousness of ing incomprehensible times. My doctor husband used to say, recent history will be corrected. The “The war never ends for some people.” remarkable stories of Schulman and Bielski PICTURES OF RESISTANCE He was referring to those with war will come to life in a first-of-its-kind, com- injuries such as amputations. Now, with prehensive exhibition about the Jewish par- Faye Schulman was born to a large the appearance of many memoirs by tisans who escaped into the forests of family on November 28, 1919, in Lenin, Holocaust survivors, we see the evi- Eastern Europe during the Holocaust, rescu- Poland. She learned photography from her dence of injuries other than physical. ing thousands of Jews in their fight against brother. It is fortunate for us that these the Nazis. “Against All Odds” runs through On August 14, 1942, the Germans books are being written. For those of us January 3, 2011. killed 1,850 Jews from the Lenin ghetto, Faye Schulman with her husband, whose parents and grandparents immi- This two-part exhibition combines including Faye’s parents, sisters, and Morris, and her brothers, near Minsk, grated to America either before or just “Pictures of Resistance: The Wartime younger brother. They spared only 26 peo- Fall 1944 (Photo courtesy of the after World War I, we are made to real- Photographs of Jewish Partisan Faye ple that day, among them Faye, for her pho- Jewish Partisan Educational ize, again, how Schulman,” originated by the Jewish tography talents. The Germans ordered Foundation) lucky we were. Partisan Educational Foundation in San Faye to develop their photographs of the See The Breman, page 27 Reading memoirs such as Eva Friedlander’s A Jew Grows in Brooklyn just published at Center Theatre Nine Lives of a Marriage— Center Theatre will present A Jew Grows the Soul publishers in April 2010. Like the A Curious in Brooklyn, a spirited musical comedy about play, the book deals with his search for iden- Journey the search for identity and meaning, October 7- tity as an American-born child of Holocaust , we 24, in the Morris & Rae Frank Theatre, at the survivors. feel the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta Ehrenreich performed on Broadway in myriad (MJCCA). This inspiring hit show broke Dancin’, Barnum, and They’re Playing Our ramifica- records on Broadway and has played to sold- Song. He toured internationally as Ringo in tions of out audiences and standing ovations across Beatlemania and has appeared on daytime TV World War II North America. in “Ryan’s Hope” and “As the World Turns.” on the human psyche. Acclaimed author-performer Jake He was the featured vocalist and emcee at New Knowing Eva personally, I marvel Ehrenreich, accompanied by four singers- York’s Rainbow Room and has performed with after reading her life story that she is musicians, takes his audience on a rollercoast- such diverse artists as Richie Havens, Gregg the kind, intelligent, caring person that er journey, following his life as a baby boomer Allman, Whitney Houston, Tito Puente, and she is today. in 1960s Brooklyn, to his entertainment career Jay Leno. He has recently begun filming “The The book starts out in her native in the Catskills, and then to Broadway. Critics Jake Ehrenreich Show,” a morning television Hungary, where teenager Eva and her have lauded this production as “dazzlingly show with Fox entertainment reporter Rachel mother have started a secretarial busi- funny, touching” (The New York Times), Leigh. Additionally, a documentary-based ness in order to earn a living. Her father “shamelessly enjoyable” show, slated for PBS, is in the works. has left to live with his mistress. (NewYorkTheatre.com), and more. Tickets for A Jew Grows in Brooklyn are Eva meets the handsome and bril- Jake Ehrenreich is an accomplished musi- $17-$38; student, senior, and MJCCA member liant George Friedlander, who comes to cian, actor, playwright, singer, and comedian. discounts are available. Seating is reserved. her as a customer. They both recount In addition to spending the last few years star- Purchase tickets at the Center Theatre Box their wartime experiences. George was ring in A Jew Grows in Brooklyn, he adapted Office, 678-812-4002, or visit Jake Ehrenreich the play into a book by the same title, which www.CenterTheatreAtlanta.org. See Book Review, page 27 (photo: Charlotte Nation) was published by the original Chicken Soup for Page 26 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 27 The Breman From page 25 PURPLE STRIDE During a partisan raid, Faye fled to the forests and joined a partisan group made mostly of escaped Soviet Red Army POWs. She was accepted because her brother-in- law had been a doctor, and the group was desperate for anyone who knew anything about medicine. Faye served the group as a nurse from September 1942 to July 1944, even though she had no previous medical experience. The camp’s doctor was a veteri- narian. During the next two years, Faye took over a hundred photographs, developing the medium-format negatives under blankets and making sun prints during the day. On Tuvia Bielski during his service in the missions, Faye buried the camera and tripod Polish Army (Courtesy of Ruth to keep them safe. Her photos show a rare Bielski Ehrreich, Michael Bielski, side of partisan activity. Robert Bielsky, and the Tuvia and “I want people to know that there was Lilka Bielski Family Foundation) resistance. Jews did not go like sheep to the The major motion picture Defiance, slaughter. I was a photographer. I have pic- The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network will have its annual Purple starring Daniel Craig (the current tures. I have proof.” She is the only known Stride Fun Walk/Run, Saturday, November 13, at Perimeter Mall. James Bond) as Tuvia Bielski and Liev Jewish partisan photographer. Registration is at 8:00 a.m. Registration, volunteer, and donation infor- Schreiber as Zus Bielski, will be Today, Faye lives in Toronto, Canada. mation can be found at www.purplestride.org. Event co-chairs are screened on opening day, September She has two children and six grandchildren. Beth Berger and Nancy Freedman. Pictured: the family of Susan 19, at 2:00 p.m. The following Sunday, Jacobson Goldberg walked in her memory at least yearʼs ʻPanCanʼ September 26, Sharon Rennert, of Los COURAGE AND COMPASSION event; from left, Robin Goldberg (daughter), Marc Goldberg (son), Angeles, will speak about her in- Jennifer Freedman (niece), Nancy Freedman (sister), Betty Jacobson progress documentary about the Jewish “Courage and Compassion” showcases (mother), and Edward Goldberg (husband). Susan died from pancreat- partisans. The first grandchild of Tuvia the Bielski brothers’ story with many origi- ic cancer in 2005. Bielski, she will also discuss her per- nal artifacts and videos. sonal connection to the Bielski broth- In 1941, the Nazis initiated their mur- ers. derous campaign against the Jews of Visit www.thebreman.org for up- Belarus. Three brothers, Tuvia, Asael, and to-date information regarding special Zus Bielski, refused to become victims and programs and events, including a film courageously fought back. They escaped to series planned during the run of the forest and began rescuing relatives, “Against All Odds.” friends, and complete strangers. Because of MIDAS OF SANDY SPRINGS their compassion, over 1,200 Jews survived the Holocaust.

and, eventually, a family. Eva’s skill with Book Review antiques and art leads her to interesting careers at Rich’s and the Atlanta Decorative From page 25 Art Center. However, George’s narcissism interred in three Nazi labor camps. During and need for attention results in several the bombing of Budapest, Eva and her affairs, one of which complicates their lives mother lived with strangers in a cellar, for more than 45 years. where the one delicacy she had was fresh The reader will marvel at the honesty horsemeat. George later became a prisoner and compassion Eva Friedlander shows for of the Communists and suffered horrible her mother, who remains in Hungary, and interrogations and beatings. her children growing up in Atlanta; her The story, which is written like a novel ability to deal with financial failure as well and very well done, follows the next phase as success; and, finally, her devotion to an of their lives in Rome. It describes their unfaithful but terminally ill, husband—who Pictured (back row): Reed Bell, Chris Adams, Patty Conway, romance and their ingenuity in finding still awakens screaming from wartime Mark Ritzer, Mike Doherty. (Front row): Jessie Swieter, work for survival. These were happy days nightmares. Damien Gordon, George Hall, Les Walker, Mark Hoover for the newly married couple. Nine Lives of a Marriage—A Curious Finally, they get their dreamed-of visas Journey is a tour de force of true stories, We service all your vehicle needs to the United States and manage to arrive in life problems, and marital history that Atlanta, via the Port of New Orleans. reveals much about human psychology, the Exhaust • Brakes • Tires • Alignment • Air Conditioning George’s skill as a chemist provides the will to survive, doing right, and, ultimately, All Factory Scheduled Maintenance Programs income that helps them establish a home love. for All Vehicles 404-255-7272 6560 Roswell Road 100 Yards South of Abernathy - Next to Taco Bell Page 28 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 ly important—it’s the fact that she took the time to touch base with me about a topic A caregiver’s journal she thought important regarding Mom’s care. She then added that if Mom doesn’t By Ron Feinberg to boost her appetite and quiet tremors and perk up in the next couple of days, I should hallucinations. Another half-dozen pills are give her a call, and there are some addition- My mother is trudging down the long prescribed for use as needed for aches and al tests that she’d like to order. road of dementia. It’s an ordeal that many pains, stomach upset, and anxiety. She has It was about then that I recalled some- have faced, a problem for both those afflict- a neurologist, two psychiatrists, physician thing she had said in a sort of absentmind- ed and their families dealing with the myri- assistants, and physical therapists. I’ve lost ed way while looking over my mother’s ad of problems that are part of this disease. count of the number of nurses and aides chart earlier in the day. “If this was my One of the greatest hurdles, ironically, responsible for her care. mom, I’d certainly be concerned about her comes from the bizarre system of medical At first blush, all this attention might care.” It was just a little break in the pro- care that’s been created in this country. It’s seem to be a good thing, something to cele- fessional façade, a bit of empathy that a system that provides remarkable care for brate and not condemn. There’s only one hopefully means we might have stumbled all sorts of mundane and catastrophic situa- problem—these people don’t talk with one upon someone special. tions—broken limbs and sore throats, heart another, and there is no central database To be sure, there will be additional disease and cancer. But the healthcare com- where information is stored and updated. challenges in the coming weeks and munity seems to still be stumbling around It’s up to me, my brothers, and other care- months. But I’ll grab hold of help and hope in the dark ages when it comes to treating givers to make sure instructions are passed anywhere I can find it. And on this day, it any form of dementia. along correctly, that aides charged with seems we were handed a small gift that just The problem—and I’m speaking now handling meds are doing so correctly, that might lighten the dark road my mom is nav- from experience—is that when patients the orders of one physician countermanding In the beginning: Helen Feinberg, igating. grow old and lose the ability to pay close the orders and prescriptions of another are now 87 and suffering with dementia, Brightening the road even further are attention to their care, they and their care- correct and carried out. This is absolute was ready to face the world when recent reports suggesting that many doctors givers fall into a bottomless pit, filled with madness! this photo was taken her senior year and other healthcare professionals are an assortment of doctors—primary care But there is a bit of good news. Today of high school, in the late 1930s. attempting to find creative ways to reach physicians, neurologists, and psychia- started out badly, very badly. It ended on an one another with information about trists—physician assistants, and physical optimistic note. Mom was overmedicated and dehydrated. patients. Additionally, efforts are being therapists, all making suggestions and all My brother and I met at Mom’s assist- She studied the med info on file at the hos- made by the government to make it signifi- passing the buck. ed living facility to pick her up for another pital and consulted with the folder I brought cantly easier to access such information. My guess is that people and caregivers appointment, this one with yet another along, which details recent visits and med Mention the word government and you dealing with any sort of chronic ailment physician assistant at the geriatric hospital changes. She then repeated the line I’ve just know there will be bureaucratic hurdles probably face the same issues. The problem where she has been treated several times. In heard so often from physicians and other to overcome in the years ahead—but it isn’t the disease but the number of health- the last few weeks, Mom’s condition has healthcare workers in recent months: “This seems a paradigm shift is in the making care workers involved in treating ongoing worsened significantly—she’s no longer is what we’re going to do now.” and, hopefully, all of us will profit from ailments and diseases and the archaic sys- able to walk, feed herself, or take care of But unlike her colleagues, after making such changes in the future. tem of communication that remains at the any of her personal needs. She is lethargic, several changes and suggestions, this physi- heart of our medical community. speaks only if prodded, and is now showing cian assistant detailed a plan of action— Ron Feinberg is a veteran journalist who In the last year or so, my mom has signs of Parkinson’s, one of the nasty little new meds, plans to contact the med nurse at has worked for daily newspapers across the gone from living in her own condo, taking side effects of the form of dementia (it’s Mom’s assisted living facility, notes to care Southeastern United States, most recently half a dozen different medications, and fol- called Lewy body) that she’s battling. workers about the importance of hydration The Atlanta Constitution, and now special- lowing the advice and instruction of one So what’s the good news? The physi- and the need to monitor Mom, as old meds izes in topics of Jewish interest. He can be doctor—her primary care physician—to cian assistant seemed to be more shocked are stopped and news ones are started. reached at [email protected]. His now living in the “memory care” ward of an by Mom’s condition than either my brother Most startling and refreshing is I just blog, This&That, can be found at norgreb- assisted living facility. Today, she takes 14 or me and set about finding out what in the got off the phone with the physician assis- nief.blogspot.com. different pills—meds for blood pressure, world has been going on with her care. She tant. She called me! The details aren’t real- cholesterol, depression, and insomnia; pills pretty quickly announced that it was clear Donors offer matching grant for PJ Library through JFGA

Local couple Mark and Linda Library is and will remain free, each sub- vide bonding moments Silberman wanted to help PJ Library scription is valued at $120.) between parents and reach more families in metro Atlanta, so The Harold Grinspoon Foundation, their children,” they decided to provide a matching grant. in Massachusetts, created PJ Library to Silberman said. “We want to take the program and encourage fun, educational bedtime read- A long-range goal expand it and make it even stronger, big- ing. The program is funded nationally in is to increase the num- ger, and better,” Silberman said of his partnership with local philanthropists and ber of children in the family’s commitment to the PJ Library. organizations. program from 50 per- PJ Library helps children learn about In Atlanta, the Jewish Federation of cent to 65 percent of the Jewish traditions so they will connect Greater Atlanta partners with the Marcus community, Silberman with their heritage. Foundation to offer enrollment to Jewish said. “We also want to PJ Library helps children connect with their heritage The Silbermans’ matching grant families. As one of 125+ participating find more Jews who are helps increase the number of high-quality, communities across the country, Atlanta currently unaffiliated and offer PJ Library and vice president of RefrigiWear, a pro- age-appropriate books available to metro has more than 55,000 subscribers to the services to their families. We feel it is a tective clothing manufacturing company Atlanta children. The grant provides a program. great way to get people interested and based in Dahlonega. He and his wife live 50% match for all gifts of at least “This is all about the beginning of a engaged in Judaism.” in Alpharetta. They are the proud grand- $1,200—the equivalent of 10 PJ Library Jewish life. The books offer a soft, non- The Silbermans have lived in metro parents of their first granddaughter, who, subscriptions—over two years. (While PJ threatening way to engage Jews and pro- Atlanta for 20 years. Silberman is CFO at 11 months, inspires their continued commitment to Jewish education. September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 29 at $1,200. Call 404-262-3470 for more infor- mation.

Thought you’d like to know AMY’S HOLIDAY PARTY. In 1995, Amy Sacks Zeide donated part of her bat mitzvah By Jonathan Barach tion, originally printed by Adams himself in money to host a small party for homeless his California darkroom, were given to his PROMOTING COMMUNITY HARMO- children. Amy’s Holiday Party has since HIGH HOLIDAYS. High Holiday organization, The Friends of Photography, NY. The 2010 Abe Goldstein Community of blossomed into an annual event, in which Community Services begin Wednesday and initially exhibited in China. The Booth Respect Dinner is November 18, 6:00 p.m., 300+ teen volunteers organize a party for evening, September 8, at Shema Yisrael— Museum exhibition will showcase these at the St. Regis Hotel. ADL will present the nearly 600 homeless, refugee, and orphaned The Open Synagogue. Two different servic- works in the intimate scale Adams intended Abe Goldstein Human Relations Award to children. This year’s party is December 12, es—Reform/Jewish Renewal and Traditional and will also include educational compo- Carol Cooper and the Stuart Lewengrub at the Holiday Inn Capitol Center. Amy, now —will be offered at one location. Reform nents unique to the museum. For more infor- Torch of Liberty Award to Michael Garrett. 27, has started the non-profit Creating services will be led by Bob Bahr and Cantor mation about the exhibition and related For over 97 years, the Anti-Defamation Connected Communities, whose mission Herb Cole, Traditional services by Eugen events, call 770-387-1300, or visit League has been creating greater harmony in both includes and extends beyond the party. Schoenfeld and Cantor Jeffrey Cohen. www.boothmuseum.org. the world. The ADL Southeast Region will For information or to make a donation, visit Everyone is invited. Tickets can be printed at honor two individuals who have played www.amysholidayparty.org, or contact Tara www.shemaweb.org. For more information, RAISING JEWISH CHILDREN IN major roles in helping to create that harmony Kornblum at call 404-943-1100 or visit www.she- INTERFAITH FAMILIES. Pathways: The in Atlanta. Tickets are $300 each ($200 each [email protected] or 404-532- maweb.org. Shema Yisrael also holds servic- Interfaith Family Network of Greater Atlanta for persons under age 35); sponsorships start 9515. es every Saturday morning at 10:15 a.m., at is presenting a series of classes: Building Jewish Family & Career Services, 4549 Blocks, September 25, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 Chamblee-Dunwoody Road. noon, Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) Zaban Park and The AMIT SUNDAY SCHOOL. In most congre- Temple; The Grandparents Circle, October gational schools, the curriculum becomes 12, 7:15-9:15 p.m., Ahavath Achim more involved in 3rd and 4th grade. While Synagogue; and The Mothers Circle, many students with learning/behavioral dis- October 15, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, MJCCA abilities can be accommodated with addi- Zaban Park. Onsite childcare is available at tional supports, a few find it increasingly dif- Zaban Park. Pre-registration is required for ficult to participate. For these children, in these free programs. For further information 4th-8th grade, Amit has re-opened its multi- and to register, go to www.pathwaysat- age Sunday School. The curriculum includes lanta.org, or call Rachelle at 678-812-4161. Hebrew, Tanach, lifecyle events, Israel, and holidays. The class will meet Sundays, 9:45- COWBOY SYMPOSIUM. The Booth 11:45 a.m., beginning September 12, at the Western Art Museum will host the 8th Amit office, 6255 Barfield Road, Suite 100. Annual Southeastern Cowboy Festival & The fee is $500 per year. For enrollment and Symposium, October 21-24. Scheduled additional information, call 404-961-9966, events include concerts by Riders in the Sky, or e-mail [email protected]. gunfight reenactments, children’s activities, living history encampments, Native LEARN ANOTHER LANGUAGE. American dancing, and more. The four-day Oglethorpe University is offering non-credit event will take place at the Booth Western courses this fall in French, Hebrew, Biblical Art Museum and the Grand Theatre, both Hebrew, Japanese, Italian, Mandarin located in historic downtown Cartersville, Chinese, Spanish, and Greek. The courses, Georgia. For a complete schedule, visit taught by experienced teachers and linguists, www.boothmuseum.org, or call 770-387- begin the week of September 13. The 90- 1300. minute classes meet in the evenings, once a week for eight weeks. Each course will focus GAUCHER CONFERENCE. The National on conversational language. The cost is $150 Gaucher Foundation will hold its 2010 per course. To register, visit www.oglethor- Conference in Atlanta, November 6-8, at the pe.edu, and type “noncredit” in the search Atlanta Marriott Buckhead Hotel & bar, or call Rose Cunningham at 404-634- Conference Center. The conference is open 8016. to everyone within the Gaucher community. Visit www.gaucherdisease.org, and click on LUNCH AND LEARN. Join those 50+ at the Gaucher Conference icon on the home- the Lunch and Learn Programs of PALS, on page for complete conference information, Mondays, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., September agenda, sponsorships, and program ads. 13-November 1, at Dunwoody Baptist Church. Offerings include: The Fitness Club, READ ALL ABOUT IT. The 2010 Book Three Cups of Tea, The Ruthless One: Festival of the MJCCA is November 6-20. A Bobby Kennedy, Great Decisions, Bridge, highlight of Atlanta’s literary calendar for 19 Senior Scams, Alzheimer’s Disease, The years, the festival presents dozens of the Arts World, Persons and Events that Helped year’s best and brightest authors in a variety Shape Our Country, Spanish, Robust and of forums. Festivalgoers will enjoy speaker Resilient Aging, The Last Brother: Ted programs, author meet-and-greets, book Kennedy, and Mahjongg. In addition, catered signings, panel discussions, The PJ Library lunches are available with reservations. For a Storytelling Festival, the annual Esther G. brochure, call PALS at 770-698-0801. Levine Community Read, the Stern Lecture, and more. Many programs are free. For ANSEL ADAMS AT BOOTH. The Booth information, a complete schedule, and tick- Western Art Museum presents “Ansel ets, visit atlantajcc.org/bookfestival, or con- Adams: A Legacy,” September 25, 2010- tact Bonnie Brodsky at 678-812-3984 or February 20, 2011. The works in this exhibi- [email protected]. Page 30 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 Remembering the Days of Awe By David Geffen There were three large columns in the front, all lit up for this evening. The light “Avinu Malkenu, Avinu Malkenu”— reflected on the passing cars. The the words and their melody carry me Washington Street streetcar line stopped back to the Yamim Noraim (High near the shul, and the passengers looked Holidays) of my youth in Atlanta, at the building in wonderment. Georgia. In 1948, the spring of the year When my father and I passed had been filled with the excitement through Shearith Israel’s large wooden linked to the creation of the State of doors, we saw two tables with plates of Israel. My zayde, Rabbi Tobias Geffen, money, along with tickets for the High z’l, spoke at his shul, Shearith Israel, on Holidays. “Louis, come on over and sit the Shabbat of May 15, about Medinat down,” Abe Auerbach, the congregation Yisrael, the first day of our new nation. president, called out. “You have the list “We turn to God in thanksgiving for of the members, which we need so the a Jewish homeland for our people. So seats can be assigned.” Before and after many of our dear ones in Europe were World War II, my father was shul secre- massacred by the tyrant. Here in America tary, in addition to doing all of the legal and here in Atlanta, we were fortunate work pro bono. My father quickly sat that the war did not make its way to our down, opened the big ledger that he shores. Sadly, members of our congrega- brought from home, and went to work. I, tion and our community were killed of course, went to play with my friends. fighting for freedom. People came in and bought their tick- “On this day, the Haftorah we have David Geffen and his father, Louis Geffen, Washington Street, Atlanta, 1943. ets. They also put money in the plates— read from the Navi Amos reminded us When this photograph was taken, the elder Geffen was on leave as a U.S. pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and a that the Sukkah of our people, Eretz Army judge advocate. few bills—for yeshivos, for arme leit— Yisrael, has risen again. May it never be the poor—in the United States and Israel. teenager and changed my entire life. The birth. Even at night, as my father walked destroyed. We hope and pray that the new Some people also made contributions for synagogue has been my home because of on the sidewalk, I played my game of land will be filled with Torah. God watch shul. We now know that Rabbi Geffen the davening and learning that he impart- jumping from stoop to stoop. We were over our sisters and brothers and bring regularly forwarded contributions of $10 ed to me.” now accompanied by 20 or so men head- comfort to those who have suffered so, and $20 taken from these collection On that Selichos night in 1948, what ing to the shul. At the corner of but now have a chance for a new life. plates to help institutions all over the I recall initially was the walk to the syn- Richardson and Washington, we crossed Together we recite the Sheheyanu bless- world. He kept meticulous records of the agogue with my father. Washington over and stopped at Stein’s Butcher ing—Sheheyanu, Vikeemanu, Vehigianu, amount and locale where every contribu- Street was then the only locale in Atlanta Shop, where my father said hello to one Lazman Hazeh. Amen.” tion was sent. where a goodly number of Jews resided, of his clients, Ben Stein. He and his wife Now September had arrived and the What do I recall about first Selichos possibly close to 2,000 people, young were busy selling fleish—meat—of all excitement related to the Yamim Noraim service? Maybe 75 men and 25 women and old. We lived in the 700 block of types. In those days, there were still a was upon us. “Dad,” I said to my father, were present. The men sat in the center of Washington Street, my grandparents at number of Shochetim in Atlanta, who Louis, “can I stay up for Selichos servic- the main sanctuary; the women were on 593 Washington; the shul was at 500 killed kosher meat two or three times a es? I will be 10 in November. Bring me the raised sides. My grandfather and Washington. week. Kosher meat was still all fresh, with you.” Rabbi Friedman were in their white kit- That Saturday night, the street was which is what the people wanted. Stein’s “Well, David, I will see how school tels sitting on the bema next to the aron abuzz. Not that only Jews lived there, but was one of four kosher meat markets at starts out for you, and then I will decide.” kodesh. The chazzan, in for a tryout, it seemed that night the sidewalks were the time. We passed the store, a little I looked at my mother, Anna, longingly, wore his white robe and davened from bursting with Yidden—unsere leit. At the house where I once sliced my arm but I did not receive any reaction. My the center bema. My friends and I played main intersection, Georgia Avenue and severely, and then we were at Shearith mother was not a Selichos devotee. inside and outside. We played catch a bit, Washington Street, you could smell the Israel. A few days before Selichos, my then my father came and got me. “David, challah baking for yomtov at Manhattan The little shul, as it was known, had father told me that I could accompany you wanted to be here for Selichos, I Bakery, along with the lekach—honey been at this particular location for 18 him, but, he warned, “You better stay strongly suggest that you come inside.” cake—and, once in a while, teiglach. years. When Rabbi Geffen first arrived awake.” I knew that Albert Tuck, my best I did not learn too much that night, Since Shabbas was over, the ovens at there in 1910, the shul was located on friend, would be coming and maybe but I now know that Selichos has several the bakery had been fired up, and people Hunter Street (now MLK drive), down some other boys. Whenever the boys in musical highlights. One is the repetition lined the sidewalk on Georgia Avenue, the block from the State Capitol. The the shul got together, we played in the of the words “Hashem Hashem”—words waiting to buy their baked goods. Since Eastern European Jewish community was back part of the building, the Beis found in the Torah right after the incident Rosh Hashanah was still a few days concentrated in that area, led by Ahavath Medrash. That section at Shearith Israel of the golden calf. The Chazzan recited away, people were still buying rye and Achim, the big shul, on Gilmer Street. In was constructed in 1929, and the daven- these words five or six times. The Ritual pumpernickel breads. I have heard at 1921, the AA moved to Washington ing and the learning went on there until Committee members seemed to like his times that Mr. Novack, the baker, made Street. the main sanctuary was completed in voice and his nusach, so he would proba- bagels. My father and I took a good Shearith Israel was having financial 1930. bly daven for the Yamim Noraim. schmeck—smell—and moved on. problems and could not move. Then, a Since the Beis Medrash had its own My eyes were closing fast. I was try- At the next corner on Washington leader of the “Deitscher Yidden,” Harold shul, we held Junior Congregation there ing to stay awake. I could no longer fol- Street was Kaufman’s Kosher Chickens; Hirsch, z’l, saved the day. The property at on Shabbas, under the direction of Rabbi low the words in the Selichos book, close by was Max Siegel’s Deli. At 10:30 500 Washington Street was bought in Hyman Friedman, z’l. Friedman, who though my father kept pointing at them. p.m., both were filled with customers. 1928; first, the Beis Medrash was con- came to Atlanta in 1943, was a lively man There was one melody I knew. Where “Louie,” Bessie Kaufman called to my structed, then the sanctuary. This who had grown up in the Young Israel was it? Where was Avinu Malkenu? father, “when are you coming to pick up 1930 note in the Southern Israelite cap- movement in New York. He possessed Would I make it to that point? Then the Anna’s order?” “Bessie, I will be in tured the spirit of the shul: “The small but wonderful memories, which he passed on ark opened. Avinu Malkenu started. Next tomorrow morning—make sure it is determined group at Shearith Israel fin- to us as a part of the davening. Some car- thing I knew, my father was waking me ready.” Wondrous smells floated out into ished their new building. The rich ried his teachings to various parts of the up to walk home. the night air. We passed by Siegel’s Hebrew Benevolent Congregation, The U.S. and to Israel. Some stayed in quickly and went on to the next corner. Temple, is still waiting around to finish Atlanta. Leon Tuck put it this way: At Crumbley and Washington, one its structure on Peachtree Street.” “Rabbi Friedman captured my spirit as a could see Piedmont Hospital, my place of I can still see that building today. September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 31 difficult economy, the campaign raised $15.35 million—a drop of only two per- cent—to be allocated to Federation’s part- ner organizations. Community Campaign MISH MASH 2011 runs until June 30, 2011. For more information, visit www.JewishAtlanta.org.

By Erin O’Shinskey changes in media, including 24-hour news MONTAG ON SKYLAND TRAIL coverage, embedded reporters, and BOARD. Jackie Montag has been elected to KOGON IS NEW MARKETING CHAIR. WikiLeaks, have changed the way wars are the Board of Directors of Skyland Trail, the Michael Kogon, founder and CEO of defined and fought. Pictured from the nationally acclaimed treatment center for Definition 6, event: adults recovering from mental illness. Ms. has been Montag is former board chair of the Atlanta At JF&CS: (bottom, from left, in appointed the History Center and past president of The white) Steve Rakitt, Sheila Cohen 2010-11 mar- Temple. She currently serves on the Katz, Amanda Abrams, and Nona keting chair for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Board of Galbreath; (top, from left) Johnny the Jewish Trustees, the Friends of Trinity School Solis, Miriam Friedman, and Jessica Federation of board, the Georgia Academy board, and the Segal Greater Atlanta Advisory Board of the Atlanta Girls School. (JFGA). In his Ms. Montag oversees business develop- previous ment for the investment counseling and Federation management firm A. Montag & Associates, position, founded by her husband, Anthony Montag. Kogon worked Michael Kogon with the Young MITZVAH DAY. On August 12, 38 JFGA Leadership Debbie Neese (from left), Macy staff members participated in Federation’s Council to engage Jewish young adults by Moret, and George and Margie Stern 3rd Annual All-Staff Mitzvah Day. They creating social, business, cultural, and edu- delivered Shalom Baby baskets, made cational programs. Kogon is a Leadership meals for those in need at Project Open Atlanta alumnus. He serves on the boards of Hand, participated in activities such as Federation and the American Israel Policy bingo at The Cohen Home, taught jobs Advisory Committee, where is he a skills to adults with developmental disabili- National Leadership Network member. ties through a Jewish Family & Career Kogon lives in Sandy Springs with his wife, Services program, did yard work for NORC Laurie, and daughters Eve and Leah May. participants, and spent time with the resi- dents at the Weinstein Center at the Marcus JUDAIC ART. Flora Rosefsky, of Decatur, Jewish Community Center of Atlanta. All of Mitzvah Day yard work: (from left, in is the new board president of the American these programs are associated with white) Cindy Weik, Susan Moray, and Guild of Judaic Art, a national not-for-prof- Federation’s affiliate agencies or outcome Jim Lockhart partners.

Norman Zoller (from left), Spring Asher, Andy Fisher, and Joyce Shlesinger

IZENSON ELECTED BETH SHALOM PRESIDENT. Serving on Congregation Beth Shalom’s new Executive Board are Mitzvah Day with Project Open Hand: David Izenson, (back, from left) Lisa Katz and (third Flora Rosefsky president; Stan from left) Carli Haber; (front) Staci Schwartz, vice Zemlak president of Mitzvah Day Bingo: Kym Treadwell it membership organization. Other mem- Development; (left) and Erica Rabhan See MISHMASH, page 32 bers of the 2010-12 Board of Directors are: Don Cohen, Vice President Claude Riedel vice president (Minneapolis), Secretary Beth K. Haber of (Poughkeepsie), Treasurer Ellen Filreis Administration; (Atlanta), Past President Mark Levin, AIA Marsha Fish, (Baltimore), and Administrator Mary Linda vice president Schwarzbart (Knoxville). Guild members David Izenson of Ritual; Jenny include artists, galleries, collectors and Kerven, vice retailers of Judaica, writers, educators, president of appraisers, museum curators, conservators, Membership; Jeff Nagle, treasurer; Edyd lecturers, and others personally or profes- Nechman, vice president of Education; and sionally involved in the field. Ruth Schultz, recording secretary.

HOW WAR IS REPORTED. On August 22, COMMUNITY CAMPAIGN. JFGA The Breman Museum presented “From launched its 104th annual fundraising cam- Teletype to Twitter,” a special event to mark paign September 1. With the theme “The the close of the acclaimed exhibition “Dr. Good We Do Is Up To You,” the campaign Seuss Goes to War...and More.” Special funds three focus areas: Jewish identity and guest Andy Fisher, president of Cox continuity; vulnerable populations; and Television from 2001-08, spoke on how Israel and overseas. Last year, despite the Page 32 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 MISHMASH From page 31 You need to know... During the last 60 years, meter for out from a political position does not 25 YEARS. The Orthotics and Prosthetics meter, person for person, no other nation always reflect the entire picture. Even program at Children’s Healthcare of has done more for the betterment of the though the Mavi Marmara, the Turkish ship Atlanta recently celebrated 25 years of pro- health, economic, and technological that was in the military conflict while try- viding leading-edge care to children. The advancement of the world population than BY Marvin ing to break the Gaza blockade, is still program addresses the needs of children Israel. It is a story, although critically Botnick anchored in an adjacent Israeli port, the top and teenagers with conditions that require important, that is not heralded and largely coach of Turkey’s sailing team is Linor orthotic or prosthetic intervention, includ- remains unknown. We plan to present some Kliger, a 28-year-old Israeli, who, in addi- residual small percentage that is not easily ing traumatic brain injury, burns, neurolog- of these unbelievable accomplishments in tion to this job, trains the Israeli women removed from sand and water that lingers ical disorders, limb deficiency and limb an attempt to disseminate the heart and windsurfers. under rocks and forms a thin film on the sparing, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, scolio- soul of what and who Israel really is. Amazing, but true. sis, and plagiocephaly. Donna Hyland, water’s surface. It is this remaining con- tamination that can have the greatest long- president and CEO of Children’s, congratu- HELPING CLEAN UP THE GULF OIL THE SHADOWS KNOWS. If your com- term ecological impact, and it is this prob- lated staff and presented the group with a SPILL. Professors Eugene Rosenberg and puter is sick and needs fixing, how can you lem that Rosenberg’s and Ron’s technique commemorative plaque to mark the occa- Eliora Ron of Tel Aviv University have do it without giving it a full-system over- can address. sion. developed a technique using naturally haul? The SHADOWS knows. And the best part about this is that it occurring, oil-munching bacteria grown in Onn Shehory of Israel’s IBM Haifa works. The process has been used success- their lab as a means to clean and restore facility proposed a project to the European fully on a spill on the coast of Haifa, so it is hard-to-reach contaminated oil pockets that Union’s 6th Framework Program, a tech- not theory. result from oil mixing with sand and organ- nology initiative that invests in promising ic matter. Rosenberg and Ron, through their international endeavors, to develop SHAD- ANOTHER KIND OF FLOTILLA. In July research with a naturally occurring variety OWS, an acronym for a “Self Healing of this year, the view of the sea from Haifa of sea-borne bacteria that digests oil, have Approach for Developing cOmplex was dominated by a sight of boats from all increased the bacteria’s capacity to ingest softWare Systems.” The idea was to devel- over the world. While what was happening oil together, and they have developed meth- op a program that would react with prob- there were intense encounters, there was no ods of growing the bacteria. With these lems in the system software as the human spotlight focused on Israel. You see, peace- refinements, the scientists have delivered a body behaves when there is an illness. The ful competition does not warrant the same solution that can clean up the residual oil project was funded, and Shehory, who, with interest as orchestrated conflict: It was the that can't be removed by mechanical his team in Israel, heads up the lead team, 2010 International 420 Class World Sailing means. works on the project in conjunction with Championships and the 2010 International Childrenʼs Healthcare of Atlanta The bulk removal of the oil through other scientists from eight European Union 420 Class Ladies World Sailing Orthotics and Prosthetics program sucking up surface oil pools and contain- countries. Championships. staff: (front, from left) Aaron Smith, ment are important and necessary immedi- Work is continuing on this project. To And, yes, Turkey was there. It is Brian Giavedoni, Childrenʼs ate first-step actions but do not address the paraphrase a passage from the Christian encouraging to realize that what is played President and CEO Donna Hyland, smaller amounts of oil left behind. It is this Bible: “Computer—heal thyself.” and Rege Dillahunty; (middle, from left) Amy Chepeleff, Lynn Cathey, Dennis Fredette, Ed Barber, and Tonya Coleman; (back, from left) Larry Mortensen, Paul Martin, Robin Flamm cycles 100 miles for Mom Cavender, Erika Larson, David Foreman, and Karl Barner Two weeks before Mother’s Day, ness. “We really didn’t know if she’d be Stacey Flamm rode six hours on an indoor around by the time his birthday rolled cycle in memory of her mother. She joined around,” recalls Stacey. 200 others who cycled 100 virtual miles at In the fall, Stacey will teach 3rd grade the 7th Annual Ovarian Cycle, a fitness at Pace Academy, just like her mother, who fundraiser that raised $160,000 to fund was an elementary school teacher all her research and create awareness of this silent adult life. A University of Georgia graduate, killer. she previously worked part-time for the To date, Ovarian Cycle has contributed Cobb County Board of Education and sub- more than $645,000 to The Ovarian Cancer stituted at Pace. Elliot is a sophomore at Research Fund, The Ovarian Cancer Gainesville College. Institute (at Georgia Tech), and The Norma “I wanted to participate in Ovarian Livingston Ovarian Cancer Foundation. Stacey Flamm and Ellen Fruchtman Cycle as a way of remembering my mother This year, the organization is active in five and her devotion to her students, family, cities: Atlanta; Birmingham; Boulder and she went to a gastroenterologist. A and friends,” says Stacey. Debbie Flamm Steamboat Springs, Colorado; and colonoscopy led to a gynecologist’s visit won prestigious teaching awards, and her Tallahassee. and a hysterectomy. Despite having set- classroom always reflected her boundless “We want to find a reliable screening backs and cancer treatments, Debbie kept energy and creativity. Dr. Leonardo Leiderman, Chief test to save lives,” says Donna Narducci, fighting. An avid runner, when she couldn’t Apparently, those traits were passed to Economic Advisor to Bank Ovarian Cycle’s director. At present, there run the Peachtree, she walked. She even her daughter. “I always loved to draw and Hapoalim, Israelʼs largest bank, is only the CA-125 blood test, which fre- rafted down the Colorado River for a week thought I would pursue art as a career, but I keynoted the American-Israel quently results in false positives. Most with her extended family, interrupting her remember how much my mother loved Chamber of Commerceʼs 14th women do not see a specialist until their treatment to camp out nightly along the teaching and the joy it gave her, so I Annual Professional Seminar held in disease is in stage III or IV, according to Dr. Grand Canyon. majored in elementary education instead.” Atlanta on August 26. This was a Benedict Benigno, co-director of the Stacey’s mom died December 14, Ovarian Cycle was founded in 2004 by timely seminar for legal, accounting, Ovarian Cancer Institute at Georgia Tech. 2003, after a three-year battle against ovar- fitness trainer Bethany Diamond, one of financial, and real estate profession- That’s what happened to Debbie ian cancer. Stacey was just 16, her brother, Debbie Flamm’s closest friends. For infor- als to better serve their client com- Flamm. It took quite a while to diagnose, Elliot, 13. His bar mitzvah was actually mation on participating or making a dona- panies pursuing business interests because the symptoms were vague. First, moved up to accommodate his mother’s ill- tion, visit www.ovariancycle.org. in the Southeast and Israel. September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 33 Kosher Korner

THE AUGUST 2010 KOSHER WITH- OUT A SYMBOL LIST

When shopping, it is always better BY Rabbi Reuven to purchase items with reliable kosher Stein supervision, if they are available. Some items may require additional checking for Molasses insect infestation. Nuts, raw—with no oil or additives (some The following items are currently contain gelatin), unflavored, including and generally assumed kosher (when there blanched almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, are no other additional additives) and can macadamia nuts, pecans, and walnuts. Dry be purchased without bearing a kosher roasted nuts require certification. symbol. This list is subject to change. Oats—unflavored Oat bran FOOD ITEMS: Olive oil—100% extra-virgin Polenta—non-processed, unseasoned Applesauce—unflavored only Popcorn kernels Baking powder Quinoa Baking soda Rice—white or brown, including converted Barley or parboiled, no seasonings added. Arborio, Beans—dry basmati, sushi rice, and other varieties are Beer—domestic, unflavored acceptable without added flavorings. Buckwheat (kasha) Seltzer—plain, non-flavored Carob powder Soy grits Cocoa—plain Spices—ground, chopped, powdered, or Coconut whole allspice, anise, basil, bay leaf, black Coffee—plain or decaf, with no flavors pepper, caraway, cardamom, chervil, Cornstarch, corn grits, corn syrup, corn- chives, cilantro, cinnamon, cloves, corian- meal, and corn powder der, cumin, dill, fennel, fenugreek, ginger, Couscous, unseasoned and uncooked lemongrass, mace, marjoram, nutmeg, Dextrose oregano, parsley, peppercorns (any color), Edamame rosemary, saffron, sage, salt, savory, Eggs—raw, whole, and non-processed; sesame seed (raw only), tarragon, thyme, however they should be checked for blood turmeric, and white pepper. Spice blends spots. require certification; fresh spices may have Farina—raw insect infestations. Flaxseed Sugar—brown, cane or confectionery, pow- Flour—without enzymes dered Food additives—citric acid, EDTA, high Tea—plain, orange pekoe, unflavored (reg- fructose corn syrup, potassium sorbate, ular and decaf) riboflavin, sorbitol, sodium benzoate, sodi- Tofu—without additives um bisulfate, sodium citrate, sulfur dioxide Vegetables, frozen—excluding artichoke, Food colors—F.D. & C. colors with propy- asparagus, and Brussels sprouts, which lene glycol require special checking for infestation. Fruits, canned—without added flavors, col- (Supervision is preferred for broccoli and ors, and grape juice. (Note: Fruit cocktail spinach.) needs reliable kosher supervision as it con- Vegetables, pre-washed and/or precut pack- tains non-kosher carmine, a natural color aged—broccoli slaw, carrots, celery, derived from beetles.) coleslaw, onions, and potatoes acceptable, Fruits, dried—apricots, dates, figs (sliced, but may require checking. diced, or whole), peaches, nectarines, Water—unflavored pears, prunes, and domestic raisins are acceptable without certification when no NON-FOOD ITEMS: additional flavors or oils are listed. Fruits, frozen—without added flavors or Aluminum foil and foil pans coloring. (Some berries require special Baking or parchment paper—silicon-type is checking for infestation.) acceptable. Quilan-based may contain ani- Ginger mal fat and requires certification. Honey Cupcake holders Juices, fresh or frozen—100% orange, Dental floss apple, grapefruit, pineapple, and lemon. Lipstick, lip balm—some authorities prefer (Tomato and grape juices need supervi- those without glycerin. sion.) Oven cleaner Maple syrup—mass-produced. Private Plastic bags and wraps farms need to be checked individually for Toothpaste, mouthwash—some kosher use of animal fat in production. authorities prefer those without glycerin. Milk—In the U.S. and Canada, Vitamilk, (Breath spray and breath sticks require cer- buttermilk, and chocolate milk need super- vision. See Kosher Korner, page 37 Page 34 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 containers—in various sizes—seal well, me to thaw, pour, and whip. When it first make kosher mix-ups almost impossible, came out, it was a groundbreaking prod- and are manufactured in the U.S. uct—developed and available long before Kosher Affairs Most of these items are available local- the terms lactose-free, dairy-free, gluten- ly at Judaica Corner/Chosen Treasures. free, vegan, and parve became trendy. As we approach the New Year, the There is also a large selection of kosher- So, what am I talking about? None kitchen takes on an even greater importance friendly cookware at other than parve RichWhip Non-Dairy in most Jewish homes. What a perfect time www.thekoshercook.com. Treat yourself, or Whip Topping. I always have a container in to update with the newest, most efficient BY consider a basket of kitchen gadgets for my freezer and know it is there when I need gadgets and appliances. An organized, well- Roberta your New Year host. it. I use it for cakes, pies, toppings, and even stocked kitchen will certainly help to short- Scher parve ice cream. And, it is especially help- en cooking time and make keeping kosher a A HONEY OF A GEORGIA COMPANY. ful during the holiday season. Yes, readers, Savannah Bee Company has introduced RichWhip and I go back many years, and it bit easier. products for the kosher cook. some new items this year, including the looks like we have a long future together as Along these lines, I have honey pump, a great, no-drip power pump well. Many recently found a number of color- that fits most of the company’s 12-ounce kosher coded items, most marked with honey jars. The company is also offering a GLENDALE FARM GRAPE JUICE. homes the words dairy, meat, and parve. honey pot—a decorative honey keeper for Glendale Farm is located on a hillside near have two These include dishwasher- and the table. Seneca Lake, in the town of Burdett, in (or more) oven-safe labels, metal pan tags, For orders, or if you want a “honey” of Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes region. complete silicone spatulas, kitchen gloves, an education, visit www.savannahbee.com, Its grape juice is made from certified organ- sets of vegetable peelers, sink strainers, and learn about all the different varieties of ically grown grapes and is OU kosher. Each kitchen- cutting boards, scrubbers, sheet this healthful, natural sweetener—so appro- year’s vintage reflects the unique character ware, pans, utility knives, collapsible priate on the Rosh Hashanah table. By the of the particular growing season. It is a sim- cook- KosherKeeper container pack colanders, and tongs. way, coat your spoon, ladle, or honey dipper ple product, blended from several types of ware, and One of my with cooking spray, and the honey will slide New York grapes, such as Concord, culinary favorite new finds right off. Catawba, Delaware, and Niagara, minimal- gadgets—one for dairy is from a company ly flash-pasteurized and as pure as grape and one for meat. (Some called AN OLD KITCHEN FRIEND. Many long juice can be—no sulfites, concentrates, homes even have three KosherKeepers relationships, such as a marriage or friend- water, additives, chemicals, or sweeteners. or four sets—an addi- (www.kosherkeep- ship—are often taken for granted—com- Even the bottle is special—Glendale Farm tional set for Passover ers.com). These fortable, pleasing, just a great fit. I find Grape Juice is packaged in decorative glass and one for parve.) color-coded; myself in this situation with a long-term bottles for both environmental and health Several manufacturers labeled (dairy, kitchen staple, an item that I always have on reasons. Drink to the New Year with this have recognized this meat, parve); dish- hand, a product that has attained the status healthful, organic product. It is available at growing market and washer- and freez- of a classic in my kosher kitchen. In its 8- Return to Eden and several Whole Foods stepped up their selec- Kosher containers from Judaica Corner er-safe storage tion to provide more ounce container, it is there at the ready for stores. September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 35 eat different vegetables whose names This column is meant to provide the Friend us on Facebook! Follow us on allude to the good. reader with current trends and develop- Twitter! • We eat carrots (in Yiddish, “mehren,” also ments in the kosher marketplace. Since meaning “increase”) and ask the Almighty standards of kashruth certification vary, for our merits to increase. check with the AKC or your local kashruth • We eat leeks (in Aramaic, “karasai,” also authority to confirm reliability. For the lat- meaning “to cut off”) and ask G-d to cut off est in kosher, visit www.KosherEye.com. our enemies. • We eat beets (in Aramaic, “silka,” also meaning “remove and pray”) that our adversaries be removed. • We eat dates (in Aramaic, “tamrai”) and Recipes ask G-d that our enemies be consumed Honey Spritzer Chicken with Duck Sauce (“yetamu”). Adapted from Savannah Bee Company By Roberta Scher • We eat gourds such as pumpkin and squash (in Aramaic, “kara,” also meaning 1 ounce Savannah Bee Company Tea Serves 8-10 “tear” or “proclaim”) and ask the Almighty Honey to tear our sentences and proclaim our mer- Juice of one lemon or lime 2 chickens, cut into eighths its. 3-4 fresh mint leaves Spice rub (1 teaspoon each minced garlic, • We eat pomegranates and ask that our 2 ounces water, warm paprika, and black pepper) merits should be as numerous as the seeds Ice 1 jar of sweet and sour duck sauce of a pomegranate. Cold sparkling water 1 can of peach slices, drained • We eat fish heads with a request to be fruitful and multiply like fish. (Some use Pour Tea Honey into a tall glass. Pour Cover chicken all over with spice gefilte fish for this symbol.) the warm water over the honey, and stir to rub. Let marinate in refrigerator for a few Glendale Farm Grape Juice • We eat (or at least mention) the head of a dissolve. Add lemon or lime juice, and hours or overnight. sheep, with the wish that the Jewish people stir. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place ————— should be the leaders (heads) of nations. Drop the mint into the glass, and chickens in a roasting pan. ————— During Rosh Hashanah, along with the crush with the back of a spoon or a mud- Cover, and bake for 45 minutes. dler to release the oil. Uncover, pour on sauce, and contin- well-known apples and honey, many other May Rosh Hashanah 5771 usher in a Fill the glass with ice and sparkling ue baking another 30 minutes, basting symbolic foods appear on holiday tables. year of sweetness, spiritual renewal, and water. Garnish with a slice of citrus and occasionally until golden brown. An excellent discussion of these foods can peace for the Jewish people—and for all an additional sprig of mint. Remove from oven, place fruit on be found at good people—everywhere. www.aish.com/h/hh/rh/48955406.html. Optional: Add some rum, and you top, and bake 5 more minutes. have a honey of a Mojito! Serve with warm rice or rice pilaf. Here are a few tidbits from that site: What’s cooking? Email kosheraf- ————— • We dip apples in honey or sugar to signi- [email protected]. fy our wish for a sweet New Year. And we See RECIPES, page 37 Page 36 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 37

combined. Add apples to batter, and mix Core and peel apples. Cut each apple Easy as Pie Chocolate Frozen Cookie Pie Recipes until apples are well coated. Pour mixture into about 6-8 pieces, and put in pan. Top (parve) into prepared pan. with brown sugar, and swirl over low From page 35 Mix cinnamon with crumbs. Pour flame until sugar is melted and apples are Approximately 15 vanilla cream-filled Fanny Richter Schneidkraut’s over apple mixture. somewhat coated. chocolate sandwich cookies No Noodle Apple Kugel Bake for about 1 hour, until toothpick Drain and put apples into a baking 1 8 oz. container of defrosted RichWhip A family heirloom recipe* comes out clean. dish. Cover and bake about 30 minutes to 1 chocolate pie crust soften. 3 lbs. peeled and thinly sliced (1/4”) *Please send us your family heirloom (Apples can be cooled and frozen in Crush the cookies in a food processor. apples recipes. We’d love to share them with our plastic zipper bags at this point. Defrost Combine unwhipped RichWhip and 3 eggs readers. and drain before continuing recipe.) crushed cookies, and pour the mixture into 2 cups vegetable oil ————— Lower oven temperature to 325 a pie crust. Freeze. 3/4 cup sugar degrees. Spread apples evenly over bottom 2 cups orange juice Easy Apple “Dump” Cake (parve) of 9” x 13” pan. Sprinkle box of cake mix Optional: Whip another 8 oz. contain- Pinch of salt on top of apples. Pour melted margarine er of RichWhip, add 3 tablespoons of 1 cup flour 3 lbs. apples, peeled evenly on top. Sprinkle coconut and kosher chocolate liqueur, such as 2 cups light brown sugar chopped nuts, and press in gently with the Binyamina or Godiva, and refrigerate. Just Topping: 1 parve yellow cake mix, such as Duncan back of a spoon. Bake for 1 hour. before serving, spread chilled whipped 2 cups parve graham crackers crumbs Hines Serve warm. Top with parve vanilla topping on the pie. 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 cup melted margarine soy ice cream or parve RichWhip. 1/2 cup shredded coconut You can easily change this recipe by Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 1 cup chopped glazed nuts, such as ————— using different flavors of the cookies, pie Grease 9” x 13” pan. Emerald brand (optional) crust, and liqueur. In a large bowl, beat eggs, then add sugar, juice, salt, and flour. Mix until well Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

CORRECTION: The correct email address for FuegoMundo, Atlanta’s new Latin- style kosher catering option, is [email protected]. FuegoMundo’s catering is Old favorites kosher if prepared in an AKC-approved kosher catering facility and supervised by the AKC.

Because you asked, we are reprinting Simanim (Good Omen) Salad two recipes. Serves 10 • Summer’s Landing (formerly Edenbrook) ————— This is a colorful salad incorporating Kosher Korner is under the supervision of Mr. Fred many of the significant symbols to which From page 33 Glusman. Black-Eyed Pea Three-Bean Salad With we refer on Rosh Hashanah. (See article.) • The Cohen Home, which is now owned Olives tification.) and managed by The William Breman Serves 15 Salad: Silver polish Jewish Home, is not a kosher facility. Bagged fancy lettuces (romaine, butter, Steel wool—plain (Soap pads require certi- • While Fuego Mundo and Goldberg’s Most Goya and Eden Brand beans etc.) and spinach, enough for 10 fication.) Bagel Company and Deli are both non- are certified kosher. 1/2 cup raw peeled pumpkin seeds kosher restaurants and non-kosher caterers, 4 red and golden delicious apples, peeled there are some synagogues under AKC or 1/3 cup olive oil and chunked ALERTS AND INFORMATION Chabad that will allow a non-kosher caterer 1/4 cup white wine vinegar 1/2 cup chopped dates on approval to cater in their facilities under 1 tablespoon sugar juice of a pomegranate (1/2 cup, or as The 24-pack of Snapple (20-ounce supervision. This does not mean that the 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano much as can be easily squeezed—no plastic bottles), made by Snapple Beverage caterer is a kosher caterer. 1 15-16 ounce can kidney beans, drained seeds) or 1/2 cup of bottled pomegranate Corporation, has been incorrectly labeled • Yogli Mogli stores have some kosher 1 15-16 ounce can garbanzo beans juice OK pareve. The pack contains three flavors: products in their facilities, but the stores are (chickpeas), drained 1/2 cup grated carrots the fruit punch flavor is not kosher; the not kosher approved, and they have non- 1 15-16 ounce can black-eyed peas, 1/2 jar of freshly roasted sliced beets, other two flavors, which bear an OK, are kosher items. drained drained kosher. 1 cup chopped green bell pepper Some Jell-O Strawberry 1 cup chopped red bell pepper (optional) Dressing: Cheesecake Snacks recently produced by 1 cup sliced pimiento-stuffed olives 1/2 cup olive oil Kraft Foods were incorrectly labeled with 1/2 cup chopped red onion 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar an OK-D. This product contains gelatin and kosher bacon bits 2 teaspoons minced leek, white part only should not be used. 1/4 cup honey An AKC caterer is looking for a Whisk first 4 ingredients in large 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard mashgiach. Please contact the Atlanta bowl to blend. Add all remaining ingredi- 1/4 teaspoon salt Kashruth Commission office, 404-634- ents and toss to blend. Season with salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic 4063, for more information. and pepper. Cover and refrigerate at least Below are clarifications regarding 3 hours and up to one day. Top with Mix salad ingredients and make some local establishments: bacon bits just before serving. dressing; combine just before serving. Optional: add the fruit of you choice —— and/or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Page 38 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010

sion personality Adam Richman (America tickets to selected events (certain restric- the Edible). Other notable authors include tions apply), and have their books auto- MJCCA NEWS New York Times bestselling authors Yann graphed at the author event. Martel (Beatrice and Virgil); Sara Gruen The majority of the Book Festival (Ape House); Rita Cosby (Quiet Hero: events will be held at the MJCCA-Zaban Secrets from My Father’s Past), and Park, 5342 Tilly Mill Road, Dunwoody. Wendy Mogel, Ph.D. (The Blessing of a B Many programs are free. 40+ authors, two epic weeks Minus). For information, complete Book Festival schedule, complete author list, and The 19th annual Book Festival of the Sedaka (Waking Up Is Hard to Do), best- In addition, local book clubs are invit- tickets (on sale in mid-September), visit MJCCA is November 6-20. A highlight of selling cookbook author—and wife of ed to become Book Festival Insiders and atlantajcc.org/bookfestival, or contact Atlanta’s literary calendar, the festival comedian Jerry Seinfeld—Jessica Seinfeld enjoy discounts on selected titles from Bonnie Brodsky at 678-812-3984 or book- presents dozens of the year’s best authors (Double Delicious), and author and televi- Barnes & Noble, receive complimentary [email protected]. in a variety of forums. Festivalgoers will enjoy engaging speaker programs, author meet-and-greets, book signings, panel dis- 2010 Authors (as of press date): Rachel Kauder Nalebuff, My Little Red cussions, the PJ Library Storytelling Kai Bird, Crossing Mandelbaum Gate: Friendship Book* Festival, the annual Esther G. Levine Coming of Age Between the Arabs and Todd Gitlin, The Chosen Peoples: America, Naomi Ragen, The Tenth Song* Community Read, the Stern Lecture, and Israelis, 1956–1978 Israel, and the Ordeals of Divine Election Adam Richman, America the Edible more. Thanassis Cambanis, A Privilege to Die: Nehemia Gordon & Keith Johnson, A Rebecca Rosen, Spirited This year’s lineup features Pulitzer Cathleen Schine, The Three Weissmanns of Prize-win- Inside Hezbollah’s Legions and Their Prayer to Our Father: Hebrew Origins of Endless War Against Israel the Lord’s Prayer Westport ners, best- David Schmahmann, Empire Settings* selling Elizabeth Cohen, The Empowered Patient Sara Gruen, Ape House* Dave Cohen, Matzoh Balls and Baseballs Sam Hoffman, Old Jews Telling Jokes: Neil Sedaka, Waking Up is Hard to Do authors, ris- Jessica Seinfeld, Double Delicious: Good, ing literary Rita Cosby, Quiet Hero: Secrets from My 5000 Years of Funny Bits and Not-So- Father’s Past Kosher Laughs Simple Food for Busy, Complicated Lives voices, tele- Judith Shulevitz, The Sabbath World: vision and Pat Conroy, My Reading Life Jessica Jiji, Sweet Dates in Basra* Glimpses of a Different Order of Time* film stars, Robert Coram, Brute: The Life of Victor Marice Katz, Little Slices of My Life Joseph Skibell, A Curable Romantic humorists, Krulak, U.S. Marine David Kessler, The End of Overeating Justin Spizman, Don’t Give Up, Don’t Ever journalists, Mordechai Dzikansky, Terrorist Cop: The Nicole Krauss, Great House* Give Up historians, NYPD Jewish Cop Who Traveled the World Gregory Levey, How to Make Peace in the Jeff Stepakoff, Fireworks Over Toccoa novelists, to Stop Terrorism Middle East in 6 Months or Less Without Yale Strom, Dave Tarras: The King of scholars, and Sue Fishkoff, Kosher Nation: Why More Leaving Your Apartment more. and More of America’s Food Answers to a Laurie Ann Levin, God, The Universe and Klezmer The Higher Authority Where I Fit In Joseph Telushkin, Hillel: If Not Now, Pat Conroy When? (Photo: Steve Leimberg) four keynote Martin Fletcher, Walking Israel: A Gal Luft & Anne Korin, Turning Oil Into speakers are Personal Search for the Soul of a Nation Salt Judith Viorst, Unexpectedly Eighty: And beloved American storyteller Pat Conroy Nancy Garfinkel and Andrea Israel, The Yann Martel, Beatrice and Virgil* Other Adaptations (My Reading Life), music legend Neil Recipe Club: A Tale of Food and Wendy Mogel, Blessing of a B Minus * Denotes Book Club picks

NEW PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM opment, business development, and how to visit www.atlantajcc.org. COORDINATOR BRINGS NEW PRO- provide top quality customer service. Prior GRAMMING. Kim Sucan is the new pre- to accepting the position of curriculum coor- CEO RESIGNS, INTERIM CEO school curriculum coordinator for the dinator, Sucan was employed for 13 years in APPOINTED. Michael D. Wise has Marcus Jewish Community Center of DeKalb County as a Kindergarten lead resigned as CEO of the MJCCA, effective Atlanta (MJCCA). Sucan’s expertise lies in teacher and a supervisor of student teachers. August 31. Wise began his tenure as CEO in curriculum development, emergent curricu- Additional new and enhanced MJCCA April 2007, at a time when the MJCCA was lum, and differentiated instruction. Preschool programs include: experiencing financial difficulties. He has One of Sucan’s priorities, Baby Sign • Infants and babies (6 weeks-12 months): been instrumental in working with the Language, is a program that childcare pro- sensory art, music, storytelling, curiosity & MJCCA Governance and Advisory Boards fessionals and parents have started using to exploration, and introduction to Judaics. and their officers to move the agency toward communicate with preverbal, hearing • 1-2 years: dramatic arts, intro to preschool financial stability. infants. While infants and toddlers have a Kim Sucan garden, creative movement, language devel- During Wise’s tenure as CEO, the desire to communicate their needs and wish- sign language at 6-7 months and continue opment, numbers play, health & wellness, MJCCA experienced significant growth in es, they lack the ability to do so clearly using it until the baby begins talking,” says Judaics, and values/ethics-based programs. many areas. A new strategic plan is in place, because the production of speech lags Sucan. “There are countless benefits to • 3-4 years: Zoo-phonics, Handwriting summer camps and preschools are thriving, behind cognitive ability in the first months introducing Baby Sign Language to a pre- Without Tears, theatre, indoor swim, sci- and membership is growing. The MJCCA and years of life. However, since hand–eye school program. Signing in a childcare set- ence, computer play, An Ethical Start, pre- has dedicated the Abe Besser Holocaust coordination develops sooner than acquisi- ting allows caregivers to model effective school garden, physical education, Judaic Memorial Garden and the Barbara and Ed tion of verbal skills, infants can learn simple communication, encourage conflict resolu- studies, and Ready, Set, Go…to Mendel Splash Park, as well as a state-of- signs for common words. tion, and help children to communicate with Kindergarten! the-art gymnastics facility. This past May, The MJCCA has recently incorporated each other. Furthermore, in signing class- • New in Fall 2010: new art room, preschool the MJCCA hosted the JCCs of North Baby Sign Language into its preschool cur- rooms, teachers report there are fewer library, and parent education center. America Biennial Convention. riculum for the infants and ones classes. instances of biting, hitting, and screaming, MJCCA Preschools enjoy accreditation During the national search for the next Sign2me presenter Polly Raike came to the because children are less frustrated.” by the National Association for the CEO, Howard Hyman, past MJCCA presi- MJCCA to train teachers. According to her, Originally from New Orleans, Sucan Education of Young Children (NAEYC), dent and current vice chair of the the three signs that are the best to introduce has been in Atlanta for 22 years. She which is awarded to less than 5% of all Governance Board, will serve as interim first are eat, more, and milk; other signs that received both her undergraduate and gradu- preschools in Georgia; offer flexible options, CEO. Hyman will work with the current can be introduced later include gentle, sleep, ate degrees in early childhood education including full- and half-day programs and 2- senior executive management team to hug, play, I’m cold, or something hurts. from Emory. She brings to the MJCCA , 3-, and 5-day programs; and are staffed by ensure a smooth transition and continued “In our sign language training, Polly extensive experience in the education field, nurturing, highly trained teachers. For addi- growth and success. taught our educators that they can introduce as well as knowledge of curriculum devel- tional information, call 678-812-3800, or September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 39 ing.” * Their home was always neat and clean, Legacy Home Care, which hears about and now it’s full of clutter and unwashed situations like these every day, understands dishes. JF&CS NEWS how important it is for an older adult to * Their clothes are dirty, and they have retain a sense of independence and how dif- worn the same outfit for three days. ficult it is to accept outside help. It takes * There is outdated and spoiled food in the building on October 3 and creating scare- time for everyone to make the transition— refrigerator. THE GIVING GARDEN. Thanks to an crows on October 17. RSVP to volun- not just the older adult, but spouses and * Their pill bottles are empty—or are full, enthusiastic collection of volunteers and [email protected]. children as well. but have old dates on them. staff, Jewish Family & Career Services * Their bills are past due. (JF&CS) is launching the JF&CS Giving WORDS OF WISDOM FROM LEGACY * There is confusion or a constant repetition Garden. After consults from Farmer D HOME CARE. What happens when your of stories that wasn’t there before. (Daron Joffe), a garden site was identified elderly mother, who lives out of state, calls and vegetables selected for the first plant- to say she fell and is in excruciating pain? In such a situation, Legacy Home Care ings; initial garden prep and planting took Or your father, who lives in Atlanta, is being can help. Whatever the need, Legacy offers place in August. The fruits—or vegeta- released from rehab and needs additional a continuum of non-medical homecare, bles—of these labors will be given to care at home? Or maybe your brother calls, including personal care, homemaker servic- JF&CS clients in need. because he needs help caring for your par- es, companion services, and transportation. JF&CS is looking for volunteers and ents. In addition, Legacy is part of a full-service tools to help make the garden grow. A few weeks ago, “Peggy” got a phone agency that offers geriatric case manage- Upcoming opportunities include fence call from her mother in Atlanta, who had ment, counseling in the home, and other fallen out of bed and hurt her arm. A neigh- supportive programs for caregivers. Legacy bor had taken her to the doctor. Nothing was strives to support the independence and dig- broken, but Peggy’s mother was afraid to be Cathy Strmac, Legacy Home Care nity of its clients in every way. For more left alone. Peggy, who lives in Delaware, program manager, with Bertha Kritz, information, contact Legacy Home Care at called Legacy Home Care, a program of Legacy Home Care client 770-677-9497 or [email protected]. JF&CS’ Aviv Older Adults Services-Tools for Aging division. A Legacy caregiver was When adults visit their parents, they able to stay with her mother and help while may notice some red flags—things that are she recovered from her fall. not quite right. This often happens during “It isn’t easy for an older adult who holiday visits. It’s important to take notice wants to be on her own to accept help from of these, because they can be warning signs a caregiver,” said Peggy, who was relieved of a situation that needs to be addressed. to know her mom was taken care of when Here are just a few examples: she could not be here. “Anyone who has The JF&CS Giving Garden been through this can understand the feel- Page 40 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010

their observations and provide inferences. www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_oxKWCF This lab laid the foundation for their sci- U0A. ence course, one in which inquiry-based activities are used as a vehicle for learning. Pictured: Brett Feldman, Seth Kessel, and Jacob Euster

By Belle Klavonsky makes them feel comfortable throughout GHA ON FACEBOOK. GHA’s Early their first year. Acting upon the belief that Childhood Department has a new Facebook students can help other students succeed, page (pictured), where educators dialogue Weber’s peer leaders are motivators, lead- with the school’s parents and grandparents, ers, and mentors who guide new students sharing and commenting on photographs, and help them discover what it takes to be links, curricular updates, and invitations to successful at Weber. Pictured: 10th-grader EXPLORING LIGHT. GHA’s Infant and school events. Early Childhood Director Eran Barel (left) and 12th-grader Ben Toddler Village has a new light table. As Anna Hartman says that Facebook is a use- Grinzaid part of a program inspired by the Reggio ful tool, because it mirrors the school’s val- educational philosophy, children are ues of collaboration, dialogue, relation- engaged in the discovery and exploration of ships, and an interactive home-school part- light and shadows. Teachers invite children nership. to experiment with colored transparent manipulates, and the children can be heard exclaiming, “All mine are red!” “Mine are OFF TO A GREAT START. In the first few yellow!” Pictured: Heather Grant, Noa weeks of school, Weber students have Levin, and Rory Lipson reunited with old friends, made new friends, and become acclimated to their classes. Students attended their first Hakhel—an all-school gathering unique to Weber—and began Tefillah (prayer) groups, with a variety of options available, including both liturgical and theme-based REDEEMING CAPTIVES. Gilad Shalit services. Pictured: 9th-grader Josh Cohen has been held for more than four years by and 10th-grader Michael Whitesides Hamas, who demand the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in LIFELONG LEARNERS. Weber teachers exchange for his release. Greenfield FOCUSING ON BRIGHT KIDS. Kicking are dedicated to creating successful class- Hebrew Academy Middle School students off a year of professional development for rooms and making learning relevant to stu- learned about the mitzvah of pidyon she- Davis Academy faculty that will focus on dents. This summer, many faculty members vuyim (redeeming captives); they helped better serving bright and gifted children, participated in programs that furthered their fulfill this mitzvah by writing Rosh THE SHOFAR FACTORY VISITS GHA. psychologist Judy Wolman (pictured) abilities and interests. Dean of Student Life Hashanah messages to Gilad as part of a Chabad’s Shofar Factory visited GHA’s 1st spoke to Davis Academy teachers during a and the Arts Noah Hartman completed a worldwide campaign to force the UN and graders (pictured) to teach them how a sho- busy week before school began. 16-month fellowship for Jewish day school the International Committee of the Red far is made and why we blow the shofar at administrators, sponsored by Jewish Cross to deliver Rosh Hashanah and birth- Rosh Hashanah. Students also learned Theological Seminary and the Avi Chai day cards to Gilad and pressure them to which animals are kosher to use for making Foundation. Social studies teacher Mitch work hard for his freedom. Pictured: Tova a shofar. Students watched shofars being White attended a two-week residential pro- Asher and Miriam Goodfriend drilled, and then each one received a shofar gram offered through the Klingenstein to sand and shellac and finally blow. Institute at Columbia Teacher’s College for early career independent school teachers. English teacher Sam Bradford attended a three-day workshop hosted by the Westminster Schools Center for Teaching.

SNEAK A PEAK. Joshua Forman and his mom, Jodi Forman, (pictured) got a pre- GHA FACULTY RAP. One of GHA’s new view of Joshua’s 1st-grade classroom dur- teachers this year is Ori Salzberg, who is ing Sneak A Peek morning at The Davis heading up the Lower School Music pro- Academy on August 13, the Friday before INQUIRING MINDS. GHA 7th-grade sci- gram. He is famous for his Bible Raps. school began. ence students spent their first week of During the first faculty meeting of the year, school establishing their roles as scientific he worked with the faculty (pictured) to investigators by practicing methods of sci- produce a rap using the school’s mission entific inquiry. Students rotated through statement. This fun and productive team- PEER LEADERSHIP. Peer Leadership at stations, following a specified procedure building activity brought out the closet rap- Weber is an orientation and transition pro- and observing small phenomena. At each pers on GHA’s staff. The video, “GHA gram that welcomes new students and station, students were asked to describe Neighborhood,” is available on Youtube at September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 41 from left) Jennifer Tourial, Kevin Van de contributing to the Annual Fund. This year, Grift, Arlene Tauber, Dan Berger, Michael the Annual Fund is co-chaired by Bryan Kornheiser, Nicole Zitron, Darrin Lewis and Kevin Van de Grift (pictured). Friedrich, Sam Dressler, and Amy Fox; The fund enables the school to enhance (bottom, from left) Anat Granath, Cindy facilities, purchase cutting-edge technolo- Burstiner, Elisa Prager, Devorah Shaw, and gies such as ActivBoards and netbooks, and Susan Lalli. Not pictured: Matt Bronfman provide professional development for teachers. Every dollar makes a difference. To make a gift to The Epstein School, con- tact Shira Hudson, director of Annual Giving, at 404-250-5649, or donate at www.espteinatlanta.org. NOT SHY. Students in Ms. Kendrick’s 6th- grade theater class at The Davis Academy clown around on the first day of the 2010- A TASTY LAB. Davis Academy 8th- 11 school year. Pictured: (from left) Emily graders Alex Moncayo and Carly Edlin Kurzweil, Rachel Fisher, Jodi Gottlieb, (pictured) get busy on their first science lab Willie Lieberman, and Olivia Wolf of the year—making ice cream. According to Middle School science teacher Barry Asher, this tasty lab was designed to get students familiar with good lab techniques. It was a delicious end to the first week of school. WE ARE EPSTEIN. As a young couple, the Zusmans—Ula, originally from South Africa, and Michael, from Australia—set- tled in the Savannah area to oversee their family furniture business, Kwalu. In 2006, WELCOME BACK. The Epstein School they decided to relocate in order to find the welcomed new and returning students to best school for their growing family. After another year of fun and learning. This year, touring Solomon Schechter schools in five the school has launched the “We Are cities, they knew immediately that The Epstein” campaign, which will highlight Epstein School was their school of choice. personal Epstein stories and all the amazing Not only did they move their family and things going on at school. Epstein students, company headquarters, but the company’s family, and alumni who are interested in founders, Merle and David Horwitz, Ula’s sharing their personal, touching, exciting, parents, and her brother’s family followed. or funny “Epstein stories” with the commu- EDUCATIONAL ODYSSEYS. Epstein Pictured: Ziv, Michael, Noa, Ula, and Liv nity are encouraged to contact Director of Middle School Odysseys are intense Zusman Communications & Marketing Coleen Lou enrichment mini-classes developed with at [email protected]. Pictured: student input. The Dissection Odyssey Epstein mom and PTO Co-President piqued the interest of Ilana Ander (pic- Rochelle Capes with her children, Aidan tured), daughter of Doctors Douglas S. Capes (left) and Chloe Capes (right) A WARM WELCOME BACK. Davis Ander and Jessica C. Arluck. Ilana is inter- Academy Associate Head of School Amy ested in neuroscience, but chose the Shafron greets new Kindergarten student Dissection Odyssey to better understand Ryan Hoppenfeld on the first morning of her parents’ work and expand her knowl- school, August 16. Ryan and his twin sister, edge of living creatures. Some examples of Alexa, are 2nd-year Davis students, having Odyssey courses being offered this year are “graduated” from the school’s Mechina: Music and Technology, Robotics, Stock Kindergarten Prep class last year. Market Simulation, Whose Line Epstein (improv), Epstein Live, Jewelry Making, Survival Skills, Documentary Film Making, and Home Economics. ANNUAL FUND. Each year at the Epstein School, parents, teachers, grandparents, and friends impact the lives of students by

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Name:______SHABBAT ROCK. Jewish musician Rick Address:______Recht capped off The Davis Academy’s LEARNING TO LEAD. Nili Leadership first week of school on a high note. Recht Epstein, a one-year program created to City:______State:______Zip: ______spent the entire day at Davis on August 20, ensure a continuous pool of future leaders, where (shown here) he brought energy and has started its fifth year. Invited participants inspiration to the school’s first Lower learn about Epstein’s mission, strategic Please mail this form together with your check to: School Kabbalat Shabbat service of the plan, and the school’s workings, including year. Later, Recht sang and jammed with budgeting and effective communication. The Jewish Georgian Davis Middle School students, concluding Nili Leadership Epstein 2010-11 is co- the day with a rousing Middle School chaired by Mindy Binderman and Sam 8495 Dunwoody Place • Building 9 - Suite 100 • Atlanta, GA 30350 Kabbalat Shabbat. Dressler. Last year’s participants are: (top, All comments and suggestions are welcome. Page 42 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010 JELF awards education loans The Jewish Educational Loan Fund Carolina, and Virginia for post-secondary (JELF) has awarded more than $478,800 in study at accredited institutions. JELF loans interest-free loans to 123 Jewish students are “last dollar,” meaning they supply the throughout the Southeast for the 2010-11 final funds that a student needs to attend academic year. Students and families in the school. These loans can be used for study at greater Atlanta area received $130,000 in a college or university, graduate school, or JELF loans. professional/vocational school that leads to While JELF currently administers just a degree or certificate. over $3 million in outstanding loans, it has Before JELF loans are awarded, stu- maintained its impressive 98 percent repay- dents must demonstrate that they have ment rate. As students repay their loans, sought funding through other sources, JELF uses those payments to make new including loans, scholarships, and grants, loans, creating a circle of tzedakah. and have come up short in meeting their Applications for the 2011-12 academic year needs. Students also must maintain a mini- will be available at www.jelf.org in mum grade-point average to continue to February 2011. receive loan proceeds. JELF, a non-profit organization based For additional information, contact in Atlanta, grants interest-free loans to JELF Executive Director Lara Dorfman at Jewish students from communities in 770-396-3080, or visit www.jelf.org. Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North September-October 2010 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 43 Page 44 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN September-October 2010