JewishTHE Georgian Volume 27, Number 3 Atlanta, Georgia March-April 2015 FREE WHAT’S INSIDE History in the Re-Making Raise the Roof, which premiered at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, follows Atlanta native Laura Brown and husband Rick Brown as they reconstruct the roof of an historic Polish synagogue. Page 17 A National Honor Atlanta native and Emory University softball player Megan Light was recognized by the NCAA with a Today’s Top Ten Award, for her achievements on and off the field. Page 6 A Bat Mitzvah for All The bat mitzvah of Dalia Cheskes, who has several developmental challenges, was made possible by the creativity and hard work of an entire community. By Leon Socol Page 35 Music to Our Ears Warner Robins native and Atlanta resident Zale has a message for her fans: be yourself. By Tali Benjamin Page 46 On Their Own Terms Moishe House, an innovative program for Jewish twenty-somethings, has opened a new location in Decatur. Page 41 Fun and Meaning at the Seder Table Our Family Haggadah, created by three generations of the Asher family, sets the tone for an inclusive, participatory Seder. Page 42 Page 2 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN March-April 2015 Regardless of language, clothing, or geography, we remain one immigrants in foreign lands, our spoken language was influenced by the local “Why and how have the Jews survived under exile, tongue, our clothing took on the appearance persecution, and the unbelievable limitations of of those around us, and the food was BY Marvin influenced by the crops and seasonings of Botnick bigotry, hatred, envy, and demonization?” the region. But universally we came with something different than others. We came with the overriding guide and dictates of a culture built on the foundation of a belief One of the unresolved questions that once again drawn to this topic. with others as does rice. Independence and in a purpose and religion that spoke to has been discussed over the centuries is As it happens, for me, an article by T. self-reliance is more the norm, and this, too, all aspects of life, not merely ceremonial why and how have the Jews survived under M. Luhrmann on “The Opinion Page” of affected the development of these societies. worship. Where permitted, we readily exile, persecution, and the unbelievable the December 3, 2014, edition of the The Rice and wheat are not the unique accepted citizenship in and allegiance to limitations of bigotry, hatred, envy, and New York Times entitled “Wheat People vs. determinants of this concept of societal the country in which we lived; however, demonization. It is a conundrum for which Rice People” focused a different perspective interdependence and independence; rather, even though most of us never dwelled many theories have been put forth, but on a basis for the continuation of Judaism they are merely used to focus on these in the ancestral land of the Jews, we still there has not been one single response that over these many centuries. The article had influences. maintained a mystical relationship with it. summarizes the reason, for—in truth—there to do with a study led by Thomas Talhem So what is the significance of and how Wherever we settled, we came with a is no single explanation. published in the journal Science that dealt do I relate this concept to the continuation of clear understanding and appreciation of our For me, it is a worthwhile exercise with the differences in the influence of Judaism and Jews over so many centuries? responsibility to one another. There was and to periodically ask myself this question, independence and interdependence. The While for centuries we historically have is a brotherhood that is more than ethnicity: for I find that by doing so I sharpen my study focused on the influence on the culture not been an agrarian people and have been there is a commitment to a responsibility to understanding of what it means to me to be a that evolved in a society that farmed rice as disbursed in groupings all over the world, fellow Jews wherever they may be located. Jew. Many events throughout the year act as opposed to wheat. because of severe restrictions imposed on We have survived because we are a markers to turn my attention towards such The point was made that rice farming us, we universally became interdependent people, interdependent on one another, a contemplation, and this, being the season requires a complex irrigation system to to survive. Like the rice farmer, a structure guided by a sacred central concept and when we recount overcoming the slaughter supply the water to the paddies. Because and communal organization was developed doctrine, committed to education and envisioned by Haman and the deliverance of these requirements, interdependence for mutual support. Somehow, this concept the pursuit of knowledge, and seeking from bondage in Egypt, my thoughts are between neighbors is a necessity, and this came into being in geographically diverse mutual reliance influences the communal regions and that had little or no contact with understanding. This is who we are, and it relationship that affects these societies in other parts of the world. goes with us regardless of the country in THE general. Wheat, on the other hand, does Like many others who became which we reside. Jewish Georgian not require anywhere near the coordination TThe Jewish Georgian is published bimonthly by Eisenbolt, Ltd. It is written for Atlantans and Georgians by Atlantans and Georgians. Publisher Marvin Botnick About The Cover Co-Publisher Sam Appel Editor Marvin Botnick Managing Editor Marsha C. LaBeaume Assignment Editor Carolyn Gold THE Consulting Editor Gene Asher Associate Editor Barbara Schreiber Jewish Georgian Volume 27, Number 3 Atlanta, Georgia March-April 2015 FREE Copy Editor Ray Tapley WHAT’S INSIDE Makeup Editor Terri Christian History in the Re-Making Raise the Roof, which premiered at the Production Coordinator Terri Christian Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, follows Atlanta native Laura Brown and husband Rick Brown as they reconstruct the roof of an historic Polish synagogue. Designer David Gaudio Page 17 Photographic Staff Allan Scher, Jonathan Paz A National Honor Atlanta native and Emory University softball player Megan Light was recognized by the NCAA with a Today’s Graphic Art Consultant Karen Paz Top Ten Award, for her achievements on and off the field. Page 6 Columnist Gene Asher, Jonathan Barach, A Bat Mitzvah for All Janice Rothschild Blumberg, The bat mitzvah of Dalia Cheskes, who has several developmental challenges, was made possible by the creativity and hard work of an entire community. Marvin Botnick, David Geffen, By Leon Socol Page 35 Carolyn Gold, Jonathan Goldstein, Music to Our Ears R.M. Grossblatt, Marice Katz, Warner Robins native and Atlanta resident Zale has a message for her fans: be yourself. By Tali Benjamin Balfoura Friend Levine, Page 46 Marsha Liebowitz, Bubba Meisa, On Their Own Terms Moishe House, an innovative program for Erin O’Shinsky, Reg Regenstein, Jewish twenty-somethings, has opened a new location in Decatur. Page 41 Stuart Rockoff, Roberta Scher, Fun and Meaning at Jerry Schwartz, Leon Socol, the Seder Table Our Family Haggadah, created by three generations of the Asher family, sets the Rabbi Reuven Stein, Ruben Stanley tone for an inclusive, participatory Seder. Cecile Waronker Page 42 Advertising Ruby Grossblatt Michael Pelot SEDER PLATE. Antique Limoges Anne Bender Seder plate depicting a family Editorial Advisory Board Members Seder meal from the Cuba Family Sam Appel Rabbi Alvin Sugarman Sam Massell Archives for Southern Jewish Jane Axelrod William Rothschild Gil Bachman History at The Breman Museum. Michael H. Mescon Marilyn Shubin Paul Muldawer Doug Teper Cover art by David Schendowich. 8495 Dunwoody Place, Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30350 (404) 236-8911 • FAX (404) 236-8913 [email protected] www.jewishgeorgian.com The Jewish Georgian ©2015 March-April 2015 THE JEWISH GEORGIAN Page 3 What’s HAPPENING fortunately not snowed out, as happened last year, forcing a postponement of one day. BY Some highlights of the Opening Night Reg Gala: Regenstein • Striking redhead Bonnie Wolloff asking investor Eddie Mendel about his Atlanta Coldwell Banker Falcons pin, saying, “What is your #1 TEAM Metro Atlanta MOTHER-SON ART SHOW. Robin connection to the team?” “I’m an owner,” Moses Pollack and her son, Andy, kicked Eddie replies. off their first ever mother-son art show at • Talking with Garry Sobel, of the Friends the Ventulett Gallery, at Holy Innocents’ of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), on Opening Night Gala Episcopal Church, in Sandy Springs, with a the perilous plight of Israel, facing well- (photos: Duane Stork) fabulous reception featuring her intriguing armed enemies on almost every border totem poles and his gorgeous hand-blown and Iran threatening to destroy the state, as it enriches more uranium for its nuclear TOP FBI OFFICIAL SPEAKING AT glass works. MJCCA. Our friend Sid Stein, chairman of Sales were brisk. Andy’s fantastic, weapons program. • The food, as always, was superb. We the Edgewise speaker series at the Marcus brightly colored-glass birds flew off the Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, tells shelves, along with a stunning trio of didn’t see any popcorn, but there were lots us exclusively that they have a great speaker THE SONENSHINE TEAM opaque black and white beauties. Robin’s of other great dishes. Tel Aviv’s famous Atlanta’s Favorite Real Estate Team! stone works and garden art were the talk of Aria restaurant served up its delectable 404.252.4908 (Office) See HAPPENING, page 4 the evening. Jerusalem artichoke soup, which Chef 404.250.5311 (Direct) The family matriarch, mom/grandmom Guy Gamzo—with his lovely wife, Nama, SonenshineTeam.com Rita Moses, presided over the affair, beaming by his side—prepared in his unique way.