Atlanta Jewish Times, VOL. 101 NO. 11, JUNE 15, 2026

Simchas and Graduation

American University

Appalachian State University*

Arizona State University

Auburn University

Belmont University

Berry College

Brandeis University

Brown University*

Clemson University

College of Charleston

Colorado School of Mines

Cornell University*

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Elon University*

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(Daytona Beach)*

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Florida Institute of Technology

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Franklin University Switzerland*

George Washington University

Georgia College*

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Georgia State University

Georgia Tech*

Hampden-Sydney College

High Point University*

WEBER STUDENTS WILL MATRICULATE TO 37 DIFFERENT COLLEGES ACROSS 17 STATES AND SWITZERLAND!

Indiana University (Bloomington)*

Ithaca College

Kennesaw State University*

Louisiana State University

Lynn University

McGill University

Miami University

Millikin University

Missouri State University

Muhlenberg College

Nazareth University

North Carolina State University

Northeastern University*

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Ohio University

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Piedmont University*

Purdue University

Rhodes College*

Roosevelt University

Santa Fe College*

Savannah College of Art and Design

Southeast Missouri State University

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Texas Christian University

The Ohio State University*

Tulane University*

University of Alabama*

University of Alabama (Birmingham)

University of Arizona

University of California (Davis)

University of California (Los Angeles)

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University of California (Santa Barbara)

University of California (Santa Cruz)

University of Central Florida

University of Cincinnati

University of Colorado (Boulder)

University of Connecticut

University of Delaware

University of Denver

University of Florida*

University of Florida-Online*

University of Georgia*

University of Kansas*

University of Kentucky

University of Maryland*

University of Miami*

University of Michigan

University of Minnesota

University of Mississippi

University of Missouri

University of New Hampshire*

University of New Orleans

University of North Carolina (Greensboro)

University of North Georgia*

University of Pittsburgh

University of South Carolina*

University of South Florida

University of Tampa*

University of Tennessee

University of Texas

University of Toronto

University of Utah

University of Wisconsin

Valdosta State University

Vassar College*

Virginia Tech

Wake Forest University*

Washington University in St. Louis*

Western University

Wright State University

GAP YEAR & OTHER PROGRAMS

Aardvark Israel*

Kivunim Institute*

Meorot Yerushalayim*

Young Judaea Year Course*

*DENOTES MATRICULATION

BRUNCH & LEARN | FRIDAY, JULY 17th • 11:00AM

Enjoy a special brunch menu and connect with our team and residents, then take a guided tour of our beautiful community. Ask questions, mingle with residents and guests, and discover the refined lifestyle that sets The Piedmont at Buckhead apart. To RSVP, call 470- 681-9849.

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Beth Shalom Welcomes New Rabbi

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Dunwoody’s Congregation Beth Shalom President Fred Rich welcomed Rabbi K’vod Wieder to begin July 1 as Rabbi Mark Zimmerman moves to his emeritus role after 38 years.

Rabbi Wieder grew up in California, attended college at UC Santa Cruz, received a master’s degree in counseling at the Institute for Transpersonal Psychology, and ultimately realized he wanted to dedicate his life to serving the Jewish community.

Rich stated, “After interviewing many candidates, our search committee invited Rabbi Wieder here for a visitation. He led services Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Everyone loved him! After he left, our congregational survey showed an incredible response! We’re so excited that he will join our kehilla. He is working well with Rabbi Zimmerman and planning the transition.”

Prior to entering the rabbinate, K’vod worked for Chochmat HaLev – a Jewish meditation center in Berkeley,

Calif., the Jewish Federation of Sonoma County, and ran his own Jewish spiritual counseling practice that offered classes and retreats. He also directed a teen phi-

lanthropy program for the Harold Grinspoon Foundation that helped communities around the country bring together Federations, philanthropists, and syna-

gogues to teach teens about the Jewish value of tzedakah for which he received the Etz Chaim Educators Award from the North American Alliance of Informal

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Jewish Education. He has served on the faculty of Aleph’s Jewish Renewal Kallah, Elat Chayyim Center for Jewish Spirituality, JCCs and synagogues.

Concurrent with his years of study at the Ziegler School for Rabbinic Studies at American Jewish University in Los Angeles, Wieder wrote religious school curriculum for Kehillat Israel in Pacific Palisades, participated in a community organizing fellowship with the Jewish Funds for Justice, and served as a rabbinic intern at Congregation B’nai Israel in Tustin and Temple Beth El of South Orange County (TBESOC).

In 2012, TBESOC hired Wieder as a full-time rabbi to be a clergy partner in leading Reform and Conservative worship services and to serve the entire community. Highlights of his tenure include creating an Eighth-Grade Tzedakah Philanthropic program, innovating their Small Groups initiative, “Can We Talk? Building Relationships Through Disagreement,” launching a Center for Meditation and Jewish Spirituality that fostered distinctive worship services, weekly online meditation and spiritual practice sessions, an annual Jewish meditation weekend retreat, and bringing nationally renowned scholars to the community. Since 2021, Wieder has become a sought-after resource for non-Jewish religious leaders to help them understand and dialogue about Israel and antisemitism from a Jewish perspective.

Rabbi Wieder is married to Ilana Rogel Wieder, a playwright, actor, director, yoga teacher, and author of Jewish children’s books. Their children are Levi, Aiden, and Aviv.

Earlier this year, Ilana published her Havdalah picture book, “Shira The Singing Puppy,” which she has presented at bookstores, JCCs, and synagogues in California, Houston, and Pittsburgh. She also has a master’s in fine arts, writes and directs plays, and played the role of Strawberry Shortcake in the animated series. Ilana was born in Latvia and grew up in Israel and Southern California.

Wieder told the AJT, “Besides my visit to the synagogue in February and later in May, I have never been to Atlanta. I have heard legends of ‘Southern hospitality,’ and they are all true. I’ve experienced genuine warmth since I’ve spent time here. And I’ve been delighted by the pluralism I’ve experienced in Atlanta and positive recognition of the presence of the Jewish community. I love hiking and being outdoors and have always had a relationship to magic and illusion - professionally when I was younger and now, I love to weave it through my sharing of Torah and spirituality.”

Rabbi Wieder is a self-proclaimed “Deadhead,” drawn to improvisational live music in the tradition of the Grateful Dead, but also into directions of jazz and world music.

Wieder said, “At Congregation Beth Shalom, I am looking forward to continuing to build and deepen the caring community that already exists. I want our synagogue to be a place where people feel like they can grow personally, Jewishly, and spiritually. In this first year, I want to focus on getting to know each other as individuals and families, with an eye towards what inspires us and makes life worth living.” ì

Judge Altman Addresses Jewish National Fund

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Can one passionate, erudite former football/baseball Ivy League “jock” change the world one heart at a time?

Judge Roy Altman, U.S. District Judge for the Southern District/Florida, addressed Jewish National Fund (JNF) supporters at Temple Sinai on May 19. Eyes were riveted on charismatic Altman as he shared his mission to escort non-Jews, especially judges and attorneys, to Israel to experience firsthand what’s happening amongst society “so they can internalize and defend against antisemitism.”

Altman gave out copies of his book, “Israel On Trial. Examining the History and Evidence, and the Law.”

Attorney Samantha Weidenbaum explained that JNF-USA’s mission is to build a stronger, more vibrant land of Israel by developing and strengthening its north and south. “Today, 80 percent of Israel’s population lives on 20 percent of the land. This reality presents a challenge, but for JNF-USA it is an opportunity,” she said.

Judge Roy Altman told the AJT that he has fond memories of being in Atlanta for the World Series in 1996 (Yankees vs. Braves). He also spent time here in 2007 as a law clerk.

Altman explained how his judgeship was a lifetime appointment, and he is careful to keep his ego in check as people always address him as “your honor” while wearing his flowing robe.

Describing the attacks of Oct. 7, his voice was noticeably emotional as he questioned why the United Nations condemns Israel for human rights violations.

“There seems to be moral confusion

when other countries aren’t held to the same standards.”

We’ve heard all this before, but not through Altman’s eyes. His [free] trips to Israel with non-Jewish judges from all

across the nation made him realize that “we are not alone.”

He visited churches with his fellow judges, including an Ash Wednesday service and some very sacred Christian spaces where he wanted to see the Holy Land also through their eyes. They found themselves in Jerusalem at 3 a.m., jogging in the Old City, watching the sunrise, and later, hiding in a shelter.

The judges watched areas where the rockets cascaded from Lebanon.

Altman said, “Judges from all over are nagging me to go on a trip. Feedback from some bordered on obsession. Aside from my children and marriage, this trip has been the most transformative event of my life. We saw people living in a free and fair democracy, ready to fight and die.”

They witnessed a woman sobbing and digging her nails in the earth on her son‘s birthday, where he perished on Oct. 7. They watched the video captured by Hamas cell phones bragging about their savagery. He related, “This is Schindler‘s List in color.”

They visited a Druze village between Syria and Lebanon where a rocket killed 12 children who were playing on a soccer field. There they saw the children’s remaining mangled bicycles. In terms of the soccer incident, both Arab and Jewish coaches and owners all fasted on Ramadan. He stated, “I locked eyes with a judge from Idaho whose eyes were all welled

up. They understood our shared history.”

They also visited Yad Vashem where they witnessed varied Jews from Germany, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Judges frolicked in the sea, feet in the water, and connected to Jesus. Altman said, “They were able to feel and touch the Judeo-Christian roots as Western souls, not what they see on TikTok or the New York Times.”

Altman took questions from the audience, recounting a Jewish college girl wearing a keffiyeh celebrating Sukkot. He explained the First Commandment, which began way before Sukkot that settling the homeland was the foundation stone.

“Everything else is just whipped cream and cherries.”

During the cocktail reception, Mark Kopkin, past president of Jewish National Fund, shared, “Altman’s message is so important by taking folks [to Israel] who live outside the Jewish realm … so they can really understand.”

Current JNF President Andy Siegel said, “Post-Oct. 7, JNF has risen to meet the moment.”

U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg heard Judge Altman speak earlier that morning at a different event. He told the AJT, “Judge Altman’s message is important in light of the threats facing the Jewish community, including here in Atlanta.” ì

Consider Temple Sinai as a location for your future celebrations and events. Our beautiful building was recently renovated and has both indoor and outdoor spaces that offer an ideal setting for weddings, corporate events, cocktail receptions, lectures, showers, parties and more.

The Dupree is ‘Cooking’ with Honey & Challah

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Located in The Dupree building, Honey & Challah is a new kosher dairy café offering breakfast, lunch, specialty coffees, and handcrafted drinks in a café-style setting. Honey & Challah is fully kosher-certified and uses only Cholov Yisroel dairy products.

Since its opening, the lobby and outdoor patio have been buzzing with activity from the Jewish community, though it also serves tenants and local visitors. The concept began when the uber-motivated Zalik family envisioned a dining amenity for The Dupree building, located a block from Temple Sinai. The LLC was officially formed in April 2025, followed by a lease signing that spring, with the café concept ongoing ever since.

The owner, Patricia Kapusta, has 20-plus years of experience in the food industry and graduated from culinary school. Originally from Brazil, she moved to the United States in 1997 and was exposed to a wide variety of cuisines including Greek, Mexican, Brazilian, and

Patricia Kapusta, a culinary school graduate, used the success of Cupanion’s Kitchen + Coffee to launch Honey & Challah in The Dupree building.

American. The menu design was inspired in part by Kapusta’s original restaurant, also in Sandy Springs, Cupanion’s Kitch-

en + Coffee, adapting this successful caféstyle concept.

Honey & Challah currently employs

| NOEMI BADER HILA BEN-YAACOV | LIAV COHEN

NOAM GLAZER | TUVIA HIRSCH | SHAI KAISER-BLUETH | DANIEL G KASSORLA

ISABELLE KHANDADASH | AMI KORN | MICAH JARED LEMBECK | YAAKOV LEVIN

ARI MONHEIT | LANDON ROLNICK | GILA MAYA SADINOFF | AVI EZRA SHUMAN BENJAMIN DVIR SMOLENSKY | MYERS TEYF

around 10, with plans to expand as business grows. The café also has a full-time mashgiach on site. In preparation for

operating a kosher establishment, Kapusta, who is not Jewish, completed certification through the Kosher Institute of America and coordinates with Rabbis Zehnwirth and Stein.

Ingredients are sourced from a variety of vendors, including Deli 2 U, A&L Foods, and Athena Farms. The café seats 48 guests indoors and an additional 28 outdoors. They hope to eventually expand into off-site catering once the restaurant hits its stride. Future plans include daily specials and seasonal menu updates, though the core menu is expected to remain consistent.

Some of the most popular items are: Bernie Marcus Tuna Melt, Egg Shakshuka, Orange Cranberry Scone, and the Classic Salmon Burger. We also sampled the Roasted Beet Salad with goat cheese, walnuts, and oranges ($14.50); Avocado Toast with charred corn is a winner ($13). A traditional Lox Sandwich is $12.50. Flatbreads (more like a pizza), bowls, omelets, root vegetable hash, and falafel only scratch the choice surface. Kids meals and gluten-free options are available. Kapusta notes that prices may increase slightly in the summer.

Yosef Moaty, Chabad of North Fulton’s Torah reader and Shabbat Magid Shiur, serves as the mashgiach. A rabbi, sofer (scribe), husband, and father of three, Moaty previously worked in kosher meat hashgacha before joining the café world to oversee kashrut operations. Under communal leadership of Rabbi Hirshy Minkowicz and Rabbi Gedalya Hertz, and the Kashrut leadership of Rab-

bis Zehnwirth, Stein, and Khoshkerman, Moaty has developed experience in the practical application of halachic supervision. He’s responsible for ensuring food adheres to the laws of kashrut. Because Honey & Challah uses fresh herbs and produce, many ingredients must be carefully inspected for prohibited insects. He initiates all cooking processes in the kitchen and verifies that every ingredient used is kosher-compliant.

Restaurant entrepreneurs know that kosher restaurants succeed more heartily when they also attract non-kosher diners because of the convenience and food quality. Kapusta notes they are enjoying loyal customers already, including families, office building tenants, and neighbors, especially One River Place -- a large development just east of The Dupree. It was especially touching for this reporter to see “benching” after meals with no urgency to quickly turn the table for another customer.

Kapusta told the AJT, “11:30 to 1:30 especially is bustling with activity here.”

She enjoys dining out in Atlanta and stated that her favorite dish is ceviche. She related, “I actually can devise a kosher version perhaps down the road.”

Kapusta, a “hands-on” owner, who has a watchful eye on every plate that goes out of the kitchen, concluded, “I’m happy to be developing this long-term and to eventually pass the torch to the next generation.”

Honey & Challah is open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, and is located at 6120 Powers Ferry Road. ì

Today we celebrate the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures whose guidance, strength, humor, and unwavering support shape our families and communities every day.

Thank you for the lessons, the sacrifices, the encouragement, and the love that lasts a lifetime. Your wisdom and dedication leave an impact far beyond words.

Wishing all fathers a joyful, meaningful, and well-deserved Father ’s Day filled with family, laughter, and cherished memories.

NEWS

ATL Rabbinical Association Holds Annual Retreat

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

On Tuesday, May 19, more than 30 community rabbis gathered in Midtown for the Atlanta Rabbinical Association’s 20th annual retreat, designed to foster learning, creativity, professional growth, and collegial connection.

This year’s retreat went beyond traditional conference settings into Atlanta’s most storied cultural institutions, creating opportunities for dialogue through the lens of art. The event was coordinated by Brooke Rosenthal, program and operations manager, Atlanta Rabbinical Association (ARA), who organized the details combining museum exploration, leadership conversations, and Jewish learning.

The day began at the High Museum of Art with a docent-led exploration of the museum’s permanent collection. During the session, entitled, “An Exploration of the Permanent Collection: Ten Works and the (Hidden) Stories Behind Them,” rabbis examined works of art and their interpretations and cultural contexts. The retreat then shifted to com-

munity-building and institutional leadership. Chris Moses, of Alliance Theatre, led “Community Engagement and Audience Relationships Beyond the Stage,”

exploring how organizations cultivate relationships with their audiences and sustain engagement. Rabbis considered how lessons from the performing arts ap-

ply to synagogue leadership.

Sarah Grant, of Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, led “What Have You Sunset?” which focused on the difficult necessary

decisions when programs or traditions no longer serve their purpose. Rabbis reflected on how faith communities can honor tradition while adapting to changing needs and expectations. Central to the day, Jewish learning and “The Art of Torah Wisdom,” featured a text study led by Rabbi Ayal Robkin, of Hadar, which blended timeless Jewish teachings with contemporary challenges, where rabbis engaged deeply with Torah while considering the practical realities.

Rabbi Ari Kaiman, of Congregation Shearith Israel, is set to become the incoming board president after Temple Sinai Rabbi Brad Leveneberg’s remaining year. Reflecting on the significance of the retreat, Rabbi Levenberg emphasized the importance of creating opportunities for rabbis to step away from daily responsibilities and engage in broader conversations.

He relayed, “The retreat was a reminder that rabbis need spaces that restore imagination … time with colleagues that isn’t only about crisis response or calendar coordination. We need exposure to other kinds of institutions that are wrestling with similar questions of mission, belonging, audience, memory, and change.”

Levenberg added that one of the most meaningful moments occurred during the tour. “A favorite moment of the retreat came in the museum itself, as rabbis moved through the galleries in small groups. The setting allowed for a different kind of conversation, less formal and more open-ended. A work of art became an entry point into questions about leadership. A gallery wall became a prompt for thinking about synagogue life. A docent’s explanation became a mirror for our own work of interpretation and translation. It was a reminder

that learning doesn’t always need to hap pen around a conference table to be seri ous.”

The retreat concluded at PuttShack, coordinated by Rabbi Josh Hearshen of Or VeShalom. That informal setting al lowed for a relaxed atmosphere. Between putts and the dinner, the group honored recently promoted Dov Wilker, of the American Jewish Committee, with the 2025 Ner Tamid Award in recognition of his longstanding partnership with Atlanta’s rabbis.

school can be.

Rebecca Levenberg, wife of Rabbi Brad Levenberg, who works in the fundraising department at the Woodruff Arts Center, established the location connection.

Membership in the ARA is open to rabbis from across the Jewish denominational spectrum. According to Rosenthal, prospective members complete an application process, after which the membership committee reviews and verifies their rabbinic ordination credentials before welcoming them into the organization. She noted the growth of the area’s Orthodox members’ recently increased membership, including Rabbi Nachi Friedman currently serving as the group’s treasurer.

One of the retreat’s greatest values lies in its opportunity for collegiality. Rabbi Elizabeth Bahar, of Temple Beth Israel, board member-at-large, shared, “I have participated in the past several retreats … I always find myself nourished by being around colleagues in unexpected ways. While I serve a smaller congregation in Macon, the challenges rabbis face are not unique to any one of us; they’re ones we navigate collectively. Because we struggle together, we’re able to find genuine support in one another.” ì

At 90, Levetan Still Believes in Power of Community

By Fran M. Putney

Self-described as “multi-faceted,” Liane Levetan has led a purposeful life, most of it dedicated to public service focused on local government. As the first woman to serve as DeKalb County CEO, she is well known and respected for her bold leadership, innovative initiatives and brokering collaborations resulting in improvements benefiting many communities.

In the Jewish community, she taught Sunday school for 13 years at Ahavath Achim Synagogue and is a life member of Hadassah, which awarded her its Myrtle Wreath. Having recently turned 90, she may have slowed down, but she certainly isn’t done. And “honey,” does she have stories!

If you ask Levetan how her career began, she describes meeting a psychologist while attending Georgia State that led her to work as an educator for special needs children. At first, she had little related training but just a sincere desire to help. Levetan left her bank job, took

coursework, and began work at a clinic and then in a new school for children who were otherwise excluded from public schools.

Her advocacy at the state Capitol supporting legislation for developmentally disabled children and becoming a successful real estate agent presented new opportunities. Involvement with organizations like DeKalb Democrats and

League of Women Voters led Levetan to work on election campaigns and begin attending county commission meetings with interest in issues like zoning. Later, she became friends with Rosalyn Carter, the president’s wife, who shared many of Levetan’s interests in health and special education.

It was taking a diverse group of more than 50 women to Washington, D.C., for

the first Democratic women’s meeting in 1964 that Levetan tells the story about how she persuaded Sen. Richard Russell to call President Lyndon Johnson to meet with some of the women in the Rose Garden, which, to her surprise, Johnson did. “I was never bashful,” quips Levetan. “Never.”

Levetan’s Southern style belies her early life. Born Liane Raab in 1936 in Vi-

enna, German was her first language. When the Nazis approached, her family barely escaped Austria to London. From age 4 until 15, Liane lived in England, surviving tuberculosis and the Nazi Blitz, the family often hiding below in the Underground subway stations. During those years, her mother worked as a seamstress and her father had a factory job making small suitcases for the military.

Her family came to the United States in 1951, first to Washington, D.C., before coming to Atlanta, where her father opened Willy’s Grocery at Jackson and Irwin Streets. At age 18, Liane married Phil Levetan. The couple raised two daughters, Resa and Penny, and celebrated 61 years of marriage before Phil’s passing in 2016. Levetan has four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

While her first run at politics wasn’t successful, in 1975 she became the first elected woman on the DeKalb County Commission, representing District 2, (includes Brookhaven, Emory and Decatur), for 10 years. Along with then-Decatur Mayor Ann Crichton, Levetan persuaded MARTA to build the train station in downtown Decatur instead of farther out, which proved to be a great asset to Decatur’s growth.

When DeKalb changed its government to an executive format, Levetan ran against Manuel Maloof. “He was good friends with me on the commission, but he couldn’t understand how I could run. I wanted to be the first woman executive.”

When Maloof won the election, Levetan recalled, “I was upset that night, but I went right over to his headquarters and gave him a big hug and congratulated him. And I think that was in the paper in the Atlanta Journal. Well, he would say, ‘Girl, I told you you couldn’t beat me.’ I mean, I can hear him saying that, but it was OK. And after his two terms, Manuel supported me running for CEO. As a matter of fact, his son, Tommy, worked putting up yard signs.”

Levetan did succeed Maloof to become the first woman CEO of DeKalb County, serving two terms from 1993 to 2000. During her tenure, Levetan efficiently oversaw an $800 million budget and sought to improve neighborhoods county-wide. Among many successes, Levetan worked with commissioners to acquire the old Brook Run mental health center property in Dunwoody for conversion to greenspace. In 2021, that park was re-named Liane Levetan Park at Brook Run.

Likewise, she supported what became the Porter Sanford III Arts Center in south DeKalb.

Under her leadership in 1998, DeKalb won the National Civic Leagues’

All America City Award, given to 10 local governments annually that demonstrate a high degree of collaborative community building. To celebrate the award, Levetan took a delegation of 100, including baseball star Hank Aaron and DeKalb children, where they sang the song “We Are Family” at the presentation in Mobile, Ala.

“It was a wonderful feeling,” Levetan recalled.

Lorraine Cochran-Johnson, DeKalb County’s current CEO, told the AJT: “Liane Levetan is a true trailblazer whose leadership helped shape the future of DeKalb County. As the first woman to serve as DeKalb County CEO, she broke barriers and demonstrated that effective leadership is rooted in vision, courage, and a deep commitment to public service.”

After her CEO terms, Levetan served in the State Senate from 2002 to 2004. While she admits she sometimes sparred with Republican colleagues on issues such as abortion, she speaks with pride about serving on the ethics and education committees and sponsoring a bill that started the state’s investment in bonds for Israel.

Sam Olens, former state attorney general and now partner at the Dentons law firm, said of Levetan: “While elected, she was a tireless public servant who sought to bring people together. DeKalb was in good hands with her leadership style, work ethic, and caring personality. She appreciated and enjoyed teaming with the non-profit community and has always been a positive voice for the Jewish community.”

Levetan is still busy supporting issues that are important to her. She is the oldest serving member of the Atlanta Regional Commission, is a board member of the Friends group of the Georgia Holocaust Commission, and she is helping develop a new autism center project in Decatur.

Cochran-Johnson added: “Beyond her historic accomplishments, what stands out most about Ms. Levetan is her unwavering dedication to community and her ability to bring people together around a shared purpose. Her legacy continues to inspire generations of public servants, including those of us who have had the privilege of follow in her footsteps.”

For her part, Levetan says: “I’ve always felt that local government is closest to the people,” adding, she is glad that “people and businesses now realize that working with community projects together is essential for a great community. You have to collaborate to get things done.” ì

ADL Reports Spike in Antisemitic Assaults

By Perri Schwartz

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recently released their annual audit on the state of antisemitism in the United States.

The annual audit states that 2025 was one of the most violent years on record for American Jews. Physical assaults reached record high levels and resulted in fatalities for the first time in four years. There were 6,274 incidents of antisemitic assault, harassment, and vandalism in 2025, an average of 17 incidents per day. More than 200 physical assaults were reported, and it was the first time that a high number of physical assaults were recorded since the ADL began tracking incidents of antisemitism in 1979. Physical assaults increased by four percent, and incidents of assault involving a deadly weapon increased by 39 percent.

“The record number of incidents of anti-Jewish vandalism locally is particularly concerning because anti-Jewish hate escalated into record violence nationally,” said Todd Young, regional director of

ADL Southeast. “If increasing numbers of individuals are brazen enough to damage property, we worry that violence may not be far behind.”

While there has been an overall decrease from the previous year, it remains higher than the totals in years prior to the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in Israel. More-

over, three people were murdered in antisemitic attacks on American soil: Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky outside the Capitol Jewish Museum on May 21, 2025, and Karen Diamond, who succumbed to her wounds after a firebombing attack at a Run For Their Lives event in Boulder, Colo., in support of hostage release efforts. It was the highest number since 2019.

The main findings of the report include:

• Assaults: 203 incidents were categorized as assault, an increase of four percent compared to 2024 (196 incidents).

• Incidents of assault involving a deadly weapon increased to 32 in 2025 from 23 in 2024.

• At least 300 people were victimized by incidents of assault.

• Vandalism: 2,068 incidents (a 21 percent decrease from 2024) were categorized as vandalism.

• Harassment: 4,003 incidents (a 39 percent decrease from 2024) were categorized as harassment.

• Geographic Reach: Antisemitic incidents occurred in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The states with the highest levels of incidents were New York (1,160), California (817), and New Jersey (687).

College campuses saw a 66 percent decrease in incidents, marking the highest decline of any location type. This was in part due to colleges addressing antisemitism on their campuses by strictly enforcing campus protest and open expression policies. New rules banning encampments, overnight demonstrations, and building takeovers curbed the largescale campus disruptions seen in 2024.

In Georgia, the overall number of antisemitic incidents decreased from 163 in 2024 to 83 in 2025. Thirty-two out of 83

incidents occurred in Atlanta, and 2025 saw an increase in vandalism from 25 to 29 incidents. Incidents of harassment decreased by 61 percent, and due to the decrease in harassment, Georgia experienced a 49 percent decrease in total incidents from 2024 to 2025.

In 2025, 45 percent of all incidents (2,847 incidents were recorded) were related to Israel or Zionism. It’s a lower rate than in 2024, when the number was 58 percent. Anti-Israel rallies that featured extreme rhetoric and crossed the line into antisemitism also decreased 67 percent overall, and 83 percent on college campuses.

While this is the first overall decline in antisemitic incidents since the attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, violence is still increasing at record high rates.

“We’ve been seeing an increasing amount of violence. It’s not surprising, because everything we see in the news, the ramming in Bondi Beach, the shooting in D.C., the firebombings in Colorado, etc. We’re not caught off guard by it, we’ve been preparing, talking to state and local law enforcement, we do constant threat assessment, and train staff and congregants to be prepared in an emergency: medical aid, ‘run hide fight,’ and de-escalation techniques,” said Brian Davis, head of security at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.

Davis also highlighted the Fund for Protections of Communities, a new statewide grant that would go towards hiring security personnel for other Jewish institutions in Atlanta and across the state.

Davis said, “In Georgia, the cost for the Jewish community alone is $5.5 million that we spend on security personnel. The Fund for Protections of Communities also gives us relief to invest in other opportunities.” ì

AJC Conference Examines 250th American Anniversary

By Bob Bahr

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of its founding, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) recently examined where the American Jewish community has been, where it is now, and where it’s headed.

The discussion, which took place during one of the plenary sessions of the organization’s Global Summit in Washington, D.C., brought together three of America’s most thoughtful observers of Jewish life and Jewish history.

The three speakers were Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, senior rabbi of the Central Synagogue of Reform Judaism in New York City, professor Jonathan Sarna of Brandeis University, the elder statesman of American Jewish historians and author, Dr. Dara Horn, whose book, “People Love Dead Jews - Reports from a Haunted Present,” was a bestselling, iconoclastic look at contemporary Jewish culture and identity.

Although the program was ambitiously framed to summarize two-and-ahalf centuries of Jewish life in America, it soon settled on a discussion of two of the important issues animating American Jewish life today, the rebirth of antisemitism in this country and the political divide that has fractured American Jewish communal existence.

Neither challenge, it seems, is all that new. As professor Sarna pointed out, antisemitism in America has been a history of peaks and valleys. It thrived in periods like the late 19th century, when racism was institutionalized through the passage of Jim Crow laws and American Jews also suddenly found themselves excluded from much of civil society.

American Jews found themselves battling discrimination just after World War I, when Henry Ford aggressively stoked the fires of antisemitism, and found that many of America’s commercial and academic elite were quick to follow his lead.

But in each period, American Jews took up the challenge to build remarkable Jewish institutions, created thriving religious communities and prospered in America. What resulted was what many consider a golden age of Jewish life after World War II that was rooted in the response to challenges earlier in the century. The same thing, Sarna predicted, could result from what has been set in motion today.

But Horn was not so sanguine. She sees the so-called Golden Age that began in mid-20th century America, which was

founded on a strong religious identity, ignored the real lesson of 3,000 years of Jewish life -- that Jews are a civilization. We spent these several millennia not being like everyone else.

She believes that the history of antisemitism is intimately connected to the content of Jewish civilization. The admonition, she argues, to shun false gods was a warning to stand up tyranny, and those who would tyrannize us, use antisemitism to gain or maintain power. Their lie, down through the centuries, has remained largely the same, that Jews are destroying what you value most. The only thing that changes is their description of what Jews are destroying.

In her new book, which is out Sept. 1 and has the provocative title of “The Final Solution To The Jewish Question - A Love Story For the Living,” is said to be a call to action, to stand up to the lie that is antisemitism and understand our role as a people.

The challenges facing Jews today has only added to the responsibilities that rabbis have today. To deal with all these challenges, Rabbi Buchdahl said her most important job, as a spiritual leader, is to build trust within her congregational community and with the outside world.

She reminded her listeners at the AJC conference that the great critic of American democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville, wrote in the early years of the republic that the American democratic experiment will succeed only if people trust each other.

If a society is to be ruled by common people and not by a king, you have to trust each other and the institutions that society creates. She invoked the advice of the prophet Jeremiah when we were

exiled and no longer sovereign over ourselves. Seek the peace and prosperity of the city you have been exiled to, he counseled, because when they prosper, you will prosper.

And that is what Jews have done, Rabbi Buchdahl reminded her AJC au-

dience, wherever they’ve gone, particularly in America. We have recognized that progress, prosperity, and peace will only come to the Jewish community if we contribute to the peace and the trust of the cities and of the nation in which we live. ì

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The Dupree Names Founding Executive Director

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

The Dupree Conference and Education Center announced the appointment of Dana Sender Mulla as its founding executive director, effective June 2026. An accomplished leader with more than two decades of experience designing and scaling global initiatives, Sender Mulla brings a track record of strengthening communities, developing others, and fostering collaboration across diverse sectors.

“Dana’s appointment marks an exciting new chapter for The Dupree,” said Joel Marks, board chair. “She brings a rare combination of vision, operational experience, and deep commitment to Jewish identity, Israel, and education. We are confident that under her leadership, The Dupree will continue to grow as a transformative force for Jewish life in the Metro Atlanta community and beyond.”

Sender Mulla served as director of leadership development at Momentum, a global movement of Jewish women dedicated to strengthening Jewish communities and deepening connections to Israel. Previously, she founded and directed Momentum in Israel and served as director of Garin Tzabar International, supporting young adults from around the world who choose to serve in the Israel Defense Forces.

In 2006, she founded Tzemach, an Israeli educational nonprofit organization that reaches thousands of high school and university students annually. She is also

a co-founder and board member of Zikaron Ba’Salon, Israel’s largest social action movement focused on Holocaust remembrance, and a co-founder of the IsraelDiaspora Coalition. She is a Schusterman Foundation International Fellow, a former Global Shaper with the World Economic Forum, and a member of the ROI Community. Sender Mulla holds a master of arts in public and political leadership and a bachelor of arts in liberal arts from Tel Aviv University. She has also pursued advanced executive and leadership training through Harvard Kennedy School, the International School for Jewish Peoplehood Studies, Gishot, and Lahav Executive Education at Tel Aviv University.

Although she has never lived in the Deep South, Atlanta has held a special place for her. During her years directing Garin Tzabar, she visited here annually and met families preparing to make Aliyah.

“Even back then, I walked away with a distinct feeling of just how unique, warm, and deeply committed this community is,” she reflected. “I am honored and humbled to serve as the founding executive director of The Dupree. Building a center dedicated to meaningful Jewish learning, leadership, and connection to Israel is deeply personal to me — it reflects my values and my own sense of personal and professional purpose. I look forward to working alongside partners and community members to cultivate a vibrant space for growth, reflection, and a deepened sense of identity.”

Sabra Sender Mulla was raised in Herzliya and spent time living in communities across Israel’s north, south, and central regions. She lived in Singapore from ages 12 to 16, attending an international school that exposed her to a multicultural world. During that time, she also volunteered as a young ambassador for the Israeli Consulate. After returning to Israel, she served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces for 3½ years and in the reserves for an additional 9 years, ultimately receiving an honorable discharge as captain.

Drs. Marc Seltman & Richard Kaplan and Staff of Personal Care Physicians of Atlanta are pleased and honored to welcome our newest member, Dr. Howard Silverboard.

Dr. Silverboard has had a long and distinguished career practicing Internal Medicine in Atlanta. After specializing for many years in Pulmonary Medicine, he is shifting his knowledge, passion and skills to Primary Care. We are pleased to have this wise, kind and compassionate physician join our team. Dr. Silverboard will be enrolling patients beginning July 1st, 2026.

Outside of her professional work, Sender Mulla is an avid reader and lifelong “bookworm.” She also enjoys cooking and baking, especially bringing people together around a shared meal.

“For me, breaking bread is the ultimate opportunity for genuine connection,” she said. She is equally passionate about travel and exploring the outdoors. One of the exciting aspects of her move is the opportunity to discover Georgia’s natural beauty. Dana and husband, Noam, have four children, ages between 5 to 12.

“We are so excited to move to Atlanta, plant our roots, and become an active part of this community,” she said. “We can’t wait to meet new families and make lifelong friends.”

The Dupree serves as a dynamic hub of Jewish community in Metro Atlanta. The center is home to robust Jewish and Israel educational programming, conference spaces, major Jewish organizations, including the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Hillels of Georgia, and a new kosher café. Through classes, lectures, and engaging programs, The Dupree provides opportunities to explore Jewish values, history, modern Israel, spirituality, and the important issues facing the Jewish people today. ì

Eisenstein is Making a Big Impact for Kids with Cancer

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

Meet Elly Eisenstein, a 17-year-old junior at The Weber School. She loves talking to her camp friends and spending time with friends and family. Having grown up attending camp every summer, Eisenstein has a keen awareness of the meaning of camp. Not only was her beloved grandmother, Shelley Shapiro, the director of Camp Tevya for a decade in Brookline, N.H., Elly’s entire family are involved in camping giving back nonstop.

On a personal mission, Eisenstein is dedicated to Aurora Day Camp, helping kids with challenging illnesses share the joy of attending camp. Aurora is for children with cancer and their siblings and is fully free. It provides 24/7 care at camp, transportation, year-round programming, and in-hospital activities as well. Aurora is held in Atlanta at Davis Academy during the summer. A proud member of The Sunrise Association, they have camps all over America with three locations in Israel, including one near Yokneam, Sandy Springs’ sister city, one near Natanya, and the final one in Be’er Sheva.

Eisenstein explained how she got involved in Aurora and said, “My mom got involved when I was very young, and my aunt, Beth Friedman, has been a significant part of our family’s connection to Aurora — she fundraised and was honored at the 2022 gala. My dad was honored in 2023 because he wanted to show strength, support Aurora in honor of my grandpa, and set an example for me by demonstrating the incredible impact Aurora makes. Watching my family’s dedication inspired me to want to be part of

this mission myself.”

When Elly entered high school, she joined the teen leadership board, which helps engage high schoolers across Atlanta in learning leadership skills and philanthropic efforts through events like AuroraWALKS. Since then, her Aunt Beth guided her, teaching her how to support Aurora and showing the importance of helping children facing cancer. Eisenstein’s cousin, Nate, also served on the board last year, and together they continue their family’s commitment to Aurora.

Eisenstein shared, “I attended Camp Tevya in New Hampshire every summer for the past eight years, which has been incredibly important to me. Experiencing the joy, community, and support of camp firsthand has made me deeply understand why Aurora matters so much to the children it serves. Over my past two years on the board, I have raised $18,000, which means that I have sent three kids to camp.”

Eisenstein has witnessed firsthand how Aurora helps make meaningful experiences for children in need during these hard times. She added, “I am truly honored and think that Aurora is an amazing camp. It is so important to give tzedakah, whether it is time, money, or experience. It is very important to teach others to give back to the community and I always get excited when I have Aurora teen meetings or events. It makes my day because I know that I am making a difference in a child’s life.”

Kat Shreve, executive director of Aurora Day Camp added, “Elly brings not only dedication, but a deep sense of heart to everything she does when it comes to being an incredible cheerleader for Aurora Day Camp. She is a remarkable

young person who is all in when it comes to supporting Aurora. She is an active member of the Teen Leadership Board, volunteers at many of Aurora’s programs year-round, spoken at the Aurora Leadership Board meetings, and most recently, knocked it out of the park as both the top individual donor and captain of the top fundraising team, Kids Helping Kids. Elly set a hefty goal of $10,000 and the grand total was $13,000. We are profoundly grateful for the lasting difference Elly continues to make in the lives of our campers and their families. Her passion helps us deliver our mission every day.”

Erin Hendrick, board chair of Camp Aurora, said, “Beyond Elly’s leadership within the group, she recently represented her experience to our board of directors. Elly is consistently composed and articulate, and her enthusiasm for sup-

porting these children and the community is truly exceptional. Most recently, she was our top individual fundraiser and led the team’s fundraising efforts for the Aurora Day Camp Walk.”

Advocating for Aurora is important to Eisenstein because it gives kids a chance to be children and experience normalcy while battling cancer. She has made friends with people who have been campers, and they have talked to her about the importance of camping to them.

“Camp made kids feel like they were superheroes. I have talked to many people, including current campers and counselors, who described to me their favorite experiences at camp, super sloppy day, drive-in movies, splatter paint studio, skating, and themed days like Superhero Week, Wild West Week, and French fries vs. hashbrowns for color war. These stories make me understand how impactful Aurora is to kids,” said Eisenstein.

Next year, Elly hopes to be on the board again and raise even more money than she did this year. She hopes to share the impact of Aurora Day Camp to more people around Metro Atlanta. Eisenstein hopes every person can give tzedakah to this organization and see for themselves how important it is for these kids to go to camp.

She said, “I hope to spread positivity around the world and hope to visit Camp Sunshine in Israel the next time I go.”

Camp Aurora is held at The Davis Academy Middle School. To inquire about attending Camp Aurora, contact Sami Tanenbaum or to volunteer, contact Xavier Grullon. For more information, please visit https://www.auroradaycamp.org/ ì

Family Health Battles Inspire Lion-Themed Art

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Don Perlyn lived with Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years. While it challenged his body, it never diminished the magnitude of his spirit. Daughter, Amanda Perlyn Jackson, recalled, “He was larger than life. A man whose humor, optimism, charm, determination, and light filled every room he entered. He was my hero, my mentor, and my best friend.”

During Don’s battle with illness, he traveled to 75 countries. Here Amanda relates how through art she memorialized his character.

In May, during the days after Don died, Amanda stood in his closet, surrounded by ordinary belongings that suddenly carried extraordinary meaning. As the family sorted through his things, Amanda found a bucket filled with brightly colored hospital bracelets he had saved. Each one represented a hospital visit, test, or challenge over decades. Instead of throwing them away, he kept them like medals of honor. Amanda added, “They were symbols of strength and survival. That perspective defined the way he lived.”

In 2017, two weeks before Amanda’s first son was born, Don suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. Through the quick actions of his wife, Marilyn, emergency responders, and what can only be described as “a miracle,” he survived. What could have been the end of his story extended to eight more years and memories with “Poppy D.”

Don had built a meaningful life as a successful lawyer and senior restaurant executive, but his most cherished titles were “husband, father, and grandfather." He never allowed a diagnosis to define his boundaries. Even after Parkinson’s and the heart condition, he refused to let life pass him by.

Alongside Marilyn, he traveled to more than 75 countries, embracing adventures. While traveling, the family noted he connected with people “effortlessly and authentically, making them feel seen and appreciated.”

He loved experiencing different food, art, and photography, capturing the beauty of people, wildlife, and world culture.

Searching for a way to channel her grief into something meaningful, Amanda found herself returning to that bucket of bracelets, feeling the need to transform them into art. In the same closet, she discovered a striking photograph of a lion Don had taken during one of his

many trips to Africa. Amanda recalled, “The image immediately stopped me in my tracks. The moment I saw it, I knew what I wanted to create.”

She sketched the lion onto a blank canvas and began cutting the saved bracelets. Piece by piece, color by color, she cut, glued, and transformed them. The result was a portrait of perseverance. She explained, “From afar, the finished artwork radiates strength, courage, resilience, and undeniable presence. Only when viewers step closer do they discover that

every inch of the lion is composed of the bracelets.”

Today, the artwork hangs in Amanda’s home as a reminder of the life Don lived and the lessons he taught. She titled the piece, “Roar of Resilience,” because it "signifies that strength is not the absence of hardship. Strength is choosing to keep moving forward despite it.”

For families facing long-term illness, Amanda proffered this, “My father’s life offers an important lesson. Parkinson’s was part of his journey, but it was never

his story. When my mother asked him, ‘on a scale of 1-10, how much Parkinson’s had changed his life,’ he answered, ‘Zero. I’ve had to deal with it, but it never changed who I am.’”

Amanda Perlyn Jackson is a hospitality executive with more than 20 years of experience in global marketing and brand leadership. An artist, author, and illustrator of two children’s books, she was featured in the Atlanta Jewish Times (May 29, 2020): “A Virtual Hug for the World Comes at the Perfect Time.” ì

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KKL-JNF Hosts Education Conference in Washington

A Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) Educational Leadership Conference was held recently in Washington, D.C., bringing together around 80 educators, community leaders and KKL-JNF ambassadors from across the United States and Canada for a gathering focused on Jewish identity, educational leadership and responses to rising antisemitism.

The conference, organized by KKLJNF’s Education and Community Division, took place over three days as a structured program examining how Jewish educators are responding to antisemitism and growing challenges around Jewish identity among younger generations. Rather than a theoretical gathering, it functioned as an applied framework for developing practical tools, educational models and community-based initiatives designed for implementation in North

Today in Israeli History

June 15, 1949: Speaking to the Knesset after armistice agreements have been signed with Egypt, Lebanon and Jordan, Foreign Minister Moshe Sharett says Israel intends to keep the territory gained during its War of Independence.

Arlosoroff (bottom center, next to Chaim Weizmann) attends a meeting of Yishuv and Transjordanian leaders at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem in 1933. // Weizmann Archives

June 16, 1933: Two men fatally shoot the Jewish Agency’s Chaim Arlosoroff, just back from arranging Jewish emigration from Germany, while he walks on the beach in Tel Aviv. The crime is never solved.

June 17, 2010: Accused of anti-Sephardi discrimination, 35 Haredi fathers of girls attending a Hasidic school in Emanuel are jailed for 11 days after refusing a Supreme Court order to send their daughters to a different school.

June 18, 1992: Painter Mordecai Ardon, known for using religious symbolism and developing artwork from realistic to abstract, dies in Jerusalem at 95. He directed the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts from 1940 to 1952.

NEWS FROM OUR JEWISH HOME ISRAEL PRIDE

The KKL-JNF Education Conference in Washington, D.C., focused on strengthening Jewish identity amid rising antisemitism // Photo Credit: Shmulik Almany

American Jewish communities.

Beginning with a gala evening titled “Roots – Vision – Initiative,” the conference continued with lectures, workshops, and training sessions led by educators and public figures from Israel and North America. The program was held against the backdrop of a continued rise in antisemitic incidents across North America, alongside growing concern within Jewish communities over questions of identity, belonging and connection to Israel.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Magen David Adom Marks 96th Anniversary

Magen David Adom (MDA) marked its 96th anniversary with a special event at its national headquarters in Ramla, bringing together patients whose lives were saved, the emergency responders who treated them, blood donors, volunteers, employees, and partners who help make MDA’s lifesaving mission possible every day.

Founded on June 7, 1930, by a group of physicians and community leaders in Tel Aviv, Magen David Adom has grown from a small local first-aid organization into Israel’s national emergency medical, blood, and disaster response service. Today, MDA operates a nationwide network of tens of thousands of employees and volunteers, ambulances, mobile intensive care units, emergency motorcycles, helicopters, blood services, and a 24/7 emergency dispatch system serving millions of people across Israel.

June 23, 2011: Orna Barbivai is promoted to major general, the first woman to hold the second-highest rank in the Israel Defense Forces. The 30-year IDF veteran and mother of three heads the Personnel Directorate.

The anniversary event focused on the people behind MDA’s work. Patients reunited with the teams who saved their lives, sharing stories that illustrated the organization’s impact from the first emergency call to hospital care and recovery.

June 19, 1967: President Lyndon B. Johnson presents five principles for Middle East peace: justice for refugees; maritime rights; recognized borders; the end of the regional arms race; and the right of all nations to live in peace.

June 20, 1914: Zelda Schneurson Mishkovsky, the poet known as Zelda, is born in Russia. She makes aliyah in 1928 and takes up poetry in 1950. Her poem “For Every Person There Is a Name” is a Yom HaShoah standard.

June 21, 1882: Filmmaker and photographer Ya’acov Ben-Dov is born in Ukraine. He makes aliyah in 1907 and is introduced to moviemaking in 1911 at the Bezalel School. He shoots documentaries, including the British arrival in 1917.

June 22, 1939: Biochemist Ada Yonath is born in Jerusalem. She shares the 2009 Nobel Prize in chemistry for discovering the threedimensional structure of two subunits of ribosomes, which make proteins in cells.

June 24, 2007: The Israel Baseball League launches with a 9-1 win by the Modi’in Miracle over the Petah Tikvah Pioneers in front of more than 3,000 fans. The six-team professional league folds after one season

June 25, 2006: Hamas militants using a tunnel from Gaza disable a tank on patrol in Israel, kill two soldiers, and capture a third, Gilad Shalit. Shalit isn’t released until Oct. 18, 2011, in exchange for Yahya Sinwar and 1,026 other Palestinians.

June 26, 1944: The Republican National Convention follows the lead of its presidential nominee, Thomas Dewey, and for the first time supports the creation of a Jewish state in Palestine. The Democrats take a similar step in July.

June 27, 1967: After capturing East Jerusalem from Jordan during the war in early June, Israel annexes that area and some surrounding West Bank land — a total of 27 square miles — into an expanded, unified Jerusalem municipality.

June 28, 1919: The Republic of Poland, reconstituted as an independent state after World War I, adopts its Minorities Treaty, which, in addition to general assurances, specifically mentions cultural and civil liberties for Jews.

June 29, 1946: On a day that comes to be known as Black Sabbath, the British military launches Operation Agatha, a two-week effort to arrest Jewish resistance fighters. Documents and weapons are seized, and 2,700 Jews are arrested.

Items are provided by the Center for Israel Education (israeled.org), where you can find more details.

Israel is in Midst of a Public Transit Revolution

By Gil Zohar

While Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens recently announced the construction of four new MARTA train stations at Murphy Crossing, Krog Street/Hulsey Yards, Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and Armour Yards, Israel is in the midst of a veritable public transit revolution.

On May 19, the new Samaria-Taybeh railway station was inaugurated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Transportation Minister Miri Regev in a festive ceremony marking the completion of years of construction work. The station, part of the 65-km-long Eastern Railway project connecting Lod to Hadera along Route 6 and bypassing Tel Aviv, is part of a vast national transportation and infrastructure program meant to modernize the country. A boon to commuters, the new line will connect communities in northern Samaria to central Israel and serve tens of thousands of passengers daily. Though not actually crossing into the West Bank, which Israel captured in the 1967 Six-Day War, the railroad will greatly improve access for many of the 500,000 Jewish residents of the disputed territory.

“There is immense news here for the citizens of Israel. First and foremost, we are reducing the traffic load on the coastal route,” declared the PM.

“We are enabling a parallel route [east of Tel Aviv]. You know exactly what this will do for the area between them and the area to their east, for all of our residents, all of our citizens – Jews and Arabs alike. This is a very significant change. It is going to bring a massive momentum of development and also separate the freight trains that are currently blocking the coastal railway. By bringing them here, you change the speed of transportation across the entire country.

“But we are also hitched, I would say, to the rail car of vision. The car of vision genuinely spans from Kiryat Shmona to Eilat. I want to add to that. There are very fast sections there, 250 [km/h], and I say: ultimately, there will be something additional. That is for down the line. First, we will handle this project; we will handle the next 10 to 20 years. But after that, an underground bullet train, from Karmiel to Be’er Sheva, in minutes. You will see what happens in this country. This country is developing tremendously. Everything we said we would do, including at the beginning of this term, and despite those who dismissed it and said, ‘It won’t happen.’ Of course, we also had a

war, and we still do. We still face a very complex situation, even in these very days and hours. But we carried it out, you carried it out. And I believe the blessing and well-being this will provide to the citizens of Israel is immense.”

Transportation Minister Regev was equally ebullient: “There are those who create connections meant to divide, and there are those who create connections meant to build and advance the State of Israel. That is what you are doing, prime minister, and for that I thank you.”

Less dramatic but no less significant, on May 31, Petah Tikva’s obsolete Central Bus Station (CBS) was taken out of service after 69 years. The CBS on Ze’ev Orlov Street, which for decades served as the gateway to the city, will be demolished. Buses have been rerouted to modern terminals adjoining the city’s light rail, train, and future metro stations. The new transportation hubs replacing the old terminus were called “Suitable for the city of 2030 – and not for the 1950s.”

Not to be outdone, Jerusalem is being transformed by a visionary transportation plan including a skein of light rail lines, an extension of the high-speed railroad to Ben-Gurion Airport and Tel Aviv, new entrances to the city, integrated transportation centers, park-and-ride parking lots, a ring road, bridges, and bicycle paths. The infrastructure work is being carried out by Moriah Jerusalem Development Corporation, the municipality’s development

arm established in 1987.

In a recent interview, Moriah’s CEO Gilad Bar-Adon explained the Jerusalem Municipality, the Ministry of Transportation, and the Ministry of Finance have mandated that until 2030, Moriah will serve as the construction arm of the Israeli government in the capital. With an unprecedented budget amounting to billions of shekels, and the possibility of a five-year extension, the government agency is fundamentally reshaping the face of the holy city.

The most obvious of these achievements is the city’s Red Line light rail. The original section, measuring 13.9 kilometers (8.6 miles) long with 23 stops, went into service in 2011. Extensions to the north to Neve Yaakov and to the southwest to Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital were completed in February 2025 extending the line’s length to 22.5 km (14.0 miles).

The second line of the network, while originally expected to begin operating in 2025 but delayed by the wars with Gaza and Iran, is now slated to begin service in phases in July. Since March, frustrated commuters have seen the shiny but empty carriages travelling on trial runs from the Navon Train Station to Teddy Stadium and the Malha Mall. The 19.6 km (12.2 mi) line, under construction since 2018, with link the two campuses of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and will include 35 stops.

Apart from the delays caused by

Mideast wars, construction of the Green Line has been plagued by violent haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) protests on Bar Ilan Street. While the light rail won’t operate on the Sabbath or Festival days, the protesters – mostly teens egged on by their rabbis – are opposed to men and women sitting together as the trams traverse their highly conservative neighborhoods. Demonstrators have caused heavy damage during the work and sabotaged construction equipment.

Compounding the construction chaos, much of key north-south streets forming the route of the Blue Line Jerusalem – including King George, Keren haYesod and Derekh Hebron – were torn up this spring as construction began in earnest on the city’s third light rail line. Traffic has been permanently rerouted in the city center; when completed sometime circa 2029, the 22 km (14 mile) route will link Gilo in the south to Ramot in the north. Downtown will largely be a pedestrian only zone.

Jerusalem’s new Central Train Station (and nuclear bomb shelter) is now under construction 90 meters below the surface at the junction of King Georg and Jaffa Road where the Red and Blue tram lines will cross.

Every Passover, Jews proclaim, “Next Year in Jerusalem Rebuilt.” But savvy real estate developers have put a marketing date on it – 2030. ì

Gil Zohar is a journalist and licensed tour guide in Jerusalem.

ISRAEL

Israeli Women Celebrate Miriam & Her Mystical Well

By Gil Zohar

For the last 18 years, Maureen Kushner, 71, has been chartering a vessel from Tiberias-based Holyland Sailing Ltd. to bring a boat-full of women to the spot on Lake Kinneret where – according to Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah 1:1) – the mystical peripatetic spring known as Miriam’s Well now rests.

In the past, the boat sailed on Nisan 10 – on the anniversary of the death of Miriam the Prophetess, according to Judaism’s lunar calendar. This year, the Bronx-born, Jerusalem-based artist raised the anchor on Rosh Chodesh (the new moon) of Sivan.

This may be the last time she organizes the nautical female-only celebration, the red-haired firebrand said in an interview in her home and studio in Jerusalem’s funky Nahlaot neighborhood. Kushner charged NIS 100 ($34) for women and NIS 60 ($20) for children for the boat ride and transportation from Jerusalem. But having sponsored many of the passengers, she was left with a deficit of $4,000. It’s a considerable sum for a pensioner, she noted. And no, she is not related to Jared Kushner, she kibbitzed. “I can’t continue [subsidizing the trip]. I don’t know if I’ll be able to do this anymore.”

This year, 126 women and children (corresponding to Miriam’s age when she died) equipped with ram’s horns, violins, harps, drums, flutes, guitars, and tambourines made the joyful maritime pilgrimage on the fresh-water body, also called the Sea of Galilee and Lake of Gennesaret. Jewish tradition considers where they dropped anchor to be the exact location where the miraculous spring that supplied the children of Israel with drinking water during their 40 years of wandering in the Sinai Desert

ended its own journey.

While this spring, the yahrzeit (death anniversary) of Miriam fell on Saturday, March 28, immediately before Passover, Kushner – who is named in Hebrew in honor of the miracle-working older sister of Moses and Aaron – booked the sailing for May 17. This allowed Sabbath-observant women from Jerusalem and other distant cities to join in the fête.

The date was set in coordination with the IDF’s Home Front Command, anxious to avoid a boatload of women and children becoming a target for Hezbollah missiles fired from Lebanon. Wartime regulations limit public assembly. The Galilee has been frequently shelled by terrorist barrages.

As well, Kushner consulted Rabbi Mordechai Machlis, a Brooklyn-born scholar renowned for his Sabbath hospitality at his home in the Jerusalem suburb of Maalot Dafna. Encamped at Mount Sinai, Rosh Chodesh Sivan “was the only time in history the Jewish people were united in one heart and one soul,” he advised her.

Unfazed by the specter of exploding projectiles, Kushner and her crew –equipped with water, hats, sunscreen. kosher snacks, and love – set out Sunday to make their 135-minute voyage on the lyreshaped lake. When the King David raised its anchor, it was Holyland Sailing’s first boat trip in many moons. Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, massacre and the consequent Gaza, Lebanon, and Iran wars have devastated Israel’s tourism sector.

“What a hallelujah for our beloved Kinneret!” said Kushner. “What a hallelujah in honor of our great, great, great HaKodesh Baruch Hu (the Holy One Blessed Be He),’ who is filled with goodness and compassion and love and blesses  Am Israel (the Jewish People) with rain and dew and sustenance and a good life here in Eretz Israel, the Good Land.”

Paralleling the dearth of tourists, Israel has also suffered from a prolonged drought. Nevertheless, “In the  zechut  (merit) of  Miriam HaNivia  (Miriam the Prophetess), we celebrated with shofarim, drums, flutes, and the harp,” she enthused. The somewhat un-

One of the passengers blows the shofar during the annual pilgrimage on Lake Kinneret.

scripted  hillula  (celebration) was very much in the spirit of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Rocking the boat was Tzionna Achisheina singing Hallel and Psalms. She was accompanied by violinist-harpist and back-up singer Chava Rachel Saban, violinist Shaked Roker, and percussionist Hadar Givoni. The dancing was choreographed by Sarah Bracha and Joy Strauss. Since mourning is not permitted on Rosh Chodesh, Kushner arranged for Tamar Biton and her 4-year-old daughter, Rachel, to come aboard as the guests of honor. The Beit Shemesh rebbetzin and her husband, Rabbi Yitzhak Biton, became national figures on March 6 when an Iranian missile smashed into their family home, killed their children Yaakov, Avigail, and Sarah.

Tamar’s saga “is a story about survival, faith and  emunah (belief),” said Kushner. “She felt so embraced. So loved.” Kushner said she welcomes sponsors for 2027’s sailing. She can be reached at MaureenKushner@hotmail.com. ì Gil Zohar is a journalist and licensed tour guide in Jerusalem.

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FIFA World Cup Comes to Atlanta

David Ostrowsky

A process that’s been nearly a decade in the making is finally coming to fruition.

From the second it was announced in summer 2018 that North America would host the 2026 World Cup, America’s largest cities were in fierce competition to have matches played on their turf. After getting passed over for the 1994 World Cup, Atlanta — buttressed by its new and ever-expanding downtown infrastructure and multi-purpose arenas — made a compelling case to FIFA to serve as one of the host cities for this year’s edition. So compelling in fact that in June 2022, soccer’s international governing body smiled on Atlanta’s bid as the city was selected as one of the 11 U.S. hubs for the ’26 World Cup.

And this week — after the investment of millions of dollars and thousands of man hours Mercedes-Benz Stadium (temporarily rechristened as “Atlanta Stadium” for the planet’s largest sporting event) is finally able to showcase its futuristic retractable roof and 360-degree halo video display for hundreds of millions of soccer fans worldwide.

Over the next four weeks, Atlanta will be the setting of eight World Cup matches, the last of which will be one of the two semifinals, on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 15. With visitors from Spain, South Africa, Haiti, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia among other nations streaming through Atlanta in the ensuing weeks — not just for the matches themselves, but also the accompanying festivities at Centennial Olympic Park — the city will be one of the epicenters of the sporting world, less than two years before it hosts Super Bowl LXII in February 2028. Meanwhile, the Metro Atlanta Chamber has projected that the explosion of tourism will bring in well over $500 million in revenue for Atlanta.

“It’s much different than we’ve seen in the past with any other big event,” shared Dan Corso, Atlanta Sports Council president, when speaking to the AJT last week.

Whereas CFP National Championship Games and Super Bowls are essentially weeklong celebrations that welcome visitors across the nation, the World Cup festivities will entertain fans from all corners of the world for an en-

tire month. And even when Atlanta Stadium is empty, the FIFA Fan Festival will be playing out downtown, offering Atlanta-area residents a chance to celebrate the world’s most popular sport through interactive games, watch parties for live matches, and food and beverages. And for those who were fortunate enough to score tickets to matches at MercedesBenz Stadium, the nearby family-friendly fan festival is a perfect spot to indulge in pregame and/or postgame pageantry.

But the real economic impact will come from out-of-towners descending on Atlanta in need of lodging, dining, and entertainment. Whereas some World Cup-hosting cities have actually reported issues with filling up hotels, Atlanta has thus far steered clear of that surprising dilemma. And the mid-July semifinal game promises to usher in a massive new wave of visitors, perhaps ones from other states should the United States shock the world over the next few weeks. Even if the U.S. fails to go on a miracle run through the group stage and knockout rounds, soccer heavyweights Brazil, England, and Argentina all have to go through Atlanta on their road to the championship game on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J..

“You can consider Atlanta tracking

as one of the top cities in the country,” said Corso when assessing the rates of hotel vacancies across the Greater Atlanta area. “It is picking up on a daily basis as we get closer.”

The World Cup may be one of humanity’s most cherished athletic events that galvanizes sports fans across all seven continents and celebrates a myriad of different cultural traditions. But as has been well-chronicled in past World Cups, the ardent fanaticism can occasionally cross the line and pose a security concern to those in attendance. This dynamic also separates the Super Bowl and CFP National Championship Game from the World Cup.

As such, the ever-diligent members of AMB Sports and Entertainment and Mercedes-Benz Stadium (MBS) have had to work overtime in the past year to get things in order for a sporting event of this magnitude. Many stadium security personnel, Atlanta police officers, and employees of the Georgia World Congress even went over to Germany and England to observe crowd control tactics and other security measures taken to prevent issues from escalating.

“We [America] don’t have violence in our sporting events, which is awesome,” noted Dietmar Exler, COO of AMB

Sports & Entertainment, when being interviewed by the AJT shortly before the matches got underway. “If you come to Mercedes-Benz Stadium, for whatever event it is, football or soccer, it’s almost a family event

“Depending on who plays [in the World Cup], there is a bit of a security concern there. You need to watch which teams are playing and then adjust your security preparations according to who comes.”

While this week’s matches between Spain and Cabo Verde and Czechia and South Africa will provide an early litmus test as to how well-prepared Atlanta and MBS are, Corso believes that thus far, all parties have been working in tandem — as well as with FIFA — to orchestrate a first-class production.

“I think one of the strengths we have in our events is not just Mercedes-Benz Stadium and our infrastructure, but it’s also the cohesive coordination that happens between the partners getting ready for these events,” said Corso.

Looking ahead, there’s quite a bit on the line: Should the month-long series of events and festivities run relatively smoothly, Atlanta will remain in good standing for being a potential host city during the 2031 Women’s World Cup. ì

Zeldin Looks to Make His Mark with Minnesota

By David Ostrowsky

For college athletes in the early 2020s, the pandemic loomed as a death knell to their amateur careers. Within days, COVID rendered the playing fields barren and there was no telling when the games would resume. But one silver lining for scholar-athletes earlier this decade was that they were granted an extra year or two of eligibility due to the extenuating circumstances. And pitcher Brian Zeldin, a native of Marietta and alum of Pace Academy, was one such beneficiary.

After a marvelous career — as both a starting pitcher and outfielder — at Pace Academy during which the ballclub finished as the 5-AAA State runners-up his senior spring, Zeldin matriculated at the University of Pennsylvania. But his 2020 freshman campaign at UPenn amounted to one bullpen appearance as the action halted in mid-March and the following season was comprised of a truncated 14-game slate due to Ivy League restrictions. It was a downright maddening situation, but a unique opportunity soon arose when the NCAA announced that pandemic-affected athletes, such as Zeldin, could have an extra couple seasons of eligibility.

As Zeldin established himself as an effective bulk-inning reliever for Penn — even though his junior season was essentially a wash as he had to undergo Tommy John surgery — he fell on the radar screen of the University of Georgia. Shortly after graduating in May 2023, Zeldin joined the vaunted Bulldogs program as a graduate transfer and contributed out of the bullpen to a pair of NCAA tournament-qualifying squads.

After No.7-ranked Georgia bowed out of the NCAAs last spring, Zeldin’s baseball career was at a crossroads: He actually had the chance to do one more go-round at Athens because his junior year was wiped out due to injury, but wasn’t inclined to play another year of college ball. Not with the prospect of joining an MLB organization no longer being a pipe dream.

“I kind of got the sense that if I wanted to go and follow my dreams of trying to be a Major League Baseball player, that the best route was to go play professionally,” Zeldin explained.

Zeldin bet on himself and did indeed sign a pro contract — just not with a bigleague team. After none of the 30 MLB franchises selected him at last July’s MLB Draft in Atlanta, Zeldin headed to Lexington, Ky., for a summer of independent league baseball.

Despite finishing with a tidy 2.61

ERA against quasi-big leaguers, no one in the big leagues came calling for his services as summer yielded to autumn and the holidays approached. But Zeldin, who earned a degree in healthcare markets and finance from UPenn, wasn’t quite ready to pursue business school or his first full-time job. The young man from Marietta knew he was capable of making high-leverage appearances — at least in the Minors and perhaps beyond — and stayed true to his professional goals.

“It [pitching well for an independent league baseball team] kind of gave me some reassurance in myself. I knew that there were teams that were interested, just that no one was really making moves at that time,” added Zeldin. “I was in Atlanta at home with my family and just grinding. I was working hard to improve my stuff so that when my time came, I could make a good first impression.”

At last, Zeldin’s time came this past February when the Minnesota Twins inked him to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. And

after a brief stint with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels — Minnesota’s SingleA affiliate — Zeldin was fast-tracked to the franchise’s High-A affiliate, the Cedar Rapids Kernels, for whom he owns a respectable 4.22 ERA at this hour. As Zeldin was undrafted and is not among the Twins’ elite prospects, there is no specific timetable for his ascension through the ranks of the organization. The next step — if there is a next step — would be the Double-A ballclub in Wichita, Kan., but in all likelihood, Zeldin would have to prove that he can consistently retire Single-A batters across a larger sample size before there’s another promotion.

“I don’t have anything specifically communicated to me from the organization, it’s more so ‘I’m going to go and do my best every single day and try to get outs and go from there,” Zeldin, whose father played college ball in Binghamton, N.Y., and currently works in commercial real estate, acknowledged.

Though Zeldin has a clear pathway to one day donning a big-league uniform,

the road ahead is a bumpy one. The Minor League lifestyle is incredibly arduous, full of long and monotonous bus rides through the hinterlands, roadside motels, fast food, low pay, sparse crowds, and great uncertainty. Understandably, many participants can’t justify hanging around past a couple seasons. But Zeldin’s of a different ilk and appears laserfocused on chasing his dream — even though there are relatively few undrafted players gracing big-league diamonds.

“Honestly, it [the Minors] really hasn’t been much of an adjustment. They set us up great.”

There are even fewer active Jewish big leaguers and should Zeldin carve out a solid career at the Minor League level, it seems feasible that Team Israel could be interested in bringing him aboard for the next World Baseball Classic in 2030.

“That [World Baseball Classic] would be really meaningful. That would be truly an honor, taking on something of that magnitude, something bigger than yourself.” ì

Jewish Track & Field Enters New Era in Georgia

By Nuriel Shimoni-Stoil

This year’s Georgia High School Track and Field State Championships may be remembered not only for where they were held, but also for who stood out. At the University of Georgia’s (UGA) newly completed track and field complex, Jewish athletes from across Metro Atlanta delivered one of their strongest collective showings in recent memory, earning a state championship, multiple runner-up finishes, podium medals, and state qualifications across a wide range of events.

Together, their performances suggested something larger than a single successful weekend: a new era for Jewish track and field in Georgia.

The meet was held on a stage worthy of the moment. For the first time in history, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) combined all state classifications into one, four-day championship meet, bringing more than 400 schools from across Georgia to UGA’s new track and field complex. The facility, completed as a $59.8 million project, seats more than 4,000 spectators and includes a nine-lane 400-meter track, multiple pole vault and jump areas, indoor and outdoor warmup spaces, and a dedicated throws area with amphitheater-style seating. It is also expected to host major future events, including the SEC Outdoor Championships in 2027.

Against that backdrop, Jewish athletes from across Metro Atlanta stood out across many areas of the meet. Lakeside High senior Solomon Raggs won the discus and placed eighth in the shot put, while North Springs senior Alex Dunowitz finished second in the pole vault. Jewish athletes from Riverwood, Pace Academy, Lovett, and other Atlanta-area schools also reached the state stage, making the meet a showcase of Jewish athletic depth across events and schools.

That growth was especially visible at The Weber School, the only Jewish high school in the Southeast with its own home track. Weber athletes earned multiple medals in the hurdles, a podium finish in the 400 meters, and several additional state qualifications. The program’s success came during a period of rapid development, driven by new facilities, stronger participation, and record-breaking performances.

After completing its track and field facilities in summer 2024, Weber hired head coach Trey Carson, whose arrival has coincided with one of the strongest stretches in program history. Over the

last two seasons, Weber athletes have broken 15 of the school’s 36 all-time track and field records. This year, the program sent a record number of athletes to the state meet, further establishing Weber as likely the premier Jewish high school track and field program in the country.

“What stands out most is how much the athletes have bought into the program,” Carson said. “With the new facilities and the culture we are building, they understand that Weber track and field can compete at a serious level. This season really showed what is possible when the athletes believe that.”

Weber’s qualifiers represented a wide range of event groups. Senior Eli Clark placed third in the 400 meters after breaking Weber’s school records in both the 200 meters and 400 meters. Junior Ryan Kasmen added sixth- and seventhplace hurdle finishes in his first full year competing in the event, while junior Nuriel Shimoni-Stoil earned runner-up finishes in both the 110-meter hurdles and 300-meter hurdles.

In the field events, freshman Avery Schwartz qualified for state in the pole vault after winning a middle school state championship the year before. Ranked the No. 2 freshman girl in Georgia in the event, Schwartz represents one of the clearest signs of Weber’s future potential.

For Schwartz, qualifying for state as a freshman was both a milestone and a sign of how quickly she has adjusted to high school competition.

“Qualifying for state as a freshman means a lot to me because high school track is way more competitive than middle school, so it felt really rewarding to make it this far,” Schwartz said. “My coach has helped me improve a lot and always pushes me to do my best, and Weber’s track team has such a great community where everyone supports each other. Moving forward, I’m motivated to keep working hard and see how far I can go.”

Junior Zane Grosswald qualified for state in the high jump, while Joey Mekyten and Hayden Printz qualified as members of Weber’s 4x200-meter relay.

Weber’s rise was one of the clearest signs of growth, but it was not the only one. Across Metro Atlanta, Jewish athletes at public and private schools also delivered standout performances at the state meet.

Raggs became one of the meet’s top Jewish performers, winning the discus state championship and placing eighth in the shot put. A former Epstein School student and a school record holder in both events at Lakeside, Raggs gave the Jewish athlete contingent one of its strongest results and helped anchor the throws side of the story.

North Springs senior Dunowitz added another major performance, finishing second in the pole vault with a lifetime personal record of 15 feet, 6 inches. A former Davis Academy student, Dunowitz ranks No. 2 in North Springs school history behind fellow Jewish athlete, Jordan Frank, who went on to pole vault at the

University of Kentucky, adding another chapter to North Springs’ history of standout Jewish pole vaulters.

Riverwood freshman Nate Richmond, a former Davis Academy student and 2025 middle school state champion in the 400 meters, also reached the state stage, qualifying as part of Riverwood’s 4x400-meter relay and continuing his strong start to high school track.

Pace Academy sophomore Amelit Hall, a former Epstein School student, placed 16th in the pole vault in her first year competing in the event, while Lovett senior Elle Kaufmann qualified in both throws, placing 13th in the discus and 15th in the shot put.

While complete historical comparisons are difficult to verify, this year’s meet appeared to mark one of the strongest collective showings by Jewish track and field athletes in Georgia history. At a state championship already made historic by its setting at UGA’s new facility, Jewish athletes added another layer of significance.

For the athletes, the medals, records, and state qualifications reflected countless hours of training, discipline, and competition. For Atlanta’s Jewish community, they offered a moment of pride — and perhaps the clearest sign yet that Jewish track and field in Georgia is entering a new era. ì

Nuriel Shimoni-Stoil is the Co-Editorin-Chief of The Weber School’s Rampage newspaper.

Is Your Pet The Next AJT Cover Star?

Is your pet the next cover star for the AJT’s 2026 Pet Section?

Tell Jewish Atlanta about your pet and send us a photo before July 7, 5 p.m.

To try to feature as many pets as possible, there is one entry per household. If you have more than one animal, please send a photo of the animals together. And please fill out the form including all animals on one entry.

Scan the QR Code to enter today!

This Could Be Your Pet! Submit Today!

Learning Express Expands to Sandy Springs

By Robyn Spizman Gerson

When it comes to toys, a popular toy store is Learning Express Toys of AtlantaBuckhead. They recently relocated and opened the doors to its brand-new storefront located in Sandy Springs. Previously in Buckhead, the highly anticipated relocation brings a fresh, updated retail experience to the local community.

Owned by Linda and Jimmy Vavaroutsos, the owners care deeply about their presence in a neighborhood-centric location close to neighboring Chastain Park and the Sandy Springs community. The popular neighborhood toy store completed its move into the newly renovated space at 4600 Roswell Road, Suite D120, positioned right next to Trader Joe’s in Sandy Springs. Filled with an extensive selection of toys for all ages and a well-known resource for toys that kids really love, Learning Express’s devoted staff help shoppers match appropriateaged toys with shoppers. Another bonus is their colorful complimentary gift wrap options that make toy shopping and giftgiving easy and fun from birthdays to special occasions and holidays.

The store’s new layout offers a streamlined, modern space tailored to current consumer habits and localized neighborhood shopping needs. Shelves are lined with toys that are ready to be purchased and taken home. As you enter the store, it’s a common sound to hear joyful children and squeals of delight as

their favorite items on a toy list are in full view.

Store leadership expressed immense gratitude to the area’s residents for making the transition possible.

Owner Linda Vavaroutsos shared in an official statement, “We are so excited to embark upon this new journey with so many of our customers that have been loyal and also welcoming those who have just discovered us for the first time. We know you can choose to shop anywhere, but I want to thank all of you for allowing us the privilege of serving this wonderful, close-knit community.”

Despite the new location, ownership guarantees that the foundational charm of the shop remains completely unchanged. The boutique will permanently continue to carry its signature line of top-tier, specialty educational products, alongside a rotating selection of the newest and latest viral toy trends. Whether you want to inspire a new interest with their fabulous arts and crafts section, increase and build motor skills with their toys for younger children, or just want to jump on the crazes kids want including fidget toys, squishy items, and hard-tolocate items, you’ll find Learning Express to please kids, shoppers and grandparents in search of whatever is tops on wish lists.

And don’t miss their game section. The family that plays together builds memories and fun. Add a game day or night to your baby-sitting, grandparent-

ing or family together activities. Not only will you teach your kids new talents and skills, you’ll also have more fun than you can even imagine. From beloved throwbacks we all know to new games that will wow you, jump on the toy band wagon and add some fun back to your lives. Learning Express is ready to show you how!

The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6

p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays. Follow them on Instagram for their hot trend alerts including Needoh drops and toys and items that are in hot demand and hard to find. Yes, you’ll be a toy-finding hero, but more importantly you’ll have the time of your life watching the smiles that emerge.

Hebrew Order of David Brings Home the Roses

For the third Mother’s Day in a row, a team of brethren and volunteers from Lodge Carmel of the Hebrew Order of David delivered fresh roses to residents and staff of Berman Commons in Dunwoody, under the leadership of president Bruce Barron.

Pictured from left to right are brothers Jeff Kalwerisky, Roy Rubin, Jeff Horen, Eli and Samuel Kaplan (Jeff Horen’s grandsons), Neil Chonin, and Bruce Barron. Not pictured is Kara Barron. It was amazing to see the faces of the residents and their families light up. The volunteers were assisted by Berman Commons Activity Director Janece Jenkins.

Compiled by AJT Staff

Miller Enjoys Time Spent at Aleh Summit

By Robert Garber

Aleh, from the Hebrew word for “uplift,” is a leadership summit hosted by M2, the institute for experiential Jewish education.

For Jessica Miller, who works at the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA) as assistant director of Club J, the three-day summit provided an excellent opportunity for networking, in between and within the Jewish learning, seminars, and breakout groups.

“There were a lot of opportunities that were very intentionally built into the program for creating new connections, which I think is really valuable as a bunch of early career professionals,” said Miller. “There were a lot of oppor-

tunities and encouragements of ‘go find someone that you’ve never met before. Go find another person you’ve never met before, talk about this new value, talk about this new thing.’”

As a pre-requisite for the program, Miller was recommended by a co-worker, Kelly Cohen, who leads the MJCCA’s Center for Experiential Jewish Education.

“She is very involved in M2 and ended up actually being one of their speakers. She was on a panel during it, as well as some seminars. She had forwarded me the email basically telling me that I should apply, that I fit right in the range, and she thought it would be a great opportunity for me,” said Miller.

“Specifically for this program,

they’re looking for people who are three to five years into their Jewish nonprofit career. And I think that that is like spot on for the kind of programming that they’re running. Definitely anyone who wants to stay in the nonprofit world, I think it’s really valuable for.”

As far as what she took away most, Miller highlighted the reflective aspect of the summit. “I feel like a lot of times [summits] are very skills-based, which is really useful, and there was definitely a lot of skills-based things happening at this, but they also really hold up a mirror and ask you like, what’s your values? And there’s a lot of time to really focus on looking inward and how do you pull that into your work, which I really enjoyed.”

NCJW Spring Program Focuses on Justice, Leadership

National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) Atlanta Section held its Spring Program and Board Installation May 12 at The Temple. The program’s theme, “Justice, Justice We Shall Pursue,” featured a conversation between Jill Savitt, president and CEO of the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and Andrea Young, soon to be retired from her position as executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Georgia. Young discussed the changes she has seen in Georgia during her 10-year tenure at ACLU, including the incredible transformations for women in our community but also the decrease in family-friendly institutions. She challenged the more than 80 attendees to be upstanders — to speak out boldly against attacks on the democratic norms and values that define the United States, and to recognize and respond to the urgent needs of our community members. At the conclusion of the program, NCJW Board Member Sheri Labovitz presented Young with NCJW’s coveted Hannah G. Solomon Award, which recognizes an individual who has changed the lives of women, children, and families through leadership efforts and service.

Following a catered lunch by Annette Marcus Catering, Nancy Levine, former NCJW Atlanta Section president, installed the organization’s 2026-2027 board of directors and officers which include Laura Kurlander-Nagel joining Susie Greenberg as co-president.

The annual Sherry Z. Frank Leadership Award was also presented to NCJW Board Member Debra Saxe. Saxe was rec-

ognized for her tremendous efforts leading and expanding the organization’s community service work over the past few years. Outgoing Co-President Susan Gordon was presented with a framed copy of the beautiful Haggadah cover created by artist Lindsay Belnick for NCJW

Atlanta’s 2026 Community Women’s Seder. The gift was given in appreciation of Gordon’s three-year tenure in office.

NCJW is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who, inspired by Jewish values, turn progressive ideas into action. Since 1895, NCJW Atlanta

has been striving for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms in our community.

Compiled by AJT Staff

The Fervor of Football’s Faithful

Let’s start with this: You can call the game football — or soccer. The word “soccer” dates to the 1860s, when the British adopted “association football,” to distinguish it from rugby. “Association” was short-handed to “assoc” and then “soccer.” In the 1980s, as the game grew in the U.S., the British largely dropped “soccer”, because it sounded . . . too American. I use both terms.

Soccer is the “other religion” in our house.

Symbols and images of this devotion decorate my office. My favorite is a framed photograph of our oldest son and me at the 2006 men’s World Cup in Germany. Hanging over a closet door is the U.S. scarf around my shoulders in that photo.

I wrote my first soccer article at age 14, called games over a high school radio station, drove for 20 years as a soccer parent, fondly remember the Atlanta Beat and hold Atlanta United tickets, and certainly watch too much soccer.

So, yes, I am engrossed in the men’s World Cup — 48 national teams playing 104 games between June 11 and July 19.

Football is the most popular sport in 155 countries

(though it ranks third or fourth in the United States). The audience across television, streaming, and digital platforms may surpass 5.5 billion people — two-thirds of the world’s population.

The U.S., Mexico, and Canada qualified automatically as hosts of the quadrennial tournament. Geography makes the viewing schedule relatively convenient, the earliest game starting at noon Eastern and the latest at midnight.

Eight games are slated for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium — five in the group stage (starting with Spain vs. Cabo Verde on June 15), then one each in the rounds of 32 and 16, and semifinals. The Cup’s presence is a tribute to Arthur Blank, who conceived and built the stadium that brought Atlanta this moment. [FIFA, the governing body of international football, is calling the Benz the “Atlanta Stadium” because the automaker is not an official sponsor.]

The tournament kicked off with Mexico defeating South Africa in Mexico City’s historic Estadio Azteca. The final will be contested at MetLife Stadium, in New Jersey’s Meadowlands, where National Football League teams play a misnamed game that involves little kicking of a ball.

The top two teams from each of 12 four-team groups and the eight best third-place teams advance from the group stage to knockout play.

The U.S. opened its Group D account with an em-

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phatic victory over Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. Next up is Australia on June 19 in Seattle, then Türkiye on June 25 in Los Angeles.

“The Religion of Football” panel that I moderated at the Religion News Association conference in April included Kirk Bowman, a professor in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs at Georgia Tech, where he teaches a course on Soccer & Global Politics.

Based on his research in 35 countries, “I truly believe soccer is the closest thing that the secular world has to a universal religion,” Bowman wrote in a column for the Religion News Service.

In this belief system, matches are contests between good and evil, notable players are viewed as gods or demons, and the mythology highlights tales of failure and redemption.

Stadiums become houses of worship, where congregants display an extraordinary degree of passion and few atheists are found.

Their vestments are team jerseys and scarves, creating human walls of color that, for 90 minutes or more, can appear to bounce or sway in unison.

Some of their chants and songs beseech a higher power’s blessing or intervention, while others, often bawdy, mock or call for damnation of an opponent.

In football’s “theology of suffering,” your team’s relegation to a lower division feels like descending into the depths of hell, while promotion to a higher division brings forth rapturous exaltation.

The most ferocious club rivalries — such as River Plate vs. Boca Juniors, in Buenos Aires, or Galatasaray vs. Fenerbahçe, in Istanbul — exceed any animus in American sports (including the Yankees vs. Red Sox), but when the national team plays, such as Argentina or Turkey during this World Cup, there is unity, for a time.

Just as religious rituals and traditions pass from one generation to the next, in many families so does fidelity to a football team. These attachments offer a sense of community, capable of bonding together people of disparate backgrounds, if only within the stadium walls.

FIFA, in French, stands for Federation Internationale de Football Association; in English, the International Federation of Association Football.

Ask knowledgeable followers of the game what FIFA stands for and their answer might well be greed and corruption.

For the devout, attending a World Cup is akin to a pilgrimage, a quest that many are finding especially challenging in 2026.

Doug Klein, an attorney in Chicago, wrote in the Times of Israel: “To say that tickets for World Cup matches cost ‘an arm and a leg’ is to overstate the value of these sometimes useful appendages. At the end of the day, they are only appendages. The cost of World Cup tickets is more akin to ‘chest cavity and soul.’”

Then consider that the U.S government implemented what Bowman called “Kafkaesque, constantly changing, on-again-off-again impediments” on fans from several competing nations, not long after FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, presented President Donald Trump with the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

No religion, football included, is without its version of sin. ì

The Jewish Heart Beats Heavy in New York

Sasha Heller New-ish & Jewish

New York City is … intense. It’s organized chaos.

It’s 9 million souls (and 960,000 Jews) criss-crossing in the middle of the night.

It’s a living, breathing superorganism, electric, alluring, impulsive and … after a while, it becomes sensory overload.

I recently spent several days in Queens and Manhattan for the annual American Jewish Press Association (AJPA) conference. AJT Publisher Michael Morris joined me and we had a blast; we won an award (more on that later) and connected with new and old friends.

It’s always refreshing for perspective to find yourself in a room surrounded by your peers -- our fellow Jewish journalists from around the country, doing what we do, understanding the same challenges we face, sharing ideas, innovation, and inspiration … while spreading cream cheese on a bagel in the Federation lobby.

The first day of programming was held at the historic Jewish Federation of New York. Our breakout sessions covered several hot topics, including the ethics and practicality of utilizing AI in the newsroom, how to attract younger readers, and how to build community in an ever-more polarizing world.

We bounced ideas off each other … I mentioned the AJT’s efforts to create a pipeline with local high school students interested in journalism, highlighting The Weber School’s Rampage newspaper staff who have already published several stories in our paper. This seemed like a new idea to the room, and I hope we can serve as an inspiration to create more pipelines and lay the groundwork for the future of Jewish journalism in America.

The next day, our sessions were hosted by the Center for Jewish History. This is truly an inspiring museum, and I encourage our readers to experience it for themselves.

Located within the Center is the Yivo Institute for Jewish Research. It features the largest collection of Eastern European Jewry documents and posters in the world, particularly from the years surrounding the Holocaust, including ma-

The Yivo Institute for Jewish Research, located at the Center for Jewish History, in New York features the largest archive of Eastern European Jewry documents and artwork in the world.

terials from Poland, Germany, Ukraine, and more. The following link will take you to the Yivo website for more information: https://www.yivo.org/

As for the Rockowers, it is with great disappointment that I can announce that the AJT only won one Simon Rockower Award this year.

However, it is with great nachas that I can announce that Robert Garber won First Place for Writing About Health Care with his article, “Neurodiversity and Judaism.” The story includes commentary from local rabbis and researchers and analyzes how Jewish culture has historically incorporated community members on the autistic spectrum. The following link will take you to the feature: https:// www.atlantajewishtimes.com/neurodiversity-judaism/

Robert started as an intern and rejoined the staff full-time a little over a year ago as the Online Content Coordinator. He has helped me with uploading content, managing the website, and writing stories. And he is now an awardwinning journalist in his first year in the industry. I could not be prouder of his work.

There were whispers this year that next year’s conference may once again be held in New York but in a different location, so we’ll see if that plays out.

In the meantime, the AJT is going to publish some damn good stories this year and will come home with several more Rockower Awards next year … or, at the very least, we’ll come home with more good memories and the feeling that we are all connected. New York … Cleveland … Detroit … Philly … DC … St. Louis … Denver … Cali … and ATL … and all of the Jewish quarterly magazines … we are Jewish journalism and we are strongest together. ì

Sonny Rollins and the Search for Something Real

When 95-year-old jazz legend Sonny Rollins died on May 25, I found myself thinking not first about the stage, but about synagogue. My first memory takes place there. I remember my dad and grandpa taking me to Saturday services when I was very young, and what I remember first is the light. It came through the stained-glass windows and seemed to transform everything it touched into something holy — the prayer books, the faces, the air itself. It landed on the men who were praying, on their beards and tallises, as they swayed, eyes closed, completely absorbed in something I couldn’t understand.

I only knew what I saw: these men were somewhere else. They were experiencing something powerful, something important, something I could feel.

Around the time of my bar mitzvah, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) took hold of my life. Days became long and exhausting. I sat through school tests counting into the thousands while everyone around me answered questions, and some nights it took four, five, even eight hours to get into bed because my mind insisted I touch, arrange, check, and start over. The mind can know something is irrational and still not be free of it.

Once I finally made it into bed, I’d have a few minutes of peace before sleep.

That’s where I found Sonny Rollins.

After days spent trapped inside my own mind, those few minutes before falling

asleep were often the only time I felt free.

Then, one day during that period, my father and I drove to Knoxville, Tenn., to hear Sonny perform. Before the concert, my OCD latched onto something, and I got up three separate times to go to the bathroom, sure something would go wrong if I didn’t.

Then the lights went down. Sonny came onto the stage, lifted the horn to his mouth, and began to play.

And then he began to sway.

Immediately, I recognized something. The motion was exactly like the davening — the swaying prayer — I had seen in synagogue as a child. Eyes closed. Completely absorbed. Reaching for something beyond himself. Even his loose-fitting clothes, moving as he played, reminded me of the tallises I had watched sway around those men years earlier.

The feeling in the room changed. It no longer felt like a concert hall. It had been transformed, the way that morning light had transformed the sanctuary years earlier.

For two hours, I felt exactly what I’d felt as a child: the same gravity, the same presence, the same sense that something invisible but very real was taking place.

About a year later, I wrote to Sonny to tell him how much his music had helped me. To my astonishment, he wrote back.

From my perspective, his words were the most rabbinic advice I have ever received — not because Sonny would have described them that way, but because they were wise, direct, and real. He didn’t offer a cure or a cliché. He gave me a way forward:

“Dear Joe, Your comments were appreciated. We all have to use adversity as an opportunity to find a way. So, keep a strong mind throughout this short existence. Your examples give us all hope as all of us here in this life have to struggle.”

I’ve carried those words ever since.

Nearly 20 years later, in October 2025, I had the privilege of interviewing Sonny for my WABE radio show and podcast, “The Upside of Jazz.” I told him about his message to me, about how much it had meant, and asked whether jazz had helped give him that wisdom.

“Jazz brought me the right perspective,” he said.

Then he said something I’ll never forget: “G-d is jazz, and jazz is G-d.”

He didn’t mean that casually. He said jazz was G-d speaking to him, and his playing was his attempt to speak back. “The only thing I try to do is get that feeling,” he told me. “And what is that feeling? That feeling is jazz.”

At 95, he told me he was still practicing — not necessarily on the saxophone, but practicing life.

“It’s so beautiful being alive and getting another opportunity to try to make it,” he said.

After the interview, we spoke a couple more times by phone. We talked about Lester Young, Erroll Garner, Fats Waller, and

ballads. When Sonny spoke about musicians he loved, I could hear him light up.

In one of those final conversations, I brought up the song “This Is Always,” one of the ballads that had brought me peace during those long nights. Then Sonny sang a little of the melody and said, “Think of me when you play it.”

That kid lying awake at night wasn’t looking for a spiritual guide. He didn’t know that’s what he needed. He just knew that when Sonny Rollins came through the speakers, something in him could breathe again.

Sometimes the real thing comes through stained glass. Sometimes it comes through a saxophone.

And sometimes, if you’re very lucky, the person who helped you find it is still around long enough to remind you what mattered in the first place: not fame, not success, not even greatness, but the feeling, the search, the gratitude, and the chance to keep trying.

Or, as Sonny put it: “It’s so beautiful being alive and getting another opportunity to try to make it.” ì

SIMCHAS

Destination: Virgin Islands

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

A dream took root 15 years ago in the salt-aired sanctuary of the St. Thomas synagogue. Parents Rachel and Jonathan Halitsky were there for a cousin’s bar mitzvah, where the magic of that weekend that felt less like a formal ceremony and more like a soulful family vacation. In that moment, the couple shared hope one day, they would return for their own child’s ceremony, which was held Jan. 16-19, at Westin St. Thomas and Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas.

Hazel exclaimed, “Looking back at the adventure, it was amazing getting to have my bat mitzvah double as a vacation with so many people who are so close with my family and whom I love so much! The temple was so special -- it felt amazing to be there and learn all about the history. Every night was a different place with a different vibe, and it was just so much fun!”

In planning the event, Rachel mused, “We wanted a celebration that felt authentically ‘us’—an environment where Hazel could thrive.”

Understanding the logistics of international travel, they expected a modest group of 25-ish guests. Ultimately, 99 guests flew in to join this special milestone. The celebration began at the St. Thomas Westin with the welcoming of steel drums for the Friday night Shabbat dinner. On Saturday morning, open-air vans transported the group to the historic Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas. Built in 1831, the synagogue, with its storied sand floors and ancient stone walls, acted as a bridge between the past and the present. It was the first time Hazel

had set foot inside and, for a rare moment, she was speechless.

The service centered on a Torah portion that carried the weight of 35 years of family history. It was the exact same Parsha Rachel had studied for her own bat mitzvah, falling on the very same day. Thirty-five years ago, Congregation B’nai Torah was Modern Orthodox, which meant women were not permitted to read from the scrolls, and Rachel’s father, Stan, volunteered to read the entire portion on her behalf.

In St. Thomas, that cycle evolved into

a powerful L’dor V’dor moment. With special permission from the temple, Stan read the first Parsha, Rachel read the second, her first time ever reading from the Torah, and then Hazel took her place for the third. To Hazel, Parsha Vaera meant, “I believe the lesson from my parsha, Vaera, is that relationships, people, and their perspectives are dynamic and always changing … underneath all of that is love that never waivers.”

Following the service, the celebration moved across the street to the Lillenfeld House for a kiddush luncheon overlooking the aqua Caribbean Sea. The festivities continued into the night with dinner and dancing under the stars, with Hazel’s favorite parts being getting to dance with her dad and her grandfather. The cuisine was a sit-down dinner with choice of filet or sea bass and an ice cream sundae bar.

The real “sweets” of the weekend were grandmother, Debbie Soneneshine’s, homemade mandel bread which was included in the “welcome bags” at the hotel. She had to use a full

carry-on suitcase to transport and prevent breakage/handling on the flight.

Favors were canvas beach bags, cozies, and handheld fans. Those were a big hit, especially at the temple where they do not have air conditioning. The sign-in board was a Jenga set.

Sunday evening featured a beach barbeque with a live band, games, and an orange sunset as the background.

Rachel looked back and said, “We felt so immensely loved and supported. We truly have the most incredible and loyal family and friends anyone could ever ask for and seeing them do so much to love and support Hazel meant the world to Jonathan, my parents, and me. It was the happiest I ever remember feeling. Without question, the best weekend of my entire life."

Hazel, a student at The Galloway School, plays basketball, volleyball, golf, and loves musical theater. Her mitzvah project was in support of Backpack Buddies, where her dad is the director of operations and her grandmother serves on the board. ì

Nifty 50: Never Too Old for Bar Mitzvah

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

On March 28, Shabbat HaGadol, the Great Shabbat before Passover, Ryan Posner celebrated his bar mitzvah at Ahavath Achim Synagogue. He was 50 years old, with his calendar birthday falling the following morning.

Senior Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal noted, “Ryan became bar mitzvah at 13 like every Jewish young man does. The

status is automatic.”

But what Ryan never had was the ceremony, the preparation, the standing at the bimah, the community gathered around him. Posner stated, “This weekend was about doing what I had missed doing and finally becoming the main character in my own Jewish story rather than a guest in someone else’s.”

Posner’s weekend began Thursday with his Torah reading.

By way of motivation, Ryan’s late father, Harvey Posner, resigned from Ahavath Achim in the late 1970s. When he left, Ryan’s Hebrew school journey ended before it started. For decades, he carried that distance. Near the end of his life, Harvey told his son that he wanted him to be more involved in Judaism. He died before Ryan figured out how to honor that request.

The spark came in February 2022 at

his nephew, Reid’s, bar mitzvah, where Ryan’s sister, Haley, mentioned in her speech that neither of them had ever had a bar or bat mitzvah. A rabbi in the room said simply: “It’s never too late.”

During COVID, Ryan had been researching his rich family history and discovered that they were pioneering members of Ahavath Achim, where Harvey exited. Posner recalled, “That changed everything. I returned, joined the board

of directors, became a gabbai, helped build a technology system called SAGE (Screen Assisted Guided Experience) to make services more accessible to people like me who did not know the Hebrew or the prayers, and spent four years studying to get here.”

On the morning of his bar mitzvah, he led portions of the Shacharit service, chanted Torah, co-chanted the Haftarah with his friend, Mark Papier, and delivered a D’var Torah called, “The Eternal Flame,” connecting Parshat Tzav’s commandment to keep the altar fire burning to his own story of return. The congregation gave him a standing ovation. He closed by announcing that his father’s name, Harvey Posner, was being added to the memorial board at the back of the sanctuary, restoring a generation that had been missing from his family’s line in this congregation.

The Saturday night celebration was themed, “Back to the Mitzvah,” a play on the movie, “Back to the Future,” which resonated with the idea of returning to the past to reclaim something and carry it forward. The theme was developed with a screen-accurate DeLorean time machine displayed under gold stanchions and red velvet ropes outside the synagogue’s side entrance; an “Out of Time” license plate on the DeLorean was replaced with one

signed by Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, a hand-painted “Enchantment Under the Sea” stage banner, and a flux capacitor guest sign-in box – all nods to the popular 1980s film.

Posner entered as comedian Don Rickles. After rousing dances with an oldies band, the final two songs were “Earth Angel” and “Johnny B. Goode,” from the Enchantment Under the Sea dance from the movie. Ryan, who has a reputation for eschewing eating anything “green or healthy,” had an Italian pizza-themed kiddish, while the Saturday night party had a chocolate fountain and various snack foods.

To preserve these memories, Ryan composed a journal. He noted, “The bar mitzvah weekend of March 27–29 was planned in meticulous detail over four years, but what actually happened was richer, messier, funnier, and more profound than any spreadsheet could capture.”

Some of the most vivid memories were: the Torah scroll that wasn’t where it was supposed to be, the feeling of hearing his Hebrew name called out in a sanctuary full of loving people, and the moment “when he knew exactly who he was and why he was there.”

Posner labeled the weekend: Leviticus 6:6 “A perpetual fire shall be kept burning on the altar; it shall not go out.” ì

Multi-Cultural Family Blends it All

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Ariella Roames blooms with a teenage blend of many cultures.

Her mother, Facely Roames, is an AfroDominican Jewish American woman, U.S. citizen, who has lived in the U.S. for more than two decades. She explained, “My identity is layered and richly rooted in Dominican culture, shaped by the Sephardic history of my ancestors, and strengthened by the Jewish life I live

and teach every day. I raise my children and my students with the values that guide me: that we can live as one community, with love, respect, and acceptance for all.”

Facely, a religious school educator at Temple Kol Emeth, where she teaches firstgrade Judaics, graduated from the Hebrew College Educator Program’s Bonin Beyachad Fellowship Cohort 2. These values all came alive at her daughter, Ariella’s, quinceañera.

A quinceañera recognizes a girl’s transition to womanhood in Latin American and Hispanic cultures which has Catholic elements and is compared to “Sweet Sixteen’ parties in the U.S. Ariella celebrated her bat mitzvah last year and now serves as a madricha for preschool and kindergarten. This summer, she will be an SIT at Camp Jenny. As a publicschool student, she likes crafting, painting, ice skating, swimming, and anime. Ariella’s quinceañera court was a

representational part of the celebration. She was accompanied by friends from Jewish, Christian, Muslim, and Catholic families, each parent giving their blessing for their child to participate. What is traditionally a Hispanic celebration became something inclusive and unique. Several loved ones spoke as Ariella was honored by family and friends sharing memories and good wishes for her future.

The menu featured rice, beef, pasta, vegetables, halal chicken, and bread. Ari-

ella wore a standout hotpink and black gown with soft hair curls and pink highlights. She chose these colors because they represent her uniqueness: hot pink for her joy and energy, and black for her strength and elegance.

Mom said, “The butterflies throughout the décor symbolized her transformation: like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, she has grown into something impressive, beautiful, and ready to learn and give.”

The Roames added the Three Roses Ceremony to standard tradition, symbolizing Ariella’s childhood, present, and the woman she is becoming. Ariella recalled, “The room felt like one big family — dancing merengue, bachata, pop, Israeli, and African music.”

Facely concluded, “For me, the quinceañera wasn’t just a birthday celebration. It was a living example of what my Jewish journey has taught me: identity is built through love, community, and the courage to be your true self. I am Dominican, I am Sephardic in my roots, I am Jewish in my soul, and I am raising my children to walk proudly in all parts

of who they are.”

By way of background, Facely explained that the Dominican Republic has a deep, but often overlooked, Jewish past. Many early settlers were Sephardic Jews fleeing the Spanish Inquisition who lived as conversos — publicly Catholic while quietly preserving Jewish traditions. She didn’t learn this until adulthood, long after beginning her own Jewish journey.

She shared, “When I discovered that my paternal last name, Medrano, is tied to Sephardic lineage, and even saw that small 1 percent in my DNA, I jumped for joy, it felt like a missing piece of my identity finally clicked into place. When I met my husband and his Jewish family, something inside me recognized home.”

Shabbat candles, Passover seders, and Chanukah songs awakened something familiar in her soul. After the devastating loss of her oldest son, she found comfort only in the Jewish community, kaddish, and music. She said, “I felt as if I was finally at home. That was when I realized I wasn’t becoming Jewish, I was returning to who I had always been.” ì

Abby & Jack Pick Palm Beach

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

On Feb. 7, Abby Orlansky and Jack Copeland exchanged vows in a beautiful South Florida celebration surrounded by 200 family members and friends. The couple chose Palm Beach as a destination that held special significance as the place where their relationship first blossomed.

Abby, who grew up in Atlanta’s Virginia-Highland neighborhood, graduated from Grady High School before earning her bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. She later attended physi-

cian assistant school at South University in West Palm Beach and now works as a dermatology physician assistant at a private practice outside Washington, D.C. Jack was raised in Rockville, Md., and graduated from Bullis School before earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia. After spending several years working in New York City, he relocated to the Washington, D.C., area, where he serves as vice president of RST Development, a real estate development company.

Abby is the daughter of Herb and

Cheryl Orlansky, while Jack is the son of Scott and Jillian Copeland. Their love story began at a family wedding in 2021. Abby attended her brother, Alex’s, wedding to Arielle, who happens to be Jack’s cousin. During the wedding weekend in Virginia Beach, Jack and Arielle’s grandmother was determined to introduce Jack to Abby. Her matchmaking instincts proved successful, and Abby and Jack quickly formed a connection. After dating for 2 1/2 years, they became engaged. Jack planned a proposal in Orlando at the picturesque

lakeside home of Abby’s aunt and uncle; a place Abby has always considered one of her favorite spots. Every Thanksgiving, the Orlansky family gathers there with Abby’s mother’s side of the family. There Jack used the annual tradition to “pop the question.”

Mom, Cheryl, said, “Choosing South Florida was an easy decision. During the early days of their relationship, Abby was attending PA school in West Palm Beach, and Jack frequently traveled there while working remotely. The city became the backdrop for some of their earliest mem-

ories together and represented the beginning of their journey as a couple.”

Abby took the lead in wedding planning, working closely with a South Florida-based wedding planner. The couple traveled to West Palm Beach several times for tastings and planning, with Jack weighing in on band and beverage selections.

The wedding was in a palette of blue, green, and white. Floral designer, Events By Nicky, created arrangements with white calla lilies, light blue hydrangeas, white roses, white spray roses, light blue delphiniums, and lush greenery. The bride and bridesmaids carried bouquets of white calla lilies, while the chuppah was adorned with abundant blue and white blooms. Matching floral arrangements filled the reception space, creating a romantic and sophisticated atmosphere.

Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed an arugula and pear salad featuring candied walnuts, feta, and balsamic honey vinaigrette, followed by a selection of pesto-crusted chicken with wild mushroom demi-glace or roasted salmon with citrus beurre, honey-glazed carrots, asparagus, potato gratin, and mashed

Bottom Left: Jack and Abby Copeland

potatoes accompanied. The dessert was a playful funfetti cake with cream cheese icing created by Earth and Sugar.

The couple’s first dance was to “Better Together” by Jack Johnson. The fatherdaughter dance was “I’ll Be There” by The Jackson 5.

When asked what he loves most about his bride, Jack said: “I love how Abby is very balanced, as she is ambitious and driven, but also remembers to always have fun and enjoy life. She is incredibly smart, thoughtful, caring, intelligent and funny and brings an energy everywhere she goes that makes others laugh and smile.”

Abby shared her admiration for her new husband, saying, “I love his empathy and the way his big heart shows up in everything he does. His kindness and laidback, go-with-the-flow nature make life feel calmer and more joyful.”

Following the Palm Beach celebration, the newlyweds went on a two-week honeymoon in Australia, beginning their next adventure together as husband and wife. From balmy palm trees in West Palm Beach to kangaroos “down under,” the Copelands are hopping off to a good start. ì

Bottom Right: Abby Copeland’s second look

Georgia’s AEPi Celebrates 100 Years Young

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

The Omicron Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) at the University of Georgia (UGA) celebrated its Centennial Anniversary on April 17–18, in Athens with more than 350 alumni and undergrads in attendance.

Milestones and dynamic growth were celebrated as several key members assume important national positions, while a lease extension was secured for the property with eyes on renovation. Alumni traveled from across the U.S. — California, New Jersey, and Puerto Rico — to take part in the magnanimous

weekend, with representation spanning every decade since the 1960s.

The festivities began with a links tournament at the University Golf Course, followed by a welcome party at Paloma Park in downtown Athens.

“Brothers” from all generations reconnected over conversation and refreshments, with live music from Athens local Nathan Shepherd.

In a fitting tradition, Between the Hedges, the University of Georgia hosted its annual G-Day spring football game which lent the backdrop for AEPi to showcase one of its hallmark experiences — a gameday tailgate. Held at the

fraternity house, the Centennial tailgate featured food, drinks, and live music from the Dean Dollar Band. With sunny weather and a strong turnout, AEPi captured the spirit of Saturdays in Athens.

The weekend culminated Saturday night with the Centennial Banquet at the Classic Center, emceed by former Chapter President Jeremy Brook (UGA ‘05). The seated dinner brought together alumni and undergraduates in a room “filled with energy, pride, and nostalgia.”

Following cocktail hour, the Redcoat Alumni Band made a surprise entrance, performing classic stadium favorites like the University of Georgia’s “Battle

Former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray delivered the keynote address, speaking about teamwork, brotherhood, and identity. He also shared how the presence of Hillel there played a meaningful role in his decision to attend the university.

Throughout the event, professionally produced videos highlighted the chapter’s history and generational impact. The program also featured upbeat messages from recognizable figures, including a video address from UGA President Jere Morehead, who spoke of the chapter’s longstanding contributions and im-

portance on campus.

The AEPi Omicron Chapter was originally chartered on May 29, 1926, by founding members Hyman Avronin, Jacob Bennett, Hyman Estroff, Ben Feen, Harry Galkin, David Haskin, Mose Karesh, Morris Levy, Adolph Lund, Bernard Simowitz, and Max Rosenthal. The Centennial was especially meaningful with the presence of alumni and direct descendants of founding members Karesh and Estroff.

Current Chapter President Jaron Dubovsky addressed attendees, highlighting the chapter’s continued excellence in academics, philanthropy, and leadership. The chapter recently earned the highest GPA among all fraternities at UGA for Fall 2025.

The evening concluded with remarks from former Chapter President Adam Cohen (UGA ‘06), who formally launched the AEPi Centennial Housing Campaign. Cohen shared updates on strengthened partnerships with the university and the national fraternity, along with a lease extension securing the chapter’s home at 170 River Road through 2069. Conceptual renovation plans were also unveiled and met with great ap-

plause. Omicron alumni will also play a significant leadership role at the national level, with Jeremy Brook, Adam Cohen, and Craig Rosenberg (UGA ‘07) serving in key positions on Alpha Epsilon Pi’s Supreme Board of Governors. Later this year, Cohen will be sworn in as the 78th international president of AEPi.

The Centennial planning committee was led by Noah Bronstein (UGA ’05), Rollin Taitz (UGA ’26), and Joel Turry (UGA ’90), with support from the AEPi national office.

Reflecting on the weekend, co-chair Joel Turry said, “The weekend was perfect in every way. In typical fashion, the classic city of Athens did not disappoint, and our alumni loved reliving their college days. It was so wonderful to celebrate the rich lineage of our chapter, and we were thrilled to have such a large group attend, including many multi-generational legacies. It was a pleasure to work closely with Noah and Rollin and our 15 months of planning really paid off.”

The Centennial Celebration was a statement about the value of past and current campus life, shared history, lasting camaraderie, and the importance of leaving a legacy. ì

Rindsberg’s Sneaker Designs Stun for Simchas

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

South African native Denise Rindsberg built a successful career as the founder of Let’s Celebrate, an event décor company known for its creativity and attention to detail.

For years, she designed spectacular décor for weddings, mitzvahs, corporate functions, and social events, helping clients create unforgettable celebrations. When Rindsberg retired, she set out for new creative passions and immersed herself in handcrafts like stitching siddur covers, creating intricate button art, and rhinestone wall hangings. These projects allowed her to continue using her talents while developing new skills and landing in a unique niche, combining luxury, personalization, and contemporary style with custom rhinestone sneakers and shoes. Note that the sneaker industry has burgeoned and even Savannah College of Art and Design has added classes in sneaker design.

The inspiration came through a phone call. A mother whose daughter was preparing for her bat mitzvah contacted Denise to inquire if she created

rhinestone shoes. Without hesitation, Denise confidently answered, “Yes.” Although she had never created rhinestone shoes before, she began researching and educating herself, diving into this specialized art form. Today, Denise’s custom designs are visually stunning works of art that often become treasured keepsakes. Her shoes are more than fashion accessories; they serve as meaningful reminders of important milestones. One client loved her daughter’s custom bat mitzvah shoes so much that she archived them rather than allow her daughter to wear them again.

A key element of Denise’s success is her collaborative process. She meets with each mother and daughter to discuss their vision. During consultations, Denise presents samples of dazzling rhinestones and offers suggestions designed to complement the daughter’s dress and overall event theme.

She explained, “What makes the experience special is that the daughter is actively involved in the process. She has input in choosing colors and styles, making the final product feel like her own creation. This sense of ownership adds an extra layer of

meaning to the finished shoes.”

The craftsmanship behind each pair of shoes is intricate and time-consuming. Completing a single pair typically requires approximately one month. The process begins with sterilizing and handpainting the shoes to create the perfect foundation. Rhinestones are then applied in carefully planned sections, allowing drying time between stages. Denise uses rhinestones in multiple sizes to achieve flawlessness, ensuring no visible gaps so that every surface sparkles beautifully. Prices start at $200 a pair.

Before production begins, Denise creates several design variations and makes numerous adjustments until the final concept is approved. Once the design is finalized, the process of placing each rhinestone by hand begins. A single pair of shoes may require between 3,000 and 4,000 individual stones. Given the extraordinary level of precision required, Denise relies on specialized magnifying glasses to ensure every stone is perfectly positioned. One of the greatest challenges is avoiding mistakes, since correcting errors after the glue has dried can be extremely difficult.

An important part of Denise’s craft involves using specialized tools. Fortunately, her husband, Frank, who is also retired, builds model boats and has accumulated a collection of miniature tools. Denise has creatively repurposed many of his pliers, tweezers, magnifying glasses, and paintbrushes for her rhinestone work.

Among her favorite projects are custom wedding shoes and sneakers. These often feature dazzling rhinestones with pearls of various sizes, and delicate lace cutouts that coordinate with the bridal gowns. One bride was so delighted with her shoes that she wore them throughout her entire wedding weekend — from the rehearsal dinner to the wedding ceremony and reception, and even afterward.

Perhaps the greatest appeal of Denise’s shoes is that they combine beauty with comfort. Unlike traditional high heels, which can often be uncomfortable and restrictive, her rhinestone sneakers allow females to celebrate in style while remaining comfortable on their feet. There is no better way to dance the horah than in a pair of sneakers. Christian Le Boutin scoot over! ì

Simcha Announcements

Have something to celebrate?

Births, B’nai Mitzvah, Engagements, Weddings, Anniversaries, Special Birthdays and more ... Share it with your community with free AJT simcha announcements. Send info to submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

Wedding Announcement Wecksler – Zucker

Jordan Rose Wecksler and Jack Austin Zucker are delighted to announce their marriage on Jan. 31, 2026, in Atlanta, Ga. The ceremony was officiated by Rabbi Ron Segal and took place at Summerour Studio, surrounded by close family and friends. The celebration incorporated meaningful Jewish traditions followed by a beautiful reception. Jordan is the daughter of Tammi Pugh and Stephen Wecksler of Johns Creek, Ga. Jack is the son of Melanie and Scott Zucker of Sandy Springs, Ga. The couple met at the University of Georgia (go Dawgs!) and have built a life together rooted in love, laughter, and shared values. They are grateful for the love and support of their family and friends as they begin this new chapter together.

www.balloonacyatlanta.com

Celebrate in Sandy Springs

Contact us today to start planning! Bree Kitchens 770-206-1552 pkitchens@sandyspringsga.org Life is filled with moments that become lasting memories, and there’s no better place for a memorable simcha than Sandy Springs.

Let us be the full service connection between you and your event. With 20 hotels and 2800 rooms, we can provide customized and complimentary assistance to make sure you find the perfect hotel for your guests, as well as recommendations for venues, catering and more.

Atlanta Jewish Schools: Graduating Classes

The Epstein School Class of 2026

The Epstein School recognizes its graduating class of 2026. They are as follows:

Sophie Asrael, Maya Berliner, Emma Blatt, Daniel Chun, Kayla Deckelbaum, Abraham Dobrzynski Garzon, Jenna Epstein, Jillyan Fages, Dafna Fishbein, Maya Friedberg, Blake Frist, Noa Ginzberg, Isabella Glenn, Adira Hall, Ethan Hofmekler, Ethan Jacoboff, Emma Kirkel, Morris Kogon,

Meira Leinwand, Grant Levison, Larry Levy, Robbie Margolis, Sutton Merlin, Theo Messica, Sadie Myerson, Romy Perez, Marley Rattray, Jordan Sack, Talia Sack, Liel Sheron, Bradley Stein, Dayson Swanson, Ella Trompeter, Ben Weinisman; Not pictured: Judah Schwartz

The Davis Academy Class of 2026

The Davis Academy recognizes its graduating class of 2026. They are as follows:

Madeline Berk, Ethan Berman, Jonah Blick, Rafael Breslav, Stella Brown, Michaela Cortez, Brynn Davis, Olivia Dell, Sophie Dishner, Kyle Donovan, Hannah Dresdner, Julia Drishpon, Izabelle Flome, Hannah Freedman, Jonah Freedman, Julia Freund, Abigail Gates, Almog Gita, Shunit Gita, Jordan Goldstein, Lydia Gordon, Isabelle Kats, Gavin Korel,

Isabel Lincoln, Isaak Livshits, Samantha London, Max Mendes, William Molinari, Lila Morris, Layla Price, Emily Rindsberg, Hannah Ruda, Chase Satisky, Damon Scher, Daniella Sernovitz, Hannah Shedrow, Annie Siegel, Milo Silberman, Jonathan Slutzky, Zachary Smolen, Mara Smookler, Eleanor Stancill, Dylan Wilensky, Hudson Wollner, Asher Zell

The Weber School Class of 2026

The Weber School recognizes its graduating class of 2026. They are as follows:

Levi Jay Abadi, Ezra Adriel Adler, Eli Owen Ampel, Lior Evan Kerness Berg, Noah William Kerness Berg, Asher Gabriel Berry, Abram Justin Blecker, Adrianna Lynae Castiglione, Elijah Samuel Clark, Blake Miller Cohen, Daniel Lior Cohen, Hannah Isabel Cohen, Miles Dylan Craine, Moncie Cranman, Abigail Juliet Deckelbaum, Dean Alden Dubovsky, Mollie Rose Engler, Bram Joseph Fages, Nathaniel Shushan Feiss, Gabriel Foster Fisher, Shira Emunah Formey, Braden Thomas Fortson, Mira Anna Glusman, Ezra Samuel Goldstein, Devin Maxwell Golivesky, Benjamin Graham Goodhart, Zoe Pearl Gordon, Matthew Harry Grant, Mark Jacob Grosswald, Alexandra Joy Harris, Ezra Simon Heller, Samuel Ray Hotchkiss, Jacob Hurwitz, Adam Logan Jacobson, Jesse Barron Kaiser, Ella Hart Kashdan, Drew Samuel Kaufman, Max Thomas Kaufman, Jacob Daniel Kennedy, Marion Eden Kogon,

Benyamin, Barak Leibowitz, Miley Lev, Dylan Shay Lichstrahl, Elan Harris Lieberman, Aidan Israel Magnus, Einav Lily Malka, Brooke Rebecca Maman, Daryn Mia Mand, Annie Alyssa Marcus, Liyel Margolias, Mason Evan Maslia, Taylor Michel-Wolf, Kira Marley Nadler, Danya Cai Naturman, Aubrey Elizabeth Nelms, Amy Danielle Nowitz, Ethan Kyle Peck, Hannah Rachael Reznik, Shiri Richman, Brock Evan Rodgers, Layla Bryson Rothberg, Bethany-Mae Estelle Rydell, Rafael Teixeira Saitowitz, Tahel Shantzer, Aaron Jason Shenk, Scott Isaac Silverman, Sophie Belle Simonoff, Avery Jake Slipakoff, Simone Annie Slutzky, Jillian Belle Smith, Mason Samuel Toporek, Alexander Luc Tyryshkin, Noam Tzionov, Jordan Landon Ulin, Chandler Brooks Weissman, Rebecca Molly Wilson, Jaren Saul Wolff, Arianna Rose Sarah Zalik

Atlanta Jewish Academy Class of 2026

Atlanta Jewish Academy recognizes its graduating class of 2026. They are as follows:

Devorah Attali, Noemi Zahava Bader, Hila Ben-Yaacov, Liav Cohen, Noam Glazer, Tuvia Hirsch, Shai Kaiser-Blueth, Daniel G. Kassorla, Isabelle Khandadash,

Ami Korn, Micah Jared Lembeck, Yaakov Levin, Ari Monheit, Landon Rolnick, Gila Maya Sadinoff, Avi Ezra Shuman, Benjamin Dvir Smolensky, Myers Teyf

Torah Day School Class of 2026

Torah Day School of Atlanta recognizes its graduating class of 2026. They are as follows:

Batya Shoshana Amnony, Miriam Nadoff, Rebecca Balgari, Mindel Needleman, Yael Sarah Barnwell, Ahuva Bella Paley, Avigayil Bracha Bram, Shira Pollock, Rivkah Leah Castriota, Henia Schusterman, Talya Cohen, Pearl Schusterman, Esther Brocha Friedman, Yami Stein, Basya Friedman, Leah Werbin, Rivka Golding, Tziporah Werbin, Ava Miriam Gordon, Yakira Bella Wolf, Sara Green,

Kayla Yaari, Raizel Isaacs, Alyssa Yehaskel, Chedva Kerzner, Ahuva Zehnwirth; Not pictured: Elizabeth Harris;

Daniel Chai Altman, Akiva Bogart, Yosef Estreicher, Maher Evan Gordon Nechemia, Aryeh Grossblatt, Rafael Yaakov Karsh, Dovid Nosson Minkow, Alter Minkowitz, David Salomon, Naftali Yehuda Schwarzmer, Yaakov Moshe Silverman, Chaim Spotts, Yosef Shalom Tkatch

Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael

Class of 2026

Yeshiva Ohr Yisrael of Atlanta recognizes its graduating class of 2026. They are as follows:

Aryeh Bari, Akiva Birnbaum, Tovia Blanks, Yitzchak Cavalier, Isaac Clemente, Yaakov Estreicher, Menachem Farkas, Shuie Gelbtuch, Koby Grossblatt, Shua Kaminetzky,

Yitzy Larimer, Asher Pearlman, Natanel Pearlman, Yonatan Pechenik, Yehuda Robbins, Benayahu Schulgasser, Efraim Sirota, Ezra Stein, Yehuda Yaari

Bogdanov has Made Long Journey to Opera Stardom ARTS & CULTURE

By Bob Bahr

For Aleksey Bogdanov, who was featured in the recent highly acclaimed Atlanta Opera production of Richard Wagner’s “Twilight of the Gods,” the road to the operatic stage spotlight started with a chance appearance on public broadcasting’s “A Prairie Home Companion.”

He was in the graduate music program at Indiana University determined to make opera his career when Garrison Keillor brought his iconic program to town. Out of several students who auditioned for the show, Bogdanov was chosen to sing two arias.

It was the kind of exposure that might have ended up as a line or two on a professional resume for a young singer just starting his professional career.

But, in the radio audience that evening was an official of the National Opera in Washington, D.C., who helped run a program to develop young singers. And, later, when Bogdanov auditioned for what is an important first step for a developing singer, the official remembered that broadcast.

“There were five finalists, and when I did the audition, one of the people who ran the program, said, ‘You know, I was driving down the highway, listening to ‘Prairie Home Companion’ and this voice came on the radio, and it was you, and she said, I’m impressed, who is that guy?’ And then, my application came in to the company and they said, we have to have you.”

The experience he gained at the prestigious Washington National Opera was a major break for the young singer. He worked with one of America’s most important companies, headed by Placido Domingo, the great singer and conductor who was also largely responsible for the young artists program. It helped launch his career, where an early role was Escamillo in the Atlanta Opera’s production of Bizet’s “Carmen.”

Over the years, he’s appeared with many of the nation’s most important opera companies including the Metropolitan in New York and at Carnegie Hall for Handel’s “Messiah.” In addition to the important role of Albrecht in the Atlanta Opera’s concluding production of Wagner’s “Ring Cycle,” he’s coming back later in the year for their December holiday production of Kevin Puts’ Pulitzer Prizewinning work, “Silent Night.”

It’s been a long and successful journey for Bogdanov, who came to America with his family in 1992. He was born in

Odessa, in the former Soviet Union, and was part of the exodus of Russian Jews who had long suffered religious persecution. Despite the difficulties, Odessa had a history as a center of Jewish social and cultural life. It gave the world the great violinists Mischa Elman and David Oistrakh, the novelist and short story writer Isaac Babel, and before the Russian revolution, the great cantor Pinhas Minkowski. And its elegant opera house was world famous.

Aleksey Bogdanov was only 9 when he and his family arrived in the United States. They were forced to leave everything behind when they came as part of the exodus of Jews from that country in the early 1990s. He didn’t speak a single word of English and most of what he knew about his new home in America he learned from watching VHS video tapes

in Odessa of Hollywood movies.

“My parents had been trying to leave for a long time. Odessa was very unstable when we left in 1992,” he said, “but we all dreamed of getting out. It was our American dream.”

Like so many young Russian Jews who came to America during those years, he adapted to American life quickly. He learned English by listening to the TV teen age sit-com, “Saved By The Bell” and Batman movies and, by the time he was in the sixth grade, he had mastered the language and had come to a new appreciation of his long suppressed Jewish heritage.

He is married now with two children, but, although he is frequently away from home, he always finds time in his busy schedule to celebrate Shabbat with them, even if it’s on a Zoom call or on his cell phone.

“It’s a tradition we always try to do. My wife and I want to give our children what I didn’t have, the opportunity to grow up Jewish. I have that privilege now, not to hide our Jewishness like we once did in Russia.”

The Atlanta Opera’s performance of Wagner’s “Götterdämmerung,” or as it is known by its English title, “The Twilight of the Gods,” is the final opera in the four operas of Wagner’s “Ring Cycle." Their staging over the past four years has helped establish the Atlanta company as an important and innovative leader in America’s opera world. Under the inspiring leadership of the company’s artistic and executive director, Israeli-born Tomer Zvulun, the “Ring Cycle” here is the first American production of the Wagnerian operas since the pandemic and the first in the American South. ì

Benda, Beans, and Community at Chupito’s

By Marcia Caller Jaffe

Atlanta native Darren Benda wears many sombreros. Bootstrapping and founding Chupito’s Azteca Grille in Dunwoody, he works the kitchen, greets customers, coordinates catering orders, and manages operations. Customers joke that he “lives at the restaurant.”

Chupito’s features vibrant Mexican adobe colors and the aromas of freshcooked food, but two things behind the scene stand out: Benda’s chef training and his commitment to giving.

The restaurant seats 150 indoors and another 55-ish on the patio and employs around 18. They also have a catering arm, from office lunches for 10 to 250 warehouse employee meals.

Benda’s culinary inspiration involves his studying in Madrid, Spain, where he developed a passion for international cuisine. He later widened his culinary education through classes in Mexico City and Oaxaca.

Among the most popular plates are fajitas, homemade tamales, seafood specialties, and brisket which is a combination of his grandmother’s Jewish brisket recipe and his kitchen manager’s spice ideas.

Benda explains, “I liked his spice profile, and he liked my consistency and flavor. Together, we created brisket tacos, brisket quesadillas, etc.”

The restaurant also prepares its own dressings, desserts, and specialty items from scratch, including flan, tres leches cake, Mexican chocolate cake, Oreo churros, and churro cheesecake.

This writer’s group sampled a healthy meatless variety, and was especially impressed with the house made sauces and salad dressings (honey lime and avocado vinaigrettes): Chunky Mexican Guacamole ($11); Salmon Wrap ($19.95); Fish Tacos -- grilled tilapia with all the fixings like Jalapeno coleslaw; Veracruz Special- tilapia ($19.95) with rice and steamed vegetables topped with creamy lime tequila lime sauce.

This merits being served at any fine restaurant: Vegetable Fajitas ($18) sizzling with touches of squash and cauliflower.

The menu is huge! Mix and match, have it your way.

Benda attended The Epstein School before Riverwood High School’s International Baccalaureate magnet program. He was bar mitzvahed at Ahavath Achim. Years later, he hosted a full kosher dinner at Chupito’s with 50 guests after Rabbi Laurence Rosenthal koshered the restau-

rant’s kitchen for the special event.

Benda attended Syracuse University, with degrees in marketing and print journalism. He was a newspaper reporter, a radio DJ, and an analyst and digital editor for an online marketing firm.

Benda recalls, “I eventually became operations manager for a travel marketing company and moved up quickly.”

At 15, he was a busboy, dishwasher, prep cook, host, and server assistant. Through college he worked as a waiter and bartender.

After years in marketing and management, Benda joined a local restaurant group as marketing director and eventually oversaw the entire chain.

By 2019, he felt ready to take the leap.

“I got to the point where I wanted to do my own thing,” Benda says. “I saw things I liked and things that needed changing.”

He purchased the Dunwoody location of the restaurant where he had been working and completely transformed the business, rebranding, remodeling, and rebuilding. Chupito’s opened on Jan. 1, 2020, right before the pandemic.

The timing presented challenges, but the restaurant survived.

Today, Benda employs between 1520. He remains hands on. “I joke that the marketing team joins the catering team and the operations team and management team. All of which is me.” He handles ordering, vendor relationships, man-

agement, marketing, and often spends hours cooking and preparing food alongside the kitchen staff. Fluent in Spanish, he can communicate directly with many employees and vendors.

The business remains a family affair. Benda’s father, Gerald, serves as legal counsel and strategic advisor, drawing upon his decades of experience representing hospitality clients. “If I have to cover kitchen hours, he’ll even help out on the floor,” Benda says.

Benda is committed to tikkun olam He donates meals to local schools, religious organizations, and charitable

groups. He employs an individual with Down Syndrome and provides job-training opportunities for autistic students from Cumberland Academy and does weekly meals for the Schiff School (JCC at Temple Emanu-El) and is soon partnering with a Jewish Family & Career Services project.

“This community means a lot to me,” Benda concludes. “I’m from Dunwoody, I live in Dunwoody, and I’ve invested in Dunwoody. I want to continue giving back to the community that has supported me.” Chupito's is located at 1412 Dunwoody Village Pkwy. (770) 399-7757. ì

FAMILY HELPING FAMILIES

JUNE 15-30 CALENDAR

Monday, June 15

Blair Crimmins and the Hookers – 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hot ragtime jazz with a touch of rock and roll featuring Blair Crimmins and the Hookers. Crimmins is one of the Southeast’s most exciting touring musicians, and we are fortunate to bring him and his band to the JCC. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. Food truck will be on site, and alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase. Come rain or shine. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/ysa96uct.

Tuesday, June 16

Music Jam @ The JCC - 6 to 8 p.m. Calling all musicians and music lovers for a Music Jam at the JCC! Bring your instrument(s), friends and jam with fellow musicians. No auditions, no restrictions — just pure musical fun and collaboration. Free and open to people of all ages! Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/mrnr7hc5.

Wednesday, June 17

Guest Speaker, Jonathan Lindberg - 7 to 8:30 p.m. Ever wonder what the Biblical kingdom monuments and inscriptions say? Join Congregation Gesher L’Torah for a historian’s view of the early Israelite monarchy and Biblical kingdoms of modern-day Syria, Lebanon, and southeastern Turkey, as we unpack the Royal Narratives of Ancient Israel during the transition from tribes to kingship. Please RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/2tbab7b3 so we know to expect you.

Thursday, June 18

June 2026 JBaby Newborn Small Group - 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Shalom, and welcome to the newest members of the tribe! Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your growing family, this warm and welcoming group offers a safe, judgment-free space to share your experiences, ask questions, and build friendships with other new parents who truly understand what you’re going through. From sleepless nights to first smiles, we’ll celebrate the highs and support each other through the lows of early parenthood. It’s an opportunity to explore what it means to be a parent in the Jewish community today and discover simple routines and traditions that fill your family’s days with Jewish joy. Register at https:// tinyurl.com/4ms2uvc3.

Young Professionals & 35+ Braves Game - 7:15 p.m. Young professionals and 35+, join us for an outing to see the Atlanta Braves take on the San Francisco Giants! Grab a friend and join us at Truist Park after work while we enjoy an early summer evening game! First pitch is at 7:15 pm. Purchase tickets at https:// tinyurl.com/3xh7998f.

Friday, June 19

June July 2026 JBaby Intown Small Group - 11:30 a.m. A five-week small group series for local families to bond over music, education, support, and playtime. Designed for babies ages 0–12 months and their parent(s). In this warm, welcoming space, neighborhood families come together for playful learning and meaningful support. You’ll connect with other parents, learn from developmental experts, and share new experiences with your little one — building friendships and a deeper connection to your community along the way. Each session is about 45–60 minutes, with plenty of time to socialize after. Register at https://tinyurl. com/ahy3eac2.

Dive Into Shabbat - Pool Party at the JCC - 5 to 8 p.m. Just as water nourishes the earth, tradition nourishes our souls: both flowing, refreshing, and full of life. Families are invited to enjoy pool games, water fights, music, and holiday treats while exploring the connection between water, learning, and renewal. Celebrate Shabbat with laughter, splashes, and a fresh take on ancient traditions! Celebrate Shabbat with family and friends! Bring your own picnic or purchase refreshments at the snack bar. Open swim begins at 5 p.m. followed by Shabbat songs and blessings with Rabbi G at 6 p.m. Free ice pops, challah, and grape juice are provided. Bring your friends and enjoy this unique Shabbat celebration. Learn more at https://tinyurl.com/mwp2d4mf.

Saturday, June 20

Possum Trot 10K & 1-mile Fun Run – 7 to 9 a.m. Join Chattahoochee Nature Center for the 48th Annual Possum Trot 10K and Fun Run. The 10K begins at 7a.m. with a 1-mile Fun Run to follow, and both in-person and virtual options are available. This Peachtree Road Race qualifier includes finisher medals, free race photos, and free admission to the Nature Center all day for registered runners. Register at https://tinyurl.com/yku93f9k.

Tuesday, June 23

Hadar Atlanta: Why God Loves Liars

(Sometimes) - 7:30 to 9 p.m. Think honesty is always the best policy? The Gemara begs to differ. Join us as we uncover the “sacred white lies” hidden in the Torah and the Jewish artistry of the Peaceful Pivot. We’re breaking down the Talmud’s ultimate guide to social survival — from the moment G-d “edited” Sarah’s private comments to save Abraham’s feelings, to the literal command to stop wasting your breath on people who won’t listen. Join The Dupree in this edition of the Rotating Beit Midrash and discover why brutal honesty is often bad policy, and why “departing from the truth” might actually be the holiest thing you do all week. Register at https://tinyurl.com/5yfzhpyb.

Wednesday, June 24

Atlanta Jewish Marketing Network

Meetup – 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us to celebrate over a year of having the Atlanta Jewish Marketing Network! This is your chance to connect with fellow marketing and communications professionals working for Jewish organizations in the Atlanta area, enjoy lunch, and learn about The Temple. Reserve your spot at https://tinyurl.com/ye25yaez.

Chattahoochee Nature Center 50th Birthday Celebration – 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. Start the summer off right as we celebrate 50 years of adventure at CNC! Join us for a nostalgic and fun-filled evening at Camp Chattahoochee to acknowledge this milestone and CNC’s role as a steward of the Chattahoochee River. Activities include archery, canoeing, and tie-dyeing your own commemorative bandana. Grab dinner from an onsite food truck before gathering around the campfire for s’mores! Find tickets at https://tinyurl. com/44p87cbt.

CANDLE-LIGHTING TIMES

Torah Reading: Korach

Friday, June 19 Light Shabbat Candles: 8:33 PM

Saturday, June 20 Shabbat Ends: 9:36 PM

Torah Reading: Chukat-Balak

Friday, June 26 Light Shabbat Candles: 8:35 PM

Saturday, June 27 Shabbat Ends: 9:36 PM

Thursday, June 25

June 2026 JBaby Newborn Small Group - 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Shalom, and welcome to the newest members of the tribe! Whether you’re a first-time parent or adding to your growing family, this warm and welcoming group offers a safe, judgment-free space to share your experiences, ask questions, and build friendships with other new parents who truly understand what you’re going through. From sleepless nights to first smiles, we’ll celebrate the highs and support each other through the lows of early parenthood. It’s an opportunity to explore what it means to be a parent in the Jewish community today and discover simple routines and traditions that fill your family’s days with Jewish joy. Register at https:// tinyurl.com/4ms2uvc3.

Celebrating the '70s at Sunset Sips

with ALIBI – 6 to 9:30 p.m. Celebrate the sights and sounds of evening hours at CNC. Enjoy gorgeous sunsets with a side of music on the Great Lawn and covered outdoor pavilion. Step back in time to the groovy '70s as we honor the decade when CNC was born! Come dressed in your best '70s-inspired attire to enjoy live music from ALIBI and other festivities for CNC’s 50th anniversary celebration. A dynamic, high-energy band, ALIBI elevates events with exciting, nonstop party music, professional choreography, beautiful and sophisticated costumes, state-of-the-art sound, and a dazzling lighting display. This nine-piece, high-powered band is made up of industry-veteran musicians and exceptionally talented singers, many of whom have their own professional recordings and have appeared on major artists’ recordings and tours. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/3cxwabps.

Friday, June 26

June July 2026 JBaby Intown Small Group - 11:30 a.m. A five-week small group series for local families to bond over music, education, support, and playtime. Designed for babies ages 0–12 months and their parent(s). In this warm, welcoming space, neighborhood families come together for playful learning and meaningful support. You’ll connect with other parents, learn from developmental experts, and share new experiences with your little one — building friendships and a deeper connection to your community along the way. Each session is about 45–60 minutes, with plenty of time to socialize after. Register at https://tinyurl. com/ahy3eac2.

Sunday, June 28

50th Anniversary Community Celebration with CNC – 12 to 5 p.m. Let’s celebrate five decades of CNC together! Join us on this joyful, family-friendly day filled with nostalgia, excitement, and community spirit. Bring a picnic and plan to explore our 127 acres and enjoy summer activities! Sign up for tickets at https://tinyurl.com/yxhv62wa.

JBaby Brookhaven Neighborhood Small Group - 3:30 p.m. A five-week small group series for local families to bond over music, education, support, and playtime. Designed for babies ages 0–12 months and their parent(s). In this warm, welcoming space, neighborhood families come together for playful learning and meaningful support. You’ll connect with other parents, learn from developmental experts, and share new experiences with your little one — building friendships and a deeper connection to your community along the way. Each session is about 45–60 minutes, with plenty of time to socialize after. Register at https://tinyurl. com/yhr5ayry.

Sip and Stroll – 9 to 11 a.m. Join PJ Library for an easy, breezy morning on the Beltline. We’ll meet up to grab a coffee, tea, or whatever your morning drink of choice is, then take a casual walk together. This is a come-and-go, no-pressure kind of hang — stay for a quick stroll or linger a little longer. Afterward, feel free to grab lunch along the Beltline with new friends (or old ones!). RSVP at https://tinyurl. com/3cecmk4h.

Israel Scouts Friendship Caravan – 4 to 5:30 p.m. Join us for an unforgettable Israeli celebration! The Caravan is coming to town with a high-energy performance full of music, dancing, and Israeli spirit. It’s the perfect way to connect with Israel and celebrate with our local community. Who is it for? Everyone! The show is family-friendly and perfect for all ages, from 2 to 100. Register at https://tinyurl.com/ mt2uarcy.

KEEPING IT KOSHER

Spicy Tomato Garlic Confit

Ingredients

1 pint cherry tomatoes (about 2 cups)

7 to 8 cloves garlic

7 dried chile de arbol (a long, red, slender, very hot variety)

2 sprigs fresh rosemary (or 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary)

Chili flakes to taste (1 teaspoon is suggested)

Kosher salt to taste (1 teaspoon is suggested)

Cracked black pepper to taste

Extra-virgin olive oil

Prepare the Spicy Tomato Garlic Confit

1. Heat oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Place all the ingredients in a small ovenproof dish. Pour in olive oil – it should just cover the mixture.

3. Bake for two hours or until fragrant and fork tender. Serve with good bread.

Financial Problems

Helen and Issy were having a hard time financially and needed to keep their spending to a minimum.

To keep her household account as low as she could, Helen decided not to have her dress dry cleaned. Instead, she washed it by hand.

When Issy returned from work, Helen proudly told him of her idea to save money.

She said, “Just think, Issy, we are $3 richer because I washed this dress by hand.”

“Great,” Issy quickly replied. “Wash it again!”

YIDDISH WORD

Roamitzvah

n. A destination bar mitzvah celebrated in a place other than the boy’s or girl’s home synagogue.

“Adam’s roamitzvah is being held at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. They’re flying in a kosher chef.”

From the English “roam” and the Hebrew/Yiddish “bar/bat mitzvah”

BRAIN FOOD

Wrap it up!

By: Yoni Glatt, koshercrosswords@gmail.com

Difficulty Level: Medium

ACROSS

1. See 68-Across and 32-Down

5. Certain opera singer

10. Internet letters

14. Tranquillity

15. A kumzitz might have it

16. Mjolnir wielder

17. Where Jews are pressured to disavow Israel

18. Art house film, often 19. Lamb owner, in song

20. What some Jews do when saying shacharit

23. Where many Jewish boys learn how to 20-Across

24. Sixties TVs, e.g.

27. They’re finally getting challenged by batters

31. Unison cheer

32. Mme, in Madrid

35. Makes a stink

37. Door device

38. ___ HaHar

39. Miriam’s father

40. Prefix with stellar

41. “Capital” attachment

42. Nasal partitions

43. Diamonds, long ago

44. School org. for bright kids

45. Brave or Red, briefly

46. Af-fjord-able city?

47. Joseph being sent to prison, e.g.

48. Like some creative ideas...and most of the clues in this puzzle

56. Aussie sprinter

58. 8x MLB All-Star Nolan

59. Once-lifetime link

62. Unit of force?

63. Phylacteries material

64. Exaggerated workload

65. Carry a mortgage, say

66. Sarah’s brother, in the Bible

67. Taylor of fashion

68. A bayit, with 1-Across

DOWN

1. “Cinque” follower

2. Stringed instrument

3. Great-nephew of 66-Across

4. Advanced, as funds

5. Dill swill

6. Rachel and Leah, to each other’s children

7. Jewish field

8. “Ready Player One” genre

9. ___ Shalom

This week, 100 years ago - 1926

The Kingdom of Tunis (Tunisia) proclaims Yom Kippur as legal day of rest.

This week, 75 years ago - 1951

The American Jewish Committee reports large number of Jews in Poland, Romania, and Hungary arrested and being sent to forced labor camps.

An Orthodox Jewish 13-year-old, Irving Belz, who whispered “Shema Yisrael” to himself over the course of the competition, wins the National Spelling Bee.

Anti-Defamation League presents award to Bert Struby, executive editor of the Macon Telegraph and News.

This week, 50 years ago - 1976

Temple Beth Israel in Macon selects Rabbi Edward Cohn, assistant rabbi at The Temple in Atlanta, to be their religious leader.

Rabbi Nathan Kohen Library established at the Hillel House at the University of Georgia.

Sam Goldstein donates a Torah to Anshe S’Fard Syna-

gogue, in memory of his parents, Nathan and Rose Goldstein.

Lisa Zeir, daughter Mr. and Mrs. Steven Zier, celebrates her bat mitzvah ceremony at Ahavath Achim synagogue.

Scott Butler, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joel Butler, and Lee Spielberger, son of Marsha and Larry Speilberger, celebrate their b’nai mitzvah ceremony at Ahvath Achim Synagogue.

Rabbi Zvi Shapiro of Brooklyn appointed as headmaster of the Rabbi Harry Epstein School.

This week, 25 years ago - 2001

The Louis Kahn Group Home assisted living facility gets larger location and is renamed as the Cohen Home.

The AJT covers Jewish handlers showcasing exotic creatures at Zoo Atlanta.

Michael Dermer, son of Stephen and Rhonda Dermer, celebrates his bar mitzvah ceremony at Congregation B’nai Torah.

10. Internet letters

11. Neighbor of a Cambodian

12. Like a Western Wall visitor’s shirt, perhaps

13. Be snoopy

21. Clam kin

22. Dern and Schlessinger

24. Endangered pachyderms

25. Brunch melon

26. “And Still I Rise” poet

28. Sentimental souvenir

29. Bewilderment

30. Hockey equipment

31. One of the Marx brothers

32. Bayit letter

33. A bayit, with 1-Across

34. Bayit locales

36. Like King Solomon

49. Like King Saul

50. It’s a cookie

51. Bowling a 300, e.g.

52. Blow-up letters?

53. “Real funny...”

54. Garden with a snake

55. What Eve wasn’t

56. Starter for travel or tourism

57. Cut blades, say

60. Sister of Tirzah

61. Also alternative

The AJT covers Lillian Schapiro, Atlanta’s only mohelet, or female mohel.

Jewish artist Micheal Kalish makes 10-foot sculptures of baseball players out of license plates, to be displayed at Turner Field.

Issues of the AJT (then Southern Israelite) from 1929-1986 can be found for free online at https:// gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn78003973/

OBITUARIES

Rita Gamsey Burnat 74,

Atlanta

Rita Gamsey Burnat, daughter of Milton Linwood Gamsey and Rosalind Gamsey, passed away on June 5 at her home in Atlanta, Ga., at the age of 74. She was predeceased by her son, Kyle Burnat. Rita is survived by her son, Lawson Burnat, and daughter-in-law, Laura Burnat of Milton, Ga.; grandchildren, Kyla Burnat and Weston Burnat; brothers, Dr. Alan Gamsey (Helen) of Norfolk, Va., and David Gamsey (Carrie) of Sandy Springs, Ga.; nephews, Mark Gamsey, Jeff Gamsey (Elise), Brian Gamsey (Katie); nieces: Robyn Gamsey and Elizabeth Deutsch (Isaac). In addition, she is survived by numerous other cousins, relatives and friends.

Rita was born on Nov. 22, 1951, in Norfolk, Va., and graduated from Granby High School in 1969. She was very active in school activities acting as the Granby High School SCA (Student Council) President. She graduated from Emory University with a B.A. in economics in 1973 where she met her future husband, Larry Burnat. They married and raised two children in Atlanta. After college, Rita worked as an economist at Trust Company of Georgia, and later as a vice president of commercial real estate at the First National Bank of Atlanta. She later worked as a mortgage broker for many years.

Rita was a devoted mother whose love knew no limits. She was her children’s greatest supporter – cheering from the sidelines and driving her kids all over town to numerous sporting events. She surrounded herself with a wide, vibrant circle of friends playing Alta Tennis, participating in Stock Club, attending ladies birthday lunch groups, traveling to Europe and other destinations around the globe, and spending time at art museums. She was a member of Temple Sinai and attended services regularly.

Rita will be remembered for her remarkable gift for caring - the kind that wasn’t loud or showy, but steady, instinctive, and deeply felt by everyone around her. Her friends knew they could lean on her without hesitation, because she always made space for their worries, their joys, and their stories. Her children grew up wrapped in that same unwavering love, guided by her gentle strength and her belief that their needs came before her own.

She moved through life with a heart tuned to the well-being of others. Whether it was offering a listening ear, showing up when someone needed her most, or quietly putting aside her own burdens to lift someone else’s, she gave of herself freely. Caring wasn’t something she did – it was who she was.

One of her greatest joys in life was being a grandmother. She was endlessly proud of her grandchildren, Kyla and Weston - proud of who they were, what they were becoming, and every milestone they reached. They brought her light, laughter, and purpose, and she poured her love into them in the same selfless way she cared for everyone she loved. Her grace in hardship and her boundless love for her grandchildren will remain among the most beautiful parts of her legacy.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all of Rita’s caregivers: Katie, Cece, Fatima, Eda and Knackia. We would also like to thank all of her friends and family members that took time to visit and spend time with her during the last 18 months.

Funeral services were held at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Temple Sinai with burial following at Arlington Memorial Park at 201 Mount Vernon Hwy in Sandy Springs. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Woodward Academy in support of the endowed Kyle Burnat ‘01 Scholar Athlete Award would be appreciated. Memorial gifts may be made online at woodward.edu/giving (indicate tribute gift) or by check made payable to Woodward Academy and mailed to: Woodward Academy Advancement Office, 1662 Rugby Avenue, College Park, Georgia, 30337 (noting Kyle Burnat ‘01 Scholar Athlete Award in memo line). Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Jeanette Dankberg 98,

Atlanta

Our beloved mother passed away peacefully at the age of 98, just weeks shy of her 99th birthday. She leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, relentless positivity, and a passion for living life to the fullest.

Born in the Bronx on Aug. 13, 1927, she attended James Monroe High School and went on to Hunter College in New York. She worked as an administrative assistant for many years for different companies, bringing her characteristic dedication and positivity to everything she did.

She met the love of her life, Sy, at a dude ranch in upstate New York, where she famously beat him at ping pong. They were married for over 51 years, showing their children what true love and partnership looked like. Together they shared a love of travel, sports, and simple pleasures — from Knicks games at Madison Square Garden to trips to Alaska and Las Vegas, and yes, even going to Costco, a favorite spot for a dog and slice of pizza.

A New Yorker through and through, she had red-strawberry blonde hair, beautiful blue eyes, and the spirit to match. Mom was kind, selfless and compassionate, but never afraid to stand up for herself or those she loved. She was fascinated by current events and politics, and never missed an episode of the evening news, especially David Muir. She loved movies, celebrity magazines, Jeopardy, bingo, and had a serious sweet tooth, lemon meringue pie was her favorite. She was a wonderful cook, too.

Music filled her life, she loved Patsy Cline, John Denver, and Tom Jones, and had a beautiful singing voice, though she was shy about sharing it. She loved to dance, bowl, and shoot baskets in her youth, and remained active and engaged well into her nineties.

Her greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her daughter, Iris, and son, Ray; her daughter-in-law, Tracy, and son-in-law, Sean; and her four beloved grandchildren, Sam, Harris, Alex, and Marshall. She cherished every detail of their lives and was extraordinarily proud of each of them. She is also survived by her beloved nephew, Fred, and many extended family members and dear friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Sy, her sister, Syl, and her brother, Martin.

The family extends special thanks to the William Breman Jewish Home and Rehabilitation Center and Jewish Towers for their exceptional care and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you honor her memory by living with gratitude, showing kindness to others, and cherishing your loved ones. Her beautiful spirit will live on forever.

Obituaries in the AJT are written and paid for by the families; contact Account Manager Ilyssa Klein at Ilyssa@atljewishtimes.com or 404-883-2130, ext. 122, for details about submission, rates and payments. Death notices, which provide basic details, are free and run as space is available; send submissions to submissions@atljewishtimes.com.

Harriet Magalnick 90,

Atlanta

Harriet Magalnick was born in Bronx, N.Y., on Oct. 14, 1935. Her mother, Marion Bossin, immigrated to New York from Vilna at age 4 and her father, Louis Bossin, was a lifelong New Yorker.

Harriet had two dreams for her life: one was to be a mother and have a family and the other was to be a nurse. Like many women of her time, she pursued parenthood first. She was a loving mother, birthday party maker, and Brownie leader to her daughters, Elisabeth Martin and Lauren Magalnick Berman. She also worked as a preschool teacher for childrenat-risk.

After her divorce, Harriet pursued her second dream -- to become a nurse. Without much fuss, she went back to night school at the local community college, and she graduated with a nursing degree.

Her nursing career was cut short by a life-threatening automobile accident, but she made the best of it by retiring to Florida where she enjoyed Bridge, shows, and great friends. She moved to Atlanta at the age of 86 when she knew she would need family support. She established a wonderful social life at Somerby Independent Living, and she easily transitioned to her new life and extended family.

She is survived by her daughters, Lauren and Elisabeth; her sons-in-law, Daniel Berman and Michael Duddy; and her grandchildren, Eitan (Nora) Berman, Gil Berman, Matan Berman (partner Alanna Orgill), and Lindsay (Nico Erickson-Deriso) Duddy. Her great-grandson, Shai, was the light of her life.

Harriet died on May 17, 2026, and she was celebrated in a private service on May 18, 2026. Donations in her memory can be made to Young Judaea Global; The Red Tent Fund; Jewish Fertility Foundation; and The Surrogacy Foundation. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770-451-4999.

Burton Wittenberg

88, Atlanta

Burton Wittenberg, known fondly to many as “Popi,” was born in Philadelphia, Penn., in 1937. Burt was a veteran of the United States Army, where he served during peacetime. He studied horticulture in college and had a 60-plus year career in sales. He was known for being a friendly and bold man to do business with. Burt was a big supporter of the state of Israel, spending much time vacationing and volunteering in Israel. He was known to buy lunch or snacks for any IDF soldier he encountered. Burt was a Zionist to his core.

In 1987, when Burt moved to Atlanta, he and his wife became involved in the Orthodox community in Toco Hills. Burt grew a deep admiration for Torah study and strengthened his connection with G-d.

Burt is survived by his wife, Doreen; two of his brothers, Al and Bob Wittenberg; his three children, Rachel, David, and Josh Wittenberg; six grandchildren; one greatgrandchild; and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Beth Jacob Synagogue, Leket Israel, and Shuva Achim. Arrangement by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, 770451-4999.

CLOSING THOUGHTS Finding a Piano Teacher

Chana Shapiro

My family moved to Lemay, Mo. (population 15,000 in the late 1950s), when little towns around St. Louis were growing fast. Our new store on Lemay’s main drag, Lemay Ferry Road, hopefully would be part of that growth.

My brother and I went to the public school from which we walked home with other students for lunch every day. We lived above our store, which offered a panoramic view of the pedestrians shopping out front and glimpses into the lives of the folks who lived in wooden houses out back, along East Adelia Road.

My parents worked happily side-byside in the store, but years later — when mom told me all the details of the following story — she explained that she was very concerned about our rural education and lack of cultural experiences. To that end, we had

lots of books, listened to famous pieces of music, and learned from edifying children’s records. We went to Sunday school 45 minutes away in St. Louis proper, after which we stocked up on kosher food, frequented the art museum, saw plays, and attended the Muny Opera; however, those attempts to develop our appreciation of the arts weren’t deemed adequate. When I was in the third grade in Lemay, mom decided that it was time for me to learn to play the piano, and dad was all for it. I was eager, but we didn’t have a piano, and a piano would have to be carried to the second floor where we lived. Crucially, mom had to hire a piano teacher.

My best friend, Sandy, or other kids I knew in Lemay didn’t take music lessons of any kind. Sandy’s older sister’s boyfriend played the guitar, and a neighbor, Mr. Reprogel, played the harmonica, but it had to be piano lessons for me. Our occasional babysitter, Minnie Fendler, came to the rescue. She lived in a porched house on East Adelia behind our store, where she played cards with my brother and me, and showed off her parrot that “talked.” Most important, she had an upright piano she never played. Miss Fendler was happy to sell us the piano,

and her burly nephews got that piano up our stairs. My mother immediately tried to find a local piano teacher. I hoped to ride my bike to piano lessons after school, or maybe a teacher would climb the stairs to me and my untuned piano.

Mom (without the aid of today’s Internet) asked everyone she met for suggestions, but to no avail. Then my friend Sandy’s mother, Terry, mentioned a pianist “who knew all the songs,” but meeting him would severely challenge mom’s comfort level. At the end of Lemay Ferry Road, there was a bar where Terry worked. My mother had never been in a bar her whole life, and she told me that she had pictured the bar as a smoke-filled cavern of inebriated males; however, she was desperate and determined to talk to the bar’s part-time piano player, George, whom Terry suggested.

Mom bravely walked into the bar and approached George Bohler, who agreed to follow her outside to talk. He thought it was cool that we lived above our store, steps and all. He could read sheet music, he said, but he played piano mostly by ear. He knew zero music theory and had never taught anybody anything, but he affirmed that he’d appreci-

ate some extra cash and probably could get along fine with a third grader.

Bohler taught me to read uncomplicated music and found song books of popular tunes that were fun to play. I never practiced scales or etudes, I learned no proper fingering, followed no musical symbols except sharps and flats, knew nothing at all about keys or changing them, and I was allowed to create fake chords that sounded pretty OK. Bohler appreciated my enthusiasm, calmly called out my errors and never complained about the old piano. He bounded cheerfully up our stairs; I welcomed new songs, loved to practice them, and my parents kept paying him.

A year or so later, Bohler married and relocated to Chicago. I was lesson-less until sixth grade, when my family moved to St. Louis proper, and mom immediately hired a popular piano teacher, Mr. Kessler, who was disappointed and frustrated by my lack of proficiency, technique, or desire to learn classical music. After a couple of years, I was worn out by his attempts to bring me up to speed, and my mother finally gave up exhorting me to practice. She and I both knew she’d tried her best. ì

BUYING DIAMONDS

ALL SHAPES AND SIZES

BUYING GOLD & PLATINUM

CLASS RINGS, OLD SETTINGS, BROKEN AND UNWANTED JEWELRY

BUYING ALL FINE JEWELRY

PRECIOUS METALS AND GEMSTONES

BUYING ALL FINE WATCHES

ROLEX AND OTHER CLASSIC MAKERS, VINTAGE AND OTHERWISE

BUYING COINS & CURRENCY

COLLECTIBLE, BULLION, 1964 AND BEFORE SILVER COINS

BUYING ALL STERLING SILVER

FLATWARE, HOLLOWARE AND JEWELRY (NO POLISHING REQUIRED)